bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The physical chemistry of the primary cell wall: implications for the control of expansion rate
Authors: Passioura J.B. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
The main macroscopic view of the mechanical properties of the elongating plant cell wall (the Lockhart model) embraces the notions of yield threshold (Y) and extensibility (Φ). The model would be especially powerful if Y and Φ were parameters. Often, however, they behave more like variables that tend to maintain elongation rate constant despite changes in turgor. To understand the variable nature of Y and Φ requires the macroscopic model to be augmented with a molecular one. This paper describes a molecular model of the expanding wall that mimics the variable nature of Y and Φ. The main postulates are (1) that there are two functionally disparate populations of hemicellulose molecules that tie the cellulose microfibrils of the wall together: those that are taut and load-bearing, and those that are slack and not load-bearing; and (2) that there are enzymes that cleave or loosen the load-bearing molecules. It is supposed that during the stretching of the wall slack molecules become taut and are recruited to the load-bearing contingent, thereby stiffening the wall. This stiffening is undone by enzymes that loosen load-bearing molecules. The net result is that changes in turgor alter the distribution of the hemicellulose molecules between the slack and taut populations without necessarily altering the rates of recruitment from one to the other, except transiently. The expansion rate depends on the frequency at which load-bearing molecules are loosened multiplied by the amount of expansion that occurs before the next load-bearing molecule is recruited. Effects of changing water status on expansion rate may be mediated not necessarily through turgor, but possibly through the hydration of the wall, which may shrink at low water potential, thereby inactivating enzyme molecules by restricting tneir freedom of movement.
Functional gene categories differentiate maize leaf drought-related microbial epiphytic communities
Authors: Methe Barbara A , Hiltbrand David , Roach Jeffrey , Xu Wenwei , Gordon Stuart G , Goodner Brad W , Stapleton Ann E 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe phyllosphere epiphytic microbiome is composed of microorganisms that colonize the external aerial portions of plants. Relationships of plant responses to specific microorganisms–both pathogenic and beneficial–have been examined, but the phyllosphere microbiome functional and metabolic profile responses are not well described. Changing crop growth conditions, such as increased drought, can have profound impacts on crop productivity. Also, epiphytic microbial communities provide a new target for crop yield optimization. We comparedZea maysleaf microbiomes collected under drought and well-watered conditions by examining functional gene annotation patterns across three physically disparate locations each with and without drought treatment, through the application of short read metagenomic sequencing. Drought samples exhibited different functional sequence compositions at each of the three field sites. Maize phyllosphere functional profiles revealed a wide variety of metabolic and regulatory processes that differed in drought and normal water conditions and provide key baseline information for future selective breeding.
Macrophages are required to coordinate mouse digit tip regeneration
Authors: Simkin Jennifer , Sammarco Mimi C. , Marrero Luis , Dawson Lindsay A. , Yan Mingquan , Tucker Catherine , Cammack Alex , Muneoka Ken 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTIn mammals, macrophages are known to play a major role in tissue regeneration. These cells contribute to inflammation, histolysis, re-epithelialization, re-vascularization and cell proliferation. While macrophages have been shown to be essential for epimorphic regeneration in salamanders and fish, their role has not been elucidated in mammalian epimorphic regeneration. Here, using the mouse digit tip model as a mammalian model of epimorphic regeneration, we demonstrate that macrophages are essential for the regeneration process. Using cell depletion strategies, we show that regeneration is completely inhibited; bone histolysis does not occur, wound re-epithelization is inhibited and the blastema does not form. Rescue of epidermal wound closure, in the absence of macrophages, promotes blastema accumulation but not differentiation indicating that macrophage play a role in re-differentiation. Additionally, inhibition of osteoclasts and the degradation process is not sufficient to inhibit regeneration. These findings show that macrophages play an essential role in coordinating the epimorphic regenerative response in mammals.
