bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily Prodidominae (Arachnida: Araneae: Gnaphosidae)
Authors: Rodrigues Bruno V B , Rheims Cristina A
Published: February 2020

Prodidominae was recently re-established as a subfamily of Gnaphosidae, comprising 316 species placed in 33 genera. In this study, we conduct a cladistic analysis including 59 species of Prodidominae and 32 outgroup species. The matrix is composed of 291 morphological characters and the data are analysed under the parsimony criterion, using differing weighting regimes. Prodidominae is not recovered as monophyletic, because Anagrina did not arise within the subfamily. Cryptotoerithus, Molycria, Myandra, Nomindra, Wesmaldra and Wydundra arise to form a clade. Thus, we re-establish Molycriinae as a distinct subfamily in Gnaphosidae, sister to Prodidominae. We redefine the limits of Prodidominae to include the genera Austrodomus, Brasilomma, Caudalia, Chileomma, Chileuma, Chilongius, Eleleis, Indiani, Katumbea, Lygromma, Lygrommatoides, Moreno, Namundra, Neozimiris, Nopyllus, Paracymbiomma, Plutonodomus, Prodidomus, Purcelliana, Theuma, Theumella, Tivodrassus, Tricongius, Zimirina and Zimiris. Species of these genera share the presence of anterior lateral spinnerets with pyriform gland spigots associated with patches of long setae and the presence of a large protrusion between coxae IV with erect setae and unsclerotized margins. In addition, we propose three new synonymies: Oltacloea as a junior synonym of Tricongius, and Prodida as junior synonym of Prodidomus. Lygromma ybyguara is transferred to Tricongius.
Muscone reduced the hypnotic and analgesic effect of ketamine in mice
Authors: Liu Chuiliang , Huang Zeqi , Li Zhipeng , Li Junhua , Li Yujuan
Published: February 2020

Background:

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of different concentrations of muscone on the ketamine requirement for hypnosis and analgesia and possible mechanism in mice.

Methods:

In the hypnotic response experiment, muscone (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 8.0 mg/kg) was administered 15 minutes before ketamine by intraperitoneal injection. The hypnotic response was evaluated by loss of righting reflex (LORR). In the analgesia experiment, muscone (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mg/kg) was administered 15 minutes before 50 mg/kg ketamine injection. Pain threshold was assessed by measuring the tail-flick latency induced by heat radiation. Twenty minutes after ketamine injection, the mRNA expression of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NR) subunits, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors subunits, opioid receptors subunits, and some Na+ and Ca2+ channels were detected by qPCR in the hippocampus of mice.

Results:

The 50% effective dose (ED50) with 95% confidence interval of ketamine-induced LORR was 49.2 (43.4-56.4) mg/kg. About 4.0 or 8.0 mg/kg muscone increased ED50 of ketamine-induced hypnosis, which was 82.7 (70.0-98.4) mg/kg or 72.0 (65.4-85.7) mg/kg, respectively. In the analgesic experiment, ketamine alone caused an obvious analgesic effect, whereas different dose of muscone decreased pain threshold in the presence of ketamine; 4.0 mg/kg muscone up-regulated the mRNA expression of NR1 and inhibited ketamine-induced increase of δ-opioid receptor mRNA level. Muscone also inhibited Cav2.1 mRNA expression in the presence of ketamine.

Conclusion:

Muscone reduced the hypnotic and analgesic effect of ketamine in dose-independent manner in mice, which may be related to the changes of NR1 and δ-opioid receptor.
The Time Course of Priming in Aphasia
Authors: Silkes JoAnn P. , Baker Carolyn , Love Tracy
Published: February 2020

This study investigates learning in aphasia as manifested through automatic priming effects. There is growing evidence that people with aphasia have impairments beyond language processing that could affect their response to treatment. Therefore, better understanding these mechanisms would be beneficial for improving methods of rehabilitation. This study assesses semantic and repetition priming effects at varied interstimulus intervals, using stimuli that are both nonlinguistic and linguistic in tasks that range from requiring nearly no linguistic processing to requiring both lexical and semantic processing. Results indicate that people with aphasia maintain typical patterns of learning across both linguistic and nonlinguistic tasks as long as the implicit prime-target relationship does not depend on deep levels of linguistic processing. As linguistic processing demands increase, those with agrammatic aphasia may require more time to take advantage of learning through implicit prime-target relationships, and people with both agrammatic and nonagrammatic aphasia are more susceptible to breakdown of the semantic networks as processing demands on that system increase.
Decoding non-conscious thought representations during successful thought suppression
Authors: Koenig-Robert Roger , Pearson Joel
Published: February 2020

