bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insights on the impact of mitochondrial organisation on bioenergetics in high-resolution computational models of cardiac cell architecture
Authors: Ghosh Shouryadipta , Tran Kenneth , Delbridge Lea M. D. , Hickey Anthony J. R. , Hanssen Eric , Crampin Edmund J. , Rajagopal Vijay
Published: May 2018

Recent electron microscopy data have revealed that cardiac mitochondria are not arranged in crystalline columns, but are organised with several mitochondria aggregated into columns of varying sizes often spanning the cell cross-section. This raises the question - how does the mitochondrial arrangement affect the metabolite distributions within cardiomyocytes and their impact on force dynamics? Here we employed finite element modelling of cardiac bioenergetics, using computational meshes derived from electron microscope images, to address this question. Our results indicate that heterogeneous mitochondrial distributions can lead to significant spatial variation across the cell in concentrations of inorganic phosphate, creatine (Cr) and creatine phosphate (PCr). However, our model predicts that sufficient activity of the creatine kinase (CK) system, coupled with rapid diffusion of Cr and PCr, maintains near uniform ATP and ADP ratios across the cell cross sections. This homogenous distribution of ATP and ADP should also evenly distribute force production and twitch duration with contraction. These results suggest that the PCr shuttle, and associated enzymatic reactions, act to maintain uniform force dynamics in the cell despite the heterogeneous mitochondrial organization. However, our model also predicts that under hypoxia - activity of mitochondrial CK enzyme and diffusion of high-energy phosphate compounds may be insufficient to sustain uniform ATP/ADP distribution and hence force generation.
Complete diagnosis of leptospirosis in tropical reproductive cattle
Authors: Pacheco Sánchez Gabriela , Almeida de Lemos Fabio , Dos Santos Paixão-Marques Mirian , Alves-Martin Maria Fernanda , Maísa Guiraldin Lívia , Santos Wesley José , Baldini Lucheis Simone
Published: May 2018

Leptospirosis is a worlwide zoonosis of great impact in both animal and public health. Bovine leptospirosis is commonly manifested by reproductive disorders, such as abortion, stillbirth and infertility; causing depletion of the economic balance of livestock farms, along with representing a health risk problem for farm workers. In view of these consequences, we aimed to evaluate the sanitary status of tropical cattle and their role as reproductive disseminators of leptospirosis. We analyzed blood and semen samples from 11 brazilian herds by three diagnostic methods -Culture, Microscopic Agglutination Test and Polymerase Chain Reaction. All animals were negative for bacteriological culture in Fletcher’s semisolid medium; 66% (264/400) animals were seropositive to at least one of 19 serovars (17 serogroups) ofLeptospiraspp. by MAT, given that 42.4% and 5.3% of animals presented titers against brazilians isolates Guaricura and Nupezo, respectively; furthermore, five animals were positive by PCR in blood and/or culture samples and three semen samples were positive by PCR (one of them also seropositive). These results highlight the coexistence of both disease's stages (acute and chronic) in the same environment, thus alert for venereal dissemination of leptospirosis, aggravating their sanitary condition and fomenting economic losses. We, authors, recommend the adoption of prophylactic measures, such as systemic vaccination, treatment of animals and improvement of hygienic-sanitary conditions.
An analysis and comparison of the statistical sensitivity of semantic similarity metrics
Authors: Manda Prashanti , Vision Todd
Published: May 2018

1

Semantic similarity has been used for comparing genes, proteins, phenotypes, diseases, etc. for various biological applications. The rise of ontology-based data representation in biology has also led to the development of several semantic similarity metrics that use different statistics to estimate similarity.

Although semantic similarity has become a crucial computational tool in several applications, there has not been a formal evaluation of the statistical sensitivity of these metrics and their ability to recognize similarity between distantly related biological objects.

Here, we present a statistical sensitivity comparison of five semantic similarity metrics (Jaccard, Resnik, Lin, Jiang& Conrath, and Hybrid Relative Specificity Similarity) representing three different kinds of metrics (Edge based, Node based, and Hybrid) and explore key parameter choices that can impact sensitivity. Furthermore, we compare four methods of aggregating individual annotation similarities to estimate similarity between two biological objects - All Pairs, Best Pairs, Best Pairs Symmetric, and Groupwise.

To evaluate sensitivity in a controlled fashion, we explore two different models for simulating data with varying levels of similarity and compare to the noise distribution using resampling. Source data are derived from the Phenoscape Knowledgebase of evolutionary phenotypes.

Our results indicate that the choice of similarity metric along with different parameter choices can substantially affect sensitivity. Among the five metrics evaluated, we find that Resnik similarity shows the greatest sensitivity to weak semantic similarity. Among the ways to combine pairwise statistics, the Groupwise approach provides the greatest discrimination among values above the sensitivity threshold, while the Best Pairs statistic can be parametrically tuned to provide the highest sensitivity.

