bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Taxonomy of Self-Estimated Human Performance
Authors: Furnham Adrian , von Stumm Sophie , Makendrayogam Arunthethy , Chamorro-Premuzic Tomas
Published: December 2009

Previous research often examined self-estimated intelligence in relation to academic models of human cognitive ability or popular models of intelligence (e.g., Gardner’s (1983 ) multiple intelligences). The present study employed a different concept of ability, namely, Fleishman’s (1975 ) structure of human performance, to investigate the psychometric structure of self-estimates. A structural equation model generally confirmed Fleishman’s apriori taxonomy. In addition, the structure of self-estimated abilities closely resembled models of measured cognitive ability (e.g., Carroll, 1993 ) and one latent trait, termed general factor [Formula: see text], was identified. Modest sex differences in self-estimated ability were confirmed in favor of men; however, the latter were noteworthy only for the domains of spatial orientation and physical strengths. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Measures of Ordinal Association
Authors: Cheng Chao-Ming , Lin Wen-Ying
Published: December 2009

Evidence shows that the gamma coefficient (Goodman & Kruskal, 1954) as a measure of association between two classifications either overestimated or underestimated the degree of association in the 2 × 2 case in most situations, underestimated the degree in the m × 2 (m > 2) case, and was subject to restricted-range and fineness/coarseness effects. This study is to treat the degree of association as the extent to which the percentage of observations falling into a class on one classification can be increased by an increase from one class to another on the other classification. A statistic computing the relative magnitude of the percentage increase to its maximal increase, designated as Cp, is ideal for measuring the degree without being contaminated by other factors. Moreover, the value of Cpis accurate and stable across different portions of classification data and free from restricted-range and fineness/coarseness effects.
Testing Categorized Bivariate Normality With Two-Stage Polychoric Correlation Estimates
Authors: Maydeu-Olivares Alberto , García-Forero Carlos , Gallardo-Pujol David , Renom Jordi
Published: December 2009

Structural equation modeling (SEM) with ordinal indicators rely on an assumption of categorized normality. This assumption may be tested for pairs of variables using the likelihood ratio G2 or Pearson’s X2 statistics. For increased computational efficiency, SEM programs usually estimate polychoric correlations in two stages. However, two-stage polychoric estimates are not asymptotically efficient and G2 and X2 need not be asymptotically chi-square when the estimator is not efficient. Recently, Maydeu-Olivares and Joe (2005) have introduced a new statistic, Mn , that is asymptotically chi-square even for estimators that are not efficient. We investigate the behavior of G2, X2, and Mn when testing underlying bivariate normality with polychoric correlations estimated in two stages.
Discriminant Distance
Authors: García Jose Antonio Martínez
Published: December 2009

In this paper, a new distance measure called the Discriminant distance (Dd), which overcomes some of the shortcomings of other distance measures and provides an easily understandable geometrical interpretation of distance between two variables, is evaluated. Dd summarizes the information provided by Pearson’s r and Cohens’ d statistics in a single coefficient. In addition, confidence intervals can also be computed. The Discriminant distance has values enclosed in a [0, 1) interval and it may be mainly used to study convergent and discriminant validity, or scale invariance, when using continuous variables. A web-based computer program is provided to facilitate its computation. Finally, conventions for interpreting Dd are discussed along with several limitations.
Animal Recognition and Eye Movements
Authors: Lloyd-Jones Toby J. , Gehrke Juergen , Lauder Jason
Published: December 2009

We assessed the importance of outline contour and individual features in mediating the recognition of animals by examining response times and eye movements in an animal-object decision task (i.e., deciding whether or not an object was an animal that may be encountered in real life). There were shorter latencies for animals as compared with nonanimals and performance was similar for shaded line drawings and silhouettes, suggesting that important information for recognition lies in the outline contour. The most salient information in the outline contour was around the head, followed by the lower torso and leg regions. We also observed effects of object orientation and argue that the usefulness of the head and lower torso/leg regions is consistent with a role for the object axis in recognition.
Words as Anchors
Authors: Cunillera Toni , Càmara Estela , Laine Matti , Rodríguez-Fornells Antoni
Published: December 2009

Can even a handful of newly learned words help to find further word candidates in a novel spoken language? This study shows that the statistical segmentation of words from speech stream by adults is facilitated by the presence of known words in the stream. This facilitatory effect is immediate as the known words were acquired only minutes before the onset of the speech stream. Our results demonstrate an interplay between top-down lexical segmentation and bottom-up statistical learning, in line with infant research suggesting that integration of multiple cues facilitates early language learning. The ability to simultaneously benefit from both types of word segmentation cues appears to be present through adulthood and can thus contribute to second language learning.
The Two Sides of Temporal Orienting
Authors: Correa Ángel , Cappucci Paola , Nobre Anna C. , Lupiáñez Juan
Published: December 2009

