bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Theory of Motivated Information Management
Authors: Afifi Walid A.
Published: December 2015

The theory of motivated information management accounts for the factors that jump‐start and guide people through the process of deciding whether to seek information from specific others about important issues. The theory argues that both information‐seekers and providers consider the costs and benefits of information, as well as their ability and that of the receiver to manage and communicate the sought‐after information effectively, as part of their decision about whether to seek/provide information or avoid doing so. The theory has received good support across a wide range of contexts but also has important areas in which it can improve its predictive precision.
Relational Turbulence Model
Authors: Solomon Denise Haunani
Published: December 2015

The relational turbulence model is focused on the transformations that surround movement from one relationship state to another. The theory posits that transitions in relationships correspond with increases in relational uncertainty and maladaptive patterns of interdependence. These relationship states complicate interpersonal relating by exacerbating negative emotions, promoting negative cognitions, and undermining people's ability to express and process messages. In its initial conception, the relational turbulence model focused on one particular relationship transition: the escalation of romantic relationships from casual dating to serious, mutually committed involvement. Subsequently, the scope of the theory was broadened to include transitions that might occur within more established relationships, such as marriage, when circumstances internal or external to relational dyads render previous perceptions of the relationship and patterns of interaction obsolete.
Conflict Styles and Strategies
Authors: Cai Deborah A.
Published: December 2015

Dual‐concern models indicate that styles and strategies for managing conflict result from concerns for self or other, concern for own outcomes or other's outcomes, or personality traits of high or low assertiveness and cooperation. These models have resulted in a variety of styles, which have been tested across cultures. A number of measures have been developed in a growing literature that has examined the possible styles and strategies and their appropriateness for studying conflict behavior.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis
Authors: Levine Timothy R.
Published: December 2015

Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) is a set of statistical analyses that is increasingly prevalent in interpersonal communication research. CFA is most commonly used to assess the adequacy of multiple‐item rating scales in quantitative, empirical research. CFA is distinguished from exploratory factor analysis, and issues such as assessing fit, cross validation, and measurement invariance are discussed. CFA is very informative and its popularity is likely to continue to grow.
Communication and Family Resilience
Authors: Carr Kristen
Published: December 2015

Family resilience describes the coping and adaptation processes by which families function competently after stressful or adverse experiences. A relatively new area of study, this article provides a historical overview of resilience inquiry, illustrates why families serve as a unique context for the development of resilience, summarizes recent research surrounding the role of communication in the resilience process, and concludes by articulating the unique challenges of advancing family resilience through communication.
Relationship Maintenance Strategies
Authors: Canary Daniel J. , Yum Young‐Ok
Published: December 2015

Relational partners engage in behaviors designed to maintain their relationships and a research literature has focused on relationship maintenance. This entry looks at definitions of relationship maintenance, maintenance strategies, and theories used to explain and predict relationship maintenance. Two recent research areas that focus on the associations between culture and maintenance communication, and between computer‐mediated communication and relationship maintenance, are also examined.
Maladaptive Sequences
Authors: Roloff Michael E. , Liu Esther
Published: December 2015

Communicating is typically viewed as an important way to meet needs and solve problems. Indeed, some forms of communication effectively meet goals. Yet it sometimes can fail. To address this problem, social scientists have studied maladaptive communication sequences. This entry examines the nature of these sequences, identifies the antecedents of maladaptive sequences, types of maladaptive behaviors and patterns, and discusses ways to prevent them.
The relation between physical activity, fitness, and fatness in adolescents: A mediation analysis
Authors: Arngrímsson Sigurbjörn Árni , Ólafsdóttir Anna SigríĐur
Published: December 2015

Objectives

To investigate the total, direct and mediated (by fatness) association of physical activity (PA) with fitness.

Methods

Body fat percentage (%Fat), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and PA were measured directly in 18‐year‐olds (n=202) and their association analyzed with a linear regression‐based mediation analysis after controlling for sex.

Results

The total association between PA and VO2max was significant (c=0.66, P<0.001) and was significantly mediated by %Fat (ab=0.25, 95% CI: 0.04–0.49). The direct association was also significant (ć=0.41, P<0.001).

Conclusion

Physical activity is associated with VO2max in 18‐year‐old adolescents but a little over a third of that association is mediated by %Fat. Regardless of fatness, PA is important for fitness in this age group. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:584–586, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A novel 3q29 deletion associated with autism, intellectual disability, psychiatric disorders, and obesity
Authors: Biamino Elisa , Di Gregorio Eleonora , Belligni Elga Fabia , Keller Roberto , Riberi Evelise , Gandione Marina , Calcia Alessandro , Mancini Cecilia , Giorgio Elisa , Cavalieri Simona , Pappi Patrizia , Talarico Flavia , Fea Antonio M. , De Rubeis Silvia , Cirillo Silengo Margherita , Ferrero Giovanni Battista , Brusco Alfredo
Published: December 2015

