bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Auditory categorical processing for speech is modulated by inherent musical listening skills
Authors: Mankel Kelsey , Barber Jacob , Bidelman Gavin M.
Published: December 2019

During successful auditory perception, the human brain classifies diverse acoustic information into meaningful groupings, a process known as categorical perception (CP). Intense auditory experiences (e.g., musical training and language expertise) shape categorical representations necessary for speech identification and novel sound-to-meaning learning, but little is known concerning the role of innate auditory function in CP. Here, we tested whether listeners vary in their intrinsic abilities to categorize complex sounds and individual differences in the underlying auditory brain mechanisms. To this end, we recorded EEGs in individuals without formal music training but who differed in their inherent auditory perceptual abilities (i.e., musicality) as they rapidly categorized sounds along a speech vowel continuum. Behaviorally, individuals with naturally more adept listening skills (“musical sleepers”) showed enhanced speech categorization in the form of faster identification. At the neural level, inverse modeling parsed EEG data into different sources to evaluate the contribution of region-specific activity [i.e., auditory cortex (AC)] to categorical neural coding. We found stronger categorical processing in musical sleepers around the timeframe of P2 (~180 ms) in the right AC compared to those with poorer musical listening abilities. Our data show that listeners with naturally more adept auditory skills map sound to meaning more efficiently than their peers, which may aid novel sound learning related to language and music acquisition.
Phytobacter palmae sp. nov., a novel endophytic, N2 fixing, plant growth promoting Gammaproteobacterium isolated from oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)
Authors: Madhaiyan Munusamy , Saravanan Venkatakrishnan Sivaraj , Blom Jochen , Smits Theo H. M. , Rezzonico Fabio , Kim Soo-Jin , Weon Hang-Yeon , Kwon Soon-Wo , Whitman William B. , Ji Lianghui
Published: December 2019

A novel strain S29T with high nitrogen fixing ability was isolated from surface-sterilized leaf tissues of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) growing in Science Park II, Singapore. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene analysis and multilocus sequence typing with the rpoB, gyrB, infB and atpD genes, strain S29T was a member of the genus

Phytobacter

, with

Phytobacter ursingii

ATCC 27989T and

Phytobacter diazotrophicus

LS 8T as its closest relatives. Unique biochemical features that differentiated strain S29T from its closest relatives were the ability to utilize melibiose, α-cyclodextrin, glycogen, adonital, d-arabitol, m-inositol and xylitol. The major fatty acids were C14 : 0, C16 : 0, C17 : 0, C16 : 1
ω5c and summed feature 2 containing C16 : 1
ω7c and/or C16 : 1
ω6c. The polar fatty acid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminophospholipid and aminolipids. The draft genome of strain S29T comprised 5,﻿ 284, ﻿330 bp with a G + C content of 52.6 %. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain S29T and the phylogenetically related

Enterobacterales

species were lower than 95 % and 70 %, respectively. Thus, the polyphasic evidences generated through the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genomic methods confirmed that strain S29T represents a novel species of the genus

Phytobacter

, for which we propose the name Phytobacter palmae sp. nov. with the type strain of S29T (=DSM 27342T=KACC 17598T).
Semantic Enrichment of Streaming Healthcare Data
Authors: Cotter Daniel , Bumgardner V. K. Cody
Published: December 2019

In the past decade, the healthcare industry has made significant advances in the digitization of patient information. However, a lack of interoperability among healthcare systems still imposes a high cost to patients, hospitals, and insurers. Currently, most systems pass messages using idiosyncratic messaging standards that require specialized knowledge to interpret. This increases the cost of systems integration and often puts more advanced uses of data out of reach. In this project, we demonstrate how two open standards, FHIR and RDF, can be combined both to integrate data from disparate sources in real time and make that data queryable and susceptible to automated inference. To validate the effectiveness of the semantic engine, we perform simulations of real-time data feeds and demonstrate how they can be combined and used by client-side applications with no knowledge of the underlying sources.
The influence of common polygenic risk and gene sets on social skills group training response in autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Li Danyang , Choque-Olsson Nora , Jiao Hong , Norgren Nina , Jonsson Ulf , Bölte Sven , Tammimies Kristiina
Published: December 2019

Social skills group training (SSGT) is one of the most frequently used behavior interventions in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Current evidence suggests that the effects are moderate and heterogeneous. Genetic predisposition could be one of the factors contributing to this heterogeneity. Therefore, we used polygenic risk score (PRS) and gene-set analysis to investigate the association between SSGT response and common variants in autistic individuals. Participants from the largest randomized clinical trial of SSGT in ASD to date were selected for genotyping. Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for ASD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and educational attainment (EA) were calculated, and their associations with the intervention outcome at post-intervention and follow-up were tested using mixed linear model. In addition, thirty-two gene sets within five categories (synaptic, glial, FMRP, glutamate, and mitochondrial) were selected to evaluate their role in the intervention outcome. Individuals with higher PRSs for ASD and ADHD had inferior response after SSGT. After multiple test correction, significant results were kept for higher ADHD PRS at follow-up (β = 6.67, p = 0.016). Five gene sets within synaptic category showed modest association with reduced response to SSGT in ASD. Taken together, we provided preliminary evidence that genetic liability calculated using PRS and common variants in synapse gene sets could influence the outcome of SSGT. Our results hold promise for future research into the genetic contribution to individual response to ASD interventions, and should be validated in larger cohorts.
Ratiometric quorum sensing inEnterococcus faecalisconjugation
Authors: Banderas Alvaro , Carcano Arthur , Sina Elisa , Li Shuang , Lindner Ariel B.
Published: December 2019

