bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The YtrBCDEF ABC transporter is involved in the control of social activities inBacillus subtilis
Authors: Benda Martin , Schulz Lisa , Rismondo Jeanine , Stülke Jörg
Published: July 2020

Bacillus subtilisdevelops genetic competence for the uptake of foreign DNA when cells enter the stationary phase and a high cell density is reached. These signals are integrated by the competence transcription factor ComK which is subject to transcriptional, post-transcriptional and post-translational regulation. Many proteins are involved in the development of competence, both to control ComK activity and to mediate DNA uptake. However, the precise function they play in competence development is often unknown. In this study, we have tested whether proteins required for genetic transformation play a role in the activation of ComK or rather downstream of competence gene expression. While these possibilities could be distinguished for most of the tested factors, two proteins (PNPase and the transcription factor YtrA) are required both for full ComK activity and for the downstream processes of DNA uptake and integration. Further analyses of the role of the transcription factor YtrA for the competence development revealed that the constitutive expression of the YtrBCDEF ABC transporter in theytrAmutant causes the loss of genetic competence. Moreover, constitutive expression of this ABC transporter also interferes with biofilm formation. Since theytrGABCDEFoperon is induced by cell wall-targeting antibiotics, we tested the cell wall properties upon overexpression of the ABC transporter and observed an increased thickness of the cell wall. The composition and properties of the cell wall are important for competence development and biofilm formation, suggesting that the increased cell wall thickness as a result of YtrBCDEF overexpression causes the observed phenotypes.
Crystal structure and molecular dynamics of human POLDIP2, a multifaceted adaptor protein in metabolism and genome stability
Authors: Kulik Anastasija A. , Maruszczak Klaudia K. , Thomas Dana C. , Nabi Naomi L. A. , Carr Martin , Bingham Richard J. , Cooper Christopher D. O.
Published: July 2020

Polymerase δ-interacting protein 2 (POLDIP2, PDIP38) is a multifaceted, ‘moonlighting’ protein, involved in binding protein partners from many different cellular processes, including mitochondrial metabolism, DNA replication and repair, and reactive oxygen species generation. POLDIP2 is found in multiple cellular compartments, potentially shuttled depending on its role. How POLDIP2 binds to and coordinates many different proteins is currently unknown. Towards this goal, we present the crystal structure of the ‘mitochondrial’ fragment of POLDIP2 to 2.8 Å. POLDIP2 exhibited a compact two-domain β-strand-rich globular structure, confirmed by circular dichroism and small angle X-ray scattering approaches. POLDIP2 comprised canonical DUF525 (ApaG) and YccV-like domains, but with the conserved domain linker packed tightly, resulting in an ‘extended’ YccV module. A central channel through POLDIP2 was observed which we hypothesise could influence structural changes potentially mediated by redox conditions, following observation of a modified cysteine residue in the channel. Unstructured regions were rebuilt byab initiomodelling to generate a model of full length POLDIP2. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed a highly dynamic N-terminal region tethered to the YccV-domain by an extended linker, potentially facilitating interactions with distal binding partners. Finally we build models of POLDIP2 interacting in complex with two of its partners in genome stability, PrimPol and PCNA. These indicate that dynamic flexibility of the POLDIP2 N-terminal and loop regions are critical to mediate protein-protein interactions.
Epigenomic characterization of latent HIV infection identifies latency regulating transcription factors
Authors: Jefferys Stuart R , Burgos Sam , Peterson Jackson J , Selitsky Sara R , Turner Anne-Marie , James Lindsey I , Margolis David M , Parker Joel , Browne Edward P
Published: July 2020

Transcriptional silencing of HIV generates a reservoir of latently infected cells, but the mechanisms that lead to this outcome are not well understood. We characterized a primary cell model of HIV latency, and observed that latency is a stable, heritable viral state that is rapidly reestablished after stimulation. Using Assay of Transposon-Accessible Chromatin sequencing (ATACseq) we found that latently infected cells exhibit reduced proviral accessibility, elevated activity of Forkead and Kruppel-like factor transcription factors (TFs), and reduced activity of AP-1, RUNX and GATA TFs. Latency reversing agents caused distinct patterns of chromatin reopening across the provirus. Furthermore, depletion of a chromatin domain insulator, CTCF inhibited HIV latency, identifying this factor as playing a key role in the initiation or enforcement of latency. These data indicate that HIV latency develops preferentially in cells with a distinct pattern of TF activity that promotes a closed proviral structure and inhibits viral gene expression.
Heterogeneous genetic basis of age at maturity in salmonid fishes
Authors: Waters Charles D. , Clemento Anthony , Aykanat Tutku , Garza John Carlos , Naish Kerry A. , Narum Shawn , Primmer Craig R.
Published: July 2020

