bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dissecting Conformational Changes in APP’s Transmembrane Domain Linked to ε-Efficiency in Familial Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Götz Alexander , Scharnagl Christina 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe mechanism by which familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD) mutations within the transmembrane domain (TMD) of the Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) affect å-endoproteolysis is only poorly understood. Thereby, mutations in the cleavage domain reduce å-efficiency of ã-secretase cleavage and some even shift entry into production lines. Since cleavage occurs within the TMD, a relationship between processing and TMD structure and dynamics seems obvious. Using molecular dynamic simulations, we dissect the dynamic features of wild type and seven FAD-mutants into local and global components. Mutations consistently enhance hydrogen8 bond fluctuations upstream of the å-cleavage sites but maintain strong helicity there. Dynamic perturbation response scanning reveals that FAD-mutants target backbone motions utilized in the bound state. Those motions, obscured by large-scale motions in the pre-bound state, provide (i) a dynamic mechanism underlying the proposedcoupling between binding and å-cleavage, (ii) key sites consistent with experimentally determined docking sites, and (iii) the distinction between mutants and wild-type.
Insights into the evolution of extracellular leucine-rich repeats in metazoans with special reference to Toll-like receptor 4
Authors: Dhar Dipanjana , Dey Debayan , Basu Soumalee 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe importance of the widely spread leucine-rich repeat (LRR) motif has been studied considering TLRs, the LRR-containing protein involved in animal immune response. The protein connects intracellular signalling with a chain of molecular interaction through the presence of LRRs in the ectodomain and TIR in the endodomain. Domain analyses with human TLR1-9 reported ectodomain with tandem repeats, transmembrane domain and TIR domain. The repeat number varied across members of TLRs and remains characteristic to a particular member. Analysis of gene structure revealed absence of codon interruption with TLR3 and TLR4 as exceptions. Extensive study with TLR4 from metazoans confirmed the presence of 23 LRRs in tandem. Distinct clade formation using coding and amino acid sequence of individual repeats illustrated independent evolution. Although ectodomain and endodomain exhibited differential selection pressure, however, within the ectodomain, the individual repeats displayed positive, negative and neutral selection pressure depending on their structural and functional significance.
Multimodal on-axis platform for all-optical electrophysiology with near-infrared probes in human stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes
Authors: Klimas Aleksandra , Ortiz Gloria , Boggess Steven , Miller Evan W. , Entcheva Emilia 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCombined optogenetic stimulation and optical imaging permits scalable, high-throughput probing of cellular electrophysiology and optimization of stem-cell derived excitable cells, such as neurons and muscle cells. We report a new “on-axis” configuration of OptoDyCE, our all-optical platform for studying human induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) and other cell types, optically driven by Channelrhodopsin2 (ChR2). This solid-state system integrates optogenetic stimulation with temporally-multiplexed simultaneous recording of membrane voltage (Vm) and intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) dynamics using a single photodetector. We demonstrate the capacity for combining multiple spectrally-compatible actuators and sensors, including newer high-performance near-infrared (NIR) voltage probes BeRST1 and Di-4-ANBDQBS, to record complex spatiotemporal responses of hiPSC-CMs to drugs in a high-throughput manner.
RNA-Seq in 296 phased trios provides a high resolution map of genomic imprinting
Authors: Jadhav Bharati , Monajemi Ramin , Gagalova Kristina K. , Ho Daniel , Draisma Harmen H.M. , van de Wiel Mark A. , Franke Lude , Heijmans Bastiaan T. , van Meurs Joyce , Jansen Rick , Consortium GoNL , Consortium BIOS , ‘t Hoen Peter A.C. , Sharp Andrew J. , Kiełbasa Szymon M. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCombining allelic analysis of RNA-Seq data with phased genotypes in family trios provides a powerful method to detect parent-of-origin biases in gene expression. We report findings in 296 family trios from two large studies: 165 lymphoblastoid cell lines from the 1000 Genomes Project, and 131 blood samples from the Genome of the Netherlands participants (GoNL). Based on parental haplotypes we identified >2.8 million transcribed heterozygous SNVs phased for parental origin, and developed a robust statistical framework for measuring allelic expression. We identified a total of 45 imprinted genes and one imprinted unannotated transcript, 17 of which have not previously been reported as showing parental expression bias. Multiple novel imprinted transcripts showing incomplete parental expression bias were located adjacent to known strongly imprinted genes. For example, PXDC1, a gene which lies adjacent to the paternally-expressed gene FAM50B, shows a 2:1 paternal expression bias. Other novel imprinted genes had promoter regions that coincide with sites of parentally-biased DNA methylation identified in blood from uniparental disomy (UPD) samples, thus providing independent validation of our results. Using the stranded nature of the RNA-Seq data in LCLs we identified multiple loci with overlapping sense/antisense transcripts, of which one is expressed paternally and the other maternally. Using a sliding window approach, we searched for imprinted expression across the entire genome, identifying a novel imprinted putative lncRNA in 13q21.2. Our methods and data provide a robust and high resolution map of imprinted gene expression in the human genome.
