bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sustaining yam yields amidst climate threat in the forest – savannah transition zone of Ghana
Authors: Frimpong F. , Owusu Danquah E. , Ennin S. A. , Asumadu H. , Aidoo A.K. , Maroya N. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractWith about 70% of yam tuber been water, yield is critically affected during bulking as a result of onset of temporal drought. As a consequence of climate change, farmers who are into Dioscorea rotundata (white yam) production for local and international market lose their investments mainly due to erratic precipitation, drought spells culminating into low yields of just 12t/ha compared to the potential of about 22-49t/ha depending on the variety. Innovative land uses technologies with higher and sustained productivity for yam production are imperative. This study verifies improved agronomic package for sustainable yam production in yam growing areas in the forest – savannah transition zone of Ghana during the 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons. The improved agronomic package included use of ridging as seedbed, seed treatment before planting, fertilizer application at a rate of 30:30:36 N:P205:K20 kg/ha plus 15 kg/ha Mg and 20 kg/ha S as MgSO4 and the use of minimum stakes (trellis; 30-50% less number of stakes used by farmers staking). This was compared with farmers’ practice which consisted of mounding, no fertilizer application and no seed treatment. The results revealed significant (P ≤ 0.01) yam yields of more than 60% difference between the improved agronomic practice and farmers’ practice from Ejura, Atebubu and Kintampo yam growing communities. Adoption of improved agronomic practices does not only sustain yam production and address deforestation but also provide higher returns on investments promoting climate resilience by small holders.
Effect of continuous compressive force on the expression of RANKL, OPG, and VEGF in MC3T3-E1 and MLO-Y4 cells
Authors: Yashima Yuka , Kaku Masato , Yamamoto Taeko , Izumino Jin , Kagawa Haruka , Tanimoto Kotaro 
Published: November 2018

