bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TRACE: transcription factor footprinting using chromatin accessibility data and DNA sequence
Authors: Ouyang Ningxin , Boyle Alan P.
Published: October 2019

Transcription is tightly regulated by cis-regulatory DNA elements where transcription factors can bind. Thus, identification of transcription factor binding sites is key to understanding gene expression and whole regulatory networks within a cell. The standard approaches for transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) prediction such as position weight matrices (PWMs) and chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) are widely used but have their drawbacks such as high false positive rates and limited antibody availability, respectively. Several computational footprinting algorithms have been developed to detect TFBSs by investigating chromatin accessibility patterns, but also have their limitations. To improve on these methods, we have developed a footprinting method to predict Transcription factor footpRints in Active Chromatin Elements (TRACE). Trace incorporates DNase-seq data and PWMs within a multivariate Hidden Markov Model (HMM) to detect footprint-like regions with matching motifs. Trace is an unsupervised method that accurately annotates binding sites for specific TFs automatically with no requirement on pre-generated candidate binding sites or ChIP-seq training data. Compared to published footprinting algorithms, TRACE has the best overall performance with the distinct advantage of targeting multiple motifs in a single model.
GAL4/GFP enhancer-trap lines for identification and manipulation of cells and tissues in developing Arabidopsis leaves
Authors: Amalraj Brindhi , Govindaraju Priyanka , Krishna Anmol , Lavania Dhruv , Linh Nguyen Manh , Ravichandran Sree Janani , Scarpella Enrico
Published: October 2019

Understanding developmental processes requires the unambiguous identification of cells and tissues, and the selective manipulation of the properties of those cells and tissues. Both requirements can most efficiently be satisfied through the use of GAL4/GFP enhancer-trap lines. No such lines are available, however, for the study of leaf development in the Columbia-0 reference genotype of Arabidopsis. Here we address this limitation by identifying and characterizing a set of GAL4/GFP enhancer-trap lines in the Columbia-0 background for the specific labeling of cells and tissues during leaf development, and for the targeted expression of genes of interest in those cells and tissues. By using one line in our set to resolve outstanding problems in leaf vein patterning, we show that these lines can be used to address key questions in plant developmental biology.
Exceptional biostability of paranemic crossover (PX) DNA, crossover-dependent nuclease resistance, and implications for DNA nanotechnology
Authors: Chandrasekaran Arun Richard , Vilcapoma Javier , Dey Paromita , Wong-Deyrup SiuWah , Dey Bijan K. , Halvorsen Ken
Published: October 2019

Inherent nanometer-sized features and molecular recognition properties make DNA a useful material in constructing nanoscale objects, with alluring applications in biosensing and drug delivery. However, DNA can be easily degraded by nucleases present in biological fluids, posing a considerable roadblock to realizing the full potential of DNA nanotechnology for biomedical applications. Here we investigated the nuclease resistance and biostability of the multi-stranded motif called paranemic crossover (PX) DNA and discovered a remarkable and previously unreported resistance to nucleases. We show that PX DNA has more than an order of magnitude increased resistance to degradation by DNase I, serum, and urine compared to double stranded DNA. We further demonstrate that the degradation resistance decreases monotonically as DNA crossovers are removed from the structure, suggesting that frequent DNA crossovers disrupt either the binding or catalysis of nucleases or both. Further, we show using mouse and human cell lines that PX DNA does not affect cell proliferation or interfere with biological processes such as myogenesis. These results have important implications for building DNA nanostructures with enhanced biostability, either by adopting PX-based architectures or by carefully engineering crossovers. We contend that such crossover-dependent nuclease resistance could potentially be used to add “tunable biostability” to the many features of DNA nanotechnology.
FMRP Links Optimal Codons to mRNA stability in Neurons
Authors: Shu Huan , Donnard Elisa , Liu Botao , Wang Ruijia , Richter Joel D.
Published: October 2019

