bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Typhoid fever in Fiji: a reversible plague?
Authors: Thompson Corinne N. , Kama Mike , Acharya Shrish , Bera Una , Clemens John , Crump John A. , Dawainavesi Aggie , Dougan Gordon , Edmunds W. John , Fox Kimberley , Jenkins Kylie , Khan M. Imran , Koroivueta Josefa , Levine Myron M. , Martin Laura B. , Nilles Eric , Pitzer Virginia E. , Singh Shalini , Raiwalu Ratu Vereniki , Baker Stephen , Mulholland Kim
Published: July 2014

The country of Fiji, with a population of approximately 870 000 people, faces a growing burden of several communicable diseases including the bacterial infection typhoid fever. Surveillance data suggest that typhoid has become increasingly common in rural areas of Fiji and is more frequent amongst young adults. Transmission of the organisms that cause typhoid is facilitated by faecal contamination of food or water and may be influenced by local behavioural practices in Fiji. The Fijian Ministry of Health, with support from Australian Aid, hosted a meeting in August 2012 to develop comprehensive control and prevention strategies for typhoid fever in Fiji. International and local specialists were invited to share relevant data and discuss typhoid control options. The resultant recommendations focused on generating a clearer sense of the epidemiology of typhoid in Fiji and exploring the contribution of potential transmission pathways. Additionally, the panel suggested steps such as ensuring that recommended ciprofloxacin doses are appropriate to reduce the potential for relapse and reinfection in clinical cases, encouraging proper hand hygiene of food and drink handlers, working with water and sanitation agencies to review current sanitation practices and considering a vaccination policy targeting epidemiologically relevant populations.
The Influence of Bodily Experience on Children's Language Processing
Authors: Wellsby Michele , Pexman Penny M.
Published: July 2014

The Body–Object Interaction (BOI) variable measures how easily a human body can physically interact with a word's referent (Siakaluk, Pexman, Aguilera, Owen, & Sears, ). A facilitory BOI effect has been observed with adults in language tasks, with faster and more accurate responses for high BOI words (e.g., mask) than for low BOI words (e.g., ship; Wellsby, Siakaluk, Owen, & Pexman, ). We examined the development of this effect in children. Fifty children (aged 6–9 years) and a group of 21 adults completed a word naming task with high and low BOI words. Younger children (aged 6–7 years) did not show a BOI effect, but older children (aged 8–9 years) showed a significant facilitory BOI effect, as did adults. Magnitude of children's BOI effect was related to age as well as reading skills. These results suggest that bodily experience (as measured by the BOI variable) begins to influence visual word recognition behavior by about 8 years of age.
DNA methylation maintenance consolidates RNA‐directed DNA methylation and transcriptional gene silencing over generations in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Kuhlmann Markus , Finke Andreas , Mascher Martin , Mette Michael F.
Published: July 2014

In plants, 24 nucleotide short interfering RNAs serve as a signal to direct cytosine methylation at homologous DNA regions in the nucleus. If the targeted DNA has promoter function, this RNA‐directed DNA methylation may result in transcriptional gene silencing. In a genetic screen for factors involved in RNA‐directed transcriptional silencing of a ProNOS–NPTII reporter transgene in Arabidopsis thaliana, we captured alleles of DOMAINS REARRANGED METHYLTRANSFERASE 2, the gene encoding the DNA methyltransferase that is mainly responsible for de novo DNA methylation in the context of RNA‐directed DNA methylation. Interestingly, methylation of the reporter gene ProNOS was not completely erased in these mutants, but persisted in the symmetric CG context, indicating that RNA‐directed DNA methylation had been consolidated by DNA methylation maintenance. Taking advantage of the segregation of the transgenes giving rise to ProNOS short interfering RNAs and carrying the ProNOS–NPTII reporter in our experimental system, we found that ProNOS DNA methylation maintenance was first evident after two generations of ongoing RNA‐directed DNA methylation, and then increased in extent with further generations. As ProNOS DNA methylation had already reached its final level in the first generation of RNA‐directed DNA methylation, our findings suggest that establishment of DNA methylation at a particular region may be divided into distinct stages. An initial phase of efficient, but still fully reversible, de novo DNA methylation and transcriptional gene silencing is followed by transition to efficient maintenance of cytosine methylation in a symmetric sequence context accompanied by persistence of gene silencing.
Effects of density and sowing pattern on weed suppression and grain yield in three varieties of maize under high weed pressure
Authors: Marín C , Weiner J
Published: July 2014

We tested the hypothesis that improved weed suppression by maize can be achieved through increased crop density and spatial uniformity. Field experiments on three varieties of maize sown at three densities (5, 7 and 10.5 seeds m−2) and in two spatial patterns (grid pattern and rows) under very high weed pressure from Brachiaria brizantha were performed in 2012 and 2013. We measured weed biomass 1 month after sowing and at harvest, and grain yield at harvest. Density, variety and sowing pattern all had strong and significant effects on both weed biomass and yield. On average, weed biomass was reduced (by 72% in the first year and 58% in the second year), and grain yield was increased (by 48% and 44%) at the highest density in the grid pattern compared with standard sowing practices (medium density, row pattern). There was a significant density × variety interaction, which is evidence for genetic differences in the response of the varieties to density in characteristics that influence weed suppression. The variety that suppressed weeds best at high density had the lowest variation in the angle of insertion of the oldest living leaf at harvest (leaf 6), supporting the hypothesis that reduced phenotypic plasticity may be advantageous for weed suppression under high density and spatial uniformity. Increased density and uniformity can contribute to weed management in maize in many cases, potentially reducing the need for herbicides or mechanical weed control.
Determination of Strain-Rate-Dependent Mechanical Behavior of Living and Fixed Osteocytes and Chondrocytes Using Atomic Force Microscopy and Inverse Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Nguyen Trung Dung , Gu YuanTong
Published: July 2014

