bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Interaction of Genotype and Environment Determines Variation in the Maize Kernel Ionome
Authors: Asaro Alexandra , Ziegler Greg , Ziyomo Cathrine , Hoekenga Owen A. , Dilkes Brian P. , Baxter Ivan 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPlants obtain soil-resident elements that support growth and metabolism via water-mediated flow facilitated by transpiration and active transport processes. The availability of elements in the environment interact with the genetic capacity of organisms to modulate element uptake through plastic adaptive responses, such as homeostasis. These interactions should cause the elemental contents of plants to vary such that the effects of genetic polymorphisms influencing elemental accumulation will be dramatically dependent on the environment in which the plant is grown. To investigate genotype by environment interactions underlying elemental accumulation, we analyzed levels of elements in maize kernels of the Intermated B73 x Mo17 (IBM) recombinant inbred population grown in 10 different environments spanning a total of six locations and five different years. In analyses conducted separately for each environment, we identified a total of 79 quantitative trait loci controlling seed elemental accumulation. While a set of these QTL were found in multiple environments, the majority were specific to a single environment, suggesting the presence of genetic by environment interactions. To specifically identify and quantify QTL by environment interactions (QEIs), we implemented two methods: linear modeling with environmental covariates and QTL analysis on trait differences between growouts. With these approaches, we found several instances of QEI, indicating that elemental profiles are highly heritable, interrelated, and responsive to the environment.Author SummaryPlants take up elements from the soil, a process that is highly regulated by the plant’s genome. To investigate how maize alters its elemental uptake in response to different environments, we analyzed the kernel elemental content of a population derived from a cross grown 10 different times in six locations. We found that environment had a profound effect on which genetic loci were important for elemental accumulation in the kernel. Our results suggest that to have a full understanding of elemental accumulation in maize kernels and other food crops, we will need to understand the interactions identified here at the level of the genes and the environmental variables that contribute to loading essential nutrients into seeds.
Detecting distortions of peripherally-presented letter stimuli under crowded conditions
Authors: Wallis Thomas S. A. , Tobias Saskia , Bethge Matthias , Wichmann Felix A. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractWhen visual features in the periphery are close together they become difficult to recognise:somethingis present but it is unclear what. This is called “crowding”. Here we investigated sensitivity to features in highly familiar shapes (letters) by applying spatial distortions. In Experiment 1, observers detected which of four peripherally-presented (8 deg of retinal eccentricity) target letters was distorted (spatial 4AFC). The letters were presented either isolated or surrounded by four undistorted flanking letters, and distorted with one of two types of distortion at a range of distortion frequencies and amplitudes. The bandpass noise distortion (“BPN”) technique causes spatial distortions in cartesian space, whereas radial frequency distortion (“RF”) causes shifts in polar coordinates. Detecting distortions in target letters was more difficult in the presence of flanking letters, consistent with the effect of crowding. The BPN distortion type showed evidence of tuning, with sensitivity to distortions peaking at approximately 6.5 c/deg for un-flanked letters. The presence of flanking letters causes this peak to rise to approximately 8.5 c/deg. In contrast to the tuning observed for BPN distortions, RF distortion sensitivity increased as the radial frequency of distortion increased. In a series of follow-up experiments we found that sensitivity to distortions is reduced when flanking letters were also distorted, that this held when observers were required to report which target letter was undistorted, and that this held when flanker distortions were always detectable. The perception of geometric distortions in letter stimuli is impaired by visual crowding.
Characterization of a Male Reproductive Transcriptome for Peromyscus eremicus (Cactus mouse)
Authors: Kordonowy Lauren , MacManes Matthew 
Published: April 2016

