bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of anger rumination and autism spectrum disorder–linked perseveration in the experience of aggression in the general population
Authors: Pugliese Cara E , Fritz Matthew S , White Susan W
Published: September 2014

This study (a) examined the role of anger rumination as a mediator of the relation between social anxiety and the experience of anger, hostility, and aggression, in the general population, and (b) evaluated the degree to which the presence of autism spectrum disorder characteristics moderates the indirect influence of anger rumination. We then explored whether social cognition and perseveration characteristic of autism spectrum disorder uniquely accounted for the predicted moderation. In this survey study of young adults ( n = 948), anger rumination mediated the relation between social anxiety and hostility, as well as verbal and physical aggression, as predicted. Greater autism spectrum disorder characteristics augmented the effect of social anxiety on hostility and physical aggression by increasing the effect of anger rumination, but not by increasing the effect of social anxiety on anger rumination. Implications for developing treatment approaches that target hostility and aggression among young adults who may not be formally diagnosed but have characteristics of autism spectrum disorder are discussed.
The relationship between criminology studies and punitive attitudes
Authors: Chen Gila , Einat Tomer
Published: September 2014

Policymakers and researchers have long been interested in the punitive attitudes of police and correctional officers. This research examined the punitive attitudes of 206 police and correctional officers at the beginning and towards the end of academic studies. The results indicate that (a) the police officers held more punitive attitudes compared with the correctional officers; (b) the correctional officers, but not the police officers, held less punitive attitudes in the last year than in the first year of studies; (c) male police officers generally held more punitive attitudes than their female counterparts; (d) belief in classical theories, which was found to be the strongest predictor of harsher punitive attitudes, was greater among police than correctional officers. The implications of the results are discussed.
Optimizing metric access methods for querying and mining complex data types
Authors: de Souza Jessica Andressa , Razente Humberto Luiz , N Barioni Maria Camila
Published: September 2014

Background

There are several application scenarios that can take advantage from the efficient processing of similarity operations in complex data types, such as multimedia data. Among them, it is possible to mention the execution of more complex query types (e.g., similarity queries) and several well-known data mining algorithms (e.g., data clustering) that are directly based on similarity computations. In order to speed up the similarity-based comparisons performed by these approaches, it is possible to store the dataset in specialized data structures known as metric access methods (MAM).

Methods

In this article we present four node split policies that can be employed in the construction of M-tree, the pioneer dynamic MAM, and of Slim-tree, the M-tree successor.

Results

These policies allow faster tree construction, as they result in better distribution of elements on the tree nodes and require less distance calculations when compared with the previously proposed ones. Furthermore, trees built with these policies have shown to be more efficient for techniques that require similarity computations, such as nearest neighbors queries and data clustering algorithms.

Conclusion

The experimental results show that trees built with the proposed policies outperform those built with the original ones with regard to the number of disk accesses, the amount of distance calculations, and the time required to run the queries.
Illuminating affects: Sexual violence as a crime against humanity. The Argentine case
Authors: Macon Cecilia
Published: September 2014

This paper analyses testimonies of sexual violence provided in the context of the current trials in Argentina for crimes against humanity, in order to assess the role played by affects, both in historical representation and in the constitution of agency. Regarding these matters, it is important to stress that the concept of victimisation has been analyzed within the framework of gender theories in radical opposition to that of agency: the passiveness of the injury vis-à-vis the power of the action. It is my understanding that, throughout the analysis of what I call “metatestimonies”, meaning what victims express about their experiences of giving testimony, lies the possibility of challenging such a dichotomy. This is particularly the case when these metatestimonies are scrutinised under the scope of affects. My field research, based on interviews with testifiers and on observations of the trials, seeks to contradict observations that sustain that these testimonies victimise women twice by having them re-enact their trauma.
Aging and energetics’ ‘Top 40’ future research opportunities 2010-2013
Authors: Allison David B. , Antoine Lisa H. , Ballinger Scott W. , Bamman Marcas M. , Biga Peggy , Darley-Usmar Victor M. , Fisher Gordon , Gohlke Julia M. , Halade Ganesh V. , Hartman John L. , Hunter Gary R. , Messina Joseph L. , Nagy Tim R. , Plaisance Eric P. , Powell Mickie L. , Roth Kevin A. , Sandel Michael W. , Schwartz Tonia S. , Smith Daniel L. , Sweatt J. David , Tollefsbol Trygve O. , Watts Stephen A. , Yang Yongbin , Zhang Jianhua , Austad Steven N.
Published: September 2014

Background: As part of a coordinated effort to expand our research activity at the interface of Aging and Energetics a team of investigators at The University of Alabama at Birmingham systematically assayed and catalogued the top research priorities identified in leading publications in that domain, believing the result would be useful to the scientific community at large.

Objective: To identify research priorities and opportunities in the domain of aging and energetics as advocated in the 40 most cited papers related to aging and energetics in the last 4 years.

Design: The investigators conducted a search for papers on aging and energetics in Scopus, ranked the resulting papers by number of times they were cited, and selected the ten most-cited papers in each of the four years that include 2010 to 2013, inclusive.

