bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of whisker geometry on contact force produced by vibrissae moving at different velocities
Authors: Carvell George E. , Simons Daniel J. 
Published: June 2017

Rats and mice are able to perform a variety of subtle tactile discriminations with their mystacial vibrissae. Increasingly, the design and interpretation of neurophysiological and behavioral studies are inspired by and linked to a more precise understanding of the detailed physical properties of the whiskers and their associated hair follicles. Here we used a piezoelectric sensor (bimorph) to examine how contact forces are influenced by the geometry of individual whisker hairs. For a given point along a whisker, bimorph signals are linearly related to whisker movement velocity. The slope of this linear function, called velocity sensitivity (VS), diminishes nonlinearly as whisker diameter decreases. Whiskers differ in overall length, thickness, and proximal-distal taper. Thus VS varies along an individual whisker and among different whiskers on the mystacial pad. Thinner, shorter whiskers, such as those located rostrally in rats and those in mice, have lower overall VSs, rendering them potentially less effective for mediating discriminations that rely on subtle velocity cues. The nonlinear effect of diameter combined with the linear effect of arc length produces radial distance tuning curves wherein small differences in the proximal-distal location of impacts yields larger differences in signal magnitude. Such position-dependent cues could contribute to the localization of objects near the face. Proximal-to-distal changes in contact location during whisking sweeps could also provide signals that aid texture discrimination. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study describes the geometry of facial whiskers distributed across the mystacial pad with emphasis on velocity encoding of object strikes. Findings indicate how the shapes, lengths, and thicknesses of individual hairs can contribute to sophisticated vibrissa-based tactile discrimination.
Task-specific, dimension-based attentional shaping of motion processing in monkey area MT
Authors: Schledde Bastian , Galashan F. Orlando , Przybyla Magdalena , Kreiter Andreas K. , Wegener Detlef 
Published: June 2017

Nonspatially selective attention is based on the notion that specific features or objects in the visual environment are effectively prioritized in cortical visual processing. Feature-based attention (FBA), in particular, is a well-studied process that dynamically and selectively addresses neurons preferentially processing the attended feature attribute (e.g., leftward motion). In everyday life, however, behavior may require high sensitivity for an entire feature dimension (e.g., motion), but experimental evidence for a feature dimension-specific attentional modulation on a cellular level is lacking. Therefore, we investigated neuronal activity in macaque motion-selective mediotemporal area (MT) in an experimental setting requiring the monkeys to detect either a motion change or a color change. We hypothesized that neural activity in MT is enhanced when the task requires perceptual sensitivity to motion. In line with this, we found that mean firing rates were higher in the motion task and that response variability and latency were lower compared with values in the color task, despite identical visual stimulation. This task-specific, dimension-based modulation of motion processing emerged already in the absence of visual input, was independent of the relation between the attended and stimulating motion direction, and was accompanied by a spatially global reduction of neuronal variability. The results provide single-cell support for the hypothesis of a feature dimension-specific top-down signal emphasizing the processing of an entire feature class. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Cortical processing serving visual perception prioritizes information according to current task requirements. We provide evidence in favor of a dimension-based attentional mechanism addressing all neurons that process visual information in the task-relevant feature domain. Behavioral tasks required monkeys to attend either color or motion, causing modulations of response strength, variability, latency, and baseline activity of motion-selective monkey area MT neurons irrespective of the attended motion direction but specific to the attended feature dimension.
Caffeine accelerates recovery from general anesthesia via multiple pathways
Authors: Fong Robert , Khokhar Suhail , Chowdhury Atif N. , Xie Kelvin G , Wong Josiah Hiu-Yuen , Fox Aaron P. , Xie Zheng 
Published: June 2017

Various studies have explored different ways to speed emergence from anesthesia. Previously, we have shown that three drugs that elevate intracellular cAMP (forskolin, theophylline, and caffeine) accelerate emergence from anesthesia in rats. However, our earlier studies left two main questions unanswered. First, were cAMP-elevating drugs effective at all anesthetic concentrations? Second, given that caffeine was the most effective of the drugs tested, why was caffeine more effective than forskolin since both drugs elevate cAMP? In our current study, emergence time from anesthesia was measured in adult rats exposed to 3% isoflurane for 60 min. Caffeine dramatically accelerated emergence from anesthesia, even at the high level of anesthetic employed. Caffeine has multiple actions including blockade of adenosine receptors. We show that the selective A2a adenosine receptor antagonist preladenant or the intracellular cAMP ([cAMP]i)-elevating drug forskolin, accelerated recovery from anesthesia. When preladenant and forskolin were tested together, the effect on anesthesia recovery time was additive indicating that these drugs operate via different pathways. Furthermore, the combination of preladenant and forskolin was about as effective as caffeine suggesting that both A2A receptor blockade and [cAMP]i elevation play a role in caffeine’s ability to accelerate emergence from anesthesia. Because anesthesia in rodents is thought to be similar to that in humans, these results suggest that caffeine might allow for rapid and uniform emergence from general anesthesia in humans at all anesthetic concentrations and that both the elevation of [cAMP]i and adenosine receptor blockade play a role in this response. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Currently, there is no method to accelerate emergence from anesthesia. Patients “wake” when they clear the anesthetic from their systems. Previously, we have shown that caffeine can accelerate emergence from anesthesia. In this study, we show that caffeine is effective even at high levels of anesthetic. We also show that caffeine operates by both elevating intracellular cAMP levels and by blocking adenosine receptors. This complicated pharmacology makes caffeine especially effective in accelerating emergence from anesthesia.
Tail‐Cuff Technique and Its Influence on Central Blood Pressure in the Mouse
Authors: Wilde Elena , Aubdool Aisah A. , Thakore Pratish , Baldissera Lineu , Alawi Khadija M. , Keeble Julie , Nandi Manasi , Brain Susan D. 
Published: June 2017

