bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Undergraduate–Postgraduate–Faculty Triad: Unique Functions and Tensions Associated with Undergraduate Research Experiences at Research Universities
Authors: Dolan Erin L. , Johnson Deborah
Published: December 2010

We present an exploratory study of how undergraduates' involvement in research influences postgraduates (i.e., graduate and postdoctoral researchers) and faculty. We used a qualitative approach to examine the relationships among undergraduates, postgraduates, and the faculty head in a research group. In this group, undergraduates viewed postgraduates as more approachable than the faculty head both literally and figuratively. Mentorship by postgraduates presented unique challenges for undergraduates, including unrealistic expectations and varying abilities to mentor. The postgraduates and faculty head concurred that undergraduates contributed to the group's success and served as a source of frustration. Postgraduates appreciated the opportunity to observe multiple approaches to mentoring as they saw the faculty head and other postgraduates interact with undergraduates. The faculty head viewed undergraduate research as important for propagating the research community and for gaining insights into undergraduates and their postgraduate mentors. These results highlight how the involvement of undergraduates and postgraduates in research can limit and enhance the research experiences of members of the undergraduate–postgraduate–faculty triad. A number of tensions emerge that we hypothesize are intrinsic to undergraduate research experiences at research universities. Future studies can focus on determining the generalizability of these findings to other groups and disciplines.
The ‘continuum of psychosis’: scientifically unproven and clinically impractical
Authors: Lawrie Stephen M. , Hall Jeremy , McIntosh Andrew M. , Owens David G. C. , Johnstone Eve C.
Published: December 2010

The limitations of current diagnostic categories are well recognised but their rationale, advantages and utility are often ignored. The scientific support for a ‘continuum of psychosis' is limited, and the examination of whether categories, a continuum or more than one continua, and alternatives such as subtypes or hybrid models, best account for the distributions of symptoms in populations has simply not been done. There is a lack of discussion, let alone consensus, about the critical aspects of psychosis to measure, the best ways to quantify those and how these would be applied in clinical practice. Systematic studies are needed to evaluate which of a range of plausible approaches to the classification of psychosis is most useful before change could be justified.
Combined treatment with cognitive–behavioural therapy in adolescent depression: meta-analysis
Authors: Dubicka Bernadka , Elvins Rachel , Roberts Chris , Chick Greg , Wilkinson Paul , Goodyer Ian M.
Published: December 2010

Background

The treatment of adolescent depression is controversial and studies of combined treatment (antidepressants and cognitive–behavioural therapy, CBT) have produced conflicting findings.

Aims

To address the question of whether CBT confers additional benefit to antidepressant treatment in adolescents with unipolar depression for depressive symptoms, suicidality, impairment and global improvement.

Method

Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of newer-generation antidepressants and CBT in adolescent depression.

Results

There was no evidence of a statistically significant benefit of combined treatment over antidepressants for depressive symptoms, suicidality and global improvement after acute treatment or at follow-up. There was a statistically significant advantage of combined treatment for impairment in the short-term (at 12 weeks) only. There was some evidence of heterogeneity between studies.

Conclusions

Adding CBT to antidepressants confers limited advantage for the treatment of an episode of depression in adolescents. The variation in sampling and methodology between studies, as well as the small number of trials, limits the generalisability of the findings and any conclusions that can be drawn. Future studies should examine predictors of response to treatment as well as clinical components that may affect outcome.
‘What would you do if you were me, doctor?’: randomised trial of psychiatrists' personalv.professional perspectives on treatment recommendations
Authors: Mendel Rosmarie , Hamann Johannes , Traut-Mattausch Eva , Bühner Markus , Kissling Werner , Frey Dieter
Published: December 2010

Background

If patients are unsure whether a specific treatment is really good for them, they often pose the question, ‘What would you do if you were me, doctor?’ Patients want their psychiatrists to put themselves in their shoes and not to give a ‘standard recommendation’.

Aims

To study whether this question really leads psychiatrists to reveal their personal preferences.

Method

Randomised experimental study with 515 psychiatrists incorporating two decision scenarios (depression scenario: antidepressantv.watchful waiting; schizophrenia scenario: depotv.oral antipsychotic) and three experimental conditions (giving a recommendation to a patient asking, ‘What would you do if you were me, doctor?’; giving a regular recommendation to a patient without being asked this question; and imagining being ill and deciding for yourself). Main outcome measures were the treatments chosen or recommended by physicians.

Results

Psychiatrists choosing treatment for themselves predominantly selected other treatments (mostly watchful waiting and oral antipsychotics respectively) than what psychiatrists recommended to patients when asked in the ‘regular recommendation role’ (i.e. antidepressant and depot respectively). Psychiatrists in the ‘what-would-you-do role’ gave recommendations similar to the ‘regular recommendation role’ (depression scenario: χ2= 0.12,P= 0.73; schizophrenia scenario: χ2= 2.60,P= 0.11) but distinctly different from the ‘self role’.

