bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
“The goat that died for family”: Animal sacrifice and interspecies kinship in India's Central Himalayas
Authors: GOVINDRAJAN RADHIKA 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTAnimal sacrifice can be productively theorized as a practice of kindred intimacy between human and nonhuman animal. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork in India's Central Himalayas, I trace how the ritual sacrifice of goats in the region's mountain villages acquires power and meaning through its anchoring in a realm of interspecies kinship. This kinship between humans and animals is created and sustained through everyday practices of intercorporeal engagement and care. I contend, in fact, that animal sacrifice is itself constitutive of interspecies kin relations. The spectacular act of violence at the heart of sacrifice—the beheading of the sacrificial animal—is crucial to the constitution of kin solidarity between human sacrificer and animal victim. From this perspective, animal sacrifice creates a world rich with the possibility of mutual response and recognition between different beings entangled in intimate and complex ways. [sacrifice, human–animal, interspecies kinship, South Asia, relations of care, religion, Himalayas]
A Case Study for Modelling Cancer Incidence Using Bayesian Spatio‐Temporal Models
Authors: Kang Su Yun , McGree James , Baade Peter , Mengersen Kerrie 
Published: August 2015

SummaryResearchers familiar with spatial models are aware of the challenge of choosing the level of spatial aggregation. Few studies have been published on the investigation of temporal aggregation and its impact on inferences regarding disease outcome in space–time analyses. We perform a case study for modelling individual disease outcomes using several Bayesian hierarchical spatio‐temporal models, while taking into account the possible impact of spatial and temporal aggregation. Using longitudinal breast cancer data from South East Queensland, Australia, we consider both parametric and non‐parametric formulations for temporal effects at various levels of aggregation. Two temporal smoothness priors are considered separately; each is modelled with fixed effects for the covariates and an intrinsic conditional autoregressive prior for the spatial random effects. Our case study reveals that different model formulations produce considerably different model performances. For this particular dataset, a classical parametric formulation that assumes a linear time trend produces the best fit among the five models considered. Different aggregation levels of temporal random effects were found to have little impact on model goodness‐of‐fit and estimation of fixed effects.
Seasonal foraging patterns of forest‐grazing Japanese Black heifers with increased plasma total antioxidant capacity
Authors: Haga Satoshi , Nakano Miwa , Nakao Seiji , Hirano Kiyoshi , Yamamoto Yoshito , Sasaki Hiroyuki , Ishizaki Hiroshi 
Published: August 2015

AbstractForest‐grazing enables the intake of high total antioxidant capacity (TAC) plants that might be beneficial for the TAC status of cattle. This study evaluated the relation between the seasonal foraging patterns of forest‐grazing Japanese Black (JB) heifers or the TAC levels in shrubs and trees and the changes of plasma TAC. We examined 12 JB heifers, four each of which were allocated to forest‐grazing (F), pasture‐grazing, and pen‐housed groups. The plasma TAC level in F heifers on July 26, August 13, 30 and September 17 were significantly higher than those on April 27 and June 4 (P < 0.05). In F group, the mean rates of foraging frequency (FF) of shrubs and trees during July 5–8 and September 13–16 were much higher than that during May 31–June 3 (P < 0.05). The rate of FF of grass significantly decreased later in the season (P < 0.05). The mean TAC levels in these shrubs and trees were higher than those in grasses, concentrates, and timothy hay. Results suggest that an important factor in the increase of plasma TAC in forest‐grazing cattle might be the increased foraging of TAC‐rich shrubs and trees during summer–fall.
LCZ696 (Valsartan/Sacubitril) – A Possible New Treatment for Hypertension and Heart Failure
Authors: Andersen Mathilde Borring , Simonsen Ulf , Wehland Markus , Pietsch Jessica , Grimm Daniela 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe aim of this MiniReview was to introduce the newly invented dual‐acting drug valsartan/sacubitril (LCZ696), which combines an angiotensin receptor blocker (valsartan) with sacubitril, a specific inhibitor of the neutral endopeptidase (NEP) that degrades vasoactive peptides, including natriuretic peptides ANP and BNP, but also glucagon, enkephalins and bradykinin, among others. The MiniReview presents the data of four available trials NCT01193101, NCT00549770, NCT00887588 and NCT01035255 and provides the current knowledge about LCZ696 effects in patients with hypertension and heart failure. Presently, patients suffering from hypertension and heart failure are treated with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor antagonists often in combination with other drugs. These current medications lead to a reduction in blood pressure in hypertensive patients and a decreased mortality and morbidity in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, but not in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. LCZ696 had been tested to utilize the beneficial properties of natriuretic peptides in combination with angiotensin receptor antagonism. It induces even greater blood pressure reductions and decreased mortality and morbidity in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, while patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction show lowered blood pressure and decreased NT‐pro‐BNP levels. Although long‐term studies remain to be performed, these initial data suggest that there is a potential clinical benefit of LCZ696 in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure.
Comparing 2D and 3D game‐based learning environments in terms of learning gains and student perceptions
Authors: Ak Oguz , Kutlu Birgul 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of traditional, 2D and 3D game‐based environments assessed by student achievement scores and to reveal student perceptions of the value of these learning environments. A total of 60 university students from the Faculty of Education who were registered in three sections of a required instructional design course participated in the study. Sections were randomly assigned to three groups: traditional, 2D and 3D game‐based learning environments. “Mayer's Multimedia Design Principles” learning unit was presented to all groups. Data were obtained through a pre‐test, a post‐test and a questionnaire. Results revealed that all learning environments supported learning gains, with no differences among them. Additionally, participants valued 2D game‐based environments more than 3D game‐based and traditional classroom environments.
McVarish, Judith & Milne, Catherine ed (2014) Teacher educators rethink self‐assessment in higher educationPeter Lang (New York & Bern) isbn 978‐1‐4331‐0835‐8 154 pp £33.80 http://www.peterlang.com/index.cfm?event=cmp.ccc.seitenstruktur.detailseiten&seitentyp=produkt&pk=76833&concordeid=310834
Authors: Cowan John 
Published: August 2015

