bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New insights: animal‐borne cameras and accelerometers reveal the secret lives of cryptic species
Authors: Hays Graeme C.
Published: April 2015

Animal‐borne cameras, accelerometers and depth loggers have revealed the secret life on the world's largest bony fish the ocean sunfish (Mola mola). Photograph credit: Mike Johnson

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Animal‐borne cameras, accelerometers and depth loggers have revealed the secret life on the world's largest bony fish the ocean sunfish (Mola mola). Photograph credit: Mike Johnson

Nakamura, I., Goto, Y. & Sato, K. (2015) . Journal of Animal Ecology, 84, 590–603.

Logging cameras and accelerometers have opened our eyes to the secret lives of many enigmatic species. Here some of the new opportunities provided by this technology are reviewed. Recent discoveries are highlighted including the observation of selective feeding on energy‐rich parts of prey. As such, biologging cameras provide new opportunities for consideration of selective feeding within the same sort of theoretical framework (marginal value theory/optimal foraging) that exploitation of prey patches has been examined. A recent study with the world's largest bony fish, the ocean sunfish (Mola mola), is highlighted where animal‐borne cameras allowed the ground‐truthing of data sets collected with depth recorders and accelerometers. This synergistic use of a range of biologging approaches will help drive an holistic understanding of the free‐living behaviour of a range of species.
Food demand elasticities for Australia
Authors: Ulubasoglu Mehmet , Mallick Debdulal , Wadud Mokhtarul , Hone Phillip , Haszler Henry
Published: April 2015

There is renewed interest in robust estimates of food demand elasticities at a disaggregated level not only to analyse the impact of changing food preferences on the agricultural sector, but also to establish the likely impact of pricing incentives on households. Using data drawn from two national Household Expenditure Surveys covering the periods 1998/1999 and 2003/2004, and adopting an Almost Ideal Demand System approach that addresses the zero observations problem, this paper estimates a food demand system for 15 food categories for Australia. The categories cover the standard food items that Australian households demand routinely. Own‐price, cross‐price and expenditure elasticity estimates of the Marshallian and Hicksian types have been derived for all categories. The parameter estimates obtained in this study represent the first integrated set of food demand elasticities based on a highly disaggregated food demand system for Australia, and all accord with economic intuition.
Actave.net – a web‐based tool for the analysis of seabird activity patterns from saltwater immersion geolocators
Authors: Mattern Thomas , Masello Juan F. , Ellenberg Ursula , Quillfeldt Petra
Published: April 2015

The recent development of miniaturized saltwater immersion geolocators has made it possible to track and record activity of even the smallest seabird species over extended periods of time.

The resulting activity data comprise of various time stamps and immersion times integrated over 10‐min intervals. Generally, such data sets are large and complex which makes analysis a daunting task, especially in the absence of dedicated software solutions.

We developed Actave.net as a freely accessible, web‐based (http://www.actave.net) analysis tool for complex activity data that provides cloud‐based and automatic computation of daily aggregates of various activity parameters based on recorded immersion data. The tool furthermore calculates various astronomical parameters (e.g. moon illumination) based on locational information derived from geolocation.

Actave.net provides maps and graphs for data exploration, download of processed data for modelling and statistical analysis, and tools for sharing results with other users (e.g. collaborators). Currently, the tool supports the most frequently used M‐Series immersion loggers (BAS/Biotrack Ltd), but support for a broader range of device types as well as expanded analysis functionality is planned for future releases.
Vitamin D testing in pregnancy: Does one size fit all?
Authors: Davies‐Tuck Miranda , Yim Cheryl , Knight Michelle , Hodges Ryan , Doery James C.G. , Wallace Euan
Published: April 2015

Background

Vitamin D deficiency is common. What the optimum level of vitamin D in pregnancy and whether vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy confers improved health benefits remain controversial.

Aim

To assess vitamin D status in pregnant women in a maternity service that recommends routine antenatal screening and advises supplementation where necessary, and to assess relationships between early pregnancy vitamin D levels and changes in vitamin D across pregnancy with pregnancy outcomes.

Materials and Methods

Vitamin D serum concentrations were measured in early and late pregnancy. The relationships between initial vitamin D status, maternal factors and pregnancy outcomes were estimated. Change in vitamin D over pregnancy was quantified. The relationship between change in vitamin D over pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes was also estimated.

Results

Of 1550 women, 849 (55%) were vitamin D deficient (<50 nmol/L), 571 (37%) were insufficient (50–74 nmol/L), and 130 (8%) were replete (≥75 nmol/L) in early pregnancy. Factors associated with deficiency were increased body mass index, pregnancy in either winter or spring months, and maternal country of birth (South‐East, South and East Asia, and Africa). Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency in early pregnancy was significantly associated with developing gestation diabetes mellitus. Levels of vitamin D significantly increased over pregnancy among nonreplete women. Increasing vitamin D over pregnancy was not related to pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusion

Vitamin D ‘deficiency’ is common but may not be associated with most adverse pregnancy outcomes. Routine vitamin D testing of all pregnant women does not appear warranted.
Anaphylaxis with clonal mast cells in normal looking skin – a new entity?
Authors: Bretterklieber A. , Beham‐Schmid C. , Sturm G. J. , Berghold A. , Brezinschek R. , Aberer W. , Aberer E.
Published: April 2015

Background

Patients with elevated basal tryptase (sBT) >15 μg/l and anaphylaxis may have an underlying mastocytosis. A monoclonal mast cell activation syndrome with aberrant mast cells (MC) at extracutaneous sites has been described in patients with severe hypotension or anaphylaxis.