AbstractOsteocytes, known to have mechano-sensory functions, influence the regulation of bone remodeling. However, the mechanism by which osteocytes regulate bone metabolism when mechanical forces are being applied is still unclear. Osteoclastogenesis is mainly regulated by receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL); the protein osteoprotegerin (OPG) and angiogenesis also play important roles in osteogenesis. RANKL, OPG, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are thought to be key factors for bone metabolism. In this study, we examined the effect of a continuous compressive force (CF) on the expression of RANKL, OPG, and VEGF in osteoblastic murine osteocytes (MLO-Y4) and osteoblastic (MC3T3-E1) cells. Gene and protein expression levels of RANKL, OPG, and VEGF in MLO-Y4 and MC3T3-E1 cells were quantitatively determined by real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Both cell types were also subjected to a CF of 1.0 g/cm2 for 1, 3, 6, and 12 hours. Furthermore, the effect of a stretch-activated (S-A) channel was examined by gadolinium (Gd3+) administration. The ratio of gene and protein expressions of RANKL, VEGF, and RANKL/OPG in MLO-Y4 cells were significantly higher than in MC3T3-E1 cells, while the expression of OPG was significantly lower. After CF application, both cell types showed significant increases in RANKL and VEGF expression as well as the RANKL/OPG ratio. Additionally, the upregulated gene and protein levels of these factors were reduced by Gd3+ administration.These findings suggest that osteocytes play more important roles in bone metabolism and angiogenesis than osteoblasts. Osteocytes regulate the expression of RANKL, OPG, and VEGF via the S-A channel through the response to mechanical stress.
Electrochemotherapy with bleomycin associated with doxorubicin induces tumor regression and decreases the proliferative index in canine cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Anjos Denner S. , Bueno Cynthia , Magalhães Larissa F. , Magalhães Georgia M. , Mattos-Junior Ewaldo , Pinto Marcela M.R. , Nardi Andrigo B. De , Brunner Carlos H.M. , Leis-Filho Antonio F. , Fonseca-Alves Carlos E. , Calazans Sabryna G. 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACTCanine cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the most common skin cancer in dogs, and due to its low metastatic rate, local treatments such as electrochemotherapy (ECT) promote disease control or even complete remission and increase the survival time in most cases. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of BAX, Bcl-2, and Ki67 and clinical parameters in dogs with cSCC subjected to ECT. A prospective clinical nonrandomized study was performed in dogs with naturally occurring cSCC treated with ECT. Eighteen lesions (from 11 dogs) were selected, independent of breed, sex and age. The ECT protocol consisted of bleomycin plus doxorubicin followed by electric pulses characterized by 8 biphasic electric pulses lasting 100 ms, 1 Hz and 1000 V/cm. Among the 18 lesions, the lesion volume significantly decreased after treatment (p=0.04). The tumor size at D0 had no impact on survival time or prognosis (P>0.05). A decreased mitotic index was observed at compared with D0 (P=0.019). We also observed more intratumoral necrosis at D21 compared to D0 (P=0.041). The median expression level of Ki67 was 277.96 at D0 and 193.92 at D21. Thus, tumor samples had a lower proliferative index after ECT (D21) (P=0.031). The survival times of subjects with Ki67 values lower and higher than the Ki67 median value were not significantly different (P>0.05). Regarding apoptotic markers, there was no significant difference in BAX or Bcl-2 expression between D0 and D21 (P>0.05) or in overall survival between subjects with different levels of apoptotic markers. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between BAX and Bcl-2 before ECT (D0) (P=0.0379, r=0.5067). In conclusion, there was no change in BAX and Bcl-2 protein expression levels in response to ECT at the time points evaluated, and ECT was able to reduce tumor volume and cellular proliferation in cSCC.
BEAST 2.5: An Advanced Software Platform for Bayesian Evolutionary Analysis
Authors: Bouckaert Remco , Vaughan Timothy G. , Barido-Sottani Joëlle , Duchêne Sebastián , Fourment Mathieu , Gavryushkina Alexandra , Heled Joseph , Jones Graham , Kühnert Denise , Maio Nicola De , Matschiner Michael , Mendes Fábio K. , Müller Nicola F. , Ogilvie Huw , Plessis Louis du , Popinga Alex , Rambaut Andrew , Rasmussen David , Siveroni Igor , Suchard Marc A. , Wu Chieh-Hsi , Xie Dong , Zhang Chi , Stadler Tanja , Drummond Alexei J. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractElaboration of Bayesian phylogenetic inference methods has continued at pace in recent years with major new advances in nearly all aspects of the joint modelling of evolutionary data. It is increasingly appreciated that some evolutionary questions can only be adequately answered by combining evidence from multiple independent sources of data, including genome sequences, sampling dates, phenotypic data, radiocarbon dates, fossil occurrences, and biogeographic range information among others. Including all relevant data into a single joint model is very challenging both conceptually and computationally. Advanced computational software packages that allow robust development of compatible (sub-)models which can be composed into a full model hierarchy have played a key role in these developments.Developing