bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unravelling the Philosophies Underlying ‘Animal Personality’ Studies: A Brief Re‐Appraisal of the Field
Authors: David Morgan , Dall Sasha R. X.
Published: December 2015

The last decade has seen lots of studies on ‘animal personality’ (i.e. the study of consistent between‐individual behavioural differences). As timely and promising as this field is, its development has come with a diversity of research questions. As an unfortunate consequence, it now suffers from substantial confusion about what ‘animal personality’ is, and how relevant related research frameworks are. Here, we stress the current inconsistencies and sources of confusion pertaining to the field, and their consequences on terminology used and miscommunication between researchers. In an attempt to unravel and clarify the concepts underlying the field, we identify two distinct, but complementary, theory‐driven conceptual frameworks: the intra‐individual variability (IIV) approach and the life‐history (LH) approach, which we believe encompass the vast majority of existing ‘personality studies’. Finally, we argue in favour of theory‐driven studies of consistent behavioural differences and state that the integrative statistical properties of random regression models should not override the merit of alternative conceptual frameworks. We then provide brief guidelines and warnings for a parsimonious and sound use of terminology.
Mutual Wattle Ornaments in the South Island Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus) Function as Armaments
Authors: Lloyd‐Jones David J. , Briskie James V.
Published: December 2015

Many birds have ornamental traits that are expressed in both sexes. Wattles—colorful fleshy structures that hang from the lower bill—are frequent among birds, but remain poorly understood and are generally presumed to be under sexual selection. The South Island saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus) is an endangered bird endemic to New Zealand in which both males and females possess wattles. We used behavioral observations, morphological measures, and a playback experiment to investigate the role of wattles in saddlebacks during territorial encounters. Wattles were monomorphic when controlled for body mass, and became engorged with blood in both sexes during visual displays. In a playback experiment using male song, wattle engorgement was significantly associated with territorial intrusions in males but not in females. However, female wattle engorgement was significantly more likely during playback experiments in the absence of their mate, suggesting wattles are used in territorial defense by both sexes. The markedly similar use of wattles by both males and females in visual displays as a response to territorial intrusions supports the hypothesis that these elaborate structures function in part as armaments.
Coalition Formation by Male Vervet Monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) in South Africa
Authors: Freeman Natalie J. , Young Christopher , Barrett Louise , Henzi S. Peter
Published: December 2015

Unrelated male primates frequently cohabit in bisexual groups and, despite being reproductive competitors, have been shown to cooperate in ways that are associated with reproductive success. Such coalitions between males are common in some taxa, where they can serve two primary functions – status management and improved mating opportunities – that subserve long‐ and short‐term objectives. Here, we use observational data to provide information on male coalitions in vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus), a guenon with a multimale group structure. We recorded a total of 62 coalitions from two troops across a 10‐mo period at Samara Game Reserve, South Africa. We found that males who were more frequently associated spatially and who had groomed one another were more likely to form coalitions and did so against higher‐ranking opponents. This was not linked to any evidence that coalitionary aggression provided either short‐ or long‐term reproductive benefits for the aggressors and coalitions were not restricted to the mating season. There was little evidence that particular individuals were targeted, reciprocation between partners was not observed, and recent immigrant males were not targeted disproportionately. Our data suggest that within‐group coalition formation between vervet males may represent something close to an ancestral state whereby males form ad hoc coalitions opportunistically, joining an ongoing dyadic contest to target an opponent without facing the possible risks of dyadic contest, such as a greater chance of injury.
Lipolysis and lipid oxidation caused by Staphylococcus xylosus 135 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae 31 isolated from Suan yu, a traditional Chinese low‐salt fermented fish
Authors: Gao Pei , Wang Weixin , Xia Wenshui , Xu Yanshun , Jiang Qixing
Published: December 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate the lipolysis and lipid oxidation of Staphylococcus xylosus 135 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae 31 in Suan yu. Suan yu were made inoculated with and without two strains at different stages, and model systems of emulsions were also established. Lipolysis and lipid oxidation were evaluated by determining the changes in free fatty acid (FFA) content and composition, conjugated diene (CD) value and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) value. The total FFA of the sample without cultures increased from 476.61 mg/100 g fat to 1413.89 mg/100 g fat after 5 weeks fermentation, while those of samples with cultures declined to 258.98 and 452.89 mg/100 g fat, respectively. On the other hand, CD and TBARS values of samples with inoculation markedly increased. In the model system, higher FFA, CD and TBARS values for the samples added with CFE were observed. This study showed that Staphylococcus xylosus 135 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae 31 made a significant contribution to lipolysis and lipid oxidation during the processing of Suan yu.
Has the Transmission of Policy Rates to Lending Rates Changed in the Wake of the Global Financial Crisis?
Authors: Gambacorta Leonardo , Illes Anamaria , Lombardi Marco Jacopo
Published: December 2015

