bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Circulating Tumor Cell Count Correlates with Colorectal Neoplasm Progression and Is a Prognostic Marker for Distant Metastasis in Non-Metastatic Patients
Authors: Tsai Wen-Sy , Chen Jinn-Shiun , Shao Hung-Jen , Wu Jen-Chia , Lai Jr-Ming , Lu Si-Hong , Hung Tsung-Fu , Chiu Yen-Chi , You Jeng-Fu , Hsieh Pao-Shiu , Yeh Chien-Yuh , Hung Hsin-Yuan , Chiang Sum-Fu , Lin Geng-Ping , Tang Reiping , Chang Ying-Chih
Published: April 2016

Enumeration of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) has been proven as a prognostic marker for metastatic colorectal cancer (m-CRC) patients. However, the currently available techniques for capturing and enumerating CTCs lack of required sensitivity to be applicable as a prognostic marker for non-metastatic patients as CTCs are even more rare. We have developed a microfluidic device utilizing antibody-conjugated non-fouling coating to eliminate nonspecific binding and to promote the multivalent binding of target cells. We then established the correlation of CTC counts and neoplasm progression through applying this platform to capture and enumerate CTCs in 2 mL of peripheral blood from healthy (n = 27), benign (n = 21), non-metastatic (n = 95), and m-CRC (n = 15) patients. The results showed that the CTC counts progressed from 0, 1, 5, to 36. Importantly, after 2-year follow-up on the non-metastatic CRC patients, we found that those who had ≥5 CTCs were 8 times more likely to develop distant metastasis within one year after curable surgery than those who had <5. In conclusion, by employing a sensitive device, CTC counts show good correlation with colorectal neoplasm, thus CTC may be as a simple, independent prognostic marker for the non-metastatic CRC patients who are at high risk of early recurrence.
LDL-lowering therapy and the risk of prostate cancer: a meta-analysis of 6 randomized controlled trials and 36 observational studies
Authors: Tan Ping , Wei Shiyou , Tang Zhuang , Gao Liang , Zhang Chen , Nie Pan , Yang Lu , Wei Qiang
Published: April 2016

The role of statins in preventing prostate cancer is currently a controversial issue. The aim of this review is to investigate the effects of statins use on prostate cancer risk. Electronic databases (the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov) were searched systematically up to April, 2015. Weighted averages were reported as relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Statistic heterogeneity scores were assessed with the standard Cochran’s Q test and I2 statistic. The pooled estimates of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and retrospective studies suggest that statins have a neutral effect on total prostate cancer (RR = 1·02, 95% CI: 0·90–1·14; and RR = 0·91, 95% CI: 0·79–1·02, respectively). This research provides no evidence to suggest that the use of statins for cholesterol lowering is beneficial for the prevention of low-grade or localized prostate cancer, although a plausible association between statins use and the reduction risk of advanced (RR = 0·87, 95% CI: 0·82–0·91) or high-grade prostate cancer (RR = 0·83, 95% CI: 0·66–0·99) is observed. Furthermore, it shows that prostate cancer risk does not statistically significant benefit from long-term statins use.
Manipulation complexity in primates coevolved with brain size and terrestriality
Authors: Heldstab Sandra A. , Kosonen Zaida K. , Koski Sonja E. , Burkart Judith M. , van Schaik Carel P. , Isler Karin
Published: April 2016

Humans occupy by far the most complex foraging niche of all mammals, built around sophisticated technology, and at the same time exhibit unusually large brains. To examine the evolutionary processes underlying these features, we investigated how manipulation complexity is related to brain size, cognitive test performance, terrestriality, and diet quality in a sample of 36 non-human primate species. We categorized manipulation bouts in food-related contexts into unimanual and bimanual actions, and asynchronous or synchronous hand and finger use, and established levels of manipulative complexity using Guttman scaling. Manipulation categories followed a cumulative ranking. They were particularly high in species that use cognitively challenging food acquisition techniques, such as extractive foraging and tool use. Manipulation complexity was also consistently positively correlated with brain size and cognitive test performance. Terrestriality had a positive effect on this relationship, but diet quality did not affect it. Unlike a previous study on carnivores, we found that, among primates, brain size and complex manipulations to acquire food underwent correlated evolution, which may have been influenced by terrestriality. Accordingly, our results support the idea of an evolutionary feedback loop between manipulation complexity and cognition in the human lineage, which may have been enhanced by increasingly terrestrial habits.
Necrotic cells influence migration and invasion of glioblastoma via NF-κB/AP-1-mediated IL-8 regulation
Authors: Ahn So-Hee , Park Hyunju , Ahn Young-Ho , Kim Sewha , Cho Min-Sun , Kang Jihee Lee , Choi Youn-Hee
Published: April 2016

