bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Counseling Supervisors’ Self‐Efficacy for Select Clinical Supervision Competencies
Authors: Finley Sabra Ledare , Veach Pat McCarthy , MacFarlane Ian M. , LeRoy Bonnie S. , Callanan Nancy
Published: August 2015

Supervision is a primary instructional vehicle for genetic counseling student clinical training. Approximately two‐thirds of genetic counselors report teaching and education roles, which include supervisory roles. Recently, Eubanks Higgins and colleagues published the first comprehensive list of empirically‐derived genetic counseling supervisor competencies. Studies have yet to evaluate whether supervisors possess these competencies and whether their competencies differ as a function of experience. This study investigated three research questions: (1) What are genetic counselor supervisors’ perceptions of their capabilities (self‐efficacy) for a select group of supervisor competencies?, (2) Are there differences in self‐efficacy as a function of their supervision experience or their genetic counseling experience, and 3) What training methods do they use and prefer to develop supervision skills? One‐hundred thirty‐one genetic counselor supervisors completed an anonymous online survey assessing demographics, self‐efficacy (self‐perceived capability) for 12 goal setting and 16 feedback competencies (Scale: 0–100), competencies that are personally challenging, and supervision training experiences and preferences (open‐ended). A MANOVA revealed significant positive effects of supervision experience but not genetic counseling experience on participants’ self‐efficacy. Although mean self‐efficacy ratings were high (>83.7), participant comments revealed several challenging competencies (e.g., incorporating student's report of feedback from previous supervisors into goal setting, and providing feedback about student behavior rather than personal traits). Commonly preferred supervision training methods included consultation with colleagues, peer discussion, and workshops/seminars.
Formation of social and household skills in children with hand defects
Authors: Klimon Nataly , Koryukov Alexander , Loseva Nina , Starobina Elena
Published: August 2015

Purpose

The aim of this study was to consider the peculiarities of forming social and household skills, and the criteria for their evaluation, as well as an assessment of functional capacity, in children with hand defects both before and after surgical treatment and rehabilitation courses using a system of games.

Methods

We elaborated and implemented a program of social rehabilitation of preschool children with congenital and acquired hand defects for the development of their functional capabilities and the formation of social and household skills after surgical treatment and prosthetics using play therapy methods. As part of this work, 140 preschool children aged 3–7 years underwent social rehabilitation. Most of the children had congenital hand defects—122 children (87 %): 96 children (79 %) with ectrodactylia, adactylia, hypoplasia, aplasia, hand splitting, club hand, or partial gigantism; 26 children (21 %) with congenital syndactylism and constricted bonds and 18 children (13 %) with acquired defects (burn deformity, amputation). 110 children (79 %) had reached the stage of surgical correction; 30 children (21 %) reached the stage of prosthetics. Most of the children participating in the experiment (78 children, 56 %) had defects of fingers on one hand. The program aimed at solving specific rehabilitation tasks: formation and improvement of all possible types of grip under the existing defect including those after surgery and prosthetics; development of tactile sensations in fingers; development of fine motor skills; increase in range of motion in all joints of the damaged hand; development of attention and concentration; formation of social and household skills appropriate to age; and development of the ability to achieve the set task.

Results

Analysis of the level of social and household skills of children with hand defects undergoing rehabilitation treatment at the hospital depending on the age prior to medical and social rehabilitation showed that preschool children with hand defects in the age category of 3 years demonstrated the highest results in the level of social and household skills (31 %) as compared with children in other age categories. The indicators for children aged 4 and 5 years were slightly lower, 25 and 26 %, respectively. The lowest values were recorded among children aged 6: 20 %.

Conclusion

Statistically significant parameters of the level of functional capacity of hand grip and social and household skills in children with hand defects obtained in the course of the investigation indicated that the use of play therapy measures significantly increased the effect of medical treatment irrespective of the type of defect. These data indicate that play therapy measures given immediately after surgery or prosthetics can significantly increase the efficiency of rehabilitation even in its early stages.
Effect of adenosine triphosphate on left atrial electrogram interval and dominant frequency in human atrial fibrillation
Authors: Kogawa Rikitake , Okumura Yasuo , Watanabe Ichiro , Kofune Masayoshi , Nagashima Koichi , Mano Hiroaki , Sonoda Kazumasa , Sasaki Naoko , Iso Kazuki , Takahashi Keiko , Ohkubo Kimie , Nakai Toshiko , Hirayama Atsushi
Published: August 2015

Background

Complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs) and high dominant frequency (DF) are targets for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Although adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is known to promote AF by shortening the atrial refractory period, its role in the pathogenesis of CFAEs and DF during AF is not fully understood.

Methods

We recorded electrical activity from a 64‐electrode basket catheter placed in the left atrium (LA) of patients with paroxysmal AF (PAF, n=18) or persistent AF (PerAF, n=19) before ablation. Atrial electrogram fractionation intervals (FIs) and DFs were measured from bipolar electrograms of each adjacent electrode pair. Offline mean atrial FIs and DFs were obtained before bolus injection of 30 mg ATP. Peak effect was defined as an R–R interval >3 s.

