Showing papers by "John Carroll University published in 2014"

Seven new species of Oculatella (Pseudanabaenales, Cyanobacteria): taxonomically recognizing cryptic diversification

Abstract: A total of 27 strains of Oculatella were isolated, characterized and sequenced, and analysed phylogenetically with an additional environmental clone from the Atacama Desert and 10 strains isolated and sequenced by others. The strains were clearly separated based upon phylogenetic analyses conducted with a concatenated alignment of the 16S rRNA and 16S-23S ITS region of the ribosomal operons in the genus Oculatella. Differences in secondary structure of the conserved domains of the ITS region, as well as comparative analysis of P-distance among ITS regions, served to separate the strains into distinct taxonomic units. Seven new species of Oculatella were described, including four from arid to semi-arid soils (O. atacamensis, O. mojaviensis, O. coburnii, O. neakameniensis) and three from more mesic habitats, including a temperate lake (O. hafneriensis), a desert waterfall (O. cataractarum) and a Hawaiian sea cave (O. kauaiensis). The soil forms show statistically significant morphological differences, but t...

PCAOB Quality Control Inspection Reports and Auditor Reputation

Abstract: SUMMARY: In 2002, the peer review auditor program was replaced with independent inspections of audit firms by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). The PCAOB inspections differ fro...

Evidence of maternal provisioning of alkaloid-based chemical defenses in the strawberry poison frog Oophaga pumilio

Abstract: Many organisms use chemical defenses to reduce predation risk. Aposematic dendrobatid frogs sequester alkaloid-based chemical defenses from a diet of arthropods, but research on these defenses has been limited to adults. Herein, we investigate chemical defense across development in a dendrobatid frog, Oophaga pumilio. This species displays complex parental care: at hatching, mothers transport tadpoles to phytotelmata, and then return to supply them with an obligate diet of nutritive eggs for about six weeks. We collected eggs, tadpoles, juveniles, and adults of O. pumilio, and detected alkaloids in all life stages. The quantity and number of alkaloids increased with frog and tadpole size. We did not detect alkaloids in the earliest stage of tadpoles, but alkaloids were detected as trace quantities in nutritive eggs and as small quantities in ovarian eggs. Tadpoles hand-reared with eggs of an alkaloid-free heterospecific frog did not contain alkaloids. Alkaloids that are sequestered from terrestrial arthropods were detected in both adults and phytotelm-dwelling tadpoles that feed solely on nutritive eggs, suggesting that this frog may be the first animal known to actively provision post-hatch offspring with chemical defenses. Finally, we provide experimental evidence that maternally derived alkaloids deter predation of tadpoles by a predatory arthropod.

Biodiversity of soil cyanobacteria in the hyper-arid Atacama Desert, Chile.

Abstract: The cyanobacterial diversity of soils of the Atacama Desert (Chile) was investigated using 16S rRNA gene cloning/sequencing directly from soil samples and 16S rRNA gene sequencing from unialgal cultures Within the hyper-arid Atacama Desert, one of the driest parts of the world, 10 sites with differing altitude and distance to the shore were sampled along a total air-line distance (from south to north) of ~1,100 km Filamentous cyanobacteria belonging to Nostocophycideae and Synechococcophycideae were present Oscillatoriophycideae exhibited the highest species richness among the subclasses of cyanobacteria, and included mostly filamentous species along with some coccoids (eg, Chroococcidiopsis) Thirty species-level phylotypes could be recognized using a cut-off of 99% 16S rRNA sequence similarity within the 22 genera defined at 97% 16S rRNA sequence similarity Eight of the 30 taxa could be detected by both clonal and culture sequences Five taxa were observed only in cultures, whereas the cloning approach revealed 17 additional taxa, which might be in the collection but unsequenced, hard-to-cultivate, or entirely unculturable species using standard cultivation media The Atacama Desert soils have a high diversity of phylotypes, among which are likely both new genera and new species awaiting characterization and description

A Test of Aposematism in the Dendrobatid Poison Frog Oophaga pumilio: The Importance of Movement in Clay Model Experiments

