bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyperfiltration-mediated Injury in the Remaining Kidney of a Transplant Donor
Authors: Srivastava Tarak , Hariharan Sundaram , Alon Uri S. , McCarthy Ellen T. , Sharma Ram , El-Meanawy Ashraf , Savin Virginia J. , Sharma Mukut
Published: May 2018

Kidney donors face a small but definite risk of end-stage renal disease 15 to 30 years postdonation. The development of proteinuria, hypertension with gradual decrease in kidney function in the donor after surgical resection of 1 kidney, has been attributed to hyperfiltration. Genetic variations, physiological adaptations, and comorbidities exacerbate the hyperfiltration-induced loss of kidney function in the years after donation. A focus on glomerular hemodynamics and capillary pressure has led to the development of drugs that target the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), but these agents yield mixed results in transplant recipients and donors. Recent work on glomerular biomechanical forces highlights the differential effects of tensile stress and fluid flow shear stress (FFSS) from hyperfiltration. Capillary wall stretch due to glomerular capillary pressure increases tensile stress on podocyte foot processes that cover the capillary. In parallel, increased flow of the ultrafiltrate due to single-nephron glomerular filtration rate elevates FFSS on the podocyte cell body. Although tensile stress invokes the RAAS, FFSS predominantly activates the cyclooxygenase 2-prostaglandin E2-EP2 receptor axis. Distinguishing these 2 mechanisms is critical, as current therapeutic approaches focus on the RAAS system. A better understanding of the biomechanical forces can lead to novel therapeutic agents to target FFSS through the cyclooxygenase 2-prostaglandin E2-EP2 receptor axis in hyperfiltration-mediated injury. We present an overview of several aspects of the risk to transplant donors and discuss the relevance of FFSS in podocyte injury, loss of glomerular barrier function leading to albuminuria and gradual loss of renal function, and potential therapeutic strategies to mitigate hyperfiltration-mediated injury to the remaining kidney.
Flow-independent accumulation of motor-competent non-muscle myosin II in the contractile ring is essential for cytokinesis
Authors: Osorio DS , Chan FY , Saramago J , Leite J , Silva AM , Sobral AF , Gassmann R , Carvalho AX
Published: May 2018

Cytokinesis in animal cells requires the assembly of a contractile actomyosin ring, whose subsequent constriction physically separates the two daughter cells. Non-muscle myosin II (myosin) is essential for cytokinesis, but the role of its motor activity remains poorly defined. Here, we examine cytokinesis inC. elegansone-cell embryos expressing myosin motor mutants generated by genome editing. Motor-dead myosin, which is capable of binding F-actin, does not support cytokinesis, and embryos co-expressing motor-dead and wild-type myosin are delayed in cytokinesis. Partially motor-impaired myosin also delays cytokinesis and renders contractile rings more sensitive to reduced myosin levels. Thus, myosin motor activity, rather than its ability to cross-link actin filaments, drives contractile ring assembly and constriction. We further demonstrate that myosin motor activity is required for long-range cortical actin flows, but that flowsper seplay a minor role in contractile ring assembly. Our results suggest that flow-independent recruitment of motor-competent myosin to the cell equator is both essential and rate-limiting for cytokinesis.
The role of gene flow in rapid and repeated evolution of cave related traits in Mexican tetra,Astyanax mexicanus
Authors: Herman Adam , Brandvain Yaniv , Weagley James , Jeffery William R. , Keene Alex C. , Kono Thomas J. Y. , Bilandžija Helena , Borowsky Richard , Espinasa Luis , O’Quin Kelly , Ornelas-García Claudia P. , Yoshizawa Masato , Carlson Brian , Maldonado Ernesto , Gross Joshua B. , Cartwright Reed A. , Rohner Nicolas , Warren Wesley C. , McGaugh Suzanne E.
Published: May 2018

Understanding the molecular basis of repeated evolved phenotypes can yield key insights into the evolutionary process. Quantifying the amount of gene flow between populations is especially important in interpreting mechanisms of repeated phenotypic evolution, and genomic analyses have revealed that admixture is more common between diverging lineages than previously thought. In this study, we resequenced and analyzed nearly 50 whole genomes of the Mexican tetra from three blind cave populations, two surface populations, and outgroup samples. We confirmed that cave populations are polyphyletic and twoAstyanax mexicanuslineages are present in our dataset. The two lineages likely diverged ∼257k generations ago, which, assuming 1 generation per year, is substantially younger than previous mitochondrial estimates of 5-7mya. Divergence of cave populations from their phylogenetically closest surface population likely occurred between ∼161k - 191k generations ago. The favored demographic model for most population pairs accounts for divergence with secondary contact and heterogeneous gene flow across the genome, and we rigorously identified abundant gene flow between cave and surface fish, between caves, and between separate lineages of cave and surface fish. Therefore, the evolution of cave-related traits occurred more rapidly than previously thought, and trogolomorphic traits are maintained despite substantial gene flow with surface populations. After incorporating these new demographic estimates, our models support that selection may drive the evolution of cave-derived traits, as opposed to the classic hypothesis of disuse and drift. Finally, we show that a key QTL is enriched for genomic regions with very low divergence between caves, suggesting that regions important for cave phenotypes may be transferred between caves via gene flow. In sum, our study shows that shared evolutionary history via gene flow must be considered in studies of independent, repeated trait evolution.
Hepatitis C virus NS5A inhibitor daclatasvir allosterically impairs NS4B-involved protein-protein interactions within the viral replicase and disrupts the replicase quaternary structure in a replicase assembly surrogate system
Authors: Zhang Yang , Zou Jingyi , Zhao Xiaomin , Yuan Zhenghong , Yi Zhigang
Published: May 2018

