bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of dietary macronutrient composition and feeding frequency on fasting and postprandial hormone response in domestic cats
Authors: Deng Ping , Ridge Tonya K. , Graves Thomas K. , Spears Julie K. , Swanson Kelly S.
Published: December 2013

The objective was to evaluate the effects of dietary macronutrients and feeding frequency on blood glucose, insulin, total ghrelin and leptin. A total of twelve adult lean neutered male cats were used in three tests, all cross-over studies composed of a 15 d adaptation and blood sampling on day 16. In trial 1, differences between two- and four-meal feeding were tested. On day 16, blood samples were collected every 2 h for 24 h. In trial 2, macronutrient boluses were tested. Instead of the control diet, the morning meal on day 16 was replaced with an isoenergetic bolus of carbohydrate (maltodextrin), protein (chicken meat), fat or water. Fasted and ten postprandial blood samples were collected. In trial 3, diets high in fat (HF), protein (HP), carbohydrate (HC) or a control diet were tested. On day 16, fasted and ten postprandial blood samples were collected. Data were analysed to identify baseline and AUC changes. Cats fed four meals daily had greater (P = 0·03) leptin incremental AUC0–24 hcompared with cats fed twice daily. The carbohydrate bolus increased glucose (P < 0·001) and insulin (P < 0·001) incremental AUC0–6 hand tended to increase (P = 0·09) leptin net AUC0–6 h. Cats fed the control and HC diets had greater (P = 0·03) glucose incremental AUC compared with the HF and HP conditions. Circulating hormone data were highly variable and indicated changes due to dietary macronutrients and feeding frequency, but further study is needed to identify impacts on appetite and contributing mechanisms.
AUGE Y OCASO DEL CARBÓN MINERAL EN URUGUAY. UN ANÁLISIS HISTÓRICO DESDE FINES DEL SIGLO XIX HASTA LA ACTUALIDAD
Authors: Bertoni Reto , Román Carolina
Published: December 2013

The study of the rise and fall of mineral coal as an energy source can shed light on the characteristics of energy transition in Uruguay. This article presents historical series of coal consumption for Uruguay since the last decades of the 19th century until nowadays (1879-2011). The “coal era” can be placed in the first decades of the 20th century. The use of this mineral in four sectors may explain the dynamic of the coal consumption as a result of different trajectories that characterize the Uruguayan energy transition pattern of stops and goes. In addition, the article put forward three factors to explain the decisions to shift from coal to other energy sources: relative prices and freights, technological innovations and institutional aspects.
Life Recovery After Disasters: A Qualitative Study in the Iranian Context
Authors: Khankeh Hamidreza , Nakhaei Maryam , Masoumi Gholamreza , Hosseini Mohammadali , Parsa-Yekta Zohreh , Kurland Lisa , Castren Maaret
Published: December 2013

Introduction

Planned and organized long-term rehabilitation services should be provided to victims of a disaster for social integration, economic self-sufficiency, and psychological health. There are few studies on recovery and rehabilitation issues in disaster situations. This study explores the disaster-related rehabilitation process.

Method

This study was based on qualitative analysis. Participants included 18 individuals (eight male and ten female) with experience providing or receiving disaster health care or services. Participants were selected using purposeful sampling. Data were collected through in-depth and semi-structured interviews. All interviews were transcribed and content analysis was performed based on qualitative content analysis.

Results

The study explored three main concepts of recovery and rehabilitation after a disaster: 1) needs for health recovery; 2) intent to delegate responsibility; and 3) desire for a wide scope of social support. The participants of this study indicated that to provide comprehensive recovery services, important basic needs should be considered, including the need for physical rehabilitation, social rehabilitation, and livelihood health; the need for continuity of mental health care; and the need for family re-unification services. Providing social activation can help reintegrate affected people into the community.

Conclusion

Effective rehabilitation care for disaster victims requires a clear definition of the rehabilitation process at different levels of the community. Involving a wide set of those most likely to be affected by the process provides a comprehensive, continuous, culturally sensitive, and family-centered plan.

KhankehH,NakhaeiM,MasoumiG,HosseiniM,Parsa-YektaZ,KurlandL,CastrenM.Life recovery after disasters: a qualitative study in the Iranian context.Prehosp Disaster Med.2013;28(6):573-579.
Role of α1 adrenergic antagonism in the mechanism of action of iloperidone: reducing extrapyramidal symptoms
Authors: Stahl Stephen M.
Published: December 2013

ISSUE:The low incidence of extrapyramidal side effects associated with the atypical antipsychotic iloperidone may be linked to its unique binding profile of high affinity antagonism of both α1 adrenergic receptors and serotonin 2A receptors.
Accuracy of food portion size estimation from digital pictures acquired by a chest-worn camera
Authors: Jia Wenyan , Chen Hsin-Chen , Yue Yaofeng , Li Zhaoxin , Fernstrom John , Bai Yicheng , Li Chengliu , Sun Mingui
Published: December 2013

Objective

Accurate estimation of food portion size is of paramount importance in dietary studies. We have developed a small, chest-worn electronic device called eButton which automatically takes pictures of consumed foods for objective dietary assessment. From the acquired pictures, the food portion size can be calculated semi-automatically with the help of computer software. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the accuracy of the calculated food portion size (volumes) from eButton pictures.

