bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the role of reproduction and stress in the spring emergence of Haematozoan parasites in birds
Authors: Cornelius Jamie , Zylberberg Maxine , Breuner Creagh , Gleiss Adrian C. , Hahn Tom
Published: November 2013

A spring emergence of avian haemosporidian infections is nearly universal among temperate zone birds and is often described as a cost of reproductive effort. We take advantage of the opportunistic (i.e., aseasonal) breeding schedule of the red crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) to determine the relative contributions of season vs. host physiology to the timing and intensity of Haemoproteus infections in the temperate zone. Despite breeding activity in both the winter and summer, Haemoproteus infections were highly seasonal- occurring largely from May through September- and measures of host physiology (i.e., reproductive condition and stress parameters) did not explain parasite prevalence. However, within the spring-summer peak, infection intensity (i.e., parasite density) was positively correlated with plasma levels of testosterone and free corticosterone and negatively correlated with corticosterone binding globulin capacity. These data are discussed in terms of the behavioral ecology of host and vector, and suggest that both seasonal increases in vector activity and relapse of latent (i.e., dormant) infections contribute to the spring emergence in birds. Relapse of latent infections does not appear to be induced by reproductive activity or increased allostatic (i.e., energy) load, but rather by a season-specific change in host or parasite physiology (e.g., melatonin or endogenous rhythms).
Mitochondrial uncoupling prevents cold-induced oxidative stress: a case study using UCP1 knock-out mice
Authors: Stier Antoine , Bize Pierre , Habold Caroline , Bouillaud Frédéric , Massemin Sylvie , Criscuolo François
Published: November 2013

The relationship between metabolism and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by the mitochondria has been often (wrongly) viewed as straightforward, with increased metabolism leading to higher pro-oxidants generation. Insights on mitochondrial functioning show that oxygen consumption is either principally coupled with energy conversion as ATP or as heat, depending on whether the ATP-synthase or the mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) is driving respiration. However, those two processes might greatly differ in terms of oxidative costs. We used a cold challenge to investigate the oxidative stress consequences of an increased metabolism achieved either by the activation of an uncoupled mechanism (i.e. UCP1 activity) in the brown adipose tissue (BAT) of wild-type mice, or by ATP-dependent muscular shivering thermogenesis in mice deficient for UCP1. Although both mouse strains increased by more than twofold their metabolism when acclimatised for 4 weeks to moderate cold (12°C), only mice deficient for UCP1 suffered from elevated levels of oxidative stress. When exposed to cold, mice deficient for UCP1 showed an increase of 20.2% in plasmatic reactive oxygen metabolites, 81.8% in muscular oxidized glutathione and 47.1% in muscular protein carbonyls. In contrast, there was no evidence of elevated levels of oxidative stress in the plasma, muscles or BAT of wild-type mice exposed to cold despite a drastic increase in BAT activity. Our study demonstrates differing oxidative costs linked to the functioning of two highly metabolically active organs during thermogenesis. It urges for careful considerations of mitochondrial functioning when investigating the links between metabolism and oxidative stress. Although both mouse strains increased by more than twofold their energy expenditure when acclimatised for 4 weeks to mild cold (12°C), only mice deficient for UCP1 suffered from elevated levels of oxidative stress. When exposed to cold, mice deficient for UCP1 showed an increase of 20.2% in plasmatic reactive oxygen metabolites, 81.8% in muscular oxidized glutathione and 47.1% in muscular protein carbonyls. In contrast, there was no evidence of elevated levels of oxidative stress in the plasma, muscles or BAT of wild-type mice exposed to cold despite a drastic increase in BAT activity. Our study demonstrates differing oxidative costs linked to the functioning of two highly metabolically active organs during thermogenesis. It urges for careful considerations of mitochondrial functioning when studying/considering the links between energy expenditure and oxidative stress.
Form and metabolic scaling in colonial animals
Authors: Hartikainen Hanna , Humphries Stuart , Okamura Beth
Published: November 2013

Benthic colonial organisms exhibit a wide variation in size and shape and provide excellent model systems for testing the predictions of models that describe the scaling of metabolic rate with organism size. We test the hypothesis that colony form will influence metabolic scaling and its derivatives by characterising metabolic and propagule production rates in three species of freshwater bryozoans that vary in morphology and module organisation and which demonstrate two- and three-dimensional growth forms. The results were evaluated with respect to predictions from two models for metabolic scaling. Isometric metabolic scaling in two-dimensional colonies supported predictions of a model based on dynamic energy budget theory (DEB) and not those of a model based on fractally branching supply networks. This metabolic isometry appears to be achieved by equivalent energy budgets of edge and central modules, in one species (Cristatella mucedo) via linear growth and in a second species (Lophopus crystallinus) by colony fission. Allometric scaling characterised colonies of a three-dimensional species (Fredericella sultana), also providing support for the DEB model. Isometric scaling of propagule production rates for C. mucedo and F. sultana suggests that the number of propagules produced in colonies increases directly with the number of modules within colonies. Feeding currents generated by bryozoans function in both food capture and respiration, thus linking metabolic scaling with dynamics of self-shading and resource capture. Metabolic rates fundamentally dictate organismal performance (e.g. growth, reproduction) and, as we show here, are linked with colony form. Metabolic profiles and associated variation in colony form should therefore influence the outcome of biotic interactions in habitats dominated by colonial animals and may drive patterns of macroevolution.
Ultra miniature force plate for measuring triaxial forces in the micro newton range
Authors: Reinhardt Lars , Blickhan Reinhard
Published: November 2013

