bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Control of Li configuration and electrical properties of Li-doped ZnO
Authors: Zhang Z , Knutsen K E , Merz T , Yu Kuznetsov A , Svensson B G , Brillson L J
Published: August 2012

Li-doped ZnO after different thermal treatments was characterized by depth-resolved cathodoluminescence spectroscopy (DRCLS), secondary ion mass spectrometry, surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS), coupled with other surface science techniques. It is found that the Li configuration and electrical properties of Li-doped ZnO could be controlled by different thermal processes. Within a 500–600 °C annealing temperature range, subsequent quenching of ZnO leaves Li as interstitial donors, resulting in n-type low room temperature resistivity. In contrast, slower cooling in air enables these interstitials to fill Zn vacancies, forming Li acceptors 3.0 eV below the conduction band edge. Emergence of this acceptor and the resultant resistivity increase agree with the calculated diffusion lengths based on published diffusion coefficients. In general, these acceptors are compensated by residual intrinsic and extrinsic donors, resulting in a semi-insulating material. DRCL spectra exhibit a 3.0 eV optical signature of the LiZn acceptor and its depth distribution in slow-cooled ZnO. A 3.0 eV SPS absorption feature corresponding to a conduction band-to-acceptor level transition confirms this acceptor assignment. Nanoscale SPS spectra reveal p-type band bending localized near ZnO surface nano-mounds, where VZn and LiZn acceptor densities increase. The slow-cooled and quenched Li-doped ZnO spectra display an inverse relationship between the optical emission densities of lithium on zinc versus zinc vacancy sites, demonstrating the time dependence of Li interstitial diffusion to reach zinc vacancies and form substitutional Li acceptors.
Characterization of heat flux generated by ICRH heating with cantilevered bars and a slotted box Faraday screen
Authors: Corre Y. , Firdaouss M. , Colas L. , Argouarch A. , Guilhem D. , Gunn J. , Hamlyn-Harris C , Jacquot J. , Kubic M. , Litaudon X. , Missirlian M. , Richou M. , Ritz G. , Serret D. , Vulliez K.
Published: August 2012

In the framework of the ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH) development led at CEA Cadarache, an actively cooled Faraday screen (FS) prototype with cantilevered horizontal bars and a slotted box has been designed to increase the heat exhaust capability (for high-power operation), reduce the parallel RF electric field along long field lines and qualify alternative mechanical solutions for ITER (bars are disconnected from the septum to reduce the stress level). The new FS has been installed on an existing ICRH antenna, and was tested during the 2011 Tore Supra experimental campaign. The antenna hosting the new screen exhibits high sensitivity to the edge plasma condition, some instabilities of electrical matching and improved heat exhaust capabilities in accordance with the thermo-mechanical design. RF-induced heat loads derived from IR thermography have been found to be about five times higher in the equatorial plane with the new design compared with the conventional design. The experimental results show that minimizing the parallel RF electric field along long field lines is not enough to reduce the wave–plasma interaction on the screen. This paper summarizes the experimental RF-induced heat load for several plasma scenarios and edge parameters (plasma current, density and heating power level) with emphasis on RF-sheath rectification and E × B convection generated in front of the antenna through the differential biasing of adjacent field lines.
Ignition conditions for inertial confinement fusion targets with a nuclear spin-polarized DT fuel
Authors: Temporal M. , Brandon V. , Canaud B. , Didelez J.P. , Fedosejevs R. , Ramis R.
Published: August 2012

The nuclear fusion cross-section is modified when the spins of the interacting nuclei are polarized. In the case of deuterium–tritium it has been theoretically predicted that the nuclear fusion cross-section could be increased by a factor δ = 1.5 if all the nuclei were polarized. In inertial confinement fusion this would result in a modification of the required ignition conditions. Using numerical simulations it is found that the required hot-spot temperature and areal density can both be reduced by about 15% for a fully polarized nuclear fuel. Moreover, numerical simulations of a directly driven capsule show that the required laser power and energy to achieve a high gain scale as δ
−0.6 and δ
−0.4 respectively, while the maximum achievable energy gain scales as δ
0.9.
On the 𝑋-rank of a curve 𝑋⊂ℙⁿ: an extremal case
Authors: Ballico E.
Published: August 2012

Let

X
⊂

P

n

X\subset \mathbb {P}^n

,

n
≥
3

n \ge 3

, be an integral and non-degenerate curve. For any

P
∈

P

n

P\in \mathbb {P}^n

the

X
X

-rank

r
X

(
P
)

r_X(P)

of

P
P

is the minimal cardinality of a set

S
⊂
Y

S\subset Y

such that

P
P

is in the linear span of

S
S

. Landsberg and Teitler proved that

r
X

(
P
)
≤
n

r_X(P) \le n

for any

X
X

and any

P
P

. Here we classify the pairs

(
X
,
Q
)

(X,Q)

,

Q
∈

X

r
e
g

Q\in X_{reg}

, such that all points of the tangent line

T
Q

X

T_QX

(except

Q
Q

) have

X
X

-rank

n
n

:

X
≅

P

1

X \cong \mathbb {P}^1

and

T
Q

X

T_QX

has order of contact

deg
⁡
(
X
)
+
2
−
n

\deg (X) +2-n

with

X
X

at

Q
Q

.
Representations on the cohomology of smooth projective hypersurfaces with symmetries
Authors: Chênevert Gabriel
Published: August 2012

