bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Ice Nucleating Protein InaZ is Activated by Low Temperature
Authors: Roeters Steven J. , Golbek Thaddeus W. , Bregnhøj Mikkel , Drace Taner , Alamdari Sarah , Roseboom Winfried , Kramer Gertjan , Šantl-Temkiv Tina , Finster Kai , Woutersen Sander , Pfaendtner Jim , Boesen Thomas , Weidner Tobias
Published: May 2020

Ice-nucleation active (INA) bacteria can promote the growth of ice more effectively than any other known material. Utilizing specialized ice-nucleating proteins (INPros), they obtain nutrients from plants by inducing frost damage and, when airborne in the atmosphere, they drive ice nucleation within clouds and may affect global precipitation patterns. Despite their evident environmental importance, the molecular mechanisms behind INPro-induced freezing have remained largely elusive. In the present study, we investigated the folding and the structural basis for interactions between water and the ice-nucleating protein InaZ from the INA bacteriumPseudomonas syringaestrain R10.79. Using vibrational sum-frequency generation and two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy, we demonstrate that the ice-active repeats of InaZ adopt a β-helical structure in solution and at water surfaces. In this configuration, hydrogen bonding between INPros and water molecules imposes structural ordering on the adjacent water network. The observed order of water increases as the interface is cooled to temperatures close to the melting point of water. Experimental SFG data combined with spectral calculations and molecular-dynamics simulations shows that the INPro reorients at lower temperatures. We suggest that the reorientation can enhance order-inducing water interactions and, thereby, the effectiveness of ice nucleation by InaZ.
Translocation of flexible and tensioned ssDNA throughin silicodesigned hydrophobic nanopores with two constrictions
Authors: Rattu Punam , Haynes Taylor , Wallace E. Jayne , Khalid Syma
Published: May 2020

Protein-inspired nanopores with hydrophobic constriction regions have previously been shown to offer some promise for DNA sequencing. Here we explore a series of pores with two hydrophobic constrictions. The impact of nanopore radius, the nature of residues that define the constriction region and the flexibility of the ssDNA is explored. Our results show that aromatic residues slow down DNA translocation, and in the case of short DNA strands, they cause deviations from a linear DNA conformation. When DNA is under tension, translocation is once again slower when aromatic residues are present in the constriction. However, the lack of flexibility in the DNA backbone provides a narrower window of opportunity for the DNA bases to be retained inside the pore via interaction with the aromatic residues, compared to more flexible strands. Consequently, there is more variability in translocation rates for strands under tension. DNA entry into the pores is correlated to pore width, but no such correlation between width and translocation rate is observed.
Synthesis, crystal structure, polymorphism and microscopic luminescence properties of anthracene derivative compounds
Authors: Moliterni Anna , Altamura Davide , Lassandro Rocco , Olieric Vincent , Ferri Gianmarco , Cardarelli Francesco , Camposeo Andrea , Pisignano Dario , Anthony John E. , Giannini Cinzia
Published: May 2020

Anthracene derivative compounds are currently investigated because of their unique physical properties (e.g. bright luminescence and emission tunability), which make them ideal candidates for advanced optoelectronic devices. Intermolecular interactions are the basis of the tunability of the optical and electronic properties of these compounds, whose prediction and exploitation benefit from knowledge of the crystal structure and the packing architecture. Polymorphism can occur due to the weak intermolecular interactions, requiring detailed structural analysis to clarify the origin of observed material property modifications. Here, two silylethyne-substituted anthracene compounds are characterized by single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction, identifying a new polymorph in the process. Additionally, laser confocal microscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy confirm the results obtained by the X-ray diffraction characterization, i.e. shifting the substituents towards the external benzene rings of the anthracene unit favours π–π interactions, impacting on both the morphology and the microscopic optical properties of the crystals. The compounds with more isolated anthracene units feature shorter lifetime and emission spectra, more similar to those of isolated molecules. The crystallographic study, supported by the optical investigation, sheds light on the influence of non-covalent interactions on the crystal packing and luminescence properties of anthracene derivatives, providing a further step towards their efficient use as building blocks in active components of light sources and photonic networks.
Thwarted enthusiasm: effects of workplace incivility on newcomer proactive behaviors
Authors: Lan Yuanyuan , Xia Yuhuan , Li Shuang , Wu Wen , Hui Jiaqi , Deng Hui
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between supervisor and coworkers’ workplace incivility and newcomer proactive behaviors. Drawing on conservation of resources (COR) theory, the authors examined resource depletion as a mediator and newcomer proactive personality, as well as their current organizational tenure as moderators of the relationship between workplace incivility toward newcomers and their proactive behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

A time-lagged research design was used to test hypotheses with data covering 322 newcomers and their immediate supervisors in two subsidiaries of a large food processing company in China. Regression analysis using the PROCESS macro in SPSS is used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that workplace incivility toward newcomers is negatively related to their proactive behaviors. This relationship is mediated by resource depletion. Furthermore, newcomers’ proactive personality moderates the relationship between workplace incivility and resource depletion. Moreover, both the direct effect of workplace incivility on resource depletion and its indirect effect on newcomer proactive behaviors are moderated by the combination of newcomer proactive personality and their current organizational tenure.

