bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Federal States and Investment Arbitration
Authors: Dr Facundo Pérez-Aznar
Published: March 2018

This chapter analyses the characteristics of investment arbitration cases where a federal state is sued for the conduct of its political subdivisions. It is a well-established rule of international law that states are responsible for wrongful acts of their political subdivisions and they may not invoke their internal law as justification for failure to comply with an international obligation. Cases in which a federal state is sued for the conduct of its political subdivisions can generate peculiar situations, such as issues of attribution, jurisdiction, and substantive provisions. This chapter explores some of these particularities under international investment law and domestic law. It examines the links between political subdivisions and the central state in matters of investment law. It also explores the issue of financial responsibility between the federal state and its political subdivision, where an arbitral tribunal orders the former to pay compensation for the unlawful conduct of the latter.
Has China Become ‘Legally’ a Market-economy Country on 11 December 2016 under the WTO Antidumping Agreement? Analysing an Open Question
Authors: Giorgio Sacerdoti
Published: March 2018

The rules applicable to the antidumping investigation on China’s exports after the expiration of subparagraph (a)(ii) of Section 15 of China's Accession Protocol on 11 December 2016 are contentious. China immediately challenged both the EU and US regimes at the WTO claiming that the general WTO rules on price comparability must now be applied to its exports. The chapter concludes that Section 15(a)(i) of China’s Accession Protocol, as subsisting, still allows importing countries to treat China as a non-market economy in certain conditions. As a consequence, there is recourse to constructed value based on the prices and costs of an analogue third country instead of the domestic ones in China, if the latter are being distorted by state intervention. However, recourse to this alternative methodology cannot be ‘automatic’ anymore and the issue of which party has to prove that the imports at issue are distorted by state intervention becomes crucial.
Impacts of Fiscal Reforms on Country Attractiveness
Authors: Lisa Sachs , Perrine Toledano , Jacky Mandelbaum , James Otto
Published: March 2018

This chapter considers the global trend of fiscal reforms in the natural resource sector, in which governments are seeking to claim a larger portion of the windfall profits of recent years. More specifically, it surveys fiscal reforms in the oil, gas, and mining sector through seven case studies, and analyzes investors' responses to these reforms as well as the change in a country's attractiveness for existing and potential investors as a result of reforms. The chapter also highlights differences in the reform processes in the countries studied and examines their potential implications for the outcomes of the reform processes and the investors' reactions. It considers the implications of the system of regulation (contract-based versus legislated), the consultative process, the role of external parties and expert reports, and the threat of investor-state arbitration. Finally, it explains why fiscal reforms are more likely in the natural resource sector.
Leviathan on Life Support? Restructuring Sovereign Debt and International Investment Protection After Abaclat
Authors: Michael D Nolan , Frédéric Gilles Sourgens , Hugh Carlson
Published: March 2018

This chapter focuses on the 2011 jurisdictional decision in Abaclat et al. v. Argentina, the first International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) decision to green-light a group bondholder claim brought pursuant to a bilateral investment treaty following a sovereign debt restructuring. The decision was subject to a substantial dissent. It is argued that the majority, as well as the dissenting opinion should have accorded greater interpretative significance to the ordinary meaning of the treaty text and the drafting history of the ICSID Convention. In particular, more attention should have been paid to determining what is unique about sovereign bonds, rather than devoting substantial eff ort to debating whether debt obligations constitute “investments” for the purposes of Article 25(1) ICSID Convention.
Preoperative Vs Postoperative Radiosurgery For Resected Brain Metastases: A Review
Authors: Prabhu Roshan S , Patel Kirtesh R , Press Robert H , Soltys Scott G , Brown Paul D , Mehta Minesh P , Asher Anthony L , Burri Stuart H
Published: March 2018

Patients who undergo surgical resection of brain metastases are at significant risk of cavity local recurrence without additional radiation therapy. Postoperative stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a method of focal treatment to the cavity to maximize local control while minimizing the risk of neurocognitive detriment associated with whole brain radiation therapy. Recently published randomized trials have demonstrated the benefit of postoperative SRS in terms of cavity tumor control and preserving neurocognition. However, there are several potential drawbacks with postoperative SRS including a possible increase in symptomatic radiation necrosis because of the need for cavity margin expansion due to target delineation uncertainty, the variable postoperative clinical course and potential delay in administering postoperative SRS, and the theoretical risk of tumor spillage into cerebrospinal fluid at the time of surgery. Preoperative SRS is an alternative paradigm wherein SRS is delivered prior to surgical resection, which may effectively address some of these potential drawbacks. The goal of this review is to examine the rationale, technique, outcomes, evidence, and future directions for the use of SRS as an adjunct to surgical resection. This can be delivered as either preoperative or postoperative SRS with potential advantages and disadvantages to both approaches that will be discussed.
The Criminal Histories of Drug-Drive Offenders
Authors: Nunn James
Published: March 2018