Auditory prediction errors as individual biomarkers of schizophrenia
Authors: Taylor J.A. , Matthews N. , Michie P.T. , Rosa M.J. , Garrido M.I. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractSchizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder, typically diagnosed through symptomatic evidence collected through patient interview. We aim to develop an objective biologically-based computational tool which aids diagnosis and relies on accessible imaging technologies such as electroencephalography (EEG). To achieve this, we used machine learning techniques and a combination of paradigms designed to elicit prediction errors or Mismatch Negativity (MMN) responses. MMN, an EEG component elicited by unpredictable changes in sequences of auditory stimuli, has previously been shown to be reduced in people with schizophrenia and this is arguably one of the most reproducible neurophysiological markers of schizophrenia.EEG data were acquired from 21 patients with schizophrenia and 22 healthy controls whilst they listened to three auditory oddball paradigms comprising sequences of tones which deviated in 10% of trials from regularly occurring standard tones. Deviant tones shared the same properties as standard tones, except for one physical aspect: 1) duration-the deviant stimulus was twice the duration of the standard; 2) monaural gap-deviants had a silent interval omitted from the standard, or 3) inter-aural timing difference, which caused the deviant location to be perceived as 90° away from the standards.We used multivariate pattern analysis, a machine learning technique implemented in the Pattern Recognition for Neuroimaging Toolbox (PRoNTo) to classify images generated through statistical parametric mapping (SPM) of spatiotemporal EEG data, i.e. event-related potentials measured on the two-dimensional surface of the scalp over time. Using support vector machine (SVM) and Gaussian processes classifiers (GPC), we were able classify individual patients and controls with balanced accuracies of up to 80.48% (p-values = 0.0326, FDR corrected) and an ROC analysis yielding an AUC of 0.87. Crucially, a GPC regression revealed that MMN predicted global assessment of functioning (GAF) scores (correlation = 0.73, R2= 0.53,p= 0.0006)
A spiral attractor network drives rhythmic locomotion
Authors: Bruno Angela M. , Frost William N. , Humphries Mark D. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe joint activity of neural populations is high dimensional and complex. One strategy for reaching a tractable understanding of circuit function is to seek the simplest dynamical system that can account for the population activity. By imagingAplysia’s pedal ganglion during fictive locomotion, here we show that its population-wide activity arises from a low-dimensional spiral attractor. Evoking locomotion moved the population into a low-dimensional, periodic, decaying orbit −a spiral −in which it behaved as a true attractor, converging to the same orbit when evoked, and returning to that orbit after transient perturbation. We found the same attractor in every preparation, and could predict motor output directly from its orbit, yet individual neurons’ participation changed across consecutive locomotion bouts. From these results, we propose that only the low-dimensional dynamics for movement control, and not the high-dimensional population activity, are consistent within and between nervous systems.
Explicit Modeling of RNA Stability Improves Large-Scale Inference of Transcription Regulation
Authors: Tchourine Konstantine , Vogel Christine , Bonneau Richard 
Published: February 2017

AbstractInference of eukaryotic transcription regulatory networks remains challenging due to the large number of regu-lators, combinatorial interactions, and redundant pathways. Even in the model systemSaccharomyces cerevisiae, inference has performed poorly. Most existing inference algorithms ignore crucial regulatory components, like RNA stability and post-transcriptional modulation of regulators. Here we demonstrate that explicitly modeling tran-scription factor activity and RNA half-lives during inference of a genome-wide transcription regulatory network in yeast not only advances prediction performance, but also produces new insights into gene-and condition-specific variation of RNA stability. We curated a high quality gold standard reference network that we use for priors on network structure and model validation. We incorporate variation of RNA half-lives into theInferelatorinference framework, and show improved performance over previously described algorithms and over implementations of the algorithm that do not model RNA degradation. We recapitulate known condition-and gene-specific trends in RNA half-lives, and make new predictions about RNA half-lives that are confirmed by experimental data.
