bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GO: A functional reporter system to identify and enrich base editing activity
Authors: Katti Alyna , Foronda Miguel , Zimmerman Jill , Diaz Bianca , Zafra Maria Paz , Goswami Sukanya , Dow Lukas E
Published: December 2019

Base editing (BE) is a powerful tool for engineering single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and has been used to create targeted mutations in cell lines, organoids, and animal models. Recent development of new BE enzymes has provided an extensive toolkit for genome modification; however, identifying and isolating edited cells for analysis has proven challenging. Here we report a “Gene On” (GO) reporter system that indicates precise cytosine or adenine base editing in situ with high sensitivity and specificity. We test GO using an activatable GFP and use it to measure the kinetics, efficiency, and PAM specificity of a range of new BE variants. Further, GO is flexible and can be easily adapted to induce expression of numerous genetically encoded markers, antibiotic resistance genes, or enzymes such as Cre recombinase. With these tools, GO can be exploited to functionally link BE events at endogenous genomic loci to cellular enzymatic activities in human and mouse cell lines and organoids. Thus, GO provides a powerful approach to increase the practicality and feasibility of implementing CRISPR BE in biomedical research.
Shallow Genome Sequencing for Phylogenomics of Mycorrhizal Fungi from Endangered Orchids
Authors: Unruh Sarah A. , Pires J. Chris , Zettler Lawrence , Erba Luigi , Grigoriev Igor , Barry Kerrie , Daum Christopher , Lipzen Anna , Stajich Jason E.
Published: December 2019

Most plant species form symbioses with mycorrhizal fungi and this relationship is especially important for orchids. Fungi in the generaTulasnella, Ceratobasidium,andSerendipitaare critically important for orchid germination, growth and development. The goals of this study are to understand the phylogenetic relationships of mycorrhizal fungi and to improve the taxonomic resources for these groups. We identified 32 fungal isolates with the internal transcribed spacer region and used shallow genome sequencing to functionally annotate these isolates. We constructed phylogenetic trees from 408 orthologous nuclear genes for 50 taxa representing 14 genera, 11 families, and five orders in Agaricomycotina. While confirming relationships among the orders Cantharellales, Sebacinales, and Auriculariales, our results suggest novel relationships between families in the Cantharellales. Consistent with previous studies, we found the generaCeratobasidiumandThanatephorusof Cerabotasidiaceae to not be monophyletic. Within the monophyletic genusTulasnella, we found strong phylogenetic signals that suggest a potentially new species and a revision of current species boundaries (e.g.Tulasnella calospora); however it is premature to make taxonomic revisions without further sampling and morphological descriptions. There is low resolution ofSerendipitaisolates collected. More sampling is needed from areas around the world before making evolutionary-informed changes in taxonomy. Our study adds value to an important living collection of fungi isolated from endangered orchid species, but also informs future investigations of the evolution of orchid mycorrhizal fungi.
Comparative population genetic structure of two ixodid tick species (Ixodes ovatusandHaemaphysalis flava) in Niigata Prefecture, Japan
Authors: Regilme Maria Angenica F. , Sato Megumi , Tamura Tsutomu , Arai Reiko , Sato Marcello Otake , Ikeda Sumire , Gamboa Maribet , Monaghan Michael T. , Watanabe Kozo
Published: December 2019

Ixodid tick species such asIxodes ovatusandHaemaphysalis flavaare essential vectors of tick-borne diseases in Japan. In this study, we investigated the population genetic structures and gene flow ofI. ovatusandH. flavaas affected by the tick host mobility. We hypothesized thatI. ovatusandH. flavamay have differences in their genetic structure due to the low mobility of small rodent hosts ofI. ovatusat the immature stage in contrast to the mediated dispersal of avian hosts for immatureH. flava.We collected 307 adultI. ovatusand 220 adultH. flavafrom 29 and 17 locations across Niigata Prefecture, Japan. We investigated the genetic structure at two mitochondrial loci (cox1, 16S rRNA gene). ForI. ovatus, pairwiseFSTand analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) analyses ofcox1sequences indicated significant genetic variation among populations. Bothcox1and 16S rRNA markers showed non-significant genetic variation among locations forH. flava. The Bayesian tree and haplotype network ofcox1marker forI. ovatussamples in Niigata Prefecture found 3 genetic groups wherein most haplotypes in group 2 were distributed in low altitudinal areas. When we addedcox1sequences ofI. ovatusfrom China to the phylogenetic analysis, three genetic groups (China 1, China 2, and Niigata and Hokkaido, Japan) were formed in the tree suggesting the potential for cryptic species in the genetic group in Japan. Our results support our hypothesis and suggest that the host preference of ticks at the immature stage may influence the genetic structure and gene flow of the ticks. This information is vital in understanding the tick-host interactions in the field to better understand the tick-borne disease transmission and in designing an effective tick control program.
LncRNA and predictive model to improve the diagnosis of clinically diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Hu Xuejiao , Chen Hao , Liao Shun , Bai Hao , Gupta Shubham , Zhou Yi , Zhou Juan , Jiao Lin , Wu Lijuan , Wang Minjin , Chen Xuerong , Zhou Yanhong , Lu Xiaojun , Hu Tony Y , Zhang Zhaolei , Ying Binwu
Published: December 2019

Background

Clinically diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients lack Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) microbiologic evidence, and misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis often occurs as a consequence. We investigated the potential of lncRNAs and corresponding predictive models to diagnose these patients.

