bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Colour pattern predicts outcome of female contest competition in a sexually monomorphic fish
Authors: Ziegelbecker Angelika , Richter Florian , Sefc Kristina M.
Published: November 2018

Selection arising from social competition over non-mating resources, i.e. resources that do not directly and immediately affect mating success, offers a powerful alternative to sexual selection to explain the evolution of conspicuous ornaments, particularly in females. Here, we address the hypothesis that competition associated with the territoriality exhibited by both males and females in the cichlid fish
Tropheus
selects for the display of a conspicuous colour pattern in both sexes. The investigated pattern consists of a vertical carotenoid-coloured bar on a black body. Bar width affected the probability of winning in size-matched female–female, but not male–male, contests for territory possession. Our results support the idea that the emergence of female territoriality contributed to the evolution of sexual monomorphism from a dimorphic ancestor, in that females acquired the same conspicuous coloration as males to communicate in contest competition.
Influence of correlated antigen presentation on T-cell negative selection in the thymus
Authors: Banerjee Soumya , Chapman S. Jonathan
Published: November 2018

The thymus is the primary organ for the generation of naive T cells, a key component of the immune system. Tolerance of T cells to self is achieved primarily in the thymic medulla, where immature T cells (thymocytes) sample self-peptides presented by medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs). A sufficiently strong interaction activates the thymocytes leading to negative selection. A key question of current interest is whether there is any structure in the manner in which mTECs present peptides: can any mTEC present any peptide at any time, or are there particular patterns of correlated peptide presentation? We investigate this question using a mathematical model of negative selection. We find that correlated patterns of peptide presentation may be advantageous in negatively selecting low-degeneracy thymocytes (that is, those thymocytes which respond to relatively few peptides). We also quantify the probability that an auto-reactive thymocyte exits the thymus before it encounters a cognate antigen. The results suggest that heterogeneity of gene co-expression in mTECs has an effect on the probability of escape of autoreactive thymocytes.
ROTf-induced annulation of heteroatom reagents and unsaturated substrates leading to cyclic compounds
Authors: Zou Song , Wang Sheng , Xi Chanjuan
Published: November 2018

The development of metal-free organic reactions is one of the hotspots in the synthesis of cyclic compounds. ROTf (alkyl trifluoromethanesulfonates), due to their good electrophilicity, are powerful alkylating reagents at heteroatoms such as nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and phosphorus to induce an electrophilic centre for carbon–carbon or carbon–heteroatom bond formation. Inspired by this chemistry, a variety of research concentrating on heterocycles synthesis has been carried out. In this review, we mainly summarize the ROTf-induced annulation of heteroatom reagents such as nitriles, carbodiimides, azobenzenes, isothiocyanates, aldehydes, isocyanates and phosphaalkene with themselves or alkynes to afford cyclic compounds.
Supersonic gas flow for preparation of ultrafine silicon powders and mechanochemical synthesis
Authors: Tao Yang , Lin Jun , Zhang Zhao , Guo Qiuting , Zuo Jin , Fan Changhai , Lu Bo
Published: November 2018

We report the supersonic gas flow for crush and mechanochemical synthesis. The key instrument parameters for production of supersonic particle flow, such as annular nozzle, expansion angle and length of the accelerating duct, are theoretically designed and optimized. Based on the theoretical results, supersonic gas flow equipment is fabricated. The capacity of the present equipment for production of supersonic particle flow is demonstrated by particle image velocimetry measurement, and the maximum transient velocity of the particles achieves as much as 550 m s
−1
. Additionally, the present equipment is applied for continuous and physical preparation of ultrafine Si powders with a high scalability and mechanochemical synthesis of TiO
2
and TiN
x
nanopowders at a high production rate.
Detection of persistent signals and its relation to coherent feed-forward loops
Authors: Chou Chun Tung
Published: November 2018

Many studies have shown that cells use the temporal dynamics of signalling molecules to encode information. One particular class of temporal dynamics is persistent and transient signals, i.e. signals of long and short duration, respectively. It has been shown that the coherent type-1 feed-forward loop with an AND logic at the output (or C1-FFL for short) can be used to discriminate a persistent input signal from a transient one. This has been done by modelling the C1-FFL, and then using the model to show that persistent and transient input signals give, respectively, a non-zero and zero output. The aim of this paper is to make a connection between the statistical detection of persistent signals and the C1-FFL. We begin by first formulating a statistical detection problem of distinguishing persistent signals from transient ones. The solution of the detection problem is to compute the log-likelihood ratio of observing a persistent signal to a transient signal. We show that, if this log-likelihood ratio is positive, which happens when the signal is likely to be persistent, then it can be approximately computed by a C1-FFL. Although the capability of C1-FFL to discriminate persistent signals is known, this paper adds an information processing interpretation on how a C1-FFL works as a detector of persistent signals.
Building the differences: a case for the ground tissue patterning in plants
Authors: Di Ruocco Giovanna , Di Mambro Riccardo , Dello Ioio Raffaele
Published: November 2018

