bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative variation and biosynthesis of hindgut volatiles associated with the red turpentine beetle, Dendroctonus valens LeConte, at different attack phases
Authors: Shi Z.-H. , Sun J.-H. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe red turpentine beetle (RTB), Dendroctonus valens LeConte, is a destructive invasive forest pest in China. For such tree-killing species, how to initiate a volatile-mediated mass attack is of great importance during the course of establishment. To understand the hindgut volatile production mechanism underlying mass attack initiated by RTB, coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and 13C-labelled precursors were applied to explore the quantitative variation and biosynthesis of volatiles associated with RTB at different attack phases. Five previously described volatiles, trans-verbenol, myrtenol, cis-verbenol, myrtenal and verbenone, were identified and quantified from extracts of female and male hindguts, with the first two compounds as the major components and the latter three as minor constituents. In newly emerged females and males, only minute amounts of these compounds were detected. The quantity of volatiles from female adults significantly increased after they fed on bolts. Male adults also yielded larger quantities of volatiles after they joined females in galleries, which suggested that RTB males could accelerate the mass colonization on host trees. We also confirmed that RTB produced the five volatiles through oxidizing the major host monoterpene, α-pinene, but not synthesized de novo since products were labeled without 13C. The implication of this study in understanding the successful invasion of RTB is discussed.
Stock Market Mispricing: Money Illusion or Resale Option?
Authors: Chen Carl R. , Lung Peter P. , Wang F. Albert 
Published: August 2009

AbstractWe examine two hypotheses to explain stock mispricing: i) the money illusion hypothesis (Modigliani and Cohn (1979)) and ii) the resale option hypothesis (Scheinkman and Xiong (2003)). We find that the money illusion hypothesis may explain the level, but not the volatility, of mispricing in the U.S. market. In contrast, the stock resale option hypothesis, which stems from heterogeneous beliefs about future dividend growth rates and short-sale constraints, can explain both the level and the volatility of mispricing. The evidence suggests that while the two hypotheses complement each other in explaining the level of mispricing, the resale option hypothesis provides a more coherent explanation for asset price bubbles, in which extraordinarily high price levels are often accompanied by excessive volatility and frenzied trading.
Evidence for structural abnormalities of the human habenular complex in affective disorders but not in schizophrenia
Authors: Ranft K. , Dobrowolny H. , Krell D. , Bielau H. , Bogerts B. , Bernstein H.-G. 
Published: August 2009

BackgroundThe habenular complex is composed of important relay nuclei linking the limbic forebrain to the midbrain and brain stem nuclei. Based on clinical observations, experiments with animals and theoretical considerations, it has been speculated that this brain area might be involved in psychiatric diseases (i.e. schizophrenia and depression). However, evidence in favour of this hypothesis is still lacking because the human habenular complex has rarely been studied with regard to mental illness.MethodWe examined habenular volumes in post-mortem brains of 17 schizophrenia patients, 14 patients with depression (six patients with major depression and eight patients with bipolar depression) and 13 matched controls. We further determined the neuronal density, cell number and cell area of the medial habenular nuclei of the same cohorts using a counting box and a computer-assisted instrument.ResultsSignificantly reduced habenular volumes of the medial and lateral habenula were estimated in depressive patients in comparison to normal controls and schizophrenia patients. We also found a reduction in neuronal cell number and cell area in depressive patients for the right side compared to controls and schizophrenia patients. No such changes were seen in schizophrenia.ConclusionsOur anatomical data argue against prominent structural alterations of the habenular nuclei in schizophrenia but demonstrate robust alterations in depressive patients. We are currently applying immunohistochemical markers to better characterize neuronal subpopulations of this brain region in schizophrenia and depression.
Relationship between baseline white-matter changes and development of late-life depressive symptoms: 3-year results from the LADIS study
Authors: Teodorczuk A. , Firbank M. J. , Pantoni L. , Poggesi A. , Erkinjuntti T. , Wallin A. , Wahlund L.-O. , Scheltens P. , Waldemar G. , Schrotter G. , Ferro J. M. , Chabriat H. , Bazner H. , Visser M. , Inzitari D. , O'Brien J. T. 
Published: August 2009

