bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurement of Radial Peripapillary Capillary Density in the Normal Human Retina Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Authors: Mansoori Tarannum , Sivaswamy Jayanthi , Gamalapati Jahnavi Sai , Agraharam Satish Gooty , Balakrishna Nagalla
Published: November 2016

Aim:

To image the radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) network with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and measure its capillary density (CD) in the normal human retina.

Materials and Methods:

Fifty-two normal participants underwent OCTA imaging with RTVue XR 100 Avanti OCT. The angioflow enface RPCs network was extracted from OCTA and 8 peripapillary sectors with a sector angle of 45 degrees were selected for quantitative analysis: superior nasal, superior temporal, temporal upper, temporal lower, nasal upper, nasal lower, inferior nasal, and inferior temporal. CD was measured within a 3.4-mm circle diameter around the optic nerve head (ONH) using the Bar-Selective Combination of Shifted Filter Responses method.

Results:

Using OCTA, the RPC network was visualized with excellent detail as a distinctive pattern of parallel, long, uniform-diameter vessels around ONH, oriented parallel to the retinal nerve fiber layer. The mean overall RPC density within the circle diameter of 3.4 mm around ONH was 0.21±0.053 (95% confidence interval: 0.204-0.216). The CD at the superior temporal (0.243±0.045) and inferior temporal (0.242±0.047) sectors was higher (P<0.05) when compared with the other sectors. Age, sex (P=0.7), and disc size (P=0.3) did not have a significant effect on CD measurement.

Conclusions:

We imaged and describe a reproducible method to measure the RPC density, which would help us to understand the role of this vascular bed in the functioning of the retinal nerve fiber layer. Our study demonstrated that there was symmetry in superior and inferior corresponding pair sectors with respect to the horizontal meridian and symmetry between paired sectors at the nasal and temporal poles with respect to the vertical meridian.
Effect of Cyclopentolate on In Vivo Schlemm Canal Microarchitecture in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Rosman Michael S. , Skaat Alon , Chien Jason L. , Ghassibi Mark P. , Sarimiye Tarela F. , Ritch Robert , Liebmann Jeffrey M. , Park Sung Chul
Published: November 2016

Purpose:

To characterize the in vivo effect of cyclopentolate on the microstructure of Schlemm canal (SC) in healthy eyes.

Methods:

For healthy subjects, 81 serial horizontal enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography B-scans (interval between scans, ∼35 μm) of the nasal corneoscleral limbal area were obtained before and 1 hour after cyclopentolate 1% administration in 1 eye. The structures of aqueous and blood vessels in each scan were used as landmarks to select 50 overlapping scans between the 2 sets of 81 serial scans (before and after cyclopentolate administration). The SC cross-sectional area was measured in each of the 50 selected scans. After 3-dimensional reconstruction, SC volume was determined.

Results:

Twelve eyes (12 healthy subjects) were imaged successfully before and after cyclopentolate administration. Mean age was 27.8±4.9 years (range, 25 to 38 y). Following cyclopentolate administration, mean intraocular pressure did not change significantly (13.9±1.5 to 14.2±1.5 mm Hg; P=0.19). Mean SC cross-sectional area decreased by 17%, from 3563±706 to 2959±460 μm2 (P<0.001). Mean SC volume in the overlapping area (approximately 1.7 mm of circumferential length of SC) decreased from 6,164,061±1,220,787 to 5,119,462±794,763 μm3 (P<0.001). The decrease in the mean SC cross-sectional area after cyclopentolate administration was greater in eyes with larger baseline SC cross-sectional area (P<0.001, R=0.873).

Conclusions:

Cyclopentolate causes a reduction in SC dimensions in healthy eyes. Future studies are warranted to determine the exact mechanism(s) of this change.
Perspectives and Uses of the Electronic Health Record Among US Pediatricians
Authors: Doberne Julie W. , Redd Travis , Lattin Daniel , Yackel Thomas R. , Eriksson Carl O. , Mohan Vishnu , Gold Jeffrey A. , Ash Joan S. , Chiang Michael F.
Published: November 2016

Little is known about how existing electronic health records (EHRs) influence the practice of pediatric medicine. A total of 808 pediatricians participated in a survey about workflows using the EHR. The EHR was the most commonly used source of initial patient information. Seventy-two percent reported requiring between 2 and 10 minutes to complete an initial review of the EHR. Several moderately severe information barriers were reported regarding the display of information in the EHR. Pediatricians acquire information about new patients from EHRs more often than any other source. EHRs play a critical role in pediatric care but require improved design and efficiency.
A New Controller Design for Maintaining Anesthesia Depth in a Desired Level During Surgery
Authors: Saba Valiallah , Dehghanpour Peyman
Published: November 2016