This study examined the previous criminal behaviour of individuals who were arrested for violating the drug driving over the prescribed limit offence, introduced into the UK in March 2015. The sample consists of individuals arrested during the first year of enforcement of this offence from March 2015 to March 2016 within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Metropolitan Police Service in London. The previous criminal behaviour of the research subjects was framed within a number of criminological theories and there is examination of any correlation between their criminal history and the drug-driving offence they had been arrested for. The criminal activity was obtained from each individual’s criminal record held on the police national computer and coded with regards to offence groups. As well as criminal sanctions, there was also an examination of drug-related arrest histories. The results indicate a high level of previous criminal activity with drugs and driving matters dominating that activity. This supports the construct that, in this context, drug driving fits within their patterns of offending.
Bacterial and Fungal Next Generation Sequencing Datasets and Metadata from Citrus Infected with ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’
Authors: Ginnan Nichole A. , Dang Tyler , Bodaghi Sohrab , Ruegger Paul M. , Peacock Beth B. , McCollum Greg , England Gary , Vidalakis Georgios , Roper Caroline , Rolshausen Philippe , Borneman James
Published: March 2018

Citrus production throughout the world is being severely threatened by Huanglongbing (HLB), which is a disease associated with the bacteria ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ (CLas), africanus, and americanus. This Resource Announcement provides amplicon-based next generation sequencing (NGS) datasets of the bacterial and fungal rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region from CLas-infected citrus budwood, leaves, and roots from five orchards located in different geographical regions in Florida (USA). To our knowledge, this is the first amplicon-based NGS study (i) that describes the fungal taxa associated with citrus and (ii) that provides comparative analyses of the bacterial and fungal taxa associated with budwood, leaves, and roots from the same citrus trees. This report also provides the sample metadata linked to these sequence datasets including HLB severity rating, tissue type, citrus rootstock, citrus scion, geographical region, and year trees were planted. When analyzed with other similar datasets, we anticipate that researchers will be able to obtain a greater understanding of the factors that shape the citrus microbiome as well as identify individual microorganisms or consortia of microorganisms that play a role in HLB suppression or exacerbation.
Challenges and solutions for studying collective animal behaviour in the wild
Authors: Hughey Lacey F. , Hein Andrew M. , Strandburg-Peshkin Ariana , Jensen Frants H.
Published: March 2018

Mobile animal groups provide some of the most compelling examples of self-organization in the natural world. While field observations of songbird flocks wheeling in the sky or anchovy schools fleeing from predators have inspired considerable interest in the mechanics of collective motion, the challenge of simultaneously monitoring multiple animals in the field has historically limited our capacity to study collective behaviour of wild animal groups with precision. However, recent technological advancements now present exciting opportunities to overcome many of these limitations. Here we review existing methods used to collect data on the movements and interactions of multiple animals in a natural setting. We then survey emerging technologies that are poised to revolutionize the study of collective animal behaviour by extending the spatial and temporal scales of inquiry, increasing data volume and quality, and expediting the post-processing of raw data.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Collective movement ecology’.
Using activity and sociability to characterize collective motion
Authors: Sumpter David J. T. , Szorkovszky Alex , Kotrschal Alexander , Kolm Niclas , Herbert-Read James E.
Published: March 2018

A wide range of measurements can be made on the collective motion of groups, and the movement of individuals within them. These include, but are not limited to: group size, polarization, speed, turning speed, speed or directional correlations, and distances to near neighbours. From an ecological and evolutionary perspective, we would like to know which of these measurements capture biologically meaningful aspects of an animal's behaviour and contribute to its survival chances. Previous simulation studies have emphasized two main factors shaping individuals' behaviour in groups; attraction and alignment. Alignment responses appear to be important in transferring information between group members and providing synergistic benefits to group members. Likewise, attraction to conspecifics is thought to provide benefits through, for example, selfish herding. Here, we use a factor analysis on a wide range of simple measurements to identify two main axes of collective motion in guppies (Poecilia reticulata): (i) sociability, which corresponds to attraction (and to a lesser degree alignment) to neighbours, and (ii) activity, which combines alignment with directed movement. We show that for guppies, predation in a natural environment produces higher degrees of sociability and (in females) lower degrees of activity, while female guppies sorted for higher degrees of collective alignment have higher degrees of both sociability and activity. We suggest that the activity and sociability axes provide a useful framework for measuring the behaviour of animals in groups, allowing the comparison of individual and collective behaviours within and between species.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Collective movement ecology’.
Eco-evolutionary dynamics, density-dependent dispersal and collective behaviour: implications for salmon metapopulation robustness
Authors: Yeakel Justin D. , Gibert Jean P. , Gross Thilo , Westley Peter A. H. , Moore Jonathan W.
Published: March 2018

