bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inferring putative transmission clusters with Phydelity
Authors: Han Alvin X. , Parker Edyth , Maurer-Stroh Sebastian , Russell Colin A.
Published: November 2018

Current phylogenetic clustering approaches for identifying pathogen transmission clusters are limited by their dependency on arbitrarily-defined genetic distance thresholds for within-cluster divergence. Incomplete knowledge of a pathogen’s underlying dynamics often reduces the choice of distance threshold to an exploratory, ad-hoc exercise that is difficult to standardise across studies. Phydelity is a new tool for the identification of transmission clusters in pathogen phylogenies. It identifies groups of sequences that are more closely-related than the ensemble distribution of the phylogeny under a statistically-principled and phylogeny-informed framework, without the introduction of arbitrary distance thresholds. Relative to other distance threshold-based and model-based methods, Phydelity outputs clusters with higher purity and lower probability of misclassification in simulated phylogenies. Applying Phydelity to empirical datasets of hepatitis B and C virus infections showed that Phydelity identified clusters with better correspondence to individuals that are more likely to be linked by transmission events relative to other widely-used non-parametric phylogenetic clustering methods without the need for parameter calibration. Phydelity is generalisable to any pathogen and can be used to identify putative direct transmission events. Phydelity is freely available at https://github.com/alvinxhan/Phydelity.
E-cadherin endocytosis is modulated by p120-catenin through the opposing actions of RhoA and Arf1
Authors: Greig Joshua , Bulgakova Natalia A.
Published: November 2018

The regulation of E-cadherin at the plasma membrane by endocytosis is of vital importance for developmental and disease. p120-catenin, which binds to the E-cadherin C-terminus, can both promote and inhibit E-cadherin endocytosis. However, little is known about what determines the directionality of p120-catenin activity, and the molecules downstream. Here, we have discovered that p120-catenin fine-tunes the clathrin-mediated endocytosis of E-cadherin inDrosophilaembryonic epidermal cells. It simultaneously activated two actin-remodelling pathways with opposing effects: RhoA, which stabilized E-cadherin at the membrane, and Arf1, which promoted internalization. Epistasis experiments revealed that RhoA additionally inhibited Arf1. E-cadherin was efficiently endocytosed only in the presence of intermediate p120-catenin amounts with too little and too much p120-catenin inhibiting E-cadherin endocytosis. Finally, we found that p120-catenin levels altered the tension of the plasma membrane. Altogether, this shows that p120-catenin is a central hub which co-ordinates cell adhesion, endocytosis, and actin dynamics with tissue tension.
Age-dependent deterioration of nuclear pore assembly in mitotic cells decreases transport dynamics
Authors: Rempel I.L. , Crane M.M. , Mishra A. , Jansen D.P.M. , Janssens G.E. , Popken P. , Kaeberlein M. , Van der Giessen E. , Onck P.R. , Steen A. , Veenhoff L.M.
Published: November 2018

Nuclear transport is facilitated by the Nuclear Pore Complex (NPC) and is essential for life in eukaryotes. The NPC is a long-lived and exceptionally large structure. We asked whether NPC function is compromised in ageing mitotic cells. By imaging of single yeast cells during ageing, we show that the abundance of several NPC components and NPC assembly factors decreases while signs of misassembled NPCs appear. Consequently, nuclear permeability decreases, resulting in decreased dynamics of transcription factor shuttling and increased nuclear compartmentalisation. In support that declining NPC quality control is important in mitotic ageing, we find that the transport kinetics observed in ageing is mimicked in an NPC assembly mutant. Additionally, the single cell life histories reveal that cells that better maintain NPC function are longer lived. We conclude that assembly and quality control of NPCs are major challenges for ageing mitotic cells.
Live-cell single RNA imaging reveals bursts of translational frameshifting
Authors: Lyon Kenneth , Aguilera Luis U. , Morisaki Tatsuya , Munsky Brian , Stasevich Timothy J.
Published: November 2018