Abstract: Brightly colored frogs of Dendrobatidae contain alkaloid-based chemical defenses which appear to be utilized as a deterrent to predators. The conspicuous coloration of these frogs is generally considered to be an aposematic signal to color-visioned predators. A previous field-based experiment tested this hypothesis in the dendrobatid frog Oophaga pumilio (Strawberry Poison Frog) from the La Selva Biological Station using a stationary clay model experiment to assess natural predation. Avian predation rates on brown frog models were almost twice that of red frog models, supporting the hypothesis that coloration in O. pumilio is aposematic. A criticism of clay model experiments has been that they do not accurately represent natural organisms, especially with regard to movement. Many predators utilize movement in prey selection and, therefore, may not perceive motionless clay models as prey. In an attempt to understand the importance of movement better in assessing natural predation rates using clay ...

Reassessment of the cyanobacterial family Microchaetaceae and establishment of new families Tolypothrichaceae and Godleyaceae

Abstract: The family Microchaetaceae is a large group of heterocytous cyanobacteria, whose members bear typical morphological features of uniseriate heteropolar filaments never terminated by thin hairs and with simple false branching. However, phylogenetic analyses of the gene for 16S rRNA showed that members of this traditionally morphologically delimited family form several distant groups and therefore the current concept is hereafter indefensible. In this study, we provide reassessment of the status of the family Microchaetaceae based on morphology, ecology, biogeography, and phylogeny of 16S rRNA gene. Thorough examination of strains of the nominate genus Microchaete revealed their affiliation to two groups, Nostocaceae and Rivulariaceae, and their distant position to other traditional members of Microchaetaceae such as Tolypothrix, Hassallia, and Coleodesmium. To reflect the phylogenetic relationships and to accommodate members of the traditional family Microchaetaceae that are clearly not related to any of the Microchaete representatives, we propose establishment of two new families, Tolypothrichaceae and Godleyaceae. Based on both molecular and morphological evidence, we also provide a description of three new species of the genus Fortiea.

The dietary polysaccharide maltodextrin promotes Salmonella survival and mucosal colonization in mice.

Abstract: In the latter half of the 20th century, societal and technological changes led to a shift in the composition of the American diet to include a greater proportion of processed, pre-packaged foods high in fat and carbohydrates, and low in dietary fiber (a “Western diet”). Over the same time period, there have been parallel increases in Salmonella gastroenteritis cases and a broad range of chronic inflammatory diseases associated with intestinal dysbiosis. Several polysaccharide food additives are linked to bacterially-driven intestinal inflammation and may contribute to the pathogenic effects of a Western diet. Therefore, we examined the effect of a ubiquitous polysaccharide food additive, maltodextrin (MDX), on clearance of the enteric pathogen Salmonella using both in vitro and in vivo infection models. When examined in vitro, murine bone marrow-derived macrophages exposed to MDX had altered vesicular trafficking, suppressed NAPDH oxidase expression, and reduced recruitment of NADPH oxidase to Salmonella-containing vesicles, which resulted in persistence of Salmonella in enlarged Rab7+ late endosomal vesicles. In vivo, mice consuming MDX-supplemented water had a breakdown of the anti-microbial mucous layer separating gut bacteria from the intestinal epithelium surface. Additionally, oral infection of these mice with Salmonella resulted in increased cecal bacterial loads and enrichment of lamina propria cells harboring large Rab7+ vesicles. These findings indicate that consumption of processed foods containing the polysaccharide MDX contributes to suppression of intestinal anti-microbial defense mechanisms and may be an environmental priming factor for the development of chronic inflammatory disease.

Morphological and molecular characterization within 26 strains of the genus Cylindrospermum (Nostocaceae, Cyanobacteria), with descriptions of three new species.

