bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Change in QRS morphology as a marker of spontaneous elimination in verapamil‐sensitive idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia
Authors: Kawakami Hiroshi , Aiba Takeshi , Ishibashi Kohei , Nakajima Ikutaro , Wada Mitsuru , Kamakura Tsukasa , Inoue Yuko , Miyamoto Koji , Okamura Hideo , Nagase Satoshi , Noda Takashi , Kokubo Yoshihiro , Miyamoto Yoshihiro , Yasuda Satoshi , Kamakura Shiro , Kusano Kengo
Published: December 2017

Background

Verapamil‐sensitive idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia (verapamil‐ILVT) is thought to be due to a reentry within the LV fascicular system. Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) is effective for elimination of the VT; however, a long‐term prognosis of patients with verapamil‐ILVT is still unclear.

Methods and results

Eighty consecutive verapamil‐ILVT patients (62 men, 31 ± 12 years of age, LVEF: 65 ± 4%) were enrolled. Seventy‐six (95%) cases of VT involved right bundle branch block and left axis deviation. We retrospectively analyzed changes in the QRS duration (ΔQRS‐d) and QRS axis (ΔQRS‐axis) during follow‐up and compared them with recurrence of VT. During a mean follow‐up period of 10 years (2–32 years), no sudden death or heart failure occurred. Fifty‐one (64%) patients underwent RFCA, and 46 (90%) of them had no VT without any medication after RFCA. The ΔQRS‐d (16 ± 2 vs. 8 ± 1 ms, P = 0.24) and ΔQRS‐axis (20 ± 4 vs. 4 ± 3 degrees, P = 0.23) were not different in patients with no VT (VT[–]) and those with recurrence of VT (VT[+]). However, in the remaining 29 patients without RFCA, VT was spontaneously eliminated in 16 patients. The ΔQRS‐d (30 ± 6 vs. 6 ± 1 ms, P = 0.002) and ΔQRS‐axis (23 ± 4 vs. 5 ± 2 degrees, P = 0.001) were significantly larger in VT(–) patients compared to VT(+) patients during follow‐up.

Conclusions

Some verapamil‐ILVT patients who show QRS morphology changes over the follow‐up period may become free from VT without any invasive or pharmacological treatments, suggesting that further altered LV fascicular conduction might eliminate the reentry of verapamil‐ILVT.
The epidemiology of stroke in Africa: A systematic review of existing methods and new approaches
Authors: Owolabi Mayowa , Olowoyo Paul , Popoola Femi , Lackland Daniel , Jenkins Carolyn , Arulogun Oyedunni , Akinyemi Rufus , Akinyemi Odunayo , Akpa Onoja , Olaniyan Olanrewaju , Uvere Ezinne , Kehinde Issa , Selassie Anbesaw , Gebregziabher Mulugeta , Tagge Raelle , Ovbiagele Bruce
Published: December 2017

Accurate epidemiological surveillance of the burden of stroke is direly needed to facilitate the development and evaluation of effective interventions in Africa. The authors therefore conducted a systematic review of the methodology of stroke epidemiological studies conducted in Africa from 1970 to 2017 using gold standard criteria obtained from landmark epidemiological publications. Of 1330 articles extracted, only 50 articles were eligible for review grouped under incidence, prevalence, case‐fatality, health‐related quality of life, and disability‐adjusted life‐years studies. Because of various challenges, no study fulfilled the criteria for an excellent stroke incidence study. The relatively few stroke epidemiology studies in Africa have significant methodological flaws. Innovative approaches leveraging available information and communication technology infrastructure are recommended to facilitate rigorous epidemiological studies for accurate stroke surveillance in Africa.
Effect of exposure time on mass‐rearing production of the olive fruit fly parasitoid, Psyttalia lounsburyi (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Authors: La‐Spina M. , Pickett C. , Daane K. M. , Hoelmer K. , Blanchet A. , Williams L.
Published: December 2017

Classical biological control programmes rely on mass production of high‐quality beneficial insects for subsequent releases into the field. Psyttalia lounsburyi (Silvestri) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a koinobiont larval–pupal endoparasitoid of tephritid flies that is being reared to support a classical biological control programme for olive fruit fly in California. The mass‐rearing system for a P. lounsburyi colony, initiated with insects originally collected in Kenya, was evaluated with the goal of increasing production, while at the same time reducing time requirements for rearing in a quarantine facility. We tested the effect of exposure time of a factitious host Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), on parasitization, adult production, superparasitism, and sex ratio of P. lounsburyi and survival of the host. Parasitization rates were highest (31%) at 3‐ and 4‐hr exposure times, while adult production (i.e., emergence of wasp progeny) was highest (16%) at the 2‐hr exposure time. Superparasitism over the course of the study was 1.5% and did not appear to be a factor affecting parasitoid production. The sex ratio of wasp progeny was male‐biased and did not vary significantly over different exposure times. The rate of stings on host larvae increased with exposure time and was consistent with decreases in pupal eclosion from larvae and emergence rate of adult flies. When compared to current rearing procedures, the 2‐hr exposure time resulted in an overall 2.8‐fold increase in P. lounsburyi production when standardized for time.
Vaccination of Atlantic lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L.) at a low temperature leads to a low antibody response against Aeromonas salmonicida
Authors: Erkinharju T , Dalmo R A , Vågsnes Ø , Hordvik I , Seternes T
Published: December 2017

