bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mean cerebral blood flow measurements using phase contrast MRI in the first year of life
Authors: Varela Marta , Groves Alan M , Arichi Tomoki , Hajnal Joseph V
Published: January 2012

Alterations in cerebral blood flow (CBF) are believed to be linked to many of the neurological pathologies that affect neonates and small infants. CBF measurements are nonetheless often difficult to perform in this population, as many techniques rely on radioactive tracers or other invasive methods. In this study, mean global CBF was measured in 21 infants under the age of one, using non‐invasive MRI techniques adapted to the neonatal population. Mean CBF was computed as the ratio of blood flow delivered to the brain (measured using phase contrast MRI) and brain volume (computed by segmenting anatomical MR images). Tests in adult volunteers and repeated measurements showed the flow measurements using the proposed method to be both accurate and reproducible. It was also found that cardiac gating need not be employed in infants with no known cardiac pathology.

The developed technique can easily be appended to a neonatal MRI examination to provide rapid, robust, and non‐invasive estimates of mean CBF, thus providing a means to monitor developmental or pathology‐related alterations in cerebral perfusion and the impact of different treatment courses. In the imaged cohort, mean CBF and flow to the brain were found to rapidly increase during the first year of life (from approx. 25 to 60 ml blood/100 ml tissue/min), in good agreement with literature from other modalities where available. Mean CBF also showed a significant correlation with arterial oxygen saturation level and heart rate, but no significant correlation was found between CBF and the hematocrit or body temperature. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐resolution ZTE imaging of human teeth
Authors: Weiger Markus , Pruessmann Klaas P. , Bracher Anna‐Katinka , Köhler Sascha , Lehmann Volker , Wolfram Uwe , Hennel Franciszek , Rasche Volker
Published: January 2012

MRI with zero echo time (ZTE) is achieved by 3D radial centre‐out encoding and hard‐pulse RF excitation while the projection gradient is already on. Targeting short‐T2 samples, the efficient, robust and silent ZTE approach was implemented for high‐bandwidth high‐resolution imaging requiring particularly rapid transmit‐receive switching and algebraic image reconstruction. The ZTE technique was applied to image extracted human teeth at 11.7T field strength, yielding detailed depictions with very good delineation of the mineralised dentine and enamel layers. ZTE results are compared with UTE (ultra‐short echo time) MRI and micro‐computed tomography (μCT), revealing significant differences in SNR and CNR yields. Compared to μCT, ZTE MRI appears to be less susceptible to artefacts caused by dental fillings and to offer superior sensitivity for the detection of early demineralisation and caries lesions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Health‐related quality of life among children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Furlong William , Rae Charlene , Feeny David , Gelber Richard D. , Laverdiere Caroline , Michon Bruno , Silverman Lewis , Sallan Stephen , Barr Ronald
Published: January 2012

Background

The objective was to quantify the health‐related quality of life (HRQL) of children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and identify specific disabilities for remediation.

Procedure

Two types of subjects were included: ALL patients 5 plus years old in a multi‐center clinical trial and general population control groups. Patients were assessed during all four major phases of active treatment and approximately 2 years after treatment. Health status and HRQL were measured using HEALTH UTILITIES INDEX® (HUI®) Mark 2 (HUI2) and Mark 3 (HUI3). HRQL scores were used to calculate quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs). Excess disability rates identified attributes for remediation.

Results

HUI assessments (n = 749) were collected during the five phases. Mean HRQL increased from induction through the post‐treatment phase (P < 0.001). There were no significant demographic or treatment effects on HRQL, except for type of asparaginase during continuation therapy (P = 0.005 for HUI2 and P = 0.007 for HUI3). Differences in mean HRQL scores between patients and controls were important (P < 0.001) during the active treatment phases but not during the post‐treatment phase. Relative to controls, patients lost approximately 0.2 QALYs during active treatment. Disability was evident in mobility/ambulation, emotion, self‐care and pain, and declined over time.

Conclusions

Patients with ALL experienced important but declining deficits in HRQL during active treatment phases: Equivalent to losing approximately 2 months of life in perfect health. HRQL within the 2‐years post‐treatment phase was similar to controls. The policy challenge is to develop new treatment protocols producing fewer disabilities in mobility/ambulation, emotion, self‐care, and pain without compromising survival. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012;59:717–724. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Polymer hydrogels of 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate and acrylic acid obtained by frontal polymerization
Authors: Sanna Roberta , Alzari Valeria , Nuvoli Daniele , Scognamillo Sergio , Marceddu Salvatore , Mariani Alberto
Published: January 2012