Methods

As MC in patients with elevated sBT might be altered in the skin as well, we studied MC in normal neck skin in anaphylaxis and urticaria patients with elevated sBT.

Results

A mean of 93.1 (SD 19.1) MC/mm² was counted in normal neck skin in 14 patients with anaphylaxis, 84.0 (SD 13.6) in seven patients with urticaria, 142.0 (SD 24.0) in two patients with eczema, 124.4 (SD 43.2) in five patients with systemic mastocytosis (SM) in comparison with autopsy skin (39.1 MC/mm², SD 12.4). In five of 14 (35.7%) of the anaphylaxis and three of five (60%) SM patients more than 25% of MC were spindle shaped and expressed CD25 antigen.

Conclusions

We could show for the first time that the normal skin can harbour clonal MC in anaphylaxis patients. Analogous to the criteria for mastocytosis, we suggest a skin score criteria including an elevated number of MC, spindle shape, CD25 expression, c‐Kit mutation and sBT values >20 μg/l. In patients with anaphylaxis and elevated sBT, skin should be biopsied and, as with the approach for mastocytosis diagnosis in the bone marrow, MC should be analysed for their number, clonality and c‐Kit mutation. This approach should be confirmed in further studies. Patients with aberrant skin MC should be handled as mastocytosis patients.
Quantifying metamorphopsia in patients with diabetic macular oedema and other macular abnormalities
Authors: Achiron Asaf , Lagstein Oded , Glick Mirit , Gur Zvi , Bartov Elisha , Burgansky‐Eliash Zvia
Published: April 2015

Purpose

To quantify subjective visual metamorphopsia in newly diagnosed patients suffering from diabetic macular oedema (DME) and other macular abnormalities and to evaluate anti‐VEGF treatment effect.

Methods

Patients with DME, subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) or retinal venous occlusion (RVO) were recruited. Metamorphopsia score (Mscore) was calculated using M‐Charts at baseline and at the end of a series of anti‐VEGF injections.

Results

Fifteen eyes of 10 patients with DME, 14 eyes of 13 patients with AMD‐CNV and five patients with RVO were included in this study. At baseline, positive Mscore was observed in 46.6% of eyes with DME, 50% of eyes with AMD‐CNV and four of five eyes with RVO. Treatment led to a complete metamorphopsia reduction (Mscore = 0) in 71.4% of DME patients, 35.7% of AMD and 0% of RVO patients.

Conclusion

We suggest that the M‐charts may serve as an additional test for diagnosis and follow‐up, complementary to morphological evaluation by imaging, in diabetic patients facing their first anti‐VEGF treatment.
Endoscopic appearance and location dictate diagnostic yield of biopsies in eosinophilic oesophagitis
Authors: Salek J. , Clayton F. , Vinson L. , Saffari H. , Pease L. F. , Boynton K. , Fang J. , Cox K. , Peterson K. A.
Published: April 2015

Background

Acknowledging that eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a disease with variable involvement throughout the oesophagus, studies have suggested a minimum of five biopsies to diagnose EoE. Although it is accepted that furrows and exudates appear to represent areas of inflammation, no research to date has looked specifically at EoE endoscopic findings to see if eosinophilic infiltrate correlates with specific endoscopic findings.

Aim

To evaluate the distribution of eosinophils in EoE and determine whether endoscopic appearances predict the degree of eosinophilia at various locations of the oesophagus.

Methods

We performed a prospective cross sectional study of EoE (treated and untreated) patients to study the distribution of eosinophils according to endoscopic findings. The oesophagus of 10 EoE patients were biopsied up to 32 times in a circumferential manner. The mucosal changes were documented at the site of each biopsy. Histological determination of eosinophil counts and related histopathology of the oesophagus were then correlated with endoscopic findings. Similar biopsy assessments were made in treated (resolved) EoE patients (n = 6) to determine the permanence of specific endoscopic appearances.

Results

A total of 16 patients were biopsied (10 EoE, 6 treated EoE). A total of 432 biopsies were obtained in all with 294 biopsies from 10 EoE subjects. Eosinophil density was increased distally in the majority of EoE patients. Biopsies performed in areas of exudates and furrows demonstrated higher eosinophil counts. Lines and normal‐appearing oesophagi in EoE subjects were not commonly associated with elevated eosinophil counts (>15 eos/HPF). Rings alone without associated furrows or plaques did not demonstrate elevated eosinophil counts and were seen in resolved EoE (Rx‐EoE) as well as in active EoE patients.

