bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An examination of the relationship between training comprehensiveness and organizational commitment: Further exploration of training perceptions and employee attitudes
Authors: Ehrhardt Kyle , Miller Janice S. , Freeman Sarah J. , Hom Peter W.
Published: December 2011

For organizations, the value of employing highly committed individuals is well documented. Accordingly, scholars have endeavored to identify factors that may influence employees' organizational commitment. One factor that has received growing attention in this regard is individuals' perceptions of training offered by an organization. However, despite increased scrutiny over the past decade, the precise nature of the relationship between employee training perceptions and organizational commitment remains unclear. Consequently, in this study we use social exchange theory as a foundation to examine the relationship between perceptions of training comprehensiveness and organizational commitment among individuals serving on cross‐functional product development teams within numerous large manufacturing firms. Results of a multilevel regression analysis support a direct relationship between perceived training comprehensiveness and organizational commitment. Additionally, whether individuals specifically chose to participate on a product development team moderated this relationship, but not in the expected direction. We discuss implications of study findings for both research and practice.
Analysis of retrieved hip resurfacing arthroplasties reveals the interrelationship between interface hyperosteoidosis and demineralization of viable bone trabeculae
Authors: Breer Stefan , Krause Matthias , Busse Björn , Hahn Michael , Rüther Wolfgang , Morlock Michael M. , Amling Michael , Zustin Jozef
Published: December 2011

Retrieved hip resurfacing arthroplasties (HRA) revised for causes other than osteonecrosis enable further insights into bone–cement interactions within the interface with only minimal biomechanical stresses. Our primary objective was to investigate the mineralization changes at the trabecular bone interface in retrieved hips using bright field and polarized light microscopy and by quantitative backscattered electron imaging. Because superficial seams of non‐mineralized bone tissue varied substantially, we defined hyperosteoidosis as an osteoid seam of more than 20 µm thickness. We hypothesized that interface hyperosteoidosis might be caused by the demineralization of previously mineralized bone tissue. One hundred and thirty‐one retrieved HRAs with viable bone remnant tissue were analyzed. Bone mineral density distribution obtained from backscattered signal intensities of the trabecular bone at the bone–cement interface was assessed in cases with and without interface hyperosteoidosis. In cases with interface hyperosteoidosis, the degree of trabecular mineralization was also analyzed in deeper areas of the femoral remnants. Thirty‐four cases showed hyperosteoidosis at the bone–cement interface, mostly in female patients. Bone trabeculae with hyperosteoidosis displayed a mineral density distribution pattern suggestive of the demineralization of a previously mineralized bone matrix. Our results demonstrate the localized disorder of the mineralization pattern of bone trabeculae at the bone–cement interface in a group of retrieved HRAs. In previously well‐fixed femoral components, potential adverse effects on the load‐bearing bone due to a decreased degree of mineralization at the bone–cement interface may affect the durability of the implant's function. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:1155–1161, 2012
Extended healing validation of an artificial tendon to connect the quadriceps muscle to the Tibia: 180‐day study
Authors: Melvin Alan J. , Litsky Alan S. , Mayerson Joel L. , Stringer Keith , Juncosa‐Melvin Natalia
Published: December 2011

Whenever a tendon or its bone insertion is disrupted or removed, existing surgical techniques provide a temporary connection or scaffolding to promote healing, but the interface of living to non‐living materials soon breaks down under the stress of these applications, if it must bear the load more than acutely. Patients are thus disabled whose prostheses, defect size, or mere anatomy limit the availability or outcomes of such treatments. Our group developed the OrthoCoupler™ device to join skeletal muscle to prosthetic or natural structures without this interface breakdown. In this study, the goat knee extensor mechanism (quadriceps tendon, patella, and patellar tendon) was removed from the right hind limb in 16 goats. The device connected the quadriceps muscle to a stainless steel bone plate on the tibia. Mechanical testing and histology specimens were collected from each operated leg and contralateral unoperated control legs at 180 days. Maximum forces in the operated leg (vs. unoperated) were 1,400 ± 93 N (vs. 1,179 ± 61 N), linear stiffnesses were 33 ± 3 N/mm (vs. 37 ± 4 N/mm), and elongations at failure were 92.1 ± 5.3 mm (vs. 68.4 ± 3.8 mm; mean ± SEM). Higher maximum forces (p = 0.02) and elongations at failure (p = 0.008) of legs with the device versus unoperated controls were significant; linear stiffnesses were not (p = 0.3). We believe this technology will yield improved procedures for clinical challenges in orthopedic oncology, revision arthroplasty, tendon transfer, and tendon injury reconstruction. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:1112–1117, 2012
The use of non‐invasive instruments in characterizing human facial and abdominal skin
Authors: Bailey Steven H. , Oni Georgette , Brown Spencer A. , Kashefi Natalie , Cheriyan Salim , Maxted Michael , Stewart Collin , Jones Caroline , Maluso Patrick , Kenkel Ashley M. , Kenkel Matthew M. , Hoopman John , Barton Fritz , Kenkel Jeffrey M.
Published: December 2011