Central banks of major advanced economies have maintained a very accommodative monetary policy stance in the last few years. However, concerns have surfaced that the transmission of low policy rates to lending rates has been weaker than in the past. Has the transmission of policy rates to lending rates been impaired by the global financial crisis? To answer this question, we first estimate standard cointegrating equations linking policy and lending rates for non‐financial firms in Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. We then test for structural change in the cointegration parameters, finding strong evidence of a break after Lehman Brothers’ default. Such a structural break is owed to a strong increase in the mark‐up of the lending rate over the policy rate that standard models assume constant in the long run. The structural shift is explained by compounding the lending rate equation with measures of risk.
Aggressive and Pair‐bond Maintenance Songs of Female Red‐winged Blackbirds (Agelaius pboeniceus)
Authors: Beletsky L. David
Published: December 2015

Female red‐winged blackbirds sing two distinct song types. Field observations and playback experiments indicate that Type 1 female song is sung chiefly in the presence of mates and probably functions in pair‐bond maintenance, while Type 2 song is sung chiefly in the presence of female conspecifics, and appears to be aggressive in nature.
Deception Divergence and Sexual Selection
Authors: Weldon Paul J. , Burghardt Gordon M.
Published: December 2015

Abstract and Summary

In diverse taxa members of one sex mimic members of the other. Some authors also hypothesize that younger or less fit individuals mimic older or fitter individuals of the same sex. The implications of sexual and age class mimicry for sexual selection theory have been underappreciated. Where deception involving the sex or age class of conspecific signallers arises, selection will act against (1) signal receivers who fail to distinguish between “honest” and “deceptive” signallers and (2) “honest” signallers who fail to become noticeably different from “deceptive” signallers. We refer to the tendency of “honest” signallers to become noticeably different from “deceptive” signallers as deception divergence. Deception divergence may be the mechanism whereby conspicuous epigamic features evolve to extravagance in the runaway process hypothesized by Fisher (1958).

Für zahlreiche Tierarten wird vermutet, daß Individuen eines Geschlechtes solche des anderen nachahmen, sowie daß schwächere Individuen ältere oder stärkere Artgenossen desselben Geschlechtes imitieren. Die Folgen derartiger heterosexueller oder altersbezogener Mimikry für die Theorie sexueller Selektion sind bislang unterschätzt worden. Wann immer Geschlecht oder Altersklasse eine wesentliche Rolle bei der Signalfälschung spielen, wird sowohl der Signalempfänger benachteiligt, der nicht imstande ist, zwischen „ehrlichen” und ”betrügerischen„ Sendern zu unterscheiden, wie auch der „ehrliche” Sender, der sich nicht deutlich genug von „betrügerischen” abheben kann. Die Tendenz „betrügerischer” Sender, sich „ehrlichen” Sendern anzugleichen, wie auch die Tendenz „ehrlicher” Sender, sich von „betrügerischen” Sendern deutlich wahrnehmbar zu unterscheiden, wird im folgenden als „Täuschungsdivergenz” bezeichnet. Eine Täuschungsdivergenz‐Hypothese, angewandt auf Konflikte zwischen gleichgeschlechtigen Artgenossen, könnte einen Mechanismus liefern, demzufolge gut sichtbare epigame Merkmale in einem unaufhaltsam fortlaufenden Prozeß bis zur Extravaganz entwickelt werden, wie Fisher (1958) ihn beschrieben hat.
Two Aspects of Play‐fighting in a Captive Group of Oriental Small‐clawed Otters Amblonyx cinerea
Authors: Pellis Sergio M.
Published: December 2015

Abstract and Summary

Play‐fighting constituted most of the social play recorded in a captive group of oriental small‐clawed otters, Amblonyx cinerea. Frame by frame inspection of ciné film was used for detailed analyses of these behaviours. Two aspects of the organization of play‐fighting were analysed. In the first, biting, it was found that in dyadic play‐fights the opponents attempted to bite one another on the head, especially on the cheeks, and in this way subdue the opponent. When other otters joined a play‐fighting pair they would attack the member of the pair who was subdued (i.e. the defender). Biting by these secondary attackers was mainly directed to the defender's hindlegs and rump. Therefore, biting by otters attempting to subdue the opponent, and biting by otters of an already subdued opponent, differed markedly.

In the second aspect of play‐fighting, it was found that for both attacking and defending otters the mouth was opened most frequently when facing the opponent's cheek or when face to face. The former appeared to be related to the body site most often bitten and the latter to manoeuvring when attempting to bite one another. Therefore, the opened‐mouth face was difficult to distinguish from bite intention.

Spielerisches Kämpfen machte den Hauptteil geselligen Spielens aus, das von einer gefangen gehaltenen Gruppe orientalischer kleinklauiger Otter (Amblonyx cinerea) aufgezeichnet wurde. Einzelbild‐Analysen von Schmalfilmen ergaben folgendes:

Beißen zielte in Zweierkämpfen auf den Kopf, besonders in die Backen des Gegners. Kamen andere Otter dazu, so griffen sie den unterliegenden Kämpfer an und richteten ihr Beißen hauptsächlich auf seine Hinterbeine und seinen Rumpf.

