bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The mir-279/996 cluster represses receptor tyrosine kinase signaling to determine cell fates in the Drosophila eye
Authors: Duan Hong , de Navas Luis F. , Hu Fuqu , Sun Kailiang , Mavromatakis Yannis E. , Viets Kayla , Zhou Cyrus , Kavaler Joshua , Johnston Robert J. , Tomlinson Andrew , Lai Eric C.
Published: March 2018

Photoreceptors in the crystalline Drosophila eye are recruited by receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)/Ras signaling mediated by Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the Sevenless (Sev) receptor. Analyses of an allelic deletion series of the mir-279/996 locus, along with a panel of modified genomic rescue transgenes, show that Drosophila eye patterning depends on both miRNAs. Transcriptional reporter and activity sensor transgenes reveal expression and function of miR-279/996 in non-neural cells of the developing eye. Moreover, mir-279/996 mutants exhibit substantial numbers of ectopic photoreceptors, particularly of R7, and cone cell loss. These miRNAs restrict RTK signaling in the eye, since mir-279/996 nulls are dominantly suppressed by positive components of the EGFR pathway and enhanced by heterozygosity for an EGFR repressor. miR-279/996 limit photoreceptor recruitment by targeting multiple positive RTK/Ras signaling components that promote photoreceptor/R7 specification. Strikingly, deletion of mir-279/996 sufficiently derepresses RTK/Ras signaling so as to rescue a population of R7 cells in R7-specific RTK null mutants boss and sev, which otherwise completely lack this cell fate. Altogether, we reveal a rare setting of developmental cell specification that involves substantial miRNA control.
Regulation and function of H3K36 di-methylation by the trithorax-group protein complex AMC
Authors: Schmähling Sigrun , Meiler Arno , Lee Yoonjung , Mohammed Arif , Finkl Katja , Tauscher Katharina , Israel Lars , Wirth Marc , Philippou-Massier Julia , Blum Helmut , Habermann Bianca , Imhof Axel , Song Ji-Joon , Müller Jürg
Published: March 2018

The Drosophila Ash1 protein is a trithorax-group (trxG) regulator that antagonizes Polycomb repression at HOX genes. Ash1 di-methylates lysine 36 in histone H3 (H3K36me2) but how this activity is controlled and at which genes it functions is not well understood. We show that Ash1 protein purified from Drosophila exists in a complex with MRG15 and Caf1 that we named AMC. In Drosophila and human AMC, MRG15 binds a conserved FxLP motif near the Ash1 SET domain and stimulates H3K36 di-methylation on nucleosomes. Drosophila MRG15-null and ash1 catalytic mutants show remarkably specific trxG phenotypes: stochastic loss of HOX gene expression and homeotic transformations in adults. In mutants lacking AMC, H3K36me2 bulk levels appear undiminished but H3K36me2 is reduced in the chromatin of HOX and other AMC-regulated genes. AMC therefore appears to act on top of the H3K36me2/me3 landscape generated by the major H3K36 methyltransferases NSD and Set2. Our analyses suggest that H3K36 di-methylation at HOX genes is the crucial physiological function of AMC and the mechanism by which the complex antagonizes Polycomb repression at these genes.
Environmental acoustic cues guide the biosonar attention of a highly specialised echolocator
Authors: Lattenkamp Ella Z. , Kaiser Samuel , Kaučič Rožle , Großmann Martina , Koselj Klemen , Goerlitz Holger R.
Published: March 2018

Sensory systems experience a trade-off between maximizing the detail and amount of sampled information. This trade-off is particularly pronounced in sensory systems that are highly specialized for a single task and thus experience limitations in other tasks. We hypothesised that combining sensory input from multiple streams of information may resolve this trade-off and improve detection and sensing reliability. Specifically, we predicted that perceptive limitations experienced by animals reliant on specialised active echolocation can be compensated for by the phylogenetically older and less specialised process of passive hearing. We tested this hypothesis in greater horseshoe bats, which possess morphological and neural specialisations allowing them to identify fluttering prey in dense vegetation using echolocation only. At the same time, their echolocation system is both spatially and temporally severely limited. Here we show that greater horseshoe bats employ passive hearing to initially detect and localise prey-generated and other environmental sounds, and then raise vocalisation level and concentrate the scanning movements of their sonar beam on the sound source for further investigation with echolocation. These specialised echolocators thus supplement echo-acoustic information with environmental acoustic cues, enlarging perceived space beyond their biosonar range. Contrary to our predictions, we did not find consistent preferences for prey-related acoustic stimuli, indicating the use of passive acoustic cues also for detection of non-prey objects. Our findings suggest that even specialised echolocators exploit a wide range of environmental information, and that phylogenetically older sensory systems can support the evolution of sensory specialisations by compensating for their limitations.
Characterisation of innate lymphoid cell populations at different sites in mice with defective T cell immunity
Authors: Dutton Emma E. , Camelo Ana , Sleeman Matthew , Herbst Ronald , Carlesso Gianluca , Belz Gabrielle T. , Withers David R.
Published: March 2018

Background: Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) have now been identified within most tissues of the body and current evidence indicates that this family of cells play a fundamental role in maintaining tissue homeostasis. However, few studies have compared the ILC populations between several tissues.