An analysis of operating expense control within US multifamily properties
Authors: Carswell Andrew 
Published: February 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the effect that ownership and management structures have on ability to control operating expenses. For individual investors, intensity of management experience is also explored as a possible explanatory variable for operating expenses. For property management services that are contracted out, the level of the fee is investigated as a possible cause for movements in operating expenses as well. Finally, operating expenses are used as a possible explanatory variable for a property’s lease-up performance during the year.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis consists of a series of regression models performed on data provided by the 2012 Rental Housing Finance Survey (RHFS) in the USA. The RHFS is a unique data set that covers a wide degree of information on multifamily properties. The RHFS represents 2,260 properties in total, and covers various aspects of the apartment industry, including financing and operational cost measures. Control variables used as independent variables include number of units, year of property acquisition, and age of building.FindingsIndividual ownership and self-management proved to be statistically significant drivers in driving down log operating expenses. Hours spent by individuals performing property management roles on their own properties had a slightly positive association with operating expenses. For professional managers, the fees devoted solely to the manager or management company had a highly significant and positive effect on other operating costs. Finally, when separating out the individual components of operating expenses, only two variables had significant effects on tenant lease-ups: management expenses (positive) and security expenses (negative).Research limitations/implicationsThe data set is potentially biased toward those properties with less than 100 units, and thus it would be problematic to assume that these findings are generalizable to the population at large. There are also no geographic coding indicators within the RHFS data set, which eliminates the potential to control for various market factors and rural/urban differences.Practical implicationsThe research provides an understanding of some of the basic factors behind increases in operating expenses, which ultimately has implications for performance benchmarks such as net operating income and property market value.Social implicationsThe reasonable controlling of operating expenses ultimately has potentially positive implications for low- to moderate-income populations, who would ultimately experience lower rents as a result.Originality/valueThis research represents one of the first known uses of the RHFS database.
Food Safety Crisis Management—A Comparison between Germany and the Netherlands
Authors: van Asselt E.D. , van der Fels‐Klerx H.J. , Breuer O. , Helsloot I. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIn order to prevent food safety incidents from becoming a crisis, a good crisis management structure is essential. The aim of the current study was to compare and evaluate the national food incident response plans of 2 neighboring EU Member States: Germany and the Netherlands. This revealed that the structure of these plans is comparable, starting with initial alerting, assessment of the problem, upscaling, an execution phase and finally an evaluation of the crisis management. However, the German communication structure is more complex than the Dutch one and cross‐border communication between both countries is currently limited.In general, the presence of national response plans does not guarantee a good and swift response to a food safety incident as this is often hampered by difficulties in tracing the source of the problem as well as difficulties in communication between organizations involved in crisis management. A timely detection can be improved through the development of fast screening and detecting systems and through combining various data sources using computer software systems. Mutual cooperation and communication can be improved through joint exercises or projects. This will help to streamline communication toward consumers and trade partners. Such communication should be transparent relaying not only the facts but also the uncertainties in a crisis in order to gain consumer trust and safeguard international trade.