This paper is concerned with the primitive cohomology of a smooth projective hypersurface considered as a linear representation for its automorphism group. Using the Lefschetz-Riemann-Roch formula, the character of this representation is described on each piece of the Hodge decomposition. A consequence concerning the existence of smooth symmetric hypersurfaces that are stable under the standard irreducible permutation representation of the symmetric group on homogeneous coordinates is drawn.
Susceptibility of Arabidopsis Ecotypes to Infection by Iris yellow spot virus
Authors: Naveed Khalid , Pappu Hanu R.
Published: August 2012

Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV; genus Tospovirus, family Bunyaviridae) is a serious constraint for onion production in the United States and several other parts of the world. A few experimental indicator hosts were reported for IYSV but there is no report of infection of Arabidopsis by IYSV. Establishing IYSV infection in onion by mechanical inoculation has so far proven to be inefficient resulting in numerous escapes. Using Arabidopsis thaliana as a host for studies on the biology and tospovirus-host interactions has an advantage of the plant's small genome size, short life cycle, and a genome that has been sequenced. Several ecotypes were evaluated for their susceptibility to IYSV and identified some where IYSV produces localized infection. Together with wild type and various mutants, the IYSV-Arabidopsis system could be useful for studying host-tospovirus interactions.

Accepted for publication 12 June 2012. Published 14 July 2012.
Spatial Patterns of Brown Rot Epidemics and Development of Microsatellite Markers for Analyzing Fine-Scale Genetic Structure of Monilinia fructicola Populations Within Peach Tree Canopies
Authors: Everhart S. E. , Askew A. , Seymour L. , Glenn T. C. , Scherm H.
Published: August 2012

To better understand the fine-scale spatial dynamics of brown rot disease and corresponding fungal genotypes, we analyzed three-dimensional spatial patterns of pre-harvest fruit rot caused by Monilinia fructicola in individual peach tree canopies and developed microsatellite markers for canopy-level population genetics analyses. Using a magnetic digitizer, high-resolution maps of fruit rot development in five representative trees were generated, and M. fructicola was isolated from each affected fruit. To characterize disease aggregation, nearestneighbor distances among symptomatic fruit were calculated and compared with appropriate random simulations. Within-canopy disease aggregation correlated negatively with the number of diseased fruit per tree (r = −0.827, P = 0.0009), i.e., aggregation was greatest when the number of diseased fruit was lowest. Sixteen microsatellite primers consistently amplified polymorphic regions in a geographically diverse test population of 47 M. fructicola isolates. None of the test isolates produced identical multilocus genotypes, and the number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 16. We are applying these markers to determine fine-scale population structure of the pathogen within and among canopies.

Accepted for publication 23 May 2012. Published 23 July 2012.
First Report of Turnip mosaic virus Occurrence in Garlic Mustard in Minnesota
Authors: Lockhart Benham E.
Published: August 2012

The verified presence of TuMV in symptomatic plants fulfils Koch's postulates establishing its role in the etiology of the disease. Infection of garlic mustard by TuMV has been reported previously from Central Europe and Ontario. The only other report of natural viral infection in garlic mustard in the US is the occurrence of Cucumber mosaic virus in this host in Ohio.

Accepted for publication 29 July 2012. Published 24 August 2012.
First Report of Alfalfa mosaic virus Occurrence in Tecoma capensis in the USA
Authors: Lockhart Benham E. , Mollov Dimitre
Published: August 2012

Tecoma capensis or cape honeysuckle is an evergreen vine-line shrub that is widely used as a landscape plant in many areas of the southern and western USA. This is the first report of Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) infection associated with a disease of T. capensis outside of Israel and Spain. In addition to the effect on marketability, AMV infection in cape honeysuckle may be a source of infection of other susceptible crop species since AMV is readily transmitted in a nonpersistent manner by at least 13 species of aphid.

Accepted for publication 11 July 2012. Published 24 August 2012.
The role of ‘soaking’ in spiteful toxin production in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Inglis R. Fredrik , Hall Alex R. , Buckling Angus
Published: August 2012

The ubiquitous production of antibacterial toxins, such as bacteriocins, is an ecologically significant class of interbacterial interactions that have primarily evolved through their indirect fitness benefits to the producer. Bacteria release bacteriocins into the environment at a cost to individual cell, but individual bacteriocin-producing cells are unlikely to gain any direct benefit from their own toxin; indeed, cell lysis is required in many species. There is a growing body of research describing the ecological conditions that can favour the evolution of bacteriocin production. However, an important aspect of many bacteriocins has yet to be investigated: the ability of bacteriocin-producing cells to neutralize toxin (‘soaking’) produced by other clonemates. By competing
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
bacteriocin-producing wild-type and ‘non-soaking’ strains against a bacteriocin-susceptible strain, we find that soaking markedly reduces the fitness of a bacteriocin-producing strain at both high and low frequencies.
Quasi-potential landscape in complex multi-stable systems
Authors: Zhou Joseph Xu , Aliyu M. D. S. , Aurell Erik , Huang Sui
Published: August 2012

