bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparedness of Anesthesiologists Working in Humanitarian Disasters
Authors: Rössler Bernhard , Marhofer Peter , Hüpfl Michael , Peterhans Bernadette , Schebesta Karl
Published: May 2013

Objective

Many skills needed to provide patients with safe, timely, and adequate anesthesia care during humanitarian crisis and disaster relief operations are not part of the daily routine before deployment. An exploratory study was conducted to identify preparedness, knowledge, and skills needed for deployment to complex emergencies.

Methods

Anesthesiologists who had been deployed during humanitarian crisis and disaster relief operations completed an online questionnaire assessing their preparedness, skills, and knowledge needed during deployment. Qualitative data were sorted by frequencies and similarities and clustered accordingly.

Results

Of 121 invitations sent out, 55 (46%) were completed and returned. Of these respondents, 24% did not feel sufficiently prepared for the deployment, and 69% did not undertake additional education for their missions. Insufficient preparedness involved equipment, drugs, regional anesthesia, and related management.

Conclusions

As the lack of preparation and relevant training can create precarious situations, anesthesiologists and deploying agencies should improve preparedness for anesthesia personnel. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;0;1–5)
Taking the Fight to Them: Neighborhood Human Rights Organizations and Domestic Protest
Authors: Bell Sam R. , Bhasin Tavishi , Clay K. Chad , Murdie Amanda
Published: May 2013

This article examines how human rights international non-governmental organizations (hereafter HROs) can increase the level of political protest in neighboring states. Previous research suggests local activities of HROs help to generate mobilization for protests against governments. This article shows that the presence of HROs in neighboring states can be a substitute for domestic HROs; if domestic HROs are already flourishing, there will be less of a ‘neighbor’ effect. At sufficiently high levels of domestic HRO prevalence within a state, neighboring HROs help domestic HROs use institutionalized substitutes for protest mobilization strategies. Spatial econometric methods are used to test the implications of this theory. These results illuminate the role that non-governmental organizations play in these domestic political processes, and demonstrate the transnational nature of their activities.
Using pingers to reduce bycatch of small cetaceans in Peru's small-scale driftnet fishery
Authors: Mangel Jeffrey C. , Alfaro-Shigueto Joanna , Witt Matthew J. , Hodgson David J. , Godley Brendan J.
Published: May 2013

There is growing awareness that small-scale fisheries may have large impacts on threatened marine fauna. Bycatch of small cetaceans by the Peruvian small-scale driftnet fleet results in the deaths of thousands of animals annually. We sought to assess the effectiveness of acoustic alarms (pingers) for reducing the incidental capture of dolphins and porpoises by this fleet. Forty-three experimental trips (156 fishing sets) and 47 control trips (195 fishing sets) out of Salaverry Port, northern Peru, were observed from April 2009 to August 2011. Twenty-two percent of control sets captured small cetaceans (67 individuals) and 16% of experimental sets had captures of small cetaceans (33 individuals). The bycatch rate of experimental sets was 0.50 individuals km−2h−1, whereas for control sets the rate was 0.80 individuals km−2h−1. This 37% reduction in bycatch rate suggests that pingers may be effective in reducing the bycatch of small cetaceans in this fishery. Catch rates of the fishery's target shark and ray species were unchanged. Given the vast size of this fishery and its current levels of bycatch of small cetaceans (> 10,000 individuals annually), even the modest declines in bycatch we observed could result in reductions in mortality of hundreds or thousands of small cetaceans per annum. Challenges, including increased costs, to large-scale utilization of pingers have yet to be overcome. The harpooning of dolphins for use as bait will also need to be addressed for further reductions in dolphin and porpoise bycatch and mortality to be achievable.
Conservation, evidence and policy
Authors: Adams William. M. , Sandbrook Chris
Published: May 2013

A growing literature argues for evidence-based conservation. This concept reflects a wider approach to policy-making and follows thinking in medicine, in which rigorous, objective analysis of evidence has contributed to widespread improvements in medical outcomes. Clearly, conservation decisions should be informed by the best information available. However, we identify issues relating to the type and sources of evidence commonly used and the way evidence-based conservation studies frame policy debate. In this paper we discuss two issues; firstly, we ask ‘what counts as evidence?’ (what is meant by evidence, and what kind of evidence is given credibility). We conclude that evidence-based conservation should adopt a broad definition of evidence to give meaningful space for qualitative data, and local and indigenous knowledge. Secondly, we ask ‘how does evidence count?’ (the relationship between evidence and the policy-making process). We conclude that there should be greater recognition that policy-making is a complex and messy process, and that the role of evidence in policy making can never be neutral. In the light of these issues we suggest some changes to build on developing practice under the title evidence-informed conservation. The change in terminology is subtle, yet it has profound implications in that it calls for a re-positioning and re-understanding of conservation science as one source of information among many for decision-makers.
Energy expenditure for egg production in arthropod ectoparasites: the effect of host species
Authors: KHOKHLOVA IRINA S. , FIELDEN LAURA J. , WILLIAMS JOSEPH B. , DEGEN A. ALLAN , KRASNOV BORIS R.
Published: May 2013

