bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microscale electrostatic energy harvester using internal impacts
Authors: Le Cuong P , Halvorsen Einar , Søråsen Oddvar , Yeatman Eric M
Published: March 2012

This article presents a new concept for electrostatic energy harvesting devices that increase output power under displacement limited inertial mass motion at sufficiently large acceleration amplitudes. The concept is illustrated by two demonstrated electrostatic energy harvesting prototypes in the same die dimension: a reference device with end-stops and an impact device with movable end-stops functioning as slave transducers. Both devices are analyzed and characterized in small and large excitation regimes. We found that significant additional energy from the internal impact force can be harvested by the slave transducer. The impact device gives much higher, up to a factor of 3.7, total output power than the reference device at the same high-acceleration amplitude. The bandwidth of the response to frequency sweeps is beneficially enlarged by up to a factor of 20 by the nonlinear mechanisms of the impact device.
On elimination of chaotic behavior in a non-ideal portal frame structural system, using both passive and active controls
Authors: Tusset Angelo Marcelo , Balthazar José Manoel , Felix Jorge Luis Palacios
Published: March 2012

In this paper, an application is considered of both active and passive controls, to suppression of chaotic behavior of a simple portal frame, under the excitation of an unbalanced DC motor, with limited power supply (non-ideal problem). The adopted active control strategy consists of two controls: the nonlinear (feedforward) in order to keep the controlled system in a desirable orbit, and the feedback control, which may be obtained by considering state-dependent Riccati equation control to bringing the system into the desired orbit using a magneto rheological (MR) damper. To control the electric current applied in control of the MR damper the Bouc-Wen mathematical model was used to the MR damper. The passive control was obtained by means of a nonlinear sub-structure with properties of nonlinear energy sink. Simulations showed the efficiency of both the passive control (energy pumping) and active control strategies in the suppression of the chaotic behavior.
Writing Against Othering
Authors: Krumer-Nevo Michal , Sidi Mirit
Published: March 2012

Writing about the Other arouses questions of representation, and specifically the risk of Othering, that is, the risk of portraying the other essentially different, and translating this difference to inferiority. In this article the authors discuss the textual mechanisms that create Othering and suggest three modes of writing that have the potential to resist Othering: (1) narrative, which enables the retrieval of subjectivity; (2) dialog, which reveals the personal history of the research participant and her interpretation regarding it; and (3) reflexivity, which transforms the text by adding the author’s own feelings, experiences, and history as a vehicle to understand the research participant. The article presents the importance of resisting Othering in academic writing, exemplifies the three modes, and discusses their potential contribution.
Broom Closet or Fish Bowl? An Ethnographic Exploration of a University Queer Center and Oneself
Authors: Teman Eric D. , Lahman Maria K. E.
Published: March 2012

The authors detail an educational ethnography of a university queer cultural center’s role on campus and in the surrounding community. The data include participant observation, in-depth interviews, and artifacts. The authors review lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, ally, and questioning (LGBTAQ) issues in higher education, heterosexual attitudes, and queer theory. The findings of barriers to the Center’s mission plus the suicide of a Center student prompted the authors to explore research poetry as a means to express the inexpressible. Furthermore, they illustrate tensions between contemporary queer and gay theories through the telling of a straight tale (traditional research report) and a gay tale (experiential research report), interrupted with queer tales (poetic interludes) and queer asides. At the heart of the tale is the transformation of the first author, a gay male, to a researcher and scholar of gay issues. This tale is therefore at all times queer, gay, and straight.
Telepharmacy in a rural Alberta Community Cancer Network
Authors: Gordon Hollis L , Hoeber Michelle , Schneider Adrienne
Published: March 2012

Telepharmacy services were developed and adopted to compensate for the absence of a pharmacist in rural Cancer Centers. Preparation included the formation of an advisory committee, development of a training and certification process, establishing new policies and operating procedures, collecting utilization data and a survey of patient and user satisfaction. Pharmacy technicians at two remote community cancer centers were connected by telehealth with pharmacists at one of the two coordinating centers to oversee the compounding of intravenous (I.V.) chemotherapy and provide clinical review of physician orders. In 8 months of telepharmacy use, 247 intravenous preparations were compounded for 47 cancer patients during 109 treatment visits. Approximately 45,000 km (27,000 miles) of patient travel were averted. Pharmacy staff estimates requires an average of 10 additional minutes to process and compound each chemotherapy preparation. Nurses estimate an average of 27.5 additional minutes required to coordinate information for each patient order.
Seasonal changes in composition, fatty acid, cholesterol and mineral content of six highly commercial fish species of Greece
Authors: Zotos A , Vouzanidou M
Published: March 2012

