bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gene expression is more strongly influenced by age than caste in the ant Lasius niger
Authors: Lucas Eric R. , Romiguier Jonathan , Keller Laurent 
Published: July 2017

AbstractPhenotypic plasticity, where a single genome can give rise to different phenotypes, underlies many remarkable features of the natural world and occurs in a wide range of organisms. Understanding the transcriptional differences that underlie plastic phenotypes remains a major unsolved problem in biology. In many ants, females can develop into either queens or workers, two phenotypes with different morphology, behaviour and longevity. In comparison with workers, queens are larger, more fecund and longer lived. Here, we study gene expression differences between queens and workers in the ant Lasius niger. The analysis of age‐ and tissue‐specific RNA sequencing showed that patterns of caste‐biased gene expression vary considerably between ages and tissues. Expression was more tightly linked to age than caste despite the important morphological and behavioural differences between queens and workers. Our data allowed us to identify genes that are consistently biased across biological contexts. Caste‐biased genes showed faster rates of molecular evolution, lower levels of DNA methylation and greater variability in expression than unbiased genes. Our results indicate that a substantial proportion of caste‐biased expression is ephemeral and that taking account of age and tissue is critical to understanding the transcriptomic basis of plastic phenotypes. By contrast, the biological context of expression bias did not broadly affect methylation or the rate of evolution. The faster rate of evolution and greater variability of expression of caste‐biased genes indicate that caste‐biased genes evolve from loosely regulated genes that can be co‐opted for caste‐specific tasks because of the lax control over their expression.
On the Structure of Bioethics as a Pragmatic Discipline
Authors: Alvargonzález David 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThis article analyzes certain aspects of the structure of bioethics as a discipline. It begins by arguing that bioethics is an academic discipline of a pragmatic nature and then puts forward a classification of the main problems, issues, and concerns in bioethics, using this classification as a way to outline the limits and framework of the field. Pushing further, it contends that comprehensive treatment of any topic in bioethics requires that three normative dimensions (the ethical, the moral, and the political) be taken into account. It concludes that the classification of the issues and analysis of each issue's normative dimensions can provide valuable contributions toward understanding the sui generis structure of bioethics as a pragmatic discipline.
Does Philosophy Require a Weak Transcendental Approach?
Authors: Reider Patrick J. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractDespite any shortcomings of Kant's transcendental philosophy, the spirit (rather than the letter) of Kant's approach is correct. In particular, Kant is correct to believe (1) an accurate account of the types of “access” humans possess to internal and empirical content should form the groundwork for epistemic and ethical investigation and (2) epistemic and ethical investigations cannot successfully circumvent this groundwork. In this context, the term “access” concerns the mental processes that render internal and external experience possible. In supporting the above claims, this article outlines and defends what can be considered a weak version of Kant's transcendental approach. This weaker approach does not require the achievement of synthetic a priori judgments, which permit deductive conclusions concerning possible experience (as opposed to a strong approach, which maintains these requirements).
High‐resolution manometry assessment of the lower esophageal sphincter after‐contraction: Normative values and clinical correlation
Authors: Carlson D. A. , Kahrilas P. J. , Tye M. , Listernick Z. , Ritter K. , Wong I. , Xiao Y. , Bul V. , Pandolfino J. E. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe Chicago Classification v3.0 proposed extending the distal contractile integral (DCI) measurement domain to include the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to enhance the detection of esophageal hypercontractility. However, normative and clinical data for this approach are unreported. We aimed to describe the application of an extended DCI measurement in asymptomatic controls and patients.MethodsHigh‐resolution manometry (HRM) of 65 asymptomatic controls and 72 patients with normal motility were evaluated retrospectively. Dysphagia and chest pain symptoms were assessed using the brief esophageal dysphagia questionnaire (BEDQ); ≥10 was considered abnormal. HRM studies of 10 supine swallows were evaluated via the standard DCI and an extended DCI measurement domain (DCI+) to include the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) during and after the peristaltic wave. The DCI‐increment was calculated as the DCI+ minus DCI.Key ResultsAmong controls, the median (5‐95th percentile) DCI+ was 1915 (1359‐6921) mm Hg/cm/s and DCI‐increment was 534 (126‐1488) mm Hg/cm/s. Two patients (3%) had ≥2 swallows with DCI+ >8000 mm Hg/cm/s and seven (10%) patients had at least one swallow with DCI+ >8000 mm Hg/cm/s, ie, had potential motility reclassification by application of DCI+. Seven of these nine patients (78%) were evaluated for dysphagia or chest pain, but only 3/9 (33%) had an abnormal BEDQ.Conclusions and InferencesExtension of the DCI measurement domain may aid quantifying hypercontractility that involves the LES. However, adjusting management strategies based on reclassification of patients with otherwise normal motility should be cautiously considered.
On the brink: the highly reduced plastomes of nonphotosynthetic Ericaceae
Authors: Braukmann Thomas W. A. , Broe Michael B. , Stefanović Saša , Freudenstein John V. 
Published: July 2017