The spatial dispersal of individuals plays an important role in the dynamics of populations, and is central to metapopulation theory. Dispersal provides connections within metapopulations, promoting demographic and evolutionary rescue, but may also introduce maladapted individuals, potentially lowering the fitness of recipient populations through introgression of heritable traits. To explore this dual nature of dispersal, we modify a well-established eco-evolutionary model of two locally adapted populations and their associated mean trait values, to examine recruiting salmon populations that are connected by density-dependent dispersal, consistent with collective migratory behaviour that promotes navigation. When the strength of collective behaviour is weak such that straying is effectively constant, we show that a low level of straying is associated with the highest gains in metapopulation robustness and that high straying serves to erode robustness. Moreover, we find that as the strength of collective behaviour increases, metapopulation robustness is enhanced, but this relationship depends on the rate at which individuals stray. Specifically, strong collective behaviour increases the presence of hidden low-density basins of attraction, which may serve to trap disturbed populations, and this is exacerbated by increased habitat heterogeneity. Taken as a whole, our findings suggest that density-dependent straying and collective migratory behaviour may help metapopulations, such as in salmon, thrive in dynamic landscapes. Given the pervasive eco-evolutionary impacts of dispersal on metapopulations, these findings have important ramifications for the conservation of salmon metapopulations facing both natural and anthropogenic contemporary disturbances.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Collective movement ecology’.
Inferring the rules of social interaction in migrating caribou
Authors: Torney Colin J. , Lamont Myles , Debell Leon , Angohiatok Ryan J. , Leclerc Lisa-Marie , Berdahl Andrew M.
Published: March 2018

Social interactions are a significant factor that influence the decision-making of species ranging from humans to bacteria. In the context of animal migration, social interactions may lead to improved decision-making, greater ability to respond to environmental cues, and the cultural transmission of optimal routes. Despite their significance, the precise nature of social interactions in migrating species remains largely unknown. Here we deploy unmanned aerial systems to collect aerial footage of caribou as they undertake their migration from Victoria Island to mainland Canada. Through a Bayesian analysis of trajectories we reveal the fine-scale interaction rules of migrating caribou and show they are attracted to one another and copy directional choices of neighbours, but do not interact through clearly defined metric or topological interaction ranges. By explicitly considering the role of social information on movement decisions we construct a map of near neighbour influence that quantifies the nature of information flow in these herds. These results will inform more realistic, mechanism-based models of migration in caribou and other social ungulates, leading to better predictions of spatial use patterns and responses to changing environmental conditions. Moreover, we anticipate that the protocol we developed here will be broadly applicable to study social behaviour in a wide range of migratory and non-migratory taxa.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Collective movement ecology’.
Comparison of the Cepheid Xpert HPV test and the HC2 High-Risk HPV DNA Test for detection of high-risk HPV infection in cervical smear samples in SurePath preservative fluid
Authors: Rabaan Ali A. , Alfaraj Shatha A. , Alkhalifah Mohammed A.
Published: March 2018

Purpose. Cytological and histological cervical screening methods for human papillomavirus may be subjective. Current guidelines recommend the use of direct human papillomavirus screening by molecular methods in conjunction with cytology for the detection of high-risk human papillomavirus types with carcinogenic potential. In this study, we compared the performance of the molecular Cepheid Xpert HPV test to the FDA-approved HC2 High-Risk HPV DNA Test on samples from patients presenting for cervical screening, regardless of the cytology results, in which cervical cell samples were originally collected for Papanicolaou (Pap) smear specimens in Becton Dickinson (BD) SurePath preservative fluid.

Methodology. Cervical cells were obtained for Pap smear specimens from 343 women attending Qatif Central Hospital in Saudi Arabia for cervical cancer screening using a Cytobrush Plus GT and immersed in BD SurePath preservative fluid in BD SurePath collection vials. The study was carried out between December 2015 and July 2016.

Results. The Xpert HPV test was positive in 27 (7.9 %) of the samples. The HC2 High-Risk HPV DNA Test was positive in 32 (9.3 %) of the samples. The most common HPV types according to the Xpert HPV test were HPV other types, either alone (n=15) or in combination with HPV16 (n=3). The overall concordance rate between the tests was 98.5 %. The positive concordance was 84.4 %.

