bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cannabidiol effects on prepulse inhibition in nonhuman primates
Authors: Saletti Patricia G. , Tomaz Carlos
Published: May 2018

Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of acoustic startle reflex is a well-established behavior paradigm to measure sensorimotor gating deficits. PPI is disrupted in several neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. PPI tests can be used to screen new drugs for treatment of such disorders. In this review, we discuss how PPI paradigm can help in screening the therapeutic effects of cannabidiol (CBD). We look into recent literature about CBD effects on PPI response in animal models, especially in nonhuman primates. CBD has been shown to modify PPI inN-methyld-aspartate receptor antagonist models for schizophrenia, both in rodents and in nonhuman primates. These results show CBD as a potential drug for the treatment of neurologic disorders that present alterations in sensorimotor system, such as schizophrenia. Moreover, the PPI paradigm seems to be a useful and relative simple paradigm to test the efficacy of CBD as a potential therapeutic drug.
Role of p38/MAPKs in Alzheimer’s disease: implications for amyloid beta toxicity targeted therapy
Authors: Kheiri Ghazaleh , Dolatshahi Mahsa , Rahmani Farzaneh , Rezaei Nima
Published: May 2018

A myriad of environmental and genetic factors, as well as the physiologic process of aging, contribute to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. Neuroinflammation is and has been a focus of interest, as a common gateway for initiation of many of the underlying pathologies of AD. Amyloid beta (Aβ) toxicity, increasing RAGE expression, tau hyperphosphorylation, induction of apoptosis, and deregulated autophagy are among other mechanisms, partly entangled and being explained by activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and MAPK signaling. p38 MAPK is the most essential regulator of Aβ induced toxicity from this family. p38 induces NF-κB activation, glutamate excitotoxicity, and disruption of synaptic plasticity, which are other implications of all justifying the p38 MAPK as a potential target to break the vicious Aβ toxicity cycle. Until recently, manyin vivoandin vitrostudies have investigated the effects of p38 MAPK inhibitors in AD. The pyridinyl imidazole compoundsSB202190andSB203580have shown promising anti-apoptotic resultsin vivo. MW108inhibits activation of p38 and is able to postpone cognitive decline in animal models. ThePD169316, with anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-apoptotic features, has improved spatial memoryin vivo. Natural compounds fromCamellia sinensis(green tea), polyphenols from olive oil, pinocembrin from propolis, and the puerarine extract isoflavones, have shown strong anti-apoptotic features, mediated by p38 MAPK inhibition. Use of these drug targets is limited due to central nervous system side effects or cross-reactivity with other kinases, predicting the low efficacy of these drugs in clinical trials.
Quantum white noise Feynman–Kac formula
Authors: Ettaieb Aymen , Turki Khalifa Narjess , Ouerdiane Habib
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we give a probabilistic representation of the heat equation associated with the quantum K-Gross Laplacian using
infinite-dimensional stochastic calculus in two variables. Applying the heat semigroup to the particular case where the operator is the multiplication one, we establish a relation between the classical and the quantum heat semigroup. Finally, using a
combination between convolution calculus and the generalized stochastic calculus, we give a generalization of the Feynman–Kac
formula.
The Inverse Tangent Law for the solutions of systems of linear algebraic equations with independent random coefficients
Authors: Girko Vyacheslav L. , Shevchuk Larissa D.
Published: May 2018

The Inverse Tangent Law for the solutions of
systems of linear algebraic equations with independent random coefficients is proven under Lindeberg’s condition.
Douala as a “hybrid space”: Comparing online and offline representations of a sub-Saharan city
Authors: Pucciarelli Marta , Vannini Sara
Published: May 2018

This study investigates the complex relationship between the physical and digital spaces of the city of Douala, Cameroon by comparing its online representation with the social representations emerging orally by locals. Using the results of two existing studies reporting on the online image of the city, we investigate the social representations foreigners and locally relevant people have of Douala and uncover similarities and discrepancies of the two resulting representations. Outcomes from the analysis permit reflection on the implications of these and show an unripe, intermediate stage of the “hybrid Douala,” where the virtual space seems still not to be affecting the way the physical space is experienced, as well as where the gaps in the digital divide are perpetuated. At the same time, strong local ownership of certain digital activities suggests how the online image of the city is in the process of being constructed and developed locally. As the spaces of the city start appearing online, the process of hybridization between physical and digital Douala is slowly taking place and offline and online narratives, now rather separated, will possibly communicate a different image of the city to global online narratives.
La définition : construction d’une catégorie (linguistique ? discursive ?) dans différents espaces de discours
Authors: Garric Nathalie
Published: May 2018

Les linguistes adoptant des objets transphrastiques travaillent avec des unités qui coïncident rarement avec les catégories traditionnelles. Ces unités ne sont pas une donnée déjà là, elles le deviennenta posterioripar le travail analytique. Il en va ainsi de la définition à laquelle nous nous intéressons en termes decatégorie discursivedans trois contextes discursifs, – le roman épistolaire, le slogan publicitaire et l’article de journal – pour observer comment elle contribue à l’analyse des discours. L’objectif vise à la contextualiser dans différents univers discursifs, qui lui affectent une pertinence singulière, déterminée par les effets de généricité à l’œuvre dans le corpus et par les autres catégories construites par la textualité. Il s’agit de montrer quels sont les indices qui concourent à son identification, en nous attachant au caractère hétérogène de ces unités, et que ces catégories ne deviennent discursives que dans le mouvement de l’interprétation. Ce dernier consiste à les situer par rapport à une finalité inscrite dans la compétence générique des interactants et dans leurs représentations socio-idéologiques. Nous découvrirons que la définition n’a d’existence que dans son interaction avec d’autres unités, mais également que cette interaction nécessaire à l’identification du procédé discursif résultant participe à la construction de nouveaux indices.
Semiose des Wunderbaren in Hagiographie und Märchen
Authors: Daiber Thomas
Published: May 2018

