bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in temporal binding related to decreased vestibular input
Authors: Chang Nai-Yuan Nicholas , Malone Alex K. , Hullar Timothy E. 
Published: November 2012

Imbalance among patients with vestibular hypofunction has been related to inadequate compensatory eye movements in response to head movements. However, symptoms of imbalance might also occur due a temporal mismatch between vestibular and other balance-related sensory cues. This temporal mismatch could be reflected in a widened temporal binding window (TBW), or the length of time over which simultaneous sensory stimuli may be offset and still perceived as simultaneous. We hypothesized that decreased vestibular input would lead to a widening of the temporal binding window. We performed whole-body rotations about the earth-vertical axis following a sinusoidal trajectory at 0.5 Hz with a peak velocity of 60°/s in four normal subjects. Dichotic auditory clicks were presented through headphones at various phases relative to the rotations. Subjects were asked to indicate whether the cues were synchronous or asynchronous and the TBW was calculated. We then simulated decreased vestibular input by rotating at diminished peak velocities of 48, 24 and 12°/s in four normal subjects. TBW was calculated between ±1 SD away from the mean on the psychometric curve. We found that the TBW increases as amplitude of rotation decreases. Average TBW of 251 ms at 60°/s increased to 309 ms at 12°/s. This result leads to the novel conclusion that changes in temporal processing may be a mechanism for imbalance in patients with vestibular hypofunction.
Changes in haptic sensitivity during tool use: Implications for optimal design of visual-haptic devices
Authors: Takahashi Chie , Watt Simon J. 
Published: November 2012

Optimising haptic sensitivity in visual-haptic interfaces can have important benefits, particularly in situations where visual information is relatively unreliable (for example in surgical devices, where there is often a lack of normal visual depth cues). Many haptic devices alter the normal relationship between object size and hand opening, and so might be expected to alter haptic sensitivity. To determine how to optimise haptic sensitivity in such situations, we measured haptic size sensitivity as a function of object size (i) during normal grasping, and (ii) using pliers-like tools that changed the gain between hand opening and object size. Haptic stimuli were created using force-feedback robots, and we measured discrimination thresholds using a two-interval forced-choice task. We first showed that when participants directly grasped objects with their hands haptic size sensitivity did not follow Weber’s law, but instead varied non-monotonically with object size/hand opening; thresholds were lowest for object sizes around 45 mm and increased non-linearly for larger and smaller objects. Second, when using the pliers, sensitivity in units of hand opening was unchanged from normal grasping. Thus, thresholds in units of object size were simply the product of the non-monotonic haptic size sensitivity function, above, and the tool gain. Taken together, these results show that there is a unique tool gain that maximises haptic sensitivity to each object size. Our results show how the ‘tool gain’ of haptic devices should be altered to optimise sensitivity to the range of object sizes in a particular scene.
Spatial recoding of sound: Pitch-varying auditory cues modulate up/down visual spatial attention
Authors: Fernández-Prieto Irune , Vera-Constán Fátima , García-Morera Joel , Navarra Jordi 
Published: November 2012

Previous studies suggest the existence of facilitatory effects between, for example, responding upwards/downwards while hearing a high/low-pitched tone, respectively (e.g., Occeli et al., 2009; Rusconi et al., 2006). Neuroimaging research has started to reveal the activation of parietal areas (e.g., the intraparietal sulcus, IPS) during the performance of various pitch-based musical tasks (see Foster and Zatorre, 2010a, 2010b). Since several areas in the parietal cortex (e.g., the IPS; see Chica et al., 2011) are strongly involved in orienting visual attention towards external events, we investigated the possible effects of perceiving pitch-varying stimuli (i.e., ‘ascending’ or ‘descending’ flutter sounds) on the spatial processing of visual stimuli. In a variation of the Posner cueing paradigm (Posner, 1980), participants performed a speeded detection task of a visual target that could appear at one of four different spatial positions (two above and two below the fixation point). Irrelevant ascending (200–700 Hz) or descending (700–200 Hz) flutter sounds were randomly presented 550 ms before the onset of the visual target. According to our results, faster reaction times were observed when the visual target appeared in a position (up/down) that was compatible with the ‘pitch direction’ (ascending or descending) of the previously-presented auditory ‘cuing’ stimulus. Our findings suggest that pitch-varying sounds are recoded spatially, thus modulating visual spatial attention.
TMS entrainment of pre-stimulus oscillatory activity in tactile perception
Authors: Ruzzoli Manuela , Soto-Faraco Salvador 
Published: November 2012