Conclusion. The Xpert HPV test is convenient to use on cervical cell samples collected for Pap smear specimens in BD SurePath preservative fluid within an hour and is a viable alternative to the HC2 High-Risk HPV DNA Test for HPV testing.
Linear-double-stranded DNA (ldsDNA) based AND logic computation in mammalian cells
Authors: Su Weijun , Zhang Chunze , Li Shuai
Published: March 2018

Synthetic biology employs engineering principles to redesign biological system for clinical or industrial purposes. The development and application of novel genetic devices for genetic circuits construction will facilitate the rapid development of synthetic biology. Here we demonstrate that mammalian cells could perform two- and three-input linear-double-stranded DNA (ldsDNA) based Boolean AND logic computation. Through hydrodynamic ldsDNA delivery, two-input ldsDNA-base AND-gate computation could be achieved in vivo. Inhibition of DNA-PKcs expression, a key enzyme in non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), could significantly downregulate the intensity of output signals from ldsDNA-based AND-gate. We further reveal that in mammalian cells ldsDNAs could undergo end processing and then perform AND-gate calculation to generate in-frame output proteins. Moreover, we show that ldsDNAs or plasmids with identical overlapping sequences could also serve as inputs of AND-gate computation. Our work establishes novel genetic devices and principles for genetic circuits construction, thus may open a new gate for the development of new disease targeting strategies and new protein genesis methodologies.
High-accuracy Decoding of Complex Visual Scenes from Neuronal Calcium Responses
Authors: Ellis Randall J. , Michaelides Michael
Published: March 2018

The brain contains billions of neurons defined by diverse cytoarchitectural, anatomical, genetic, and functional properties. Sensory encoding and decoding are popular research areas in the fields of neuroscience, neuroprosthetics and artificial intelligence but the contribution of neuronal diversity to these processes is not well understood. Deciphering this contribution necessitates development of sophisticated neurotechnologies that can monitor brain physiology and behavior via simultaneous assessment of individual genetically-defined neurons during the presentation of discrete sensory cues and behavioral contexts. Neural networks are a powerful technique for formulating hierarchical representations of data using layers of nonlinear transformations. Here we leverage the availability of an unprecedented collection of neuronal activity data, derived from ∼25,000 individual genetically-defined neurons of the parcellated mouse visual cortex during the presentation of 118 unique and complex naturalistic scenes, to demonstrate that neural networks can be used to decode discrete visual scenes from neuronal calcium responses with high (∼96%) accuracy. Our findings highlight the novel use of neural networks for sensory decoding using neuronal calcium imaging data and reveal a neuroanatomical map of visual decoding strength traversing brain regions, cortical layers, neuron types, and time. Our findings also demonstrate the utility of feature selection in assigning contributions of neuronal diversity to visual decoding accuracy and the low requirement of network architecture complexity for high accuracy decoding in this experimental context.
Causal mechanisms of a healthy lifestyle intervention for patients with musculoskeletal pain who are overweight or obese
Authors: Williams A , Lee H , Kamper SJ , O’Brien KM , Wiggers J , Wolfenden L , Yoong SL , Hodder RK , Robson EK , Haskins R , McAuley JH , Williams CM
Published: March 2018

We assessed the causal mechanisms of a healthy lifestyle intervention for patients with chronic low back pain and knee osteoarthritis (OA), who are overweight or obese. We conducted causal mediation analyses of aggregated data from two RCTs; which included 160 patients with chronic low back pain, and 120 patients with knee OA. Participants were randomised via one central randomisation schedule, to the intervention, or usual care. The intervention consisted of brief advice and referral to a 6-month telephone-based healthy lifestyle coaching service. Participants in the back pain trial were also offered a single physiotherapy consultation. The hypothesised primary mediator was self-reported weight, and alternative mediators were diet, physical activity, and pain beliefs. Outcomes were pain intensity, disability, and quality of life (QoL). Data were analysed using causal mediation analyses with sensitivity analyses for sequential ignorability. All mediation models were specified a priori. The intervention had no effect on pain intensity, disability or physical QoL. The intervention significantly improved mental QoL, however, the intervention effect was not channelled via the selected mediators. The intervention did not reduce weight, or the alternative mediators (diet, physical activity, pain beliefs), and these mediators were not associated with the outcomes (with one exception; poor diet was associated with lower mental QoL). The sensitivity analyses showed that our estimates were stable across all possible levels of residual confounding. Our findings show that the intervention did not cause a meaningful change in the hypothesised mediators, and these mediators were not associated with patient outcomes.
Sample size calculation for estimating key epidemiological parameters using serological data and mathematical modelling
Authors: Blaizot Stéphanie , Herzog Sereina A. , Abrams Steven , Theeten Heidi , Litzroth Amber , Hens Niel
Published: March 2018

Background

Our work was motivated by the need to, given serum availability and/or financial resources, decide on which samples to test for different pathogens in a serum bank. Simulation-based sample size calculations were performed to determine the age-based sampling structures and optimal allocation of a given number of samples for testing across various age groups best suited to estimate key epidemiological parameters (e.g., seroprevalence or force of infection) with acceptable precision levels in a cross-sectional seroprevalence survey.