The Lives of Saints as well as fairy-tales eventually tell of animals which have the gift to speak. The categorization of phenomena like speaking animals is dependent on the epistemic structure of the narrated world. On the example of ‘speaking deers’ the paper outlines, that in hagiographic literature speaking animals are reported as miracles, which are to testify either the holiness of a place or the person they are speaking to. On the contrary, in fairy-tales speaking animals are part of the expected actors to appear in the structure of the narrated world and are not marked as miracles, at all. Consequently, the semiotic status of such phenomena can be differentiated: hagiography tends to symbolical or metaphorical meaning, fairy-tales to allegoric meaning. The difference between symbolic and metaphorical meaning in hagiography is shown in comparing two episodes including a speaking deer as if Christ himself is speaking. InVita Placida, the deer has the specific and contextually supported gnostic meaning ‘soul’, while inVita Hubertithe deer only takes iconically induced metaphoric meaning (wearing cross-like antlers = carrying the cross), but in the fairy-tale the deer is an allegory of a human character trait and thus can be substituted by another allegory without change of context.
Shifting animacy
Authors: de Swart Peter , de Hoop Helen
Published: May 2018

We examine the effects of morphosyntactic marking and selectional restrictions of predicates on conceptual and grammatical animacy. We argue in favour of animacy as an ontological category with human, animate and inanimate entities representing discrete subtypes in the domain of entities. We distinguish between conceptual animacy, which is a gradient notion, and grammatical animacy, for which discrete, binary oppositions are needed. The main aim of this paper is to argue for a distinction between overt and covert type shifts in animacy. On the one hand, overt shifts are linguistic solutions to type mismatches in the grammar. Crucially, these type shifts do not involve a shift in conceptual animacy. Covert animacy shifts, on the other hand, brought about by selectional restrictions or by the linguistic context in general, do involve a proper type shift in conceptual animacy. By making explicit the relation between the gradience of conceptual and the discreteness of grammatical animacy, and by exploring the distinction between covert and overt type shifts that involve animacy, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of animacy and its effects on language.
Modes of Public Governance: A Typology Toward a Conceptual Modeling
Authors: Kong Dongsung , Yoon Kiwoong
Published: May 2018

This article defines public governance as the overall process of decision-making and implementation in solving public problems in a country, where public agencies or institutions initiate the process or are at least partially involved in the process. Under this definition, public governance can be classified into three modes according to the outcome: legal governance, performance-based governance, and consensus-oriented governance. Legal governance is a mode of governance close to Max Weber’s bureaucracy. Performance-based governance has focuses on how effectively and/or efficiently policy goals are achieved through decision-making and implementation. Finally, consensus-oriented governance is a mode of governance that calls for a political process to deal with various and conflicting interests. These three modes are different in terms of: who decides; the role of bureaucrats; the methods of decision making; and the nature of the interactions among actors. The critical factors that have a significant impact on the outcome of governance vary with each mode. Although in the real world, these three modes are often mixed and interrelated, it is necessary to distinguish them because it helps systematically analyze the phenomenon of governance. These three modes are particularly useful for understanding and analyzing the reality of governance in Korea and developing countries.
Variation and its determinants: A corpus-based study of German schwa in the letters of Goethe
Authors: Fleischer Jürg , Cysouw Michael , Speyer Augustin , Wiese Richard
Published: May 2018

This paper studies some factors governing the presence or absence of word-final schwa in German.
To obtain data as homogeneous as possible we focus on three adverbs outside morphological paradigms, namely,
heut(e) ‘today’, gern(e) ‘willingly’, and bald(e) ‘soon’, in one particular text
type, the letters written by one and the same person, the writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832). Apart from
lexical differences between the items studied and change over time, various phonological factors are shown to be
important, most prominently the accent pattern of the following word (schwa tends to be present if the first syllable of the
following word is accentuated), foot structure, and the initial segment of the following word. Statistical analyses, both for
the individual factors and their (potential) interactions, reveal significant patterns at work behind the variation. For
gern(e) the most important factors are purely phonological while for heut(e) the type
of the following boundary and the position in the sentence is crucial.
Das Doppelperfekt: Theorie und Empirie
Authors: Zybatow Tatjana , Weskott Thomas
Published: May 2018

The article concentrates on the German double perfect forms and tries to find an answer to the following
question: is it possible to show that – contrary to traditional assumptions – the German double perfect is a
systematical and therefore acceptable verbal form of German? First, the question will be substantiated by
four experiments and will get an empirical answer. Secondly, a syntactic and semantic analysis of the
double forms will be proposed and the empirical data will be discussed in view of this proposal.
Antimalarial activity of the isolates from the marine sponge Hyrtios erectus against the chloroquine-resistant Dd2 strain of Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Ju Eunsin , Latif Abdul , Kong Chang-Suk , Seo Youngwan , Lee Yeon-Ju , Dalal Seema R. , Cassera Maria B. , Kingston David G.I.
Published: May 2018

