bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Receptive Fields of Visual Neurons: The Early Years
Authors: Spillmann Lothar
Published: November 2014

This paper traces the history of the visual receptive field (RF) from Hartline to Hubel and Wiesel. Hartline (1938, 1940) found that an isolated optic nerve fiber in the frog could be excited by light falling on a small circular area of the retina. He called this area the RF, using a term first introduced by Sherrington (1906) in the tactile domain. In 1953 Kuffler discovered the antagonistic center—surround organization of cat RFs, and Barlow, Fitzhugh, and Kuffler (1957) extended this work to stimulus size and state of adaptation. Shortly thereafter, Lettvin and colleagues (1959) in an iconic paper asked “what the frog's eye tells the frog's brain”. Meanwhile, Jung and colleagues (1952–1973) searched for the perceptual correlates of neuronal responses, and Jung and Spillmann (1970) proposed the term perceptive field (PF) as a psychophysical correlate of the RF. The Westheimer function (1967) enabled psychophysical measurements of the PF center and surround in human and monkey, which correlated closely with the underlying RF organization. The sixties and seventies were marked by rapid progress in RF research. Hubel and Wiesel (1959–1974), recording from neurons in the visual cortex of the cat and monkey, found elongated RFs selective for the shape, orientation, and position of the stimulus, as well as for movement direction and ocularity. These findings prompted the emergence in visual psychophysics of the concept of feature detectors selective for lines, bars, and edges, and contributed to a model of the RF in terms of difference of Gaussians (DOG) and Fourier channels. The distinction between simple, complex, and hypercomplex neurons followed. Although RF size increases towards the peripheral retina, its cortical representation remains constant due to the reciprocal relationship with the cortical magnification factor (M). This constitutes a uniform yardstick for M-scaled stimuli across the retina. Developmental studies have shown that RF properties are not fixed. RFs possess their full response inventory already at birth, but require the interaction with appropriate stimuli within a critical time window for refinement and consolidation. Taken together these findings paved the way for a better understanding of how objective properties of the external world are encoded to become subjective properties of the subjective, perceptual world.
Biolinguistics between the language gene, the fossils of language, Merge, and beyond
Authors: Stamenov Maxim I.
Published: November 2014

In this review article the subject under consideration is the status of the biolinguistics program as presented in The Cambridge Handbook of Biolinguistics (2013). The discussion revolves around the problem of what its thematic coverage is and what the prospects of its expansion are according to this publication. The main challenges for biolinguistics are envisaged along the lines of the following three questions: Is it possible (and if yes under what conditions) for biolinguistics to broaden the spectrum of its program in terms of integration of theory, methods, and results from psycholinguistics, neurolinguistics, and cognitive neuroscience? Is it capable of expanding in a sensible way beyond the set of questions included in its agenda within the generative grammar framework? Is it tenable for the biolinguistics program, as a result of this expansion, to undergo the metamorphosis of becoming the science of language out of life, or is this ‘mission impossible’?
Co-constructing “We” and “Us”
Authors: Jong Marnie Rogers-de , Strong Tom
Published: November 2014

Using Gubrium and Holstein’s (2009) approach to narrative analysis, I examine how couples and I co-authored and co-edited shared meanings while talking about “we-ness.” I pay particular attention to my role as researcher and how I was active in inviting these conversations. I also attend to how participants and I developed joint meanings, negotiated individual and relational identities, and managed couples’ public image through processes of collaboration and control; specifically, by indicating agreement, navigating disagreements, and passing over alternative stories. Participants observed that talking about we-ness, with one another and with me, increased their sense of closeness. Thus, orienting to moments of togetherness and discussing past, present, and future experiences as a couple had implications for their understandings of “we” and “us.” I discuss the implications of my results, inviting researchers and therapists to consider how they may be active in shaping meaning- and identity-making conversations with participants and clients.
Anti-obesity effects of Taif and Egyptian pomegranates: molecular study
Authors: Ahmed Mohamed M , Samir El-Shazly A , El-Shehawi Ahmed M , Alkafafy Mohamed E
Published: November 2014

The present study investigated the anti-obesity effects of pomegranate (Punica granatum) juices from the two Saudi Arabian, Taif red, Taif white, and Egyptian pomegranates in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats. Administrating any of the used juices decreased the body weight gain, food consumption, and serum levels of lipid, leptin, and glucose, while it increased serum insulin level. Histologically, all types of juices decreased the number and size of lipid droplets in hepatocytes compared to the obese, non-treated animals. All juices types upregulated the hepatic mRNA expression of hormone-sensitive lipase, pyruvate kinase, and adiponectin in obese rats; the genes were all suppressed by HFD feeding. Additionally, the expression of fatty acid synthase, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase1 was also upregulated by all types of juices. Conversely, ghrelin mRNA expression was downregulated by all used juices’ types. These findings demonstrate that all types of tested juices protect against the HFD-induced obesity in rats.
MicroRNA-214 controls skin and hair follicle development by modulating the activity of the Wnt pathway
Authors: Ahmed Mohammed I. , Alam Majid , Emelianov Vladimir U. , Poterlowicz Krzysztof , Patel Ankit , Sharov Andrey A. , Mardaryev Andrei N. , Botchkareva Natalia V.
Published: November 2014