Design

Participants wore an eButton during their lunch. The volume of food in each eButton picture was calculated using software. For comparison, three raters estimated the food volume by viewing the same picture. The actual volume was determined by physical measurement using seed displacement.

Setting

Dining room and offices in a research laboratory.

Subjects

Seven lab member volunteers.

Results

Images of 100 food samples (fifty Western and fifty Asian foods) were collected and each food volume was estimated from these images using software. The mean relative error between the estimated volume and the actual volume over all the samples was −2·8 % (95 % CI −6·8 %, 1·2 %) withsdof 20·4 %. For eighty-five samples, the food volumes determined by computer differed by no more than 30 % from the results of actual physical measurements. When the volume estimates by the computer and raters were compared, the computer estimates showed much less bias and variability.

Conclusions

From the same eButton pictures, the computer-based method provides more objective and accurate estimates of food volume than the visual estimation method.
Bottleneck and gene flow effects impact the genetic structure of seed-propagated apricot populations in Moroccan oasis agroecosystems
Authors: Mamouni Ali , El Bakkali Ahmed , Lambert Patrick , Krichen Lamia , Oukabli Ahmed , Audergon Jean Marc , Chatelet Philippe , El Modafar Cherkaoui , Khadari Bouchaib
Published: December 2013

In order to highlight the genetic status and origin of Moroccan apricot populations, trees were collected from ten oasis agroecosystems and analysed with AFLP markers. A total of 87 accessions and 12 cultivars grown in Moroccan orchards, including ‘Canino’ and ‘Del Patriarca’ cultivars, were surveyed and compared within situTunisian andex situMontfavet (France) collections. Our results highlighted a narrow genetic diversity in the Maghreb region (Tunisia and Morocco) associated with a strong differentiation from the other groups, which supports a bottleneck effect. A similar model was illustrated at a finer geographical scale, i.e. the Draa Valley in Morocco. Genetic structure appeared as two major clusters subdivided into six sub-clusters in which Moroccan germplasm constituted specific groups in comparison with other Mediterranean apricots. Moroccan germplasm was classified into three sub-clusters, two of which were formed by genotypes related to ‘Del Patriarca’ and ‘Canino’, respectively. The present study highlights the wide Moroccan apricot's diversity in traditional agroecosystems, and also suggests a substantial gene flow occurring from recently introduced cultivars (‘Canino’ and ‘Del Patriarca’) to local apricot populations, thus leading to local germplasm diversification through seedling propagation. If we consider its geographical position, the historical diffusion of the species and farming practices, Morocco could be viewed as an additional centre of secondary diversification for apricot. Understanding the origin and specificity of local apricot populations is crucial for managing local collections in regard to adaptive traits for arid and Saharan conditions as well as for introducing local genetic resources into current breeding programmes.
Das Autismus-spezifische soziale Kompetenztraining SOSTA-FRA für Kinder und Jugendliche mit Autismus-Spektrum-Störung
Authors: Freitag Christine M. , Cholemkery Hannah , Elsuni Leyla
Published: December 2013

Patienten mit Autismus-Spektrum-Störungen zeigen deutliche Einschränkungen der sozialen Interaktion und Kommunikation sowie stereotypes Verhalten und Sonderinteressen. Als therapeutische Methode der Wahl für Kinder und Jugendlichen mit durchschnittlichen kognitiven Fertigkeiten gelten autismusspezifische soziale Kompetenztrainings, anhand derer die beiden zentralen Bereiche der sozialen Interaktion und Kommunikation verbessert werden sollen. In der vorliegenden Studie wird der Effekt der neu entwickelten autismusspezifischen Gruppentherapie SOSTA-FRA auf die Verbesserung der sozialen Reaktivität im Elternurteil anhand einer Prä-Post-Studie untersucht. Zusätzlich werden globale Maße des Therapieerfolgs sowie Prozessvariablen bezogen auf die einzelnen Gruppentherapiesitzungen explorativ untersucht. Es zeigte sich ein mittlerer Effekt auf die Gesamt-SRS-Skala im Elternurteil. In der Selbstbeurteilung der Patienten zeigte sich eine gute Umsetzung selbst formulierter Therapieziele. Die SOSTA-FRA Gruppentherapie wird aktuell anhand einer multizentrischen randomisiert-kontrollierten Studie überprüft. Wenn der Effekt repliziert werden sollte, kann das Programm für die breite Anwendung in Kliniken, Praxen sowie spezialisierten Therapiezentren empfohlen werden.
Soziale Kognition bei Autismus-Spektrum-Störungen und Störungen des Sozialverhaltens
Authors: Schwenck Christina , Ciaramidaro Angela
Published: December 2013