This work reports the isolation of the three known compounds, smenotronic acid (1), ilimaquinone (2), and pelorol (3), from the 85% methanol (MeOH)-soluble fraction of the sponge Hyrtios erectus. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined with the help of modern spectroscopic techniques, and the resulting compounds were then subjected to in vitro screening to determine their antimalarial potential against the chloroquine-resistant Dd2 strain of Plasmodium falciparum. Amongst the three compounds, pelorol (3) showed significant activity against P. falciparum with an IC50 value of 0.8 μM. For smenotronic acid (1) and ilimaquinone (2), moderate activities were observed with IC50 values of 3.51 and 2.11 μM, respectively.
Volumetric, Viscosity and Conductance Studies of Solute–Solute and Solute–Solvent Interactions of Some Alkali Metal Chlorides in Aqueous Citric Acid at Different Temperatures
Authors: Kumar Manish , Kant Shashi , Kaushal Deepika
Published: May 2018

The present study aims for the structure-making and structure-breaking behavior of some electrolytes in aqueous citric acid solution. The density, viscosity and conductance of some alkali metal chlorides lithium chloride (LiCl), sodium chloride (NaCl) and potassium chloride (KCl) in 0.01 m aqueous citric acid have been measured in the concentration range 0.01–0.12 m at 303.15, 308.15, 313.15 and 318.15 K. From these measurements, molar volume, viscosity parameters and molar conductance have been deliberated. Debye Hückel limiting law is used for the assessment of the contributions of various types of solute–solvent interactions. Jones–Dole viscosity equation is used to calculate viscosity B-coefficient for these salts in aqueous citric acid, which is known to provide information concerning the solvation of ions and their effects on the structure of the solvent in the near environment of the solute particles. The free energies of activation of viscous flow per mole of solvent,

Δ

μ
1

0
‡

$\Delta \mu _1^{0\ddagger }$

and solute,

Δ

μ
2

0
‡

,

$\Delta \mu _2^{0\ddagger },$

have also been evaluated by using viscosity data. Using molar volume, the transfer volume Фv
o
tr has also been computed. The structure making/ breaking behavior of LiCl, NaCl and KCl is inferred from the sign of second derivative of partial molar volume with respect to temperature at constant pressure (d2φv
o/dT2)p, Temperature coefficient of B. dB/dT and temperature coefficient of Walden product i.e. d(Λm
oηo)/dT values. It has been found from these studies that LiCl, NaCl and KCl behave as structure-breaker in 0.01 m aqueous citric acid solution. The results have been qualitatively used to explain the molecular interaction and structural changes between the components of these mixtures.
XH3 (X=P or N) Adsorption on Pristine, Pt-Doped and Vacancy-Defective (8,8) Boron Nitride Nanotubes: DFT Calculations
Authors: Rakhshi Mahdi , Mohsennia Mohsen , Rasa Hossein
Published: May 2018

The adsorption energies (E
ad), interaction distances, changes of geometric and electronic structures of XH3 (X=P or N) gas molecule adsorption on pristine, platinum (Pt) doped and vacancy-defected single-walled (8,8) boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) have been calculated using the density functional theory (DFT). The effect of the Pt doping on B and N sites (PtB,N-doped) and the B and N vacancy defects (VB,N-defected BNNT) on the sensing behavior of pristine (8,8) BNNTs toward PH3 and NH3 gases have been examined. According to the obtained results, PH3 and NH3 molecules were more likely to be absorbed on the PtB,N-doped and VN-defected BNNT with relatively higher E
ad compared with the pristine and VB-defected BNNTs. Therefore the order of the obtained E
ad were PtB-doped BNNT/NH3>PtB-doped BNNT/PH3>PtN-doped BNNT/NH3>PtN-doped BNNT/PH3 for the PtB,N-doped BNNTs, and VN-defected BNNT/NH3>VN-defected BNNT/PH3>VB-defected BNNT/NH3>VB-defected BNNT/PH3 for the VB
,
N-defected BNNTs systems. The partial density of states (PDOS) of the adsorption systems indicated the strong interaction between the adsorbed PH3 and NH3 molecules and the substrates, i.e. PtB,N-doped BNNT and VN-defected BNNT. Therefore, it can concluded that the PtB,N-doped and VN-defected BNNTs have potential applicability in the gas-sensing detection of PH3 and NH3 with good sensitivity.
Benefits and limitations of implementing videoconferencing for forensic psychiatry assessment in France
Authors: Prat Sebastien S , Courtois Robert
Published: May 2018

Telemedicine has been successfully used for many years in North America for the purpose of conducting forensic assessments. France, however, has not yet implemented this potentially useful tool. French forensic psychiatry could get inspired by this success in order to improve the practice of court ordered psychiatric assessments. In this article, we address the benefits and limitations of videoconferencing in the field of forensic psychiatry. Using these new means of telecommunications could help solve some of the issues encountered in France. (article in French)
Starting at the Ground Up: Range of Motion Requirements and Assessment Procedures for Weightlifting Movements
Authors: Bousquet Brett A. , Olson Thomas
Published: May 2018