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary intracranial tumor in adults and has poor prognosis. Diffuse infiltration into normal brain parenchyma, rapid growth, and the presence of necrosis are remarkable hallmarks of GBM. However, the effect of necrotic cells on GBM growth and metastasis is poorly understood at present. In this study, we examined the biological significance of necrotic tissues by exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying the signaling network between necrotic tissues and GBM cells. The migration and invasion of the GBM cell line CRT-MG was significantly enhanced by treatment with necrotic cells, as shown by assays for scratch wound healing and spheroid invasion. Incubation with necrotic cells induced IL-8 secretion in CRT-MG cells in a dose-dependent manner. In human GBM tissues, IL-8 positive cells were mainly distributed in the perinecrotic region, as seen in immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analysis. Necrotic cells induced NF-κB and AP-1 activation and their binding to the IL-8 promoter, leading to enhanced IL-8 production and secretion in GBM cells. Our data demonstrate that when GBM cells are exposed to and stimulated by necrotic cells, the migration and invasion of GBM cells are enhanced and facilitated via NF-κB/AP-1 mediated IL-8 upregulation.
Assessment of Serum UCH-L1 and GFAP in Acute Stroke Patients
Authors: Ren Changhong , Kobeissy Firas , Alawieh Ali , Li Na , Li Ning , Zibara Kazem , Zoltewicz Susie , Guingab-Cagmat Joy , Larner Stephen F. , Ding Yuchuan , Hayes Ronald L. , Ji Xunming , Mondello Stefania
Published: April 2016

A rapid and reliable diagnostic test to distinguish ischemic from hemorrhagic stroke in patients presenting with stroke-like symptoms is essential to optimize management and triage for thrombolytic therapy. The present study measured serum concentrations of ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase (UCH-L1) and glial fibrillary astrocytic protein (GFAP) in acute stroke patients and healthy controls and investigated their relation to stroke severity and patient characteristics. We also assessed the diagnostic performance of these markers for the differentiation of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) from ischemic stroke (IS). Both UCH-L1 and GFAP concentrations were significantly greater in ICH patients than in controls (p < 0.0001). However, exclusively GFAP differed in ICH compared with IS (p < 0.0001). GFAP yielded an AUC of 0.86 for differentiating between ICH and IS within 4.5hrs of symptom onset with a sensitivity of 61% and a specificity of 96% using a cut-off of 0.34ng/ml. Higher GFAP levels were associated with stroke severity and history of prior stroke. Our results demonstrate that blood UCH-L1 and GFAP are increased early after stroke and distinct biomarker-specific release profiles are associated with stroke characteristics and type. We also confirmed the potential of GFAP as a tool for early rule-in of ICH, while UCH-L1 was not clinically useful.
Deciphering the quenching mechanism of 2D MnO2 nanosheets towards Au nanocluster fluorescence to design effective glutathione biosensors
Authors: Lin Shichao , Cheng Hanjun , Ouyang Qiran , Wei Hui
Published: April 2016

A turn-on fluorescent platform was developed for glutathione detection by recovering the MnO2 nanosheet quenched fluorescence of gold nanoclusters.
A paper-based biomimetic device for the reduction of Cu(ii) to Cu(i) – application to the sensing of Cu(ii)
Authors: Rull-Barrull Jordi , d'Halluin Martin , Le Grognec Erwan , Felpin François-Xavier
Published: April 2016

An unprecedented heterogeneous biomimetic device for the reduction of Cu(ii) to Cu(i) through the covalent immobilization of thioglycolic acid onto cellulose paper was developed. The device was used as a very efficient colorimetric and optical detection system for the Cu(ii) species.
Selective aerobic oxidation of furfural to maleic anhydride with heterogeneous Mo–V–O catalysts
Authors: Li Xiukai , Ho Ben , Zhang Yugen
Published: April 2016

A binary Mo–V metal oxide catalyzed the selective aerobic oxidation of furfural to maleic anhydride (MA) with up to 65% yield.
Fe3O4-boosted MWCNT as an efficient sustainable catalyst for PET glycolysis
Authors: Al-Sabagh A. M. , Yehia F. Z. , Harding David R. K. , Eshaq Gh. , ElMetwally A. E.
Published: April 2016

The utilization of Fe3O4-boosted MWCNT in PET glycolysis is considered a successful attempt to achieve an efficient procedure.
Mechanical meta-materials
Authors: Zadpoor Amir A.
Published: April 2016

A review of mechanical meta-materials that offer unusual mechanical properties and new functionalities.
Cross-linked ROMP polymers based on odourless dicyclopentadiene derivatives
Authors: Saha Sukdeb , Ginzburg Yakov , Rozenberg Illya , Iliashevsky Olga , Ben-Asuly Amos , Gabriel Lemcoff N.
Published: April 2016

Hydroxydicyclopentadiene (DCPD-OH) and some ester and ether derivatives were synthesized and used for the first time as ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) monomers to create cross-linked thermoset polymers with Ru-catalysts.
Highly precise nanofiber web-based dry electrodes for vital signal monitoring
Authors: Jin L. , Kim K. J. , Song E. H. , Ahn Y. J. , Jeong Y. J. , Oh T. I. , Woo E. J.
Published: April 2016

Dry electrodes have been prepared through silver-plating elastic TPU and SBS electrospun nanofiber webs to improve electrode accuracy. The results revealed that the new dry electrodes can exhibit performance comparable to Ag/AgCl gel electrode.
Theoretical infrared phonon modes in double-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Rahmani A. H. , Boutahir M. , El Biyaali A. , Fakrach B. , Chadli H. , Sbai K. , Hermet P. , Bantignies J.-L. , Rahmani A.
Published: April 2016

