bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facial emotion recognition in childhood‐onset bipolar I disorder: an evaluation of developmental differences between youths and adults
Authors: Wegbreit Ezra , Weissman Alexandra B , Cushman Grace K , Puzia Megan E , Kim Kerri L , Leibenluft Ellen , Dickstein Daniel P
Published: May 2015

Objectives

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe mental illness with high healthcare costs and poor outcomes. Increasing numbers of youths are diagnosed with BD, and many adults with BD report that their symptoms started in childhood, suggesting that BD can be a developmental disorder. Studies advancing our understanding of BD have shown alterations in facial emotion recognition both in children and adults with BD compared to healthy comparison (HC) participants, but none have evaluated the development of these deficits. To address this, we examined the effect of age on facial emotion recognition in a sample that included children and adults with confirmed childhood‐onset type‐I BD, with the adults having been diagnosed and followed since childhood by the Course and Outcome in Bipolar Youth study.

Methods

Using the Diagnostic Analysis of Non‐Verbal Accuracy, we compared facial emotion recognition errors among participants with BD (n = 66; ages 7–26 years) and HC participants (n = 87; ages 7–25 years). Complementary analyses investigated errors for child and adult faces.

Results

A significant diagnosis‐by‐age interaction indicated that younger BD participants performed worse than expected relative to HC participants their own age. The deficits occurred both for child and adult faces and were particularly strong for angry child faces, which were most often mistaken as sad. Our results were not influenced by medications, comorbidities/substance use, or mood state/global functioning.

Conclusions

Younger individuals with BD are worse than their peers at this important social skill. This deficit may be an important developmentally salient treatment target – that is, for cognitive remediation to improve BD youths’ emotion recognition abilities.
Dietary salt regulates epithelial sodium channels in rat endothelial cells: adaptation of vasculature to salt
Authors: Liu Hui‐Bin , Zhang Jun , Sun Ying‐Ying , Li Xin‐Yuan , Jiang Shuai , Liu Ming‐Yu , Shi Jing , Song Bin‐Lin , Zhao Dan , Ma He‐Ping , Zhang Zhi‐Ren
Published: May 2015

Background and Purpose

The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is expressed in vascular endothelial cells and is a negative modulator of vasodilation. However, the role of endothelial ENaCs in salt‐sensitive hypertension remains unclear. Here, we have investigated how endothelial ENaCs in Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats respond to high‐salt (HS) challenge.

Experimental Approach

BP and plasma aldosterone levels were measured. We used patch‐clamp technique to record ENaC activity in split‐open mesenteric arteries (MAs). Western blot and Griess assay were used to detect expression of α‐ENaCs, eNOS and NO. Vasorelaxation in second‐order MAs was measured with wire myograph assays.

Key Results

Functional ENaCs were observed in endothelial cells and their activity was significantly decreased after 1 week of HS diet. After 3 weeks of HS diet, ENaC expression was also reduced. When either ENaC activity or expression was reduced, endothelium‐dependent relaxation (EDR) of MAs, in response to ACh, was enhanced. This enhancement of EDR was mimicked by amiloride, a blocker of ENaCs. By contrast, HS diet significantly increased contractility of MAs, accompanied by decreased eNOS activity and NO levels. However, ACh‐induced release of NO was much higher in MAs isolated from HS rats than those from NS rats.

Conclusions and Implications

HS intake increased the BP of SD rats, but simultaneously enhanced EDR by reducing ENaC activity and expression due to feedback inhibition. Therefore, ENaCs may play an important role in endothelial cells allowing the vasculature to adapt to HS conditions.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Chinese Innovation in Cardiovascular Drug Discovery. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue-23
The role of cannabinoids in adult neurogenesis
Authors: Prenderville Jack A , Kelly Áine M , Downer Eric J
Published: May 2015

The processes underpinning post‐developmental neurogenesis in the mammalian brain continue to be defined. Such processes involve the proliferation of neural stem cells and neural progenitor cells (NPCs), neuronal migration, differentiation and integration into a network of functional synapses within the brain. Both intrinsic (cell signalling cascades) and extrinsic (neurotrophins, neurotransmitters, cytokines, hormones) signalling molecules are intimately associated with adult neurogenesis and largely dictate the proliferative activity and differentiation capacity of neural cells. Cannabinoids are a unique class of chemical compounds incorporating plant‐derived cannabinoids (the active components of Cannabis sativa), the endogenous cannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoid ligands, and these compounds are becoming increasingly recognized for their roles in neural developmental processes. Indeed, cannabinoids have clear modulatory roles in adult neurogenesis, probably through activation of both CB1 and CB2 receptors. In recent years, a large body of literature has deciphered the signalling networks involved in cannabinoid‐mediated regulation of neurogenesis. This timely review summarizes the evidence that the cannabinoid system is intricately associated with neuronal differentiation and maturation of NPCs and highlights intrinsic/extrinsic signalling mechanisms that are cannabinoid targets. Overall, these findings identify the central role of the cannabinoid system in adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus and the lateral ventricles and hence provide insight into the processes underlying post‐developmental neurogenesis in the mammalian brain.
Rapid Learning in a Children's Museum via Analogical Comparison
Authors: Gentner Dedre , Levine Susan C. , Ping Raedy , Isaia Ashley , Dhillon Sonica , Bradley Claire , Honke Garrett
Published: May 2015

We tested whether analogical training could help children learn a key principle of elementary engineering—namely, the use of a diagonal brace to stabilize a structure. The context for this learning was a construction activity at the Chicago Children's Museum, in which children and their families build a model skyscraper together. The results indicate that even a single brief analogical comparison can confer insight. The results also reveal conditions that support analogical learning.
Risk Committee, Firm Life Cycle, and Market Risk Disclosures
Authors: Al‐Hadi Ahmed , Hasan Mostafa Monzur , Habib Ahsan
Published: May 2015

Manuscript Type

Empirical

Research Question/Issue

This study investigates whether the existence of a separate risk committee and risk committee characteristics are associated with market risk disclosures. It also tests whether the role of a risk committee in affecting market risk disclosures varies for different firm life cycle stages.