Background and Objective

The skin is highly variable. This variation, although helpful for function, causes inconsistencies when assessed using subjective scales. The purpose of this study is to measure differences in skin on the face and abdomen using non‐invasive, objective devices as a method to eliminate subjective error and help reduce intra‐ and inter‐observer variability in clinical analysis.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Eighty‐eight subjects between the ages of 18 and 61 were enrolled in this study. These subjects varied in age, ethnicity, and Fitzpatrick score. Facial analysis was performed by clinical evaluation and utilizing non‐invasive objective devices which included the DermaScan C 20 MHz HFUS (Cyberderm, Broomall, PA), Tru Vu (Johnson and Johnson), BTC 2000 (SRLI Technologies, Nashville, TN), Derma Unit SSC3 (CK Electronic, Köln, Germany), and the Chromometer.

Results

Non‐invasive devices were shown to be consistent and accurate through repeated measurement at each of the anatomical points with error rates of less than 5%. Chromometer measurements were able to categorize patients into Fitzpatrick level. DermaScan measurements demonstrated decreasing skin thicknesses associated with increasing age, smoking, and female gender. Derma Unit SSC 3 showed gender and sun exposure related differences in sebum concentration, pH, and moisture content. The Derma Unit SSC 3 sebum concentration also showed correlation with Tru Vu readings for clogged pores and bacterial activity.

Conclusion

The skin assessment scales that are in use today are often prone to variability and inaccuracy due to their subjectivity. Use of the described objective non‐invasive facial analysis method provides an accurate, objective analysis of human skin which can be used to measure changes pre‐ and post‐operatively, or even screen patients prior to procedure to identify non‐responders or those prone to adverse events. Utilization of these devices introduces a foundation on which a strong evidence‐based approach to aesthetic medicine can be built. Lasers Surg. Med. 44:131–142, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hospitalization rates among survivors of childhood cancer in the childhood cancer survivor study cohort
Authors: Kurt Beth A. , Nolan Vikki G. , Ness Kirsten K. , Neglia Joseph P. , Tersak Jean M. , Hudson Melissa M. , Armstrong Gregory T. , Hutchinson Raymond J. , Leisenring Wendy M. , Oeffinger Kevin C. , Robison Leslie L. , Arora Mukta
Published: December 2011

Background

Chronic health conditions are common among long‐term childhood cancer survivors, but hospitalization rates have not been reported. The objective of this study was to determine overall and cause‐specific hospitalization rates among survivors of childhood cancer and compare rates to the U.S. population.

Procedure

The Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) is a retrospective cohort of 5+ year survivors of childhood malignancies treated at 26 participating centers. Self‐reported hospitalizations from 10,366 survivors (diagnosed 1970–1986) were compared to U.S. population rates using age‐ and sex‐stratified standardized incidence ratios (SIRs). Reasons for hospitalization were evaluated and associations between demographic, cancer and treatment‐related risk factors with hospitalization were investigated.

Results

Survivors were, on average, 20.9 years from cancer diagnosis (SD: 4.6, range: 13–32) and 28.6 years of age (SD: 7.7, range: 13–51). Survivor hospitalization rates were 1.6 times the U.S. population (95% CI: 1.6; 1.7). Increased hospitalization rates were noted irrespective of gender, age at follow‐up and cancer diagnosis, with highest SIRs noted among male (SIR = 2.6, 95% CI: 2.2; 3.0) and female (SIR = 2.7, 95% CI: 2.4; 3.1) survivors aged 45–54. Female gender, an existing chronic health condition and/or a second neoplasm, and prior treatment with radiation were associated with an increased risk of non‐obstetrical hospitalization.

Conclusions

Survivors of childhood cancer demonstrate substantially higher hospitalization rates. Additional research is needed to further quantify the healthcare utilization and economic impact of treatment‐related complications as this population ages. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 59: 126–132. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
DICER1 Mutations in embryonal rhabdomyosarcomas from children with and without familial PPB‐tumor predisposition syndrome
Authors: Doros Leslie , Yang Jiandong , Dehner Louis , Rossi Christopher T. , Skiver Kerry , Jarzembowski Jason A. , Messinger Yoav , Schultz Kris Ann , Williams Gretchen , André Nicolas , Hill D. Ashley
Published: December 2011

Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) is the most common childhood sarcoma and is a component of the familial pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB)‐predisposition syndrome. Using the PPB model, we hypothesized that DICER1 mutations would be found in familial and sporadic forms of ERMS. Blood samples from four children with familial PPB and ERMS, and 52 sporadic ERMS tumors were tested for DICER1 mutations. Germline DICER1 mutations were found in all four patients with familial PPB and 2 of 52 (3.8%) sporadic ERMS had somatic mutations. Our findings confirm the pathogenetic relationship between ERMS and PPB suggesting that ERMS may result from abnormal miRNA regulation. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012;59:558–560. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Non‐negative residual matrix factorization: problem definition, fast solutions, and applications
Authors: Tong Hanghang , Lin Ching‐Yung
Published: December 2011