Copy number variation (CNV) has been associated with a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders, including intellectual disability/developmental delay (ID/DD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and schizophrenia (SCZ). Often, individuals carrying the same pathogenic CNV display high clinical variability. By array‐CGH analysis, we identified a novel familial 3q29 deletion (1.36 Mb), centromeric to the 3q29 deletion region, which manifests with variable expressivity. The deletion was identified in a 3‐year‐old girl diagnosed with ID/DD and autism and segregated in six family members, all affected by severe psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, major depression, anxiety disorder, and personality disorder. All individuals carrying the deletion were overweight or obese, and anomalies compatible with optic atrophy were observed in three out of four cases examined. Amongst the 10 genes encompassed by the deletion, the haploinsufficiency of Optic Atrophy 1 (OPA1), associated with autosomal dominant optic atrophy, is likely responsible for the ophthalmological anomalies. We hypothesize that the haploinsufficiency of ATPase type 13A4 (ATP13A4) and/or Hairy/Enhancer of Split Drosophila homolog 1 (HES1) contribute to the neuropsychiatric phenotype, while HES1 deletion might underlie the overweight/obesity. In conclusion, we propose a novel contiguous gene syndrome due to a proximal 3q29 deletion variably associated with autism, ID/DD, psychiatric traits and overweight/obesity. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluation of vitamin D levels in allergic fungal sinusitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and chronic rhinosinusitis with polyposis
Authors: Mostafa Badr El‐Din , Taha Mohammed Shehata , Abdel Hamid Tarek , Omran Azza , Lotfi Neema
Published: December 2015

Background

Vitamin D3 (VD3) levels have been recently found to be responsible for a number of immunological, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐infectious roles. Some studies reported that some forms of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS), occurs more commonly in patients who are more susceptible to VD3 deficiency. The aim of this work was to measure VD3 levels in patients with AFRS and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Methods

We report a prospective case control study conducted at Ain Shams University. It included 74 participants divided into 4 groups: group A, 25 patients with AFRS; group B, 15 patients with CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP); group C: 15 patients with CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP); and group D, 19 controls.

Results

There was a statistically significant (p < 0.001) difference of VD3 between groups A and B compared with groups C and D. There were no statistically significant differences between the 4 groups regard calcium levels. Finally, there was a statistically significant difference in phosphate levels when we compared groups A and B with groups C and D (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Serum level of VD3 in patient with CRSwNP and AFRS is significantly lower than that of patients with CRSsNP and control subjects. Although these results do not imply a specific etiological or therapeutic relationship, VD3 levels may constitute an inexpensive prophylactic and cost‐effective option in the therapeutic armamentarium in the control of AFRS and CRSwNP, either by itself or as a synergistic agent with traditional agents.
Efficacy of olfactory training in patients with olfactory loss: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Pekala Kelly , Chandra Rakesh K. , Turner Justin H.
Published: December 2015

Background

Olfactory loss is a challenging clinical problem with few proven therapeutic options. Early experimental results with olfactory training suggest that this novel therapy may be an effective intervention for olfactory dysfunction of multiple etiologies. The aim of this study was to systematically review currently available studies that assess the efficacy and outcomes of olfactory training in patients with olfactory loss.

Methods

A comprehensive systematic literature review was performed with the assistance of a reference librarian using the PubMed, PsycInfo, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and Proquest databases. Eligible studies were extracted based on defined inclusion criteria and the effect of olfactory training on objective olfactory function was evaluated qualitatively and by meta‐analysis.

Results

A total of 10 studies with 639 patients were identified and systematically reviewed. Sufficient data for meta‐analysis was available for 3 studies. Patients receiving olfactory training experienced a statistically significant improvement in the Threshold, Discrimination, Identification (TDI) score compared to control patients (mean difference [MD] 3.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.28 to 5.26). Improvement in olfactory function was observed in discrimination (MD 1.92; 95% CI, 1.13 to 2.71) and identification (MD 1.61; 95% CI, 0.55 to 2.68), but not in olfactory thresholds (MD −0.01; 95% CI, −0.42 to 0.39).

Conclusion

Olfactory training is a promising modality for the treatment of olfactory dysfunction. Results of this systematic review and meta‐analysis suggest that it may be an effective treatment for olfactory dysfunction due to multiple etiologies. Additional high‐quality studies are needed to define indications, outcomes, and duration of therapy for this novel therapy.
Sensitivity analysis and diagnostic accuracy of the Brief Smell Identification Test in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: El Rassi Edward , Mace Jess C. , Steele Toby O. , Alt Jeremiah A. , Soler Zachary M. , Fu Rongwei , Smith Timothy L.
Published: December 2015

Background

The Brief Smell Identification Test (BSIT) is an abbreviated version of the Smell Identification Test (SIT) used to assess olfactory function. Although the BSIT can be efficiently administered in under 5 minutes, the accuracy of the BSIT in relation to the SIT in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is unknown.

Methods

Patients with CRS were recruited as part of an ongoing multi‐institutional observational cohort study. A total of 183 participants provided both BSIT and SIT olfactory function scores during initial enrollment. Linear associations between BSIT and SIT scores were evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficients (rp). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of BSIT scores were determined using SIT scores as the “gold standard.”

