bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adenylosuccinate Lyase activity in the Purine recycling pathway is essential for developmental timing, germline maintenance and muscle integrity inC. elegans
Authors: Marsac Roxane , Pinson Benoît , Saint-Marc Christelle , Olmedo María , ArtalSanz Marta , Daignan-Fornier Bertrand , Gomes José-Eduardo 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPurine homeostasis is ensured through a metabolic network widely conserved from prokaryotes to humans. Purines can either be synthesizedde novo, reused, or produced by interconversion of extant metabolites using the so-called recycling pathway. Although thoroughly characterized in microorganisms, such as yeast or bacteria, little is known about the regulation of this biosynthesis network in metazoans. In humans, several diseases are linked to purine biosynthesis deficiencies through yet poorly understood etiologies. Particularly, the deficiency in Adenylosuccinate Lyase (ADSL), one enzyme involved both in the purinede novoand recycling pathways, causes severe muscular and neuronal symptoms. In order to address the mechanisms underlying this deficiency, we establishedCaenorhabditis elegansas a metazoan model organism to study purine metabolism, while focusing on ADSL. We show that the purine biosynthesis network is functionally conserved inC. elegans. Moreover, ADSL is required for developmental timing and germline stem cell maintenance, and muscle integrity. Our results allow to ascribe developmental and tissue specific phenotypes to separable steps of the purine metabolic network in an animal model. Particularly, the muscle, germline and developmental defects are linked specifically to the ADSL role in the purine recycling pathway.
Distinct value encoding in striatal direct and indirect pathways during adaptive learning
Authors: Donahue Christopher H. , Liu Max , Kreitzer Anatol C. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTThe striatum is thought to play a central role in action selection and reinforcement, and optogenetic experiments suggest differential roles for direct- and indirect-pathway medium spiny neurons (dMSNs and iMSNs). However, the encoding of value-related information in dMSNs and iMSNs during adaptive decision-making is not well understood. We trained mice on a dynamic foraging task where they had to learn the value of different options based on their recent history of choices and outcomes. Single-cell calcium imaging in dorsomedial striatum revealed that dMSNs and iMSNs were oppositely modulated by the updated value of the different options. Additionally, we found that iMSNs were more active as animals slowed between trials, likely reflecting ongoing changes in motivational state. Together, our results demonstrate that co-activation of dMSNs and iMSNs during action initiation does not simply encode action identity, but instead reflects pathway-specific encoding of movement, motivation, and value information necessary for adaptive decision-making.
Comprehensive analysis of small RNA profile by massive parallel sequencing in HTLV-1 asymptomatic subjects with monoclonal and polyclonal rearrangement of the T-cell antigen receptor γ-chain
Authors: de Souza Daniela Raguer Valadão , Pessôa Rodrigo , Nukui Youko , Pereira Juliana , Casseb Jorge , de Oliveira Augusto César Penalva , Clissa Patricia Bianca , Sanabani Sabri Saeed 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIntroductionIn this study, we used a massive parallel sequencing technology to investigate the cellular small RNA (sRNA) operating in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of the Human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) infected asymptomatic subjects with a monoclonal and polyclonal rearrangement of the T-cell antigen receptor γ-chain.Materials and MethodsBlood samples from 15 HTLV-1 asymptomatic carriers who were tested for clonalTCR-γ gene (seven and eight subjects presented monoclonal and polyclonal expansion of HTLV-1 infected cells, respectively), and were submitted to Illumina for small RNA library construction. sRNA libraries were prepared from cryoperserved PBMCs using TrueSeq Small RNA Library Preparation Kit (Illumina). The sRNA-Seq reads were aligned, annotated, and profiled by different bioinformatics tools.ResultsThrough bioinformatics analysis, we identified a total of 494 known sRNAs and 120 putative novel sRNAs. Twenty-two known and 15 novel sRNA showed a different expression (>2-fold) between the asymptomatic monoclonal (ASM) and asymptomatic polyclonal carriers (ASP). The hsa-mir-196a-5p was the most abundantly upregulated micro RNA (miRNA) and the hsa-mir-133a followed by hsa-mir-509-3p were significantly downregulated miRNAs with more than a three-fold difference in the ASM than ASP group. The target genes predicted to be regulated by the differentially expressed miRNAs play essential roles in diverse biological processes including cell proliferation, differentiation, and/or apoptosis.DiscussionOur results provide an opportunity for a further understanding of sRNA regulation and function in HTLV-1 infected subjects with monoclonality evidence.
Single-molecular and Ensemble-level Oscillations of Cyanobacterial Circadian Clock
Authors: Das Sumita , Terada Tomoki P. , Sasai Masaki 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWhen three cyanobacterial proteins, KaiA, KaiB, and KaiC, are incubated with ATP in vitro, the phosphorylation level of KaiC hexamers shows stable oscillation with approximately 24 h period. In order to understand this KaiABC clockwork, we need to analyze both the macroscopic synchronization of a large number of KaiC hexamers and the microscopic reactions and structural changes in individual KaiC molecules. In the present paper, we explain two coarse-grained theoretical models, the many-molecule (MM) model and the single-molecule (SM) model, to bridge the gap between macroscopic and microscopic understandings. In the simulation results with these models, ATP hydrolysis drives oscillation of individual KaiC hexamers and ATP hydrolysis is necessary for synchronizing oscillations of a large number of KaiC hexamers. Sensitive temperature dependence of the lifetime of the ADP bound state in the CI domain of KaiC hexamers makes the oscillation period temperature insensitive. ATPase activity is correlated to the frequency of phosphorylation oscillation in the single molecule of KaiC hexamer, which should be the origin of the observed ensemble-level correlation between the ATPase activity and the frequency of phosphorylation oscillation. Thus, the simulation results with the MM and SM models suggest that ATP hydrolysis randomly occurring in each CI domain of individual KaiC hexamers is a key process for oscillatory behaviors of the ensemble of many KaiC hexamers.Significance StatementCyanobacterial proteins, KaiA, KaiB, and KaiC, can reconstitute a circadian clock when they are incubated with ATP in vitro. In order to understand this prototypical oscillator, we need to analyze both synchronization of a macroscopically large number of oscillating molecules and microscopic reactions in individual molecules. We introduced two theoretical models to unify macroscopic and microscopic viewpoints. Simulation results suggest that ATP hydrolysis is necessary for synchronization and temperature compensation and that ATPase activity is correlated to the oscillation frequency in individual molecules. Thus, ATP hydrolysis randomly occurring in individual molecules should determine important features of the ensemble-level oscillation.
A Deep Predictive Coding Network for Learning Latent Representations
Authors: Dora Shirin , Pennartz Cyriel , Bohte Sander 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIt has been argued that the brain is a prediction machine that continuously learns how to make better predictions about the stimuli received from the external environment. It builds a model of the world around us and uses this model to infer the external stimulus. Predictive coding has been proposed as a mechanism through which the brain might be able to build such a model of the external environment. However, it is not clear how predictive coding can be used to build deep neural network models of the brain while complying with the architectural constraints imposed by the brain. In this paper, we describe an algorithm to build a deep generative model using predictive coding that can be used to infer latent representations about the stimuli received from external environment. Specifically, we used predictive coding to train a deep neural network on real-world images in a unsupervised learning paradigm. To understand the capacity of the network with regards to modeling the external environment, we studied the latent representations generated by the model on images of objects that are never presented to the model during training. Despite the novel features of these objects the model is able to infer the latent representations for them. Furthermore, the reconstructions of the original images obtained from these latent representations preserve the important details of these objects.
Time Dependent Stochastic mRNA and Protein Synthesis in Piecewise-deterministic Models of Gene Networks
Authors: Innocentini Guilherme C.P. , Hodgkinson Arran , Radulescu Ovidiu 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWe discuss piecewise-deterministic approximations of gene networks dynamics. These approximations capture in a simple way the stochasticity of gene expression and the propagation of expression noise in networks and circuits. By using partial omega expansions, piecewise deterministic approximations can be formally derived from the more commonly used Markov pure jump processes (chemical master equation). We are interested in time dependent multivariate distributions that describe the stochastic dynamics of the gene networks. This problem is difficult even in the simplified framework of piecewise-determinisitic processes. We consider three methods to compute these distributions: the direct Monte-Carlo, the numerical integration of the Liouville-master equation and the push-forward method. This approach is applied to multivariate fluctuations of gene expression, generated by gene circuits. We find that stochastic fluctuations of the proteome and much less those of the transcriptome can discriminate between various circuit topologies.
Comprehensive catalog of dendritically localized mRNA isoforms from sub-cellular sequencing of single mouse neurons
Authors: Middleton Sarah A. , Eberwine James , Kim Junhyong 
Published: March 2018