Conclusions

The question ‘What would you do if you were me, doctor?’ does not motivate psychiatrists to leave their professional recommendation role and to take a more personal perspective. Psychiatrists should try to find out why individuals are asking this question and, together with the individual, identify the most appropriate treatment option.
Providing patients with information about treatment choices: do unto others?
Authors: Crawford Mike J. , Dunlea Eoin
Published: November 2010

A variety of internal and external pressures may lead psychiatrists to promote intensive or intrusive treatments. However, when asked what treatment they would want for themselves they seem more likely to opt for less intensive treatments or no treatment at all. These differences highlight the importance of providing patients with enough information to enable them to make a fully informed choice about the treatment they receive.
Perceived oral health needs in psychiatric in-patients: impact of a dedicated dental clinic
Authors: Stevens Tom , Spoors Joanne , Hale Rob , Bembridge Helen
Published: November 2010

Aims and method

We have audited the impact of a dedicated dental clinic on the oral health needs of an inner-city in-patient psychiatric population. A questionnaire assessing patient perception of oral health was undertaken on in-patient wards before opening a dental clinic on the hospital site and 5 months after.

Results

The audit suggested improvements in patients' perception of oral health, behaviour directed at oral hygiene and knowledge of accessing services after initiation of a dedicated in-patient dental clinic.

Clinical implications

Psychiatric in-patient settings may provide important opportunities for oral health promotion and intervention. This is a neglected component of in-patient care.
Topotecan Weekly Versus Conventional 5-Day Schedule in Patients With Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer: A Randomized Multicenter Phase II Trial of the North-Eastern German Society of Gynecological Oncology Ovarian Cancer Study Group
Authors: Sehouli Jalid , Stengel Dirk , Harter Philipp , Kurzeder Christian , Belau Antje , Bogenrieder Thomas , Markmann Susanne , Mahner Sven , Mueller Lothar , Lorenz Ralf , Nugent Andreas , Wilke Jochen , Kuznik Andreas , Doering Gabriele , Wischnik Arthur , Sommer Harald , Meerpohl Hans-Gerd , Schroeder Willibald , Lichtenegger Werner , Oskay-Oezcelik Guelten
Published: November 2010

Purpose

Weekly administration of topotecan (Tw) is less toxic and widely considered a better treatment option than conventional 5-day therapy (Tc) in women with platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer. We conducted a randomized phase II trial (TOWER [Topotecan Weekly Versus Conventional 5-Day Schedule in Patients With Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer]) to better define the ratio between benefits and risks with either treatment approach.

Patients and Methods

Patients were randomly assigned to two independent two-stage protocols of Tw (4 mg/m2/wk administered on days 1, 8, and 15) or Tc (1.25 mg/m2/d on days 1 to 5). We evaluated risk ratios (RRs) for the primary end point of clinical benefit (complete response, partial response, and stable disease), the duration of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), associated hazard ratios (HRs), and RRs of toxicity with 95% CIs.

Results

In total, 194 patients were randomly assigned at 54 centers to Tw (n = 97) or Tc (n = 97). Clinical benefit was observed in 36 of 76 (47%; 95% CI, 36% to 59%) Tw and 46 of 80 (58%; 95% CI, 46% to 68%) Tc patients (RR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.90 to 1.64; P = .205). Patients in the Tw group had a slightly shorter PFS (HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.96 to 1.76) but similar OS (HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.74 to 1.45) compared with Tc. Tw was associated with significantly lower risks of anemia (RR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.16 to 0.79), neutropenia (RR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.65), and thrombocytopenia (RR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.09 to 0.57).

Conclusion

With regard to effectiveness in terms of response and PFS, Tc remains the standard of care in patients with platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer. However, comparable OS rates and a favorable toxicity profile make Tw another viable treatment option in this setting.
Integration of RNA processing and expression level control modulates the function of the Drosophila Hox gene Ultrabithorax during adult development
Authors: de Navas Luis F. , Reed Hilary , Akam Michael , Barrio Rosa , Alonso Claudio R. , Sánchez-Herrero Ernesto
Published: November 2010

Although most metazoan genes undergo alternative splicing, the functional relevance of the majority of alternative splicing products is still unknown. Here we explore this problem in the Drosophila Hox gene Ultrabithorax (Ubx). Ubx produces a family of six protein isoforms through alternative splicing. To investigate the functional specificity of the Ubx isoforms, we studied their role during the formation of the Drosophila halteres, small dorsal appendages that are essential for normal flight. Our work shows that isoform Ia, which is encoded by all Ubx exons, is more efficient than isoform IVa, which lacks the amino acids coded by two small exons, in controlling haltere development and regulating Ubx downstream targets. However, our experiments also demonstrate that the functional differences among the Ubx isoforms can be compensated for by increasing the expression levels of the less efficient form. The analysis of the DNA-binding profiles of Ubx isoforms to a natural Ubx target, spalt, shows no major differences in isoform DNA-binding activities, suggesting that alternative splicing might primarily affect the regulatory capacity of the isoforms rather than their DNA-binding patterns. Our results suggest that to obtain distinct functional outputs during normal development genes must integrate the generation of qualitative differences by alternative splicing to quantitative processes affecting isoform protein expression levels.
The chromosome passenger complex is required for fidelity of chromosome transmission and cytokinesis in meiosis of mouse oocytes
Authors: Sharif Bedra , Na Jie , Lykke-Hartmann Karin , McLaughlin Stephen H. , Laue Ernest , Glover David M. , Zernicka-Goetz Magdalena
Published: December 2010