We studied the energy cost of egg production in two flea species (Parapulex chephrenisandXenopsylla ramesis) feeding on principal (Acomys cahirinusandMeriones crassus, respectively) and auxiliary (M. crassusandA. cahirinus, respectively) rodent hosts. We predicted that fleas feeding on principal as compared with auxiliary hosts will (a) expend less energy for egg production; (b) produce larger eggs and (c) live longer after oviposition. Both fleas produced more eggs and spent less energy per egg when exploiting principal hosts.Parapulex chephrenisproduced larger eggs after exploiting auxiliary hosts, while the opposite was true forX. ramesis. After oviposition,P. chephrenisfed on the auxiliary hosts survived for a shorter time than those fed on the principal hosts, while inX. ramesisthe survival time did not differ among hosts. Our results suggested that one of the proximate causes for lower reproductive performance and subsequent lower abundance of fleas on auxiliary hosts is the higher energy cost of egg production. However, in some species, lower offspring number may be compensated to some extent by their size, although this compensation may also compromise their future reproduction via decreased survival. In addition, the reproductive strategy of exploitation of low profitable (i.e. auxiliary) hosts may differ between flea species.
The emergence of echinococcosis in central Asia
Authors: TORGERSON P. R.
Published: May 2013

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, there was an increase in the number of cases of human echinococcosis recorded throughout central Asia. Between 1991 and 2001 incidence rates of cystic echinococcosis (CE) increased by 4 fold or more. There also appeared to be increases in prevalence of CE in livestock and prevalences of Echinococcus granulosus reported in dogs. The increase in human echinococcosis was associated with changes in livestock husbandry, decline in veterinary public health services, increases in dog populations and increased poverty, all of which served to promote transmission of E. granulosus. A few years after reports of increased transmission of E. granulosus, the first reports of E. multilocularis infection in dogs were recorded. Further studies indicated that in both Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan prevalences of up to 18% were present. Recently there has been a dramatic increase in the number of cases of human alveolar echinococcosis recorded in Kyrgyzstan with over 60 cases reported in 2011.
Prosocial peer affiliation suppresses genetic influences on non-aggressive antisocial behaviors during childhood
Authors: Burt S. A. , Klump K. L.
Published: May 2013

Background

Available research has suggested that affiliation with prosocial peers reduces child and adolescent antisocial behavior. However, the etiologic mechanisms driving this association remain unclear. The current study sought to evaluate whether this association takes the form of a gene–environment interaction (G × E) in which prosocial peer affiliation acts to reduce the consequences of genetic risk for non-aggressive antisocial behavior during childhood.

Method

Our sample consisted of 500 twin pairs aged 6–10 years from the Michigan State University Twin Registry (MSUTR).

Results

The results robustly support moderation by prosocial peer affiliation. Genetic influences on non-aggressive antisocial behavior were observed to be several times larger in those with lower levels of prosocial peer affiliation than in those with higher levels of prosocial peer affiliation. This pattern of results persisted even after controlling for gene–environment correlations and deviant peer affiliation, and when restricting our analyses to those twins who shared all or nearly all of their friends.

Conclusions

Such findings not only suggest that prosocial peer affiliation moderates genetic influences on non-aggressive antisocial behaviors during childhood but also provide support for the theoretical notion that protective environmental experiences may exert their influence by promoting resilience to genetic risk.
Psychological characteristics and motivation of women seeking labiaplasty
Authors: Veale D. , Eshkevari E. , Ellison N. , Costa A. , Robinson D. , Kavouni A. , Cardozo L.
Published: May 2013

Background

Labiaplasty is an increasingly popular surgical intervention but little is known about the characteristics and motivation of women who seek the procedure or the psychosexual outcome.

Method

A total of 55 women seeking labiaplasty were compared with 70 women who did not desire labiaplasty. Various general measures of psychopathology as well as specific measures (Genital Appearance Satisfaction; Cosmetic Procedure Screening for labiaplasty) were used. Labia measurements of the women seeking labiaplasty were also obtained.

Results

Women seeking labiaplasty did not differ from controls on measures of depression or anxiety. They did, however, express increased dissatisfaction towards the appearance of their genitalia, with lower overall sexual satisfaction and a poorer quality of life in terms of body image. Women seeking labiaplasty reported a significantly greater frequency of avoidance behaviours on all the domains assessed, and greater frequency of safety-seeking behaviours for most of the domains. Key motivations reported for labiaplasty were categorized as cosmetic, functional or sexual. Of the 55 women seeking labiaplasty, 10 met diagnostic criteria for body dysmorphic disorder.

Conclusions

This is the first controlled study to describe some of the characteristics and motivations of women seeking labiaplasty. We identified a wide range of avoidance and safety-seeking behaviours, which occurred more frequently in the labiaplasty group than the control group. These could be used clinically as part of a psychological intervention for women seeking labiaplasty.
Trajectories of functioning after remission from anxiety disorders: 2-year course and outcome predictors
Authors: Iancu S. C. , Batelaan N. M. , Zweekhorst M. B. M. , Bunders J. F. G. , Veltman D. J. , Penninx B. W. J. H. , van Balkom A. J. L. M.
Published: May 2013

Background

Anxiety disorders are associated with substantial functional limitations but the course of functioning following symptom remission remains largely unknown.