The aim of this paper is to determine the strain-rate-dependent mechanical behavior of living and fixed osteocytes and chondrocytes, in vitro. First, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to obtain the force–indentation curves of these single cells at four different strain-rates. These results were then employed in inverse finite element analysis (FEA) using modified standard neo-Hookean solid (MSnHS) idealization of these cells to determine their mechanical properties. In addition, a FEA model with a newly developed spring element was employed to accurately simulate AFM evaluation in this study. We report that both cytoskeleton (CSK) and intracellular fluid govern the strain-rate-dependent mechanical property of living cells whereas intracellular fluid plays a predominant role on fixed cells' behavior. In addition, through the comparisons, it can be concluded that osteocytes are stiffer than chondrocytes at all strain-rates tested indicating that the cells could be the biomarker of their tissue origin. Finally, we report that MSnHS is able to capture the strain-rate-dependent mechanical behavior of osteocyte and chondrocyte for both living and fixed cells. Therefore, we concluded that the MSnHS is a good model for exploration of mechanical deformation responses of single osteocytes and chondrocytes. This study could open a new avenue for analysis of mechanical behavior of osteocytes and chondrocytes as well as other similar types of cells.
Draft Genome Sequence of Marine Cyanobacterium
Synechococcus
sp. Strain NKBG042902, Which Harbors a Homogeneous Plasmid Available for Metabolic Engineering
Authors: Honda Toru , Liang Yue , Arai Daichi , Ito Yasuhito , Yoshino Tomoko , Tanaka Tsuyoshi
Published: July 2014

The marine cyanobacterium
Synechococcus
sp. strain NKBG042902 was isolated from coastal areas in Japan. Strain NKBG042902 has four plasmids: pSY8, pSY9, pSY10, and pSY11. Moreover, the hybrid plasmid pUSY02 containing pSY11 and
Escherichia coli
plasmid pUC18 was constructed for this strain. The genetic manipulation technique using pUSY02 was established for this strain and used in metabolic engineering. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of this strain, which has 77 contigs comprising a total length of 3,319,479 bp, with a G+C content of 49.4%.
Characterization of the Whole-Genome Sequence of a Beak and Feather Disease Virus Isolate from a Mallee Ringneck Parrot (
Barnardius zonarius barnardi
)
Authors: Das Shubhagata , Sarker Subir , Forwood Jade K. , Ghorashi Seyed A. , Raidal Shane R.
Published: July 2014

The complete genome sequence of beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) from a wild Australian Mallee ringneck parrot (
Barnardius zonarius barnardi
) was characterized. The genome consists of 1,995 nucleotides and encodes two major proteins in opposing directions. This is the first evidence of BFDV infectivity and the first complete genome sequence for this novel host.
Genome Sequences of Cupriavidus metallidurans Strains NA1, NA4, and NE12, Isolated from Space Equipment
Authors: Monsieurs Pieter , Mijnendonckx Kristel , Provoost Ann , Venkateswaran Kasthuri , Ott C. Mark , Leys Natalie , Van Houdt Rob
Published: July 2014

Cupriavidus metallidurans
NA1, NA4, and NE12 were isolated from space and spacecraft-associated environments. Here, we report their draft genome sequences with the aim of gaining insight into their potential to adapt to these environments.
Draft Genome Sequence of Kluyveromyces marxianus Strain DMB1, Isolated from Sugarcane Bagasse Hydrolysate
Authors: Suzuki Toshihiro , Hoshino Tamotsu , Matsushika Akinori
Published: July 2014

We determined the genome sequence of a thermotolerant yeast,
Kluyveromyces marxianus
strain DMB1, isolated from sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate, and the sequence provides further insights into the genomic differences between this strain and other reported
K. marxianus
strains. The genome described here is composed of 11,165,408 bases and has 4,943 protein-coding genes.
Role of O-GlcNAcylation in nutritional sensing, insulin resistance and in mediating the benefits of exercise
Authors: Myslicki Jason P. , Belke Darrell D. , Shearer Jane
Published: July 2014

