bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid and recent evolution of LTR retrotransposons drives rice genome evolution during the speciation of AA- genomeOryzaspecies
Authors: Zhang Qun-Jie , Gao Li-zhi
Published: November 2016

The dynamics of LTR retrotransposons and their contribution to genome evolution during plant speciation have remained largely unanswered. Here, we perform a genome-wide comparison of all eightOryzaAA- genome species, and identify 3,911 intact LTR retrotransposons classified into 790 families. The top 44 most abundant LTR retrotransposon families show patterns of rapid and distinct diversification since the species split over the last ~4.8 Myr. Phylogenetic and read depth analyses of 11 representative retrotransposon families further provide a comprehensive evolutionary landscape of these changes. Compared with Ty1-copia, independent bursts of Ty3-gypsyretrotransposon expansions have occurred with the three largest showing signatures of lineage-specific evolution. The estimated insertion times of 2,213 complete retrotransposons from the top 23 most abundant families reveal divergent life-histories marked by speedy accumulation, decline and extinction that differed radically between species. We hypothesize that this rapid evolution of LTR retrotransposons not only divergently shaped the architecture of rice genomes but also contributed to the process of speciation and diversification of rice.
Direct estimation of the spontaneous mutation rate by short-term mutation accumulation lines inChironomus riparius
Authors: Oppold Ann-Marie , Pfenninger Markus
Published: November 2016

Mutations are the ultimate basis of evolution, yet their occurrence rate is known only for few species. We directly estimated the spontaneous mutation rate and the mutational spectrum in the non-biting midgeC. ripariuswith a new approach. Individuals from ten mutation accumulation lines over five generations were deep genome sequenced to countde novomutations (DNMs) that were not present in a pool of F1 individuals, representing parental genotypes. We identified 51 new single site mutations of which 25 were insertions or deletions and 26 single point mutations. This shift in the mutational spectrum compared to other organisms was explained by the high A/T content of the species. We estimated a haploid mutation rate of 2.1 x 10−9(95% confidence interval: 1.4 x 10−9– 3.1 x 10−9) which is in the range of recent estimates for other insects and supports the drift barrier hypothesis. We show that accurate mutation rate estimation from a high number of observed mutations is feasible with moderate effort even for non-model species.
Feedback Determines the Structure of Correlated Variability in Primary Visual Cortex
Authors: Bondy Adrian G. , Haefner Ralf , Cumming Bruce G.
Published: November 2016

The variable responses of sensory neurons tend to be weakly correlated (spike-count correlation,rsc). This is widely thought to reflect noise in shared afferents, in which casersccan limit the reliability of sensory coding. However, it could also be due to feedback from higher-order brain regions. Currently, the relative contribution of these sources is unknown. We addressed this by recording from populations of V1 neurons in macaques performing different discrimination tasks involving the same visual input. We found that the structure ofrsc(the wayrscvaried with neuronal stimulus preference) changed systematically with task instruction. Therefore, even at the earliest stage in the cortical visual hierarchy,rscstructure during task performance primarily reflects feedback dynamics. Consequently, previous proposals for howrscconstrains sensory processing need not apply. Furthermore, we show that correlations between the activity of single neurons and choice depend on feedback engaged by the task.
Rapid shift in substrate utilization driven by hypothalamic Agrp neurons
Authors: Cavalcanti-de-Albuquerque João Paulo , Zimmer Marcelo R. , Bober Jeremy , Dietrich Marcelo O.
Published: November 2016

Agrp neurons drive feeding. To what extend these neurons participate in the regulation of other homeostatic processes is not well understood. We investigated the role of Agrp neurons in substrate utilization in mice. Activation of Agrp neurons was sufficient to rapidly increase RER and carbohydrate utilization, while decreasing fat utilization. These metabolic changes were linearly correlated with carbohydrates ingested, but not protein or fat ingestion. However, even in the absence of ingestive behaviors, activation of Agrp neurons led to changes in substrate utilization in well-fed mice. These effects were coupled to metabolic shifts towards lipogenesis. Inhibition of fatty acid synthetase (FAS) blunted the effects of Agrp neurons on substrate utilization. Finally, Agrp neurons controlled peripheral metabolism, but not food intake, via ß3-adrenergic receptor signaling in fat tissues. These results reveal a novel component of Agrp neuron-mediate metabolism regulation that involves sympathetic activity on fat compartments to shift metabolism towards lipogenesis.
Crystallography of the Mg2Y precipitates in a damping Mg–Cu–Mn–Zn–Y alloy
Authors: Huang Xuefei , Huang Weigang
Published: November 2016

