bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Diet and Exercise Training‐Induced Weight Loss on Myocardial Mechanics in Severely Obese Adolescents
Authors: Obert Philippe , Gueugnon Carine , Nottin Stéphane , Vinet Agnes , Gayrard Sandrine , Rupp Thomas , Dumoulin Gilles , Tordi Nicolas , Mougin Fabienne
Published: April 2013

Objective

Recent findings indicated silent incipient myocardial dysfunction in juvenile obesity despite normal global cardiac function. The present study investigated whether lifestyle intervention is able to favorably impact these obesity‐related myocardial abnormalities and whether improvements are related to changes in insulin resistance and cardiac remodeling.

Design and Methods

Twenty‐eight severe obese adolescents (OB) participated in a 9 month lifestyle intervention program (LIP) based on aerobic exercise and diet. Twenty healthy adolescents (CG) served as controls. Conventional echocardiography and myocardial mechanics were obtained at baseline and follow‐up along with insulin resistance.

Results

Insulin sensitivity improved (P < 0.001) and body weight decreased (P < 0.001) consecutive to LIP. At baseline, OB had depressed longitudinal (L) strain (CG: −18.3 ± 2.6, OB: −14.2 ± 3.6%, P < 0.001) and enhanced twist compared to controls. The LIP in OB restored L strain to normal values (−16.9 ± 3.5%, NS), whereas it did not affect twist mechanics. From stepwise multiple regression analysis, only baseline L strain and changes in BMI Z‐score (r2‐adjusted = 0.49, P < 0.001) emerged as independent predictors of L strain changes.

Conclusions

Juvenile obesity is associated with myocardial mechanic abnormalities that can be partly corrected by lifestyle intervention. Restoration of longitudinal myocardial function occurs in the absence of left ventricular remodeling changes and is not associated with insulin resistance improvements.
Fabrication and analysis of multijunction solar cells with a quantum dot (In)GaAs junction
Authors: Kerestes Christopher , Polly Stephen , Forbes David , Bailey Christopher , Podell Adam , Spann John , Patel Pravin , Richards Benjamin , Sharps Paul , Hubbard Seth
Published: April 2013

InAs quantum dots (QDs) have been incorporated to bandgap engineer the (In)GaAs junction of (In)GaAs/Ge double‐junction solar cells and InGaP/(In)GaAs/Ge triple‐junction solar cells on 4‐in. wafers. One sun AM0 current–voltage measurement shows consistent performance across the wafer. Quantum efficiency analysis shows similar aforementioned bandgap performance of baseline and QD solar cells, whereas integrated sub‐band gap current of 10 InAs QD layers shows a gain of 0.20 mA/cm2. Comparing QD double‐junction solar cells and QD triple‐junction solar cells to baseline structures shows that the (In)GaAs junction has a Voc loss of 50 mV and the InGaP 70 mV. Transmission electron microscopy imaging does not reveal defective material and shows a buried QD density of 1011 cm−2, which is consistent with the density of QDs measured on the surface of a test structure. Although slightly lower in efficiency, the QD solar cells have uniform performance across 4‐in. wafers. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Kp index and solar wind speed relationship: Insights for improving space weather forecasts
Authors: Elliott Heather A. , Jahn Jörg‐Micha , McComas David J.
Published: April 2013

The Kp geomagnetic index forecasts are currently used to predict the aurora, MeV electron fluxes at geosynchronous, spacecraft anomalies and charging events, and times when accurate geological surveys can be performed. Many Kp forecasts rely on the upstream solar wind speed since the speed strongly correlates with the Kp index. However, the distribution of Kp and solar wind speed measurements is quite broad. To understand how common certain combinations of Kp and speed are, we plot the percentage of points in two‐dimensional Kp and speed bins using a color scale. Using these color Kp‐solar wind speed distributions for compressions, rarefactions, and Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections separately, we find that much of the variability in the Kp‐solar wind speed distribution is attributable to the dynamic interaction between the fast and slow wind. We compare three different criteria for identifying compressions and rarefactions and find that density criteria provide greater separation between compressions and rarefactions than dynamic pressure or speed‐time slope criteria. However, the speed‐time slope provides enough separation to be useful given that the solar wind speed has a long autocorrelation time and can be predicted using solar observations (e.g., expansion factor models). To ensure our work can easily be incorporated into forecast models, we provide the Kp‐speed distributions files for all three methods of identifying compressions and rarefactions. We describe a method to extend forecast lead times by estimating compression strength with a speed‐time profile obtained from solar wind speed predictions based on solar, coronal, and/or heliospheric imaging observations.
Ablation of sarcolipin decreases the energy requirements for Ca2+ transport by sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPases in resting skeletal muscle
Authors: Bombardier Eric , Smith Ian C. , Vigna Chris , Fajardo Val A. , Tupling A. Russell
Published: April 2013