SummaryProbably a useful text for student teachers, this is readable, detailed, and strong in its coverage of supportive reflection and the assembling of self‐assessed claims. Student engagement in formulating criteria and standards receives scant attention, though, as does the impact of self‐assessment on the quality of learning. The book is to read rather than to buy, therefore. Even then, if the content of this book is likely to be relevant to you, I advise that you will probably find only parts of it of interest or use.John Cowan
Willis, Jerry W & Edwards, Claudia ed (2014) Action research: models, methods, and examplesIAP (Charlotte, NC & Eurospan, London) isbn 978‐1‐62396‐653‐3 342 pp $45.99 http://www.infoagepub.com/products/Action‐Research
Authors: Johnson Mike 
Published: August 2015

SummaryThis offers doctoral students a detailed, sympathetic and accessible overview of action research, broadly defined and illustrated with ten exemplar chapters. Three of these chapters are directly relevant to learning technology research. Recommended for institutional libraries, from where, if the content of this book is likely to be relevant to you, I strongly suggest that you arrange to borrow a copy for a while.Mike Johnson
STRATEGIC INTERACTION AND CATCHING UP
Authors: Özer Mehmet , Sağlam Çağrı 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTIn this study, we prove that the strategic interaction among agents differing in initial wealth levels leads the poor to be able to catch up with the rich, which is not the case for the standard Ramsey model where the initial wealth differences perpetuate. Extending the analysis to account for relative wealth concern and the adjustment cost of consumption, the strategic interaction among agents is shown to affect not only the distribution of wealth in the long run but also the transitional dynamics substantially. In particular, we show that structurally very simple frameworks may lead to limit cycles thanks to the strategic interaction among agents in the economy.
Text analysis tools for identification of emerging topics and research gaps in conservation science
Authors: Westgate Martin J. , Barton Philip S. , Pierson Jennifer C. , Lindenmayer David B. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractKeeping track of conceptual and methodological developments is a critical skill for research scientists, but this task is increasingly difficult due to the high rate of academic publication. As a crisis discipline, conservation science is particularly in need of tools that facilitate rapid yet insightful synthesis. We show how a common text‐mining method (latent Dirichlet allocation, or topic modeling) and statistical tests familiar to ecologists (cluster analysis, regression, and network analysis) can be used to investigate trends and identify potential research gaps in the scientific literature. We tested these methods on the literature on ecological surrogates and indicators. Analysis of topic popularity within this corpus showed a strong emphasis on monitoring and management of fragmented ecosystems, while analysis of research gaps suggested a greater role for genetic surrogates and indicators. Our results show that automated text analysis methods need to be used with care, but can provide information that is complementary to that given by systematic reviews and meta‐analyses, increasing scientists’ capacity for research synthesis.
Common genetic risk factors for coronary artery disease: new opportunities for prevention?
Authors: Hamrefors Viktor 
Published: August 2015

SummaryAtherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, with coronary artery disease (CAD) being the single leading cause of death. Better control of risk factors, enhanced diagnostic techniques and improved medical therapies have all substantially decreased the mortality of CAD in developed countries. However, CAD and other forms of atherosclerotic CVD are projected to remain the leading cause of death by 2030 and we face a number of challenges if the outcomes of CAD are to be further improved. The fact that a substantial fraction of high‐risk subjects do not reach treatment goals for important risk factors is one of these challenges. At the same time, there is also a non‐negotiable fraction of ‘concealed’ high‐risk subjects who are not detected by current risk algorithms and diagnostic modalities. In recent years, we have started to rapidly increase our knowledge of the framework of common genetics underlying CAD and atherosclerotic CVD in the population. In conjunction with modern diagnostic and therapeutic options, this new genetic knowledge may provide a valuable tool for further improvements in prevention. This review summarizes the recent findings from the search for common genetic risk factors for CAD. Furthermore, the author discusses how such recent findings could potentially be used in a number of clinical applications within CAD prevention, including in clinical risk stratification, in prediction of drug treatment response and in the search for targets for novel preventive therapies.
Infection of Cedrus species by Dothistroma septosporum
Authors: Mullett M. S. , Fraser S. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryDothistroma septosporum, primarily a pathogen of Pinus foliage, was found on Cedrus atlantica var. glauca needles in the Cruikshank Botanic Garden in Aberdeen, Scotland. The susceptibility of three Cedrus species, Cedrus atlantica var. glauca, C. deodara and C. libani subsp. libani, was investigated by artificial inoculation. Dothistroma septosporum infection of all three Cedrus species was demonstrated, although disease severity was low, with less than 7% of needles developing acervuli after 10 weeks.
Self‐assessment of competencies in dental education in Germany – a multicentred survey
Authors: Bitter K. , Rüttermann S. , Lippmann M. , Hahn P. , Giesler M. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIntroductionThe aim was to assess the competencies of undergraduate dental students in Germany in the domains team competence, communicative competence, learning competence and scholarship.Materials and MethodsThe survey was conducted at 11 dental schools that are equally distributed all over Germany. Competencies were assessed with the Freiburg Questionnaire to Assess Competencies in Medicine (FCM). A short version of the FCM was used in this study. This short form included the four domains: team competence (three items), communicative competence (eight items), learning competence (five items) and scholarship (four items). Students had to rate each item twice: first with regard to the respondent's current level of competence and second with regard to the level of competence that respondents think is required by their job. All items were rated on a five‐point Likert scale (1 ‘very much’ and 5 ‘not at all’). Responsible lecturers from all selected dental schools received another questionnaire to answer the questions whether the FCM domain corresponding learning objectives were taught at the respective dental school.ResultsA total of 317 undergraduate students from 11 dental schools in their last clinical year participated. The response rate varied between 48% and 92%. Cronbach's α for the FCM scales addressing the current level of competencies ranged from 0.70 to 0.89 and for the scales measuring the presumed level of competencies demanded by their job ranged from 0.72 to 0.82. The mean values of the scales for the assessment of the presumed level of competencies demanded by the job were significantly lower compared to the mean values of the scales for the current level of competencies (P < 0.001 in all analyses). We found large differences between the two levels – in terms of ‘standardised response means’ (SRM) – in the domains team competence (SRM 1.34), learning competence (SRM 1.27) and communicative competence (SRM 1.18). Overall, the learning objectives that correspond to the assessed domains of competencies were taught to 19.6% completely, to 55.4% partially and to 25% not at all at the participating dental schools.ConclusionThe results of the present survey revealed that the participating students perceived deficiencies in all domains of competencies. These results indicate that the assessed domains are still barely integrated into dental medicine curricula in Germany and that further research in this field is needed.
Circadian rhythmicity of synapses in mouse somatosensory cortex
Authors: Jasinska Malgorzata , Grzegorczyk Anna , Woznicka Olga , Jasek Ewa , Kossut Malgorzata , Barbacka‐Surowiak Grazyna , Litwin Jan A. , Pyza Elzbieta 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe circadian rhythmicity displayed by motor behavior of mice: activity at night and rest during the day; and the associated changes in the sensory input are reflected by cyclic synaptic plasticity in the whisker representations located in the somatosensory (barrel) cortex. It was not clear whether diurnal rhythmic changes in synapse density previously observed in the barrel cortex resulted from changes in the activity of the animals, from daily light/dark (LD) rhythm or are driven by an endogenous clock. These changes were investigated in the barrel cortex of C57BL/6 mouse strain kept underLD12 : 12 h conditions and in constant darkness (DD). Stereological analysis of serial electron microscopic sections was used to assess numerical density of synapses. In mice kept underLDconditions, the total density of synapses and the density of excitatory synapses located on dendritic spines was higher during the light period (rest phase). In contrast, the density of inhibitory synapses located on dendritic spines increased during the dark period (activity phase). UnderDDconditions, the upregulation of the inhibitory synapses during the activity phase was retained, but the cyclic changes in the density of excitatory synapses were not observed. The results show that the circadian plasticity concerns only synapses located on spines (and not those on dendritic shafts), and that excitatory and inhibitory synapses are differently regulated during the 24 h cycle: the excitatory synapses are influenced by light, whilst the inhibitory synapses are driven by the endogenous circadian clock.
Factors associated with the development of dental caries in children and adolescents in studies employing the life course approach: a systematic review
Authors: Abreu Lucas G. , Elyasi Maryam , Badri Parvaneh , Paiva Saul M. , Flores‐Mir Carlos , Amin Maryam 
Published: August 2015

