bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of lipid metabolism-related genes on intramuscular fat content and fatty acid composition in multiple muscles
Authors: Liu Chendong , Shen Linyuan , Du Jingjing , Wu Xiaoqian , Luo Jia , Pu Qiang , Tan Zhendong , Cheng Xiao , Du Jianguo , Yang Qiong , Zhang Shunhua , Zhu Li
Published: July 2017

Intramuscular fat content (IMF) and fatty acid composition are two important factors that have a significant effect on meat quality. Previous studies about lipid deposition mainly focussed on breed effects, but the regulation mechanism of lipid metabolism among multiple muscles is not clear. Here, we hypothesised that there are correlations between lipid metabolism-related genes and muscle fibre types composition and lipid deposition in multiple muscles. We analysed the relationship between the expression of 18 lipid metabolism-related genes and muscle fibre types composition, and their relation with IMF and fatty acid composition in 14 different muscles. The IMF content and fatty acid composition were significantly different among the muscle tissues (P < 0.01). IMF was significantly higher in the trapezius and semitendinosus muscles compared with the others (P < 0.05); the content was about four times higher than that of the peroneal longus. Moreover, the trapezius and masseter had a higher monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) : saturated fatty acid (SFA) (>1.48) (P < 0.05) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) : SFA (>0.45) (P < 0.05), which are more conducive to human health. Second, the expression levels of seven genes, AdPLA (r = 0.605, P < 0.05), DGAT2 (r = 0.553, P < 0.05), FABP4 (r = 0.637, P < 0.05), ELOVL6 (r = 0.57, P < 0.05), FASN (r = 0.556, P < 0.05), PPARγ (r = –0.51, P < 0.05) and SCD (r = 0.579, P < 0.05) were associated with IMF. In addition, the expression of FASN was positively correlated with MUFA (r = 0.556, P < 0.05) and total fatty acids (r = 0.547, P < 0.05). Finally, the MyHC IIa content (IIa) was positively correlated with MUFA (r = 0.56, P < 0.05) but negatively correlated with SFA (r = –0.553, P < 0.05) in different muscles. Besides, MUFA : SFA was positively correlated with IIa (r = 0.609, P < 0.05), although negatively correlated with MyHC IIx content (IIx) (r = –0.566, P < 0.05). These results added beneficial information to improve meat quality, and our understanding of the mechanism of fat deposition and fatty acid composition regulation. They also provide potential genetic markers for the study of muscular fatty acid composition.
Canopy structure drives orangutan habitat selection in disturbed Bornean forests
Authors: Davies Andrew B. , Ancrenaz Marc , Oram Felicity , Asner Gregory P.
Published: July 2017

Significance

Bornean orangutans are critically endangered, and their numbers continue to decline despite decades of conservation effort. Management strategies aimed at protecting primary forest are proving insufficient, and new approaches are required to ensure the species’ survival. Here, we use high-resolution laser remote sensing coupled with visual observations of wild orangutans to map canopy structure and quantify orangutan movement through disturbed forests in Borneo. Our findings provide crucial insights into the types of forest characteristics orangutans use in disturbed forests and are likely required for their continued survival in these fragmented landscapes, where most of the extant population occurs. Management and forest restoration efforts that foster these attributes are more likely to succeed at sustaining orangutan populations over the long term.
The Alash movement and the question of Kazakh ethnicity
Authors: Kesici Özgecan
Published: July 2017

This paper considers how the Alash movement, the Kazakh national movement led by Russian-educated Kazakh intellectuals in the Russian Empire at the beginning of the twentieth century, redefined Kazakh ethnicity into the Kazakh nation. Aimed at modernizing Kazakh society by declaring itself a nation, the movement used the myth of common descent. It is not surprising, then, that the movement took on the name of Alash, a mythical figure believed to have been the father of all three Kazakhzhuz(tribal confederations). This paper examines the discourse around Kazakhness and its distinction from its Muslim neighbors with respect to five factors; the “true” myth of common descent of Kazakhs, Kazakh history as one of common fate, a nomadic way of life, the weak links to Islam among Kazakhs, and, finally, the legitimization of the Alash leaders as the legitimate speakers for the Kazakh nation. This analysis, in turn, may provide a better understanding of the ways in which social and intellectual movements can redefine belonging, depending on historical circumstances and opportunities and constraints in the social sphere.
Reducing Opioid Misuse among Adolescents through Physician Education
Authors: Arora Nonie S. , Marcotte Kayla M. , Hopper John A.
Published: July 2017

Increased prescribing of opioids has been associated with an epidemic of nonmedical prescription opioid use in the United States; adolescents and young adults are particularly vulnerable to opioid misuse. The role of physicians as health care providers, educators, and confidants for their adolescent patients equips them to intervene in adolescent opioid misuse. The authors advocate for improving the education of physicians and residents regarding opioid use and misuse among adolescents. To achieve this, we can require residency education that includes opioid misuse and appropriate prescribing, widely disseminate existing resources on management of pain and opioid misuse, and develop pain management and addiction mentorship programs.
Can an app Help Identify Psychomotor Function Impairments during Drinking Occasions in the Real World? A Mixed-Method Pilot Study
Authors: Suffoletto Brian , Goyal Akash , Puyana Juan Carlos , Chung Tammy
Published: July 2017

Background

Being able to measure the acute effects of alcohol consumption on psychomotor functions in natural settings could be useful in injury prevention interventions. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of collecting app-based measures of information processing, working memory, and gait stability during times of typical alcohol consumption among young adults.

