bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Business Intelligence and Multimarket Competition
Authors: BILLAND PASCAL , BRAVARD CHRISTOPHE , CHAKRABARTI SUBHADIP , SARANGI SUDIPTA 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe consider a multimarket framework where a set of firms compete on two oligopolistic markets. The cost of production of each firm allows for spillovers across markets, ensuring that output decisions for both markets have to be made jointly. Prior to competing in these markets, firms can establish business intelligence gathering links with other firms. A link formed by a firm generates two types of externalities for competitors and consumers. We characterize the business intelligence equilibrium networks and networks that maximize social welfare. By contrast with single‐market competition, we show that in multimarket competition there exist situations where intelligence‐gathering activities are underdeveloped with regard to social welfare and should be tolerated, if not encouraged, by public authorities.
Effects of dietary Tenebrio molitor meal inclusion in free‐range chickens
Authors: Biasato I. , De Marco M. , Rotolo L. , Renna M. , Lussiana C. , Dabbou S. , Capucchio M. T. , Biasibetti E. , Costa P. , Gai F. , Pozzo L. , Dezzutto D. , Bergagna S. , Martínez S. , Tarantola M. , Gasco L. , Schiavone A. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryInsects are currently being considered as a novel protein source for animal feeds, because they contain a large amount of protein. The larvae of Tenebrio molitor (TM) have been shown to be an acceptable protein source for broiler chickens in terms of growth performance, but till now, no data on histological or intestinal morphometric features have been reported. This study has had the aim of evaluating the effects of dietary TM inclusion on the performance, welfare, intestinal morphology and histological features of free‐range chickens. A total of 140 medium‐growing hybrid female chickens were free‐range reared and randomly allotted to two dietary treatments: (i) a control group and (ii) a TM group, in which TM meal was included at 75 g/kg. Each group consisted of five pens as replicates, with 14 chicks per pen. Growth performance, haematological and serum parameters and welfare indicators were evaluated, and the animals were slaughtered at the age of 97 days. Two birds per pen (10 birds/treatment) were submitted to histological (liver, spleen, thymus, bursa of Fabricius, kidney, heart, glandular stomach and gut) and morphometric (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) investigations. The inclusion of TM did not affect the growth performance, haematological or serum parameters. The morphometric and histological features were not significantly affected either, thus suggesting no influence on nutrient metabolization, performance or animal health. Glandular stomach alterations (chronic flogosis with epithelial squamous metaplasia) were considered paraphysiological in relation to free‐range farming. The observed chronic intestinal flogosis, with concomitant activation of the lymphoid tissue, was probably due to previous parasitic infections, which are very frequently detected in free‐range chickens. In conclusion, the findings of this study show that yellow mealworm inclusion does not affect the welfare, productive performances or morphological features of free‐range chickens, thus confirming that TM can be used safely in poultry diets.
HCV‐induced miR146a controls SOCS1/STAT3 and cytokine expression in monocytes to promote regulatory T‐cell development
Authors: Ren J. P. , Ying R. S. , Cheng Y. Q. , Wang L. , El Gazzar M. , Li G. Y. , Ning S. B. , Moorman J. P. , Yao Z. Q. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryHost innate and adaptive immune responses must be tightly regulated by an intricate balance between positive and negative signals to ensure their appropriate onset and termination while fighting pathogens and avoiding autoimmunity; persistent pathogens may usurp these regulatory machineries to dampen host immune responses for their persistence in vivo. Here, we demonstrate that miR146a is up‐regulated in monocytes from hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐infected individuals compared to control subjects. Interestingly, miR146a expression in monocytes without HCV infection increased, whereas its level in monocytes with HCV infection decreased, following Toll‐like receptor (TLR) stimulation. This miR146a induction by HCV infection and differential response to TLR stimulation were recapitulated in vitro in monocytes co‐cultured with hepatocytes with or without HCV infection. Importantly, inhibition of miR146a in monocytes from HCV‐infected patients led to a decrease in IL‐23, IL‐10 and TGF‐β expressions through the induction of suppressor of cytokine signalling 1 (SOCS1) and the inhibition of signal transducer and activator transcription 3 (STAT3), and this subsequently resulted in a decrease in regulatory T cells (Tregs) accumulated during HCV infection. These results suggest that miR146a may regulate SOCS1/STAT3 and cytokine signalling in monocytes, directing T‐cell differentiation and balancing immune clearance and immune injury during chronic viral infection.