The developmental dynamics of multicellular organisms is a process that takes place in a multi-stable system in which each attractor state represents a cell type, and attractor transitions correspond to cell differentiation paths. This new understanding has revived the idea of a quasi-potential landscape, first proposed by Waddington as a metaphor. To describe development, one is interested in the ‘relative stabilities’ of
N
attractors (
N
> 2). Existing theories of state transition between local minima on some potential landscape deal with the exit part in the transition between two attractors in pair-attractor systems but do not offer the notion of a global potential function that relates more than two attractors to each other. Several
ad hoc
methods have been used in systems biology to compute a landscape in non-gradient systems, such as gene regulatory networks. Here we present an overview of currently available methods, discuss their limitations and propose a new decomposition of vector fields that permits the computation of a quasi-potential function that is equivalent to the Freidlin–Wentzell potential but is not limited to two attractors. Several examples of decomposition are given, and the significance of such a quasi-potential function is discussed.
Low fertility increases descendant socioeconomic position but reduces long-term fitness in a modern post-industrial society
Authors: Goodman Anna , Koupil Ilona , Lawson David W.
Published: August 2012

Adaptive accounts of modern low human fertility argue that small family size maximizes the inheritance of socioeconomic resources across generations and may consequently increase long-term fitness. This study explores the long-term impacts of fertility and socioeconomic position (SEP) on multiple dimensions of descendant success in a unique Swedish cohort of 14 000 individuals born during 1915–1929. We show that low fertility and high SEP predict increased descendant socioeconomic success across four generations. Furthermore, these effects are multiplicative, with the greatest benefits of low fertility observed when SEP is high. Low fertility and high SEP do not, however, predict increased descendant reproductive success. Our results are therefore consistent with the idea that modern fertility limitation represents a strategic response to the local costs of rearing socioeconomically competitive offspring, but contradict adaptive models suggesting that it maximizes long-term fitness. This indicates a conflict in modern societies between behaviours promoting socioeconomic versus biological success. This study also makes a methodological contribution, demonstrating that the number of offspring strongly predicts long-term fitness and thereby validating use of fertility data to estimate current selective pressures in modern populations. Finally, our findings highlight that differences in fertility and SEP can have important long-term effects on the persistence of social inequalities across generations.
Endosymbiotic flexibility associates with environmental sensitivity in scleractinian corals
Authors: Putnam Hollie M. , Stat Michael , Pochon Xavier , Gates Ruth D.
Published: August 2012

Flexibility in biological systems is seen as an important driver of macro-ecosystem function and stability. Spatially constrained endosymbiotic settings, however, are less studied, although environmental thresholds of symbiotic corals are linked to the function of their endosymbiotic dinoflagellate communities. Symbiotic flexibility is a hypothesized mechanism that corals may exploit to adapt to climate change. This study explores the flexibility of the coral–
Symbiodinium
symbiosis through quantification of
Symbiodinium
ITS2 sequence assemblages in a range of coral species and genera. Sequence assemblages are expressed as an index of flexibility incorporating phylogenetic divergence and relative abundance of
Symbiodinium
sequences recovered from the host. This comparative analysis reveals profound differences in the flexibility of corals for
Symbiodinium
, thereby classifying corals as generalists or specifists. Generalists such as
Acropora
and
Pocillopora
exhibit high intra- and inter-species flexibility in their
Symbiodinium
assemblages and are some of the most environmentally sensitive corals. Conversely, specifists such as massive
Porites
colonies exhibit low flexibility, harbour taxonomically narrow
Symbiodinium
assemblages, and are environmentally resistant corals. Collectively, these findings challenge the paradigm that symbiotic flexibility enhances holobiont resilience. This underscores the need for a deeper examination of the extent and duration of the functional benefits associated with endosymbiotic diversity and flexibility under environmental stress.
Neighbouring chimpanzee communities show different preferences in social grooming behaviour
Authors: van Leeuwen Edwin J. C. , Cronin Katherine A. , Haun Daniel B. M. , Mundry Roger , Bodamer Mark D.
Published: August 2012

Grooming handclasp (GHC) behaviour was originally advocated as the first evidence of social culture in chimpanzees owing to the finding that some populations engaged in the behaviour and others do not. To date, however, the validity of this claim and the extent to which this social behaviour varies between groups is unclear. Here, we measured (i)variation, (ii)durabilityand (iii)expansionof the GHC behaviour in four chimpanzee communities that do not systematically differ in their genetic backgrounds and live in similar ecological environments. Ninety chimpanzees were studied for a total of 1029 h; 1394 GHC bouts were observed between 2010 and 2012. Critically, GHC style (defined by points of bodily contact) could be systematically linked to the chimpanzee's group identity, showed temporal consistency both within and between groups, and could not be accounted for by the arm-length differential between partners. GHC has been part of the behavioural repertoire of the chimpanzees under study for more than 9 years (surpassingdurabilitycriterion) and spread across generations (surpassingexpansioncriterion). These results strongly indicate that chimpanzees' social behaviour is not only motivated by innate predispositions and individual inclinations, but may also be partly cultural in nature.
A modified Glasgow Blatchford Score improves risk stratification in upper gastrointestinal bleed: a prospective comparison of scoring systems
Authors: Cheng D. W. , Lu Y. W. , Teller T. , Sekhon H. K. , Wu B. U.
Published: August 2012

Background

Several risk scoring systems exist for upper gastrointestinal bleed (UGIB). We hypothesised that a modified Glasgow Blatchford Score (mGBS) that eliminates the subjective components of the GBS might perform as well as current scoring systems.