In this theoretical work, we study the polarized infrared spectra of double-walled carbon nanotubes (DCNTs) as a function of their diameters, chiralities and lengths.
A through bond energy transfer based ratiometric probe for fluorescent imaging of Sn2+ ions in living cells
Authors: Adhikari Susanta , Ghosh Avijit , Guria Subhajit , Sahana Animesh
Published: April 2016

A 4-(naphthalen-1-ylethynyl) aniline appended rhodamine based fluorescent chemosensor ‘NAP-RD’ is synthesized which undergoes through bond energy transfer in the presence of Sn2+ ions in mixed aqueous media.
Flexible and stretchable chromatic fibers with high sensing reversibility
Authors: Lu Xin , Zhang Zhidong , Sun Xuemei , Chen Peining , Zhang Jing , Guo Hui , Shao Zhengzhong , Peng Huisheng
Published: April 2016

Flexible, stretchable and highly reversible electrothermal chromatic fibers are developed from aligned carbon nanotubes and peptide-modified polydiacetylene.
Therapeutic inhibition of phospholipase D1 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Xiao Junjie , Sun Qi , Bei Yihua , Zhang Ling , Dimitrova-Shumkovska Jasmina , Lv Dongchao , Yang Yuefeng , Cao Yan , Zhao Yingying , Song Meiyi , Song Yang , Wang Fei , Yang Changqing
Published: April 2016

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a leading cause of deaths worldwide. Novel therapeutic targets for HCC are needed. Phospholipase D (PD) is involved in cell proliferation and migration, but its role in HCC remains unclear. In the present study, we show that PLD1, but not PLD2, was overexpressed in HCC cell lines (HepG2, Bel-7402 and Bel-7404) compared with the normal human L-02 hepatocytes. PLD1 was required for the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells without affecting apoptosis and necrosis, and PLD1 overexpression was sufficient to promote those effects. By using HCC xenograft models, we demonstrated that therapeutic inhibition of PLD1 attenuated tumour growth and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in HCC mice. Moreover, PLD1 was found to be highly expressed in tumour tissues of HCC patients. Finally, mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin) and Akt (protein kinase B) were identified as critical pathways responsible for the role of PLD1 in HCC cells. Taken together, the present study indicates that PLD1 activation contributes to HCC development via regulation of the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells, as well as promoting the EMT process. These observations suggest that inhibition of PLD1 represents an attractive and novel therapeutic modality for HCC.
Comparative analysis of implicit models for real‐time short‐term traffic predictions
Authors: Fusco Gaetano , Colombaroni Chiara , Isaenko Natalia
Published: April 2016

Predicting future traffic conditions in real‐time is a crucial issue for applications of intelligent transportation systems devoted to traffic management and traveller information. The increasing number of connected vehicles equipped with locating technologies provides a ubiquitous updated source of information on the whole network. This offers great opportunities for developing data‐driven models that extrapolate short‐term future trend directly from data without modelling traffic phenomenon explicitly. Among several different approaches to implicit modelling, machine‐learning models based on a network structure are expected to be more suitable to catch traffic phenomenon because of their capability to account for spatial correlations existing between traffic measures taken on different elements of the road network. The study analyses and applies different implicit models for short‐term prediction on a large road network: namely, time‐dependent artificial neural networks and Bayesian networks. These models are validated and compared by exploiting a large database of link speeds recorded on the metropolitan area of Rome during seven months.
Synthesis of unequally‐spaced linear array using modified central force optimisation algorithm
Authors: Mahmoud Korany Ragab
Published: April 2016

In this study, a modified version of the central force optimisation (MCFO) algorithm is presented. This modified version is based on the idea of combining the ability of social thinking in particle swarm optimisation (PSO) with the search capability of the original CFO, along with the addition of time‐varying acceleration coefficients, to effectively control the global search and enhance the CFO convergence capability. The convergence capability of the MCFO approach is compared with that of other recent evolutionary‐based algorithms, using 12 benchmark functions grouped into unimodal and multimodal functions. Furthermore, the MCFO algorithm is considered for the synthesis of unequally‐spaced linear arrays with minimum sidelobe levels and/or null placement in certain directions as well as a specified maximum null‐to‐null beamwidth. The comparison of the simulations of different algorithms shows that the MCFO technique is superior to other evolutionary algorithms such as the genetic algorithm, ant colony optimisation, PSO algorithm, and gravitational search algorithm, as well as other improved CFO algorithms.
Management of Mandibular Angle Fractures by Two Conventional 2.0-mm Miniplates: A Retrospective Study of 389 Patients
Authors: Spinelli Giuseppe , Lazzeri Davide , Arcuri Francesco , Valente Domenico , Agostini Tommaso
Published: April 2016