Abstract: Twenty-six strains morphologically identified as Cylindrospermum as well as the closely related taxon Cronbergia siamensis were examined microscopically as well as phylogenetically using sequence data for the 16S rRNA gene and the 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA revealed three distinct clades. The clade we designate as Cylindrospermum sensu stricto contained all five of the foundational species, C. maius, C. stagnale, C. licheniforme, C. muscicola, and C. catenatum. In addition to these taxa, three species new to science in this clade were described: C. badium, C. moravicum, and C. pellucidum. Our evidence indicated that Cronbergia is a later synonym of Cylindrospermum. The phylogenetic position of Cylindrospermum within the Nostocaceae was not clearly resolved in our analyses. Cylindrospermum is unusual among cyanobacterial genera in that the morphological diversity appears to be more evident than sequence divergence. Taxa were clearly separable using morphology, but had very high percent similarity among ribosomal sequences. Given the high diversity we noted in this study, we conclude that there is likely much more diversity remaining to be described in this genus.

An Intergenerational Choir Formed to Lessen Alzheimer’s Disease Stigma in College Students and Decrease the Social Isolation of People With Alzheimer’s Disease and Their Family Members A Pilot Study

Abstract: The intergenerational choir was formed for the purpose of combating the stigma of Alzheimer's disease in college students, and in that process also lessening the social isolation of people with AD and their family members. The choir was composed of 13 college students and 13 people with AD and a family member. Data from the college students were gathered through semi-structured open-ended questions on attitudes and knowledge about AD, collected at three points in time over 8 weeks of rehearsals. Data were collected from the people with AD and their family members through a focus group and observations over 8 weeks of rehearsals. Results a show a decrease in social isolation for the older choir members, and for the college students: a decrease in negative attitudes, an increase in positive attitudes and themes of - recognizing capabilities, expanded understanding of AD, reduced stigma, and reduced social discomfort.

Humidophila gen. nov., a new genus for a group of diatoms (Bacillariophyta) formerly within the genus Diadesmis: species from Hawai'i, including one new species

Abstract: While conducting surveys of freshwater algae from the Hawai'i Islands, we encountered several diatom species and populations belonging to the genus Diadesmis, subgenus Paradiadesmis. Upon closer examination of valve morphology with scanning electron microscopy, the species and populations assigned to Paradiadesmis differed considerably in structure and microhabitat fidelity from Diadesmis confervacea Kutzing, the type species of the genus Diadesmis. The Hawai'i species have each stria composed of a single elongate areola, external distal raphe ends that are straight to curved, and fine hymenate occlusions on the interior of the areolae. These structures are not found in D. confervacea. Therefore, we propose a new genus, Humidophila, to accommodate these taxa formerly belonging to the subgenus Paradiadesmis. One new species from the Hawai'i Islands is described and 47 former Diadesmis species are transferred to Humidophila.

Polyphasic characterization of Trichocoleus desertorum sp. nov. (Pseudanabaenales, Cyanobacteria) from desert soils and phylogenetic placement of the genus Trichocoleus

Abstract: Little is known about the taxonomic diversity of cyanobacteria in deserts, despite their important ecological roles in these ecosystems. In this study, cyanobacterial strains from the Atacama, Colorado, and Mojave Deserts were isolated and characterized using molecular, morphological, and ecological information. Phylogenetic placement of these strains was revealed through Bayesian and parsimony-based phylogenetic analyses utilizing sequences of the 16S rRNA gene and the associated 16S–23S ITS region. Based on the combined evidence of this polyphasic approach, a new species from desert soils morphologically corresponding to the genus Trichocoleus was described. Trichocoleus desertorum sp. nov. Muhlsteinova, Johansen et Pietrasiak was used to obtain a phylogenetic reference point for Trichocoleus, a genus so far characterized by morphological description only. Through characterization of this new taxon in desert soils we hope to contribute to the general understanding of cyanobacterial diversity in extreme arid habitats.

Aetokthonos hydrillicola gen. et sp. nov. : Epiphytic cyanobacteria on invasive aquatic plants implicated in Avian Vacuolar Myelinopathy

Abstract: Research into the taxonomy of a novel cyanobacterial epiphyte in locations where birds, most notably Bald eagle and American coots, are dying from a neurologic disease (Avian Vacuolar Myelinopathy—AVM) has been ongoing since 2001. Field investigations revealed that all sites where birds were dying had extensive invasive aquatic vegetation with dense colonies of an unknown cyanobacterial species growing on the underside of leaves. Morphological evaluation indicated that this was a true-branching, heterocystous taxon falling within the former order Stigonematales. However, 16S rRNA gene sequence demonstrated that it did not match closely with any described genus or species. More recent sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and associated ITS region from additional true branching species resulted in a unique phylogenetic placement distant from the other clades of true-branching cyanobacteria. Light, epifluorescent, and transmission and scanning electron micrographs confirm the novel characteristics of this species, which is true-branching form with uniseriate basal filaments. It is encased within a firm sheath and has heterocytes both within the filaments and at the tips of the branches. The species is in a new genus of uncertain family assignment, and is herein named Aetokthonos hydrillicola gen. et sp. nov.