Understanding the genetic basis of repeated evolution of the same phenotype across taxa is a fundamental aim in evolutionary biology and has applications to conservation and management. However, the extent to which interspecific life-history trait polymorphisms share evolutionary pathways remains under-explored. We address this gap by studying the genetic basis of a key life-history trait, age at maturity, in four species of Pacific salmon (genus Oncorhynchus) that exhibit intra- and interspecific variation in this trait – Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, and Steelhead Trout. We tested for associations in all four species between age at maturity and two genome regions, six6 and vgll3, that are strongly associated with the same trait in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar). We also conducted a genome-wide association analysis in Steelhead to assess whether additional regions were associated with this trait. We found the genetic basis of age at maturity to be heterogeneous across salmonid species. Significant associations between six6 and age at maturity were observed in two of the four species, Sockeye and Steelhead, with the association in Steelhead being particularly strong in both sexes (p = 4.46×10−9 after adjusting for genomic inflation). However, no significant associations were detected between age at maturity and the vgll3 genome region in any of the species, despite its strong association with the same trait in Atlantic Salmon. We discuss possible explanations for the heterogeneous nature of the genetic architecture of this key life-history trait, as well as the implications of our findings for conservation and management.
Integrated metabolome and transcriptome analyses provide insight into colon cancer development by the gut microbiota
Authors: Busi Susheel Bhanu , Lei Zhentian , Sumner Lloyd W. , Amos-Landgraf James
Published: July 2020

Colon cancer onset and progression is strongly associated with the presence, absence, or differences in relative abundances of certain microbial taxa in the gastrointestinal tract. However, specific mechanisms affecting disease susceptibility related to complex commensal bacterial mixtures are poorly understood. We used a multi-omics approach to determine how differences in the complex gut microbiome (GM) influence the metabolome and host transcriptome and ultimately affect susceptibility to adenoma development in a preclinical rat model of colon cancer. Fecal samples from rats harboring distinct complex GMs were analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS). We collected samples prior to observable disease onset and identified putative metabolite profiles that predicted future disease severity, independent of GM status. Transcriptome analyses performed after disease onset from normal epithelium and tumor tissues between the high and low tumor GMs suggests that the GM is correlated with altered host gene expression. Integrated pathway (IP) analyses of the metabolome and transcriptome based on putatively identified metabolic features indicate that bile acid biosynthesis was enriched in rats with high tumors (GM:F344) along with increased fatty acid metabolism and mucin biosynthesis. These data emphasize the utility of using untargeted metabolomics to reveal signatures of susceptibility and resistance and integrated analyses to reveal common pathways that are likely to be universal targets for intervention.

Statement of significance

Fecal metabolites, influenced by the gut microbiota, correlate with colon adenoma risk in a preclinical model of familial colon cancer.
Hierarchized phosphotarget binding by the seven human 14-3-3 isoforms
Authors: Gogl Gergo , Tugaeva Kristina V. , Eberling Pascal , Kostmann Camille , Trave Gilles , Sluchanko Nikolai N.
Published: July 2020

The seven human 14-3-3 isoforms, highly similar yet encoded by distinct genes, are among the top 1% highest-expressed human proteins. 14-3-3 proteins recognize phosphorylated motifs within numerous human or viral proteins. We analyzed by crystallography, fluorescence polarization, mutagenesis and fusicoccin-mediated modulation the structural basis and druggability of 14-3-3 binding to four E6 oncoproteins of tumorigenic HPV. The seven isoforms bound variant and mutated phospho-motifs of E6 and unrelated protein RSK1 with different affinities, albeit following an ordered ranking profile with conserved relative KDratios. Remarkably, 14-3-3 isoforms obey the same hierarchy when binding to most of their established targets, nicely supported by a recent proteome-wide human complexome map. This knowledge allows predicting the proportions of 14-3-3 isoforms engaged with phosphoproteins in various tissues. Notwithstanding their individual functions, cellular concentrations of 14-3-3 may be collectively adjusted to buffer the strongest phosphorylation outbursts, explaining their expression variations in different tissues and tumors.
Molecular Contribution to Embryonic Aneuploidy and Genotypic Complexity During Initial Cleavage Divisions of Mammalian Development
Authors: Brooks Kelsey E. , Daughtry Brittany L. , Davis Brett , Yan Melissa Y. , Fei Suzanne S. , Carbone Lucia , Chavez Shawn L.
Published: July 2020