The Red Edge Problem in asteroid band parameter analysis
Authors: Lindsay Sean S. , Dunn Tasha L. , Emery Joshua P. , Bowles Neil E. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractNear‐infrared reflectance spectra of S‐type asteroids contain two absorptions at 1 and 2 μm (band I and II) that are diagnostic of mineralogy. A parameterization of these two bands is frequently employed to determine the mineralogy of S(IV) asteroids through the use of ordinary chondrite calibration equations that link the mineralogy to band parameters. The most widely used calibration study uses a Band II terminal wavelength point (red edge) at 2.50 μm. However, due to the limitations of the NIR detectors on prominent telescopes used in asteroid research, spectral data for asteroids are typically only reliable out to 2.45 μm. We refer to this discrepancy as “The Red Edge Problem.” In this report, we evaluate the associated errors for measured band area ratios (BAR = Area BII/BI) and calculated relative abundance measurements. We find that the Red Edge Problem is often not the dominant source of error for the observationally limited red edge set at 2.45 μm, but it frequently is for a red edge set at 2.40 μm. The error, however, is one sided and therefore systematic. As such, we provide equations to adjust measured BARs to values with a different red edge definition. We also provide new ol/(ol+px) calibration equations for red edges set at 2.40 and 2.45 μm.
Multiple precursors of secondary mineralogical assemblages in CM chondrites
Authors: Pignatelli Isabella , Marrocchi Yves , Vacher Lionel. G. , Delon Rémi , Gounelle Matthieu 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe report a petrographic and mineralogical survey of tochilinite/cronstedtite intergrowths (TCIs) in Paris, a new CM chondrite considered to be the least altered CM identified to date. Our results indicate that type‐I TCIs consist of compact tochilinite/cronstedtite rims surrounding Fe‐Ni metal beads, thus confirming kamacite as the precursor of type‐I TCIs. In contrast, type‐II TCIs are characterized by complex compositional zoning composed of three different Fe‐bearing secondary minerals: from the outside inwards, tochilinite, cronstedtite, and amakinite. Type‐II TCIs present well‐developed faces that allow a detailed morphological analysis to be performed in order to identify the precursors. The results demonstrate that type‐II TCIs formed by pseudomorphism of the anhydrous silicates, olivine, and pyroxene. Hence, there is no apparent genetic relationship between type‐I and type‐II TCIs. In addition, the complex chemical zoning observed within type‐II TCIs suggests that the alteration conditions evolved dramatically over time. At least three stages of alteration can be proposed, characterized by alteration fluids with varying compositions (1) Fe‐ and S‐rich fluids; (2) S‐poor and Fe‐ and Si‐rich fluids; and (3) S‐ and Si‐poor, Fe‐rich fluids. The presence of unaltered silicates in close association with euhedral type‐II TCIs suggests the existence of microenvironments during the first alteration stages of CM chondrites. In addition, the absence of Mg‐bearing secondary minerals in Paris TCIs suggests that the Mg content increases during the course of alteration.
Formation of the Treysa quintet and the main‐group pallasites by impact‐generated processes in the IIIAB asteroid
Authors: Wasson John T. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractTreysa and Delegate have compositions closely similar to those of IIIAB irons but plot above the IIIAB field on Ir‐Au diagrams; for this reason they are designated anomalous members of IIIAB. All refractory siderophiles share this anomaly. Wasson () interpreted the large spread on IIIAB Ir‐Au diagrams to result from melt‐trapping and generated solid and liquid fractional crystallization tracks; almost all IIIAB irons fall between the tracks. In contrast, Treysa, Delegate, and three other irons (the Treysa quintet) plot beyond the liquid track. Ideal fractional crystallization cannot account for compositions that plot outside the region between the tracks. Possible explanations for the anomalous compositions of the Treysa quintet are that (1) these meteorites did not form in the IIIAB magma or (2) they formed by the mixing of early crystallized solids with a late liquid. The weight of the evidence including cosmic‐ray ages favor the second explanation. Although this explanation can account for positions plotting above the liquid track, it requires special circumstances. The infalling blocks must be assimilated and the resulting melt must crystallize quickly into pockets small enough (<1 m) to allow igneous gradients to be leveled by subsequent diffusion. The Treysa quintet shares the region beyond the liquid track with most main‐group pallasites (PMG), which may have also originated in the IIIAB body. It appears that Treysa, its relatives, and the PMG were formed in one or more impact events that mixed olivine and solid metal formed near the core‐mantle boundary with nearby magma. It is then necessary to cool the melt rapidly; the best way to achieve rapid cooling is by heat exchange with cooler solids. That the Treysa quintet and the PMG can be explained by the same processes operating on late IIIAB magma supports the conclusion that PMG formed on the IIIAB parent asteroid.