Plasmid-mediated horizontal gene transfer of antibiotic-resistance and virulence in pathogenic bacteria underlies a major public health issue. Understanding how, in the absence of antibiotic-mediated selection, plasmid-bearing cells avoid being outnumbered by plasmid-free cells, is key to developing counter strategies. Here we quantified the induction ofEnterococcus faecalis’ plasmidial sex-pheromone pathway to show that the integration of the stimulatory (mate-sensing) and inhibitory (self-sensing) signaling modules from the pCF10 conjugative plasmid, provides a precise measure of the recipient-to-donor ratio, agnostic to variations in population size. Such ratiometric control of conjugation favors vertical plasmid-transfer under low mating likelihood and allows activation of conjugation functions only under high mating likelihood. We further show that this strategy constitutes a cost-effective investment into mating effort, as overstimulation produces unproductive self-aggregation and reductions in the growth rate. A mathematical model suggests that ratiometric control of conjugation limits the spread of antibiotic resistance in absence of antibiotics, predicting a long-term stable co-existence of donors and recipients. Our results demonstrate how population-level parameters can control transfer of antibiotic-resistance in bacteria, opening the door for biotic control strategies. Ratiometric sensing in bacteria mirrors sexual behaviors observed in eukaryotes.
Systems genetics analysis identify calcium signalling defects as novel cause of congenital heart disease
Authors: Izarzugaza Jose M.G. , Ellesøe Sabrina G. , Doganli Canan , Ehlers Natasja Spring , Dalgaard Marlene D. , Audain Enrique , Dombrowsky Gregor , Sifrim Alejandro , Wilsdon Anna , Thienpont Bernard , Breckpot Jeroen , Gewillig Marc ,   Competence Network for Congenital Heart Defects, Germany, Brook J. David , Hitz Marc-Phillip , Larsen Lars A. , Brunak Søren
Published: December 2019

Background

Congenital heart disease (CHD) occurs in almost 1% of newborn children and is considered a multifactorial disorder. CHD may segregate in families due to significant contribution of genetic factors in the disease aetiology. The aim of the study was to identify pathophysiological mechanisms in families segregating CHD.

Methods

We used whole exome sequencing to identify rare genetic variants in ninety consenting participants from 32 Danish families with recurrent CHD. We applied a systems biology approach to identify developmental mechanisms influenced by accumulation of rare variants. We used an independent cohort of 714 CHD cases and 4922 controls for replication and performed functional investigations using zebrafish asin vivomodel.

Results

We identified 1,785 genes, in which rare alleles were shared between affected individuals within a family. These genes were enriched for known cardiac developmental genes and 218 of the genes were mutated in more than one family. Our analysis revealed a functional cluster, enriched for proteins with a known participation in calcium signalling. Replication confirmed increased mutation burden of calcium-signalling genes in CHD patients. Functional investigation of zebrafish orthologues ofITPR1,PLCB2andADCY2verified a role in cardiac development and suggests a combinatorial effect of inactivation of these genes.

Conclusions

The study identifies abnormal calcium signalling as a novel pathophysiological mechanism in human CHD and confirms the complex genetic architecture underlying CHD.
Combining genotype, phenotype, and environmental data to delineate site-adjusted provenance strategies for ecological restoration
Authors: Carvalho Carolina S. , Forester Brenna R. , Mitre Simone K. , Alves Ronnie , Imperatriz-Fonseca Vera L. , Ramos Silvio J. , Resende-Moreira Luciana C. , Siqueira José O. , Trevelin Leonardo C. , Caldeira Cecilio F. , Gastauer Markus , Jaffé Rodolfo
Published: December 2019

Despite the importance of climate-adjusted provenancing to mitigate the effects of environmental change, climatic considerations alone are insufficient when restoring highly degraded sites. Here we propose a comprehensive landscape genomic approach to assist the restoration of moderately disturbed and highly degraded sites. To illustrate it we employ genomic datasets comprising thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms from two plant species suitable for the restoration of iron-rich Amazonian Savannas. We first use a subset of neutral loci to assess genetic structure and determine the genetic neighborhood size. We then identify genotype-phenotype-environment associations, map adaptive genetic variation, and predict adaptive genotypes for restoration sites. Whereas local provenances were found optimal to restore a moderately disturbed site, a mixture of genotypes seemed the most promising strategy to recover a highly degraded mining site. We discuss how our results can help define site-adjusted provenancing strategies, and argue that our methods can be more broadly applied to assist other restoration initiatives.
Geldanamycin inhibits Jumonji histone lysine demethylase KDM4 and targets chimeric transcription factor PAX3-FOXO1
Authors: Abu-Zaid Ahmed , Singh Shivendra , Lin Wenwei , Low Jonathan , Abdolvahabi Alireza , Cooke Bailey , Bowling John , Vaithiyalingam Sivaraja , Fang Jie , Currier Duane , Yun Mi-Kyung , AlTahan Alaa , Fernando Dinesh M. , Maier Julie , Tillman Heather , Bulsara Purva , Lu Zhaohua , Das Sourav , Li Zhenmei , Young Brandon , Lee Richard , Rankovic Zoran , White Stephen , Davidoff Andrew M. , Chen Taosheng , Yang Jun
Published: December 2019