Research Findings/Insights

Using 677 firm‐year observations of financial firms from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries during the years 2007–2011, we find that firms with a separate risk committee are associated with greater market risk disclosures, an effect that is more pronounced for mature‐stage firms. Furthermore, findings suggest that risk committee qualifications and size have a significant positive impact on market risk disclosures.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

This study complements the corporate governance literature by incorporating agency theory, legitimacy theory, stakeholder theory, and the resource‐based theory to provide more robust evidence of the impact of a separate risk committee and the firm life cycle on market risk disclosures. Our results support the monitoring effect of a separate risk committee and suggest that a separate risk committee can improve “firm‐level corporate governance” in the GCC countries characterized by a poor informational environment.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

Findings from this study provide evidence that the existence, qualifications, and size of risk committees may be used as a channel to improve the disclosure level, suggesting a policy prescription for regulators and policymakers. Investors may also find these results useful in forming their own expectations about firm‐level risk disclosures.
Will there be a shift to alien‐dominated vegetation assemblages under climate change?
Authors: Leishman Michelle R. , Gallagher Rachael V.
Published: May 2015

Alien plant invasions are considered likely to be facilitated by climate change, resulting in a shift to more alien‐dominated vegetation globally. Alien invaders typically have dispersal, environmental tolerance and adaptive capacity traits that may be beneficial for responding to a changing climate. We examine the main drivers of vegetation change under climate change and assess whether these are likely to favour alien invaders over native species. We suggest that responses of native and alien plants to changes in CO2, temperature and rainfall will be strongly species and context dependent so that alien invaders will not consistently be favoured. However, climate change is likely to reduce resilience of vegetation assemblages resulting in increased colonization opportunities which alien invaders are best placed to take advantage of. Consequently, management should focus on actions to increase native vegetation resilience as well as monitoring and early eradication efforts.
Impact of child and family characteristics on cerebral palsy treatment
Authors: Rackauskaite Gija , Uldall Peter W , Bech Bodil H , Østergaard John R
Published: May 2015

Aim

The aim of the study was to describe the relationship between the child's and family's characteristics and the most common treatment modalities in a national population‐based sample of 8‐ to 15‐year‐old children with cerebral palsy.

Method

A cross‐sectional study, based on the Danish Cerebral Palsy Registry. The parents of 462 children answered a questionnaire about their child's treatment and the family's characteristics (living with a single parent, having siblings, living in a city, parental education level). Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were performed for every treatment modality, stratified by Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level.

Results

An IQ below 85 was associated with weekly therapy in GMFCS level I (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj] 2.5 [CI 1.1–5.7]) and the use of oral spasmolytics in GMFCS levels III to V (ORadj 3.1 [CI 1.3–7.4]). Older children in GMFCS levels III to V used daily orthoses less frequently (ORadj 0.7 [CI 0.6–0.9] per year). Of all of the family characteristics studied, only the parents' education level had significant associations with more than one treatment modality.

Interpretation

A child's cognitive function showed an impact on treatment of the motor impairment in children 8 to 15 years of age with cerebral palsy. Parental education level may influence the choice of treatment.
Understanding social development following very preterm birth
Authors: Johnson Samantha
Published: May 2015

This commentary is on the systematic review by Ritchie et al. on pages 899–918 of this issue.
THE WELFARE EFFECTS OF TEMPORARY TAX CUTS AND SUBSIDIES: THEORY, ESTIMATION, AND APPLICATIONS
Authors: Phillips Mark D.
Published: May 2015

This article presents a tractable and intuitive theory on the welfare effects of temporary tax cuts and subsidies, fiscal policies that I generically term “holidays.” The Kaldor–Hicks efficiency effects are theoretically ambiguous, with competing pro‐ and anti‐efficiency effects on newly incentivized versus time‐shifted purchases. To rectify this ambiguity I derive expressions for the welfare effects that are consistent with constant elasticity assumptions and depend only upon readily and reliably observed information. To demonstrate the framework's broad applicability, I analyze two different policies: the 2009 Cash for Clunkers program and states' sales tax holidays. I estimate that both policies generated substantial deadweight loss. (JEL H21, H30, D91)
Commerce, clusters, and community: a re‐evaluation of the occupational geography of London, c. 1400–c. 1550
Authors: Colson Justin
Published: May 2015

