bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ūminiu galvos smegenų infarktu sergančių ir intravenine trombolize gydytų pacientų savarankiškumui įtakos turintys veiksniai
Authors: Kazlauskas Henrikas , Bovina Elena
Published: October 2015

Darbo tikslas buvo nustatyti ūminiu galvos smegenų infarktu sergančių ir intravenine trombolize gydytų pacientų savarankiškumui įtakos turinčius veiksnius. Retrogradiškai analizuoti 64 pacientų, gydytų Klaipėdos universitetinėje ligoninėje 2005- 2014 m. laikotarpiu, ligos istorijų duomenys. Insulto sunkumas ūmioje stadijoje vertintas pagal NIH insulto skalę (NIHSS), o savarankiškumas po trijų mėnesių nuo ligos pradžios – pagal modifikuotą Rankin`o skalę. Duomenys buvo analizuojami statistinio paketo (SPSS) 17.0 versija. Tyrimas parodė, kad tarp pacientų grupių, kuriems intraveninė trombolizė atlikta iki 180 min. ir per 181–270 min. laikotarpį nuo insulto pradžios, vertinant jų pradinį neurologinį deficitą atvykimo į stacionarą metu ir funkcinį priklausomumą po 3 mėnesių, statistiškai patikimo skirtumo nenustatyta, atitinkamai p=0,283 ir p=0,445. Laikotarpis nuo hospitalizacijos iki intraveninės trombolizės pradžios (min.) tarp vyrų ir moterų skyrėsi reikšmingai – vyrai 90,30±29,64 min., moterys 119,38±40,11 min. (p=0,006), o nuo susirgimo iki intraveninės trombolizės pradžios – nereikšmingai (p=0,372). Lyginant funkcinio savarankiškumo skirtumus tarp lyčių pagal modifikuotą Rankin`o skalę, nustatytas reikšmingai didesnis funkciškai savarankiškų vyrų skaičius, atitinkamai 23(88,5%) vyrai ir 6(46,2%) moterys (p=0,008). Be to, analizuojant tiriamuosius pagal skirtingas amžiaus grupes, ≤65 m. ir >65 m., nustatytas reikšmingai didesnis trijų mėnesių mirštamumas vyresniųjų grupėje (p=0,012). Tyrimo analizė parodė, kad ligonių savarankiškumą reikšmingai veikė tik pradinis neurologinis deficitas (insulto sunkumas) susirgimo pradžioje, kuris funkciškai priklausomų grupėje nustatytas 14,8±3,9 balų, o savarankiškų 11,8±4,1 balų (p=0,027). Remiantis tyrimo rezultatais padaryta išvada, kad pacientų, gydytų intravenine trombolize, savarankiškumas buvo reikšmingai sąlygojamas pradinio neurologinio deficito. Lyginant su moterimis, vyrų funkcinis savarankiškumas po 3 mėnesių nustatytas reikšmingai didesnis. Būtina sumažinti laikotarpį nuo pirmųjų insulto simptomų iki gydymo intravenine trombolize taikymo pradžios.
Naujas požiūris į onkologinių ligonių spindulinį gydymą – individualaus radiojautrio tyrimas
Authors: Plieskienė Aista , Ladygienė Rima , Vaisiūnas Žygimantas , Guogytė Kamilė , Janušonis Vinsas , Žiliukas Julius
Published: October 2015

Siekiant pažaboti vėžį, spindulinis gydymas ski- riamas kaip savarankiškas, radikalus metodas arba kombinuojamas su kitais vėžio gydymo metodais. Šiuolaikinėje radioterapijoje dirbantys specialistai siekia optimizuoti terapinę jonizuojančios spindu- liuotės dozę navikui. Tačiau dažnai jos dydį riboja ūmių ir vėlyvųjų spindulinių reakcijų naviko nepa- žeistiems audiniams pasireiškimo dažnis ir laipsnis. Pirmasis ryšio tarp gydymo jonizuojančiąja spindu- liuote šalutinių poveikių pasireiškimo ir chromoso- mų pažaidų kiekio limfocituose tyrimas Lietuvo- je pradėtas 2014 m. bendradarbiaujant Radiacinės saugos centrui su Klaipėdos universitetine ligonine. Šio tyrimo tikslas – nustatyti ryšį tarp onkologinių ligonių gydomų jonizuojančiąja spinduliuote ūmių ir vėlyvųjų spindulinių reakcijų pasireiškimo dažnio ir chromosomų pažaidų kiekio limfocituose panau- dojant citogenetinius metodus. Šis tyrimas svarbus ateities tyrimams, siekiant identifikuoti jautresnių jonizuojančiai spinduliuotei pacientų grupę.
Chondrosarkomos jautrumas spindulinei terapijai: metastazavusios spinalinės chondrosarkomos klinikinis atvejis
Authors: Plieskienė Aista
Published: October 2015