Controlling our own thoughts is central to mental wellbeing and its failure is at the crux of a number of mental disorders. Paradoxically, behavioural evidence shows that thought-suppression often fails. Despite the broad importance of understanding the mechanisms of thought control, little is known about the fate of neural representations of suppressed thoughts. Using functional MRI, we investigated the brain areas involved in controlling visual thoughts and tracked suppressed thought representations using multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA). Participants were asked to either visualize a vegetable/fruit or suppress any visual thoughts about those objects. Surprisingly, the content (object identity) of successfully suppressed thoughts was still decodable in visual and executive areas with algorithms trained on perception or imagery. This suggests that pictorial representations of the suppressed thoughts are still present despite individuals reporting they are not. Thought generation was associated with the left hemisphere, whereas thought suppression with right hemisphere engagement. Further, GLM analyses showed that subjective success in thought suppression was correlated with engagement of executive areas, while thought-suppression failure was associated with engagement of visual and memory related areas. These results reveal that the content of suppressed thoughts exist hidden from awareness, seemingly without an individual’s knowledge, providing a compelling reason why thought suppression is so ineffective. These data inform models of unconscious thought production and could be used to develop new treatment approaches to disorders involving maladaptive thoughts.
Algorithm for Extraction of Sub-Structure from Co-Crystallized PDB Ligand for Selective Targeting
Authors: Prakash Om
Published: February 2020

An algorithm has been introduced for extraction of sub-structure from co-crystallized ligand of complex PDB file. Algorithm utilized location of atoms in 3D domain of complex of ligand & protein. It processed relative positioning of atoms for demarcation of influential part of ligand, which can provide potency to that ligand for binding with specific binding pocket of protein. Algorithm was validated with ligands co-crystallized with enzymes of different classes. Extracted sub-structures were validated (via evidence from database & literature) for selectivity towards one or more targets of same family.
Fluid flow-induced left-right asymmetric decay ofDand5mRNA in the mouse embryo requires Bicc1-Ccr4 RNA degradation complex
Authors: Minegishi Katsura , Rothé Benjamin , Komatsu Kaoru R. , Ono Hiroki , Ikawa Yayoi , Nishimura Hiromi , Miyashita Emi , Takaoka Katsuyoshi , Bando Kana , Kiyonari Hiroshi , Yamamoto Tadashi , Saito Hirohide , Constam Daniel B. , Hamada Hiroshi
Published: February 2020

Molecular left-right (L-R) asymmetry is established at the node of the mouse embryo as a result of the sensing of a leftward fluid flow by immotile cilia of perinodal crown cells and the consequent degradation ofDand5mRNA on the left side. We here examined how the fluid flow inducesDand5mRNA decay. We found that the 3’ untranslated region (3’-UTR) ofDand5mRNA is necessary and sufficient for the left-sided decay and is responsive to the flow direction, loss of the cation channel Pkd2, and Ca2+. The 200-nucleotide proximal-most portion of the 3’-UTR, which is conserved among mammals, is essential for the asymmetric mRNA decay and binds Bicc1, an RNA binding protein specifically expressed at the node. Bicc1 preferentially recognizes GAC and GACR sequences in RNA, and these motifs are enriched in the 200-nucleotide region of theDand53’-UTR. The Cnot3 component of the Ccr4-Not deadenylase complex interacts with Bicc1 and is also required forDand5mRNA decay at the node. Our results thus suggest that leftward fluid flow induces binding of Bicc1 to the 3’-UTR ofDand5mRNA in crown cells on the left side of the node, and that consequent recruitment of Ccr4-Not mediates mRNA degradation.
Endogenous retroviruses drive KRAB zinc-finger family protein expression for tumor suppression
Authors: Ito Jumpei , Kimura Izumi , Soper Andrew , Coudray Alexandre , Koyanagi Yoshio , Nakaoka Hirofumi , Inoue Ituro , Turelli Priscilla , Trono Didier , Sato Kei
Published: February 2020

Numerous genes are aberrantly expressed in tumors, but its cause remains unclear. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are repetitive elements in the genome and have a potential to work as enhancers modulating adjacent genes. Since numerous HERVs are activated epigenetically in tumors, their activation could alter gene expression globally in tumors and change the tumor characteristics. Here, we show the HERV activation in tumors is associated with the upregulation of hundreds of transcriptional suppressors, Krüppel-associated box domain-containing zinc-finger family proteins (KZFPs). KZFP genes are preferentially encoded nearby the activated HERVs in tumors and transcriptionally regulated by the adjacent HERVs. Increased HERV and KZFP expression in tumors was associated with better disease conditions. Many KZFPs could suppress the progressive characteristics of cancer cells by downregulating genes related to the cell cycle and cell-matrix adhesion. Our data suggest that HERV activation in tumors drives the concerted expression of KZFP genes for tumor suppression.
Candidate gene prioritization using graph embedding
Authors: Do Quan , Larmande Pierre
Published: February 2020

