bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sex and Sex Differences
Authors: Hines Melissa
Published: February 2014

Male and female fetuses differ not only chromosomally but also hormonally. In addition, the postnatal social environment differs for boys and girls, as well as for men and women. Genes, hormones, socialization, and cognitive development combine to produce different behavior between the average male and female, as well as individual differences in sex-linked behaviors within each sex. This chapter reviews evidence regarding the specific influences of each type of factor on core gender identity and sexual orientation; cognitive abilities, such as spatial, mathematical, and verbal abilities; and childhood sex-typed behaviors (toy, activity, and playmate preferences). Conclusions suggest that both nature and nurture contribute to behavioral sex differences, although the degree to which each type of factor is important appears to vary for different endpoints, at least in the population groups studied to date. For instance, inborn factors appear to be particularly important for sex-typical toy preferences, whereas social and cultural influences appear to play a large role in sex differences in mathematics performance.
Perceptual–Motor Relations in Obvious and Nonobvious Domains
Authors: Schmuckler Mark A.
Published: February 2014

This chapter focuses on the relation between perceptual/cognitive systems and motor/action processes. Beginning with a brief review of this concept, different characterizations of the idea of perceptual and motor relations are traced, using the history of motor development research as a framework. Following a discussion of more recent conceptualizations of perceptual and motor relations, this chapter then reviews the impact of the idea of perceptual–motor integration across a range of developmental domains. Specifically, research and theory on the importance of perceptual–motor integration is examined in a set of obvious and nonobvious areas of application. The obvious domains in this regard are derived from work in motor development and include reaching, postural control, and locomotion. The nonobvious domains of application are topics that have typically been approached from a more cognitive perspective and include tool-use development and the growth of spatial orientation and spatial updating. The research reviewed strongly supports the concept of perceptual and motor systems being functionally integrated earlier in life, with such perceptual–motor integration playing a key role in understanding developmental processes across various domains of application.
Visual Development
Authors: Atkinson Janette , Braddick Oliver
Published: February 2014

Visual development is considered as a neurobiological process, integrated into developing systems for cognition, action and attention. The onset in early months of selective processing of orientation, motion, color and binocular vision, and of selective oculomotor control, reflect the emergence of cortical visual systems that modulate and control earlier subcortical systems. The interacting development of acuity and optical focussing also reflects this neural development. Infants’ development of vernier acuity, figure-ground segmentation, face processing, 3D shape and depth perception is also reviewed. Analysis of global pattern and motion processing indicates the relative development of cortical dorsal and ventral streams, from early infancy through middle childhood, and reveals ‘dorsal stream vulnerability’ in developmental disorders. Dorsal stream development includes specialised visuo-motor modules for eye movements, reaching and grasping, and locomotion, and these interact closely with the development of attention systems. Finally, areas of potential progress in future research on visual development are discussed.
Development of Face-Processing Ability in Childhood
Authors: Lee Kang , Quinn Paul C. , Pascalis Olivier , Slater Alan
Published: February 2014

Faces are arguably the most significant visual stimuli in children’s social environment. Much of children’s adaptive social functioning relies on their success in extracting crucial information from the faces of their social partners. In this chapter, we provide an exhaustive review of both classic and current research on the development of face processing from infancy to adolescence. The topics covered range from the processing of facial attractiveness to face categorization and recognition. In addition to behavioral studies, we also review the most recent developmental neuroscience findings regarding the neural mechanisms underlying the development of face-processing ability. Major theoretical issues and future directions of research are discussed.
Object Perception
Authors: Johnson Scott P.
Published: February 2014

We inhabit a world of objects, and we perceive objects in highly consistent ways: as having boundaries and edges that may be fully visible or partly hidden, as persistent across time and space, as coherent and stable, and as having a specific identity. This chapter describes research that explores developmental processes by which infants come to share these same kinds of object perception. Evidence points to a strong sensory and cognitive foundation at birth for object perception, and an important role for learning these properties of objects; these innate and learned means of perceiving objects work together to impart a view of a stable visual environment. The infant’s own self-produced behavior—patterns of eye movements and manual experience, in particular—are important means by which infants discover and build the visual world.
Cognitive Development
Authors: Bjorklund David F.
Published: February 2014

In this overview, I focus on contemporary research and theory related to five “truths” of cognitive development: (1) cognitive development proceeds as a result of the dynamic and reciprocal transaction of endogenous and exogenous factors; (2) cognitive development involves both stability and plasticity over time; (3) cognitive development involves changes in the way information is represented, although children of every age possess a variety of ways to represent experiences; (4) children develop increasing intentional control over their behavior and cognition; and (5) cognitive development occurs within a social context. Cognitive development happens at a variety of levels, and developmental scientists are becoming increasingly aware of the need to be cognizant of this and the interactions among the various levels to produce a true developmental science.
Causality
Authors: Gopnik Alison
Published: February 2014

