bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The carnivorous Venus flytrap uses prey‐derived amino acid carbon to fuel respiration
Authors: Fasbender Lukas , Maurer Daniel , Kreuzwieser Jürgen , Kreuzer Ines , Schulze Waltraud X. , Kruse Jörg , Becker Dirk , Alfarraj Saleh , Hedrich Rainer , Werner Christiane , Rennenberg Heinz 
Published: January 2017

Summary

The present study was performed to elucidate the fate of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) derived from protein of prey caught by carnivorous Dionaea muscipula. For this, traps were fed 13C/15N‐glutamine (Gln).

The release of 13CO2 was continuously monitored by isotope ratio infrared spectrometry. After 46 h, the allocation of C and N label into different organs was determined and tissues were subjected to metabolome, proteome and transcriptome analyses.

Nitrogen of Gln fed was already separated from its C skeleton in the decomposing fluid secreted by the traps. Most of the Gln‐C and Gln‐N recovered inside plants were localized in fed traps. Among nonfed organs, traps were a stronger sink for Gln‐C compared to Gln‐N, and roots were a stronger sink for Gln‐N compared to Gln‐C. A significant amount of the Gln‐C was respired as indicated by 13C‐CO2 emission, enhanced levels of metabolites of respiratory Gln degradation and increased abundance of proteins of respiratory processes. Transcription analyses revealed constitutive expression of enzymes involved in Gln metabolism in traps.

It appears that prey not only provides building blocks of cellular constituents of carnivorous Dionaea muscipula, but also is used for energy generation by respiratory amino acid degradation.
Leaf water 18O and 2H enrichment along vertical canopy profiles in a broadleaved and a conifer forest tree
Authors: Bögelein Rebekka , Thomas Frank M. , Kahmen Ansgar 
Published: January 2017

AbstractDistinguishing meteorological and plant‐mediated drivers of leaf water isotopic enrichment is prerequisite for ecological interpretations of stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in plant tissue. We measured input and leaf water δ2H and δ18O as well as micrometeorological and leaf morpho‐physiological variables along a vertical gradient in a mature angiosperm (European beech) and gymnosperm (Douglas fir) tree. We used these variables and different enrichment models to quantify the influence of Péclet and non‐steady state effects and of the biophysical drivers on leaf water enrichment. The two‐pool model accurately described the diurnal variation of leaf water enrichment. The estimated unenriched water fraction was linked to leaf dry matter content across the canopy heights. Non‐steady state effects and reduced stomatal conductance caused a higher enrichment of Douglas fir compared to beech leaf water. A dynamic effect analyses revealed that the light‐induced vertical gradients of stomatal conductance and leaf temperature outbalanced each other in their effects on evaporative enrichment. We conclude that neither vertical canopy gradients nor the Péclet effect is important for estimates and interpretation of isotopic leaf water enrichment in hypostomatous trees. Contrarily, species‐specific non‐steady state effects and leaf temperatures as well as the water vapour isotope composition need careful consideration.
Contrasting patterns of cytokinins between years in senescing aspen leaves
Authors: Edlund Erik , Novak Ondrej , Karady Michal , Ljung Karin , Jansson Stefan 
Published: January 2017

AbstractCytokinins are plant hormones that typically block or delay leaf senescence. We profiled 34 different cytokinins/cytokinin metabolites (including precursors, conjugates and degradation products) in leaves of a free‐growing mature aspen (Populus tremula) before and after the initiation of autumnal senescence over three consecutive years. The levels and profiles of individual cytokinin species, or classes/groups, varied greatly between years, despite the fact that the onset of autumn senescence was at the same time each year, and senescence was not associated with depletion of either active or total cytokinin levels. Levels of aromatic cytokinins (topolins) were low and changed little over the autumn period. Diurnal variations and weather‐dependent variations in cytokinin content were relatively limited. We also followed the expression patterns of all aspen genes implicated as having roles in cytokinin metabolism or signalling, but neither the pattern of regulation of any group of genes nor the expression of any particular gene supported the notion that decreased cytokinin signalling could explain the onset of senescence. Based on the results from this tree, we therefore suggest that cytokinin depletion is unlikely to explain the onset of autumn leaf senescence in aspen.
En bloc kidney transplantation from infant donors younger than 10 months into pediatric recipients
Authors: Wang Hong‐yang , Li Jun , Liu Long‐shan , Deng Rong‐hai , Fu Qian , Ko Dicken Shiu‐Chung , Zhang Huan‐xi , Deng Su‐xiong , Wang Chang‐xi 
Published: January 2017

