bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whole-Genome Sequence and Annotation of Salmonella enterica subsp.
enterica
Serovar Enteritidis Phage Type 8 Strain EN1660
Authors: Perry Benjamin J. , Fitzgerald Stephen F. , Kröger Carsten , Cameron Andrew D. S.
Published: January 2017

The genome of
Salmonella enterica
subspecies
enterica
serovar Enteritidis phage type 8 strain EN1660, isolated from an outbreak in Thunder Bay, Canada, was sequenced to 46-fold coverage using an Illumina MiSeq with 300-bp paired-end sequencing chemistry to produce 28 contigs with an
N
50
value of 490,721 bp.
Draft Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus succinus subsp.
succinus
Type Strain DSM 14617, Isolated from Plant and Soil Inclusions within 25- to 35-Million-Year-Old Dominican Amber
Authors: Zhou Hairui , Yao Zhenyu , Shi Haihong , Wang Baixin , Li Dong , Hou Jie , Ma Shuxia
Published: January 2017

Staphylococcus succinus
subsp.
succinus
type strain DSM 14617 was isolated from plant and soil inclusions within 25- to 35-million-year-old Dominican amber. The complete genome sequence of strain DSM 14617
T
includes a genome of 2.88 Mb (32.94% G+C content) without any plasmids.
Metastatic endometrial endometrioid carcinoma mimicking pilomatrixoma of the distal vagina
Authors: Scheck Simon M , Bethwaite Peter , Johnson Carol , Mogensen Ole
Published: January 2017

Endometrioid carcinoma with a prominent squamous component has the ability to mimic pilomatrixoma. One previous case is documented of cutaneous metastasis in the upper limb derived from ovarian endometrioid carcinoma mimicking pilomatrixoma. Here, we describe a case of metastasis of endometrial endometrioid carcinoma in the distal vagina, treated with radiotherapy and later resected. The histology of the lesion was thought initially to represent pilomatrixoma; this has not previously been described in the vagina, where no hair matrix cells are normally present. We hypothesise that radiotherapy may have effectively ‘sterilised’ the glandular component, blinding the malignant features. Further management was significantly altered by the reinterpretation of this result as metastatic disease. We emphasise that in the context of known endometrioid carcinoma, the diagnosis of pilomatrixoma should be made with caution, particularly where radiotherapy has been used.
The effects of acute branched-chain amino acid supplementation on recovery from a single bout of hypertrophy exercise in resistance-trained athletes
Authors: Waldron Mark , Whelan Kieran , Jeffries Owen , Burt Dean , Howe Louis , Patterson Stephen David
Published: January 2017

This study investigated the effects of acute branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation on recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage among experienced resistance-trained athletes. In a double-blind matched-pairs design, 16 resistance-trained participants, routinely performing hypertrophy training, were randomly assigned to a BCAA (n = 8) or placebo (n = 8) group. The BCAAs were administered at a dosage of 0.087 g/kg body mass, with a 2:1:1 ratio of leucine, isoleucine, and valine. The participants performed 6 sets of 10 full-squats at 70% 1-repetition maximum to induce muscle damage. All participants were diet-controlled across the study. Creatine kinase, peak isometric knee-extensor force, perceived muscle soreness, and countermovement jump (CMJ) height were measured immediately before (baseline) and at 1 h, 24 h, and 48 h postexercise. There were large to very large time effects for all measurements between baseline and 24–48 h. Between-group comparisons, expressed as a percentage of baseline, revealed differences in isometric strength at 24-h (placebo ∼87% vs. BCAA ∼92%; moderate, likely), CMJ at 24 h (placebo ∼93% vs. BCAA ∼96%; small, likely), and muscle soreness at both 24 h (placebo ∼685% vs. BCAA ∼531%; small, likely) and 48 h (placebo ∼468% vs. BCAA ∼350%; small, likely). Acute supplementation of BCAAs (0.087 g/kg) increased the rate of recovery in isometric strength, CMJ height, and perceived muscle soreness compared with placebo after a hypertrophy-based training session among diet-controlled, resistance-trained athletes. These findings question the need for longer BCAA loading phases and highlight the importance of dietary control in studies of this type.
Expression, purification, and renaturation of a recombinant peptide-based HIV vaccine in Escherichia coli
Authors: He Wei , Shu Jiayi , Zhang Jian , Liu Zhihua , Xu Jianqing , Jin Xia , Wang Xuedong
Published: January 2017