Causal knowledge is central to children’s understanding of the world, but there have been many different conceptions of how causal knowledge is represented and how it is learned. I outline four different approaches to causality that have influenced developmental research, stressing agency, mechanism, association, and probabilistic models, and give examples of theory and research in each area. I focus in more detail on the most recent probabilistic model accounts that stress the role of causation in inferences about possibilities. These include potential interventions to change the world and counterfactuals about alternate ways the world might be. These accounts also employ computational ideas about causal Bayes nets and Bayesian learning, and these ideas are outlined.
The History of Intelligence
Authors: Flynn James R. , Blair Clancy
Published: February 2014

The psychometric and developmental traditions obscure what they have in common: understanding human intelligence in all of its manifestations. Each tradition tends to take its theoretical construct as universally relevant. The cognitive history of the twentieth century shows huge IQ gains from one generation to another. Those who follow Spearman discount IQ gains unless they are factor invariant across generations—for example, manifest the enhancement of g. The developmental tradition can accommodate altered cognition over time because it emphasizes mutual interaction between characteristics of persons and the environments in which they are situated. We use IQ gains to reconstruct the history of cognitive skills; and introduce concepts like “habits of mind” and “the mind as a muscle” and “cognitive priorities” to unify history, developmental psychology, and psychometrics. We draw implications for education and interventions, maximizing cognitive ability throughout life, genes and environment, and group differences.
Personality and Emotional Development
Authors: Fox Nathan A. , Reeb-Sutherland Bethany C. , Degnan Kathryn A.
Published: February 2014

Over the past 20 years, research on the development of emotions and interest in the emotion–cognition interface has blossomed. Coinciding with this growth has been research on the neural circuitry and development of two basic motivational/emotion states: one brought on by threat and danger (i.e., fear) and one resulting from actively pursuing or receiving reward (i.e., reward/joy). The current chapter reviews traditional approaches to thinking about emotional development and temperament in infants and children. It then reviews the neuroscience work associated with fear and reward with a focus on the development of these systems. A particular emphasis will be placed on how this research and the examination of gene X environment interactions can influence research in personality and emotion development.
A Neural Networks, Information-Processing Model of Joint Attention and Social-Cognitive Development
Authors: Mundy Peter
Published: February 2014

A neural networks approach to the development of joint attention can inform the study of the nature of human social cognition, learning, and symbolic thought process. Joint attention development involves increments in the capacity to engage in simultaneous or parallel processing of information about one’s own attention and the attention of other people. Infant practice with joint attention is both a consequence and an organizer of a distributed and integrated brain network involving frontal and parietal cortical systems. In this chapter I discuss two hypotheses that stem from this model. One is that activation of this distributed network during coordinated attention enhances the depth of information processing and encoding beginning in the first year of life. I also propose that with development joint attention becomes internalized as the capacity to socially coordinate mental attention to internal representations. As this occurs the executive joint attention network makes vital contributions to the development of human social cognition and symbolic thinking.
Play
Authors: Pellegrini Anthony D.
Published: February 2014

The role of play in human development is controversial. In some quarters it is viewed as indispensable to children’s healthy development and education, while in others it is marginalized as a topic unworthy of study and of questionable functional significance. I suggest that differences in the ways in which play is defined and the ways in which its function is conceptualized have led to this misunderstanding. I outline the ontogeny of social, object, locomotor, and pretend play and their possible functions. I also make educational policy and research recommendations for the role of play in children’s lives.
Self-Conceptualizing in Development
Authors: Rochat Philippe
Published: February 2014

What constitutes self-concept? Current developmental literature suggests that there are different layers of meaning attached to self-concept and self-experience. Three distinct basic layers are discussed: theminimal self, theobjectified self, and thepersonified self. These layers emerge and accumulate successively in child development. Each corresponds to specific levels of representational complexities that accumulate “like onion layers” in an orderly fashion between birth and approximately 10 to12 years of age, the developmental span considered here. This development is part of a general meaning-making construction of whatconstitutesselfhood (what it is made of). It illuminates the representational content and what the notion of self is referring to in development, from birth and in the course of infancy, when children start to recognize themselves in mirrors by their second birthday, show embarrassment, refer to themselves by using personal pronouns and adjectives such asI,me, ormine!, but also start to express righteousness and prejudice toward others.
Modularity and Developmental Disorders
Authors: Thomas Michael S. C. , Purser Harry R. M. , Richardson Fiona M.
Published: February 2014