Sowohl angreifende wie sich verteidigende Otter öffneten das Maul am häufigsten dann, wenn sie die Wange oder das ganze Gesicht des Gegners vor sich hatten. Das ergibt sich manchmal, wenn das Tier manövriert, um zum Biß zu kommen und muß nicht eine unmittelbare Beißabsicht anzeigen.
The Vocal Behaviour of the Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus
Authors: James Paul C.
Published: December 2015

Abstract and Summary

In contrast to their behaviour at sea, Manx shearwaters (Puffinus puffinus) are highly‐vocal at their breeding colonies during their nocturnal visits. The vocal activity shows seasonal changes that suggest the immature population is responsible for the majority of the calling. This was confirmed by catching birds in traps playing calls and also in mistnets. Male calling predominates at ground level and female calling predominates in flight. The trapping results and observations on immatures marked with small luminescent lights confirm this is due to males being responsible for establishing and defending burrows. The mistnetting also revealed a proportion of males that are comparatively silent in flight. It is argued that these represent birds as yet without burrows. As well as calling in flight, the marked birds called from within their burrows and from on the surface. Other characteristics of flighting activity are presented, which together with playback results, suggest that the process facilitates signalling, listening and assessment of breeding areas in a nocturnal species nesting in an open habitat and with poor terrestrial locomotion. The results suggest that burrow calling serves both sexual and territorial functions, and that aerial calling seems to be mainly concerned with sexual advertisement, but may also discourage intruders.
Favorable Influences of Imuthiol on Mouse Reproduction and Immune System of Offspring
Authors: RENOUX GÉRARD , GUILLAUMIN JEAN‐MAURICE , RENOUX MICHELINE
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: A physiological immature immune system in newborns is a common feature frequently associated with increased susceptibility to infections. The properties of imuthiol (purified sodium diethyldithiocarbamate), an agent specifically active on the T‐cell lineage, and virtually devoid of toxicity for man or animals, encouraged us to determine whether imuthiol administered to the dams could increase the immune capability of offspring without altering fecundability and birth rate. Experiments performed either in histocompatible or histoincompatible mating systems, show that chronic administration of imuthiol prior to mating and/or during pregnancy stimulated newborn mice to increased T‐cell‐dependent responses, without altering birth rates and growth curves in progenies. The data suggest that imuthiol has no teratogenicity or deleterious influences on mouse gametes, and might be useful to prevent immunodepression‐associated infections in newborns.
Passively Acquired Immunity in the Newborn of a Marsupial (Monodelphis domestica)
Authors: SAMPLES NANCY K. , VANDEBERG J.L. , STONE W.H.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: A colony of fully pedigreed Monodelphis domestica has been used to investigate the maternal‐fetal relationship in this unique marsupial species. To determine how immunity is transferred from mothers to young in M. domestica, we hyperimmunized females with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) before and during gestation. Offspring from these females were collected at various times after birth, and saline extracts of the neonates were assayed for hemolysins against SRBC. Antibodies were present in extracts of newborn that had been allowed to suckle their mothers; none were detected in extracts of infants that were not allowed to suckle. Antibodies were present in the milk of immunized mothers, but were not detected in the milk of nonimmunized mothers. The titer of antibodies in the extracts of newborns generally increased proportionately to the time that the newborn had been allowed to suckle. We conclude that the transfer of passive immunity from mothers of M. domestica to their offspring occurs primarily via the milk.
Immunoregulatory Factor Released From a Cell Line Derived From Human Decidual Tissue
Authors: TATSUMI KENICHI , MORI TSUNEATSU , MORI ETSUKO , KANZAKI HIDEHARU , MORI TAKAHIDE
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: The culture supernatant of the TTK‐1 cell line, established from human decidual tissue, was found to contain a factor that strongly suppressed the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). The mechanism of the MLR‐suppressive activity as well as the biochemical characterization of this factor was analyzed.

The TTK‐1 supernatant suppressed the MLR much more strongly than the culture supernatants of the three other malignant cell lines examined. The molecular weight of this factor was estimated to be between 43 kilodaltons (kd) and 67 kd by gel filtration chromatography. The TTK‐1 supernatant also suppressed the proliferation of the interleukin 2 (IL‐2)‐dependent T cell lines, but did not suppress that of the IL‐2‐independent T cell lines, suggesting that the TTK‐1 supernatant inhibited the action of IL‐2 and subsequently suppressed the MLR. The fact that the TTK‐1 cell line originated from human decidual tissue might imply the important role of this factor in immunological fetomaternal balance.
Identification and Characterization of a Human Sperm Antigen Corresponding to Sperm‐Immobilizing Antibodies
Authors: SAJI FUMITAKA , OHASHI KAZUTOMO , KAMIURA SHOJI , NEGORO TAKAO , TANIZAWA OSAMU
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: A sperm antigen has been isolated front radiolabeled human sperm cell membrane by detergent solubilization, lectin affinity chromatography, gel filtration, and indirect immune precipitation using sperm‐immobilizing antisera from patients with unexplained infertility. Isolated material was characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE). Among 20 infertile women's sera with sperm‐immobilizing antibodies, two were found to react predominantly with a sperm membrane polypeptide having the approximate molecular weight of 15,000 daltons. No significant binding to this molecule was observed in any sera from pregnant women, unmarried women, and normal men. By the absorption with spermatozoa, the antisera lost their binding activity to the molecule, while the sera absorbed with seminal plasma did not lose the activity. The results indicated that the molecule is a genuine sperm antigen and not a sperm‐coating seminal plasma antigen. By the indirect immunofluorescence of washed ejaculated spermatozoa with the antisera, strong fluorescence was localized only in an equatorial segment of the acrosome, while no specific staining was observed in the controls. The antigen is relatively unstable against acid, alkali, and heat treatment. Treatment with proteolytic enzymes such as pronase and trypsin inactivated the antigen activity, indicating that the antigen epitope could be a peptide portion of the glycoprotein.
The Ecology of Self‐Injury: A Multivariate Approach
Authors: Jarvis George K. , Ferrence Roberta G. , Whitehead Paul C. , Johnson F. Gordon
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT:In an ecological study of the distribution of self‐injury in London, Canada, the authors found that self‐injury occurred more frequently in the central areas of the city. Multivariate analysis revealed that living arrangements, such as high density of housing and single‐person households, are closely associated with inflated rates on self‐injury. Low socio‐economic status is also related to self‐injury but neither family status nor mobility are significant predictors. Ecological relationships such as these suggest directions for future research on individuals and may also be of direct use to planners who wish to locate treatment services advantageously.
Suicide and Suicidology in the Soviet Union
Authors: Miller Martin A. , Miller Ylana N.
Published: December 2015

