bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of corporate social responsibility disclosure on firms' sales performance: A perspective of stakeholder engagement and theory
Authors: Waheed Abdul , Yang Jianhua 
Published: December 2018

AbstractCorporate social responsibility (CSR) is receiving a supreme interest, and several experts have revealed the outcomes of CSR disclosure (CSRD) toward organizational performance across the globe. Nevertheless, less attention has been paid to empirical contribution with respect to marketing and sales management, especially from developing nations. This study investigates the impact of CSRD practices, that is, internal (ICSRD) and external (ECSRD) to organizational sales performance (OSP). Data were collected from 450 managers within Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) of Pakistan and analyzed using structural equation modeling. The findings revealed the positive relationships between OSP and disclosure of CSR activities both ICSRD and ECSRD, that is, responsibility to the environment (ER), community (CR), customers (CCR), suppliers (SR), employees (EER), and responsibility to government rules & regulations (GR). The comprehensive analysis unveiled the higher significant effect of ECSRD than ICSRD. The study provides multidimensional insights for strategic management to support CSR notion and to engage stakeholders pursuing such practices to augment OSP dynamically. This study furnishes research possibilities for practitioners and academicians.
A broadly applicable COI primer pair and an efficient single‐tube amplicon library preparation protocol for metabarcoding
Authors: Rennstam Rubbmark Oskar , Sint Daniela , Horngacher Nina , Traugott Michael 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe nucleotide variation in the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene makes it ideal for assigning sequences to species. However, this variability also makes it difficult to design truly universal primers. Here, we present the forward primer “Sauron‐S878,” specifically designed to facilitate library preparation for metabarcoding. This primer is modified to improve the coverage of terrestrial species compared to the primer mCOIintF, optimized for aquatic systems, which raised the in silico coverage from 74.4% to 98.3% of available NCBI sequences (perfect match in 3′ region, up to three mismatches in remaining primer). When paired with the reverse primer “jgHCO2198” (fragment length ~313 bp), these primers amplified 98.4% of 255 tested DNA extracts from various taxa, which are better than many other common COI barcoding primers. Furthermore, a single‐tube protocol was developed, wherein these primers amplify the target gene, and attach MIDs and Illumina sequencing adapters in one reaction. This eliminates the need for re‐amplification or enzymatic ligation during library preparation while keeping the flexibility to modularly combine primers and MIDs. Using the single‐tube approach, three replicates of three mock samples were sequenced on a MiSeq platform with no adverse effects compared to commercial Nextera indexing kits. From this run, 75% of all included taxa could be recovered, with no considerable bias among taxonomic groups. Despite the fact that 98.4% of the extracts were confirmed to amplify in vitro, this number was lower than expected. A reason for this discrepancy was a clear link between the relative concentration of a specific DNA type in the template and the number of returned reads for this DNA. We would argue that such a bias may be especially problematic in metabarcoding where samples usually contain trace DNA in unknown amounts. However, how this affects the completeness of metabarcoding results has yet been poorly investigated.
Genomic divergence in allopatric Northern Cardinals of the North American warm deserts is linked to behavioral differentiation
Authors: Provost Kaiya L. , Mauck William M. , Smith Brian Tilston 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBiogeographic barriers are considered important in initiating speciation through geographic isolation, but they rarely indiscriminately and completely reduce gene flow across entire communities. Explicitly demonstrating which factors are associated with gene‐flow levels across barriers would help elucidate how speciation is initiated and isolation maintained. Here, we investigated the association of behavioral isolation on population differentiation in Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) distributed across the Cochise Filter Barrier, a region of transitional habitat which separates the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts of North America. Using genomewide markers, we modeled demographic history by fitting the data to isolation and isolation‐with‐migration models. The best‐fit model indicated that desert populations diverged in the Pleistocene with low, historic, and asymmetric gene flow across the barrier. We then tested behavioral isolation using reciprocal call‐broadcast experiments to compare song recognition between deserts, controlling for song dialect changes within deserts. We found that male Northern Cardinals in both deserts were most aggressive to local songs and failed to recognize across‐barrier songs. A correlation of genomic differentiation and strong song discrimination is consistent with a model where speciation is initiated across a barrier and maintained by behavioral isolation.