Matrix factorization is a very powerful tool to find graph patterns, e.g. communities, anomalies, etc. A recent trend is to improve the usability of the discovered graph patterns, by encoding some interpretation‐friendly properties (e.g., non‐negativity, sparseness, etc) in the factorization. Most, if not all, of these methods are tailored for the task of community detection.We propose NrMF, a non‐negative residual matrix factorization framework, aiming to improve the interpretation for graph anomaly detection. We present two optimization formations and their corresponding optimization solutions. Our method can naturally capture abnormal behaviors on graphs. We further generalize it to admit sparse constrains in the residual matrix. The effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed algorithms are analyzed, showing that our algorithm (i) leads to a local optima; and (ii) scales to large graphs. The experimental results on several data sets validate its effectiveness as well as efficiency. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining 5: 3–15, 2012
The need for inclusion of entrepreneurship education in Nigerian school curricula
Authors: Ejiogu Augustine Odinakachukwu , Nwajiuba Chinyere Augusta
Published: December 2011

This article advocates the inclusion of entrepreneurship education as a subject in the curricula of all the educational institutions in Nigeria and other developing countries. Some innovative entrepre‐neurship education practices such as periodic entrepreneur‐pupil/student interaction and students' attachment period with established entrepreneurs are also proposed in inculcating the entrepreneurial culture. The regular interactive sessions with entrepreneurs from the organized private sector will engender consistent and systematic orientation of the young adults in acquisition of skills, competencies, and knowledge requisite for self‐employment. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of home‐country culture and regulatory environment on corporate social responsibility perceptions: The case of Sri Lankan immigrant entrepreneurs
Authors: Azmat Fara , Zutshi Ambika
Published: December 2011

Drawing on the findings of semistructured interviews, this article aims to understand the meaning of the term corporate social responsibility (CSR) as perceived by Sri Lankan immigrant entrepreneurs in Australia. It also explores the influence of home‐country culture and institutional environment on their perceptions of CSR. The term CSR was found to be interpreted differently among the immigrant entrepreneurs. Findings reiterate the influence of culture and regulatory environment on the perceptions of CSR and are consistent with the findings of Hamilton, Dana, and Benfell (2008) that the immigrant entrepreneurs adjust their beliefs, values, traditions, and norms to acclimatize to the host country but at the same time also maintain links with the traditional culture. Due to the increasing number of immigrant businesses and their potential socioeconomic impact, the article has important policy implications as it leads to a better understanding of the immigrant entrepreneurs' interpretation of social responsibility and how that is being influenced by home‐country factors. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stakeholders' perceptions about corporate social responsibility: Implications for poverty alleviation
Authors: Okpara John O. , Wynn Pamela M.
Published: December 2011

There has been a growing interest in the management literature in investigating the perceptions of stakeholders toward corporate social responsibility (CSR). Studies have shown that an assessment of stakeholders' perceptions toward CSR may influence top management's decision to respond in an encouraging manner to CSR initiatives. Several studies have been conducted in CSR. However, these studies have been primarily conducted in the West. Very little research on CSR has been done in Nigeria. The purpose of this research is to examine stakeholders' perceptions on CSR in Nigeria. Results show that there is a universal understanding of the concept of CSR in Nigeria. Respondents were able to identify that CSR consists of a range of responsibilities covering economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic characteristics. They were also able to recognize the different items listed in the questionnaire as factors that would make a corporation socially responsible. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Morphometric and immunohistochemical study of cholangiolocellular carcinoma: comparison with non‐neoplastic cholangiole, interlobular duct and septal duct
Authors: Maeno Sawako , Kondo Fukuo , Sano Keiji , Takada Tadahiro , Asano Takehide
Published: December 2011

Background/purpose

The origin of cholangiolocellular carcinoma (CoCC) is still controversial. To solve this problem, morphometric and immunohistochemical features of CoCC were examined.

Materials and methods

Cancerous ducts: 15 CoCC lesions from 13 resected and two autopsied cases. Non‐neoplastic ducts: 20 specimens of non‐cancerous areas of eight resected CoCC cases and of 12 resected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases. From these specimens, cholangioles, interlobular ducts of small size (ILD‐S), interlobular ducts of medium size (ILD‐M) and septal ducts were randomly selected.

Morphometry

The outer and inner diameters of these ducts were measured. Immunohistochemistry: two hepatocyte markers [Hep Par 1 and α‐fetoptotein (AFP)], two cholangiocyte markers (cytokeratin CK7, CK19), a marker for mucin (Muc1), a hepatic stem/progenitor cell marker (c‐Kit) and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) were used.

Results

Morphometry: both mean values of the outer and inner diameters of CoCC were far larger than those of cholangioles, and showed intermediate values between those of ILD‐S and ILD‐M. Immunohistochemistry: all ducts of CoCCs were negative for the two hepatocyte markers and positive for CK 7. Most CoCC ducts were positive for CK 19. Positive rate of c‐Kit of cholangiole was most remote from that of CoCC. The positive rates of EMA in the membranous area of ducts were similarly very high in CoCC, cholangiole and ILD‐S.