Distributional Effects of Public Investment when Wealth and Classes are Back
Authors: Mattauch Linus , Edenhofer Ottmar , Klenert David , Bénard Sophie 
Published: March 2016

AbstractIn developed economies, wealth inequality is high, while public capital is underprovided. Here, we study the impact of heterogeneity in saving behavior and income sources on the distributional effects of public investment. A capital tax is levied to finance productive public capital in an economy with two types of households: high income households who save dynastically and middle income households who save for retirement. We find that inequality is reduced the higher the capital tax rate is and that low tax rates are Pareto‐improving. There is no clear‐cut trade‐off between efficiency and equality: middle income households’ consumption is maximal at a capital tax rate that is higher than the rate which maximizes high income households’ consumption.
A structural comparison of Listeria monocytogenes protein chaperones PrsA1 and PrsA2 reveals molecular features required for virulence
Authors: Cahoon Laty A. , Freitag Nancy E. , Prehna Gerd 
Published: March 2016

SummaryListeria monocytogenes is a Gram‐positive environmental bacterium that lives within soil but transitions into a pathogen upon contact with a mammalian host. The transition of L. monocytogenes from soil dweller to cytosolic pathogen is dependent upon secreted virulence factors that mediate cell invasion and intracellular growth. PrsA1 and PrsA2 are secreted bacterial lipoprotein chaperones that contribute to the folding of proteins translocated across the bacterial membrane; PrsA2 is required for L. monocytogenes virulence, whereas the function of PrsA1 remains to be determined. We have solved an X‐ray crystal structure of PrsA1 and have used this model to guide comparison structure‐based mutagenesis studies with PrsA2. Targeted mutagenesis of PrsA2 demonstrates that oligomerization of PrsA2 as well as molecular features of the foldase domain are required for protein secretion and virulence, whereas a functional role was uncovered for PrsA1 in bacterial resistance to alcohol. Interestingly, PrsA2 membrane localization is not required for all PrsA2‐dependent activities, suggesting that the lipoprotein retains function when released from the bacterial cell. PrsA chaperones are thus multifaceted proteins with distinct domains adapted to accommodate the functional needs of a diverse array of secreted substrates.
Direct sensing and signal transduction during bacterial chemotaxis toward aromatic compounds in Comamonas testosteroni
Authors: Huang Zhou , Ni Bin , Jiang Cheng‐Ying , Wu Yu‐Fan , He Yun‐Zhe , Parales Rebecca E. , Liu Shuang‐Jiang 
Published: March 2016

SummaryMicro‐organisms sense and chemotactically respond to aromatic compounds. Although the existence of chemoreceptors that bind to aromatic attractants and subsequently trigger chemotaxis have long been speculated, such a chemoreceptor has not been demonstrated. In this report, we demonstrated that the chemoreceptor MCP2901 from Comamonas testosteroni CNB‐1 binds to aromatic compounds and initiates downstream chemotactic signaling in addition to its ability to trigger chemotaxis via citrate binding. The function of gene MCP2901 was investigated by genetic deletion from CNB‐1 and genetic complementation of the methyl‐accepting chemotaxis protein (MCP)‐null mutant CNB‐1Δ20. Results showed that the expression of MCP2901 in the MCP‐null mutant restored chemotaxis toward nine tested aromatic compounds and nine carboxylic acids. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) analyses demonstrated that the ligand‐binding domain of MCP2901 (MCP2901LBD) bound to citrate, and weakly to gentisate and 4‐hydroxybenzoate. Additionally, ITC assays indicated that MCP2901LBD bound strongly to 2,6‐dihydroxybenzoate and 2‐hydroxybenzoate, which are isomers of gentisate and 4‐hydroxybenzoate respectively that are not metabolized by CNB‐1. Agarose‐in‐plug and capillary assays showed that these two molecules serve as chemoattractants for CNB‐1. Through constructing membrane‐like MCP2901‐inserted Nanodiscs and phosphorelay activity assays, we demonstrated that 2,6‐dihydroxybenzoate and 2‐hydroxybenzoate altered kinase activity of CheA. This is the first evidence of an MCP binding to an aromatic molecule and triggering signal transduction for bacterial chemotaxis.