A key question in biology is to understand how interspecies morphological diversities originate. Plant roots present a huge interspecific phenotypical variability, mostly because roots largely contribute to adaptation to different kinds of soils. One example is the interspecific cortex layer number variability, spanning from one to several. Here, we review the latest advances in the understanding of the mechanisms expanding and/or restricting cortical layer number inArabidopsis thalianaand their involvement in cortex pattern variability among multi-cortical layered species such asCardamine hirsutaorOryza sativa.
An experimental test of the mutation-selection balance model for the maintenance of genetic variance in fitness components
Authors: Sharp Nathaniel P. , Agrawal Aneil F.
Published: November 2018

Despite decades of research, the factors that maintain genetic variation for fitness are poorly understood. It is unclear what fraction of the variance in a typical fitness component can be explained by mutation-selection balance (MSB) and whether fitness components differ in this respect. In theory, the level of standing variance in fitness due to MSB can be predicted using the rate of fitness decline under mutation accumulation, and this prediction can be directly compared to the standing variance observed. This approach allows for controlled statistical tests of the sufficiency of the MSB model, and could be used to identify traits or populations where genetic variance is maintained by other factors. For example, some traits may be influenced by sexually antagonistic balancing selection, resulting in an excess of standing variance beyond that generated by deleterious mutations. We describe the underlying theory and use it to test the MSB model for three traits inDrosophila melanogaster. We find evidence for differences among traits, with MSB being sufficient to explain genetic variance in larval viability but not male mating success or female fecundity. Our results are consistent with balancing selection on sexual fitness components, and demonstrate the feasibility of rigorous statistical tests of the MSB model.
A novel cell-based sensor detecting the activity of individual basic proprotein convertases
Authors: Löw Karin , Hardes Kornelia , Fedeli Chiara , Seidah Nabil G. , Constam Daniel B. , Pasquato Antonella , Steinmetzer Torsten , Roulin Alexandre , Kunz Stefan
Published: November 2018

The basic proprotein convertases (PCs) furin, PC1/3, PC2, PC5/6, PACE4, PC4, and PC7 are promising drug targets for human diseases. However, developing selective inhibitors remains challenging due to overlapping substrate recognition motifs and limited structural information. Classical drug screening approaches for basic PC inhibitors involve homogeneous biochemical assays using soluble recombinant enzymes combined with fluorogenic substrate peptides and do not accurately recapitulate the complex cellular context of the basic PC-substrate interaction. We report herePCific, a novel cell-based molecular sensor that allows rapid screening of candidate inhibitors and their selectivity toward individual basic PCs within mammalian cells.PCificconsists ofGaussialuciferase linked to a sortilin-1 membrane anchor via a cleavage motif that allows efficient release of luciferase specifically if individual basic PCs are provided incis. Screening of selected candidate peptidomimetic inhibitors revealed thatPCificcan readily distinguish between general and selective PC inhibitors in a high-throughput screening format.
A folded conformation of MukBEF and Cohesin
Authors: Bürmann Frank , Lee Byung-Gil , Than Thane , Sinn Ludwig , O’Reilly Francis J , Yatskevich Stanislau , Rappsilber Juri , Hu Bin , Nasmyth Kim , Löwe Jan
Published: November 2018

Structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC)-kleisin complexes organize chromosomal DNAs in all domains of life, where they have key roles in chromosome segregation, DNA repair and regulation of gene expression. They function through topological entrapment and active translocation of DNA, but the underlying conformational changes are largely unclear. Using structural biology, mass spectrometry and cross-linking, we investigated the architecture of two evolutionarily distant SMC-kleisin complexes: proteobacterial MukBEF and eukaryotic cohesin. We show that both contain a dynamic coiled-coil discontinuity, the elbow, near the middle of their arms that permits a folded conformation. Bending at the elbow brings into proximity the hinge dimerization domain and the head/kleisin module, situated at opposite ends of the arms. Our findings favor SMC activity models that include a large conformational change in the arms, such as a relative movement between DNA contact sites during DNA loading and translocation.
Evaluation of colorectal cancer subtypes and cell lines using deep learning
Authors: Ronen Jonathan , Hayat Sikander , Akalin Altuna
Published: November 2018

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common cancer with a high mortality rate and a rising incidence rate in the developed world. The disease shows variable drug response and outcome. Molecular profiling techniques have been used to better understand the variability between tumours as well as cancer models such as cell lines. Drug discovery programs use cell lines as a proxy for human cancers to characterize their molecular makeup and drug response, identify relevant indications and discover biomarkers. In order to maximize the translatability and the clinical relevance of in vitro studies, selection of optimal cancer models is imperative. We have developed a deep learning based method to measure the similarity between CRC tumors and other tumors or disease models such as cancer cell lines. Our method efficiently leverages multi-omics data sets containing copy number alterations, gene expression and point mutations, and learns latent factors that describe the data in lower dimension. These latent factors represent the patterns across gene expression, copy number, and mutational profiles which are clinically relevant and explain the variability of molecular profiles across tumours and cell lines. Using these, we propose a refined colorectal cancer sample classification and provide best-matching cell lines in terms of multi-omics for the different subtypes. These findings are relevant for patient stratification and selection of cell lines for early stage drug discovery pipelines, biomarker discovery, and target identification.
SETMAR functions in illegitimate DNA recombination and non-homologous end joining
Authors: Tellier Michael , Chalmers Ronald
Published: November 2018