The purpose of this review is to highlight the role of O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) protein modification in metabolic disease states and to summarize current knowledge of how exercise affects this important post-translational signalling pathway. O-GlcNAc modification is an intracellular tool capable of integrating energy supply with demand. The accumulation of excess energy associated with obesity and insulin resistance is mediated, in part, by the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP), which results in the O-GlcNAcylation of a myriad of proteins, thereby affecting their respective function, stability, and localization. Insulin resistance is related to the excessive O-GlcNAcylation of key metabolic proteins causing a chronic blunting of insulin signalling pathways and precipitating the accompanying pathologies, such as heart and kidney disease. Lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise also modify the pathway. Exercise is a front-line and cost-effective therapeutic approach for insulin resistance, and recent work shows that the intervention can alter O-GlcNAc gene expression, signalling, and protein modification. However, there is currently no consensus on the effect of frequency, intensity, type, and duration of exercise on O-GlcNAc modification, the HBP, and its related enzymes. On one end of the spectrum, mild, prolonged swim training reduces O-GlcNAcylation, while on the other end, higher intensity treadmill running increases cardiac protein O-GlcNAc modification. Clearly, a balance between acute and chronic stress of exercise is needed to reap the benefits of the intervention on O-GlcNAc signalling.
The Hard X-ray Photoemission Spectroscopy Facility at CLS: performance and first results
Authors: Xiao Qunfeng , Cui Xiaoyu , Shi Yinbo , Hu Yongfeng , Sham Tsun-Kong , Piao Hong , McMahon James
Published: July 2014

Photoemission spectroscopy (PES) has been used widely to study the electronic structure of valence and core levels. However, conventional PES is surface-sensitive. To probe the interface and bulk properties of materials, hard X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (HXPES) has received increasing interest in the last decade, because of the deep probing ability of photoelectrons with higher kinetic energies (2–10 keV). Recently, a HXPES system was developed at the Canadian Light Source, using the high-energy version of a R4000 electron analyzer-based spectrometer connected to a medium-energy beamline, the soft X-ray microcharacterization beamline (SXRMB). Excellent performance of the beamline and the spectrometer is demonstrated herein using Au Fermi and 4f core lines; and the controlled probing depth of HXPES at SXRMB is demonstrated by tuning the photon energy (2–9 keV) in the study of a series of SiO2/SiC multilayer samples. Combined with the high-resolution X-ray absorption spectroscopy available at the SXRMB, the HXPES offers a powerful nondestructive technique for studying bulk properties of various materials.
Identification and characterization of phenol hydroxylase from phenol-degrading Candida tropicalis strain JH8
Authors: Long Yan , Yang Sheng , Xie Zhixiong , Cheng Li
Published: July 2014

The gene phhY encoding phenol hydroxylase from Candida tropicalis JH8 was cloned, sequenced, and expressed in Escherichia coli. The gene phhY contained an open reading frame of 2130 bp encoding a polypeptide of 709 amino acid residues. From its sequence analysis, it is a member of a family of flavin-containing aromatic hydroxylases and shares 41% amino acid identity with phenol hydroxylase from Trichosporon cutaneum. The recombinant phenol hydroxylase exists as a homotetramer structure with a native molecular mass of 320 kDa. Recombinant phenol hydroxylase was insensitive to pH treatment; its optimum pH was at 7.6. The optimum temperature for the enzyme was 30 °C, and its activity was rapidly lost at temperatures above 60 °C. Under the optimal conditions with phenol as substrate, the Km and Vmax of recombinant phenol hydroxylase were 0.21 mmol·L–1 and 0.077 μmol·L–1·min−1, respectively. This is the first paper presenting the cloning and expression in E. coli of the phenol hydroxylase gene from C. tropicalis and the characterization of the recombinant phenol hydroxylase.
Souroubea sympetala (Marcgraviaceae): a medicinal plant that exerts anxiolysis through interaction with the GABAA benzodiazepine receptor
Authors: Mullally Martha , Cayer Christian , Kramp Kari , Otárola Rojas Marco , Sanchez Vindas Pablo , Garcia Mario , Poveda Alvarez Luis , Durst Tony , Merali Zul , Trudeau Vance L. , Arnason John T.
Published: July 2014

The mode of action of the anxiolytic medicinal plant Souroubea sympetala was investigated to test the hypothesis that extracts and the active principle act at the pharmacologically important GABAA–benzodiazepine (GABAA–BZD) receptor. Leaf extracts prepared by ethyl acetate extraction or supercritical extraction, previously determined to have 5.54 mg/g and 6.78 mg/g of the active principle, betulinic acid, respectively, reduced behavioural parameters associated with anxiety in a rat model. When animals were pretreated with the GABAA–BZD receptor antagonist flumazenil, followed by the plant extracts, or a more soluble derivative of the active principle, the methyl ester of betulinic acid (MeBA), flumazenil eliminated the anxiety-reducing effect of plant extracts and MeBA, demonstrating that S. sympetala acts via an agonist action on the GABAA–BZD receptor. An in vitro GABAA–BZD competitive receptor binding assay also demonstrated that S. sympetala extracts have an affinity for the GABAA–BZD receptor, with an EC50 value of 123 μg/mL (EtOAc leaf extract) and 154 μg/mL (supercritical CO2 extract). These experiments indicate that S. sympetala acts at the GABAA–BZD receptor to elicit anxiolysis.
THE CONGESTION OF GENERALIZED CUBE COMMUNICATION PATTERN IN LINEAR ARRAY NETWORK
Authors: ZHANG JING , YANG XIAOFAN , YU CUI , HE LI
Published: July 2014