Originality/value

Drawing on COR theory, a theoretical framework is constructed that specifies the process through which workplace incivility affects proactive behaviors to expand collective understandings of workplace incivility in the newcomer context. Furthermore, the boundary conditions of the underlying process are investigated, which further enhances the contribution of this paper to the extant literature on workplace incivility.
Forest birds as diversity indicator in suburban and residential areas
Authors: Nelson Bryan Raveen , Mamat Mazrul Aswady , Cheeho Wong , Shahimi Salwa
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Birds are biological indicators for environment health in which their sightings and abundance could reflect a certain situation or become evaluation tool for co-existence of another species. Here, the study aims to observe urban settlements with substantial forestation, may it be artificial or natural, and the occurrence of bird assemblage across time. Considering the foraging activity of birds hardcoded with sustainability, their spatial overlap resultant into service provision, which can mean, baseline occurrence or an expected encounter equates to support system for ecological vigour.

Design/methodology/approach

From this, birds could indicate external environment vulnerability related to climatic fluctuations, whereby documentation of their arrival across spatial-temporal regimes allowed us to understand their distribution between residential and forested areas.

Findings

Though urban birds are abundant and viewed less important for conservation, the existence of certain species such as long-tailed shrike and little green pigeon disclose the types of food they consume and, the other types of birds attracted to their prey. With regard, the sightings of these birds would mean an encounter with 20 or more other species at a bird watching occasion, though it is limited to the sightings of urban birds.

Originality/value

Subject to criteria for green space, attaining plenty of bird species provides understanding of food availability, the support services and opportunity for urban birds to thrive in midst the opportunity for resources such as food, perching grounds and sufficient numbers of counterparts to reproduce into healthy urban bird populations.
Home culture consumption as ambivalent embodied experience
Authors: Cruz Angela Gracia B. , Buchanan-Oliver Margo
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The consumer acculturation literature argues that reconstituting familiar embodied practices from the culture of origin leads to a comforting sense of home for consumers who move from one cultural context to another. This paper aims to extend this thesis by examining further dimensions in migrant consumers’ experiences of home culture consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyses data gathered through multi-modal depth interviews with Southeast Asian skilled migrants in New Zealand through the conceptual lens of embodiment.

Findings

Building on Dionet al.’s (2011) framework of ethnic embodiment, the analysis uncovers home culture consumption as multi-layered experiences of anchoring, de-stabilisation and estrangement, characterised by convergence and divergence between the embodied dimensions of being-in-the-world, being-in-the-world with others and remembering being-in-the-world.

Research limitations/implications

This paper underscores home culture consumption in migration as an ambivalent embodied experience. Further research should investigate how other types of acculturating consumers experience and negotiate the changing meanings of home.

Practical implications

Marketers in migrant-receiving and migrant-sending cultural contexts should be sensitised to disjunctures in migrants’ embodied experience of consuming home and their role in heightening or mitigating these disjunctures.

Originality/value

This paper helps contribute to consumer acculturation theory in two ways. First, the authors show how migrants experience not only comfort and connection but also displacement, in practices of home culture consumption. Second, the authors show how migrant communities do not only encourage cultural maintenance and gatekeeping but also contribute to cultural identity de-stabilisation.
How NPM-inspired-change impacted work and HRM in the Irish voluntary sector in an era of austerity
Authors: O'Rourke Pauric P.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to explore how NPM influenced the Irish NPVCS and triggered changes in work and HRM at a time of austerity.

Design/methodology/approach

Utilising a case study framework, the study draws on qualitative data from 38 Managers/Supervisors in two Government funded organisations in the Physical and Sensory Disability (PSD) subsector.

Findings

Results indicate that due to the sector's dependence on Government funding, NPM entered the Irish NPVCS bloodstream via institutional forces of coercive, normative and mimetic isomorphism. These translated into a more formalised, standardised and commercial approach to work and HRM and downward pressures on pay and terms and conditions of employment in the sector, creating a more business facing and disciplined sector.

Research limitations/implications

As a cross-sectional study using two large representative case study organisations from the PSD subsector, it has high generalisability for this subsector but less so for the wider Irish NPVCS. It brings into focus the sector's Achilles heel of over-reliance on Government funding and uncovers important issues which merit exploration in other subsectors of the Irish NPVCS.

Practical implications

The study provides evidence of how NPM and austerity inspired change in human resource management practices in the sector and offers insights to Managers and other stakeholders on how the sector is changing and the challenges that must be addressed, especially around asserting its independence from Government funding.