NOT ALL WHO PERFORM OR COACH WEIGHTLIFTING MOVEMENTS (WMs) SUCH AS THE CLEAN AND JERK AND SNATCH ARE AWARE OF THE MOBILITY REQUIREMENTS NEEDED TO PERFORM THE MOVEMENTS CORRECTLY. CURRENTLY, NO SUCCINCT ASSESSMENT EXISTS DESIGNED TO EVALUATE ALL THE RANGE OF MOTION REQUIREMENTS NEEDED TO PERFORM THESE WMs. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE IS TO DISCUSS THE JOINT AND BIOMECHANICAL FORCES EXPERIENCED DURING WM AND TO PROPOSE ASSESSMENT MEASURES THAT ATTEMPT TO OBJECTIVELY PAIR THE MOTION REQUIREMENTS OF WMs WITH RESEARCH-SUPPORTED VALUES AND TESTS TO DETERMINE WHETHER AN ATHLETE HAS THE REQUISITE MOTION AVAILABLE TO PERFORM A TECHNIQUE BEFORE ADDING EXTERNAL LOAD. FOR A VIDEO ABSTRACT OF THIS ARTICLE, SEE SUPPLEMENTAL DIGITAL CONTENT 1 (SEE VIDEO, HTTP://LINKS.LWW.COM/SCJ/A242).
Is It Adaptive for People With Personality Problems to Know How Their Romantic Partner Perceives Them? The Effect of Meta-accuracy on Romantic Relationship Satisfaction
Authors: Carlson Erika N. , Oltmanns Thomas F.
Published: May 2018

People with personality disorder (PD) symptoms tend to report and have partners who report lower quality relationships with them. Using a large community sample of romantic couples, the current research tested whether the established link between PD symptoms and partner-reported relationship quality was attenuated by meta-accuracy (insight into the impression one makes) as well as whether the link between PD symptoms and self-reported relationship quality was attenuated by positivity (assuming one makes a desirable impression). Results suggested that meta-accuracy for core personality traits moderated the link between PD symptoms and partner-reported relationship quality, such that high meta-accuracy attenuated whereas low meta-accuracy exacerbated the negative association between PD symptoms and quality. However, individuals with symptoms did not necessarily reap the same relational benefits of their meta-accuracy, and positivity did not moderate the link between their symptoms and relationship quality. Implications for assessment and whether meta-accuracy should be improved are discussed.
Simvastatin interferes with cancer ‘stem-cell’ plasticity reducing metastasis in ovarian cancer
Authors: Kato S , Liberona M F , Cerda-Infante J , Sánchez M , Henríquez J , Bizama C , Bravo M L , Gonzalez P , Gejman R , Brañes J , García K , Ibañez C , Owen G I , Roa J C , Montecinos V , Cuello M A
Published: May 2018

Cell plasticity of ‘stem-like’ cancer-initiating cells (CICs) is a hallmark of cancer, allowing metastasis and cancer progression. Here, we studied whether simvastatin, a lipophilic statin, could impair the metastatic potential of CICs in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGS-ovC), the most lethal among the gynecologic malignancies. qPCR, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry were used to assess simvastatin effects on proteins involved in stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal cell plasticity (EMT). Its effects on tumor growth and metastasis were evaluated using different models (e.g., spheroid formation and migration assays, matrigel invasion assays, 3D-mesomimetic models and cancer xenografts). We explored also the clinical benefit of statins by comparing survival outcomes among statin users vs non-users. Herein, we demonstrated that simvastatin modifies the stemness and EMT marker expression patterns (both in mRNA and protein levels) and severely impairs the spheroid assembly of CICs. Consequently, CICs become less metastatic in 3D-mesomimetic models and show fewer ascites/tumor burden in HGS-ovC xenografts. The principal mechanism behind statin-mediated effects involves the inactivation of the Hippo/YAP/RhoA pathway in a mevalonate synthesis-dependent manner. From a clinical perspective, statin users seem to experience better survival and quality of life when compared with non-users. Considering the high cost and the low response rates obtained with many of the current therapies, the use of orally or intraperitoneally administered simvastatin offers a cost/effective and safe alternative to treat and potentially prevent recurrent HGS-ovCs.
The mitochondrial unfolded protein response and mitohormesis: a perspective on metabolic diseases
Authors: Yi Hyon-Seung , Chang Joon Young , Shong Minho
Published: May 2018

Mitochondria perform essential roles as crucial organelles for cellular and systemic energy homeostasis, and as signaling hubs, which coordinate nuclear transcriptional responses to the intra- and extra-cellular environment. Complex human diseases, including diabetes, obesity, fatty liver disease and aging-related degenerative diseases are associated with alterations in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) function. However, a recent series of studies in animal models have revealed that an integrated response to tolerable mitochondrial stress appears to render cells less susceptible to subsequent aging processes and metabolic stresses, which is a key feature of mitohormesis. The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) is a central part of the mitohormetic response and is a retrograde signaling pathway, which utilizes the mitochondria-to-nucleus communication network. Our understanding of the UPRmthas contributed to elucidating the role of mitochondria in metabolic adaptation and lifespan regulation. In this review, we discuss and integrate recent data from the literature on the present status of mitochondrial OxPhos function in the development of metabolic diseases, relying on evidence from human and other animal studies, which points to alterations in mitochondrial function as a key factor in the regulation of metabolic diseases and conclude with a discussion on the specific roles of UPRmtand mitohormesis as a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of obesity and insulin resistance.
The role of orexin in controlling the activity of the adipo-pancreatic axis
Authors: Skrzypski M , Billert M , Nowak K W , Strowski M Z
Published: May 2018