We present a study on the effect of water temperature on immunization of Atlantic lumpfish. In total, 360 fish were vaccinated with either 50 μl of an oil‐based injection vaccine (VAX), with Aeromonas salmonicida and Vibrio salmonicida antigens, or PBS. Fish were vaccinated at three different water temperatures, 5°C, 10°C and 15°C, and sorted into six groups (N = 60). Lumpfish were weighed every 3 weeks after vaccination, sampled at 3, 6, 9 and 18 weeks post‐immunization (wpi) and evaluated by modified Speilberg score, ELISA and immunoblotting. Vaccinated fish showed low antibody response against V. salmonicida. Fish vaccinated at 5°C showed significantly lower antibody response against A. salmonicida throughout the study. At higher temperatures, vaccinated fish showed significantly increased antibody responses, at 18 wpi for 10°C and at 6 and 18 wpi for 15°C. Immunoblotting demonstrated specific response against the LPS antigen of A. salmonicida in the 10°C and 15°C VAX groups. Mean body weight increased in all groups throughout the study. Vaccinated fish had low Speilberg scores with no melanization of abdominal tissue. Our results show that vaccinating lumpfish at a lower water temperature may lead to a low antibody response against A. salmonicida.
Differential requirement of BAK1 C‐terminal tail in development and immunity
Authors: Wu Di , Liu Yanan , Xu Fan , Zhang Yuelin
Published: December 2017

BRI1‐ASSOCIATED RECEPTOR KINASE 1 (BAK1) plays critical roles in plant developmental and immune signaling pathways. BAK1 and a large number of leucine‐rich repeat receptor‐like kinases (LRR‐RLKs) harbor a mysterious carboxyl‐terminal tail (CT) beyond their kinase domain. In this study we analyzed the biological significance of this CT region using a unique bak1 mutant allele which causes deletion of the CT region. We showed that BAK1 CT promotes its kinase activity and is required for pathogen‐associated molecular pattern (PAMP)‐triggered immunity, but it is dispensable for brassinosteroid responses and BAK1/BKK1‐inhibited cell death signaling. Therefore the BAK1 C‐terminal tail is differentially required for its functions in development and immunity.
Magnetic resonance thoracic ductography assessment of serial changes in the thoracic duct after the intake of a fatty meal
Authors: Nomura Takakiyo , Niwa Tetsu , Koizumi Jun , Shibukawa Shuhei , Ono Shun , Imai Yutaka
Published: December 2017

The thoracic duct, a terminal lymph vessel, is thought to dilate after the intake of a fatty meal. However, this physiological change has not been well explored in vivo. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess serial changes in the thoracic duct after the intake of a fatty meal using magnetic resonance thoracic ductography (MRTD). Eight healthy volunteers were subjected to one MRTD scan before a fatty meal and eight serial MRTD scans every hour thereafter. The cross‐sectional areas of the thoracic duct were estimated using MRTD measurements of the diameters of the thoracic duct at the upper edge of the aortic arch, the tracheal bifurcation, the mid‐point between the tracheal bifurcation and the left part of the diaphragm and the left part of the diaphragm. The change‐rates in these areas were calculated before and after the fatty meal intake, and the maximal change‐rate and timing of its achievement were determined for each subject. The summed change‐rates in the four portions of the thoracic duct ranged from −40.1 to 81.3%, with maximal change‐rates for each subject ranging from 22.8 to 81.3% (mean, 50.4%). Although individual variations were observed, most subjects (88.9%) exhibited a maximal change‐rate at 4–6 h after meal intake, with subsequent decreases at 7–8 h. In conclusion, MRTD revealed a tendency toward thoracic duct enlargement at 4–6 h after the intake of a fatty meal, followed by contraction.
Territorialization in a closing commodity frontier: The Yasuní rainforests of West Amazonia
Authors: Gilbert David E.
Published: December 2017

In Ecuador's Yasuní rainforests and the lived history of the Waorani that live there, the commodification of first rubber and then oil shaped territorialization into particularly violent form. The formative role of rubber production in the 19th century involved local despots' imposition of a regime of violence. Reacting to this violent capitalist system, individual Waorani forged new socio‐spatial territories through violence with rubber slavers and cooperation with the Taromenane, a people who continue to live in isolation. Today, an oil complex exerts control to bring the end of Yasuní's commodity frontier, even while the Waorani Nation and Taromenane hold legal rights to parts of the forests. In this article, I analyse how rubber and oil exploitation has unfolded as capitalist territorial violence, spurring Waorani and Taromenane social expressions and political mobilizations that are at times violent, but primarily not.
Premenstrual symptoms interference and equol production status in Japanese collegiate athletes: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Takeda Takashi , Ueno Tomomi , Uchiyama Shigeto , Shiina Masami
Published: December 2017