Phylogenetic placement of Symplocastrum (Phormidiaceae, Cyanophyceae) with a new combination S. californicum and two new species: S. flechtnerae and S. torsivum

Abstract: Filamentous nonheterocytous cyanobacteria have been recognized as key ecosystem players in terms of soil stabilization, carbon sequestration, and water retention. Although the ecological importance of this group is well understood, its taxonomy is understudied. Microcoleus, Schizothrix, and Leptolyngbya, the most common cyanobacterial genera reported from soils, have all been found to be polyphyletic and in need of revision. In this study, strains morphologically corresponding to M. steenstrupii were isolated from North American desert soils. This species has been found to be polyphyletic, forming several distinct clades in numerous analyses. Three desert soil strains were analysed using ecological and geographical information, detailed morphological investigations, and DNA sequence data of the 16S rRNA gene and associated 16S–23S internal transcribed spacer. On the basis of this polyphasic characterization, we concluded that they represented the genus Symplocastrum. Until now, this cyanobacterial genus w...

Prevalence and Cognitive Bases of Subjective Memory Complaints in Older Adults: Evidence from a Community Sample.

Abstract: Objectives. To estimate the prevalence of subjective memory complaints (SMCs) in a sample of community-dwelling, older adults and to examine cognitive bases of these complaints. Participants. 499 community-dwelling adults, 65 and older. Measurements. A telephone survey consisting of cognitive tests and clinical and sociodemographic variables. SMCs were based on subjects' evaluations and subjects' perceptions of others' evaluations. Analysis. Logistic regression was used to model the risk for SMCs as a function of the cognitive, clinical, and sociodemographic variables. We tested for interactions of the cognitive variables with age, education, and gender. Results. 27.1% reported memory complaints. Among the younger age, better objective memory performance predicted lower risk for SMCs, while among the older age, better memory had no effect on risk. Among the better-educated people, better global cognitive functioning predicted lower risk for SMCs, while among the less-educated people, better global cognitive functioning had no effect on SMC risk. When predicting others' perceptions, better objective memory was associated with lower risk for SMCs. Conclusion. Objective memory performance and global cognitive functioning are associated with lower risk for SMCs, but these relationships are the strongest for the younger age and those with more education, respectively. Age and education may affect the ability to accurately appraise cognitive functioning.

Cyanocohniella calida gen. et sp. nov. (Cyanobacteria: Aphanizomenonaceae) a new cyanobacterium from the thermal springs from Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

Abstract: The thermal springs of Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) is the locus classicus of the well-known thermal cyanobacterium Mastigocladus laminosus . In addition to the nominate variety, several other varieties and forms were described based on differences in morphology (true-branching versus non-branching) or ecology (thermal versus non-thermal). The cyanobacterial strain Kastovský 1996/2, which was provisionally identified as M. laminosus f. nostocoides , was also isolated from this locality and discussed in previous work. Based on both morphological and molecular (SSU) analyses, this strain was found to not belong to Mastigocladus , but rather to an undescribed genus, presumably within the Nostocaceae. This strain was subsequently lost, and absence of type materials prevented the description of the genus. The species was successfully re-isolated in 2012. The new strain is identical in morphology, life cycle, and 16S rRNA sequence to the lost strain 1996/2. It is herein described as Cyanocohniella calida gen. et sp. nov. The genus differs from all other Nostocaceae and Aphanizomenonaceae by the unique combination of these characteristics: 1) thermal-tolerant ecology, 2) life cycle that includes Pseudanabaenaceae-like, Nostoc -like and Chlorogloeopsis -like stages, 3) absence of aerotopes, and 4) phylogenetic placement in the Aphanizomenonaceae. The sister taxa, based on 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogenetic analysis, are Cyanospira and Anabaenopsis , both spiral, planktonic, aerotope-bearing, tropical genera and species clearly distinct from C. calida.