Methods

Statistical and mathematical models and three age-based sampling structures (survey-based structure, population-based structure, uniform structure) were used. Our calculations are based on Belgian serological survey data collected in 2002 where testing was done, amongst others, for the presence of IgG antibodies against measles, mumps, and rubella, for which a national mass immunisation programme was introduced in 1985 in Belgium, and against varicella-zoster virus and parvovirus B19 for which the endemic equilibrium assumption is tenable in Belgium.

Results

The optimal age-based sampling structure to use in the sampling of a serological survey as well as the optimal allocation distribution varied depending on the epidemiological parameter of interest for a given infection and between infections.

Conclusions

When estimating key epidemiological parameters with acceptable levels of precision within the context of a single cross-sectional serological survey, attention should be given to the age-based sampling structure. Simulation-based sample size calculations in combination with mathematical modelling can be utilised for choosing the optimal allocation of a given number of samples over various age groups.
Thalamocortical And Intracortical Inputs Differentiate Layer-Specific Mouse Auditory Corticocollicular Neurons
Authors: Slater Bernard J. , Sons Stacy K. , Llano Daniel A.
Published: March 2018

Long-range descending projections from the auditory cortex play key roles in shaping response properties in the inferior colliculus. The auditory corticocollicular projection is massive and heterogeneous, with axons emanating from cortical layers 5 and 6, and plays a key role in directing plastic changes in the inferior colliculus. However, little is known about the cortical and thalamic networks within which corticocollicular neurons are embedded. Here, laser scanning photostimulation glutamate uncaging and photoactivation of channelrhodopsin-2 were used to probe the local and long-range network differences between pre-identified mouse layer 5 and layer 6 auditory corticocollicular neurons in vitro. Layer 5 corticocollicular neurons were found to vertically integrate supragranular excitatory and inhibitory input to a substantially greater degree than their layer 6 counterparts. In addition, all layer 5 corticocollicular neurons received direct and large thalamic inputs from channelrhodopsin-2 labeled thalamocortical fibers whereas such inputs were less common in layer 6 corticocollicular neurons. Finally, a new low calcium/synaptic blockade approach to separate direct from indirect inputs using laser photostimulation was validated. These data demonstrate that layer 5 and 6 corticocollicular neurons receive distinct sets of cortical and thalamic inputs, supporting the hypothesis that they have divergent roles in modulating the inferior colliculus. Furthermore, the direct connection between the auditory thalamus and layer 5 corticocollicular neurons reveals a novel and rapid link connecting ascending and descending pathways.
Mapping malaria by combining parasite genomic and epidemiologic data
Authors: Wesolowski Amy , Taylor Aimee R. , Chang Hsiao-Han , Verity Robert , Tessema Sofonias , Bailey Jeffrey , Perkins T. Alex , Neafsey Daniel , Greenhouse Bryan , Buckee Caroline O.
Published: March 2018

Recent global progress in scaling up malaria control interventions has revived the goal of complete elimination in many countries. Decreasing transmission intensity generally leads to increasingly patchy spatial patterns of malaria transmission, however, and control programs must accurately identify remaining foci in order to target interventions efficiently. In particular, mosquito control interventions like bed nets and insecticide spraying are best targeted to transmission hotspots, and the role of connectivity between different pockets of local transmission becomes increasingly important since humans are able to move parasites beyond the limits of mosquito dispersal and re-introduce parasites to previously malaria-free regions. Quantifying the connectivity between regions due to human travel, measuring malaria transmission intensity in different areas, and monitoring parasite spatial spread are therefore key issues for policy-makers because they underpin the feasibility of elimination and inform the path to its attainment. To this end, recent efforts have been made to develop new approaches to incorporating human mobility into spatial epidemiological models, for example using mobile phone data, and there has been a surge of interest in collecting spatially informative parasite samples to measure the genomic signatures of parasite connectivity. Due to their complicated life-cycles,Plasmodiumparasites pose unique challenges to researchers in this respect and new methods that move beyond traditional phylogenetic and population genetic tools must be developed to harness genetic information effectively. Here, we discuss the spatial epidemiology of malaria in the context of transmission-reduction interventions, and the challenges and promising directions for the development of integrated mapping, modeling, and genomic approaches that leverage disparate data sets to measure both connectivity and transmission.
A Generative Growth Model for Thalamocortical Axonal Branching in Primary Visual Cortex
Authors: Fard Pegah Kassraian , Pfeiffer Michael , Bauer Roman
Published: March 2018