In anthropoid primates, SETMAR is a fusion between a methyltransferase gene and a domesticated DNA transposase. SETMAR has been found to be involved in several cellular functions including regulation of gene expression, DNA integration and DNA repair. These functions are thought to be mediated through the histone methyltransferase, the DNA binding and the nuclease activities of SETMAR. To better understand the cellular roles of SETMAR, we generated several U2OS cell lines expressing either wild type SETMAR or a truncated or mutated variant. We tested these cell lines within vivoplasmid-based assays to determine the relevance of the different domains and activities of SETMAR in DNA integration and repair. We found that expressing the SET and MAR domains, but not wild type SETMAR, partially affect DNA integration and repair. The methyltransferase activity of SETMAR is also needed for an efficient DNA repair whereas we did not observe any requirement for the putative nuclease activity of SETMAR. Overall, our data support a non-essential function for SETMAR in DNA integration and repair.
Multiple layers of cryptic genetic variation underlie a yeast complex trait
Authors: Lee Jonathan T , Coradini Alessandro L V , Shen Amy , Ehrenreich Ian M
Published: November 2018

Cryptic genetic variation may be an important contributor to heritable traits, but its extent and regulation are not fully understood. Here, we investigate the cryptic genetic variation underlying a Saccharomyces cerevisiae colony phenotype that is typically suppressed in a cross of the lab strain BY4716 (BY) and a derivative of the clinical isolate 322134S (3S). To do this, we comprehensively map the trait's genetic basis in the BYx3S cross in the presence of three different genetic perturbations that enable its expression. This allows us to detect and compare the specific loci harboring cryptic genetic variants that interact with each perturbation. In total, we identify 21 loci, all but one of which interacts with just a subset of the perturbations. Beyond impacting which loci contribute to the trait, the genetic perturbations also influence the extent of additivity, epistasis, and genotype-environment interaction among the detected loci. Additionally, we show that the single locus interacting with all three perturbations corresponds to the coding region of the cell surface gene FLO11. Nearly all of the other loci influence FLO11 transcription in cis or trans. However, the perturbations reveal cryptic genetic variation in different pathways and sub-pathways upstream of FLO11, suggesting that multiple layers of cryptic genetic variation with highly contextual effects underlie the trait. Our work demonstrates an abundance of cryptic genetic variation in transcriptional regulation and illustrates how this cryptic genetic variation complicates efforts to study the relationship between genotype and phenotype.
Single cell transcriptomes reveal characteristics of miRNA in gene expression noise reduction
Authors: Hu Tao , Wei Lei , Li Shuailin , Cheng Tianrun , Zhang Xuegong , Wang Xiaowo
Published: November 2018

Isogenic cells growing in identical environments show cell-to-cell variations because of stochastic gene expression. The high level of variation or noise could disrupt robust gene expression and result in tremendous consequences on cell behaviors. In this work, we showed evidence that microRNAs (miRNAs) could reduce gene expression noise in mRNA level of mouse cells based on single-cell RNA-sequencing data analysis. We identified that miRNA expression level, number of targets, targets pool abundance and interaction strength of miRNA with its targets are the key features contributing to noise repression. MiRNAs tend to work together as cooperative sub-networks to repress target noise synergistically in a cell type specific manner. Using a physical model of post-transcriptional regulation, we demonstrated that the accelerated degradation with elevated transcriptional activation of miRNA target provides resistance to extrinsic fluctuations. Together, through the integration analysis of single-cell RNA and miRNA expression profiles. We demonstrated that miRNAs are important post-transcriptional regulators for reducing gene expression noise and conferring robustness to biological processes.
Oxytocin effects on the resting-state mentalizing brain network
Authors: Wu Haiyan , Feng Chunliang , Lu Xiaping , Liu Xun , Liu Quanying
Published: November 2018