Method

Using data from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA), we examined the 2-year trajectories of functioning in participants with chronic (n = 586) or remitting anxiety disorders (n = 385) and in healthy controls (n = 585). In participants with remitting anxiety disorders, we identified predictors of functioning from among sociodemographic, clinical and vulnerability variables. Data were analysed using linear mixed models (LMMs). Functioning was assessed with the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHO DAS II).

Results

At baseline, participants with remitting anxiety disorders functioned significantly better than those with chronic anxiety disorders, but significantly worse than controls. In both anxiety disorder groups, most impairment was reported in social functioning, occupational functioning and cognition. During the follow-up, functioning improved in both groups, probably due to treatments received. Participants who achieved symptom remission experienced moderate improvements in social functioning and cognition but not in occupational functioning. Of those who remitted, 45.8% reported functioning scores similar to healthy controls whereas 28.5% still functioned at the level of those with chronic anxiety disorders. Worse functioning was predicted by severe anxiety disorders, use of psychological treatment, co-morbid depressive disorders and maladaptive personality traits.

Conclusions

In anxiety disorders, symptom remission is accompanied by improvements in functioning but significant functional impairments may persist because of co-morbid disorders, lower functioning prior to the onset of the anxiety disorder or residual subthreshold anxiety symptoms.
Active inference and free energy
Authors: Friston Karl
Published: May 2013

Why do brains have so many connections? The principles exposed by Andy Clark provide answers to questions like this by appealing to the notion that brains distil causal regularities in the sensorium and embody them in models of their world. For example, connections embody the fact that causes have particular consequences. This commentary considers the imperatives for this form of embodiment.
Action-oriented predictive processing and the neuroeconomics of sub-cognitive reward
Authors: Ross Don
Published: May 2013

Clark expresses reservations about Friston's reductive interpretation of action-oriented predictive processing (AOPP) models of cognition, but he doesn't link these reservations to specific alternatives. Neuroeconomic models of sub-cognitive reward valuation, which, like AOPP, integrate attention with action based on prediction error, are such an alternative. They interpret reward valuation as an input to neocortical processing instead of reducing it.
Grounding predictive coding models in empirical neuroscience research
Authors: Egner Tobias , Summerfield Christopher
Published: May 2013

Clark makes a convincing case for the merits of conceptualizing brains as hierarchical prediction machines. This perspective has the potential to provide an elegant and powerful general theory of brain function, but it will ultimately stand or fall with evidence from basic neuroscience research. Here, we characterize the status quo of that evidence and highlight important avenues for future investigations.
Expecting ourselves to expect: The Bayesian brain as a projector
Authors: Dennett Daniel C.
Published: May 2013

Clark's essay lays the foundation for a Bayesian account of the “projection” of consciously perceived properties: The expectations that our brains test against inputs concern the particular affordances that evolution has designed us to care about, including especially expectations of our own expectations.
When the predictive brain gets it really wrong
Authors: Buckingham Gavin , Goodale Melvyn A.
Published: May 2013

Clark examines the notion of the “predictive brain” as a unifying model for cognitive neuroscience, from the level of basic neural processes to sensorimotor control. Although we are in general agreement with this notion, we feel that there are many details that still need to be fleshed out from the standpoint of perception and action.
Neuronal inference must be local, selective, and coordinated
Authors: Phillips William A.
Published: May 2013

Life is preserved and enhanced by coordinated selectivity in local neural circuits. Narrow receptive-field selectivity is necessary to avoid the curse-of-dimensionality, but local activities can be made coherent and relevant by guiding learning and processing using broad coordinating contextual gain-controlling interactions. Better understanding of the functions and mechanisms of those interactions is therefore crucial to the issues Clark examines.
Personal narratives as the highest level of cognitive integration
Authors: Hirsh Jacob B. , Mar Raymond A. , Peterson Jordan B.
Published: May 2013

We suggest that the hierarchical predictive processing account detailed by Clark can be usefully integrated with narrative psychology by situating personal narratives at the top of an individual's knowledge hierarchy. Narrative representations function as high-level generative models that direct our attention and structure our expectations about unfolding events. Implications for integrating scientific and humanistic views of human experience are discussed.
Sparse coding and challenges for Bayesian models of the brain
Authors: Trappenberg Thomas , Hollensen Paul
Published: May 2013

While the target article provides a glowing account for the excitement in the field, we stress that hierarchical predictive learning in the brain requires sparseness of the representation. We also question the relation between Bayesian cognitive processes and hierarchical generative models as discussed by the target article.
Prediction, explanation, and the role of generative models in language processing
Authors: Farmer Thomas A. , Brown Meredith , Tanenhaus Michael K.
Published: May 2013

We propose, following Clark, that generative models also play a central role in the perception and interpretation of linguistic signals. The data explanation approach provides a rationale for the role of prediction in language processing and unifies a number of phenomena, including multiple-cue integration, adaptation effects, and cortical responses to violations of linguistic expectations.
Attention is more than prediction precision
Authors: Bowman Howard , Filetti Marco , Wyble Brad , Olivers Christian
Published: May 2013