AbstractEarly graft loss and poor graft function limit the use of kidneys from infant donors. Six en bloc kidney transplantations were performed from infant donors younger than 10 months into pediatric recipients between November 2012 and September 2015 at our center. We retrospectively analyzed recipient and donor demographics, surgery procedures, complications, graft function and size, and patient and graft survival with a follow‐up of 6‐39 months (median 15.5 months). Donor age ranged from 1 to 10 months with weight ranging from 3.5 to 10 kg. Recipient age ranged from 10 to 16 years with weight ranging from 30 to 39 kg. One kidney was removed due to arterial thrombosis during surgery, while the other kidney of this en bloc graft remained viable. Urine leak followed by bilateral ureteral obstruction occurred in one recipient. All of the recipients showed immediate graft function. The size of the en bloc kidney increased from 4.2±0.6 cm to 7.6±0.6 cm 6 months after surgery. Patient and graft survival were both 100% at the last follow‐up. Our results show that en bloc kidney transplantation from infant donors younger than 10 months into pediatric recipients is effective under the condition of experienced surgical techniques and perioperative management.
Bathyconchoecia incisa sp. nov. (Myodocopa, Halocyprididae), a new species of ostracod from the neritic zone of the South China Sea
Authors: Yin Jian-Qiang , Li Kai-Zhi , Tan Ye-Hui 
Published: January 2017

Specimens previously identified as Bathyconchoecia paulula sensu Yin & Chen, 1991 and Bathyconchoecia galerita sensu Yin & Chen, 1991, together with two similar specimens, are reclassified as a new species, Bathyconchoecia incisa sp. nov., which we describe and illustrate in detail here. The present species is similar to Bathyconchoecia sagittarius and Bathyconchoecia kornickeri in having a shallow notch on the posterodorsal corner of the carapace, but can be easily distinguished from these species by the structure of the posterior margin of the carapace and the striated sculpturing on the surface of the valves. The specimens on which this new classification was based were collected at shallow depths (<125 m) off the east coast of Hainan Island, in the northern South China Sea and in the Zengmu (James) Shoal and adjacent areas in the southern South China Sea. B. incisa is likely to be a shallow-water species or has a wide bathymetric range.
Biology, abundance and distribution of Pennant’s swimming crab, Portumnus latipes (Pennant, 1777) along the coast of Portugal
Authors: Cores Claudia , Gaspar Miguel B. , Erzini Karim 
Published: January 2017

The biology, ecology and distribution of Pennant’s swimming crab (Portumnus latipes) along the coast of Portugal in 2015 was studied. Females dominated the catches and the highest percentage of berried females was recorded between February and April. Mean fecundity values were 7711, 10 004 and 4838 eggs for development stages I, II and III, respectively. Estimated Von Bertalanffy growth parameters , K and were 34.83 mm, 0.52 year−1 and −0.41 year for males, and 27.16 mm, 0.74 year−1 and −0.39 year for females, respectively. P. latipes is widely distributed along the Portuguese coast on sandy bottom to a maximum depth of 20 m, with the highest relative abundances from the south coast near estuaries and coastal lagoon inlets. Size distributions differed significantly () between the south and the southwest and northwest regions, with larger crabs in the south. Abundance was generally correlated with abundance of Donax trunculus and Donax vittatus, supporting the hypothesis of a predator-prey relationship.
Has the land hermit crab Coenobita purpureus settled in Taiwan?
Authors: Hsu Chia-Hsuan , Soong Keryea 
Published: January 2017