Oxytocin(OT) has effects in both human behavior and in the brain, which is not limited in the specific brain area but also with the potential effect on connectivity with other brain regions. Evidence indicate that the effects of OT on human behavior are multifaceted, such as trust behavior, decrease anxiety, empathy and bonding behavior. Since the vital role of mentalizing in understanding others, here we proposed and tested that whether OT has a general effect on theory of mind brain network which is associated to the effect of related social behavioral and personality traits. Used a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled group design, we investigated the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging after intranasal OT or placebo. The functional connectivity (FC) maps with seed in left temporoparietal junction (lTPJ) and right TPJ showed that OT significantly increased connectivity between rTPJ and default attention network (DAN), while decreased the FC between lTPJ and medial prefrontal network (MPN). With implementing machine learning approach, we further reported satisfactory classification accuracy that Identified altered FCs of TPJ can classify OT and PL group. Moreover, individual’s empathy trait can modulate the FC between left TPJ and right RECT, which was positively correlated with empathic concern in PL group whereas lTPJ-rRECT negatively correlated in OT group. These results demonstrate that OT has significant effect on FC with lTPJ and rTPJ, brain regions critical for mentalizing, and the empathy concern can modulate the FC. These findings add to our understanding of the neural mechanisms by which OT modulates social behaviors, especially in social interaction involving mentalizing.
Elucidating the genetic basis of biomass accumulation and radiation use efficiency in spring wheat and its role in yield potential
Authors: Molero Gemma , Joynson Ryan , Pinera-Chavez Francisco J. , Gardiner Laura-Jayne , Rivera-Amado Carolina , Hall Anthony , Reynolds Matthew P.
Published: November 2018

One of the major challenges for plant scientists is increasing wheat (Triticum aestivum) yield potential (YP). A significant bottleneck for increasing YP is achieving increased biomass through optimization of Radiation Use Efficiency (RUE) along the crop cycle. Exotic material such as landraces and synthetic wheat has been incorporated into breeding programs in an attempt to alleviate this, however their contribution to YP is still unclear. To understand the genetic basis of biomass accumulation and RUE we applied genome-wide association study (GWAS) to a panel of 150 elite spring wheat genotypes including many landrace and synthetically derived lines. The panel was evaluated for 31traits over two years under optimal growing conditions and genotyped using the 35K Wheat Breeders array. Marker-trait-association identified 94 SNPs significantly associated with yield, agronomic and phenology related traits along with RUE and biomass at various growth stages that explained 7–17 % of phenotypic variation. Common SNP markers were identified for grain yield, final biomass and RUE on chromosomes 5A and 7A. Additionally we show that landrace and synthetic derivative lines showed higher thousand grain weight (TGW), biomass and RUE but lower grain number (GNO) and harvest index (HI). Our work demonstrates the use of exotic material as a valuable resource to increase YP. It also provides markers for use in marker assisted breeding to systematically increase biomass, RUE and TGW and avoid the TGW/GNO and BM/HI trade-off. Thus, achieving greater genetic gains in elite germplasm while also highlighting genomic regions and candidate genes for further study.
A story of nasal horns: A new species ofIguanaLaurenti, 1768 (Squamata, Iguanidae) in Saint Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, and Grenada (Southern Lesser Antilles) and its implications for the taxonomy of the genusIguana
Authors: Breuil Michel , Vuillaume Barbara , Schikorski David , Krauss Ulrike , Morton Matthew N. , Haynes Pius , Daltry Jennifer C. , Corry Elisabeth , Gaymes Glenroy , Gaymes Joanne , Bech Nicolas , Jelic Misel , Grandjean Frédéric
Published: November 2018

The Lesser Antilles, in the Eastern Caribbean, were long considered to have only two species in the genusIguanaLaurenti 1768: the Lesser Antillean iguanaIguana delicatissima, which is endemic to parts of the Lesser Antilles, and the common green iguanaIguana iguana, which also occurs throughout Central and South America. However, herpetologists and reptile collectors have pointed out strong physical differences between some of the island populations ofIguana iguanaand those from the continent. Drawing on both morphological and genetic data, this paper describes a third speciesIguana insularissp. nov. from the southern Lesser Antilles, specifically the countries of Saint Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, and Grenada. The new species is described based on the following unique combination of characters: Presence of high median and medium to small lateral horns on the snout; Small subtympanic plate not exceeding 20% of the eardrum size; Two or three scales of decreasing size anterior to the subtympanic plate; Fewer than ten small to medium triangular gular spikes; Medium sized dewlap; Low number of small to medium dispersed nuchal tubercles; Dark brown iris, with the white of the eye visible; Oval, prominent nostril; Short and relatively flat head; High dorsal spines; No swelling of the jowls in reproductively active males; Colour of head, body and tail changing from green to pale grey or creamy white in old adults; Vertical black stripes on body and tail, fading with age in some populations. This paper furthermore distinguishes two subspecies:Iguana insularis insularisfrom the Grenada Bank (comprising Grenada and the Grenadine islands), andIguana insularis sanctaluciaefrom Saint Lucia. The form on the island of Saint Vincent has not been identified. Both subspecies are globally threatened by unsustainable hunting (including the pet trade) and by invasive alien species, including hybridization from invasive iguanas from South and Central America (I. iguanaandI. rhinolopha, considered here as full species) that have become established in all three countries. The authors call for stronger measures to conserve the remaining purebredIguana insularissp. nov. throughout its range and for further research to identify other cryptic species and subspecies ofIguanain the Lesser Antilles.
A polyploid admixed origin of beer yeasts derived from European and Asian wine populations
Authors: Fay Justin C. , Liu Ping , Ong Giang T. , Dunham Maitreya J. , Cromie Gareth A. , Jeffery Eric W. , Ludlow Catherine L. , Dudley Aimée M.
Published: November 2018