The economic geography of cities is often thought to have changed dramatically between the medieval and early modern eras. The medieval city is seen as having been strictly regulated, both in terms of markets, and in terms of space. The early modern city, by contrast, is associated not only with growth, but with the breakdown of rigid regulation by guilds and a new commercial outlook. However, empirical studies of the spatial organization of medieval cities have been limited, and quantitative surveys of urban economic geography have focused on the seventeenth century and later. This article analyses the spatial distribution of occupations in the City of London between the 1370s and the 1550s using a large probate dataset. It examines occupations that remained clustered or dispersed, but concentrates on the apparent breakdown in economic clustering among London's leading trades. Prosopographical analysis reveals that merchants and retailers became more specialized, but that this was accommodated within London's existing guild‐based occupational identities, which had become ossified. Rather than the end of the middle ages having marked a dramatic change from guild‐based spatial organisation, occupational clusters simply continued to evolve in line with the principles of locational economics throughout the period.
The ecological forecast horizon, and examples of its uses and determinants
Authors: Petchey Owen L. , Pontarp Mikael , Massie Thomas M. , Kéfi Sonia , Ozgul Arpat , Weilenmann Maja , Palamara Gian Marco , Altermatt Florian , Matthews Blake , Levine Jonathan M. , Childs Dylan Z. , McGill Brian J. , Schaepman Michael E. , Schmid Bernhard , Spaak Piet , Beckerman Andrew P. , Pennekamp Frank , Pearse Ian S.
Published: May 2015

Forecasts of ecological dynamics in changing environments are increasingly important, and are available for a plethora of variables, such as species abundance and distribution, community structure and ecosystem processes. There is, however, a general absence of knowledge about how far into the future, or other dimensions (space, temperature, phylogenetic distance), useful ecological forecasts can be made, and about how features of ecological systems relate to these distances. The ecological forecast horizon is the dimensional distance for which useful forecasts can be made. Five case studies illustrate the influence of various sources of uncertainty (e.g. parameter uncertainty, environmental variation, demographic stochasticity and evolution), level of ecological organisation (e.g. population or community), and organismal properties (e.g. body size or number of trophic links) on temporal, spatial and phylogenetic forecast horizons. Insights from these case studies demonstrate that the ecological forecast horizon is a flexible and powerful tool for researching and communicating ecological predictability. It also has potential for motivating and guiding agenda setting for ecological forecasting research and development.
Connecting by breaking and repairing: mechanisms of DNA strand exchange in meiotic recombination
Authors: Sansam Christopher L. , Pezza Roberto J.
Published: May 2015

During prophase of meiosis I, homologous chromosomes interact and undergo recombination. Successful completion of these processes is required in order for the homologous chromosomes to mount the meiotic spindle as a pair. The organization of the chromosomes into pairs ensures orderly segregation to opposite poles of the dividing cell, such that each gamete receives one copy of each chromosome. Chiasmata, the cytological manifestation of crossover products of recombination, physically connect the homologs in pairs, providing a linkage that facilitates their segregation. Consequently, mutations that reduce the level of recombination are invariably associated with increased errors in meiotic chromosome segregation. In this review, we focus on recent biochemical and genetic advances in elucidating the mechanisms of meiotic DNA strand exchange catalyzed by the Dmc1 protein. We also discuss the mode by which two recombination mediators, Hop2 and Mnd1, facilitate rate‐limiting steps of DNA strand exchange catalyzed by Dmc1.
Norwegian General Motor Function assessment as an outcome measure for a frail elderly population: A validity study
Authors: Langhammer Birgitta , Lindmark Birgitta
Published: May 2015

Aim

To establish the validity of the Norwegian General Motor Function (NGMF) assessment scale.

Method

To establish construct and criteria validity, Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were calculated for the NGMF, and age, sex, medical conditions, history of falls and to four functional tests. Content validity was evaluated by asking participating physiotherapists about the usefulness of the items in the scale. Absolute reliability was evaluated by establishing the standard error of measurement and the minimal detectable change at the 95% level of confidence for total scores of the NGMF subscales for dependence, pain and insecurity.

Results

Construct validity was established to medical status and medication with subscales dependence and insecurity but not to subscale pain. Criterion validity was established between the NGMF subscales dependence, pain and insecurity, and the Barthel Index, the Falls Efficacy Scale to subscales dependence and insecurity, but not with pain, and the Timed Up‐and‐Go test, to subscale insecurity. Neither the Chair Stand Test nor registered falls were significantly associated with any of the subscales of the NGMF. Content validity of the NGMF was perceived relevant to work in a geriatric setting and as a communication tool for a multidisciplinary team. Minimal detectable change was calculated for dependence (2.76), pain (4.9) and insecurity (6.1), respectively.

Conclusion

The construct, criteria and content validity of the NGMF was established. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 432‐439.
‘Don't give us an assignment where we have to use spinach!’: food choice and discourse in home and consumer studies
Authors: Bohm Ingela , Lindblom Cecilia , Åbacka Gun , Hörnell Agneta
Published: May 2015