Methods

Ten young adults (aged 21–26) with hazardous drinking completed a baseline assessment and ecological momentary assessments (EMA) on 4 consecutive Fridays and Saturdays, every hour from 8 pm to 12 am. EMA assessed alcohol consumption and perceived intoxication, followed by a digit symbol substitution task (DSST), a visuospatial working memory task (VSWMT), and a 5-step tandem gait task (TGT). Exit interviews probed user experiences. Multilevel models explored relationships between estimated blood alcohol concentration (eBAC; mg/dL) and DSST and VSWMT performance.

Results

Participants completed 32% of EMA. Higher rates of noninitiation occurred later in the evening and over time. In multilevel models, higher eBAC was associated with lower DSST scores. Eight out of 10 individuals had at least 1 drinking occasion when they did not perceive any intoxication. Lower DSST scores would identify impairment in 45% of these occasions. Exit interviews indicated that adding real-time feedback on task performance could increase awareness of alcohol effects.

Conclusions

Collecting app-based psychomotor performance data from young adults during drinking occasions is feasible and acceptable, but strategies to reduce barriers to task initiation are needed. Mobile DSST is sensitive to eBAC levels and could identify occasions when an individual may not perceive impairments.
TRIM37, a novel E3 ligase for PEX5-mediated peroxisomal matrix protein import
Authors: Wang Wei , Xia Zhi-Jie , Farré Jean-Claude , Subramani Suresh
Published: July 2017

Most proteins destined for the peroxisomal matrix depend on the peroxisomal targeting signals (PTSs), which require the PTS receptor PEX5, whose deficiency causes fatal human peroxisomal biogenesis disorders (PBDs). TRIM37 gene mutations cause muscle–liver–brain–eye (mulibrey) nanism. We found that TRIM37 localizes in peroxisomal membranes and ubiquitylates PEX5 at K464 by interacting with its C-terminal 51 amino acids (CT51), which is required for PTS protein import. PEX5 mutations (K464A or ΔCT51), or TRIM37 depletion or mutation, reduce PEX5 abundance by promoting its proteasomal degradation, thereby impairing its functions in cargo binding and PTS protein import in human cells. TRIM37 or PEX5 depletion induces apoptosis and enhances sensitivity to oxidative stress, underscoring the cellular requirement for functional peroxisomes. Therefore, TRIM37-mediated ubiquitylation stabilizes PEX5 and promotes peroxisomal matrix protein import, suggesting that mulibrey nanism is a new PBD.
Lysosomes convene to keep the synapse clean
Authors: Kononenko Natalia L.
Published: July 2017

In neurons, lysosomes regulate α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor levels at the plasma membrane, although their presence at distal dendrites is controversial. In this issue, Goo et al. (2017. J. Cell Biol. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201704068) show for the first time that neuronal activity positions lysosomes at the dendritic spines to facilitate synaptic remodeling through local protein degradation.
Human venous valve disease caused by mutations in FOXC2 and GJC2
Authors: Lyons Oliver , Saha Prakash , Seet Christopher , Kuchta Adam , Arnold Andrew , Grover Steven , Rashbrook Victoria , Sabine Amélie , Vizcay-Barrena Gema , Patel Ash , Ludwinski Francesca , Padayachee Soundrie , Kume Tsutomu , Kwak Brenda R. , Brice Glen , Mansour Sahar , Ostergaard Pia , Mortimer Peter , Jeffery Steve , Brown Nigel , Makinen Taija , Petrova Tatiana V. , Modarai Bijan , Smith Alberto
Published: July 2017

Venous valves (VVs) prevent venous hypertension and ulceration. We report that FOXC2 and GJC2 mutations are associated with reduced VV number and length. In mice, early VV formation is marked by elongation and reorientation (“organization”) of Prox1hi endothelial cells by postnatal day 0. The expression of the transcription factors Foxc2 and Nfatc1 and the gap junction proteins Gjc2, Gja1, and Gja4 were temporospatially regulated during this process. Foxc2 and Nfatc1 were coexpressed at P0, and combined Foxc2 deletion with calcineurin-Nfat inhibition disrupted early Prox1hi endothelial organization, suggesting cooperative Foxc2–Nfatc1 patterning of these events. Genetic deletion of Gjc2, Gja4, or Gja1 also disrupted early VV Prox1hi endothelial organization at postnatal day 0, and this likely underlies the VV defects seen in patients with GJC2 mutations. Knockout of Gja4 or Gjc2 resulted in reduced proliferation of Prox1hi valve-forming cells. At later stages of blood flow, Foxc2 and calcineurin-Nfat signaling are each required for growth of the valve leaflets, whereas Foxc2 is not required for VV maintenance.
Uncovering Organized Shoplifting and Theft Networks
Authors: Crocker Ruth , Skidmore Michael , Webb Sarah , Garner Sarah , Gill Martin , Graham John
Published: July 2017

