The application of decision support tools and the influence of local data in prioritizing barrier removal in lower Michigan,USA

Web-based decision support tools (DSTs) can be useful to facilitate decision-making processes for managing complex natural resource systems. However, the alignment of DSTs with the objectives in governmental policies or management plans and the influence of limited local data on the outputs of these tools may reduce the use of DSTs by decision makers. In this study, we examined the outcomes of web-based DSTs when different types of local data were incorporated and demonstrated a way to incorporate outputs from multiple DSTs or local inventories to benefit barrier removal decisions. Restoring habitat connectivity in rivers in northwest lower Michigan, USA, was used as a case study due to the abundance of local inventory data and web-based DSTs. We found that, when compared to prioritizations made using local data, some DSTs could produce similar outcomes (in barriers selected, cost, and the benefit for migratory fish) with limited data, but the trade-offs among users' objectives might influence the cost and effectiveness of DSTs' outputs. Improving the ability of DSTs to incorporate objectives consistent with policy and stakeholders' values (e.g., restore certain species or sedimentation control) across management scales can help close the gap between tool recommendations and management decisions while making the barrier removal prioritization process transparent and efficient.     

LC with Evaporative Light-Scattering Detection for Quantitative Analysis of Organic Acids in Juices

In this work, a performing LC method with evaporative light-scattering detector was described for the analysis of tartaric, malic, ascorbic, citric and succinic acids in fruit juices. The method was optimized and validated in comparison with LC-UV, in terms of accuracy, LODs, LOQs and precision. The successive application to ACE, orange, pear, peach, mulberry and apple juices allowed separation and quantitative determination of organic acids in about 20 min just diluting and filtering the sample before LC determination. In the analysed juices, citric, malic and ascorbic acids were always present, and in all the samples, citric acid was the prevailing acid followed by malic acid except for peach and apple juices where an opposite trend was found. Tartaric and succinic acids were detected at lower concentrations and more rarely, except for peach juices, all containing tartaric acid, and ACE and orange juices, all containing succinic acid.     

Dietary Mannan Oligosaccharides Modulate Gut Microbiota,Increase Fecal Bile Acid Excretion,and Decrease Plasma Cholesterol and Atherosclerosis Development

1 Scope

Mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) have proven effective at improving growth performance, while also reducing hyperlipidemia and inflammation. As atherosclerosis is accelerated both by hyperlipidemia and inflammation, we aim to determine the effect of dietary MOS on atherosclerosis development in hyperlipidemic ApoE*3‐Leiden.CETP (E3L.CETP) mice, a well‐established model for human‐like lipoprotein metabolism.

2 Methods and results

Female E3L.CETP mice were fed a high‐cholesterol diet, with or without 1% MOS for 14 weeks. MOS substantially decreased atherosclerotic lesions up to 54%, as assessed in the valve area of the aortic root. In blood, IL‐1RA, monocyte subtypes, lipids, and bile acids (BAs) were not affected by MOS. Gut microbiota composition was determined using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and MOS increased the abundance of cecal Bacteroides ovatus. MOS did not affect fecal excretion of cholesterol, but increased fecal BAs as well as butyrate in cecum as determined by gas chromatography mass spectrometry.

3 Conclusion

MOS decreased the onset of atherosclerosis development via lowering of plasma cholesterol levels. These effects were accompanied by increased cecal butyrate and fecal excretion of BAs, presumably mediated via interactions of MOS with the gut microbiota.     

Mexican American middle school students' goal intentions in mathematics and science: A test of social cognitive career theory.

This study examined whether sociocontextual and sociocognitive variables explained the math/science goals of 409 Mexican American youth using a modified version of R. W. Lent, S. D. Brown, and G. Hackett's (1994) social cognitive career theory. Results from structural equation modeling indicated that the hypothesized model explained a significant amount of variance in math/science goals for both Mexican American girls and boys. Findings suggested that gender did not moderate relations among the variables in the hypothesized model. Results also suggested that most of the social cognitive career theory propositions tested were supported. Specifically, social class predicted math/science past performance accomplishments. Math/science past performance accomplishments and perceived parent support predicted math/science self-efficacy. Furthermore, math/science self-efficacy predicted math/science outcome expectations, and together with math/science interests, these sociocognitive variables predicted math/science interests and goals. Contrary to expectations, generation status, Anglo orientation, and Mexican orientation did not predict math/science past performance accomplishments, and past performance accomplishments did not predict math/science outcome expectations. Furthermore, Anglo orientation and perceived social support from parents, teachers, classmates, and a close friend did not predict math/science goals. Suggestions for future research and implications of the results are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Facial expression categorization by chimpanzees using standardized stimuli.