Generalized cubes are a subclass of hypercube-like networks that are employed by a number of parallel algorithms. Linear array is common topology of multicomputer system. So congestion is very useful to improve algorithm performance for implementing generalized cube communication pattern on linear array. This paper addresses the congestion of generalized cube communication patterns embedding into linear array topology. For this purpose, the maximum m-induced subgraph of generalized cube is determined firstly, which is very important for discussing the congestion. Then an embedding scheme is described, and the congestion is shown to attain the minimum, which guarantees the optimality of the proposed scheme.
Study of the neutron and proton capture reactions 10,11B(n, γ), 11B(p, γ), 14C(p, γ), and 15N(p, γ) at thermal and astrophysical energies
Authors: Dubovichenko Sergey , Dzhazairov-Kakhramanov Albert
Published: July 2014

We have studied the neutron-capture reactions 10,11 B (n, γ) and the role of the 11 B (n, γ) reaction in seeding r-process nucleosynthesis. The possibility of the description of the available experimental data for cross-sections of the neutron capture reaction on 10 B at thermal and astrophysical energies, taking into account the resonance at 475 keV, was considered within the framework of the modified potential cluster model (MPCM) with forbidden states (FS) and accounting for the resonance behavior of the scattering phase shifts. In the framework of the same model, the possibility of describing the available experimental data for the total cross-sections of the neutron radiative capture on 11 B at thermal and astrophysical energies were considered with taking into account the 21 and 430 keV resonances. Description of the available experimental data on the total cross-sections and astrophysical S-factor of the radiative proton capture on 11 B to the GS of 12 C was treated at astrophysical energies. The possibility of description of the experimental data for the astrophysical S-factor of the radiative proton capture on 14 C to the GS of 15 N at astrophysical energies, and the radiative proton capture on 15 N at the energies from 50 to 1500 keV was considered in the framework of the MPCM with the classification of the orbital states according to Young tableaux. It was shown that, on the basis of the M1 and the E1 transitions from different states of the p15 N scattering to the GS of 16 O in the p15 N channel, it is quite succeed to explain general behavior of the S-factor in the considered energy range in the presence of two resonances.
From Single-Cell Dynamics to Scaling Laws in Oncology
Authors: Chignola Roberto , Sega Michela , Stella Sabrina , Vyshemirsky Vladislav , Milotti Edoardo
Published: July 2014

We are developing a biophysical model of tumor biology. We follow a strictly quantitative approach where each step of model development is validated by comparing simulation outputs with experimental data. While this strategy may slow down our advancements, at the same time it provides an invaluable reward: we can trust simulation outputs and use the model to explore territories of cancer biology where current experimental techniques fail. Here, we review our multi-scale biophysical modeling approach and show how a description of cancer at the cellular level has led us to general laws obeyed by both in vitro and in vivo tumors.
Chapter 11 The rock coast of Korea
Authors: Choi Kwang Hee , Seong Yeong Bae
Published: July 2014

The rocky shores of the east and west coasts of Korea have distinctly different geomorphologies. Tidal processes dominate coastal landform development on the west coast, facing the Yellow Sea, while wave processes are more important on the east coast. This gives rise to broad differences in the nature of rocky landforms between these coastlines. With the exception of coastal terraces, there is limited understanding of rock coast systems in South Korea owing to a lack of quantitative analysis. In particular, wide shore platforms along the west coast have been interpreted as inherited features from the Last Interglacial or earlier stages, but the chronology of their development remains poorly constrained and understood because of insufficient investigation. Recently, cosmogenic surface exposure dating has been successfully applied to these platforms, providing new information on their development and offering the possibility of making better predictions of future coastal change. The absolute dating of contemporary and inherited rock coast landforms should help to better constrain the histories of relative sea-level change and coastal morphodynamics in Korea.
Chapter 2 Climate change and its impact on rock coasts
Authors: Trenhaile A. S.
Published: July 2014

Most rock coast processes will be affected by climate change during this century, but our ability to distinguish the consequences will be hampered by poor understanding of the mechanisms, their relationships to environmental controls and the lack of long, reliable erosional and depositional records. The most important impact is likely to be by rising sea level, and possibly in some regions increased storminess. The greatest concern is with soft rock coasts but there will also be significant increases in the erosion of hard rock cliffs. Greater precipitation, more extreme rainfall events and stronger wave attack from rising sea level, increasing storminess and decreasing sea ice will promote cliff failures. Commensurate changes to wave refraction patterns, longshore transport paths and the availability and productivity of sediment sources with higher sea level will trigger rapid changes to beaches on rocky coasts and to the width of shore platforms. Other changes are likely to be fairly imperceptible in this century. Most weathering processes will be modified and marine organisms will migrate longitudinally and altitudinally with corresponding changes in the nature and degree of their bioerosional and bioprotectional activities.
Chapter 3 The rock coast of the British Isles: cliffs
Authors: Lim Michael
Published: July 2014

The aim of this chapter is to provide a review of the recent advances and innovations that have added to the understanding of the cliffs in the British Isles. The chapter introduces the key components of coastal cliff systems, what defines and shapes them and how they have been conceptualized in Britain. The review sets the context for academic research into British coastal cliffs and then focuses on the contributions made to monitoring and modelling cliff changes and the processes that drive them. The chapter concludes with a summary of forthcoming avenues of enquiry and opportunities that have the potential to further knowledge of coastal cliff behaviour in the British Isles and beyond.
Chapter 5 The rock coast of the British Isles: weathering and biogenic processes
Authors: Coombes Martin A.
Published: July 2014

