bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling site-specific amino-acid preferences deepens phylogenetic estimates of viral divergence
Authors: Hilton Sarah K , Bloom Jesse D
Published: April 2018

Molecular phylogenetics is often used to estimate the time since the divergence of modern gene sequences. For highly diverged sequences, such phylogenetic techniques sometimes estimate surprisingly recent divergence times. In the case of viruses, independent evidence indicates that the estimates of deep divergence times from molecular phylogenetics are sometimes too recent. This discrepancy is caused in part by inadequate models of purifying selection leading to branch-length underestimation. Here we examine the effect on branch-length estimation of using models that incorporate experimental measurements of purifying selection. We find that models informed by experimentally measured site-specific amino-acid preferences estimate longer deep branches on phylogenies of influenza virus hemagglutinin. This lengthening of branches is due to more realistic stationary states of the models, and is mostly independent of the branch-length-extension from modeling site-to-site variation in amino-acid substitution rate. The branch-length extension from experimentally informed site-specific models is similar to that achieved by other approaches that allow the stationary state to vary across sites. However, the improvements from all of these site-specific but time-homogeneous and site-independent models are limited by the fact that a protein's amino-acid preferences gradually shift as it evolves. Overall, our work underscores the importance of modeling site-specific amino-acid preferences when estimating deep divergence times---but also shows the inherent limitations of approaches that fail to account for how these preferences shift over time.
A geometric approach to scaling individual distributions to macroecological patterns
Authors: Takashina Nao , Kusumoto Buntarou , Kubota Yasuhiro , Economo Evan P.
Published: April 2018

Understanding macroecological patterns across scales is a central goal of ecology and a key need for conservation biology. Much research has focused on quantifying and understanding macroecological patterns such as the species-area relationship (SAR), the endemic-area relationship (EAR) and relative species abundance curve (RSA). Understanding how these aggregate patterns emerge from underlying spatial pattern at individual level, and how they relate to each other, has both basic and applied relevance. To address this challenge, we develop a novel spatially explicit geometric framework to understand multiple macroecological patterns, including the SAR, EAR, RSA, and their relationships, using theory of point processes. The geometric approach provides a theoretical framework to derive SAR, EAR, and RSA from species range distributions and the pattern of individual distribution patterns therein. From this model, various well-documented macroecological patterns are recovered, including the tri-phasic SAR on a log-log plot with its asymptotic slope, and various RSAs (e.g., Fisher's logseries and the Poisson lognormal distribution). Moreover, this approach can provide new insights such as a single equation describing the RSA at an arbitrary spatial scale, and explicit forms of the EAR with its asymptotic slope. The theory, which links spatial distributions of individuals and species with macroecological patterns, is ambiguous with regards to the mechanism(s) responsible for the statistical properties of individual distributions and species range sizes. However, our approach can be connected to mechanistic models that make such predictions about lower-level patterns and be used to scale them up to aggregate patterns, and therefore is applicable to many ecological questions. We demonstrate an application of the geometric model to scaling issue of beta diversity.
Discordant expression profile between RNA and protein for the genes involved in immune response network in adenovirus type 2 infected cells
Authors: Zhao Hongxing , Chen Maoshan , Valdés Alberto , Lind Sara Bergström , Pettersson Ulf
Published: April 2018

Alternation of cellular genes expressions during Adenovirus type 2 (Ad2) infection in IMR-90 cells was studied using paired-end sequencing and stable isotope labeling of amino acids in cell culture mass spectrometric analysis (SILAC-MS). At transcriptional level, cellular genes involved in different pathways revealed distinct expression profiles. At early phase, the genes involved in regulation of cellular immune response, cellular signaling and cell growth control were among the most deregulated. Later follows, in an orderly fashion, genes involved in cell cycle control, DNA replication and further on genes engaged in RNA processing and protein translation. Comparison of cellular gene expression at transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels revealed low correlation. Here we highlight the genes which expose opposite expression profiles with an emphasis on key factors that play important roles in cellular immune pathways including NFκB, JAK/STAT, caspases and MAVS. Transcription of many of these genes was transiently induced early, but became down-regulated in the late phase. In contrast, their expressions at protein level were up-regulated early and so sustained until late phase of infection. Suppression at the transcriptional level and enhancement at the protein level of immune response genes most likely illustrate counteractions between Ad2 and its host cell.

Importance

Our paper comprises a state of the art quality transcriptomics data set unravelling the alterations in gene expression that take place during different phases of an adenovirus infection. The information allows us to draw conclusion about the cellular pathways that are perturbed by the virus. The data set also provides an important resource for scientists in general for future studies on mechanisms behind host/virus interactions in efforts to design tools for combatting virus infections.

