bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indirect Perpetration Theory: A Defence
Authors: GRANIK MARIA
Published: October 2015

The aim of this article is to show that the concept of perpetration by means as it appears in Article 25 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (Rome Statute) accurately reflects liability for crimes committed by high-level perpetrators who exercise control over the actions of the lower-level (fully responsible) perpetrators. Finding the proper mode of liability in these cases is crucial to the International Criminal Court's (ICC) mission of ending impunity for serious international crimes. While international criminal law may be unlikely to deter criminals, especially heads of state and other powerful leaders, itcanprovide some sense of justice for the victims by convicting and punishing those responsible for their suffering. As such, the functions of international criminal law are to a large extent expressive and retributive. At the same time, it is important to keep the focus of international criminal law on individual responsibility of the perpetrators. It is, therefore, crucial to find proper labels that reflect culpability well. I hope to make a contribution to this search in what follows.

This article is divided into five sections. First, I provide a background to the move, recently articulated by the ICC, from the concept of joint criminal enterprise (JCE) to that of indirect perpetration (and indirect co-perpetration) (section 2). Second, I analyse the original presentation of this idea by the German jurist Claus Roxin (section 3). Third, I examine the application of this concept by the German courts, particularly in the 1994 trial of three high level GDR officials held liable as indirect perpetrators for the killings (carried out by the border guards) of refugees at the East/West German border (section 4). Then I present a recent (Winter 2011) proposal by Jens Ohlin to abandon both JCE and indirect perpetration in favour of another mode of collective liability based on joint intentions (section 5). Finally, I defend the concept of indirect perpetration against Ohlin's criticisms, arguing that it offers a more accurate way to label the conduct of high-level perpetrators who carry out crimes by means of direct perpetrators who are themselves liable (section 6).
Low serum testosterone and increased diastolic ocular perfusion pressure: a risk for retinal microvasculature
Authors: Malan Nico T. , Smith Wayne , von Känel Roland , Hamer Mark , Schutte Alta E. , Malan Leoné
Published: October 2015

Abstract. Background: Low levels of testosterone in men and changes in retinal microvascular calibre are both associated with hypertension and cardiovascular disease risk. Sex hormones are also associated with blood flow in microvascular beds which might be a key intermediate mechanism in the development of hypertension. Whether a direct association between endogenous testosterone and retinal microvascular calibre exists is currently unknown. We aimed to determine whether testosterone is independently associated with ocular perfusion via a possible association with retinal vascular calibre or whether it plays only a secondary role via its effect on blood pressure in a bi-ethnic male cohort. Probands and methods: A total of 72 black and 81 white men (28-68 years of age) from the follow-up phase of the Sympathetic activity and Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Africans (SABPA) study were included in this sub-study. Ambulatory pulse pressure and intraocular perfusion pressures were obtained, while metabolic variables and testosterone were measured from fasting venous blood samples. Retinal vascular calibre was quantified from digital photographs using standardised protocols. Results: The black men revealed a poorer cardiometabolic profile and higher pulsatile pressure (> 50 mm Hg), intraocular pressure and diastolic ocular perfusion pressure than the white men (p ≤ 0.05). Only in the white men was free testosterone positively associated with retinal calibre, i.e. arterio-venular ratio and central retinal arterial calibre and inversely with central retinal venular calibre. These associations were not found in the black men, independent of whether pulse pressure and ocular perfusion pressure were part of the model. Conclusions: These results suggest an independent, protective effect of testosterone on the retinal vasculature where an apparent vasodilatory response in the retinal resistance microvessels was observed in white men.
Normal values for intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery - an update following a novel risk factor profiling
Authors: Randrianarisoa Elko , Rietig Roderich , Jacob Stephan , Blumenstock Gunnar , Haering Hans-Ulrich , Rittig Kilian , Balletshofer Bernd
Published: October 2015

Abstract. Background: There is a widely approved influence of novel risk factors like the body fat distribution and the associated metabolic syndrome, subclinical inflammation, insulin resistance and prediabetic disturbances in glucose metabolism on the progression of atherosclerosis. Former studies examining normal values for intima-media thickness (IMT) did not consider all of these new study results in detail. We therefore aimed to assess an update on age- and gender-specific normal values for IMT accounting for these novel risk factors. Patients and methods: We evaluated IMT by high-resolution ultrasound (13 MHz) on the far wall of the common carotid artery in 801 subjects without cardiovascular disease (428 women aged 46.2±12.9 years; 373 men aged 47.3±13.3 years). After precise evaluation and exclusion of 14 cardiovascular risk factors, 90% limits of IMT were determined by parametric statistics. Results: The reference limits of IMT according to the age classes 18-29, 30-39, 40-49 and 50-59 years were estimated as 0.47, 0.59, 0.67 and 0.70 mm in women and 0.47, 0.62, 0.72 and 0.80 mm in men. Conclusions: Age and gender-specific normal values for IMT are lower than reported in former studies after additionally accounting for novel cardiovascular risk factors. The still widely regarded upper IMT limit of 1 mm must be strictly regarded as obsolete.
Irren kann die Gesundheit anderer gefährden – Über blinde Flecken und trügerische Heuristiken
Authors: Schrems Berta M.
Published: October 2015