Results

A strong bivariate linear association was found between BSIT and SIT scores (rp = 0.893; p < 0.001) for all participants. A significantly lower proportion of patients were identified as having abnormal olfaction using the BSIT compared to the SIT (47% vs 68%, respectively; p < 0.001). Using the currently defined score of ≤8 as a cut‐point for abnormal olfactory function, the BSIT demonstrated a sensitivity of 63% and specificity of 88% with an overall accuracy of 71%. Increasing the cut‐point to ≤9 resulted in an increased sensitivity of 86%, a specificity of 76%, and an improved overall accuracy of 83%.

Conclusion

In patients with CRS, BSIT scores strongly correlate with SIT scores; however, the BSIT underestimates olfactory dysfunction as defined by the suggested cut‐point of ≤8. Increasing the cut‐point to ≤9 increased the sensitivity and accuracy of the BSIT.
Electrospinning preparation, characterization, and enhanced photocatalytic activity of an Silicotungstic acid (H4SiW12O40)/poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(methyl methacrylate) composite nanofiber membrane
Authors: Li Tingting , Zhang Zhiming , Li Wei , Liu Ce , Zhou Haoyu , An Libao
Published: December 2015

Silicotungstic acid (H4SiW12O40)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composite nanofiber membranes were prepared by an electrospinning technique. A PMMA emulsion was mixed with PVA and H4SiW12O40 evenly in water (electrospinning solvent). The configuration and elemental composition of the membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results indicate that H4SiW12O40 with an intact Keggin structure existed in the composite membrane. The as‐prepared H4SiW12O40/PVA/PMMA membranes exhibited enhanced photocatalytic efficiency (>84%) in the degradation of methyl orange (MO); it outperformed H4SiW12O40 powder (4.6%) and the H4SiW12O40/PVA nanofiber membrane (75.2%) under UV irradiation. More importantly, the H4SiW12O40/PVA/PMMA membranes could be easily separated from the aqueous MO solution, and the photocatalytic efficiency of the membranes decreased inappreciably after three photocatalytic cycles. This may have been due to the enhanced water tolerance of the membranes and the stability of H4SiW12O40 in the membranes. The photocatalytic process was driven by the reductive pathway with a much faster degradation rate because of the presence of PVA. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43193.
Spatial extent and consequences of black bass (Micropterus spp.) invasion in a Cape Floristic Region river basin
Authors: Van Der Walt Johannes A. , Weyl Olaf L. F. , Woodford Darragh J. , Radloff Frans G. T.
Published: December 2015

Black bass (Micropterus spp.) are invasive fish that have adversely affected native fish communities in many regions of the world. They are known to threaten native fishes in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa, a fish endemism hotspot, but the extent of invasion and consistency of impacts at river basin scales are not known.

This study investigated the extent of black bass invasions in 41 tributaries in the Olifants–Doorn River basin (ODR) using above‐water observations, snorkel surveys and underwater video assessment. Physical barriers that defined the upper limit of black bass distributions in tributaries were measured. Black bass impacts on the densities and diversity of the native fish fauna across the basin were assessed.

Black bass were found to have invaded 81% of stream habitat in the basin, with Micropterus dolomieu and Micropterus punctulatus consistently being blocked by physical barriers in the form of waterfalls, cascades and chutes. These barriers had a minimum height of 49 cm and a median height of 1.09 m.

Small‐bodied cyprinid minnows (Barbus calidus and Pseudobarbus phlegethon) were consistently extirpated from black bass‐occupied reaches, while larger cyprinid species co‐occurred with black bass, but only when they were larger than 10 cm.

These findings demonstrate the severe habitat loss to native fishes as a result of black bass invasion, and the prevention of the further spread and removal of black bass from these rivers should be a high conservation priority.

The study demonstrates the critical role physical barriers play in preventing the extinction of native fish species and provides a basis for the planning of conservation interventions such as the construction of in‐stream invasion barriers.

Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low Frequency Sensitivity Function Constraints for Nonlinear ‐stable Networked Control
Authors: Wigren Torbjörn
Published: December 2015

The paper derives a robust networked controller design method for systems with saturation where the delay is large and uncertain, as in one‐directional data flow‐control. A classical linear H∞ criterion is first formulated in terms of the sensitivity and complementary sensitivity functions. A new asymptotic constraint is then derived, which specifies the minimum amount of low frequency gain that is needed in the sensitivity function to conclude on non‐linear closed loop
‐stability using the Popov criterion. This result guides the selection of the design criterion, thereby adjusting the linear controller design for better handling of delay and saturation. The controller design method then uses gridding to pre‐compute a subset of the
stability region. Based on the pre‐computed region, a robust
‐stable controller can be selected. Alternatively, an adaptive controller could recompute
‐stable controllers on‐line using the pre‐computed region. Simulations show that the controller meets the specified stability and performance requirements.
Immobilization of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans on cotton gauze for biological oxidation of ferrous ions in a batch bioreactor
Authors: Zhu Nengwu , Shi Chaohong , Shang Ru , Yang Chong , Xu Zhiguo , Wu Pingxiao
Published: December 2015

