bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Parental infections disrupt clustered genes encoding related functions required for nervous system development in newborns
Authors: Friedenson Bernard 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to understand the role of infection in the origin of chromosomal anomalies linked to neurodevelopmental disorders. In children with disorders in the development of their nervous systems, chromosome anomalies known to cause these disorders were compared to viruses and bacteria including known teratogens. Results support the explanation that parental infections disrupt elaborate multi-system gene coordination needed for neurodevelopment. Genes essential for neurons, lymphatic drainage, immunity, circulation, angiogenesis, cell barriers, structure, and chromatin activity were all found close together in polyfunctional clusters that were deleted in neurodevelopmental disorders. These deletions account for immune, circulatory, and structural deficits that accompany neurologic deficits. In deleted gene clusters, specific and repetitive human DNA matched infections and passed rigorous artifact tests. In some patients, epigenetic driver mutations were found and may be functionally equivalent to deleting a cluster or changing topologic chromatin interactions because they change access to large chromosome segments. In three families, deleted DNA sequences were associated with intellectual deficits and were not included in any database of genomic variants. These sequences were thousands of bp and unequivocally matched foreign DNAs. Analogous homologies were also found in chromosome anomalies of a recurrent neurodevelopmental disorder. Viral and bacterial DNAs that match repetitive or specific human DNA segments are thus proposed to interfere with highly active break repair during meiosis; sometimes delete polyfunctional clusters, and disable epigenetic drivers. Mis-repaired gametes produce zygotes containing rare chromosome anomalies which cause neurologic disorders and accompanying non-neurologic signs. Neurodevelopmental disorders may be examples of assault on the human genome by foreign DNA with some infections more likely tolerated because they resemble human DNA segments. Further tests of this model await new technology.Graphic Abstract
The Caspase-3 homolog DrICE regulates endocytic trafficking duringDrosophilatracheal morphogenesis
Authors: McSharry Saoirse S. , Beitel Greg J. 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTAlthough well known for its role in apoptosis, the executioner caspase DrICE has a non-apoptotic function that is required for elongation of the epithelial tubes of theDrosophilatracheal system. Here, we show that DrICE acts downstream of the Hippo Network to regulate endocytic trafficking of at least four cell polarity, cell junction and apical extracellular matrix proteins involved in tracheal tube size control: Crumbs, Uninflatable, Kune-Kune and Serpentine. We further show that tracheal cells are competent to undergo apoptosis, even though developmentally-regulated DrICE function rarely kills tracheal cells. Our results reveal a novel developmental role for caspases, a previously unidentified pool of DrICE that colocalizes with Clathrin, and a mechanism by which the Hippo Network controls endocytic trafficking. Given published reports ofin vitroregulation of endocytosis by mammalian caspases during apoptosis, we propose that caspase-mediated regulation of endocytic trafficking is an evolutionarily conserved function of caspases that can be deployed during morphogenesis.
Temporal correlation of elevated PRMT1 gene expression with mushroom body neurogenesis during bumblebee brain development
Authors: Guan Cui , Egertová Michaela , Perry Clint J. , Chittka Lars , Chittka Alexandar 
Published: October 2018

AbstractProper neural development in insects depends on the controlled proliferation and differentiation of neural precursors. In holometabolous insects, these processes must be coordinated during larval and pupal development. Recently, protein arginine methylation has come into focus as an important mechanism of controlling neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation in mammals. Whether a similar mechanism is at work in insects is unknown. We investigated this possibility by determining the expression pattern of three protein arginine methyltransferase mRNAs(PRMT1, 4and 5) in the developing brain of bumblebees byin situhybridisation. We detected expression in neural precursors and neurons in functionally important brain areas throughout development. We found markedly higher expression ofPRMT1, but notPRMT4andPRMT5, in regions of mushroom bodies containing dividing cells during pupal stages at the time of active neurogenesis within this brain area. At later stages of development,PRMT1expression levels were found to be uniform and did not correlate with actively dividing cells. Our study suggests a role for PRMT1 in regulating neural precursor divisions in the mushroom bodies of bumblebees during the period of neurogenesis.
The role of tactile interactions in flight responses in the Bronze Cory catfish(Corydoras aeneus)
Authors: Riley RJ , Gillie ER , Jungwirth A , Savage J , Boogert NJ , Manica A 
Published: October 2018