A cornerstone of the target article is that, in a predictive coding framework, attention can be modelled by weighting prediction error with a measure of precision. We argue that this is not a complete explanation, especially in the light of ERP (event-related potentials) data showing large evoked responses for frequently presented target stimuli, which thus are predicted.
Bayesian animals sense ecological constraints to predict fitness and organize individually flexible reproductive decisions
Authors: Gowaty Patricia Adair , Hubbell Stephen P.
Published: May 2013

A quantitative theory of reproductive decisions (Gowaty & Hubbell 2009) says that individuals use updated priors from constantly changing demographic circumstances to predict their futures to adjust actions flexibly and adaptively. Our ecological/evolutionary models of ultimate causes seem consistent with Clark's ideas and thus suggest an opportunity for a unified proximate and ultimate theory of Bayesian animal brains, senses, and actions.
Perception versus action: The computations may be the same but the direction of fit differs
Authors: Shea Nicholas
Published: May 2013

Although predictive coding may offer a computational principle that unifies perception and action, states with different directions of fit are involved (with indicative and imperative contents, respectively). Predictive states are adjusted to fit the world in the course of perception, but in the case of action, the corresponding states act as a fixed target towards which the agent adjusts the world. This well-recognised distinction helps side-step some problems discussed in the target article.
Two kinds of theory-laden cognitive processes: Distinguishing intransigence from dogmatism
Authors: Khalil Elias L.
Published: May 2013

The brain is involved in theory-laden cognitive processes. But there are two different theory-laden processes. In cases where the theory is based on facts, more facts can either falsify or confirm a theory. In cases where the theory is about the choice of a benchmark or a standard, more facts can only make a theory either more or less warranted.
Are we predictive engines? Perils, prospects, and the puzzle of the porous perceiver
Authors: Clark Andy
Published: May 2013

The target article sketched and explored a mechanism (action-oriented predictive processing) most plausibly associated with core forms of cortical processing. In assessing the attractions and pitfalls of the proposal we should keep that element distinct from larger, though interlocking, issues concerning the nature of adaptive organization in general.
A giant left ventricular pseudoaneurysm in Behçet's disease: a case report
Authors: Mouine Najat , Bennani Rajae , Amri Rachida
Published: May 2013

Behçet's disease is a chronic autoimmune disease with vascular complications that are most frequently manifested as thromboembolism in veins and pseudoaneurysm in arteries. We report the case of a 13-year-old boy admitted for clinical and biological signs of rheumatic fever associated with chest pain. The clinical examination found heart sounds with a discrete systolic murmur of mitral regurgitation. The electrocardiogram showed a microvoltage with diffuse repolarisation disorder. Biologically, he had inflammatory syndrome. Transthoracic echocardiography showed circumferential pericardial effusion with anterosepto-apical hypokinesia of the left ventricle with systolic dysfunction, and a minimal mitral regurgitation. The patient was treated by corticotherapy and antibiotherapy. The outcome was marked by orogenital aphthous ulceration and decreased visual acuity related to intermediate uveitis. The retinal angiography showed a vasculitis. The late appearance of this symptom led to the right diagnosis of Behçet's syndrome. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a hypokinetic dilated cardiomyopathy left ventricular with septo apical and anterior akinesia and severe systolic dysfunction, with a defect of the inferior septal with a collar communicating the left ventricle with a giant pseudo aneurysm. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a giant pseudoaneurysm communicating with the left ventricle. The coronary computed tomography was normal. The patient had undergone surgical treatment for the pseudoaneurysm with good outcomes.
THE INFLUENCE OF IRVING FISHER ON MILTON FRIEDMAN’S MONETARY ECONOMICS
Authors: BORDO MICHAEL D. , ROCKOFF HUGH
Published: May 2013

This paper examines the influence of Irving Fisher’s writings on Milton Friedman’s work in monetary economics. We focus first on Fisher’s influences in monetary theory (the quantity theory of money, the Fisher effect, Gibson’s Paradox, the monetary theory of business cycles, and the Phillips Curve), and empirics (e.g., distributed lags.). Then we discuss Fisher and Friedman’s views on monetary policy and various schemes for monetary reform (the k% rule, freezing the monetary base, the compensated dollar, a mandate for price stability, 100% reserve money, and stamped money). Assessing the influence of an earlier economist’s writings on that of later scholars is a challenge. As a science progresses, the views of its earlier pioneers are absorbed in the weltanschauung. Fisher’s The Purchasing Power of Money as well as the work of Pigou and Marshall were the basic building blocks for later students of monetary economics. Thus, the Chicago School of the 1930s absorbed Fisher’s approach, and Friedman learned from them. However, in some salient aspects of Friedman’s work, we can clearly detect a major direct influence of Fisher’s writings on Friedman’s. Thus, for example, with the buildup of inflation in the 1960s, Friedman adopted the Fisher effect and Fisher’s empirical approach to inflationary expectations into his analysis. Therefore, Fisher’s influence on Friedman was both indirect through the Chicago School and direct. Regardless of the weight attached to the two influences, Fisher’s impact on Friedman was profound.
Brain circuitry of compulsivity and impulsivity
Authors: Grant Jon E. , Kim Suck Won
Published: May 2013