Bis(2-formylphenyl) benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate
Authors: Mohamed Shaaban K. , Mague Joel T. , Akkurt Mehmet , Hawaiz Farouq E. , Ayoob Mzgin M. , Hussein Awaz J. 
Published: February 2018

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C22H14O6, consists of two independent molecules differing in the orientations of the ester groups. In one molecule, the two terminal benzene rings are inclined to the central benzene ring by 4.99 (13) and 77.46 (13)°, while in the other the corresponding angles are 11.03 (13) and 88.09 (12)°. In the crystal, molecules are connected into a ribbon structure running along [101]viaC—H...O and C—H...π interactions. Adjacent ribbons are further linked by additional C—H...O and C—H...π interactions. The crystal studied was a non-merohedral twin [twin law (0.986 − 0.073 − 0.008, 0.323 1.036 0.148, −0.121 − 0.102 0.942)], the ratio of components being 0.937 (4):0.063 (4).
Self-perceived employability in Spain
Authors: Vargas Reyes , Sánchez-Queija María Inmaculada , Rothwell Andrew , Parra Águeda 
Published: February 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to validate the self-perceived employability (SPE) scale (Rothwell et al., 2008) and explore its relationship with sociodemographic variables in Spain. The SPE is an employability scale designed to examine undergraduates’ expectations and self-perceptions of employability. The SPE includes internal and external dimensions of employability and has been satisfactorily tested in a variety of contexts.Design/methodology/approachThe sample comprised 1,502 Spanish undergraduate students from a broad range of subject areas. Confirmatory factor analyses and exploratory factor analyses were conducted. Finally, the Spanish-self-perceived employability (S-SPE) was studied in relation to a set of demographic variables.FindingsThe results revealed similar findings to those reported by Rothwell et al. (2008), namely, four factors labeled: the external labor market’s demand for people in my subject field, my confidence in my skills and abilities, the status and credibility of my field of study and my engagement with my studies and academic performance. The external and internal employability dimensions were obtained by forcing a two-factor solution. Men scored higher than women in the S-SPE; science students scored higher than arts and humanities undergraduates and students with higher perceived income levels scored higher than those with lower perceived income levels.Originality/valueThe S-SPE can be used with Spanish speaking university students (Spanish being the second most widely spoken language in the world) and allows cross-cultural comparisons of undergraduates’ SPE. The S-SPE may help guide the development of social policies and programs designed to enhance employability. It can be used with undergraduates as a diagnostic instrument in career counseling, and as a self-assessment instrument which will enable undergraduates to acquire a greater degree of self-knowledge in relation to their employability.
Macedonia’s exports toward Southeast Europe through the gravity model
Authors: Apostolov Mico , Josheski Dushko 
Published: February 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the export performance of the Republic of Macedonia to its main trading partners from Southeast Europe; hence, the authors focus on the major importing countries which are most present in the Macedonian trade balance.

Design/methodology/approach
The data used in this paper are analyzed with gravity model, which has good characteristics and very stable performance. Further, the data sample is formed on major importers form the Southeastern Europe region.