The clinically used PARP inhibitor olaparib improves organ function, suppresses inflammatory responses and accelerates wound healing in a murine model of third‐degree burn injury
Authors: Ahmad Akbar , Olah Gabor , Herndon David N , Szabo Csaba 
Published: February 2017

Background and PurposeThe PARP inhibitor olaparib has recently been approved for human use for the therapy of cancer. Considering the role of PARP in critical illness, we tested the effect of olaparib in a murine model of burn injury, in order to begin exploring the feasibility of repurposing olaparib for the therapy of burn patients.Experimental ApproachMice were subjected to scald burn injury and randomized into vehicle or olaparib (10 mg·kg−1·day−1 i.p.) groups. Outcome variables included indices of organ injury, clinical chemistry parameters, plasma levels of inflammatory mediators (at 24 h, 7 and 21 days) and burn wound size (at 21 days).Key ResultsOlaparib reduced myeloperoxidase levels in heart and lung homogenates and reduced malondialdehyde levels in all tissues 24 h post‐burn. Olaparib also reduced circulating alkaline aminotransferase, amylase and blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, indicative of protection against hepatic, pancreatic and renal dysfunction. Pro‐inflammatory mediator (TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IFN‐γ, GCSF, GM‐CSF, eotaxin, KC, MIP‐1‐α and IL‐3, 6 and 12) levels as well as the levels of several mediators that are generally considered anti‐inflammatory (IL‐4, 10 and 13) were reduced by olaparib. Plasma troponin‐I levels (an indicator of skeletal muscle damage) was also attenuated by olaparib. Finally, olaparib stimulated wound healing.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe clinically approved PARP inhibitor olaparib improves organ function, suppresses inflammatory responses and accelerates wound healing in murine burn injury. The data raise the potential utility of olaparib for severe burn injury.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on Inventing New Therapies Without Reinventing the Wheel: The Power of Drug Repurposing. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.2/issuetoc
Chronic Sleep Restriction Induces Cognitive Deficits and Cortical Beta‐Amyloid Deposition in Mice via BACE1‐Antisense Activation
Authors: Zhao Hong‐Yi , Wu Hui‐Juan , He Jia‐Lin , Zhuang Jian‐Hua , Liu Zhen‐Yu , Huang Liu‐Qing , Zhao Zhong‐Xin 
Published: February 2017

SummaryAimsTo clarify the correlation between chronic sleep restriction (CSR) and sporadic Alzheimer disease (AD), we determined in wild‐type mice the impact of CSR, on cognitive performance, beta‐amyloid (Aβ) peptides, and its feed‐forward regulators regarding AD pathogenesis.MethodsSixteen nine‐month‐old C57BL/6 male mice were equally divided into the CSR and control groups. CSR was achieved by application of a slowly rotating drum for 2 months. The Morris water maze test was used to assess cognitive impairment. The concentrations of Aβ peptides, amyloid precursor protein (APP) and β‐secretase 1 (BACE1), and the mRNA levels of BACE1 and BACE1‐antisense (BACE1‐AS) were measured.ResultsFollowing CSR, impairments of spatial learning and memory consolidation were observed in the mice, accompanied by Aβ plaque deposition and an increased Aβ concentration in the prefrontal and temporal lobe cortex. CSR also upregulated the β‐secretase‐induced cleavage of APP by increasing the protein and mRNA levels of BACE1, particularly the BACE1‐AS.ConclusionsThis study shows that a CSR accelerates AD pathogenesis in wild‐type mice. An upregulation of the BACE1 pathway appears to participate in both cortical Aβ plaque deposition and memory impairment caused by CSR. BACE1‐AS is likely activated to initiate a cascade of events that lead to AD pathogenesis. Our study provides, therefore, a molecular mechanism that links CSR to sporadic AD.
Risk governance, structures, culture, and behavior: A view from the inside
Authors: Sheedy Elizabeth , Griffin Barbara 
Published: February 2017

AbstractManuscript TypeEmpiricalResearch Questions/IssuesRisk governance (emphasizing internal structures and risk culture) is a relatively new approach to the governance of financial institutions that is being widely adopted in the industry. Due to obvious assessment challenges, to date no evidence exists regarding the effectiveness of risk structures nor the status of risk culture in financial institutions. We therefore investigate the extent to which bank employees view risk structures as effective and risk culture as favorable. We also investigate how risk structures and risk culture together influence risk behavior.Research Findings/InsightsRisk structures were typically rated as effective with the exception of remuneration. Risk culture varied at the business unit level as well as by firm and country. Senior leaders tended to have a rosier perception of risk culture than staff generally. Favorable risk culture together with effective risk structures was associated with high levels of desirable and low levels of undesirable risk behavior.Theoretical/Academic ImplicationsThe study provides a window into internal bank governance using a novel survey methodology. Many governance papers rely exclusively on external measures of governance; these do not guarantee effective internal risk governance.Practitioner/Policy ImplicationsFurther managerial and supervisory attention should be paid to ensure that culture and remuneration structures support risk management in financial institutions. As risk culture varies at the local level, it should be measured and managed at the local level. Senior leaders cannot rely on their own perceptions but should rely instead on independent assessments of risk culture.