Results

With ATP, the mean FI decreased (from 110.4±29.1 ms to 90.5±24.7 ms, P<0.0001) and DF increased (from 6.4±0.6 Hz to 7.1±0.8 Hz, P<0.0001) in all patients. There was no difference in the FI decrease between the two groups (−20.3±20.5 ms vs. −19.6±14.5 ms, P=0.6032), but the increase in DF was significantly greater in PAF patients (1.1±0.8 Hz vs. 0.3±0.6 Hz, P=0.0051).

Conclusions

ATP shortens atrial FIs and increases DFs in both PAF and PerAF patients. The significant increase in DF in PAF patients suggests that pathophysiologic characteristics related to the frequency of atrial fractionation change as atrial remodeling progresses.
How Pornography May Distort Risk Assessment of Children and Adolescents Who Sexually Harm
Authors: Pratt Russell , Fernandes Cyra
Published: August 2015

Over the past three decades, an accepted “given” of adolescent sexually abusive behaviour assessment and treatment has been that the more serious the sexual acts committed, the more entrenched that adolescent's behaviours are likely to be, with a likely progression from minor assaults through to more serious, intrusive acts. We assume youth engaging in the sexually abusive behaviour may have become both desensitised to the harm they are causing, whilst needing to engage in more severe offences to gain the level of arousal originally achieved through lesser acts. This conceptualisation suggests a somewhat causal relationship between the duration of the sexually abusive behaviour; the severity of the behaviour and the length of treatment required to manage and treat the issue.

Has pornography consumption potentially impacted the assessment and treatment of youth who sexually harm? Does a relationship exist between the severity and the entrenchment of the sexually assaultive acts committed, or has viewing pornography and re-enacting what has been viewed altered this relationship? This article explores a number of these themes and questions.
The Role of Co-Workers in the Return-to-Work Process
Authors: Dunstan Debra A. , Mortelmans Katrien , Tjulin Åsa , MacEachen Ellen
Published: August 2015

There is a large body of research examining work disability management and the return to work (RTW) of sick or injured workers. However, although this research makes clear the roles of the returning worker and supervisor, that of the co-workers is less well understood. To increase understanding of this topic, we have identified, reviewed, and discussed three studies that emerged from our connection with a Canadian research-training program. The first study, conducted in Sweden by Tjulin, MacEachen, and Ekberg (2009), showed that co-workers can play a positive role in RTW, but this is often invisible to supervisors. The second study, undertaken by Dunstan and MacEachen (2013) in Canada, found that RTW could both positively and negatively impact co-workers. For instance, co-workers may benefit from learning new skills, but may also be burdened by the need to assume extra work to accommodate a returning worker. The third study, performed in Belgium by Mortelmans and Verjans (2012) and Mortelmans, Verjans, and Mairiaux (2012) reported the need to include the expectations and objections of co-workers in RTW plans and implemented a three-step RTW tool that involves co-workers. Taken together, these studies highlight the social context of work, the positive role played by co-workers in the RTW process, the impacts of workplace social relations on RTW outcomes, and the benefits to all of involving co-workers in RTW plans.
Unsteady flow structures around a high-drag Ahmed body
Authors: Zhang B. F. , Zhou Y. , To S.
Published: August 2015

This work aims to gain a relatively thorough understanding of unsteady predominant coherent structures around an Ahmed body with a slant angle of $25^{\circ }$, corresponding to the high-drag regime. Extensive hot-wire, flow visualization and particle image velocimetry measurements were conducted in a wind tunnel at $\mathit{Re}=(0.45{-}2.4)\times 10^{5}$ around the Ahmed body. A number of distinct Strouhal numbers (St) have been found, two over the rear window, three behind the vertical base and two above the roof. The origin of every St has been identified. The two detected above the roof are ascribed to the hairpin vortices that emanate from the recirculation bubble formed near the leading edge and to the oscillation of the core of longitudinal vortices that originate from bubble pulsation, respectively. The two captured over the window originate from the hairpin vortices and the shear layers over the roof and side surface, respectively. One measured in the wake results from the structures emanating alternately from the upper and lower recirculation bubbles. The remaining two detected behind the lower edge of the base are connected to the cylindrical struts, respectively, which simulate wheels. These unsteady structures and corresponding St reconcile the widely scattered St data in the literature. The dependence on Re of these Strouhal numbers is also addressed, along with the effect of the turbulent intensity of oncoming flow on the flow structures. A conceptual model is proposed for the first time, which embraces both steady and unsteady coherent structures around the body.
A dipole solution for power-law gravity currents in porous formations
Authors: Longo S. , Di Federico V. , Chiapponi L.
Published: August 2015