Would it be helpful to inform a driver about when a conflicting traffic situation is going to occur? We tested whether temporal orienting of attention could enhance executive control to select among conflicting stimuli and responses. Temporal orienting was induced by presenting explicit cues predicting the most probable interval for target onset, which could be short (400 ms) or long (1,300 ms). Executive control was measured both by flanker and Simon tasks involving conflict between incompatible responses and by the spatial Stroop task involving conflict between perceptual stimulus features. The results showed that temporal orienting facilitated the resolution of perceptual conflict by reducing the spatial Stroop effect, whereas it interfered with the resolution of response conflict by increasing flanker and Simon effects. Such opposite effects suggest that temporal orienting of attention modulates executive control through dissociable mechanisms, depending on whether the competition between conflicting representations is located at perceptual or response levels.
Reasoning and Autobiographical Memory for Personality
Authors: Fumero Ascensión , Santamaría Carlos , Johnson-Laird P. N.
Published: December 2009

Certain problems are ambiguous and allow deductive or inductive conclusions, for example, If you follow this diet then you lose weight. Ann did not lose weight. Why not? Conscientious individuals who are less open to experience should focus on possibilities consistent with the premises, and make a deduction: Ann did not follow this diet. But, those who are open to experience and not conscientious should go beyond these possibilities, and make an induction, for example, Ann gave up exercising. In an experiment, a group who recalled autobiographical episodes in which they were conscientious and not open to experience made more deductions than a group who recalled episodes in which they had the opposite characteristics. A control group made about equal proportions of deductions and inductions. These results were predicted by the theory that reasoners envisage possibilities, and can focus on those possibilities consistent with the premises or on possibilities outside the premises.
Is the Future the Right Time?
Authors: Ouellet Marc , Santiago Julio , Israeli Ziv , Gabay Shai
Published: December 2009

Spanish and English speakers tend to conceptualize time as running from left to right along a mental line. Previous research suggests that this representational strategy arises from the participants’ exposure to a left-to-right writing system. However, direct evidence supporting this assertion suffers from several limitations and relies only on the visual modality. This study subjected to a direct test the reading hypothesis using an auditory task. Participants from two groups (Spanish and Hebrew) differing in the directionality of their orthographic system had to discriminate temporal reference (past or future) of verbs and adverbs (referring to either past or future) auditorily presented to either the left or right ear by pressing a left or a right key. Spanish participants were faster responding to past words with the left hand and to future words with the right hand, whereas Hebrew participants showed the opposite pattern. Our results demonstrate that the left-right mapping of time is not restricted to the visual modality and that the direction of reading accounts for the preferred directionality of the mental time line. These results are discussed in the context of a possible mechanism underlying the effects of reading direction on highly abstract conceptual representations.
Spatial Cues Affect Mental Number Line Bisections
Authors: Nicholls Michael E. R. , McIlroy Alissandra M.
Published: December 2009

Numerical magnitude is coded left-to-right along a mental number line (MNL). The MNL can be distorted by an attentional bias directed to the left side, known as pseudoneglect – making the left of the MNL appear longer. We investigated whether this distortion can be corrected using spatial cues. Participants (n = 17) made forced-choice discriminations of relative numerical length while spatial cues were presented to the left, right, and both sides. Overall, participants overestimated the leftward length of the MNL, consistent with the effect of pseudoneglect. The bias was present for left- and neutral-cues, but was eliminated by right-cues. The results demonstrate that low-level manipulation of attention in physical space affects attention for high-level mental representations. The effect of cueing may reflect common activation of overlapping neural circuits that are thought to underlie attention in physical and representational space.
Recognizing and Predicting Movement Effects
Authors: Cañal-Bruland Rouwen , Williams A. Mark
Published: December 2009

It is not clear whether the critical features used to discriminate movements are identical to those involved in predicting the same movement’s effects and consequently, whether the mechanisms underlying recognition and anticipation differ. We examined whether people rely on different kinematic information when required to recognize differences in the movement pattern in comparison to when they have to anticipate the outcome of these same movements. Naïve participants were presented with paired presentations of point-light animated tennis shots that ended at racket-ball contact. We instructed them either to judge whether the movements observed were the same or different or to predict shot direction (left vs. right). In addition, we locally manipulated the kinematics of point-light figures in an effort to identify the critical features used when making recognition and anticipation judgments. It appears that observers rely on different sources of information when required to recognize movement differences compared to when they need to anticipate the outcome of the same observed movements. Findings are discussed with reference to recent ideas focusing on the role of perceptual and motor resonance in perceptual judgments.
Capturing and Unmasking the Mask in the Auditory Attentional Blink
Authors: Vachon François , Tremblay Sébastien , Hughes Robert W. , Jones Dylan M.
Published: December 2009

Key to our understanding of the temporal limits of attention as reflected in the attentional blink (AB) – the failure to report the second of two targets (T1 and T2) presented in close succession – is the detrimental impact of posttarget distractors, accounted for typically by the construct of masking. Within the context of the auditory AB, we tested the notion of masking by seeking to perceptually “capture” the T2 + 1 distractor away from the target-containing sequence to examine whether perceptual organizational factors could, instead, explain the action of T2 + 1. Using monaural sequences of tones, the presentation of T2 + 1 contralaterally to the rest of the sounds produced the AB. However, the AB was abolished when that contralateral T2 + 1 was perceptually grouped with an induction sequence of irrelevant tones presented to the contralateral ear. Such findings are consistent with a selection-based approach to the AB that emphasizes failure of inhibition and misselection while suggesting a diminished role for masking.
Prime Proportion Affects Masked Priming of Fixed and Free-Choice Responses
Authors: Bodner Glen E. , Mulji Rehman
Published: December 2009

