bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Grain Composition and Functional Ingredients of Barley Varieties Created in Latvia
Authors: Šterna Vita , Zute Sanita , Jākobsone Ida
Published: October 2015

Cereals, including barley, have been recognised as functional foods that provide beneficial effect on the health of the consumer and decrease the risk of various diseases. The aim of investigation was to determine the grain composition of barley varieties and perspective breeding lines bred in Latvia and to evaluate its functional ingredients. The results of analysis showed that protein content among varieties ranged from 106.6-146.8 g·kg-1, total dietary fibre 187.4-208.2 g·kg-1, β-glucans 42.8 g-49.4 g·kg-1, and amount of α-tocopherol 6.03-8.93 mg·kg-1. The sum of essential amino acids in barley grain samples was from 32.90 g·kg-1 to 38.71 g·kg-1. All varieties of hulled and hulless barley grain were found to be sources of protein with high biological value. Comparison of barley varieties bred in Latvia suggests that variety ‘Kornelija’ outperforms others in protein, dietary fibre and micronutrient content.
Application of Hplc-Pda Method Using Two Different Extraction Procedures for the Determination of Alkylresorcinols in Cereals
Authors: Gailāne Natālija , Jākobsone Ida , Bartkevičs Vadims , Tamm Ylle
Published: October 2015

Cereals, especially barley, are an important source of vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre and various phytochemicals, such as alkylresorcinols (ARs). Cereal ARs are a group of phenolic lipids located in the outer parts of grain, particularly in rye and wheat, but not found in refined flour or in refined products from cereals. This study focuses on the comparison of different extraction procedures applied for the determination of the content of ARs (C15:0 - C23:0) in grain of Latvian barley genotypes. The content of ARs in 1 rye and 16 barley samples grown with different amounts of fertilier was determined by High Performance Liquid Chromatography method with Photodiode Array detection (HPLC-PDA) developed by us. Two different extraction methods were compared: accelerated Soxhlet extraction and 24-hour extraction. Aside from validation of the extraction procedures, validation parameters for the HPLC-PDA based quantitation method were provided. The coefficients of variation for repeatability and intermediate precision were < 9% and < 3%, respectively. The content of ARs determined with the HPLC-PDA method in conjunction with accelerated Soxhlet extraction was up to 1.5 times higher than using 24-hour extraction. AR content varied from 2.11 ± 0.04 to 3.80 ± 0.10 mg·100 g-1 for 24-hour extraction and from 2.66 ± 0.06 to 5.70 ± 0.20 mg·100 g-1 for accelerated Soxhlet extraction, indicating the increased efficiency of this procedure in analysis of ARs.
I. V. Michurin’S Work on Expansion of the Plant Horticulture Assortment and Improvement of Food Quality
Authors: Sokolov Viktor V. , Savel’ev Nikolay I. , Goncharov Nikolay P.
Published: October 2015

October 2015 marks the 160th anniversary of the birth of Ivan V. Michurin. As a scientist and plant breeder, he made a significant improvement of many fruit and berry plants, and flowers. He developed methods of plant breeding, especially regarding long-distance hybridisation of fruit plants, and promoted gardening to the north and east of Russia. He introduced some new berry species, such as Actinidia and black chokeberry, and was the first in Russia to use dwarf and semi dwarf stocks of apples. Michurin initiated the mass movement of gardeners and horticulture experimenters in USSR who changed and significantly extended the assortment and areas of fruit and berries cultivation in the country. He not only brought together a representative collection of species and varieties of fruit, berry and flower plants from around the world, but also used them in breeding by hybridization, including interspecific. He created some new artificial interspecific hybrids such as Cerapadus (cherry and bird cherry tree hybrid), and others. Michurin created 132 cultivars. Eleven of them are not only cultivated, but are also included in “The State Register of Protected Plant Breeding of the Russian Federation”.
Sustainable Land Development In An Urban Context
Authors: Kauko Tom , Siniak Nikolai , Źróbek Sabina
Published: October 2015

It can be argued that sustainable urban land development depends on the long-term viability and management success of local economic development. It can be further argued that here, economic sustainability is the key. This would furthermore signify a paradigm change to long-term administrative behavior (via an institutional approach), long-term market behavior (heterodox economics approach), and human behavior in actors’ consumption and location choices (behavioral approach). This article examines two criteria within this discourse: innovativeness and social cohesion. In doing so, it proposes a framework for empirical analysis where it is suggested that western, post-socialist and low developed cases choose different strategies due to their different starting points.
Ways of Human Resource Branding in Czech Agricultural Companies
Authors: Hlavsa Tomáš , Urbancová H. , Richter P.
Published: October 2015