In this work, we report on the synthesis and characterization of homopolymers and copolymers of acrylic acid and 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate prepared by the use of the frontal polymerization (FP) technique. Tetraethyleneglycoldiacrylate was used as a crosslinker and benzoyl peroxide as an initiator. The maximum temperatures reached by the front were in the range between 214 °C and 296 °C. Besides, front velocities ranged between 3.9 and 10.8 cm/min, the latter being one of the highest values reported so far in the FP literature. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to estimate the conversion degree, which was always comprised between 90% and 96%, and to determine the glass transition temperatures, which were found to be dependent on the composition, with values ranging from 13 °C to 168 °C. Moreover, the obtained materials were allowed to swell in aqueous solutions at various pH. The samples exhibit a moderate increase of the swelling ratio percentage (SR%) at pH ≈ 5–6, and a sudden and larger SR% increase at pH ≈ 12–13 depending on the composition, thus indicating the obtainment of pH‐responsive polymer hydrogels. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Magnetite‐polylactic acid core–shell nanoparticles by ring‐opening polymerization under microwave irradiation
Authors: Nan Alexandrina , Turcu Rodica , Liebscher Jürgen
Published: January 2012

The synthesis of magnetic core–shell nanoparticles consisting of magnetite cores surface‐functionalized by glycolic acid covered by polylactic acid was performed by applying the “grafting‐from” strategy, where the polymerization is initiated from the particle surface. The surface initiated ring‐opening polymerization of D,L‐lactide was initiated by tin (II) 2‐ethylhexanoate using microwave irradiation. Core–shell nanoparticles of high colloidal stability in water were obtained in this way. The morphology of the magnetic core–shell nanostructure was determined by transmission electron microscopy, and the chemical structure was elucidated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Magnetic measurements revealed superparamagnetic behavior and high magnetization values. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Synthesis of fluorine‐containing star‐shaped poly(vinyl ether)s via arm‐linking reactions in living cationic polymerization
Authors: Shimomoto Hiroaki , Fukami Dai , Irita Tomomi , Katsukawa Ken‐ichi , Nagai Takabumi , Kanaoka Shokyoku , Aoshima Sadahito
Published: January 2012

Various types of fluorine‐containing star‐shaped poly(vinyl ether)s were successfully synthesized by crosslinking reactions of living polymers based on living cationic polymerization. Star polymers with fluorinated arm chains were prepared by the reaction between a divinyl ether and living poly(vinyl ether)s with fluorine groups (C4F9, C6F13, and C8F17) at the side chain using cationogen/Et1.5AlCl1.5 in a fluorinated solvent (dichloropentafluoropropanes), giving star‐shaped fluorinated polymers in high yields with a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution. The concentration of living polymers for the crosslinking reaction and the molar feed ratio of a bifunctional vinyl ether to living polymers affected the yield and molecular weight of the star polymers. Star polymers with block arms were prepared by a linking reaction of living block copolymers of a fluorinated segment and a nonfluorinated segment. Heteroarm star‐shaped polymers containing two‐ or three‐arm species were synthesized using a mixture of different living polymer species for the reaction with a bifunctional vinyl ether. The obtained polymers underwent temperature‐induced solubility transitions in various organic solvents, and their concentrated solutions underwent sol–gel transitions, based on the solubility transition of a thermoresponsive fluorinated segment. Furthermore, a slight amount of fluorine groups were shown to be effective for physical gelation when those were located at the arm ends of a star polymer. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Coil‐to‐helix transitions in intrinsically disordered methyl CpG binding protein 2 and its isolated domains
Authors: Hite Kristopher C. , Kalashnikova Anna A. , Hansen Jeffrey C.
Published: January 2012

Methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) is a canonical intrinsically disordered protein (IDP), that is, it lacks stable secondary structure throughout its entire polypeptide chain. Because IDPs often have the propensity to become locally ordered, we tested whether full‐length MeCP2 and its constituent domains would gain secondary structure in 2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol (TFE), a cosolvent that stabilizes intramolecular hydrogen bonding in proteins. The α‐helix, β‐strand/turn, and unstructured content were determined as a function of TFE concentration by deconvolution of circular dichroism data. Results indicate that approximately two‐thirds of the unstructured residues present in full‐length MeCP2 were converted to α‐helix in 70% TFE without a change in β‐strand/turn. Thus, much of the MeCP2 polypeptide chain undergoes coil‐to‐helix transitions under conditions that favor intrachain hydrogen bond formation. The unstructured residues of the N‐terminal (NTD) and C‐terminal (CTD) domains were partially converted to α‐helix in 70% TFE. In contrast, the central transcription regulation domain (TRD) became almost completely α‐helical in 70% TFE. Unlike the NTD, CTD, and TRD, the unstructured content of the methyl DNA binding domain and the intervening domain did not change with increasing TFE concentration. These results indicate that the coil‐to‐helix transitions that occur in full‐length MeCP2 are localized to the NTD, CTD, and TRD, with the TRD showing the greatest tendency for helix formation. The potential relationships between intrinsic disorder, coil‐to‐helix transitions, and MeCP2 structure and function are discussed.
Assessing the integrated pest management practices of southeastern US ornamental nursery operations
Authors: LeBude Anthony V , White Sarah A , Fulcher Amy F , Frank Steve , Klingeman III William E , Chong Juang‐Horng , Chappell Matthew R , Windham Alan , Braman Kris , Hale Frank , Dunwell Winston , Williams‐Woodward Jean , Ivors Kelly , Adkins Craig , Neal Joe
Published: January 2012

BACKGROUND: The Southern Nursery Integrated Pest Management (SNIPM) working group surveyed ornamental nursery crop growers in the southeastern United States to determine their pest management practices. Respondents answered questions about monitoring practices for insects, diseases and weeds, prevention techniques, intervention decisions, concerns about IPM and educational opportunities. Survey respondents were categorized into three groups based on IPM knowledge and pest management practices adopted.