Daclatasvir (DCV) is a highly potent direct-acting antiviral that targets the non-structural protein 5A (NS5A) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and has achieved great clinical successes. Previous studies demonstrate its impact on the viral replication complex assembly. However the precise mechanism by which DCV impairs the replication complex assembly remains elusive. In this study, by using HCV subgenomic replicons and a viral replicase assembly surrogate system that expresses the HCV NS3-5B polyprotein to mimic the viral replicase assembly, we dissected the impacts of DCV on aggregation and tertiary structure of NS5A, the protein-protein interactions within the viral replicase and the quaternary structure of the viral replicase. We found that DCV didn’t affect aggregation and tertiary structure of NS5A. DCV induced a quaternary structural change of the viral replicase, evidenced by selectively increasing of the NS4B’s sensitivity to proteinase K digestion. Mechanically, DCV impaired the NS4B-involved protein-protein interactions within the viral replicase. The DCV-resistant mutant Y93H was refractory to the DCV-induced reduction of the NS4B-invoved protein interactions and the quaternary structural change of the viral replicase. In addition, Y93H reduced NS4B-involed protein-protein interactions within the viral replicase and attenuated viral replication. We propose that DCV may induce a position change of NS5A, which allosterically affects the protein interactions within the replicase components and disrupts the replicase assembly.

Importance

The development of the direct-acting antivirals (DAA) has resulted in great clinical achievements for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) treatment. Daclatasvir (DCV) is an inhibitor targeting the non-enzymatic NS5A, with the 50% effective concentration values in the picomolar range. Accumulated data suggest that DCV blocks the biogenesis of the HCV replication complex. However the mechanistic actions of DCV are still largely unknown. Insights into the action mechanism of DCV on the viral replication complex assembly of HCV may enlighten the development of next generation of DAAs and new anti-viral strategies for other positive-strand RNA viruses for which there are a scarcity of DAAs. Herein, using HCV subgenomic replicons and a viral replicase assembly surrogate system, we dissected the mechanistic actions of DCV on the viral replicase assembly. We found that DCV allosterically impairs NS4B-involved protein-protein interactions within the viral replicase and disrupts the quaternary structure of the viral replicase.
A capsular polysaccharide-expressing live vaccine suppresses streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome and provides sequence type-independent protection during Streptococcus suis infection
Authors: Li Zhiwei , Chang Peixi , Xu Jiali , Tan Chen , Wang Xiaohong , Bei Weicheng , Li Jinquan
Published: May 2018

Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is an encapsulated zoonotic pathogen, which is responsible for bacterial meningitis and streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome (STSLS). Despite many attempts to develop an effective vaccine, none is currently available. Here, a capsular polysaccharide (CPS)-expressing attenuated mutant 2015033 was constructed by deleting five virulence-associated factors (sly, scpA, ssnA, fhb, and ssads) in an outbreak S. suis strain SC19. Genes mentioned above are associated with either innate immunity-evading or tissue barrier-invading. Deletion of these genes did not impact the growth ability and CPS generation of 2015033, and the mutant exhibited no hemolytic activity to erythrocytes and no cytotoxicity to different epithelial or endothelial cells. In addition, 2015033 was more easily eliminated by whole human blood in vitro and by mouse blood in vivo. In addition, 2015033 showed a diminished invasive ability in different mouse organs (brain, lung, and liver) and avirulent properties in mice associated with weak inflammation-inducing ability. Immunization with 2015033 triggered T cell-dependent immunity and this immunity suppressed STSLS during SC19 infection by inhibiting excessive proinflammatory responses. In addition, immunization with 2015033 successfully conferred sequence type (STs)-independent protection to mice during heterogeneous infections (ST1, ST7, and ST658). This study presents the feasibility of the strategy of multi-gene deletion for the development of promising live vaccines against invasive encapsulated pathogens.

IMPORTANCE

S. suis is a traditional zoonotic agent causing human meningitis and STSLS, which is also a neglected emerging food-borne pathogen. Increasing antimicrobial resistance invokes reduction of preventative use of antibiotics in livestock creating an urgent need for effective vaccines. Given the expression of CPS is the basis for promising vaccines against encapsulated pathogens, and in order to find an effective and economical strategy for CPS-based vaccine development, multi-gene deletion was introduced into the design of a S. suis vaccine for the first time. From our results, CPS-expressing attenuated mutant 2015033 exhibited diminished evasive ability against the innate immune system and reduced invasive properties against different host barriers. To our knowledge, 2015033 is the first STSLS-suppressing S. suis vaccine to provide STs-independent protection during heterogeneous infections.
Systematic Review on Barriers and Facilitators for Access to Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Services
Authors: Prabhath Nishantha Piyasena M.M. , Murthy Gudlavalleti Venkata S. , Yip Jennifer L.Y. , Gilbert Clare , Zuurmond Maria , Peto Tunde , Gordon Iris , Hewage Suwin , Kamalakannan Sureshkumar
Published: May 2018

Objectives

The aim of this systematic review is to identify the barriers/enablers for the people with diabetes (PwDM) in accessing DRS services (DRSS) and challenges/facilitators for the providers.