Histone lysine demethylases (KDMs) are emerging as therapeutic targets in cancer. Development of potent KDM inhibitors may provide additional options for epigenomics-oriented therapies. Using a Time-Resolved Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (TR-FRET) functional demethylation assay, in combination with a high-content immunofluorescence imaging phenotypic screen, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance mass spectrometry (MALDI-FTICR MS) and Amplified Luminescent Proximity Homogeneous Assay (ALPHA), we identified geldanamycin, an inhibitor of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), as a novel inhibitor of JmjC-domain containing demethylases such as KDM4B. We further found that geldanamycin can destabilize the PAX3-FOXO1 fusion oncoprotein, an Hsp90 client, which is a driver of clinically unfavorable alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (aRMS). We then hypothesized that dual inhibition of PAX3-FOXO1 and epigenetic modifiers of aRMS would have synergistic antitumor activity. We repurposed the geldanamycin analog 17-DMAG to target aRMS and found that 17-DMAG significantly delays tumor growth, extends survival in xenograft mouse models, and inhibits expression of PAX3-FOXO1 targets and multiple oncogenic pathways including MYC, E2F and NOTCH. In addition, the combination of 17-DMAG with conventional chemotherapy or the bromodomain inhibitor JQ1 significantly enhances therapeutic efficacy. In summary, we have identified geldanamycin and 17-DMAG as dual KDM/Hsp90 inhibitors and 17-DMAG is efficacious against PAX3-FOXO1-driven rhabdomyosarcoma.
Evidence for dual targeting of Arabidopsis plastidial glucose-6-phosphate transporter GPT1 to peroxisomes via the ER
Authors: Baune Marie-Christin , Lansing Hannes , Fischer Kerstin , Meyer Tanja , Charton Lennart , Linka Nicole , von Schaewen Antje
Published: December 2019

Former studies on Arabidopsis glucose-6-phosphate/phosphate translocator isoforms GPT1 and GPT2 reported viability ofgpt2mutants, however an essential function for GPT1, manifesting as a variety ofgpt1defects in the heterozygous state during fertilization/seed set. Among other functions, GPT1 is important for pollen and embryo-sac development. Since previous work on enzymes of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (OPPP) revealed comparable effects, we investigated whether GPT1 might dually localize to plastids and peroxisomes. In reporter fusions, GPT2 was found at plastids, but GPT1 also at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and around peroxisomes. GPT1 contacted oxidoreductases and also peroxins that mediate import of peroxisomal membrane proteins from the ER, hinting at dual localization. Reconstitution in yeast proteoliposomes revealed that GPT1 preferentially exchanges glucose-6-phosphate for ribulose-5-phosphate. Complementation analyses of heterozygousgpt1plants demonstrated that GPT2 is unable to compensate for GPT1 in plastids, whereas genomicGPT1without transit peptide (enforcing ER/peroxisomal localization) increasedgpt1transmission significantly. Since OPPP activity in peroxisomes is essential during fertilization, and immuno-blot analyses hinted at unprocessed GPT1-specific bands, our findings suggest that GPT1 is indispensable at both plastids and peroxisomes. Together with the G6P-Ru5P exchange preference, dual targeting explains why GPT1 exerts functions distinct from GPT2 in Arabidopsis.

One sentence summary

In contrast to plastidial GPT2, GPT1 exhibits slightly different exchange preferences and alternatively targets the ER, from where the protein can be relocated to peroxisomes on demand.
Single nucleus multi-omics links human cortical cell regulatory genome diversity to disease risk variants
Authors: Luo Chongyuan , Liu Hanqing , Xie Fangming , Armand Ethan J. , Siletti Kimberly , Bakken Trygve E. , Fang Rongxin , Doyle Wayne I. , Hodge Rebecca D. , Hu Lijuan , Wang Bang-An , Zhang Zhuzhu , Preissl Sebastian , Lee Dong-Sung , Zhou Jingtian , Niu Sheng-Yong , Castanon Rosa , Bartlett Anna , Rivkin Angeline , Wang Xinxin , Lucero Jacinta , Nery Joseph R. , Davis David A. , Mash Deborah C. , Dixon Jesse R. , Linnarsson Sten , Lein Ed , Behrens M. Margarita , Ren Bing , Mukamel Eran A. , Ecker Joseph R.
Published: December 2019

