bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Persistent or Eroding Impunity? The Divergent Effects of Legal Challenges to Amnesty Laws for Past Human Rights Violations
Authors: Lessa Francesca , Olsen Tricia D , Payne Leigh A , Pereira Gabriel , Reiter Andrew G 
Published: February 2014

Transitional countries have struggled to overcome impunity for human rights violations committed by past authoritarian regimes. While some scholars have hailed the emergence of a ‘justice cascade’, a ‘justice revolution’, and an ‘age of accountability’, our research highlights the persistence of amnesty laws despite efforts to erode them. This article examines 63 amnesties for human rights violations committed by state agents that were enacted in 34 transitional countries from 1970 to 2011, and the 161 challenges that endeavoured to undermine the power of these laws.We find significant variation in the outcome of challenges. While some lead to the removal or weakening of amnesty laws, others validate them. We explain the variation using an explanatory model that focuses on the characteristics of four actors: civil society, international governmental and non-governmental agencies, domestic executives and judicial leaders. Time also plays a conditioning role in our framework. We illustrate our argument by presenting emblematic country case studies. We conclude that even when amnesty laws are displaced or eroded, impunity tends to persist in some form.
The Cross Section of Recovery Rates and Default Probabilities Implied by Credit Default Swap Spreads
Authors: Elkamhi Redouane , Jacobs Kris , Pan Xuhui 
Published: February 2014

AbstractRather than assuming a fixed recovery rate in estimation, we estimate recovery rates from credit default swap spreads, using 3 years of daily data on 152 corporations. We use a quadratic pricing model, which ensures nonnegative default probabilities and recovery rates. The estimated cross section of recovery rates is plausible, with an average recovery rate of 54% and substantial cross-sectional variation. Estimated 5-year default probabilities are on average 67% higher than default probabilities obtained using the standard 40% recovery assumption. This finding critically impacts the valuation of structured credit products. Larger firms and firms with more tangible assets have higher recovery rates.
The discovery, biodiversity and conservation of Mabu forest—the largest medium-altitude rainforest in southern Africa
Authors: Bayliss Julian , Timberlake Jonathan , Branch William , Bruessow Carl , Collins Steve , Congdon Colin , Curran Michael , de Sousa Camila , Dowsett Robert , Dowsett-Lemaire Francoise , Fishpool Lincoln , Harris Timothy , Herrmann Eric , Georgiadis Stephen , Kopp Mirjam , Liggitt Bruce , Monadjem Ara , Patel Hassam , Ribeiro Daniel , Spottiswoode Claire , Taylor Peter , Willcock Simon , Smith Paul 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe montane inselbergs of northern Mozambique have been comparatively little-studied, yet recent surveys have shown they have a rich biodiversity with numerous endemic species. Here we present the main findings from a series of scientific expeditions to one of these inselbergs, Mt Mabu, and discuss the conservation implications. Comprehensive species lists of plants, birds, mammals and butterflies are presented. The most significant result was the discovery of a c. 7,880 ha block of undisturbed rainforest, most of it at medium altitude (900–1,400 m), a forest type that is not well represented elsewhere. It is possibly the largest continuous block of this forest type in southern Africa. To date, 10 new species (plants, mammals, reptiles and butterflies) have been confirmed from Mt Mabu, even though sampling effort for most taxonomic groups has been low. The species assemblages indicate a relatively long period of isolation and many species found are at the southern limit of their range. Conservationists are now faced with the challenge of how best to protect Mt Mabu and similar mountains in northern Mozambique, and various ways that this could be done are discussed.
Hippocampal Abnormalities in Youth with Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder
Authors: Dudek Joanna , Skocic Jovanka , Sheard Erin , Rovet Joanne 
Published: February 2014

