bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proteomic and Biological Profiling of Extracellular Vesicles from Alzheimer’s Disease Human Brain Tissues
Authors: Muraoka Satoshi , DeLeo Annina M. , Sethi Manveen K. , Yukawa-Takamatsu Kayo , Yang Zijian , Ko Jina , Hogan John D. , Ruan Zhi , You Yang , Wang Yuzhi , Medalla Maria , Ikezu Seiko , Xia Weiming , Gorantla Santi , Gendelman Howard E. , Issadore David , Zaia Joseph , Ikezu Tsuneya
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) from human Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biospecimens contain amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) and tau. While AD EVs are known to affect brain disease pathobiology, their biochemical and molecular characterizations remain ill defined.

Methods

EVs were isolated from the cortical grey matter of 20 AD and 18 control brains. Tau and Aβ levels were measured by immunoassay. Differentially expressed EV proteins were assessed by quantitative proteomics and machine learning.

Results

Levels of pS396 tau and Aβ were significantly elevated in AD EVs. High levels of neuron- and glia- specific factors are detected in control and AD EVs, respectively. Machine learning identified ANXA5, VGF, GPM6A and ACTZ in AD EV compared to controls. They distinguished AD EVs from controls in the test sets with 88% accuracy.

Discussion

In addition to Aβ and tau, ANXA5, VGF, GPM6A and ACTZ are new signature proteins in AD EVs.
FINET: Fast Inferring NETwork
Authors: Wang Anyou , Hai Rong
Published: August 2019

Numerous software have been developed to infer the gene regulatory network, a long-standing key topic in biology and computational biology. Yet the slowness and inaccuracy inherited in current software hamper their applications to the increasing massive data. Here, we develop a software, FINET (Fast Inferring NETwork), to infer a network with high accuracy and rapidity. The high accuracy results from integrating algorithms with stability-selection, elastic-net, and parameter optimization. Tested by a known biological network, FINET infers interactions with more than 94% precision (true positives/total true callings). The high speed comes from partnering parallel computations implemented with Julia, a new compiled language that runs much faster than existing languages used in the current software, such as R, Python, and MATLAB. Regardless of FINET’s implementations with Julia, users without any background in the language or computer science can easily operate it, with only a user-friendly single command line. In addition, FINET can infer other networks such as chemical networks and social networks. Overall, FINET provides a confident way to efficiently and accurately infer any type of network for any scale of data.

Availability and implementation available in github https://github.com/anyouwang/finet.git
Unveiling the crucial role of type IV secretion system and motility of Helicobacter pylori in IL-1β production via NLRP3 inflammasome activation in neutrophils
Authors: Jang Ah-Ra , Kang Min-Jung , Shin Jeong-Ih , Kwon Soon-Wook , Park Ji-Yeon , Ahn Jae-Hun , Lee Tae-Sung , Kim Dong-Yeon , Choi Bo-Gwon , Seo Myoung-Won , Yang Soo-Jin , Shin Min-Kyoung , Park Jong-Hwan
Published: August 2019

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative, microaerophilic, and spiral-shaped bacterium and causes gastrointestinal diseases in human. IL-1β is a representative cytokine produced in innate immune cells and is considered to be a key factor in the development of gastrointestinal malignancies. However, the mechanism of IL-1β production by neutrophils during H. pylori infection is still unknown. We designed this study to identify host and bacterial factors involved in regulation of H. pylori-induced IL-1β production in neutrophils. We found that H. pylori-induced IL-1β production is abolished in NLRP3-, ASC-, and caspase-1/11-deficient neutrophils, suggesting essential role for NLRP3 inflammasome in IL-1β response against H. pylori. Host TLR2, but not TLR4 and Nod2, was also required for transcription of NLRP3 and IL-1β as well as secretion of IL-1β. H. pylori lacking cagL, a key component of the type IV secretion system (T4SS), induced less IL-1β production in neutrophils than did its isogenic WT strain, whereas vacA and ureA were dispensable. Moreover, T4SS was involved in caspase-1 activation and IL-1β maturation in H. pylori-infected neutrophils. We also found that FlaA is essential for H. pylori-mediated IL-1β production in neutrophils, but not dendritic cells. TLR5 and NLRC4 were not required for H. pylori-induced IL-1β production in neutrophils. Instead, bacterial motility is essential for the production of IL-1β in response to H. pylori. In conclusion, our study shows that host TLR2 and NLRP3 inflammasome and bacterial T4SS and motility are essential factors for IL-1β production by neutrophils in response to H. pylori.