The existence of two forms of the chromosome passenger complex (CPC) in the mammalian oocyte has meant that its role in female meiosis has remained unclear. Here we use loss- and gain-of function approaches to assess the meiotic functions of one of the shared components of these complexes, INCENP, and of the variable kinase subunits, Aurora B or Aurora C. We show that either the depletion of INCENP or the combined inhibition of Aurora kinases B and C activates the anaphase-promoting complex or cyclosome (APC/C) before chromosomes have properly congressed in meiosis I and also prevents cytokinesis and hence extrusion of the first polar body. Overexpression of Aurora C also advances APC/C activation and results in cytokinesis failure in a high proportion of oocytes, indicative of a dominant effect on CPC function. Together, this points to roles for the meiotic CPC in functions similar to the mitotic roles of the complex: correcting chromosome attachment to microtubules, facilitating the spindle-assembly checkpoint (SAC) function and enabling cytokinesis. Surprisingly, overexpression of Aurora B leads to a failure of APC/C activation, stabilization of securin and consequently a failure of chiasmate chromosomes to resolve – a dominant phenotype that is completely suppressed by depletion of INCENP. Taken together with the differential distribution of Aurora proteins B and C on chiasmate chromosomes, this points to differential functions of the two forms of CPC in regulating the separation of homologous chromosomes in meiosis I.
Functional convergence of signalling by GPI-anchored and anchorless forms of a salamander protein implicated in limb regeneration
Authors: Blassberg Robert A. , Garza-Garcia Acely , Janmohamed Azara , Gates Phillip B. , Brockes Jeremy P.
Published: December 2010

The GPI-anchor is an established determinant of molecular localisation and various functional roles have been attributed to it. The newt GPI-anchored three-finger protein (TFP) Prod1 is an important regulator of cell behaviour during limb regeneration, but it is unclear how it signals to the interior of the cell. Prod1 was expressed by transfection in cultured newt limb cells and activated transcription and expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) by a pathway involving ligand-independent activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling and phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). This was dependent on the presence of the GPI-anchor and critical residues in the α-helical region of the protein. Interestingly, Prod1 in the axolotl, a salamander species that also regenerates its limbs, was shown to activate ERK1/2 signalling and MMP9 transcription despite being anchorless, and both newt and axolotl Prod1 co-immunoprecipitated with the newt EGFR after transfection. The substitution of the axolotl helical region activated a secreted, anchorless version of the newt molecule. The activity of the newt molecule cannot therefore depend on a unique property conferred by the anchor. Prod1 is a salamander-specific TFP and its interaction with the phylogenetically conserved EGFR has implications for our view of regeneration as an evolutionary variable.
A constraint network of interactions: protein–protein interaction analysis of the yeast type II phosphatase Ptc1p and its adaptor protein Nbp2p
Authors: Hruby Andrea , Zapatka Mariel , Heucke Sebastian , Rieger Lucia , Wu Yehui , Nussbaumer Ute , Timmermann Steffi , Dünkler Alexander , Johnsson Nils
Published: December 2010

We used a generally applicable strategy to collect and structure the protein interactions of the yeast type II protein phosphatase Ptc1p and its binding partner Nbp2p. The procedure transformed primary unstructured protein interaction data into an ensemble of alternative interaction states. Certain combinations of proteins are allowed in different network configurations. Nbp2p serves as the network hub and brings seven kinases in close contact to Ptc1p. As a consequence, the deletion of NBP2 affects several cellular processes including organelle inheritance and the responses to mating hormone, cell wall stress and high osmolarity; it also impairs the proper execution of the morphogenetic program. Our constraint interaction map provides a basis for understanding a subset of the observed phenotypes and assigns the Ptc1p–Nbp2p module a role in synchronizing the associated kinases during the cell cycle.
Acetabular and proximal femoral alignment in patients with osteoarthritis of the dysplastic hip and its influence on the progression of disease
Authors: Aoki H. , Nagao Y. , Ishii S. , Masuda T. , Beppu M.
Published: December 2010

In order to evaluate the relationship between acetabular and proximal femoral alignment in the initiation and evolution of osteoarthritis of the dysplastic hip, the acetabular and femoral angles were calculated geometrically from radiographs of 62 patients with pre-arthrosis and early osteoarthritis. The sum of the lateral opening angle of the acetabulum and the neck-shaft angle was defined as the lateral instability index (LII), and the sum of the anterior opening angle of the acetabulum and the anteversion angle of the femoral neck as the anterior instability index (AII). These two indices were compared in dysplastic and unaffected hips. A total of 22 unilateral hips with pre-arthrosis were followed for at least 15 years to determine whether the two indices were associated with the progression of osteoarthritis.