Skin development is governed by complex programs of gene activation and silencing, including microRNA-dependent modulation of gene expression. Here, we show that miR-214 regulates skin morphogenesis and hair follicle (HF) cycling by targeting β-catenin, a key component of the Wnt signaling pathway. miR-214 exhibits differential expression patterns in the skin epithelium, and its inducible overexpression in keratinocytes inhibited proliferation, which resulted in formation of fewer HFs with decreased hair bulb size and thinner hair production. The inhibitory effects of miR-214 on HF development and cycling were associated with altered activities of multiple signaling pathways, including decreased expression of key Wnt signaling mediators β-catenin and Lef-1, and were rescued by treatment with pharmacological Wnt activators. Finally, we identify β-catenin as one of the conserved miR-214 targets in keratinocytes. These data provide an important foundation for further analyses of miR-214 as a key regulator of Wnt pathway activity and stem cell functions during normal tissue homeostasis, regeneration, and aging.
Reduced synaptic vesicle protein degradation at lysosomes curbs TBC1D24/sky-induced neurodegeneration
Authors: Fernandes Ana Clara , Uytterhoeven Valerie , Kuenen Sabine , Wang Yu-Chun , Slabbaert Jan R. , Swerts Jef , Kasprowicz Jaroslaw , Aerts Stein , Verstreken Patrik
Published: November 2014

Synaptic demise and accumulation of dysfunctional proteins are thought of as common features in neurodegeneration. However, the mechanisms by which synaptic proteins turn over remain elusive. In this paper, we study Drosophila melanogaster lacking active TBC1D24/Skywalker (Sky), a protein that in humans causes severe neurodegeneration, epilepsy, and DOOR (deafness, onychdystrophy, osteodystrophy, and mental retardation) syndrome, and identify endosome-to-lysosome trafficking as a mechanism for degradation of synaptic vesicle-associated proteins. In fly sky mutants, synaptic vesicles traveled excessively to endosomes. Using chimeric fluorescent timers, we show that synaptic vesicle-associated proteins were younger on average, suggesting that older proteins are more efficiently degraded. Using a genetic screen, we find that reducing endosomal-to-lysosomal trafficking, controlled by the homotypic fusion and vacuole protein sorting (HOPS) complex, rescued the neurotransmission and neurodegeneration defects in sky mutants. Consistently, synaptic vesicle proteins were older in HOPS complex mutants, and these mutants also showed reduced neurotransmission. Our findings define a mechanism in which synaptic transmission is facilitated by efficient protein turnover at lysosomes and identify a potential strategy to suppress defects arising from TBC1D24 mutations in humans.
Valentina Greco: Got hair?
Authors: Sedwick Caitlin
Published: November 2014

Greco studies tissue regeneration and regression in the hair follicle and in cancer.
Juxtaposition of the changes in intracellular calcium and force during staircase potentiation at 30 and 37°C
Authors: Smith Ian C. , Vandenboom Rene , Tupling A. Russell
Published: November 2014

Ca2+ entry during the action potential stimulates muscle contraction. During repetitive low frequency stimulation, skeletal muscle undergoes staircase potentiation (SP), a progressive increase in the peak twitch force induced by each successive stimulus. Multiple mechanisms, including myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation, likely contribute to SP, a temperature-dependent process. Here, we used the Ca2+-sensitive fluorescence indicators acetoxymethyl (AM)-furaptra and AM-fura-2 to examine the intracellular Ca2+ transient (ICT) and the baseline Ca2+ level at the onset of each ICT during SP at 30 and 37°C in mouse lumbrical muscle. The stimulation protocol, 8 Hz for 8 s, resulted in a 27 ± 3% increase in twitch force at 37°C and a 7 ± 2% decrease in twitch force at 30°C (P < 0.05). Regardless of temperature, the peak rate of force production (+df/dt) was higher in all twitches relative to the first twitch (P < 0.05). Consistent with the differential effects of stimulation on twitch force at the two temperatures, raw ICT amplitude decreased during repetitive stimulation at 30°C (P < 0.05) but not at 37°C. Cytosolic Ca2+ accumulated during SP such that baseline Ca2+ at the onset of ICTs occurring late in the train was higher (P < 0.05) than that of those occurring early in the train. ICT duration increased progressively at both temperatures. This effect was not entirely proportional to the changes in twitch duration, as twitch duration characteristically decreased before increasing late in the protocol. This is the first study identifying a changing ICT as an important, and temperature-sensitive, modulator of muscle force during repetitive stimulation. Moreover, we extend previous observations by demonstrating that contraction-induced increases in baseline Ca2+ coincide with greater +df/dt but not necessarily with higher twitch force.
A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Chlorhexidine-Soaked Cloths to Reduce Methicillin-Resistant and Methicillin-SusceptibleStaphylococcus aureusCarriage Prevalence in an Urban Jail
Authors: David Michael Z. , Siegel Jane D. , Henderson Janet , Leos Greg , Lo Kaming , Iwuora Jerry , Porsa Esmaeil , Schumm L. Philip , Boyle-Vavra Susan , Daum Robert S.
Published: November 2014

Objective.