Orexin A and B are two neuropeptides, which regulate a variety of physiological functions by interacting with central nervous system and peripheral tissues. Biological effects of orexins are mediated through two G-protein-coupled receptors (OXR1 and OXR2). In addition to their strong influence on the sleep–wake cycle, there is growing evidence that orexins regulate body weight, glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, orexins promote energy expenditure and protect against obesity by interacting with brown adipocytes. Fat tissue and the endocrine pancreas play pivotal roles in maintaining energy homeostasis. Since both organs are crucially important in the context of pathophysiology of obesity and diabetes, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the role of orexins and their receptors in controlling adipocytes as well as the endocrine pancreatic functions. Particularly, we discuss studies evaluating the effects of orexins in controlling brown and white adipocytes as well as pancreatic alpha and beta cell functions.
Are peptide conjugates the golden therapy against obesity?
Authors: Brandt S J , Kleinert M , Tschöp M H , Müller T D
Published: May 2018

Obesity is a worldwide pandemic, which can be fatal for the most extremely affected individuals. Lifestyle interventions such as diet and exercise are largely ineffective and current anti-obesity medications offer little in the way of significant or sustained weight loss. Bariatric surgery is effective, but largely restricted to only a small subset of extremely obese patients. While the hormonal factors mediating sustained weight loss and remission of diabetes by bariatric surgery remain elusive, a new class of polypharmacological drugs shows potential to shrink the gap in efficacy between a surgery and pharmacology. In essence, this new class of drugs combines the beneficial effects of several independent hormones into a single entity, thereby combining their metabolic efficacy to improve systems metabolism. Such unimolecular drugs include single molecules with agonism at the receptors for glucagon, glucagon-like peptide 1 and the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide. In preclinical studies, these specially tailored multiagonists outperform both their mono-agonist components and current best in class anti-obesity medications. While clinical trials and vigorous safety analyses are ongoing, these drugs are poised to have a transformative effect in anti-obesity therapy and might hopefully lead the way to a new era in weight-loss pharmacology.
Bayesian Networks Predict Neuronal Transdifferentiation
Authors: Ainsworth Richard I , Ai Rizi , Ding Bo , Li Nan , Zhang Kai , Wang Wei
Published: May 2018

We employ the language of Bayesian networks to systematically construct gene-regulation topologies from deep-sequencing single-nucleus RNA-Seq data for human neurons. From the perspective of the cell-state potential landscape, we identify attractors that correspond closely to different neuron subtypes. Attractors are also recovered for cell states from an independent data set confirming our models accurate description of global genetic regulations across differing cell types of the neocortex (not included in the training data). Our model recovers experimentally confirmed genetic regulations and community analysis reveals genetic associations in common pathways. Via a comprehensive scan of all theoretical three-gene perturbations of gene knockout and overexpression, we discover novel neuronal trans-differrentiation recipes (including perturbations of SATB2, GAD1, POU6F2 and ADARB2) for excitatory projection neuron and inhibitory interneuron subtypes.
Heritable Epigenomic Changes to the Maize Methylome Resulting from Tissue Culture
Authors: Han Zhaoxue , Crisp Peter A , Stelpflug Scott , Kaeppler Shawn M , Li Qing , Springer Nathan M
Published: May 2018

DNA methylation can contribute to the maintenance of genome integrity and regulation of gene expression. In most situations, DNA methylation patterns are inherited quite stably. However, changes in DNA methylation can occur at some loci as a result of tissue culture resulting in somaclonal variation. To investigate heritable epigenetic changes as a consequence of tissue culture, a sequence-capture bisulfite sequencing approach was implemented to monitor context-specific DNA methylation patterns in ∼15 Mb of the maize genome for a population of plants that had been regenerated from tissue culture. Plants that have been regenerated from tissue culture exhibit gains and losses of DNA methylation at a subset of genomic regions. There was evidence for a high rate of homozygous changes to DNA methylation levels that occur consistently in multiple independent tissue culture lines, suggesting that some loci are either targeted or hotspots for epigenetic variation. The consistent changes inherited following tissue culture include both gains and losses of DNA methylation and can affect CG, CHG, or both contexts within a region. Only a subset of the tissue culture changes observed in callus plants are observed in the primary regenerants, but the majority of DNA methylation changes present in primary regenerants are passed onto offspring. This study provides insights into the susceptibility of some loci and potential mechanisms that could contribute to altered DNA methylation and epigenetic state that occur during tissue culture in plant species.
Human-Mediated Introgression of Haplotypes in a Modern Dairy Cattle Breed
Authors: Zhang Qianqian , Calus Mario P L , Bosse Mirte , Sahana Goutam , Lund Mogens Sandø , Guldbrandtsen Bernt
Published: May 2018

Domestic animals provide a robust model system to understand complex evolutionary processes and their genomic consequences. Zhang et al. use full re-sequenced genomes of modern dairy cattle to identify haplotypes in the genomes of an admixed....