The ability of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans to oxidize ferrous iron has been extensively studied in bioleaching to recover metal resources. Although immobilization of A. ferrooxidans is of great importance to achieve high bioleaching performance in practical application, the reported approaches of immobilization of A. ferrooxidans are still limited. This paper is attempting to develop a novel method to immobilize A. ferrooxidans by a less‐costly effective carrier from zeolite, activated carbon, and cotton gauze. The results showed that cotton gauze was the most suitable carrier to immobilize A. ferrooxidans cells in comparison with zeolite and activated carbon. Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans immobilized on the cotton gauze by gravity dehydration could achieve an average ferrous iron oxidation rate of 0.73 g/(L·h). Furthermore, the ferrous iron oxidation ratio attained in the bioreactor under batch operation was maintained above 97.83%. All results indicated that cotton gauze could be an efficient carrier for immobilizing A. ferrooxidans cells for the biooxidation of ferrous ions.
Characterization of a novel highly thermostable esterase from the Gram‐positive soil bacterium Streptomyces lividans TK64
Authors: Wang Baojuan , Wang Ao , Cao Zhengyu , Zhu Guoping
Published: December 2015

A novel esterase gene (estW) from soil bacterium Streptomyces lividans TK64 was successfully cloned using a pair of homologous primers. The estW gene encoded a protein (EstW) of 289 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular weight of 31.43 kDa. Sequence alignment revealed that EstW show relatively high levels of homology to other lipolytic enzymes characterized from Streptomyces and phylogenetic analysis suggested EstW belongs to the bacterial lipase/esterase family I. The estW gene was expressed at a high level in Escherichia coli and the recombinant enzyme was purified to homogeneity. The purified EstW was characterized via hydrolysis of various p‐nitrophenyl esters and the best substrate was found to be p‐nitrophenyl acetate (pNPA). Maximal activity of the recombinant protein was observed at pH 8.0 and 50 °C with pNPA as the substrate. The calculated activation energy (Ea) of the esterase reaction was 9.12 kcal/mol. Half‐life of EstW at 95 °C was approximately 12.5 H, making it the most thermostable esterase among all of the known lipolytic enzymes from Streptomyces, and the thermostability of EstW was similar to those of some enzymes characterized from the thermophilic bacteria. EstW exhibited relatively high tolerance to several detergents and required no cations for its maximal activity. The unique properties of EstW, namely its high thermostability and stability in the presence of organic solvents, may render it a potential candidate for industrial applications.
Hospital of diagnosis and probability of having surgical treatment for resectable gastric cancer
Authors: van Putten M , Verhoeven R H A , van Sandick J W , Plukker J T M , Lemmens V E P P , Wijnhoven B P L , Nieuwenhuijzen G A P
Published: December 2015

Background

Gastric cancer surgery is increasingly being centralized in the Netherlands, whereas the diagnosis is often made in hospitals where gastric cancer surgery is not performed. The aim of this study was to assess whether hospital of diagnosis affects the probability of undergoing surgery and its impact on overall survival.

Methods

All patients with potentially curable gastric cancer according to stage (cT1/1b–4a, cN0–2, cM0) diagnosed between 2005 and 2013 were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Multilevel logistic regression was used to examine the probability of undergoing surgery according to hospital of diagnosis. The effect of variation in probability of undergoing surgery among hospitals of diagnosis on overall survival during the intervals 2005–2009 and 2010–2013 was examined by using Cox regression analysis.

Results

A total of 5620 patients with potentially curable gastric cancer, diagnosed in 91 hospitals, were included. The proportion of patients who underwent surgery ranged from 53·1 to 83·9 per cent according to hospital of diagnosis (P < 0·001); after multivariable adjustment for patient and tumour characteristics it ranged from 57·0 to 78·2 per cent (P < 0·001). Multivariable Cox regression showed that patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2013 in hospitals with a low probability of patients undergoing curative treatment had worse overall survival (hazard ratio 1·21; P < 0·001).

Conclusion

The large variation in probability of receiving surgery for gastric cancer between hospitals of diagnosis and its impact on overall survival indicates that gastric cancer decision-making is suboptimal.
Living a Calling, Life Satisfaction, and Workplace Climate Among a Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Population
Authors: Allan Blake A. , Tebbe Elliot A. , Duffy Ryan D. , Autin Kelsey L.
Published: December 2015

Previous research on calling has resulted in a model that relates living a calling to life satisfaction through job satisfaction and life meaning. However, no research has examined this model in a lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB) population. With a sample of 171 sexual minority adults, the current study aimed to (a) test the fit of an established model of living a calling and life satisfaction and (b) examine how having a supportive LGB workplace climate functioned within this model. Results revealed an excellent fit of the model and that a supportive LGB workplace climate predicted both living a calling and job satisfaction. In addition, the relation of living a calling to life satisfaction was fully mediated by life meaning and job satisfaction, and the relation of climate to life satisfaction was mediated by job satisfaction. These results suggest an expansion of the potential utility of the calling construct to an LGB population.
Phase 1 Study of Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of PTC299, an Inhibitor of Stress‐Regulated Protein Translation
Authors: Weetall Marla , Davis Thomas , Elfring Gary , Northcutt Valerie , Cao Liangxian , Moon Young‐Choon , Riebling Peter , Dali Mandar , Hirawat Samit , Babiak John , Colacino Joseph , Almstead Neil , Spiegel Robert , Peltz Stuart W.
Published: December 2015