An abundance of moisture, salts and organic life make rock coasts a unique weathering environment. Here, mechanical and chemical processes act to break down rocks alongside the influence of waves, tides and geological factors. Organisms concurrently break down (bioweathering and bioerosion) and protect (bioprotection) coastal rocks in direct and indirect ways, enhancing or impeding other inorganic modes of decay. Some species also build physical structures (bioconstruction) that have geomorphological and ecological consequences. Studies of particular weathering processes are well represented in the British Isles, and demonstrate both the overriding controls of lithology and tidal position. The complexities arising from the interactive and combined influences of different processes are also evident. Biogenic processes are of greatest importance for the geomorphology of carbonate rock coasts and cohesive shores in Britain and Ireland, but weathering is largely secondary to waves in the evolution of harder rock coasts. The importance of typically fine-scale rock breakdown in facilitating larger-scale erosion is recognized, however, but warrants more attention, and the value of interdisciplinary and applied weathering research on rock coasts is stressed.
Bilateral Correspondence Model for Words-and-Pictures Association in Multimedia-Rich Microblogs
Authors: Wang Zhiyu , Cui Peng , Xie Lexing , Zhu Wenwu , Rui Yong , Yang Shiqiang
Published: July 2014

Nowadays, the amount of multimedia contents in microblogs is growing significantly. More than 20% of microblogs link to a picture or video in certain large systems. The rich semantics in microblogs provides an opportunity to endow images with higher-level semantics beyond object labels. However, this raises new challenges for understanding the association between multimodal multimedia contents in multimedia-rich microblogs. Disobeying the fundamental assumptions of traditional annotation, tagging, and retrieval systems, pictures and words in multimedia-rich microblogs are loosely associated and a correspondence between pictures and words cannot be established. To address the aforementioned challenges, we present the first study analyzing and modeling the associations between multimodal contents in microblog streams, aiming to discover multimodal topics from microblogs by establishing correspondences between pictures and words in microblogs. We first use a data-driven approach to analyze the new characteristics of the words, pictures, and their association types in microblogs. We then propose a novel generative model called the Bilateral Correspondence Latent Dirichlet Allocation (BC-LDA) model. Our BC-LDA model can assign flexible associations between pictures and words and is able to not only allow picture-word co-occurrence with bilateral directions, but also single modal association. This flexible association can best fit the data distribution, so that the model can discover various types of joint topics and generate pictures and words with the topics accordingly. We evaluate this model extensively on a large-scale real multimedia-rich microblogs dataset. We demonstrate the advantages of the proposed model in several application scenarios, including image tagging, text illustration, and topic discovery. The experimental results demonstrate that our proposed model can significantly and consistently outperform traditional approaches.
Imitation
Authors: Lempert Michael
Published: July 2014

“Imitation” in contemporary anthropology comprises numerous topics whose relations have seldom been explored. In surveying mimetic phenomena that range from television parodies to postural mirroring, I offer reflections designed to stimulate exploration of “mimetic practice.” The review encourages work at the nexus of sociocultural and linguistic anthropology, for without appreciating the communicative specificities of mimetic practice, one can neither narrate nor theorize adequately what mimesis does, and thus is. I chart directions in research by drawing out underappreciated findings from the ethnographic record, such as those that show that mimesis is not a matter of two-ness, as the original–copy binary suggests; that communicative dissonance often helps actors recognize when mimesis is in play and what action(s) it involves; that mimetic practice suffers (and sometimes benefits) from various instabilities (e.g., what is imitated, who imitates whom); and that reflexivity helps create, stabilize, and alter mimetic practices and projects.
Multiple Identities in Social Perception and Interaction: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Kang Sonia K. , Bodenhausen Galen V.
Published: July 2014

Categorization plays a fundamental role in organizing daily interactions with the social world. However, there is increasing recognition that social categorization is often complex, both because category membership can be ambiguous (e.g., multiracial or transgender identities) and because different categorical identities (e.g., race and gender) may interact to determine the meaning of category membership. These complex identities simultaneously impact social perceivers' impressions and social targets' own experiences of identity, thereby shaping perceptions, experiences, and interactions in fundamental ways. This review examines recent research on the perception and experience of the complex, multifaceted identities that both complicate and enrich our lives. Although research has historically tended to focus more on difficulties and challenges associated with multiple identities, increasing attention is being paid to opportunities that emerge from the possession of identities that include multiple distinct or overlapping groups. We consider how these opportunities might benefit both perceivers and targets.
Developmental Flexibility in the Age of Globalization: Autonomy and Identity Development Among Immigrant Adolescents
Authors: Fuligni Andrew J. , Tsai Kim M.
Published: July 2014

The socioeconomic and cultural changes that result from an increasingly interconnected world have been speculated to have important implications for the nature of adolescent development. Unfortunately, the historical time necessary for these changes to take place means that definitive research on the impact of globalization necessarily will be slow in forthcoming. Adolescents from immigrant families, however, already experience the social and cultural shifts thought to typify globalization, and an analysis of their experiences could shed light on what to expect as existing national barriers become more permeable. The value of flexibility in the face of great social and cultural change appears to be the dominant theme from research on immigrant youth, although that flexibility can be constrained by socioeconomic, ethnic, and racial stratification systems in host societies. This review highlights the implications of these findings for what may lie ahead for teenagers as globalization continues to expand.
Causality in Thought
Authors: Sloman Steven A. , Lagnado David
Published: July 2014