The crystallography of the Mg2Y precipitates in an Mg–Cu–Mn–Zn–Y damping alloy has been characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The novel orientation relationship between Mg2Y and the α-Mg matrix was determined as [0001]p//[0001]α, 〈10{\overline 1}0〉p//〈2{\overline 1}{\overline 1}0〉α and 〈01{\overline 1}0〉p//〈11{\overline 2}0〉α. The precipitate exhibits a polygonal morphology with four pairs of facets, each of which is normal to a Δg vector in reciprocal space. The secondary constrained coincidence site lattice model was employed to examine the preference of each facet. The results show that a much better degree of lattice matching is realized across each facet than their vicinal orientations, indicating the energetically favoured feature of the interface. The configurations of the misfit-compensating dislocations across each interface were also calculated using the O-lattice model.
Contrast variation by dynamic nuclear polarization and time-of-flight small-angle neutron scattering. I. Application to industrial multi-component nanocomposites
Authors: Noda Yohei , Koizumi Satoshi , Masui Tomomi , Mashita Ryo , Kishimoto Hiroyuki , Yamaguchi Daisuke , Kumada Takayuki , Takata Shin-ichi , Ohishi Kazuki , Suzuki Jun-ichi
Published: November 2016

Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) at low temperature (1.2 K) and high magnetic field (3.3 T) was applied to a contrast variation study in small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) focusing on industrial rubber materials. By varying the scattering contrast by DNP, time-of-flight SANS profiles were obtained at the pulsed neutron source of the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC). The concentration of a small organic molecule, (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-yl)oxy (TEMPO), was carefully controlled by a doping method using vapour sorption into the rubber specimens. With the assistance of microwave irradiation (94 GHz), almost full polarization of the paramagnetic electronic spin of TEMPO was transferred to the spin state of hydrogen (protons) in the rubber materials to obtain a high proton spin polarization (P
H). The following samples were prepared: (i) a binary mixture of styrene–butadiene random copolymer (SBR) with silica particles (SBR/SP); and (ii) a ternary mixture of SBR with silica and carbon black particles (SBR/SP/CP). For the binary mixture (SBR/SP), the intensity of SANS significantly increased or decreased while keeping its q dependence for P
H = −35% or P
H = 40%, respectively. The q behaviour of SANS for the SBR/SP mixture can be reproduced using the form factor of a spherical particle. The intensity at low q (∼0.01 Å−1) varied as a quadratic function of P
H and indicated a minimum value at P
H = 30%, which can be explained by the scattering contrast between SP and SBR. The scattering intensity at high q (∼0.3 Å−1) decreased with increasing P
H, which is attributed to the incoherent scattering from hydrogen. For the ternary mixture (SBR/SP/CP), the q behaviour of SANS was varied by changing P
H. At P
H = −35%, the scattering maxima originating from the form factor of SP prevailed, whereas at P
H = 29% and P
H = 38%, the scattering maxima disappeared. After decomposition of the total SANS according to inverse matrix calculations, the partial scattering functions were obtained. The partial scattering function obtained for SP was well reproduced by a spherical form factor and matched the SANS profile for the SBR/SP mixture. The partial scattering function for CP exhibited surface fractal behaviour according to q
−3.6, which is consistent with the results for the SBR/CP mixture.
[1–9-NαC]-Linusorb B3 (cyclolinopeptide A) acetonitrile disolvate
Authors: Chitanda Jackson Mulenga , Zhu Jianfeng , Mausberg Philip , Burnett Peta-Gaye Gillian , Reaney Martin J. T.
Published: November 2016

The title compound, C57H85N9O9·2C2H3N [systematic name:cyclo-(prolyl-prolyl-phenylalanyl-phenylalanyl-leucyl-isoleucyl-isoleucylleucyl-valyl) acetonitrile disolvate; synonym: cyclolinopeptide acetonitrile disolvate], is a polypeptide with nine amino acids,viz.NαC-(Pro1–Pro2–Phe3–Phe4–Leu5–Ile6–Ile7–Leu8–Val9). It was extracted from flaxseed oil and crystallized from acetonitrile as a disolvate. In the title molecule, there are four intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds. One of the two acetonitrile molecules is hydrogen bonded to Phe3viaan N—H...N hydrogen bond, while the second acetonitrile molecule is located at the other side of the peptide ring and is linked to the title molecule by a C—H...N hydrogen bond. In the crystal, molecules are linked by N—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming chains along thea-axis direction. The chains are linked by C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming undulating layers parallel to theacplane.
Resolving the policy paradox: the case of biofuel production in Ireland
Authors: Gilmer Alan J. , McGarrity Mark J. , Byers Vivienne
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the status of policy design and policy implementation in the biofuel sector in Ireland. The focus of the work addresses the overarching operational context of the biofuel sector in Ireland and the role of different actors in shaping and resolving inconsistencies in policy outlook and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a qualitative research approach involving a series of semi-structured interviews with members of the relevant sub-groups concerned. This study sought to address two questions – whether current or proposed policy is likely to affect consumption of indigenous biofuel feedstocks in the biofuel sector and what are the controlling factors in the demand for indigenous feedstocks for biofuel.

Findings

Outcomes suggest that while Irish government policy recognises the need to support the development of renewable energy, it also operates under a number of parallel and potentially inconsistent paradigms in relation to biofuels as a renewable energy commodity. It is contended that the outcome of this position is a lack of coherent and coordinated policy in the area of biofuel production, including second generation biofuel using indigenous feedstocks.