PTC299 is a novel small molecule that specifically blocks the production of protein from selected mRNAs that under certain conditions use noncanonical ribosomal translational pathways. Hypoxia, oncogenic transformation, and viral infections limit normal translation and turn on these noncanonical translation pathways that are sensitive to PTC299. Vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) is an example of a transcript that is posttranscriptionally regulated. Single doses of PTC299 (0.03 to 3 mg/kg) were administered orally to healthy volunteers in a phase 1 single ascending‐dose study. In a subsequent multiple ascending‐dose study in healthy volunteers, multiple‐dose regimens (0.3 to 1.2 mg/kg twice a day or 1.6 mg/kg 3 times a day for 7 days) were evaluated. PTC299 was well tolerated in these studies. As expected in healthy volunteers, mean plasma VEGF levels did not change. Increases in Cmax and AUC of PTC299 were dose‐proportional. The target trough plasma concentration associated with preclinical efficacy was achieved within 7 days at doses of 0.6 mg/kg twice daily and above. These data demonstrate that PTC299 is orally bioavailable and well tolerated and support clinical evaluation of PTC299 in cancer, certain viral infections, or other diseases in which deregulation of translational control is a causal factor.
Low‐cost multi‐standard simultaneous forward and inverse video transform core
Authors: Tseng Yun‐Hua , Chen Yuan‐Ho , Kao Tze‐Yang , Lu Chih‐Wen
Published: December 2015

This paper presents a cost‐effective, two‐dimensional (2‐D) discrete cosine transform (DCT) and inverse discrete cosine transform (IDCT) capable of MPEG1/2/4, H.264 4 × 4/8 × 8, and VC‐1 4 × 4/8 × 8/4 × 8/8 × 4 standards. We developed multilevel factor sharing in conjunction with distributed arithmetic in a scheme referred to as common sharing distributed arithmetic to enable sharing of the coefficient matrix circuit and replace multipliers with adders and shifters. By taking advantage of the similarities between DCT and IDCT transforms, we were able to implement an interlaced sorting method in a single circuit of the DCT and IDCT transform core in order to reduce area overhead while enabling the simultaneous operation of DCT and IDCT. The proposed design arranges the data of the first dimension and second dimension in order to reuse the same 1‐D core to compute 2‐D data. In this manner, first dimension and second dimension data of DCT and IDCT can be processed simultaneously in a single transform core. The efficacy of the proposed approach has been verified by fabricating a test chip using the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) 0.18 µm complementary metal‐oxide semiconductor process. The inverse transform core was shown to have an operating frequency of 227 MHz and throughput of 454 Mpel/s with a gate count of 32.5 k. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pilot study of the pharmacokinetics of betel nut and betel quid biomarkers in saliva, urine, and hair of betel consumers
Authors: Franke Adrian A. , Li Xingnan , Lai Jennifer F.
Published: December 2015

Approximately 600 million people worldwide practise the carcinogenic habit of betel nut/quid chewing. Carcinogenic N‐nitroso compounds have been identified in saliva or urine of betel chewers and the betel alkaloid arecoline in hair from habitual betel quid chewers. However, the pharmacokinetic parameters of these compounds have been little explored. Assessment of betel use by biomarkers is urgently needed to evaluate the effectiveness of cessation programmes aimed at reducing betel consumption to decrease the burden of cancers in regions of high betel consumption. In the search for biomarkers of betel consumption, we measured by liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) the appearance and disappearance of betel alkaloids (characteristic for betel nuts), N‐nitroso compounds, and chavibetol (characteristic for Piper Betle leaves) in saliva (n=4), hair (n=2), and urine (n=1) of occasional betel nut/quid chewers. The betel alkaloids arecoline, guvacoline, guvacine, and arecaidine were detected in saliva of all four participants and peaked within the first 2 h post‐chewing before returning to baseline levels after 8 h. Salivary chavibetol was detected in participants consuming Piper Betle leaves in their quid and peaked ~1 h post‐chewing. Urinary arecoline, guvacoline, and arecaidine excretion paralleled saliva almost exactly while chavibetol glucuronide excretion paralleled salivary chavibetol. No betel nut related compounds were detected in the tested hair samples using various extraction methods. From these preliminary results, we conclude that betel exposure can only be followed on a short‐term basis (≤8 h post‐chewing) using the applied biomarkers from urine and saliva while the feasibility of using hair has yet to be validated. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Climate and density influence annual survival and movement in a migratory songbird
Authors: McKellar Ann E. , Reudink Matthew W. , Marra Peter P. , Ratcliffe Laurene M. , Wilson Scott
Published: December 2015