Background

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) can lead to visual impairment and blindness if not detected and treated in time. Achievement of an acceptable level of screening coverage is a challenge in any setting. Both patient-related and provider-related factors affect provision of DR screening (DRS) and uptake of services.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL in the Cochrane Library from the databases start date to September 2016. We included the studies reported on barriers and enablers to access DRS by PwDM and studies which have assessed barriers or facilitators experienced by the providers in provision of DRSS. We identified and classified the studies that used quantitative or qualitative methods for data collection and analysis in reporting themes of barriers and enablers.

Main Results

We included 63 studies primarily describing the barriers and enablers. The findings of these studies were based on PwDM from different socio-economic backgrounds and different levels of income settings. Most of the studies were from high income settings (48/63, 76.2%) and cross sectional in design (49/63, 77.8%). From the perspectives of users, lack of knowledge, attitude, awareness and motivation were identified as major barriers to access DRSS. The enablers to access DRSS were fear of blindness, proximity of screening facility, experiences of vision loss and being concerned of eye complications. Providers often mentioned that lack of awareness and knowledge among the PwDM was the main barrier to access. In their perspective lack of skilled human resources, training programs and infrastructure of retinal imaging and cost of services were the main obstacles in provision of screening services.

Conclusion

Knowing the barriers to access DRS is a pre-requisite in development of a successful screening program. The awareness, knowledge and attitude of the consumers, availability of skilled human resources and infrastructure emerged as the major barriers to access to DRS in any income setting.
Stress-induced alterations of norepinephrine release in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis of mice
Authors: Schmidt Karl T. , Makhijani Viren H. , Boyt Kristen M. , Pati Dipanwita , Pina Melanie M. , Bravo Isabel M. , Locke Jason L. , Jones Sara R. , Besheer Joyce , McElligott Zoé A.
Published: May 2018

Stress can drive adaptive changes to maintain survival during threatening stimuli. Chronic stress exposure, however, may result in pathological adaptations. A key neurotransmitter involved in stress signaling is norepinephrine. Previous studies show that stress elevates norepinephrine levels in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), a critical node regulating anxiety and upstream of stress responses. Here, we use mice expressing channelrhodopsin in norepinephrine neurons to selectively activate terminals in the BNST, and measure norepinephrine release with fast-scan cyclic voltammetry. Mice exposed to a single restraint session show an identical norepinephrine release profile compared to that of unexposed mice. Mice experiencing five days of restraint stress, however, show elevated noradrenergic release across multiple stimulation parameters, and reduced sensitivity to the α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist idazoxan. These data are the first to examine norepinephrine release in the BNST to tonic and phasic stimulation frequencies, and confirm that repeated stress alters autoreceptor sensitivity.
Large-scale docking predicts that sORF-encoded peptides may function through protein-peptide interactions in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Hazarika Rashmi R. , Sostaric Nikolina , Sun Yifeng , van Noort Vera
Published: May 2018

Several recent studies indicate that small Open Reading Frames (sORFs) embedded within multiple eukaryotic non-coding RNAs can be translated into bioactive peptides of up to 100 amino acids in size. However, the functional roles of the 607 Stress Induced Peptides (SIPs) previously identified from 189 Transcriptionally Active Regions (TARs) inArabidopsis thalianaremain unclear. To provide a starting point for function annotation of these peptides, we performed a large-scale prediction of peptide binding sites on protein surfaces using and coarse-grained peptide docking. The docked models were subjected to further atomistic refinement and binding energy calculations. A total of 530 peptide-protein pairs were successfully docked. In cases where a peptide encoded by a TAR is predicted to bind at a known ligand or cofactor-binding site within the protein, it can be assumed that the peptide modulates the ligand or cofactor-binding. Moreover, we predict that several peptides bind at protein-protein interfaces, which could therefore regulate the formation of the respective complexes. Protein-peptide binding analysis further revealed that peptides employ both their backbone and side chain atoms when binding to the protein, forming predominantly hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds. In this study, we have generated novel predictions on the potential protein-peptide interactions inA. thaliana, which will help in further experimental validation.