Our findings serve as a guideline for an appropriate choice and parameterization of semantic similarity metrics, and point to the need for improved reporting of the statistical significance of semantic similarity matches in cases where weak similarity is of interest
Gene editing and mutagenesis reveal inter-cultivar differences and additivity in the contribution of TaGW2 homoeologues to grain size and weight in wheat
Authors: wang wei , Simmonds James , Pan Qianli , Davidson Dwight , He Fei , Battal Abdulhamit , Akhunova Alina , Trick Harold N. , Uauy Cristobal , Akhunov Eduard
Published: May 2018

The TaGW2 gene homoeologues have been reported to be negative regulators of grain size (GS) and thousand grain weight (TGW) in wheat. However, the contribution of each homoeologue to trait variation among different wheat cultivars is not well documented. We used the CRISPR-Cas9 system and TILLING to mutagenize each homoeologous gene copy in cultivars Bobwhite and Paragon, respectively. Plants carrying single-copy nonsense mutations in different genomes showed different levels of GS/TGW increase, with TGW increasing by an average of 5.5% (edited lines) and 5.3% (TILLING mutants). In any combination, the double homoeologue mutants showed higher phenotypic effects than the respective single-genome mutants. The double mutants had on average 12.1% (edited) and 10.5% (TILLING) higher TGW with respect to wild-type lines. The highest increase in GS and TGW was shown for triple mutants of both cultivars, with increases of 16.3% (edited) and 20.7% (TILLING) in TGW. The additive effects of the TaGW2 homoeologues were also demonstrated by the negative correlation between the functional gene copy number and GS/TGW in Bobwhite mutants and an F2 population. The highest single-genome increases in GS and TGW in Paragon and Bobwhite were obtained by mutations in the B and D genomes, respectively. These inter-cultivar differences in the phenotypic effects between the TaGW2 gene homoeologues coincide with inter-cultivar differences in the homoeologue expression levels. These results indicate that GS/TGW variation in wheat can be modulated by the dosage of homoeologous genes with inter-cultivar differences in the magnitude of the individual homoeologue effects.
Enforced Symmetry: The Necessity of Symmetric Waxing and Waning
Authors: Hohmann Niklas
Published: May 2018

This paper demonstrates that the symmetric waxing and waning pat-terns that can be observed in ecological measures such as occupancy and geographic range are created by averaging, rescaling, conditioning and combining different sources of information. Therefore symmetric waxing and waning from the origination of a taxon to the extinction of a taxon in any measure should be treated as the null hypothesis and non-informative.
Dynamic interactions of type I cohesin modules fine-tune the structure of the cellulosome of Clostridium thermocellum
Authors: Barth Anders , Hendrix Jelle , Fried Daniel , Barak Yoav , Bayer Edward , Lamb Don C.
Published: May 2018

Efficient degradation of plant cell walls by selected anaerobic bacteria is performed by large extracellular multienzyme complexes termed cellulosomes. The spatial arrangement within the cellulosome is organized by a protein called scaffoldin, which recruits the cellulolytic subunits through interactions between cohesin modules on the scaffoldin and dockerin modules on the enzymes. Although many structural studies of the individual components of cellulosomal scaffoldins have been performed, the role of interactions between individual cohesin modules and the flexible linker regions between them are still not entirely understood. Here, we report single-molecule measurements using Förster resonance energy transfer to study the conformational dynamics of a bimodular tandem cohesin segment of the scaffoldin protein CipA ofClostridium thermocellum. Our data reveal the existence of compacted structures in solution that persist on the timescale of milliseconds. The compacted conformation is found to be in dynamic equilibrium with an extended state that shows distance fluctuations on the microsecond timescale. Shortening of the inter-cohesin linker does not significantly alter the structural dynamics. Upon addition of dockerin-containing enzymes, an extension of the flexible state is observed but the cohesin-cohesin interactions persist. This suggests that the dockerin-binding interfaces are not involved in cohesin-cohesin interactions. The formation of cohesin-cohesin interactions is also observed in all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of the system. From the simulations, we identify possible inter-cohesin binding modes, none of which show obstruction of the cohesin-dockerin binding interfaces. Our results go beyond the view of scaffoldin as “beads on a string”. We propose that both the flexibility and cohesin-cohesin interactions are important factors for the precise spatial arrangement of the enzymatic subunits in the cellulosome that leads to the high catalytic synergy in these assemblies. Hence, the flexibility of the linker region and cohesin-cohesin interactions should be considered when designing cellulosomes for industrial applications.
Combined single-cell profiling of expression and DNA methylation reveals splicing regulation and heterogeneity
Authors: Linker Stephanie M. , Urban Lara , Clark Stephen , Chhatriwala Mariya , Amatya Shradha , McCarthy Davis J. , Ebersberger Ingo , Vallier Ludovic , Reik Wolf , Stegle Oliver , Bonder Marc Jan
Published: May 2018

Background

Alternative splicing is a key regulatory mechanism in eukaryotic cells and increases the effective number of functionally distinct gene products. Using bulk RNA sequencing, splicing variation has been studied across human tissues and in genetically diverse populations. This has identified disease-relevant splicing events, as well as associations between splicing and genomic variations, including sequence composition and conservation. However, variability in splicing between single cells from the same tissue or cell type and its determinants remain poorly understood.