Soziale Kognition umfasst eine Reihe von impliziten und expliziten Informationsverarbeitungsprozessen, die im Rahmen der sozialen Interaktion stattfinden, wie zum Beispiel die implizite Aufmerksamkeitszuwendung, die Emotionserkennung oder die Theory of Mind. Defizite in der sozialen Kognition werden im Zusammenhang mit Störungsbildern, zu deren Kernsymptomatik eine Störung in der sozialen Interaktion zählt, angenommen, darunter Autismus-Spektrum-Störungen (ASS) und Störungen des Sozialverhaltens (SSV). Die vorliegende Übersichtsarbeit gibt einen Einblick in den derzeitigen Forschungsstand mit einem Fokus auf Verhaltens- und Bildgebungsstudien über verschiedene Prozesse der sozialen Kognition bei diesen beiden Störungsbildern.
Besonderheiten in der multiaxialen Klassifizierung, Anamnese und Psychopathologie bei Kindern und Jugendlichen mit einer Autismus-Spektrum-Störung und einer Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/ Hyperaktivitätsstörung
Authors: Sinzig Judith , Vinzelberg Isabella , Bell Hannah , Quirmbach Linda
Published: December 2013

Ziel der vorliegenden Untersuchung war es, bei Kindern und Jugendlichen mit einer Autismus Spektrum Störung (ASS) ohne oder mit einer Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS) die Achsen des Multiaxialen Klassifikationsschemas (MAS), anamnestische Daten, sowie Ergebnisse psychopathologischer Fragebogenverfahren zu vergleichen. Insgesamt wurden 120 Patienten (Gruppe ASS: n=60; Gruppe ASS+ADHS: n=60) untersucht. Es wurden eigen- und familienanamnestische Daten, die sechs Achsen der MAS und testpsychologische Ergebnisse erhoben (MBAS, FSK, SRS, CBCL). Deskriptiv konnten in der Gruppe ASS+ADHS ein gehäufter Konsum schädlicher Substanzen durch die Mütter in der Schwangerschaft erhoben werden. In beiden Gruppen fand sich bei den Vätern gehäuft eine Tätigkeit in einem akademisch-technischen Beruf. Hinsichtlich der Fragebogenverfahren zeigte sich eine höhere externalisierende Psychopathologie für die Gruppe ASS+ADHS. Passend zu bisherigen Studien konnte bei den Patienten mit ASS und ADHS eine stärker ausgeprägte psychopathologische Belastung beschrieben werden, auf die bei Diagnostik und Therapie geachtet werden sollte.
Specifying the Contact Hypothesis in a Minority-Minority Context
Authors: Mähönen Tuuli Anna , Ihalainen Katriina , Jasinskaja-Lahti Inga
Published: December 2013

This survey study focused on the attitudes of Russian-speaking minority youth (N = 132) toward other immigrant groups living in Finland. Along with testing the basic tenet of the contact hypothesis in a minority-minority context, the mediating effect of intergroup anxiety and the moderating effect of perceived social norms on the contact-attitude association were specified by taking into account the identity processes involved in intergroup interactions. The results indicated, first, that the experience of intergroup anxiety evoked by a negative intergroup encounter was reflected in negative outgroup attitudes only among the weakly identified. Second, negative contact experiences of minority adolescents were found not to be reflected in negative attitudes when their ethnic identification was attenuated, and when they perceived positive norms regarding intergroup attitudes.
Beyond Mutual Acculturation
Authors: Dandy Justine , Pe-Pua Rogelia
Published: December 2013

In this paper we examine intercultural relations from a three-way perspective (among immigrants/refugees, Anglo-Australians, and Indigenous Australians) through the lens of social cohesion and its dimensions (belonging, inclusion, participation, recognition, and legitimacy). Our data are drawn from three community case studies involving 15 focus group discussions (138 community residents) and 54 key informant interviews (government and nongovernment service providers and community representatives). Our findings highlight the complexity of intergroup relations, with tensions driven largely by realistic threat concerns and perceived relative deprivation among Anglo-Australians and Indigenous Australians. These concerns intersected with intercultural recognition and national identity. Finally, there was a general lack of the kind of intergroup contact that would decrease prejudice. The findings are discussed in relation to acculturation research and the complexity of intergroup relations in plural societies.
Unveiling Naturalization
Authors: Fasel Nicole , Green Eva G. T. , Sarrasin Oriane
Published: December 2013

Anti-Muslim attitudes are widespread in Western countries, especially among conservative individuals. Yet, the Muslim veil sparks controversy across the ideological spectrum, potentially resulting in unwillingness to naturalize Muslim immigrants. Living in culturally diverse contexts is likely to affect how ideologies relate to anti-veil attitudes. This study examined the interplay between individual- and community-level ideologies and minority proportion in explaining anti-veil attitudes. Multilevel analyses with Swiss World Values Survey data (N = 1,006; 125 municipalities) revealed that individual-level conservatism and conservative ideological climates increased anti-veil attitudes. Minority proportion in a municipality (i.e., proportion of ex-Yugoslavs and Turks representing the largest Muslim groups) shaped the impact of conservative ideologies on both levels: Stronger anti-veil attitudes were found in highly conservative communities when minority proportion was high rather than low, whereas low rather than high minority proportion strengthened anti-veil attitudes for nonconformist individuals and in progressive communities. This research highlights the need to simultaneously examine conservative ideologies and immigrant presence to understand host societies’ views of immigrants’ cultural practices.
Impact of Particulate Matter Exposition on the Risk of Ischemic Stroke: Epidemiologic Evidence and Putative Mechanisms
Authors: von Bornstädt Daniel , Kunz Alexander , Endres Matthias
Published: December 2013