Aim

To compare the performance of the mGBS to the most widely reported scoring systems for prediction of clinical outcomes in patients presenting with UGIB.

Methods

Prospective cohort study from 9/2010 to 9/2011. Accuracy of the mGBS was compared with the full GBS, full Rockall Score (RS) and clinical RS using area under the receiver operating characterstics‐curve (AUC). Primary outcome was need for clinical intervention: blood transfusion, endoscopic, radiological or surgical intervention. Secondary outcome was repeat bleeding or mortality.

Results

One hundred and ninety‐nine patients were included. Median age was 56 with 40% women. Thirty‐two per cent patients required blood transfusion, 24% endoscopic interventions, 0.5% radiological intervention, 0 surgical interventions, 5% had repeat bleeding and 0.5% mortality. Primary outcome: the mGBS (AUC 0.85) performed as well as the GBS (AUC = 0.86, P = 0.81), and outperformed the full RS (AUC 0.75, P = 0.005) and clinical RS (AUC 0.66, P < 0.0001). Secondary outcome: the mGBS (AUC 0.83) performed as well as the GBS (AUC 0.81, P = 0.38) and full RS (AUC 0.69, and outperformed the clinical RS (AUC 0.59, P = 0.0007).

Conclusions

The modified Glasgow Blatchford Score performed as well as the full Glasgow Blatchford Score while outperforming both Rockall Scores for prediction of clinical outcomes in American patients with upper gastrointestinal bleed. By eliminating the subjective components of the Glasgow Blatchford Score, the modified Glasgow Blatchford Score may be easier to use and therefore more easily implemented into routine clinical practice.
Lay people's and health professionals’ views about breaking bad news to children
Authors: Muñoz Sastre M. T. , Sorum P. C. , Mullet E.
Published: August 2012

Background

Bad health news is difficult to communicate, especially when parents must give bad news to their children.

Methods

We had 170 lay persons, 33 nurses and six physicians in Toulouse, France, judge the appropriateness of the parents’ behaviour in 64 scenarios of parents dealing with this problem. The scenarios were composed according to a four within‐subject orthogonal design: child's age (4, 6, 8 or 10), severity of disease (lethal or worrisome but curable), child's concern or not about his illness and parents’ decision about communicating the news (tell nothing, minimize, tell the truth or ask the physician to tell the truth).

Results

Cluster analysis revealed four clusters, labelled ‘Always Tell the Truth’ (33%, including a majority of doctors and nurses), ‘Tell Nothing or Minimize’ (16%, with an older average age), ‘Tell the Truth Except in Cases of Incurable Illness’ (22%) and ‘Depends on Child's Characteristics’ (29%).

Conclusions

Physicians in training and in practice need to be aware that lay people – and likely parents as well – have diverse and complex opinions about when and how parents should give bad health news to their children.
Unintentional poisoning in young children: does developmental stage predict the type of substance accessed and ingested?
Authors: Schmertmann M. , Williamson A. , Black D.
Published: August 2012

Background

When children aged 0–4 years are analysed together as a group for poisoning risk, important differences for smaller age intervals by medicinal and non‐medicinal substances are masked. These differences have been attributed to child developmental stages but no studies have been conducted that examine the predictive value of child developmental stage for poisoning by substance type, using 3‐month age intervals as a proxy for developmental stage and adjusting for the effect of sex, socio‐economic status and remoteness of residence.

Methods

A population‐based dataset of unintentional poisoning hospitalizations in children aged 0–4 years was used to predict the type of substance ingested. Associations between the type of substance and age, sex, socio‐economic status and remoteness of residence were measured using multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Children aged 12–17 months had significantly higher odds of experiencing a non‐medicinal poisoning while children aged 24–41 months had significantly higher odds of experiencing a medicinal poisoning. Males and children from more disadvantaged and outer regional areas had higher odds of experiencing a non‐medicinal poisoning.

Conclusions

Children aged 0–4 years differ in their stage of development and as a consequence, vary significantly in their ability to access their environment. Our results clearly show that odds of poisoning by medicinal substances compared with non‐medicinal substances change as children age. This study provides evidence that child development predicts the type of substance accessed and ingested.
The effect of post‐natal mental distress amongst Indian and Pakistani mothers living in England on children's behavioural outcomes
Authors: Prady S. L. , Kiernan K. E.
Published: August 2012

Background

Low socio‐economic status (SES), post‐natal mental distress and parenting impact child mental health and future well‐being. There are unexplained differences in child mental health between South Asian ethnic minority groups living in the UK that may be due to variation in, and differential mediation of, these factors.

Methods

We used multivariate multiple regression analysis of the effect of symptoms of mental distress, socio‐demographic variables and warmth of parenting on child internalizing and externalizing scores at age seven (measured in 2010) in a population cohort of English children whose mothers were of Indian (n = 211) and Pakistani (n = 260) origin.

