bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A MULTIVARIATE DATA ANALYSIS OF LOGISTICS STRUCTURE AS A FACTOR OF COMPETITIVENESS
Authors: Carvalho Henrique Duarte , Fonseca Henrique Terra
Published: May 2017

The importance of logistics structure to economies is becoming increasingly significant and in order to support the economic growth based on exports, governments have sought to constantly improve the quality of logistics infrastructure of their countries, ensuring and promoting competitiveness of its production internationally. The consensus is that the logistics structure forms a vital link in the entire chain of trade, contributing to the international competitiveness of a country. This study aims to characterize the country as its logistics structure and relationship of this result to the promotion of competitiveness for them by relevance participation in world trade. To reach that goal the methodological procedure was performed a literature search and analysis of secondary data. Initially, through the identification and validation of data for countries and hence the application of multivariate data analysis methods to measure dimensions that allow such classification, planning, and especially the identification of dimensions of logistics infrastructure components in terms of promotion competitiveness.
RELEVANCE OF THE COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE PROCESS ON THE SPANISH PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES
Authors: Fernández-Arias M. Paula , Quevedo-Cano Pilar , Hidalgo Antonio
Published: May 2017

It is common to find Competitive Intelligence activities within the high-tech enterprises in particular in the pharmaceutical industry. These companies not only use the process of Competitive Intelligence to act against competitors, traditional aim of the Competitive Intelligence. It is increasingly used to enhance cooperation. The Cycle of CI Competitive Intelligence is used both as to extract offensive and defensive intelligence as cooperative intelligence. The paper presents the results of a sample study of 186 Spanish pharmaceutical companies that were asked about the purpose of cooperation in their Competitive Intelligence activities. The results confirm that these are used in the development of business relationships, search for partners, joint research, etc. and that companies bet on these relationships for the future within the Competitive Intelligence.
POWERING CUSTOMER CONNECTIVITY OF PRODUCTS WITH LAST MILE SUPPORT SERVICES: EVIDENCES FROM INDIAN PASSENGER CAR MANUFACTURING
Authors: Jasial Sumeet Singh , Pal S S , Bansal Sanjeev
Published: May 2017

The paper highlights post-production customer connectivity processes in an automobile manufacturing set-up. Identity of post-production processes has been established as a unique in company service operations or pseudo-manufacturing activities. Consequently this research observes that handling these activities purely with a manufacturing focus or with a pure service focus would not be that effective. This paper in-turn proposes a new approach to powering the customer connectivity process in the last mile of a product’s journey from manufacturing to market. The scenario has been addressed in three domains, viz., Post-Production pre-market functions, Product Installation, and Product Liabilities. Through a composite process map of the post-production situations it captures the order winning elements  to pick up opportunities for the possible reinforcement of adding value for money in the last mile activities on the product from company to customer.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES IN STUDIES ON CONCENTRATION OF AMERICAN HOSPITALS
Authors: Migowski Sérgio Almeida , Migowski Eliana Rustick , Libânio Claudia De Souza
Published: May 2017

The objective of this study is to know which methodologies and databases that were used in articles treat variables, such as efficiency and costs in the hospital segment and their relationship with the concentration of American organizations. The quantitative methodologies used were, by order of preference, the multivariate statistical analysis and the econometric analysis. The most used data basis was the Annual Report of the American Hospital Association (AHA), followed by data made available by insurance companies having long lasting relationships with the hospitals analyzed, besides the specific case studies. Finally, it was observed that the concentration in the sector is reflected in the reduction in competition and efficiency gains, notably in the first year after the fusion, which does not mean that there was reduction in the prices charged by the hospitals.
USING THE SERVQUAL MODEL TO ASSESSMALL SERVICE QUALITY AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
Authors: Falcão Larissa Maria Argollo de Arruda , Jerônimo Taciana de Barros , Melo Fagner José Coutinho de , Aquino Joas Tomaz de , Medeiros Denise Dumke de
Published: May 2017

This  paper  use  SERVQUAL measure  for  assessingthe  quality  of  the  administrative  services  in  a  large  mall,located in Brazil,  seen from the point of view of the currentservice  providers.  A questionnaire  was  used  to  interview 68service companies, and 5 CEO mall of this case of study. Twofactors were compared: the expectations and perceptions of theservice  providers,  the  comparison  enabled  the  strengths  andweaknesses of the quality perceived of the services offered bythe  mall  were  undertaken  as  a  case  study. Understand whatfeatures  and  level  of  service  must  have  in  order  to  meetconsumer needs, against on how consumers perceive the actualmall  performance  in  the  context  of  what  they  expected  to ensuring  good  service  to  classify  into  three  categories  offactors:  Basic,  Performance  and  Excitement.The  findings  ofthis study may prompt future research to create a new tool tohelp those managers and service companies in the process ofmaking decisions aimed at improving the strategic relationshipwith retail companies and thus to improve the quality of themall  services.  One  contribution  of  this  study  is  the  simpleproposed model used to understanding how quality processesaffect each organizational dimension of service performance.
Humor styles of primary school teachers
Authors: Altınkurt Yahya , Yılmaz Kürşad
Published: May 2017