AbstractOne of the primary functions of animal aggregations is defense against predators. Many social animals enjoy reduced predation risk as a result of grouping, and individuals within groups can benefit from information transferred by their group-mates about a potential predator. We present evidence that a tactile interaction behavior we term ‘nudging’ substantially modified group responses to a potential threat in a highly social catfish species,Corydoras aeneus. These catfish deployed nudges during flight responses, and these nudges were associated with a greater likelihood of group cohesion following a threat event. Increased nudging behavior resulted in longer flight responses. In addition, individuals that perceived the threat first were more likely to initiate nudges, implying that nudges could be used to alert group-mates to the presence of a threat. Taken together, our results suggest that tactile communication plays an important role in gaining anti-predator benefits from sociality in these fish.
Pesticide exposure affects flight dynamics and reduces flight endurance in bumblebees
Authors: Kenna Daniel , Cooley Hazel , Pretelli Ilaria , Rodrigues Ana Ramos , Gill Steve D. , Gill Richard J. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe emergence of agricultural land use change creates a number of challenges that insect pollinators, such as eusocial bees, must overcome. Resultant fragmentation and loss of suitable foraging habitats, combined with pesticide exposure, may increase demands on foraging, specifically the ability to reach resources under such stress. Understanding the effect that pesticides have on flight performance is therefore vital if we are to assess colony success in these changing landscapes. Neonicotinoids are one of the most widely used classes of pesticide across the globe, and exposure to bees has been associated with reduced foraging efficiency and homing ability. One explanation for these effects could be that elements of flight are being affected, but apart from a couple of studies on the honeybee, this has scarcely been tested. Here we used flight mills to investigate how exposure to a field realistic (10ppb) acute dose of imidacloprid affected flight performance of a wild insect pollinator - the bumblebee,Bombus terrestris audax. Intriguingly, intial observations showed exposed workers flew at a significantly higher velocity over the first ¾ km of flight. This apparent hyperactivity, however, may have a cost as exposed workers showed reduced flight distance and duration to around a third of what control workers were capable of achieving. Given that bumblebees are central place foragers, impairment to flight endurance could translate to a decline in potential forage area, decreasing the abundance, diversity and nutritional quality of available food, whilst potentially diminishing pollination service capabilities.Summary StatementAcute neonicotinoid exposure impaired flight endurance and affected velocity ofBombus terrestrisworkers, which may dramatically reduce colony foraging potential and pollination provision in pesticide applied landscapes.
Effects of age on the green autofluorescence of the skin and fingernails of healthy persons
Authors: Zhang Mingchao , Tao Yue , Wu Danhong , Li Yujia , Chen Xingdong , Ying Weihai 
Published: October 2018

