bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Myths about autism: An exploratory study using focus groups
Authors: John Rachael PS , Knott Fiona J , Harvey Kate N
Published: August 2017

Individuals with autism are often stigmatised and isolated by their typically developing peers according to parental, teacher and self-reports. While quantitative studies often report negative attitudes towards individuals with autism, it is still unclear how understandings of autism influence attitudes. In this exploratory study, misconceptions or myths about autism, that is, the cognitive component of attitudes, were examined using focus groups. Purposive sampling was used to recruit undergraduate and postgraduate students, and adults with and without experience of autism, to one of the five focus groups (n = 37). Content analysis was used to identify emergent themes. The data identified seven commonly held beliefs about individuals with autism. The first four were related to social interaction, such as that people with autism do not like to be touched. The fifth reflected the view that all individuals with autism have a special talent, and the final two concerned beliefs that people with autism are dangerous. The findings from this study demonstrate that people with varying experience or knowledge of autism often hold inaccurate beliefs about autism. These findings improve our understandings of lay beliefs about autism and will aid the development and implementation of interventions designed to improve lay knowledge of autism.
Absence of sex differences in mental rotation performance in autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Rohde Melanie S , Georgescu Alexandra L , Vogeley Kai , Fimmers Rolf , Falter-Wagner Christine M
Published: August 2017

Mental rotation is one of the most investigated cognitive functions showing consistent sex differences. The ‘Extreme Male Brain’ hypothesis attributes the cognitive profile of individuals with autism spectrum disorder to an extreme version of the male cognitive profile. Previous investigations focused almost exclusively on males with autism spectrum disorder with only limited implications for affected females. This study is the first testing a sample of 12 female adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder compared to 14 males with autism spectrum disorder, 12 typically developing females and 14 typically developing males employing a computerised version of the mental rotation test. Reaction time and accuracy served as dependent variables. Their linear relationship with degree of rotation allows separation of rotational aspects of the task, indicated by slopes of the psychometric function, and non-rotational aspects, indicated by intercepts of the psychometric function. While the typical and expected sex difference for rotational task aspects was corroborated in typically developing individuals, no comparable sex difference was found in autism spectrum disorder individuals. Autism spectrum disorder and typically developing individuals did not differ in mental rotation performance. This finding does not support the extreme male brain hypothesis of autism.
Media events and cosmopolitan fandom: ‘Playful nationalism’ in the Eurovision Song Contest
Authors: Kyriakidou Maria , Skey Michael , Uldam Julie , McCurdy Patrick
Published: August 2017

Academic literature on media events is increasingly concerned with their global dimensions and the applicability of Dayan and Katz’s theoretical concept in a post-national context. This article contributes to this debate by exploring the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) as a global media event. In particular, we employ a perspective from ‘inside the media event’, drawing upon empirical material collected during the 2014 Eurovision final in Copenhagen and focusing on the experiences of fans attending the contest. We argue that the ESC as a media event is experienced by its fans as a cosmopolitan space, open and diverse, whereas national belonging is expressed in a playful way tied to the overall visual aesthetics of the contest. However, the bounded and narrow character of participation render this cosmopolitan space rather limited.
Acoustical analysis of corduroy fabric for sound absorption: Experiments and simulations
Authors: Tang Xiaoning , Zhang Xiansheng , Zhuang Xingmin , Zhang Huiping , Yan Xiong
Published: August 2017

Corduroy fabrics have been widely used in interior decoration currently. This work mainly investigated the acoustical properties of corduroy fabrics in relation to air permeability and airflow resistance. Five specimens with similar surface density and different wale width are used. The results indicated that corduroy fabrics with thicker wale width exhibited higher air permeability and lower airflow resistance. Furthermore, the increased width of wale is beneficial to improve the acoustic absorption of corduroy fabric. Two models based on air permeability and airflow resistance are taken to characterize the acoustical behavior. It has been indicated that Pieren model could well predict the acoustic absorption coefficient of corduroy fabric, and the difference of acoustic absorption is due to the varied air permeability and airflow resistance resulting from the different wale width.
A traffic-awareness dynamic resource allocation scheme based on multi-objective optimization in multi-beam mobile satellite communication systems
Authors: He YuanZhi , Jia YiZhen , Zhong XuDong
Published: August 2017

Mobile satellite communication systems play an important role in space information networks. They mostly operate at the L or S band and have multiple beams efficiently reusing the limited spectrum. Advanced technologies, such as beamforming, are used to generate numerous beams through multiple feeders, and each beam’s power allocation is correlated and constrained. Frequency reuse among multiple beams results in co-channel interference issue, which makes bandwidth allocation among multiple beams coupled. It is a challenging topic to optimize the resource allocation in the real-time service traffic. In this article, a new multi-objective programming scheme is used to solve the dynamic resource allocation problem, guaranteeing high quality-of-service for multiple services of different priorities. Since the dynamic resource allocation problem is formulated as NP-hard, a new traffic-aware dynamic resource allocation (TADRA) algorithm is proposed. This algorithm is proved to be optimal in terms of the Pareto-front under constraints of co-channel interference and onboard transmit power. Simulation results show that the trade-off is well balanced between the call completion ratio in high priority and the throughput for video and data services in medium and low priorities. Additionally, it is shown that the new multi-objective programming scheme, based on the traffic-awareness dynamic resource allocation algorithm, can rapidly achieve the Pareto-front solutions and reduce the computing complexity to a large extent.
Formulation of reliability-related objective functions for design of intelligent mechatronic systems
Authors: Kaul Thorben , Meyer Tobias , Sextro Walter
Published: August 2017

