bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polarization Vision—Overcoming Challenges of Working with a Property of Light We Barely See
Authors: Foster James J. , Temple Shelby E. , How Martin J. , Daly Ilse M. , Sharkey Camilla R. , Wilby David , Roberts Nicholas W. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn recent years, the study of polarization vision in animals has seen numerous breakthroughs, not just in terms of what is known about the function of this sensory ability, but also in the experimental methods by which polarization can be controlled, presented and measured. Once thought to be limited to only a few animal species, polarization sensitivity is now known to be widespread across many taxonomic groups, and advances in experimental techniques are, in part, responsible for these discoveries. Nevertheless, its study remains challenging, perhaps because of our own poor sensitivity to the polarization of light, but equally as a result of the slow spread of new practices and methodological innovations within the field. In this review, we introduce the most important steps in designing and calibrating polarized stimuli, within the broader context of areas of current research and the applications of new techniques to key questions. Our aim is to provide a constructive guide to help researchers, particularly those with no background in the physics of polarization, to design robust experiments that are free from confounding factors.
Cerebral blood flow predicts differential neurotransmitter activity
Authors: Dukart Juergen , Holiga Štefan , Chatham Christopher , Hawkins Peter , Forsyth Anna , McMillan Rebecca , Myers Jim , Lingford-Hughes Anne R , Nutt David J , Merlo-Pich Emilio , Risterucci Celine , Boak Lauren , Umbricht Daniel , Schobel Scott , Liu Thomas , Mehta Mitul A , Zelaya Fernando O , Williams Steve C , Brown Gregory , Paulus Martin , Honey Garry D , Muthukumaraswamy Suresh , Hipp Joerg , Bertolino Alessandro , Sambataro Fabio 
Published: October 2017

AbstractApplication of metabolic magnetic resonance imaging measures such as cerebral blood flow in translational medicine is limited by the unknown link of observed alterations to specific neurophysiological processes. In particular, the sensitivity of cerebral blood flow to activity changes in specific neurotransmitter systems remains unclear. We address this question by probing cerebral blood flow in healthy volunteers using seven established drugs with known dopaminergic, serotonergic, glutamatergic and GABAergic mechanisms of action. We use a novel framework aimed at disentangling the observed effects to contribution from underlying neurotransmitter systems. We find for all evaluated compounds a reliable spatial link of respective cerebral blood flow changes with underlying neurotransmitter receptor densities corresponding to their primary mechanisms of action. The strength of these associations with receptor density is mediated by respective drug affinities. These findings suggest that cerebral blood flow is a sensitive brain-wide in-vivo assay of metabolic demands across a variety of neurotransmitter systems in humans.
Novel prosthecate bacteria from the candidate phylum Acetothermia revealed by culture-independent genomics and advanced microscopy
Authors: Hao Li-Ping , McIlroy Simon Jon , Kirkegaard Rasmus Hansen , Karst Søren Michael , Fernando Warnakulasuriya Eustace Yrosh , Aslan Hüsnü , Meyer Rikke , Albertsen Mads , Nielsen Per Halkjær , Dueholm Morten Simonsen 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMembers of the candidate phylum Acetothermia are globally distributed and detected in various habitats. However, little is known about their physiology and ecological importance. In this study, an OTU belonging to Acetothermia was detected at high abundance in two full-scale anaerobic digesters. The first closed genome from this phylum was obtained by differential coverage binning of metagenomes and scaffolding with nanopore data. Genome annotation and metabolic reconstruction suggested an anaerobic chemoheterotrophic lifestyle in which the bacterium obtain energy and carbon via fermentation of peptides, amino acids, and simple sugars to acetate, formate, and hydrogen. The morphology was unusual and composed of a central rod-shaped cell with bipolar prosthecae as revealed by fluorescencein situhybridization combined with confocal laser scanning microscopy, Raman microspectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. We hypothesize that these prosthecae allow for increased nutrient uptake by greatly expanding the cell surface area, providing a competitive advantage under nutrient-limited conditions.
Novel Techniques to Study Ancient Micro Amber from Tropical Beach Sand Reveal a Treasurehouse of Exceptionally Well Preserved Fossilized Microfungi
Authors: Sujata Dabolkar , Nandkumar Kamat 
Published: October 2017