This study was conducted in order to obtain information on suicide in the Soviet Union, an important subject for which we have no scientific literature. Studies of attempted suicide in Soviet psychiatric journals were analyzed. This information was supplemented by interviews with Soviet psychiatrists now living abroad. The results of this inquiry show that suicide is a subject that clearly has become of increasing concern in the Soviet Union. Furthermore, in spite of the absence of essential statistical data on mortality, there is evidence indicating that the rate of Soviet suicide may be rising in certain parts of the country. Finally, growing concern about suicide has led to expanded prevention programs and to a new emphasis on social and psychological etiological explanations. In particular, the role of the Soviet family in crisis has been emphasized as a major influence in understanding the causes of suicidal attempts.
Perception of Behavioral Contagion of Adolescent Suicide
Authors: Range Lillian M. , Goggin William C. , Steede Kevin K.
Published: December 2015

In order to assess perceptions of behavioral contagion of suicide (what people thought a disturbed adolescent would do if the teen knew about a suicide in the community), and to assess actor‐observer differences in such perceptions, 142 college students were asked to view a videotaped vignette of a distressed high school student, and then to assess her potential for committing suicide, running away, entering therapy, or abusing alcohol. Subjects who were told that the teenager knew of two recent suicides in the community (contagion group) rated the young woman as more likely to commit suicide or run away than did the subjects who were not told of the suicides (noncontagion group). Subjects who were instructed to imagine that they were the teenager (actors) blamed situational factors, and in particular the teen's parents, more for her distress than did subjects who were instructed just to rate the teenager on the videotape (observers). Contagion/actors rated suicide as more likely than did any other group. Apparently, people believe that behavioral contagion occurs when a suicide is reported, and they especially perceive themselves to be influenced by such information.
Disgust predicts prejudice and discrimination toward individuals with obesity
Authors: Vartanian Lenny R. , Trewartha Tara , Vanman Eric J.
Published: December 2015

This study examined the relevance of disgust to evaluations of an obese target person, and the connection between disgust and prejudice toward that person. Participants (n = 598) viewed an image of an obese or non‐obese woman, and then evaluated that woman on a number of dimensions (emotions, attitudes, stereotypes, desire for social distance). Compared with the non‐obese target, the obese target elicited more disgust, more negative attitudes and stereotypes, and a greater desire for social distance. Furthermore, disgust mediated the effect of the target's body size on all of the outcome variables (attitudes, stereotypes, social distance). Disgust plays an important role in prejudice and discrimination toward individuals with obesity, and might in part explain the pervasiveness of weight bias.
Affective learning in adults with intellectual disability: an experiment using evaluative conditioning
Authors: Blanchette I. , Treillet V. , Davies S. R.
Published: December 2015

Background

Evaluative conditioning is a form of affective learning in which initially neutral stimuli acquire an affective value through association with negative or positive stimuli. Recent research shows an important role for cognitive resources in this type of learning. This form of affective learning has rarely been studied in intellectual disability (ID).

Method

We examined evaluative conditioning in 16 adults with mild to moderate ID compared to age‐ and gender‐matched control participants. Neutral shapes and symbols were repeatedly paired with positive, neutral or negative unconditioned stimuli (faces or International Affective Picture System images). There was also an extinction phase.

Results

There was significant acquisition of conditioning in both groups. Stimuli paired with positive images were evaluated more positively, and stimuli paired with negative images were evaluated more negatively. Post‐extinction ratings however show that these novel affective associations were not maintained by individuals with ID as much as by individuals in the control group.