To assess an intervention to limit community-associated methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) dissemination.

Design.

Randomized, controlled trial.

Setting.

County Jail, Dallas, Texas.

Participants.

A total of 4,196 detainees in 68 detention tanks.

Methods.

Tanks were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: in group 1, detainees received cloths that contained chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) to clean their entire skin surface 3 times per week for 6 months; group 2 received identical cloths containing only water; and group 3 received no skin treatment. During the study, all newly arrived detainees were invited to enroll. Nares and hand cultures were obtained at baseline and from all current enrollees at 2 and 6 months.

Results.

At baseline,S. aureuswas isolated from 41.2% and MRSA from 8.0% (nares and/or hand) of 947 enrollees. The average participation rate was 47%. At 6 months, MRSA carriage was 10.0% in group 3 and 8.7% in group 1 tanks (estimated absolute risk reduction [95% confidence interval (CI)], 1.4% [−4.8% to 7.1%];P= .655). At 6 months, carriage of anyS. aureuswas 51.1% in group 3, 40.7% in group 1 (absolute risk reduction [95% CI], 10.4% [0.01%–20.1%];P= .047), and 42.8% (absolute risk reduction [95% CI], 8.3% [−1.4% to 18.0%];P= .099) in group 2.

Conclusions.

Skin cleaning with CHG for 6 months in detainees, compared with no intervention, significantly decreased carriage ofS. aureus, and use of water cloths produced a nonsignificant but similar decrease. A nonsignificant decrease in MRSA carriage was found with CHG cloth use.

Trial registration.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00785200.
The GALAXIES beamline at the SOLEIL synchrotron: inelastic X-ray scattering and photoelectron spectroscopy in the hard X-ray range
Authors: Rueff J.-P. , Ablett J. M. , Céolin D. , Prieur D. , Moreno Th. , Balédent V. , Lassalle-Kaiser B. , Rault J. E. , Simon M. , Shukla A.
Published: November 2014

The GALAXIES beamline at the SOLEIL synchrotron is dedicated to inelastic X-ray scattering (IXS) and photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) in the 2.3–12 keV hard X-ray range. These two techniques offer powerful complementary methods of characterization of materials with bulk sensitivity, chemical and orbital selectivity, resonant enhancement and high resolving power. After a description of the beamline components and endstations, the beamline capabilities are demonstrated through a selection of recent works both in the solid and gas phases and using either IXS or HAXPES approaches. Prospects for studies on liquids are discussed.
Talent management at Steelcase Manufacturing, Malaysia: managing high performance
Authors: Othman Rozhan Bin , Sumardi Wardah Azimah
Published: November 2014

Subject area

Human resource management and leadership development.

Study level/applicability

MBA course on Human Resource Management.

Case overview

This case present the talent management practice at Steelcase. It highlights the approach taken by the company in managing its high performers. The approach taken by Steelcase links leadership development with performance management and succession planning. It also describes the distinct characteristics that make the approach taken by Steelcase different from other companies that implement talent management. This case presents policy options that companies can consider in developing a talent management program.

Expected learning outcomes

Understand and describe the interconnection between various talent development activities. Compare and assess policy options in developing talent management programs. Analyze how Steelcase nurture a high performance culture among its employees. Describe the leadership behaviors Steelcase is seeking to develop among its leaders.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
Authentic leadership: the case of Miloud Chaabi, a shepherd who became a business legend
Authors: Hassi Abderrahman , Storti Giovanna
Published: November 2014

Subject area

This case study may be used in the following academic courses: Theories of Leadership; Leadership and Leaders Organizational Leaders Roles; Management Skills Ethics and Governance; and Ethics and Management Entrepreneurial Management.

Study level/applicability

This case study may be used in the following academic programs: Bachelor's in Business Administration; Master of Science in Business Administration; and MBA Programs.

Case overview

There is little doubt, if any, that values shape the decisions, behaviors and corporate moves that business managers and leaders make in their day-to-day operations. The following case study sheds light on the influence of personal values on individuals in leadership positions. To do so, concrete examples of observed behaviors, in cases where values have been honored and positive outcomes have been attained, will be reported. From hiring practices, contract bidding, compensation policies and/or customer service, the Ynna conglomerate group, a Moroccan holding corporation, has been led by a visionary who patiently started his life journey as a shepherd tending ewes, and decades later has emerged as an extraordinary business legend to emulate. Virtually all the decisions taken within his companies are influenced by his moral convictions and his values. Miloud Chaabi, listed in Forbes Magazine as one of the top 40 richest billionaires in Africa, is a principled and revered individual who has been spiritually leading his businesses in various sectors since 1948.

