bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discrimination Exposure and DNA Methylation of Stress-Related Genes in Latina Mothers
Authors: Santos Hudson P , Nephew Benjamin C , Bhattacharya Arjun , Tan Xianming , Smith Laura , Alyamani Reema , Martin Elizabeth M , Perreira Krista , Fry Rebecca C , Murgatroyd Christopher
Published: April 2018

Latina mothers, who have the highest fertility rate among all ethnic groups in the US, are often exposed to discrimination. The biological impacts of this discrimination are unknown. This study is the first to explore the relationship between discrimination and DNA methylation of stress regulatory genes in Latinas. Our sample was Latina women (n = 147) with a mean age of 27.6 years who were assessed at 24-32 weeks’ gestation (T1) and 4-6 weeks postpartum (T2) and reside in the U.S. Blood was collected at T1, and the Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS) was administered at T1 and T2. DNA Methylation at candidate gene regions was determined by bisulphite pyrosequencing. Associations between EDS and DNA methylation were assessed via zero-inflated Poisson models, adjusting for covariates and multiple-test comparisons. Discrimination was negatively associated with methylation at CpG sites within the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) genes that were consistent over time. In addition, discrimination was negatively associated with methylation of a CpG in the glucocorticoid binding protein (FKBP5) at T1 but not at T2. This study underscores the complex biological pathways between discrimination and epigenetic modification in Latina women that warrant further investigation to better understand the genetic and psychopathological impact of discrimination on Latino mothers and their families.
Oxytocin enhancement of emotional empathy: generalization across cultures and effects on amygdala activity
Authors: Geng YaYuan , Zhao Weihua , Zhou Feng , Ma Xiaole , Yao Shuxia , Hurlemann Rene , Becker Benjamin , Kendrick Keith M.
Published: April 2018

Accumulating evidence suggests that the neuropeptide oxytocin can enhance empathy although it is unclear which specific behavioral and neural aspects are influenced, and whether the effects are modulated by culture, sex and trait autism. Based on previous findings in Caucasian men, we hypothesized that a single intranasal dose of oxytocin would specifically enhance emotional empathy via modulatory effects on the amygdala in an Asian (Chinese) population and explored the modulatory role of sex and trait autism on the effects. We first conducted a double-blind, randomized between-subject design experiment using a modified version of the multifaceted empathy task (MET) to determine whether oxytocin’s facilitation of emotional empathy can be replicated in Chinese men (n = 60). To further explore neural mechanisms behind and potential sex differences, functional MRI and skin conductance measures were acquired in an independent experiment incorporating men and women (n = 72). Oxytocin enhanced emotional empathy across experiments and sex, an effect that was accompanied by reduced amygdala activity and increased skin conductance responses. On the network level oxytocin enhanced functional coupling of the right amygdala with the insula and posterior cingulate cortex for positive valence stimuli but attenuated coupling for negative valence stimuli. The effect of oxytocin on amygdala functional connectivity with the insula was modulated by trait autism. Overall, our findings provide further support for the role of oxytocin in facilitating emotional empathy and demonstrate that effects are independent of culture and sex and involve modulatory effects on the amygdala and its interactions with other key empathy regions.
Prediction of the closed conformation and insights into the mechanism of the membrane enzyme LpxR
Authors: Saunders Graham M , Macdonald Hannah E Bruce , Essex Jonathan W , Khalid Syma
Published: April 2018

Covalent modification of outer membrane lipids of Gram-negative bacteria can impact the ability of the bacterium to develop resistance to antibiotics as well as modulating the immune response of the host. The enzyme LpxR from Salmonella typhimurium is known to deacylate lipopolysaccharide molecules of the outer membrane, however the mechanism of action is unknown. Here we employ Molecular Dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations to study the conformational dynamics and substrate binding of LpxR in representative outer membrane models and also detergent micelles. We examine the roles of conserved residues and provide an understanding of how LpxR binds its substrate. Our simulations predict that the catalytic H122 must be Nε-protonated for a single water molecule to occupy the space between it and the scissile bond, with a free binding energy of -8.5 kcal mol-1. Furthermore, simulations of the protein within a micelle enable us to predict the structure of the putative ‘closed’ protein. Our results highlight the need for including dynamics, a representative environment and the consideration of multiple tautomeric and rotameric states of key residues in mechanistic studies; static structures alone do not tell the full story.
The impact of age norms on career transition intentions
Authors: Slay Ferraro Holly , Prussia Greg , Mehrotra Shambhavi
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how age norms influence the relationship between individual differences, job attitudes, and intentions to pursue career transitions for midlife adults (aged 35 and above). The authors hypothesized that the effects of individual difference variables (i.e. resilience and reframing abilities) on career change intentions in addition to the effects of job attitude (i.e. commitment) on such intentions are moderated by career youth norms (CYN) which the authors defined as perceptions that the typical worker in a career field is younger than midlife.