AbstractSimple, novel techniques developed for separation and simultaneous direct morphometric study of Amber micro fragments (AMF) from tropical beach sand are reported yielding rich information on unidentified fossilized microfungi. Sieves of different mesh sizes were used to separate AMF from tropical beach sand. Fractions below 150 μm which proved rich in AMF were used for manual retrieval using stereomicroscope. A handprinted slide microarray having 4 X 12 squares used for microscopic examination of multiple AMF mounts revealed AMF having either rough or smooth surfaces and with or without microinclusions. The microinclusions could be morphologically attributed to fungi. The potential for systematic and comprehensive studies to retrieve and examine AMF at high frequency from tropical beach sand in the world and especially those which are threatened due to sea level rise due to climate change was demonstrated. The potential of retrievable AMF from tropical beach sand in microbiological, metagenomic studies and as biological proxies to reconstruct bygone biospheres has been highlighted.SummaryNovel techniques for retrieval of AMF and visualization using slide microarray are described. Sand samples from various locations from Goa were collected by pool sampling method. Microscopic study helped to reveal that fraction between 150 and below 53 μm contained microscopic fragments of Amber ranging from size of within the size range of 70 μm or below and with or without bio inclusions. AMF Specimens with microinclusions such as fungi were identified and studied using standard keys.
Leveraging Transcriptomics Data for Genomic Prediction Models in Cassava
Authors: Lozano Roberto , del Carpio Dunia Pino , Amuge Teddy , Kayondo Ismail Siraj , Adebo Alfred Ozimati , Ferguson Morag , Jannink Jean-Luc 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackgroundGenomic prediction models were, in principle, developed to include all the available marker information; with this approach, these models have shown in various crops moderate to high predictive accuracies. Previous studies in cassava have demonstrated that, even with relatively small training populations and low-density GBS markers, prediction models are feasible for genomic selection. In the present study, we prioritized SNPs in close proximity to genome regions with biological importance for a given trait. We used a number of strategies to select variants that were then included in single and multiple kernel GBLUP models. Specifically, our sources of information were transcriptomics, GWAS, and immunity-related genes, with the ultimate goal to increase predictive accuracies for Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) severity.ResultsWe used single and multi-kernel GBLUP models with markers imputed to whole genome sequence level to accommodate various sources of biological information; fitting more than one kinship matrix allowed for differential weighting of the individual marker relationships. We applied these GBLUP approaches to CBSD phenotypes (i.e., root infection and leaf severity three and six months after planting) in a Ugandan Breeding Population (n = 955). Three means of exploiting an established RNAseq experiment of CBSD-infected cassava plants were used. Compared to the biology-agnostic GBLUP model, the accuracy of the informed multi-kernel models increased the prediction accuracy only marginally (1.78% to 2.52%).ConclusionsOur results show that markers imputed to whole genome sequence level do not provide enhanced prediction accuracies compared to using standard GBS marker data in cassava. The use of transcriptomics data and other sources of biological information resulted in prediction accuracies that were nominally superior to those obtained from traditional prediction models.
Synaptic and transcriptionally downregulated genes are associated with cortical thickness differences in autism
Authors: Romero-Garcia Rafael , Warrier Varun , Bullmore Edward T. , Baron-Cohen Simon , Bethlehem Richard A.I. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractDifferences in cortical morphology - in particular, cortical volume, thickness and surface area - have been reported in individuals with autism. However, it is unclear what aspects of genetic and transcriptomic variation are associated with these differences. Here we investigate the genetic correlates of global cortical thickness differences (ΔCT) in children with autism. We used Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) on structural MRI data from 548 children (166 with autism, 295 neurotypical children and 87 children with ADHD) and cortical gene expression data from the Allen Institute for Brain Science to identify genetic correlates of ΔCT in autism.We identify that these genes are enriched for synaptic transmission pathways and explain significant variation in ΔCT. These genes are also significantly enriched for genes dysregulated in the autism post-mortem cortex (Odd Ratio (OR) = 1.11, Pcorrected< 10−14), driven entirely by downregulated genes (OR = 1.87, Pcorrected< 10−15). We validated the enrichment for downregulated genes in two independent datasets: Validation 1 (OR = 1.44, Pcorrected= 0.004) and Validation 2 (OR = 1.30; Pcorrected= 0.001). We conclude that transcriptionally downregulated genes implicated in autism are robustly associated with global changes in cortical thickness variability in children with autism.
Retinal specializations to a micro-predatory and crypto-benthic life-style in the Mediterranean triplefin blennyTripterygion delaisi
Authors: Fritsch Roland , Collin Shaun P. , Michiels Nico K. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe environment and lifestyle of a species are known to exert selective pressure on the visual system, often demonstrating a tight link between visual morphology and ecology. Many studies have predicted the visual requirements of a species by examining the anatomical features of the eye. However, among the vast number of studies on visual specializations in aquatic animals, only a few have focused on small benthic fishes that occupy a heterogeneous and spatially complex visual environment. This study investigates the general retinal anatomy including the topography of both the photoreceptor and ganglion cell populations and estimates the spatial resolving power of the eye of the Mediterranean triplefinTripterygion delaisi. Retinal wholemounts were prepared to systematically and quantitatively analyze photoreceptor and retinal ganglion cell densities using design-based stereology. To further examine the retinal structure, we also used magnetic resonance imaging and histological examination of retinal cross sections. Observations of the triplefin's eyes revealed them to be highly mobile, allowing them to view the surroundings without body movements. A rostral aphakic gap and the elliptical shape of the eye extend its visual field rostrally and allow for a rostro-caudal accommodatory axis, enabling this species to focus on prey at close range. Single and twin cones dominate the retina and are consistently arranged in one of two regular patterns, which may enhance motion detection and color vision. The retina features a prominent, dorso-temporal, convexiclivate fovea with an average density of 104,400 double and 30,800 single cones per mm2, and 81,000 retinal ganglion cells per mm2. Based on photoreceptor spacing, spatial resolving power was calculated to be between 6.7 and 9.0 cycles per degree. Location and resolving power of the fovea would benefit the detection and identification of small prey in the lower frontal region of the visual field.
Molecular Identification of some Indian Muscid flies (Diptera: Muscidae) based on mitochondrial gene COII
Authors: Singh Devinder , Achint Ramandeep 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTTaxonomic identification of flies having medical and veterinary importance is often complicated due to the lookalike morphological characters. Molecular identification of five Indian muscid flies (Musca domestica,Musca sorbens,Musca crassirostris,Stomoxys calcitransandHaematobia irritans) has been attempted on the basis of mitochondrial COII gene. Sequences of 500-520 bp were analysed and found to be A+T rich. Rate of transitions was higher than transversions. The average haplotype diversity was 0.833 and nucleotide diversity was 0.02547 within the different species, which were calculated with the DnaSP Version 5.0. The genetic distances calculated by K2P model, showed the interspecific distances range more than 8.2%, while the intraspecific distance range had not exceed 0.8%. The 1000 bootstrapped Neighbour-joining tree and Maximum likelihood tree were constructed to establish the phylogenetic relationship between the different muscid species. The results show the robustness of COII gene as a diagnostic marker. The data obtained from this study would be worthy for medical and veterinary entomologists for precise identification of imperative muscid species.
Evaluating genetic ancestry and self-reported ethnicity in the context of carrier screening
Authors: Shraga Roman , Yarnall Sarah , Elango Sonya , Manoharan Arun , Rodriguez Sally Ann , Bristow Sara , Kumar Neha , Niknazar Mohammad , Hoffman David , Ghadir Shahin , Vassena Rita , Chen Serena H , Hershlag Avner , Grifo Jamie , Puig Oscar 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTBackgroundCurrent professional society guidelines recommend genetic carrier screening be offered on the basis of ethnicity, or when using expanded carrier screening panels, they recommend to compute residual risk based on ethnicity. We investigated the reliability of self-reported ethnicity in 9138 subjects referred to carrier screening. Self-reported ethnicity gathered from test requisition forms and during post-test genetic counseling, and genetic ancestry predicted by a statistical model, were compared for concordance.ResultsWe identified several discrepancies between the two sources of self-reported ethnicity and genetic ancestry. Only 30.3% of individuals who indicated Mediterranean ancestry during consultation self-reported this on requisition forms. Additionally, the proportion of individuals who reported Southeast Asian but were estimated to have a different genetic ancestry was found to depend on the source of self-report. Finally, individuals who reported Latin American demonstrated a high degree of ancestral admixture. As a result, carrier rates and residual risks provided for patient decision-making are impacted if using self-reported ethnicity.ConclusionOur analysis highlights the unreliability of ethnicity classification based on patient self-reports. We recommend the routine use of pan-ethnic carrier screening panels in reproductive medicine. Furthermore, the use of an ancestry model would allow better estimation of carrier rates and residual risks.
Genetics oftrans-regulatory variation in gene expression
Authors: Albert Frank W. , Bloom Joshua S. , Siegel Jake , Day Laura , Kruglyak Leonid 
Published: October 2017

