bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Joubert syndrome protein ARL13B binds tubulin to maintain uniform distribution of proteins along the ciliary membrane
Authors: Revenkova Ekaterina , Liu Qing , Gusella G. Luca , Iomini Carlo
Published: March 2018

Cilia-mediated signal transduction involves precise targeting and localization of selected molecules along the ciliary membrane. However, the molecular mechanism underlying these events is unclear. The Joubert syndrome protein ARL13B is a membrane-associated G-protein that localizes along the cilium and functions in protein transport and signaling. We identify tubulin as a direct interactor of ARL13B and demonstrate that the association occurs via the G-domain and independently from the GTPase activity of ARL13B. The G-domain is necessary for the interaction of ARL13B with the axoneme both in vitro and in vivo. We further show that exogenously expressed mutants lacking the tubulin-binding G-domain (ARL13B-ΔGD) or whose GTPase domain is inactivated (ARL13B-T35N) retain ciliary localization, but fail to rescue ciliogenesis defects of null Arl13bhnn mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). However, while ARL13B-ΔGD and the membrane proteins Smoothened (SMO) and Somatostatin receptor-3 (SSTR3) distribute unevenly along the cilium of Arl13bhnn MEFs, ARL13B-T35N distributes evenly along the cilium and enables the uniform distribution of SMO and SSTR3. Thus, we propose a so far unknown function of ARL13B in anchoring ciliary membrane proteins to the axoneme through the direct interaction of its G-domain with tubulin.
Spatio-temporal MAPK dynamics mediate cell behavior coordination during fungal somatic cell fusion
Authors: Serrano Antonio , Illgen Julia , Brandt Ulrike , Thieme Nils , Letz Anja , Lichius Alexander , Read Nick D. , Fleißner André
Published: March 2018

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are conserved regulators of proliferation, differentiation and adaptation in eukaryotic cells. Their activity often involves changes in their subcellular localization, indicating an important role for these spatio-temporal dynamics in signal transmission. A striking model illustrating these dynamics is somatic cell fusion in Neurospora crassa. Germinating spores of this fungus rapidly alternate between signal sending and receiving, thereby establishing a cell-cell dialog, which involves the alternating membrane recruitment of the MAPK MAK-2 in both fusion partners. Here, we show that the dynamic translocation of MAK-2 is essential for coordinating the behavior of the fusion partners before physical contact. The activation and function of the kinase strongly correlate with its subcellular localization, indicating a crucial contribution of the MAPK dynamics in establishing regulatory feedback loops, which establish the oscillatory signaling mode. In addition, we provide evidence that MAK-2 not only contributes to cell-cell communication, but also mediates cell-cell fusion. The MAK-2 dynamics significantly differ between these two processes, suggesting a role for the MAPK in switching of the cellular program between communication and fusion.
Resistance to DNA damage and enhanced DNA repair capacity in the hypoxia-tolerant blind mole rat, Spalax
Authors: Domankevich Vered , Eddini Hossam , Odeh Amani , Shams Imad
Published: March 2018

The blind mole rat, Spalax, is the only mammalian species, to date, for which spontaneous cancer was never reported and resistance to carcinogens- induced cancers was demonstrated. However, the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. The fact that Spalax is also a hypoxia-tolerant and a long-lived species implies for molecular adaptations to prevent genomic instability, which underlies both cancer and aging. We previously demonstrated the up-regulation of transcripts related to DNA replication and repair pathways in Spalax. Yet, to date, no direct experimental evidence for improved genomic maintenance was demonstrated for this species. Here, we show that compared to these of the above-ground rat, Spalax skin fibroblasts in culture resists several types of genotoxic insults, accumulates less genotoxic lesions, and exhibit an enhanced DNA repair capacity. Our results strongly support that this species has evolved efficient mechanisms to maintain DNA integrity as an adaptation to the stressful conditions in the subterranean habitat.
Investment Hangover and the Great Recession
Authors: Rognlie Matthew , Shleifer Andrei , Simsek Alp
Published: March 2018

We present a model of investment hangover motivated by the Great Recession. Overbuilding of durable capital such as housing requires a reallocation of productive resources to other sectors, which is facilitated by a reduction in the interest rate. When monetary policy is constrained, overbuilding induces a demand-driven recession with limited reallocation and low output. Investment in other capital initially declines due to low demand, but it later booms and induces an asymmetric recovery in which the overbuilt sector is left behind. Welfare can be improved by ex post policies that stimulate investment (including in overbuilt capital) and ex ante policies that restrict investment. (JEL E22, E23, E32, E43, E52, R21, R31)
Wages, Human Capital, and Barriers to Structural Transformation
Authors: Herrendorf Berthold , Schoellman Todd
Published: March 2018