A radial basis function controller is developed for maintaining depth of anesthesia in the desired level during surgery. A 3-compartment model with the nonlinear bispectral index (BIS) model is used to estimate the level of anesthesia while the synergic interaction of the anesthetic (propofol) and opioid (remifentanil) is considered. Inputs of model are the infusion rate of the propofol and the remifentanil, and the output is BIS. Because a white noise has been seen on our BIS clinical data, a low-pass filter has been used to remove the noise. The infusion rate of propofol is used as the control signal. The infusion rate of remifentanil constantly equals 1/25th of the infusion rate of propofol as suggested by anesthesiologist. Performance of this controller is evaluated through a simulation study and implemented on 5 patients.
Impact of a general practitioners’ strike and of terrorist attacks on a call centre
Authors: Reuter Paul-Georges , Orsini Charlotte , Grave Mélanie , Linval Frédéric , Akodad Hayatte , Goix Laurent , Adnet Frédéric , Lapostolle Frédéric
Published: November 2016

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the impact of the same-day GPs’ strike and terrorist attacks on a call centre’s activity.

Methods

We compared the number of calls received, the number of patient’s medical files (PMFs) created and the number of mobile ICU (MICU) dispatched per hour on Friday, 13 November, to the repository established on the five previous Fridays. As previously published, the variation criterion was set to an activity variation above 20% for more than 2 h.

Results

On Friday, 13 November, 1745 calls were received compared with 1455 calls, on average, for the five previous Fridays. The number of calls received increased after the terrorist attacks (≤90%) and remained above the threshold for 3 h. The number of PMFs exceeded the threshold from 10:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m., but was not affected by the attacks. The number of MICUs dispatched exceeded the threshold (>500%) in the first hour after the attacks.

Conclusion

The GPs’ strike and the terrorist attacks did not impact our call centre’s activity in the same manner. The strike increased the number of PMFs without increasing the number of calls received. The attacks increased the number of calls received and MICU dispatched without increasing the number of PMFs. Many markers are at the disposal of call centres to evaluate the impact of healthcare events.
Health-related Quality of Life (HR-QOL) and Chronic Health Conditions in Survivors of Childhood Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) with Down Syndrome (DS): A Report From the Children’s Oncology Group
Authors: Schultz Kris Ann P. , Chen Lu , Kunin-Batson Alicia , Chen Zhengjia , Woods William G. , Gamis Alan , Kawashima Toana , Oeffinger Kevin C. , Nicholson H. Stacy , Neglia Joseph P.
Published: November 2016

Survival rates for children with Down syndrome (DS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are high; however, little is known regarding the health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) of these survivors. Individuals who survived ≥5 years following diagnosis of childhood AML were invited to complete parent or patient-report surveys measuring HR-QOL and chronic health conditions. In total, 26 individuals with DS had a median age at diagnosis of 1.8 years (range, 0.77 to 10.9 y) and median age at interview of 15 years (range, 8.3 to 27.6 y). Participants with DS and AML were compared with AML survivors without DS whose caregiver completed a HR-QOL survey (CHQ-PF50). In total, 77% of survivors with DS reported ≥1 chronic health condition compared with 50% of AML survivors without DS (P=0.07). Mean physical and psychosocial QOL scores for children with DS and AML were statistically lower than the population mean, though not discrepant from AML survivors without DS. Although the overall prevalence of chronic health conditions in survivors with DS is higher than in survivors without DS, prior studies of children with DS have reported similarly high rates of chronic health conditions, suggesting that AML therapy may not substantially increase this risk.
Pneumatosis Intestinalis Due to Child Abuse
Authors: Deutsch Stephanie Anne , Christian Cindy W.
Published: November 2016

Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) and the presence of portal venous gas (PVG) are commonly considered pathognomonic for necrotizing enterocolitis in the neonatal period; however, these 2 radiographic findings have been documented in all age groups in a variety of clinical settings and medical conditions including respiratory, cardiac, rheumatologic, gastrointestinal disorders, and traumatic injury. In children, intramural dissection of intestinal gas in the absence of clinical symptoms suggestive of necrotizing enterocolitis should raise concern for a traumatic etiology, including injuries sustained from child physical abuse. Several pediatric cases of traumatic PI and PVG have been reported; however, these cases described additional, associated abdominal injury or featured toddlers — a single case report of accidental abdominal trauma resulted in PVG in a preterm infant.
1
We report the case of a neonatal victim of child physical abuse presenting with PI and PVG in the absence of other evidence of abdominal trauma.
Assessing the manipulative potentials of monkeys, apes and humans from hand proportions: implications for hand evolution
Authors: Liu Ming-Jin , Xiong Cai-Hua , Hu Di
Published: November 2016

The hand structure possesses a greater potential for performing manipulative skills than is typically observed, whether in humans or non-human anthropoids. However, a precise assessment of the potential manipulative skills of hands has been challenging, which hampers our understanding of the evolution of manipulative abilities in anthropoid hands. Here, we establish a functional model to quantitatively infer the manipulative potentials of anthropoid hands based on hand proportions. Our results reveal a large disparity of manipulative potentials among anthropoid hands. From the aspect of hand proportions, the human hand has the best manipulative potential among anthropoids. However, the species with a manipulative potential closer to that of humans are not our nearest relatives, chimpanzees, but rather, are certain monkey species. In combination with the phylogenetically informed morphometric analyses, our results suggest that the morphological changes of non-human anthropoid hands did not coevolve with the brain to facilitate the manipulative ability during the evolutionary process, although the manipulative ability is a survival skill. The changes in non-human anthropoid hands may have more likely evolved under selective pressure for locomotion than manipulation.
A spiking neural model of adaptive arm control
Authors: DeWolf Travis , Stewart Terrence C. , Slotine Jean-Jacques , Eliasmith Chris
Published: November 2016