Ambient particulate matter (PM) pollution is estimated to be responsible for 3.2 million deaths annually worldwide. Although many studies have demonstrated PM as a serious risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, less is known on its association with cerebrovascular events. Over the last decade, however, an increasing number of studies have provided data showing a relationship between PM exposure and ischemic stroke (IS). In this article, we will report on existing epidemiologic findings for an association between PM exposure and IS based on a systemic literature search. Thus, despite inconsistencies in the results, currently available data suggest that PM exposure is a risk factor for IS, especially in patients with preexisting illnesses. With regards to the mechanisms leading to PM-dependent vascular damage, in particular proinflammatory, prooxidative, as well as proatherogenic pathways have been suggested to be involved. Notably, to date there is only one study published, which demonstrates the influence of PM exposure on cerebrovascular function. We will discuss reasonable approaches for future neurovascular research in this field.
Bone Marrow-Derived Endothelial Progenitor Cells Protect Postischemic Axons after Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Park Katya J , Park Eugene , Liu Elaine , Baker Andrew J
Published: December 2013

White matter sparing after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important predictor of survival and outcome. Blood vessels and axons are intimately associated anatomically and developmentally. Neural input is required for appropriate vascular patterning, and vascular signaling is important for neuron development and axon growth. Owing to this codependence between endothelial cells and axons during development and the contribution of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in ischemic injury, we hypothesized that EPCs are important in axonal survival after TBI. We examined the effects of allogenic-cultured EPCs on white matter protection and microvascular maintenance after midline fluid percussion injury in adult Sprague–Dawley rats. We used two in vitro models of injury, mechanical stretch and oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD), to examine the effects of EPCs on the mechanical and ischemic components of brain trauma, respectively. Our results indicate that EPCs improve the white matter integrity and decrease capillary breakdown after injury. Cultured cortical neurons exposed to OGD had less axon degeneration when treated with EPC-conditioned media, whereas no effect was seen in axons injured by mechanical stretch. The results indicate that EPCs are important for the protection of the white matter after trauma and represent a potential avenue for therapy.
Probing for DNA methylation with a voltammetric DNA detector
Authors: Saheb Amir , Patterson Stephanie , Josowicz Mira
Published: December 2013

Label-free electrochemical method for the detection of prostate cancer using a DNA biomarker.
Tuning the dimension of POM-based inorganic–organic hybrids from 3D self-penetrating framework to 1D poly-pendant chain via changing POM clusters and introducing secondary spacers
Authors: Li Shaobin , Ma Huiyuan , Pang Haijun , Zhang Zhuanfang , Yu Yan , Liu Heng , Yu Tingting
Published: December 2013

The four compounds show distinct structure motifs, which illustrate that the POMs and the secondary spacers are key factors to tune the dimension of the POM-based hybrids.
Mechanism of phenol oxidation by heterodinuclear Ni Cu bis(μ-oxo) complexes involving nucleophilic oxo groups
Authors: Kundu Subrata , Miceli Enrico , Farquhar Erik R. , Ray Kallol
Published: December 2013

Both PCET and HAT mechanisms can be feasible for the oxidation of phenols by heterodinuclear CuIII(μ-O)2NIII complexes.
Doping potassium ions in silver cyanide complexes for green luminescence
Authors: Liu Xi , Li Lin , Yang Yun-Zhi , Huang Kun-Lin
Published: December 2013

Two heterometallic silver–potassium cyanide complexes are synthesizedviasolvothermal reactions and diffusion processes, which exhibit green luminescence.
Effect of iron-carbide formation on the number of active sites in Fe–N–C catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in acidic media
Authors: Kramm Ulrike I. , Herrmann-Geppert Iris , Fiechter Sebastian , Zehl Gerald , Zizak Ivo , Dorbandt Iris , Schmeißer Dieter , Bogdanoff Peter
Published: December 2013

This work presents two strategies on how the disintegration of FeN4 sites by iron carbide formation can be avoided.
Anisotropic growth of gold nanoparticles using cationic gemini surfactants: effects of structure variations in head and tail groups
Authors: Jain Titoo , Tehrani-Bagha Ali R. , Shekhar Himanshu , Crawford Ross , Johnson Erik , Nørgaard Kasper , Holmberg Krister , Erhart Paul , Moth-Poulsen Kasper
Published: December 2013

The anisotropic growth of gold nanoparticles under the influence of gemini surfactants is studied. The growth mechanism is discussed using electronic structure calculation modeling.
Belief propagation‐based multiuser receivers in optical code‐division multiple access systems
Authors: Sedaghat Mohammad Ali , Nezamalhosseini Alireza , Saeedi Hamid , Marvasti Farokh
Published: December 2013

