bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unusual multifocal intraosseous papillary intralymphatic angioendothelioma (Dabska tumor) of facial bones: a case report and review of literature
Authors: LI Bin , Li Yang , Tian Xiao-ying , Li Zhi
Published: October 2013

Papillary intralymphatic angioendothelioma (PILA) or Dabska tumor is extremely rare, and often affects the skin and subcutaneous tissues of children. Since its first description by Dabska, only a few intraosseous cases have been described in the literature and none of them presents with multifocal osteolytic lesion of bones. We present a case of unusual multifocal intraosseous PILA in facial bones occurring in a 1 year 3 month old male child. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed multifocal osteolytic lesions were located at the left zygoma, left orbital bone and right maxillary. Histologically, the lesions were ill-defined and composed of multiple delicate interconnecting vascular channels with papillae formation which projected into the lumen lined by atypical plumped endothelial cells. The vascular channels were also lined by plump cuboidal endothelial cells with focal hobnailed or “match-head” appearance. In some areas, endothelial cells formed solid-appearing aggregates with vessel lumens. By immunohistochemistry, the tumor cells were positive for CD31, CD34 and D2-40 at varying intensity. A final diagnosis of intraosseous PILA was made. To the best of our knowledge, this case is the first case of primary multifocal osseous PILA.

Virtual slides

The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1919488629100787
An empirical comparison of knowledge and skill in the context of traditional ecological knowledge
Authors: Kightley Eric P , Reyes-García Victoria , Demps Kathryn , Magtanong Ruth V , Ramenzoni Victoria C , Thampy Gayatri , Gueze Maximilien , Stepp John Richard
Published: October 2013

Background

We test whether traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) about how to make an item predicts a person’s skill at making it among the Tsimane’ (Bolivia). The rationale for this research is that the failure to distinguish between knowledge and skill might account for some of the conflicting results about the relationships between TEK, human health, and economic development.

Methods

We test the association between a commonly-used measure of individual knowledge (cultural consensus analysis) about how to make an arrow or a bag and a measure of individual skill at making these items, using ordinary least-squares regression. The study consists of 43 participants from 3 villages.

Results

We find no association between our measures of knowledge and skill (core model, p > 0.5, R
2
 = .132).

Conclusions

While we cannot rule out the possibility of a real association between these phenomena, we interpret our findings as support for the claim that researchers should distinguish between methods to measure knowledge and skill when studying trends in TEK.
The current status of ethnobiological research in Latin America: gaps and perspectives
Authors: Albuquerque Ulysses Paulino , Silva Josivan Soares , Campos Juliana Loureiro Almeida , Sousa Rosemary Silva , Silva Taline Cristina , Alves Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega
Published: October 2013

Background

Recent reviews have demonstrated an increase in the number of papers on ethnobiology in Latin America. Among factors that have influenced this increase are the biological and cultural diversity of these countries and the general scientific situation in some countries. This study aims to assess the panorama of ethnobiological research in Latin America by analyzing its evolution, trends, and future prospects.

Methods

To conduct this study, we searched for papers in the Scopus (http://www.scopus.com) and Web of Science (http://www.isiknowledge.com) databases. The search was performed using combinations of keywords and the name of each Latin American country. The following countries were included in this study: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, and Uruguay.

Results and conclusions

According to our inclusion criteria, 679 ethnobiological studies conducted in Latin America were found for the period between 1963 and 2012. Of these studies, 289 (41%) were conducted in Brazil, 153 in Mexico (22%), 61 in Peru (9%), 58 in Argentina (8%), 45 in Bolivia (6%), and 97 (14%) in other Latin American countries. The increased number of publications related to this area of knowledge in recent years demonstrates the remarkable growth of ethnobiology as a science. Ethnobiological research may be stimulated by an increase in the number of scientific events and journals for study dissemination and by the creation of undergraduate courses and graduate programs to train ethnoscientists who will produce high-quality studies, especially in certain countries.
Neonatally induced mild diabetes: influence on development, behavior and reproductive function of female Wistar rats
Authors: Inhasz Kiss Ana Carolina , Woodside Barbara , Sinzato Yuri Karen , Bernardi Maria Martha , De Grava Kempinas Wilma , Anselmo-Franci Janete Aparecida , Damasceno Débora Cristina
Published: October 2013

Background

Neonatal STZ treatment induces a state of mild hyperglycemia in adult rats that disrupts metabolism and maternal/fetal interactions. The aim of this study was investigate the effect of neonatal STZ treatment on the physical development, behavior, and reproductive function of female Wistar rats from infancy to adulthood.