In this chapter, we consider the origin of uneven cognitive profiles in individuals with developmental disorders, including accounts from cognitive, brain, and genetic levels of description. We begin by introducing the main types of developmental disorder. We then discuss what is meant by the idea of modularity and the key issues surrounding it, outlining how modularity has been applied to explain deficits in developmental disorders. We illustrate competing theoretical positions by contrasting two developmental disorders, Williams syndrome (WS) and specific language impairment (SLI). In the first case, we consider cognitive deficits in WS with reference to modularity at a cognitive level and evidence from behavioral studies. In the second case, we consider SLI with reference to modularity at the neural level and evidence from brain imaging studies. We finish by considering the future for modular theories of atypical development, including the implication of recent findings from genetics and from computational modeling.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Sonuga-Barke Edmund J. S.
Published: February 2014

In this chapter I review the literature on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with the aim of providing a developmental synthesis. In the first section I ask: What is ADHD? I conclude that it is a relatively broad construct that, although having validity as a mental disorder dimension and utility as diagnostic category, is frequently comorbid with, but can be distinguished from, other disorders, and is highly heterogeneous. In the second section I ask: What causes ADHD? I conclude that ADHD has a complex set of causes implicating multiple genetic and environmental risks (and their interaction) reflected in alterations in diverse brain systems. The causal structure of ADHD is heterogeneous, with different children displaying different etiological and pathophysiological profiles. In the third section I reflect on developmental considerations. I conclude that ADHD-type problems present in different forms throughout the lifespan from the preschool period to adulthood and that existing data suggest patterns of continuity and discontinuity that support a lifespan perspective both at the level of clinical phenotype and underlying pathophysiology. In the light of this I argue for a developmental reconceptualization of the disorder, grounded in a biopsychosocial framework that would allow the complexity and heterogeneity of the condition to be understood in terms of risk, resilience, and protective factors, as well as mediating and moderating processes. I review the implications of the developmental perspective for nosological and diagnostic formulations of the condition. In the last section I set out priorities for future research in the genetics, imaging, neuropsychology, and treatment of the condition.
Studying the molecular ambient towards the young stellar object EGO G35.04−0.47
Authors: Paron Sergio , Ortega Martín , Astort Ana , Rubio Mónica , Fariña Cecilia
Published: February 2014

We are performing a systematic study of the interstellar medium around extended green objects (EGOs), likely massive young stellar objects driving outflows. EGO G35.04−0.47 is located towards a dark cloud at the north-western edge of an H ii region. Recently, H2 jets were discovered towards this source, mainly towards its south-west, where the H2 1–0 S(1) emission peaks. Therefore, the source was catalogued as the molecular hydrogen emission-line object MHO 2429. In order to study the molecular ambient towards this star-forming site, we observed a region around the aforementioned EGO using the Atacama Submillimeter Telescope Experiment in the 12CO J = 3–2, 13CO J = 3–2, HCO+ J = 4–3, and CS J = 7–6 lines with an angular and spectral resolution of 22′′ and 0.11 km s−1, respectively. The observations revealed a molecular clump where the EGO is embedded at vLSR ∼ 51 km s−1, in coincidence with the velocity of a Class I 95 GHz methanol maser previously detected. Analyzing the 12CO line we discovered high velocity molecular gas in the range from 34 to 47 km s−1, most likely a blueshifted outflow driven by the EGO. The alignment and shape of this molecular structure coincide with those of the south-west lobe of MHO 2429, mainly between 46 and 47 km s−1, confirming that we are mapping its CO counterpart. Performing a spectral energy distribution analysis of EGO G35.04−0.47, we found that its central object should be an intermediate-mass young stellar object accreting mass at a rate similar to those found in some massive YSOs. We suggest that this source can become a massive YSO.
X-ray emission from the galactic supernova remnant G12.0−0.1
Authors: Yamauchi Shigeo , Bamba Aya , Koyama Katsuji
Published: February 2014

We present results of the Suzaku/XIS observation around the radio supernova remnant (SNR) G12.0−0.1. No significant diffuse emission extending in or along the radio shell was observed. Instead, two compact X-ray sources, Suzaku J181205−1835 and Suzaku J181210−1842, were found in or near G12.0−0.1. Suzaku J181205−1835 is located at the north-west of the radio shell of G12.0−0.1. The X-ray profile is slightly extended over the point spread function of the Suzaku telescope. The X-ray spectrum has no line-like structure and is well represented by a power-law model with a photon index of 2.2 and an absorption column of NH = 4.9 × 1022 cm−2. The distances of Suzaku J181205−1835 and G12.0−0.1 are estimated from the absorption column and the Σ–D relation, respectively, and are nearly the same as each other. These results suggest that Suzaku J181205−1835 is a candidate for a pulsar wind nebula associated with G12.0−0.1. From its location, Suzaku J181210−1842 is expected to be unrelated to G12.0−0.1. The X-ray profile is point-like and the spectrum shows thin thermal emission with Fe K-lines at 6.4, 6.7, and 6.97 keV, similar to those of cataclysmic variables.
On the sodium versus iron correlation in late B-type stars
Authors: Takeda Yoichi , Kawanomoto Satoshi , Ohishi Naoko
Published: February 2014

