bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous Electroencephalographic and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Indicate Impaired Cortical Top–Down Processing in Association with Anesthetic-induced Unconsciousness
Authors: Jordan Denis , Ilg Rüdiger , Riedl Valentin , Schorer Anna , Grimberg Sabine , Neufang Susanne , Omerovic Adem , Berger Sebastian , Untergehrer Gisela , Preibisch Christine , Schulz Enrico , Schuster Tibor , Schröter Manuel , Spoormaker Victor , Zimmer Claus , Hemmer Bernhard , Wohlschläger Afra , Kochs Eberhard F. , Schneider Gerhard
Published: August 2013

Background:

In imaging functional connectivity (FC) analyses of the resting brain, alterations of FC during unconsciousness have been reported. These results are in accordance with recent electroencephalographic studies observing impaired top–down processing during anesthesia. In this study, simultaneous records of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalogram were performed to investigate the causality of neural mechanisms during propofol-induced loss of consciousness by correlating FC in fMRI and directional connectivity (DC) in electroencephalogram.

Methods:

Resting-state 63-channel electroencephalogram and blood oxygen level–dependent 3-Tesla fMRI of 15 healthy subjects were simultaneously registered during consciousness and propofol-induced loss of consciousness. To indicate DC, electroencephalographic symbolic transfer entropy was applied as a nonlinear measure of mutual interdependencies between underlying physiological processes. The relationship between FC of resting-state networks of the brain (z values) and DC was analyzed by a partial correlation.

Results:

Independent component analyses of resting-state fMRI showed decreased FC in frontoparietal default networks during unconsciousness, whereas FC in primary sensory networks increased. DC indicated a decline in frontal–parietal (area under the receiver characteristic curve, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.68–1.00) and frontooccipital (0.82; 0.53–1.00) feedback DC (P < 0.05 corrected). The changes of FC in the anterior default network correlated with the changes of DC in frontal–parietal (r
partial = +0.62; P = 0.030) and frontal–occipital (+0.63; 0.048) electroencephalographic electrodes (P < 0.05 corrected).

Conclusion:

The simultaneous propofol-induced suppression of frontal feedback connectivity in the electroencephalogram and of frontoparietal FC in the fMRI indicates a fundamental role of top–down processing for consciousness.
Medial Septal Cholinergic Neurons Modulate Isoflurane Anesthesia
Authors: Tai Siew Kian , Ma Jingyi , Leung L. Stan
Published: August 2013

Background:

Cholinergic drugs are known to modulate the response of general anesthesia. However, the sensitivity of isoflurane or other volatile anesthetics after selective lesion of septal cholinergic neurons that project to the hippocampus is not known.

Methods:

Male Long Evans rats had 192 immunoglobulin G-saporin infused into the medial septum (n = 10), in order to selectively lesion cholinergic neurons, whereas control, sham-lesioned rats were infused with saline (n = 12). Two weeks after septal infusion, the hypnotic properties of isoflurane and ketamine were measured using a behavioral endpoint of loss of righting reflex (LORR). Septal lesion was assessed by counting choline acetyltransferase–immunoreactive cells and parvalbumin-immunoreactive cells.

Results:

Rats with 192 immunoglobulin G-saporin lesion, as compared with control rats with sham lesion, showed a 85% decrease in choline acetyltransferase–immunoreactive, but not parvalbumin–immunoreactive, neurons in the medial septal area. Lesioned as compared with control rats showed increased isoflurane sensitivity, characterized by a leftward shift of the graph plotting cumulative LORR percent with isoflurane dose. However, lesioned and control rats were not different in their LORR sensitivity to ketamine. When administered with 1.375% isoflurane, LORR induction time was shorter, whereas emergence time was longer, in lesioned as compared with control rats. Hippocampal 62–100 Hz gamma power in the electroencephalogram decreased with isoflurane dose, with a decrease that was greater in lesioned (n = 5) than control rats (n = 5).

Conclusions:

These findings suggest a role of the septal cholinergic neurons in modulating the sensitivity to isoflurane anesthesia, which affects both induction and emergence. The sensitivity of hippocampal gamma power to isoflurane appears to indicate anesthesia (LORR) sensitivity.
Assessing Psychosocial Risk in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Pai Ahna L.H. , Tackett Alayna , Hente Elizabeth A. , Ernst Michelle M. , Denson Lee A. , Hommel Kevin A.
Published: August 2013

Aim:

The aim of this study was to present the preliminary psychometric properties of the Psychosocial Assessment Tool 2.0_General (PAT2.0_GEN), a brief screener for psychosocial risk in families of children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods:

Caregivers of 42 youth with IBD were recruited and administered a battery of measures including the PAT2.0_GEN and well‐validated measures of child emotional and behavioral functioning at baseline and at a 6‐month follow‐up.

Results:

Internal consistency for the PAT2.0_GEN total score was good (α = 0.82). Baseline was significantly associated with the 6‐month follow‐up (r= 0.79,P< 0.001). Significant correlations between the baseline PAT2.0 _GEN total score and caregiver‐reported Child Behavior Checklist total scores at baseline (r= 0.74,P< 0.001) and at a 6‐month follow‐up (r= 0.62,P< 0.001) support the content and predictive validity of the PAT2.0_GEN. Baseline PAT2.0_GEN was also significantly correlated with youth‐reported Child Behavior Checklist total scores at baseline (r= 0.37,P= 0.02) but not at the 6‐month follow‐up (r= 0.23,P= 0.17).