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is caused by inactivation of theFMR1gene and loss of encoded FMRP, an RNA binding protein that represses translation of some of its target transcripts. Here we use ribosome profiling and RNA-seq to investigate the dysregulation of translation in the mouse brain cortex. We find that most changes in ribosome occupancy on hundreds of mRNAs are largely driven by dysregulation in transcript abundance. Many downregulated mRNAs, which are mostly responsible for neuronal and synaptic functions, are highly enriched for FMRP binding targets. RNA metabolic labeling demonstrates that in FMRP-deficient cortical neurons, mRNA downregulation is caused by elevated degradation, and is correlated with codon optimality. Moreover, FMRP preferentially binds mRNAs with optimal codons, suggesting that it stabilizes such transcripts through direct interactions via the translational machinery. Finally, we show that the paradigm of genetic rescue of FXS-like phenotypes in FMRP-deficient mice by deletion of theCpeb1gene is mediated by restoration of steady state RNA levels and consequent rebalancing of translational homeostasis. Our data establish an essential role of FMRP in codon optimality-dependent mRNA stability as an important factor in FXS.
Interplay between cortical actin and E-cadherin dynamics regulates cell shape in theDrosophilaembryonic epidermis
Authors: Greig Joshua , Bulgakova Natalia A.
Published: October 2019

Precise regulation of cell shape is vital for building functional tissues. Here, we study the mechanisms which lead to the formation of highly elongated anisotropic epithelial cells in theDrosophilaepidermis. We demonstrate that this cell shape is the result of two counteracting mechanisms at the cell surface: actomyosin, which inhibits cell elongation downstream of RhoA signalling, and intercellular adhesion, modulated via clathrin-mediated endocytosis of E-cadherin, which promotes cell elongation downstream of the GTPase Arf1. We show that these two mechanisms are interconnected, with RhoA signalling activity reducing Arf1 recruitment to the plasma membrane. Additionally, cell adhesion itself regulates both mechanisms: p120-catenin, a regulator of intercellular adhesion, promotes the activity of both Arf1 and RhoA. Altogether, we uncover a complex network of interactions between cell-cell adhesion, the endocytic machinery, and the actomyosin cortex, and demonstrate how this network regulates cell shape in an epithelial tissuein vivo.
Novel mutations in SLC6A5 with benign course in hyperekplexia
Authors: Dafsari Hormos Salimi , Kawalia Amit , Sprute Rosanne , Karakaya Mert , Malenica Anna , Herkenrath Peter , Nürnberg Peter , Motameny Susanne , Thiele Holger , Cirak Sebahattin
Published: October 2019

Infants suffering from life-threatening apnea, stridor, cyanosis, and increased muscle tone may often be misdiagnosed with infantile seizures and inappropriately treated because of lack and delay in genetic diagnosis. Here, we report a patient with increased muscle tone after birth and hypertonic attacks with life-threatening apnea but no epileptiform patterns in EEG recordings. We identified novel compound heterozygous variants in SLC6A5 (NM_004211.4:c.[1429T > C];[1430delC]) by trio whole-exome sequencing, containing a base deletion inherited by the asymptomatic mother leading to a frameshift (c.1430delC, p.Ser477PhefsTer9) and a de novo base exchange leading to an amino acid change (c.1429T > C, p.Ser477Pro). To date, there are four known disease-associated genes for primary hyperekplexia, all of which are involved in the functioning of glycinergic synapses. SLC6A5 encodes the sodium- and chloride-dependent glycine transporter 2 (GlyT2), which recaptures glycine, a major inhibitory transmitter in the brainstem and spinal cord. The diagnosis altered the patient's medical care to his benefit because SLC6A5 mutations with rather benign courses of hyperekplexia may be spared of needless pharmacotherapy. Symptoms eventually decreased in frequency until about once in 2 mo at 2 yr age. We present the first report of halting hyperekplexia episodes by maternal soothing in multiple instances. We highlight the importance of clarifying the genetic diagnosis by rapid next-generation sequencing techniques in this group of infantile apneic attacks with hyperekplexia due to the broad differential diagnoses.
Molecular dynamics simulation of organic crystals: introducing the CLP-dyncry environment
Authors: Gavezzotti Angelo , Lo Presti Leonardo
Published: October 2019

