bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatio-temporal MAPK dynamics mediate cell behavior coordination during fungal somatic cell fusion
Authors: Serrano Antonio , Illgen Julia , Brandt Ulrike , Thieme Nils , Letz Anja , Lichius Alexander , Read Nick D. , Fleißner André 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT
Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are conserved regulators of proliferation, differentiation and adaptation in eukaryotic cells. Their activity often involves changes in their subcellular localization, indicating an important role for these spatio-temporal dynamics in signal transmission. A striking model illustrating these dynamics is somatic cell fusion in Neurospora crassa. Germinating spores of this fungus rapidly alternate between signal sending and receiving, thereby establishing a cell-cell dialog, which involves the alternating membrane recruitment of the MAPK MAK-2 in both fusion partners. Here, we show that the dynamic translocation of MAK-2 is essential for coordinating the behavior of the fusion partners before physical contact. The activation and function of the kinase strongly correlate with its subcellular localization, indicating a crucial contribution of the MAPK dynamics in establishing regulatory feedback loops, which establish the oscillatory signaling mode. In addition, we provide evidence that MAK-2 not only contributes to cell-cell communication, but also mediates cell-cell fusion. The MAK-2 dynamics significantly differ between these two processes, suggesting a role for the MAPK in switching of the cellular program between communication and fusion.
Split-Award Auctions: Insights from Theory and Experiments
Authors: Chaturvedi Aadhaar , Katok Elena , Beil Damian R. 
Published: March 2018

We investigate procurement in a setting in which the buyer is bound by sourcing rules. Sourcing rules may limit the minimum and maximum amounts of business that can be awarded to a single supplier or dictate the minimum number of suppliers who are awarded business, thus necessitating split awards. The buyer announces the splits before the auction, and suppliers bid accordingly. We consider two auction formats: the sealed-bid first-price auction, and a version of the open-bid descending-price auction. We characterize the suppliers’ symmetric equilibrium bidding strategy for both formats and find that the two formats yield the same expected buyer’s cost. We characterize the cost of multisourcing, showing among other things that it is always costly for the buyer to split its award among more suppliers if the suppliers’ costs are regularly distributed, but that doing so can actually reduce the buyer’s expected auction payment if the suppliers’ costs are not regularly distributed. The results from controlled laboratory experiments, involving human subjects, indicate that expected cost equivalence fails when costs are regularly distributed because suppliers bid more aggressively in the sealed-bid auction. However, for split-award auctions with nonregularly distributed costs, the sealed-bid prices are actually higher than predicted by theory. We explain these mismatches between observations and theory through a behavioral model based on bidders’ aversion to anticipated regret. The experimental results indicate that the theory does a good job of predicting the relationship between the buyer’s average cost and the award splits, as well as the cost of multisourcing. Importantly, the experiments confirm that when suppliers’ costs come from a nonregular distribution, it may be to the buyer’s advantage to diversify the supply base more than is strictly necessitated by sourcing rules. The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2017.2932 . This paper was accepted by Vishal Gaur, operations management.
Karakterisasi Dan Identifikasi Molekuler Fusan Hasil Fusi Protoplas Interspesies Chlorella pyrenoidosa dan Chlorella vulgaris Menggunakan 18SrDNA
Authors: Rismiarti Asih , Kusumaningrum Hermin Pancasakti , Zainuri Muhammad 
Published: March 2018

Chlorella pyrenoidosa is a unicellular green algae that grows in fresh water with carotenoids consisting of β-carotene, α-carotene, anthaxanthin, neoxanthin, zeaxanthin and lutein. C. vulgaris usually it lives in sea water with carotenoids, chlorophyll, tocopherol, ubiquinone and proteins. The quality of them is improved by protoplast fusion and identified further using moleculer analysis. This study aims to find out the characterization and identification of molecular fusan that is obtained from interspecies C. pyrenoidosa and C. vulgaris protoplast fusion process using 18SrDNA. Both C. pyrenoidosa and C. vulgaris are combined by protoplast fusion and then they were performed the isolation of DNA with CTAB modification method, followed by PCR gradient using primers 18S Chlorella and performed DNA sequencing. The result show that there are different characters between masterplan and fusan based on growth of fresh water and sea water medium. The success frequency of fusan as a result from protoplast fusion in the fresh water media is 21% and 6% for sea water medium. The results of the alignment between fresh water fusan and C. vulgaris masterplan from GeneBank shows that the base sequence homology is 93% C. pyrenoidosa masterplan from GeneBank is 90%. The result of molecular identification towards the sequence of fresh water fusan bases shows that there is a kinship relationship with the masterplan of C. pyrenoidosa 18S Chlorella and Chlorosphaera klebsii microalgae compared with some other species from Chlorophyta group with similarity value as many as 91%. It shows that the high variety genetic is based on variations of the base sequence and has a kinship with other species in the Chlorophyta group. Keywords : Chlorella pyrenoidosa, Chlorella vulgaris, Protoplast Fusion, DNA Sequensing, 18SrDNA.