Results

In the fully adjusted models the legacy of mental distress was visible for both internalizing (β coefficient 1.52, P = 0.04) and externalizing (1.68, P = 0.01) behaviour in the Pakistani children, and on the Indian children's internalizing (2.08, P = 0.008) but not externalizing (0.84, P = 0.204) behaviour. Lower SES was associated with worse behavioural scores for the Pakistani children, and warmth of parenting on Indian children's externalizing scores.

Conclusions

Symptoms of post‐natal mental distress are associated with Indian and Pakistani child outcomes at age seven. The finding that warmth of parenting had a stronger association on Indian children's externalizing scores than mental distress might be explained by differences in the expression of SES on family characteristics and functioning between the two ethnic groups.
The contributing role of real‐life hand skill performance in self‐care function of children with and without disabilities
Authors: Chien C.‐W. , Brown T. , McDonald R. , Yu M.‐L.
Published: August 2012

Background

Children's hand skills when performing in real‐life contexts have been commonly thought as a possible determinant of their self‐care function; however, there is a paucity of research investigating this potential predictive relationship. The purpose of this study was to provide evidence regarding whether children's real‐life hand skill performance is contributive to or predictive of their self‐care function by considering other child and cultural factors.

Methods

A total of 139 typically developing children and 114 with disabilities, ages 2–12 years from Australia and Taiwan, participated in the study. The outcome measures used were the Assessment of Children's Hand Skills (a measure of real‐life hand skill performance) and the Personal Living Skills subscale of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales – Classroom Edition (a measure of self‐care function).

Results

Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that the children's demographic variables (age, gender, disability status, handedness and cultural context) accounted for 43% of the variance of the self‐care function in the combined group of children with and without disabilities. Age, presence of disability and cultural context were the statistically significant independent factors. However, after the entry of the real‐life hand skill performance factor, the contributing values of age and disability status decreased and the age factor became non‐significant. The hand skill performance factor was found to be the strongest, and its addition led to significant increments of 24.6% of the explained variance for children's self‐care function. Similar results were also found in the regression analyses based on separate groups of typically developing children or those with disabilities.

Conclusions

The findings provide evidence that children's real‐life hand skill performance is a contributing factor of their self‐care function. The assessment of children's hand skill performance in real‐life contexts is therefore needed.
Fungal chemical defence alters density‐dependent foraging behaviour and success in a fungivorous soil arthropod
Authors: STÖTEFELD LAURA , SCHEU STEFAN , ROHLFS MARKO
Published: August 2012

1. Aggregative behaviour in fungivorous soil arthropods is widespread; its adaptive value, however, is largely unknown. In this study, the spatial foraging behaviour of a collembolan,Folsomia candida, and the fitness consequences of feeding at different densities on the filamentous fungusAspergillus nidulanswere investigated. The effect of two fungal strains were compared; a wild‐type (wt) and a transgenic strain that lacks the ability to express the global secondary metabolite regulator LaeA (ΔlaeA).

2. In laboratory foraging tests,F. candidaexhibited aggregated distributions of individuals across four distinct fungal colonies that were arranged in short distances from each other. By quantifying the extent of the feeding damage at each single colony, a more evenly distributed feeding activity was found among wt colonies than among chemical‐deficient colonies.

3. In a fitness experiment, where collembolans at different densities were restricted to feed on singleA. nidulanscolonies, mean growth rate ofF. candidawas positively related to density on the wtA. nidulansstrain, but negatively related to density on the chemical‐deficient strain.

4. Depending on the fungus' ability to express secondary chemicals and availability of fungal food sources,F. candidamay employ different foraging strategies: (i) avoidance of prolonged feeding on single colonies in a rich habitat (travel costs low), and (ii) intensified group feeding on single colonies in a resource‐limited habitat (travel costs high). It was hypothesised that flexibility in fungivore foraging behaviour (clumping vs. spreading feeding activity) is adaptive because it allows avoidance/overcoming induced fungal chemical defence.
Effects of inoculants and wilting on silage fermentation and nutritive characteristics of red clover–grass mixtures
Authors: Krawutschke M. , Thaysen J. , Weiher N. , Taube F. , Gierus M.
Published: August 2012

Various management practices (e.g. wilting, application of silage additives or adding a grass component) can be used to improve silage fermentation of pure red clover (Trifolium pratenseL.). Therefore, the aim of this laboratory ensiling study was to investigate the effects of varying proportions of red clover and perennial ryegrass (100/0, 66/33, 33/66, 0/100) on silage quality during two consecutive years. In addition, two wilting levels [target dry matter (DM): 300 vs. 400 g kg−1] in combination with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) additives were tested. Herbage was ensiled, either untreated or inoculated with homofermentativeLAB(low wilted) or homo‐ and heterofermentativeLAB(high wilted). In most cases, lactic and acetic acid decreased as the proportions of ryegrass were increased. Data concerning ammonia‐Nconcentrations showed considerable differences between cuts and years. Silages treated with homofermentativeLABgenerally had high lactic acid and low finalpH, whereas acetic acid and 1,2‐propanediol tended to be higher when homo‐ and heterofermentativeLABwere applied. Inoculants had a positive effect onDMlosses and ammonia‐Nin only a few silages. Wilting decreasedDMlosses and fermentation acids at most cuts, irrespective of the grass/clover ratio in the herbage mixture. There was a strong year effect on the organic matter digestibility (DOM) of the silages. In conclusion, the optimal strategy for successful silage fermentation of red clover is the ensiling in mixtures with ryegrass. Furthermore, herbage should be wilted to aDMcontent of about 300–350 g kg−1. The application ofLABinoculants did not alter theDOMbut did improve silage fermentation.
Is there sufficient evidence to support the long‐term efficacy of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) for endodontic therapy in primary teeth?
Authors: Anthonappa R. P. , King N. M. , Martens L. C.
Published: August 2012