Methods

We enrolled 1372 subjects, including clinically diagnosed PTB patients, non-TB disease controls and healthy controls, in three cohorts (Screening, Selection and Validation). Candidate lncRNAs differentially expressed in blood samples of the PTB and healthy control groups were identified by microarray and qRT-PCR in the Screening Cohort. Logistic regression models were developed using lncRNAs and/or electronic health records (EHRs) from clinically diagnosed PTB patients and non-TB disease controls in the Selection Cohort. These models were evaluated by AUC and decision curve analysis, and the optimal model was presented as a Web-based nomogram, which was evaluated in the Validation Cohort. The biological function of lncRNAs was interrogated using ELISA, lactate dehydrogenase release analysis and flow cytometry.

Results

Three differentially expressed lncRNAs (ENST00000497872, n333737, n335265) were identified. The optimal model (i.e., nomogram) incorporated these three lncRNAs and six EHR variables (age, hemoglobin, weight loss, low-grade fever, CT calcification and TB-IGRA). The nomogram showed an AUC of 0.89, sensitivity of 0.86 and specificity of 0.82 in the Validation Cohort, which demonstrated better discrimination and clinical net benefit than the EHR model. ENST00000497872 may regulate inflammatory cytokine production, cell death and apoptosis during MTB infection.

Conclusions

LncRNAs and the user-friendly nomogram could facilitate the early identification of PTB cases among suspected patients with negative MTB microbiologic evidence.
The amplification of genetic factors for early vocabulary during children’s language and literacy development
Authors: Verhoef Ellen , Shapland Chin Yang , Fisher Simon E. , Dale Philip S. , Pourcain Beate St
Published: December 2019

The heritability of language and literacy skills increases during development. The underlying mechanisms are little understood, and may involve (i) the amplification of early genetic influences and/or (ii) the emergence of novel genetic factors (innovation). Here, we use multivariate structural equation models to quantify these processes, as captured by genome-wide genetic markers. Studying expressive and receptive vocabulary at 38 months and subsequent language, literacy and cognitive skills (7-13 years) in unrelated children (ALSPAC: N≤6,092), we found little support for genetic innovation during mid-childhood and adolescence. Instead, genetic factors for early vocabulary, especially those unique to receptive skills, were amplified. Explaining as little as 3.9%(SE=1.8%) variation in early language, the same genetic influences accounted for 25.7%(SE=6.4%) to 45.1%(SE=7.6%) variation in verbal intelligence and literacy skills, but also performance intelligence, capturing the majority of SNP-heritability (≤99%). This suggests that complex verbal and non-verbal cognitive skills originate developmentaly in early receptive language.
Direct ETTIN-auxin interaction controls chromatin state in gynoecium development
Authors: Kuhn André , Harborough Sigurd Ramans , McLaughlin Heather M. , Kepinski Stefan , Østergaard Lars
Published: December 2019

Hormonal signalling in animals often involves direct transcription factor-hormone interactions that modulate gene expression1, 2. In contrast, plant hormone signalling is most commonly based on de-repression via the degradation of transcriptional repressors3. Recently, we uncovered a non-canonical signalling mechanism for the plant hormone auxin in organ development with strong similarity to animal hormonal pathways. In this mechanism, auxin directly affects the activity of the auxin response factor ETTIN (ETT) towards regulation of target genes without the requirement for protein degradation4, 5. Here we show that auxin binds ETT to modulate gene expression and that this ETT-auxin interaction leads to the dissociation of ETT from co-repressor proteins of the TOPLESS/TOPLESS-RELATED family followed by histone acetylation and the induction of target gene expression. Whilst canonical ARFs are classified as activators or repressors6, ETT is able to switch chromatin locally between repressive and de-repressive states in an instantly-reversible auxin-dependent manner.
Transformer neural network for protein-specific de novo drug generation as a machine translation problem
Authors: Grechishnikova Daria
Published: December 2019