Conclusions

Eosinophilic esophagitis remains a variable disease with some patients manifesting extensive disease throughout the oesophagus. Characteristics of furrows and exudates found during endoscopy are associated with higher peak eosinophil counts, requiring fewer biopsies to make a diagnosis. Lines and otherwise normal appearances of the oesophagus suggest a milder mucosal eosinophilia, requiring substantial biopsies to adequately identify fields with diagnostic eosinophil counts.
Marginal and happy? The need for uniqueness predicts the adjustment of marginal immigrants
Authors: Debrosse Régine , de la Sablonnière Roxane , Rossignac‐Milon Maya
Published: April 2015

Marginalization is often presented as the strategy associated with the worst adjustment for immigrants. This study identifies a critical variable that buffers marginal immigrants from the negative effects of marginalization on adjustment: The need for uniqueness. In three studies, we surveyed immigrants recruited on university campuses (n = 119, n = 116) and in the field (n = 61). Among marginal immigrants, a higher need for uniqueness predicted higher self‐esteem (Study 1), affect (Study 2), and life satisfaction (Study 3), and marginally higher happiness (Study 2) and self‐esteem (Study 3). No relationship between the need for uniqueness and adjustment was found among non‐marginal immigrants. The adaptive value of the need for uniqueness for marginal immigrants is discussed.
Fishing for jaws in early vertebrate evolution: a new hypothesis of mandibular confinement
Authors: Miyashita Tetsuto
Published: April 2015

The evolutionary origin of the vertebrate jaw persists as a deeply puzzling mystery. More than 99% of living vertebrates have jaws, but the evolutionary sequence that ultimately gave rise to this highly successful innovation remains controversial. A synthesis of recent fossil and embryological findings offers a novel solution to this enduring puzzle. The Mandibular Confinement Hypothesis proposes that the jaw evolvedviaspatial confinement of the mandibular arch (the most anterior pharyngeal arch within which the jaw arose). Fossil and anatomical evidence reveals: (i) the mandibular region was initially extensive and distinct among the pharyngeal arches; and (ii) with spatial confinement, the mandibular arch acquired a common pharyngeal pattern only at the origin of the jaw. The confinement occurredviaa shift of a domain boundary that restricted the space the mesenchymal cells of the mandibular arch could occupy. As the surrounding domains replaced mandibular structures at the periphery, this shift allowed neural crest cells and mesodermal mesenchyme of the mandibular arch to acquire patterning programs that operate in the more posterior arches. The mesenchymal population within the mandibular arch was therefore no longer required to differentiate into specialized feeding and ventilation structures, and was remodelled into a jaw. Embryological evidence corroborates that the mandibular arch must be spatially confined for a jaw to develop. This new interpretation suggests neural crest as a key facilitator in correlating elements of the classically recognized vertebrate head ‘segmentation’.
From Poverty Reduction to Mutual Interests? The Debate on Differentiation in EU Development Policy
Authors: Koch Svea
Published: April 2015

Aid to middle‐income countries has become one of the most discussed issues among development researchers and in the current modernisation of the development policy of the European Union. This article argues that the question needs to be dealt with in the context of two interlinked challenges: (i) the need to reconceptualise dominant approaches to global poverty reduction beyond national income, and (ii) the growing range of global challenges and the strategically important role of middle‐income countries. For EU development policy, the implications are twofold: (i) a better‐co‐ordinated cross‐country division of labour, and (ii) a diversification of objectives towards a global rationale of development policy involving closer co‐ordination with other EU external policies.
Supporting the Professional Development of Foreign Language Graduate Students: A Focus on Course Development and Program Direction
Authors: Enkin Elizabeth
Published: April 2015

The 2007 Modern Language Association report spurred research regarding the professional development of foreign language graduate students. This article first reviews existing proposals for the professional development of graduate students, then addresses the relevance of helping graduate students to develop the knowledge and skills that are needed to direct undergraduate language programs, describes a course on this topic, and reports the results of end‐of‐semester course evaluations completed by students.
Pore‐scale investigation on stress‐dependent characteristics of granular packs and the impact of pore deformation on fluid distribution
Authors: Torrealba V. A. , Karpyn Z. T. , Yoon H. , Klise K. A. , Crandall D.
Published: April 2015

Understanding the effect of changing stress conditions on multiphase flow in porous media is of fundamental importance for many subsurface activities including enhanced oil recovery, water drawdown from aquifers, soil confinement, and geologic carbon storage. Geomechanical properties of complex porous systems are dynamically linked to flow conditions, but their feedback relationship is often oversimplified due to the difficulty of representing pore‐scale stress deformation and multiphase flow characteristics in high fidelity. In this work, we performed pore‐scale experiments of single‐ and multiphase flow through bead packs at different confining pressure conditions to elucidate compaction‐dependent characteristics of granular packs and their impact on fluid flow. A series of drainage and imbibition cycles were conducted on a water‐wet, soda‐lime glass bead pack under varying confining stress conditions. Simultaneously, X‐ray micro‐CT was used to visualize and quantify the degree of deformation and fluid distribution corresponding with each stress condition and injection cycle. Micro‐CT images were segmented using a gradient‐based method to identify fluids (e.g., oil and water), and solid phase redistribution throughout the different experimental stages. Changes in porosity, tortuosity, and specific surface area were quantified as a function of applied confining pressure. Results demonstrate varying degrees of sensitivity of these properties to confining pressure, which suggests that caution must be taken when considering scalability of these properties for practical modeling purposes. Changes in capillary number with confining pressure are attributed to the increase in pore velocity as a result of pore contraction. However, this increase in pore velocity was found to have a marginal impact on average phase trapping at different confining pressures.
Is there a relation between religiosity and customer loyalty in the Chinese context?
Authors: Tang Gui , Li Dong
Published: April 2015

