bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exclamative clauses in English and their relevance for theories of clause types
Authors: Siemund Peter
Published: October 2015

In the present study, I investigate the grammar and usage of English exclamative clauses of the typeWhat a wonderful journey this is!andHow wonderful this journey is!Building on existing research, I argue that the exclamative clause type can be motivated both syntactically and semantically/pragmatically. In the main part of my study, I offer a usage-based analysis of English exclamative clauses drawing on data from theBritish National Corpusand theInternational Corpus of English, British Component. I consider 703 tokens ofwhat-exclamatives and 645 tokens ofhow-exclamatives. My analysis reveals that English exclamatives typically occur in reduced form lacking an overt verbal predicate, i.e.What a wonderful journey!orHow wonderful!I provide an explanation for the predominance of reduced forms based on the semantico-pragmatic properties of exclamations. Moreover, I argue that the usage properties of exclamatives render it a marginal clause type, as it is highly infrequent and predominantly appears in non-clausal forms. Usage data point to a cline of clause types as the more appropriate approximation of reality instead of the familiar distinction between major and minor clause types.
The HIV-1 protein Vpr impairs phagosome maturation by controlling microtubule-dependent trafficking
Authors: Dumas Audrey , Lê-Bury Gabrielle , Marie-Anaïs Florence , Herit Floriane , Mazzolini Julie , Guilbert Thomas , Bourdoncle Pierre , Russell David G. , Benichou Serge , Zahraoui Ahmed , Niedergang Florence
Published: October 2015

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) impairs major functions of macrophages but the molecular basis for this defect remains poorly characterized. Here, we show that macrophages infected with HIV-1 were unable to respond efficiently to phagocytic triggers and to clear bacteria. The maturation of phagosomes, defined by the presence of late endocytic markers, hydrolases, and reactive oxygen species, was perturbed in HIV-1–infected macrophages. We showed that maturation arrest occurred at the level of the EHD3/MICAL-L1 endosomal sorting machinery. Unexpectedly, we found that the regulatory viral protein (Vpr) was crucial to perturb phagosome maturation. Our data reveal that Vpr interacted with EB1, p150Glued, and dynein heavy chain and was sufficient to critically alter the microtubule plus end localization of EB1 and p150Glued, hence altering the centripetal movement of phagosomes and their maturation. Thus, we identify Vpr as a modulator of the microtubule-dependent endocytic trafficking in HIV-1–infected macrophages, leading to strong alterations in phagolysosome biogenesis.
Modal affinities of endplate acetylcholine receptors caused by loop C mutations
Authors: Vij Ridhima , Purohit Prasad , Auerbach Anthony
Published: October 2015

The time course of the endplate current is determined by the rate and equilibrium constants for acetylcholine receptor (AChR) activation. We measured these constants in single-channel currents from AChRs with mutations at the neurotransmitter-binding sites, in loop C. The main findings are: (a) Almost all perturbations of loop C generate heterogeneity in the channel open probability (“modes”). (b) Modes are generated by different affinities for ACh that can be either higher or lower than in the wild-type receptors. (c) The modes are stable, in so far as each receptor maintains its affinity for at least several minutes. (d) Different agonists show different degrees of modal activity. With the loop C mutation αP197A, there are four modes with ACh but only two with partial agonists. (e) The affinity variations arise exclusively from the αδ-binding site. (f) Substituting four γ-subunit residues into the δ subunit (three in loop E and one in the β5–β5′ linker) reduces modal activity. (g) At each neurotransmitter-binding site, affinity is determined by a core of five aromatic residues. Modes are eliminated by an alanine mutation at δW57 but not at the other aromatics. (h) Modes are eliminated by a phenylalanine substitution at all core aromatics except αY93. The results suggest that, at the αδ agonist site, loop C and the complementary subunit surface can each adopt alternative conformations and interact with each other to influence the position of δW57 with respect to the aromatic core and, hence, affinity.
Out of the frying pan into the air—emersion behaviour and evaporative heat loss in an amphibious mangrove fish (
Kryptolebias marmoratus
)
Authors: Gibson Daniel J. , Sylvester Emma V. A. , Turko Andy J. , Tattersall Glenn J. , Wright Patricia A.
Published: October 2015

Amphibious fishes often emerse (leave water) when faced with unfavourable water conditions. How amphibious fishes cope with the risks of rising water temperatures may depend, in part, on the plasticity of behavioural mechanisms such as emersion thresholds. We hypothesized that the emersion threshold is reversibly plastic and thus dependent on recent acclimation history rather than on conditions during early development.
Kryptolebias marmoratus
were reared for 1 year at 25 or 30°C and acclimated as adults (one week) to either 25 or 30°C before exposure to an acute increase in water temperature. The emersion threshold temperature and acute thermal tolerance were significantly increased in adult fish acclimated to 30°C, but rearing temperature had no significant effect. Using a thermal imaging camera, we also showed that emersed fish in a low humidity aerial environment (30°C) lost significantly more heat (3.3°C min
−1
) than those in a high humidity environment (1.6°C min
−1
). In the field, mean relative humidity was 84%. These results provide evidence of behavioural avoidance of high temperatures and the first quantification of evaporative cooling in an amphibious fish. Furthermore, the avoidance response was reversibly plastic, flexibility that may be important for tropical amphibious fishes under increasing pressures from climatic change.
Mitochondrial membrane potential: a trait involved in organelle inheritance?
Authors: Milani Liliana
Published: October 2015