Originality/value

This paper provides a new cross sectoral perspective on the status of biofuel policy in Ireland with particular reference to second generation biofuel feedstocks. It focuses analysis on the nature of policy-operational inconsistencies and the need for a deeper ecological perspective in governance.
Malaysia property sector
Authors: Zull Kepili Ema Izati , Masron Tajul Ariffin
Published: November 2016

Purpose

Because Malaysia decided to liberalize its property sector, investors have shown a considerable interest in the country’s property investment. Divided into five sub-sectors, Malaysia’s real estate is sought actively by foreign investors. However, to date, the sub-sectors performance analysis has never been researched for the purpose of investment diversification within the property sector. This paper aims to examine the performance of sub-sectors in the property market, namely, residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural and development land. This paper also assesses the portfolio diversification benefits within the sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

Quarterly data from 2002 or 2014 are used to analyze the performance of the Malaysia property market. The analysis is conducted in three phases, pre-liberalization, post-liberalization and overall period, because it considers the liberalization policy introduced in 2009. Statistically, the risk-adjusted return featuring Sharpe’s index is used to observe how these sub-sectors perform relative to each other. Correlation analysis is used to observe the existence of diversification benefits in terms of a Malaysia property context.

Findings

It is found that Malaysia’s real estate sub-sectors have different rankings during the pre- and post-liberalization periods. The difference is due to changes in their average return and the risk. During the post-liberalization period, risk for all sub-sectors has increased but has been well compensated by the return. The residential property sector maintains its ranking position as the best sub-sector for every risk investor’s encounter.

Research limitations/implications

Due to wide range of differences and non-uniformity of costs associated with housings, for example tax rates, rental stream, LTV and others, this research focuses on values and data supplied by NAPIC only.

Originality/value

Although performance and portfolio diversification benefits have been tested in many Asian countries, none has tried to assess the Malaysia property. This research enables the policy maker to be informed on whether the sub-sectors are performing in accordance to country’s requirement and which sub-sectors need to be improved further.
Measuring the value of apartment density?
Authors: Lee Jin-Seong
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The primary purpose of this study is to identify whether there is a price premium and consumers’ preferences for higher housing density, and whether there is a relationship between housing densities and sales prices. The second purpose was to identify if there is a non-linear relationship between housing density and prices even though housing density is directly associated with housing prices.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper applies hedonic modeling techniques to measure the value of development density of apartments in the metropolitan area of Seoul, South Korea. The regression of the sale price is a function of different types of variables such as density, market, location and other control variables.

Findings

For the first question, this paper concludes that the higher densities cause housing prices to decrease in Seoul. The summary of the results presents that housing density, floor area ratio (FAR), building coverage ratio and floor level are all important components affecting housing prices. Generally, consumers tend to buy housing with central heating systems, more parking spaces, smaller portion of rental housing within an apartment and buildings that have more of a mixed-use function. Consumers are also found to pay higher premiums for housing in areas with high population growth and less housing supply. It is conclusive that people are inclined to live in populated areas but do not want more density. For the second question, the results show that generally FAR has quadratic effects, but most housing density variables tend to have a non-linear relationship depending on the different quantile groups.

Originality/value

There is a knowledge gap in the area of estimating development density of apartments. Generally, studies investigating property value impacts of multifamily housing focus on external effects of the multifamily housing on home values to examine whether high density development could result in a decrease in nearby property values. These studies found that there are some positive effects. A study found that high-density housing increases property values of existing single-family homes (Joint Center for Housing Studies, 2011). More specifically, developments that are of a high design quality and superior landscaping increase values of single-family homes as well. Also, those residents who live in these high-density apartments can be good potential buyers for the existing single-family homes. The greater the number of buyers, the greater the housing market becomes. Similarly, according to a report by the Joint Center for Housing Studies (2011) at Harvard University, the presence of multifamily residents correlates with higher home values in “working communities”. Indeed, density can be an important factor determining value of apartments because of its unique characteristics. However, no empirical evidence has been provided in the literature with regard to the value of the development density. This study contributes toward improving this knowledge gap.
Domestic and imports sources of supply to the US shrimp market and anti-dumping duties
Authors: Marvasti Akbar , Carter David W.
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an economic analysis of the sources of supply to the US shrimp market.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses monthly time series data to estimate a simultaneous equations model with equations for domestic supplies from the Gulf of Mexico, imports, and prices.

Findings

Estimated long-run elasticities suggest that the domestic shrimp supply appears to be explained by seasons, diesel fuel price, hurricane activity, and shrimp price. The authors find evidence of a downward-slopping supply curve for the domestic harvesters that is likely to be temporary. Furthermore, anti-dumping duties have been ineffectual in curtailing imports produced by exploitation of natural shrimp biomass in developing countries and by technological advancements in aquaculture production. The authors also find evidence of a low exchange rate pass through. Finally, while domestic and import prices are not cointegrated, there is a two-way causality between them.