Measuring the ground reaction forces of the single legs is indispensable to understand the dynamics of legged locomotion. Due to the technical state of the art investigations are limited to animals with a body mass above 1 g. Here we present the design, fabrication, calibration and performance of a novel ultra-miniature force platform at the micro newton level. The sensor was built using the stereolithography technology and had been equipped with semiconductor strain gages. We found a highly linear signal response in the calibrated force range to ± 1300 μN. Individual tests revealed that our force plate still shows a linear response at forces around 4 mN confirming the particular robustness. The sensitivity is above 50 V/N in all directions which makes it possible to resolve forces of 10 μN. Moreover, we demonstrated the suitability of the device on the basis of a typical ground reaction force measurement of Formica polyctena.
Detection and selective avoidance of near ultraviolet radiation by an aquatic annelid: the medicinal leech
Authors: Jellies John
Published: November 2013

Medicinal leeches are aquatic predators that inhabit surface waters during daylight and also leave the water where they might be exposed to less screened light. Whereas the leech visual system has been shown to respond to visible light, leeches in the genus Hirudo do not appear to be as negatively phototactic as one might expect in order to avoid potential ultraviolet radiation (UVR) induced damage. I used high intensity LEDs to test the hypothesis that leeches could detect and specifically avoid near UVR (395-405 nM). Groups of unfed juvenile leeches exhibited a robust negative phototaxis to UVR, but had no behavioral response to blue or red and only a slight negative phototaxis to green and white light. Individual leeches also exhibited a vigorous negative phototaxis to UVR; responding in 100% of trials compared to modest negative responses to visible light (responding in about 8% of the trials). The responses in fed and unfed leeches were comparable for UVR stimuli. The responses depended upon the stimulus site: leeches shortened away from UV light to the head, and extended away from UV light to the tail. Electrophysiological nerve recordings showed that the cephalic eyes responded vigorously to UVR. Additionally, individual leech photoreceptors also showed strong responses to UVR, and a higher-order neuron associated with shortening and rapid behavioral responses, the S-cell, was activated by UVR, on both the head and tail. These results demonstrate that the leech can detect UVR and is able to discriminate behaviorally between UVR and visible light.
Visual feedback influences antennal positioning in flying hawk moths
Authors: Krishnan Anand , Sane Sanjay P.
Published: November 2013

Insect antennae serve a variety of sensory functions including tactile sensing, olfaction and flight control. For all of these functions, the precise positioning of the antenna is essential to ensure the proper acquisition of sensory feedback. Although antennal movements in diverse insects may be elicited or influenced by multimodal sensory stimuli, the relative effects of these cues and their integration in the context of antennal positioning responses are not well-understood. In previous studies, we have shown that fields of Böhm's bristles located at the base of the antennae provide crucial mechanosensory input for antennal positioning in flying hawk moths. Here, we present electrophysiological and behavioral evidence to show that, in addition to the Böhm's bristles, antennal muscles of hawk moths also respond to bilateral visual input. Moreover, in contrast to the mechanosensory -motor circuit which is entirely contained within the ipsilateral side, visual feedback influences antennal positioning on both contra- and ipsilateral sides. Electromyograms recorded from antennal muscles show that the latency of muscle responses to visual stimulation ranged from 35-60 ms, considerably slower than their responses to mechanosensory stimuli (<10ms). Additionally, the visual inputs received by antennal muscles are both motion-sensitive and direction-selective. We characterized the influence of visual feedback on antennal positioning by presenting open-loop translational and rotational visual stimuli to tethered flying moths. During rotational stimuli, we observed that the antenna contralateral to the direction of the turn moved forward through larger angles than the ipsilateral antenna. These observations suggest that whereas input from the Böhm's bristles mediates rapid corrections of antennal position, visual feedback may be involved in slower, bilaterally coordinated movements of the antenna during visually-guided flight maneuvers. Thus, visual feedback can modulate the set point at which the antenna is held during flight in hawk moths.
Modulation of appetite and feeding behavior of the larval mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.) by the serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitor paroxetine: shifts between distinct feeding modes and the influence of feeding status.
Authors: Kinney Michael P. , Panting Nicholas D. , Clark Thomas M.
Published: November 2013