Towards Biofilm Spectroscopy – A Novel Microfluidic Approach for Characterizing Biofilm Subpopulation by Microwave-Based Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Richter Christiane , Schneider Stefan , Rapp Bastian E. , Schmidt Sönke , Schüßler Martin , Jakoby Rolf , Bruchmann Julia , Bischer Moritz , Schwartz Thomas 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn this work three disciplines – microfluidics, microbiology and microwave engineering – are utilized to develop a system for analyzing subpopulations of biofilms and their reaction to antibiotic treatment. We present handling strategies to destabilize a biofilm inside a microfluidic system down to aggregate sizes of<10 µm2as well as microfluidic structures for the flow-through filtration of the resulting cell suspensions. For the analysis of the cell populations by microwave electrical impedance spectroscopy, two novel calibration schemes are demonstrated to cover both, reflection as well as transmission measurements of dielectric fluids. The broadband calibration strategies are solely based on liquid standards and allow a precise long-term monitoring with a resolution up to${\text{ }}\Delta \varepsilon = 6$ ‰, while the error is kept below$\Delta = 1.5$ ‰ at${\ }5{\ }{\rm GHz}$. Combining these three research topics therefore will open up new ways for analyzing biofilm effects.
Metabolic syndrome, leptin-insulin resistance and uric acid: a trinomial foe for Algerian city-dweller adolescents’ health
Authors: Bouhenni Hamida , Daoudi Hadjer , Djemai Haidar , Rouabah Abdelkader , Vitiello Damien , Rouabah Leila 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundAdolescence is one of the critical periods where increased risk for long-term obesity-related complications is an important health concern. This highlights the need to perform early diagnostics based on precise biomarkers to decrease the risk of complications in adolescents with obesity.ObjectiveTo determine the relationships between serum levels of uric acid (UA), leptin and insulin with metabolic syndrome (MS) components in Algerian adolescents.SubjectsNondiabetic adolescents (n = 204).MethodsBlood pressure (BP) and anthropometric measurements were performed using standardized techniques. Blood samples were taken for determination of glycemia, triglyceridemia, uricemia, cholesterolemia, leptinemia and insulinemia.ResultsThe rate of MS among an excess weight group was 17.4% [95% confidence interval (CI)]. Serum levels of UA, leptin and insulin were significantly higher in the excess weight group compared to a normal weight group (279.4 ± 86.05 vs. 204.9 ± 50.34 μmol/L and 25.65 ± 14.01 vs. 4.09 ± 2.60 μg/L, p < 0.001; 24.58 ± 13.85 vs. 13.34 ± 6.41 μIU/L, p < 0.05). Serum levels of UA, leptin and insulin were significantly higher in adolescents with MS compared to those without MS (304.86 ± 111.41 vs. 224.72 ± 77.81 μmol/L, 30.26 ± 12.46 vs. 16.93 ± 14.97 μg/L and 30.91 ± 17.30 vs. 18.71 ± 10.14 μIU/L, p < 0.05, respectively). Significant correlations were found between UA and leptin with waist circumference (r = 0.50 and 0.76), diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.58 and 0.43), triglycerides (r = 0.42 and 0.35) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (r = −0.36 and −0.35).ConclusionSerum levels of UA and leptin may be useful biomarkers for early diagnosis of the risk of MS in our Algerian adolescent population.