State-of-the-art mechatronic systems offer inherent intelligence that enables them to autonomously adapt their behavior to current environmental conditions and to their own system state. This autonomous behavior adaptation is made possible by software in combination with complex sensor and actuator systems and by sophisticated information processing, all of which make these systems increasingly complex. This increasing complexity makes the design process a challenging task and brings new complex possibilities for operation and maintenance. However, with the risk of increased system complexity also comes the chance to adapt system behavior based on current reliability, which in turn increases reliability. The development of such an adaption strategy requires appropriate methods to evaluate reliability based on currently selected system behavior. A common approach to implement such adaptivity is to base system behavior on different working points that are obtained using multiobjective optimization. During operation, selection among these allows a changed operating strategy. To allow for multiobjective optimization, an accurate system model including system reliability is required. This model is repeatedly evaluated by the optimization algorithm. At present, modeling of system reliability and synchronization of the models of behavior and reliability is a laborious manual task and thus very error-prone. Since system behavior is crucial for system reliability, an integrated model is introduced that integrates system behavior and system reliability. The proposed approach is used to formulate reliability-related objective functions for a clutch test rig that are used to compute feasible working points using multiobjective optimization.
Blended Learning Approach for Less Proficient Students
Authors: Yusoff Sarah , Yusoff Rohana , Md Noh Nur Hidayah
Published: August 2017

This article describes the implementation of blended learning in a higher education institution by focusing on the less proficient students. Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education has urged every university to introduce blended learning in their teaching and learning processes as a new approach. Nevertheless, there are less proficient students who are hesitant, less motivated, and face difficulty in associating learning with technological applications. Our main purpose is to show how blended learning can be designed to suit the less proficient students by first identifying their learning styles and then creating a motivating supportive learning system through the use of teaching technology applications. The sample size for this study is 64 business program students from four groups taking the course Introduction to Statistics in two consecutive semesters. These are students who had to repeat a few subjects including Introduction to Statistics as well as students who entered university with lower qualifications and had to undergo one semester of booster certification program. Final examination scores are used as a measure of students’ performance. Comparison using examination marks scored is shown using independent t test, mean effect size, and Box and Whiskers plot. Results showed noticeable difference in examination scores obtained by the different groups of students. As a conclusion, while blended learning approach bears many benefits, it has to be tailored to suit the different students’ cognitive levels as well as learning styles.
Chronic Insomnia Disorder
Authors: Avidan Alon Y. , Neubauer David N.
Published: August 2017

Purpose of Review: Neurologists, along with all health care providers, commonly encounter patients with insomnia, which is a condition that impacts patients’ underlying neurologic conditions in a bidirectional manner. While chronic insomnia is one of the most common sleep disturbances, only a small proportion of individuals with this condition discuss their sleep problems with their providers. When insomnia is described, it is more often in relationship to another medical problem, as opposed to an independent condition. In neurology practice, multiple factors including pain, movement disorders, sleep apnea, and medications that act on the central nervous system often contribute to insomnia. An all-inclusive approach is necessary when evaluating sleep problems in patients with insomnia.

Recent Findings: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several medications for the treatment of insomnia that target specific receptor systems in the brain and incorporate several unique pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profiles that can represent customized therapy for specific insomnia phenotypes. FDA-approved medications for insomnia include γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-modulating benzodiazepine receptor agonists, a melatonin receptor agonist, a histamine receptor antagonist, and the newest approved option, a hypocretin (orexin) receptor antagonist.

Summary: This article provides an evidence-based multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of insomnia, highlighting the rationale and utility of cognitive-behavioral therapy and pharmacologic interventions. Neurologists should be proactive in assessing the impact of underlying comorbidities on insomnia, particularly in the setting of psychiatric conditions such as depression, sleep disorders such as circadian rhythm disorders, and medical problems such as nocturia.
Sleep-Disordered Breathing
Authors: Foldvary-Schaefer Nancy R. , Waters Tina E.
Published: August 2017

Purpose of Review: Sleep-disordered breathing encompasses a broad spectrum of sleep-related breathing disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea, as well as sleep-related hypoventilation and hypoxemia. Diagnostic criteria have been updated in the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, Third Edition and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Manual for Scoring Sleep and Associated Events. Neurologic providers should have basic knowledge and skills to identify at-risk patients, as these disorders are associated with substantial morbidity, the treatment of which is largely reversible.