The effects of the serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor paroxetine (2 x 10-5 mol.l-1) on behavior of the larval mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.) are described. Four discrete behavioral states dominate larval behavior, wriggling, two distinct types of feeding, and quiescence. Feeding behaviors consist of foraging along the bottom of the container (substrate browsing), and stationary filter feeding while suspended from the surface film. Fed larvae respond to paroxetine with increased wriggling, and reductions in both feeding behaviors. In contrast, food-deprived larvae treated with paroxetine show no change in the proportion of time spent wriggling or feeding, but shift from stationary filter feeding to substrate browsing. Thus, actions of paroxetine in fed larvae are consistent with suppression of appetite and stimulation of wriggling, whereas paroxetine causes food-deprived larvae to switch from one feeding behavior to another. Further analysis of unfed larvae revealed that paroxetine decreased the power stroke frequency during wriggling locomotion, but had no effect on the swimming velocity during either wriggling or substrate browsing. These data suggest that: (1) serotonergic pathways may trigger shifts between distinct behaviors by actions on higher level (brain) integrating centers where behaviors such as feeding and locomotion are coordinated , (2) these centers in fed and food deprived larvae respond differently to serotonergic stimulation suggesting sensory feedback from feeding status, and (3) serotonergic pathways also modulate central pattern generators of the nerve cord where the bursts of action potentials originate that drive the rhythmic muscle contractions of wriggling.
Divergent strategies for adaptations to stress resistance in two tropical Drosophila species: effects of developmental acclimation for D. bipectinata and the invasive species - D. malerkotliana
Authors: Parkash Ravi , Singh Divya , Lambhod Chanderkala
Published: November 2013

Previous studies on two tropical Drosophila species (D. malerkotliana and D. bipectinata) have shown lower resistance to stress related traits but the rapid colonization of D. malerkotliana in the past few decades is not consistent with its sensitivity to desiccation and cold stress. We tested the hypothesis whether developmental acclimation at two growth temperatures (17 & 25 °C) can confer adaptations to desiccation and thermal stresses. We found divergence in developmental plastic effects on cuticular traits i.e. a significant increase of body melanisation (~2 fold) and of cuticular lipid mass (~3 fold) in D. malerkotliana but only 1.5 fold higher cuticular lipid mass in D. bipectinata when grown at 17 °C as compared with 25 °C. A comparison of water budget of these two species showed significantly higher effects of developmental acclimation on body water content, reduced rate of water loss and greater dehydration tolerance to confer higher desiccation resistance in D. malerkotliana as compared with D. bipectinata. Under less warmer growth conditions (17 °C), D. malerkotliana has evidenced greater resistance to cold as well as desiccation stress. In contrast, heat resistance of D. bipectinata is higher than D. malerkotliana when grown at 25 °C. These laboratory observations find support from data on seasonally varying populations. Further, adults acclimated to different stresses showed greater increase in D. malerkotliana as compared with D. bipectinata. Thus, significant increase of stress resistance of D. malerkotliana via developmental acclimation may be responsible for its invasion and ecological success on different continents as compared with D. bipectinata.
Evaluation of the Ion Selectivity of Cyclotriveratrylene Derivatives for Inorganic Ions
Authors: Moriuchi-Kawakami Takayo , Sato Junichi , Shibutani Yasuhiko
Published: November 2013

Four C3-functionalized cyclotriveratrylene (CTV) derivatives 1–4 were synthesized, and the ion selectivity of CTV derivatives for inorganic ions was evaluated. Upon potentiometric measurements, CTV derivatives bearing three quinolinylmethyl or pyridinylmethyl groups (1 or 2) were found to exhibit high selectivity for the Ag+ ion. However, CTV derivatives bearing three benzyl or cyclohexylmethyl groups (3 or 4) exhibited rather high selectivity for the Li+ ion. The aromatic nitrogen and methoxy oxygen atoms in the CTV derivatives were observed to play important roles as effective coordination donor sites for the Ag+ or the Li+ ions.
Synthesis and Thin-film Transistor Characterization of Narrow-gap n-Type Semiconducting Polymers Based on Benzobis(thiadiazole)
Authors: Uemura Taisuke , Mamada Masashi , Teraoka Ryo , Kumaki Daisuke , Tokito Shizuo
Published: November 2013

Solution-processable polymers based on strong acceptor benzobis(thiadiazole) (BBT) units were synthesized to form unipolar n-type organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) that were electronically characterized. These polymers exhibited a narrow band-gap and low LUMO level, resulting in distinct n-type semiconducting properties within the OTFT devices. The BBT–thiazole polymer material showed better electron transport than BBT–thiophene polymers. The use of electron-deficient units was found to be suitable for the realization of the unipolar n-type semiconducting polymers.
Activity of Microfinance Institutions in the Period of the Global Financial Crisis
Authors: Galiński Paweł
Published: November 2013