Originality/value

The study extends our understanding of NPM and HRM in the context of the Irish NPVCS and austerity.
Can high-performance work systems (HPWS) promote organisational innovation? Employee perspective-taking, engagement and creativity in a moderated mediation model
Authors: Al-Ajlouni Mohammed Iqbal
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Reviewing Human Resource Management (HRM) and innovation literature, an identified gap exists in the mechanism in which the association between HRM and innovation is happen. To respond, the current study has suggested a moderated mediated mechanism to explain the link between HRM, through its new High Performance Work Systems (HPWS) and organisational innovation, as employee engagement mediates the relationship between HPWS and employee creativity. Then later one has subsequent influence on organisational innovation; moreover, the model also considers the moderating role of employee perspective-taking between HPWS and employee engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative-deductive causal method, along with a cross-sectional approach was adopted, and SMEs in Jordan were the focus for the present study, through targeting employees in Research and Development centres. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire answered by 272 employees and Structural Equation Modelling using SMART-PLS was used for the statistical analysis.

Findings

The results confirmed that employee engagement fully mediated the relationship between HPWS and employee creativity and accounted for 69.5% of the variance; additionally, perspective-taking as a moderator of the relationship between HPWS and employee engagement was confirmed. Moreover, employee creativity significantly predicted organisational innovation to moderate levels.

Originality/value

The study suggested a unique mechanism for the link between HPWS and organisational innovation, contributing to the suggested gap that could have numerous variables acting as mediators or moderators which require further investigation to explore other possible mechanisms.
What do parents believe are the causes of their Type 1 diabetic child's condition?
Authors: Allan Alice , Rowlands Simon
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate parents' beliefs about the causes of their child's Type 1 diabetes to understand if this affects the way diagnosis is processed and if this impacts on sibling parenting.

Design/methodology/approach

Online, semi-structured qualitative interviews with nine parents of children with Type 1 diabetes who have at least one non-diabetic child. The results were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).

Findings

Two interlinked themes were identified: “What ifs”: parents postulated underlying genetic reasons for their child's diabetes and had working theories about the triggers of diabetes that included stress, infection, vaccination or a virus. Developing a personal aetiology of their child's condition allowed some a feeling of control, while others focused on practical ways to manage diabetes. “Having something to blame”: narratives dwelt on the relationship between beliefs about causes and self-blame. Some believed that acting on an identified trigger reduced personal guilt.

Research limitations/implications

Although internet access is widespread in the UK, a limitation of this research is that it excluded those without internet access.

Practical implications

The findings of this research may provide greater depth and a more holistic perspective to the health promoter to better support parents of Type 1 diabetics.

Social implications

The analysis of illness narratives that this research provides may offer a greater understanding of the social context in which health and illness develop. This research found some examples of parental confidence about the causes and triggers of their child's diabetes being positively associated with a sense of control. This might indicate the value of a more comprehensive larger-scale study to establish whether parents who are supported to develop a personalised conception of the aetiology of their child's diabetes develop a greater sense of coherence and well-being regarding their child's condition.

Originality/value

There is very limited literature focusing on the beliefs of sufferers and their families about Type 1 diabetes causality. Of that which does exist, some research is heterogenous in its sampling of Types 1 and 2 diabetes sufferers. This study offers a rare, focused insight into the beliefs of parents about the background causes and more proximal triggers of their child's Type 1 diabetes.
Unsteady mixed convection flow at a three-dimensional stagnation point
Authors: Noor Amin , Nazar Roslinda , Naganthran Kohilavani , Pop Ioan
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to probe the problem of an unsteady mixed convection stagnation point flow and heat transfer past a stationary surface in an incompressible viscous fluid numerically.

Design/methodology/approach

The governing nonlinear partial differential equations are transformed into a system of ordinary differential equations by a similarity transformation, which is then solved numerically by a Runge – Kutta – Fehlberg method with shooting technique and a collocation method, namely, the bvp4c function.

Findings

The effects of the governing parameters on the fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics are illustrated in tables and figures. It is found that dual (upper and lower branch) solutions exist for both the cases of assisting and opposing flow situations. A stability analysis has also been conducted to determine the physical meaning and stability of the dual solutions.

Practical implications

This theoretical study is significantly relevant to the applications of the heat exchangers placed in a low-velocity environment and electronic devices cooled by fans.

Originality/value

The case of suction on unsteady mixed convection flow at a three-dimensional stagnation point has not been studied before; hence, all generated numerical results are claimed to be novel.
Standards of human rights to palliative care: gaps and trends
Authors: Agarwal Varsha , L. Ganesh
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate key milestones in development of standards of human rights to health care in particular context of addressing palliative care, relevant efforts of advocacy in past decade and future area of growth.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, analysis of human rights and its standards in context of palliative care has been provided through the lens of freedom from ill treatment and torture, right to health care and older persons’ and children’s rights.