Results:   Ten research categories were identified from the 40 papers.  These included: (1) Calorie restriction (CR) longevity response, (2) role of mTOR (mechanistic target of Rapamycin) and related factors in lifespan extension, (3) nutrient effects beyond energy (especially resveratrol, omega-3 fatty acids, and selected amino acids), 4) autophagy and increased longevity and health, (5) aging-associated predictors of chronic disease, (6) use and effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), (7) telomeres relative to aging and energetics, (8) accretion and effects of body fat, (9) the aging heart,  and (10) mitochondria, reactive oxygen species, and cellular energetics.

Conclusion: The field is rich with exciting opportunities to build upon our existing knowledge about the relations among aspects of aging and aspects of energetics and to better understand the mechanisms which connect them.
Morpho-functional manifestations of acute respiratory distress syndrome and its correction by microwave radiation in the experiment
Authors: Никифоров  , Nikiforov V. , Терехов  , Terekhov I. , Хадарцев  , Khadartsev Aleksandr , Бондарь  , Bondar S.
Published: September 2014

Microwave irradiation of animals on the frequency of the resonance transparency of aqueous media at the power flux density 10 NW/cm2 didn’t accompanied by a statistically significant effect on the severity of experimental acute respiratory distress syndrome. Analysis of the distribution of pulmonary index, as an indicator of the severity of the alveolar-capillary disorders, suggests that while the power flux density of microwave radiation 10NW/cm2, its normalization occurs in 40% of the animals. It is noted that in this capacity, there is a reduction in the proportion of animals with lung index in the range of 8-12% from 60 to 20% (p=0.011). The statistical analysis revealed significant differences distributions it absolute values in this group and the comparison group, in which microwave irradiation hasn’t been conducted (χ2=36,4; р=0,001). Microwave irradiation with the power flux density 50 NW/cm2 is manifested by normalization of pulmonary index in 83% of the animals. However, in 17% of animals subjected to such exposure it was noted the high conservation values of the index, which doesn’t exceed 12 units. The increase of power of microwave radiation of up to 80 NW/cm2 is accompanied by normalization of the manifestations of acute distress syndrome in 77% of the animals (p<0.001). The analysis showed that the effect of microwave radiation on the cell culture of whole blood in low power flux density is accompanied by growth in supernatant the concentration bradikinin by 5.6% (p=0.37), NO by 0.54% (p=0,81) and Pg I2 by 0.35% (p=0,87). It is noted that with the increase of density of up to 50 NW/cm2, further increasing the concentration bradikinin by 34.6% (p=0.033), NO by 1.43% (p=0.21), Pg I2 by 0.91% (p=0,76) in comparison with control occurs. A further increase to 80 NW/cm2 contributed to the growth of the concentration bradikinin by 38.3% (p=0.01), NO by 2,33% (p=0,17) and Pg I2 – by 1,4% (р=0,17).
Genetic limk of the biologiacal activity of sapropel in the Astrakhan region with the source animal and plant material
Authors: Платонов  , Platonov V. , Хадарцев  , Khadartsev Aleksandr , Фридзон  , Fridzon K.
Published: September 2014

Genetic link of features of flora and fauna of meadow and higher vegetation of the Akhtubinsky floodplain in village Sasykoli of the Astrakhan region with chemical composition and biological activity of the source of sapropel and different preparations on its basis was established.
Vocational Guidance System for 9th-Class Students
Authors: Белова  , Belova T.
Published: September 2014

The paper considers issues related to creating an efficient vocational guidance system for 9th-class students aimed at facilitating the juvenile to get selfdetermineв professionally based on their personal likes, capabilities and individual traits and with account for the demand and supply balance at the city’s and the regional labor market. The correspondent elective course is designed for the 9th-class students.
Reflexionsspiele
Authors: Albrecht Steffen
Published: September 2014

Jürgen Habermas' Modell der deliberativen Demokratie gilt als zentrales Paradigma der politischen Theorie. Die kommunikationstheoretischen Annahmen über Diskurse werden allerdings durch die zunehmend alltägliche Onlinekommunikation in Frage gestellt. Welche Strukturen der Partizipation entstehen in politischen Diskursen im Internet? Und welche Dynamik prägt die Diskussion? Diesen Fragen geht der Autor in einem empirischen Vergleich von neun Onlinediskursen nach. Die Ergebnisse der explorativen Studie führen zu einer Neubestimmung des Zusammenhangs von diskursiver Kommunikation und ihren Wirkungen, der als »Reflexionsspiel« gefasst und ausgearbeitet wird.
Bildung und Habitustransformation
Authors: Rosenberg Florian von
Published: September 2014

Ausgangspunkt dieses Bandes ist ein Bildungsbegriff, der die Transformation von Selbst- und Weltverhältnissen aus der Perspektive einer Theorie der Praxis in den Blick nimmt. Auf der Grundlage von vierzehn biographischen Interviews werden typische Phasen von Bildungsprozessen rekonstruiert, um so Einblicke in die Mikrostruktur von Habituswandlungen und Habitustransformationen zu erlangen. In einem Wechselspiel zwischen empirischen Rekonstruktionen und bildungstheoretischen Reflexionen werden zudem Möglichkeiten ausgelotet, eine bildungstheoretisch orientierte Biographieforschung an eine empirisch informierte Gesellschaftstheorie anzuschließen. Ein innovativer Ansatz, der die Kluft zwischen Bildungstheorie und empirischer Bildungsforschung überwindet und den Feld-Begriff als Komplement zum Habitus-Begriff für die Analyse von Bildungsprozessen erschließt.
Supporting individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: A summary of effective practices
Authors: Riggie Jennifer L. , Xu Tingting
Published: September 2014