The aim of the study was to describe classroom Discourses about vegetables during the planning, cooking, eating and evaluation of meals in the Swedish school subject Home and Consumer Studies. Fifty‐nine students and five teachers were recruited from five northern Swedish villages and towns, and then observed, recorded and in some cases video‐taped during lessons that took place between 2010 and 2012. Based on 56 instances of talk about vegetables, four Discourses were identified and related to the three aspects of Belasco's culinary triangle of contradictions: identity, responsibility and convenience. The results indicated that the identity‐basedsensoryandculturalDiscourses sometimes clashed with the more responsibility‐orientedhealthandevaluationDiscourses. ThehealthDiscourse was only used when there was an element ofevaluation, with assignments connected to grades. In all other cases, thesensoryandculturalDiscourses guided vegetable use. Sometimes different sensory or cultural assumptions could clash with each other, for example when the teacher insisted on the use of a specific recipe regardless of a student's taste preferences. Since these preferences did not always harmonize with curricular demands for responsibility, there might be a risk of basing grades on aspects of students’ identity. Alternatively, students might feel constrained to argue against their own identity in order to be favourably evaluated. Then again, if teachers always bow to student tastes, this limits their chances of learning about food and physical health. Viewing the dilemma through the lens of the culinary triangle of contradictions may help teachers and researchers develop teaching methods that take all aspects of food choice into account.
Familial colorectal cancer
Authors: Lung M. S. , Trainer A. H. , Campbell I. , Lipton L.
Published: May 2015

Identifying individuals with a genetic predisposition to developing familial colorectal cancer (CRC) is crucial to the management of the affected individual and their family. In order to do so, the physician requires an understanding of the different gene mutations and clinical manifestations of familial CRC. This review summarises the genetics, clinical manifestations and management of the known familial CRC syndromes, specifically Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, MUTYH‐associated neoplasia, juvenile polyposis syndrome and Peutz–Jeghers syndrome. An individual suspected of having a familial CRC with an underlying genetic predisposition should be referred to a familial cancer centre to enable pre‐test counselling and appropriate follow up.
The Relationship Between Infant Holdout and Gives, and Pointing
Authors: Cameron‐Faulkner Thea , Theakston Anna , Lieven Elena , Tomasello Michael
Published: May 2015

We provide an analysis of holdout and giving (Ho&G) behaviours in prelinguistic infants and investigate their relationship with index finger pointing. The frequency of Ho&Gs at 10 and 11 months along with the length of the following social interaction correlated with index finger pointing at 12 months. We conclude that Ho&Gs are a precursor to index finger pointing and that this provides support for social‐pragmatic approaches to communicative development.
Effects of Gd Substitution on Sintering and Optical Properties of Highly Transparent (Y0.95−xGdxEu0.05)2O3 Ceramics
Authors: Lu Bin , Li Ji‐Guang , Suzuki Tohru S. , Tanaka Hidehiko , Sun Xudong , Sakka Yoshio
Published: May 2015

Highly transparent (Y0.95−xGdxEu0.05)2O3 (x = 0.15–0.55) ceramics have been fabricated by vacuum sintering at the relatively low temperature of 1700°C for 4 h with the in‐line transmittances of 73.6%–79.5% at the Eu3+ emission wavelength of 613 nm (~91.9%–99.3% of the theoretical transmittance of Y1.34Gd0.6Eu0.06O3 single crystal), whereas the x = 0.65 ceramic undergoes a phase transformation at 1650°C and has a transparency of 53.4% at the lower sintering temperature of 1625°C. The effects of Gd3+ substitution for Y3+ on the particle characteristics, sintering kinetics, and optical performances of the materials were systematically studied. The results show that (1) calcining the layered rare‐earth hydroxide precursors of the ternary Y–Gd–Eu system yielded rounded oxide particles with greatly reduced hard agglomeration and the particle/crystallite size slightly decreases along with increasing Gd3+ incorporation; (2) in the temperature range 1100°C–1480°C, the sintering kinetics of (Y0.95−xGdxEu0.05)2O3 is mainly controlled by grain‐boundary diffusion with similar activation energies of ~230 kJ/mol; (3) Gd3+ addition promotes grain growth and densification in the temperature range 1100°C–1400°C; (4) the bandgap energies of the (Y0.95−xGdxEu0.05)2O3 ceramics generally decrease with increasing x; however, they are much lower than those of the oxide powders; (5) both the oxide powders and the transparent ceramics exhibit the typical red emission of Eu3+ at ~613 nm (the 5D0→7F2 transition) under charge transfer (CT) excitation. Gd3+ incorporation enhances the photoluminescence and shortens the fluorescence lifetime of Eu3+.
Preparation and Optical Properties of Transparent (Ce,Gd)3Al3Ga2O12 Ceramics
Authors: Chen Xianqiang , Qin Haiming , Zhang Ye , Luo Zhaohua , Jiang Jun , Jiang Haochuan
Published: May 2015

Transparent (Ce,Gd)3Al3Ga2O12 (Ce:GAGG) ceramics are promising scintillators for use in high‐energy particle detection application such as nuclear medical imaging. In this study, we report a novel method for the preparation of transparent Ce:GAGG ceramic in oxygen atmosphere without sintering aid. The highest transmittance of as prepared samples with thickness of 1 mm around wavelength of 558 nm reaches 62%, which is close to that value of its comparative single crystal. The average grain size of samples sintered at 1650°C for 10 h is about 11 μm. The spectroscopic properties have also been investigated. The emission peak around 558 nm, which is consistent with that of Ce:GAGG single crystals, matches well with the detection wavelength of photomultiplier.
ζ‐Ta4C3−x: A High Fracture Toughness Carbide with Rising‐Crack‐Growth‐Resistance (R‐Curve) Behavior
Authors: Sygnatowicz Michael , Cutler Raymond A. , Shetty Dinesh K.
Published: May 2015