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of sarcolipin (SLN) on sarco(endo) plasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase (SERCA pump) energetics in vivo and resting skeletal muscle metabolic rate. Using SLN knockout (Sln
−/−) mice we show that SLN ablation increases the transport stoichiometry of SERCA pumps (Ca2+ uptake/Ca2+‐ATPase activity) and decreases the relative contribution of SERCA pumps to resting oxygen consumption (VO
2) in soleus without affecting soleus or whole body VO
2. These data suggest that the lower energy requirements for Ca2+ cycling in resting skeletal muscle of Sln
−/− mice do not impact significantly either skeletal muscle or whole body metabolic rate.
In memory of Professor Leonor Michaelis in Nagoya: Great contributions to biochemistry in Japan in the first half of the 20th century
Authors: Nagatsu Toshiharu (Toshi)
Published: April 2013

Leonor Michaelis spent the years of 1922–1926 as Professor of Biochemistry of the Aichi Medical College (now Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University) in Nagoya, Japan. Michaelis succeeded in gathering many bright young biochemists from all over Japan into his laboratory, and made tremendous contributions to the promotion of biochemistry in Japan. Michaelis was invited to many places in Japan to present lectures over those years. Kunio Yagi, who was Professor of Biochemistry at Nagoya University in the second half of the 20th century, succeeded in crystallizing the “Michaelis” enzyme–substrate complex. Historically, Michelis has had an enormous impact on biochemistry in Japan.
Preconditioning with sevoflurane ameliorates spatial learning and memory deficit after focal cerebral ischemia–reperfusion in rats
Authors: Hu Xianwen , Zhang Ye , Li Weiyan , Liu Jian , Li Yun
Published: April 2013

Previous studies have demonstrated that sevoflurane could attenuate cerebral neuron necrosis and apoptosis in ischemia–reperfusion models in rats. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of preconditioning with sevoflurane on spatial learning and memory ability after focal cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury in rats and its potential mechanisms. Focal cerebral ischemia was performed via 1 h of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by reperfusion. Before ischemia, rats were subjected to preconditioning with inhalation of 2.4% sevoflurane for 1 h. The spatial learning and memory ability of rats was measured by the Morris water maze. The activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in hippocampus CA1 region was observed by immunohistochemistry method. We found MCAO elicited a significant decrease of the ability of spatial learning and memory in contrast to the sham surgery controls. However, preconditioning with sevoflurane resulted in significantly ameliorates spatial learning and memory deficit induced by MCAO. Furthermore, the number of ChAT positive cells in hippocampus CA1 region in sevoflurane preconditioning group was striking more than that of ischemia–reperfusion group. All results suggested that preconditioning with 2.4% sevoflurane could ameliorate the ability of spatial learning and memory after focal cerebral ischemia–reperfusion in rats via protecting the cholinergic neurons in hippocampal CA1 region.
Evolutionary consumer psychology: Ask not what you can do for biology, but…
Authors: Kenrick Douglas T. , Saad Gad , Griskevicius Vladas
Published: April 2013

The commentaries raise questions about modularity, and about the evidence required to establish evolutionary influences on behavior. We briefly discuss evidence leading evolutionary psychologists to assume that human choices reflect evolutionary influences, and to assume some degree of modularity in human information processing. An evolutionary perspective is based on a multidisciplinary nomological network of evidence, and results of particular experiments are only one part of that network. The precise nature of, and number of, information processing systems, is an empirical question. Consumer psychologists need not retrain as biologists to profit from using insights and findings from evolutionary biology to generate new hypotheses, and to contribute novel insights and findings to the emerging nomological network of modern evolutionary science.
Current status of cardiac resynchronization therapy device optimization in Japan
Authors: Doi Kentaro , Noda Takashi , Yoshida Kentaro , Yamasaki Hiro , Sekiguchi Yukio , Kamakura Shiro , Shimizu Wataru , Aonuma Kazutaka
Published: April 2013

Background

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is known to be effective for patients with heart failure. However, despite data suggesting that routine atrioventricular (AV) and interventricular (VV) delay optimization may play significant roles in CRT, there is no standard on how and when the CRT device should be optimized. The aim of this study was to characterize the current practice of CRT optimization in Japan.

Methods

A survey was conducted to collect information on the procedural aspects of AV and VV delay optimization. The key survey items concerned what method is used for optimization, when optimization is performed, and what factors limit repetitive optimization.

Results

Fifty‐two physicians participated in the survey. Echocardiography was the chosen method for assessing AV and VV delays by 79.6% and 65.3% of physicians, respectively, and routine optimization was performed by 28.3%. The majority optimized the settings only once at pre‐hospital discharge or on an “as‐needed” basis. The factors limiting repeated optimization were the lack of available time (71.2%), qualified staff (53.8%), and reliable methods (55.8%).