To design an epitope-based vaccine for Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), we previously predicted 20 potential HIV epitopes using bioinformatics approaches. The combination of these 20 epitopes has a theoretical coverage of 98.1% of the population for both the prevalent HIV genotypes and Chinese human leukocyte antigen DR types. To test the immunogenicity of this vaccine in vivo, a corresponding antigen needs to be prepared. To this end, we constructed a recombinant plasmid containing DNA encoding the epitopes and GPGPG spacers and a 6-His tag for verification of protein expression and ease of purification, and then transformed Escherichia coli cells with the plasmid. After IPTG induction, the recombinant protein was expressed in the form of mainly inclusion bodies. To stabilize the structure of denatured inclusion bodies for efficient purification and renaturation in vitro, we transferred the dissolved inclusion bodies from 7 mol/L guanidine hydrochloride to 8 mol/L urea. Under denaturing conditions, the vaccine protein was purified by a 3-step process including ion-exchange chromatography and affinity column, and then renatured by stepwise dialysis. Together, the above described procedures generated 43 mg of vaccine protein per litre of fermentation medium, and the final product reached approximately 95% purity. The purified protein was capable of eliciting antigen-specific T-cell responses in immunized mice.
ELECTROCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF DA AND UA ON CARBOXYLATED GRAPHENE OXIDE/LANTHANUM ELECTRODES WITH SUNDRY CONTENT OF CTAB
Authors: JIANG J. , ZHU L. , QIAN W. , CHEN H. , FENG C. , HAN S. , LIN H. , YE F. Y.
Published: January 2017

Glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) were modified by carboxylated graphene oxide/lanthanum with various concentrations of hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), and the treated electrodes, called CTAB/GO-COOLa/GCE, were prepared for the detection of uric acid (UA) and dopamine (DA) by using the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and the cyclic voltammetry (CV). The results show that the modified electrode’s electrocatalytic activity could be affected by several factors in the examination, they are the pH value of the system, the main content of CTAB, various concentrations and rates of scan. With a combination of carboxylated graphene oxide/lanthanum and CTAB, the resulted CTAB/GO-COOLa/GCE sensors showed preeminent selectivity and obvious catalytic property toward the electro-oxidation of UA and DA. In optimized conditions, the response of the CTAB/GO-COOLa/GCE electrode for DA was linear in the region of 0.03–500.0[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]M with detection limits of 0.036[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]M [Formula: see text]. Two linear response ranges for the determination UA were obtained from ranges of 1 to 200[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]M and 200 to 1300[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]M with a detection limit of 0.42[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]M [Formula: see text]. Moreover, the refined electrode was used in the inspection of DA and UA in real samples of serum and urine successfully, displaying its potential application of real samples involved in electroanalysis.
Addenda to the record of machaeridian shell plates in the Wether Law Linn Formation (Late Llandovery), Pentland Hills, Scotland
Authors: Candela Y. , Crighton W. R. B.
Published: January 2017

Additional machaeridian specimens from the Wether Law Linn Formation (Telychian) have increased our knowledge of this poorly recorded but abundant group in the Pentland Hills, located a few kilometres SE of Edinburgh. A new type of anterior outer shell plate is described and is compared with material previously described from the same horizon and locality. Moreover, a new species of
Plumulites
is established on the basis of a disarticulated but close association of shell plates.
Sensor Network Provenance Compression Using Dynamic Bayesian Networks
Authors: Wang Changda , Bertino Elisa
Published: January 2017

Provenance records the history of data acquisition and transmission. In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), provenance is critical for many different purposes, including assessing the trustworthiness of data acquired and forwarded by sensors, supporting situation awareness, and detecting early signs of attacks. However, a major drawback in provenance for WSNs is its size. It is thus critical to develop efficient techniques for provenance encoding. A major issue of previously proposed provenance encoding techniques is that the size of the provenance either expands too fast with increases in the number of packet transmission hops or is very sensitive to the WSN’s topology, i.e., the size of the provenance expands drastically with changes in the WSN’s topology. In this article, we propose a novel provenance encoding technique based on dynamic Bayesian network and overlapped arithmetic coding scheme, which addresses such an issue. Through theoretical analysis, simulation, and testbed experiments, we show that our scheme outperforms other WSN lightweight provenance schemes with respect to provenance size and energy consumption.
Optimizing the restoration and maintenance of fluid balance after exercise-induced dehydration
Authors: Evans Gethin H. , James Lewis J. , Shirreffs Susan M. , Maughan Ronald J.
Published: January 2017

Hypohydration, or a body water deficit, is a common occurrence in athletes and recreational exercisers following the completion of an exercise session. For those who will undertake a further exercise session that day, it is important to replace water losses to avoid beginning the next exercise session hypohydrated and the potential detrimental effects on performance that this may lead to. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the research related to factors that may affect postexercise rehydration. Research in this area has focused on the volume of fluid to be ingested, the rate of fluid ingestion, and fluid composition. Volume replacement during recovery should exceed that lost during exercise to allow for ongoing water loss; however, ingestion of large volumes of plain water results in a prompt diuresis, effectively preventing longer-term maintenance of water balance. Addition of sodium to a rehydration solution is beneficial for maintenance of fluid balance due to its effect on extracellular fluid osmolality and volume. The addition of macronutrients such as carbohydrate and protein can promote maintenance of hydration by influencing absorption and distribution of ingested water, which in turn effects extracellular fluid osmolality and volume. Alcohol is commonly consumed in the postexercise period and may influence postexercise rehydration, as will the coingestion of food. Future research in this area should focus on providing information related to optimal rates of fluid ingestion, advisable solutions to ingest during different duration recovery periods, and confirmation of mechanistic explanations for the observations outlined.
Systematic Pan-Cancer Analysis Reveals Immune Cell Interactions in the Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Varn Frederick S. , Wang Yue , Mullins David W. , Fiering Steven , Cheng Chao
Published: January 2017