Embryonic aneuploidy is highly complex, often leading to developmental arrest, implantation failure, or spontaneous miscarriage in both natural and assisted reproduction. Despite our knowledge of mitotic mis-segregation in somatic cells, the molecular pathways regulating chromosome fidelity during the error-prone cleavage-stage of mammalian embryogenesis remain largely undefined. Using bovine embryos and live-cell fluorescent imaging, we observed frequent micro-/multi-nucleation of anaphase lagging or mis-segregated chromosomes in initial mitotic divisions that underwent unilateral inheritance, re-fused with the primary nucleus, or formed a chromatin bridge with neighboring cells. A correlation between a lack of maternal and paternal pronuclei fusion (syngamy), multipolar cytokinesis, and uniparental genome segregation was also revealed and single-cell DNA-seq showed propagation of primarily non-reciprocal mitotic errors in embryonic blastomeres. Depletion of the mitotic checkpoint protein, BUB1B/BUBR1, resulted in micro-/multi-nuclei formation, atypical cytokinesis, chaotic aneuploidy, and disruption of the kinase-substrate network regulating mitotic progression and exit, culminating in embryo arrest prior to genome activation. This demonstrates that embryonic micronuclei sustain multiple fates, provides a mechanism for blastomeres with uniparental origins, and substantiates the contribution of defective checkpoint signaling and/or the inheritance of other maternally-derived factors to the high genotypic complexity afflicting preimplantation development in higher-order mammals.
Corporate reputation through strategic communication of corporate social responsibility
Authors: Ajayi Oyindamola Abiola , Mmutle Tsietsi
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how the communication of corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributes towards a favourable corporate reputation. It explores the communication strategies and channels organisations deemed reputable by stakeholders use to achieve an effective CSR communication.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this, a qualitative content analysis using the directed approach was conducted on the textual CSR communication materials of ten reputable organisations in South Africa based on the 2018 South Africa Reptrak survey.

Findings

Result showed that seven out of ten organisations use both self-serving and society-serving motive in their CSR communication, while the other 3 use only the society serving motive. The informing strategy was also more evident in the CSR communication materials than the interactive strategy. In terms of the communication channels, the study found that organisations mainly utilise controlled channels for CSR communication.

Originality/value

The literature reviewed and the findings of this study reveal a gap between the theory and practice of CSR communication. This drives the need for organisations to research and tailor CSR communication based on stakeholders' unique characteristics and preferences. The paper also contributes to improving the knowledge on the role different CSR communication strategies and channels play in CSR communication.
Emission assessment of alternative dam structure types, a novel approach to consider in new dam projects
Authors: Alvanchi Amin , Bajalan Zahra , Iravani Pooya
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Dams require high-volume of construction materials and operations over the life cycle. This paper aims to select a proper type of dam structure that can significantly contribute to the sustainability of dam projects.

Design/methodology/approach

This research proposes a complementary fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission assessment method for the alternate dam structure types to assist decision-makers in selecting sustainable choices. Related equations are developed for two common earthen and rock-fill dam structures types in Iran. These equations are then successfully applied to two real dam project cases where the significance of the achieved results are assessed and discussed.

Findings

The achieved results of the case studies demonstrate a high deviation of up to 41.3% in CO2emissions comparing alternate dam structure scenarios of earthen and rock-fill dam structures. This high deviation represents an important potential for CO2emission reduction considering the high volume of the emission in large dam projects.

Originality/value

The life cycle emission assessment of the alternate dam structures, proposed in this research as a novel complementary factor, can be used in the decision-making process of dam projects. The results in this research identify high potential sustainability improvement of dam projects as a result of the proposed method.
Product diversification and large construction firm productivity: the effect of institutional environments in Malaysia
Authors: Azman Mohd Azrai , Hon Carol K.H. , Xia Bo , Lee Boon L. , Skitmore Martin
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Many large construction firms (LCFs) adopt product diversification (PD) to counter downturns and spread risks. However, no detailed information is available concerning the type of PD that improves their performance. In addition, it is still uncertain how much changes in institutional dimensions influence the effectiveness of PD. Therefore, the aim is to resolve this issue by establishing a model that shows the extent of this influence.

Design/methodology/approach

The generalised method of moments (GMM) estimator is used to model the PD strategies of 86 LCFs in Malaysia over 14 years (2003–2016) and its impact on productivity and profitability performance.

Findings

Unrelated diversification (UD) decreased firm performance in 2003–2016, while related diversification (RD) had a positive impact during the more liberal 2010–2016 phase. The models show that the impact of PD is highly dependent on changes in institutional dimensions.

Practical implications

Firstly, managers may adjust the type of PD and its level of diversification to improve firm performance. Secondly, they may devise PD strategies based on changes in institutional dimensions to maximise their effectiveness.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature by determining the optimal amount of PD (including RD and UD) and its impact on performance. Secondly, the study is the first to investigate the moderating relationship of the institutional dimensions of economic and regulatory institutions on PD-firm performance. Thirdly, the study is the first to explore the components of technical-scale-scope economies (movement towards and around the production frontier), this being crucial to the strategy that was only conjectured in previous studies.
Conversion from 3D to 2D pattern algorithm for the 3D-shaped knitwear
Authors: Luo Xuan , Jiang Gaoming , Cong Honglian
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop the relationship among the three-dimensional-shaped (3D) knitwear on the flat knitting machine in a three-dimensional (3D) design model and the corresponding knitting in a two-dimensional (2D) pattern.