Fractures of the mandibular angle account for 23 to 42% of all facial fractures with a high complication rate (0–32%). Although the ideal treatment remains debatable, two main procedures are commonly used to manage the majority of mandibular angle fractures that are open reduction and internal fixation by a noncompression miniplate placed on the external oblique ridge with or without a second miniplate on the outer cortex. The purpose of this study was to describe our management of mandibular angle fractures by two noncompression miniplates placed on the outer cortex via a transbuccal approach. Medical records and radiographic examination of 389 patients (258 males [66.3%] and 131 females [33.7%]) operated from January 2000 to December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Postoperative complications including malocclusion, infection, wound dehiscence, nonunion, and reoperative surgery were recorded and analyzed. Fifty-three patients developed postoperative complications (overall complication rate: 13.6%). No significant difference was found in the complication rate by age and gender variables and regarding the interval between the trauma and the operation and the presence of the teeth in the line of fracture. A higher rate of complications was found among patients with alcohol/drug addiction and in patients with multiple-site involvement. The findings of this study suggest that the use of two transbuccal miniplates placed on the outer cortex for the internal fixation of mandibular angle fracture provided a low rate of complications. The global incidence of screw loosening, wound dehiscence, plate exposure, infection, reoperation, and plate removal were similar with the data reported in the literature with improved health outcomes, lower postoperative morbidity, and a faster return to normal life.
Following fish feeding associations in marine and freshwater habitats
Authors: Sabino José , Andrade Luciana P. , Sazima Ivan , Teresa Fabrício B. , Floeter Sergio R. , Sazima Cristina , Bonaldo Roberta M.
Published: April 2016

Following fish feeding associations are composed of nuclear species that disturb the substratum when foraging, and followers that capitalise on food resources. In marine and freshwater ecosystems, bottom disturbance is the main predictor of follower composition; hence, other features, such as fish behaviour, may also converge between these habitats. Comparisons of the following associations in marine and freshwater habitats could provide a better comprehension of this interaction, which is known to increase the feeding of participating species. We compared following associations between a marine reef and a freshwater stream. Associations in the freshwater resembled the following three iconic reef interactions: (1) a carnivorous follower moving in front of a nuclear species; (2) a shoal of omnivores feeding on particles loosened by the nuclear fish; and (3) a shoal of omnivores feeding on particles expelled by the nuclear fish. The major differences between the marine and freshwater associations were (1) the greater morphological variety of nuclear species in the reef and (2) the main nuclear species often foraged in groups in the reef, whereas the freshwater counterparts foraged solitarily. These similarities between the systems outnumbered the differences, probably because of the shared water environment and the relatively simple requirements for fishes in these associations.
Continuity and change
Authors: Ramos Miguel
Published: April 2016

Based on 2,685 instances of verbs inflected for first-person singular (1sg) drawn from 14th–16th century Spanish texts, the current study offers two main findings on the diachrony of variable subject expression. The results indicate that, in general, the linguistic conditioning of 1sg subject pronoun expression (yo) remains constant throughout the centuries, following the patterns reported for present-day Spanish. We observe an effect of switch reference and of distance between coreferential subjects favoring expression. Additionally found is coreferential subject priming, such that the form of a previous coreferential subject significantly influences subsequent coreferential mentions. Finally, tense-aspect-mood is significant, though both the imperfect and future tenses favor expression. Nevertheless, verb semantic class does not influence these data. In particular, theyo+cognition verb construction, especially the highly frequentyo creo, which leads the cognition-verb category nowadays, is absent here. The study thus both offers evidence of continuity and suggests possible language change.
Feeding Ecology of Native and Nonnative Salmonids during the Expansion of a Nonnative Apex Predator in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park
Authors: Syslo John M. , Guy Christopher S. , Koel Todd M.
Published: April 2016

The illegal introduction of Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush into Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park, preceded the collapse of the native population of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri, producing a four‐level trophic cascade. The Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout population's collapse and the coinciding increase in Lake Trout abundance provided a rare opportunity to evaluate the feeding ecology of a native prey species and a nonnative piscivore species after the restructuring of a large lentic ecosystem. We assessed diets, stable isotope signatures, and depth‐related CPUE patterns for Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout and Lake Trout during 2011–2013 to evaluate trophic overlap. To evaluate diet shifts related to density, we also compared 2011–2013 diets to those from studies conducted during previous periods with contrasting Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout and Lake Trout CPUEs. We illustrate the complex interactions between predator and prey in a simple assemblage and demonstrate how a nonnative apex predator can alter competitive interactions. The diets of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout were dominated by zooplankton during a period when the Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout CPUE was high and were dominated by amphipods when the CPUE was reduced. Lake Trout shifted from a diet that was dominated by Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout during the early stages of the invasion to a diet that was dominated by amphipods after Lake Trout abundance had increased and after Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout prey had declined. The shifts in Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout and Lake Trout diets resulted in increased trophic similarity of these species through time due to their shared reliance on benthic amphipods. Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout not only face the threat posed by Lake Trout predation but also face the potential threat of competition with Lake Trout if amphipods are limiting. Our results demonstrate the importance of studying the long‐term feeding ecology of fishes in invaded ecosystems.