We present a spiking neuron model of the motor cortices and cerebellum of the motor control system. The model consists of anatomically organized spiking neurons encompassing premotor, primary motor, and cerebellar cortices. The model proposes novel neural computations within these areas to control a nonlinear three-link arm model that can adapt to unknown changes in arm dynamics and kinematic structure. We demonstrate the mathematical stability of both forms of adaptation, suggesting that this is a robust approach for common biological problems of changing body size (e.g. during growth), and unexpected dynamic perturbations (e.g. when moving through different media, such as water or mud). To demonstrate the plausibility of the proposed neural mechanisms, we show that the model accounts for data across 19 studies of the motor control system. These data include a mix of behavioural and neural spiking activity, across subjects performing adaptive and static tasks. Given this proposed characterization of the biological processes involved in motor control of the arm, we provide several experimentally testable predictions that distinguish our model from previous work.
Heat-stable preservation of protein expression systems for portable therapeutics production
Authors: Karig David , Bessling Seneca , Thielen Peter , Zhang Sherry , Wolfe Joshua
Published: November 2016

Many biotechnology capabilities are limited by stringent storage needs of reagents, largely prohibiting use outside of specialized laboratories. Focusing on a large class of protein-based biotechnology applications, we address this issue by developing a method for preserving cell-free protein expression systems under months of heat stress. Our approach realizes an unprecedented degree of long term heat stability by leveraging the sugar alcohol trehalose, a simple, low-cost, open-air drying step, and strategic separation of sets of reaction components during drying. The resulting preservation capacity opens the door for efficient production of a wide range of on-demand proteins under adverse conditions, for instance during emergency outbreaks or in remote or otherwise inaccessible locations. As such, our preservation method stands to advance a great number of different cell-free technologies, including remediation efforts, point of care therapeutics, and large-scale biosensing. To demonstrate this application potential, we use cell-free reagents subjected to months of heat stress and atmospheric conditions to produce sufficient concentrations of a pyocin protein to killPseudomonas aeruginosa, one of the most troublesome pathogens for traumatic and burn wound injuries. Our work makes possible new biotechnology applications that demand both ruggedness and scalability.
PolyCut: a computer programme for assignments of MSn signals of metallo-biomolecules by considering the entire isotope patterns
Authors: Shi Zhenyu , Sze Chak Ming
Published: November 2016

A computer programme 'PolyCut' has been written to assist mass spectrometry-based bioinorganic studies via top-down and bottom-up approaches in positive and negative ion modes. PolyCut is designed to cope with metalloproteins, metallo-polymers and biomolecules with heavy element(s) as one (or more) of the charging agents at defined but different oxidation states. It does automatic assignment by considering the entire experimental and simulated isotopic patterns of an ion rather than reading only the mono-isotopic and average m/z values (and/or mass values). The calculation of chemical formula and the simulation of isotopic pattern for an ion at various charge states require PolyCut to be informed of the user-defined elements, the user-defined abundance of isotopes for each element, the user-defined oxidation state of an element, the user-defined residues and sequence of a polymer, and the user-defined fragmentation (or digestion). The programme successfully assisted MSn studies of two copper proteins coordinated to platinum(II) centres (a functional group possessing an intrinsic positive charge rather than a neutral organic modification), published as J. Biol. Inorg. Chem. 2009, 14(2), 163-165; Metallomics 2013, 5(8), 946-954. Besides polypeptides, polynucleotides and polysaccharides, PolyCut can be extended to other polymers using user-defined monomer residues.
Time-dependent-asymmetric-linear-parsimonious ancestral state reconstruction
Authors: Didier Gilles
Published: November 2016

The time-dependent-asymmetric-linear parsimony is an ancestral state reconstruction method which extends the standard linear parsimony (a.k.a. Wagner parsimony) approach by taking into account both branch lengths and asymmetric evolutionary costs for reconstructing quantitative characters (asymmetric costs amount to assuming an evolutionary trend toward the direction with the lowest cost).

A formal study of the influence of the asymmetry parameter shows that the time-dependent-asymmetric-linear parsimony infers states which are all taken among the known states, except for some degenerate cases corresponding to special values of the asymmetry parameter. This remarkable property holds in particular for the Wagner parsimony.