Aim

Consumption of soy isoflavones reduces the risk of estrogen‐related diseases, such as menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. Equol is metabolized from the isoflavone daidzein by intestinal bacteria and has higher bioavailability than other isoflavones. Equol producers are believed to benefit from soybean consumption to a greater extent than non‐producers. Recently, we showed that equol non‐producers were at significant risk of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Previously, we reported that PMS is a common menstrual problem in female athletes, and almost half of the studied athletes felt a negative effect of premenstrual symptoms on their athletic performance. This study was conducted to evaluate the relation between PMS and equol production status in Japanese collegiate athletes.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional, observational study that included 88 Japanese female collegiate athletes. Equol production status was determined using urine samples collected after a soy challenge test. The subjects also completed a questionnaire about their premenstrual symptoms and their competitive career.

Results

The prevalence of equol producers was 29.5% in Japanese collegiate athletes. The athletic performance of 54.5% of athletes was found to suffer in competition or in practice due to premenstrual symptoms. In multivariate analysis, equol non‐producers (odds ratio, 3.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–12.20) and restriction of bodyweight (odds ratio, 4.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.47–20.00) were shown to be significant risk factors for poor athletic performance.

Conclusion

This study showed a relation between athletic performance and equol production status in Japanese collegiate athletes.
The severity of periodontitis and metabolic syndrome in Korean population: The Dong‐gu study
Authors: Kim O. S. , Shin M. H. , Kweon S. S. , Lee Y. H. , Kim O. J. , Kim Y. J. , Chung H. J.
Published: December 2017

Objectives

We assessed the association between periodontal disease status and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its individual components in Korean adults over 50 years old.

Material and Methods

In the Dong‐gu study, 5078 men and women aged over 50 years were included. They underwent a questionnaire survey, physical assessment, biochemical assessment and periodontal assessment. The percentages of sites with periodontal probing depth ≥4 mm, and clinical attachment loss ≥4 mm were recorded for each participant. Periodontal disease was also classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/American Academy of Periodontology definition of periodontitis and the American Academy of Periodontology definition (1999). MetS was defined by the 2009 guidelines of the International Diabetes Federation. This study used multivariate negative binominal regression analysis to assess the association between the severity of periodontitis and MetS, after age, smoking habits, alcohol consumption and physical activity related factors were adjusted for.

Results

Prevalence of MetS was 32.3%, 36.2% and 45.9% among men with no or mild, moderate and severe periodontitis, respectively. The severity of periodontitis was positively associated with the prevalent MetS in men but not in women. In men, severe periodontitis showed a higher risk of MetS than those with no or mild periodontitis (relative risk 1.43, 95% confidence interval 1.17‐1.73) after adjusting for confounders. Periodontal probing depth was positively associated with the prevalence of MetS in both genders. In the analysis separated by individual MetS components, periodontitis severity was positively associated with hypertriglyceridemia and low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol in men, while positively associated with low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and abdominal obesity in women.

Conclusion

Increasing the severity of periodontitis was associated with the risk of prevalent MetS in Korean adults. This result confirmed that periodontal inflammation might be a contributive factor of MetS.
Effect of carrot puree in vegetable juice on linguapalatal swallowing pressure
Authors: Moritaka Hatsue , Mineki Machiko , Kobayashi Makoto , Ono Takahiro , Hori Kazuhiro
Published: December 2017

This study aimed to ascertain the influence of various amounts (0–30%) of carrot puree (CP) in vegetable juice on linguapalatal swallowing pressure in healthy volunteers. Twenty healthy women (age range: 20–22 years) swallowed a 17‐ml drink in a natural state, and linguapalatal swallowing pressure was measured using a special sensor sheet. Peak magnitude (maximum pressure of the tongue pushing on the hard palate), integrated values of linguapalatal swallowing pressure on the waveform, and duration of linguapalatal swallowing pressure were increased with increases in CP concentrations. The total integrated value for 30% CP vegetable juice was larger than that of vegetable juice with no CP. The apparent viscosity of the vegetable juice with a low CP concentration was smaller than that with a high CP concentration at the same shear rate. These results suggest that vegetable juice containing CP affects mechanoreceptor activity in the mouth and generates a neuromotor response.