Conclusions

We conclude that ID modulates some aspects of affective learning but not necessarily initial preference acquisition.
Cardiorespiratory fitness in 16 025 adults aged 18–91 years and associations with physical activity and sitting time
Authors: Eriksen L. , Grønbæk M. , Helge J. W. , Tolstrup J. S.
Published: December 2015

Our aim was to provide up‐to‐date cardiorespiratory fitness reference data for adults of all ages and to investigate associations between cardiores‐piratory fitness and leisure time physical activity as well as sitting time. In the Danish Health Examination Survey 2007–2008, cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated in 16 025 individuals aged 18–91 years from validated cycle ergometer exercise tests. Level of leisure time physical activity (sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous) and daily sitting time in hours was obtained from a self‐administered questionnaire. Men had 20–33% higher cardiorespiratory fitness than women, depending on age, and cardiorespiratory fitness decreased by 0.26 and 0.23 mL/min/kg per year in men and women, respectively. Cardiorespiratory fitness was higher among participants who reported a high level of physical activity in leisure time compared with participants who were sedentary. Among sedentary or lightly physically active participants, inverse associations between total daily sitting time and cardiorespiratory fitness were found, while there was no association between sitting time and cardiorespiratory fitness among moderately or vigorously physically active participants. These data on cardiorespiratory fitness can serve as useful reference material. Although reluctant to conclude on causality, sitting time might impact cardiorespiratory fitness among individuals with low levels of leisure time physical activity.
Diversification, evolution and methylation of short interspersed nuclear element families in sugar beet and related Amaranthaceae species
Authors: Schwichtenberg Katrin , Wenke Torsten , Zakrzewski Falk , Seibt Kathrin M. , Minoche André , Dohm Juliane C. , Weisshaar Bernd , Himmelbauer Heinz , Schmidt Thomas
Published: December 2015

Short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs) are non‐autonomous non‐long terminal repeat retrotransposons which are widely distributed in eukaryotic organisms. While SINEs have been intensively studied in animals, only limited information is available about plant SINEs. We analysed 22 SINE families from seven genomes of the Amaranthaceae family and identified 34 806 SINEs, including 19 549 full‐length copies. With the focus on sugar beet (Beta vulgaris), we performed a comparative analysis of the diversity, genomic and chromosomal organization and the methylation of SINEs to provide a detailed insight into the evolution and age of Amaranthaceae SINEs. The lengths of consensus sequences of SINEs range from 113 nucleotides (nt) up to 224 nt. The SINEs show dispersed distribution on all chromosomes but were found with higher incidence in subterminal euchromatic chromosome regions. The methylation of SINEs is increased compared with their flanking regions, and the strongest effect is visible for cytosines in the CHH context, indicating an involvement of asymmetric methylation in the silencing of SINEs.
The order of release of sodium and addition of potassium in the sodium‐potassium pump reaction mechanism.
Authors: Sachs J R
Published: December 2015

1. The characteristics of oligomycin inhibition of the Na‐‐K pump of human red cell membranes was investigated. Oligomycin inhibition of the pump was found to be reversible. 2. Inhibition of Na‐‐K ATPase activity was uncompetitive with respect to ATP in broken membrane preparations. In intact cells inhibition was uncompetitive with respect to both intracellular and extracellular Na. 3. Oligomycin did not significantly inhibit the K‐‐K exchange if the cells were Na‐free, but if the cells contained a small amount of Na, oligomycin inhibition of the K‐‐K exchange became significant. Taken together with the findings described above, this indicates that oligomycin combines with E1P‐Na conformation of the pump and not with any E2 conformation. 4. When measurements are made in solutions high in Na, oligomycin is a non‐competitive inhibitor with respect to external K, but in Na‐free solutions, oligomycin inhibition is uncompetitive with respect to external K. 5. These findings indicate that, in the normal operation of the pump, Na is released to the outside before K adds.
Voltage clamp and internal perfusion of single rat heart muscle cells.
Authors: Brown A M , Lee K S , Powell T
Published: December 2015

1. Single cells from adult rat ventricle were dispersed using an enzymic dissociation technique. Electrical properties were measured with either suction pipettes or conventional glass micropipettes and the results were compared. 2. Suction pipette and micropipette measurements of resting membrane potentials and action potentials were comparable. Values were similar to those reported previously for both dispersed cardiac myocytes and whole tissue preparations from adult rat ventricle. 3. Voltage clamp with a single suction pipette was used in initial experiments, but the results were not sufficiently accurate. Consequently, voltage clamp of single cells was carried out using two suction pipettes (tip diameters 10‐15 micrometers), one for passing current and the other for recording membrane potential. Dialysis of cell contents was performed by each suction pipette. A roving micropipette (tip diameter less than 1 micrometer) was used occasionally to measure membrane potential at selected sites. 4. Using the two‐suction‐pipette method, voltage‐clamp steps rose with time constants of less than 10 microsec and the capacitative current transient decayed with a single time constant of less than 100 microsec. These values are more optimal than those observed in other voltage‐clamped cardiac muscle preparations. 5. Single cardiac myocytes had membrane input resistances of 44.5 +/‐ 4.6 M omega, membrane time constants of 16.2 +/‐ 0.63 msec and membrane capacitances of 399.7 +/‐ 42.2 pF. (values are means +/‐ DS, n = 10‐). The length constant, lambda, of a single myocte at ists resting potential and perfused with KH2PO4 was about 500 micrometers. For cells perfused with Cs aspartate solution commonly used in voltage‐clamp experiments, the input resistance was approximately quadrupled and lambda was 1100 micrometers. The average length of a myocyte partially aspirated by two suction pipettes was 50 micrometers. At maximum ‐gNa in 50% extracellular Na, lambda was calculated to be about four times the actual cell length between voltage‐recording and current‐passing pipettes. 6. The half‐time for the disappearance or recovery of outward Na currents, following removal or restitution of intracellular Na with two pipettes, was of the order 1 min, indicating that intracellular ionic composition of the cell could be readily controlled and modified.
Passive and active membrane properties of mudpuppy taste receptor cells.
Authors: Kinnamon S C , Roper S D
Published: December 2015

