bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temperature‐ and size‐scaling of phytoplankton population growth rates: Reconciling the Eppley curve and the metabolic theory of ecology
Authors: Kremer Colin T. , Thomas Mridul K. , Litchman Elena
Published: March 2017

Quantifying how environmental factors control the growth of phytoplankton communities is essential for building a mechanistic understanding of global biogeochemical cycles and aquatic food web dynamics. The strong effects of temperature on population growth rate have inspired two frameworks—the Eppley curve and the metabolic theory of ecology—that produce different quantitative relationships and employ distinct statistical approaches. Reconciling these relationships is necessary to ensure the accuracy of ecosystem models. In this paper, we develop ways to compare these frameworks, overcoming their methodological differences. Then, analyzing an extensive dataset (> 4200 growth rate measurements), we find that increases in population growth rate with temperature are consistent with metabolic theory, and weaker than previous estimates of the Eppley curve. A 10°C temperature increase will increase growth rates by a factor of 1.53, rather than 1.88 as in previous studies of the Eppley curve. Size and functional group membership are also critical. Population growth rates decrease with size, but much less strongly that metabolic theory predicts. The growth rates of different functional groups scale similarly with temperature, but some groups grow faster than others, independent of temperature. Our results reconcile the analytical methods of the Eppley curve and metabolic theory, demonstrate that metabolic theory's temperature‐scaling predictions are more accurate, and provide new insights into the factors controlling phytoplankton growth. To avoid over‐estimating the effects of temperature on primary productivity, the parameterization of ecosystem models should be revised.
Change in annual precipitation in the northwest of Iran
Authors: Shirvani Amin
Published: March 2017

The detection of changes in precipitation is important in water resources research and hydrological modelling studies. In this study, the Mann–Whitney non‐parametric change point model (CPM) was applied to indicate whether a change point has occurred in the mean of annual precipitation in 18 synoptic stations in different regions of Iran for the period 1951–2010. The parametric likelihood ratio test (LRT) and the non‐parametric Thiel–Sen slope were also employed to evaluate the detected change points. The precipitation time series (PTS) of the stations, which were serially correlated, were transformed to produce uncorrelated pre‐whitened time series. The pre‐whitened time series were then used as input file for the CPM, LRT and Thiel–Sen slope. The non‐parametric CPM estimated change points in the PTS of Kerman, Oroomieh, Shahroud and Tabriz in 1997, 1994, 1967 and 1994, respectively. The results of the LRT indicated that the PTS before and after these change points follow a gamma distribution but with different means. The difference in annual precipitation means before and after the detected change point for Oroomieh station, located in the northwest of Iran, is 67 mm, as an example. The Thiel–Sen slope estimated a greatly decreasing rate of change for Kerman station after 1997.
Tensor estimation for double‐pulsed diffusional kurtosis imaging
Authors: Shaw Calvin B. , Hui Edward S. , Helpern Joseph A. , Jensen Jens H.
Published: March 2017

Double‐pulsed diffusional kurtosis imaging (DP‐DKI) represents the double diffusion encoding (DDE) MRI signal in terms of six‐dimensional (6D) diffusion and kurtosis tensors. Here a method for estimating these tensors from experimental data is described. A standard numerical algorithm for tensor estimation from conventional (i.e. single diffusion encoding) diffusional kurtosis imaging (DKI) data is generalized to DP‐DKI. This algorithm is based on a weighted least squares (WLS) fit of the signal model to the data combined with constraints designed to minimize unphysical parameter estimates. The numerical algorithm then takes the form of a quadratic programming problem. The principal change required to adapt the conventional DKI fitting algorithm to DP‐DKI is replacing the three‐dimensional diffusion and kurtosis tensors with the 6D tensors needed for DP‐DKI. In this way, the 6D diffusion and kurtosis tensors for DP‐DKI can be conveniently estimated from DDE data by using constrained WLS, providing a practical means for condensing DDE measurements into well‐defined mathematical constructs that may be useful for interpreting and applying DDE MRI. Data from healthy volunteers for brain are used to demonstrate the DP‐DKI tensor estimation algorithm. In particular, representative parametric maps of selected tensor‐derived rotational invariants are presented.
A variational approach for restoring images corrupted by noisy blur kernels and additive noise
Authors: Ng Michael K. , Wang Wei , Zhao Xile
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we study a deblurring algorithm for distorted images by random impulse response. We propose and develop a convex optimization model to recover the underlying image and the blurring function simultaneously. The objective function is composed of 3 terms: the data‐fitting term between the observed image and the product of the estimated blurring function and the estimated image, the squared difference between the estimated blurring function and its mean, and the total variation regularization term for the estimated image. We theoretically show that under some mild conditions, the resulting objective function can be convex in which the global minimum value is unique. The numerical results confirm that the peak‐to‐signal‐noise‐ratio and structural similarity of the restored images by the proposed algorithm are the best when the proposed objective function is convex. We also present a proximal alternating minimization scheme to solve the resulting minimization problem. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model and the efficiency of the numerical scheme.
Geometrically exact time‐integration mesh‐free schemes for advection‐diffusion problems derived from optimal transportation theory and their connection with particle methods
Authors: Fedeli L. , Pandolfi A. , Ortiz M.
Published: March 2017