IMPORTANCE

IL-1β is a representative pro-inflammatory cytokine and is considered to be a central host factor for the development of gastric cancers. Although neutrophils have been considered to be involved in H. pylori-induced gastric inflammation, the underlying mechanism by which H. pylori triggers IL-1β production in neutrophils remains to be defined. In this study, our data suggested a critical role for the host TLR2 and NLRP3 inflammasome in IL-1β production by neutrophil during H. pylori infection. Moreover, we found the bacterial factors, T4SS and FlaA, to be essential for IL-1β production and NLRP3 activation during the course of H. pylori infection. Our current findings provide detailed molecular genetic mechanisms associated with IL-1β production in neutrophils in response to H. pylori infection, which can serve as innovative anti-inflammatory targets to reduce H. pylori-induced gastric malignancies.
Cholesterol recognition motifs in the transmembrane domain of the tyrosine kinase receptor family: the case for TRKB
Authors: Cannarozzo Cecilia , Fred Senem Merve , Girych Mykhailo , Biojone Caroline , Enkavi Giray , Róg Tomasz , Vattulainen Ilpo , Casarotto Plinio C , Castrén Eero
Published: August 2019

Cholesterol is an essential constituent of cell membranes. Recently, the discovery of cholesterol recognition amino acid consensus (CRAC) on proteins indicated a putative direct, non-covalent interaction between cholesterol and proteins. In the present study, we evaluated the presence of a CRAC motif and its inverted version (CARC) in the transmembrane region (TMR) of the tyrosine kinase receptor family (RTK) in several species usingin silicomethods. CRAC motifs were found across all species analyzed, while CARC was found only in vertebrates. The tropomyosin-related kinase B (TRKB), a member of the RTK family, is a core participant in the neuronal plasticity process and exhibits a CARC motif in its TMR. Upon recognition of the conserved CARC motif in the TRKB, we performed molecular dynamics simulations with the mouse TRKB TMR sequence, which indicated that cholesterol interaction with the TRKB CARC motif occurs mainly at the central Y433 residue. Binding assay suggested a bell-shaped effect of cholesterol on BDNF interaction with TRKB receptors. Therefore, CARC/CRAC motifs may have a role in the function of the RTK family TMR.
Computational search for UV radiation resistance strategies in Deinococcus swuensis isolated from Paramo ecosystems
Authors: Díaz-Riaño Jorge , Posada Leonardo , Acosta Iván , Ruíz-Pérez Carlos , García-Castillo Catalina , Reyes Alejandro , Zambrano María Mercedes
Published: August 2019

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is widely known as deleterious for many organisms since it can cause damage to biomolecules either directly or indirectly via the formation of reactive oxygen species. The goal of this study was to analyze the capacity of high-mountain Espeletia hartwegiana plant phyllosphere microorganisms to survive UVR and to identify genes related to resistance strategies. A strain of Deinococcus swuensis showed a high survival rate of up to 60% after UVR treatment at 800J/m2 and was used for differential expression analysis using RNA-seq after exposing cells to 400J/m2 of UVR (with >95% survival rate). Differentially expressed genes were identified using the R-Bioconductor package NOISeq and compared with other reported resistance strategies reported for this genus. Genes identified as being overexpressed included transcriptional regulators and genes involved in protection against damage by UVR. Non-coding (nc)RNAs were also differentially expressed, some of which have not been previously implicated. This study characterized the early resistance strategy used by D. swuensis and indicates the involvement of ncRNAs in the adaptation to extreme environmental conditions.
A new technique for use in the study of the microbiome: An evaluation of a three-dimensional cell culture technique in maintaining the gastrointestinal microbiome of four Balb/c female mice and implications for future studies
Authors: Castaneda Everest Uriel , Brady Jeff , Speshock Janice
Published: August 2019

Fluctuations in oxygen, pH, nutrients, or other factors such as food or pharmaceuticals, may perturb the microbiota of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This environmental variation is a cause for concern given dysbiosis of the microbiome is correlated with disease states; thereby, model organisms are utilized to study microbial communities during, after, or before shifts in microbes since intact ex vivo microbiomes have historically been challenging to utilize. The objective of this study is to culture an explant microbiome of 4 Balb/c, laboratory bred mice to develop an ex vivo tool for future microbiome studies. We cultured homogenates of the distal colon of 4 mice in three dimensional, 24 well plate culture dishes. These dishes were incubated for 24 hours in two different oxygen concentration levels, 0% and 20%. The pH of the plate was tested before and after incubation. To analyze the integrity of the microbiome, we utilized 16S sequencing. Further, we utilized 16S metagenomics to characterize fecal samples and colon samples to speculate whether future studies may utilize feces in constructing an explant microbiome to spare animal lives. We found that pH and familial relationship had a profound impact on community structure while oxygen did not have a significant influence. The feces and the colon were similar in community profiles, which lends credence to utilizing feces in future studies. In addition, our efforts successfully cultured archaea, which included difficult to culture strains such as Miscellaneous Crenarchaeota group (MCG) and Methanobacteria. Ultimately, further attempts to culture and preserve an animal’s microbiome needs to control for and maintain stable pH.
Lysosomal perturbations in dopaminergic neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells with PARK2 mutation
Authors: Okarmus Justyna , Bogetofte Helle , Schmidt Sissel Ida , Ryding Matias , Garcia Lopez Silvia , Martínez-Serrano Alberto , Hyttel Poul , Meyer Morten
Published: August 2019

