bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regulation of thickness of actomyosin cortex in well-spread cells by contractility and spread area
Authors: Kumar Rinku , Sinha Bidisha 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe contractile cortical actomyosin cytoskeleton (or cortex) in interphase cells confers rigidity to cells, but also lead to shape dynamics. Regulation of its thickness, although well studied in rounded cells, is less explored in well-spread cells. In this paper, we quantify the variations in thickness and study the contribution of actin polymerization, myosin II activity and spread area of cells. We report an increase in cortex thickness and its variations on disrupting actin network by actin depolymerizing agents or reducing contractility by inhibiting motor activity of myosin II. On spread area reduction by substrate micropatterning, we find reduced cell volume and increased mean & variability of thickness. To validate, we follow cells through de-adhesion with EDTA. The thickness of cortex increases (and oscillates) while the volume of cells reduces with 5-15 mins timescales. Moreover, total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) imaging reveals stress fibre dissolution and events of their buckling along with a growing population of micron-sized mobile filaments. We believe that the cytoskeleton responds to the loss of adhesion by contracting and fragmenting, hence leading to cortex thickening. Limiting volume reduction does not suppress cortex thickening on de-adhesion, suggesting that decreased traction stress may be primarily responsible for the cortex thickening.
Rapid adaptation to high temperatures inChironomus riparius
Authors: Foucault Quentin , Wieser Andreas , Waldvogel Ann-Marie , Feldmeyer Barbara , Pfenninger Markus 
Published: October 2017

AbstractEffects of seasonal or daily temperature variation on fitness and physiology of ectothermic organisms and their ways to cope with such variations have been widely studied. However, the way multivoltines organisms cope with temperature variations from a generation to another is still not well understood and complex to identify. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the multivoltine midgeChironomus ripariusMeigen (1803) responds mainly via acclimation as predicted by current theories, or if rapid genetic adaptation is involved. To investigate this issue, a common garden approach has been applied. A mix of larvae from five European populations was raised in the laboratory at three different pre-exposure temperatures (PET): 14, 20, 26°C. After three and five generations respectively, larvae were exposed to three treatment temperatures (TT) 14, 20, 26°C, mortality was monitored for the first 48h and after emergence. After three generations significant mortality rate differences depended on an interaction of PET and TT. This finding supports the hypothesis that chironomids respond rapidly to climatic variation via adaptive mechanisms, and to a lesser extent via phenotypic plasticity. The result of the experiment indicates that three generations were sufficient to adapt to warm temperature, decreasing the mortality rate, highlighting the potential for chironomids to rapidly respond to seasonally changing conditions.
Inferring adaptive gene-flow in recent African history
Authors: Busby George , Christ Ryan , Band Gavin , Leffler Ellen , Le Quang Si , Rockett Kirk , Kwiatkowski Dominic , Spencer Chris 
Published: October 2017