The prevalent and complicated religiosity inside Chinese consumer makes it interesting but difficult to investigate the relation between their religiosity and consumer behaviour. Based on the marketing and psychology background in the Chinese context, this study explored the relationship between Chinese religiosity and their customer loyalty. Cross‐sectional survey data and statistical methods were used to compare customer loyalty under different levels of religiosity. The results reveal significant and positive differences of customer loyalty among consumers with different extent of religiosity in most product categories. This study puts forward a new perspective for marketers to predict and develop loyal customers, even to promote marketing segmentation and customer value.
Corporate sustainability: perception and response by older consumers
Authors: Stolz Johannes , Bautista Rafael
Published: April 2015

This study empirically investigates the importance of environmental sustainability in the decision‐making of older consumers when purchasing consumer goods. Moreover, their perception of corporate sustainability is analyzed. Applying an online survey, effects are measured separately among German (n = 486) and Spanish (n = 503) respondents. By dividing the respondents in young (18–34 years), middle‐aged (35–49 years) and older people (>50 years), we particularly examine the cohort of older respondents. By the use of structural equation modeling, the impact of perceived corporate sustainability on the consumer's effort to act sustainably is evaluated to derive a better understanding in the Spanish and German market on how to address the concerns of the steadily increasing segment of older consumers. Even though price and brand of consumer goods play a significant role in the purchase decisions of the older respondents, our findings emphasize a considerable interest in the environmental impact of their purchases. Perceived price and quality of the sustainable products offer leads them to act in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Association of physicochemical with technological properties of wheat
Authors: Banu Iuliana , Aprodu Iuliana
Published: April 2015

This study focused on twenty‐five different European common wheat varieties and aimed to identify correlations between the most important quality characteristics. When considering the physicochemical characteristics of the wheat samples, our results indicated that milling value is not correlated with vitreous kernel and test weight, but is correlated with gliadin/glutenin. The technological properties of the whole‐wheat flours estimated by means of Mixolab indicated rather good protein quality and the ability to form doughs with good stability in case of most of the samples. Technological behaviour of the flour was affected by dietary fibres and pentosan contents. The starch behaviour was positively correlated with the pentosan contents. The principal components analysis allowed establishing correlations between physicochemical, technological and nutritional parameters of wheat varieties. This finding is important for efficient selecting among wheat varieties, especially when healthy cereal‐based foods are desired.
Towards an understanding of the role of business intelligence systems in organisational knowing
Authors: Shollo Arisa , Galliers Robert D.
Published: April 2015

Recent advances in information technology (IT), such as the advent of business intelligence (BI) systems, have increased the ability of organisations to collect and analyse data to support decisions. There is little focus to date, however, on how BI systems might play a role in organisational knowledge creation – in organisational knowing. We develop a conceptual framework of organisational knowing based on a synthesis of the literature, and use this as a framework to investigate how BI systems facilitate knowing in a case organisation. We identify two practices triggered by BI systems that distinguish them from prior applications of IT: the ability to initiate problem articulation and dialogue, and that of data selection (e.g. to address information needs of organisational decision makers at different managerial levels). This study provides empirical evidence of the performative outcome of BI systems in relation to organisational knowing through the practices of articulation and data selection. It provides a practice perspective on BI and focuses on the role of BI systems in organisational knowing thereby opening up a new departure for BI research that considers the implications of BI systems in organisations with actual practice in mind.
Impact of Different Prosthodontic Treatment Modalities on Nutritional Parameters of Elderly Patients
Authors: Goel Kopal , Singh Saumyendra V. , Chand Pooran , Rao Jitendra , Tripathi Shuchi , Kumar Lakshya , Mahdi Abbas Ali , Singh Kalpana
Published: April 2015

Purpose

To assess dietary and nutritional changes among the elderly following pros‐thodontic rehabilitation. Another objective was to study the relationship, if any, between diet and nutrition, with extent of edentulism and different types of prosthodontic treatment.

Materials and Methods

One hundred and thirty‐five patients who satisfied the inclu‐sion and exclusion criteria and agreed to be a part of the study after informed consent were recruited to this longitudinal study. Following selection, they were investigated on four aspects: dental examination, dietary assessment, anthropometric assessment, and serum biochemical assessment. All measurements were collected twice, first at baseline and then 6 months following prosthodontic rehabilitation. Treatment modalities included were complete denture (CD), removable partial denture (RPD), and fixed partial denture (FPD). The RPD group was of two types: distal extension prosthesis (RPDD) and tooth‐supported prosthesis (RPDT). Change (post‐pre) in outcome measures was compared by one‐way ANOVA, and significance of mean difference between the groups was done by Tukey's honestly significance difference post hoc test.