Mutations in the PARK2 gene encoding parkin, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, are associated with autosomal recessive early-onset Parkinson’s disease (PD). While parkin has been implicated in the regulation of mitophagy and proteasomal degradation, the precise mechanism leading to neurodegeneration in both sporadic and familial PD upon parkin loss-of-function mutations remains unknown. Cultures of isogenic induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines with and without PARK2 knockout (KO) enable mechanistic studies of the effect of parkin deficiency in human dopaminergic neurons. In the present study, we used such cells to investigate the impact of PARK2 KO on the lysosomal compartment combining different approaches, such as mass spectrometry-based proteomics, electron microscopy (TEM) analysis and functional assays. We discovered a clear link between parkin deficiency and lysosomal alterations. PARK2 KO neurons exhibited a perturbed lysosomal morphology, displaying significantly enlarged and electron-lucent lysosomes as well as an increased total lysosomal content, which was exacerbated by mitochondrial stress. In addition, we found perturbed autophagic flux and decreased lysosomal enzyme activity suggesting an impairment of the autophagy-lysosomal pathway in parkin-deficient cells. Interestingly, activity of the GBA-encoded enzyme, β-glucocerebrosidase, was significantly increased suggesting the existence of a compensatory mechanism. In conclusion, our data provide a unique characterization of the morphology, content, and function of lysosomes in PARK2 KO neurons, thus revealing a new important connection between mitochondrial dysfunction and lysosomal dysregulation in PD pathogenesis.
Effects of two seminal fluid proteins on post-mating behavior in the simultaneously hermaphroditic flatwormMacrostomum lignano
Authors: Weber Michael , Patlar Bahar , Ramm Steven A.
Published: August 2019

Along with sperm, in many taxa male ejaculates also contain a complex mixture of proteins, peptides and other substances found in seminal fluid. Once seminal fluid proteins (SFPs) are transferred to the mating partner, they play crucial roles in mediating post-mating sexual selection, since they can modulate the partner’s behavior and physiology in ways that influence the reproductive success of both partners. One way in which sperm donors can maximize their own reproductive success is by changing the partners’ (sperm recipient’s) postcopulatory behavior to prevent or delay re-mating, thereby decreasing the likelihood or intensity of sperm competition. We therefore adopted a quantitative genetic approach combining gene expression and behavioral data to identify candidates that could mediate such a response in the simultaneously hermaphroditic flatwormMacrostomum lignano. We identified two putative SFPs - Mlig-pro46 and Mlig-pro63 - that exhibit a negative genetic correlation between transcript expression and mating frequency. Importantly, however, in one of the two different group sizes, differing in their sperm competition level, in which we measured genetic correlations, these same two transcripts are also linked to a second post-mating behavior inM. lignano, namely the ‘suck’ behavior of recipients in which, upon ejaculate receipt, the worm places its pharynx over its female genital opening and appears to attempt to remove ejaculate components. To therefore investigate directly whether these two candidates manipulate partner behavior, and test whether this impacts on competitive fertilization success, we performed a manipulative experiment using RNA interference-induced knockdown to ask how loss of Mlig-pro46 and Mlig-pro63 expression, singly and in combination, affects mating frequency, partner suck propensity and both defensive and offensive sperm competitive ability (P1andP2, respectively). None of the knock-down treatments impacted strongly on mating frequency or sperm competitive ability, but the knock-down of Mlig-pro63 resulted in a significantly decreased ‘suck’ propensity of mating partners. This suggests that Mlig-pro63 may normally act as a cue in the ejaculate to trigger recipient suck behavior, though the functional and adaptive significance of these two seminal proteins from a donor perspective remains enigmatic.
The heme biosynthetic enzyme, 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase (ALAS), and GTPases in control of mitochondrial dynamics and ER contact sites, regulate heme mobilization to the nucleus
Authors: Martinez-Guzman Osiris , Willoughby Mathilda M. , Saini Arushi , Dietz Jonathan V. , Bohovych Iryna , Medlock Amy E. , Khalimonchuk Oleh , Reddi Amit R.
Published: August 2019