We document for 13 countries ranging from rich (Canada, United States) to poor (India, Indonesia) that average wages are considerably lower in agriculture than in the other sectors. Moreover, agriculture has less educated workers and lower Mincer returns. We view these findings through the lens of a multi-sector model in which workers differ in observed and unobserved characteristics and sectors differ in their human-capital intensities. We derive expressions for the implied barriers to the reallocation of labor out of agriculture. We find that in our sample these barriers are considerably smaller than what the macro-development literature has argued. (JEL J24, J31, J43, O13, O15, Q10)
Decreased A-to-I RNA editing as a source of keratinocytes' dsRNA in psoriasis
Authors: Shallev Lea , Kopel Eli , Feiglin Ariel , Leichner Gil S. , Avni Dror , Sidi Yechezkel , Eisenberg Eli , Barzilai Aviv , Levanon Erez Y. , Greenberger Shoshana
Published: March 2018

Recognition of dsRNA molecules activates the MDA5–MAVS pathway and plays a critical role in stimulating type-I interferon responses in psoriasis. However, the source of the dsRNA accumulation in psoriatic keratinocytes remains largely unknown. A-to-I RNA editing is a common co- or post-transcriptional modification that diversifies adenosine in dsRNA, and leads to unwinding of dsRNA structures. Thus, impaired RNA editing activity can result in an increased load of endogenous dsRNAs. Here we provide a transcriptome-wide analysis of RNA editing across dozens of psoriasis patients, and we demonstrate a global editing reduction in psoriatic lesions. In addition to the global alteration, we also detect editing changes in functional recoding sites located in the IGFBP7, COPA, and FLNA genes. Accretion of dsRNA activates autoimmune responses, and therefore the results presented here, linking for the first time an autoimmune disease to reduction in global editing level, are relevant to a wide range of autoimmune diseases.
Polak i jego rodzina w Unii Europejskiej
Authors: Galent Marcin
Published: March 2018

The Pole and her/his family in the European Union Contrary to most European countries, support for Polish membership of the European Union is still very high. Moreover, the level of trust towards the EU is constantly on the increase. The reason for the low level of social trust in Poland stems from the process which I term “re‑familiarisation”. This phenomenon is caused mainly by the shape of citizenship which has been accommodated in the last two decades. Its main traits consist in the withdrawal of the state and local authorities from the responsibility to guarantee basic social security. This withdrawal has recreated a “social dualism” in Poland. This dualism means that in some regions the place of the state has been successfully replaced by free market institutions, however there are also regions where these institutions are too weak to reduce this social insecurity effectively. As a consequence, where the free market is insufficient and the state absent, the Poles turns towards family ties. Since families are the main sources of security, trust is hence being built mainly within the family and other primary group frameworks which are closest. On the other hand, in tandem with the disappearance of the state from the social horizon and everyday experience of some Poles, they have begun to place their trust outside it. This outside space is the European Union, thanks to which Poles are experiencing an inflow of capital and investments as well as taking advantage of a new possibility structure brought about by the recently opened labour markets.
Split-Award Auctions: Insights from Theory and Experiments
Authors: Chaturvedi Aadhaar , Katok Elena , Beil Damian R.
Published: March 2018

We investigate procurement in a setting in which the buyer is bound by sourcing rules. Sourcing rules may limit the minimum and maximum amounts of business that can be awarded to a single supplier or dictate the minimum number of suppliers who are awarded business, thus necessitating split awards. The buyer announces the splits before the auction, and suppliers bid accordingly. We consider two auction formats: the sealed-bid first-price auction, and a version of the open-bid descending-price auction. We characterize the suppliers’ symmetric equilibrium bidding strategy for both formats and find that the two formats yield the same expected buyer’s cost. We characterize the cost of multisourcing, showing among other things that it is always costly for the buyer to split its award among more suppliers if the suppliers’ costs are regularly distributed, but that doing so can actually reduce the buyer’s expected auction payment if the suppliers’ costs are not regularly distributed. The results from controlled laboratory experiments, involving human subjects, indicate that expected cost equivalence fails when costs are regularly distributed because suppliers bid more aggressively in the sealed-bid auction. However, for split-award auctions with nonregularly distributed costs, the sealed-bid prices are actually higher than predicted by theory. We explain these mismatches between observations and theory through a behavioral model based on bidders’ aversion to anticipated regret. The experimental results indicate that the theory does a good job of predicting the relationship between the buyer’s average cost and the award splits, as well as the cost of multisourcing. Importantly, the experiments confirm that when suppliers’ costs come from a nonregular distribution, it may be to the buyer’s advantage to diversify the supply base more than is strictly necessitated by sourcing rules.

The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2017.2932 .

This paper was accepted by Vishal Gaur, operations management.
Measuring Sharia Bank Performance by Syari'ate Value Added Approach: Sharia Enter-prise Implementation in Sharia Banking in Indonesia
Authors: Wahyuni Sri , Pujiharto Pujiharto
Published: March 2018