such software frameworks is increasingly a major scientific activity in its own right, and comes with specific challenges, from practical software design, development and engineering challenges to statistical and conceptual modelling challenges. BEAST 2 is one such computational software platform, and was first announced over 4 years ago. Here we describe a series of major new developments in the BEAST 2 core platform and model hierarchy that have occurred since the first release of the software, culminating in the recent 2.5 release.Author summaryBayesian phylogenetic inference methods have undergone considerable development in recent years, and joint modelling of rich evolutionary data, including genomes, phenotypes and fossil occurrences is increasingly common. Advanced computational software packages that allow robust development of compatible (sub-)models which can be composed into a full model hierarchy have played a key role in these developments. Developing scientific software is increasingly crucial to advancement in many fields of biology. The challenges range from practical software development and engineering, distributed team coordination, conceptual development and statistical modelling, to validation and testing. BEAST 2 is one such computational software platform for phylogenetics, population genetics and phylodynamics, and was first announced over 4 years ago. Here we describe the full range of new tools and models available on the BEAST 2.5 platform, which expand joint evolutionary inference in many new directions, especially for joint inference over multiple data types, non-tree models and complex phylodynamics.
MTS1338, a smallMycobacterium tuberculosisRNA, regulates transcriptional shifts consistent with bacterial adaptation for entering into dormancy and survival within host macrophages
Authors: Salina Elena G. , Grigorov Artem , Skvortsova Yulia , Majorov Konstantin , Bychenko Oksana , Ostrik Albina , Logunova Nadezhda , Ignatov Dmitriy , Kaprelyants Arseny , Apt Alexander , Azhikina Tatyana 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSmall non-coding RNAs play a significant role in bacterial adaptation to changing environmental conditions. We investigated the dynamics of expression of MTS1338, a small non-coding RNA ofMycobacterium tuberculosis, in the mouse modelin vivo, regulation of its expression in theex vivoinfected macrophages, and the consequences of its overexpression in bacterial cultures. Here we demonstrate that MTS1338 significantly contributes to host-pathogen interactions. Activation of the host immune system triggered NO-inducible up-regulation of MTS1338 in macrophage-engulfed mycobacteria. Constitutive overexpression of MTS1338 in cultured mycobacteria improved their survivalin vitrounder low pH conditions. MTS1338 up-regulation launched a spectrum of shifts in the transcriptome profile similar to those reported forM. tuberculosisadaptation to hostile intra-macrophage environment. Using the RNA-seq approach, we demonstrate that gene expression changes accompanying MTS1338 overexpression indicate reduction in translational activity and bacterial growth, which is consistent with entering the dormant state. Taken together, our results suggest a direct involvement on this sRNA in the interplay between mycobacteria and the host immune system during infectious process.
How does cilium length affect beating?
Authors: Bottier M. , Thomas KA. , Dutcher SK. , Bayly PV. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe effects of cilium length on the dynamics of cilia motion were investigated by high-speed video microscopy of uniciliate mutants of the swimming alga,Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.Cells with short cilia were obtained by deciliating cells via pH shock and allowing cilia to reassemble for limited times. The frequency of cilia beating was estimated from motion of the cell body and of the cilium. Key features of the ciliary waveform were quantified from polynomial curves fitted to the cilium in each image frame. Most notably, periodic beating did not emerge until the cilium reached a critical length between 2-4 µm. Surprisingly, in cells that exhibited periodic beating, the frequency of beating was similar for all lengths with only a slight decrease in frequency as length increased from 4 µm to the normal length of 10-12 µm. The waveform average curvature (rad/µm) was also conserved as the cilium grew. The mechanical metrics of ciliary propulsion: force, torque, and power all increased in proportion to length. Mechanical efficiency of beating appeared to be maximal at the normal wild-type length of 10-12 μm. These quantitative features of ciliary behavior illuminate the biophysics of cilia motion and, in future studies, may help distinguish competing hypotheses of the underlying mechanism of oscillation.
A good man is hard to find: project management, entrepreneurship and serendipity
Authors: Gartner William B. 
Published: November 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper commentary is to explore the intersection of project management and entrepreneurship through a poetic exploration of Flannery O’Connor’s short story: “A Good Man is Hard to Find.” Through the use of the Japanese Haiku format, this commentary probes the nature and meaning of “projects,” the importance of goals and their limitations, the influence of context across time, and the role of agency and circumstance in entrepreneurship as denoted by the idea of serendipity.