The purpose of this article was to conduct a systematic review of studies that used the life course approach to evaluate the association between factors experienced in early life and throughout the lifetime and the development of dental caries in children and adolescents. A systematic search of five electronic databases was carried out. Hand searches of the reference lists of the included articles and a gray literature search were also performed. Quantitative studies that adopted the life course approach to examine the factors associated with the development of dental caries in children and adolescents were selected. Abstracts were screened by two reviewers. Reports with relevant abstracts received full‐text review and were examined for inclusion in the present systematic review. Qualitative evaluation of the included articles was carried out using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. As a result of the high degree of heterogeneity, meta‐analysis was not feasible. Among the 48 articles submitted to full‐text analysis, 11 were included in the present systematic review. Different life course factors were associated with the development of dental caries among children and adolescents, including sociodemographic, biological, psychological, and oral health behaviors, as well as the dental status of mothers, children, and adolescents.
Parental Care and Mate Choice in the Giant Water Bug Belostoma lutarium
Authors: Thrasher Patsy , Reyes Elijah , Klug Hope 
Published: August 2015

AbstractParental care and sexual selection are highly interrelated. Understanding the evolution of sex‐specific patterns of parental care and sexual selection is a major focus of current evolutionary ecology research and requires empirical studies that simultaneously quantify components of both parental care and sexual selection in a single species. In this study, we quantify the dynamics of paternal care and sexual selection in the giant water bug Belostoma lutarium. Specifically, we examined (1) which sex potentially experiences sexual selection, (2) which traits, if any, are associated with attaining a mate by males and/or females (i.e. which traits are potentially under selection), and (3) which male and female traits, if any, relate to paternal care and offspring survival. Our findings suggest that (1) males are likely the choosier sex and that heavier females are more likely to mate than smaller females, (2) that female body weight is under selection if female weight is a trait that is stable within a given individual and (3) body size is sexually dimorphic, with females being the larger sex in this species. There was no evidence of male or female traits being linked to offspring survival in this species, although this is potentially due to the lack of egg predators in our study. We discuss our findings in relation to the evolution of sex roles and future avenues of research in this species.
Epidemiological and evolutionary management of plant resistance: optimizing the deployment of cultivar mixtures in time and space in agricultural landscapes
Authors: Fabre Frédéric , Rousseau Elsa , Mailleret Ludovic , Moury Benoît 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe management of genes conferring resistance to plant–pathogens should make it possible to control epidemics (epidemiological perspective) and preserve resistance durability (evolutionary perspective). Resistant and susceptible cultivars must be strategically associated according to the principles of cultivar mixture (within a season) and rotation (between seasons). We explored these questions by modeling the evolutionary and epidemiological processes shaping the dynamics of a pathogen population in a landscape composed of a seasonal cultivated compartment and a reservoir compartment hosting pathogen year‐round. Optimal deployment strategies depended mostly on the molecular basis of plant–pathogen interactions and on the agro‐ecological context before resistance deployment, particularly epidemic intensity and landscape connectivity. Mixtures were much more efficient in landscapes in which between‐field infections and infections originating from the reservoir were more prevalent than within‐field infections. Resistance genes requiring two mutations of the pathogen avirulence gene to be broken down, rather than one, were particularly useful when infections from the reservoir predominated. Combining mixture and rotation principles were better than the use of the same mixture each season as (i) they controlled epidemics more effectively in situations in which within‐field infections or infections from the reservoir were frequent and (ii) they fulfilled the epidemiological and evolutionary perspectives.
Guttural pouch mycosis in two foals
Authors: Chidlow H. B. , Slovis N. M. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryGuttural pouch mycosis (GPM) is a rare disorder in foals and should be considered as a differential in a foal presenting with dysphagia. This manuscript describes the medical management of 2 Thoroughbred foals (age 2 and 4 months) that presented with dysphagia secondary to presumptive mucosal penetration and damage by the fungal hyphae to the glossopharyngeal and hypoglossal nerves, and the pharyngeal branch of the vagus nerve. Successful treatment of theGPMwas achieved with the use of systemic itraconazole and topical miconazole. The mycotic lesions resolved, but both foals continued to have residual cranial nerve deficits, which included an acquired left laryngeal paralysis (Foal A), and residual dysfunction of the glossopharyngeal, hypoglossal and vagus nerves resulting in a weak swallow reflux and transient dysphagia (Foal B).