Received August 24, 2015; accepted December 23, 2015 Published online April 14, 2016
Earlier snowmelt and warming lead to earlier but not necessarily more plant growth
Authors: Livensperger Carolyn , Steltzer Heidi , Darrouzet-Nardi Anthony , Sullivan Patrick F. , Wallenstein Matthew , Weintraub Michael N.
Published: April 2016

Climate change over the past ∼50 years has resulted in earlier occurrence of plant life-cycle events for many species. Across temperate, boreal and polar latitudes, earlier seasonal warming is considered the key mechanism leading to earlier leaf expansion and growth. Yet, in seasonally snow-covered ecosystems, the timing of spring plant growth may also be cued by snowmelt, which may occur earlier in a warmer climate. Multiple environmental cues protect plants from growing too early, but to understand how climate change will alter the timing and magnitude of plant growth, experiments need to independently manipulate temperature and snowmelt. Here, we demonstrate that altered seasonality through experimental warming and earlier snowmelt led to earlier plant growth, but the aboveground production response varied among plant functional groups. Earlier snowmelt without warming led to early leaf emergence, but often slowed the rate of leaf expansion and had limited effects on aboveground production. Experimental warming alone had small and inconsistent effects on aboveground phenology, while the effect of the combined treatment resembled that of early snowmelt alone. Experimental warming led to greater aboveground production among the graminoids, limited changes among deciduous shrubs and decreased production in one of the dominant evergreen shrubs. As a result, we predict that early onset of the growing season may favour early growing plant species, even those that do not shift the timing of leaf expansion.
TOPDOM: database of conservatively located domains and motifs in proteins
Authors: Varga Julia , Dobson László , Tusnády Gábor E.
Published: April 2016

Summary: The TOPDOM database—originally created as a collection of domains and motifs located consistently on the same side of the membranes in α-helical transmembrane proteins—has been updated and extended by taking into consideration consistently localized domains and motifs in globular proteins, too. By taking advantage of the recently developed CCTOP algorithm to determine the type of a protein and predict topology in case of transmembrane proteins, and by applying a thorough search for domains and motifs as well as utilizing the most up-to-date version of all source databases, we managed to reach a 6-fold increase in the size of the whole database and a 2-fold increase in the number of transmembrane proteins.

Availability and implementation: TOPDOM database is available at http://topdom.enzim.hu . The webpage utilizes the common Apache, PHP5 and MySQL software to provide the user interface for accessing and searching the database. The database itself is generated on a high performance computer.

Contact : tusnady.gabor@ttk.mta.hu .

Supplementary information : Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Transient structural variations have strong effects on quantitative traits and reproductive isolation in fission yeast
Authors: Jeffares Daniel C. , Jolly Clemency , Hoti Mimoza , Speed Doug , Shaw Liam , Rallis Charalampos , Balloux Francois , Dessimoz Christophe , Bähler Jürg , Sedlazeck Fritz J.
Published: April 2016

Large structural variations (SVs) in the genome are harder to identify than smaller genetic variants but may substantially contribute to phenotypic diversity and evolution. Here we analyze the effects of SVs on gene expression, quantitative traits, and intrinsic reproductive isolation in the yeastSchizosaccharomyces pombe. We establish a high-quality curated catalog of SVs in the genomes of a worldwide library ofS. pombestrains, including duplications, deletions, inversions and translocations. We show that copy number variants (CNVs) frequently segregate within closely related clonal populations, are weakly linked to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and show other genetic signals consistent with rapid turnover. These transient CNVs produce stoichiometric effects on gene expression both within and outside the duplicated regions. CNVs make substantial contributions to quantitative traits such as cell shape, cell growth under diverse conditions, sugar utilization in winemaking, whereas rearrangements are strongly associated with reproductive isolation. Collectively, these findings have broad implications for evolution and for our understanding of quantitative traits including complex human diseases.
The Interaction of Genotype and Environment Determines Variation in the Maize Kernel Ionome
Authors: Asaro Alexandra , Ziegler Greg , Ziyomo Cathrine , Hoekenga Owen A. , Dilkes Brian P. , Baxter Ivan
Published: April 2016

Plants obtain soil-resident elements that support growth and metabolism via water-mediated flow facilitated by transpiration and active transport processes. The availability of elements in the environment interact with the genetic capacity of organisms to modulate element uptake through plastic adaptive responses, such as homeostasis. These interactions should cause the elemental contents of plants to vary such that the effects of genetic polymorphisms influencing elemental accumulation will be dramatically dependent on the environment in which the plant is grown. To investigate genotype by environment interactions underlying elemental accumulation, we analyzed levels of elements in maize kernels of the Intermated B73 x Mo17 (IBM) recombinant inbred population grown in 10 different environments spanning a total of six locations and five different years. In analyses conducted separately for each environment, we identified a total of 79 quantitative trait loci controlling seed elemental accumulation. While a set of these QTL were found in multiple environments, the majority were specific to a single environment, suggesting the presence of genetic by environment interactions. To specifically identify and quantify QTL by environment interactions (QEIs), we implemented two methods: linear modeling with environmental covariates and QTL analysis on trait differences between growouts. With these approaches, we found several instances of QEI, indicating that elemental profiles are highly heritable, interrelated, and responsive to the environment.