1. Intracellular recordings were obtained from taste receptor cells and surface epithelial cells of isolated mudpuppy lingual epithelium. 2. Surface epithelial cells had a mean resting potential of ‐40.2 +/‐ 8.9 mV, a mean input resistance of 40.3 +/‐ 11.3 M omega, and a linear current‐voltage (I‐V) relationship. Taste receptor cells had a mean resting potential of ‐61.7 +/‐ 15 mV, a mean input resistance of 380.3 +/‐ 177.2 M omega, and the I‐V relationship showed pronounced outward rectification; the outward rectification persisted in high‐K+ saline, but was abolished by tetraethylammonium bromide (TEA). 3. Surface epithelial cells responded to depolarizing current injection with only passive membrane potential changes. Taste receptor cells responded to brief pulses of depolarizing current injection with regenerative action potentials characterized by an abrupt rising phase, an inflexion on the falling phase, and a prolonged after‐potential. 4. The abrupt rising phase of the action potential was blocked by tetrodotoxin (TTX), suggesting that voltage‐gated Na+ currents are responsible for the rising phase. 5. Long‐duration action potentials were elicited from cells treated with TEA to block outward K+ currents and with TTX to block Na+ currents, and from cells bathed in isotonic CaCl2. These results suggest that the active membrane response contains a significant Ca2+ component. 6. The after‐potential was blocked or greatly reduced by the addition of Ca2+ channel blockers to the bathing medium. In contrast, addition of TEA to the bathing medium greatly enhanced the after‐potential. These data suggest that a significant portion of the after‐potential is Ca2+ mediated. 7. The mean reversal potential for the after‐potential (‐76.8 +/‐ 6.0 mV) was significantly different from the mean reversal potential for the undershoot of the action potential (‐86 +/‐ 5.6 mV). Superfusion with TEA reduced the reversal potential of the after‐potential to ‐42.3 +/‐ 8.2 mV and abolished the undershoot. These results suggest that the after‐potential results from at least two conductances, one which is blocked by TEA and the other which is Ca2+ dependent and involves ions other than, or in addition to K+. 8. Our data suggest that taste receptor cells, unlike surface epithelial cells, possess voltage‐gated Na+, Ca2+, and K+ channels, as well as Ca2+‐mediated channels. The role of the Ca2+ channels may be in part to regulate release of transmitter onto nerve terminals. The role of the other conductances in taste transduction is unknown.
Exciting new developments at the 5th International Symposium on Surface and Interface of Biomaterials
Authors: Grøndahl Lisbeth , Kingshott Peter , Griesser Hans J.
Published: December 2015

Materials intended for use as implantable or diagnostic devices are required not only to display the required functional bulk properties but also have surface properties that elicit a desired biological response, and do so with high selectivity. The area of surface functionalization approaches and bioactive coatings for biomaterials and biomedical devices has been the subject of much research over several decades; yet, many challenges still remain to be solved. The 5th International Symposium on Surface and Interface of Biomaterials (ISSIB) held in Sydney (Australia) in April 2015 was an ideal forum to discuss the most recent developments in biomaterial surface modification, characterization, and evaluation of biological responses. The conference covered a range of topics including antimicrobial coatings, analysis of biomaterial surfaces and interfaces, biomolecules and cells at surfaces and interfaces, nanoparticles, functional coatings, patterned biomaterials, nanofabrication, bioreactors, and biosensors. In this special conference issue, the authors include papers that detail some of the highlights from the meeting.
Breakdown of the year: Assault on the past
Authors: Culotta Elizabeth
Published: December 2015

Science
's Breakdown of the Year was the Islamic State's efforts to erase the past by destroying antiquities and murdering scholars. Other setbacks for science included revelations of sexist attitudes and sexual harassment, and a court-ordered halt to construction of a giant telescope.
Scientists work to save antiquities from Islamic State destruction
Authors: Lane Earl
Published: December 2015

Western scholars and their Syrian and Iraqi colleagues are using technological tools to document and protect a vanishing cultural heritage
Opportunities and challenges in liquid cell electron microscopy
Authors: Ross Frances M.
Published: December 2015

Advances in seeing small things

Electron microscopes, particularly those with aberration correction, can view materials at the subnanometer scale. Additional improvements make it possible to obtain images at lower electron doses, thus minimizing the damage to the sample. However, for a number of materials, particularly those of biological origin, samples need to be imaged in solution. Ross reviews recent advances that have made it possible to do liquid cell electron microscopy, which opens up the possibility of studying problems such as the changes inside a battery during operation, the growth of crystals from solution, or biological molecules in their native state.

