bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protecting Free Exercise of Religion under the Indian and the United States Constitutions: the Doctrine of Essential Practices and the Centrality Test
Authors: Gautam Khagesh
Published: February 2017

Free Exercise of Religion is a protected constitutional right under the democratic constitutions of both the biggest democracy in the world ie India and the most powerful democracy in the world ie United States of America. Despite textual similarities in the free-exercise clauses of Constitutions of both of these democracies, there is a big difference in the standards of review whereby free exercise claims are judicially reviewed by their re­spective Supreme Courts. Whereas the US Supreme Court does not give much weight to the sincerity of the religious belief and employs the ‘religion-neutral’ test, the Supreme Court of India gives due weight to the sincerity of the religious belief and employs a ‘reli­gion-central’ test known in Indian free-exercise jurisprudence as the Doctrine of Essential Practices. However, a closer examination of judicial opinions on the point discloses that sincerity of religious belief is not entirely unimportant in US free-exercise jurisprudence but still is not given the kind of importance that it is given in India - a nation that is and has historically been religiously diverse.

This paper closely examines the free-exercise jurisprudence as developed by the respec­tive Supreme Courts and argues that in view of the changing religious diversity in the United States perhaps time has come to re-examine the reluctance of the American courts to give its due weightage to the sincerity of religious belief while judicially reviewing free-exercise claims. Relying on several judicial opinions of the US Supreme Court and its sub­ordinate courts in the US and by demonstrating their factual and doctrinal equivalents in the Supreme Court of India, this paper argues that free-exercise clauses of both the US and Indian Constitutions protect not just the right to believe in whichever religion an indi­vidual chooses but also acts in pursuit of religion. The belief-act distinction - an idea at the core of much of US free-exercise jurisprudence is not what is truly protected by the free-exercise clause. What is protected indeed are the acts done in pursuance of religious belief. A line has to be drawn between the acts that are sincerely done in pursuance of religion and those that are not. This line has to be drawn by the Courts on a case to case basis. And that is where US free-exercise jurisprudence would be well assisted in examining Indian free-exercise jurisprudence on the point.
Parliamentary Sovereignty – A Doctrine Unfit for Purpose
Authors: Orakhelashvili Alexander
Published: February 2017

Parliamentary sovereignty in the British constitutional context is expressive of the utilitarian philosophy which dictates that government is there to gratify the wishes and interests of the majority to the greatest extent possible. This approach, at times cast in more moderate terms as ‘democratic legitimacy’, arguably reflects the majoritarian underpinnings of British parliamentarism. A close look on the workings of ‘parliamentary sovereignty’ reveals, however, that its discrete constitutional relevance is not great. Courts in the English legal system retain their full-fl edged law-making power, and are entitled to balance the legislation-backed public utility by common law constitutional considerations. The examination of the relevant aspects of English law shows that parliamentary sovereignty is neither sufficient nor necessary for properly articulating and giving effect to the demands of public utility.
On the Obergefell Dissenters′ Selective Judicial Self-restraint
Authors: Turner Ronald
Published: February 2017

In its landmark decision in Obergefell v Hodges a five-Justice majority of the United States Supreme Court held that state laws depriving same-sex couples of the right to marry violate the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Four dissenting Justices - Chief Justice John G Roberts, Jr and Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel Anthony Alito, Jr - criticized the majority’s ruling and analysis. Calling for judicial self-restraint and deference to the outcomes of democratic decision-making, the dissenters argued that same-sex marriage bans enacted by state legislatures did not violate the Constitution. This essay argues and demonstrates that the Obergefell dissenters have not restrained themselves in other cases in which they voted to strike down legislative enactments and did not defer to democratic decision-making. This selective restraint reveals that the dissenters have not been unwaveringly committed to judicial self-restraint, and raises the central question of when should the Court defer to legislatures in cases presenting constitutional challenges to state or federal laws.
The Fiduciary Role of Members of Parliament and Ministers
Authors: Nasrawin Laith K.
Published: February 2017

This article sheds light on the relationship between politicians and the voting public to establish the grounds on which the electorate build their legitimate expectations that both members of the legislative authorities and government ministers should act in the public interest in order to fulfill their fiduciary duty.

Both members of parliaments and ministers in government are expected to promote the interests of their constituents in parliaments and to serve the political interests of their parties when joining the government. They should comply with the principles of ‘Public Duty’ and ‘Duty as a Representative’, that is, they should act on behalf of their electorate and also in accordance with the public trust placed in them. This underlying duty could be elevated to a ‘fiduciary duty’ on elected members and ministers to act in the interests of their constituents, the beneficiaries, as an underscore of all models of representation, and as an emphasis of the ethical decision-making, which includes impartiality, accountability and integrity.
The Italian Constitutional Court Case Law on Competition Law and Free Trade within the Framework of the European Union Legal System
Authors: Lanza Elisabetta M.
Published: February 2017

This paper analyzes the path paved by the Italian Constitutional Court (ICC) in order to reconcile the series of its inconsistent judgments dealing with free trade, right to economic initiative, and freedom of competition. For this purpose, this article aims at investigating the role of the Italian Constitutional Court in the ‘constitutionalization’ of free trade and freedom of competition and at assessing the relationship between European Union policies and the Constitutional Court interpretation thereof.