The purpose of this study is to determine humor styles of primary school teachers. With the study, humor styles of teachers and differences in between according to certain variables were determined. The sample of the survey model study consists of 279 primary school teachers in the province of Kutahya in Turkey. The data of the research were gathered with "Humor Style Questionnaire". Data were analyzed by utilizing descriptive statistics, t-tests and variance analyses. Results of the study showed that the primary school teachers had an affiliative humor style. Humor styles of primary school teachers are closer to "affiliative humor style", followed by self-enhancing, aggressive humor and self-defeating humor styles. There are significant differences between the humor styles of school teachers about the aggressive and self-defeating humor styles to the gender and branch. However, there was no significant difference in seniority and age.
Jumping Performance is Preserved but Not Muscle Thickness in Collegiate Volleyball Players After a Taper
Authors: Bazyler Caleb D. , Mizuguchi Satoshi , Sole Christopher J. , Suchomel Timothy J. , Sato Kimitake , Kavanaugh Ashley A. , DeWeese Brad H. , Stone Michael H.
Published: May 2017

Bazyler, CD, Mizuguchi, S, Sole, CJ, Suchomel, TJ, Sato, K, Kavanaugh, AA, DeWeese, BH, and Stone, MH. Jumping performance is preserved but not muscle thickness in collegiate volleyball players after a taper.J Strength Cond Res32(4): 1020–1028, 2018—The purpose of this study was to examine changes in muscle architecture and jumping performance in NCAA division I women's volleyball players throughout a competitive season and in preparation for conference championships. Ten women volleyball players were tested at preseason (T1), pretaper (T2), and post-taper (T3) on measures of vastus lateralis muscle thickness (MT), pennation angle (PA) and fascicle length (FL) using ultrasonography, and unloaded and loaded squat jump height (SJH) and peak power allometrically scaled to body mass (SJPPa) on a force platform. Rating of perceived exertion training load and strength training volume load were monitored weekly. Player's MT (p< 0.001, Glass's Δ = 2.8) and PA increased (p= 0.02, Δ = 3.9) after in-season training. However, MT decreased after the taper (p= 0.01, Δ = 0.6) but remained elevated above preseason values (p< 0.001, Δ = 1.7). There were no statistical changes in FL, SJH, or SJPPa. Large-to-very large negative relationships (r= −0.51 to −0.81) were observed between preseason relative maximal strength and changes in SJH and SJPPa with various loads over the season. These findings demonstrate that relatively low volumes of strength training and concurrent sport training during a tapering period are capable of preserving jumping performance, but not MT in women's volleyball players; however, jumping performance changes seem to be related to the player's strength level. Stronger players may benefit from an overreaching microcycle before the taper to preserve previously accrued muscular adaptations and jumping performance.
Consumption of a 5-mg Melatonin Supplement Does Not Affect 32.2-km Cycling Time Trial Performance
Authors: Brandenberger Kyle J. , Ingalls Christopher P. , Rupp Jeffrey C. , Doyle James A.
Published: May 2017

Brandenberger, KJ, Ingalls, CP, Rupp, JC, and Doyle, JA. Consumption of a 5-mg melatonin supplement does not affect 32.2-km cycling time trial performance. J Strength Cond Res 32(10): 2872–2877, 2018—Some studies suggest that exogenous melatonin supplementation may improve athletic performance in hot humid environments because of its precooling effect. However, melatonin is also consumed as a sleep aid for its depressive effects on the central nervous system (CNS), which may hinder performance. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine whether consuming a 5-mg supplement of melatonin would affect performance in a laboratory-simulated 32.2-km cycling time trial. The time trial was conducted in a thermoneutral environment to separate CNS depressive effects of the melatonin from the cooling effects. Trained male subjects (n = 10; V̇o
2max = 62.7 ± 6.3 ml·kg−1·min−1; age = 25.1 ± 4.0 years; mass = 69.9 ± 9.1 kg; height = 176.0 ± 7.1 cm) performed three 32.2-km time trials on an electronically braked cycle ergometer. The first trial was a familiarization. During the 2 experimental trials, subjects received in a random order either a placebo or a 5-mg melatonin supplement 15 minutes before exercise in a double-blind, crossover design. Variables were measured before exercise and at 8-km intervals. The mean 32.2-km time trial completion times for the melatonin (64.94 ± 5.95 minutes) and placebo (65.26 ± 6.85 minutes) trials were not different (p = 0.682). The mean time trial power output for the melatonin (190.4 ± 40.4 watts) and placebo (190.0 ± 45.7 watts) trials was not different (p = 0.927). Rectal temperature was not significantly different for melatonin compared with placebo (p = 0.827). These results suggest that a 5-mg melatonin supplement administered 15 minutes before exercise does not measurably impact the performance of a 32.2-km cycling time trial in a thermoneutral environment.
Effects of Combined Strength and Sprint Training on Lean Mass, Strength, Power, and Sprint Performance in Masters Road Cyclists
Authors: Del Vecchio Luke , Stanton Robert , Reaburn Peter , Macgregor Campbell , Meerkin Jarrod , Villegas Jerome , Korhonen Marko T.
Published: May 2017