Single-cell technologies enable measure of unique cellular signatures, but are typically limited to a single modality. Computational approaches allow integration of diverse single-cell datasets, but their efficacy is difficult to validate in the absence of authentic multi-omic measurements. To comprehensively assess the molecular phenotypes of single cells in tissues, we devised single-nucleus methylCytosine, Chromatin accessibility and Transcriptome sequencing (snmC2T-seq) and applied it to post-mortem human frontal cortex tissue. We developed a computational framework to validate fine-grained cell types using multi-modal information and assessed the effectiveness of computational integration methods. Correlation analysis in individual cells revealed distinct relations between methylation and gene expression. Our integrative approach enabled joint analyses of the methylome, transcriptome, chromatin accessibility and conformation for 63 human cortical cell types. We reconstructed regulatory lineages for cortical cell populations and found specific enrichment of genetic risk for neuropsychiatric traits, enabling prediction of cell types with causal roles in disease.
Modeling subcortical white matter stimulation
Authors: Dali Melissa , Goldman Jennifer S. , Pantz Olivier , Destexhe Alain , Mandonnet Emmanuel
Published: December 2019

Objective

Intracranial electrical stimulation of subcortical axonal tracts is particularly useful during brain surgery, where mapping helps identify and excise dysfunctional tissue while avoiding damage to functional structures. Stimulation parameters are generally set empirically and consequences for the spatial recruitment of axons within subcortical tracts are not well identified.

Approach

Computational modeling is employed to study the effects of stimulation parameters on the recruitment of axons: monophasic versus biphasic stimuli induced with monopolar versus bipolar electrodes, oriented orthogonal or parallel to the tract, for isotropic and anisotropic tracts.

Main results

The area and depth of axonal activation strongly depend on tissue conductivity and electrode parameters. The largest activation area results from biphasic stimulation with bipolar electrodes oriented orthogonal to axonal fasciculi, for anisotropic and especially isotropic tracts. For anisotropic tracts, the maximal activation depth is similar regardless of whether a monopolar or bipolar electrode is employed. For isotropic tracts, bipolar parallel and monopolar stimulation activate axons deeper than orthogonal bipolar stimulation. Attention is warranted during monophasic stimulation: a blockade of action potentials immediately under cathodes and a propagation of action potentials under anodes are found.

Significance

Considering the spatial patterns of blockade and activation present during monophasic stimulation with both monopolar and bipolar electrodes, biphasic stimulation is recommended to explore subcortical axon responses during intraoperative mapping. Finally, the precise effect of electrical stimulation depends on conductivity profiles of tracts, and as such, should be explicitly considered for each individual subject and tract undergoing intracranial mapping.
Geochemical influences on nonenzymatic oligomerization of prebiotically relevant cyclic nucleotides
Authors: Dagar Shikha , Sarkar Susovan , Rajamani Sudha
Published: December 2019

The spontaneous emergence of RNA on the early Earth continues to remain an enigma in the field of origins of life. Few studies have looked at the nonenzymatic oligomerization of cyclic nucleotides under neutral to alkaline conditions, in fully dehydrated state. Herein, we systematically investigated the oligomerization of cyclic nucleotides under prebiotically relevant conditions, where starting reactants were subjected to repeated dehydration-rehydration (DH-RH) regimes, like they would have been on an early Earth. DH-RH conditions, a recurring geological theme, are driven by naturally occurring processes including diurnal cycles and tidal pool activity. These conditions have been shown to facilitate uphill oligomerization reactions in terrestrial geothermal niches, which are hypothesized to be pertinent sites for the emergence of life. 2′-3′ and 3′-5′ cyclic nucleotides of one purine-based (adenosine) and one pyrimidine-based (cytidine) system were evaluated in this study. Additionally, the effect of amphiphiles was also investigated. Furthermore, to discern the effect of ‘realistic’ conditions on this process, the reactions were also performed using hot spring water samples from an early Earth analogue environment. Our results showed that the oligomerization of cyclic nucleotides under DH-RH conditions resulted in intact informational oligomers. Amphiphiles increased the stability of, both, the starting monomers and the resultant oligomers. In analogue condition reactions, oligomerization of nucleotides and back-hydrolysis of the resultant oligomers was pronounced. Altogether, this study demonstrates how nonenzymatic oligomerization of cyclic purine and pyrimidine nucleotides, under laboratory-simulated and early Earth analogous conditions, could have resulted in RNA oligomers of a putative RNA World.
Interspecific hierarchies from aggressiveness and body size among the invasive alien hornet,Vespa velutina nigrithorax, and five native hornets in South Korea
Authors: Kwon Ohseok , Choi Moon Bo
Published: December 2019