The LII of the affected hips (197.4 (sd 6.0)) was significantly greater than that of the unaffected hips (1830 (sd 6.9)). A follow-up study of 22 hips with pre-arthrosis showed that only the LII was associated with progression of the disease, and an LII of 196 was the threshold value for this progression.
Metal ion levels following resurfacing arthroplasty of the hip
Authors: deSouza R. M. , Parsons N. R. , Oni T. , Dalton P. , Costa M. , Krikler S.
Published: December 2010

We report serum metal ion level data in patients with unilateral and bilateral hip resurfacing over a ten-year period. In these patients there is an increase in both cobalt and chromium levels above the accepted reference ranges during the first 18 months after operation. Metal ion levels remain elevated, but decline slowly for up to five years. However, the levels then appear to start rising again in some patients up to the ten-year mark. There was no significant difference in cobalt or chromium levels between men and women. These findings appear to differ from much of the current literature.

The clinical significance of a raised metal ion level remains under investigation.
The relationship between mode of delivery and developmental dysplasia of the hip in breech infants
Authors: Fox A. E. , Paton R. W.
Published: December 2010

This prospective cohort study aimed to investigate the relationship between developmental dysplasia of the hip and mode of delivery in 571 consecutive breech infants using a modified Graf’s static morphological method to grade the severity of dysplasia.

In this group, 262 infants were born by planned Caesarian section, 223 by emergency section and 86 vaginally. Taking all grades of hip dysplasia into account (Graf types II, III and IV), there was no statistical difference in the incidence of dysplasia between the groups (elective section 8.4%, emergency section 8.1% and vaginal delivery 7.0%). However, when cases with Graf type II dysplasia, which may represent physiological immaturity, were excluded, the rate of type III and IV hips, which we consider to be clinically relevant, increased in the vaginally delivered group (4.7%) compared with the elective section group (1.1%), with a relative risk of approximately 1:4 (95% confidence interval 1.03 to 15.91). No difference was observed between the emergency and elective section groups, or between the emergency section and vaginally delivered groups.

This study supports previous published work, with the added value that the diagnoses were all confirmed by ultrasound.
Thrombolytics for Cardiac Arrest: Case Report and Systematic Review of Controlled Trials
Authors: Perrott Jerrold , Henneberry Ryan J , Zed Peter J
Published: December 2010

Objective:

To describe a successful case involving the use of tenecteplase during cardiac arrest for presumed pulmonary embolism (PE) and to systematically review the evidence from controlled trials supporting the efficacy and safety of thrombolysis during cardiac arrest.

Case Summary:

A 48-year-old male presented to the emergency department with an acute onset of shortness of breath that began approximately 2 hours prior to presentation. Prior to undergoing a computed tomography (CT) scan to rule out PE, the patient went into cardiac arrest, with an initial rhythm of pulseless electrical activity at a rate of 140 beats/min. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated and, due to suspected PE, a bolus dose of tenecteplase 50 mg was administered immediately following a single 1-mg dose of epinephrine. CPR was continued and 4 additional 1-mg doses of epinephrine and three 1-mg doses of atropine were given. After 13 minutes of CPR, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was achieved, with a blood pressure of 144/50 mm Hg. After the patient was stabilized, a CT scan demonstrated extensive bilateral pulmonary emboli in most segmental arteries. He was admitted to the intensive care unit where he was sedated, paralyzed, and treated with induced hypothermia for 24 hours. He was discharged from the hospital 2 weeks later on warfarin, with no noted neurologic deficits.

Discussion:

A systematic search of MEDLINE (1950-August 2010), Embase (1980-August 2010), and Google Scholar (to August 2010) was conducted to identify prospective controlled trials that investigated the use of thrombolytic medications to treat cardiac arrest. Five trials involving 1544 undifferentiated cases of cardiac arrest were found. Overall, some trials reported an improved rate of ROSC following administration of thrombolytics, but there was no overall mortality reduction in any trial. There was, however, an increased risk of bleeding events following administration of a thrombolytic drug.

Conclusions:

Controlled trials demonstrate that there is a lack of benefit and potential harm in administering thrombolysis in an undifferentiated patient with cardiac arrest. However, the case we present provides evidence that fibrinolysis may benefit selected patients with cardiac arrest in whom PE is confirmed or in whom there is high index of suspicion of PE.
Disciplinarity and the application of social research
Authors: Potter Jonathan.
Published: November 2010

This response to Corcoran (2010) and Abell and Walton (2010) is organized around four key issues. (1) Disciplinarity: against a focus on the standard disciplinary boundaries of social psychology, and the conventional qualitative/quantitative division, it highlights metatheoretical, theoretical, and empirical disagreement over the object of analysis. (2) Social cognition: doubts about a suggested overlap between the concerns and methods of social cognition and discursive psychology are outlined. (3) Naturalistic data: the virtues of working with records of people living their lives outside of the narrow situations got up by social researchers are reiterated. (4) Application: the applied success of discursive psychological research is illustrated.
An Exploratory Study on Ideal Leadership Behaviour: The Opinions of American Police Managers
Authors: Andreescu Viviana , Vito Gennaro F.
Published: November 2010