Chondrosarkoma – mezenchiminės kilmės minkštųjų audinių piktybinis navikas. Šio naviko ląstelės gamina hialininę kremzlę. Mitotiškai aktyvios, blogai diferencijuojamos chondrosarkomos (G3) dažnai metastazuoja. Radiobiologijos mokslo duomenimis – chondrogeniniai navikai priskiriami radiorezistentiškiems. Tokiais atvejais spindulinė terapija mažai efektyvi. Straipsnyje aprašomas į nugaros smegenų kanalą ir minkštuosius bei parenchiminius organus išplitusios pirminės spinalinės chondrosarkomos atvejis, kurio gydymui skirta paliatyvi spindulinė terapija davė gerus naviko ir jo metastazių lokalios kontrolės rezultatus, kai chemoterapija jau nebuvo efektyvi. Straipsnyje aptariama ligos eiga, chondrosarkomos metastazavimo keliai, gydymo išorinės spindulinės terapijos metodu rezultatai ir ypatumai.
iPad at School: A Holistic Evaluation of the Opinions of Students, Teachers and Parents Concerning iPad Usage
Authors: Ağır Ahmet
Published: October 2015

The present study contains data collected via end of the year assessments concerning iPad applications created especially for primary schools, and includes analyses of the data. To integrate smart board usage in primary school lessons, various applications were developed to ensure the synchronization of the smart boards and iPads. These applications were used by both students and teachers in class sessions throughout the academic year. At the end of the academic year, the usage of the iPad in the classes, the effects of iPad on class activities and teaching methods; and the opinions of the students, teachers and parents on iPad usage at academics in an educational context were sought and evaluated.  
Pre-service Science Teachers’ Knowledge, Practices and Behaviors about Organ Donation and Transplantation
Authors: Eroğlu Doğan Eylem , Doğan Doğan
Published: October 2015

There is a clear need that every individual in a society should be well informed about the
organ donation and transplantation issue to contribute to the efforts to increase low donation
rates. Science teachers have a crucial role in increasing young pupils’ knowledge and
awareness of organ donation by providing them with the necessary scientific information.
Therefore, the present research examined the knowledge, practices and behaviors of
pre-service science teachers regarding organ donation and transplantation, to help them to be
better prepared science teachers. A total of 265 participants from two universities in Turkey
responded to an organ donation and transplantation questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, t-test
and chi-square test were used in the data analyses. While 92.8% of participants supported
organ donation regardless of their year of study, only 1.1% declared that they were registered
to be a donor. Pre-service science teachers in this study showed generally a low level of
knowledge regardless of their year of study and gender. Despite having a low level of
knowledge regarding organ donation and transplantation, they were generally willing to
donate their own organs. These findings raised questions about the extent to which
pre-service science teachers have the necessary knowledge, practices and behaviors to
support student learning when they become real teachers. The implications of these findings
for science teacher education in Turkey was also addressed.
Cultural Conversations: Woolf's 1927 Review of Hemingway
Authors: Tyler Lisa
Published: October 2015

In 1927 Virginia Woolf reviewed Ernest Hemingway's Men without Women for the Sunday Books supplement of the New York Herald Tribune. Woolf envisioned her review as a conversation with the author to help him or her improve future work—a cultural conversation, to use Patrick Collier's term. By publishing in the Herald Tribune, she wrote for a venue popular with American expatriates, one Hemingway and his friends were likely to read. Perhaps as a result of the review, both Hemingway and Woolf began to develop their own aesthetics, in Death in the Afternoon and A Room of One's Own, respectively.
Freespinsters and Bondspinsters: Negotiating Identity Categories in the Freewoman
Authors: McMahon Shannon
Published: October 2015

This article examines “spinster” as an identity category circulated, negotiated, and ultimately dismantled in the Freewoman. In articles and correspondence, contributors and readers brought different rhetorical strategies to the discussion: while the editors helped to put the term to death, the readers sought to infuse the term with new life. This article argues that considering the journal's numerous conversational threads about spinsterhood enables scholars to appreciate not only an understudied identity category within Edwardian feminist discourse, but also the ethos of this and other periodicals that rely heavily on informed reader participation and input.
Cumulative Single-Pulse NMR Echoes in Cobalt
Authors: I. Mamniashvili Grigor , O. Gegechkori Tatiana , G. Shermadini Zurab
Published: October 2015

In this work the cumulative single-pulse echo effect in cobalt was studied when a train of single-pulse echoes generated by a repeating single RF pulse sequence, exhibits growth rather than damping. The phenomenon is observed below some threshold value of radio-frequency pulse power when the nonresonant mechanism of single-pulse echo excitation in cobalt becomes effective.
Evaluation of Raw Yeast Extract (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as an Ingredient, Additive or Palatability Agent in Wet Diet for Cats
Authors: M. Lima Lidia , Silva Jr Jose Walter , C. S. Ogoshi Rosana , S. dos Reis Jessica , Franca Janine , G. Zangeronimo Marcio , M. O. B. Saad Flavia
Published: October 2015

Three experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of strain-specific yeast extract (SSYE) as an ingredient, functional additive or palatability agent when supplemented in its raw form in wet cat food. SSYE as ingredient – SSYE was chemically characterized and its use evaluated through fourteen cats divided into two treatments: control diet (complete wet adult cat food) and control diet with 30 % replacement by SSYE. The results of apparent digestibility coefficient of SSYE were 71.64 % for dry matter, 72.55 % for organic matter, 50.78 % for ashes, 78.59 % for crude protein, 84.33 % for the energy gross and digestible and metabolizable energy value, respectively, of 4,247 and 4,163 kcal/kg, these results indicated that SSYE is comparable to other protein sources for cat’s food. SSYE as a functional additive - twelve cats were distributed into two 6x6 latin squares (treatments; experimental periods), and the treatments were control diet and replacement levels ranged from 2 % to 10 % SSYE. The following parameters were evaluated: digestibility, energy utilization, nitrogen balance, serum urea and creatinine levels. No differences were found. SSYE as palatability agent – Were used twenty cats by comparing the control diet with 2 % replacement by SSYE. A significant difference (P < 0.01) was observed with a preference for control diet. SSYE is a potential protein source for cats; however, it is not effective as additive and may compromise palatability when supplemented in its raw form in complete wet cat food.
Wetgeving in een veranderende wereld: uitdagingen en dilemma’s
Authors: Groen Joris , Niemeijer Bert , Smit Monika
Published: October 2015

Editorial

This editorial offers an introduction to the current issue.
Digitalisering: kans of bedreiging voor wetgeving?
Authors: Schermer Bart
Published: October 2015

Digitization: threat or opportunity for legislation?