RESULTS: The three groups differed in the use of standardized sampling plans for scouting pests, in monitoring techniques, e.g. sticky cards, phenology and growing degree days, in record‐keeping, in the use of spot‐spraying and in the number of samples sent to a diagnostic clinic for identification and management recommendation.

CONCLUSIONS: Stronger emphasis is needed on deliberate scouting techniques and tools to monitor pest populations to provide earlier pest detection and greater flexibility of management options. Most respondents thought that IPM was effective and beneficial for both the environment and employees, but had concerns about the ability of natural enemies to control insect pests, and about the availability and effectiveness of alternatives to chemical controls. Research and field demonstration is needed for selecting appropriate natural enemies for augmentative biological control. Two groups utilized cooperative extension almost exclusively, which would be an avenue for educating those respondents. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Parametrizing the horizontal inhomogeneity of ice water content using CloudSat data products
Authors: Hill Peter G. , Hogan Robin J. , Manners James , Petch Jon C.
Published: January 2012

In order to calculate unbiased microphysical and radiative quantities in the presence of a cloud, it is necessary to know not only the mean water content but also the distribution of this water content. This article describes a study of the in‐cloud horizontal inhomogeneity of ice water content, based on CloudSat data. In particular, by focusing on the relations with variables that are already available in general circulation models (GCMs), a parametrization of inhomogeneity that is suitable for inclusion in GCM simulations is developed. Inhomogeneity is defined in terms of the fractional standard deviation (FSD), which is given by the standard deviation divided by the mean. The FSD of ice water content is found to increase with the horizontal scale over which it is calculated and also with the thickness of the layer. The connection to cloud fraction is more complicated; for small cloud fractions FSD increases as cloud fraction increases while FSD decreases sharply for overcast scenes. The relations to horizontal scale, layer thickness and cloud fraction are parametrized in a relatively simple equation. The performance of this parametrization is tested on an independent set of CloudSat data. The parametrization is shown to be a significant improvement on the assumption of a single‐valued global FSD. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society and British Crown Copyright, the Met Office
Development of electric/electronic architectures for safety‐related vehicle functions
Authors: Hillenbrand M. , Heinz M. , Matheis J. , Müller‐Glaser K. D.
Published: January 2012

The development of software‐based systems for vehicles in compliance with the new standard ISO 26262 – functional safety for road vehicles – requires a common understanding between the two domains. In this paper, we consider the impact of the ISO 26262 to the concept phase of the vehicle development, especially the model‐based development of electric/electronic architectures. To found a formal basis for the electric/electronic architecture modeling, located in the development process and addressed by ISO 26262, we introduce a meta‐model, combining the major concepts and relations of electric/electronic architectures and ISO 26262. Safety analysis can be supported by data available in the electric/electronic architecture model. In this paper, we present a methodology to facilitate and accumulate context‐based information from electric/electronic architecture models to use them as input information for safety analysis. We also demonstrate how to perform the safety analysis method, that is, failure mode and effect analysis, based on the same architecture description language as the electric/electronic architecture model and also within the same modeling tool. We also present a methodology for the modeling and consideration of safety aspects and requirements crossing different system perimeters. This facilitates the consistent description and analysis of systems of systems, such as contemporary vehicles. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Changes in GABA and GABAB receptor expressions are involved in neuropathy in the rat cuneate nucleus following median nerve transection
Authors: Chen Seu‐Hwa , Tsai Yi‐Ju , Lin Chi‐Te , Wang Hsin‐Ying , Li Shin‐Fang , Lue June‐Horng
Published: January 2012

This study examined the relationship between changes in GABA transmission and behavioral abnormalities after median nerve transection. Following unilateral median nerve transection, the percentage of GABA‐like immunoreactive neurons in the cuneate nucleus and that of GABAB receptor‐like immunoreactive neurons in the dorsal root ganglion in the injured side decreased and reached a nadir at 4 weeks after median nerve transection. Four weeks after bilateral median nerve transection and intraperitoneal application with saline, baclofen (2 mg kg−1), or phaclofen (2 mg kg−1) before unilateral electrical stimulation of the injured median nerve, we investigated the level of neuropeptide Y release and c‐Fos expression in the stimulated side of the cuneate nucleus. The neuropeptide Y release level and the number of c‐Fos‐like immunoreactive neurons in the baclofen group were significantly attenuated, whereas those in the phaclofen group had increased compared to the saline group. These findings indicate that median nerve transection reduces GABA transmission, promoting injury‐induced neuropeptide Y release and consequently evoking c‐Fos expression in cuneate nucleus neurons. Furthermore, this study used the CatWalk method to assess behavioral abnormalities in rats following median nerve transection. These abnormalities were reversed by baclofen treatment. Overall, the results suggest that baclofen treatment block neuropeptide Y release, subsequently lessening c‐Fos expression in cuneate neurons and consequently attenuating neuropathic signal transmission to the thalamus. Synapse, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparative study of special and ordinary braced frames
Authors: Akbas Bulent , Sutchiewcharn Narathip , Cai Wenyu , Wen Rou , Shen Jay
Published: January 2012