The article examines the models of microfinance institutions (MFIs) and some alterations in this field. The regional distribution of MFIs has been shown, as well as their main ties with the real economy against a background of commercial banks. The study also provide some findings on the influence of the financial crisis, which erupted in the late 2007, on the microfinance sector. Therefore, the author analyzed the literature and quantitative data in order to determine these relationships.
Językoznawstwo ogólne – metodologiczny projekt Ferdynanda de Saussure’a
Authors: Danielewiczowa Magdalena
Published: November 2013

General linguistics – Ferdinand de Saussure’s methodological project

The article discusses several methodological problems contained in Saussure’s works. General linguistics, a new discipline postulated by the author, was to be founded on linguistic details and at the same time focus on the fundamental and universal mechanisms of speech. Saussure did not consider general linguistics a part of natural sciences or of historical studies; he indicated logic as the discipline that can provide the appropriate tools for an adequate description of language. According to him, the subject of research in linguistics is not given in advance; instead, it depends entirely on the chosen point of view. Internal divisions of the discipline, especially the distinction between the linguistics of “langue” and the linguistics of “parole”, follows, firstly, from the dual nature of language, and secondly, from Saussure’s teaching about the legitimate points of view.
Pomiędzy składnią a leksyką – problemy proceduralne
Authors: Moroz Andrzej
Published: November 2013

Between syntax and lexis. Procedural issues

The paper discusses combinations of words which, due to their ambivalent grammatical status, are suspended on the borderline between lexis and syntax. The considerations aim to expose the ineffectiveness of the identification procedures of lexical units in the process of unambiguous interpretation of such objects as ktoś jest pod presją czasu ‘someone is under time pressure’ or rozebrać na czynniki pierwsze ‘to thoroughly disassemble’. In the course of the discussion, a set of phrases selected from lexicographic works is first contrasted with the formal characteristics that are ascribed in the definitions to indivisible units (p. 2.1.), and then with semantic features (p. 2.2.). The essential goal of these operations is to demonstrate the practical difficulties that arise when one attempts to assign the analyzed strings to the appropriate set.
Napisy na pewnych barokowych tablicach fundacyjnych – tak zwanych „grobach dusz” w krakowskich kościołach
Authors: Steczko Iwona
Published: November 2013

Inscriptions on certain Baroque foundation plaques (so called groby dusz ‘soul graves’) in Cracow churches

The subject of this cultural-linguistic overview are more than ten epitaph plaques preserved till this day on the walls of Cracow churches. Erected far from the actual burial place, so-called groby dusz ‘soul graves’ were primarily meant to assist the soul of the deceased on its way to salvation. The set of monuments discussed in the paper is distinguished by the strictly defined construction scheme of their inscriptions, whose essential illocutive purpose was to ask the passers-by for an intercessory prayer. Here, we attempt to discover and describe the culturally and pragmatically defined characteristic features of this act of request. We are particularly interested in the linguistic strategies that the supplicants employed to increase the persuasive force of the utterance, and to efficiently obtain the receiver’s grace.
Marr i marryzm
Authors: Stachowski Marek
Published: November 2013

Marr and his theory

Nicholas Marr and his theory, mostly called the Japhetic theory or just Marrism, are not popular and well-known to modern students of linguistics. The aim of the present study is, then, to offer a concise presentation including both data about the Marrism and this author’s own interpretation of some common (albeit to a considerable extent incorrect) statements.
Językowe symbole polityczne
Authors: Grzegorek Katarzyna
Published: November 2013

Linguistic political symbols. An attempt at definition

The article discusses the problem of a specific kind of linguistic constructions which exist in the political language, and which will be referred to as ‘linguistic political symbols’. The group contains quotes from the political language that are used in everyday language, names of political or historical events, political invectives, and others. Linguistic political symbols have vague semantics, generally do not possess any canonical form, and can be remembered and used in a shape that considerably departs from the original.
Raport MAK a dydaktyka przekładu tekstów specjalistycznych
Authors: Michałowski Piotr
Published: November 2013

The Final Report of the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) and didactics of translation of special texts

The Final Report of the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) regarding the plane crash of 10 April 2010 and its official translation became the starting point to an analysis concerning the quality of the translation as well as the use of both texts in translation didactics. Since the IAC Report is a special text with a complex structure and a high number of scientific terms, its translation causes a variety of problems. Excerpts of the Report were translated into Polish by the students of the Faculty of Applied Linguistics of the University of Warsaw. The results of the comparative analysis of students’ translations and the corresponding excerpts of the official translation are surprising.
Who Lives in the C-Suite? Organizational Structure and the Division of Labor in Top Management
Authors: Guadalupe Maria , Li Hongyi , Wulf Julie
Published: November 2013

Top management structures in large U.S. firms have changed significantly since the mid-1980s. The size of the executive team—the group of managers reporting directly to the CEO—doubled during this period. This growth was driven primarily by an increase in functional managers rather than general managers, a phenomenon we term “functional centralization.” Using panel data on senior management positions, we show that changes in the structure of the executive team are tightly linked to changes in firm diversification and information technology investments. These relationships depend crucially on the function involved; those closer to the product (“product” functions, e.g., marketing and R&D) behave differently from functions further from the product (“administrative” functions, e.g., finance, law, and human resources). We argue that this distinction is driven by differences in the information-processing activities associated with each function and apply this insight to refine and extend existing theories of centralization. We also discuss the implications of our results for organizational forms beyond the executive team.