In this article Bart Schermer, describes the difficulties in regulating the internet. The global reach of the internet, the fact that it is for the most part owned by private actors and creates opportunities for anonymity challenge regulators. The article describes issues related to sovereignty and jurisdiction, ambiguity in legal texts and dependence on private sector actors. Possible solutions lie in global internet governance, institutional innovation and the internet’s architecture itself.
Wetgeving, empirisch-juridisch onderzoek en Legal Big Data
Authors: Leeuw Frans L.
Published: October 2015

Legislation, empirical legal research and legal big data

A second empirical revolution in law is in full swing: legal big data have made their entrance and will play an increasingly important role in the legal field. Legal big data, for example, increase the accessibility and transparency of files. They make it easier for legislators to find out how society views proposed legislation. Using big data, all jurisprudence can be processed very easily and judicial decisions can be predicted with a high degree of certainty. The contribution concludes with a number of legal and ethical issues and methodological challenges in relation to legal big data, such as ownership, privacy and representativeness.
Aprendizajes de las interpolaciones gráficas y algebraicas. Análisis comparativo
Authors: Berciano Alcaraz Ainhoa , Ortega del Rincón Tomás , Puerta Rebuel Milagros
Published: October 2015

En este artículo presentamos un estudio empírico sobre la interpolación/extrapolación gráfica y algebraica con alumnado de bachillerato de Ciencias Sociales. A la hora de abordar el proble¬ma de la interpolación/extrapolación de una función hemos probado que con una instrucción especí¬fica con las plantillas gráficas adecuadas, la interpolación y extrapolación gráficas son más sencillas para el alumnado que las algebraicas, obteniéndose una diferencia significativa positiva en los resultados académicos con el método gráfico. Además, al interpolar/extrapolar algebraicamente, la dificultad de la resolución depende del tipo de función y del número y tipo de parámetros, mientras que en el caso de la interpolación/extrapolación gráfica no existe tal dependencia.
¿Qué es un dinosaurio? Ideas y usos del concepto en distintos ámbitos educativos.
Authors: Mampel Laboira Luis
Published: October 2015

La tesis doctoral ¿Qué es un dinosaurio? Ideas y usos del concepto en distintos ámbitos educativos tiene como finalidad realizar un diagnóstico del concepto dinosaurio atendiendo diversos aspectos y marcos conceptuales dentro de la Didáctica de las Ciencias Experimentales. Bajo un planteamiento constructivista se han definido tres objetivos generales diseñando investigaciones individualizadas con un marco teórico y metodológico propio. El primer objetivo consiste en analizar e interpretar los contenidos textuales y gráficos existentes sobre el concepto dinosaurio en un conjunto de libros de texto del periodo LOGSE-LOE (1990-2010) (educación primaria, N=74; educación secundaria obligatoria, N=105) dentro del contexto de la educación formal. El segundo se centra en caracterizar, analizar e interpretar una selección de contenidos existentes en internet (páginas web, N=100), la primera fuente de información científica existente en la actualidad. Y el tercero de los objetivos, en el estudio de las ideas previas sobre el concepto dinosaurio en estudiantes de diversos niveles y entornos educativos (educación primaria, N=3.501; educación secundaria obligatoria, postobligatoria, universitarios, N=279).
Las emociones en la enseñanza y el aprendizaje de las ciencias en educación secundaria
Authors: Borrachero Cortés Ana Belén
Published: October 2015

Analizar la influencia que posee la dimensión afectiva en el proceso de aprender y enseñar ciencias, en la eficacia docente y en el desarrollo del profesor de ciencias experimentales, es un ámbito de investigación de suma importancia en la formación de los profesores noveles. Los antecedentes indican que la formación y el desarrollo profesional del profesorado de ciencias es un proceso complejo que afecta de forma holística a la persona y está condicionado no solo por aspectos profesionales, sino también por factores afectivos y sociales. Por este motivo, es necesario el estudio del dominio afectivo en los estudiantes de las asignaturas de ciencias de educación secundaria obligatoria (ESO) y de los profesores en formación de estas materias, ya que el desarrollo de actitudes positivas, a través del fomento de sentimientos y emociones favorables, facilitará un cambio en las creencias y expectativas, favoreciendo el acercamiento del alumnado hacia las ciencias.
A new marsh plant community of Eleocharito palustris-Alismatetum lanceolati (Eleocharito palustris-Sagittarion sagittifoliae alliance) in Slovakia
Authors: Hrivnák Richard , Slezák Michal , Šumberová Kateřina , Hroudová Zdenka
Published: October 2015