Design/methodology/approach

In all, 206 people comprised the sample which was derived from an online survey. Moderated regression analysis was used to assess the extent to which age norms operated as a moderator of proposed relationships. Control variables were included based on prior research findings.

Findings

Findings demonstrated that age norms operate as a significant moderator for midlife adults. Specifically, the relationships between resilience, reframing, and commitment on intentions to pursue alternative careers are moderated by CYNs.

Research limitations/implications

Data were collected from a single source and assessed behavioral intentions in place of actual career change choice. Future research should derive data from multiple sources and assess behavior beyond intentions.

Practical implications

Industry leaders’ stereotypes about the appropriate ages for specific occupations or professions may impact the psychological mobility of midlife workers. Managers may wish to highlight midlife workers with particular skills (e.g. technological savvy), examine recruitment advertising for language that emphasizes youth, and invest in resilience training for aging workers.

Originality/value

Research examining careers at midlife and beyond has extensively discussed age discrimination and stereotypes as potential barriers to professional or occupational change. However, few studies have investigated how age norms and the comparisons people make between themselves and those they believe are occupying the jobs they desire may also pose barriers to career transition.
Does expressing subjectivity in online reviews enhance persuasion?
Authors: Liu Stephanie Q. , Ozanne Marie , Mattila Anna S.
Published: April 2018

Purpose

People express subjectivity and objectivity in everyday communication, yet little is known about how such linguistic content affects persuasion in electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM). Drawing on the congruity theory and the selectivity model, the present study proposes that the effectiveness of subjectivity/objectivity expressions in an online review is contingent on whether the consumption experience is primarily hedonic or utilitarian, and whether the decision maker is a male or female. Furthermore, this study aims to examine the psychological mechanism that underlies the proposed effects.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used an experimental design to test the hypotheses. Four versions of online review stimuli were created. Participants were asked to read the online reviews and to complete a survey.

Findings

The findings indicate that expressing subjectivity (vs objectivity) in online reviews effectively boosts men’s purchase intention in the hedonic context and women’s purchase intention in the utilitarian context. Furthermore, the mediation analysis reveals that perceived relevance of the review is the psychological mechanism explaining the joint effects of linguistic style, consumption type and gender on purchase intention.

Originality/value

This research is the first to examine expressing subjectivity (vs objectivity) as a persuasion strategy in online reviews. Findings of this research add to the growing literature on linguistic effects in eWOM. Furthermore, this research deepens the understanding of conversational norms for hedonic vs utilitarian consumption in consumer-generated content and gender differences in processing online reviews.
A meta-analytic review of hedonic and utilitarian shopping values
Authors: Vieira Valter , Santini Fernando Oliveira , Araujo Clécio Falcao
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Hedonic and utilitarian shopping values have been researched since the mid-1980s in the fields of marketing, retail and specially on consumer behaviour. A number of studies have found evidence of their effects on satisfaction, buying intention and loyalty, but others have found no such effects or negative results. The purpose of this study is to apply a meta-analytic review on the shopping values.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a meta-analysis of the relationship between hedonic and utilitarian value on shopping response, using 190 studies. The authors also limited their search to the past 19 years (1995-2014).

Findings

The findings are as follows: hedonic shopping value is positively associated with utilitarian, ρ = 0.56; hedonic and utilitarian exhibit positive main effects on satisfaction, buying intention, loyalty, perceived benefits and search for information; in general, these associations are stronger (vs weaker) for utilitarian value; the effect size for the association between utilitarian and buying intention is stronger in the experimental condition and the indirect effect of hedonic on value, loyalty and word-of-mouth by the mediating effect of value.

Research limitations/implications

The authors proposed and found support for the parallel mediating effect. They also observed that not only hedonic and utilitarian shopping values had indirect effects on loyalty and word-of-mouth through perceived value and satisfaction but also both shopping values had different effects depending on the respective mediator. The indirect effects of hedonic values occur because the emotional and psychological circumstances of experience increase the perceived value, influencing consumers’ responses.

Practical implications

Retailers can create specific stores for consumers to attend to their shopping values. For example, the Adidas brand centre in Beijing/China provides the consumer with a unique and interactive retail experience. This kind of concept store and its experience (e.g. tunnel entry and team room) are congruent with shoppers’ hedonic value. Conversely, Nike Factory Store in the USA provides the consumer with a simple and fast retail experience.