This study examines the perceived ideal leadership behaviour in police organisations. It is based on a survey of 126 police managers from 23 US States who attended the Administrative Officers Course at the Southern Police Institute during the academic year 2007–2008. The questionnaire used in this investigation includes the Leader Behaviour Description Questionnaire Form XII (Stodgill, 1963). The main objectives of this exploratory analysis are to rank the importance of leadership characteristics based on police officers' perceptions, to create a typology of leadership styles preferred, and to identify the demographic factors that are most likely to influence variations in opinions regarding the behaviour of an ideal police leader. This research shows that individual characteristics can influence not only managerial styles, but also leadership preferences. In particular, results imply that gender and race play an important role in structuring leadership preferences. Female police officers do not appear to differ from men in their preferences for a predominantly task-centred and structured leadership. However, women seem to favour more than men do: (1) a type of leader who can be considered ‘transformational’; or (2) a more democratic, worker-oriented leader, who would allow subordinates freedom of action and would respond well to the followers' concerns. Compared with Whites and other racial minorities, African American police officers tend to favour more a structured task-centred leadership orientation or a leadership style described as transformational.
Gender Equity in Australian and New Zealand Policing: A Five-Year Review
Authors: Prenzler Tim , Fleming Jenny , King Amanda L.
Published: November 2010

This paper examines the impact of equity measures in Australian and New Zealand policing, involving nine police departments, from 2003/4 to 2007/8. The findings were mixed. Overall, the number of sworn female officers in both countries continued to trend slowly upwards, with an average of 26.6 per cent in Australia and 17.1 per cent in New Zealand in 2007/8. However, recruit numbers appeared to have peaked around 33 per cent and were in decline in most departments where data were available. Women continued to move up the ranks in all departments, but there were still very few women in senior ranks. Although women were not separating at a higher rate than men, they were more likely than men to resign. While more positive than earlier appraisals of equity in Australia, the findings continue to reflect inadequate data collection that would address long-term inequity issues. The labour force participation rate of women in Australia has increased significantly over the last few decades. However, women are not necessarily focusing on traditional career paths but rather see employment opportunities as one of many options that include family and lifestyle balance. Nevertheless, it is argued here that police organisations should remain committed to gender equity. Affirmative action and other gender equity strategies are considered necessary to encourage greater participation by women, for the benefits to women of a policing career and for the wider good of the community and police organisations themselves. Better diagnostic data and visible commitment are required to support this objective.
Affective Empathy: Beliefs about Aggression and Schemas in a Sample of Convicted Violent Offenders and a Community Sample
Authors: Horsley Faye , Ireland Jane Louise
Published: November 2010

The relevance of affective empathic response, beliefs about aggression and the presence of Early Maladaptive Schemas were explored in a sample of convicted adult male violent offenders and a community comparison sample of non-offenders. Participants were 100 offenders and 102 community males. All completed the Empathic Response Scale (ERS), the Expressive Aggressive inventory (EXPAGG), and the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ). An association was predicted among empathy, schema and beliefs in the convicted sample, with a further prediction that the convicted sample would present with higher levels of schema, aggression-supportive beliefs and lower levels of empathic capacity than the community sample. A higher number of maladaptive schemas was associated with higher levels of beliefs supporting aggression. Differences between the samples across measurements were restricted to beliefs supporting aggression, with the community sample reporting more aggression-supportive beliefs than the convicted sample. The implications of the research and suggestions for future directions are discussed.
Detection of Flame Radicals Using Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Schorsch Stefan , Kiefer Johannes , Leipertz Alfred , Li Zhongshan , Alden Marcus
Published: December 2010

Lasers are common tools in the field of combustion diagnostics. In some respects, however, they have disadvantages. Therefore, there is a need for new light sources delivering radiation in the required wavelength regions with high stability and reliability at low cost. Light-emitting diodes (LED) in the near- and mid-infrared spectral region have proven their potential for spectroscopic applications in the past. In the present work we demonstrate the feasibility of using ultraviolet LEDs for flame diagnostics. For this purpose, OH and CH radicals are detected in premixed methane/air flames. The LED emission is found to be stable after thermal equilibrium is reached. This was the case after a warming-up period in the order of minutes. The spectral characteristics were stable during a 24-h test.
Identification of Clay Minerals by Infrared Spectroscopy and Discriminant Analysis
Authors: Ritz Michal , Vaculíková Lenka , Plevová Eva
Published: December 2010

Identification of clay minerals based on chemometric analysis of measured infrared (IR) spectra was suggested. IR spectra were collected using the diffuse reflection technique. Discriminant analysis and principal component analysis were used as chemometric methods. Four statistical models were created for separation and identification of clay minerals. More than 50 samples of various clay mineral standards from different localities were used for the creation of statistical models. The results of this study confirm that the discriminant analysis of IR spectra of clay minerals could provide a powerful tool for identification of clay minerals. Differentiation of muscovite from illite and identification of mixed structures of illite–smectite were achieved.
Molecular Iodine Fluorescence Spectra Generated with Helium-Neon Lasers for Spectrometer Calibration
Authors: Williamson J. Charles
Published: December 2010