Author summary

Due to their small size, short peptides are difficult to find and have been ignored in genome annotations. Only recently, we have realized that these short peptides of less than 100 amino acids may actually play an important role in the cell. Currently, there are no high-throughput methods to find out what the functions of these peptides are in contrast with efforts that exist for ‘normal’proteins. In this work, we try to fill this gap by predicting with which larger proteins, the short peptides might interact to exert their function. We find that many peptides bind to pockets where normally other proteins or molecules bind. We thus think that these peptides that are induced by stress, may regulate protein-protein and protein-molecule binding. We make this information available through our database ARA-PEPs so that individual predictions can be followed up.
Complexity of ABA signaling for stomatal development and aperture regulation
Authors: Jalakas Pirko , Merilo Ebe , Kollist Hannes , Brosché Mikael
Published: May 2018

Stomata, small pores on the surfaces of leaves formed by a pair of guard cells, adapt rapidly to changes in the environment by adjusting the aperture width. As a long term response, the number of stomata is regulated during stomatal development. The hormone abscisic acid (ABA) regulates both processes. In ABA mediated guard cell signaling the protein kinase OPEN STOMATA1 (OST1) has a central role, as stomatal closure in the ost1 mutant is impaired in response to ABA and to different environmental stimuli. We aimed to dissect the contribution of different ABA-related regulatory mechanisms in determining stomatal conductance, a combination of stomatal density and aperture width, and crossed the ost1 mutant with mutants that either decreased (aba3) or increased (cyp707a1/a3) the concentration of ABA in plants. The double mutant ost1 aba3 had higher stomatal conductance than either parent due to a combination of increased stomatal aperture width and higher stomatal density. In the triple mutant ost1 cyp707a1/a3 stomatal conductance was significantly lower compared to ost1-3 due to lower stomatal density. Further characterization of the single, double and triple mutants showed that responses to treatments that lead to stomatal closure were impaired in ost1 as well as ost1 aba3 and ost1 cyp707a1/a3 mutants, supporting a critical role for OST1 in stomatal aperture regulation. Based on our results, we suggest that there are two signaling pathways to regulate water flux from leaves i.e. stomatal conductance: an ABA-dependent pathway that determines stomatal density independent of OST1; and an OST1-dependent pathway that regulates rapid changes in stomatal aperture.
Thermostabilization and purification of the human dopamine transporter (hDAT) in an inhibitor and allosteric ligand bound conformation
Authors: Navratna Vikas , Tosh Dilip K. , Jacobson Kenneth A. , Gouaux Eric
Published: May 2018

The human dopamine transporter(hDAT) plays a major role in dopamine homeostasis and regulation of neurotransmission by clearing dopamine from the extracellular space using secondary active transport. Dopamine is an essential monoamine chemical messenger that regulates reward seeking behavior, motor control, hormonal release, and emotional response in humans. Psychostimulants such as cocaine primarily target the central binding site of hDAT and lock the transporter in an outward-facing conformation, thereby inhibiting dopamine reuptake. The inhibition of dopamine reuptake leads to accumulation of dopamine in the synapse causing heightened signaling. In addition, hDAT is implicated in various neurological disorders and disease-associated neurodegeneration. Despite its significance, the molecular architecture of hDAT and its various conformational states are poorly understood. Instability of hDAT in detergent micelles has been a limiting factor in its successful biochemical, biophysical, and structural characterization. To overcome this hurdle, first we identified ligands that stabilize hDAT in detergent micelles. Then, we screened ∼200 single residue mutants of hDAT using high-throughput scintillation proximity assay, and identified a thermostable variant(I248Y). Here we report a robust strategy to overexpress and successfully purify a thermostable variant of hDAT in an inhibitor and allosteric ligand bound conformation.
Age-related macular degeneration affects the optic radiation white matter projecting to locations of retinal damage
Authors: Yoshimine Shoyo , Ogawa Shumpei , Horiguchi Hiroshi , Terao Masahiko , Miyazaki Atsushi , Matsumoto Kenji , Tsuneoka Hiroshi , Nakano Tadashi , Masuda Yoichiro , Pestilli Franco
Published: May 2018

Purpose

We investigated the impact of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) on visual acuity and the visual white matter.

Methods

We combined an adaptive cortical atlas and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) and tractography to separate optic radiation (OR) projections to different retinal eccentricities in human primary visual cortex. We exploited the known anatomical organization of the OR and clinically relevant data to segment the OR into three primary components projecting to fovea, mid- and far-periphery. We measured white matter tissue properties – (fractional anisotropy, linearity, planarity, sphericity) along the aforementioned three components of the optic radiation to compare AMD patients and controls.

Results

We found differences in white matter properties specific to OR white matter fascicles projecting to primary visual cortex locations corresponding to the location of retinal damage (fovea). Additionally, we show that the magnitude of white matter properties in AMD patients’ correlates with visual acuity. In sum, we demonstrate a specific relation between visual loss, anatomical location of retinal damage and white matter damage in AMD patients. Importantly, we demonstrate that these changes are so profound that can be detected using magnetic resonance imaging data with clinical resolution. The conserved mapping between retinal and white matter damage suggests that retinal neurodegeneration might be a primary cause of white matter degeneration in AMD patients.