Open and species-poor stands with a dominance of Alisma lanceolatum were recorded in periodically flooded habitats of the southern part of central Slovakia (Ipeľ River catchment area) during the summer of 2013. Phytosociological relevés correspond to the association Eleocharito palustris-Alismatetum lanceolati (alliance Eleocharito palustris-Sagittarion sagittifoliae), which is reported and documented here for the first time from the territory of Slovakia. It inhabits predominantly temporarily flooded depressions on agricultural land – wet arable fields and extensively used pastures. Detrended correspondence analysis showed that the variability in species composition was most significantly influenced by water depth, the presence of arable fields in the contact area and water conductivity. Special attention was paid to a detailed description of the floristic composition, habitat requirements, distribution patterns and nomenclature of the community.
Current state, habitat and potential invasiveness of Montia linearis (Douglas ex Hook.) Greene in Poland
Authors: Dembicz Iwona , Kozub Łukasz , Zaniewski Piotr T.
Published: October 2015

Montia linearis is a vascular plant originating from western North America. The expansion of this species has been observed for several decades. For the first time M. linearis was found in Europe in 1989. Further six populations were documented by 2004 within the continent: three in Poland, two in Denmark and one in Hungary.

Apart from discovering a new population of M. linearis, we confirmed two out of the three previously known localities of the species in Poland. All the currently known populations of M. linearis occupied predominantly meadow habitats, especially intensively managed sites. Some individuals were also found in disturbed sites with bare soil. The studied species inhabited soils of various types with broad range of fertility as well as humidity. Montia linearis populations reached densities up to 87 individuals per 0.04 m2. The number of seeds produced by an individual was between 10 and 55 in 90% of the studied specimens, however much more fertile specimens were also observed.

As the previously presented hypothesis of M. linearis dispersal with rail transport seemed not to be well supported, the connection between the M. linearis presence and cattle husbandry is considered. It is possible that the species can be transferred with living animals or manure.

The species was able to survive for at least 26 years within once inhabited site. Further spread of M. linearis within Europe is highly probable. The aim of the study is to: (i) describe the current state of populations of M. linearis in Poland, (ii) provide information on habitat preferences and biology of the species, (iii) assess the invasiveness potential of M. linearis in Poland.
SharePoint picture library as a searchable photo database in a small library: a program description
Authors: Harron Tanya
Published: October 2015

In the digital age, librarians are being consulted on unique projects that are outside of the traditional role of responding to information requests.   This paper examines the role of a solo health librarian who was tasked with locating and creating a digital photo database for her organization’s small collection of digital photographs, clipart and logos.  This paper discusses the selection of SharePoint picture library as the organization’s photo repository, the steps taken by the librarian to create the database, issues with cataloguing the collection, and pros and cons of the software
Genetic characteristics of the common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) using microsatellites in Lithuania
Authors: Morkutė Kamilė , Paulauskas Algimantas , Gedminas Vaclovas
Published: October 2015

Population genetic analysis becomes more and more popular as a  tool to use in animal conservation (Broquet, Petit, 2009). The  common or hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) is a member of the rodent family Gliridae (Juškaitis, 2008a). These rodents are vulnerable to natural habitat changes, and because of this monitoring of the common dormouse was carried out in many countries (Bright et al., 2006), but there is still lack of genetic data. It is well known that microsatellites are being used to investigate the genetic structure of natural populations (Balloux, Lugon-Moulin, 2002). In our study we used 5 microsatellite primers to investigate 17 common dormouse samples from different places in Lithuania and Latvia. For DNA extraction non-invasive hair samples were used. The results show that the Mav023 primer with 13 alleles is the most informative primer, while the Mav002 primer with 2 alleles is the  least informative one. The  expected heterozygosity (He) per locus was between 0.5 and 0.743, and the  observed heterozygosity (Ho) per locus was between 0.463 and 1, except Mav005 with 0.257.
Study of the genetic diversity of Iranian honey bee (Apis mellifera meda Skorikow, 1829) populations using the mtDNA COI–COII intergenic region
Authors: Rahimi Ataollah
Published: October 2015

Determining the  genetic diversity amongst the  populations of honey bee is one of the  essential and important aims in race breeding of this useful insect. In the present study, the genetic diversity of the intergenic region COI–COII of mtDNA of the honey bee populations in the South of Iran has been studied. We used the  PCR-RFLP technique, and 60 worker honey bees were collected from 6 provinces (Sistan and Baluchestan, Kerman, Fars, Hormozgan, Bushehr and Khuzestan) of Iran. Their DNA were extracted using a salting out method. To do PCR, 25 microliters of one pair of primers plus mtDNA were used. To ascertain the results of PCR, the PCR products were electrophoresed using 1.5% Agarose Gel. Thereafter, the DraI restriction enzyme was used for enzymatic digestion of the PCR product. The result of this digestion was to produce 4 diverse pieces (44, 55, 64 and 430 bp) of enzymatic restriction fragment patterns. The results obtained from this study showed that using DraI restriction enzyme digestion, the honey bee populations in the South of Iran belonged to the C mtDNA lineage (this honey bee race group consists of Central Mediterranean and South East European honey bee populations). Another result obtained from this study indicated the absence of genetic diversity between the  samples collected from the  South of Iran.
The Pashtrik Mountain, a potential protected landscape area
Authors: Mustafa Behxhet , Hajdari Avni , Mala Xhavit , Veselaj Zeqir , Pulaj Bledar , Mustafa Ndriçim
Published: October 2015