This paper was accepted by Bruno Cassiman, business strategy.
One-pot synthesis of dihydropyrano[c]chromene derivatives by using BF3•SiO2 as catalyst
Authors: Akbari Ali
Published: November 2013

Silica-supported boron trifluoride (BF3•SiO2) is an efficient, readily available, and reusable catalyst for the synthesis of 2-amino-5-oxo-4-aryl-4H,5H-pyrano[3,2-c]chromene-3-carbonitrile or carboxylic acid ethyl ester derivatives by condensation of 4-hydroxycoumarin, an aldehyde, and an alkylnitrile.
Can the Cure Time of Endodontic Sealers Affect Bond Strength to Root Dentin?
Authors: Mesquita Gabriela Campos , Verissimo Crisnicaw , Raposo Luis Henrique Araujo , Santos-Filho Paulo Cesar Freitas , Mota Aderito Soares da , Soares Carlos Jose
Published: November 2013

The cure time of endodontic sealers may influence the bond strength of fiber posts to root dentin. Forty teeth were selected and endodontically filled using calcium hydroxide cement and then divided into 2 groups according to the time elapsed between endodontic filling and post luting (n = 20): Immediately - glass fiber post luting immediately after endodontic filling; and Delayed - post luting performed 7 days after endodontic filling. The roots were also subdivided according to resin cement used for post luting (RelyX ARC and RelyX Unicem). The specimens were stored at 37°C for 24 h and sectioned in six 1-mm-thick slices from cervical, middle and apical thirds. The slice specimens were submitted to a push-out test at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min, and the bond strength values obtained (MPa) were submitted to two-way ANOVA in a split-plot arrangement and Tukey's test (α=0.05). For both RelyX ARC and Unicem, the bond strength was significantly higher when the posts were cemented 7 days after the endodontic treatment. RelyX Unicem showed significantly higher bond strength values than RelyX ARC for both cementation periods. It was concluded that post luting should be made after the complete setting of the root canal sealer. Self-adhesive resin cement should be preferred for fiber post luting.
Uncertainty in pile resistance from static load tests database
Authors: Galbraith Andrew P. , Farrell Eric R. , Byrne John J.
Published: November 2013

This paper tabulates the results of 175 static load tests carried out in Ireland, and includes bored, continuous flight auger and driven piles in fine- and coarse-grained material, and also piles terminating in rock. These data are used to show that the ultimate pile resistance (defined at 0·1 times the effective pile diameter, D) predicted using Chin's extrapolation method was within the range 85–100% of the measured resistance when the pile head settlement was greater than 0·05D. The coefficient of variation of the compressive resistance of the ground against a pile, Rc, for a varying number of load tests carried out on a site reduced from 40% where a single test was carried out to 20% where eight tests occurred. This is considered to be a reasonable lower bound to the within-site variation in Rc, and it is recommended that this level of variation be considered for pile design.
Habitat selection by large herbivores in a southern African savanna: the relative roles of bottom‐up and top‐down forces
Authors: Burkepile Deron E. , Burns Catherine E. , Tambling Craig J. , Amendola Elizabeth , Buis Greg M. , Govender Navashni , Nelson Victoria , Thompson Dave I. , Zinn Andrew D. , Smith Melinda D.
Published: November 2013