Methods: We sought to generate a comprehensive characterisation of the ILC populations in different tissues of C57BL/6 WT and genetically modified mice targeting costimulatory pathways, using transcription factor expression to define specific groups.

Results: Consistent with studies individually describing the ILC composition in different tissues, our analysis revealed different ILC groups dominate the ILC population in different tissues. Additionally, we observed a population of  IL-7Rα+Id2+ cells lacking expression of lineage markers but also lacking expression of GATA-3, RORgt or T-bet. This population was most evident in ear skin where it outnumbered the defined ILC groups, however, further experiments demonstrated that detection of these cells was influenced by how the tissue was digested, raising concerns as to its real nature. Since both ILC2 and ILC3 express ICOS, we then investigated the requirement for ICOS:ICOSL interactions in the homeostasis of ILC populations at these sites. Surprisingly, no significant differences were detected in the number of ILC1, ILC2 or ILC3 between WT and ICOSL-/- mice in any tissue, indicating that this pathway is not required for ILC homeostasis at these sites. These data were compared with CD80-/-CD86-/- mice given evidence of CD28 expression by some ILC and ILC crosstalk with activated T cells. Notably, the absence of CD28 ligands resulted in a significant increase in ILC2 and ILC3 numbers in the intestine.

Conclusions: Together, these data provide new insight into ILC composition in different tissues in both WT and genetically modified mice where key costimulatory pathways are genetically deleted, providing a useful resource for further research into ILC biology.
Effectively Engaging Industry Partners Within the Classroom
Authors: Konrad Renata A.
Published: March 2018

Student projects with an industry partner provide a meaningful way for students to translate abstract knowledge into practice, and to develop the data management and communication skills desired in industry. This paper provides suggestions for engaging an industry partner in a classroom and improving the classroom project experience. Set up as a competition, a single industry partner works with a multitude of student teams on the same problem. The project design aims to develop students’ project framing, data management, and communication skills. The paper covers general considerations for field-based course projects, and provides suggestions on how to address these issues. In general, students have given exceptionally good feedback ratings for the project. Learnings from the student, faculty, and industry partner perspectives are discussed. Although based primarily on experiences in a simulation class, instructions and practitioners can apply many of these observations more widely in an operations research or analytics curriculum.
The impact of medication on the periodontium: a review of the literature
Authors: Khalid Sehrish , Chatzistavrianou Despoina , Blair Fiona
Published: March 2018

Abstract: Periodontal disease is a plaque-related disease. Although systemic medications cannot initiate periodontal disease, they can, however, adversely affect the periodontal tissues and exacerbate existing disease. Medications can have an effect on oral health, periodontal disease diagnosis, gingival and oral mucosal tissues or the alveolar bone. Side-effects of systemic medications require various levels of management. Ultimately, a strict oral hygiene regimen is essential to prevent and reduce the effect of medications on the periodontal tissues. The aim of this paper is to present the effects of various medications on the periodontium, educate and increase awareness for dental professionals of these effects and discuss management protocols.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: This paper aims to provide an overview of the medications affecting the periodontium and the management of drug-influenced gingival diseases.
Adsorption of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol on kaolinite: DFT calculations
Authors: Ghezali Sara , Mahdad-Benzerdjeb Amina
Published: March 2018

The aim of this work is to explore the adsorption process of an organic pollutant the 2,4,6-trichlorophenol on the clay mineral (kaolinite) surface in order to identify the sites of adsorption as well as conformations corresponding to the lowest energies. Ab-initio calculations have been used to investigate the adsorption process using a representative cluster model. According to the results obtained on the various studied models, the orientation of TCP on the surfaces clay affect the parameters such as : HOMO-LUMO energy gap, the enthalpy change (ΔH), the thermal Gibbs free energy (ΔG) and entropy contribution (ΔS). The results point out a preferential adsorption of TCP on the octahedral surface and the NBO analysis indicates that the electron donor-acceptor complex was the dominant adsorption mechanism.
Metodología para la determinación de características del viento y evaluación del potencial de energía eólica en Túquerres-Nariño
Authors: Eraso Checa Francisco , Escobar Rosero Edisson
Published: March 2018