The collapse probability of ductile and non‐ductile concentrically braced frames was investigated using nonlinear dynamic response analysis. Two buildings with three and nine stories located in Boston and Los Angeles, respectively, were designed and subjected to ground motions from the areas. In Boston area, three‐story and nine‐story buildings were designed as ordinary concentrically braced frame with response modification reduction factor R equal to 3 1/4 to be considered as non‐ductile structural systems; comparatively, in Los Angeles area, three‐story and nine‐story buildings were designed as special concentrically braced frame with response modification reduction factor R equal to 6 to be considered as ductile structural systems. In order to evaluate the performance of ductile and non‐ductile concentrically braced frames in moderate and severe seismic regions, ATC‐63 would be used as reference to assess the seismic behaviors. Evaluation approach recommended by ATC‐63 was adopted, and hundreds of nonlinear dynamic analyses were performed. Through alternating the scale factors of designated ground motions, median of structural collapse intensity was presented for each structure. By observing the results of statistical performance assessment, the seismic performance of the systems was evaluated, and some observations are made based on the study. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outcome Following Management of Dysphagia after Laparoscopic Anti‐reflux Surgery
Authors: Yang Huiqi , Meun Cindy , Sun Xiangyu , Watson David I.
Published: January 2012

Background

Some patients develop troublesome dysphagia after laparoscopic antireflux surgery, and a proportion require further intervention. The management of this problem was evaluated.

Methods

Patients who underwent intervention for dysphagia after laparoscopic fundoplication were identified from a database. Outcomes were prospectively determined from a standardized questionnaire that evaluated symptoms scores for dysphagia for solids and liquids, as well as patient satisfaction with the overall outcome. Outcomes 1 year after reintervention, and at the most recent follow‐up were evaluated.

Results

From 1994 to 2009, 121 (6.6%) of 1,821 patients who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux also underwent endoscopic or surgical reintervention for dysphagia. Of these 121 patients, 56 underwent endoscopic dilatation, and 24 were satisfied with the outcome of dilatation; 18 progressed to surgery, and dysphagia persisted in 14 of them. Overall, 83 patients underwent revisional surgery, and 47 (62.7%) were satisfied with the outcome. Compared to patients who did not undergo any intervention for dysphagia, patients who underwent reintervention had lower satisfaction scores and higher dysphagia scores.

Conclusions

Approximately two thirds of patients with troublesome post‐fundoplication dysphagia have a satisfactory outcome following either endoscopic dilatation or revisional surgery. However, approximately one third continue to be troubled by symptoms, despite further intervention.
Direct‐to‐Consumer Personal Genomic Testing: A Case Study and Practical Recommendations for “Genomic Counseling”
Authors: Sturm Amy C. , Manickam Kandamurugu
Published: January 2012

Technological advances and information‐seeking consumers have pushed forward the movement of direct‐to‐consumer (DTC) genetic testing. Just like with other types of testing, there are potential risks, benefits and limitations. A major limitation of DTC testing is the incomplete view it provides regarding lifetime risk for common, complex diseases, since most tests only analyze 1–2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and do not include evaluation of medical or family histories, which is necessary to risk assessment. Further, it is not currently well‐established whether personal genomic testing results will lead toward improved health behaviors, adverse psychological effects or potential overuse of the health care system. To display these and other issues, we present an in‐depth case study of an individual who ordered DTC genetic testing and subsequently sought genetic counseling. This case presents a unique learning experience for the field of genomic counseling, as the patient did not fit the typical assumptions regarding ‘early adopters’ of DTC testing. It also allowed the genetics health care providers involved in the case to identify gaps in current genetic counseling practice that need to be filled and approaches to employ for successful delivery of genomic counseling. Based on our experience, we developed practical recommendations for genomic counseling, which include novel approaches to case preparation, use of electronic tools during the counseling session, and focusing on education as the major component of the genomic counseling session, in order to provide patients with the knowledge necessary to independently interpret and understand large amounts of genomic testing information provided to them.
Anticorps antispermatozoïdes : indications, étiologies et applications en 2011, de l’exploration de l’infertilité au concept d’immunocontraception masculine
Authors: Tuech J.
Published: January 2012

La présente revue de la littérature a pour but de préciser en 2011 les techniques utilisées pour le dépistage des anticorps antispermatozoïdes (ACAS) et l’intérêt de ce dépistage dans diverses situations physiopathologiques mais aussi dans le choix du traitement des infertilités par les techniques d’assistance médicale à la procréation (AMP). De plus, l’étude des cibles et du rôle des ACAS dans l’infertilité a permis la mise au point d’un vaccin contraceptif masculin efficace dans certains modèles animaux et potentiellement utilisable chez l’homme.
Reasons for Switching Service Providers
Authors: East Robert , Grandcolas Ursula , Riley Francesca Dall'Olmo , Lomax Wendy
Published: January 2012

This paper examines the reasons that people give for switching services. It is designed to test previous work and to extend knowledge by showing how the frequencies of different reasons vary by type of service. Unlike previous work using Critical Incident Technique (CIT), surveys are used to gather data on switching reasons. It is argued that CIT tends to select in favour of event-related reasons and against condition-related reasons.