Background
Reliable measurement of blood pressure in conscious mice is essential in cardiovascular research. Telemetry, the “gold‐standard” technique, is invasive and expensive and therefore tail‐cuff, a noninvasive alternative, is widely used. However, tail‐cuff requires handling and restraint during measurement, which may cause stress affecting blood pressure and undermining reliability of the results.

Methods and Results

C57Bl/6J mice were implanted with radio‐telemetry probes to investigate the effects of the steps of the tail‐cuff technique on central blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature. This included comparison of handling techniques, operator's sex, habituation, and influence of hypertension induced by angiotensin
II
. Direct comparison of measurements obtained by telemetry and tail‐cuff were made in the same mouse. The results revealed significant increases in central blood pressure, heart rate, and core body temperature from baseline following handling interventions without significant difference among the different handling technique, habituation, or sex of the investigator. Restraint induced the largest and sustained increase in cardiovascular parameters and temperature. The tail‐cuff readings significantly underestimated those from simultaneous telemetry recordings; however, “nonsimultaneous” telemetry, obtained in undisturbed mice, were similar to tail‐cuff readings obtained in undisturbed mice on the same day.

Conclusions
This study reveals that the tail‐cuff technique underestimates the core blood pressure changes that occur simultaneously during the restraint and measurement phases. However, the measurements between the 2 techniques are similar when tail‐cuff readings are compared with telemetry readings in the nondisturbed mice. The differences between the simultaneous recordings by the 2 techniques should be recognized by researchers.
Phonetic and phonological properties of tones in Shanghai Chinese
Authors: GAO Jiayin , HALLÉ Pierre 
Published: June 2017

This study investigates the relations between tone, voicing, and voice quality in modern Shanghai Chinese. In low tone syllables, word-initial obstruent onsets are traditionally described as voiceless and breathy, and sonorant onsets as voiced and breathy.Our study is based on acoustic and electroglottographic (EGG) data from speakers of two age groups (20–30 vs. 60–80 years). Our results are globally in line with previous studies, but with notable differences. In low tone syllables, while word-initial stops are phonetically voiceless most of the time, fricatives are quite often phonetically voiced. While low tone obstruent onsets are followed by breathier vowels than high tone onsets, this pattern is not clear-cut for nasal onsets. Furthermore, our transversal data show that low tone breathiness is more systematically produced by elderly – especially male – speakers, rather than young speakers, suggesting an on-going change towards the loss of breathiness.
Narrative as a Method for Eliciting Tacit Knowledge of Climate Variability in Bangladesh
Authors: Bremer Scott , Blanchard Anne , Mamnun Nabir , Stiller-Reeve Mathew , Haque Md. Mahfujul , Tvinnereim Endre 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Climate change adaptation has increasingly come to be conceptualized as a place-based social process, in large part mediated by the local cultural context. The specificity of adaptation has called for partnerships between scientific and local communities to “co-produce” knowledge of climate variability (weather) and longer-term climate change. However, this raises numerous methodological challenges, including how to elicit the representations, knowledge, and cultural meanings of weather that are tacit to people in a community, and represent them in an explicit form that can be shared in a process of “co-production”. Such work demands careful attention to the way tightly intertwined knowledge systems continuously rebuild representations of climate in a place, and how these knowledge systems are also intertwined with values and the exercise of power. This paper takes up this challenge and explores the potential offered by theories and methods of narrative. Looking at a research project “co-producing” knowledge of weather and impacts in northeast Bangladesh, this paper describes the experience of running narrative interviews with communities there, and how these narratives were analyzed along four themes to contribute to the co-production process. These themes included 1) the weather phenomena and impacts important to local communities, 2) how weather provides meaning and identity in that place, 3) how community actors produce and share weather knowledge, and 4) the climate-related narratives pervading the community. In sharing this experience, this paper seeks to fulfil a demand for more detailed practical accounts of narrative methods in climate adaptation research, particularly for knowledge co-production.
Urinary albumin: a risk marker under-requested in primary care in Spain
Authors: Salinas Maria , López-Garrigós Maite , Flores Emilio , Leiva-Salinas Carlos ,   on behalf of the Pilot Group of the Appropriate Utilization of Laboratory Tests
Published: June 2017