Results

We applied parallel DNA methylation and transcriptome sequencing to differentiating human induced pluripotent stem cells to characterize splicing variation (exon skipping) and its determinants. Our results shows that variation in single-cell splicing can be accurately predicted based on local sequence composition and genomic features. We observe moderate but consistent contributions from local DNA methylation profiles to splicing variation across cells. A combined model that is built based on sequence as well as DNA methylation information accurately predicts different splicing modes of individual cassette exons (AUC=0.85). These categories include the conventional inclusion and exclusion patterns, but also more subtle modes of cell-to-cell variation in splicing. Finally, we identified and characterized associations between DNA methylation and splicing changes during cell differentiation.

Conclusions

Our study yields new insights into alternative splicing at the single-cell level and reveals a previously underappreciated link between DNA methylation variation and splicing.
Compulsivity and impulsivity are linked to distinct aberrant developmental trajectories of fronto-striatal myelination
Authors: Ziegler Gabriel , Hauser Tobias U. , Moutoussis Michael , Bullmore Edward T. , Goodyer Ian M. , Fonagy Peter , Jones Peter B. ,   NSPN Consortium, Lindenberger Ulman , Dolan Raymond J.
Published: May 2018

The transition from adolescence into adulthood is a period where rapid brain development coincides with an enhanced incidence of psychiatric disorder. The precise developmental brain changes that account for this emergent psychiatric symptomatology remain obscure. Capitalising on a unique longitudinal dataset, that includesin-vivomyelin-sensitive magnetization transfer (MT) MRI, we show this transition period is characterised by brain-wide growth in MT, within both gray matter and adjacent juxta-cortical white matter. We show that an expression of common developmental psychiatric risk symptomatology in this otherwise healthy population, specifically compulsivity and impulsivity, is tied to regionally specific aberrant unfolding of these MT trajectories. This is most marked in frontal midline structures for compulsivity, and in lateral frontal areas for impulsivity. The findings highlight a brain developmental linkage for emergent psychiatric risk features, evident in regionally specific perturbations in the expansion of MT-related myelination.
No effect of administration of unacylated ghrelin on subcutaneous PC3 xenograft growth in a Rag1−/− mouse model of metabolic dysfunction
Authors: Maugham Michelle L. , Seim Inge , Thomas Patrick B. , Crisp Gabrielle J. , Shah Esha T. , Herington Adrian C. , Brown Kristy A. , Gregory Laura S. , Nelson Colleen C. , Jeffery Penny L. , Chopin Lisa K.
Published: May 2018

Ghrelin is a peptide hormone which, when acylated, regulates appetite, energy balance and a range of other biological processes. Ghrelin predominately circulates in its unacylated form (unacylated ghrelin; UAG). UAG has a number of functions independent of acylated ghrelin, including modulation of metabolic parameters and cancer progression. UAG has also been postulated to antagonise some of the metabolic effects of acyl-ghrelin, including its effects on glucose and insulin regulation. In this study, Rag1−/− mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity and hyperinsulinaemia were subcutaneously implanted with PC3 prostate cancer xenografts to investigate the effect of UAG treatment on metabolic parameters and xenograft growth. Daily intraperitoneal injection of 100 μg/kg UAG had no effect on xenograft tumour growth in mice fed normal rodent chow or 23% high-fat diet. UAG significantly improved glucose tolerance in host Rag1−/− mice on a high-fat diet, but did not significantly improve other metabolic parameters. We hypothesise that UAG is not likely to be an effective treatment for prostate cancer, with or without associated metabolic syndrome.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.
The relationship between subjective sleep quality and cognitive performance in healthy young adults: Evidence from three empirical studies
Authors: Zavecz Zsófia , Tamás Nagy , Galkó Adrienn , Nemeth Dezso , Janacsek Karolina
Published: May 2018