Conclusion

These results suggest that CoCCs may originate from ILDs.
Identification of a Major Genetic Determinant of Glycaemic Index in Rice
Authors: Fitzgerald M. A. , Rahman S. , Resurreccion A. P. , Concepcion J. , Daygon V. D. , Dipti S. S. , Kabir K. A. , Klingner B. , Morell M. K. , Bird A. R.
Published: December 2011

Type II diabetes is a major chronic disease. In developing countries, the prevalence of type II diabetes is increasing enormously. Much research indicates that choice of carbohydrates, particularly those with low glycaemic index (GI) is able to assist in the management or prevention of type II diabetes. Most developing countries consume rice as the staple. The objectives of this study were to determine the variability in the GI of popular improved and traditional varieties of rice and to find the genetic basis of GI. A method to predict GI using an in vitro system was compared to the in vivo system using a range of rice varieties differing in GI. Large variability in GI, ranging from low to high GI, was found using a set of 235 varieties. The major gene that associated with GI in the 235 varieties was the Waxy gene. This paper reports the first large-scale phenotyping of this trait, provides important information for nutritionists to identify and quantify the impact of low GI rices on blood sugar status and offers a mechanism for breeding programmes to select for GI based on amylose content. Furthermore, it allows rice consumers to select particular varieties of rice as their choice of carbohydrate.
Plasma cytokine levels in children with autistic disorder and unrelated siblings
Authors: Manzardo A.M. , Henkhaus R. , Dhillon S. , Butler M.G.
Published: December 2011

Background

The pathogenesis of autistic disorder (AD) is not clearly understood but genetic factors and the immune system have been implicated. Disturbed immunoglobulin levels and autoantibodies to neuronal elements have been reported in AD including cytokines encoded by genes involved with cell proliferation, migration and adhesion but there is a paucity of data comparing cytokine levels in children with AD and unrelated siblings without AD.

Methods

We analyzed 39 plasma cytokines in 99 well‐characterized children with AD between 5 and 10 years of age and 40 age and gender matched healthy unrelated siblings without AD under the same clinical assessments, specimen processing and laboratory conditions. Multiplex sandwich immunoassays were used with the Luminex fluorescent‐bead based platform. Log‐transformed values of the 29 cytokines meeting laboratory criteria for inclusion were analyzed by analysis of covariance with a general linear model adjusting for diagnosis, gender, diagnosis by gender interaction effects, age and days of specimen handling. The Tukey–Kramer post hoc test was used to control for multiple comparisons.

Results

Eight of 29 cytokine levels analyzed were significantly lower in children with AD compared with unrelated siblings without the diagnosis of AD. Three of the cytokines are known to be involved with hematopoiesis and five with attraction of T‐cells, natural killer cells and monocytes.

Conclusions

Plasma cytokine levels representing chemokines involved in the T‐helper cell immune system and hematopoiesis were lower in the children with AD compared with unrelated siblings without AD necessitating further studies to confirm immunological disturbances influencing hematopiesis and antibody production in the children with AD. Linking genes that encode immune related proteins and cytokines are important to study for their impact on critical periods of brain development and function.
Crop Ecology
Authors: Connor David J. , Loomis Robert S. , Cassman Kenneth G.
Published: December 2011

Food security and environmental conservation are two of the greatest challenges facing the world today. It is predicted that food production must increase by at least 70% before 2050 to support continued population growth, though the size of the world's agricultural area will remain essentially unchanged. This updated and thoroughly revised second edition provides in-depth coverage of the impact of environmental conditions and management on crops, resource requirements for productivity and effects on soil resources. The approach is explanatory and integrative, with a firm basis in environmental physics, soils, physiology and morphology. System concepts are explored in detail throughout the book, giving emphasis to quantitative approaches, management strategies and tactics employed by farmers, and associated environmental issues. Drawing on key examples and highlighting the role of science, technology and economic conditions in determining management strategies, this book is suitable for agriculturalists, ecologists and environmental scientists.
On the cost efficiency of mixing optimization
Authors: Gubanov Oleg , Cortelezzi Luca
Published: December 2011