Practical applications

This study aimed to ascertain the influence of various amounts of carrot puree (CP) in vegetable juice on linguapalatal swallowing pressure measured by using a special sensor sheet in healthy volunteers. Obtained results of this study clearly showed that vegetable juice containing CP affects the movement of the tongue in maneuvering the bolus. Moreover, the results demonstrated that this effect depended on the concentration of CP in the vegetable juice. These findings are expected to provide clinically valuable data on the effect of mechanical stimulation during the oral stage of swallowing.
Combating biopiracy in Australia: Will a disclosure requirement in the Patents Act 1990 be more effective than the current regulations?
Authors: Dawkins Verity
Published: December 2017

Genetic and biochemical resources have the ability to provide considerable economic, social and environmental benefits to a nation. Traditional knowledge of these natural resources is extensive. Biopiracy occurs when commercial actors appropriate traditional knowledge without recognition or benefit‐sharing. It has faced international condemnation. The importance of acknowledging traditional knowledge and ensuring benefit‐sharing from inventions based on this knowledge is recognized. This paper explores strategies for protection of traditional knowledge and considers the adequacy of Australia's approach. It discusses the global problem of biopiracy and Australia's international obligations. It explores Australia's current protection, including part 8A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations () (Cth). This paper then compares Australia's strategy to the protections afforded in the United States, New Zealand and Brazil. It is argued that an additional disclosure of origin and source requirement within the Australian Patents Act (Cth) would assist in better protection of traditional knowledge and the promotion of benefit‐sharing.
Impact of patent policy changes on R&D expenditure by industries in India
Authors: Sharma Ruchi , Paswan Audhesh K. , Ambrammal Sunil K. , Dhanora Madan
Published: December 2017

Emerging economies realizing the importance of innovation are taking steps to enhance their innovative capabilities. Among the tools used, institutional factor such as patent protection policy is being increasingly used by such economies, despite mixed research evidence linking patent protection policies and innovation. This study investigates the effects of patent policy changes on stimulating innovation in India. Panel data regression technique is used on data for 1989–1990 to 2009–2010. The results indicate that patent policy changes, specifically, increase in the protection duration, enforcement mechanism, and membership into international convention dimensions of patent policy have positive influence on the R&D intensity.
Paradigm shifts in community ecology: Open versus closed units, challenges and limits of connectivity studies
Authors: Giangrande Adriana , Gambi M. Cristina , Gravina M. Flavia
Published: December 2017

Due to the presence of the complex life cycles involving a benthic adult and a pelagic larval phase, the study of benthic community dynamics cannot ignore investigations of the processes occurring in the water column. Current investigations focus mainly on larval dispersal from an evolutionary and a biogeographic perspective, taking into account also population connectivity, conservation planning and coastal management. In the present paper we underline the need to improve knowledge of the main traits of marine invertebrate life cycles, highlighting the limits and challenges of current approaches. Firstly, we summarized the changing approaches within community studies, following the paradigm shifts found in recent marine ecological research, from supply‐side ecology to connectivity, and involving the concepts of open and closed populations. Secondly, we analysed the main larval traits influencing dispersal, paying particular attention to pelagic larval duration in light of the few available data for connectivity studies. The difficulty in estimating many of the main traits of larval ecology make numerical simulation fundamental for a better understanding of the relationship between propagule dispersal and seawater dynamics, both being highly variable. We conclude that some essential biological information is still lacking for the proper integration of the modeling approaches. Thus it is necessary to further investigate the life‐cycle traits and physiological and ecological characteristics of each species, an approach known as autecology or natural history. All too frequently modern ecologists ignore such reductionist approaches, although they are essential for a full understanding of processes, such as connectivity and metapopulation dynamics.
Long‐term in situ persistence of biodiversity in tropical sky islands revealed by landscape genomics
Authors: Mastretta‐Yanes Alicia , Xue Alexander T. , Moreno‐Letelier Alejandra , Jorgensen Tove H. , Alvarez Nadir , Piñero Daniel , Emerson Brent C.
Published: December 2017

Tropical mountains are areas of high species richness and endemism. Two historical phenomena may have contributed to this: (i) fragmentation and isolation of habitats may have promoted the genetic differentiation of populations and increased the possibility of allopatric divergence and speciation and (ii) the mountain areas may have allowed long‐term population persistence during global climate fluctuations. These two phenomena have been studied using either species occurrence data or estimating species divergence times. However, only few studies have used intraspecific genetic data to analyse the mechanisms by which endemism may emerge at the microevolutionary scale. Here, we use landscape analysis of genomic SNP data sampled from two high‐elevation plant species from an archipelago of tropical sky islands (the Trans‐Mexican Volcanic Belt) to test for population genetic differentiation, synchronous demographic changes and habitat persistence. We show that genetic differentiation can be explained by the degree of glacial habitat connectivity among mountains and that mountains have facilitated the persistence of populations throughout glacial/interglacial cycles. Our results support the ongoing role of tropical mountains as cradles for biodiversity by uncovering cryptic differentiation and limits to gene flow.
The GATA‐type IVb zinc‐finger transcription factor SsNsd1 regulates asexual–sexual development and appressoria formation in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Authors: Li Jingtao , Mu Wenhui , Veluchamy Selvakumar , Liu Yanzhi , Zhang Yanhua , Pan Hongyu , Rollins Jeffrey A.
Published: December 2017