AbstractRNA localization to neuronal dendrites is critical step for long-lasting synaptic potentiation, but there is little consensus regarding which RNAs are localized and the role of alternative isoforms in localization. Using independent RNA-sequencing from soma and dendrites of the same neuron, we deeply profiled the sub-cellular transcriptomes to assess the extent and variability of dendritic RNA localization in individual hippocampal neurons, including an assessment of differential localization of alternative 3’UTR isoforms. We identified 2,225 dendritic RNAs, including 298 cases of 3’UTR isoform-specific localization. We extensively analyzed the localized RNAs for potential localization motifs, finding that B1 and B2 SINE elements are up to 5.7 times more abundant in localized RNA 3’UTRs than non-localized, and also functionally characterized the localized RNAs using protein structure analysis. Finally, we integrate our list of localized RNAs with the literature to provide a comprehensive list of known dendritically localized RNAs as a resource.
Factors differentiating the level of crop insurance at Polish farms
Authors: Wąs Adam , Kobus Pawel 
Published: March 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that determine demand for crop insurance in Poland.Design/methodology/approachTo examine the determinants of decisions regarding crop insurance, the authors used logistic regression. The base source of data for the analysis was the 2013 FADN sample. The scale of yield losses, the indemnities received and the Arrow-Pratt risk aversion coefficient were examined in a representative sample of farms in consecutive years in the period 2004-2013.FindingsLosses are the major determinants of crop insurance uptake. Additionally, it was observed that the economic determinants are in line with the expected utility theory, while contrary to expectations, farmer’s characteristics such as education level, age or even risk aversion did not prove to have any influence on crop insurance uptake.Research limitations/implicationsThe FADN sample is representative as regards the type of farming, economic size of farm and location of the farm. Every farm in the sample represents a specific number of similar farms in the population. However, it must be emphasised that the representativeness of the sample with respect to other determinants, e.g., yield losses in previous years, using crop insurance or the farmers’ age and education has not been verified due to lack of data characterizing the general population with regard to these factors.Practical implicationsIt could be argued that the system of crop insurance subsidies should be targeted to encourage the farmers who previously had not used insurance to join the system.Originality/valueThe paper presents the analysis of crop insurance uptake in a country with a strongly polarised agriculture. The Polish farm sector consists of 1.4 million farms with sizes ranging from 1 ha to over a few thousands hectares. The research is based on a data set of 5,202 farms which contains data from ten years (2004-2013). The novelty of the methodological approach is that it includes information on the number of farms represented by every farm in the FADN sample in the Horvitz-Thompson estimator in order to achieve results which are valid for the general population of Polish farms.
How do financially vulnerable farms finance debt in periods of falling prices?
Authors: Prager Daniel L. , Burns Christopher B. , Miller Noah J. 
Published: March 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of falling commodity prices on farm debt usage of corn and soybean farms, and how this debt usage differs based on the financial leverage of the farm.

