bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low-frequency sound affects active micromechanics in the human inner ear
Authors: Kugler Kathrin , Wiegrebe Lutz , Grothe Benedikt , Kössl Manfred , Gürkov Robert , Krause Eike , Drexl Markus
Published: October 2014

Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common auditory pathologies, resulting from overstimulation of the human cochlea, an exquisitely sensitive micromechanical device. At very low frequencies (less than 250 Hz), however, the sensitivity of human hearing, and therefore the perceived loudness is poor. The perceived loudness is mediated by the inner hair cells of the cochlea which are driven very inadequately at low frequencies. To assess the impact of low-frequency (LF) sound, we exploited a by-product of the active amplification of sound outer hair cells (OHCs) perform, so-called spontaneous otoacoustic emissions. These are faint sounds produced by the inner ear that can be used to detect changes of cochlear physiology. We show that a short exposure to perceptually unobtrusive, LF sounds significantly affects OHCs: a 90 s, 80 dB(A) LF sound induced slow, concordant and positively correlated frequency and level oscillations of spontaneous otoacoustic emissions that lasted for about 2 min after LF sound offset. LF sounds, contrary to their unobtrusive perception, strongly stimulate the human cochlea and affect amplification processes in the most sensitive and important frequency range of human hearing.
The subgenual organ complex in the cave cricketTroglophilus neglectus(Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae): comparative innervation and sensory evolution
Authors: Strauß Johannes , Stritih Nataša , Lakes-Harlan Reinhard
Published: October 2014

Comparative studies of the organization of nervous systems and sensory organs can reveal their evolution and specific adaptations. In the forelegs of some Ensifera (including crickets and tettigoniids), tympanal hearing organs are located in close proximity to the mechanosensitive subgenual organ (SGO). In the present study, the SGO complex in the non-hearing cave cricketTroglophilus neglectus(Rhaphidophoridae) is investigated for the neuronal innervation pattern and for organs homologous to the hearing organs in related taxa. We analyse the innervation pattern of the sensory organs (SGO and intermediate organ (IO)) and its variability between individuals. InT. neglectus, the IO consists of two major groups of closely associated sensilla with different positions. While the distal-most sensilla superficially resemble tettigoniid auditory sensilla in location and orientation, the sensory innervation does not show these two groups to be distinct organs. Though variability in the number of sensory nerve branches occurs, usually either organ is supplied by a single nerve branch. Hence, no sensory elements clearly homologous to the auditory organ are evident. In contrast to other non-hearing Ensifera, the cave cricket sensory structures are relatively simple, consistent with a plesiomorphic organization resembling sensory innervation in grasshoppers and stick insects.
Massilia norwichensis sp. nov., isolated from an air sample
Authors: Orthová Ivana , Kämpfer Peter , Glaeser Stefanie P. , Kaden René , Busse Hans-Jürgen
Published: October 2014

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped and motile bacterial isolate, designated strain NS9T, isolated from air of the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts in Norwich, UK, was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study including phylogenetic analyses based on partial 16S rRNA, gyrB and lepA gene sequences and phenotypic characterization. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of NS9T identified

Massilia haematophila

CCUG 38318T,

M. niastensis

5516S-1T (both 97.7 % similarity),

M. aerilata

5516S-11T (97.4 %) and

M. tieshanensis

TS3T (97.4 %) as the next closest relatives. In partial gyrB and lepA sequences, NS9T shared the highest similarities with

M. haematophila

CCUG 38318T (94.5 %) and

M. aerilata

5516-11T (94.3 %), respectively. These sequence data demonstrate the affiliation of NS9T to the genus

Massilia

. The detection of the predominant ubiquinone Q-8, a polar lipid profile consisting of the major compounds diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol and a polyamine pattern containing 2-hydroxyputrescine and putrescine were in agreement with the assignment of strain NS9T to the genus

Massilia

. Major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH), C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω7c and C10 : 0 3-OH. Dissimilarities in partial lepA and gyrB gene sequences as well as results from DNA–DNA hybridizations demonstrate that strain NS9T is a representative of an as-yet undescribed species of the genus

Massilia

that is also distinguished from its close relatives based on physiological and biochemical traits. Hence, we describe a novel species, for which we propose the name Massilia norwichensis sp. nov., with the type strain NS9T ( = CCUG 65457T = LMG 28164T).
Transient Silencing of CHALCONE SYNTHASE during Fruit Ripening Modifies Tomato Epidermal Cells and Cuticle Properties
Authors: España Laura , Heredia-Guerrero José A. , Reina-Pinto José J. , Fernández-Muñoz Rafael , Heredia Antonio , Domínguez Eva
Published: October 2014