Practical implications

The authors found evidence that shrimp prices have fallen as import supply, due to technological advances in aquaculture, has risen faster than the US domestic demand over time suggesting a downward sloping supply curve. Also, the falling value of the US dollar has discouraged the imports, while the anti-dumping duties appear to have had little influence on the aggregate level of imports.

Originality/value

It provides a thorough investigation of the supply side of an important component of the US seafood market displaying the complexity of domestic producers’ reaction to falling prices, and ineffectual protectionism.
Inflation persistence and structural breaks
Authors: Canarella Giorgio , Miller Stephen M.
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on a sequential three-stage analysis of inflation persistence using monthly data from 11 inflation targeting (IT) countries and, for comparison, the USA, a non-IT country with a history of credible monetary policy.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the authors estimate inflation persistence in a rolling-window fractional-integration setting using the semiparametric estimator suggested by Phillips (2007). Second, the authors use tests for unknown structural breaks as a means to identify effects of the regime switch and the global financial crisis on inflation persistence. The authors use the sequences of estimated persistence measures from the first stage as dependent variables in the Bai and Perron (2003) structural break tests. Finally, the authors reapply the Phillips (2007) estimator to the subsamples defined by the breaks.

Findings

Four countries (Canada, Iceland, Mexico, and South Korea) experience a structural break in inflation persistence that coincide with the implementation of the IT regime, and three IT countries (Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK), as well as the USA experience a structural break in inflation persistence that coincides with the global financial crisis.

Research limitations/implications

The authors find that in most cases the estimates of inflation persistence switch from mean-reversion nonstationarity to mean-reversion stationarity.

Practical implications

Monetary policy implications differ between pre- and post-global financial crisis.

Social implications

Global financial crisis affected the persistence of inflation rates.

Originality/value

First paper to consider the effect of the global financial crisis on inflation persistence.
An optimal order quantity with shelf-refill trips from backroom for efficient store operations
Authors: Chiralaksanakul Anukal , Sukhotu Vatcharapol
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of backroom storage in supply chain replenishment decision parameters: the order quantity based on the well-established economic order quantity (EOQ) model.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors develop an EOQ-type model to investigate the operational cost impact of the order quantity with backroom storage. Because of the discrete and discontinuous nature of the problem, a modification of an existing algorithm is applied to obtain an optimal order quantity. Numerical experiments derived from a leading retailer in Thailand are used to study the cost impact of the backroom.

Findings

The paper shows that the backroom storage will significantly affect the decision regarding the order quantity. If its effect is ignored, the cost increase can be as high as 30 per cent. The costs and operations of additional shelf-refill trips from the backroom must be carefully analyzed and included in the decisions of replenishment operations.

Research limitations/implications

The model is a simplified version of the actual replenishment process. Validation from a real-world setting should be used to confirm the results. There are many additional opportunities to further integrate other issues in this problem such as shelf space decisions or joint order quantity between vendors and retailers.

Practical implications

The insights gained from the model will help managers, both retailers and vendors or manufacturers, make better decisions with regard to the order quantity policy in the supply chain.

Originality/value

Problems with backroom storage have been qualitatively described in the literature in the past decade. This paper is an early attempt to develop a quantitative model to analytically study the cost impact of backroom on order quantity decisions.
Paths to sustainable enterprise excellence
Authors: Edgeman Rick , Neely Andy , Eskildsen Jacob
Published: November 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to address the nature of sustainable enterprise excellence, what it is, its enablers and specific manifestations.

Design/methodology/approach

A sweeping model of sustainable enterprise excellence, resilience and robustness is introduced, along with its enablers. Among enablers, supply-chain proficiency, vertical trust, distributed leadership and neuropsychological measurement are cited. A method of strategy modeling is introduced that, if rigorously pursued, will improve enterprise strategy and, hence, also opportunity for better subsequent performance and impacts. Similarly, an approach for strategic alignment in a large, multi-level enterprise is presented.

Findings

There are many paths toward sustainable enterprise excellence. Regardless of the path, this anticipates enterprise pursuit of socially equitable, environmentally responsible and economically sound performance and impacts.

Practical implications

The present is the Anthropocene age, an era fraught with challenges largely of people's own making and related to climate change and various sorts of social strain. Organizations have the wherewithal to attack these challenges. Given the orientation of sustainable enterprise excellence, methods and models that advance sustainable enterprise excellence have the potential to combat these challenges.