This study aims to measure the financial performance of Islamic banking in Indonesia using Shariâ€™ate Value Added Approach. This research also analyzes whether there are significant differences of financial performance of Islamic banking using the income statement approach and shariâ€™ate value added approach. The sample of this study is islamic banking, with research period 2010-2015, selected using a purposive sampling. Financial performance used in this study is Return on Asset (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE), Net Profit to Productive Asset (NPPA), and Net Profit Margin (NPM). They were analyzed using independent sample t test. The result shows that financial performance of Islamic banking is healty. There are significant differences of financial performance (ROA, ROE, and NPM) of islamic banking measured by means of income statement approach and syariâ€™ate value added statement approach. Yet, there is no significant difference of NPPA of Islamic banking measured by the income statement approach and syariâ€™ate value added statement approach. The result of this study provide a significant contribution to developing syariah enterprise theory. For manager of Islamic banking, Bank Indonesia and Sharia Financial Standard Board, they can use this ese findings to make policies related to the measurement of Islamic Banking performance.
Karakterisasi Dan Identifikasi Molekuler Fusan Hasil Fusi Protoplas Interspesies Chlorella pyrenoidosa dan Chlorella vulgaris Menggunakan 18SrDNA
Authors: Rismiarti Asih , Kusumaningrum Hermin Pancasakti , Zainuri Muhammad
Published: March 2018

Chlorella pyrenoidosa is a unicellular green algae that grows in fresh water with carotenoids consisting of             β-carotene, α-carotene, anthaxanthin, neoxanthin, zeaxanthin and lutein. C. vulgaris usually it lives in sea water with carotenoids, chlorophyll, tocopherol, ubiquinone and proteins. The quality of them is improved by protoplast fusion and identified further using moleculer analysis. This study aims to find out the characterization and identification of molecular fusan that is obtained from interspecies C. pyrenoidosa and C. vulgaris protoplast fusion process using 18SrDNA. Both C. pyrenoidosa and C. vulgaris are combined by protoplast fusion and then they were performed the isolation of DNA with CTAB modification method, followed by PCR gradient using primers 18S Chlorella and performed DNA sequencing. The result show that there are different characters between masterplan and fusan based on growth of fresh water and sea water medium. The success frequency of fusan as a result from protoplast fusion in the fresh water media is 21% and 6% for sea water medium. The results of the alignment between fresh water fusan and C. vulgaris masterplan from GeneBank shows that the base sequence homology is 93% C. pyrenoidosa masterplan from GeneBank is 90%. The result of molecular identification towards the sequence of fresh water fusan bases shows that there is a kinship relationship with the masterplan of C. pyrenoidosa 18S Chlorella and Chlorosphaera klebsii microalgae compared with some other species from Chlorophyta group with similarity value as many as 91%. It shows that the high variety genetic is based on variations of the base sequence and has a kinship with other species in the Chlorophyta group.                                      Keywords : Chlorella pyrenoidosa, Chlorella vulgaris, Protoplast Fusion, DNA Sequensing, 18SrDNA.
Emotional experiences beyond the classroom: Interactions with the social world
Authors: Ross Andrew S. , Rivers Damian J.
Published: March 2018

Research into the emotional experiences of language learners and their impact upon the language-learning process remains relatively undernourished within second language education. The research available focuses primarily on emotions experienced within the classroom, rather than in the daily lives of learners within various social contexts. This article contends that the focus placed upon emotions within the relatively structured environment of the formal classroom is problematic, particularly within an ESL environment, as the target language is more frequently experienced beyond the classroom. Drawing on data collected within Australia, the study explored the emotional experiences of a small cohort of eight university-level ESL learners experienced within their various social interactions beyond the classroom with a specific focus on the emotions of hope, enjoyment and frustration. Semi-structured interviews revealed that their emotional experiences beyond the classroom were particularly intense in comparison to emotional experiences within the formal language-learning classroom.
On Green’s function of the Robin problem for the Poisson equation
Authors: Karachik Valery V. , Turmetov Batirkhan K.
Published: March 2018

An explicit representation of the Green function of the Robin problem for the Poisson equation in the unit ball is given.
Towards Biofilm Spectroscopy – A Novel Microfluidic Approach for Characterizing Biofilm Subpopulation by Microwave-Based Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Richter Christiane , Schneider Stefan , Rapp Bastian E. , Schmidt Sönke , Schüßler Martin , Jakoby Rolf , Bruchmann Julia , Bischer Moritz , Schwartz Thomas
Published: March 2018

In this work three disciplines – microfluidics, microbiology and microwave engineering – are utilized to develop a system for analyzing subpopulations of biofilms and their reaction to antibiotic treatment. We present handling strategies to destabilize a biofilm inside a microfluidic system down to aggregate sizes of<10 µm2as well as microfluidic structures for the flow-through filtration of the resulting cell suspensions. For the analysis of the cell populations by microwave electrical impedance spectroscopy, two novel calibration schemes are demonstrated to cover both, reflection as well as transmission measurements of dielectric fluids. The broadband calibration strategies are solely based on liquid standards and allow a precise long-term monitoring with a resolution up to${\text{ }}\Delta \varepsilon = 6$ ‰, while the error is kept below$\Delta = 1.5$ ‰ at${\ }5{\ }{\rm GHz}$. Combining these three research topics therefore will open up new ways for analyzing biofilm effects.
Metabolic syndrome, leptin-insulin resistance and uric acid: a trinomial foe for Algerian city-dweller adolescents’ health
Authors: Bouhenni Hamida , Daoudi Hadjer , Djemai Haidar , Rouabah Abdelkader , Vitiello Damien , Rouabah Leila
Published: March 2018

Background

Adolescence is one of the critical periods where increased risk for long-term obesity-related complications is an important health concern. This highlights the need to perform early diagnostics based on precise biomarkers to decrease the risk of complications in adolescents with obesity.