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit ripening is accompanied by an increase in CHALCONE SYNTHASE (CHS) activity and flavonoid biosynthesis. Flavonoids accumulate in the cuticle, giving its characteristic orange color that contributes to the eventual red color of the ripe fruit. Using virus-induced gene silencing in fruits, we have down-regulated the expression of SlCHS during ripening and compared the cuticles derived from silenced and nonsilenced regions. Silenced regions showed a pink color due to the lack of flavonoids incorporated to the cuticle. This change in color was accompanied by several other changes in the cuticle and epidermis. The epidermal cells displayed a decreased tangential cell width; a decrease in the amount of cuticle and its main components, cutin and polysaccharides, was also observed. Flavonoids dramatically altered the cuticle biomechanical properties by stiffening the elastic and viscoelastic phase and by reducing the ability of the cuticle to deform. There seemed to be a negative relation between SlCHS expression and wax accumulation during ripening that could be related to the decreased cuticle permeability to water observed in the regions silencing SlCHS. A reduction in the overall number of ester linkages present in the cutin matrix was also dependent on the presence of flavonoids.
Reflections on interdisciplinary accounting research: the state of the art of intellectual capital
Authors: Dumay John
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to offer reflections and critique not only on the current state of the art for intellectual capital research (ICR) from an interdisciplinary accounting research (IAR) perspective, but also its future directions.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper offers a critical reflection based on the author's observations as an IC researcher, reviewer and editor. The author also supports the arguments with some evidence from the research about IC research.

Findings

– The author argues that most ICR is falling short of achieving “the most advanced level of knowledge and technology” of the art because it inherits flaws from prior research, thus threatening its legitimacy and impact.

Research limitations/implications

– The author argues that researchers need to go back to the methodological drawing board when designing IAR so future research can achieve its full potential. To do so researchers also need their research to be transformational to engender change, and to be transdisciplinary, which encompasses research beyond the current boundaries of accounting and management.

Originality/value

– The author identifies and introduces three research shortcuts that prevent ICR projects from being state of the art being copycat, Furphy and technophobic research which provide insights into why not all ICR research is not “state of the art”.
Enhancing the position estimates of unmanned aerial vehicles by cooperation
Authors: Hlavacs Helmut
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to find methods to enhance position estimates for mobile terminals by cooperating with each other.

Design/methodology/approach

– The main methods used are, on the one hand, mathematical modelling of the system, drone mobility, communication and positioning errors, and on the other hand, detailed discrete event simulation, which the author uses to evaluate the positioning errors. In the simulation runs, important parameters like signal speed, terminal velocity, area size and error correlation were varied. The author details the influence of these parameters on the theoretically possible error enhancement with respect to the traditional non-cooperative method.

Findings

– Simulation results show that using cooperation is useful and can indeed significantly enhance the accuracy of position estimates, even in difficult situations. However, there are limits and the accuracy cannot always be enhanced.

Research limitations/implications

– Future research might use more sophisticated processing methods to further enhance position estimates. Limitations are given by the use of discrete time models in an inherently continuous system. Discretization errors are, however, kept low by using small time steps.

Practical implications

– It has been shown that the positioning of drone swarms can be significantly enhanced once drones cooperate with each other. This might improve maneuverability of drones in all situations where drone swarms are used.

Originality/value

– It has been proven by using simulation that cooperative positioning can yield positioning enhancements, even in difficult situations, when using wireless communication. In this light, future research can come up with practical implementations of such a cooperative approach.
Energy, economic, and environmental performance of commercial water heating systems
Authors: Ming To Wai , Kit Hung Hon , Leung Chung Wai
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the energy, economic and environmental performance of commercial water heating systems in Hong Kong special administrative region (SAR), China.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research team contacted 50 facilities managers in Hong Kong, and 16 of them agreed to participate in this territorial-wide survey. The overall efficiency of different water heating systems was determined through measurements of inlet water temperatures, outlet steam/water properties, the amount of steam/water produced and the amount of energy consumed. The cost effectiveness and the amount of greenhouse gases produced per megajoule (MJ) output were also determined.

Findings

– Results show that electric water heating systems had the highest mean overall efficiency, followed by gas- and oil-fired systems. However, the difference between the mean overall efficiency of the three types of water heating systems was not statistically significant, as the systems had been inspected and maintained regularly. Oil-fired systems were found to be the most cost-effective when taking fuel prices into consideration. Environmental analysis showed that gas-fired systems produced the least amount of greenhouse gases per MJ output.

Originality/value

– Water heating is one of the major uses of energy in buildings. Hence, the efficiency of a water heating system can have a significant effect on the overall performance of a building. This paper not only provides insight on the energy performance but it also evaluates the economic and environmental performance of water heating systems.
Identifying Important Factors for Closing the Gap in Labour Force Status between Indigenous and Non‐Indigenous Australians
Authors: Kalb Guyonne , Le Trinh , Hunter Boyd , Leung Felix
Published: October 2014

Despite substantial policy efforts to promote economic participation by Indigenous Australians, they continue to have low participation rates compared with non‐Indigenous Australians. This study decomposes the gap in labour market attachment between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous Australians in non‐remote areas, combining two separate data sources in a novel way to obtain access to richer information than was previously possible. It shows that among women over 90 per cent of the gap can be attributed to differences in the observed characteristics between the two populations. For men, the differences in observed characteristics can account for 44–52 per cent of the gap. A detailed decomposition shows that lower education, worse health, and larger families (particularly for women) explain the lower labour market attachment of Indigenous Australians to a substantial extent. Compared with previous studies, this study is able to explain a larger proportion of the gap in employment between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous people and hence provides greater insights into important factors for ‘Closing the gap’ policies.
Effects of Sulfhydryl Compounds, Carbohydrates, Organic Acids, and Sodium Sulfite on the Formation of Lysinoalanine in Preserved Egg
Authors: Luo Xu‐ying , Tu Yong‐gang , Zhao Yan , Li Jian‐ke , Wang Jun‐jie
Published: October 2014

