Characteristics of Cryptoasset-Related Crimes and Convergence-Based Law Enforcement Policies

Crimes related to cryptoassets that develop in a complex manner give rise to distinctive characteristics and require a convergence-based countermeasure that is not only responsive but also anticipatory and futuristic. This article is examined from normative juridical research with a case and conceptual approach and aims to study the characteristics of crimes related to cryptoassets and how to formulate convergence-based law enforcement policies in Indonesia. This crime has the characteristics of convergence between financial crimes and cybercrime, occurs in cyberspace and is carried out by actors who are described not only from cryptoasset transaction actors, but also third parties who provide services related to cryptoasset transactions. Law enforcement policies in tackling these crimes must have a convergence load with various technological innovations, including data storage and crime investigation using a blockchain system, including verification of cryptoassets using a chain of custody architecture and confiscation and confiscation of cryptoassets related to crime. The formation of convergence-based criminal policies cannot be separated from awareness and continuous efforts to develop the quality of human resources in digital literacy. This quality is not only described in the mastery of technology alone but also in ethical behavior. This digital ethics-based legal culture should not only be aimed at the general public as a norm target (norm address), but also for law enforcement officers (rechtshandhaving)

Transcriptome analysis reveals nuclear-encoded proteins for the maintenance of temporary plastids in the dinoflagellate Dinophysis acuminata

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Dinophysis </it>is exceptional among dinoflagellates, possessing plastids derived from cryptophyte algae. Although <it>Dinophysis </it>can be maintained in pure culture for several months, the genus is mixotrophic and needs to feed either to acquire plastids (a process known as kleptoplastidy) or obtain growth factors necessary for plastid maintenance. <it>Dinophysis </it>does not feed directly on cryptophyte algae, but rather on a ciliate (<it>Myrionecta rubra</it>) that has consumed the cryptophytes and retained their plastids. Despite the apparent absence of cryptophyte nuclear genes required for plastid function, <it>Dinophysis </it>can retain cryptophyte plastids for months without feeding.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>To determine if this dinoflagellate has nuclear-encoded genes for plastid function, we sequenced cDNA from <it>Dinophysis acuminata</it>, its ciliate prey <it>M. rubra</it>, and the cryptophyte source of the plastid <it>Geminigera cryophila</it>. We identified five proteins complete with plastid-targeting peptides encoded in the nuclear genome of <it>D. acuminata </it>that function in photosystem stabilization and metabolite transport. Phylogenetic analyses show that the genes are derived from multiple algal sources indicating some were acquired through horizontal gene transfer.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These findings suggest that <it>D. acuminata </it>has some functional control of its plastid, and may be able to extend the useful life of the plastid by replacing damaged transporters and protecting components of the photosystem from stress. However, the dearth of plastid-related genes compared to other fully phototrophic algae suggests that <it>D. acuminata </it>does not have the nuclear repertoire necessary to maintain the plastid permanently.</p

Culture and Development: Practical illustrations from the Commonwealth

The examples set out in this paper highlight some of the practical ways in which culture and development are being linked in practice. They have been drawn from submissions made by civil society organisations to the Commonwealth Group on Culture and Development1 and offer practical examples to support the Group’s Commonwealth Statement on Culture and Development. They aim to shed light on the Group’s recommendations and show potential ways in which they can be taken forward in practice. The four examples illustrate how culture-based methods and resources can support social transformation, realise economic benefits and foster community cohesion

Characteristics Of Cryptoasset-Related Crimes And Convergence-Based Law Enforcement Policies

Crimes related to cryptoassets that develop in a complex manner give rise to distinctive characteristics and require a convergence-based countermeasure that is not only responsive but also anticipatory and futuristic. This article is examined from normative juridical research with a case and conceptual approach. It aims to study the characteristics of crimes related to cryptoassets and how to formulate convergence-based law enforcement policies in Indonesia. Law enforcement policies in tackling these crimes must have a convergence load with various technological innovations. The formation of convergence-based criminal policies cannot be separated from awareness and continuous efforts to develop the quality of human resources in digital literacy. This quality is in the mastery of technology itself and ethical behavior. This digital ethics-based legal culture should not only be aimed at the general public as a norm target (norm address) but also for law enforcement officers (rechtshandhaving)

Horizontal gene transfer is a significant driver of gene innovation in dinoflagellates