Design/methodology/approach

To do this, map functions are defined to convert the expression of the 3D-shaped knitwear to the horizontal and the vertical knitting. When the inverse functions of the map functions exist, one type is knitting in the 2D pattern can be determined with the aid of the knitwear expression in the 3D design model, when another type of knitting is in the 2D pattern.

Findings

The simulations indicate that the proposed scheme can implement the conversion from the 3D-shaped knitwear in the 3D design model to the corresponding knitting in the 2D pattern. In addition, the generated knitting by the proposed method can meet the technological requirements, which means that the knitting in the 2D pattern, converted by the proposed scheme, can be implemented in reality and the differences between the real knitwear can also be obtained as same as the map functions.

Practical implications

The generated 2D pattern can facilitate accelerating the design development of the 3D-shaped knitwear. Meanwhile, after accomplishing the 3D design, the relationship between 2D patterns in the two knitting directions is established through map functions.

Originality/value

Map functions proposed in this paper can be used in the 3D design model of the 3D-shaped knitwear so as to obtain the relatively accurate 2D paper appropriate for machine-knitting direction, which omits the process of designer's single 2D pattern after accomplishing the 3D design and saves the developing time.
The effect of risk levels on technology adoption decision: the case of online games
Authors: Dahabiyeh Laila , Najjar Mohammad S. , Agrawal Deepti
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Information technology is associated with psychological and physical risks such as high stress levels and antisocial behavior. The purpose of this paper is to understand why people engage in technology risk behavior, despite the negative consequences that might follow. Focusing on online games, this study identifies factors that affect individuals' intention to play online games and investigate whether the effects of these factors differ across different risk levels.

Design/methodology/approach

Experimental design was used as the research methodology. Subjects were randomly assigned to a single treatment with two conditions: high and low risk scenarios. A total of 597 responses were analyzed to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

The research findings reveal that subjective norms, curiosity and playfulness have a positive effect on the intention to play online games, while critical mass has no effect on the intention decisions. Further, among the three significant constructs, playfulness turned out to be the only factor that is affected by risk levels.

Research limitations/implications

This study extends prior literature on technology adoption by examining the effect of different risk levels on adoption intention decisions. It further extends prior literature on online games by identifying the factors that drive individuals to play games while accounting for the risks associated with playing these games.

Practical implications

The research study identifies factors that should be taken into consideration when promoting the adoption of technologies, including online games.

Originality/value

This study offers a new understanding of technology adoption decisions that takes into account the different levels of risk associated with technology use. It shows that an individual's curiosity and the pressure emanating from one's social network are powerful behavior drivers that persist regardless of the level of risk. Further, this research study is among the first to apply categorical least squares methodology combined with a procedure for a moderated structural equation model to test a structural equation model with categorical multiplicative terms in LISREL.
Knowledge-sharing practices in higher educational institutes of Islamabad, Pakistan: an empirical study based on theory of planned behavior
Authors: Raza Irfan , Awang Zainudin
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Knowledge hoarding is an emerging issue among multiracial employees engaged in public sector higher educational institutes (HEIs) of Islamabad, Pakistan. By considering knowledge-sharing barriers, this study aims to examine the knowledge sharing behavior (KSB) of ethnically diverse public sector staff in perspective of well-known theory of planned behavior (TPB).

Design/methodology/approach

It is a cross-sectional survey study, and it has used a self-administered questionnaire for data collection. With proportionate stratified random sampling technique, 273 nonacademic employees associated in 15 public sector HEIs of Islamabad have recorded their responses. Structural equation modeling was employed for empirical hypotheses testing.

Findings

Results stated significant and positive effect of cultural diversity management, interpersonal trust and knowledge technology on KSB. Moreover, knowledge-sharing attitude (KSA) fully mediated the relationship between cultural diversity management and KSB and between interpersonal trust and KSB; whereas KSA partially mediated the relationship between knowledge technology and KSB. Moreover, proposed model has explained 45% variation in endogenous construct.

Research limitations/implications

Current study contributes to the present literature by investigating the antecedents of knowledge-sharing behavior of multicultural nonacademic staff engaged in public sector HEIs of capital city of Pakistan. Enriching the top management thoughts about problems of diverse workforce, the researcher has explored a noticeable lack in elucidation of such connection. Moreover, formation of knowledge-sharing behavior specifically on ethnic-based diverse employees made a significant addition in existing literature.