Impulsivity and compulsivity have been considered opposite poles of a continuous spectrum, but their relationship appears to be more complex. Disorders characterized by impulsivity often have features of compulsivity and vice versa. The overlaps of the constructs of compulsivity and impulsivity warrant additional investigation, not only to identify the similarities and differences, but also to examine the implications for prevention and treatment strategies of both compulsive and impulsive behaviors.
Do Dutch nutrition and dietetics students meet nutritional requirements during education?
Authors: van der Kruk Joke J , Jager-Wittenaar Harriët , Nieweg Roos MB , van der Schans Cees P
Published: May 2013

Objectives

To compare the dietary intakes of Dutch nutrition and dietetics students with the Dutch RDA and the Dutch National Food Consumption Survey (DNFCS), and to assess whether dietary intake changes during education.

Design

Cross-sectional and longitudinal research (2004–2010).

Setting

Data collection by 7 d dietary record and questionnaire.

Subjects

Dutch nutrition and dietetics students.

Results

Three hundred and fifty-two first-year and 216 fourth-year students were included. One hundred and thirty-three students in three cohorts were assessed twice. Of first-year students, >80 % met the RDA for all macronutrients. Of these students only 37 % met the RDA for fibre and in 43 % intake of saturated fat was too high. Fourth-year students more often met the RDA for fruits (55 %) and vegetables (74 %) compared with first-year students (32 % and 40 %, respectively). Intake of fruits and vegetables of both first- and fourth-year students was much higher than that of DNFCS participants (where 2 % and 7 %, respectively, met the corresponding RDA). Only <25 % of fourth-year students met the RDA for Fe, Se and vitamin D. In the cohorts, dietary intake for all macronutrients stabilised from the first to the fourth year (>80 %). Intakes of dietary fibre, Ca, Mg, Se, riboflavin, niacin, fruits, vegetables and fish improved significantly during education.

Conclusions

Dietary intake of nutrition and dietetics students is much better than that of DNFCS participants and improved during education. However, there is still a gap between actual dietary intake and the RDA, especially for Fe, Se and vitamin D.
Disparities in cancer care: Perspectives from the front line
Authors: Miller Patricia A. , Sinding Christina , McGillicuddy Patti , Gould Judy , Fitzpatrick-Lewis Donna , Learn Linda , Wiernikowski Jennifer , Fitch Margaret I.
Published: May 2013

Objective:

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate how frontline healthcare professionals witness and understand disparity in cancer care.

Method:

Six healthcare providers from a range of care settings, none with < 15 years of frontline experience, engaged with researchers in an iterative process of identifying and reflecting on equity and disparity in cancer care. This knowledge exchange began with formal interviews. Thematic analysis of the interviews form the basis of this article.

Results:

Participants drew attention to health systems issues, the meaning and experience of discontinuities in care for patients at personal and community levels, and the significance of social supports. Other concerns raised by participants were typical of the literature on healthcare disparities.

Significance of results:

Providers at the front lines of care offer a rich source of insight into the operation of disparities, pointing to mechanisms rarely identified in traditional quantitative studies. They are also well positioned to advocate for more equitable care at the local level.
Dielectric contrast measurements on biological substances with resonant microwave near-field sensors
Authors: Haase Nora , Jacob Arne F.
Published: May 2013

Resonant substrate integrated near-field sensors are used for characterization of aqueous solutions at three different frequencies. In addition, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in a culture medium are characterized with the same sensors. Different concentrations as well as different vital states of cell suspensions are examined. The complex permittivity of the samples is evaluated using a linearized method based on perturbation theory. The permittivity differences between the measured cell suspensions are discussed. The resonant frequencies of the sensors are close to 3, 7, and 11 GHz, respectively.
A Longitudinal Investigation of the Associations Among Parenting, Deviant Peer Affiliation, and Externalizing Behaviors: A Monozygotic Twin Differences Design
Authors: Hou Jinqin , Chen Zhiyan , Natsuaki Misaki N. , Li Xinying , Yang Xiaodong , Zhang Jie , Zhang Jianxin
Published: May 2013

Non-shared parenting and deviant peer affiliation are linked to differences in externalizing behaviors between twins. However, few studies have examined these two non-shared environments simultaneously. The present study examined the transactional roles of differential parenting (i.e., warmth and hostility) and deviant peer affiliation on monozygotic (MZ) twin differences in externalizing behaviors using a two-wave longitudinal study of twins and their parents. The sample consisted of 520 pairs of MZ twins (46.5% males, 53.5% females), with a mean age of 13.86 years (SD= 2.10) at the T1 assessment, residing in Beijing, China. The association between non-shared hostility in parenting and adolescent externalizing behaviors was mainly explained by a child-driven effect whereby the twin with a higher level of externalizing behaviors than his or her co-twin was more likely to receive more hostility from the parents. Similarly, the relationship between deviant peer affiliation and adolescent externalizing behaviors supported the selection effect whereby the twin with a higher level of externalizing behaviors than his or her co-twin was more likely to affiliate with deviant peers. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Macroautophagy—friend or foe of viral replication?
Authors: Münz Christian
Published: May 2013