El mundo experimenta un aumento constante en la demanda de energía eléctrica. Una alternativa para suplir dicha demanda consiste en la implementación de energías renovables. En Colombia, desde la aparición de la Ley 1715 se ha desarrollado una política de incentivos para la integración de nuevos proyectos en este tipo de energías. Por ello, es importante adelantar estudios con datos reales para que eventualmente puedan ser implementados. En este artículo se presenta el análisis del potencial de generación eólica de la sabana de Túquerres, ubicada en el departamento de Nariño, Colombia. El potencial se obtuvo a partir de la medición de la velocidad del viento entre los meses de junio y diciembre del año 2015. Los datos se analizaron estadísticamente según una medida de tendencia central, distribución de frecuencias y distribución de Weibull para la normalización de datos dispersos. Finalmente, se calculó la densidad de potencia a partir del modelo de una turbina eólica de eje horizontal y se simuló la curva de generación eléctrica de la zona. La velocidad de viento promedio de la zona es de 4,4 m/s y la densidad de potencia encontrada es igual a 3,47 W/m2.
Los ejes DOC una estrategia conceptual y metodológica en la construcción del Conocimiento Profesional del Profesor
Authors: Fonseca Amaya Guillermo
Published: March 2018

La didáctica de las ciencias como una disciplina en consolidación, se construye a través de diversas lineas de investigación, entre ellas El conocimiento Profesional del Profesor, que surge en razón de la necesidad de comprender cómo los profesores en formación y en ejercicio construyen un conocimiento singular de su profesión. Los Ejes DOC (Dinamizador, Obstáculo y Cuestionamiento), se constituyen en un dispositivo conceptual y metodológico de orden reflexivo sobre los aspectos que se articulan en la construcción del Conocimiento Profesional del Profesor. Acorde con ello, se presentan los resultados de un proceso de I-A, en donde un profesor en formación, comprende que la evaluación y la estrategia de enseñanza (investigación escolar), se constituyen en Ejes DOC que aportan en su proceso de formación como profesor de biología. Derivado del estudio de caso es posible evidenciar dos características de los Ejes DOC (Dinamizador, Obstáculo y Cuestionamiento) la coexistencia temporal de los ejes sobre un conocimiento y la posibilidad de su transformación. Así, se considera que los Ejes DOC, son una propuesta conceptual que no sólo en la investigación en didáctica, sino también en los procesos formativos, realiza aportes tanto en la comprensión como en la transformación y enriquecimiento del conocimiento profesional.
Przyjaźń narzeczonych gwarancją trwałości małżeństwa
Authors: Wasilewski Edward
Published: March 2018

Współcześnie obserwujemy kryzys instytucji małżeństwa i rodziny, a jego najgroźniejszym symptomem jest ciągle wzrastająca liczba rozwodów, dotycząca nie tylko związków cywilnych, ale również małżeństw sakramentalnych. Podejmując środki zmierzające do uzdrowienia tego bolesnego zjawiska, Kościół coraz większą wagę przywiązuje do właściwego przygotowania narzeczonych do zawarcia sakramentalnego małżeństwa. W dotychczasowej praktyce niedostatecznie, być może, zwracano uwagę na potrzebę promowania ideału przyjaźni między narzeczonymi jako rękojmi trwałości zawieranych związków małżeńskich. Należy większą uwagę zwrócić na ukazanie właściwej koncepcji chrześcijańskiej przyjaźni. Pomocą w osiągnięciu tego celu może być wykorzystanie założeń metody wykresograficznej w kontekście katechezy przedmałżeńskiej.
Ekologiczna perspektywa we współczesnym nauczaniu Magisterium
Authors: Szafulski Andrzej
Published: March 2018

Jeżeli Kościół wypowiada się na tematy społeczno-polityczne i gospodarczo-ekologiczne, to tylko z tego powodu, że w tych kręgach działalności główną rolę odgrywa człowiek będący najdoskonalszym stworzeniem. Jest on bowiem istotą rozumną i wolną. Jest tym, co słusznie nazywamy podmiotem praw i obowiązków. Magisterium Ecclesiae problemy degradacji środowiska naturalnego rozpatruje z teologiczno-etycznego punktu widzenia. Zagadnienie istoty i zakresu kryzysu ekologicznego bywa najczęściej sprowadzane do wymiarów czysto ekonomicznych i niekiedy dodatkowo także do płaszczyzny politycznej. Tymczasem zagadnienie to ma o wiele większy zakres, a mianowicie charakteryzuje go odniesienie do natury moralnej.W celu przedstawienia ekologicznej perspektywy we współczesnym nauczaniu Magisterium uwzględnione zostały następujące zagadnienia. Pierwsze z nich podejmuje próbę teologicznego odczytania stworzenia, które jest podstawą proekologicznego nauczania Kościoła. Na drugim miejscu ukazane są główne przejawy wspomnianego kryzysu. Część trzecia poświęcona jest najważniejszym przyczynom powstałego kryzysu w zakresie ochrony naturalnego środowiska człowieka. Całość artykułu zamykają stosowne wnioski i postulaty.
Application of terrestrial laser scanning to the development and updating of the base map
Authors: Klapa Przemysław , Mitka Bartosz
Published: March 2018

The base map provides basic information about land to individuals, companies, developers, design engineers, organizations, and government agencies. Its contents include spatial location data for control network points, buildings, land lots, infrastructure facilities, and topographic features. As the primary map of the country, it must be developed in accordance with specific laws and regulations and be continuously updated. The base map is a data source used for the development and updating of derivative maps and other large scale cartographic materials such as thematic or topographic maps. Thanks to the advancement of science and technology, the quality of land surveys carried out by means of terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) matches that of traditional surveying methods in many respects.