Methods

At birth, litters were assigned either to a Control (subcutaneous (s.c.) citrate buffer, n = 10) or STZ group, (streptozotocin (STZ) - 100 mg/kg-sc, n = 6). Blood glucose levels were measured on postnatal days (PND) 35, 84 and 120. In Experiment 1 body weight, length and the appearance of developmental milestones such as eye and vaginal opening were monitored. To assess the relative contribution of the initial and long term effects of STZ treatment this group was subdivided based on blood glucose levels recorded on PND 120: STZ hyperglycemic (between 120 and 300 mg/dl) and STZ normoglycemic (under 120 mg/dl). Behavioral activity was assessed in an open field on PND 21 and 75. In Experiment 2 estrous cyclicity, sexual behavior and circulating gonadotropin, ovarian steroid, and insulin levels were compared between control and STZ-hyperglycemic rats. In all measures the litter was the experimental unit. Parametric data were analyzed using one-way or, where appropriate, two-way ANOVA and significant effects were investigated using Tukey’s post hoc test. Fisher’s exact test was employed when data did not satisfy the assumption of normality e.g. presence of urine and fecal boli on the open field between groups. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 for all data.

Results

As expected neonatal STZ treatment caused hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia in adulthood. STZ-treated pups also showed a temporary reduction in growth rate that probably reflected the early loss of circulating insulin. Hyperglycemic rats also exhibited a reduction in locomotor and exploratory behavior in the open field. Mild hyperglycemia did not impair gonadotropin levels or estrous cylicity but ovarian steroid concentrations were altered.

Conclusions

In female Wistar rats, neonatal STZ treatment impairs growth in infancy and results in mild hyperglycemia/hypoinsulinemia in adulthood that is associated with changes in the response to a novel environment and altered ovarian steroid hormone levels.
Molecular predictors of locoregional and distant metastases in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Barber Brittany R , Biron Vincent L , Klimowicz Alexander C , Puttagunta Lakshmi , Côté David WJ , Seikaly Hadi
Published: October 2013

Background

The incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is increasing due to fundamental changes in oncogenesis related to effects of the human papilomavirus (HPV). Virally-mediated tumours behave and respond to treatment differently than their classic, carcinogenically-mediated counterparts despite similar stage and grade of disease. This difference in behaviour has lead to investigation of etiologies of OPSCC at the molecular level. Molecular biomarkers offer potential insight into the behaviour of OPSCC. Identifying a subset of patients that are more likely to have recurrence and distant metastasis is valuable for prognostication and treatment planning. There is limited information regarding the profiles of these biomarkers in locoregional and distant metastases in OPSCC.

Objective

This study was designed to identify biomarker profiles predictive of locoregional and distant metastases and recurrence in OPSCC.

Methods

Cross-sectional study of a prospectively-collected oropharyngeal tumour database was undertaken. All patients with OPSCC presenting to the University of Alberta Hospital from 2002 - 2009 were included in the study. Data collection from the Alberta Cancer Registry, including demographics, nodal status, distant metastases, treatment, recurrence, and survival, was undertaken. Tissue micro-arrays (TMAs) were constructed for each tumour specimen using triplicate cores (0.6mm) of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) pre-treatment tumour tissue. TMAs were processed using immunohistochemistry for p16, EGFR, Ki67, p53, and Bcl-XL. Positivity for each biomarker was determined using quantified AQUAnalysis ® scores on histoplots. Multivariate statistics were utilized to assess the relationship between each biomarker and locoregional and distant metastases, as well as recurrence-free survival (RFS).

Results

High expression of p16 (p=0.000) and Bcl-XL (p=0.039) independently demonstrated a significant association with nodal disease at presentation. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated improved RFS in patients with high p16 and decreased RFS in patients with high p53 expression. Cox regression analysis supported p16 as an independent prognosticator for improved RFS. p53 demonstrated an association with recurrence, but when compared to p16 status, nodal status, and staging, was not an independent predictor of recurrence.

Conclusions

Biomarker profiling using p16, Bcl-xL, and p53 may be useful in prognostication and treatment planning in patients with OPSCC.
Bone marrow lesion volume reduction is not associated with improvement of other periarticular bone measures: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative
Authors: Driban Jeffrey B , Lo Grace H , Price Lori Lyn , Pang Jincheng , Miller Eric , Ward Robert J , Hunter David J , Eaton Charles B , Lynch John A , McAlindon Timothy E ,   for the OAI Investigators Group
Published: October 2013

Introduction

We evaluated the associations between bone marrow lesion (BML) volume change and changes in periarticular bone mineral density (paBMD) as well as subchondral sclerosis to determine whether BML change is associated with other local bone changes.

Methods

The convenience sample comprised participants in the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) with weight-bearing posterior-anterior knee radiographs and magnetic resonance images (MRIs) at the 24- and 48-month visits and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the 30-/36-month and 48-month visits. The right knee was assessed unless contraindicated for MRI. We used knee DXA scans to measure medial tibia paBMD and medial/lateral paBMD ratio (M:L paBMD). Knee radiographs were scored for sclerosis (grades 0 to 3) in the medial tibia. Two raters determined BML volume on sagittal fat-suppressed MRI by using a semiautomated segmentation method. To focus on knees with only medial tibia BML changes, knees with lateral tibial BMLs were excluded. Medial tibial BML volume change was classified into three groups: BML regression (lowest quartile of medial tibial BML volume change), no-to-minimal change (middle two quartiles), and BML progression (highest quartile). We used proportional odds logistic regression models to evaluate the association between quartiles of changes in medial paBMD or M:L paBMD ratio, as outcomes, and BML volume change.