Conclusions:

A number of indicators support the concurrent and predictive utility of the PAT2.0_GEN. The PAT2.0_GEN is a promising tool for screening psychosocial risk that could facilitate the provision of psychosocial services to those patients most in need.
{Tris[3-(adamantan-1-yl)-5-isopropylpyrazol-1-yl-κN2]hydroborato}thallium(I): the scorpionate with the most bulk?
Authors: Fujisawa Kiyoshi , Takisawa Hideyuki
Published: August 2013

In the thallium(I) complex, [Tl(C48H70BN6)], of tris[3-(adamantan-1-yl)-5-isopropylpyrazol-1-yl]hydroborate, the most hindered scorpionate ligand, the TlIion is coordinated by three N atoms from the anionic tridentate chelating ligand [average Tl—N bond length = 2.522 (4) Å] in a distorted trigonal–pyramidal environment [average N—Tl—N angle around the TlIion = 76.4 (1)°]. This coordination geometry is compared with that of the reported TlIcomplex of the super-hindered tris(7-tert-butylindazol-2-yl)hydroborate ligand.
Importance of local vs. geographic variation in salt marsh plant quality for arthropod herbivore communities
Authors: Marczak Laurie B. , Więski Kazimierz , Denno Robert F. , Pennings Steven C.
Published: August 2013

An important recent advance in food web ecology has been the application of theory regarding spatial gradients to studies of the factors that affect animal population dynamics. Building on extensive studies of the Spartina alterniflora food web at the local scale, we hypothesized that geographic variation in S. alterniflora quality is an important bottom‐up control on food web structure and that geographic variation in S. alterniflora quality would interact with the presence of predators and top omnivores to mediate herbivore densities.

We employed a four‐factor fully crossed experiment in which we (i) collected plants from high‐ and low‐latitude locations and grew them in a common garden and varied (ii) plant fertilization status (mimicking the plant quality differences due to marsh elevation), (iii) mesopredator density and (iv) omnivore density.

Our results suggest that the single most important factor mediating insect herbivore densities is local variation in plant quality – induced in our experiment by fertilization and demonstrated repeatedly as a consequence of marsh elevation.

Top‐down effects were generally weak and in those cases where predators did exert a significant suppressing effect on herbivores, that impact was itself mediated by host‐plant characteristics.

Finally, despite observed variation in plant quality with latitude, and the separately measurable effects of this variation on herbivores, geographic‐scale variation in plant quality was overwhelmed by local conditions in our experiments.

Synthesis. We suggest that a first‐order understanding of variation across large latitudinal ranges in the Spartina alterniflora arthropod food web must begin with local variation in plant quality, which provides strong bottom‐up forcing to herbivore populations. A second‐order understanding of the arthropod food web should consider the role of predation in controlling herbivores feeding on low‐quality plants. Finally, while latitudinal variation in plant quality probably explains some variation in herbivore densities, it is probably more of a response to herbivore pressure than a driver of the herbivore dynamics. Although extrapolating from local to geographic scales presents multiple challenges, it is an essential task in order for us to develop an understanding that is general rather than site‐specific.
Widowhood Effects in Voter Participation
Authors: Hobbs William R. , Christakis Nicholas A. , Fowler James H.
Published: August 2013

Past research suggests that spouses influence one another to vote, but it relies almost exclusively on correlation in turnout. It is therefore difficult to establish whether spouses mobilize each other or tend to marry similar others. Here, we test the dependency hypothesis by examining voting behavior before and after the death of a spouse. We link nearly six million California voter records to Social Security death records and use both coarsened exact matching and multiple cohort comparison to estimate the effects of spousal loss. The results show that after turnout rates stabilize, widowed individuals vote nine percentage points fewer than they would had their spouse still been living; the results also suggest that this change may persist indefinitely. Variations in this “widowhood effect” on voting support a social‐isolation explanation for the drop in turnout.
Responding to War on Capitol Hill: Battlefield Casualties, Congressional Response, and Public Support for the War in Iraq
Authors: Kriner Douglas , Shen Francis
Published: August 2013

Recent scholarship argues that how members of Congress respond to an ongoing war significantly influences the president's strategic calculations. However, the literature is comparably silent on the factors influencing the public positions members take during the course of a military venture. Accounting for both national and local electoral incentives, we develop a theory positing that partisanship conditions congressional responses to casualties in the aggregate, but that all members respond to casualties in their constituency by increasingly criticizing the war. Analyzing an original database of more than 7,500 content‐coded House floor speeches on the Iraq War, we find strong support for both hypotheses. We also find that Democrats from high‐casualty constituencies were significantly more likely to cast antiwar roll‐call votes than their peers. Finally, we show that this significant variation in congressional antiwar position taking strongly correlates with geographic differences in public support for war.
Factors influencing radioiodine uptake after thyroid cancer surgery
Authors: Bai Jia Bin , Shakerian Rezvaneh , Westcott James David , Lichtenstein Meir , Miller Julie A.
Published: August 2013

Background

Total thyroidectomy followed by radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation is indicated for most patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. There have been no quantitative studies testing factors that affect uptake on post‐ablation whole body scan. We hypothesized greater RAI uptake in patients who underwent two‐stage total thyroidectomy (diagnostic hemithyroidectomy followed by completion thyroidectomy) compared to patients who underwent one‐stage total thyroidectomy.

