bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Considering Valuation of Noncognitive Skills in Benefit-Cost Analysis of Programs for Children
Authors: Jones Damon E. , Karoly Lynn A. , Max Crowley D. , Greenberg Mark T. 
Published: February 2016

The prospect of improving “noncognitive” skills through intervention increases the need to understand how to represent them in evaluations. Economic assessment of such efforts rarely incorporates these factors, especially when a benefit-cost approach is employed. Programs targeting such skills are more likely to be assessed through approaches that do not monetize noncognitive ability (e.g., using cost-effectiveness analysis). This could lead to ineffective policy formulations in situations where policy is swayed toward programs that can show monetized effects. Benefit-cost analyses (BCAs) that are employed for programs that target noncognitive competencies currently may underestimate the true economic impact if such skills are left out of the equation. The limitations in valuing these skills impede thorough economic assessment for important and effective programs that target noncognitive competencies. This is especially the case for programs for younger children where readily monetized outcomes are few. The targeted outcomes in programs for children are often noncognitive skills, skills that are perceived as vital to healthy human development and valued by parents, teachers, and educators.In this paper, we review the state of valuation of key noncognitive skills that are often targeted in social policy intervention directed toward children in youth. We examine the state of valuation of noncognitive skills through a summary of the frameworks in research for characterizing noncognitive ability and by considering the measurement approaches for noncognitive skills in terms of origin (interpersonal versus intrapersonal) and measurement type (observed versus assessed). We review examples of recent BCAs that have employed shadow prices for certain noncognitive skills. Finally, we consider what research is necessary to facilitate valuation in BCA in the future. Shadow price methodology should be carried out in a rigorous manner that recognizes uncertainty in cost projections. Improved methodologies in this area will increase the potential for more comprehensive BCA in evaluations of programs for children and youth.
Levels of innate immune factors in preterm and term mothers’ breast milk during the 1st month postpartum
Authors: Trend Stephanie , Strunk Tobias , Lloyd Megan L. , Kok Chooi Heen , Metcalfe Jessica , Geddes Donna T. , Lai Ching Tat , Richmond Peter , Doherty Dorota A. , Simmer Karen , Currie Andrew 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThere is a paucity of data on the effect of preterm birth on the immunological composition of breast milk throughout the different stages of lactation. We aimed to characterise the effects of preterm birth on the levels of immune factors in milk during the 1st month postpartum, to determine whether preterm milk is deficient in antimicrobial factors. Colostrum (days 2–5 postpartum), transitional milk (days 8–12) and mature milk (days 26–30) were collected from mothers of extremely preterm (<28 weeks of gestation,n15), very preterm (28–<32 weeks of gestation,n15), moderately preterm (32–<37 weeks of gestation,n15) and term infants (37–41 weeks of gestation,n15). Total protein, lactoferrin, secretory IgA, soluble CD14 receptor (sCD14), transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2),αdefensin 5 (HD5),βdefensins 1 (HBD1) and 2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, interferon-γ, TNF-αand lysozyme (LZ) were quantified in milk. We examined the effects of lactation stage, gestational age, volume of milk expressed, mode of delivery, parity and maternal infection on milk immune factor concentrations using repeated-measures regression analysis. The concentrations of all factors except LZ and HD5 decreased over the 1st month postpartum. Extremely preterm mothers had significantly higher concentrations of HBD1 and TGF-β2 in colostrum than term mothers did. After controlling for other variables in regression analyses, preterm birth was associated with higher concentrations of HBD1, LZ and sCD14 in milk samples. In conclusion, preterm breast milk contains significantly higher concentrations of some immune proteins than term breast milk.