AbstractOur recent studies have suggested that altered Pattern of Autofluorescence (AF) of skin and fingernails are novel biomarkers of multiple major diseases. The age of all of the subjects in these studies ranges from 50 to 80 years of old. For future studies on the potential diagnostic value of green AF for age-independent diseases, it is required to answer the following question: Are there differences in the green AF of healthy persons of various age populations? In our current study, we determined the green AF of the skin and fingernails of healthy persons in several age populations, showing significant age dependence of the AF: First, the green AF intensity of the age group between 15 to 20 years of old is significantly higher than that of the age group between 50 to 80 years of old at both right and left Centremetacarpus, right Dorsal Centremetacarpus, and right Dorsal Index Finger. Second, for the green AF intensity of the age groups of 15 to 20 years of old, 60 to 70 years of old, 70 to 80 years of old, and 81 to 85 years of old, the green AF intensity is negatively correlated with the age at both right and left Centremetacarpus and right Dorsal Centremetacarpus. Collectively, our study has provided first evidence indicating the age dependence of the AF intensity of human’s skin, which has established essential basis for the studies that determine the diagnostic value of the green AF for the age-independent diseases.
Investigating the cytotoxic effects of the venom proteome of two species of theViperidaefamily (Cerastes cerastesandCryptelytrops purpureomaculatus) from various habitats
Authors: Ozverel Cenk Serhan , Damm Maik , Hempel Benjamin-Florian , Göçmen Bayram , Sroka Robert , Süssmuth Roderich D. , Nalbantsoy Ayse 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAnimal secretions are of great interest in terms of drug development due to their complex protein and peptide composition. Especially, in the field of therapeutic medications such as anti-cancer drugs snake venoms receive attention. In this study we report of twoViperidaespecies from various habitats with a particular focus on the cytotoxic potential along with the decomplexation of the venom proteome: the horned desert viper (Cerastes cerastes), native to desert regions of North Africa and the mangrove pit viper (Cryptelytrops purpureomaculatus), found in coastal forests of Southeast Asia. Initial cytotoxic screenings of the crude venoms revealed diverse activity, with the highest effect against SHSY5Y human glioblastoma carcinoma cells compared to other cancerous and non-cancerous cell lines. In-depth cytotoxicity studies of SHSY5Y cells with purified venom fractions revealed dimeric disintegrins fromC. cerastesvenom which exerted a high cytotoxic activity with IC50values from 0.11 to 0.58µM and the disintegrins-like effect on SHSY5Y morphology was observed due to cell detachment. Furthermore, two polyproline BPP-related peptides, one PLA2and a peptide-rich fraction were determined forC. purpureomaculatuswith moderate IC50values between 3-51µM. Additionally, the decryption of the venom proteomes by snake venomic mass spectrometry and comparison of same species from different habitats revealed slight differences in the composition.
Influence of human resource development (HRD) practices on hotel industry’s performance
Authors: Otoo Frank Nana Kweku , Mishra Mridula 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating role of employee competencies in the association between human resource development (HRD) practices and organizational performance.Design/methodology/approachAn integrated research model was developed by combining principal factors from existing literature. Data were collected through questionnaire from 600 employees of the selected hotels. The validity of the model and hypotheses was tested using structural equation modeling. The reliability and validity of the dimensions are established through confirmatory factor analysis.FindingsThe results indicate that some HRD practices impact organizational performance through their influence on employee competencies. The study further revealed that employee competencies mediate the association between HRD practices and organizational performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe research was undertaken in the hotel industry and the analysis based on cross-sectional data which cannot be generalized across a broader range of sectors.Practical implicationsThe findings of the study have the potential to help stakeholders and management of hotels in adopting properly and well-articulated HRD practices to stimulate positive behavior in individuals and impact their knowledge, skills and attitudes.Originality/valueThis study extends the literature by adducing evidence that employee competencies mediated the association between HRD practices and organizational performance of the hotel industry in Ghana.
Scenario-planning in strategic decision-making: requirements, benefits and inhibitors
Authors: Meyerowitz Danielle , Lew Charlene , Svensson Göran 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the corporate requirements, benefits and inhibitors of scenario planning in strategic decision-making.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on a sample of 15 case studies with executives in the South African context to reveal the perceived corporate requirements, benefits and inhibitors of scenario-planning.FindingsFrom the cases, it is evident that industry-, organizational- and leadership-related factors enable or inhibit scenario planning. Requirements, benefits and inhibitors are revealed in strategic decision-making.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research to determine supportive tools and technologies for enabling scenario-planning across multiple contexts is needed.Practical implicationsThis paper expands insights into the requirements, benefits and inhibitors of scenario-planning in strategic decision-making.Originality/valueGiven the increasing complexity of the business environment, a framework of scenario-thinking is presented and recommend greater emphasis on developing strategic decision-making competence, changed mindsets and organizational agility.
Individual law: an Islamic Sufi approach
Authors: Bidabad Bijan 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to show how individual law is defined in Islam. Individual law includes a set of human rights that the government is bound to vindicate by duty. Islamic law approach is how human beings transcendence, and freedom may be formed wisely.

Design/methodology/approach
Spiritual flourishing is the goal of Islamic Sufism. The main topics of individual freedom are discussed here are freedom of opinion, will, religion, speech, meeting, minorities, rule of law, equality before law, rights resulted from implementing justice, ownership and self-determination of destiny and jobs, which are explained through the Islamic Sufism viewpoint.