Conclusions

Repetitive CRT optimization is infrequently performed in Japan. Lack of time, human resource, and reliable methods were the major factors affecting the number of routine CRT optimization.
WNT‐5A triggers Cdc42 activation leading to an ERK1/2 dependent decrease in MMP9 activity and invasive migration of breast cancer cells
Authors: Prasad Chandra Prakash , Chaurasiya Shivendra Kumar , Axelsson Lena , Andersson Tommy
Published: April 2013

An important role for WNT‐5A is implicated in a variety of tumors, including breast carcinoma. We previously showed that WNT‐5A signaling inhibits migration and metastasis of breast cancer cells, and that patients with primary breast cancer in which WNT‐5A was expressed have a better prognosis. Despite the fact that RhoGTPase Cdc42 is commonly associated with increased cell migration, we here show that recombinant WNT‐5A activates the Cdc42 in breast cancer cells (lines MDA‐MB468 and MDA‐MB231) in a time‐dependent manner. Activation of Cdc42 was also observed in MDA‐MB468 cells that were stably transfected with a WNT‐5A plasmid (MDA‐MB468‐5A). In all situations, increased Cdc42 activity was accompanied by decreased migration and invasion of the breast cancer cells. To explore these findings further we also investigated the effect of WNT‐5A signaling on ERK1/2 activity. Apart from an initial Ca2+‐dependent rWNT‐5A‐induced activation of ERK1/2, Cdc42 activity was inversely correlated with ERK1/2 activity in both rWNT‐5A‐stimulated parental MDA‐MB468 and MDA‐MB468‐5A cells. We also demonstrated increased ERK1/2 activity in MDA‐MB468‐5A cells following siRNA knockdown of Cdc42. Consistent with these results, breast cancer cells transfected with constitutively active Cdc42 exhibited reduced ERK1/2 activity, migration and invasion, whereas cells transfected with dominant negative Cdc42 had increased ERK1/2 activity in response to rWNT‐5A. To gain information on how ERK1/2 can mediate its effect on breast cancer cell migration and invasion, we next investigated and demonstrated that WNT‐5A signaling and constitutively active Cdc42 both decreased matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) activity. These data indicate an essential role of Cdc42 and ERK1/2 signaling and MMP9 activity in WNT‐5A‐impaired breast cancer cells.
Age, growth and reproductive biology of the rough skate, Raja radula (Chondrichthyes: Rajidae), off the Gulf of Gabes (southern Tunisia, central Mediterranean)
Authors: Kadri Hasna , Marouani Sondes , Bradai Mohamed Nejmeddine , Bouaïn Abderrahmen
Published: April 2013

Age, growth and reproductive parameters were estimated for Raja radula from the Gulf of Gabes (southern Tunisia, central Mediterranean Sea), collected monthly during 2007 from commercial fisheries. In total, 550 females (18.5–80.0 cm TL) and 400 males (13.4–65 cm TL) were examined to study the reproductive cycle. A subsample of 272 specimens (140 females and 132 males, ranging from 15.5 to 80 cm in total length, TL) was used for age and growth estimation derived from vertebral centra. The marginal-increment and edge analysis showed annual deposition of growth bands. The oldest female in the study was 12 years old and 80 cm in TL, whereas the oldest male was 9 years old and 65 cm in TL. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters were L∞ = 76.36 cm, K = 0.22 year–1 and t0 = –0.16 years for males. There was no significant difference in growth between the sexes. The size-at-maturity was 47.05 cm for males and 56.48 cm for females. The age-at-maturity was estimated to be 4.47 and 5.89 years, respectively, for males and females. There was no significant difference of size- and age-at-maturity between the sexes. Females carrying egg cases occurred throughout the year. Variations in the gonadosomatic and hepatosomatic indices showed a continuous reproductive cycle throughout the year.
Barriers to collaboration in mental health services for older people: external agency views
Authors: Crotty Mikaila M. , Henderson Julie , Martinez Lee , Fuller Jeffrey D.
Published: April 2013

The need for mental health services for older people living in rural areas is increasing in South Australia. Providing such care requires coordination between several types of services across government, hospital and non-government sectors. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers to collaboration from the perspective of external aged care agencies. A total of 42 responses from an online survey were qualitatively analysed. Four categories emerged, within which participants had identified barriers to collaboration: (1) awareness of services and certainty about responsibilities, in particular, a lack of awareness of which services are available; (2) referral criteria and processes, including the specific criteria needed to be eligible for these services; (3) opportunities to collaborate, with a perceived lack of formal opportunities for collaboration between individuals working across agencies; and (4) education of staff, with more joint education between agencies being recognised as having the potential to increase local knowledge and provide an opportunity for networking and relationship building, with greatest barriers experienced between mental health and social care services.
The Soviet Union and the Construction of Azerbaijani National Identity in the 1930s
Authors: Yilmaz Harun
Published: April 2013

Although the titular nation of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic was Turkic speaking and had strong cultural and historical ties with Iran, the Soviet regime constructed a national identity that was divorced from its Turkic and Iranian past. The current literature cannot provide the exact period when this construction was put forward and generally argues that the Azerbaijani identity was artificially created as part of a broader “divide-and-rule” policy that was applied to all the Turkic nations in the Soviet Union. However, this thesis by itself does not explain why this change from a Turkic identity to an Azerbaijani one happened seventeen years after the Bolsheviks assumed power in Baku, and its simple causation makes it sound more like a conspiracy theory, which had a certain popularity in the Cold War era, than a scholarly argument. By presenting a broader view, the paper explains why and when the national identity in Soviet Azerbaijan was altered from Turkic to Azerbaijani. It argues that there were many factors that induced the Bolsheviks to take this extraordinary step in 1937. In fact, the change in defining national identity in Azerbaijan was a result of a combination of developments in the 1930s in Turkey, Iran, Germany, and the Soviet Union. The article concludes that these developments left Soviet rulers no choice but to construct an independent Azerbaijani identity.
Biological Reference Points for the Nutritional Status of Chesapeake Bay Striped Bass
Authors: Jacobs John M. , Harrell Reginal M. , Uphoff Jim , Townsend Howard , Hartman Kyle
Published: April 2013