Del Vecchio, L, Stanton, R, Reaburn, P, Macgregor, C, Meerkin, J, Villegas, J, and Korhonen, MT. Effects of combined strength and sprint training on lean mass, strength, power, and sprint performance in masters road cyclists. J Strength Cond Res 33(1): 66–79, 2019—Strength and sprint-training exercises are integral part of training in many younger endurance cyclists to improve cycling efficiency and sprinting ability. This study was undertaken to examine whether muscle and performance characteristics could be improved in endurance-trained masters cyclist by adding strength and sprint-training stimuli into their training regimen. Twenty-five masters road cyclists were assigned to a combined strength and sprint-training group (CT; n = 9, 53.5 ± 9.3 years), a sprint-training group (ST, n = 7, 49.4 ± 4.8 years) or a control group (CG, n = 9, 56.9 ± 8.6 years). Before and after the 12 weeks intervention, whole body lean mass, total lower limb lean mass (LLLM), countermovement jump height, peak isometric torque of quadriceps and hamstring muscles were examined. For evaluation of sport-specific performance, 10-second sprint cycling peak power (PP10), total 30 seconds work (TW), PP output and flying 200-m time trial (TT) performance were assessed. No pretraining differences were observed between CT, ST, and CG groups for any of the dependant variables. After training, a significant (p < 0.05) between group difference was observed in TW between CT and CG groups. A significant effect of time (p < 0.05) was observed for LLLM in CT and ST groups, and for TT in the CT group. These results suggest including strength and sprint exercises in training can increase LLLM and sprint performance in endurance-trained masters road cyclists. Further research is warranted to find out an ideal pattern of training to maintain aerobic capabilities along with sprint performance in aging road cyclists.
Monitoring Resistance Exercise Intensity Using Ratings of Perceived Exertion in Previously Untrained Patients With Prostate Cancer Undergoing Androgen Deprivation Therapy
Authors: Fairman Ciaran M. , LaFountain Richard L. , Lucas Alexander R. , Focht Brian C.
Published: May 2017

Fairman, CM, LaFountain, RL, Lucas, AR, and Focht, BC. Monitoring resistance exercise intensity using ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) in previously untrained patients with prostate cancer undergoing androgen deprivation therapy. J Strength Cond Res 32(5): 1360–1365, 2018—Exercise has been shown to be safe and effective for patients with prostate cancer (PrCa). The monitoring of resistance exercise (RE) intensity is an emerging area of interest in RE prescription. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) is one of the most commonly used methods but has not yet been validated in this population. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between RPE and RE intensity in PrCa. Data for this study were abstracted from baseline upper- and lower-body strength assessments from 2 previous trials (Individual Diet and Exercise Adherence Pilot Trial; Livestrong, Austin, TX, USA) in our laboratory investigating functional outcomes in patients with PrCa undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). A total of 75 participants from both trials were included in this study. Ratings of perceived exertion corresponding to 50, 70, and 90% 1 repetition maximum (1RM) were extracted from the results of participants' upper- and lower-body 1RM strength tests. The changes in RPE across increasing intensities were assessed using separate univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA). For each ANOVA, RPE was used as the dependent variable and intensity (50, 70, and 90%) used as the fixed factor. A univariate ANOVA revealed a significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) among the RPE values for each intensity for both upper- and lower-body lifts. The results of our analyses suggest that RPE values rise linearly in response to increases in exercise intensity. Our study supports the concept that RPE may be a practical training tool to accurately estimate RE intensity in PrCa survivors undergoing ADT. Practitioners may consider using RPE to monitor and adjust RE intensity in this population.
Influence of Maturation Stage on Agility Performance Gains After Plyometric Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Asadi Abbas , Arazi Hamid , Ramirez-Campillo Rodrigo , Moran Jason , Izquierdo Mikel
Published: May 2017

Asadi, A, Arazi, H, Ramirez-Campillo, R, Moran, J, and Izquierdo, M. Influence of maturation stage on agility performance gains after plyometric training: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Strength Cond Res 31(9): 2609–2617, 2017—Although plyometric training (PT) improves change of direction (COD) ability, the influence of age on COD gains after PT is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to identify the age-related pattern of improvement in COD ability after PT in youths. A computerized search within 6 databases was performed, selecting studies based on specific inclusion criteria: experimental trials published in English-language journals, PT focused on the lower-body, COD ability measurements reported before and after training, and male participants aged 10 to 18 years. Sixteen articles with a total of 30 effect sizes (ESs) in the experimental groups and 13 ESs in the control groups were included. For the analyses, subjects were categorized into 3 age groups: 10–12.9 years of age (PRE), 13–15.9 years of age (MID), and 16–18 years of age (POST). Independent of age, PT improved COD ability in youths (ES = 0.86, time gains [TG = −0.61]). However, a tendency toward greater COD ability gains was observed in older subjects (MID, ES = 0.95; POST, ES = 0.99) compared with younger subjects (PRE, ES = 0.68). Pearson product-moment correlation (r) indicated that 2-weekly sessions of PT-induced meaningful COD ability gains (for ES, r = 0.436; for TG, r = −0.624). A positive relationship was found between training intensity and ES (r = 0.493). In conclusion, PT improves COD ability in youths, with meaningfully greater effects in older youths. Two PT sessions per week, with 1,400 moderate-intensity jumps for 7 weeks, seems to be an adequate dose.
Decrements in Neuromuscular Performance and Increases in Creatine Kinase Impact Training Outputs in Elite Soccer Players
Authors: Malone Shane , Mendes Bruno , Hughes Brian , Roe Mark , Devenney Simon , Collins Kieran , Owen Adam
Published: May 2017