Recent Findings: OSA is the most common form of sleep-disordered breathing and is highly prevalent and grossly underdiagnosed. Recent studies suggest that prevalence rates in patients with neurologic disorders including epilepsy and stroke exceed general population estimates. The physiologic changes that occur in OSA are vast and involve complex mechanisms that play a role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders and, although largely unproven, likely impact brain health and disease progression in neurologic patients. A tailored sleep history and examination as well as validated screening instruments are effective in identifying patients with sleep-disordered breathing, although sleep testing is necessary for diagnostic confirmation. While continuous positive airway pressure therapy and other forms of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation remain gold standard treatments, newer therapies, including mandibular advancement, oral appliance devices, and hypoglossal nerve stimulation, have become available. Emerging evidence of the beneficial effects of treatment of sleep-disordered breathing on neurologic outcomes underscores the importance of sleep education and awareness for neurologic providers.

Summary: Sleep-disordered breathing is highly prevalent and grossly underrecognized. The adverse medical and psychosocial consequences of OSA and other sleep-related breathing disorders are considerable. The impact of sleep therapies on highly prevalent neurologic disorders associated with substantial morbidity and health care costs is becoming increasingly recognized.
Diagnostic Approach and Investigation in Sleep Medicine
Authors: Silber Michael H.
Published: August 2017

Purpose of Review: This article provides a clinical approach to the appropriate investigation and diagnosis of sleep disorders commonly seen by neurologists.

Recent Findings: Home sleep apnea testing in appropriate situations can replace laboratory polysomnography in many cases of uncomplicated sleep apnea. Multiple sleep latency tests must be performed meticulously and interpreted in the clinical setting to avoid overdiagnoses of narcolepsy. Human leukocyte antigen testing has limited utility in establishing a diagnosis of narcolepsy because a positive test has low specificity. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder is frequently the first manifestation of an evolving synucleinopathy, and a careful history and neurologic examination are needed to determine other early features of these disorders.

Summary: A meticulous history from the patient, supplemented by collateral history from an observer, is essential to establishing the diagnosis of sleep disorders. Judicious supplementary use of investigations, such as laboratory polysomnography, home sleep apnea testing, wrist actigraphy, and multiple sleep latency tests, can confirm the correct diagnosis. This article describes an approach to the sleepy patient, the patient with neuromuscular disease and possible sleep-disordered breathing, the patient with restless legs syndrome, and young and older patients with abnormal movements during sleep.
Non–Rapid Eye Movement Sleep and Overlap Parasomnias
Authors: Irfan Muna , Schenck Carlos H. , Howell Michael J.
Published: August 2017

Purpose of Review: This article reviews the spectrum of non–rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep parasomnias, including sleepwalking, confusional arousals, and sleep terrors, which represent the range of phenotypic disorders of arousal from non-REM sleep that occurs in children and adults.

Recent Findings: The International Classification of Sleep Disorders, Third Edition (ICSD-3) classifies parasomnias according to the sleep stage they emerge from: REM, non-REM, or other. Demographics, clinical features, and diagnosis of non-REM parasomnias are reviewed in this article, and an up-to-date synopsis of guidelines for management strategies to assist in the treatment of these sleep disorders is provided.

Summary: The non-REM parasomnias are most common in children and adolescents but may persist into adulthood. They can be distinguishable from REM parasomnias and nocturnal epilepsies, and, importantly, may lead to injury. Additionally, other parasomnias in this spectrum include sleep-related eating disorder and sexsomnia. Overlap parasomnia disorder includes one or more manifestations of a non-REM parasomnia seen in combination with REM sleep behavior disorder, representing an apparent erosion of the normally distinct stages of non-REM and REM sleep. A similar yet much more extreme dissociation of states underlies agrypnia excitata and status dissociatus, which represent rare, severe dissociations between non-REM, REM, and wake states resulting clinically in oneiric behaviors and severe derangement of normal polysomnographic wake and sleep stage characteristics. Management of non-REM and overlap parasomnias and state dissociation disorders include ensuring bedroom safety and prescription of clonazepam or hypnosis, in select cases, although in children and adolescents with noninjurious behaviors, non-REM parasomnias are often age-limited developmental disorders, which may ultimately remit by adulthood, and, in these cases, counseling and education alone may suffice. Timely and accurate recognition of the non-REM and overlap parasomnias is crucial to limiting potential patient injury.
Sleep-Wake Disorders of Childhood
Authors: Kotagal Suresh
Published: August 2017

Purpose of Review: Sleep-wake disorders occur in 10% to 28% of children and differ somewhat in pathophysiology and management from sleep-wake disorders in adults. This article discusses the diagnosis and management of key childhood sleep disorders.

Recent Findings: The role of sleep in memory consolidation and in the facilitation of learning has been increasingly recognized, even at the toddler stage. Cataplexy, a key feature of narcolepsy type 1, may be subtle in childhood and characterized by transient muscle weakness isolated to the face. Children with obstructive sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome display prominent neurobehavioral symptoms such as daytime inattentiveness and hyperactivity, so it is important to elicit a sleep history when these symptoms are encountered. Systemic iron deficiency occurs in about two-thirds of children with restless legs syndrome and is easily treatable. Parasomnias arising out of non–rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, such as confusional arousals and sleepwalking, may be difficult to distinguish from nocturnal seizures, and, in many cases, video-EEG polysomnography is required to differentiate between causes.