Domestic animals can serve as model systems of adaptive introgression and their genomic signatures. In part, their usefulness as model systems is due to their well-known histories. Different breeding strategies such as introgression and artificial selection have generated numerous desirable phenotypes and superior performance in domestic animals. The modern Danish Red Dairy Cattle is studied as an example of an introgressed population. It originates from crossing the traditional Danish Red Dairy Cattle with the Holstein and Brown Swiss breeds, both known for high milk production. This crossing happened, among other things due to changes in the production system, to raise milk production and overall performance. The genomes of modern Danish Red Dairy Cattle are heavily influenced by regions introgressed from the Holstein and Brown Swiss breeds and under subsequent selection in the admixed population. The introgressed proportion of the genome was found to be highly variable across the genome. Haplotypes introgressed from Holstein and Brown Swiss contained or overlapped known genes affecting milk production, as well as protein and fat content (CD14, ZNF215, BCL2L12, and THRSP for Holstein origin and ITPR2, BCAT1, LAP3, and MED28 for Brown Swiss origin). Genomic regions with high introgression signals also contained genes and enriched QTL associated with calving traits, body confirmation, feed efficiency, carcass, and fertility traits. These introgressed signals with relative identity-by-descent scores larger than the median showing Holstein or Brown Swiss introgression are mostly significantly correlated with the corresponding test statistics from signatures of selection analyses in modern Danish Red Dairy Cattle. Meanwhile, the putative significant introgressed signals have a significant dependency with the putative significant signals from signatures of selection analyses. Artificial selection has played an important role in the genomic footprints of introgression in the genome of modern Danish Red Dairy Cattle. Our study on a modern cattle breed contributes to an understanding of genomic consequences of selective introgression by demonstrating the extent to which adaptive effects contribute to shape the specific genomic consequences of introgression.
Strategy to Improve Firm Performance Through Operational Efficiency Commitment to Environmental Friendliness: Evidence From Indonesia
Authors: Utomo Mohamad Nur , Wahyudi Sugen , Muharam Harjum , Taolin Maximus Leonardo
Published: May 2018

The objective of this study is to examine the effect of controlling shareholders’ monitoring on firm performance through the implementation of operational efficiency commitment to environmental friendliness. Non-financial firms listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange and joining the Environmental Performance Assessment Program (PROPER) are determined as the sample. Results indicate that controlling shareholders have a positive impact on operational efficiency commitment to environmental friendliness and also on firm performance. In addition, other key findings indicate that the controlling shareholders can improve firm performance through the implementation of operational efficiency commitment to environmental friendliness.  The results of this study support the position of the agency theory, the stakeholder theory, and the legitimacy theory. Operational efficiency commitment to environmental friendliness is then suggested to be a meaningful strategy for the firms to obtain sustainable performance.
Influence of Consumer Attributions and Service Quality on Support of Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Engizek Nil , Yaşin Bahar
Published: May 2018

This study examines whether or not a consumer will support a firm due to its CSR activities depending on what perceived motivation (egoistic, strategic, stakeholder and value driven attributions) the consumer has towards those activities and also analyzes how the relationship between consumers’ attributions and the change in their supportive behaviour according to their perceived service quality. The survey was conducted with customers of mobile telecommunication services in Turkey. In order to collect data to test the hypotheses, in accordance with the theory of stated preferences versus theory of revealed preferences, a face-to-face survey was carried out by adopting a quota sampling technique based on the market share of each mobile service provider. The sample consisted of 400 respondents who were drawn from the Istanbul metropolitan area. The results show that value driven, strategic and stakeholder driven motives have a direct and positive effect. Egoistic motive was found to be significant and had a negative effect. Service quality moderated only the relationship between strategy driven motives and supportive behaviour, and value driven motives and supportive behaviour, but in an unexpected direction.
Entry Modes and Liability of Foreignness Effects: Evidence From Russian Firms on the German Market
Authors: Panibratov Andrei , Ribberink Natalia , Nefedov Konstantin
Published: May 2018

Foreign subsidiaries are at a disadvantage as compared to domestic enterprises, which is especially the case for emerging market firms in more developed economies. In this paper we apply liability of foreignness (LOF) concept to address the issue of these disadvantages. We consider LOF effects associated with equity vs. non-equity entry modes for Russian firms when penetrating the German market. The paper presents the results of a pilot study of 41 subsidiaries of Russian firms operating in different regions of Germany. Our results show that investors are more concerned about information, customers and partnerships, which can be explained by preeminent reliance on their own resources, while exporters appeared to be driven mostly by image considerations indicating minor interest in other characteristics of the host market. Although both exporters and investors experience significant negative effects from the lack of proper institutional and business knowledge on the host market, these effects vary for equity and non-equity entry modes. We suggest instruments to mitigate these effects, including cooperation with institutional agents, which is especially important for FDI strategy.
Strategic Brand Management in Emerging Markets: Consumer Perceptions of Brand Extensions
Authors: Ozretic-Dosen Durdana , Brlic Marta , Komarac Tanja
Published: May 2018