Autophagy can either degrade pathogens or promote their replication. Both effects have been reported for Chikungunya virus and a recent study in EMBO reports solves this controversy, whilst indicating how to improve mouse models of the infection.
The expanding family of FERM proteins
Authors: Moleirinho Susana , Tilston-Lunel Andrew , Angus Liselotte , Gunn-Moore Frank , Reynolds Paul A.
Published: May 2013

Our understanding of the FERM (4.1/ezrin/radixin/moesin) protein family has been rapidly expanding in the last few years, with the result that many new physiological functions have been ascribed to these biochemically unique proteins. In the present review, we will discuss a number of new FRMD (FERM domain)-containing proteins that were initially discovered from genome sequencing but are now being established through biochemical and genetic studies to be involved both in normal cellular processes, but are also associated with a variety of human diseases.
Protein kinase C pharmacology: refining the toolbox
Authors: Wu-zhang Alyssa X. , Newton Alexandra C.
Published: May 2013

PKC (protein kinase C) has been in the limelight since the discovery three decades ago that it acts as a major receptor for the tumour-promoting phorbol esters. Phorbol esters, with their potent ability to activate two of the three classes of PKC isoenzymes, have remained the best pharmacological tool for directly modulating PKC activity. However, with the discovery of other phorbol ester-responsive proteins, the advent of various small-molecule and peptide modulators, and the need to distinguish isoenzyme-specific activity, the pharmacology of PKC has become increasingly complex. Not surprisingly, many of the compounds originally touted as direct modulators of PKC have subsequently been shown to hit many other cellular targets and, in some cases, not even directly modulate PKC. The complexities and reversals in PKC pharmacology have led to widespread confusion about the current status of the pharmacological tools available to control PKC activity. In the present review, we aim to clarify the cacophony in the literature regarding the current state of bona fide and discredited cellular PKC modulators, including activators, small-molecule inhibitors and peptides, and also address the use of genetically encoded reporters and of PKC mutants to measure the effects of these drugs on the spatiotemporal dynamics of signalling by specific isoenzymes.
Hepcidin, show some self-control! How the hormone of iron metabolism regulates its own expression
Authors: Lane Darius J. R. , Huang Michael L.-H. , Richardson Des R.
Published: May 2013

Does the hormone of iron metabolism, hepcidin, exhibit ‘self-control’? Hepcidin is a small, disulfide-rich peptide synthesized by the liver, which plays a keystone role in regulating systemic iron metabolism in mammals. Hepcidin acts by binding and triggering the lysosomal degradation of the cellular iron exporter ferroportin. Ultimately, decreased ferroportin leads to decreased plasma iron levels. Although various modulators of HAMP (the hepcidin antimicrobial peptide gene) expression are known, no auto-regulatory pathway has been described. In their paper published in the Biochemical Journal in April 2013, Pandur et al. identify an auto-regulatory pathway in which prohepcidin regulates HAMP expression. The authors observe that prohepcidin can bind to the inflammation-regulated STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3)-binding site in the HAMP promoter to negatively regulate HAMP expression. Furthermore, the authors find that the prohepcidin-binding partner, α-1 antitrypsin, inhibits prohepcidin's ability to decrease HAMP activity. This is significant as α-1 antitrypsin, similar to hepcidin, is an acute-phase reactant that is up-regulated by inflammation. In conclusion, the discovery of a hepcidin auto-regulatory pathway, first, supports the emerging notion that hepcidin regulation is exquisitely fine-tuned through a process of combinatorial control; and secondly, suggests that hepcidin may play a hand in its own deregulation in diseases of iron metabolism that involve aberrant cytokine signalling (e.g. the anaemia of inflammation).
Amiodarone inhibits the entry and assembly steps of hepatitis C virus life cycle
Authors: Cheng Yuan-Lung , Lan Keng-Hsueh , Lee Wei-Ping , Tseng Szu-Han , Hung Li-Rong , Lin Han-Chieh , Lee Fa-Yauh , Lee Shou-Dong , Lan Keng-Hsin
Published: May 2013

HCV (hepatitis C virus) infection affects an estimated 180 million people in the world's population. Adverse effects occur frequently with current standard treatment of interferon and ribavirin, while resistance of new direct anti-viral agents, NS3 protease inhibitors, is a major concern because of their single anti-HCV mechanism against the viral factor. New anti-viral agents are needed to resolve the problems. Amiodarone, an anti-arrhythmic drug, has recently been shown to inhibit HCV infection in vitro. The detailed mechanism has yet to be clarified. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the molecular mechanism of the inhibitory effect of amiodarone on HCV life cycle. The effect of amiodarone on HCV life cycle was investigated in Huh-7.5.1 cells with HCVcc (cell culture-derived HCV), HCVpp (HCV pseudoviral particles), sub-genomic replicons, IRES (internal ribosomal entry site)-mediated translation assay, and intracellular and extracellular infectivity assays. The administration of amiodarone appeared to inhibit HCV entry independent of genotypes, which was attributed to the down-regulation of CD81 receptor expression. The inhibitory effect of amiodarone also manifested in the HCV assembly step, via the suppression of MTP (microsomal triacylglycerol transfer protein) activity. Amiodarone revealed no effects on HCV replication and translation. With the host factor-targeting characteristics, amiodarone may be an attractive agent for the treatment of HCV infection.
Parallel transport studies of high-Z impurities in the core of Alcator C-Mod plasmas
Authors: Reinke M. L. , Hutchinson I. H. , Rice J. E. , Greenwald M. , Howard N. T. , Hubbard A. , Hughes J. W. , Terry J. L. , Wolfe S. M.
Published: May 2013