This study leads to a polynomial algorithm which determines, and provides a compact representation of, the parametric reconstruction of a phylogenetic tree, that is for all the unknown nodes, the set of all the possible reconstructed states associated to the asymmetry parameters leading to them. The time-dependent-asymmetric-linear parsimony is finally illustrated with the parametric reconstruction of the body size of cetaceans.
Baseline mutation profiling of 1134 samples of circulating cell-free DNA and blood cells from healthy individuals
Authors: Xia Ligang , Li Zhoufang , Zhou Bo , Tian Geng , Zeng Lidong , Dai Hongyu , Deng Fang , Xie Yuancai , Lu Shixin , Li Xiaohua , Liu Chaoyu , Huang Weiren , He Jiankui
Published: November 2016

The molecular alteration in circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in plasma can reflect the status of the human body in a timely manner. Hence, cfDNA has emerged as important biomarkers in clinical diagnostics, particularly in cancer. However, somatic mutations are also commonly found in healthy individuals, which extensively interfere with the diagnostic results in cancer. This study was designed to examine the background somatic mutations in white blood cells (WBC) and cfDNA for healthy controls based on the sequencing data from 1134 samples, to understand the patterns and origin of mutations detected in cfDNA. We determined the mutation frequencies in both the WBC and cfDNA groups of the samples by a panel of 50 cancer-associated genes which covered 20K nucleotide regions using ultra-deep sequencing with average depth >40000 folds. Our results showed that most of mutations in cfDNA originated from WBC. We also observed that NPM1 gene was the most frequently mutant gene in both WBC and cfDNA. Our study highlighted the importance of sequencing both cfDNA and WBC, to improve the sensitivity and accuracy for calling cancer-related mutations from circulating tumor DNA, and shielded light on developing the early cancer diagnosis by cfDNA sequencing.
An interaction map of circulating metabolites, immune gene networks and their genetic regulation
Authors: Nath Artika P. , Ritchie Scott C. , Byars Sean G. , Fearnley Liam G. , Havulinna Aki S. , Joensuu Anni , Kangas Antti J. , Soininen Pasi , Wennerström Annika , Milani Lili , Metspalu Andres , Männistö Satu , Würtz Peter , Kettunen Johannes , Raitoharju Emma , Kähönen Mika , Juonala Markus , Palotie Aarno , Ala-Korpela Mika , Ripatti Samuli , Lehtimäki Terho , Abraham Gad , Raitakari Olli , Salomaa Veikko , Perola Markus , Inouye Michael
Published: November 2016

The interaction between metabolism and the immune system plays a central role in many cardiometabolic diseases. We integrated blood transcriptomic, metabolomic, and genomic profiles from two population-based cohorts, including a subset with 7-year follow-up sampling. We identified topologically robust gene networks enriched for diverse immune functions including cytotoxicity, viral response, B cell, platelet, neutrophil, and mast cell/basophil activity. These immune gene modules showed complex patterns of association with 158 circulating metabolites, including lipoprotein subclasses, lipids, fatty acids, amino acids, and CRP. Genome-wide scans for module expression quantitative trait loci (mQTLs) revealed five modules with mQTLs of bothcisandtranseffects. The strongest mQTL was inARHGEF3(rs1354034) and affected a module enriched for platelet function. Mast cell/basophil and neutrophil function modules maintained their metabolite associations during 7-year follow-up, while our strongest mQTL inARHGEF3also displayed clear temporal stability. This study provides a detailed map of natural variation at the blood immuno-metabolic interface and its genetic basis, and facilitates subsequent studies to explain inter-individual variation in cardiometabolic disease.
Metabolome Identification by Systematic Stable Isotope Labeling Experiments and False Discovery Analysis with a Target-Decoy Strategy
Authors: Jones Drew R. , Wang Xusheng , Shaw Tim , Cho Ji-Hoon , Chen Ping-Chung , Dey Kaushik Kumar , Zhou Suiping , Li Yuxin , Kim Nam Chul , Taylor J. Paul , Kolli Udhghatri , Li Jiaxu , Peng Junmin
Published: November 2016

We introduce a formula-based strategy and algorithm (JUMPm) for global metabolite identification and false discovery analysis in untargeted mass spectrometry-based metabolomics. JUMPm determines the chemical formulas of metabolites from unlabeled and stable-isotope labeled metabolome data, and derives the most likely metabolite identity by searching structure databases. JUMPm also estimates the false discovery rate (FDR) with a target-decoy strategy based on the octet rule of chemistry. With systematic stable isotope labeling of yeast, we identified 2,085 chemical formulas (10% FDR), 892 of which were assigned with metabolite structures. We evaluated JUMPm with a library of synthetic standards, and found that 96% of the formulas were correctly identified. We extended the method to mammalian cells with direct isotope labeling and by heavy yeast spike-in. This strategy and algorithm provide a powerful a practical solution for global identification of metabolites with a critical measure of confidence.
Structural and Functional Characterization of the Alanine Racemase fromStreptomyces coelicolorA3(2)
Authors: Tassoni Raffaella , van der Aart L.T. , Ubbink M. , Van Wezel G. P. , Pannu N. S.
Published: November 2016