Results

The sample (n = 308) included 163 (53%) female subjects, 212 (69%) knees with radiographic osteoarthritis, and participants with a mean age of 63.8 ± 9.3 years and mean body mass index of 29.8 ± 4.7 kg/m2. We found an association between greater increases in medial tibia paBMD and BML regression (OR = 1.7 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1 to 2.8)) and a similar trend for BML progression (OR = 1.6 (95% CI = 1.0 to 2.6]). We also detected associations between greater increase in M:L paBMD and BML regression (OR = 1.6 (95% CI = 1.0 to 2.7]) and BML progression (OR = 1.8 (95% CI = 1.1 to 3.0)), although BML regression had borderline statistical significance. The frequency of sclerosis progression in the medial tibia (n = 14) was greater among knees with BML progression or regression compared with knees without BML change (P = 0.01 and P = 0.04, respectively).

Conclusion

BML regression and BML progression are characterized by concurrent increases in paBMD and sclerosis, which are characteristic of increased radiographic osteoarthritis severity. At least during 24 months, BML regression is not representative of improvement in other periarticular bone measures.
Stress-dose hydrocortisone reduces critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency associated with severe traumatic brain injury in rats
Authors: Chen Xin , Zhao Zilong , Chai Yan , Luo Lanlan , Jiang Rongcai , Dong Jingfei , Zhang Jianning
Published: October 2013

Introduction

The spectrum of critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI) in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is not fully defined and no effective treatments for TBI-induced CIRCI are available to date. Despite growing interest in the use of stress-dose hydrocortisone as a potential therapy for CIRCI, there remains a paucity of data regarding its benefits following severe TBI. This study was designed to investigate the effects of stress-dose hydrocortisone on CIRCI development and neurological outcomes in a rat model of severe traumatic brain injury.

Methods

Rats were subjected to lateral fluid percussion injury of 3.2-3.5 atmosphere. These rats were then treated with either a stress-dose hydrocortisone (HC, 3 mg/kg/d for 5 days, 1.5 mg/kg on day 6, and 0.75 mg on day 7), a low-dose methylprednisolone (MP, 1 mg/kg/d for 5 days, 0.5 mg/kg on day 6, and 0.25 mg on day 7) or control saline solution intraperitoneally daily for 7 days after injury.

Results

We investigated the effects of stress-dose HC on the mortality, CIRCI occurrence, and neurological deficits using an electrical stimulation test to assess corticosteroid response and modified neurological severity score (mNSS). We also studied pathological changes in the hypothalamus, especially in the paraventricular nuclei (PVN), after stress-dose HC or a low dose of MP was administered, including apoptosis detected by a TUNEL assay, blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability assessed by brain water content and Evans Blue extravasation into the cerebral parenchyma, and BBB integrity evaluated by CD31 and claudin-5 expression. We made the following observations. First, 70% injured rats developed CIRCI, with a peak incidence on post-injury day 7. The TBI-associated CIRCI was closely correlated with an increased mortality and delayed neurological recovery. Second, post-injury administration of stress-dose HC, but not MP or saline increased corticosteroid response, prevented CIRCI, reduced mortality, and improved neurological function during the first 14 days post injury dosing. Thirdly, these beneficial effects were closely related to improved vascular function by the preservation of tight junctions in surviving endothelial cells, and reduced neural apoptosis in the PVN of hypothalamus.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that post-injury administration of stress-dose HC, but not MP reduces CIRCI and improves neurological recovery. These improvements are associated with reducing the damage to the tight junction of vascular endothelial cells and blocking neuronal apoptosis in the PVN of the hypothalamus.
Pitfalls locating microseismic events from borehole measurements — Practical observations from field applications
Authors: Cabarcas Carlos
Published: October 2013

Borehole microseismic monitoring of hydraulic fracturing is among the best tools for reservoir stimulation evaluation. After decades of research and execution, the technique has gained a well-deserved place within the engineering toolbox. Moreover, in recent years, its popularity has increased exponentially, together with the development of unconventional resources. However, while involved with a significant number of borehole microseismic monitoring campaigns, I noticed that it is a common practice to overlook fundamental principles during the location of microseismic events. This may lead to potentially erroneous hydraulic fracturing assessments. Examples of microseismic results qualitatively illustrate this assertion showing poor recording, velocity models, processing constraints, and display. They also underscore the interpreter’s role in ensuring the most reasonable outcome from a microseismic hydraulic fracture evaluation. In this respect, any conclusion derived from a microseismic experiment should be fully supported by a thorough understanding of the impact that multiple acquisition and processing assumptions have on the interpretation, as is the case for all other geophysical techniques. Ultimately, my intent is to raise awareness of some common pitfalls while also providing recommendations to increase the value of a microseismic monitoring exercise.
Simulating Building Motions Using Ratios of the Building's Natural Frequencies and a Timoshenko Beam Model
Authors: Cheng Ming Hei , Heaton Thomas H.
Published: October 2013