Rainforest trees respond to drought by modifying their hydraulic architecture
Authors: Tng David Y. P. , Apgaua Deborah M. G. , Ishida Yoko F. , Mencuccini Maurizio , Lloyd Jon , Laurance William F. , Laurance Susan G. W. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIncreased drought is forecasted for tropical regions, with severe implications for the health and function of forest ecosystems. How mature forest trees will respond to water deficit is poorly known. We investigated wood anatomy and leaf traits in lowland tropical forest trees after 24 months of experimental rainfall exclusion. Sampling sun‐exposed young canopy branches from target species, we found species‐specific systematic variation in hydraulic‐related wood anatomy and leaf traits in response to drought stress. Relative to controls, drought‐affected individuals of different tree species variously exhibited trait measures consistent with increasing hydraulic safety. These included narrower or less vessels, reduced vessel groupings, lower theoretical water conductivities, less water storage tissue and more abundant fiber in their wood, and more occluded vessels. Drought‐affected individuals also had thinner leaves, and more negative pre‐dawn or mid‐day leaf water potentials. Future studies examining both wood and leaf hydraulic traits should improve the representation of plant hydraulics within terrestrial ecosystem and biosphere models, and help fine‐tune predictions of how future climate changes will affect tropical forests globally.
Phylogeographic analyses of a widely distributedPopulus davidiana: Further evidence for the existence of glacial refugia of cool‐temperate deciduous trees in northern East Asia
Authors: Hou Zhe , Wang Zhaoshan , Ye Zhanyang , Du Shuhui , Liu Shuyu , Zhang Jianguo 
Published: December 2018

AbstractDespite several phylogeographic studies had provided evidence to support the existence of glacial refugia of cool‐temperate deciduous trees in northeast China, the species used in these studies were limited by the species ranges, which could not exclude the possibility that northern populations were the colonists from southern refugial populations during the last glacial maximum (LGM). Here, we estimated the nucleotide variation inPopulus davidiana, a widespread species distributed in Eurasia. Three groups in northeast, central, and southwest China were constructed according to the simulation results from SAMOVA, composition of chloroplast haplotypes and structure results. We revealed that the northeast China had endemic haplotypes, the haplotypes and nucleotide diversity in northern regions were not lower than that in southern China, and this species has not experienced population expansion base on the estimation of Bayesian skyline plots. Ecological niche modeling (ENM) indicated that the northeast China had a high suitability score during the last glacial maximum. The combined evidence clearly demonstrated that northeastern and southwestern refugia were maintained across the current distributional range ofP. davidianaduring the LGM. The genetic differentiation between these two refugia might be mainly caused by differences of climate among these areas. The phylogeographic analyses of a widely distributedP. davidianaprovided robust evidence to clarify the issue of refugia in northeast China, and these results are of great importance for understanding the influence of Quaternary glaciations on the distribution and evolution of species in East Asia.
Pollinator‐mediated interactions between cultivated papaya and co‐flowering plant species
Authors: Badillo‐Montaño Raúl , Aguirre Armando , Munguía‐Rosas Miguel A. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractMany modern crop varieties rely on animal pollination to set fruit and seeds. Intensive crop plantations usually do not provide suitable habitats for pollinators so crop yield may depend on the surrounding vegetation to maintain pollination services. However, little is known about the effect of pollinator‐mediated interactions among co‐flowering plants on crop yield or the underlying mechanisms. Plant reproductive success is complex, involving several pre‐ and post‐pollination events; however, the current literature has mainly focused on pre‐pollination events in natural plant communities. We assessed pollinator sharing and the contribution to pollinator diet in a community of wild and cultivated plants that co‐flower with a focal papaya plantation. In addition, we assessed heterospecific pollen transfer to the stigmatic loads of papaya and its effect on fruit and seed production. We found that papaya shared at least one pollinator species with the majority of the co‐flowering plants. Despite this, heterospecific pollen transfer in cultivated papaya was low in open‐pollinated flowers. Hand‐pollination experiments suggest that heterospecific pollen transfer has no negative effect on fruit production or weight, but does reduce seed production. These results suggest that co‐flowering plants offer valuable floral resources to pollinators that are shared with cultivated papaya with little or no cost in terms of heterospecific pollen transfer. Although HP reduced seed production, a reduced number of seeds per se are not negative, given that from an agronomic perspective the number of seeds does not affect the monetary value of the papaya fruit.