Candidate genes prioritization allows to rank among a large number of genes, those that are strongly associated with a phenotype or a disease. Due to the important amount of data that needs to be integrate and analyse, gene-to-phenotype association is still a challenging task. In this paper, we evaluated a knowledge graph approach combined with embedding methods to overcome these challenges. We first introduced a dataset of rice genes created from several open-access databases. Then, we used the Translating Embedding model and Convolution Knowledge Base model, to vectorize gene information. Finally, we evaluated the results using link prediction performance and vectors representation using some unsupervised learning techniques.
Phenotypic variation within and across transcriptomic cell types in mouse motor cortex
Authors: Scala Federico , Kobak Dmitry , Bernabucci Matteo , Bernaerts Yves , Cadwell Cathryn René , Castro Jesus Ramon , Hartmanis Leonard , Jiang Xiaolong , Laturnus Sophie , Miranda Elanine , Mulherkar Shalaka , Tan Zheng Huan , Yao Zizhen , Zeng Hongkui , Sandberg Rickard , Berens Philipp , Tolias Andreas Savas
Published: February 2020

Cortical neurons exhibit astounding diversity in gene expression as well as in morphological and electrophysiological properties. Most existing neural taxonomies are based on either transcriptomic or morpho-electric criteria, as it has been technically challenging to study both aspects of neuronal diversity in the same set of cells. Here we used Patch-seq to combine patch-clamp recording, biocytin staining, and single-cell RNA sequencing of over 1300 neurons in adult mouse motor cortex, providing a comprehensive morpho-electric annotation of almost all transcriptomically defined neural cell types. We found that, although broad families of transcriptomic types (Vip,Pvalb,Sst, etc.) had distinct and essentially non-overlapping morpho-electric phenotypes, individual transcriptomic types within the same family were not well-separated in the morpho-electric space. Instead, there was a continuum of variability in morphology and electrophysiology, with neighbouring transcriptomic cell types showing similar morpho-electric features, often without clear boundaries between them. Our results suggest that neural types in the neocortex do not always form discrete entities. Instead, neurons follow a hierarchy consisting of distinct non-overlapping branches at the level of families, but can form continuous and correlated transcriptomic and morpho-electrical landscapes within families.
A geometric basis for surface habitat complexity and biodiversity
Authors: Torres-Pulliza Damaris , Dornelas Maria A. , Pizarro Oscar , Bewley Michael , Blowes Shane A. , Boutros Nader , Brambilla Viviana , Chase Tory J. , Frank Grace , Friedman Ariell , Hoogenboom Mia O. , Williams Stefan , Zawada Kyle J. A. , Madin Joshua S.
Published: February 2020

Structurally complex habitats tend to contain more species and higher total abundances than simple habitats. This ecological paradigm is grounded in first principles: species richness scales with area, and surface area and niche density increase with three-dimensional complexity. Here we present a geometric basis for surface habitats that unifies ecosystems and spatial scales. The theory is framed by fundamental geometric constraints among three structure descriptors—surface height, rugosity and fractal dimension—and explains 98% of surface variation in a structurally complex test system: coral reefs. We then show how coral biodiversity metrics (species richness, total abundance and probability of interspecific encounter) vary over the theoretical structure descriptor plane, demonstrating the value of the theory for predicting the consequences of natural and human modifications of surface structure.
Categorizing SHR and WKY rats by chi2 algorithm and decision tree
Authors: Tsai Ping-Rui , Chen Kun-Huang , Hong Tzay-Ming , Wang Fu-Nien , Huang Teng-Yi
Published: February 2020

In the past two decades neuroscience has offered many popular methods for the analysis of mental disorder, such as seed-based analysis, ICA, and graph methods. They are widely used in the study of brain network. We offer a new procedure that can simplify the analysis and has a high ROC index over 0.9. This method uses the graph theory to build a connectivity network, which is characterized by degrees and measures the number of effective links for each voxel. When the degree is ranked from low to high, the network equation can be fit by the power-law distribution. It has been proposed that distinct and yet robust exponents of the power law can differentiate human behavior. Using the mentally disordered SHR and WKY rats as samples, we employ chi2 algorithm and Decision Tree to classify different states of mental disorder by analyzing different traits in degree of connectivity.
The properties of buried ion pairs are governed by the propensity of proteins to reorganize
Authors: Kougentakis Christos M. , Skerritt Lauren , Majumdar Ananya , Schlessman Jamie L. , García-Moreno E. Bertrand
Published: February 2020