To identify inhibitors for lysinoalanine formation in preserved egg, sulfhydryl compounds (glutathione, L‐cysteine), carbohydrates (sucrose, D‐glucose, maltose), organic acids (L‐ascorbic acid, citric acid, DL‐malic acid, lactic acid), and sodium sulfite were individually added at different concentrations to a pickling solution to prepare preserved eggs. Lysinoalanine formation as an index of these 10 substances was determined. Results indicate that glutathione, D‐glucose, maltose, L‐ascorbic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, and sodium sulfite all effectively diminished lysinoalanine formation in preserved egg albumen and yolk. When 40 and 80 mmol/L of sodium sulfite, citric acid, L‐ascorbic acid, and D‐glucose were individually added into the pickling solution, the inhibition rates of lysinoalanine in the produced preserved egg albumen and yolk were higher. However, the attempt of minimizing lysinoalanine formation was combined with the premise of ensuring preserved eggs quality. Moreover, the addition of 40 and 80 mmol/L of sodium sulfite, 40 and 80 mmol/L of D‐glucose, 40 mmol/L of citric acid, and 40 mmol/L of L‐ascorbic acid was optimal to produce preserved eggs. The corresponding inhibition rates of lysinoalanine in the albumen were approximately 76.3% to 76.5%, 67.6% to 67.8%, 74.6%, and 74.6%, and the corresponding inhibition rates of lysinoalanine in the yolk were about 68.7% to 69.7%, 50.6% to 51.8%, 70.4%, and 57.8%. It was concluded that sodium sulfite, D‐glucose，L‐ascorbic, and citric acid at suitable concentrations can be used to control the formation of lysinoalanine during preserved egg processing.
Node‐based analysis of species distributions
Authors: Borregaard Michael K. , Rahbek Carsten , Fjeldså Jon , Parra Juan L. , Whittaker Robert J. , Graham Catherine H.
Published: October 2014

The integration of species distributions and evolutionary relationships is one of the most rapidly moving research fields today and has led to considerable advances in our understanding of the processes underlying biogeographical patterns. Here, we develop a set of metrics, the specific overrepresentation score (SOS) and the geographic node divergence (GND) score, which together combine ecological and evolutionary patterns into a single framework and avoids many of the problems that characterize community phylogenetic methods in current use.

This approach goes through each node in the phylogeny and compares the distributions of descendant clades to a null model. The method employs a balanced null model, is independent of phylogeny size, and allows an intuitive visualization of the results.

We demonstrate how this novel implementation can be used to generate hypotheses for biogeographical patterns with case studies on two groups with well‐described biogeographical histories: a local‐scale community data set of hummingbirds in the North Andes, and a large‐scale data set of the distribution of all species of New World flycatchers. The node‐based analysis of these two groups generates a set of intuitively interpretable patterns that are consistent with current biogeographical knowledge.

Importantly, the results are statistically tractable, opening many possibilities for their use in analyses of evolutionary, historical and spatial patterns of species diversity. The method is implemented as an upcoming R packagenodiv, which makes it accessible and easy to use.
Methionine restriction slows down senescence in human diploid fibroblasts
Authors: Kozieł Rafał , Ruckenstuhl Christoph , Albertini Eva , Neuhaus Michael , Netzberger Christine , Bust Maria , Madeo Frank , Wiesner Rudolf J. , Jansen‐Dürr Pidder
Published: October 2014

Methionine restriction (MetR) extends lifespan in animal models including rodents. Using human diploid fibroblasts (HDF), we report here that MetR significantly extends their replicative lifespan, thereby postponing cellular senescence. MetR significantly decreased activity of mitochondrial complex IV and diminished the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Lifespan extension was accompanied by a significant decrease in the levels of subunits of mitochondrial complex IV, but also complex I, which was due to a decreased translation rate of several mtDNA‐encoded subunits. Together, these findings indicate that MetR slows down aging in human cells by modulating mitochondrial protein synthesis and respiratory chain assembly.
KATNB1 in the human testis and its genetic variants in fertile and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic infertile men
Authors: O'Donnell L. , McLachlan R. I. , Merriner D. Jo , O'Bryan M. K. , Jamsai D.
Published: October 2014

Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) is a phenotype frequently observed in infertile men, and is defined by low spermatozoa number, abnormal spermatozoa morphology and poor motility. We previously showed that a mutation in the Katnb1 gene in mice causes infertility because of OAT. The KATNB1 gene encodes an accessory subunit of the katanin microtubule‐severing enzyme complex; this accessory subunit is thought to modulate microtubule‐severing location and activity. We hypothesized that KATNB1 may play a role in human spermatogenesis and that genetic variants in KATNB1 could be associated with OAT in humans. Using immunostaining, we defined the localization of the KATNB1 protein in human testes. KATNB1 was present during spermatid development, and in particular localized to the microtubules of the manchette, a structure required for sperm head shaping. To assess a potential association between genetic variants in the KATNB1 gene and infertile men with OAT, we performed direct sequencing of genomic DNA samples from 100 OAT infertile and 100 proven fertile men. Thirty‐seven KATNB1 variants were observed, five of which had not previously been described. Ten variants were present only in OAT men, however, statistical analysis did not reveal a significant association with fertility status. Our results suggest that variants in the KATNB1 gene are not commonly associated with OAT infertility in Australian men.
Epidemiology of lysosomal storage diseases in Sweden
Authors: Hult Malin , Darin Niklas , von Döbeln Ulrika , Månsson Jan‐Eric
Published: October 2014

Aim

There are more than 50 inherited lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs), and this study examined the incidence of clinically diagnosed LSDs in Sweden.