Findings

Findings of this study highlighted significant developments in this area which include following: first treaty of human rights which explained right to palliative care; first resolution on palliative care by World Health Assembly; special rapporteur’s report focussed on denial of pain; and addressing issue of controlled medicine availability in special session of UN General Assembly.

Originality/value

Human rights standards and their development in context of palliative care have been most significant in relation to freedom from ill treatment and torture, right to health care and older persons’ rights. Further work is required in context of children’s rights and treaty bodies of human rights need to consistently address state obligations towards palliative care.
The implementation of the SADC code on HIV/AIDS and employment in Mauritius: successes and prospects
Authors: Mahadew Roopanand
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of the implementation of the Southern African Community Development (SADC) Code on HIV/AIDS and employment in Mauritius. It focusses on the existing normative framework on HIV/AIDS and employment in Mauritius and the ways in which adopting various aspects of the SADC Code could further bolster the framework for more effective protection of people with HIV/AIDS at the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology used is based on a mix of the legal research method and case study analysis. The SADC Code is analysed, and its application and relevance to the Mauritian context are assessed.

Findings

The implementation of the SADC Code into the Mauritian legal framework is still at its infancy. Despite being a state party to it, Mauritius has not done much towards the domestication of the Code which explains the incomplete protection of employees with HIV/AIDS at the workplace from discrimination.

Practical implications

This paper serves as a tool for civil society organisations and other stakeholders to understand the SADC Code and also to engage in a debate related to its implementation in Mauritius.

Originality/value

There has been dearth of literature on the legal aspects of HIV/AIDS and employment in Mauritius. This paper serves as a platform on which this debate can be initiated and continued.
Health promotion co-existing in a high-security prison context: a documentary analysis
Authors: Woodall James
Published: May 2020

Purpose

There is interest in promoting health in prison from governmental levels, but, to date, understanding how best to do this is unclear. This paper argues that nuanced understanding of context is required to understand health promotion in prison. The purpose of the paper is to examine the potential for empowerment, a cornerstone of health promotion practice, in high-security prison establishments.

Design/methodology/approach

Independent prison inspections, conducted by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons for England and Wales, form a critical element in how prisons are assessed. Documentary analysis was undertaken on all eight high-security prison reports using framework analysis.

Findings

Analysis revealed elements of prison life which were disempowering and antithetical to health promotion. While security imperatives were paramount, there were examples where this was disproportionate and disempowered individuals. The data show examples where, even in these high-security contexts, empowerment can be fostered. These were exemplified in relation to peer approaches designed to improve health and where prisoners felt part of democratic processes where they could influence change.

Practical implications

Both in the UK and internationally, there is a growing rhetoric for delivering effective health promotion interventions in prison, but limited understanding about how to operationalise this. This paper gives insight into how this could be done in a high-security prison environment.

Originality/value

This is the first paper which looks at the potential for health promotion to be embedded in high-security prisons. It demonstrates features of prison life which act to disempower and also support individuals to take greater control over their health.
Dynamical system based variable admittance control for physical human-robot interaction
Authors: Bian Feifei , Ren Danmei , Li Ruifeng , Liang Peidong , Wang Ke , Zhao Lijun
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to enable robots to intelligently adapt their damping characteristics and motions in a reactive fashion toward human inputs and task requirements during physical human–robot interaction.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper exploits a combination of the dynamical system and the admittance model to create robot behaviors. The reference trajectories are generated by dynamical systems while the admittance control enables robots to compliantly follow the reference trajectories. To determine how control is divided between the two models, a collaborative arbitration algorithm is presented to change their contributions to the robot motion based on the contact forces. In addition, the authors investigate to model the robot’s impedance characteristics as a function of the task requirements and build a novel artificial damping field (ADF) to represent the virtual damping at arbitrary robot states.

Findings

The authors evaluate their methods through experiments on an UR10 robot. The result shows promising performances for the robot to achieve complex tasks in collaboration with human partners.

Originality/value

The proposed method extends the dynamical system approach with an admittance control law to allow a robot motion being adjusted in real time. Besides, the authors propose a novel ADF method to model the robot’s impedance characteristics as a function of the task requirements.
Society 5.0: balancing of Industry 4.0, economic advancement and social problems
Authors: Potočan Vojko , Mulej Matjaž , Nedelko Zlatko
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report about research how Society 5.0 balances Industry 4.0, responsible economic development and resolution of social problems by advancement of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from organization, sustainable development and social functionalism theories, the authors designed an integral model of CSR in line with goals of a forward-looking and socially responsible society. This study includes analyzing of present governing principles, multidisciplinary and multifunctional consideration and developing of integral framework for CSR in organizations.