Design/methodology/approach
Using panel data on farms surveyed at least twice in the Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) from 1996 to 2015, this paper uses a difference-in-differences approach to measure the effect of low commodity price shocks on financially vulnerable farms. To account for the correlation in the error structure between the three dependent variables (real estate debt, non-real estate debt, and interest payments) we use a seemingly unrelated regression approach.

Findings
Following a commodity price shock, financially vulnerable farms (debt-to-asset ratio greater than 40 percent) were found to increase their non-real estate debt when compared with non-financially vulnerable farms. Off-farm business income was found to help farms reduce real estate debt and interest payments in the face of these shocks.

Research limitations/implications
Data consist of corn and soybean farms surveyed more than once in the ARMS from 1996 to 2015 and are not representative of all US farms, but have similar characteristics to US commercial farms.

Social implications
The results indicate that financially vulnerable commercial crop farms respond to lower prices by taking on non-real estate debt, increasing financial stress. Well-targeted federal programs could prevent further financial stress for this group.

Originality/value
This is the first paper to use unbalanced panel data from ARMS to examine how farm debt use responds to commodity prices. This paper can inform policymakers about the financial risks to farms resulting from the current low-price environment.
Social media as tool for facilitating knowledge creation and innovation in small and medium enterprises
Authors: Papa Armando , Santoro Gabriele , Tirabeni Lia , Monge Filippo 
Published: March 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the effects of social media usage on four knowledge creation processes, namely socialisation, externalisation, combination and internalisation, and innovation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachA sample of 96 SMEs has been used to gather data through a standardised questionnaire and test the hypotheses through OLS regression models.FindingsThe results indicate that social media influence positively three out of four knowledge creation processes and that they help to foster the innovation process.Originality/valueFrom a theoretical perspective, the study contributes to literature considering a specific digital tool and its effect on knowledge creation and innovation. In fact, a few studies have considered the impact of social media usage on other variables, such as ROI and productivity, but never on knowledge creation and innovation through a quantitative study. From a managerial perspective, the research suggests managers to implement and involve social media within business and innovation processes.
Expanding horizons and expatriate adjustment
Authors: Tahir Rizwan 
Published: March 2018