Results

The improvement in diet was found to be: CD > RPDD > RPDT > FPD. Significant improvement in weight (p < 0.001), BMI (p < 0.001), protein (p < 0.001), carbohydrate (p = 0.021), calorie (p < 0.001), iron (p = 0.002), and vitamin B (p < 0.001) in group CD as compared to partially edentulous patients (group RPDD + RPDT + FPD) was noted. The protein and calorie intake increased significantly in group RPD as compared to group FPD in partially edentulous patients.

Conclusion

Prosthetic rehabilitation becomes increasingly important as the level of edentulism increases to improve dietary, anthropometric, and biochemical parameters.
Antioxidant supplementation of low‐protein diets reduced susceptibility to pulmonary hypertension in broiler chickens raised at high altitude
Authors: Sharifi M. R. , Khajali F. , Hassanpour H.
Published: April 2015

A reduced‐protein diet (designated as RPD) was prepared and its effects on growth performance and the development of pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS) were evaluated in broiler chickens compared to a normal‐protein diet (designated as NPD) or to the RPD supplemented with CoQ10 alone (30 mg/kg) or in combination with vitamin E (30 mg/kg CoQ10 + 100 mg/kg vitamin E). The RPD had 30 g/kg less crude protein compared to the NPD. A total of 208 1‐day‐old male broilers (Ross 308 strain) were used in a 42‐day trial. Serum concentrations of uric acid (UA) and nitric oxide (NO) significantly (p < 0.05) declined when chickens fed on the RPD. However, supplementing RPD with the antioxidants significantly (p < 0.05) increased the serum NO concentration. Although serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the RPD than the NDP, supplementing RPD with CoQ10 and CoQ10 + VE decreased serum MDA concentration to similar levels found in the NPD. Significant overexpression in GPX1 gene observed in the heart and lungs of broilers fed on the RPD, which was effectively restored by supplementation of CoQ10. The right to total ventricular weight ratio (RV:TV) was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in birds fed the RPD, which concurred with an increase in mortality from pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS). However, a significant decline in mortality from PHS was observed when birds on RPD received CoQ10 or CoQ10 + VE. In conclusion, antioxidant supplementation effectively improves pulmonary hypertensive response in broiler chicken fed of reduced‐protein diets.
Effects of territory size on the reproductive success and social system of the giant otter, south‐easternPeru
Authors: Groenendijk J. , Hajek F. , Schenck C. , Staib E. , Johnson P. J. , Macdonald D. W.
Published: April 2015

The link between resource abundance, dispersion and cooperative breeding in mammals has been a topic of much debate among ecologists. The giant otter social system is facultatively cooperative. Extended families inhabit home ranges where only a dominant pair breeds, and other family members assist with cub defence and food provision. But this system can be affected by local ecology. In the floodplain of theManuRiver, inManuNationalPark,Peru, oxbow lakes are patchily distributed and form the resource‐rich cores, or territories, of giant otter family home ranges. We present data from a long‐term study at this site, linking territory size variability to the composition of resident giant otter groups and their reproductive success. Territory size predicts group structure; both the size of groups and the number of post‐emergence cubs are positively correlated to the total lake area within the group territory. Territories with small lake areas (likely to be poor territories) often support only a pair, and the pair may not breed successfully every year. Cubs are more likely to survive in years when more non‐breeding adults are present at the time of emergence. However, there may be a negative effect on survival where more non‐breeding adults are present in the subsequent year. Finally, cubs produced in larger territories are more likely to disperse and breed successfully away from the natal territory. We conclude that giant otter societies are likely shaped by the spatial dispersion of lakes, and food abundance and dispersion within these rich patches.
Food preferences and rhythms of feeding activity of two co‐existing demersal fish, the longspine snipefish, Macroramphosus scolopax (Linnaeus, 1758), and the boarfish Capros aper (Linnaeus, 1758), on the Mediterranean deep shelf
Authors: Carpentieri Paolo , Serpetti Natalia , Colloca Francesco , Criscoli Alessandro , Ardizzone Giandomenico
Published: April 2015

The feeding behaviour of two potentially competing species, the longspine snipefish, Macroramphosus scolopax, and the boarfish Capros aper was examined. While both species are very abundant along the Mediterranean coast and are regularly caught by demersal trawlers, they are of no commercial value. The diets of boarfish and longspine snipefish were investigated from samples collected between January 2001 and May 2002. Variations in the diet with fish size and season, as well as diet overlap and diversity were explored. Mysid shrimps, amphipods and gastropods were the most important food items in the diet of longspine snipefish. During ontogenetic development, M. scolopax occupies different trophic levels: the diet shifts from being predominantly composed of mysids (Anchialina agilis, Lophogaster typicus, Erythrops sp., Leptomysis spp.) in the smaller longspine snipefish [<6.5 cm total length (TL)] towards decapods (Anapagurus laevis) and amphipods (Leucothoe incisa, Eusirus longipes, Hyperidea) in the larger individuals (>6.5 cm TL). Crustacean decapods and copepods were the most important prey in the stomachs of boarfish. Mysids (Lo. typicus), euphausiids and nematodes were present in the larger individuals (>8 cm TL). A more generalist diet, still containing copepods, crustacean decapods, gastropods (Limacina retroversa) and a large variety of amphipods (e.g. Phtysica marina, Stenotoe bosphorana) and mysids (e.g. A. agilis, Leptomysis spp., Erythrops sp.), dominated the diet of C. aper between 2 and 8 cm TL. Diet overlap between longspine snipefish and boarfish was very low and the differences in stomach species diversity were explained by season and fish size.
Capabilities of a Fiber Bragg Grating Sensor System to Monitor the Inelastic Response of Concrete Sections in New Tunnel Linings Subjected to Earthquake Loading
Authors: Tondini* Nicola , Bursi Oreste S. , Bonelli Alessio , Fassin Manuel
Published: April 2015