A theoretical and experimental analysis of non-Newtonian gravity currents in porous media with variable properties is presented. A mound of a power-law fluid of flow behaviour index $n$ is released into a semi-infinite saturated porous medium above a horizontal bed, and can drain freely out of the formation at the origin. The porous medium permeability varies along the vertical as $z^{({\it\omega}-1)}$, porosity varies along the vertical as $z^{({\it\gamma}-1)}$, $z$ being the vertical coordinate and ${\it\omega}$ and ${\it\gamma}$ constant numerical coefficients. A self-similar solution describing the space–time evolution of the resulting gravity current is derived for shear-thinning fluids with $n<1$, generalizing earlier results for Newtonian fluids. The solution conserves a generalized dipole moment of the mound. The spreading of the current front is proportional to $t^{{\it\gamma}n/(2+{\it\omega}(n+1))}$. Expressions for the time evolution of the outgoing flux at the origin and of the current volume are derived in closed form. The Hele-Shaw analogue is derived for flow of a power-law fluid in a porous medium with vertically variable properties. Results from laboratory experiments conducted in two Hele-Shaw cells confirm the constancy of the dipole moment, and compare well with the theoretical formulation.
Mother–child relations in adulthood within and across national borders: non-Western immigrants in the Netherlands
Authors: ROOYACKERS ILSE N. , DE VALK HELGA A. G. , MERZ EVA-MARIA
Published: August 2015

We examined structures of (trans)national mother–child relationships in adulthood among non-Western immigrants in the Netherlands and assessed how acculturation impacted these intergenerational ties. From the Netherlands Kinship Panel Study, Turkish, Moroccan, Surinamese and Antillean respondents were selected whose mother lived in the Netherlands (N = 360) or abroad (N = 316). First, extending a previous typology of immigrant mother–child relations in the Netherlands, Latent Class Analysis was conducted for transnational relations. As expected, combining information about given and/or received emotional and financial support resulted in an emotional-interdependent and detached transnational mother–child relationship. Second, acculturation effects were estimated by using relationship assignment as a dependent variable, performing Logistic Regressions on our uni-national and transnational sample. Findings were mixed, suggesting acculturation impacts differently on family relations within and across borders. Overall, our results demonstrate the importance of reciprocal affective ties in a transnational context, also in the absence of financial or practical support, and show the relevance of distinguishing different facets of acculturation.
Grammaticalization by changing co-text frequencies, or why [BE Ving] became the ‘progressive’
Authors: PETRÉ PETER
Published: August 2015

While the ‘progressive’ construction [BE Ving] (Hewas playing tenniswhen Jane came in) has been studied extensively both diachronically and synchronically, studies of its functional development tend not to extend further back than Early Modern English. This article draws attention to the functional changes [BE Ving] goes through already in Middle English, whose analysis sheds new light on the principles of early grammaticalization. To understand the observed changes, all uses of [BE Ving] are considered, not only those that have a clear verbal and aspectual function. During Middle English, important changes occurred in the frequencies of the various co-texts of [BE Ving]. They involve the increase in backgrounding adverbial clauses, which leads to the semanticization of ongoingness, a feature that was initially only associated with [BE Ving] by pragmatic implicature. The outcome is grammaticalization by co-text: co-textual changes paved the way for the acquisition of progressive semantics in [BE Ving] itself.
The ‘German Way’ of Curbing Public Debt
Authors: Thiele Alexander
Published: August 2015

Public debt: relevance for funding of modern states – Keynesian revolution – Consequences of the financial crisis in Germany – Introduction of the debt brake and Fiscal Compact – The constitutional debt brake: structure and exceptions of the balanced budget rule, four deficiencies of the debt brake – The Fiscal Compact: historical background and structure of the balanced budget rule – Sufficient implementation of the balanced budget rule in Germany? – Constitutionality of the Fiscal Compact? – Austerity as the wrong answer for solving the current economic problems
Towards an Ever Closer Union Between Residents and Citizens?
Authors: Finck Michèle
Published: August 2015

Alien suffrage in Luxembourg – The traditional concept of the electorate – Link between nationality and voting rights – From the national to the resident worker? – The decoupling of nationality and citizenship – The transformation of the state as a consequence of European integration – Comparison to other EU member states – Consequences for EU law of domestic reform – The intertwinement of constitutional spheres in the EU
Directionality Effect in Double Conditionals
Authors: Espino Orlando , Sánchez-Curbelo Isana , Bolaños-Medina Alicia
Published: August 2015

Directionality effect in deductive reasoning is a very well-known phenomenon that shows that the percentage of forward or backward inferences that participants make depends on the conditional form used. A new extension of the semantic hypothesis (Oberauer & Wilhelm, 2000) is presented to explain the directionality effect in double conditionals with different directionality. This hypothesis claims that the directional effect depends on which term plays the role of relatum. It also makes several novel claims which have been confirmed in three experiments: Experiments 1 and 2 showed there were more forward than backward inferences when the end-term that played the role of relatum was in the first premise, experiment 1: t (45) = 2.73, p < .01, experiment 2: t (38) = 12.06, p < .05, but there were more backward than forward inferences when the end-term that played the role of relatum was in the second premise, experiment 1: t (45) = 2.84, p < .01, experiment 2: t (38) = 2.21, p < .04. Experiment 3 showed that there was no directional effect when both end-terms played the role of relatum, t (34) = 1.39, p = .17, or when both middle-terms (or neither of the end-terms) played the role of relatum, t (34) = .78, p = .44. These experiments confirmed the predictions of the new extension of the semantic hypothesis.
Enhancement of the Chinese Movement Specific Reinvestment Scale in Older Adults
Authors: Wong Thomson W. L. , Abernethy Bruce , Masters Rich S. W.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. The Chinese version of the Movement Specific Reinvestment Scale (MSRS-C) was discovered to have good discriminative power between older fallers from nonfallers, and it shows potential as a novel fall prediction tool by assessing conscious motor processing propensity of the older adults. This qualitative study (focus group) investigated potential weaknesses during the application of the MSRS-C in community-dwelling older adults. The results confirmed two major potential weaknesses of the MSRS-C: older adults may respond differently when asked to complete the MSRS-C in the context of movements related or unrelated to balance or locomotion; older adults may be better able to differentiate a 4-point Likert response format than the original 6-point format MSRS-C. Further study was developed to examine the identified potential weaknesses.
Cognition–Well-Being Relations in Old Age
Authors: Wettstein Markus , Wahl Hans-Werner , Heyl Vera
Published: August 2015

