bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consistency of Cluster Analysis for Cognitive Diagnosis: The Reduced Reparameterized Unified Model and the General Diagnostic Model
Authors: Chiu Chia-Yi , Köhn Hans-Friedrich
Published: May 2016

The asymptotic classification theory of cognitive diagnosis (ACTCD) provided the theoretical foundation for using clustering methods that do not rely on a parametric statistical model for assigning examinees to proficiency classes. Like general diagnostic classification models, clustering methods can be useful in situations where the true diagnostic classification model (DCM) underlying the data is unknown and possibly misspecified, or the items of a test conform to a mix of multiple DCMs. Clustering methods can also be an option when fitting advanced and complex DCMs encounters computational difficulties. These can range from the use of excessive CPU times to plain computational infeasibility. However, the propositions of the ACTCD have only been proven for the Deterministic Input Noisy Output “AND” gate (DINA) model and the Deterministic Input Noisy Output “OR” gate (DINO) model. For other DCMs, there does not exist a theoretical justification to use clustering for assigning examinees to proficiency classes. But if clustering is to be used legitimately, then the ACTCD must cover a larger number of DCMs than just the DINA model and the DINO model. Thus, the purpose of this article is to prove the theoretical propositions of the ACTCD for two other important DCMs, the Reduced Reparameterized Unified Model and the General Diagnostic Model.
Late Mesozoic–Early Cenozoic rifting magmatism in the Uda sector of Western Transbaikalia
Authors: Vorontsov A.A. , Yarmolyuk V.V. , Komaritsyna T.Yu.
Published: May 2016

Magmatism of the Uda sector enclosed within the West Transbaikalian rift zone (WTRZ) is discussed in this paper. Seven stages of the Late Mesozoic–Cenozoic volcanism have been recognized within span 174–51 Ma. On the border about 135 Ma the nature of volcanism changed noticeably: (a) the volume of volcanic rocks essentially reduced; (b) transition from differentiated to basaltic associations proceeded with the disappearance of volcanics containing SiO2 over 54 wt.%; (c) alkali and subalkaline basaltoids appeared in the associations, their volume increasing at later stages. Geochemical features of the Uda volcanics are determined by participation in their formation of the mantle source close in composition to the source with OIB parameters. They are responsible for high concentrations of incompatible elements in magmatic products. The isotope characteristics of rocks indicate conformity of this mantle source to the varying behavior of EMII and PREMA with the role of the latter strengthening in time. The basaltoids of initial stages show the deficit of Ti, Nb, and Ta caused by involvement of water-saturated lithosphere mantle in magma formation. The main specifics of the Uda volcanics composition and the pattern of their variability in time correspond to those in WTRZ, as well as in the other Late Mesozoic–Cenozoic rift zones of Central Asia. This evidence suggests similar geodynamic settings for origination and development of rifting processes, when continuously evolving mantle plume affects the regional lithosphere. The magmatism of the Uda sector, as in the entire WTRZ, differs considerably from magmatic processes developing over the convergent boundaries of the Mongol-Okhotsk belt; their products are represented by differentiated magmatic associations with geochemical properties common for the rocks of suprasubduction zones.
Late Paleozoic granitoid magmatism of Eastern Kazakhstan and Western Transbaikalia: plume model test
Authors: Khromykh S.V. , Tsygankov A.A. , Kotler P.D. , Navozov O.V. , Kruk N.N. , Vladimirov A.G. , Travin A.V. , Yudin D.S. , Burmakina G.N. , Khubanov V.B. , Buyantuev M.D. , Antsiferova T.N. , Karavaeva G.S.
Published: May 2016

We present results of a comparative study of Late Paleozoic granitoids of Eastern Kazakhstan and Western Transbaikalia composing the large Kalba–Narym and Angara–Vitim batholiths. We have established that despite the different geologic history of these regions, granitoid magmatism there proceeded nearly synchronously at the Carboniferous/Permian boundary (330–280 Ma) and was accompanied by mantle magmatism. The regularities of its evolution are considered in terms of the plume model and different stages of interaction of mantle plumes with the lithosphere. The major principles of plume–lithosphere interaction in accretion-collision fold belts have been formulated: (1) Plume-lithosphere interaction results in large-scale melting of sublithospheric mantle, lower lithosphere, and crustal substrates warmed by the preceding orogenic processes; (2) The processes last 30 to 50 Myr and produce large volumes of igneous rocks, mostly granitoids; (3) The sequence of formation of granitoid and basic igneous complexes and the metallogenic specialization can be different and depend on the lithosphere structure and preceding geologic history of the region.
Justifying Restrictions on Reconstructing Gaza: Military Necessity and Humanitarian Assistance
Authors: Bashi Sari
Published: May 2016

This article analyses the relationship between the scope of security needs that are cited as justification for restricting humanitarian assistance in situations of occupation and the scope of the occupant's obligation to facilitate and/or proactively provide humanitarian relief. It argues that, compared with a non-occupant, an occupying power may consider broader security goals as reasons to restrict humanitarian assistance, but that doing so imposes a greater responsibility on the occupying power to provide alternatives to the humanitarian assistance being restricted. In addition, as a normative matter, as increasingly long-term security goals are included in the ‘military necessity’ cited as a reason for restricting humanitarian assistance, the ambit of what is included in humanitarian assistance should be expanded to include the economic development and investment in infrastructure needed to provide for humanitarian needs in the long term. This kind of regime would enhance the self-regulation of warring powers by requiring those with the ability to engage in long-term security planning to use that ability also to provide for the long-term humanitarian needs of the civilian population. The article examines restrictions on humanitarian assistance in Gaza as an example of how this normative arrangement might work in practice.
Contextualisation of Humanitarian Assistance and its Shortcomings in International Human Rights Law
Authors: Van Engeland Anicée
Published: May 2016