The last decade demonstrates, on the one hand, that the European Union law has influenced the domestic case law and, on the other hand, that, in turn, the European Union legal system has been ‘constitutionalized’ through the introduction of social and constitutional principles deriving from the Member States’ Constitutions.
Fatgraph models of RNA structure
Authors: Huang Fenix , Reidys Christian , Rezazadegan Reza
Published: February 2017

In this review paper we discuss fatgraphs as a conceptual framework for RNA structures. We discuss various notions of coarse-grained RNA structures and relate them to fatgraphs.We motivate and discuss the main intuition behind the fatgraph model and showcase its applicability to canonical as well as noncanonical base pairs. Recent discoveries regarding novel recursions of pseudoknotted (pk) configurations as well as their translation into context-free grammars for pk-structures are discussed. This is shown to allow for extending the concept of partition functions of sequences w.r.t. a fixed structure having non-crossing arcs to pk-structures. We discuss minimum free energy folding of pk-structures and combine these above results outlining how to obtain an inverse folding algorithm for PK structures.
Are There Multiple Kinds of Episodic Memory? An fMRI Investigation Comparing Autobiographical and Recognition Memory Tasks
Authors: Chen Hung-Yu , Gilmore Adrian W. , Nelson Steven M. , McDermott Kathleen B.
Published: February 2017

What brain regions underlie retrieval from episodic memory? The bulk of research addressing this question with fMRI has relied upon recognition memory for materials encoded within the laboratory. Another, less dominant tradition has used autobiographical methods, whereby people recall events from their lifetime, often after being cued with words or pictures. The current study addresses how the neural substrates of successful memory retrieval differed as a function of the targeted memory when the experimental parameters were held constant in the two conditions (except for instructions). Human participants studied a set of scenes and then took two types of memory test while undergoing fMRI scanning. In one condition (the picture memory test), participants reported for each scene (32 studied, 64 nonstudied) whether it was recollected from the prior study episode. In a second condition (the life memory test), participants reported for each scene (32 studied, 64 nonstudied) whether it reminded them of a specific event from their preexperimental lifetime. An examination of successful retrieval (yes responses) for recently studied scenes for the two test types revealed pronounced differences; that is, autobiographical retrieval instantiated with the life memory test preferentially activated the default mode network, whereas hits in the picture memory test preferentially engaged the parietal memory network as well as portions of the frontoparietal control network. When experimental cueing parameters are held constant, the neural underpinnings of successful memory retrieval differ when remembering life events and recently learned events.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTEpisodic memory is often discussed as a solitary construct. However, experimental traditions examining episodic memory use very different approaches, and these are rarely compared to one another. When the neural correlates associated with each approach have been directly contrasted, results have varied considerably and at times contradicted each other. The present experiment was designed to match the two primary approaches to studying episodic memory in an unparalleled manner. Results suggest a clear separation of systems supporting memory as it is typically tested in the laboratory and memory as assessed under autobiographical retrieval conditions. These data provide neurobiological evidence that episodic memory is not a single construct, challenging the degree to which different experimental traditions are studying the same construct.
Modeling Evolution in the Classroom: An Interactive LEGO Simulation
Authors: Hongsermeier Abby , Grandgenett Nealy F. , Simon Dawn M.
Published: February 2017

Evolutionary theory is critical for a comprehensive understanding of biology, yet students often fail to grasp its underlying principles. This results partially from ineffective teaching; however, the use of interactive activities could alleviate this problem. In this guided investigation of evolutionary mechanisms, students use LEGO bricks to simulate how mutation, migration, genetic drift, and natural selection can affect the evolution of a population. This exercise was undertaken and assessed with college introductory biology students, but is also appropriate for advanced high school students.
Sexual Selection: A Short Review on Its Causes and Outcomes, and Activities to Teach Evolution and the Nature of Science
Authors: Sá-Pinto Xana , Cardia Pedro , Campos Rita
Published: February 2017

Sexual selection plays an important role in species evolution and speciation, and is fundamental to understanding of biological evolution. In the last decades, research on sexual selection helped understand its causes and impacts in species evolution, sexual dimorphism, and speciation. It also provided interesting examples that can be used to engage students in learning about evolution. Here we review the latest sexual selection research and propose two activities that model evolution by sexual selection. The engaging nature of these activities makes them useful to promote active learning about evolution, the nature of science, and methods used to construct scientific knowledge. Importantly, we address several performance expectations suggested by the Next Generation Science Standards.
Evaluating an Open-Exam Approach to Engaging Students in Evolutionary Paradoxes: Cheating to Learn
Authors: Chapin Kenneth James , Nonacs Peter , Hayes Loren D.
Published: February 2017

Game theory is used in biology to understand why otherwise rational individuals make nonintuitive decisions regarding cooperation and competition. Recently, biology teachers engaged their students in game theory curricula by presenting them with a real-world game theory challenge: the opportunity to cheat on a game theory exam. Here we present a guide for other teachers to employ this provocative and educational classroom exercise, and discuss the results of the Cheating to Learn exercise in a biology class.
How Does Evolution Explain Blindness in Cavefish?
Authors: Smith Mike U.
Published: February 2017