Changes in lipid, protein, ash and moisture, quantitative distribution of fatty acids, cholesterol and mineral content (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni and Zn) of six common fish species from Greece were studied. The proximate composition of all samples was significantly influenced by the fishing period, even the cultured ones. The sum of C20:5ω–3 and C22:6ω–3 ranged from 1.18 to 2.76 for sardine, from 0.37 to 1.99 for bogue, from 1.1 to 1.52 for mackerel, from 1.23 to 1.46 for sea bass, from 1.00 to 1.24 for trout and from 0.26 to 0.45 g/100 g edible portion for hake samples. Besides the ratio of ω–3/ω–6 polyunsaturated fatty acids ranged from 6.80 to 19.00 for the wild fish samples and from 1.01 to 3.67 for the cultured ones. Cholesterol of sardine, bogue, mackerel, trout and sea bass ranged from 37 up to 76 mg/100 g edible flesh, while it was varied from 72 to 124 mg/100 g in the flesh of hake. The concentration of minerals was detected at acceptable levels. All fish samples seemed to be quite good sources of Mg, Zn and Fe. Co was not detected in the samples studied.
Under Diagnosis of Adult ADHD
Authors: Asherson Philip , Akehurst Ron , Kooij J. J. Sandra , Huss Michael , Beusterien Kathleen , Sasané Rahul , Gholizadeh Shadi , Hodgkins Paul
Published: March 2012

Objective: To explore the literature focusing on cultural influences in the diagnosis of adult ADHD and respective societal burden. Method: A review of the literature over the past 10 years was performed using OVID. Results: Although numerous articles focused on diagnosis and burden of adult ADHD, few focused on cultural factors influencing diagnosis. Like other mental health disorders, cultural and social perspectives contribute to our understanding of adult ADHD and may play a significant role in the diagnosis and varying acceptance of the condition. Moreover, adults with ADHD may underestimate the impact of ADHD symptoms, and in many cases have learned to compensate for ADHD related impairments by choosing lifestyles that help compensate for symptoms. Some adults with ADHD may appear to function well, however they may expend excessive amounts of energy to overcome impairments; and they may be distressed by ongoing symptoms such as restlessness, mood instability and low self-esteem. Research shows that ADHD can be detrimental to many areas of life including work, daily activities, social and family relationships and psychological and physical well-being. Patient-reported impairments in productivity due to poor time management, procrastination, and distractibility can translate into significant indirect costs and decreased quality of life. ADHD in adults is also associated with increased accidents, medical resource utilization, antisocial behaviour and drug alcohol abuse. Conclusion: The substantial societal burden of adult ADHD highlights the importance of providing a better understanding of the factors that contribute to accurate diagnosis and of improving the low recognition of the disorder in many world regions.
Optimism and agency in the sociology of Zygmunt Bauman
Authors: Dawson Matt
Published: March 2012

Zygmunt Bauman’s sociology has often been seen as a bleak worldview; he has been called the ‘sociologist of misery’. This article argues that assigning pessimism and misery to Bauman’s work relies on a reading which does not fully consider his sociology of morality. When this is accounted for, Bauman can be seen to have a very optimistic worldview. The significance of such an observation rests on where Bauman’s optimism lies—namely in the hands of inevitably moral individuals who can acquiesce to, reject or modify the demands of liquid modernity. This article argues, with reference to G.H. Mead’s concept of the ‘genius’, that this is where the potential for agency lies in Bauman’s conception of liquid modernity. This is given a political dimension by both Mead and Bauman’s advocacy of democratic forms to help realise this agency. Democracy operates as a ‘societal’ form of morality which builds upon Bauman’s ‘pre-societal’ discussion.
The Effect of Dialect Instruction on Student Knowledge of and Attitudes Toward African American English
Authors: Blackburn Judith F.
Published: March 2012

This study assessed whether instruction in African American English (AAE) phonological and grammatical rules improved speech-language pathology students’ knowledge of AAE features. Students were also instructed in the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association’s (ASHA’s) position on nonstandard American English (non-SAE) dialects, which states that non-SAE dialects should be viewed as valid variations of SAE and should not be viewed as disordered speech. Students were given surveys before and after the instruction to assess their knowledge of AAE features and their attitudes toward AAE use. After instruction in the rules of AAE, students significantly improved their knowledge of the phonological and grammatical features of AAE. In addition, students changed their attitudes toward clinical practice with clients who speak AAE in the schools. At posttest, knowledge of AAE rules was significantly correlated with several attitudes toward clinical practice. This suggests that dialect instruction can improve students’ knowledge of non-SAE dialects.
Are Sports Betting Markets Prediction Markets?
Authors: Kain Kyle J. , Logan Trevon D.
Published: March 2012

Researchers commonly use sports betting lines as predictions of the outcome of sporting events. Betting houses set betting lines conditional on bettors ex ante beliefs about game outcomes, which implies that the predictive power of the sports betting market could be an unintended consequence of betting house profit maximization. Using this insight, the authors propose a new test of the predictive power of the sports betting market, which incorporates a seldom-used piece of complementary betting information: the over/under—the predicted sum of scores for a game. Since the over/under has the same market properties as the betting line, it should be similarly predictive about the actual outcome, while if bettors have different beliefs about this game feature it need not be predictive. Using the universe of betting lines and over/unders on National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) college football, and NCAA college basketball games from 2004 to 2010, the authors test the predictive power of the sports betting market in a seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) structure that allows us to characterize both features of the betting market simultaneously. The joint test reveals that while the betting line is an accurate predictor of the margin of victory, the over/under is a poor predictor of the sum of scores. The authors consistently reject the hypothesis that the sports betting market overall functions well as a prediction market.
Manualized Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder
Authors: Shorey Ryan C. , Stuart Gregory L.
Published: March 2012