Design/methodology/approach
Poesis.

Findings
Imagination steers the course. Vision sees the possibility; But the mind’s eye sees through a distorted lens that is always misfit. So the unplanned path becomes the project. Always; Accidents happen.

Originality/value
Project Management: Goals with temporary; Collective action; Entrepreneurship: “Organizing collective Action.” Compromise?
Remittances, ICT and doing business in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Asongu Simplice , Biekpe Nicholas , Tchamyou Vanessa 
Published: November 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how linkages between information and communication technology (ICT) and remittances affect the doing of business.Design/methodology/approachThe focus is on a panel of 49 Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries for the period 2000–2012. The empirical evidence is based on the generalized method of moments.FindingsWhile the authors establish some appealing results in terms of net negative effects on constraints to the doing of business (i.e. time to start a business and time to pay taxes), some positive net effects are also apparent (i.e. number of start-up procedures, time to build a warehouse and time to register a property). The authors also establish ICT penetration thresholds at which the unconditional effect of remittances can be changed from positive to negative, notably: for the number of start-up procedures, an internet level of 9.00 penetration per 100 people is required, while for the time to build a warehouse, a mobile phone penetration level of 32.33 penetration per 100 people is essential. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to assess linkages between ICT, remittances and doing business in SSA.
Large-cap vs small-cap portfolio performance: new empirical evidence from ETFs
Authors: Rompotis Gerasimos 
Published: November 2018

PurposeA well-documented pattern in the literature concerns the outperformance of small-cap stocks relative to their larger-cap counterparts. This paper aims to address the “small-cap versus large-cap” issue using for the first time data from the exchange traded funds (ETFs) industry.Design/methodology/approachSeveral raw return and risk-adjusted return metrics are estimated over the period 2012-2016.FindingsResults are partially supportive of the “size effect”. In particular, small-cap ETFs outperform large-cap ETFs in overall raw return terms even though they fail the risk test. However, outperformance is not consistent on an annual basis. When risk-adjusted returns are taken into consideration, small-cap ETFs are inferior to their large-cap counterparts.Research limitations/implicationsThis research only covers the ETF market in the USA. However, given the tremendous growth of ETF markets worldwide, a similar examination of the “small vs large capitalization” issue could be conducted with data from other developed ETF markets in Europe and Asia. In such a case, useful comparisons could be made, so that we could conclude whether the findings of the current study are unique and US-specific or whether they could be generalized across the several international ETF markets.Practical implicationsA possible generalization of the findings would entail that profitable investment strategies could be based on the different performance and risk characteristics of small- and large-cap ETFs.Originality/valueThis is the first study to examine the performance of ETFs investing in large-cap stock indicesvis-à-visthe performance of ETFs tracking indices comprised of small-cap stocks.
Maize‐dominated landscapes reduce bumblebee colony growth through pollen diversity loss
Authors: Hass Annika Louise , Brachmann Lara , Batáry Péter , Clough Yann , Behling Hermann , Tscharntke Teja 
Published: November 2018

Abstract

Bumblebees are important pollinators for a wide range of crops and wild plants. Performance of their colonies depends on pollen and nectar as food resources, but flowering plants are scarce in modern agricultural landscapes. It is well‐known that semi‐natural habitats can enhance floral resources and bumblebee abundance, but the impact of different crop types and their heterogeneity at the landscape scale remains unclear.

We tested the effect of two different crop types (oilseed rape [OSR] and maize) and of configurational (field border density) and compositional heterogeneity (crop diversity) on weight gain of buff‐tailed bumblebee colonies (Bombus terrestris) and the pollen diversity collected by them in 20 landscapes in Central Germany.

We found that augmenting maize cover had a detrimental effect on pollen diversity collected by bumblebees, probably due to intensive management resulting in low plant diversity. This low pollen diversity translated into reduced colony growth, since colonies with high pollen diversity gained more weight than colonies with low pollen diversity.

In contrast, OSR cover and configurational and compositional heterogeneity did neither affect colony growth nor pollen diversity. However, for OSR, the timing of the flowering period was important. When OSR fields had a high flower cover at the end of the OSR blooming period, colonies showed increased growth rates.