Background To study the inter-practice regional variation in the request of urinary albumin by general practitioners and compare to guideline recommendations. Methods A cross-sectional study enrolled laboratories from different Spanish autonomous communities. Laboratories were invited to report the number of urinary albumin requested by general practitioners during 2012 and 2014. Urinary albumin requested per 1000 inhabitants and the index of variability (90th centile/10th centile) was calculated, and compared between autonomous communities and time periods. To investigate potential inappropriate requesting in the management of diabetes and arterial hypertension, the actual number of requests was compared to the theoretical, based on prevalence and guideline recommendations. Results Urinary albumin requested per 1000 inhabitants was similar for years 2012 and 2014 (78.2 (60.1) to 85.4 (55.4); P = 0.235), as was the variability index (4.6 for both). There were significant differences between autonomous communities, with the indicator ranging from 46.0 (33.1) to 125.8 (64.3) ( P < 0.05). The theoretical cut-off ratios of urinary albumin per 1000 inhabitants to manage patients with diabetes and arterial hypertension were, respectively, 78 and 159; no laboratory reached both values. Conclusions Requesting of urinary albumin showed a significant regional variability in primary care in Spain, and was insufficient to correctly monitor patients with diabetes and arterial hypertension.
Quantitative measurement of a candidate serum biomarker peptide derived from α2-HS-glycoprotein, and a preliminary trial of multidimensional peptide analysis in females with pregnancy-induced hypertension
Authors: Hamamura Kensuke , Yanagida Mitsuaki , Ishikawa Hitoshi , Banzai Michio , Yoshitake Hiroshi , Nonaka Daisuke , Tanaka Kenji , Sakuraba Mayumi , Miyakuni Yasuka , Takamori Kenji , Nojima Michio , Yoshida Koyo , Fujiwara Hiroshi , Takeda Satoru , Araki Yoshihiko 
Published: June 2017

Purpose We previously attempted to develop quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) systems for the PDA039/044/071 peptides, potential serum disease biomarkers (DBMs) of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), primarily identified by a peptidomic approach (BLOTCHIP®-mass spectrometry (MS)). However, our methodology did not extend to PDA071 (cysteinyl α2-HS-glycoprotein341–367), due to difficulty to produce a specific antibody against the peptide. The aim of the present study was to establish an alternative PDA071 quantitation system using liquid chromatography-multiple reaction monitoring (LC-MRM)/MS, to explore the potential utility of PDA071 as a DBM for PIH. Methods We tested heat/acid denaturation methods in efforts to purify serum PDA071 and developed an LC-MRM/MS method allowing for specific quantitation thereof. We measured serum PDA071 concentrations, and these results were validated including by three-dimensional (3D) plotting against PDA039 (kininogen-1439–456)/044 (kininogen-1438–456) concentrations, followed by discriminant analysis. Results PDA071 was successfully extracted from serum using a heat denaturation method. Optimum conditions for quantitation via LC-MRM/MS were developed; the assayed serum PDA071 correlated well with the BLOTCHIP® assay values. Although the PDA071 alone did not significantly differ between patients and controls, 3D plotting of PDA039/044/071 peptide concentrations and construction of a Jackknife classification matrix were satisfactory in terms of PIH diagnostic precision. Conclusions Combination analysis using both PDA071 and PDA039/044 concentrations allowed PIH diagnostic accuracy to be attained, and our method will be valuable in future pathophysiological studies of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
Public managers’ networking and innovative work behavior: the importance of career incentives
Authors: Zandberg Tjeerd , Morales Fernando Nieto 
Published: June 2017

From theories on middle managers’ entrepreneurship in private organizations, it is known that the structural network position of middle managers influences their innovative work behavior. Our study investigates if in a governmental setting, the intra-organizational networking behavior of public managers has a similar positive influence on innovative work behavior. As networking mechanisms may depend on the particular context and organizational norms, we also investigate the influence of networking motivations. According to social network research in private enterprises, social network links can be used to advance individual careers. According to public management and Public Service Motivation theories, public managers have a collective orientation aimed at producing public goods. Therefore, we investigate if, next to intra-organizational networking, an individual career motive or a collective motivation for networking explains innovative work behavior. In a case study on public managers of a municipality in Mexico City, we find a strong influence of networking on innovative work behavior. We also find support for additional influences of individual career motives, but no evidence for collective motivations. Points for practitioners Intra-organizational networking of public managers leads to increased innovative behavior in a governmental setting. In addition, when aiming at increasing innovative behavior, individual career motives seem to have stronger positive effects than collective motivations (such as teamwork-related motivations).
The costs, resource use and cost-effectiveness of Clinical Nurse Specialist–led interventions for patients with palliative care needs: A systematic review of international evidence
Authors: Salamanca-Balen Natalia , Seymour Jane , Caswell Glenys , Whynes David , Tod Angela 
Published: June 2017