With an aim to study whether the close correlation between [Na/H] and [Fe/H] recently found in A-type stars further persists in the regime of B-type stars, the abundances of Na were determined for 30 selected sharp-lined late B-type stars (10000 K ≲ Teff ≲ 14000 K) from the Na i 5890/5896 doublet. These Na abundances were then compared with the O and Fe abundances (derived from the O i 6156–8 and Fe ii 6147/6149 lines) showing anti-correlated peculiarities. It turned out that, unlike in the case of A-type stars, [Na/H] is roughly constant at a slightly subsolar level {[Na/H] ∼ −0.2 (±0.2)} without any significant correlation with [Fe/H], which shows considerable dispersion ranging from ∼ −0.6 to ∼ +1.0. This may serve as an important observational constraint for understanding the abundance peculiarities along with the physical mechanism of atomic diffusion in upper main-sequence stars of late A- through late B-type including Am and HgMn stars.
Direct Negative Chronotropic Action of Desflurane on Sinoatrial Node Pacemaker Activity in the Guinea Pig Heart
Authors: Kojima Akiko , Ito Yuki , Kitagawa Hirotoshi , Matsuura Hiroshi , Nosaka Shuichi
Published: February 2014

Background:

Desflurane inhalation is associated with sympathetic activation and concomitant increase in heart rate in humans and experimental animals. There is, however, little information concerning the direct effects of desflurane on electrical activity of sinoatrial node pacemaker cells that determines the intrinsic heart rate.

Methods:

Whole-cell patch-clamp experiments were conducted on guinea pig sinoatrial node pacemaker cells to record spontaneous action potentials and ionic currents contributing to sinoatrial node automaticity, namely, hyperpolarization-activated cation current (I
f), T-type and L-type Ca2+ currents (I
Ca,T and I
Ca,L, respectively), Na+/Ca2+ exchange current (I
NCX), and rapidly and slowly activating delayed rectifier K+ currents (I
Kr and I
Ks, respectively). Electrocardiograms were recorded from ex vivo Langendorff-perfused hearts and in vivo hearts.

Results:

Desflurane at 6 and 12% decreased spontaneous firing rate of sinoatrial node action potentials by 15.9% (n = 11) and 27.6% (n = 10), respectively, which was associated with 20.4% and 42.5% reductions in diastolic depolarization rate, respectively. Desflurane inhibited I
f, I
Ca,T, I
Ca,L, I
NCX, and I
Ks but had little effect on I
Kr. The negative chronotropic action of desflurane was reasonably well reproduced in sinoatrial node computer model. Desflurane reduced the heart rate in Langendorff-perfused hearts. High concentration (12%) of desflurane inhalation was associated with transient tachycardia, which was totally abolished by pretreatment with the β-adrenergic blocker propranolol.

Conclusions:

Desflurane has a direct negative chronotropic action on sinoatrial node pacemaking activity, which is mediated by its inhibitory action on multiple ionic currents. This direct inhibitory action of desflurane on sinoatrial node automaticity seems to be counteracted by sympathetic activation associated with desflurane inhalation in vivo.
Impact of Standardized Feeding Guidelines on Enteral Nutrition Administration, Growth Outcomes, Metabolic Bone Disease, and Cholestasis in the NICU
Authors: Loomis Theresa , Byham‐Gray Laura , Ziegler Jane , Parrott James S.
Published: February 2014

Objectives:

The objectives of this study were to determine whether the implementation of standardized feeding guidelines (SFGs) in a neonatal intensive care unit had an impact on the administration of enteral nutrition, growth, and bone and liver health.

Methods:

This was a retrospective chart review of infants ≤32 weeks' gestation and ≤1500 g at birth who received enteral nutrition either via traditional care (TC) or via SFGs. The outcomes of the study were to determine the day of life the first enteral feedings were started, the day of life full, fortified enteral feedings were established, the day of life the infant returned to birth weight, the change in weight z score from birth to day of life 30, and the presence of metabolic bone disease and cholestasis.

Results:

There were 128 infants in the TC group and 125 infants in the SFG group. Based on the Cox regression, no significant differences were found between the 2 groups in the length of time to the first feed (P = 0.110; CI 1.03–1.70), in the length of time to full, fortified enteral feedings (P = 0.334; CI 0.87–1.44), in the length of time to return to birth weight (P = 0.545; CI 0.77–1.28), incidence of metabolic bone disease (P = 0.990), or incidence of cholestasis (P = 0.926).