The conversion of L-alanine (L-Ala) into D-alanine (D-Ala) in bacteria is performed by pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzymes called alanine racemases. D-Ala is an essential component of the bacterial peptidoglycan and hence required for survival. The Gram-positive bacteriumStreptomyces coelicolorhas at least one alanine racemase encoded byalr. Here, we describe analrdeletion mutant of S.coelicolorwhich depends on D-Ala for growth and shows increased sensitivity to the antibiotic D-cycloserine (DCS). The crystal structure of the alanine racemase (Alr) was solved with and without the inhibitors DCS or propionate, at 1.64 Å and 1.51 Å resolution, respectively. The crystal structures revealed that Alr is a homodimer with residues from both monomers contributing to the active site. The dimeric state of the enzyme in solution was confirmed by gel filtration chromatography, with and without L-Ala or D-cycloserine. Specificity of the enzyme was 66 +/− 3 U mg−1for the racemization of L-to D-Ala, and 104 +/− 7 U mg−1for the opposite direction. Comparison of Alr from S.coelicolorwith orthologous enzymes from other bacteria, including the closely related D-cycloserine-resistant Alr from S.lavendulae, strongly suggests that structural features such as the hinge angle or the surface area between the monomers do not contribute to D-cycloserine resistance, and the molecular basis for resistance therefore remains elusive.
Evaluation of quantum dot conjugated antibodies for immunofluorescent labelling of cellular targets
Authors: Francis Jennifer E. , Mason David , Lévy Raphaël
Published: November 2016

Semiconductor quantum dots (Qdots) have been utilised as probes in fluorescent microscopy and provide an alternative to fluorescent dyes and fluorescent proteins, due to their brightness, photostability, and the possibility to excite different Qdots with a single wavelength. In spite of these attractive properties, their take up by biologists has been somewhat limited and only a few Qdot conjugates are commercially available for the labelling of cellular targets. Although, many protocols have been reported for the specific labelling of proteins with Qdots, the majority of these relied on Qdot-conjugated antibodies synthesised specifically by the authors and therefore not broadly available, which limits the scope of applications and complicates replication. Here, the specificity of a commercially available Qdot conjugated secondary antibody (Qdot-Ab), for different antigens, was tested. Antigens were labelled simultaneously with a fluorescent dye coupled to a secondary antibody (Dye-Ab) and the Qdot-Ab. Although, the Dye-Ab labelled all of the intended target proteins, the Qdot-Ab only bound to some of the protein targets in the cytosol and could not reach the nucleus even after extensive cell permeabilisation.
New fluorous ponytailed 4-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)methyl]pyridinium halide salts
Authors: Lu Norman , Alagesan Mani , Ho Chi-Liang , Wei Rong-Jyun , Kung Chih-Chieh , Chang Jung-Shan , Wen Yuh-Sheng , Liu Ling-Kang
Published: November 2016

It is possible that fluorous compounds could be utilized as directing forces in crystal engineering for applications in materials chemistry or catalysis. Although numerous fluorous compounds have been used for various applications, their structures in the solid state remains a lively matter for debate. The reaction of 4-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)methyl]pyridine with HX(X= I or Cl) yielded new fluorous ponytailed pyridinium halide salts, namely 4-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)methyl]pyridinium iodide, C8H9F3NO+·I−, (1), and 4-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)methyl]pyridinium chloride, C8H9F3NO+·Cl−, (2), which were characterized by IR spectroscopy, multinuclei (1H,13C and19F) NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Structure analysis showed that there are two types of hydrogen bonds, namely N—H...Xand C—H...X. The iodide anion in salt (1) is hydrogen bonded to three 4-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)methyl]pyridinium cations in the crystal packing, while the chloride ion in salt (2) is involved in six hydrogen bonds to five 4-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)methyl]pyridinium cations, which is attributed to the smaller size and reduced polarizability of the chloride ion compared to the iodide ion. In the IR spectra, the pyridinium N—H stretching band for salt (1) exhibited a blue shift compared with that of salt (2).
Protein production, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of the four N-terminal immunoglobulin domains of Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule 1. Corrigendum
Authors: Cheng Linna , Li Shu-Ang , Wang Jia-huai , Yu Yamei , Chen Qiang
Published: November 2016

An extra author is added to the article by Chenet al.[(2015),Acta Cryst.F71, 775–778].
Structural analysis of the bright monomeric yellow-green fluorescent protein mNeonGreen obtained by directed evolution
Authors: Clavel Damien , Gotthard Guillaume , von Stetten David , De Sanctis Daniele , Pasquier Hélène , Lambert Gerard G. , Shaner Nathan C. , Royant Antoine
Published: November 2016