The CLP-dyncry molecular dynamics (MD) program suite and force field environment is introduced and validated with its ad hoc features for the treatment of organic crystalline matter. The package, stemming from a preliminary implementation on organic liquids (Gavezzotti & Lo Presti, 2019), includes modules for the preliminary generation of molecular force field files from ab initio derived force constants, and for the preparation of crystalline simulation boxes from general crystallographic information, including Cambridge Structural Database CIFs. The intermolecular potential is the atom–atom Coulomb–London–Pauli force field, well tested as calibrated on sublimation enthalpies of organic crystals. These products are then submitted to a main MD module that drives the time integration and produces dynamic information in the form of coordinate and energy trajectories, which are in turn processed by several kinds of crystal-oriented analytic modules. The whole setup is tested on a variety of bulk crystals of rigid, non-rigid and hydrogen-bonded compounds for the reproduction of radial distribution functions and of crystal-specific collective orientational variables against X-ray data. In a series of parallel tests, some advantages of a dedicated program as opposed to software more oriented to biomolecular simulation (Gromacs) are highlighted. The different and improved view of crystal packing that results from joining static structural information from X-ray analysis with dynamic upgrades is also pointed out. The package is available for free distribution with I/O examples and Fortran source codes.
Determinants of switching intention to cloud computing in large enterprises
Authors: Chang Yu-Wei , Hsu Ping-Yu , Huang Shih-Hsiang , Chen Jiahe
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate switching intention from traditional enterprise information systems (EISs) to private cloud EIS in large enterprises. The authors propose that the factors motivate and inhibit enterprises’ switching intention to private EIS by integrating technology–organization–environment (TOE) framework and two-factor theory.

Design/methodology/approach

A research model draws from TOE framework and two-factor theory. Data were collected from 227 top managers and owners of the enterprises in China and used to analyze 11 hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that the technological context (compatibility), organizational context (financial support) and environmental context (vendor support and industry pressure) significantly influence switching benefits while data security and costs significantly influence switching costs. Switching benefits and switching costs significantly influence switching intention.

Originality/value

Past studies have focused mainly on the adoption of cloud computing. However, few studies have addressed the switching issues, especially in large enterprises. The findings are useful to understand switching issues from traditional EIS to private cloud EIS for both researchers and practitioners.
The coupled lattice Boltzmann simulation of free convection in a finned L-shaped cavity filled with nanofluid
Authors: Zhang Peng , Ashraf Muhammad Aqeel , Liu Zhenling , Peng Wan-Xi , Ross David
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the free convection, heat transfer and entropy generation numerically and experientially. A numerical/experimental investigation is carried out to investigate the free convection hydrodynamically/thermally and entropy generation.

Design/methodology/approach

The coupled lattice Boltzmann method is used as a numerical approach which keeps the significant advantages of standard lattice Boltzmann method with better numerical stability. On the other hand, the thermal conductivity and dynamic viscosity are measured using modern devices in the laboratory.

Findings

Some correlations based on the temperature at different nanofluid concentration are derived and used in the numerical simulations. In this regard, the results will be accurate with respect to using theoretical properties of nanofluid, and close agreements will be detected between present results and the previous numerical and experimental works. The numerical investigation is done under the effect of Rayleigh number (103 < Ra < 106), volume concentration of nanofluid (?? = 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3%) and thermal configuration of the cavity (Cases A, B, C and D).