With the recent advent of immunotherapy, there is a critical need to understand immune cell interactions in the tumor microenvironment in both pan-cancer and tissue-specific contexts. Multidimensional datasets have enabled systematic approaches to dissect these interactions in large numbers of patients, furthering our understanding of the patient immune response to solid tumors. Using an integrated approach, we inferred the infiltration levels of distinct immune cell subsets in 23 tumor types from The Cancer Genome Atlas. From these quantities, we constructed a coinfiltration network, revealing interactions between cytolytic cells and myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment. By integrating patient mutation data, we found that while mutation burden was associated with immune infiltration differences between distinct tumor types, additional factors likely explained differences between tumors originating from the same tissue. We concluded this analysis by examining the prognostic value of individual immune cell subsets as well as how coinfiltration of functionally discordant cell types associated with patient survival. In multiple tumor types, we found that the protective effect of CD8+ T cell infiltration was heavily modulated by coinfiltration of macrophages and other myeloid cell types, suggesting the involvement of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in tumor development. Our findings illustrate complex interactions between different immune cell types in the tumor microenvironment and indicate these interactions play meaningful roles in patient survival. These results demonstrate the importance of personalized immune response profiles when studying the factors underlying tumor immunogenicity and immunotherapy response. Cancer Res; 77(6); 1271–82. ©2017 AACR.
Levosimendan Pretreatment Inhibits Myocardial Apoptosis in Swine after Coronary Microembolization
Authors: Wang Jiangyou , Chen Han , Zhou You , Su Qiang , Liu Tao , Li Lang
Published: January 2017

Background/Aims: In addition to its cardiotonic effect, levosimendan has been thought to have multiple cardiovascular benefits, including anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic. Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) has been revealed to be up-regulated in circumstances of coronary microembolization (CME), and the PTEN signaling pathway mediates myocardial apoptosis in swine after CME. However, whether this functional protein could be modified by pretreatment of levosimendan in models of CME has not been disclosed yet. Methods: Swine CME was induced by intra-coronary injection of inertia plastic microspheres (diameter 42µm) into left anterior descending coronary, with or without pretreatment of levosimendan or PTEN siRNA. Echocardiologic measurements, Terminal-deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Mediated Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) staining and western blotting were applied to assess their functional, morphological and molecular effects in CME. Results: PTEN mRNA and protein were aberrantly up-regulated in cardiomyocytes following CME. Furthermore, down-regulation of PTEN in vivo via siRNA was associated with an improved cardiac function, attenuated myocardial apoptosis, and concomitantly inhibited expressions of key proapoptotic proteins such as caspase-3. Interestingly, levosimendan could markedly attenuate PTEN expression and inhibit myocardial apoptosis, therefore partially reverse cardiac dysfunction. Conclusion: Modulation of PTEN was probably as a potential mechanism involved in the beneficial effects of pretreatment of levosimendan to cardiac function and apoptosis in animal models of CME.
Nogo-B Facilitates LPS-Mediated Immune Responses by Up-Regulation of TLR4-Signaling in Macrophage RAW264.7
Authors: Zhu Ying , Tong Qiang , Ye Jia , Ning Yunye , Xiong Ye , Yang Meng , Xiao Hua , Lu Jian , Xu Wujian , Li Jiandong , Li Qiang
Published: January 2017

Background/Aims: Nogo-B, a member of the reticulon family of proteins, is mainly located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Here, we investigate the function and mechanism of Nogo-B in the regulation of TLR4-associated immune responses in the macrophage cell line of RAW264.7. Methods: Nogo-B was up- and down-regulated through the use of appropriate adenoviral vectors or siRNA, and the effects of Nogo-B on macrophages under liposaccharide (LPS) stimulation were evaluated via western blotting, immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), flow cytometric analysis, and transwell assay. Results: Our data indicates that the protein of Nogo-B was down-regulated in a time- and dose-dependent manner following LPS administration in the macrophage. Nogo-B overexpression increased the production of inflammatory cytokines (MCP-1, TNF-α, IL-1β, and TGF-β), enhanced macrophage migration activities, activated major histocompatibility complex II (MHC II), and elevated the expression of macrophage scavenger receptor 1(MSR1), all of which suggest that Nogo-B is necessary for immune responses and plays an important role in regulating macrophage recruitment. Mechanistically, Nogo-B may enhance TLR4 expression in macrophage surfaces, activate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, and initiate inflammatory responses. Conclusion: These findings illustrate the key regulatory functions of Nogo-B in facilitating LPS-mediated immune responses through promoting the phosphorylation of MAP kinase.
Emodin Increases Expression of Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 through Activation of MEK/ERK/AMPKα and Interaction of PPARγ and Sp1 in Lung Cancer
Authors: Tang Qing , Wu JingJing , Zheng Fang , Hann Swei Sunny , Chen YuQing
Published: January 2017