In this study, the authors investigate the performance of optical code‐division multiple access (OCDMA) systems with belief propagation (BP)‐based receivers. They propose three receivers for the optical fibre channel that provide a trade‐off between detecting complexity and system performance. The first proposed receiver achieves a performance very close to the so‐called known interference lower bound. The second receiver exhibits a considerably less complexity at the expense of a slight degradation in performance. They show that the third BP‐based receiver, which is a simplified version of the second receiver, is surprisingly the same as the so‐called multistage detector in OCDMA systems. They then study the problem of finding proper spreading codes for the proposed receivers. BP‐based receivers perform well if the graph corresponding to the spreading matrix has no short cycles. The probability of existence of short cycles directly depends on the sparsity of the spreading matrix. Therefore they look for sparse spreading matrices that are also uniquely detectable, that is, the corresponding input data vectors and the output spread vectors are in one‐to‐one correspondence. The existence of random uniquely detectable matrices (for which the elements are binary with equal probability) has already been proved by Edrös and Rényi when the dimensions of matrix tend to infinity. In this study, they prove the existence of sparse uniquely detectable spreading matrices in the large system limit, when the number of users and the number of chips approach infinity and their ratio is kept constant. For finite length systems, they propose to use optical codes with one chip interference between codes and show that they exhibit a better performance than random sparse codes.
Morphometric analysis of human embryos to predict developmental competence
Authors: Ziebe Søren
Published: December 2013

Morphometric and morphokinetic approaches toward embryo quality assessment have for many years been difficult due to technical limitations. Today, with improvements in laboratory techniques and subsequent quality, we have a better understanding of the morphometric and kinetics of embryo development. Fertility clinics are moving from “sensing” embryo quality to measuring embryo quality – and this is happening every day in fertility clinics all over the world. However, we cannot select for something that is not there. In daily clinical life it is almost never a question of selecting the optimal embryo, but rather choosing and prioritising between the available embryos. Data suggest that only approximately 5% of aspirated human oocytes have the competence to implant and develop into a child and that, in most treatment cycles, there is no oocyte capable of implanting. The most likely outcome is a negative pregnancy test, no matter what we choose in the laboratory. Still, both with the increasing complexity of infertile patients treated today and the important focus on reducing multiple pregnancies, it becomes increasingly important to improve our ability to predict the developmental competence of each embryo. This involves an improved understanding of the basic biology controlling early embryonic development and, over the years, many groups have tried to identify parameters reflecting embryonic competence.
Reproductive technologies and genomic selection in dairy cattle
Authors: Ponsart C. , Le Bourhis D. , Knijn H. , Fritz S. , Guyader-Joly C. , Otter T. , Lacaze S. , Charreaux F. , Schibler L. , Dupassieux D. , Mullaart E.
Published: December 2013

Genomic tools are now available for most livestock species and are used routinely for genomic selection (GS) in cattle. One of the most important developments resulting from the introduction of genomic testing for dairy cattle is the application of reasonably priced low-density single nucleotide polymorphism technology in the selection of females. In this context, combining genome testing and reproductive biotechnologies in young heifers enables new strategies to generate replacement and elite females in a given period of time. Moreover, multiple markers have been detected in biopsies of preimplantation stage embryos, thus paving the way to develop new strategies based on preimplantation diagnosis and the genetic screening of embryos. Based on recent advances in GS, the present review focuses on new possibilities inherent in reproductive technologies used for commercial purposes and in genetic schemes, possible side effects and beneficial impacts on reproductive efficiency. A particular focus is on the different steps allowing embryo genotyping, including embryo micromanipulation, DNA production and quality assessment.
Lipid bilayer nanodisc platform for investigating polyprenol-dependent enzyme interactions and activities
Authors: Hartley Meredith D. , Schneggenburger Philipp E. , Imperiali Barbara
Published: December 2013

Significance

Linear polyprenols are recurring molecular components in the biosynthetic pathways responsible for the assembly of essential glycoconjugates, including peptidoglycan and N-linked glycoproteins. Despite their highly conserved presence in all domains of life, the role of the extended linear polyprenyl groups in the dynamics of membrane-bound glycan assembly pathways remains a mystery. Here we apply the nanodisc model membrane platform to simultaneously assess the interactions and activities of the polyprenyl-linked substrates, enzymes, and lipid bilayer by investigating initial steps from the
Campylobacter jejuni
N-linked glycosylation pathway. This work represents a proof-of-concept demonstrating that nanodiscs can be used for the precise manipulation and study of polyprenol-dependent pathways.
PirB regulates a structural substrate for cortical plasticity
Authors: Djurisic Maja , Vidal George S. , Mann Miriam , Aharon Adam , Kim Taeho , Ferrao Santos Alexandre , Zuo Yi , Hübener Mark , Shatz Carla J.
Published: December 2013

Significance

Learning and memory are mediated by changes in synaptic structure and circuit connectivity; these changes are known as “synaptic plasticity.” In the normal brain, the amount of plasticity is fine tuned by regulating a balance between synaptic strengthening and weakening, both in a positive and a negative direction. Here we report that paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B (PirB), an innate immune receptor expressed by neurons, acts as a robust negative regulator of structural substrates for plasticity in visual cortex. Without PirB, there are excessive numbers of spines, accompanied by a shift in Hebbian plasticity favoring synaptic strengthening. These results suggest that PirB regulates spine density in cortex and imply that blocking PirB function could enhance cognition or recovery from injury.
Half-plane capacity and conformal radius
Authors: Rohde Steffen , Wong Carto
Published: December 2013

