bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The nidogen-domain containing protein DEX-1 is required for epidermal remodeling inC. elegansdauers
Authors: Flatt Kristen M. , Beshers Caroline , Unal Cagla , Schroeder Nathan E. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPhenotypic plasticity is a critical component of an organism’s ability to thrive in an ever-changing environment. The free-living nematode,Caenorhabditis elegans, adapts to unfavorable environmental conditions by pausing reproductive development and entering a stress-resistant larval stage known as dauer. The transition into dauer is marked by vast morphological changes – including remodeling of epidermis, neurons and muscle. Though many of these dauer-specific traits have been described, the molecular basis of dauer-specific remodeling is still poorly understood. Here we show that the nidogen-domain containing protein DEX-1 functions downstream of the dauer decision to facilitate stage-specific tissue remodeling during dauer morphogenesis. DEX-1 was previously shown to regulate sensory dendrite formation during embryogenesis. We find that DEX-1 is also required for the proper remodeling of the stem cell-like epidermal seam cells and maintenance of seam cell quiescence during dauer.dex-1mutant dauers lack distinct lateral cuticular alae during dauer and have increased sensitivity to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Furthermore, we find that DEX-1 mediated seam cell remodeling is required for proper dauer mobility. We show that DEX-1 acts cell autonomously in the seam cells during dauer and thatdex-1expression during dauer is regulated through DAF-16/FOXO-mediated derepression. Finally, we show thatdex-1interacts with a family of zona pellucida-domain encoding genes to regulate dauer-specific epidermal remodeling. Taken together, our data indicates that DEX-1 plays a central role inC. elegansepidermal remodeling during dauer.
Impeding DNA Break Repair Enables Oocyte Quality Control
Authors: Qiao Huanyu , Rao H.B.D. Prasada , Yun Yan , Sandhu Sumit , Fong Jared H. , Sapre Manali , Nguyen Michael , Tham Addy , Van Benjamin W. , Chng Tiffany Y.H. , Lee Amy , Hunter Neil 
Published: March 2018