Background: Emodin has anti-neoplastic activities on multiple tumors. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect still remain to be fully understood. Methods: Cell viability and cell cycle distribution were measured using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays and flow cytometry, respectively. Cell invasion and migration were examined by transwell invasion and wound healing assays. Western blot analysis was performed to examine the phosphorylation and protein expression of AMP-activated protein kinase alpha (AMPKα), extracellular signaling-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein 1 (IGFBP1) and the transcription factor Sp1. QRT-PCR was used to examine the mRNA levels of the IGFBP1 gene. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) were used to knockdown PPARγ and IGFBP1 genes. Exogenously expression of IGFBP1 and Sp1 was determined by transient transfection assays. IGFBP1 promoter activity was measured by Secrete-Pair Dual Luminescence Assay Kit. In vivo nude mice xenograft model and bioluminescent imaging system were used to confirm the findings. Results: We showed that emodin induced cell cycle arrest of NSCLC cells. Emodin increased PPARγ protein and luciferase reporter activity, which were abolished by inhibitors of MAPK extracellular signaling-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase (MEK)/ERK and AMPK. Silencing of PPARγ abrogated emodin-inhibited cell growth and cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, emodin elevated IGFBP1 mRNA, protein, and promoter activity through activation of PPARγ. Intriguingly, overexpressed Sp1 attenuated emodin-induced IGFBP1 expression, which was not observed in cells with silenced PPARγ gene. Moreover, silencing of IGFBP1 gene blunted emodin-induced inhibition of cell growth and cell cycle arrest. On the contrary, overexpressed IGFBP1 enhanced emodin-induced phosphorylation of AMPKα and ERK1/2, and restored emodin-inhibited growth in cells with silenced endogenous IGFBP1 gene. Emodin also inhibited growth of lung xenograft tumors and Sp1, and increased IGFBP1 and PPARγ protein expressions In vivo. Conclusion: Collectively, our results show that emodin inhibits growth of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells through ERK and AMPKα-mediated induction of PPARγ, followed by reduction of Sp1. This in turn induces IGFBP1 gene expression. Thus, the signaling cascades, positive feedback loop and cooperative interplay between transcription factors-induced the expression of IGFBP1 gene contribute to the overall responses of emodin. This study provides a novel mechanism by which emodin inhibits growth of human lung cancer cells.
Metabolites of Hypoxic Cardiomyocytes Induce the Migration of Cardiac Fibroblasts
Authors: Shi Huairui , Zhang Xuehong , He Zekun , Wu Zhiyong , Rao Liya , Li Yushu
Published: January 2017

Background: The migration of cardiac fibroblasts to the infarct region plays a major role in the repair process after myocardial necrosis or damage. However, few studies investigated whether early hypoxia in cardiomyocytes induces the migration of cardiac fibroblasts. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of metabolites of early hypoxic cardiomyocytes in the induction of cardiac fibroblast migration. Methods: Neonatal rat heart tissue was digested with a mixture of trypsin and collagenase at an appropriate ratio. Cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts were cultured via differential adhesion. The cardiomyocyte cultures were subjected to hypoxia for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 h. The supernatants of the cardiomyocyte cultures were collected to determine the differences in cardiac fibroblast migration induced by hypoxic cardiomyocyte metabolites at various time points using a Transwell apparatus. Meanwhile, ELISA was performed to measure TNF-α, IL-1β and TGF-β expression levels in the cardiomyocyte metabolites at various time points. Results: The metabolites of hypoxic cardiomyocytes significantly induced the migration of cardiac fibroblasts. The induction of cardiac fibroblast migration was significantly enhanced by cardiomyocyte metabolites in comparison to the control after 2, 4, and 6 h of hypoxia, and the effect was most significant after 2 h. The expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and TGF-β were substantially increased in the metabolites of cardiomyocytes, and neutralization with anti-TNF-α and anti-IL-1β antibodies markedly reduced the induction of cardiac fibroblast migration by the metabolites of hypoxic cardiomyocytes. Conclusion: The metabolites of early hypoxic cardiomyocytes can induce the migration of cardiac fibroblasts, and TNF-α and IL-1β may act as the initial chemotactic inducers.
Biological Remediation of Cyanide: A Review
Authors: Ibrahim Karamba Kabiru , Syed Mohd Arif , Shukor Mohd Yunus , Ahmad Siti Aqlima
Published: January 2017

Cyanide and its complexes are produced by industries all over the world as waste or effluents. Biodegradation is considered to be the cheapest and the most effective method to get rid of cyanide in the environment. Several studies on different types of microorganisms that can degrade cyanide in the environment have been carried out. Hydrolytic, oxidative, reductive, and substitutive/transfer reactions are some of the common pathways used by microorganisms in cyanide degradation. Biodegradation of cyanide can occur aerobically or an-aerobically depending on the environmental conditions. Immobilised enzymes or microorganisms prove to be very effective method of degradation. Microorganisms such as Klebsiella oxytoca, Corynebacterium nitrophilous, Brevibacterium nitrophilous, Bacillus spp., Pseudomonas spp. and Rhodococcus UKMP-5M have been reported to be very effective in biodegradation of cyanide.
Soil Seed Bank of An Exotic Acacia sp. Plantation and An Adjacent Tropical Heath Forest in Brunei Darussalam
Authors: Suhaili Adrian Lee Rahman , Tennakoon Kushan , Sukri Rahayu Sukmaria
Published: January 2017