Strains ofSaccharomyces cerevisiaeused to make beer, bread and wine are genetically and phenotypically distinct from wild populations associated with trees. The origins of these domesticated populations are not always clear; human-associated migration and admixture with wild populations have had a strong impact onS. cerevisiaepopulation structure. We examined the population genetic history of beer strains and find that ale strains and theS. cerevisiaeportion of allotetraploid lager strains were derived from admixture between populations closely related to European grape wine strains and Asian rice wine strains. Similar to both lager and baking strains, ale strains are polyploid, providing them with a passive means of remaining isolated from other populations and providing us with a living relic of their ancestral hybridization. To reconstruct their polyploid origin we phased the genomes of two ale strains and found ale haplotypes to both be recombinants between European and Asian alleles and to also contain novel alleles derived from extinct or as yet uncharacterized populations. We conclude that modern beer strains are the product of a historical melting pot of fermentation technology.
Evolution of ovipositor length inDrosophila suzukiiis driven by enhanced cell size expansion and anisotropic tissue reorganization
Authors: Green Jack E. , Cavey Matthieu , Caturegli Emmanuelle , Gompel Nicolas , Prud’homme Benjamin
Published: November 2018

Morphological diversity is dominated by variation in body proportion. Yet the cellular processes underlying differential growth of morphological traits between species remain largely unknown. Here we compare the ovipositors of two closely related species,Drosophila melanogasterandD. suzukii.D. suzukiihas switched its egg-laying niche from rotting to ripe fruit. Along with this shift, theD. suzukiiovipositor has undergone a significant change in size and shape. Using an allometric approach we find that, while adult ovipositor width has hardly changed between the species,D. suzukiiovipositor length is almost double that ofD. melanogaster. We show that this size difference mostly arises during a 6-hour time window in the middle of pupal development. We observe that the developing ovipositors of the two species comprise an almost identical number of cells, with a very similar profile of cell shapes and orientations. After cell division stops, we find that the ovipositor area continues to grow through the isotropic expansion of cell apical area. Remarkably, at one point, the rate of cell apical area expansion is more than 4 times faster inD. suzukiithan inD. melanogaster. In addition, we find that an anisotropic cellular reorganization of the developing ovipositor results in a net elongation of the tissue, despite the isotropic expansion of cell size, and is enhanced inD. suzukii. Therefore, the quantitative fine-tuning of shared, morphogenetic processes -the rate of cell size expansion and the cellular rearrangements–can drive macroscopic evolutionary changes in organ size and shape.
Adult Canine Intestinal Derived Organoids: A Novel In Vitro System for Translational Research in Comparative Gastroenterology
Authors: Chandra Lawrance , Borcherding Dana C , Kingsbury Dawn , Atherly Todd , Ambrosini Yoko M , Bourgois-Mochel Agnes , Yuan Wang , Kimber Michael , Qi Yijun , Wang Qun , Wannemuehler Michael , Ellinwood N Matthew , Snella Elizabeth , Martin Martin , Skala Melissa , Meyerholz David , Estes Mary , Fernandez-Zapico Martin E. , Jergens Albert E. , Mochel Jonathan P , Allenspach Karin
Published: November 2018

Background

Large animal models, such as the dog, are increasingly being used over rodent models for studying naturally occurring diseases including gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Dogs share similar environmental, genomic, anatomical, and intestinal physiologic features with humans. To bridge the gap between currently used animal models (e.g. mouse) and humans, and expand the translational potential of the dog model, we developed a three dimensional (3D) canine GI organoid (enteroid and colonoid) system. Organoids have recently gained interest in translational research as this model system better recapitulates the physiological and molecular features of the tissue environment in comparison with two-dimensional cultures.

Results

Organoids were propagated from isolation of adult intestinal stem cells (ISC) from whole jejunal tissue as well as endoscopically obtained duodenal, ileal and colonic biopsy samples of healthy dogs and GI cases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and intestinal carcinomas. Intestinal organoids were comprehensively characterized using histology, immunohistochemistry, RNA in situ hybridization and transmission electron microscopy, and organoids mimicked the in vivo tissue environment. Physiological relevance of the enteroid system was defined using functional assays such as Optical Metabolic Imaging (OMI), the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) function assay, and Exosome-Like Vesicles (EV) uptake assay, as a basis for wider applications of this technology in basic, preclinical and translational GI research.

Conclusions

In summary, our findings establish the canine GI organoid systems as a novel model to study naturally occurring intestinal diseases in dogs and humans. Furthermore, canine organoid systems will help to elucidate host-pathogen interactions contributing to GI disease pathogenesis.
Human resource management practices and firm outcomes: evidence from Vietnam
Authors: Dang Thang , Dung Thai Tri , Phuong Vu Thi , Vinh Tran Dinh
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to estimate the effects of human resource management (HRM) practices on firm outcomes at the firm level in Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs a fixed-effects framework for the estimation using a panel sample of manufacturing firms from small- and medium-sized enterprise surveys between 2009 and 2013.