© The Author(s), 2013. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Genome Biology and Evolution 5 (2013): 2368-2381, doi:10.1093/gbe/evt179.The dinoflagellates are an evolutionarily and ecologically important group of microbial eukaryotes. Previous work suggests that horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is an important source of gene innovation in these organisms. However, dinoflagellate genomes are notoriously large and complex, making genomic investigation of this phenomenon impractical with currently available sequencing technology. Fortunately, de novo transcriptome sequencing and assembly provides an alternative approach for investigating HGT. We sequenced the transcriptome of the dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense Group IV to investigate how HGT has contributed to gene innovation in this group. Our comprehensive A. tamarense Group IV gene set was compared with those of 16 other eukaryotic genomes. Ancestral gene content reconstruction of ortholog groups shows that A. tamarense Group IV has the largest number of gene families gained (314–1,563 depending on inference method) relative to all other organisms in the analysis (0–782). Phylogenomic analysis indicates that genes horizontally acquired from bacteria are a significant proportion of this gene influx, as are genes transferred from other eukaryotes either through HGT or endosymbiosis. The dinoflagellates also display curious cases of gene loss associated with mitochondrial metabolism including the entire Complex I of oxidative phosphorylation. Some of these missing genes have been functionally replaced by bacterial and eukaryotic xenologs. The transcriptome of A. tamarense Group IV lends strong support to a growing body of evidence that dinoflagellate genomes are extraordinarily impacted by HGT.J.H.W. was supported by the NSF IGERT Program in Comparative Genomics at the University of Arizona (grant number DGE-0654435). This work was supported by grants from the National Science Foundation (grant numbers OCE-0723498, EF-0732440) and funding provided by the BIO5 Institute at the University of Arizona to J.D.H

The PAS Domain-Containing Protein HeuR Regulates Heme Uptake in Campylobacter jejuni

Campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of bacterially derived gastroenteritis. A previous mutant screen demonstrated that the heme uptake system (Chu) is required for full colonization of the chicken gastrointestinal tract. Subsequent work identified a PAS domain-containing regulator, termed HeuR, as being required for chicken colonization. Here we confirm that both the heme uptake system and HeuR are required for full chicken gastrointestinal tract colonization, with the hour mutant being particularly affected during competition with wild-type C. jejuni. Transcriptomic analysis identified the chu genes—and those encoding other iron uptake systems—as regulatory targets of HeuR. Purified HeuR bound the chuZA promoter region in electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Consistent with a role for HeuR in chu expression, heuR mutants were unable to efficiently use heme as a source of iron under iron-limiting conditions, and mutants exhibited decreased levels of cell-associated iron by mass spectrometry. Finally, we demonstrate that an heuR mutant of C. jejuni is resistant to hydrogen peroxide and that this resistance correlates to elevated levels of catalase activity. These results indicate that HeuR directly and positively regulates iron acquisition from heme and negatively impacts catalase activity by an as yet unidentified mechanism in C. jejuni

A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Online-Delivered ACT-Enhanced Behavior Therapy for Trichotillomania in Adolescents

Treatment of adolescent trichotillomania is understudied, and treatment providers are difficult to find. In this pilot study, we compared ACT-enhanced behavior therapy to a waitlist, with treatment delivered over Zoom, to 28 adolescents who met criteria for trichotillomania. This study partially occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. A detailed description of the treatment protocol is provided for ACT-enhanced behavior therapy adapted to a Zoom format for adolescents. Pretreatment assessments were completed over Zoom by an assessor unaware of study condition; pretreatment and posttreatment questionnaires were completed online. Results indicated that therapy was delivered with fidelity and competence over Zoom, with 100% session completion. Adolescents reported that pulling severity decreased significantly more in the treatment condition than waitlist. No differences were seen in other adolescent or parent-reported pulling severity or distress. However, significant medium to large within-condition effect sizes were observed in the treatment condition. Medium effect size changes were seen in the treatment group on a measure of trichotillomania-related psychological flexibility, and a small effect size was seen for psychological distress. Overall, pilot results provide preliminary support for ACT-enhanced behavior therapy, delivered over Zoom, for adolescent trichotillomania, indicating the need for a fully powered confirmatory efficacy trial

No-Fly Zones: Strategic, Operational, and Legal Considerations for Congress

This report discusses the establishment of no-fly zones and several related issues for Congress surrounding the strategy, including international authorization, congressional authorization, operations, and costs of establishing and maintaining no-fly zones

A Psychometric Comparison of Psychological Inflexibility Measures: Discriminant Validity and Item Performance

Psychological inflexibility is a rigid behavioral pattern that interferes with engagement in personally meaningful activities; it is the hypothesized root of suffering in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Thus, the quality of its measurement affects the research, theory, and practice of ACT. The current study aimed to evaluate the discriminant validity and item performance of four measures of psychological inflexibility: the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire—II (AAQ-II), a revised version of the AAC-II (AAQ-3), the Brief Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (BEAQ), and the Comprehensive assessment of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy processes (CompACT). We analyzed data from community (n = 253), student (n = 261), and treatment-seeking samples (n = 140) using exploratory factor analysis and multigroup graded-response models. The CompACT had the strongest discriminant validity followed by the AAQ-3, whereas items in the CompACT Behavioral Awareness and Valued Action subscales performed most consistently across groups. No single measure emerged as clearly superior to others; rather, appropriate selection of measures depends on the goals and context of assessment. Scientific and clinical implications are discussed