AbstractIndividuals diagnosed with alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) exhibit difficulty on hippocampally mediated memory tasks and show reduced hippocampal size. However inconsistencies exist regarding the affected memory functions and where within the hippocampi effects occur. Given recent studies showing anterior and posterior segments support distinct memory functions and sex dimorphisms in hippocampal function, we asked whether these factors influence memory performance in youth with ARND (n= 18) and typically developing controls (n= 17). Participants received a battery of memory tests and a structural MRI scan. Right and left hippocampi were manually traced; anterior and posterior segments were delineated at the uncus. Measured were intracranial volumes (ICV) and right and left hippocampi and hippocampal segments. Volumes were adjusted for ICV. Relative to controls, the ARND group had lower IQs and memory performance on most tasks and marginally smaller ICVs. Left and right hippocampal volumes and posterior segments were smaller in the ARND group. Although no sex differences were observed between groups, females overall had larger anterior hippocampi than males. Positive and negative associations between hippocampal and selective memory indices were found in the ARND group only. These findings are the first to suggest that posterior hippocampal development may be compromised in youth with ARND. (JINS, 2014,20, 181–191)
Relationship of serum carotenoid concentrations with allostatic load as a measure of chronic stress among middle-aged adults in the USA
Authors: Rosenberg Natalya , Park Chang Gi , Eldeirawi Kamal 
Published: February 2014

AbstractObjectiveChronic stress and repeated physiological attempts at stress adaptation may result in ‘fatigue’ and suboptimal performance of multiple physiological systems, i.e. allostatic load (AL). Although carotenoids have been linked with individual cardiovascular, metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers, little is known about the relationship of carotenoids with the multi-system biomarker measure of stress, AL. The present study examined the association of serum concentrations of carotenoids with AL among middle-aged adults.DesignCross-sectional. AL score was calculated based on nine risk-rated indicators (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, total and HDL-cholesterol, glycosylated Hb, sex-specific waist-to-hip ratio, albumin and C-reactive protein).SubjectsMiddle-aged (45–64 years, n 3387) men and women participants in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, NHANES III (1988–1994).ResultsSerum β-carotene concentration was inversely associated with high AL after adjusting for age, education, race/ethnicity, serum cotinine, alcohol consumption, physical activity and other carotenoids (α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein/zeaxanthin). Females in the lowest β-carotene quartile were 2·94 (95 % CI 1·74, 4·94) times and males 2·90 (95 % CI 1·43, 5·89) times as likely to have high AL, compared with peers in the highest quartile (P for linear trend 0·001 and 0·018 for females and males, respectively). Mean serum β-carotene concentrations were also inversely associated with the number of ‘high-risk’ AL components (P for linear trend <0·001 and 0·004 for females and males, respectively).ConclusionsOur study adds to evidence linking low β-carotene levels with unfavourable health outcomes.
Genetic structure of green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica): implications for the establishment ofex situconservation protocols in light of the invasion of the emerald ash borer
Authors: Hausman Constance E. , Bertke Michelle M. , Jaeger John F. , Rocha Oscar J. 
Published: February 2014

The USA is experiencing a prolific invasion of the wood-boring emerald ash borer,Agrilus planipennis. Native to Asia, this beetle completes its life cycle on ash trees and results in nearly complete mortality of all infested trees. In the present study, we examined the levels of genetic diversity and differentiation among eight populations ofFraxinus pennsylvanica(green ash) using five polymorphic microsatellite loci. Genetic information was used to design guidelines for the establishment of a seed collection sampling strategy to conserve the genetic diversity of ash trees. We found high levels of genetic diversity, as indicated by the allelic richness, both across the populations (16.4 ± 5.18 alleles per locus) and within them (8.03 ± 1.21 alleles per locus). The expected and observed heterozygosity was also high (0.805 ± 0.38 and 0.908 ± 0.04, respectively), and there was moderate genetic differentiation among the populations (FST= 0.083) with members of these eight populations grouped into three distinct clusters. We examined the relationship between the number of individuals sampled and the number of alleles captured in a random sample taken from a population of 10,000 individuals. Only sample sizes of 100 individuals captured most of the alleles (average = 78.74 alleles), but only seven of 50 samples effectively captured all the 82 alleles. Smaller samples did not capture all alleles. A probabilistic model was used to determine an optimal sampling strategy, and it was concluded that a collection of 200 seeds from each of five mother trees would have the highest likelihood of capturing all alleles in a population.
All-optical phase modulation in a cavity-polariton Mach–Zehnder interferometer
Authors: Sturm C. , Tanese D. , Nguyen H.S. , Flayac H. , Galopin E. , Lemaître A. , Sagnes I. , Solnyshkov D. , Amo A. , Malpuech G. , Bloch J. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractQuantum fluids based on light is a highly developing research field, since they provide a nonlinear platform for developing optical functionalities and quantum simulators. An important issue in this context is the ability to coherently control the properties of the fluid. Here we propose an all-optical approach for controlling the phase of a flow of cavity-polaritons, making use of their strong interactions with localized excitons. Here we illustrate the potential of this method by implementing a compact exciton–polariton interferometer, which output intensity and polarization can be optically controlled. This interferometer is cascadable with already reported polariton devices and is promising for future polaritonic quantum optic experiments. Complex phase patterns could be also engineered using this optical method, providing a key tool to build photonic artificial gauge fields.
Effects of a domain-selective ACE inhibitor in a mouse model of chronic angiotensin II-dependent hypertension
Authors: Burger Dylan , Reudelhuber Timothy L. , Mahajan Aman , Chibale Kelly , Sturrock Edward D. , Touyz Rhian M. 
Published: February 2014

