bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rapid categorization of achromatic natural scenes: how robust at very low contrasts?
Authors: Macé Marc J.‐M. , Thorpe Simon J. , Fabre‐Thorpe Michèle 
Published: May 2005

AbstractThe human visual system is remarkably good at categorizing objects even in challenging visual conditions. Here we specifically assessed the robustness of the visual system in the face of large contrast variations in a high‐level categorization task using natural images. Human subjects performed a go/no‐go animal/nonanimal categorization task with briefly flashed grey level images. Performance was analysed for a large range of contrast conditions randomly presented to the subjects and varying from normal to 3% of initial contrast. Accuracy was very robust and subjects were performing well above chance level (≈ 70% correct) with only 10–12% of initial contrast. Accuracy decreased with contrast reduction but reached chance level only in the most extreme condition (3% of initial contrast). Conversely, the maximal increase in mean reaction time was ≈ 60 ms (at 8% of initial contrast); it then remained stable with further contrast reductions. Associated ERPs recorded on correct target and distractor trials showed a clear differential effect whose amplitude and peak latency were correlated respectively with task accuracy and mean reaction times. These data show the strong robustness of the visual system in object categorization at very low contrast. They suggest that magnocellular information could play a role in ventral stream visual functions such as object recognition. Performance may rely on early object representations which lack the details provided subsequently by the parvocellular system but contain enough information to reach decision in the categorization task.
Lens injury stimulates adult mouse retinal ganglion cell axon regeneration via both macrophage‐ and lens‐derived factors
Authors: Lorber Barbara , Berry Martin , Logan Ann 
Published: May 2005

AbstractIn the present study the effects of lens injury on retinal ganglion cell axon/neurite re‐growth were investigated in adult mice. In vivo, lens injury promoted successful regeneration of retinal ganglion cell axons past the optic nerve lesion site, concomitant with the invasion of macrophages into the eye and the presence of activated retinal astrocytes/Müller cells. In vitro, retinal ganglion cells from lens‐lesioned mice grew significantly longer neurites than those from intact mice, which correlated with the presence of enhanced numbers of activated retinal astrocytes/Müller cells. Co‐culture of retinal ganglion cells from intact mice with macrophage‐rich lesioned lens/vitreous body led to increased neurite lengths compared with co‐culture with macrophage‐free intact lens/vitreous body, pointing to a neurotrophic effect of macrophages. Furthermore, retinal ganglion cells from mice that had no lens injury but had received intravitreal Zymosan injections to stimulate macrophage invasion into the eye grew significantly longer neurites compared with controls, as did retinal ganglion cells from intact mice co‐cultured with macrophage‐rich vitreous body from Zymosan‐treated mice. The intact lens, but not the intact vitreous body, exerted a neurotrophic effect on retinal ganglion cell neurite outgrowth, suggesting that lens‐derived neurotrophic factor(s) conspire with those derived from macrophages in lens injury‐stimulated axon regeneration. Together, these results show that lens injury promotes retinal ganglion cell axon regeneration/neurite outgrowth in adult mice, an observation with important implications for axon regeneration studies in transgenic mouse models.
Estrogen induces a rapid increase in galanin levels in female rat hippocampal formation − possibly a nongenomic/indirect effect
Authors: Hilke Susanne , Theodorsson Annette , Fetissov Serguei , Åman Katarina , Holm Lovisa , Hökfelt Tomas , Theodorsson Elvar 
Published: May 2005