Current demographic and economic conditions in individual countries lead to a significant increase in competition in the labour market. Every employer from all economic sectors wants to have competent and talented human resources and the fight for such employees becomes still harder. To attract and retain the best employees, it is necessary for the companies to build up a good employer brand that may appeal to talented employees. The article provides a picture of the current situation in employer branding in the agricultural, forestry, and fishing sectors in the Czech Republic and deals with the ways of its improvement. The investigation was conducted by means of a questionnaire survey covering 108 participating companies, and the methods of analysis, synthesis, deduction, and induction. The results have shown that the majority of agricultural companies (75.9%) perceive knowledge continuity management as a trend that contributes to good employer branding. The major benefits arising from the encouragement of employer branding in agricultural companies include acquisition of new talented human resources (57.4%) and retention of key employees (56.4%).
Crop Prices in the Austrian Monarchy (1770–1816): The Role of Crop Failures and Money Inflation
Authors: Blahovec Jiří
Published: October 2015

The paper is based on data about local cereal prices in Bohemia recorded in the course of 46 years (1770-1816) by F.J. Vavák, Czech farmer living close to Prague. This information appeared in a series of his memoirs published within 1907-1938 and in 2009. The data analysis shows that annual means of prices of wheat, rye, and barley are relatively well correlated and can be used for illustration of the state monetary situation. A higher variation of the annual mean values was observed only in times of crop failure and was also related to the new harvest. The data obtained for pea differ from the data mentioned above. It was shown that the market prices were influenced mainly by crop failures caused by weather and climate and by the state monetary policies. The money purchasing power was influenced either by objective causes, like crop failures of reversible character, or by subjective changes caused mainly by inflationary monetary policies which in the case of Austria had conduced to a state bankruptcy.
Cytotoxic 24-nor-ursane-type triterpenoids from the twigs of Mostuea hirsuta
Authors: Longue Ekon Jean Pierre , Bissoue Achille Nouga , Fomani Marie , Alfred Toze Flavien Aristide , Waffo Kamdem Alain François , Sewald Norbert , Wansi Jean Duplex
Published: October 2015

Two new 24-nor-ursane-type triterpenoids, 2α,3β,19α-trihydroxy-24-norurs-4(23),12-dien-28-oic acid (1) and 3β-acetoxy-2α,19α-dihydroxy-24-norurs-4(23),12-dien-28-oic acid (2), along with 15 known compounds were isolated from the methanol extract of the twigs of Mostuea hirsuta. While 2-hydroxymethylbenzamide (13) was isolated for the first time from the natural source, compounds 3–12 are reported here for the first time from the genus Mostuea. Their structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic analyses including 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometric data as well as comparison with data from the literature. Compounds 1, 2, 4–9 and 13 were tested against bacteria, fungi and plant pathogen oomycetes by the paper disk agar diffusion assay resulting in missing to low activities corresponding with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) > 1 mg mL–1. However, the respective compounds 1, 2, 8, 9 and 13 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activity against the human Caucasian prostate adenocarcinoma cell line PC-3, with IC50 10.6–16.5 μm compared to the standard doxorubicin with IC50 0.9 μm.
Preserved Haptic Shape Processing after Bilateral LOC Lesions
Authors: Snow Jacqueline C. , Goodale Melvyn A. , Culham Jody C.
Published: October 2015

The visual and haptic perceptual systems are understood to share a common neural representation of object shape. A region thought to be critical for recognizing visual and haptic shape information is the lateral occipital complex (LOC). We investigated whether LOC is essential for haptic shape recognition in humans by studying behavioral responses and brain activation for haptically explored objects in a patient (M.C.) with bilateral lesions of the occipitotemporal cortex, including LOC. Despite severe deficits in recognizing objects using vision, M.C. was able to accurately recognize objects via touch. M.C.'s psychophysical response profile to haptically explored shapes was also indistinguishable from controls. Using fMRI, M.C. showed no object-selective visual or haptic responses in LOC, but her pattern of haptic activation in other brain regions was remarkably similar to healthy controls. Although LOC is routinely active during visual and haptic shape recognition tasks, it is not essential for haptic recognition of object shape.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe lateral occipital complex (LOC) is a brain region regarded to be critical for recognizing object shape, both in vision and in touch. However, causal evidence linking LOC with haptic shape processing is lacking. We studied recognition performance, psychophysical sensitivity, and brain response to touched objects, in a patient (M.C.) with extensive lesions involving LOC bilaterally. Despite being severely impaired in visual shape recognition, M.C. was able to identify objects via touch and she showed normal sensitivity to a haptic shape illusion. M.C.'s brain response to touched objects in areas of undamaged cortex was also very similar to that observed in neurologically healthy controls. These results demonstrate that LOC is not necessary for recognizing objects via touch.
Substrate Availability of Mutant SPT Alters Neuronal Branching and Growth Cone Dynamics in Dorsal Root Ganglia
Authors: Jun Byung Kyu , Chandra Ankush , Kuljis Dika , Schmidt Brian P. , Eichler Florian S.
Published: October 2015

Serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) is a key enzyme in the first step of sphingolipid biosynthesis. Mutations in theSPTLC1gene that encodes for SPT subunits cause hereditary sensory neuropathy type 1. However, little is understood about how mutant SPT regulates mechanisms of sensory neuron and axonal growth. Using transgenic mice overexpressing the C133W SPT mutant, we found that mutant dorsal root ganglia (DRG) during growthin vitroexhibit increased neurite length and branching, coinciding with elevated expression of actin-cross-linking proteins at the neuronal growth cone, namely phosphorylated Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin. In addition, inhibition of SPT was able to reverse the mutant phenotype. Because mutant SPT preferentially usesl-alanine over its canonical substratel-serine, we also investigated the effects of substrate availability on DRG neurons. Supplementation withl-serine or removal ofl-alanine independently restored normal growth patterns in mutant SPTLC1C133WDRG. Therefore, we report that substrate availability and selectivity of SPT influence the regulation of neurite growth in DRG neurons.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTHereditary sensory neuropathy type 1 is an autosomal-dominant disorder that leads to a sensory neuropathy due to mutations in the serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) enzyme. We investigated how mutant SPT and substrate levels regulate neurite growth. Because SPT is an important enzyme in the synthesis of sphingolipids, our data are of broader significance to other peripheral and metabolic disorders.
Encoding of Vicarious Reward Prediction in Anterior Cingulate Cortex and Relationship with Trait Empathy
Authors: Lockwood Patricia. L. , Apps Matthew A.J. , Roiser Jonathan P. , Viding Essi
Published: October 2015

Empathy—the capacity to understand and resonate with the experiences of others—can depend on the ability to predict when others are likely to receive rewards. However, although a plethora of research has examined the neural basis of predictions about the likelihood of receiving rewards ourselves, very little is known about the mechanisms that underpin variability in vicarious reward prediction. Human neuroimaging and nonhuman primate studies suggest that a subregion of the anterior cingulate cortex in the gyrus (ACCg) is engaged when others receive rewards. Does the ACCg show specialization for processing predictions about others' rewards and not one's own and does this specialization vary with empathic abilities? We examined hemodynamic responses in the human brain time-locked to cues that were predictive of a high or low probability of a reward either for the subject themselves or another person. We found that the ACCg robustly signaled the likelihood of a reward being delivered to another. In addition, ACCg response significantly covaried with trait emotion contagion, a necessary foundation for empathizing with other individuals. In individuals high in emotion contagion, the ACCg was specialized for processing others' rewards exclusively, but for those low in emotion contagion, this region also responded to information about the subject's own rewards. Our results are the first to show that the ACCg signals probabilistic predictions about rewards for other people and that the substantial individual variability in the degree to which the ACCg is specialized for processing others' rewards is related to trait empathy.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTSuccessfully cooperating, competing, or empathizing with others can depend on our ability to predict when others are going to get something rewarding. Although many studies have examined how the brain processes rewards we will get ourselves, very little is known about vicarious reward processing. Here, we show that a subregion of the anterior cingulate cortex in the gyrus (ACCg) shows a degree of specialization for processing others' versus one's own rewards. However, the degree to which the ACCg is specialized varies with people's ability to empathize with others. This new insight into how vicarious rewards are processed in the brain and vary with empathy may be key for understanding disorders of social behavior, including psychopathy and autism.
Experience-Dependent Induction of Hippocampal ΔFosB Controls Learning
Authors: Eagle Andrew L. , Gajewski Paula A. , Yang Miyoung , Kechner Megan E. , Al Masraf Basma S. , Kennedy Pamela J. , Wang Hongbing , Mazei-Robison Michelle S. , Robison Alfred J.
Published: October 2015

The hippocampus (HPC) is known to play an important role in learning, a process dependent on synaptic plasticity; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this are poorly understood. ΔFosB is a transcription factor that is induced throughout the brain by chronic exposure to drugs, stress, and variety of other stimuli and regulates synaptic plasticity and behavior in other brain regions, including the nucleus accumbens. We show here that ΔFosB is also induced in HPC CA1 and DG subfields by spatial learning and novel environmental exposure. The goal of the current study was to examine the role of ΔFosB in hippocampal-dependent learning and memory and the structural plasticity of HPC synapses. Using viral-mediated gene transfer to silence ΔFosB transcriptional activity by expressing ΔJunD (a negative modulator of ΔFosB transcriptional function) or to overexpress ΔFosB, we demonstrate that HPC ΔFosB regulates learning and memory. Specifically, ΔJunD expression in HPC impaired learning and memory on a battery of hippocampal-dependent tasks in mice. Similarly, general ΔFosB overexpression also impaired learning. ΔJunD expression in HPC did not affect anxiety or natural reward, but ΔFosB overexpression induced anxiogenic behaviors, suggesting that ΔFosB may mediate attentional gating in addition to learning. Finally, we found that overexpression of ΔFosB increases immature dendritic spines on CA1 pyramidal cells, whereas ΔJunD reduced the number of immature and mature spine types, indicating that ΔFosB may exert its behavioral effects through modulation of HPC synaptic function. Together, these results suggest collectively that ΔFosB plays a significant role in HPC cellular morphology and HPC-dependent learning and memory.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTConsolidation of our explicit memories occurs within the hippocampus, and it is in this brain region that the molecular and cellular processes of learning have been most closely studied. We know that connections between hippocampal neurons are formed, eliminated, enhanced, and weakened during learning, and we know that some stages of this process involve alterations in the transcription of specific genes. However, the specific transcription factors involved in this process are not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that the transcription factor ΔFosB is induced in the hippocampus by learning, regulates the shape of hippocampal synapses, and is required for memory formation, opening up a host of new possibilities for hippocampal transcriptional regulation.
Multisensory Integration of Visual and Vestibular Signals Improves Heading Discrimination in the Presence of a Moving Object
Authors: Dokka Kalpana , DeAngelis Gregory C. , Angelaki Dora E.
Published: October 2015