A simple prismatic Timoshenko beam model with soil-structure interaction (SSI) is developed to approximate the dynamic linear elastic behavior of buildings. A closed-form solution with complete vibration modes is derived. It is demonstrated that building properties, including mode shapes, can be derived from knowledge of the natural frequencies of the first two translational modes in a particular direction and from the building dimensions. In many cases, the natural frequencies of a building's first two vibrational modes can be determined from data recorded by a single seismometer. The total building's vibration response can then be simulated by the appropriate modal summation. Preliminary analysis is performed on the Caltech Millikan Library, which has significant bending deformation because it is much stiffer in shear.
Conditional Mean Spectra in Site-Specific Seismic Hazard Evaluation for a Major River Crossing in the Central United States
Authors: Hashash Youssef M. A. , Abrahamson Norman A. , Olson Scott M. , Hague Steve , Kim Byungmin
Published: October 2013

Current seismic design practice often relies on the use of the uniform hazard response spectrum (UHRS), which implicitly includes motions from multiple earthquake sources and envelops possible spectra, yet does not represent a single event. Seismic hazard analyses at the site of a major Mississippi River crossing near St. Louis, Missouri, showed bimodal seismic hazard dominated by small, nearby earthquakes at short periods and large, distant earthquakes in the New Madrid seismic zone at long periods. UHRS motions resulted in large seismic demands and predictions of pervasive liquefaction that were inconsistent with historical and geologic records. UHRS-compatible conditional mean spectra (CMS) were developed to bridge deterministic and probabilistic seismic hazard evaluations, and used to evaluate liquefaction, lateral spreading, and settlement potential. The computed response was consistent with the historical and geologic record. CMSs offer hazard-compatible alternatives to the UHRS and result in seismic demand consistent with historical and geologic evidence.
Synthesis of Bi2Te3 Urchin-like Nanorods by a Microwave–Solvothermal Method
Authors: Jiang Ya , Zeng Wei , Fang Yi
Published: October 2013

Nanocrystalline Bi2Te3 (nanospheres with diameters of 50–500 nm, urchin-like nanorods with diameters ranging from 5 to 15 nm and lengths ranging from 40 to 100 nm) has been successfully synthesized by a microwave–solvothermal method using TeO2, Bi(NO3)3·5H2O, and HNO3 in a solvent of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-400). Compared with other reaction systems, less reagents and reductant-free conditions were important factors to simplify the reaction process.
Introduction of an Arylethynyl Group onto an Anthracene Bisimide Core for Molecular Design of New π-Conjugated Compounds
Authors: Iwanaga Tetsuo , Tanaka Ryo , Toyota Shinji
Published: October 2013

Novel ethynylated anthracene bisimide (ABI) derivatives were synthesized by Sonogashira and Stille couplings, and the electronic spectra of the new compounds were compared with those of molecules with related structures. The absorption spectrum and the electrochemical data of the ABI with a 9-anthrylethynyl group suggested weak electronic interactions between the donor anthracene unit and the acceptor ABI unit.
Visualization of the joining of ribosomal subunits reveals the presence of 80S ribosomes in the nucleus
Authors: Al-Jubran Khalid , Wen Jikai , Abdullahi Akilu , Roy Chaudhury Subhendu , Li Min , Ramanathan Preethi , Matina Annunziata , De Sandip , Piechocki Kim , Rugjee Kushal Nivriti , Brogna Saverio
Published: October 2013

In eukaryotes the 40S and 60S ribosomal subunits are assembled in the nucleolus, but there appear to be mechanisms preventing mRNA binding, 80S formation, and initiation of translation in the nucleus. To visualize association between ribosomal subunits, we tagged pairs of Drosophila ribosomal proteins (RPs) located in different subunits with mutually complementing halves of fluorescent proteins. Pairs of tagged RPs expected to interact, or be adjacent in the 80S structure, showed strong fluorescence, while pairs that were not in close proximity did not. Moreover, the complementation signal is found in ribosomal fractions and it was enhanced by translation elongation inhibitors and reduced by initiation inhibitors. Our technique achieved 80S visualization both in cultured cells and in fly tissues in vivo. Notably, while the main 80S signal was in the cytoplasm, clear signals were also seen in the nucleolus and at other nuclear sites. Furthermore, we detected rapid puromycin incorporation in the nucleolus and at transcription sites, providing an independent indication of functional 80S in the nucleolus and 80S association with nascent transcripts.
Long-Term Care, Altruism and Socialization
Authors: Ponthiere Gregory
Published: October 2013

The public provision of long-term care (LTC) can replace family-provided LTC when adults are not sufficiently altruistic towards their parents. But State intervention can modify the transmission of values and reduce the long-run prevalence of family altruism. To characterize the optimal LTC policy, we develop a three-period OLG model where the adult population is divided into altruistic and non-altruistic agents, and where the transmission of altruism follows a socialization process `a la Bisin and Verdier (2001, The economics of cultural transmission and the dynamics of preferences. Journal of Economic Theory 97:298–319). It is shown that public LTC benefits, by reducing parental investment in children, make the long-run survival of family altruism less likely. However, whether crowding out arises or not depends on individual preferences and on the socialization mechanism at work. We also study the incompatibility of the optimal short-run LTC benefits with long-run social welfare maximization. Finally, we discuss the robustness of our results to introducing savings and universal LTC benefits.
Reference values of fetal serum β2-microglobulin in the Chinese: evaluation of its clinical usefulness
Authors: Hu Suwei , Wu Jing , Lu Dan , Dai Yan , Mai Mingqin , Wei Ran , Liu Qian , Jiang Wei , Zhong Yanfang
Published: October 2013