We develop an optimal transportation mesh‐free particle method for advection‐diffusion in which the concentration or density of the diffusive species is approximated by Dirac measures. We resort to an incremental variational principle for purposes of time discretization of the diffusive step. This principle characterizes the evolution of the density as a competition between the Wasserstein distance between two consecutive densities and entropy. Exploiting the structure of the Euler–Lagrange equations, we approximate the density as a collection of Diracs. The interpolation of the incremental transport map is effected through mesh‐free max‐ent interpolation. Remarkably, the resulting update is geometrically exact with respect to advection and volume. We present three‐dimensional examples of application that illustrate the scope and robustness of the method. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Convergence analysis of a modified weak Galerkin finite element method for Signorini and obstacle problems
Authors: Zeng Yuping , Chen Jinru , Wang Feng
Published: March 2017

In this article, we apply a modified weak Galerkin method to solve variational inequality of the first kind which includes Signorini and obstacle problems. Optimal order a priori error estimates in the energy norm are derived. We also provide some numerical experiments to validate the theoretical results.© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 33: 1459–1474, 2017
Racial disparity in life expectancies and life years lost associated with multiple obesity‐related chronic conditions
Authors: Chang Su‐Hsin , Yu Yao‐Chi , Carlsson Nils P. , Liu Xiaoyan , Colditz Graham A.
Published: March 2017

Objective

This study investigated racial disparity in life expectancies (LEs) and life years lost (LYL) associated with multiple obesity‐related chronic conditions (OCCs).

Methods

Data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2008‐2012, were used. Four OCCs were studied: diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease (CHD), and stroke. LE for each subpopulation was simulated by Markov modelling. LYL associated with a disease for a subpopulation was computed by taking the difference between LEs for members of that subpopulation without disease and LEs for members of that subpopulation who had that disease. Racial disparities were measured in the absolute differences in LE and LYL between black women/men and white women/men.

Results

Black individuals had higher risks of developing diabetes, hypertension, and stroke. This disparity in LE between white and black participants was largest in men age 40 to 49 with at least stroke: black men lived 3.12 years shorter than white men. The disparity in LYL between white and black participants was largest in women age 70 to 79 with at least CHD: black women had 1.98 years more LYL than white women.

Conclusions

Racial disparity exists in incident disease and mortality risks, LEs, and LYL associated with multiple OCCs. Efforts targeting subpopulations with large disparities are required to reduce disparities in the burden of multiple OCCs.
Synthesis and Detonation Properties of 5‐Amino‐2,4,6‐trinitro‐1,3‐dihydroxy‐benzene
Authors: Zhang Xingcheng , Xiong Hualin , Yang Hongwei , Cheng Guangbin
Published: March 2017

5‐Amino‐4,6‐dinitro‐1,3‐dihydroxy‐benzene (6) was synthesized through the ring‐opening reaction of macrocyclic compound 4 with the aid of VNS (vicarious nucleophilic substitution of hydrogen) reaction conditions. The mechanism of ring opening of macrocyclic compound 4 was studied. 5‐Amino‐2,4,6‐trinitro‐1,3‐dihydroxy‐benzene (8) was obtained after the nitration of 6 in KNO3 and concentrated sulfuric acid. The thermal stability, sensitivity, and other detonation performances of 6 or 8 were compared to commercially used 1,3,5‐triamino‐2,4,6‐trinitrobenzene (TATB) or 1,3,5‐trinitrotriazacyclohexane (RDX), respectively. All target compounds were characterized by using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The sensitivities were determined by using BAM methods (drop‐hammer and friction tests). Performance parameters, including heats of formation and detonation properties, were calculated by using Gaussian 03 and EXPLO5 v6.01 programs, respectively. It is worth pointing out that compound 8 has a remarkable measured density of 2.078 g cm−3 at 298 K. In addition, compound 8 is more insensitive than RDX (compound 8: IS=11 J; RDX: IS=7 J; IS is the impact sensitivity).
Bias from depletion of susceptibles: the example of hormone replacement therapy and the risk of venous thromboembolism
Authors: Renoux Christel , Dell'Aniello Sophie , Brenner Benjamin , Suissa Samy
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The data on the association between hormone replacement therapy and the increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in postmenopausal women are conflicting. The observed differences between oral estrogen and oral estrogen–progestogen combination formulations may be the result of bias from depletion of susceptibles.

Methods

We used United Kingdom's Clinical Practice Research Datalink to identify the cohort of all women aged 50 to 79 during 1987–2008, with all incident cases of VTE occurring during the study period identified. Using a nested case–control approach, the rate ratios (RRs) of VTE with current use of oral estrogen and oral estrogen–progestogen combinations were estimated as a function of duration of use using conditional logistic regression with cubic splines.