Commonly used evolution assessments often ask about the evolution of blindness in cavefish or salamanders, running speed in cheetahs, and/or the long necks of giraffes. Explaining the loss of function in cave animals, however, is more difficult than explaining evolution involving gains of function resulting from natural selection. In fact, the evolution of cavefish blindness is not yet well understood by scientists. This article presents the three current hypotheses for explaining the evolution of blindness in Mexican tetras (Astyanax mexicanus), related to the Next Generation Science Standards and the Advanced Placement curriculum.
The variation in free 25-hydroxy vitamin D and vitamin D-binding protein with season and vitamin D status
Authors: Oleröd Göran , Hultén Lillemor Mattsson , Hammarsten Ola , Klingberg Eva
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] varies greatly with season at northern latitudes. The purpose of this study was to determine if the seasonal variations in serum total 25(OH)D are followed by a concomitant variation in free 25(OH)D or if the variation is damped by alterations in the binding capacity of DBP.

Methods

Serum was collected from 540 healthy blood donors (60% men; mean age 41 ± 13 years) during 12 months and analyzed for total 25(OH)D, directly measured free 25(OH)D, vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) and albumin. Calculated free 25(OH)D was estimated.

Results

The UV-B radiation during the sampling month was positively correlated with the serum levels of total 25(OH)D (r = 0.355, P < 0.001), directly measured free (r = 0.336, P < 0.001) and calculated free 25(OH)D (r = 0.275, P < 0.001), but not with DBP and albumin. The percentage of free 25(OH)D was higher during the winter months than that during the summer months (0.020 ± 0.005% vs 0.019 ± 0.004%; P = 0.007) and higher in participants with a serum 25(OH)D below 25 nmol/L than that in participants with a serum 25(OH)D above 75 nmol/L (0.031 ± 0.007% vs 0.017 ± 0.003%; P < 0.001). iPTH was correlated with directly measured free 25(OH)D (r = −0.226; P < 0.001), but only weakly with calculated free 25(OH)D (r = −0.095; P = 0.027).

Conclusions

Directly measured free serum 25(OH)D was highly correlated with total serum 25(OH)D and followed the same seasonal variation, whereas the serum concentrations of DBP and albumin were stable. The fluctuation in free 25(OH)D was only marginally damped with an increase in the percentage of free 25(OH)D during the winter months and in participants with vitamin D deficiency.
Prevalence, incidence and associated comorbidities of treated hypothyroidism: an update from a European population
Authors: Giorda Carlo B , Carnà Paolo , Romeo Francesco , Costa Giuseppe , Tartaglino Barbara , Gnavi Roberto
Published: February 2017

Objective

Estimates of the prevalence of hypothyroidism in unselected populations date from the late 1990s. We present an update on the prevalence and incidence of overt hypothyroidism in Piedmont, northwest Italy and examine the association between hypothyroidism and multiple chronic comorbidities.

Design and methods

Data were obtained from drug prescription and hospital discharge databases. Individuals who had received at least two levothyroxine prescriptions in 2012 were defined as having hypothyroidism; those who had undergone thyroidectomy or I131 irradiation in the previous 5 years were defined as having iatrogenic hypothyroidism and those who had either obtained exemption from treatment co-payment or had been discharged from hospital with a chronic comorbidity (diabetes and connective tissue diseases) were identified as having one of these conditions.

Results

The overall crude prevalence was 31.1/1000 (2.3/1000 for iatrogenic hypothyroidism) and the overall crude incidence was 7/1000. The average daily dose of thyroxine (122 µg) roughly corresponded to 1.7 µg/kg. There was a strong association between hypothyroidism and diabetes (type 1, type 2 or gestational) and with autoimmune diseases, with the odds ratio ranging from 1.43 (1.02–1.99) for psoriatic arthritis to 4.99 (3.06–8.15) for lupus erythematosus.

Conclusions

As compared with previous estimates, the prevalence of hypothyroidism rose by about 35%, driven mainly by non-iatrogenic forms. The increase may be due to either population aging or improved diagnostic capability or both. The frequent co-occurrence of hypothyroidism with other multiple chronic conditions characterizes it more as a comorbidity rather than an isolated chronic disease.
Comparative Analysis of Satellite DNA in theDrosophila melanogasterSpecies Complex
Authors: Jagannathan Madhav , Warsinger-Pepe Natalie , Watase George J , Yamashita Yukiko M
Published: February 2017