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a lifelong condition that significantly affects the individual’s learning, development, behavior, family, and quality of life. Diagnosing children with this condition and providing effective supports is challenging for professionals because little intervention research has been performed with the population. This is frustrating for caregivers who often take an active role in their child’s life to ensure that needs are met. This article summarizes quantitative and qualitative studies that have targeted learning and behavioral interventions that aim to support children with FASD and their families. Research suggests that practices accommodating children’s neurocognitive and neurobehavioral deficits are likely to produce positive outcomes. Interventions that include the family are also promising in their effectiveness. Extra attention needs to focus on early intervention for infants and toddlers and interventions that can promote the self-determination of adults with FASD. Additional directions for future research are provided along with policy and practice implications.
Beyond the brick walls: Homeschooling students with special needs
Authors: Cook Kathleen B. , Bennett Katie E. , Lane Justin D. , Mataras Theologia K.
Published: September 2014

The percentage of children with special needs receiving academic instruction at home has substantially increased since a resurgence of homeschooling during the 1990s. In light of this information, the purpose of this article was to provide an overview of the history and laws related to homeschooling, the characteristics of homeschool families, and the relevant issues that parents of children with disabilities encountered when choosing to homeschool. This is followed by a discussion of the reasons parents chose to homeschool their children with special needs, as well as the current state of research on homeschooling students with disabilities. Finally, suggestions related to homeschooling students with disabilities were made for future researchers, parents, and public school educators.
Early Exposure to People with Physical and Sensory Disabilities and Later Attitudes Toward Social Interactions and Inclusion
Authors: Lund Emily M. , Seekins Tom
Published: September 2014

This study assessed the relationship between exposure to classmates with visible impairments in primary and secondary schools with later attitudes toward people with disabilities.  Fifty college students (mean age = 20.28 years; 76% female) completed measures assessing the extent and quality of recalled exposure to classmates with disabilities in elementary and secondary school. Attitudes toward social inclusion and toward a hypothetical social interaction were also measured. Participants reported generally high levels and quality of exposure, with significantly more exposure at the secondary level. Quality of exposure at both the elementary and secondary levels was significantly (p < .01) correlated with more positive cognitions (i.e., thoughts) during a hypothetical social interaction. Cognitions were not significantly correlated with emotions or behaviors and amount of elementary exposure was negatively correlated with attitudes to social inclusion (p < .05). These results suggest a possible relation between positive early experiences and later friendship intentions that should be further explored.
Debata: Po co nam prawa człowieka?
Authors: Juchacz Piotr W.
Published: September 2014

The debate Why do we need human rights? took place on April 10th, 2013 at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań. It was a part of the conference Philosophy is changing the world! organized under the auspices of Public Philosophy & Democratic Education journal. The participants of the debate were the youth from middle and high schools in Poznań and Greater Poland and invited experts from the Institute of Philosophy, AMU: Dr. Karolina M. Cern, Dr. Andrzej W. Nowak, Dr. Krzysztof Przybyszewski. Discussion was moderated by Dr. Piotr W. Juchacz. Youth was asking, inter alia, about what human rights are and how freedom is understood within human rights; whether human rights are associated with the European culture or have universal character; whether international documents relating to human rights are fully respected in Poland; and whether attempts at restricting the access to certain content on the Internet is a violation of human rights.
Akzeptanzanalyse der virtuellen Forschungsumgebung von Edumeres.net
Authors: Gätzke Natalia , Mandl Thomas , Strötgen Robert
Published: September 2014

Im letzten Jahrzehnt etablierte sich eine Vielzahl wissenschaftlicher Netzwerke im Rahmen unterschiedlicher Forschungsdisziplinen. Darunter auch die sogenannten virtuellen Forschungsumgebungen, die darauf abzielen, die Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler in ihrem Forschungsprozess effektiv zu unterstützen und ein disziplin- und länderübergreifendes Kommunizieren, Interagieren und Forschen zu ermöglichen. Anders als bei einer Vielzahl innovativer Informationssysteme wurde der Akzeptanz virtueller Forschungsumgebungen vergleichsweise nur wenig Aufmerksamkeit gewidmet. Dabei sind es die Anzahl der Nutzer sowie ihre Akzeptanz des Konzepts, die über Erfolg und Scheitern einer virtuellen Forschungsumgebung entscheiden. Am Beispiel der virtuellen Forschungsumgebung von Edumeres.net werden im Folgenden eben diese Akzeptanzfaktoren aufgezeigt. Darüber hinaus werden weitere Faktoren beleuchtet, die in der Vergangenheit eine dauerhafte Nutzung von Edumeres.net verhinderten.
Autism: cause factors, early diagnosis and therapies
Authors: Bhat Shreya , Acharya U. Rajendra , Adeli Hojjat , Bairy G. Muralidhar , Adeli Amir
Published: September 2014