It is widely recognized that oscillatory activity plays an important functional role in neural systems. Decreases in alpha (∼10 Hz) EEG/MEG activity in the parietal cortex correlate with the deployment of spatial attention controlateral to target location in visual, auditory and tactile domains. Recently, repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) has been successfully applied to entrain a specific frequency at the parietal cortex (IPS) and the visual cortex. A short burst of 10 Hz rTMS impaired contralateral visual target detection and improved it ipsilaterally, compared to other control frequencies. This finding suggests a causal role of rhythmic activity in the alfa range in perception. The aim of the present study is to address whether entraining alpha frequency in the IPS plays a role in tactile orienting, indicating similarities between senses (vision and touch) in the communication between top-down (parietal) and primary sensory areas (V1 or S1). We applied rhythmic TMS at 10 and 20 Hz to the (right or left) IPS and S1, immediately before a masked vibrotactile target stimulus (present in 50% of the trials) to the left or right hand. Preliminary results lean towards the consequential effects of entraining alpha frequency into IPS for tactile detection such that it decreases tactile perception contralaterally and increases it ipsilaterally, compared to Beta frequency.
A weighty matter: The effect of spoon size and weight on food perception
Authors: Harrar Vanessa , Spence Charles 
Published: November 2012

When deciding on a product’s quality, we often pick it up to gauge its weight. If it’s heavy enough, we tend to think that it is good quality. We have recently shown that the weight of a dish can affect the taste and quality perception of the food it contains. Here, we varied the weight of spoons in order to determine whether the weight or size of the cutlery might influence taste perception. Teaspoons and tablespoons were tested, with one of each spoon-size artificially weighted with lead hidden into the handle (teaspoons: 2.35 and 5.67 g, and tablespoons: 3.73 and 10.84 g). Participants tasted yoghurt from each spoon and rated the yoghurt’s perceived density, price, sweetness, and pleasantness. Four within-participant ANOVAs were used to test the effects of spoon size and spoon weight on each attribute. The perceived density of the yoghurt was affected by the spoon’s weight, with yoghurt from light spoons being perceived as thicker than yoghurt sampled from a heavy spoon. The perceived price of the yoghurt also varied with spoon weight such that lighter spoons made the yoghurt taste more expensive. The most reliable effect was an interaction between spoon weight and spoon size on sweetness perception: heavy teaspoons and light tablespoons made the yoghurt appear sweeter. These data support the growing body of research demonstrating that tableware (and silverware) can affect the consumer’s judgements without their being aware.
Correlates of Reticulation in Linguistic Phylogenies
Authors: Holman Eric W. , Walker Robert , Rama Taraka , Wichmann Søren 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis paper discusses phylogenetic reticulation using linguistic data from the Automated Similarity Judgment Program or ASJP (Holman et al., 2008; Wichmann et al., 2010a). It contributes methodologically to the examination of two measures of reticulation in distance-based phylogenetic data, specifically the δ score of Holland et al. (2002) and the more recent Q-residuals of Gray et al. (2010). It is shown that the δ score is a more adequate measure of reticulation. Our empirical analyses examine possible correlations between δ and (a) the size (number of languages), (b) age, and (c) heterogeneity of language groups, (d) linguistic isolation of individual languages within their respective phylogenies, and (e) the status of speech forms as dialects or recently emerged languages. Among these, only (d) is significantly correlated with δ. Our interpretation is that δ is a realistic measure of reticulation and sensitive to effects of socio-historical events such as language extinction. Finally, we correlate average δ scores for different language families with the goodness of fit between ASJP and expert classifications, showing that the δ scores explain much of the variance.