In this study we discuss the cost efficiency of the optimization of a new prototypical mixing flow, the Fourier sine flow, an extension of the sine flow. The Fourier sine flow stirs a mixture on a two-dimensional torus by blinking, at prescribed switching times, two orthogonal velocity fields with profiles represented by a Fourier sine series. We derive a family of mixers of increasing complexity by truncating the series to one, two, three and four modes. We consider the optimization of the velocity profiles and the optimization of the stirring protocol. We implement the former by computing, at each iteration, the amplitudes and phase shifts of the Fourier modes synthesizing the velocity profiles that minimize the mix-norm, our cost function, i.e. maximize the quality of mixing. We implement the latter by selecting, at each iteration, the best performing of the two orthogonal stirring velocity fields, i.e. the velocity field that minimizes the mix-norm. To obtain a physically meaningful optimization problem, we constrain the kinetic energy of the flow to be the same among all mixers and use the viscous dissipation as an estimate of the power input needed to operate the mixers. We characterize the performance of the mixers using three cost functions: the homogenization time, the computational cost of optimization and the total energy consumption. We test the mixers on a range of admissible power inputs using two representative switching times. We report some surprising results. Mixers equipped with the velocity profile optimization and a periodic stirring protocol cannot be optimal, i.e. their performance depends on the switching time chosen, independently of the number of Fourier modes used in the optimization. Apparently, optimal mixers can be obtained only by coupling velocity profile and stirring protocol optimizations. The computational cost of the optimization depends only on the number of Fourier modes used and grows by about an order of magnitude for each Fourier mode added to the optimization. At low power inputs, the coupled optimizations allow us to obtain an attractive reduction of the homogenization time in combination with a reduction of the total energy required to produce it. However, increasing the power input does not guarantee a reduction of the homogenization time. Counter-intuitively, there are ranges of power inputs for which both the homogenization time and the total energy increase when increasing the power input. Finally, for large enough power inputs, optimizations with two, three and four Fourier modes perform similarly, making the former optimization the most cost-efficient.
Daily eating frequency and cardiometabolic risk factors in young Australian adults: cross-sectional analyses
Authors: Smith Kylie J. , Blizzard Leigh , McNaughton Sarah A. , Gall Seana L. , Dwyer Terence , Venn Alison J.
Published: December 2011

Eating frequency may be important in the development of overweight and obesity and other cardiometabolic risk factors; however, the evidence is inconsistent. The aim of the present study was to examine the associations between the number of eating occasions and cardiometabolic risk factors in a national population-based sample of young adults. A cohort of 1273 men and 1502 women, aged 26–36 years, completed a meal pattern chart to record when they had eaten during the previous day (in hourly intervals). The total number of eating occasions was calculated. Diet quality was assessed, waist circumference was measured and a fasting blood sample was taken. Dietary intake was compared with the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. The associations between the number of eating occasions and cardiometabolic risk factors were calculated using linear regression. Analyses were adjusted for age, education and physical activity. Most men ate three to five times per d and most women ate four to six times. The proportion of participants meeting dietary recommendations increased with the number of eating occasions. For men, an additional eating occasion was associated with reductions in mean values for waist circumference ( − 0·75 cm), fasting glucose ( − 0·02 mmol/l), fasting insulin ( − 0·34 mU/l; 2·04 pmol/l), TAG ( − 0·03 mmol/l), total cholesterol ( − 0·08 mmol/l) and LDL-cholesterol ( − 0·06 mmol/l). Adjustment for waist circumference attenuated the results. Significant trends were not observed for women. In conclusion, a higher number of eating occasions were associated with reduced cardiometabolic risk factors in men. Many associations were mediated by waist circumference.
Term Structure Estimation with Survey Data on Interest Rate Forecasts
Authors: Kim Don H. , Orphanides Athanasios
Published: December 2011

The estimation of dynamic no-arbitrage term structure models with a flexible specification of the market price of risk is beset by severe small-sample problems arising from the highly persistent nature of interest rates. We propose using survey forecasts of a short-term interest rate as an additional input to the estimation to overcome the problem. To illustrate the methodology, we estimate the 3-factor affine-Gaussian model with U.S. Treasury yields data and demonstrate that incorporating information from survey forecasts mitigates the small-sample problem. The model thus estimated for the 1990–2003 sample generates a stable and sensible estimate of the expected path of the short rate, reproduces the well-known stylized patterns in the expectations hypothesis tests, and captures some of the short-run variations in the survey forecast of the changes in longer-term interest rates.
Population trends of Critically Endangered Gyps vultures in the lowlands of Nepal
Authors: CHAUDHARY ANAND , SUBEDI TULSI RAM , GIRI JEET BAHADUR , BARAL HEM SAGAR , BIDARI BASU , SUBEDI HEM , CHAUDHARY BADRI , CHAUDHARY ISHWORI , PAUDEL KHADANANDA , CUTHBERT RICHARD J.
Published: December 2011

Three species of resident Gyps vulture are threatened with extinction in South Asia due to the contamination of domestic ungulate carcasses with the drug diclofenac. Observed rates of population decrease are among the highest recorded for any bird species, leading to total declines in excess of 99.9% for the Oriental White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis in India between 1992 and 2007. Vultures have declined in Nepal, but quantitative information on the rate and scale of decreases is unavailable. Road transect surveys for vultures, following the same route, methodology and timing, were undertaken in lowland areas of Nepal for seven years from 2002 to 2011. The seven survey transects followed Nepal’s East-West highway and covered 1,010 km in three years of the survey, and 638 km in the remaining four years. Slender-billed Vultures G. tenuirostris were very scarce, with a maximum of five individuals in 2002 and none recorded in 2010 and 2011. Oriental White-backed Vultures were most commonly recorded, but decreased from 205 to 68 birds over the survey period, with an estimated annual rate of decline of 14% a year. If population decreases commenced in Nepal in the same year as in India, then White-backed Vultures in Nepal have declined by 91% since the mid-1990s. Few resident Gyps vultures remained in Eastern and Central regions of Nepal, with just one, nine and six birds recorded in the three surveys that covered these regions. The majority of threatened Gyps vultures in lowland Nepal are now found in Western and Mid Western regions, where conservation efforts have been focused in the last six years. Removing veterinary diclofenac from across the country and continuing to manage effective “vulture safe zones” are essential to conserve Nepal’s remaining vulture populations.
Variation in reproductive life-history traits of birds in fragmented habitats: a review and meta-analysis
Authors: VARGAS RENZO R. , FONTÚRBEL FRANCISCO E. , BONACORSO ELISA , SIMONETTI JAVIER A.
Published: December 2011