Which mitochondria are inherited across generations? Are transmitted mitochondria functionally silenced to preserve the integrity of their genetic information, or rather are those mitochondria with the highest levels of function (as indicated by membrane potential Δ
ψ
m) preferentially transmitted? Based on observations of the unusual system of doubly uniparental inheritance of mitochondria and of the common strictly maternal inheritance mode, I formulate a general hypothesis to explain which mitochondria reach the primordial germ cells (PGCs), and how this happens. Several studies indicate that mitochondrial movements are driven by microtubules and that mitochondria with high Δ
ψ
m are preferentially transported. This can be applied also to the mitochondria that eventually populate embryonic PGCs, so I propose that Δ
ψ
m may be a trait that allows for the preferential transmission of the most active (and healthy) mitochondria. The topics discussed here are fundamental in cell biology and genetics but remain controversial and a subject of heated debate; I propose an explanation for how a Δ
ψ
m-dependent mechanism can cause the observed differences in mitochondrial transmission.
Forbidden phenotypes and the limits of evolution
Authors: Vermeij Geerat J.
Published: October 2015

Evolution has produced an astonishing array of organisms, but does it have limits and, if so, how are these overcome and how have they changed over the course of time? Here, I review models for describing and explaining existing diversity, and then explore parts of the evolutionary tree that remain empty. In an analysis of 32 forbidden states among eukaryotes, identified in major clades and in the three great habitat realms of water, land and air, I argue that no phenotypic constraint is absolute, that most constraints reflect a limited time–energy budget available to individual organisms, that natural selection is ultimately responsible for both imposing and overcoming constraints, including those normally ascribed to developmental patterns of construction and phylogenetic conservatism, and that increases in adaptive versatility in major clades together with accompanying new ecological opportunities have eliminated many constraints. Phenotypes that were inaccessible during the Early Palaeozoic era have evolved during later periods while very few adaptive states have disappeared. The filling of phenotypic space has proceeded cumulatively in three overlapping phases characterized by diversification at the biochemical, morphological and cultural levels.
Convergent evolution as natural experiment: the tape of life reconsidered
Authors: Powell Russell , Mariscal Carlos
Published: October 2015

Stephen Jay Gould argued that replaying the ‘tape of life’ would result in radically different evolutionary outcomes. Recently, biologists and philosophers of science have paid increasing attention to the theoretical importance of convergent evolution—the independent origination of similar biological forms and functions—which many interpret as evidence against Gould's thesis. In this paper, we examine the evidentiary relevance of convergent evolution for the radical contingency debate. We show that under the right conditions, episodes of convergent evolution can constitute valid natural experiments that support inferences regarding the deep counterfactual stability of macroevolutionary outcomes. However, we argue that proponents of convergence have problematically lumped causally heterogeneous phenomena into a single evidentiary basket, in effect treating all convergent events as if they are of equivalent theoretical import. As a result, the ‘critique from convergent evolution’ fails to engage with key claims of the radical contingency thesis. To remedy this, we develop ways to break down the heterogeneous set of convergent events based on the nature of the generalizations they support. Adopting this more nuanced approach to convergent evolution allows us to differentiate iterated evolutionary outcomes that are probably common among alternative evolutionary histories and subject to law-like generalizations, from those that do little to undermine and may even support, the Gouldian view of life.
What limits the morphological disparity of clades?
Authors: Oyston Jack W. , Hughes Martin , Wagner Peter J. , Gerber Sylvain , Wills Matthew A.
Published: October 2015

The morphological disparity of species within major clades shows a variety of trajectory patterns through evolutionary time. However, there is a significant tendency for groups to reach their maximum disparity relatively early in their histories, even while their species richness or diversity is comparatively low. This pattern of early high-disparity suggests that there are internal constraints (e.g. developmental pleiotropy) or external restrictions (e.g. ecological competition) upon the variety of morphologies that can subsequently evolve. It has also been demonstrated that the rate of evolution of new character states decreases in most clades through time (character saturation), as does the rate of origination of novel bodyplans and higher taxa. Here, we tested whether there was a simple relationship between the level or rate of character state exhaustion and the shape of a clade's disparity profile: specifically, its centre of gravity (CG). In a sample of 93 extinct major clades, most showed some degree of exhaustion, but all continued to evolve new states up until their extinction. Projection of states/steps curves suggested that clades realized an average of 60% of their inferred maximum numbers of states. Despite a weak but significant correlation between overall levels of homoplasy and the CG of clade disparity profiles, there were no significant relationships between any of our indices of exhaustion curve shape and the clade disparity CG. Clades showing early high-disparity were no more likely to have early character saturation than those with maximum disparity late in their evolution.
Replaying the tape of life in the twenty-first century
Authors: Orgogozo Virginie
Published: October 2015