The Career Paths of Mutual Fund Managers: The Role of Merit

Abstract: This study provides evidence that merit—specifically, performance relative to peers measured on a style-adjusted basis—plays a significant role in the length of a mutual fund manager’s career. Managers who underperform their peers are more likely to lose their jobs. However, surviving managers of any tenure—even those who manage their funds for 10 or more years—generally do not outperform the market or their style benchmarks and do not display consistently superior performance.

Young Children’s Engagement With E-Books at School: Does Device Matter?

Abstract: Differences between digital devices on children’s engagement with e-books are examined. The sample included 24 typical 4-year olds enrolled in Head Start. Over a 1-month period, video captures of children’s multi-sensory behaviors during shared reading at a tabletop touchscreen computer and teacher-facilitated book browsing with iPads and iPods were obtained. Data were coded on each child at 1-min intervals, examining the simultaneity of behaviors present, then aggregated to determine frequencies of each behavior by device and format. Differences between media devices on median percent of observation time were evaluated. Looking, touching, moving, and gesturing behaviors were significantly different among different devices. Large effect sizes indicated considerable variability attributable to the device. Mobiles support more looking and touching but less moving and gesturing than the tabletop touchscreen; none of the devices favored listening over another. Given the role of haptic perception in digital reading experience, access to mobiles may favor behaviors that support literacy motivation, sense of control, and interaction.

The Production Effect: Costs and Benefits in Free Recall

Abstract: The production effect, the memorial benefit for information read aloud versus silently, has been touted as a simple memory improvement tool. The current experiments were designed to evaluate the relative costs and benefits of production using a free recall paradigm. Results extend beyond prior work showing a production effect only when production is manipulated within subject, not between, using a free recall paradigm. Furthermore, the results also indicate that the production effect is primarily driven by decreased memory for items read silently, not increased memory for items read aloud.

Polyphasic characterization of Kastovskya adunca gen. nov. et comb. nov. (Cyanobacteria: Oscillatoriales), from desert soils of the Atacama Desert, Chile

Abstract: Recent taxonomic revisions within the cyanobacteria have shown that the traditional simple filamentous genera often represent large polyphyletic clusters of not-so-closely-related taxa. In this study, the new cyanobacterial genus Kastovskya is described based on a combination of morphological, molecular, and ecological evidence. Kastovskya was first described as Schizothrix adunca , a morphospecies discovered in the Atacama Desert, Chile more than 50 years ago. This species has been transferred to Kastovskya and serves as the generitype. Kastovskya adunca currently represents a unique and probably endemic taxon for the soils of the Atacama Desert region. Description of this new genus contributes to the revision of the Phormidiaceae by providing a clear taxonomic definition to one of the clades within the Schizothrix/Microcoleus/Phormidium cluster.

Alkaloid defenses of co-mimics in a putative Müllerian mimetic radiation

Abstract: Polytypism in aposematic species is unlikely according to theory, but commonly seen in nature. Ranitomeya imitator is a poison frog species exhibiting polytypic mimicry of three congeneric model species (R. fantastica, R. summersi, and two morphs of R. variabilis) across four allopatric populations (a "mimetic radiation"). In order to investigate chemical defenses in this system, a key prediction of Mullerian mimicry, we analyzed the alkaloids of both models and mimics from four allopatric populations. In this study we demonstrate distinct differences in alkaloid profiles between co-mimetic species within allopatric populations. We further demonstrate that R. imitator has a greater number of distinct alkaloid types than the model species and more total alkaloids in all but one population. Given that R. imitator is the more abundant species in these populations, R. imitator is likely driving the majority of predator-learned avoidance in these complexes. The success of Ranitomeya imitator as a putative advergent mimic may be a direct result of differences in alkaloid sequestration. Furthermore, we propose that automimicry within co-mimetic species is an important avenue of research.