Malone, S, Mendes, B, Hughes, B, Roe, M, Devenney, S, Collins, K, and Owen, A. Decrements in neuromuscular performance and increases in creatine kinase impact training outputs in elite soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 32(5): 1342–1351, 2018—The aim of the current investigation was to understand the impact of pretraining neuromuscular performance and creatine kinase (CK) status on subsequent training performance in elite soccer players. Thirty soccer players (age: 25.3 ± 3.1 years; height: 183 ± 7 cm; mass: 72 ± 7 kg) were involved in this observational study. Each morning before training, players completed assessments for neuromuscular performance (countermovement jump; CMJ) and CK levels. Global positioning technology provided external load: total distance, high-speed distance, sprint distance, accelerations, decelerations, average metabolic power, explosive distance, and high metabolic power distance (>25.5 W·kg−1). Mixed-effect linear models revealed significant effects for CK and CMJ Z-score on total high-speed distance, very high-speed distance, accelerations, decelerations, explosive distance, and maximal velocity. Effects are reported with 90% confidence limits. A CK Z-score of +1 corresponded to a −5.5 ± 1.1, −3.9 ± 0.5, −4.3 ± 2.9%, −4.1 ± 2.9%, −3.1 ± 2.9%, and −4.6 ± 1.9%, reduction in total high-speed distance, very high-speed distance, accelerations, decelerations, explosive distance, and maximal velocity, respectively. Countermovement jump Z-score of −1 corresponded to a −3.5 ± 1.1, −2.9 ± 0.5, −2.1 ± 1.4, −5.3 ± 2.9%, −3.8 ± 2.9%, −1.1 ± 2.9%, and −5.6 ± 1.2% reduction in these external load measures. Magnitude-based analysis revealed that the practical size of the effect of a pretraining CMJ Z-score of −1 and CK Z-score of +1 would have on total high-speed distance, very high-speed distance, high metabolic power distance (>25.5 W·kg−1), accelerations, decelerations, explosive distance, and maximal velocity was likely negative. The results of this study suggest that systematic pretraining monitoring of neuromuscular and muscle stress within soccer cohorts can provide coaches with information about the training output that can be expected from individual players during a training session.
Mean Velocity vs. Mean Propulsive Velocity vs. Peak Velocity: Which Variable Determines Bench Press Relative Load With Higher Reliability?
Authors: García-Ramos Amador , Pestaña-Melero Francisco L. , Pérez-Castilla Alejandro , Rojas Francisco J. , Gregory Haff G.
Published: May 2017

García-Ramos, A, Pestaña-Melero, FL, Pérez-Castilla, A, Rojas, FJ, and Haff, GG. Mean velocity vs. mean propulsive velocity vs. peak velocity: which variable determines bench press relative load with higher reliability? J Strength Cond Res 32(5): 1273–1279, 2018—This study aimed to compare between 3 velocity variables (mean velocity [MV], mean propulsive velocity [MPV], and peak velocity [PV]): (a) the linearity of the load-velocity relationship, (b) the accuracy of general regression equations to predict relative load (%1RM), and (c) the between-session reliability of the velocity attained at each percentage of the 1-repetition maximum (%1RM). The full load-velocity relationship of 30 men was evaluated by means of linear regression models in the concentric-only and eccentric-concentric bench press throw (BPT) variants performed with a Smith machine. The 2 sessions of each BPT variant were performed within the same week separated by 48–72 hours. The main findings were as follows: (a) the MV showed the strongest linearity of the load-velocity relationship (median r
2 = 0.989 for concentric-only BPT and 0.993 for eccentric-concentric BPT), followed by MPV (median r
2 = 0.983 for concentric-only BPT and 0.980 for eccentric-concentric BPT), and finally PV (median r
2 = 0.974 for concentric-only BPT and 0.969 for eccentric-concentric BPT); (b) the accuracy of the general regression equations to predict relative load (%1RM) from movement velocity was higher for MV (SEE = 3.80–4.76%1RM) than for MPV (SEE = 4.91–5.56%1RM) and PV (SEE = 5.36–5.77%1RM); and (c) the PV showed the lowest within-subjects coefficient of variation (3.50%–3.87%), followed by MV (4.05%–4.93%), and finally MPV (5.11%–6.03%). Taken together, these results suggest that the MV could be the most appropriate variable for monitoring the relative load (%1RM) in the BPT exercise performed in a Smith machine.
Analysis of High-Intensity Skating in Top-Class Ice Hockey Match-Play in Relation to Training Status and Muscle Damage
Authors: Lignell Erik , Fransson Dan , Krustrup Peter , Mohr Magni
Published: May 2017