The somatic isozyme of ACE (angiotensin I-converting enzyme) comprises two distinct zinc-dependent catalytic domains with different substrate specificities for angiotensin I (cleaved selectively by the C-domain) and bradykinin (cleaved equally efficiently by both the N- and C-domains). Classical ACEIs (ACE inhibitors) target both domains, with side effects such as cough and angio-oedema being attributed, in part, to N-domain inhibition, probably through bradykinin accumulation. We questioned whether a novel C-domain-selective ACEI (lisW-S) has anti-hypertensive effects without influencing bradykinin status. AngII (angiotensin II)-dependent hypertension was studied in mice that express active human renin in the liver (TtRhRen). Compared with wild-type littermates, TtRhRen mice displayed cardiac hypertrophy and had significantly elevated SBP [systolic BP (blood pressure)] as determined by tail cuff sphygmomanometry (150±3 compared with 112±5 mmHg; P&lt;0.05) and telemetry (163±3 compared with 112±2 mmHg; P&lt;0.01). Treatment with the non-selective ACEI lisinopril (1 mg/kg of body weight per day via an osmotic mini-pump for 2 weeks) reduced SBP (127±3 compared with. 154±6; P&lt;0.05). Similarly, treatment with the C-domain selective ACEI lisW-S (lisinopril-tryptophan; 3.6 mg/kg of body weight per day via an osmotic mini-pump for 2 weeks) reduced BP. Treatment with lisinopril or lisW-S significantly reduced levels of AngII in kidneys (~4-fold; P&lt;0.001). Ang-(2–8) [angiotensin-2–8)] was significantly reduced by lisinopril, but not by lisW-S. Plasma bradykinin levels were significantly increased only in the lisinopril group. These data suggest that C-domain-selective ACEIs reduce BP and AngII levels similarly to classical ACEIs. C-domain-selective ACEIs have the potential to avoid undesirable effects on the bradykinin system common to classic ACEIs and may represent a novel approach to the treatment of hypertension.
Neuronal nonlinearity explains greater visual spatial resolution for darks than lights
Authors: Kremkow Jens , Jin Jianzhong , Komban Stanley J. , Wang Yushi , Lashgari Reza , Li Xiaobing , Jansen Michael , Zaidi Qasim , Alonso Jose-Manuel 
Published: February 2014

Significance
Light and dark stimuli are separately processed by ON and OFF channels in retina and thalamus. Although most textbooks assume that ON and OFF visual responses are relatively balanced throughout the visual system, recent studies have identified a pronounced overrepresentation of OFF responses in the cerebral cortex. This recent discovery resonates with Galileo and Helmholtz’s pioneering observations that visual spatial resolution is higher for darks than lights. In this paper, we demonstrate that these two seemingly separate findings are related and caused by a pronounced difference between ON and OFF luminance response functions, which most likely originates in photoreceptors. Therefore, asymmetric ON and OFF neural responses provide the neurophysiological explanation for an almost four-century-old puzzle dating back to Galileo.
Block-Cell-Printing for live single-cell printing
Authors: Zhang Kai , Chou Chao-Kai , Xia Xiaofeng , Hung Mien-Chie , Qin Lidong 
Published: February 2014