AbstractGene-flow from an ancestrally differentiated group has been shown to be a powerful source of selectively advantageous variants. To understand whether recent gene-flow may have contributed to adaptation among humans in sub-Saharan Africa, we applied a novel method to identify deviations in ancestry inferred from genome-wide data in 48 populations. Among the signals of ancestry deviation that we find in the Fula, an historically pastoralist ethnic group from the Gambia, are the region that encodes the lactose persistence phenotype, LCT/MCM6, which has the highest proportion of Eurasian ancestry in the genome. The region with the lowest proportion of non-African ancestry is across DARC, which encodes the Duffy null phenotype and is protective for Plasmodium vivax malaria. In the Jola from the Gambia and a Khoesan speaking group from Namibia we find multiple regions with inferred ancestry deviation including the Major Histocompatibility Complex. Our analysis shows the potential for adaptive gene-flow in recent human history.
Early urinary candidate biomarkers and clinical outcomes of intervention in a rat model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Zhao Mindi , Zhang Yameng , Wu Jiangqiang , Li Xundou , Gao Youhe 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMultiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system and is difficult to diagnose in early stages. Without homeostatic control, urine was reported to have the ability to accumulate early changes in the body. We expect that urinary proteome can reflect early changes in the nervous system. In this study, the early urinary proteome changes in a most employed multiple sclerosis rat model (experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)) were analyzed to explore early urinary candidate biomarkers, and early treatment of methylprednisolone were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect. Compare with controls, twenty-five urinary proteins were altered at day 7 when there were no clinical symptoms and no obvious histological changes. Among them, twenty-three have human homologs and fourteen were reported to be differently expressed in the serum/cerebrospinal fluid/brain tissues of multiple sclerosis patients or animal models. Functional analysis showed that the dysregulated proteins were associated with asparagine degradation, neuroinflammation and lipid metabolism. After the early treatment of methylprednisolone, the incidence of encephalomyelitis in the intervention group was only 1/13. This study demonstrates that urine may be a good source of biomarkers for the early detection of multiple sclerosis and early treatment can significantly delay disease progression. These findings may provide important information for early diagnosis and intervention of multiple sclerosis in the future.
Spearfishing promotes a timidity syndrome and increases the safe operating distances in fish
Authors: Sbragaglia Valerio , Morroni Lorenzo , Bramanti Lorenzo , Weitzmann Boris , Arlinghaus Robert , Azzurro Ernesto 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTIn a landscape of fear, humans are altering key behaviors expressed by wild-living animals, including those related to foraging, reproduction and survival. When exposed to potentially lethal human actions, such as hunting or fishing, fish and wildlife is expected to behaviorally respond by becoming more timid, but proving such responses underwater in the wild has been challenging. Using a rich dataset collected in situ, we provide evidence of spearfishing-induced behavioral effects in five coastal fish species using the flight initiation distance (FID) as a proxy of predator avoidance and boldness. We document that spearfishing promotes a timidity syndrome (i.e., an increase of the average timidity of harvested populations) and that the wariness of prey’s wariness is influenced by individual size, level of protection offered through marine protected areas and the ability to recognize the risk posed by underwater human predators. In particular, we show that changes in the appearance of the observer (spearfisher vs. snorkeler) modulate the risk perception among the exploited species, and these differences are more evident outside marine protected areas where spearfishing is allowed. We also detected a positive correlation between FID and fish size, with larger specimens (that are more likely targets of spearfishers) revealing larger FID. The behavioral effects were most clearly expressed in the most heavily exploited species and declined towards the less desired and less targeted ones, which may be a result of learning mechanisms and plasticity and/or fisheries-induced evolution of timidity. Our study reveals a trade-off where intensive spearfishing negatively affects future spearfishing success through behavior-based alteration of catchability. Either rotating harvest or implementation of mosaics of protected and exploited areas might be needed to manage spearfishing-induced timidity in exploited stocks.
Histone Deacetylase 7 Mediates Tissue-Specific Autoimmunity via Control of Innate Effector Function in Invariant Natural Killer T-Cells
Authors: Kasler Herbert G. , Lee Intelly S. , Lim Hyung W. , Verdin Eric 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWe report that Histone Deacetylase 7 (HDAC7) controls the thymic effector programming of Natural Killer T (NKT) cells, and that interference with this function contributes to tissue-specific autoimmunity. Gain of HDAC7 function in thymocytes blocks both negative selection and NKT development, diverting these cells into a Tconv-like lineage. Conversely, HDAC7 deletion promotes thymocyte apoptosis and causes aberrant expansion of innate-effector cells. Investigating the mechanisms involved, we found that HDAC7 binds PLZF and modulates PLZF-dependent transcription. Moreover, HDAC7 and many of its transcriptional targets are human risk loci for IBD and PSC, autoimmune diseases that strikingly resemble the disease we observe in HDAC7 gain-of-function in mice. Importantly, reconstitution of iNKT cells in these mice abrogated their disease, suggesting that interaction between the defects in negative selection and iNKT cells caused by altered HDAC7 function can cause tissue-restricted autoimmunity, a finding that may explain the association between HDAC7 and hepatobiliary autoimmunity.
Polygenic risk score for schizophrenia is not strongly associated with the expression of specific genes or gene sets
Authors: Curtis David 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe polygenic risk score (PRS) is derived from SNPs including both those which are genome-wide significant and also a large number of others more weakly associated with schizophrenia. Such variants are widely dispersed, though concentrated near genes expressed in the brain, and it has been proposed that these SNP associations result from impacts on cell regulatory networks which ultimately affect the expression or function of a modest number of "core" genes. A previous study demonstrated association of some GWAS-significant variants with expression of a number of genes, by examining pair-wise correlations of gene expression with SNP genotypes. The present study used data downloaded from the CommonMind Consortium site, consisting of SNP genotypes and RNAseq expression data from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, to examine whether the expression of individual genes or sets of genes correlated with PRS in 207 controls and 209 schizophrenia cases. Although the PRS was significantly associated with phenotype, the correlations with genes and genes sets followed distributions expected by chance. Thus, this analysis failed to demonstrate that the PRS captures a cumulative effect of multiple variants impacting the expression of a small number of genes and it failed to focus attention on a small number of genes of biological relevance. The multiple SNP associations observed in schizophrenia may result from other mechanisms, including effects mediated indirectly through environmental risk factors.
Maternal SSRI treatment during offspring development results in long-term behavioral, cellular, and neuroimaging disruptions
Authors: Maloney Susan E. , Rahn Rachel , Akula Shyam , Rieger Michael A. , McCullough Katherine B. , Jakes Christine , Avdagic Selma , Chandler Krystal , Bauernfeind Amy L. , Culver Joseph P. , Dougherty Joseph D. 
Published: October 2017