Should the tape of life be replayed, would it produce similar living beings? A classical answer has long been ‘no’, but accumulating data are now challenging this view. Repeatability in experimental evolution, in phenotypic evolution of diverse species and in the genes underlying phenotypic evolution indicates that despite unpredictability at the level of basic evolutionary processes (such as apparition of mutations), a certain kind of predictability can emerge at higher levels over long time periods. For instance, a survey of the alleles described in the literature that cause non-deleterious phenotypic differences among animals, plants and yeasts indicates that similar phenotypes have often evolved in distinct taxa through independent mutations in the same genes. Does this mean that the range of possibilities for evolution is limited? Does this mean that we can predict the outcomes of a replayed tape of life? Imagining other possible paths for evolution runs into four important issues: (i) resolving the influence of contingency, (ii) imagining living organisms that are different from the ones we know, (iii) finding the relevant concepts for predicting evolution, and (iv) estimating the probability of occurrence for complex evolutionary events that occurred only once during the evolution of life on earth.
Neuronal boost to evolutionary dynamics
Authors: de Vladar Harold P. , Szathmáry Eörs
Published: October 2015

Standard evolutionary dynamics is limited by the constraints of the genetic system. A central message of evolutionary neurodynamics is that evolutionary dynamics in the brain can happen in a neuronal niche in real time, despite the fact that neurons do not reproduce. We show that Hebbian learning and structural synaptic plasticity broaden the capacity for informational replication and guided variability provided a neuronally plausible mechanism of replication is in place. The synergy between learning and selection is more efficient than the equivalent search by mutation selection. We also consider asymmetric landscapes and show that the learning weights become correlated with the fitness gradient. That is, the neuronal complexes learn the local properties of the fitness landscape, resulting in the generation of variability directed towards the direction of fitness increase, as if mutations in a genetic pool were drawn such that they would increase reproductive success. Evolution might thus be more efficient within evolved brains than among organisms out in the wild.
Elasticity and glocality: initiation of embryonic inversion in
Volvox
Authors: Haas Pierre A. , Goldstein Raymond E.
Published: October 2015

Elastic objects across a wide range of scales deform under local changes of their intrinsic properties, yet the shapes are
glocal
, set by a complicated balance between local properties and global geometric constraints. Here, we explore this interplay during the inversion process of the green alga
Volvox
, whose embryos must turn themselves inside out to complete their development. This process has recently been shown to be well described by the deformations of an elastic shell under local variations of its intrinsic curvatures and stretches, although the detailed mechanics of the process have remained unclear. Through a combination of asymptotic analysis and numerical studies of the bifurcation behaviour, we illustrate how appropriate local deformations can overcome global constraints to initiate inversion.
Losses and recovery of organic carbon from a seagrass ecosystem following disturbance
Authors: Macreadie Peter I. , Trevathan-Tackett Stacey M. , Skilbeck Charles G. , Sanderman Jonathan , Curlevski Nathalie , Jacobsen Geraldine , Seymour Justin R.
Published: October 2015

Seagrasses are among the Earth's most efficient and long-term carbon sinks, but coastal development threatens this capacity. We report new evidence that disturbance to seagrass ecosystems causes release of ancient carbon. In a seagrass ecosystem that had been disturbed 50 years ago, we found that soil carbon stocks declined by 72%, which, according to radiocarbon dating, had taken hundreds to thousands of years to accumulate. Disturbed soils harboured different benthic bacterial communities (according to 16S rRNA sequence analysis), with higher proportions of aerobic heterotrophs compared with undisturbed. Fingerprinting of the carbon (via stable isotopes) suggested that the contribution of autochthonous carbon (carbon produced through plant primary production) to the soil carbon pool was less in disturbed areas compared with seagrass and recovered areas. Seagrass areas that had recovered from disturbance had slightly lower (35%) carbon levels than undisturbed, but more than twice as much as the disturbed areas, which is encouraging for restoration efforts. Slow rates of seagrass recovery imply the need to transplant seagrass, rather than waiting for recovery via natural processes. This study empirically demonstrates that disturbance to seagrass ecosystems can cause release of ancient carbon, with potentially major global warming consequences.
Sex ratio variation shapes the ecological effects of a globally introduced freshwater fish
Authors: Fryxell David C. , Arnett Heather A. , Apgar Travis M. , Kinnison Michael T. , Palkovacs Eric P.
Published: October 2015

Sex ratio and sexual dimorphism have long been of interest in population and evolutionary ecology, but consequences for communities and ecosystems remain untested. Sex ratio could influence ecological conditions whenever sexual dimorphism is associated with ecological dimorphism in species with strong ecological interactions. We tested for ecological implications of sex ratio variation in the sexually dimorphic western mosquitofish,
Gambusia affinis
. This species causes strong pelagic trophic cascades and exhibits substantial variation in adult sex ratios. We found that female-biased populations induced stronger pelagic trophic cascades compared with male-biased populations, causing larger changes to key community and ecosystem responses, including zooplankton abundance, phytoplankton abundance, productivity, pH and temperature. The magnitude of such effects indicates that sex ratio is important for mediating the ecological role of mosquitofish. Because both sex ratio variation and sexual dimorphism are common features of natural populations, our findings should encourage broader consideration of the ecological significance of sex ratio variation in nature, including the relative contributions of various sexually dimorphic traits to these effects.
Hidden keys to survival: the type, density, pattern and functional role of emperor penguin body feathers
Authors: Williams Cassondra L. , Hagelin Julie C. , Kooyman Gerald L.
Published: October 2015