Several papers have been published to illustrate the effectiveness of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as a pulpotomy medicament. Most of these reports do not offer a critical assessment on the data quality. Therefore, this review evaluated whether the currently available evidence is of an appropriate quality to support the long‐term effectiveness of MTA as a pulpotomy medicament in primary molars using a standardized assessment criterion. A comprehensive literature search of human clinical outcome studies, which employed MTA as a pulpotomy medicament in primary teeth, was conducted using the MEDLINE database. Two independent observers rated these articles using the standardized assessment criteria. Furthermore, based on the initial sample mentioned in the individual studies and the sample included for the final analysis, the drop‐out rates were calculated. Twenty‐two studies were included for quality assessment with an excellent interobserver agreement. None of the 22 studies obtained grade A, four studies attained grade B1, five were graded B2 and 13 received grade C. Based on the assessment criteria employed, there was no evidence that MTA was better than present materials and techniques as a pulpotomy medicament. Furthermore, given the low quality of data, it is highly desirable to establish standard requisites for conducting and reporting on pulp therapy studies in primary teeth so as to benefit both researchers and clinicians to produce high‐quality studies that are comparable and to prevent the misuse of clinical material and resources.
Cross‐cultural validation of the revised temperament and character inventory in the Bulgarian language
Authors: Tilov Boris , Dimitrova Donka , Stoykova Maria , Tornjova Bianka , Foreva Gergana , Stoyanov Drozdstoj
Published: August 2012

Rationale, aims and objectives

Health‐care professions have long been considered prone to work‐related stress, yet recent research in Bulgaria indicates alarmingly high levels of burnout. Cloninger's inventory is used to analyse and evaluate correlation between personality characteristics and degree of burnout syndrome manifestation among the risk categories of health‐care professionals. The primary goal of this study was to test the conceptual validity and cross‐cultural applicability of the revised TCI (TCI‐R), developed in the United States, in a culturally, socially and economically diverse setting.

Methods

Linguistic validation, test–retest studies, statistical and expert analyses were performed to assess cross‐cultural applicability of the revised Cloninger's temperament and character inventory in Bulgarian, its reliability and internal consistency and construct validity.

Results

The overall internal consistency of TCI‐R and its scales as well as the interscale and test–retest correlations prove that the translated version of the questionnaire is acceptable and cross‐culturally applicable for the purposes of studying organizational stress and burnout risk in health‐care professionals.

Conclusions

In general the cross‐cultural adaptation process, even if carried out in a rigorous way, does not always lead to the best target version and suggests it would be useful to develop new scales specific to each culture and, at the same time, to think about the trans‐cultural adaptation.
Neuropeptide Alterations in the Infundibular Nucleus of Huntington's Disease Patients
Authors: van Wamelen D. J. , Aziz N. A. , Anink J. J. , Roos R. A. C. , Swaab D. F.
Published: August 2012

Data from transgenic mouse models of Huntington's disease (HD) suggest that dysfunction of the hypothalamic infundibular nucleus (INF) (in rodents, the arcuate nucleus) may contribute to unintended weight loss and insatiable appetite among HD patients. Using post‐mortem paraffin‐embedded tissue, we assessed the total number of INF neurones by thionin staining and four major regulatory neuropeptides in the INF of HD patients by immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridisation. In HD patients, the total number of neurones in the INF was unchanged compared to control subjects (P = 0.92), whereas it contained over 30% less neuropeptide Y‐immunoreactive (IR) neurones (P = 0.016), as well as reduced peptide levels, in fibres to the paraventricular and ventromedial nucleus (P = 0.003, P = 0.005, respectively). Conversely, neuropeptide Y mRNA expression levels were increased three‐fold (P = 0.047). No changes were observed in the number of neurones immunoreactive for α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone, agouti‐related peptide, and cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript (P ≥ 0.17). Our findings suggest changes in the pathology of the INF neuropeptide Y‐expressing neurones in HD patients without changes in other (an)orexigenic neuropeptides and without neuronal cell loss. These findings indicate that unintended weight loss in patients suffering from this disease may be partly a result of neuropeptidergic alterations in the hypothalamic infundibular nucleus.
Can electromyographic arousal be detected visually on the Datex‐Ohmeda S/5TM Anesthesia Monitor?
Authors: AHO A. J. , YLI‐HANKALA A. , LYYTIKÄINEN L.‐P. , KAMATA K. , JÄNTTI V.
Published: August 2012

Background

Electroencephalogram (EEG)‐based depth of anaesthesia monitoring is susceptible to contaminating electromyographic (EMG) activity. Many authorities have suggested that anaesthesiologists using these monitors should interpret the raw EEG waveform seen on the anaesthesia monitor.