Results

The cohort of 955 582 postmenopausal women included 23 505 cases of VTE matched to 231 562 controls. The risk of VTE was increased with current use of oral estrogen (RR 1.49; 95% confidence interval: 1.37 to 1.63) and oral estrogen–progestogen (RR 1.54; 95% confidence interval: 1.44 to 1.65), relative to non‐use. When assessed by duration of use, the risks with oral formulations were particularly elevated during the first year of use and were reduced subsequently.

Conclusion

The phenomenon of depletion of susceptibles should be considered in cohort studies evaluating acute side effects of medications. This can be achieved by estimating the risk as a function not only of current use but also of duration of use. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effective passivation of HfO2/Ge interface by using nitrided germanate as passivation interlayer
Authors: Cheng Zhi Xiang , Xu Jing Ping , Liu Lu , Huang Yong , Lai Pui To , Tang Wing Man
Published: March 2017

Ge metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (MOS) capacitor with YON/LaON, as interface passivation layer (IPL), and HfO2, as gate dielectric, is proposed to take advantage of both the good passivation effect by LaON and the suppressed intermixing between HfO2 and Ge by YON. As a result, superior interfacial and electrical properties are obtained, as compared to samples with only YON or LaON as IPL: high k value (19.5), low interface‐state density (6.64 × 1011 cm−2 eV−1) and oxide‐charge density (−4.18 × 1012 cm−2), small gate leakage current (1.15 × 10−4 A cm−2 at Vg = Vfb + 1 V), and good high‐field reliability.

Schematic diagram (a) and C–V curves (b) of the gate stack with YON/LaON dual IPL.
Data Mining with Clustering Algorithms to Reduce Packaging Costs: A Case Study
Authors: Zhao Chuan , Johnsson Mats , He Mingke
Published: March 2017

Reducing package‐related cost is essential for various companies and institutions. Different packages are usually designed separately for each and every product, which results in less cost‐effective packaging systems. In this study, a data mining model with three clustering algorithms was developed to modularize a packaging system by reducing the variety of packaging sizes. The three algorithms were k‐means clustering, agglomerative hierarchical clustering and self‐organizing feature map. The package models with similar shapes and sizes were clustered automatically and replaced by one package model with a size that suited them all. The study also analysed the financial effects including the purchasing and inventory costs of the package material and the transportation cost of the packaged products. The case study was carried out at Ericsson to select the best clustering algorithm of the three and to test the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed model. The results show that the packaging system modularized by the agglomerative hierarchical clustering algorithm is more cost‐effective in this case compared with the ones modularized by the other two clustering algorithms and with the one without modularization. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On The Performance of Mechanical Shock Indicators
Authors: Rouillard Vincent , Lamb Matthew James
Published: March 2017

Cost‐effective mechanical shock indicators are widely used to warn if a package has been subjected to a shock event during distribution. Such devices are an important part of the quality control and monitoring process during the distribution of fragile products. As the distances over which goods are transported continues to increase, so does the reliance on such devices to ensure that, should product damage occur due to excessive shocks during distribution, some evidence of the cause is available. However, there is a growing number of cases where false or misdetection has been reported producing misleading or confusing information hence loss of confidence in the data. This paper presents an experimental investigation into the actual response characteristics of three commercially available mechanical shock indicators (beam type, liquid‐in‐glass tube type and magnetic type). Specifically, this paper addresses the influence of shock pulse duration on the performance of shock indicators as well as evaluating the devices' repeatability across a broad range of shock pulse durations. Included in the paper are descriptions of the specially adapted test apparatus which employs a pneumatic rubber bladder to generate half‐sine shock pulses of varying durations by adjusting the bladder pressure. Results from experiments show that each device is sensitive to shock magnitude as well as shock duration to varying extents. The paper makes recommendations on the use of the devices, and the findings highlight the need for establishing the shortest pulse duration experienced by any packaged product by means of drop tests before employing the devices. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Response of Microcystis and Stephanodiscus to Alternative Flow Regimes of the Regulated River Nakdong (South Korea) Quantified By Model Ensembles Based on the Hybrid Evolutionary Algorithm (HEA)
Authors: Recknagel F. , Kim D.‐K. , Joo G.‐J. , Cao H.
Published: March 2017

This study demonstrates the use of inferential models for scenario analyses by simulating direct and indirect effects of predictor variables on state variables through model ensembles. Two model ensembles have been designed to predict the response of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa and the diatom Stephanodiscus hantzschii to modified flow regimes of the River Nakdong (Korea) by a scenario analysis. Whilst flow‐independent predictor variables of growth of Microcystis and Stephanodiscus such as water temperature and pH remain unchanged during the scenario analysis, flow‐dependent predictor variables such as turbidity, electrical conductivity, phosphate, nitrate, silica and chlorophyll a are forecasted by inferential models. In the course of scenario analysis, flow‐independent and flow‐dependent predictor variables feed into the Microcystis and Stephanodiscus models to make sure that both direct and indirect effects of altered flow regimes are taken into account. The eight inferential models that were incorporated into the model ensembles have been developed by the hybrid evolutionary algorithm based on 19 years of time‐series monitored in the River Nakdong between 1993 and 2012. The models achieved good accuracy in terms of timing and magnitudes reflected by coefficients of determination r2 = 0.94 for Microcystis and r2 = 0.83 for Stephanodiscus. The scenario analysis revealed that extreme summer blooms of Microcystis as observed between 1994 and 1997, and winter blooms of Stephanodiscus as observed between 1994 and 1997 and in 2004 can be prevented in the River Nakdong by adaptive management of seasonal water release from adjacent dams. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ecological Assessment of a Sediment By‐pass Tunnel on a Receiving Stream in Switzerland
Authors: Martín E. J. , Doering M. , Robinson C. T.
Published: March 2017