The microstructures and mechanical properties of tantalum carbides containing predominantly the ζ‐Ta4C3−x phase are compared with the properties of the monocarbide (γ‐TaC) and the hemicarbide (α‐Ta2C) and two‐phase composites. It is shown that a Ta and γ‐TaC powder mixture corresponding to a C/Ta at. ratio of 0.66 can be hot‐pressed (1800°C, 2 h) to obtain ~95 wt% of ζ‐Ta4C3−x with a density of 98% of theoretical. This material has an attractive combination of high fracture toughness (13.8 ± 0.2 MPa√m) and fracture strength (759 ± 24 MPa) with modest hardness (5.6 ± 0.5 GPa). The fracture toughness and strength measured for this material were the highest among all the materials with C/Ta ratio ranging from 0.5 (hemicarbide) to 1.0 (monocarbide). It is also shown that a material containing 86 wt% ζ‐Ta4C3−x can be consolidated by pressureless sintering of a hydrogenated Ta and γ‐TaC powder mixture without significant drop in density (97% of theoretical) or mechanical properties (13.4 ± 0.2 MPa√m, 700 ± 20 MPa, 6.0 ± 0.4 GPa). Materials containing high weight fraction of the ζ‐Ta4C3−x phase exhibited rising crack‐growth‐resistance (R‐curve) behavior. Optical and scanning electron microscope observations suggested crack‐face bridging was the dominant toughening mechanism. The crack‐bridging ligaments were lamellae of the basal planes of the ζ‐Ta4C3−x phase produced by their easy cleavage. The thickness of the lamellae ranged from 40 to 2000 nm, significantly less than the grain size.
Field‐Dependent Magnetoelectric Effects in Polycrystalline Co2Y‐Type Ba0.5Sr1.5Co2(Fe1−xAlx)12O22 Hexaferrites
Authors: Wu Meixia , Gao Xingsen , Liu Zhongwu
Published: May 2015

Polycrystalline Ba0.5Sr1.5Co2(Fe1−xAlx)12O22 (x = 0, 0.04, 0.08, and 0.12) hexaferrites were prepared by conventional solid‐state reaction method and the magnetic field dependences of magnetic and magnetoelectric properties were investigated. With Al doping (x = 0.04, 0.08), much enhanced ferroelectric polarization and abnormal magnetodielectric properties can be observed at a low applied magnetic field and be maintained down to zero field at 200 K, which may result from the occurrence of field‐induced spin transverse cone structure. The magnetoelectric coefficient increases from 500 ps/m to 1481 ps/m with increasing x value from 0.04 to 0.08. These results suggest that Al ions play an effective role in modifying the magnetoelectricity of hexaferrites.
Slight Ti‐Doping‐Induced Strong Time‐Dependent Electrical Transport Behavior in CuCr1−xTixO2
Authors: Li Renwen , Qu Zhe , Zhang Yuheng
Published: May 2015

We investigate the effect of slight Ti substitution (≤0.5%) for Cr in CuCr1−xTixO2 by measuring the structural, magnetic, and electrical transport properties. Upon Ti doping, the antiferromagnetic transition becomes blurred without a change in Néel temperature. Ti4+ substituting to Cr3+ site is found to significantly enhance the resistivity due to the diminishing conducting holes. We find strong time‐dependent electrical transport behavior in CuCr1−xTixO2 induced by slight Ti doping. The key observation is that a metastable behavior occurs in Ti‐doped CuCr1−xTixO2. A strong resistive relaxation (RR) behavior occurs in Ti‐doped CuCr1−xTixO2 with its magnitude remarkably increasing with increasing Ti content, while it is absent in undoped CuCrO2. The RR is found to be described by the combination of an exponential function and a logarithmic dependence at long time. The relaxation behavior in CuCr1−xTixO2 is found to show a correlation with the local lattice deformation.
Low‐Temperature Control of Twins and Abnormal Grain Growth in BaTiO3
Authors: Harris David T. , Burch Matthew J. , Li Jing , Dickey Elizabeth C. , Maria Jon‐Paul
Published: May 2015

The microstructure of polycrystalline barium titanate (BaTiO3) thin films processed with a liquid‐phase can be controlled by the crystallographic orientation of the underlying sapphire substrate. During postdeposition crystallization, the tendency for {111} twin nucleation, which drives subsequent abnormal grain growth, depends upon the specific sapphire facet. Specifically, tilting away from the close‐packed c‐plane modifies the orientation, morphology, and relative amount of an interfacial BaAl2O4 second phase. These factors control the density of twin formation, and thus overall grain size of the crystallized BaTiO3. As the substrate orientation transitions from c‐plane, to r‐plane, to a‐plane, the twin density is reduced, the average grain size decreases systematically from 270 to 130 nm, and the grain structure becomes overall more homogeneous. This twinning mechanism and abnormal grain growth occur by 900°C, several hundred degrees lower than reported previously.
When a game supports prevocational math education but integrated reflection does not
Authors: ter Vrugte J. , de Jong T. , Wouters P. , Vandercruysse S. , Elen J. , van Oostendorp H.
Published: May 2015