The assessment of the nutritional status of fish is a central requirement of fisheries management. However, there has been little consensus on the appropriate indicator to use, and even less effort toward defining biological thresholds and reference points. With current efforts to manage fisheries in an ecosystem context, environmental effects and trophic relationships need to be considered and appropriate indicators developed. To address this concern, we compiled five different studies in which multiple indicators of nutritional status were applied to Striped Bass Morone saxatilis of different age-classes, geographical origins, and environments (cultured and wild). Proximate composition analysis was used to compare measured lipid concentrations in the anterior dorsal muscle against selected indicators, including Fulton's condition factor, relative weight, percent moisture, and an index of visceral body fat. The results suggest that weight-at-length indices are less sensitive than proximate analysis and poorly related to lipid concentration. However, models developed for both moisture and the body fat index adequately represent tissue lipids and offer clear thresholds of lipid depletion. We propose the use of the proportion of Striped Bass with anterior dorsal muscle composed of more than 80% moisture, or classified as having no observable visceral body fat, as a working protocol for thresholds of poor condition in ecosystem approaches to Chesapeake Bay Striped Bass management. Further, based on historical data we propose an interim target condition of 75% of individuals containing less than 80% moisture as a management goal.

Received May 3, 2011; accepted December 19, 2012
Effectiveness of Three Compounds to Anesthetize Rainbow Trout during PIT Tag Implantation Surgery
Authors: Davis Jacob L. , Barnes Michael E. , Wilhite Jerry W.
Published: April 2013

This study evaluated the efficacy of two potential zero-withdrawal anesthetics, Benzoak (20% benzocaine; 50, 60, and 75 mg/L) and Aqui-SE (50% eugenol; 50, 60, and 75 mg/L) compared with tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222; 55, 80, and 100 mg/L), to anesthetize Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss for PIT tag implantation surgery. In general, higher doses resulted in faster induction time to stage 4 anesthesia (defined by the cessation of reflex activity). At 204 s, the time to stage 4 anesthesia was slowest using MS-222 at 55 mg/L, followed by 50 mg/L of either Benzoak and Aqui-SE, which in turn were significantly slower to induce this level of anesthesia than were Benzoak or Aqui-SE at 60 or 75 mg/L or MS-222 at 80 mg/L. At 100 mg/L, MS-222 had the quickest time, 57 s, to stage 4 anesthesia. Time to recovery was longest for Rainbow Trout exposed to any concentration of Aqui-SE and shortest for MS-222, and recovery times from Benzoak were intermediate. Although Rainbow Trout length and weight varied significantly among the treatments, time to anesthesia and recovery were more dependent on the anesthetic and concentration used. In our opinion, doses of either Benzoak or Aqui-SE of greater than 60 mg/L will induce rapid anesthesia and provide relatively quick recovery times for adult Rainbow Trout.

Received July 27, 2012; accepted January 10, 2013
Hydrilla Management in Piedmont Reservoirs Using Herbicides and Triploid Grass Carp: A Case Study
Authors: Manuel Kenneth L. , Kirk James P. , Barwick D. Hugh , Bowen Tommy W.
Published: April 2013

We developed a three-step management strategy for hydrilla Hydrilla verticillata in five Piedmont reservoirs operated by Duke Energy Corporation. This strategy involves (1) early detection of hydrilla, (2) use of registered herbicides for plant suppression along with stocking 20 triploid Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella per surface acre of infestation, and (3) maintenance stocking of triploid Grass Carp to prevent hydrilla regrowth from tubers. Following this strategy, hydrilla in the water column was eliminated within one calendar year after Grass Carp introduction in four out of five reservoirs. This suggests that integrating herbicide applications with stocking Grass Carp largely eliminates the multiyear lag effect normally associated with using Grass Carp alone. A maintenance density of at least one triploid Grass Carp per eight surface acres of the reservoir prevented hydrilla regrowth except for a brief and minor reinfestation in one of five study reservoirs. This management approach proved successful when hydrilla coverage was as little as 1–3% of the reservoir's surface area. Detecting and controlling hydrilla early during the infestation should reduce the cost of management and perhaps minimize some adverse effects associated with the introduction and use of triploid Grass Carp.