Zusammenfassung. Im folgenden Beitrag wird der Frage nachgegangen, ob und wie mit Critical Thinking blinde Flecken aufgedeckt werden können und den möglichen Fallstricken der Heuristik begegnet werden kann. Zur Beantwortung der Frage werden Erkenntnisse der Kognitionswissenschaft vorgestellt und deren Auswirkungen für die Pflege diskutiert. Daran anschließend folgt eine kritische Reflexion zu den Möglichkeiten von Critical Thinking in der täglichen Pflegepraxis.
Dem Undenkbaren Raum geben
Authors: Straubenmüller Viola
Published: October 2015

Zusammenfassung. Die Fähigkeit, Zukunft konstruktiv mitzugestalten, ist in allen gesellschaftlichen, so auch in pflegebezogenen Handlungsfeldern von großer Bedeutung. Hierzu bedarf es kritischen Denkens, die Spannung beim Erkennen von Widersprüchen will jedoch produktiv genutzt werden. Der vorliegende Beitrag diskutiert die Zukunftswerkstatt als Chance pflegebezogener Bildungs- und Arbeitsprozesse. In ihrem Rahmen kann Kritik praktiziert werden, wobei auch Utopien und Kreativität Anerkennung finden.
Approach and Avoidance Temperament
Authors: Bipp Tanja , Kleingeld Ad , van Dam Karen
Published: October 2015

Abstract. In four studies, we investigated the factorial structure and the construct and predictive validity of the approach-avoidance temperament questionnaire (ATQ; Elliot & Thrash, 2010 ) for attitudes and behavior at work. In Study 1 (N = 395 university students), we showed that a Dutch translation of the ATQ can be best described by a two-factorial structure. In Study 2 (N = 295 senior-year students), we documented approach and avoidance temperament as predictor of students’ career adaptability and engagement. In Study 3 (N = 103 employees), we demonstrated that approach and avoidance temperament have incremental predictive validity for work engagement beyond goal orientation (three-dimensional model). In Study 4 (N = 93 employees), approach temperament was positively related to peer ratings of job performance, independent of achievement goals (four-dimensional model). Overall, we showed that individual differences in terms of a predisposition for the orientation and reaction to positive/negative stimuli across situations can be used to increase our understanding of behavior at work. Our results support the practical utility of approach and avoidance temperament for work settings.
Measurement of Psychological Entitlement in 28 Countries
Authors: Żemojtel-Piotrowska Magdalena A. , Piotrowski Jarosław P. , Cieciuch Jan , Calogero Rachel M. , Van Hiel Alain , Argentero Piergiorgio , Baltatescu Sergiu , Baran Tomasz , Bardhwaj Gopa , Bukowski Marcin , Chargazia Melania , Clinton Amanda , Halik Murnizam H. J. , Ilisko Dzintra , Khachatryan Narine , Klicperova-Baker Martina , Kostal Jaroslav , Kovacs Monika , Letovancova Eva , Liik Kadi , Marganski Alison , Michalowski Jaroslaw , Nord Iwo , Paspalanova Elena , Perez de Leon Pablo , Techera José , Rojas Mariano , Rozycka Joanna , Sawicka Aleksandra , Seibt Beate , Semkiv Iryna , Tiliouine Habib , Khanh Truong Ha , van den Bos Kees , Wills-Herrera Eduardo
Published: October 2015

Abstract. This article presents the cross-cultural validation of the Entitlement Attitudes Questionnaire, a tool designed to measure three facets of psychological entitlement: active, passive, and revenge entitlement. Active entitlement was defined as the tendency to protect individual rights based on self-worthiness. Passive entitlement was defined as the belief in obligations to and expectations toward other people and institutions for the fulfillment of the individual’s needs. Revenge entitlement was defined as the tendency to protect one’s individual rights when violated by others and the tendency to reciprocate insults. The 15-item EAQ was validated in a series of three studies: the first one on a general Polish sample (N = 1,900), the second one on a sample of Polish students (N = 199), and the third one on student samples from 28 countries (N = 5,979). A three-factor solution was confirmed across all samples. Examination of measurement equivalence indicated partial metric invariance of EAQ for all national samples. Discriminant and convergent validity of the EAQ was also confirmed.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Gotland Male Depression Scale in an Australian Community Sample
Authors: Rice Simon M. , Aucote Helen M. , Möller-Leimkühler Anne Maria , Amminger G. Paul
Published: October 2015

Abstract. The Gotland Male Depression Scale (GMDS) was developed to improve the assessment and identification of depression in men by assessing symptoms that fall outside DSM-V/ICD-10 diagnostic criteria for depression. However, research findings from the GMDS have been markedly discrepant. Attempts to validate the latent GMDS factor structure using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) have yielded inconsistent results, bringing the validity and public health utility of the scale into question. The current study used confirmatory factor analysis to test the construct validity of five competing latent factor models identified from prior research. Data were obtained and analyzed separately from an Australian community sample of adult males (n = 318) and females (n = 345). Fit indices demonstrated the original GMDS two-factor model (distress, depression) to be a poor fit to the data. An alternative mixed three-factor model demonstrated improved model fit, although indices remained marginal. Results question the factor structure validity of the GMDS in the present sample and highlight the need for further psychometric development of the scale.
Examining the Validity and Reliability of an Abridged Version of the	Perceived Affect Utility Scale (PAUSe)
Authors: Chow Philip I. , Berenbaum Howard , Wang Chun
Published: October 2015