Ribosomal frameshifting during the translation of RNA is implicated in both human disease and viral infection. While previous work has uncovered many mechanistic details about single RNA frameshifting kineticsin vitro, very little is known about how single RNA frameshift in living systems. To confront this problem, we have developed technology to quantify live-cell single RNA translation dynamics in frameshifted open reading frames. Applying this technology to RNA encoding the HIV-1 frameshift sequence reveals a small subset (~8%) of the translating pool robustly frameshift in living cells. Frameshifting RNA are preferentially in multi-RNA “translation factories,” are translated at about the same rate as non-frameshifting RNA (~2 aa/sec), and can continuously frameshift for more than four rounds of translation. Fits to a bursty model of frameshifting constrain frameshifting kinetic rates and demonstrate how ribosomal traffic jams contribute to the persistence of the frameshifting state. These data provide novel insight into retroviral frameshifting and could lead to new strategies to perturb the process in living cells.
Machine learning enables detection of early-stage colorectal cancer by whole-genome sequencing of plasma cell-free DNA
Authors: Wan Nathan , Weinberg David , Liu Tzu-Yu , Niehaus Katherine , Delubac Daniel , Kannan Ajay , White Brandon , Ariazi Eric A. , Bailey Mitch , Bertin Marvin , Boley Nathan , Bowen Derek , Cregg James , Drake Adam M. , Ennis Riley , Fransen Signe , Gafni Erik , Hansen Loren , Liu Yaping , Otte Gabriel L , Pecson Jennifer , Rice Brandon , Sanderson Gabriel E. , Sharma Aarushi , John John St. , Tang Catherina , Tzou Abraham , Young Leilani , Putcha Girish , Haque Imran S.
Published: November 2018

Background

Blood-based methods using cell-free DNA (cfDNA) are under development as an alternative to existing screening tests. However, early-stage detection of cancer using tumor-derived cfDNA has proven challenging because of the small proportion of cfDNA derived from tumor tissue in early-stage disease. A machine learning approach to discover signatures in cfDNA, potentially reflective of both tumor and non-tumor contributions, may represent a promising direction for the early detection of cancer.

Methods

Whole-genome sequencing was performed on cfDNA extracted from plasma samples (N=546 colorectal cancer and 271 non-cancer controls). Reads aligning to protein-coding gene bodies were extracted, and read counts were normalized. cfDNA tumor fraction was estimated using IchorCNA. Machine learning models were trained using k-fold cross-validation and confounder-based cross-validation to assess generalization performance.

Results

In a colorectal cancer cohort heavily weighted towards early-stage cancer (80% stage I/II), we achieved a mean AUC of 0.92 (95% CI 0.91-0.93) with a mean sensitivity of 85% (95% CI 83-86%) at 85% specificity. Sensitivity generally increased with tumor stage and increasing tumor fraction. Stratification by age, sequencing batch, and institution demonstrated the impact of these confounders and provided a more accurate assessment of generalization performance.

Conclusions

A machine learning approach using cfDNA achieved high sensitivity and specificity in a large, predominantly early-stage, colorectal cancer cohort. The possibility of systematic technical and institution-specific biases warrants similar confounder analyses in other studies. Prospective validation of this machine learning method and evaluation of a multi-analyte approach are underway.
Dissociable Neural Correlates of Uncertainty Underlie Different Exploration Strategies
Authors: Tomov Momchil S. , Truong Van Q. , Hundia Rohan A. , Gershman Samuel J.
Published: November 2018

Most real-world decisions involve a delicate balance between exploring unfamiliar alternatives and committing to the best known option. Uncertainty lies at the core of this “explore-exploit” dilemma, for if all options were perfectly known, there would be no need to explore. Yet despite the prominent role of uncertainty-guided exploration in decision making, evidence for its neural implementation is still sparse. We investigated this question with model-based fMRI (n = 31) using a two-armed bandit task that independently manipulates two forms of uncertainty underlying different exploration strategies. The relative uncertainty between the two options was correlated with BOLD activity in right rostrolateral prefrontal cortex and drove directed exploration, a strategy that adds an uncertainty bonus to each option. The total uncertainty across the two options was correlated with activity in left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and drove random exploration, a strategy that increases choice stochasticity in proportion to total uncertainty. The subjective estimates of uncertainty from both regions were predictive of subject choices. These results are consistent with a hybrid computational architecture in which different uncertainty computations are performed separately and then combined by downstream decision circuits to compute choice.
Multi-sample SPIM image acquisition, processing and analysis of vascular growth in zebrafish
Authors: Daetwyler Stephan , Günther Ulrik , Modes Carl D. , Harrington Kyle , Huisken Jan
Published: November 2018

To quantitatively understand biological processes that occur over many hours or days, it is desirable to image multiple samples simultaneously and automatically process and analyze the resulting datasets. Here, we present a complete multi-sample preparation, imaging, processing, and analysis workflow to determine the development of the vascular volume in zebrafish. Up to five live embryos were mounted and imaged simultaneously over several days using selective plane illumination microscopy (SPIM). The resulting large imagery dataset of several terabytes was processed in an automated manner on a high-performance computer cluster and segmented with a novel segmentation approach that uses images of red blood cells as training data. This analysis yielded a precise quantification of growth characteristics of the whole vascular network, head vasculature, and tail vasculature over development. Our multi-sample platform demonstrates effective upgrades to conventional single-sample imaging platforms and paves the way for diverse quantitative long-term imaging studies.