The research reveals a much lower frequency of event-related reasons for switching and more condition-related reasons compared with earlier work, particularly when services are delivered at a specific location. The research is extended to different types of switching. When customers have to switch, they often cited conditions; when they switch because of dissatisfaction with a supplier, they give more event-based reasons; when they discover a better supplier without previous dissatisfaction, they most often cite competition reasons.

These findings have practical implications. First, previous work has claimed that service switching is preventable because event-related reasons can often be avoided by management; the present work, by showing that avoidable reasons are rarer, shifts the focus from customer retention to customer acquisition. Second, this work informs practitioners about the reasons that are likely to be given by defectors in their service category; this assists strategy decisions on retaining and acquiring customers.
Tumour multiplicity as a risk factor for the development of bladder tumours after primary upper urinary tract cancer
Authors: Ito Hideaki , Oyama Nobuyuki , Tsuchiyama Katsuki , Yokoyama Osamu
Published: January 2012

Objective:

To determine the independent risk factors for intravesical tumour recurrence in patients with primary urothelial cancer of the upper urinary tract.

Patients and methods:

Of the 60 patients who underwent nephroureterectomy for urothelial cancer of the upper urinary tract, the data from 49 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with a previous history or concomitance of bladder cancer were excluded from the study. Multivariate analysis by Cox’s proportional hazards model was used to determine independent risk factors for intravesical tumour recurrence.

Results:

Of the 49 patients reviewed, 22 (44.9%) experienced subsequent intravesical tumour recurrence during a mean follow-up period of 26 months (range 3–103). On multivariate analysis, tumour multiplicity had a statistically significant impact on the risk of intravesical tumour recurrence ( P < 0.01).

Conclusion:

Neither the pathology of the upper urinary tract cancers nor the method of treatment was associated with recurrent bladder cancers. Only tumour multiplicity had a significant impact on the incidence of intravesical tumour recurrence.
Mapping key interactions in the dimerization process of HBHA from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, insights into bacterial agglutination
Authors: Esposito Carla , Cantisani Marco , D'Auria Gabriella , Falcigno Lucia , Pedone Emilia , Galdiero Stefania , Berisio Rita
Published: January 2012

HBHA
and
HBHA
bind by blue native page (View interaction)
Amyloid imaging in dementias with atypical presentation
Authors: Wolk David A. , Price Julie C. , Madeira Charles , Saxton Judy A. , Snitz Beth E. , Lopez Oscar L. , Mathis Chester A. , Klunk William E. , DeKosky Steven T.
Published: January 2012

Background

With the potential emergence of disease specific therapies, an accurate biomarker of Alzheimer's Disease pathology is needed in cases in which the underlying etiology is uncertain. We explored the potential value of amyloid imaging in patients with atypical presentations of dementia.

Methods

Twenty‐eight patients with atypical dementia underwent positron emission tomography imaging with the amyloid imaging tracer Pittsburgh compound B (PiB). Twenty‐six had [18F]fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose positron emission tomography scans. After extensive clinical evaluation, this group of patients generated considerable diagnostic uncertainty and received working diagnoses that included possible Alzheimer's disease (AD), focal dementias (e.g., posterior cortical atrophy [PCA]), or cases in which no clear diagnostic category could be determined (dementia of uncertain etiology). Patients were classified as PiB‐positive, PiB‐negative, or PiB‐intermediate, based on objective criteria. Anterior–posterior and left–right indices of PiB and [18F]fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose uptake were calculated to examine differences in distribution of amyloid pathology and metabolic changes associated with clinical phenotype.

Results

Eleven patients (39%) were PiB positive, 16 were PiB negative (57%), and one (4%) was PiB intermediate. By diagnostic category, three of 10 patients (30%) with dementia of uncertain etiology, one of five (20%) with primary progressive aphasia, three of five (60%) with PCA, and four of seven (57%) with possible AD were PiB positive. Brain metabolism of both PiB‐positive and PiB‐negative patients was generally similar by phenotype, but appeared to differ from typical AD. PCA patients also appeared to differ in their relative distribution of PiB compared with typical AD, consistent with their atypical phenotype.