In this note, we show that the half-plane capacity of a subset of the upper half-plane is comparable to a simple geometric quantity, namely the euclidean area of the hyperbolic neighborhood of radius one of this set. This is achieved by proving a similar estimate for the conformal radius of a subdomain of the unit disc and by establishing a simple relation between these two quantities.
ISRNA: an integrative online toolkit for short reads from high-throughput sequencing data
Authors: Luo Guan-Zheng , Yang Wei , Ma Ying-Ke , Wang Xiu-Jie
Published: December 2013

Summary: Integrative Short Reads NAvigator (ISRNA) is an online toolkit for analyzing high-throughput small RNA sequencing data. Besides the high-speed genome mapping function, ISRNA provides statistics for genomic location, length distribution and nucleotide composition bias analysis of sequence reads. Number of reads mapped to known microRNAs and other classes of short non-coding RNAs, coverage of short reads on genes, expression abundance of sequence reads as well as some other analysis functions are also supported. The versatile search functions enable users to select sequence reads according to their sub-sequences, expression abundance, genomic location, relationship to genes, etc. A specialized genome browser is integrated to visualize the genomic distribution of short reads. ISRNA also supports management and comparison among multiple datasets.

Availability: ISRNA is implemented in Java/C++/Perl/MySQL and can be freely accessed at http://omicslab.genetics.ac.cn/ISRNA/.

Contact:  xjwang@genetics.ac.cn

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Measuring Care Continuity
Authors: Pollack Craig E. , Hussey Peter S. , Rudin Robert S. , Fox D. Steven , Lai Julie , Schneider Eric C.
Published: December 2013

Background:

Assessing care continuity is important in evaluating the impact of health care reform and changes to health care delivery. Multiple measures of care continuity have been developed for use with claims data.

Objective:

This study examined whether alternative continuity measures provide distinct assessments of coordination within predefined episodes of care.

Research Design and Subjects:

This was a retrospective cohort study using 2008–2009 claims files for a national 5% sample of beneficiaries with congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and diabetes mellitus.

Measures:

Correlations among 4 measures of care continuity—the Bice-Boxerman Continuity of Care Index, Herfindahl Index, usual provider of care, and Sequential Continuity of Care Index—were derived at the provider- and practice-levels.

Results:

Across the 3 conditions, results on 4 claims-based care coordination measures were highly correlated at the provider-level (Pearson correlation coefficient r=0.87–0.98) and practice-level (r=0.75–0.98). Correlation of the results was also high for the same measures between the provider- and practice-levels (r=0.65–0.92).

Conclusions:

Claims-based care continuity measures are all highly correlated with one another within episodes of care.
The evolution of cerebellum structure correlates with nest complexity
Authors: Hall Zachary J. , Street Sally E. , Healy Susan D.
Published: December 2013

Across the brains of different bird species, the cerebellum varies greatly in the amount of surface folding (foliation). The degree of cerebellar foliation is thought to correlate positively with the processing capacity of the cerebellum, supporting complex motor abilities, particularly manipulative skills. Here, we tested this hypothesis by investigating the relationship between cerebellar foliation and species-typical nest structure in birds. Increasing complexity of nest structure is a measure of a bird's ability to manipulate nesting material into the required shape. Consistent with our hypothesis, avian cerebellar foliation increases as the complexity of the nest built increases, setting the scene for the exploration of nest building at the neural level.
Motion dazzle: a locust's eye view
Authors: Santer Roger D.
Published: December 2013

Motion dazzle describes high-contrast patterns (e.g. zigzags on snakes and dazzle paint on World War I ships) that do not conceal an object, but inhibit an observer's perception of its motion. However, there is limited evidence for this phenomenon. Locusts have a pair of descending contralateral movement detector (DCMD) neurons which respond to predator-like looming objects and trigger escape responses. Within the network providing input to a DCMD, separate channels are excited when moving edges cause areas of the visual field to brighten or darken, respectively, and these stimuli interact antagonistically. When a looming square has an upper half and lower half that are both darker than background, it elicits a stronger DCMD response than the upper half does alone. However, when a looming square has a darker-than-background upper half and a brighter-than-background lower half, it elicits a weaker DCMD response than its upper half does alone. This effect allows high-contrast patterns to weaken and delay DCMD response parameters implicated in escape decisions, and is analogous to motion dazzle. However, the motion dazzle effect does not provide the best means of motion camouflage, because uniform bright squares, or low-contrast squares, elicit weaker DCMD responses than high-contrast, half dark, half bright squares.
Ignoring discards biases the assessment of fisheries' ecological fingerprint
Authors: Viana Mafalda , McNally Luke , Graham Norman , Reid David G. , Jackson Andrew L.
Published: December 2013