Background: The level of β2-microglobulin was generally used to evaluate the renal function in adults. Elevated levels of β2-microglobulin were also applied to assess the perinatal situations in neonates and fetuses. The aim of our study was to establish and determine the reference values of fetal serum β2-microglobulin in the Chinese and to assess its clinical benefits in abnormal fetuses.

Methods: Data from 308 normal cord blood samples were obtained to calculate the normal reference values of fetal serum β2-microglobulin. According to the equations we obtained, we analyzed the level of β2-microglobulin in four case groups: renal malformation, hydrops, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and rubella virus (RV) infection.

Results: In the normal group, the concentration of β2-microglobulin decreased with the gestational age, with a mean value of 4.35±0.59 mg/L. The upper limit of β2-microglobulin was calculated as 7.55–0.074×gestational age in weeks. The levels of β2-microglobulin were significantly higher in the four case groups than the normal group. For the four groups, the sensitivity is 72.7%, 69.6%, 86.7% and 100%, respectively.

Conclusions: Fetal serum β2-microglobulin may be used as a predictor to evaluate the situations of fetal diseases.
Pressure Dependence of the Thermodynamic Quantities in Phase II of Solid Benzene
Authors: Yurtseven H. , Sevinc E.
Published: October 2013

The thermodynamic quantities such as the thermal expansion (αp), isothermal compressibility (KT) and the specific heat (CP − CV), are predicted at various pressures up to 26 GPa (T = 540 K) in the solid phase II of benzene using volume data from the literature. The Pippard relations are examined using the pressure dependence of αp, KT and CP − CV and the value of the slope dP/dT is deduced for the solid phase II of benzene. The thermodynamic quantities studied here decrease with increasing pressure, as expected, which can be compared with the experimental measurements for the solid phase II of benzene. We find that the Pippard relations are validated within the pressure range considered, in particular, at high pressures for the solid phase II of this molecular crystal.
Testing for Neglected Nonlinearity Using Artificial Neural Networks with Many Randomized Hidden Unit Activations
Authors: Lee Tae-Hwy , Xi Zhou , Zhang Ru
Published: October 2013

This paper makes a simple but previously neglected point with regard to an empirical application of the test of White (1989) and Lee, White, and Granger (LWG, 1993), for neglected nonlinearity in conditional mean, using the feedforward single layer artificial neural network (ANN). Because the activation parameters in the hidden layer are not identified under the null hypothesis of linearity, LWG suggested to activate the ANN hidden units based on the randomly generated activation parameters. Their Monte Carlo experiments demonstrated the excellent performance (good size and power), even if LWG considered a fairly small number (10 or 20) of random hidden unit activations. However, in this paper, we note that the good size and power of Monte Carlo experiments are the average frequencies of rejecting the null hypothsis over multiple replications of the data generating process. The average over many simulations in Monte Carlo smooths out the randomness of the activations. In an empirical study, unlike in a Monte Carlo study, multiple realizations of the data are not possible or available. In this case, the ANN test is sensitive to the randomly generated activation parameters. One solution is the use of Bonferroni bounds as suggested by LWG (1993), which however still exhibits some excessive dependence on the random activations (as shown in this paper). Another solution is to integrate the test statistic over the nuisance parameter space, for which however, bootstrap or simulation should be used to obtain the null distribution of the integrated statistic. In this paper, we consider a much simpler solution that is shown to work very well. That is, we simply increase the number of randomized hidden unit activations to a (very) large number (e.g. 1,000). We show that using many randomly generated activation parameters can robustify the performance of the ANN test when it is applied to a real empirical data. This robustification is reliable and useful in practice and can be achieved at no cost as increasing the number of random activations is almost costless given today’s computer technology.
Asymptotic Behavior of Temporal Aggregates in the Frequency Domain
Authors: Hassler Uwe , Tsai Henghsiu
Published: October 2013

The classical aggregation result by Tiao (1972,Asymptotic Behavior of Temporal Aggregates of Time Series, Biometrika 59, 525–531) is generalized for a weak set of assumptions. The innovations driving the integrated processes are only required to be stationary with integrable spectral density. The derivation is settled in the frequency domain. In case of fractional integration, it is demonstrated that the order of integration is preserved with growing aggregation under the same set of assumptions.
Similarity in the generalization of implicitly learned sound patterns
Authors: Cristia Alejandrina , Mielke Jeff , Daland Robert , Peperkamp Sharon
Published: October 2013