The sclerotium, a multicellular structure composed of the compact aggregation of vegetative hyphae, is critical for the long‐term survival and sexual reproduction of the plant‐pathogenic fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The development and carpogenic germination of sclerotia are regulated by integrating signals from both environmental and endogenous processes. Here, we report the regulatory functions of the S. sclerotiorum GATA‐type IVb zinc‐finger transcription factor SsNsd1 in these processes. SsNsd1 is orthologous to the Aspergillus nidulans NsdD (never in sexual development) and the Neurospora crassa SUB‐1 (submerged protoperithecia‐1) proteins. Ssnsd1 gene transcript accumulation remains relatively low, but variable, during vegetative mycelial growth and multicellular development. Ssnsd1 deletion mutants (Δnsd1‐KOs) produce phialides and phialospores (spermatia) excessively in vegetative hyphae and promiscuously within the interior medulla of sclerotia. In contrast, phialospore development occurs only on the sclerotium surface in the wild‐type. Loss of SsNsd1 function affects sclerotium structural integrity and disrupts ascogonia formation during conditioning for carpogenic germination. As a consequence, apothecium development is abolished. The Ssnsd1 deletion mutants are also defective in the transition from hyphae to compound appressorium formation, resulting in a loss of pathogenicity on unwounded hosts. In sum, our results demonstrate that SsNsd1 functions in a regulatory role similar to its ascomycete orthologues in regulating sexual and asexual development. Further, SsNsd1 appears to have evolved as a regulator of pre‐penetration infectious development required for the successful infection of its many hosts.
Quantifying the contribution of mass flow to nitrogen acquisition by an individual plant root
Authors: McMurtrie Ross E. , Näsholm Torgny
Published: December 2017

The classic model of nitrogen (N) flux into roots is as a Michaelis–Menten (MM) function of soil‐N concentration at root surfaces. Furthermore, soil‐N transport processes that determine soil‐N concentration at root surfaces are seen as a bottleneck for plant nutrition. Yet, neither the MM relationship nor soil‐N transport mechanisms are represented in current terrestrial biosphere models.

Processes governing N supply to roots – diffusion, mass flow, N immobilization by soil microbes – are incorporated in a model of root‐N uptake. We highlight a seldom considered interaction between these processes: nutrient traverses the rhizosphere more quickly in the presence of mass flow, reducing the probability of its immobilization before reaching the root surface.

Root‐N uptake is sensitive to the rate of mass flow for widely spaced roots with high N uptake capacity, but not for closely spaced roots or roots with low uptake capacity. The results point to a benefit of root switching from high‐ to low‐affinity N transport systems in the presence of mass flow.

Simulations indicate a strong impact of soil water uptake on N delivery to widely spaced roots through transpirationally driven mass flow. Furthermore, a given rate of N uptake per unit soil volume may be achieved by lower root biomass in the presence of mass flow.
Tests of Policy Interventions in DSGE Models
Authors: Pesaran M. Hashem , Smith Ron P.
Published: December 2017

This paper considers tests of the effectiveness of a policy intervention, defined as a change in the parameters of a policy rule, in the context of a macroeconometric dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model. We consider two types of intervention, first the standard case of a parameter change that does not alter the steady state, and second one that does alter the steady state, e.g. the target rate of inflation. We consider two types of test, one a multi‐horizon test, where the postintervention policy horizon, H, is small and fixed, and a mean policy effect test where H is allowed to increase without bounds. The multi‐horizon test requires Gaussian errors, but the mean policy effect test does not. It is shown that neither of these two tests are consistent, in the sense that the power of the tests does not tend to unity as H→∞, unless the intervention alters the steady state. This follows directly from the fact that DSGE variables are measured as deviations from the steady state, and the effects of policy change on target variables decay exponentially fast. We investigate the size and power of the proposed mean effect test by simulating a standard three equation New Keynesian DSGE model. The simulation results are in line with our theoretical findings and show that in all applications the tests have the correct size; but unless the intervention alters the steady state, their power does not go to unity with H.
Testing the validity of functional response models using molecular gut content analysis for prey choice in soil predators
Authors: Eitzinger Bernhard , Rall Björn C. , Traugott Michael , Scheu Stefan
Published: December 2017

Analysis of predator–prey interactions is a core concept of animal ecology, explaining structure and dynamics of animal food webs. Measuring the functional response, i.e. the intake rate of a consumer as a function of prey density, is a powerful method to predict the strength of trophic links and assess motives of prey choice, particularly in arthropod communities. However, due to their reductionist set‐up, functional responses, which are based on laboratory feeding experiments, may not display field conditions, possibly leading to skewed results. Here, we tested the validity of functional responses of centipede predators and their prey by comparing them with empirical gut content data from field‐collected predators. Our predator–prey system included lithobiid and geophilomorph centipedes, abundant and widespread predators of forest soils and their soil‐dwelling prey. First, we calculated the body size‐dependent functional responses of centipedes using a published functional response model in which we included natural prey abundances and animal body masses. This allowed us to calculate relative proportions of specific prey taxa in the centipede diet. In a second step, we screened field‐collected centipedes for DNA of eight abundant soil‐living prey taxa and estimated their body size‐dependent proportion of feeding events. We subsequently compared empirical data for each of the eight prey taxa, on proportional feeding events with functional response‐derived data on prey proportions expected in the gut, showing that both approaches significantly correlate in five out of eight predator–prey links for lithobiid centipedes but only in one case for geophilomorph centipedes. Our findings suggest that purely allometric functional response models, which are based on predator–prey body size ratios are too simple to explain predator–prey interactions in a complex system such as soil. We therefore stress that specific prey traits, such as defence mechanisms, must be considered for accurate predictions.
Physiological acclimation dampens initial effects of elevated temperature and atmospheric CO2 concentration in mature boreal Norway spruce
Authors: Lamba Shubhangi , Hall Marianne , Räntfors Mats , Chaudhary Nitin , Linder Sune , Way Danielle , Uddling Johan , Wallin Göran
Published: December 2017