Methods

Medical records and whole body scan images of thyroid cancer patients were reviewed. Thyroid uptake as a percentage of Iodine‐131 dose was calculated for each scan. RAI uptake was compared to procedure type, central lymph node dissection (CLND), extrathyroidal invasion, presence of thyroiditis and pre‐operative diagnosis.

Results

One hundred six patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and RAI ablation for differentiated thyroid cancer were included. There was a trend to higher RAI uptake in patients who had undergone two‐stage thyroidectomy compared to one‐stage thyroidectomy (P = 0.06). CLND was associated significantly lower RAI uptake (P = 0.003). On multivariate analyses, CLND was the only variable that retained statistical significance (P = 0.023). CLND was performed more often in patients undergoing one‐stage thyroidectomy (P = 0.001), as these patients' cancer diagnosis was known prior to surgery.

Conclusion

RAI uptake appeared higher in two‐stage thyroidectomy than one‐stage thyroidectomy. This difference may be attributed to CLND being performed more often in one‐stage thyroidectomy. These results add to the discussion about the role of CLND in surgery for differentiated thyroid cancer.
CYP2D6 variation, behaviour and psychopathology: implications for pharmacogenomics‐guided clinical trials
Authors: Peñas‐LLedó Eva M. , LLerena Adrián
Published: August 2013

Individual and population differences in polymorphic cytochrome P450 enzyme function have been known for decades. The biological significance of these differences has now been deciphered with regard to drug metabolism, action and toxicity as well as disposition of endogenous substrates, including neuroactive compounds. While the cytochrome P450 enzymes occur abundantly in the liver, they are expressed in most tissues of the body, albeit in varying amounts, including the brain. The latter location of cytochrome P450s is highly pertinent for susceptibility to neuropsychiatric diseases, not to mention local drug metabolism at the site of psychotropic drug action in the brain. In the current era of personality medicine with companion theranostics (i.e. the fusion of therapeutics with diagnostics), this article underscores that such versatile biological roles of cytochrome P450s offer multiple points of entry for personalized medicine and rational therapeutics. We focus our discussion on CYP2D6, one of the most intensively researched drug and endogenous compound metabolism pathways, with a view to relevance for, and optimization of, pharmacogenomic‐guided clinical trials. Working on the premise that CYP2D6 is related to human behaviour and certain personality traits such as serotonin and dopamine system function, we further suggest that the motivation of healthy volunteers to participate in clinical trials may in part be influenced by an under‐ or over‐representation of certain CYP2D6 metabolic groups.
Allosteric interactions at adenosine A1 and A3 receptors: new insights into the role of small molecules and receptor dimerization
Authors: Hill Stephen J , May Lauren T , Kellam Barrie , Woolard Jeanette
Published: August 2013

The purine nucleoside adenosine is present in all cells in tightly regulated concentrations. It is released under a variety of physiological and pathophysiological conditions to facilitate protection and regeneration of tissues. Adenosine acts via specific GPCRs to either stimulate cyclic AMP formation, as exemplified by Gs‐protein‐coupled adenosine receptors (A2A and A2B), or inhibit AC activity, in the case of Gi/o‐coupled adenosine receptors (A1 and A3). Recent advances in our understanding of GPCR structure have provided insights into the conformational changes that occur during receptor activation following binding of agonists to orthosteric (i.e. at the same binding site as an endogenous modulator) and allosteric regulators to allosteric sites (i.e. at a site that is topographically distinct from the endogenous modulator). Binding of drugs to allosteric sites may lead to changes in affinity or efficacy, and affords considerable potential for increased selectivity in new drug development. Herein, we provide an overview of the properties of selective allosteric regulators of the adenosine A1 and A3 receptors, focusing on the impact of receptor dimerization, mechanistic approaches to single‐cell ligand‐binding kinetics and the effects of A1‐ and A3‐receptor allosteric modulators on in vivo pharmacology.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Molecular Pharmacology of GPCRs. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2014.171.issue‐5
Does Parental Involvement Matter for Student Achievement and Mental Health in High School?
Authors: Wang Ming‐Te , Sheikh‐Khalil Salam
Published: August 2013

Parental involvement in education remains important for facilitating positive youth development. This study conceptualized parental involvement as a multidimensional construct—including school‐based involvement, home‐based involvement, and academic socialization—and examined the effects of different types of parental involvement in 10th grade on student achievement and depression in 11th grade (approximately ages 15–17 years). In addition, this study tested whether parental involvement influenced adolescent outcomes by increasing their academic engagement in school. A total of 1,056 adolescents participated in the study (51% males; 53% European American, 40% African American, and 7% other). Parental involvement was found to improve academic and emotional functioning among adolescents. In addition, parental involvement predicted adolescent academic success and mental health both directly and indirectly through behavioral and emotional engagement.
Adoptive Gay Father Families: Parent–Child Relationships and Children's Psychological Adjustment
Authors: Golombok Susan , Mellish Laura , Jennings Sarah , Casey Polly , Tasker Fiona , Lamb Michael E.
Published: August 2013