Originality/value

The authors provide sufficient evidence that the two dimensions, hedonic and utilitarian value, are positively associated. This result is congruent with Batra and Ahtola (1991), Babin et al. (1994) and Spangenberg et al. (1997). The results support Chiu et al.’s (2005) argument that utilitarian and hedonic are positively associated based on Fishbein and Ajzen’s affect–cognition link and suggested that the instrumental and functional values are related to spontaneous responses that are more subjective and personal.
The modes of music information in a compositional process: a case study
Authors: Pohjannoro Ulla , Rousi Antti Mikael
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate an actual compositional process that entails a diversity of music information modes and describe the way these modes contribute to the creative aspirations of a composer.

Design/methodology/approach

The music information typology proposed by Rousi, Savolainen and Vakkari is used as a point of departure for defining the different modes of music-related information. First, relevant music information modes are identified from the composer-informant’s verbal description of a compositional process. Then, their proportions and dynamics are examined.

Findings

The findings suggest that the music information typology may be applied within the context of musical composition, that is, all of its five modes of music information could be identified from the composer’s verbal description of the compositional process. However, two additional significant information modes were identified: shaping music as the third mode of enactive representations and genuine iconic representations.

Research limitations/implications

The purpose of this case study is not to claim that the results regarding the significance of individual music information modes apply to all compositional processes within diverse genres of music.

Originality/value

This study introduces a new mode of music information indicative of the artistic capacity of expressiveness: shaping musical structures as the third mode of enactive representations was the means whereby the composer made musical structures work for himself and hence created performative power in his music.
Defining transparency movements
Authors: Nolin Jan Michael
Published: April 2018

Purpose

A multitude of transparency movements have been developed and grown strong in recent decades. Despite their growing influence, scholarly studies have focused on individual movements. The purpose of this paper is to make a pioneering contribution in defining transparency movements.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory approach has been used utilizing movement-specific professional and scholarly documents concerning 18 transparency movements.

Findings

Different traditions, ideologies of openness and aspects involving connections between movements have been identified as well as forms of organization.

Originality/value

This is the first attempt at identifying and defining transparency movements as a contemporary phenomenon.
Smart technologies as social innovation and complex social issues of the Z generation
Authors: Roblek Vasja , Mesko Maja , Dimovski Vlado , Peterlin Judita
Published: April 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to present how contemporary students are self-organizing using smart technologies (ST) and the future social implications of ST. The research model is based on the concepts of the soft system methodology, social systems thinking, innovative smart systems, and cybernetic and knowledge management.

Design/methodology/approach

The study contains elements of exploratory and descriptive case studies. Narrative analysis and interpretation of the collected data have been carried out.

Findings

Students mostly use ST to save time when studying and in their free time. Students are surprised by how ST developed and are cautious when imagining how the technology will change and affect their lives. They are concerned regarding several ethical dilemmas of using it, such as privacy and spending time with their loved ones and friends. Students perceive their self-organization in the future as very dependent on the availability of ST in institutional settings (e.g. education and business process) as well as their personal lives. Students discuss their present perceptions about what the future will be and note that social system will be more dynamic in terms of socialization, and loss of personal contact with their friends and family is seen as the main threat.

Research limitations/implications

The research is qualitative, and the questionnaire was carried out among business students at the Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Practical implications

The paper offers an understanding of the usage of ST among business students. This study provides a road map of a few possible ways for usage of ST among students. The topic is also relevant for human resource managers, technology developers and marketing strategists for their better understanding of the behaviour of young people using ST in professional or private environments.

Social implications

The findings can be useful for professors in identifying different learning methods that are useful for their students.

Originality/value

The authors offer conceptualizations of ST within the social innovation framework and provide a contemporary understanding young people’s ST usage.
Internal contributions to initiating corporate social responsibility in sport organizations
Authors: Kim Kyungyeol (Anthony) , Byon Kevin K. , Song Hansung , Kim Kyungsik
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the role that employees play in helping embed a corporate social responsibility (CSR)-advocated culture into their organizations through a voice behavior. This study examines: first, the effect of employees’ negative perceptions (i.e. persuasion knowledge (PK)) of CSR on voice behavior; second, the influence of employees’ motivational dispositions regarding goals (i.e. promotion focus) on voice behavior; and third, the positive moderating effect of promotion focus in the negative relationship between PK and voice behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered from 168 employees representing all five Korean professional sport organizations at an inaugural sport marketing workshop, a moderated multiple regression analysis was performed to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicated a marginal negative effect of PK on voice behavior and a significant positive effect of promotion focus on voice behavior. Further, it was found that promotion focus played a positive moderating role in the negative relationship between PK and voice behavior.