Objective

To determine the relationships between serum levels of uric acid (UA), leptin and insulin with metabolic syndrome (MS) components in Algerian adolescents.

Subjects

Nondiabetic adolescents (n = 204).

Methods

Blood pressure (BP) and anthropometric measurements were performed using standardized techniques. Blood samples were taken for determination of glycemia, triglyceridemia, uricemia, cholesterolemia, leptinemia and insulinemia.

Results

The rate of MS among an excess weight group was 17.4% [95% confidence interval (CI)]. Serum levels of UA, leptin and insulin were significantly higher in the excess weight group compared to a normal weight group (279.4 ± 86.05 vs. 204.9 ± 50.34 μmol/L and 25.65 ± 14.01 vs. 4.09 ± 2.60 μg/L, p < 0.001; 24.58 ± 13.85 vs. 13.34 ± 6.41 μIU/L, p < 0.05). Serum levels of UA, leptin and insulin were significantly higher in adolescents with MS compared to those without MS (304.86 ± 111.41 vs. 224.72 ± 77.81 μmol/L, 30.26 ± 12.46 vs. 16.93 ± 14.97 μg/L and 30.91 ± 17.30 vs. 18.71 ± 10.14 μIU/L, p < 0.05, respectively). Significant correlations were found between UA and leptin with waist circumference (r = 0.50 and 0.76), diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.58 and 0.43), triglycerides (r = 0.42 and 0.35) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (r = −0.36 and −0.35).

Conclusion

Serum levels of UA and leptin may be useful biomarkers for early diagnosis of the risk of MS in our Algerian adolescent population.
Optimization of deformation monitoring networks using finite element strain analysis
Authors: Alizadeh-Khameneh M. Amin , Eshagh Mehdi , Jensen Anna B. O.
Published: March 2018

An optimal design of a geodetic network can fulfill the requested precision and reliability of the network, and decrease the expenses of its execution by removing unnecessary observations. The role of an optimal design is highlighted in deformation monitoring network due to the repeatability of these networks. The core design problem is how to define precision and reliability criteria. This paper proposes a solution, where the precision criterion is defined based on the precision of deformation parameters, i. e. precision of strain and differential rotations. A strain analysis can be performed to obtain some information about the possible deformation of a deformable object. In this study, we split an area into a number of three-dimensional finite elements with the help of the Delaunay triangulation and performed the strain analysis on each element. According to the obtained precision of deformation parameters in each element, the precision criterion of displacement detection at each network point is then determined. The developed criterion is implemented to optimize the observations from the Global Positioning System (GPS) in Skåne monitoring network in Sweden. The network was established in 1989 and straddled the Tornquist zone, which is one of the most active faults in southern Sweden. The numerical results show that 17 out of all 21 possible GPS baseline observations are sufficient to detect minimum 3 mm displacement at each network point.
High-Sensitivity Troponins after a Standardized 2-Hour Treadmill Run
Authors: Broz Pavel , Rajdl Daniel , Novak Jaroslav , Hromadka Milan , Racek Jaroslav , Trefil Ladislav , Zeman Vaclav
Published: March 2018

The aim of this study was to examine high-sensitivity troponin T and I (hsTnT and hsTnI) after a treadmill run under laboratory conditions and to find a possible connection with echocardiographic, laboratory and other assessed parameters. Nineteen trained men underwent a standardized 2-hour-long treadmill run. Concentrations of hsTnT and hsTnI were assessed before the run, 60, 120 and 180 minutes after the start and 24 hours after the run. Changes in troponins were tested using non-parametric analysis of variance (ANOVA). The multiple linear regression model was used to find the explanatory variables for hsTnT and hsTnI changes. Values of troponins were evaluated using the 0h/1h algorithm. Changes in hsTnT and hsTnI levels were statistically significant (p<0.0001 and p<0.0001, respectively). In a multiple regression model (adjusted R2: 0.60, p=0.005 for hsTnT and adjusted R2: 0.60, p=0.005 for hsTnI), changes in both troponins can be explained by relative left wall thickness (LV), training volume, body temperature after the run and creatinine changes. According to the 0h/1h algorithm, none of the runners was evaluated as negative. Relative LV wall thickness, creatinine changes, training volume and body temperature after the run can predict changes in hsTnT and hsTnI levels. When medical attention is needed after physical exercise, hsTn levels should be tested only when clinical suspicion and the patient’s history indicate a high probability of myocardial damage.
Assessment of Serum Levels of the Adipocytokine Chemerin in Colorectal Cancer Patients
Authors: Alkady Manal M. , Abdel-Messeih Phebe L. , Nosseir Neveen M.
Published: March 2018