Prediction of the in planta Phakopsora pachyrhizi secretome and potential effector families
Authors: de Carvalho Mayra C. da C. G. , Costa Nascimento Leandro , Darben Luana M. , Polizel‐Podanosqui Adriana M. , Lopes‐Caitar Valéria S. , Qi Mingsheng , Rocha Carolina S. , Carazzolle Marcelo Falsarella , Kuwahara Márcia K. , Pereira Goncalo A. G. , Abdelnoor Ricardo V. , Whitham Steven A. , Marcelino‐Guimarães Francismar C. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryAsian soybean rust (ASR), caused by the obligate biotrophic fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi, can cause losses greater than 80%. Despite its economic importance, there is no soybean cultivar with durable ASR resistance. In addition, the P. pachyrhizi genome is not yet available. However, the availability of other rust genomes, as well as the development of sample enrichment strategies and bioinformatics tools, has improved our knowledge of the ASR secretome and its potential effectors. In this context, we used a combination of laser capture microdissection (LCM), RNAseq and a bioinformatics pipeline to identify a total of 36 350 P. pachyrhizi contigs expressed in planta and a predicted secretome of 851 proteins. Some of the predicted secreted proteins had characteristics of candidate effectors: small size, cysteine rich, do not contain PFAM domains (except those associated with pathogenicity) and strongly expressed in planta. A comparative analysis of the predicted secreted proteins present in Pucciniales species identified new members of soybean rust and new Pucciniales‐ or P. pachyrhizi‐specific families (tribes). Members of some families were strongly up‐regulated during early infection, starting with initial infection through haustorium formation. Effector candidates selected from two of these families were able to suppress immunity in transient assays, and were localized in the plant cytoplasm and nuclei. These experiments support our bioinformatics predictions and show that these families contain members that have functions consistent with P. pachyrhizi effectors.
Risk of bradykinin B2 receptor ‐58T/C gene polymorphism on hypertension: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Luo Kaiping , Yang Pingping , Xu Gaosi 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe risk of bradykinin B2 receptor (BDKRB2)‐58T/C gene polymorphism on hypertension remains controversial. The Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Database, EBSCO, Embase, ISI, MEDLINE, and PubMed were retrieved, and relevant articles were selected. The significant association between BDKRB2 ‐58T/C gene polymorphism and risk of hypertension were found under C‐allele comparison (odds ratio (OR): 1.22, 95% confidential intervals (CI): 1.05–1.42), recessive model (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.07–1.64), dominant model (OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.58–0.94), homozygote model (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.11–2.47) and heterozygote model (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.06–1.43). The magnitude of the association between the BDKRB2‐58T/C gene polymorphism and risk of hypertension was substantiated in Asians under C‐allele comparison (OR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.04–1.49), recessive model (OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.04–1.86), dominant model (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.56–0.93), homozygote model (OR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.09–2.90) and heterozygote model (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.07–1.49). No publication bias was found in the meta‐analysis. The meta‐analysis suggested ‐58C allele and ‐58CC genotype increase the risk of hypertension in Asians and African‐Americans. Inversely, ‐58TT genotype decreases the risk of hypertension in Asians and African‐Americans.