SummarySerotonergic dysregulation is implicated in psychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Epidemiological studies suggest selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment during pregnancy may increase ASD risk in offspring, however it is unclear from these studies whether ASD susceptibility is related to the maternal diagnosis or if treatment poses additional risk. Here, we exposed mouse dams to fluoxetine and characterized the offspring to isolate possible effects of SSRI exposure on ASD-relevant behaviors. We demonstrate social communication and interaction deficits and repetitive behaviors, with corresponding dendritic morphology changes in pertinent brain regions. Also, using a novel application of optical intrinsic signal imaging, we show altered stimulus-evoked cortical response and region-specific decreases in functional connectivity. These findings indicate drug exposure alone is sufficient to induce long-term behavioral, cellular, and hemodynamic-response disruptions in offspring, thus contributing to our understanding of ASD pathogenesis, risk and mechanism, as well as the developmental role of serotonin.
Emotional and cultural intelligence in diverse workplaces: getting out of the box
Authors: Clark Jeremy Michael , Polesello Daiane 
Published: October 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore how cultural intelligence (CQ) and emotional intelligence (EI) can assist with navigating the complexities associated with diversity in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper was developed through a comprehensive literature review related to the constructs of EI and CQ.

Findings
The authors focused on the conceptualization and evolution of the intelligence types as reflected in the literature, examine research that connects the intelligence types with issues of the workplace, and its contributions when used in a diverse workplace for improving organizational outcomes and access and inclusion of underrepresented cultural and social groups.

Originality/value
This paper explores the constructs of EQ and CQ and specifically the value the constructs may provide to individuals and organizations. Further, means of developing CQ and EI are discussed
Perception of employees toward e-learning service quality: exploratory factor analysis
Authors: Agrawal Vivek , Agarwal Sucheta , Agrawal Anand Mohan 
Published: October 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the employee’s perception toward e-learning programs or services and to explore the attribute for improvements.

Design/methodology/approach
For this study, 294 employees from four different types of banks in North India were selected as respondents. Four types of banks were considered – government bank, private bank, foreign bank, and cooperative bank. The respondents were asked to give their responses as per their perceptions toward e-learning on a five-point Likert scale.

Findings
Although e-learning has not been able to fulfill its promise in revolutionizing corporate training in India, there is little doubt that in future the mode of learning will play a major role in human resource development in India because the research carried out on the successful implementation of e-learning is mostly in the western part of world.

Originality/value
The present study provides a useful insight about employee perceptions on the effectiveness of e-learning, which ultimately improves the e-service quality and results in the improvement of satisfaction of customers in the online banking sector.
The belief in redeemability – version 2 (BiR-2) scale and its relation to desistance
Authors: O’Sullivan Kevin , Levin Chana , Bright David , Kemp Richard 
Published: October 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to test the relationship between the belief in redeemability – Version 2 (BIR-2) Scale and desistance from crime. It also seeks to explore how patterns of responding on the BIR-2 with offenders compare to previous patterns of responding in the general public.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors report the results of a study of offenders using the belief in redeemability – Version 2 (BiR-2) scale. In total, 180 offenders under the supervision of the Community Corrections Service (formerly the Probation and Parole Service) of New South Wales completed the ten-item questionnaire and when these data were combined with demographic and reoffending data collected by Corrective Services New South Wales, 168 sets of useable data were collected. Scores on the BIR-2 scale were compared to Level of Service Inventory – Revised (LSI-R) score, Most Serious Offence category, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status, number of custodial sentences in previous five years, age, gender and reoffending.

Findings
Results showed that the sample overall was closely representative of the caseload from which the study sample was drawn (a metropolitan community corrections office) and that BIR-2 scores showed a small, significant, negative correlation with LSI-R scores. Analysis of re-offending data indicated a small, positive, but non-significant correlation with BIR-2. Implications of this are discussed and future research outlined.

Practical implications
The paper suggests that it is worth attempting to measure belief in redeemability in the broader context of a narrative approach to desistance.