In a comprehensive experimental campaign, we investigated the capabilities of Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors in monitoring the inelastic response of new circular concrete tunnel linings, subjected to seismic events. The FBG sensors measured the strains of steel reinforcement to be treated by a decision support system (DSS). First, a set of four‐point bending tests was performed on tunnel substructures, with the aim of characterizing the cross‐section under cyclic loading and of designing an FBG sensor package for use in a unique full‐scale test on a structure, which represented a complete circular section of the tunnel lining. Several types of FBG packages, to be embedded in and applied externally to the tunnel section, were tested to find the best solution. For comparison purposes, some standard devices were also used. The results of the experimental campaign are presented in detail, highlighting the performance of FBG sensors in reliable inelastic strain measurement of ductile concrete sections in seismic zones. Finally, the use of these data by a DSS allowed for the estimate of current structural conditions and damage at the monitored sections.
The role of the SCN5A‐encoded channelopathy in irritable bowel syndrome and other gastrointestinal disorders
Authors: Verstraelen T. E. , ter Bekke R. M. A. , Volders P. G. A. , Masclee A. A. M. , Kruimel J. W.
Published: April 2015

Background

Gastrointestinal functional and motility disorders, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), have a high prevalence in the Western population and cause significant morbidity and loss of quality of life leading to considerable costs for health care. A decade ago, it has been demonstrated that interstitial cells of Cajal and intestinal smooth muscle cells, cells important for gastrointestinal motility, express the sodium channel alpha subunit Nav1.5. In the heart, aberrant variants in this sodium channel, encoded by SCN5A, are linked to inherited arrhythmia syndromes, like the long‐QT syndrome type 3 and Brugada syndrome. Mounting data show a possible contribution of SCN5A mutants to gastrointestinal functional and motility disorders. Two percent of IBS patients harbor SCN5A mutations with electrophysiological evidence of loss‐ and gain‐of‐function. In addition, gastrointestinal symptoms are more prevalent in cardiac SCN5A‐mutation positive patients.

Purpose

This review firstly describes the Nav1.5 channel and its physiological role in ventricular cardiomyocytes and gastrointestinal cells, then we focus on the involvement of mutant Nav1.5 in gastrointestinal functional and motility disorders. Future research might uncover novel mutation‐specific treatment strategies for SCN5A‐encoded gastrointestinal channelopathies.
Correspondence to Reality in Ethics
Authors: Brandhorst Mario
Published: April 2015

This paper examines the view of ethical language that Wittgenstein took in later years. It argues that according to this view, ethics falls into place as a part of our natural history, while every sense of the mystical or supernatural that once surrounded it is irrevocably lost. Moreover, Wittgenstein argues that ethical language does not correspond to reality “in the way” in which a physical theory does. I propose an interpretation of this claim that shows how it sets his view apart from a “realist” theory of ethics. The reality of which he speaks is the reality of human life.
The Impact of Fiscal Crisis on Decision‐Making Processes in European Governments: Dynamics of a Centralization Cascade
Authors: Raudla Ringa , Douglas James W. , Randma‐Liiv Tiina , Savi Riin
Published: April 2015

The Great Recession resulted in fiscal crises for governments across the Western world. Significant cuts in government programs were initiated as many governments scrambled to reduce their growing budget deficits. This article explores how European governments reacted during the recent crisis. In particular, the authors focus on the interlinkages between shifts toward more centralized decision making. The article uses a survey of thousands of public sector executives in 17 European countries. The authors find evidence of a centralization cascade, such that centralizing one element of the decision‐making process leads to greater centralization throughout the system. Results also show that having a high number of organizational goals and facing clear sanctions for failing to achieve goals lead to greater centralization, but greater organizational commitment reduces the need to centralize.
Moral Realism and Faultless Disagreement
Authors: Cohnitz Daniel
Published: April 2015

Is moral realism compatible with the existence of moral disagreements? Since moral realism requires that if two persons are in disagreement over some moral question (that has a determinate answer) at least one must be objectively mistaken, it seems difficult to uphold that there can be moral disagreements without fault. Alison Hills argued that moral realism can accommodate such disagreements. Her strategy is to argue that moral reasoners can be faultless in making an objectively false moral judgement if they followed the relevant epistemic norm, i.e. follow your conscience, when making their judgement.