The purpose of this paper is to examine consumers’ perceptions of the parent brand and their attitudes towards the brand extensions by exploratory researching the topic in the new context of one emerging European market. Theoretical part gives a comprehensive description and analysis of the main features of the brand extension strategy. The purpose of the primary research is to explore and understand Croatian consumers’ perceptions about the global parent brand (Coca-Cola) and their attitudes towards its extensions on the Croatian market. Research results support the assumption that managers should introduce brand extension when they are sure of the position of the parent brand and its former extensions in the consumers’ mind. As such, results corroborate previous findings, showing how it is necessary to know the existing level of brand affect, brand loyalty, and brand trust since they have different impacts on consumers’ perceptions of the brand extension. The main contribution of the paper stems from the replication and extension of the previous research in the new context (in terms of the level of the market development and consumer culture). Research findings add to the existing knowledge with insights and results from the new market (Croatia), and as such might help in increasing understanding of the brand extension phenomena in the field of the strategic brand management in emerging markets.
Motives to use Facebook and problematic Facebook use in adolescents
Authors: Marino Claudia , Mazzieri Elena , Caselli Gabriele , Vieno Alessio , Spada Marcantonio M.
Published: May 2018

Background and aims

There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that problematic Facebook use (PFU) is an emerging problem, particularly among adolescents. Although a number of motivations explaining why people engage in frequent Facebook use have been identified, less is known about the specific psychological needs underlying PFU. The aim of this study is to test a model designed to assess the unique contribution of psychological motives for using Facebook to the different PFU dimensions in a sample of adolescents.

Methods

A total of 864 Italian adolescents participated in the study. Multivariate multiple regression was run to test whether the four motives were differently associated with problematic dimensions.

Results

The results showed that the two motives with negative valence (coping and conformity) were significantly linked to the five dimensions of PFU, whereas the two motives with positive valence (enhancement and social) appeared to be weaker predictors for three out of these five dimensions.

Discussion and conclusion

In conclusion, psychological motives for using Facebook appeared to significantly contribute to explaining PFU among adolescents, and should be considered by researchers and educational practitioners.
A crise de legitimidade dos jornalistas e a economia política: autonomia e heteronomia como chaves explicativas do jornalismo contemporâneo
Authors: Pontes Felipe Simão , Lobo Pismel Matheus
Published: May 2018

O objetivo do texto é refletir sobre os atravessamentos da economia e da política no campo jornalístico, especialmente em contexto de instabilidade como o atual, tendo como base a definição de jornalismo como forma social de conhecimento cristalizado no singular, como propõe Genro Filho (2012). O artigo explora os processos e as crises de legitimidade que impactam e são impactados por esse entrelaçamento de campos sociais. Os dois princípios de legitimação, o intelectual e o da economia política, proposto por Champagne (2005) são analisados para refletir sobre o papel da mídia corporativa em tempos de instabilidade sócio-política. Os conceitos de autonomia e legitimidade do jornalismo são tensionados diante do contexto democrático, o que permite entrever caracterizações e perspectivas para o jornalismo contemporâneo e suas crises.
Determinants of adoption of improved forages in selected districts of Benishangul-Gumuz, Western Ethiopia
Authors: Abebe Alemayehu , Hagos Afework , Alebachew Habtamu , Faji Mulisa
Published: May 2018

This study explores different socio-economic and institutional factors influencing the adoption of improved forage technologies in Assosa and Bambasi districts of Benishangul-Gumuz, Western Ethiopia. A structured questionnaire survey was applied to collect information from 120 farm households, and a binary logistic regression model was used to quantify the factors determining farmers’ decisions to adopt improved forages. The analysis revealed that access to agricultural extension services, participation in forage training sessions and higher cash income had the greatest positive influence (P<0.05) on adoption of forage technologies, while higher numbers of male adult labor units and use of fertilizers had a lesser effect (P<0.10). In contrast, farmers remote from offices of development agents and possessing greater numbers of equines were less likely to adopt improved forage technologies. We suggest that adoption of improved forage technologies could be enhanced by providing farmers with training sessions, raising household income and providing greater access to extension services and that these factors should be considered by planning bodies.
Molecular markers as a tool for germplasm acquisition to enhance the genetic diversity of a Napier grass (Cenchrus purpureus syn. Pennisetum purpureum) collection
Authors: Negawo Alemayehu T. , Jorge Alexandra , Hanson Jean , Teshome Abel , Muktar Meki S. , Azevedo Ana Luisa S. , Ledo Francisco J.S. , Machado Juarez C. , Jones Chris S.
Published: May 2018

At the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 171 germplasm accessions of Napier grass were studied using 20 SSR markers with the objective of assessing the allelic richness and genetic diversity of the collections held at ILRI and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), and to determine distinct accessions to be introduced to enhance the diversity in each of the genebank collections. A total of 148 alleles were observed in the whole collection, of which 140 and 93 alleles were observed in the ILRI and EMBRAPA collections, respectively. Fifty-five and 8 alleles were found to be unique to the ILRI and EMBRAPA collections, respectively, while 85 alleles were shared between the collections. The number of alleles per marker ranged from 1 to 23 with an average value of 7.4 across both collections. The heterozygosity per locus ranged from 0.000 to 0.808 with an average value of 0.463. A principal coordinate analysis grouped accessions into 3 main groups, whereas a hierarchical cluster analysis indicated 4 main clusters. From a genebank management and conservation perspective, the marker profile of the accessions was used in the process of selecting and acquiring distinct lines to be added to the ILRI and EMBRAPA collections. Accordingly, 54 accessions and elite lines were selected and introduced from EMBRAPA to the ILRI collection, while 8 distinct accessions from ILRI were added to the EMBRAPA collection. In general, a useful marker profile of an expanded Napier grass collection has been generated which could be used to enhance the conservation, use and management of the available genetic resources of this important forage crop.
18. yüzyılda bir Osmanlı coğrafyacısı: Bartınlı İbrahim Hamdi Efendi (1680-1762?) ve Atlası (1749-1750)
Authors: Çalışkan Vedat
Published: May 2018