The role of sleep in cognitive performance has gained increasing attention in neuroscience and sleep research in the recent decades, however, the relationship between subjective (self-reported) sleep quality and cognitive performance has not yet been comprehensively characterized. In this paper, our aim was to test the relationship between subjective sleep quality and a wide range of cognitive functions in a healthy young adult sample combined across three studies. Sleep quality was assessed by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Athens Insomnia Scale, and a sleep diary to capture general subjective sleep quality, and Groningen Sleep Quality Scale to capture prior night’s sleep quality. Within cognitive functions, we tested working memory, executive functions, and several sub-processes of procedural learning. To provide more reliable results, we included robust frequentist and Bayesian statistical analyses as well. Unequivocally across all analyses, we showed that there is no association between subjective sleep quality and cognitive performance in the domain of working memory, executive functions and procedural learning in healthy young adults. Our paper can contribute to a deeper understanding of subjective sleep quality and its measures, and we discuss various factors that may affect whether associations can be observed between subjective sleep quality and cognitive performance.
Robust and fast Monte Carlo Markov Chain sampling of diffusion MRI microstructure models
Authors: Harms R.L. , Roebroeck A.
Published: May 2018

In diffusion MRI analysis, advances in biophysical multi-compartment modeling have gained popularity over the conventional Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), because they possess greater specificity in relating the dMRI signal to underlying cellular microstructure. Biophysical multi-compartment models require parameter estimation, typically performed using either Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) or using Monte Carlo Markov Chain (MCMC) sampling. Whereas MLE provides only a point estimate of the fitted model parameters, MCMC recovers the entire posterior distribution of the model parameters given the data, providing additional information such as parameter uncertainty and correlations. MCMC sampling is currently not routinely applied in dMRI microstructure modeling because it requires adjustments and tuning specific to each model, particularly in the choice of proposal distributions, burn-in length, thinning and the number of samples to store. In addition, sampling often takes at least an order of magnitude more time than non-linear optimization. Here we investigate the performance of MCMC algorithm variations over multiple popular diffusion microstructure models to see whether a single well performing variation could be applied efficiently and robustly to many models. Using an efficient GPU-based implementation, we show that run times can be removed as a prohibitive constraint for sampling of diffusion multi-compartment models. Using this implementation, we investigated the effectiveness of different adaptive MCMC algorithms, burn-in, initialization and thinning. Finally we apply the theory of Effective Sample Size to diffusion multi-compartment models as a way of determining a relatively general target for the number of samples needed to characterize parameter distributions for different models and datasets. We conclude that robust and fast sampling is achieved in most diffusion microstructure models with the Adaptive Metropolis-Within-Gibbs (AMWG) algorithm initialized with an MLE point estimate, in which case 100 to 200 samples are sufficient as a burn-in and thinning is mostly unnecessary. As a relatively general target for the number of samples, we recommend a multivariate Effective Sample Size of 2200.
Minimizing marine ingredients in diets of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar): Effects on growth performance and muscle lipid and fatty acid composition
Authors: Beheshti Foroutani Maryam , Parrish Christopher C. , Wells Jeanette , Taylor Richard , Rise Matthew , Shahidi Fereidoon
Published: May 2018

Due to limited fish meal and fish oil resources and their high costs for the aquaculture industry, it is necessary to find alternative sustainable sources of protein and lipids. Therefore, seven different diets were formulated with different protein and lipid sources to feed farmed Atlantic salmon, and their effects on growth performance, muscle lipid class, and fatty acid composition were examined. Growth performance indicated that the diet with the lowest fish meal and fish oil content resulted in the lowest weight gain and final weight, followed by the diet containing the highest level of animal by-products. The lipid class analysis showed no statistical difference in the muscle total lipid content using different diets. However, significant statistical differences were observed among the main lipid classes; triacylglycerols, phospholipids, and sterols. The diet containing 1.4% omega-3 long-chain fatty acids resulted in the highest content of triacylglycerols and phospholipids. Diets containing medium and low levels of fish oil and fish meal, respectively, led to as high a level of ω3 fatty acids in muscle as when fish were fed diets with high levels of fish meal and fish oil. The results of this study suggest that feeding a diet containing low levels of fish meal and moderate levels of fish oil does not significantly affect ω3 fatty acid composition in muscle. Fish meal could be reduced to 5% without affecting growth as long as there was a minimum of 5% fish oil, and animal by-products did not exceed 26% of the diet.
Patterns and perceptions of cannabis use with physical activity
Authors: Lisano Jonathon K. , Phillips Kristina T. , Smith Jeremy D. , Barnes Matthew J. , Stewart Laura K.
Published: May 2018

Background and Aims

Past research has shown that cannabis use is common among adults in the U.S. In addition, physical activity (PA), such as exercise, is often a component of many American’s daily routines. Anecdotal information suggests that a subset of individuals use cannabis in conjunction with PA, but the evidence base is lacking. The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency, methods of ingestion, strain types, and timing (before, during or after) of cannabis use in combination with PA. We also sought to better understand the types of PA that cannabis is being used with and reasons why individuals may use cannabis with PA.