Measurements of poloidal variation, ñz/⟨nz⟩, in high-Z impurity density have been made using photodiode arrays sensitive to vacuum ultraviolet and soft x-ray emission in Alcator C-Mod plasmas. In/out asymmetries in the range of −0.2<nz,cos/⟨nz⟩<0.3 are observed for r/a<0.8, and accumulation on both the high-field side, nz,cos<0, and low-field side, nz,cos>0, of a flux surface is found to be well described by a combination of centrifugal, poloidal electric field, and ion-impurity friction effects. Up/down asymmetries, −0.05<nz,sin/⟨nz⟩<0.10, are observed over 0.5<r/a<0.9 with nz,sin>0 corresponding to accumulation opposite the ion ∇B drift direction. Measurements of the up/down asymmetry of molybdenum are found to disagree with predictions from recent neoclassical theory in the trace limit, nzZ2/ni≪1. Non-trace levels of impurities are expected to modify the main-ion poloidal flow and thus change friction-driven impurity density asymmetries and impurity poloidal rotation, vθ,z. Artificially modifying main-ion flow in parallel transport simulations is shown to impact both ñz/⟨nz⟩ and vθ,z, but simultaneous agreement between measured and predicted up/down and in/out asymmetry as well as impurity poloidal rotation is not possible for these C-Mod data. This link between poloidal flow and poloidal impurity density variation outlines a more stringent test for parallel neoclassical transport theory than has previously been performed. Measurement and computational techniques specific to the study of poloidal impurity asymmetry physics are discussed as well.
A virtual-system coupled multicanonical molecular dynamics simulation: Principles and applications to free-energy landscape of protein–protein interaction with an all-atom model in explicit solvent
Authors: Higo Junichi , Umezawa Koji , Nakamura Haruki
Published: May 2013

We propose a novel generalized ensemble method, a virtual-system coupled multicanonical molecular dynamics (V-McMD), to enhance conformational sampling of biomolecules expressed by an all-atom model in an explicit solvent. In this method, a virtual system, of which physical quantities can be set arbitrarily, is coupled with the biomolecular system, which is the target to be studied. This method was applied to a system of an Endothelin-1 derivative, KR-CSH-ET1, known to form an antisymmetric homodimer at room temperature. V-McMD was performed starting from a configuration in which two KR-CSH-ET1 molecules were mutually distant in an explicit solvent. The lowest free-energy state (the most thermally stable state) at room temperature coincides with the experimentally determined native complex structure. This state was separated to other non-native minor clusters by a free-energy barrier, although the barrier disappeared with elevated temperature. V-McMD produced a canonical ensemble faster than a conventional McMD method.
Transient photocurrent in molecular junctions: Singlet switching on and triplet blocking
Authors: Petrov E. G. , Leonov V. O. , Snitsarev V.
Published: May 2013

The kinetic approach adapted to describe charge transmission in molecular junctions, is used for the analysis of the photocurrent under conditions of moderate light intensity of the photochromic molecule. In the framework of the HOMO-LUMO model for the single electron molecular states, the analytic expressions describing the temporary behavior of the transient and steady state sequential (hopping) as well as direct (tunnel) current components have been derived. The conditions at which the current components achieve their maximal values are indicated. It is shown that if the rates of charge transmission in the unbiased molecular diode are much lower than the intramolecular singlet-singlet excitation/de-excitation rate, and the threefold degenerated triplet excited state of the molecule behaves like a trap blocking the charge transmission, a possibility of a large peak-like transient switch-on photocurrent arises.
Optimization of microstructure and optical properties of VO2 thin film prepared by reactive sputtering
Authors: Luo Y. Y. , Zhu L. Q. , Zhang Y. X. , Pan S. S. , Xu S. C. , Liu M. , Li G. H.
Published: May 2013

VO2 (M) thin films with good optical switching properties have been grown by reactive sputtering method. The influence of sputtering parameters on the structural and optical properties of the as-grown VO2 thin films was investigated, and the correlation between the microstructure and optical switching properties were studied. It was found that the phase transition temperature, hysteresis width, and the amplitude of the transition depend on the sputtering gas pressure, and the amplitude of the transition can reach as high as 70% with an approximately zero infrared transmission in metal state at a wavelength of 2.5 μm. The anomalous optical properties of the VO2 thin films were analyzed and discussed together with the studies of the refractive index and optical band gap.
Distortion of electronic structure in HfO2 induced by the out-diffused As from GaAs substrate
Authors: He Jing-Lan , Sun Qing-Qing , Lu Hong-Liang , Wang Peng-Fei , Ding Shi-Jin , Wei Zhang David
Published: May 2013