Icarian Games: Iosif Chaikov and the Jewish Legacy
Authors: Bowlt John E. 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
The focus of this article is on the early, experimental sculpture of Iosif Chaikov, known for his Socialist Realist statues rather than for his avant-garde involvement. Chaikov’s Jewish lineage, his collaboration with the Kultur-Lige, his international training, and his cultivation of flight as a central theme are examined in an attempt to restore a more synthetic and comparative station to his oeuvre as a Soviet artist. Copious reference is made to his industrial or “Constructivist” themes of the 1920s and 1930s.
Counting Deviance: Revisiting a Decade’s Production of Surveys among Muslims in Western Europe
Authors: Johansen Birgitte , Spielhaus Riem 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
This article looks at the emergence of Muslims as a category of knowledge in surveys and opinion polls that have been conducted as a reaction to the rising demand for data about Muslim populations in Western Europe within the last ten years. The most prevalent feature of the conceptualization of Muslims is that they are inherently immigrants, or of immigrant descent, who are living within a certain nation state. This creates a continuous statistical invisibility of certain Muslims, for instance those without immigration backgrounds, as well as Muslims with national backgrounds other than Muslim majority countries. Further, this identification of the Muslim as immigrant, even if unintended, contributes to upholding a subtle exclusion of Muslims from the national community as always foreign and always potentially in need of integration.
Media and New Religious Movements in Japan
Authors: Nobutaka Inoue 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
Many modern new religions in Japan, by using the mass media in their missionary work, managed to increase their influence on society in a very short time. With time, their use of media has also diversified, now covering all available formats: newspapers and journals, radio and TV, CS and video, the Internet and even smart phones. One of the characteristics of modern new religions is that they are associations composed of people bound by a common purpose rather than by shared blood or territory on which the traditional religions of Shrine Shintō and Sectarian Buddhism were established. It is this new principle of association that allowed new religions such as Sōka Gakkai, Risshō Kōseikai, Reiyūkai, Tenrikyō and Shinnyoen to quickly gain more than a million followers. In the mid-1990s, Japan entered the rapid information age, marked especially by the widespread use of the Internet. However, the changes that the Internet has brought to society differ from those provoked by the earlier modernization process. In this paper, I would like to discuss some of the difficulties that modern new religions face in the Internet age, particularly in the management of new forms of information that can now be sent and received.
Haploidentical, unmanipulated, G-CSF–primed bone marrow transplantation for patients with high-risk hematologic malignancies
Authors: Di Bartolomeo Paolo , Santarone Stella , De Angelis Gottardo , Picardi Alessandra , Cudillo Laura , Cerretti Raffaella , Adorno Gaspare , Angelini Stefano , Andreani Marco , De Felice Lidia , Rapanotti Maria Cristina , Sarmati Loredana , Bavaro Pasqua , Papalinetti Gabriele , Di Nicola Marta , Papola Franco , Montanari Mauro , Nagler Arnon , Arcese William 
Published: November 2012