Animals must often balance food availability and predation risk when selecting habitat. Here, we examined habitat preferences of large mammalian herbivores in a long‐term fire experiment in the Kruger National Park, South Africa to assess the role of bottom‐up (e.g., forage quantity/quality) and top‐down (e.g., predation risk) processes in driving herbivore distributions. We focused on experimental plots (∼10 ha on average) that have been burned in the winter (August) since 1954 at 1‐ and 3‐yr intervals, or left unburned (n = 3 per burn type). Herbivore distributions (during both day and night) and plant community structure were surveyed on each plot during the growing seasons (November–March) of 2005–2006, 2006–2007, and 2007–2008. Overall, we sighted 4,187 individuals representing twelve species of mammalian herbivores. Impala (Aepyceros melampus), zebra (Equus quagga), and wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) comprised 37%, 28%, and 18% of all individuals observed, respectively. Several species such as African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), wildebeest, and giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) exhibited a significant trade‐off between food acquisition and minimizing predation risk by foraging in areas with lower density of woody vegetation. We also observed significant day vs. night dynamics in herbivore habitat selection. For example, zebra utilized annual or triennial burns during the day depending on which years the plots were burned, but they avoided triennial burns with dense woody vegetation in favor of more open annual burns at night when predators such as lions (Panthera leo) are more active. Similarly, the smaller, mixed‐feeding impala appeared to use riskier habitats with more diverse forage options during the day (triennial burns and unburned plots) but used less risky habitats at night (annual and triennial burns). Diurnal vs. nocturnal patterns are often overlooked in studies of habitat selection but are necessary for understanding the factors that shape distribution. The variation we observed in herbivore distribution patterns during this three‐year period indicates that different species exhibit different trade‐offs with respect to food and predation risk. Factors such as body size, nutritional requirements, prey escape tactics, and recent fire history likely mediated these interspecific differences.
The Relationship Between Health Literacy and Cognitive Ability in Older Adults
Authors: Chappel Mary J. , Riley-Doucet Cheryl
Published: November 2013

The purpose of this pilot correlational study was to determine the association of health literacy with cognitive ability and level of education. A cross-sectional design was used with a convenience sample of 33 English-speaking adults (M= 78 years). Data was collected using the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (S-TOFHLA) and the Mini–Mental State Examination (MMSE) and analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and bivariate correlation analysis. A significant relationship was found between health literacy and education level, but the relationship between health literacy and MMSE scores and age were not significant. It is likely that the lowNand decrease in subject variability influenced this pilot study’s overall findings, nevertheless the significant relationship between health literacy and education level is compelling to health care providers to provide health information at a level of understanding appropriate to each individual.
Practicing DNPs’ Perceptions of the DNP
Authors: Stoeckel Pamella , Kruschke Cheryl
Published: November 2013

This qualitative key informant study examined the emerging role of the doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree to fill a gap in health care in the United States. Although the DNP degree was proposed to bring added value to the health care system, it is new with little research to confirm the assumption. This research addressed this need by phone interviews of 12 practicing DNPs in the United States. Questions asked of the participants focused on differences in role/practice as a DNP and challenges faced. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and responses coded for themes. Five broad categories with relational themes emerged from the data of DNPs perceptions of their practices. The categories included educational preparation, practice settings, role acceptance, leadership, and challenges. The results of this study provide insight into the perceptions of practicing DNPs experiencing adjustment to practice as a DNP. These perceptions aid other DNPs and educators in preparing advance practice nurses for the future.
Behavior of Depressurization in Type III Hydrate Reservoirs
Authors: Shahbazi A.. , Pooladi-Darvish M..
Published: November 2013

Hydrate reservoirs have been categorized as Types I, II, and III: Type I has underlying free gas, Type II has underlying free water, and Type III is sandwiched by impermeable formations (i.e., there is no underlying mobile phase beneath the hydrate layer). The updip portion of the Mount Elbert prospect in Alaska is one example of a Type III hydrate reservoir. Depressurization in Type III reservoirs is characterized by difficulty in reducing pressure over a large region because of limited available surface area for decomposition and low permeability in the hydrate. This is unlike the case in Type I and II reservoirs, where pressure could be reduced across a large surface area between the hydrate and the underlying free phase.

A 3D numerical model incorporating heat and fluid flow, along with kinetics of decomposition and (re)formation of hydrate and ice, is developed in this paper. Next, the solution behavior of Type III hydrate reservoirs in response to application of the depressurization technique is studied, with the goal of understanding the interactions between fluid and heat flow and their effects on the decomposition region. This is achieved by exploring for 1D similarity solutions in Type III reservoirs. (A similarity solution of a PDE is a solution that depends on one variable which itself is made up of the individual independent variables that the PDE depended on.)

The results of this study indicate that the behavior of Type III reservoirs is sometimes close to that of diffusion problems, suggesting that a similarity solution exists. This has also been shown to be the case in the literature. However, under some other conditions, for the first time it is shown that the solution to this problem is also identical to a traveling-wave solution, which could offer another type of similarity solution often observed in diffusive/reactive problems that exhibit frontal behavior and sharp gradients. (The traveling-wave solution or convective similarity solution is a type of similarity solution in which the similarity variable is x−vt, with v being the constant characteristic speed. This type of solution exists for the problems in which the profiles of the dependent variables, such as pressure or saturation, advance in time in the form of traveling waves without changing shape and velocity.) Conditions leading to development of these two types of similarity solutions are identified.