Antarctic penguins survive some of the harshest conditions on the planet. Emperor penguins breed on the sea ice where temperatures drop below −40°C and forage in −1.8°C waters. Their ability to maintain 38°C body temperature in these conditions is due in large part to their feathered coat. Penguins have been reported to have the highest contour feather density of any bird, and both filoplumes and plumules (downy feathers) are reported absent in penguins. In studies modelling the heat transfer properties and the potential biomimetic applications of penguin plumage design, the insulative properties of penguin plumage have been attributed to the single afterfeather attached to contour feathers. This attribution of the afterfeather as the sole insulation component has been repeated in subsequent studies. Our results demonstrate the presence of both plumules and filoplumes in the penguin body plumage. The downy plumules are four times denser than afterfeathers and play a key, previously overlooked role in penguin survival. Our study also does not support the report that emperor penguins have the highest contour feather density.
Structural analysis of an oxygen-regulated diguanylate cyclase
Authors: Tarnawski Miroslaw , Barends Thomas R. M. , Schlichting Ilme
Published: October 2015

Cyclic di-GMP is a bacterial second messenger that is involved in switching between motile and sessile lifestyles. Given the medical importance of biofilm formation, there has been increasing interest in understanding the synthesis and degradation of cyclic di-GMPs and their regulation in various bacterial pathogens. Environmental cues are detected by sensing domains coupled to GGDEF and EAL or HD-GYP domains that have diguanylate cyclase and phosphodiesterase activities, respectively, producing and degrading cyclic di-GMP. The Escherichia coli protein DosC (also known as YddV) consists of an oxygen-sensing domain belonging to the class of globin sensors that is coupled to a C-terminal GGDEF domain via a previously uncharacterized middle domain. DosC is one of the most strongly expressed GGDEF proteins in E. coli, but to date structural information on this and related proteins is scarce. Here, the high-resolution structural characterization of the oxygen-sensing globin domain, the middle domain and the catalytic GGDEF domain in apo and substrate-bound forms is described. The structural changes between the iron(III) and iron(II) forms of the sensor globin domain suggest a mechanism for oxygen-dependent regulation. The structural information on the individual domains is combined into a model of the dimeric DosC holoprotein. These findings have direct implications for the oxygen-dependent regulation of the activity of the cyclase domain.
Structural basis for the slow photocycle and late proton release in Acetabularia rhodopsin I from the marine plant Acetabularia acetabulum
Authors: Furuse Munenori , Tamogami Jun , Hosaka Toshiaki , Kikukawa Takashi , Shinya Naoko , Hato Masakatsu , Ohsawa Noboru , Kim So Young , Jung Kwang-Hwan , Demura Makoto , Miyauchi Seiji , Kamo Naoki , Shimono Kazumi , Kimura-Someya Tomomi , Yokoyama Shigeyuki , Shirouzu Mikako
Published: October 2015

Although many crystal structures of microbial rhodopsins have been solved, those with sufficient resolution to identify the functional water molecules are very limited. In this study, the Acetabularia rhodopsin I (ARI) protein derived from the marine alga A. acetabulum was synthesized on a large scale by the Escherichia coli cell-free membrane-protein production method, and crystal structures of ARI were determined at the second highest (1.52–1.80 Å) resolution for a microbial rhodopsin, following bacteriorhodopsin (BR). Examinations of the photochemical properties of ARI revealed that the photocycle of ARI is slower than that of BR and that its proton-transfer reactions are different from those of BR. In the present structures, a large cavity containing numerous water molecules exists on the extracellular side of ARI, explaining the relatively low pK
a of Glu206ARI, which cannot function as an initial proton-releasing residue at any pH. An interhelical hydrogen bond exists between Leu97ARI and Tyr221ARI on the cytoplasmic side, which facilitates the slow photocycle and regulates the pK
a of Asp100ARI, a potential proton donor to the Schiff base, in the dark state.
Structural consequences of weak interactions in dispirooxindole derivatives
Authors: Ravikumar Krishnan , Sridhar Balasubramanian , Nanubolu Jagadeesh Babu , Karthik Govindaraju , Reddy Basi Venkata Subba
Published: October 2015