Received November 14, 2012; accepted January 15, 2013
Capture Efficiency of Barbed versus Barbless Artificial Flies for Trout
Authors: Bloom Roger K.
Published: April 2013

I examined the capture efficiency of artificial flies fished with barbed and barbless hooks in various coldwater fisheries throughout California. Capture efficiency was defined as the proportion of trout (family Salmonidae) landed to the total number of trout hooked while angling. Waters were selected based on high catch per unit effort along with trout species present in an effort to increase the probability of encounters and the species represented. Artificial flies were standardized by J-style hooks and three artificial fly types (dry, nymph, and streamer). In an effort to reduce bias, anglers were not told what hook type (i.e., barbed or barbless) they were using and were not allowed to handle or visually inspect flies. A total of 1,617 trout were landed with a mean total length of 213 mm and a range of 64–660 mm. Mean capture efficiency (and ranges) was 76% (38–100%) for anglers using barbed flies and 63% (0–100%) for anglers using barbless flies. Results show that anglers using barbless flies landed proportionately less trout than when they used barbed flies. Fisheries managers must weigh any perceived benefits from barbless regulations with potential reductions in catch rates and associated angler satisfaction.

Received May 24, 2012; accepted January 17, 2013
Utility of Restrictive Harvest Regulations for Trophy Largemouth Bass Management
Authors: Dotson Jason R. , Allen Micheal S. , Kerns Janice A. , Pouder William F.
Published: April 2013

Trophy-size fish are a critical component of recreational Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides floridanus fisheries; therefore, many agencies have prioritized management actions to improve catches of large fish. Length-based harvest regulations are commonly used to increase the abundance of trophy-size fish, but the rarity of large fish in sampling programs makes it difficult to use field data to evaluate the effectiveness of those regulations. We used an age-structured simulation model parameterized for a trophy Largemouth Bass fishery to evaluate the potential for a range of size limits to increase abundance and angler catches of trophy Largemouth Bass (>610 mm TL). We compiled creel information from four Florida lakes with varying harvest regulations that were known to have high-quality trophy fisheries in order to assess the performance of the model. Model results were scaled to represent trips per trophy catch for a range of size limits. The model predicted that the average number of angler trips required to catch a trophy fish were expected to decline from 83 under a 350-mm minimum length limit (e.g., baseline model that represents the standard length limit in the peninsula of Florida) to 47 for a 600-mm minimum length limit if exploitation rates were 0.2. Maximum size limits and protective slot limits also showed potential to substantially improve trophy catches. The model results and creel estimates showed similar trends for the predicted number of angler trips required to catch a trophy fish on lakes managed for trophy Largemouth Bass in Florida. Our model could be combined with fish population data to forecast the effectiveness of regulation changes on trophy fish catches. This could provide insight into trophy fisheries, where field measurements of trophy abundance and angler catches are difficult to obtain with traditional sampling programs.

Received August 31, 2012; accepted January 17, 2013
Spatial Consistency of Chinook Salmon Redd Distribution within and among Years in the Cowlitz River, Washington
Authors: Klett Katherine J. C. , Torgersen Christian E. , Henning Julie A. , Murray Christopher J.
Published: April 2013

We investigated the spawning patterns of Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha on the lower Cowlitz River, Washington, using a unique set of fine- and coarse-scale temporal and spatial data collected during biweekly aerial surveys conducted in 1991–2009 (500 m to 28 km resolution) and 2008–2009 (100–500 m resolution). Redd locations were mapped from a helicopter during 2008 and 2009 with a hand-held GPS synchronized with in-flight audio recordings. We examined spatial patterns of Chinook Salmon redd reoccupation among and within years in relation to segment-scale geomorphic features. Chinook Salmon spawned in the same sections each year with little variation among years. On a coarse scale, 5 years (1993, 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2009) were compared for reoccupation. Redd locations were highly correlated among years. Comparisons on a fine scale (500 m) between 2008 and 2009 also revealed a high degree of consistency among redd locations. On a finer temporal scale, we observed that Chinook Salmon spawned in the same sections during the first and last week. Redds were clustered in both 2008 and 2009. Regression analysis with a generalized linear model at the 500-m scale indicated that river kilometer and channel bifurcation were positively associated with redd density, whereas sinuosity was negatively associated with redd density. Collecting data on specific redd locations with a GPS during aerial surveys was logistically feasible and cost effective and greatly enhanced the spatial precision of Chinook Salmon spawning surveys.

Received August 10, 2012; accepted February 14, 2013
Emotion Recognition: The Role of Featural and Configural Face Information
Authors: Bombari Dario , Schmid Petra C. , Schmid Mast Marianne , Birri Sandra , Mast Fred W. , Lobmaier Janek S.
Published: April 2013

Several studies investigated the role of featural and configural information when processing facial identity. A lot less is known about their contribution to emotion recognition. In this study, we addressed this issue by inducing either a featural or a configural processing strategy (Experiment 1) and by investigating the attentional strategies in response to emotional expressions (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, participants identified emotional expressions in faces that were presented in three different versions (intact, blurred, and scrambled) and in two orientations (upright and inverted). Blurred faces contain mainly configural information, and scrambled faces contain mainly featural information. Inversion is known to selectively hinder configural processing. Analyses of the discriminability measure ( A′) and response times (RTs) revealed that configural processing plays a more prominent role in expression recognition than featural processing, but their relative contribution varies depending on the emotion. In Experiment 2, we qualified these differences between emotions by investigating the relative importance of specific features by means of eye movements. Participants had to match intact expressions with the emotional cues that preceded the stimulus. The analysis of eye movements confirmed that the recognition of different emotions rely on different types of information. While the mouth is important for the detection of happiness and fear, the eyes are more relevant for anger, fear, and sadness.
Comparison of GHG‐Emission Indicators for Dairy Farms with Respect to Induced Abatement Costs, Accuracy, and Feasibility
Authors: Lengers Bernd , Britz Wolfgang , Holm‐Müller Karin
Published: April 2013