Methods and Results

A brief survey was developed and was administered online to community residents (N = 105) who reported use of cannabis with PA. Analysis of survey responses revealed that participants were using cannabis in combination with a wide range of physical activities. While cannabis use was reported before, during, and after PA, the majority of participants (92%) reported use of cannabis before PA. Most participants (77%) believed that the use of cannabis products with their PA had a positive effect on their performance. The strain of cannabis used with PA was dependent on timing of cannabis use before, during, or after PA. Although participants reported a range of reasons for using cannabis before, during, or after PA, pain management was the only reason reported across all time periods.

Conclusions

Findings from this study suggest that there is a sub-community of physically active individuals using cannabis with their PA, many who believe that cannabis use has a positive effect on their performance.
Hierarchical organization of the human cell from a cancer coessentiality network
Authors: Kim Eiru , Dede Merve , Lenoir Walter F. , Wang Gang , Srinivasan Sanjana , Colic Medina , Hart Traver
Published: May 2018

Genetic interactions mediate the emergence of phenotype from genotype. Systematic survey of genetic interactions in yeast showed that genes operating in the same biological process have highly correlated genetic interaction profiles, and this observation has been exploited to infer gene function in model organisms. Systematic surveys of digenic perturbations in human cells are also highly informative, but are not scalable, even with CRISPR-mediated methods. As an alternative, we developed an indirect method of deriving functional interactions. We show that genes having correlated knockout fitness profiles across diverse, non-isogenic cell lines are analogous to genes having correlated genetic interaction profiles across isogenic query strains, and similarly implies shared biological function. We constructed a network of genes with correlated fitness profiles across 400 CRISPR knockout screens in cancer cell lines into a “coessentiality network,” with up to 500-fold enrichment for co-functional gene pairs, enabling strong inference of human gene function. Modules in the network are connected in a layered web that gives insight into the hierarchical organization of the cell.
Genome-centric metagenomics revealed the spatial distribution and the diverse metabolic functions of lignocellulose degrading uncultured bacteria
Authors: Kougias Panagiotis G. , Campanaro Stefano , Treu Laura , Tsapekos Panagiotis , Armani Andrea , Angelidaki Irini
Published: May 2018

The mechanisms by which specific anaerobic microorganisms remain firmly attached to lignocellulosic material allowing them to efficiently decompose the organic matter are far to be elucidated. To circumvent this issue, the microbiomes collected from anaerobic digesters treating pig manure and meadow grass were fractionated to separate the planktonic microbes from those adhered to lignocellulosic substrate. Assembly of shotgun reads followed by binning process recovered 151 population genomes, 80 out of which were completely new and were not previously deposited in any database. Genome coverage allowed the identification of microbial spatial distribution into the engineered ecosystem. Moreover, a composite bioinformatic analysis using multiple databases for functional annotation revealed that uncultured members of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes follow diverse metabolic strategies for polysaccharide degradation. The structure of cellulosome in Firmicutes can vary depending on the number and functional roles of carbohydrate-binding modules. On contrary, members of Bacteroidetes are able to adhere and degrade lignocellulose due to the presence of multiple carbohydrate-binding family 6 modules in beta-xylosidase and endoglucanase proteins or S-layer homology modules in unknown proteins. This study combines the concept of variability in spatial distribution with genome-centric metagenomics allowing a functional and taxonomical exploration of the biogas microbiome.

Importance

This work contributes new knowledge about lignocellulose degradation in engineered ecosystems. Specifically, the combination of the spatial distribution of uncultured microbes with genome-centric metagenomics provides novel insights into the metabolic properties of planktonic and firmly attached to plant biomass bacteria. Moreover, the knowledge obtained in this study enabled us to understand the diverse metabolic strategies for polysaccharide degradation in different species of Bacteroidetes and Clostridiales. Even though structural elements of cellulosome were restricted to Clostridiales, our study identified in Bacteroidetes a putative mechanism for biomass decomposition based on a gene cluster responsible for cellulose degradation, disaccharide cleavage to glucose and transport to cytoplasm.
MXP: Modular eXpandable framework for building bioinformatics Pipelines
Authors: Kovtun Mikhail , Akushevich Igor , Arbeev Konstantin , Yashin Anatoliy
Published: May 2018

Background

Pipelines are a natural tool in bioinformatics applications. Virtually any meaningful processing of biological data involves the execution of multiple software tools, and this execution must be arranged in a coherent manner. Many tools for the building of pipelines were developed over time and used to facilitate work with increasing volume of bioinformatics data. Here we present a flexible and expandable framework for building pipelines, MXP, which we hope will find its own niche in bioinformatics applications.

Results

We developed MXP and tested it on various tasks in our organization, primarily for building pipelines for GWAS (Genome-Wide Association Studies) and post-GWAS analysis. It was proven to be sufficiently flexible and useful.