Findings
By comparing individual law in Islamic law with the other law schools, transcendence of the former is more clarified.

Research limitations/implications
Comparative research of the other religions’ gnosticism will develop the paradigm.

Practical implications
The principles highlighted in this study can be used for applied debates in the field to promote individual law for understanding and recompilation.

Social implications
Delicateness, truthfulness and righteousness of Islamic Sufism may turn the attentions of scholars and researchers to this rich viewpoint.

Originality/value
Individual law scholars have not touched the topic from this viewpoint. This paper opens new challenging area.
India’s services: sector, trade and employment
Authors: Maiti Moinak 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to detail about the India’s service sector with different aspects of services and the opportunities or challenges that lie within it.

Design/methodology/approach
Preliminary part of the study covers the following details of the India’s services sector: services gross domestic product (GDP), individual states/union territories’ services contributions, services foreign direct investment (FDI), services export, services employment, services inflation and overall service performance. Then the study compares India’s services sector performances with the top 15 services performance countries in the world in terms of GDP.

Findings
Study found R&D services, legal services, media and broadcasting services and “internal trade and repairs services” to be the potential services sub-sectors that will boost the services sector growth in future. Finally, the study concluded with the implication of the present study finding/results for the present Indian Government policies related to the services, trade, FDI for economic growth and employment.

Practical implications
The study has significant public policy content. The research focuses on the economic and commercial impact, mainly by practice.

Originality/value
The paper is original and brings out some valuable finding that will help the policymakers and economists to make policy decision regarding India’s services: sector, trade and employment. The study has found R&D services, legal services, media & broadcasting services and internal trade and repairs services as the potential services sub-sectors which are new and not addressed by any other studies.
A critical examination of the regulation of Ponzi scheme in Mauritius
Authors: Uppiah Valerie 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the regulation of the financial crime of Ponzi scheme in Mauritius. Contrary to money laundering which has a legal framework to combat it, for Ponzi scheme, there is no specific legal mechanism to combat this particular financial crime. Therefore, the aim of the paper is to provide for an analysis of Ponzi scheme which includes, inter alia, the definition of a Ponzi scheme, its modus operandi and how it should be tackled. Focus will be placed on devising a specific legal framework for it in Mauritius.Design/methodology/approachThe research method used to conduct this research and write this paper is a black letter legal research method. An analysis of several laws and cases is carried out so as to provide for the legal background of the research.FindingsThe investigation conducted in this paper will lead to the conclusion that Mauritius has to devise a law which will specifically combat Ponzi schemes. This law shall provide for the ways to counter this financial crime as well as the duties of the various financial supervisory bodies.Originality/valueThe paper provides for an analysis of the operation of Ponzi scheme in the Mauritian context. The paper also examines the existing legal framework that combats this financial crime in Mauritius and highlights its strengths and weaknesses.
Individual resources, property rights and entrepreneurship in China
Authors: Sahasranamam Sreevas , Raman G. Venkat 
Published: October 2018

PurposeIn the last decade, the Chinese Government enacted two rule-based policy changes related to property rights, namely, a constitutional amendment to protect the lawful rights of the private sector in 2004 and a property rights law in 2007. Using property rights theory, the purpose of this paper is to hypothesize the contingent effect that these property rights changes have on the investment of individual human and financial capital toward entrepreneurship. In addition, this study also explores whether property rights changes have a differential effect on the two forms of entrepreneurship, namely, opportunity and necessity entrepreneurship.Design/methodology/approachThis research uses logit regression analysis on a two-period model using the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) database to test these effects.FindingsContrary to existing evidence from western contexts, this study finds that property rights changes have a significant influence on the investment of both forms of capital toward necessity entrepreneurship in China.Research limitations/implicationsThe use of a secondary database like GEM has certain limitations, such as the non-availability of data on a longitudinal basis, and the need to operationalize certain constructs like social and financial capital as non-continuous variables.Originality/valueThere has been limited research on the phenomena of necessity entrepreneurship in economies such as that of China. The findings of this study highlight that property rights protection is equally important for necessity entrepreneurship in institutional contexts like China.