Physiological processes of terrestrial plants regulate the land–atmosphere exchange of carbon, water, and energy, yet few studies have explored the acclimation responses of mature boreal conifer trees to climate change. Here we explored the acclimation responses of photosynthesis, respiration, and stomatal conductance to elevated temperature and/or CO2 concentration ([CO2]) in a 3‐year field experiment with mature boreal Norway spruce. We found that elevated [CO2] decreased photosynthetic carboxylation capacity (−23% at 25 °C) and increased shoot respiration (+64% at 15 °C), while warming had no significant effects. Shoot respiration, but not photosynthetic capacity, exhibited seasonal acclimation. Stomatal conductance at light saturation and a vapour pressure deficit of 1 kPa was unaffected by elevated [CO2] but significantly decreased (−27%) by warming, and the ratio of intercellular to ambient [CO2] was enhanced (+17%) by elevated [CO2] and decreased (−12%) by warming. Many of these responses differ from those typically observed in temperate tree species. Our results show that long‐term physiological acclimation dampens the initial stimulation of plant net carbon assimilation to elevated [CO2], and of plant water use to warming. Models that do not account for these responses may thus overestimate the impacts of climate change on future boreal vegetation–atmosphere interactions.
An adaptive orienting theory of error processing
Authors: Wessel Jan R.
Published: December 2017

The ability to detect and correct action errors is paramount to safe and efficient goal‐directed behaviors. Existing work on the neural underpinnings of error processing and post‐error behavioral adaptations has led to the development of several mechanistic theories of error processing. These theories can be roughly grouped into adaptive and maladaptive theories. While adaptive theories propose that errors trigger a cascade of processes that will result in improved behavior after error commission, maladaptive theories hold that error commission momentarily impairs behavior. Neither group of theories can account for all available data, as different empirical studies find both impaired and improved post‐error behavior. This article attempts a synthesis between the predictions made by prominent adaptive and maladaptive theories. Specifically, it is proposed that errors invoke a nonspecific cascade of processing that will rapidly interrupt and inhibit ongoing behavior and cognition, as well as orient attention toward the source of the error. It is proposed that this cascade follows all unexpected action outcomes, not just errors. In the case of errors, this cascade is followed by error‐specific, controlled processing, which is specifically aimed at (re)tuning the existing task set. This theory combines existing predictions from maladaptive orienting and bottleneck theories with specific neural mechanisms from the wider field of cognitive control, including from error‐specific theories of adaptive post‐error processing. The article aims to describe the proposed framework and its implications for post‐error slowing and post‐error accuracy, propose mechanistic neural circuitry for post‐error processing, and derive specific hypotheses for future empirical investigations.
Investigation of in vitro measurable sperm attributes and their influence on electroejaculated bull semen with a fixed‐time artificial insemination protocol in AustralianBos indicuscattle
Authors: Satake N , Edwards SAA , Tutt D , McGowan MR , Boe‐Hansen GB
Published: December 2017

Contents

Increasing use of fixed‐time artificial insemination (FTAI) in beef cattle production has presented an opportunity for the use of fresh or chilled semen as an alternative to standard cryopreserved semen. The objective of this study was to examine in vitro sperm function and pregnancy rate of electroejaculated semen, chilled and stored for 48 hr, compared to conventionally cryopreserved semen with an optimizedFTAIprotocol in Brahman cattle. Semen from three Brahman bulls was collected, and aliquots were extended in either chilled (at 5°C) or frozen (LN2) in a Tris‐egg yolk extender base with 2.4% or 7.0% glycerol, respectively. Semen samples were assessed 48 hr after collection or post‐thaw and warming, for sperm motility, in vitro sperm function and fertilizing ability, and used in aFTAIprogramme. The overall pregnancy rates was significantly different (p < .01) afterFTAIwith frozen (n = 173; 53.2%) and chilled semen (n = 174; 31.6%). In contrast, the in vitro sperm assessment showed that the chilled semen had significantly faster motility (p < .05), a higher proportion of progressively motile spermatozoa (p < .05), with significantly higher proportions of acrosome intact, viable spermatozoa (p < .01). This study showed that reasonable pregnancy rates in Brahman cattle can be achieved usingFTAIwith chilled semen collected using electroejaculation and stored for up to 48 hr. However, improvements in semen extenders are required in consideration of semen collection method to improve the longevity of sperm fertilizing ability to significantly increaseFTAIoutput using chilled storage of bull semen.
A Spatio‐Temporal Exposure‐Hazard Model for Assessing Biological Risk and Impact
Authors: Walker Emily , Leclerc Melen , Rey Jean‐François , Beaudouin Rémy , Soubeyrand Samuel , Messéan Antoine
Published: December 2017