Spiro scaffolds are being increasingly utilized in drug discovery due to their inherent three-dimensionality and structural variations, resulting in new synthetic routes to introduce spiro building blocks into more pharmaceutically active molecules. Multicomponent cascade reactions, involving thein situgeneration of carbonyl ylides from α-diazocarbonyl compounds and aldehydes, and 1,3-dipolar cycloadditon with 3-arylideneoxindoles gave a novel class of dispirooxindole derivatives, namely 1,1′′-dibenzyl-5′-(4-chlorophenyl)-4′-phenyl-4′,5′-dihydrodispiro[indoline-3,2′-furan-3′,3′′-indoline]-2,2′′-dione, C44H33ClN2O3, (I), 1′′-acetyl-1-benzyl-5′-(4-chlorophenyl)-4′-phenyl-4′,5′-dihydrodispiro[indoline-3,2′-furan-3′,3′′-indoline]-2,2′′-dione, C39H29ClN2O4, (II), 1′′-acetyl-1-benzyl-4′,5′-diphenyl-4′,5′-dihydrodispiro[indoline-3,2′-furan-3′,3′′-indoline]-2,2′′-dione, C39H30N2O4, (III), and 1′′-acetyl-1-benzyl-4′,5′-diphenyl-4′,5′-dihydrodispiro[indoline-3,2′-furan-3′,3′′-indoline]-2,2′′-dione acetonitrile hemisolvate, C39H30N2O4·0.5C2H3N, (IV). All four compounds exist as racemic mixtures of theSSSRandRRRSstereoisomers. In these structures, the two H atoms of the dihydrofuran ring and the two substituted oxindole rings are in atransorientation, facilitating intramolecular C—H...O and π–π interactions. These weak interactions play a prominent role in the structural stability and aid the highly regio- and diastereoselective synthesis. In each of the four structures, the molecular assembly in the crystal is also governed by weak noncovalent interactions. Compound (IV) is the solvated analogue of (III) and the two compounds show similar structural features.
Exploration of the dynamic barriers to adults with intellectual disabilities accessing mainstream mental health services
Authors: McNally Paddy , McMurray Kimberly
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the experiences of psychologists in considering the barriers to people with intellectual disabilities being able to access mainstream mental health services.

Design/methodology/approach

– The information relating to participant experiences was gathered by conducting two focus groups: one with psychologists working in the adult mental health service and the second with psychologists working in the learning disability service. A thematic analysis was used to determine the main themes from each of the focus groups.

Findings

– The overarching themes for the psychologists in the adult mental health service related to: service restrictions; confidence in their ability/skills; and resistance to change. The overarching themes for the psychologists in the learning disability service reflected: future thinking; protection; pessimism; and clarification around mental health and learning disability.

Originality/value

– The discussion includes consideration of the dynamic positions of the two services and recommendations for an integrated system of working.
Staff training on formulation and fire-setting in people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Tostevin Amy , Shaikh Abdul
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present the development and evaluation of an original training package for staff members on fire-setting in people with intellectual disabilities. It also included training on functional analysis as a model of formulating the fire-setting behaviour. The quality and effectiveness of the training was assessed and is reported in this paper.

Design/methodology/approach

– The training was delivered on a ward for people with intellectual disabilities in a UK NHS Trust Low Secure Hospital and was attended by various members of the multidisciplinary team for the ward. The workshop consisted of four modules: theoretical background of fire-setting, the functional analysis model of fire-setting formulation, offence-paralleling behaviours in secure settings and a case study practice. Level of self-reported understanding of the various aspects of the training was measured by an evaluation questionnaire completed pre and post training.

Findings

– The results of this study showed that following the training there was a significant increase in self-reported understanding of staff members. The participants reported an increase in understanding of fire-setting, functional analysis and formulation of individuals with an intellectual disability and history of fire-setting.

Originality/value

– This study highlights the potential for staff training to increase awareness of fire-setting behaviours by people with intellectual disabilities. The staff training in formulation would encourage their involvement in development of team formulations and may subsequently increase their understanding of such individuals.
Developing and piloting the QOMID – quality outcome measure for individuals with intellectual disabilities and dementia
Authors: Dodd Karen , Bush Alick , Livesey Alexandra
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– Outcome measurement is a key priority for services. There are no papers on specific overall quality outcome measures for people with intellectual disabilities who have dementia. The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and piloting of a new measure.

Design/methodology/approach

– A process was developed to measure quality outcomes across all stages of dementia. The reliability of the tool was measured using Cronbach’sαcoefficients, along with data about its clinical utility.

Findings

– The QOMID has good reliability, face validity and internal reliability suggesting that all domains contribute equally towards the construct of quality outcome. An exploratory factor analysis revealed that there may be four or five sub-factors within the QOMID, The clinical utility of the assessment tool was explored and it can be concluded that the QOMID is simple, fairly quick and effective.

Research limitations/implications

– The scale has good psychometric properties and the initial parameters for the QOMID were met. Further exploration of factors needs to be considered with a larger sample of participants.

Practical implications

– The scale was liked by assessors and gives a practical tool that can both measure the quality outcome for people at each stage of their dementia, and help to develop more effective care plans.

Originality/value

– This is the first measure to look at quality outcomes for people with intellectual disabilities and dementia and which takes a staged approach.
ICT usage in Ghanaian secondary schools: teachers’ perspectives
Authors: Buabeng-Andoh Charles
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate secondary school teachers’ perspectives on ICT usage in secondary schools in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

– A total of 376 teachers from 24 public and private schools from four regions in Ghana participated in this study. Survey and focus group interviews were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics and independent sample t-tests were used to analyze the findings.