Methods

The number of patients diagnosed during 1980–2009 was compiled from the registries of the two Swedish diagnostic laboratories that cover the whole country.

Results

We identified 433 patients during the 30‐year period, with a total incidence of one in every 6100 births and identified fairly constant annual diagnoses during the last 20 years. Krabbe disease was the most common (one in 39 000) followed by Gaucher disease (one in 47 000), metachromatic leukodystrophy and Salla disease. Gaucher disease was more frequent in Sweden than other European countries, due to a founder effect of the mutation (p.L444P) in northern Sweden. Metachromatic leukodystrophy was one of the most common LSDs, in common with other countries. Salla disease, which is very rare elsewhere, was the fourth most common, stemming from a founder mutation in the Salla region of northern Finland brought to Sweden by immigration.

Conclusion

The collective incidence of LSDs in Sweden was essentially equal to other European countries, but with a somewhat different disease pattern. Our findings have implications for diagnostic algorithms and treatment strategies.
Beauty: Neglected, but alive and kicking
Authors: Redies Christoph
Published: October 2014

This article is a commentary on ‘Ten years of a model of aesthetic appreciation and aesthetic judgments: The aesthetic episode – developments and challenges in empirical aesthetics’ (Leder & Nadal, 2014, this issue). It focuses on the importance of beauty in aesthetic appreciation and aesthetic judgments. Beauty is considered as a formal inherent property of visual stimuli that has the potential to elicit visual pleasure by direct sensory stimulation. It is argued that any comprehensive model of aesthetic experience must account fully for cognitive aspects of aesthetics (cultural, conceptual, psychological, and individual factors) as well as intrinsic properties of beautiful visual stimuli and how they relate to basic mechanisms of visual perception, which are universal among humans.
Domain specificity and mental chronometry in empirical aesthetics
Authors: Jacobsen Thomas
Published: October 2014

This article is a commentary on ‘Ten years of a model of aesthetic appreciation and aesthetic judgments: The aesthetic episode – developments and challenges in empirical aesthetics’ (Leder & Nadal, 2014, this issue). It focuses on domain specificity and mental chronometry in empirical aesthetics.
Effect of androgen replacement therapy on atherosclerotic risk markers in young‐to‐middle‐aged men with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
Authors: Doğan Berçem Ayçiçek , Karakılıç Ersen , Tuna Mazhar Müslüm , Arduç Ayşe , Berker Dilek , Güler Serdar
Published: October 2014

Objective

Idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is a rare disorder. This study evaluated the effect of androgen replacement therapy on atherosclerotic risk markers in young‐to‐middle‐aged men with this disorder.

Design and methods

Forty‐three male patients aged 30 (range: 24–39 years) who were newly diagnosed with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and 20 age‐, sex‐ and weight‐matched controls (range: 26–39 years) were included in the study. Androgen replacement therapy was given according to the Algorithm of Testosterone Therapy in Adult Men with Androgen Deficiency Syndromes (2010; Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 95, 2536). The patients were assessed at a pretreatment visit and 3 and 6 months after the treatment. Inflammatory markers and lipid parameters were evaluated. Endothelial function was assessed with brachial flow‐mediated dilation of a brachial artery and high‐resolution ultrasonography of the carotid intima‐media thickness.

Results

The carotid intima‐media thickness (P < 0·001) was higher and the brachial flow‐mediated diameter (P = 0·002) was lower in patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism compared to the control subjects at the pretreatment visit. There was a negative correlation between the total testosterone level and carotid intima‐media thickness (r = −0·556, P = <0·001). The carotid intima‐media thickness and per cent flow‐mediated diameter were significantly improved in the patient group 6 months after the androgen replacement therapy (P = 0·002 and 0·026, respectively).

Conclusions

This study indicated that low total testosterone levels can be considered a significant marker of atherosclerosis in patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and that androgen replacement therapy significantly reduces atherosclerotic risk markers in these patients after 6 months.
Neonatal thyroid function born to mothers living with long‐term excessive iodine intake from drinking water
Authors: Chen Wen , Sang Zhongna , Tan Long , Zhang Shufen , Dong Feng , Chu Zanjun , Wei Wei , Zhao Na , Zhang Guiqin , Yao Zhaixiao , Shen Jun , Zhang Wanqi
Published: October 2014

Objective

The effects of long‐term excessive maternal iodine intake on neonatal thyroid function are less known. This study aimed to assess the effects of maternal excessive iodine intake from drinking water on thyroid functions of both mothers and their neonates.