Conclusions:

This study provides preliminary evidence that SFGs have an effect on enteral nutrition administration, growth, and morbidity for preterm infants. Although the findings were not statistically significant, they are clinically relevant.
Relativistic calculations of magnetic resonance parameters: background and some recent developments
Authors: Autschbach Jochen
Published: February 2014

This article outlines some basic concepts of relativistic quantum chemistry and recent developments of relativistic methods for the calculation of the molecular properties that define the basic parameters of magnetic resonance spectroscopic techniques, i.e. nuclear magnetic resonance shielding, indirect nuclear spin–spin coupling and electric field gradients (nuclear quadrupole coupling), as well as with electron paramagnetic resonance
g
-factors and electron–nucleus hyperfine coupling. Density functional theory (DFT) has been very successful in molecular property calculations, despite a number of problems related to approximations in the functionals. In particular, for heavy-element systems, the large electron count and the need for a relativistic treatment often render the application of correlated wave function
ab initio
methods impracticable. Selected applications of DFT in relativistic calculation of magnetic resonance parameters are reviewed.
Density functional theory in the solid state
Authors: Hasnip Philip J. , Refson Keith , Probert Matt I. J. , Yates Jonathan R. , Clark Stewart J. , Pickard Chris J.
Published: February 2014

Density functional theory (DFT) has been used in many fields of the physical sciences, but none so successfully as in the solid state. From its origins in condensed matter physics, it has expanded into materials science, high-pressure physics and mineralogy, solid-state chemistry and more, powering entire computational subdisciplines. Modern DFT simulation codes can calculate a vast range of structural, chemical, optical, spectroscopic, elastic, vibrational and thermodynamic phenomena. The ability to predict structure–property relationships has revolutionized experimental fields, such as vibrational and solid-state NMR spectroscopy, where it is the primary method to analyse and interpret experimental spectra. In semiconductor physics, great progress has been made in the electronic structure of bulk and defect states despite the severe challenges presented by the description of excited states. Studies are no longer restricted to known crystallographic structures. DFT is increasingly used as an exploratory tool for materials discovery and computational experiments, culminating inex nihilocrystal structure prediction, which addresses the long-standing difficult problem of how to predict crystal structure polymorphs from nothing but a specified chemical composition. We present an overview of the capabilities of solid-state DFT simulations in all of these topics, illustrated with recent examples using the CASTEP computer program.
Phosphotransferase protein EIIANtr interacts with SpoT, a key enzyme of the stringent response, in Ralstonia eutropha H16
Authors: Karstens Katja , Zschiedrich Christopher P. , Bowien Botho , Stülke Jörg , Görke Boris
Published: February 2014

EIIANtr is a member of a truncated phosphotransferase (PTS) system that serves regulatory functions and exists in many Proteobacteria in addition to the sugar transport PTS. In Escherichia coli, EIIANtr regulates K+ homeostasis through interaction with the K+ transporter TrkA and sensor kinase KdpD. In the β-Proteobacterium Ralstonia eutropha H16, EIIANtr influences formation of the industrially important bioplastic poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). PHB accumulation is controlled by the stringent response and induced under conditions of nitrogen deprivation. Knockout of EIIANtr increases the PHB content. In contrast, absence of enzyme I or HPr, which deliver phosphoryl groups to EIIANtr, has the opposite effect. To clarify the role of EIIANtr in PHB formation, we screened for interacting proteins that co-purify with Strep-tagged EIIANtr from R. eutropha cells. This approach identified the bifunctional ppGpp synthase/hydrolase SpoT1, a key enzyme of the stringent response. Two-hybrid and far-Western analyses confirmed the interaction and indicated that only non-phosphorylated EIIANtr interacts with SpoT1. Interestingly, this interaction does not occur between the corresponding proteins of E. coli. Vice versa, interaction of EIIANtr with KdpD appears to be absent in R. eutropha, although R. eutropha EIIANtr can perfectly substitute its homologue in E. coli in regulation of KdpD activity. Thus, interaction with KdpD might be an evolutionary ‘ancient’ task of EIIANtr that was subsequently replaced by interaction with SpoT1 in R. eutropha. In conclusion, EIIANtr might integrate information about nutritional status, as reflected by its phosphorylation state, into the stringent response, thereby controlling cellular PHB content in R. eutropha.
Genome diversity and evidence of recombination and reassortment in nanoviruses from Europe
Authors: Grigoras Ioana , Ginzo Ana Isabel del Cueto , Martin Darren P. , Varsani Arvind , Romero Javier , Mammadov Alamdar Ch. , Huseynova Irada M. , Aliyev Jalal A. , Kheyr-Pour Ahmed , Huss Herbert , Ziebell Heiko , Timchenko Tatiana , Vetten Heinrich-Josef , Gronenborn Bruno
Published: February 2014