This article challenges the idea that contextualisation of humanitarian aid affects the principle of universality of human rights as well as the principles of neutrality and impartiality. It seeks to demonstrate that contextualisation will not only improve access, delivery and protection: contextualising a mission also enables aid workers to respect the local context without impacting negatively upon universal human rights. The author argues that affecting the societies in which aid is delivered is inevitable. The key then becomes to avoid endorsing indirect cultural relativism. This is why the article puts forward the idea of creating a yardstick or a test that would help in deciding which beliefs and values are to be included when considering the context, and which should be excluded. The process of selection of values and beliefs is to be operated by an empowered local population. The filter suggested in the case at hand is the Muslim legal instrument of maslaha, which protects the public interest. The use of this filter can be efficient only if Islamic authoritative sources are interpreted differently, in a reformist fashion, to try and match universal human rights law. This is possible through the Muslim theories advocating change. Muslim beneficiaries who are vulnerable as a result of a disaster or during a conflict provide an opportunity to test the filter of maslaha, looking at how an empowered community can change and influence the agendas of aid agencies.
Primary tracheoesophageal puncture and cricopharyngeal myotomy in stapler-assisted total laryngectomy
Authors: Beswick D M , Damrose E J
Published: May 2016

Objective:

To evaluate the utility of the hybrid tracheoesophageal puncture procedure in stapler-assisted laryngectomy.

Methods:

Patients who underwent total laryngectomy at a single institution from 2009 to 2015 were reviewed. The interventions assessed were surgical creation of a tracheoesophageal puncture and placement of a voice prosthesis. The outcomes measured included voicing ability and valve failure.

Results:

Thirty-nine patients underwent total laryngectomy or pharyngolaryngectomy. Of these, nine underwent stapler-assisted laryngectomy; seven of the nine patients underwent concurrent stapler-assisted laryngectomy, cricopharyngeal myotomy and a hybrid tracheoesophageal puncture procedure. These seven patients were the focus of this review. Successful voicing and oral alimentation was achieved in all patients. Mean time to phonation was 30 days (range, 7–77 days) and mean time to first valve change was 90 days (range, 35–117 days).

Conclusion:

Primary tracheoesophageal puncture with concurrent voice prosthesis placement and cricopharyngeal myotomy is easily performed with stapler-assisted laryngectomy. The hybrid tracheoesophageal puncture procedure is a simple method that enables a single operator to achieve primary tracheoesophageal puncture and valve placement; in addition, it facilitates concurrent cricopharyngeal myotomy.
Interactions of warming and exposure affect susceptibility to parasite infection in a temperate fish species
Authors: SHEATH DANNY J. , ANDREOU DEMETRA , BRITTON J. ROBERT
Published: May 2016

Predicting how elevated temperatures from climate change alter host–parasite interactions requires understandings of how warming affects host susceptibility and parasite virulence. Here, the effect of elevated water temperature and parasite exposure level was tested on parasite prevalence, abundance and burden, and on fish growth, using Pomphorhynchus laevis and its fish host Squalius cephalus. At 60 days post-exposure, prevalence was higher at the elevated temperature (22 °C) than ambient temperature (18 °C), with infections achieved at considerably lower levels of exposure. Whilst parasite number was significantly higher in infected fish at 22 °C, both mean parasite weight and parasite burden was significantly higher at 18 °C. There were, however, no significant relationships between fish growth rate and temperature, parasite exposure, and the infection parameters. Thus, whilst elevated temperature significantly influenced parasite infection rates, it also impacted parasite development rates, suggesting warming could have complex implications for parasite dynamics and host resistance.
Diductor muscles of brachiopods: active or passive?
Authors: Thayer Charles W.
Published: May 2016

Experiments show that diductor muscles of articulate brachiopods are normally relaxed, contracting only when the valves gape. Consequently, dead brachiopods rarely gape.
Specialization and evolutionary longevity in the Arthropoda
Authors: Flessa Karl W. , Powers Kenneth V. , Cisne John L.
Published: May 2016

The phenomenon of selective biotic extinction is commonly explained as the result of the extinction of specialized organisms and the survival of generalized organisms during a time of environmental stress. Using 48 orders of aquatic free-living arthropods, we test the hypothesis that generalized organisms tend to have longer geologic ranges than specialized organisms. The degree of specialization, as expressed through morphological complexity, is measured by the diversity of limb pairs on the arthropod body. The resulting “tagmosis value” reflects the functional differentiation of limb pairs to perform specific tasks and thus may estimate ecological specialization. No statistically significant correlation exists between an order's typical degree of morphological specialization and its geologic range. Degree of specialization is not an important determinant of evolutionary persistence at this taxonomic level. Evolutionary longevity may depend on the adaptive type (e.g., trophic role, relationship to substrate, etc.) represented by the taxon and on the assortment of these adaptive types.
Microevolutionary Patterns in Late Cenozoic Radiolaria
Authors: Kellogg Davida E. , Hays James D.
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we present detailed quantitative studies of evolutionary changes over all or part of the stratigraphic ranges of five fossil radiolarian species from Pacific deep-sea sediment cores. Each of these species shows some variation of a distinctive evolutionary pattern: increase in size of measured morphologic characters, preceded and/or followed by an interval during which little or no significant change occurred.