BackgroundGrowing evidence suggests that cerebral white-matter changes and depressive symptoms are linked directly along the causal pathway. We investigated whether baseline severity of cerebral white-matter changes predict longer-term future depressive outcomes in a community sample of non-disabled older adults.MethodIn the Leukoaraiosis and Disability in the Elderly (LADIS) study, a longitudinal multi-centre pan-European study, 639 older subjects underwent baseline structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical assessments. Baseline severity of white-matter changes was quantified volumetrically. Depressive outcomes were assessed in terms of depressive episodes and depressive symptoms, as measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Subjects were clinically reassessed annually for up to 3 years. Regression models were constructed to determine whether baseline severity of white-matter changes predicted future depressive outcomes, after controlling for confounding factors.ResultsBaseline severity of white-matter changes independently predicted depressive symptoms at both 2 (p<0.001) and 3 years (p=0.015). Similarly, white-matter changes predicted incident depression (p=0.02). Over the study period the population became significantly more disabled (p<0.001). When regression models were adjusted to account for the influence of the prospective variable transition to disability, baseline severity of white-matter changes no longer predicted depressive symptoms at 3 years (p=0.09) or incident depression (p=0.08).ConclusionsOur results support the vascular depression hypothesis and strongly implicate white-matter changes in the pathogenesis of late-life depression. Furthermore, the findings indicate that, over time, part of the relationship between white-matter changes and depression may be mediated by loss of functional activity.
Depressive symptoms in early pregnancy disrupt attentional processing of infant emotion
Authors: Pearson R. M. , Cooper R. M. , Penton-Voak I. S. , Lightman S. L. , Evans J. 
Published: August 2009

BackgroundGrowing evidence suggests that perinatal depression is associated with disrupted mother–infant interactions and poor infant outcomes. Antenatal depression may play a key role in this cycle by disrupting the development of a maternal response to infant stimuli. The current study therefore investigated the impact of depressive symptoms on the basic cognitive processing of infant stimuli at the beginning of pregnancy.MethodA total of 101 women were recruited by community midwives and tested at an average gestation of 11 weeks. An established computerized paradigm measured women's ability to disengage attention from infant and adult faces displaying negative positive and neutral emotions. Depressive symptoms were measured using a computerized interview (the Clinical Interview Schedule).ResultsThe effect of infant emotion on women's ability to disengage from infant faces was found to be influenced by depressive symptoms. Non-depressed pregnant women took longer to disengage attention from distressed compared with non-distressed infant faces. This bias was not, however, seen in women experiencing depressive symptoms. There was a difference of −53 (s.d.=0.7) ms (95% confidence interval −90 to −14, p=0.007) between those with and without depressive symptoms in this measure of attentional bias towards distressed infant faces.ConclusionsOur results suggest that depressive symptoms are already associated with differential attentional processing of infant emotion at the very beginning of childbearing. The findings have potential implications for our understanding of the impact of depressive symptoms during pregnancy on the developing mother–infant relationship.
The interaction between perinatal factors and childhood abuse in the risk of developing anorexia nervosa
Authors: Favaro A. , Tenconi E. , Santonastaso P. 
Published: August 2009