It is likely that generalization of implicitly learned sound patterns to novel words and sounds is structured by a similarity metric, but how may this metric best be captured? We report on an experiment where participants were exposed to an artificial phonology, and frequency ratings were used to probe implicit abstraction of onset statistics. Non-words bearing an onset that was presented during initial exposure were subsequently rated most frequent, indicating that participants generalized onset statistics to new non-words. Participants also rated non-words with untrained onsets as somewhat frequent, indicating generalization to onsets that had not been used during the exposure phase. While generalization could be accounted for in terms of featural distance, it was insensitive to natural class structure. Generalization to untrained sounds was predicted better by models requiring prior linguistic knowledge (either traditional distinctive features or articulatory phonetic information) than by a model based on a linguistically naive measure of acoustic similarity.
What determines duration-based rhythm measures: text or speaker?
Authors: Loukina Anastassia , Rosner Burton , Kochanski Greg , Keane Elinor , Shih Chilin
Published: October 2013

Differences in rhythm between languages have been often attributed to differences in phonological properties such as syllable structure. This paper uses quantitative analyses to determine whether and how popular duration-based rhythm measures depend on the phonological structure of a language. Native speakers of five languages read a large corpus of comparable texts (approximately 371,000 syllables in total). Phonological properties of each language were specified as 11 variables, computed from the phonetic transcriptions. These variables were compared against published rhythm measures that captured variation in duration of consonantal and vocalic intervals. While the text-based measures discriminated well between languages, the values of rhythm measures overlapped substantially, showing that the languages are more alike in acoustic implementation than in their phonological description. Multilevel models demonstrated that the mapping between phonological properties and acoustics is much weaker than previously assumed: linear effects of the phonological variables explained less than a quarter of the total variance in rhythm measures. Instead, speaker was the main source of variation in those measures. Rhythm, in the sense of durational variability, depends far more on individual timing strategies than on the phonological structure of a language.
An explanation for phonological word-final vowel shortening: Evidence from Tokyo Japanese
Authors: Nakai Satsuki
Published: October 2013

This paper offers an account for the cross-linguistic prevalence of phonological word-final vowel shortening, in the face of phonetic final lengthening, also commonly observed across languages. Two contributing factors are hypothesized: (1) an overlap in the durational distributions of short and long vowel phonemes across positions in the utterance can lead to the misidentification of phonemic vowel length and (2) the direction of bias in such misidentification is determined by the distributional properties of the short and long vowel phonemes in the region of the durational overlap. Because short vowel phonemes are typically more frequent in occurrence and less variable in duration than long vowel phonemes, long vowel phonemes are more likely to be misidentified than short vowel phonemes. Results of production and perception studies in Tokyo Japanese support these hypotheses.
miR-9 and miR-140-5p TargetFoxP2and Are Regulated as a Function of the Social Context of Singing Behavior in Zebra Finches
Authors: Shi Zhimin , Luo Guanzheng , Fu Lijuan , Fang Zhide , Wang XiuJie , Li XiaoChing
Published: October 2013

Mutations in theFOXP2gene cause speech and language impairments, accompanied by structural and functional abnormalities in brain regions underlying speech-related sensory-motor processing, including the striatum and cerebellum. The sequence and expression patterns ofFOXP2are highly conserved among higher vertebrates. In the zebra finch brain,FoxP2is expressed in Area X, a striatal nucleus required for vocal learning, and reducedFoxP2expression impairs dendritic development and vocal learning. TheFoxP2gene encodes a transcription factor that controls the expression of many downstream genes. However, howFOXP2gene expression is regulated is not clearly understood. miRNAs regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally by targeting the 3′-untranslated regions (UTRs) of mRNAs, leading to translational suppression or mRNA degradation. In this study, we identified miR-9 and miR-140-5p as potential regulators of theFoxP2gene. We show that both miR-9 and miR-140-5p target specific sequences in theFoxP23′-UTR and downregulate FoxP2 protein and mRNA expressionin vitro. We also show that the expression of miR-9 and miR-140-5p in Area X of the zebra finch brain is regulated during song development in juvenile zebra finches. We further show that in adult zebra finches the expression of miR-9 and miR-140-5p in Area X is regulated as a function of the social context of song behavior in males singing undirected songs. Our findings reveal a post-transcriptional mechanism that regulatesFoxP2expression and suggest that social vocal behavior can influence the basal ganglia circuit controlling vocal learning via a miRNA-FoxP2gene regulatory network.
A Hierarchy of Attentional Priority Signals in Human Frontoparietal Cortex
Authors: Liu Taosheng , Hou Youyang
Published: October 2013

Humans can voluntarily attend to a variety of visual attributes to serve behavioral goals. Voluntary attention is believed to be controlled by a network of dorsal frontoparietal areas. However, it is unknown how neural signals representing behavioral relevance (attentional priority) for different attributes are organized in this network. Computational studies have suggested that a hierarchical organization reflecting the similarity structure of the task demands provides an efficient and flexible neural representation. Here we examined the structure of attentional priority using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Participants were cued to attend to location, color, or motion direction within the same stimulus. We found a hierarchical structure emerging in frontoparietal areas, such that multivoxel patterns for attending to spatial locations were most distinct from those for attending to features, and the latter were further clustered into different dimensions (color vs motion). These results provide novel evidence for the organization of the attentional control signals at the level of distributed neural activity. The hierarchical organization provides a computationally efficient scheme to support flexible top-down control.
α2-Chimaerin Regulates a Key Axon Guidance Transition during Development of the Oculomotor Projection
Authors: Clark Christopher , Austen Oliver , Poparic Ivana , Guthrie Sarah
Published: October 2013