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurobiological disorder characterized by neuropsychological and behavioral deficits. Cognitive impairment, lack of social skills, and stereotyped behavior are the major autistic symptoms, visible after a certain age. It is one of the fastest growing disabilities. Its current prevalence rate in the U.S. estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is 1 in 68 births. The genetic and physiological structure of the brain is studied to determine the pathology of autism, but diagnosis of autism at an early age is challenging due to the existing phenotypic and etiological heterogeneity among ASD individuals. Volumetric and neuroimaging techniques are explored to elucidate the neuroanatomy of the ASD brain. Nuroanatomical, neurochemical, and neuroimaging biomarkers can help in the early diagnosis and treatment of ASD. This paper presents a review of the types of autism, etiologies, early detection, and treatment of ASD.
Constrained inference in multiple regression with structural changes
Authors: Chen Fuqi , Nkurunziza Sévérien
Published: September 2014

In this paper, we study an inference problem for the regression
coefficients in some multivariate regression models with multiple
change-points occurring at unknown times, when the regression
coefficients may satisfy some restrictions. The hypothesized
restriction is more general than that given in recent literature.
Under a weaker assumption than that given in recent literature, we
derive the joint asymptotic normality of the restricted and
unrestricted estimators. Finally, we construct a test for the
hypothesized restriction and derive its asymptotic power.
Synaptopodin Regulates Spine Plasticity: Mediation by Calcium Stores
Authors: Korkotian Eduard , Frotscher Michael , Segal Menahem
Published: September 2014

The role of synaptopodin (SP), an actin-binding protein residing in dendritic spines, in synaptic plasticity was studied in dissociated cultures of hippocampus taken from control and SP knock-out (SPKO) mice. Unlike controls, SPKO cultures were unable to express changes in network activity or morphological plasticity after intense activation of their NMDA receptors. SPKO neurons were transfected with SP-GFP, such that the only SP resident in these neurons is the fluorescent species. The localization and intensity of the transfected SP were similar to that of the native one. Because less than half of the spines in the transfected neurons contained SP, comparisons were made between SP-containing (SP(+)) and SP lacking (SP(−)) spines in the same dendritic segments. Synaptic plasticity was induced either in the entire network by facilitation of the activation of the NMDA receptor, or specifically by local flash photolysis of caged glutamate. After activation, spines that were endowed with SP puncta were much more likely to expand than SP(−) spines. The spine expansion was suppressed by thapsigargin, which disables calcium stores. The mechanism through which SP may promote plasticity is indicated by the observations that STIM-1, the sensor of calcium concentration in stores, and Orai-1, the calcium-induced calcium entry channel, are colocalized with SP, in the same dendritic spines. The structural basis of SP is likely to be the spine apparatus, found in control but not in SPKO cells. These results indicate that SP has an essential, calcium store-related role in regulating synaptic plasticity in cultured hippocampal neurons.
Linking Macroscale Graph Analytical Organization to Microscale Neuroarchitectonics in the Macaque Connectome
Authors: Scholtens Lianne H. , Schmidt Ruben , de Reus Marcel A. , van den Heuvel Martijn P.
Published: September 2014

Macroscale connectivity of the mammalian brain has been shown to display several characteristics of an efficient communication network architecture. In parallel, at the microscopic scale, histological studies have extensively revealed large interregional variation in cortical neural architectonics. However, how these two “scales” of cerebrum organization are linked remains an open question. Collating and combining data across multiple studies on the cortical cytoarchitecture of the macaque cortex with information on macroscale anatomical wiring derived from tract tracing studies, this study focuses on examining the interplay between macroscale organization of the macaque connectome and microscale cortical neuronal architecture. Our findings show that both macroscale degree as well as the topological role in the overall network are related to the level of neuronal complexity of cortical regions at the microscale, showing (among several effects) a positive overall association between macroscale degree and metrics of microscale pyramidal complexity. Macroscale hub regions, together forming a densely interconnected “rich club,” are noted to display a high level of neuronal complexity, findings supportive of a high level of integrative neuronal processes to occur in these regions. Together, we report on cross-scale observations that jointly suggest that a region's microscale neuronal architecture is tuned to its role in the global brain network.
Neuronal Somata and Extrasomal Compartments Play Distinct Roles during Synapse Formation betweenLymnaeaNeurons
Authors: Xu Fenglian , Luk Collin C. , Wiersma-Meems Ryanne , Baehre Kelly , Herman Cameron , Zaidi Wali , Wong Noelle , Syed Naweed I.
Published: September 2014

Proper synapse formation is pivotal for all nervous system functions. However, the precise mechanisms remain elusive. Moreover, compared with the neuromuscular junction, steps regulating the synaptogenic program at central cholinergic synapses remain poorly defined. In this study, we identified different roles of neuronal compartments (somal vs extrasomal) in chemical and electrical synaptogenesis. Specifically, the electrically synapsedLymnaeapedal dorsal A cluster neurons were used to study electrical synapses, whereas chemical synaptic partners, visceral dorsal 4 (presynaptic, cholinergic), and left pedal dorsal 1 (LPeD1; postsynaptic) were explored for chemical synapse formation. Neurons were cultured in a soma–soma or soma–axon configuration and synapses explored electrophysiologically. We provide the first direct evidence that electrical synapses develop in a soma–soma, but not soma–axon (removal of soma) configuration, indicating the requirement of gene transcription regulation in the somata of both synaptic partners. In addition, the soma–soma electrical coupling was contingent upon trophic factors present inLymnaeabrain-conditioned medium. Further, we demonstrate that chemical (cholinergic) synapses between soma–soma and soma–axon pairs were indistinguishable, with both exhibiting a high degree of contact site and target cell type specificity. We also provide direct evidence that presynaptic cell contact-mediated, clustering of postsynaptic cholinergic receptors at the synaptic site requires transmitter–receptor interaction, receptor internalization, and a protein kinase C-dependent lateral migration toward the contact site. This study provides novel insights into synaptogenesis between central neurons revealing both distinct and synergistic roles of cell–cell signaling and extrinsic trophic factors in executing the synaptogenic program.
Opposing Role of NMDA Receptor GluN2B and GluN2D in Somatosensory Development and Maturation
Authors: Yamasaki Miwako , Okada Rieko , Takasaki Chihiro , Toki Shima , Fukaya Masahiro , Natsume Rie , Sakimura Kenji , Mishina Masayoshi , Shirakawa Tetsuo , Watanabe Masahiko
Published: September 2014