Drug discovery for a protein target is a very laborious, long and costly process. Machine learning approaches and, in particular, deep generative networks can substantially reduce development time and costs. However, the majority of methods imply prior knowledge of protein binders, their physicochemical characteristics or the three-dimensional structure of the protein. The method proposed in this work generates novel molecules with predicted ability to bind a target protein by relying on its amino acid sequence only. We consider target-specific de novo drug design as a translational problem between the amino acid “language” and SMILES (Simplified Molecular Input Line Entry System) representation of the molecule. To tackle this problem, we apply Transformer neural network architecture, a state-of-the-art approach in sequence transduction tasks. Transformer is based on a self-attention technique, which allows the capture of long-range dependencies between items in sequence. The model generates realistic diverse compounds with structural novelty. The computed physicochemical properties and common metrics used in drug discovery fall within the plausible drug-like range of values.
Ex vivo and in vivo imaging of mouse parietal association cortex activity in episodes of cued fear memory formation and retrieval
Authors: Ivashkina Olga I. , Gruzdeva Anna M. , Roshchina Marina A. , Toropova Ksenia A. , Anokhin Konstantin V.
Published: December 2019

The parietal cortex in rodents has an integrative function and participates in sensory and spatial processing, movement planning and decision-making. However, much less is known about its functions in associative memory processing. Here using Fos immunohistochemical mapping of neuronal activity and two-photon imaging in Fos-eGFP mice we show an involvement of anterior part of the parietal cortex (PtA) in the formation and retrieval of recent fear memory in mice. Using ex vivo c-fos imaging we demonstrate the specific activation of the PtA during recent memory retrieval. In vivo two-photon c-fos imaging confirms these results as well as establishes the activation of the PtA neurons during fear memory formation. Additionally, we describe a design of Fos-Cre-GCaMP transgenic mice to investigate long-term changes of calcium dynamics in neurons captured with Fos-TRAP technique during fear conditioning training.
ApproXON: Heuristic Approximation to the E-Field-Threshold for Deep Brain Stimulation Volume-of-Tissue-Activated Estimation
Authors: Proverbio Daniele , Husch Andreas
Published: December 2019

This paper introduces a heuristic approximation of the e-field threshold used for volume-of-tissue-activated computation in deep brain stimulation. Pulse width and axon diameter are used as predictors. An open source implementation in MATLAB is provided together with an integration in the open LeadDBS deep brain stimulation research toolbox.
LEARNING AND INTERPRETING THE GENE REGULATORY GRAMMAR IN A DEEP LEARNING FRAMEWORK
Authors: Chen Ling , Capra John A.
Published: December 2019

Deep neural networks (DNNs) have achieved state-of-the-art performance in identifying gene regulatory sequences, but they have provided limited insight into the biology of regulatory elements due to the difficulty of interpreting the complex features they learn. Several models of how combinatorial binding of transcription factors, i.e. the regulatory grammar, drives enhancer activity have been proposed, ranging from the flexible TF billboard model to the stringent enhanceosome model. However, there is limited knowledge of the prevalence of these (or other) sequence architectures across enhancers. Here we perform several hypothesis-driven analyses to explore the ability of DNNs to learn the regulatory grammar of enhancers. We created a synthetic dataset based on existing hypotheses about combinatorial transcription factor binding site (TFBS) patterns, including homotypic clusters, heterotypic clusters, and enhanceosomes, from real TF binding motifs from diverse TF families. We then trained deep residual neural networks (ResNets) to model the sequences under a range of scenarios that reflect real-world multi-label regulatory sequence prediction tasks. We developed a gradient-based unsupervised clustering method to extract the patterns learned by the ResNet models. We demonstrated that simulated regulatory grammars are best learned in the penultimate layer of the ResNets, and the proposed method can accurately retrieve the regulatory grammar even when there is heterogeneity in the enhancer categories and a large fraction of TFBS outside of the regulatory grammar. However, we also identify common scenarios where ResNets fail to learn simulated regulatory grammars. Our results provide a framework for interpreting the regulatory rules learned by ResNets, and they demonstrate that the ability and efficiency of ResNets in learning the regulatory grammar highly depends on the nature of the prediction task.
Maternal Obesity and Western-style Diet Impair Fetal and Juvenile Offspring Skeletal Muscle Insulin-Stimulated Glucose Transport in Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Campodonico-Burnett William , Hetrick Byron , Wesolowski Stephanie R. , Schenk Simon , Takahashi Diana L. , Dean Tyler A. , Sullivan Elinor L. , Kievit Paul , Gannon Maureen , Aagaard Kjersti , Friedman Jacob E. , McCurdy Carrie E.
Published: December 2019