Until recently, genes coding for homologues of the autofluorescent protein GFP had only been identified in marine organisms from the phyla Cnidaria and Arthropoda. New fluorescent-protein genes have now been found in the phylum Chordata, coding for particularly bright oligomeric fluorescent proteins such as the tetrameric yellow fluorescent proteinlanYFP fromBranchiostoma lanceolatum. A successful monomerization attempt led to the development of the bright yellow-green fluorescent protein mNeonGreen. The structures oflanYFP and mNeonGreen have been determined and compared in order to rationalize the directed evolution process leading from a bright, tetrameric to a still bright, monomeric fluorescent protein. An unusual discolouration of crystals of mNeonGreen was observed after X-ray data collection, which was investigated using a combination of X-ray crystallography and UV–visible absorption and Raman spectroscopies, revealing the effects of specific radiation damage in the chromophore cavity. It is shown that X-rays rapidly lead to the protonation of the phenolate O atom of the chromophore and to the loss of its planarity at the methylene bridge.
The impact of advertising on children’s psychological wellbeing and life satisfaction
Authors: Opree Suzanna J. , Buijzen Moniek , van Reijmersdal Eva A.
Published: November 2016

Purpose

It is generally believed that children’s advertising exposure decreases life satisfaction. This paper aims to investigate whether and how it does by examining the relation between advertising exposure and life satisfaction (Aim 1), as well as the mediating roles of psychological wellbeing (Aim 2) and its underlying dimensions (Aim 3).

Design/methodology/approach

Three-wave panel data were collected among 1,133 8-12-year-olds. Psychological wellbeing was measured overall and per dimension (i.e. environmental mastery, personal growth, purpose in life, self-acceptance, autonomy and positive relationships with others).

Findings

The authors found a nonsignificant total effect of advertising exposure at Wave 1 on life satisfaction at Wave 3: The negative direct effect was annulled by the positive indirect effect via overall psychological wellbeing at Wave 2. Detailed analysis revealed that personal growth and autonomy functioned as positive mediators, and purpose in life as a negative mediator in the relation between advertising exposure and life satisfaction.

Social implications

This research informs the ethical debate surrounding child-directed advertising, showing it might stimulate children’s sense of control over their environment, openness to new experiences, direction in life and sense of self-agency.

Originality/value

This study is the first to examine advertising’s effect on life satisfaction and psychological wellbeing simultaneously. The study used a large sample and a longitudinal panel design, allowing conclusions about the specific effects of advertising exposure.
Brickbats and bouquets for marketing
Authors: Kitchen Philip J. , Sheth Jagdish N.
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the development and application of marketing theory and practice over time and its current status. The terms “brickbats” and “bouquets” are used as metaphors to extend praise or criticism for marketing. In doing so, the authors draw upon the views of leading theorists over time and apply these in the current environmental context.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach adopted is discursive, critical and conceptual.

Findings

Following literature review, and drawing upon current examples, marketing as a discipline is subject to both kudos and criticisms. Nonetheless, it is concluded optimistically in that marketing can be an even greater source for societal good. That “goodness” is partly based upon the added impetus of social media adoption and use by consumers, the need for growth and accelerative innovation in the digital age coupled with the democratisation of consumption. Nonetheless, the authors offer the caveat that free competitive markets lead to market failures, and the need for market regulation by governments is becoming more evident.

Research limitations/implications

The implications of the paper are profound. Academics should be concerned in and involved with marketing theory. Questions need to be raised concerning non-robust definitions of marketing and its application. The authors wait for a consumer-led approach to marketing to add depth to the marketing theory.

Practical implications

Marketers need to be made more accountable for their actions. Consumers need to become part of the marketing process. Marketing claims need to be verified by delivered benefits. Companies need to take steps to ensure that the marketing process does not end at purchase. Satisfaction needs to be made manifest. Likewise, dissatisfactions need to be managed well as part of the marketing process.

Social implications

Too much marketing currently is relatively unregulated in the sense that there are so few opportunities to evade its myriad reach and – despite social media – little chance of changing marketing practice for the good of societies. Many criticisms of marketing practice are not being addressed in the literature.

Originality/value

Marketing is a vibrant force in all nations and markets. It is deeply rooted in business practice. It is contemporaneous and relevant. It is global and national. But, it is not entirely all good news. There are caveats and criticisms as well as kudos and praise. While both are addressed here, the topic needs to be considered for marketing and its accompanying theory and practice to change.
Supply chain quality management: an empirical study
Authors: Zhong Jianlan , Ma Yizhong , Tu Yiliu , Li Xia
Published: November 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on supply chain quality (SCQ) in the hospitality industry in China, and to stress the importance of the synergy of quality management (QM) and supply chain management (SCM). The authors have investigated the relationship among QM practices, SCM practices, SCQ and hotel performance, and examined the effect of contextual variables.

Design/methodology/approach

This study mainly uses a questionnaire survey to collect data relating to the research hypotheses. Structural equation model technique is suited for our research purposes, and the LISREL software is implemented to test the conceptual model.

Findings

The results show that QM practices and SCM practices are significantly correlated. QM practices/SCM practices are positively related to SCQ, and consequently influence hotel performance. SCQ has the mediating effect between QM/SCM practices and hotel performance. Contextual variables truly play a moderator between QM/SCM practices and SCQ.