Perceived Physical Activity Decline as a Mediator in the Relationship Between Pain Catastrophizing, Disability, and Quality of Life in Patients with Painful Diabetic Neuropathy
Authors: Geelen Charlotte C. , Kindermans Hanne P. , van den Bergh Joop P. , Verbunt Jeanine A. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundTo fully understand the burden of painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN), we investigated the relationship of pain catastrophizing with disability and quality of life in patients with PDN. Furthermore, we studied the mediating roles of physical activity and/or decline in physical activity.MethodsThis questionnaire‐based cross‐sectional study included 154 patients with PDN. Linear regression analyses, adjusted for age, gender, pain intensity, and insulin treatment, were performed to assess the association of pain catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale [PCS]) with the outcome variables disability (Pain Disability Index [PDI]) and quality of life (Norfolk Quality of Life Questionnaire Diabetic Neuropathy Version [QOL‐DN]). The mediating roles of actual physical activity (Physical Activity Rating Scale [PARS]) and perceived Physical Activity Decline (PAD) were assessed using mediation analyses according to Baron and Kenny.ResultsThis study included 154 patients (62% male). Mean age was 65.7 years (SD = 6.6). PCS (M = 20.3, SD = 13.1) was significantly associated with PDI (M = 32.4, SD = 17.0; R2 = 0.356, P < 0.001), QOL‐DN (M = 52.6, SD = 26.1; R2 = 0.437, P < 0.001), and PAD (M = 7.4, SD = 5.7; R2 = 0.087, P = 0.045). PAD acted as a partial mediator in the associations of PCS with PDI and QOL‐DN, respectively. There was no association of PCS with PARS.ConclusionsPain catastrophizing was associated with increased disability and decreased quality of life in patients with PDN. Also, it was associated with a perceived decline in physical activity, which had a mediating role in the association between catastrophizing and disability and quality of life, respectively. This study emphasizes the role of catastrophic thinking about pain and the experienced loss in daily activities due to PDN.
Regulation of loquat fruit low temperature response and lignification involves interaction of heat shock factors and genes associated with lignin biosynthesis
Authors: Zeng Jiao‐ke , Li Xian , Zhang Jing , Ge Hang , Yin Xue‐ren , Chen Kun‐song 
Published: March 2016

AbstractTranscriptional regulatory mechanisms underlying lignin metabolism have been widely studied in model plants and woody trees, as well as fruit, such as loquat (Eriobotrya japonica). Unlike the well‐known NAC, MYB and AP2/ERF transcription factors, the roles of heat shock factors (HSFs) in lignin regulation have been rarely reported. Two treatments (heat treatment, HT; low temperature conditioning, LTC) were applied to alleviate low temperature‐induced lignification in loquat fruit. Gene expression analysis indicated that EjHSF1 transcript abundance, in parallel with heat shock protein genes (EjHsp), was induced by HT, while expression of EjHSF3 was repressed by LTC. Using dual‐luciferase assays, EjHSF1 and EjHSF3 trans‐activated the promoters of EjHsp genes and lignin biosynthesis‐related genes, respectively. Thus, two distinct regulatory mechanisms of EjHSF transcription factors in chilling injury‐induced fruit lignification are proposed: EjHSF1 transcriptionally regulated EjHsp genes are involved in chilling tolerance, while EjHSF3 transcriptionally regulated lignin biosynthesis. Furthermore, the relations between EjHSF3 and previously characterized fruit lignification regulators, including EjAP2‐1, EjMYB1 and EjMYB2, were also investigated. Yeast‐two hybrid (Y2H) and biomolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays demonstrated protein‐protein interaction between EjHSF3 and EjAP2‐1. Thus, the involvement of EjHSF3 in fruit lignification is via both lignin biosynthetic genes and the regulator, EjAP2‐1.
Functional specialization of one copy of glutamine phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase in ureide production from symbiotically fixed nitrogen in Phaseolus vulgaris
Authors: Coleto Inmaculada , Trenas Almudena T. , Erban Alexander , Kopka Joachim , Pineda Manuel , Alamillo Josefa M. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractPurines are essential molecules formed in a highly regulated pathway in all organisms. In tropical legumes, the nitrogen fixed in the nodules is used to generate ureides through the oxidation of de novo synthesized purines. Glutamine phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase (PRAT) catalyses the first committed step of de novo purine synthesis. In Phaseolus vulgaris there are three genes coding for PRAT. The three full‐length sequences, which are intron‐less genes, were cloned, and their expression levels were determined under conditions that affect the synthesis of purines. One of the three genes, PvPRAT3, is highly expressed in nodules and protein amount and enzymatic activity in these tissues correlate with nitrogen fixation activity. Inhibition of PvPRAT3 gene expression by RNAi‐silencing and subsequent metabolomic analysis of the transformed roots shows that PvPRAT3 is essential for the synthesis of ureides in P. vulgaris nodules.