Moreover, our paper includes novel proteomics information unravelling an unexpected role of post transcriptional events in cellular gene expression, demonstrating that the current picture of the adenovirus replication cycle is simplified.
Hemispheric asymmetry of globus pallidus relates to alpha modulation in reward-related attentional tasks
Authors: Mazzetti C. , Staudigl T. , Marshall T. R. , Zumer J. M. , Fallon S. J. , Jensen O.
Published: April 2018

While subcortical structures like the basal ganglia have been widely explored in relation to motor control, recent evidence suggests that their mechanisms extend to the domain of attentional switching. We here investigated the subcortical involvement in reward related top-down control of visual alpha-band oscillations (8 – 13 Hz), which have been consistently linked to mechanisms supporting the allocation of visuo-spatial attention. Given that items associated with contextual saliency (e.g. monetary reward or loss) attract attention, it is not surprising that the acquired salience of visual items further modulates. The executive networks controlling such reward-dependent modulations of oscillatory brain activity have yet to be fully elucidated. Although such networks have been explored in terms of cortico-cortical interactions, subcortical regions are likely to be involved. To uncover this, we combined MRI and MEG data from 17 male and 11 female participants, investigating whether derived measures of subcortical structural asymmetries predict interhemispheric modulation of alpha power during a spatial attention task. We show that volumetric hemispheric lateralization of globus pallidus (GP) and thalamus (Th) explains individual hemispheric biases in the ability to modulate posterior alpha power. Importantly, for the GP, this effect became stronger when the value-saliency parings in the task increased. Our findings suggest that the GP and Th in humans are part of a subcortical executive control network, differentially involved in modulating posterior alpha activity in the presence of saliency. Further investigation aimed at uncovering the interaction between subcortical and neocortical attentional networks would provide useful insight in future studies.

Significance statement

While the involvement of subcortical regions into higher level cognitive processing, such as attention and reward attribution, has been already indicated in previous studies, little is known about its relationship with the functional oscillatory underpinnings of said processes. In particular, interhemispheric modulation of alpha band (8-13Hz) oscillations, as recorded with magnetoencephalography (MEG), has been previously shown to vary as a function of salience (i.e. monetary reward/loss) in a spatial attention task. We here provide novel insights into the link between subcortical and cortical control of visual attention. Using the same reward-related spatial attention paradigm, we show that the volumetric lateralization of subcortical structures (specifically Globus Pallidus and Thalamus) explains individual biases in the modulation of visual alpha activity.
BioLogic, a parallel approach to cell-based logic gates
Authors: Millacura Felipe A. , Largey Brendan , French Christopher E.
Published: April 2018

In vivo logic gates have proven difficult to combine into larger devices. Our cell-based logic system, BioLogic, decomposes a large circuit into a collection of small subcircuits working in parallel, each subcircuit responding to a different combination of inputs. A final global output is then generated by a combination of the responses. Using BioLogic, for the first time a completely functional 3-bit full adder and full subtractor were generated using Escherichia coli cells; as well as a calculator-style display that shows a numeric result, from 0 to 7, when the proper 3 bit binary inputs are introduced into the system. BioLogic demonstrates the use of a parallel approach for the design of cell-based logic gates that facilitates the generation and analysis of complex processes, without the need for complex genetic engineering.
Holstein Friesian mid-lactation Milk Polar Metabolite Composition in relation to Dietary Fat Composition and Diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 Genotype
Authors: te Pas Marinus F.W. , Vervoort Jacques , Kruijt Leo , Calus Mario P.L. , Smits Mari A.
Published: April 2018

Background

The metabolite composition of cow milk is dependent on a large variety of animal associated factors including diet, genotype and gut microbiome composition. The objective of this study was to investigate changes in cow milk polar metabolite composition resulting from dietary and DGAT1 (Diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1) genotype perturbations.

Methods and Results

Cows were fed a standard diet and a diet supplemented with (poly)unsaturated fatty acids (experimental diet) for ten weeks. Metabolite profiles were determined using 1H NMR (1-Hydrogen Nuclear magnetic resonance) technology. The results showed that the diet affected the polar metabolite composition of milk via the metabolism of the cow and via the metabolism of the gut and rumen microbiota. The experimental diet reduced the metabolic rate, especially the energy metabolism and the amino-sugar and amino acid metabolism, of the cows.

Conclusion

Our results suggests the DGAT1 genotype affects both the diet related polar metabolite metabolism of the cow as well as that of the rumen microbiota. Milk metabolite levels in animals with more DGAT1 A-alleles were higher than milk metabolite levels in animals with more K-alleles.
Identification of a secretion-enhancing cis regulatory targeting element (SECReTE) involved in mRNA localization and protein synthesis
Authors: Cohen-Zontag Osnat , Lim Lisha Qiu Jin , Dahary Dvir , Olender Tsviya , Pilpel Yitzhak , Gerst Jeffrey E.
Published: April 2018

Earlier dogma states that mRNAs encoding secreted and membrane protein (mSMPs) reach the ER in a translation-dependent manner through the signal recognition particle (SRP) pathway. In this pathway, the signal sequence of the translation product is recognized by SRP and the mRNA-ribosome-nascent-chain-SRP complex is recruited to the ER via the interaction with an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized SRP receptor. This model suggests that the translation product dictates the delivery of mRNAs to the ER and that the mRNA is a passive passenger. However, new evidence challenges this model and implies the existence of both translation - and SRP-independent mRNA localization to the ER, raising the possibility that mRNAs have an active role in determining their localization to the ER.