Findings
The results show that the domestic country GDP is positively correlated with the exports from the source country to target countries and that Balkan countries have positive propensities to import from Macedonia, however, it was found that populations of source country and target country are negatively correlated with exports from the source country to target countries. Additionally, the business cycles had no positive effect on Macedonian export to the target countries.

Originality/value
Based on pertinent theoretical concepts and existing empirical findings, and by applying up-to-date methodological approach, case studies might bring vital contribution to the literature, which eventually leads to solid policy and practice.
Gene expression and ultrastructure of meso‐ and thermophilic methanotrophic consortia
Authors: Krukenberg Viola , Riedel Dietmar , Gruber‐Vodicka Harald R. , Buttigieg Pier Luigi , Tegetmeyer Halina E. , Boetius Antje , Wegener Gunter 
Published: February 2018

SummaryThe sulfate‐dependent, anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) is an important sink for methane in marine environments. It is carried out between anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME) and sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB) living in syntrophic partnership. In this study, we compared the genomes, gene expression patterns and ultrastructures of three phylogenetically different microbial consortia found in hydrocarbon‐rich environments under different temperature regimes: ANME‐1a/HotSeep‐1 (60°C), ANME‐1a/Seep‐SRB2 (37°C) and ANME‐2c/Seep‐SRB2 (20°C). All three ANME encode a reverse methanogenesis pathway: ANME‐2c encodes all enzymes, while ANME‐1a lacks the gene for N5,N10‐methylene tetrahydromethanopterin reductase (mer) and encodes a methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (Met). The bacterial partners contain the genes encoding the canonical dissimilatory sulfate reduction pathway. During AOM, all three consortia types highly expressed genes encoding for the formation of flagella or type IV pili and/or c‐type cytochromes, some predicted to be extracellular. ANME‐2c expressed potentially extracellular cytochromes with up to 32 hemes, whereas ANME‐1a and SRB expressed less complex cytochromes (≤ 8 and ≤ 12 heme respectively). The intercellular space of all consortia showed nanowire‐like structures and heme‐rich areas. These features are proposed to enable interspecies electron exchange, hence suggesting that direct electron transfer is a common mechanism to sulfate‐dependent AOM, and that both partners synthesize molecules to enable it.
The iron‐stress activated RNA 1 (IsaR1) coordinates osmotic acclimation and iron starvation responses in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803
Authors: Rübsam Henriette , Kirsch Friedrich , Reimann Viktoria , Erban Alexander , Kopka Joachim , Hagemann Martin , Hess Wolfgang R. , Klähn Stephan 
Published: February 2018

SummaryIn nature, microorganisms are exposed to multiple stress factors in parallel. Here, we investigated the response of the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 to simultaneous iron limitation and osmotic stresses. Iron is a major limiting factor for bacterial and phytoplankton growth in most environments. Thus, bacterial iron homeostasis is tightly regulated. In Synechocystis, it is mediated mainly by the transcriptional regulator FurA and the iron‐stress activated RNA 1 (IsaR1). IsaR1 is an important riboregulator that affects the acclimation of the photosynthetic apparatus to iron starvation in multiple ways. Upon increases in salinity, Synechocystis responds by accumulating the compatible solute glucosylglycerol (GG). We show that IsaR1 overexpression causes a reduction in the de novo GG synthesis rate upon salt shock. We verified the direct interaction between IsaR1 and the 5′UTR of the ggpS mRNA, which in turn drastically reduced the de novo synthesis of the key enzyme for GG synthesis, glucosylglycerol phosphate synthase (GgpS). Thus, IsaR1 specifically interferes with the salt acclimation process in Synechocystis, in addition to its primary regulatory function. Moreover, the salt‐stimulated GgpS production became reduced under parallel iron limitation in WT – an effect which is, however, attenuated in an isaR1 deletion strain. Hence, IsaR1 is involved in the integration of the responses to different environmental perturbations and slows the osmotic adaptation process in cells suffering from parallel iron starvation.
Transport Infrastructure and Logistics in the Making of Dubai Inc.