This article explores the role of organized crime groups in persistent theft and shop theft. It is based on an analysis of police data using exploratory analytical techniques assessing the extent of connectivity between acquisitive offenders. The research also draws on qualitative data collected from interviews. The findings suggest that shop theft was predominantly committed by UK nationals; although foreign nationals were proportionately more likely to be involved in organized crime, there is some evidence that they may themselves be being exploited. The findings are discussed and suggestions for further research are made.
Type 1 diabetes mellitus caused by treatment with low-dose interferon-α in a melanoma patient
Authors: Sossau Daniel , Kofler Lukas , Eigentler Thomas
Published: July 2017

Interferon-α (INF-α) is used as an adjuvant treatment for high-risk cutaneous melanoma. It has a large variety of potentially severe and irreversible side effects and can contribute toward the development of autoimmune disease. We report a case of a 59-year-old woman who developed type 1 diabetes following the use of low-dose IFN-α for the adjuvant treatment of stage IIB melanoma. Fifteen months after initiating IFN-α, she presented with blood glucose of 1126 mg/dl, hyponatremia, and microalbuminuria. Antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase and islet antigen-2 were negative and C-peptide was markedly reduced. There was no personal or family history of any autoimmune conditions. Reinforced insulin treatment and volume substitution with saline and glucose as a counter-regulation was started. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of low-dose IFN-α-induced type 1 diabetes. Clinicians should closely evaluate the pros and cons of IFN-α treatment in an adjuvant setting and remain mindful of the possibility of drug-induced autoimmune disease.
Optimal Antiretroviral Prophylaxis in Infants at High Risk of Acquiring HIV
Authors: Beste Sara , Essajee Shaffiq , Siberry George , Hannaford Alisse , Dara Jasmeen , Sugandhi Nandita , Penazzato Martina
Published: July 2017

Introduction:

The risk of perinatal HIV infection can be dramatically reduced through maternal antiretroviral (ARV) therapy and infant ARV postnatal prophylaxis. The 2013 World Health Organization guidelines recommended 4–6 weeks of nevirapine or zidovudine as postnatal prophylaxis, with possible extension to 12 weeks for high-risk breastfed infants. A systematic review was undertaken to determine if there is evidence for the World Health Organization to recommend enhanced or extended prophylaxis for high-risk infants.

Methods:

Cochrane CENTRAL, EMBASE, PubMed databases from 2005 to 2015, as well as conference on retroviruses and opportunistic infections and international aids society abstracts were searched. Cohort studies and randomized controlled trials examining the use of combination or prolonged regimens in HIV-exposed infants were included. A total of 1185 studies were screened by title and abstract and 45 full-text articles were examined in further detail.

Results and Discussion:

Of the 4 included studies, 3 examined multidrug prophylaxis regimens in formula-fed, high-risk HIV-exposed infants. Multidrug regimens were shown to significantly reduce transmission rates, compared with single-drug regimens; however, there was no significant difference between 2- and 3-drug regimens. An randomized controlled trial examining prolonged ARV prophylaxis in a breastfed population showed that 6 months of nevirapine resulted in lower HIV transmission rates compared with a standard 6-week nevirapine regimen.

Conclusions:

The limited available evidence suggests that using combination ARV regimens in high-risk infants reduces intrapartum transmission and that using prolonged prophylaxis in breastfed infants reduces breastfeeding transmission rates. However, the additional benefit of combination or prolonged regimens in the context of maternal ARV therapy remains unclear.
Drought-induced starvation of aardvarks in the Kalahari: an indirect effect of climate change
Authors: Rey Benjamin , Fuller Andrea , Mitchell Duncan , Meyer Leith C. R. , Hetem Robyn S.
Published: July 2017

Aardvarks (
Orycteropus afer
) are elusive burrowing mammals, predominantly nocturnal and distributed widely throughout Africa except for arid deserts. Their survival may be threatened by climate change via direct and indirect effects of increasing heat and aridity. To measure their current physiological plasticity, we implanted biologgers into six adult aardvarks resident in the semi-arid Kalahari. Following a particularly dry and hot summer, five of the study aardvarks and 11 other aardvarks at the study site died. Body temperature records revealed homeothermy (35.4–37.2°C) initially, but heterothermy increased progressively through the summer, with declining troughs in the nychthemeral rhythm of body temperature reaching as low as 25°C before death, likely due to starvation. Activity patterns shifted from the normal nocturnal to a diurnal mode. Our results do not bode well for the future of aardvarks facing climate change. Extirpation of aardvarks, which play a key role as ecosystem engineers, may disrupt stability of African ecosystems.
Using deep learning to quantify the beauty of outdoor places
Authors: Seresinhe Chanuki Illushka , Preis Tobias , Moat Helen Susannah
Published: July 2017