Abstract. We examine whether sensory impairment moderates the association between cognitive performance and well-being and, if so, whether such a moderation effect is due to a mediating mechanism via everyday competence in sensory-impaired individuals. Our sample consisted of visually-impaired (VI, n = 121), hearing-impaired (HI, n = 116), and sensory-unimpaired older adults (UI, n = 150), with a mean age of 82.50 years (SD = 4.71 years). Multiple measures of well-being (life satisfaction, affect, loneliness) as well as several established tests of cognitive performance were included. We found stronger relationships between cognitive performance and well-being in the HI and VI group than in UI individuals. Furthermore, the relationship was mostly mediated by everyday competence both in VI and HI older adults.
Developmental Dyscalculia
Authors: Kuhn Jörg-Tobias
Published: August 2015

Developmental dyscalculia (DD) is a specific learning disorder that affects the acquisition of arithmetic skills and number processing in children. A high comorbidity between DD and other neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., dyslexia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]) as well as substantial heterogeneity in cognitive profiles have been reported. Current studies indicate that DD is persistent, has a genetic component, and is related to functional and structural alterations of brain areas involved in magnitude representation. Recent neuronal and behavioral evidence is presented, showing that DD entails (a) impairments in two preverbal core systems of number, an approximate system for estimating larger magnitudes and an exact system for representing small magnitudes, (b) deficits in symbolic number processing, (c) aberrant and nonadaptive neuronal activation in basic magnitude processing and calculation, (d) dysfunctional arithmetic fact retrieval and persistent use of counting strategies in calculation, and (e) deficits in visuospatial working memory and the central executive. Finally, open research questions, including the role of domain-general cognitive resources in DD, causes and developmental consequences of comorbidity, as well as design and evaluation of interventions for DD, are briefly discussed.
Working Memory Functioning in Children With Poor Mathematical Skills
Authors: Klesczewski Julia , Brandenburg Janin , Fischbach Anne , Grube Dietmar , Hasselhorn Marcus , Büttner Gerhard
Published: August 2015

Previous research on working memory (WM) in children with poor mathematical skills has yielded heterogeneous results, possibly due to inconsistent consideration of the IQ–achievement discrepancy and additional reading and spelling difficulties. To examine the impact of both, the WM of 68 average-achieving and 68 low-achieving third-graders in mathematics was assessed. Preliminary analyses showed that poor mathematical skills were associated with poor WM. Afterwards, children with isolated mathematical difficulties were separated from those with additional reading and spelling difficulties. Half of each group fulfilled the IQ–achievement discrepancy, resulting in a 2 (additional reading and spelling difficulties: yes/no) by 2 (IQ–achievement discrepancy: yes/no) factorial design. Analyses revealed that not fulfilling the IQ–achievement discrepancy was associated with poor visual WM, whereas additional reading and spelling difficulties were associated with poor central executive functioning in children fulfilling the IQ–achievement discrepancy. Therefore, WM in children with poor mathematical skills differs according to the IQ–achievement discrepancy and additional reading and/or spelling difficulties.
Interventions for Children With Mathematical Difficulties
Authors: Chodura Sabrina , Kuhn Jörg-Tobias , Holling Heinz
Published: August 2015

The purpose of this study was to meta-analyze the effectivity of interventions for children with mathematical difficulties. Furthermore, we investigated whether the fit between characteristics of participants and interventions was a decisive factor. Thirty-five evaluation studies that used pre-post-control group designs with at least 10 participants per group were analyzed. Using a random-effects model, we found a high, significant mean effect ( [Formula: see text] = 0.83) for the standardized mean difference. Moreover, a significant effect was found for studies that used direct or assisted instruction, that fostered basic arithmetical competencies, and that used single-subject settings. Effect size was not moderated by administration mode (computer-based vs. face-to-face intervention) or by whether interventions were derived from theory. Interventions for children with at-risk dyscalculia were effective on average. Results of the fit between characteristics of the participants and intervention characteristics are provided. In summary, mathematics interventions are found to be effective for children with mathematical difficulties, though there was a high effect size variance between studies.
Hearing Sparks Concerns About Planetary Science Funding
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: August 2015

Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle questioned the administration's proposed cuts and whether support for future missions would be adequate.
Cell cycle-dependent inhibition of 53BP1 signaling by BRCA1
Authors: Feng Lin , Li Nan , Li Yujing , Wang Jiadong , Gao Min , Wang Wenqi , Chen Junjie
Published: August 2015

