bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unravelling the genomic basis and evolution of the pea aphid male wing dimorphism
Authors: Li Binshuang , Bickel Ryan D. , Parker Benjamin J. , Vellichirammal Neetha Nanoth , Grantham Mary , Simon Jean-Christophe , Stern David L. , Brisson Jennifer A. 
Published: June 2017

SummaryWing dimorphisms have long served as models for examining the ecological and evolutionary tradeoffs associated with alternative morphologies [1], yet the mechanistic basis of morph determination remains largely unknown. Here we investigate the genetic basis of the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) wing dimorphism, wherein males exhibit one of two alternative morphologies that differ dramatically in a set of correlated traits that inclused the presence or absence of wings [2-4]. Unlike the environmentally-induced asexual female aphid wing polyphenism [5], the male wing polymorphism is genetically determined by a single uncharacterized locus on the X chromosome calledaphicarus(“aphid” plus “Icarus”,api) [6, 7]. Using recombination and association mapping, we localizedapito a 130kb region of the pea aphid genome. No nonsynonymous variation in coding sequences strongly associated with the winged and wingless phenotypes, indicating thatapiis likely a regulatory change. Gene expression level profiling revealed an aphid-specific gene from the region expressed at higher levels in winged male embryos, coinciding with the expected stage ofapiaction. Comparison of theapiregion across biotypes (pea aphid populations specialized to different host plants that began diverging ~16,000 years ago [8, 9]) revealed that the two alleles were likely present prior to biotype diversification. Moreover, we find evidence for a recent selective sweep of a wingless allele since the biotypes diversified. In sum, this study provides insight into how adaptive, complex traits evolve within and across natural populations.
Activity based checkpoints ensure circuit stability in the olfactory system
Authors: James Kiely N , Throesch Benjamin T , Davini Weston , Eade Kevin T , Ghosh Sulagna , Lee Sohyon , Torabi-Rander Nina , Baldwin Kristin K 
Published: June 2017

AbstractOlfactory circuits function at birth, yet are continuously remodeled through the integration of adult-born interneurons into the olfactory bulb in a manner that preserves olfactory perceptual stability throughout adult life. The mechanisms that ensure appropriate circuit stability in this dynamic context remain poorly understood. Since interneurons sculpt the excitatory output of mitral and tufted (MT) neurons to the olfactory cortex, we predicted that MT neurons might instruct interneuron wiring in the adult brain. By blocking synaptic transmission from MT neurons we show that MT neuronal activity is critical to maintain olfactory bulb integrity and interneuron survival. Blocking interneuron death uncovered a second activity-dependent checkpoint regulating dendrite branching. In contrast, cortical circuits and MT neurons remain stable in the face of these silent and degenerating olfactory circuits. These studies identify a circuit-specific role for non-sensory activity in regulating integration of neurons into the adult brain, as predicted by previous computational models.
Aging-associated dysbiosis increases susceptibility to enteric viral infection inDrosophila
Authors: Sansone Christine , Cohen Jonathan , Gold Beth , Zhu Wenhan , Misic Ana M. , Beiting Daniel P. , Winter Sebastian E. , Cherry Sara 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAge is associated with increased susceptibility to enteric infections, but the molecular mechanisms are unclear. We find that agedDrosophilaare more susceptible to enteric viral infections and that this increase in susceptibility is due to the aged microbiota, since depletion of the microbiota or reconstitution with a young microbiome suppressed infection. Metagenomic analysis of the aged microbiome revealed dysbiosis with an increased abundance in reactive oxygen species (ROS) producing pathways. This aged microbiota drives intestinal ROS production and we could restore immune function in old flies by reducing ROS genetically or pharmacologically. Moreover, we found that reconstitution of old flies with a cocktail of commensals, includingL. fructivoransand heat-killedA. pomorum, could fully restore immunity. Altogether, these findings provide a mechanistic link between age-dependent dysbiosis and antiviral immunity and show that we can restore innate protection in aged animals, suggesting that this is a treatable and reversible state.
Selection constrains high rates of satellite DNA mutation inDaphnia pulex
Authors: Flynn Jullien M. , Caldas Ian , Cristescu Melania E. , Clark Andrew G. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractA long-standing evolutionary puzzle is that all eukaryotic genomes contain large amounts of tandemly-repeated satellite DNA whose composition varies greatly among even closely related species. To elucidate the evolutionary forces governing satellite dynamics, quantification of the rates and patterns of mutations in satellite DNA copy number and tests of its selective neutrality are necessary. Here we used whole-genome sequences of 28 mutation accumulation (MA) lines ofDaphnia pulexin addition to six isolates from a non-MA population originating from the same progenitor to both estimate mutation rates of abundances of satellite sequences and evaluate the selective regime acting upon them. We found that mutation rates of individual satellite sequence “kmers” were both high and highly variable, ranging from additions/deletions of 0.29 – 105 copies per generation (reflecting changes of 0.12 - 0.80 percent per generation). Our results also provide evidence that new kmer sequences are often formed from existing ones. The non-MA population isolates showed a signal of either purifying or stabilizing selection, with 33 % lower variation in kmer abundance on average than the MA lines, although the level of selective constraint was not evenly distributed across all kmers. The changes between many pairs of kmers were correlated, and the pattern of correlations was significantly different between the MA lines and the non-MA population. Our study demonstrates that kmer sequences can experience extremely rapid evolution in abundance, which can lead to high levels of divergence in genome-wide satellite DNA composition between closely related species.
SID-1 domains important for dsRNA import inC. elegans
Authors: Whangbo Jennifer S. , Weisman Alexandra S. , Lu Jiajie , Chae Jeiwook , Hunter Craig P. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIn the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans,RNA interference (RNAi) triggered by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) spreads systemically to cause gene silencing throughout the organism and its progeny. We confirm thatCaenorhabditisnematode SID-1 orthologs have dsRNA transport activity and demonstrate that the SID-1 paralog CHUP-1 does not transport dsRNA. Sequence comparison of these similar proteins, in conjunction with analysis of loss-of-function missense alleles identifies several conserved 2-7 amino acid microdomains within the extracellular domain that are important for dsRNA transport. Among these missense alleles, we identify and characterize asid-1allele,qt95, which causes tissue-specific silencing defects most easily explained as a systemic RNAi export defect. However, we conclude from genetic and biochemical analyses thatsid-1(qt95)disrupts only import and speculate that the apparent export defect is caused by the cumulative effect of sequentially impaired dsRNA import steps.Thus, consistent with previous studies, we fail to detect a requirement forsid-1in dsRNA export, but demonstrate for the first time that SID-1 functions in the intestine to support environmental RNAi.
Mechanistic Implications of Enhanced Editing by a HyperTRIBE RNA-binding protein
Authors: Xu Weijin , Rahman Reazur , Rosbash Michael 
Published: June 2017