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. The tumor microenvironment is very important for determining cancer cell growth and spreading. Chemerin, a newly identified adipokine secreted by adipose tissue, is known to be associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance. The present study was carried out to investigate the association between serum levels of chemerin and colorectal cancer. Thirty-two patients with colorectal cancer aged 57.6±6.5 years, and twenty age, sex and BMI matched healthy controls were included in the study. Serum che me rin levels were determined using enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were determined using a turbidimetric immunoassay. Carcino embryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA 19-9) were measured by radioimmunoassay. Chemerin levels were found to be significantly higher in patients relative to the controls (P<0.001) and gradually increased with the TNM tumor stage progression. The mean CRP, CEA and CA 19-9 levels were also significantly higher in patients (P<0.001). There was a significant correlation between the serum levels of chemerin and the other measured parameters in CRC patients. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) for serum chemerin was 1 at a cut-off value ≥ 161.5 with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Conclusions: The observed results suggest that chemerin may have a potential role in the pathogenesis and progression of colorectal malignancy and may be a good biomarker of colorectal cancer and stage progression.
Arcuate Fasciculus in Autism Spectrum Disorder Toddlers with Language Regression
Authors: Zhang Lin , Li Kailong , Zhang Chengqi , Qi Xianlong , Zheng Ning , Wang Guangbin
Published: March 2018

Language regression is observed in a subset of toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as initial symptom. However, such a phenomenon has not been fully explored, partly due to the lack of definite diagnostic evaluation methods and criteria. Materials and Methods: Fifteen toddlers with ASD exhibiting language regression and fourteen age-matched typically developing (TD) controls underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). DTI parameters including fractional anisotropy (FA), average fiber length (AFL), tract volume (TV) and number of voxels (NV) were analyzed by Neuro 3D in Siemens syngo workstation. Subsequently, the data were analyzed by using IBM SPSS Statistics 22. Results: Compared with TD children, a significant reduction of FA along with an increase in TV and NV was observed in ASD children with language regression. Note that there were no significant differences between ASD and TD children in AFL of the arcuate fasciculus (AF). Conclusions: These DTI changes in the AF suggest that microstructural anomalies of the AF white matter may be associated with language deficits in ASD children exhibiting language regression starting from an early age.
Application of aerial hyperspectral images in monitoring tree biophysical parameters in urban areas
Authors: Jarocińska Anna , Białczak Małgorzata , Sławik Łukasz
Published: March 2018

Monitoring of trees in urban areas can be conducted using remote sensing, but should be supported by field measurements. The article aims to present the research method used to evaluate discolouration and defoliation of trees and tree damage in the city of Białystok in Poland. The analyses were done using AISA hyperspectral images. Field measurements encompassed determining the locations, species and levels of discolouration and defoliation of trees. Remote sensing indices of vegetation were calculated and correlated with the field-measured values of discolouration and defoliation. Based on that, values of discolouration and defoliation were calculated and evaluated against the field studies. The RMSE of the acquired data was around 16%. Using parameter values, a map of tree damage was drawn up. Based on the analysis, it can be stated that a significant number of trees is undamaged, although a large portion of the trees falls into the warning class.
Adaptation to Noise in Human Speech Recognition Unrelated to the Medial Olivocochlear Reflex
Authors: Marrufo-Pérez Miriam I. , Eustaquio-Martín Almudena , Lopez-Poveda Enrique A.
Published: March 2018

Sensory systems constantly adapt their responses to the current environment. In hearing, adaptation may facilitate communication in noisy settings, a benefit frequently (but controversially) attributed to the medial olivocochlear reflex (MOCR) enhancing the neural representation of speech. Here, we show that human listeners (N= 14; five male) recognize more words presented monaurally in ipsilateral, contralateral, and bilateral noise when they are given some time to adapt to the noise. This finding challenges models and theories that claim that speech intelligibility in noise is invariant over time. In addition, we show that this adaptation to the noise occurs also for words processed to maintain the slow-amplitude modulations in speech (the envelope) disregarding the faster fluctuations (the temporal fine structure). This demonstrates that noise adaptation reflects an enhancement of amplitude modulation speech cues and is unaffected by temporal fine structure cues. Last, we show that cochlear implant users (N= 7; four male) show normal monaural adaptation to ipsilateral noise. Because the electrical stimulation delivered by cochlear implants is independent from the MOCR, this demonstrates that noise adaptation does not require the MOCR. We argue that noise adaptation probably reflects adaptation of the dynamic range of auditory neurons to the noise level statistics.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTPeople find it easier to understand speech in noisy environments when they are given some time to adapt to the noise. This benefit is frequently but controversially attributed to the medial olivocochlear efferent reflex enhancing the representation of speech cues in the auditory nerve. Here, we show that the adaptation to noise reflects an enhancement of the slow fluctuations in amplitude over time that are present in speech. In addition, we show that adaptation to noise for cochlear implant users is not statistically different from that for listeners with normal hearing. Because the electrical stimulation delivered by cochlear implants is independent from the medial olivocochlear efferent reflex, this demonstrates that adaptation to noise does not require this reflex.
Genetic Dissection of a Supergene ImplicatesTfap2ain Craniofacial Evolution of Threespine Sticklebacks
Authors: Erickson Priscilla A , Baek Jiyeon , Hart James C , Cleves Phillip A , Miller Craig T
Published: March 2018

Genomic regions that regulate multiple traits, called supergenes, have been found in a range of organisms, including threespine stickleback fish. Here, Erickson et al. show that closely linked but genetically separable changes in ...