Satellite DNAs are highly repetitive sequences that account for the majority of constitutive heterochromatin in many eukaryotic genomes. It is widely recognized that sequences and locations of satellite DNAs are highly divergent even in closely related species, contributing to the hypothesis that satellite DNA differences may underlie speciation. However, due to its repetitive nature, the mapping of satellite DNAs has been mostly left out of recent genomics analyses, hampering the use of molecular genetics techniques to better understand their role in speciation and evolution. Satellite DNAs are most extensively and comprehensively mapped in Drosophila melanogaster, a species that is also an excellent model system with which to study speciation. Yet the lack of comprehensive knowledge regarding satellite DNA identity and location in its sibling species (D. simulans, D. mauritiana, and D. sechellia) has prevented the full utilization of D. melanogaster in studying speciation. To overcome this problem, we initiated the mapping of satellite DNAs on the genomes of the D. melanogaster species complex (D. melanogaster, D. simulans, D. mauritiana, and D. sechellia) using multi-color fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) probes. Our study confirms a striking divergence of satellite DNAs in the D. melanogaster species complex, even among the closely related species of the D. simulans clade (D. simulans, D. mauritiana, and D. sechellia), and suggests the presence of unidentified satellite sequences in these species.
Predictability of Genetic Interactions from Functional Gene Modules
Authors: Young Jonathan H , Marcotte Edward M
Published: February 2017

Characterizing genetic interactions is crucial to understanding cellular and organismal response to gene-level perturbations. Such knowledge can inform the selection of candidate disease therapy targets, yet experimentally determining whether genes interact is technically nontrivial and time-consuming. High-fidelity prediction of different classes of genetic interactions in multiple organisms would substantially alleviate this experimental burden. Under the hypothesis that functionally related genes tend to share common genetic interaction partners, we evaluate a computational approach to predict genetic interactions in Homo sapiens, Drosophila melanogaster, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. By leveraging knowledge of functional relationships between genes, we cross-validate predictions on known genetic interactions and observe high predictive power of multiple classes of genetic interactions in all three organisms. Additionally, our method suggests high-confidence candidate interaction pairs that can be directly experimentally tested. A web application is provided for users to query genes for predicted novel genetic interaction partners. Finally, by subsampling the known yeast genetic interaction network, we found that novel genetic interactions are predictable even when knowledge of currently known interactions is minimal.
Paralog-Specific Functions ofRPL7AandRPL7BMediated by Ribosomal Protein or snoRNA Dosage inSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Palumbo Ryan J , Fuchs Gabriele , Lutz Sheila , Curcio M Joan
Published: February 2017

Most ribosomal proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are encoded by two paralogs that additively produce the optimal protein level for cell growth. Nonetheless, deleting one paralog of most ribosomal protein gene pairs results in a variety of phenotypes not observed when the other paralog is deleted. To determine whether paralog-specific phenotypes associated with deleting RPL7A or RPL7B stem from distinct functions or different levels of the encoded isoforms, the coding region and introns of one paralog, including an intron-embedded snoRNA (small nucleolar RNA) gene, were exchanged with that of the other paralog. Among mutants harboring a single native or chimeric RPL7 allele, expression from the RPL7A locus exceeded that from the RPL7B locus, and more Rpl7a was expressed from either locus than Rpl7b. Phenotypic differences in tunicamycin sensitivity, ASH1 mRNA localization, and mobility of the Ty1 retrotransposon were strongly correlated with Rpl7 and ribosome levels, but not with the Rpl7 or snoRNA isoform expressed. Although Ty1 RNA is cotranslationally localized, depletion of Rpl7 minimally affected synthesis of Ty1 Gag protein, but strongly influenced Ty1 RNA localization. Unlike the other processes studied, Ty1 cDNA accumulation was influenced by both the level and isoform of Rpl7 or snoRNA expressed. These cellular processes had different minimal threshold values for Rpl7 and ribosome levels, but all were functional when isoforms of either paralog were expressed from the RPL7A locus or both RPL7 loci. This study illustrates the broad range of phenotypes that can result from depleting ribosomes to different levels.
Genomics of Compensatory Adaptation in Experimental Populations of Aspergillus nidulans
Authors: Dettman Jeremy R , Rodrigue Nicolas , Schoustra Sijmen E , Kassen Rees
Published: February 2017

Knowledge of the number and nature of genetic changes responsible for adaptation is essential for understanding and predicting evolutionary trajectories. Here, we study the genomic basis of compensatory adaptation to the fitness cost of fungicide resistance in experimentally evolved strains of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. The original selection experiment tracked the fitness recovery of lines founded by an ancestral strain that was resistant to fludioxonil, but paid a fitness cost in the absence of the fungicide. We obtained whole-genome sequence data for the ancestral A. nidulans strain and eight experimentally evolved strains. We find that fludioxonil resistance in the ancestor was likely conferred by a mutation in histidine kinase nikA, part of the two-component signal transduction system of the high-osmolarity glycerol (HOG) stress response pathway. To compensate for the pleiotropic negative effects of the resistance mutation, the subsequent fitness gains observed in the evolved lines were likely caused by secondary modification of HOG pathway activity. Candidate genes for the compensatory fitness increases were significantly overrepresented by stress response functions, and some were specifically associated with the HOG pathway itself. Parallel evolution at the gene level was rare among evolved lines. There was a positive relationship between the predicted number of adaptive steps, estimated from fitness data, and the number of genomic mutations, determined by whole-genome sequencing. However, the number of genomic mutations was, on average, 8.45 times greater than the number of adaptive steps inferred from fitness data. This research expands our understanding of the genetic basis of adaptation in multicellular eukaryotes and lays out a framework for future work on the genomics of compensatory adaptation in A. nidulans.
Genomic Prediction with Pedigree and Genotype × Environment Interaction in Spring Wheat Grown in South and West Asia, North Africa, and Mexico
Authors: Sukumaran Sivakumar , Crossa Jose , Jarquin Diego , Lopes Marta , Reynolds Matthew P
Published: February 2017