The range of the invasive alien hornet,Vespa velutina nigrithorax, has been continuously expanding since its invasion of Korea in 2003. Here, we compared the aggressive behaviors and body size ofV. velutina nigrithoraxwith five native hornet species to identify the interspecific hierarchies that contributes to the spread of this species. Aggressive behaviors were classified into 11 categories and each interaction was scored as a win, loss, or tie. As a result,V. velutinawas superior toV. simillimain 153 fights whereV. velutinawon 71% and showed a high incidence of threatening behavior.V. mandariniaoutperformedV. velutinain 104 fights whereV. mandariniawon 91% and grappling behavior was common.V. analiswas superior toV. velutinain 67 fights whereV. analiswon 76% and showed a high amount of threatening behavior.V. crabrowas superior toV. velutinain 93 fights whereV. crabrowon 73% and showed a high rate of threatening behavior.V. dybowskiiwas superior toV. velutinain 132 fights whereV. dybowskiiwon 91%, and showed a high rate of threatening and grappling behaviors. The body size ofV. velutinawas larger thanV. simillima(although not statistically significant) and smaller than all otherVespaspecies. Therefore, according to the results of this study, the low interspecific hierarchies ofV. velutinaseems to be a major cause of slower spreading rates than it has shown in Europe. However, over time, its density has gradually increased within the forest, in which it seems to be overcoming its disadvantages and expanding its range, possibly as large colonies and good flying abilities make it easier to secure food.
Role of SHIP2 in cell repulsion regulated by Eph receptor and ephrin signaling
Authors: Ashlin Tim G. , Wu Zhonglin , Xu Qiling , Wilkinson David G.
Published: December 2019

Previous studies have found that activation of EphB2 and ephrinB1 that drives cell segregation leads to phosphorylation of the phosphoinositide phosphatase SHIP2 downstream of forward (EphB2) but not reverse (ephrinB1) signaling. We have analysed whether SHIP2 interacts with EphB2 and contributes to cell responses to EphB2-ephrinB1 signaling. We confirm that EphB2 activation leads to SHIP2 phosphorylation on Y1135 and find that they interact through the SH2 domain of SHIP2. There is thus a distinct mode of interaction from EphA2, which binds SHIP2 via its SAM domain. Knockdown of SHIP2 in EphB2 cells leads to decreased segregation from ephrinB1 cells, and a decrease in the repulsion response of EphB2 cells. SHIP2 knockdown in ephrinB1 cells also decreases their repulsion response, but does not disrupt segregation which is largely driven by forward signaling. These findings show that activation of EphB2 leads to recruitment and phosphorylation of SHIP2, and that SHIP2 contributes to cell repulsion responses that underlie cell segregation.
Crystal structures and biological activity of 1,1,4-triphenyl-substituted 1,3-enyne compounds
Authors: Pineda Leslie W. , Arias María Laura , Cabezas Jorge A.
Published: December 2019

1,3-Enyne structural motifs are versatile building blocks in organic synthesis and occur widely in various natural products with many of them being highly active as cytotoxic macrolides and antitumour antibiotics. This article presents the crystal structure of three 1,1,4-triphenyl-substituted 1,3-enynes, viz. 4-(2-methylphenyl)-1,1-diphenylbut-1-en-3-yne, C23H18 (1), 4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1,1-diphenylbut-1-en-3-yne, C23H18O (2), and 4-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,1-diphenylbut-1-en-3-yne, C22H15NO2 (3). The benzene ring at position 4 of the but-1-en-3-yne group bears a weakly activating methyl group in compound 1, a moderately activating methoxy group in 2 and a strongly deactivating nitro group in 3. The crystal structures of 1 and 3 both have monoclinic symmetry, while that of 2 is orthorhombic, and all of them have one molecule in the asymmetric unit. All three compounds were investigated for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. Interestingly, enyne 2 is the only compound tested that inhibited the growth of Aspergillus niger.
Strategies for value recovery from industrial waste: case studies of six industries from Brazil
Authors: Sellitto Miguel Afonso , Almeida Francieli Aparecida de
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present possible strategic actions that aim to recover the value still remaining in industrial waste.

Design/methodology/approach

The research method is a multiple case study. The sample included six Brazilian companies of the footwear, metal-mechanics, pulp and paper, beverages, chemical and food industries. The study investigated the production process, waste generation, internal reuse, the destination of unused waste, difficulties and strategic challenges.

Findings

Possible strategies to recover the value remaining in industrial waste are increasing the internal reuse, developing new routes to other industries, reducing the waste generation, increasing the destination to cooperatives or recycling companies, which require studies to understand the legislation and agility in licensing and reducing the logistical cost of the destination.

Research limitations/implications

The study relies on six case studies. Further research shall encompass an entire industry, starting with hypotheses derived from the cases.

Practical implications

The main barriers observed for reuse and recycling are uncertainties and ambiguities in the interpretation of legislation, the difficulty for the environmental licensing for recycling operations, excessive logistics costs for exploration opportunities and the lack of research to reduce the waste generation and to increase the internal reuse.

Social implications

Waste managed by scavengers’ cooperatives can offer jobs to the people of vulnerable communities.