Findings

– The result indicated that teachers’ perceived ICT usage, perceived access to ICT, perceived ICT training and perceived ICT competence were low. Furthermore, the analysis showed that male teachers’ perceived confidence in the use of ICT was higher than female teachers. On the other hand, the perceived administrative support for female teachers was more than that for male teachers. Finally, this study discovered that there was no significant difference in public and private school teachers’ access to ICT, administrative support, self-efficacy, competencies and training.

Originality/value

– This contributes to the literature on the perceptions and use of teachers’ ICT in secondary schools. The results provide insights into factors that teachers perceived as obstacles to integration of ICT into their teaching, particularly in developing nations. The study shows that teachers’ perceived ICT competencies and ICT training do not depend on the type of school the teacher is employed to teacher.
Can a pill prevent HIV? Negotiating the biomedicalisation of HIV prevention
Authors: Young Ingrid , Flowers Paul , McDaid Lisa
Published: October 2015

This article examines how biomedicalisation is encountered, responded to and negotiated within and in relation to new biomedical forms of HIV prevention. We draw on exploratory focus group discussions on pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and treatment as prevention (TasP) to examine how the processes of biomedicalisation are affected by and affect the diverse experiences of communities who have been epidemiologically framed as ‘vulnerable’ to HIV and towards whom PrEP and TasP will most likely be targeted. We found that participants were largely critical of the perceived commodification of HIV prevention as seen through PrEP, although this was in tension with the construction of being medical consumers by potential PrEP candidates. We also found how deeply entrenched forms of HIV stigma and homophobia can shape and obfuscate the consumption and management of HIV‐related knowledge. Finally, we found that rather than seeing TasP or PrEP as ‘liberating’ through reduced levels of infectiousness or risk of transmission, social and legal requirements of responsibility in relation to HIV risk reinforced unequal forms of biomedical self‐governance. Overall, we found that the stratifying processes of biomedicalisation will have significant implications in how TasP, PrEP and HIV prevention more generally are negotiated.
Supervising the uncanny: the play within the play
Authors: Leader Carol
Published: October 2015

The writer offers a combined experience in analysis and the performing arts to explore uncanny aspects of the unconscious subtext of the patient's inner drama; subtext which can remain hidden from view in supervision. Freud and Jung's understanding of uncanny experience is considered together with a painting from medieval alchemy and Matte Blanco's conceptions concerning the symmetrical nature of unconscious process. Theatre and the work of the theatre director and actor in approaching the multidimensional aspects of a play are then introduced. Finally clinical case material from group supervision demonstrates how the ‘theatre of therapy’ and the work of the supervisory couple and group promote the emergence of a more authentic conscious asymmetrical response to the patient's ‘script’ that can break the ‘spell’ of the transference/countertransference relationship. This in turn brings meaning to the underlying and implicit ‘stage directions’ that the patient has been unconsciously communicating.
Race effects on eBay
Authors: Ayres Ian , Banaji Mahzarin , Jolls Christine
Published: October 2015

We investigate the impact of seller race in a field experiment involving baseball card auctions on eBay. Photographs showed the cards held by either a dark‐skinned/African‐American hand or a light‐skinned/Caucasian hand.  Cards held by African‐American sellers sold for approximately 20% ($0.90) less than cards held by Caucasian sellers. Our evidence of race differentials is important because the online environment is well controlled (with the absence of confounding tester effects) and because the results show that race effects can persist in a thick real‐world market such as eBay.
State‐preference pricing and volatility indices
Authors: Liu Zhangxin (Frank) , O'Neill Michael J.
Published: October 2015

This study uses a state‐preference pricing approach to develop a state‐price volatility index (SVX), as a forecast for market future realised volatility. We show that SVX is a more efficient forecaster than CBOE VIX for 30‐day realised volatility of SPX returns, using both in‐the‐sample and out‐of‐the‐sample tests. This result is robust to different measures of realised market volatilities. We also show that SVX provides a better volatility forecast than other alternative measures, including the at‐the‐money implied volatilities and GARCH (1, 1) volatility. Our results provide a foundation for forecasting higher risk‐neutral moments using the same state prices.
Planetary boundaries: implications for asset impairment
Authors: Linnenluecke Martina K. , Birt Jac , Lyon John , Sidhu Baljit K.
Published: October 2015

Scientific findings support the existence of nine planetary boundaries which define a safe operating space for humanity and the conditions necessary to sustain human life. The declining state of the environment (4 of the 9 boundaries have been breached) creates significant risk factors for asset impairment. Risks result not only from environmental challenges and resulting resource constraints (e.g. limits to fossil fuel extraction and carbon constraints) but also changing technology landscapes and social expectations. This article is one of the first to discuss the implications of changes in planetary boundary conditions for asset impairment and recognising an impairment event and sets out an agenda for future research.
Plant functional shifts in Central European grassland under traditional flood irrigation
Authors: Müller Isabell B. , Buhk Constanze , Alt Martin , Entling Martin H. , Schirmel Jens
Published: October 2015

Aims

Lowland meadow irrigation used to be a widespread management practice to improve hay yield in Central European grasslands. Recently, traditional meadow irrigation is being re‐established in some parts of Europe. Nevertheless, the consequences of the regular artificial flooding on vegetation of these water meadows remain poorly understood. We studied the impact of flood irrigation on the plant functional and species composition of extensively managed hay meadows.