Background: Patients with palliative care needs do not access specialist palliative care services according to their needs. Clinical Nurse Specialists working across a variety of fields are playing an increasingly important role in the care of such patients, but there is limited knowledge of the extent to which their interventions are cost-effective. Objectives: To present results from a systematic review of the international evidence on the costs, resource use and cost-effectiveness of Clinical Nurse Specialist–led interventions for patients with palliative care needs, defined as seriously ill patients and those with advanced disease or frailty who are unlikely to be cured, recover or stabilize. Design: Systematic review following PRISMA methodology. Data sources: Medline, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane Library up to 2015. Studies focusing on the outcomes of Clinical Nurse Specialist interventions for patients with palliative care needs, and including at least one economic outcome, were considered. The quality of studies was assessed using tools from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Results: A total of 79 papers were included: 37 randomized controlled trials, 22 quasi-experimental studies, 7 service evaluations and other studies, and 13 economic analyses. The studies included a wide variety of interventions including clinical, support and education, as well as care coordination activities. The quality of the studies varied greatly. Conclusion: Clinical Nurse Specialist interventions may be effective in reducing specific resource use such as hospitalizations/re-hospitalizations/admissions, length of stay and health care costs. There is mixed evidence regarding their cost-effectiveness. Future studies should ensure that Clinical Nurse Specialists’ roles and activities are clearly described and evaluated.
Nudging Resisters Toward Change: Self-Persuasion Interventions for Reducing Attitude Certainty
Authors: Greenberg Spencer , Brand Danielle , Pluta Aislinn , Moore Douglas , DeConti Kirsten 
Published: June 2017

Purpose: To identify effective self-persuasion protocols that could easily be adapted to face-to-face clinical sessions or health-related computer applications as a first step in breaking patient resistance. Design: Two self-persuasion interventions were tested against 2 controls in a between-subject randomized control experiment. Setting: GuidedTrack—a web-based platform for social science experiments. Participants: Six hundred seventeen adult participants recruited via Mechanical Turk. Intervention: The experimental interventions prompted participants for self-referenced pro- and counterattitudinal arguments to elicit attitude-related thought (ART) and subsequent doubt about the attitude. The hypothesis was that the self-persuasion interventions would elicit larger and more frequent attitude certainty decreases than the controls. In the experimental groups, we also predicted a correlation between the amount of ART and attitude certainty decreases. Measures: Changes in attitude certainty were measured by participants’ pre- and post-ratio scale ratings; ART was measured by the number of words participants used to respond to the interventions. Analysis: Analysis of variance (ANOVA), χ2, and correlation. Results: A goodness-of-fit χ2 showed that the number of participants who decreased their attitude certainty was not equally distributed between the combined experimental groups (n = 104) and the combined control groups (n = 39), χ2(1, n = 143) = 28.64, P < .001. Within each intervention, goodness-of-fit χ2 with a Bonferroni correction ( P = .01 or .05/4) indicated there were significantly more “decreasers” than “increasers” in intervention 1, χ2(1, n = 86) = 6.16, P = .01, but not intervention 2, χ2(1, n = 84) = 2.02, P = .16, the nonsense control, χ2(1, n = 42) = .22, P = .64), or the distraction control, χ2(1, n = 34) = .02, P = .89. A 1-way ANOVA revealed a significant main effect for intervention on mean certainty change ( F3,613 = 4.62, P = .003). Five post hoc comparisons using Tukey’s honest significant difference (HSD) test indicated that the mean decrease in attitude certainty resulting from intervention 1 (M = −3.29) was significantly larger than the mean decrease in attitude certainty resulting from the nonsense control (M = −0.62, t = −2.72, P = .03), the distraction control (M = 0.11, t = 3.48, P = .003), but not intervention 2 (M = −0.87, t = −2.54, P = .06). Attitude-related thought was significantly correlated with attitude certainty change in intervention 1, r(158) = −.17, t = −4.28, P = .02, but not intervention 2, r(161) = −.002, t = −.03, P = .98. Conclusion: The implication for clinical practitioners and designers of health applications is that it may be worthwhile to let patients elaborate on their personal reasons for initially forming an unhealthy attitude to increase doubt about the strongly held attitude.