Abstract. The present research presents evidence of the validity and reliability of an abbreviated version of the Perceived Affect Utility Scale (PAUSe). In Study 1, findings using item response theory (IRT) led to the deletion of one-third of the number of items in the PAUSe. Results from confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported the structure of the abbreviated version of the PAUSe, the PAUSe-r. Examining effect sizes between the PAUSe-r and instruments measuring personality, emotion, and depression also supported the convergent validity, discriminant validity, and incremental validity of this measure, even after taking into account ideal affect and the actual experience of emotion. In Study 2, test-retest reliability of the PAUSe-r in a sample of college students is presented. In Study 3, using data from a large, nonstudent sample, we replicated the structure of the PAUSe-r, as well as relations between the PAUSe-r and personality variables, that were found in Study 1.
The Self-Control Cognition Questionnaire
Authors: Maas Joyce , Keijsers Ger P. J. , Cangliosi Claudia M. , van der Veld William , Tanis-Jacobs Jorg , van Minnen Agnes
Published: October 2015

Abstract. Self-control cognitions arise right before or after someone gives in to an unwanted habit. This paper reports on the development of the 11-item Self-Control Cognition Questionnaire (SCCQ) in a series of three studies. In the first study (N = 308), we found that the SCCQ has a two-factor structure and is reliable. The factors were named “Giving way is rewarding” and “Resistance is impossible.” The construct validity of the SCCQ was assessed in the second study (N = 138). As expected, the SCCQ correlated positively and strongly with the preoccupation with unwanted habits and with the experience of craving, and correlations with one’s tendency to consider the long-term consequences of actions were small. The third study demonstrated that the SCCQ discriminates between patients with habit disorders (N = 63) and controls with non-pathological unwanted habits (N = 106). The SCCQ was sensitive to therapeutic change in two patient samples, one suffering from hair pulling disorder and the other from pathological skin picking. The SCCQ is applicable to unwanted habits in general, both pathological and non-pathological. It is proven to have sound psychometric properties and is suitable for use in practice.
Multidimensional Modeling of Traits and Response	Styles
Authors: Wetzel Eunike , Carstensen Claus H.
Published: October 2015

Abstract. Response styles can influence item responses in addition to a respondent’s latent trait level. A common concern is that comparisons between individuals based on sum scores may be rendered invalid by response style effects. This paper investigates a multidimensional approach to modeling traits and response styles simultaneously. Models incorporating different response styles as well as personality traits (Big Five facets) were compared regarding model fit. Relationships between traits and response styles were investigated and different approaches to modeling extreme response style (ERS) were compared regarding their effects on trait estimates. All multidimensional models showed a better fit than the unidimensional models, indicating that response styles influenced item responses with ERS showing the largest incremental variance explanation. ERS and midpoint response style were mainly trait-independent whereas acquiescence and disacquiescence were strongly related to several personality traits. Expected a posteriori estimates of participants’ trait levels did not differ substantially between two-dimensional and unidimensional models when a set of heterogeneous items was used to model ERS. A minor adjustment of trait estimates occurred when the same items were used to model ERS and the trait, though the ERS dimension in this approach only reflected scale-specific ERS, rather than a general ERS tendency.
Expression analysis of surface molecules on human thymic dendritic cells with the 10th HLDA Workshop antibody panel
Authors: Gurka Stephanie , Dirks Stefan , Photiadis Joachim , Kroczek Richard A
Published: October 2015

Dendritic cells (DC) in the thymus have an important role in the establishment of central tolerance by promoting negative selection of autoreactive T cells and regulatory T‐cell differentiation. Whereas human DC have recently been studied in various tissues in more detail, thymic DC subsets are still ill‐defined. In the present work, we studied the binding of 71 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) submitted to the HLDA10 workshop to human CD123+ plasmacytoid DC and the two subsets of conventional DC (cDC, CD141+ and CD11b+) isolated from thymus tissue of infants undergoing corrective heart surgery. Within the panel, we found mAb binding to thymic pDC and both cDC subsets (for example, anti‐Clec12A, TIM‐3, Clec4A, CCR5, Axl, FLT3), but most of them additionally reacted with other thymic cell types. MAb directed to CD85h (ILT1) and the C‐type lectin Clec7A (now CD369) reacted selectively with both cDC subsets, but not with other cells. Only one mAb directed to CD85g (ILT7) stained thymic pDC in a highly specific manner. Clec9A (DNGR1, now CD370) was the only tested HLDA10 antigen exclusively expressed on thymic CD141+ cDC. The present report summarizes all data obtained.
Rhinovirus stimulated IFN‐α production: how important are plasmacytoid DCs, monocytes and endosomal pH?
Authors: Xi Yang , Finlayson Arvid , White Oliva J , Carroll Melanie L , Upham John W
Published: October 2015