Authors: Ziadah Rafeef 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis article interrogates the political economy of Dubai's Jebel Ali Port, ranked among the top ten container ports internationally by traffic, and its operating conglomerate, Dubai Ports World (DP World). The article aims to situate trade infrastructure in the production of Dubai's economic geography as a sea–air multimodal trading hub. Three interrelated arguments are put forward: that port infrastructure plays an essential role in linking diverse moments of capital accumulation in Dubai; that Dubai's state‐owned conglomerates have overseen a substantial internationalization of Dubai's capital through maritime port public–private partnership arrangements; and that the particularities of Dubai's repressive labour regime underpin its role in the logistics industry internationally.
The Real Effects of FAS 166/167 on Banks’ Mortgage Approval and Sale Decisions
Authors: DOU YIWEI , RYAN STEPHEN G. , XIE BIQIN 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTWe examine the real effects of FAS 166 and FAS 167 on banks’ loan‐level mortgage approval and sale decisions. Effective in 2010, these standards tightened the accounting for securitizations and consolidation of securitization entities, respectively, causing banks to recognize an estimated $811 billion of securitized assets on balance sheet. We find that banks that recognize more securitized assets exhibit larger decreases in mortgage approval rates and larger increases in mortgage sale rates. These effects significantly exceed those of banks’ off–balance sheet securitized assets, consistent with our results being driven by the consolidation of securitization entities rather than by securitization per se. We conduct tests that help rule out the financial crisis as an alternative explanation for our results. Further analyses suggest that mechanisms underlying the results include consolidating banks’ reduced regulatory capital adequacy, increased market discipline, and consequent desire not to recognize high‐risk mortgages on balance sheet.
Microbial Quality and Shelf Life of Blueberry Purée Developed Using Cavitation Technology
Authors: Fan Lihua , Martynenko Alex , Doucette Craig , Hughes Timothy , Fillmore Sherry 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBlueberry purée was developed using hydrodynamic cavitation technology. The product was made from entire blueberries without adding any food additives. In this study, microbial reduction following each processing stage (at the industry setting) and after product pasteurization at 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, and 96 °C was investigated. Microbial quality including total plate counts, yeast and molds, and heat‐resistant molds counts was determined. Shelf life of pasteurized products stored for up to 24 weeks at room temperature were assessed for microbial quality, soluble solids (°Brix), titratable acidity (citric acid %), pH, viscosity (cP) and flow rate (cm/30 s). Our results indicated that heat‐resistant molds, initially present in frozen blueberries with counts at 2.03 log CFU/200g, were totally inactivated at 94 to 96 °C with 1 to 2 min holding time. Shelf life study showed that no product spoilage was caused by bacteria, yeasts and heat‐resistant molds along with non‐significant changes of textural characteristics. This study provided useful information for the food industry to develop variety of fruit purée products with no wastes of fruit materials.Practical ApplicationThis study provides useful information for the food industry to develop safe liquid food products using cavitation technology without wasting any raw materials.
Membrane fluidification by ethanol stress activates unfolded protein response in yeasts
Authors: Navarro‐Tapia Elisabet , Querol Amparo , Pérez‐Torrado Roberto 
Published: February 2018

SummaryThe toxic effect of ethanol is one of the most important handicaps for many biotechnological applications of yeasts, such as bioethanol production. Elucidation of ethanol stress response will help to improve yeast performance in biotechnological processes. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, ethanol stress has been recently described as an activator of the unfolded protein response (UPR), a conserved intracellular signalling pathway that regulates the transcription of ER homoeostasis‐related genes. However, the signal and activation mechanism has not yet been unravelled. Here, we studied UPR's activation after ethanol stress and observed the upregulation of the key target genes, like INO1, involved in lipid metabolism. We found that inositol content influenced UPR activation after ethanol stress and we observed significant changes in lipid composition, which correlate with a major membrane fluidity alteration by this amphipathic molecule. Then, we explored the hypothesis that membrane fluidity changes cause UPR activation upon ethanol stress by studying UPR response against fluidification or rigidification agents and by studying a mutant, erg2, with altered membrane fluidity. The results suggest that the membrane fluidification effects of ethanol and other agents are the signal for UPR activation, a mechanism that has been proposed in higher eukaryotes.