This paper discusses the potential application of output data from laser scanners (point clouds) to the development and updating of cartographic materials, taking Poland’s base map as an example. A few research sites were chosen to present the method and the process of conducting a TLS land survey: a fragment of a residential area, a street, the surroundings of buildings, and an undeveloped area.

The entire map that was drawn as a result of the survey was checked by comparing it to a map obtained from PODGiK (pol. Powiatowy Ośrodek Dokumentacji Geodezyjnej i Kartograficznej – Regional Centre for Geodetic and Cartographic Records) and by conducting a field inspection. An accuracy and quality analysis of the conducted fieldwork and deskwork yielded very good results, which provide solid grounds for predicating that cartographic materials based on a TLS point cloud are a reliable source of information about land. The contents of the map that had been created with the use of the obtained point cloud were very accurately located in space (x, y, z). The conducted accuracy analysis and the inspection of the performed works showed that high quality is characteristic of TLS surveys. The accuracy of determining the location of the various map contents has been estimated at 0.02-0.03 m. The map was developed in conformity with the applicable laws and regulations as well as with best practice requirements.
Area collapse algorithm computing new curve of 2D geometric objects
Authors: Buczek Michał Mateusz
Published: March 2018

The processing of cartographic data demands human involvement. Up-to-date algorithms try to automate a part of this process. The goal is to obtain a digital model, or additional information about shape and topology of input geometric objects. A topological skeleton is one of the most important tools in the branch of science called shape analysis. It represents topological and geometrical characteristics of input data. Its plot depends on using algorithms such as medial axis, skeletonization, erosion, thinning, area collapse and many others. Area collapse, also known as dimension change, replaces input data with lower-dimensional geometric objects like, for example, a polygon with a polygonal chain, a line segment with a point.

The goal of this paper is to introduce a new algorithm for the automatic calculation of polygonal chains representing a 2D polygon. The output is entirely contained within the area of the input polygon, and it has a linear plot without branches. The computational process is automatic and repeatable. The requirements of input data are discussed. The author analyzes results based on the method of computing ends of output polygonal chains. Additional methods to improve results are explored. The algorithm was tested on real-world cartographic data received from BDOT/GESUT databases, and on point clouds from laser scanning. An implementation for computing hatching of embankment is described.
Accuracy assessment of TanDEM-X IDEM using airborne LiDAR on the area of Poland
Authors: Woroszkiewicz Małgorzata , Ewiak Ireneusz , Lulkowska Paulina
Published: March 2018

The TerraSAR-X add-on for Digital Elevation Measurement (TanDEM-X) mission launched in 2010 is another programme – after the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) in 2000 – that uses space-borne radar interferometry to build a global digital surface model. This article presents the accuracy assessment of the TanDEM-X intermediate Digital Elevation Model (IDEM) provided by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) under the project “Accuracy assessment of a Digital Elevation Model based on TanDEM-X data” for the southwestern territory of Poland. The study area included: open terrain, urban terrain and forested terrain. Based on a set of 17,498 reference points acquired by airborne laser scanning, the mean errors of average heights and standard deviations were calculated for areas with a terrain slope below 2 degrees, between 2 and 6 degrees and above 6 degrees. The absolute accuracy of the IDEM data for the analysed area, expressed as a root mean square error (Total RMSE), was 0.77 m.
Geovisualisation as a process of creating complementary visualisations: static two-dimensional, surface three-dimensional, and interactive
Authors: Horbiński Tymoteusz , Medyńska-Gulij Beata
Published: March 2018

In the following paper, geovisualisation will be applied to one spatial phenomenon and understood as a process of creating complementary visualisations: static two-dimensional, surface three-dimensional, and interactive. The central challenge that the researchers faced was to find a method of presenting the phenomenon in a multi-faceted way. The main objective of the four-stage study was to show the capacity of the contemporary software for presenting geographical space from various perspectives while maintaining the standards of cartographic presentation and making sure that the form remains attractive for the user. The correctness, effectiveness, and usefulness of the proposed approach was analysed on the basis of a geovisualisation of natural aggregate extraction in the Gniezno district in the years 2005–2015. For each of the three visualisations, the researchers planned a different range of information, different forms of graphic and cartographic presentation, different use and function, but as far as possible the same accessible databases and the same free technologies. On the basis of the final publication, the researchers pointed out the advantages of the proposed workflow and the correctness of the detailed flowchart.
Design-Based Estimation with Record-Linked Administrative Files and a Clerical Review Sample
Authors: Dasylva Abel
Published: March 2018