Reservoir siltation is a major problem worldwide, decreasing reservoir storage capacity, trapping entrained sediment, and altering the natural sediment regime. Sediment By‐pass Tunnels (SBTs) are used to connect reservoirs with downstream receiving waters during high flows to reduce sediment accumulation in the reservoir. When operating, large volumes of sediment‐laden waters are released into the receiving river for short periods of time (h). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of SBT events on the downstream riverine ecosystem. We measured physico‐chemical properties, sediment respiration, periphyton biomass and chlorophyll‐a, and macroinvertebrate assemblages along a 5‐km stretch of river during the first two years of SBT operation. During the study, five major SBT events occurred. Few changes were found in physico‐chemical properties, mainly due to the input of tributaries entering the system. Results showed a clear reduction in sediment respiration, an indicator of ecosystem metabolism, especially after large SBT events. Periphyton levels and macroinvertebrate density/richness also decreased after SBT events. A non‐metric multidimensional scaling distinguished both temporal and spatial shifts in macroinvertebrate assemblages after SBT events, being related to downstream distance and SBT event magnitude. In summary, SBT events acted as a pulse disturbance, similarly to natural floods, followed by recovery of measured ecosystem indicators. Sediment By‐pass Tunnel events can enhance sediment and flow connectivity, although the magnitude and frequency of operations should be controlled to prevent catastrophic disturbances. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evolution and palaeogeographical dispersion of the radiolitid rudist genus Auroradiolites (Bivalvia, Hippuritida) with descriptions of new material from Tibet and archived specimens from Afghanistan
Authors: Rao Xin , Skelton Peter W. , Sano Shin‐Ichi , Li Cai , Pan Yanhong , Luo Hui , Cai Huawei , Peng Bo , Sha Jingeng
Published: March 2017

Diagnostic characters of the recently established new genus of radiolitid rudist Auroradiolites include an entirely compact outer shell layer, a distinctly convex upper (left) valve and a robust myocardinal apparatus surrounding a strongly internally projected ligamentary infolding. Until now, A. biconvexus (previously considered to be exclusively late Albian in age) has been reported only from the Langshan Formation, which crops out along the northern portion of the Lhasa block, Tibet. Here, it is recorded for the first time from the Sangzugang Formation of the Xigaze Forearc Basin, situated on the southern margin of the Lhasa block. A. biconvexus differs from the south‐west Asian type species A. gilgitensis (late Aptian to Albian) by its relatively larger size, more strongly domed left valve and distinct radial undulations of the outer shell layer. The characters of A. gilgitensis are further clarified from archived material from central Afghanistan, also newly identified and described herein. All Auroradiolites records to date are revised. The recognition of examples of A. biconvexus from upper Aptian strata increases both the stratigraphical and geographical ranges of the species, indicating that it had already branched off from A. gilgitensis in the late Aptian. Some new radiolitid specimens that combine both compact and cellular calcitic outer shell layer structures are also described from the Langshan Formation, but a number of internal differences from Auroradiolites cast doubt on their constituting a sister group to the latter and we assign them to Eoradiolites cf. hedini. Rather, the evolution of Auroradiolites directly from the ancestral radiolitid genus Agriopleura is favoured on the grounds of parsimony. So far, the genus Auroradiolites has been recorded from Iran, central and eastern Afghanistan, the type locality of Yasin in north‐western Pakistan, southern and northern Ladakh, the Lhasa block, as well as Hokkaido in northern Japan. During the late Aptian to Albian interval, all of these localities were associated with terranes and blocks that were limited to the north‐eastern margin of Tethys and the western Pacific margin, making Auroradiolites an indicator of a SW Asian to Pacific faunal province.
Sound symbolism: the role of word sound in meaning
Authors: Svantesson Jan‐Olof
Published: March 2017

The question whether there is a natural connection between sound and meaning or if they are related only by convention has been debated since antiquity. In linguistics, it is usually taken for granted that ‘the linguistic sign is arbitrary,’ and exceptions like onomatopoeia have been regarded as marginal phenomena. However, it is becoming more and more clear that motivated relations between sound and meaning are more common and important than has been thought. There is now a large and rapidly growing literature on subjects as ideophones (or expressives), words that describe how a speaker perceives a situation with the senses, and phonaesthemes, units like English gl‐, which occur in many words that share a meaning component (in this case ‘light’: gleam, glitter, etc.). Furthermore, psychological experiments have shown that sound symbolism in one language can be understood by speakers of other languages, suggesting that some kinds of sound symbolism are universal. WIREs Cogn Sci 2017, 8:e1441. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1441