Human rhinovirus (HRV) infection is a major cause of asthma exacerbations, which appears to be linked to a defective innate immune response to infection. Although the type I interferons (IFN‐α and IFN‐β) have a critical role in protecting against most viral infections, the cells responsible for IFN production in response to HRV and the relative importance of pattern recognition receptors located in endosomes has not been fully elucidated. In the current study we demonstrate that, using intracellular flow cytometry, >90% of the IFN‐α‐producing cells in human blood mononuclear cells following HRV16 exposure are plasmacytoid dendritic cells, whereas monocytes and myeloid dendritic cells contribute only 10% and <1%, respectively, of the IFN‐α production. Bafilomycin and chloroquine, agents that inhibit the function of endosomal toll‐like receptors (TLRs), significantly reduced the capacity of TLR3‐, TLR7‐ and TLR‐9‐stimulated cells to produce IFN‐α and the IFN‐induced chemokine CXCL10 (IP‐10). In contrast, only bafilomycin (but not chloroquine) effectively suppressed HRV16‐stimulated IFN‐α and IP‐10 production, whereas neither bafilomycin or chloroquine inhibited HRV16‐stimulated interleukin‐6 release. Attempts to block IFN‐α production with commercially available TLR‐specific oligonucleotides were unsuccessful due to major ‘off‐target’ effects. These findings suggest that among circulating haemopoietic cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells and TLRs located within endosomes are critical for inducing efficient IFN‐I production in response to HRVs.
Resident c-kit+ cells in the heart are not cardiac stem cells
Authors: Sultana Nishat , Zhang Lu , Yan Jianyun , Chen Jiqiu , Cai Weibin , Razzaque Shegufta , Jeong Dongtak , Sheng Wei , Bu Lei , Xu Mingjiang , Huang Guo-Ying , Hajjar Roger J. , Zhou Bin , Moon Anne , Cai Chen-Leng
Published: October 2015

Identifying abona fidepopulation of cardiac stem cells (CSCs) is a critical step for developing cell-based therapies for heart failure patients. Previously, cardiac c-kit+cells were reported to be CSCs with a potential to become myocardial, endothelial and smooth muscle cellsin vitroand after cardiac injury. Here we provide further insights into the nature of cardiac c-kit+cells. By targeting thec-kitlocus with multiple reporter genes in mice, we find thatc-kitexpression rarely co-localizes with the expression of the cardiac progenitor and myogenic markerNkx2.5, or that of the myocardial marker, cardiactroponin T (cTnT). Instead, c-kit predominantly labels a cardiac endothelial cell population in developing and adult hearts. After acute cardiac injury, c-kit+cells retain their endothelial identity and do not become myogenic progenitors or cardiomyocytes. Thus, our work strongly suggests that c-kit+cells in the murine heart are endothelial cells and not CSCs.
Genetic pathways for differentiation of the peripheral nervous system in ascidians
Authors: Waki Kana , Imai Kaoru S. , Satou Yutaka
Published: October 2015

Ascidians belong to tunicates, the sister group of vertebrates. Peripheral nervous systems (PNSs) including epidermal sensory neurons (ESNs) in the trunk and dorsal tail regions of ascidian larvae are derived from cells adjacent to the neural plate, as in vertebrates. On the other hand, peripheral ESNs in the ventral tail region are derived from the ventral ectoderm under the control of BMP signalling, reminiscent of sensory neurons of amphioxus and protostomes. In this study, we show that two distinct mechanisms activate a common gene circuit consisting of Msx, Ascl.b, Tox, Delta.b and Pou4 in the dorsal and ventral regions to differentiate ESNs. Our results suggest that ventral ESNs of the ascidian larva are not directly homologous to vertebrate PNSs. The dorsal ESNs might have arisen via co-option of the original PNS gene circuit to the neural plate border in an ancestral chordate.
Erratum: Superconducting magnetoresistance in ferromagnet/superconductor/ferromagnet trilayers
Authors: Stamopoulos D. , Aristomenopoulou E.
Published: October 2015

Magnetoresistance is a multifaceted effect reflecting the diverse transport mechanisms exhibited by different kinds of plain materials and hybrid nanostructures; among other, giant, colossal, and extraordinary magnetoresistance versions exist, with the notation indicative of the intensity. Here we report on the superconducting magnetoresistance observed in ferromagnet/superconductor/ferromagnet trilayers, namely Co/Nb/Co trilayers, subjected to a parallel external magnetic field equal to the coercive field. By manipulating the transverse stray dipolar fields that originate from the out-of-plane magnetic domains of the outer layers that develop at coercivity, we can suppress the supercurrent of the interlayer. We experimentally demonstrate a scaling of the magnetoresistance magnitude that we reproduce with a closed-form phenomenological formula that incorporates relevant macroscopic parameters and microscopic length scales of the superconducting and ferromagnetic structural units. The generic approach introduced here can be used to design novel cryogenic devices that completely switch the supercurrent ‘on’ and ‘off’, thus exhibiting the ultimate magnetoresistance magnitude 100% on a regular basis.
Predicting the behavior of microfluidic circuits made from discrete elements
Authors: Bhargava Krisna C. , Thompson Bryant , Iqbal Danish , Malmstadt Noah
Published: October 2015

Microfluidic devices can be used to execute a variety of continuous flow analytical and synthetic chemistry protocols with a great degree of precision. The growing availability of additive manufacturing has enabled the design of microfluidic devices with new functionality and complexity. However, these devices are prone to larger manufacturing variation than is typical of those made with micromachining or soft lithography. In this report, we demonstrate a design-for-manufacturing workflow that addresses performance variation at the microfluidic element and circuit level, in context of mass-manufacturing and additive manufacturing. Our approach relies on discrete microfluidic elements that are characterized by their terminal hydraulic resistance and associated tolerance. Network analysis is employed to construct simple analytical design rules for model microfluidic circuits. Monte Carlo analysis is employed at both the individual element and circuit level to establish expected performance metrics for several specific circuit configurations. A protocol based on osmometry is used to experimentally probe mixing behavior in circuits in order to validate these approaches. The overall workflow is applied to two application circuits with immediate use at on the bench-top: series and parallel mixing circuits that are modularly programmable, virtually predictable, highly precise and operable by hand.
Enhanced ethanol production via electrostatically accelerated fermentation of glucose using Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Mathew Anup Sam , Wang Jiapeng , Luo Jieling , Yau Siu-Tung
Published: October 2015