Findings

This study’s findings suggest incorporation of technology in models of CSR, a regionally grounded solving of individuals’ social problems and changing of CSR’s environmental, social and economic dimensions according to circumstances of Society 5.0.

Practical implications

This study has created guidance for improvement of CSR practice in organizations through its responsible operating and behavior grounded on the governing environmental and social circumstances in modern society. It also revealed new possibilities for interest-based usage of human-centered society among individuals and organizations.

Originality/value

The reported study proposed an integral model of CSR for solving the main social problems with usage of advanced technologies in responsible economic growth founded on circumstances of Society 5.0, previously not considered in literature.
Impact studies in sport: the development of an assessment process model
Authors: O'Reilly Norm , Abeza Gashaw , Fodor Andy , MacIntosh Eric , Nadeau John , MacAdam Lane , Pasqualicchio Gary , Dottori Mark , Lawrence Heather Jane
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The criticisms put forward against economic impact studies lead to a key question: “Is it possible to measure the impact of sporting properties and events in a holistic, conservative, and reliable way?” This research endeavors to build on the academic literature to add to the scope and rigor of economic impact research by proposing an impact assessment process model for practitioners that facilitates employment of a holistic, conservative and reliable impact study and seeks to address these concerns.

Design/methodology/approach

Using seven identified key realities that highlight the challenges facing impact studies, and adopting a collaborative self-ethnographic methodological approach, the work highlights lessons learned from four empirical economic impact studies undertaken by the authors over a five-year period.

Findings

The study provides a broad view of impact studies, which extend beyond financial implications and provides a more inclusive methodology. Particularly, the proposed impact assessment process model seeks to improve the credibility of impact studies by facilitating a holistic approach that incorporates direct, indirect and intangible impacts.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed model has value to researchers and is designed to improve the overall credibility of economic impact methodology. It also provides a more accurate measure of direct impact while considering intangible and indirect impacts, including social/community impacts.

Practical implications

The proposed model has value to and practitioners and is designed to improve the overall credibility of economic impact methodology. It also provides a more accurate measure of direct impact while considering intangible and indirect impacts, including social/community impacts.

Originality/value

The proposed process model to measure the impact of a sports event is a needed element in the world of funding, managing and implementing events of all sizes.
Accuracy enhancement of measurand estimate on the base of additive combined measurements
Authors: Ho Minh Dai , Muravyov Sergey V.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The paper aims to develop a method for improving the accuracy of smart sensors (deemed as digital measuring instruments) by organizing combined measurements and processing their results by the parametric adjustment method at heterogeneous dispersion of the random error of the applied regression model.

Design/methodology/approach

When carrying out combined measurements, the problem of joint processing of measurement results of functionally related quantities must be solved. The function type can be known in advance or obtained experimentally. The number of combined measurements exceeds the number of unknown measured quantities. The redundant measurements can improve the accuracy of estimates of measured values but lead to inconsistency of the measurement results. The problem of inconsistency is solved by the parametric adjustment method, which is rather widely used mainly in the field of geodetic measurements, wherein the parametric equations are linear and the measured quantities are additive.

Findings

The proposed method allows to reduce the uncertainty of type B of a measurement result, caused by the maximum permissible error of a digital measuring instrument, by 1.2–4 times in comparison with the direct estimation method.

Originality/value

A compact description of the parametric adjustment method in matrix form is given. Recommendations are given on shaping a sensitivity matrix of functions for the proposed method. The geometric interpretation of the proposed method is considered. The results of the proposed method experimental testing are given when evaluating resistance values.
Pseudomonas syringaedual‐function protein Lon switches between virulence and metabolism by acting as bothDNA‐binding transcriptional regulator and protease in different environments
Authors: Hua Canfeng , Wang Tingting , Shao Xiaolong , Xie Yingpeng , Huang Hao , Liu Jingui , Zhang Weitong , Zhang Yingchao , Ding Yiqing , Jiang Lin , Wang Xin , Deng Xin
Published: May 2020