Methods

In 34 patients anaesthetized with propofol using two doses of rocuronium (0.6 and 1.2 mg/kg), we studied whether the EMG arousal can be detected visually on the anaesthesia monitor. The Bispectral Index (BIS) and Entropy biosignals on the monitor were recorded with a video camera, and the one‐channel EEG recorded by the Entropy strip was collected on a laptop computer. The recordings and the one‐channel EEG were analyzed offline by two experts (anaesthesiologist and neurophysiologist), both with a long experience on anaesthesia‐related EEG.

Results

EMG arousal existed in 14/34 and 13/33 patients in the BIS and Entropy biosignals, respectively. The anaesthesiologist detected EMG on the monitor in 7/14 patients with BIS (sensitivity 50%) and in 4/13 patients with Entropy (31%). The clinical neurophysiologist detected EMG in 6/14 (43%) patients with BIS and in 5/13 (38%) with Entropy. The specificity of the EMG analyses was 55 and 65% with BIS, and 85 and 90% with Entropy. EMG arousal was detected in BIS biosignal in 10/17 and 4/17 patients with 0.6 and 1.2 mg/kg doses of rocuronium (P = 0.04).

Conclusions

In contrast to many EEG phenomena, EMG activity cannot be accurately detected visually from the raw EEG on the anaesthesia monitor. Further development in the quality of the anaesthesia monitors is warranted.
Effects of divider orientation split‐out on fracture toughness
Authors: PEREZ IPIÑA J. , KORIN I.
Published: August 2012

The Split‐out phenomenon is a sudden instability, which takes place near the crack tip, and is generated by a rapid growth and arrest of a crack at the divider orientation. This phenomenon is related to stress triaxiality in the front of the crack tip when the structure is under plane strain conditions, plus the existence of weak interfaces oriented normal to the thickness direction. The weak interfaces can be generated as a result of some metallurgical process such as hot‐rolling lamination in materials with a high level of impurities, as well as steels where the structure results in a strong banding of ferrite and pearlite. When a cracked structure is loaded, the high σz stresses related to the plain strain state can lead to a split‐out brought about by delamination of the weak interfaces. During a fracture toughness test, this is noticed as a drop in the load‐displacement record, which is similar to that produced by the well‐known pop‐in instability in welded joints. Although the load drops are very similar in both phenomena, their etiologies are completely different, since the pop‐in is produced by an unstable crack growth and its ulterior arrest, due to local brittle zones located generally at the heat affected zone (HAZ) at or near a welded joint. As the split‐out has been less studied than the pop‐in, and due to the similarities between both load‐displacement records, it is very common to consider both instabilities under the same failure acceptance criteria. In this way, the split‐out is usually treated as a critical event, and therefore, many materials are rejected when split‐outs occur in fracture testings. However, when a split‐out occurs, the σz stress is drastically reduced, leading to a condition close to a plane stress situation (in fact, the σz stress reduces to 0 at the crack surfaces of the split‐out).

The aim of this work was to study the effect of the split‐out in the fracture toughness of hot laminated steels working in the upper‐shelf region. In order to achieve this, the fracture toughness was evaluated by means of the resistance curve J‐R of the material, using a single specimen test method. The occurrence of load drop and displacement increase in the test record are explained based on a constant main plane crack length hypothesis.
Transgender voice and communication treatment: a retrospective chart review of 25 cases
Authors: Hancock Adrienne B. , Garabedian Laura M.
Published: August 2012

Background

People transitioning from male to female (MTF) gender seek speech–language pathology services when they feel their voice is betraying their genuine self or perhaps is the last obstacle to representing their authentic gender. Speaking fundamental frequency (pitch) and resonance are most often targets in treatment because the combination of these two voice characteristics can account for the majority of how listeners perceive a speaker's gender. Intonation, voice quality, pragmatics and non‐verbal communication contribute to a lesser extent but are usually recommended in treatment guidelines. There are few examples of effective treatment with male‐to‐female transgender individuals in the literature. Due to a small number of reports, it remains unclear how closely clinical practice follows recommended approaches and the extent to which gains may be expected.

Aims

The purpose of this study was to examine retrospectively 5 years’ worth of cases of voice feminization treatment at a university clinic in order to describe a unique clinical population and report treatment techniques and outcomes.

Methods & Procedures

Demographic information and treatment outcome data (e.g. acoustic measures) were available for collection from 25 of the 32 cases discharged from a university clinic between 2006 and 2010. Behavioural targets of treatment goals also were examined.

Outcomes & Results

Clients were in various stages of male‐to‐female gender transitions during treatment; at discharge, 80% of them presented as female 100% of the time. A majority (88%) had a history of feminizing hormone treatment and 28% presented with a voice disorder separate from gender presentation concerns. Treatment goals included the following (listed in order of percentage of cases that addressed the topic): forward resonance, increased fundamental frequency or pitch, physical and mental relaxation, intonation, phonotraumatic behaviours, breath control, non‐verbal communication, pragmatics, and vocal hygiene. After treatment, clients had increased speaking fundamental frequency in sustained vowel, reading, and monologue tasks by five to six semitones, which is statistically significant. Gains in fundamental frequency correlated significantly with total number of sessions, but no other correlations were significant.