We developed a simulation model for quantifying the spatio‐temporal distribution of contaminants (e.g., xenobiotics) and assessing the risk of exposed populations at the landscape level. The model is a spatio‐temporal exposure‐hazard model based on (i) tools of stochastic geometry (marked polygon and point processes) for structuring the landscape and describing the exposed individuals, (ii) a dispersal kernel describing the dissemination of contaminants from polygon sources, and (iii) an (eco)toxicological equation describing the toxicokinetics and dynamics of contaminants in affected individuals. The model was implemented in the briskaR package (biological risk assessment with R) of the R software. This article presents the model background, the use of the package in an illustrative example, namely, the effect of genetically modified maize pollen on nontarget Lepidoptera, and typical comparisons of landscape configurations that can be carried out with our model (different configurations lead to different mortality rates in the treated example). In real case studies, parameters and parametric functions encountered in the model will have to be precisely specified to obtain realistic measures of risk and impact and accurate comparisons of landscape configurations. Our modeling framework could be applied to study other risks related to agriculture, for instance, pathogen spread in crops or livestock, and could be adapted to cope with other hazards such as toxic emissions from industrial areas having health effects on surrounding populations. Moreover, the R package has the potential to help risk managers in running quantitative risk assessments and testing management strategies.
An Integrated Framework for Environmental Multi‐Impact Spatial Risk Analysis
Authors: Ferretti Valentina , Montibeller Gilberto
Published: December 2017

Quantitative risk analysis is being extensively employed to support policymakers and provides a strong conceptual framework for evaluating decision alternatives under uncertainty. Many problems involving environmental risks are, however, of a spatial nature, i.e., containing spatial impacts, spatial vulnerabilities, and spatial risk‐mitigation alternatives. Recent developments in multicriteria spatial analysis have enabled the assessment and aggregation of multiple impacts, supporting policymakers in spatial evaluation problems. However, recent attempts to conduct spatial multicriteria risk analysis have generally been weakly conceptualized, without adequate roots in quantitative risk analysis. Moreover, assessments of spatial risk often neglect the multidimensional nature of spatial impacts (e.g., social, economic, human) that are typically occurring in such decision problems. The aim of this article is therefore to suggest a conceptual quantitative framework for environmental multicriteria spatial risk analysis based on expected multi‐attribute utility theory. The framework proposes: (i) the formal assessment of multiple spatial impacts; (ii) the aggregation of these multiple spatial impacts; (iii) the assessment of spatial vulnerabilities and probabilities of occurrence of adverse events; (iv) the computation of spatial risks; (v) the assessment of spatial risk mitigation alternatives; and (vi) the design and comparison of spatial risk mitigation alternatives (e.g., reductions of vulnerabilities and/or impacts). We illustrate the use of the framework in practice with a case study based on a flood‐prone area in northern Italy.
Patellar tendinopathy with intratendinous alteration on MRI may be related to patellofemoral dysplasia
Authors: Tscholl P. M. , Biedert R. M. , Wanivenhaus F. , Fucentese S. F.
Published: December 2017

Patellar tendinopathy (PT) is a frequent overuse injury of the extensor knee apparatus, whereas as up to 30% of the athletes might suffer from persisting symptoms during their entire career. In the present case‐control study, 47 patients (30.8 ± 11.4 years) with PT with intratendinous alteration (PTita) of a minimum of ≥25% of the axial surface on MRI and minimum Blazina score of II (pain during without limiting sports activity) were included; MR images were analyzed for trochlear geometry, patellar height/tilt, and tibial tubercle‐trochlear groove distance (TT‐TG). The control group (CG) comprised 87 age‐ and gender‐matched patients without history of anterior knee pain or lateral patellar instability. It was hypothesized that patients with PT might be related to patellofemoral dysplasia. It was found that the patella was significantly higher in patients with PT compared to the CG (patellotrochlear index [PT‐I]: 0.33 vs 0.37, P = .014; Insall‐Salvati index [InSa]: 1.18 vs 1.07, P = .004). PT‐I was above the cut‐off value in 10.6% of PT knees (CG 5.7%, P = .27), and InSa in 42.6% (CG 21.8%, P = .012). TT‐TG was significantly higher in patients with PT compared to CG (12.0 mm vs 9.9 mm, P = .002); however, TT‐TG was only pathologic (>20 mm) in one patient. The trochlear facet ratio was above the cut‐off value in 55.3% of PT patients and 23% of CG (P < .001), and was significantly greater in patients with PT (0.39 ± 0.09) than CG (0.48 ± 0.1, P < .001). Knees with PT have significantly more morphological characteristics of patellofemoral instability, which needs to be considered especially in recurrent or treatment‐refractive cases.
Gender, Anticipated Family Formation, and Graduate School Expectations Among Undergraduates
Authors: Allison Rachel , Ralston Margaret
Published: December 2017