Humans and animals are fairly accurate in judging their direction of self-motion (i.e., heading) from optic flow when moving through a stationary environment. However, an object moving independently in the world alters the optic flow field and may bias heading perception if the visual system cannot dissociate object motion from self-motion. We investigated whether adding vestibular self-motion signals to optic flow enhances the accuracy of heading judgments in the presence of a moving object. Macaque monkeys were trained to report their heading (leftward or rightward relative to straight-forward) when self-motion was specified by vestibular, visual, or combined visual-vestibular signals, while viewing a display in which an object moved independently in the (virtual) world. The moving object induced significant biases in perceived heading when self-motion was signaled by either visual or vestibular cues alone. However, this bias was greatly reduced when visual and vestibular cues together signaled self-motion. In addition, multisensory heading discrimination thresholds measured in the presence of a moving object were largely consistent with the predictions of an optimal cue integration strategy. These findings demonstrate that multisensory cues facilitate the perceptual dissociation of self-motion and object motion, consistent with computational work that suggests that an appropriate decoding of multisensory visual-vestibular neurons can estimate heading while discounting the effects of object motion.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTObjects that move independently in the world alter the optic flow field and can induce errors in perceiving the direction of self-motion (heading). We show that adding vestibular (inertial) self-motion signals to optic flow almost completely eliminates the errors in perceived heading induced by an independently moving object. Furthermore, this increased accuracy occurs without a substantial loss in the precision. Our results thus demonstrate that vestibular signals play a critical role in dissociating self-motion from object motion.
APOE Isoforms Control Pathogenic Subretinal Inflammation in Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Levy Olivier , Lavalette Sophie , Hu Shulong J. , Housset Michael , Raoul William , Eandi Chiara , Sahel José-Alain , Sullivan Patrick M. , Guillonneau Xavier , Sennlaub Florian
Published: October 2015

Contrary to Alzheimer's disease (AD), theAPOE2allele increases and theAPOE4allele reduces the risk to develop age-related macular degeneration (AMD) compared with the most commonAPOE3allele. The underlying mechanism for this association with AMD and the reason for the puzzling difference with AD are unknown. We previously demonstrated that pathogenic subretinal mononuclear phagocytes (MPs) accumulate inCx3cr1-deficient mice due to the overexpression of APOE, interleukin-6, and CC chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2). We here show using targeted replacement mice expressing the human APOE isoforms (TRE2,TRE3, andTRE4) that MPs ofTRE2mice express increased levels of APOE, interleukin-6, and CCL2 and develop subretinal MP accumulation, photoreceptor degeneration, and exaggerated choroidal neovascularization similar to AMD. Pharmacological inhibition of the cytokine induction inhibited the pathogenic subretinal inflammation. In the context of APOE-dependent subretinal inflammation inCx3cr1GFP/GFPmice, theAPOE4allele led to diminished APOE and CCL2 levels and protectedCx3cr1GFP/GFPmice against harmful subretinal MP accumulation observed inCx3cr1GFP/GFPTRE3mice. Our study shows that pathogenic subretinal inflammation is APOE isoform-dependent and provides the rationale for the previously unexplained implication of the APOE2 isoform as a risk factor and the APOE4 isoform as a protective factor in AMD pathogenesis.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe understanding of how genetic predisposing factors, which play a major role in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), participate in its pathogenesis is an important clue to decipher the pathomechanism and develop efficient therapies. In this study, we used transgenic, targeted replacement mice that carry the three human APOE isoform-defining sequences at the mouse APOE chromosomal location and express the human APOE isoforms. Our study is the first to show howAPOE2provokes andAPOE4inhibits the cardinal AMD features, inflammation, degeneration, and exaggerated neovascularization. Our findings reflect the clinical association of the genetic predisposition that was recently confirmed in a major pooled analysis. They emphasize the role of APOE in inflammation and inflammation in AMD.
Regulated Dynamic Trafficking of Neurexins Inside and Outside of Synaptic Terminals
Authors: Neupert Christian , Schneider Romy , Klatt Oliver , Reissner Carsten , Repetto Daniele , Biermann Barbara , Niesmann Katharina , Missler Markus , Heine Martin
Published: October 2015