AbstractHeritable variation in gene expression provides a critical bridge between differences in genome sequence and the biology of many traits, including common human diseases. However, the sources of most regulatory genetic variation remain unknown. Here, we used transcriptome profiling in 1,012 yeast segregants to map the genetic basis of variation in gene expression with high statistical power. We identified expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) that together account for over 70% of the total genetic contribution to variation in mRNA levels, allowing us to examine the sources of regulatory variation comprehensively. We found that variation in the expression of a typical gene has a complex genetic architecture involving multiple eQTL. We also detected hundreds of eQTL pairs with significant non-additive interactions in an unbiased genome-wide scan. Although most genes were influenced by a local eQTL located close to the gene, most expression variation arose from distant,trans-acting eQTL located far from their target genes. Nearly all distant eQTL clustered at 102 “hotspot” locations, some of which influenced the expression of thousands of genes. Hotspot regions were enriched for transcription factor genes and altered expression of their target genes though both direct and indirect mechanisms. Many local eQTL had no detectable effects on the expression of other genes intrans. These results reveal the complexity of genetic influences on transcriptome variation in unprecedented depth and detail.
Urban tourist motivations: why visit Ljubljana?
Authors: Bozic Sanja , Kennell James , Vujicic Miroslav D. , Jovanovic Tamara 
Published: October 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a new perspective on urban tourist motivations by applying the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model to help to understand how tourists make decisions about which destinations to visit.Design/methodology/approachThis study was based on 30 one-hour-long structured interviews with visitors to Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia. Respondents were asked to express their preferences between different pull-factor motives for their visit, using Saaty’s scale, and further qualitative data were collected to examine these preferences in more depth.FindingsThe results of this study indicate that the most relevant criteria and thus predominant factors in motivation for visits to Ljubljana are the Cultural and Nightlife pull factors, while religious and business motives are the lowest ranked factors. The paper argues that the results show the value of applying the AHP model to understand the role of pull factors in urban tourism destination choice.Research limitations/implicationsAs a single-destination case study, it is important that the findings of this research are evaluated against similar studies in other cities. A limitation of this research is the fact that sub motives within major groups of pull-factor motives have not been explored in this study and this should be the subject of future, more detailed research.Originality/valueThis research shows the value of applying an under-used methodology to understand urban tourist motivations and knowledge gained through applying this method will be of value to destination marketing organisations as well as to researchers conducting future studies.
Factors influencing patronage of traditional festivals in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Agbabiaka Hafeez Idowu , Omoike Abiodun Adebola , Omisore Emmanuel Olufemi 
Published: October 2017