Lignell, E, Fransson, D, Krustrup, P, and Mohr, M. Analysis of high-intensity skating in top-class ice hockey match-play in relation to training status and muscle damage. J Strength Cond Res 32(5): 1303–1310, 2018—We examined high-intensity activities in a top-class ice-hockey game and the effect of training status. Male ice-hockey players (n = 36) from the National Hockey League participated. Match analysis was performed during a game and physical capacity was assessed by a submaximal Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Ice-hockey test, level 1 (YYIR1-IHSUB). Venous blood samples were collected 24-hour post-game to determine markers of muscle damage. Players performed 119 ± 8 and 31 ± 3 m·min−1 of high intensity and sprint skating, respectively, during a game. Total distance covered was 4,606 ± 219 m (2,260–6,749 m), of which high-intensity distance was 2042 ± 97 m (757–3,026 m). Sprint-skating speed was 5–8% higher (p ≤ 0.05) in periods 1 and 2 vs. period 3 and overtime. Defensemen (D) covered 29% more (p ≤ 0.05) skating in total than forwards (F) and were on the ice 47% longer. However, F performed 54% more (p ≤ 0.05) high-intensity skating per minute than defensemen. Plasma creatine kinase (CK) was 338 ± 45 (78–757) U·L−1 24-hour post-game. Heart rate loading during YYIR1-IHSUB correlated inversely (p ≤ 0.05) to the frequency of high-intensity skating bouts (r = −0.55) and V̇o
2max (r = −0.85) and positively to post-game CK (r = 0.49; p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, ice hockey is a multiple-sprint sport that provokes fatigue in the latter half of a game. Forwards perform more intense skating than defensemen. Moreover, high-intensity game activities during top-class ice hockey are correlated with cardiovascular loading during a submaximal skating test. Taken together, training of elite ice-hockey players should improve the ability for repeated high-intensity skating, and testing should include the YYIR1-IHSUB test as an indicator for ice-hockey–specific physical match performance.
Compensatory Muscle Activation During Unstable Overhead Squat Using a Water-filled Training Tube
Authors: Glass Stephen C. , Albert Robert W.
Published: May 2017

Glass, SC, and Albert, RW. Compensatory muscle activation during unstable overhead squat using a water-filled training tube. J Strength Cond Res 32(5): 1230–1237, 2018—The purpose of this study was to assess compensatory muscle activation of core and support muscle during an overhead squat using a water-filled training tube. Eleven experienced weightlifting (age = 20.10 ± 0.99, mass 89.17 ± 6.88 kg) men completed 3, 30-second trials of an overhead squat using an 11.4 kg tube that was partially filled with water. A central valve allowed 3 conditions of water movement: 50% open, 100% open, and a stable(S), closed valve condition. Subjects completed 8–10 repetitions within each condition. Electromyographic (EMG) electrodes were placed over the belly of the vastus lateralis, deltoid, rectus abdominus, and paraspinal muscles and recorded during concentric and eccentric (ECC) phases. Integrated EMG were computed and converted to percent maximal voluntary contraction (%MVC). Compensatory activation was assessed using the natural log of the coefficient of variation of %MVC across repetitions. A 1-way repeated-measures analysis of variance across (phase, condition) was used. Significant compensatory muscle activation was seen in the deltoid muscle during ECC (100% open = 3.60 ± 0.50 > stable LogCV = 3.06 ± 0.45). In addition, paraspinal muscle activity was also more variable during the ECC phase (50% open LogCv = 3.28 ± 0.26 > stable = 2.77 ± 0.67). We conclude that the water-filled training tube induces compensatory muscle activation in the deltoid and paraspinal muscles during the ECC phase of the overhead squat.
A Unified Characterization of Population Structure and Relatedness
Authors: Weir Bruce S , Goudet Jérôme
Published: May 2017

Many population genetic activities, ranging from evolutionary studies to association mapping, to forensic identification, rely on appropriate estimates of population structure or relatedness. All applications require recognition that quantities with an underlying meaning of allelic dependence are not defined in an absolute sense, but instead are made “relative to” some set of alleles other than the target set. The 1984 Weir and Cockerham FST estimate made explicit that the reference set of alleles was across populations, whereas standard kinship estimates do not make the reference explicit. Weir and Cockerham stated that their FST estimates were for independent populations, and standard kinship estimates have an implicit assumption that pairs of individuals in a study sample, other than the target pair, are unrelated or are not inbred. However, populations lose independence when there is migration between them, and dependencies between pairs of individuals in a population exist for more than one target pair. We have therefore recast our treatments of population structure, relatedness, and inbreeding to make explicit that the parameters of interest involve the differences in degrees of allelic dependence between the target and the reference sets of alleles, and so can be negative. We take the reference set to be the population from which study individuals have been sampled. We provide simple moment estimates of these parameters, phrased in terms of allelic matching within and between individuals for relatedness and inbreeding, or within and between populations for population structure. A multi-level hierarchy of alleles within individuals, alleles between individuals within populations, and alleles between populations, allows a unified treatment of relatedness and population structure. We expect our new measures to have a wide range of applications, but we note that their estimates are sensitive to rare or private variants: some population-characterization applications suggest exploiting those sensitivities, whereas estimation of relatedness may best use all genetic markers without filtering on minor allele frequency.
Distributions of Mutational Effects and the Estimation of Directional Selection in Divergent Lineages ofArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Park Briton , Rutter Matthew T , Fenster Charles B , Symonds V Vaughan , Ungerer Mark C , Townsend Jeffrey P
Published: May 2017