The global demand for ethanol as an alternative fuel continues to rise. Advancement in all aspects of ethanol production is deemed beneficial to the ethanol industry. Traditional fermentation requires 50–70 hours to produce the maximum ethanol concentration of 7–8% (v/v). Here we demonstrate an electrostatic fermentation method that is capable of accelerating the fermentation of glucose using generic Saccharomyces cerevisiae as the fermenting microorganism to produce ethanol. The method, when applied to the batch fermentation of 1 liter fermenting mixture containing dry yeast without pre-culture, is able to achieve ethanol yield on the high gravity level (12.3% v/v) in 24 hours. The fermentation results in almost complete consumption of glucose. With pre-cultured yeast, ethanol yield can reach 14% v/v in 20 hours. The scale-up capability of the method is demonstrated with 2 liter fermenting mixture. The method does not consume external energy due to its electrostatic nature. Our results indicate the applicability of the fermentation technique to industry applications.
Complex stability and dynamic subunit interchange modulates the disparate activities of the yeast moonlighting proteins Hal3 and Vhs3
Authors: Abrie J. Albert , Molero Cristina , Ariño Joaquín , Strauss Erick
Published: October 2015

Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hal3 and Vhs3 are moonlighting proteins, acting both as inhibitors of the serine/threonine protein phosphatase Ppz1 and as subunits (together with Cab3) of the unique heterotrimeric phosphopantothenoylcysteine decarboxylase (PPCDC) enzyme of Hemiascomycetous yeast. Both these roles are essential: PPCDC catalyses the third step of coenzyme A biosynthesis, while Ppz1 inhibition is required for regulation of monovalent cation homeostasis. However, the mechanisms by which these proteins’ disparate activities are regulated are not well understood. The PPCDC domains (PDs) of Hal3, Vhs3 and Cab3 constitute the minimum requirement for these proteins to show both PPCDC activity and, in the case of Hal3 and Vhs3, to bind to Ppz1. Using these PD proteins as a model system to study the possibility of dynamic interchange between these roles, we provide evidence that Hal3 binds Ppz1 as a monomer (1:1 stoichiometry), requiring it to de-oligomerize from its usual homo- and heterotrimeric states (the latter having PPCDC activity). This de-oligomerization is made possible by structural features that set Hal3 apart from Vhs3, increasing its ability to undergo monomer exchange. These findings suggest that oligomer interchange may be a significant factor in the functional regulation of these proteins and their various unrelated (moonlighting) functions.
Ultrafast traveling wave dominates the electric organ discharge of Apteronotus leptorhynchus: an inverse modelling study
Authors: Shifman Aaron R. , Longtin André , Lewis John E.
Published: October 2015

Identifying and understanding the current sources that give rise to bioelectric fields is a fundamental problem in the biological sciences. It is very difficult, for example, to attribute the time-varying features of an electroencephalogram recorded from the head surface to the neural activity of specific brain areas; model systems can provide important insight into such problems. Some species of fish actively generate an oscillating (c. 1000 Hz) quasi-dipole electric field to communicate and sense their environment in the dark. A specialized electric organ comprises neuron-like cells whose collective signal underlies this electric field. As a step towards understanding the detailed biophysics of signal generation in these fish, we use an anatomically-detailed finite-element modelling approach to reverse-engineer the electric organ signal over one oscillation cycle. We find that the spatiotemporal profile of current along the electric organ constitutes a travelling wave that is well-described by two spatial Fourier components varying in time. The conduction velocity of this wave is faster than action potential conduction in any known neuronal axon (>200 m/s), suggesting that the spatiotemporal features of high-frequency electric organ discharges are not constrained by the conduction velocities of spinal neuron pathways.
Dental enamel cells express functional SOCE channels
Authors: Nurbaeva Meerim K. , Eckstein Miriam , Concepcion Axel R. , Smith Charles E. , Srikanth Sonal , Paine Michael L. , Gwack Yousang , Hubbard Michael J. , Feske Stefan , Lacruz Rodrigo S.
Published: October 2015

Dental enamel formation requires large quantities of Ca2+ yet the mechanisms mediating Ca2+ dynamics in enamel cells are unclear. Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) channels are important Ca2+ influx mechanisms in many cells. SOCE involves release of Ca2+ from intracellular pools followed by Ca2+ entry. The best-characterized SOCE channels are the Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels. As patients with mutations in the CRAC channel genes STIM1 and ORAI1 show abnormal enamel mineralization, we hypothesized that CRAC channels might be an important Ca2+ uptake mechanism in enamel cells. Investigating primary murine enamel cells, we found that key components of CRAC channels (ORAI1, ORAI2, ORAI3, STIM1, STIM2) were expressed and most abundant during the maturation stage of enamel development. Furthermore, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) but not ryanodine receptor (RyR) expression was high in enamel cells suggesting that IP3Rs are the main ER Ca2+ release mechanism. Passive depletion of ER Ca2+ stores with thapsigargin resulted in a significant raise in [Ca2+]i consistent with SOCE. In cells pre-treated with the CRAC channel blocker Synta-66 Ca2+ entry was significantly inhibited. These data demonstrate that enamel cells have SOCE mediated by CRAC channels and implicate them as a mechanism for Ca2+ uptake in enamel formation.
Modeling the effect of comprehensive interventions on Ebola virus transmission
Authors: Shen Mingwang , Xiao Yanni , Rong Libin
Published: October 2015