Dissecting the 2017 National Security Strategy: Implications for Senior Administrators (the Devil in the Details)
Authors: Weaver John M. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractOn 18 December 2017 President Trump released his National Security Strategy (NSS). It is the quintessential document that will serve as the azimuth for key government leaders to guide them through the execution of core functions at federal departments and agencies in the months and years to come. At 55 pages, it outlines key issues that he and by extension, his National Security Council, see as of paramount concern for the United States. Broadly, Trump looks to: (1) protect the homeland; (2) promote US prosperity; (3) leveraging strength to preserve peace; and (4) advance US influence in the world (NSS, 2017, p. 4).
Reflectance and biochemical responses of maize plants to drought and re‐watering cycles
Authors: Sun C.X. , Li C.C. , Zhang C.Y. , Hao L.Y. , Song M. , Liu W. , Zhang Y.L. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe ability to recover from drought stress after re‐watering is an important feature that will enable plants to cope with the predicted increase in episodic drought. The effects of pre‐drought and re‐watering conditions on leaf spectral properties and their relationships with the biochemical processes that underlie the recovery from pre‐drought conditions should be better understood. The reflectance spectra, 10 spectral reflectance indices (SRIs) and biochemical characteristics of maize (Zea mays) leaves were monitored 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after the initiation of soil drought stress during two successive cycles of drought and re‐watering periods. The leaf reflectance of the two inbred maize lines increased under the drought stress, especially in the visible spectral range. In addition, an obvious recovery of the leaf reflectance was only observed in the first re‐watering period, and its value remained higher than that of the control plants during the second recovery period. A recovery lag in the pigment contents was also observed during the second cycle. The recovery variations in the pattern and magnitude of the SRIs and the total contents of C, N and P that were measured in response to the re‐watering during both cycles were diverse and complex; both full and partial recoveries were observed. The SRIs representing different physiological attributes of plant growth, including the water index, red edge position, photochemical reflectance index and near‐infrared reflectance at 800 nm, showed strong linear relationships (P < 0.01 or 0.05) with the growth and biochemical traits across the successive drought and re‐watering cycles. The results suggest that maize plants can adjust their leaf reflectance properties and employ growth and biochemical strategies to adapt to cyclic drought stress and recover from drought stress after re‐watering.
Apremilast Alters Behavioral Responses to Ethanol in Mice: II. Increased Sedation, Intoxication, and Reduced Acute Functional Tolerance
Authors: Blednov Yuri A. , Da Costa Adriana J. , Harris R. Adron , Messing Robert O. 
Published: February 2018

BackgroundIn our companion paper, we reported that the phosphodiesterase type 4 inhibitor apremilast reduced ethanol (EtOH) intake and preference in different drinking models in male and female C57BL/6J mice. In this study, we measured the effects of apremilast on other behaviors that are correlated with EtOH consumption.MethodsThe effects of apremilast (20 mg/kg) on the following behaviors were studied in male and female C57BL/6J mice: locomotor response to a novel situation; EtOH‐ and lithium chloride (LiCl)‐induced conditioned taste aversion (CTA) to saccharin; conditioned place preference (CPP) and conditioned place avoidance (CPA) to EtOH; severity of handling‐induced convulsions after EtOH administration; EtOH‐induced anxiolytic‐like behavior in the elevated plus maze; duration of EtOH‐induced loss of righting reflex (LORR); recovery from EtOH‐induced motor impairment on the rotarod; and acute functional tolerance (AFT) to EtOH's ataxic effects.ResultsApremilast did not change the acquisition of EtOH‐induced CPP, severity of acute withdrawal from EtOH, or EtOH's anxiolytic‐like effect. Apremilast did not alter the extinction of EtOH‐ or LiCl‐induced CTA, but may interfere with acquisition of CTA to EtOH. Apremilast increased the acquisition of CPA to EtOH, reduced locomotor responses to a novel situation, and prolonged the duration of LORR and the recovery from acute motor incoordination induced by EtOH. The longer recovery from the ataxic effect may be attributed to reduced development of AFT to EtOH.ConclusionsOur results suggest that apremilast increases the duration of EtOH intoxication by reducing AFT. Apremilast also reduces some aspects of general reward and increases EtOH's aversive properties, which might also contribute to its ability to reduce EtOH drinking.