Mutations are crucial to evolution, providing the ultimate source of variation on which natural selection acts. Due to their key role, the distribution of mutational effects on quantitative traits is a key component to any inference regarding historical selection on phenotypic traits. In this paper, we expand on a previously developed test for selection that could be conducted assuming a Gaussian mutation effect distribution by developing approaches to also incorporate any of a family of heavy-tailed Laplace distributions of mutational effects. We apply the test to detect directional natural selection on five traits along the divergence of Columbia and Landsberg lineages of Arabidopsis thaliana, constituting the first test for natural selection in any organism using quantitative trait locus and mutation accumulation data to quantify the intensity of directional selection on a phenotypic trait. We demonstrate that the results of the test for selection can depend on the mutation effect distribution specified. Using the distributions exhibiting the best fit to mutation accumulation data, we infer that natural directional selection caused divergence in the rosette diameter and trichome density traits of the Columbia and Landsberg lineages.
An Essential Regulatory System Originating from Polygenic Transcriptional Rewiring of PhoP-PhoQ of Xanthomonas campestris
Authors: Peng Bao-Yu , Pan Yue , Li Ru-Jiao , Wei Jin-Wei , Liang Fang , Wang Li , Wang Fang-Fang , Qian Wei
Published: May 2017

How essential, regulatory genes originate and evolve is intriguing because mutations of these genes not only lead to lethality in organisms, but also have pleiotropic effects since they control the expression of multiple downstream genes. Therefore, the evolution of essential, regulatory genes is not only determined by genetic variations of their own sequences, but also by the biological function of downstream genes and molecular mechanisms of regulation. To understand the origin of essential, regulatory genes, experimental dissection of the complete regulatory cascade is needed. Here, we provide genetic evidences to reveal that PhoP-PhoQ is an essential two-component signal transduction system in the gram-negative bacterium Xanthomonas campestris, but that its orthologs in other bacteria belonging to Proteobacteria are nonessential. Mutational, biochemical, and chromatin immunoprecipitation together with high-throughput sequencing analyses revealed that phoP and phoQ of X. campestris and its close relative Pseudomonas aeruginosa are replaceable, and that the consensus binding motifs of the transcription factor PhoP are also highly conserved. PhoPXcc in X. campestris regulates the transcription of a number of essential, structural genes by directly binding to cis-regulatory elements (CREs); however, these CREs are lacking in the orthologous essential, structural genes in P. aeruginosa, and thus the regulatory relationships between PhoPPae and these downstream essential genes are disassociated. Our findings suggested that the recruitment of regulatory proteins by critical structural genes via transcription factor-CRE rewiring is a driving force in the origin and functional divergence of essential, regulatory genes.
Genomic Analysis of Genotype-by-Social Environment Interaction for Drosophila melanogaster Aggressive Behavior
Authors: Rohde Palle Duun , Gaertner Bryn , Ward Kirsty , Sørensen Peter , Mackay Trudy F C
Published: May 2017

Human psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder often include adverse behaviors including increased aggressiveness. Individuals with psychiatric disorders often exhibit social withdrawal, which can further increase the probability of conducting a violent act. Here, we used the inbred, sequenced lines of the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) to investigate the genetic basis of variation in male aggressive behavior for flies reared in a socialized and socially isolated environment. We identified genetic variation for aggressive behavior, as well as significant genotype-by-social environmental interaction (GSEI); i.e., variation among DGRP genotypes in the degree to which social isolation affected aggression. We performed genome-wide association (GWA) analyses to identify genetic variants associated with aggression within each environment. We used genomic prediction to partition genetic variants into gene ontology (GO) terms and constituent genes, and identified GO terms and genes with high prediction accuracies in both social environments and for GSEI. The top predictive GO terms significantly increased the proportion of variance explained, compared to prediction models based on all segregating variants. We performed genomic prediction across environments, and identified genes in common between the social environments that turned out to be enriched for genome-wide associated variants. A large proportion of the associated genes have previously been associated with aggressive behavior in Drosophila and mice. Further, many of these genes have human orthologs that have been associated with neurological disorders, indicating partially shared genetic mechanisms underlying aggression in animal models and human psychiatric disorders.
A Lysine Desert Protects a Novel Domain in the Slx5-Slx8 SUMO Targeted Ub Ligase To Maintain Sumoylation Levels inSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Sharma Pragati , Mullen Janet R , Li Minxing , Zaratiegui Mikel , Bunting Samuel F , Brill Steven J
Published: May 2017

Sumoylation is required to repair protein-linked DNA damage, but its presence can limit the use of alternative repair pathways. Through a suppressor...