Usage du français et préférences politiques des néo-Québécois
Authors: Bilodeau Antoine 
Published: February 2016

RésuméCette étude examine l'hypothèse qu'il existe un lien entre l'usage de la langue française chez les néo-Québécois et leurs relations aux communautés politiques québécoise et canadienne. L’étude examine séparément la première et la seconde génération de néo-Québécois appartenant à une minorité visible. Conformément aux autres études sur le sujet, la présente recherche montre qu'un plus grand usage du français est associé à une plus forte préférence pour la communauté politique québécoise. L’étude suggère également que la fréquentation de l’école francophone est associée à une plus forte préférence pour la communauté politique québécoise. Dans les deux cas, les relations sont observées autant chez la première que chez la seconde génération. Néanmoins, les résultats montrent que même lorsqu'ils ont fréquenté l’école francophone et qu'ils font usage de la langue française dans leur vie quotidienne, les néo-Québécois affichent une préférence pour la communauté politique québécoise plus faible que celle observée chez la population majoritaire francophone.
Active middle-ear implant fixation in an unusual place: clinical and audiological outcomes
Authors: Polanski J F , Soares A D , Dos Santos Z M , Mendonça Cruz O L 
Published: February 2016

AbstractObjective:The Vibrant Soundbridge is an active middle-ear implant for hearing rehabilitation that is usually placed in the long process of the incus or round window. This study reports on the unusual implant attachment to the short process of the incus in a patient with ear malformation, and describes their audiological and clinical outcomes.Methods:Case report and literature review.Results:Audiological evaluation with the Vibrant Soundbridge implant showed a pure tone average of 31 dB. The speech test, at 65 dB HL, revealed correct recognition of 92 per cent of disyllabic words. The Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile showed high levels of satisfaction, hearing aid use and benefit.Conclusion:Fixation of the Vibrant Soundbridge implant on the short process of the incus is a feasible option, with good clinical and audiological outcomes. Coupling the floating mass transducer to the short process of the incus is a good surgical option, especially when the long process and the oval or round window are inaccessible.
Major acid endopeptidases of the blood-feeding monogeneanEudiplozoon nipponicum(Heteronchoinea: Diplozoidae)
Authors: JEDLIČKOVÁ LUCIE , DVOŘÁKOVÁ HANA , KAŠNÝ MARTIN , ILGOVÁ JANA , POTĚŠIL DAVID , ZDRÁHAL ZBYNĚK , MIKEŠ LIBOR 
Published: February 2016

SUMMARYIn parasitic flatworms, acid endopeptidases are involved in crucial processes, including digestion, invasion, interactions with the host immune system, etc. In haematophagous monogeneans, however, no solid information has been available about the occurrence of these enzymes. Here we aimed to identify major cysteine and aspartic endopeptidase activities inEudiplozoon nipponicum, an invasive haematophagous parasite of common carp. Employing biochemical, proteomic and molecular tools, we found that cysteine peptidase activities prevailed in soluble protein extracts and excretory/secretory products (ESP) ofE. nipponicum; the major part was cathepsin L-like in nature supplemented with cathepsin B-like activity. Significant activity of the aspartic cathepsin D also occurred in soluble protein extracts. The degradation of haemoglobin in the presence of ESP and worm protein extracts was completely inhibited by a combination of cysteine and aspartic peptidase inhibitors, and diminished by particular cathepsin L, B and D inhibitors. Mass spectrometry revealed several tryptic peptides in ESP matching to two translated sequences of cathepsin L genes, which were amplified from cDNA ofE. nipponicumand bioinformatically annotated. The dominance of cysteine peptidases of cathepsin L type inE. nipponicumresembles the situation in, e.g. fasciolid trematodes.
Neuroscience in Nazi Europe Part I: Eugenics, Human Experimentation, and Mass Murder
Authors: Zeidman Lawrence A. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT:The Nazi regime in Germany from 1933 to 1945 waged a veritable war throughout Europe to eliminate neurologic disease from the gene pool. Fueled by eugenic policies on racial hygiene, the Nazis first undertook a sterilization campaign against “mental defectives,” which included neurologic patients with epilepsy and other disorders, as well as psychiatric patients. From 1939-41 the Nazis instead resorted to ”euthanasia” of many of the same patients. Some neuroscientists were collaborators in this program, using patients for research, or using extracted brains following their murder. Other reviews have focused on Hallervorden, Spatz, Schaltenbrand, Scherer, and Gross, but in this review the focus is on neuroscientists not well described in the neurology literature, including Scholz, Ostertag, Schneider, Nachtsheim, and von Weizsäcker. Only by understanding the actions of neuroscientists during this dark period can we learn from the slippery slope down which they traveled, and prevent history from repeating itself.