Social anxiety disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia, is one of the most common anxiety disorders and has been shown to be effectively treated using cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Recently, a manualized CBT treatment for SAD has been developed, with research demonstrating superior treatment outcomes with CBT relative to alternatives (e.g., psychotropic medication). The current case study of Henry, a 26-year-old Caucasian male with SAD, implemented this manualized CBT for SAD. Treatment consisted of 15 individual sessions, with follow-ups occurring 2 and 8 months post treatment. Henry showed marked reductions in SAD symptoms throughout the course of treatment, resulting in complete remission of SAD at the end of formal treatment. His SAD continued to be in remission at the 2-month and 8-month follow-up sessions. This case study demonstrates the usefulness of a manualized, individual CBT treatment for SAD.
The Effects of Stretching Exercises During Rehearsals on String Students’ Self-Reported Perceptions of Discomfort
Authors: Cooper Shelly C. , Hamann Donald L. , Frost Robert
Published: March 2012

Musicians have recognized that physical problems often accompany playing, yet examinations of performance-related injuries and medical problems remain relatively new. The type of instrument played can affect musicians’ pain-related problems as well as physical stature. The focus of this study was to determine whether physical intervention—easily performed stretches of a brief duration—administered during rehearsals at approximately 10-minute intervals would affect orchestra students’ perceptions of physical discomfort. Results of analyses focused on gender and grade revealed no significant differences, although the independent variable of instrument showed a significant difference in scores before and after rehearsal. Treatment group participants’ levels of discomfort decreased in contrast to control group participants’ scores, which increased. Music educators play an important role in being proactive about preventative and rehabilitative measures. Based on this research, it is recommended that stretches be completed periodically while playing to reduce discomfort associated with performance practice.
p85β regulatory subunit of class IA PI3 kinase negatively regulates mast cell growth, maturation, and leukemogenesis
Authors: Krishnan Subha , Mali Raghuveer Singh , Ramdas Baskar , Sims Emily , Ma Peilin , Ghosh Joydeep , Munugalavadla Veerendra , Hanneman Philip , Beane Joal D. , Kapur Reuben
Published: March 2012

We show that loss of p85α inhibits the growth and maturation of mast cells, whereas loss of p85β enhances this process. Whereas restoring the expression of p85α in P85α−/− cells restores these functions, overexpression of p85β has the opposite effect. Consistently, overexpression of p85β in WT mast cells represses KIT-induced proliferation and IL-3–mediated maturation by inhibiting the expression of Microphthalmia transcription factor. Because p85α and p85β differ in their N-terminal sequences, chimeric proteins consisting of amino or carboxy-terminal of p85α and/or p85β do not rescue the growth defects of p85α−/− cells, suggesting cooperation between these domains for normal mast cell function. Loss of p85β impaired ligand induced KIT receptor internalization and its overexpression enhanced this process, partly because of increased binding of c-Cbl to p85β relative to p85α. In vivo, loss of p85β resulted in increased mast cells, and bone marrow transplantation of cells overexpressing p85β resulted in significant reduction in some tissue mast cells. Overexpression of p85β suppressed the growth of oncogenic KIT-expressing cells in vitro and prolonged the survival of leukemic mice in vivo. Thus, p85α and p85β differentially regulate SCF and oncogenic KIT-induced signals in myeloid lineage-derived mast cells.
Effectiveness of a diet and physical activity promotion strategy on the prevention of obesity in Mexican school children
Authors: Shamah Levy Teresa , Morales Ruán Carmen , Amaya Castellanos Claudia , Salazar Coronel Araceli , Jiménez Aguilar Alejandra , Méndez Gómez Humarán Ignacio
Published: March 2012

Background

Overweight and obesity in children in Mexico was among the countries with the highest prevalence's in the world. Mexico currently has few innovative and comprehensive experiences to help curb the growth of this serious public health problem. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a nutrition and physical activity strategy, called "Nutrition on the Go" ("nutrición en movimiento")in maintaining the BMI values of school children in the State of Mexico.

Methods

A two-stage cluster trial was carried out. Sixty schools were selected in the State of Mexico, of which 30 were randomly assigned to the intervention group (IG) and 30 to the control group (CG). A total of 1020 fifth grade school children participated. The intervention strategy aimed to decrease the energy content of school breakfasts and include fruits and vegetables, as well as increase physical activity and the consumption of water during the time spent at school. The strategy was implemented over a 6-month period.

Results

The estimated probability (EP) of obesity between baseline and the final stage for the IG decreased 1% (Initial EP = 11.8%, 95%CI 9.0, 15.2, final EP = 10.8, 95%CI 8.4, 13.) For the CG, the probability increased 0.9% (baseline EP = 10.6%; 95%CI 8.1, 13.7; final EP = 11.5, 95%CI 9.0, 14.6). The interaction between the intervention and the stage is the average odd time corrected treatment effect, which is statistically significant (p= 0.01) (OR = 0.68, 95%CI 0.52, 091).