Originality/value

The originality of the present work lies in coupling of the lattice Boltzmann method with experimental observations to analyse the free convection in a cavity.
A new agent-based simulation model of bilateral negotiation
Authors: Lempp Frieder
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new agent-based simulation model of bilateral negotiation based on a synthesis of established theories and empirical studies of negotiation research. The central units of the model are negotiators who pursue goals, have attributes (trust, assertiveness, cooperativeness, creativity, time, etc.) and perform actions (proposing and accepting offers, exchanging information, creating value, etc).

Design/methodology/approach

Methodologically, the model follows the agent-based approach to modeling. This approach is chosen because negotiations can be described as complex, non-linear systems involving autonomous agents (i.e. the negotiators), who interact with each other, pursue goals and perform actions aimed at achieving their goals.

Findings

This paper illustrates how the model can simulate experiments involving variables such as negotiation strategy, creativity, reservation value or time in negotiation. An example simulation is presented which investigates the main and interaction effects of negotiators’ reservation value and their time available for a negotiation. A software implementation of the model is freely accessible athttps://tinyurl.com/y7oj6jo8.

Research limitations/implications

The model, as developed at this point, provides the basis for future research projects. One project could address the representation of emotions and their impact on the process and outcome of negotiations. Another project could extend the model by allowing negotiators to convey false information (i.e. to bluff). Yet another project could be aimed at refining the routines used for making and accepting offers with a view to allow parties to reach partial settlements during a negotiation.

Practical implications

Due to its broad scope and wide applicability, the model can be used by practitioners and researchers alike. As a decision-support system, the model allows users to simulate negotiation situations and estimate the likelihood of negotiation outcomes. As a research platform, it can generate simulation data in a cost- and time-effective way, allowing researchers to simulate complex, large-N studies at no cost or time.

Originality/value

The model presented in this paper synthesizes in a novel way a comprehensive range of concepts and theories of current negotiation research. It complements other computational models, in that it can simulate a more diverse range of negotiation strategies (distributive, integrative and compromise) and is applicable to a greater variety of negotiation scenarios.
Corporate social responsibility and hospital brand advocacy
Authors: Limbu Yam B. , Pham Long , Mann Manveer
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This study aims to examine relationships between corporate social responsibility (CSR) toward two key stakeholder groups – patients and society and hospital brand advocacy, and the mediating role of trust and patient-hospital identification (PHI) and the moderating role of hospital type on these associations.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample of 455 hospital patients was surveyed in Vietnam.

Findings

The results suggest that both CSR toward society and patients are positively related to brand advocacy. The influence of CSR toward patients on brand advocacy was stronger for private hospitals than public hospitals. Trust and PHI independently and partially mediate relationships between both stakeholder groups of CSR and brand advocacy with the exception of the trust, which fully mediates the relationship between CSR toward society and brand advocacy. Trust and PHI serve as serial mediators.

Practical implications

Hospitals can promote patients’ organic word of mouth through CSR initiatives and focusing on the reliability, safety and quality of care.

Originality/value

This study examines the mediation effects of trust and PHI and moderating role of hospital type in the relationships between two components of CSR effort and hospital brand advocacy.
Optimization of dynamic properties of hybrid composite shaft with newly developed resin (NDR) using grey relational analysis
Authors: Patil Sagar Dnyandev , Bhalerao Yogesh J.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find the impact of various design variables on the composite shaft, and also the effect of newly developed resin (NDR) on the strength of the fibers of the composite shaft.

Design/methodology/approach

The Taguchi method is used to optimize the design variables. Also, GRG approach is used to validate the result.

Findings

NDR improves the bonding strength of fiber than the epoxy resin. With the grey relational analysis (GRA) method, the initial setting (A1B4C4D1) was having grey relational grade 0.957. It was enhanced by using a new optimum combination (A2B2C4D2) to 0.965. It indicates that there is an enhancement in the grade by 0.829 percent. Thus, using the GRA approach of analysis, design variables have been successfully optimized to achieve improved dynamic properties of hybrid composite shaft.