Design and Methods

This observational study was performed in high iodine (HI) areas and adequate iodine (AI) intake areas, including 384 healthy pregnant women in late gestation (mean week 39·3 ± 1·6 weeks) and their newborns. Blood and urine samples were obtained from pregnant women, while cord blood samples were obtained from neonates. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and thyroid function were evaluated.

Results

The median maternal UIC was 1241 and 217 μg/l in HI and AI areas, respectively (P < 0·001). The concentrations of serum thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) in neonates in HI areas were 7·33 mIU/l (range 5·47, 11·06 mIU/l), 2·93 ± 0·59 and 15·03 ± 1·92 pmol/l, respectively, while that were 4·71 mIU/l (range 3·96, 6·04 mIU/l), 2·31 ± 0·28 and 16·50 ± 1·35 pmol/l in AI neonates (P < 0·05). Similar changes were also observed in neonates in HI areas when excluding the effect of maternal thyroid autoimmunity. Cord blood TSH concentration (r = 0·31, P = 0·001) and FT3 concentration (r = 0·43, P = 0·001) were positively correlated with maternal UIC. Cord blood FT4 concentration was negatively correlated with maternal UIC (r = −0·25, P = 0·001). Mothers living in HI areas (β = 0·296, 95% CI: 0·163, 0·255) and with subclinical hypothyroidism (β = 0·360, 95% CI: 0·034, 0·175) contributed to elevated cord blood TSH concentration in neonates, while male neonates were more likely to present with higher TSH concentration compared with female infants (β = −0·760, 95% CI: −0·119, −0·033).

Conclusions

Excessive iodine intake during pregnancy was associated with an increased rate of hyperthyrotropinaemia in neonates and their mothers, especially in male neonates.
Tropical Deforestation and Carbon Emissions from Protected Area Downgrading, Downsizing, and Degazettement (PADDD)
Authors: Forrest Jessica L. , Mascia Michael B. , Pailler Sharon , Abidin Siti Zuraidah , Araujo Mara Deza , Krithivasan Roopa , Riveros Juan Carlos
Published: October 2014

Protected area downgrading, downsizing and degazettement (PADDD) is a global phenomenon that has not received formal attention in Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) policies designed to reduce forest carbon emissions and conserve biodiversity. Here, we examine how PADDD affects deforestation and forest carbon emissions. We documented 174 enacted and 8 proposed PADDD events affecting more than 48,000 km2 in three REDD+ priority countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malaysia, and Peru. Where sufficient data were available, we estimated deforestation rates and the quantity and economic value of forest carbon already lost and at risk in three land tenure classes: PADDDed, protected, and never‐protected. PADDDed forests experienced deforestation and forest carbon emissions greatly exceeding rates in protected areas and slightly exceeding rates in never‐protected forests. PADDD represents business‐as‐usual for protected areas, posing substantial risk to forests and forest carbon stocks. REDD+ policies have substantive implications for protected area biodiversity and forest carbon emissions; the Warsaw Framework for REDD+ provides new, but insufficient, guidance for nations to address these issues.
Distinguishing geographical range shifts from artefacts of detectability and sampling effort
Authors: Bates Amanda E. , Bird Tomas J. , Stuart‐Smith Rick D. , Wernberg Thomas , Sunday Jennifer M. , Barrett Neville S. , Edgar Graham J. , Frusher Stewart , Hobday Alistair J. , Pecl Gretta T. , Smale Dan A. , McCarthy Michael
Published: October 2014

Aim

The redistribution of species with climate change is well documented. Even so, the relative contribution of species detectability to the variation in measured range shift rates among species is poorly understood. How can true range shifts be discerned from sampling artefacts?

Location

Australia.

Methods

We simulate range shifts for species which differ in their abundance for comparison to patterns derived from empirical range shift data from two regional‐scale (100s km) empirical studies. We demonstrate the use of spatial occupancy data in a distance‐to‐edge (DTE) model to assess changes in geographical range edges of fish species within a temperate reef fish community.

Results

Simulations identified how sampling design can produce relatively larger error in range shift estimates in less abundant species, patterns that correspond with those observed in real data. Application of the DTE model allowed us to estimate the location of the true range edge with high accuracy in common species. In addition, upper confidence bounds for range edge estimates identified species with range edges that have likely shifted in location.

Conclusions

Simulation and modelling approaches used to quantify the level of confidence that can be placed in observed range shifts are particularly valuable for studies of marine species, where observations are typically few and patchy. Given the observed variability in range shift estimates, the inclusion of confidence bounds on estimates of geographical range edges will advance our capacity to disentangle true distributional change from artefacts of sampling design.
Systematics of rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) associated with Hodotermopsis sjostedti (Isoptera: Termopsidae)
Authors: Kanao Taisuke , Maruyama Munetoshi , Iwata Ryûtarô
Published: October 2014