The effects of habitat fragmentation on the distribution and abundance of birds is a well-researched topic but there is little information published in terms of how habitat fragmentation affects reproductive life history traits. We reviewed the available literature on this subject and found that only 8% of the 1,433 studies dealing with birds in fragmented habitat studied life history traits and only 1.3% provided appropriate data to perform statistics. We found no effect of fragmentation on clutch and brood size patterns. Those patterns did not change when corrected by phylogeny. However, there is a significant heterogeneity among species responses, thus data on large-bodied, ground-nesting, and precocial birds suggest an increasing response in brood size in fragmented habitats. Finally, our review shows that despite birds being the most studied vertebrate group, crucial information such as the effects of habitat fragmentation on life history traits is still scarce and insufficient, especially on species of conservation concern. Indeed, only one out of 15 species reviewed here was threatened. Studies on reproductive, behavioural and life history trait variation are urgently needed in order to advance conservation actions.
Using a capture-recapture approach for modelling the detectability and distribution of Houbara Bustard in southern Tunisia
Authors: CHAMMEM M. , SELMI S. , KHORCHANI T. , NOUIRA S.
Published: December 2011

Modelling the distribution of species of conservation concern is an important issue in population ecology. Classically, logistic regression analyses are conducted to estimate species’ distributions from detection/non-detection data in a sample of sites and to test for the significance of several environmental variables in predicting the probability of occurrence. These modelling approaches assume that species detection probability is constant and equals one in all sampled sites, which is critical, notably in the case of rare, shy and cryptic species. The capture-recapture-like approach developed by Mackenzie et al. (2002, 2003) provides a reliable tool that accounts for imperfect detection when estimating species occurrence, as well as for assessing the relevance of site features as predictors of species occurrence probability. The aim of this study was to explore the possibility of using this approach in the context of Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata in southern Tunisia. Our results show once more the low detectability of this emblematic species and stress the need to take this factor into account when estimating Houbara spatial distribution. The distribution of Houbara in southern Tunisia is more likely to be shaped by human-related than by habitat factors. In particular, Houbara occurrence was positively associated with site remoteness and camel numbers. Houbara seemed to avoid areas with high human presence and shared the most remote and agriculture-free zones with free-ranging camels.
Threatened birds of Guatemala: a random subset of the avifauna?
Authors: NÁJERA ANDREA , SIMONETTI JAVIER A.
Published: December 2011

Identifying attributes that affect the vulnerability of a species to extinction is important as it allows conservation efforts to be focused on more susceptible species. We assessed whether threatened birds of Guatemala are a random subset of the avifauna, considering their taxonomic affiliation, body size, diet and geographical distribution. We found that threatened bird species in Guatemala were neither taxonomically nor geographically randomly distributed. Large-bodied species and Psittaciformes, Galliformes, Falconiformes and Ciconiformes were among the most threatened groups, and the Pacific slopes of the country hosted more threatened birds than would be expected. Published scientific information regarding Critically Endangered bird species in Guatemala is scant and biased against nocturnal and aquatic species. Research and conservation efforts ought to be oriented toward these species and regions to safeguard the Guatemalan avifauna. This study allows an overall consideration on whether we are conserving the species and areas that are important for threatened birds.
Redox homeostasis in mycobacteria: the key to tuberculosis control?
Authors: Kumar Ashwani , Farhana Aisha , Guidry Loni , Saini Vikram , Hondalus Mary , Steyn Adrie J.C.
Published: December 2011

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is a metabolically flexible pathogen that has the extraordinary ability to sense and adapt to the continuously changing host environment experienced during decades of persistent infection.Mtbis continually exposed to endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) as part of normal aerobic respiration, as well as exogenous ROS and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) generated by the host immune system in response to infection. The magnitude of tuberculosis (TB) disease is further amplified by exposure to xenobiotics from the environment such as cigarette smoke and air pollution, causing disruption of the intracellular prooxidant–antioxidant balance. Both oxidative and reductive stresses induce redox cascades that alterMtbsignal transduction, DNA and RNA synthesis, protein synthesis and antimycobacterial drug resistance. As reviewed in this article,Mtbhas evolved specific mechanisms to protect itself against endogenously produced oxidants, as well as defend against host and environmental oxidants and reductants found specifically within the microenvironments of the lung. Maintaining an appropriate redox balance is critical to the clinical outcome because several antimycobacterial prodrugs are only effective upon bioreductive activation. Proper homeostasis of oxido-reductive systems is essential forMtbsurvival, persistence and subsequent reactivation. The progress and remaining deficiencies in understandingMtbredox homeostasis are also discussed.
TRUTH WITHOUT CONTRA(DI)CTION
Authors: ZARDINI ELIA
Published: December 2011