Conclusions

The results highlight the impact of eye disease on brain tissue, a process that may become an important target to monitor during the course of treatment.
In situ coherent X-ray diffraction imaging of radiation-induced mass loss in metal–polymer composite spheres
Authors: Skjønsfjell Eirik Torbjørn Bakken , Chushkin Yuriy , Zontone Federico , Breiby Dag Werner
Published: May 2018

A major limitation to the use of coherent X-ray diffraction imaging (CXDI) for imaging soft materials like polymers and biological tissue is that the radiation can cause extensive damage to the sample under investigation. In this study, CXDI has been used to monitor radiation-induced structural changes in metal-coated poly(methyl methacrylate) microspheres. Using a coherent undulator X-ray beam with 8.10 keV photon energy, 14 tomograms at a resolution of ∼30 nm were measured consecutively, which resulted in an accumulated dose of 30 GGy. The three-dimensional images confirmed that the polymer core was strongly affected by the absorbed dose, giving pronounced mass loss. Specifically, as the metal–polymer composite was exposed to the X-ray beam, a bubble-like region of reduced density grew within the composite, almost filling the entire volume within the thin metallic shell in the last tomogram. The bubble seemed to have its initiation point at a hole in the metal coating, emphasizing that the free polymer surface plays an important role in the degradation process. The irradiation of an uncoated polystyrene microsphere gave further evidence for mass loss at the free surface as the radius decreased with increased dose. The CXDI study was complemented by X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy, which proved efficient in establishing exposure dose limits. Our results demonstrate that radiation-induced structural changes at the tens of nanometer scale in soft materials can be followed as a function of dose, which is important for the further development of soft-matter technology.
An all-diamond X-ray position and flux monitor using nitrogen-incorporated ultra-nanocrystalline diamond contacts
Authors: Zou Mengnan , Gaowei Mengjia , Zhou Tianyi , Sumant Anirudha V. , Jaye Cherno , Fisher Daniel A. , Bohon Jen , Smedley John , Muller Erik M.
Published: May 2018

Diamond X-ray detectors with conducting nitrogen-incorporated ultra-nanocrystalline diamond (N-UNCD) films as electrodes were fabricated to measure X-ray beam flux and position. Structural characterization and functionality tests were performed for these devices. The N-UNCD films grown on unseeded diamond substrates were compared with N-UNCD films grown on a seeded silicon substrate. The feasibility of the N-UNCD films acting as electrodes for X-ray detectors was confirmed by the stable performance in a monochromatic X-ray beam. The fabrication process is able to change the surface status which may influence the signal uniformity under low bias, but this effect can be neglected under full collection bias.
The crystal structures of iron and cobalt pyridine (py)–sulfates, [Fe(SO4)(py)4]
n
and [Co3(SO4)3(py)11]
n
Authors: Pham Duyen N. K. , Roy Mrittika , Kreider-Mueller Ava , Golen James A. , Manke David R.
Published: May 2018

The solid-state structures of two metal–pyridine–sulfate compounds, namely catena-poly[[tetrakis(pyridine-κN)iron(II)]-μ-sulfato-κ2
O:O′], [Fe(SO4)(C5H5N)4]
n
, (1), and catena-poly[[tetrakis(pyridine-κN)cobalt(II)]-μ-sulfato-κ2
O:O′-[tetrakis(pyridine-κN)cobalt(II)]-μ-sulfato-κ3
O,O′:O′′-[tris(pyridine-κN)cobalt(II)]-μ-sulfato-κ2
O:O′], [Co3(SO4)3(C5H5N)11]
n
, (2), are reported. The iron compound (1) displays a polymeric structure, with infinite chains of FeII atoms adopting octahedral N4O2 coordination environments that involve four pyridine ligands and two bridging sulfate ligands. The cobalt compound (2) displays a polymeric structure, with infinite chains of CoII atoms. Two of the three Co centers have an octahedral N4O2 coordination environment that involves four pyridine ligands and two bridging sulfate ligands. The third Co center has an octahedral N3O3 coordination environment that involves three pyridine ligands, and two bridging sulfate ligands with one sulfate chelating the cobalt atom.
Tetraethylammonium (acetonitrile)trichloridopalladate(II)
Authors: Oberley Alan J. , Kadel Lava R. , Senaratne Nilmini K. , Eichhorn David M.
Published: May 2018

A new square-planar palladium complex salt, (C8H20N)[PdCl3(C2H3N)], has been formed with one of the Cl atoms in tetrachloridopalladate(II) replaced by an acetonitrile coordinated through the N atom. This compound could be a useful precursor for synthesis of palladium complexes. The complex salt crystallizes in the monoclinicP21/cspace group.
catena-Poly[bis(4-methylbenzylammonium) [[dibromidocadmate(II)]-di-μ-bromido]]
Authors: Aarthi Ramkumar , Thiruvalluvar Aravazhi Amalan , Ramachandra Raja Chidambaram
Published: May 2018

The asymmetric unit of the centrosymmetric organic–inorganic hybrid salt, {(C8H12N)2[CdBr4]}
n
, comprises of one 4-methylbenzylammonium cation and one half of a disordered [CdBr4]2− anion that is completed by application of mirror symmetry. The resulting CdBr6 octahedra share edges to form 2
∞[CdBr4/2Br2/2]2− layers parallel to the ac plane. Cations and anions are connected by N—H...Br and C—H...Br hydrogen bonds. No π–π stacking interactions are observed between the benzene rings, but C—H...π interactions towards them are found.
Relationship-focused or deal-focused? Building interpersonal bonds within B2B relationships
Authors: Glinska-Newes Aldona , Escher Iwona , Brzustewicz Pawel , Szostek Dawid , Petrykowska Joanna
Published: May 2018