Protein modification by the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) plays important roles in genome maintenance. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, proper regulation of sumoylation is known to be essential for viability in certain DNA repair mutants. Here, we find the opposite result; proper regulation of sumoylation is lethal in certain DNA repair mutants. Yeast cells lacking the repair factors TDP1 and WSS1 are synthetically lethal due to their redundant roles in removing Top1-DNA covalent complexes (Top1ccs). A screen for suppressors of tdp1∆ wss1∆ synthetic lethality isolated mutations in genes known to control global sumoylation levels including ULP1, ULP2, SIZ2, and SLX5. The results suggest that alternative pathways of repair become available when sumoylation levels are altered. Curiously, both suppressor mutations that were isolated in the Slx5 subunit of the SUMO-targeted Ub ligase created new lysine residues. These “slx5-K” mutations localize to a 398 amino acid domain that is completely free of lysine, and they result in the auto-ubiquitination and partial proteolysis of Slx5. The decrease in Slx5-K protein leads to the accumulation of high molecular weight SUMO conjugates, and the residual Ub ligase activity is needed to suppress inviability presumably by targeting polysumoylated Top1ccs. This “lysine desert” is found in the subset of large fungal Slx5 proteins, but not its smaller orthologs such as RNF4. The lysine desert solves a problem that Ub ligases encounter when evolving novel functional domains.
THE MOST ABUNDANCE AND THE VERY RARE SPECIES IN THE DEEP SEA FISH COMMUNITY IN THE WESTERN SUMATERA, EASTERN INDIAN OCEAN
Authors: Badrudin Badrudin , Nugroho Duto , Suman Ali
Published: May 2017

Variation in species abundance provides one of the striking phenomena observed in ecological communities. This variation has led ecologists to pose central questions pertaining to the nature of communities. Most of the deep sea regions provide the most widely habitat, but until recently information on its community is very little.
ADDITIONAL VALID RECORD OF MARBLED HAWKFISH , Cirrhites pinnulatus (BLOCH & SCHNEIDER, 1801) (PERCIFORMES: CIRRHITIDAE) FROM NORTH SULAWESI
Authors: Peristiwady Teguh
Published: May 2017

The specimen of marbled hawkflsh, Cirrhites pinnulatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) (136.30 mm SL) was collected by spear gun from reef flat of Kema, Bitung, North Sulawesi. Some valid record of this species were found and recorded from lndo-Pacific and Indian Ocean.
SEXUAL DIMORPHISM OF HEIGHT-WEIGHT INDICES AND BODY COMPOSITION IN RUSSIAN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS AGED 5–18 YEARS: THE RESULTS OF MASS POPULATION SCREENING
Authors: Starodubov V. I. , Melnikov A. A. , Rudnev S. G.
Published: May 2017

Background: Population screening in Health Centers (HCs) represents the only data source of mass anthropometric and body composition in Russia. Previously, an overview of the physical development and body composition of the population according to HCs’ data along with centile reference tables were published while a detailed analysis of sexual dimorphism was not carried out.Aims: The analysis of sexual dimorphism of height-weight indices and body composition data in modern Russian children and adolescents aged 5–18 years according to HCs data, as well as comparison of the dynamics of age-related changes in anthropometric data with the WHO growth references.Materials and methods: Non-clinical cross-sectional observational study was conducted using bioimpedance and related anthropometric HCs’ data over the period 2010–2012. The data was obtained according to Russian Health Ministry letter no. 14-1/10/2-3200 dated Oct. 24, 2012. The study sample included 268 153 subjects, 140 769 boys and 127 384 girls. Intergroup differences were evaluated with the Mann-Whitney test. The distributions of Ht, Wt, and BMI for age and sex were matched with the WHO reference data using LMS-transformation with the parameters from the WHO expanded tables with the subsequent calculation of 95% confidence intervals for median z-scores.Results: Availability of double crossing of growth curves in boys and girls for Ht and Wt during puberty is shown with a narrower double crossing interval for Wt as compared to conventional data. The relative annual growth rates for Ht and Wt were higher in females up to the age of 12 years, and in males older 12. Throughout the age range, median values of BMI in boys and girls were similar (with the differences in the range of 1 kg/m2); median values of FFM were significantly higher in males, and of BF and %BF in females. In most age groups, the median values of Ht and Wt in Russian children and adolescents were higher as compared to WHO reference data (with the maximal difference z=+0.74 for Wt in 10 years-old boys). The similar pattern was detected for BMI in boys aged 5–17 and girls aged 6–14.Conclusions: The narrower interval of double-crossing of growth curves for Wt may indicate adverse environmental effects associated with overnutrition and reduced physical activity which leads to elevated fatness in boys. Taking into account mass character of data, relatively broad coverage of regions, and the observed differences with the WHO growth references, the use of Health Centers’ data is advisable for the elaboration of the national standard of physical development in children and adolescents.
A COMPARATIVE EXAMINATION OF QUANTITATIVE AND SPECIFIC STRUCTURE OF YEAST FUNGI OF THE CANDIDA GENUS CONSIDERING PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC GENERALIZED PERIODONTITIS OF VARYING SEVERITY
Authors: Volchenkova G. V. , Kiryushenkova S. V. , Nikolaev A. I. , Shashmurina V. R. , Devlikanova L. I.
Published: May 2017