Location

Lowland of River Queich, between Landau and Lustadt, Germany.

Methods

We sampled vegetation in 34 meadows that differed in irrigation status (irrigated/non‐irrigated) and fertilization (unfertilized/fertilized). Plants were classified into functional groups according to growth forms, N‐fixing ability and reproductive strategy. Effects of meadow irrigation on the plant functional composition were analysed using two complementary approaches. In the ‘community approach’, we analysed total cover of each functional group per meadow with respect to irrigation and fertilization. In the ‘species approach’, we analysed the mean response to irrigation among the species within the defined functional groups.

Results

Total cover of rosettes and semi‐rosettes increased relative to graminoids in irrigated meadows. Cover of legumes was three times higher in irrigated compared to non‐irrigated meadows. Irrigation enhanced preferences for seed and vegetative reproduction. However, the response of individual species within the functional groups was inconsistent. Fertilization had an overall minor influence on functional composition of the meadows.

Conclusions

The higher proportion of plants with basal growth organs in irrigated meadows suggests that irrigation may enhance a more complex vertical structure of the vegetation. Enhancement of rosettes, semi‐rosettes and legumes at the cost of graminoids through irrigation was more significant in the community than in the species approach, indicating that the functional group response was amplified by the respective dominant species. This highlights the importance of considering species‐level interactions in functional vegetation analysis.
Histological and Histomorphometrical Evaluation of Postextractive Sites Grafted withMg‐Enriched Nano‐Hydroxyapatite: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing 4 Versus 12 Months of Healing
Authors: Canullo Luigi , Wiel Marin Giovanni , Tallarico Marco , Canciani Elena , Musto Federica , Dellavia Claudia
Published: October 2015

Background

Tooth extraction generally results in an alveolar bone loss and structural changes in the overlying soft tissue. The amount of this relocation might jeopardize prosthetically driven implant placement. Thus, there is a high interest in techniques, materials and timing to minimizing tissue resorption, using postextraction ridge preservation procedures.

Purpose

To assess by histological techniques, the outcomes of a socket preservation technique at 4 or 12 months after treatment with a magnesium‐enriched hydroxyapatite (Mg‐eHA).

Materials and Methods

Postextraction site in 20 patients underwent ridge preservation procedure.Mg‐eHAgranules were mixed with blood and grafted into the socket. A bone specimen was collected from each site before implant placement after 4 or 12 months randomly. Each biopsy was processed for undecalcified histological analysis. All ground sections were observed under light and polarized microscope. A semi‐quantitative analysis by mean of stereological method was performed to evaluate the average volume fractions of bone, biomaterial and medullary spaces, and the percentage of blood vessels for both timepoints. NonparametricMann–WhitneyUtest for unpaired data was used to detect eventual statistical differences between groups.

Results

Histologically, the biomaterial appeared surrounded by newly formed bone in both groups without inflammatory infiltrate. At 4 months, the remodeling process of collagen matrix was starting from the apical portion toward coronal direction and was more active around grafted particles. At 12 months, the alveolar socket was completely regenerated and filled with mineralized and well‐organized bone tissue around the residual biomaterial particles. In both groups, vessels were present to supply tissues around the graft (at 4 months: 4.95% ± 2.49; at 12 months: 7.45% ± 2.57). Tissue fractions at 4 versus 12 months were respectively: 31.85% ± 6.99 versus 41.32% ± 9.37 for bone (p = .021), 40.82% ± 6.71 versus 26.28% ± 11.49 for residualMg‐eHA(p = .009), and 27.33% ± 7.72 versus 32.40% ± 9.87 for medullary spaces.

Conclusion

Data from the present study show thatMg‐eHAallows the complete healing of the tissue. Additionally, graft material demonstrated to undergo significant resorption during the experimental time frame.
Temporal changes in the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes, undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes: findings from the German Health Interview and Examination Surveys in 1997–1999 and 2008–2011
Authors: Heidemann C. , Du Y. , Paprott R. , Haftenberger M. , Rathmann W. , Scheidt‐Nave C.
Published: October 2015

Aims

Nationally representative data on temporal changes in the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes, as well as undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes, have been lacking in Germany as in most other European countries. We aimed to fill this gap using data from nationwide examination surveys of German adults.

Methods

The study population comprised 18–79‐year‐old participants from the German Health Interview and Examination Surveys in 1997–1999 (GNHIES98, n = 6655) and 2008–2011 (DEGS1, n = 7017). Participants were classified as having diagnosed diabetes based on self‐reported physician‐diagnosed diabetes or the use of anti‐diabetes agents. Among those without diagnosed diabetes, HbA1c measures were used to define undiagnosed diabetes [≥ 48 mmol/mol (≥ 6.5%)] or prediabetes [39–47 mmol/mol (5.7–6.4%)].