Findings

The paper finds that, on average, a firm that provides the training for new workers gains roughly 13.7, 10 and 14.9 percent higher in output value per worker, value added per worker and gross profit per worker, respectively, than the counterpart. Moreover, an additional ten-day training duration for new employees on average leads to a 4.1 percent increase in output value per worker, a 3.0 percent rise in value added per worker and a 3.0 percent growth in gross profit per worker. The paper also uncovers that a marginal 10 percent of HRM spending results in about 2 and 1.6 percent rises in output value per worker and value added per worker, respectively.

Originality/value

Using the case of Vietnam, this paper shows the important roles of HRM practices in explaining firm outcomes.
Make, buy, borrow or crowdsource? The evolution and future of outsourcing
Authors: Malhotra Naresh K. , Uslay Can
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a conceptual and historical overview of the evolution of outsourcing. The authors then focus and prognosticate on the future of outsourcing and develop several compelling ideas based on extant insights and the rule of three axioms.

Design/methodology/approach

The insights are developed based on a review of the extant literature and evolution of trends.

Findings

The paper generates several insights. First, there is a need to carefully differentiate between core and non-core functions when deciding on whether/what to outsource. Some outsourcing options may boost financial performance in the short run but undermine the long-term viability of the firm. Public firms outsource more than private firms after controlling for size. In many cases, the optimal number of primary suppliers for a critical function/process/stock keeping unit (SKU) is three (while also allowing for a number of secondary suppliers). The optimal share distribution between the suppliers for the same SKU is rank ordinal (i.e. not equal). The complexity and the maturity of the supply chain as well as industry life cycle, regulation and technology influence the optimal number of primary suppliers.

Research limitations/implications

The insights have significant implications for outsourcing decisions and for improving their impact on firm performance. The emergence of the shared economy, subscription-based business models and crowdsourcing will lead to consumers, business and society that increasingly borrows rather than one that makes or buys.

Originality/value

The paper represents the first attempt to integrate the axioms of the rule of three with the outsourcing literature and the theory of the firm. It emphasizes the need to align (long-term) performance objectives with managerial incentives as businesses manage their outsourcing efforts.
Self-control today, indulgence tomorrow? How judgment bias and temporal distance influence self-control decisions
Authors: Ladeira Wagner Junior , Oliveira Santini Fernando , Costa Pinto Diego , Araujo Clécio Falcao , Fleury Fernando A.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze how judgment bias (optimism vs pessimism) and temporal distance influence self-control decisions. This research also analyzes the mediating role of perceived control on judgment bias and temporal distance.

Design/methodology/approach

Three studies (one laboratory and two online experiments) analyze how judgment bias and temporal distance influence self-control decisions on consumers’ willingness to pay.

Findings

The findings uncover an important boundary condition of temporal distance on self-control decisions. In contrast to previous research, the findings indicate that individuals exposed to optimism (vs pessimism) bias display more self-control in the future and make choices that are more indulgent in the present. The findings also reveal that perceived control mediates the effects of judgment bias and temporal distance.

Practical implications

The findings help managers to adapt short- and long-term marketing efforts, based on consumers’ momentary judgment biases and on their chronic judgment bias orientation.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the literature on self-control and temporal distance, showing that judgment bias reverses previous research findings on self-control decisions.
Knowledge transfer in IS offshoring: a Delphi study of the offshore coordinator role
Authors: Strasser Artur , Westner Markus , Strahringer Susanne
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the main tasks, necessary skills, and the implementation of the offshore coordinator’s role to facilitate knowledge transfer in information systems (IS) offshoring.

Design/methodology/approach

This empirical exploratory study uses the classical Delphi method that includes one qualitative and two quantitative rounds to collect data on IS experts’ perceptions to seek a consensus among them.

Findings

The participants agreed, with strong consensus, for a set of 16 tasks and 15 skills. The tasks focused primarily on relationship management and facilitating knowledge transfer on different levels. The set of skills consists of approximately 25 per cent “hard” skills, e.g. professional language skills and project management skills, and approximately 75 per cent “soft” skills, e.g. interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to deal with conflict. Two factors mainly influence implementing the offshore coordinator role: project size and the number of projects to be supported simultaneously.

Practical implications

The findings provide indications of how to define and fulfill this crucial role in practice to facilitate the knowledge transfer process in a positive way.