Beautiful outdoor locations are protected by governments and have recently been shown to be associated with better health. But what makes an outdoor space beautiful? Does a beautiful outdoor location differ from an outdoor location that is simply natural? Here, we explore whether ratings of over 200 000 images of Great Britain from the online gameScenic-Or-Not, combined with hundreds of image features extracted using the Places Convolutional Neural Network, might help us understand what beautiful outdoor spaces are composed of. We discover that, as well as natural features such as ‘Coast’, ‘Mountain’ and ‘Canal Natural’, man-made structures such as ‘Tower’, ‘Castle’ and ‘Viaduct’ lead to places being considered more scenic. Importantly, while scenes containing ‘Trees’ tend to rate highly, places containing more bland natural green features such as ‘Grass’ and ‘Athletic Fields’ are considered less scenic. We also find that a neural network can be trained to automatically identify scenic places, and that this network highlights both natural and built locations. Our findings demonstrate how online data combined with neural networks can provide a deeper understanding of what environments we might find beautiful and offer quantitative insights for policymakers charged with design and protection of our built and natural environments.
Mismatch between the eye and the optic lobe in the giant squid
Authors: Liu Yung-Chieh , Liu Tsung-Han , Yu Chun-Chieh , Su Chia-Hao , Chiao Chuan-Chin
Published: July 2017

Giant squids (
Architeuthis
) are a legendary species among the cephalopods. They live in the deep sea and are well known for their enormous body and giant eyes. It has been suggested that their giant eyes are not adapted for the detection of either mates or prey at distance, but rather are best suited for monitoring very large predators, such as sperm whales, at distances exceeding 120 m and at a depth below 600 m (Nilsson
et al.
2012
Curr. Biol.
22
, 683–688. (
doi:10.1016/j.cub.2012.02.031
)). However, it is not clear how the brain of giant squids processes visual information. In this study, the optic lobe of a giant squid (
Architeuthis dux
, male, mantle length 89 cm), which was caught by local fishermen off the northeastern coast of Taiwan, was scanned using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging in order to examine its internal structure. It was evident that the volume ratio of the optic lobe to the eye in the giant squid is much smaller than that in the oval squid (
Sepioteuthis lessoniana
) and the cuttlefish (
Sepia pharaonis
). Furthermore, the cell density in the cortex of the optic lobe is significantly higher in the giant squid than in oval squids and cuttlefish, with the relative thickness of the cortex being much larger in
Architeuthis
optic lobe than in cuttlefish. This indicates that the relative size of the medulla of the optic lobe in the giant squid is disproportionally smaller compared with these two cephalopod species. This morphological study of the giant squid brain, though limited only to the optic lobe, provides the first evidence to support that the optic lobe cortex, the visual information processing area in cephalopods, is well developed in the giant squid. In comparison, the optic lobe medulla, the visuomotor integration centre in cephalopods, is much less developed in the giant squid than other species. This finding suggests that, despite the giant eye and a full-fledged cortex within the optic lobe, the brain of giant squids has not evolved proportionally in terms of performing complex tasks compared with shallow-water cephalopod species.
A cross-scale trophic cascade from large predatory fish to algae in coastal ecosystems
Authors: Donadi S. , Austin Å. N. , Bergström U. , Eriksson B. K. , Hansen J. P. , Jacobson P. , Sundblad G. , van Regteren M. , Eklöf J. S.
Published: July 2017

Trophic cascades occur in many ecosystems, but the factors regulating them are still elusive. We suggest that an overlooked factor is that trophic interactions (TIs) are often scale-dependent and possibly interact across spatial scales. To explore the role of spatial scale for trophic cascades, and particularly the occurrence of cross-scale interactions (CSIs), we collected and analysed food-web data from 139 stations across 32 bays in the Baltic Sea. We found evidence of a four-level trophic cascade linking TIs across two spatial scales: at bay scale, piscivores (perch and pike) controlled mesopredators (three-spined stickleback), which in turn negatively affected epifaunal grazers. At station scale (within bays), grazers on average suppressed epiphytic algae, and indirectly benefitted habitat-forming vegetation. Moreover, the direction and strength of the grazer–algae relationship at station scale depended on the piscivore biomass at bay scale, indicating a cross-scale interaction effect, potentially caused by a shift in grazer assemblage composition. In summary, the trophic cascade from piscivores to algae appears to involve TIs that occur at, but also interact across, different spatial scales. Considering scale-dependence in general, and CSIs in particular, could therefore enhance our understanding of trophic cascades.
Global decline of bumblebees is phylogenetically structured and inversely related to species range size and pathogen incidence
Authors: Arbetman Marina P. , Gleiser Gabriela , Morales Carolina L. , Williams Paul , Aizen Marcelo A.
Published: July 2017