Summary statement

We present a dedicated multi-sample light sheet imaging, processing and analysis platform and demonstrate its value for studies of vascular growth in zebrafish.
Coverage, Opportunity and Challenges of expanded Program on Immunization among 12-23 Months old Children in Woldia Town, Northeast, Ethiopia, 2018: Mixed cross sectional study
Authors: Abebe Ayele Mamo , Kassaw Mesfin Wudu , Birara Alemu
Published: November 2018

Objective

The purpose of this is to assess coverage, opportunity and challenges of EPI among children age 12-23 month in Woldia town, Amhara region, Ethiopia.

Result

A total of 389 mothers/caretakers were interviewed. Based on vaccination card and mothers/caretakers’ recall, 385 (99%) of the children took at least a single dose of vaccine. About 343 (87.7%) children were fully immunized. Dropout rate was 9% for BCG to measles. Qualitative study revealed that workload, shortage of vaccine and non-compliance of mother/care taker for next schedule date was the major challenge faced by health professionals. In this study, vaccination coverage was low compared to the Millennium Development Goals target. Thus the town health office and concerned stakeholders need to work more to improve performance of the expanded program on immunization in this area.
Thermopneumatic suction integrated microfluidic blood analysis system
Authors: Yang Chiao-Hsun , Hsieh Yu-Ling , Tsou Ping-Hsien , Li Bor-Ran
Published: November 2018

Blood tests provide crucial diagnostic information regarding several diseases. A key factor that affects the precision and accuracy of blood tests is the interference of red blood cells; however, the conventional methods of blood separation are often complicated and time consuming. In this study, we devised a simple but high-efficiency blood separation system on a self-strained microfluidic device that separates 99.7% of the plasma in only 6 min. Parameters, such as flow rate, design of the filter trench, and the relative positions of the filter trench and channel, were optimized through microscopic monitoring. Moreover, this air-difference-driven device uses a cost-effective and easy-to-use heater strip that creates a low-pressure environment in the microchannel within minutes. With the aforementioned advantages, this blood separation device could be another platform choice for point-of-care testing.
Temporal and spatial selectivity of hippocampal connectivity with sensorimotor cortex during individual finger movements
Authors: Miller Michael J. , Burman Douglas D.
Published: November 2018

Cognitive control refers to brain processes involved in regulating behavior according to internal goals or plans. This study examines whether hippocampal connectivity with sensorimotor cortex during paced movements shows a pattern of spatial and temporal selectivity required for cognitive control. Functional magnetic resonance imaging activity was recorded from thirteen right-handed subjects during a paced, non-mnemonic (repetitive tapping) motor task. Direct and inverse connectivity in sensorimotor cortex were examined from psychophysiological interactions (PPI) from hippocampal seed activity during two sets of analyses: the first identified motor interactions relative to rest, whereas the second identified interactions in motor activity between fingers. Finger representations identified in a previous study were used to evaluate patterns of temporal and spatial selectivity in hippocampal connectivity. Changes in the magnitude of connectivity were identified within the sensorimotor representations of the first (index) through third (ring) fingers across time periods when each finger moved; at each finger representation, hippocampal connectivity was greatest when the represented finger was moving, reflecting temporal selectivity for the timing of finger movements. Similarly, the seeds associated with each finger representation differed in their magnitude of connectivity for adjacent finger representations, reflecting spatial selectivity for the moving finger. The patterns of spatial and temporal selectivity of connectivity during volitional movements in this study meets the criteria for cognitive control adapted from oculomotor studies.
Whole Body Periodic Acceleration Improves Survival and Microvascular Leak in a Murine Endotoxin Model
Authors: Adams Jose A. , Uryash Arkady , Lopez Jose R. , Sackner Marvin A.
Published: November 2018

Sepsis is a life threatening condition which produces multi-organ dysfunction with profound circulatory and cellular derangements. Administration of E.Coli endotoxin (LPS) produces systemic inflammatory effects of sepsis including disruption of endothelial barrier, and if severe enough death. Whole body periodic acceleration (pGz) is the headward-footward motion of the body. pGz has been shown to induce pulsatile shear stress to the endothelium, thereby releasing vascular and cardio protective mediators. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not pGz performed as a pre-treatment or post-treatment strategy improves survival in a lethal murine endotoxin model.