Expected learning outcomes

In general, the objective of the case study is to further enhance the understanding of leadership in general and values-based leadership in particular. The case study will assist students in developing their leadership-related skills through the discussion of a real-life situation and experience, and proposing solutions to a challenge face by the company in the area of leadership approaches. The case is designed to provoke and stimulate students' personal reflections about a particular approach of management, especially in a transition period.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
Overyielding in mixed forests decreases with site productivity
Authors: Toïgo Maude , Vallet Patrick , Perot Thomas , Bontemps Jean‐Daniel , Piedallu Christian , Courbaud Benoit
Published: November 2014

There is a rising interest in the role of species diversity in ecosystem functioning and services, including productivity. Yet, how the diversity–productivity relationship depends on species identity and abiotic conditions remains a challenging issue.

We analysed mixture effects on species productivity along site productivity gradients, calculated from a set of abiotic factors, in two biogeographic contexts (highlands and lowlands). We compared the productivity of 5 two‐species mixtures (i.e. 10 cases of mixed species) with that of monocultures of the same species. Five main European tree species were considered: sessile oak (Quercus petraea Liebl.), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst).

Our data set was compiled from the 2006 to 2010 French National Forest Inventory data base and covers 2361 plots including pure and mixed stands.

Overall productivity of mixtures in highlands, that is European beech–Norway spruce, European beech–silver fir and to a lesser extent, silver fir–Norway spruce, was found to be higher than expected from the productivity of corresponding monospecific stands. Overyielding was mainly due to European beech for the first two mixtures and to silver fir for the third one.

No effect of mixture was found for sessile oak–Scots pine and sessile oak–European beech stands in lowlands. Overyielding of sessile oak mixed with Scots pine was not strong enough to significantly increase overall stand productivity. Overyielding of European beech was balanced by an underyielding of sessile oak.

The mixture effect changed along site productivity gradients for six cases out of the 10 studied, with a stronger and positive effect on sites with low productivity. The magnitude of this change along site productivity gradients varied up to 89% depending on the tree species.

Synthesis. The nature of species interaction in mixtures with regard to productivity changes with species assemblage and abiotic conditions. Overyielding is strongest when species grow in highlands on less productive sites. A negative link between mixture effect and site productivity was found, in line with the stress‐gradient hypothesis.
Effects of salinity and nitrate on production and germination of dimorphic seeds applied both through the mother plant and exogenously during germination in Suaeda salsa
Authors: Song Jie , Zhou Jiachao , Zhao Weiwei , Xu Hualing , Wang Fengxia , Xu Yange , Wang Lei , Tian Changyan
Published: November 2014

Salinity and nitrogen are two important environmental factors that affect the distribution of halophytes in their natural saline habitats. Seeds of the euhalophyte Suaeda salsa L. were harvested from plants that had been treated with 1 or 500 mm NaCl combined with 0.5 or 5 mm NO3−‐N (nitrate) for 115 days in a glasshouse. Germination was evaluated under different concentrations of NaCl and nitrate. Plants exposed to high salinity (500 mm) and low nitrate (0.5 mm) tended to produce heavy seeds. Either high salinity (500 mm) or high nitrate (5 mm) increased the brown/black seed ratio. The concentrations of Na+, K+, and Cl− were higher in brown than in black seeds, and NO3− concentrations were higher in black than in brown seeds, regardless of NaCl and nitrate treatments during plant culture. Regardless of NaCl and nitrate concentrations during germination, seeds from plants grown with 0.5 mm nitrate generally germinated more rapidly than seeds from plants grown with 5 mm nitrate, and the difference was greater for black than for brown seeds. Exogenous nitrate during germination enhanced the germination of brown seeds less than that of black seeds. Producing more brown seeds and heavy black or brown seeds appears to be an adaptation of S. suaeda to saline environments. Producing more black seeds, which tend to remain dormant, should reduce competition for nitrogen and appears to be an adaptation to nitrogen‐limited environments. In conclusion, nitrate provided exogenously or by mother plants to black seeds may act as a signal molecule that enhances the germination of black S. suaeda seeds.
Analyst Reputation, Communication, and Information Acquisition
Authors: MENG XIAOJING
Published: November 2014

Earlier studies have shown that reputational concerns tend to reduce agents' opportunistic behavior. However, a recent study by Morris argued that analysts' (experts') reputational concerns may discourage truthful communication when they try to avoid being perceived as being misaligned with investors. In this paper, I examine the effect of reputational concerns on communication in a setting where analysts can choose their precision endogenously. Because both misaligned and aligned analysts want investors to trust their reports in the future, both will aim to build a reputation for being aligned. In equilibrium, aligned analysts will acquire more information than misaligned analysts. As a result, investors may favorably update their beliefs about the analysts' type when the report is proven to be accurate. Therefore, both types of analysts will have reputational incentives to communicate truthfully. The paper also derives conditions under which the analysts' reputational concerns have a nonmonotonic impact on aligned analysts' equilibrium precision choices and investors' welfare.
Comparing Electronic News Media Reports of Potential Bioterrorism‐Related Incidents Involving Unknown White Powder to Reports Received by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Federal Bureau of Investigation: U.S.A., 2009–2011
Authors: Fajardo Geroncio C. , Posid Joseph , Papagiotas Stephen , Lowe Luis
Published: November 2014