Gas-phase molecular iodine laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectra were recorded out to 815 nm at 1 cm−1 resolution using green, yellow, and red helium-neon (HeNe) lasers as excitation sources. Nine previously unreported I2 B ← X absorption transitions accessed by these lasers were identified, and specific rovibronic transition assignments were made for two hundred LIF peaks—more than sixty per laser. These I2 LIF peaks can be used to calibrate the vacuum wavenumber coordinate of spectrometers to better than 0.1 cm−1 accuracy. In particular, green HeNe excitation of the I2 R(106) 28-0 transition leads to strong fluorescence well suited for calibration, with a rotational doublet spacing of 15 cm1 and a doublet-to-doublet spacing of 190 cm−1. Calibration by HeNe I2 LIF may be an especially valuable technique for Raman spectroscopy applications.
Spectral Multivariate Calibration with Wavelength Selection Using Variants of Tikhonov Regularization
Authors: Ottaway Joshua , Kalivas John H. , Andries Erik
Published: December 2010

Tikhonov regularization (TR) is a general method that can be used to form a multivariate calibration model and numerous variants of it exist, including ridge regression (RR). This paper reports on the unique flexibility of TR to form a model using full wavelengths (RR), individually selected wavelengths, or multiple bands of selected wavelengths. Of these three TR variants, the one based on selection of wavelength bands is found to produce lower prediction errors. As with most wavelength selection algorithms, the model vector magnitude indicates that this error reduction comes with a potential increase in prediction uncertainty. Results are presented for near-infrared, ultraviolet–visible, and synthetic spectral data sets. While the focus of this paper is wavelength selection, the TR methods are generic and applicable to other variable-selection situations.
Das Zustandsreflexiv – anders als das Zustandspassiv?
Authors: Oya Toshiaki
Published: November 2010

The construction Zustandsreflexiv consists of a copula and the perfect participle (Partizip II) of a reflexive verb. I argue that the Zustandsreflexiv can be formed from either introverted verbs like sich waschen or inherent reflexive verbs like sich erkälten, in which the external argument is suppressed. Furthermore, it is pointed out that the subject of the Zustandsreflexiv always corresponds to the internal argument of the reflexive verb and that the perfect participle of the reflexive verb is adjectivized, just like in the adjective passive. The syntactic structure of the Zustandsreflexiv is thus much the same as the one of the adjective passive.
Der Einfluss der Dependenzgrammatik auf die Computerlinguistik
Authors: Rehbein Ines
Published: November 2010

In 1959, Lucien Tesnière wrote his main work Éléments de syntaxe structurale. While the impact on theoretical linguistics was not very strong at first, 50 years later there exist a variety of linguistic theories based on Tesnière's work. In computational linguistics, as in theoretical linguistics, dependency grammar was not very influential at first. The last 10–15 years, however, have brought a noticeable change and dependency grammar has found its way into computational linguistics. Syntactically annotated corpora based on dependency representations are available for a variety of languages, as well as statistical parsers which give a syntactic analysis of running text describing the underlying dependency relations between word tokens in the text. This article gives an overview of relevant areas of computational linguistics which have been influenced by dependency grammar. It discusses the pros and cons of different types of syntactic representation used in natural language processing and their suitability as representations of meaning. Finally, an attempt is made to give an outlook on the future impact of dependency grammar on computational linguistics.
Kasusrektion durch das Lexem voll. Kasusvariation, aber kein Genitivschwund
Authors: Sahel Said
Published: November 2010

This paper reports on the results of a corpus study on case variation after the lexeme voll (‘full’). It deals with constructions like (er ist voll revolutionären Bewusstseins ‘he is full of revolutionarygen awarenessgen’ vs. er ist voll revolutionärem Bewusstsein ‘he is full of revolutionarydat awarenessdat’). Many reference grammars of German claim that voll (‘full’) governs the genitive as well as the dative and that in current language use the dative increasingly replaces the genitive. Based on an electronic corpus of the German daily newspaper Der Tagesspiegel, the issues of the extent of the case variation after voll (‘full’) and the government properties of this lexeme are addressed. The data analysis reveals that case variation only occurs when the governed NP is in singular. Here, the rate of dative (62%) is higher than that of genitive (38%). In the plural condition, however, the data analysis shows no case variation. Here, voll (‘full’) exclusively governs the genitive. Hence, the findings do not support the claim of a general genitive loss after voll (‘full’). It is argued that the discrepancy between the singular and the plural conditions can be considered as a syntactically motivated case variation. The findings are mainly discussed in the context of Gallmann's (1996) approach of the syntactically determinate case ending omission.
Neuronal Activity in the Visual Cortex Reveals the Temporal Order of Cognitive Operations
Authors: Moro Sancho I. , Tolboom Michiel , Khayat Paul S. , Roelfsema Pieter R.
Published: December 2010