Summary

Ericaceae (the heather family) is a large and diverse group of plants that forms elaborate symbiotic relationships with mycorrhizal fungi, and includes several nonphotosynthetic lineages. Using an extensive sample of fully mycoheterotrophic (MH) species, we explored inter‐ and intraspecific variation as well as selective constraints acting on the plastomes of these unusual plants.

The plastomes of seven MH genera were analysed in a phylogenetic context with two geographically disparate individuals sequenced for Allotropa, Monotropa, and Pityopus.

The plastomes of nonphotosynthetic Ericaceae are highly reduced in size (c. 33–41 kbp) and content, having lost all photosynthesis‐related genes, and are reduced to encoding housekeeping genes as well as a protease subunit (clpP)‐like and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase subunit D (accD)‐like open reading frames. Despite an increase in the rate of their nucleotide substitutions, the remaining protein‐coding genes are typically under purifying selection in full MHs. We also identified ribosomal proteins under relaxed or neutral selection. These plastomes also exhibit striking structural rearrangements.

Intraspecific variation within MH Ericaceae ranges from a few differences (Allotropa) to extensive population divergences (Monotropa, Hypopitys), which indicates that cryptic speciation may be occurring in several lineages. The pattern of gene loss within fully MH Ericaceae plastomes suggests an advanced state of degradation.
Dissecting functions of SEPALLATA‐like MADS box genes in patterning of the pseudanthial inflorescence of Gerbera hybrida
Authors: Zhang Teng , Zhao Yafei , Juntheikki Inka , Mouhu Katriina , Broholm Suvi K. , Rijpkema Anneke S. , Kins Lisa , Lan Tianying , Albert Victor A. , Teeri Teemu H. , Elomaa Paula 
Published: July 2017

Summary

The pseudanthial inflorescences of the sunflower family, Asteraceae, mimic a solitary flower but are composed of multiple flowers. Our studies in Gerbera hybrida indicate functional diversification for SEPALLATA (SEP)‐like MADS box genes that often function redundantly in other core eudicots.

We conducted phylogenetic and expression analysis for eight SEP‐like GERBERA REGULATOR OF CAPITULUM DEVELOPMENT (GRCD) genes, including previously unstudied gene family members. Transgenic gerbera plants were used to infer gene functions.

Adding to the previously identified stamen and carpel functions for GRCD1 and GRCD2, two partially redundant genes, GRCD4 and GRCD5, were found to be indispensable for petal development. Stepwise conversion of floral organs into leaves in the most severe RNA interference lines suggest redundant and additive GRCD activities in organ identity regulation. We show conserved and redundant functions for several GRCD genes in regulation of flower meristem maintenance, while functional diversification for three SEP1/2/4 clade genes in regulation of inflorescence meristem patterning was observed.