The concept oftrutharguably plays a central role in many areas of philosophical theorizing. Yet, what seems to be one of the most fundamental principles governing that concept, i.e. the equivalence between ‘ ‘P’ is true’ and ‘P’, is inconsistent in full classical logic, as shown by thesemantic paradoxes. I propose a new solution to those paradoxes, based on a principled revision of classical logic. Technically, the key idea consists in the rejection of the unrestricted validity of the structural principle ofcontraction. I first motivate philosophically this idea with the metaphysical picture of the states-of-affairs expressed by paradoxical sentences as being distinctively “unstable”. I then proceed to demonstrate that the theory of truth resulting from this metaphysical picture is, in many philosophically interesting respects, surprisingly stronger than most other theories of truth endorsing the equivalence between ‘ ‘P’ is true’ and ‘P’ (for example, the theory vindicates the validity of the traditional laws ofexcluded middleand ofnon-contradiction, and also vindicates the traditional constraint oftruth preservationon logical consequence). I conclude by proving acuteliminationtheorem that shows the consistency of the theory.
Modeling the resuspension of ash deposited during the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in spring 2010
Authors: Leadbetter S. J. , Hort M. C. , von Löwis S. , Weber K. , Witham C. S.
Published: December 2011

Eyjafjallajökull, a volcano in southern Iceland, erupted explosively in April and May 2010 depositing ash over a region of more than 3000 km2 to the east and southeast of the volcano. This deposited ash has been frequently remobilized by the wind causing concern for the health of Icelanders living in the region. An investigation was carried out to determine whether it would be possible to produce forecasts of days when high airborne ash concentrations were likely to occur. Information about the spatially varying surface characteristics of the region of deposited ash is not available so in the modeling approach adopted here ash is released from the surface at a rate proportional to the cube of the excess friction velocity (local friction velocity minus a threshold) only when the friction velocity exceeds a threshold. Movement of the resuspended ash is then modeled in a Lagrangian dispersion model. Modeled ash concentrations are compared to observed concentrations from two periods; PM10 observations between 23 May and 2 July 2010 and airborne particle counts between 21 September 2010 and 16 February 2011. More than 66% of the resuspension episodes between May and July are captured by the model and the relative magnitudes of the modeled episodes in this period are in good agreement with the observations. 66% of episodes between October and February are also captured by the model although there is an increase in the false alarm rate which appears to be due to the influence of precipitation.
Continuous rainfall simulation: 1. A regionalized subdaily disaggregation approach
Authors: Westra Seth , Mehrotra Rajeshwar , Sharma Ashish , Srikanthan Ratnasingham
Published: December 2011

This paper is the first of two in the current issue that presents a framework for generating continuous (uninterrupted) rainfall sequences at both gaged and ungaged point locations. The ultimate objective is to present a methodology for stochastically generating continuous subdaily rainfall sequences at any location such that the statistics at a range of aggregation scales are preserved. This first paper presents a regionalized nonparametric daily disaggregation model in which, conditional on a daily rainfall amount and previous‐ and next‐day wetness states at the location of interest, subdaily fragments are resampled using continuous records at nearby locations. The second paper then focuses on a regionalized daily rainfall generation model.To enable the substitution of subdaily rainfall at nearby locations for subdaily rainfall at the location of interest, it is necessary to identify locations with “similar” daily to subdaily scaling characteristics. We use a two‐sample, two‐dimensional Kolmogorov‐Smirnov (K‐S) test to identify whether the daily to subdaily scaling relationships are statistically similar between all possible station pairs sampled from 232 gages located throughout Australia. This step is followed by a logistic regression to determine the influence of the covariates of latitude, longitude, elevation, and distance to the coast on the probability that the scaling at any two locations will be similar. The model is tested at five locations, where recorded subdaily data was available for comparison, and results indicate good model performance, particularly in preserving the probability distribution of extremes and the antecedent rainfall prior to the storm event.
Nasal Bacterial Microbiome: Probing a Healthy Porcine Family
Authors: Yue Min , Bei Weicheng , Chen Huanchun
Published: December 2011

Upper respiratory tract (URT) infection caused the leading and devastating diseases in pigs. It was believed that the normal microbiome of URT plays a vital role in health and disease development. As the entry point of the URT, little knowledge of bacterial microbiome in porcine nasal was known. A cultivation-independent approach directly to 16s ribosomal RNA genes enabled us to reveal the nasal bacterial community, structure and diversity. Here, we found that an unprecedented 207 phylotypes were characterized from 933 qualified clones, indicating the variable, species richness but particularly dominant bacterial microbiome. The dominant species were from genus Comamonas and Acinetobacter, which constitute core normal bacterial microbiome in porcine nasal. Moreover, a set of swine specific pathogens and zoonotic agents were detected in the swine nasal microbiome. Collectively, we provided a snapshot of our current knowledge of the community structure of porcine nasal bacterial ecosystem in a healthy family that will further enhance our view to understand URT infection and public health.
Super-large dendrites composed of trigonal PbO2 nanoplates with enhanced performances for electrochemical devices
Authors: Ding Liang-Xin , Zheng Fu-Lin , Wang Jian-Wei , Li Gao-Ren , Wang Zi-Long , Tong Ye-Xiang
Published: December 2011

