bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phototaxis as a Collective Phenomenon in Cyanobacterial Colonies
Authors: Varuni P. , Menon Shakti N. , Menon Gautam I. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractCyanobacteria are a widely distributed, diverse group of photosynthetic bacteria that exhibit phototaxis, or motion in response to light. Cyanobacteria such asSynechocystissp. secrete a mixture of complex polysaccharides that facilitate cell motion, while their type 4 pili allow them to physically attach to each other. Even though cells can respond individually to light, colonies of such bacteria are observed to move collectively towards the light source in dense finger-like projections. Agent-based models are especially useful in connecting individual cell behaviour with the emergent collective phenomena that arise out of their interactions. We present an agent-based model for cyanobacterial phototaxis that accounts for slime deposition as well as for direct physical links between bacteria, mediated through their type 4 pili. We reproduce the experimentally observed aggregation of cells at the colony boundary as a precursor to finger formation. Our model also describes the changes in colony morphology that occur when the location of the light source is abruptly changed. We find that the overall motion of cells toward light remains relatively unimpaired even if a fraction of them do not sense light, allowing heterogeneous populations to continue to mount a robust collective response to stimuli. Our work suggests that in addition to bio-chemical signalling via diffusible molecules in the context of bacterial quorum-sensing, short-ranged physical interactions may also contribute to collective effects in bacterial motility.
Resting heart rate rapid reduction by moderate exercise evolutionarily encoded
Authors: Pavlik Gábor , Bakács Eva , Csajági Eszter , Bakács Tibor , Noe Judit , Kirschner Robert 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBackgroundGlobal physical inactivity pandemic is responsible for more than 5 million deaths annually through its effects on non-communicable diseases. This requires urgent intervention.ObjectiveTo investigate associations of physical activity with cardiovascular fitness in a cross-sectional retrospective observational study. Data were collected for 21 years from 2530 healthy volunteers and athletes representing the entire spectrum of physical activity from the totally inactive sedentary persons to the highly trained national athletes.MethodsSimple echocardiographic parameters of cardiovascular fitness were analyzed. Cardiac fitness was characterized by reduced resting heart rate, increased relative left ventricular muscular mass, improved left ventricular diastolic function and peak exercise oxygen consumption.ResultsWe found that even moderate exercise is associated with improved cardiac fitness. The largest improvement of fitness was observed between the inactive and the least active group, whereas fitness decreased in the highly trained national athletes enduring up to 20 training hours per week.ConclusionsOur finding that moderate exercise is associated with positive changes in sedentary persons makes sense only in the light of evolution. Human endurance running performance capabilities that emerged ~2 million years ago are evolutionary coded and seems to be awakened even by moderate exercise. This finding would help physicians to encourage patients for doable and sustainable behavioral change who are currently inactive and find physical exercise intimidating. (Word count: 218)AbbreviationsCV(cardiovascular)CVD(cardiovascular disease)CVH(cardiovascular health)HD(heart disease)BSA(body surface area)LV(left ventricular)RHR(Resting Heart Rate)Key PointsThis cross-sectional retrospective observational echocardiographic study of 2530 healthy volunteers and athletes representing the entire spectrum of physical activity from the totally inactive sedentary persons to the highly trained national athletes found that it is possible to experience cardiovascular benefits soon after the sedentary persons become physically active. This makes sense only in the light of evolution. With increasing performance level cardiovascular fitness is increased up to a point but then decreased in highly trained national athletes.The non-invasive and simple echocardiographic test could be used to monitor exercise induced positive changes. This would help physicians in their efforts to promote the expansive benefits of exercise in all spectrums of society and encourage patients for doable and sustainable behavioral change.
Sharing of heteroplasmies between human liver lobes varies across the mtDNA genome
Authors: Hübner Alexander , Wachsmuth Manja , Schröder Roland , Li Mingkun , Eis-Hübinger Anna Maria , Madea Burkhard , Stoneking Mark 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTMitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) heteroplasmy (intra-individual variation) varies among different human tissues and increases with age, suggesting that the majority of mtDNA heteroplasmies are acquired, rather than inherited. However, the extent to which heteroplasmic sites are shared across a tissue remains an open question. We therefore investigated heteroplasmy in two liver samples (one from each primary lobe) from 83 Europeans, sampled at autopsy. Minor allele frequencies (MAF) at heteroplasmic sites were significantly correlated between the two liver samples from an individual, with significantly more sharing of heteroplasmic sites in the control region than in the coding region. We show that this increased sharing for the control region cannot be explained by recent mutations at just a few specific heteroplasmic sites or by the possible presence of 7S DNA. Moreover, we carried out simulations to show that there is significantly more sharing than would be predicted from random genetic drift from a common progenitor cell. We also observe a significant excess of non-synonymous vs. synonymous heteroplasmies in the coding region, but significantly more sharing of synonymous heteroplasmies. These contrasting patterns for the control vs. the coding region, and for non-synonymous vs. synonymous heteroplasmies, suggest that selection plays a role in heteroplasmy sharing.
Legionellabecoming a mutualist: adaptive processes shaping the genome of symbiont in the lousePolyplax serrata
Authors: Říhová Jana , Nováková Eva , Husník Filip , Hypša Václav 
Published: June 2017