AbstractWe previously developed TRIBE, a method for the identification of cell-specific RNA binding protein targets. TRIBE expresses an RBP of interest fused to the catalytic domain (cd) of the RNA editing enzyme ADAR and performs Adenosine-to-Inosine editing on RNA targets of the RBP. However, target identification is limited by the low editing efficiency of the ADARcd. Here we describe HyperTRIBE, which carries a previously characterized hyperactive mutation (E488Q) of the ADARcd. HyperTRIBE identifies dramatically more editing sites, many of which are also edited by TRIBE but at a much lower editing frequency. HyperTRIBE therefore more faithfully recapitulates the known binding specificity of its RBP than TRIBE. In addition, separating RNA binding from the enhanced editing activity of the HyperTRIBE ADAR catalytic domain sheds light on the mechanism of ADARcd editing as well as the enhanced activity of the HyperADARcd.
IndeCut evaluates performance of network motif discovery algorithms
Authors: Ansariola Mitra , Megraw Molly , Koslicki David 
Published: June 2017

AbstractGenomic networks represent a complex map of molecular interactions which are descriptive of the biological processes occurring in living cells. Identifying the small over-represented circuitry patterns in these networks helps generate hypotheses about the functional basis of such complex processes. Network motif discovery is a systematic way of achieving this goal. However, a reliable network motif discovery outcome requires generating random background networks which are the result of a uniform and independent graph sampling method. To date, there has been no sound practical method to numerically evaluate whether any network motif discovery algorithm performs as intended—thus it was not possible to assess the validity of resulting network motifs. In this work, we presentIndeCut, the first and only method that allows characterization of network motif finding algorithm performance on any network of interest. We demonstrate that it is critical to useIndeCutprior to running any network motif finder for two reasons. First,IndeCutestimates the minimally required number of samples that each network motif discovery tool needs in order to produce an outcome that is both reproducible and accurate. Second,IndeCutallows users to choose the most accurate network motif discovery tool for their network of interest among many available options.IndeCutis an open source software package and is available athttps://github.com/megrawlab/IndeCut.
Where are they going? Case of British and Japanese human resource management
Authors: Kang William Il kuk , Fornes Gaston 
Published: June 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore and understand corporate social responsibility (CSR) and human resource management (HRM) practices of the UK and Japan, who share opposing societal and cultural characteristics, from a national business system (NBS) perspective, to answer the following two questions: the extent of convergence/divergence of CSR-HRM of two very different NBS, and the institutional relations behind the convergence/divergence.Design/methodology/approachFor these purposes, the paper proposes a framework that can be utilised to understand the complex relationships between institutions, HRM, and CSR. Using a qualitative approach and grounded theory analysis as well as multiple-case analysis of six cases from the UK and Japan, the findings are tested against the framework.FindingsThe paper was able to confirm that mimetic and coercive isomorphism from global institutional pressure cause certain convergence of CSR-HRM in these two nations. However, simultaneously, the local institutional pressure (i.e. NBS) appears to be deeply rooted and is more salient at micro-level, resulting in diversified CSR-HRM in the two nations. As a result, it appears that convergence and divergence co-exist due to their differences in NBS with possibility of “crossvergence”.Originality/valueThis paper’s significance lies not only in contributing to the existing convergence–divergence debate on both CSR and HRM but also to help understanding of how Western CSR-HRM concepts are utilized and interpreted in East Asian countries with very different NBS from the West, with the aid of the proposed framework.
Mapping the impact of Asian business systems on HRM and organisational behaviour: multi-level comparative perspectives
Authors: Pereira Vijay , Malik Ashish , Froese Fabian Jintae 
Published: June 2017