Conservation biology can profit greatly from incorporating a phylogenetic perspective into analyses of patterns and drivers of species extinction risk. We applied such an approach to analyse patterns of bumblebee (Bombus) decline. We assembled a database representing approximately 43% of the circa 260 globally known species, which included species extinction risk assessments following the International Union fo Conservation of Nature Red List categories and criteria, and information on species traits presumably associated with bumblebee decline. We quantified the strength of phylogenetic signal in decline, range size, tongue length and parasite presence. Overall, about one-third of the assessed bumblebees are declining and declining species are not randomly distributed across theBombusphylogeny. Susceptible species were over-represented in the subgenusThoracobombus(approx. 64%) and under-represented in the subgenusPyrobombus(approx. 6%). Phylogenetic logistic regressions revealed that species with small geographical ranges and those in which none of three internal parasites were reported (i.e.Crithidia bombi,Nosemaspp. orLocustacarus buchneri) were particularly vulnerable. Bumblebee evolutionary history will be deeply eroded if most species from threatened clades, particularly those stemming from basal nodes, become finally extinct. The habitat of species with restricted distribution should be protected and the importance of pathogen tolerance/resistance as mechanisms to deal with pathogens needs urgent research.
Food web persistence in fragmented landscapes
Authors: Liao Jinbao , Bearup Daniel , Blasius Bernd
Published: July 2017

Habitat destruction, characterized by patch loss and fragmentation, is a key driver of biodiversity loss. There has been some progress in the theory of spatial food webs; however, to date, practically nothing is known about how patch configurational fragmentation influences multi-trophic food web dynamics. We develop a spatially extended patch-dynamic model for different food webs by linking patch connectivity with trophic-dependent dispersal (i.e. higher trophic levels displaying longer-range dispersal). Using this model, we find that species display different sensitivities to patch loss and fragmentation, depending on their trophic position and the overall food web structure. Relative to other food webs, omnivory structure significantly increases system robustness to habitat destruction, as feeding on different trophic levels increases the omnivore's persistence. Additionally, in food webs with a dispersal–competition trade-off between species, intermediate levels of habitat destruction can enhance biodiversity by creating refuges for the weaker competitor. This demonstrates that maximizing patch connectivity is not always effective for biodiversity maintenance, as in food webs containing indirect competition, doing so may lead to further species loss.
Integrating regulatory surveys and citizen science to map outbreaks of forest diseases: acute oak decline in England and Wales
Authors: Brown Nathan , van den Bosch Frank , Parnell Stephen , Denman Sandra
Published: July 2017

The number of emerging tree diseases has increased rapidly in recent times, with severe environmental and economic consequences. Systematic regulatory surveys to detect and establish the distribution of pests are crucial for successful management efforts, but resource-intensive and costly. Volunteers who identify potential invasive species can form an important early warning network in tree health; however, what these data can tell us and how they can be best used to inform and direct official survey effort is not clear. Here, we use an extensive dataset on acute oak decline (AOD) as an opportunity to ask how verified data received from the public can be used. Information on the distribution of AOD was available as (i) systematic regulatory surveys conducted throughout England and Wales, and (ii) ad hoc sightings reported by landowners, land managers and members of the public (i.e. ‘self-reported’ cases). By using the available self-reported cases at the design stage, the systematic survey could focus on defining the boundaries of the affected area. This maximized the use of available resources and highlights the benefits to be gained by developing strategies to enhance volunteer efforts in future programmes.
Phenotypic shift inWolbachiavirulence towards its native host across serial horizontal passages
Authors: Le Clec'h Winka , Dittmer Jessica , Raimond Maryline , Bouchon Didier , Sicard Mathieu
Published: July 2017

Vertical transmission mode is predicted to decrease the virulence of symbionts. However,Wolbachia, a widespread vertically transmitted endosymbiont, exhibits both negative and beneficial effects on arthropod fitness. This ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ behaviour, as well as its ability to live transiently outside host cells and to establish new infections via horizontal transmission, may reflect the capacity ofWolbachiato exhibit various phenotypes depending on the prevailing environmental constraints. To study the ability ofWolbachiato readily cope with new constraints, we forced this endosymbiont to spread only via horizontal transmission. To achieve this, we performed serial horizontal transfers of haemolymph fromWolbachia-infected to naive individuals of the isopodArmadillidium vulgare.Across passages, we observed phenotypic changes in the symbiotic relationship: (i) TheWolbachiatitre increased in both haemolymph and nerve cord but remained stable in ovaries; (ii)Wolbachiainfection was benign at the beginning of the experiment, but highly virulent, killing most hosts after only a few passages. Such a phenotypic shift after recurrent horizontal passages demonstrates thatWolbachiacan rapidly change its virulence when facing new environmental constraints. We thoroughly discuss the potential mechanism(s) underlying this phenotypic change, which are likely to be crucial for the ongoing radiation ofWolbachiain arthropods.
Body height and immune efficacy: testing body stature as a signal of biological quality
Authors: Pawłowski Bogusław , Nowak Judyta , Borkowska Barbara , Augustyniak Daria , Drulis-Kawa Zuzanna
Published: July 2017