AbstractLegionellaceae are intracellular bacteria known as important pathogens of man. In the environment, they are mainly found in biofilms associated with amoebas. In contrast to another gammaproteobacterial family Enterobacteriaceae which established a broad spectrum of symbioses with many insect taxa, the only instance of legionella-like symbiont has been reported from lice of the genusPolyplax. Here, we sequenced the complete genome of this symbiont and compared its main characteristics to otherLegionellaspecies and insect symbionts. Based on rigorous multigene phylogenetic analyses, we confirm this bacterium as a member of the genusLegionellaand propose the nameCandidatusLegionella polyplacis, sp.n. We show that the genome ofCa.Legionella polyplacis underwent massive degeneration, including considerable size reduction (529.746 bp, 484 protein coding genes) and a severe decrease in GC content (23%). We identify several possible constraints underlying the evolution of this bacterium. On one hand,Ca.Legionella polyplacis and the louse symbiontsRiesiaandPuchtellaexperienced convergent evolution, perhaps due to adaptation to similar hosts. On the other hand, some metabolic differences are likely to reflect different phylogenetic positions of the symbionts and hence availability of particular metabolic function in the ancestor. This is exemplified by different arrangements of thiamine metabolism inCa.Legionella polyplacis andRiesia. Finally, horizontal gene transfer is shown to play a significant role in the adaptive and diversification process. Particularly, we show thatCa.L. polyplacis horizontally acquired a complete biotin operon (bioADCHFB) that likely assisted this bacterium when becoming an obligate mutualist.
Systems-Level Annotation of Metabolomics Data Reduces 25,000 Features to Fewer than 1,000 Unique Metabolites
Authors: Mahieu Nathaniel G. , Patti Gary J. 
Published: June 2017