Purpose
This paper aims to explore the importance of the role of national business systems (NBS) in shaping human resource management (HRM) and organisational behaviour (OB) practices in the context of Asian countries. To this end, this paper presents a comparative overview of different NBS in selected Asian countries and how these variously impact HRM and OB at two levels and contexts, i.e. within and cross-national.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents a topical review of the literature to unravel the complexity and challenges associated with studying this rich and complex area.

Findings
The findings suggest there is significant complexity in studying the impact of NBS on HRM and OB at a holistic and multi-level unit of analysis. The multiplicity of factors and levels of analysis, even at a level of within country analysis, highlights the sophisticated, in-depth and detailed nature of scholarship needed to unbundle and get a fuller understanding of this topic.

Research limitations/implications
Although recent research presents a within and cross-national analysis of NBS and its impact on HRM and OB practices from diverse Asian countries such as India, Japan, Indonesia and Malaysia, recent research offers only a focused analysis of few targeted HRM and OB practices, rather than a collective or a bundle of HRM practices.

Practical implications
The contributions point to several practical implications for HR managers as well as managers from other fields, covering several national and cross-national comparisons.

Originality/value
This paper offers a substantial contribution in the understanding of how various HRM and OB practices are embedded in a nation’s business system and through a variety of historical and cultural influences.
Crafting experiential value via smartphone apps channel
Authors: Rezaei Sajad , Valaei Naser 
Published: June 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of post-usage usefulness (PUU), experiential value, and apps channel satisfaction on consumer continuance intention in using the smartphone apps retail channel for shopping activities. The study proposes that experiential value mediates both the relationship between PUU and apps channel satisfaction and the relationship between PUU and apps channel continuance intention.Design/methodology/approachA total of 467 valid questionnaires were received from Malaysian experienced smartphone apps shoppers (minimum of six months experience) from pure play apps retailers to empirically test the model. For the assessment of the measurement model and structural relationships, partial least square path modelling approach was performed.FindingsThe hypotheses testing imply that all direct hypotheses between latent constructs are supported. Experiential value partially mediates the relationship between PUU and apps channel satisfaction and the hypothesis on its mediation role on the relationship between PUU and apps channel continuance intention is rejected.Originality/valueDespite the rapid development of information technology, a few research uncovered how businesses can create value through smartphone apps channel. Rather than focussing exclusively on online retailing, physical stores and e-commerce in general as a retail distribution strategy, this study empirically uncovered that value creation process could be achieved through smartphone apps channel.
Biological Flora of the British Isles: Serratula tinctoria
Authors: Jefferson Richard G. , Walker Kevin J. 
Published: June 2017

Summary

This account presents information on all aspects of the biology of Serratula tinctoria L. that are relevant to understanding its ecological characteristics and behaviour. The main topics are presented within the standard framework of the Biological Flora of the British Isles: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to environment, structure and physiology, phenology, floral and seed characters, herbivores and disease, history and conservation.

Serratula tinctoria is a gynodioecious perennial forb of open or semi‐shaded habitats including grassland, heath, mire, open woodland and scrub and their ecotones. It is found throughout most of England and Wales but it is very rare in Scotland and absent from Ireland. Serratula tinctoria is found in Europe as far north as southern Sweden and Norway. It is absent from much of the Boreal biogeographical zone, including most of Fennoscandia and northern Poland, Russia and the Baltic States, and from the lowland Mediterranean zone.

Serratula tinctoria occurs on soils overlying a wide variety of superficial deposits and sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks, including ultramafic rocks. The pH range of these soils is wide, ranging from acidic to moderately alkaline but with nutrient status classed as oligotrophic, or more rarely mesotrophic. In mire or fen habitats, it occurs in topogenous or soligenous situations with a similar soil water pH range. It is able to tolerate a wide spectrum of soil water‐table conditions, ranging from very dry to flooded.