Summary: Clinicians should routinely integrate the assessment of sleep-wake function into their practices of neurology and child neurology because of the opportunity to improve the quality of life of their patients.
Antiallodynic Effects of Endomorphin-1 and Endomorphin-2 in the Spared Nerve Injury Model of Neuropathic Pain in Mice
Authors: Wang Chang-lin , Yang Dai-jun , Yuan Bi-yu , Qiu Ting-ting
Published: August 2017

BACKGROUND:

The spared nerve injury (SNI) model is a new animal model that can mimic several characteristics of clinical neuropathic pain. Opioids are recommended as treatment of neuropathic pain. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the antinociceptive effects of endomorphin-1 (EM-1) and endomorphin-2 (EM-2) given centrally and peripherally in the SNI model of neuropathic pain in mice.

METHODS:

The SNI model was made in mice by sparing the sural nerve intact, when the other 2 of 3 terminal branches of the sciatic nerve (common peroneal and tibial nerves) were tightly ligated and cut. Von Frey monofilaments were used to measure the SNI-induced mechanical allodynia-like behavior. The antiallodynic effects of EM-1 and EM-2 were determined after central and peripheral administration in the SNI model of neuropathic pain. Also, the specific opioid receptor antagonists were used to determine the opioid mechanisms of EMs involved in neuropathic pain. Values were expressed as the mean ± standard deviation.

RESULTS:

Our results showed that the SNI mice developed prolonged mechanical allodynia-like behavior in ipsilateral paw after surgery, with the withdrawal threshold value being 0.061 ± 0.02 g after 14 days. EM-1 and EM-2 produced significant antiallodynic effects in ipsilateral paw after intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration, more effective than that of morphine. The peak withdrawal thresholds of 10 nmol EM-1 and EM-2 determined at 5 minutes after injection were 0.92 ± 0.36 and 0.87 ± 0.33 g, respectively, higher than that of morphine (0.46 ± 0.20 g). Moreover, both EMs (10 nmol, i.c.v.) exerted significant antiallodynic effects in the contralateral paw, whereas no significant antinociceptive activity was seen after i.c.v. administration of morphine with equimolar dose. It was noteworthy that EM-1 and EM-2 produced antinociception through distinct μ1- and μ2-opioid receptor subtypes, and the EM-2-induced antiallodynia contained an additional component that was mediated by the release of endogenous dynorphin A, acting on κ-opioid receptor. In addition, the antiallodynic activities of peripheral administration of EM-1, EM-2, and morphine were also investigated. Intraplantar, but not subcutaneous administration of EM-1 and EM-2 also exhibited potent antinociception, establishing the peripheral and local effects. Both μ1- and μ2-opioid receptor subtypes, but not the δ- or κ-opioid receptors were involved in the peripheral antiallodynia of EMs.

CONCLUSIONS:

The present investigation demonstrated that both EM-1 and EM-2 given centrally and peripherally produced potent antiallodynic activities in SNI mice, and differential opioid mechanisms were involved.
Perioperative Acute Kidney Injury: An Under-Recognized Problem
Authors: Meersch Melanie , Schmidt Christoph , Zarbock Alexander
Published: August 2017

The incidence of perioperative acute kidney injury (AKI) is more common than previously recognized, especially in high-risk patients undergoing higher risk procedures. The growing number of patients who develop perioperative AKI is related, in part, to the aging population and increase in the number of individuals with chronic comorbidities, particularly those with premorbid chronic kidney disease. Despite the acceptance of standardization in the definition of AKI, clinicians routinely underdiagnose it and fail to appreciate that it is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, few, if any, preemptive therapies have proven effective in preventing AKI. Timely diagnostic methods using evolving biomarkers raises the prospect of detection of kidney damage before the onset of irreversible loss of function, but remain under investigation. Clear evidence supporting any therapeutic intervention except renal replacement therapy remains elusive. Renal replacement therapy is indicated for select patients with progressive AKI; however, the ideal timing, method, and application of it remain under debate. It is fundamental to identify patients at risk for AKI. The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes guidelines suggest preventive strategies that include avoidance of nephrotoxic agents and hyperglycemia, optimization of hemodynamics, restoration of the circulating volume, and institution of functional hemodynamic monitoring. Clear evidence in support of this approach, however, is lacking. Recently, the perioperative administration of dexmedetomidine and the provision of remote ischemic preconditioning have been studied to potentially limit the development of perioperative AKI. This review discusses accepted standard definitions of AKI, highlights associated risk factors for its development, and provides an overview of its epidemiology and pathology. It emphasizes potential preventive strategies, the possible role of emerging biomarkers in defining its presence more expeditiously before irreversible injury, and current recommended guidelines and therapeutic approaches. The ultimate goal of this article is to bring to the attention of clinicians the seriousness of this potentially preventable or modifiable perioperative complication.
Incommensurable Futures and Displaced Lives: Sovereignty as Control over Time
Authors: Ramsay Georgina
Published: August 2017