Abstract:Rodents of the genus Peromyscus have become increasingly utilized models for investigations into adaptive biology. This genus is particularly powerful for research linking genetics with adaptive physiology and behaviors, and recent research has capitalized on the unique opportunities afforded by the ecological diversity of these rodents. However, well characterized genomic and transcriptomic data is intrinsic to explorations of the genetic architecture responsible for ecological adaptations. This study characterizes a reproductive transcriptome of male Peromyscus eremicus (Cactus mouse), a desert specialist with extreme physiological adaptations to water limitation. We describe a reproductive transcriptome comprising three tissues in order to expand upon existing research in this species and to facilitate further studies elucidating the genetic basis of potential desert adaptations in male reproductive physiology.
Life on the edge: diet preferences reflect adaptation to drought inNeotoma fuscipes
Authors: Barrett Brendan J , Crews Arielle , McElreath Mary Brooke 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTEcological change due to habitat fragmentation and climate change can decrease population viability, especially in herbivores and the plant communities upon which they depend. Behavioral flexibility is one important adaptation to both patchy or edge habitats undergoing rapid environmental change. This is true in many generalist herbivores, whose diet preferences can vary substantially, both geographically and over time. Little is known about what plants allow generalist herbivores to respond to rapid environmental changes, and whether these responses are due to variability in diet preference in a population, or individual dietary flexibility. We investigated how the diet preferences of dusky-footed woodrats (Neotoma fuscipes) might allow them to respond to drought in a spatially heterogeneous environment. We conducted cafeteria trials on woodrats during a year of extreme drought to assess individual preferences for locally available plants compared to more drought-tolerant edge vegetation. Our results show that woodrats sample a number of plants, but tend to prefer scrub oak, a dominant plant species in the available habitat, as well as chamise- a highly drought-tolerant plant predominantly present in the surrounding edge habitat. No difference in food preferences was detected between sexes, but we found evidence for an effect based on age and proximity to edge habitat. Juveniles who lived closer to the habitat edge were more likely to consume, and consumed greater amounts of plants in cafeteria trials compared to adults and juveniles living further from the edge. In addition to oak and chamise, adults sampled large quantities of other plants such as poison oak and California buckeye, and in general included a wider array of plants in their preferred diets compared to juveniles. We conclude with a discussion of the management implications and outlook for woodrats in the Coast Range of northern California.
Temperature-dependent changes in neuronal dynamics in a patient with anSCN1Amutation and hyperthermia induced seizures
Authors: Peters C , Rosch RE , Hughes E , Ruben P 
Published: April 2016

AbstractDravet syndrome is the prototype ofSCN1A-mutation associated epilepsies. It is characterised by prolonged seizures, typically provoked by fever. We describe the evaluation of anSCN1Amutation in a child with early-onset temperature-sensitive seizures.The patient carries a heterozygous miss-sense variant (c3818C>T; pAla1273Val) in the NaV1.1 brain sodium channel. We characterised the functional effects of the variant using patch clamp recordings on Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells at different temperatures (32, 37, and 40°C).The variant channels produced a temperature-dependent destabilization of channel activation and fast inactivation. Implementing these empirical abnormalities in a computational model produces a higher threshold for depolarization block in the variant, particularly at 40°C, suggesting a failure to autoregulate at high-input states.These results reveal direct effects of abnormalities in biophysical NaV1.1 channel properties on neuronal dynamics. They illustrate the value of combining cellular measurements with computational models to integrate different scales (gene/channel to patient) of observations.
A non-oxo methanolate-bridged divanadium(IV) complex with tris(2-sulfanidylphenyl)phosphane ligands: synthesis, structural characterization and magnetic investigation
Authors: Wu Hong-Ming , Chang Ya-Ho , Su Chia-Lin , Lee Gene-Hsiang , Hsu Hua-Fen 
Published: April 2016