SUMMARYWhen using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) to perform untargeted metabolomics, it is now routine to detect tens of thousands of features from biological samples. Poor understanding of the data, however, has complicated interpretation and masked the number of unique metabolites actually being measured in an experiment. Here we place an upper bound on the number of unique metabolites detected inEscherichia colisamples analyzed with one untargeted metabolomic method. We first group multiple features arising from the same analyte, which we call “degenerate features”, using a context-driven annotation approach. Surprisingly, this analysis revealed thousands of previously unreported degeneracies that reduced the number of unique analytes to ~2,961. We then applied an orthogonal approach to remove non-biological features from the data by using the13C-based credentialing technology. This further reduced the number of unique analytes to less than 1,000.
A pesticide paradox: Fungicides indirectly increase fungal infections
Authors: Rohr Jason R. , Browna Jenise , Battaglin William A. , McMahon Taegan A. , Relyea Rick A. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThere are many examples where the use of chemicals have had profound unintended consequences, such as fertilizers reducing crop yields (paradox of enrichment) and insecticides increasing insect pests (by reducing natural biocontrol). Recently, the application of agrochemicals, such as agricultural disinfectants and fungicides, has been explored as an approach to curb the pathogenic fungus,Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis(Bd), which is associated with worldwide amphibian declines. However, the long-term, net effects of early-life exposure to these chemicals on amphibian disease risk have not been thoroughly investigated. Using a combination of laboratory experiments and analysis of data from the literature, we explored the effects of fungicide exposure onBdinfections in two frog species. Extremely low concentrations of the fungicides azoxystrobin, chlorothalonil, and mancozeb were directly toxic toBdin culture. However, estimated environmental concentrations of the fungicides did not reduceBdon Cuban tree frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) tadpoles exposed simultaneously to any of these fungicides andBd, and fungicide exposure actually increasedBd-induced mortality. Additionally, exposure to any of these fungicides as tadpoles resulted in higherBdabundance and greaterBd-induced mortality when challenged withBdpost-metamorphosis, an average of 71 days after their last fungicide exposure. Analysis of data from the literature revealed that previous exposure to the fungicide itraconazole, which is commonly used to clearBdinfections, made the critically endangered booroolong frog (Litoria booroolongensis) more susceptible toBd. Finally, a field survey revealed thatBdprevalence was positively associated with concentrations of fungicides in ponds. Although fungicides show promise for controllingBd, these results suggest that, if fungicides do not completely eliminateBdor ifBdre-colonizes, exposure to fungicides has the potential to do more harm than good. To ensure that fungicide applications have the intended consequence of curbing amphibian declines, researchers must identify which fungicides do not compromise the pathogen resistance mechanisms of amphibians.
Modulation of Ether-à-go-go related gene (ERG) current governs intrinsic persistent activity in rodent neocortical pyramidal cells
Authors: Cui Edward D. , Strowbridge Ben W. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractWhile cholinergic receptor activation has long been known to dramatically enhance the excitability of cortical neurons, the cellular mechanisms responsible for this effect are not well understood. We used intracellular recordings in rat neocortical brain slices to assess the ionic mechanisms supporting persistent firing modes triggered by depolarizing stimuli following cholinergic receptor activation. We found multiple lines of evidence suggesting that a component of the underlying hyperexcitability associated with persistent firing reflects a reduction in the standing (leak) K+current mediated by Ether-à-go-go-Related Gene (ERG) channels. Three chemically diverse ERG channel blockers (terfenadine, ErgToxin-1, and E-4031) abolished persistent firing and the underlying increase in input resistance in deep pyramidal cells in temporal and prefrontal association neocortex. Calcium accumulation during triggering stimuli appear to attenuate ERG currents, leading to membrane potential depolarization and increased input resistance, two critical elements generating persistent firing. Our results also suggest that ERG current normally governs cortical neuron responses to depolarizing stimuli by opposing prolonged discharges and by enhancing the post-stimulus repolarization. The broad expression of ERG channels and the ability of ERG blocks to abolish persistent firing evoked by both synaptic and intracellular step stimuli suggests modulation of ERG channels may underlie many forms of persistent activity observed in vivo.
Chinese traditionality, job attitudes, and job performance: a study of Chinese employees
Authors: Li Hui , Ngo Hang-yue 
Published: June 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the relationships among Chinese traditionality, job attitudes, and job performance. Chinese traditionality, an indigenous cultural variable, is expected to enhance employees’ organizational commitment and job satisfaction, which in turn affect their job performance.Design/methodology/approachData were collected via employee survey from 399 workers in two large firms in China. The HR department helped the authors to distribute a self-administered questionnaire to the respondents. The authors assured them of confidentiality and protected their anonymity. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results show that Chinese traditionality is positively related to organizational commitment and job satisfaction. The authors also find that the positive effect of Chinese traditionality on employees’ job performance is mediated by organizational commitment, but not by job satisfaction.Practical implicationsBased on the findings, Chinese firms should pay attention to cultural values, which play an important role in affecting employees’ job attitudes and performance.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature in two ways. First, it provides evidence about the significant positive effect of Chinese traditionality on organizational commitment and job attitudes. Second, it reveals a key mechanism through which Chinese traditionality enhances employees’ job performance.
Discriminating market segments using preferential green shift: a conjoint approach
Authors: Kulshreshtha Kushagra , Tripathi Vikas , Bajpai Naval , Dubey Prince 
Published: June 2017