The recent mass displacement of refugees has been described internationally as a “crisis.” But crisis implies eventfulness: a distinct problem that can be solved. The urgency of solving this problem of displacement has seen the use of expansive techniques of sovereignty across Europe, the epicenter of the crisis. Focusing exclusively on the formation of sovereignty through the analytical locus of crisis continues, however, to reproduce the trope of the “refugee” as a category of exception. This essay considers the experiences of people who were resettled as refugees in Australia and whose displacement has ostensibly been resolved. Drawing attention to their continuing experiences of violence, it considers how the temporal framing of displacement is itself a way to conceal formations of sovereignty embedded in the very processes designed to resolve displacement. Doing so opens up new ways to think about control over time as a technique of sovereignty.
The F-actin-binding RapGEF GflB is required for efficient macropinocytosis in Dictyostelium
Authors: Inaba Hironori , Yoda Koji , Adachi Hiroyuki
Published: August 2017

Macropinocytosis involves the uptake of large volumes of fluid, which is regulated by various small GTPases. The Dictyostelium discoideum protein GflB is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) of Rap1, and is involved in chemotaxis. Here, we studied the role of GflB in macropinocytosis, phagocytosis and cytokinesis. In plate culture of vegetative cells, compared with the parental strain AX2, gflB-knockout (KO) cells were flatter and more polarized, whereas GflB-overproducing cells were rounder. The gflB-KO cells exhibited impaired crown formation and retraction, particularly retraction, resulting in more crowns (macropinocytic cups) per cell and longer crown lifetimes. Accordingly, gflB-KO cells showed defects in macropinocytosis and also in phagocytosis and cytokinesis. F-actin levels were elevated in gflB-KO cells. GflB localized to the actin cortex most prominently at crowns and phagocytic cups. The villin headpiece domain (VHP)-like N-terminal domain of GflB directly interacted with F-actin in vitro. Furthermore, a domain enriched in basic amino acids interacted with specific membrane cortex structures such as the cleavage furrow. In conclusion, GflB acts as a key local regulator of actin-driven membrane protrusion possibly by modulating Rap1 signaling pathways.
Ca2+ coordination controls sonic hedgehog structure and its Scube2-regulated release
Authors: Jakobs Petra , Schulz Philipp , Schürmann Sabine , Niland Stephan , Exner Sebastian , Rebollido-Rios Rocio , Manikowski Dominique , Hoffmann Daniel , Seidler Daniela G. , Grobe Kay
Published: August 2017

Proteolytic processing of cell-surface-bound ligands, called shedding, is a fundamental system to control cell-cell signaling. Yet, our understanding of how shedding is regulated is still incomplete. One way to increase the processing of dual-lipidated membrane-associated Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is to increase the density of substrate and sheddase. This releases and also activates Shh by the removal of lipidated inhibitory N-terminal peptides from Shh receptor binding sites. Shh release and activation is enhanced by Scube2 [signal sequence, cubulin (CUB) domain, epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like protein 2], raising the question of how this is achieved. Here, we show that Scube2 EGF domains are responsible for specific proteolysis of the inhibitory Shh N-terminus, and that CUB domains complete the process by reversing steric masking of this peptide. Steric masking, in turn, depends on Ca2+ occupancy of Shh ectodomains, unveiling a new mode of shedding regulation at the substrate level. Importantly, Scube2 uncouples processing of Shh peptides from their lipid-mediated juxtamembrane positioning, and thereby explains the long-standing conundrum that N-terminally unlipidated Shh shows patterning activity in Scube2-expressing vertebrates, but not in invertebrates that lack Scube orthologs.
Acoustic characteristics used by Japanese macaques for individual discrimination
Authors: Furuyama Takafumi , Kobayasi Kohta I. , Riquimaroux Hiroshi
Published: August 2017

The vocalizations of primates contain information about the speaker individuality. Many primates, including humans, are able to distinguish conspecifics based solely on vocalizations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the acoustic characteristics used by Japanese macaques in individual vocal discrimination. Furthermore, we tested human subjects using monkey vocalizations to evaluate species specificity with respect to such discriminations. Two monkeys and five humans were trained to discriminate the coo calls of two unfamiliar monkeys. We created a stimulus continuum between the vocalizations of the two monkeys as a set of probe stimuli (whole morph). We also created two sets of continua in which only one acoustic parameter, fundamental frequency (F0) or vocal tract characteristics (VTC), was changed from the coo call of one monkey to that of another while the other acoustic feature remained the same (F0 morph and VTC morph). According to the results, the reaction times of both monkeys and humans were correlated with the morph proportion under the whole morph and F0 morph conditions. The reaction time to the VTC morph was correlated with the morph proportion in both monkeys, while the reaction time, in humans on average, was not correlated with morph proportion. Japanese monkeys relied more consistently on VTC than did humans for discriminating monkey vocalizations. Our results support the idea that the auditory system of primates is specialized for processing conspecific vocalizations and suggest that VTC is a significant acoustic feature used by Japanese macaques to discriminate conspecific vocalizations.
Improved deconvolution of very weak confocal signals
Authors: Day Kasey J. , La Rivière Patrick J. , Chandler Talon , Bindokas Vytas P. , Ferrier Nicola J. , Glick Benjamin S.
Published: August 2017