Imaging the “At-Risk” Brain: Future Directions
Authors: Koyama Maki S. , Di Martino Adriana , Castellanos Francisco X. , Ho Erica J. , Marcelle Enitan , Leventhal Bennett , Milham Michael P. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractObjectives:Clinical neuroscience is increasingly turning to imaging the human brain for answers to a range of questions and challenges. To date, the majority of studies have focused on the neural basis of current psychiatric symptoms, which can facilitate the identification of neurobiological markers for diagnosis. However, the increasing availability and feasibility of using imaging modalities, such as diffusion imaging and resting-state fMRI, enable longitudinal mapping of brain development. This shift in the field is opening the possibility of identifying predictive markers of risk or prognosis, and also represents a critical missing element for efforts to promote personalized or individualized medicine in psychiatry (i.e., stratified psychiatry).Methods:The present work provides a selective review of potentially high-yield populations for longitudinal examination with MRI, based upon our understanding of risk from epidemiologic studies and initial MRI findings.Results:Our discussion is organized into three topic areas: (1) practical considerations for establishing temporal precedence in psychiatric research; (2) readiness of the field for conducting longitudinal MRI, particularly for neurodevelopmental questions; and (3) illustrations of high-yield populations and time windows for examination that can be used to rapidly generate meaningful and useful data. Particular emphasis is placed on the implementation of time-appropriate, developmentally informed longitudinal designs, capable of facilitating the identification of biomarkers predictive of risk and prognosis.Conclusions:Strategic longitudinal examination of the brain at-risk has the potential to bring the concepts of early intervention and prevention to psychiatry. (JINS, 2016,22, 164–179)
Modern Methods for Interrogating the Human Connectome
Authors: Lowe Mark J. , Sakaie Ken E. , Beall Erik B. , Calhoun Vince D. , Bridwell David A. , Rubinov Mikail , Rao Stephen M. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractObjectives:Connectionist theories of brain function took hold with the seminal contributions of Norman Geschwind a half century ago. Modern neuroimaging techniques have expanded the scientific interest in the study of brain connectivity to include the intact as well as disordered brain.Methods:In this review, we describe the most common techniques used to measure functional and structural connectivity, including resting state functional MRI, diffusion MRI, and electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography coherence. We also review the most common analytical approaches used for examining brain interconnectivity associated with these various imaging methods.Results:This review presents a critical analysis of the assumptions, as well as methodological limitations, of each imaging and analysis approach.Conclusions:The overall goal of this review is to provide the reader with an introduction to evaluating the scientific methods underlying investigations that probe the human connectome. (JINS, 2016,22, 105–119)
BMI, body fat and waist-to-height ratio of stunted v. non-stunted Indian children: a case–control study
Authors: Savanur Mitravinda S , Ghugre Padmini S 
Published: February 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the BMI, body fat and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) of stunted and non-stunted children following different growth trajectories from low socio-economic strata in Mumbai, India.DesignCross-sectional, case–control study. Weight, height, skinfold thicknesses and waist circumference were measured. Information regarding the duration of breast-feeding, age at initiation of complementary feeding and income was obtained. Birth weight was obtained from records. BMI, body fat, WHtR and change in weight sd were calculated.SettingChildren who were beneficiaries of anganwadis, Mumbai city, India.SubjectsThree hundred and thirty children aged 2–4 years were selected in each of the stunted and non-stunted groups after matching for age and sex.ResultsAfter adjusting for birth weight, change in weight sd, duration of breast-feeding, age at complementary feeding initiation and income, stunted children had significantly higher body fat, WHtR and BMI than the non-stunted (P<0·01). The stunted and non-stunted children were classified based on their change in weight sd. Stunted children with no change in weight sd had higher mean body fat, BMI (P<0·01) and WHtR (P<0·05) than their non-stunted counterparts. In the catch-up growth group, stunted children had higher BMI and WHtR than the non-stunted (both P<0·001). In the catch-down growth group, stunted children had higher BMI than the non-stunted (P<0·001).ConclusionsStunting was seen to increase the tendency of conserving body fat in young children. Such a tendency, if continued during later childhood and adolescence, can increase the risk of obesity and non-communicable diseases.