The present study addressed the effectiveness of an educational math game for improving proportional reasoning in prevocational education, and examined the added value of support in the form of reflection. The study compared four conditions: the game with reflection prompts, the game with reflection prompts plus procedural information, the game with procedural information only and the game without additional support. It was found that students' proportional reasoning skill improved after playing the game. The game managed to target prevocational students with low prior knowledge, a group that has the potential to understand proportional reasoning but has not yet encountered the right learning situation to live up to their potential. However, it was also found that students need to be computational fluent to profit from the game. Furthermore, no added value of the support was found. The way the support was structured may have been too demanding for most of the students. The fact that the prevocational students (and specifically those with low prior knowledge) improved by playing the game is noteworthy, because the topic of proportional reasoning is demanding for this group of students who often have lower abilities as well as in some cases a high resistance to learning.
High Incidence of Low Catheter‐Tissue Contact Force at the Cavotricuspid Isthmus During Catheter Ablation of Atrial Flutter: Implications for Achieving Isthmus Block
Authors: KUMAR SAURABH , MORTON JOSEPH B. , LEE GEOFFREY , HALLORAN KAREN , KISTLER PETER M. , KALMAN JONATHAN M.
Published: May 2015

Contact Force During Cavotricuspid Isthmus Ablation

Introduction

Recurrent atrial flutter following cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation remains a significant problem. The prevalence of low contact force (CF) during CTI ablation using standard tools is unknown. Our aim was to characterize the prevalence of low CF applications when experienced operators performed CTI ablation using “traditional” markers of contact blinded to CF measurements.

Methods and Results

Average CF (grams, g) and force‐time integral (FTI) was analyzed in 458 lesions in 17 patients undergoing CTI ablation. The isthmus was divided into the annular, mid and caval segments for region‐specific analysis. Despite “good” contact using traditional markers, there was significant variability in CF within each isthmus segment (e.g., annular CTI 1–57 g). A high proportion of lesions had a CF <10 g (40%). Lowest CF was the annular (median 9 g), followed by the mid (12 g) and the caval CTI (18 g, P < 0.001). Sites of acute CTI re‐connection had a lower average CF and FTI than nonreconnected sites (P < 0.05). Each 1 g increase in CF was associated with a 16% reduction in risk of recovered CTI conduction (95% confidence interval: 4–27%, P = 0.01).

Conclusion

Use of surrogate markers of “good contact” during ablation by experienced operators in the absence of real‐time CF sensing resulted in nearly half of all lesions being delivered with low CF with marked region‐specific variability in CF. Low CF was implicated in longer time to achieve conduction block and increased risk of acute reconnection. These findings underscore the importance of real‐time CF measurements for optimizing ablation of typical atrial flutter.
Efficacy and safety of focused ultrasound versus microwave therapy for cervical ectopy: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Tang Xueli , Gao Zhan , Li Youping , Yu Jiajie , Li Xianglian
Published: May 2015

Objectives

To assess the efficacy and safety of focused ultrasound therapy (FU) and microwave therapy (MW) for cervical ectopy (CE).

Methods

We searched PubMed, EMbase, the Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP), China Academic Journals Full‐text Database (CNKI), and WanFang Data for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing FU with MW for women with symptomatic CE from inception to 30 August 2014. Two review authors (Tang XL and Gao Z) independently screened for eligible studies according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data and assessed risk of bias of included RCTs. Then, meta‐analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.2 software. Funnel plots were used to evaluate publication bias.

Results

A total of 33 RCTs with 11,759 participants were included. All studies had high risk of bias. The results of meta‐analysis indicated that compared to MW, FU significantly reduced the risk of vaginal bleeding (RR = 0.09, 95%CI 0.05 to 0.17, P < 0.00001) and vaginal discharge (RR = 0.10, 95%CI 0.04 to 0.24, P < 0.00001), increased the cure rate (RR = 1.10, 95%CI 1.05 to 1.15, P < 0.0001) and the total effectiveness rate (RR = 1.04, 95%CI 1.02 to 1.06, P = 0.0005), and decreased the recurrence rate (RR = 0.13, 95%CI 0.02 to 1.00, P = 0.05); however, this last difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Current available evidence suggests that FU is safer and more effective than MW for treating CE. However, some limitations will reduce the reliability of our results. Further well‐designed clinical trials are needed to provide further clarification.
Testing treatments interactive (TTi): helping to equip the public to promote better research for better health care
Authors: Chen Yaolong , Chalmers Iain
Published: May 2015

Testing Treatments is a book written to help everyone understand why testing treatments is so important, why treatment tests have to be fair, and how everyone can help to promote better research for better health care. The book proved to be very popular and its second edition has already been translated into a dozen languages, with more translations in the pipeline. The texts of the original English and all the translations are feely downloadable from Testing Treatments interactive at www.testingtreatments.org. The editors of all the different language websites have established an TTi Editorial Alliance, to share experiences and provide each other with mutual support. The TTi Editorial Alliance seeks to promote a world in which health professionals, patients and the public use reliable research to inform their health decisions. Its missions are (i) To promote a global network, involving members of the public in partnership with professionals, to communicate and discuss basic principles and general knowledge about testing treatments; (ii) to help the public increase critical thinking and skills in accessing, apprehending, appraising and using research evidence; and (iii) to help patients and the public to participate more actively in health research.
Striatal‐enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase regulates the PTPα/Fyn signaling pathway
Authors: Xu Jian , Kurup Pradeep , Foscue Ethan , Lombroso Paul J.
Published: May 2015