Deconvolution is typically used to sharpen fluorescence images, but when the signal-to-noise ratio is low, the primary benefit is reduced noise and a smoother appearance of the fluorescent structures. 3D time-lapse (4D) confocal image sets can be improved by deconvolution. However, when the confocal signals are very weak, the popular Huygens deconvolution software erases fluorescent structures that are clearly visible in the raw data. We find that this problem can be avoided by prefiltering the optical sections with a Gaussian blur. Analysis of real and simulated data indicates that the Gaussian blur prefilter preserves meaningful signals while enabling removal of background noise. This approach is very simple, and it allows Huygens to be used with 4D imaging conditions that minimize photodamage.
Nomenclatural type designation of three Linnaean names in Elaeagnaceae
Authors: Ferrer-Gallego P. Pablo
Published: August 2017

The typification of three Linnaean names: Elaeagnus latifolia, E. spinosa, and Hippophaё rhamnoides is discussed. The designation of the nomenclatural types is based on an assessment of Linnaeus’s original material. The name E. latifolia is lectotypified using a specimen from Hermann’s Herbarium at BM, and E. spinosa using a specimen from Hasselquist’s specimen at LINN. The name Hippophaё rhamnoides is lectotypified using a specimen preserved at UPS.
Outcome measures of disease activity in inflammatory arthritis
Authors: Brown Geraint A , Cotton Alice , Guinto Jesusa , Sharma Arti , Ciurtin Coziana
Published: August 2017

The most common types of chronic inflammatory arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. In order to assess the activity of these diseases and tailor therapy, several outcome measures have been developed. They include composite scores based on clinical findings, biochemical markers and patient questionnaires. This article discusses the most commonly used outcome measures and looks at their limitations in quantifying the complex clinical features of different types of inflammatory arthritis, focusing in particular on rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
Autologous fat transfer for breast surgery
Authors: Agarwal Ketan , Mistry Meera
Published: August 2017

Cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries always have a primary aim of the best outcome for the patient, with a big emphasis on the aesthetics. Lipomodelling is one such technique, originally described over a century ago but still used to this day, to provide a patient with the highest quality results. This is particularly true for lipomodelling of the breast, whether it be purely cosmetic, or for a post-mastectomy reconstruction for a breast cancer patient. Lipomodelling provides an effective way of restoring and even improving the look and aesthetics of the breast and of helping achieve the patient's expectations. With the added advantage of being autologous, the procedure is safe and effective. This review discusses the latest guidelines and literature on autologous lipomodelling.
Photo-induced damage in GdYCOB and its circumvention
Authors: Furuya Hiroyuki , Nakao Hiroshi , Yamada Itsunari , Ruan Yongfeng. , Yap Yoke Khin , Yoshimura Masashi , Mori Yusuke , Sasaki Takatomo
Published: August 2017

We have developed Gd
x
Y1
-x
Ca4O(BO3)3 (GdYCOB) crystal noncritically phase matchable for third-harmonic generation of a 1064 nm light by type-I mixing (1064 + 532 → 355 nm). However, during high-power operation, degradation of output power and distortion of beam pattern occurred due to photo-induced damages and thermal dephasing. In this paper, we report on nonlinear optical properties and improved the performance of GdYCOB by circumvention of photo-induced damages and thermal dephasing.
Determination of energy transfer parameters in Er3+-doped and Er3+, Pr3+-codoped ZBLAN glasses
Authors: Golding Paul S. , Jackson Stuart D. , King Terence A. , Pollnau Markus
Published: August 2017

A detailed characterization of energy level lifetimes and energy-transfer processes in Er3+-doped and Er3+, Pr3+-codoped ZBLAN bulk glasses is presented. Energy transfer upconversion parameters from the Er3+ 4I13/2 and 4I11/2 levels have been measured and are compared to energy transfer from Er3+ to a Pr3+ codopant. To assess the practicality of energy transfer a high power, diode pumped, 3 μm, Er3+, Pr3+-codoped ZBLAN fiber laser is presented.
Efficient high-pulse-energy green beam generation by intracavity-frequency-doubling of a quasi-cw laser-diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser
Authors: Konno Susumu , Inoue Yoko , Kojima Tetsuo , Fujikawa Shuichi , Yasui Koji
Published: August 2017

Green pulse energy of 50-mJ was obtained at 1kHz repetition rate with 6% electrical efficiency by intracavity-frequency-doubling of a quasi-cw laser-diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser.
Barium tungstate Raman laser - new coherent source for sodium star experiments
Authors: Zverev Petr G. , Basiev Tasoltan T. , Doroshenko Maxim E. , Osiko Vyacheslav V.
Published: August 2017