Originality/value

Sustainable enterprise excellence provides models and methods for confronting significant challenges that societies and organizations alike are faced with. Various models and paths to sustainable enterprise excellence are suggested in this paper.
A comparison of the immunological potency of Burkholderia lipopolysaccharides in endotoxemic BALB/c mice
Authors: Hsueh Pei‐Tan , Liu Chiu‐Lin , Wang Hsuan‐Han , Ni Wei‐Fen , Chen Ya‐Lei , Liu Jong‐Kang
Published: November 2016

Lipopolysaccharide is one of the virulence factors of the soil‐borne pathogens Burkholderia pseudomallei, B. thailandensis, B. cenocepacia and B. multivorans, which cause septic melioidosis (often in B. pseudomallei infections but rarely in B. thailandensis infections) or cepacia syndromes (commonly in B. cenocepacia infections but rarely in B. multivorans infections). The inflammatory responses in Burkholderia LPS‐induced endotoxemia were evaluated in this study. Prior to induction, the conserved structures and functions of each purified LPS were determined using electrophoretic phenotypes, the ratios of 3‐hydroxytetradecanoic to 3‐hydroxyhexadecanoic acid and endotoxin units. In an in vitro assay, cytokine expression of myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 and Toll/IL‐1 receptor domain containing adapter‐inducing INF‐β‐dependent signaling‐dependent signaling differed when stimulated by different LPS. Endotoxemia was induced in mice by s.c. injection as evidenced by increasing serum concentrations of 3‐hydroxytetradecanoic acid and the septic prognostic markers CD62E and ICAM‐1. During endotoxemia, splenic CD11b+I‐A+, CD11b+CD80+, CD11b+CD86+ and CD11b+CD11c+ subpopulations increased. After induction with B. pseudomallei LPS, there were significant increases in splenic CD49b NK cells and CD14 macrophages. The inflamed CD11b+CCR2+, CD11b+CD31+, CD11b+CD14+, resident CD11b+CX3CR1+ and progenitor CD11b+CD34+ cells showed delayed increases in bone marrow. B. multivorans LPS was the most potent inducer of serum cytokines and chemokines, whereas B. cenocepacia LPS induced relatively low concentrations of the chemokines MIP‐1α and MIP‐1β. Endotoxin activities did not correlate with the virulence of Burkholderia strains. Thus factors other than LPS and/or other mechanisms of low activity LPS must mediate the pathogenicity of highly virulent Burkholderia strains.
Assessment of pollen rewards by foraging bees
Authors: Nicholls Elizabeth , Hempel de Ibarra Natalie
Published: November 2016

The removal of pollen by flower‐visiting insects is costly to plants, not only in terms of production, but also via lost reproductive potential. Modern angiosperms have evolved various reward strategies to limit these costs, yet many plant species still offer pollen as a sole or major reward for pollinating insects.

The benefits plants gain by offering pollen as a reward for pollinating are defined by the behaviour of their pollinators, some of which feed on the pollen at the flower, while others collect pollen to provision offspring.

We explore how pollen impacts on the behaviour and foraging decisions of pollen‐collecting bees, drawing comparisons with what is known for nectar rewards. This question is of particular interest since foraging bees typically do not eat pollen during collection, meaning the sensory pathways involved in evaluating this resource are not immediately obvious.

Previous research has focussed on whether foraging bees can determine the quality of pollen sources offered by different plant species, and attempted to infer the mechanisms underpinning such evaluations, mainly through observations of collection preferences in the field

More recently experimental research has started to ask whether pollen itself can mediate the detection of, and learning about, pollen sources and associated floral cues.

We review advancements in the understanding of how bees forage for pollen and respond to variation in pollen quality, and discuss future directions for studying how this ancestral floral food reward shapes the behaviour of pollinating insects.

A lay summary is available for this article.
Gremlin1 promotes carcinogenesis of glioma in vitro
Authors: Guan Yongchang , Cheng Wen , Zou Cunyi , Wang Tingzhong , Cao Zhi
Published: November 2016

As the most prevalent and lethal type of brain tumours, gliomas, especially malignant ones, are relatively resistant to conventional therapies. Gremlin 1 (GREM1) is a secreted glycoprotein that is implicated in the maintenance of cancer stem cells in tumour hierarchy. In the current study, the role of GREM1 in the carcinogenesis of glioma was studied using a knockdown approach. We first examined the expression level of GREM1 in the clinical samples, and then evaluated the effect of GREM1 knockdown on the viability and colony formation capacity of U87‐MG cells. Moreover, the migration ability, invasiveness, cell cycle, and apoptosis of GREM1‐silenced cells were assessed. Furthermore, the involvement of functional GREM1 in the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) process of glioma was investigated by detecting the expression levels of glioma‐associated oncogene homologue 3 (GLI3) and EMT‐related molecules. Our results demonstrated that knockdown of GREM1 reduced cell viability, suppressed migration and invasion, and inhibited GLI3 expression and the EMT process in U87‐MG cells. Meanwhile, GREM1 silencing promoted apoptosis in U87‐MG cells through the accumulation of Bax, cleaved caspase‐3, and cleaved poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) as well as the downregulation of Bcl‐2. In addition, GREM1 knockdown abolished transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1‐mediated activation of the Smad pathway, which may underlie the mechanism of GREM1‐regulated EMT. In conclusion, GREM1 plays an important role in the development of glioma, and it may serve as a potential target in glioma therapy.
Survival of the Ministers: On Ministerial Durability in Postwar Norway
Authors: Søyland Martin G.
Published: November 2016