Development of correct topographical connections between peripheral receptors and central somatosensory stations requires activity-dependent synapse refinement, in which the NMDA type of glutamate receptors plays a key role. Here we compared functional roles of GluN2B (GluRε2 or NR2B) and GluN2D (GluRε4 or NR2D), two major regulatory subunits of neonatal NMDA receptors, in development of whisker-related patterning at trigeminal relay stations. Compared with control littermates, both the appearance of whisker-related patterning and the termination of the critical period, as assessed by unilateral infraorbital nerve transection, were delayed by nearly a day in the somatosensory cortex of GluN2B+/−mice but advanced by nearly a day in GluN2D−/−mice. Similar temporal shifts were found at subcortical relay stations in the thalamus and brainstem of GluN2B+/−and GluN2D−/−mice. In comparison, the magnitude of lesion-induced critical period plasticity in the somatosensory cortex, as assessed following row-C whisker removal, was normal in both mutants. Thus, GluN2B and GluN2D play counteractive roles in temporal development and maturation of somatosensory maps without affecting the magnitude of critical period plasticity. To understand the opposing action, we then examined neuronal and synaptic expressions of the two subunits along the trigeminal pathway. At each trigeminal station, GluN2B was predominant at asymmetrical synapses of non-GABAergic neurons, whereas GluN2D was selective to asymmetrical synapses of GABAergic neurons. Together, our findings suggest that GluN2B expressed at glutamatergic synapses on glutamatergic projection neurons facilitates refinement of ascending pathway synapses directly, whereas GluN2D expressed at glutamatergic synapses on GABAergic interneurons delays it indirectly.
VGluT3+Primary Afferents Play Distinct Roles in Mechanical and Cold Hypersensitivity Depending on Pain Etiology
Authors: Draxler Peter , Honsek Silke Doris , Forsthuber Liesbeth , Hadschieff Viktoria , Sandkühler Jürgen
Published: September 2014

Sensory nerve fibers differ not only with respect to their sensory modalities and conduction velocities, but also in their relative roles for pain hypersensitivity. It is presently largely unknown which types of sensory afferents contribute to various forms of neuropathic and inflammatory pain hypersensitivity. Vesicular glutamate transporter 3-positive (VGluT3+) primary afferents, for example, have been implicated in mechanical hypersensitivity after inflammation, but their role in neuropathic pain remains under debate. Here, we investigated a possible etiology-dependent contribution of VGluT3+fibers to mechanical and cold hypersensitivity in different models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. In addition toVGluT3−/−mice, we usedVGluT3-channelrhodopsin 2mice to selectively stimulate VGluT3+sensory afferents by blue light, and to assess light-evoked behavior in freely moving mice. We show thatVGluT3−/−mice develop reduced mechanical hypersensitivity upon carrageenan injection. Both mechanical and cold hypersensitivity were reduced inVGluT3−/−mice in neuropathic pain evoked by the chemotherapeutic oxaliplatin, but not in the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model of the sciatic nerve. Further, we provide direct evidence that, despite not mediating painful stimuli in naive mice, activation of VGluT3+sensory fibers by light elicits pain behavior in the oxaliplatin but not the CCI model. Immunohistochemical and electrophysiological data support a role of transient receptor potential melastatin 8-mediated facilitation of synaptic strength at the level of the dorsal horn as an underlying mechanism. Together, we demonstrate that VGluT3+fibers contribute in an etiology-dependent manner to the development of mechano-cold hypersensitivity.
Knockdown of CRF1 Receptors in the Ventral Tegmental Area Attenuates Cue- and Acute Food Deprivation Stress-Induced Cocaine Seeking in Mice
Authors: Chen Nicola A. , Jupp Bianca , Sztainberg Yehezkel , Lebow Maya , Brown Robyn M. , Kim Jee Hyun , Chen Alon , Lawrence Andrew J.
Published: September 2014

Corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) modulates the influence of stress on cocaine reward and reward seeking acting at multiple sites, including the ventral tegmental area (VTA). There is controversy, however, concerning the contribution of CRF receptor type 1 (CRFR1) to this effect and whether CRF within the VTA is involved in other aspects of reward seeking independent of acute stress. Here we examine the role of CRFR1 within the VTA in relation to cocaine and natural reward using viral delivery of short hairpin RNAs (lenti-shCRFR1) and investigate the effect on operant self-administration and motivation to self-administer, as well as stress- and cue-induced reward seeking in mice. While knockdown of CRFR1 in the VTA had no effect on self-administration behavior for either cocaine or sucrose, it effectively blocked acute food deprivation stress-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking. We also observed reduced cue-induced cocaine seeking assessed in a single extinction session after extended abstinence, but cue-induced sucrose seeking was unaffected, suggesting dissociation between the contribution of CRFR1 in the VTA in cocaine reward and sucrose and cocaine seeking. Further, our data indicate a role for VTA CRFR1 signaling in cocaine seeking associated with, and independent of, stress potentially involving conditioning and/or salience attribution of cocaine reward-related cues. CRFR1 signaling in the VTA therefore presents a target for convergent effects of both cue- and stress-induced cocaine-seeking pathways.
Responses of Prefrontal Multisensory Neurons to Mismatching Faces and Vocalizations
Authors: Diehl Maria M. , Romanski Lizabeth M.
Published: September 2014

Social communication relies on the integration of auditory and visual information, which are present in faces and vocalizations. Evidence suggests that the integration of information from multiple sources enhances perception compared with the processing of a unimodal stimulus. Our previous studies demonstrated that single neurons in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) of the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) respond to and integrate conspecific vocalizations and their accompanying facial gestures. We were therefore interested in how VLPFC neurons respond differentially to matching (congruent) and mismatching (incongruent) faces and vocalizations. We recorded VLPFC neurons during the presentation of movies with congruent or incongruent species-specific facial gestures and vocalizations as well as their unimodal components. Recordings showed that while many VLPFC units are multisensory and respond to faces, vocalizations, or their combination, a subset of neurons showed a significant change in neuronal activity in response to incongruent versus congruent vocalization movies. Among these neurons, we typically observed incongruent suppression during the early stimulus period and incongruent enhancement during the late stimulus period. Incongruent-responsive VLPFC neurons were both bimodal and nonlinear multisensory, fostering their ability to respond to changes in either modality of a face-vocalization stimulus. These results demonstrate that ventral prefrontal neurons respond to changes in either modality of an audiovisual stimulus, which is important in identity processing and for the integration of multisensory communication information.
CRISPR/Cas9 Mediates Efficient Conditional Mutagenesis inDrosophila
Authors: Xue Zhaoyu , Wu Menghua , Wen Kejia , Ren Menda , Long Li , Zhang Xuedi , Gao Guanjun
Published: September 2014

Existing transgenic RNA interference (RNAi) methods greatly facilitate functional genome studies via controlled silencing of targeted mRNA in Drosophila. Although the RNAi approach is extremely powerful, concerns still linger about its low efficiency. Here, we developed a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated conditional mutagenesis system by combining tissue-specific expression of Cas9 driven by the Gal4/upstream activating site system with various ubiquitously expressed guide RNA transgenes to effectively inactivate gene expression in a temporally and spatially controlled manner. Furthermore, by including multiple guide RNAs in a transgenic vector to target a single gene, we achieved a high degree of gene mutagenesis in specific tissues. The CRISPR/Cas9-mediated conditional mutagenesis system provides a simple and effective tool for gene function analysis, and complements the existing RNAi approach.
Management of gillnet fisheries in the south coast of the state of São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: MENDONÇA JOCEMAR T. , PEREIRA ALINEIDE L.C.
Published: September 2014

Gillnetting is one of the most practiced fishing methods adopted in the South of Brazil and has been increasingly expanding over the last years. This paper presents the characterization of the activity and discusses its management, in accordance to results from the discussions on the development of regulations on net fisheries in the South Coast Marine Protected Area (APAMLS) in the state of São Paulo. Gillnet fleets are formed by small-scale boats, with low autonomy, and lower fishing capacity, when compared to boats from other ports in the South and Southeast. However, the number of fishing units is high, reaching 1,709 units operating in the South coast of São Paulo in 2010. This kind of fleet uses several types of gillnets, and the activity may be classified according to the fishery type (industrial, coastal artisanal and estuarine artisanal). The activity was discussed in the APAMLS and the fishing industry, with the participation of all segments, and a proposal for gillnetting regulation was reached. The results suggested that gillnet length for industrial fisheries should be reduced by 30%. It must be emphasized that without effective inspection measures leading the fishing industry to believe in the enforcement of the proposal, private interests of the most influential political sectors may cause the process to retrocede.
Rare association between penile squamous cell carcinoma and parathyroid related peptide (PTH-rP) secretion
Authors: Trejo-Rosales Rogelio , Nevarez-Barragan Maria J. , Rosas-Jurado Mercedes G. , Perez-Diaz Ivan , Bezaury Ana Paula Piana
Published: September 2014

We report on a rare case of an adult with severe hypercalcemia secondary to the ectopic secretion of parathyroid-related peptide (PTH-rP) from a penile squamous cell cancer (PC). A patient of 47 years old was admitted with warty lesions and areas of ulceration covered by purulent material in a large area of the groin, scrotum and penis. Laboratory tests revealed severe hypercalcemia and elevation of PTH-rP; the biopsy reported PC. Hypercalcemia was successfully treated with zoledronic acid, however, the tumor displayed aggressive behavior, which resulted in a poor prognosis for the patient.
Probióticos na avicultura
Authors: Kuritza Leandro Nagae , Westphal Patrick , Santin Elizabeth
Published: September 2014