According to the good genes hypothesis and energy allocation theory, human adult body height may reflect biological quality. An important aspect of this quality is immune system functioning (ISF). The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between ISF and body height in healthy people. The ISF was determined by several important innate (total complement and lysozyme activity, neutrophil function) and adaptive immune parameters (lymphocytes, IgA and IgG, and response to the flu vaccine). Overall, 96 males and 97 females were subjected to flu vaccination, and of these, 35 males and 34 females were subjected to tetanus. Blood samples were collected before and four weeks after vaccination. Immunomodulatory factors, participant's age, body fat, and free testosterone levels, were controlled. There was no association between body height and all analysed immune parameters for both sexes. That might suggest that in Western society, a women's preference for taller men is not related to ‘good genes for immune competence’. We propose the novel Immunity Priority Hypothesis that explains the lack of relationship between adult body stature and ISF. This hypothesis, however, does not contradict the signalling role of a man's body height as a morphological marker of biological quality.
Exploring the limits of learning: segregation of information integration and response selection is required for learning a serial reversal task
Authors: Mininni Camilo J. , Zanutto B. Silvano
Published: July 2017

Animals are proposed to learn the latent rules governing their environment in order to maximize their chances of survival. However, rules may change without notice, forcing animals to keep a memory of which one is currently at work. Rule switching can lead to situations in which the same stimulus/response pairing is positively and negatively rewarded in the long run, depending on variables that are not accessible to the animal. This fact rises questions on how neural systems are capable of reinforcement learning in environments where the reinforcement is inconsistent. Here we address this issue by asking about which aspects of connectivity, neural excitability and synaptic plasticity are key for a very general, stochastic spiking neural network model to solve a task in which rules change without being cued, taking the serial reversal task (SRT) as paradigm. Contrary to what could be expected, we found strong limitations for biologically plausible networks to solve the SRT. Especially, we proved that no network of neurons can learn a SRT if it is a single neural population that integrates stimuli information and at the same time is responsible of choosing the behavioural response. This limitation is independent of the number of neurons, neuronal dynamics or plasticity rules, and arises from the fact that plasticity is locally computed at each synapse, and that synaptic changes and neuronal activity are mutually dependent processes. We propose and characterize a spiking neural network model that solves the SRT, which relies on separating the functions of stimuli integration and response selection. The model suggests that experimental efforts to understand neural function should focus on the characterization of neural circuits according to their connectivity, neural dynamics, and the degree of modulation of synaptic plasticity with reward.
Principles of transcription factor traffic on folded chromatin
Authors: Cortini Ruggero , Filion Guillaume
Published: July 2017

All organisms regulate the transcription of their genes. To understand this process, it is essential to know how transcription factors find their targets in the genome. In addition to the DNA sequence, several variables have a known influence, but overall the binding patterns of transcription factors distribution remains mostly unexplained in animal genomes. Here we investigate the role of the chromosome conformation in shaping the search path of transcription factors. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we uncover the main principles of their diffusion on folded chromatin. Chromosome contacts play a conflicting role: at low density they enhance the traffic of transcription factors, but a high density they lower the traffic by volume exclusion. Consistently, we observe that in human cells, highly occupied targets, where protein binding is promiscuous, are found at sites engaged in chromosome loops within uncompact chromatin. In summary, those results provide a theoretical framework to understand the search trajectories of transcription factors and highlight the key contribution of genome conformation.
A floristic survey of Fair Isle
Authors: Quinteros Peñafiel Camila V. , Riddiford Nick J. , Twyford Alex D.
Published: July 2017

Fair Isle is a small isolated island located off the northern tip of Great Britain. Recognised internationally for rare migratory birds and important seabird colonies, the flora of Fair Isle has received far less attention. To rectify this, we present the first comprehensive floristic study of the island. A botanical survey was performed for each monad, and habitat information was collated following the NCC Phase 1 habitat survey method. These data were compiled to give a comprehensive checklist of 317 species, classified into 31 orders, 68 families and 191 genera according to APG IV. Of the total number of species, 254 are native to Great Britain and the remaining 63 are aliens. The list includes 10 species under threat, 7 nationally scarce and 1 nationally rare species. Our results reveal that even though Fair Isle is 200 times smaller than the full archipelago of Shetland, it holds a surprising one-third the number of species. The island is also notable for its complex mosaic of habitats, which include a range of communities that are rare or under threat elsewhere in the British Isles. We also provide recommendations for future monitoring to record changes in land-use and the effects of climate change.
Sensitive and robust assessment of ChIP-seq read distribution using a strand-shift profile
Authors: Nakato Ryuichiro , Shirahige Katsuhiko
Published: July 2017

Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) can detect read-enriched DNA loci for point-source (e.g., transcription factor binding) and broad-source factors (e.g., various histone modifications). Although numerous quality metrics for ChIP-seq data have been developed, the ‘peaks’ thus obtained are still difficult to assess with respect to signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) and the percentage of false positives.

We developed a quality-assessment tool for ChIP-seq data, SSP (strand-shift profile), that quantifies S/N and peak reliability without peak calling. We validated SSP in-depth using ≥ 1,000 publicly available ChIP-seq datasets along with virtual data to demonstrate that SSP is quantifiable and sensitive to different S/Ns for both pointand broad-source factors. Moreover, SSP is consistent among cell types and with respect to variance of sequencing depth, and identifies low-quality samples that cannot be identified by quality metrics currently available. Finally, we show that “hidden-duplicate reads” cause aberrantly high S/Ns, and SSP provides an additional metric to avoid them, which can also contribute to estimation of peak mode (pointor broad-source) of samples.