Author Summary

Plants take up elements from the soil, a process that is highly regulated by the plant’s genome. To investigate how maize alters its elemental uptake in response to different environments, we analyzed the kernel elemental content of a population derived from a cross grown 10 different times in six locations. We found that environment had a profound effect on which genetic loci were important for elemental accumulation in the kernel. Our results suggest that to have a full understanding of elemental accumulation in maize kernels and other food crops, we will need to understand the interactions identified here at the level of the genes and the environmental variables that contribute to loading essential nutrients into seeds.
Detecting distortions of peripherally-presented letter stimuli under crowded conditions
Authors: Wallis Thomas S. A. , Tobias Saskia , Bethge Matthias , Wichmann Felix A.
Published: April 2016

When visual features in the periphery are close together they become difficult to recognise:somethingis present but it is unclear what. This is called “crowding”. Here we investigated sensitivity to features in highly familiar shapes (letters) by applying spatial distortions. In Experiment 1, observers detected which of four peripherally-presented (8 deg of retinal eccentricity) target letters was distorted (spatial 4AFC). The letters were presented either isolated or surrounded by four undistorted flanking letters, and distorted with one of two types of distortion at a range of distortion frequencies and amplitudes. The bandpass noise distortion (“BPN”) technique causes spatial distortions in cartesian space, whereas radial frequency distortion (“RF”) causes shifts in polar coordinates. Detecting distortions in target letters was more difficult in the presence of flanking letters, consistent with the effect of crowding. The BPN distortion type showed evidence of tuning, with sensitivity to distortions peaking at approximately 6.5 c/deg for un-flanked letters. The presence of flanking letters causes this peak to rise to approximately 8.5 c/deg. In contrast to the tuning observed for BPN distortions, RF distortion sensitivity increased as the radial frequency of distortion increased. In a series of follow-up experiments we found that sensitivity to distortions is reduced when flanking letters were also distorted, that this held when observers were required to report which target letter was undistorted, and that this held when flanker distortions were always detectable. The perception of geometric distortions in letter stimuli is impaired by visual crowding.
Characterization of a Male Reproductive Transcriptome for Peromyscus eremicus (Cactus mouse)
Authors: Kordonowy Lauren , MacManes Matthew
Published: April 2016

Rodents of the genus Peromyscus have become increasingly utilized models for investigations into adaptive biology. This genus is particularly powerful for research linking genetics with adaptive physiology and behaviors, and recent research has capitalized on the unique opportunities afforded by the ecological diversity of these rodents. However, well characterized genomic and transcriptomic data is intrinsic to explorations of the genetic architecture responsible for ecological adaptations. This study characterizes a reproductive transcriptome of male Peromyscus eremicus (Cactus mouse), a desert specialist with extreme physiological adaptations to water limitation. We describe a reproductive transcriptome comprising three tissues in order to expand upon existing research in this species and to facilitate further studies elucidating the genetic basis of potential desert adaptations in male reproductive physiology.
Life on the edge: diet preferences reflect adaptation to drought inNeotoma fuscipes
Authors: Barrett Brendan J , Crews Arielle , McElreath Mary Brooke
Published: April 2016

Ecological change due to habitat fragmentation and climate change can decrease population viability, especially in herbivores and the plant communities upon which they depend. Behavioral flexibility is one important adaptation to both patchy or edge habitats undergoing rapid environmental change. This is true in many generalist herbivores, whose diet preferences can vary substantially, both geographically and over time. Little is known about what plants allow generalist herbivores to respond to rapid environmental changes, and whether these responses are due to variability in diet preference in a population, or individual dietary flexibility. We investigated how the diet preferences of dusky-footed woodrats (Neotoma fuscipes) might allow them to respond to drought in a spatially heterogeneous environment. We conducted cafeteria trials on woodrats during a year of extreme drought to assess individual preferences for locally available plants compared to more drought-tolerant edge vegetation. Our results show that woodrats sample a number of plants, but tend to prefer scrub oak, a dominant plant species in the available habitat, as well as chamise- a highly drought-tolerant plant predominantly present in the surrounding edge habitat. No difference in food preferences was detected between sexes, but we found evidence for an effect based on age and proximity to edge habitat. Juveniles who lived closer to the habitat edge were more likely to consume, and consumed greater amounts of plants in cafeteria trials compared to adults and juveniles living further from the edge. In addition to oak and chamise, adults sampled large quantities of other plants such as poison oak and California buckeye, and in general included a wider array of plants in their preferred diets compared to juveniles. We conclude with a discussion of the management implications and outlook for woodrats in the Coast Range of northern California.
Temperature-dependent changes in neuronal dynamics in a patient with anSCN1Amutation and hyperthermia induced seizures
Authors: Peters C , Rosch RE , Hughes E , Ruben P
Published: April 2016

Dravet syndrome is the prototype ofSCN1A-mutation associated epilepsies. It is characterised by prolonged seizures, typically provoked by fever. We describe the evaluation of anSCN1Amutation in a child with early-onset temperature-sensitive seizures.