Originality/value

The study offers robust hypotheses to be tested in a survey on the capacity of a waste management strategy to create competitive advantage in the industry. The study establishes a relationship between waste management and three competitive enablers, compliance, corporate image and green market.
Enrolment status disparity: evidence from secondary education in Myanmar
Authors: Yoshida Natsuho
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore individual enrolment trajectories to fully understand the actual disparity in secondary education enrolment statuses among the different socio-economic status (SES) groups in a newly emerged nation, Myanmar.

Design/methodology/approach

The differences in enrolment statuses among various SES groups (high, middle and low) were examined based on enrolment trajectory diagrams and individual enrolment patterns using longitudinal data. The analyses utilised a sample of 932 students from government schools in the urban Yangon Region.

Findings

The results revealed that the ideal enrolment trajectory cases (i.e. entering secondary education at Myanmar’s official age and completing all grades without repetition) increased for the highest-SES level, whilst the cases with diverse and complex enrolment trajectories increased for the lower-SES levels. Additionally, over-aged students in the lowest-SES level (boys in particular) were more likely to demonstrate worse enrolment patterns.

Originality/value

By analysing disparities with enrolment trajectories rather than with the cross-sectional parity index, the findings offer clearer and more detailed evidence for the current enrolment status inequalities by SES level in Myanmar. This more complete evidence could allow for an effective accomplishment of worldwide equitable and universal secondary education.
An exploration of ecolabels and operating financial metrics
Authors: Hopkins Erin A. , Van Mullekom Jennifer H.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

As the green economic bottom line is a strong motivating force when deciding to build, manage and/or operate green, this study aims to examine the financial impacts of green certifications on multifamily rental communities.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a multiple regression methodology, operating financial variables are examined.

Findings

Multifamily rental green buildings garner not only higher rental collections but also higher total expenses. When applying these higher rates to properties, the overall increase in rents outweighs the increases in total expenses.

Originality/value

While multiple studies have focused on the office sector, this study begins to fill the literature gap within the multifamily rental sector regarding the economic impacts of green-certified buildings. The outcomes of this study have positive implications for the multifamily real estate industry by providing developers, owners, managers and related parties with a better understanding of the financial impacts of multifamily rental green buildings; however, more research is needed.
The influence of home-country institutions on servitization
Authors: Costa Hamilton Terni , Cahen Fernanda Ribeiro , Santos Juliana Bonomi
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how home-country institutions influence firms’ servitization decisions. Existing studies have mostly neglected differences across countries and implicitly assumed the servitization process and drivers are homogenous across national institutional environments. The authors challenge this assumption.

Design/methodology/approach

Using case-based research, the authors explored the influence of formal institutions of the product, financial and labor markets on the servitization of two firms operating in a developed country and two in an emerging country.

Findings

The absence of robust home-country institutions did not necessarily hinder the servitization process. On the contrary, firms servitizate to overcome the difficulties posed by these institutional voids. The flexibility associated with service offerings enables firms to create viable alternatives to cope with taxes, lack of infrastructure and qualified labor force.

Originality/value

These outcomes contribute to the servitization literature, which has mainly focused on single-country studies and takes for granted the institutional differences between countries. The findings suggest future studies need to consider how and, to what extent, the country where the company is located influences servitization strategies and processes. Such reflections will improve the inferences made concerning firms’ servitization. For practitioners, the results suggest that the move into the provision of services can be a fruitful strategy to overcome the difficulties faced in emerging markets.
e-Business management assessment: framework proposal through case study analysis
Authors: Isaías Pedro , Carvalho Luisa Cagica , Cassundé Junior Nildo , Cassundé Fernanda Roda
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an e-business assessment framework for organizations that aim to enhance the effectiveness of their online presence and maximize the benefits that result from it. The framework is based on three main pillars derived from the academic literature research: e-marketing strategies, customer relationship management (CRM) strategies and business model strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews the literature from e-Marketing, CRM and business model strategies, leading to the generation of an e-Business assessment framework. Second, it takes 19 case studies and analyzes them using ATLAS.ti, through qualitative content analysis, to validate that framework.

Findings

Pragmatic advice for practitioners derives from research results considering that this framework enables managers to characterize the company in terms of its e-business approach, making it possible to determine the level of depth of competitive online strategies. Lessons for an improved e-business approach can be derived from this paper.

Originality/value

This study proposes a novel e-business framework to assist organizations that want to have an online presence. This framework is comprised of the factors identified in the literature review that contribute to define and scope that online presence. The framework is then validated through the collection of 19 case studies of companies that have this online presence, validating the theoretical findings.
Islamic branding: insights from a conceptual perspective
Authors: Bukhari Syeda Nazish Zahra , Isa Salmi Mohd
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to propose a conceptual model of Islamic branding. Based on the theory of self-congruity and existing literature, the conceptual model proposes three antecedents that can form the building blocks of Islamic branding.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have developed a conceptual model to propose the antecedents of the Islamic branding construct based on the theory of self-congruity. The antecedents are adapted from existing literature and customized according to the Muslim consumer market. Three hypotheses are formulated on the basis of the proposed model and justified from existing literature.