The field of ministerial durability, showing why some ministers are dismissed and others not, has increased in size over the last decade. Specifically, linking ministerial performance through resignation calls with durability has been applied to both majoritarian and semi‐presidential systems, whereas this link is less explored in consensual electoral systems. Thus, this study explores the relationship between ministerial performance and durability in postwar Norway, drawing on the principal‐agent theory for parliamentary democracies and the accountability link between party leaders and ministers. The main finding is that there are many similarities to other studies’ ministerial durability and performance. By measuring performance in resignation calls coming through the media, it is found that ministerial durability is decreased when performance is low: the more resignation calls a minister gets, the more likely the minister is to be removed by the party leader. Consequently, it is argued that ministers generally are held accountable by their party leaders whenever they are perceived to perform badly. Even though it is argued in the article that studies on ministerial durability and performance would benefit from alternative performance measures, the analysis shows that resignation calls give a good indication of how party leaders hold ministers accountable.
Safety of milk‐derived bioactive peptides
Authors: Beltrán‐Barrientos Lilia María , García Hugo S , Torres‐Llanez María J , González‐Córdova Aarón F , Hernández‐Mendoza Adrián , Vallejo‐Cordoba Belinda
Published: November 2016

Bioactive milk peptides are protein fragments with potential biological activities. Over the past decades, studies have mainly focused on the health benefits of these bioactive peptides; however, only a few studies have evaluated their safety. In this review, we describe the scientific literature regarding their effects on both cell lines and on animal and human models, in terms of allergenicity, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and mutagenicity.
Possibly similar genetic basis of resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab protein in 3 resistant colonies of the sugarcane borer collected from Louisiana, USA
Authors: Yang Fei , Chen Mao , Gowda Anilkumar , Kerns David L. , Huang Fangneng
Published: November 2016

The sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), is a major maize borer pest and a target of transgenic maize expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins in South America and the mid‐southern region of the United States. Evolution of resistance in target pest populations is a great threat to the long‐term efficacy of Bt crops. In this study, we compared the genetic basis of resistance to Cry1Ab protein in 3 resistant colonies of sugarcane borer established from field populations in Louisiana, USA. Responses of larvae to the Cry1Ab protein for the parental and 10 other cross colonies were assayed in a diet‐incorporated bioassay. All 3 resistant colonies were highly resistant to the Cry1Ab protein with a resistance ratio of >555.6 fold. No maternal effect or sex linkage was evident for the resistance in the 3 colonies; and the resistance was functionally nonrecessive at the Cry1Ab concentrations of ≤ 3.16 μg/g, but it became recessive at ≥10 μg/g. In an interstrain complementation test for allelism, the F1 progeny from crosses between any 2 of the 3 resistant colonies exhibited the similar resistance levels as their parental colonies, indicating that the 3 colonies most likely shared a locus of Cry1Ab resistance. Results generated from this study should provide useful information in developing effective strategies for managing Bt resistance in the insect.
Bioinformatic processing of RAD‐seq data dramatically impacts downstream population genetic inference
Authors: Shafer Aaron B. A. , Peart Claire R. , Tusso Sergio , Maayan Inbar , Brelsford Alan , Wheat Christopher W. , Wolf Jochen B. W.
Published: November 2016

Restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (RAD‐seq) provides high‐resolution population genomic data at low cost, and has become an important component in ecological and evolutionary studies. As with all high‐throughput technologies, analytic strategies require critical validation to ensure precise and unbiased interpretation.

To test the impact of bioinformatic data processing on downstream population genetic inferences, we analysed mammalian RAD‐seq data (>100 individuals) with 312 combinations of methodology (de novo vs. mapping to references of increasing divergence) and filtering criteria (missing data, HWE, FIS, coverage, mapping and genotype quality). In an effort to identify commonalities and biases in all pipelines, we computed summary statistics (nr. loci, nr. SNP, π, Hetobs, FIS, FST, Ne and m) and compared the results to independent null expectations (isolation‐by‐distance correlation, expected transition‐to‐transversion ratio Ts/Tv and Mendelian mismatch rates of known parent–offspring trios).

We observed large differences between reference‐based and de novo approaches, the former generally calling more SNPs and reducing FIS and Ts/Tv. Data completion levels showed little impact on most summary statistics, and FST estimates were robust across all pipelines. The site frequency spectrum was highly sensitive to the chosen approach as reflected in large variance of parameter estimates across demographic scenarios (single‐population bottlenecks and isolation‐with‐migration model). Null expectations were best met by reference‐based approaches, although contingent on the specific criteria.

We recommend that RAD‐seq studies employ reference‐based approaches to a closely related genome, and due to the high stochasticity associated with the pipeline advocate the use of multiple pipelines to ensure robust population genetic and demographic inferences.
State‐dependent behavioural theory for assessing the fitness consequences of anthropogenic disturbance on capital and income breeders
Authors: McHuron Elizabeth A. , Costa Daniel P. , Schwarz Lisa , Mangel Marc
Published: November 2016

Anthropogenic disturbance is of increasing concern for wildlife populations, necessitating the development of models that link behavioural changes at the individual level with biologically meaningful changes at the population level.