DNA damage response mediator protein 53BP1 is a key regulator of non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) repair. 53BP1 protects DNA broken ends from resection by recruiting two downstream factors, RIF1 (RAP1-interacting factor 1) and PTIP (Pax transactivation domain-interacting protein), to double-stranded breaks (DSBs) via ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated)-mediated 53BP1 phosphorylation, and competes with BRCA1-mediated homologous recombination (HR) repair in G1 phase. In contrast, BRCA1 antagonizes 53BP1-direct NHEJ repair in S/G2 phases. We and others have found that BRCA1 prevents the translocation of RIF1 to DSBs in S/G2 phases; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here we show that efficient ATM-dependent 53BP1 phosphorylation is restricted to the G1 phase of the cell cycle, as a consequence RIF1 and PTIP accumulation at DSB sites only occur in G1 phase. Mechanistically, both BRCT and RING domains of BRCA1 are required for the inhibition of 53BP1 phosphorylation in S and G2 phases. Thus, our findings reveal how BRCA1 antagonizes 53BP1 signaling to ensure that HR repair is the dominant repair pathway in S/G2 phases.
The methylaspartate cycle in haloarchaea and its possible role in carbon metabolism
Authors: Borjian Farshad , Han Jing , Hou Jing , Xiang Hua , Berg Ivan A
Published: August 2015

Haloarchaea (class Halobacteria) live in extremely halophilic conditions and evolved many unique metabolic features, which help them to adapt to their environment. The methylaspartate cycle, an anaplerotic acetate assimilation pathway recently proposed for Haloarcula marismortui, is one of these special adaptations. In this cycle, acetyl-CoA is oxidized to glyoxylate via methylaspartate as a characteristic intermediate. The following glyoxylate condensation with another molecule of acetyl-CoA yields malate, a starting substrate for anabolism. The proposal of the functioning of the cycle was based mainly on in vitro data, leaving several open questions concerning the enzymology involved and the occurrence of the cycle in halophilic archaea. Using gene deletion mutants of H. hispanica, enzyme assays and metabolite analysis, we now close these gaps by unambiguous identification of the genes encoding all characteristic enzymes of the cycle. Based on these results, we were able to perform a solid study of the distribution of the methylaspartate cycle and the alternative acetate assimilation strategy, the glyoxylate cycle, among haloarchaea. We found that both of these cycles are evenly distributed in haloarchaea. Interestingly, 83% of the species using the methylaspartate cycle possess also the genes for polyhydroxyalkanoate biosynthesis, whereas only 34% of the species with the glyoxylate cycle are capable to synthesize this storage compound. This finding suggests that the methylaspartate cycle is shaped for polyhydroxyalkanoate utilization during carbon starvation, whereas the glyoxylate cycle is probably adapted for growth on substrates metabolized via acetyl-CoA.
Diet and specific microbial exposure trigger features of environmental enteropathy in a novel murine model
Authors: Brown Eric M. , Wlodarska Marta , Willing Benjamin P. , Vonaesch Pascale , Han Jun , Reynolds Lisa A. , Arrieta Marie-Claire , Uhrig Marco , Scholz Roland , Partida Oswaldo , Borchers Christoph H. , Sansonetti Philippe J. , Finlay B. Brett
Published: August 2015

Environmental enteropathy (EE) is a subclinical chronic inflammatory disease of the small intestine and has a profound impact on the persistence of childhood malnutrition worldwide. However, the aetiology of the disease remains unknown and no animal model exists to date, the creation of which would aid in understanding this complex disease. Here we demonstrate that early-life consumption of a moderately malnourished diet, in combination with iterative oral exposure to commensal Bacteroidales species and Escherichia coli, remodels the murine small intestine to resemble features of EE observed in humans. We further report the profound changes that malnutrition imparts on the small intestinal microbiota, metabolite and intraepithelial lymphocyte composition, along with the susceptibility to enteric infection. Our findings provide evidence indicating that both diet and microbes combine to contribute to the aetiology of EE, and describe a novel murine model that can be used to elucidate the mechanisms behind this understudied disease.
Rescue of long-term memory after reconsolidation blockade
Authors: Trent Simon , Barnes Philip , Hall Jeremy , Thomas Kerrie L.
Published: August 2015

Memory reconsolidation is considered to be the process whereby stored memories become labile on recall, allowing updating. Blocking the restabilization of a memory during reconsolidation is held to result in a permanent amnesia. The targeted knockdown of either Zif268 or Arc levels in the brain, and inhibition of protein synthesis, after a brief recall results in a non-recoverable retrograde amnesia, known as reconsolidation blockade. These experimental manipulations are seen as key proof for the existence of reconsolidation. However, here we demonstrate that despite disrupting the molecular correlates of reconsolidation in the hippocampus, rodents are still able to recover contextual memories. Our results challenge the view that reconsolidation is a separate memory process and instead suggest that the molecular events activated initially at recall act to constrain premature extinction.
Optimal speed estimation in natural image movies predicts human performance
Authors: Burge Johannes , Geisler Wilson S.
Published: August 2015