The ability to recognize and accurately interpret facial expressions are critical social cognition skills in primates, yet very few studies have examined how primates discriminate these social signals and which features are the most salient. Four experiments examined chimpanzee facial expression processing using a set of standardized, prototypical stimuli created using the new ChimpFACS coding system. First, chimpanzees were found to accurately discriminate between these expressions using a computerized matching-to-sample task, and recognition was impaired for all but one expression category when they were inverted. Third, a multidimensional scaling analysis examined the perceived dissimilarity among these facial expressions revealing 2 main dimensions, the degree of mouth closure and extent of lip-puckering and retraction. Finally, subjects were asked to match each facial expression category using only individual component features. For each expression category, at least 1 component movement was more salient or representative of that expression than the others. However, these were not necessarily the only movements implicated in subject's overall pattern of errors. Therefore, similar to humans, both configuration and component movements are important during chimpanzee facial expression processing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Subdivisions of inferior temporal cortex in squirrel monkeys make dissociable contributions to visual learning and memory.

Inferior temporal cortex of squirrel monkeys consists of caudal (ITC), intermediate (ITI), and rostral (ITR) subdivisions, possibly homologous to TEO, posterior TE, and anterior TE of macaque monkeys. The present study compared visual learning in squirrel monkeys with ablations of ITC; ITI and ITR (group ITRd); or ITI, ITR, and more ventral cortex, including perirhinal cortex (group ITR+), with visual learning in unoperated controls. The ITC monkeys had significant impairments on pattern discriminations and milder deficits on delayed nonmatching to sample (DNMS) of objects. The ITRd monkeys had deficits on some pattern discriminations but not on DNMS. The ITRd monkeys were significantly impaired on DNMS and some pattern discriminations. These results are similar to those found in macaques and support the proposed homologies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Adaptation and validation of the Spanish-language Trauma Symptom Inventory in Puerto Rico.

Objective: This research was conducted to assess the Spanish-language Trauma Symptom Inventory's (Briere, 1995) suitability for use with a Puerto Rican sample. Minor revisions were made to the original instrument following a comprehensive appraisal involving a bilingual committee and pilot focus group. The present study outlines the review and adaptation process and examines the psychometric properties of the revised instrument, the Inventario de Síntomas de Trauma-Revisado (IST–R). Method: A sample of 225 students (155 women, 70 men) at the University of Puerto Rico, age 20 to 59 (M = 23.24, SD = 4.69), participated in the validation study. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire; a self-report trauma exposure instrument; and measures of psychological distress, including Spanish-language versions of the Beck Depression Inventory, Symptom Checklist—36, and the Dissociative Experiences Scale. Results: Reliability coefficients for the IST–R clinical scales ranged from .69 to .91 (mean α = .84), and correlation coefficients were strongest for scales measuring the same constructs. Factor loadings obtained were consistent with those reported in the literature. Results support the internal consistency and construct validity of the IST–R. Conclusions: Culturally and linguistically appropriate assessment instruments are needed to address the mental health needs of diverse populations. Results from this study provide evidence for the clinical and research promise of the IST–R as a screening tool for trauma-related symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Time to abandon small-sample cohort research in health psychology?

Comments on the original article, "Avoidant coping as a predictor of mortality in veterans with end-stage renal disease" by E. J. Wolf and D. L. Mori (see record 2009-06704-009), in which the authors report that among 61 patients with endstage renal disease (ESRD), avoidant coping more than doubled the odds of mortality in multivariable analysis. The authors concluded that evaluating coping style in patients with ESRD would be clinically useful and that interventions targeting avoidant coping should be investigated. In this commentary, the current authors note that Wolf and Mori’s (2009) finding was based on a sample where only 23 patients died over 9 years, and results were evaluated using a Cox regression model with six covariates, a ratio of only 3.8 outcome events per variable—well below recommended thresholds (e.g., Babyak, 2004; Peduzzi et al., 1995). Beyond this, the model did not assess key variables typically included in studies of ESRD outcomes (e.g., transplant status, cardiovascular problems). Wolf and Mori chose to focus on the relationship between avoidant coping and mortality. However, bivariable correlations and confidence intervals reported or generated from data in the article showed that the association between avoidant coping and mortality (r=.28, 95% CI [.03 to .50]) was not significantly stronger than two other correlations that were in the opposite direction of what would have been expected: hypertension with mortality (r=?.39, 95% CI [?.15 to ?.59]) and medication compliance with mortality (r=.16, 95% CI [?.10 to .40]). Oddities of this sort are often encountered in very small datasets and, as a result, stronger evidence must be accrued from larger, more robust samples. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)