We developed a general framework for estimating the fitness consequences of disturbance that affects foraging behaviour using state‐dependent behavioural theory implemented by Stochastic Dynamic Programming (SDP). We illustrate this framework using generalized examples of pinnipeds, a group of marine carnivores that include both capital‐ and income‐breeding species. We examined how disturbance affected pup recruitment separately for each reproductive strategy, and the impact of foraging decisions and parameter values on model results.

The effect of disturbance on pup recruitment was greater for income than capital breeders for all disturbance scenarios. Disturbance had negligible effects on pup recruitment when it occurred within less frequented foraging patches, but moderate to large effects when it occurred within an important foraging patch. Model results were sensitive to values of patch productivity (the energy gained from successful foraging), the probability of disturbance and individual behavioural choices in the face of disturbance.

State‐dependent behavioural theory implemented by SDP is a powerful tool for investigating when behavioural changes in response to disturbance may be meaningful at the population level. This approach allows us to incorporate many factors that are known to influence the behavioural and physiological responses of animals to anthropogenic disturbance, and places disturbance within the context of a temporally and spatially variable environment. The general framework we have developed can be used to estimate the consequences of anthropogenic disturbance across a broad range of species.
The impact of undergraduate personal finance education on individual financial literacy, attitudes and intentions
Authors: Gerrans Paul , Heaney Richard
Published: November 2016

Financial literacy education features prominently among the policy options available to improve personal financial decision‐making. Notwithstanding calls to expand delivery of financial literacy units at university level, such offerings are relatively rare with little evaluation. We provide an evaluation of the impact on financial literacy, financial attitudes and financial behaviour intentions of a semester unit in personal finance delivered to undergraduates at an Australian university, carefully controlling for confounding effects in the analysis. We report increases in objective and subjective financial literacy and an additional gender effect. Contrary to previous speculation, we do not find overconfidence as an associated outcome.
Monetary policy shocks and the dynamics of agricultural commodity prices: evidence from structural and factor‐augmented VAR analyses
Authors: Alam Md Rafayet , Gilbert Scott
Published: November 2016

Fluctuation in commodity prices is a significant and timely issue to be studied. This study is to examine the impact of monetary policy and other macroeconomic shocks on the dynamics of agricultural commodity prices. The major contributions of this study are twofold. First, unlike other studies that use indexes, this study analyzes the commodities individually, affording the inclusion of commodity‐specific fundamentals such as the level of inventory—an important determinant of commodity price—in a structural VAR framework. Second, it exploits a rich data set of agricultural commodity prices which includes commodities that are usually overlooked in the literature, and extracts a common factor using the dynamic factor model to understand the extent of comovement of the prices and to gauge the extent to which macroeconomic shocks drive the “comovement” in a factor‐augmented VAR (FAVAR) framework. The findings show that monetary policy, global economic conditions, and the U.S. dollar exchange rates play an important role in the dynamics of agricultural commodity prices.
Management of pemphigus disease in pregnancy
Authors: Tavakolpour Soheil , Mirsafaei Hajar Sadat , Delshad Saeid
Published: November 2016

Pemphigus can cause complications during pregnancy and may cause serious harm to a fetus. For this study, a comprehensive review of common treatments of pemphigus and their adverse effects associated with pregnancy and male fertility was conducted. We concluded that a period of remission with minimal or no therapy before conception could significantly reduce the risk of the disease flaring up, at least in the first trimester. The period of remission causes a delay in the flare‐up of the disease, which means lower cumulative doses and the prevention of possible congenital abnormalities caused by corticosteroid or immunosuppressant treatments. All common treatments of pemphigus—azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, and methotrexate—should be avoided during pregnancy. However, it appears that systemic corticosteroids in a safe dose with a topical form of corticosteroids may be used without serious risk. Due to the lack of data associated with rituximab therapy, it is recommended that this drug be avoided 12 months before conception. It appears that the safest treatment of pemphigus is intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), which may be more effective when used with topical corticosteroids. Due to the delayed effect of IVIg, it should be used some months prior to conception.
Feminism from the Margin: Challenging the Paris/Banlieues Divide
Authors: Hancock Claire
Published: November 2016

This paper aims to cast light on specifically French constructions of gender, citizenship and nationhood and articulate two bodies of work, one dealing with political mobilizations of racialized minorities in the French context, and the other dealing with gender concerns in urban policy. Emerging social movements in the urban area of Paris are having to take position in a context in which a normative “state feminism” is being used to stigmatize working‐class neighbourhoods in the banlieues as well as their male inhabitants. This paper considers the “double bind” in which feminist activists, and women more generally, find themselves as a result. It argues that some formerly silenced groups are being granted space for expression by the current foregrounding of “women” in urban policy. Drawing on bell hooks' insights on the margin/centre tension in feminist theory as a useful way of thinking about the spatial dimension of these issues, the paper looks at one group in particular that defines itself and its strategies in spatial terms.
Creatinine, Neutrophil Gelatinase‐Associated Lipocalin, and Cystatin C in Determining Acute Kidney Injury After Heart Operations Using Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Authors: Kališnik Jurij Matija , Hrovat Eva , Hrastovec Alenka , Žibert Janez , Jerin Aleš , Skitek Milan , Santarpino Giuseppe , Klokocovnik Tomislav
Published: November 2016