Conclusions & Implications

Treatment goals for clients included in this study were consistent with those goals most often recommended in the research literature regarding voice and communication treatment for transgender clients. Voice and communication treatment resulted in gains in areas important to listeners’ perception of gender. Further research is warranted to determine efficacy of specific treatment protocols and potentially influential factors such as initial voice and communication status.
Anxiolytic‐ and panicolytic‐like effects of Neuropeptide S in the mouse elevated T‐maze
Authors: Pulga Alice , Ruzza Chiara , Rizzi Anna , Guerrini Remo , Calo Girolamo
Published: August 2012

Neuropeptide S (NPS) regulates various biological functions by selectively activating the NPS receptor (NPSR). Recently, epidemiological studies revealed an association between NPSR single nucleotide polymorphisms and susceptibility to panic disorders. Here we investigated the effects of NPS in mice subjected to the elevated T maze (ETM), an assay which has been proposed to model anxiety and panic. Diazepam [1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)] elicited clear anxiolytic effects reducing the latency to emerge from the closed to the open (CO) arm without modifying the latencies from the open to the closed (OC) arm. By contrast, chronic fluoxetine (10 mg/kg i.p., once a day for 21 days) selectively increased OC latency, suggesting a panicolytic‐like effect. NPS given intracerebroventricularly at 0.001–1 nmol elicited both anxiolytic‐ and panicolytic‐like effects. However, although the NPS anxiolytic dose–response curve displayed the classical sigmoidal shape, the dose–response curve of the putative panicolytic‐like effect was bell shaped with peak effect at 0.01 nmol. The behaviour of wild‐type [NPSR(+/+)] and receptor knock out [NPSR(−/−)] mice in the ETM task was superimposable. NPS at 0.01 nmol elicited anxiolytic‐ and panicolytic‐like effects in NPSR(+/+) but not in NPSR(−/−) mice. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that NPS, via selective activation of the NPSR, promotes both anxiolytic‐ and panicolytic‐like actions in the mouse ETM.
Off‐line Arc transcription in active ensembles during fear memory retrieval
Authors: Yamasaki Yoshiko , Hashikawa Koichi , Matsuki Norio , Nomura Hiroshi
Published: August 2012

Neural activity and de novo protein synthesis during a rest period following memory retrieval in the amygdala is necessary for stabilization of reactivated fear memory. Arc/Arg3.1 (Arc) expression is regulated by neural activity and is a critical protein for memory reconsolidation. However, it remains unclear whether memory retrieval alters Arc transcription during subsequent rest. In this study, the populations of mouse lateral amygdala neurons that transcribe Arc during memory retrieval and at rest were detected using Arc cellular compartment analysis of temporal activity by fluorescence in situ hybridization (Arc catFISH). Results demonstrated that memory retrieval alters the composition of neuronal populations, which activate Arc transcription during subsequent rest. Approximately 50% of neurons that transcribe Arc at subsequent rest, transcribed Arc during memory retrieval, whereas only approximately 10% of neurons that transcribed Arc during a rest period prior to memory retrieval transcribe Arc during memory retrieval. In contrast, re‐exposure to the chamber induced less preferential Arc transcription in latent inhibited mice that received shocks but recalled less conditioned fear. Taken together, these findings indicate that neuronal subpopulations activated during fear memory retrieval preferentially transcribe Arc during subsequent rest in the lateral amygdala. This preferential Arc transcription may contribute to memory reconsolidation.
GABA and glutamate receptors have different effects on excitability and are differentially regulated by calcium in spider mechanosensory neurons
Authors: Torkkeli Päivi H. , Meisner Shannon , Pfeiffer Keram , French Andrew S.
Published: August 2012

GABA and glutamate receptors belonging to the ligand‐gated chloride‐channel family are primary targets of insecticides and antiparasitics, so their molecular structure, pharmacology and biophysical properties have attracted significant attention. However, little is known about the physiological roles of these channels or how they regulate neuronal excitability and animal behavior. Mechanosensory neurons of VS‐3 slit sensilla in the patella of the tropical wandering spider, Cupiennius salei, react to the GABAA‐receptor agonists, GABA and muscimol, with depolarization and an increase in intracellular [Ca2+] and, during random noise stimulation, with a mixed inhibitory–excitatory response. We established that the GABAA‐receptors in all VS‐3 neurons are identical, but there are at least two types of glutamate receptors and some neurons do not respond to glutamate at all. Immunohistochemistry with antibodies against Drosophila inhibitory glutamate receptor (GluCls) α‐subunit suggests that in addition to VS‐3 neurons, these receptors may also be present in the efferent neurons surrounding the sensory neurons. Most VS‐3 neurons were inhibited but not depolarized by glutamate during random stimulation, but some depolarized and had a similar excitatory–inhibitory response to glutamate as to muscimol. The membrane‐permeable Ca2+‐chelator BAPTA‐AM abolished muscimol effects but potentiated glutamate effects, indicating that GABA and glutamate receptors are differentially modulated by Ca2+, leading to diverse regulation of neuronal excitability. We hypothesize that this could be achieved by different Ca2+‐triggered phosphorylation processes at each receptor type. These findings are important for understanding the significance of Ca2+‐mediated regulation of transmitter receptor molecules and its role in controlling excitability.