The recent identification of a new nanovirus, pea necrotic yellow dwarf virus, from pea in Germany prompted us to survey wild and cultivated legumes for nanovirus infections in several European countries. This led to the identification of two new nanoviruses: black medic leaf roll virus (BMLRV) and pea yellow stunt virus (PYSV), each considered a putative new species. The complete genomes of a PYSV isolate from Austria and three BMLRV isolates from Austria, Azerbaijan and Sweden were sequenced. In addition, the genomes of five isolates of faba bean necrotic yellows virus (FBNYV) from Azerbaijan and Spain and those of four faba bean necrotic stunt virus (FBNSV) isolates from Azerbaijan were completely sequenced, leading to the first identification of FBNSV occurring in Europe. Sequence analyses uncovered evolutionary relationships, extensive reassortment and potential remnants of mixed nanovirus infections, as well as intra- and intercomponent recombination events within the nanovirus genomes. In some virus isolates, diverse types of the same genome component (paralogues) were observed, a type of genome complexity not described previously for any member of the family Nanoviridae. Moreover, infectious and aphid-transmissible nanoviruses from cloned genomic DNAs of FBNYV and BMLRV were reconstituted that, for the first time, allow experimental reassortments for studying the genome functions and evolution of these nanoviruses.
Evidence for widespread positive and negative selection in coding and conserved noncoding regions ofCapsella grandiflora
Authors: Williamson Robert J. , Josephs Emily B. , Platts Adrian E. , Hazzouri Khaled M. , Haudry Annabelle , Blanchette Mathieu , Wright Stephen I.
Published: February 2014

The extent that both positive and negative selection vary across different portions of plant genomes remains poorly understood. Here, we sequence whole genomes of 13Capsella grandifloraindividuals and quantify the amount of selection across the genome. Using an estimate of the distribution of fitness effects, we show that selection is strong in coding regions, but weak in most noncoding regions, with the exception of 5’ and 3’ untranslated regions (UTRs). However, estimates of selection in noncoding regions conserved across the Brassicaceae family show strong signals of selection. Additionally, we see reductions in neutral diversity around functional substitutions in both coding and conserved noncoding regions, indicating recent selective sweeps at these sites. Finally, using expression data from leaf tissue we show that genes that are more highly expressed experience stronger negative selection but comparable levels of positive selection to lowly expressed genes. Overall, we observe widespread positive and negative selection in coding and regulatory regions, but our results also suggest that both positive and negative selection in plant noncoding sequence are considerably rarer than in animal genomes.

Author Summary

Selection affects patterns of genomic variation, but it is unclear how much the genomic effects of selection vary across plant genomes, particularly in noncoding regions. To determine the strength and extent of selective signatures across the genome, we sequenced and analyzed genomes from 13Capsella grandifloraindividuals.C. grandiflorais well-suited for this task because it has experienced a large, stable effective population size, so we expect that selection signatures will not be overly distorted by demographic effects. Our analysis shows that positive and negative selection acting on new mutations have broadly shaped patterns of genomic diversity in coding regions but not in most noncoding regions. However, when we focus only on noncoding regions that show evidence of constraint across species, we see evidence for strong positive and negative selection. In addition, we find that genes with high expression experience stronger negative selection than genes with low expression, but the extent of positive selection appears to be equivalent across expression categories.
Reprogramming of the human intestinal epigenome by surgical tissue transposition
Authors: Lay Fides D. , Triche Timothy J. , Tsai Yvonne C. , Su Sheng-Fang , Martin Sue Ellen , Daneshmand Siamak , Skinner Eila C. , Liang Gangning , Chihara Yoshitomo , Jones Peter A.
Published: February 2014

Extracellular cues play critical roles in the establishment of the epigenome during development and may also contribute to epigenetic perturbations found in disease states. The direct role of the local tissue environment on the post-development human epigenome, however, remains unclear due to limitations in studies of human subjects. Here, we use an isogenic human ileal neobladder surgical model and compare global DNA methylation levels of intestinal epithelial cells pre- and post-neobladder construction using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. Our study is the first to quantify the effect of environmental cues on the human epigenome and show that the local tissue environment directly modulates DNA methylation patterns in normal differentiated cells in vivo. In the neobladder, the intestinal epithelial cells lose their tissue-specific epigenetic landscape in a time-dependent manner following the tissue’s exposure to a bladder environment. We find that de novo methylation of many intestine-specific enhancers occurs at the rate of 0.41% per month (P < 0.01, Pearson = 0.71), while demethylation of primarily non-intestine-specific transcribed regions occurs at the rate of −0.37% per month (P < 0.01, Pearson = −0.57). The dynamic resetting of the DNA methylome in the neobladder not only implicates local environmental cues in the shaping and maintenance of the epigenome but also illustrates an unexpected cross-talk between the epigenome and the cellular environment.
Specialization of Oleosins in Oil Body Dynamics during Seed Development in Arabidopsis Seeds
Authors: Miquel Martine , Trigui Ghassen , d’Andréa Sabine , Kelemen Zsolt , Baud Sébastien , Berger Adeline , Deruyffelaere Carine , Trubuil Alain , Lepiniec Loïc , Dubreucq Bertrand
Published: February 2014