Findings

The proposed Islamic branding model can be applied to both local and multinational brands in both Muslim majority and minority markets. Religiosity, Islamic brand knowledge and Islamic corporate social responsibility are proposed as the antecedents of Islamic branding. Muslim consumers are attracted to brands that portray congruity with their religious values. The proposed antecedents of Islamic branding can result in the subsequent formation of an emotional attachment between the Muslim consumer and the respective Islamic brand, and thereby a stronger Islamic brand.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed Islamic branding model has not been empirically tested in this study.

Originality/value

Islamic branding is in the infancy stage of conceptual development. Currently, limited research exists on the operationalization of this construct. A gap exists in the literature regarding models and instruments for the operationalization and development of Islamic branding. The proposed model attempts to fill the conceptual gaps while taking into account the heterogeneity of the Muslim consumer market. Up until now, religiosity, Islamic brand knowledge and corporate social responsibility have not been studied as antecedents of Islamic branding. This study offers new insights by proposing customized brand-building blocks for an organization’s Islamic branding strategy based on theoretical grounds.
Invader at the gate: The status of red imported fire ant in Australia and Asia
Authors: Wylie Ross , Yang Chin‐Cheng S. , Tsuji Kazuki
Published: December 2019

Since it first secured a foothold in the southern United States in the 1930s from its native South America, the red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta Buren has now spread to more than 20 countries and territories. We update the status of S. invicta in Australia, China and Taiwan and discuss the invasion threat posed to other countries in the region, including India, Japan, South Korea, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam. An analysis of the manner of spread and responses by governments to the invasion reveals some important lessons: (a) S. invicta can be eradicated if detected early enough, (b) there has been a level of unpreparedness and under‐resourcing of quarantine agencies in some countries to deal with the pest, (c) strict controls on the movement of products likely to harbor S. invicta are essential in preventing or slowing the spread of the pest and has a major influence on the success or failure of eradication efforts and (d) a coordinated agency response is necessary to prevent treatment failure. Currently, cargo container traffic is the main mechanism for movement of S. invicta around the world and can only be addressed by international collaboration. Given the recent fire ant propagule pressure on Japan and South Korea via container traffic from China, it is likely that China may be a new bridgehead for the invasion of its neighbors in Asia and beyond.
Do As I Did Not As I Say: Blair, New Labour and Party Traditions
Authors: PIKE KARL , HINDMOOR ANDY
Published: December 2019

Corbynism, to its internal critics, is a ‘hard left’ anachronism. New Labour, to its detractors, was basically Thatcherism. We argue that these meta narratives, critical to internal identity, are flawed. They are pulling the party apart for reasons of political strength and at the expense both of broader interpretation and longer‐term cohesion. Through an analysis of ‘early’ New Labour, we show that how Blair’s project ended is not how it began, and therefore isn’t the whole story. The now half‐forgotten history of New Labour in opposition holds important lessons, including for those trying—for the most part unsuccessfully—to keep the ‘modernising’ flame alive. If the modernisers are to win more converts to their cause they must learn to do what Blair and New Labour did in opposition and not what Blair says today. Drawing on the concept of Labour’s ‘ethos’, we offer five lessons from the party’s past.
Molecular identification, expression and function analysis of peroxidasin in Chilo suppressalis
Authors: Ma Chun‐Ping , Guo Zi‐Mu , Zhang Feng‐Li , Su Jian‐Ya
Published: December 2019

Peroxidasin plays a unique role in the formation and stability of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the animal kingdom; however, it was only characterized in Diptera, not in other insect orders. In this study peroxidasin (CsPxd) was first identified and characterized from Chilo suppressalis, a lepidopteran pest. CsPxd complementary DNA with a 4080 bp open reading frame encodes a peptide of 1359 amino acids; the derived amino acid sequence of CsPxd harbors the typical structural characteristics of peroxidasin family in heme‐peroxidase superfamily, including the signal peptide at N‐terminal, leucine‐rich repeat domain, Ig‐loop motifs and peroxidase domain, signifying the extracellular location of protein and the involvement in ECM formation. Eukaryotic expression reveals CsPxd protein displays peroxidase activity on H2O2, justifying the membership of peroxidase. Phyletic analysis shows the monophyletic evolution pattern of peroxidasin in insect phyle, and moreover only one peroxidasin is present in each species of insects, suggesting its evolutionary conservation on function. Peroxidasin messenger RNA is mainly expressed in egg and the final instar larvae stage. Injection of peroxidasin double‐stranded RNA into the final instar larvae impacts the cuticle sclerotization during the metamorphosis from larvae to pupa, and eventually lead to lethality of larvae and pupa. These results suggest the presence of collagen crosslink in chorion and cuticle of insects, and indicate peroxidasin plays a role in the development of chorion and cuticle; furthermore peroxidasin might be the one of potential target genes for pest control using RNA interference.
Persistent severe post‐operative hypotension after pancreaticoduodenectomy is related to increased inflammatory response
Authors: Pitter Sandra E. Taylor , Kehlet Henrik , Hansen Carsten P. , Bundgaard‐Nielsen Morten , Storkholm Jan , Aasvang Eske K.
Published: December 2019