Findings are presented on a U.K. study of 41 gay father families, 40 lesbian mother families, and 49 heterosexual parent families with an adopted child aged 3–9 years. Standardized interview and observational and questionnaire measures of parental well‐being, quality of parent–child relationships, child adjustment, and child sex‐typed behavior were administered to parents, children, and teachers. The findings indicated more positive parental well‐being and parenting in gay father families compared to heterosexual parent families. Child externalizing problems were greater among children in heterosexual families. Family process variables, particularly parenting stress, rather than family type were found to be predictive of child externalizing problems. The findings contribute to theoretical understanding of the role of parental gender and parental sexual orientation in child development.
A two‐yr prospective study of bone health in children after renal transplantation employing two imaging techniques
Authors: Christoforidis Athanasios , Printza Nikoleta , Gkogka Chrysa , Kazantzidou Eirini , Papachristou Fotios
Published: August 2013

The aim of this study was to prospectively and longitudinally evaluate bone properties with the use of two bone imaging techniques (dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry [DXA], and quantitative ultraSonography [QUS]) in pediatric renal transplant recipients. Fourteen patients (eight boys and six girls) with a mean age of 12.25 ± 3.11 yr (range: 8–17.5 yr) completed a two‐yr follow‐up. Measurements of bone mineral density (BMD) by DXA at lumbar spine and hip and speed of sound (SOS) by QUS at radius and tibia were performed at the beginning and at the end of the study. A significant improvement in mean Z‐score of SOS values measured at tibia (1.01 ± 1.31 vs. −0.46 ± 1.14, p = 0.005) was observed. On the contrary, mean Z‐score of BMD values measured at femoral neck was significantly reduced (−1.95 ± 2.15 vs. −0.33 ± 1.13, p = 0.041). Finally, multivariate stepwise regression analyses showed that glomerular filtration rate at the beginning of the study was the best predictor of the difference in BMD Z‐scores measured at lumbar spine. Additionally, values of intact parathormone (iPTH) at the beginning of the study and the change in iPTH throughout the study predicted the 72.3% of the difference in Z‐score of SOS measured at radius with an inverse relationship.
Do Clinical and Translational Science Graduate Students Understand Linear Regression? Development and Early Validation of the REGRESS Quiz
Authors: Enders Felicity
Published: August 2013

Introduction

Although regression is widely used for reading and publishing in the medical literature, no instruments were previously available to assess students’ understanding. The goal of this study was to design and assess such an instrument for graduate students in Clinical and Translational Science and Public Health.

Methods

A 27‐item REsearch on Global Regression Expectations in StatisticS (REGRESS) quiz was developed through an iterative process. Consenting students taking a course on linear regression in a Clinical and Translational Science program completed the quiz pre‐ and postcourse. Student results were compared to practicing statisticians with a master's or doctoral degree in statistics or a closely related field.

Results

Fifty‐two students responded precourse, 59 postcourse , and 22 practicing statisticians completed the quiz. The mean (SD) score was 9.3 (4.3) for students precourse and 19.0 (3.5) postcourse (P < 0.001). Postcourse students had similar results to practicing statisticians (mean (SD) of 20.1(3.5); P = 0.21). Students also showed significant improvement pre/postcourse in each of six domain areas (P < 0.001). The REGRESS quiz was internally reliable (Cronbach's alpha 0.89).

Conclusion

The initial validation is quite promising with statistically significant and meaningful differences across time and study populations. Further work is needed to validate the quiz across multiple institutions.
Comparison of cortical thickness in patients with early‐stage versus late‐stage amnestic mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Ye B. S. , Seo S. W. , Yang J.‐J. , Kim H. J. , Kim Y. J. , Yoon C. W. , Cho H. , Noh Y. , Kim G. H. , Chin J. , Kim J.‐H. , Jeon S. , Lee J. M. , Na D. L.
Published: August 2013

Background and purpose

Disappointing outcomes from clinical trials involving amyloid‐modifying therapies for Alzheimer's disease (AD) have prompted more focus on the concept of early‐stage (E) amnestic mild cognitive impairment (E‐aMCI). However, limited evidence suggests that E‐aMCI may represent aMCI at a very early stage of AD. Furthermore, the nature of the progression of E‐aMCI to late‐stage aMCI (L‐aMCI) remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to characterize patterns of cortical thinning in both E‐aMCI and L‐aMCI patients.

Methods

Cortical thicknesses were measured in 190 patients with aMCI and 147 subjects with normal cognition. In accordance with memory test scores involving delayed recall items, aMCI patients were divided into two subgroups, containing 73 E‐aMCI subjects with milder memory impairment [scores between −1.5 standard deviation (SD) and −1.0 SD compared with age‐ and education‐matched norms] and 117 L‐aMCI subjects with more severe memory impairment (scores lower than −1.5 SD).