Developing genomic selection (GS) models is an important step in applying GS to accelerate the rate of genetic gain in grain yield in plant breeding. In this study, seven genomic prediction models under two cross-validation (CV) scenarios were tested on 287 advanced elite spring wheat lines phenotyped for grain yield (GY), thousand-grain weight (GW), grain number (GN), and thermal time for flowering (TTF) in 18 international environments (year-location combinations) in major wheat-producing countries in 2010 and 2011. Prediction models with genomic and pedigree information included main effects and interaction with environments. Two random CV schemes were applied to predict a subset of lines that were not observed in any of the 18 environments (CV1), and a subset of lines that were not observed in a set of the environments, but were observed in other environments (CV2). Genomic prediction models, including genotype × environment (G×E) interaction, had the highest average prediction ability under the CV1 scenario for GY (0.31), GN (0.32), GW (0.45), and TTF (0.27). For CV2, the average prediction ability of the model including the interaction terms was generally high for GY (0.38), GN (0.43), GW (0.63), and TTF (0.53). Wheat lines in site-year combinations in Mexico and India had relatively high prediction ability for GY and GW. Results indicated that prediction ability of lines not observed in certain environments could be relatively high for genomic selection when predicting G×E interaction in multi-environment trials.
Genetic Causes of Phenotypic Adaptation to the Second Fermentation of Sparkling Wines inSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Martí-Raga Maria , Peltier Emilien , Mas Albert , Beltran Gemma , Marullo Philippe
Published: February 2017

Hybridization is known to improve complex traits due to heterosis and phenotypic robustness. However, these phenomena have been rarely explained at the molecular level. Here, the genetic determinism of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation performance was investigated using a QTL mapping approach on an F1-progeny population. Three main QTL were detected, with positive alleles coming from both parental strains. The heterosis effect found in the hybrid was partially explained by three loci showing pseudooverdominance and dominance effects. The molecular dissection of those QTL revealed that the adaptation to second fermentation is related to pH, lipid, or osmotic regulation. Our results suggest that the stressful conditions of second fermentation have driven the selection of rare genetic variants adapted to maintain yeast cell homeostasis and, in particular, to low pH conditions.
Transcriptome Analysis ofDrosophila melanogasterThird Instar Larval Ring Glands Points to Novel Functions and Uncovers a Cytochrome p450 Required for Development
Authors: Christesen Danielle , Yang Ying Ting , Somers Jason , Robin Charles , Sztal Tamar , Batterham Philip , Perry Trent
Published: February 2017

In Drosophila melanogaster larvae, the ring gland (RG) is a control center that orchestrates major developmental transitions. It is a composite organ, consisting of the prothoracic gland, the corpus allatum, and the corpora cardiaca, each of which synthesizes and secretes a different hormone. Until now, the RG’s broader developmental roles beyond endocrine secretion have not been explored. RNA sequencing and analysis of a new transcriptome resource from D. melanogaster wandering third instar larval RGs has provided a fascinating insight into the diversity of developmental signaling in this organ. We have found strong enrichment of expression of two gene pathways not previously associated with the RG: immune response and fatty acid metabolism. We have also uncovered strong expression for many uncharacterized genes. Additionally, RNA interference against RG-enriched cytochrome p450s Cyp6u1 and Cyp6g2 produced a lethal ecdysone deficiency and a juvenile hormone deficiency, respectively, flagging a critical role for these genes in hormone synthesis. This transcriptome provides a valuable new resource for investigation of roles played by the RG in governing insect development.
A Network of Chromatin Factors Is Regulating the Transition to Postembryonic Development inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Erdelyi Peter , Wang Xing , Suleski Marina , Wicky Chantal
Published: February 2017

Mi2 proteins are evolutionarily conserved, ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers of the CHD family that play key roles in stem cell differentiation and reprogramming. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the let-418 gene encodes one of the two Mi2 homologs, which is part of at least two chromatin complexes, namely the Nucleosome Remodeling and histone Deacetylase (NuRD) complex and the MEC complex, and functions in larval development, vulval morphogenesis, lifespan regulation, and cell fate determination. To explore the mechanisms involved in the action of LET-418/Mi2, we performed a genome-wide RNA interference (RNAi) screen for suppressors of early larval arrest associated with let-418 mutations. We identified 29 suppressor genes, of which 24 encode chromatin regulators, mostly orthologs of proteins present in transcriptional activator complexes. The remaining five genes vary broadly in their predicted functions. All suppressor genes could suppress multiple aspects of the let-418 phenotype, including developmental arrest and ectopic expression of germline genes in the soma. Analysis of available transcriptomic data and quantitative PCR revealed that LET-418 and the suppressors of early larval arrest are regulating common target genes. These suppressors might represent direct competitors of LET-418 complexes for chromatin regulation of crucial genes involved in the transition to postembryonic development.
upSET, the Drosophila homologue of SET3, Is Required for Viability and the Proper Balance of Active and Repressive Chromatin Marks
Authors: McElroy Kyle A , Jung Youngsook L , Zee Barry M , Wang Charlotte I , Park Peter J , Kuroda Mitzi I
Published: February 2017