Charges are incompatible with the hydrophobic interior of proteins, yet proteins use buried charges, often in pairs or networks, to drive energy transduction processes, catalysis, pH-sensing, and ion transport. The structural adaptations necessary to accommodate interacting charges in the protein interior are not well understood. According to continuum electrostatic calculations, the Coulomb interaction between two buried charges cannot offset the highly unfavorable penalty of dehydrating two charges. This was investigated experimentally with two variants of staphylococcal nuclease (SNase) with Glu:Lys or Lys:Glu pairs introduce at internal i, i+4 positions on an α-helix. Contrary to expectations from previous theoretical and experimental studies, the proteins tolerated the charged ion pairs in both orientations. Crystal structures and NMR spectroscopy studies showed that in both variants, side chains or backbone are reorganized. This leads to the exposure of at least one of the two buried groups to water. Comparison of these ion pairs with a highly stable buried ion pair in SNase shows that the location and the amplitude of structural reorganization can vary dramatically between ion pairs buried in the same general region of the protein. The propensity of the protein to populate alternative conformation states in which internal charges can contact water appears to be the factor that governs the magnitude of electrostatic effects in hydrophobic environments. The net effect of structural reorganization is to weaken the Coulomb interactions between charge pairs; however, the reorganized protein no longer has to pay the energetic penalty for burying charges. These results provide the framework necessary to understand the interplay between the dehydration of charges, Coulomb interactions and protein reorganization that tunes the functional properties of proteins.
Equivolumetric protocol generates library sizes proportional to total microbial load in next-generation sequencing
Authors: Cruz Giuliano Netto Flores , Christoff Ana Paula , de Oliveira Luiz Felipe Valter
Published: February 2020

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has been extensively employed to perform microbiome characterization worldwide. As a culture-independent methodology, it has allowed high-level profiling of sample microbial composition. However, most studies are limited to information regarding relative bacterial abundances, ignoring scenarios in which sample microbe biomass can vary widely. Here, we develop an equivolumetric protocol for amplicon library preparation capable of generating NGS data responsive to input DNA, recovering proportionality between observed read counts and absolute bacterial abundances. Under specified conditions, we argue that the estimation of colony-forming units (CFU), the most common unit of bacterial abundance in classical microbiology, is challenged mostly by resolution and taxon-to-taxon variation. We propose Bayesian cumulative probability models to address such issues. Our results indicate that predictive errors vary consistently below one order of magnitude for observed bacteria. We also demonstrate our approach has the potential to generalize to previously unseen bacteria, but predictive performance is hampered by specific taxa of uncommon profile. Finally, it remains clear that NGS data are not inherently restricted to relative information only, and microbiome science can indeed meet the working scales of traditional microbiology.
Quantitative trait loci mapped for TCF21 binding, chromatin accessibility and chromosomal looping in coronary artery smooth muscle cells reveal molecular mechanisms of coronary disease loci
Authors: Zhao Quanyi , Dacre Michael , Nguyen Trieu , Pjanic Milos , Liu Boxiang , Iyer Dharini , Cheng Paul , Wirka Robert , Brian Kim Juyong , Fraser Hunter B , Quertermous Thomas
Published: February 2020

Background

To investigate the epigenetic and transcriptional mechanisms of coronary artery disease (CAD) risk, as well as the functional regulation of chromatin structure and function, we have created a catalog of genetic variants associated with three stages of transcriptionalcis-regulation in primary human coronary artery vascular smooth muscle cells (HCASMC).

Results

To this end, we have used a pooling approach with HCASMC lines to map regulatory variation that mediates binding of the CAD associated transcription factor TCF21 with ChIPseq studies (bQTLs), variation that regulates chromatin accessibility with ATACseq studies (caQTLs), and chromosomal looping with HiC methods (clQTLs). We show significant overlap of the QTLs, and their relationship to smooth muscle specific genes and the binding of smooth muscle transcription factors. Further, we use multiple analyses to show that these QTLs are highly associated with CAD GWAS loci and correlated to lead SNPs in these loci where they show allelic effects. We have verified with genome editing that identified functional variants can regulate both chromatin accessibility and chromosomal looping, providing new insights into functional mechanisms regulating chromatin state and chromosomal structure. Finally, we directly link the disease associatedTGFβ1-SMAD3pathway to the CAD associatedFN1gene through a response QTL that modulates both chromatin accessibility and chromosomal looping.

Conclusions

Together, these studies represent the most thorough mapping of multiple QTL types in a highly disease relevant primary cultured cell type, and provide novel insights into their functional overlap and mechanisms that underlie these genomic features and their relationship to disease risk.
Re-evaluating the conventional wisdom about binding assays
Authors: Wilson Brandon D. , Soh H. Tom
Published: February 2020