Results

Compared with controls, the E‐aMCI group exhibited cortical thinning in the left medial temporal and insular regions, whereas the L‐aMCI group showed cortical thinning in widespread regions, including the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal, anterior and medial temporal, and temporo‐parietal association cortices, and the precuneus. When the two aMCI groups were directly compared, the L‐aMCI group showed greater cortical thinning in the right superior prefrontal, medial temporal, posterior cingulate and lateral parietal cortices.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that E‐aMCI might represent an early symptomatic stage of AD. Furthermore, L‐aMCI might resemble AD more closely than E‐aMCI, in terms of the topography of cortical thinning.
Protein crystallography for aspiring crystallographers or how to avoid pitfalls and traps in macromolecular structure determination
Authors: Wlodawer Alexander , Minor Wladek , Dauter Zbigniew , Jaskolski Mariusz
Published: August 2013

The number of macromolecular structures deposited in the Protein Data Bank now approaches 100 000, with the vast majority of them determined by crystallographic methods. Thousands of papers describing such structures have been published in the scientific literature, and 20 Nobel Prizes in chemistry or medicine have been awarded for discoveries based on macromolecular crystallography. New hardware and software tools have made crystallography appear to be an almost routine (but still far from being analytical) technique and many structures are now being determined by scientists with very limited experience in the practical aspects of the field. However, this apparent ease is sometimes illusory and proper procedures need to be followed to maintain high standards of structure quality. In addition, many noncrystallographers may have problems with the critical evaluation and interpretation of structural results published in the scientific literature. The present review provides an outline of the technical aspects of crystallography for less experienced practitioners, as well as information that might be useful for users of macromolecular structures, aiming to show them how to interpret (but not overinterpret) the information present in the coordinate files and in their description. A discussion of the extent of information that can be gleaned from the atomic coordinates of structures solved at different resolution is provided, as well as problems and pitfalls encountered in structure determination and interpretation.
Modeling daily flowering probabilities: expected impact of climate change on Japanese cherry phenology
Authors: Allen Jenica M. , Terres Maria A. , Katsuki Toshio , Iwamoto Kojiro , Kobori Hiromi , Higuchi Hiroyoshi , Primack Richard B. , Wilson Adam M. , Gelfand Alan , Silander John A.
Published: August 2013

Understanding the drivers of phenological events is vital for forecasting species’ responses to climate change. We developed flexible Bayesian survival regression models to assess a 29‐year, individual‐level time series of flowering phenology from four taxa of Japanese cherry trees (Prunus spachiana, Prunus × yedoensis, Prunus jamasakura, and Prunus lannesiana), from the Tama Forest Cherry Preservation Garden in Hachioji, Japan. Our modeling framework used time‐varying (chill and heat units) and time‐invariant (slope, aspect, and elevation) factors. We found limited differences among taxa in sensitivity to chill, but earlier flowering taxa, such as P. spachiana, were more sensitive to heat than later flowering taxa, such as P. lannesiana. Using an ensemble of three downscaled regional climate models under the A1B emissions scenario, we projected shifts in flowering timing by 2100. Projections suggest that each taxa will flower about 30 days earlier on average by 2100 with 2–6 days greater uncertainty around the species mean flowering date. Dramatic shifts in the flowering times of cherry trees may have implications for economically important cultural festivals in Japan and East Asia. The survival models used here provide a mechanistic modeling approach and are broadly applicable to any time‐to‐event phenological data, such as plant leafing, bird arrival time, and insect emergence. The ability to explicitly quantify uncertainty, examine phenological responses on a fine time scale, and incorporate conditions leading up to an event may provide future insight into phenologically driven changes in carbon balance and ecological mismatches of plants and pollinators in natural populations and horticultural crops.
Satellite observed widespread decline in Mongolian grasslands largely due to overgrazing
Authors: Hilker Thomas , Natsagdorj Enkhjargal , Waring Richard H. , Lyapustin Alexei , Wang Yujie
Published: August 2013

The Mongolian Steppe is one of the largest remaining grassland ecosystems. Recent studies have reported widespread decline of vegetation across the steppe and about 70% of this ecosystem is now considered degraded. Among the scientific community there has been an active debate about whether the observed degradation is related to climate, or over‐grazing, or both. Here, we employ a new atmospheric correction and cloud screening algorithm (MAIAC) to investigate trends in satellite observed vegetation phenology. We relate these trends to changes in climate and domestic animal populations. A series of harmonic functions is fitted to Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) observed phenological curves to quantify seasonal and inter‐annual changes in vegetation. Our results show a widespread decline (of about 12% on average) in MODIS observed normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) across the country but particularly in the transition zone between grassland and the Gobi desert, where recent decline was as much as 40% below the 2002 mean NDVI. While we found considerable regional differences in the causes of landscape degradation, about 80% of the decline in NDVI could be attributed to increase in livestock. Changes in precipitation were able to explain about 30% of degradation across the country as a whole but up to 50% in areas with denser vegetation cover (P < 0.05). Temperature changes, while significant, played only a minor role (r2 = 0.10, P < 0.05). Our results suggest that the cumulative effect of overgrazing is a primary contributor to the degradation of the Mongolian steppe and is at least partially responsible for desertification reported in previous studies.
Financial literacy: A comparative study across four countries
Authors: Nicolini Gianni , Cude Brenda J. , Chatterjee Swarn
Published: August 2013