Fe‐enriched Clay‐coated and Reduced Graphene Oxide‐modified N‐doped Polymer Nanocomposite: A Natural Recognition Element‐based Sensing Electrode for DNT
Authors: Bairagi Pallab K. , Gupta Govind S. , Verma Nishith 
Published: December 2018

AbstractDinitrotoluene (DNT) is a signature material of all nitro‐aromatic explosives including the lethal 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT). A clay‐modified reduced graphene oxide (rGO)‐polymer nanocomposite was prepared as sensing electrode for the detection of (DNT) in the aquatic systems. rGO was in situ dispersed in the electro‐conductive N‐doped phenol/formaldehyde polymer and the clay ‘montmorillonite’ was coated on the nanocomposite. The clay, containing iron as one of its mineral components, served as the recognition element for DNT. Tested using electrochemical measurement techniques – cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry, the prepared sensing electrode exhibited a low detection limit (0.0016 μM) on signal to noise ratio basis (S/N=3) and excellent linearity (R2=0.997) over 0.02–10 mg L−1 with high sensitivity value (428 μA mM−1 cm−2) for DNT. The electrode showed negligible interference with the gravimetric and volumetric salts commonly present in seawater, and also, with explosive derivatives. The separate tests performed in a simulated seawater confirmed the suitability of the prepared electrode for use in field applications.
Influence of colonic dialysis using Gubenxiezhuo on the distribution of gut microflora in uremia rats
Authors: He Haidong , Hu Ping , Tang Yuyan , Xu Xudong 
Published: December 2018

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the underlying function of Gubenxiezhuo dialysis on the distribution of gut microflora uremia.MethodsA uremia rat model was constructed, and the morphology of renal tissue was determined using the hematoxylin‐eosin (H&E) staining. Moreover, the blood samples were collected and the expression of IL‐1β, IL‐6, and CRP was determined using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Following these experiments, the gut tissues of rats were collected and the distribution of gut microbiota was explored using real‐time PCR.ResultsCompared with the control group, inflammatory infiltration, apoptosis, and bleeding were significantly upregulated in kidney of uremia rats, and Gubenxiezhuo dialysis could obviously ameliorate these changes. Expression of IL‐1β, IL‐6, and CRP were significantly elevated in uremic rats and Gubenxiezhuo could significantly attenuate these elevations (p < 0.01). In addition, Gubenxiezhuo dialysis also could attenuate the upregulations of
Acinetobacter,
Bacillus cereus,
Proteus vulgaris,
Shigella flexneri, and
Escherichia coli , and the downregulation of
Bifidobacterium,
Lactobacillus, and
Helicobacter in the uremia rats (
p < 0.05).ConclusionGubenxiezhuo dialysis could significantly ameliorate the inflammatory to modulate the distribution of gut microbiota in uremia.
Immediate remote ischemic postconditioning reduces cerebral damage in ischemic stroke mice by enhancing leptomeningeal collateral circulation
Authors: Zhang Ying , Ma Longhui , Ren Changhong , Liu Kaiyin , Tian Xin , Wu Di , Ding Yuchuan , Li Junfa , Borlongan Cesar V. , Ji Xunming 
Published: December 2018

AbstractRemote ischemic postconditioning (RIPC) is a promising neuroprotective strategy for ischemic stroke. Here, we employed a focal ischemic stroke mouse model to test the hypothesis that poststroke collateral circulation as a potent mechanism of action underlying the therapeutic effects of immediate RIPC. During reperfusion of cerebral ischemia, the mice were randomly assigned to receive RIPC, granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) as a positive control, or no treatment. At 24 hr, we found RIPC and G‐CSF increased monocytes/macrophages in the dorsal brain surface and in the spleen, coupled with enhanced leptomeningeal collateral flow compared with nontreatment group. Blood monocytes depletion by 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) significantly limited the neuroprotection of RIPC or G‐CSF treatment. The protein expression of proangiogenic factors such as Ang‐2 was increased by ischemia, but treatment with either RIPC or G‐CSF showed no further upregulation. Thus, immediate RIPC confers neuroprotection, in part, by enhancing leptomeningeal collateral circulation in a mouse model of ischemic stroke.