This represents the interaction between intervention and stage, which is highly significant (p= 0.01) (OR = 0.68; 95%CI 0.52, 091). In addition, girls had a protective effect on obesity (OR = 0.56; 95%CI 0.39, 0.80).

Conclusions

The intervention strategy is effective in maintaining the BMI of school children.
Orthogonal and diagonal dimension fluxes of hyperspherical function
Authors: Letic Dusko , Cakic Nenad , Davidovic Branko , Berkovic Ivana
Published: March 2012

In this paper, we present the theoretical research results of certain characteristics of the generalized hyperspherical function with two degrees of freedom as independent dimensions. Here, we primarily give the answers to the quantification of dimensional potentials (fluxes) of this function in the domain of natural numbers. In addition, we also give the solutions to continual fluxes of separate contour hyperspherical (HS) functions. The symbolical evaluation and numerical verification of the values of series and integrals are realized using MathCAD Professional and Mathematica.

MSC 2010: 51M04; 33E99.
The lp13.3 genomic region -rs599839- is associated with endothelial dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: López-Mejías Raquel , González-Juanatey Carlos , García-Bermúdez Mercedes , Castañeda Santos , Miranda-Filloy José A , Blanco Ricardo , Llorca Javier , Martín Javier , González-Gay Miguel A
Published: March 2012

Introduction

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and high risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease. Since genome-wide association studies demonstrated association between rs599839 polymorphism and coronary artery disease, in the present study we assessed the potential association of this polymorphism with endothelial dysfunction, an early step in atherogenesis.

Methods

A total of 128 RA patients without history of CV events were genotyped for rs599839 A/G polymorphism. The presence of endothelial dysfunction was assessed by brachial ultrasonography (brachial flow-mediated endothelium-dependent (FMD)).

Results

Patients carrying the allele G exhibited more severe endothelial dysfunction (FMD%: 4.61 ± 3.94%) than those carrying the wild allele A (FMD%: 6.01 ± 5.15%) (P = 0.08). Adjustment for gender, age at the time of study, follow-up time and classic CV risk factors disclosed a significant association between the rs599839 polymorphism and FMD (G vs. A: P = 0.0062).

Conclusions

Our results confirm an association of the rs599839 polymorphism with endothelial dysfunction in RA.
Understanding the science of synthesis
Authors: Wallace John
Published: March 2012

This article covers the basic principles of systematic reviews and meta-analyses while discussing the problems associated with the traditional narrative review. It explores the role of the overview as a formal method of combining information from all relevant studies about a particular health condition. It also describes how the review tries to minimise bias so as to avoid reaching the wrong conclusions from the available research data. Important issues that need to be considered when appraising an overview are outlined. Some terms used in reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses are introduced, such as risk ratio, mean difference, confidence interval and the forest plot.
Psychopathy in childhood: is it a meaningful diagnosis?
Authors: Rutter Michael
Published: March 2012

Psychopathy is not included in either of the main classification systems (ICD-10 or DSM-IV). Research has now extended the concept of psychopathy to childhood and has produced evidence that it is meaningfully distinct from antisocial behaviour. It is proposed that psychopathy should be accepted as a meaningful diagnosis in childhood.
The Equality Act 2010 and mental health
Authors: Lockwood Graeme , Henderson Claire , Thornicroft Graham
Published: March 2012

One aim of the Equality Act 2010 is to protect people with disabilities and prevent disability discrimination. We review the key provisions of the Act relevant to disability discrimination with respect to mental illness.
A Journey of Passion: Spirit and Horror during the Christian Holy Season
Authors: Sylvester David A.
Published: March 2012

A Catholic vision of what it would mean to be spiritually alive in the path from Palm Sunday to Easter to Pentecost. A gripping account that will shake Christian complacency and challenge Christian hatred of Jews.
Are Americans Coming Out of the Fog?
Authors: Bloomquist Karen L.
Published: March 2012

With the significant people’s movement that surged through Wisconsin this past winter, the confrontation between workers and corporate-driven economic and political power has become blatantly evident.
Dr. Seuss’s Progressive Politics
Authors: Dreier Peter
Published: March 2012

Behind the cute drawings and catchy rhymes, there is a deep ethical message in Dr. Seuss’s children’s books.
Bradykinin-evoked scratching responses in complete Freund's adjuvant-inflamed skin through activation of B1 receptor
Authors: Liang Jiexian , He Yanbing , Ji Wenjin
Published: March 2012