The ocular motor system consists of three nerves which innervate six muscles to control eye movements. In humans, defective development of this system leads to eye movement disorders, such as Duane Retraction Syndrome, which can result from mutations in the α2-chimaerin signaling molecule. We have used the zebrafish to model the role of α2-chimaerin during development of the ocular motor system. We first mapped ocular motor spatiotemporal development, which occurs between 24 and 72 h postfertilization (hpf), with the oculomotor nerve following an invariant sequence of growth and branching to its muscle targets. We identified 52 hpf as a key axon guidance “transition,” when oculomotor axons reach the orbit and select their muscle targets. Live imaging and quantitation showed that, at 52 hpf, axons undergo a switch in behavior, with striking changes in the dynamics of filopodia. We tested the role of α2-chimaerin in this guidance process and found that axons expressing gain-of-function α2-chimaerin isoforms failed to undergo the 52 hpf transition in filopodial dynamics, leading to axon stalling. α2-chimaerin loss of function led to ecotopic and misguided branching and hypoplasia of oculomotor axons; embryos had defective eye movements as measured by the optokinetic reflex. Manipulation of chimaerin signaling in oculomotor neuronsin vitroled to changes in microtubule stability. These findings demonstrate that a correct level of α2-chimaerin signaling is required for key oculomotor axon guidance decisions, and provide a zebrafish model for Duane Retraction Syndrome.
Integration of Direction Cues Is Invariant to the Temporal Gap between Them
Authors: Kiani Roozbeh , Churchland Anne K. , Shadlen Michael N.
Published: October 2013

Many decisions involve integration of evidence conferred by discrete cues over time. However, the neural mechanism of this integration is poorly understood. Several decision-making models suggest that integration of evidence is implemented by a dynamic system whose state evolves toward a stable point representing the decision outcome. The internal dynamics of such point attractor models render them sensitive to the temporal gaps between cues because their internal forces push the state forward once it is dislodged from the initial stable point. We asked whether human subjects are as sensitive to such temporal gaps. Subjects reported the net direction of stochastic random dot motion, which was presented in one or two brief observation windows (pulses). Pulse strength and interpulse interval varied randomly from trial to trial. We found that subjects' performance was largely invariant to the interpulse intervals up to at least 1 s. The findings question the implementation of the integration process via mechanisms that rely on autonomous changes of network state. The mechanism should be capable of freezing the state of the network at a variety of firing rate levels during temporal gaps between the cues, compatible with a line of stable attractor states.
Saccade Modulation by Optical and Electrical Stimulation in the Macaque Frontal Eye Field
Authors: Ohayon Shay , Grimaldi Piercesare , Schweers Nicole , Tsao Doris Y.
Published: October 2013

Recent studies have demonstrated that strong neural modulations can be evoked with optogenetic stimulation in macaque motor cortex without observing any evoked movements (Han et al., 2009, 2011; Diester et al., 2011). It remains unclear why such perturbations do not generate movements and if conditions exist under which they may evoke movements. In this study, we examine the effects of five optogenetic constructs in the macaque frontal eye field and use electrical microstimulation to assess whether optical perturbation of the local network leads to observable motor changes during optical, electrical, and combined stimulation. We report a significant increase in the probability of evoking saccadic eye movements when low current electrical stimulation is coupled to optical stimulation compared with when electrical stimulation is used alone. Experiments combining channelrhodopsin 2 (ChR2) and electrical stimulation with simultaneous fMRI revealed no discernible fMRI activity at the electrode tip with optical stimulation but strong activity with electrical stimulation. Our findings suggest that stimulation with current ChR2 optogenetic constructs generates subthreshold activity that contributes to the initiation of movements but, in most cases, is not sufficient to evoke a motor response.
Long-Lasting Spinal Oxytocin Analgesia Is Ensured by the Stimulation of Allopregnanolone Synthesis Which Potentiates GABAAReceptor-Mediated Synaptic Inhibition
Authors: Juif Pierre-Eric , Breton Jean-Didier , Rajalu Mathieu , Charlet Alexandre , Goumon Yannick , Poisbeau Pierrick
Published: October 2013