Conclusions

AD pathology is frequently present in atypical presentations of dementia and can be identified by amyloid imaging. Clinical phenotype is more related to the pattern of cerebral hypometabolism than the presence/absence of amyloid pathology. These findings have diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications.
BIGpre: A Quality Assessment Package for Next-Generation Sequencing Data
Authors: Zhang Tongwu , Luo Yingfeng , Liu Kan , Pan Linlin , Zhang Bing , Yu Jun , Hu Songnian
Published: January 2012

The emergence of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies has significantly improved sequencing throughput and reduced costs. However, the short read length, duplicate reads and massive volume of data make the data processing much more difficult and complicated than the first-generation sequencing technology. Although there are some software packages developed to assess the data quality, those packages either are not easily available to users or require bioinformatics skills and computer resources. Moreover, almost all the quality assessment software currently available didn’t taken into account the sequencing errors when dealing with the duplicate assessment in NGS data. Here, we present a new user-friendly quality assessment software package called BIGpre, which works for both Illumina and 454 platforms. BIGpre contains all the functions of other quality assessment software, such as the correlation between forward and reverse reads, read GC-content distribution, and base Ns quality. More importantly, BIGpre incorporates associated programs to detect and remove duplicate reads after taking sequencing errors into account and trimming low quality reads from raw data as well. BIGpre is primarily written in Perl and integrates graphical capability from the statistics package R. This package produces both tabular and graphical summaries of data quality for sequencing datasets from Illumina and 454 platforms. Processing hundreds of millions reads within minutes, this package provides immediate diagnostic information for user to manipulate sequencing data for downstream analyses. BIGpre is freely available at http://bigpre.sourceforge.net/.
Maternal and best friends’ influences on meal-skipping behaviours
Authors: Pearson Natalie , Williams Lauren , Crawford David , Ball Kylie
Published: January 2012

Skipping meals is particularly common during adolescence and can have a detrimental effect on multiple aspects of adolescent health. Understanding the correlates of meal-skipping behaviours is important for the design of nutrition interventions. The present study examined maternal and best friends’ influences on adolescent meal-skipping behaviours. Frequency of skipping breakfast, lunch and dinner was assessed using a Web-based survey completed by 3001 adolescent boys and girls from years 7 and 9 of secondary schools in Victoria, Australia. Perceived best friend and maternal meal skipping, modelling of healthy eating (eating healthy food, limiting junk food, eating fruit and vegetables) and weight watching were assessed. Best friend and maternal factors were differentially associated with meal-skipping behaviours. For example, boys and girls who perceived that their best friend often skipped meals were more likely to skip lunch (OR = 2·01, 95 % CI 1·33, 3·04 and OR = 1·93, 95 % CI 1·41, 2·65;P < 0·001). Boys and girls who perceived that their mother often skipped meals were more likely to skip breakfast (OR = 1·48, 95 % CI 1·01, 2·15;P < 0·05 and OR = 1·93, 95 % CI 1·42, 2·59;P < 0·001) and lunch (OR = 2·05, 95 % CI 1·35, 3·12 and OR = 2·02, 95 % CI 1·43, 2·86;P < 0·001). Educating adolescents on how to assess and interpret unhealthy eating behaviours that they observe from significant others may be one nutrition promotion strategy to reduce meal-skipping behaviour. The involvement of mothers may be particularly important in such efforts. Encouraging a peer subculture that promotes regular consumption of meals and educates adolescents on the detrimental impact of meal-skipping behaviour on health may also offer a promising nutrition promotion strategy.
Greater stimulation of myofibrillar protein synthesis with ingestion of whey protein isolate v. micellar casein at rest and after resistance exercise in elderly men
Authors: Burd Nicholas A. , Yang Yifan , Moore Daniel R. , Tang Jason E. , Tarnopolsky Mark A. , Phillips Stuart M.
Published: January 2012

We aimed to determine the effect of consuming pure isolated micellar casein or pure whey protein isolate on rates of myofibrillar protein synthesis (MPS) at rest and after resistance exercise in elderly men. Healthy elderly men (72 (sem 1) years; BMI 26·4 (sem 0·7) kg/m2) were divided into two groups (n 7 each) who received a primed, constant infusion of l-[ring-13C6]phenylalanine to measure MPS at rest and during 4 h of exercise recovery. Participants performed unilateral leg resistance exercise followed by the consumption of isonitrogenous quantities (20 g) of casein or whey. Blood essential amino acids and leucine concentration peaked 60 min post-drink and were greater in amplitude after whey protein ingestion (both, P < 0·05). MPS in the rested leg was 65 % higher (P = 0·002) after ingestion of whey (0·040 (sem 0·003) %/h) when compared with micellar casein (0·024 (sem 0·002) %/h). Similarly, resistance exercise-stimulated rates of MPS were greater (P < 0·001) after whey ingestion (0·059 (sem 0·005) %/h) v. micellar casein (0·035 (sem 0·002) %/h). We conclude that ingestion of isolated whey protein supports greater rates of MPS than micellar casein both at rest and after resistance exercise in healthy elderly men. This result is probably related to a greater hyperaminoacidaemia or leucinaemia with whey ingestion.
Source tracing of detrital serpentinite in the Oligocene molasse deposits from the western Alps (Barrême basin): implications for relief formation in the internal zone
Authors: SCHWARTZ S. , GUILLOT S. , TRICART P. , BERNET M. , JOURDAN S. , DUMONT T. , MONTAGNAC G.
Published: January 2012