Besides serving as a template for protein translation, mRNAs carry information required for other regulatory processes such as mRNA processing, translation and transcription efficiency, degradation and localization. In yeast, mRNA localization governed by cis-acting sequence elements has been characterized for asymmetrically (e.g. bud) localized mRNAs that localize to, and are transported with, cortical ER. Now, we identify a cis motif in mSMPs that targets mRNAs mainly to the nuclear ER in yeast and increases both protein synthesis and secretion. Termed SECReTE, for secretion-enhancing cis regulatory targeting element, this motif was identified by computational analysis of genes encoding secretome proteins. SECReTE consists of ≥10 repetitive triplets enriched with pyrimidines (i.e. C’s and U’s) every third base (i.e. NNY, N - any nucleotide, Y - pyrimidine), and is found particularly in mRNAs coding for cell wall proteins. To study the physiological relevance of SECReTE, we introduced synonymous mutations that either elevate or decrease its overall score in genes coding for secreted proteins, without changing the protein sequence, and examined the physiological effects in yeast. An increase in the SECReTE score elevated the synthesis and secretion of endogenous proteins while, in contrast, a reduction led to less secretion and physiological defects. Importantly, the addition of SECReTE to the 3’UTR of an exogenous protein (e.g. SS-GFP) led to its increased secretion from yeast. SECReTE is present all through evolution and, thus, constitutes a novel RNA targeting motif found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Genetics of brain age suggest an overlap with common brain disorders
Authors: Kaufmann Tobias , van der Meer Dennis , Doan Nhat Trung , Schwarz Emanuel , Lund Martina J. , Agartz Ingrid , Alnæs Dag , Barch Deanna M. , Baur-Streubel Ramona , Bertolino Alessandro , Bettella Francesco , Beyer Mona K. , Bøen Erlend , Borgwardt Stefan , Brandt Christine L. , Buitelaar Jan , Celius Elisabeth G. , Cervenka Simon , Conzelmann Annette , Córdova-Palomera Aldo , Dale Anders M. , de Quervain Dominique J.-F , Di Carlo Pasquale , Djurovic Srdjan , Dørum Erlend S. , Eisenacher Sarah , Elvsåshagen Torbjørn , Espeseth Thomas , Fatouros-Bergman Helena , Flyckt Lena , Franke Barbara , Frei Oleksandr , Haatveit Beathe , Håberg Asta K. , Harbo Hanne F. , Hartman Catharina A. , Heslenfeld Dirk , Hoekstra Pieter J. , Høgestøl Einar A. , Jernigan Terry , Jonassen Rune , Jönsson Erik G. ,   Karolinska Schizophrenia Project (KaSP), Kirsch Peter , Kłoszewska Iwona , Kolskår Knut-Kristian , Landrø Nils Inge , Le Hellard Stephanie , Lesch Klaus-Peter , Lovestone Simon , Lundervold Arvid , Lundervold Astri J. , Maglanoc Luigi A. , Malt Ulrik F. , Mecocci Patrizia , Melle Ingrid , Meyer-Lindenberg Andreas , Moberget Torgeir , Norbom Linn B. , Nordvik Jan Egil , Nyberg Lars , Oosterlaan Jaap , Papalino Marco , Papassotiropoulos Andreas , Pauli Paul , Pergola Giulio , Persson Karin , Richard Geneviève , Rokicki Jaroslav , Sanders Anne-Marthe , Selbæk Geir , Shadrin Alexey A. , Smeland Olav B. , Soininen Hilkka , Sowa Piotr , Steen Vidar M. , Tsolaki Magda , Ulrichsen Kristine M. , Vellas Bruno , Wang Lei , Westman Eric , Ziegler Georg C. , Zink Mathias , Andreassen Ole A. , Westlye Lars T. ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative,   for the Pediatric Imaging, Neurocognition and Genetics Study,   for the AddNeuroMed consortium
Published: April 2018

Numerous genetic and environmental factors contribute to psychiatric disorders and other brain disorders. Common risk factors likely converge on biological pathways regulating the optimization of brain structure and function across the lifespan. Here, using structural magnetic resonance imaging and machine learning, we estimated the gap between brain age and chronological age in 36,891 individuals aged 3 to 96 years, including individuals with different brain disorders. We show that several disorders are associated with accentuated brain aging, with strongest effects in schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis and dementia, and document differential regional patterns of brain age gaps between disorders. In 16,269 healthy adult individuals, we show that brain age gap is heritable with a polygenic architecture overlapping those observed in common brain disorders. Our results identify brain age gap as a genetically modulated trait that offers a window into shared and distinct mechanisms in different brain disorders.
Discovery of a two protease DNA damage checkpoint recovery mechanism
Authors: Burby Peter E. , Simmons Zackary W. , Schroedert Jeremy W. , Simmons Lyle A.
Published: April 2018