Members of the termitophilous subtribe Termitozyrina (Aleocharinae: Lomechusini) associated with Hodotermopsis sjostedti are taxonomically treated. The genera Hodotermophilus Naomi & Terayama and Termophidoholus Naomi & Hirono, and each type species (monotypic) are redescribed. Termophidoholus formosanus, originally described from Taiwan, and its host termite H. sjostedti are newly recorded from Laos. Yakuus iwatai Kanao & Maruyama gen. & sp. nov. and H. gloriosus were collected sympatrically in the same nests in Yaku‐shima, Japan. All of the above species, belonging to the three genera, share the presence of a batch of spurs at the tibial apex of fore and mid legs. Habitus photographs and illustrations of diagnostic features are provided for these species, and their phylogenetic relationships are discussed based on morphological similarities and the extant distribution of the host termite species.
Nonpharmacologic care for patients with Lennox‐Gastaut syndrome: Ketogenic diets and vagus nerve stimulation
Authors: Kossoff Eric H. W. , Shields W. Donald
Published: October 2014

Individuals with Lennox‐Gastaut syndrome (LGS) often do not respond to or become resistant to pharmacologic treatments. Ketogenic diets (KDs) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) are nonpharmacologic treatment options for these intractable patients. The classic KD, a high‐fat, low‐carbohydrate diet with 90% of calories derived from fat, has been used in the treatment of seizures for >90 years. About half of patients with LGS respond to the KD with a >50% reduction in seizures and some patients may achieve a >90% reduction. Vagus nerve stimulation therapy involves a surgically implanted generator that delivers intermittent electrical stimuli to the brain via an electrode wrapped around the left vagus nerve. It is utilized as adjunctive therapy for patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy (including patients with LGS) who are not suitable candidates for resective surgery. Similar to the KD, about half of LGS patients respond to VNS therapy, with a >50% reduction in seizures, and the response may improve over time. Both the KD and VNS are options for patients with LGS.
Additive genetic variation for tolerance to estrogen pollution in natural populations of Alpine whitefish (Coregonus sp., Salmonidae)
Authors: Brazzola Gregory , Chèvre Nathalie , Wedekind Claus
Published: October 2014

The evolutionary potential of natural populations to adapt to anthropogenic threats critically depends on whether there exists additive genetic variation for tolerance to the threat. A major problem for water‐dwelling organisms is chemical pollution, and among the most common pollutants is 17α‐ethinylestradiol (EE2), the synthetic estrogen that is used in oral contraceptives and that can affect fish at various developmental stages, including embryogenesis. We tested whether there is variation in the tolerance to EE2 within Alpine whitefish. We sampled spawners from two species of different lakes, bred them in vitro in a full‐factorial design each, and studied growth and mortality of embryos. Exposure to EE2 turned out to be toxic in all concentrations we tested (≥1 ng/L). It reduced embryo viability and slowed down embryogenesis. We found significant additive genetic variation in EE2‐induced mortality in both species, that is, genotypes differed in their tolerance to estrogen pollution. We also found maternal effects on embryo development to be influenced by EE2, that is, some maternal sib groups were more susceptible to EE2 than others. In conclusion, the toxic effects of EE2 were strong, but both species demonstrated the kind of additive genetic variation that is necessary for an evolutionary response to this type of pollution.
Prenatal diagnosis of haemophilia in Sweden now more commonly used for psychological preparation than termination of pregnancy
Authors: Mårtensson A. , Tedgård U. , Ljung R.
Published: October 2014

The aims of the study were to define the frequency, outcome and reasons for prenatal diagnosis (PND) in Sweden during a 30‐year period in order to study trends and changes. The study population, from the Swedish nationwide registry of PND of haemophilia, consisted of 54 women, compromising >95% of all, who underwent PND (n = 90) of haemophilia during 1977–2013. PND was performed by amniocentesis (n = 10), chorionic villus sampling (n = 64) or by analysis of foetal blood (n = 16). A total of 27/90 foetuses were found to have haemophilia. Sixteen went to termination and the remaining 11 were born during the end of the study period (2000–2013). Three of 90 pregnancies were terminated due to findings other than haemophilia and 3/90 PNDs led to miscarriage. In the 30 families with known haemophilia, PNDs (n = 55) were used in 27/55 cases for ‘psychological preparation’ and in 23/55 cases with the aim to terminate the pregnancy. A subgroup of women (n = 17) who consecutively underwent PND in the years 1997–2010 were further interviewed. For 11/17, being a carrier had a negative effect on the decision to become pregnant, and in 11 cases PND had influenced their decision to conceive. Our study show that PND of haemophilia is stable over time but increasingly used during the last decade as a psychological preparation for having a child with haemophilia as compared to earlier where more terminations of pregnancies were conducted.
Managing chronic pain in adults with haemophilia: current status and call to action
Authors: Humphries T. J. , Kessler C. M.
Published: October 2014