Vanadium chemistry is of interest due its biological relevance and medical applications. In particular, the interactions of high-valent vanadium ions with sulfur-containing biologically important molecules, such as cysteine and glutathione, might be related to the redox conversion of vanadium in ascidians, the function of amavadin (a vanadium-containing anion) and the antidiabetic behaviour of vanadium compounds. A mechanistic understanding of these aspects is important. In an effort to investigate high-valent vanadium–sulfur chemistry, we have synthesized and characterized the non-oxo divanadium(IV) complex salt tetraphenylphosphonium tri-μ-<!?tlsb=-0.11pt>methanolato-κ6O:O-bis({tris[2-sulfanidyl-3-(trimethylsilyl)phenyl]phosphane-κ4P,S,S′,S′′}vanadium(IV)) methanol disolvate, (C24H20P)[VIV2(μ-OCH3)3(C27H36PS3)2]·2CH3OH. Two VIVmetal centres are bridged by three methanolate ligands, giving aC2-symmetric V2(μ-OMe)3core structure. Each VIVcentre adopts a monocapped trigonal antiprismatic geometry, with the P atom situated in the capping position and the three S atoms and three O atoms forming two triangular faces of the trigonal antiprism. The magnetic data indicate a paramagnetic nature of the salt, with anS = 1 spin state.
Women’s work in urban Bangladesh: do types of organizations matter?
Authors: Khan Farida Chowdhury 
Published: April 2016

Purpose
Women’s participation in the formal labour force has increased over the past three decades and continues to do so in Bangladesh. This paper aims to look at trends in that phenomenon and how it has been influenced by privatization in the economy and the social transitions that have occurred during this process.

Design/methodology/approach
The findings are based on a survey of women in large formal sector organizations in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The study focuses on the adjustment of women in various ranks to work in different organizations – public, non-profits, and private – and makes comparisons among these workplaces. Seven individuals were interviewed and filled out questionnaires on work–life balance and job satisfaction.

Findings
Results show that although private organizations pay better, non-governmental institutions evoke a greater sense of employee commitment to organizational mission and public organizations provide women with a greater perception that their work is valued and respected. It is found that stated and implemented policies with respect to family-friendly work environments are variable.

Research limitations/implications
The sample size has some limitations that were addressed through interviews.

Practical implications
Each type of organization has its own set of advantages and setbacks with respect to work-life balance and job satisfaction, pointing to the need for concerted policies that could encourage women to choose and remain in their professions.

Originality/value
Work–life balance is a new concept in developing countries. As they go through the second phase of demographic transition, this is a key factor in stabilizing population growth. A comparison of the three types of organizations as workplaces for women has not been done. The phenomenon is not unique to Bangladesh and has lessons for many developing countries.
Last mile fulfilment and distribution in omni-channel grocery retailing: a strategic planning framework
Authors: Hübner Alexander Hermann , Kuhn Heinrich , Wollenburg Johannes 
Published: April 2016

Purpose
For traditional grocery retailers, the growing importance of online sales means creating new logistics models for omni-channel (OC) management. Due to these transformational changes, retail research and practice are lacking a comprehensive view on integrated fulfilment and distribution concepts for home and store deliveries as they have evolved recently. This paper develops a planning framework for last mile order fulfilment in OC grocery retailing and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of different design concepts.

Design/methodology/approach
The findings were developed and evaluated by means of explorative interviews with grocery retail and logistics experts. Additionally, key literature on last mile order fulfilment and retail supply chain management was reviewed to supplement the integrated OC grocery operations planning framework.

Findings
OC logistics planning can be structured into back-end fulfilment (e.g. warehouse and in-store picking) and last mile distribution concepts (e.g. attended and unattended home delivery). The design choices depend on country specifics (e.g. population density), retailer specifics (e.g. capability for cross-channel process integration) and customer behaviour (e.g. possibility of unattended home delivery). The application areas and their contextual factors are discussed for each design parameter.

Practical implications
The last mile fulfilment options identified can be applied to pinpoint the necessary steps for further optimizing OC integration. Grocers can gain insights into current fulfilment concepts used in different contexts. This architecture also forms the foundation for further research on decision support systems.