The DNA damage response is a signaling pathway found throughout biology. In many bacteria the DNA damage checkpoint is enforced by inducing expression of a small, membrane bound inhibitor that delays cell division providing time to repair damaged chromosomes. How cells sense successful DNA repair and promote checkpoint recovery is unknown. By using a high-throughput, forward genetic screen, we identified two unrelated proteases, YlbL and CtpA, that promote DNA damage checkpoint recovery inBacillus subtilis. Deletion of both proteases leads to accumulation of the checkpoint protein YneA. DNA damage sensitivity and increased cell elongation in protease mutants depends onyneA. Further, expression of YneA in protease mutants was sufficient to inhibit cell proliferation. Finally, we show that one of the two proteases, CtpA, directly cleaves YneAin vitro. With these results, we report the mechanism for DNA damage checkpoint recovery in bacteria that use membrane bound cell division inhibitors.
Crystal packing analysis of in situ cryocrystallized 2,2,2-trifluoroacetophenone
Authors: Dey Dhananjay , Sirohiwal Abhishek , Chopra Deepak
Published: April 2018

Crystals of the liquid compound 2,2,2-trifluoroacetophenone (TFAP, C8H5F3O) were obtained using the state-of-art in situ cryocrystallization technique. TFAP crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c, and its crystal structure is mainly stabilized by a set of C—H...F, C—H...O, F...F and F...O supramolecular contacts. The overall molecular arrangement shows the formation of molecular sheets parallel to the bc plane, which are in turn stacked along the a-axis direction. The weak interactions have been studied thoroughly, performing both a Hirshfeld surface analysis and theoretical calculations, to obtain the intermolecular interaction energies. A structural comparison of this compound with the previously reported substituted analogs was also carried out, showing a qualitative difference in terms of packing behaviour.
Studying weak interactions in crystals at high pressures: when hardware matters
Authors: Zakharov Boris A. , Gal Zoltan , Cruickshank Dyanne , Boldyreva Elena V.
Published: April 2018

The quality of structural models for 1,2,4,5-tetrabromobenzene (TBB), C6H2Br4, based on data collected from a single crystal in a diamond anvil cell at 0.4 GPain situusing two different diffractometers belonging to different generations have been compared, together with the effects of applying different data-processing strategies.
Expected and unexpected products of reactions of 2-hydrazinylbenzothiazole with 3-nitrobenzenesulfonyl chloride in different solvents
Authors: Morscher Alexandra , de Souza Marcus V. N. , Wardell James L. , Harrison William T. A.
Published: April 2018

The syntheses and crystal structures of 2-[2-(propan-2-ylidene)hydrazinyl]-1,3-benzothiazol-3-ium 3-nitrobenzenesulfonate (C10H12N2S+·C6H4NO5S−), (I), 2-[2-(3-nitrobenzenesulfonyl)hydrazinyl]-1,3-benzothiazole (C13H10N4O4S2), (II) and 2-[2-(3-nitrobenzenesulfonyl)hydrazinyl]-1,3-benzothiazol-3-ium 3-nitrobenzenesulfonate (C13H11N4O4S2
+·C6H4NO5S−), (III) are reported. Salt (I) arose from an unexpected reaction of 2-hydrazinylbenzothiazole with the acetone solvent in the presence of 3-nitrobenzenesulfonyl chloride, whereas (II) and (III) were recovered from the equivalent reaction carried out in methanol. The crystal of (I) features ion pairs linked by pairs of N—H...Os (s = sulfonate) hydrogen bonds; adjacent cations interact by way of short π–π stacking interactions between the thiazole rings [centroid–centroid separation = 3.4274 (18) Å]. In (II), which crystallizes with two neutral molecules in the asymmetric unit, the molecules are linked by N—H...N and N—H...On (n = nitro) hydrogen bonds to generate [\overline{1}1\overline{1}] chains, which are cross-linked by C—H...O and π–π stacking interactions. The crystal of (III) features centrosymmetric tetramers (two cations and two anions) linked by cooperative N—H...O hydrogen bonds; C—H...O and π–π interactions occur between tetramers.
(3R,4Z)-1,3-Diethyl-4-(2-oxopropylidene)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-1,5-benzodiazepin-2-one
Authors: El Foujji Laila , Sebhaoui Jihad , El Bakri Youness , El Ghayati L'houssaine , Essassi El Mokhtar , Mague Joel T.
Published: April 2018

In the title compound, C16H20N2O2, the seven-membered ring adopts a bowl-shaped conformation while the orientation of the 2-oxopropylidene substituent is determined by an intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond, which generates an S(6) ring. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pairs of very weak C—H...O interactions occur, which generate R
2
2(8) loops.
Bis(cobaltocenium) tetrachloridocobaltate(II) dichloromethane 1.2-solvate
Authors: Shaw Michael J. , Xu Nan , Caveny Ian E. , Abucayon Erwin G. , Ramuglia Anthony R. , Richter-Addo George B.
Published: April 2018

The structure of bis(cobaltocenium) tetrachloridocobaltate(II) dichloromethane 1.2-solvate, [Co(C5H5)2]2[CoCl4]·1.2CH2Cl2, has been determined at 100 K. The title compound crystallizes in the space groupP-1 and is an example of an unusualZ′ = 5 structure. The asymmetric unit contains ten cobaltocenium ions, five tetrachloridocobaltate(II) ions and six molecules of dichloromethane,i.e.5{[Cp2Co]2[CoCl4]}·6CH2Cl2. All the cobaltocenium ions are determined to be in the eclipsed conformation with respect to the cyclopentadienyl rings.
9-(3,5-Dimethylbenzylidene)-8-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5,7-tetraphenyl-2,4,7,8-tetrahydro-4,7-methanoazulene acetonitrile disolvate
Authors: Adas Sonya K. , Peloquin Andrew J. , Iacono Scott T. , Balaich Gary J.
Published: April 2018