Optimization of deformation monitoring networks using finite element strain analysis
Authors: Alizadeh-Khameneh M. Amin , Eshagh Mehdi , Jensen Anna B. O. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
An optimal design of a geodetic network can fulfill the requested precision and reliability of the network, and decrease the expenses of its execution by removing unnecessary observations. The role of an optimal design is highlighted in deformation monitoring network due to the repeatability of these networks. The core design problem is how to define precision and reliability criteria. This paper proposes a solution, where the precision criterion is defined based on the precision of deformation parameters, i. e. precision of strain and differential rotations. A strain analysis can be performed to obtain some information about the possible deformation of a deformable object. In this study, we split an area into a number of three-dimensional finite elements with the help of the Delaunay triangulation and performed the strain analysis on each element. According to the obtained precision of deformation parameters in each element, the precision criterion of displacement detection at each network point is then determined. The developed criterion is implemented to optimize the observations from the Global Positioning System (GPS) in Skåne monitoring network in Sweden. The network was established in 1989 and straddled the Tornquist zone, which is one of the most active faults in southern Sweden. The numerical results show that 17 out of all 21 possible GPS baseline observations are sufficient to detect minimum 3 mm displacement at each network point.
High-Sensitivity Troponins after a Standardized 2-Hour Treadmill Run
Authors: Broz Pavel , Rajdl Daniel , Novak Jaroslav , Hromadka Milan , Racek Jaroslav , Trefil Ladislav , Zeman Vaclav 
Published: March 2018

Summary
The aim of this study was to examine high-sensitivity troponin T and I (hsTnT and hsTnI) after a treadmill run under laboratory conditions and to find a possible connection with echocardiographic, laboratory and other assessed parameters. Nineteen trained men underwent a standardized 2-hour-long treadmill run. Concentrations of hsTnT and hsTnI were assessed before the run, 60, 120 and 180 minutes after the start and 24 hours after the run. Changes in troponins were tested using non-parametric analysis of variance (ANOVA). The multiple linear regression model was used to find the explanatory variables for hsTnT and hsTnI changes. Values of troponins were evaluated using the 0h/1h algorithm. Changes in hsTnT and hsTnI levels were statistically significant (p<0.0001 and p<0.0001, respectively). In a multiple regression model (adjusted R2: 0.60, p=0.005 for hsTnT and adjusted R2: 0.60, p=0.005 for hsTnI), changes in both troponins can be explained by relative left wall thickness (LV), training volume, body temperature after the run and creatinine changes. According to the 0h/1h algorithm, none of the runners was evaluated as negative. Relative LV wall thickness, creatinine changes, training volume and body temperature after the run can predict changes in hsTnT and hsTnI levels. When medical attention is needed after physical exercise, hsTn levels should be tested only when clinical suspicion and the patient’s history indicate a high probability of myocardial damage.
Assessment of Serum Levels of the Adipocytokine Chemerin in Colorectal Cancer Patients
Authors: Alkady Manal M. , Abdel-Messeih Phebe L. , Nosseir Neveen M. 
Published: March 2018

Summary
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. The tumor microenvironment is very important for determining cancer cell growth and spreading. Chemerin, a newly identified adipokine secreted by adipose tissue, is known to be associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance. The present study was carried out to investigate the association between serum levels of chemerin and colorectal cancer. Thirty-two patients with colorectal cancer aged 57.6±6.5 years, and twenty age, sex and BMI matched healthy controls were included in the study. Serum che me rin levels were determined using enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were determined using a turbidimetric immunoassay. Carcino embryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA 19-9) were measured by radioimmunoassay. Chemerin levels were found to be significantly higher in patients relative to the controls (P<0.001) and gradually increased with the TNM tumor stage progression. The mean CRP, CEA and CA 19-9 levels were also significantly higher in patients (P<0.001). There was a significant correlation between the serum levels of chemerin and the other measured parameters in CRC patients. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) for serum chemerin was 1 at a cut-off value ≥ 161.5 with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Conclusions: The observed results suggest that chemerin may have a potential role in the pathogenesis and progression of colorectal malignancy and may be a good biomarker of colorectal cancer and stage progression.