This study was designed as a prospective randomized controlled study in mice. pGz was performed in mice as pre-treatment (pGz-LPS, 3 days prior to LPS), post-treatment (LPS-pGz, 30 min after LPS) strategies or Control (LPS-CONT), in a lethal murine model of endotoxemia. Endotoxemia was induced with intraperitoneal injection of E.Coli (40mg/kg). In a separate group of mice, a nonspecific nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) was provided in their drinking water and pGz-LPS and LPS-pGz performed to determine the effect of nitric oxide (NO) inhibition on survival. In another subset of mice, micro vascular leakage was determined. Behavioral scoring around the clock was performed in all mice at 30 min intervals after LPS administration, until 48 hrs. survival or death. LPS induced 100% mortality in LPS-CONT animals by 30 hrs. In contrast, survival to 48 hrs. occurred in 60% of pGz-LPS and 80% of LPS-pGz. L-NAME abolished the survival effects of pGz. Microvascular leakage was markedly reduced in both pre and post pGz treated animals and was associated with increased TIE2 and p-TIE2. In a murine model of lethal endotoxemia, pGz performed as a pre or post treatment strategy significantly improved survival, and markedly reduced microvascular leakage. The effect was modulated, in part, by NO since a non-selective inhibitor of NO abolished the pGz survival effect.
Categorical encoding of decision variables in orbitofrontal cortex
Authors: Onken Arno , Xie Jue , Panzeri Stefano , Padoa-Schioppa Camillo
Published: November 2018

A fundamental and recurrent question in systems neuroscience is that of assessing what variables are encoded by a given population of neurons. Such assessments are often challenging because neurons in one brain area may encode multiple variables, and because neuronal representations might be categorical (different neurons encoding different variables) or mixed (individual neurons encoding a combination of variables). These issues are particularly pertinent to the representation of decision variables in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) – an area implicated in economic choices. Here we present a new algorithm to assess whether a neuronal representation is categorical or mixed, and to identify the encoded variables if the representation is indeed categorical. The algorithm is based on two clustering procedures, one variable-independent and the other variable-based. The two partitions are then compared through adjusted mutual information. The present algorithm overcomes limitations of previous approaches and is widely applicable. We tested the algorithm on synthetic data and then used it to examine neuronal data recorded in the primate OFC during economic decisions. Confirming previous assessments, we found the neuronal representation in OFC to be categorical in nature. We also found that neurons in this area encode the value of individual offers, the binary choice outcome and the chosen value. In other words, during economic choice, neurons in the primate OFC encode decision variables in a categorical way.

Author Summary

Mental functions such as sensory perception or decision making ultimately rely on the activity of neuronal populations in different brain regions. Much research in neuroscience is devoted to understanding how different groups of neurons support specific brain functions by representing behaviorally relevant variables. In this respect, one important question is whether individual neurons represent single variables, or linear combination of variables. Here we developed a new algorithm to assess this general issue. We then used the algorithm to examine neurons in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) recorded while non-human primates performed economic decisions. We found that different neurons represent different variables (categorical encoding). Specifically, neurons in the OFC encoded the value of individual offers, the binary choice outcome, and the chosen value. The present results support the hypothesis that economic decisions are formed within the OFC.
Determination of stacking ordering in disordered close-packed structures from pairwise correlation functions
Authors: Serrano-Alfaro Pablo , Estevez-Rams Ernesto , Lora-Serrano Raimundo , Aragon-Fernandez Beatriz
Published: November 2018

It is shown how to reconstruct the stacking sequence from the pairwise correlation functions between layers in close-packed structures. First, of theoretical interest, the analytical formulation and solution of the problem are presented when the exact pairwise correlation counts are known. In the second part, the practical problem is approached. A simulated annealing procedure is developed to solve the problem using as initial guess approximate solutions from previous treatments. The robustness of the procedure is tested with synthetic data, followed by an experimental example. The developed approach performs robustly over different synthetic and experimental data, comparing favorably with the reported methods.
Research on comment target extracting in Chinese online shopping platform
Authors: Liu Zhishuo , Shen Qianhui , Ma Jingmiao , Dong Ziqi
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to extract the comment targets in Chinese online shopping platform.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first collect the comment texts, word segmentation, part-of-speech (POS) tagging and extracted feature words twice. Then they cluster the evaluation sentence and find the association rules between the evaluation words and the evaluation object. At the same time, they establish the association rule table. Finally, the authors can mine the evaluation object of comment sentence according to the evaluation word and the association rule table. At last, they obtain comment data from Taobao and demonstrate that the method proposed in this paper is effective by experiment.

Findings

The extracting comment target method the authors proposed in this paper is effective.

Research limitations/implications

First, the study object of extracting implicit features is review clauses, and not considering the context information, which may affect the accuracy of the feature excavation to a certain degree. Second, when extracting feature words, the low-frequency feature words are not considered, but some low-frequency feature words also contain effective information.

Practical implications

Because of the mass online reviews data, reading every comment one by one is impossible. Therefore, it is important that research on handling product comments and present useful or interest comments for clients.

Originality/value

The extracting comment target method the authors proposed in this paper is effective.
Food away from home in Brazil: the role of sociodemographic factors and family structure
Authors: Queiroz Pedro , Coelho Alexandre B.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to estimate the determinants of per capita expenditures with disaggregate food away from home (FAFH) including variables such as family structure.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors estimated a system of expenditure equations (SUR method) with data from the latest Consumer Expenditure Survey of 2008–2009 – (or Pesquisa de Orçamentos Familiares – POF), considering the complex sample design in estimation procedures.