Capsaicin, a potent algogen, induces an itch-related behavior in the presence of inflammation. In this study, we tested whether bradykinin (BK) can evoke a similar response and investigated the potential mechanisms involved in this process. Local inflammation was induced by intradermal injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into the back of the neck, left hind foot or left cheek of male C57BL/6J mice. BK was then injected intradermally into the same area on indicated days. Four days after CFA inflammation, BK treatment evoked scratching responses in a time- and dose-dependent manner. For BK receptor antagonist treatment, inflamed-mice were either given an intraperitoneal injection of B1receptor (B1R) or B2receptor (B2R) antagonist 30 min prior to BK administration, or an intradermal co-injection of antagonist and BK into the inflamed area. Our results indicate that B1R and B2R act in an opposite fashion during this process, as pretreatment with B1R antagonist by intraperitoneal injection significantly reduced BK-induced scratching behavior, whereas B2R antagonist treatment dramatically increased scratching behavior. Moreover, combined injection of BK and B2R antagonist enhanced BK-induced scratching activity in CFA-inflamed mice. In addition, pretreatment or co-injection with B2R antagonist dramatically reduced the pain-related licking behavior induced by BK injection. The data suggest that BK-induced scratching responses in CFA-inflamed mouse skin occur via activation of B1R. Furthermore, B1and B2receptors play different roles in modulating BK-induced itch-related behavior in CFA-inflamed mice.
Agreement and reading time for differently-priced devices for the digital capture of X-ray films
Authors: Salazar Antonio José , Camacho Juan Camilo , Aguirre Diego Andrés
Published: March 2012

We assessed the reliability of three digital capture devices: a film digitizer (which cost US $15,000), a flat-bed scanner (US $1800) and a digital camera (US $450). Reliability was measured as the agreement between six observers when reading images acquired from a single device and also in terms of the pair-device agreement. The images were 136 chest X-ray cases. The variables measured were the interstitial opacities distribution, interstitial patterns, nodule size and percentage pneumothorax size. The agreement between the six readers when reading images acquired from a single device was similar for the three devices. The pair-device agreements were moderate for all variables. There were significant differences in reading-time between devices: the mean reading-time for the film digitizer was 93 s, it was 59 s for the flat-bed scanner and 70 s for the digital camera. Despite the differences in their cost, there were no substantial differences in the performance of the three devices.
Intralesional injection of pingyangmycin is a safe and effective treatment for microcystic lymphatic malformations in the tongue
Authors: Mai H M , Zheng J W , Zhou Q , Yang X J , Wang Y A , Fan X D
Published: March 2012

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intralesional injection of pingyangmycin for the treatment of microcystic lymphatic malformations (LMs) in the tongue.

Methods

Eighteen patients with tongue microcystic LMs were treated with intralesional injection of pingyangmycin. The concentration of the drug was 1 mg/mL with an addition of dexamethasone. Repeated injections were performed at an interval of 3–4 weeks. The results were evaluated by clinical examinations and Doppler ultrasonography scan. The follow-up period was 12 months to eight years after the last treatment and the mean follow-up time was three years. All patients received 1–8 injections (mean, 3.0 injections) for the whole course of treatment. The total dose of pingyangmycin administered was 8–64 mg (mean, 24 mg).

Results

Fifteen patients had complete response with no cosmetic or functional problems. Three patients with macroglossia had a reduction of 50–90% in the lesion size and needed secondary surgery. No serious complications were encountered.

Conclusion

The results suggested that intralesional injection of pingyangmycin is an effective and safe treatment for microcystic LMs in the tongue, and can be used as the first-line treatment protocol.
Supplementary Eye Field Encodes Reward Prediction Error
Authors: So NaYoung , Stuphorn Veit
Published: March 2012

The outcomes of many decisions are uncertain and therefore need to be evaluated. We studied this evaluation process by recording neuronal activity in the supplementary eye field (SEF) during an oculomotor gambling task. While the monkeys awaited the outcome, SEF neurons represented attributes of the chosen option, namely, its expected value and the uncertainty of this value signal. After the gamble result was revealed, a number of neurons reflected the actual reward outcome. Other neurons evaluated the outcome by encoding the difference between the reward expectation represented during the delay period and the actual reward amount (i.e., the reward prediction error). Thus, SEF encodes not only reward prediction error but also all the components necessary for its computation: the expected and the actual outcome. This suggests that SEF might actively evaluate value-based decisions in the oculomotor domain, independent of other brain regions.
Vision for Action in the Macaque Medial Posterior Parietal Cortex
Authors: Fattori Patrizia , Breveglieri Rossella , Raos Vassilis , Bosco Annalisa , Galletti Claudio
Published: March 2012

Area V6A encodes hand configurations for grasping objects (Fattori et al., 2010). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether V6A cells also encode three-dimensional objects, and the relationship between object encoding and grip encoding. Single neurons were recorded in V6A of two monkeys trained to perform two tasks. In the first task, the monkeys were required to passively view an object without performing any action on it. In the second task, the monkeys viewed an object at the beginning of each trial and then they needed to grasp that object in darkness. Five different objects were used. Both tasks revealed that object presentation activates ∼60% of V6A neurons, with about half of them displaying object selectivity. In the Reach-to-Grasp task, the majority of V6A cells discharged during both object presentation and grip execution, displaying selectivity for either the object or the grip, or in some cases for both object and grip. Although the incidence of neurons encoding grips was twofold that of neurons encoding objects, object selectivity in single cells was as strong as grip selectivity, indicating that V6A cells were able to discriminate both the different objects and the different grips required to grasp them.

Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed that clustering of the object-selective responses depended on the task requirements (view only or view to grasp) and followed a visual or a visuomotor rule, respectively. Object encoding in V6A reflects representations for action, useful for motor control in reach-to-grasp.
Variation in the Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor 1 (CRHR1) Gene Influences fMRI Signal Responses during Emotional Stimulus Processing
Authors: Hsu David T. , Mickey Brian J. , Langenecker Scott A. , Heitzeg Mary M. , Love Tiffany M. , Wang Heng , Kennedy Susan E. , Peciña Marta , Shafir Tal , Hodgkinson Colin A. , Enoch Mary-Anne , Goldman David , Zubieta Jon-Kar
Published: March 2012

The corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) system coordinates neuroendocrine and behavioral responses to stress and has been implicated in the development of major depressive disorder (MDD). Recent reports suggest that GG-homozygous individuals of a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs110402) in the CRH receptor 1 (CRHR1) gene show behavioral and neuroendocrine evidence of stress vulnerability. The present study explores whether those observations extend to the neuronal processing of emotional stimuli in humans.CRHR1was genotyped in 83 controls and a preliminary sample of 16 unmedicated patients with MDD who completed a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan while viewing blocks of positive, negative, and neutral words. In addition, potential mediating factors such as early life stress, sex, personality traits, and negative memory bias were examined. Robust differences in blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal were found in healthy controls (A allele carriers > GG-homozygotes) in the right middle temporal/angular gyrus while subjects were viewing negative versus neutral words. Among GG-homozygotes, BOLD signal in the subgenual cingulate was greater in MDD participants (n= 9) compared with controls (n= 33). Conversely, among A-carriers, BOLD signal was smaller in MDD (n= 7) compared with controls (n= 50) in the hypothalamus, bilateral amygdala, and left nucleus accumbens. Early life stress, personality traits, and levels of negative memory bias were associated with brain activity depending on genotype. Results from healthy controls and a preliminary sample of MDD participants show thatCRHR1single nucleotide polymorphism rs110402 moderates neural responses to emotional stimuli, suggesting a potential mechanism of vulnerability for the development of MDD.
Inhibition of the NFAT Pathway Alleviates Amyloid Beta Neurotoxicity in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Hudry Eloise , Wu Hai-Yan , Arbel-Ornath Michal , Hashimoto Tadafumi , Matsouaka Roland , Fan Zhanyun , Spires-Jones Tara L. , Betensky Rebecca A. , Bacskai Brian J. , Hyman Bradley T.
Published: March 2012

Amyloid β (Aβ) peptides, the main pathological species associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), disturb intracellular calcium homeostasis, which in turn activates the calcium-dependent phosphatase calcineurin (CaN). CaN activation induced by Aβ leads to pathological morphological changes in neurons, and overexpression of constitutively active calcineurin is sufficient to generate a similar phenotype, even without Aβ. Here, we tested the hypothesis that calcineurin mediates neurodegenerative effects via activation of the nuclear transcription factor of activated T-cells (NFAT). We found that both spine loss and dendritic branching simplification induced by Aβ exposure were mimicked by constitutively active NFAT, and abolished when NFAT activation was blocked using the genetically encoded inhibitor VIVIT. When VIVIT was specifically addressed to the nucleus, identical beneficial effects were observed, thus enforcing the role of NFAT transcriptional activity in Aβ-related neurotoxicity.In vivo, when VIVIT or its nuclear counterpart were overexpressed in a transgenic model of Alzheimer's disease via a gene therapy approach, the spine loss and neuritic abnormalities observed in the vicinity of amyloid plaques were blocked. Overall, these results suggest that NFAT/calcineurin transcriptional cascades contribute to Aβ synaptotoxicity, and may provide a new specific set of pathways for neuroprotective strategies.
Adrenarche in nonhuman primates: the evidence for it and the need to redefine it
Authors: Conley A J , Bernstein R M , Nguyen A D
Published: March 2012

Adrenarche is most commonly defined as a prepubertal increase in circulating adrenal androgens, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfo-conjugate (DHEAS). This event is thought to have evolved in humans and some great apes but not in Old World monkeys, perhaps to promote brain development. Whether adrenarche represents a shared, derived developmental event in humans and our closest relatives, adrenal androgen secretion (and its regulation) is of considerable clinical interest. Specifically, adrenal androgens play a significant role in the pathophysiology of polycystic ovarian disease and breast and prostate cancers. Understanding the development of androgen secretion by the human adrenal cortex and identifying a suitable model for its study are therefore of central importance for clinical and evolutionary concerns. This review will examine the evidence for adrenarche in nonhuman primates (NHP) and suggest that a broader definition of this developmental event is needed, including morphological, biochemical, and endocrine criteria. Using such a definition, evidence from recent studies suggests that adrenarche evolved in Old World primates but spans a relatively brief period early in development compared with humans and some great apes. This emphasizes the need for frequent longitudinal sampling in evaluating developmental changes in adrenal androgen secretion as well as the tenuous nature of existing evidence of adrenarche in some species among the great apes. Central to an understanding of the regulation of adrenal androgen production in humans is the recognition of the complex nature of adrenarche and the need for more carefully conducted comparative studies and a broader definition in order to promote investigation among NHP in particular.
Evaluating the Evidence for Transmission Distortion in Human Pedigrees
Authors: Meyer Wynn K , Arbeithuber Barbara , Ober Carole , Ebner Thomas , Tiemann-Boege Irene , Hudson Richard R , Przeworski Molly
Published: March 2012