Analytical technologies based on binding assays have evolved substantially since their inception nearly 60 years ago, but our conceptual understanding of molecular recognition has not kept pace. Indeed, contemporary technologies such as single-molecule and digital measurements have challenged, or even rendered obsolete, core aspects of the conventional wisdom related to binding assay design. Here, we explore the fundamental principles underlying molecular recognition systems, which we consider in terms of signals generated through concentration-dependent shifts in equilibrium. We challenge certain orthodoxies related to binding-based detection assays, including the primary importance of a lowKDand the extent to which this parameter constrains dynamic range and limit of detection. Lastly, we identify key principles for designing binding assays optimally suited for a given detection application.
Changes in the tumor microenvironment and treatment outcome in glioblastoma: A pilot study
Authors: Ali Sehar , Borin Thaiz F , Piranlioglu Raziye , Ara Roxan , Lebedyeva Iryna , Angara Kartik , Achyut Bhagelu R , Arbab Ali S. , Rashid Mohammad H
Published: February 2020

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a hypervascular and aggressive primary malignant tumor of the central nervous system. Recent investigations showed that traditional therapies along with antiangiogenic therapies failed due to the development of post-therapy resistant and recurrent GBM. Our investigations show that there are changes in the cellular and metabolic compositions in the tumor microenvironment (TME). It can be said that tumor cell-directed therapies are ineffective and we need to rethink how to treat GBM.

We hypothesize that the composition of TME-associated cells will be different based on the therapy and therapeutic agents, and TME-targeting therapy will be better to decrease recurrence and improve survival. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the changes in the TME in respect of T-cell population, M1 and M2 macrophage polarization status, and MDSC population following different treatments in a syngeneic model of GBM. In addition to these parameters, tumor growth and survival were also studied following different treatments.

The results showed that changes in the TME-associated cells were dependent on the therapeutic agents and the TME-targeting therapy improved the survival of the GBM bearing animals.

The current GBM therapies should be revisited to add agents to prevent the accumulation of bone marrow-derived cells in the TME or to prevent the effect of immune-suppressive myeloid cells in causing alternative neovascularization, the revival of glioma stem cells, and recurrence. Instead of concurrent therapy, a sequential strategy would be best to target TME-associated cells.
Internally generated population activity in cortical networks hinders information transmission
Authors: Huang Chengcheng , Pouget Alexandre , Doiron Brent
Published: February 2020

How neuronal variability impacts neuronal codes is a central question in systems neuroscience, often with complex and model dependent answers. Most population models are parametric, with a tacitly assumed structure of neuronal tuning and population-wide variability. While these models provide key insights, they purposely divorce any mechanistic relationship between trial average and trial variable neuronal activity. By contrast, circuit based models produce activity with response statistics that are reflection of the underlying circuit structure, and thus any relations between trial averaged and trial variable activity are emergent rather than assumed. In this work, we study information transfer in networks of spatially ordered spiking neuron models with strong excitatory and inhibitory interactions, capable of producing rich population-wide neuronal variability. Motivated by work in the visual system we embed a columnar stimulus orientation map in the network and measure the population estimation of an orientated input. We show that the spatial structure of feedforward and recurrent connectivity are critical determinants for population code performance. In particular, when network wiring supports stable firing rate activity then with a sufficiently large number of decoded neurons all available stimulus information is transmitted. However, if the inhibitory projections place network activity in a pattern forming regime then the population-wide dynamics compromise information flow. In total, network connectivity determines both the stimulus tuning as well as internally generated population-wide fluctuations and thereby dictates population code performance in complicated ways where modeling efforts provide essential understanding.
Dissimilarity in sulcal width patterns in the cortex can be used to identify patients with schizophrenia with extreme deficits in cognitive performance
Authors: Janssen Joost , Díaz-Caneja Covadonga M. , Alloza Clara , Schippers Anouck , de Hoyos Lucía , Santonja Javier , Gordaliza Pedro M. , Buimer Elizabeth E.L. , van Haren Neeltje E.M. , Cahn Wiepke , Arango Celso , Kahn René S. , Hulshoff Pol Hilleke E. , Schnack Hugo G.
Published: February 2020

Schizophrenia is a biologically complex disorder with multiple regional deficits in cortical brain morphology. In addition, interindividual heterogeneity of cortical morphological metrics is larger in patients with schizophrenia when compared to healthy controls. Exploiting interindividual differences in severity of cortical morphological deficits in patients instead of focusing on group averages may aid in detecting biologically informed homogeneous subgroups. The Person-Based Similarity Index (PBSI) of brain morphology indexes an individual’s morphometric similarity across numerous cortical regions amongst a sample of healthy subjects. We extended the PBSI such that it indexes morphometric similarity of an independent individual (e.g., a patient) with respect to healthy control subjects. By employing a normative modeling approach on longitudinal data, we determined an individual’s degree of morphometric dissimilarity to the norm. We calculated the PBSI for sulcal width (PBSI-SW) in patients with schizophrenia and healthy control subjects (164 patients, 164 healthy controls; 656 MRI scans) and associated it with cognitive performance and cortical sulcation index. A subgroup of patients with markedly deviant PBSI-SW showed extreme deficits in cognitive performance and cortical sulcation. Progressive reduction of PBSI-SW in the schizophrenia group relative to healthy controls was driven by these deviating individuals. By explicitly leveraging interindividual differences in severity of PBSI-SW deficits, neuroimaging-driven subgrouping of patients is feasible. As such, our results pave the way for future applications of morphometric similarity indices for subtyping of clinical populations.
Optoacoustic flow-cytometry with light scattering referencing
Authors: Seeger Markus , Stiel Andre C. , Ntziachristos Vasilis
Published: February 2020