AbstractAdministration of 17β‐estradiol to ovariectomized rats increased the concentrations of galanin‐like immunoreactivity (LI) in the hippocampal formation by 215% (P < 0.001) within 1 h. An increase of 125% (P < 0.05) was observed in the same brain region in the proestrous phase of a normal estrous cycle. Tamoxifen® did not block the 17β‐estradiol‐induced increase in the concentration of galanin‐LI but resulted in a 62% decrease in the hypothalamus within 1 h. In vivo microdialysis in the dorsal hippocampal formation showed a decrease of extracellular galanin‐LI (P < 0.001) 1−2 h after treatment with 17β‐estradiol, indicating a decreased release of galanin. For comparision, we studied the concentrations of neuropeptide Y, which were not influenced significantly in any of the regions studied. Taken together our results suggest that 17β‐estradiol inhibits galanin release, presumably from noradrenergic nerve terminals, and primarily via a nongenomic/indirect action, not necessarily involving the classical nuclear receptors ER‐α or ER‐β. These rapid estrogen‐induced changes in galanin release could influence transmitter signalling and plasticity in the hippocampal formation.
Neurotrophin‐3 null mutant mice display a postnatal motor neuropathy
Authors: Woolley Adele G. , Sheard Philip W. , Duxson Marilyn J. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractThis paper examines early postnatal development of the neuromuscular system in mice with a null mutation in the gene for neurotrophin‐3. We report that alpha‐motoneurons at first develop substantially normally, despite a known 15% deficit in their somal size [Woolley et al. (1999)Neurosci. Lett., 272, 107–110.] and the absence of proprioceptive input [Ernfors et al. (1994)Cell, 77, 503–512]. At birth, motor axons have extended into the muscle, forming normal‐looking neuromuscular junctions with focal accumulations of acetylcholine receptors. Detailed ultrastructural analysis does however, reveal subtle abnormalities at this time, particularly a decrease in the extent of occupancy of the postsynaptic site by nerve terminals, and a small but significant deficit in myofibre number. After the relative normality of this early neuromuscular development, there then occurs a catastrophic postnatal loss of motor nerve terminals, resulting in complete denervation of hindlimb muscles by P7. In systematic semi‐serial samples through the entire muscle endplate zones, no neuromuscular junctions can be found. Intramuscular axons are fragmented, as shown by both electron microscopic observations and neurofilament immunohistochemistry, and alpha‐bungarotoxin detection of acetylcholine receptors indicates dispersal of the junctional accumulation. At earlier times (postnatal days three and four) the terminal Schwann cells show ultrastructural abnormalities, and preliminary observations suggest marked disturbance of myelination. Based on comparison with other literature, the peripheral nerve degeneration seems unlikely to have arisen as a secondary effect of de‐afferentation. We discuss whether the neural degeneration is secondary to the disturbance of Schwann cell function, or due directly to a loss of neurotrophin‐3 based support of the motoneuron.
Speed limits in the cerebellum: constraints from myelinated and unmyelinated parallel fibers
Authors: Wyatt Krysta D. , Tanapat Patima , Wang Samuel S.‐H. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractCerebellar parallel fibers are among the thinnest known vertebrate axons and represent an extreme anatomical adaptation. Until now a systematic examination of their properties across species has not been carried out. We used transmission electron microscopy and light microscopy to compare parallel fibers in mammals of different brain sizes. From mouse to macaque, the average unmyelinated parallel fiber diameter was 0.2–0.3 µm, consistent with the idea that they are evolutionarily selected for compactness. Average unmyelinated parallel fiber diameter scaled up slightly with brain size, and across species the estimated total conduction time is 5–10 ms. However, these conduction times can vary by milliseconds, and unmyelinated PFs consume large amounts of energy per action potential. These functional disadvantages are overcome in myelinated parallel fibers, which we found in the deep regions nearest the Purkinje cell layer in marmoset, cat and macaque. These axons were 0.4–1.1 µm wide, have expected conduction times of 0.5–1.0 ms, and may convey fast feedfoward inhibition via basket cells to Purkinje cells.
Controlling pathological pain by adenovirally driven spinal production of the anti‐inflammatory cytokine, interleukin‐10
Authors: Milligan Erin D. , Langer Stephen J. , Sloane Evan M. , He Lin , Wieseler‐Frank Julie , O'Connor Kevin , Martin David , Forsayeth John R. , Maier Steven F. , Johnson Kirk , Chavez Raymond A. , Leinwand Leslie A. , Watkins Linda R. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractGene therapy for the control of pain has, to date, targeted neurons. However, recent evidence supports that spinal cord glia are critical to the creation and maintenance of pain facilitation through the release of proinflammatory cytokines. Because of the ability of interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) to suppress proinflammatory cytokines, we tested whether an adenoviral vector encoding human IL‐10 (AD‐h‐IL10) would block and reverse pain facilitation. Three pain models were examined, all of which are mediated by spinal pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Acute intrathecal administration of rat IL‐10 protein itself briefly reversed chronic constriction injury‐induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. The transient reversal caused by IL‐10 protein paralleled the half‐life of human IL‐10 protein in the intrathecal space (t1/2 ∼ 2 h). IL‐10 gene therapy both prevented and reversed thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia, without affecting basal responses to thermal or mechanical stimuli. Extra‐territorial, as well as territorial, pain changes were reversed by this treatment. Intrathecal AD‐h‐IL10 injected over lumbosacral spinal cord led to elevated lumbosacral cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of human IL‐10, with far less human IL‐10 observed in cervical CSF. In keeping with IL‐10's known anti‐inflammatory actions, AD‐h‐IL10 lowered CSF levels of IL‐1, relative to control AD. These studies support that this gene therapy approach provides an alternative to neuronally focused drug and gene therapies for clinical pain control.
Phylloclimate or the climate perceived by individual plant organs: What is it? How to model it? What for?
Authors: Chelle Michaël 
Published: May 2005