Understanding the pressures of fisheries on the ecosystem is crucial for effective management. Fishery removals, or catch, are composed of both landings and discards. However, the use of discards data in studies investigating the effect of the fishing pressures is sparse. Here, we explore the individual contribution of both these catch components to the overall pressure of fisheries on the ecosystem metrics. Using Irish observer data, we compare the linear relationship between several ecological metrics calculated for landings and discards with those of catch. Our results show that in fisheries with high discarding rates, discards can drive the fisheries’ ecological fingerprint and highlight the need to rectify landings-based estimates to make them representative of those of catch in order to gain a robust picture of the impact of fisheries.
Hydrodynamic coupling of two sharp-edged beams vibrating in a viscous fluid
Authors: Intartaglia Carmela , Soria Leonardo , Porfiri Maurizio
Published: December 2013

In this paper, we study flexural vibrations of two thin beams that are coupled through an otherwise quiescent viscous fluid. While most of the research has focused on isolated beams immersed in placid fluids, inertial and viscous hydrodynamic coupling is ubiquitous across a multitude of engineering and natural systems comprising arrays of flexible structures. In these cases, the distributed hydrodynamic loading experienced by each oscillating structure is not only related to its absolute motion but is also influenced by its relative motion with respect to the neighbouring structures. Here, we focus on linear vibrations of two identical beams for low Knudsen, Keulegan–Carpenter and squeeze numbers. Thus, we describe the fluid flow using unsteady Stokes hydrodynamics and we propose a boundary integral formulation to compute pertinent hydrodynamic functions to study the fluid effect. We validate the proposed theoretical approach through experiments on centimetre-size compliant cantilevers that are subjected to underwater base-excitation. We consider different geometric arrangements, beam interdistances and excitation frequencies to ascertain the model accuracy in terms of the relevant non-dimensional parameters.
Individual differences affect honest signalling in a songbird
Authors: Akçay Çağlar , Campbell S. Elizabeth , Beecher Michael D.
Published: December 2013

Research in the past decade has established the existence of consistent individual differences or ‘personality’ in animals and their important role in many aspects of animal behaviour. At the same time, research on honest signalling of aggression has revealed that while some of the putative aggression signals are reliable, they are only imperfectly so. This study asks whether a significant portion of the variance in the aggression-signal regression may be explained by individual differences in signalling strategies. Using the well-studied aggressive signalling system of song sparrows (Melospiza melodia), we carried out repeated assays to measure both aggressive behaviours and aggressive signalling of territorial males. Through these assays, we found that aggressive behaviours and aggressive signalling were both highly repeatable, and moreover that aggressive behaviours in 2009–2010 predicted whether the birds would attack a taxidermic mount over a year later. Most significantly, we found that residual variation in signalling behaviours, after controlling for aggressive behaviour, was individually consistent, suggesting there may be a second personality trait determining the level of aggressive signalling. We term this potential personality trait ‘communicativeness’ and discuss these results in the context of honest signalling theories and recent findings reporting prevalence of ‘under-signalling’.
Mating systems and protein–protein interactions determine evolutionary rates of primate sperm proteins
Authors: Schumacher Julia , Rosenkranz David , Herlyn Holger
Published: December 2013

To assess the relative impact of functional constraint and post-mating sexual selection on sequence evolution of reproductive proteins, we examined 169 primate sperm proteins. In order to recognize potential genome-wide trends, we additionally analysed a sample of altogether 318 non-reproductive (brain and postsynaptic) proteins. Based on cDNAs of eight primate species (Anthropoidea), we observed that pre-mating sperm proteins engaged in sperm composition and assembly show significantly lower incidence of site-specific positive selection and overall lower non-synonymous to synonymous substitution rates (
d
N
/
d
S
) across sites as compared with post-mating sperm proteins involved in capacitation, hyperactivation, acrosome reaction and fertilization. Moreover, database screening revealed overall more intracellular protein interaction partners in pre-mating than in post-mating sperm proteins. Finally, post-mating sperm proteins evolved at significantly higher evolutionary rates than pre-mating sperm and non-reproductive proteins on the branches to multi-male breeding species, while no such increase was observed on the branches to unimale and monogamous species. We conclude that less protein–protein interactions of post-mating sperm proteins account for lowered functional constraint, allowing for stronger impact of post-mating sexual selection, while the opposite holds true for pre-mating sperm proteins. This pattern is particularly strong in multi-male breeding species showing high female promiscuity.
Fish introductions reveal the temperature dependence of species interactions
Authors: Hein Catherine L. , Öhlund Gunnar , Englund Göran
Published: December 2013

A major area of current research is to understand how climate change will impact species interactions and ultimately biodiversity. A variety of environmental conditions are rapidly changing owing to climate warming, and these conditions often affect both the strength and outcome of species interactions. We used fish distributions and replicated fish introductions to investigate environmental conditions influencing the coexistence of two fishes in Swedish lakes: brown trout (Salmo trutta) and pike (Esox lucius). A logistic regression model of brown trout and pike coexistence showed that these species coexist in large lakes (more than 4.5 km2), but not in small, warm lakes (annual air temperature more than 0.9–1.5°C). We then explored how climate change will alter coexistence by substituting climate scenarios for 2091–2100 into our model. The model predicts that brown trout will be extirpated from approximately half of the lakes where they presently coexist with pike and from nearly all 9100 lakes where pike are predicted to invade. Context dependency was critical for understanding pike–brown trout interactions, and, given the widespread occurrence of context-dependent species interactions, this aspect will probably be critical for accurately predicting climate impacts on biodiversity.
PyRAD: assembly ofde novoRADseq loci for phylogenetic analyses
Authors: Eaton Deren A. R.
Published: December 2013