Purpose

There is a research gap regarding frameworks identifying the specific activities and resources used by companies to build and enhance social ties between them and business actors. The purpose of this paper is to identify those activities and resources and propose a model of them for referring to successive stages of business relationship-building.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative research was conducted in the form of 16 semi-structured in-depth individual interviews in four companies operating in Poland, representing the construction, chemical, alcoholic beverages and automotive industries.

Findings

Resources and activities used by companies to build and strengthen interpersonal bonds within business relationships may be categorised according to the dimension of relationship-focused (RF) vs deal-focused (DF) approach. In the companies analysed, the RF approach appeared dominant, while some symptoms of changes towards a DF approach were observed.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed model of resources and activities used in companies at successive stages of business relationship-building extends the understanding of how high-quality relationships are built. The study is exploratory in nature and aims to inspire further in-depth analyses, including cross-cultural comparisons.

Practical implications

The paper helps managers in their day-to-day management of B2B relationships. It provides particular guidelines for business people seeking a potential business partner in Poland and other countries with a communist past.

Originality/value

The paper’s originality results from combining the behavioural approach to B2B relationships with the concept of the RF vs DF approach. The latter concept is based on the experience and observations of its author and, as such, has so far received limited attention in the literature.
The influence of political risk, inertia and imitative behavior on the location choice of Chinese multinational enterprises
Authors: Quer Diego , Claver Enrique , Rienda Laura
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Drawing on the institutional perspective, the purpose of this paper is to investigate how state ownership moderates the relationships between political risk, inertia and mimetic behavior, and the location choice of Chinese multinational enterprises (MNEs).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors argue that state ownership leads Chinese firms to behave toward political risk in an unconventional way, and that government support makes them less dependent on their own and other Chinese firms’ prior host country experience. The authors tested the hypotheses using data on outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) decisions made by 186 Chinese firms in 93 countries.

Findings

The authors found that Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs), compared to non-SOEs, are more likely to move into countries with high political risk, and that they are less likely to be inertial and mimetic.

Originality/value

Building on the distinction between macro- and micro-political risk, The authors contribute to the political risk literature by developing several arguments that explains why political risk varies across investing firms in a given host country. Moreover, this is one of the first studies of its kind to investigate the moderating effect of state ownership on the relationship between inertial and mimetic behavior, and the location choice of Chinese MNEs.
Advancing research on the determinants of Indian MNEs: the role of sub-national institutions
Authors: Nayyar Rishika
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide directions for advancing the research on determinants of outward foreign direct investment (FDI) from India.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses literature review as a method to identify a research gap in the literature on internationalization of Indian firms.

Findings

The synthesis of the theoretical debate and empirical studies conducted in context of EMNEs, with a particular focus on India and preliminary examination of data on cross-border acquisitions as well as institutions in India lead us to argue for the consideration of institutions at sub-national level (Indian states) in examining the determinants of outward FDI from India. The paper also proposes a conceptual framework relating to the mechanism through which institutions at the state level in India affect the propensity of firms to invest overseas.

Research limitations/implications

Since the propositions are not tested empirically, the paper does not provide conclusive results.

Originality/value

In addition to providing the synthesis of the theoretical debate and empirical studies, paper is, to the best of author’s knowledge, the first one to present a conceptual framework relating institutions at sub-national level with the outward foreign direct investment from India.
How individual’s characteristics influence financial inclusion: evidence from MENAP
Authors: Shihadeh Fadi Hassan
Published: May 2018

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the financial inclusion of individuals living in the Middle East, North African, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAP). It intends to show the influence of these individuals’ characteristics on financial inclusion, using the World Bank Global Findex Database 2014 for 16 countries in the region.

Design/methodology/approach

A probit model is used to examine the marginal effect of financial inclusion of the characteristics of individuals living in the MENAP region. These characteristics include gender, age, income and education. Individual characteristics that are linked to the main financial-inclusion indicators include having a formal account and formal saving and borrowing. The barriers to having a formal account, alternative borrowing sources and motivations for borrowing are also linked to the respondents’ characteristics.

Findings

The results indicate that females and the poor are less likely to be included in financial systems, while education level enhances financial inclusion. As disadvantaged people consider access to credit is important to improving their lives, the study finds that the poor are more likely to borrow for medical issues than for other needs. While Islam is the majority religion in the MENAP region, it is not considered a barrier to having a formal bank account. Furthermore, people in different income quintiles are more likely to use informal financial sources, while the educated are more likely to use formal ones.

Practical implications

The results show that policymakers in MENAP should make more of an effort to enhance financial inclusion as a way to enhance economic development in the region. Also, governments institutions, such as central banks, financial ministries and other institutions, could build on these results to enhance financial inclusion as a way toward development in the MENAP region.