Axonal morphology displays large variability and complexity, yet the canonical regularities of the cortex suggest that such wiring is based on the repeated initiation of a small set of genetically encoded rules. Extracting underlying developmental principles can hence shed light on what genetically encoded instructions must be available during cortical development. Within a generative model, we investigate growth rules for axonal branching patterns in cat area 17, originating from the lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus. This target area of synaptic connections is characterized by extensive ramifications and a high bouton density, characteristics thought to preserve the spatial resolution of receptive fields and to enable connections for the ocular dominance columns. We compare individual and global statistics, such as a newly introduced asymmetry index and the global segment-length distribution, of generated and real branching patterns as the benchmark for growth rules. We show that the proposed model surpasses the statistical accuracy of the Galton-Watson model, which is the most commonly employed model for biological growth processes. In contrast to the Galton-Watson model, our model can recreate the log-normal segment-length distribution of the experimental dataset and is considerably more accurate in recreating individual axonal morphologies. To provide a biophysical interpretation for statistical quantifications of the axonal branching patterns, the generative model is ported into the physically accurate simulation framework of Cx3D. In this simulation environment we demonstrate how the proposed growth process can be formulated as an interactive process between genetic growth rules and chemical cues in the local environment.
PIP5k1 β controls bone homeostasis through modulating both osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation
Authors: Zhao Xiaoying , Hu Guoli , Wang Chuandong , Jiang Lei , Zhao Jingyu , Xu Jiake , Zhang Xiaoling
Published: March 2018

PIP5K1β is crucial to generation of phosphotidylinosotol (4, 5) P2. PIP5K1β participates in numerous cellular activities, such as B cell and platelet activation, cell phagocytosis and endocytosis, cell apoptosis, and cytoskeletal organization. In the present work, we aimed to make insight into the function of PIP5K1β in osteoclastogenesis and osteogenesis to provide promising strategies for osteoporosis prevention and treatment. We discovered that PIP5k1β deletion in mice resulted in obvious bone loss and PIP5K1β was highly expressed both during osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation, besides, PIP5K1β deletion enhanced the proliferation and migration of BMMs to promote osteoclast differentiation. PIP5k1β−/−osteoclast exhibited normal cytoskeleton architecture but stronger resorption activity. PIP5k1β deficiency also promoted activation of MAPK and Akt signaling, enhanced TRAF6 and c-Fos expression, facilitated the expression and nuclear translocation of NFATC1 and upregulated Grb2 expression, thereby accelerating osteoclast differentiation and function. Finally, PIP5K1β enhanced osteoblast differentiation by upregulating master genes expression through triggering smad1/5/8 signaling. Thereby, PIP5K1β modulate bone homeostasis and remodeling.
Proof of concept for quantitative urine NMR metabolomics pipeline for large-scale epidemiology and genetics
Authors: Tynkkynen Tuulia , Wang Qin , Ekholm Jussi , Anufrieva Olga , Ohukainen Pauli , Vepsäläinen Jouko , Männikkö Minna , Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi Sirkka , Holmes Michael V. , Goodwin Matthew , Ring Susan , Chambers John C. , Kooner Jaspal , Järvelin Marjo-Riitta , Kettunen Johannes , Hill Michael , Smith George Davey , Ala-Korpela Mika
Published: March 2018

Background

Quantitative molecular data from urine are rare in epidemiology and genetics. NMR spectroscopy could provide these data in high-throughput, and it has already been applied in epidemiological settings to analyse urine samples. However, quantitative protocols for large-scale applications are not available.

Methods

We describe in detail how to prepare urine samples and perform NMR experiments to obtain quantitative metabolic information. Semi-automated quantitative lineshape fitting analyses were set up for 43 metabolites and applied to data from various analytical test samples and from 1,004 individuals from a population-based epidemiological cohort. Novel analyses on how urine metabolites associate with quantitative serum NMR metabolomics data (61 metabolic measures; n=995) were performed. In addition, confirmatory genome-wide analyses of urine metabolites were conducted (n=578). The fully automated quantitative regression-based spectral analysis is demonstrated for creatinine and glucose (n= 4,548).

Results

Intra-assay metabolite variations were mostly <5% indicating high robustness and accuracy of the urine NMR spectroscopy methodology per se. Intra-individual metabolite variations were large, ranging from 6% to 194%. However, population-based inter-individual metabolite variations were even larger (from 14% to 1655%), providing a sound base for epidemiological applications. Metabolic associations between urine and serum were found clearly weaker than those within serum and within urine, indicating that urinary metabolomics data provide independent metabolic information. Two previous genome-wide hits for formate and 2-hydroxyisobutyrate were replicated at genome-wide significance.