This study analysed differences in financial literacy across four countries: Canada, Italy, the UK and the US. The purpose was to understand whether factors associated with financial literacy in one country can be generalized to other countries as well or whether unique national characteristics make it necessary to examine financial literacy in each country individually. A financial literacy index, based on the number of correct answers to four multiple‐choice questions, was used to test the relevance of country of origin to financial literacy. Results suggest significant differences among countries indicating that there are national and cultural differences in what households know and need to know about their personal finances. Policy makers should consider these differences when developing financial literacy assessment tools for their respective countries.
Foreign language reading anxiety: Chinese as a foreign language in the United States
Authors: Zhao Aiping , Guo Ying , Dynia Jaclyn
Published: August 2013

This study examined the foreign language (FL) reading anxiety level of English‐speaking university students learning Chinese as a foreign language (n = 114) in the United States. Data from two anxiety measures, a background information questionnaire, and an email interview indicated that learners of Chinese experienced a level of FL reading anxiety similar to general FL anxiety. FL reading anxiety was associated with course level and experience with China but not with gender. Moreover, FL reading anxiety was found to be negatively correlated with FL reading performance among Elementary Level I and Intermediate Level students but not among Elementary Level II students. Unfamiliar scripts, unfamiliar topics, and worry about comprehension were identified as the major sources of FL reading anxiety. Findings suggest that reading anxiety was a salient problem for learners of Chinese whose native language was English.
Cryoballoon versus RF Ablation in Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: Results from the German Ablation Registry
Authors: SCHMIDT MARTIN , DORWARTH UWE , ANDRESEN DIETRICH , BRACHMANN JOHANNES , KUCK KARL‐HEINZ , KUNISS MALTE , LEWALTER THORSTEN , SPITZER STEFAN , WILLEMS STEPHAN , SENGES JOCHEN , JÜNGER CLAUS , HOFFMANN ELLEN
Published: August 2013

German Ablation Registry‐Different Energy Sources in AF Ablation

Background

Catheter ablation is used extensively with curative intention in atrial fibrillation. Radiofrequency ablation has long been a standard of care, while cryoballoon technology has emerged as a feasible approach with promising results. Prospective multicenter registry data referring to both ablation technologies in AF ablation therapy are lacking.

Methods

Between January 2007 and August 2011, a total of 3,775 consecutive patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF who underwent PV ablation in their respective centers were enrolled. The cohort was divided into 2 groups according to the ablation energy source used: cryoballoon ablation (group 1, n = 905 [24.0%], median age 63 years, 64.3% men) and RF ablation (group 2, n = 2870 [76.0%], median age 63 years, 62.7% men). Comorbidities and baseline clinical characteristics were similar in both groups.

Results

Acute success rate was similar in both groups (97.5% in cryo vs 97.6% in RF; P = 0.81). Procedure times were similar, ablation and fluoroscopy times were higher in cryoballoon when compared to RF ablation. Overall complication rate was similar in cryo‐ (4.6%) and RF‐ablation (4.6%; P = 1.0). Phrenic nerve palsy was more often in cryo versus RF ablation (2.1% in cryo vs 0.0% in RF; P < 0.001). Other complications were more common in RF compared to cryoablation (4.6% in RF vs 2.7% in cryo; P < 0.05).

Conclusion

RF ablation is the most widespread ablation method in Germany, but use of cryoballoon increased significantly. Procedure times were similar, but ablation and fluoroscopy times were longer in cryoballoon ablation. No significant differences were found in terms of acute success and overall complication rate.
MicroRNA profile before and after antiviral therapy in liver transplant recipients for hepatitis C virus cirrhosis
Authors: Gelley Fanni , Zadori Gergely , Nemes Balazs , Fassan Matteo , Lendvai Gabor , Sarvary Eniko , Doros Attila , Gerlei Zsuzsanna , Nagy Peter , Schaff Zsuzsa , Kiss Andras
Published: August 2013

Background and Aim

Management of hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence is a major challenge after liver transplantation. Significant dysregulated expression of HCV receptors (i.e. claudin‐1, occludin, tetraspanin CD81, scavenger receptor type B1) has been shown recently during HCV infection. This might facilitate hepatocytic entry and reinfection of HCV. MicroRNAs (miRs) play role in the regulation of gene expression. We aimed to characterize miR expression profiles related to HCV infection and antiviral therapy in adult liver transplant recipients, with special emphasis on miRs predicted to target HCV receptors.

Methods

Twenty‐eight adult liver transplant recipients were enrolled in the study. Paired biopsies were obtained at the time of HCV recurrence and at the end of antiviral treatment. MiRs for HCV receptors were selected using target prediction software. Expression levels of miR‐21, miR‐23a miR‐34a, miR‐96, miR‐99a*, miR‐122, miR‐125b, miR‐181a‐2*, miR‐194, miR‐195, miR‐217, miR‐221, and miR‐224 were determined by reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results

miR‐99a* and miR‐224 expressions were increased in HCV recurrence samples, while miR‐21 and miR‐194 were decreased in comparison to normal liver tissue. Increased expressions of miR‐221, miR‐224, and miR‐217 were observed in samples taken after antiviral therapy when compared with HCV recurrence samples. High HCV titer at recurrence was associated with higher level of miR‐122.