Synthesis and applications. Our results complement previous laboratory studies by showing that high pollen diversity leads to better colony performance under field conditions. Therefore, the maintenance of floral diversity in agricultural landscapes is crucial to ensure that bumblebees can fulfil their nutritional needs. However, the heterogeneity of crops, at least under the currently very low levels of crop rotation, does not contribute to this aim. In contrast, crop identity and timing of mass‐flowering crops turned out to be important factors, as maize reduced pollen resources, while late blooming oilseed rape (OSR) was beneficial to bumblebee colonies. Hence, maize cover per landscape should be reduced and strategies to enhance landscape wide flower diversity, especially towards and after the end of oilseed rape bloom, should be promoted to support bumblebee colonies that provide important pollination services.
Safety and acceptability of medical abortion through telemedicine after 9 weeks of gestation: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Endler M , Beets L , Gemzell Danielsson K , Gomperts R 
Published: November 2018

ObjectiveTo assess the safety and acceptability of abortion through telemedicine at >9+0 weeks of gestation.DesignCohort study.SettingPoland.PopulationSix hundred and fifteen women who requested and underwent a abortion through telemedicine from 1 June to 31 December 2016.MethodsRisks of adverse outcomes were calculated as adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) by unconditional logistic regression according to gestational age at abortion: ≤9 or >9 weeks of gestation.Main outcome measuresSelf‐reported clinical visits for complaints related to the abortion within 0–1 days of the treatment, heavy bleeding, pain or bleeding more than expected, and low satisfaction.ResultsAmong women undergoing a abortion at ≤9 or >9 weeks of gestation, 3.3 versus 11.7% went to hospital with concerns within 0–1 days of the termination (aOR 3.82, 95% CI 1.90–7.69). Among women undergoing a abortion from 11+1 to 14+2 weeks of gestation, the rate was 22.5% (aOR 9.20, 95% CI 3.58–23.60). Among women undergoing a abortion at ≤9 or >9 weeks of gestation, the rate of heavy bleeding was 6.8 versus 10.1% (aOR 1.65, 95% CI 0.90–3.04), the rate of low satisfaction was 2.4 versus 1.6% (aOR 0.69, 95% CI 0.14–3.36), the rate of bleeding more than expected was 45.6 versus 57.8% (aOR 1.26, 95% CI 0.78–2.02), and the rate of pain more than expected was 35.6 versus 38.8% (aOR 1.11, 95% CI 0.71–1.71).ConclusionsMedical abortion through telemedicine at >9 weeks of gestation is associated with a higher risk of same‐day or day‐after clinical visits for concerns related to the procedure, and this risk increases with gestational age. Self‐reported rates of heavy bleeding, low satisfaction, or unmet expectations with medical abortion do not increase with gestational age.Tweetable abstractA cohort study shows that abortion through telemedicine at >9 weeks of gestation is associated with more hospital visits but not with increased bleeding.
Association of common type 1 and type 2 diabetes gene variants with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Ramu Deepika , Perumal Venkatesan , Paul Solomon F. D. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this meta‐analysis was to determine the association of common type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) gene variants (protein tyrosine phosphatase non‐receptor 22 [PTPN22] rs2476601C/T, insulin [INS] rs689A/T and transcription factor 7‐like 2 [TCF7L2] rs7903146C/T) with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA).MethodsA systematic search of electronic databases was conducted up to 2017 and data from 16 independent case‐control studies for three gene variants were pooled. The pooled allele and genotype frequencies for each T1D and T2D gene variant were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the strength of the association. Heterogeneity tests and evaluation of publication bias were performed for all studies.ResultsIn all, 8869 cases and 20 829 controls pooled from 16 case‐control studies were included in the analysis. For rs2476601, a significant association was found for homozygote TT (OR 2.67; 95% CI 1.92‐3.70; P < 0.0001), heterozygote CT (OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.44‐1.79; P < 0.0001), and the T allele (OR 1.62; 95% CI 1.48‐1.78; P < 0.0001). Overall, a significant inverse association was observed for rs689 in the TT genotype (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.30‐0.64; P < 0.0001), AT genotype (OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.45‐0.62; P < 0.0001), and T allele (OR 0.61; 95% CI 0.52‐0.71; P < 0.0001). For the rs7903146 polymorphism, the T allele (OR 1.19; 95% CI 1.00‐1.40; P = 0.04) may be associated with the risk of LADA.ConclusionThe rs2476601C/T, rs689A/T, and rs7903146C/T polymorphisms were found to be associated with the risk of LADA, thereby indicating that, genetically, LADA could be an admixture of both T1D and T2D.