One of the species studied (Eucyrtidium matuyamai) was allopatrically differentiated from another (Eucyrtidium calvertense). The others (Calocycletta caepa, Pterocanium prismatiumandPseudocubus vema) underwent phyletic change within a single lineage. Those species undergoing phyletic change towards larger size maintained almost constant variability of shell size over long periods of time, including periods of both rapid and extremely slow evolution. This constancy of variability suggests that diminution of selection against larger size may have acted as a stimulus to size increase. In contrast,E. calvertensedecreased in variability during evolution towards smaller shell size. We believe this decrease may be interpreted as the result of two factors: (1) strong selection against larger size apparently exerted on this species by its direct descendant,E. matuyamai, during the neosympatric phase of speciation and (2) continuation of previous selection against very much smaller size.
Area, Continental Drift and Mammalian Diversity
Authors: Flessa Karl W.
Published: May 2016

Mammalian generic, familial, and ordinal diversities correlate significantly with continental area. The area effect is similar in form to that shown for true islands: S = kAz, where S is the diversity, A is the area, and k and z are fitted constants. For mammalian genera and continental area, z equals 0.33, for families, z equals 0.23, and for orders, z equals 0.13.

The area effect permits quantitative modeling of extinction due to biotic competition between previously isolated faunas. The Late Cenozoic extinction of North and South American mammalian faunas following the rise of the Panamanian land bridge is overestimated by seven families. The overestimate may result from assumptions of complete biotic interchange and universal competition. The role of plate tectonics in regulating diversity may be extensively modified by regional environmental conditions.
Sampling and Sample Size in Ecological Analyses of Fossil Mammals
Authors: Wolff Ronald G.
Published: May 2016

Analysis of several thousand mammalian fossils from late Pleistocene sediments in California provide data on sampling in mammalian paleoecology. Recovery of bones and teeth from the screenwashed bulk sediment sample residue is considered nearly total. Neither surface collecting alone, nor small bulk samples provide satisfactory quantitative data on original community structure or postmortem alterations in community organization. Minimum sample size for the analysis of diversity is discussed. Diversity and size-trophic ratios of the total identifiable mammalian component of this fauna (N = 1222) are similar to those expected in living communities, and therefore suggest adequate sampling, and minimally biased samples.
Stereotypy of predatory boring behavior of Pleistocene naticid gastropods
Authors: Berg Carl J. , Nishenko Stuart
Published: May 2016

Quantitative systems for describing naticid borehole position in bivalve and gastropod prey are presented. Pleistocene nassariid prey were bored at 53% of the distance up the shell and 8° to the right of the columella. A similar stereotyped position was found for Recent prey. The longitudinal shell axis and the aperture of the gastropod shell are proposed as primary cues in orienting prey for boring.
Nervous systems of Mississippian camerate crinoids
Authors: Haugh Bruce N.
Published: May 2016

Studies of the internal anatomy of Mississippian camerate crinoids have revealed the presence and plan of groove and ridge networks here interpreted as evidence of former nervous systems in these animals. The inner thecal surfaces of hollow specimens and surfaces of internal chert molds possess radiating networks of grooves and ridges in both the dorsal cup and tegmen that resemble the plan of the aboral and hyponeural nervous systems, respectively, of modern crinoids. The aboral network of camerates radiates from the basal region of the dorsal cup at the point of stem attachment and provides one radially positioned nerve trunk per arm. In addition to the radial trunks, branches are present in each of the five interrays; the pattern in the CD (i.e., posterior) interray is different from the others. Two ring commissures interconnect the radial and interradial nerve trunks. The hyponeural nerve network in the tegmen originates from a ring commissure located near the upper part of the tegmen. From the ring commissure radiate radial and interradial nerve trunks that divide to produce two nerve trunks per arm as in modern crinoids. Raised ridges that define the hyponeural nerve network on the inner tegminal surface are separate from impressions representing the water vascular network.

By analogy to living crinoids, the aboral nerve center in camerates was located in the base of the dorsal cup. The radial portion of the aboral nervous system is judged to have functioned as the main motor network in camerates, innervating arm flexor muscles, pinnules, and arm epidermis, thus controlling the “display” of arms to form an effective filtration baffle. The interradial aboral nerves may have been sensory nerves which were part of an active balance system in these stalked echinoderms. The hyponeural system in camerates, as in living forms, probably acted as a sensory system by innervation of the lateral walls of the tube feet and arms. A third system, the ectoneural system, which lines the ciliated food grooves and gut of living crinoids has not been detected in fossil camerates; however, due to its functional significance, its presence in camerates was very probable.
Functional morphology of the skull in Lysorophus: a snake-like Paleozoic amphibian (Lepospondyli)
Authors: Bolt John R. , Wassersug Richard J.
Published: May 2016