Synapses depend on trafficking of key membrane proteins by lateral diffusion from surface populations and by exocytosis from intracellular pools. The cell adhesion molecule neurexin (Nrxn) plays essential roles in synapses, but the dynamics and regulation of its trafficking are unknown. Here, we performed single-particle tracking and live imaging of transfected, epitope-tagged Nrxn variants in cultured rat and mouse wild-type or knock-out neurons. We observed that structurally larger αNrxn molecules are more mobile in the plasma membrane than smaller βNrxns because αNrxns displayed higher diffusion coefficients in extrasynaptic regions and excitatory or inhibitory terminals. We found that well characterized interactions with extracellular binding partners regulate the surface mobility of Nrxns. Binding to neurexophilin-1 (Nxph1) reduced the surface diffusion of αNrxns when both molecules were coexpressed. Conversely, impeding other interactions by insertion of splice sequence #4 or removal of extracellular Ca2+augmented the mobility of αNrxns and βNrxns. We also determined that fast axonal transport delivers Nrxns to the neuronal surface because Nrxns comigrate as cargo on synaptic vesicle protein transport vesicles (STVs). Unlike surface mobility, intracellular transport of βNrxn+STVs was faster than that of αNrxns, but both depended on the microtubule motor protein KIF1A and neuronal activity regulated the velocity. Large spontaneous fusion of Nrxn+STVs occurred simultaneously with synaptophysin on axonal membranes mostly outside of active presynaptic terminals. Surface Nrxns enriched at synaptic terminals where αNrxns and Nxph1/αNrxns recruited GABAAR subunits. Therefore, our results identify regulated dynamic trafficking as an important property of Nrxns that corroborates their function at synapses.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTSynapses mediate most functions in our brains and depend on the precise and timely delivery of key molecules throughout life. Neurexins (Nrxns) are essential synaptic cell adhesion molecules that are involved in synaptic transmission and differentiation of synaptic contacts. In addition, Nrxns have been linked to neuropsychiatric diseases such as autism. Because little is known about the dynamic aspects of trafficking of neurexins to synapses, we investigated this important question using single-molecule tracking and time-lapse imaging. We identify distinct differences between major Nrxn variants both in surface mobility and during intracellular transport. Because their dynamic behavior is highly regulated, for example, by different binding activities, these processes have immediate consequences for the function of Nrxns at synapses.
Resistant hypertension with adrenal nodule: are we removing the right gland?
Authors: Das Gautam , Taylor Peter N , Tabasum Arshiya , Rao Bondugulapati L N , Parker Danny , Baglioni Piero , Okosieme Onyebuchi E , Scott Coombes David
Published: October 2015

Resistant hypertension is often difficult to treat and may be associated with underlying primary aldosteronism (PA). We describe the case of an elderly gentleman who presented with severe and resistant hypertension and was found to have a left adrenal incidentaloma during evaluation but had aldosterone excess secondary to unilateral adrenal hyperplasia (UAH) of the contralateral gland, which needed surgical intervention. A 65-year-old gentleman was evaluated for uncontrolled high blood pressure (BP) in spite of taking four antihypertensive medications. The high BP was confirmed on a 24-h ambulatory reading, and further biochemical evaluation showed an elevated serum aldosterone renin ratio (ARR) (1577 pmol/l per ng per ml per h). Radiological evaluation showed an adrenal nodule (15 mm) in the left adrenal gland but an adrenal vein sampling demonstrated a lateralization towards the opposite site favouring the right adrenal to be the source of excess aldosterone. A laparoscopic right adrenalectomy was performed and the histology of the gland confirmed nodular hyperplasia. Following surgery, the patient's BP improved remarkably although he remained on antihypertensives and under regular endocrine follow-up. PA remains the most common form of secondary and difficult-to-treat hypertension. Investigations may reveal incidental adrenal lesions, which may not be the actual source of excess aldosterone, but UAH may be a contributor and may coexist and amenable to surgical treatment. An adrenal vein sampling should be undertaken for correct lateralization of the source, otherwise a correctable diagnosis may be missed and the incorrect adrenal gland may be removed.

Learning points

Severe and resistant hypertension can often be associated with underlying PA.

ARR is an excellent screening tool in patients with suspected PA.

Lateralization with adrenal venous sampling is essential to isolate the source and differentiate between unilateral and bilateral causes of hyperaldosteronism.

Adrenal incidentalomas and UAH may coexist and the latter may often be the sole cause of excess aldosterone secretion.

Decisions about adrenalectomy should be made only after integrating and interpreting radiological and biochemical test findings properly.
Drosophila as an In Vivo Model for Human Neurodegenerative Disease
Authors: McGurk Leeanne , Berson Amit , Bonini Nancy M
Published: October 2015

With the increase in the ageing population, neurodegenerative disease is devastating to families and poses a huge burden on society. The brain and spinal cord are extraordinarily complex: they consist of a highly organized network of neuronal and support cells that communicate in a highly specialized manner. One approach to tackling problems of such complexity is to address the scientific questions in simpler, yet analogous, systems. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has been proven tremendously valuable as a model organism, enabling many major discoveries in neuroscientific disease research. The plethora of genetic tools available in Drosophila allows for exquisite targeted manipulation of the genome. Due to its relatively short lifespan, complex questions of brain function can be addressed more rapidly than in other model organisms, such as the mouse. Here we discuss features of the fly as a model for human neurodegenerative disease. There are many distinct fly models for a range of neurodegenerative diseases; we focus on select studies from models of polyglutamine disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis that illustrate the type and range of insights that can be gleaned. In discussion of these models, we underscore strengths of the fly in providing understanding into mechanisms and pathways, as a foundation for translational and therapeutic research.
An Amino-Terminal Polo Kinase Interaction Motif Acts in the Regulation of Centrosome Formation and Reveals a Novel Function for centrosomin (cnn) in Drosophila
Authors: Eisman Robert C , Phelps Melissa A S , Kaufman Thomas
Published: October 2015