In nature, multiple adaptive phenotypes often coevolve and can be controlled by tightly linked genetic loci known as supergenes. Dissecting the genetic basis of these linked phenotypes is a major challenge in evolutionary genetics. Multiple freshwater populations of threespine stickleback fish (Gasterosteus aculeatus) have convergently evolved two constructive craniofacial traits, longer branchial bones and increased pharyngeal tooth number, likely as adaptations to dietary differences between marine and freshwater environments. Prior QTL mapping showed that both traits are partially controlled by overlapping genomic regions on chromosome 21 and that a regulatory change in Bmp6 likely underlies the tooth number QTL. Here, we mapped the branchial bone length QTL to a 155 kb, eight-gene interval tightly linked to, but excluding the coding regions of Bmp6 and containing the candidate gene Tfap2a. Further recombinant mapping revealed this bone length QTL is separable into at least two loci. During embryonic and larval development, Tfap2a was expressed in the branchial bone primordia, where allele specific expression assays revealed the freshwater allele of Tfap2a was expressed at lower levels relative to the marine allele in hybrid fish. Induced loss-of-function mutations in Tfap2a revealed an essential role in stickleback craniofacial development and show that bone length is sensitive to Tfap2a dosage in heterozygotes. Combined, these results suggest that closely linked but genetically separable changes in Bmp6 and Tfap2a contribute to a supergene underlying evolved skeletal gain in multiple freshwater stickleback populations.
Two models of ethical alignment through metacommunication in clinical situations
Authors: Winther Frederikke , Dindler Camilla
Published: March 2018

The literature on communication in patient-centred care typically focuses on physicians’ alignment strategies. The goals of these strategies are diagnostic accuracy, effectiveness via compliance and patient-centredness. Although the success of these strategies can to some extent be measured, the ethical standards by which they are evaluated are not sufficiently clear. This article presents two models of alignment through ‘explicit’ metacommunication, derived from two different ethical perspectives on patient-centredness. The article first presents the concept of metacommunication and identifies two ethical perspectives that produce normative stands concerning patient-centredness: the logic of care and internal morality. Second, the article presents two models of how metacommunication can contribute to the visibility and accomplishment of these two ethical perspectives in clinical alignment.
Occurrence of Cucumber mosaic virus Infecting Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) in Turkey
Authors: SEVIK Mehmet Ali , AKCUCURA Cemile
Published: March 2018

Parsley plants are grown throughout Turkey as summer and winter crops. Diseased plants having typical of a virus infection such as mosaic, mottling, and leaf distortion symptoms were frequently observed in most of the parsley fields and vegetable public markets in the Middle Black Sea Region of Turkey in 2010. Using double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) was detected on the diseased parsley plants. However, using farmers and commercial seed lots, CMV was not detected in seeds or germinating seedlings.
Biochemical and Physiological Changes in Response to Salinity in Two Durum Wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) Genotypes
Authors: ESFANDIARI Ezatollah , ENAYATI Vaghef , ABBASI Amin
Published: March 2018

The effects of salt stress on the activity of antioxidative enzymes, some oxidative stress indices and Na+ and K+ content were studied in leaves of two durum wheat cultivars, Egypt 449 (salt-tolerant) and Syria 371 (salt-sensitive), grown under control (nutrient solution) or salt stress (nutrient solution containing 200 mM NaCl) conditions. Leaves of control and salt-stressed plants were harvested from 10 days old plants beyond salt treatment. The results showed significant increase for activities of antioxidant enzymes such as ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), in Egypt 449 under salinity. At the same time, in cultivar Egypt 449, activity of SOD and CAT were not changed. Meanwhile, under salinity condition the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and GPX in cultivar Syria 371 was lower than control. There was no significant difference between salinity situation and control ones regarding APX activity. Salt stress elevated the amounts of malondialdehyde (MDA) in both cultivars. However, the increasing rate in Syria 371 was more than (four times) that of Egypt 449. Membrane stability index (MSI) of both cultivars negatively influenced by salinity. This negative impact on Syria 371 was highlighted than on Egypt 449. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content of salinity faced Syria 371 was higher than control. Both cultivars displayed increasing and decreasing trend for Na+ and K+ content, respectively. Moreover, K+/Na+ ratio was decreased in both cultivars due to salinity. The studied parameters elucidated that salt resistance of Egypt 449 might be due to increased activity of antioxidant enzymes, low lipid peroxidation, assumingly lower changes in membrane stability index and avoidance of Na+ absorption.
Juglone Content in Leaf and Green Husk of Five Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Cultivars
Authors: COSMULESCU Sina Niculina , TRANDAFIR Ion , ACHIM Gheorghe , BACIU Adrian
Published: March 2018

Juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4-napthoquinone) is a chemical compound released by walnut trees that can be toxic for surrounding plant species. In the present study, juglone was identified in leaves and green husk in five walnut cultivars: Germisara, Jupanesti, Franquette, Vina, Valcor by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-RP). Juglone was found predominant in green husk (average value of cultivars is about 31.308 mg/100 g). Significant differences in contents of identified juglone were observed among cultivars that ranged from 20.56 to 42.78 mg/100g for green husk, and 5.42 to 22.82 mg/100 g for leaves. It was also found that walnut green husk and leaves represent the most important source of walnut phenolics.
The Determination of the Iridoids from the Melampyrum species by Modern Chromatographic Methods
Authors: MUNTEANU Melania F. , VLASE Laurian
Published: March 2018