This article looks at the estimation of an association parameter between two variables in a finite population, when the variables are separately recorded in two population registers that are also imperfectly linked. The main problem is the occurrence of linkage errors that include bad links and missing links. A methodology is proposed when clerical-reviews may reliably determine the match status of a record-pair, for example using names, demographic and address information. It features clerical-reviews on a probability sample of pairs and regression estimators that are assisted by a statistical model of comparison outcomes in a pair. Like other regression estimators, this estimator is design-consistent regardless of the model validity. It is also more efficient when the model holds.
Administrative Data Quality: Investigating Record-Level Address Accuracy in the Northern Ireland Health Register
Authors: Foley Brian , Shuttleworth Ian , Martin David
Published: March 2018

Many national statistical institutes (NSIs) are seeking to supplement or replace their traditional population census with a methodology underpinned by administrative sources. Health service register data are key in this regard owing to their high population coverage; it is therefore important to improve understanding of data quality in this administrative source. This study investigated the factors associated with record-level address data mismatch between the Northern Ireland (NI) Health Card Registration System (HCRS) and the 2011 Census, using the NI Longitudinal Study (NILS). Address information in the form of anonymised Unique Property Reference Number (XUPRN) was available for circa 334,000 NILS members with census returns in 2001 and 2011, which provided a benchmark to assess XUPRN accuracy in their linked HCRS record for comparable time points. Multinomial logistic regression revealed a significantly greater likelihood of address mismatch in the HCRS for: males; young adults; individuals with no limiting long-term illness; migrants in the year prior to each census; and residents of communal establishments. Identification of population groups affected by poor quality address information in administrative sources can assist NSIs with the development and implementation of methodological improvements to ensure that official population statistics generated from these sources are fit for purpose.
Calibration Weighting for Nonresponse with Proxy Frame Variables (So that Unit Nonresponse Can Be Not Missing at Random)
Authors: Kott Phillip S. , Liao Dan
Published: March 2018

When adjusting for unit nonresponse in a survey, it is common to assume that the response/nonresponse mechanism is a function of variables known either for the entire sample before unit response or at the aggregate level for the frame or population. Often, however, some of the variables governing the response/nonresponse mechanism can only be proxied by variables on the frame while they are measured (more) accurately on the survey itself. For example, an address-based sampling frame may contain area-level estimates for the median annual income and the fraction home ownership in a Census block group, while a household’s annual income category and ownership status are reported on the survey itself for the housing units responding to the survey. A relatively new calibration-weighting technique allows a statistician to calibrate the sample using proxy variables while assuming the response/ nonresponse mechanism is a function of the analogous survey variables. We will demonstrate how this can be done with data from the Residential Energy Consumption Survey National Pilot, a nationally representative web-and-mail survey of American households sponsored by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Using Social Network Information for Survey Estimation
Authors: Suesse Thomas , Chambers Ray
Published: March 2018

Model-based and model-assisted methods of survey estimation aim to improve the precision of estimators of the population total or mean relative to methods based on the nonparametric Horvitz-Thompson estimator. These methods often use a linear regression model defined in terms of auxiliary variables whose values are assumed known for all population units. Information on networks represents another form of auxiliary information that might increase the precision of these estimators, particularly if it is reasonable to assume that networked population units have similar values of the survey variable. Linear models that use networks as a source of auxiliary information include autocorrelation, disturbance, and contextual models. In this article we focus on social networks, and investigate how much of the population structure of the network needs to be known for estimation methods based on these models to be useful. In particular, we use simulation to compare the performance of the best linear unbiased predictor under a model that ignores the network with model-based estimators that incorporate network information. Our results show that incorporating network information via a contextual model seems to be the most appropriate approach. We also show that one does not need to know the full population network, but that knowledge of the partial network linking the sampled population units to the non-sampled population units is necessary. Finally, we also provide an estimator for the mean-squared error to make an informed decision about using the contextual information, as well as the results showing that this adaptive strategy leads to higher precision.
An Overview of Population Size Estimation where Linking Registers Results in Incomplete Covariates, with an Application to Mode of Transport of Serious Road Casualties
Authors: Heijden Peter G.M. van der , Smith Paul A. , Cruyff Maarten , Bakker Bart
Published: March 2018

We consider the linkage of two or more registers in the situation where the registers do not cover the whole target population, and relevant categorical auxiliary variables (unique to one of the registers; although different variables could be present on each register) are available in addition to the usual matching variable(s). The linked registers therefore do not contain full information on either the observations (often individuals) or the variables. By treating this as a missing data problem it is possible to construct a linked data set, adjusted to estimate the part of the population missed by both registers, and containing completed covariate information for all the registers. This is achieved using an Expectation-Maximization (EM)-algorithm. We elucidate the properties of this approach where the model is appropriate and in situations corresponding with real applications in official statistics, and also where the model conditions are violated. The approach is applied to data on road accidents in the Netherlands, where the cause of the accident is denoted by the police and by the hospital. Here the cause of the accident denoted by the police is considered as missing information for the statistical units only registered by the hospital, and the other way around. The method needs to be widely applied to give a better impression of the range of problems where it can be beneficial.
The roles of givenness and type of referring expression in the comprehension of word order in Russian-speaking children
Authors: Sauermann Antje , Gagarina Natalia
Published: March 2018