Originality/value
The coherent planning framework summarizes the general design options for last mile order fulfilment arising from new requirements for OC fulfilment.
Successful school leadership: case studies of four Singapore primary schools
Authors: Wang Loke Heng , Gurr David , Drysdale Lawrie 
Published: April 2016

Purpose
This paper explores the characteristics and practices of principals in four successful Singapore primary schools.

Design/methodology/approach
Multiple perspective case studies were used which included semi-structured interviews with the principal, teaching and non-teaching staff, students, parents and school board members in each school.

Findings
The principals were found to have contributed significantly to the success of their schools. Their leadership was underpinned by their personal qualities, beliefs and values, which guided their practices. The four principals were highly successful in improving school capacity through redesigning school structures, particularly those that facilitate improvement in the work of teachers. They enhanced the professional capacity of the teaching and non-teaching staff through professional development programmes and the development of future leaders. The principals also established meaningful partnerships with stakeholders inside and outside the school community. Each of the principals described how their leadership was built upon the legacy of previous principals at their schools.

Originality/value
As part of a larger project, the International Successful School Principalship Project (ISSPP), this research adds an important Asian context to the literature on successful school leadership. A 6E model - Educate, Envision, Energize, Engage, Enable and Embrace - was developed to describe how principals led their schools to achieve educational excellence.
Time-based reflow soldering optimization by using adaptive Kriging-HDMR method
Authors: Chen Liming , Li Enying , Wang Hu 
Published: April 2016

Purpose
Reflow soldering process is an important step of the surface mount technology. The purpose of this paper is to minimize the maximum warpage of shielding frame by controlling reflow soldering control parameters.

Design/methodology/approach
Compared with other reflow-related design methods, both time and temperate of each extracted time region are considered. Therefore, the number of design variable is increased. To solve the high-dimensional problem, a surrogate-assisted optimization (SAO) called adaptive Kriging high-dimensional representation model (HDMR) is used.

Findings
Therefore, the number of design variable is increased. To solve the high-dimensional problem, a surrogate-assisted optimization (SAO) called HDMR is used. The warpage of shield frame is significantly reduced. Moreover, the correlations of design variables are also disclosed.

Originality/value
Compared with the original Kriging HDMR, the expected improvement (EI) criterion is used and a new projection strategy is suggested to improve the efficiency of optimization method. The application suggests that the adaptive Kriging HDMR has potential capability to solve such complicated engineering problems.
A grey-ANN approach for optimizing the QFN component assembly process for smart phone application
Authors: Huang Chien-Yi , Chen Ching-Hsiang , Lin Yueh-Hsun 
Published: April 2016

Purpose
This paper aims to propose an innovative parametric design for artificial neural network (ANN) modeling for the multi-quality function problem to determine the optimal process scenarios.

Design/methodology/approach
The innovative hybrid algorithm gray relational analysis (GRA)-ANN and the GRA-Entropy are proposed to effectively solve the multi-response optimization problem.

Findings
Both the GRA-ANN and the GRA-Entropy analytical approaches find that the optimal process scenario is a stencil aperture of 57 per cent and immediate processing of the printed circuit board after exposure to a room environment.

Originality/value
A six-week confirmation test indicates that the optimal process has improved quad flat non-lead assembly yield from 99.12 to 99.78 per cent.
Knowledge absorptive capacity: do all its dimensions matter for export performance of SMEs?
Authors: Ahimbisibwe Godwin Mwesigye , Nkundabanyanga Stephen Korutaro , Nkurunziza Gideon , Nyamuyonjo David 
Published: April 2016