Research limitations/implications

Hotel managers should look beyond their own hotels into supply chain to manage quality, highlight the importance of interdepartmental or external (i.e. customers or suppliers) connectedness, such as building close and long-term relationships with well-chosen suppliers, encouraging customer involvement and establishing an effective interface for accumulating information regarding customers’ needs and feedback. Hotel managers are also able to realize the influence of contextual variables (e.g. the new normal state of the Chinese economy), and further to gain chance of hotel’s survival.

Originality/value

This study focuses on SCQ and tries to fill a gap in the exiting literature on SCQ management in hospitality industry.
The best match-up of airline advertising endorsement and flight safety message
Authors: Kim Seongseop (Sam) , Wang Kuo-Ching , Jhu Wan-Ting , Gao Yang (Young)
Published: November 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the effectiveness of children as advertisement endorsers in the airline context, including images of safety and reliability.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is intended to examine the advertising effect of endorsers (celebrities, CEOs, experts, consumers and children) in the context of the airline industry. A factorial experiment was conducted to test the communication effect (CE) of ten groups of advertisement combinations (five endorser types – with/without safety attribute).

Findings

The results indicate that a child endorser yielded a better CE than celebrity, CEO or typical consumer endorsers. Second, advertisements that emphasized safety had better CE than those without this emphasis. The group combining children and safety generated a better CE than most of the other groups comprising different combinations.

Practical implications

A child endorser and a safety message are recommended to be used in advertisements for airlines because flight passengers place importance on safety. Fragile image of child reinforces safety of an airline.

Originality/value

The integration of advertising endorsement and message into a conceptual model allows the current results to provide meaningful theoretical and practical implications.
Psychological diversity climate: justice, racioethnic minority status and job satisfaction
Authors: Madera Juan M. , Dawson Mary , Guchait Priyanko
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to develop and test a model examining how hotel managers’ psychological diversity climate affects job satisfaction, the moderating effect of racioethnic minority status and the mediating role of organizational justice.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of frontline managers from 164 individual hotel properties was used. Hierarchical linear regression analysis was used to examine the underlying mechanism through which psychological diversity climate impacts job satisfaction.

Findings

The results found support for the mediating effect of organizational justice between managers’ psychological diversity climate and job satisfaction. Racioethnic identity moderated the relationship between psychological diversity climate and organizational justice, thereby supporting the mediated-moderated model proposed in the current research.

Practical implications

The findings show the importance of improving employee perceptions of diversity climate and organizational justice, particularly through recruitment practices, incorporating diversity into the corporate values, adopting formal diversity management practices and educating managers about the importance of diversity through formal training methods.

Originality/value

Little research has examined the underlying mechanisms that explain why psychological diversity climate affects organizational attitudes. Even less research has examined whether the link between a perceived positive diversity climate and job satisfaction is stronger for racioethnic minorities. These results provide meaningful insights for researchers because the hospitality industry is one of the largest employers of racioethnic minorities and immigrant employees.
See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil? Underreporting of abuse in care homes
Authors: Moore Steve
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present some of the findings from an empirical, mixed methods research project that reveal underreporting and active concealment of abuse in private sector care homes.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 36 care home personnel. An anonymously completed questionnaire was also used concurrently among newly appointed staff in newly opened care homes, to elicit additional quantitative and qualitative data.

Findings

A significant number of respondents reported awareness of acts of abuse that had not been reported within the care home or externally to the authorities. Some respondents were aware that where occurrences of abuse had been reported, no subsequent action was taken, and external authorities were not always involved in responses to abuse. A significant number of respondents were aware of deliberate strategies used to deter reports of abuse to external agencies.

Research limitations/implications

Though the research draws upon the experiences of only 36 care home personnel through interviews, and 94 questionnaire respondents who had witnessed occurrences of abuse, data suggest that a significant proportion of abuse in care homes remains unreported.

Originality/value

The research has revealed staffs’ experiences of underreporting of abuse in private sector care homes. Findings indicate that changes are required to current methods of scrutiny of occurrences of abuse in care homes and the strengthening of incentives to report it.
Innovative financial intermediation and long term capital pools for infrastructure
Authors: Annamalai Thillai Rajan , Hari Smitha
Published: November 2016

Purpose

Developing countries are increasingly looking to private sector investment for infrastructure development. Successful development of private infrastructure projects, however, depends on adequate availability of long-term debt to complement private sector equity. As domestic bond markets in many emerging countries are not very deep, availability of long-term debt funding for infrastructure has been limited. Recently, a new form of financial intermediation has emerged in India with the creation of infrastructure debt funds (IDFs) to create capital pools for long-term debt funding. This paper aims to analyse the effectiveness of IDFs for financing infrastructure projects.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a case study approach. The case studies were written using both secondary and primary information. Secondary information was obtained from various sources such as policy papers, websites and other published sources. Primary information was obtained from interviews with the top management of three IDFs. Information obtained from multiple sources was triangulated for consistency and correctness.