This article is categorized under:

Linguistics > Language in Mind and Brain

Linguistics > Linguistic Theory
Use of stable isotopes to distinguish wild from pen‐raised northern bobwhite
Authors: Castelli Paul M. , Reed Lisa M.
Published: March 2017

Stocking pen‐raised northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) into habitats inhabited by wild bobwhite is a widespread practice, yet no technique other than marking exists to distinguish between these birds when they are harvested or recaptured. We assessed the potential of stable isotope analysis of primary feather tissue to distinguish between wild and pen‐raised bobwhite. We obtained 104 feather samples from 3 game farms and 3 hunters in New Jersey, USA, collected between 1998 and 2006. We analyzed all samples for isotopes of carbon13C/12C, nitrogen15N/14N, sulfur34S/32S, and a preliminary sample for hydrogen2H/1H. Combinations of isotopic ratios of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur yielded unique patterns for the 2 groups, enabling us to form a significant function that discriminated between these groups 100% of the time. The function was influenced most by the isotopic ratios of nitrogen and carbon. We were unable to discriminate between age classes or sex within groups, but could discriminate among farms and between years for the one farm where we had 2 years of samples. In our pilot study, stable isotope analysis of primary feather tissue was a reliable technique for distinguishing wild and pen‐raised bobwhite for 12–14 months following postjuvenal or postnuptial feather molt. Summer stocking, feeding stations, or long‐term survival of pen‐raised birds would reduce the efficacy of this technique, depending upon the definition of a wild population. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
A comparison of three external transmitter attachment methods for snakes
Authors: Riley Julia L. , Baxter‐Gilbert James H. , Litzgus Jacqueline D.
Published: March 2017

Radiotelemetry is a widely used and informative tool in studies of animal ecology, behavior, and conservation. Over the past 50 years, many different methods have been used to outfit animals with radiotransmitters. Radiotelemetry studies on snakes typically require anesthesia and surgery to internally implant transmitters; however, internal implantation methods can increase snake mortality and infection rates, and may alter natural behaviors, thereby reducing data validity. We qualitatively compared 3 methods of external transmitter attachment (i.e., glue‐only, tape‐and‐glue, and a subdermal stitch), and compared their utility for collection of spatial data from April to November 2012 and 2013 at Magnetawan First Nation near Britt, Ontario, Canada. Transmitters attached with glue‐only and tape‐and‐glue methods fell off shortly after deployment because of environmental factors and snake shedding. Both methods also resulted in skin irritation and slightly impeded snake movements. Conversely, the subdermal stitch method was long lasting in both the field and lab, and did not cause significant skin irritation. Also, the subdermal stitch method did not affect movement or the rattlesnake's ability to rattle. Additional quantitative research is required to determine if the subdermal stitch method triggers immune responses, infections, or negatively affects snake fitness. Our results suggest that the subdermal stitch method may be a viable external attachment method for use in radiotelemetry of snakes. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Tutorial Assistance for Board Certification in Surgery: Frequency, Associated Time and Cost
Authors: Mechera Robert , Dell‐Kuster Salome , von Strauss und Torney Marco , Langer Igor , Furrer Markus , Bucher Heiner C. , Rosenthal Rachel
Published: March 2017

Background

Tutorial assistance is related to extra time and cost, and the hospitals’ financial compensation for this activity is under debate. We therefore aimed at quantifying the extra time and resulting cost required to train one surgical resident in the operating theatre for board certification in Switzerland as an example of a training curriculum involving several surgical subspecialties. Additionally, we intended to quantify the percentage of tutorial assistance.

Methods

We analysed 200,700 operations carried out between 2008 and 2012. Median duration of procedure categories was calculated according to four different seniority levels. The extra time if the procedure was performed by residents, and resulting cost were analysed. The percentage of procedures carried out by residents as compared to more experienced surgeons was assessed over time.

Results

On average, residents performed about a third of all operations including typical teaching procedures like appendectomies. An increase in duration and cost of well‐defined procedures categories, e.g. cholecystectomies was demonstrated if a resident performed the procedure. In less well‐defined categories, residents seemed to perform less difficult procedures than senior consultants resulting in shorter durations of surgery.

Conclusions

The financial impact of tutorial assistance is important, and solutions need to be found to compensate for this activity. The low percentage of procedures performed by trainees may make it difficult to fulfil requirements for board certification within a reasonable period of time. This should be addressed within the training curriculum.
Bilateral Axillo‐Breast Approach Robotic Thyroidectomy (BABA RT) Does Not Interfere with Breast Image Follow‐Up
Authors: Yu Hyeong Won , Chai Young Jun , Kwon Hyungju , Kim Su‐jin , Choi June Young , Lee Kyu Eun
Published: March 2017

Background

Bilateral axillo‐breast approach robotic thyroidectomy (BABA RT) is frequently performed and has excellent cosmetic results. However, there has been concern that subcutaneous tunneling in construction of the operation field might interfere with subsequent breast imaging. In this study, we evaluated whether BABA RT interferes with breast imaging by evaluating serial perioperative results of mammography and ultrasonography.