Since the re-emergence of Ebola in West Africa in 2014, comprehensive and stringent interventions have been implemented to decelerate the spread of the disease. The effectiveness of interventions still remains unclear. In this paper, we develop an epidemiological model that includes various controlling measures to systematically evaluate their effects on the disease transmission dynamics. By fitting the model to reported cumulative cases and deaths in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia until March 22, 2015, we estimate the basic reproduction number in these countries as 1.2552, 1.6093 and 1.7994, respectively. Model analysis shows that there exists a threshold of the effectiveness of isolation, below which increasing the fraction of latent individuals diagnosed prior to symptoms onset or shortening the duration between symptoms onset and isolation may lead to more Ebola infection. This challenges an existing view. Media coverage plays a substantial role in reducing the final epidemic size. The response to reported cumulative infected cases and deaths may have a different effect on the epidemic spread in different countries. Among all the interventions, we find that shortening the duration between death and burial and improving the effectiveness of isolation are two effective interventions for controlling the outbreak of Ebola virus infection.
Midgut of the non-hematophagous mosquito Toxorhynchites theobaldi (Diptera, Culicidae)
Authors: Godoy Raquel S. M. , Fernandes Kenner M. , Martins Gustavo F.
Published: October 2015

In most mosquito species, the females require a blood-feeding for complete egg development. However, inToxorhynchitesmosquitoes, the eggs develop without blood-feeding and both females and males exclusively feed on sugary diets. The midgut is a well-understood organ in blood-feeding mosquitoes, but little is known about it in non-blood-feeding ones. In the present study, the detailed morphology of the midgut ofToxorhynchites theobaldiwere investigated using histochemical and ultrastructural methods. The midgut of female and maleT. theobaldiadults consists of a long, slender anterior midgut (AMG) and a short, dilated posterior midgut (PMG). The AMG is subdivided into AMG1 (short, with folds) and AMG2 (long, without folds). Nerve branches and enteroendocrine cells are present in AMG and PMG, respectively. Compared with the PMG of blood-feeding female mosquitoes, the PMG ofT. theobaldiis smaller; however, in both mosquitoes, PMG seems be the main region of food digestion and absorption and protein secretion. The epithelial folds present in the AMG ofT. theobaldihave not been reported in other mosquitoes; however, the midgut muscle organization and endocrine control of the digestion process are conserved in bothT. theobaldiand blood-feeding mosquitoes.
Littoral lichens as a novel source of potentially bioactive Actinobacteria
Authors: Parrot Delphine , Antony-Babu Sanjay , Intertaglia Laurent , Grube Martin , Tomasi Sophie , Suzuki Marcelino T.
Published: October 2015

Cultivable Actinobacteria are the largest source of microbially derived bioactive molecules. The high demand for novel antibiotics highlights the need for exploring novel sources of these bacteria. Microbial symbioses with sessile macro-organisms, known to contain bioactive compounds likely of bacterial origin, represent an interesting and underexplored source of Actinobacteria. We studied the diversity and potential for bioactive-metabolite production of Actinobacteria associated with two marine lichens (Lichina confinis and L. pygmaea; from intertidal and subtidal zones) and one littoral lichen (Roccella fuciformis; from supratidal zone) from the Brittany coast (France), as well as the terrestrial lichen Collema auriforme (from a riparian zone, Austria). A total of 247 bacterial strains were isolated using two selective media. Isolates were identified and clustered into 101 OTUs (98% identity) including 51 actinobacterial OTUs. The actinobacterial families observed were: Brevibacteriaceae, Cellulomonadaceae, Gordoniaceae, Micrococcaceae, Mycobacteriaceae, Nocardioidaceae, Promicromonosporaceae, Pseudonocardiaceae, Sanguibacteraceae and Streptomycetaceae. Interestingly, the diversity was most influenced by the selective media rather than lichen species or the level of lichen thallus association. The potential for bioactive-metabolite biosynthesis of the isolates was confirmed by screening genes coding for polyketide synthases types I and II. These results show that littoral lichens are a source of diverse potentially bioactive Actinobacteria.
Immunoproteasome subunit LMP7 Deficiency Improves Obesity and Metabolic Disorders
Authors: Kimura Hiroaki , Usui Fumitake , Karasawa Tadayoshi , Kawashima Akira , Shirasuna Koumei , Inoue Yoshiyuki , Komada Takanori , Kobayashi Motoi , Mizushina Yoshiko , Kasahara Tadashi , Suzuki Koichi , Iwasaki Yusaku , Yada Toshihiko , Caturegli Patrizio , Takahashi Masafumi
Published: October 2015