Conclusions

MXP implements a number of novel features which, from our point of view, make it to be more suitable and more convenient for building bioinformatics pipelines.
Maximum-entropy and representative samples of neuronal activity: a dilemma
Authors: Porta Mana P.G.L. , Rostami V. , Torre E. , Roudi Y.
Published: May 2018

The present work shows that the maximum-entropy method can be applied to a sample of neuronal recordings along two different routes: (1) apply to the sample; or (2) apply to a larger, unsampled neuronal population from which the sample is drawn, and then marginalize to the sample. These two routes give inequivalent results. The second route can be further generalized to the case where the size of the larger population is unknown. Which route should be chosen? Some arguments are presented in favour of the second. This work also presents and discusses probability formulae that relate states of knowledge about a population and its samples, and that may be useful for sampling problems in neuroscience.
Social effects of territorial neighbours on the timing of spring breeding in North American red squirrels
Authors: Fisher David N. , Wilson Alastair J. , Boutin Stan , Dantzer Ben , Lane Jeffrey E. , Coltman David W. , Gorrell Jamie C. , McAdam Andrew G.
Published: May 2018

Organisms can affect one another’s phenotypes when they socially interact. Indirect genetic effects occur when an individual’s phenotype is affected by genes expressed in another individual. These heritable effects can enhance or reduce adaptive potential, thereby accelerating or reversing evolutionary change. Quantifying these social effects is therefore crucial for our understanding of evolution, yet estimates of indirect genetic effects in wild animals are limited to dyadic interactions. We estimated indirect phenotypic and genetic effects, and their covariance with direct effects, for the date of spring breeding in North American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) living in an array of territories of varying spatial proximity. Additionally, we estimated variance parameters and the strength of selection at low and high population densities. Social effects of neighbours on the date of spring breeding were weak at low, but stronger at high population densities. Indirect phenotypic effects accounted for a larger amount of variation in the date of breeding than direct differences among-individuals, although the genetic component to these indirect effects was not statistically significant. Nevertheless, the estimated effect size was large enough to suggest that indirect genetic effects could alter evolutionary change, resulting in less change at high densities despite stronger selection. Despite the difficulty in estimating them precisely, indirect genetic effects have clear potential to alter evolutionary trajectories in any natural systems where organisms interact.
Binary polymorphic cocrystals: an update on the available literature in the Cambridge Structural Database, including a new polymorph of the pharmaceutical 1:1 cocrystal theophylline–3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid
Authors: Mnguni Malitsatsi J. , Michael Joseph P. , Lemmerer Andreas
Published: May 2018

An analysis and classification of the 2925 neutral binary organic cocrystals in the Cambridge Structural Database is reported, focusing specifically on those both showing polymorphism and containing an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). The search was confined to molecules having only C, H, N, O, S and halogens atoms. It was found that 400 out of 2925 cocrystals can be classified as pharmaceutical cocrystals, containing at least one API, and that of those, 56 can be classified as being polymorphic cocrystals. In general, the total number of polymorphic cocrystal systems of any type stands at 125. In addition, a new polymorph of the pharmaceutical cocrystal theophylline–3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (1/1), C7H8N4O2·C7H6O4, is reported.
Three-dimensional organic–inorganic hybrid sodium halide perovskite: C4H12N2·NaI3 and a hydrogen-bonded supramolecular three-dimensional network in 3C4H12N2·NaI4·3I·H2O
Authors: Chen Xiao-Gang , Gao Ji-Xing , Hua Xiu-Ni , Liao Wei-Qiang
Published: May 2018

The rational selection of ligands is vitally important in the construction of new organic–inorganic hybrid three-dimensional perovskite complexes. As part of an exploration of perovskite-type materials, two new Na–I compounds based on the piperazine ligand, namely poly[piperazinediium [tri-μ-iodido-sodium]], {(C4H12N2)[NaI3]}
n
, 1, and catena-poly[tris(piperazinediium) [[triiodidosodium]-μ-iodido] triiodide monohydrate], {(C4H12N2)3[NaI4]I3·H2O}
n
, 2, have been synthesized by adjusting the stoichiometric ratio of sodium iodide and piperazine, and were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In the crystal structures of 1 and 2, each NaI cation is linked to six I atoms, but the compounds show completely different configurations. In 1, the structure includes a perovskite-like array of vertex-sharing NaI6 octahedra stretching along the direction of the three axes, and each piperazinediium dication is enclosed in the NaI3 perovskite cage. However, in 2, each NaI atom bridges a single I atom to form a one-dimensional linear chain, and complex intermolecular hydrogen bonds connect these one-dimensional chains into a three-dimensional supramolecular network.
Planning and controlling design in engineered-to-order prefabricated building systems
Authors: Wesz Josana Gabriele Bolzan , Formoso Carlos Torres , Tzortzopoulos Patricia
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a model for planning and controlling the design process in companies that design, manufacture and assemble prefabricated engineer-to-order (ETO) building systems. This model was devised as an adaptation of the Last Planner® System for ETO multiple-project environments.