Originality/value

Similarities in previous research findings are aggregated to examine the intermediate role in detail from a consolidated perspective. This results in the first comprehensive set of critical tasks and skills assigned to the competency dimensions of the universal competency framework, demonstrating which and how many competency dimensions are critical.
Drivers, types and value outcomes of customer-to-customer interaction
Authors: Heinonen Kristina , Jaakkola Elina , Neganova Irina
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Customer-to-customer (C2C) interaction plays a significant role in service. The purpose of this paper is to identify the drivers that motivate customers to interact with other customers, the interactions through which customers affect other customers and the value outcomes of C2C interactions for the participants.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a systematic literature review of C2C interactions. The authors analyzed 142 peer-reviewed articles to synthesize existing knowledge about C2C interactions. A generic value framework is used to categorize earlier research and reveal areas for further research.

Findings

The main outcome of this study is an integrative framework of C2C interaction that bridges C2C interactions and customer value. The findings indicate customer-, firm- and situation-induced drivers of C2C interactions. Outcome- and process-focused C2C interactions are identified to result in functional, emotional and social value outcomes. Avenues for additional research to explore issues related to current technology-saturated service settings are proposed.

Research limitations/implications

The paper proposes an agenda for future research to extend the C2C interaction research domain and explore how such interactions create value for the customer. The role of the service provider is not explicitly addressed but is an important area for further research.

Practical implications

Companies can use the framework to understand how they can become involved in and support beneficial C2C interaction.

Originality/value

This paper reviews empirical studies on C2C interaction, offering a systematic review of C2C interaction and producing an integrative framework of C2C interaction. It identifies a research agenda based on the framework and on topical issues within service research and practice.
The determinants of job satisfaction in the Egyptian labor market
Authors: Ezzat Asmaa , Ehab Maye
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the determinants on job satisfaction in the Egyptian labor market, using Egypt’s Labor Market Panel Survey (ELMPS), the wave of 2012.

Design/methodology/approach

Several determinants are analyzed including the wage level, the paid and sick leaves, the medical and social insurance, job stability among other individual and job characteristics. To this end, an ordered logit model is estimated to assess the significance of these different variables as determinants for job satisfaction.

Findings

The empirical findings indicate that wages and stability are major determinants for job satisfaction for the sample of wage workers. However, the results change according to gender; the hourly wage level affects men’s level of job satisfaction, while it does not affect that of females. Furthermore, the job satisfaction of women is determined more by the job characteristics rather than the monetary compensation.

Social implications

The empirical findings shed light on the importance of formalizing jobs, as it has an effect on the level of job satisfaction of both women and men.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to examine the determinants of job satisfaction for wage workers in Egypt using the ELMPS data.
A geography of residents' worry about the disruptive effects of contaminated sites
Authors: Prior Jason Hugh , Gorman‐Murray Andrew , McIntyre Erica , Connon Irena , Adams Jon , Madden Ben
Published: November 2018

While the links between contaminated sites and adverse effects on human health and well‐being are being increasingly recognised, some argue that the magnitude of the health problem is inadequately addressed because it is largely invisible. Health geographies literature has sought to highlight this invisibility by focusing on the link between contaminated sites and health. This study adds to health geographies by presenting unique insights into the geography of residents' worry about the disruptive effect of environmental contamination on health and well‐being. It analyses a sample of residents (n = 485) living near 13 contaminated sites across Australia. Ordinal logistic regression analysis of closed‐format survey questions was combined with coding of open‐ended survey questions to reveal the geography of residents' worry about contamination from nearby sites. First, the study explores some of the main relationships between residents, their environs, and contaminants from nearby source sites, which determines their levels of worry: residents' demographics, residents' proximity to sites, contaminant boundaries and borders, and type of contaminant. Second, the study investigates how worry affects residents' health and well‐being, ranging from effects on their personal functioning through to their sense of ontological security, which depends in part upon their perceptions of contaminants' impacts. Despite having identified a range of diverse and negative effects of worry about contamination on residents, we found that worry for contamination can also prompt coping strategies and problem‐solving, reinforcing the need for more research on this subject.
‘Help! Help! War wants to rape me!’: War and Rape in a Dutch Peace Play of 1678
Authors: De Bruyn Yannice
Published: November 2018

Why was rape such a popular metaphor for war in early modern Dutch theatrical and visual culture? To address this question, this article considers a range of theatrical and visual representations of rape. When serving as a representation of state, the female body was often used to represent abstract processes such as the accumulation of wealth or inimical intrusion. These seemingly opposing processes are conjoined in a late seventeenth‐century Dutch allegorical play that not only features rape as a metaphor for war but also extends this metaphor to raise questions about national integrity and the deleterious effects of wealth accumulation.
Clinical features and potential relevant factors of renal involvement in primary Sjögren’s syndrome
Authors: Luo Jing , Xu Shihao , Lv Yinqiu , Huang Xinshi , Zhang Huxiang , Zhu Xiaochun , Wang Xiaobing
Published: November 2018

Objective

To investigate distinct features of renal involvement in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) and to identify potential factors associated with renal involvement.