Chromatin plays a critical role in faithful implementation of gene expression programs. Different post-translational modifications (PTMs) of histone proteins reflect the underlying state of gene activity, and many chromatin proteins write, erase, bind, or are repelled by, these histone marks. One such protein is UpSET, the Drosophila homolog of yeast Set3 and mammalian KMT2E (MLL5). Here, we show that UpSET is necessary for the proper balance between active and repressed states. Using CRISPR/Cas-9 editing, we generated S2 cells that are mutant for upSET. We found that loss of UpSET is tolerated in S2 cells, but that heterochromatin is misregulated, as evidenced by a strong decrease in H3K9me2 levels assessed by bulk histone PTM quantification. To test whether this finding was consistent in the whole organism, we deleted the upSET coding sequence using CRISPR/Cas-9, which we found to be lethal in both sexes in flies. We were able to rescue this lethality using a tagged upSET transgene, and found that UpSET protein localizes to transcriptional start sites (TSS) of active genes throughout the genome. Misregulated heterochromatin is apparent by suppressed position effect variegation of the wm4 allele in heterozygous upSET-deleted flies. Using nascent-RNA sequencing in the upSET-mutant S2 lines, we show that this result applies to heterochromatin genes generally. Our findings support a critical role for UpSET in maintaining heterochromatin, perhaps by delimiting the active chromatin environment.
The Nuclear Cap-Binding Complex Mediates Meiotic Silencing by Unpaired DNA
Authors: Decker Logan M , Xiao Hua , Boone Erin C , Vierling Michael M , Shanker Benjamin S , Kingston Shanika L , Boone Shannon F , Haynes Jackson B , Shiu Patrick K T
Published: February 2017

In the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa, cross walls between individual cells are normally incomplete, making the entire fungal network vulnerable to attack by viruses and selfish DNAs. Accordingly, several genome surveillance mechanisms are maintained to help the fungus combat these repetitive elements. One of these defense mechanisms is called meiotic silencing by unpaired DNA (MSUD), which identifies and silences unpaired genes during meiosis. Utilizing common RNA interference (RNAi) proteins, such as Dicer and Argonaute, MSUD targets mRNAs homologous to the unpaired sequence to achieve silencing. In this study, we have identified an additional silencing component, namely the cap-binding complex (CBC). Made up of cap-binding proteins CBP20 and CBP80, CBC associates with the 5′ cap of mRNA transcripts in eukaryotes. The loss of CBC leads to a deficiency in MSUD activity, suggesting its role in mediating silencing. As confirmed in this study, CBC is predominantly nuclear, although it is known to travel in and out of the nucleus to facilitate RNA transport. As seen in animals but not in plants, CBP20’s robust nuclear import depends on CBP80 in Neurospora. CBC interacts with a component (Argonaute) of the perinuclear meiotic silencing complex (MSC), directly linking the two cellular factors.
Natural Genetic Variation in the Caenorhabditis elegans Response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Martin Natalia , Singh Jogender , Aballay Alejandro
Published: February 2017

Caenorhabditis elegans responds to pathogenic microorganisms by activating its innate immune system, which consists of physical barriers, behavioral responses, and microbial killing mechanisms. We examined whether natural variation plays a role in the response of C. elegans to Pseudomonas aeruginosa using two C. elegans strains that carry the same allele of npr-1, a gene that encodes a G-protein-coupled receptor related to mammalian neuropeptide Y receptors, but that differ in their genetic backgrounds. Strains carrying an allele for the NPR-1 215F isoform have been shown to exhibit lack of pathogen avoidance behavior and deficient immune response toward P. aeruginosa relative to the wild-type (N2) strain. We found that the wild isolate from Germany RC301, which carries the allele for NPR-1 215F, shows an enhanced resistance to P. aeruginosa infection when compared with strain DA650, which also carries NPR-1 215F but in an N2 background. Using a whole-genome sequencing single-nucleotide polymorphism (WGS-SNP) mapping strategy, we determined that the resistance to P. aeruginosa infection maps to a region on chromosome V. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the mechanism for the enhanced resistance to P. aeruginosa infection relies exclusively on strong P. aeruginosa avoidance behavior, and does not involve the main immune, stress, and lifespan extension pathways in C. elegans. Our findings underscore the importance of pathogen-specific behavioral immune defense in the wild, which seems to be favored over the more energy-costly mechanism of activation of physiological cellular defenses.
CARTOGRAFÍA SOCIAL APLICADA A LA INTERVENCIÓN SOCIAL EN BARRIO DUNAS, PELOTAS, BRASIL
Authors: Diez-Tetamanti Juan Manuel , Rocha Eduardo
Published: February 2017