Availability

https://github.com/rnakato/SSP"
Modeling positional effects of regulatory sequences with spline transformations increases prediction accuracy of deep neural networks
Authors: Avsec Žiga , Barekatain Mohammadamin , Cheng Jun , Gagneur Julien
Published: July 2017

Motivation

Regulatory sequences are not solely defined by their nucleic acid sequence but also by their relative distances to genomic landmarks such as transcription start site, exon boundaries, or polyadenylation site. Deep learning has become the approach of choice for modeling regulatory sequences because of its strength to learn complex sequence features. However, modeling relative distances to genomic landmarks in deep neural networks has not been addressed.

Results

Here we developed spline transformation, a neural network module based on splines to flexibly and robustly model distances. Modeling distances to various genomic landmarks with spline transformations significantly increased state-of-the-art prediction accuracy ofin vivoRNA-binding protein binding sites for 114 out of 123 proteins. We also developed a deep neural network for human splice branchpoint based on spline transformations that outperformed the current best, already distance-based, machine learning model. Compared to piecewise linear transformation, as obtained by composition of rectified linear units, spline transformation yields higher prediction accuracy as well as faster and more robust training. As spline transformation can be applied to further quantities beyond distances, such as methylation or conservation, we foresee it as a versatile component in the genomics deep learning toolbox.

Availability

Spline transformation is implemented as a Keras layer in the CONCISE python package:https://github.com/gagneurlab/concise. Analysis code is available atgoo.gl/3yMY5w.

Contact

avsec@in.tum.de;gagneur@in.tum.de
Detecting ancient positive selection in humans using extended lineage sorting
Authors: Peyrégne Stéphane , Boyle Michael James , Dannemann Michael , Prüfer Kay
Published: July 2017

Natural selection that affected modern humans early in their evolution has likely shaped some of the traits that set present-day humans apart from their closest extinct and living relatives. The ability to detect ancient natural selection in the human genome could provide insights into the molecular basis for these human-specific traits. Here, we introduce a method for detecting ancient selective sweeps by scanning for extended genomic regions where our closest extinct relatives, Neandertals and Denisovans, fall outside of the present-day human variation. Regions that are unusually long indicate the presence of lineages that reached fixation in the human population faster than expected under neutral evolution. Using simulations, we show that the method is able to detect ancient events of positive selection and that it can differentiate those from background selection. Applying our method to the 1000 Genomes data set, we find evidence for ancient selective sweeps favoring regulatory changes and present a list of genomic regions that are predicted to underlie positively selected human specific traits.
Recruitment of histone modifications to assist mRNA dosage maintenance after degeneration of cytosine DNA methylation during animal evolution
Authors: Chang Andrew Ying-Fei , Liao Ben-Yang
Published: July 2017

Following gene duplication, mRNA expression of the duplicated gene is reduced to maintain mRNA dosage. In mammals, this process is achieved with increased cytosine DNA methylation of the promoters of duplicated genes to suppress transcriptional initiation. However, not all animal species possess a full apparatus for cytosine DNA methylation. For such species, such as the roundworm (Caenorhabditis elegans, “worm” hereafter) or fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster, “fly” hereafter), it is unclear how reduced expression of duplicated genes has been achieved evolutionarily. Here, we hypothesize that in the absence of a classical cytosine DNA methylation pathway, histone modifications play an increasing role in maintaining mRNA dosage following gene duplication. We initially verified that reduced gene expression of duplicated genes had occurred in the worm, fly, and mouse (Mus musculus). Next, several histone marks, with the capacity to control mRNA abundance in the models studied, were examined. In the worm and fly, but not in the mouse, multiple histone modifications were found to assist mRNA dosage maintenance following gene duplication events and the possible involvement of adenine DNA methylation in this process was excluded. Furthermore, the histone marks and acting regions that mediated the reduction in duplicated gene expression were found to be largely organism specific. Thus, it appears that many of the histone marks that maintain mRNA dosage were independently recruited during the evolution of worms and flies to compensate for the loss of cytosine DNA methylation machinery from their genomes.
Determinants of consumers’ intention to adopt mobile banking services in Zimbabwe
Authors: Makanyeza Charles
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of consumers’ intention to adopt mobile banking services in Zimbabwe.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of 232 bank customers was conducted in Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe, using a structured questionnaire with Likert-type questions. Customers were randomly intercepted as they walked out of five major banks. Structural equation modelling, independent-samples t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to test research hypotheses.

Findings

The study found that perceived usefulness, perceived self-efficacy, social influence, relative advantage and perceived compatibility all have a positive effect, whilst perceived risk has a negative effect on behavioural intention to adopt mobile banking services in Zimbabwe. Perceived ease of use, facilitating conditions, perceived complexity, perceived trialability, awareness-knowledge and demographic factors (gender, age, education and income) did not significantly influence behavioural intention to adopt mobile banking. Perceived ease of use was found to positively influence perceived usefulness, while perceived self-efficacy was found to have a positive effect on perceived ease of use. Behavioural intention was found to positively influence usage of mobile banking services in Zimbabwe.