Lysorophus, a serpentiform, nearly limbless, aquatic Paleozoic amphibian was described in detail by Sollas in 1920. Although Sollas did not discuss cranial kinesis, his original reconstructions suggest that Lysorophus had an unusually kinetic skull for an amphibian. We have reexamined the skull of Lysorophus and find that kinesis, if present, was slight. The maxillae, premaxillae, and vomers might have moved in limited protraction and retraction, with the premaxillae rotating about their contacts with the nasals. There is a possibility of small medio-lateral movements of the lacrimal and maxilla as a unit at the lacrimal-prefrontal joint. The skull of Lysorophus shows many features convergent with the skulls of burrowing reptiles, such as amphisbaenians. Modifications in the skull of Lysorophus from a more primitive tetrapod condition seem associated with burrowng in a soft substratum rather than with kinesis per se.
Decomposable approximations and approximately finite dimensional C*-algebras
Authors: CASTILLEJOS JORGE
Published: May 2016

Nuclear C*-algebras having a system of completely positive approximations formed with convex combinations of a uniformly bounded number of order zero summands are shown to be approximately finite dimensional.
Terrorism in Argentina
Authors: Muro Marcelo , Cohen Roberto , Maffei Daniel , Ballesteros Marcelo , Espinosa Luis
Published: May 2016

Major terrorist attacks in Argentina since 1990 have been limited to two
bombings in Buenos Aires, which together caused 115 deaths and left at least
555 injured. Following these attacks, national, regional, and local
institutions responsible for emergency response in Argentina sought to
improve their planning and preparedness for terrorism-related events. In
1996, the national government enacted legislation, which launched the
Sistema Federal de Emergencias (SIFEM) or Federal Emergency System under the
direction of the president. Since 1997, several of Argentina's major cities
have developed emergency plans for terrorism-related events, including
intentional biological and chemical releases. Institutional participants in
emergency preparedness for terrorism-related events include Emergency
Medical Services, hospitals, and the public health system. Remaining
challenges include: (1) Improving intra-agency coordination; (2) Improving
intra-agency communication; and (3) Improving and expanding emergency
response training programs for responders and the general
population.
Discovering Niche Markets: A Comparison of Consumer Willingness to Pay for Local (Colorado Grown), Organic, and GMO-Free Products
Authors: Loureiro Maria L. , Hine Susan
Published: May 2016

Demand for value-added products is highly segmented among different types of consumers. In this article, we assess consumer preferences for local, organic, and GMO-free potatoes in order to discover their potential niche markets. We identify sociodemographic characteristics that affect consumer preferences and compare the effects of different attributes on consumers' willingness to pay. Results suggest that the attribute “Colorado grown” carries a higher willingness to pay than organic and GMO-free attributes.
Taking Steps: using collaborative group game design to consolidate and evaluate experiences of individual chief complaint-orientated cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis (C-Co CBTp) in conditions of high security
Authors: Slater Jonathon J. G. , Painter Glenn
Published: May 2016

Although individual cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis (CBTp) is a recommended treatment in the UK, studies evaluating participant experiences are limited, particularly in high-security (HS) conditions. Traditional methods of participant evaluation disadvantage HS patients. Individual chief-complaint orientated CBTp (C-Co CBTp), a variant of CBTp, is offered in a HS setting. The paper aimed first, to evaluate participant experiences of individual C-Co CBTp within HS conditions, and second, to evaluate collaborative group game design as a means of evaluating participants’ experiences. Collaborative group game design was used as a novel method of participatory action research to evaluate patient and practitioner experiences of C-Co CBTp. Fifteen participants (10 inpatients, five staff) developed a life-size game representing their experiences of C-Co CBTp and offered feedback on the process. The game comprised of 24 squares, each depicting and describing a therapy experience, and a set of game-play cards. Collaborative group game design is a viable means of evaluating participant experiences. Findings corroborate and add to the current evaluation literature. Participants placed particular emphasis on collaboration, the therapeutic relationship, therapy as a nonlinear process and vulnerability and hope.
Anticipatory and reactive forms of blame avoidance: of foxes and lions
Authors: Hinterleitner Markus , Sager Fritz
Published: May 2016

Blame avoidance behavior (BAB) encompasses all kinds of integrity-protecting activities by officeholders in the face of potentially blame-attracting events. Although considered essential for a realistic understanding of politics and policymaking, a general understanding of this multi-faceted behavioral phenomenon and its implications has been lacking to date. We argue that this is due to the lack of careful conceptualization of various forms of BAB. Crucially, the difference between anticipatory and reactive forms of BAB is largely neglected in the literature. This paper links anticipatory and reactive forms of BAB as two consecutive decision situations. It exposes dependence relationships between the situations that trigger BAB, the rationalities at work, the resources and strategies applied by blame-avoiding actors, and the various consequences thereof. The paper concludes that anticipatory and reactive BAB are distinct phenomena that require specific research approaches to assess their relevance for the workings of polities.
Is the General Self-Efficacy Scale a Reliable Measure to be used in Cross-Cultural Studies? Results from Brazil, Germany and Colombia
Authors: Damásio Bruno F. , Valentini Felipe , Núñes-Rodriguez Susana I. , Kliem Soeren , Koller Sílvia H. , Hinz Andreas , Brähler Elmar , Finck Carolyn , Zenger Markus
Published: May 2016