Causal knowledge plays a crucial role in human thought, but the nature of causal representation and inference remains a puzzle. Can human causal inference be captured by relations of probabilistic dependency, or does it draw on richer forms of representation? This article explores this question by reviewing research in reasoning, decision making, various forms of judgment, and attribution. We endorse causal Bayesian networks as the best normative framework and as a productive guide to theory building. However, it is incomplete as an account of causal thinking. On the basis of a range of experimental work, we identify three hallmarks of causal reasoning—the role of mechanism, narrative, and mental simulation—all of which go beyond mere probabilistic knowledge. We propose that the hallmarks are closely related. Mental simulations are representations over time of mechanisms. When multiple actors are involved, these simulations are aggregated into narratives.
Murine pressure overload models: a 30-MHz look brings a whole new “sound” into data interpretation
Authors: Hermans Hadewich , Swinnen Melissa , Pokreisz Peter , Caluwé Ellen , Dymarkowski Steven , Herregods Marie-Christine , Janssens Stefan , Herijgers Paul
Published: July 2014

Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) and angiotensin II (ANG II) subcutaneous osmotic pump infusion are frequently used murine models of pressure overload hypertrophy. The aim of this paper is to investigate time- and stressor-dependent functional and structural changes using echocardiographic B-mode, M-mode, and Doppler characterization. Ten-week-old male C57BL6/J wild-type mice received 4-wk ANG II (1.5 mg·kg−1·day−1, n = 19) or saline ( n = 10) infusion followed by echocardiography (Vevo2100, Visual Sonics), or underwent TAC ( n = 63) or a sham operation ( n = 30). In the TAC protocol, echocardiography was performed after 2 wk ( n = 22 TAC, n = 10 sham), after 4 wk ( n = 20 TAC, n = 10 sham), and after 10 wk ( n = 21 TAC, n = 10 sham). ANG II infusion was associated with a mixed pressure and volume overload, with a variable contribution of volume overload caused by aortic valve insufficiency (grade 0.5–3.5/4). The degree of aortic valve insufficiency correlated with the degree of left ventricular dilation ( r2 = 0.671, P < 0.001). After TAC, all hypertrophic remodeling patterns known in human disease were observed: 1) low-flow, low-gradient with preserved ejection fraction (EF); 2) concentric hypertrophy with normal EF and flow; 3) concentric hypertrophy with moderately decreased EF and/or flow; 4) eccentric hypertrophy with normal EF and flow; 5) eccentric hypertrophy with moderately decreased EF and/or flow; and 6) eccentric hypertrophy with severely depressed EF. Eccentric remodeling was time dependent, with 5% of mice developing this phenotype at 2 wk, 39% at 4 wk, and 59% at 10 wk. Comprehensive echocardiographic analysis allows identification of homogeneous subgroups of mice subjected to hypertrophic stress, reducing variability in experimental results and facilitating clinical translation.
Structural remodeling of coronary resistance arteries: effects of age and exercise training
Authors: Hanna Mina A. , Taylor Curtis R. , Chen Bei , La Hae-Sun , Maraj Joshua J. , Kilar Cody R. , Behnke Bradley J. , Delp Michael D. , Muller-Delp Judy M.
Published: July 2014

Age is known to induce remodeling and stiffening of large-conduit arteries; however, little is known of the effects of age on remodeling and mechanical properties of coronary resistance arteries. We employed a rat model of aging to investigate whether 1) age increases wall thickness and stiffness of coronary resistance arteries, and 2) exercise training reverses putative age-induced increases in wall thickness and stiffness of coronary resistance arteries. Young (4 mo) and old (21 mo) Fischer 344 rats remained sedentary or underwent 10 wk of treadmill exercise training. Coronary resistance arteries were isolated for determination of wall-to-lumen ratio, effective elastic modulus, and active and passive responses to changes in intraluminal pressure. Elastin and collagen content of the vascular wall were assessed histologically. Wall-to-lumen ratio increased with age, but this increase was reversed by exercise training. In contrast, age reduced stiffness, and exercise training increased stiffness in coronary resistance arteries from old rats. Myogenic responsiveness was reduced with age and restored by exercise training. Collagen-to-elastin ratio (C/E) of the wall did not change with age and was reduced with exercise training in arteries from old rats. Thus age induces hypertrophic remodeling of the vessel wall and reduces the stiffness and myogenic function of coronary resistance arteries. Exercise training reduces wall-to-lumen ratio, increases wall stiffness, and restores myogenic function in aged coronary resistance arteries. The restorative effect of exercise training on myogenic function of coronary resistance arteries may be due to both changes in vascular smooth muscle phenotype and expression of extracellular matrix proteins.
FOXD3 Modulates Migration through Direct Transcriptional Repression of TWIST1 in Melanoma
Authors: Weiss Michele B. , Abel Ethan V. , Dadpey Neda , Aplin Andrew E.
Published: July 2014