Lon, a member of the AAA+ protease family, plays vital roles in Type III secretion systems (T3SS), agglutination and colony shape in the model plant pathogenPseudomonas syringae. Lon also functions as a transcriptional regulator in other bacterial species such asEscherichia coliandBrevibacillus thermoruber. To reveal the molecular mechanisms of Lon as a dual‐function protein inP.syringae, we studied Lon‐regulated genes by using RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq), chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP‐seq) and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. As a transcriptional regulator, Lon directly regulated a group of genes (PSPPH_4788,gacA,fur,gntR,clpS,lonandglyA) and consequently regulated their functions, such as 1‐dodecanol oxidation activity, motility, pyoverdine production, glucokinase activity, N‐end rule pathway,lonexpression and serine hydroxymethyltransferase activity. Mass spectrometry results revealed that the expression levels of five T3SS proteins (such as HrcV, HrpW1) were higher in the ∆lonstrain than the wild‐type (WT) strain in KB. In MM, 12 metabolic proteins (such as AcdS and NuoI) showed lower levels in the ∆lonstrain than the WT strain. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the dual‐function protein Lon sophisticatedly regulates virulence and metabolism inP.syringae.
Endoplasmic reticulum‐associated degradation mediated by MoHrd1 and MoDer1 is pivotal for appressorium development and pathogenicity of Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Tang Wei , Jiang Haolang , Aron Osakina , Wang Min , Wang Xueyu , Chen Jiangfeng , Lin Birong , Chen Xuehang , Zheng Qiaojia , Gao Xiuqin , He Dou , Wang Airong , Wang Zonghua
Published: May 2020

Most secretory proteins are folded and modified in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER); however, protein folding is error‐prone, resulting in toxic protein aggregation and cause ER stress. Irreversibly misfolded proteins are subjected to ER‐associated degradation (ERAD), modified by ubiquitination, and degraded by the 26S proteasome. The yeast ERAD ubiquitin ligase Hrd1p and multispanning membrane protein Der1p are involved in ubiquitination and transportation of the folding‐defective proteins. Here, we performed functional characterization of MoHrd1 and MoDer1 and revealed that both of them are localized to the ER and are pivotal for ERAD substrate degradation and the ER stress response. MoHrd1 and MoDer1 are involved in hyphal growth, asexual reproduction, infection‐related morphogenesis, protein secretion and pathogenicity of M. oryzae. Importantly, MoHrd1 and MoDer1 mediated conidial autophagic cell death and subsequent septin ring assembly at the appressorium pore, leading to abnormal appressorium development and loss of pathogenicity. In addition, deletion of MoHrd1 and MoDer1 activated the basal unfolded protein response (UPR) and autophagy, suggesting that crosstalk between ERAD and two other closely related mechanisms in ER quality control system (UPR and autophagy) governs the ER stress response. Our study indicates the importance of ERAD function in fungal development and pathogenesis of M. oryzae.
Beyond Unionism versus Nationalism: the Rise of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
Authors: Tonge Jonathan
Published: May 2020

Northern Ireland has always been a polity noted for its strong links between national identity, religion, and voting, and acute British unionist versus Irish nationalist divisions. The constitutional question of whether Northern Ireland should be part of the UK or a united Ireland dominates. Yet, recent surveys have suggested a sizeable and growing section of its electorate declares itself neither unionist nor nationalist. This development may have assisted the growth of the centrist Alliance Party, which rejects unionist and nationalist identities and claims to be neutral on Northern Ireland’s constitutional status. Alliance doubled its vote across three elections in 2019 and is now the third largest party in the region. This article examines the importance of ideological dealignment relative to other factors, such as Alliance’s opposition to Brexit, in explaining the rise of a non‐binary party in a divided society.
“This case is about you and your future”: Towards Judgments for Children
Authors: Stalford Helen , Hollingsworth Kathryn
Published: May 2020

A handful of ‘child‐friendly’ judgments have emerged in the UK in recent years, attempting to adopt a child‐centred approach to the decision‐making stage of the legal process. Most notable is Sir Peter Jackson's judgment in Re A: Letter to a Young Person which, in taking the form of a letter to the child, has been applauded as a model of how to achieve ‘child friendly justice’. This article examines how and why the form and presentation of judicial decisions is an important aspect of children's access to justice, considering not just the potential but the duty of judges to enhance children's status and capacities as legal citizens through judgment writing. We identify four potential functions of judgments written for children (communicative, developmental, instructive and legally transformative), and call for a radical reappraisal of the way in which judgments are constructed and conveyed with a view to promoting children's access to justice.
The new normal
Authors: Papageorghiou Aris T
Published: May 2020

Deputy Editor‐in‐Chief, Prof Aris T Papageorghiou, discusses the latest thinking in women’s health and highlights articles from this issue in an audio podcast available at: https://soundcloud.com/bjog/june-editorial-2020
Laying the foundations of international careers research
Authors: Mayrhofer Wolfgang , Smale Adam , Briscoe Jon , Dickmann Michael , Parry Emma
Published: May 2020

As an editorial to the special issue “new avenues in international careers research” this article discusses the roots of the international careers research stream, which sits at the intersection between career studies, HRM and international management. In order to support future studies in this emerging area of enquiry, we attempt to lay down the foundations of a research agenda based around what we see as the three core areas of interest: contextualised careers research, comparative careers research and careers research in internationally operating organisations. After providing some suggestions for the kinds of theoretical and methodological tools that will be required to build on these foundations, we introduce the five empirical papers that comprise this special issue.
Testing cause‐and‐effect relationships within a balanced scorecard
Authors: Kober Ralph , Northcott Deryl
Published: May 2020