From a life course perspective, young adults' anticipations of future family formation transitions may shape their present‐day educational trajectories. Given gender unequal divisions of paid caretaking and domestic labor in heterosexual families, anticipations of family formation may affect women's educational expectations more or differently than men's. We analyze Online College Social Life Survey (OCSLS) data from undergraduates at 22 U.S. colleges and universities (N= 16,152) to examine how existing and anticipated family formation shapes expectations to earn a graduate or professional degree. Family formation is more consistently related to women's educational expectations than to men's, with existing and anticipated parenthood affecting only women's expectations. While existing parenthood lowers women's expectations to advanced degrees, anticipated future parenthood elevates them. Anticipated age at parenthood is positively associated with all students' expectations to graduate or professional degrees.
Stochastic ordering constraint for ordered extremes
Authors: Adam Mohd Bakri
Published: December 2017

The constraint of two ordered extreme minima random variables when one variable is consider to be stochastically smaller than the other one has been carried out in this article. The quantile functions of the probability distribution have been used to establish partial ordering between the two variables. Some extensions and generalizations are given for the stochastic ordering using the important of sign of the shape parameter.
The CEFR Rating Scale Functioning: An Empirical Study on Self- and Peer Assessments
Authors: Idris Mardiana , Abdul Raof Abdul Halim
Published: December 2017

One of the criticisms on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) rating scales pertains to the lack of reference to the performance of learners in the construction process of the scales. Therefore, this study attempted to delve into rating scale functioning by English as a Second Language (ESL) learners during self-assessment and peer assessment of their oral proficiency practice. Two objectives guided the study: 1) to gauge the overall rating scale functioning and 2) to measure each criterion scaling structure. Three self- and peer assessments’ cycles were conducted in three months. In each cycle, eleven learners recorded their own speech, uploaded their video clips to a private YouTube channel and assessed their own videos as well as selected peers based on five CEFR oral assessment criteria with six levels of ratings (A1-C2). Findings revealed that four of the CEFR levels were utilised (B1-C2). Categories A1 and A2 (basic user level) however, were not observed during the practice. Analysis from the Many-Facet Rasch Measurement (MFRM) indicated that utilised categories seemed to function usefully since each category observed was advancing by more than 1.4 logits. Category B2 dominated four criteria of ratings awarded while B1 dominated the rating distribution for fluency. The implications of this study will be discussed in relation to rating scale development, specifically on matching learners’ proficiency to the psychometrically developed rating criteria as well as illustrating assessment as learning approach in the ESL classroom where learners become the key assessors for their own performance.
Receptive Vocabulary Acquisition Through ‘Storybird’
Authors: Shukri Athirah , Puteh Fatimah
Published: December 2017

Knowledge of vocabulary is important for a learner of a language to be able to perform in all the four skills of reading, listening, writing and speaking in the target language. Despite its importance, language teaching or training generally puts lesser emphasis on its importance or the teaching of vocabulary still adopts a traditional teaching approach. With the advancement in computer technology and the emerging development of tools and software, vocabulary learning has moved beyond classical reading method. This present study explores the effects of online reading through the use of ‘Storybird’ tool on ESL learners’ receptive vocabulary. It aims to ascertain if reading on ‘Storybird’ as a tool within a classroom context could improve learners’ receptive vocabulary. The data was collected through the procedure of pre-test, treatment and post-test without control group. The result of the paired sample t-test show significant gains in the 3000-word level vocabulary test.
Investigating the Preservice Primary School, Mathematics and Science Teachers’ STEM Awareness
Authors: Bakırcı Hasan , Karışan Dilek
Published: December 2017

Today’s life requires individuals to be prepared for complex world environment, to make complex decisions, and to have critical thinking skills related to everyday life issues at hand. STEM education is thought to be the glorious solution to thrive in a global knowledge driven world. Teachers are key elements for successful STEM education. Present study aims to investigate the preservice primary school, mathematics and science teachers STEM awareness. Quantitative research methodology guided the present study. Cross-sectional survey type which collects information from a sample that has been selected from a predetermined population was used. Stem Awareness Scale, a five point Likert type instrument developed by Buyruk and Korkmaz (2016), was used to measure preservice teachers STEM awareness. Data was collected from 558 (371 female, 187 male) preservice teachers enrolled in three different teacher preparation programs. The results of this research demonstrates that there is no significant interaction effect for gender and department variables however there is significant difference among different department students STEM awareness preservice science teachers’ and preservice primary school teachers STEM awareness scores have similar mean values and also outnumbers the preservice mathematics teachers’ STEM awareness.