Left/right “fixed” responses to arrow targets are influenced by whether a masked arrow prime is congruent or incongruent with the required target response. Left/right “free-choice” responses on trials with ambiguous targets that are mixed among fixed trials are also influenced by masked arrow primes. We show that the magnitude of masked priming of both fixed and free-choice responses is greater when the proportion of fixed trials with congruent primes is .8 rather than .2. Unconscious manipulation of context can thus influence both fixed and free choices. Sequential trial analyses revealed that these effects of the overall prime context on fixed and free-choice priming can be modulated by the local context (i.e., the nature of the previous trial). Our results support accounts of masked priming that posit a memory-recruitment, activation, or decision process that is sensitive to aspects of both the local and global context.
Pedagogical Effect of Action on Arithmetic Performances in Wynn-Like Tasks Solved by 2-Year-Olds
Authors: Lubin Amélie , Poirel Nicolas , Rossi Sandrine , Lanoë Céline , Pineau Arlette , Houdé Olivier
Published: December 2009

Previous studies have provided evidence of interference due to a language-default mode (i.e., the singular/plural opposition) in 2-year-old children when solving arithmetic problems using a traditional onlooker method. However, an action-based method could help to bypass this language bias. In particular, when an arithmetic problem is presented to the children by the experimenter (onlooker mode) or realized by the children themselves (actor mode), performances are better with the latter. Thus, an experimental procedure based on “math in action” allows a brain-and-mind shift from a global language-bias (singular/plural) strategy to an exact numerical strategy. In this framework, we examined whether the exact numerical strategy induced by the actor method remains operational when children had to subsequently solve the same arithmetic problem using the traditional onlooker method. Results from 112 children suggest that this pedagogical effect of action bypasses the interference from language in onlooker mode after an initial confrontation of the problem in actor mode. This enduring embodiment effect has important implications for cognitive and preschool assessment in toddlers.
Being on the Lookout for Validity
Authors: Friese Malte , Fiedler Klaus
Published: December 2009

Recently, Sriram and Greenwald (2009) introduced a new IAT-like measure, the Brief Implicit Association Test (BIAT). Because the BIAT is a new development, empirical evidence for its validity is yet scarce. This comment focuses on two possible approaches to validation research on the BIAT: (1) a pragmatic correlational approach and (2) an experimental approach aiming at causal understanding of the BIAT task. We argue that both approaches provide valuable and mutually complementing evidence, but only experimental research can conclusively show that the to-be-measured constructs causally influence BIAT scores. Because such a causal analysis is at the core of the validity problem, research on the BIAT should reduce the asymmetry in favor of correlational validation that emerged in traditional IAT research.
Game Over?
Authors: Glock Sabine , Kneer Julia
Published: December 2009

Because of recent school shootings, there has been a broad public discussion on whether playing violent digital games causes aggression. Current empirical findings of media violence research on aggression are ambiguous. It is also unclear whether the positive correlation is due to active playing or to media reports. Media reports may lead people who do not play (nonplayers) to associate violent digital games with aggression, while active players (long-term players) may have differentiated knowledge structures. Therefore, we conducted an experiment to investigate the relationship between the concepts “violent digital game” and “aggression” for long-term players and nonplayers. Long-term players, nonprimed, and primed nonplayers performed two lexical decision tasks before and after playing “Unreal Tournament.” While priming “violent digital game” activated the concept “aggression” for nonplayers, active playing had no impact at all. The individual knowledge about these games had stronger impact on psychological responses than playing a violent digital game.
“You Are All Loved so Much”
Authors: Sanderson James
Published: December 2009

This research explores relational maintenance within the context of parasocial relationships. The New Kids on the Block (NKOTB), one of the most popular musical groups in the late 1980s and early 1990s, abruptly disbanded in 1994. In 2008, after a 14-year hiatus, the band announced their reformation. Members of NKOTB blogged about their reunion on the group’s website ( www.nkotb.com ), and a thematic analysis was conducted, using both deductive and inductive procedures, of 2,122 postings by audience members to these blog entries. Analysis revealed that audience members utilized, in various ways, both positivity and assurance maintenance strategies ( Canary, Stafford, Hause, & Wallace, 1993 ). The results suggest that audience members enacted relational maintenance to express support for NKOTB and to demonstrate that they had remained committed to their parasocial relationship with NKOTB, despite the group’s absence. These actions positively reinforced NKOTB’s decision to reunite and conveyed fans’ desire for NKOTB’s return to be permanent. Thus, similar to actual social relationships, relational maintenance also functions within parasocial relationships and merits further research attention.
Nitrogen cycling and feedbacks in a global dynamic land model
Authors: Gerber Stefan , Hedin Lars O. , Oppenheimer Michael , Pacala Stephen W. , Shevliakova Elena
Published: December 2009