PurposeFestivals in many regions of the world are sources of attraction to tourists. Festivals have become of great significance to many people especially in areas where tradition, norms and values of the society are still being upheld of which Yoruba land in Nigeria is not an exception. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine the patronage and factors influencing patronage of Olojo and Ojude Oba festival, in Southwestern Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachPurposive sampling technique was used to select Ojude Oba and Olojo festivals based on popularity among other identified festivals in the study areas. Convenience sampling technique was employed to select 210 and 114 Patrons from Ojude Oba and Olojo festivals, respectively. Preliminary survey showed that there were 4,294 and 3,124 buildings around the venues of the festivals in Ijebu-Ode and Ile-Ife, respectively. Therefore, systematic sampling technique was employed to select one out of every 40th buildings (2.5 per cent) where a household head will be sampled for questionnaire administration. Consequently, 107 and 78 household heads were sampled, respectively, from Ijebu-ode and Ile-Ife. This gave a total of 324 patrons and 185 residents for the study.FindingsFindings established that the factors influencing patronage of cultural festival comprises festival anxiety, promotion of community cultural heritage, socio-cultural development, infrastructural development, improved town liveability, ethno-cultural unity, entertainment, income generation and public enlightenment factors accounting for 14.78, 13.20, 10.44, 6.20, 5.68, 5.59, 5.00, 4.93 and 4.88 per cent variations of the total factors that influenced patronage of Olojo and Ojude Oba festival.Originality/valueThe implication of the findings is that patrons attended the festival and events for leisure purpose, whereas the aspiration, promotion of community cultural heritage, socio-cultural development, infrastructural development, improved town liveability, ethno-cultural unity, entertainment, income generation and public enlightenment are the underlining factors of motivation to purchase and repurchase the festival.
Evaluation of the image of a coastal tourism destination in Brazil
Authors: Anjos Francisco Antonio dos , Pereira Melise de Lima , Tennenberg Florença Fiedler Pichler Von 
Published: October 2017

Purpose
In order to offer a theoretical and empirical contribution to the theme, the purpose of this paper is to assess the tourist image of the destination Balneário Camboriú, Santa Catarina, Brazil, from the tourists’ perspective. The authors specify the latent dimensions involved in the formation of the cognitive, affective, and conative image of coastal tourism destination, through which the authors can analyze and measure the construct.

Design/methodology/approach
The research is exploratory, descriptive, and predominantly quantitative. It uses non-probability convenience sampling, consisting of a sample of 425 tourists. Data collection were conducted in the studied destination during the summer season – 2015/2016.

Findings
Through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, the authors identified and tested the factors that comprise the image. Structural equation model evaluated the relationship that theoretically exists between the components of the image and the weight of the various components (cognitive, affective, and conative) on the overall image of the destination.

Originality/value
This research contributes theoretically and empirically to the discussions on the components of the destination image, in as much as it analyzes and interprets the cognitive, affective, and conative components of the image of the tourism destination Balneário Camboriú, Santa Catarina, Brazil.