Heme is an iron-containing cofactor and signaling molecule that is essential for much of aerobic life. All heme-dependent processes in eukaryotes require that heme is trafficked from its site of synthesis in the mitochondria to hemoproteins located throughout the cell. However, the mechanisms governing the mobilization of heme out of the mitochondria, and the spatio-temporal dynamics of these processes, are poorly understood. Herein, using genetically encoded fluorescent heme sensors, we developed a live cell assay to monitor heme distribution dynamics between the mitochondrial inner-membrane, where heme is synthesized, and the mitochondrial matrix, cytosol, and nucleus. We found that heme distribution occurs simultaneously via parallel pathways. In fact, surprisingly, we find that trafficking to the nucleus is ∼25% faster than to the cytosol or mitochondrial matrix. Moreover, we discovered that the heme biosynthetic enzyme, 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase (ALAS), and GTPases in control of the mitochondrial dynamics machinery, Mgm1 and Dnm1, and ER contact sites, Gem1, regulate the flow of heme between the mitochondria and nucleus. Altogether, our results indicate that the nucleus acquires heme faster than the cytosol or mitochondrial matrix, presumably for mitochondrial-nuclear retrograde signaling, and that GTPases that regulate mitochondrial dynamics and ER contact sites are hard-wired to cellular heme distribution systems.

Summary Statement

The factors that govern the trafficking of heme, an essential but potentially cytotoxic cofactor and signaling molecule, are poorly understood. Herein, we developed a live-cell assay to monitor heme distribution kinetics and identified the first enzyme in the heme synthesis pathway and GTPases in control of mitochondrial-ER contact sites and dynamics as being critical modulators of heme trafficking.
Station and train surface microbiomes of Mexico City’s metro (subway/underground)
Authors: Hernández Apolinar Misael , Vargas-Robles Daniela , Alcaraz Luis D. , Peimbert Mariana
Published: August 2019

The metro is one of the more representative urban systems of Mexico City, and it transports approximately 4.5 million commuters every day. Large crowds promote the constant exchange of human and environmental microbes. In this study, we determined the bacterial diversity profile of the Mexico City subway by massive sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. We identified a total of 50,197 operative taxonomic units (OTUs) and 1058 genera. The metro microbiome was dominated by the phylum Actinobacteria and by the genera Propionibacterium (15%) (P. acnes 13%), Corynebacterium (13%), Streptococcus (9%), and Staphylococcus (5%) (S. epidermidis; 4%), reflecting the microbe composition of normal human skin. The metro microbial sources were skin, dust, saliva, and vaginal, with no fecal contribution detected. A total of 420 bacterial genera were universal to the twelve metro lines tested, and they contributed to 99.10% of the abundance. The large OTUs number are probably reflecting the vast human influx, while selection from hosts and environments are constraining the genera diversity, shown by the OTUs to genus ratio. Finally, this study shows that the microbial composition of the Mexico City subway comes from a mixture of environmental and human sources and that commuters are exposed to normal human microbiota.
Inferring putative ancient whole genome duplications in the 1000 Plants (1KP) initiative: access to gene family phylogenies and age distributions
Authors: Li Zheng , Barker Michael S
Published: August 2019

Polyploidy or whole genome duplications (WGDs) repeatedly occurred during green plant evolution. To examine the evolutionary history of green plants in a phylogenomic framework, the 1KP project sequenced over 1000 transcriptomes across the Viridiplantae. The 1KP project provided a unique opportunity to study the distribution and occurrence of WGDs across the green plants. In the 1KP capstone analyses, we used a total evidence approach that combined inferences of WGDs from Ks and phylogenomic methods to infer and place ancient WGDs. Overall, 244 putative ancient WGDs were inferred across the Viridiplantae. Here, we describe these analyses and evaluate the consistency of the WGD inferences by comparing them to evidence from published syntenic analyses of plant genome assemblies. We find that our inferences are consistent with whole genome synteny analyses and our total evidence approach may minimize the false positive rate throughout the data set. Given these resources will be useful for many future analyses on gene and genome evolution in green plants, we release 383,679 nuclear gene family phylogenies and 2,306 gene age distribution (Ks) plots from the 1KP capstone paper.
Chytrid rhizoid morphogenesis is adaptive and resembles hyphal development in ‘higher’ fungi
Authors: Laundon Davis , Chrismas Nathan , Wheeler Glen , Cunliffe Michael
Published: August 2019