We compared seedling emergence and soil seed bank composition under an Acacia mangium plantation and an adjacent tropical heath forest in the Andulau Forest Reserve, Brunei Darussalam. Soil samples were collected from ten 20 x 20 m plots set up in three contrasting habitats: the Acacia plantation, the adjacent heath forest, and the transition zone in-between. Soil samples were subjected to smoke and heat treatments, following which seedling emergence was observed daily over a 12-week period. In a parallel investigation, variations in species richness, seed density and seed viability of the soil seed banks of the ten plots were investigated. Seedling emergence was significantly highest in the plantation and lowest in the heath forest plots respectively. However, no significant differences among treatments, and no significant treatment-habitat interactions were detected. Species richness, seed density and seed viability in the plantation plots were significantly lower than the transition zone and intact heath forest plots. A. mangium seeds were not recorded in the heath forest soil seed banks but were detected in the plantation and transition zone plots. Lower native plant species richness, seed density and viability in the A. mangium plantation could imply higher regeneration potential for the heath forest habitat if severe habitat destruction was to occur in this forest reserve. We suggest that proper plantation management practices and close monitoring of soil seed banks are the best mechanisms that could be adopted to minimize the gradual spread of invasive Acacias into natural tropical heath forests of Borneo.
Endosialin Promotes Atherosclerosis Through Phenotypic Remodeling of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Hasanov Zulfiyya , Ruckdeschel Tina , König Courtney , Mogler Carolin , Kapel Stephanie S. , Korn Claudia , Spegg Carleen , Eichwald Viktoria , Wieland Matthias , Appak Sila , Augustin Hellmut G.
Published: January 2017

Objective—

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) play a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, the globally leading cause of death. The transmembrane orphan receptor endosialin (CD248) has been characterized as an activation marker of cells of the mesenchymal lineage including tumor-associated pericytes, stromal myofibroblasts, and activated VSMC. We, therefore, hypothesized that VSMC-expressed endosialin may display functional involvement in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Approach and Results—

Expression of endosialin was upregulated during atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E (ApoE)–null mice and human atherosclerotic samples analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Atherosclerosis, assessed by Oil Red O staining of the descending aorta, was significantly reduced in ApoE/endosialin-deficient mice on Western-type diet. Marker analysis of VSMC in lesions induced by shear stress–modifying cast implantation around the right carotid artery identified a more pronounced contractile VSMC phenotype in the absence of endosialin. Moreover, in addition to contributing to neointima formation, endosialin also potentially regulated the proinflammatory phenotype of VSMC as evidenced in surrogate cornea pocket assay experiments in vivo and corresponding flow cytometry and ELISA analyses in vitro.

Conclusions—

The experiments identify endosialin as a potential regulator of phenotypic remodeling of VSMC contributing to atherosclerosis. The association of endosialin with atherosclerosis and its absent expression in nonatherosclerotic samples warrant further consideration of endosialin as a therapeutic target and biomarker.
Inferior Frontal Cortex Contributions to the Recognition of Spoken Words and Their Constituent Speech Sounds
Authors: Rogers Jack C. , Davis Matthew H.
Published: January 2017

Speech perception and comprehension are often challenged by the need to recognize speech sounds that are degraded or ambiguous. Here, we explore the cognitive and neural mechanisms involved in resolving ambiguity in the identity of speech sounds using syllables that contain ambiguous phonetic segments (e.g., intermediate sounds between /b/ and /g/ as in “blade” and “glade”). We used an audio-morphing procedure to create a large set of natural sounding minimal pairs that contain phonetically ambiguous onset or offset consonants (differing in place, manner, or voicing). These ambiguous segments occurred in different lexical contexts (i.e., in words or pseudowords, such as blade–glade or blem–glem) and in different phonological environments (i.e., with neighboring syllables that differed in lexical status, such as blouse–glouse). These stimuli allowed us to explore the impact of phonetic ambiguity on the speed and accuracy of lexical decision responses (Experiment 1), semantic categorization responses (Experiment 2), and the magnitude of BOLD fMRI responses during attentive comprehension (Experiment 3). For both behavioral and neural measures, observed effects of phonetic ambiguity were influenced by lexical context leading to slower responses and increased activity in the left inferior frontal gyrus for high-ambiguity syllables that distinguish pairs of words, but not for equivalent pseudowords. These findings suggest lexical involvement in the resolution of phonetic ambiguity. Implications for speech perception and the role of inferior frontal regions are discussed.
The Enigmatic Ancestors of Yen-Liao
Authors: Aijmer Göran
Published: January 2017

This article explores a case of ancestor worship in Taiwan, within the southern sphere of Chinese culture. Ancestry as a system of belonging works as a fundamental grammar for building structural continuity in traditional China, yet the system displays a great deal of variation. The Hakka peasants of southern Taiwan are shown to honour, in an ‘unorthodox way’, several different agnatic lines of descent as forming an individual, while at the same time strongly collectivising the dead into one single unit. The latter works as a denial of the first pluralistic message.
“The tempting girl, I know so well”: Representations of Gout and the Self-Fashioning of Bohemian Humanist Scholars
Authors: Storchová Lucie
Published: January 2017