Infants born to mothers with obesity have a greater risk for childhood obesity and metabolic diseases; however, the underlying biological mechanisms remain poorly understood. We used a nonhuman primate model to investigate whether maternal obesity combined with a western-style diet (WSD) impairs offspring muscle insulin action. Briefly, adult females were fed a control (CON) or WSD prior to and during pregnancy and lactation. Offspring were weaned to a CON or WSD. Muscle glucose uptake and insulin signaling were measuredex vivoin fetal and juvenile offspring.In vivosignaling was evaluated before and after an intravenous insulin bolus just prior to weaning. We find that fetal muscle exposed to maternal WSD had reduced insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and impaired insulin signaling. In juvenile offspring, insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was similarly reduced by both maternal and post-weaning WSD. Analysis of insulin signaling activation revealed distinct changes between fetal and post-weaning WSD exposure. We conclude that maternal WSD leads to a persistent decrease in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in juvenile offspring even in the absence of increased offspring adiposity or markers of systemic insulin resistance. Switching offspring to a healthy diet did not ameliorate the effects of maternal WSD suggesting earlier interventions may be necessary.
Effect of storage on retinol content and total antioxidant capacity of human milk
Authors: Chaves Jaísa Oliveira , Fernandes Angelica Maria de Freitas , Parreiras Paola Machado , Breguez Gustavo Silveira , Passos Maria Cristina , da Cunha Luciana Rodrigues , Menezes Camila Carvalho
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of different times and freezing temperatures on the antioxidant activity of raw human milk (HM) and the impact of light by different packaging on retinol level and the antioxidant activity of pasteurized HM.

Design/methodology/approach

Donor milks were homogenized to form the pool of the experimental study characterized by the evaluation of the effects of time (0, 2, 4, 8 and 15 days) freezing temperatures (−3°C, −8°C and −18°C) and the interference of the type of packaging on the antioxidant activity and retinol levels of HM.

Findings

The existing studies do not reveal the real impact of HM storage conditions adopted by human milk banks (HMB) in Brazil on their compounds, mainly in relation to the effects of temperature and freezing time and the incidence of light on retinol levels and antioxidant activity. In view of the already documented importance of these compounds for the growth, development and health of children, it is extremely important to assess their stability according to the procedures adopted by the banks. It has been observed in this study that lower freezing temperatures (−18°C) further preserve the antioxidant activity. It was found that the amber and transparent vials wrapped with aluminum foil allowed for greater retinol stability of HM, with values of 2.501±0.757 µmol/L and 4.991±0.825 µmol/L, respectively. On the contrary, there was no significant influence on antioxidant activity.

Originality/value

It is suggested that HMB store milk at lower temperatures and use glass jars that block the passage of light.
Effects of perceived brand authenticity in health functional food consumers
Authors: Lee Jisun , Chung Lana
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically analyze how brand authenticity (BA) as perceived by consumers who take health functional foods (HFF) strengthen the brand relationship quality (BRQ) and positively affects brand loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

The five sub-dimensions of BA perceived by HFF consumers, elicited through a focus group interview, were conceptualized as a second-order reflective construct. To identify the influences of the sub-dimensions of BA on each construct of the BRQ and the influence on brand loyalty though mediating BRQ, an empirical analysis was done using partial least squares-based structural equation modeling.

Findings

All the sub-dimensions of BA positively affect each of the BRQ s (brand satisfaction, brand trust and brand commitment) excepting product authenticity on brand commitment, and originality on brand trust. The impact of BA positively affects brand loyalty by mediating brand relationship qualities.

Originality/value

It is found that BA is an important antecedent for forming BRQ with consumers in the HFF industry, in which building trust with consumers is important. BA is an important factor in brand management of HFF.
House price estimation using an eigenvector spatial filtering approach
Authors: McCord Michael James , McCord John , Davis Peadar Thomas , Haran Martin , Bidanset Paul
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Numerous geo-statistical methods have been developed to analyse the spatial dimension and composition of house prices. Despite these advances, spatial filtering remains an under-researched approach within house price studies. This paper aims to examine the spatial distribution of house prices using an eigenvector spatial filtering (ESF) procedure, to analyse the local variation and spatial heterogeneity.

Design/methodology/approach

Using 2,664 sale transactions over the one year period Q3 2017 to Q3 2018, an eigenvector spatial filtering approach is applied to evaluate spatial patterns within the Belfast housing market. This method consists of using geographical coordinates to specify eigenvectors across geographic distance to determine a set of spatial filters. These convey spatial structures representative of different spatial scales and units. The filters are incorporated as predictors into regression analyses to alleviate spatial autocorrelation. This approach is intuitive, given that detection of autocorrelation in specific filters and within the regression residuals can be markers for exclusion or inclusion criteria.

Findings

The findings show both robust and effective estimator consistency and limited spatial dependency – culminating in accurately specified hedonic pricing models. The findings show that the spatial component alone explains 14.6 per cent of the variation in property value, whereas 77.6 per cent of the variation could be attributed to an interaction between the structural characteristics and the local market geography expressed by the filters. This methodological step reduced short-scale spatial dependency and residual autocorrelation resulting in increased model stability and reduced misspecification error.