Originality/value

Although employees bear much of the burden of and responsibility for enacting ethical and competitive CSR practices, a paucity of the research has addressed their contributions to CSR as internal promoters of the activities. The present study contributes to the CSR literature by focusing on the role of employees in voicing CSR and empirically examining how promotion focus played a positive role in the relationship between PK and voice behavior.
Freedom or bread?
Authors: Adanhounme Armel Brice
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to question the false dilemma of bread (the social and economic rights) or freedom (the civil and political rights), which amounts to a simplified ambivalent vision either for or against “China in Africa”, in the debate over African workers’ rights in Chinese enterprises. The paper, first underscores the importance of the constraining and enabling institutional conditions by deconstructing this normative approach, and then proposes an alternative institutional approach to address issues pertaining to employment relations.

Design/methodology/approach

In the tradition of deconstructive techniques, the paper draws three lines of institutional resistance to move the “China in Africa” controversy in employment relations beyond its normative approach. These lines of demarcation are an African ethnology as opposed to a Western modernist reference, a postcolonial analysis of power in lieu of liberal hegemony and informality as a legitimate source of legality.

Findings

The paper suggests the Chinese corporate strategy as implemented by managers notably through human resource management practices, the African institutional contexts where the protagonists’ power resources are deployed and the paramount importance of informality in discussing the impacts of Chinese investments on workers’ rights in sub-Saharan Africa.

Originality/value

The paper shows that the disconnect between “good investment” that should improve social and economic rights and “bad employment” that downplays civil and political rights is not a “foreign” (Western or Chinese) issue per se, but a challenge for innovative employment relations that support investment and mind the workplace institutional context.
Storage study of cereal bars formulated with banana peel flour
Authors: Silva Carvalho Vania , Conti-Silva Ana Carolina
Published: April 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the bioactive compounds and texture properties of cereal bars formulated with banana peel flour during storage.

Design/methodology/approach

Seven cereal bars were produced and stored during 11 months, under vacuum and protected from the light. The total phenolic compounds, the activity antioxidant by ABTS [2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] method, the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate) method expressed as EC50 (concentration required to reduce the original amount of free radicals by 50 per cent) and texture properties were evaluated over the storage period.

Findings

In general, total phenolic compounds decreased during storage (from 4.19 to 1.11 mg GAE. g-1f.w.). Although the total antioxidant activity (ABTS method) increased during the fifth month, it reduced during storage (from 3.41 to 0.30 µmol TE.g-1f.w.); and the EC50 was not modified in many formulations, though it decreased in other formulations during storage period (from 3913 to 19221 g fruit.g-1 DPPH). The force of rupture began to increase in the fourth month (reaching 62.4 N), and hardness began to increase in the ninth month (reaching 444 N). The formulation and time factors influenced the total phenolic compounds, total antioxidant activity (ABTS method), force of rupture and hardness, while EC50 was only influenced by the formulation (p-value = 0.001). A principal component analysis showed that time had little effect on the most important characteristics considered in description of the cereal bars.

Originality/value

Cereal bars can be consumed up to the third month of storage, considering the texture of the products. Moreover, the presence of bioactive compounds in cereal bars depends on the addition of banana peel flour, which it contributes to the insertion of total phenolic compounds and total antioxidant activity in cereal bars, aggregating functional properties in these products.
Quality characteristics of spent hen meat powder incorporated whole wheat breads
Authors: Umaraw Pramila , Chauhan Geeta
Published: April 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to standardize level of spent hen meat powder incorporation in whole wheat bread without affecting the bread structure.

Design/methodology/approach

Spent hen meat powder at 20, 30 and 40 per cent level was used for substitution of whole wheat flour.

Findings

The results revealed that increasing the level of meat powder brought about significant (p < 0.05) effect on physicochemical parameters, proximate composition, textural profile and instrumental colour values (except hue). The pH, baking loss, carbohydrate content, energy and moisture protein ratio decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with meat powder incorporation. Whereas, moisture, protein, fat, ash and moisture retention values increased significantly (p < 0.05) with whole wheat substitution. Meat powder addition increased all the textural profile parameters significantly (p < 0.05). Redness, yellowness and chroma values also increased significantly (p < 0.05) with replacement of whole wheat flour. Sensory evaluation showed variable effect of higher meat powder incorporation. The colour of crust, crumb and flavour evinced significant (p < 0.05) increase with level of incorporation, while porosity and texture decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The overall acceptability of 30 per cent replacement was the highest.

Research limitations/implications

Storage stability and preservation aspect can be further explored for better shelf life at ambient temperature.

Practical implications

The development of such a product would definitely be profitable to the poultry industry by opening new avenues for under-used spent hen meat and meat processors.

Social implications

Addition of meat not only channels better utilization of spent hen meat but also enhances economical return to farmers and the meat industry; it also helps in accomplishing protein requirement of consumers.