The current study deals with the representation of gout in Bohemian humanist literature and its impact on the cultural definitions of being a humanist scholar from the 1550s to the 1620s. Bohemian humanists produced a number of brief autobiographical remarks and lengthy Latin poems dealing with gout or its personified form, podagra. After analysing Bohemian medical treatises, the author focuses on the gout-related imagery from a gender perspective. The main section of the study deals with how the disease was gendered on the level of argument and figurative speech, how its/her body and the relationships to humanist poets were described, which features were related to its/her victims and what this imagery could mean for the ways in which humanists fashioned themselves in their correspondence or casual poetry. Last but not least, the author demonstrates how gout-related imagery intermingled with social elitist discourses which enabled the articulation of the social superiority of humanist scholars and posed a challenge to the period’s social hierarchies.
Justification of Anatomical Practice in Jessenius’s Prague Anatomy
Authors: Nejeschleba Tomáš
Published: January 2017

The physician and philosopher Johannes Jessenius (1565-1621), an enthusiastic anatomist in Wittenberg, often had to defend his anatomical practices against Lutheran orthodoxy, as is apparent from the invitations he wrote concerning his dissections. His most systematic defence can be found in the introduction to his description of the dissection performed in Prague in 1600, where he provides three different strategies for the justification of anatomical research. The first method traditionally builds on the use of the ancient dictum ‘know thyself;’ the second strategy is based on teleology, which Jessenius adopted from Vesalius’ work; and the final method is derived from the philosophical tradition of the Renaissance. Jessenius makes use of the concept of the dignity of man in order to support the dignity of anatomical practice. The fundamental meaning of the philosophical framework of Jessenius’s approach emerges from the comparison with both Andreas Vesalius, whose Fabric was one model for Jessenius’s anatomical work, and with the speech delivered by Adamus Zaluzanius a Zaluzaniis prior to Jessenius’s Prague anatomical performance.
Predictive Error Reduction and the Twofold Nature of Aesthetic Pleasure
Authors: Consoli Gianluca
Published: January 2017

Recently, the predictive coding account of perceptual inference has been extended to visual aesthetic experience, in particular to the experience enabled by artworks that challenge habitual predictions and ordinary perceptual routines. By virtue of its dynamical approaches, the predictive coding account of visual art catches aesthetic perception and evaluation as a complex dynamics of intertwined perpetual, affective and cognitive processes. On the basis of some of the most relevant findings of these dynamical approaches, I argue that aesthetic pleasure has a complex and original nature, something akin to a twofold nature. Specifically, I argue that aesthetic pleasure is twofold from different points of view: (a) it represents the connection of two very different functions, namely anticipation and reaction; (b) its different forms share a specific common core; however, this common core can be instantiated by very different functional relationships of causes and effects; (c) aesthetic pleasure represents a positive affective appraisal accompanying first-order elaboration, but it can also co-activate negative subjective experience, mixing together positive and negative affect.
On the identity of Hyla strigilata Spix, 1824 (Anura: Hylidae): redescription and neotype designation for a “ghost” taxon
Authors: PIMENTA BRUNO V. S. , FAIVOVICH JULIAN , POMBAL JR JOSÉ P.
Published: January 2017

Recent field work in Atlantic Rain Forest patches in the southern region of the State of Bahia, Brazil, resulted in the discovery of some populations of an unidentified species of the Scinax catharinae group. An extensive literature review, along with the examination of specimens and distribution patterns of all known species of this group, showed that Hyla strigilata Spix, 1824, a long confused species with lost type material, is an available name for the specimens from Bahia. In order to clarify the taxonomic problems surrounding this taxon, the nomenclatural history of Hyla strigilata is reviewed and a neotype is designated, described, and figured. The association of this name to extant populations from southern Bahia and its consequent stabilization is considered important since it is the type species of the genus Ololygon, a name available for the clade of Scinax catharinae. Data on habits, habitat, and geographic distribution are also presented.
A new species in the Simulium vernum group from the Alps of southern Germany: Simulium arminii (Diptera: Simuliidae)
Authors: SEITZ GUNTHER , ADLER PETER H.
Published: January 2017

Simulium arminii new species is described from the Alps of southern Germany. It is characterized by a broad trapezoidal ventral plate in the male, long slender arms of the genital fork in the female, a weakly developed or absent anterodorsal projection on the thinly woven cocoon, and a long median hypostomal tooth in the larva. The species is chromosomally similar to Simulium beltukovae (Rubtsov) but differs most conspicuously by the absence of a chromocenter. It is known from two small, springfed streams above the timber line, in association with Prosimulium latimucro (Enderlein) and Simulium bavaricum Seitz and Adler.
Taxonomic revision of the Malaysian Idiocerinae (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), with description of new taxa
Authors: XUE QINGQUAN , MCKAMEY STUART H. , ZHANG YALIN
Published: January 2017