Fungi are major components of the Earth’s biosphere [1], sustaining many critical ecosystem processes [2, 3]. Key to fungal prominence is their characteristic cell biology, our understanding of which has been principally based on ‘higher’ dikaryan hyphal and yeast forms [4–6]. The early-diverging Chytridiomycota (chytrids) are ecologically important [2, 7, 8] and a significant component of fungal diversity [9–11], yet their cell biology remains poorly understood. Unlike dikaryan hyphae, chytrids typically attach to substrates and feed osmotrophically via anucleate rhizoids [12]. The evolution of fungal hyphae appears to have occurred from lineages exhibiting rhizoidal growth [13] and it has been hypothesised that a rhizoid-like structure was the precursor to multicellular hyphae and mycelial feeding in fungi [14]. Here we show in a unicellular chytrid, Rhizoclosmatium globosum, that rhizoid development has equivalent features to dikaryan hyphae and is adaptive to resource availability. Rhizoid morphogenesis exhibits analogous properties with growth in hyphal forms, including tip production, branching and decreasing fractal geometry towards the growing edge, and is controlled by β-glucan-dependent cell wall synthesis and actin polymerisation. Chytrid rhizoids from individual cells also demonstrate adaptive morphological plasticity in response to substrate availability, developing a searching phenotype when carbon starved and exhibiting spatial differentiation when interacting with particulate substrates. Our results show striking similarities between unicellular early-diverging and dikaryan fungi, providing insights into chytrid cell biology, ecological prevalence and fungal evolution. We demonstrate that the sophisticated cell biology and developmental plasticity previously considered characteristic of hyphal fungi are shared more widely across the Kingdom Fungi and therefore could be conserved from their most recent common ancestor.
A robust expectation-maximization method for the interpretation of small-angle scattering data from dense nanoparticle samples
Authors: Bakry M. , Haddar H. , Bunău O.
Published: August 2019

The local monodisperse approximation (LMA) is a two-parameter model commonly employed for the retrieval of size distributions from the small-angle scattering (SAS) patterns obtained from dense nanoparticle samples (e.g. dry powders and concentrated solutions). This work features a novel implementation of the LMA model resolution for the inverse scattering problem. The method is based on the expectation-maximization iterative algorithm and is free of any fine-tuning of model parameters. The application of this method to SAS data acquired under laboratory conditions from dense nanoparticle samples is shown to provide good results.
Toward increasing affective commitment in SME strategic networks
Authors: Agostini Lara , Nosella Anna , Venturini Karen
Published: August 2019

Purpose

To hinder the high failure rate of strategic networks, recently scholars have concentrated on behavioral aspects such as trust, conflict management, resolution and commitment as fundamental antecedents of strategic network performance. Within this context, this paper focuses on the antecedents of affective commitment, based on the rationale that an increasing affective commitment cannot occur naturally during network evolution. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to understand how affective commitment is achieved along the development process of small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) strategic networks.

Design/methodology/approach

To address the aim of the paper, a qualitative approach based on multiple case studies was used. Two case studies of Italian SME strategic networks having an increasing and decreasing level of affective commitment were selected to have a base of comparison, following a “polar types” theoretical sampling approach.

Findings

By comparing two cases in which partners show a different affective commitment along the network development process, this study allows providing a twofold contribution. The former is to unveil the most relevant elements partners may rely on to achieve an increasing affective commitment and the latter is to propose a dynamic approach toward the study of affective commitment in SME strategic networks.

Research limitations/implications

Considering the limited generalizability of this exploratory study due to the analysis of two cases, future studies with a larger number of strategic multipartner networks can expand the understanding of the dynamics leading to increasing commitment.

Practical implications

The paper provides a series of practical guidelines for managers to create a trusting environment with a high level of affective commitment within the context of SME networks, which can contribute to their survival.

Originality/value

The originality of the study consists in having adopted a dynamic approach toward studying affective commitment in the context of SME networks, which resulted in the identification of relevant factors that can lead to increasing affective commitment.
Effects of environmental education on environmental ethics and literacy based on virtual reality technology
Authors: Liu Qiong , Cheng Zhongming , Chen Min
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This study aims to propose the corresponding ways and methods to strengthen the environmental moral education based on scientific research methods, rigorous scientific theory and the specific content of environmental moral education.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, taking 360 volunteers of Yangtze University, Hubei, as the research samples, the 32-week (3 h per week) experimental research was preceded in this study. Among the 360 distributed copies of questionnaires, 289 copies are valid, with the retrieval rate 80 per cent.

Findings

The research results show significant correlations between environmental education and environmental ethics; environmental ethics and environmental literacy; and environmental education and environmental literacy.

Research limitations/implications

The research on the environmental moral education in China was still in the primary stage, and there were few results that can be used for reference. As a result, there was a lack of empirical research in this paper, which needed to be further expanded and improved.

Practical implications

This study put forward a series of new judgments and new views to solve the problems, which provided a good theoretical basis for the current education and teaching work of the majority of educators and valuable reference for future research on related topics. This study was helpful to further enhance the environmental moral awareness and environmental moral level. Aiming at the problems existing in environmental moral education, this study proposed a series of solutions to make the whole society, schools and families work together for the improvement and development of environmental moral education.

Originality/value

This study was helpful to promote environmental moral quality and level, promote the harmony between man and nature and form a good habit of environmental protection in the whole society.
“There’s nothing that compares to it”: a grounded theoretical analysis of the experiences of police hostage and crisis negotiators
Authors: Grubb Amy Rose , Brown Sarah J. , Hall Peter , Bowen Erica
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Hostage and crisis negotiators serve a vital function within society by resolving hostage/crisis incidents. This role, performed by specially trained police “volunteers”, helps to prevent numerous fatalities and forms an important part of the modern policing repertoire. There is limited research that identifies the experiences of police officers that dedicate their lives to saving others by volunteering in this capacity. This paper aims to provide an insight into this fundamental police role using negotiator’s personal narratives.