There have been periodic electronic news media reports of potential bioterrorism‐related incidents involving unknown substances (often referred to as “white powder”) since the 2001 intentional dissemination of Bacillus anthracis through the U.S. Postal System. This study reviewed the number of unknown “white powder” incidents reported online by the electronic news media and compared them with unknown “white powder” incidents reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) during a 2‐year period from June 1, 2009 and May 31, 2011. Results identified 297 electronic news media reports, 538 CDC reports, and 384 FBI reports of unknown “white powder.” This study showed different unknown “white powder” incidents captured by each of the three sources. However, the authors could not determine the public health implications of this discordance.
Revision of the familySphecidae (Hymenoptera:Apoidea) inSouthKorea
Authors: Kim Dong‐Wook , Yeo Jin‐dong , Kim Jeong‐Kyu
Published: November 2014

Korean species of the familySphecidae are reviewed, and seventeen species in nine genera belonging to three subfamilies are confirmed. Among them,Ammophila campestrisandSceliphron caementariumare new toSouthKorea.Korean occurrence ofSceliphron madraspatanumis confirmed with an actualKorean specimen. This paper provides the first determination keys to higher taxa and species occurring inSouthKorea. Taxonomic information of each species including original publication of valid name and justifiable references forKorean occurrence is provided. Digital images and line drawings for selective characteristics are also available.
Effects of global warming on mosquitoes & mosquito‐borne diseases and the new strategies for mosquito control
Authors: Yi Hoonbok , Devkota Bijaya R. , Yu Jae‐seung , Oh Ki‐cheol , Kim Jinhong , Kim Hyun‐Jung
Published: November 2014

Global warming has shortened mosquitoes’ lifecycle period and increased the disease transmission rates by mosquito vectors. We reviewed only three mosquito‐borne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and the Japanese encephalitis. Billions of people get infected with those diseases and millions of people die every year. Although we struggle to find the most effective way to control mosquitoes using various methods (including pesticides), mosquito‐borne diseases are still among the most serious problems being faced. This paper, therefore, reviews the strategies for controlling mosquitoes. The use of pesticides to control mosquitoes might have more negative effects on humans and environments than benefits. Although the development of genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes raises new hopes for effective mosquito control, it will take longer to assess the risks to humans and environments. Furthermore, there has been concern about the possible adverse effects from the release of GM mosquitoes into the environment. The various mosquito traps may not be as effective at controlling only female mosquito populations. Therefore, new strategies for the control of mosquitoes are vital. The smart mosquito counter device was developed by Korean Centre for Disease Control (KCDC) in 2013. The mosquito pest control office is able to set up the appropriate mosquito control strategies by using quantitative mosquito information. The smart device will bring mosquito control in line with modern smart generation technology and the device will also soon be able to identify different mosquito species. This new strategy will change the methods of mosquito control and will provide beneficial effects toward sustainable nature and human health.
General validation of formalin‐preserved fish samples in food web studies using stable isotopes
Authors: González‐Bergonzoni Ivan , Vidal Nicolás , Wang Beixin , Ning Ding , Liu Zhengwen , Jeppesen Erik , Meerhoff Mariana
Published: November 2014

Stable isotope analyses of carbon and nitrogen are widely used to study food web structure in ecosystems. However, isotopic signatures are affected by the often‐needed chemical preservation of tissues in the field, which impedes or weakens the interpretation of results. The scarcely available correction factors for preserved fish samples are species specific and have so far not been validated for general use. Moreover, no studies have evaluated the effect of preservation on the estimation of metrics typically used in food web studies.

We aimed to develop a general correction model suitable for a vast number of fish species and to test whether formalin‐preserved fish muscle δ13C and δ15N values can be used in food web metrics estimations. For this purpose, we used paired formalin‐preserved and fresh muscle samples of 116 fish individuals belonging to 17 species covering a wide range of fish trophic characteristics, from nine tropical streams.

Formalin decreased δ13C values by 0·6–1·4‰ (0·94‰ on average) and increased δ15N values by 0·3–0·5‰ (0·33‰ on average). Preservation effect was ecologically significant for δ13C values (as it surpassed natural trophic fractionation) and less important for δ15N values (being minor than natural trophic fractionation). However, preservation did not affect estimation of community‐wide food web metrics. The deviations in preserved samples varied among species and increased with increasing fresh sample C : N ratios and changes in carbon proportions after preservation and with increasing isotopic values (for δ13C). Despite these major deviations in δ13C values, we developed and validated a powerful general linear model to predict fresh fish muscle isotopic signatures from preserved samples.