According to Kaplan and Norton, a fundamental tenet of the balanced scorecard (BSC) is that cause‐and‐effect relationships exist across measures within its four perspectives. However, prior research on BSCs has provided equivocal findings as to whether these relationships exist. Using a public sector BSC, we conduct a panel Granger causality analysis and find evidence of causal relationships. We highlight the importance of this finding from both a research and practice perspective.
Comparison of the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) plus agomelatine to ECT plus placebo in treatment‐resistant depression
Authors: Lin C.‐H. , Yang W.‐C. , Chen C.‐C. , Cai W.‐R.
Published: May 2020

Objective

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is commonly used to treat patients with treatment‐resistant depression. We aimed to investigate whether combining an antidepressant agent with ECT might enhance therapeutic efficacy and prevent early relapse.

Method

During the acute ECT phase, patients (N = 97) with treatment‐resistant depression were randomized to receive ECT plus agomelatine 50 mg/day (n = 48) or ECT plus placebo (n = 49). Symptom severity measures, including the 17‐item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD‐17) and other scales, functional impairment, quality of life, neuropsychological tests, adverse events and attitudes toward ECT, were assessed regularly. Remission was defined as a HAMD‐17 score ≤7. If patients achieved post‐ECT remission, they were prescribed agomelatine 50 mg/day and participated in a 12‐week follow‐up trial. HAMD‐17 was rated at 4‐week intervals. Relapse was defined as a HAMD‐17 score ≥14, or rehospitalization for a psychiatric reason.

Results

The two treatment groups were comparable at (i) baseline variables; (ii) score changes in all symptom measures, functional impairment, quality of life, and neuropsychological tests; (iii) frequency of adverse events and attitudes toward ECT; and (iv) post‐ECT response/remission rates. There were no statistically significant differences following ECT in relapse rates and time to relapse between these two groups.

Conclusion

Adding agomelatine to ECT yielded comparable response/remission rates to ECT without agomelatine in the acute ECT phase. Starting agomelatine in combination with ECT did not seem to be more efficacious in preventing relapse than starting agomelatine after the acute ECT course. More research is needed to guide clinical recommendations.
Ten Years of Experience With Buprenorphine in a Private Psychiatric Outpatient Practice
Authors: Feder Robert
Published: May 2020

Background and Objectives

There have been few reports of buprenorphine treatment of opioid use disorder in private psychiatric practice. This report describes such a patient population and the outcomes obtained.

Methods

Chart reviews were performed on 285 patients seen over a 10‐year period in the author’s solo private psychiatric practice. Quantitative and qualitative data were reviewed and analyzed.

Results

Comorbidity of psychiatric disorders was high (75%), while comorbidity of substance use disorders was low (5%, alcohol only). Fourteen percent of patients completed treatment (tapered off of buprenorphine and remained opioid‐free for up to 7 years). Forty‐eight percent of the sample had good outcomes (remaining on buprenorphine and abstinent of other opioids), 28% had poor outcomes, and 10% dropped out of prolonged successful treatment with unknown final outcomes. The group achieved a relatively high rate of smoking cessation during the study (22%). There were high rates of language disorder (21.6%) and autism spectrum disorder (8.6%) in children of mothers in the study.

Discussion and Conclusion

Outcomes were excellent compared with those reported in other treatment settings. Rates of smoking cessation were also notable. The treatment of comorbid psychiatric conditions, the setting to develop a strong physician‐patient relationship, patients choosing whether to taper off of buprenorphine, and the slow rate of taper all likely contributed to successful outcomes. Further investigation is needed regarding possible increased rates of developmental disorders in children of mothers treated with buprenorphine.

Scientific Significance

Private psychiatric practice is a highly successful domain for the treatment of opioid use disorder. (Am J Addict 2020;29:508–514)
Development of a core outcome set for myelodysplastic syndromes – a Delphi study from the EUMDS Registry Group
Authors: Rochau Ursula , Stojkov Igor , Conrads‐Frank Annette , Borba Helena H. , Koinig Karin A. , Arvandi Marjan , van Marrewijk Corine , Garelius Hege , Germing Ulrich , Symeonidis Argiris , Sanz Guillermo F. , Fenaux Pierre , de Witte Theo , Efficace Fabio , Siebert Uwe , Stauder Reinhard
Published: May 2020