Barium tungstate Raman shifter combined with Nd3+:GGG pump laser was proposed and demonstrated as a laser radiation source for sodium-layer laser-guide-star. The experiments showed good spectral overlapping of laser output and D2 sodium line. The Nd3+:GGG crystal temperature variation provided fine tuning of laser wavelength.
Near-Diffraction Limited 65W Nd:YLF Laser
Authors: Dinndorf Kenneth M. , Miller Harold C.
Published: August 2017

One of the primary challenges to obtaining diffraction-limited performance in high-power solid state lasers is compensating for the thermally-induced optical effects[i].
Efficient high-power TEM00 mode operation of diode-pumped Yb:YAG thin disk lasers
Authors: Karszewski M. , Erhard S. , Rupp T. , Giesen A.
Published: August 2017

The thin disk laser concept is suitable for high-power TEM00 of Yb:YAG lasers with high efficiency since thermal lensing effects are only weak. Laser operation in the fundamental mode can only be achieved by matching the diameter of the fundamental mode of the resonator in the thin disk to the pumped diameter. An appropriate concept for a resonator with low sensitivity to misalignment of the cavity mirrors is developed and tested experimentally. With this concept it is possible to generate large diameters of the fundamental mode in the crystal and to couple several disks in one resonator.
Compound adaptive optics and phase-conjugate-mirrors to correct reciprocal and nonreciprocal aberrations in solid-state lasers
Authors: Jackel Steven , Moshe Inon , Lavi Raphy
Published: August 2017

Adaptive optics and phase-conjugate-mirrors are usually treated as single element optics. Superior performance in the presence of nonreciprocal aberrations can be achieved using compound elements. In this work it is shown that relay imaging between the nonreciprocal aberrator (thermally stressed laser rod= thick birefringent lens) and the retroreflecting I phase-conjugating element results in much better retracing of the laser beam. We applied these techniques to flashlamp pumped Nd:Cr:GSGG oscillators and show that systematic correction of thermal focusing and astigmatism requires three sets of elements which, when dynamically corrected, allows high beam quality operation over very broad average pump power ranges. It has not yet been found necessary to correct for thermo-optically induced spherical aberration.
Surface Plasmon Resonance is an Analytically Sensitive Method for Antigen Profiling of Extracellular Vesicles
Authors: Gool Elmar L , Stojanovic Ivan , Schasfoort Richard B M , Sturk Auguste , van Leeuwen Ton G , Nieuwland Rienk , Terstappen Leon W M M , Coumans Frank A W
Published: August 2017

BACKGROUND

Identification, enumeration, and characterization of extracellular vesicles (EVs) are hampered by the small size of EVs, a low refractive index, and low numbers of antigens on their surface.

METHODS

We investigated the potential of a 48-multiplex surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) system to perform EV phenotyping. Antigen surface density of 11 antigens was measured on the human breast cancer cell lines HS578T, MCF7, and SKBR3 and their EVs by use of both SPRi and the widely used flow cytometry (FCM).

RESULTS

For cells, the SPRi and FCM signals for antigen exposure correlated (RHS578T cells2 = 0.66, RMCF7 cells2 = 0.78, RSKBR3 cells2 = 0.60). With regard to EVs, SPRi detected 31 out of 33 tested antibody–EV pairs, whereas our flow cytometer detected 5 antibody–EV pairs because of high blank and isotype control signals. For HS578T-derived EVs, the SPRi and FCM signals correlated (R2HS578T EVs = 0.98). However, on MCF7- and SKBR3-derived EVs, insufficient antigens were detected by our flow cytometer. To confirm that the SPRi responses correlated with mean antigen density on EVs, the SPRi responses of EVs were correlated with antigen density on parental cells as measured by FCM (RHS578T2 = 0.77, RMCF72 = 0.49, RSKBR32 = 0.52).

CONCLUSIONS

SPRi responses correlate with mean antigen density. Moreover, SPRi detects lower antigen-exposure levels than FCM because SPRi measures an ensemble of EVs binding to the sensor surface, whereas FCM detects antigens of single EV.
La estilística en la formación del profesorado: Programas de investigación y prospectivas
Authors: Ventura Ana Clara
Published: August 2017

El objetivo de esta revisión es analizar y sistematizar las bases conceptuales y empíricas disponibles en la literatura en torno a las corrientes de investigación, los objetos de estudio y las perspectivas futuras de investigación en el campo de la estilística que contribuyan al logro de buenas prácticas en la formación del profesorado. Se presentan tres aproximaciones: una de corte empirista-behaviorista, en la que se incluye la corriente presagio-producto; otra racionalista-cognitivista, dentro de la que tienen lugar diferentes aproximaciones (el pensamiento del profesor y la enseñanza adaptativa); y, una tercera de carácter sociocontextual y situada. No obstante, estas corrientes se alinean a un enfoque nomotético mostrando limitaciones para explicar los estilos personales como marcas de la propia identidad docente. Así, se propone incursionar en aspectos dinámicos e ideográficos de la estilística en la formación del profesorado poniendo mayor atención en la captura y explicación de la riqueza y plasticidad estilística a través de discontinuidades, sutilezas o bucles y diversos tipos de cambio.
Relación entre autoconcepto y perfiles de resiliencia en jóvenes con discapacidad
Authors: Suriá Martínez Raquel
Published: August 2017