Arcuate Fasciculus in Autism Spectrum Disorder Toddlers with Language Regression
Authors: Zhang Lin , Li Kailong , Zhang Chengqi , Qi Xianlong , Zheng Ning , Wang Guangbin 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Language regression is observed in a subset of toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as initial symptom. However, such a phenomenon has not been fully explored, partly due to the lack of definite diagnostic evaluation methods and criteria. Materials and Methods: Fifteen toddlers with ASD exhibiting language regression and fourteen age-matched typically developing (TD) controls underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). DTI parameters including fractional anisotropy (FA), average fiber length (AFL), tract volume (TV) and number of voxels (NV) were analyzed by Neuro 3D in Siemens syngo workstation. Subsequently, the data were analyzed by using IBM SPSS Statistics 22. Results: Compared with TD children, a significant reduction of FA along with an increase in TV and NV was observed in ASD children with language regression. Note that there were no significant differences between ASD and TD children in AFL of the arcuate fasciculus (AF). Conclusions: These DTI changes in the AF suggest that microstructural anomalies of the AF white matter may be associated with language deficits in ASD children exhibiting language regression starting from an early age.
Application of aerial hyperspectral images in monitoring tree biophysical parameters in urban areas
Authors: Jarocińska Anna , Białczak Małgorzata , Sławik Łukasz 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Monitoring of trees in urban areas can be conducted using remote sensing, but should be supported by field measurements. The article aims to present the research method used to evaluate discolouration and defoliation of trees and tree damage in the city of Białystok in Poland. The analyses were done using AISA hyperspectral images. Field measurements encompassed determining the locations, species and levels of discolouration and defoliation of trees. Remote sensing indices of vegetation were calculated and correlated with the field-measured values of discolouration and defoliation. Based on that, values of discolouration and defoliation were calculated and evaluated against the field studies. The RMSE of the acquired data was around 16%. Using parameter values, a map of tree damage was drawn up. Based on the analysis, it can be stated that a significant number of trees is undamaged, although a large portion of the trees falls into the warning class.
Adaptation to Noise in Human Speech Recognition Unrelated to the Medial Olivocochlear Reflex
Authors: Marrufo-Pérez Miriam I. , Eustaquio-Martín Almudena , Lopez-Poveda Enrique A. 
Published: March 2018

Sensory systems constantly adapt their responses to the current environment. In hearing, adaptation may facilitate communication in noisy settings, a benefit frequently (but controversially) attributed to the medial olivocochlear reflex (MOCR) enhancing the neural representation of speech. Here, we show that human listeners (N= 14; five male) recognize more words presented monaurally in ipsilateral, contralateral, and bilateral noise when they are given some time to adapt to the noise. This finding challenges models and theories that claim that speech intelligibility in noise is invariant over time. In addition, we show that this adaptation to the noise occurs also for words processed to maintain the slow-amplitude modulations in speech (the envelope) disregarding the faster fluctuations (the temporal fine structure). This demonstrates that noise adaptation reflects an enhancement of amplitude modulation speech cues and is unaffected by temporal fine structure cues. Last, we show that cochlear implant users (N= 7; four male) show normal monaural adaptation to ipsilateral noise. Because the electrical stimulation delivered by cochlear implants is independent from the MOCR, this demonstrates that noise adaptation does not require the MOCR. We argue that noise adaptation probably reflects adaptation of the dynamic range of auditory neurons to the noise level statistics.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTPeople find it easier to understand speech in noisy environments when they are given some time to adapt to the noise. This benefit is frequently but controversially attributed to the medial olivocochlear efferent reflex enhancing the representation of speech cues in the auditory nerve. Here, we show that the adaptation to noise reflects an enhancement of the slow fluctuations in amplitude over time that are present in speech. In addition, we show that adaptation to noise for cochlear implant users is not statistically different from that for listeners with normal hearing. Because the electrical stimulation delivered by cochlear implants is independent from the medial olivocochlear efferent reflex, this demonstrates that adaptation to noise does not require this reflex.