Significance
The ability of printing single-cell arrays with high precision and efficiency, single-cell resolution, multiple cell types, and maintenance of cell viability and function is essential for cell function and heterogeneity measurement. It is still hard for current methods to completely satisfy the above requirements. We report a unique live-cell printing technique, Block-Cell-Printing, that allows for convenient, precise, multiplexed, and high-throughput printing of functional single-cell arrays. Block-Cell-Printing has a minimum turnaround time of 0.5 h, a maximum resolution of 5 µm, and close to 100% cell viability. This method has been applied to study cell communications in heterotypic cell pairs with controlled morphology, characterize cells’ abilities to extend their membranes, and print primary neurons.
Nonflammable perfluoropolyether-based electrolytes for lithium batteries
Authors: Wong Dominica H. C. , Thelen Jacob L. , Fu Yanbao , Devaux Didier , Pandya Ashish A. , Battaglia Vincent S. , Balsara Nitash P. , DeSimone Joseph M. 
Published: February 2014

Significance
This research article describes a unique class of nonflammable electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries that are based on functionalized perfluoropolyethers (PFPEs). It demonstrates that PFPEs may be used as a major component in operating batteries. These electrolytes not only are completely nonflammable, but they also exhibit unprecedented high transference numbers and low electrochemical polarization, indicative of longer battery life. The results in this work may represent a significant step toward a lithium-ion battery with improved safety and pave the way for the development of new electrolytes that can address the persisting challenges of current battery technologies.
Afforestation in China cools local land surface temperature
Authors: Peng Shu-Shi , Piao Shilong , Zeng Zhenzhong , Ciais Philippe , Zhou Liming , Li Laurent Z. X. , Myneni Ranga B. , Yin Yi , Zeng Hui 
Published: February 2014

Significance
China has the largest afforested area in the world. Afforestation not only contributes to increased carbon storage but also alters local albedo and turbulent energy fluxes, which offers feedback on the local and regional climate. This study presents previously unidentified observational evidence of the effect of large-scale afforestation on land surface temperature (LST) in China. Afforestation decreases daytime LST, because of enhanced evapotranspiration, and increases nighttime LST. This nighttime warming tends to offset daytime cooling in dry regions. These results suggest it is necessary to carefully consider where to plant trees to achieve potential climatic benefits in future afforestation projects.
Transoceanic drift and the domestication of African bottle gourds in the Americas
Authors: Kistler Logan , Montenegro Álvaro , Smith Bruce D. , Gifford John A. , Green Richard E. , Newsom Lee A. , Shapiro Beth 
Published: February 2014

SignificanceBottle gourd, one of the most cross-culturally ubiquitous crops, had a pan-tropical distribution by the beginning of the Holocene. Our findings overturn a major component of the current model for bottle gourd’s early global dispersal, specifically regarding how it entered the Americas. Our findings also indicate that the domestication process itself took place in a diffuse pattern throughout the bottle gourd’s New World range, explaining early and nearly contemporaneous use of bottle gourds in North, Central, and South America. Bottle gourd’s weedy growth habit and the diffuse domestication pattern also suggest that early cultivation were probably not restricted to known centers of domestication. It is likely, however, that domesticated phenotypes emerged in these centers alongside food crops.
The predictability of molecular evolution during functional innovation
Authors: Blank Diana , Wolf Luise , Ackermann Martin , Silander Olin K. 
Published: February 2014

Significance
Understanding the genetic changes that underlie phenotypic functional innovations is a fundamental goal in evolutionary biology, giving insight into species’ past, present, and future evolutionary trajectories. One important unresolved question is whether such genetic changes typically affect protein expression or protein structure. Here we use large-scale laboratory evolution with bacteria to quantify the types of genetic changes that occur during functional innovation. We show that whether these changes affect protein expression or protein structure depends on which cellular functions are being selected upon. We then show that changes affecting protein expression occur in qualitatively different sets of genes from changes affecting protein structure. These results show that using functional knowledge it is possible to predict the course of evolution.
PACAP receptor gene polymorphism impacts fear responses in the amygdala and hippocampus
Authors: Stevens Jennifer Strafford , Almli Lynn M. , Fani Negar , Gutman David A. , Bradley Bekh , Norrholm Seth D. , Reiser Emily , Ely Timothy D. , Dhanani Rahim , Glover Ebony M. , Jovanovic Tanja , Ressler Kerry J. 
Published: February 2014