Global anthropogenic changes in carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycles call for modeling tools that are able to address and quantify essential interactions between N, C, and climate in terrestrial ecosystems. Here we introduce a prognostic N cycle within the Princeton–Geophysical Fluid Dynamic Laboratory (GFDL) LM3V land model. The model captures mechanisms essential for N cycling and their feedbacks on C cycling: N limitation of plant productivity, the N dependence of C decomposition and stabilization in soils, removal of available N by competing sinks, ecosystem losses that include dissolved organic and volatile N, and ecosystem inputs through biological N fixation. Our model captures many essential characteristics of C‐N interactions and is capable of broadly recreating spatial and temporal variations in N and C dynamics. The introduced N dynamics improve the model's short‐term NPP response to step changes in CO2. Consistent with theories of successional dynamics, we find that physical disturbance induces strong C‐N feedbacks, caused by intermittent N loss and subsequent N limitation. In contrast, C‐N interactions are weak when the coupled model system approaches equilibrium. Thus, at steady state, many simulated features of the carbon cycle, such as primary productivity and carbon inventories, are similar to simulations that do not include C‐N feedbacks.
Effects of lateral viscosity variations on the geoid
Authors: Ghosh A. , Becker T. W. , Zhong S. J.
Published: December 2009

We investigate the effects of lateral viscosity variations (LVVs) on mantle circulation model predictions of the global geoid. The present study is motivated in part by earlier findings that LVVs due to stiff slabs in the lower mantle have a strong influence on the geoid, and that slabs in the lower mantle are perhaps no stronger than the ambient mantle. However, more recently, it has been argued based on global seismic tomography models that LVVs are a minor effect on the geoid. In the light of these seemingly contradictory results, we re‐visit the problem of slab strength in the lower mantle. We substantiate that the geoid calculated from tomography is hardly affected by the presence of LVVs, whereas the geoid computed from global slab models yields a poor fit to the observed geoid when LVVs are considered. However, this degradation of fit only occurs for very long wavelengths of flow, indicating inherent differences between the slab and tomography models. We also investigate the effects on the geoid due to weak plate boundaries, strong cratonic keels, and a low viscosity region in the D″ layer due to post‐perovskite. In addition to the geoid, we attempt to fit plate motions with a circulation model that has prescribed weak zones at plate boundaries. Motions are matched well and, taking into account LVVs, the geoid with appropriate surface velocity boundary conditions agrees with the observed geoid as well as for free slip cases.
Ice streaming in the Laurentide Ice Sheet: A first comparison between data‐calibrated numerical model output and geological evidence
Authors: Stokes Chris R. , Tarasov Lev
Published: December 2009

Despite the importance of rapidly‐flowing ice streams to ice sheet mass balance, their incorporation into numerical ice sheet models is a major scientific challenge. This introduces large uncertainties in model output and inhibits a more complete understanding of the role of ice streams in overall ice sheet stability. Recent computational advances have enabled more realistic representations of ice streaming but few studies have attempted to compare model output against known locations of ice streams. This paper compares predictions of ice streaming derived from a large ensemble analysis of a Glacial Systems Model of the Laurentide Ice Sheet against independent geological evidence compiled from previously published studies. Although the precise dating of paleo‐ice stream locations is problematic, our analysis includes comparisons at six different time‐steps (18 to 10 cal ka BP) during deglaciation. Results indicate that the model is successful in predicting all of the major marine‐terminating ice streams but there is mixed success in simulating terrestrial ice streams in the right place and at the right time, which is vital in guiding future model development. The model also reveals that whilst some ice streams persist throughout deglaciation the focus of mass loss associated with ice streaming switches through time with dynamic changes in ice stream catchments and tributaries. This implies that major changes in ice stream activity are to be expected in a deglaciating ice sheet, with important implications for contemporary ice sheet dynamics.
Can texture‐based classification optimally classify soils with respect to soil hydraulics?
Authors: Twarakavi Navin K. C. , Šimůnek Jirka , Schaap M. G.
Published: December 2009

In the past, texture‐based classification of soils has been used for grouping soils in variably saturated water flow and solute transport studies. Classification of soils becomes especially important for large‐scale studies where the spatial and temporal variability in the hydraulic properties of soils exceeds the field sampling capabilities. Although soil‐texture‐based classification has been widely used, questions remain about the validity of its use from a hydraulic perspective. In this study, we attempt to answer the following questions: (1) what is the optimal number of (soil hydraulic) classes that can adequately classify the soils from a hydraulic standpoint, and (2) how does such a classification compare to the soil texture classification currently used? To investigate these questions, the commonly used k‐means clustering algorithm was integrated with the ROSETTA pedotransfer functions to predict the so‐called soil hydraulic classes. The optimal soil hydraulic classifications and the associated uncertainty were estimated for numbers of soil hydraulic classes varying from 2 to 30. It was concluded that the optimal number of soil hydraulic classes is 12. The optimal soil hydraulic classes were represented in a ternary diagram called the soil hydraulic triangle. While there exist some surprising similarities in classification between the soil texture triangle and the soil hydraulic triangle for soils with high sand percentages (sand >60%), the opposite is true for soils with low sand contents. From a hydraulic standpoint, the texture‐based classification does not classify soils well when there is a considerable impact of capillary forces. The soil texture and hydraulic classes were analyzed for accuracy using two databases. Compared to the soil texture classes, it was found that the soil hydraulic classes marginally improve the accuracy of classification. Even though the improvement is only marginal, it was observed that the optimality of soil texture triangle for hydraulic studies cannot be assured because of the nonuniform distribution of data across various textural possibilities in the two databases. As an extension of this research, we have also estimated the average soil hydraulic parameters for the different optimal soil hydraulic classes.
The guardians of the genome dependent tumor suppressor miRNAs network
Authors: Boominathan Lakshmanane
Published: December 2009