Acute kidney injury (AKI) represents frequent complication after cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). In the hope to enhance earlier more reliable characterization of AKI, we tested the utility of neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) and cystatin C (CysC) in addition to standard creatinine for early determination of AKI after cardiac surgery using CPB. Forty‐one patients met the inclusion criteria. Arterial blood samples collected after induction of general anesthesia were used as baseline, further sampling occurred at CPB termination, 2 h after CPB, on the first and second day after surgery. According to AKIN classification 18 patients (44%) developed AKI (AKI1‐2 groups) and 23 (56%) did not (non‐AKI group). Groups were similar regarding demographics and operative characteristics. CysC levels differed already preoperatively (non‐AKI vs. AKI2; P = 0.045; AKI1 vs. AKI2; P = 0.011), while postoperatively AKI2 group differed on the first day and AKI1 on the second regarding non‐AKI group (P = 0.004; P = 0.021, respectively). NGAL and creatinine showed significant difference already 2 h after CPB between groups AKI2 and non‐AKI and later on the first postoperative day between groups AKI1 and AKI2 (P = 0.028; P = 0.014, respectively). This study shows similar performance of early plasma creatinine and NGAL in patients with preserved preoperative renal function. It demonstrates that creatinine, as well as NGAL, differentiate subsets of patients developing AKI of clinically more advanced grade early after 2 h, also when used single and uncombined.
Filmic geographies: the rise of digital film as a research method and output
Authors: Jacobs Jessica
Published: November 2016

The advent of digital has led to the proliferation of moving image data, signalling a shift not only in what we research, but in the way research is carried out and reported. The subsequent increase in interest in the use of digital film in the discipline is therefore not surprising, but critical reflections on the possibilities and limitations of the medium are lacking. In this special section of Area, I have drawn together a series of papers from practice‐led authors to reflect on the complexities, tensions and difficulties that are caught up with the potential of using film as research method and output. Here, I introduce the different papers and reflect on the legacy of analogue video and film in the humanities and social sciences. I argue that while they should not be ignored, the resulting geographical categorisations of film that were developed when the process was analogue – placing film either as a text that should be analysed and/or a visual research method – currently restrict our further understanding of this nascent form of knowledge production.
Editorial
Authors: Kraftl Peter , Bryant Robert , Datta Kavita
Published: November 2016

This editorial introduces some recent editorial changes to the journal, including the appointment of a new Physical and Environmental Geography Editor. It outlines the new editorial team's vision for Area before noting some recent and forthcoming highlights, including the 2015 Area prize winner, Classics Revisited and Virtual Special Issues. Finally, the editorial introduces a new, regular feature of the journal – ‘Ethics in/of Geographical Research’ – which we hope will lead to a wide‐ranging series of articles, commentaries and debates that span the breadth of contemporary geographical research.
Real‐world clinical experience in the Connect® chronic lymphocytic leukaemia registry: a prospective cohort study of 1494 patients across 199 US centres
Authors: Mato Anthony , Nabhan Chadi , Kay Neil E. , Weiss Mark A. , Lamanna Nicole , Kipps Thomas J. , Grinblatt David L. , Flinn Ian W. , Kozloff Mark F. , Flowers Christopher R. , Farber Charles M. , Kiselev Pavel , Swern Arlene S. , Sullivan Kristen , Flick E. Dawn , Sharman Jeff P.
Published: November 2016

The clinical course of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is heterogeneous, and treatment options vary considerably. The Connect® CLL registry is a multicentre, prospective observational cohort study that provides a real‐world perspective on the management of, and outcomes for, patients with CLL. Between 2010 and 2014, 1494 patients with CLL and that initiated therapy, were enrolled from 199 centres throughout the USA (179 community‐, 17 academic‐, and 3 government‐based centres). Patients were grouped by line of therapy at enrolment (LOT). We describe the clinical and demographic characteristics of, and practice patterns for, patients with CLL enrolled in this treatment registry, providing patient‐level observational data that represent real‐world experiences in the USA. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses were performed on 49·3% of patients at enrolment. The most common genetic abnormalities detected by FISH were del(13q) and trisomy 12 (45·7% and 20·8%, respectively). Differences in disease characteristics and comorbidities were observed between patients enrolled in LOT1 and combined LOT2/≥3 cohorts. Important trends observed include the infrequent use of genetic prognostic testing, and differences in patient characteristics for patients receiving chemoimmunotherapy combinations. These data represent experiences of patients with CLL in the USA, which may inform treatment decisions in everyday practice.