SignificanceHigher circulating pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and a polymorphism in its receptor geneADCYAP1R1, adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide 1 receptor type 1, have recently been linked with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in women and not men. The current study examined the influence ofADCYAP1R1genotype on brain function among traumatized women. In individuals with the risk genotype, the amygdala showed greater reactivity to threat stimuli and decreased functional connectivity with the hippocampus.ADCYAP1R1genotype had larger effects than PTSD diagnosis, suggesting that amygdala reactivity is an intermediate phenotype for anxiety-related psychopathology. Amygdala reactivity has been identified as a possible predisposing risk factor for PTSD, and the current findings indicate a possible genetic mechanism. Findings also point to a neurobiological explanation for increased PTSD prevalence in women.
Exceptionally stable, redox-active supramolecular protein assemblies with emergent properties
Authors: Brodin Jeffrey D. , Carr Jessica R. , Sontz Pamela A. , Tezcan F. Akif 
Published: February 2014

Significance
Supramolecular assembly is a powerful strategy to generate structural and functional diversity from a limited set of components. Owing to their chemical and structural versatility, proteins represent particularly attractive building blocks for engineering supramolecular materials with new or improved properties. We previously exploited the strength, directionality, and reversibility of designed metal coordination interactions to arrange a monomeric, redox protein into highly ordered supramolecular architectures. Here we demonstrate that metal-directed self-assembly not only yields very stable architectures but that it also leads to a dramatic stabilization of the individual protein components, whose redox activities can now be utilized for controlled growth of inorganic nanocrystals. These emergent physical and functional properties are attained with minimal modification of the original building blocks.
Lévy flights do not always optimize random blind search for sparse targets
Authors: Palyulin Vladimir V. , Chechkin Aleksei V. , Metzler Ralf 
Published: February 2014

Significance
Has natural selection led to adaptations of Lévy flight foraging, as stated on the respective Wikipedia page? Random walks with scale-free jump length distributions were indeed shown to optimize the search for sparse targets as supported by extensive movement data of many animal species and humans. Here we demonstrate that small variations of the search conditions strongly modify these claims: In the presence of a bias, underwater currents for sea predators or winds for airborne searchers, a Lévy searcher easily overshoots the target, and Brownian strategies become advantageous. Even in the absence of a bias, there exist conditions for which a Brownian strategy may effect faster target localization. Our results show clear limitations for the universality of Lévy flight foraging.
Differential uptake of nanoparticles by endothelial cells through polyelectrolytes with affinity for caveolae
Authors: Voigt Julia , Christensen Jon , Shastri V. Prasad 
Published: February 2014

Significance
Nanoparticles (NPs) can serve as containers for the targeting of therapeutics to tumors. Tumors comprise many cell types including endothelial cells that form the blood vessels. Developing new strategies to target information preferentially to endothelial cells can have major implications in the development of targeted therapeutics. We have discovered that charged polymers containing aromatic sulfonate have pronounced affinity for caveolae, which are highly expressed by endothelial cells. By engineering the surface of lipid NPs to bear sulfonate-containing polymers, lipid NPs that are preferentially taken up by endothelial cells have been demonstrated.
Differentiated human stem cells resemble fetal, not adult, β cells
Authors: Hrvatin Sinisa , O’Donnell Charles W. , Deng Francis , Millman Jeffrey R. , Pagliuca Felicia Walton , DiIorio Philip , Rezania Alireza , Gifford David K. , Melton Douglas A. 
Published: February 2014

Significance
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can be produced from any person and have the potential to differentiate into any cell type in the body. This study focuses on the generation of insulin-expressing cells from hPSCs and compares their gene expression, as assayed by transcriptional gene products, to that of insulin-expressing β cells from human fetal and adult samples. We employ a new method to isolate and profile insulin-expressing cells and conclude that several different hPSC lines generate very similar insulin-expressing cells, cells whose transcripts resemble fetal rather than adult β cells. This study advances the possibility of directing the differentiation of stem cells into functional β cells by comparing and cataloging differences between hPSC-derived insulin-expressing cells and human β cells.