The tumor suppressor p53 homologues, TA-p73, and p63 have been shown to function as tumor suppressors. However, how they function as tumor suppressors remains elusive. Here I present a number of models that illustrates how the TA-p73/p63 could function as tumor suppressors. Remarkably, the guardians—p53, p63, and p73—of the genome are in control of most of the known tumor suppressor miRNAs. TA-p73/p63 and p53, by suppressing the expression of c-Myc through TRIM32 and miR-145, they could up regulate the expression of tumor suppressor microRNAs, such as miR-15/16a, miR-29, miR-34, miR-26, let-7a/d/g, miR-30b/c/d/e, miR-146a, and a number of tumor suppressor genes. It appears that p53/TA-p73/p63-mediated repression of c-myc (and its repressed miRNA targets) inhibits tumor growth. Thus, these findings strongly suggest that p53, TA-p73 and TA-p63, by suppressing the expression of c-myc, they could increase c-myc-repressed tumor suppressor miRNAs, and thereby they could function as tumor suppressors. In addition, TA-p73/p63 and p53 appears to regulate the expression of miR-200b, c to control EMT, invasion and metastasis.Remarkably, microRNA processing components, such as dicer, P2P-R, Ago1/2, DGCR-8, are regulated by p53, p73, and p63. By regulating the miRNA processing components, they could function as regulators of miRNA/siRNA biogenesis. Therefore, these studies suggest that the guardians of the genome p53, p73 and p63 are in control of the biogenesis of miRNAs as well. Taken together, “the guardians of the genome integrity,” p53, TA-p73 and TA-p63 are not only in control of its protein coding targets, but also non-coding tumor suppressor microRNAs and thereby they enlarge their tumor suppressor network to inhibit tumorigenesis.
Tumor suppressors function as a bottleneck against cellular reprogramming into iPS cells
Authors: Boominathan Lakshmanane
Published: December 2009

Generating individual specific pluoripotent stem cells from differentiated cells is essential for regenerative medicine. Here, I propose that the tumor suppressor TA-p73/p63-dependent microRNA network may inhibit self-renewal and reprogramming. It has recently been shown that C-terminal NHL domain of TRIM32, an ubiquitin ligase, binds to Argonaute 1(Ago-1, a component of RNA information silencing complex) and thereby the complex TRIM32-Ago1 promotes the efficiency of processing of microRNA-134. Bioinformatics analysis of TRIM32 promoter revealed five p73/p63 binding sites in the TRIM32 promoter, indicating that it could be a transcriptional target of TA-p73/p63. This data suggests a possibility that the TA-p73/p63, by increasing the expression of TRIM32, it could increase the Ago1/2 activity and thereby it could increase the processing of miR-134. Further, bioinformatics analysis of miR-134 suggests that it could inhibit the expression of Nanog, Sox-2, Oct4, and LRH-1. This data suggests that TA-p73/p63 could down regulate reprogramming factors Nanog, Sox-2, Oct-4, and LRH-1 through its target miR-134. Furthermore, p53/TA-p73/p63 may increase the expression of let-7, which, in turn, inhibits lin-28 expression to inhibit reprogramming. Therefore, inhibiting the expression of TA-p73/p63 will be useful in improving reprogramming efficiency. Analysis of microarray data with bioinformatics and computational biology approach revealed that p53/TA-p73/p63-microRNAs could disrupt the core-reprogramming network in ES cells and thereby they could inhibit self-renewal and reprogramming. Remarkably, miR-106 appears to increase the expression of TA-p73 by suppressing its negative regulator, Itch, indicating that by inhibiting the expression of TA-p73/p63 through anti-miR-106, one could increase the efficiency of reprogramming. This study will present molecular insights into why eliminating tumor suppressor function is indispensable for improving reprogramming efficiency.
Infusion of a Lipid Emulsion Modulates AMPK and Related Proteins in Rat Liver, Muscle, and Adipose Tissues
Authors: Anavi Sarit , Ilan Erez , Tirosh Oren , Madar Zecharia
Published: January 2010