Conclusions

Quantitative urine metabolomics data suggest broad novelty for systems epidemiology. A roadmap for an open access methodology is provided.
Neuronal integration in the adult olfactory bulb is a non-selective addition process
Authors: Platel Jean-Claude , Angelova Alexandra , Bugeon Stephane , Ganay Thibault , Chudotvorova Ilona , Deloulme Jean-Christophe , Béclin Christophe , Tiveron Marie-Catherine , Coré Nathalie , Cremer Harold
Published: March 2018

Adult neurogenesis is considered a competition in which neurons scramble during a critical period for integration and survival. Moreover, newborn neurons are thought to replace preexisting ones that die. Despite a wealth of evidence supporting this model, systematic in vivo observations of the process are still scarce. We used 2-photon imaging to study neuronal integration and survival directly in the olfactory bulb (OB) of living mice. Long-term tracking of over 1400 neurons demonstrated that cell-loss in the OB is virtually absent. Neuronal death resembling a critical period was induced by standard doses of BrdU or EdU, but disappeared when low doses of EdU were used, demonstrating toxicity. Finally, we demonstrate that the OB grows throughout life. This shows that neuronal selection during OB-neurogenesis does not occur during integration and argues against the existence of a critical period. Moreover, the OB is not a “turnover” system but shows lifelong neuronal addition.
Crystal structure evolution of BaBrCl and BaBrCl:5%Eu up to 1073 K by neutron diffraction
Authors: Onken Drew R. , Williams Richard T. , Perrodin Didier , Shalapska Tetiana , Bourret Edith D. , Tremsin Anton S. , Vogel Sven C.
Published: March 2018

BaBrCl:Eu is a promising scintillator material; however, the crystal growth yield must be improved for it to become commercially viable. This study measures strain accumulations in the crystal lattice which can contribute to cracking during post-growth cooling. Neutron diffraction is used to measure the crystal structure of undoped and 5 mol% europium-doped BaBrCl from 303 to 1073 K, approaching the melting point. Rietveld analysis of these data provides the temperature dependence of the thermal and chemical strain in BaBrCl. In particular, anisotropic thermal expansion is measured, with expansion along the b axis nearly double the expansion along the a and c axes. Additionally, the chemical strain from the incorporation of europium atoms peaks around 673 K, explaining cracking frequently observed in that temperature range.
Direct-space solution in theEXPOpackage: the combination of the HBB–BC algorithm with GRASP
Authors: Altomare Angela , Corriero Nicola , Cuocci Corrado , Falcicchio Aurelia , Moliterni Anna , Rizzi Rosanna
Published: March 2018

The hybrid big bang–big crunch algorithm is a combination of a global optimization algorithm inspired by one of the theories of the evolution of the universe, named the big bang and big crunch theory, and the simulated annealing method. The procedure was implemented in the latest version of the programEXPOand applied to crystal-structure solution from powder diffraction data. Several aspects of the hybrid big bang–big crunch algorithm can be further optimized with the aim of obtaining good quality solutions in a shorter computation time. In the present study, the hybrid big bang–big crunch procedure has been combined with the greedy randomized adaptive search procedure (GRASP) and some steps of the algorithm have been improved. The new approach, implemented in theEXPOpackage, has been successfully tested on numerous known crystal structures.
The sport industry in growing economies: critical issues and challenges
Authors: Zhang James J. , Kim Euisoo , Mastromartino Brandon , Qian Tyreal Yizhou , Nauright John
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to encourage scholarly inquiries to critically examine broad perspectives of marketing and business operations in the sport industry of growing economies.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive review of literature was the primary research method to introduce the following critical questions, “what are the major challenges in the sport industry of developing economies in a globalized market environment and what to do?”.

Findings

Seven articles are selected based on their theoretical and practical contributions.

Originality/value

This special issue is committed to trigger more investigations into sport businesses in developing countries and ultimately advancing theories and seeking solutions.
Attracting international spectators to a sport event held in Asia
Authors: Watanabe Yasuhiro , Gilbert Cassendra , Aman Mohd Salleh , Zhang James J.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the systematic influence of core product features, event operation quality, sport fan identification, and image of host city as a tourism destination on behavioral intentions of international spectator at a Formula One (F1) event held in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey form assessing the specified concepts was designed and employed to examine the structural relationships. The research participants were international spectators (n=512) attending the event. Data were randomly split into two halves, one for EFA (n=256) and the other for CFA and SEM (n=256).

Findings

Findings revealed that core product feature and sport fan identification factors were significantly (p<0.05) related to both of international spectators’ desire to stay at the event, attend the event in the future, and revisit the country; whereas, event operation quality was only found to be significantly influential of the re-patronage, and destination image was only significantly influential of the desire to stay. The findings highlight the importance and relevance of these concepts in attracting, serving, and retaining international visitors to the event.