The formation of the pericentriolar matrix (PCM) and a fully functional centrosome in syncytial Drosophila melanogaster embryos requires the rapid transport of Cnn during initiation of the centrosome replication cycle. We show a Cnn and Polo kinase interaction is apparently required during embryogenesis and involves the exon 1A-initiating coding exon, suggesting a subset of Cnn splice variants is regulated by Polo kinase. During PCM formation exon 1A Cnn-Long Form proteins likely bind Polo kinase before phosphorylation by Polo for Cnn transport to the centrosome. Loss of either of these interactions in a portion of the total Cnn protein pool is sufficient to remove native Cnn from the pool, thereby altering the normal localization dynamics of Cnn to the PCM. Additionally, Cnn-Short Form proteins are required for polar body formation, a process known to require Polo kinase after the completion of meiosis. Exon 1A Cnn-LF and Cnn-SF proteins, in conjunction with Polo kinase, are required at the completion of meiosis and for the formation of functional centrosomes during early embryogenesis.
AUSTRALIAN JAZZ IN POST-WAR EUROPE
Authors: Johnson Bruce
Published: October 2015

Bruce Johnson's study of the influence of Australian jazz on the development of popular music in Europe, provides important 'complications' to assumptions about the global diffusion of contemporary (music) culture.
A MOUSE, A FROG, THE HAWAIIAN GUITAR AND WORLD MUSIC AESTHETICS
Authors: McNeil Adrian
Published: October 2015

Adrian McNeil's contextual analysis of the collaboration between VM Bhatt and Ry Cooder on their Meeting by the River CD, and the degree to which its project reflected the earlier intersection of Hawaiian styles and traditional Indian music, also shows how the contemporary notion of 'World Music' tends to collapse complex cultural exchanges into a simple commodity tag - one which privileges the West's identification and enablement of the global 'other' within a Western market.
HAWAIIAN MUSIC AND JAZZING
Authors: Whiteoak John
Published: October 2015

The final article in this issue responds to the major study of Hawaiian music in Australia published in v2n2 by discussing aspects of the relationship between Hawaiian music styles and 'jazzing' in early Twentieth Century music, providing another account of the global influence of this mediated form of Pacific music.
AEIOU
Authors: Vui-Talitu Sara
Published: October 2015

VuiTalitu' s piece continues the discussion of contemporary Maori and Polynesian music culture in Aotearoa/New Zealand advanced by Mitchell in the last issue of the journal. In particular it examines the significance of Moana and the Moahunters' music videoAEIOU as an example of Polynesian communication.
CROSS-CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
Authors: Marshall-Dean Deirdre
Published: October 2015

Marshall-Dean's study takes a broader perspective on the music culture of Yap, summarising the principal imported influences on the development of Yapese music culture and analysing particular examples of the musical genre of teempra utaa.
AMERICAN COUNTRY
Authors: Lewis George
Published: October 2015

review essay of Tichi, C (1994) High Lonesome: The American Culture of Country Music, Chapel Hill (USA): University of North Carolina Press
DISPLACED ACAPPELLA
Authors: Gibb Alex , Loader Meagan
Published: October 2015

Alex Gibb and Meaghan Loader's case-study of the establishment of the Martenitsa Choir in Sydney, as a vocal ensemble dedicated to the performance of Bulgarian women's choral music, gives a more contemporary account of the transplantation of musical styles and the nature of what might be described as 'uprooted' folkloric practices
A LONG WAY FROM TIPPERARY
Authors: Webb Michael
Published: October 2015

discussions of the impact of new technologies upon communities of music aficionados. Michael Webb provides a detailed account of the development of musical practices in colonial Rabaul-on New Britain island, Papua New Guinea- in the 1920s and 1930s. His study emphasises the manner in which various syncretic, inter-cultural practices flourished at a particular colonial crossroads- albeit with various socio-political constraints- long before contemporary 'world beat' practices began to proliferate.
Pope John Paul II’s Significant Gestures for Interreligious Dialogue An Attempt of Interpretation
Authors: Michalik Andrzej
Published: October 2015

One of the important tasks of pope John Paul II pontificate was interreligious dialogue. Twenty-seven years lasting pontificate, was full in that matter of extremely important words and many still important spectacular gestures. The article reminds those more and those less known pope’s gestures, and it is an attempt of interpretation. The brave gestures of the Pope speak stronger than words, are better remembered and are a constant inspiration to those, who take up the task of interreligious dialogue.
Rituals’ Narrative Logics
Authors: Lombaerts Herman
Published: October 2015