Introducción. En este trabajo se analiza el autoconcepto y la resiliencia en un grupo de jóvenes con discapacidad según la tipología y grado de discapacidad. Asimismo, se examina si existen combinaciones de los componentes de resiliencia que den lugar a diferentes perfiles resilientes. Finalmente, se comprueba si existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos obtenidos respecto al autoconcepto.Método. La Escala de Autoconcepto F5 y la Escala de Resiliencia fueron administradas a una muestra de 114 jóvenes con diferentes tipos de discapacidad (física, intelectual, visual y auditiva). El rango de edad fue 18 a 35 años (M = 26,22; DT = 4,02).Resultados. El análisis de conglomerados identificó tres perfiles resilientes. Entre estos perfiles se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas respecto a las dimensiones de autoconcepto.Discusión y conclusión. Esto sugiere la importancia de diseñar programas que potencien la resiliencia, con objeto de desarrollar el autoconcepto entre los jóvenes con discapacidad.
Rendimiento escolar y condiciones de pobreza: el rol mediador de las funciones ejecutivas
Authors: Korzeniowski C. , Cupani M. , Ison M. , Difabio H.
Published: August 2017

Introducción. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo analizar si las funciones ejecutivas (FE) predicen el rendimiento escolar (RE) de niños pertenecientes a diferentes estratos socioeconómicos bajos, controlando el efecto de la edad y del nivel socioeconómico (NSE).Método. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 178 niños argentinos de ambos sexos (52% varones), de 6 a 10 años de edad, pertenecientes a NSE Bajo Superior (41%), Bajo Inferior (39%) y Marginal (20%). Los niños fueron evaluados con una batería de tests neuropsicológicos de FE y con tests de aprovechamiento escolar.Resultados. El modelo propuesto explicó el 69% del RE de los niños. Las FE fueron el predictor directo más significativo y, además, mediaron las relaciones entre NSE y RE.Conclusión. El empobrecimiento de las condiciones materiales y socioculturales de la familia, se asocia con un menor desempeño de las FE en los niños, lo que repercute negativamente en su RE.
Pengaruh Konsep Desain Universal Terhadap Tingkat Kemandirian Difabel: Studi Kasus Masjid UIN Sunan Kalijaga dan Masjid Universitas Gadjah Mada
Authors: Keumala Cut Rezha Nanda
Published: August 2017

As the lack of consciousness for the importance of universal environment without any physical border, gender, and age for every society leads to a minimum policy to support universal design concept to be applied in public facilities building plan. This is also happened in most of mosques building in Indonesia, where it is not easily accessible to all jammaat including the children, adults, the elders, and the diffabled. The circulation on a mosque should not give barriers to people who wanted to do worship activities, especially the diffabled. A universal design mosque concept is one of the most important to be concerned and applied so the building will be accessible to all Muslims. This research aims to know how far is the universal design concept affect the independence of the disabled. The study was done at UIN Sunan Kalijaga mosque and UGM Campus Mosque in Yogyakarta. The researcher did a field observation to the research objects to see how far is the universal design concept is applied. The research method done is quantitative method with independency scale of measure for the disabled’s within the building. The data was analyzed by the comparison of two independent sample using t-test statistics analysis method. The end result in this research stated that the disable’s perception on independency level raise positively towards the universal design concept applied in the mosque‘s design planning. [Belum banyaknya kesadaran akan pentingnya lingkungan yang universal tanpa batasan fisik, gender dan usia bagi semua masyarakat, mengakibatkan kebijakan mengenai pembangunan fasilitas umum masih belum secara tegas mendukung konsep desain universal. Hal tersebut juga terjadi pada sebagian besar masjid di Indonesia, dimana masjid tidak dapat diakses oleh semua golongan jama’ah antara lain anak-anak, dewasa, lansia maupun difabel. Sirkulasi pada bangunan masjid tidak seharusnya memiliki hambatan bagi jama’ah yang ingin beribadah, terutama difabel. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui pengaruh konsep desain universal terhadap tingkat kemandirian difabel pada desain bangunan masjid. Studi kasus dilakukan pada Masjid UIN Sunan Kalijaga dan Masjid Kampus UGM di Yogyakarta. Peneliti melakukan observasi pada objek penelitian untuk melihat sejauh mana objek penelitian menerapkan konsep desain universal. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode kuantitatif dengan alat ukur skala kemandirian difabel di dalam bangunan. Data dianalisis dengan metode komparasi dua sample independen menggunakan analisis statistik t-test. Hasil akhir penelitian menyatakan bahwa persepsi difabel terhadap tingkat kemandirian berpengaruh secara positif dengan adanya konsep desain universal pada desain bangunan masjid.]