Originality/value

Eigenvector-based spatial filtering is a less known but suitable statistical protocol that can be used to analyse house price patterns taking into account spatial autocorrelation at varying (different) spatial scales. This approach arguably provides a more insightful analysis of house prices by removing spatial autocorrelation both objectively and subjectively to produce reliable, yet understandable, regression models, which do not suffer from traditional challenges of serial dependence or spatial mis-specification. This approach offers property researchers and policymakers an intuitive but comprehensible approach for producing accurate price estimation models, which can be readily interpreted.
The sustainability of outcomes in temporary co-production
Authors: Jaspers Sylke , Steen Trui
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The temporary use of vacant spaces as a format to co-produce public services is becoming popular. Research addressing the question of whether the public outcomes created in temporary co-production lead to sustainable results is lacking. The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential sustainability of public outcomes created through temporary co-production.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper builds on the literature on creating sustainable outcomes in policy making and on co-production to design a theoretical framework that captures the sustainable co-production of public outcomes. Attention is directed to problem solving and capacity building, and to addressing the needs of society today and being responsive to the needs of tomorrow. A study of 8 temporary initiatives set in a large city in Flanders and 35 in-depth interviews with public servants, project coordinators and citizen co-producers provide empirical data for this exploratory study of the creation of sustainable outcomes in temporary co-production.

Findings

The data indicate that lasting collaborations, institutionalized (flexible) processes and empowered citizens support the creation of sustainable results from temporary co-production.

Originality/value

The paper bridges the literature on policy capacity, the co-production of public services and value creation. By doing so, the paper sheds light on the temporary use of vacant spaces as a way to effectively create outcomes. In addition, the paper addresses the paradox of temporary co-production and the creation of lasting outcomes. Finally, the framework presented offers a tool for analysts and practitioners to take into account various conditions for co-production to create lasting effects.
Self-deception, emotional neglect and workplace victimization
Authors: Dash Sanket Sunand , Jena Lalatendu Kesari
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to define workplace victimization as any behavior that impairs employees’ basic psychological needs and explores the mutually interactive association between trait self-deception; emotional neglect, especially by supervisors, and workplace victimization.

Design/methodology/approach

Workplace victimization is identified as a pervasive problem in organization. This paper zeroes in on self-deception and emotional neglect as two possible antecedents of workplace victimization, explores the genesis of the two concepts and analyzes their conceptual relationship with each other and with workplace victimization. Based on the conceptual analysis, it identifies the lack of intentionality as a common element in both constructs and identifies a set of possible frameworks linking self-deception, emotional neglect and workplace victimization for future research.

Findings

This paper explores four possible frameworks to model the expected association while advocating for investigation of these given models to check whether one has considerable expository success than other by either connecting or disassociating these two constructs.

Research limitations/implications

The amount of linkage between self-deception and emotional neglect at workplace is worth investigating, and this research paper presents several possible models that might help to focus and organize the future workplace investigations.

Practical implications

The current paper postulates that supervisors’ and subordinates’ ability to display appropriate leadership and follower behavior and interaction will be impaired if they are high in trait self-deception and have been the victim or perpetrators of emotional neglect.

Originality/value

In the workplace, self-deceptive individuals display behaviors such as conscientiousness, resilience, optimism and competitiveness that are considered characteristics of good employees and, hence, are more likely to be promoted to supervisory positions, where emotional neglect of others such as subordinates becomes more pertinent.
The effects of organizational culture and commitment on employee innovation: evidence from Vietnam’s IT industry
Authors: Nguyen Vinh The , Siengthai Sununta , Swierczek Fredric , Bamel Umesh Kumar
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the relationship between organizational culture (measured by mission, involvement, consistency, adaptability and well-being), employee organizational commitment and employee innovation in the Vietnamese IT industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a quantitative research using perceptual scale questionnaire survey developed based on the literature review and in-depth expert interviews. A total of 319 IT professionals working in Vietnam participated in the survey. The data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis.

Findings

The results suggest that overall organizational culture and organizational commitment are positively and significantly related to employee innovation. A closer look reveals that out of the organizational culture’s five dimensions, mission, adaptability and well-being are found specifically and significantly related to employee innovation.

Research limitations/implications

The study used a cross-sectional survey where case studies of longitudinal study may add more insight. Further, the Denison organizational culture survey instrument might be subjective. Finally, there may be also some moderating or mediating effects that are not taken into account in this study.