Comprehension of sentences in the non-canonical word order usually poses problems for preschoolers (e.g., Slobin, Dan I. and Thomas G. Bever. 1982. Children use canonical sentence schema: A crosslinguistic study of word order and inflections.Cognition12. 229–265). These problems may be modulated by information structure, such as the presence of an appropriate context licensing the non-canonical word order and the type of referring expression. We examined the impact of the given-new order, induced by a context sentence, and the type of referring expression realizing the given referent (NP vs. pronoun) on the comprehension of SVO and OVS sentences in monolingual Russian-speaking 4- to 5-year-olds and adults. Children and adults showed high comprehension accuracy for SVO and OVS sentences, with accuracy rates above 80 % for OVS sentences. Context and the type of referring expression had no effect. Compared to a similar experiment conducted in German, Russian-speaking children outperformed their German-speaking peers. This difference may result from the earlier acquisition of the case system and a stronger given-before-new preference in Russian compared to German. Our data suggest that as soon as children rely more on morphological information during processing and employ adult-like processing strategies, their offline comprehension performance depends less on contextual and information structure factors.
Toward an infrastructure for data-driven multimodal communication research
Authors: Steen Francis F. , Hougaard Anders , Joo Jungseock , Olza Inés , Cánovas Cristóbal Pagán , Pleshakova Anna , Ray Soumya , Uhrig Peter , Valenzuela Javier , Woźny Jacek , Turner Mark
Published: March 2018

Research into the multimodal dimensions of human communication faces a set of distinctive methodological challenges. Collecting the datasets is resource-intensive, analysis often lacks peer validation, and the absence of shared datasets makes it difficult to develop standards. External validity is hampered by small datasets, yet large datasets are intractable. Red Hen Lab spearheads an international infrastructure for data-driven multimodal communication research, facilitating an integrated cross-disciplinary workflow. Linguists, communication scholars, statisticians, and computer scientists work together to develop research questions, annotate training sets, and develop pattern discovery and machine learning tools that handle vast collections of multimodal data, beyond the dreams of previous researchers. This infrastructure makes it possible for researchers at multiple sites to work in real-time in transdisciplinary teams. We review the vision, progress, and prospects of this research consortium.
A review on modeling and control of olefin polymerization in fluidized-bed reactors
Authors: Abbasi Mohammad Reza , Shamiri Ahmad , Hussain Mohamed Azlan
Published: March 2018

This is a detailed review on olefin polymerization models, and the most recent process control approaches used to control these nonlinear systems are presented. Great focus has been given to the various approaches of fluidized-bed reactor (FBR) modeling. Currently, there has yet to be a single model that blends these modeling aspects together into one single formulation. In this article, the classification of models works by looking at their assumption in considering the phases inside the system. Researchers have been unraveling vast information to narrate in detail the relations between various variables that can be found in FBRs. Although it is not difficult to understand about the basics of modeling polymer properties, a gap exists for future researchers to justify in detail the phenomena and reduce the gap between model predictions and the actual data. The various controlling approaches to control these FBRs have also been reviewed and categorized depending on the method they used to control significant parameters of this nonlinear system. The progress that can be expected in this field leads to the creation of more efficient reactors and minimizing waste.
Functional MRI Responses to Passive, Active, and Observed Touch in Somatosensory and Insular Cortices of the Macaque Monkey
Authors: Sharma Saloni , Fiave Prosper A. , Nelissen Koen
Published: March 2018

Neurophysiological data obtained in primates suggests that merely observing others' actions can modulate activity in the observer's motor cortices. In humans, it has been suggested that these multimodal vicarious responses extend well beyond the motor cortices, including somatosensory and insular brain regions, which seem to yield vicarious responses when witnessing others' actions, sensations, or emotions (Gazzola and Keysers, 2009). Despite the wealth of data with respect to shared action responses in the monkey motor system, whether the somatosensory and insular cortices also yield vicarious responses during observation of touch remains largely unknown. Using independent tactile and motor fMRI localizers, we first mapped the hand representations of two male monkeys' primary (SI) and secondary (SII) somatosensory cortices. In two subsequent visual experiments, we examined fMRI brain responses to (1) observing a conspecific's hand being touched or (2) observing a human hand grasping or mere touching an object or another human hand. Whereas functionally defined “tactile SI” and “tactile SII” showed little involvement in representing observed touch, vicarious responses for touch were found in parietal area PFG, consistent with recent observations in humans (Chan and Baker, 2015). Interestingly, a more anterior portion of SII, and posterior insular cortex, both of which responded when monkeys performed active grasping movements, also yielded visual responses during different instances of touch observation.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTCommon coding of one's own and others' actions, sensations, and emotions seems to be widespread in the brain. Although it is currently unclear to what extent human somatosensory cortices yield vicarious responses when observing touch, even less is known about the presence of similar vicarious responses in monkey somatosensory cortex. We therefore localized monkey somatosensory hand representations using fMRI and investigated whether these regions yield vicarious responses while observing various instances of touch. Whereas “tactile SI and SII” did not elicit responses during touch observation, a more anterior portion of SII, in addition to area PFG and posterior insular cortex, all of which responded during monkeys' own grasping movements, yielded vicarious responses during observed touch.
Kainate Receptors Inhibit Glutamate Release Via Mobilization of Endocannabinoids in Striatal Direct Pathway Spiny Projection Neurons
Authors: Marshall John J. , Xu Jian , Contractor Anis
Published: March 2018