The land hermit crab, Coenobita purpureus Stimpson, 1858 (Anomura, Coenobitidae), is endemic to Japan. However, for the first time one light blue male land hermit crab, with a shield length of 1.51 cm, was collected on Dongji Island, South Penghu Marine National Park, in Taiwan. This paper describes the morphological characteristics of the collected individual and provides colour illustrations and photographs of the specimen. Because dispersal is one of the fundamental traits of all species, we herein also discuss hypotheses on the possible dispersal of C. purpureus to Dongji Island. Finally, this record is notably the southernmost report in the known global distribution of C. purpureus.
Generating descriptive model for student dropout: a review of clustering approach
Authors: Iam-On Natthakan , Boongoen Tossapon 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe implementation of data mining is widely considered as a powerful instrument for acquiring new knowledge from a pile of historical data, which is normally left unstudied. This data driven methodology has proven effective to improve the quality of decision-making in several domains such as business, medical and complex engineering problems. Recently, educational data mining (EDM) has obtained a great deal of attention among educational researchers and computer scientists. In general, publications in the field of EDM focus on understanding student types and targeted marketing, using both descriptive and predictive models to maximize student retention. Inspired by previous attempts, this paper aims to establish the clustering approach as a practical guideline to explore student categories and characteristics, with the working example on a real dataset to illustrate analytical procedures and results.
MRI detection of endothelial cell inflammation using targeted superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide (SPIO)
Authors: Chan Joyce M. S. , Cheung Maggie S. H. , Gibbs Richard G. J. , Bhakoo Kishore K. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundThere is currently no clinical imaging technique available to assess the degree of inflammation associated with atherosclerotic plaques. This study aims to develop targeted superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide (SPIO) as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) probe for detecting inflamed endothelial cells.MethodsThe in vitro study consists of the characterisation and detection of inflammatory markers on activated endothelial cells by immunocytochemistry and MRI using biotinylated anti‐P‐selectin and anti‐VCAM‐1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule 1) antibody and streptavidin conjugated SPIO.ResultsEstablished an in vitro cellular model of endothelial inflammation induced with TNF‐α (tumor necrosis factor alpha). Inflammation of endothelial cells was confirmed with both immunocytochemistry and MRI. These results revealed both a temporal and dose dependent expression of the inflammatory markers, P‐selectin and VCAM‐1, on exposure to TNF‐α.ConclusionThis study has demonstrated the development of an in vitro model to characterise and detect inflamed endothelial cells by immunocytochemistry and MRI. This will allow the future development of contrast agents and protocols for imaging vascular inflammation in atherosclerosis. This work may form the basis for a translational study to provide clinicians with a novel tool for the in vivo assessment of atherosclerosis.
Microtubules in 3D cell motility
Authors: Bouchet Benjamin P. , Akhmanova Anna 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTThree-dimensional (3D) cell motility underlies essential processes, such as embryonic development, tissue repair and immune surveillance, and is involved in cancer progression. Although the cytoskeleton is a well-studied regulator of cell migration, most of what we know about its functions originates from studies conducted in two-dimensional (2D) cultures. This research established that the microtubule network mediates polarized trafficking and signaling that are crucial for cell shape and movement in 2D. In parallel, developments in light microscopy and 3D cell culture systems progressively allowed to investigate cytoskeletal functions in more physiologically relevant settings. Interestingly, several studies have demonstrated that microtubule involvement in cell morphogenesis and motility can differ in 2D and 3D environments. In this Commentary, we discuss these differences and their relevance for the understanding the role of microtubules in cell migration in vivo. We also provide an overview of microtubule functions that were shown to control cell shape and motility in 3D matrices and discuss how they can be investigated further by using physiologically relevant models.
Tissue mechanics regulate brain development, homeostasis and disease
Authors: Barnes J. Matthew , Przybyla Laralynne , Weaver Valerie M. 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT
All cells sense and integrate mechanical and biochemical cues from their environment to orchestrate organismal development and maintain tissue homeostasis. Mechanotransduction is the evolutionarily conserved process whereby mechanical force is translated into biochemical signals that can influence cell differentiation, survival, proliferation and migration to change tissue behavior. Not surprisingly, disease develops if these mechanical cues are abnormal or are misinterpreted by the cells – for example, when interstitial pressure or compression force aberrantly increases, or the extracellular matrix (ECM) abnormally stiffens. Disease might also develop if the ability of cells to regulate their contractility becomes corrupted. Consistently, disease states, such as cardiovascular disease, fibrosis and cancer, are characterized by dramatic changes in cell and tissue mechanics, and dysregulation of forces at the cell and tissue level can activate mechanosignaling to compromise tissue integrity and function, and promote disease progression. In this Commentary, we discuss the impact of cell and tissue mechanics on tissue homeostasis and disease, focusing on their role in brain development, homeostasis and neural degeneration, as well as in brain cancer.
Impact of a modified HP filter on countercyclical behavior of the Swiss fiscal rule
Authors: Pigoń Adam , Ramsza Michał 
Published: January 2017

Fiscal rules are an idea that has been getting more attention lately due to the recent economic crisis. Fiscal rules has been tested for many properties, including countercyclical behavior. The present paper focuses on the Swiss fiscal rule and investigates the impact of a modified HP filter, used in the rule, on countercyclical behavior of the rule. The paper uses real GDP time series for over a hundred countries and applies the rule to each time series in two variants, with a standard HP filter and a modified HP filter. For each result procyclicality indices are calculated. It is found that the modification of HP filter, used in the Swiss fiscal rule, increases countercyclical behavior of the rule.
Systems of general grants for local governments in selected EU countries against the background of the general theory of fiscal policy
Authors: Sekuła Alicja , Śmiechowicz Joanna 
Published: January 2017