Originality/value
This is the first time that a scale has been used to test the importance of a belief in redeemability quantitatively and to permit the use of multivariate analysis.
Understanding critical care nurses’ autonomy in Jordan
Authors: Maharmeh Mahmoud 
Published: October 2017

Purpose
The aim of this study was to describe Jordanian critical care nurses’ experiences of autonomy in their clinical practice.

Design/methodology/approach
A descriptive correlational design was applied using a self-reported cross-sectional survey. A total of 110 registered nurses who met the eligibility criteria participated in this study. The data were collected by a structured questionnaire.

Findings
A majority of critical care nurses were autonomous in their decision-making and participation in decisions to take action in their clinical settings. Also, they were independent to develop their own knowledge. The study identified that their autonomy in action and acquired knowledge were influenced by a number of factors such as gender and area of practice.

Practical implications
Nurse’s autonomy could be increased if nurses are made aware of the current level of autonomy and explore new ways to increase empowerment. This could be offered through classroom lectures that concentrate on the concept of autonomy and its implication in practice. Nurses should demonstrate autonomous nursing care at the same time in the clinical practice. This could be done through collaboration between educators and clinical practice to help merge theory to practice.

Originality/value
Critical care nurses were more autonomous in action and knowledge base. This may negatively affect the quality of patient care and nurses’ job satisfaction. Therefore, improving nurses’ clinical decision-making autonomy could be done by the support of both hospital administrators and nurses themselves.
Diffusion of adoption of solar energy – a structural model analysis
Authors: Pathania Ajay Kumar , Goyal Bindiya , Saini Jagdish Raj 
Published: October 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to locate determinants of the diffusion process of solar energy and examine the relationship between variables affecting diffusion and adoption solar of energy.Design/methodology/approachThe data used in this research have been collected from users and non-users of solar energy products in Punjab. A research model was used to test for factors of diffusion and intention to use solar energy products.FindingsThe survey results show that the majority of solar product users are aware of the difference between renewable and non-renewable sources of energy. Roger’s diffusion model containing five components, relative advantage, trialability, observability, complexity and compatibility, shows that relative advantage and trialability significantly influence user’s intention to use solar products. In order to increase adoption and usage of solar energy products, more consideration is required toward raising the reliability and utility of solar products. Demos and trials highly convince users toward solar products. Hence sellers of solar products should give effective trials to increase acceptance of solar products.Originality/valueThis work provides a clear focus which will allow the diffusion and adoption of solar energy product by providing guidance and aspiration as well as providing platform to solar energy manufacture and government for policy making and future decision.
Do Municipal Mergers Improve Technical Efficiency? An Empirical Analysis of the 2008 Queensland Municipal Merger Program
Authors: McQuestin Dana , Drew Joseph , Dollery Brian 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMunicipal mergers remain an important instrument of local government policy in numerous countries, including Australia, despite some concerns surrounding its efficacy. We consider the claim that amalgamations enhance the technical efficiency of the merged entities by examining the 2008 Queensland compulsory consolidation program that reduced the number of local authorities from 157 to 73 councils. To test the claim, we conduct locally inter‐temporal data envelopment analysis over the period 2003–2013 inclusive. Our evidence suggests that (1) in the financial year preceding the mergers, there was no statistically significant difference in the typical efficiency scores of amalgamated and non‐amalgamated councils and (2) 2 years following the mergers, the typical technical efficiency score of the amalgamated councils was well below the non‐amalgamated cohort. We argue this may be attributed to increased spending on staffing expenses, although comparatively larger operational expenditure also served to diminish efficiency.
The role of semantic retrieval in children's reading comprehension development in the upper primary grades
Authors: Nouwens Suzan , Groen Margriet A. , Kleemans Tijs , Verhoeven Ludo 
Published: October 2017

BackgroundThe lexical quality hypothesis proposes that successful reading comprehension requires high quality lexical representations, which allow for efficient retrieval. These retrieval operations have however not been specified.MethodsWe investigated the contribution of semantic retrieval to reading comprehension in 119 Dutch children in the upper grades of primary school, while taking decoding skills and vocabulary size into account in a longitudinal design. By using verbal fluency tasks, we measured retrieval in line with the structural organisation of the mental lexicon and additionally, a more controlled search through the mental lexicon.ResultsSemantic retrieval assessed in grade 5 accounted for variance in reading comprehension in grade 6, in addition to variance accounted for by vocabulary size and reading comprehension in grade 5.ConclusionsThe ability to search through the mental lexicon, along the lines of its hierarchical structure, is important for children's reading comprehension development in the upper primary grades.