GRCD genes show both specialized and pleiotropic functions contributing to organ differentiation and flower meristem fate, and uniquely, to patterning of the inflorescence meristem. Altogether, we provide an example of how plant reproductive evolution has used conserved genetic modules for regulating the elaborate inflorescence architecture in Asteraceae.
Overweight but unseen: a review of the underestimation of weight status and a visual normalization theory
Authors: Robinson E. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryAlthough overweight and obesity are widespread across most of the developed world, a considerable body of research has now accumulated, which suggests that adiposity often goes undetected. A substantial proportion of individuals with overweight or obesity do not identify they are overweight, and large numbers of parents of children with overweight or obesity fail to identify their child as being overweight. Lay people and medical practitioners are also now poor at identifying overweight and obesity in others. A visual normalization theory of the under‐detection of overweight and obesity is proposed. This theory is based on the notion that weight status is judged relative to visual body size norms. Because larger body sizes are now common, this has caused a recalibration to the range of body sizes that are perceived as being ‘normal’ and increased the visual threshold for what constitutes ‘overweight’. Evidence is reviewed that indicates this process has played a significant role in the under‐detection of overweight and obesity. The public health relevance of the under‐detection of overweight and obesity is also discussed.
Weighing in on international growth standards: testing the case in Australian preschool children
Authors: Pattinson C.L. , Staton S.L. , Smith S.S. , Trost S.G. , Sawyer E.F. , Thorpe K.J. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryOverweight and obesity in preschool‐aged children are major health concerns. Accurate and reliable estimates of prevalence are necessary to direct public health and clinical interventions. There are currently three international growth standards used to determine prevalence of overweight and obesity, each using different methodologies: Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF). Adoption and use of each method were examined through a systematic review of Australian population studies (2006–2017). For this period, systematically identified population studies (N = 20) reported prevalence of overweight and obesity ranging between 15 and 38% with most (n = 16) applying the IOTF standards. To demonstrate the differences in prevalence estimates yielded by the IOTF in comparison to the WHO and CDC standards, methods were applied to a sample ofN = 1,926 Australian children, aged 3–5 years. As expected, the three standards yielded significantly different estimates when applied to this single population. Prevalence of overweight/obesity was WHO – 9.3%, IOTF – 21.7% and CDC – 33.1%. Judicious selection of growth standards, taking account of their underpinning methodologies and provisions of access to study data sets to allow prevalence comparisons, is recommended.
Strategies to increase the efficacy of using gut microbiota for the modulation of obesity
Authors: Li J. , Riaz Rajoka M. S. , Shao D. , Jiang C. , Jin M. , Huang Q. , Yang H. , Shi J. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryObesity is one of the most serious global public health challenges of the 21st century. The adjustment of gut microbiota is often recommended as an efficient strategy to treat obesity. This modulation of gut microbiota can be performed by many methods, including dietary intervention, antibiotic application, the use of prebiotics and probiotics, bariatric surgery and faecal microbiota transplantation. In most cases, positive effects have been observed in response to treatment, but invalid and even contrary effects have also been observed in some cases due to factors that are unrelated to intervention methods, such as genetic factors, patient age or gender, environmental microbiota, climate, geography and lifestyle. These factors can cause variation of gut microbial populations and thus should also be taken into consideration when selecting modulation strategies.
The reduction in maize leaf growth under mild drought affects the transition between cell division and cell expansion and cannot be restored by elevated gibberellic acid levels
Authors: Nelissen Hilde , Sun Xiao‐Huan , Rymen Bart , Jikumaru Yusuke , Kojima Mikko , Takebayashi Yumiko , Abbeloos Rafael , Demuynck Kirin , Storme Veronique , Vuylsteke Marnik , De Block Jolien , Herman Dorota , Coppens Frederik , Maere Steven , Kamiya Yuji , Sakakibara Hitoshi , Beemster Gerrit T.S. , Inzé Dirk 
Published: July 2017

SummaryGrowth is characterized by the interplay between cell division and cell expansion, two processes that occur separated along the growth zone at the maize leaf. To gain further insight into the transition between cell division and cell expansion, conditions were investigated in which the position of this transition zone was positively or negatively affected. High levels of gibberellic acid (GA) in plants overexpressing the GA biosynthesis gene GA20‐OXIDASE (GA20OX‐1OE) shifted the transition zone more distally, whereas mild drought, which is associated with lowered GA biosynthesis, resulted in a more basal positioning. However, the increased levels of GA in the GA20OX‐1OE line were insufficient to convey tolerance to the mild drought treatment, indicating that another mechanism in addition to lowered GA levels is restricting growth during drought. Transcriptome analysis with high spatial resolution indicated that mild drought specifically induces a reprogramming of transcriptional regulation in the division zone. ‘Leaf Growth Viewer’ was developed as an online searchable tool containing the high‐resolution data.
Functional analysis of the pepper protein phosphatase, CaAIPP1, and its interacting partner CaAIRF1: Modulation of ABA signalling and the drought stress response
Authors: Baek Woonhee , Lim Chae Woo , Lee Sung Chul 
Published: July 2017