Design/methodology/approach

Design science research, also known as prescriptive research, was the methodological approach adopted in this research. An empirical study was carried out at the design department of a leading steel fabricator from Brazil, in which the proposed model was implemented in six different design teams.

Findings

The main benefits of the proposed model were shielding design work from variability, encouraging collaborative planning, creating opportunities for learning, increasing process transparency, and flexibility according to project status. Two main factors affected the effectiveness of the implementation process commitment and leadership of design managers, and training on design management and project planning and control core concepts and practices.

Research limitations/implications

Some limitations were identified in the implementation process: similarly to some previous studies (Ballard, 2002; Codinhoto and Formoso, 2005), the success of constraint analysis was still limited; some of the metrics produced (e.g. ABI, causes of planning failures) have not been fully used for process improvement; and systematic feedback about project status was not properly implemented and tested.

Originality/value

The main contributions of this study in relation to traditional design planning and control practices are related to the use of two levels of look-ahead planning, the introduction of a decoupling point between conceptual and detail design, the proposition of new metrics for the Last Planner® System, and understanding the potential role of visual management to support planning and control.
Generation Z entering the workforce: the need for sustainable strategies in maximizing their talent
Authors: Chillakuri Bharat , Mahanandia Rajendra
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the characteristics of the cohort Generation Z and identify strategies for maximizing their talent. The study emphasizes that it is critical for the organization to revisit their strategies so as to accommodate this cohort group. With Generation Z entering the workforce, the nature of entry-level jobs is changing; hence, HR needs to redesign their strategies to attract and engage Generation Z.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design adopted for the study is exploratory in nature. The research analysis is based on the information/data collected from the journal articles, newspapers and various conferences and majorly from in-person discussions with the Generation Z cohort group.

Findings

Generation Z believes in multitasking and likes to learn everything on their own, underscoring their individuality. They believe in doing more in less time, and thus, efficiency and effectiveness are attributed to be part of their DNA.

Research limitations/implications

It has to be accepted that very little is known about Generation Z as they have just started to enter the workforce. The next two years will have this cohort joining organizations in entry-level jobs. Organizations have to carefully watch and redesign their strategies to effectively engage this group, as they have no choice except to accept the new generation.

Practical implications

The literature on Generation Z is scanty, as much of the scholarly research is done in isolation. However, prior studies indicate that Generation Z is tech-savvy and wants everything connected. Organizations will be forced to accept technology as the preferred medium of communication when Generation Z enters the organization.

Originality/value

The study presents an alternative for managing the Generation Z, thereby maximizing their talent in the workplace.
Vibe manager: the most millennial job title ever
Authors: Anand Ila Mehrotra , Oberai Himani
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Businesses have become increasingly concerned about creating “good vibes” in the workplace. This would lead to an increase in productivity. For this purpose, they are looking for managers who can create those vibes within the office.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper briefly illustrates the role of vibe managers in an organization and how organizations are gaining a competitive edge merely by focusing on enhancing the satisfaction level of their employees.

Findings

Millennials today are looking for employees who are cool and can match up to their lifestyle. Trendy arrangements in the company help in ensuring that the employees enjoy themselves at work, which in turn can do wonders to their satisfaction levels.

Practical implications

Companies must respond to the changing environment and come up with entertaining tasks and unique ways to help employees and clients to get to know each other and also relax.

Originality/value

The briefing saves the time of researchers and executives by highlighting the important role of vibe managers and how the office vibes can be a cause of satisfaction or dissatisfaction for our employees.
From new town to new governance: The Woodlands, Texas
Authors: Thurmond James , Yehl Robert
Published: May 2018

For a good part of the U.S. system of federalism municipal incorporation has been the formal structure for local communities. Over the last 60 years there has been a shift in this structure to special district government. The Woodlands, Texas presents an interesting case study on the incremental development of a former New Town community, the change in formal government organization and the potential for a different model of local governance structure in the 21st Century. The authors explore the four stages of development for The Woodlands over the past 40 years and assess this development through several model theories including institutional, urban regime, and urban governance. Contrary to some current literature on governance, The Woodlands appears to have transitioned from decentralization to more centralization while at the same time avoiding full incorporation as a municipality. It may be indicative of the new governance.
Emotions in strategic leadership: A Literature review and theoretical modelling for future research directions
Authors: Ohlsson Alicia , Larsson Gerry
Published: May 2018