Children of a heterozygous parent are expected to carry either allele with equal probability. Exceptions can occur, however, due to meiotic drive, competition among gametes, or viability selection, which we collectively term “transmission distortion” (TD). Although there are several well-characterized examples of these phenomena, their existence in humans remains unknown. We therefore performed a genome-wide scan for TD by applying the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) genome-wide to three large sets of human pedigrees of European descent: the Framingham Heart Study (FHS), a founder population of European origin (HUTT), and a subset of the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE). Genotyping error is an important confounder in this type of analysis. In FHS and HUTT, despite extensive quality control, we did not find sufficient evidence to exclude genotyping error in the strongest signals. In AGRE, however, many signals extended across multiple SNPs, a pattern highly unlikely to arise from genotyping error. We identified several candidate regions in this data set, notably a locus in 10q26.13 displaying a genome-wide significant TDT in combined female and male transmissions and a signature of recent positive selection, as well as a paternal TD signal in 6p21.1, the same region in which a significant TD signal was previously observed in 30 European males. Neither region replicated in FHS, however, and the paternal signal was not visible in sperm competition assays or as allelic imbalance in sperm. In maternal transmissions, we detected no strong signals near centromeres or telomeres, the regions predicted to be most susceptible to female-specific meiotic drive, but we found a significant enrichment of top signals among genes involved in cell junctions. These results illustrate both the potential benefits and the challenges of using the TDT to study transmission distortion and provide candidates for investigation in future studies.
Heme Oxygenase Biology: Part 2: Neonatal Disorders
Authors: Schulz Stephanie , Zhao Hui , Wong Ronald J. , Stevenson David K.
Published: March 2012

A number of neonatal disorders have etiologies originating from acute inflammation and the destructive action of reactive oxygen species. As previously described in Part 1, heme oxygenase (HO) and its byproducts provide a newborn with antioxidative, antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective defenses during the perinatal period. A finely balanced expression of the inducible HO-1 isoform is critically important for normal development of a number of organs. For example, increases in bilirubin levels observed in newborn infants provide significant antioxidant protection at birth and during the first few weeks after birth. However, if not tightly controlled, harmful levels may be reached and cause irreversible bilirubin-induced neurotoxicity (kernicterus). In addition, HO-1 and the constitutive HO-2 isoform are important in pulmonary vascular development during the perinatal period. In the developing brain, the upregulation of HO-1 expression may be adaptive and beneficial or a part of a pathological inflammatory process. Furthermore, there is strong evidence that HO and its byproduct, carbon monoxide (CO), play a significant role in maintaining intestinal barrier function and regulating inflammatory and apoptotic pathways. Therefore, disruption of this balanced HO-1 expression may lead to a number of neonatal disorders.
Expanding the Recommendations for Annual Influenza Vaccination to School-Age Children in the United States
Authors: E. Fiore Anthony , Epperson Scott , Perrotta Dennis , Bernstein Henry , Neuzil Kathleen
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND

Despite long-standing recommendations to vaccinate children who have underlying chronic medical conditions or who are contacts of high-risk persons, vaccination coverage among school-age children remains low. Community studies have indicated that school-age children have the highest incidence of influenza and are an important source of amplifying and sustaining community transmission that affects all age groups.

METHODS

A consultation to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a universal recommendation for annual influenza vaccination of all children age ≥6 months was held in Atlanta, Georgia, in September 2007. Consultants provided summaries of current data on vaccine effectiveness, safety, supply, successful program implementation, and economics studies and discussed challenges associated with continuing a risk- and contact-based vaccination strategy compared with a universal vaccination recommendation.

RESULTS

Consultants noted that school-age children had a substantial illness burden caused by influenza, that vaccine was safe and effective for children aged 6 months through 18 years, and that evidence suggested that vaccinating school-age children would provide benefits to both the vaccinated children and their unvaccinated household and community contacts. However, implementation of an annual recommendation for all school-age children would pose major challenges to parents, medical providers and health care systems. Alternative vaccination venues were needed, and of these school-located vaccination programs might offer the most promise as an alternative vaccination site for school-age children.