Practical implications

The present research aids academic leadership in designing policies and strategies to enhance knowledge sharing among public sector employees and to create a supportive knowledge-sharing culture.

Originality/value

This study fills the empirical gap in literature by exploring the antecedents and their effect on KSB of nonacademic employees of Islamabad, Pakistan. Moreover, assessing the mediation effect of KSA between CDM and KSB on multicultural public sector employees is another novel inclusion in literature.
Spirituality in expatriate experience and coping in mission
Authors: Wilczewski Michał , Wróblewski Zbigniew , Wołońciej Mariusz , Gut Arkadiusz , Wilczewska Ewelina
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the role of spirituality, understood as a personal relationship with God, in missionary intercultural experience.

Design/methodology/approach

We conducted narrative interviews with eight Polish consecrated missionaries in Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Paraguay. We used thematic analysis to establish spirituality in missionary experience and narrative analysis to examine sensemaking processes.

Findings

Missionary spirituality was defined by a personal relationship with God as a source of consolation, psychological comfort, strength to cope with distressing experiences, and Grace promoting self-improvement. It compensated for the lack of family and psychological support and enhanced psychological adjustment to the environment perceived as dangerous. Spirituality helped missionaries deal with cultural challenges, traumatic and life-threatening events. Traumatic experiences furthered their understanding of the mission and triggered a spiritual transition that entailed a change in their life, attitudes and behavior.

Research limitations/implications

Comparative research into religious vs nonreligious individual spirituality in the experience across various types of expats in various locations could capture the professional and cultural specificity of individual spirituality. Research is also needed to link spirituality with expat failure.

Practical implications

Catholic agencies and institutions that dispatch missionaries to dangerous locations should consider providing professional psychological assistance. Narrative interviewing could be used to enhance missionaries' cultural and professional self-awareness, to better serve the local community. Their stories of intercultural encounters could be incorporated into cross-cultural training and the ethical and spiritual formation of students and future expats.

Originality/value

This study captures a spiritual aspect of intercultural experience of under-researched expats. It offers a model of the involvement of individual spirituality in coping in mission.
“Lean in”: the moderating effect of female ownership on the relationship between human capital and organizational innovation
Authors: Fu Yanli , Liu Ruiming , Yang Jifeng , Jiao Hao , Jin Yuke
Published: July 2020

Purpose

With the aim of shedding new light on the characteristics of human capital in its relationship with organizational innovation, this paper develops a novel theoretical and empirical exploration of the characteristics of human capital, both executives' experience and employees' average education level, as well as the moderating effect of female ownership, on two different aspects of organizational innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained from the World Bank's China private manufacturing enterprise questionnaire survey. The study employs regression analysis of a logistic model using 1,598 samples, because the dependent variable of an organization's innovation index is a binary variable.

Findings

Using World Bank survey data of Chinese private manufacturing enterprises, the authors find that executives' experience has a significantly positive effect on process innovation. Female ownership strengthens the relationship between executives' experience and process innovation. Moreover, the results indicate that employees' average educational level has a significantly positive effect on product innovation. Female ownership strengthens the relationships between employees' average educational level and organizational innovation including product innovation and process innovation. This study highlights the importance of simultaneously testing the effects of human capital and gender heterogeneity on organizational innovation activities.

Originality/value

This study explores the impact of human capital on organizational innovation activities in the context of the Chinese manufacturing industry. Moreover, organizational innovation activities are divided into two aspects: product innovation and process innovation. This study separately discusses the effect of human capital on these two kinds of innovation in detail. Finally, female ownership is selected as a moderating variable, and it is demonstrated that interactions of female owners with executives' experience and employees' average educational level have a positive impact on increasing different kinds of organizational innovation. The authors identify new boundary conditions for the domain of female research that are sorely lacking in the present literature.
How and when spiritual leadership enhances employee innovative behavior
Authors: Zhang Ying , Yang Fu
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between spiritual leadership and employee innovative behavior by testing the mediating role of autonomous motivation and the moderating role of employee power distance orientation.

Design/methodology/approach

The author predicted an indirect relationship between spiritual leadership and employee innovative behavior via autonomous motivation. Also, the author predicted the positive effect of spiritual leadership on employee innovative behavior will be stronger when employee power distance orientation is high. Hypotheses are tested with data gathered from 174 participants.

Findings

Results showed that spiritual leadership was positively related to employee innovative behavior via autonomous motivation. And, the positive relationship between spiritual leadership and autonomous motivation was stronger when employee power distance orientation was high. Furthermore, the indirect effect of autonomous motivation was stronger when employee power distance orientation was high.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides a new theoretical perspective – self-determination theory – to test how and when spiritual leadership enhances employee innovative behavior by suggesting autonomous motivation as a mediator and employee power distance orientation as a boundary condition.