The Pashtrik Mountain is one of the  biodiversity centres in Kosovo and in the Balkans too, but so far there has not been a proper study with the aim to designate this area as a  protected area. The  natural values of this area changed dramatically during the  last decade, especially in terms of biodiversity. With the aim to evaluate the current situation of the biodiversity, its flora, fauna, and plant communities were investigated. Its biodiversity values were assessed based on the review of the available relevant literature sources as well as the field research conducted during the period 2012– 2014. The study results show that the Pashtrik Mountain is rich in biodiversity values associated with a high diversity of ecosystems, landscape and other natural values. On the other hand, due to the lack of a protection status and appropriate biodiversity conservation programs, many of the species are threatened and some of them are critically endangered. Taking into consideration the natural values, the biodiversity and landscape of the  area based on the  provisions of the Law for Nature Conservation of Kosovo (Law No. 02/L18) Pashtrik should be declared as “Protected Landscape” that belongs to the category V protected areas according to IUCN, with an area of 25,060.00 hectares. Within the proposed protected area, a territory of 282 hectares should be declared as Strict Nature Reserve (1st category of protected areas of IUCN), since it is an area inhabited by the population of the steno-endemic plant species Cynoglossum krasniqii T. Wrab. Furthermore, the area needs the development of its spatial and management plan covering all aspects of vegetation, biodiversity, water, energy, waste, building and infrastructure in consultation and participation of all stakeholders, addressing related problems, such as illegal logging, constructions, transport, waste management, etc.
The effect of equal Cd and Cu exposure in peat substrate on growth and bioaccumulation of Hordeum vulgare
Authors: Januškaitienė Irena , Klepeckas Martynas
Published: October 2015

The Authors’ report was presented at the 9th International Scientific Conference “The Vital Nature Sign 2015”. Environment pollution with heavy metals is becoming more important these days. In this work we investigated the impact of soil contaminated with various concentrations of two heavy metals Cd and Cu (100; 200; 400; 800 and 1 600 mg/kg soil) on barley (Hordeum vulgare) growth and bioaccumulation. Investigated plants were sown in vegetative pots with the prepared peat and sand substrate (ratio 2:1), and 4 days after germination the plants were watered with appropriate metal concentration solutions. The experiment lasted for 14 days until the second true leaf unfolded. At the end of the experiment, the content of pigments was measured using a spectrophotometer, MDA was determined using the thiobarbituric acid method, and plants height and dry mass were also detected. Increasing of metal concentrations decreased plant height and biomass, and the Cd effect on morphological parameters was higher than that of Cu when a correlation between barley height and Cd concentration was –0.74 (p < 0.05) and between barley height and Cu concentration –0.39 (p < 0.05). Increasing metal concentrations effect on photosynthesis pigments was different, i. e. under the Cu effect the content of pigments (a+b) increased and a correlation was 0.47 (p > 0.05), while under the Cd effect it decreased and a correlation was –0.13 (p > 0.05), but statistically insignificant. Between MDA concentration in barley leaves and heavy metals concentration in the  substrate a  strong correlation (p  <  0.05) was estimated, which was slightly stronger under the copper impact. At lower concentrations lower MDA levels were detected there, compared to those of the control plants, when the concen­tration increased up to 1 600 mg Cu and Cd/kg substrate, the MDA concentrations increased statistically significantly by 68 and 32%, respectively. Up to 800 mg/kg concentration in the substrate accumulation of copper was more willing than accumulation of cadmium in barley leaves (p  <  0.05), but when the concentration rises up to 1 600 mg/kg, the plant starts to accumulate more Cd than Cu.
Roles of the membrane-reentrant β-hairpin-like loop of RseP protease in selective substrate cleavage
Authors: Akiyama Koichiro , Mizuno Shinya , Hizukuri Yohei , Mori Hiroyuki , Nogi Terukazu , Akiyama Yoshinori
Published: October 2015

Molecular mechanisms underlying substrate recognition and cleavage by Escherichia coli RseP, which belongs to S2P family of intramembrane-cleaving proteases, remain unclear. We examined the function of a conserved region looped into the membrane domain of RseP to form a β-hairpin-like structure near its active site in substrate recognition and cleavage. We observed that mutations disturbing the possible β-strand conformation of the loop impaired RseP proteolytic activity and that some of these mutations resulted in the differential cleavage of different substrates. Co-immunoprecipitation and crosslinking experiments suggest that the loop directly interacts with the transmembrane segments of substrates. Helix-destabilising mutations in the transmembrane segments of substrates suppressed the effect of loop mutations in an allele-specific manner. These results suggest that the loop promotes substrate cleavage by selectively recognising the transmembrane segments of substrates in an extended conformation and by presenting them to the proteolytic active site, which contributes to substrate discrimination.
Paracrine communication maximizes cellular response fidelity in wound signaling
Authors: Handly L Naomi , Pilko Anna , Wollman Roy
Published: October 2015