BackgroundPerinatal factors seem to be implicated in the pathogenesis of anorexia nervosa (AN) and may be involved in the programming of stress response systems in humans. Our aim was to explore one of the possible pathways to explain the association between perinatal complications and a psychiatric disorder. In particular, we tested the hypothesis that neonatal immaturity may confer an enhanced vulnerability to AN after exposure to a severe stressful event, such as childhood abuse.MethodThe sample was composed of subjects who took part in a prevalence study carried out on a representative sample of the general population and cases of AN referred to an out-patient specialist unit. All subjects (n=663) were born in the two obstetric wards of Padua Hospital between 1971 and 1979. We analysed data using both a case-control and a cohort design.ResultsWe found that functional signs of neonatal dysmaturity, but not a low birthweight or prematurity, had a significant additive interaction with childhood abuse in determining the risk for this illness. In normal subjects, but not in subjects with AN, neonatal dysmaturity was associated with being small, short or thin for gestational age at birth.ConclusionsThe synergistic effect of neonatal dysmaturity and childhood abuse in increasing the risk for AN provides evidence for the hypothesis that a prenatal programming of stress response systems can result in an impairment of the individual's resilience to severe stressful events.
Brain anatomy and ageing in non-demented adults with Down's syndrome: anin vivoMRI study
Authors: Beacher F. , Daly E. , Simmons A. , Prasher V. , Morris R. , Robinson C. , Lovestone S. , Murphy K. , Murphy D. G. M. 
Published: August 2009

BackgroundPeople with Down's syndrome (DS) are at high risk for developing dementia in middle age. The biological basis for this is unknown. It has been proposed that non-demented adults with DS may undergo accelerated brain ageing.MethodWe used volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and manual tracing to compare brain anatomy and ageing in 39 non-demented adults with DS and 42 healthy controls.ResultsIndividuals with DS had significant differences in brain anatomy. Furthermore, individuals with DS had a significantly greater age-related reduction in volume of frontal, temporal and parietal lobes, and a significantly greater age-related increase in volume of peripheral cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).ConclusionsNon-demented adults with DS have differences in brain anatomy and ‘accelerated’ ageing of some brain regions. This may increase their risk for age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD).
A POWERFUL TEST OF THE AUTOREGRESSIVE UNIT ROOT HYPOTHESIS BASED ON A TUNING PARAMETER FREE STATISTIC
Authors: Nielsen Morten Ørregaard 
Published: August 2009

This paper presents a family of simple nonparametric unit root tests indexed by one parameter,d, and containing the Breitung (2002,Journal of Econometrics108, 342–363) test as the special cased= 1. It is shown that (a) each member of the family withd> 0 is consistent, (b) the asymptotic distribution depends ondand thus reflects the parameter chosen to implement the test, and (c) because the asymptotic distribution depends ondand the test remains consistent for alld> 0, it is possible to analyze the power of the test for different values ofd. The usual Phillips–Perron and Dickey–Fuller type tests are indexed by bandwidth, lag length, etc., but have none of these three properties.It is shown that members of the family withd< 1 have higher asymptotic local power than the Breitung (2002) test, and whendis small the asymptotic local power of the proposed nonparametric test is relatively close to the parametric power envelope, particularly in the case with a linear time trend. Furthermore, generalized least squares (GLS) detrending is shown to improve power whendis small, which is not the case for the Breitung (2002) test. Simulations demonstrate that when applying a sieve bootstrap procedure, the proposed variance ratio test has very good size properties, with finite-sample power that is higher than that of the Breitung (2002) test and even rivals the (nearly) optimal parametric GLS detrended augmented Dickey–Fuller test with lag length chosen by an information criterion.
The effect of using an online-based course on the learning of grammar inductively and deductively
Authors: AbuSeileek Ali Farhan 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThis study aims at exploring the effectiveness of using an online-based course on the learning of sentence types inductively and deductively. To achieve this purpose, a computer-mediated course was designed. The sample of the study consists of four groups taught under four treatments of grammar: (1) with computer-based learning inductively, (2) with computer-based learning deductively, (3) with non-computer-based learning inductively, and (4) with non-computer-based learning deductively. A pre-test/post-test design (between-subject) is used to investigate the effect of two factors: method (computer-based learning vs. non-computer-based learning) and technique (induction vs. deduction) on the students’ learning of sentence types. The results reveal a new manner of enhancing grammar learning based on the level of language structure complexity. The computer-based learning method is found to be functional for more complex and elaborate structures, like the complex sentence and compound complex sentence, and more complicated grammar structures need to be taught by means of the deductive technique. None of the inductive and deductive techniques is reported to be more practical with simple grammar structures such as the simple sentence and compound sentence.
New competencies in a new era? Examining the impact of a teacher training project
Authors: Dooly Melinda 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThis article describes follow-up research aimed at exploring the long-term impact on participants of a teacher training course that integrated a variety of projects focusing on ICT use in language teaching. Internet in education is often promoted for its features that allow for new opportunities for constructivist approaches in the classroom. Nevertheless, this will not simply happen on its own. Teacher education must help shift students teachers’ pedagogical premise toward approaches that promote autonomous learning and collaborative problem-solving. Teacher training can highlight how this can be supported through ICT.The article chronicles the first year following the closure of a teacher-training project, paying particular attention to current practices and perspectives of the primary and secondary education teachers involved. Data were gathered through questionnaires and semi-structured e-mail interviews, along with field notes and ongoing observation of participants’ current teaching environments in order to generate material for triangulation and contextual understanding of the data. The analysis of whether the project described herein has contributed to reducing the gap between the theoretical framework of teaching competences in telecollaboration and its transferral to teaching praxis is significant for future input on other training programmes.
McNutt to Be Nominated to Lead U.S. Geological Survey
Authors: Showstack Randy 
Published: August 2009