In analogy to the development of fluorescent proteins, innovative tools for screening optoacoustic cell labels could lead to tailored protein labels for OA, imparting novel ways to visualize biological structure and function. Optoacoustic imaging emerges towards a highly promising modality for life sciences and medical practise with advantageous capabilities such as great accessible depth, and 3D studying of living tissue. The development of novel labels with molecular specificity could significantly enhance the optoacoustic contrast, specificity, and sensitivity and allow optoacoustic to interrogate tissues not amenable to the fluorescence method. We report on an optoacoustic flow cytometer (OAFC) prototype, developed for screening optoacoustic reporter genes. The cytometer concurrently records light scattering for referencing purposes. Since recording light scattering is completely independent from OA, we believe it to be a more reliable referencing method than e.g. fluorescence or ultrasound-backscatter. Precise characterization of our OAFC prototype showcases its ability to optoacoustically characterize objects in-flow that are in the size range of single cells. We apply the OAFC to distinguish individualE. colicells based on optoacoustic properties of their expressed chromoproteins read in-flow using microfluidic arrangements and achieved precisions over 90%. We discuss how the light scattering referenced OAFC method offers a critical step towards routine measurement of optoacoustic properties of single-cells and could pave the way for identifying genetically encoded optoacoustic reporters, by transferring working concepts of the fluorescence field.
A Quantitative Model of Cellular Decision Making in Direct Neuronal Reprogramming
Authors: Merlevede Adriaan , Drugge Viktor , Barker Roger A. , Drouin-Ouellet Janelle , Olariu Victor
Published: February 2020

The direct reprogramming of adult skin fibroblasts to neurons is thought to be controlled by a small set of interacting gene regulators. Here, we investigate how the interaction dynamics between these regulating factors coordinate cellular decision making in direct neuronal reprogramming. We put forward a quantitative model of the governing gene regulatory system, supported by measurements of mRNA expression level dynamics. We find that reinterpreting the interaction between two genes (PTB and nPTB) is necessary to capture quantitative gene interaction dynamics and correctly predict the outcome of various overexpression and knockdown experiments. This analysis is strengthened by a novel analytical technique to dissect system behaviour and reveal the influence of individual factors on resulting gene expression. Overall, we demonstrate that computational analysis is a powerful tool for understanding the mechanisms of direct (neuronal) reprogramming, paving the way for future models that can help improve cell conversion strategies.
Gender diversity influence on board effectiveness and business performance
Authors: Martinez-Jimenez Rocio , Hernández-Ortiz María Jesús , Cabrera Fernández Ana Isabel
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the mediating role of board effectiveness (understood as the capacity to efficiently manage and control all functions to guarantee the company’s prosperity) in the relationship between board diversity and firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use partial least squares methodology to test the direct and indirect relationships between gender diversity in boards of directors and business performance.

Findings

Although the relationship between the presence of women on the board and the board’s effectiveness is statistically significant, this relationship is negative. However, board effectiveness (measured by the three constructs: strategic control, organizational innovation and decision-making) has a positive and statistically significant effect on business performance. Finally, there is a positive, but not statistically significant, relationship between gender diversity and firm performance.

Research limitations/implications

The study has a small sample size, and most of the boards of directors analyzed are unequal with only a few companies achieving gender parity.

Social implications

Public institutions must promote actions to achieve a critical mass of women directors and managers, so that women transcend a merely “symbolic” role on a board and are able to develop their skills and characteristics, thereby improving a board’s effectiveness and business performance.

Originality/value

This paper makes a theoretical contribution to the diversity and governance literature by providing a better understanding of the relationship between board gender diversity and firm performance. It considers the influence of women on the board through a holistic framework, analyzing the mediating role of the board’s effectiveness.
On efficiency and effectiveness of finite volume method for thermal analysis of selective laser melting
Authors: Wang Jin , Wang Yi , Shi Jing
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Selective laser melting (SLM) is a major additive manufacturing (AM) process in which laser beams are used as the heat source to melt and deposit metals in a layerwise fashion to enable the construction of components of arbitrary complexity. The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for accurate and fast prediction of the temperature distribution during the SLM process.

Design/methodology/approach

A fast computation tool is proposed for thermal analysis of the SLM process. It is based on the finite volume method (FVM) and the quiet element method to allow the development of customized functionalities at the source level. The results obtained from the proposed FVM approach are compared against those obtained from the finite element method (FEM) using a well-established commercial software, in terms of accuracy and efficiency.