Serratula tinctoria is pollinated by various insects of the orders Hymenoptera, Diptera and Lepidoptera, particularly bumblebees, hoverflies and butterflies. It produces phytoecdysteroids, which mimic a hormone that regulates insect development.

The seed has a feathery pappus for wind dispersal and establishment is primarily from seed. However, it has strong dispersal limitation with slow migration rates into restored grasslands of 1 m year−1. The species has a short‐term persistent seed bank. Seedling recruitment is enhanced by disturbance that creates bare ground, increasing light flux and lower cover of bryophytes and litter, and reduced by higher nutrient availability and lack of management.

Formerly the source of a yellow dye, S. tinctoria has declined in Britain since at least the late 19th Century primarily due to a combination of drainage, ploughing and agricultural improvement and, conversely, lack of management by cutting and grazing in its grassland, heath and mire habitats. There is evidence that the decline slowed or stabilised between the late‐1980s and the mid‐2000s, in part due to the positive impact of conservation via statutory protection on designated sites and wider measures delivered through agri‐environment schemes.
Accelerating Agro‐Manufacturing to Feed Africa
Authors: Anyanwu John C. , Kponnou Mawuko 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis paper documents stylized facts on agro‐manufacturing, especially the food, beverages and tobacco (FBT) manufacturing value added (MVA) in Africa and empirically analyzes its determinants using data for a panel of African countries over the period 1990–2011. We also estimate for the sample of sub‐Saharan Africa and North Africa during the same period. The analysis is extended to food and beverages (FB) only MVA. The analyses point to large differences in sector shares both across countries at different levels of economic development. Using a two‐stage least squares (2SLS) regression method, it finds that a large proportion of the cross‐country variation in FBT MVA and FB MVA can be accounted for by country characteristics, policy and institutional variables. In particular, the paper finds that an inverted U‐shaped relationship with real per capita GDP for FBT MVA and FB MVA, except in FB MVA in North Africa where the reverse is true. Key positive drivers of FBT MVA for the entire continent include government consumption expenditure, household consumption expenditure, social globalization, dependence on oil, minerals, natural gas, coal and forest resources, arable land, and renewable electricity output. Major negative drivers are trade openness and population size. The policy implications and lessons of these results for increasing FBT and FB MVA and feeding Africa are discussed.
Lateral ridge augmentation with two different ratios of deproteinized bovine bone and autogenous bone: A 2‐year follow‐up of a randomized and controlled trial
Authors: Mordenfeld Arne , Aludden Hanna , Starch‐Jensen Thomas 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe optimal ratio of deproteinized bovine bone (DPBB) and autogenous bone (AB) for lateral augmentation is presently unknown.PurposeTo evaluate implant treatment outcome and radiological graft changes after lateral ridge augmentation with 2 different mixtures of DPBB and AB, 2 years after functional loading.Materials and methodsThirteen patients were included in a split mouth, randomized, controlled trial. Four partially edentulous and 10 totally edentulous jaws with an alveolar ridge width of <4 mm were augmented with a graft mixture of 90:10 (DPBB:AB) on one side and 60:40 (DPBB:AB) on the contra lateral side. Graft width changes were measured on CBCT scans at different time points. Implant survival and success rates were calculated. Resonance frequency analysis and marginal bone measurements were performed after 2 years of loading.ResultsThe survival rate was 94.4% for implants installed in the 90:10 and 100% for implants installed in the 60:40. There were no statistically significant differences in survival rate or success rate between the mixtures.The width was 5.7 mm and 6.2 mm, respectively for the 2 groups without any significant difference between the groups after 2 years of loading. There was a significant difference in graft reduction between the groups, 54.4% (90:10) and 37.5% (60:40), respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in implant stability or marginal bone levels at any time points.ConclusionsThe 2 treatment modalities may be successfully used for lateral ridge augmentation and presented good clinical results after 2 years of loading. However, long‐term RCTs are required before final conclusions can be provided on this specific topic.
The ecological consequences of environmentally induced phenotypic changes
Authors: Gibert Jean P. , Allen Rachel L. , Hruska Ron J. , DeLong John P. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPopulation dynamics and species persistence are often mediated by species traits. Yet many important traits, like body size, can be set by resource availability and predation risk. Environmentally induced changes in resource levels or predation risk may thus have downstream ecological consequences. Here, we assess whether quantity and type of resources affect the phenotype, the population dynamics, and the susceptibility to predation of a mixotrophic protist through experiments and a model. We show that cell shape, but not size, changes with resource levels and type, and is linked to carrying capacity, thus affecting population dynamics. Also, these changes lead to differential susceptibility to predation, with direct consequences for predator‐prey dynamics. We describe important links between environmental changes, traits, population dynamics and ecological interactions, that underscore the need to further understand how trait‐mediated interactions may respond to environmental shifts in resource levels in an increasingly changing world.