Methods

We selected female patients who underwent BABA RT between 2008 and 2012, and who also had mammography or ultrasonography pre‐ and postoperatively, and compared the results of pre‐ and postoperative imaging. The results of mammography and ultrasonography were reported according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BIRADS).

Results

A total of 175 nodules from 108 female patients were analyzed. The mean age of the patients was 42.9 ± 9.7 years, and the median follow‐up period was 34.1 months. Ninety‐four patients (87.0%) underwent total thyroidectomy, and 101 patients (93.5%) had malignant thyroid disease. After BABA RT, mammography and ultrasonography were performed an average of 2.9 ± 2.0 times and 3.3 ± 2.0 times per person, respectively. Six patients required breast intervention according to mammography or ultrasonography after BABA RT, and all procedures were successfully conducted.

Conclusions

BABA RT did not cause diagnostic difficulties such as poor sonic window in subsequent breast imaging studies. Routine breast imaging studies for breast nodule follow‐up could be performed without difficulties resulting from BABA RT.
The Impact of Operative Approach on Postoperative Complications Following Colectomy for Colon Caner
Authors: Mungo Benedetto , Papageorge Christina M. , Stem Miloslawa , Molena Daniela , Lidor Anne O.
Published: March 2017

Background

Colectomy is one of the most common major abdominal procedures performed in the USA. A better understanding of risk factors and the effect of operative approach on adverse postoperative outcomes may significantly improve quality of care.

Methods

Adult patients with a primary diagnosis of colon cancer undergoing colectomy were selected from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program 2013–2015 targeted colectomy database. Patients were stratified into five groups based on specific operative approach. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to compare the five groups and identify risk factors for 30‐day anastomotic leak, readmission, and mortality.

Results

In total, 25,097 patients were included in the study, with a 3.32% anastomotic leak rate, 1.20% mortality rate, and 9.57% readmission rate. After adjusting for other factors, open surgery and conversion to open significantly increased the odds for leak, mortality, and readmission compared to laparoscopy. Additionally, smoking and chemotherapy increased the risk for leak and readmission, while total resection was associated with increased mortality and leak.

Conclusions

Operative approach and several other potentially modifiable perioperative factors have a significant impact on risk for adverse postoperative outcomes following colectomy. To improve quality of care for these patients, efforts should be made to identify and minimize the influence of such risk factors.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: A83-01 inhibits TGF-β-induced upregulation of Wnt3 and epithelial to mesenchymal transition in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells
Authors: Wu Yanyuan , Tran Trinh , Dwabe Sami , Sarkissyan Marianna , Kim Juri , Nava Miguel , Clayton Sheilah , Pietras Richard , Farias-Eisner Robin , Vadgama Jaydutt V.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanisms of interactions between TGF-β and Wnt/β-catenin pathways that induce and regulate EMT and promote breast cancer cells to become resistant to treatment.

Methods

The effect of TGF-β on Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was examined by using a human Wnt/β-catenin-regulated cDNA plate array and western blot analysis. The interaction of Twist at promoter of Wnt3 was examined by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. Secreted Wnt3 level was determined by ELISA assay.

Results

HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells treated with TGF-β have a reduced response to trastuzumab and exhibited EMT-like phenotype. The TGF-β-induced EMT in HER2-cells was concordant with upregulation of Wnt3 and β-catenin pathways. The TGF-β-induced induction of Wnt3 during EMT was found to be Smad3-dependent. ChIP analysis identified occupancy of Twist at promoter region of Wnt3. Knock-down of Twist by shRNA confirmed the significance of Twist in response to TGF-β regulating Wnt3 during EMT. Subsequently, TGF-β-induced matrix metalloproteinases, MMP1, MMP7, MMP9, MMP26, Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), and activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling were repressed by the shRNA treatment. TGF-βR1 ALK5 kinase inhibitor, A83-01 can effectively prevent the TGF-β-induced Twist and Wnt3. Co-treating A83-01 and trastuzumab inhibited TGF-β-induced cell invasion significantly in both trastuzumab responsive and resistant cells.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrated an important interdependence between TGF-β and Wnt/β-catenin pathways inducing EMT in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells. Twist served as a linkage between the two pathways during TGF-β-induced EMT. A83-01 could inhibit the TGF-β-initiated pathway interactions and enhance HER2-cells response to trastuzumab treatment.
Life satisfaction and perceived stress among young offenders in a residential therapeutic community: Latent change score analysis
Authors: Tang Kristen N.S. , Chan Christian S.
Published: March 2017