The title Diels–Alder product, C52H44·2CH3CN, was obtained in trace quantity as the `endo' isomer during the synthesis of 1,3-diphenyl-6-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)fulvene. One of the two co-crystallized acetonitrile molecules is linked to the main molecule by a weak C—H...N hydrogen bond.
1,3-Bis(4-bromophenyl)propane
Authors: Peloquin Andrew J. , Godman Nicholas P. , Allison Bruce D. , Balaich Gary J. , Iacono Scott T.
Published: April 2018

The title compound, C15H14Br2, obtained through the reduction of 4,4′-dibromochalcone, has monoclinic P21 symmetry at 100 K. No directional interactions could be identified in the crystal.
The impact of crop farmers’ decisions on future land use, land cover changes in Kintampo North Municipality of Ghana
Authors: Bessah Enoch , Bala Abdullahi , Agodzo Sampson Kweku , Okhimamhe Appollonia Aimiosino , Boakye Emmanuel Amoah , Ibrahim Saratu Usman
Published: April 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the rate and land category contributing to the changes in seven land-uses in the Kintampo North Municipality of Ghana and the effect of the decisions of land users on future landscapes.

Design/methodology/approach

LANDSAT images were classified to generate land use/cover maps to detect changes that had occurred between 1986 and 2014. In total, 120 farmers were also interviewed to determine their perceptions on land use changes. Interval, category and transition levels of changes were determined. Savanna woodland, settlement and forest were mostly converted to farmland in both intervals (1986-2001 and 2001-2014).

Findings

Results showed that rock outcrop, plantation, cropland and savanna woodland increased at an annual rate of 13.86, 1.57, 0.82 and 0.33 per cent, respectively, whilst forest, settlement and water body decreased at 4.90, 1.84 and 1.17 per cent annual rate of change, respectively. Approximately, 74 per cent of farmers will not change land use in the future, while 84.2 per cent plan to increase farm sizes.

Research limitations/implications

The study shows that more land cover will be targeted for conversion as farmers expand their farmlands. There is the need for strict implementation of appropriate land use/cover policies to sustain food production in the region in this era of changing climate and population increase.

Originality/value

This research assessed the land use changes in the Kintampo North Municipality and its impacts on agriculture and carbon stocks release via land use changes. It identified how the decisions of the local farmers on land management will affect future landscape.
From project risk to complexity analysis: a systematic classification
Authors: Hartono Budi
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic classification for frameworks, methods, and models of in-project quantitative risk analysis (IQRA) for the last 30 years.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive literature review is conducted to identify pertinent IQRA works. Identified IQRA frameworks/methods/models are then classified on the basis of commonalities in key attributes and assumptions. Linkages between each category of IQRAs and dimensions of complexity are also observed.

Findings

Around 70 key publications on IQRAs are identified. Major attributes for each work are described. Five distinct categories of IQRAs emerge with unique linkages to complexity dimensions. An analytical framework in the form of a matrix is presented to illuminate evolution on modeling characteristics and to indicate a relationship between respective category and dimensions of project complexity.

Research limitations/implications

The research coverage is intended to be comprehensive but it is by no means exhaustive. This study highlights research opportunities in IQRAs and the possible extension toward in-project quantitative complexity analysis (IQCA).

Practical implications

The proposed matrix provides guidance to practitioners to select the appropriate category of IQRAs for a specific project complexity type in a contingency fashion. The study highlights lessons from development and utilization of IQRAs. Outstanding issues from IQRAs are discussed to avoid similar drawbacks for IQCAs.

Originality/value

This study provides an original framework/matrix to classify extant works in IQRAs. It also establishes an association between IQRAs and the emerging conceptual works of complexity.
Consumer engagement with retail firms through social media: an empirical study in Chile
Authors: Bianchi Constanza , Andrews Lynda
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Given the widespread popularity of social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, understanding consumer-brand engagement behavior within social media is fundamental for retail firms. Yet, little is known about how consumers engage with retail brands through social media. The purpose of this paper is to address this gap and extend previous research by examining factors that influence consumers’ attitudes and intentions to engage with retail brands through Facebook, and ultimately purchase products and services.

Design/methodology/approach

This study draws on the theory of reasoned action and the technology acceptance model to develop a model of consumer-brand social media engagement and purchase intentions. Specifically, the model tests the influence of five antecedents of attitude on consumer intentions to engage with retail brands through the brands’ Facebook pages as well as intentions to make purchases through this social media. The hypotheses of the model are tested using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings provide an understanding of the main drivers of consumer-brand engagement that can lead to purchase intentions. Results show that consumers’ attitudes toward engaging with retail brands through Facebook are influenced by peer communication, compatibility and credibility, and that attitude has a strong influence on intentions toward this behavior. Furthermore, there is a strong relationship between intentions to engage and the likelihood of purchasing through a retail brand’s Facebook page.