Hypothalamospinal control of spinal pain processing by oxytocin (OT) has received a lot of attention in recent years because of its potency to reduce pain symptoms in inflammatory and neuropathic conditions. However, cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying OT spinal antinociception are still poorly understood. In this study, we used biochemical, electrophysiological, and behavioral approaches to demonstrate that OT levels are elevated in the spinal cord of rats exhibiting pain symptoms, 24 h after the induction of inflammation with an intraplantar injection of λ-carrageenan. Using a selective OT receptor antagonist, we demonstrate that this elevated OT content is responsible for a tonic analgesia exerted on both mechanical and thermal modalities. This phenomenon appeared to be mediated by an OT receptor-mediated stimulation of neurosteroidogenesis, which leads to an increase in GABAAreceptor-mediated synaptic inhibition in lamina II spinal cord neurons. We also provide evidence that this novel mechanism of OT-mediated spinal antinociception may be controlled by extracellular signal-related protein kinases, ERK1/2, after OT receptor activation. The oxytocinergic inhibitory control of spinal pain processing is emerging as an interesting target for future therapies since it recruits several molecular mechanisms, which are likely to exert a long-lasting analgesia through nongenomic and possibly genomic effects.
The Hand Sees Visual Periphery Better Than the Eye: Motor-Dependent Visual Motion Analyses
Authors: Gomi Hiroaki , Abekawa Naotoshi , Shimojo Shinsuke
Published: October 2013

Information pertaining to visual motion is used in the brain not only for conscious perception but also for various kinds of motor controls. In contrast to the increasing amount of evidence supporting the dissociation of visual processing for action versus perception, it is less clear whether the analysis of visual input is shared for characterizing various motor outputs, which require different kinds of interactions with environments. Here we show that, in human visuomotor control, motion analysis for quick hand control is distinct from that for quick eye control in terms of spatiotemporal analysis and spatial integration. The amplitudes of implicit and quick hand and eye responses induced by visual motion stimuli differently varied with stimulus size and pattern smoothness (e.g., spatial frequency). Surprisingly, the hand response did not decrease even when the visual motion with a coarse pattern was mostly occluded over the visual center, whereas the eye response markedly decreased. Since these contrasts cannot be ascribed to any difference in motor dynamics, they clearly indicate different spatial integration of visual motion for the individual motor systems. Going against the overly unified hierarchical view of visual analysis, our data suggest that visual motion analyses are separately tailored from early levels to individual motor modalities. Namely, the hand and eyes see the external world differently.
Effects of Escherichia coli- and Staphylococcus aureus-induced mastitis in lactating cows on oocyte developmental competence
Authors: Asaf S , Leitner G , Furman O , Lavon Y , Kalo D , Wolfenson D , Roth Z
Published: October 2013

Mastitis is associated with decreased fertility in dairy cows. In the current study, we created an experimental model to simulate short-term mastitis by a single intramammary administration of Gram-negative endotoxin ofEscherichia coliorigin (G−), or Gram-positive toxin ofStaphylococcus aureusorigin (G+), to examine the effect of mastitis on oocyte developmental competence. Healthy Holstein cows were synchronized, and follicular fluid (FF) of cows treated with G+ or G− and of uninfected cows (controls) was aspirated from the preovulatory follicles by transvaginal ultrasound procedure. The aspirated FF was used as maturation medium forin vitroembryo production. The distribution of matured oocytes into different cortical granule classes and meiotic stages was affected by G− administration (P<0.05) but not by G+ administration. The proportion of oocytes that cleaved to two- and four-cell stage embryos (44 h postfertilization) was lower in both G+ and G− groups than in controls (P<0.05). Blastocyst formation rate (7–8 days postfertilization) was lower in the G− group (P<0.05) and numerically lower in the G+ group compared with their uninfected counterparts. The total cell number in blastocysts did not differ among groups; however, the apoptotic index was higher in the G+ group (P<0.05), but not in the G− group, relative to controls. Examining mRNA relative abundance in oocytes and early embryos revealed mastitis-induced alterations inPTGS2(COX2),POU5F1, andHSF1but not inSLC2A1(GLUT1) orGDF9. Results indicate a differential disruptive effect of mastitis induced by G− and G+ on oocyte developmental competence in association with alterations in maternal gene expression.
Diagrammatic scale for the assessment of blast on wheat spikes
Authors: Maciel João Leodato Nunes , Danelli Anderson Luiz Durante , Boaretto Cristina , Forcelini Carlos Alberto
Published: October 2013

The correct quantification of blast caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae on wheat (Triticum aestivum) spikes is an important component to understand the development of this disease aimed at its control. Visual quantification based on a diagrammatic scale can be a practical and efficient strategy that has already proven to be useful against several plant pathosystems, including diseases affecting wheat spikes like glume blotch and fusarium head blight. Spikes showing different disease severity values were collected from a wheat field with the aim of elaborating a diagrammatic scale to quantify blast severity on wheat spikes. The spikes were photographed and blast severity was determined by using resources of the software ImageJ. A diagrammatic scale was developed with the following disease severity values: 3.7, 7.5, 21.4, 30.5, 43.8, 57.3, 68.1, 86.0, and 100.0%. An asymptomatic spike was added to the scale. Scale validation was performed by eight people who estimated blast severity by using digitalized images of 40 wheat spikes. The precision and the accuracy of the evaluations varied according to the rater (0.82<R²<0.90, -6.12<a<2.94, 0.85<b<1.16), and systematic errors in overestimating or underestimating the disease were not found among the raters, demonstrating that the developed scale is suitable to evaluate blast on wheat spikes.