Formalin‐preserved samples of fish can be used in food web studies, simplifying sampling logistics and allowing the use of museum and scientific collection specimens for historical food web reconstruction. Food web metrics based on δ13C vs. δ15N biplots can be directly estimated from preserved samples as the preservation effect seems overall consistent. When more detailed information is needed, or fresh and preserved samples are being simultaneously studied, formalin‐preserved isotopic signatures can be corrected to fresh values using the model developed in this study.
Evidence of inbreeding depression in the critically endangered parrot, the kakapo
Authors: White K. L. , Eason D. K. , Jamieson I. G. , Robertson B. C.
Published: November 2014

Decreased genome‐wide heterozygosity of inbred individuals can result in reduced survival and reproductive fitness (i.e. inbreeding depression). However, showing such heterozygosity–fitness correlations in endangered species, especially those that are already genetically impoverished, has proven to be difficult. New Zealand's kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) is a critically endangered, flightless parrot that now survives only on islands free of introduced predators. The recent population bottleneck of 51 individuals, lek mating system (where only females care for eggs and young) and the fact that all but one of the population's founders came from the same insular population, render them particularly susceptible to inbreeding depression. The present study uses 25 microsatellite loci to derive estimates of relatedness to investigate heterozygosity–fitness correlations in kakapo. After accounting for the effects of co‐variables, there was no evidence that male heterozygosity affected variation in egg fertility, but there was evidence that female heterozygosity affected fecundity (i.e. clutch size) and hatching success; that is, more homozygous females lay smaller clutches and had lower hatching success. The present study detected significant heterozygosity–fitness correlations and demonstrates that inbreeding is a contributing factor towards relatively low hatching success, which in turn reduces population growth in this highly endangered, flightless parrot.
Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata of unusual course with malignant transformation: case report
Authors: Żyła Monika M. , Dzieniecka Monika , Kostrzewa Marta , Stetkiewicz Tomasz , Wilamowska Agnieszka , Księżakowska‐Łakoma Kinga , Wilczyński Jacek R.
Published: November 2014

Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata is a very rare, benign entity of unknown pathogenesis, characterized by the presence of multiple subperitoneal or peritoneal smooth muscle nodules throughout the peritoneal surface. Mostly the course is asymptomatic and it is found incidentally during laparotomy, laparoscopy or cesarean section. Non‐specific symptoms such as abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, abdominal mass or gastrointestinal signs are described. Rare cases of malignant transformation have been reported. We present a case of disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis with an unusual course and transformation to endometrial sarcoma in a 26‐year‐old previously healthy woman, where the appearance of peritoneal nodules was preceded by multiple incidents of fast fibroid growth and delivery of myomatous growth into the cervical canal.
Laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair in a cirrhotic patient with a peritoneovenous shunt
Authors: Umemura Akira , Suto Takayuki , Sasaki Akira , Fujita Tomohiro , Endo Fumitaka , Wakabayashi Go
Published: November 2014

A 62‐year‐old Japanese woman who had developed massive cirrhotic ascites was referred to our hospital for a peritoneovenous shunt implant. However, CT examination revealed an umbilical hernia that had not been observed before the peritoneovenous shunt was implanted. We decided to perform laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair to keep carbon dioxide from flowing backward into the central circulatory system. We first clamped the catheter and set the upper limit of the pneumoperitoneum pressure to 6 mmHg. The central venous pressure was also measured simultaneously. Mesh was then applied over the hernia and fixed by the double‐crown technique. Finally, 1000‐mL physiological saline was infused into the abdominal cavity while the pneumoperitoneum was slowly released. In this case, we safely performed laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair while making some alterations, specifically catheter clamping, reducing pneumoperitoneum pressure, monitoring central venous pressure, and infusing physiological saline.
The role of phosphoinositide‐regulated actin reorganization in chemotaxis and cell migration
Authors: Wu C‐Y , Lin M‐W , Wu D‐C , Huang Y‐B , Huang H‐T , Chen C‐L
Published: November 2014

Reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton is essential for cell motility and chemotaxis. Actin‐binding proteins (ABPs) and membrane lipids, especially phosphoinositides PI(4,5)P2 and PI(3,4,5)P3 are involved in the regulation of this reorganization. At least 15 ABPs have been reported to interact with, or regulated by phosphoinositides (PIPs) whose synthesis is regulated by extracellular signals. Recent studies have uncovered several parallel intracellular signalling pathways that crosstalk in chemotaxing cells. Here, we review the roles of ABPs and phosphoinositides in chemotaxis and cell migration.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Cytoskeleton, Extracellular Matrix, Cell Migration, Wound Healing and Related Topics. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2014.171.issue‐24
Comparison of indices of clinically meaningful change in child and adolescent mental health services: difference scores, reliable change, crossing clinical thresholds and ‘added value’ – an exploration using parent rated scores on the SDQ
Authors: Wolpert Miranda , Görzig Anke , Deighton Jessica , Fugard Andrew J.B. , Newman Robbie , Ford Tamsin
Published: November 2014

Background

Establishing what constitutes clinically significant change is important both for reviewing the function of services and for reflecting on individual clinical practice. A range of methods for assessing change exist, but it remains unclear which are best to use and under which circumstances.

Method

This paper reviews four indices of change [difference scores (DS), crossing clinical threshold (CCT), reliable change index (RCI) and added value scores (AVS)] drawing on outcome data for 9764 young people from child and adolescent mental health services across England.

Results

Looking at DS, the t‐test for time one to time two scores indicated a significant difference between baseline and follow up scores, with a standardised effect size of d = 0.40. AVS analysis resulted in a smaller effect size of 0.12. Analysis of those crossing the clinical threshold showed 21.2% of cases were classified as recovered, while 5.5% were classified as deteriorated. RCI identified 16.5% of cases as showing reliable improvement and 2.3% of cases as showing reliable deterioration. Across RCI and CCT 80.5% of the pairings were exact (i.e., identified in the same category using each method).