Kainate receptors are members of the glutamate receptor family that function by both generating ionotropic currents through an integral ion channel pore and coupling to downstream metabotropic signaling pathways. They are highly expressed in the striatum, yet their roles in regulating striatal synapses are not known. Using mice of both sexes, we demonstrate that GluK2-containing kainate receptors expressed in direct pathway spiny projection neurons (dSPNs) inhibit glutamate release at corticostriatal synapses in the dorsolateral striatum. This inhibition requires postsynaptic kainate-receptor-mediated mobilization of a retrograde endocannabinoid (eCB) signal and activation of presynaptic CB1 receptors. This pathway can be activated during repetitive 25 Hz trains of synaptic stimulation, causing short-term depression of corticostriatal synapses. This is the first study to demonstrate a role for kainate receptors in regulating eCB-mediated plasticity at the corticostriatal synapse and demonstrates an important role for these receptors in regulating basal ganglia circuits.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTTheGRIK2gene, encoding the GluK2 subunit of the kainate receptor, has been linked to several neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders including obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Perseverative behaviors associated with OCD are known to result from pathophysiological changes in the striatum and kainate receptor knock-out mice have striatal-dependent phenotypes. However, the role of kainate receptors in striatal synapses is not known. We demonstrate that GluK2-containing kainate receptors regulate corticostriatal synapses by mobilizing endocannabinoids from direct pathway spiny projection neurons. Synaptic activation of GluK2 receptors during trains of synaptic input causes short-term synaptic depression, demonstrating a novel role for these receptors in regulating striatal circuits.
JIP1-Mediated JNK Activation Negatively Regulates Synaptic Plasticity and Spatial Memory
Authors: Morel Caroline , Sherrin Tessi , Kennedy Norman J. , Forest Kelly H. , Avcioglu Barutcu Seda , Robles Michael , Carpenter-Hyland Ezekiel , Alfulaij Naghum , Standen Claire L. , Nichols Robert A. , Benveniste Morris , Davis Roger J. , Todorovic Cedomir
Published: March 2018

The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signal transduction pathway is implicated in learning and memory. Here, we examined the role of JNK activation mediated by the JNK-interacting protein 1 (JIP1) scaffold protein. We compared male wild-type mice with a mouse model harboring a point mutation in theJip1gene that selectively blocks JIP1-mediated JNK activation. These male mutant mice exhibited increased NMDAR currents, increased NMDAR-mediated gene expression, and a lower threshold for induction of hippocampal long-term potentiation. The JIP1 mutant mice also displayed improved hippocampus-dependent spatial memory and enhanced associative fear conditioning. These results were confirmed using a second JIP1 mutant mouse model that suppresses JNK activity. Together, these observations establish that JIP1-mediated JNK activation contributes to the regulation of hippocampus-dependent, NMDAR-mediated synaptic plasticity and learning.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe results of this study demonstrate that c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation induced by the JNK-interacting protein 1 (JIP1) scaffold protein negatively regulates the threshold for induction of long-term synaptic plasticity through the NMDA-type glutamate receptor. This change in plasticity threshold influences learning. Indeed, mice with defects in JIP1-mediated JNK activation display enhanced memory in hippocampus-dependent tasks, such as contextual fear conditioning and Morris water maze, indicating that JIP1-JNK constrains spatial memory. This study identifies JIP1-mediated JNK activation as a novel molecular pathway that negatively regulates NMDAR-dependent synaptic plasticity and memory.
ACC to Dorsal Medial Striatum Inputs Modulate Histaminergic Itch Sensation
Authors: Lu Yu-Chen , Wang Yu-Jun , Lu Bin , Chen Ming , Zheng Ping , Liu Jing-Gen
Published: March 2018