Assessing the drivers of survival across the annual cycle is important for understanding when and how population limitation occurs in migratory animals. Density‐dependent population regulation can occur during breeding and nonbreeding periods, and large‐scale climate cycles can also affect survival throughout the annual cycle via their effects on local weather and vegetation productivity. Most studies of survival use mark–recapture techniques to estimate apparent survival, but true survival rates remain obscured due to unknown rates of permanent emigration. This is especially problematic when assessing annual survival of migratory birds, whose movement between breeding attempts, or breeding dispersal, can be substantial. We used a multistate approach to examine drivers of annual survival and one component of breeding dispersal (habitat‐specific movements) in a population of American redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla) over 11 years in two adjacent habitat types. Annual survival displayed a curvilinear relation to the Southern Oscillation Index, with lower survival during La Niña and El Niño conditions. Although redstart density had no impact on survival, habitat‐specific density influenced local movements between habitat types, with redstarts being less likely to disperse from their previous year's breeding habitat as density within that habitat increased. This finding was strongest in males and may be explained by conspecific attraction influencing settlement decisions. Survival was lowest in young males, but movement was highest in this group, indicating that apparent survival rates were likely biased low due to permanent emigration. Our findings demonstrate the utility of examining breeding dispersal in mark–recapture studies and complement recent work using spatially explicit models of dispersal probability to obtain greater accuracy in survival estimates.
Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate Effects on Binge Eating Behaviour and Obsessive–Compulsive and Impulsive Features in Adults with Binge Eating Disorder
Authors: McElroy Susan L. , Mitchell James E. , Wilfley Denise , Gasior Maria , Ferreira‐Cornwell M. Celeste , McKay Michael , Wang Jiannong , Whitaker Timothy , Hudson James I.
Published: December 2015

In a published 11‐week, placebo‐controlled trial, 50 and 70 mg/d lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX), but not 30 mg/d LDX, significantly reduced binge eating days (primary endpoint) in adults with binge eating disorder (BED). This report provides descriptions of LDX effects on secondary endpoints (Binge Eating Scale [BES]; Three‐Factor Eating Questionnaire [TFEQ]; Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale modified for Binge Eating [Y‐BOCS‐BE]; and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, version 11 [BIS‐11]) from that study. Week 11 least squares mean treatment differences favoured all LDX doses over placebo on the BES (p ≤ 0.03), TFEQ Disinhibition and Hunger subscales (all p < 0.05), and Y‐BOCS‐BE total, obsessive, and compulsive scales (all p ≤ 0.02) and on BIS‐11 total score at 70 mg/d LDX (p = 0.015) and the TFEQ Cognitive Restraint subscale at 30 and 70 mg/d LDX (both p<0.05). These findings indicate that LDX decreased global binge eating severity and obsessive–compulsive and impulsive features of BED in addition to binge eating days. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Body Image in Anorexia Nervosa: Body Size Estimation Utilising a Biological Motion Task and Eyetracking
Authors: Phillipou Andrea , Rossell Susan Lee , Gurvich Caroline , Castle David Jonathan , Troje Nikolaus Friedrich , Abel Larry Allen
Published: December 2015

Objective

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric condition characterised by a distortion of body image. However, whether individuals with AN can accurately perceive the size of other individuals' bodies is unclear.

Method

In the current study, 24 women with AN and 24 healthy control participants undertook two biological motion tasks while eyetracking was performed: to identify the gender and to indicate the walkers' body size.

Results

Anorexia nervosa participants tended to ‘hyperscan’ stimuli but did not demonstrate differences in how visual attention was directed to different body areas, relative to controls. Groups also did not differ in their estimation of body size.

Discussion

The hyperscanning behaviours suggest increased anxiety to disorder‐relevant stimuli in AN. The lack of group difference in the estimation of body size suggests that the AN group was able to judge the body size of others accurately. The findings are discussed in terms of body image distortion specific to oneself in AN. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Creep of prestressing steels in fire
Authors: Gales John , Robertson Lucie , Bisby Luke
Published: December 2015

When prestressing steel (PS) is applied as continuous unbonded tendons within concrete, as in the case of post‐tensioned (PT) construction, localized damage to the tendons may affect the integrity of the entire structure. When fire exposed, unbonded PT concrete structures are prone to tendon rupture because of a complex relaxation and strength reduction relationship influenced by high temperature PS creep. Explicit consideration of creep is necessary for the fire safe design of such buildings. High temperature PS creep has received limited research: few models can be used within the expected service stress range; none reliably model tertiary creep; and no studies are available investigating the influences of metallurgy on high temperature PS creep. A BS 5896 PS creep model is developed and validated. This model is used to provide PS failure insights at high temperatures. This understanding can be used to build validated models of structural fire experiments on PT concrete structural elements and to develop defensible, validated structural models that are essential towards performance based structural fire design of such systems. Finally, the high temperature creep performance of equivalent PS from different mills is compared, demonstrating strong influence of manufacturing and alloying techniques used. Future research is discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Price, Information, and Transactions Cost Interventions to Raise Voluntary Enrollment in a Social Health Insurance Scheme: A Randomized Experiment in the Philippines
Authors: Capuno Joseph J. , Kraft Aleli D. , Quimbo Stella , Tan Carlos R. , Wagstaff Adam
Published: December 2015