Background

Hypotension during major surgery is frequent, resulting in increased need for observation in the post‐anaesthesia care unit and treatment including vasopressors and fluids. However, although severe hypotension in the immediate post‐operative recovery phase after major surgery is suggested to be related to increased morbidity and mortality, the underlying risk factors are not well described, hindering advancements in prevention and treatment.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study assessing factors (age, gender, body‐mass index, cardiac co‐morbidity, haemoglobin, absolute and increase in c‐reactive protein on the first post‐operative day, bleeding, fluid balance at the end of surgery and the first post‐operative day) related to severe persistent hypotension (SPH) (SPH: need for noradrenaline to maintain a mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) >65.0 mm Hg on the morning after surgery) and occurrence of other early (24 hours) complications. One hundred patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with pre‐operative high‐dose glucocorticoid and goal‐directed fluid therapy were enrolled and perioperative data collected from anaesthetic and medical records.

Results

Forty‐five patients had SPH, who had a significantly higher increase in CRP levels the morning after surgery (median 50 mg L−1 vs 41 mg L−1, SPH vs non‐SPH, respectively, P = .028), and a significantly more positive fluid balance at discharge (median 1457 ml vs 1031 ml, respectively, P = .027) vs patients without SPH.

Conclusions

Severe persistent hypotension after PD was associated with significantly increased inflammatory response and increased need for fluids. Future studies should investigate the effect of further inflammatory control in PD to improve haemodynamics and morbidity.
G‐estimation of structural nested restricted mean time lost models to estimate effects of time‐varying treatments on a failure time outcome
Authors: Hagiwara Yasuhiro , Shinozaki Tomohiro , Matsuyama Yutaka
Published: December 2019

G‐estimation of structural nested models (SNMs) plays an important role in estimating the effects of time‐varying treatments with appropriate adjustment for time‐dependent confounding. As SNMs for a failure time outcome, structural nested accelerated failure time models (SNAFTMs) and structural nested cumulative failure time models have been developed. The latter models are included in the class of structural nested mean models (SNMMs) and are not involved in artificial censoring, which induces several difficulties in g‐estimation of SNAFTMs. Recently, restricted mean time lost (RMTL), which corresponds to the area under a distribution function up to a restriction time, is attracting attention in clinical trial communities as an appropriate summary measure of a failure time outcome. In this study, we propose another SNMM for a failure time outcome, which is called structural nested RMTL model (SNRMTLM) and describe randomized and observational g‐estimation procedures that use different assumptions for the treatment mechanism in a randomized trial setting. We also provide methods to estimate marginal RMTLs under static treatment regimes using estimated SNRMTLMs. A simulation study evaluates finite‐sample performances of the proposed methods compared with the conventional intention‐to‐treat and per‐protocol analyses. We illustrate the proposed methods using data from a randomized controlled trial for cardiovascular disease with treatment changes. G‐estimation of SNRMTLMs is a useful tool to estimate the effects of time‐varying treatments on a failure time outcome.
Activated Schwann cells and increased inflammatory cytokines IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α in patients' sural nerve are lack of tight relationship with specific sensory disturbances in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Zhang Hui , Wu Jing , Shen Fei‐Fei , Yuan Yong‐Sheng , Li Xiao , Ji Pan , Zhu Lin , Sun Li , Ding Jian , Niu Qi , Zhang Ke‐Zhong
Published: December 2019

Aims

Neuroinflammation is one of the most important processes in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Sensory disturbances are common in patients with PD, but the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain unknown. This study aimed to characterize the activation of Schwann cells (SCs) and the increase of expression of inflammatory cytokines IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α in the sural nerve of PD, and further explore whether peripheral nerve inflammation is the cause of PD sensory disturbances.

Methods

A total of 14 patients with PD (including 5 with sensory disturbances and 9 without sensory disturbances) and 6 controls were included. The excitation and conduction function of sural nerve was detected by sural nerve electrophysiological examination. With sural nerve biopsy samples, ultrastructural changes of sural nerve were observed by electron microscopy; Schwann cell biomarker glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) and inflammatory cytokines including interleukin‐1beta (IL‐1β), interleukin 6 (IL‐6), and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the outcome of immunostaining slice was semiquantitatively counted; double immunofluorescence was used to identify the locus immunoreactive for inflammatory cytokines.

Results

Compared with healthy controls, nerve conduction velocity (NCV) slowed down and sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitude decreased in PD patients, accompanied by axonal degeneration and demyelinating lesions, and expression of GFAP and inflammatory cytokines was increased. Inflammatory cytokines were significantly colocalized with GFAP and slightly colocalized with NF. These indicators did not differ significantly between PD patients with and without sensory disturbances.

Conclusion

Our study results suggest that peripheral sensory nerve injury exists in PD patients, accompanied by Schwann cell activation and inflammation, thus demonstrate peripheral nerve inflammation participates in the pathophysiological process of PD but it is not necessarily related to the patient's sensory disturbance.