Inflammation plays an important role in the development of obesity and metabolic disorders; however, it has not been fully understood how inflammation occurs and is regulated in their pathogenesis. Low-molecular mass protein-7 (LMP7) is a proteolytic subunit of the immunoproteasome that shapes the repertoire of antigenic peptides on major histocompatibility complex class I molecule. In this study, we investigated the role of LMP7 in the development of obesity and metabolic disorders using LMP7-deficient mice. LMP7 deficiency conveyed resistant to obesity and improved glucose intolerance and insulin sensitivity in mice fed with high-fat diet (HFD). LMP7 deficiency decreased pancreatic lipase expression, increased fecal lipid contents and inhibited the increase of plasma triglyceride levels upon oral oil administration or HFD feeding. Using bone marrow-transferred chimeric mice, we found that LMP7 in both bone marrow- and non-bone marrow-derived cells contributes to the development of HFD-induced obesity. LMP7 deficiency decreased inflammatory responses such as macrophage infiltration and chemokine expression while it increased serum adiponection levels. These findings demonstrate a novel role for LMP7 and provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying inflammation in the pathophysiology of obesity and metabolic disorders.
The evolution of tumor metastasis during clonal expansion with alterations in metastasis driver genes
Authors: Yamamoto Kimiyo N. , Nakamura Akira , Haeno Hiroshi
Published: October 2015

Metastasis is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Carcinoma generally initiates at a specific organ as a primary tumor, but eventually metastasizes and forms tumor sites in other organs. In this report, we developed a mathematical model of cancer progression with alterations in metastasis-related genes. In cases in which tumor cells acquire metastatic ability through two steps of genetic alterations, we derive formulas for the probability, the expected number and the distribution of the number of metastases. Moreover, we investigate practical pancreatic cancer disease progression in cases in which both one and two steps of genetic alterations are responsible for metastatic formation. Importantly, we derive a mathematical formula for the survival outcome validated using clinical data as well as direct simulations. Our model provides theoretical insights into how invisible metastases distribute upon diagnosis with respect to growth rates, (epi)genetic alteration rates, metastatic rate and detection size. Prediction of survival outcome using the formula is of clinical importance in terms of determining therapeutic strategies.
A DNA Mini-Barcoding System for Authentication of Processed Fish Products
Authors: Shokralla Shadi , Hellberg Rosalee S. , Handy Sara M. , King Ian , Hajibabaei Mehrdad
Published: October 2015

Species substitution is a form of seafood fraud for the purpose of economic gain. DNA barcoding utilizes species-specific DNA sequence information for specimen identification. Previous work has established the usability of short DNA sequences—mini-barcodes—for identification of specimens harboring degraded DNA. This study aims at establishing a DNA mini-barcoding system for all fish species commonly used in processed fish products in North America. Six mini-barcode primer pairs targeting short (127–314 bp) fragments of the cytochrome c oxidase I (CO1) DNA barcode region were developed by examining over 8,000 DNA barcodes from species in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Seafood List. The mini-barcode primer pairs were then tested against 44 processed fish products representing a range of species and product types. Of the 44 products, 41 (93.2%) could be identified at the species or genus level. The greatest mini-barcoding success rate found with an individual primer pair was 88.6% compared to 20.5% success rate achieved by the full-length DNA barcode primers. Overall, this study presents a mini-barcoding system that can be used to identify a wide range of fish species in commercial products and may be utilized in high throughput DNA sequencing for authentication of heavily processed fish products.
Nanorod Surface Plasmon Enhancement of Laser-Induced Ultrafast Demagnetization
Authors: Xu Haitian , Hajisalem Ghazal , Steeves Geoffrey M. , Gordon Reuven , Choi Byoung C.
Published: October 2015

Ultrafast laser-induced magnetization dynamics in ferromagnetic thin films were measured using a femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser in a pump-probe magneto-optic Kerr effect setup. The effect of plasmon resonance on the transient magnetization was investigated by drop-coating the ferromagnetic films with dimensionally-tuned gold nanorods supporting longitudinal surface plasmon resonance near the central wavelength of the pump laser. With ~4% nanorod areal coverage, we observe a >50% increase in demagnetization signal in nanorod-coated samples at pump fluences on the order of 0.1 mJ/cm2 due to surface plasmon-mediated localized electric-field enhancement, an effect which becomes more significant at higher laser fluences. We were able to qualitatively reproduce the experimental observations using finite-difference time-domain simulations and mean-field theory. This dramatic enhancement of ultrafast laser-induced demagnetization points to possible applications of nanorod-coated thin films in heat-assisted magnetic recording.
Vegetation Greening and Climate Change Promote Multidecadal Rises of Global Land Evapotranspiration
Authors: Zhang Ke , Kimball John S. , Nemani Ramakrishna R. , Running Steven W. , Hong Yang , Gourley Jonathan J. , Yu Zhongbo
Published: October 2015

Recent studies showed that anomalous dry conditions and limited moisture supply roughly between 1998 and 2008, especially in the Southern Hemisphere, led to reduced vegetation productivity and ceased growth in land evapotranspiration (ET). However, natural variability of Earth’s climate system can degrade capabilities for identifying climate trends. Here we produced a long-term (1982–2013) remote sensing based land ET record and investigated multidecadal changes in global ET and underlying causes. The ET record shows a significant upward global trend of 0.88 mm yr−2 (P < 0.001) over the 32-year period, mainly driven by vegetation greening (0.018% per year; P < 0.001) and rising atmosphere moisture demand (0.75 mm yr−2; P = 0.016). Our results indicate that reduced ET growth between 1998 and 2008 was an episodic phenomenon, with subsequent recovery of the ET growth rate after 2008. Terrestrial precipitation also shows a positive trend of 0.66 mm yr−2 (P = 0.08) over the same period consistent with expected water cycle intensification, but this trend is lower than coincident increases in evaporative demand and ET, implying a possibility of cumulative water supply constraint to ET. Continuation of these trends will likely exacerbate regional drought-induced disturbances, especially during regional dry climate phases associated with strong El Niño events.
Dynamin-related protein 1 controls the migration and neuronal differentiation of subventricular zone-derived neural progenitor cells
Authors: Kim Hyun Jung , Shaker Mohammed R. , Cho Bongki , Cho Hyo Min , Kim Hyun , Kim Joo Yeon , Sun Woong
Published: October 2015