Originality/value

The addition of spent hen meat enhanced the physico-chemical and sensory attributes of the treated groups than control. It is a novel nutritionally rich alternative for regular breads.
The strategic priorities in the materiality matrix of the banking enterprise
Authors: Formisano Vincenzo , Fedele Maria , Calabrese Mario
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Nowadays, in this highly dynamic and complex context, companies have to act in a socially responsible and sustainable way to survive, creating shared value. The purpose of this paper is to analyse, through descriptive statistics, the elements that Italian banks identify as strategic to increasing their relational and reputational capital and to being in consonance with stakeholder’s expectations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper investigates the width (number of intermediaries that included the materiality matrix in their non-financial reports) and the depth (number of indicators in the matrix) of the phenomenon to detect the bank’s attention on critical topics for their stakeholders.

Findings

The focus is on materiality matrices in order to detect a correspondence among the significant indicators selected by the banks and those value generators for stakeholders. In the perspective used in this work, property is also a stakeholder; indeed, wanting to use the terminology of the viable systems approach, property represents a relevant supra-system as it is critical and influential for the decision makers.

Research limitations/implications

The main limits are the low number of non-financial reports published by Italian banks, and the little information on the type of stakeholder involved in the building of the materiality matrix.

Originality/value

The originality of this work is multifaceted. Primarily, there are no similar studies in the banking sector. The present work intends to go beyond the studies already in the literature on mapping and stakeholder prioritisation as well as on the identification and selection of material themes. Moreover, having found, during the analysis of the banks’ reports, the heterogeneity of indicators identified as material, for both banks and stakeholders, the same have been traced back to the related stages identified by Carroll in the pyramid of social responsibility.
Deletion of Smad4 reduces hepatic inflammation and fibrogenesis during nonalcoholic steatohepatitis progression
Authors: Qin Geng , Wang Guo Zhen , Guo Dan Dan , Bai Ru Xue , Wang Miao , Du Shi Yu
Published: April 2018

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog family member 4 (Smad4) deletion on inflammation and fibrogenesis in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

METHODS

Biopsied liver samples from NASH patients and normal liver tissue samples from patients who had received liver resection for trauma were collected. Smad4Co/Co and wild‐type (WT) mice were used to construct the NASH model using a high‐fat diet (HFD) or methionine‐ and choline‐deficient diet (MCD). HE staining and TUNEL assay were used to observe the pathological changes and cell apoptosis, respectively. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of inflammatory, fibrogenesis and apoptosis‐related genes, and immunohistochemistry to determine the protein expression of SMAD4, MCP‐1 and α‐SMA.

RESULTS

SMAD4 protein expression significantly increased in NASH patients than in the control group. Compared with WT mice, HFD‐ and MCD‐fed Smad4Co/Co mice showed decreased hepatic steatosis, inflammation, liver cell apoptosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver activity score, reduced plasma glucose, triglyceride, free fatty acids, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels but increased adiponectin. Moreover, Smad4Co/Co decreased the expression of inflammatory markers (TNF‐α, MCP‐1, IFN‐γ), fibrogenetic markers (COL1A1, α‐SMA and TGF‐β1), lipogenic (Srebp1c, Fas and Acc) and proapoptotic genes (Bax and caspase‐3), but increased the expression of β‐oxidation (Ppar‐α, Cpt1 and Aco) and antiapoptotic genes (Bcl‐2).

CONCLUSION

Smad4 deletion may inhibit lipogenesis, stimulate β‐oxidation, improve lipid metabolism and liver function, alleviate inflammation and fibrosis, and reduce cell apoptosis in NASH.
Parliamentary Experience in Australian Ministerial Careers 1996–2007
Authors: Maley Maria
Published: April 2018

The study contributes the first detailed exploration of parliamentary experience in Australian ministerial careers. It examines how a dimension of parliamentary experience — holding the office of parliamentary committee chair — features in the careers of a single cohort of ministers and parliamentary secretaries appointed during the Coalition government 1996–2007. The study maps parliamentary experience on two dimensions and finds a typology of five different career paths, depending on positions held and the speed of movement between positions. Taking the analysis further, the second part of the study tracks the appointment of the five subgroups of ministers over time. This reveals patterns in the Prime Minister's ministry‐making over the life of the government. At different times particular types of ministers were selected, in response to varying political needs and the demands of career management that John Howard faced over the government's lifecycle. The study considers the argument that elite grooming processes, where aspiring leaders are tested and trained, are weakening in Australia. It does not find evidence for this proposition based on the patterns of parliamentary experience of ministers at this time.
New lactic acid bacteria for skin health via oral intake of heat‐killed or live cells
Authors: Kimoto‐Nira Hiromi
Published: April 2018