Ethics, Science and Mind Control: J. M. Rodríguez-Delgado’s Legacy
Authors: Vera Juan Antonio , Martínez-Sánchez Francisco 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThis work analyses the evolution of the scientific visibility of the neurophysiologist José Manuel Rodríguez Delgado. It examines the longitudinal evolution from 1955 to 2013 of an article (Delgado, Roberts, & Miller, 1954) studying the neurological basis of learning and motivation and compares it with a coetaneous article (Olds & Milner, 1954) with a similar subject and methodology. Both studies have been essential in Psychology. This work analyses the number of times each article has been cited between 1955–1984 and 1985–2013. The results show that the visibility of James Olds and Peter Milner’s article (expressed in number of citations between 1955–1984 and 1985–2013) has longitudinally increased (p < .001), whereas the number of citations received by José Manuel Rodríguez Delgado et al.’s article has significantly reduced (p < .001). The results are discussed and the low visibility of Delgado’s article is explained through historical and social factors, including the growing concern about compliance with bioethical and research guidelines and the controversial media projection of the Spanish scientist, not by the intrinsic value or the scientific repercussion of the compared articles.
Low nanomolar concentrations of Cucurbitacin-I induces G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis by perturbing redox homeostasis in gastric cancer cells in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Deng C , Zhang B , Zhang S , Duan C , Cao Y , Kang W , Yan H , Ding X , Zhou F , Wu L , Duan G , Shen S , Xu G , Zhang W , Chen M , Huang S , Zhang X , Lv Y , Ling T , Wang L , Zou X 
Published: February 2016

AbstractCucurbitacin-I (Cu-I, also known as Elatericin B or JSI-124) is developed to inhibit constitutive and abnormal activation of STAT3 in many cancers, demonstrating a potent anticancer activity by targeting disruption of STAT3 function. Here, we for the first time systematically studied the underlying molecular mechanisms of Cu-I-induced gastric cancer cell death both in vitro and in vivo. In our study, we show that Cu-I markedly inhibits gastric cancer cell growth by inducing G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis at low nanomolar concentrations via a STAT3-independent mechanism. Notably, Cu-I significantly decreases intracellular GSH/GSSG ratio by inhibiting NRF2 pathway to break cellular redox homeostasis, and subsequently induces the expression of GADD45α in a p53-independent manner, and activates JNK/p38 MAPK signaling. Interestingly, Cu-I-induced GADD45α and JNK/p38 MAPK signaling form a positive feedback loop and can be reciprocally regulated by each other. Therefore, the present study provides new insights into the mechanisms of antitumor effects of Cu-I, supporting Cu-I as an attractive therapeutic drug in gastric cancer by modulating the redox balance.
Caspase-2 promotes obesity, the metabolic syndrome and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Machado M V , Michelotti G A , Jewell M L , Pereira T A , Xie G , Premont R T , Diehl A M 
Published: February 2016

AbstractObesity and its resulting metabolic disturbances are major health threats. In response to energy surplus, overtaxed adipocytes release fatty acids and pro-inflammatory factors into the circulation, promoting organ fat accumulation (including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease), insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome. Recently, caspase-2 was linked to lipoapoptosis, so we hypothesized that caspase-2 might be a critical determinant of metabolic syndrome pathogenesis. Caspase-2-deficient and wild-type mice were fed a Western diet (high-fat diet, enriched with saturated fatty acids and 0.2% cholesterol, supplemented with fructose and glucose in the drinking water) for 16 weeks. Metabolic and hepatic outcomes were evaluated. In vitro studies assessed the role of caspase-2 in adipose tissue proliferative properties and susceptibility for lipoapoptosis. Caspase-2-deficient mice fed a Western diet were protected from abdominal fat deposition, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and hepatic steatosis. Adipose tissue in caspase-2-deficient mice was more proliferative, upregulated mitochondrial uncoupling proteins consistent with browning, and was resistant to cell hypertrophy and cell death. The liver was protected from steatohepatitis through a decrease in circulating fatty acids and more efficient hepatic fat metabolism, and from fibrosis as a consequence of reduced fibrogenic stimuli from fewer lipotoxic hepatocytes. Caspase-2 deficiency protected mice from diet-induced obesity, metabolic syndrome and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Further studies are necessary to assess caspase-2 as a therapeutic target for those conditions.