Research limitations/implications

This study is cross-sectional and was conducted at a particular point in time. Thus, results are not purported to make any inferences to causal relationships. Further, the measures of intentions to engage are attitudinal and not objective measures. Future longitudinal studies may help avoid this limitation by testing causal relationships.

Practical implications

The study contributes to the important area of consumer engagement with retail brands through social media in ways that may lead to making purchases. Findings can provide retailers with reference points through which to engage their brands with consumers through their Facebook pages in ways that may lead to more direct returns on their investment in social media sites.

Originality/value

Retailers are noticing the power of social media sites as a platform for engaging with consumers and extending this relationship to purchases. However, scant research has addressed this topic. The proposed model and findings of this study can extend prior research.
Phase 1 studies to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of JTE‐052 (a novel Janus kinase inhibitor) ointment in Japanese healthy volunteers and patients with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Nakagawa Hidemi , Nemoto Osamu , Yamada Hiroyuki , Nagata Takeshi , Ninomiya Noriko
Published: April 2018

The purpose of the present two phase 1 studies was to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics for topical application of a novel Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, JTE‐052, in Japanese healthy adult male volunteers and Japanese adult patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Additionally, exploratory investigation was performed on the efficacy for disease severity and pruritus score in AD patients. In the QBX1‐1 study, the cutaneous safety of JTE‐052 ointment by a patch test and a photo patch test was assessed in an intra‐individual comparative study using placebo ointment, white petrolatum and non‐application as comparators. The study demonstrated that JTE‐052 ointment would be associated with a low potential for phototoxicity but had no potential for skin irritation or photoallergy. In the QBX1‐2 study, it was revealed that the systemic exposure to JTE‐052 in both healthy volunteers with normal skin and AD patients with inflamed skin was low in application of not only 1% but also 3% JTE‐052 ointment. JTE‐052 ointments of 1% and 3% were generally safe and well tolerated in both populations. In a repeated twice‐daily application for 7 days, the efficacy of JTE‐052 ointment to AD patients was observed with both 1% and 3% ointments in the exploratory investigations evaluated by Eczema Area and Severity Index, Investigator's Global Assessment and Numeric Rating Scale assessments. The mean scores for each assessment declined from the baseline throughout the study. These results suggest that the treatment of JTE‐052 ointment is generally safe and effective in AD patients, although further large confirmatory studies are needed.
Linking oceanographic conditions, migratory schedules and foraging behaviour during the non‐breeding season to reproductive performance in a long‐lived seabird
Authors: Desprez Marine , Jenouvrier Stéphanie , Barbraud Christophe , Delord Karine , Weimerskirch Henri
Published: April 2018

Studies of the mechanisms underlying climate‐induced population changes are critically needed to better understand and accurately predict population responses to climate change. Long‐lived migratory species might be particularly vulnerable to climate change as they are constrained by different climate conditions and energetic requirements during the breeding and non‐breeding seasons. Yet, most studies primarily focus on the breeding season of these species life cycle. Environmental conditions experienced in the non‐breeding season may have downstream effects on the other stages of the annual life cycle. Not investigating such effects may potentially lead to erroneous inferences about population dynamics.

Combining demographic and tracking data collected between 2006 and 2013 at Kerguelen Island on a long‐lived migratory seabird, the Black‐Browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris), we investigated the links between sea surface temperature during the non‐breeding season and behavioural and phenological traits (at‐sea behaviour and migratory schedules) while accounting for different responses between birds of different sex and reproductive status (previously failed or successful breeders). We then explored whether variation in the foraging behaviour and timing of spring migration influenced subsequent reproductive performance.

Our results showed that foraging activity and migratory schedules varied by both sex and reproductive status suggesting different energetic requirements and constraints among individuals. Higher sea surface temperatures during late winter, assumed to reflect poor winter conditions, were associated with an earlier departure from the wintering grounds and an extended pre‐breeding period. However, an earlier spring migration and an earlier return to Kerguelen grounds were associated with a lower breeding success.

Our results highlighted that behaviour during some periods of the non‐breeding season, particularly towards the end of the wintering period and the pre‐breeding period, had a significant effect on the subsequent reproductive success. Therefore, caution needs to be given to all stages of the annual cycle when predicting the influence of climate on population dynamics.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Beyond the Board Realm: Women in Senior Management and their Impact on IPO Capital Funding
Authors: McGuinness Paul B.
Published: April 2018

This study assesses the importance of female senior managers in Chinese IPO firms debuting in Hong Kong. I define senior management teams (SMTs) in relation to IPO prospectus disclosures. For the vast majority of firms, little to no overlap exists between SMT members and board personnel. Women are much better represented in SMTs than on boards. A central hypothesis is that Chinese firms' SMT members implement business strategy while board officers provide political connections. Unlike boards, female representation at SMT level strongly supports initial valuations. Findings suggest that women offer resource dependencies, add expertise and boost capital funding. In contrast to boards, underwriter quality is increasing in female representation at SMT level. Higher‐quality underwriters also gravitate towards SMTs with stronger academic bona fides. The present study also contributes by drawing connections and prescriptions with wider upper echelons, resource dependence and stakeholder theories. Overall, findings suggest that gender‐diverse SMTs play a major role in capital funding. More gender‐inclusive SMTs thus foster both social and business objectives.
Effect of cryopreservation and lyophilization on viability and growth of strict anaerobic human gut microbes
Authors: Bircher Lea , Geirnaert Annelies , Hammes Frederik , Lacroix Christophe , Schwab Clarissa
Published: April 2018