Lactic acid bacteria play an essential role in the food industry in the manufacture of many fermented products (cheese, yogurt, fermented vegetables, etc.). Application of these organisms is now being extended to the area of health improvement, as their probiotic activities become known. Probiotics are defined as viable microorganisms that exert a beneficial effect on the health of the host when they are ingested in sufficient quantity. Lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria isolated from the human intestine are the most common probiotics used for human consumption. The development of new probiotics with new beneficial effects is eagerly awaited in the food industry. This review introduces Lactococcus, which are one of the genera of lactic acid bacteria and are mainly isolated from dairy products and fermented vegetables, as new probiotics, focusing especially on Lactococcus lactis H61, which improves skin status in Japanese women with oral intake of heat‐killed or live cells. The deduced mechanisms associated with the beneficial effects of strain H61 are also discussed.
Virtually the ultimate research lab
Authors: Kulik Alexander
Published: April 2018

Virtual reality (VR) can serve as a viable platform for psychological research. The real world with many uncontrolled variables can be masked to immerse participants in complex interactive environments that are under full experimental control. However, as any other laboratory setting, these simulations are not perceived equally to reality and they also afford different behaviour. We need a better understanding of these differences, which are often related to parameters of the technical setup, to support valid interpretations of experimental results.
Role of mechanical cues in shaping neuronal morphology and connectivity
Authors: Gangatharan Girisaran , Schneider‐Maunoury Sylvie , Breau Marie Anne
Published: April 2018

Neuronal circuits, the functional building blocks of the nervous system, assemble during development through a series of dynamic processes including the migration of neurons to their final position, the growth and navigation of axons and their synaptic connection with target cells. While the role of chemical cues in guiding neuronal migration and axonal development has been extensively analysed, the contribution of mechanical inputs, such as forces and stiffness, has received far less attention. In this article, we review the in vitro and more recent in vivo studies supporting the notion that mechanical signals are critical for multiple aspects of neuronal circuit assembly, from the emergence of axons to the formation of functional synapses. By combining live imaging approaches with tools designed to measure and manipulate the mechanical environment of neurons, the emerging field of neuromechanics will add a new paradigm in our understanding of neuronal development and potentially inspire novel regenerative therapies.
Pulmonary vascular resistance determines mortality in end‐stage renal disease patients with pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Wolfe Jonathan D. , Hickey Gavin W. , Althouse Andrew D. , Sharbaugh Michael S. , Kliner Dustin E. , Mathier Michael A. , Wu Christine M. , Tevar Amit D. , Soman Prem
Published: April 2018

The multifactorial etiology of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) includes patients with and without elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). We explored the prognostic implication of this distinction by evaluating pretransplant ESRD patients who underwent right heart catheterization and echocardiography. Demographics, clinical data, and test results were analyzed. All‐cause mortality data were obtained. Median follow‐up was 4 years. Of the 150 patients evaluated, echocardiography identified 99 patients (66%) with estimated pulmonary artery (PA) systolic pressure > 36 mm Hg, which correlated poorly with mortality (HR = 1.28, 95% CI 0.72‐2.27, P = .387). Right heart catheterization identified 88 (59%) patients with mean PA pressure ≥ 25 mm Hg. Of these, 70 had PVR ≤ 3 Wood units and 18 had PVR > 3 Wood units. Survival analysis demonstrated a significant prognostic effect of an elevated PVR in patients with high mean PA pressures (HR = 2.26, 95% CI 1.07‐4.77, P = .03), while patients with high mean PA pressure and normal PVR had equivalent survival to those with normal PA pressure. Despite the high prevalence of PH in ESRD patients, elevated PVR is uncommon and is a determinant of prognosis in patients with PH. Patients with normal PVR had survival equivalent to those with normal PA pressures.
Biotic homogeneity of putative biogeographic units in the Neotropics: A test with Sapotaceae
Authors: Serrano Julieth , Richardson James E. , Pennington Terence D. , Cortes‐B Rocio , Cardenas Dairon , Elliott Alan , Jimenez Ivan
Published: April 2018

Aim

To evaluate Morrone's (2001, Biogeografia de America Latina y el Caribe. Zaragoza, Spain: CYTED, ORCYT‐UNESCO, Sociedad Entomológica Aragonesa (SEA)) Neotropical regionalization by testing the prediction that biotas are more homogeneous within than among biogeographic units.

Location

Neotropics.

Methods

We conducted pairwise comparisons of beta diversity of Sapotaceae species within and between biogeographic units in the hierarchical regionalization proposed by Morrone (2001, Biogeografia de America Latina y el Caribe. Zaragoza, Spain: CYTED, ORCYT‐UNESCO, Sociedad Entomológica Aragonesa (SEA)), at a spatial resolution of 1‐degree cells. We used a null model to control differences in sampling effort across 1‐degree cells and performed beta‐diversity comparisons conditional on geographic distance to control for distance decay of biotic similarity.