miR‐133a‐3p suppresses cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and promotes apoptosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Yin Yanwei , Du Lei , Li Xuezhen , Zhang Xiaoyan , Gao Yongli 
Published: December 2018

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the expression levels of miR‐133a‐3p and collagen type I α 1 (COL1A1) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) to find out the relationship between miR‐133a‐3p and COL1A1 and their influence on ESCC propagation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis.MethodsThe messenger RNA expression levels of miR‐133a‐3p and COL1A1 in ESCC were detected by quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction. The expression of COL1A1 protein was examined via western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry assay. Cell propagation and apoptosis were, respectively, confirmed by CCK‐8 and flow cytometry assay, whereas cell mobility and invasiveness were analyzed by wound healing assay and transwell assay. The targeted relationship between miR‐133a‐3p and COL1A1 was validated by the dual luciferase reporter assay. The tumor xenograft model was constructed to further verify the impact of miR‐133a‐3p on esophageal squamous tumor growth and COL1A1 expression in vivo.ResultsmiR‐133a‐3p was found low‐expressed whereas COL1A1 was highly expressed in esophageal squamous cancer tissue and cells. The expression of miR‐133a‐3p was negatively correlated with COL1A1 expression. The dual luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that miR‐133a‐3p directly targeted COL1A1 and suppressed its expression. Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay, transwell assay, and flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that COL1A1 promoted ESCC propagation and invasion and suppressed cell apoptosis, whereas miR‐133a‐3p reversed such adverse effects by regulating COL1A1.ConclusionsmiR‐133a‐3p inhibited the cell propagation, invasion, and migration and facilitated apoptosis in ESCC by targeting COL1A1.
Atrial fibrillation in β‐thalassemia patients with a focus on the role of iron‐overload and oxidative stress: A review
Authors: Nomani Homa , Bayat Golnaz , Sahebkar Amirhossein , Fazelifar Amir Farjam , Vakilian Farveh , Jomezade Vahid , Johnston Thomas P. , Mohammadpour Amir Hooshang 
Published: December 2018

AbstractCardiac complications including arrhythmia and especially atrial fibrillation (AF) are common causes of death in β‐thalassemia patients. The main factor in the etiopathogenesis of these complications is iron overload, which results in increased oxidative stress. Although there is a known association between cardiac complications and iron overload in β‐thalassemia patients, there is no comprehensive review on AF and excessive iron with a focus on oxidative stress in these patients. The aim of this article was to review the different aspects of AF in β‐thalassemia patients with a focus on the prevention and treatment of AF by using iron chelators and/or anti‐oxidants. AF in β‐thalassemia patients is more common than in the general population. One of the most important causes of AF is cardiac iron overload and the harmful effects of increased oxidative stress. Iron‐induced AF can be reversed by using an intensive iron chelation regimen. Based on a few experimental studies, the combination of iron chelators with some anti‐oxidants, including NAC, vitamin C, and acetaminophen, can lead to improved cardiac protection. However, the effect of such combinations on cardiac arrhythmias should be further evaluated with animal and human studies.
Microtubules: From understanding their dynamics to using them as potential therapeutic targets
Authors: Ilan Yaron 
Published: December 2018

AbstractMicrotubules (MT) and actin microfilaments are dynamic cytoskeleton components involved in a range of intracellular processes. MTs play a role in cell division, beating of cilia and flagella, and intracellular transport. Over the past decades, much knowledge has been gained regarding MT function and structure, and its role in underlying disease progression. This makes MT potential therapeutic targets for various disorders. Disturbances in MT and their associated proteins are the underlying cause of diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and several genetic diseases. Some of the advances in the field of MT research, as well as the potenti G beta gamma, is needed al uses of MT‐targeting agents in various conditions have been reviewed here.