Challenging terrestrial biosphere models with data from the long‐term multifactor Prairie Heating and CO2 Enrichment experiment
Authors: De Kauwe Martin G. , Medlyn Belinda E. , Walker Anthony P. , Zaehle Sönke , Asao Shinichi , Guenet Bertrand , Harper Anna B. , Hickler Thomas , Jain Atul K. , Luo Yiqi , Lu Xingjie , Luus Kristina , Parton William J. , Shu Shijie , Wang Ying‐Ping , Werner Christian , Xia Jianyang , Pendall Elise , Morgan Jack A. , Ryan Edmund M. , Carrillo Yolima , Dijkstra Feike A. , Zelikova Tamara J. , Norby Richard J. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractMultifactor experiments are often advocated as important for advancing terrestrial biosphere models (TBMs), yet to date, such models have only been tested against single‐factor experiments. We applied 10 TBMs to the multifactor Prairie Heating and CO2 Enrichment (PHACE) experiment in Wyoming, USA. Our goals were to investigate how multifactor experiments can be used to constrain models and to identify a road map for model improvement. We found models performed poorly in ambient conditions; there was a wide spread in simulated above‐ground net primary productivity (range: 31–390 g C m−2 yr−1). Comparison with data highlighted model failures particularly with respect to carbon allocation, phenology, and the impact of water stress on phenology. Performance against the observations from single‐factors treatments was also relatively poor. In addition, similar responses were predicted for different reasons across models: there were large differences among models in sensitivity to water stress and, among the N cycle models, N availability during the experiment. Models were also unable to capture observed treatment effects on phenology: they overestimated the effect of warming on leaf onset and did not allow CO2‐induced water savings to extend the growing season length. Observed interactive (CO2 × warming) treatment effects were subtle and contingent on water stress, phenology, and species composition. As the models did not correctly represent these processes under ambient and single‐factor conditions, little extra information was gained by comparing model predictions against interactive responses. We outline a series of key areas in which this and future experiments could be used to improve model predictions of grassland responses to global change.
White porcelain material based on diopside
Authors: Wu Jianfeng , Li Kun , Xu Xiaohong , Zhang Yaxiang , Xu Xiaoyang , Lao Xinbin 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe intention of the present study was to develop an alternative composition for making porcelain material using diopside as the main raw material. Particle size distribution, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray fluorescence spectrometer, and field emission scanning electron microscope were carried out to characterize the body. Alfa‐quartz, diopside, anorthite, and clinoenstatite were major phases of fired sample. The flexural strength, 131.54 MPa, was two times higher than that of conventional porcelains. During firing, iron ions were diffused into diopside crystal lattice giving the porcelain body a favorable whiteness. It is applicable in preparation of porcelain material using diopside as the main raw material.
Categorizing facial creases: A review
Authors: Hadi Helmi , Wilkinson Caroline M. 
Published: February 2017

SummaryEnsuring uniformity in the nomenclature standardization of facial creases is important to enable the scholarly community to follow and debate the advancements in research. This review highlights the prevailing disparity in the nomenclature that refers to the same facial crease by researchers and laypeople, and suggests uniform names for the facial creases based on available literature. The previous and current trends in facial crease classification are also discussed. The nomenclature of the facial creases considered for this review include the following: the nasolabial fold, corner of the mouth lines, upper and lower lip creases around the mouth region, the mandibular folds, the bifid nose, the transverse nasal line, the vertical glabellar line, chin crease, the mental crease, four type of creases around the eyes, forehead creases, and periauricular creases. A figure illustrating the above facial creases is included as reference. It is hoped that the proposed standardization of nomenclature would ensure a more scientific referencing of facial creases enabling more effective scientific interaction among the scholarly community as well as the laypeople interested in the research and application of facial creases.