A cluster randomized experiment was undertaken testing two sets of interventions encouraging enrollment in the Individually Paying Program (IPP), the voluntary component of the Philippines' social health insurance program. In early 2011, 1037 unenrolled IPP‐eligible families in 179 randomly selected intervention municipalities were given an information kit and offered a 50% premium subsidy valid until the end of 2011; 383 IPP‐eligible families in 64 control municipalities were not. In February 2012, the 787 families in the intervention sites who were still IPP‐eligible but had not enrolled had their vouchers extended, were resent the enrollment kits and received SMS reminders. Half the group also received a ‘handholding’ intervention: in the endline interview, the enumerator offered to help complete the enrollment form, deliver it to the insurer's office in the provincial capital, and mail the membership cards. The main intervention raised the enrollment rate by 3 percentage points (ppts) (p = 0.11), with an 8 ppt larger effect (p < 0.01) among city‐dwellers, consistent with travel time to the insurance office affecting enrollment. The handholding intervention raised enrollment by 29 ppts (p < 0.01), with a smaller effect (p < 0.01) among city‐dwellers, likely because of shorter travel times, and higher education levels facilitating unaided completion of the enrollment form. Copyright © The World Bank Health Economics © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Promoting Honesty: The Influence of Stories on Children's Lie‐Telling Behaviours and Moral Understanding
Authors: Talwar Victoria , Yachison Sarah , Leduc Karissa
Published: December 2015

Moral stories are a means of communicating the consequences of our actions and emphasizing virtuous behaviour, such as honesty. However, the effect of these stories on children's lie‐telling has yet to be thoroughly explored. The current study investigated the influence of moral stories on children's willingness to lie for another individual. Children were read one of three stories prior to being questioned about an accidental wrongdoing: (1) a positive story, which emphasized the benefits of being honest; (2) a negative story, which outlined the potential costs of lying; and (3) a neutral story, which was unrelated to truth‐telling or lie‐telling. Initially, most children withheld information about the event. Older children were better able to maintain their lies throughout the interview. However, when asked direct questions, children in the positive story condition were more likely to tell the truth than those in the negative and neutral conditions. No significant differences were found between the negative and neutral story conditions. The present study also investigated the relationship between children's conceptual understanding and behaviour. The findings revealed that children's knowledge of truths and lies increased with age. Children who lied had significantly higher conceptual scores than those who did not lie. Furthermore, the type of story children were read had a significant impact on their evaluations of true and false statements. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel highly specific anti‐periostin antibodies uncover the functional importance of the fascilin 1‐1 domain and highlight preferential expression of periostin in aggressive breast cancer
Authors: Field Sarah , Uyttenhove Catherine , Stroobant Vincent , Cheou Paméla , Donckers Dominique , Coutelier Jean‐Paul , Simpson Peter T. , Cummings Margaret C. , Saunus Jodi M. , Reid Lynne E. , Kutasovic Jamie R. , McNicol Anne Marie , Kim Ba Reun , Kim Jae Ho , Lakhani Sunil R. , Neville A. Munro , Van Snick Jacques , Jat Parmjit S.
Published: December 2015

Periostin (POSTN), a secreted homodimeric protein that binds integrins αvβ3, αvβ5, and α6β4, was originally found to be expressed in fetal tissues and in the adult upon injury particularly bone fractures due to its role in remodelling and repair. Recently it was found to be over‐expressed in human breast cancer and a variety of other tumour types including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, where its overexpression correlates with increased tumour invasion. Progress in studying its functional role in tumour pathogenesis has been hampered by the paucity of antibodies for its specific and sensitive detection. It has proven very difficult to obtain monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against this highly conserved protein but we report here that combining infection of mice with lactate dehydrogenase elevating virus (LDV), a B cell activating arterivirus, with conjugation of human POSTN to ovalbumin as an immunogenic carrier, enabled us to develop six mAbs recognizing both human and mouse POSTN and inhibiting its binding to αvβ3 integrin. Two of the mAbs, MPB4B1 and MPC5B4, were tested and found to inhibit POSTN‐induced migration of human endothelial colony forming cells. All six mAbs recognized amino acids 136‐51 (APSNEAWDNLDSDIRR) within the POSTN fascilin (FAS) 1‐1 domain revealing the functional importance of this motif; this was further highlighted by the ability of aa 136–151 peptide to inhibit integrin‐mediated cell migration. Immunohistochemistry using MPC5B4, indicated that breast tumour cell POSTN expression was a strong prognostic indicator, along with tumour size, lymph node, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status.
Charity Rankings: Delivering Development or Dehumanising Aid?
Authors: Cochrane Logan , Thornton Alec
Published: December 2015