Mitochondria are important in many essential cellular functions, including energy production, calcium homeostasis and apoptosis. The organelles are scattered throughout the cytoplasm, but their distribution can be altered in response to local energy demands, such as cell division and neuronal maturation. Mitochondrial distribution is closely associated with mitochondrial fission and blocking the fission-promoting protein dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) activity often results in mitochondrial elongation and clustering. In this study, we observed that mitochondria were preferentially localized at the leading process of migratory adult neural stem cells (aNSCs), whereas neuronal differentiating cells transiently exhibited perinuclear condensation of mitochondria. Inhibiting Drp1 activity altered the typical migratory cell morphology into round shapes while the polarized mitochondrial distribution was maintained. With these changes, aNSCs failed to migrate and neuronal differentiation was prevented. Because Drp1 blocking also impaired the mitochondrial membrane potential, we tested whether supplementing with L-carnitine, a compound that restores mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP synthesis, could revert the defects induced by Drp1 inhibition. Interestingly, L-carnitine fully restored the aNSC defects, including cell shrinkage, migration and impaired neuronal differentiation. These results suggest that Drp1 is required for functionally active mitochondria and supplementing with ATP can restore the defects induced by Drp1 suppression.
Dengue virus infection alters post-transcriptional modification of microRNAs in the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti
Authors: Etebari Kayvan , Osei-Amo Solomon , Blomberg Simon Phillip , Asgari Sassan
Published: October 2015

Recent discoveries regarding the importance of isomiRs have increased our understanding of the regulatory complexities of the miRNAome. Observed changes in the miRNA profiles in mosquitoes infected with flaviviruses have implicated small RNAs in the interactions between viruses and their vectors. Here we analysed the isomiR profiles of both uninfected and infectedAedes aegyptimosquitoes with the major human pathogen dengue virus (DENV). We found that several specific isomiRs were significantly altered in their abundance patterns in response to DENV infection potentially affecting their target repertoire. Notable among these were isomiR variants which displayed arm-switching. We also demonstrate that modifications to the 3p end of miRNAs are vastly more prevalent than those at the 5p ends. We also observed that in only 45% ofAe. aegyptimiRNAs the most abundant read matches the exact sequence reported in miRBase. Further, we found positive correlations between the number of mature miRNA reads, pre-miRNA length, GC content and secondary structure minimum free energy with the number of isomiRs. The findings presented here provide some evidence that isomiR production is not a random phenomenon and may be important in DENV replication in its vector.
3D chemical imaging in the laboratory by hyperspectral X-ray computed tomography
Authors: Egan C. K. , Jacques S. D. M. , Wilson M. D. , Veale M. C. , Seller P. , Beale A. M. , Pattrick R. A. D. , Withers P. J. , Cernik R. J.
Published: October 2015

We report the development of laboratory based hyperspectral X-ray computed tomography which allows the internal elemental chemistry of an object to be reconstructed and visualised in three dimensions. The method employs a spectroscopic X-ray imaging detector with sufficient energy resolution to distinguish individual elemental absorption edges. Elemental distributions can then be made by K-edge subtraction, or alternatively by voxel-wise spectral fitting to give relative atomic concentrations. We demonstrate its application to two material systems: studying the distribution of catalyst material on porous substrates for industrial scale chemical processing; and mapping of minerals and inclusion phases inside a mineralised ore sample. The method makes use of a standard laboratory X-ray source with measurement times similar to that required for conventional computed tomography.
Multishock Compression Properties of Warm Dense Argon
Authors: Zheng Jun , Chen Qifeng , Yunjun Gu , Li Zhiguo , Shen Zhijun
Published: October 2015

Warm dense argon was generated by a shock reverberation technique. The diagnostics of warm dense argon were performed by a multichannel optical pyrometer and a velocity interferometer system. The equations of state in the pressure-density range of 20–150 GPa and 1.9–5.3 g/cm3 from the first- to fourth-shock compression were presented. The single-shock temperatures in the range of 17.2–23.4 kK were obtained from the spectral radiance. Experimental results indicates that multiple shock-compression ratio (ηi = ρi/ρ0) is greatly enhanced from 3.3 to 8.8, where ρ0 is the initial density of argon and ρi (i = 1, 2, 3, 4) is the compressed density from first to fourth shock, respectively. For the relative compression ratio (ηi’ = ρi/ρi-1), an interesting finding is that a turning point occurs at the second shocked states under the conditions of different experiments and ηi’ increases with pressure in lower density regime and reversely decreases with pressure in higher density regime. The evolution of the compression ratio is controlled by the excitation of internal degrees of freedom, which increase the compression and by the interaction effects between particles that reduce it. A temperature-density plot shows that current multishock compression states of argon have distributed into warm dense regime.