Methods

Four hundred and thrity‐four pSS patients from the Rheumatology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from 2013 to 2017 were included in a cross‐sectional study. Patients with renal involvement were compared with their age‐ and gender‐matched controls (pSS without renal involvement). Demographic, clinical, histological, nephritic, immunological features of renal involvement in pSS were systematically analyzed. Possible factors related to renal involvement were identified using multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results

One hundred and ninety‐two pSS patients (88.48%) with renal involvement were women with mean age of nearly 58 years and mean disease duration of above 4 years. Clinical manifestation, serologic and immunological features and renal biopsy class of the pSS patients with renal involvement were presented. By multivariate analyses, xerophthalmia, histological positivity for lower salivary gland biopsy (LSGB), anti‐SSA/Ro52‐positive, reduced complement 3 (C3) levels, hypoalbuminemia and anemia retained significant association with renal involvement in pSS (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion

In addition to LSGB pattern, anti‐SSA/Ro52‐positivity, reduced C3 levels, hypoalbuminemia and anemia, also indicate significant association with renal involvement in pSS. Therefore, early vigilance is required for patients with these clinical manifestations.
Cadmium and arsenic responses in the ectomycorrhizal fungusLaccaria bicolor: glutathione metabolism and its role in metal(loid) homeostasis
Authors: Khullar Shikha , Sudhakara Reddy M.
Published: November 2018

Ectomycorrhizal fungi play an important role in protecting their host plant from metal(loid) stresses by synthesizing various thiol rich compounds like metallothioneins and glutathione. We investigated the effect of cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) stress with a specific interest on glutathione (GSH) in the ectomycorrhizal fungusLaccaria bicolor. The total GSH levels inside the cell were significantly increased with increase in external metal(loid) stress. An analysis of the transcript levels of genes responsible for GSH synthesis, γ‐glutamylcysteine synthetase(Lbγ‐GCS)and glutathione synthetase(LbGS), using qPCR revealed that expression of both genes increased as a function of external metal(loid) concentration. The enzyme activity of bothLbγ‐GCSandLbGSwere increased with increase in external Cd and As concentration. Further, the functional role ofLbγ‐GCSandLbGSgenes in response to Cd and As stress was studied using their respective yeast mutant strainsgsh1Δandgsh2Δ. The mutant strains successfully expressed the two genes resulting in wild‐type phenotype restoration of Cd and As tolerance. From these results, it was concluded that GSH act as a core component in the mycorrhizal defence system under Cd and As stress for metal(loid) homeostasis and detoxification.
Mandibular first premolar apical morphology: A stereomicroscopic study
Authors: Awawdeh Lama , Abu Fadaleh Mousa , Al‐Qudah Aladdin
Published: November 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate the size, shape and position of the physiological foramen and the relationship between the age and gender to the location and size of the apical foramen of mandibular first premolars. One hundred and one extracted human mandibular first premolar teeth were examined; age and gender of the patients were recorded. Apices of teeth were examined stereomicroscopically for number, size and shape of apical foramina; frequency and deviation of accessory foramina from the apex and the relation with age and gender. Sixty‐four of the premolars had one foramen and 23% had two. The distances from the foramina openings to the apices ranged from 0.07 to 2.18 mm. In younger range irregular shape was dominant (41%), whilst in older range, round shape was dominant (45%). The shape of the apical foramen changed with age and the distance from the foramen to the anatomical apex increased with age.
Diagnostic approach with genetic tests for global developmental delay and/or intellectual disability: Single tertiary center experience
Authors: Han Ji Yoon , Jang Woori , Park Joonhong , Kim Myungshin , Kim Yonggoo , Lee In Goo
Published: November 2018

The child with global developmental delay (GDD)/intellectual disability (ID) is deserving of the appropriate evaluation available for improving the health and well‐being of patients and their families. To better elucidate the diagnostic approach of genetic tests for patients with GDD and/or ID, we evaluated the results in a cohort of 75 patients with clinical features of GDD and/or ID who were referred for diagnostic workup. A total of 75 children were investigated for GDD or ID in the pediatric neurology department. Ten patients (13%, 10/75) with a clinically recognizable syndrome were diagnosed by single‐gene analysis. Next, chromosomal microarray was performed as a first‐tier test, and 25 patients (33%, 25/75) showed structural abnormalities. Then, two fragile X syndrome (3%, 2/75) were confirmed by FMR1 gene fragment analysis. Thirty‐eight remaining patients received a gene panel by next‐generation sequencing. Eight patients were found to have an underlying genetic etiology: CHD8, ZDHHC9, MBD5, CACNA1H, SMARCB1, FOXP1, NSD1, and PAX6. As a result, 45 patients (60%, 45/75) had been diagnosed by genetic tests. Among 30 undiagnosed patients, brain structural abnormalities related to GDD/ID were observed in eight patients (11%, 8/75). However, in 22 patients (29%, 22/75), the causes of GDD/ID remained uncertain. A genetic diagnostic approach of GDD/ID by sequential molecular analysis can help in the planning of treatment, assigning the risk of occurrence in siblings, and providing emotional relief for the family.