CONCLUSIONS

Expansion of recommendations to include all school-age children will require additional development of an infrastructure to support implementation and methods to adequately evaluate impact.
Phylogenetic diversity promotes ecosystem stability
Authors: Cadotte Marc W. , Dinnage Russell , Tilman David
Published: March 2012

Ecosystem stability in variable environments depends on the diversity of form and function of the constituent species. Species phenotypes and ecologies are the product of evolution, and the evolutionary history represented by co‐occurring species has been shown to be an important predictor of ecosystem function. If phylogenetic distance is a surrogate for ecological differences, then greater evolutionary diversity should buffer ecosystems against environmental variation and result in greater ecosystem stability. We calculated both abundance‐weighted and unweighted phylogenetic measures of plant community diversity for a long‐term biodiversity–ecosystem function experiment at Cedar Creek, Minnesota, USA. We calculated a detrended measure of stability in aboveground biomass production in experimental plots and showed that phylogenetic relatedness explained variation in stability. Our results indicate that communities where species are evenly and distantly related to one another are more stable compared to communities where phylogenetic relationships are more clumped. This result could be explained by a phylogenetic sampling effect, where some lineages show greater stability in productivity compared to other lineages, and greater evolutionary distances reduce the chance of sampling only unstable groups. However, we failed to find evidence for similar stabilities among closely related species. Alternatively, we found evidence that plot biomass variance declined with increasing phylogenetic distances, and greater evolutionary distances may represent species that are ecologically different (phylogenetic complementarity). Accounting for evolutionary relationships can reveal how diversity in form and function may affect stability.
MEASURING AND REDUCING COLLEGE STUDENTS' PROCRASTINATION
Authors: Perrin Christopher J. , Miller Neal , Haberlin Alayna T. , Ivy Jonathan W. , Meindl James N. , Neef Nancy A.
Published: March 2012

We examined college students' procrastination when studying for weekly in‐class quizzes. Two schedules of online practice quiz delivery were compared using a multiple baseline design. When online study material was made available noncontingently, students usually procrastinated. When access to additional study material was contingent on completing previous study material, studying was more evenly distributed. Overall, the mean gain in percentage correct scores on weekly in‐class quizzes relative to pretests was greater during contingent access than during noncontingent access conditions.
A COMPARISON OF METHODS FOR TEACHING RECEPTIVE LABELING TO CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
Authors: Grow Laura L. , Carr James E. , Kodak Tiffany M. , Jostad Candice M. , Kisamore April N.
Published: March 2012

Many early intervention curricular manuals recommend teaching auditory‐visual conditional discriminations (i.e., receptive labeling) using the simple‐conditional method in which component simple discriminations are taught in isolation and in the presence of a distracter stimulus before the learner is required to respond conditionally. Some have argued that this procedure might be susceptible to faulty stimulus control such as stimulus overselectivity (Green, 2001). Consequently, there has been a call for the use of alternative teaching procedures such as the conditional‐only method, which involves conditional discrimination training from the onset of intervention. The purpose of the present study was to compare the simple‐conditional and conditional‐only methods for teaching receptive labeling to 3 young children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. The data indicated that the conditional‐only method was a more reliable and efficient teaching procedure. In addition, several error patterns emerged during training using the simple‐conditional method. The implications of the results with respect to current teaching practices in early intervention programs are discussed.
AN EVALUATION OF ANTECEDENT EXERCISE ON BEHAVIOR MAINTAINED BY AUTOMATIC REINFORCEMENT USING A THREE‐COMPONENT MULTIPLE SCHEDULE
Authors: Morrison Heather , Roscoe Eileen M. , Atwell Amy
Published: March 2012

We evaluated antecedent exercise for treating the automatically reinforced problem behavior of 4 individuals with autism. We conducted preference assessments to identify leisure and exercise items that were associated with high levels of engagement and low levels of problem behavior. Next, we conducted three 3‐component multiple‐schedule sequences: an antecedent‐exercise test sequence, a noncontingent leisure‐item control sequence, and a social‐interaction control sequence. Within each sequence, we used a 3‐component multiple schedule to evaluate preintervention, intervention, and postintervention effects. Problem behavior decreased during the postintervention component relative to the preintervention component for 3 of the 4 participants during the exercise‐item assessment; however, the effects could not be attributed solely to exercise for 1 of these participants.
IMPROVING ORAL READING FLUENCY WITH A PEER‐MEDIATED INTERVENTION
Authors: Hofstadter‐Duke Kristi L. , Daly Edward J.
Published: March 2012

This study examined the effects of an experimentally derived, peer‐delivered reading intervention on the oral reading fluency of a first‐grade student who had been referred for poor reading fluency. Same‐grade peers were trained to lead the target student through a structured intervention protocol based on the results of a brief experimental analysis. Results indicated that reading improvements were obtained and are discussed in terms of selecting efficient interventions for use by peers.
FURTHER EVALUATION OF RESPONSE‐INDEPENDENT DELIVERY OF PREFERRED STIMULI AND CHILD COMPLIANCE
Authors: Normand Matthew P. , Beaulieu Lauren
Published: March 2012

The effect of a fixed‐time (FT) schedule involving the delivery of preferred stimuli prior to the issuance of a low‐probability instruction was evaluated with 2 young children with autism. The FT schedule was introduced according to a reversal design with 3 target instructions, 1 for the first child and 2 for the second child. Compliance increased for 2 of the 3 cases. A high‐probability instruction sequence and guided compliance were implemented for the second instruction targeted for 1 child, with compliance increasing with guided compliance.