Oil bodies (OBs) are seed-specific lipid storage organelles that allow the accumulation of neutral lipids that sustain plantlet development after the onset of germination. OBs are covered with specific proteins embedded in a single layer of phospholipids. Using fluorescent dyes and confocal microscopy, we monitored the dynamics of OBs in living Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) embryos at different stages of development. Analyses were carried out with different genotypes: the wild type and three mutants affected in the accumulation of various oleosins (OLE1, OLE2, and OLE4), three major OB proteins. Image acquisition was followed by a detailed statistical analysis of OB size and distribution during seed development in the four dimensions (x, y, z, and t). Our results indicate that OB size increases sharply during seed maturation, in part by OB fusion, and then decreases until the end of the maturation process. In single, double, and triple mutant backgrounds, the size and spatial distribution of OBs are modified, affecting in turn the total lipid content, which suggests that the oleosins studied have specific functions in the dynamics of lipid accumulation.
5-Phenyl-1,2,5-dithiazepane
Authors: Mitchell Lauren A. , Mejía Michelle L. , Keskin Seyma Gören , Holliday Bradley J.
Published: February 2014

In the title compound, C10H13NS2, the seven-membered ring adopts a chair conformation. The S—S bond length is 2.0406 (5) Å and the C—S—S—C torsion angle is −83.89 (7)°. The amine group issp2-hybridized. In the crystal, molecules are linked into chains along [001] by weak intermolecular S...S contacts of 3.5246 (5) Å.
Prospects for mathematical crystallography
Authors: McColm Gregory
Published: February 2014

The potential of mathematical crystallography as an emerging field is examined from a sociological point of view. Mathematical crystallography is unusual as an emerging field as it is also an old field, albeit scattered, with evidence of continued substantial activity. But its situation is similar to that of an emerging field, so we analyse it as such. Comparisons with past emergent efforts suggest that a new field can grow if given an economic demand for its product and a receptive environment. Developing a field entails developing a sense of identity, developing infrastructure and recruiting practitioners.
Opioid dependence and intimate partner violence: associations with the current parenting behavior of fathers
Authors: Smith Stover Carla , J. McMahon Thomas
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– Because the concurrent nature of chronic drug abuse (DA) and intimate partner violence (IPV) is frequently ignored in research examining the correlates of the two conditions, the purpose of this paper is designed to document differences in parenting behavior associated with a history of DA vs a history of IPV in fathers.

Design/methodology/approach

– An ethnically diverse sample of 91 opioid-dependent fathers receiving methadone maintenance treatment and a demographically similar group of 111 fathers living in the same community with no history of alcohol or DA since the birth of their first child were interviewed using a set of standard research measures.

Findings

– Multivariate analysis of covariance revealed that, after allowance for demographic covariates, a history of either minor or severe IPV, but not a history of DA, was associated with a report of more negative parenting behavior. A history of minor IPV was associated primarily with a lack of warmth and affection in parenting behavior. A history of severe IPV was associated with more aggressive and more neglectful parenting behavior.

Originality/value

– Within a statistical model that allowed for the extent to which DA and IPV can co-occur during the family career of men, the results of this study suggested that IPV, more so than DA, was associated with parenting behavior representing risk for abuse and neglect of children. Clinical intervention with high-risk fathers need to be grounded in a better understanding of the potential influence of DA and IPV on the parenting behavior of men at risk for child abuse and neglect.
Substance misuse, mental health problems and recurrent child maltreatment
Authors: Laslett Anne-Marie , Room Robin , Dietze Paul
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the diagnosis of both carers’ mental health problems and substance misuse increase the likelihood of recurrent child maltreatment over and above the individual effects of these factors.

Design/methodology/approach

– Retrospective secondary data analysis of 29,455 children where child maltreatment was confirmed in the Victorian child protection system between 2001 and 2005. Recorded mental health, alcohol misuse and other drug misuse variables were entered into multivariate logistic regression models predicting repeated child maltreatment. Interactions and a range of other child, carer and socio-economic factors were included in these models.

Findings

– Carer alcohol misuse, other drug misuse and mental ill health all independently predicted recurrent child maltreatment. The presence of both other drug misuse and mental ill health increased the likelihood that recurrent child abuse was recorded over the likelihood that mental health alone predicted recurrent child maltreatment, and while alcohol misuse had an effect when there was no mental health condition recorded it did not have an additional effect when there was evidence of mental health problems.

Research limitations/implications

– Children in families where there is both mental health problems and other drug use problems are at greater risk of repeated maltreatment than where there is evidence of mental health problems or other drug use alone. Where there was evidence of carer mental health problems, alcohol misuse did not add to this likelihood. However, the effect of mental health and other drug use was similar in size to the effect of alcohol misuse alone.