This article focuses on a double identity of rituals: the origin and main structure of rituals is narrative, and they represent a particular logic which aims at establishing a different quality of life. The narrative structure coincides with a typical characteristic of the human mind: the commemoration of striking dramatic or liberating events. Hence the ongoing concern to remember; the anamnesis intends to prevent that what among people never should be forgotten remains present in the individual and collective memory. Rituals are the most powerful means to keep memory alive. The coincidence of the faithfulness to a living tradition and the authentic commitment to present human concerns guarantees that the ritual anamnesis introduces qualitative change among the people involved.
Catechesis Inside Out A Hermeneutical Model for Catechesis in Parishes
Authors: Dillen; Pollefeyt Annemie; Didier
Published: October 2015

Parochial catechesis in Belgium, especially in Flanders as the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, is confronted with a lot of challenges. This text deals with three main thematic clusters. The fi rst cluster centres on the relation between ‘Christianity’ and ‘culture’ and its consequences for the content and the method of the catechesis. In a context where Christianity and culture are no longer intrinsically linked to each other, new models of catechesis have to be found. The authors propose a ‘hermeneutical model of catechesis’, whereby many elements of the surrounding culture and of the faith tradition(s) are confronted with each other in a multidimensional way, challenging each other. In this vision, religious truth is not a set of dogmas that should be transmitted, but an open and ‘utopian’ search process that asks for new questions time and again. From a didactical as well as from a theological perspective this hermeneutical model offers new opportunities for catechesis. The second cluster can be summarized as ‘life-long’ and ‘life-wide’ learning. The authors argue that is it necessary to create vertical (intergenerational) and horizontal (among a generation or a speci fi c group) networks dealing with religious communication. Thereby they propose a speci fi c church organisation with lots of possibilities for cooperation between different parochial groups. The title of the article, catechesis inside out, refers to the vision that religious communication is not only a task inside church communities. The authors argue for open church communities daring to speak with people that hold to different world views. The second thematic cluster also deals with the organisation of the catechesis and more speci fi cally with the question of the target group or the age of those who are catechised. In a third movement the article deals with questions about finding ‘good’ catechists. At the end of the text the authors offer a summarizing re fl ection on the art work ‘Daughters of Eve’, which contains the main arguments they have dealt with.
Aspekte der Aktivitäten der akademischen Mitarbeiter an der Theologischen Fakultät, Sektion Tarnów, im Dienst der Wissenschaft
Authors: Stala Józef
Published: October 2015

The aim of the Faculty of Theology, Section in Tarnów of the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Cracow is a comprehensive and systematic study of God’s revelation in different periods and aspects of the life of the Church and a human being. In this article the author presents various aspects of scientific and didactic work undertaken in the service of science by the academic staff of the Faculty of Theology, Section in Tarnów. First, an acoount will be given of the scientific contacts (meetings, consultations, conferences, seminars, reviews) with the academics of various scientific and research institutions, both from Poland and abroad. Then, the new book series (nearly two hundred books in total), scientific journals and various publications will be highlighted.
The Impact of the Status of Religion in Contemporary Society upon Interreligious Learning
Authors: Lombaerts Herman
Published: October 2015

The author analyses the growing importance of IRL against the background of a changing European society. Based on sociological research, the traditional status of the Christian religion - and the monoreligious education that normally accompanies it - is seriously being challenged by the process of secularisation and the growing plurality or religious attitudes and beliefs among people in the West. Europe has become a complex network of influences that constitute the actual symbolic field employed by people in their search for truth. The interest for religion is still very much alive. People are not endlessly indifferent but still hope to find (religious) truth and meaning, even if this process has become much more complex today. In this context, interreligious dialogue itself becomes a religious act. The status given by a religion to other religions is of crucial importance for its ultimate credibility. In this line of thought, religious education should transcend both a purely monoreligious approach and a purely objective-comparative (multireligious) approach, and instead should cultivate in the pupils - at the very borderlands of the different religious, cultural and geo-political territories - an attitude of practising interreligious dialogue as a religious event.
Biografisches und traditionsorientiertes Erzählen als elementare Lernformen der Katechese
Authors: Scheidler Monika
Published: October 2015

The article presents tradition-oriented as well as biographical narration as basic forms of learning in catechesis. Firstly, the Church is considered as a narrating-community and a place of learning. Secondly, the specific profile of learning processes in catechesis is elaborated. Furthermore, narration is described as an elementary form of learning and the functions of tradition-oriented as well as biography-oriented narration are pointed out. Finally, the various facets of the catechist’s role as narrator are explained.
Modern Media Phenomenon
Authors: Prijatelj Erika
Published: October 2015

Contemporary media culture is defined by the logic of the victorious spectacle expanding to all areas of life. Post-modern capitalism has turned everyday life and culture into entertainment with the help of the spectacular. In fact, such entertainment results in a fake sense of happiness, pop mainstream, the swallowing up alternatives and therefore the creation of a passive consumer society. The media today have a unique power of overwhelming a person with information. They enable a modern person to know much, but understand little. This discussion has cast some light on very popular reality shows, the body and sports. It concludes with a reflection on modern media, which leave a person of this age with a patchwork identity.
Die Familie angesichts der Migration im Lichte der Botschaften von Johannes Paul II. zum Welttag der Migranten
Authors: Stolarczyk Ireneusz
Published: October 2015