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the impact of lipid oversupply on the AMPK pathway in skeletal muscle, liver, and adipose tissue. Male Wistar rats were infused with lipid emulsion (LE) or phosphate‐buffered saline for 5 h/day for 6 days. Muscles exposed to LE for 6 days exhibited increased AMPK and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC) phosphorylation, along with a greater association between AMPK and Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase kinase (CaMKK). No differences in muscle protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C) activity, LKB1 phosphorylation or AMPK and LKB1 association were observed. Muscle ACCβ, and adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) mRNA levels and PPARγ‐co‐activator 1α (PGC1α) protein levels were also increased in LE‐treated rats. In contrast, AMPK and ACC phosphorylation decreased and PP2C activity increased in rat livers exposed to LE. Hepatic mRNA levels of ACCα, PPARα, AdipoR1, AdipoR2, and sterol regulatory element–binding protein‐1c (SREBP1c) were also reduced after LE infusion. In adipose tissue, there was no significant alteration in AMPK or ACC phosphorylation. These results demonstrate that following lipid oversupply the AMPK pathway was enhanced in rat skeletal muscle while diminished in the liver and was unchanged in adipose tissue. CaMKK in skeletal muscle and PP2C in the liver, at least in part, appear to mediate these alterations. Alterations in AMPK pathway in the liver induced metabolic defects associated with lipid oversupply.
Wavelengths, Transition Probabilities, and Energy Levels for the Spectra of Cesium (CsI–CsLV)
Authors: Sansonetti J. E.
Published: December 2009

Energy level values, with designations and uncertainties, have been compiled for the spectra of the neutral atom and all positive ions of cesium (Z=55). Transition wavelengths with classifications, intensities, and transition probabilities are also tabulated. In addition, ground states, ionization energies, and hyperfine structure constants are listed. For most ionization stages experimental data are available; however, for those for which only theoretical calculations or fitted values exist, these are reported. There are a few ionization stages for which only a calculated ionization potential is available.
IUPAC-NIST Solubility Data Series. 88. Esters with Water—Revised and Updated. Part 1. C2 to C4 Esters
Authors: Mączyński Andrzej , Wiśniewska-Gocłowska Barbara , Jezierski Aleksander
Published: December 2009

The mutual solubilities and related liquid-liquid equilibria of 19 binary systems of C2 to C4 esters with water are exhaustively and critically reviewed. Reports of experimental determination of solubility that appeared in the primary literature prior to the end of 2007 are compiled. For ten systems, sufficient data are available to allow critical evaluation. All data are expressed as mass fraction and mole fraction as well as the originally reported units. In addition to the standard evaluation criteria used throughout the Solubility Data Series, a method based on the evaluation of all experimental data for a given series of esters was used.
Multiple detectors to watch for double beta decay
Authors: Feder Toni
Published: December 2009

By ratcheting up the sensitivity about an order of magnitude, a handful of experiments aim to see neutrinoless double beta decay and measure the neutrino mass; if unsuccessful, larger experiments would be the next step.
Gravitational-wave detection via radio-pulsar timing
Authors: Demorest Paul , Lazio Joseph , Lommen Andrea
Published: December 2009

The observation of gravitational waves will offer astronomers a new view of the cosmos. One promising approach for detecting those spacetime perturbations relies on the precise timing of signals from radio pulsars.
The Condensation of (Chlorocarbonyl)phenyl Ketene with Bisnucleophiles. Synthesis of 4-Hydroxy-5-phenylpyro-[2,3-c]pyrazol-6-ones and Formation of Pyrazolo[1,2-a]pyrazole-triones by Hydrogen Exchange in Unstable Mesoionic Compounds
Authors: Abaszadeh Mehdi , Sheibani Hassan , Saidi Kazem
Published: January 2010

The addition of (chlorocarbonyl)phenyl ketene 2 to 5-alkylpyrazol-3(4H)-ones 1 led to the formation of 3-hydroxypyrazolo[1,2-a]pyrazole-dione/pyrazolo[1,2-a]pyrazole-trione derivatives 3. This is ascribed to hydrogen exchange in initially formed unstable, mesoionic pyrazolo[1,2-a]pyrazol-4-ium-5-olates. In contrast, condensation of the same ketene with 3-alkyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-ones 4 afforded 4-hydroxy-3-alkyl-1,5-diphenylpyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-6-one derivatives 5. The latter reaction provides a new and rapid route to 4-hydroxy-2-pyrones fused to pyrazole rings, in good to excellent yields.
Lipid binding orientation within CD1d affects recognition of
Borrelia burgorferi
antigens by NKT cells
Authors: Wang Jing , Li Yali , Kinjo Yuki , Mac Thien-Thi , Gibson Darren , Painter Gavin F. , Kronenberg Mitchell , Zajonc Dirk M.
Published: December 2009

Invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT cells) respond to CD1d-presented glycolipids from
Borrelia burgdorferi
, the causative agent of Lyme disease. Although mouse and human iNKT cells respond to different antigens based on subtle differences in their fatty acids, the mechanism by which fatty acid structure determines antigenic potency is not well understood. Here we show that the mouse and human CD1d present glycolipids having different fatty acids, based in part upon a difference at a single amino acid position that is involved in positioning the sugar epitope. CD1d also can bind nonantigenic lipids, however, but unexpectedly, mouse CD1d orients the two aliphatic chains of a nonantigenic lipid rotated 180°, causing a dramatic repositioning of the exposed sugar. Therefore, our data reveal the biochemical basis for the high degree of antigenic specificity of iNKT cells for certain fatty acids, and they suggest how microbes could alter fatty acid biosynthesis as an immune evasion mechanism.
Neurodynamics of mental exploration
Authors: Hopfield John J.
Published: December 2009