Key PointsHaploidentical, unmanipulated, G-CSF–primed bone marrow transplantation. Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for hematologic malignancies.
Transcriptome database resource and gene expression atlas for the rose
Authors: Dubois Annick , Carrere Sebastien , Raymond Olivier , Pouvreau Benjamin , Cottret Ludovic , Roccia Aymeric , Onesto Jean-Paul , Sakr Soulaiman , Atanassova Rossitza , Baudino Sylvie , Foucher Fabrice , Bris Manuel Le , Gouzy Jérôme , Bendahmane Mohammed 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundFor centuries roses have been selected based on a number of traits. Little information exists on the genetic and molecular basis that contributes to these traits, mainly because information on expressed genes for this economically important ornamental plant is scarce.ResultsHere, we used a combination of Illumina and 454 sequencing technologies to generate information onRosa sp.transcripts using RNA from various tissues and in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. A total of 80714 transcript clusters were identified and 76611 peptides have been predicted among which 20997 have been clustered into 13900 protein families. BLASTp hits in closely related Rosaceae species revealed that about half of the predicted peptides in the strawberry and peach genomes have orthologs inRosadataset. Digital expression was obtained using RNA samples from organs at different development stages and under different stress conditions. qPCR validated the digital expression data for a selection of 23 genes with high or low expression levels. Comparative gene expression analyses between the different tissues and organs allowed the identification of clusters that are highly enriched in given tissues or under particular conditions, demonstrating the usefulness of the digital gene expression analysis. A web interfaceROSAseqwas created that allows data interrogation by BLAST, subsequent analysis of DNA clusters and access to thorough transcript annotation including best BLAST matches onFragaria vesca, Prunus persicaandArabidopsis. The rose peptides dataset was used to create theROSAcycresource pathway database that allows access to the putative genes and enzymatic pathways.ConclusionsThe study provides useful information onRosaexpressed genes, with thorough annotation and an overview of expression patterns for transcripts with good accuracy.
Plant polyadenylation factors: conservation and variety in the polyadenylation complex in plants
Authors: Hunt Arthur G , Xing Denghui , Li Qingshun Q 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundPolyadenylation, an essential step in eukaryotic gene expression, requires bothcis-elements and a plethora oftrans-acting polyadenylation factors. The polyadenylation factors are largely conserved across mammals and fungi. The conservation seems also extended to plants based on the analyses of Arabidopsis polyadenylation factors. To extend this observation, we systemically identified the orthologs of yeast and human polyadenylation factors from 10 plant species chosen based on both the availability of their genome sequences and their positions in the evolutionary tree, which render them representatives of different plant lineages.ResultsThe evolutionary trajectories revealed several interesting features of plant polyadenylation factors. First, the number of genes encoding plant polyadenylation factors was clearly increased from “lower” to “higher” plants. Second, the gene expansion in higher plants was biased to some polyadenylation factors, particularly those involved in RNA binding. Finally, while there are clear commonalities, the differences in the polyadenylation apparatus were obvious across different species, suggesting an ongoing process of evolutionary change. These features lead to a model in which the plant polyadenylation complex consists of a conserved core, which is rather rigid in terms of evolutionary conservation, and a panoply of peripheral subunits, which are less conserved and associated with the core in various combinations, forming a collection of somewhat distinct complex assemblies.ConclusionsThe multiple forms of plant polyadenylation complex, together with the diversified polyA signals may explain the intensive alternative polyadenylation (APA) and its regulatory role in biological functions of higher plants.
Transports of acetate and haloacetate in Burkholderiaspecies MBA4 are operated by distinct systems
Authors: Su Xianbin , Kong Ka-Fai , Tsang Jimmy SH 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundAcetate is a commonly used substrate for biosynthesis while monochloroacetate is a structurally similar compound but toxic and inhibits cell metabolism by blocking the citric acid cycle. InBurkholderiaspecies MBA4 haloacetate was utilized as a carbon and energy source for growth. The degradation of haloacid was mediated by the production of an inducible dehalogenase. Recent studies have identified the presence of a concomitantly induced haloacetate-uptake activity in MBA4. This uptake activity has also been found to transport acetate. Since acetate transporters are commonly found in bacteria it is likely that haloacetate was transported by such a system in MBA4.ResultsThe haloacetate-uptake activity of MBA4 was found to be induced by monochloroacetate (MCA) and monobromoacetate (MBA). While the acetate-uptake activity was also induced by MCA and MBA, other alkanoates: acetate, propionate and 2-monochloropropionate (2MCPA) were also inducers. Competing solute analysis showed that acetate and propionate interrupted the acetate- and MCA- induced acetate-uptake activities. While MCA, MBA, 2MCPA, and butyrate have no effect on acetate uptake they could significantly quenched the MCA-induced MCA-uptake activity. Transmembrane electrochemical potential was shown to be a driving force for both acetate- and MCA- transport systems.ConclusionsHere we showed that acetate- and MCA- uptake inBurkholderiaspecies MBA4 are two transport systems that have different induction patterns and substrate specificities. It is envisaged that the shapes and the three dimensional structures of the solutes determine their recognition or exclusion by the two transport systems.
The clinical use of Kampo medicines (traditional Japanese herbal treatments) for controlling cancer patients’ symptoms in Japan: a national cross-sectional survey
Authors: Iwase Satoru , Yamaguchi Takuhiro , Miyaji Tempei , Terawaki Kiyoshi , Inui Akio , Uezono Yasuhito 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
Kampo medicines are traditional Japanese medicines produced from medicinal plants and herbs. Even though the efficacy of Kampo medicines for controlling cancer-related symptoms is being reported, their actual nationwide clinical use has not been comprehensively investigated. We aimed to investigate physicians’ recognition of Kampo medicines and their clinical use for cancer patients in the field of palliative care.