Design/methodology/approach

This study consisted of an exploratory qualitative grounded theoretical analysis of semi-structured interviews conducted with 15 negotiators from nine English police forces.

Findings

The analysis revealed 3 primary, 7 secondary and 23 tertiary categories that form a conceptual model of the negotiator experience. The three primary categories consisted of “negotiator positives”, “negotiator negatives” and “negotiator ambivalences”, which provide an insight into the experiences and identities of negotiators in England.

Practical implications

The findings identify several positive factors that could be used to market the role more effectively within police forces and enhance future recruitment processes. Equally, the findings highlight several operational and organisational issues that have a negative impact on the negotiator experience. The findings are, therefore, discussed in light of the practical implications for negotiator training/continuing professional development, policy and practice.

Originality/value

This paper depicts the findings from one of the first qualitative analyses of negotiator experiences and provides a unique insight into the negotiator role from an Anglo-centric perspective.
Globalization-induced changes in higher education management in Ukraine
Authors: Markina Iryna Anatolyevna , Chykurkova Alla Dmitrievna , Dudziak Oksana Antonivna , Opaliuk Tetiana Leonidivna , Dobrenko Inna Anatolievna
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the features of higher education management in the context of global economic transformations.

Design/methodology/approach

A correlation-regression analysis of the functionality of the modern education system was carried out in the “personality-society-economy” triad by analyzing the impact of global indices such as Economic Quality Index, Personal Freedom Index and Social Capital Index on the resultant indicator, or the Education Index.

Findings

It was determined that the impact of economic factors on the level of education is rather low, and at the same time, this indicator largely depends on the indicator of the social capital. In this regard, the following social trends have been identified that need to be implemented for the successful education management: expanding the population education program, as well as providing lifelong education, ensuring equal access to quality education, strengthening the role of the state in ensuring equity in education, efficient and effective use of education costs, humanization and democratization of education, updating the content, forms, methods and means of training, enhancing the professional competence of teachers, transparency of education systems, the formation of state-public forms of education management.

Originality/value

In the framework of the proposed research, it was established the hypothesis that the modern education system is dependent on the relation between individual, society and the national economy.
Education and competencies within Belt and Road countries
Authors: Zahavi Mor , BenDavid-Hadar Iris , Klein Joseph
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between education and competencies from a comparative view, while controlling for background characteristics (e.g. parental education), home features (e.g. income) and country fixed effect.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper utilises an international data sets of 12 Belt and Road (B&R) countries participating in the PIAAC survey. Data are examined using regression models with “REPSET” Stata code. The focus on B&R countries is interesting as this recent economic and strategic development alliance might transform the contemporary global balance of power. Therefore, examining its educational development is important.

Findings

Findings reveal the higher the level of education, the higher the competency level in numeracy and literacy. Age was found to be negatively related to competencies, and gender was found to be dually significant. Among the examined B&R countries, Slovenia, Russia and Israel contribute the most to the numeracy, literacy and problem solving competencies (respectively) compared with other countries. The findings might contribute to the design of education for development policies aimed at increasing the level of state competitiveness while accounting for social cohesiveness.

Originality/value

The paper provides a comparative study into educational development of the B&R alliance, and therefore offers an insight of the developmental cooperation as it emerges. The focus on the B&R initiative is important as it is a strategic development alliance which might transform the contemporary global balance of power. Therefore, the examination of the above-mentioned relationships with the focus on B&R countries might advance the strategic design of this cooperation.
A study on the effect of imbalanced data in tourism recommendation models
Authors: Fernández-Muñoz Juan José , M. Moguerza Javier , Martin Duque Clara , Gomez Bruna Diana
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to study the effect of imbalanced data in tourism quality models. It is demonstrated that this imbalance strongly affects the accuracy of tourism prediction models for hotel recommendation.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was used to survey 83,740 clients from hotels between five and two or less stars using a binary logistic model. The data correspond to a sample of 87 hotels from all around the world (120 countries from America, Africa, Asia, Europe and Australia).

Findings

The results of the study suggest that the imbalance in the data affects the prediction accuracy of the models used, especially to the prediction provided by unsatisfied clients, tending to consider them as satisfied customers.

Practical implications

In this sense, special attention should be given to unsatisfied clients or, at least, some safeguards to prevent the effect of the imbalance of data should be included in the models.

Social implications

In the tourism industry, the strong imbalance between satisfied and unsatisfied customers produces misleading prediction results. This fact could have effects on the quality policy of hoteliers.