Practical implications

The enhancement of adaptability, well-being, mission and commitment can increase employee innovation in the IT industry.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature and practice by demonstrating the relationship between corporate culture and organizational commitment on employee innovation in a developing country (i.e. Vietnam).
Using hybrid modelling to simulate and analyse strategies
Authors: Gu Yunfei , Kunc Martin
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the applicability and strengths of proposing the three-paradigm hybrid simulation (HS) approach to developing and analysing strategies. The objective of the modelling effort is to conceptually illustrate its use in strategic planning by combining with the threat-opportunity-weakness-strength (TOWS) matrix, which builds a bridge between strategic management with the operations research community. The authors also aim to introduce a modelling framework to help model designers to apply HS to their own business issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a process to develop a HS model associated with the development of strategies using the TOWS matrix.

Findings

After developing the model and testing four strategies, the best option for the supermarket to increase market share and sales is implementing the strength–opportunity strategy, which involves online shopping to adapt to the digital world.

Research limitations/implications

First, some modelling assumptions are used to simplify the development process, but they need further validation. Second, the real data collection is limited. Third, the personal learning edition of the simulation software is not a comprehensive version and has some limitations.

Practical implications

The hybrid model and the scenario planning introduced, in this study, could allow decision makers to rehearse the potential strategy before actual implementation. The framework is easy to implement to other business and industry.

Originality/value

This study links HS with strategic management, which has not been performed previously and evaluates the capability of HS in strategic planning. The functionality of the modelling platform has been tested for simulating a completely dynamic system.
Innocent source of humanity
Authors: Goosseff Kyrill
Published: December 2019

Purpose

To identify the Transcendental Essence of Humanity, the purpose of this paper is to describe in brief what kind of research became possible when the theory of, e.g. autopoiesis, Husserl’s Transcendental Consciousness and the theory of Rhodes and Thame came together to form a “transcendental” interview methodology.

Design/methodology/approach

Critical conceptual implications are drawn to form a new research method to explore a de-subjectified inner domain and to search for a possible common essence of humanity.

Findings

A Transcendental Emotional Reference was found practically alien to contemporary perspectives. Still, the reference governs the emotional structure of human experience. This different perspective answers basic questions of morality, organization theory and leadership.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of the new research open a new and transparent perspective answering Grey’s question: “What is it to be human?” (Grey, p. 47, 2014.) A perspective shedding new light on the humanities. A research limitation is the number of respondents. Still, being transcendental the findings are theoretically valid for all.

Originality/value

The paper is based on a unique research enabling 32+ (ongoing research) respondents to explore their own and universally shared Transcendental domain.
Bringing the individual into the co-creation of value
Authors: Ranjan Kumar Rakesh , Read Stuart
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Despite the increasing prominence of value co-creation (VCC) in extant research, the area of customer co-creation is in its infancy and many aspects are not well-understood. This paper aims to important work from the individual psychology literature with the concept of VCC and offers empirical evidence to untested theoretical claims regarding the role of the individual in VCC.

Design/methodology/approach

The investigation begins with reviews of the literature of individual psychology and VCC to compare the concepts they use to explain the role of the individual in co-creation. The results of the theoretical development are empirically derived using a multiple vignette-based study to examine relationships between individual characteristics and the activity of VCC.

Findings

The authors find a positive effect of a customer’s prosocial orientation, perspective taking and involvement on VCC. However, a customer’s extraversion does not affect the degree of VCC. The desire-to-participate mediates these relationships.

Research limitations/implications

This study offers a foundation for some of the central claims about VCC and encourages a precise understanding of the impact of individual customer psychology in value co-creation with firms. Implications for the service-dominant logic of marketing and core work in psychology are discussed.

Practical implications

Managers seeking to design co-creative ecosystems need to know about the individuals they are co-creating with. In this research, the authors clearly exemplify how managers can use in practice a theoretical understanding of individuals to better direct the activity of VCC.

Originality/value

This paper provides both new theoretical knowledge from the parallel literature review and exciting empirical results from the authors’ investigation into phenomenological claims regarding VCC.
Fruit and vegetable intake and odds of pediatric migraine
Authors: Ariyanfar Shadi , Razeghi Jahromi Soodeh , Rezaeimanesh Nasim , Togha Mansoureh , Ghorbani Zeinab , Khadem Ebrahim , Ghanaatgar Milad , Noormohammadi Morvarid , Torkan Zahra
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Diet is recognized as a possible potential factor in migraine pathogenesis. Limited evidence exists on the effect of diet on pediatric migraine, so this paper aims to investigate the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and odds of migraine in children.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a case-control study in tertiary Sina hospital, Tehran, Iran. A hundred children with migraine as case group and 190 sex-matched healthy controls were included in this study. Definite diagnosis of migraine was based on 2018 international classification of headache disorder 3 (ICHD3) criteria. Demographic and anthropometric characteristics were collected. Common dietary intake of participants was obtained using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire.