Fiscal policy, including its expenditure aspect, is often discussed and analysed from a variety of angles in the literature on public finances, undoubtedly due to the major importance of this topic. However, not all areas of the expenditure part of fiscal policy have been subjected to in-depth analysis. One of the less discussed tools of fiscal policy consists of general purpose transfers, which are a certain type of expenditure passed from the central budget to local governments. This study focuses on presenting the systems for subsidising sub-national governments in selected European countries and evaluating, based on a synthetic measure, the fiscal policies of France, Italy, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Poland and Finland implemented by means of general transfers, with the aim of identifying the best fiscal policy with respect to subsidising and the characteristic features determining its success. The method of unitisation of statistical feature values was employed in this study to enable comparative analysis. As suggested by the results of the analysis, spanning the years 2003–2012, the highest-ranked fiscal policy implemented via general-purpose transfers has been developed in the Netherlands.
Business cycle synchronization in European Union: regional perspective
Authors: Beck Krzysztof 
Published: January 2017

The recent turmoil in the euro area once more forces the EU authorities to reconsider the future of further monetary integration. One of the most commonly used criteria for successful monetary integration in contemporary research is business cycle synchronization (BCS). Though BCS has been vastly described at country level, not as much attention has been paid to the degree of BSC at regional level. The topic is important for two main reasons. Firstly, determining the degree of BCS at the regional level can help in the assessment of monetary policy effectiveness on the country level, as well as give a point of reference for evaluation of prospective costs of participation in a monetary union. Secondly, there is a theoretical dispute within the optimum currency areas literature between the ‘European Commission’ and the ‘Krugman’ view that can be resolved to a large extent trough regional analysis. In order to assess BCS in the EU, Hodrick-Prescott, as well as Christiano and Fitzgerald filter to time series of real GDP for 24 countries, 82 NUTS 1, 242 NUTS 2 and 1264 NUTS 3 regions over the period between 1998 and 2010. The data was later used to create bilateral measures of BSC, which gave 276 observations on the country level, 3321 on NUTS 1, 29161 on NUTS 2 and 798216 on NUTS 3 level. The results of the analysis support the ‘European Commission’ view and show a very high degree of BSC within EU countries. The country level analysis also reveals that within the EU there is a group of countries that could form an effectively working monetary union based on the BCS criterion.
Network organizations and corporate social responsibility
Authors: Kowalska Katarzyna 
Published: January 2017

Network organizations largely determine the competitive advantage today. Collaboration between companies and their success is based primarily on the image and trust. The network relations management is included in the supply chain, and the more complicated the chain, the more " fuzzy " the responsibility for the external effects of the business. In practice, network relationships result in numerous abuses, mostly in relations with competitors, customers and clients. However, it can be assumed that increasing competition, also on the Polish market, will force companies to apply socially responsible practices, also in the context of cooperating with local enterprises. The concept of corporate responsibility (CSR – Corporate Social Responsibility) is, in Polish conditions, a relatively unpopular concept, and the rare practice, especially among domestic enterprises. The situation is different on the Western Europe markets or in the USA. Companies operating in these markets are obliged to adapt the business standards to expectations of various stakeholders, and also contractors. The aim of the article is an attempt to justify the socially responsible practices by companies in today's and future market conditions. In addition, the article aims to describe network connections, different types of these relations, but also various methods and tools of improving existing network relations. In the context of socially responsible business, it seemed important to also analyze the relationships between organizational culture and actual practices taken by companies.
Vinotherapy as an innovation – impact on health attitudes
Authors: Rutkowska-Podołowska Małgorzata , Szczygieł Nina , Podołowski Grzegorz 
Published: January 2017

Evidence from research has not only excluded negative consequence of moderate wine consumption, but associated consumption of grapes and their components with a protective impact on health. Wine demonstrates anti-cancer, antioxidant and defensive results for the cardiovascular system. Not surprisingly, there is an interest in exploring a growing consumption of wine and turning it into innovative solutions with different approaches, making use of areas that have undergone significant transformations over last decades as a results of a global dynamical change which offer new consumption patterns seen now as driving forces for stagnating economies of the XXI century. This article builds on this perspective aiming to shed some light on wine consumption patterns, health attitudes and the perception and awareness of positive effect of a moderate consumption of wine on human health. The study was carried out between March and May 2013 as a self-administered questionnaire to visitors of liquor stores, wineries, wineries of the Lower Silesia region, Poland. Results demonstrate an interest in consumption of wine with opposite tendencies in opinions about the recommended about the recommended wine quantity of consumption. Some consciousness of health-related benefits and applications of wine show an increasing awareness in this matter.