Findings

The authors found a positive relationship between woman’s opportunity cost of time and FAFH spending only when the authors considered the effects of wife’s education in higher income class. Hiring domestic help diminishes FAFH spending, mostly for lunch and dinner time meals. The presence of children in the household decreases the consumption of most FAFH categories.

Social implications

Even though, Brazilian FAFH consumption has been increasing, the presence of women in the labor market seems to play a small role in the determining this type of food consumption. Family structure plays an important role in determining FAFH.

Originality/value

The contribution of the paper is to estimate FAFH expenditures at the disaggregate level and by income class for Brazil. The authors also included alternative family structure specifications as determinants in the model. The authors considered the sample design characteristics in estimation.
Influence of hard rolling and the cooling lubricant on the material properties and the rolling strength of PM gears
Authors: Klocke Fritz , Bergs Thomas , Löpenhaus Christoph , Scholzen Philipp , Frech Tim
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The lower density of powder metallurgical (PM) gears compared to solid steel gears leads to not only a lower weight but also a lower load-carrying capacity. Therefore, PM gears are cold rolled before hardening to increase the density in the highly stressed surface zone and, thus, the flank load-carrying capacity. A further approach to increase the flank load-carrying capacity is the reduction of friction and wear in the tooth contact. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the hard rolling process as a new manufacturing step in the PM process chain to influence the boundary layer.

Design/methodology/approach

The investigation includes the new process of hard rolling, the variation of the cooling lubricant in the hard rolling process and the evaluation of its influence on the material properties and the flank load-carrying capacity. Therefore, the additives of the cooling lubricant are varied regarding the sulfur and phosphorous content. The load-carrying capacity is evaluated on disk-on-disk test rig and the material properties are evaluated by metallographic tests and boundary layer.

Findings

The results of the specimen characteristics in the micro and nano range show a significant influence of hard rolling on the residual stresses and the chemical surface composition. Because of hard rolling, residual compressive stresses as well as roughness are reduced and the flank load-carrying capacity is increased by high phosphorous content of the cooling lubricant.

Originality/value

This paper investigates a new manufacturing step to increase resource efficiency by increasing the flank load-carrying capacity of spur gears.
Women’s experiences and acceptability of medical termination of pregnancy
Authors: Saejeng Kittipong , Jaisamrarn Unnop , Naravage Wanapa
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand women’s experiences, acceptability and outcomes of using the medical termination of pregnancy (MTP). The study is conducted at nine reproductive health and family planning clinics at university hospitals as well as regional and provincial hospitals located in Bangkok and the locations within Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a descriptive research recruiting healthy women with pregnancy up to 63 days since the last menstrual period (LMP) who opted for MTP during 2012–2014.

Findings

A total of 443 women who were referred from the reproductive health networks voluntarily participated in the study. Overall, 92.6 percent of participants had a complete abortion. No serious adverse events were found for cases using misoprostol at home or at clinic. More than 98.3 percent of the women felt satisfied or very satisfied with the method. More than 80 percent of participants thought that the side-effects of the method were as expected or less than expected. More than 95 percent of the women recommended having MTP available in Thailand.

Originality/value

The introduction of MTP that uses a mifepristone and misoprostol regimen (Medabon®) in pregnancies up to 63 days, since LMP demonstrates that misoprostol can be safely used by women at home or at clinic. The administration of misoprostol at home reduces the number of hospital visits, which saves time and costs for traveling from home to the facility. In addition, women have more privacy and control over their bodies by self-administering misoprostol. The MTP’s introductory results also show that MTP service provision is well integrated into reproductive health and family planning services. It is useful for stakeholders who would be involved in design and planning of health system services before the MTP is made broadly available throughout the country.
Transformational leadership, trust, and follower outcomes: a moderated mediation model
Authors: Altunoğlu Ali Ender , Şahin Faruk , Babacan Sümeyra
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the influences of transformational leadership behaviors on followers’ task performance and organizational citizenship behaviors, the potential mediating role of affective trust and moderating effect of follower tenure with leader in these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected survey data from 197 employees from various organizations in Turkey, operating in several sectors. To test the relationships among study variables, the authors followed the moderated mediation procedure suggested by Hayes (2013).