Thinking allows an animal to take an effective action in a novel situation based on a mental exploration of possibilities and previous knowledge. We describe a model animal, with a neural system based loosely on the rodent hippocampus, which performs mental exploration to find a useful route in a spatial world it has previously learned. It then mentally recapitulates the chosen route, and this intent is converted to motor acts that move the animal physically along the route. The modeling is based on spiking neurons with spike-frequency adaptation. Adaptation causes the continuing evolution in the pattern of neural activity that is essential to mental exploration. A successful mental exploration is remembered through spike-timing-dependent synaptic plasticity. The system is also an episodic memory for an animal chiefly concerned with locations.
50 years of fusion research and the road to fusion energy
Authors: Burkart Werner
Published: December 2009

The full text of this foreword is available in the PDF.
Inertial fusion power development: the path to global warming suppression
Authors: Mima Kunioki
Published: December 2009

Shortly after the demonstration of the first lasers, it was proposed that nuclear fusion induced by laser energized implosion could be utilized for energy generation. Today, there are many facilities worldwide undertaking IFE research, and after decades of experiments, theoretical developments and simulations, it is expected that the laser fusion ignition will be demonstrated in the next few years. If this does indeed happen, we will see a new era toward the realization of a fusion power plant.
Temperature effect on hydrocarbon deposition on molybdenum mirrors under ITER-relevant long-term plasma operation
Authors: Rapp J , van Rooij G J , Litnovsky A , Marot L , De Temmerman G , Westerhout J , Zoethout E
Published: December 2009

Optical diagnostics in ITER will rely on mirrors near the plasma and the deterioration of the reflectivity is a concern. The effect of temperature on the deposition efficiency of hydrocarbons under long-term operation conditions similar to ITER was investigated in the linear plasma generator Pilot-PSI. Polycrystalline molybdenum mirrors were exposed for 30 min in the background of methane seeded argon plasma at 210, 340 and 490 °C. The surface and the optical properties of the mirrors were characterized before and after exposure by reflectivity and polarization measurements and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The 210 °C mirror contained 10−7 m thick deposits, which deteriorated the optical properties. Both the 340 and 490 °C mirrors had negligible deposits. Where the 340 °C mirror retained its original optical properties, the reflectivity of the 490 °C mirror was decreased in the UV–visible and in the near-infrared wavelength region due to carbide formation.
CD-HIT Suite: a web server for clustering and comparing biological sequences
Authors: Huang Ying , Niu Beifang , Gao Ying , Fu Limin , Li Weizhong
Published: January 2010

Summary: CD-HIT is a widely used program for clustering and comparing large biological sequence datasets. In order to further assist the CD-HIT users, we significantly improved this program with more functions and better accuracy, scalability and flexibility. Most importantly, we developed a new web server, CD-HIT Suite, for clustering a user-uploaded sequence dataset or comparing it to another dataset at different identity levels. Users can now interactively explore the clusters within web browsers. We also provide downloadable clusters for several public databases (NCBI NR, Swissprot and PDB) at different identity levels.

Availability: Free access at http://cd-hit.org

Contact:  liwz@sdsc.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Bone marrow cell transplantation improves cardiac, autonomic, and functional indexes in acute anterior myocardial infarction patients (Cardiac Study)
Authors: Piepoli Massimo F. , Vallisa Daniele , Arbasi Mariacristina , Cavanna Luigi , Cerri Luigi , Mori Monica , Passerini Francesco , Tommasi Luigi , Rossi Agostino , Capucci Alessandro ,   on behalf of the Cardiac Study Group
Published: December 2009

Aims

Bone marrow (BM) stem cells improve cardiac function and outcome after acute ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI). In this randomized controlled trial, the effects of intracoronary transfer of autologous BM cells on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and volumes (2D‐echo and resting SPECT), stroke volume [impedance cardiography (ICG)], autonomic control [heart rate variability (HRV)], baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), and exercise tolerance (cardiopulmonary exercise test) were assessed in post‐MI patients. Exercise stress SPECT was also performed.

Methods and results

After percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), 38 patients with residual LV dysfunction were randomized to either the BM group (optimized treatment plus intracoronary transfer of autologous BM cells 4 ± 1 days after PCI, n = 19) or control (C) group (optimized treatment only, n = 19). After 12 months, mean LVEF (%) increased 13.1 ± 1.9 in the BM patients vs. 5.3 ± 2.0 in C, with an increase in stroke volume (mL, 14.5 ± 4.0 in BM vs. 1.8 ± 3.7 in C) associated with improved HRV [SD (ms) 62.4 ± 8.3 in BM vs. 19.0 ± 7.5 in C), higher BRS (ms/mmHg, 8.0 ± 1.8 in BM vs. −1.9 ± 1.7 in C), and peak VO2 (mL/kg min−1, 3.5 ± 1.0 in BM vs. −0.4 ± 0.5 in C). Stress SPECT showed improvements in perfusion, regional and global LV function scores (P < 0.05 BM vs. C groups for all comparisons). Cell transfer did not increase the risk of adverse clinical, in‐stent restenosis, or proarrhythmic events.