There is broad debate about including agriculture in greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction efforts such as the European Emissions Trading Scheme. Since most agricultural GHG emissions originate from non‐point sources, they cannot be directly measured, and therefore have to be derived by calculation schemes (indicators). We designed five such GHG indicators for dairy farms and analyzed the trade‐offs between their feasibility, measurement accuracy, and level of induced abatement costs. Analyses of induced abatement costs and calculation accuracy are based on emission reduction simulations with a highly‐detailed single‐farm optimization model. Feasibility is discussed in a qualitative manner. Our results indicate that the trade‐offs depend on both farm characteristics and the targeted reduction level. In particular, the advantages of detailed indicators decrease for higher abatement levels. Only the least feasible indicator led to abatement costs that would result in emission efforts at given prices in the European Emissions Trading Scheme, although with a rather small potential. Our results thus suggest little potential for including dairy production into market‐based reduction policies.
Combining size and shape in weak lensing
Authors: Heavens Alan , Alsing Justin , Jaffe Andrew H.
Published: April 2013

Weak lensing alters the size of images with a similar magnitude to the distortion due to shear. Galaxy size probes the convergence field and shapes the shear field, both of which contain cosmological information. We show the gains expected in the dark energy figure of merit if galaxy size information is used in combination with galaxy shape. In any normal analysis of cosmic shear, galaxy sizes are also studied, so this is extra statistical information that comes for free and is currently unused. There are two main results in this Letter: first, we show that size measurement can be made uncorrelated with ellipticity measurement, thus allowing the full statistical gain from the combination, provided that √area is used as a size indicator; secondly, as a proof of concept, we show that when the relevant modes are noise dominated, as is the norm for lensing surveys, the gains are substantial, with improvements of about 68 per cent in the figure of merit expected when systematic errors are ignored. An approximate treatment of such systematics such as intrinsic alignments and size–magnitude correlations, respectively, suggests that a much better improvement in the dark energy figure of merit of even a factor of ∼4 may be achieved.
Vibrio hemicentroti sp. nov., an alginate lyase-producing bacterium, isolated from the gut microflora of sea urchin (Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus)
Authors: Kim Duwoon , Baik Keun Sik , Hwang Ye Seul , Choi Jong-Soon , Kwon Joseph , Seong Chi Nam
Published: April 2013

An alginate lyase-producing bacterium, designated AlyHP32T, was isolated from the gut of sea urchin (Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus) obtained from the South Sea, Republic of Korea. Cells of strain AlyHP32Twere Gram-reaction-negative and motile with a single polar flagellum. The strain grew with 1–6 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2–4 %) and at 4–30 °C (optimum 15–25 °C). Phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of the 16S rRNA gene and five housekeeping genes (atpA,pyrH,recA,rpoAandrpoD) revealed that strain AlyHP32Tbelonged to the genusVibrioand formed a compact clade with theVibrio splendidusgroup. However, DNA–DNA hybridization and fingerprints using the repetitive primers BOX and REP indicated that strain AlyHP32Twas distinct from closely related species of the genusVibrio. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7cand/or C16:1ω6c) and C16:0. The DNA G+C content was 44.1 mol%. The predominant quinone was ubiquinone Q-8. Based on genotypic, phenotypic and DNA–DNA hybridization analysis, strain AlyHP32Trepresents a novel species of the genusVibrio; the nameVibriohemicentrotisp. nov. (type strain AlyHP32T = KCTC 32085T = DSM 26178T) is proposed for this novel taxon.
Extravagant ornaments of male threadfin rainbowfish (Iriatherina werneri) are not costly for swimming
Authors: Trappett Andrew , Condon Catriona H. , White Craig , Matthews Phil , Wilson Robbie S.
Published: April 2013

Exaggeration of male sexual ornaments should be costly, in terms of metabolic expenditure, resource allocation or even locomotor function. For example, many male ornaments are predicted to affect the aerodynamics, drag or biomechanics of movement and thus inhibit the speed or manoeuvrability of individuals; but empirical support for this is equivocal.

We tested the locomotor and metabolic costs of exaggerated male ornaments in the threadfin rainbowfish (Iriatherina werneri), an Australasian native fish characterized by excessively long fin streamers. We predicted that males with greater relative ornamentation would have reduced escape abilities (i.e. burst swim speeds) as well as higher metabolic costs when resting or swimming. Furthermore, we evaluated the benefits of the signal by comparing the preference of females for males with differing amounts of ornamentation.