Conclusions

Findings indicate that the level of agreement across approaches is at least moderate; however, the estimated extent of change varied to some extent based on the index used. Each index may be appropriate for different contexts: CCT and RCI may be best suited to use for individual case review; whereas DS and AVS may be more appropriate for case‐mix adjusted national reporting.
Rhetoric vs. reality in social work supervision: the experiences of a group of child care social workers in England
Authors: Turner‐Daly Beverly , Jack Gordon
Published: November 2014

Whilst the contribution of good supervision to high‐quality social work practice is widely recognized, research exploring practitioners' experiences of supervision is surprisingly limited. Set within the context of the supervision framework for employers of social workers in England, this small‐scale survey, using an extended questionnaire, examined the experiences of supervision of a group of child care social workers. The aim was to find out what aspects of supervision worked well and where there was room for improvement. The findings suggest that whilst the majority of employers had appropriate supervision policies in place, day‐to‐day practice varied enormously, frequently falling well short of national standards, with the quality of supervision often depending more on the characteristics of the supervisor and the agency context than the needs of the worker. Supervision sessions typically focused predominantly on case management, with much less attention paid to the worker and opportunities for them to reflect on their practice. Only a quarter of the social workers in this survey could be considered to be satisfied with their current supervision, with a much higher proportion clearly dissatisfied.
Controversies in the management of acute tonsillitis: an evidence‐based review
Authors: Bird J.H. , Biggs T.C. , King E.V.
Published: November 2014

Background

Patients admitted with acute tonsillitis generate a substantial workload for the National Health Service (NHS), placing huge financial pressures on an already overstretched budget.

Objective of review

Due to the difficulty of accurate diagnosis and varying practices across theUK, there exist a number of controversial areas and non‐standardised practice. These will be highlighted and tackled within this article.

Type of review and search strategy

A literature review, last performed in September 2013, searched PubMed citing variations on the areas of controversies with ‘tonsillitis’, ‘pharyngitis’ and ‘pharyngotonsillitis’ – from 1956 to present with language restrictions. Excluded articles included those regarding sore throat after tonsillectomy and peritonsillar abscess.

Evaluation method

Titles and abstracts were initially screened, and full text of potentially relevant articles obtained. The bibliographies of articles were searched for relevant references. The references were then compiled and reviewed independently by two authors (JB&TB), overseen by the senior author (EK).

Results

(i) Diagnosis and investigation: Use of the Centor criteria is inadequate within the secondary care setting. Blood testing is unnecessary in the majority of cases where patients do not require admission, as they are unlikely to change management. (ii) Antibiotics: Antibiotics are likely to be indicated in all those presenting to secondaryENTcare, with penicillin being the antibiotic of choice for first‐line therapy. (iii) Corticosteroids: Moderate evidence supports the benefit of steroid administration in this patient cohort, advocating a single dose initially followed by reassessment. (iv) Analgesia: Paracetamol andNSAIDs have good evidence of action. Codeine should be used with caution in the paediatric population. (v) Reduced admission rates and early discharge: There is evidence suggesting that a trial of medical therapy prior to admission is beneficial in reducing rates of admission and length of stay.

Conclusions

Management of acute tonsillitis within a secondary care setting largely consists of anecdotal or relatively low‐quality evidence. Thus, much evidence from management comes from expert opinion or practice within a primary care setting. Management across theUKcan also vary greatly. An evidence‐based review of best practice has been presented here, but further evidence will be required in the future examining the significance of corticosteroids and antibiotic administration in this patient cohort specifically, ensuring practice is evidence based and clinically relevant.
Anatomical considerations for transanal minimal‐invasive surgery: the caudal to cephalic approach
Authors: Aigner F. , Hörmann R. , Fritsch H. , Pratschke J. , D'Hoore A. , Brenner E. , Williams N. , Biebl M.
Published: November 2014

Aim

Nerve‐sparing surgery during laparoscopic rectal mobilization is still limited by anatomical constraints such as obesity, the narrowness of the male pelvis, an ultra low rectal cancer or all of these. The transanal approach for total mesorectal excision has overcome the shortcomings of limited access to the rectal ‘no‐man's land’ close to the pelvic floor. The aim of this anatomical study was to define a roadmap of anatomical landmarks for the caudal to cephalic approach so as to standardize nerve‐sparing rectal mobilization procedures.

Method

Macroscopic dissections of the pelvis in a caudal to cephalic direction were performed in eight alcohol–glycerol embalmed cadavers. A roadmap of anatomical landmarks was created at different levels of section to demonstrate the sites of nerve injury.

Results

Extrinsic autonomic nerves to the urogenital organs and the internal sphincter muscle are closely adjacent to the lowest portion of the rectum above the pelvic diaphragm.