Differential Rac1 signalling by guanine nucleotide exchange factors implicates FLII in regulating Rac1-driven cell migration
Authors: Marei Hadir , Carpy Alejandro , Woroniuk Anna , Vennin Claire , White Gavin , Timpson Paul , Macek Boris , Malliri Angeliki 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe small GTPase Rac1 has been implicated in the formation and dissemination of tumours. Upon activation by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), Rac1 associates with a variety of proteins in the cell thereby regulating various functions, including cell migration. However, activation of Rac1 can lead to opposing migratory phenotypes raising the possibility of exacerbating tumour progression when targeting Rac1 in a clinical setting. This calls for the identification of factors that influence Rac1-driven cell motility. Here we show that Tiam1 and P-Rex1, two Rac GEFs, promote Rac1 anti- and pro-migratory signalling cascades, respectively, through regulating the Rac1 interactome. In particular, we demonstrate that P-Rex1 stimulates migration through enhancing the interaction between Rac1 and the actin-remodelling protein flightless-1 homologue, to modulate cell contraction in a RhoA-ROCK-independent manner.
Functional dissociation in sweet taste receptor neurons between and within taste organs of Drosophila
Authors: Thoma Vladimiros , Knapek Stephan , Arai Shogo , Hartl Marion , Kohsaka Hiroshi , Sirigrivatanawong Pudith , Abe Ayako , Hashimoto Koichi , Tanimoto Hiromu 
Published: February 2016

AbstractFinding food sources is essential for survival. Insects detect nutrients with external taste receptor neurons. Drosophila possesses multiple taste organs that are distributed throughout its body. However, the role of different taste organs in feeding remains poorly understood. By blocking subsets of sweet taste receptor neurons, we show that receptor neurons in the legs are required for immediate sugar choice. Furthermore, we identify two anatomically distinct classes of sweet taste receptor neurons in the leg. The axonal projections of one class terminate in the thoracic ganglia, whereas the other projects directly to the brain. These two classes are functionally distinct: the brain-projecting neurons are involved in feeding initiation, whereas the thoracic ganglia-projecting neurons play a role in sugar-dependent suppression of locomotion. Distinct receptor neurons for the same taste quality may coordinate early appetitive responses, taking advantage of the legs as the first appendages to contact food.
Three-dimensional porous hollow fibre copper electrodes for efficient and high-rate electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction
Authors: Kas Recep , Hummadi Khalid Khazzal , Kortlever Ruud , de Wit Patrick , Milbrat Alexander , Luiten-Olieman Mieke W. J. , Benes Nieck E. , Koper Marc T. M. , Mul Guido 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAqueous-phase electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide requires an active, earth-abundant electrocatalyst, as well as highly efficient mass transport. Here we report the design of a porous hollow fibre copper electrode with a compact three-dimensional geometry, which provides a large area, three-phase boundary for gas–liquid reactions. The performance of the copper electrode is significantly enhanced; at overpotentials between 200 and 400 mV, faradaic efficiencies for carbon dioxide reduction up to 85% are obtained. Moreover, the carbon monoxide formation rate is at least one order of magnitude larger when compared with state-of-the-art nanocrystalline copper electrodes. Copper hollow fibre electrodes can be prepared via a facile method that is compatible with existing large-scale production processes. The results of this study may inspire the development of new types of microtubular electrodes for electrochemical processes in which at least one gas-phase reactant is involved, such as in fuel cell technology.