Territorial Behavior and Ecological Divergence in a Polymorphic Salamander

Abstract: Polymorphic species provide an opportunity to examine the process of sympatric divergence as it occurs. The Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Plethodon cinereus, is a polymorphic species that has served as a model organism in behavioral and ecological studies. Recent work suggests that the two most common color phenotypes (striped and unstriped) exhibit weak assortative mating and are diverging along a number of niche dimensions including temperature optima, diet, and response to predators. Males and females of P. cinereus are territorial and this behavior is thought to function in the context of prey and mate acquisition. Striped males have been shown to gain access to larger, and presumably more fecund, females. We posited that this pattern emerges through differential territorial behavior between the two phenotypes. We predicted that striped and unstriped salamanders would differ in their use of cover objects in the field, and in their aggressive responses to intruders in the laboratory. We examined salam...

Long‐Term Outcomes of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Recalled School Victimization

Abstract: Experiences and recollections of school bullying are tragically commonplace in the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people (Grossman & D'Augelli, 2006; Rivers, 2011; Wells, 2009). Defined as a "systematic abuse of power" (Smith & Sharp, 1994, p. 2), school bullying consists of harassment, intimidation, taunting, ridicule, and/or physical aggression (Juvonen, Nishina, & Graham, 2000). The prevalence of sexual orientation and gender identity minority bullying is exemplified by findings from the 2009 National School Climate Survey report. Findings indicated that nearly nine out of 10 LGBT students had experienced harassment at school in the previous year, nearly two thirds had felt unsafe because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and approximately one third reported not having attended school at least 1 day in the previous month because of safety concerns (Kosciw, Greytak, Diaz, & Bartkiewicz, 2010). As with other reports on LGBT bullying (Human Rights Watch, 2001), LGBT school bullying is a profound social problem of national concern, which negatively affects the lives and educational opportunities of LGBT persons. Consequences of LGBT School Bullying Consequences of LGBT school bullying are heightened psychological distress, including higher rates of substance use, high-risk sexual behavior, depression, and suicidality (Bontempo & D'Augelli, 2002; Espelage, Aragon, Birkett, & Koenig, 2008; Grossman & D'Augelli, 2007; Hershberger & D'Augelli, 1995; Vargas et al., 2008), as well as suffering long-term negative effects of victimization (Rivers, 2001). Rivers (2004) found increased rates of posttraumatic stress disorder among lesbian, gay and bisexual adults who had experienced frequent and prolonged school victimization, and Russell, Ryan, Toomey, Diaz, and Sanchez (2011) demonstrated that LGBT adult recollections of harassment and bullying correlated with adult depression, suicidal ideation, decreased life satisfaction, lower self-esteem, and lower social integration. Homophobic bullying related to fears of relationship intimacy, feelings of being an outsider in social situations, perceived lack of a positive future, difficulty expressing emotions to others, irritability, poor concentration, fears about meeting people or facing new situations, and anxiety (Rivers, 2011). Retrospective memories of bullying also appear related to social anxiety in the general population. Roth, Coles, and Heimberg (2002), for example, found that social anxiety correlated with frequent teasing during childhood. Similarly, McCabe, Antony, Summerfeldt, Liss, and Swinson (2003) reported that more than four fifths of those who had experienced teasing and bullying during childhood evidenced social phobia. Although there is a paucity of research on recalled school bullying and social anxiety in sexual orientation and gender identity minority adults, evidence of vulnerability to social anxiety in this population was demonstrated. It is possible that findings of high rates of social anxiety in gay men (Pachankis & Goldfried, 2006) and in lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents (Safren & Pantalone, 2006) may refer, in part, to suffering associated with childhood or adolescent school bullying. Further investigation of relationships among symptoms of social anxiety, current bullying victimization, and recalled school-related bullying for LGBT populations is therefore warranted. However, it is important to note that not all LGBT victims of childhood or adolescent bullying develop symptoms of psychological distress, thus raising questions of contributing factors. Why do some LGBT people develop psychological symptoms as a consequence of bullying? Why are some more likely to continue to experience victimization into adulthood? That is, what mediating factors might account for known relationships between school bullying and negative psychological and/or behavioral outcomes in LGBT people? …