The leafhopper subfamily Idiocerinae is revised for Malaysia. Thirteen genera and 17 species are recognized including 1 new genus, Serridiocerus n. gen., 2 new species, Serridiocerus membranaceus n. sp. and Burmascopus longidens n. sp., 3 newly recorded genera and 2 newly recorded species: Burmascopus n. rec., Chunra n. rec., Philipposcopus n. rec., Chunra australis n. rec., Philipposcopus maquilingensis n. rec.. A checklist and a key to species of Malaysian Idiocerinae are also provided.
Is photography-based taxonomy really inadequate, unnecessary, and potentially harmful for biological sciences? A reply to Ceríaco et al. (2016)
Authors: THORPE STEPHEN E.
Published: January 2017

An opinion piece was recently published in this journal which, remarkably, is less than one page in length, but has 493 authors (signatories) and has gained over 15 thousand reads on ResearchGate in a very short time. Ceríaco et al. (2016) argue for a blanket ban to be imposed on the uncommon practice of basing new species descriptions in zoology on photographic evidence only of the animal. I herein aim to show that their argument is a non sequitur, i.e. their stated reasons do not support their desired conclusion.
A Global Multilayer Cloud Identification with POLDER/PARASOL
Authors: Desmons M. , Ferlay N. , Parol F. , Riédi J. , Thieuleux F.
Published: January 2017

The detection of multilayer cloud situations is important for satellite retrieval algorithms and for many climate-related applications. In this paper, the authors describe an algorithm based on the exploitation of the Polarization and Directionality of the Earth’s Reflectance (POLDER) observations to identify monolayered and multilayered cloudy situations along with a confidence index. The authors’ reference comes from the synergy of the active instruments of the A-Train satellite constellation. The algorithm is based upon a decision tree that uses a metric from information theory and a series of tests on POLDER level-2 products. The authors obtain a multilayer flag as the final result of a tree classification, which takes discrete values between 0 and 100. Values closest to 0 (100) indicate a higher confidence in the monolayer (multilayer) character. This indicator can be used as it is or with a threshold level that minimizes the risk of misclassification, as a binary index to distinguish between monolayer and multilayer clouds. For almost fully covered and optically thick enough cloud scenes, the risk of misclassification ranges from 29% to 34% over the period 2006–10, and the average confidences in the estimated monolayer and multilayer characters of the cloud scenes are 74.0% and 58.2%, respectively. With the binary distinction, POLDER provides a climatology of the mono–multilayer cloud character that exhibits some interesting features. Comparisons with the performance of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) multilayer flag are given.
Psychometric properties of the NOMO 1.0 tested among adult powered-mobility users
Authors: Sund Terje , Brandt Åse , Anttila Heidi , Iwarsson Susanne
Published: January 2017

Background.

The Nordic Mobility Related Outcome Evaluation of Assistive Device Intervention (NOMO 1.0) instrument evaluates the effectiveness of mobility devices in assessing mobility-related participation, captured by three scales (Need for Assistance, Frequency, and Ease/Difficulty) and one index (Participation Repertoire).

Purpose.

This study aimed to investigate a range of psychometric properties of the NOMO 1.0 in a sample of adult powered mobility device (PMD) users.

Method.

Data collected from PMD users ( N = 248) in Denmark, Finland, and Norway as part of a larger study were analyzed using state-of-the-art statistical methods.

Findings.

The acceptability and applicability of the NOMO 1.0 items were generally within recommended values. Some floor/ceiling effects were found and the reliability was acceptable for only the Frequency scale. The factor analysis identified one component for the Need for Assistance scale and six components of the Frequency scale.

Implications.

The NOMO 1.0 should be used for research purposes and not for clinical practice. Better reliability should be established for the Need for Assistance and Ease/Difficulty scales prior to further psychometric testing to establish the validity of the NOMO 1.0.
The Supreme Court and School Health Services: Cedar Rapids v. Garret F.
Authors: Katsiyannis Antonis , Yell Mitchell L.
Published: January 2017

On March 3, 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision in Cedar Rapids Community School District v. Garret F. During the school day, Garret required the services of a specially trained nurse to attend to his health needs. The school district, believing that they were not obligated under the IDEA to provide continuous one-on-one nursing care, refused to provide the services. The Supreme Court held that the school district had to pay for the nursing services Garret required when he was at school. This article analyzes the Supreme Court's ruling in this case and offers recommendations for educators and school administrators regarding the provision of complex health services to medically fragile students in special education.
School Discipline at a Crossroads: From Zero Tolerance to Early Response
Authors: Skiba Russell J. , Peterson Reece L.
Published: January 2017

Dramatic incidents of school violence have thrust school discipline to the forefront of public consciousness. Despite a dramatic increase in the use of zero tolerance procedures and policies, there is little evidence demonstrating that these procedures have increased school safety or improved student behavior. Moreover, a punitive disciplinary climate may make any attempt to include more students with behavioral problems a cause for conflict between general and special educators. A preventive, early response disciplinary model increases the range of effective options for addressing violence and disruption across both general and special education. Ultimately, the effectiveness of any disciplinary system may be judged by the extent to which it teaches students to solve interpersonal and intrapersonal problems without resorting to disruption or violence.
Early Identification and Intervention for Youth with Antisocial and Violent Behavior
Authors: Sprague Jeffrey , Walker Hill
Published: January 2017