Strict anaerobic gut microbes have been suggested as ‘next‐generation probiotics’ for treating several intestinal disorders. The development of preservation techniques is of major importance for therapeutic application. This study investigated cryopreservation (−80°C) and lyophilization survival and storage stability (4°C for 3 months) of the strict anaerobic gut microbes Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Roseburia intestinalis, Anaerostipes caccae, Eubacterium hallii and Blautia obeum. To improve preservation survival, protectants sucrose and inulin (both 5% w/v) were added for lyophilization and were also combined with glycerol (15% v/v) for cryopreservation. Bacterial fitness, evaluated by maximum growth rate and lag phase, viability and membrane integrity were determined using a standardized growth assay and by flow cytometry as markers for preservation resistance. Lyophilization was more detrimental to viability and fitness than cryopreservation, but led to better storage stability. Adding sucrose and inulin enhanced viability and the proportion of intact cells during lyophilization of all strains. Viability of protectant‐free B. thetaiotaomicron, A. caccae and F. prausnitzii was above 50% after cryopreservation and storage and increased to above 80% if protectants were present. The addition of glycerol, sucrose and inulin strongly enhanced the viability of B. obeum, E. hallii and R. intestinalis from 0.03–2% in protectant‐free cultures to 11–37%. This is the first study that quantitatively compared the effect of cryopreservation and lyophilization and the addition of selected protectants on viability and fitness of six strict anaerobic gut microbes. Our results suggest that efficiency of protectants is process‐ and species‐specific.
Plasma bile acid changes in type 2 diabetes correlated with insulin secretion in two‐step hyperglycemic clamp
Authors: Wang Shujie , Deng Yuying , Xie Xiaoyan , Ma Jing , Xu Min , Zhao Xinjie , Gu Weiqiong , Hong Jie , Wang Weiqing , Xu Guowang , Ning Guang , Gu Yanyun , Zhang Yifei
Published: April 2018

Background

Bile acids (BAs) conduct crucial signals in human metabolism. Correlations between changes in plasma BA concentrations, insulin secretion defects, and progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in humans have not been sufficiently investigated. This study explored the trajectories of changes in human plasma BA concentrations and their association with insulin secretion dynamics during a two‐step hyperglycemic clamp.

Methods

Eleven healthy subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and 33 drug‐naïve T2DM subjects were enrolled in the study. The two‐step hyperglycemic clamp consisted of a classic clamp as Step 1 with fasting, followed by a Step 2 clamp after ingestion of a carbohydrate meal, illustrating basal and incretin‐amplified insulin responses to glucose. Plasma BA were assayed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Nine T2DM subjects were followed‐up, and the two‐step clamp was repeated after 3 months sulfonylurea treatment.

Results

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) was lower and lithocholic acid (LCA) and taurocholic acid (TCA) were higher in T2DM compared with NGT subjects. The dynamics of plasma UDCA concentrations and the UDCA/LCA ratio was positively correlated with insulin secretion in T2DM subjects and were corrected after treatment. Moreover, fasting ratios of UDCA/LCA and unconjugated/conjugated BAs were correlated with the first phase of insulin secretion in T2DM subjects.

Conclusion

The abnormal BA composition in T2DM subjects and its correlation with insulin secretion during the clamp suggest an interaction between BA signals and insulin secretion capacity, and the potential to use fasting plasma BA composition indices to predict and evaluate the progression and prognosis of T2DM.
Measuring the Diffusion of the Millennium Development Goals across Major Print Media and Academic Outlets
Authors: McArthur John W. , Zhang Christine
Published: April 2018

To what extent did the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) succeed in becoming a reference point for public debates, academic inquiry, and policy‐focused research? We explore this by considering three empirical questions. First, were there discernible trends in the extent of media references to the MDGs – by year, publication, and geography over the relevant period? Second, were there discernible trends in MDG references across a sample of relevant academic journals and disciplines? Third, how does the pattern of MDG media references compare to the emerging early pattern of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) media references? In our sample, we find that newspapers in the UK, India and Nigeria had much more frequent MDG references than those published in Australia, Canada or the United States. We also find that The Lancet had a notably high frequency of MDG‐referencing articles, potentially helping to explain the distinctive patterns of acceleration on health MDGs. We further find that UN summits were a key driver of MDG coverage, with 2005 as the year of peak MDG attention. News coverage for the SDGs in 2016 was similar to latter year coverage of the MDGs, although considerably higher than related coverage in 2001 and 2002.
Can opportunistically collected Citizen Science data fill a data gap for habitat suitability models of less common species?
Authors: Bradter Ute , Mair Louise , Jönsson Mari , Knape Jonas , Singer Alexander , Snäll Tord
Published: April 2018

Opportunistically collected species observations contributed by volunteer reporters are increasingly available for species and regions for which systematically collected data are not available. However, it is unclear if they are suitable to produce reliable habitat suitability models (HSMs), and hence if the species–habitat relationships found and habitat suitability maps produced can be used with confidence to advice conservation management and address basic and applied research questions.