La práctica metodológica de Cartografía Social, es cada vez más frecuente en los espacios de investigación e intervención tanto universitaria como social. Así, se plantea un ajuste en su instrumentación y una sistematización de la implementación con el propósito de colaborar con el estudio y aplicación de esta metodología. Paralelamente, se describe la aplicación de Cartografía Social en el Barrio Dunas de la ciudad de Pelotas, como experiencia de investigación- intervención desprendida del método cartográfico deleuziano. Se analizan los resultados obtenidos en función de esta metodología tanto desde las dinámicas territoriales; comunicacionales y grupales, como así también la disposición de los cuerpos en la obra productiva. El artículo, hace fuerza en el carácter productivo de la experiencia colectiva, como práctica para la transformación social y la creación de nuevas y alternativas miradas del espacio geográfico.
Association of Bronchiolitis Clinical Pathway Adherence With Length of Stay and Costs
Authors: Bryan Mersine A. , Desai Arti D. , Wilson Lauren , Wright Davene R. , Mangione-Smith Rita
Published: February 2017

OBJECTIVES:

To examine the associations between the level of adherence to bronchiolitis clinical pathway recommendations, health care use, and costs.

METHODS:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 267 patients ≤24 months old diagnosed with bronchiolitis from 12/2009 to 7/2012. Clinical pathway adherence was assessed by using a standardized scoring system (0–100) for 18 quality measures obtained by medical record review. Level of adherence was categorized into low, middle, and high tertiles. Generalized linear models were used to examine relationships between adherence tertile and (1) length of stay (LOS) and (2) costs. Logistic regression was used to examine the associations between adherence tertile and probability of inpatient admission and 7-day readmissions.

RESULTS:

Mean adherence scores were: ED, 78.8 (SD, 18.1; n = 264), inpatient, 95.0 (SD, 6.3; n = 216), and combined ED/inpatient, 89.1 (SD, 8.1; n = 213). LOS was significantly shorter for cases in the highest versus the lowest adherence tertile (ED, 90 vs 140 minutes, adjusted difference, –51 [95% confidence interval (CI), –73 to –29; P <.05]; inpatient, 3.1 vs 3.8 days, adjusted difference, –0.7 [95% CI, –1.4 to 0.0; P <.05]). Costs were less for cases in the highest adherence tertile (ED, –$84, [95% CI, –$7 to –$161; P <.05], total, –$1296 [95% CI, –126.43 to –2466.03; P <.05]). ED cases in the highest tertile had a lower odds of admission (odds ratio, 0.38 [95% CI, 0.15–0.97; P < .05]). Readmissions did not differ by tertile.

CONCLUSIONS:

High adherence to bronchiolitis clinical pathway recommendations across care settings was associated with shorter LOS and lower cost.
Modelo de adaptación de Roy en el baño en cama
Authors: Ramos José Manuel Flórez , González Consuegra Renata Virginia , Guerra Urrego Kennedy Arturo
Published: February 2017

Objetivo: Evaluar los efectos de dos tipos de baño en cama: seco y tradicional, frente a la respuesta adaptativa en modo fisiológico de Roy en paciente crítico cardiovascular (pccv).Metodología: Estudio de diseño cuasi-experimental, de intervención con preprueba y posprueba, realizado en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (uci) de la Clínica Medellín. El grupo experimental fue de 36 pacientes, a quienes se les realizóbaño en cama seco; el grupo control fue de 36 pacientes, a quienes se les realizó baño en cama tradicional. Se utilizaron los estadísticos Wilcoxon, u de Mann Whitney y el Modelo de dos factores, con medidas repetidas en un factor.Resultados: Se encontró un efecto benéfico durante la realización del baño en cama en seco, puesto que los indicadores de tensión arterial y frecuencia respiratoria no presentaron respuestas inefectivas (p = 0,03 y p = 0,013, respectivamente). Por otra parte, las variables duración del baño y cuidados adicionales fueron satisfactorias en comparación con el baño en cama tradicional.Conclusiones: Los resultados permiten recomendar el uso delbaño en cama en seco en paciente crítico cardiovascular (pccv), en virtud de los efectos benéficos que facilitan los procesos de adaptación, contribuyendo así a cualificar el cuidado de enfermería en este tipo de pacientes.
Mathematics Instructional Model Based on Realistic Mathematics Education to Promote Problem Solving Ability at Junior High School Padang
Authors: Musdi Edwin
Published: February 2017

This research aims to develop a mathematics instructional model based realistic mathematics education (RME) to promote students' problem-solving abilities. The design research used Plomp models, which consists of preliminary phase, development or proto-typing phase and assessment phase.  At this study, only the first two phases conducted. The first phase, a preliminary investigation, carried out with a literature study to examine the theory-based instructional learning RME model, characteristics of learners, learning management descriptions by junior high school mathematics teacher and relevant research. The development phase is done by developing a draft model (an early prototype model) that consists of the syntax, the social system, the principle of reaction, support systems, and the impact and effects of instructional support. Early prototype model contain a draft model, lesson plans, worksheets, and assessments. Tesssmer formative evaluation model used to revise the model. In this study only phase of one to one evaluation conducted. In the ppreliminary phase has produced a theory-based learning RME model, a description of the characteristics of learners in grade VIII Junior High School Padang and the description of teacher teaching in the classroom. The result showed that most students were still not be able to solve the non-routine problem. Teachers did not optimally facilitate students to develop problem-solving skills of students. It was recommended that the model can be applied in the classroom.
Islamic Education at Mughal Kingdom in India (1526-1857)
Authors: Suyanta Sri , Ikhlas Silfia
Published: February 2017