Originality/value

To the author’s best knowledge, this is the first study to examine the influence of individuals’ characteristics on financial inclusion in the MENAP region.
Demonstrating the value of “library as place” with the MISO Survey
Authors: Baker Neal , Furlong Katherine , Consiglio David , Lankewicz Holbert Gentry , Milberg Craig , Reynolds Kevin , Wilson Joshua
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold. It first examines cross-institutional benchmark data about “library as place” from 99 US schools in the Measuring Information Service Outcomes (MISO) Survey (www.misosurvey.org). The data demonstrate the value of “library as place” to students in particular. Second, the paper shares case studies of how two college libraries made MISO Survey “library as place” data actionable. Lafayette College (Easton, Pennsylvania) analyzed local MISO Survey data after a renovation to validate return on investment. Earlham College (Richmond, Indiana) analyzed MISO Survey data to help secure a science library renovation and to justify an architectural study for its main library.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper begins with an analysis of “library as place” using aggregate benchmarks derived from US college and university respondents between 2012 and 2015. Specifically, the paper contrasts student and faculty perceptions of “library as place” via national benchmarks about: library services importance, satisfaction, and use (three benchmarks); hybrid online/“place-based” library services importance, satisfaction, and use (three benchmarks). Pivoting from higher education to individual, local perspectives, two case studies reveal how academic libraries used MISO Survey findings to demonstrate the value of “library as place” for renovation purposes.

Findings

The findings include that undergraduates make more frequent use than faculty of place-based services such as reference, equipment loans, and physical course reserves. Undergraduates also find most of these services more important than faculty do. Faculty makes generally more frequent use than undergraduates of online services such as library databases and the catalog. They find that these services to be more important than undergraduates do. Faculty and undergraduates use newer library discovery systems with equal frequency and find them to be equally important. Undergraduates find comfortable library spaces to be very important, and faculty considers them to be only a bit less important.

Originality/value

This is the first paper using MISO Survey data to focus on the importance and satisfaction of place-based library services involving cross-institutional comparisons for students and faculty. Previously published research using MISO Survey data have compared the use of place-based library services. This is also the first paper to offer case studies about how institutions use MISO Survey data to demonstrate the value of “library as place.”
Federalism and Tax Reform
Authors: Freebairn John
Published: June 2018

The form and potential contributions of cooperative federalism and the additional skills and tasks required of the public service to turn well‐known and developed tax reforms into actual reforms are evaluated. Cooperative federalism seems necessary for reforms involving state taxes and changes in the mix of taxes. Additional public sector skills and involvement in developing details of tax reform packages and their implementation, and then monitoring the outcomes, are important to raise community understanding of, and confidence in, taxation reform.
Pump Up the Volume: Making Health and Wellbeing the Centre Stage of Economic Growth
Authors: Scott Anthony
Published: June 2018

The aim of this article is to comment on ‘Healthier Australians’, Chapter 2 in the Productivity Commission's report Shifting the Dial. The report elevates health and wellbeing to a central role in lifting the nation's productivity. The main recommendations centre around better information in the health care system and improving the architecture of the system to ensure more decentralised decision making. If acted upon, these solid building blocks could provide significant opportunities to save lives and improve the health of the population and the wealth of the country.
Vaccination of Urological Cancer Patients With WT1 Peptide‐Pulsed Dendritic Cells in Combination With Molecular Targeted Therapy or Conventional Chemotherapy Induces Immunological and Clinical Responses
Authors: Ogasawara Masahiro , Miyashita Mamiko , Ota Shuichi
Published: May 2018

The prognosis of metastatic or relapsed renal cell carcinoma (RCC) or bladder cancer (BC) remains poor despite the introduction of immune checkpoint blockade agents. We aimed to investigate the safety and the feasibility of a vaccination with WT1 peptide‐loaded dendritic cells (DCs) and OK‐432 adjuvant combined with molecular targeted therapy or conventional chemotherapy. Five eligible patients with metastatic or relapsed RCC and five eligible patients with BC were enrolled. No severe adverse events related to a vaccination were observed. Seven patients with RCC or non‐muscle invasive BC had durable stable disease and three other patients had disease progression after DC vaccination. DC vaccination augmented WT1 specific immunity and the reduction of regulatory T cells which might be related to clinical outcome. These results indicate that DC‐based immunotherapy combined with a molecular targeted therapy or a conventional chemotherapy is safe and feasible for patients in advanced stage of RCC or BC.
Identification of salivary proteins in Aedes togoi (Theobald) that bind to mouse immunoglobulin E
Authors: Choi Kyung‐Min , Lee Kyeong‐Yeoll , Jeon Soung‐Hoo
Published: May 2018