Population averaging due to paracrine communication can arbitrarily reduce cellular response variability. Yet, variability is ubiquitously observed, suggesting limits to paracrine averaging. It remains unclear whether and how biological systems may be affected by such limits of paracrine signaling. To address this question, we quantify the signal and noise of Ca2+ and ERK spatial gradients in response to an in vitro wound within a novel microfluidics-based device. We find that while paracrine communication reduces gradient noise, it also reduces the gradient magnitude. Accordingly we predict the existence of a maximum gradient signal to noise ratio. Direct in vitro measurement of paracrine communication verifies these predictions and reveals that cells utilize optimal levels of paracrine signaling to maximize the accuracy of gradient-based positional information. Our results demonstrate the limits of population averaging and show the inherent tradeoff in utilizing paracrine communication to regulate cellular response fidelity.
Comments and corrections on 3D modeling studies of locomotor muscle moment arms in archosaurs
Authors: Bates Karl , Maidment Susannah C.R. , Schachner Emma R. , Barrett Paul M.
Published: October 2015

In a number of recent studies we used computer modeling to investigate the evolution of muscle leverage (moment arms) and function in extant and extinct archosaur lineages (crocodilians, dinosaurs including birds and pterosaurs). These studies sought to quantify the level of disparity and convergence in muscle moment arms during the evolution of bipedal and quadrupedal posture in various independent archosaur lineages, and in doing so further our understanding of changes in anatomy, locomotion and ecology during the group’s >250 million year evolutionary history. Subsequent work by others has led us to re-evaluate our models, which revealed a methodological error that impacted on the results obtained from the abduction–adduction and long-axis rotation moment arms in our published studies. In this paper we present corrected abduction–adduction and long axis rotation moment arms for all our models, and evaluate the impact of this new data on the conclusions of our previous studies. We find that, in general, our newly corrected data differed only slightly from that previously published, with very few qualitative changes in muscle moments (e.g., muscles originally identified as abductors remained abductors). As a result the majority of our previous conclusions regarding the functional evolution of key muscles in these archosaur groups are upheld.
Under which conditions can introverts achieve happiness? Mediation and moderation effects of the quality of social relationships and emotion regulation ability on happiness
Authors: Cabello Rosario , Fernandez-Berrocal Pablo
Published: October 2015

Personality traits have been directly associated with happiness. One consistent finding is a strong link between extraversion and happiness: extraverts are happier than introverts. Although happy introverts exist, it is currently unclear under what conditions they can achieve happiness. The present study analyzes, generally, how the quality of social relationships and emotion regulation ability influence happiness and, specifically, how these factors can lead introverts to be happy. In the present study, 1,006 participants aged 18–80 (42% males) completed measures of extraversion, neuroticism, quality of social relationships, emotion regulation ability, and happiness. We found that extraverts had significantly higher happiness, quality of social relationships and emotion regulation ability scores than introverts. In addition, people with high quality social relationships or high emotion regulation ability were happier. Serial mediation analyses indicated that greater levels of extraversion were associated with greater happiness, with small effect size, via two indirect mechanisms: (a) higher quality of social relationships, and (b) higher quality of social relationships followed serially by higher emotion regulation ability. We also found a moderating effect due to the three-way interaction of extraversion, quality of social relationships, and emotion regulation ability: introverts were happier when they had high scores for these two variables, though the effect size was small. These results suggest that the quality of social relationships and emotion regulation ability are relevant to our understanding of complex associations between extraversion and happiness.
Black carbon aerosol dynamics and isotopic composition in Alaska linked with boreal fire emissions and depth of burn in organic soils
Authors: Mouteva G. O. , Czimczik C. I. , Fahrni S. M. , Wiggins E. B. , Rogers B. M. , Veraverbeke S. , Xu X. , Santos G. M. , Henderson J. , Miller C. E. , Randerson J. T.
Published: October 2015

Black carbon (BC) aerosol emitted by boreal fires has the potential to accelerate losses of snow and ice in many areas of the Arctic, yet the importance of this source relative to fossil fuel BC emissions from lower latitudes remains uncertain. Here we present measurements of the isotopic composition of BC and organic carbon (OC) aerosols collected at two locations in interior Alaska during the summer of 2013, as part of NASA's Carbon in Arctic Reservoirs Vulnerability Experiment. We isolated BC from fine air particulate matter (PM2.5) and measured its radiocarbon (Δ14C) content with accelerator mass spectrometry. We show that fires were the dominant contributor to variability in carbonaceous aerosol mass in interior Alaska during the summer by comparing our measurements with satellite data, measurements from an aerosol network and predicted concentrations from a fire inventory coupled to an atmospheric transport model. The Δ14C of BC from boreal fires was 131 ± 52‰ in the year 2013 when the Δ14C of atmospheric CO2was 23 ± 3‰, corresponding to a mean fuel age of 20 years. Fire‐emitted OC had a similar Δ14C (99 ± 21‰) as BC, but during background (low fire) periods OC (45 to 51‰) was more positive than BC (−354 to −57‰). We also analyzed the carbon and nitrogen elemental and stable isotopic composition of the PM2.5. Fire‐emitted aerosol had an elevated carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio (29 ± 2) and δ15N (16 ± 4‰). Aerosol Δ14C and δ13C measurements were consistent with a mean depth of burning in organic soil horizons of 20 cm (and a range of 8 to 47 cm). Our measurements of fire‐emitted BC and PM2.5composition constrain the end‐member of boreal forest fire contributions to aerosol deposition in the Arctic and may ultimately reduce uncertainties related to the impact of a changing boreal fire regime on the climate system.
Solar cycle influence on troposphere and middle atmosphere via ozone layer in the presence of planetary waves: Simulation with ARM
Authors: Krivolutsky A. A. , Cherepanova L. A. , Dement'eva A. V.
Published: October 2015