One of the legacies of Islamic civilization in India was the Mughal dynasty that had encouraged the new revival of the old and almost drowned civilization. With the presence of this dynasty, the glory of India with Hindus civilization reappeared. Recorded in the history of Islam, the dynasty was established in the middle period. After the mid-over, there appeared three great kingdoms to rebuild the progress of Muslims. Among the major kingdoms were royal Mughal. The third crown can already be categorized as a superpower in those days, because the greatness of the kingdom had been able to organize the economic, political as well as military.. Islamic education at this time gained considerable attention. For this purpose, the royal Mughal made the mosque as a place of worship other than as a place of religious learning for the community. The mosque indeed had been provided with scholars who gave various lessons of religious knowledge. In fact, the mosques had also been completed with special rooms for students who wanted to stay for their education. Therefore, almost every mosque developed certain religious sciences with special teachers.
Students’ Linguistic Competence in Essay Writing
Authors: Rahmalia Indah
Published: February 2017

Writing in a foreign language (English) has been a highly instrumental for EFL Undergraduate learners because they are required to write assignments, papers, and dissertations.  Yet, the course offered and passed to fulfill the writing requirements was meager especially in the language content.  Hence, this project aimed at finding out the sentence problem made by the students in essay writing.  Using 5 data sources from students’ writing, the study was focused on exploring students’ mistakes in the use of cause-effect.   The finding of this study showed that the most sentences problem made by the students in cause-effect essays were 24 sentences problem in run-on sentences and comma splice and the least were 2 sentences problem in choopy sentences.
The Effect of Awareness Raising Technique towards Students’ Achievement and Reading Interest
Authors: Mahaputri Dwi Settya
Published: February 2017

Reading is one of the primary subjects that should be mastered by the students in language learning. Yet, reading activity tends to be a boring activity. To increase the students’ interest, the lecturers should be able to stimulate the students' awareness in reading. Therefore, this research is aimed to know the effect of Awareness Raising Technique in teaching reading toward students' achievement and reading interest. This research was experimental research. The population was the second year students of English department of Education Abdi STKIP Payakumbuh. There were three classes. The sample was chosen by cluster sampling. The instruments of this research were reading test and questionnaire. To analyze the data, the researcher used the t-test and ANOVA formula 2x2. After analyzing the data the researcher found (1)students who were taught by using Awareness Raising Technique have better reading achievement than those who were taught by using Presentation Technique, (2) students with high reading interest have better reading achievement than those who were taught by using Presentation Technique, (3) students with high reading interest have better reading achievement than those who were taught by using Presentation Technique, and (4) there is no interaction between techniques and students' reading interest toward students reading achievement at the second year English department of Education Abdi STKIP Payakumbuh.
REHABILITASI WILAYAH PESISIR MELALUI PENGEMBANGAN TERUMBU BUATAN
Authors: Hartati Sri Turni
Published: February 2017

Kerusakan terumbu karang yang disebabkan oleh aktivitas penduduk wilayah pesisir yang tidak terkendali, mengakibatkan hilangnya nilai-nilai produksi, genetik, dan konservasi. Salah satu program yang sudah dilakukan pemerintah adalah rehabilitasi dan pengkayaan habitat pantai melalui pengembangan terumbu buatan, yaitu teknologi sederhana yang telah terbukti di beberapa negara mampu mengatasi kekompleksan wilayah pesisir. Dampak dari pengembangan terumbu buatan tersebut antara lain meningkatkan produksi perikanan, meningkatkan hasil tangkapan ikan per upaya,menarik perhatian para wisatawan, berfungsi sebagai taman laut, pelindung pantai, dan sarana budi daya perikanan. Tulisan ini menyajikan bagaimana terumbu buatan dapat dikembangkan, contoh contoh yang sudah dilakukan di Indonesia dan bagaimana monitoring dan evaluasi.
PENDUGAAN KELIMPAHAN DAN SEBARAN IKAN DEMERSAL DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN METODE AKUSTIK DI PERAIRAN BELITUNG
Authors: Fahmi Zulkarnaen
Published: February 2017

Sebagai bagian dari pendugaan stok ikan, metode akustik telah diterapkan untuk menduga kelimpahan dan sebaran ikan demersal di perairan Belitung. Pengamatan dilakukan pada bulan Julidan September 2006 dengan alat penerima gema ikan EY 60, 120 kHz bim terbagi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pada bulan Juli di perairan Barat Belitung, memberikan dugaan rata-rata sebaran kepadatan ikan kurang lebih 1.600 ind. per ha. Demikian pula, pada periode bulan September dengan dugaan rata-rata kepadatan kurang lebih 2.000 ind. per ha.