Genetic Dissection of a Supergene ImplicatesTfap2ain Craniofacial Evolution of Threespine Sticklebacks
Authors: Erickson Priscilla A , Baek Jiyeon , Hart James C , Cleves Phillip A , Miller Craig T 
Published: March 2018

AbstractGenomic regions that regulate multiple traits, called supergenes, have been found in a range of organisms, including threespine stickleback fish. Here, Erickson et al. show that closely linked but genetically separable changes in ...In nature, multiple adaptive phenotypes often coevolve and can be controlled by tightly linked genetic loci known as supergenes. Dissecting the genetic basis of these linked phenotypes is a major challenge in evolutionary genetics. Multiple freshwater populations of threespine stickleback fish (Gasterosteus aculeatus) have convergently evolved two constructive craniofacial traits, longer branchial bones and increased pharyngeal tooth number, likely as adaptations to dietary differences between marine and freshwater environments. Prior QTL mapping showed that both traits are partially controlled by overlapping genomic regions on chromosome 21 and that a regulatory change in Bmp6 likely underlies the tooth number QTL. Here, we mapped the branchial bone length QTL to a 155 kb, eight-gene interval tightly linked to, but excluding the coding regions of Bmp6 and containing the candidate gene Tfap2a. Further recombinant mapping revealed this bone length QTL is separable into at least two loci. During embryonic and larval development, Tfap2a was expressed in the branchial bone primordia, where allele specific expression assays revealed the freshwater allele of Tfap2a was expressed at lower levels relative to the marine allele in hybrid fish. Induced loss-of-function mutations in Tfap2a revealed an essential role in stickleback craniofacial development and show that bone length is sensitive to Tfap2a dosage in heterozygotes. Combined, these results suggest that closely linked but genetically separable changes in Bmp6 and Tfap2a contribute to a supergene underlying evolved skeletal gain in multiple freshwater stickleback populations.
Effect of Growing Medium and Harvest Term on Yield and Several Quality Traits of Two Cultivars of â€˜â€˜Cherryâ€™â€™ Tomatoes
Authors: MAZUR Katarzyna Z. , GAJEWSKI Marek , METERA Agata M. , WTULICH Jolanta A. , MARCINKOWSKA Monika M. 
Published: March 2018

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of growing medium in greenhouse cultivation on the yield and fruits qualityÂ of â€œcherryâ€ tomato two cultivars. Cultivars â€˜Dasher F1â€™ and â€˜Pareso F1â€™ were chosen for the experiment. The growing mediums comparedÂ were: standard mineral wool slabs and coconut fibre slabs, chosen as an environmentally friendly alternative to mineral wool. TomatoÂ seeds were sown in December; seedlings were planted to the experimental greenhouse in January. The fruits were harvested at 5thÂ stage ofÂ maturity, according to USDA classification (i.e. â€˜light-redâ€™), and subjected to analyses. Harvest terms for quality evaluation of the fruitsÂ were June and September. There were determined for the fruits: total and marketable yield, and quality parameters: pH of the fruit juice,Â titratable acidity, total sugars, soluble solids, total phenolic acids, lycopene, Î±-carotene and Î²-carotene contents. The results showed thatÂ the fruits harvested in September showed a higher dry matter and carotenoid content that the fruits harvested in June. However, theÂ fruits harvested in June were characterized by a higher total sugars content, higher pH of the juice and higher soluble solids content. TheÂ plants grown in both mediums had fruits of similar quality, but the plants grown in coconut fibre showed noticeably higher total yield.Â Therefore, it can be concluded that the coconut fibre can be used as the environmentally friendly medium for greenhouse cultivation ofÂ â€˜cherryâ€™ tomatoes, the alternative to mineral wool.