Findings

Children in the migraine group had significantly higher BMI and age compared with the control group (p-value = <0.01). After adjustment for age, gender, BMI and total energy intake, a significant association between higher intake of vegetables in second tertile (OR: 0.47; CI: 0.24-0.92), fruits in third tertile (OR: 0.31; CI:0.14-0.69) and fiber in fourth quartile (OR:0.28; CI:0.095-0.85) was obtained. Controlling for all confounders in Model 3, the odds of migraine, decreased by 50 per cent and 70 per cent as the consumption of vegetables and fruits increased, in the second tertile of vegetables (p-value = 0.04) and the third tertile of fruits (p-value = <0.01).

Originality/value

The findings confirm a plausible protective role of dietary fruits and vegetables against the risk of migraine in children, which can be attributed to the probable effect of dietary fiber.
Volatiles of bacteria associated with parasitoid habitats elicit distinct olfactory responses in an aphid parasitoid and its hyperparasitoid
Authors: Goelen Tim , Sobhy Islam S. , Vanderaa Christophe , de Boer Jetske G. , Delvigne Frank , Francis Frédéric , Wäckers Felix , Rediers Hans , Verstrepen Kevin J. , Wenseleers Tom , Jacquemyn Hans , Lievens Bart
Published: December 2019

To locate mating partners and essential resources such as food, oviposition sites and shelter, insects rely to a large extent on chemical cues. While most research has focused on cues derived from plants and insects, there is mounting evidence that indicates that micro‐organisms emit volatile compounds that may play an important role in insect behaviour.

In this study, we assessed how volatile compounds emitted by phylogenetically diverse bacteria affected the olfactory response of the primary parasitoid Aphidius colemani and one of its secondary parasitoids, Dendrocerus aphidum. Olfactory responses were evaluated for volatile blends emitted by bacteria isolated from diverse sources from the parasitoid's habitat, including aphids, aphid mummies and honeydew, and from the parasitoids themselves.

Results revealed that A. colemani showed a wide variation in response to bacterial volatiles, ranging from significant attraction over no response to significant repellence. Our results further showed that the olfactory response of A. colemani to bacterial volatile emissions was different from that of D. aphidum. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry analysis of the volatile blends revealed that bacterial strains repellent to A. colemani produced significantly higher amounts of esters, organic acids, aromatics and cycloalkanes than attractive strains. Strains repellent to D. aphidum produced significantly higher amounts of alcohols and ketones, whereas the strains attractive to D. aphidum produced higher amounts of the monoterpenes limonene, linalool and geraniol.

Overall, our results indicate that bacterial volatiles can have an important impact on insect olfactory responses, and should therefore be considered as an additional, so far often overlooked factor in studying multitrophic interactions between plants and insects.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
rKIN: Kernel‐based method for estimating isotopic niche size and overlap
Authors: Eckrich Carolyn A. , Albeke Shannon E. , Flaherty Elizabeth A. , Bowyer R. Terry , Ben‐David Merav
Published: December 2019

The isotopic niche of consumers represents biologically relevant information on resource and habitat use. Several tools have been developed to quantify niche size and overlap. Nonetheless, methods adapted by spatial ecologists to quantify animal home ranges can be modified for use in stable isotope ecology when data are not normally distributed in bivariate space.

We offer a tool that draws on existing spatial metrics, such as minimum convex polygon (MCP) and standard ellipse area (SEA), and add novel metrics using kernel utilization density (KUD) estimators to measure isotopic niche size and overlap. We present examples using empirical and simulated data to demonstrate the performance of the package kernel isotopic niches in r (rKIN) under various scenarios.

Results of niche size from MCP, SEA and KUD were highly correlated but divergent among datasets. Overall, the KUD method produced the largest niche sizes and was more sensitive to the distribution of the isotopic data. Pairwise estimates of overlap were highly variable, likely because MCP and SEA inherently include or exclude unused areas in the resulting niche estimate. Four bandwidth methods (reference, normal scale, plug‐in and biased cross‐validation) produced comparable estimates of niche size and overlap at various sample sizes (10–40). Niche size and overlap were consistent across sample sizes >15.

Use of rKIN will allow isotope ecologists to quantify niche shifts, expansions or contractions, as well as assess the performance of several estimation methods. The package also can be applied to other data types (e.g. principal component analysis, multi‐dimensional scaling) so long as axes and measurement units are identical and can be converted to Cartesian coordinates.
A grounded theory of multisystemic therapist roles in achieving positive outcomes for young people and families
Authors: Jethwa Jemini , Glorney Emily , Adhyaru Jai , Lawson Amy
Published: December 2019

Research on the application of multisystemic therapy (MST) has focused on the experiences of caregivers, families and the young people with behavioural conduct difficulties for whom MST has been established as an effective intervention. Perspectives of MST therapists are lacking, yet hold relevance for MST model adherence and services. Using a social constructivist grounded theory approach, eight MST therapists in the United Kingdom took part in a semi‐structured interview designed to explore the requirements of the role. Data revealed four categories: two of explicit roles that included establishing rapport, engaging with families, defining the drivers to a young person’s behaviour, and doing‘whatever it takes’to overcome challenges; while underpinning these were two categories of implicit roles related to coping with the organisational environment and interpersonal skill demands of the role. This study widens the understanding of both individual and organisational factors/climate and its impact on therapist performance in MST practice.