The idea of studying the iridoids from the Melampyrum bihariense Kern has started from the few data found about the chemical composition of this species. The literature mentions the presence of iridoids found in two species of Melampyrum: Melampyrum arvense and Melampyrum cristatum. The study consists of a qualitative and quantitative analysis by modern chromatographic methods, TLC.TLC coupled with photo-densitometry as well as chromatography on the high performance column (LC/MS). The methanol extract was done from the flowers and leaves of Melamphyrum bihariense. For the TLC and HPLC, the aucubin was used as standard solution. The obtained chromatogram was examined in visible light spectrum, and then it was revealed with sulphuric anisaldehyde, emphasizing the brown coloured spots. In the TLC case, the chromatographic plate was scanned with a Shimadzu CS9000 photo densitometer after spraying with iron chloride, and for the HPLC the analytical column Atlantis HILIC was used 100 mm x 3.0 mm, 3.5 ?m (water), and the ESI source of ions (electrospray ionisation). After the TLC analysis, the iridoids concentration found in the aucubin is 0.23 mg/mL in flowers and 0.24 mg/mL in leaves, and by the LC/MS method the concentration is of 1.8125 mg/ml in flowers and 2.3037 mg/ml in leaves.
Soil Seed Bank and Aboveground Vegetation in Grazing Lands of Southern Marmara, Turkey
Authors: ÖZASLAN PARLAK Altıngül , GÖKKUŞ Ahmet , DEMİRAY Hasan Can
Published: March 2018

The composition and conservation of plant communities is greatly influenced by the soil seed bank. Information on the soil seed banks and the remaining vegetation in these ecosystems is crucial for guiding the restoration efforts. This study examines the size, species richness, diversity, uniformity, and similarity of soil seed banks and aboveground vegetation in 6 different grazing lands including coastal pasture, reseeded pasture, artificial pasture, lowland shrubland, ungrazed pasture, and hillside shrubland. Forty-eight soil samples were taken by cores with a diameter and depth of 10 cm from each of grazing lands in August of 2007. A vegetation survey was conducted using a 0.5 x 0.5-m quadrant in both the spring and fall. Eighty species were observed in soil seed banks and aboveground vegetation. The largest seed bank was observed in reseeded pasture (7,715 seed/m2), while the smallest seed bank was found in coastal pasture (2,755 seed/m2). Coastal pasture also possessed the least amount of aboveground vegetation (131 plants/m2). The most aboveground vegetation was found in ungrazed pasture (155 plants/m2). The most common species in seed banks were annual and perennial grasses in reseeded pasture, annual forbs in artificial pasture and hillside shrubland, and perennial forbs in low shrubland and ungrazed pasture. Species richness, diversity, and uniformity in seed banks were highest in lowland shrubland and lowest in artificial pasture. The seed bank and aboveground vegetation were similar in ungrazed pasture, coastal pasture, reseeded pasture, low shrubland, hillside shrubland and artificial pasture. Shrublands play an important role in species richness and the number of germinated seeds from seed banks of grazing lands in southern Marmara. The results showed that reseeding or a decrease in grazing pressure may improve the condition of grazing lands.
Effect of Dehydration on Several Physico-Chemical Properties and the Antioxidant Activity of Leeks (Allium porrum L.)
Authors: OZGUR Mehmet , AKPINAR-BAYIZIT Arzu , OZCAN Tulay , YILMAZ-ERSAN Lutfiye
Published: March 2018

This study investigated the changes in some physico-chemical properties and variations in antioxidant compounds of leeks (cv. ‘Inegol-92’) caused by the drying process. The dry matter and ash contents of the fresh leek samples were 8.06 and 0.58 g 100 g-1, respectively. The pH of the fresh leek samples was 6.02, and the titritable acidity in terms of citric acid was 0.14%. As expected, application of hot-air drying significantly increased the dry matter and ash values due to removal of water from the leek slices. The rehydration ratio of dried leeks at 45°C was 5.41, and the coefficient of rehydration was 0.47. The contents of chlorophyll a and b were higher in the dried leeks than in the fresh leeks. The dehydrated leeks showed a high total color difference (?E=12.53) mainly due to the effect of temperature on heat-sensitive compounds. As expected, both fresh and dried leek samples exhibited antioxidant activity with fresh leeks showing a higher capacity of antioxidant activity. Drying the leeks resulted in some ascorbic acid loss. Fresh leeks had much higher phenolic values (26.33 mg rutin eq 100 g DM-1) than the dehydrated samples. The antioxidant capacity of leeks was decreased by more than 50% during the drying process. Although being the most applied method of thermal dehydration, hot air drying causes the degradation of sensitive components, which results in significant losses in sensorial and physico-chemical properties of the dried products.
Immunolocalization of Lipoxygenase in the Anther Wall Cells of Lathyrus undulatus Boiss. during Programmed Cell Death
Authors: VARDAR Filiz , ÜNAL Meral
Published: March 2018