Recent rehabilitation frameworks underscore the importance of strength‐based interventions for young offenders who may lack internal and external resources to manage their stress and plan for their life. This multi‐wave longitudinal study investigated the dynamic relationship between perceived stress and life satisfaction among a group of young ex‐offenders in a residential therapeutic community. Four waves of data were collected from 117 Hong Kong youths (24.0% female, mean age = 17.7) over one year. Latent change score analysis was employed to examine the univairate and bivariate changes of their perceived stress and life satisfaction. Results suggest a positive growth trajectory in life satisfaction over time. The results of perceived stress were less conclusive. Bivariate models indicated that the previous level of life satisfaction was negatively linked to the subsequent perceived stress level but not vice versa. The findings suggest that improvement in life satisfaction may reduce perceived stress in young ex‐offenders.
From acute to chronic back pain: Using linear mixed models to explore changes in pain intensity, disability, and depression
Authors: Bendayan Rebecca , Ramírez-Maestre Carmen , Ferrer Emilio , López Alicia , Esteve Rosa
Published: March 2017

Background/aims

This longitudinal study investigated the pattern of change in pain intensity, disability, and depression in 232 chronic pain patients who were followed up for 2 years since pain onset. Most studies that have investigated changes in these variables over time have used participants who had already been in pain for more than 3 months. Few studies have followed up individuals from the acute phase onward and such studies used traditional statistical methods that cannot identify transition points over time or measure inter-individual variability.

Methods

We followed up individuals with chronic pain from pain onset up to 18 months and we examined their pain intensity, disability and depression trajectories using a modelling approach that allows to account for between and within-individual variability. We compared three patterns of change based on theoretical criterions: a simple linear growth model; a spline model with a 3-month transition point; and a spline model with a 6-month transition point. Time with pain was selected as time metric to characterise the change in these variables in the transition from acute to chronic pain. Sex and age differences were also examined.

Results

The results showed that the pain intensity trajectory was best represented by the spline model with a 3-month transition point, whereas disability and depression were best explained by linear growth models. There were sex differences at intercept level in all the models. There were age differences at baseline for pain intensity. No sex or age differences were found for the slope.

Conclusions

Pain intensity decreased in the first 3 months but underwent no further change. Disability and depression slightly but constantly decreased over time. Although women and older individuals are more likely to report higher pain intensity or pain-related disability in the first three months with pain, no differences by sex or age appear to be associated with the changes in pain intensity, depression and disability through the process of chronification.

Implications

Our findings suggest that pain chronification could be considered a continuous process and contribute to the ongoing discussion on the utility of standard classifications of pain as acute or chronic from a clinical point of view. Clinical and intervention decisions based in these standard classifications should consider the differences in the trajectories of pain related variables over time. In addition, this article illustrates a statistical procedure that can be of utility to pain researchers.
Natural Agency: The Case of Bacterial Cognition
Authors: FULDA FERMÍN C.
Published: March 2017

I contrast an ecological account of natural agency with the traditional Cartesian conception using recent research in bacterial cognition and cellular decision making as a test case. I argue that the Cartesian conception—namely, the view that agency presupposes cognition—generates a dilemma between mechanism, the view that bacteria are mere automata, and intellectualism, the view that they exhibit full-blown cognition. Unicellular organisms, however, occupy a middle ground between these two extremes. On the one hand, their capacities and activities are too adaptive to count as mere machines. On the other hand, they lack the open-ended responsiveness of cognitive agents to rational norms. An ecological conception of agency as the gross behavioral capacity to respond to affordances, I argue, does not presuppose cognition and allows for degrees of agency along a continuum, from the simplest adaptive agents, such as unicellular organisms, to the most sophisticated cognitive agents. Bacteria, I conclude, are adaptiveagents, hence not mere automata, but notcognitiveagents.
Synthetic primatology: what humans and chimpanzees do in a Japanese laboratory and the African field
Authors: LANGLITZ NICOLAS
Published: March 2017

Against the background of humanities writing about animal agency, this article examines primatologist Tetsuro Matsuzawa's work with his ‘research partner’, the chimpanzee Ai, and her conspecifics at the Kyoto University Primate Research Institute and in an outdoor laboratory in Guinea from 1976 to 2016. This latest chapter in the history of Japanese primatology describes an attempt at synthesizing benchwork and fieldwork. It examines how what both humans and chimpanzees can do varies across a whole spectrum of scientific practices, bridging the gap between controlled experiments and field observations. While some recent animal studies literature has presented laboratory animals as deprived of agency and thereby implicitly attributed agency to creatures of the wild, this historical and ethnographic account does not take the analytic category of agency for granted, but examines how Japanese primatologists think about the ways in which chimpanzees interact with each other, with humans and with their environment.
The Elephant in the Family Room: Work–Family Considerations as Central to Evolving HR and I-O
Authors: Mills Maura J. , Culbertson Satoris S.
Published: March 2017

In their focal article, Schiemann and Ulrich (2017) provide a broad overview of thoughts and insights by 73 of today's human resources/industrial–organizational (HR/I-O) leaders. It was both interesting and valuable to hear from those “in the trenches” every day and to learn what they considered to be the key recommendations, cautions, and needs central to the HR/I-O practice of today—and tomorrow. That said, we were surprised that, considering the zeitgeist of the current workscape, work–family considerations did not make more of an appearance in these reports of leaders’ values and priorities for their organizations and for the field as a whole.
A Cycle or a Ceiling? The Cumulative Effects of Subtle Discrimination Through the Lens of Performance Management
Authors: Agars Mark D. , Cazares Eric J.
Published: March 2017

