bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hypoxic environment promotes barrier formation in human intestinal epithelial cells through regulation of miRNA-320a expression
Authors: Muenchau Stephanie , Deutsch Rosalie , Hielscher Thomas , Heber Nora , Niesler Beate , Stanifer Megan L. , Boulant Steeve
Published: November 2018

Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) are exposed to the low-oxygen environment present in the lumen of the gut. These hypoxic conditions are on one hand fundamental for the survival of the commensal microbiota, and on the other hand, favor the formation of a selective semipermeable barrier allowing IECs to transport essential nutrients/water while keeping the sterile internal compartments separated from the lumen containing commensals. The hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) complex, which allows cells to respond and adapt to fluctuations in oxygen levels, has been described as a key regulator in maintaining IEC barrier function by regulating their tight junction integrity. In this study, we sought to better evaluate the mechanisms by which low oxygen conditions impact the barrier function of human IECs. By profiling miRNA expression in IECs under hypoxia, we identified miRNA-320a as a novel barrier formation regulator. Using pharmacological inhibitors and short hairpin RNA-mediated silencing we could demonstrate that expression of this miRNA was HIF-dependent. Importantly, using over-expression and knock-down approaches of miRNA-320a we could confirm its direct role in the regulation of barrier functions in human IECs. These results reveal an important link between miRNA expression and barrier integrity, providing a novel insight into mechanisms of hypoxia-driven epithelial homeostasis.
Serum-dependent and independent regulation of PARP2
Authors: Sun Qizhi , Gatie Mohamed I. , Kelly Gregory M.
Published: November 2018

PARP2 belongs to a family of proteins involved in cell differentiation, DNA damage repair, cellular energy expenditure, chromatin modeling and cell differentiation. In addition to these overlapping functions with PARP1, PARP2 participates in spermatogenesis, T-cell maturation, extraembryonic endoderm formation and adipogenesis. The function(s) of PARP2 is far from complete, and the mechanism(s) by which the gene and protein are regulated are unknown. In this study, we found that two different mechanisms are usedin vitroto regulate PARP2 levels. In the presence of serum, PARP2 is degraded through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, however, when serum is removed, PARP2 is rapidly sequestered into an SDS- and urea-insoluble fraction. This sequestration is relieved by serum in a dose-dependent manner, and again PARP2 is detected by immunoblotting. Furthermore, and despite the presence of a putative serum response element in thePARP2gene, transcription is not affected by serum deprivation. These observations that PARP2 is tightly regulated by distinct pathways highlights the critical roles PARP2 plays under different physiological conditions.
Time-resolved digital immunoassay for rapid and sensitive quantitation of procalcitonin with plasmonic imaging
Authors: Jing Wenwen , Wang Yan , Yang Yunze , Wang Yi , Ma Guangzhong , Wang Shaopeng , Tao Nongjian
Published: November 2018

Timely diagnosis of acute diseases improves treatment outcomes and saves lives, but it requires fast and precision quantification of biomarkers. Here we report a time-resolved digital immunoassay based on plasmonic imaging of binding of single nanoparticles to biomarkers captured on a sensor surface. The real-time and high contrast of plasmonic imaging lead to fast and precise counting of the individual biomarkers over a wide dynamic range. We demonstrated the detection principle, evaluated the performance of the method using procalcitonin (PCT) as an example, and achieved a limit of detection of ~ 3 pg/mL, dynamic range of 4-12500 pg/mL, for a total detection time of ~ 25 mins.
Oculomotor nerve requires an early interaction with muscle precursors for nerve guidance and branch patterning
Authors: Bjorke Brielle , Weller Katherine G. , Robinson G. Eric , Vesser Michelle , Chen Lisheng , Gage Philip J. , Gould Thomas W. , Mastick Grant S.
Published: November 2018

Muscle function is dependent on innervation by the correct motor nerves. Motor nerves are composed of motor axons that extend through peripheral tissues as a compact bundle, but then diverge to create nerve branches to specific muscle targets. A transition point typically occurs as motor nerves grow near their targets, where the fasciculated nerve halts further growth, then later initiates branching to muscles. The motor nerve transition point is potentially an intermediate target acting as a guidepost to present specific cellular and molecular signals for navigation. Here we describe the navigation of the oculomotor nerve with respect to eye muscle precursor cells in mouse embryos. We found that the oculomotor nerve initially grew to the eye three days prior to the appearance of any eye muscles. The oculomotor axons spread to form a plexus within a mass of eye muscle precursors, then the nerve growth paused for more than two days. This plexus persisted during primary extraocular myogenesis, with a subsequent phase in which the nerve branched out to specific muscles. To test the functional significance of the nerve-precursor contact in the plexus, we genetically ablated muscle precursors early in nerve development, prior to nerve contact. Ablation of muscle precursors resulted in oculomotor nerve fibers failing to stop to form the plexus, but instead growing past the eye. In contrast, ablating the precursor pool at later stages, after the nerve has contacted the precursor cells, results in ectopic branching restricted near the eye. These results demonstrate that muscle precursors act as an intermediate target for nerve guidance, and are required for the oculomotor nerve to transition between nerve growth and distinct stages of terminal axon branching.
Trans-omics analyses revealed differences in hormonal and nutritional status between wild and cultured female Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica)
Authors: Higuchi Masato , Mekuchi Miyuki , Hano Takeshi , Imaizumi Hitoshi
Published: November 2018

Long-term stock decline in the Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) is a serious issue. To reduce natural resource utilization in Japan, artificial hormonal induction of maturation and fertilization in the Japanese eel has been intensively studied. Recent experiment on feminized (by feeding a commercial diet containing estradiol-17β for first half year) cultured eels have shown ovulation problem, which is seldom observed in captured wild eels. In this study, we tried to investigate causes of ovulation problem frequently seen in cultured eels by comparative trans-omics analyses.

The omics data showed low growth hormone and luteinizing hormone transcription levels in the brain and low sex hormone–binding globulin transcription levels in the liver of the cultured eels. In addition, we found high accumulation of glucose-6-phosphate and, maltose in the cultured eel liver. We also found that docosahexaenoic (DHA) acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) ratios in cultured eels were quite different from wild eels.

The data suggested that ovulation problem is due to prolonged intake of a high-carbohydrate diet and/or unbalanced DHA/EPA/ARA ratios in diet.
Crystal structure of the Agrobacterium tumefaciens type VI effector–immunity complex
Authors: Fukuhara Satoshi , Nakane Takanori , Yamashita Keitaro , Ishii Ryohei , Ishitani Ryuichiro , Nureki Osamu
Published: November 2018

The type VI secretion system (T6SS) comprises needle-shaped multisubunit complexes that play a role in the microbial defense systems of Gram-negative bacteria. Some Gram-negative bacteria harboring a T6SS deliver toxic effector proteins into the cytoplasm or periplasm of competing bacteria in order to lyse and kill them. To avoid self-cell disruption, these bacteria have cognate immunity proteins that inhibit their toxic effector proteins. T6SS amidase effector protein 4 (Tae4) and T6SS amidase immunity protein 4 (Tai4) are a representative of the toxic effector–immunity pairs of the T6SS. Here, the three-dimensional structures of Tai4 and the Tae4–Tai4 complex from Agrobacterium tumefaciens are reported at 1.55 and 1.9 Å resolution, respectively. A structural comparison with other Tae4–Tai4 homologs revealed similarities and differences in the catalytic and inhibitory mechanisms among the Tae4 and Tai4 family proteins.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of (E)-2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-[(3-chloro-4-methylphenylimino)methyl]phenol
Authors: Kansiz Sevgi , Macit Mustafa , Dege Necmi , Pavlenko Vadim A.
Published: November 2018

The title Schiff base compound, C22H28ClNO, shows mirror symmetry with all its non-H atoms, except thetert-butyl groups, located on the mirror plane. There is an intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bond present forming anS(6) ring motif. In the crystal, the molecules are connected by C—H...π interactions, generating a three-dimensional supramolecular structure. Hirshfeld surface analysis and two dimensional fingerprint plots were used to analyse the intermolecular interactions present in the crystal, indicating that the most important contributions for the crystal packing are from H...H (68.9%) and C...H/H...C (11.7%) interactions.
Tetrakis(4-benzoylpyridine-κN)bis(isothiocyanato-κN)manganese(II)
Authors: Wellm Carsten , Näther Christian
Published: November 2018

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Mn(NCS)2(C12H9NO)4], consists of one MnII cation located on a centre of inversion, one thiocyanate anion and two 4-benzoylpyridine co-ligands. The MnII cation is octahedrally coordinated by two terminally N-bonded anionic ligands and four N-bonded 4-benzoylpyridine co-ligands within a slightly distorted octahedron. Individual complexes are linked by intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions into chains running along the c-axis direction. Simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry measurements reveal a decomposition in two separate steps, in each of which two co-ligands are removed. The compound obtained after the first step has the composition [Mn(NCS)2(C12H9NO)2] and is of unknown structure, before in the second step decomposition into [Mn(NCS)2] is observed. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show the MnII cations to be in the high-spin state, and that weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the complexes are present.
Crystal structure of a 1:1 salt of 4-aminobenzoic acid (vitamin B10) with pyrazinoic acid
Authors: Drozd K. V. , Arkhipov S. G. , Boldyreva E. V. , Perlovich G. L.
Published: November 2018

The title 1:1 salt, C7H8NO2+·C5H3N2O2−(systematic name: 4-carboxyanilinium pyrazine-2-carboxylate), was synthesized successfully by slow evaporation of a saturated solution from water–ethanol (1:1v/v) mixture and characterized by X-ray diffraction (SCXRD, PXRD) and calorimetry (DSC). The crystal structure of the salt was solved and refined at 150 and 293 K. The salt crystallizes with one molecule of 4-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and one molecule of pyrazinoic acid (POA) in the asymmetric unit. In the crystal, the PABA and POA molecules are associated via COOH...Naromheterosynthons, which are connected by N—H...O hydrogen bonds, creating zigzag chains. The chains are further linked by N—H...O hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions along thebaxis [centroid-to-centroid distances = 3.7377 (13) and 3.8034 (13) Å at 150 and 293 K, respectively] to form a layered three-dimensional structure.
Crystal structures of 3-methoxy-4-{[5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl]methoxy}benzonitrile and N-(4-{[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl]methoxy}phenyl)acetamide
Authors: Lakshmithendral K. , Archana K. , Saravanan K. , Kabilan S. , Selvanayagam S.
Published: November 2018

The title compounds, C18H15N3O4 and C17H14ClN3O3, are heterocyclic 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives which differ from each other in the groups attached to the carbon atoms: a methoxyphenyl ring and a benzonitrile group in (I) and a chlorophenyl ring and an acetamide group in (II). Short intramolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonds occur in both molecules. The crystal structure of (I) features C—H...N hydrogen bonds, while in the crystal structure of (II), N—H...N, C—H...N and C—H...O hydrogen bonds are observed.
Investigation of nitro–nitrito photoisomerization: crystal structure oftrans-chloridonitro(1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-κ4N,N′,N′′,N′′′)cobalt(III) chloride
Authors: Ohba Shigeru , Tsuchimoto Masanobu , Yamada Naoki
Published: November 2018

The reaction cavity of the nitro group in the crystal of the title compound, [CoCl(NO2)(C10H24N4)]Cl, (I), was investigated to confirm that it offers sufficient free space for linkage isomerization to occur in accordance with the observed photochemical reactivity. The complex cation has crystallographic 2/msymmetry and the nitro and chloro ligands at thetranspositions are statistically disordered. The complete cyclam ligand is generated by symmetry from a quarter of the molecule. In the crystal of (I), the complex cations and Cl−ions are linked into a three-dimensional network by N—H...Cl(counter-ion) hydrogen bonds.
Lipid composition in fungal membrane models: effect of lipid fluidity
Authors: Florek Olga B. , Clifton Luke A. , Wilde Marleen , Arnold Thomas , Green Rebecca J. , Frazier Richard A.
Published: November 2018

The creation of effective fungal membrane models for neutron and X-ray reflectometry experiments is a key step in the development of new antifungal pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals to allow in vitro investigation of their mode of interaction with target cells. The structure of the obtained models depends on the properties of the lipids used and the final composition of the leaflets, and can be subject to the spontaneous translocation of phospholipids across the bilayer. The effect of phospholipid acyl-chain unsaturation and the presence of steroids in the membrane on the bilayer asymmetry were examined by means of neutron reflectometry. The measurements showed that membrane stability was higher if a zwitterionic, saturated acyl-chain phospholipid is present as the inner leaflet. Furthermore, membrane asymmetry was higher in the case of fully saturated lipid systems. As a result, membrane models consisting of fully saturated acyl chains within the inner leaflet are recommended as the starting point for subsequent studies of antifungal interactions owing to the simplicity of the models and their relative stability, thus allowing better control over the exact lipid composition facing the tested antifungal.
Seeding from silica-reinforced lysozyme crystals for neutron crystallography
Authors: Gavira Jose A. , Conejero-Muriel Mayte , Delgado-López José Manuel
Published: November 2018

The fragility of protein crystals plays an important role in the final quality of the diffraction data and therefore that of the derived three-dimensional structural model. The growth of protein crystals in gels of various natures has been shown to overcome this problem, facilitating the manipulation of the crystals; this is probably owing, amongst other factors, to the incorporation of the gel fibres within the body of the crystal. In this study, lysozyme crystals were grown in silica gel at a wide range of concentrations of up to 22%(v/v) to quantitatively determine the amount of gel incorporated into the crystal structure by means of thermogravimetric analysis. The interaction between the silica fibres and the lysozyme molecules within the crystals was also investigated using Raman spectroscopy and the direct influence on the crystalline protein stability was analysed using differential scanning calorimetry. Finally, the benefits of the use of gel-grown crystals to overgrow protein crystals intended for neutron diffraction are highlighted.
Methyl 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate
Authors: Abdou Moaz M. , Matziari Magdalini , O'Neill Paul M. , Amigues Eric , Zhou Ruixue , Wang Ruiyao , Ali Basem F.
Published: November 2018

The title compound, C10H12O3, crystallizes in the orthorhombicP212121space group. The structure contains a phenolic group with the OH being coplanar with the phenyl ring. The structure exhibits significant hydrogen bonding between the O—H group of one molecule and the CO group of an adjacent one. These O—H...O=C interactions form chains of molecules parallel to thebaxis. No π–π or C—H...π intermolecular interactions are observed.
Measuring emotions toward dining alone by frequency of single dining events
Authors: Kim Hyeyeon , Choi Jinkyung
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The growing prevalence of single-person households in South Korea has started to affect the country’s restaurant business. The phenomenon has led to changes in how the interiors of food service establishments are designed. The purpose of this paper is to measure consumers’ emotions when they ate alone and when they saw someone else eating alone to investigate how these emotions can be used in marketing strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected via self-administered surveys to individuals in Daejeon in South Korea. A total of 163 respondents were surveyed and divided into two groups on the basis of their frequency of eating alone: low frequency of eating alone and high frequency of eating alone (HEA). The HEA group was further sub-divided to identify significant differences in greater detail. An independent t-test and descriptive analyses were conducted on the data.

Findings

Significant differences were observed in the emotions of “be proud of oneself,” “sadness,” “extroversion,” and “loneliness.” A majority of the respondents ate alone because it saved them time. They also preferred to eat home meal replacements when they ate alone.

Originality/value

The results of this study help understand consumers’ emotions when eating alone in relation to their behaviors at food service establishments. They can inform decisions on market strategies developed by food businesses targeting single consumers.
Role of designers in developing new products: an innovation turn in transformational economies
Authors: Gasparin Marta
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a critical literature review on design management.

Design/methodology/approach

The map of the field is based on the analysing the chain of associations between the papers (Latour, 1987). The strategy for this review is informed by the methodology described by Callonet al.(1986) on following the construction of the arguments. The first search was conducted in EBESCO and Web of Science looking for papers dealing with design management; “design management”; innovat* and design* in the management, including title, keywords and abstract. It resulted in 8,216 articles that were exported and downloaded in a database.

Findings

Five groups emerged: design as rational decision making, industrial design, managing as designing, design as proposals of new meaning and design as a network construction.

Originality/value

This paper maps the role of designers in innovation and design management literature. Design management is a variegated field of research, and the focus of this paper has been on product design in business and management literature. To begin with, the research philosophy which was inferred by analysing the preferred methodology in the papers belonging to five perspectives was analysed, and the ontology, essence, metaphysics delineated. Then, a map of the field of on the role of designers was proposed. The author concluded with a reflection of a possible research agenda in design management, focussing on investigating the role of designers in transformational economies, such as Vietnam.
Making it tangible: hybrid card sorting within qualitative interviews
Authors: Conrad Lettie Y. , Tucker Virginia M.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Qualitative researchers and information practitioners often investigate questions that probe the underlying mental models, nuanced perspectives, emotions and experiences of their target populations. The in-depth qualitative interview is a dominant method for such investigations and the purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how incorporating hybrid card-sorting activities into interviews can enable deeper participant reflections and generate rich data sets to increase understanding.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a review of relevant literature, the case illustration presented is a grounded theory study into the student-researcher information experience with personal academic information management. This study uses hybrid card sorting within in-depth, semi-structured interviews, a unique adaptation that extends multi-disciplinary awareness of the benefits of card-sort exercises for qualitative research.

Findings

Emerging from diverse fields, ranging from computer science, engineering, psychology and human–computer interaction, card sorting seeks to illuminate how participants understand and organise concepts. The case illustration draws largely on methods used in interaction design and information architecture. Using either open or fixed designs, or hybrid variations, card-sort activities can make abstract concepts more tangible for participants, offering investigators a new approach to interview questions with the aid of this interactive, object-based technique.

Originality/value

Opening with a comprehensive review of card-sort studies, the authors present an information experience case illustration that demonstrates the rich data generated by hybrid card sorting within qualitative interviews, or interactive interviews. This is followed by discussion of the types of research questions that may benefit from this original method.
What keeps Islamic mobile banking customers loyal?
Authors: Mohd Thas Thaker Mohamed Asmy Bin , Amin Md Fouad Bin , Mohd Thas Thaker Hassanudin Bin , Allah Pitchay Anwar Bin
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This study aims to find important factors of Malaysian Islamic banking customers’ loyalty or continuance intention to use Islamic mobile banking services.

Design/methodology/approach

The primary data are collected from the survey administered to 250 customers in the Klang Valley and the analysis is conducted using partial least squares (PLS).

Findings

Based on the findings, continuance intention of using Islamic mobile banking services was found to be depended on the usability of mobile banking services, customer service provided by Islamic banks towards mobile banking services, customer satisfaction on mobile banking services and trust of customers towards mobile banking services. In addition, the mediating effect of Islamic mobile banking services continuance adoption is significantly influenced by customer satisfaction and trust.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size and area of study become the obvious limitations, and interpretation of the results and conclusion cannot be as generalised. In addition, as the respondents of this study are existing customers who have used Islamic mobile banking services at least once, relying on the perception of one key informant might imply cognitive biases. Besides, the use of current factors might limit the ability to explore other potentially important determinants of the customers’ continuance intention in using Islamic mobile banking services.

Practical implications

By understanding these continuance intention factors amongst the customers, it would help the industry player particularly Islamic banking to plan and strategise appropriate policies and support necessary programmes on diversifying and promoting financial transaction using mobile banking services amongst their existing and potential customers.

Originality/value

This paper offers an additional literature on Islamic mobile banking, especially from the Malaysian context. There is a lack of study that focuses on loyalty towards Islamic mobile banking services. The paper is considered to be the first attempt to examine the factors that influence Malaysian Islamic banking customers’ loyalty or continuance intention to use Islamic mobile banking services.
The role of social incompatibility in customer discomfort
Authors: Rosenbaum Mark Scott , Seger-Guttmann Tali , Mimran Ofir
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of customer discomfort in service settings when employees and customers who share social incompatibilities, stemming from war, nationalism, religious differences or terrorism, work together in service settings.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors engage in triangulation research to understand how Israeli Arabs and Jews experience comfort/discomfort in services. Study 1 uses an experimental design to show how comfort differs when Israeli Jews work with Arabs and Jews in three different service settings. Study 2 employs survey methodology to explore how comfort differs among Israeli Arabs when they work with either an Arab or a Jewish employee. Study 3 uses grounded theory methodology to provide a theoretical framework that explains reasons for customer discomfort occurrence between Israel’s Arabs and Jews, its impact on customers’ attitudes and behaviors and suggestions for increasing comfort.

Findings

Israeli Arabs and Jews express various feelings of discomfort when working with each other, and Druze, in service settings. Israeli Jews express higher levels of discomfort when working with Arabs than vice versa, while Israeli Arabs express discomfort when working with Druze employees. Five strategies for increasing customer comfort are defined and developed.

Research limitations/implications

Social incompatibilities prevent many consumers and employees from experiencing comfort during service exchanges; however, managers can alleviate some of the factors that exacerbate customer discomfort.

Practical implications

Managers need to realize that customer discomfort leads to place avoidance and thus should implement strategies to assuage it.

Social implications

Unabated service situations that result in customer discomfort may lead to customer ill-being, including fear.

Originality/value

This study is the first to explore customer discomfort due to social incompatibilities in depth.
Interplay between information systems and environmental management in ISO 14001-certified companies
Authors: De Camargo Fiorini Paula , Chiappetta Jabbour Charbel Jose , Lopes de Sousa Jabbour Ana Beatriz , Oliveira Stefanelli Nelson , Fernando Yudi
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the contributions of information systems (IS) for the evolutionary process of corporate environmental management by highlighting implications for big data research.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted two case studies with Brazilian enterprises certified by ISO 14001, by conducting interviews, document analysis and direct observation. Implications for a research agenda on big data are also presented.

Findings

As results, the authors present the identification of the main contributions of IS for the evolution of environmental management in the studied cases. The authors found that advanced stage regarding IS may be considered a factor that implies a more effective environmental management.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this research consists of the presentation of a framework that identifies the support of IS for corporate environmental practices. By confirming the relation between IS and maturity levels of environmental management, the authors highlight that application of big data has the potential of boosting the relation between IS and corporate environmental management.
Minimum carbon dioxide emission based selection of traffic route with unsignalised junctions in tandem network
Authors: Jaiswal Anand , Samuel Cherian , Mishra Chirag Chandan
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a traffic route selection strategy based on minimum carbon dioxide (CO2) emission by vehicles over different route choices.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used queuing theory for Markovian M/M/1 model over the road junctions to assess total time spent over each of the junctions for a route with junctions in tandem. With parameters of distance, mean service rate at the junction, the number of junctions and fuel consumption rate, which is a function of variable average speed, the CO2 emission is estimated over each of the junction in tandem and collectively over each of the routes.

Findings

The outcome of the study is a mathematical formulation, using queuing theory to estimate CO2 emissions over different route choices. Research finding estimated total time spent and subsequent CO2 emission for mean arrival rates of vehicles at junctions in tandem. The model is validated with a pilot study, and the result shows the best vehicular route choice with minimum CO2 emissions.

Research limitations/implications

Proposed study is limited to M/M/1 model at each of the junction, with no defection of vehicles. The study is also limited to a constant mean arrival rate at each of the junction.

Practical implications

The work can be used to define strategies to route vehicles on different route choices to reduce minimum vehicular CO2 emissions.

Originality/value

Proposed work gives a solution for minimising carbon emission over routes with unsignalised junctions in the tandem network.
Intention to live in a smart city based on its characteristics in the perception by the young public
Authors: Pinochet Luis Hernan Contreras , Romani Giulie Furtani , de Souza Cesar Alexandre , Rodríguez-Abitia Guillermo
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the intention of living in a smart city as from its characteristics in the individual perception by the young public based on the proposal of an expanded model.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical research carried out herein was based on a survey, consisting of a sample of 380 valid questionnaires. Data analysis was carried out through multivariate quantitative approach using structural equation modeling, with estimation by partial least square.

Findings

In the model, it was possible to adapt all the characteristics of smart cities. The “environment” characteristic was the one that presented the greatest relationship in contributing to efficiencies that allow the migration of citizens and in reducing the environmental impact in the cities’ quality, and the “economy” characteristic was the one that presented the lowest relationship opening the opportunity that this concept can be more widespread within the economic agents and individuals for the society.

Originality/value

Finally, it is argued that efficiency in all characteristics will depend on the engagement of citizens in the innovation processes of public living in general. The smart city is distinguished from other typologies due to its success in the field of innovation, essentially depending on the collaborative process that is developed in environments that encourage discovery and idea generation.
Sustainable innovation adoption barriers: water sustainability, food production and drip irrigation in Australia
Authors: Greenland Steven , Levin Elizabeth , Dalrymple John F. , O’Mahony Barry
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to examine impediments to the adoption of sustainable water-efficient technological innovation in agriculture. Farming is the largest water consumer and food production expansion in response to global population growth, combined with increasing droughts from climate change, threatens water and food insecurity for many countries. Yet, climate smart agriculture (CSA) innovation adoption has been slow, and in this regard, governments and the agricultural sector are not fulfilling their social responsibility and sustainability obligations.

Design/methodology/approach

Barriers to water-efficient drip irrigation (DI) adoption in Australia were investigated via 46 depth interviews with agricultural stakeholders and a survey of 148 farmers.

Findings

While DI water efficiency is recognised, this is not the key determinant of farmers’ irrigation method selection. Complex interrelationships between internal and external barriers impede DI adoption are identified. These include costs, satisfaction with alternative irrigation methods, farmer characteristics that determine the suitability of the innovation and the extent it is incremental or radical, plus various multidimensional risks. Government support of alternative, less water-efficient irrigation methods is also a critical barrier.

Originality/value

A conceptual framework for understanding barriers to sustainability oriented innovation adoption is presented. Its insights should be applicable to researchers and practitioners concerned with understanding and improving the adoption of socially responsible and sustainable innovation in a wide range of contexts. Recommendations for overcoming such adoption barriers are discussed in relation to the research focus of water-efficient agriculture and encouraging uptake of DI.
Therapeutic communities in Santa Catarina, Brazil
Authors: McBride Ruari-Santiago , Lemos Tadeu , de Souza Maria de Lourdes , Goulão João Castel-Branco
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of a programme aimed at raising standards of care and levels of professionalism in private, drug-free therapeutic communities (TCs) in Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes the Reviver intervention in detail and draws on subjective insights collected during its implementation.

Findings

Over 100 TCs applied to the Reviver project, of which 83 qualified to participate. The large majority of TCs were found to combine community-as-method, religious worship and abstinence in their treatment model.

Research limitations/implications

The paper highlights the significant role religious organisations have in the treating substance dependency in Brazil and raises ethical and practical questions regarding the incorporation of religious TCs into mainstream public mental health provision.

Practical implications

The paper outlines the qualification process, control systems and monitoring procedures employed by the Reviver project.

Originality/value

The paper attends to the gap in English language publications regarding TCs in Brazil and raises important questions regarding the role of religion, faith and spirituality in the treatment of substance dependency.
Lymphovascular invasion as an independent prognostic indicator in radically resected thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Zhen , Chen Peng , Wang Feng , Lin Liyan , Liu Shuoyan
Published: November 2018

Background

The prognostic value of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in esophageal cancer remains controversial. This study investigated the impact of LVI on prognosis in thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods

A total of 1586 patients who underwent radical esophagectomy were selected for the study. Correlations between LVI and clinicopathological features were evaluated by χ2 test. Univariate analysis of the survival curve was conducted using the Kaplan–Meier method. Multivariate analysis was carried out by Cox regression. The Akaike information criterion (AIC) and the concordance index (c‐index) were employed to assess model prognostic accuracy of different pN staging systems.

Results

The presence of LVI was detected in 406 of 1586 (25.6%) patients. LVI frequency was significantly higher in patients with higher pN classifications (P < 0.001). LVI had independent significant prognostic value in ESCC (P < 0.001). In subgroup analyses, the presence of LVI significantly decreased overall survival in pN0, pN2, and pN3 stage patients. The AIC value of the pN staging system modified by LVI was lower than that of the current pN staging system, while the c‐index of the modified pN staging system was higher than that of the current pN staging system.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that LVI is an independent prognostic indicator in radically resected thoracic ESCC. LVI could potentially supplement the pN ESCC staging system. ESCC patients with LVI could be staged at more advanced pN classifications.
Depression in cirrhosis – a prospective evaluation of the prevalence, predictors and development of a screening nomogram
Authors: Buganza‐Torio Elizabeth , Mitchell Nicholas , Abraldes Juan G. , Thomas Lesley , Ma Mang , Bailey Robert J. , Tandon Puneeta
Published: November 2018

Background

Depression is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality in cirrhosis, but is underdiagnosed and undertreated.

Aims

Using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) as a gold‐standard, to determine prevalence, predictors, and outcomes of depression, and to develop a screening nomogram for use in cirrhosis patients.

Methods

Cirrhotic outpatients 18‐80 years of age, not on anti‐depressants, were consecutively recruited from liver clinics at three tertiary care hospitals. Baseline health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and frailty were determined by the chronic liver disease questionnaire, EQ‐VAS, Clinical Frailty Scale and Fried Frailty Criteria. Depression was identified using the MINI and participants were followed up to 6 months to determine unplanned hospitalization/death.

Results

Of 305 patients, 62% were male; mean age 55(10) years; mean MELD 12.5(5), 61% Child Pugh B/C. Prevalence of depression 18% by MINI. Patients with depression had lower baseline HRQoL and higher frailty scores. Five independently predictive factors were used to develop a clinical nomogram for the diagnosis of clinical depression. These included three Hospital Anxiety and Depression Screening tool variables: “I have lost interest in my appearance” (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.2, P = 0.006), “I look forward with enjoyment to things” (aOR 2.0, P = 0.02), “I feel cheerful” (aOR 2.8, P = 0.002), and two demographic variables: younger age (aOR 0.92, P = 0.001) and not being married or in a common‐law relationship (aOR 0.30, P = 0.008).

Conclusions

Depression is common in patients with cirrhosis. It has a significant impact on HRQoL and functional status. The developed clinical nomogram is promising for the rapid screening of depression in patients with cirrhosis.
Therapeutic advances for blocking heterotopic ossification in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva
Authors: Wentworth Kelly L. , Masharani Umesh , Hsiao Edward C.
Published: November 2018

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare genetic disease in which heterotopic bone forms in muscle and soft tissue, leading to joint dysfunction and significant disability. FOP is progressive and many patients are wheelchair‐bound by the 3rd decade of life. FOP is caused by an activating mutation in the ACVR1 gene, which encodes the activin A Type 1 receptor. Aberrant signalling through this receptor leads to abnormal activation of the pSMAD 1/5/8 pathway and triggers the formation of bone outside of the skeleton. There is no curative therapy for FOP; however, exciting advances in novel therapies have developed recently. Here, we review the clinical and translational pharmacology of three drugs that are currently in clinical trials (palovarotene, REGN 2477 and rapamycin) as well as other emerging treatment strategies for FOP.
Commitment of independent and institutional women directors to corporate social responsibility reporting
Authors: Pucheta‐Martínez María Consuelo , Bel‐Oms Inmaculada , Olcina‐Sempere Gustau
Published: November 2018

This paper examines how independent and institutional women directors on boards affect corporate social responsibility (hereafter CSR) reporting. Most of the previous empirical evidence has shown a linear association between female directors and CSR disclosure, but to the best of our knowledge, no research has investigated the individual effect of independent and institutional female directors on CSR reporting. Therefore, the analysis of how the disclosure of CSR information is affected by independent and institutional women directors in a separate way merits our attention. Thus, we posit that there is a nonlinear association, concretely quadratic, between independent and institutional female directors on boards and CSR reporting. Our results demonstrate that, in line with the monitoring hypothesis, as the presence of independent and institutional women directors on boards increases, the CSR disclosure improves, but when their presence on boards reaches a tipping point (20.47% and 13.32%, respectively), CSR reporting decreases, which is consistent with the collusion hypothesis. This research contributes to the existing literature on the relationship between board gender diversity and CSR disclosure by suggesting that board structures formed by institutional and independent female directors have an effect on CSR reporting. Hence, female directors play a relevant role on boards since they may influence the CSR disclosure.
Xeroderma pigmentosum: overview of pharmacology and novel therapeutic strategies for neurological symptoms
Authors: Abeti Rosella , Zeitlberger Anna , Peelo Colm , Fassihi Hiva , Sarkany Robert P E , Lehmann Alan R , Giunti Paola
Published: November 2018

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) encompasses a group of rare diseases characterized in most cases by malfunction of nucleotide excision repair (NER), which results in an increased sensitivity to UV radiation in affected individuals. Approximately 25–30% of XP patients present with neurological symptoms, such as sensorineural deafness, mental deterioration and ataxia. Although it is known that dysfunctional DNA repair is the primary pathogenesis in XP, growing evidence suggests that mitochondrial pathophysiology may also occur. This appears to be secondary to dysfunctional NER but may contribute to the neurodegenerative process in these patients. The available pharmacological treatments in XP mostly target the dermal manifestations of the disease. In the present review, we outline how current understanding of the pathophysiology of XP could be used to develop novel therapies to counteract the neurological symptoms. Moreover, the coexistence of cancer and neurodegeneration present in XP led us to focus on possible new avenues targeting mitochondrial pathophysiology.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Mitochondrial Pharmacology: Featured Mechanisms and Approaches for Therapy Translation. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.22/issuetoc
Large B‐cell lymphoma concomitant to intra‐cerebral haemorrhage
Authors: Lesesve Jean‐François , Gérard Delphine
Published: November 2018

A brief report of a rare cytological picture describing true CSF haemorrhage versus traumatic puncture.
Bilingual infants excel at foreign‐language talker recognition
Authors: Fecher Natalie , Johnson Elizabeth K.
Published: November 2018

Bilingual and monolingual infants differ in how they process linguistic aspects of the speech signal. But do they also differ in how they process non‐linguistic aspects of speech, such as who is talking? Here, we addressed this question by testing Canadian monolingual and bilingual 9‐month‐olds on their ability to learn to identify native Spanish‐speaking females in a face‐voice matching task. Importantly, neither group was familiar with Spanish prior to participating in the study. In line with our predictions, bilinguals succeeded in learning the face‐voice pairings, whereas monolinguals did not. We consider multiple explanations for this finding, including the possibility that simultaneous bilingualism enhances perceptual attentiveness to talker‐specific speech cues in infancy (even in unfamiliar languages), and that early bilingualism delays perceptual narrowing to language‐specific talker recognition cues. This work represents the first evidence that multilingualism in infancy affects the processing of non‐linguistic aspects of the speech signal, such as talker identity.
Association between occlusal characteristics and the occurrence of dental trauma in preschool children: a case‐control study
Authors: Primo‐Miranda Ednele Fabyene , Ramos‐Jorge Maria Letícia , Homem Márcio Alexandre , de Souza Débora Souto , Stetler Amanda Dias , Ramos‐Jorge Joana , Marques Leandro Silva
Published: November 2018

Background/Aims

Occlusal features may increase the risk of dental trauma. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between occlusal characteristics and the occurrence of dental trauma in preschool children.

Materials and Methods

A population‐based case‐control study was conducted with a representative sample of 200 children 3‐5 years of age enrolled at private and public preschools in the city of Diamantina, Brazil. The case and control groups were matched for gender, age and type of preschool (public or private) at a ratio of 1:1 (100 cases and 100 controls). Independent variables of interest to the study (occlusal characteristics) and potential confounders (sociodemographic characteristics, sucking habits and lip coverage) were investigated. Intra‐examiner and inter‐examiner kappa values were higher than 0.80 for all oral conditions evaluated. The SPSS 22.0 program was used to analyse the data. Descriptive and univariate analyses as well as simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results

The occlusal feature most strongly associated with trauma was anterior open bite (OR = 3.80; 95% CI: 1.42‐10.16). Maxillary anterior crowding (OR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.00‐4.63) and overjet (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.58‐2.17) were associated with the occurrence of trauma independently of the confounding variables (sociodemographic characteristics, sucking habits and lip coverage), but these variables lost their significance when adjusted for other types of malocclusion. Anterior open bite remained strongly associated with dental trauma, regardless of confounding variables and other types of malocclusion.

Conclusion

Anterior open bite was the main variable associated with dental trauma in the preschool children analysed independently of the confounding variables and the presence of other malocclusions.
Exploratory comparison of auditory verbal hallucinations and other psychotic symptoms among youth with borderline personality disorder or schizophrenia spectrum disorder
Authors: Cavelti Marialuisa , Thompson Katherine N. , Hulbert Carol , Betts Jennifer , Jackson Henry , Francey Shona , Homan Philipp , Chanen Andrew M.
Published: November 2018

Objective

This study explored phenomenological aspects of auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) and other psychotic symptoms among youth with borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Methods

Sixty‐eight outpatients, aged 15 to 25 years, were categorized into three groups according to their primary Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM‐5) diagnosis and AVH symptom profile; BPD + AVH (n = 23), schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SZ) + AVH (n = 22) and BPD with no AVH (n = 23).

Results

No differences in AVH were found between BPD + AVH and SZ + AVH. Compared with SZ + AVH, BPD + AVH scored lower on delusions and difficulty in abstract thinking and higher on hostility. BPD + AVH reported more severe self‐harm, paranoid ideation, dissociation, anxiety and stress than BPD no AVH.

Conclusions

This study replicates, in a sample of youth, the finding from studies of adults that AVH in BPD are indistinguishable from those in SZ, when assessed with the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales (PSYRATS). Clinicians should specifically enquire about AVH among youth with BPD. When present, AVH appear to be an indicator of a more severe form of BPD.