Accurate perception of motion depends critically on accurate estimation of retinal motion speed. Here we first analyse natural image movies to determine the optimal space-time receptive fields (RFs) for encoding local motion speed in a particular direction, given the constraints of the early visual system. Next, from the RF responses to natural stimuli, we determine the neural computations that are optimal for combining and decoding the responses into estimates of speed. The computations show how selective, invariant speed-tuned units might be constructed by the nervous system. Then, in a psychophysical experiment using matched stimuli, we show that human performance is nearly optimal. Indeed, a single efficiency parameter accurately predicts the detailed shapes of a large set of human psychometric functions. We conclude that many properties of speed-selective neurons and human speed discrimination performance are predicted by the optimal computations, and that natural stimulus variation affects optimal and human observers almost identically.
Impacts of global warming on residential heating and cooling degree-days in the United States
Authors: Petri Yana , Caldeira Ken
Published: August 2015

Climate change is expected to decrease heating demand and increase cooling demand for buildings and affect outdoor thermal comfort. Here, we project changes in residential heating degree-days (HDD) and cooling degree-days (CDD) for the historical (1981–2010) and future (2080–2099) periods in the United States using median results from the Climate Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) simulations under the Representation Concentration Pathway 8.5 (RCP8.5) scenario. We project future HDD and CDD values by adding CMIP5 projected changes to values based on historical observations of US climate. The sum HDD + CDD is an indicator of locations that are thermally comfortable, with low heating and cooling demand. By the end of the century, station median HDD + CDD will be reduced in the contiguous US, decreasing in the North and increasing in the South. Under the unmitigated RCP8.5 scenario, by the end of this century, in terms of HDD and CDD values considered separately, future New York, NY, is anticipated to become more like present Oklahoma City, OK; Denver, CO, becomes more like Raleigh, NC and Seattle, WA, becomes more like San Jose, CA. These results serve as an indicator of projected climate change and can help inform decision-making.
Epitaxial diamond-hexagonal silicon nano-ribbon growth on (001) silicon
Authors: Qiu Y. , Bender H. , Richard O. , Kim M.-S. , Van Besien E. , Vos I. , de Potter de ten Broeck M. , Mocuta D. , Vandervorst W.
Published: August 2015

Silicon crystallizes in the diamond-cubic phase and shows only a weak emission at 1.1 eV. Diamond-hexagonal silicon however has an indirect bandgap at 1.5 eV and has therefore potential for application in opto-electronic devices. Here we discuss a method based on advanced silicon device processing to form diamond-hexagonal silicon nano-ribbons. With an appropriate temperature anneal applied to densify the oxide fillings between silicon fins, the lateral outward stress exerted on fins sandwiched between wide and narrow oxide windows can result in a phase transition from diamond-cubic to diamond-hexagonal Si at the base of these fins. The diamond-hexagonal slabs are generally 5–8 nm thick and can extend over the full width and length of the fins, i.e. have a nano-ribbon shape along the fins. Although hexagonal silicon is a metastable phase, once formed it is found being stable during subsequent high temperature treatments even during process steps up to 1050 ºC.
The Fukushima Health Management Survey: estimation of external doses to residents in Fukushima Prefecture
Authors: Ishikawa Tetsuo , Yasumura Seiji , Ozasa Kotaro , Kobashi Gen , Yasuda Hiroshi , Miyazaki Makoto , Akahane Keiichi , Yonai Shunsuke , Ohtsuru Akira , Sakai Akira , Sakata Ritsu , Kamiya Kenji , Abe Masafumi
Published: August 2015

The Fukushima Health Management Survey (including the Basic Survey for external dose estimation and four detailed surveys) was launched after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. The Basic Survey consists of a questionnaire that asks Fukushima Prefecture residents about their behavior in the first four months after the accident; and responses to the questionnaire have been returned from many residents. The individual external doses are estimated by using digitized behavior data and a computer program that included daily gamma ray dose rate maps drawn after the accident. The individual external doses of 421,394 residents for the first four months (excluding radiation workers) had a distribution as follows: 62.0%, <1 mSv; 94.0%, <2 mSv; 99.4%, <3 mSv. The arithmetic mean and maximum for the individual external doses were 0.8 and 25 mSv, respectively. While most dose estimation studies were based on typical scenarios of evacuation and time spent inside/outside, the Basic Survey estimated doses considering individually different personal behaviors. Thus, doses for some individuals who did not follow typical scenarios could be revealed. Even considering such extreme cases, the estimated external doses were generally low and no discernible increased incidence of radiation-related health effects is expected.
Genome-wide hydroxymethylcytosine pattern changes in response to oxidative stress
Authors: Delatte Benjamin , Jeschke Jana , Defrance Matthieu , Bachman Martin , Creppe Catherine , Calonne Emilie , Bizet Martin , Deplus Rachel , Marroquí Laura , Libin Myriam , Ravichandran Mirunalini , Mascart Françoise , Eizirik Decio L. , Murrell Adele , Jurkowski Tomasz P. , Fuks François
Published: August 2015