Findings

The results show that for simulating the SLM deposition of a cubic block with 81,000, 189,000 and 297,000 cells, the computation takes about 767, 3,041 and 7,054 min, respectively, with the FEM approach; while 174, 679 and 1,630 min with the FVM code. This represents a speedup of around 4.4x. Meanwhile, the average temperature difference between the two is below 6%, indicating good agreement between them.

Originality/value

The thermal field for the multi-track and multi-layer SLM process is for the first time computed by the FVM approach. This pioneering work on comparing FVM and FEM for SLM applications implies that a fast and simple computing tool for thermal analysis of the SLM process is within the reach, and it delivers comparable accuracy with significantly higher computational efficiency. The research results lay the foundation for a potentially cost-effective tool for investigating the fundamental microstructure evolution, and also optimizing the process parameters in the SLM process.
Typology of value adding FM and CREM interventions
Authors: Jensen Per Anker , Voordt Theo J.M. van der
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an empirical-based typology of facilities management (FM) and corporate real estate management (CREM) interventions that can add value to the core business of organisations and possibly the wider society. The typology is explained, elaborated and discussed with the aim to reach a deeper understanding of value adding management in the context of FM and CREM.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on FM and CREM literature, a survey with 15 expert interviews from six different European countries and cases with examples of interventions from earlier research.

Findings

The typology consists of six types of interventions, some mainly product-related, some mainly process-related and some that can be both. Each type is underpinned by examples from a case company and from interviews.

Research limitations/implications

The number of interviews is limited. The typology with related interventions is not necessarily complete. However, the typology is regarded to include the most important interventions in the current state of practice of FM and CREM.

Practical implications

The typology provides an overview of the different ways FM and CREM can add value. The cases and examples can be used as inspiration for developing specific interventions in practice.

Originality/value

The typology is the first to provide a classification of FM and CREM interventions. By integrating findings from interviews and case studies, this typology contributes to a better understanding and practicing of value adding management.
Do cross-border investors benchmark commercial real estate markets?
Authors: Oertel Cay , Willwersch Jonas , Cajias Marcelo
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to introduce a new perspective on determinants of cross-border investments in commercial real estate, namely, the relative attractiveness of a target market. So far, the literature has analyzed only absolute measures of investment attractiveness as determinants of cross-border investment flows.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study uses a classic ordinary least squares estimation for a European panel data set containing 28 cities in 18 countries, with quarterly observations from Q1/2008 to Q3/2018. After controlling for empirically proven explanatory covariates, the model is extended by the new relative measurement based on relative yields/cap rates and relative risk premia. Additionally, the study applies a generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) to investigate a potentially nonlinear relationship.

Findings

The study finds on average a ceteris paribus, statistically significant lagged influence of the proxy for relative attractiveness. Nonetheless, a differentiation is needed; relative risk premia are statistically significant, whereas relative yields are not. Moreover, the GAMM confirms a nonlinear relationship for relative risk premia and cross-border transaction volumes.

Practical implications

The results are of interest for both academia and market participants as a means of explaining cross-border capital flows. The existing knowledge on determinants is expanded by relative market attractiveness, as well as an awareness of nonlinear relationships. Both insights help to comprehend the underlying transaction dynamics in commercial real estate markets.

Originality/value

Whereas the existing body of literature focuses on absolute attractiveness to explain cross-border transaction activity, this study introduces relative attractiveness as an explanatory variable.
Collaborative case report: participatory action research into using EQUIP to support community discharge
Authors: Tearle Shaw , S. Sam , Holt Rachel R.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

There is a need to evaluate an adapted Equipping Youth to help One Another (EQUIP) programme for people with intellectual disabilities and forensic needs. The purpose of this paper is to explore a service user’s experience of completing the intervention as part of their transition into the community.

Design/methodology/approach

A collaborative case report was used. Following hospital discharge and completion of the adapted EQUIP programme, one service user with mild intellectual disability was supported to share their treatment experiences using participatory action research.

Findings

Findings suggest that while the adapted community EQUIP group can support skills acquisition (e.g. problem-solving), discharge processes and community reintegration, professionals need to maintain a person-centred approach mindful of participants’ complex emotional journeys.

Research limitations/implications

The design allows for tentative conclusions to be made about the service user’s journey and is not necessarily generalisable.

Practical implications

There is a pressing need to develop the evidence base for interventions offered in the community to people with intellectual disabilities and a history of offending. This report provides some evidence that EQUIP can be adapted to support this population.

Originality/value

This is the first coproduced publication exploring the experience of a service user with intellectual disability who completed an adapted EQUIP programme.
Training needs analysis of nurses caring for individuals an intellectual disability and or autism spectrum disorder in a forensic service
Authors: Burke Dominic , Cocoman Angela
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Examining the education and training needs of forensic nurses is paramount as services move from the older institutions to new care settings. The purpose of this study was to identify Irish Forensic nurses perceived deficits in their knowledge and skills to assist them to provide effective seamless care for individuals with an intellectual disability within their forensic mental health service, so that appropriate training could be provided.