Findings

The findings indicated that transformational leadership behaviors have significant positive effects on both followers’ task performance and organizational citizenship behaviors. Furthermore, mediational analyses showed that affective trust mediated the relationship between transformational leadership behaviors and followers’ task performance. Moreover, the moderation analysis shows that the effect of transformational leadership behaviors on affective trust depended on leader–follower dyadic tenure, with the effect of transformational leadership behaviors being greater at high level of leader–follower dyadic tenure.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides evidence of the positive relationship of transformational leadership behaviors with followers’ affective trust at work and task performance. Such knowledge suggests that improving leaders’ skills and capabilities in terms of transformational leadership through training might lead organizations to work more effectively.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature by showing the importance of affective trust, explaining why transformational leaders can motivate and influence followers to achieve a higher performance. In addition, this research provides knowledge about transformational leadership effectiveness in developing countries, mainly in Turkey.
Female–female competition leads to female‐biased sex allocation and dimorphism in brood sex composition in a gall‐forming aphid
Authors: Tong Xin , Akimoto Shin‐ichi
Published: November 2018

Sex allocation in animals is predicted to be skewed from a 1:1 ratio if sons and daughters yield different marginal fitness returns per unit maternal investment.

We tested this prediction using the gall‐forming aphid Tetraneura sorini, in which lethal fighting is common among females, whereas male–male competition is moderate. Mothers (autumnal winged females) parthenogenetically produce females and males in their abdomen and can control their sizes and numbers. The females and males do not feed after birth. After mating, females produce single eggs, from which only females (foundresses) hatch and fight intensely with one another during the galling process.

Larger‐sized foundresses have overwhelming advantages in fighting. If mothers invest more in individual females, they can produce larger foundresses (granddaughters), which yields greater fitness returns. This situation is contrary to the original Trivers–Willard hypothesis. Thus, we predicted that more fecund mothers in this species would invest more in females.

The cost of producing one female was found to be 3.0–3.2 times the cost of producing one male. Population sex ratios were male‐biased (54.8%–58.2% male), but population sex allocation was highly female biased (68%–72% females). Larger mothers biased their progeny sex ratios more towards females and produced larger females, thus supporting our prediction.

Mothers produced two types of brood: all‐female broods and mixed‐sex broods. Mothers with an all‐female brood produced larger females than those with a mixed‐sex brood, thereby offering their granddaughters (foundresses) an advantage in fighting.

Local mate competition has been postulated to explain female‐biased population sex allocation in gall‐forming aphids. However, we concluded that competition among foundresses has led to the evolution of female‐biased sex allocation at the population level and dimorphism in brood sex composition.
Functional outcomes of mutualistic network interactions: A community‐scale study of frugivore gut passage on germination
Authors: Fricke Evan C. , Bender John , Rehm Evan M. , Rogers Haldre S.
Published: November 2018

Current understanding of mutualistic networks is grounded largely in data on interaction frequency, yet mutualistic network dynamics are also shaped by interaction quality—the functional outcomes of individual interactions on reproduction and survival. The difficulty of obtaining data on functional outcomes has resulted in limited understanding of functional variation among a network's pairwise species interactions, of the study designs that are necessary to capture major sources of functional variation, and of predictors of functional variation that may allow generalization across networks.

In this community‐scale study, we targeted a key functional outcome in plant–frugivore networks: the impact of frugivore gut passage on seed germination. We used captive frugivore feeding trials and germination experiments in an island ecosystem, attaining species‐level coverage across all extant native frugivores and the plants they consume to (a) assess sources of functional variation, (b) separate effects of pulp removal from those of scarification via gut passage, and (c) test trait‐based correlates of gut passage effect sizes.

We found antagonistic seed predation effects of a frugivore previously assumed to be a seed disperser, highlighting the need to consider functional outcomes rather than interaction frequency alone. The other frugivores each exhibited similar impacts for individual plant species, with benefits primarily caused by pulp removal rather than scarification, supporting the use of animal functional groups in this context. In contrast, plant species varied widely in impacts of gut passage on germination. Species with smaller seeds and more frugivore partners had larger benefits of gut passage, showing promise for network metrics and functional traits to predict functional variation among plants.

Synthesis. Combining network and demographic approaches, we assessed the degree and sources of variation in a key functional outcome of plant–frugivore interactions across an entire network. Using a detailed study design, our work shows how simpler study designs can capture primary sources of functional variation and that functional traits and network metrics may allow generalization across networks. Efficiently measuring and generalizing sources of functional variation within mutualistic networks will strengthen our ability to model network dynamics and predict mutualist responses to global change.
Reaching up and reaching out: The impact of competition on firms’ productivity and export decisions
Authors: Opoku Eric E. O. , Yan Isabel K. M. , Hynes Kate
Published: November 2018

Using firm‐level data from 139 countries, this paper investigates the effect of competition in both the domestic and foreign markets on firm productivity and export decisions. Applying a sample selection endogenous treatment (SSET) Poisson model that tackles both the issue of endogenous sample selection and endogenous treatment at the same time, we document robust evidence that strong competition in the domestic market propels firms to be more productive, and decreasing domestic competition increases firms’ propensity to export. However, firms’ export intensity (i.e. how much they export) is not directly influenced by competition in the domestic market. Moreover, lower competition in the foreign market increases the propensity of domestic firms to export, enlarging the set of exporting firms to include firms with relatively smaller export amounts.
Linguistic Information Quality in Customers' Forward‐Looking Disclosures and Suppliers' Investment Decisions
Authors: Chen Can , Kim Jeong‐Bon , Wei Minghai , Zhang Hao
Published: November 2018