Practical implications

The results of this research provide suggestions for leaders to adopt spiritual leadership as well as enhance interactions between them and employees to increase employee innovative behavior.

Originality/value

This study highlights the moderating role of employee power distance orientation and uses self-determination theory to examine how and when spiritual leadership plays a positive role.
Managers' risk perception and the adoption of sustainable consumption strategies in the hospitality sector: the moderating role of stakeholder salience attributes
Authors: ElShafei Rasha
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study investigates the relationship between managers' risk perception and the adoption of sustainable water consumption strategies and analyzes the moderating effect of stakeholders' salience attributes on this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual framework that builds on the stakeholder theory was developed to illustrate the direct and moderating role of the study variables. The derived hypotheses were tested quantitatively using multiple regression analysis.

Findings

Results indicate that managers' risk perception and the three stakeholder salience attributes were significantly associated with sustainable water consumption strategies, and that the legitimacy attribute was a successful moderator between the study variables.

Research limitations/implications

The limited ability to generalize results as the study is centered on the hospitality sector. Although the results were comparable to other studies, it is not possible to claim that the findings represent the views of the majority of managers in different industry sectors.

Practical implications

The research highlights to managers in the hospitality sector, the significant influence of risk perception and stakeholder salience attributes on the adoption of sustainable water consumption strategies.

Social implications

The research revealed that media, consumers and competitors are powerful, legitimate and urgent stakeholders, respectively. Therefore, the research findings will guide policymakers and nonprofit organizations to support those stakeholders in order to strengthen their power, legitimacy and urgency attributes.

Originality/value

Although it has been claimed that risk perception has the potential to influence sustainable consumption of natural resources, few studies empirically investigated the association of risk perception of a specific environmental threat with responsible consumption. Moreover, even though there is general agreement in the literature that the adoption of sustainable water consumption strategies is shaped by the degree to which stakeholders exercise their salience attributes, studies that empirically examine the influence of these attributes within the hospitality sector are lacking. Therefore, this study fills a gap in the current literature by empirically examining the influence of managers' risk perception and stakeholder's salience attributes on firms' adoption of sustainable consumption strategies.
Scoundrel or freedom fighter? Creating historical empathy inquiries
Authors: Muetterties Carly C. , Bronstein Erin A.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This work explores the creation and purposes of an inquiry about Emilio Aguinaldo, a Filipino revolutionary and sometimes United States ally, as a means to discuss the value of both inquiry and historical empathy in bridging history instruction and civic life. Though history is often identified as a means to foster democratic dispositions, learning can often feel disconnected from students' lived experiences, let alone directly connect to their out-of-classroom circumstances. Teaching with historical empathy allows students to affectively engage with content, resulting in complex reasoning and content acquisition.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors explain an original inquiry that uses the Inquiry Design Model (IDM) and historical empathy to help students complicate Emilio Aguinaldo and his legacy. By combining historical empathy and the inquiry model, the authors structured their work for practitioner use but also as a way to draw on rarely emphasized content in US or World history courses.

Findings

In using this model, students will be able to apply their learning in a civic engagement task related to modern questions of US geopolitics.

Originality/value

The authors offer and explore the process of an original inquiry as a way to help practitioners and scholars consider how to create other such rigorous opportunities for students to practice global citizenship.
Clinical characteristics, trichoscopy, histopathology and treatment outcomes of frontal fibrosing alopecia in an Asian population: A retro‐prospective cohort study
Authors: Panchaprateep Ratchathorn , Ruxrungtham Pariya , Chancheewa Bussabong , Asawanonda Pravit
Published: July 2020

Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a distinctive lymphocytic scarring alopecia with rapid increase in prevalence. Most FFA series are retrospectively reported from Caucasians with only few from Asians. The objective of this study was to characterize the clinical, trichoscopic and histopathological findings as well as treatment outcomes. This was a retro‐prospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with FFA from 1 January 2010 to 1 November 2019. All patients were asked to present for re‐examination. Clinical, trichoscopic, histopathological and laboratory data were recorded. A questionnaire was used to investigate hair care, hairstyle and facial skin care compared with age‐matched normal controls. Multivariate analysis was performed in order to clarify factors associated with severity. All 58 FFA patients were female, of whom 27.6% were premenopausal, 37.7% had a history of surgical menopause, 13.8% had thyroid diseases, 69% had eyebrow loss and 32.8% facial papules. On physical examination, 10.3% showed linear pattern, 46.6% diffuse pattern and 43.1% pseudo‐fringe sign. Concomitant lichen planopilaris was found in 25.9%, lichen planus pigmentosus in 24.1% and female pattern hair loss in 48.3%. The most common trichoscopic characteristics in the frontal hairline were lack of follicular ostia (91.4%), perifollicular scales (79.3%) and perifollicular erythema (63.8%). Up to 90% of patients reported FFA as improved or stable after receiving antiandrogen (finasteride or dutasteride) or antimalarial with topical treatment. Multivariate analyses revealed that facial lentiginous macules and trichoscopic perifollicular erythema at the frontal area were FFA severity‐associated factors. “Front puff” Thai hairstyle was associated with FFA, while sunscreens and other cosmetic products were not. In conclusion, diffuse and pseudo‐fringe sign pattern are common in Asian FFA. The most common autoimmune systemic comorbidity is thyroid disease, while common concomitant dermatological diseases are female pattern hair loss, lichen planopilaris and lichen planus pigmentosus. Antiandrogens or antimalarial plus topical treatment are the most useful therapy.
Interactive persistent effects of past land‐cover and its trajectory on tropical freshwater biodiversity
Authors: Santos Edineusa P. , Wagner Helene H. , Ferraz Sílvio F. B. , Siqueira Tadeu
Published: July 2020