The contribution of this work is in identifying the different solution regimes in Type III hydrate reservoirs. This improved understanding could lead to simplifying the modeling of the nonlinear mechanisms involved in the process of gas production from hydrates.
Feasibility and Interest of Continuous Diaphragmatic Fatigue Monitoring Using Wavelet Denoising in ICU and Anesthesia
Authors: Morel Guy-Louis , Mahul Philippe , Reche Marcelle , Viale Jean-Paul , Auboyer Christian , Geyssant Andre , Roche Frederic , Barthelemy Jean-Claude , Pichot Vincent
Published: November 2013

Measures of diaphragmatic electromyography (Edi), and respiratory mechanics, have demonstrated early
changes before clinical complications. However, automatic Edi data collection is not adequate today due mainly to severe
artefacts as well as to loss of signal. We thus intended to develop a new device with embedded artificial intelligence to
optimize automatic Edi recordings independantly of artefacts and of probe displacement.

We first chose the best mathematical tool to denoise Edi, using an established database, giving multiresolution wavelets
as the best, resulting in the permanent availability of the H/L spectral index, a recognized representative of diaphragmatic
fatigue. Fatigue was simultaneously measured using the classical mechanical f/Vt index (Rapid Shallow Breathing Index,
RSBI), as well as the transdiaphragmatic pressure.

We then performed a comparison of real-time H/L and RSBI in a group of seven healthy volunteers, before and during
midazolam sedation infusion 0.1 mg.kg-1, with a parallel CPAP administration (2.5, 5.0, and 10 cm H2O) intended to
compensate for airways resistance due to midazolam. Procedure was ended by delivering the antagonistic flumazenil 0.2
to 0.5 mg.kg-1. Progressive fatigue due to midazolam, the relief due to CPAP, as well as the answer to the anatgonist flumazenil,
were shown earlier by the H/L index than by the RSBI change.

Our new H/L monitoring device may greatly improve clinical follow-up of anesthetized patients as well as help to determine
the optimal period for ventilatory weaning in ICU (Clinical Trials NCT00133939).
Applications of propensity score methods in observational comparative effectiveness and safety research: where have we come and where should we go?
Authors: Borah Bijan J , Moriarty James P , Crown William H , Doshi Jalpa A
Published: November 2013

Propensity score (PS) methods have proliferated in recent years in observational studies in general and in observational comparative effectiveness research (CER) in particular. PS methods are an important set of tools for estimating treatment effects in observational studies, enabling adjustment for measured confounders in an easy-to-understand and transparent way. This article demonstrates how PS methods have been used to address specific CER questions from 2001 through to 2012 by identifying six impactful studies from this period. This article also discusses areas for improvement, including data infrastructure, and a unified set of guidelines in terms of PS implementation and reporting, which will boost confidence in evidence generated through observational CER using PS methods.
Towards a Unified University Infrastructure: The Data Management Roll-Out at the University of Oxford
Authors: Wilson James A. J. , Jeffreys Paul
Published: November 2013

Since presenting a paper at the International Digital Curation Conference 2010 conference entitled â€˜An Institutional Approach to Developing Research Data Management Infrastructureâ€™, the University of Oxford has come a long way in developing research data management (RDM) policy, tools and training to address the various phases of the research data lifecycle. Work has now begun on integrating these various elements into a unified infrastructure for the whole university, under the aegis of the Data Management Roll-out at Oxford (Damaro) Project.This paper will explain the process and motivation behind the project, and describes our vision for the future. It will also introduce the new tools and processes created by the university to tie the individual RDM components together. Chief among these is the â€˜DataFinderâ€™ â€“ a hierarchically-structured metadata cataloguing system which will enable researchers to search for and locate research datasets hosted in a variety of different datastores from institutional repositories, through Web 2 services, to filing cabinets standing in department offices. DataFinder will be able to pull and associate research metadata from research information databases and data management plans, and is intended to be CERIF compatible. DataFinder is being designed so that it can be deployed at different levels within different contexts, with higher-level instances harvesting information from lower-level instances enabling, for example, an academic department to deploy one instance of DataFinder, which can then be harvested by another at an institutional level, which can then in turn be harvested by another at a national level.The paper will also consider the requirements of embedding tools and training within an institution and address the difficulties of ensuring the sustainability of an RDM infrastructure at a time when funding for such endeavours is limited. Our research shows that researchers (and indeed departments) are at present not exposed to the true costs of their (often suboptimal) data management solutions, whereas when data management services are centrally provided the full costs are visible and off-putting. There is, therefore, the need to sell the benefits of centrally-provided infrastructure to researchers. Furthermore, there is a distinction between training and services that can be most effectively provided at the institutional level, and those which need to be provided at the divisional or departmental level in order to be relevant and applicable to researchers. This is being addressed in principle by Oxfordâ€™s research data management policy, and in practice by the planning and piloting aspects of the Damaro Project.
Comparison of calf weaning weight and associated economic variables between beef cows with and without serum antibodies against or isolation from feces of Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis
Authors: Bhattarai Bikash , Fosgate Geoffrey T. , Osterstock Jason B. , Fossler Charles P. , Park Seong C. , Roussel Allen J.
Published: November 2013

Objective—To compare calf weaning weight and associated economic variables for beef cows with serum antibodies against Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (MAP) or from which MAP was isolated from feces with those for cows that were seronegative for antibodies against or culture negative for MAP.