PurposeThis paper aims to explore surprising facets of consumer delight behavior. The study is the empirical juncture of three studies based on consumer survey on the Indian television market. Study 1 traces the existence of greenies in India among brownies prevailing around the globe by using the surprise-delight model. Study 2 is a pre-intervention research design confirming greenies preferences to television attributes such as screen technology, annual energy cost saving, screen resolution, screen size and free gifts. Study 3 signifies a price intervention design by allowing customers to include their preference by replacing the annual energy cost saving with price.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is a harvest of studies based on discriminant analysis for identifying green and brown customers and a two-level conjoint analysis for identifying attributes contributing to green behavior.FindingsThe empirical generalization of a study comes out with unique findings of the greenies and brownies and their preference and attitude toward green attribution and substitution. A “preferential green shift” appeared as a vital output owing to knowledge–attitude–practice from these consecutive studies. This gap exists because of the price factor. The authors suggest the measures for improvement in product offering by targeting and positioning green products from the findings and the preferential green shift.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research may focus on other segments of products such as automobiles, i.e. cars. Despite the availability of the non-probabilistic sampling technique, the probabilistic sampling technique can be used. Finally, a larger sample size could have given a better generalization of results.Originality/valueThe gap in knowledge–attitude–practice was evident. This gap was caused by the presence of “price” concern. The study revealed that heavy consumer durable buyers are aware of the benefit of green, but the reality of price cannot be ignored and finally make a purchasing decision on the basis of price criteria. Hence price is recommended as another criterion to be considered in the technology acceptance models.
Grey target decision-making model of interval grey number based on cone volume
Authors: Wang Lizhen , Qian Wuyong 
Published: June 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a grey target decision model based on cobweb area in order to overcome the effect and influence from the extreme value of the index on the decision result. However, it does not take into account the impact of the correlation between indicators on the angle of the index, and produce a certain degree decision information distortion as a result of the equal angle between the indicators. In order to solve the above problems, a novel grey decision-making model based on cone volume is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the model uses the whitening weight function to whiten the interval grey number, and the Delphi method and the maximal entropy method are exploited to integrate the weight of the index. On the basis of this, the center of the bull’s eye, the weight and the index value are constructed as the center circle, the radius, and the high cone, respectively. The scheme is selected by the volume of the cone, the decision is made according to the order relation, and the example is utilized to prove and analyze the validity of the proposed model.

Findings
The results show that the proposed model can well improve the traditional grey target decision-making model from the modeling object and modeling method.

Practical implications
The method exposed in the paper can be used to deal with the grey target decision-making problems which characteristics are multi-indexes, and the attribute values are interval grey numbers.

Originality/value
The paper succeeds in overcoming the disadvantages of grey target decision making based on the target center distance and the cobweb area.
A novel grey fixed weight cluster model based on interval grey numbers
Authors: Ye Jing , Dang Yaoguo 
Published: June 2017

Purpose
Nowadays, evaluation objects are becoming more and more complicated. The interval grey numbers can be used to more accurately express the evaluation objects. However, the information distribution of interval grey numbers is not balanced. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the central-point triangular whitenization weight function to solve the clustering process of this kind of numbers.

Design/methodology/approach
A new expression of the central-point triangular whitenization weight function is presented in this paper, in terms of the grey cluster problem based on interval grey numbers. By establishing the integral mean value function on the set of interval grey numbers, the application range of grey clustering model is extended to the interval grey number category, and, in this way, the grey fixed weight cluster model based on interval grey numbers is obtained.

Findings
The model is verified by a case which reveals a high distinguishability, validity and practicability.

Practical implications
This model can be used in many fields, such as agriculture, economy, geology and medical science, and provides a feasible method for evaluation schemes in performance evaluation, scheme selection, risk evaluation and so on.

Originality/value
The central-point triangular whitenization weight function is introduced. The method reflects the thought “make full use of the information” in grey system theory and further enriches the system of grey clustering theory as well as expands the application scope of the grey clustering method.
Perception of climate change and adaptation strategies in Vietnam
Authors: Mishra Ashok K. , Pede Valerian O. 
Published: June 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to first examine the factors affecting the intra-household perception of climate change. Second, the study investigates the impact of the perception of climatic stress on the operators’ and spouses’ intra-household adaptation strategies (farm and household financial strategies).

Design/methodology/approach
The study uses household survey data from Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. The study uses probit and negative binomial count data approaches to evaluate the empirical model.

Findings
Results confirm the existence of intra-household gender differences in the adaptation strategies. The authors found that although spouses perceive climatic stress, they are less likely to adapt to such stresses when it comes farming enterprise, but more likely to adapt to household financial strategies. In contrast, farm operators, in the presence of climatic stresses, undertake both farm and household finance adaptation strategies.

Practical implications
Investment in climate smart agriculture can help households in managing climatic stresses.

Originality/value
A farmer in Asia, and Vietnam in particular, faces significant risks from climatic changes. In Vietnam, agriculture is easily affected by natural disasters and climatic changes. This study provides insights into the perception of climatic changes by operators and spouses in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. Perceived changes in the climate have a greater impact on women because they typically lack the necessary tools to adapt to climate change. The current findings could be useful in managing climatic risk in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta and be helpful to policymakers in designing risk management strategies in response to climatic changes.