Haemophilic arthroses are associated with acute pain during bleeding episodes and with chronic pain caused by arthritic complications of repeated bleeding into joints. Unlike other conditions (e.g. osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, sickle cell disease), there are limited data on pain management in haemophilia. Management of arthritic individuals and those with sickle cell disease relies heavily on administration of acetaminophen, non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioid analgesics. In haemophilia, acetaminophen often has limited efficacy at therapeutic doses, offering a narrow dosing range in those with liver disease due to chronic hepatitis C. NSAIDs can effectively manage pain in patients with haemophilia, but these agents are potentially associated with a significant risk of precipitating or exacerbating bleeding complications in an already coagulopathic population. Opioids have proven effective in osteoarthritis and sickle cell disease, but outcomes data in those with haemophilia are virtually non‐existent. Patients with haemophilia are at least as vulnerable as other chronic pain populations to opioid‐related adverse events and to developing abusive behaviours and addiction. Despite pain management strategies for patients with haemophilia being far from optimal, the predominant precept of haemophilia management still applies. As such, it is critically important to aggressively reverse or prevent acute symptomatic bleeding in a timely and effective manner to at least minimize pain and progressive joint damage. This review should serve as a call to action to prioritize pain management in haemophilia care and spur interest in the development, improvement and standardization of tools to assess and manage acute and chronic pain in haemophilia.
Data and Privacy: Now you see me; New Model for Data Sharing; Modern Governance and Staticians
Authors: Smith Sam
Published: October 2014

Does data anonymisation work? The answer depends on who you talk to. But finding a way to preserve privacy while sharing valuable data is crucial to the future of our information society. Brian Tarran reports.

Will the openPDS initiative at MIT solve the data privacy problem once and for all? Brian Tarran interviews researcher Brian Sweatt.

Sam Smith writes: Policy-makers are hungry to take advantage of big data, but they must heed the warnings of statisticians when they say “enough is enough”.
Huff and Puff
Authors: Reinhart Alex
Published: October 2014

Freelance journalist Darrell Huff rose to prominence with his book, How to Lie with Statistics. But its sequel – a statistical counterattack to public health fears about tobacco – never made it to print. Alex Reinhart recounts the untold story.
How to Weigh a Donkey in the Kenyan Countryside
Authors: Milner Kate , Rougier Jonathan
Published: October 2014

Donkeys play a crucial role in the lives of rural Kenyans. When they fall sick, vets need a quick and accurate method of weighing the animals to administer the right dosage of drugs. The humble nomogram can help, as Kate Milner and Jonathan Rougier explain.
Creatine Kinase as Predictor of Blood Pressure and Hypertension. Is It All About Body Mass Index? A Follow‐Up Study of 250 Patients
Authors: Johnsen Stein H. , Lilleng Hallvard , Bekkelund Svein I.
Published: October 2014

The correlation between creatine kinase (CK) and blood pressure (BP) was examined prospectively in 120 patients with persistent high CK and 130 individuals with normal CK. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP (SBP) ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic BP (DBP) ≥90 mm Hg or current use of antihypertensive medication. Baseline CK was weakly correlated with SBP (r=0.11, P=.07) and DBP (r=0.16, P=.01) at follow‐up. Persons with persistent high CK had higher SBP (140.8 mm Hg vs 138.2 mm Hg) and DBP (83.2 mm Hg vs 81.0 mm Hg, P=.06) values and were more likely to have hypertension (66.7% vs 55.5%, P=.05) than individuals with normal CK. In age‐ and sex‐adjusted analysis, a 1‐unit change in logCK was associated with a 4.9‐mm Hg higher SBP, a 3.3‐mm Hg higher DBP, and a 2.2‐higher odds for having hypertension at follow‐up (P=.1, .07, and .06, respectively). When including body mass index (BMI) to the model, BMI was a strong and independent predictor for SBP, DBP, and hypertension at follow‐up and the CK effect on blood pressure was substantially attenuated. This study showed that the CK effect on blood pressure is clearly modified by BMI.
A Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) and Dimensional Analysis for Predicting Energy Consumption and Mean Residence Time in a Twin‐Screw Extruder
Authors: Kumar Ajay , Jones David D. , Meyer George E. , Hanna Milford A.
Published: October 2014

Modeling the extrusion process is complex because of the many confounding variables and the dynamic properties of the materials subjected to heat, shear and pressure. Efforts have been made to predict various system and product properties using a flow‐modeling phenomenological approach. However, because of the many assumptions and the complexities involved, these models become often impractical for application. In this study, dimensional analysis was used to determine significant dimensionless parameters for the inputs and outputs of a model constrained only by the available experimental data. Thereafter, a rule‐basedFISwas used, instead of a conventional exponential model, for the prediction of output dimensionless parameters. Optimization or selection of subtractive cluster radii forFISwas achieved using a genetic algorithm. Data were obtained from 4 × 3 × 3 × 2 experimental design (16, 20, 24 and 28% moisture contents; 80, 120 and 160 rpm screw speeds; 3, 4 and 5 mm nozzle diameters and 120 and 140Cbarrel temperatures) and 3 × 2 (80, 120 and 160 rpm screw speeds; 120 and 140Cbarrel temperatures for a 4 mm nozzle diameter and 26% moisture content). These factorial design experiments were conducted using a laboratory twin‐screw extruder. After training, theFIScaptured the process trend based on the experimental data. Correlation coefficient (r2) values were found higher than those obtained from a linear regression model.