This study evaluated cross-cultural measurement invariance for the General Self-efficacy Scale (GSES) in a large Brazilian (N = 2.394) and representative German (N = 2.046) and Colombian (N = 1.500) samples. Initially, multiple-indicators multiple-causes (MIMIC) analyses showed that sex and age were biasing items responses on the total sample (2 and 10 items, respectively). After controlling for these two covariates, a multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA) was employed. Configural invariance was attested. However, metric invariance was not supported for five items, in a total of 10, and scalar invariance was not supported for all items. We also evaluated the differences between the latent scores estimated by two models: MIMIC and MGCFA unconstraining the non-equivalent parameters across countries. The average difference was equal to |.07| on the estimation of the latent scores, and 22.8% of the scores were biased in at least .10 standardized points. Bias effects were above the mean for the German group, which the average difference was equal to |.09|, and 33.7% of the scores were biased in at least .10. In synthesis, the GSES did not provide evidence of measurement invariance to be employed in this cross-cultural study. More than that, our results showed that even when controlling for sex and age effects, the absence of control on items parameters in the MGCFA analyses across countries would implicate in bias of the latent scores estimation, with a higher effect for the German population.
Wirksamkeit des Präventionsprojekts „Keiner fällt durchs Netz“ (KfdN) in Modellprojektstandorten im Saarland
Authors: Sidor Anna , Kunz Elisabeth , Eickhorst Andreas , Cierpka Manfred
Published: May 2016

Zusammenfassung. Ziel der Studie war es, die Wirksamkeit des Präventionsprojekts „Keiner fällt durchs Netz“ zur Unterstützung risikobelasteter Familien in Saarland zu evaluieren. Die Stichprobe von 182 Mutter-Kind-Dyaden setzte sich aus 91 risikobelasteten Dyaden, die am Präventionsprojekt teilnahmen und 91 risikobelasteten Dyaden aus Kontrollfamilien zusammen. Ergebnisse: Der erwartete bessere Entwicklungsstand der Kinder in der Treatmentgruppe nach der Intervention im Vergleich zu den Kindern aus der Kontrollgruppe konnte im Bereich der sozialen Entwicklung bestätigt werden (d = 0.53). Zudem schätzten die Mütter in der KfdN-Gruppe ihre einjährigen Kinder tendenziell als weniger temperamentsschwierig ein (d = 0.18). Interventionseffekte im Bereich mütterlicher Feinfühligkeit, Stressbelastung und depressiver Symptomatik waren nicht nachweisbar. Fazit: Die Intervention hat einen positiven Effekt auf die kindliche soziale Entwicklung und die elterliche Wahrnehmung des kindlichen Temperaments. Der ausbleibende Interventionseffekt im Bereich der mütterlichen Feinfühligkeit legt eine stärkere Berücksichtigung dieses Aspektes in der Konzeption des Projekts nahe.
Vertrauen ist gut …
Authors: Dreiskämper Dennis , Pöppel Katharina , Strauß Bernd
Published: May 2016

Zusammenfassung. Vertrauen ist eine entscheidende Komponente innerhalb des Breiten- und Spitzensports mit kognitiver, emotionaler, und verhaltensbezogener Relevanz, die sich auf unterschiedlichen Ebenen (Mikro-, Meso-, Makro-Ebene) manifestiert. Zahlreiche sportrelevante Themen legen einen Zusammenhang zu Vertrauen nahe (z. B. Doping oder Wettmanipulation). Auch kann angenommen werden, dass die Vertrauenswürdigkeit eines Athleten, eines Trainers oder eines Sportverbands Einfluss in interpersonalen Beziehungen im Sport hat. Das psychologische Konzept des Vertrauens hat aber bislang im Sportkontext nur geringe Beachtung gefunden. Mit der vorliegenden Studie soll die Adaption und Validierung eines aus dem organisationalen Kontext stammenden Fragebogens zur Erfassung von Vertrauenswürdigkeit im Sport vorgestellt werden. Der 15 Items umfassende Fragebogen besteht aus drei Subskalen, welche die Antezedenzien von Vertrauen, Fähigkeit, Wohlwollen und Integrität abbilden. Eine konfirmatorische Faktorenanalyse bestätigt die angenommene Struktur. Der Fragebogen erweist sich als valide, konsistent und ökonomisch durchführbar. Er stellt damit einen wichtigen Schritt zur Erforschung des Themenfelds Vertrauenswürdigkeit im Sportkontext dar.
Motivation zum Risikosport
Authors: Stops Thomas , Gröpel Peter
Published: May 2016

Zusammenfassung. Laut Rheinberg (1996) begeben sich Menschen in riskante Sportaktivitäten weil sie (1) durch die Meisterung schwieriger Situationen eigene Kompetenz erleben, (2) die Bedrohung als erregend empfinden und (3) ihr Körper dabei häufig in ungewöhnliche, doch genussfähige Zustände versetzt wird. Diese Anreiztrias wurde mittels strukturierten Interviews auf ihre Relevanz in der Risikosportart Freeride-Skifahren überprüft. Zehn professionelle Freeride-Skifahrer wurden befragt. Kompetenzerleben und erregende Bedrohungswahrnehmung stellten die stärksten motivationalen Anreize für die Fahrer dar. Ungewöhnliche Bewegungszustände wie das Erleben von Schnelligkeit und Rotationen wurden ebenfalls häufig genannt, doch weniger als Kompetenzerleben. Zusätzlich wurden Naturerleben und Freiheit als bedeutende Anreize identifiziert. Die motivationale Kraft dieser Anreize wird aber unter bestimmten Umständen geschwächt. Zum einen wenn die Verletzungsgefahr als zu hoch eingestuft wird und zum anderen wenn extrinsische Anreize wie Ergebnis und Platzierung im Mittelpunkt stehen.
Long intergenic non-coding RNA APOC1P1-3 inhibits apoptosis by decreasing α-tubulin acetylation in breast cancer
Authors: Liao X-H , Wang J-G , Li L-Y , Zhou D-M , Ren K-H , Jin Y-T , Lv L , Yu J-G , Yang J-Y , Lu Q , Zou Q , Yu J , Liu X-P , Zhou P
Published: May 2016