The out diffusion of As is considered as one of the key issues of GaAs-based devices. We performed first-principles calculation to study the electronic structure distortion of HfO2 induced by out-diffused As. As diffused into oxygen vacancy of HfO2 results in several gap states ranging from 1.38 eV to 2.33 eV above HfO2 valence band maximum through As 4p and Hf 5d interaction; on the other hand, interstitial As not only introduces two gap states but also donates one electron to the conduction band of HfO2. These findings provide an interpretation for the degraded electrical performance of dielectrics on GaAs.
Kinetics and thermodynamics of the ferroelectric transitions in PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3 and PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3-12% PbTiO3 crystals
Authors: Colla Eugene V. , Jurik Nathan , Liu Yehan , Delgado M. E. X. , Weissman M. B. , Viehland D. D. , Ye Z.-G.
Published: May 2013

The two-step freezing and melting of the field-induced ferroelectric order in PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3 (PMN) and (PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3)0.88(PbTiO3)0.12 (PMN-PT) is investigated. In PMN-PT, direct microscopic images show that both steps occur in the same spatial regions. The higher temperature freezing corresponds to the higher temperature melting, indicating that the stages are not just kinetically but also thermodynamically distinct. The higher-T melting step shows several indications of being a sharp first-order transition near an equilibrium temperature. The lower-T melting step shows more kinetic dependence. Partially poled PMN also spontaneously approaches saturation polarization on zero-field aging, indicating that the true equilibrium state is ferroelectric below ∼200 K. In PMN-PT, a variety of kinetic measurements on the ferroelectric state indicate that the kinetics are governed by a glassy matrix showing aging effects.
Leakage current in high dielectric oxides: Role of defect-induced energies
Authors: Maleeswaran P. , Nagulapally D. , Joshi R. P. , Pradhan A. K.
Published: May 2013

Model evaluations of field-dependent leakage currents in the high-k dielectric oxides HfO2 and ZrO2 are presented. The treatment includes a number of competing transport processes on an equal footing. Our simulation results show that trap-assisted-tunneling, though important, is not the most significant contributor. The combined Poole-Frenkel mechanism with modifications from inelastic trap-related processes dominates at electric fields above 1.5 MV/cm. Our model predictions compare very favorably against the reported experimental data for both HfO2 and ZrO2. Finally, results obtained from the density functional theory based castep simulator are suggestive of dynamic changes in the net energy levels and the possible formation of a mini-band due to oxygen vacancies.
Asymmetric magnetoresistance of nanowires with perpendicular anisotropy seen as a contribution from the contacts
Authors: Nguyen V. D. , Vila L. , Marty A. , Warin P. , Vergnaud C. , Jamet M. , Notin L. , Beigné C. , Attané J. P.
Published: May 2013

We report longitudinal magnetoresistance of 50 nm wide FePt and 2 μm wide CoPt wires with perpendicular anisotropy. In addition to magnon and domain wall magnetoresistances, which are symmetric in field, there appears an asymmetrical voltage signal due to the extraordinary Hall effect, usually understood as the effect of circulating currents at the vicinity of a domain wall. We show that in nanowires it can alternatively be seen as a contribution of the electrical contacts. The symmetries and amplitudes of the observed effect are found to be in good agreement with a simple model.
Calculated thermoelectric properties of InxGa1−xN, InxAl1−xN, and AlxGa1−xN
Authors: Sztein Alexander , Haberstroh John , Bowers John E. , DenBaars Steven P. , Nakamura Shuji
Published: May 2013

The thermoelectric properties of III-nitride materials are of interest due to their potential use for high temperature power generation applications and the increasing commercial importance of the material system; however, the very large parameter space of different alloy compositions, carrier densities, and range of operating temperatures makes a complete experimental exploration of this material system difficult. In order to predict thermoelectric performances and identify the most promising compositions and carrier densities, the thermoelectric properties of InxGa1−xN, InxAl1−xN, and AlxGa1−xN are modeled. The Boltzmann transport equation is used to calculate the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and the electron component of thermal conductivity. Scattering mechanisms considered for electronic properties include ionized impurity, alloy potential, polar optical phonon, deformation potential, piezoelectric, and charged dislocation scattering. The Callaway model is used to calculate the phonon component of thermal conductivity with Normal, Umklapp, mass defect, and dislocation scattering mechanisms included. Thermal and electrical results are combined to calculate ZT values. InxGa1−xN is identified as the most promising of the three ternary alloys investigated, with a calculated ZT of 0.85 at 1200 K for In0.1Ga0.9N at an optimized carrier density. AlxGa1−xN is predicted to have a ZT of 0.57 at 1200 K under optimized composition and carrier density. InxAl1−xN is predicted to have a ZT of 0.33 at 1200 K at optimized composition and carrier density. Calculated Seebeck coefficients, electrical conductivities, thermal conductivities, and ZTs are compared with experimental data where such data are available.