Neurite Outgrowth is Directed by Schwann Cell Alignment in the Absence of Other Guidance Cues

Schwann cells enhance axonal regeneration following nerve injury in vivo and provide a favorable substrate for neurite outgrowth in vitro. However, much remains unknown about the nature of interactions that occur between Schwann cells and growing neurites. In this paper, we describe direct evidence of the ability of Schwann cell alignment alone to direct neurite outgrowth. Previously, we reported that laminin micropatterns can be used to align Schwann cells and thus create oriented Schwann cell monolayers. In the current study, dissociated rat spinal neurons were seeded onto oriented Schwann cell monolayers, whose alignment provided the only directional cue for growing neurites, and neurite alignment with the underlying Schwann cells was analyzed. The orientation of neurite outgrowth mimicked that of the Schwann cells. Associations observed between neurites and Schwann cells suggest that Schwann cells may guide neurite outgrowth through both topographical and molecular mechanisms. This work demonstrates that Schwann cell alignment can direct neurite outgrowth in the absence of other directional cues, and provides a new method for examining neuronal–Schwann cell interactions in vitro.     

Localization of the subjective vertical during roll, pitch, and recumbent yaw body tilt

Localization of the subjective vertical during body tilt in pitch and in roll has been extensively studied because of the relevance of these axes for aviation and control of posture. Studies of yaw orientation relative to gravity are lacking. Our goal was to perform the first thorough evaluation of static orientation in recumbent yaw and to collect as efficiently as possible roll and pitch orientation data which would be consistent with the literature, using the same technique as our yaw tests. This would create the first comprehensive, coherent data set for all three axes suitable for quantitative tri-dimensional modeling of spatial orientation. We tested localization of the vertical for subjects tilted in pitch (-100 degrees to +130 degrees ), in roll (-90 degrees to +90 degrees ), and in yaw while recumbent (-80 degrees to +80 degrees ). We had subjects point a gravity-neutral probe to the gravitational vertical (haptically indicated vertical) and report verbally their perceived tilt. Subjects underestimated their body tilts in recumbent yaw and pitch and overestimated their tilts in roll. The haptic settings for pitch and roll were consistent with data in the literature obtained with haptic and visual indications. Our data constitute the first tri-dimensional assessment of the subjective vertical using a common measurement procedure and provide the basis for the tri-axial modeling of vestibular function presented in the companion paper.     

初中生亲社会行为的干预实验

目的: 探讨初中生亲社会行为的干预内容及方法.方法: 用自编量表对实验班和控制班的亲社会价值取向和亲社会行为进行前测,以班级管理为途径,通过心理活动课、主题班会等干预形式,借助榜样示范、移情训练、价值澄清、行为训练等具体方法,对实验班学生的亲社会行为进行干预训练,对控制班学生不施加任何专门的干预.三个月后用自编量表对两班进行实验后测.结果: 干预前实验班学生的价值取向在三种类别上的人数分布与控制班学生存在显著差异(P=0.005),表现为利他取向者少于控制班,而难以判断者多于控制班,但干预后两班差异不显著(P>O.05);干预后实验班组内价值取向人数分布亦发生显著变化(P=O.027),表现为利他取向者人数增加,难以判断者人数减少,而控制班前后测差异不显著(P>0.05);干预前实验班学生的亲社会行为总分及调节、利他、习俗、公正和控制维度得分均低于控制班学生(如,总分:28.8±6.5/34.5±6.3,P0.05).结论: 以班级为单位对初中生的亲社会行为进行综合性的教育干预是可行的和有效的.     

Adapting Sexual Configurations Theory to Nursing

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning people in the United States experience multiple health disparities related to sexual and reproductive health. Attempts to address these disparities have focused on sexual orientation and gender identity rather than on the specific aspects of sexuality that may be more relevant to an individual’s health outcomes. This focus is also incongruent with a holistic approach to health and wellness interventions. We propose an adaptation of sexual configurations theory, a psychological theory with which to accurately describe different aspects of sexuality, to better position nurses to address these important disparity issues. We position sexual configurations theory within a contextual framework that incorporates aspects of trauma theory as a new way to evaluate individual sexuality in a holistic nursing context.     

From the Cover: Orientation saliency without visual cortex and target selection in archer fish

Our visual attention is attracted by salient stimuli in our environment and affected by primitive features such as orientation, color, and motion. Perceptual saliency due to orientation contrast has been extensively demonstrated in behavioral experiments with humans and other primates and is believed to be facilitated by the functional organization of the primary visual cortex. In behavioral experiments with the archer fish, a proficient hunter with remarkable visual abilities, we found an orientation saliency effect similar to that observed in human subjects. Given the enormous evolutionary distance between humans and archer fish, our findings suggest that orientation-based saliency constitutes a fundamental building block for efficient visual information processing.     

Sexual orientation and substance use trajectories in emerging adulthood

Aims The current study examined developmental changes in substance use behaviors (SUBS) based upon sexual orientation. The analyses also attempted to address a number of methodological limitations in the extant longitudinal literature (i.e. distinct operationalizations of sexual orientation, timing of sexual orientation assessment with respect to reports of SUBs, non‐linear growth). Participants Data were drawn from a longitudinal study of incoming first‐time college students at a large public university (n = 3720). Design After a paper‐and‐pencil assessment just prior to matriculation, participants completed a web‐based survey every fall and spring for 4 years (sub‐sample n = 2854). Findings Latent growth models revealed that sexual minorities demonstrated significant heterogeneity with regard to substance use trajectories. Initial levels and trajectories of the frequency of substance use for sexual minority individuals were distinct, generally, from their exclusively heterosexual peers. Methodologically, the timing of the assessment of sexual orientation influenced the results, and modeling non‐linear components indicated that sexual minorities are at risk for exponential increases in their frequency of certain SUBs over time (i.e. drunkenness; cannabis use). Conclusions Sexual minority and majority individuals exhibited differences in SUBs during emerging adulthood, especially when using self‐identification to define sexual orientation. Individuals who endorsed a sexual minority self‐identification at the onset of emerging adulthood, as opposed to 4 years later, evidenced exponential increases in rates of drunkenness and cannabis use. These results support that the timing of assessment is important and that some trajectories of sexual minority SUBs are non‐linear during this developmental period.     