Increasing evidence indicates that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) act as important regulatory factors in tumor progression. However, their roles in breast cancer remain largely unknown. In present studies, we identified aberrantly expressed long intergenic non-coding RNA APOC1P1-3 (lincRNA-APOC1P1-3) in breast cancer by microarray, verified it by quantitative real-time PCR, and assessed methylation status in the promoter region by pyrosequencing. We also investigated the biological functions with plasmid transfection and siRNA silencing experiments, and further explored their mechanisms by RNA pull-down and RNA immunoprecipitation to identify binding proteins. We found that 224 lncRNAs were upregulated in breast cancer, whereas 324 were downregulated. The lincRNA-APOC1P1-3 was overexpressed in breast cancer, which was related to tumor size and hypomethylation in its promoter region. We also found that APOC1P1-3 could directly bind to tubulin to decrease α-tubulin acetylation, to inactivate caspase-3, and to inhibit apoptosis. This study demonstrates that overexpression of APOC1P1-3 can inhibit breast cancer apoptosis.
Hsf1 and Hsp90 orchestrate temperature-dependent global transcriptional remodelling and chromatin architecture in Candida albicans
Authors: Leach Michelle D. , Farrer Rhys A. , Tan Kaeling , Miao Zhengqiang , Walker Louise A. , Cuomo Christina A. , Wheeler Robert T. , Brown Alistair J. P. , Wong Koon Ho , Cowen Leah E.
Published: May 2016

Fever is a universal response to infection, and opportunistic pathogens such as Candida albicans have evolved complex circuitry to sense and respond to heat. Here we harness RNA-seq and ChIP-seq to discover that the heat shock transcription factor, Hsf1, binds distinct motifs in nucleosome-depleted promoter regions to regulate heat shock genes and genes involved in virulence in C. albicans. Consequently, heat shock increases C. albicans host cell adhesion, damage and virulence. Hsf1 activation depends upon the molecular chaperone Hsp90 under basal and heat shock conditions, but the effects are opposite and in part controlled at the level of Hsf1 expression and DNA binding. Finally, we demonstrate that Hsp90 regulates global transcription programs by modulating nucleosome levels at promoters of stress-responsive genes. Thus, we describe a mechanism by which C. albicans responds to temperature via Hsf1 and Hsp90 to orchestrate gene expression and chromatin architecture, thereby enabling thermal adaptation and virulence.
Low-dose irradiation promotes Rad51 expression by down-regulating miR-193b-3p in hepatocytes
Authors: Lee Eon-Seok , Won Yeo Jin , Kim Byoung-Chul , Park Daeui , Bae Jin-Han , Park Seong-Joon , Noh Sung Jin , Kang Yeong-Rok , Choi Si Ho , Yoon Je-Hyun , Heo Kyu , Yang Kwangmo , Son Tae Gen
Published: May 2016

Current evidence indicates that there is a relationship between microRNA (miRNA)-mediated gene silencing and low-dose irradiation (LDIR) responses. Here, alterations of miRNA expression in response to LDIR exposure in male BALB/c mice and three different types of hepatocytes were investigated. The miRNome of the LDIR-exposed mouse spleens (0.01 Gy, 6.5 mGy/h) was analyzed, and the expression of miRNA and mRNA was validated by qRT-PCR. Western blotting, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), and luciferase assays were also performed to evaluate the interaction between miRNAs and their target genes and to gain insight into the regulation of miRNA expression. The expression of miRNA-193b-3p was down-regulated in the mouse spleen and liver and in various hepatocytes (NCTC, Hepa, and HepG2 cell lines) in response to LDIR. The down-regulation of miR-193b-3p expression was caused by histone deacetylation on the miR-193b-3p promoter in the HepG2 cells irradiated with 0.01 Gy. However, the alteration of histone deacetylation and miR-193b-3p and Rad51 expression in response to LDIR was restored by pretreatment with N-acetyl-cyctein. In conclusion, we provide evidence that miRNA responses to LDIR include the modulation of cellular stress responses and repair mechanisms.
Changing motor perception by sensorimotor conflicts and body ownership
Authors: Salomon R. , Fernandez N. B. , van Elk M. , Vachicouras N. , Sabatier F. , Tychinskaya A. , Llobera J. , Blanke O.
Published: May 2016

Experimentally induced sensorimotor conflicts can result in a loss of the feeling of control over a movement (sense of agency). These findings are typically interpreted in terms of a forward model in which the predicted sensory consequences of the movement are compared with the observed sensory consequences. In the present study we investigated whether a mismatch between movements and their observed sensory consequences does not only result in a reduced feeling of agency, but may affect motor perception as well. Visual feedback of participants’ finger movements was manipulated using virtual reality to be anatomically congruent or incongruent to the performed movement. Participants made a motor perception judgment (i.e. which finger did you move?) or a visual perceptual judgment (i.e. which finger did you see moving?). Subjective measures of agency and body ownership were also collected. Seeing movements that were visually incongruent to the performed movement resulted in a lower accuracy for motor perception judgments, but not visual perceptual judgments. This effect was modified by rotating the virtual hand (Exp.2), but not by passively induced movements (Exp.3). Hence, sensorimotor conflicts can modulate the perception of one’s motor actions, causing viewed “alien actions” to be felt as one’s own.
High efficiency all-polymer tandem solar cells
Authors: Yuan Jianyu , Gu Jinan , Shi Guozheng , Sun Jianxia , Wang Hai-Qiao , Ma Wanli
Published: May 2016