Design/methodology/approach

Training needs analysis (TNA) procedures are used as a way of establishing the continuing processional development of staff, as they seek to identify the gaps between the knowledge and skills of an individual and the need for further training. A training needs tool developed by Hicks and Hennessy (2011) was used and completed by nurses working in an Irish forensic mental health service. A total of 140 surveys were circulated and 74 were completed (51 per cent response).

Findings

The top priority training needs identified were for additional training in research and audit and in the use of technology. Other self-identified training needs included additional training in behavioural management for challenging behaviour, understanding mental health and intellectual disability and dual diagnosis, training in enhancing communication skills and how to work with patients who have an intellectual disability patients specific training on autistic spectrum disorders and a guide and template for advance individual care planning and for caring for the physical health needs and promoting the physical health needs of these patients.

Originality/value

Despite there being a vast range of training issues identified, the majority of nurses appear to have a clear idea of their training needs to ensure the provision of seamless care for individuals with an intellectual disability within a forensic mental health setting. This TNA has identified the specific needs of nursing staff working at different positions across the interface of intellectual disability and forensic mental health care.
Internal audience strikes back from the outside: emotionally exhausted employees’ negative word-of-mouth as the active brand-oriented deviance
Authors: Lee Sang Bong , Suh Taewon
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Reflecting on the importance of negative word-of-mouth (NWOM) executed by internal audience of brand management, this study aims to explore the mechanism of employees’ NWOM in the emotional exhaustion context.

Design/methodology/approach

Focusing on employees’ active brand-oriented deviances, this study used a surveyed data set (n= 150) collected from negatively aroused employees experiencing a negative event within their organization. Structural equation modeling was adopted to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The current study revealed that employees’ NWOM is associated with emotional exhaustion. Also, it discovered that emotional exhaustion is more strongly associated with employees’ NWOM than turnover intention.

Research limitations/implications

Relying on self-regulation theory, the current study identified emotional exhaustion as a critical antecedent of employees’ NWOM. Future researchers can use the longitudinal research design or temporal separation as an effort to prevent common method variance.

Practical implications

Internal audiences engage in negative brand-oriented performance by spreading NWOM. Further, the advance in social media may instigate NWOM spread by internal audiences to external audiences.

Originality/value

This paper tests the explanatory power of conservation of resources theory and self-regulatory theory in terms of the impact of employees’ emotional exhaustion on NWOM and turnover intention.
Analyzing different types of negative online consumer reviews
Authors: Lis Bettina , Fischer Maximilian
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate if different types of negative electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) have various negative effects on the attitude of the consumer toward a product (Laptop) and whether this newfound attitude remains unaffected by the subsequent influence of positive eWOM.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative study in Germany was conducted. In the two-part experimental setting, first, a factorial repeated-measures between-subjects design was used in which the types of negative eWOM have been manipulated. The second part is characterized by a mixed between–within subjects design to test the durability of attitudinal changes.

Findings

The results demonstrate that destructive and ethical eWOM only provoke a small decline in consumer attitude compared to functional product criticism. Furthermore, the examination shows that renewed positive eWOM can improve the attitude, whereas ethical criticism is the most difficult to correct.

Research limitations/implications

The study views negative eWOM differentiated. Researchers could adopt this approach by analyzing online communication more precisely. Ambivalent relationships between negative eWOM and their outcomes can be explained.

Practical implications

The findings lessen the fear of permanent loss of brand reputation caused by negative reviews. The harmful effects on the attitude can be compensated through targeted marketing management actions. The study shows which content companies need to focus on.

Originality/value

Previous literature has predominantly overlooked the complex nature of negative eWOM. Therefore, the study provides first empirical results about the divergent effect of different content types of negative eWOM on consumer attitude toward a product. Additionally, the durability of consumer negativity could be measured over time.
Multidimensional management framework for creative places
Authors: Mengi Onur , Guaralda Mirko
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the creative city discourse expanding on current tangible and intangible strategies, by integrating recent placemaking tactics to develop a multidimensional framework for designing creative places.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is based on a framework analysis and critical meta-review of current research on creative city and placemaking.

Findings

The findings show that there are three additional factors related to placemaking tactics in the established literature: institutional factors, human factor and arts and design factor emerging from the intersection of creative city and placemaking frameworks.

Practical implications

The findings of this study can inform a more holistic approach to placemaking in creative cities in both theory and practice, namely, a multidimensional place management framework for creative environments of today.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the current trends in creative city and the development of placemaking guidelines. It provides a simplified view of an exhaustive list of existing literature.