Findings

IDFs have emerged as an effective intermediation mechanism for attracting long-term capital by offering a new investment product with appropriate risk-adjusted returns. For the fund seekers, IDFs are able to provide long-term capital at lower rates and higher flexibility. Unlike commercial banks, IDFs are able to add value to the projects apart from funding by periodic monitoring of the projects.

Practical implications

Creating new forms of financial intermediation can help in reducing the financing gap for infrastructure projects, especially in emerging countries.

Originality/value

IDFs have been analysed from a perspective of financial intermediation. The effectiveness of IDFs in bridging the funding shortfall has been evaluated from multiple perspectives.
SEC targets broker-dealer implications of transaction-based deal fees
Authors: Daniel Jason
Published: November 2016

Purpose

To explain a US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforcement action against a registered investment adviser to private equity funds for allegedly providing brokerage services in connection with the acquisition and disposition of the securities of portfolio companies while not being registered as a broker dealer, making undisclosed use of fund assets, and failing to adopt policies and procedures designed to prevent the alleged violations.

Design/methodology/approach

Describes the services provided by the investment adviser, the compensation paid, and the SEC’s other bases for enforcement, and draws conclusions for private equity fund advisers.

Findings

The SEC has begun pursuing transaction-based compensation paid to private equity fund advisers relating to portfolio company transactions as illegal brokerage commissions. The Commission also continues to target the adviser’s undisclosed use of client fund capital, especially in private equity funds.

Originality/value

Practical explanation by experienced investment management lawyer.
Who is the “reasonable investor”?
Authors: Tuttle Jonathan R. , Kaplan Matthew E. , Pedersen Benjamin R.
Published: November 2016

Purpose

To discuss how two recent court decisions applied the materiality standard concerning information disclosed to investors and the definition of a “reasonable investor”.

Design/methodology/approach

Explains the origins and evolution of the materiality standard and the “reasonable investor” paradigm, discusses the difficulty in applying the materiality standard in the absence of a clear definition of the “reasonable investor”, and addresses potential implications of two 2016 cases, Flannery v. SEC and United States v. Litvak, on whether materiality should be applied on a subjective, rather than objective, basis and evidentiary burdens in proving materiality.

Findings

Flannery and Litvak suggest that, in assessing what information is material to a “reasonable investor”, courts may place increasing weight on the relative sophistication of investors, the types of securities and the nature of the markets in which they are investing, and types of information investors in those securities and markets typically consider to be material.

Originality/value

Informed analysis by experienced practitioners in capital markets, financial services and securities litigation.
SEC publishes final rules amending the rules of practice for administrative proceedings
Authors: McKown Joan , Klehm III Henry , Gordon Harold , Woodcock David , Bradley Daniel
Published: November 2016

Purpose

To explain and evaluate amendments to the rules of practice governing the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC’s) Administrative Proceedings that were adopted by the Commission on July 13, 2016.

Design/methodology/approach

Describes SEC’s increased pursuit of enforcement actions in APs, criticisms of the AP process, and corrective legislation. Describes the July 2016 amendments covering expansion of the prehearing period, allowance of depositions, timing for completion of document production in discovery phase, required disclosure of affirmative defenses, permitted dispositive motions, and admissibility of hearsay evidence. Assesses the practical impact of the amendments. Makes recommendations concerning advanced preparation for APs, depositions and witness-interview strategies, particular care concerning statements in Wells submission, availability of investigative record to defense counsel, admissibility of hearsay evidence, and defenses based on reliance on counsel.

Findings

The amended rules are a step in the right direction but do not fully correct the numerous and severe imbalances that exist in the Commission’s administrative enforcement process with respect to the availability of various discovery mechanisms, the timeline for trying a case, and more.

Practical implications

Every entity or individual that is involved in an SEC enforcement investigation, or that may become a respondent in an SEC Administrative Proceeding, should take certain practical steps such as those recommended in this article to minimize the structural disadvantages it will face and to maximize the benefits conferred by these latest amendments to the rules of practice.

Originality/value

Practical background and guidance from experienced enforcement, litigation, securities and financial services lawyers.
Shifting culture and taking action to reduce smoking and premature death among people with a mental health condition
Authors: Harker Katy , Cheeseman Hazel
Published: November 2016

Purpose

Mental health conditions affect almost a quarter of the population who die on average 10-20 years earlier than the general population. Smoking is the single largest cause of this gap in life expectancy. Smoking rates among people with mental health conditions have barely changed over the last 20 years during a time when rates have been steadily falling in the general population. Action is needed to address the growing difference in smoking rates among those with a mental health condition compared to the general population. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This work has been informed by the input of a wide range of experts and professionals from across public health, mental health and the wider NHS.

Findings

People with a mental health condition are just as likely to want to stop smoking as other smokers but they face more barriers to quitting and are more likely to be dependant and therefore need more support. Quitting smoking does not exacerbate poor mental health; in fact the positive impact of smoking cessation on anxiety and depression appears to be at least as large as antidepressants.

Originality/value

The full report outlines the high-level ambitions and the specific actions that must be realised to drive down smoking rates among those with a mental health condition.