U.S. President Barack Obama announced on 9 July his intention to nominate Marcia McNutt as director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and science advisor to the Secretary of the Interior. McNutt, who served as AGU president from 2000 to 2002, currently is president and chief executive officer of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, in Moss Landing, Calif.[Scientific information from the U.S. Geological Survey is crucial to solving the most important problems facing society–finding sufficient supplies of fresh water and clean energy and providing accurate information that allows citizens to prepare intelligently for climate change. I look forward to leading such a respected institution at this critical time,” McNutt said.
Peatlands and Global Carbon Cycle Modeling: Peatland Ecosystem Analysis and Training Network (PeatNet) Workshop; Durham, New Hampshire, 14–15 May 2009
Authors: Roulet Nigel , Frolking Steve 
Published: August 2009

Peatlands cover 3–5% of the global land surface, contain about 20% of all terrestrial organic carbon, and contribute significantly to total biogenic methane emissions to the atmosphere. More than one third of northern peatlands contain permafrost. Northern peatlands are likely to experience the consequences of climate warming earlier, more rapidly, and to a greater degree than many of the Earth's other major ecosystems.To map out how peatlands could be incorporated into global‐scale coupled climate‐carbon models and to determine what research and model development would be needed to overcome major obstacles, 17 scientists with expertise in peatland ecology, biogeochemistry and vegetation modeling, and global‐scale coupled climate‐carbon modeling participated in a workshop organized by the U.S. National Science Foundationsponsored PeatNet (http://www.peatnet.siu.edu/).
New Abstract Submission Software System for AGU Meetings
Authors: Ward Joanna 
Published: August 2009

New software for submitting abstracts has been deployed by AGU for the 2009 Fall Meeting. “Abstract Central” is a simplified interface providing a secure, complete method for abstract submission with easy‐to‐follow steps and a fresh look. A major component of the system will be an itinerary planner, downloadable to mobile devices, to help meeting attendees schedule their time at AGU conferences.Increased access to customer service is a key element that abstract submitters will find especially helpful. A call center, as well as 24‐hour Web‐based and e‐mail technical support, will be available to help members.
Are Sunspots Different During This Solar Minimum?
Authors: Livingston W. , Penn M. 
Published: August 2009