Mosquito saliva contains a number of immunogenic molecules that can induce allergic reactions in host animals. The oriental tiger mosquito, Aedes togoi (Theobald), feeds on both humans and animals and is also a vector of various pathogenic viruses. However, information on immunogenic antigens in the saliva of this mosquito species is scarce. In this study, we used immunohistochemical staining and confocal microscopy to determine the fine structure of the acini lobes of salivary glands of A. togoi. In addition, we identified proteins from salivary gland extracts that reacted to mouse immunoglobulin E in an immunoblot analysis. At least nine proteins, ranging in size from 10 to 145 kDa, bound to IgEs; a 33 and 57.5 kDa protein showed the strongest binding signal. Our results provide important information on the identities of potential allergens in mosquito saliva.
Extraction of chitin and chitosan from larval exuvium and whole body of edible mealworm, Tenebrio molitor
Authors: Song Yong‐Su , Kim Min‐Woo , Moon Chaeyeong , Seo Dong‐Jun , Han Yeon Soo , Jo Yong Hun , Noh Mi Young , Park Young‐Kyu , Kim Sun‐Am , Kim Young Wook , Jung Woo‐Jin
Published: May 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the production of chitin and chitosan from both the exuvium and whole body of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae. Chitin from the exuvium and whole body of T. molitor larvae was chemically extracted with acid and alkali solutions to achieve demineralization (DM) and deproteinization (DP), respectively. The average DM (%) and DP (%) on a dry weight (DW) basis was 32.56 and 73.16% from larval exuvium, and 41.68 and 91.53% from whole body, respectively. To obtain chitosan, chitin particles from the exuvium and whole body of T. molitor larva were heated at various temperatures in different concentrations of NaOH. Average chitin yields were 18.01% and 4.92% of DW from the exuvium and whole body, respectively. The relative average yield of chitosan from whole body was 3.65% of DW. On average, over 90% of chitosan derived from whole body was deacetylated. The viscosity of chitosan from whole body was ranged from 48.0 cP to 54.0 cP. The chitin content of dry and wet byproducts from whole body were 17.32% and 16.94% respectively, compared to dry weight. The chitosan contents of byproducts on a DW basis were 14.48% in dry and 13.07% in wet byproduct. These results indicate that the exuvium and whole body of T. molitor larva may serve as a source of chitin and chitosan for use in domestic animal feed.
The Ornithodolite as a tool to quantify animal space use and habitat selection: a case study with birds diving in tidal waters
Authors: COLE Emma-Louise , WAGGITT James J , HEDENSTROM Anders , PIANO Marco , HOLTON Mark D. , BÖRGER Luca , SHEPARD Emily L. C.
Published: May 2018

Animal‐attached technologies can be powerful means to quantify space use and behavior; however, there are also ethical implications associated with capturing and instrumenting animals. Furthermore, tagging approaches are not necessarily well‐suited for examining the movements of multiple individuals within specific, local areas of interest. Here, we assess a method of quantifying animal space use based on a modified theodolite with an inbuilt laser rangefinder. Using a database of >4200 tracks of migrating birds, we show that detection distance increases with bird body mass (range 5 g to >10 kg). The maximum distance recorded to a bird was 5500 m and measurement error was ≤5 m for targets within this distance range: a level comparable to methods such as GPS tagging. We go on to present a case study where this method was used to assess habitat selection in seabirds operating in dynamic coastal waters close to a tidal turbine. Combining positional data with outputs from a hydrographic model revealed that great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) appeared to be highly selective of current characteristics in space and time, exploiting areas where mean current speeds were <0.8 m·s−1 and diving at times when turbulent energy levels were low. These birds also oriented into tidal currents during dives. Taken together, this suggests that collision risks are low for cormorants at this site, as the 2 conditions avoided by cormorants (high mean current speeds and turbulence levels) are associated with operational tidal turbines. Overall, we suggest that this modified theodolite system is well‐suited to the quantification of movement in small areas associated with particular development strategies, including sustainable energy devices.
Response to lipopolysaccharide in Octodon degus pups produces age‐related sickness behavior but does not have effects in juveniles
Authors: RAMIREZ‐OTAROLA Natalia , ESPINOZA Janyra , KALERGIS Alexis M. , SABAT Pablo
Published: May 2018

During vertebrate development, the immune function is inefficient and is mainly controlled by innate defense. While there have been detailed studies of various aspects of innate immune function, the effects of this function in the growth of vertebrates is still not well known. Similarly, there is little information regarding how early endotoxin exposure would affect juvenile phenotypes, specifically in a non‐model mammal like a precocial rodent. We evaluated the response to an antigen and its cost in offspring of the rodent Octodon degus. We inoculated pups at 4 different ages (8, 15, 22 and 30 days after birth) with an antigen to determine the ontogeny and costs of the response to an endotoxin. We assessed changes in body mass, body temperature, sickness behavior and the levels of a key mediator of the inflammatory response, the cytokine interleukin‐1β. We also determined the effects of early endotoxin exposure on the resting metabolic rate of juvenile animals (i.e. 90 days after birth). The cytokine levels, body mass and body temperature were unaffected by time of inoculation and treatment. However, pups subjected to inoculation at 22 days after birth with the antigen showed reduced locomotion. Juvenile resting metabolic rate was not affected by early endotoxin exposure. These results suggest that the magnitude of O. degus responses would not change with age. We discuss whether the lack of effect of the response on body mass or body condition is caused by environmental variables or by the precocial characteristics of O. degus.