SummaryThis review introduces the emergence of a new research topic, phylloclimate, located at the crossroads between ecophysiology and canopy microclimate research. Phylloclimate corresponds to the physical environment actually perceived by each individual aerial organ of a plant population, and is described by physical variables such as spectral irradiance, temperature, on‐leaf water and features of around‐organ air (wind speed, temperature, humidity, etc.). Knowing the actual climate in which plant organs grow may enable advances in the understanding of plant–environment interactions, as knowing surface temperature instead of air temperature enabled advances in the study of canopy development. Characterizing phylloclimate variables, using experimental work or modeling, raises many questions such as the choice of suitable space‐ and time‐scale as well as the ability to individualize plant organs within a canopy. This is of particular importance when aiming to link phylloclimate and function–structure plant models. Finally, recent trends and challenging questions in phylloclimate research are discussed, as well as the possible applications of phylloclimate results.
Plant immunophilins: functional versatility beyond protein maturation
Authors: Romano Patrick , Gray Julie , Horton Peter , Luan Sheng 
Published: May 2005

SummaryOriginally identified as the cellular targets of immunosuppressant drugs, the immunophilins encompass two ubiquitous protein families: the FK‐506 binding proteins or FKBPs, and the cyclosporin‐binding proteins or cyclophilins. Present in organisms ranging from bacteria to animals and plants, these proteins are characterized by their enzymatic activity; the peptidyl–prolyl cis–trans isomerization of polypeptides. Whilst this function is important for protein folding, it has formed the functional basis for more complex interactions between immunophilins and their target proteins. Beginning with a brief historical overview of the immunophilin family, and a representative illustration of the current state of knowledge that has accumulated for these proteins in diverse organisms, a detailed description is presented of the recent advances in the elucidation of the role of this ubiquitous protein family in plant biology. Though still in its infancy, investigation into the function of plant immunophilins has so far yielded interesting results – as a significant component of the chloroplast proteome, the abundance of immunophilins located in the thylakoid lumen suggests that these proteins may play important roles in this relatively uncharacterized subcellular compartment. Moreover, the importance of the complex multidomain immunophilins in functions pertaining to development is underscored by the strong phenotypes displayed by their corresponding mutants.

Contents

Summary
753

I.
A historical perspective
754

II.
The mechanism of immunosuppression
754

III.
PPIase activity and protein folding
755

IV.
Immunophilins are ubiquitous proteins
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V.
Plant immunophilins
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VI.
Specific functions of plant immunophilins
759

VII.
Concluding remarks
765

References
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Randomized, Controlled Trial of a Nonpharmacological Intervention to Improve Abnormal Sleep/Wake Patterns in Nursing Home Residents
Authors: Alessi Cathy A. , Martin Jennifer L. , Webber Adam P. , Cynthia Kim E. , Harker Judith O. , Josephson Karen R. 
Published: May 2005