We evaluated HSMs with opportunistically collected observations against HSMs with systematically collected observations. We enhanced the opportunistically collected presence‐only data by adding inferred species absences. To obtain inferred absences, we asked individual reporters about their identification skills and if they reported certain species consistently and combined this information with their observations. We evaluated several HSM methods using a forest bird species, Siberian jay (Perisoreus infaustus), in Sweden: logistic regression with inferred absences, two versions of MaxEnt, a model combining presence–absence with presence‐only observations and a Bayesian site‐occupancy‐detection model.

All HSM methods produced nationwide habitat suitability maps of Siberian jay that agreed well with systematically collected observations (AUC: 086–0.88) and were very similar to a habitat suitability map produced from the HSM with systematically collected observations (Spearman rho: 0.94–0.98). At finer geographical scales there were differences among methods.

At finer scale, the resulting habitat suitability maps from logistic regression with inferred absences agreed better with results from systematically collected observations than other methods. The species–habitat relationships found with logistic regression also agreed well with those found from systematically collected data and with prior expectations based on the species ecology.

Synthesis and application. For many regions and species, systematically collected data are not available. By using inferred absences from high‐quality, opportunistically collected contributions of few very active reporters in logistic regression we obtained HSMs that produced results similar to those from a systematic survey. Adding high‐quality inferred absences to opportunistically collected data is likely possible for many less common species across various organism groups. Well‐performing HSMs are important to facilitate applications such as spatial conservation planning and prioritization, monitoring of invasive species, understanding species habitat requirements or climate change studies.
Important issues facing insect conservation in Australia: now and into the future
Authors: Sands Don P A
Published: April 2018

Studies of insect biodiversity and conservation in Australia have been severely limited by the many undescribed species and paucity of taxonomists and insect ecologists. In this review, I discuss important issues facing insect conservation, namely, key threatening processes, threats to habitats and ecological communities, the importance of maintaining insect interactions, the value of vegetation remnants in agricultural ecosystems and the importance of community participation, and provide recommendations for the conservation management of invertebrates and their habitats. Major threats to insect biodiversity continue from habitat loss through broadscale clearing of native vegetation, invasion by weeds, habitat fragmentation, loss of natural corridors and inappropriate fire regimes. Other threats include disturbance of plant communities on hilltops, creek embankments and in water courses, pesticide regimes, trampling and grazing by stock and feral animals, and exotic predators. Climate change affects those insects constrained by their thermal and moisture tolerances (climate envelopes), potentially influencing their distribution, development and reproduction, by disrupting diapause and aestivation or inducing torpor. Protected areas under State jurisdiction are at risk without Commonwealth protection and increasingly threatening those insects occurring only in national parks and other conservation areas. For effective conservation of mainland national parks, overarching national EPBC Act legislation is needed to protect parks for conservation of animal and plant diversity and natural landscapes. Retention of native vegetation as refuges for beneficial insects near farmlands is known to contribute to environmentally clean pest control. Information on conservation of beneficial insects and their dependence on native plants as habitats is needed by farmers to promote identification and protection of natural refuges for pollinators, parasitoids and predators and to support the case against indiscriminate tree clearing. Important community conservation activities are underway in several States and Territories, but to be effective, increased support and funding from appropriate agencies is required.
MiR‐27a‐3p and miR‐124‐3p, upregulated in endometrium and serum from women affected by Chronic Endometritis, are new potential molecular markers of endometrial receptivity
Authors: Di Pietro Cinzia , Caruso Salvatore , Battaglia Rosalia , Iraci Sareri Marco , La Ferlita Alessandro , Strino Fabrizio , Bonaventura Gabriele , Di Mauro Maurizio , Barcellona Maria Luisa , Perciavalle Vincenzo , Purrello Michele , Cianci Antonio
Published: April 2018

Problem

Chronic endometritis (CE) is usually asymptomatic and different studies demonstrated the relation with infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss. Altered regulation of protein‐encoding genes in CE has been demonstrated, but no evidence about the involvement of microRNAs in the pathology is present in literature.

Method of study

In the endometrium from 15 women with CE and 15 healthy women, by RT‐qPCR single assays, we investigated some microRNAs targeting IL11, CCL4, IGF1, and IGFBP1, which mRNAs had been found differentially expressed in endometrium of women affected by CE. The expression of IGF1 and IL11, targets of the deregulated microRNAs, has been analyzed in the same endometrium samples. We assessed the expression profiles of the deregulated microRNAs in the serum of the same patients validating their ability as biomarkers by statistical analysis.

Results

We demonstrated the upregulation of miR‐27a‐3p and miR‐124‐3p in the endometrium and serum from women with CE and found an anticorrelation relationship between miR‐27a‐3p and IGF1 in endometrium. ROC curve analysis suggested that miRNA investigation in endometrium and serum could discriminate women with CE.

Conclusion

MiR‐27a‐3p and miR‐124‐3p could represent non‐invasive markers of CE and, in a near future, could be used to assess the endometrial quality in IVF.