Lipoxygenase catalyzes oxygenation of long chain fatty acids to hydroperoxides and is involved in the degradation of membranes occuring in some types of programmed cell death (PCD). The localization of lipoxygenase in the anther wall layers of L. undulatus during cellular degradation was analyzed by immunogold labeling technique at young and vacuolated pollen stage, due to the close relation between lipoxygenase activity and membrane degradation in programmed cell death. Immunoreaction to lipoxygenase was monitored slightly at young pollen stage in the anther wall cells. As programmed cell death signals progress, lipoxygenase revealed in anther wall cells intensely. At vacuolated pollen stage tapetal cells came forward with ultrastructural changes such as cell, organelle and membrane disintegration. At the indicated stage immunogold particles indicating sites of LOX PAb-binding epitopes were located in the nucleus (chromatin was condensed and lined at the periphery), cytoplasm and close to long dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) cisterna. In conclusion lipoxygenase increase which has a role in the membrane degeneration, possibly induced the collapse of tonoplast, nuclear and plasma membrane and triggered programmed cell death in the tapetal cells of L. undulatus as well as the other wall cells.
Germination of Anatolian Black Pine (Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana) Seeds from the Lakes Region of Turkey: Geographic Variation and Effect of Storage
Authors: TEMEL Fatih , GÜLCÜ Süleyman , ÖLMEZ Zafer , GÖKTÜRK Aşkın
Published: March 2018

Effects of 10-year storage on germination of seeds in 191 Anatolian Black Pine trees from 23 populations in the Lakes Region of Turkey were investigated. Germination tests were conducted with both fresh (in year 1999) and stored (in year 2009) seeds and variation in germination was related to geographic features of the populations. Significant reductions in germination rate (from 79.93% to 30.68%) and germination percentage (from 95.99% to 58.41%) were observed after 10-year storage. Germination characteristics seem to be associated with humidity of population locations. Seeds from more inland (i.e., continental) populations germinated slower but attained higher germination percentage for both seed sets. Germination percentage of stored seeds is highest at elevations with high humidity. Greater attention should be given to environmental conditions of seed sources in storing Anatolian Black Pine seeds in the Lakes Region of Turkey as it is a very important tool in ensuring continuous seedling production and genetic conservation.
Some Fruit Characteristics of Cornelian Cherries (Cornus mas L.)
Authors: ERCISLI Sezai , YILMAZ Suzan O. , GADZE Jelena , DZUBUR Ahmed , HADZIABULIC Semina , ALIMAN Yasmina
Published: March 2018

This study was carried out on 13 local cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) genotypes grown in Yusufeli (Artvin) in Northeast Anatolia in Turkey. Cornelian cherry fruits from these 13 genotypes were harvested and analyzed during the ripening period in 2010. Some physical and chemical characteristics of cultivars were determined. Fruit weight and fruit flesh ratio of these genotypes ranged from 2.72 to 4.11 g and 79.08 to 89.99%. Soluble solid content were determined the lowest as 13.7% and the highest as 18.6%. The genotypes had vitamin C between 31 to 70 mg/100 g with average of 50 mg/100 g. Total protein, cellulose, tannin and ash content of genotypes were determined between 0.75-2.18%; 0.36-1.08%; 0.57-1.28% and 0.51-1.13%. The genotypes were found to be free of pest and diseases. The present study showed that there were enough variability among cornelian cherry genotypes grown in same ecological conditions of a small area and these genotypes could be important both to improve nutritional value through germplasm enhancement programmes and to use them in organic production.
Opportunistic Germination Behaviour of Gypsophila (Caryophyllaceae) in Two Priority Habitats from Semi-arid Mediterranean Steppes
Authors: MORUNO Felix , SORIANO Pilar , VICENTE Oscar , BOSCAIU Monica , ESTRELLES Elena
Published: March 2018

Gypsophila tomentosa and G. struthium are closely related species, characteristic of two European priority habitats, salt and gypsum inland steppes, respectively. Germination strategies of the two taxa were investigated in plants from two nearby populations, growing under the same climatic conditions but on different types of soil, and belonging to different plant communities. Their germination patterns were studied at five constant temperatures in darkness: 5oC, 10oC, 15oC, 20oC and 25oC, and the base temperature and the thermal time requirement were calculated. As the distribution area of both species is subjected to a Mediterranean continental climate with significant differences between day and night, the possible preferences for an alternating temperature regime (25/10oC) were contrasted, as well as the influence of cold stratification and freezing. The effects on seed germination of light at constant 20oC and a 12/12 h photoperiod were also compared in the two species. The main conclusions of the work are the similarity of behaviour of both species, with an absence of seed dormancy, their opportunistic germination strategy, and water availability as the principal limitation to seed germination and plant establishment. The base temperature and thermal time indicate higher competitiveness of G. struthium at low temperatures, but seed germination of G. tomentosa is the most efficient at temperatures higher than 13.3oC. Optimal temperature and illumination conditions for nursery propagation depend on the species. The high viability of seeds observed after freezing prove the orthodox character of these seeds, providing additional information for long term seed conservation procedures.