Conclusions

Samples at recurrence of HCV and after antiviral therapy revealed distinct HCV‐related miR expression profiles, with significant dysregulation of those miRNAs potentially targeting mRNAs of HCV receptors. In particular, miR‐194 and miR‐21 might be involved in the regulation of HCV receptor proteins' expression during HCV infection and antiviral therapy.
An Anatomy of Commodity Futures Risk Premia
Authors: SZYMANOWSKA MARTA , DE ROON FRANS , NIJMAN THEO , VAN DEN GOORBERGH ROB
Published: August 2013

We identify two types of risk premia in commodity futures returns: spot premia related to the risk in the underlying commodity, and term premia related to changes in the basis. Sorting on forecasting variables such as the futures basis, return momentum, volatility, inflation, hedging pressure, and liquidity results in sizable spot premia between 5% and 14% per annum and term premia between 1% and 3% per annum. We show that a single factor, the high‐minus‐low portfolio from basis sorts, explains the cross‐section of spot premia. Two additional basis factors are needed to explain the term premia.
Making time for national identity: theoretical concept and empirical glance on the temporal performance of national identity
Authors: Lavi Liron
Published: August 2013

Despite global, economic, technological and social transformations, nationality has remained an influential identity category. It still forms the basis for collective self‐determination, political sovereignty and sense of belonging. This article puts forward the concept of ‘Chrono‐Work’ to offer a critical approach to national identity. Employing temporal and performative perspectives, the concept addresses the conditions for establishing and constructing national identity. Drawing on Judith Butler's performance theory, it is suggested that performance of national acts loads national identity with meaning through the construction of a chronological narrative. To complete the theoretical picture, a case study of ‘Chrono‐Work’ among the Jewish settlers on the Golan Heights in Israel is offered. It is shown that national identity is constantly performed through temporal strategies that aim at achieving a chronological order. Therefore, it is suggested that national identity is not given, but rather is the result of continuous ‘Chrono‐Work’.
Susceptibility to stress induced visceral hypersensitivity in maternally separated rats is transferred across generations
Authors: van den Wijngaard R. M. , Stanisor O. I. , van Diest S. A. , Welting O. , Wouters M. M. , Cailotto C. , de Jonge W. J. , Boeckxstaens G. E.
Published: August 2013

Background

In irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), familial clustering and transfer across generations may largely depend on environmental factors but this is difficult to establish in the human setting. Therefore, we aimed to set up a relevant animal model. We investigated whether susceptibility to stress induced visceral hypersensitivity in maternally separated (MS) Long Evans rats can be transferred across generations without further separation protocols and, if so, whether this depends on maternal care.

Methods

At adult age, we evaluated pre‐ vs post water avoidance (WA) changes in visceromotor response to distension in non‐handled second filial generation offspring (NH‐F2) of previously separated MS‐F1 dams. Furthermore, the role of maternal care was evaluated by cross‐fostering F2 offspring of NH‐F1 and MS‐F1 dams and subsequent sensitivity measurements at adult age. Involvement of mast cells in post stress hypersensitivity of NH‐F2 rats was evaluated by mast cell stabilization.

Key Results

In adult NH‐F2 offspring of MS‐F1 dams, post‐WA hypersensitivity to colorectal distension was observed in 80% of rats compared with 19% in offspring of NH‐F1 dams. Cross‐fostered pups adapted to the phenotype of the foster mother: pups of NH‐F1 dams nursed by MS‐F1 dams showed post‐WA hypersensitivity to distension at adult age and vice versa (100% and 20% respectively). In NH‐F2 rats, post‐WA hypersensitivity was reversed by mast cell stabilizer doxantrazole.

Conclusions & Inferences

Maternal separated‐induced susceptibility to stress‐triggered visceral hypersensitivity is transferred across generations and this transfer depends on maternal care. Thus, MS is a suitable model to evaluate environmental triggers relevant to IBS clustering in families.
Chromium stress response effect on signal transduction and expression of signaling genes in rice
Authors: Trinh Ngoc‐Nam , Huang Tsai‐Lien , Chi Wen‐Chang , Fu Shih‐Feng , Chen Chi‐Chien , Huang Hao‐Jen
Published: August 2013

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a non‐essential metal for normal plants and is toxic to plants at high concentrations. However, signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms of its action on cell function and gene expression remain elusive. In this study, we found that Cr(VI) induced endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and Ca2+ accumulation and activated NADPH oxidase and calcium‐dependent protein kinase. We investigated global transcriptional changes in rice roots by microarray analysis. Gene expression profiling indicated activation of abscisic acid‐, ethylene‐ and jasmonic acid‐mediated signaling and inactivation of gibberellic acid‐related pathways in Cr(VI) stress‐treated rice roots. Genes encoding signaling components such as the protein kinases domain of unknown function 26, receptor‐like cytoplasmic kinase, LRK10‐like kinase type 2 and protein phosphatase 2C, as well as transcription factors WRKY and apetala2/ethylene response factor were predominant during Cr(VI) stress. Genes involved in vesicle trafficking were subjected to functional characterization. Pretreating rice roots with a vesicle trafficking inhibitor, brefeldin A, effectively reduced Cr(VI)‐induced ROS production. Suppression of the vesicle trafficking gene, Exo70, by virus‐induced gene silencing strategies revealed that vesicle trafficking is required for mediation of Cr(VI)‐induced ROS production. Taken together, these findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms in signaling pathways and transcriptional regulation in response to Cr stress in plants.
An Anatomy Of Racial and Ethnic Trends in Male Earnings in the U.S
Authors: Hirsch Barry T. , Winters John V.
Published: August 2013