Global circulation model of the Troposphere‐Middle Atmosphere‐Lower Thermosphere ARM (Atmospheric Research Model) is used to simulate the thermal and wind response to solar cycle‐induced UV variations. ARM covers altitudes from 1 to 135 km and has corresponding spatial resolution: 1 km in altitude; 11.25° in longitude; 5° in latitude. Internal Gravity Waves parameterization and planetary waves (PWs) structure on the basis of observations are determined at the lower boundary of the model. Changes in UV radiation, which is absorbed by ozone and molecular oxygen, are introduced into the model to find the corresponding global wind and temperature response. Stationary PWs with zonal wave numbers 1–3 are included at lower boundary in model runs. The simulations show that atmospheric response to solar cycle has a visible nonzonal character with the amplitude of about 5 K in the troposphere for the winter season. The effect is rather smaller for summer due to the trapping PWs at lower altitudes. So, in accordance with the results of simulations, the link between the solar UV variability and the middle and low atmosphere strongly depends on the ozone and PWs activity.
The dawn‐dusk length of the X line in the near‐Earth magnetotail: Geotail survey in 1994–2014
Authors: Nagai Tsugunobu , Shinohara Iku , Zenitani Seiji
Published: October 2015

The dawn‐dusk length of the X line is investigated for magnetic reconnection in association with substorms in the near‐Earth magnetotail on the basis of the 21 year Geotail plasma sheet observations. The X line is identified as a simultaneous plasma flow Vx and magnetic field Bz reversal inside the ion‐electron decoupling region of magnetic reconnection. Forty‐four X lines can be found at XGSM = −20 to −31 RE in the magnetotail. The X line length is estimated on the basis of occurrence of magnetic reconnection. Characteristics of flows and fields are investigated for magnetic reconnection and tailward flow events to verify the obtained X line length. The dawn‐dusk length of the X line is most likely 6 RE with its center in the premidnight sector for moderate substorms. Hence, the magnetic reconnection site is mapped to approximately 1 h local time sector in the auroral ionosphere. The dawn‐dusk length of the X line is extended mainly dawnward for larger substorms.
Electrical image of subduction zone beneath northeastern Japan
Authors: Ichiki Masahiro , Ogawa Yasuo , Kaida Toshiki , Koyama Takao , Uyeshima Makoto , Demachi Tomotsugu , Hirahara Satoshi , Honkura Yoshimori , Kanda Wataru , Kono Toshio , Matsushima Masaki , Nakayama Takashi , Suzuki Syuichi , Toh Hiroaki
Published: October 2015

We conducted long‐period magnetotelluric observations in northeastern Japan from 2010 to 2013 to investigate the three‐dimensional electrical resistivity distribution of the subduction zone. Incorporating prior information of the subducting slab into the inversion scheme, we obtained a three‐dimensional resistivity model in which a vertically continuous conductive zone is imaged from the subducting slab surface to the lower crust beneath the Ou Backbone Range. The conductive body indicates a saline fluid and/or melt pathway from the subducting slab surface to the lower crust. The lower crust conductor is less than 10 Ω m, and we estimate a saline fluid and/or melt fraction of at least 0.7 vol. %. Other resistivity profiles in the across‐arc direction reveal that the conductive body segregates from the subducting slab surface at 80–100 km depth and takes an overturned form toward the back arc. The head of the conducting body reaches the lower crust just beneath Mt. Gassan, one of the prominent back‐arc volcanoes in the system.
Inferred support for disturbance‐recovery hypothesis of North Atlantic phytoplankton blooms
Authors: Smith Matthew J. , Tittensor Derek P. , Lyutsarev Vassily , Murphy Eugene
Published: October 2015

Analyses of satellite‐derived chlorophyll data indicate that the phase of rapid phytoplankton population growth in the North Atlantic (the “spring bloom”) is actually initiated in the winter rather than the spring, contradicting Sverdrup's critical depth hypothesis. An alternative disturbance‐recovery hypothesis (DRH) has been proposed to explain this discrepancy, in which the rapid deepening of the mixed layer reduces zooplankton grazing rates sufficiently to initiate the bloom. We use Bayesian parameter inference on a simple Nutrient‐Phytoplankton‐Zooplankton (NPZ) model to investigate the DRH and also investigate how well the model can capture the multiyear and spatial dynamics of phytoplankton concentrations and population growth rates. Every parameter in our NPZ model was inferred as a probability distribution given empirical constraints, which provides a more objective method to identify a model parameterization given available empirical evidence, rather than fixing or tuning individual parameter values. Our model explains around 75% of variation in the seasonal dynamics of phytoplankton concentrations, 30% of variation in their population rates of change, and correctly predicts the phases of population growth and decline. Our parameter‐inferred model supports the DRH, revealing the sustained reduction of grazing due to mixed‐layer deepening as the driving mechanism behind bloom initiation, with the relaxation of nutrient limitation being another contributory mechanism. Our results also show that the continuation of the bloom is caused in part by the maintenance of phytoplankton concentrations below a level that can support positive zooplankton population growth. Our approach could be employed to formally assess alternative hypotheses for bloom formation.
The transatlantic dust transport from North Africa to the Americas—Its characteristics and source regions
Authors: Gläser Gregor , Wernli Heini , Kerkweg Astrid , Teubler Franziska
Published: October 2015