The tyrosine kinase Fyn has two regulatory tyrosine residues that when phosphorylated either activate (Tyr420) or inhibit (Tyr531) Fyn activity. Within the central nervous system, two protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) target these regulatory tyrosines in Fyn. PTPα dephosphorylates Tyr531 and activates Fyn, while STEP (STriatal‐Enriched protein tyrosine Phosphatase) dephosphorylates Tyr420 and inactivates Fyn. Thus, PTPα and STEP have opposing functions in the regulation of Fyn; however, whether there is cross talk between these two PTPs remains unclear. Here, we used molecular techniques in primary neuronal cultures and in vivo to demonstrate that STEP negatively regulates PTPα by directly dephosphorylating PTPα at its regulatory Tyr789. Dephosphorylation of Tyr789 prevents the translocation of PTPα to synaptic membranes, blocking its ability to interact with and activate Fyn. Genetic or pharmacologic reduction in STEP61 activity increased the phosphorylation of PTPα at Tyr789, as well as increased translocation of PTPα to synaptic membranes. Activation of PTPα and Fyn and trafficking of GluN2B to synaptic membranes are necessary for ethanol (EtOH) intake behaviors in rodents. We tested the functional significance of STEP61 in this signaling pathway by EtOH administration to primary cultures as well as in vivo, and demonstrated that the inactivation of STEP61 by EtOH leads to the activation of PTPα, its translocation to synaptic membranes, and the activation of Fyn. These findings indicate a novel mechanism by which STEP61 regulates PTPα and suggest that STEP and PTPα coordinate the regulation of Fyn.

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STEP61, PTPα, Fyn, and NMDA receptor (NMDAR) have been implicated in ethanol intake behaviors in the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) in rodents. Here, we report that PTPα is a novel substrate for STEP61. Upon ethanol exposure, STEP61 is phosphorylated and inactivated by protein kinase A (PKA) signaling in the DMS. As a result of STEP61 inhibition, there is an increase in the phosphorylation of PTPα, which translocates to lipid rafts and activates Fyn and subsequent NMDAR signaling. The results demonstrate a synergistic regulation of Fyn‐NMDAR signaling by STEP61 and PTPα, which may contribute to the regulation of ethanol‐related behaviors. NMDA, N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate; PTPα, receptor‐type protein tyrosine phosphatase alpha; STEP, STriatal‐Enriched protein tyrosine Phosphatase.
Self‐Concept Clarity in Adolescents and Parents: A Six‐Wave Longitudinal and Multi‐Informant Study on Development and Intergenerational Transmission
Authors: Crocetti Elisabetta , Rubini Monica , Branje Susan , Koot Hans M. , Meeus Wim
Published: May 2015

The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to disentangle patterns of change and stability in self‐concept clarity (SCC) in adolescents and in their parents and (b) to examine processes of intergenerational transmission of SCC in families with adolescents.

Participants were 497 Dutch families including the father (baseline Mage = 46.74), the mother (baseline Mage = 44.41), and their adolescent child (56.9% males; baseline Mage = 13.03). Each family member completed the SCC scale for six waves, with a one‐year interval between each wave.

Latent growth curve analyses indicated that adolescent boys reported higher SCC than girls. Furthermore, fathers and mothers reported higher SCC than their children, and it increased over time. Indices of SCC rank‐order stability were high and increased from T1 to T2, T2 to T3, etc., for each family member, especially for adolescents. Multivariate latent growth curve analyses and cross‐lagged models highlighted a unidirectional transmission process, with fathers’ and mothers’ SCC influencing adolescents’ SCC. This result was not moderated by adolescent gender. These findings indicate that self‐concept clarity is transmitted from parents to children.
The Prognostic Value of Perioperative Profiles of ACTH and Cortisol for Recurrence after Transsphenoidal Hypophysectomy in Dogs with Corticotroph Adenomas
Authors: van Rijn S.J. , Hanson J.M. , Zierikzee D. , Kooistra H.S. , Penning L.C. , Tryfonidou M.A. , Meij B.P.
Published: May 2015

Background

Transsphenoidal hypophysectomy is an effective treatment for dogs with pituitary‐dependent hypercortisolism (PDH). However, long‐term recurrence of hypercortisolism is a well‐recognized problem, indicating the need for reliable prognostic indicators.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of perioperative plasma ACTH and cortisol concentrations for identifying recurrence of hypercortisolism after transsphenoidal hypophysectomy.

Animals

A total of 112 dogs with PDH that underwent transsphenoidal hypophysectomy met the inclusion criteria of the study.

Methods

Hormone concentrations were measured preoperatively and 1–5 hours after surgery. Both absolute hormone concentrations and postoperative concentrations normalized to preoperative concentrations were included in analyses. The prognostic value of hormone concentrations was studied with Cox's proportional hazard analysis.

Results

Median follow‐up and disease‐free period were 1096 days and 896 days, respectively. Twenty‐eight percent of patients had recurrence, with a median disease‐free period of 588 days. Both absolute and normalized postoperative cortisol concentrations were significantly higher in dogs with recurrence than in dogs without recurrence. High ACTH 5 hours after surgery, high cortisol 1 and 4 hours after surgery, high normalized ACTH 3 hours after surgery, high normalized cortisol 4 hours after surgery and the random slope of cortisol were associated with a shorter disease‐free period.