Individuals want to know which organisations to donate to, and a variety of organisations have developed ranking systems to guide them. This paper explores charity ranking, with a particular focus on the increasing role of impact and ‘cost‐effectiveness’. Ranking systems are composed of a selection of metrics, which may miss important components and, as a result, create a set of unintended outcomes. We argue that an emphasis on cost‐effectiveness and impact in ranking promotes simple, technocratic activities, negatively affects human rights‐based interventions and de‐prioritises inventions that work in remote, complex settings. The topic of charity ranking and its influence on private donors is limited in the literature, and this paper seeks to make a contribution to this important debate. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonuniform transmission lines analysis by meshless point interpolation methods
Authors: Benkhaoua Larbi , Benhabiles Mohamed T. , Riabi Mohamed Lahdi
Published: December 2015

Three meshless time domain methods are investigated for the solution of the telegrapher's equation applied to the nonuniform transmission line. The approach is based on a combination of the point interpolation methods and the leapfrog algorithm. The accuracy of the proposed methods is confronted with both the Finite‐Difference Time‐Domain (FDTD) and the wavelet expansion methods. The strong stability, the flexibility, and the fast convergence of the computing scheme are set in evidence from the computational results for two examples: the linear tapered transmission line and the transmission line balun. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relationships of the Practice of Hijab, Workplace Discrimination, Social Class, Job Stress, and Job Satisfaction Among Muslim American Women
Authors: Ali Saba Rasheed , Yamada Torricia , Mahmood Amina
Published: December 2015

Religious discrimination in the workplace has received little attention in the research. The present study is an exploratory study that investigated the impact of workplace discrimination on a self‐selected sample of diverse Muslim women living across the United States (N = 129). The results of this study revealed that workplace discrimination, job stress, social class, and religiosity were related to lower levels of job satisfaction. Implications of the results are discussed in terms of clinical intervention strategies.
Planting seeds for the future of food
Authors: Green Hilary , Broun Pierre , Cakmak Ismail , Condon Liam , Fedoroff Nina , Gonzalez‐Valero Juan , Graham Ian , Lewis Josette , Moloney Maurice , Oniang'o Ruth K , Sanginga Nteranya , Shewry Peter , Roulin Anne
Published: December 2015

The health and wellbeing of future generations will depend on humankind's ability to deliver sufficient nutritious food to a world population in excess of 9 billion. Feeding this many people by 2050 will require science‐based solutions that address sustainable agricultural productivity and enable healthful dietary patterns in a more globally equitable way. This topic was the focus of a multi‐disciplinary international conference hosted by Nestlé in June 2015, and provides the inspiration for the present article. The conference brought together a diverse range of expertise and organisations from the developing and industrialised world, all with a common interest in safeguarding the future of food. This article provides a snapshot of three of the recurring topics that were discussed during this conference: soil health, plant science and the future of farming practice. Crop plants and their cultivation are the fundamental building blocks for a food secure world. Whether these are grown for food or feed for livestock, they are the foundation of food and nutrient security. Many of the challenges for the future of food will be faced where the crops are grown: on the farm. Farmers need to plant the right crops and create the right conditions to maximise productivity (yield) and quality (e.g. nutritional content), whilst maintaining the environment, and earning a living. New advances in science and technology can provide the tools and know‐how that will, together with a more entrepreneurial approach, help farmers to meet the inexorable demand for the sustainable production of nutritious foods for future generations. © 2015 The Authors.Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculturepublished by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Improving phosphorus uptake and wheat productivity by phosphoric acid application in alkaline calcareous soils
Authors: Akhtar Muhammad , Yaqub Muhammad , Naeem Asif , Ashraf Muhammad , Hernandez Vicente Espinosa
Published: December 2015

BACKGROUND

Low phosphorus (P) efficiency from existing granular fertilisers necessitates searching for efficient alternatives to improve wheat productivity in calcareous soil.

RESULTS

Multi‐location trials have shown that phosphoric acid (PA) produced 16% higher wheat grain over commercial P fertilisers, i.e. diammonium phosphate (DAP) and triple superphosphate (TSP). Methods of P application significantly influenced grain yield and the efficiency of methods was observed in the order: PA placement below seed > PA, DAP or TSP fertigation > DAP or TSP broadcast. The sub‐surface application of PA produced highest grain yields (mean of all rates), i.e. 4669, 4158 and 3910 kg ha−1 in Bagh, Bhalwal and Shahpur soil series, respectively. Phosphoric acid at 66 kg P2O5 ha−1 was found more effective in increasing gain yield over that of control. Trend in grain P uptake was found similar to that observed for grain yield. Maximum P uptake by grain was recorded at the highest P rate and the lowest at zero P. The significant increase in P uptake with P rates was generally related to the increase in yield rather than its concentration in grain. Phosphorus agronomic efficiency (PAE) and phosphorus recovery efficiency (PRE) were found higher at lower P rate (44 kg P2O5 ha−1) and decreased with P application. However, PA applied by the either method resulted in higher PAE and PRE compared to DAP and TSP.

CONCLUSION

Phosphoric acid is suggested as an efficient alternative to commercial granular P fertilisers for wheat production in alkaline calcareous soils. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry