bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mouse Model Systems of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Replicability and Informatics Signature
Authors: Kabitzke Patricia , Morales Diana , He Dansha , Cox Kimberly , Sutphen Jane , Thiede Lucinda , Sabath Emily , Hanania Taleen , Biemans Barbara , Brunner Daniela
Published: February 2019

3.

Background

Phenotyping mouse model systems of human disease has proven to be a difficult task, with frequent poor inter- and intra-laboratory replicability and translatability, particularly in behavioral domains such as social and verbal function. However, establishing robust animal model systems with strong construct validity is of fundamental importance as they are central tools for understanding disease pathophysiology and developing therapeutics. To complete our studies of mouse model systems relevant to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), we present a replication of the main findings from our two published studies comprising five genetic mouse model systems of ASD.

Methods

To assess the robustness of our previous results, we chose the two model systems that showed the greatest phenotypic differences, theShank3/FandCntnap2, and repeated assessments of general health, activity, and social behavior. We additionally explored all five model systems in the same framework, comparing all results obtained in this three-yearlong effort using informatics techniques to look for commonalities and differences.

Results

Results in the current study were very similar to our previously published results. The informatics signatures of the two model systems chosen for the replication showed that they were most distinguished by activity levels. Although the two model systems were opposite in this regard, those aspects of their social behavior not confounded by activity (vocalizations) were similar.

Conclusions

Our results showed high intra-laboratory replicability of results, even for those with effect sizes that were not particularly large, suggesting that discrepancies in the literature may be dependent on subtle differences in testing conditions, housing enrichment, or background strains and not so much on the variability of the behavioral phenotypes. The overall informatics analysis suggests two main classes of model systems that in some aspects lie on opposite ends of the behavioral spectrum, supporting the view that autism is not a unitary concept.
Stochastic Single Cell Behaviour Leads to Robust Horizontal Cell Layer Formation in the Vertebrate Retina
Authors: Amini Rana , Labudina Anastasia , Norden Caren
Published: February 2019

Developmental programs that arrange cells and tissues into patterned organs are remarkably robust. In the developing vertebrate retina for example, neurons reproducibly assemble into distinct layers giving the mature organ its overall structured appearance. This stereotypic neuronal arrangement, termed lamination, is important for efficient neuronal connectivity. While retinal lamination is conserved in many vertebrates including humans, how it emerges from single cell behaviour is not fully understood. To shed light on this question, we here investigated the formation of the retinal horizontal cell layer. Using in vivo light sheet imaging of the developing zebrafish retina, we generated a comprehensive quantitative analysis of horizontal single cell behaviour from birth to final positioning. Interestingly, we find that all parameters analyzed including cell cycle dynamics, migration paths and kinetics as well as sister cell dispersal are very heterogeneous. Thus, horizontal cells show individual non-stereotypic behaviour before final positioning. Yet, these initially stochastic cell dynamics always generate the correct laminar pattern. Consequently, our data shows that lamination of the vertebrate retina contains a yet underexplored extent of single cell stochasticity.
The effect of cathodal tDCS on fear extinction: a cross-measures study
Authors: Ganho-Ávila Ana , Gonçalves Óscar F. , Guiomar Raquel , Boggio Paulo Sérgio , Asthana Manish Kumar , Krypotos Angelos-Miltiadis , Almeida Jorge
Published: February 2019

Extinction-based procedures are often used to inhibit maladaptive fear responses. However, because extinction procedures show efficacy limitations, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been suggested as a promising add-on enhancer. In this study, we tested the effect of cathodal tDCS over extinction, to unveil the processes at play that boost the effectiveness of extinction procedures and its translational potential to the treatment of anxiety disorders.

We implemented a fear conditioning procedure whereby 41 healthy women (mean age = 20.51 ± 5.0) were assigned to either cathodal tDCS (n=27) or sham tDCS (n=16). Fear responses were measured with self-reports, autonomic responses, and implicit avoidance tendencies.

Cathodal tDCS shows no statistically significant effect in extinction, according to self-reports, and seems to even negatively affect fear conditioned skin conductance responses. However, implicit avoidance tendencies, assessed one-to-three months after the tDCS session and extinction, reveal a group difference in the avoidance tendencies towards the neutral stimuli (F(1, 41) = 12.04,p= .001,ηp2= .227), with the active cathodal tDCS groups showing a positive bias but not the sham group. This suggests a decreased generalization effect in the tDCS group with a moderate effect size. That is, cathodal tDCS may have enhanced long-term distinctiveness between threatening cues and perceptively similar neutral cues through a disambiguation process of the value of the neutral stimuli – a therapeutic target in anxiety disorders. Future studies should confirm these results and extend the study of cathodal tDCS effect on short term avoidance tendencies.
The Tug1 Locus is Essential for Male Fertility
Authors: Lewandowski Jordan P. , Dumbović Gabrijela , Watson Audrey R. , Hwang Taeyoung , Jacobs-Palmer Emily , Chang Nydia , Much Christian , Turner Kyle , Kirby Christopher , Schulz Jana Felicitas , Müller Clara-Louisa , Rubinstein Nimrod D. , Groff Abigail F. , Liapis Steve C. , Gerhardinger Chiara , Hubner Norbert , van Heesch Sebastiaan , Hoekstra Hopi E. , Sauvageau Martin , Rinn John L.
Published: February 2019

Background

Several long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to function as central components of molecular machines that play fundamental roles in biology. While the number of annotated lncRNAs in mammalian genomes has greatly expanded, their functions remain largely uncharacterized. This is compounded by the fact that identifying lncRNA loci that have robust and reproducible phenotypes when mutated has been a challenge.

Results

We previously generated a cohort of 20 lncRNA loci knockout mice. Here, we extend our initial study and provide a more detailed analysis of the highly conserved lncRNA locus, Taurine Upregulated Gene 1 (Tug1). We report that Tug1 knockout male mice are sterile with complete penetrance due to a low sperm count and abnormal sperm morphology. Having identified a lncRNA loci with a robust phenotype, we wanted to determine which, if any, potential elements contained in the Tug1 genomic region (DNA, RNA, protein, or the act of transcription) have activity. Using engineered mouse models and cell-based assays, we provide evidence that the Tug1 locus harbors three distinct regulatory activities – two noncoding and one coding: (i) a cis DNA repressor that regulates many neighboring genes, (ii) a lncRNA that can regulate genes by a trans-based function, and finally (iii) Tug1 encodes an evolutionary conserved peptide that when overexpressed impacts mitochondrial membrane potential.

Conclusions

Our results reveal an essential role for the Tug1 locus in male fertility and uncover three distinct regulatory activities in the Tug1 locus, thus highlighting the complexity present at lncRNA loci.
Thyroid hormone coordinates developmental trajectories but does not underlie developmental truncation in Danionins
Authors: Hu Yinan , Mauri Angela , Donahue Joan , Singh Rajendra , Acosta Benjamin , McMenamin Sarah
Published: February 2019

Background

Changes in post-embryonic developmental trajectories can profoundly alter adult phenotypes and life history transitions. In vertebrate clades with complex, biphasic life cycles, thyroid hormone (TH) regulates metamorphosis, and alterations to TH metabolism underlie famous cases of paedomorphosis. We tested the requirement for TH in multiple post-embryonic developmental processes in the zebrafish, and asked if TH loss was associated with paedomorphosis in miniaturizedDanionellas.

Results

We found that TH regulates the relative growth of different body parts in zebrafish, inhibiting head growth at juvenile stages. The lateral line also showed sensitivity to the hormone: head neuromasts were inhibited by TH, while trunk neuromasts required TH for their proliferation. While several aspects ofDanionellamorphology resembled that of larval zebrafish, these species did not resemble hypothyroid zebrafish in their shape or lateral line, and these fish showed functional thyroid follicles.

Conclusions

Although zebrafish do not undergo a discrete ecological transformation, we found that multiple tissues go through a protracted metamorphosis, and that TH ushers in growth patterns and processes typical of juveniles. We found no evidence that compromised TH metabolism is responsible for paedomorphosis inDanionellas.Nonetheless, modulations to TH-sensitive pathways affect evolutionarily-relevant traits, and are likely important targets for adaptation.

Bullet Points

Thyroid hormone regulates shifts in relative growth trajectories in different zebrafish tissues

Thyroid hormone inhibits head growth in juvenile zebrafish, and regulates juvenile growth patterns

Thyroid hormone stimulates formation of neuromast canals in the head and ‘stitches’ on the trunk of zebrafish

Danionella, the miniaturized sister group toDaniomorphologically resemble larval zebrafish and do not form neuromast canals

Hypothyroidism is not the cause of paedomorphosis inDanionella

Grant Sponsors

NIH R00GM105874

NIH R03HD091634

Burroughs Wellcome Collaborative Research Travel Grant 1017439
Biological insights from multi-omic analysis of 31 genomic risk loci for adult hearing difficulty
Authors: Kalra Gurmannat , Milon Beatrice , Casella Alex M. , Song Yang , Herb Brian R. , Rose Kevin , Hertzano Ronna , Ament Seth A.
Published: February 2019

Age-related hearing impairment (ARHI), one of the most common medical conditions, is strongly heritable, yet its genetic causes remain largely unknown. We conducted a meta-analysis of GWAS summary statistics from multiple hearing-related traits in the UK Biobank (n = up to 323,978) and identified 31 genome-wide significant risk loci for self-reported hearing difficulty (p < 5e-8), of which 30 have not been reported previously in the peer-reviewed literature at genome-wide significance. We investigated the regulatory and cell specific expression for these loci by generating mRNA-seq, ATAC-seq, and single-cell RNA-seq from cells in the mouse cochlea. Risk-associated genes were most strongly enriched for expression in cochlear epithelial cells, as well as for genes related to sensory perception and known Mendelian deafness genes, supporting their relevance to auditory function. Regions of the human genome homologous to open chromatin in sensory epithelial cells from the mouse were strongly enriched for heritable risk for hearing difficulty, even after adjusting for baseline effects of evolutionary conservation and cell-type nonspecific regulatory regions. Epigenomic and statistical fine-mapping most strongly supported 50 putative risk genes. Of these, at least 39 were expressed robustly in mouse cochlea and 16 were enriched specifically in sensory hair cells. These results reveal new risk loci and risk genes for hearing difficulty and suggest an important role for altered gene regulation in the cochlear sensory epithelium.
Allosteric Structural Alterations and Auto-regulation of Rab5 GEF Activity in Rabex5
Authors: Lauer Janelle , Cezanne Alice , Guaitoli Giambattista , Raimondi Francesco , Gentzel Marc , Alva Vikram , Habeck Michael , Ueffing Marius , Lupas Andrei , Gloeckner Christian Johannes , Zerial Marino
Published: February 2019

Intracellular trafficking depends on the function of Rab GTPases, whose activation is regulated by guanine exchange factors (GEFs). The Rab5 GEF, Rabex5, was previously proposed to be autoinhibited by its C-terminus. Here, we studied full-length Rabex5 and Rabaptin5 proteins as well as domain deletion Rabex5 mutants using hydrogen deuterium exchange mass spectrometry. We generated a structural model of Rabex5, using chemical crosslinking mass spectrometry and integrative modeling techniques. Our results are inconsistent with the previous model of autoinhibition. By correlating structural changes with nucleotide exchange activity for each construct, we uncovered new auto-regulatory roles for the Ubiquitin binding domains and the Linker connecting those domains to the catalytic core of Rabex5. Our results suggest a more complex auto-regulation mechanism than previously thought and imply that Ubiquitin binding serves not only to position Rabex5 but to also control its Rab5 GEF activity through allosteric structural alterations.
Androgen deprivation upregulates SPINK1 expression and potentiates cellular plasticity in prostate cancer
Authors: Tiwari Ritika , Manzar Nishat , Bhatia Vipul , Yadav Anjali , Carskadon Shannon , Gupta Nilesh , Zoubeidi Amina , Palanisamy Nallasivam , Ateeq Bushra
Published: February 2019

The Serine Peptidase Inhibitor, Kazal type 1 (SPINK1) overexpression represents ~10-25% of the prostate cancer (PCa) cases associated with shorter recurrence-free survival and poor prognosis. Nonetheless, androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) remains the mainstay treatment for locally advanced and metastatic PCa patients. However, majority of these individuals eventually progress to castration-resistant stage, and a subset of these patients develop ADT-induced neuroendocrine PCa. Despite adverse effects of ADT, possible role of androgen signaling in SPINK1-mediated prostate oncogenesis remains unexplored. Here, we show that androgen receptor (AR) and its corepressor, the RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST), occupySPINK1promoter and functions as a direct transcriptional repressor ofSPINK1, thus blocking AR signaling via ADT relieves its repression, leading to SPINK1 upregulation. In agreement, an inverse association between SPINK1 levels and AR expression was observed across multiple PCa cohorts, and in neuroendocrine differentiated cells. While, lineage reprogramming factor SOX2 in turn binds toSPINK1promoter leading to its transactivation in androgen-deprived conditions with concomitant increase in neuroendocrine markers. Additionally, we also confirm the role ofSPINK1in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, drug resistance, stemness and cellular plasticity. Moreover, we show that Casein Kinase 1 inhibitor stabilizes the REST levels, which in cooperation with AR, conjures transcriptional repression ofSPINK1expression, and impedes SPINK1-mediated oncogenesis. Collectively, our findings provide a plausible explanation to the paradoxical clinical outcomes of ADT, possibly due to increased SPINK1 levels. This study highlights the need to take a well-informed decision prior to ADT and develop alternative therapeutic strategies for castrate-resistant PCa patients.
Sub-district Costs and Efficiency of the Re Mmogo Pholong (“Together in Wellness”) Combination HIV/AIDS Prevention Intervention in the North West Province of South Africa
Authors: Kevany Sebastian
Published: February 2019

Background

Re Mmogo Pholong (RMP) or “Together in Wellness”), was a combination prevention program to strengthen HIV prevention programming, community support mechanisms, community-based HIV testing, referral systems, and HIV prevention integration at the primary care level, thereby sustainably reducing HIV/AIDS transmission in the North West Province of South Africa. RMP included four overlapping components: situational analysis, community engagement and mobilization, community-based biomedical and behavioral prevention, and primary health care systems strengthening. In support of the PEPFAR country-ownership paradigm, we conducted costing analysis of the RMP combination HIV prevention program to determine data needed for potential transition of to local ownership.

Methods

We used standard costing methodology for this research.

Results

We found that cost per unit of output ranged from $63.93 (cost per person reached with individual or small group prevention interventions) to $4,344.88 (cost per health facility strengthened). The RMP intervention was primarily dependent on personnel costs. This was true regardless of the time period (Year 1 vs. Year 2) or activity (i.e. wellness days or events, primary health care strengthening, community engagement, and wellness clubs).

Conclusions

The development of labor-intensive rather than capital intensive interventions for low-income settings such as RMP was identified as being particularly important in treating and preventing HIV/AIDS and other health conditions in a sustainable manner. Costs were also observed to transition from international cost centers to in-country headquarters offices over time, in keeping with the transition of international to local responsibility required for sustainable PEPFAR initiatives. Such costing center evolution was also reflected by changes in the composition of the intervention, including (1) the redesign and re-deployment of service delivery sites according to local needs, uptake and implementation success and (2) the flexible and adaptable restructuring of intervention components in response to community needs.
A critical but divergent role of PRDM14 in human primordial germ cell fate revealed by inducible degrons
Authors: Sybirna Anastasiya , Tang Walfred W.C. , Dietmann Sabine , Gruhn Wolfram H. , Azim Surani M.
Published: February 2019

PRDM14 is a crucial regulator of mouse primordial germ cells (mPGC), epigenetic reprogramming and pluripotency, but its role in the evolutionarily divergent regulatory network of human PGCs (hPGCs) remains unclear. Besides, a previous knockdown study indicated that PRDM14 might be dispensable for human germ cell fate. Here, we decided to use inducible degrons for a more rapid and comprehensive PRDM14 depletion. We show that PRDM14 loss results in significantly reduced specification efficiency and an aberrant transcriptome of human PGC-like cells (hPGCLCs) obtainedin vitrofrom human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Chromatin immunoprecipitation and transcriptomic analyses suggest that PRDM14 cooperates with TFAP2C and BLIMP1 to upregulate germ cell and pluripotency genes, while repressing WNT signalling and somatic markers. Notably, PRDM14 targets are not conserved between mouse and human, emphasising the divergent molecular mechanisms of PGC specification. The effectiveness of degrons for acute protein depletion is widely applicable in various developmental contexts.
Reconciling simulated ensembles of apomyoglobin with experimental HDX data using Bayesian inference and multi-ensemble Markov State Models
Authors: Wan Hongbin , Ge Yunhui , Razavi Asghar , Voelz Vincent A.
Published: February 2019

Hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) is a powerful technique to investigate protein conformational dynamics at amino acid resolution. Because HDX provides a measurement of solvent exposure of backbone hydrogens, ensemble-averaged over potentially slow kinetic processes, it has been challenging to use HDX protection factors to refine structural ensembles obtained from molecular dynamics simulations. This entails two dual challenges: (1) identifying structural observables that best correlate with backbone amide protection from exchange, and (2) restraining these observables in molecular simulations to model ensembles consistent with experimental measurements. Here, we make significant progress on both fronts. First, we describe an improved predictor of HDX protection factors from structural observables in simulated ensembles, parameterized from ultra-long molecular dynamics simulation trajectory data, with a Bayesian inference approach used to retain the full posterior distribution of model parameters.

We next present a new method for obtaining simulated ensembles in agreement with experimental HDX protection factors, in which molecular simulations are performed at various temperatures and restraint biases, and used to construct multi-ensemble Markov State Models (MSMs). Finally, the BICePs algorithm (Bayesian Inference of Conformational Populations) is then used with our HDX protection factor predictor to infer which thermodynamic ensemble agrees best with experiment, and estimate populations of each conformational state in the MSM. To illustrate the approach, we use a combination of HDX protection factor restraints and chemical shift restraints to model the conformational ensemble of apomyoglobin at pH 6. The resulting ensemble agrees well with experiment, and gives insight into the all-atom structure of disordered helices F and H in the absence of heme.

Graphical TOC Entry
Identification of 67 pleiotropic genes for seven autoimmune diseases using multivariate statistical analysis
Authors: Jia Xiaocan , Shi Nian , Xia Zhenhua , Feng Yu , Li Yifan , Tan Jiebing , Xu Fei , Wang Wei , Sun Changqing , Deng Hongwen , Yang Yongli , Shi Xuezhong
Published: February 2019

Although genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have a dramatic impact on susceptibility locus discovery, this univariate approach has limitation in detecting complex genotype-phenotype correlations. It is essential to identify shared genetic risk factors acting through common biological mechanisms of autoimmune diseases with a multivariate analysis. In this study, the GWAS summary statistics including 41,274 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in 11,516 gene regions was analyzed to identify shared variants of seven autoimmune diseases using metaCCA method. Gene-based association analysis was used to refine the pleiotropic genes. In addition, GO term enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction network analysis were applied to explore the potential biological function of the identified genes. After metaCCA analysis, 4,962 SNPs (P<1.21×10−6) and 1,044 pleotropic genes (P<4.34×10−6) were identified. By screening the results of gene-based p-values, we identified the existence of 27 confirmed pleiotropic genes and highlighted 40 novel pleiotropic genes which achieved significance threshold in metaCCA analysis and were also associated with at least one autoimmune disease in the VEGAS2 analysis. The metaCCA method could identify novel variants associated with complex diseases incorporating different GWAS datasets. Our analysis may provide insights for some common therapeutic approaches of autoimmune diseases based on the pleiotropic genes and common mechanisms identified.

Author summary

Although previous researches have clearly indicated varying degrees of overlapping genetic sensitivities in autoimmune diseases, it has proven GWAS only explain small percent of heritability. Here, we take advantage of recent technical and methodological advances to identify pleiotropic genes that act on common biological mechanisms and the overlapping pathophysiological pathways of autoimmune diseases. After selection using multivariate analysis and verification using gene-based analyses, we successfully identified a total of 67 pleiotropic genes and performed the functional term enrichment analysis. In particularly, 27 genes were identified to be pleiotropic in previous different types of studies, which were validated by our present study. Forty significant genes (16 genes were associated with one disease earlier, and 24 were novel) might be the novel pleiotropic candidate genes for seven autoimmune diseases. The improved detection not only yielded the shared genetic components but also provided better understanding for exploring the potential common biological pathogenesis of these major autoimmune diseases.
Group-theoretical analysis of 1:3A-site-ordered perovskite formation
Authors: Talanov Mikhail V.
Published: February 2019

The quadruple perovskitesAA′3B4X12are characterized by an extremely wide variety of intriguing physical properties, which makes them attractive candidates for various applications. Using group-theoretical analysis, possible 1:3A-site-ordered low-symmetry phases have been found. They can be formed from a parent Pm{\bar 3}m perovskite structure (archetype) as a result of real or hypothetical (virtual) phase transitions due to different structural mechanisms (orderings and displacements of atoms, tilts of octahedra). For each type of low-symmetry phase, the full set of order parameters (proper and improper order parameters), the calculated structure, including the space group, the primitive cell multiplication, splitting of the Wyckoff positions and the structural formula were determined. All ordered phases were classified according to the irreducible representations of the space group of the parent phase (archetype) and systematized according to the types of structural mechanisms responsible for their formation. Special attention is paid to the structural mechanisms of formation of the low-symmetry phase of the compounds known from experimental data, such as: CaCu3Ti4O12, CaCu3Ga2Sn2O12, CaMn3Mn4O12, Ce1/2Cu3Ti4O12, LaMn3Mn4O12, BiMn3Mn4O12and others. For the first time, the phenomenon of variability in the choice of the proper order parameters, which allows one to obtain the same structure by different group-theoretical paths, is established. This phenomenon emphasizes the fundamental importance of considering the full set of order parameters in describing phase transitions. Possible transition paths from the archetype with space group Pm{\bar 3}m to all 1:3A-site-ordered perovskites are illustrated using the Bärnighausen tree formalism. These results may be used to identify new phases and interpret experimental results, determine the structural mechanisms responsible for the formation of low-symmetry phases as well as to understand the structural genesis of the perovskite-like phases. The obtained non-model group-theoretical results in combination with crystal chemical data and first-principles calculations may be a starting point for the design of new functional materials with a perovskite structure.
Crystal structures of pyrrolidone-carboxylate peptidase I from Deinococcus radiodurans reveal the mechanism of L-pyroglutamate recognition
Authors: Agrawal Richa , Singh Rahul , Kumar Ashwani , Kumar Amit , Makde Ravindra D.
Published: February 2019

Pyrrolidone-carboxylate peptidase (PCP) catalyzes the removal of an unusual amino acid, L-pyroglutamate (pG), from the N-termini of peptides and proteins. It has implications in the functional regulation of different peptides in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. However, the pG-recognition mechanism of the PCP enzyme remains largely unknown. Here, crystal structures of PCP I from Deinococcus radiodurans (PCPdr) are reported in pG-free and pG-bound forms at resolutions of 1.73 and 1.55 Å, respectively. Four protomers in PCPdr form a tetrameric structure. The residues responsible for recognizing the pG residue are mostly contributed by a flexible loop (loop A) that is present near the active site. These residues are conserved in all known PCPs I, including those from mammals. Phe9 and Phe12 of loop A form stacking interactions with the pyrrolidone ring of pG, while Asn18 forms a hydrogen bond to OE of pG. The main chain of a nonconserved residue, Leu71, forms two hydrogen bonds to NH and OE of pG. Thus, pG is recognized in the S1 substrate subsite of the enzyme by both van der Waals and polar interactions, which provide specificity for the pG residue of the peptide. In contrast to previously reported PCP I structures, the PCPdr tetramer is in a closed conformation with an inaccessible active site. The structures show that the active site can be accessed by the substrates via disordering of loop A. This disordering could also prevent product inhibition by releasing the bound pG product from the S1 subsite, thus allowing the enzyme to engage a fresh substrate.
Tetracarbonyl[4,4-dimethyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)-2-oxazoline-κ2
N,N′]molybdenum(0)
Authors: Steinlechner Christoph , Spannenberg Anke , Junge Henrik , Beller Matthias
Published: February 2019

In the title compound, [Mo(C10H12N2O)(CO)4], the molybdenum(0) center is surrounded by a bidentate diimine [4,4-dimethyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)-2-oxazoline] and four carbonyl ligands in a distorted octahedral coordination geometry. The diimine ligand coordinates via the two nitrogen atoms.
Butyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoate
Authors: Kihle Jan Braly , Görbitz Carl Henrik
Published: February 2019

Millimeter-sized crystalline particles of butyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoate, C21H34O3, magnitudes larger than adherent particulate matter commonly observed during routine filter service inspections, were found in a commercial bus engine running on compressed methane biofuels and subjected to single-crystal XRD investigation. The structure is fully ordered and shows molecules in rather extended conformations being linked into chains by O—H...O hydrogen bonds.
Designing of smart chair for monitoring of sitting posture using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Kim Wonjoon , Jin Byungki , Choo Sanghyun , Nam Chang S. , Yun Myung Hwan
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Sitting in a chair is a typical act of modern people. Prolonged sitting and sitting with improper postures can lead to musculoskeletal disorders. Thus, there is a need for a sitting posture classification monitoring system that can predict a sitting posture. The purpose of this paper is to develop a system for classifying children’s sitting postures for the formation of correct postural habits.

Design/methodology/approach

For the data analysis, a pressure sensor of film type was installed on the seat of the chair, and image data of the postu.re were collected. A total of 26 children participated in the experiment and collected image data for a total of seven postures. The authors used convolutional neural networks (CNN) algorithm consisting of seven layers. In addition, to compare the accuracy of classification, artificial neural networks (ANN) technique, one of the machine learning techniques, was used.

Findings

The CNN algorithm was used for the sitting position classification and the average accuracy obtained by tenfold cross validation was 97.5 percent. The authors confirmed that classification accuracy through CNN algorithm is superior to conventional machine learning algorithms such as ANN and DNN. Through this study, we confirmed the applicability of the CNN-based algorithm that can be applied to the smart chair to support the correct posture in children.

Originality/value

This study successfully performed the posture classification of children using CNN technique, which has not been used in related studies. In addition, by focusing on children, we have expanded the scope of the related research area and expected to contribute to the early postural habits of children.
Synchronicity of global construction cost indexes
Authors: Zhang Ruixi , Xing Jinding , Ye Kunhui , Lu Weisheng , Shan Yongwei
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the features and tendency of cost indices in the global construction setting.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 22 countries/regions are collected and analyzed using maximum variance formulation and Kendall rank correlation coefficient.

Findings

It is found that global construction cost indexes (CCIs) have commonly maintained a steady increase for decades, and the CCIs synchronize with each other. Overall synchronicity and synchronicity of different countries pairs have increased with time significantly.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation, however, is the availability of data: only 22 regions/countries are examined, the distribution of these regions/countries is imbalanced between different continents and various indices are adopted around the world, of which statistical methods are not same.

Practical implications

The implication is that a better perception of CCIs enables contractors to have a robust estimation for bidding prices and to improve the efficiency of construction projects management. The research findings also provide a useful reference for those countries that have not established construction cost indices databases to forecast the tendency of domestic construction industries.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the overall body of knowledge by presenting the co-movement of global CCIs and measuring the changes of CCI synchronicity with time and in different countries pairs.
Value conflicts between local government and private sector in stock public-private partnership projects
Authors: Zhu Fangwei , Sun Mouxuan , Wang Linzhuo , Sun Xiuxia , Yu Miao
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The complexity caused by conflicting values of stakeholders is a critical issue influencing the performance and sustainability of stock public–private partnership (SPPP) projects, which is a special type of public–private partnership (PPP) project in China. The purpose of this paper is to focus on value conflicts between local government and private sector, which are two major stakeholders in SPPP projects, and investigate exchange rules to resolve value conflicts.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a mixed method approach, 55 semi-structured interviews were conducted for 15 stakeholders involved in a representative SPPP project. Social network analysis was then adopted to outline the value conflict network based on data drawn from focus group discussions. Finally, 24 value conflicts between local government and private sector were analyzed through another 13 semi-structured interviews in an abductive approach.

Findings

Results show that value conflicts between local government and private sector are dynamic and intertwined within and across three project phases, based on which six exchange rules, rationality, Altruism, power consistency, competition, group gain and reciprocity, are identified. Two sets of situational factors which potentially influence exchange rules adopted by the two parties are revealed, namely, urgency and professionality for local government and short-term interests and long-term interests for private sector. A summary of paired exchange rules is provided to predict if value conflicts between the two major stakeholders will be resolved or not.

Research limitations/implications

Theoretical implications are twofold. First, the results provide a contribution to PPP project management by investigating value conflicts between local government and private sector, which deepen the understanding on the unique characteristics of SPPP projects. Second, the findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of social exchange theory by suggesting a summary of condition-based and pair-based exchange rules.

Originality/value

One strength of the study is in the concentrated analysis of a single case which allows for a deep understanding of value complexity between local government and private sector in SPPP projects from a dynamic and networked perspective. A guideline is provided for both parties when a value conflict is found hard to resolve. Besides, this study is also among the first that addresses value issues in SPPP projects.
Exploring the use of Gestalt’s principles in improving the visualization, user experience and comprehension of COBie data extension
Authors: Yalcinkaya Mehmet , Singh Vishal
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Until now, the usage and usability factors associated with AEC–FM standards have remained largely overlooked. This oversight could be a potentially significant factor in the adoption rates as well as effective utilization of such advanced solutions in the AEC–FM industry. Therefore, from a conceptual and theoretical viewpoint, the purpose of this paper is to address this gap in understanding and enhancing the usability aspects of standards such as construction operations building information exchange (COBie) over its spreadsheet representation. Besides, findings from this study and the proposed theoretical fundamentals to enhance the usability and functionality of COBie spreadsheet representation could potentially lay the foundation for a VisualCOBie approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The iterative steps of design thinking and agile development are harmonized to form the main research methodology. Design thinking is useful in problem (re)formulation, and agile development is useful in iterative software development. The approach aims to identify and understand the needs and requirements of the AEC–FM users from the standardized approaches and associated IT solutions; and formulate the main features and functionalities of the proposed solution. The methodology supports the aim of generating a broad range of possible solutions instead of coming up with the “right” solution.

Findings

Despite the standards and associated IT developments, the AEC–FM industry still suffers from inefficient information management. To date, most initiatives have focused on utilization of the outputs from different IT solutions in terms of accuracy and completeness of the data defined in the standards. This research found that well-established standards such as COBie and corresponding IT solutions are not merely technical issues, but it is equally important to understand how the end-users cognitively perceive and process them. The developed solutions need to address user point of view to facilitate wider utilization of these standards in practice.

Research limitations/implications

In this research, Gestalt’s visual perception principles have been used to evaluate the usability issues of COBie spreadsheet. Although Gestalt principles provide a valid and proven viewpoint, there can be other cognitive principles that could also be taken into consideration.

Originality/value

The usage and usability factors associated with AEC–FM standards have remained largely overlooked, indicating a gap in the literature. This gap was considered as a potentially significant factor in the adoption as well as effective utilization of such standards and advanced solutions in the AEC–FM industry. By grounding the research in cognitive and usability perspectives of information exchange standards, the authors demonstrate how such theoretical underpinning can lead to innovative solutions.
Determinants of climate change disclosures in the Turkish banking industry
Authors: Kılıç Merve , Kuzey Cemil
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent of voluntary climate change disclosures in the Turkish banking industry and explore the factors explaining the extent of such disclosures.

Design/methodology/approach

The research sample is based upon 24 banks that had been continuously operating in Turkey over the seven-year period from 2010 to 2016. The study uses a disclosure index to investigate the extent of voluntary climate change-related disclosures made in their annual and sustainability reports by banks. The study also investigates factors impacting the extent of disclosures by using multiple regression and fractional regression analysis.

Findings

The findings of the research reveal that while the number of banks providing voluntary information on their climate change-related practices substantially increased from 2010 to 2016, there remains a significant number of banks that have not incorporated climate change-related issues into their lending policies or corporate strategies. Further, with regard to the regression analysis, the study documents the significant and positive impacts of bank size, profitability, bank age and listing status upon the extent of the climate change disclosures, in line with political cost and legitimacy theory.

Practical implications

The banking sector crucially impacts climate change indirectly, since banks provide financial backing to companies operating in environmentally sensitive industries. This paper presents empirical evidence of the factors impacting the extent of climate change disclosures by these banks, which might then be referred to by regulatory bodies when developing policies to promote environmentally responsible business practices within the banking industry.

Social implications

Several parties, which include governments, companies, financial institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) must work together to fight climate change. In this sense, the NGOs and green activists have a crucial role in raising public awareness about climate change, which might then inspire financial institutions to incorporate climate change-related issues into their policies, operations and strategies.

Originality/value

The study extends the prior literature in two ways. This study has concentrated on environmental reporting practices in the banking sector which have been investigated in very few prior studies. Since prior research has focused on developed countries, this paper adds to the current literature by examining the environmental disclosure practices of commercial banks operating in Turkey, which is a rapidly developing country.
The uncertain future of globalization
Authors: Steenkamp Jan-Benedict
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer a different perspective on the global consumer culture (GCC) phenomenon and identify new avenues for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a thought piece.

Findings

The unprecedented globalization of the marketplace in the last 50 years has given rise to the emergence of GCC, and the rise of global companies and global brands, among others. Yet, as one surveys the globalscape, there are developments on the horizon that might threaten continued globalization. In this paper, the author discusses these developments and their implications around three interrelated, yet distinct, components of globalization: global integration of world economies, GCC and global brands.

Originality/value

The paper identifies unique research opportunities to study GCC in an emerging business context in which continued global integration is not guaranteed, and where globalization headwinds could reduce the contribution of perceived brand globalness to brand value.
Role of empowerment and sense of community on online social health support group
Authors: Sharma Shwadhin , Khadka Anita
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Drawing on the taxonomy of patient empowerment and a sense of community (SoC), the purpose of this paper is to analyze the factors that impact the intention of the individual to continue using online social health support community for their chronic disease management.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey design was used to collect the data from multiple online social health support groups related to chronic disease management. The survey yielded a total of 246 usable responses.

Findings

The primary findings from this study indicate that the informational support – not the nurturant support such as emotional, network, and esteem support – are the major types of support people are seeking from an online social health support community. This research also found that patient empowerment and SoC would positively impact their intention to continue using the online health community.

Research limitations/implications

This study utilized a survey design method may limit precision and realism. Also, there is the self-selection bias as the respondents self-selected themselves to take the survey.

Practical implications

The findings can help the community managers or webmasters to design strategies for the promotion and diffusion of online social health group among patient of chronic disease. Those strategies should focus on patient’s empowerment through action facilitating and social support and through creating a SoC.

Originality/value

An innovative research model integrates patient empowerment and a SoC to study patient’s chronic disease management through online social health groups to fill the existing research gap.
Inherent criminogenesis in business organisations
Authors: Glebovskiy Alexander
Published: February 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss criminogenic elements and processes inherently presented in business organisations that affect the emergence of crime committed in or by business organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper, based on relevant literature regarding a range of crime-coercive and crime-facilitative elements and forces that promote corporate crime, considers business organisations as a cogent unit of analysis to discuss the causation and origin of corporate crime.

Findings

Business organisations are, per se, criminogenic, i.e. companies are latently prone to committing crime, but are not necessarily criminal. By seeking to achieve commercial goals, companies can unintentionally create an atmosphere that invites crimes and unethical conduct. Organisational criminality is not primarily influenced by deviance in individual behaviour, but is a product of the organisation’s criminogenic settings and environment. Criminal activity arises from contact with criminogenic systems and employees’ adaption to organisational behaviours that do not meet the highest ethical and moral standards.

Research limitations/implications

This is a theoretical analysis, lacking empirical research.

Practical implications

This study can help anti-fraud and compliance practitioners to develop anti-fraud strategies to prevent corporate crime at its source and further discussion on the causes of corporate misconduct and progresses the debate on the sources of illegal and unethical behaviour displayed in, and by, business organisations.

Originality/value

This paper highlights intrinsic features of business organisations that influence companies and employees to engage in illegal activities, malpractice and unethical behaviour and provides a conceptual framework and insights into the realm of inherent criminogenesis within business organisations and how this is shaped by organisations themselves.
Artificial intelligence: accelerator or panacea for financial crime?
Authors: Yeoh Peter
Published: February 2019

Purpose

This purpose of this viewpoint is to address the intended good and unintended bad impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in financial crime.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper relied primarily on secondary data resources, business cases and relevant laws and regulations, and it used a legal-economics perspective.

Findings

Current AI systems could function as antidotes or accelerator of financial crime, in particular cybercrime. Research suggests criminal law could be applied via three approaches to curb these cybercrimes. However, others considered this to be an inappropriate mechanism to hold AI agents accountable, as present AI systems were not deemed capable of making ethically informed choices. Instead, administrative sanctions would be considered more appropriate for now. While keeping vigilance against AI malicious acts, regulatory authorities in the USA and the UK have opted largely for the innovation-friendly, market-oriented, permissionless approach over the state-interventionist stance so as to maintain their global competitive edge in this domain.

Originality/value

The paper reinforced the growing arguments that AI applications should be deployed more as panacea for financial crimes rather than being abused as crime accelerators. There equally though is the need for both public and private sectors to be mindful of the unintended negative, harmful consequences to society, especially those connected to cybercrime. This implied the further need to beef up attention and resources to help mitigate these risks.