Most mental processes consist of a number of processing steps that are executed sequentially. The timing of the individual mental operations can usually only be estimated indirectly, from the pattern of reaction times. In vision, however, many processing steps are associated with the modulation of neuronal activity in early visual areas. Here we exploited this association to elucidate the time course of neuronal activity related to each of the self-paced mental processing steps in complex visual tasks. We trained monkeys to perform two tasks, search–trace and trace–search, which required performing a sequence of two operations: a visual search for a specific color and the mental tracing of a curve. We used multielectrode recording techniques to monitor the representations of multiple visual items in area V1 at the same time and found that the relevant curve as well as the target of visual search evoked enhanced neuronal activity with a timing that depended on the order of operations. This modulation of neuronal activity in early visual areas could allow these areas to (1) act as a cognitive blackboard that permits the exchange of information between successive processing steps of a sequential visual task and to (2) contribute to the orderly progression of task-dependent endogenous attention shifts that are driven by task structure and evolve over hundreds of milliseconds.
Enzymatic Conversion of Odorants in Nasal Mucus Affects Olfactory Glomerular Activation Patterns and Odor Perception
Authors: Nagashima Ayumi , Touhara Kazushige
Published: December 2010

Odor information is decoded by a combination of odorant receptors, and thus transformed into discrete spatial patterns of olfactory glomerular activity. It has been found, however, that for some odorants, there are differences between the ligand specificity of an odorant receptorin vitroand its corresponding glomerulusin vivo. These observations led us to hypothesize that there exist prereceptor events that affect the local concentration of a given odorant in the nasal mucus, thus causing the apparent specificity differences. Here we show that odorants with functional groups such as aldehydes and esters are targets of metabolic enzymes secreted in the mouse mucus, resulting in their conversion to the corresponding acids and alcohols. The glomerular activation patterns elicited by an enzyme-targeted odorant in the olfactory bulb was different in the presence of an enzyme inhibitor in the mucosa, suggesting that the enzymatic conversion occurs fast enough to affect recognition of the odorant at the levels of olfactory sensory neurons. Importantly, olfactory discrimination tests revealed that mice behaviorally trained to associate an enzyme-targeted odorant to sugar rewards could not discriminate the odorant after treatment with the enzyme inhibitor. These results reveal that the enzymatic conversion of odorants in the nasal mucus appears be fast enough to affect olfactory perception, which sheds light on the previously unappreciated role of nasal mucosal enzymes in odor sensation.
Postsynaptic Spiking Homeostatically Induces Cell-Autonomous Regulation of Inhibitory Inputs via Retrograde Signaling
Authors: Peng Yi-Rong , Zeng Si-Yu , Song He-Ling , Li Min-Yin , Yamada Maki K. , Yu Xiang
Published: December 2010

Developing neural circuits face the dual challenge of growing in an activity-induced fashion and maintaining stability through homeostatic mechanisms. Compared to our understanding of homeostatic regulation of excitatory synapses, relatively little is known about the mechanism mediating homeostatic plasticity of inhibitory synapses, especially that following activity elevation. Here, we found that elevating neuronal activity in cultured hippocampal neurons for 4 h significantly increased the frequency and amplitude of mIPSCs, before detectable change at excitatory synapses. Consistently, we observed increases in presynaptic and postsynaptic proteins of GABAergic synapses, including GAD65, vGAT, and GABAARα1. By suppressing activity-induced increase of neuronal firing with expression of the inward rectifier potassium channel Kir2.1 in individual neurons, we showed that elevation in postsynaptic spiking activity is required for activity-dependent increase in the frequency and amplitude of mIPSCs. Importantly, directly elevating spiking in individual postsynaptic neurons, by capsaicin activation of overexpressed TRPV1 channels, was sufficient to induce increased mIPSC amplitude and frequency, mimicking the effect of elevated neuronal activity. Downregulating BDNF expression in the postsynaptic neuron or its extracellular scavenging prevented activity-induced increase in mIPSC frequency, consistent with a role of BDNF-dependent retrograde signaling in this process. Finally, elevating activityin vivoby kainate injection increased both mIPSC amplitude and frequency in CA1 pyramidal neurons. Thus, spiking-induced, cell-autonomous upregulation of GABAergic synaptic inputs, through retrograde BDNF signaling, represents an early adaptive response of neural circuits to elevated network activity.
Estradiol Acutely Potentiates Hippocampal Excitatory Synaptic Transmission through a Presynaptic Mechanism
Authors: Smejkalova Tereza , Woolley Catherine S.
Published: December 2010

Although recent evidence suggests that the hippocampus is a source of 17β-estradiol (E2), the physiological role of this neurosteroid E2, as distinct from ovarian E2, is unknown. One likely function of neurosteroid E2 is to acutely potentiate excitatory synaptic transmission, but the mechanism of this effect is not well understood. Using whole-cell voltage-clamp recording of synaptically evoked EPSCs in adult rat hippocampal slices, we show that, in contrast to the conclusions of previous studies, E2 potentiates excitatory transmission through a presynaptic mechanism. We find that E2 acutely potentiates EPSCs by increasing the probability of glutamate release specifically at inputs with low initial release probability. This effect is mediated by estrogen receptor β (ERβ) acting as a monomer, whereas ERα is not required. We further show that the E2-induced increase in glutamate release is attributable primarily to increased individual vesicle release probability and is associated with higher average cleft glutamate concentration. These two findings together argue strongly that E2 promotes multivesicular release, which has not been shown before in the adult hippocampus. The rapid time course of acute EPSC potentiation and its concentration dependence suggest that locally synthesized neurosteroid E2 may activate this effectin vivo.
Reduced Alzheimer's Disease β-Amyloid Deposition in Transgenic Mice ExpressingS-Palmitoylation-Deficient APH1aL and Nicastrin
Authors: Meckler Xavier , Roseman Jelita , Das Pritam , Cheng Haipeng , Pei Susan , Keat Marcia , Kassarjian Breanne , Golde Todd E. , Parent Angèle T. , Thinakaran Gopal
Published: December 2010