Design—Retrospective study.

Animals—4,842 beef cows from 3 herds enrolled in the USDA National Johne's Disease Demonstration Herd Project.

Procedures—Individual cow ELISA and culture results were obtained from the project database. During each parity evaluated for each cow, the 205-day adjusted weaning weight (AWW) of its calf was calculated. The AWW was compared between test-positive and test-negative cows by use of multilevel mixed-effect models. The median value for feeder calves from 2007 to 2011 was used to estimate the economic losses associated with MAP test–positive cows.

Results—The AWW of calves from cows with strongly positive ELISA results was 21.48 kg (47.26 lb) less than that of calves from cows with negative ELISA results. The AWW of calves from cows classified as heavy or moderate MAP shedders was 58.51 kg (128.72 lb) and 40.81 kg (89.78 lb) less, respectively, than that of calves from MAP culture–negative cows. Associated economic losses were estimated as $57.49/calf for cows with strongly positive ELISA results and $156.60/calf and $109.23/calf for cows classified as heavy and moderate MAP shedders, respectively.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Calves from cows with MAP-positive test results had significantly lower AWWs than did calves from cows with MAP-negative test results, which translated into economic losses for MAP-infected beef herds.
Characterization of fungal keratitis in alpacas: 11 cases (2003–2012)
Authors: Ledbetter Eric C. , Montgomery Keith W. , Landry Matthew P. , Kice Nathan C.
Published: November 2013

Objective—To describe clinical, microbiological, in vivo confocal microscopic, and histopathologic features of fungal keratitis in alpacas and to estimate prevalence of the disease in a population of alpacas from the northeastern United States.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—11 alpacas.

Procedures—Medical records of alpacas evaluated by the ophthalmology service of a veterinary teaching hospital were searched to identify animals with a clinical diagnosis of fungal keratitis and positive results for fungal culture of a corneal sample between 2003 and 2012. Signalment and historical, clinical, and microbiological details were recorded. Results of cytologic, histopathologic, and in vivo confocal microscopic corneal examinations were collected when available.

Results—Fungal keratitis was diagnosed in 11 of 169 (6.5%) alpacas that underwent ophthalmologic examination by the ophthalmology service during the study period. Ten of the 11 alpacas were evaluated in the summer or fall months. Corneal lesions included stromal ulcer, stromal abscess, corneal perforation, and nonulcerative keratitis. Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium solani were the most frequently cultured fungi. Fungi were also identified through corneal cytologic examination, histologic examination, or in vivo confocal microscopy in 9 alpacas. Historically, 2 alpacas were evaluated following external ocular trauma and 1 following corneal foreign body removal. Nine alpacas had received topical treatment with antimicrobials and 2 had antimicrobial-corticosteroid combinations administered topically prior to referral. Nine of 10 alpacas for which follow-up information was available were successfully treated, with globe and vision retention.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Fungal keratitis was a relatively common ocular disease in this population of alpacas and appeared to share several clinical features with keratomycosis in horses.
Assessing Proprioceptive Function: Evaluating Joint Position Matching Methods Against Psychophysical Thresholds
Authors: Elangovan Naveen , Herrmann Amanda , Konczak Jürgen
Published: November 2013

Background

The importance of assessing proprioceptive function for rehabilitation after neurological or orthopedic injury has long been recognized. Yet, neither the validity nor the accuracy of the available tests is firmly established. Testing typically involves repeated matching of a given joint position with the same or opposite limb where the difference between the 2 positions indicates proprioceptive acuity.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare position sense acuity between ipsilateral and contralateral matching methods against a psychophysical threshold method to establish the accuracy and relationships between these models.

Design

A repeated-measures design was used.

Method

Assessment of forearm position sense for a 10-degree reference position in 27 young adults who were healthy.

Results

Psychophysical thresholds were revealed to be the most precise and least variable acuity measure. The mean (±SD) threshold (1.05°±0.47°) was significantly lower than mean position errors obtained by both joint position matching tasks (ipsilateral: 1.51°±0.64°; contralateral: 1.84°±0.73°)—a 44% to 75% difference in measurement accuracy. Individual participant position errors correlated poorly with respective thresholds, indicating a lack of concurrent validity. Position errors for both matching methods correlated only mildly with each other.

Limitations

The data represent performance of a healthy, young adult cohort. Differences between methods will likely be more pronounced in aging and clinical populations.

Conclusions

Threshold testing and joint position matching methods examine different physiological aspects of proprioceptive function. Because threshold testing is based on passive motion, it most closely reflects afferent sensory feedback processing (ie, proprioception). Matching methods require active motion and are consequently influenced by additional sensorimotor processes. Factors such as working memory and transmission between brain hemispheres also influence joint matching task outcomes.