Transport of Saharan dust over the Atlantic to the Americas is a relevant process since dust is a nutrient for marine and terrestrial ecosystems. It is therefore important to better quantify the frequency and amount of transatlantic dust transport, its preferred altitude and duration, and the regions of dust origin. This study uses a novel combination of Eulerian and Lagrangian diagnostics, applied to a previously validated 5 year simulation of the fifth generation European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast‐Hamburg‐model (ECHAM5)/Modular Earth Submodel System (MESSy) Atmospheric Chemistry model, to quantify these dust transport characteristics and their seasonal variations. Results confirm the previously found preferred transatlantic dust pathways: in boreal winter and spring, African dust is mainly transported below 800 hPa toward South America, whereas in summer and autumn the preferred pathway is to the Caribbean and occurs in a layer up to 500 hPa. The averaged transport duration from dust emission to deposition is 10 days in winter for deposition in the Amazon region and almost 12 days in summer for deposition in the Caribbean. These estimates were obtained by combining correlation analyses of Eulerian dust fluxes and trajectory calculations. The latter were also essential to identify the main source regions of transatlantic dust transport, which were found in all seasons in northwestern Africa (Algeria, Mali, and Mauritania) but not farther east, e.g., in the Bodélé Depression. A specific Lagrangian analysis for this dust emission hot spot suggests that wet deposition associated with the Intertropical Convergence Zone in winter and the African monsoon in summer inhibits Bodélé dust to leave the African continent.
Modes of rifting in magma‐rich settings: Tectono‐magmatic evolution of Central Afar
Authors: Stab Martin , Bellahsen Nicolas , Pik Raphaël , Quidelleur Xavier , Ayalew Dereje , Leroy Sylvie
Published: October 2015

Recent research in Afar (northern Ethiopia) has largely focused on the formation of the present‐day ocean‐continent transition at active segments (e.g., Manda Hararo). However, the Oligo‐Miocene history of extension, from the onset of rifting at ~25 Ma to the eruption of the massive Stratoïd flood basalts at ~4 Ma, remains poorly constrained. Here we present new structural data and radiometric dating from Central Afar, obtained along a zone stretching from the undeformed Oligocene Ethiopian plateau to the Manda Hararo and Tat'Ale active volcanic segments. Basaltic and rhyolitic formations were mapped in two key areas corresponding to the proximal and distal parts of a half‐rift. We present a balanced composite cross section of Central Afar, reconstructed using our new data and previously published geophysical data on the crustal structure. Our main findings are as follows: (1) Extension during the Mio‐Pliocene corresponds to a “wide rift” style of rifting. (2) The lower crust has been underplated/intruded and rethickened during rifting by magmatic injection. (3) Our restoration points to the existence of midcrustal shear zones that have helped to distribute extension in the upper crust and to localize extension at depth in a necking zone. Moreover, we suggest that there is a close relationship between the location of a shear zone and the underplated/intruded material. In magma‐rich environments such as Central Afar, breakup should be achieved once the initial continental crust has been completely replaced by the newly, magmatically accreted crust. Consequently, and particularly in Afar, crustal thickness is not necessarily indicative of breakup but instead reflects differences in tectono‐magmatic regimes.
Adjustment of the Optical Properties of Dispersion Derived Carbon Nanotube Coatings
Authors: Weisenseel Bastian , Zierath Bodo , Fey Tobias , Greil Peter
Published: October 2015

Porous carbon nanotube coatings for potential solar thermal receiver applications were generated on silicon carbide via an infiltration process from an aqueous dispersion. A screening evaluation was applied to generate carbon nanotube coatings with enhanced absorption, i.e., reduced reflection of solar wavelength spectra from 2 500–500 nm. Structures with low density nanotube packing with a total reflectance <2% were fabricated from a low concentration dispersion of sterically stabilized (PVP) carbon nanotubes. Though the optical performance is lower when compared to carbon nanotube coatings generated by CVD, the filtration method offers control of the nanotube pore structure over a wide range, a greater flexibility with regards to substrate geometry and excellent up‐scaling capability.
Nanogel‐Incorporated Physical and Chemical Hybrid Gels for Highly Effective Chemo–Protein Combination Therapy
Authors: Wu Xilong , He Chaoliang , Wu Yundi , Chen Xuesi , Cheng Jianjun
Published: October 2015

Chemo‐ and protein‐based therapeutics are two major modalities for the treatment of malignant tumors with drastically different therapeutic indices, toxicity, and other pharmacological properties. For intended in vivo applications, they also have distinctly different formulation challenges to be addressed separately. In this study, we attempt to overcome the formulation barriers of chemo‐ and protein‐based therapeutics, and report the development of injectable nanogels, a class of crosslinked physical and chemical composite gels (nPCGs), for the joint delivery of doxorubicin (DOX), protein cytokines recombinant human interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), and recombinant human interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ). The nPCGs are designed through a quick gelation induced by ionic crosslinking of 4‐arm poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(l‐glutamic acid) (PPLG) and hydroxypropyl chitosan/4‐arm poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(l‐lysine) (HPCS/PPLL), followed by the formation of covalent bonds via a Schiff‐base reaction of the oxidized, cholesterol‐bearing dextran (OCDEX) nanogels with HPCS/PPLL, which results in increased hydrogel moduli (G' around 13.8 kPa) and improved stability. This nPCG, which contains DOX, IL‐2, and IFN‐γ, shows a synergistic anticancer efficacy through the regulation of apoptosis‐related genes in Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathways and mitochondrial pathways in xenograft tumor‐bearing mice.