Conclusions and clinical importance

Individual perioperative hormone curves provide valuable information about the risk of recurrence after hypophysectomy. However, because no single cutoff point could be identified, combination with other variables, such as the pituitary height/brain area (P/B) ratio, is still needed to obtain a good estimate of the risk for recurrence of hypercortisolism after hypophysectomy.
Altered viscerotopic cortical innervation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Irimia A. , Labus J. S. , Torgerson C. M. , Van Horn J. D. , Mayer E. A.
Published: May 2015

Background

Studies have demonstrated the existence of regional gray matter and white matter (WM) alterations in the brains of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but the extent to which altered anatomical connectivity between brain regions is altered in IBS remains incompletely understood.

Methods

In this study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were used to identify significant brain connectivity differences between IBS patients and healthy control (HC) subjects. Based on MRI and DTI volumes acquired from 66 IBS patients and 23 HC subjects, multivariate regression was used to investigate whether subject age, sex, cortical thickness, or the mean fractional anisotropy (FA) of WM connections innervating each location on the cortex could predict IBS diagnosis.

Key Results

HC and IBS subjects were found to differ significantly within both left and right viscerotopic portions of the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), with the mean FA of WM bundles innervating S1 being the predictor variable responsible for these significant differences.

Conclusions & Inferences

These preliminary findings illustrate how a chronic visceral pain syndrome and brain structure are related in the cohort examined, and because of their indication that IBS diagnosis is associated with anatomic neuropathology of potential neurological relevance in this patient sample.
Development of facial sexual dimorphism in children aged between 12 and 15 years: a three‐dimensional longitudinal study
Authors: Koudelová J. , Brůžek J. , Cagáňová V. , Krajíček V. , Velemínská J.
Published: May 2015

Structured Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate sexual dimorphism of facial form and shape and to describe differences between the average female and male face from 12 to 15 years.

Setting and Sample Population

Overall 120 facial scans from healthy Caucasian children (17 boys, 13 girls) were longitudinally evaluated over a 4‐year period between the ages of 12 and 15 years.

Materials and Methods

Facial surface scans were obtained using a three‐dimensional optical scanner Vectra‐3D. Variation in facial shape and form was evaluated using geometric morphometric and statistical methods (DCA, PCA and permutation test). Average faces were superimposed, and the changes were evaluated using colour‐coded maps.

Results

There were no significant sex differences (p > 0.05) in shape in any age category and no differences in form in the 12‐ and 13‐year‐olds, as the female faces were within the area of male variability. From the age of 14, a slight separation occurred, which was statistically confirmed. The differences were mainly associated with size. Generally boys had more prominent eyebrow ridges, more deeply set eyes, a flatter cheek area, and a more prominent nose and chin area.

Conclusion

The development of facial sexual dimorphism during pubertal growth is connected with ontogenetic allometry.
Catheter Ablation of Premature Ventricular Contractions Originating in the Aortic Sinus Cusp or Great Cardiac Vein: Two QRS Morphologies with One Origin
Authors: WANG YU‐BIN , MA JUAN , DONG JIAN‐ZENG , BAI RONG , WANG JING , LI SONG‐NAN , YU RONG‐HUI , LONG DE‐YONG , MA CHANG‐SHENG , CHU JIAN‐MIN
Published: May 2015

Background

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) originating from aortic sinus cusps (ASCs) can exhibit preferential conduction to right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT).

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the electrophysiological characteristics for guiding catheter ablation in patients with two morphological types of PVCs that originate from ASCs or the great cardiac vein (GCV).

Methods

We analyzed electrocardiogram from 10 patients with PVCs of two QRS morphologies. The patients who exhibited dominant left bundle branch block (LBBB) QRS morphology and less right bundle branch block (RBBB) morphology were designated as group 1 (n = 7), and those with dominant RBBB QRS morphology were designated as group 2 (n = 3). During PVCs, electroanatomical mapping was performed in both RVOT and ASC in group 1 and only performed in ASC or GCV in group 2.

Results

In group 1, the earliest ventricular activation preceding the onset of the QRS complex (V‐QRS) was recorded for 27 ± 6 ms (range 18–36 ms) in RVOT and 25 ± 6 ms (range 18–34 ms) in the ASC, while V‐QRS was recorded for 28 ms, 42 ms, 40 ms in the ASC or GCV in group 2. All patients were successfully ablated at one site finally, including left coronary cusp in seven, left‐right coronary cusp commissure in two, and GCV in one. None of the patients experienced recurrence or complications during the 18.4 ± 5.1 (range 6–24 months) months of follow‐up.

Conclusions

Two QRS morphologies (LBBB and RBBB with inferior axis) in PVCs could be a predictor of PVCs originating from ASC or GCV.
Epistemic Generation in Memory
Authors: Fernández Jordi
Published: May 2015

Does memory only preserve epistemic justification over time, or can memory also generate it? I argue that memory can generate justification based on a certain conception of mnemonic content. According to it, our memories represent themselves as originating on past perceptions of objective facts. If this conception of mnemonic content is correct, what we may believe on the basis of memory always includes something that we were not in a position to believe before we utilised that capacity. For that reason, memory can produce justification for belief through the process of remembering. This is why a subject may be justified in believing a proposition on the basis of memory even if, in the past, she was not justified in believing it through any other source. The resulting picture of memory is a picture wherein the epistemically generative role of memory turns out to be grounded on its intentionally generative role.