Scalable and axiomatic ranking of network role similarity

Abstract: A key task in analyzing social networks and other complex networks is role analysis: describing and categorizing nodes according to how they interact with other nodes. Two nodes have the same role if they interact with equivalent sets of neighbors. The most fundamental role equivalence is automorphic equivalence. Unfortunately, the fastest algorithms known for graph automorphism are nonpolynomial. Moreover, since exact equivalence is rare, a more meaningful task is measuring the role similarity between any two nodes. This task is closely related to the structural or link-based similarity problem that SimRank addresses. However, SimRank and other existing similarity measures are not sufficient because they do not guarantee to recognize automorphically or structurally equivalent nodes. This article makes two contributions. First, we present and justify several axiomatic properties necessary for a role similarity measure or metric. Second, we present RoleSim, a new similarity metric that satisfies these axioms and can be computed with a simple iterative algorithm. We rigorously prove that RoleSim satisfies all of these axiomatic properties. We also introduce Iceberg RoleSim, a scalable algorithm that discovers all pairs with RoleSim scores above a user-defined threshold θ. We demonstrate the interpretative power of RoleSim on both both synthetic and real datasets.

The rhetorical fantasy of energy transitions: implications for energy policy and analysis

Abstract: This article explores the rhetoric of four energy transitions. It begins by summarising research on the intersection of fantasy, technology and the sociology of expectation. It then looks at how ideas of progress, modernity, cheapness, abundance and hope influence the way society perceives new energy technologies, causing them to overestimate benefits and underestimate challenges. Our rhetorical analysis finds in case studies of steam engines, gasoline automobiles, hydroelectric dams and nuclear reactors that newly ‘discovered’ sources of energy or newly invented technologies are always assumed to provide infinitely abundant energy and to have the potential to create positive utopian changes in society. We conclude by noting the salient implications of these rhetorical themes for energy planners, analysts and scholars.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Does It Bring About Improvements in Affect Regulation in Individuals with Eating Disorders?

Abstract: The current investigation sought to determine whether a standard outpatient dose of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills training (2 h per week) coupled with standard CBT treatment would be sufficient to produce changes in affect regulation over the course of day hospitalization treatment. In an uncontrolled pre-post treatment design, 65 women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa were assessed at the beginning of treatment and at the end of treatment on affect regulation. Findings indicated that participants demonstrated a significant improvement in their ability to regulate affect, suggesting that weekly DBT treatment may play an important role in producing changes in affect regulation. Secondary analyses on eating disorder outcomes revealed a significant increase in weight gain as well as a significant reduction in restriction, bingeing, purging and eating disordered cognitions. Findings are discussed in the context of clinical and treatment implications for those with severe eating disorders.

Common Cognitive Deficits in Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism: Working Memory and Visual-Motor Integration

Abstract: Cognitive deficits in working memory (WM) are characteristic features of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and autism. However, few studies have investigated cognitive deficits using ...

Frequent Pattern Mining in Data Streams

Abstract: As the volume of digital commerce and communication has exploded, the demand for data mining of streaming data has likewise grown. One of the fundamental data mining tasks, for both static and streaming data, is frequent pattern mining. The goal of pattern mining is to identity frequently occurring patterns and structures. Such patterns may indicate scientific phenomena, economic or social trends, or even security threats. Moreover, not only is pattern discovery important by itself, but it is also a building block for machine learning tasks such as association rule induction. Traditionally, algorithms for pattern discovery have processed the entire dataset as a batch, with no restriction on how many passes through the data would be taken.

Best Practices in Reading

Abstract: For years, the field of reading education has been engaged in thinking about best practices. In this column we highlight a set of practices that have amassed a significant body of work to demonstrate their usefulness in improving children's motivation for learning to read, proficiency in reading, and their likelihood to become lifelong readers and writers. Explicit instruction in vocabulary, rereading and using digital textbooks to motivate children's reading are among some of these updated best practices. Those in the reading community are urged to consider best practices, and how we may promote their uses, with high fidelity in classroom instruction.