This study examines whether and how linguistic information quality (measured by readability) of customer firms' management earnings forecast reports (MEFRs) affects supplier firms' investment quality (measured by investment efficiency). Our analyses reveal that supplier investment efficiency is positively associated with the average linguistic information quality of customers' prior MEFRs, and the positive association between supplier investment efficiency and customer MEFRs' numerical information quality is stronger in supplier firms with more readable customer MEFRs. Our analyses also reveal that higher linguistic information quality of customer MEFRs improves the monitoring of supplier firms by their outside stakeholders, such as institutional investors and financial analysts, and ameliorates the negative impact of suppliers' customer‐dependence on their investment efficiency. Our results suggest that greater linguistic information quality of a customer firm's forward‐looking disclosures is associated with higher‐quality investments made by its suppliers along the supply chain.
Accuracy of identifications of mammal species from camera trap images: A northern Australian case study
Authors: Potter Larissa C. , Brady Christopher J. , Murphy Brett P.
Published: November 2018

Camera traps are a powerful and increasingly popular tool for mammal research, but like all survey methods, they have limitations. Identifying animal species from images is a critical component of camera trap studies, yet while researchers recognize constraints with experimental design or camera technology, image misidentification is still not well understood. We evaluated the effects of a species’ attributes (body mass and distinctiveness) and individual observer variables (experience and confidence) on the accuracy of mammal identifications from camera trap images. We conducted an Internet‐based survey containing 20 questions about observer experience and 60 camera trap images to identify. Images were sourced from surveys in northern Australia and included 25 species, ranging in body mass from the delicate mouse (Pseudomys delicatulus, 10 g) to the agile wallaby (Macropus agilis, >10 kg). There was a weak relationship between the accuracy of mammal identifications and observer experience. However, accuracy was highest (100%) for distinctive species (e.g. Short‐beaked echidna [Tachyglossus aculeatus]) and lowest (36%) for superficially non‐distinctive mammals (e.g. rodents like the Pale field‐rat [Rattus tunneyi]). There was a positive relationship between the accuracy of identifications and body mass. Participant confidence was highest for large and distinctive mammals, but was not related to participant experience level. Identifications made with greater confidence were more likely to be accurate. Unreliability in identifications of mammal species is a significant limitation to camera trap studies, particularly where small mammals are the focus, or where similar‐looking species co‐occur. Integration of camera traps with conventional survey techniques (e.g. live‐trapping), use of a reference library or computer‐automated programs are likely to aid positive identifications, while employing a confidence rating system and/or multiple observers may lead to a collection of more robust data. Although our study focussed on Australian species, our findings apply to camera trap studies globally.
Cervico‐vaginal secretion cytokine profile: A non‐invasive approach to study the endometrial receptivity in IVF cycles
Authors: Zanotta Nunzia , Monasta Lorenzo , Skerk Kristina , Luppi Stefania , Martinelli Monica , Ricci Giuseppe , Comar Manola
Published: November 2018

Problem

Cytokines have a significant role in the process of embryo implantation, trophoblast growth, and differentiation by modulating the immune and endocrine system. The aim of this study was to investigate the profile of a large set of cytokines in the cervico‐vaginal washing of women undergoing IVF, to explore the association of these proteins with a good receptive endometrium.

Method of study

A cohort of 155 women scheduled for IVF cycle was recruited. All patients were asymptomatic for genitourinary infections and had been screened for chlamydia, mycoplasma, and other bacterial infections. All IVF subjects were treated according to standard clinical and laboratory protocols. A panel of 48 immune factors was analyzed on cervico‐vaginal washing, using magnetic bead‐based multiplex immunoassays (Bio‐Plex, BIO‐RAD Laboratories, Milano, Italy).