Com a proibição do uso de antibióticos como melhoradores de desempenho, aumentaram as pesquisas para desenvolver produtos alternativos que fossem eficientes para melhorar o desempenho zootécnico dos animais de produção e manter a saúde intestinal deles, por meio da redução de patógenos e da imuno modulação do trato gastrointestinal. O uso de probióticos já é conhecido há muito tempo, entretanto os mecanismos de ação destes produtos e a interação deles com o organismo animal hospedeiro estão sendo mais profundamente pesquisados agora. Sabe-se que os probióticos auxiliam no equilíbrio da microbiota intestinal, podendo, por meio deste efeito, melhorar o desempenho dos animais. Esta atividade se dá pela produção de diferentes metabólitos com ação antimicrobiana e também pela competição por sítios de ligação com bactérias patogênicas na mucosa do trato gastrointestinal ou através de imunomodulação no organismo animal. Devido a todas as ações dos probióticos, eles são utilizados como melhoradores de desempenho animal e também podem ser uma ferramenta para controle de enterobactérias de importância em saúde pública.
Simulating the effect of climate on star grass growth and quality and its capacity to support milk production in the tropical regions of Mexico
Authors: Angel Gilberto Yong , Silveira Vicente Celestino Pires , Nova Francisca Avilés , Ortega Octavio Alonso Castelán
Published: September 2014

The objective of the present study was to simulate the effect of the seasonal variation of climate on the nutritional value and dry matter yield of star grass and its capacity to support milk production alone or with concentrate supplementation in small-scale milk production systems in the tropical regions of Mexico. Two mathematical simulation models were used, the first model simulates the growth and yield of star grass (Cynodon plectostachyus), and the second model simulates the productive performance of dairy cows. Both models were integrated in a decision-making support system (DSSTROP). Model's predictions were validated by a calibration exercise for each data set from three experiments on the effect of concentrate supplementation on milk yield. The DSSTROP predictions and the results from the experiments were compared by regression analysis. The results suggest that the DSSTROP adequately predicts milk production (R2=0.74). The DSSTROP predictions suggest that milk production based solely on star grass may occur only between June to August. The highest milk yield (8.5kg cow-1 day-1) sustained solely on grass was achieved in June, followed by lower yields of <5kg cow-1 day-1 in July and August. Milk production without concentrates can be explained by the positive effects of the rain observed during June to August on grass growth, and to the fact that grass quality is best at the beginning of the rainy season. It is concluded that June to August is the best time of the year for milk production base solely on grass. It also was concluded that the use of large quantities of concentrates by farmers may be justified because milk production with star grass alone may not be possible especially during the dry season.
Survey of Minas frescal cheese from Southwest Minas Gerais for virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli isolates
Authors: Okura Mõnica Hitomi , Marin José Moacir
Published: September 2014

The soft cheese Minas frescal is one of the most popular cheese in Brazil, which is typically manufactured in small dairy farms under unsatisfactory hygiene conditions. To assess the risk involved in consumption of this cheese, virulence markers were investigated in 330 Escherichia coli strains isolated from 30 Minas frescal cheeses inspected by official government agency (SIF - serviço de inspeção federal), from 50 cheeses not inspected by SIF and 31 cheeses not inspected by SIF with spice added, all of them collected in the southwest of Minas Gerais State. The E. coli isolates were screened for the presence of Shiga toxin-encoding (stx 1 and stx 2), intimin (eae) genes and for the presence of (pap, sfa, afa) genes related to adhesion in epithelial cells. The only gene detected by PCR was the sfa gene at one isolate. The strains were also screened for resistance to 9 antimicrobial drugs. Predominant resistance was to cephalothin, tetracycline and streptomycin. Multidrug resistance was found among isolates from cheese with SIF (16.6%), cheese without SIF (8.0%) and cheese without SIF with spice added (30.0%) what is a reason for concern due to the high consumption of raw milk cheese by the Brazilian population.
Padronização de um modelo de infecção por Clostridium difficile em hamsters sírios Mesocricetus auratus
Authors: Silva Rodrigo Otávio Silveira , Guedes Roberto Maurício Carvalho , Gabardo Michelle de Paula , Oliveira Junior Carlos Augusto , Salvarani Felipe Masiero , Pires Prhiscylla Sadanã , Alves Guilherme Guerra , Lobato Francisco Carlos Faria
Published: September 2014

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi padronizar um modelo de infecção por Clostridium difficile (ICD) em hamsters sírios (Mesocricetus auratus). Para seleção dos isolados capazes de causar letalidade, cinco animais por grupo receberam uma dose de clindamicina (30mg kg-1) por gavagem. Após 48 horas, administraram-se 107 unidades formadoras de colônia (UFC), por animal, de quatro diferentes isolados toxigênicos de C. difficile. Selecinou-se um dos isolados capazes de causar diarreia e letalidade e administrou-se 4x102; 4x104; 4x106; 4x108UFC por animal, novamente com cinco hamsters por grupo. Em todas as diluições testadas, foi possível observar a ocorrência de diarreia e morte. A maior concentração testada (4x108UFC por animal) causou óbito de 100% dos hamsters do grupo. Todos os animais que vieram a óbito apresentaram tiflite hemorrágica, foram positivos para as toxinas A/B e foi possível isolar C. difficile do conteúdo intestinal, confirmando a reprodução experimental da doença. A dose letal para 50% da população foi estabelecida em 6,3x104UFC por animal. O modelo de indução de ICD em hamsters descritos no presente estudo passa a ser uma ferramenta valiosa para estudos relativos à patogenia, tratamento e controle dessa doença.
Literacia e consciência histórica
Authors: Barca Isabel
Published: September 2014