Results

Although the age‐ and sex‐standardized prevalence of total diabetes remained stable between 1997–1999 at 9.3% (95% CI 8.3–10.5%) and 2008–2011 at 9.2% (8.3–10.3%), the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes increased from 5.6% (4.9–6.3%) to 7.2% (6.5–8.0%), whereas the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes decreased from 3.8% (3.1–4.6%) to 2.0% (1.5–2.7%), resulting in a decreased proportion of undiagnosed diabetes (40.9% vs. 21.7%). Over the same period, the prevalence of prediabetes decreased from 27.7% (25.6–29.8%) to 20.8% (18.2–23.7%). Observed temporal changes were not explained by changes in BMI, sport activity and educational level.

Conclusions

The two nationwide surveys indicate a shift from undiagnosed to diagnosed diabetes. However, the unchanged prevalence of total diabetes and the considerably high proportion of prediabetes strongly call for a continued and concerted effort in diabetes prevention among German adults.
An NCME Instructional Module on Latent DIF Analysis Using Mixture Item Response Models
Authors: Cho Sun‐Joo , Suh Youngsuk , Lee Woo‐yeol
Published: October 2015

The purpose of this ITEMS module is to provide an introduction to differential item functioning (DIF) analysis using mixture item response models. The mixture item response models for DIF analysis involve comparing item profiles across latent groups, instead of manifest groups. First, an overview of DIF analysis based on latent groups, called latent DIF analysis, is provided and its applications in the literature are surveyed. Then, the methodological issues pertaining to latent DIF analysis are described, including mixture item response models, parameter estimation, and latent DIF detection methods. Finally, recommended steps for latent DIF analysis are illustrated using empirical data.
An integrated pan‐tropical biomass map using multiple reference datasets
Authors: Avitabile Valerio , Herold Martin , Heuvelink Gerard B. M. , Lewis Simon L. , Phillips Oliver L. , Asner Gregory P. , Armston John , Ashton Peter S. , Banin Lindsay , Bayol Nicolas , Berry Nicholas J. , Boeckx Pascal , de Jong Bernardus H. J. , DeVries Ben , Girardin Cecile A. J. , Kearsley Elizabeth , Lindsell Jeremy A. , Lopez‐Gonzalez Gabriela , Lucas Richard , Malhi Yadvinder , Morel Alexandra , Mitchard Edward T. A. , Nagy Laszlo , Qie Lan , Quinones Marcela J. , Ryan Casey M. , Ferry Slik J. W. , Sunderland Terry , Laurin Gaia Vaglio , Gatti Roberto Cazzolla , Valentini Riccardo , Verbeeck Hans , Wijaya Arief , Willcock Simon
Published: October 2015

We combined two existing datasets of vegetation aboveground biomass (AGB) (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 108, 2011, 9899; Nature Climate Change, 2, 2012, 182) into a pan‐tropical AGB map at 1‐km resolution using an independent reference dataset of field observations and locally calibrated high‐resolution biomass maps, harmonized and upscaled to 14 477 1‐km AGB estimates. Our data fusion approach uses bias removal and weighted linear averaging that incorporates and spatializes the biomass patterns indicated by the reference data. The method was applied independently in areas (strata) with homogeneous error patterns of the input (Saatchi and Baccini) maps, which were estimated from the reference data and additional covariates. Based on the fused map, we estimated AGB stock for the tropics (23.4 N–23.4 S) of 375 Pg dry mass, 9–18% lower than the Saatchi and Baccini estimates. The fused map also showed differing spatial patterns of AGB over large areas, with higher AGB density in the dense forest areas in the Congo basin, Eastern Amazon and South‐East Asia, and lower values in Central America and in most dry vegetation areas of Africa than either of the input maps. The validation exercise, based on 2118 estimates from the reference dataset not used in the fusion process, showed that the fused map had a RMSE 15–21% lower than that of the input maps and, most importantly, nearly unbiased estimates (mean bias 5 Mg dry mass ha−1 vs. 21 and 28 Mg ha−1 for the input maps). The fusion method can be applied at any scale including the policy‐relevant national level, where it can provide improved biomass estimates by integrating existing regional biomass maps as input maps and additional, country‐specific reference datasets.
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Bonding Composite to Zirconia as a Repair Method
Authors: Celik Gozde , Ismatullaev Artur , Sari Tugrul , Usumez Aslihan
Published: October 2015

Chipping of the veneering porcelain is often reported in the literature. Intraoral repair of chipped veneering porcelain provides an option when the restoration cannot be removed and replaced. This in vitro study investigated the bond strength of two porcelain repair methods to the zirconia ceramic after different aging conditions. A total of 120 (Vita InCeram YZ) samples were divided into two main groups according to the different repair methods (n = 60). The first method was using a porcelain repair kit (Bisco), and the second method was repairing with a universal adhesive (Single Bond Universal Adhesive) and a composite resin (Z100). Each group was divided into two subgroups (n = 30) according to surface modification (with or without airborne particle abrasion). Each group was then divided into three subgroups (n = 10) depending on aging conditions. Shear bond strength tests were performed to measure the adhesion strength between composite and zirconia surfaces. Statistical analysis was performed with 3‐way ANOVA, followed by Tukey HSD test (α = 0.05). Surface conditioning by airborne particle abrasion affected the strength values in the repair kit group compared with conventionally repaired group. Conventionally repaired group showed statistically significant higher bond strength values than repair kit group.