The TET enzymes convert methylcytosine to the newly discovered base hydroxymethylcytosine. While recent reports suggest that TETs may play a role in response to oxidative stress, this role remains uncertain and results lackin vivomodels. Here we show a global decrease of hydroxymethylcytosine in cells treated with buthionine sulfoximine and in mice depleted for the major antioxidant enzymesGPx1 and 2. Furthermore, genome-wide profiling revealed differentially hydroxymethylated regions in coding genes and intriguingly in microRNA genes, both involved in response to oxidative stress. These results thus suggest a profound effect ofin vivooxidative stress on the global hydroxymethylome.
Comprehensive functional characterization of murine infantile Batten disease including Parkinson-like behavior and dopaminergic markers
Authors: Dearborn Joshua T. , Harmon Steven K. , Fowler Stephen C. , O’Malley Karen L. , Taylor George T. , Sands Mark S. , Wozniak David F.
Published: August 2015

Infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (INCL, Infantile Batten disease) is a neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disease caused by a deficiency in palmitoyl protein thioesterase-1 (PPT1). The PPT1-deficient mouse (Cln1−/−) is a useful phenocopy of human INCL. Cln1−/− mice display retinal dysfunction, seizures, motor deficits and die at ~8 months of age. However, little is known about the cognitive and behavioral functions of Cln1−/− mice during disease progression. In the present study, younger (~1–2 months of age) Cln1−/− mice showed minor deficits in motor/sensorimotor functions while older (~5–6 months of age) Cln1−/− mice exhibited more severe impairments, including decreased locomotor activity, inferior cued water maze performance, decreased running wheel ability and altered auditory cue conditioning. Unexpectedly, certain cognitive functions such as some learning and memory capabilities seemed intact in older Cln1−/− mice. Younger and older Cln1−/− mice presented with walking initiation defects, gait abnormalities and slowed movements, which are analogous to some symptoms reported in INCL and parkinsonism. However, there was no evidence of alterations in dopaminergic markers in Cln1−/− mice. Results from this study demonstrate quantifiable changes in behavioral functions during progression of murine INCL and suggest that Parkinson-like motor/sensorimotor deficits in Cln1−/− mice are not mediated by dopamine deficiency.
Electric field modification of magnetism in Au/La2/3Ba1/3MnO3/Pt device
Authors: Xiong Y. Q. , Zhou W. P. , Li Q. , Cao Q. Q. , Tang T. , Wang D. H. , Du Y. W.
Published: August 2015

The La2/3Ba1/3MnO3 film is deposited in a CMOS-compatible Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrate with the oxygen pressure of 10 Pa for investigating magnetoelectric effect. Bipolar resistive switching effect with excellent endurance and retention is observed in this Au/La2/3Ba1/3MnO3/Pt device. Through this effect, a significant nonvolatile change of magnetization is obtained in this device as well. The change of magnetization can be understood by the break and repair of the -Mn3+-O2−-Mn4+- chains induced by the electric field through the oxygen vacancies migration. The resistance and magnetization of the Au/La2/3Ba1/3MnO3/Pt device can be simultaneously manipulated by the electric field, which makes it to be a promising candidate for the multifunctional memory devices.
Memristive crypto primitive for building highly secure physical unclonable functions
Authors: Gao Yansong , Ranasinghe Damith C. , Al-Sarawi Said F. , Kavehei Omid , Abbott Derek
Published: August 2015

Physical unclonable functions (PUFs) exploit the intrinsic complexity and irreproducibility of physical systems to generate secret information. The advantage is that PUFs have the potential to provide fundamentally higher security than traditional cryptographic methods by preventing the cloning of devices and the extraction of secret keys. Most PUF designs focus on exploiting process variations in Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) technology. In recent years, progress in nanoelectronic devices such as memristors has demonstrated the prevalence of process variations in scaling electronics down to the nano region. In this paper, we exploit the extremely large information density available in nanocrossbar architectures and the significant resistance variations of memristors to develop an on-chip memristive device based strong PUF (mrSPUF). Our novel architecture demonstrates desirable characteristics of PUFs, including uniqueness, reliability and large number of challenge-response pairs (CRPs) and desirable characteristics of strong PUFs. More significantly, in contrast to most existing PUFs, our PUF can act as a reconfigurable PUF (rPUF) without additional hardware and is of benefit to applications needing revocation or update of secure key information.
Social penalty promotes cooperation in a cooperative society
Authors: Ito Hiromu , Yoshimura Jin
Published: August 2015

Why cooperation is well developed in human society is an unsolved question in biological and human sciences. Vast studies in game theory have revealed that in non-cooperative games selfish behavior generally dominates over cooperation and cooperation can be evolved only under very limited conditions. These studies ask the origin of cooperation; whether cooperation can evolve in a group of selfish individuals. In this paper, instead of asking the origin of cooperation, we consider the enhancement of cooperation in a small already cooperative society. We ask whether cooperative behavior is further promoted in a small cooperative society in which social penalty is devised. We analyze hawk-dove game and prisoner’s dilemma introducing social penalty. We then expand it for non-cooperative games in general. The results indicate that cooperation is universally favored if penalty is further imposed. We discuss the current result in terms of the moral, laws, rules and regulations in a society, e.g., criminology and traffic violation.
Down-regulation of HMGB1 expression by shRNA constructs inhibits the bioactivity of urothelial carcinoma cell lines via the NF-κB pathway
Authors: Huang Zhichao , Zhong Zhaohui , Zhang Lei , Wang Xinjun , Xu Ran , Zhu Liang , Wang Zijian , Hu Shanbiao , Zhao Xiaokun
Published: August 2015