Conclusion

This anatomical guide for the pelvic surgeon should facilitate a safe and nerve‐sparing dissection of the mesorectal plane with a meticulous overview of the lowest autonomic nerve fibres. New anatomical insights by a ‘caudal to cephalic’ approach to the ‘no‐man's land’ should help overcome anatomical constraints of a narrow, obese and male pelvis during rectal mobilization procedures.
Establishment of a regional Danish database for patients with a stoma
Authors: Danielsen A. K. , Christensen B. M. , Mortensen J. , Voergaard L. L. , Herlufsen P. , Balleby L.
Published: November 2014

Aim

To present the Danish Stoma Database Capital Region with clinical variables related to stoma creation including colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy.

Method

The stomatherapists in the Capital Region of Denmark developed a database covering patient identifiers, interventions, conditions, short‐term outcome, long‐term outcome and known major confounders. The completeness of data was validated against the Danish National Patient Register.

Results

In 2013, five hospitals included data from 1123 patients who were registered during the year. The types of stomas formed from 2007 to 2013 showed a variation reflecting the subspecialization and surgical techniques in the centres. Between 92 and 94% of patients agreed to participate in the standard programme aimed at handling of the stoma and more than 88% of patients having planned surgery had the stoma site marked pre‐operatively.

Conclusion

The database is fully operational with high data completeness and with data about patients with a stoma from before surgery up to 12 months after surgery. The database provides a solid basis for professional learning, clinical research and benchmarking.
Predicting developmental delay in a longitudinal cohort of preschool children with single‐suture craniosynostosis: is neurobehavioral assessment important?
Authors: Gray Kristen E , Kapp‐Simon Kathleen A , Starr Jacqueline R , Collett Brent R , Wallace Erin R , Speltz Matthew L
Published: November 2014

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine whether neurobehavioral assessment before and after cranial vault surgery can improve prediction of developmental delay in children with single‐suture craniosynostosis (SSC), after accounting for ‘baseline’ demographic and clinical variables (SSC diagnosis and surgery age).

Method

Children with SSC were referred by the treating surgeon or pediatrician before surgery. Neurobehavioral assessments were performed at ages of approximately 6, 18, and 36 months. Iterative models were developed to predict delay, as determined by one or more tests of cognitive, motor, and language skills at 36 months. We selected from groups of variables entered in order of timing (before or after corrective surgery), and source of information (parent questionnaire or psychometric testing).

Results

Good predictive accuracy as determined by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), was obtained with the baseline model (AUC=0.66), which incorporated age at surgery, sex, and socio‐economic status. However, predictive accuracy was improved by including pre‐ and post‐surgery neurobehavioral assessments. Models incorporating post‐surgery neurobehavioral testing (AUC=0.79), pre‐surgery testing (AUC=0.74), or both pre‐ and post‐surgery testing (AUC=0.79) performed similarly. However, the specifity of all models was considered to be moderate (≤0.62).

Interpretation

Prediction of delay was enhanced by assessment of neurobehavioral status. Findings provide tentative support for guidelines of care that call for routine testing of children with SSC.
Incremental Value of Live/Real Time Three‐Dimensional Transthoracic Echocardiography over Two‐Dimensional Echocardiography in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy with Mid‐Ventricular Obstruction and Apical Aneurysm
Authors: Thind Munveer , Joson Marisa , Gaba Saurabh , Elsayed Mahmoud , Bulur Serkan , Guvenc Tolga , Elguindy Mostafa , Nanda Navin C.
Published: November 2014

We describe a case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with mid‐left ventricular obstruction and apical aneurysm containing thrombi where live/real time three‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography provided incremental value over two‐dimensional echocardiography in assessing the findings.
Otolith size differences during early life of dwarf and cannibal Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus)
Authors: Florø‐Larsen Bjørn , Finstad Anders G. , Berg Ole K. , Olsen Per H.
Published: November 2014

In Arctic and alpine lakes, Arctic char [Salvelinus alpinus (L.)] often form two distinct morphs: invertebrate feeders (‘dwarfs’) and piscivores (‘giant or cannibals’). Here, we test for early life history growth variation in dimorphic Arctic char as a proximate explanation for the observed life history variation between the two forms. Char were sampled in 11 alpine and Arctic Norwegian lakes. Dwarfs (defined as sexually mature char less than 15 cm long; N = 304) had a mean total length of 105 mm, whereas the typical cannibal (body length above 20 cm; N = 153) was 388 mm long. A positive correlation between egg size and otolith hatching ring were ascertained in a separate hatching experiment with brown trout (Salmo trutta) and it is assumed that this relationship also is valid for Arctic char, and otolith size was used as a proxy for length. Otolith hatching ring from Arctic char cannibals was larger (mean ± SD; 187 ± 24 μm) than those from dwarfs (mean ± SD; 164 ± 23 μm). There were only minor size differences between dwarfs and cannibals during the next three years, after which dwarfs usually matured. Two mutually nonexclusive, proximate explanations for the differentiation into separate morphs (dwarfs and cannibals) are therefore maternal effects and/or genetic based differentiation. The high catchability of large piscivorous char and low production in alpine and Arctic lake ecosystems may make these stocks particularly vulnerable to overexploitation.