The neural crest is a multipotent, highly migratory cell population that gives rise to diverse cell types, including melanocytes. Factors regulating the development of the neural crest and emigration of its cells are likely to influence melanoma metastasis. The transcription factor FOXD3 plays an essential role in premigratory neural crest development and has been implicated in melanoma cell dormancy and response to therapeutics. FOXD3 is downregulated during the migration of the melanocyte lineage from the neural crest, and our previous work supports a role for FOXD3 in suppressing melanoma cell migration and invasion. Alternatively, TWIST1 is known to have promigratory and proinvasive roles in a number of cancers, including melanoma. Using ChIP-seq analysis, TWIST1 was identified as a potential transcriptional target of FOXD3. Mechanistically, FOXD3 directly binds to regions of the TWIST1 gene locus, leading to transcriptional repression of TWIST1 in human mutant BRAF melanoma cells. In addition, depletion of endogenous FOXD3 promotes upregulation of TWIST1 transcripts and protein. Finally, FOXD3 expression leads to a significant decrease in cell migration that can be efficiently reversed by the overexpression of TWIST1. These findings uncover the novel interplay between FOXD3 and TWIST1, which is likely to be important in the melanoma metastatic cascade.

Implications: FOXD3 and TWIST1 define distinct subgroups of cells within a heterogeneous tumor. Mol Cancer Res; 12(9); 1314–23. ©2014 AACR.
Longitudinal Changes in Circulating Testosterone Levels Determined by LC-MS/MS and by a Commercially Available Radioimmunoassay in Healthy Girls and Boys during the Pubertal Transition
Authors: Mouritsen Annette , Søeborg Tue , Johannsen Trine Holm , Aksglaede Lise , Sørensen Kaspar , Hagen Casper P. , Mieritz Mikkel G. , Frederiksen Hanne , Andersson Anna-Maria , Juul Anders
Published: July 2014

Background: Accurate and selective assessment of testosterone requires use of a sensitive LC-MS/MS method, especially at low levels as those seen in young children. Methods: The present longitudinal study of 20 healthy children from the Copenhagen Puberty Study followed every 6 months for 5 years evaluates the longitudinal increase in serum testosterone before, during and after pubertal onset quantified by a newly developed LC-MS/MS method in comparison with immunoassay. Testosterone concentrations in serum samples (n = 177) were determined by LC-MS/MS (detection limit 0.1 nmol/l) and by immunoassay (detection limit 0.23 nmol/l). Results: Serum concentrations of testosterone increased gradually with age by both methods. However, serum testosterone was quantifiable in 9/10 girls prior to pubic hair development measured with LC-MS/MS, and in 2/10 girls measured with immunoassay. In boys, testosterone was quantifiable in 10/10 boys 1 year prior to pubic hair development measured with LC-MS/MS, and only in 1/10 boys measured with immunoassay. Serum testosterone levels were quantifiable 1.5 years (range 0.5-2.5) earlier using LC-MS/MS. Conclusion: Assessment of longitudinal circulating levels of serum testosterone using a selective LC-MS/MS method proved to be more sensitive in predicting early peripubertal changes in healthy children compared to levels determined by immunoassay.
Effect of Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Serum 25(OH)D, Lipids and Markers of Insulin Resistance in Obese Adolescents: A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Trial
Authors: Nader Nicole S. , Aguirre Castaneda Roxana , Wallace James , Singh Ravinder , Weaver Amy , Kumar Seema
Published: July 2014

Background/Aims: To determine the effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], lipid profile and markers of insulin resistance in obese adolescents. Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 58 obese adolescents (n = 58; 12-18 years of age) received either vitamin D3 (2,000 IU/day) or placebo for 12 weeks. Total 25(OH)D, fasting plasma glucose, insulin and lipid profile were measured at baseline and following supplementation. Results: The trial was completed by 44/58 enrolled participants. At the end of the 12 weeks, total serum 25(OH)D concentrations increased to a modest degree (median 6 ng/ml) in the vitamin D-supplemented group (p < 0.001). Supplementation showed no detectable changes in fasting plasma glucose, insulin, homeostatic model of assessment index (HOMA-IR), lipids and highly sensitive C-reactive protein. Conclusions: 12 weeks of vitamin D3 supplementation in obese adolescents with 2,000 IU once daily resulted in a modest increase in 25(OH)D concentration in obese adolescents, but did not affect the lipid profile and markers of insulin resistance and inflammation. Further studies with higher doses of vitamin D3 and/or longer duration of supplementation are needed to understand if vitamin D3 supplementation can impact lipid profiles and markers of insulin resistance and inflammation in obese children.
Simultaneous Trial of Deep Brain and Motor Cortex Stimulation in Chronic Intractable Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Son Byung-chul , Kim Deok-ryeong , Kim Hyung-suk , Lee Sang-won
Published: July 2014