The high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), which is a highly conserved and evolutionarily non-histone nuclear protein, has been shown to associate with a variety of biological important processes, such as transcription, DNA repair, differentiation and extracellular signalling. High HMGB1 expression has been reported in many cancers, such as prostate, kidney, ovarian and gastric cancer. However, there have been few studies of the function of HMGB1 in the malignant biological behaviour of bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC) and the potential mechanism of HMGB1 in the pathogenesis of BUC remains unclear. Thus, in this study, we constructed plasmid vectors that are capable of synthesizing specific shRNAs targeting HMGB1 and transfected them into BUC cells to persistently suppress the endogenous gene expression of HMGB1. The expression of HMGB1, the bioactivity of BUC cells, including proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, migration and invasion and the effects of HMGB1 knockdown on downstream signalling pathways were investigated. Our data suggest that HMGB1 promotes the malignant biological behaviour of BUC and that this effect may be partially mediated by the NF-κB signalling pathway. HMGB1 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for BUC in the future.
Low Work-function Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxylenethiophene): Poly(styrene sulfonate) as Electron-transport Layer for High-efficient and Stable Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Yong , Chen Lie , Hu Xiaotian , Zhang Lin , Chen Yiwang
Published: August 2015

Low-work-function poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) modified with polyethylenimine (PEIE) was used as an electron transport layer (ETL) for polymer solar cells (PSCs). A thin layer of PEIE film was spin-coated onto the surface on the PEDOT:PSS films, thus substantially changing their charge selectivity from supporting hole transport to supporting electron transport. It was also found that the PEDOT:PSS/PEIE ETL exhibited higher interfacial contact, a more favorable active morphology and improved charge mobility. By virtue of these beneficial properties, inverted PSCs based on low-bandgap semiconducting photoactive layers achieved a notably improved power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.94%, superior even to the corresponding performance of devices with only a ZnO layer. Surpassing our expectations, compared with the extreme degradation of device stability observed when pure PEDOT:PSS is used, PEIE-modified PEDOT:PSS can considerably suppress device degradation because of the hydrophobic and alkaline nature of PEIE, which not only reduces the hygroscopicity of the PEDOT:PSS but also neutralizes the acidic PEDOT:PSS and thus prevents the corrosion of the ITO cathode. These results demonstrate the potential of PEIE-modified PEDOT:PSS for use as an efficient ETL in commercial printed electronic devices.
A comparative study of ZnAl2O4 nanoparticles synthesized from different aluminum salts for use as fluorescence materials
Authors: Wang Shi-Fa , Sun Guang-Zhuang , Fang Lei-Ming , Lei Li , Xiang Xia , Zu Xiao-Tao
Published: August 2015

Three ZnAl2O4 samples were prepared via a modified polyacrylamide gel method using a citric acid solution with different aluminum salt starting materials, including AlCl3∙6H2O, Al2(SO4)3∙18H2O and Al(NO3)3∙9H2O under identical conditions. The influence of different aluminum salts on the morphologies, phase purity and optical and fluorescence properties of the as-prepared ZnAl2O4 nanoparticles were studied. The experimental results demonstrate that the phase purity, particle size, morphology and optical and fluorescence properties of ZnAl2O4 nanoparticles can be manipulated by the use of different aluminum salts as starting materials. The energy bandgap (Eg) values of ZnAl2O4 nanoparticles increase with a decrease in particle size. The fluorescence spectra show that a major blue emission band around 400 nm and two weaker side bands located at 410 and 445 nm are observed when the excitation wavelength is 325 nm. The ZnAl2O4 nanoparticles prepared from Al(NO3)3∙9H2O exhibit the largest emission intensity among the three ZnAl2O4 samples, followed in turn by the ZnAl2O4 nanoparticles prepared from Al2(SO4)3∙18H2O and AlCl3∙6H2O. These differences are attributed to combinational changes in Eg and the defect types of the ZnAl2O4 nanoparticles.
Novel Two-Dimensional Mechano-Electric Generators and Sensors Based on Transition Metal Dichalcogenides
Authors: Yu Sheng , Eshun Kwesi , Zhu Hao , Li Qiliang
Published: August 2015

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), such as MoS2and WSe2, provide two-dimensional atomic crystals with semiconductor band gap. In this work, we present a design of new mechano-electric generators and sensors based on transition metal dichalcogenide nanoribbon PN junctions and heterojunctions. The mechano-electric conversion was simulated by using a first-principle calculation. The output voltage of MoS2nanoribbon PN junction increases with strain, reaching 0.036 V at 1% strain and 0.31 V at 8% strain, much larger than the reported results. Our study indicates that the length, width and layer number of TMDC nanoribbon PN junctions have an interesting but different impact on the voltage output. Also, the results indicate that doping position and concentration only cause a small fluctuation in the output voltage. These results have been compared with the mechano-electric conversion of TMDC heterojunctions. Such novel mechano-electric generators and sensors are very attractive for applications in future self-powered, wearable electronics and systems.