Methods
A cross-sectional self-administered anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 549 physicians working in palliative care teams at 388 core cancer treatment hospitals and 161 certified medical institutions that have palliative care units (PCUs).

Results
Valid responses were obtained from 311 physicians (response rate, 56.7%) who were evenly distributed throughout the country without significant geographical biases. Kampo medicines were prescribed for controlling cancer-related symptoms by 64.3% of the physicians. The symptoms treated with Kampo medicines were numbness/hypoesthesia (n = 99, 49.5%), constipation (n = 76, 38.0%), anorexia/weight loss (n = 72, 36%), muscle cramps (n = 71, 35.5%) and languor/fatigue (n = 64, 32.0%). Regarding open issues about prescription, 60.7% (n = 173) of the physicians raised the issue that the dosage forms need to be better devised.

Conclusions
To increase the clinical use of Kampo medicines, more evidence from clinical studies is necessary. In addition, their mechanisms of action should be clarified through laboratory studies.
Study of treatment using percutaneous acetabuloplasty and interstitial implantation of 125I seeds for patients with metastatic periacetabular tumors
Authors: Zhang Jinlei , Yang Zuozhang , Wang Jiaping , Wang Jinde , Liu Pengjie , Sun Hongpu , Li Kun , Yang Yunshan 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
The periacetabular area is one of the primary sites of metastatic tumors, which often present as osteolytic bone destruction. Bone destruction in the acetabulum caused by metastatic tumors will cause hip pain and joint dysfunction. It results in decreased quality of life for patients. The aim of our study was to explore the clinical effect of metastatic periacetabular tumors treated with percutaneous cementoplasty and interstitial implantation of 125I seeds.

Methods
A retrospective analysis was performed on 24 patients with metastatic periacetabular tumors who underwent combined therapy of percutaneous acetabuloplasty and interstitial implantation of 125I seeds between February 2003 and June 2011. There were 13 males and 11 females aged 19–80 years with a mean age of 57.3. The primary tumor site was the lung in eight cases, the breast in six, the prostate cancer in eight, and the liver in two. The amount of implanted 125I seeds was 12–20 seeds/person, with a mean of 16.5 seeds/person, and the matching peripheral dosage (MPD) was 80~100Gy. Routine postoperative chemotherapy and other combined treatments were applied to patients after the surgical operation. Changes in the Karnofsky Score(KPS), Harris Hip Score(Harris), and Visual Analog Scale(VAS) were observed during the follow-up period.

Results
The 24 patients’ operations were all successful. No major complications occurred. Complete pain relief was achieved in 58% (14 of 24) of patients, and pain reduction was achieved in the 42% remaining (10) patients. The mean duration of pain relief was 8.3 months. Pain recurred in one patient 3 months after surgery. Six patients had died and 18 patients were alive at the time of the 1-year follow-up. Comparing the KPS, Harris and VAS scores pre- and postoperativelyat 1, 6, and 12 months, the combined therapy method was significantly effective in metastatic periacetabular tumor patients (P<0.05).

Conclusions
Percutaneous cementoplasty with interstitial implantation of 125I seeds is an effective treatment method for metastatic periacetabular tumor patients, providing tumor resistance, pain relief, increased bone stability, and improved quality of life for patients.