SUMMARYOocyte quality control culls eggs with defects in meiosis. In mouse, oocyte death is triggered by defects in chromosome synapsis and recombination, which involve repair of programmed DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) between homologous chromosomes. We show that RNF212, a SUMO ligase required for crossing over, also mediates oocyte quality control. Both physiological apoptosis and wholesale oocytes elimination in meiotic mutants require RNF212. RNF212 sensitizes cells to DSB-induced apoptosis within a narrow window when chromosomes desynapse during the transition into quiescence. Analysis of DNA damage during this transition implies that RNF212 impedes DSB repair. Consistently, RNF212 is required for HORMAD1, a negative regulator of inter-sister recombination, to associate with desynapsing chromosomes. We infer that oocytes impede repair of residual DSBs to retain a “memory” of meiotic defects that enables quality control processes. These results define the logic of oocyte quality control and suggest RNF212 variants may influence transmission of defective genomes.
Integrated Field’s metal microelectrodes based microfluidic impedance cytometry for cell-in-droplet quantification
Authors: Panwar Jatin , Roy Rahul 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMicrofluidic impedance cytometry (MIC) provides a non-optical and label-free method for single cell detection and classification in microfluidics. However, the cleanroom intensive infrastructure required for MIC electrode fabrication limits its wide implementation in microfluidic analysis. To bypass the conventional metal (platinum) electrode fabrication protocol, we fabricated coplanar ‘in-contact’ Field’s metal (icFM) microelectrodes in multilayer elastomer devices with a single photolithography step. Our icFM microelectrodes displayed excellent and comparable performance to the platinum electrodes for detection of single erythrocytes with a lock-in amplifier based MIC setup. We further characterized it for water-in-oil droplets generated in a T-junction microfluidic channel and found high sensitivity and long-term operational stability of these electrodes. Finally, to facilitate droplet based single cell analysis, we demonstrate detection and quantification of single cells entrapped in aqueous droplets.
Foraging theory and the propensity to be obese: an alternative to thrift
Authors: Baig Ulfat , Lokhande Lavanya , Lalwani Poortata , Chawla Suraj , Watve Milind 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe evolutionary origin of obesity is classically believed to be genetic or developmentally induced thrift, as an adaptation to ancestral feast and famine conditions. However, recently the thrift family of hypotheses have attracted serious criticism necessitating alternative thinking. Optimization of foraging behaviour is an important aspect of behavioural evolution. For a species evolved for optimizing nutritional benefits against predation or other foraging risks, reduction in foraging risk below a threshold dramatically increases the steady-state body weight. In modern life where feeding is detached from foraging, the behavioural regulation mechanisms are likely to fail resulting into escalation of adiposity. At a proximate level the signalling pathways for foraging optimization involve fear induced signal molecules in the brain including Cocaine and Amphetamine Regulated Transcript (CART) interacting with adiposity signals such as leptin. While leptin promotes the expression of the fear peptides, the fear peptides promote anorectic action of leptin. This interaction promotes foraging drive and risk tolerance when the stored energy is low and suppresses hunger and foraging drive when the perceived risk is high. The ecological model of foraging optimization and the molecular model of interaction of these peptides converge in the outcome that the steady state adiposity is an inverse square root function of foraging risk. The foraging optimization model is independent of thrift or insurance hypotheses, but not mutually exclusive. We review existing evidence and suggest testable predictions of the model. Understanding obesity simultaneously at proximate and ultimate levels is likely to suggest effective means to curb the obesity epidemic.
Inhibition of acetyl-CoA carboxylase by spirotetramat causes lipid depletion and surface coat deficiency in nematodes
Authors: Gutbrod Philipp , Gutbrod Katharina , Nauen Ralf , Elashry Abdelnaser , Siddique Shahid , Benting Jürgen , Dörmann Peter , Grundler Florian M.W. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPlant-parasitic nematodes pose a significant threat to agriculture causing annual yield losses worth more than 100 billion US$. Nematode control often involves the use of nematicides, but many of them including non-selective fumigants have been phased out, particularly due to ecotoxicological concerns. Thus new control strategies are urgently needed. Spirotetramat (SPT) is used as phloem-moble systemic insecticide targeting acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) of pest insects and mites upon foliar application. Our studies revealed that SPT known to be activatedin plantato SPT-enol acts as a developmental inhibitor of the free-living nematodeCaenorhabditis elegansand the plant-parasitic nematodeHeterodera schachtii. Exposure to SPT-enol leads to larval arrest and disruption of the life cycle. Furthermore, SPT-enol inhibits nematode ACC activity, affects storage lipids, fatty acid composition and disrupts surface coat synthesis. Silencing ofH. schachtii ACCby RNAi induced similar phenotypes and thus mimics the effects of SPT-enol, supporting the conclusion that SPT-enol acts on nematodes by inhibiting ACC. Our studies demonstrated that the inhibition ofde novolipid biosynthesis by interfering with nematode ACC is a new nematicidal mode of action addressed by spirotetramat, a well-known systemic insecticide for sucking pest control.
Inferring causal pathways among three or more variables from steady-state correlations in a homeostatic system
Authors: Chawala Suraj , Pund Anagha , Vibishan B. , Kulkarni Shubhankar , Diwekar-Joshi Manawa , Watve Milind 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCross-sectional correlations between two variables have limited implications for causality. We show here that in a homeostatic system with three or more inter-correlated variables, it is possible to make causal inferences from steady-state data. Every putative pathway between three variables makes a set of differential predictions that can be tested with steady state data. For example, among 3 variables, A, B and C, the coefficient of determination,is predicted by the product ofandfor some pathways, but not for others. Residuals from a regression line are independent of residuals from another regression for some pathways, but positively or negatively correlated for certain other pathways. Different pathways therefore have different prediction signatures, which can be used to accept or reject plausible pathways. We apply these principles to test the classical pathway leading to a hyperinsulinemic normoglycemic insulin-resistant, or pre-diabetic state using four different sets of epidemiological data. Currently, a set of indices called HOMA-IR and HOMA-β are used to represent insulin resistance and glucose-stimulated insulin response by β cells respectively. Our analysis shows that if we assume the HOMA indices to be faithful indicators, the classical pathway must in turn, be rejected. Among the populations sampled, the classical pathway and faithfulness of the HOMA indices cannot be simultaneously true. The principles and tools described here can find wide application in inferring plausible regulatory mechanisms in homeostatic systems based on epidemiological data.
Binaural summation of amplitude modulation involves weak interaural suppression
Authors: Baker D.H. , Vilidaite G. , McClarnon E. , Valkova E. , Bruno A. , Millman R.E. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe brain combines sounds from the two ears, but what is the algorithm used to achieve this summation of signals? Here we combine psychophysical amplitude modulation discrimination and steady-state electroencephalography (EEG) data to investigate the architecture of binaural combination for amplitude-modulated tones. Discrimination thresholds followed a ‘dipper’ shaped function of pedestal modulation depth, and were consistently lower for binaural than monaural presentation of modulated tones. The EEG responses were greater for binaural than monaural presentation of modulated tones, and when a masker was presented to one ear, it produced only weak suppression of the response to a signal presented to the other ear. Both data sets were well-fit by a computational model originally derived for visual signal combination, but with suppression between the two channels (ears) being much weaker than in binocular vision. We suggest that the distinct ecological constraints on vision and hearing can explain this difference, if it is assumed that the brain avoids over-representing sensory signals originating from a single object. These findings position our understanding of binaural summation in a broader context of work on sensory signal combination in the brain, and delineate the similarities and differences between vision and hearing.
Generating and testing ecological hypotheses at the pondscape with environmental DNA metabarcoding: a case study on a threatened amphibian
Authors: Harper Lynsey R. , Handley Lori Lawson , Hahn Christoph , Boonham Neil , Rees Helen C. , Lewis Erin , Adams Ian P. , Brotherton Peter , Phillips Susanna , Hänfling Bernd 
Published: March 2018

AbstractEnvironmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is revolutionising biodiversity monitoring, but has unrealised potential for ecological hypothesis generation and testing. Here, we validate this potential in a large-scale analysis of vertebrate community data generated by eDNA metabarcoding of 532 UK ponds. We test biotic associations between the threatened great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) and other vertebrates as well as abiotic factors influencingT. cristatusdetection at the pondscape. Furthermore, we test the status ofT. cristatusas an umbrella species for pond conservation by assessing whether vertebrate species richness is greater in ponds withT. cristatusand higherT. cristatusHabitat Suitability Index (HSI) scores.T. cristatusdetection was positively correlated with amphibian and waterfowl species richness. Specifically,T. cristatuswas positively associated with smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris), common coot (Fulica atra), and common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), but negatively associated with common toad (Bufo bufo).T. cristatusdetection did not significantly decrease as fish species richness increased, but negative associations with common carp (Cyprinus carpio), three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) and ninespine stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) were identified.T. cristatusdetection was negatively correlated with mammal species richness, andT. cristatuswas negatively associated with grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis).T. cristatusdetection was negatively correlated with larger pond area, presence of inflow, and higher percentage of shading, but positively correlated with HSI score, supporting its application toT. cristatussurvey. Vertebrate species richness was significantly higher inT. cristatusponds and broadly increased asT. cristatusHSI scores increased. We reaffirm reported associations (e.g.T. cristatuspreference for smaller ponds) but also provide novel insights, including a negative effect of pond inflow onT. cristatus. Our findings demonstrate the prospects of eDNA metabarcoding for ecological hypothesis generation and testing at landscape scale, and dramatic enhancement of freshwater conservation, management, monitoring and research.
Karyotype-environment associations support a role for a chromosomal inversion in local adaptation in the seaweed flyCoelopa frigida
Authors: Mérot Claire , Berdan Emma , Babin Charles , Normandeau Eric , Wellenreuther Maren , Bernatchez Louis 
Published: March 2018

AbstractLarge chromosomal rearrangements are thought to facilitate adaptation to heterogeneous environments by limiting genomic recombination. Indeed, inversions have been implicated in adaptation along environmental clines and in ecotype specialisation. Here, we combine classical ecological studies and population genetics to investigate an inversion polymorphism previously documented in Europe among natural populations of the seaweed flyCoelopa frigidaalong a latitudinal cline in North America. We test if the inversion is present in North America and polymorphic, assess which environmental conditions modulate the inversion karyotype frequencies, and document the relationship between inversion karyotype and adult size. We sampled nearly 2,000 flies from 20 populations along several environmental gradients to quantify associations of inversion frequencies to heterogeneous environmental variables. Genotyping and phenotyping showed a widespread and conserved inversion polymorphism between Europe and America. Variation in inversion frequency was significantly associated with environmental factors, with parallel patterns between continents, indicating that the inversion may play a role in local adaptation. The three karyotypes of the inversion are differently favoured across micro-habitats and represent life-history strategies likely maintained by the collective action of several mechanisms of balancing selection. Our study adds to the mounting evidence that inversions are facilitators of adaptation and enhance within-species diversity.
North American entrepreneurs in Cuba: which entry mode and government affiliation strategy?
Authors: Vila-Lopez Natalia , White Graham 
Published: March 2018

Purpose
To have success in newly liberalized markets, firms must have a plan of action before resources are committed. What some companies do not realize is that their own entrepreneurial orientation (EO) will dictate their strategies, and performance outcomes, in both their home market and abroad. In order to maximize firm performance in newly liberalized markets (such as Cuba), firms must be able to objectively gauge their own EO. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach
Within this framework, the present paper will attempt to effectively measure the EO of decision-making managers from US companies that have an interest in entering the Cuban market. A final sample of 81 US managers accepted to collaborate. They were then split into two groups (high and low EO; with 41 and 35 managers in each group, respectively) and compared regarding three variables: entry mode strategy, government affiliation strategy, and performance outcomes.