Sequential cleavage of amyloid precursor protein by β- and γ-secretases generates β-amyloid peptides (Aβ), which accumulate in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. We recently identifiedS-palmitoylation of two γ-secretase subunits, APH1 and nicastrin.S-Palmitoylation is an essential posttranslational modification for the proper trafficking and function of many neuronal proteins. In cultured cell lines, lack ofS-palmitoylation causes instability of nascent APH1 and nicastrin but does not affect γ-secretase processing of amyloid precursor protein. To determine the importance of γ-secretaseS-palmitoylation for Aβ deposition in the brain, we generated transgenic mice coexpressing human wild-type orS-palmitoylation-deficient APH1aL and nicastrin in neurons in the forebrain. We found that lack ofS-palmitoylation did not impair the ability of APH1aL and nicastrin to form enzymatically active protein complexes with endogenous presenilin 1 and PEN2 or affect the localization of γ-secretase subunits in dendrites and axons of cortical neurons. When we crossed these mice with 85Dbo transgenic mice, which coexpress familial Alzheimer's disease-causing amyloid precursor protein and presenilin 1 variants, we found that coexpression of wild-type or mutant APH1aL and nicastrin led to marked stabilization of transgenic presenilin 1 in the brains of double-transgenic mice. Interestingly, we observed a moderate, but significant, reduction in amyloid deposits in the forebrain of mice expressingS-palmitoylation-deficient γ-secretase subunits compared with mice overexpressing wild-type subunits, as well as a reduction in the levels of insoluble Aβ40–42. These results indicate that γ-secretaseS-palmitoylation modulates Aβ deposition in the brain.
How to disambiguate an evidential construct? Taxonomy and compositionality of Romanian verbal complexes with evidential semantics
Authors: Irimia Monica-Alexandrina
Published: November 2010

This paper examines a specific verbal paradigm with evidential interpretations in Romanian; it also addresses intriguing questions about compositionality in the evidential domain and the precise delimitation of this notion from other (modal) categories. The discussion is centered on a typical characteristic of evidentials about the past, namely that they are homophonous with the perfect counterfactuals and future perfects. A battery of tests is examined in detail, and it is demonstrated that evidentials are not pragmatic extensions of homophonous forms; they rather have to be considered independent entries in the database.
Optical in-situ spectroscopy of high-temperature properties of olivines
Authors: Shi Jianmin , Dlugocz Stephen , Ganschow Steffen , Ebbinghaus Stefan G. , Becker Klaus Dieter
Published: November 2010

An in-situ optical spectroscopy investigation at high temperatures is reported into the defect chemistry and cation kinetics of cobalt-containing olivines. The equilibrium defect optical absorption is studied as a function of oxygen activity at high temperatures. The kinetics of cation redistribution between the two non-equivalent sites in the olivine crystal structure is investigated by temperature-jump relaxation experiments. It is found that both the compositional dependence of kinetics of the cation redistribution process and the dependence of point defect concentration on oxygen activity favor a defect model involving cation vacancies and electron holes (Co3+).
HID-1, a New Component of the Peptidergic Signaling Pathway
Authors: Mesa Rosana , Luo Shuo , Hoover Christopher M , Miller Kenneth , Minniti Alicia , Inestrosa Nibaldo , Nonet Michael L
Published: November 2010

hid-1 was originally identified as a Caenorhabditis elegans gene encoding a novel conserved protein that regulates the decision to enter into the enduring dauer larval stage. We isolated a novel allele of hid-1 in a forward genetic screen for mutants mislocalizing RBF-1 rabphilin, a RAB-27 effector. Here we demonstrate that HID-1 functions in the nervous system to regulate neuromuscular signaling and in the intestine to regulate the defecation motor program. We further show that a conserved N-terminal myristoylated motif of both invertebrate and vertebrate HID-1 is essential for its association with intracellular membranes in nematodes and PC12 cells. C. elegans neuronal HID-1 resides on intracellular membranes in neuronal cell somas; however, the kinesin UNC-104 also transports HID-1 to synaptic regions. HID-1 accumulates in the axons of unc-13 and unc-31 mutants, suggesting it is associated with neurosecretory vesicles. Consistent with this, genetic studies place HID-1 in a peptidergic signaling pathway. Finally, a hid-1 null mutation reduces the levels of endogenous neuropeptides and alters the secretion of fluorescent-tagged cargos derived from neuronal and intestinal dense core vesicles (DCVs). Taken together, our findings indicate that HID-1 is a novel component of a DCV-based neurosecretory pathway and that it regulates one or more aspects of the biogenesis, maturation, or trafficking of DCVs.