Results

A total of 99 patients reached embryo transfer, of which 31 had a clinical pregnancy. A pattern of four pro‐inflammatory immune molecules, IL‐12p40, IFN‐a, MIF, and MCP3 (P < 0.001), was found significantly up‐regulated in the cervico‐vaginal fluid of women with clinical pregnancy. A significantly increased expression of IL‐9, Groα, and SDF‐1α (P < 0.05) was observed in the presence of endometriosis, while high levels of IL‐13 and L‐15 were associated with ovulatory infertility factor (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

In this pilot study, we demonstrated that the expression of specific cytokines in the cervico‐vaginal washing on the day of oocyte retrieval might have a positive correlation with the potential clinical pregnancy. Therefore, cervico‐vaginal secretion cytokine profiling might be a new, non‐invasive approach to study the endometrial receptivity in IVF management.
Effect of hormone modulations on donor‐derived spermatogenesis or colonization after syngeneic and xenotransplantation in mice
Authors: Shetty G. , Wu Z. , Lam T. N. A. , Phan T. T. , Orwig K. E. , Meistrich M. L.
Published: November 2018

Background

Cytotoxic cancer treatments, such as irradiation, can cause permanent sterility in male mammals owing to the loss of spermatogonial stem cells. In animal models, spermatogenesis could be restored from transplanted spermatogonial stem cells. Previously, we showed that transient suppression of FSH, LH, and testosterone in the recipient with a gonadotropin‐releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH‐ant), given immediately after irradiation, enhanced spermatogenesis from transplanted spermatogonial stem cells in mice and monkeys.

Objectives

To explore improvements in the preparation of the recipient for efficient and reliable spermatogenic recovery from spermatogonial stem cell transplantation, so that it can be used effectively in clinical practice.

Materials and methods

In mouse recipients, we evaluated the effects of hormone suppression given after germ cell depletion was complete, which is a more clinically relevant model, and also the importance of total androgen ablation and maintenance of FSH levels. Three regimens, GnRH‐ant, GnRH‐ant plus flutamide (androgen receptor antagonist), and GnRH‐ant plus FSH, were administered prior to and around the time of transplantation of testis cells from immature mice or from prepubertal monkeys.

Results

Treatment with GnRH‐ant resulted in a fourfold increase in spermatogenic recovery from GFP‐marked transplanted mouse cells. Total androgen ablation with the addition of flutamide, started two weeks before transplantation, did not further enhance recovery. Surprisingly, FSH supplementation, started around the time of transplantation, actually reduced spermatogenic recovery from transplanted spermatogonial stem cells in GnRH‐ant‐treated mice. When prepubertal monkey testicular cells were transplanted into nude mice that were given the same hormone treatments, the numbers of donor‐derived colonies were independent of hormone treatment.

Discussion and Conclusion

The enhancements in spermatogenic recovery may only occur when syngeneic or closely related donor–recipient pairs are used. These results are useful in further investigations in choosing a hormone suppression regimen in combination with spermatogonial transplantation as a treatment to restore fertility in primates after cytotoxic therapy.
Parliamentary identity and the management of the far‐right: A discursive analysis of Dutch parliamentary debates
Authors: Verkuyten Maykel , Nooitgedagt Wybren
Published: November 2018

In many Western democratic societies, the far‐right has considerable popular support and is often perceived as the winner of political debates. This raises the important question of how other politicians try to manage the far‐right. We use parliamentary debates to examine how politicians define the identity of Member of Parliament (MP) in response to Geert Wilders, leader of the far‐right Party for Freedom in the Netherlands. The analysis shows that politicians made relevant the shared responsibility of MPs to solve societal problems, by using inclusive language, asking for concrete proposals, and emphasizing engagement in debate. These identity‐related features question the parliamentary role performance of the far‐right. In response, Wilders stressed the MP's responsibility of representing the ordinary people. The politicians used three strategies to challenge this defence: Questioning that the far‐right actually fulfils their self‐ascribed representative role; challenging the notion that only the far‐right would represent the people; moving into a more populist position. Implications for social psychological research on marginal group members are discussed.
Asymptotic bias of normal‐distribution‐based maximum likelihood estimates of moderation effects with data missing at random
Authors: Zhang Qian , Yuan Ke‐Hai , Wang Lijuan
Published: November 2018

Moderation analysis is useful for addressing interesting research questions in social sciences and behavioural research. In practice, moderated multiple regression (MMR) models have been most widely used. However, missing data pose a challenge, mainly because the interaction term is a product of two or more variables and thus is a non‐linear function of the involved variables. Normal‐distribution‐based maximum likelihood (NML) has been proposed and applied for estimating MMR models with incomplete data. When data are missing completely at random, moderation effect estimates are consistent. However, simulation results have found that when data in the predictor are missing at random (MAR), NML can yield inaccurate estimates of moderation effects when the moderation effects are non‐null. Simulation studies are subject to the limitation of confounding systematic bias with sampling errors. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to analytically derive asymptotic bias of NML estimates of moderation effects with MAR data. Results show that when the moderation effect is zero, there is no asymptotic bias in moderation effect estimates with either normal or non‐normal data. When the moderation effect is non‐zero, however, asymptotic bias may exist and is determined by factors such as the moderation effect size, missing‐data proportion, and type of missingness dependence. Our analytical results suggest that researchers should apply NML to MMR models with caution when missing data exist. Suggestions are given regarding moderation analysis with missing data.