Results

None of the biogeographic units proposed by Morrone (2001, Biogeografia de America Latina y el Caribe. Zaragoza, Spain: CYTED, ORCYT‐UNESCO, Sociedad Entomológica Aragonesa (SEA)) was biotically homogeneous with respect to all other units at the same hierarchical level. This was the case even for units commonly reported to be isolated and to host distinctive taxa like “Choco.” However, five of 45 biogeographic units were biotically homogenous relative to several other units. These units were “Cuba,” “Chaco,” “Varzea,” “Cauca” and “Costa Pacífica Mexicana.” Also, beta diversity within units was often lower than beta diversity between units at relatively short geographic distances.

Main conclusions

The distribution of Sapotaceae species showed generally low biotic homogeneity within Morrone's (2001, Biogeografia de America Latina y el Caribe. Zaragoza, Spain: CYTED, ORCYT‐UNESCO, Sociedad Entomológica Aragonesa (SEA)) biogeographic units and did not support his biogeographic regionalization. This result suggests a strong role for dispersal and biotic interchange among biogeographic units and across barriers like the Andes. It also casts doubt on the usefulness of Morrone's (2001, Biogeografia de America Latina y el Caribe. Zaragoza, Spain: CYTED, ORCYT‐UNESCO, Sociedad Entomológica Aragonesa (SEA)) biogeographic units as tools for the identification of priority areas for the conservation of biodiversity. However, relatively high biotic homogeneity within some biogeographic units suggests that they capture significant spatial patterns. In particular, noteworthy biotic homogeneity within “Cuba,” “Cauca” and “Costa Pacifica Mexicana” could be explained by isolation. Also, in “Costa Pacifica Mexicana,” patterns of biotic homogeneity could reflect closer affinities to humid lowland montane forest in Central America than to lowland rain forest in South America. Finally, substantial biotic homogeneity within “Varzea” could result from common adaptation to edaphic environments near the Amazon River.
Generation of reporter hESCs by targeting EGFP at the CD144 locus to facilitate the endothelial differentiation
Authors: Hu Zhiqing , Wu Yong , Zhou Miaojin , Wang Xiaolin , Pang Jialun , Li Zhuo , Feng Mai , Wang Yanchi , Hu Qian , Zhao Junya , Liu Xionghao , Wu Lingqian , Liang Desheng
Published: April 2018

Reporter embryonic stem cell (ESC) lines with tissue‐specific reporter genes may contribute to optimizing the differentiation conditions in vitro as well as trafficking transplanted cells in vivo. To optimize and monitor endothelial cell (EC) differentiation specifically, here we targeted the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) reporter gene at the junction of 5′UTR and exon2 of the endothelial specific marker gene CD144 using TALENs in human ESCs (H9) to generate a EGFP‐CD144‐reporter ESC line. The reporter cells expressed EGFP and CD144 increasingly and specifically without unexpected effects during the EC differentiation. The EC differentiation protocol was optimized and applied to EC differentiation from hiPSCs, resulting in an efficient and simplified endothelial differentiation approach. Here we created our own optimized and robust protocol for EC differentiation of hESCs and hiPSCs by generating the lineage‐specific site‐specific integration reporter cell lines, showing great potential to be applied in the fields such as trafficking gene and cell fate in vivo in preclinical animal models.
Technology transfer via foreign patents in Germany, 1843–77
Authors: Donges Alexander , Selgert Felix
Published: April 2018

This article analyses the spread of innovation in mid‐nineteenth‐century Germany using foreign patents as an indicator for technology transfer. It introduces a new dataset of over 1,400 patents granted in the Grand Duchy of Baden between 1843 and 1877. The data show that Baden's technology import via foreign patents from German and non‐German inventors was important. This technology transfer was broadly based, although technologies related to the textile and machine‐building industries are prominent in the data. The decision to file a patent in Baden was driven by competition and the risk of imitation. Using a gravity model with city‐level data, we find evidence that technology transfer through patents reflected existing trade links. The strong correlation between technologies filed by foreigners and domestic inventors provides further evidence that the risk of imitation fostered patent‐based technology transfer during the mid‐nineteenth century. Furthermore, we show that foreigners filed patents predominantly in industries that accounted for a high share of the workforce in Baden.
Individualistic cultures and crash risk
Authors: Dang Tung Lam , Faff Robert , Luong Hoang , Nguyen Lily
Published: April 2018