Originality/value

In this work, focusing on tourism data, it is shown that this imbalance strongly affects the prediction accuracy of the models used, especially to the prediction of the recommendation provided by unsatisfied customers, tending to consider them as satisfied customers; a methodological approach based on the balance of the data set used to build the models is proposed to improve the accuracy of the prediction for unsatisfied customers provided by traditional services quality models.
Mythical encounters: challenging racism in the diverse city
Authors: Almeida Shana
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to situate the idea that the City of Toronto is a leader on addressing issues of diversity, racism and democracy within the context of diversity discourse and the racial norms that are incited by it.

Design/methodology/approach

A genealogy and critical discourse analysis of City of Toronto documents from 1975 to 2017 involving consultations with racial Others on issues of diversity, race and/or racism was conducted.

Findings

The author shows how the specific racial norms that continue to make up diversity discourse as “truth” in the City of Toronto are reproduced through the commodification of racial Others and the re-framing of their racial claims, to re-generate the narrative of the diverse City of Toronto where all are welcome to participate and belong.

Practical implications

Implications for senses of place are discussed.

Originality/value

This paper adds critical depth to understanding increased participation of racialised communities as a mechanism for achieving socio-political change in government and non-government institutions. Initiated in a local context, the findings of this paper are intended to contribute to a global reservoir of critical knowledge on diversity, race, democracy, political participation and power.
Challenges for adopting and implementing IoT in smart cities
Authors: Janssen Marijn , Luthra Sunil , Mangla Sachin , Rana Nripendra P. , Dwivedi Yogesh K.
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The wider use of Internet of Things (IoT) makes it possible to create smart cities. The purpose of this paper is to identify key IoT challenges and understand the relationship between these challenges to support the development of smart cities.

Design/methodology/approach

Challenges were identified using literature review, and prioritised and elaborated by experts. The contextual interactions between the identified challenges and their importance were determined using Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM). To interrelate the identified challenges and promote IoT in the context of smart cities, the dynamics of interactions of these challenges were analysed using an integrated Matrice d’Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliqués à un Classement (MICMAC)-ISM approach. MICMAC is a structured approach to categorise variables according to their driving power and dependence.

Findings

Security and privacy, business models, data quality, scalability, complexity and governance were found to have strong driving power and so are key challenges to be addressed in sustainable cities projects. The main driving challenges are complexity and lack of IoT governance. IoT adoption and implementation should therefore focus on breaking down complexity in manageable parts, supported by a governance structure.

Practical implications

This research can help smart city developers in addressing challenges in a phase-wise approach by first ensuring solid foundations and thereafter developing other aspects.

Originality/value

A contribution originates from the integrated MICMAC-ISM approach. ISM is a technique used to identify contextual relationships among definite elements, whereas MICMAC facilitates the classification of challenges based on their driving and dependence power. The other contribution originates from creating an overview of challenges and theorising the contextual relationships and dependencies among the challenges.
Administrative empowerment among Kuwait University staff and its effect on their job satisfaction
Authors: Aldaihani Sultan Ghaleb
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify administrative empowerment and job satisfaction levels among Kuwait University staff. The study also aimed to reveal the relationship between administrative empowerment and job satisfaction. In addition, the study sought to identify any statistically significant differences in the study sample responses regarding employees’ administrative empowerment and job satisfaction attributed to the study variables (gender and years of experience). Finally, the study sought to identify the possibility of predicting job satisfaction level among Kuwait University staff through administrative empowerment.

Design/methodology/approach

The study sample consisted of 115 administrators chosen from different faculties at Kuwait University. The study used a PLS-SEM via SMARTPLS version 3.2.8 depending on questionnaires as the study’s tools.

Findings

The results revealed that Kuwait University staff enjoyed medium administrative empowerment levels. On the other hand, they had higher job satisfaction levels. It found a statistically positive correlation between job satisfaction and administrative empowerment. The study has found significant associations of administrative empowerment, participation in decision making, group work and self-motivation with job satisfaction.

Originality/value

The study recommends identifying regulatory obstacles that could prevent the dissemination and resolution of empowerment policy and culture.
Sports sponsorship: scientific coverage in academic journals
Authors: Maldonado-Erazo Claudia Patricia , Durán-Sánchez Amador , Álvarez-García José , Del Río-Rama María de la Cruz
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Sports sponsorship is considered a business strategy that allows for the mutual benefit of both parties; the sponsor achieves to position and make its brand known and those sponsored obtain the income required to finance their corporate, marketing and communication objectives. The purpose of this paper is to identify the scientific production on this subject indexed in Scopus.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to fulfill the proposed objective, it is studied and analyzed scientific activity by means of the “Bibliometric Analysis” methodology, using indicators of productivity, dispersion, collaboration and citation. These indicators are applied to a database composed of 484 articles on sports sponsorship.

Findings

The most relevant researchers are identified by using two different criteria, the production and citations received, as well as providing information on which approaches or lines of research on the subject have not been followed or have not been studied in-depth sufficiently.