Treatment options for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) vary widely, depending on the natural disease course and patient‐related factors. Comparison of treatment effectiveness is challenging as different endpoints have been included in clinical trials and outcome reporting. Our goal was to develop the first MDS core outcome set (MDS‐COS) defining a minimum set of outcomes that should be reported in future clinical studies. We performed a comprehensive systematic literature review among MDS studies to extract patient‐ and/or clinically relevant outcomes. Clinical experts from the European LeukemiaNet MDS (EUMDS) identified 26 potential MDS core outcomes and participated in a three‐round Delphi survey. After the first survey (56 experts), 15 outcomes met the inclusion criteria and one additional outcome was included. The second round (38 experts) resulted in six included outcomes. In the third round, a final check on plausibility and practicality of the six included outcomes and their definitions was performed. The final MDS‐COS includes: health‐related quality of life, treatment‐related mortality, overall survival, performance status, safety, and haematological improvement. This newly developed MDS‐COS represents the first minimum set of outcomes aiming to enhance comparability across future MDS studies and facilitate a better understanding of treatment effectiveness.
Prenatal exome sequencing in fetuses with congenital heart defects
Authors: Li Ru , Fu Fang , Yu Qiuxia , Wang Dan , Jing Xiangyi , Zhang Yongling , Li Fucheng , Li Fatao , Han Jin , Pan Min , Zhen Li , Li Dongzhi , Liao Can
Published: May 2020

The genetic diagnosis of congenital heart defects (CHDs) is challenging because of genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity. The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical value of whole exome sequencing (WES) in the prenatal diagnosis of CHDs in a large cohort. Trio‐based WES was performed in 260 fetuses with CHDs negative for karyotype and chromosome microarray analysis results. WES produced a diagnostic yield of 10% (26/260) in the entire cohort. Relative high diagnostic rate was observed in cases with cardiac rhabdomyoma (60%), complex CHDs (16.7%), septal defect (14.0%), and conotruncal defect (9.9%). There was no significant difference between the diagnostic yields in simple and complex CHDs groups (9.9% vs 16.7%), and in non‐isolated and isolated CHDs groups (15.7% vs 7.9%). The diagnostic yields in cases with CHDs with soft markers, CHDs with fetal growth restriction, and CHDs with other structural anomalies (syndromic CHDs) were 0 (0/13), 50% (1/2) and 18.2% (10/55), respectively. Variants of unknown significance were detected in 16 (6.2%) fetuses, and secondary findings in 7 (2.7%) cases. Variants in 14 candidate genes were identified. Our study demonstrates an incremental diagnostic yield by trio‐based WES in the prenatal diagnosis of CHDs after routine tests, not as high as expected.
Reconstructive therapy for the management of peri‐implantitis via submerged guided bone regeneration: A prospective case series
Authors: Monje Alberto , Pons Ramón , Roccuzzo Andrea , Salvi Giovanni E. , Nart José
Published: May 2020

Background

The present case series assesses the response to reconstructive therapy for the management of 2/3‐wall peri‐implantitis bone defects following submerged‐healing guided bone regeneration.

Material and Methods

Fifteen consecutive patients with 27 implants presenting peri‐implantitis were included. Guided bone regeneration was applied by means of autogenous bone/deproteinized bovine bone mineral grafting mixture and collagen membrane. Patients were assessed at baseline (T0) and at 6 (T1) and 12 months (T2). Clinical and radiographic variables defined the composite success criteria (probing pocket depth [PPD] ≤ 5 mm, no bleeding on probing/suppuration (SUP), no further radiographic bone loss). Patient site‐specific comfort was scored using a visual analog scale (VAS). Descriptive statistics was carried out to assess the changes along the study period. Outcomes are reported in terms of mean values (5%‐95% percentile values).

Results

All the clinical variables substantially changed from T0 through T2. In particular, PPD decreased 3.7 mm (0.7‐5.9) from T0 to T2. Likewise, the scores for the modified plaque index (mPI) and modified sulcular bleeding index (mBI) were reduced by 0.5 (−0.5‐1.1) and 1.6 (0.4‐2.4), respectively. SUP did not display at any implant site at T2 (59.2% implants in 29.2% patients suppurated at T0). Keratinized mucosa decreased 0.6 mm (−0.2‐4.4) and while mucosal recession increased 2.5 mm (1.0‐4.3). Alike, the radiographic parameters varied significantly from T0 through T2. Infrabony defects were filled by 2.2 mm (0.0‐8.6) at T2 and marginal bone loss was reduced by 2.3 mm (−1.1‐8.1). The mean VAS score significantly increased from T0 (56.7) through T1 to T2, reaching a score of 96 at T2. At this timepoint, 85.2% of the peri‐implantitis lesions were resolved.

Conclusions

The proposed surgical approach followed by submerged healing to reconstruct peri‐implant bone defects may offer one therapeutic option for failing dental implants. Given the nature of the present study, its effectiveness in comparison to less invasive treatments needs investigation in randomized controlled trials.
Can early diagnosis of EUS‐FNA needle tract seeding for pancreatic cancer improve patient prognosis?
Authors: Hatamaru Keiichi , Kitano Masayuki
Published: May 2020

This Editorial refers to the article by Yane et al., p 801–811 of this issue.