Objectives: Abnormal sleep/wake patterns are common in nursing home residents. Lifestyle and environmental factors likely contribute to these poor sleep patterns. The objective of this study was to test a multidimensional, nonpharmacological intervention to improve abnormal sleep/wake patterns in nursing home residents.Design: Randomized, controlled trial.Setting: Four nursing homes in the Los Angeles area.Participants: Residents were screened for excessive daytime sleeping (asleep ≥15% of daytime observations) and nighttime sleep disruption (asleep <80% of nighttime hours, according to wrist actigraphy). Four hundred ninety‐two residents were screened; 339 had excessive daytime sleeping. Of these, 133 had nighttime sleep disruption and consented to participate; 120 completed baseline assessments, and 118 (77% female, mean age 86.9, 90% non‐Hispanic white) were randomized to intervention versus usual care.Intervention: Five consecutive days and nights of efforts to decrease daytime in‐bed time, 30 minutes or more of daily sunlight exposure, increased physical activity, structured bedtime routine, and efforts to decrease nighttime noise and light.Measurements: Seventy‐two consecutive hours of wrist actigraphy (nighttime sleep) and structured behavioral observations (daytime sleep and participation in social and physical activities and social conversation) at baseline and repeated at follow‐up while the intervention or usual care condition was in place.Results: The only effect on nighttime sleep was a modest decrease in mean duration of nighttime awakenings in intervention participants (10.6 minutes at baseline, 9.8 minutes at follow‐up) versus an increase in controls (9.8 minutes at baseline, 13.8 minutes at follow‐up) (F=4.27, P=.04). There were no significant effects on percentage of nighttime sleep or number of nighttime awakenings. There was a significant decrease in daytime sleeping in intervention participants (32% of daytime observations asleep at baseline, 21% at follow‐up), with no change in controls (32% at baseline, 30% at follow‐up; F=20.68, P<.001). Intervention participants had increased participation in social (F=22.42, P<.001) and physical (F=12.65, P=.001) activities and social conversation (F=5.04, P=.03).Conclusion: A multidimensional, nonpharmacological intervention into lifestyle and environmental factors that likely contribute to abnormal sleep/wake patterns in nursing home residents resulted in decreased daytime sleeping and increased participation in social and physical activities and social conversation. Nonpharmacological interventions should be considered in the management of abnormal sleep/wake patterns in nursing home residents. The main effect may be a significant decrease in daytime sleeping, which may translate to an improvement in quality of life.
Exploring Chronically Ill Seniors' Attitudes About Discussing Death and Postmortem Medical Procedures
Authors: Perkins Henry S. , Shepherd Krysten J. , Cortez Josie D. , Hazuda Helen P. 
Published: May 2005

Proxy decisions about postmortem medical procedures must consider the dead patient's likely preferences. Ethnic‐and sex‐based attitudes surely underlie such preferences but lack sufficient characterization to guide decisions. Therefore, this exploratory study interviewed Mexican‐American, Euroamerican, and African‐American seniors in San Antonio, Texas, for their attitudes about discussing death before it occurs and about organ donation, autopsy, and practice on cadavers. A rigorous content analysis identified themes. Majority attitudes of an ethnic group or sex subgroup here may characterize the group generally.Attitudes about discussing death differed only by ethnic group. Mexican Americans and Euroamericans favored such discussions, but African Americans did not. Attitudes about the postmortem procedures differed by ethnic group and sex. Overall, Mexican Americans viewed the procedures most favorably; Euroamericans, less so; and African Americans, least so. Men and women differed further within ethnic groups. Mexican‐American men and women split evenly over organ donation, the men expressed no majority preference about autopsies and the women agreed to them, and the men refused and the women agreed to practice on their cadavers. Euroamerican men expressed no majority preferences, but Euroamerican women agreed to organ donation, had no majority preference about autopsies, and refused practice on their cadavers. African‐American men expressed no majority preferences, and African‐American women expressed none about organ donation or autopsies but refused practice on their cadavers.If confirmed, these ethnic‐ and sex‐based attitudes can help health professionals tailor postmortem care to individual patients' preferences.
Family Loyalty and Adolescent Problem Behavior: The Validity of the Family Group Effect
Authors: Delsing Marc J. M. H. , Van Aken Marcel A. G. , Oud Johan H. L. , De Bruyn Eric E. J. , Scholte Ron H. J. 
Published: May 2005