The aim was to explore the existing literature on emotion and strategic leadership in a systematic review and to synthesize it into a theoretical model. A literature review on emotion in connection to strategic leadership was undertaken. After adhering to the search strategy and exclusion criteria, 46 peer-reviewed texts consisting of articles and relevant book chapters remained. The texts were analyzed according to the grounded theory method (GTM) to generate a new theoretical model and a core variable was identified, organizational emotion shaping. The model attempts to show how the interaction of individual and organizational framing factors with the strategic leader's tasks and challenges lead to emotion shaping internal and external of the organization. Suggestions for future research were formed and suggestions of practical implications were given. This literature review and theoretical integration offers a starting point for potential areas of further exploration.
Dead family working
Authors: Gerard Nathan
Published: May 2018

In their recent book, Dead Man Working, Carl Cederström and Peter Fleming paint a haunting picture of the contemporary employee: sleep deprived and overworked, exhausted and strung out, unable to tell where work ends and where life begins, hardly alive and yet unable to die. In this paper, the author widens the picture by examining the systemic effects of contemporary work on the family. Drawing upon ideas from psychoanalysis and critical theory, the author reveals how the extraction of life by work reverberates across generations and seeps into the home environment. The author also reveals how new constellations of family reinforce deadening work. What emerges is a family portrait known as the “dead family working.”
Does training matter in public organizations? Assessing training effects in the U.S. law enforcement agencies
Authors: Hur Yongbeom
Published: May 2018

This study examined the consequences of training on organizations. With data collected from 464 U.S. law enforcement agencies, training effects were explored in terms of crime control performance and sworn officers' resignation in regression analysis. According to the findings, training did not significantly improve crime control performance and police officers tended to stay in current organizations when they received a longer training. This study also found that law enforcement agencies in large cities tended to require longer training hours for their police officers.
Goal interdependence, subgroup formation, and conflict in Teams
Authors: Tan (Rae) Yunzi
Published: May 2018

This research investigates subgroup formation as an important mediator in the goal interdependence-intragroup conflict linkage. Specifically, it proposes that subgroup formation will mediate the relationship between cooperative goal interdependence and intragroup conflict, but not for competitive goal interdependence and intragroup conflict. Further, competitive goal interdependence is posited to have direct, positive effects on intragroup conflict. Using structural equation modeling analyses with 79 student project teams, the findings revealed that subgroup formation fully mediated the relationship between cooperative goal interdependence and task and process conflict, but only partially mediated the relationship between cooperative goal interdependence and relationship conflict. As predicted, subgroup formation did not mediate the relationship between competitive goal interdependence and intragroup conflict; however, competitive goal interdependence was negatively, rather than positively, related to intragroup conflict.
Sports, storytelling and social media: a review and conceptualization
Authors: Laurell Christofer , Söderman Sten
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Professional sports organizations have a long tradition of utilizing stories as part of their marketing efforts. However, as the media landscape has undergone considerable change as a result of information and communication technologies, most notably through social media, the conditions under which storytelling evolve have altered significantly. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explain how storytelling in the sports sector becomes integrated in social media.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual review in three sequential steps is carried out. First, extant literature on the role and effects of storytelling is reviewed. This is followed by a review of the interplay between storytelling and the contemporary media landscape, with a particular focus on social media. Third, the authors link both literatures and, by doing so, illustrate the dynamic interplay of storytelling and social media in the sports sector.

Findings

The conceptual review shows that storytelling can enact four sequential roles that are characterized by varying degrees of co-creation which, in relation to extant literature, has strong implications for the manageability of storytelling from the perspective of professional sports organizations.

Originality/value

Based on the identified sequential roles that storytelling can enact in social media, this paper contributes to the field of sports marketing by depicting how the dynamics between storytelling and the social media landscape exhibit a shifting degree of manageability with regards to storytelling from the perspective of professional sports organizations.
To relocate internationally or not to relocate internationally: a Taiwanese case study
Authors: Wang Chun-Hsiao
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Multinational organizations are often unable to send their first-choice candidates on international assignments because employees are unwilling to relocate internationally. The purpose of this paper is to understand how organizations can effectively increase employees’ willingness to relocate internationally.

Design/methodology/approach

The study sample consisted of 229 employees who have not previously worked abroad in a large and global-minded Taiwanese bank.

Findings

This study found that when employees perceived international assignment experience to be valuable to their career and valued by their organization, they reported a higher level of willingness to relocate internationally. Moreover, this study also found the perceived organizational support (POS) on career and adjustment as moderators.

Research limitations/implications

The use of one company in Taiwan as the source of the sample may limit the generalizability of the results. The cross-sectional design of this study also makes it impossible to examine the causality among variables.

Practical implications

To enhance employees’ willingness to relocate internationally, organizations should ensure that they communicate clearly that organizations value employees’ international assignment experience before, during, and after the assignment.

Originality/value

This study uses social informational processing theory to examine the effects of international assignment value on employee willingness to relocate internationally, as well as the effects of POS for international assignment on employee willingness to relocate internationally.