Background/Objectives: Both motor cortex stimulation (MCS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the ventralis caudalis (Vc) thalamus have been shown to be effective in chronic neuropathic pain, and the modulation of thalamic and thalamocortical activity is regarded as a possible mechanism. Although Vc DBS and MCS have a common analgesic mechanism, the application of MCS and DBS is still considered empirical, and there is no consensus on which method is better. Methods: We performed a simultaneous trial of thalamic Vc DBS and MCS in 9 patients with chronic neuropathic pain and investigated the results of the stimulation trial and long-term pain relief. Results: Of the 9 patients initially implanted with both DBS and MCS electrodes, 8 (89%) had a successful trial; 6 of these 8 patients (75%) responded to MCS, and the remaining 2 responded to Vc DBS. During the long-term follow-up, the mean numeric rating scale score decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The percentages of pain relief in the chronic MCS group and the chronic DBS group were 37.9 ± 16.5 and 37.5%, respectively, and there was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.157). Conclusion: Considering the initial success rate and the less invasive nature of epidural MCS compared with DBS, we think that MCS would be a more reasonable initial means of treatment for chronic intractable neuropathic pain.
Cardiovascular Risk Factors as Causes for Hearing Impairment
Authors: Oron Yahav , Elgart Katya , Marom Tal , Roth Yehudah
Published: July 2014

The purpose of this paper is to provide a contemporary review of the correlation between cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) and hearing impairment (HI). We conducted a comprehensive review of the literature in order to assess the effects of the different CVRFs on HI. We focused on the pathological findings in the inner ear and their correlation with cochlear function in population-based studies. We found that CVRFs adversely affect hearing acuity. HI diagnosis should be accompanied by detecting and treating CVRFs, according to the presented outline, which may augment hearing rehabilitation and improve the general health and the well-being of the patient.
Extent of Flood Damage Increased Cerebrovascular Disease Incidences in Iwate Prefecture after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011
Authors: Omama Shinichi , Yoshida Yuki , Ogasawara Kuniaki , Ogawa Akira , Ishibashi Yasuhiro , Nakamura Motoyuki , Tanno Kozo , Ohsawa Masaki , Onoda Toshiyuki , Itai Kazuyoshi , Sakata Kiyomi
Published: July 2014

Background: Several studies have reported on increases in the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases after huge earthquakes. An increase in the incidence of cerebrovascular diseases was observed after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011. To assess whether tsunami damage or the earthquake was responsible for this trend, we assessed the relative impact of earthquake magnitude and flood damage on cerebrovascular disease. Methods: A total of 12 coastal municipalities facing the epicenter were divided into 4 flood severity groups according to the percentage of people living in the flooded areas (<20, 20-40, 40-60, and ≥60%) and 3 groups according to the Japanese Meteorological Agency seismic intensity of the main shock (<4.5, 4.5-5.0 and ≥5.0). The standard incidence ratios (SIRs) of cerebrovascular diseases in the first 4 weeks after the disaster compared with the same periods in 2008−2010 were calculated for each flood severity group and each earthquake severity group. Odds ratios (ORs) of disease incidence and the adjusted ORs for seismic intensity (using the Mantel-Haenszel method) between the higher (≥40%) and the lower flooded area (<40%) were compared with the same periods in 2008−2010. Likewise, ORs and adjusted ORs for flood severity in the high seismic intensity area (≥4.9) were compared with those in the low seismic intensity area (<4.9). Results: SIRs increased with the increased flood severity: 0.94 (0.59-1.30) at <20%, 1.02 (0.70-1.34) at 20-40%, 1.26 (0.66-1.86) at 40-60% and 1.98 (1.25-2.72) at ≥60%. However, SIRs did not increase with increased seismic intensity: 0.95 (0.60-1.29) at <4.5, 1.52 (1.07-1.98) at 4.5-5.0 and 1.17 (0.80-1.54) at ≥5.0. ORs and adjusted ORs for seismic intensity in the high flood area compared with the low flood area were significant: 1.68 (1.07-2.65) and 1.78 (1.08-2.96), respectively. However, ORs and adjusted ORs for flood severity in the high seismic intensity area compared with the low intensity area were not significant: 1.33 (0.82-2.17) and 1.19 (0.62-2.31), respectively. Conclusions: Cerebrovascular disease incidences after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011 increased because of tsunami damage and not because of the earthquake magnitude.
Congenital Intraosseous Cavernous Hemangioma of the Skull: An Unusual Case
Authors: Rumana Makhdoomi , Khursheed Nayil , Farhat Mustafa , Othman Salim , Masood Laharwal
Published: July 2014

Intraosseous hemangiomas are benign vascular malformations mostly seen in the spine. They rarely occur in the skull. The usual age-group involved is the 2nd to 4th decades, and females outnumber males. We hereby report a rare case of congenital intraosseous cavernous hemangioma of the skull bone in a male infant. The patient underwent total excision of the lesion.
Management of Young Blood Donors
Authors: Newman Bruce H.
Published: July 2014

The emphasis on high-school blood drives and acceptance of 16-year-old blood donors led to more research on physiologic and psychological ways to decrease vasovagal reaction rates in young blood donors and to increase donor retention. Research on how to accomplish this has been advantageous for the blood collection industry and blood donors. This review discussed the current situation and what can be done psychologically, physiologically, and via process improvements to decrease vasovagal reaction rates and increase donor retention. The donation process can be significantly improved. Future interventions may include more dietary salt, a shorter muscle tension program to make it more feasible, recommendations for post-donation muscle tension / squatting / laying down for lightheadedness, more donor education by the staff at the collection site, more staff attention to donors with fear or higher risk for a vasovagal reaction (e.g. estimated blood volume near 3.5 l, first-time donor), and a more focused donation process to ensure a pleasant and safer procedure.