Erratum. Journal of Law and Society Volume 32 Issue 3
The present study examined the relation between perceived justice and trust within family relationships and adolescent internalizing and externalizing problem behavior. Data were gathered from the father, the mother, and two of their adolescent children in 288 families. The social relations model was used to assess perceived justice and trust at the family level and the individual level. Adolescent internalizing and externalizing problem behavior turned out to be best predicted at the family level. Adolescents from families with less just or trustworthy climates showed more of these problem behaviors. Also associations between adolescent problem behavior and individual characteristics of the adolescents were found: adolescents who were generally viewed as less just/trustworthy were reported to have more problems. Our findings suggest that processes at different levels of family functioning (i.e., individual, whole‐family) should be taken into account when investigating associations between family characteristics and children's outcomes.
Debt Dynamics
Authors: HENNESSY CHRISTOPHER A. , WHITED TONI M. 
Published: May 2005

ABSTRACTWe develop a dynamic trade‐off model with endogenous choice of leverage, distributions, and real investment in the presence of a graduated corporate income tax, individual taxes on interest and corporate distributions, financial distress costs, and equity flotation costs. We explain several empirical findings inconsistent with the static trade‐off theory. We show there is no target leverage ratio, firms can be savers or heavily levered, leverage is path dependent, leverage is decreasing in lagged liquidity, and leverage varies negatively with an external finance weighted average Q. Using estimates of structural parameters, we find that simulated model moments match data moments.
Housing Collateral, Consumption Insurance, and Risk Premia: An Empirical Perspective
Authors: LUSTIG HANNO N. , VAN NIEUWERBURGH STIJN G. 
Published: May 2005

ABSTRACTIn a model with housing collateral, the ratio of housing wealth to human wealth shifts the conditional distribution of asset prices and consumption growth. A decrease in house prices reduces the collateral value of housing, increases household exposure to idiosyncratic risk, and increases the conditional market price of risk. Using aggregate data for the United States, we find that a decrease in the ratio of housing wealth to human wealth predicts higher returns on stocks. Conditional on this ratio, the covariance of returns with aggregate risk factors explains 80% of the cross‐sectional variation in annual size and book‐to‐market portfolio returns.
What Explains the Stock Market's Reaction to Federal Reserve Policy?
Authors: BERNANKE BEN S. , KUTTNER KENNETH N. 
Published: May 2005

ABSTRACTThis paper analyzes the impact of changes in monetary policy on equity prices, with the objectives of both measuring the average reaction of the stock market and understanding the economic sources of that reaction. We find that, on average, a hypothetical unanticipated 25‐basis‐point cut in the Federal funds rate target is associated with about a 1% increase in broad stock indexes. Adapting a methodology due to Campbell and Ammer, we find that the effects of unanticipated monetary policy actions on expected excess returns account for the largest part of the response of stock prices.
Demand–Deposit Contracts and the Probability of Bank Runs
Authors: GOLDSTEIN ITAY , PAUZNER ADY 
Published: May 2005

ABSTRACTDiamond and Dybvig (1983) show that while demand–deposit contracts let banks provide liquidity, they expose them to panic‐based bank runs. However, their model does not provide tools to derive the probability of the bank‐run equilibrium, and thus cannot determine whether banks increase welfare overall. We study a modified model in which the fundamentals determine which equilibrium occurs. This lets us compute the ex ante probability of panic‐based bank runs and relate it to the contract. We find conditions under which banks increase welfare overall and construct a demand–deposit contract that trades off the benefits from liquidity against the costs of runs.
The Choice of Payment Method in European Mergers and Acquisitions
Authors: FACCIO MARA , MASULIS RONALD W. 
Published: May 2005

ABSTRACTWe study merger and acquisition (M&A) payment choices of European bidders for publicly and privately held targets in the 1997–2000 period. Europe is an ideal venue for studying the importance of corporate governance in making M&A payment choices, given the large number of closely held firms and the wide range of capital markets, institutional settings, laws, and regulations. The tradeoff between corporate governance concerns and debt financing constraints is found to have a large bearing on the bidder's payment choice. Consistent with earlier evidence, we find that several deal and target characteristics significantly affect the method of payment choice.