Research limitations/implications

Data were collected from bank customers in Chinhoyi, one of the emerging towns in Zimbabwe. Future research should be expanded to include other major cities in Zimbabwe and other countries. More similar studies should be conducted to test the factors identified in literature in different contexts and markets and on other innovations.

Practical implications

The study advises banks to pay particular attention to perceived usefulness, perceived self-efficacy, social influence, relative advantage, perceived compatibility and perceived risk when designing new mobile banking services.

Originality/value

There is not a unified position regarding factors influencing mobile banking adoption. Factors vary with contexts, markets, time and types of innovations. The study tested some major factors identified in literature in the context of Zimbabwe.
Building customer loyalty in digital banking
Authors: Larsson Anthony , Viitaoja Yamit
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceptions among representatives from various established major Swedish banks in how they experienced the digitalisation process and its impact on customer relations.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered through a series of semi-structured in-depth interviews with managers representing different banks with profound insight in the banks’ digitalisation process and its effects on customer relations/satisfaction and digitalisation.

Findings

The results showed that half of the respondents experienced the same area posing the greatest challenge. This was rooted in the perceived insecurity around what the bank assumed to know about its customers’ proficiency and experiences, and what the customers appeared to actually know.

Research limitations/implications

This study was conducted as an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) study of various major Swedish banks, which may limit the external validity of its results. Other limitations are also discussed in the paper.

Practical implications

By identifying the aspects of a digital banking that bank managers perceive to be more advantageous or challenging towards cultivating the relationship with its customers, bank managers should garner an awareness of being able to more effectively develop appropriate strategies in addressing the bank’s customers.

Originality/value

The area is vastly under-researched. The study contributes to the literature of digital channels and its perceived effects on customer loyalty from a managerial perspective. The results show that some of the present customer loyalty theory needs to be revised in order to accommodate for the era of digitalisation.
“In spite of everything?” Female entrepreneurship from a historical perspective
Authors: Picciaia Francesca
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper provides a historical case study, through the analysis of Luisa Spagnoli’s entrepreneurial life. Luisa Spagnoli was one of the most famous Italian businesswomen of the twentieth century, founder of “Perugina” chocolate factory and creator of “Luisa Spagnoli” fashion firm. The study aims particularly to examine the role of Luisa in the development of her businesses within the wider context of Italy of the 1900s, and to verify if and how gender has influenced the meaning and the shape of her entrepreneurial initiatives over time.

Design/methodology/approach

This study offers a historical analysis of entrepreneurial life of Luisa Spagnoli, developed through an archival study in a synchronic view. An interpretive historical method is adopted to deepen and better understand the links among personal, cultural, social and institutional domains.

Findings

This study contributes to the scholarship on businesswomen’s role in history and underlines the role of personal perceptions of female entrepreneurs to overcome external barriers.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this study concern the nature of the analysis itself, which is a single-case study.

Originality/value

This analysis highlights the centrality of personal self-perceptions to face up to the difficulties of an unfavourable context, contributing to create the pre-conditions necessary to become an entrepreneur.
Smudging, connecting, and dual identities: case study of an aboriginal ERG
Authors: McPhee Deborah , Julien Mark , Miller Diane , Wright Barry
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Drawing upon the theoretical concept of social identities, the purpose of this paper is to investigate if an aboriginal employee resource group (ERG) helps to improve connectedness between the participants of the ERG and the organization in a Canadian context.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative research was used to interview 13 members of this ERG situated within a large Canadian bank.

Findings

The ERG created a positive experience for its members. It provided a bridge between the aboriginal identity and the organizational identity. Those who were part of the ERG felt that it encouraged them to bond to their cultural identity and that it also generated affirmative connections to the organization.

Practical implications

For employers seeking a more diverse workforce who have struggled with retaining employees from marginalized groups, ERGs may prove helpful.

Originality/value

This study posits a theoretical perspective of how ERGs are able to connect minority members to organizations through the recognition of dual identities. This is also the first study to examine the benefits of an aboriginal ERG.
Nrf2 as a target for prevention of age‐related and diabetic cataracts by against oxidative stress
Authors: Liu Xiu‐Fen , Hao Ji‐Long , Xie Tian , Malik Tayyab Hamid , Lu Cheng‐Bo , Liu Cong , Shu Chang , Lu Cheng‐Wei , Zhou Dan‐Dan
Published: July 2017

Cataract is one of the most important causes of blindness worldwide, with age‐related cataract being the most common one. Agents preventing cataract formation are urgently required. Substantial evidences point out aggravated oxidative stress as a vital factor for cataract formation. Nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like 2 (Nrf2)/Kelch‐like erythroid‐cell‐derived protein with CNC homology (ECH)‐associated protein 1 (Keap1) system is considered as one of the main cellular defense mechanisms against oxidative stresses. This review discusses the role of Nrf2 pathway in the prevention of cataracts and highlights that Nrf2 suppressors may augment oxidative stress of the lens, and Nrf2 inducers may decrease the oxidative stress and prevent the cataract formation. Thus, Nrf2 may serve as a promising therapeutic target for cataract treatment.