AbstractPlant adaptive responses to abiotic stress are coordinated by restriction of plant growth and development. The plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) is the key regulator of the response to abiotic stress, and its sensitivity determines abiotic stress tolerance levels. We previously showed that the E3 ubiquitin ligase CaAIRF1 functions as a positive regulator of ABA and drought stress via modulation of transcription and stability of the type 2C protein phosphatase CaADIP1. Here, we report the identification and functional analysis of a novel‐type 2C phosphatase, CaAIPP1 (Capsicum annuum CaAIRF1 Interacting Protein Phosphatase 1). CaAIPP1 interacted with and was ubiquitinated by CaAIRF1. CaAIPP1 gene expression in pepper leaves was induced by ABA and drought. CaAIPP1 degradation was faster in crude protein extracts from ABA‐treated pepper plants than in those from control plants. CaAIPP1‐overexpressing plants displayed an ABA‐hyposensitive phenotype during seed germination and seedling growth. Moreover, these plants exhibited a drought‐sensitive phenotype characterized by high levels of transpirational water loss via decreased stomatal closure and reduced leaf temperatures. Our data indicate that CaAIPP1 is a negative regulator of the drought stress response via ABA‐mediated signalling. Our findings provide a valuable insight into the plant defence mechanism that operates during drought stress.
EPHB4 Mutation Implicated in Capillary Malformation–Arteriovenous Malformation Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Yu JiaDe , Streicher Jenna L. , Medne Livija , Krantz Ian D. , Yan Albert C. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractCapillary malformation–arteriovenous malformation (CM‐AVM) syndrome, due to inactivating mutations in RASA1 in 68% of cases, is characterized by the development of cutaneous capillary malformations and arteriovenous malformations or fistulas; no known genetic etiology has been identified in patients with CM‐AVM syndrome without RASA1 mutations. We present the case of a child with RASA1‐negative CM‐AVM syndrome with a de novo missense mutation in EPHB4, a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor essential for vasculogenesis. Inactivating the mutation in EPHB4 has been shown to upregulate the mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway and the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1, possibly contributing to the development of vascular malformations.
The power of competence support: The impact of coaches and athlete leaders on intrinsic motivation and performance
Authors: Fransen K. , Boen F. , Vansteenkiste M. , Mertens N. , Vande Broek G. 
Published: July 2017

Grounded in the Cognitive Evaluation Theory, a mini‐theory of Self‐Determination Theory, this experimental field study sought to examine the impact of competence support of both coaches and athlete leaders on athletes’ competence satisfaction, intrinsic motivation, and subjective as well as objective performance. Male basketball players (N = 120) were allocated to groups of 5 players. These groups were then randomly assigned to a control group or to 1 of 3 experimental conditions. In these experimental conditions, either the coach, the athlete leader, or both provided motivational feedback to their team. The provision of motivational feedback by either the coach or the athlete leader was sufficient to increase athletes’ competence satisfaction, intrinsic motivation, and objective performance (i.e., enhanced execution time without a decrease in scoring percentage) relative to the control group. Interestingly, when both the coach and the athlete leader provided competence support, a surplus effect was observed on objective performance compared with when only the coach provided competence support. Furthermore, structural equation modeling revealed that players’ competence satisfaction mediated the relationship between the provided competence support and players’ intrinsic motivation, while a direct effect was observed on objective performance. In conclusion, the study findings indicate that also athlete leaders can adopt a motivating role, and that by doing so, their impact is as strong as the impact of the coach. Both coaches and athlete leaders can thus boost athletes’ objective performance and foster competence satisfaction, with the latter resulting in increased intrinsic motivation.
Longitudinal associations between exercise identity and exercise motivation: A multilevel growth curve model approach
Authors: Ntoumanis N. , Stenling A. , Thøgersen‐Ntoumani C. , Vlachopoulos S. , Lindwall M. , Gucciardi D. F. , Tsakonitis C. 
Published: July 2017