Evidence indicating that ecological communities show delayed responses to environmental change has raised the need to better understand the effects of landscape history on biodiversity.

We investigated how freshwater biodiversity is related to both recent and past land use change in tropical river catchments. More specifically, we analysed the relationship between biodiversity and change in forest cover that occurred across five decades, including landscape trajectories of forest gain and loss.

The abundance of stream insects showed a more delayed response to landscape change than rarefied richness, whereas the Tsallis diversity index was not related to past forest cover. However, both alpha diversity and local abundance were related to mean forest cover across the five decades when conditioned by the trajectory of change. We found a negative relationship between the historical mean of forest cover and community descriptors in streams embedded in landscapes on a trajectory of forest loss, but a positive relationship in landscapes on a trajectory of forest gain.

We provide the first evidence of delayed responses of tropical freshwater insect communities to landscape history and suggest that the magnitude of change in forest cover, mediated by its trajectory, is a major driver of delayed responses. We show that a trajectory of forest loss might result in both immediate loss of species and a set of species doomed for future extinction.

Synthesis and applications. Delayed responses of multispecies communities to past landscape changes depend on their extent, frequency and intensity. Our findings indicate that, beyond the relative amount of forest cover within river catchments, the magnitude of change in forest cover mediated by its historical trajectory can be a major driver of delayed responses in stream communities. We suggest that, if biodiversity conservation is the main aim, stream restoration should be prioritized in catchments with higher forest cover, as even under a forest gain trajectory, stream communities continue responding to past landscape changes depending on how widespread and intensive changes were.
Materialities in supported housing for people with mental health problems: a blurry picture of the tenants
Authors: Friesinger Jan G. , Topor Alain , Bøe Tore Dag , Larsen Inger Beate
Published: July 2020

Our daily lives and sense of self are partly formed by material surroundings that are often taken for granted. This materiality is also important for people with mental health problems living in supported housing with surroundings consisting of different healthcare services, neighbourhoods, buildings or furniture. In this study, we explored how understandings of tenants are expressed in the materialities of supported housing. We conducted ethnographic fieldwork in seven different supported accommodations in Norway and analysed the resultant field notes, interviews, photographs and documents using Situational Analysis. The analysis showed that supported housing materialities expressed a blurry picture comprising widening and narrowing understandings of tenants, both by others and by themselves. Widening understandings concerned how tenants were living their lives in their own ways in private rooms while maintaining a social life in common areas. Narrowing understandings pertained to understand the tenants based solely on their diagnosis and need for care and control in hospital‐like buildings. The following discussion focusses on the ideas that underlie narrowing materialities and on the importance of striving for atmospheres that entail a sense of belonging.
Physiological role of plasma and its components and the clinical implications of different methods of apheresis: A narrative review
Authors: Ahmadpoor Pedram , Aglae Cedric , Cariou Sylvain , Pambrun Emilie , Renaud Sophie , Garo Florian , Darmon Ruben , Schultz Celine , Prelipcean Camelia , Reboul Pascal , Moranne Olivier
Published: July 2020

Nowadays, therapeutic plasmapheresis (TP) is accepted as part of the treatment for specific groups of diseases. The availability of different methods, including double filtration and adsorption, increases selectivity for the removal of substances. However, the use of these techniques requires a thorough understanding of the characteristics and components of plasma. By considering pivotal papers from several databases, the aim of this narrative review is to describe the characteristics of plasma related to apheresis techniques. We have tried to cover the clinical implications including physiology, estimation of plasma volume, viscosity, and a description of its components including the size, volume of distribution, and half‐lives of the different substances to be removed or maintained depending on the clinical situation and applied apheresis technique. Applying this knowledge will help us to choose the right method and dosage and improve the efficacy of the procedure by preventing or addressing any complications.
SEVA 3.1: enabling interoperability of DNA assembly among the SEVA, BioBricks and Type IIS restriction enzyme standards
Authors: Damalas Stamatios G. , Batianis Christos , Martin‐Pascual Maria , de Lorenzo Victor , Martins dos Santos Vitor A. P.
Published: July 2020