Findings
The results show that EO is related with performance, but not with the two proposed variables of entry mode and government affiliation.

Originality/value
In sum, the added value of the paper is to link US managers’ strategies and performance in a newly liberalized market which has been seldom studied: Cuba. The fields of entry mode strategies and government affiliation decisions in this newly liberalized market remain poorly investigated. Not all firms managed by highly entrepreneurial-orientated managers will decide to enter foreign markets and, on the contrary, domestic firms which are not interested in international markets can be run by highly entrepreneurial managers. This is due, in part, to the fact that internationalization can be driven by other factors. Therefore, this paper will attempt to demonstrate if certain entry modes will perform better than others when the foreign market is a newly liberalized economy. Additionally, the importance, and effect, of governmental relationships on performance outcomes will be tested within the research.
Arab teachers’ perception of parent involvement (PI): components and differences
Authors: Arar Khalid , Abu Nasra Muhammed , Alshafi Hassan 
Published: March 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the perceptions of parental involvement among 317 teachers in the Arab education system in Israel.

Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire measured teachers’ attitudes regarding parents’ involvement in the school relating to pedagogy, resources, and control.

Findings
The findings show that Arab teachers perceive parents’ involvement as related to pedagogy and resources rather than control. In addition, the research results revealed that young teachers in terms of age, and seniority of teaching, and teachers who are not members of the management team demonstrated a stronger perception of the pedagogy and control components than did older and senior teachers and teachers who are members of the management team. However, older and senior teachers and teachers who are members of the management team had a stronger perception that parental involvement related to resources than did young teachers and teachers who are not members of the management team.

Social implications
Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Originality/value
The paper contributes to our understandings of the different components that affect parental involvement in developing and minority societies.
Online search for information about universities: a Hong Kong study
Authors: Wong Phoebe , Lee Daisy , M.L. Ng Peggy 
Published: March 2018

PurposeA fuller understanding of the information search behaviour of prospective students in the digital era is one of the keys to success in university recruitment. The purpose of this paper is to investigate students’ university choice factors in relation to the online environment.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 637 samples from 11 private higher education institutions were collected and tested against assumptions before performing statistical analysis including exploratory factor analysis and mean comparison.FindingsThe findings revealed that there are some significant differences in gender and academic discipline in the use of the internet to search for university information. In addition, four constructs of university information were identified that are perceived as important by students in their search behaviour: “university reputation”, “eligibility and affordability”, “teaching and learning” and “university tangibility”. The outcomes of this research provide some noteworthy insights which have numerous strategic digital marketing implications.Originality/valueWhile most existing studies have explored types of social media apps or online channels that prospective students use, little research has touched on students’ university choice factors in relation to the online environment. Responding to Constantinides and Zinck Stagno (2011) and Hemsley-Brownet al.’s (2016) call, this paper aims to address this research gap by investigating students’ university information search in relation to the online environment.
Content of Care in 15,000 Sick Child Consultations in Nine Lower‐Income Countries
Authors: Kruk Margaret E. , Gage Anna D. , Mbaruku Godfrey M. , Leslie Hannah H. 
Published: March 2018

ObjectiveDescribe content of clinical care for sick children in low‐resource settings.Data SourcesNationally representative health facility surveys in Haiti, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nepal, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda from 2007 to 2015.Study DesignClinical visits by sick children under 5 years were observed and caregivers interviewed. We describe duration and content of the care in the visit and estimate associations between increased content and caregiver knowledge and satisfaction.Principal FindingsThe median duration of 15,444 observations was 8 minutes; providers performed 8.4 of a maximum 24 clinical actions per visit. Content of care was minimally greater for severely ill children. Each additional clinical action was associated with 2 percent higher caregiver knowledge.ConclusionsConsultations for children in nine lower‐income countries are brief and limited. A greater number of clinical actions was associated with caregiver knowledge and satisfaction.
Cross‐Sector Partnerships: An Examination of Success Factors
Authors: Hartman Laura Pincus , Dhanda Kanwalroop Kathy 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn this paper, we examine the drivers involved in an alternative business model: cross‐sector social partnerships (CSSPs) between for‐profit, predominantly multinational corporations (MNCs) and nonprofit organizations (NPOs). We explore these cross‐sector social partnerships (CSSPs) from the perspective of these primary stakeholders, examining the questions of power differentials and the definitions and determinants of success. In order more deeply to understand these drivers, we review the evolution of the concept of “value” and the perception of the value that each stakeholder brings to the partnership. We then describe and offer the results of an empirical, qualitative study of 18 CSSPs, where we analyze each partner's representations of success, outcomes sought and distinctions in determinants of value within the partnerships.