We present the first contribution of tracing the source area of ophiolitic detritus in the Alpine molasse deposits by Raman spectroscopy. The lower Oligocene molasse deposits preserved in the Barrême basin, in the SW foreland of the western Alpine arc, are known for the sudden arrival of the first ‘exotic’ detritus coming from the internal Alpine zones. Among them, the pebbles of serpentinized peridotites have so far not been studied. We show that they only consist of antigorite serpentinite, implying that they originate from erosion of high temperature blueschists. In contrast, the upper Oligocene/lower Miocene molasse shows mixed clasts of serpentine including antigorite and lizardite without any evidence of chrysotile. This suggests that they were derived from a less metamorphosed unit such as the low temperature blueschist unit. Taking into account the sediment transport direction in the basin and the varied metamorphic characteristics of the other ocean-derived detritus, we constrain the lithologic nature of the source zones and the location of the relief zones, identified as the internal Alps, SE of the Pelvoux external crystalline massif. Available structural data andin situthermochronological data allow the reconstruction of the Oligocene to early Miocene collisional geometry of the Palaeogene subduction wedge. This phase corresponds to two major phases of uplift evolving from a single relief zone located above the Ivrea body during early Oligocene times and persisting up to early Miocene times; then during late Oligocene/early Miocene times a second relief zone developed above the Briançonnais zone. At that time, the internal western Alps acquired its double vergency.
INTELLIGENCE AND HOMOSEXUALITY
Authors: KANAZAWA SATOSHI
Published: January 2012

The origin of preferences and values is an unresolved theoretical problem in behavioural sciences. The Savanna-IQ Interaction Hypothesis, derived from the Savanna Principle and a theory of the evolution of general intelligence, suggests that more intelligent individuals are more likely to acquire and espouse evolutionarily novel preferences and values than less intelligent individuals, but general intelligence has no effect on the acquisition and espousal of evolutionarily familiar preferences and values. Ethnographies of traditional societies suggest that exclusively homosexual behaviour was probably rare in the ancestral environment, so the Hypothesis would predict that more intelligent individuals are more likely to identify themselves as homosexual and engage in homosexual behaviour. Analyses of three large, nationally representative samples (two of which are prospectively longitudinal) from two different nations confirm the prediction.
Nothofagus trees stranded on the Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Smith R.I. Lewis
Published: January 2012

The occurrence of two basal sections of southern beech trees (Nothofagus sp.) embedded in raised cobble beaches and exposed by receding icefields at widely separated locations on islands off the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula is reported. These are the most southerly records of naturally occurring driftwood. Both are of Fuegian or southern Patagonian origin but whether they arrived at their destinations directly from the north or by circumnavigating the Southern Ocean eastwards is uncertain. While their stranding probably occurred several centuries ago this can only be speculated.
Parasite-stress promotes in-group assortative sociality: The cases of strong family ties and heightened religiosity
Authors: Fincher Corey L. , Thornhill Randy
Published: January 2012

Throughout the world people differ in the magnitude with which they value strong family ties or heightened religiosity. We propose that this cross-cultural variation is a result of a contingent psychological adaptation that facilitates in-group assortative sociality in the face of high levels of parasite-stress while devaluing in-group assortative sociality in areas with low levels of parasite-stress. This is because in-group assortative sociality is more important for the avoidance of infection from novel parasites and for the management of infection in regions with high levels of parasite-stress compared with regions of low infectious disease stress. We examined this hypothesis by testing the predictions that there would be a positive association between parasite-stress and strength of family ties or religiosity. We conducted this study by comparing among nations and among states in the United States of America. We found for both the international and the interstate analyses that in-group assortative sociality was positively associated with parasite-stress. This was true when controlling for potentially confounding factors such as human freedom and economic development. The findings support the parasite-stress theory of sociality, that is, the proposal that parasite-stress is central to the evolution of social life in humans and other animals.
Condition-dependent adaptive phenotypic plasticity and interspecific gene-culture coevolution
Authors: Blute Marion
Published: January 2012

Evolutionary socioecological theory and research proposing linking parasites with human social organization is uncommon and therefore welcome. However, more generally, condition-dependent adaptive phenotypic plasticity requires environmental uncertainty on a small scale, accompanied by reliable cues. In addition, genes in parasites may select among biologically adaptive cultural alternatives directly without necessarily going through human genetic predispositions, resulting in inter-specific gene-culture coevolution.
Pathogens promote matrilocal family ties and the copying of foreign religions
Authors: Chang Lei , Lu Hui Jing , Wu Bao Pei
Published: January 2012

Within the same pathogen-stress framework as proposed by Fincher & Thornhill (F&T), we argue further that pathogen stress promotes matrilocal rather than patrilocal family ties which, in turn, slow down the process of modernity; and that pathogen stress promotes social learning or copying, including the adoption of foreign religions.
Climato-economic livability predicts societal collectivism and political autocracy better than parasitic stress does
Authors: Van de Vliert Evert , Postmes Tom
Published: January 2012