The author of this article presents migration as a social phenomenon, which constitutes a challenge for both the international community and particular countries. The involvement of the Holy Father John Paul II, as well as the variety of problems featuring in messages for the World Day of Migrants allow the reader to perceive the issues connected with migration as extremely urgent - both for individuals and for communities, among which the family is of greatest importance. The reason why the Holy Father committed himself to this field was to uphold human dignity and a global social solidarity. The analysis of this phenomenon allows the Holy Father to address a call for responsibility to various groups whose integral activity can make the phenomenon of migration more dignified. The messages of the Holy Father also offer a direct invitation to all people of goodwill to make their own contribution so that every person and family are respected and discriminations that undertime human dignity.
Die Bedeutung Johannes Pauls II. in der Auseinandersetzung zwischen Theologie und Naturwissenschaften
Authors: Śledziewski Sławomir
Published: October 2015

One of the characteristics of the teaching of Pope John Paul II is his approach to the subject of faith and reason, which have played a central role in the development of civilization. They work best when they mutually challenge one another to look farther, to probe more deeply, in quest of truth. Hostility between faith and reason is not accepted because both have their source in God. But when both work together, the human person has the chance of discovering the full truth about himself, the world and God. The author of this article argues that a large number of papal documents and pronouncements of Pope John Paul II show his contribution towards the bringing together of natural sciences and theology. This is also a challenge for those who continue this effort.
JP2 Generation Phenomenon
Authors: Pawlina Krzysztof
Published: October 2015

Generally speaking, young people in Poland do not reject religion. The vast majority of youth declare themselves to be believers. Their faith, however, is characterized by subjectivity and selectiveness. Situationism is a trait of the Polish young generation. They make their choices dependent on something… Gaining a good education, a good job and starting a family are important life goals for young people. The youth of the 21st century are called “the youth without wings”. Those young people do not have any great ideals. They are not attracted by high values of a changing the world, they do not aim at establishing a better social system. The youth of the 90’s used to set up non-governmental organizations, they took up social activity in the third sector. The young people of the 21st century comprise a generation focusing on their own future. It is not a struggling generation but rather one evading or minimizing their activity in spheres which do not bring them direct benefits. Whatever is not practical, needed for today, is discarded.
La Encíclica Sollicitudo rei socialis y la preocupación de Juan Pablo II por el desarrollo de los pueblos. Reflexión en el 25 aniversario de la encíclica Sollicitudo rei socialis
Authors: Kantor Robert
Published: October 2015

The Catholic Church’s teaching on the development of the nations is generally included in two documents: Populorum Progressio by Pope Paul VI and Sollicitudo rei socialis by John Paul II. This year marks the 25th anniversary of publishing the Encyclical Sollicitudo  rei  socialis,  hence  the  motive for writing this article. A characteristic feature of the teaching of John Paul II, which we fi nd in this Encyclical, is the ethical dimension of development. The Pope repeatedly drew attention to the inequitable distribution of material goods in the world. He stressed that “True development, in keeping with the speci fi c needs of the human being – man or woman, child, adult or old person implies, especially for those who actively share in this process and are responsible for it, a lively awareness of the value of the rights of all and of each person. It likewise implies a lively awareness of the need to respect the right of every individual to the full use of the benefits offered by science and technology” Sollicitudo rei socialis 33. This article consists of the four following issues: 1. Populorum Progressio and a new analysis on the development of the nations; 2. The main motive for the publication of Sollicitudo rei socialis; 3. The concept of development in the teaching of John Paul II; 4. Topicality of the papal document – 25 years later.
El recto entendimiento del consentimiento matrimonial según Juan Pablo II
Authors: Tejero Eloy
Published: October 2015

Pope John Paul II in his teaching on marriage had not limited the issue only to the principle that matrimonial consent makes marriage, but he put a real challenge in front of the canonists stating that the proper understanding of the consent may not be reduced to a certain historical patterns, but must be developed on the basis of anthropological and legal sciences. The article discusses four issues. Firstly, the author engages in the issue of impoverishment of ius in corpus as an essential element of the contract of marriage. Then, she sketches the view of the Second Vatican Council on matrimonial consent as a mutual gift of one person to another. Subsequently, the author deals with the influence of personalism on the legal dimension of marriage. Finally, she presents the personalistic criteria in the Magisterium of John Paul II and its immediate legal dimension.
Love and Truth in Social Involvement of the Church
Authors: Szmulewicz Henryk
Published: October 2015

This study begins with a brief outline of the essence of the whole encyclical Caritas in veritate. Benedict XVI expresses the desire for „the dialogue with the world”. He understands this dialogue as a special kind of the service of the Church towards eternal love and truth, fully revealed in Christ. The dialogue of the Church with the world, in the spirit of love and truth, is accomplished every day at the level of so-called official relations. There are numerous opinions that in the past the Church repeatedly neglected the dialogue with the world. Indeed, the Church historians point out the existence of examples of the fall of the authority of the Holy See in particular countries and circumstances. Similarly, the Church is the sign of objection in the contemporary world. Instructed by past experiences the Church is aware that what is necessary for the renewal of culture and society, is evangelical love and truth.