In this work, we have reported for the first time an efficient all-polymer tandem cell using identical sub-cells based on P2F-DO:N2200. A high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.70% was achieved, which is among the highest efficiencies for all polymer solar cells and 43% larger than the PCE of single junction cell. The largely improved device performance can be mainly attributed to the enhanced absorption of tandem cell. Meanwhile, the carrier collection in device remains efficient by optimizing the recombination layer and sub-cell film thickness. Thus tandem structure can become an easy approach to effectively boost the performance of current all polymer solar cells.
Pattern Genes Suggest Functional Connectivity of Organs
Authors: Qin Yangmei , Pan Jianbo , Cai Meichun , Yao Lixia , Ji Zhiliang
Published: May 2016

Human organ, as the basic structural and functional unit in human body, is made of a large community of different cell types that organically bound together. Each organ usually exerts highly specified physiological function; while several related organs work smartly together to perform complicated body functions. In this study, we present a computational effort to understand the roles of genes in building functional connection between organs. More specifically, we mined multiple transcriptome datasets sampled from 36 human organs and tissues, and quantitatively identified 3,149 genes whose expressions showed consensus modularly patterns: specific to one organ/tissue, selectively expressed in several functionally related tissues and ubiquitously expressed. These pattern genes imply intrinsic connections between organs. According to the expression abundance of the 766 selective genes, we consistently cluster the 36 human organs/tissues into seven functional groups: adipose & gland, brain, muscle, immune, metabolism, mucoid and nerve conduction. The organs and tissues in each group either work together to form organ systems or coordinate to perform particular body functions. The particular roles of specific genes and selective genes suggest that they could not only be used to mechanistically explore organ functions, but also be designed for selective biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Efficient antitumor effect of co-drug-loaded nanoparticles with gelatin hydrogel by local implantation
Authors: Zhang Hao , Tian Yong , Zhu Zhenshu , Xu Huae , Li Xiaolin , Zheng Donghui , Sun Weihao
Published: May 2016

Tetrandrine (Tet) could enhance the antitumor effect of Paclitaxel (Ptx) by increasing intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels, which leads to the possibility of co-delivery of both drugs for synergistic antitumor effect. In the current study, we reported an efficient, local therapeutic strategy employing effective Tet and Ptx delivery with a nanoparticle-loaded gelatin system. Tet- and Ptx co-loaded mPEG-PCL nanoparticles (P/T-NPs) were encapsulated into the physically cross-linked gelatin hydrogel and then implanted on the tumor site for continuous drug release. The drug-loaded gelatin hydrogel underwent a phase change when the temperature slowly increased. In vitro study showed that Tet/Ptx-loaded PEG-b-PCL nanoparticles encapsulated within a gelatin hydrogel (P/T-NPs-Gelatin) inhibited the growth and invasive ability of BGC-823 cells more effectively than the combination of free drugs or P/T-NPs. In vivo study validated the therapeutic potential of P/T-NPs-Gelatin. P/T-NPs-Gelatin significantly inhibited the activation of p-Akt and the downstream anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein and also inducing the activation of pro-apoptotic Bax protein. Moreover, the molecular-modulating effect of P/T-NPs-Gelatin on related proteins varied slightly under the influence of NAC, which was supported by the observations of the tumor volumes and weights. Based on these findings, local implantation of P/T-NPs-Gelatin may be a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of gastric cancer.
Heat generation and light scattering of green fluorescent protein-like pigments in coral tissue
Authors: Lyndby Niclas H. , Kühl Michael , Wangpraseurt Daniel
Published: May 2016

Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-like pigments have been proposed to have beneficial effects on coral photobiology. Here, we investigated the relationships between green fluorescence, coral heating and tissue optics for the massive coral Dipsastraea sp. (previously Favia sp.). We used microsensors to measure tissue scalar irradiance and temperature along with hyperspectral imaging and combined imaging of variable chlorophyll fluorescence and green fluorescence. Green fluorescence correlated positively with coral heating and scalar irradiance enhancement at the tissue surface. Coral tissue heating saturated for maximal levels of green fluorescence. The action spectrum of coral surface heating revealed that heating was highest under red (peaking at 680 nm) irradiance. Scalar irradiance enhancement in coral tissue was highest when illuminated with blue light, but up to 62% (for the case of highest green fluorescence) of this photon enhancement was due to green fluorescence emission. We suggest that GFP-like pigments scatter the incident radiation, which enhances light absorption and heating of the coral. However, heating saturates, because intense light scattering reduces the vertical penetration depth through the tissue eventually leading to reduced light absorption at high fluorescent pigment density. We conclude that fluorescent pigments can have a central role in modulating coral light absorption and heating.
Reliability of 3D laser-based anthropometry and comparison with classical anthropometry
Authors: Kuehnapfel Andreas , Ahnert Peter , Loeffler Markus , Broda Anja , Scholz Markus
Published: May 2016