Progress in narrowing black–white earnings differences has been far from continuous, with some of the apparent progress resulting from labor force withdrawal among lower‐skilled African Americans. This paper documents racial and ethnic differences in male earnings from 1950 through 2010 using data from the decennial census and American Community Surveys. Emphasis is given to annual rather than weekly or hourly earnings. We take a quantile approach, providing evidence on medians and other percentiles of the distribution. Treatment of imputed earnings greatly affects measured outcomes. Hispanic men have exhibited earnings growth similar to white men over several decades. Black men have been left behind economically due in large part to increased joblessness, a process exacerbated by weak labor market conditions. By 2010, joblessness had risen to over 40 percent and the median black–white earnings gap was the largest in at least 60 years.
Groundwater Arsenic Contamination Throughout China
Authors: Rodríguez-Lado Luis , Sun Guifan , Berg Michael , Zhang Qiang , Xue Hanbin , Zheng Quanmei , Johnson C. Annette
Published: August 2013

Arsenic and Populace

The solubility of arsenic in groundwater aquifers is controlled by a number of hydrologic and geochemical factors. In rural communities that rely on groundwater for drinking water, the risk from exposure may pose a public health threat, especially when groundwater pumping can increase arsenic solubility. In an effort to provide a focused assessment of risk to arsenic exposure from groundwater,

Rodríguez-Lado
et al.

(p.
866
; see the Perspective by

Michael

) constructed a geostatistical model that incorporates a number of factors that control arsenic solubility across China. Most of the risk centers in a few provinces—Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Henan, Shandong, and Jiangsu—but the total population exposed to arsenic levels above 10 micrograms per liter could be upwards of 19 million people.
Hillslopes Record the Growth and Decay of Landscapes
Authors: Hurst Martin D. , Mudd Simon M. , Attal Mikael , Hilley George
Published: August 2013

Gotta Get Up to Get Down

By examining high-resolution satellite topography data of a ridge along the San Andreas Fault in California,

Hurst
et al.

(p.
868
) demonstrate how hill slope curvature may be used to infer long-term rates of tectonic uplift and erosion. Numerical modeling shows a lag phase between uplift events and changes in morphology, which, combined with the observational data, shows that topography can reveal whether landscapes are active or decaying. These fundamental relationships may help to improve seismic hazard forecasts or to interpret topographic data collected on other terrestrial planets.
An Arsenic Forecast for China
Authors: Michael Holly A.
Published: August 2013

A map of possible arsenic contamination in China's aquifers may guide mitigation efforts.

[Also see Report by

Rodríguez-Lado
et al.

]
Functional Ion Defects in Transition Metal Oxides
Authors: Kalinin Sergei V. , Spaldin Nicola A.
Published: August 2013

Dynamically tuning the concentration and profile of ions and vacancies in transition metal oxides provides a route to control of new functionalities.
Identification of a Highly Antigenic Region of Subtilisin-Like Serine Protease 1 for Serodiagnosis of Neospora caninum Infection
Authors: Ybañez Rochelle Haidee D. , Terkawi Mohamad Alaa , Kameyama Kyohko , Xuan Xuenan , Nishikawa Yoshifumi
Published: August 2013

Neospora caninumis an apicomplexan parasite that causes abortion in cattle; hence, accurate diagnosis of this pathogen is important to the cattle farming industry. Our previous proteomics and immunoscreening analyses revealed that theN. caninumsubtilisin-like serine protease 1 (NcSUB1) has potential as a serodiagnostic tool forNeospora. Consequently, we expressed two fragments containing five NcSUB1 tandem repeat copies covering amino acids (aa) 524 to 843 (NcSUB1t) and 555 to 679 (NcSUB1tr) to identify the antigenic regions. The serodiagnostic performances of NcSUB1t and NcSUB1tr were compared with that of N54, which contains a single copy of the repeats (aa 649 to 784), and with the truncated NcSAG1 (NcSAG1t), which lacks a signal peptide and C-terminal hydrophobic regions, as a positive reference. Serum samples fromN. caninumexperimentally infected cattle and mice and cattle from a farm with confirmed cases ofNeosporaabortion were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with the four antigens. In theN. caninumexperimentally infected cattle, the highest IgG1 antibody titers were detected against NcSUB1t, while specific IgG1 antibodies were detectable from 16 days postinfection (dpi), with levels peaking at 36 dpi for all of the antigens. On the other hand, the levels of anti-NcSUB1 IgG2 antibodies were lower than those of anti-SAG1t IgG2 antibodies. The ELISA with NcSUB1t and NcSUB1tr had good sensitivity (94.59 to 95.95%) and specificity (80 to 100%) with bovine serum field samples compared to NcSAG1t and showed no cross-reactions with sera fromToxoplasma gondiiexperimentally infected mice. Moreover, IgG antibodies against NcSUB1t were detected during parturition in the NcSAG1t antibody-positive cattle, and NcSUB1t-specific antibody transfer was observed from a mother to her calf. Our results show that the NcSUB1 tandem repeat is potentially useful for serodiagnosis ofN. caninum.