Background: Periodontitis is a major reason of tooth loss in people of middle and older age groups that requires more attention of researchers to the problems of etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapy of the disease. Currently, the interaction of the microbial content of dental plaque and local tissue response is considered to be the main reason for the development of inflammatory periodontal diseases. At the same time, Russian and foreign researchers mark a high frequency of so-called torpid or resistant to antimicrobial therapy forms of periodontitis.Aim: To study the specific and quantitative composition of a fungi of the Candida genus in the contents of periodontal pockets of patients with varying severity of chronic generalized periodontitis.Materials and methods: A non-randomized non-controlled retrospective research was conducted. We studied the main clinical and radiological indicators of periodontal status and its contamination with fungi of the Candida genus in people with mild, moderate, or severe chronic periodontitis.Results: Research participants enrolled in four groups: 1–3 groups included patients with chronic generalized light, medium and heavy periodontitis; group 4 included twenty-five subjects with no signs of periodontal disease. Among the examined patients from the control group, the frequency allocation of Candida from the contents of the gingival sulcus was 9.09%, patients with periodontal pathology of periodontal pockets ― 64.91%. High contamination with fungal flora (more than 6.0 CFU / mL) was observed in all patients with chronic periodontitis. Total allocated 40 strains of Candida with a predominance of Candida albicans.Conclusions: The results of microbiological research confirmed an increase of contamination of periodontal with fungi of the Candida genus in patients with periodontitis if compared with healthy people. The degree of the contamination with fungi of the Candida genus decreased with increasing severity of periodontitis. It can be assumed that the presence of Candida fungi in the periodontal pocket can be considered as a possible component of the etiology of chronic periodontitis and as a factor aggravating it.
ASSOCIATION OF ENOS GENE POLYMORPHISMS AS A RISK FACTOR OF CORONARY IN-STENT RESTENOSIS
Authors: Ogorodova L. M. , Rukin K. Y. , Vintizenko S. I. , Petrova I. V.
Published: May 2017

Background: In recent years more attention is paid to the methods of interventional treatment of coronary artery disease. However, despite the numerous clinical studies the problem of stent restenosis after interventional procedures remains an important one. The studies of the molecular mechanisms of restenosis of coronary arteries and findings for new genetically determined predictors of restenosis after stenting become vital and essential. The NO-synthase influence on the development of endothelial dysfunction is practically assured, but the studies on the NOS genes' polymorphism effect on the incidence rate of in-stent restenosis are isolated and based on a limited number of clinical observations. The determined facts demonstrate the relevance of the conducted study, the results of which formed a new understanding of the role of NO-synthase genes in the predisposition to hyper-proliferative stents in patients with coronary artery disease. Aims: Set association between the eNOS gene polymorphisms and the risk of restenosis in patients with coronary artery disease hospitalized for coronary restenosis.Materials and methods: We examined 484 patients with the verified diagnosis of the ischemic heart disease who underwent treatment at the unit of atherosclerosis and chronic coronary heart disease of «Cardiology Research Institute». Stenting of coronary arteries was performed in 210 people. The group of a restenosis enrolled 60 patients and the group without restenosis — 150. Genotyping was performed by non-enzymatic technique for isolation of genomic DNA from the venous blood of the surveyed, NOS genes' polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: The established development of in-stent restenosis was associated with the following eNOS gene polymorphisms: VNTR ― in homozygotes for the minor allele (genotype aa) and heterozygotes (genotype ab); 894G/T ― in heterozygotes (the GT genotype) and homozygotes (TT genotype).Conclusions: VNTR and 894G/T polymorphisms of eNOS gene are associated with risk for restenosis and can serve as additional markers for risk of restenosis after coronary stenting.
NATURAL RESERVOIR OF FILOVIRUSES AND TYPES OF ASSOCIATED EPIDEMIC OUTBREAKS IN AFRICA
Authors: Shchelkanov M. Yu. , Magassouba N. , Dedkov V. G. , Shipulin G. A. , Galkina I. V. , Popova A. Y. , Maleev V. V.
Published: May 2017

Family Filoviridae includes a set of etiological agents of human hemorrhagic fevers distributed in Africa: Zaire ebolavirus (ZEBOV), Sudan ebolavirus (SUDV), Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV), Taï Forest ebolavirus (TAFV), Marburg marburgvirus (MMARV). Historiography and recent taxonomical structure of Filoviridae family are considered in the review. The discussed data of laboratory and ecological-virological field researches demonstrate the presence of a natural reservoir of filoviruses among fruit-bats (Chiroptera, Megachiroptera) which carry filovirus infection without clinical signs but allocate viruses with urine, saliva, excrements, and sperm, as well as contain viruses in blood and internals. The potential hosts of filoviruses are various mammal species including the higher primacies (Anthropoidea) and the humans (Homo sapiens sapiens). A brief comparison of anatomic and morphologic features of fruit bats and bats (Chiroptera, Microchiroptera) belonging to another suborder of chiropterans is presented. The description of the basic characteristics of the four types of epidemic outbreaks linked with Filoviridae-associated fevers — speleological (from Ancient Greek σπήλαιον — cave), forest, rural, and urban are given; their possible transformation directions are considered as well.