As expected, we found that females spent more time observing (i.e. preferred) males with longer relative fins. We also experimentally reduced threadfin length and found that females continued to show preference for males with longer fins, rather than a preference for particular males.

MaleI. werneriwith longer ornaments had higher resting metabolic rates, but we found no effect of ornament size on metabolic rates during swimming. Males with longer threadfins tended to swim faster, but our manipulation of fin length had no effect on burst swimming speed, indicating swimming abilities are not causally related to threadfin length.

Overall, we found no evidence that the extravagant ornaments of male threadfin rainbowfish increase the metabolic or functional costs associated with swimming. Our results are surprising, given the high viscosity of water and the extreme length ofI. werneri'sornaments. We suggest that future work should focus on the fitness costs of threadfin length, relative to reproductive output or survival under more natural conditions.
Resting‐state connectivity deficits associated with impaired inhibitory control in non‐treatment‐seeking adolescents with psychotic symptoms
Authors: Jacobson McEwen S. C. , Connolly C. G. , Kelly A. M. C. , Kelleher I. , O'Hanlon E. , Clarke M. , Blanchard M. , McNamara S. , Connor D. , Sheehan E. , Donohoe G. , Cannon M. , Garavan H.
Published: April 2013

Objective

Psychotic symptoms are common in the population and index risk for a range of severe psychopathological outcomes. We wished to investigate functional connectivity in a community sample of adolescents who reported psychotic symptoms (the extended psychosis phenotype).

Method

This study investigated intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC) during resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI; rs‐fMRI). Following screening in schools, 11 non‐treatment seeking, youth with psychotic symptoms (aged 11–13) and 14 community controls participated in the study. Seed regions of interest comprised brain regions previously shown to exhibit aberrant activation during inhibitory control in adolescents with psychotic symptoms.

Results

Relative to controls, adolescents with psychotic symptoms exhibited reduced iFC between regions supporting inhibitory control. Specifically, they showed weaker iFC between the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and the cingulate, IFG and the striatum, anterior cingulate and claustrum, and precuneus and supramarginal gyrus. Conversely, the psychotic symptoms group exhibited stronger iFC between the superior frontal gyrus and claustrum and IFG and lingual gyrus.

Conclusion

The present findings are the first to reveal aberrant functional connectivity in resting‐state networks in a community sample of adolescents with psychotic symptoms and suggest that disruption in integration between distributed neural networks (particularly between prefrontal, cingulate and striatal brain regions) may be a key neurobiological feature of the extended psychosis phenotype.
Oncostatin M is a FIP1L1/PDGFRA‐dependent mediator of cytokine production in chronic eosinophilic leukemia
Authors: Hoermann G. , Cerny‐Reiterer S. , Sadovnik I. , Müllauer L. , Bilban M. , Gröger M. , Horny H.‐P. , Reiter A. , Schmitt‐Graeff A. , Mannhalter C. , Valent P. , Mayerhofer M.
Published: April 2013

Background

Chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by expansion of neoplastic eosinophils, tissue infiltration, and organ damage. In a subset of these patients, the FIP1L1/PDGFRA (F/P) oncoprotein is detectable. F/P exhibits constitutive tyrosine kinase activity and activates a number of signaling pathways. So far, however, little is known about the role of F/P‐dependent proteins in the pathogenesis of CEL.

Methods

A screen for F/P‐dependent cytokines was performed in growth factor‐dependent human cell lines lentivirally transduced with F/P. Signal transduction pathways were characterized in Ba/F3 cells with doxycycline‐inducible expression of F/P and in EOL‐1 cells. Cytokine expression was confirmed in patients' material by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and confocal microscopy. Gene expression analysis, proliferation assays, and chemotaxis assays were used to elucidate paracrine interactions between neoplastic eosinophils and stromal cells.

Results

We show that F/P upregulates expression of oncostatin M (OSM) in various cell line models in a STAT5‐dependent manner. Correspondingly, neoplastic eosinophils in the bone marrow were found to overexpress OSM. OSM derived from F/P + cells stimulated proliferation of stromal cells. Moreover, OSM‐containing supernatants from F/P + cells were found to upregulate production of stromal cell‐derived factor‐1 (SDF‐1)/CXCL12 in human fibroblasts. SDF‐1, in turn, induced migration of EOL‐1 cells in a dose‐dependent manner.

Conclusions

We have identified a F/P‐driven paracrine interaction between neoplastic eosinophils and stromal cells that may contribute to tissue fibrosis and accumulation of neoplastic eosinophils in CEL.
Peer Victimization and Social Alienation: Predicting Deviant Peer Affiliation in Middle School
Authors: Rudolph Karen D. , Lansford Jennifer E. , Agoston Anna M. , Sugimura Niwako , Schwartz David , Dodge Kenneth A. , Pettit Gregory S. , Bates John E.
Published: April 2013