Originality/value

This is a novel study, since it provides a global view of research carried out in this field at international level.
Dynamical analysis of hydromagnetic Brownian and thermophoresis effects of squeezing Eyring–Powell nanofluid flow with variable thermal conductivity and chemical reaction
Authors: Ogunseye Hammed Abiodun , Salawu Sulyman Olakunle , Tijani Yusuf Olatunji , Riliwan Mustapha , Sibanda Precious
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the dynamical behavior of heat and mass transfer of non-Newtonian nanofluid flow through parallel horizontal sheet with heat-dependent thermal conductivity and magnetic field. The effects of thermophoresis and Brownian motion on the Eyring‒Powell nanofluid heat and concentration are also considered. The flow fluid is propelled by squeezing force and constant pressure gradient. The hydromagnetic fluid is induced by periodic time variations.

Design/methodology/approach

The dimensionless momentum, energy and species balance equations are solved by the spectral local linearization method that is employed to numerically integrate the coupled non-linear diﬀerential equations.

Findings

The response of the fluid flow, temperature and concentration to variational increase in the values of the parameters is graphically presented and discussed accordingly.

Originality/value

The validity of the method used was checked by comparing it with previous related article.
Static buckling and vibration analysis of continuously graded ceramic-metal beams using a refined higher order shear deformation theory
Authors: Bekhadda Ahmed , Bensaid Ismail , Cheikh Abdelmadjid , Kerboua Bachir
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the static buckling and free vibration of continuously graded ceramic-metal beams by employing a refined higher-order shear deformation, which is also the primary goal of this paper.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed model is able to catch both the microstructural and shear deformation impacts without employing any shear correction factors, due to the realistic distribution of transverse shear stresses. The material properties are supposed to vary across the thickness direction in a graded form and are estimated by a power-law model. The equations of motion and related boundary conditions are extracted using Hamilton’s principle and then resolved by analytical solutions for calculating the critical buckling loads and natural frequencies.

Findings

The obtained results are checked and compared with those of other theories that exist in the literature. At last, a parametric study is provided to exhibit the influence of different parameters such as the power-law index, beam geometrical parameters, modulus ratio and axial load on the dynamic and buckling characteristics of FG beams.

Originality/value

Searching in the literature and to the best of the authors’ knowledge, there are limited works that consider the coupled effect between the vibration and the axial load of FG beams based on new four-variable refined beam theory. In comparison with a beam model, the number of unknown variables resulting is only four in the general cases, as against five in the case of other shear deformation theories. The actual model represents a real distribution of transverse shear effects besides a parabolic arrangement of the transverse shear strains over the thickness of the beam, so it is needless to use of any shear correction factors.
A comparative examination of dietary sodium content in bread and its public consumption pattern in Muscat, Oman
Authors: AbuKhader Majed , Abdelraziq Rawan , Al-Azawi Maryam , Ali Salma Khamis
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine and assess the sodium content in various pre-packed bread products marketed in three cities, Muscat, Morgantown (West Virginia) and Stockholm, and in combination with spread products. It also aims to investigate the pattern of public consumption of bread in Muscat.

Design/methodology/approach

A random cross-sectional investigation was followed. This study used the nutrition panel of selected bread and spread products to record sodium content and a close-ended questionnaire.

Findings

The mean sodium content in 100 g of bread marketed in Muscat was significantly lower than that in Morgantown (p < 0.001) and Stockholm (p < 0.022). The intake of 100 g of any bread type with 40 g of cheese spread will offer more than 20 per cent of the recommended daily intake of sodium, which poses a health risk upon frequent consumption. Results from the survey conducted in Muscat showed that most of the people consume bread in breakfast and the average amount of bread consumed per day was reported to be 100 g. Only 74.9 per cent of the participants knew that salt is added in the making of bread.

Originality/value

This research is of a value to food policymakers in relation to the use of salt (sodium) in bread. Sodium content in bread products varied significantly in the selected markets. Daily consumption of bread with cheese spreads should be either reduced or avoided by children because of high sodium content. Average intake of 100 g bread per day by participants in the survey is an indicator of a reduced exposure to sodium.
Indian educators’ perceptions of their inclusion implementation practices in secondary schools
Authors: Kundu Arnab , Rice Mary
Published: August 2019

Inclusive education has been touted as a strategy for providing educational opportunity in India, but little is known about whether and how Indian educators provide such opportunities. This study focused on Indian educators’ perceptions of inclusive practices in their own schools. A total of 160 teachers and 15 headteachers from randomly selected secondary schools in the Indian state of West Bengal participated in the study. Surveys were distributed to collect and analyse responses. Interviews were also used to learn more about the views of the school leaders on specific issues concerning learners with special needs. In addition, classroom observations were conducted to corroborate survey and interview data. Collected data were analysed descriptively. Findings revealed that headteachers and teachers perceived that their schools were not implementing inclusive practices.