Itch is an unpleasant sensation that initiates scratching behavior. The itch–scratch reaction is a complex phenomenon that implicates supraspinal structures required for regulation of sensory, emotional, cognitive, and motivational aspects. However, the central mechanisms underlying the processing of itch and the interplay of the supraspinal regions and spinal cord in regulating itch–scratch processes are poorly understood. Here, we have shown that the neural projections from anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) to dorsal medial striatum (DMS) constitute a critical circuit element for regulating itch-related behaviors in the brains of male C57BL/6J mice. Moreover, we demonstrate that ACC-DMS projections selectively modulate histaminergic, but not nonhistaminergic, itch-related behavior. Furthermore, photoactivation of ACC-DMS projections has also no significant effects on pain behavior induced by thermal, mechanical, and chemical stimuli except for a relief on inflammatory pain evoked by formalin and complete Freund's adjuvant. We further demonstrate that the dorsal spinal cord exerts an inhibitory effect on itch signal from ACC-DMS projections through B5-I neurons, which represent a population of spinal inhibitory interneurons that mediate the inhibition of itch. Therefore, this study presents the first evidence that the ACC-DMS projections modulate histaminergic itch-related behavior and reveals an interplay between the supraspinal and spinal levels in histaminergic itch regulation.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThis study reveals that the projections from anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) to dorsal medial striatum (DMS) constitute a supraspinal circuit for modulation of histaminergic, but not nonhistaminergic, itch. Manipulation of ACC-DMS projections has no effect on acute pain sensation. Furthermore, the dorsal spinal cord exerts an inhibitory effect on itch signal from ACC-DMS projections through B5-I neurons. Understanding the supraspinal itch circuits is of great significance in the development of new therapies for chronic itch-related intractable diseases.
A Psychocultural Theory of Musical Interval
Authors: Parncutt Richard , Hair Graham
Published: March 2018

The Pythagoreans linked musical intervals with integer ratios, cosmic order, and the human soul. The empirical approach of Aristoxenus, based on real musicians making real music, was neglected. Today, many music scholars and researchers still conceptualize intervals as ratios. We argue that this idea is fundamentally incorrect and present convergent evidence against it. There is no internally consistent “Just” scale: a 6th scale degree that is 5:3 above the 1st is not a perfect 5th (3:2) above the 2nd (9:8). Pythagorean tuning solves this problem, but creates another: ratios of psychologically implausible large numbers. Performers do not switch between two ratios of one interval (e.g., 5:4 and 81:64 for the major third), modern studies of performance intonation show no consistent preferences for specific ratios, and no known brain mechanism is sensitive to ratios in musical contexts. Moreover, physical frequency and perceived pitch are not the same. Rameau and Helmholtz derived musical intervals from the harmonic series, which is audible in everyday sounds including voiced speech; but those intervals, like musical intervals, are perceived categorically. Musical intervals and scales, although they depend in part on acoustic factors, are primarily psychocultural entities—not mathematical or physical. Intervals are historically and culturally variable distances that are learned from oral traditions. There is no perfect tuning for any interval; even octaves are stretched relative to 2:1. Twelve-tone equal temperament is not intrinsically better or worse than Just or Pythagorean. Ratio theory is an important chapter in the history Western musical thought, but it is inconsistent with a modern evidence-based understanding of musical structure, perception and cognition.
Control of (pre)-analytical aspects in immunoassay measurements of metabolic hormones in rodents
Authors: Bielohuby Maximilian , Bidlingmaier Martin , Schwahn Uwe
Published: March 2018

The measurement of circulating hormones by immunoassay remains a cornerstone in preclinical endocrine research. For scientists conducting and interpreting immunoassay measurements of rodent samples, the paramount aim usually is to obtain reliable and meaningful measurement data in order to draw conclusions on biological processes. However, the biological variability between samples is not the only variable affecting the readout of an immunoassay measurement and a considerable amount of unwanted or unintended variability can be quickly introduced during the pre-analytical and analytical phase. This review aims to increase the awareness for the factors ‘pre-analytical’ and ‘analytical’ variability particularly in the context of immunoassay measurement of circulating metabolic hormones in rodent samples. In addition, guidance is provided how to gain control over these variables and how to avoid common pitfalls associated with sample collection, processing, storage and measurement. Furthermore, recommendations are given on how to perform a basic validation of novel single and multiplex immunoassays for the measurement of metabolic hormones in rodents. Finally, practical examples from immunoassay measurements of plasma insulin in mice address the factors ‘sampling site and inhalation anesthesia’ as frequent sources of introducing an unwanted variability during the pre-analytical phase. The knowledge about the influence of both types of variability on the immunoassay measurement of circulating hormones as well as strategies to control these variables are crucial, on the one hand, for planning and realization of metabolic rodent studies and, on the other hand, for the generation and interpretation of meaningful immunoassay data from rodent samples.
65 YEARS OF THE DOUBLE HELIX: Treatment of pituitary tumors with temozolomide: an update
Authors: Syro Luis V , Rotondo Fabio , Ortiz Leon D , Kovacs Kalman
Published: March 2018

Temozolomide is an alkylating chemotherapeutic agent used in malignant neuroendocrine neoplasia, melanoma, brain metastases and an essential component of adjuvant therapy in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme and anaplastic astrocytoma. Since 2006, it has been used for the treatment of pituitary carcinomas and aggressive pituitary adenomas. Here, we discuss the current indications and results of temozolomide therapy in pituitary tumors, as well as frequently asked questions regarding temozolomide treatment, duration of therapy, dosage, tumor recurrence and resistance.