Past work linking exercise identity and exercise motivation has been cross‐sectional. This is the first study to model the relations between different types of exercise identity and exercise motivation longitudinally. Understanding the dynamic associations between these sets of variables has implications for theory development and applied research. This was a longitudinal survey study. Participants were 180 exercisers (79 men, 101 women) from Greece, who were recruited from fitness centers and were asked to complete questionnaires assessing exercise identity (exercise beliefs and role‐identity) and exercise motivation (intrinsic, identified, introjected, external motivation, and amotivation) three times within a 6 month period. Multilevel growth curve modeling examined the role of motivational regulations as within‐ and between‐level predictors of exercise identity, and a model in which exercise identity predicted exercise motivation at the within‐ and between‐person levels. Results showed that within‐person changes in intrinsic motivation, introjected, and identified regulations were positively and reciprocally related to within‐person changes in exercise beliefs; intrinsic motivation was also a positive predictor of within‐person changes in role‐identity but not vice versa. Between‐person differences in the means of predictor variables were predictive of initial levels and average rates of change in the outcome variables. The findings show support to the proposition that a strong exercise identity (particularly exercise beliefs) can foster motivation for behaviors that reinforce this identity. We also demonstrate that such relations can be reciprocal overtime and can depend on the type of motivation in question as well as between‐person differences in absolute levels of these variables.
Older Persons’ Views on Using Cash‐for‐Care Allowances at the Crossroads of Gender, Socio‐economic Status and Care Needs in Vienna
Authors: Schmidt Andrea E. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe article aims to contribute to understanding social inequalities resulting from familization (or de‐familization) tendencies among cash‐for‐care beneficiaries in a Conservative welfare state. It highlights justifications for choices in accessing and using care in a cash‐for‐care scheme from the perspective of care recipients aged 80 years and older in Vienna. Along key dimensions characterizing care recipients’ experiences, we identify four different user groups, which reflect recipients’ individual characteristics, particularly gender, socio‐economic status (SES), and care needs, and the respective care arrangement. The groups are dubbed: (1) the self‐confident; (2) the illiterate; (3) the dependent; and (4) the lonely. Narrative interviews with 15 frail older people were held in 2014 and analyzed using the framework analysis method. Results show that familiarity with support structures associates with higher SES, while those who depend on others for acquiring information or organizing care express ambivalence in choosing between formal and informal care. Engagement in deciding which care type to use is limited among people of lower SES or with complex care needs, but own experience as informal caregiver for a family member increases care recipients’ long‐term care (LTC) system literacy. Gender differences among care recipients were limited, yet middle‐class female recipients often expressed normative claims for family care from female relatives. We conclude that unconditional care allowance schemes may reinforce existing gender relations, particularly among informal caregivers, as well as underpin socio‐economic differences among LTC users in old‐age. Results also partly question the assumptions of choice and empowerment implicit in many cash‐for‐care schemes.
Improved dewaterability of sewage sludge by Fe(II)‐activated persulfate oxidation combined with polymers
Authors: Wang Huiliang , Liu Changgeng , Wu Zening , Yang Wanquan , Chen Cheng 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe combination of Fe(II)‐activated persulfate oxidation with polymers potentially applied to enhance sludge dewaterability was investigated in this work. The experiments mainly concentrated on their efficacies and the optimization of the major operational parameters. The results showed that the combination was efficient, especially when polyaluminium chloride (PAC) and chitosan were used as polymers. The optimal conditions of this process under experimental conditions were at
= 50 mg/g (dry solids),
= 125 mg/g, reaction time = 20 min, PAC = 125 mg/g and chitosan = 100 mg/g, under which the specific resistance to filtration (SRF) with a reduction efficiency of 94.87% was achieved.