Anthropometric quantities are widely used in epidemiologic research as possible confounders, risk factors, or outcomes. 3D laser-based body scans (BS) allow evaluation of dozens of quantities in short time with minimal physical contact between observers and probands. The aim of this study was to compare BS with classical manual anthropometric (CA) assessments with respect to feasibility, reliability, and validity. We performed a study on 108 individuals with multiple measurements of BS and CA to estimate intra- and inter-rater reliabilities for both. We suggested BS equivalents of CA measurements and determined validity of BS considering CA the gold standard. Throughout the study, the overall concordance correlation coefficient (OCCC) was chosen as indicator of agreement. BS was slightly more time consuming but better accepted than CA. For CA, OCCCs for intra- and inter-rater reliability were greater than 0.8 for all nine quantities studied. For BS, 9 of 154 quantities showed reliabilities below 0.7. BS proxies for CA measurements showed good agreement (minimum OCCC > 0.77) after offset correction. Thigh length showed higher reliability in BS while upper arm length showed higher reliability in CA. Except for these issues, reliabilities of CA measurements and their BS equivalents were comparable.
Interleukin-37 expression and its potential role in oral leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Lin Lin , Wang Jiayi , Liu Dongjuan , Liu Sai , Xu Hao , Ji Ning , Zhou Min , Zeng Xin , Zhang Dunfang , Li Jing , Chen Qianming
Published: May 2016

Interleukin 37 (IL-37) has been reported to play a significant role in innate immune response and to be involved in several kinds of cancers. However, the investigation of association between IL-37 and oral mucosa carcinogenesis hasn't been clearly established. The aim of the study was to assess IL-37 expression and explore its role in oral mucosa carcinogenesis. The expression of IL-37 increased from normal control (NC) to Oral leukoplakia (OLK) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Moreover, statistically highly significant difference was present between scores of OLK with and without mild/moderate dysplasia (P < 0.001). In addition, IL-37 expression was lower in OSCC with lymph node metastasis than those without metastasis (P < 0.01). What’s more, overexpression of IL-37 in RAW264.7 cells remarkably reduced the pseudopodia, vacuolization and the expression of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β. Finally, we found IL-37 and its receptor IL-18Rα but not its binding partner IL-18BP have similar tissue location and expression trend in different stages of oral mucosa carcinogenesis. Overall, IL-37 can be used as a biomarker for early oral tumorigenesis and for malignant transformation risk assessment of premalignant lesions.
Renal Nitric Oxide Deficiency and Chronic Kidney Disease in Young Sheep Born with a Solitary Functioning Kidney
Authors: Singh Reetu R. , Easton Lawrence K. , Booth Lindsea C. , Schlaich Markus P. , Head Geoffrey A. , Moritz Karen M. , Denton Kate M.
Published: May 2016

Previously, we demonstrated that renal hemodynamic responses to nitric oxide (NO) inhibition were attenuated in aged, hypertensive sheep born with a solitary functioning kidney (SFK). NO is an important regulator of renal function, particularly, in the postnatal period. We hypothesized that the onset of renal dysfunction and hypertension in individuals with a SFK is associated with NO deficiency early in life. In this study, renal and cardiovascular responses to L-NAME infusion (Nw-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) were examined in 6-month old lambs born with a SFK, induced by fetal unilateral nephrectomy (uni-x). Renal responses to L-NAME were attenuated in uni-x sheep with the fall in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urinary sodium excretion (UNaV) being less in the uni-x compared to sham lambs (%ΔGFR; −41 ± 3 vs −54 ± 4: P = 0.03, %ΔUNaV; −48 ± 5 vs −76 ± 3, P = 0.0008). 24 hour-basal urinary nitrate and nitrite (NOx) excretion was less in the uni-x animals compared to the sham (NOx excretion μM/min/kg; sham: 57 ± 7; uni-x: 38 ± 4, P = 0.02). L-NAME treatment reduced urinary NOx to undetectable levels in both groups. A reduction in NO bioavailability in early life may contribute to the initiation of glomerular and tubular dysfunction that promotes development and progression of hypertension in offspring with a congenital nephron deficit, including those with a SFK.
Electrophysiology Alterations in Primary Visual Cortex Neurons of Retinal Degeneration (S334ter-line-3) Rats
Authors: Chen Ke , Wang Yi , Liang Xiaohua , Zhang Yihuai , Ng Tsz Kin , Chan Leanne Lai Hang
Published: May 2016

The dynamic nature of the brain is critical for the success of treatments aimed at restoring vision at the retinal level. The success of these treatments relies highly on the functionality of the surviving neurons along the entire visual pathway. Electrophysiological properties at the retina level have been investigated during the progression of retinal degeneration; however, little is known about the changes in electrophysiological properties that occur in the primary visual cortex (V1) during the course of retinal degeneration. By conducting extracellular recording, we examined the electrophysiological properties of V1 in S334ter-line-3 rats (a transgenic model of retinal degeneration developed to express a rhodopsin mutation similar to that found in human retinitis pigmentosa patients). We measured the orientation tuning, spatial and temporal frequency tunings and the receptive field (RF) size for 127 V1 neurons from 11 S334ter-3 rats and 10 Long-Evans (LE) rats. V1 neurons in the S334ter-3 rats showed weaker orientation selectivity, lower optimal spatial and temporal frequency values and a smaller receptive field size compared to the LE rats. These results suggest that the visual cognitive ability significantly changes during retinal degeneration.