The patient carries a heterozygous miss-sense variant (c3818C>T; pAla1273Val) in the NaV1.1 brain sodium channel. We characterised the functional effects of the variant using patch clamp recordings on Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells at different temperatures (32, 37, and 40°C).

The variant channels produced a temperature-dependent destabilization of channel activation and fast inactivation. Implementing these empirical abnormalities in a computational model produces a higher threshold for depolarization block in the variant, particularly at 40°C, suggesting a failure to autoregulate at high-input states.

These results reveal direct effects of abnormalities in biophysical NaV1.1 channel properties on neuronal dynamics. They illustrate the value of combining cellular measurements with computational models to integrate different scales (gene/channel to patient) of observations.
A non-oxo methanolate-bridged divanadium(IV) complex with tris(2-sulfanidylphenyl)phosphane ligands: synthesis, structural characterization and magnetic investigation
Authors: Wu Hong-Ming , Chang Ya-Ho , Su Chia-Lin , Lee Gene-Hsiang , Hsu Hua-Fen
Published: April 2016

Vanadium chemistry is of interest due its biological relevance and medical applications. In particular, the interactions of high-valent vanadium ions with sulfur-containing biologically important molecules, such as cysteine and glutathione, might be related to the redox conversion of vanadium in ascidians, the function of amavadin (a vanadium-containing anion) and the antidiabetic behaviour of vanadium compounds. A mechanistic understanding of these aspects is important. In an effort to investigate high-valent vanadium–sulfur chemistry, we have synthesized and characterized the non-oxo divanadium(IV) complex salt tetraphenylphosphonium tri-μ-methanolato-κ6O:O-bis({tris[2-sulfanidyl-3-(trimethylsilyl)phenyl]phosphane-κ4P,S,S′,S′′}vanadium(IV)) methanol disolvate, (C24H20P)[VIV2(μ-OCH3)3(C27H36PS3)2]·2CH3OH. Two VIVmetal centres are bridged by three methanolate ligands, giving aC2-symmetric V2(μ-OMe)3core structure. Each VIVcentre adopts a monocapped trigonal antiprismatic geometry, with the P atom situated in the capping position and the three S atoms and three O atoms forming two triangular faces of the trigonal antiprism. The magnetic data indicate a paramagnetic nature of the salt, with anS = 1 spin state.
Women’s work in urban Bangladesh: do types of organizations matter?
Authors: Khan Farida Chowdhury
Published: April 2016

Purpose

Women’s participation in the formal labour force has increased over the past three decades and continues to do so in Bangladesh. This paper aims to look at trends in that phenomenon and how it has been influenced by privatization in the economy and the social transitions that have occurred during this process.

Design/methodology/approach

The findings are based on a survey of women in large formal sector organizations in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The study focuses on the adjustment of women in various ranks to work in different organizations – public, non-profits, and private – and makes comparisons among these workplaces. Seven individuals were interviewed and filled out questionnaires on work–life balance and job satisfaction.

Findings

Results show that although private organizations pay better, non-governmental institutions evoke a greater sense of employee commitment to organizational mission and public organizations provide women with a greater perception that their work is valued and respected. It is found that stated and implemented policies with respect to family-friendly work environments are variable.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size has some limitations that were addressed through interviews.

Practical implications

Each type of organization has its own set of advantages and setbacks with respect to work-life balance and job satisfaction, pointing to the need for concerted policies that could encourage women to choose and remain in their professions.

Originality/value

Work–life balance is a new concept in developing countries. As they go through the second phase of demographic transition, this is a key factor in stabilizing population growth. A comparison of the three types of organizations as workplaces for women has not been done. The phenomenon is not unique to Bangladesh and has lessons for many developing countries.
Last mile fulfilment and distribution in omni-channel grocery retailing: a strategic planning framework
Authors: Hübner Alexander Hermann , Kuhn Heinrich , Wollenburg Johannes
Published: April 2016

Purpose

For traditional grocery retailers, the growing importance of online sales means creating new logistics models for omni-channel (OC) management. Due to these transformational changes, retail research and practice are lacking a comprehensive view on integrated fulfilment and distribution concepts for home and store deliveries as they have evolved recently. This paper develops a planning framework for last mile order fulfilment in OC grocery retailing and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of different design concepts.

Design/methodology/approach

The findings were developed and evaluated by means of explorative interviews with grocery retail and logistics experts. Additionally, key literature on last mile order fulfilment and retail supply chain management was reviewed to supplement the integrated OC grocery operations planning framework.

Findings

OC logistics planning can be structured into back-end fulfilment (e.g. warehouse and in-store picking) and last mile distribution concepts (e.g. attended and unattended home delivery). The design choices depend on country specifics (e.g. population density), retailer specifics (e.g. capability for cross-channel process integration) and customer behaviour (e.g. possibility of unattended home delivery). The application areas and their contextual factors are discussed for each design parameter.

Practical implications

The last mile fulfilment options identified can be applied to pinpoint the necessary steps for further optimizing OC integration. Grocers can gain insights into current fulfilment concepts used in different contexts. This architecture also forms the foundation for further research on decision support systems.