Two prospective studies examined a theoretical model wherein exposure to victimization, resulting from early behavioral risk, heightens children's social alienation and subsequent deviant peer affiliation (DPA). Across Study 1 (298 girls, 287 boys; K–7th grade; 5–12 years) and Study 2 (338 girls, 298 boys; 2nd–6th grade; 8–12 years), children, parents, peers, and teachers reported on children's externalizing behavior and internalizing symptoms, peer victimization, social alienation, and DPA. Path analyses supported the proposed pathway: Peer victimization predicted social alienation, which then predicted DPA. Early externalizing behavior set this path in motion and made an independent contribution to DPA. This research identifies an important pathway through which externalizing behavior and consequent peer victimization launch children onto a risky social trajectory.
Disorganized Behavior in Adolescent–Parent Interaction: Relations to Attachment State of Mind, Partner Abuse, and Psychopathology
Authors: Obsuth Ingrid , Hennighausen Katherine , Brumariu Laura E. , Lyons‐Ruth Karlen
Published: April 2013

Disoriented, punitive, and caregiving/role‐confused attachment behaviors are associated with psychopathology in childhood, but have not been assessed in adolescence. A total of 120 low‐income late adolescents (aged 18–23 years) and parents were assessed in a conflict‐resolution paradigm. Their interactions were coded with the Goal‐Corrected Partnership in Adolescence Coding Scales. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that the three disorganized constructs (punitive, caregiving, and disoriented interaction) were best represented as distinct factors and were separable from a fourth factor for collaboration. The four factors were then assessed in relation to measures of attachment disorganization, partner abuse, and psychopathology. Results indicate that forms of disorganized behavior first described in early childhood can also be reliably assessed in adolescence and are associated with maladaptive outcomes across multiple domains.
Targeting translational control as a novel way to treat inflammatory disease: the emerging role of MicroRNAs
Authors: Plank M. , Maltby S. , Mattes J. , Foster P. S.
Published: April 2013

Chronic inflammatory diseases (e.g. asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) are leading causes of morbidity and mortality world‐wide and effective treatments are limited. These disorders can often be attributed to abnormal immune responses to environmental stimuli and infections. Mechanisms leading to inflammation are complex, resulting from interactions of structural cells and activation of both the adaptive and innate arms of the immune system. The activation of structural and immune cells involves both temporary and permanent changes in gene expression in these cells, which underpin chronic inflammation and tissue dysfunction. miRNAs are small non‐coding RNAs increasingly being recognized to play important roles in the post‐transcriptional regulation of gene expression in mammalian cells by regulating translation. Individual miRNAs can exert their effects by directly inhibiting the translation or stability of multiple mRNAs simultaneously. Thus, the expression or blockade of function of a single miRNA (miR) can result in pronounced alterations in protein expression within a given cell. Dysregulation of miRNA expression may subsequently alter cellular function, and in certain situations predispose to disease. Our current understanding of the role of miRNA in the regulation of inflammatory disease (e.g. allergic diseases) remains limited. In this review, we provide an overview of the current understanding of miRNA biogenesis and function, the roles miRNA play in the regulation of immune cell function and their potential contribution to inflammatory diseases. We also highlight strategies to alter miRNA function for experimental or therapeutic gain, and discuss the potential utility and limitations of targeting these molecules as anti‐inflammatory strategies.
Visuomotor impairment in very preterm children: expanding the strategies for early detection and treatment
Authors: Baranello Giovanni
Published: April 2013

This commentary is on the original article by Kieviet et al. on
pages 624–630 of this issue.
Challenges of instrumented spasticity assessment
Authors: Desloovere Kaat , Bar‐On Lynn
Published: April 2013

This commentary is on the original article by Willerslev‐Olsen et al. on pages 617–623 of this issue.
Long‐term effect of selective dorsal rhizotomy
Authors: Steinbok Paul
Published: April 2013

This commentary is on the original article by Bolster et al. on pages 610–616 of this issue.
A new intervention to improve work participation of young adults with physical disabilities: a feasibility study
Authors: Verhoef Joan A C , Miedema Harald S , Van Meeteren Jetty , Stam Henk J , Roebroeck Marij E
Published: April 2013

Aim

The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of a new intervention to improve work participation of young adults with physical disabilities, addressing (1) implementation and costs and (2) preliminary effectiveness.

Method

Twelve young adults with physical disabilities (six males, six females; age 19–28y, median age 21y 6mo) participated in a 1‐year multidisciplinary vocational rehabilitation intervention. In a pre–post intervention design, we assessed implementation and costs as well as preliminary effectiveness in terms of employment and occupational performance using questionnaires and interviews. We tested pre–post differences with the McNemar test for proportions and the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test for scores on occupational performance; p‐values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Additionally, we assessed work participation at follow‐up after 2 years and 3 years.

Results

The intervention was implemented in an outpatient rehabilitation clinic for young adults. The median cost per participant for 1 year was €3128, which is an equivalent to the cost of 72 contact hours per participant. Post intervention, and at 2 years and 3 years follow‐up, a significantly higher proportion of participants were employed (8/12 post vs 2/12 pre‐intervention; p<0.05), with the ratio of those in paid to unpaid employment being 4:4, 5:3, and 7:1 respectively. Participants showed improved occupational performance in work, self‐care, and leisure.

Interpretation

Feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of the intervention are promising. Employed participants seemed to have achieved suitable and continuous employment.