Studies of meiosis disclose distinct roles of cohesion in the core centromere and pericentromeric regions

During meiosis, a single round of genome duplication is followed by two sequential rounds of chromosome segregation. Through this process, a diploid parent cell generates gametes with a haploid set of chromosomes. A characteristic of meiotic chromosome segregation is a stepwise loss of sister chromatid cohesion along chromosomal arms and at centromeres. Whereas arm cohesion plays an important role in ensuring homologue disjunction at meiosis I, persisting cohesion at pericentromeric regions throughout meiosis I is essential for the faithful equational segregation of sisters in the following meiosis II, similar to mitosis. A widely conserved pericentromeric protein called shugoshin, which associates with protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), plays a critical role in this protection of cohesin. Another key aspect of meiosis I is the establishment of monopolar attachment of sister kinetochores to spindle microtubules. Cohesion or physical linkage at the core centromeres, where kinetochores assemble, may conjoin sister kinetochores, leading to monopolar attachment. A meiosis-specific kinetochore factor such as fission yeast Moa1 or budding yeast monopolin contributes to this regulation. We propose that cohesion at the core centromere and pericentromeric regions plays distinct roles, especially in defining the orientation of kinetochores.     

Cranial Ontogeny of the Early Triassic Basal Cynodont Galesaurus planiceps

Ontogenetic changes in the skull and mandible of thirty‐one specimens of Galesaurus planiceps, a basal non‐mammaliaform cynodont from the Early Triassic of South Africa, are documented. The qualitative survey indicated eight changes in the craniomandibular apparatus occurred during growth, dividing the sample into three ontogenetic stages: juvenile, subadult, and adult. Changes in the temporal region, zygomatic arch, occiput, and mandible occurred during the transition from the subadult to adult stage at a basal skull length of 90 mm. At least four morphological and allometric differences divided the adult specimens into two morphs, indicating the presence of sexual dimorphism in Galesaurus. Differences include extensive lateral flaring of the zygomatic arches in the “male” morph resulting in a more anterior orientation of the orbits, and a narrower snout in the “female”. This is the first record of sexual dimorphism in a basal cynodont, and the first time it is quantitatively documented in a non‐mammaliaform cynodont. An ontogenetic comparison between Galesaurus and the more derived basal cynodont Thrinaxodon revealed differences in the timing and extent of sagittal crest development. In Galesaurus, the posterior sagittal crest, located behind the parietal foramen, developed relatively later in ontogeny, and the anterior sagittal crest rarely formed suggesting the anterior fibres of the temporalis were less developed than in Thrinaxodon. In contrast, craniomandibular features related to the masseters became more developed during the ontogeny of Galesaurus. The development of the adductor musculature appears to be one of the main factors influencing skull growth in these basal non‐mammaliaform cynodonts. Anat Rec, 300:353–381, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

大学生就业压力、人格特质与择业取向的关系

目的:探讨本科毕业生人格特质在就业压力与择业取向间的中介作用。方法:采用大学生择业取向量表,大学生就业压力量表和大五人格量表对314名本科毕业生进行集体施测。结果:男生在择业目的、职业定位和薪酬期望上得分高于女生,而在择业标准上低于女生(P0.05);在择业标准、职业定位和薪酬期望得分上理文艺术,而在地域选择上,理科生得分要低于文科生和艺术生(P0.05)。就业压力与择业目的呈显著正相关(r=0.248,P0.01),与择业标准和薪酬期望呈显著负相关(r=-0.175,-0.143;P0.01)。中介效应分析表明,外向性在就业压力与薪酬期望之间起部分中介作用,中介效应占总效应的16.5%;情绪稳定性和尽责性在就业压力与择业目的之间起部分中介作用,中介效应分别占总效应的26.9%和15.8%。结论:大学生的就业压力直接或间接地通过人格特质影响其择业取向。     

珠三角地区青少年未来取向与学习倦怠的关系:应对方式的中介作用

目的:探讨应对方式在中职生未来取向与学习倦怠之间的关系中是否存在中介作用,为减少中职生学习倦怠感提供实证依据和支持。方法:采用青少年未来取向问卷、简易应对方式问卷和青少年学习倦怠量表对700名广东省珠三角地区中职生进行调查。结果:学习倦怠与未来取向的3个因子未来认知、未来情感和未来意志行为均呈负相关(r=-0.10,-0.08,-0.43;P0.05),与积极应对呈显著负相关(r=-0.21,P0.01),与消极应对呈显著正相关(r=0.17,P0.01);消极应对与未来认知、未来情感和未来意志行为呈显著负相关(r=-0.28,-0.25,-0.12;P0.05),积极应对与未来认知、未来情感和未来意志行为呈显著正相关(r=0.40,0.28,0.48;P0.01),积极应对在未来认知与学习倦怠的关系之间起着完全中介作用(Z=-2.75,P0.01)。结论:中职生的未来认知通过积极应对方式从而降低其学习倦怠水平。