Restriction-site associated genomic markers are a powerful tool for investigating evolutionary questions at the population level, but are limited in their utility at deeper phylogenetic scales where fewer orthologous loci are typically recovered across disparate taxa. While this limitation stems in part from mutations to restriction recognition sites that disrupt data generation, an alternative source of data loss comes from the failure to identify homology during bioinformatic analyses. Clustering methods that allow for lower similarity thresholds and the inclusion of indel variation will perform better at assembling RADseq loci at the phylogenetic scale.

PyRADis a pipeline to assemblede novoRADseq loci with the aim of optimizing coverage across phylogenetic data sets. It utilizes a wrapper around an alignment-clustering algorithm which allows for indel variation within and between samples, as well as for incomplete overlap among reads (e.g., paired-end). Here I comparePyRADwith the programStacksin their performance analyzing a simulated RADseq data set that includes indel variation. Indels disrupt clustering of homologous loci inStacksbut not inPyRAD, such that the latter recovers more shared loci across disparate taxa. I show through re-analysis of an empirical RADseq data set that indels are a common feature of such data, even at shallow phylogenetic scales.PyRADutilizes parallel processing as well as an optional hierarchical clustering method which allow it to rapidly assemble phylogenetic data sets with hundreds of sampled individuals.

Availability

Software is written in Python and freely available athttp://www.dereneaton.com/software/

Supplement

Scripts to completely reproduce all simulated and empirical analyses are available in the Supplementary Materials.
OTX2 Dosage Sensitivity is Implicated in Hemifacial Microsomia
Authors: Zielinski Dina , Markus Barak , Sheikh Mona , Gymrek Melissa , Chu Clement , Zaks Marta , Srinivasan Balaji , Hoffman Jodi D. , Aizenbud Dror , Erlich Yaniv
Published: December 2013

Hemifacial microsomia (HFM) is the second most common facial anomaly after cleft lip and palate. The phenotype is highly variable and most cases are sporadic. Here, we investigated the disorder in a large pedigree with five affected individuals spanning eight meioses. We performed whole-exome sequencing and a genome-wide survey of segmental variations. Analysis of the exome sequencing results indicated the absence of a pathogenic coding point mutation. Inspection of segmental variations identified a 1.3Mb duplication of chromosome 14q22.3 in all affected individuals that was absent in more than 1000 chromosomes of ethnically matched controls. The duplication was absent in seven additional sporadic HFM cases, which is concordant with the known heterogeneity of the disorder. To find the critical gene in the duplicated region, we analyzed signatures of human craniofacial disease networks, mouse expression data, and predictions of dosage sensitivity. All of these approaches implicated OTX2 as the most likely causal gene. Moreover, OTX2 is a known oncogenic driver in medulloblastoma, a condition that was diagnosed in the proband during the course of our study. Our findings highlight dosage sensitivity of OTX2 in human craniofacial development and suggest a possible shared etiology between a subtype of hemifacial microsomia and medulloblastoma.
Double Knockout Mutants of Arabidopsis Grown under Normal Conditions Reveal that the Plastidial Phosphorylase Isozyme Participates in Transitory Starch Metabolism
Authors: Malinova Irina , Mahlow Sebastian , Alseekh Saleh , Orawetz Tom , Fernie Alisdair R. , Baumann Otto , Steup Martin , Fettke Joerg
Published: December 2013

In leaves of two starch-related single-knockout lines lacking either the cytosolic transglucosidase (also designated as disproportionating enzyme 2, DPE2) or the maltose transporter (MEX1), the activity of the plastidial phosphorylase isozyme (PHS1) is increased. In both mutants, metabolism of starch-derived maltose is impaired but inhibition is effective at different subcellular sites. Two constitutive double knockout mutants were generated (designated as dpe2-1 × phs1a and mex1 × phs1b) both lacking functional PHS1. They reveal that in normally grown plants, the plastidial phosphorylase isozyme participates in transitory starch degradation and that the central carbon metabolism is closely integrated into the entire cell biology. All plants were grown either under continuous illumination or in a light-dark regime. Both double mutants were compromised in growth and, compared with the single knockout plants, possess less average leaf starch when grown in a light-dark regime. Starch and chlorophyll contents decline with leaf age. As revealed by transmission electron microscopy, mesophyll cells degrade chloroplasts, but degradation is not observed in plants grown under continuous illumination. The two double mutants possess similar but not identical phenotypes. When grown in a light-dark regime, mesophyll chloroplasts of dpe2-1 × phs1a contain a single starch granule but under continuous illumination more granules per chloroplast are formed. The other double mutant synthesizes more granules under either growth condition. In continuous light, growth of both double mutants is similar to that of the parental single knockout lines. Metabolite profiles and oligoglucan patterns differ largely in the two double mutants.