Originality/value

The coherent planning framework summarizes the general design options for last mile order fulfilment arising from new requirements for OC fulfilment.
Successful school leadership: case studies of four Singapore primary schools
Authors: Wang Loke Heng , Gurr David , Drysdale Lawrie
Published: April 2016

Purpose

This paper explores the characteristics and practices of principals in four successful Singapore primary schools.

Design/methodology/approach

Multiple perspective case studies were used which included semi-structured interviews with the principal, teaching and non-teaching staff, students, parents and school board members in each school.

Findings

The principals were found to have contributed significantly to the success of their schools. Their leadership was underpinned by their personal qualities, beliefs and values, which guided their practices. The four principals were highly successful in improving school capacity through redesigning school structures, particularly those that facilitate improvement in the work of teachers. They enhanced the professional capacity of the teaching and non-teaching staff through professional development programmes and the development of future leaders. The principals also established meaningful partnerships with stakeholders inside and outside the school community. Each of the principals described how their leadership was built upon the legacy of previous principals at their schools.

Originality/value

As part of a larger project, the International Successful School Principalship Project (ISSPP), this research adds an important Asian context to the literature on successful school leadership. A 6E model - Educate, Envision, Energize, Engage, Enable and Embrace - was developed to describe how principals led their schools to achieve educational excellence.
Time-based reflow soldering optimization by using adaptive Kriging-HDMR method
Authors: Chen Liming , Li Enying , Wang Hu
Published: April 2016

Purpose

Reflow soldering process is an important step of the surface mount technology. The purpose of this paper is to minimize the maximum warpage of shielding frame by controlling reflow soldering control parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

Compared with other reflow-related design methods, both time and temperate of each extracted time region are considered. Therefore, the number of design variable is increased. To solve the high-dimensional problem, a surrogate-assisted optimization (SAO) called adaptive Kriging high-dimensional representation model (HDMR) is used.

Findings

Therefore, the number of design variable is increased. To solve the high-dimensional problem, a surrogate-assisted optimization (SAO) called HDMR is used. The warpage of shield frame is significantly reduced. Moreover, the correlations of design variables are also disclosed.

Originality/value

Compared with the original Kriging HDMR, the expected improvement (EI) criterion is used and a new projection strategy is suggested to improve the efficiency of optimization method. The application suggests that the adaptive Kriging HDMR has potential capability to solve such complicated engineering problems.
A grey-ANN approach for optimizing the QFN component assembly process for smart phone application
Authors: Huang Chien-Yi , Chen Ching-Hsiang , Lin Yueh-Hsun
Published: April 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to propose an innovative parametric design for artificial neural network (ANN) modeling for the multi-quality function problem to determine the optimal process scenarios.

Design/methodology/approach

The innovative hybrid algorithm gray relational analysis (GRA)-ANN and the GRA-Entropy are proposed to effectively solve the multi-response optimization problem.

Findings

Both the GRA-ANN and the GRA-Entropy analytical approaches find that the optimal process scenario is a stencil aperture of 57 per cent and immediate processing of the printed circuit board after exposure to a room environment.

Originality/value

A six-week confirmation test indicates that the optimal process has improved quad flat non-lead assembly yield from 99.12 to 99.78 per cent.
Knowledge absorptive capacity: do all its dimensions matter for export performance of SMEs?
Authors: Ahimbisibwe Godwin Mwesigye , Nkundabanyanga Stephen Korutaro , Nkurunziza Gideon , Nyamuyonjo David
Published: April 2016

Purpose

In this paper we aim to study the relationship between knowledge absorptive capacity (KAC) of exporting SMEs in Uganda and their export performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is correlational and cross-sectional, and adopts firm-level data collected via questionnaires from Ugandan exporting SMEs. As we use the sub-domains of KAC to predict export performance and therefore these sub-mains are expected to be correlated, we apply hierarchical regression as an appropriate tool for analysis when variance on a criterion variable is being explained by predictor variables that are correlated with each other (Pedhazur, 1997). Using this tool we analyze the effect of a given sub-domain after controlling for other indicators (sub-domains) of KAC; a “control” achieved by calculating the change in the adjusted R2 and the significance of this change.

Findings

We find that only external knowledge acquisition (a dimension of potential absorptive capacity) and external knowledge application (a dimension of realised absorptive capacity) are the only significant predictors of export performance in our model. Contrary to previous thinking, we find that external knowledge assimilation and transformation are not significant predictors of export performance. Taken together, our independent variables explain about 35.4 percent of the variance in export performance of SMEs in Uganda.

Research limitations/implications

The use of hierarchical regression is susceptible to problems associated with sampling error. However, the likelihood of these problems is reduced by our interaction with the data Practical implications – Our results imply that the initial focus of exporting SMEs should be on external knowledge acquisition and application.

Originality/value

Unlike most of the export performance literature, which have focused on the general effect of knowledge absorptive capacity as a global variable, this study explores the role played by the four dimensions of KAC and methodologically isolates the contribution played by each individual dimension in the context of exporting SMEs in a developing nation. As such we uncover the reality that not all the sub-domains of KAC are significant for export performance of SMEs in a developing country context.