Science
, this issue p.
10.1126/science.aaa9886
Comment on “Dilution limits dissolved organic carbon utilization in the deep ocean”
Authors: Jiao Nianzhi , Legendre Louis , Robinson Carol , Thomas Helmuth , Luo Ya-Wei , Dang Hongyue , Liu Jihua , Zhang Rui , Tang Kai , Luo Tingwei , Li Chao , Wang Xiaoxue , Zhang Chuanlun
Published: December 2015

Arrieta
et al
. (Reports, 17 April 2015, p. 331) propose that low concentrations of labile dissolved organic carbon (DOC) preclude prokaryotic consumption of a substantial fraction of DOC in the deep ocean and that this dilution acts as an alternative mechanism to recalcitrance for long-term DOC storage. Here, we show that the authors’ data do not support their claims.
Nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon of extraordinary capacitance for electrochemical energy storage
Authors: Lin Tianquan , Chen I-Wei , Liu Fengxin , Yang Chongyin , Bi Hui , Xu Fangfang , Huang Fuqiang
Published: December 2015

Store more energy with a touch of nitrogen

In contrast to batteries, capacitors typically can store less power, but they can capture and release that power much more quickly. Lin
et al.
fabricated a porous carbon material that was then doped with nitrogen. This raised the energy density of the carbon more than threefold—an increase that was retained in full capacitors, without losing their ability to deliver power quickly.

Science
, this issue p.
1508
Questionable policy for large carnivore hunting
Authors: Creel Scott , Becker Matthew , Christianson David , Dröge Egil , Hammerschlag Neil , Hayward Matt W. , Karanth Ullas , Loveridge Andrew , Macdonald David W. , Matandiko Wigganson , M'soka Jassiel , Murray Dennis , Rosenblatt Elias , Schuette Paul
Published: December 2015

U.S. wolf-hunting policies do not align with ecological theory or data
Structural basis of Nav1.7 inhibition by an isoform-selective small-molecule antagonist
Authors: Ahuja Shivani , Mukund Susmith , Deng Lunbin , Khakh Kuldip , Chang Elaine , Ho Hoangdung , Shriver Stephanie , Young Clint , Lin Sophia , Johnson J. P. , Wu Ping , Li Jun , Coons Mary , Tam Christine , Brillantes Bobby , Sampang Honorio , Mortara Kyle , Bowman Krista K. , Clark Kevin R. , Estevez Alberto , Xie Zhiwei , Verschoof Henry , Grimwood Michael , Dehnhardt Christoph , Andrez Jean-Christophe , Focken Thilo , Sutherlin Daniel P. , Safina Brian S. , Starovasnik Melissa A. , Ortwine Daniel F. , Franke Yvonne , Cohen Charles J. , Hackos David H. , Koth Christopher M. , Payandeh Jian
Published: December 2015

A channel involved in pain perception

Voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels propagate electrical signals in muscle cells and neurons. In humans, Nav1.7 plays a key role in pain perception. It is challenging to target a particular Nav isoform; however, arylsulfonamide antagonists selective for Nav1.7 have been reported recently. Ahuja
et al.
characterized the binding of these small molecules to human Nav channels. To further investigate the mechanism, they engineered a bacterial Nav channel to contain features of the Nav1.7 voltage-sensing domain that is targeted by the antagonist and determined the crystal structure of the chimera bound to an inhibitor. The structure gives insight into the mechanism of voltage sensing and will enable the design of more-selective Nav channel antagonists.

Science
, this issue p.
10.1126/science.aac5464
Response to Comment on “Dilution limits dissolved organic carbon utilization in the deep ocean”
Authors: Arrieta Jesús M. , Mayol Eva , Hansman Roberta L. , Herndl Gerhard J. , Dittmar Thorsten , Duarte Carlos M.
Published: December 2015

Our recent finding that dilution limits dissolved organic carbon (DOC) utilization in the deep ocean has been criticized based on the common misconception that lability equates to rapid and complete utilization. Even when considering the redefinition of recalcitrant DOC recently proposed by Jiao
et al
., the dilution hypothesis best explains our experimental observations.
An essential cell cycle regulation gene causes hybrid inviability in
Drosophila
Authors: Phadnis Nitin , Baker EmilyClare P. , Cooper Jacob C. , Frizzell Kimberly A. , Hsieh Emily , de la Cruz Aida Flor A. , Shendure Jay , Kitzman Jacob O. , Malik Harmit S.
Published: December 2015

Essential genes and species incompatibilities

Crosses between two fruit fly species,
Drosophila melanogaster
and
D. simulans
, result in hybrid progeny that are all female. Although some of the genes responsible for this species barrier are known, the full complement of molecular determinants that lead to inviable males has remained mysterious. Phadnis
et al.
used mutagenesis and a sequencing-based genomic screen to link hybrid inviability to the cell cycle. The inviable males result from an interaction between three genes, one of which is essential, which precluded its identification with standard genetic screens. This strategy to identify speciation genes can be applied to other model and nonmodel systems.