PurposeExpatriate management is a popular theme in the field of international human resource management in light of the fact that expatriates play a crucial role in a MNC’s global operations. The purpose of this paper is to explore how MNCs select, train, deploy and support expatriate managers during and after their international assignment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Design/methodology/approachThis qualitative study is based on in-depth interviews with 22 Western expatriate managers who are presently based in the UAE. However, in order the ensure a diverse sample among the participants with regards to their age, professional experience, gender and nationality, purposeful sampling was utilized while selecting the participants.FindingsThe results of the present study cast light on many shortcomings of the overall expatriation process as they are implemented by MNCs in the UAE. Accordingly, there is a pressing need for MNCs in the UAE to develop strategic expatriation processes, involving the following critical factors: the selection of the right person for the right job; specific and relevant pre-departure and post-arrival cross-cultural training (CCT); practical support for the expatriate employees and their trailing spouses in the host country; and lastly, a clear repatriation strategy to mark a successful conclusion of foreign assignments in the UAE.Research limitations/implicationsIt is acknowledged that the results of this purely qualitative study, based on a relatively small sample size, cannot claim to represent the management theories, practices and realities of all the Western MNCs in the UAE. Moreover, these findings narrate the views and perceptions of this particular cohort of expatriate executives with relation to their selection, pre-departure CCT, adjustment in the UAE and the support and repatriation policies utilized by their companies for doing business in the UAE.Practical implicationsThis study points to the fact that technical skills are mostly considered to be the predominant selection criteria for the expatriate selections in the MNCs. Other abilities, such as language skills and relational and perceptual adjustability are considered to be less important and do not feature overtly in the selection criteria for expatriate positions. The results demonstrate that distinctive features of adjustability, which include expatriates’ willingness to communicate, their social orientation, dynamic anxiety resistance and openness ability are all critical to the adjustment in the host country and should be given more emphasis.Originality/valueRegardless of the presence of numerous MNCs in the UAE, it is indeed surprising to see that the topic of the expatriation management process in MNCs in the UAE has received little research attention. The objective of this study is to address this deficiency. Additionally, it is hoped that these findings may also be valuable to MNCs and consultants who are preparing expatriates for international assignments, especially in the Middle East and in particular in the UAE.
The effects of association strength on attention and product evaluation
Authors: Chang Yonghwan , Ko Yong Jae 
Published: March 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to test whether endorsements that show a low strength of association (bottom-up bias) benefit from increased attention and processing efforts. The current study also tested whether consumer involvement level (top-down bias) dynamically interacts with the bottom-up attention phenomena.

Design/methodology/approach
Through a series of pretests, 36 potential celebrity-product matches were identified using real athletes and product brands. Two experiments were conducted: 330 individual responses (110 participants × three conditions) were obtained in a within-subjects lab experiment, and 868 participants were recruited for a between-subjects online experiment. Linear mixed modeling and moderated mediation analysis were performed.

Findings
The relationships between the strength of image associations and attention time to endorsements and recall and choice consideration of endorsed brands were U-shaped and curvilinear. Attention largely mediated the relationship between the strength of association and recall/choice. Involvement effects were diluted by the strength of association effects, rejecting top-down attentional control.

Practical implications
Brand managers for both products and celebrities are recommended to search for corresponding not only image-matched partners but also endorsement partners with dissonant pre-existing images.

Originality/value
The majority of the existing endorsement literature has conventionally suggested that congruence between the endorser and the endorsed property, rather than incongruence, induces consumers’ positive endorsement evaluation. This study constructs important theoretical advancements to the existing literature by empirically proving that through an attentional process, an endorsement contract, conventionally perceived as mismatched, can also generate positive outcomes.
In retrospect: a case of merger in higher education
Authors: Leslie Heather , Abu-Rahma Ali , Jaleel Bushra 
Published: March 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the merger of two distinct higher education institutions. The change process was studied from the perspective of multiple stakeholders, and its major outcomes were evaluated in terms of various dimensions of success.

Design/methodology/approach
The study uses a qualitative research design. For the purpose of data collection, semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions were used, targeting key decisions makers that led the change process. Additionally, university constituents, comprising students, faculty, and staff who were present during the merger, were invited to participate in an online survey.

Findings
Findings indicate that, although the merger deal appeared good on paper, it was not executed as well as it could have been, and the aftermath yielded lower than expected returns. The systems were not integrated properly, and cultural elements were overlooked, resulting in an anomic organizational environment, in place of what should have been a more cohesive academic community. The study establishes that institutions considering a merger should ensure that effective leadership is put in place to manage the implementation and that the cultures and identities are addressed and integrated as early as possible.

Research limitations/implications
Although the findings of this study are limited to the case of one university, it forms an illustrative example for other institutions that are undergoing or considering major change. Recommendations are given to avoid the pitfalls of merger in areas such as integration, identity and, leadership.

Originality/value
Contemporary research establishes mergers as one of the most crucial change processes a university goes through. This study contributes to the literature by using a micro-level approach to study an institutional merger and targeting the perception of key university constituencies, thereby providing in-depth analysis and a multidimensional outlook.