A ideia de literacia histórica - enquanto conjunto de competências de interpretação e compreensão do passado - surge associada à proposta de desenvolvimento da consciência histórica, tal como defende Peter Lee. Esta necessidade de orientação temporal exige identificações múltiplas, a várias escalas (do local ao global), e a consideração de pontos de vista diversificados, apresentados quer por historiadores quer por outras fontes para a História. Assumindo a relevância desta problemática para a formação da consciência histórica, é pertinente interrogarmo-nos acerca de como desenvolvem os alunos universitários (futuros professores de História) as suas competências de literacia histórica. No âmbito da disciplina de Metodologia do Ensino da História, no 4º ano da Licenciatura em Ensino de História (Universidade do Minho), explorararam-se as seguintes questões de investigação: 1) Que critérios utilizam os futuros professores de História quando decidem entre versões históricas diferentes? 2) Como é que estes futuros professores fundamentam os seus argumentos a favor ou contra uma determinada versão? Aos dezoito alunos do curso participantes neste estudo, foi proposta uma tarefa de avaliação de dois textos históricos, um de Luís de Albuquerque, historiador português, outro de Sanjay Subrahmanyam, historiador indiano, sobre a primeira viagem marítima dos portugueses à Índia (com suporte em várias fontes, nomeadamente um excerto do diário de viagem de Gama). Conjugando-se as dimensões de interpretação substantiva das mensagens com a de uso de critérios históricos, os dados sugeriram uma categorização global constituída por cinco níveis de ideias. Os padrões mais observados ligam-se a noções de viés (a validade histórica depende de uma maior ou menor neutralidade) ou de influência do contexto de produção nos historiadores. A aceitação da validade de versões diferentes, enquanto algo genuíno no conhecimento histórico, emergiu entre alguns poucos alunos universitários. Esta tipologia coincide com os níveis de idéias observados em adolescentes e crianças portuguesas, em estudos anteriores, embora os níveis mais elaborados apareçam mais frequentemente entre os alunos universitários.
Ensinar História no contexto das Ciências Sociais: princípios básicos
Authors: Prats Joaquín
Published: September 2014

A partir da discussão sobre a natureza e as relações entre as Ciências Sociais e a Educação, defende-se o ponto de vista de que para que as Ciências Sociais sejam disciplinas formativas e introduzam os alunos em um plano de aprendizagem que os faça descobrir a racionalidade da análise social, com toda a carga formativa que ela tem, é imprescindível que a educação ofereça uma didática dessas disciplinas que considere a natureza desse tipo de conhecimento. Nesse sentido, é indispensável que este conhecimento não seja diluído no que se denomina de Ciências Sociais, mas que se apresente configurado escolarmemente de maneira coerente com a ciência social que o produziu. Tomando como objeto a História, apresentam-se as finalidades e objetivos dessa disciplina, destacando suas potencialidades formativas. Problematiza-se seu ensino relembrando que além das dificuldades hermenêuticas que são inerentes a todo processo de transmissão de conhecimentos, seja qual for a sua natureza, a História reúne características que a transformam em um campo de aprendizagem com dificuldades especiais. Indica-se a necessidade de ensinar a História utilizando os instrumentos do historiador, derivando daí os métodos e técnicas de trabalho, que apontam para atividades que devem estar presentes em todo o processo didático, resumidas nos seguintes pontos: aprender a formular hipóteses; aprender a classificar fontes históricas; aprender a analisar fontes; aprender a analisar a credibilidade das fontes; e, por último, a aprendizagem da causalidade e a iniciação na explicação histórica.
Museus e Educação Histórica numa realidade contemporânea em transição
Authors: Nakou Irene
Published: September 2014

Mudanças contínuas em todas as esferas de nossas vidas parecem afetar a maneira como as pessoas enquanto indivíduos ou coletividades acessam, percebem e compreendem as realidades do presente e do passado. Diante de novas questões que se colocam, os museus e Educação Histórica não podem mais contar com a certeza adquirida pela experiência passada, pelas observações, estudos e pesquisas. É imperativo explorar esta realidade em mudança nos diferentes setores da vida, para que seja possível entender o papel dos museus e de outros locais da Educação Histórica nesse novo ambiente em transição. A maneira pela qual nós pensávamos e entendíamos a relação entre os museus e a Educação Histórica e, por esse motivo, ensinar, aprender e pesquisar História, devem ser reconsiderados, re-analisados e re-teorizados, levando-se em consideração a co-existência de ambos, suposições novas e tradicionais, conceitos e pré-conceitos, idéias, processos e realidades. Este trabalho discute as implicações do amplo uso da tecnologia eletrônica em relação ao aprendizado da História, especialmente no ambiente do museu, e noções do espaço em transição e processos de transição relacionados ao caráter virtual das percepções contemporâneas e representações da realidade e das fontes históricas. A discussão é baseada, principalmente, em observações relacionadas ao extenso uso público geral da História, especialmente da história oral, na esfera pública.