Super-large dendrites composed of trigonal PbO2 nanoplates were synthesized by electrodeposition and tested as potential materials for electrochemical device applications.
Inhibition of acid‐sensing ion channels by amiloride protects rat articular chondrocytes from acid‐induced apoptosis via a mitochondrial‐mediated pathway
Authors: Rong Chao , Chen Fei‐Hu , Jiang Sheng , Hu Wei , Wu Fan‐Rong , Chen Tian‐Yi , Yuan Feng‐Lai
Published: December 2011

A significant decrease in tissue pH or acidosis is a common feature of numerous diseases, including RA (rheumatoid arthritis). Cartilage homoeostasis is profoundly affected by local acidosis in the joints. The diuretic, amiloride, is neuroprotective in models of cerebral ischaemia, a property attributable to the inhibition of ASICs (acid‐sensing ion channels) by the drug. However, little is known about the effect of amiloride on apoptosis induced by extracellular acid in articular chondrocytes. We have found that amiloride could restrain the acid‐induced apoptosis of rat articular chondrocytes in vitro. Primary rat articular chondrocytes were isolated, cultured and induced to apoptose by exposure to extracellular solution (pH 6.0), while simultaneously treated with 50–200 μM amiloride. Apoptotic rate, mitochondrial function, levels of apoptosis‐related gene Bcl‐2 family mRNA and activity of caspase 3/9 in chondrocytes were examined. Amiloride inhibited chondrocyte apoptosis in a dose‐dependent manner. Furthermore, amiloride partly restored the levels of mitochondrial membrane potential by regulation of Bcl‐2 family gene mRNA expression, and activity of caspase 3/9 in chondrocytes induced by extracellular acid. Our results indicated that amiloride protected against acid‐induced apoptosis in rat articular chondrocytes by increasing anti‐apoptotic ability and down‐regulation of pro‐apoptotic factors, thus protecting mitochondrial function.
The Role of Developmental Levels in Examining the Effect of Subject Types on the Production of Auxiliary
Is
in Young English-Speaking Children
Authors: Guo Ling-Yu , Owen Van Horne Amanda J. , Tomblin J. Bruce
Published: December 2011

Purpose

Prior work (Guo, Owen, & Tomblin, 2010) has shown that at the group level, auxiliary
is
production by young English-speaking children was symmetrical across lexical noun and pronominal subjects. Individual data did not uniformly reflect these patterns. On the basis of the framework of the gradual morphosyntactic learning (GML) hypothesis, the authors tested whether the addition of a theoretically motivated developmental measure, tense productivity (TP), could assist in explaining these individual differences.

Method

Using archival data from 20 children between age 2;8 and 3;4 (years;months), the authors tested the ability of 3 developmental measures (TP; finite verb morphology composite, FVMC; mean length of utterance, MLU) to predict use of auxiliary
is
with different subject types.

Results

TP, but not MLU or FVMC, significantly improved model fit. Children with low TP scores produced auxiliary
is
more accurately with pronominal subjects than with lexical subjects. The facilitative effect of pronominal subjects on the production of auxiliary
is,
however, was not found in children with high TP scores.

Conclusion

The finding that the effect of subject types on the production accuracy of auxiliary
is
changed with children’s TP is consistent with the GML hypothesis.
Use of Spectral/Cepstral Analyses for Differentiating Normal From Hypofunctional Voices in Sustained Vowel and Continuous Speech Contexts
Authors: Watts Christopher R. , Awan Shaheen N.
Published: December 2011

Purpose

In this study, the authors evaluated the diagnostic value of spectral/cepstral measures to differentiate dysphonic from nondysphonic voices using sustained vowels and continuous speech samples.

Methodology

Thirty-two age- and gender-matched individuals (16 participants with dysphonia and 16 controls) were recorded reading a standard passage (The Rainbow Passage; Fairbanks, 1960) and sustaining the vowel /ɑ/. Recorded voices were analyzed with custom software that calculated 4 spectral/cepstral measures.

Results

Measures of cepstral peak prominence (CPP) and low–high spectral ratio (L/H ratio) were significantly different between groups in both speaking conditions; the standard deviation of the CPP was significantly different between groups in continuous speech only. In differentiating dysphonic individuals with a hypofunctional etiology from nondysphonic individuals, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses demonstrated (a) high sensitivity and high specificity for the CPP in the sustained vowel condition and (b) high sensitivity and moderate specificity for the CPP in the speech condition.

Conclusions

In a sample of dysphonic speakers (hypofunctional etiologies) versus typical speakers, spectral/cepstral measures of CPP and L/H ratio were able to differentiate these groups from one another in both vowel prolongation and continuous speech contexts with high sensitivity and specificity. The results of this study support the growing body of literature documenting the significant value of cepstral and other spectral-based acoustic measures to the clinical evaluation and management processes.