Simplification of Imipenem Dosing by Removal of Weight‐Based Adjustments
Authors: Lala Mallika , Brown Michelle , Kantesaria Bhavna , Walker Brittany , Paschke Amanda , Rizk Matthew L. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIn patients with renal insufficiency, dose adjustments based on creatinine clearance and body weight have been a component of imipenem dosage instructions. The objective of the current analysis was to provide revised dosing recommendations by evaluating the impact of creatinine clearance and body weight on the pharmacokinetics of imipenem. A population pharmacokinetics model was developed with data from 465 patients and 3300 pharmacokinetic samples. Simulations provided data to support revision of the dosing recommendations to remove body weight–adjusted dosing, and the analysis formed the basis for updates that are reflected on the current imipenem label for both the United States and Europe. The optimized regimen provided an advantage in terms of improved target attainment at breakpoint minimum inhibitory concentration values of 1 and 2 μg/mL, as low‐body‐weight patients maintained >90% probability of target attainment compared to <90% probability of target attainment achieved with the previously approved regimen. It was concluded that additional dose adjustments for body weight were not necessary and the new scheme would simplify dosing while maintaining patient safety and efficacy.
Neonatal influenza-specific effector CTLs retain elevated CD31 levels at the site of infection and have decreased IFN-γ production
Authors: Fike Adam J , Kumova Ogan K , Tardif Virginie J , Carey Alison J 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
The underlying mechanisms that regulate neonatal immune suppression are poorly characterized. CD31 (PECAM1) is highly expressed on neonatal lymphocytes and is a known modulator of TCR signaling. To further characterize the role of CD31 in the neonatal CTL response, 3-d and 7-d-old murine neonates were infected with influenza virus and compared to adults. The majority of the pulmonary viral-specific CTLs in the 3-d-old murine neonate retain CD31 expression, whereas adult CTLs have decreased CD31 expression. In addition, CD31+ neonatal viral-specific CTLs demonstrate decreased IFN-γ production, decreased proliferative capacity, and increased likelihood of death. At the peak of infection, sorted neonatal effector CTLs continue to transcribe CD31, indicating a developmental regulation of expression. To explore potential mechanisms for this reduced function, we compared the expression of the transcription factors Eomesodermin (Eomes) and T-bet; there was a significant increase in Eomes paired with a reduction in T-bet in CD31+ neonatal effector CTLs in the lung. Furthermore, in vitro stimulated neonatal CTLs significantly reduce IFN-γ production upon CD31 signaling. Altogether, these data indicate that neonatal CTLs may retain elevated levels of CD31 to maintain peripheral T cell suppression during the bridge to ex utero life.
Hematopoietic cell-specific lyn substrate (HCLS1 or HS1): A versatile actin-binding protein in leukocytes
Authors: Castro-Ochoa Karla F , Guerrero-Fonseca Idaira M , Schnoor Michael 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
Leukocytes are constantly produced in the bone marrow and released into the circulation. Many different leukocyte subpopulations exist that exert distinct functions. Leukocytes are recruited to sites of inflammation and combat the cause of inflammation via many different effector functions. Virtually all of these processes depend on dynamic actin remodeling allowing leukocytes to adhere, migrate, phagocytose, and release granules. However, actin dynamics are not possible without actin-binding proteins (ABP) that orchestrate the balance between actin polymerization, branching, and depolymerization. The homologue of the ubiquitous ABP cortactin in hematopoietic cells is hematopoietic cell-specific lyn substrate-1, often called hematopoietic cell-specific protein-1 (HCLS1 or HS1). HS1 has been reported in different leukocytes to regulate Arp2/3-dependent migration. However, more evidence is emerging that HS1 functions go far beyond just being a direct actin modulator. For example, HS1 is important for the activation of GTPases and integrins, and mediates signaling downstream of many receptors including BCR, TCR, and CXCR4. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on HS1 functions and discuss them in a pathophysiologic context.