I will argue that Hills' strategy does not work. The putative epistemic norm follow your conscience does not trump moral truth, because believing something wrong for the wrong reasons is worse than believing something right for the wrong reasons.
A comparison of an antibacterial sandwich dressing vs dressing containing silver
Authors: Krasowski Grzegorz , Jawień Arkadiusz , Tukiendorf Andrzej , Rybak Zbigniew , Junka Adam , Olejniczak‐Nowakowska Małgorzata , Bartoszewicz Marzenna , Smutnicka Danuta
Published: April 2015

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of dressings containing octenidine vs. dressings containing silver in the wound healing in the course of a chronic venous disease. There were two groups of 40 patients who met the inclusion criteria and who did not meet the exclusion criteria. The patients were randomly assigned into the groups (envelope method). The first, “O group” was treated with octenidine‐based dressings. The second, “S group” was treated with silver dressings. The study lasted for 56 days. All patients in the research were treated with medical compression stockings with cotton understockings. Microbiological eradication was observed on the 28th day of the study among 33% of patients in the treatment group vs. 6% in control group. On the 56th day of the treatment, these percentages equalled 72% and 35%. The rate of healing was faster in the 0 group than in the S group. In the wounds <10 cm2 it was faster by 1.35 cm2/week and in wounds >10 cm2 it equalled 3.44 cm2. The reduction of pain level was 37.5% higher in the O group, in contrast with the S group. One change of a dressing in the O group led to a 0.06 cm2 greater wound size reduction and in the case of wounds >10 cm2 to 0.29 cm2 reduction compared with the S group. The presented results indicate that the efficacy of dressings containing octenidine is higher compared to silver dressings.
A Review on Analysis of LWR Severe Accident
Authors: Zhang Y. P. , Niu S. P. , Zhang L. T. , Qiu S. Z. , Su G. H. , Tian W. X.
Published: April 2015

A severe accident (SA) is defined as an incident involving melting of the nuclear reactor core and the release of fission products (FP) from the fuel and their associated risks. In the SA, the containment may fail, causing the public hazard of fission products released to the environment. This review elaborates the resolved issues of SAs under the condition of a hypothetical SA. SA research that has been performed over the years is briefly described, including various SA scenarios. The SA scenarios involve core melt scenarios from the beginning of core degradation to melt formation and relocation into the lower head and to the containment, the interactions of the molten corium with water and concrete, the behavior of fission products in- and ex-vessel, hydrogen-related phenomena, and all associated risks. The mitigation strategies that have been adopted in existing reactors and advanced light water reactors (ALWR) are also discussed. These mitigation measures can keep the reactor vessel or containment intact and terminate the SA progression. SA analysis codes are then summarized and divided into three categories, namely, systematic analysis codes, mechanism analysis codes, and single-function analysis codes. Next, the unresolved issues of SAs are proposed, including narrow gap cooling, melt chemical interactions, steam explosion loads, molten debris coolability, and iodine chemistry. Further experimental and theoretical research activities should be conducted to resolve these issues; consequently, some recommendations for further research work are also given in the last part of this review. This review aims to add to the knowledge and understanding of SA research in the past few decades and to benefit further research of SAs.
Estimating pediatric entrance skin dose from digital radiography examination using DICOM metadata: A quality assurance tool
Authors: Brady S. L. , Kaufman R. A.
Published: April 2015

Purpose:

To develop an automated methodology to estimate patient examination dose in digital radiography (DR) imaging using DICOM metadata as a quality assurance (QA) tool.

Methods:

Patient examination and demographical information were gathered from metadata analysis of DICOM header data. The x‐ray system radiation output (i.e., air KERMA) was characterized for all filter combinations used for patient examinations. Average patient thicknesses were measured for head, chest, abdomen, knees, and hands using volumetric images from CT. Backscatter factors (BSFs) were calculated from examination kVp. Patient entrance skin air KERMA (ESAK) was calculated by (1) looking up examination technique factors taken from DICOM header metadata (i.e., kVp and mA s) to derive an air KERMA (kair) value based on an x‐ray characteristic radiation output curve; (2) scaling kair with a BSF value; and (3) correcting kair for patient thickness. Finally, patient entrance skin dose (ESD) was calculated by multiplying a mass–energy attenuation coefficient ratio by ESAK. Patient ESD calculations were computed for common DR examinations at our institution: dual view chest, anteroposterior (AP) abdomen, lateral (LAT) skull, dual view knee, and bone age (left hand only) examinations.

Results:

ESD was calculated for a total of 3794 patients; mean age was 11 ± 8 yr (range: 2 months to 55 yr). The mean ESD range was 0.19–0.42 mGy for dual view chest, 0.28–1.2 mGy for AP abdomen, 0.18–0.65 mGy for LAT view skull, 0.15–0.63 mGy for dual view knee, and 0.10–0.12 mGy for bone age (left hand) examinations.