PurposeIn this paper we aim to study the relationship between knowledge absorptive capacity (KAC) of exporting SMEs in Uganda and their export performance.Design/methodology/approachThis study is correlational and cross-sectional, and adopts firm-level data collected via questionnaires from Ugandan exporting SMEs. As we use the sub-domains of KAC to predict export performance and therefore these sub-mains are expected to be correlated, we apply hierarchical regression as an appropriate tool for analysis when variance on a criterion variable is being explained by predictor variables that are correlated with each other (Pedhazur, 1997). Using this tool we analyze the effect of a given sub-domain after controlling for other indicators (sub-domains) of KAC; a “control” achieved by calculating the change in the adjusted R2 and the significance of this change.FindingsWe find that only external knowledge acquisition (a dimension of potential absorptive capacity) and external knowledge application (a dimension of realised absorptive capacity) are the only significant predictors of export performance in our model. Contrary to previous thinking, we find that external knowledge assimilation and transformation are not significant predictors of export performance. Taken together, our independent variables explain about 35.4 percent of the variance in export performance of SMEs in Uganda.Research limitations/implicationsThe use of hierarchical regression is susceptible to problems associated with sampling error. However, the likelihood of these problems is reduced by our interaction with the data Practical implications – Our results imply that the initial focus of exporting SMEs should be on external knowledge acquisition and application.Originality/valueUnlike most of the export performance literature, which have focused on the general effect of knowledge absorptive capacity as a global variable, this study explores the role played by the four dimensions of KAC and methodologically isolates the contribution played by each individual dimension in the context of exporting SMEs in a developing nation. As such we uncover the reality that not all the sub-domains of KAC are significant for export performance of SMEs in a developing country context.
Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Atopic Dermatitis 2016
Authors: Saeki Hidehisa , Nakahara Takeshi , Tanaka Akio , Kabashima Kenji , Sugaya Makoto , Murota Hiroyuki , Ebihara Tamotsu , Kataoka Yoko , Aihara Michiko , Etoh Takafumi , Katoh Norito ,   Committee for Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Atopic Dermatitis of Japanese Dermatological Association
Published: April 2016

AbstractAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a disease characterized by relapsing eczema with pruritus as a primary lesion. Most patients have an atopic predisposition. The definitive diagnosis of AD requires the presence of all three features: (i) pruritus; (ii) typical morphology and distribution of the eczema; and (iii) chronic and chronically relapsing course. The current strategies to treat AD in Japan from the perspective of evidence‐based medicine consist of three primary measures: (i) the use of topical corticosteroids and tacrolimus ointment as the main treatment for the inflammation; (ii) topical application of emollients to treat the cutaneous barrier dysfunction; and (iii) avoidance of apparent exacerbating factors, psychological counseling and advice about daily life. The guidelines present recommendations to review clinical research articles, evaluate the balance between the advantages and disadvantages of medical activities, and optimize medical activity‐related patient outcomes with respect to several important points requiring decision‐making in clinical practice.
Flavonoids as Potent Scavengers of Hydroxyl Radicals
Authors: Treml Jakub , Šmejkal Karel 
Published: April 2016

AbstractOxidative stress is a fundamental principle in the pathophysiology of many diseases. It occurs when the production of reactive oxygen species exceeds the capacity of the cell defense system. The hydroxyl radical is a reactive oxygen species that is commonly formed in vivo and can cause serious damage to biomolecules, such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. It plays a role in inflammation‐related diseases, like chronic inflammation, neurodegeneration, and cancer. To overcome excessive oxidative stress and thus to prevent or stop the progression of diseases connected to it, scientists try to combat oxidative stress and to find antioxidant molecules, including those that scavenge hydroxyl radical or diminish its production in inflamed tissues.This article reviews various methods of hydroxyl radical production and scavenging. Further, flavonoids, as natural plant antioxidants and essential component of the human diet, are reviewed as compounds interacting with the production of hydroxyl radicals. The relationship between hydroxyl radical scavenging and the structure of the flavonoids is discussed. The structural elements of the flavonoid molecule most important for hydroxyl radical scavenging are hydroxylation of ring B and a C2–C3 double bond connected with a C‐3 hydroxyl group and a C‐4 carbonyl group. Hydroxylation of ring A also enhances the activity, as does the presence of gallate and galactouronate moieties as substituents on the flavonoid skeleton.