For hundreds of years, humans have observed that the Sun has displayed activity where the number of sunspots increases and then decreases at approximately 11‐year intervals. Sunspots are dark regions on the solar disk with magnetic field strengths greater than 1500 gauss (see Figure 1), and the 11‐year sunspot cycle is actually a 22‐year cycle in the solar magnetic field, with sunspots showing the same hemispheric magnetic polarity on alternate 11‐year cycles. The last solar maximum occurred in 2001, and the magnetically active sunspots at that time produced powerful flares causing large geomagnetic disturbances and disrupting some space‐based technology.But something is unusual about the current sunspot cycle. The current solar minimum has been unusually long, and with more than 670 days without sunspots through June 2009, the number of spotless days has not been equaled since 1933 (see http://users.telenet.be/j.janssens/Spotless/Spotless.html). The solar wind is reported to be in a uniquely low energy state since space measurements began nearly 40 years ago [Fisk and Zhao, 2009].
Report Focuses on Integrity and Accessibility of Research Data
Authors: Showstack Randy 
Published: August 2009

Rapid advances in digital technologies and enormous increases in the amount of data generated by research projects and a variety of instruments and sensors are providing new research opportunities. These advances, however, also can present challenges for ensuring that digital technologies are not used inappropriately and for managing an increasing amount of data, according to a new report issued by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine on 22 July.The new report, entitled “Ensuring the integrity, accessibility, and stewardship of research data in the digital age,” provides general principles and recommendations about the handling of research data. The report notes that the development of policies, standards, and infrastructure “is a critically important task” that will require a sustained effort from stakeholders including researchers, research institutions and sponsors, and professional societies and journals.
Chandra Observatory marks 10 years in space
Authors: Showstack Randy 
Published: August 2009

NASA's Chandra X‐ray Observatory, originally envisioned as a 5‐year mission, was deployed into an elliptical orbit around Earth 10 years ago, on 23 July 1999. The most powerful X‐ray telescope yet, Chandra has provided a peak into the high‐energy universe and has independently confirmed the existence of dark energy. Martin Weisskopf, Chandra project scientist at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala., said discoveries made possible by the observatory “have made dramatic changes to our understanding of the universe and its constituents.”“The Great Observatories program—of which Chandra is a major part—shows how astronomers need as many tools as possible to tackle the big questions out there,” said Ed Weiler, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The Hubble Space Telescope, Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, and Spitzer Space Telescope are NASA's other Great Observatories.
Coral bleaching likely in Caribbean and other regions
Authors: Showstack Randy 
Published: August 2009

Conditions are favorable for significant coral bleaching and infectious coral disease outbreaks in the Caribbean, especially in the Lesser Antilles, scientists from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Coral Reef Watch Program indicated in a 22 July announcement. Scientists are concerned that bleaching could reach or exceed the levels recorded in 2005, when up to 90% of corals there were bleached and more than half of those died. The forecast is based on the agency's July Coral Reef Watch outlook, which expects continued high water temperatures through October 2009.Other areas of concern are the central Pacific region including the equatorial Line Islands and Kiribati, according to NOAA. Coral bleaching is associated with increased ocean temperatures, among other factors, which causes the coral to expel symbiotic microalgae and causes coral tissue to appear to be bleached.
Early Career Workshop Focuses on Leadership Qualities: Marine Geoscience Leadership Symposium; Washington, D.C., 23–27 March 2009
Authors: Meth Charna , Schuffert Jeff 
Published: August 2009

Earth and marine geoscientists are crossing the boundaries between traditional scientific disciplines, pushing the frontiers of scientific research, and addressing the needs of society. As it becomes increasingly important for scientists to form interdisciplinary collaborations and communicate their science to the public and policy makers, early career scientists are seeking insight into the nontraditional skills needed today to achieve a successful career. With funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), the Consortium for Ocean Leadership organized the first Marine Geoscience Leadership Symposium to provide leadership training to early career scientists.Through meetings with more than 40 leaders from the academic, policy, and education communities, the symposium exposed the 25 participants to leadership qualities intended to help them navigate the laboratory and beyond. The discussions and activities covered the tangible and intangible aspects of building a career, such as proposal writing, research funding, building interdisciplinary collaborations, and communicating to nonacademic audiences.