Practitioner points

Supervisors need to monitor therapists’ workloads, organisational climate and the emotional impact of their role, applying a greater duty of care in an ethos of doing ‘whatever it takes’

Maintaining engagement is a distinct and essential phase of MST. Non‐engagement can be overcome by therapists who adapt their interpersonal style to meet individual needs

Collaboration with external agencies (e.g. schools) supports cross‐agency working in line with MST principles
Referendum Policies across Political Systems
Authors: Silagadze Nanuli , Gherghina Sergiu
Published: December 2019

This article compares the use of referendums across political regimes over time in Europe. It does so on the basis of a new typology that differentiates between policy domains and degrees of abstraction. The analysis shows different patterns in referendum use between authoritarian regimes, countries in transition and democracies. In addition to the variation in policy domains, the findings indicate different institutional features within the polity types: the process of initiation, the turnout in referendums and the rate of approval. The empirical evidence draws on an original dataset of 620 referendums organised at national level in Europe between 1793 and 2017.
Development of reading prosody in school‐age Spanish children: a longitudinal study
Authors: Álvarez‐Cañizo Marta , Martínez‐García Cristina , Cuetos Fernando , Suárez‐Coalla Paz
Published: December 2019

Background

Prosodic reading is one of the steps needed to achieve reading fluency. It is already known that English children develop their reading prosody from the earliest grades of primary school, showing the greatest improvement between first and second grade, but there are no Spanish studies of the development of reading prosody in the first years of school. Reading prosody may develop earlier in Spanish children as Spanish is a transparent language, which makes it possible to achieve high accuracy in the first year of learning to read.

Method

We performed a longitudinal study, monitoring children from first to third grade. The children were asked to read aloud a text including declarative sentences containing high‐frequency and low‐frequency words and interrogative sentences; we analysed the usual prosodic variables (i.e., pauses, duration of different segments and pitch variations).

Results

The results showed that younger readers made more and longer pauses and read less accurately. Moreover, the frequency words affected accuracy in all three grades, but only modified reading time in the first and second grades. We found no differences between the grades with respect to declarative sentences, but reading in all grades was influenced by word frequency, with a flatter final intonation. In the case of interrogative sentences, we found that first graders had a flatter melodic contour, whereas second graders tended to exaggerate the final change in intonation.

Conclusions

Our results confirmed that reading fluency increases dramatically between first and second grade. Although Spanish has a transparent orthographic system, Spanish children seem to develop reading prosody similarly to children using opaque languages.
Novel oil extraction technologies: Process conditions, quality parameters, and optimization
Authors: Mwaurah Peter Waboi , Kumar Sunil , Kumar Nitin , Attkan Arun Kumar , Panghal Anil , Singh Vijay Kumar , Garg Mukesh Kumar
Published: December 2019

Conventional techniques of extracting oil using organic solvents pose health, safety, and environmental concerns. In modern extraction methods, green solvents such as water, ethanol, ethyl acetate, carbon dioxide, ionic liquids, and terpenes are currently gaining prominence. These green solvents present no signs of pollution and remain in liquid form over a temperature range of 0 to 140 °C. Other techniques covered in this review include microwave‐assisted enzymatic extraction, ultrasound‐assisted extraction, supercritical fluid technology, high pressure–assisted extraction, and pulse electric field–assisted extraction. These techniques are considered environmentally friendly because they exhibit less hazardous chemical synthesis, use renewable feedstock, and reduce the chemical load and emissions generated by organic solvents. Aqueous enzymatic extraction is a novel technique that uses enzymes as the medium for extraction of oil. Selection of the enzymes solely depends on the structure of the oilseed and the composition of the cell wall. Studies reveal an enzyme to substrate ratio of 1% to 8%, the temperature of 40 to 55 °C, and a pH of 4 to 8 to be typical for enzymatic extraction of oil from different oilseeds. Microwave‐assisted extraction has proven to impart significant effects on mass transfer and offers high throughput and extraction efficiency. A microwave power of 275 to 1,000 W and a temperature range of 30 to 60 °C are noticed in the different studies. The review presents a comprehensive account of the modern extraction techniques, the parameters responsible for yield and quality, and their industrial applications. Besides, the review highlights the optimized parameters for oil extraction from different oil‐bearing materials.