Originality/value

Unlike other studies that are centered merely on game and event factors, this study expanded on a bigger ecological spectrum surrounding a F1 event and systematically evaluated the critical concepts and factors affecting international tourist to the event that can be considerable sources of economic growth. The findings provide empirical evidence for event and tourism management and marketing.
Examining service quality and social impact perceptions of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games
Authors: Ribeiro Tiago Miguel , Correia Abel , Biscaia Rui , Figueiredo Carlos
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of service quality on perceived positive and negative social impact of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.

Design/methodology/approach

A field study was conducted in Rio de Janeiro, and data were collected from residents who attended the Olympic Games through a self-administered questionnaire (n=519). The questionnaire included measures of perceived service quality, positive and negative social impact. A confirmatory factor analysis analysed the psychometric properties of the constructs, and a subsequent structural equation model examined the relationships between service quality and social impact perceptions.

Findings

The results show good psychometric properties of a multidimensional construct of service quality composed of the technical, functional, aesthetic, access, accommodation and complementary events dimensions. The service quality construct was significantly related to both positive social impact (city image and community pride enhancement, social experiences and public infrastructures) and negative social impact (social conflicts and costs) perceptions.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by examining the role of service quality in sport mega-events and testing on different facets of social impact. The findings highlight that social atmosphere and new experiences in the Olympic Games are critical when planning these events.
The role of academic health centres in improving health equity: a systematic review
Authors: Edelman Alexandra , Taylor Judy , Ovseiko Pavel V. , Topp Stephanie M.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Academic health centres (AHCs) are organisations that pursue a “tripartite” mission to deliver high-quality care to patients, undertake clinical and laboratory research, and train future health professionals. The last decade has seen a global spread of AHC models and a growing interest in the role of AHCs in addressing health system equity. The purpose of this paper is to synthesise and critically appraise the evidence on the role of AHCs in improving health equity.

Design/methodology/approach

Peer-reviewed and grey literature published in English between 2000 and 2016 were searched. Articles that identified AHCs as the primary unit of analysis and that also addressed health equity concepts in relation to the AHC’s activity or role were included.

Findings

In total, 103 publications met the inclusion criteria of which 80 per cent were expert opinion. Eight descriptive themes were identified through which health equity concepts in relation to AHCs were characterised, described and operationalised: population health, addressing health disparities, social determinants of health, community engagement, global health, health system reform, value-based and accountable financing models, and role clarification/recalibration. There was consensus that AHCs can and should address health disparities, but there is a lack of empirical evidence to show that AHCs have a capacity to contribute to health equity goals or are demonstrating this contribution.

Originality/value

This review highlights the relevance of health equity concepts in discussions about the role and missions of AHCs. Future research should improve the quality of the evidence base by empirically examining health equity strategies and interventions of AHCs in multiple countries and contexts.
Exploring the drivers of tensions in social innovation management in the context of social entrepreneurial teams
Authors: Dufays Frédéric
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify tensions that are emerging in the invention and implementation of social innovation by social entrepreneurial teams and highlights elements that influence the type of tension encountered.

Design/methodology/approach

Four cases are selected theoretically, studied individually, and compared to one another to identify tensions and patterns of tensions.

Findings

The findings reveal the predominant tensions related to goals and identity during social innovation invention and those related to time and knowledge during social innovation implementation. The size of the entrepreneurial team, the nature of the social innovation, and the interest orientation – that is, the overlap between entrepreneurial team members and beneficiaries – are found to play a role in the type of tensions encountered and their content.

Research limitations/implications

The chosen research approach limits the generalizability of the research results. Replication in other settings and with other types of social innovation is therefore encouraged.

Originality/value

In contrast to most existing studies, this research focuses on nascent social innovation projects borne by teams. It proposes that social-business tensions are not necessarily predominant in social innovation management. It suggests the importance of interest orientation as an underestimated factor in the study of social entrepreneurship.
Big data analytics capability in supply chain agility
Authors: Dubey Rameshwar , Gunasekaran Angappa , Childe Stephen J.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine when and how organizations build big data analytics capability (BDAC) to improve supply chain agility (SCA) and gain competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors grounded the theoretical framework in two perspectives: the dynamic capabilities view and contingency theory. To test the research hypotheses, the authors gathered 173 usable responses using a pre-tested questionnaire.

Findings

The results suggest that BDAC has a positive and significant effect on SCA and competitive advantage. Further, the results support the hypothesis that organizational flexibility (OF) has a positive and significant moderation effect on the path joining BDAC and SCA. However, contrary to the belief, the authors found no support for the moderation effect of OF on the path joining BDAC and competitive advantage.

Originality/value

The study makes some useful contributions to the literature on BDAC, SCA, OF, and competitive advantage. Moreover, the results may further motivate future scholars to replicate the findings using longitudinal data.