Practical Applications

Extrusion process is widely used to produce human foods, dog foods and polymers. Prediction of extrusion performance and scale‐up of the process are very challenging because of complex and dynamic characteristics of biological materials when shear and heat are applied simultaneously. This study presents a novel modeling method to predict dimensionless parameters involvingMRTand torque experienced by the extruder. The model was validated with data collected from extrusion of corn starch. This model can be used by producers to predict change in energy consumption andMRTand facilitate scale‐up when feed moisture content, die diameter, screw speed and barrel temperature are changed. The modeling methodology can be further expanded to predict other extrusion performance parameters and for other materials by training and validating the model with new data set.
Registered nurses' experiences of their decision‐making at an Emergency Medical Dispatch Centre
Authors: Ek Bosse , Svedlund Marianne
Published: October 2014

Aims and objectives

To describe registered nurses′ experiences at an Emergency Medical Dispatch Centre.

Background

It is important that ambulances are urgently directed to patients who are in need of immediate help and of quick transportation to a hospital. Because resources are limited, Emergency Medical Dispatch centres cannot send ambulances with high priority to all callers. The efficiency of the system is therefore dependent on triage. Nurses worldwide are involved in patient triage, both before the patient′s arrival to the hospital and in the subsequent emergency care. Ambulance dispatching is traditionally a duty for operators at Emergency Medical Dispatch centres, and in Sweden this duty has become increasingly performed by registered nurses.

Design

A qualitative design was used for this study.

Methods

Fifteen registered nurses with experience at Emergency Medical Dispatch centres were interviewed. The participants were asked to describe the content of their work and their experiences. They also described the most challenging and difficult situations according to the critical incidence technique. Content analysis was used.

Results

Two themes emerged during the analysis: ‘Having a profession with opportunities and obstacles’ and ‘Meeting serious and difficult situations’, with eight sub‐themes. The results showed that the decisions to dispatch ambulances were both challenging and difficult. Difficulties included conveying medical advice without seeing the patient, teaching cardio‐pulmonary resuscitation via telephone and dealing with intoxicated and aggressive callers. Conflicts with colleagues and ambulance crews as well as fear of making wrong decisions were also mentioned.

Conclusions

Work at Emergency Medical Dispatch centres is a demanding but stimulating duty for registered nurses.

Relevance to clinical practice

Great benefits can be achieved using experienced triage nurses, including increased patient safety and better use of medical resources. Improved internal support systems at Emergency Medical Dispatch centres and striving for a blame‐free culture are important factors to attract and retain employees.
The moderating effects of personality on the relationship between change in work stressors and change in counterproductive work behaviours
Authors: Eschleman Kevin J. , Bowling Nathan A. , LaHuis David
Published: October 2014

We examined the relationship between change in work stressors and change in counterproductive work behaviours (CWBs) over 6 months using three waves of data. Increases in work stressors (i.e., interpersonal conflict and organizational constraints) were positively associated with both increases in CWBs (trend effects) and subsequent levels of CWBs (delayed‐reaction effects). Personality characteristics (i.e., agreeableness and conscientiousness) were examined as moderators of the trend effects and delayed‐reaction effects. As expected, the trend effect was stronger for low‐agreeableness (or low‐conscientiousness) workers than for high‐agreeableness (or high‐conscientiousness) workers. Contrary to expectations, however, the delayed‐reaction effect was not consistently moderated by personality. We recommend that organizations recognize the potential for delayed consequences when estimating the effects of changes to the work environment. Organizations may also consider using individually tailored training methods (based on the worker's unique personality) to instruct workers about effective coping strategies.

Practitioner points

Unfortunately for organizations, the nature of the work stressor–CWB relationship is likely more complex than could be previously understood utilizing cross‐sectional data. Organizations should be aware that CWBs could increase concurrently with an increase in work stressors (trend effect) and subsequently after an extended increase in work stressors has occurred (delayed‐reaction effect).

The potential presence of both immediate and delayed CWB responses to change in work stressors may indicate that the damage caused by work stressors is often underestimated. Organizations need to be more aware of the potential delayed costs of changes in work stressors for financial forecasting, programme development, and policy change.

Organizations should be particularly concerned about an increase in work stressors immediately resulting in CWBs among low‐conscientiousness or low‐agreeableness workers. Efforts to educate workers about effective coping strategies could be tailored based on the employee's personality. Managers, however, should be aware that low‐conscientiousness or low‐agreeableness workers may be particularly vulnerable to delayed effects of increasing work stressors.
Do Siblings Matter Independent of Both Parents and Friends? Sympathy as a Mediator Between Sibling Relationship Quality and Adolescent Outcomes
Authors: Harper James M. , Padilla‐Walker Laura M. , Jensen Alexander C.
Published: October 2014

The study explored whether sibling affection and hostility were longitudinally associated with adolescents' prosocial, externalizing, and depressive behaviors, after controlling for parent–child and best friend relationship quality. Sympathy was examined as a possible mediator. Three hundred and eight randomly selected families completed Waves 3, 4, and 5 of the Flourishing Families Project. Multiple group comparison via structural equation modeling compared differences between girls and boys. Sibling affection (T3) was positively associated with adolescents' sympathy (T4) and prosocial behavior (T5). Sibling hostility (T3) was positively associated with adolescents' depression (T5) and externalizing behavior (T5) (for boys only), even after controlling for parent and friend relationships. Discussion focuses on the unique role of the sibling relationship on adolescent development.