Robust synthetic biology applications rely heavily on the design and assembly of DNA parts with specific functionalities based on engineering principles. However, the assembly standards adopted by different communities vary considerably, thus limiting the interoperability of parts, vectors and methods. We hereby introduce the SEVA 3.1 platform consisting of the SEVA 3.1 vectors and the Golden Gate‐based ‘SevaBrick Assembly’. This platform enables the convergence of standard processes between the SEVA platform, the BioBricks and the Type IIs‐mediated DNA assemblies to reduce complexity and optimize compatibility between parts and methods. It features a wide library of cloning vectors along with a core set of standard SevaBrick primers that allow multipart assembly and exchange of short functional genetic elements (promoters, RBSs) with minimal cloning and design effort. As proof of concept, we constructed, among others, multiple sfGFP expression vectors under the control of eight RBSs, eight promoters and four origins of replication as well as an inducible four‐gene operon expressing the biosynthetic genes for the black pigment proviolacein. To demonstrate the interoperability of the SEVA 3.1 vectors, all constructs were characterized in both Pseudomonas putida and Escherichia coli. In summary, the SEVA 3.1 platform optimizes compatibility and modularity of inserts and backbones with a cost‐ and time‐friendly DNA assembly method, substantially expanding the toolbox for successful synthetic biology applications in Gram‐negative bacteria.
A decade of epigenetic change in aging twins: Genetic and environmental contributions to longitudinal DNA methylation
Authors: Reynolds Chandra A. , Tan Qihua , Munoz Elizabeth , Jylhävä Juulia , Hjelmborg Jacob , Christiansen Lene , Hägg Sara , Pedersen Nancy L.
Published: July 2020

Background

Epigenetic changes may result from the interplay of environmental exposures and genetic influences and contribute to differences in age‐related disease, disability, and mortality risk. However, the etiologies contributing to stability and change in DNA methylation have rarely been examined longitudinally.

Methods

We considered DNA methylation in whole blood leukocyte DNA across a 10‐year span in two samples of same‐sex aging twins: (a) Swedish Adoption Twin Study of Aging (SATSA; N = 53 pairs, 53% female; 62.9 and 72.5 years, SD = 7.2 years); (b) Longitudinal Study of Aging Danish Twins (LSADT; N = 43 pairs, 72% female, 76.2 and 86.1 years, SD=1.8 years). Joint biometrical analyses were conducted on 358,836 methylation probes in common. Bivariate twin models were fitted, adjusting for age, sex, and country.

Results

Overall, results suggest genetic contributions to DNA methylation across 358,836 sites tended to be small and lessen across 10 years (broad heritability M = 23.8% and 18.0%) but contributed to stability across time while person‐specific factors explained emergent influences across the decade. Aging‐specific sites identified from prior EWAS and methylation age clocks were more heritable than background sites. The 5037 sites that showed the greatest heritable/familial–environmental influences (p < 1E−07) were enriched for immune and inflammation pathways while 2020 low stability sites showed enrichment in stress‐related pathways.

Conclusions

Across time, stability in methylation is primarily due to genetic contributions, while novel experiences and exposures contribute to methylation differences. Elevated genetic contributions at age‐related methylation sites suggest that adaptions to aging and senescence may be differentially impacted by genetic background.
Alcohol use disorder and the liver
Authors: Buchanan Ryan , Sinclair Julia M. A.
Published: July 2020

Alcohol use disorders (AUD) cause a range of physical harms, but the major cause of alcohol‐related mortality is alcohol‐related liver disease (ALD), in some countries accounting for almost 90% of alcohol‐related deaths. The risk of ALD has an exponential relationship with increasing alcohol consumption, but is also associated with genetic factors, other life‐style factors and social deprivation. ALD includes a spectrum of progressive pathology, from liver steatosis to fibrosis and liver cirrhosis. There are no specific treatments for liver cirrhosis, but abstinence from alcohol is key to limit progression of the disease. Over time, cirrhosis can progress (often silently) to decompensated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Liver transplantation may be suitable for patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and may also be used as a curative intervention for HCC, but only for a few selected patients, and complete abstinence is a prerequisite. Patients with AUD are also at risk of developing alcoholic hepatitis, which has a high mortality and limited evidence for effective therapies. There is a strong evidence base for the effectiveness of psychosocial and pharmacological interventions for AUD, but very few of these have been trialled in patients with comorbid ALD. Integrated specialist alcohol and hepatology collaborations are required to develop interventions and pathways for patients with ALD and ongoing AUD.