This study examines whether individualistic national culture is associated with stock price crash risk (‘crash risk’) for a sample of firms from 36 countries over the period of 1990–2015. We find robust evidence that firms in more individualistic cultural settings exhibit higher future crash risk. Digging deeper, we find that earnings management, excessive managerial risk‐taking, and investors’ difference of opinion and overconfidence are all possible explanations for the positive effect of individualism on crash risk. Overall, our findings suggest that individualism, as a key cultural dimension, has an important impact on investor welfare, manifested through crash risk.
Fitness costs of key point mutations that underlie acaricide target‐site resistance in the two‐spotted spider miteTetranychus urticae
Authors: Bajda Sabina , Riga Maria , Wybouw Nicky , Papadaki Stavrini , Ouranou Eleni , Fotoukkiaii Seyedeh Masoumeh , Vontas John , Van Leeuwen Thomas
Published: April 2018

The frequency of insecticide/acaricide target‐site resistance is increasing in arthropod pest populations and is typically underpinned by single point mutations that affect the binding strength between the insecticide/acaricide and its target‐site. Theory predicts that although resistance mutations clearly have advantageous effects under the selection pressure of the insecticide/acaricide, they might convey negative pleiotropic effects on other aspects of fitness. If such fitness costs are in place, target‐site resistance is thus likely to disappear in the absence of insecticide/acaricide treatment, a process that would counteract the spread of resistance in agricultural crops. Hence, there is a great need to reliably quantify the various potential pleiotropic effects of target‐site resistance point mutations on arthropod fitness. Here, we used near‐isogenic lines of the spider mite pestTetranychus urticaethat carry well‐characterized acaricide target‐site resistance mutations to quantify potential fitness costs. Specifically, we analyzed P262T in the mitochondrial cytochrome b, the combined G314D and G326E substitutions in the glutamate‐gated chloride channels, L1024V in the voltage‐gated sodium channel, and I1017F in chitin synthase 1. Five fertility life table parameters and nine single‐generation life‐history traits were quantified and compared across a total of 15 mite lines. In addition, we monitored the temporal resistance level dynamics of populations with different starting frequency levels of the chitin synthase resistant allele to further support our findings. Three target‐site resistance mutations, I1017F and the co‐occurring G314D and G326E mutations, were shown to significantly and consistently alter certain fitness parameters inT. urticae. The other two mutations (P262T and L1024V) did not result in any consistent change in a fitness parameter analyzed in our study. Our findings are discussed in the context of the global spread ofT. urticaepesticide resistance and integrated pest management.
Progress in melanoma modelling in vitro
Authors: Marconi Alessandra , Quadri Marika , Saltari Annalisa , Pincelli Carlo
Published: April 2018

Melanoma is one of the most studied neoplasia, although laboratory techniques used for investigating this tumor are not fully reliable. Animal models may not predict the human response due to differences in skin physiology and immunity. In addition, international guidelines recommend to develop processes that contribute to the reduction, refinement and replacement of animals for experiments (3Rs). Adherent cell culture has been widely used for the study of melanoma to obtain important information regarding melanoma biology. Nonetheless, these cells grow in adhesion on the culture substrate which differs considerably from the situation in vivo. Melanoma grows in a 3D spatial conformation where cells are subjected to a heterogeneous exposure to oxygen and nutrient. In addition, cell‐cell and cell‐matrix interaction play a crucial role in the pathobiology of the tumor as well as in the response to therapeutic agents. To better study, melanoma new techniques, including spherical models, tumorospheres and melanoma skin equivalents, have been developed. These 3D models allow to study tumors in a microenvironment that is more close to the in vivo situation and are less expensive and time‐consuming than animal studies. This review will also describe the new technologies applied to skin reconstructs such as organ‐on‐a‐chip that allows skin perfusion through microfluidic platforms. 3D in vitro models, based on the new technologies, are becoming more sophisticated, representing at a great extent the in vivo situation, the “perfect” model that will allow less involvement of animals up to their complete replacement, is still far from being achieved.
The effects of vitamin K1 and vitamin K2 on the proliferation, cytokine production and regulatory T‐cell frequency in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of paediatric atopic dermatitis patients
Authors: Meng Kehan , Xu Wencheng , Miura Taro , Suzuki Shunsuke , Chiyotanda Masako , Tanaka Sachiko , Sugiyama Kentaro , Kawashima Hisashi , Hirano Toshihiko
Published: April 2018

We estimated the pharmacological efficacy of vitamin K1 (VK1) and VK2 on the mitogen‐activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of paediatric atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. VK2 suppressed the in vitro proliferation of T‐cell mitogen‐activated PBMCs of AD patients. In contrast, VK1 had little effect on the PBMC proliferation. The IL‐2 production from the activated PBMCs of AD patients significantly increased (P < .05), while the production significantly decreased by 100 μmol L−1 VK2 (P < .01). In addition, 100 μmol L−1 VK2 reduced the percentage of CD4+ and CD4+CD25+ cells in PBMCs. These results suggest that VK2 can modulate T‐cell function in PBMCs of AD patients.