A 121-nation study of societal collectivism and a 174-nation study of political autocracy show that parasitic stress does not account for any variation in these components of culture once the interactive impacts of climatic demands and income resources have been accounted for. Climato-economic livability is a viable rival explanation for the reported effects of parasitic stress on culture.
Reciprocity and uncertainty
Authors: Bereby-Meyer Yoella
Published: January 2012

Guala points to a discrepancy between strong negative reciprocity observed in the lab and the way cooperation is sustained “in the wild.” This commentary suggests that in lab experiments, strong negative reciprocity is limited when uncertainty exists regarding the players' actions and the intentions. Thus, costly punishment is indeed a limited mechanism for sustaining cooperation in an uncertain environment.
Gossip as an effective and low-cost form of punishment
Authors: Feinberg Matthew , Cheng Joey T. , Willer Robb
Published: January 2012

The spreading of reputational information about group members through gossip represents a widespread, efficient, and low-cost form of punishment. Research shows that negative arousal states motivate individuals to gossip about the transgressions of group members. By sharing information in this way groups are better able to promote cooperation and maintain social control and order.
Social preference experiments in animals: Strengthening the case for human preferences
Authors: Jensen Keith
Published: January 2012

Guala appears to take social preferences for granted in his discussion of reciprocity experiments. While he does not overtly claim that social preferences are only by-products that arise in testing environments, he does assert that whatever they are – and how they evolved – they have little value in the real world. Experiments on animals suggest that social preferences may be unique to humans, supporting the idea that they might play a prominent role in our world.
Altruistic punishment: What field data can (and cannot) demonstrate
Authors: Nikiforakis Nikos
Published: January 2012

The rarity of altruistic punishment in small-scale societies should not be interpreted as evidence that altruistic punishment is not an important determinant of cooperation in general. While it is essential to collect field data on altruistic punishment, this kind of data has limitations. Laboratory experiments can help shed light on the role of altruistic punishment “in the wild.”
Importing social preferences across contexts and the pitfall of over-generalization across theories
Authors: Pisor Anne C. , Fessler Daniel M. T.
Published: January 2012

Claims regarding negative strong reciprocity do indeed rest on experiments lacking established external validity, often without even a small “menu of options.” Guala's review should prompt strong reciprocity proponents to extend the real-world validity of their work, exploring the preferences participants bring to experiments. That said, Guala's approach fails to differentiate among group selection approaches and glosses over cross-cultural variability.
Culture: The missing piece in theories of weak and strong reciprocity
Authors: Read Dwight
Published: January 2012

Guala does not go far enough in his critique of the assumption that human decisions about sharing made in the context of experimental game conditions accurately reflect decision-making under real conditions. Sharing of hunted animals is constrained by cultural rules and is not “spontaneous cooperation” as assumed in models of weak and strong reciprocity. Missing in these models is the cultural basis of sharing that makes it a group property rather than an individual one.
Towards a unified theory of reciprocity
Authors: Rosas Alejandro
Published: January 2012

In a unified theory of human reciprocity, the strong and weak forms are similar because neither is biologically altruistic and both require normative motivation to support cooperation. However, strong reciprocity is necessary to support cooperation in public goods games. It involves inflicting costs on defectors; and though the costs for punishers are recouped, recouping costs requires complex institutions that would not have emerged if weak reciprocity had been enough.
Strong reciprocity is not uncommon in the “wild”
Authors: Runciman W. G.
Published: January 2012

Guala is right to draw attention to the difficulty of extrapolating from the experimental evidence for weak or strong reciprocity to what is observed in the “wild.” However, there may be more strong reciprocity in real-world communities than he allows for, as strikingly illustrated in the example of the Mafia.
In the lab and the field: Punishment is rare in equilibrium
Authors: Gächter Simon
Published: January 2012

I argue that field (experimental) studies on (costly) peer punishment in social dilemmas face the problem that in equilibrium punishment will be rare and therefore may be hard to observe in the field. I also argue that the behavioral logic uncovered by lab experiments is not fundamentally different from the behavioral logic of cooperation in the field.
Strong reciprocity is real, but there is no evidence that uncoordinated costly punishment sustains cooperation in the wild
Authors: Guala Francesco
Published: January 2012

I argue in my target article that field evidence does not support the costly punishment hypothesis. Some commentators object to my reading of the evidence, while others agree that evidence in favour of costly punishment is scant. Most importantly, no rigorous measurement of cost-benefit ratios in the field has been attempted so far. This lack of evidence does not rule out costly punishment as a cause of human cooperation, but it does pre-empt some overconfident claims made in the past. Other commentators have interpreted my article as an anti-experimental pamphlet or as a flat denial of the existence of pro-social motives – which it was not intended to be. While we have enough data to establish the existence (and theoretical relevance) of strong reciprocity motives, I argue in this response that their efficacy (and policy relevance) has not been demonstrated.