17. ve 18. yüzyıl Osmanlı coğrafyacıları ve eserleri genellikle günümüz coğrafya dünyasında yakından tanınmakta ve eserleri de ilgi görmektedir. Fakat Ulus/Bartın doğumlu Seyyid İbrahim Hamdi Efendi (1680-1762?) ve onun Atlas isimli eseri, taşıdığı öneme rağmen 20. yüzyılın başlarında fark edilene değin gereken ilgiyi görememiştir. Çeşitli hocalardan aldığı eğitimle kendini yetiştiren İbrahim Hamdi Efendi, iş ve görevleri nedeniyle uzun yıllar Rumeli’de bulunmuş; 1729-1730 yıllarında annesini ziyaret amacıyla geldiği memleketinde ve Anadolu’da çeşitli seyahatler yapmıştır. Bu seyahatler sırasında uğradığı yerlerle ilgili önemli ayrıntıları not ederek Atlas’ın birinci cildinde yayınlamıştır. ‘Atlas-ı İbrahim Efendi’ el yazması ve tek nüsha halinde, iki cilt olarak yazılmış bir eserdir. Eserin birinci cildi 1930’ların ikinci yarısından başlayarak çeşitli yayınlar aracılığıyla günümüz Türkçesine kazandırılmıştır. Tek nüsha olan bu cilt Kastamonu’da bulunduğu kütüphanede 1942 yılında çıkan yangında yanmıştır. Günümüze ulaşan el yazması ikinci cilt ise Osmanlı alfabesi ile yazılıdır. Eser, İstanbul Süleymaniye Kitaplığında kayıtlıdır. Avrupa ülkelerini ele alan bu cilt günümüz Türkçesine kazandırılmayı beklemektedir. Geçtiğimiz yıllarda ise eserin ‘Memleketeyn’ adlı kısmi bir nüshasının İSAM (Türkiye Diyanet Vakfı İslam Araştırmaları) Kütüphanesi’nde bulunduğu tespit edilmiştir. İbrahim Hamdi Bey’in Atlas adlı eserini, Türkiye’de geleneksel ilçe panayırları üzerine sürdürdüğüm araştırma sürecinde tanıma ve yararlanma imkânım oldu. Gerek Bartınlı İbrahim Hamdi Efendi’yi gerekse günümüz Türkçesine kazandırılmış olan birinci cildin içeriğini bazı coğrafya araştırmalarına katkı sağlayabileceği düşüncesiyle Türkiye Coğrafya dünyasına tanıtma ve paylaşma amacıyla burada sunulan derlemeyi kaleme aldım. Konuya ilgi duyanlar, içeriği ve kaynakçada listelenen eserleri izleyerek birinci cildin içeriğini bütünüyle inceleme imkânı bulabilecektir.
Clinical application of calcium hydroxide in dental pathology and endodontics
Authors: Lačević Amela , Vranić Edina , Zulić Irfan
Published: May 2018

Calcium hydroxide has a hard tissue inducing effect. It is a powder, that can be mixed with a physiological saline to a paste. The paste is highly alkaline with a pH 12.5 and its application to the pulp results in necrosis of the part of coronal pulp tissue shows no or only a milled inflammatory reaction. Analyzing the pH and the concentration of calcium ions in the periapical area, it is obvious that at least 2 weeks are necessary for calcium hydroxide bactericide activity. Calcium hydroxide retains its anti-bacterial properties for about two months when placed under a restoration, after which it degrades to calcium oxide and other less effective calcium salts. All calcium hydroxide preparations have a limited shelf life as they eventually turn into calciumoxide. Calcium hydroxide can be used as linings, for indirect and direct pulp cupping, root dressing, root canal sealant, apical closure. The vehicles play a supportive role, giving pastes chemical characteristics such as dissociation and diffusion as well as favoring the correct filling of the root canal which are decisive factors for antimicrobial potential and tissue healing. The mechanism of action of calcium hydroxide on tissues, inducing the deposition of mineralized tissue, is an extremely important aspect for the indication of calcium hydroxide, because it demonstrates biological compatibility of calcium hydroxide.
Recent advances in the identification and prediction of polymorphs
Authors: Vranić Edina
Published: May 2018

An increased understanding of the phenomenon of polymorphism should enable pharmaceutical scientists to gain control over the crystallization process in order to selectively obtain the desired polymorph or suppress the growth of an undesired one. Phase changes during processing and scale-up are a problem, which may be avoided by carefully designed initial small-scale studies. The availability of detailed structural data, combined with strategic design of substrates and additives, has led to significant advances in the control over the polymorphs obtained in a particular crystallization. With all the information available from these initial studies, it should be possible to design and to select processing conditions which would give a desired polymorph and maintain the desired form throughout the various stages of drug processing and manufacture.