Conclusion

The beneficial effect of autologous BM cells in post‐MI patients with depressed LV function may be mediated by restoration of autonomic control, and improved exercise tolerance.
Nematicidal Activity of Monoterpenoids Against the Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita
Authors: Echeverrigaray Sergio , Zacaria Jucimar , Beltrão Ricardo
Published: January 2010

Nematicidal activity of 22 monoterpenoids were evaluated in vitro and in pot experiments. Twenty of the twenty-two monoterpenoids significantly reduced hatching, and 11 reduced J2 mobility of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita at a concentration of 250 mg/liter. In general, compounds with hydroxyl and carbonyl groups exhibited higher nematicidal activity than other terpenoids. Borneol, carveol, citral, geraniol, and α-terpineol showed the highest nematicidal activity among the in vitro tested monoterpenoids. These compounds exhibited a dose dependent effect, and drastically reduced eggs hatching and J2 viability at low concentrations. These monoterpenoids, at 100 and 250 mg/kg concentration, diminished root galling of tomato plants in pot experiments. The results suggest that the selected monoterpenoids, and essential oils with high concentration of these compounds, are potential nematicides against Meloidogyne.
Nonlinear elasticity of biological tissues with statistical fibre orientation
Authors: Federico Salvatore , Gasser T. Christian
Published: January 2010

The elastic strain energy potential for nonlinear fibre-reinforced materials is customarily obtained by superposition of the potentials of the matrix and of each family of fibres. Composites with statistically oriented fibres, such as biological tissues, can be seen as being reinforced by a continuous infinity of fibre families, the orientation of which can be represented by means of a probability density function defined on the unit sphere (i.e. the solid angle). In this case, the superposition procedure gives rise to an integral form of the elastic potential such that the deformation features in the integral, which therefore cannot be calculated
a priori
. As a consequence, an analytical use of this potential is impossible. In this paper, we implemented this integral form of the elastic potential into a numerical procedure that evaluates the potential, the stress and the elasticity tensor at each deformation step. The numerical integration over the unit sphere is performed by means of the method of spherical designs, in which the result of the integral is approximated by a suitable sum over a discrete subset of the unit sphere. As an example of application, we modelled the collagen fibre distribution in articular cartilage, and used it in simulating displacement-controlled tests: the unconfined compression of a cylindrical sample and the contact problem in the hip joint.
Aggression, segregation and stability in a dominance hierarchy
Authors: Ang Tzo Zen , Manica Andrea
Published: January 2010

Central to our understanding of social group formation and maintenance is the question of how within-group conflict resolution is achieved in the face of asymmetrical competition over resources and reproduction. A crucial yet implicit assumption of many conflict resolution models dealing with reproductive skew is that subordinates have perfect knowledge of the extent of conflict between themselves and their dominants, enabling behavioural responses on an individual rather than evolutionary scale. However, a mechanism enabling subordinates to accurately assess their relative conflict levels has yet to be empirically demonstrated. Here, we show in the angelfish
Centropyge bicolor
that the rate of overt mild aggression from dominants to subordinates acts as a signal of increasing rank conflict. The clarity of this signal can be reduced by spatial segregation, causing subordinates to be less able to respond appropriately by regulation of their foraging rates. A reduced signal ultimately leads to a less well-defined dominance hierarchy and destabilization of the social group. Our study suggests that, contrary to previous suggestions, dominant aggression rates play a crucial role as an accurate information signal required for the evolutionary stability of skew models.
Actinomadura scrupuli sp. nov., isolated from rock
Authors: Lee Dong Wan , Lee Soon Dong
Published: December 2009

A novel actinomycete, designated strain R-Ac121T, was isolated from a small stone collected from an agricultural field in Jeju, Republic of Korea. The organism formed abundant vegetative mycelium that was branched and twisted. The reverse colour of colonies was brownish-yellow. Non-motile, wrinkled arthrospores were produced directly on the substrate mycelium. Aerial mycelium and sporangia were not observed. A neighbour-joining tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the isolate formed a distinct clade within the radiation of the family Thermomonosporaceae. The highest 16S rRNA gene sequence identity was found with the type strain of Spirillospora rubra (97.3 % sequence similarity) followed by those of Actinoallomurus purpureus (97.0 %), Actinomadura alba (96.5 %), Actinomadura fibrosa (96.5 %) and Actinomadura echinospora (96.4 %). The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The whole-cell sugars were rhamnose, glucose, ribose, xylose and arabinose. The polar lipids included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol. The major menaquinone was MK-9(H6) and the predominant fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 0, C17 : 1
ω8c and 10-methyl C17 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 71.8 mol%. The combination of morphological, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data clearly supports the separation of the organism from recognized species of the genus Actinomadura and related genera. On the basis of the data presented here, strain R-Ac121T represents a novel species of the genus Actinomadura, for which the name Actinomadura scrupuli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain R-Ac121T (=KCTC 19488T =DSM 45225T).