We agree that the impact of subtle discrimination spawns from a dynamic process containing inherent cyclical elements, and we applaud the focal article's effort to provide clarity to a murky arena. More nefarious than the cycle, however, is the continued and typically unchecked presence of subtle discrimination in the workplace, which affords a clear path for prolonged and compounding negative effects. Although Jones, Arena, Nittrouer, Alonso, and Lindsey (2017) touch on the potential for cumulative effects of subtle discrimination, we believe they missed an opportunity. The potential for cumulative effects of subtle discrimination to severely limit the career success of women and minorities is substantial and not well diagnosed (Agars, 2004). Building on their point, we wish to draw greater attention to this concern and articulate how the cumulative effects of subtle discrimination undermine the impact of performance management and limit the development and advancement of individuals from stigmatized groups.
A Fruitful Framework: Commentary for a More Integrative Approach
Authors: Klein Juliana M. , Briggs Erick P.
Published: March 2017

Compared with more turbulent times in history, some might argue workplace discrimination has seen a downward trend. Others would contend that workplace discrimination has “just gone underground” and become more covert (Herring, 2002, p. 13). Either way, not-so-distant historical events such as the landmark Texaco case in 1996 and the Ford Motor case in 2000 remind us that discrimination demands our attention. Calls for research on interventions have surfaced (Becker, Zawadzki, & Shields, 2014), and proposals such as legal reforms, implicit bias training (Bartlett, 2009), and experiential learning workshops have answered (Cundiff, Zawadzki, Danube, & Shields, 2014). The focal article (Jones, Arena, Nittrouer, Alonso, & Lindsey, 2017) contributes to this discussion as it turns our attention to the construct space of discrimination and presents a framework for organizing its facets and forms. Without a doubt, a framework that lends itself to the integration of the many forms of discrimination is long overdue.
From the Editor
Authors: Scott John C.
Published: March 2017

The goal of focal articles in Industrial and Organizational Psychology: Perspectives on Science and Practice is to present new ideas or different takes on existing ideas and stimulate a conversation in the form of comment articles that extend the arguments in the focal article or that present new ideas stimulated by those articles. The two focal articles in this issue stimulated a wide range of reactions and a good deal of constructive input.
Modelling the diversion of erratic boulders by the Valais Glacier during the last glacial maximum
Authors: JOUVET GUILLAUME , SEGUINOT JULIEN , IVY-OCHS SUSAN , FUNK MARTIN
Published: March 2017

In this study, a modelling approach was used to investigate the cause of the diversion of erratic boulders from Mont Blanc and southern Valais by the Valais Glacier to the Solothurn lobe during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Using the Parallel Ice Sheet Model, we simulated the ice flow field during the LGM, and analyzed the trajectories taken by erratic boulders from areas with characteristic lithologies. The main difficulty in this exercise laid with the large uncertainties affecting the paleo climate forcing required as input for the surface mass-balance model. In order to mimic the prevailing climate conditions during the LGM, we applied different temperature offsets and regional precipitation corrections to present-day climate data, and selected the parametrizations, which yielded the best match between the modelled ice extent and the geomorphologically-based ice-margin reconstruction. After running a range of simulations with varying parameters, our results showed that only one parametrization allowed boulders to be diverted to the Solothurn lobe during the LGM. This precipitation pattern supports the existing theory of preferential southwesterly advection of moisture to the alps during the LGM, but also indicates strongly enhanced precipitation over the Mont Blanc massif and enhanced cooling over the Jura Mountains.
The Behavioural Paths to Wellbeing: An Exploratory Study to Distinguish Between Hedonic and Eudaimonic Wellbeing From an Activity Perspective
Authors: Zuo Shijiang , Wang Shun , Wang Fang , Shi Xiafei
Published: March 2017

Hedonic wellbeing and eudaimonic wellbeing are two prevailing approaches to wellbeing. However, remarkably little research has distinguished them from an activity perspective; the knowledge of behavioural paths for achieving these two wellbeings is poor. This study first clarified the behavioural contents of the two approaches through a bottom-up method and then analysed the representativeness of activities to indicate to what extent activities contributed to wellness. We found that the paths to hedonic wellbeing and eudaimonic wellbeing overlapped and differed from each other. Furthermore, this study explained why hedonic activity differed from eudaimonic activity by analysing activity characteristics. We found that people reported higher frequency, sensory experience, and affective experience in hedonic activity, whereas they reported higher intellectual experience, behavioural experience, and spiritual experience in eudaimonic activity. Finally, we explored the behavioural pattern of wellbeing pursuit in both an unthreatening situation and a threatening situation. We found that the overlap between the two approaches increased in the threatening situation. Moreover, people in the threatening situation tended to score lower on all characteristics except frequency relative to those in the unthreatening situation. It seemed that the behavioural pattern in the threatening situation was less effective than its equivalent in the unthreatening situation.