Originality/value

– These findings add to understandings of the effects of co-occurring mental health problems and substance misuse on recurrent child maltreatment and differentiate between cases that involve alcohol and other drug misuse.
Maritime City: using serious gaming to deliver child protection training
Authors: Davies Jonathon
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuses the development and application of Maritime City, a developing virtual urban community created by the University of Greenwich to supplement the delivery of child protection training.

Design/methodology/approach

– Maritime City is a “serious game” developed by the University of Greenwich to deliver child protection training to health and social care professionals working with children and their families. This discussion paper will consider the practice landscape for these professionals and their training needs for working with families where children are at risk of harm. This paper will also consider some of the innovative pedagogical approaches to providing this training through the use of a serious game. Finally, this paper will also share some of the thinking behind the work and several of the learning activities that have been used with students.

Findings

– Maritime City offers a safe, new medium to explore and reflect upon child protection assessment in a family situation. It offers health and social care professionals, at all stages of their careers, a unique opportunity to evaluate child protection issues. Amongst its advantages, Maritime City gives professionals involved in child protection the opportunity to evaluate and re-evaluate a case without putting children or service users at risk. As the game is in the early stages of use further evaluations are required to discern its effects on practice.

Originality/value

– Maritime offers a unique opportunity of completing a child protection home visit using a range of tools to help participants draw on their own experiences and those of others to prepare them for working with children and families.
An inpatient Healthy Living Group
Authors: Rose Lexy , Breen Olivia , Webb Zillah
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the usefulness of a Healthy Living Group (HLG) for individuals with learning disabilities and mental health problems in an inpatient setting.

Design/methodology/approach

– Seven sessions were developed. Each session focussed on a different aspect of healthy living, and used psychoeducation and practical skill building to enable individuals to create personalized healthy living plans. Quantitative post-intervention measures and a qualitative focus group were used to determine group participants’ learning and enjoyment.

Findings

– Principles about healthy living were successfully taught in an enjoyable way to individuals with learning disabilities. Factors that enhanced learning and those that created barriers to developing healthy living plans are explored.

Practical implications

– Individuals with learning disabilities and mental health problems can be supported to develop personalized healthy living plans. Recommendations for further adaptations to the group structure are made, in order to enable others to run successful groups.

Originality/value

– The HLG is the first of its kind to be developed for individuals with learning disabilities.
Investigating suicide as a career response
Authors: J. Duff Angus , C.A. Chan Chris
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– To empirically consider work and career as potential influences of suicide.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this qualitative study we conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 16 individuals who were survivors (i.e. family members or intimates) of individuals who had committed suicide. Data was analyzed using a grounded theory methodology.

Findings

– This exploratory study used purposive self-determination as the theoretical framework for analyzing their life histories. Factors of purposive self-determination, including lack of purpose, feeling controlled, experiencing failure, and social exclusion all figured prominently but differentially according to life-stage. Distinct work and career themes for early-career, mid-career and late-career suicides emerged. Early-career suicides were attributed to educational or work-related contexts, leading to a sense of hopelessness. Mid-career suicides emphasized despair based in failure. Finally, an attempt to escape from challenges associated with transitioning roles in retirements emerged as a key theme in late-career suicides.

Originality/value

– Although suicide has been studied extensively from medical, psychopathological, sociological, anthropological, philosophical and religious perspectives, there is a dearth of research considering why certain individuals choose to end their own lives as a result of work and career related reasons. This study sought to contribute to our understanding of this under-researched phenomenon. Additionally, while extant careers theory and research has considered positive notions of career such as career success or careers as a calling, this work presents an alternate lens, the consideration of career failure and careers as a sentence.
Bridging corporate social responsibility and compassion at work
Authors: Moon Tae-Won , Hur Won-Moo , Ko Sung-Hoon , Kim Jae-Woo , Yoon Sung-Won
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– This study aims to examine how employees' perceptions of organizational actions, such as corporate social responsibility (CSR), affect their compassionate acts in organizations through employee perceptions of organizational justice and affective organizational commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

– The employees from 87 firms in South Korea were surveyed using a self-administered instrument for data collection. Out of 400 questionnaires, a total of 253 usable questionnaires were obtained after list-wise deletion, for a 63.3 percent response rate. The firms belong to a variety of industries (banking and financial services, manufacturing, hospitals, education, etc.).

Findings

– The results indicate that employees' perceptions of CSR positively relate to compassion at work through organizational justice perceptions (i.e. perceptions of distributive justice, procedural justice, and interactional justice), and affective organizational commitment, in a sequential manner, in addition to their direct effects on compassion at work.

Originality/value

– This study sheds new light on both the compassion and the CSR literature due to its attempt to bridge the macro concept of CSR with micro research in compassion. This is, apparently, one of the first pieces of research in the management literature to specifically address compassion as a consequence of employees' CSR perception.