This article addresses the growing problem of antisocial behavior in schools and its impact on safety, effectiveness, and ecology. We describe the factors leading to the development of antisocial behavior in children and youth. We explore the relationship between early investment in an antisocial behavior pattern and later negative outcomes including school failure, delinquency, and violence. The article also focuses on best practices in the areas of screening and early intervention for antisocial children and youth and those who are at risk for adopting this behavior pattern. Recommendations are made regarding research-based practices, tools, and approaches in both screening and intervention. A model for integrated approaches to school-based prevention of antisocial behavior is presented and the implications of such a model are discussed.
The Disproportionate Discipline of African American Learners: Reducing School Suspensions and Expulsions
Authors: Townsend Brenda L.
Published: January 2017

School disciplinary practices for students with disabilities and their peers without disabilities have long been questioned. Moreover, the school discipline of both dominant culture and ethnic minority children and youth has raised concerns. In that regard school discipline has in general become a hotbed for litigation and debate. While suspect discipline practices have been used with students across ethnic backgrounds, they are disproportionately meted out to African American students, particularly males (Harry & Anderson, 1995). This article examines exclusionary discipline practices and their impact on African American students. Culturally responsive instructional and management strategies are identified that can mitigate school suspensions and expulsions of African American children and youth.
Role of Cognition and Affect in a Functional Behavioral Analysis
Authors: Nichols Polly
Published: January 2017

Erroneous beliefs, distorted thoughts, and poorly controlled emotional responses to stress contribute to behavior problems as fundamentally as do observable environmental antecedents. The methods of this classical functional behavioral assessment for evaluating high-frequency problem behaviors are insufficient for understanding such low-frequency behavior as drawing a weapon or such covert behavior as possessing drugs. To understand the function of problem behaviors in students' lives, assessment of their social perspectives, beliefs, and feelings is as necessary as assessment of their immediate desires for attention, task avoidance, or escape. The purpose of this article is to present a multidimensional perspective that will lead to psychoeducational interventions in which students are taught to think clearly, solve problems, and self-regulate the intensity of their emotions.
If your school and community want the Facts on Juvenile Delinquency
Authors: Kvaraceus William C.
Published: January 2017

The following material has been prepared as a part of the NEA Project on Juvenile Delinquency, and represents an initial service activity of this project with which the CEC and other NEA departments are cooperating. Reprints of this article may be ordered (30c each) by contacting the Director of Sales, CEC-NEA, 1201 16th Street, N.W., Washington 6, D. C.
The Education of Physically Handicapped Children In Switzerland
Authors: Taylor Wallace W. , Taylor Isabelle Wagner
Published: January 2017

Ellen Zangger, Assistant Secretary-General of Pro Infirmis, provided much of the information for this article.
Therapy for Young Stutterers
Authors: Emerick L.
Published: January 2017

Until recently therapy for young stutterers has been largely ignored. Public school speech therapists, confronted with the many problems these children present, struggle along as best they can by attempting to modify adult stuttering therapy to fit the children. This report presents a goal oriented experimental program of therapy and the results of preliminary testing with several children.
Education of the Blind in a Developing Nation: The Philippine Program
Authors: Crocker Mary I.
Published: January 2017

An American Foundation for Overseas Blind consultant's report on one of America's –People to People 1. programs depicts the planning and launching of a program of education for blind children in a developing nation through the cooperation of governments, international aid agencies, and local agencies. It is postulated that special education could be provided for all handicapped children in developing nations throughout the free world by international cooperation.
A Comparative Investigation of the Personality of Educable Mentally Retarded Children and Those of a Norm Group of Children
Authors: Porter Rutherford B. , Collins James L. , Mciver M. Raymond
Published: January 2017

The Children's Personality Questionnaire was administered by two investigators to children enrolled in special classes for the educable mentally retarded in Indiana. One group included 158 children and the other 111 for a total of 329 children with a mean age of about 12 years and mean IQ's about 65, range 50–80. The studies, conducted independently, are reported in parallel so that results may be compared. There is some evidence that this questionnaire does reveal a pattern of personality which may be useful in identifying children for special class assignment.
Continuity and Intervention in Emotional Disturbance: A Review
Authors: Lewis W. W.
Published: January 2017

This paper reviews the research related to two central working hypotheses in the clinical treatment of children with behavior disorders. The first hypothesis, that emotional disturbance in childhood leads to mental illness in adult life, is examined by means of retrospective studies of adult mental patients and by adult followup of child guidance clinic patients. The second hypothesis, that the process of emotional disturbance may be interrupted by clinical treatment, is examined by means of studies comparing the adjustment of children who have received psychotherapy to the adjustment of similar children who have not received psychotherapy.
Why and How
Authors: Selznick Harrie M.
Published: January 2017

This article suggests some of the unfinished business of special education. Attention is called to the unresponsive manner in which advice of our leadership has been utilized. The long range concerns for professional standards, continuing education, legislation, class designation and groupings, and diagnostic teaching are discussed.