Science
, this issue p.
1552
Visualization of O-O peroxo-like dimers in high-capacity layered oxides for Li-ion batteries
Authors: McCalla Eric , Abakumov Artem M. , Saubanère Matthieu , Foix Dominique , Berg Erik J. , Rousse Gwenaelle , Doublet Marie-Liesse , Gonbeau Danielle , Novák Petr , Van Tendeloo Gustaaf , Dominko Robert , Tarascon Jean-Marie
Published: December 2015

Peering into cathode layered oxides

The quest for better rechargeable batteries means finding ways to pack more energy into a smaller mass or volume. Lithium layered oxides are a promising class of materials that could double storage capacities. However, the design of safe and long-lasting batteries requires an understanding of the physical and chemical changes that occur during redox processes. McCalla
et al.
used a combination of experiments and calculations to understand the formation of O-O dimers, which are key to improving the properties of these cathode materials.

Science
, this issue p.
1516
Loss of motoneuron-specific microRNA-218 causes systemic neuromuscular failure
Authors: Amin Neal D. , Bai Ge , Klug Jason R. , Bonanomi Dario , Pankratz Matthew T. , Gifford Wesley D. , Hinckley Christopher A. , Sternfeld Matthew J. , Driscoll Shawn P. , Dominguez Bertha , Lee Kuo-Fen , Jin Xin , Pfaff Samuel L.
Published: December 2015

The makings of motor neuron disease

Developing motor neurons link the muscles to the central nervous system. Amin
et al.
found that microRNA-218 (miR-218) was expressed in developing motor neurons and repressed a wide network of genes whose expression typifies other sorts of neurons. Mice lacking miR-218 died at birth with symptoms characteristic of human motor neuron diseases.

Science
, this issue p.
1525
Josephson contacts of neutral strongly interacting fermions
Authors: Belzig Wolfgang
Published: December 2015

Contacts between superconductors are explored via their ultracold atomic gas analogs

[Also see Reports by

Husmann
et al.

and

Valtolina
et al.

]
Sulfate to go
Authors: Fritz Günter , Kroneck Peter M. H.
Published: December 2015

A trisulfide intermediate is key to microbial sulfur reduction

[Also see Report by

Santos
et al.

]
Opting in or out of the network
Authors: Martin K. C. , Schuman E. M.
Published: December 2015

Does learning commit neurons that are predisposed to recruitment to a memory network?
Dissecting the Role of E2 Protein Domains in Alphavirus Pathogenicity
Authors: Weger-Lucarelli James , Aliota Matthew T. , Wlodarchak Nathan , Kamlangdee Attapon , Swanson Ryan , Osorio Jorge E.
Published: December 2015

Alphaviruses represent a diverse set of arboviruses, many of which are important pathogens. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an arthritis-inducing alphavirus, is the cause of a massive ongoing outbreak in the Caribbean and South America. In contrast to CHIKV, other related alphaviruses, such as Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) and Semliki Forest virus (SFV), can cause encephalitic disease. E2, the receptor binding protein, has been implicated as a determinant in cell tropism, host range, pathogenicity, and immunogenicity. Previous reports also have demonstrated that E2 contains residues important for host range expansions and monoclonal antibody binding; however, little is known about what role each protein domain (e.g., A, B, and C) of E2 plays on these factors. Therefore, we constructed chimeric cDNA clones between CHIKV and VEEV or SFV to probe the effect of each domain on pathogenicityin vitroandin vivo. CHIKV chimeras containing each of the domains of the E2 (ΔDomA, ΔDomB, and ΔDomC) from SFV, but not VEEV, were successfully rescued. Interestingly, while all chimeric viruses were attenuated compared to CHIKV in mice, ΔDomB virus showed similar rates of infection and dissemination inAedes aegyptimosquitoes, suggesting differing roles for the E2 protein in different hosts. In contrast to CHIKV; ΔDomB, and to a lesser extent ΔDomA, caused neuron degeneration and demyelination in mice infected intracranially, suggesting a shift toward a phenotype similar to SFV. Thus, chimeric CHIKV/SFV provide insights on the role the alphavirus E2 protein plays on pathogenesis.

IMPORTANCEChikungunya virus (CHIKV) has caused large outbreaks of acute and chronic arthritis throughout Africa and Southeast Asia and has now become a massive public health threat in the Americas, causing an estimated 1.2 million human cases in just over a year. No approved vaccines or antivirals exist for human use against CHIKV or any other alphavirus. Despite the threat, little is known about the role the receptor binding protein (E2) plays on disease outcome in an infected host. To study this, our laboratory generated chimeric CHIKV containing corresponding regions of the Semliki Forest virus (SFV) E2 (domains A, B, and C) substituted into the CHIKV genome. Our results demonstrate that each domain of E2 likely plays a critical, but dissimilar role in the viral life cycle. Our experiments show that manipulation of E2 domains can be useful for studies on viral pathogenesis and potentially the production of vaccines and/or antivirals.