Conclusions:

A methodology combining DICOM header metadata and basic x‐ray tube characterization curves was demonstrated. In a regulatory era where patient dose reporting has become increasingly in demand, this methodology will allow a knowledgeable user the means to establish an automatable dose reporting program for DR and perform patient dose related QA testing for digital x‐ray imaging.
A brief history of physics education in the United States
Authors: Meltzer David E. , Otero Valerie K.
Published: April 2015

In order to provide insight into current physics teaching practices and recommended reforms, we outline the history of physics education in the United States—and the accompanying pedagogical issues and debates—over the period 1860–2014. We identify key events, personalities, and issues for each of ten separate time periods, comparing and contrasting the outlooks and viewpoints of the different eras. This discussion should help physics educators to (1) become aware of previous research in physics education and of the major efforts to transform physics instruction that have taken place in the U.S., (2) place the national reform movements of today, as well as current physics education research, in the context of past efforts, and (3) evaluate the effectiveness of various education transformation efforts of the past, so as better to determine what reform methods might have the greatest chances of success in the future.
Response of an entangled polymer solution to uniaxial and planar deformation
Authors: Nguyen D. A. , Bhattacharjee P. K. , Sridhar T.
Published: April 2015

Experimental data on homogeneous planar extension on well-characterized polymeric fluids are rare. As a result, the relationship between planar and uniaxial extensional viscosity is also unclear. We present measurements of the steady–state planar extensional viscosity of a well-characterized polymer solution with about 30 entanglements per chain. The measurements are made by modifying the filament stretching rheometer to enable the stretching of the sample in the shape of a cylindrical tube. When a constant strain rate is imposed on the sample, a well-defined steady-state in the planar extensional viscosity is observed in the experiments. Our experiments show that, within the range of strain rates used, the response of the entangled polymer solution in planar extensional flow is identical to that observed in uniaxial extensional flow. Such a finding, if found to be generally valid, facilitates the comparison between simulations and experimental data, since planar flows are easier to simulate than uniaxial flows. We also compare the predictions of a toy-version of the tube model that describes the flow properties of entangled polymer solutions with the experimental results. We find that the predictions of the model are in qualitative agreement with the experimental observations within the range of strain rates used in this study.
Subjective Estimation of Physical Activity Using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Varies by Fitness Level
Authors: Shook Robin P. , Gribben Nicole C. , Hand Gregory A. , Paluch Amanda E. , Welk Gregory J. , Jakicic John M. , Hutto Brent , Burgess Stephanie , Blair Steven N.
Published: April 2015

Background:

Subjective measures of moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) rely on relative intensity whereas objective measures capture absolute intensity; thus, fit individuals and unfit individuals may perceive the same activity differently.

Methods:

Adults (N = 211) wore the SenseWear Armband (SWA) for 10 consecutive days to objectively assess sedentary time and MVPA. On day 8, participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to subjectively assess sitting time and MVPA. Fitness was assessed via a maximal treadmill test, and participants were classified as unfit if the result was in the bottom tertile of the study population by sex or fit if in the upper 2 tertiles.

Results:

Overall, estimates of MVPA between the IPAQ and SWA were not significantly different (IPAQ minus SWA, 67.4 ± 919.1 MVPA min/wk, P = .29). However, unfit participants overestimated MVPA using the IPAQ by 37.3% (P = .02), but fit participants did not (P = .99). This between-group difference was due to overestimation, using the IPAQ, of moderate activity by 93.8 min/wk among the unfit individuals, but underestimation of moderate activity among the fit participants by 149.4 min/wk.

Conclusion:

Subjective measures of MVPA using the IPAQ varied by fitness category; unfit participants overestimated their MVPA and fit participants accurately estimated their MVPA.
PIKing the correct therapeutic combination
Authors: Nusinovich Yevgeniya
Published: April 2015

Inhibition of the PI3K-AKT pathway results in susceptibility to antiestrogen therapy in estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer.
A therapy that STINGs tumors
Authors: Nusinovich Yevgeniya
Published: April 2015

Cyclic dinucleotide–formulated cancer vaccine combined with PD-1 blockade can induce regression of tumors that do not express PD-L1 constitutively.
Antibiofilm Peptides Increase the Susceptibility of Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Clinical Isolates to β-Lactam Antibiotics
Authors: Ribeiro Suzana Meira , de la Fuente-Núñez César , Baquir Beverlie , Faria-Junior Célio , Franco Octávio L. , Hancock Robert E. W.
Published: April 2015

Multidrug-resistant carbapenemase-producingKlebsiella pneumoniae(KpC) strains are becoming a common cause of infections in health care centers. Furthermore,Klebsiellacan develop multicellular biofilms, which lead to elevated adaptive antibiotic resistance. Here, we describe the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of synthetic peptides DJK-5, DJK-6, and 1018 against five KpC isolates. Using static microplate assays, it was observed that the concentration required to prevent biofilm formation by these clinical isolates was below the MIC for planktonic cells. More-sophisticated flow cell experiments confirmed the antibiofilm activity of the peptides against 2-day-old biofilms of different KpC isolates, and in some cases, the peptides induced significant biofilm cell death. Clinically relevant combinations of DJK-6 and β-lactam antibiotics, including the carbapenem meropenem, also prevented planktonic growth and biofilm formation of KpC strain1825971. Interestingly, peptide DJK-6 was able to enhance, at least 16-fold, the ability of meropenem to eradicate preformed biofilms formed by this strain. Using peptide DJK-6 to potentiate the activity of β-lactams, including meropenem, represents a promising strategy to treat infections caused by KpC isolates.