Originality/value

The findings of this research are helping to optimize the design variables for the composite shaft. Also, the NDR gives the good bonding strength of carbon/glass fibers in dynamic loading condition than the epoxy resin.
Remaining useful life prediction for lithium-ion batteries using particle filter and artificial neural network
Authors: Qin Wei , Lv Huichun , Liu Chengliang , Nirmalya Datta , Jahanshahi Peyman
Published: October 2019

Purpose

With the promotion of lithium-ion battery, it is more and more important to ensure the safety usage of the battery. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the battery operation data and estimate the remaining life of the battery, and provide effective information to the user to avoid the risk of battery accidents.

Design/methodology/approach

The particle filter (PF) algorithm is taken as the core, and the double-exponential model is used as the state equation and the artificial neural network is used as the observation equation. After the importance resampling process, the battery degradation curve is obtained after getting the posterior parameter, and then the system could estimate remaining useful life (RUL).

Findings

Experiments were carried out by using the public data set. The results show that the Bayesian-based posterior estimation model has a good predictive effect and fits the degradation curve of the battery well, and the prediction accuracy will increase gradually as the cycle increases.

Originality/value

This paper combines the advantages of the data-driven method and PF algorithm. The proposed method has good prediction accuracy and has an uncertain expression on the RUL of the battery. Besides, the method proposed is relatively easy to implement in the battery management system, which has high practical value and can effectively avoid battery using risk for driver safety.
The role of executive functions in academic performance and behaviour of university students
Authors: Ramos-Galarza Carlos , Acosta-Rodas Pamela , Bolaños-Pasquel Mónica , Lepe-Martínez Nancy
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is fourfold: first, to analyse the relationship between executive functions and academic performance; second, to identify the level of prediction executive functions have on academic performance; third, to determine the correlation between executive functions and academic performance; and fourth, to compare executive functions based on the level of academic performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample composed of 175 university students aged between 18 and 36 years (M=21.49, SD=3.22). The EFECO scale, the average student grade and a scale based on the diagnostic criteria for ADHD were used as measurement instruments.

Findings

Difficulties in executive functions: Difficulties in working memory (r=−0.30, p=<0.01) and difficulties in conscious supervision of behaviour (r=−0.29, p⩽0.01) have an inversely proportional relationship to academic performance (the greater the deficit of executive functions, the lower the academic performance). The regression analysis showed that executive functions explain 31 per cent of the variance of academic performance (χ2(25)=43.81, p <0.001). The study found that there is a relationship between all the executive functions and students’ behaviour in a medium to large magnitude.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of this study was the size of the sample as it is not representative of the country. Nevertheless, the correlation among the variables studied here has the necessary magnitude for the proposed correlations to be found. Nonetheless, it is necessary that we perform a study with a larger number of participants in order to achieve adequate extrapolation of the results.

Practical implications

Data found in this study suggest that low academic performance of university students is related to a lower functionality of their executive functions.

Originality/value

The originality of the research lies in relating specific concepts of neuropsychology to explain the academic performance of university students. The research findings allow us to project new studies to improve the executive functions for the benefit of the university student.
Prioritizing the vaccine supply chain issues of developing countries using an integrated ISM-fuzzy ANP framework
Authors: Chandra Dheeraj , Kumar Dinesh
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Delivering vaccines to the children who need them requires a supply chain that is efficient and effective. In most of the developing countries, however, the unknown and unresolved supply chain issues are causing inefficiencies in distributing vaccines. There is, therefore, a great need in such countries to recognize the issues that cause delays in vaccine delivery. With this purpose, the present study aims to identify and analyze the key issues in the supply chain of basic vaccines required to immunize children in developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a field survey of three states of India, in-depth review of relevant literature and experts’ opinions, 25 key issues were recognized as factors of the vaccine supply chain (VSC) and categorized into five main domains. Using integrated interpretive structural modeling and fuzzy analytic network process approaches, the issues have been prioritized to determine their relative importance in the VSC. In addition, a sensitivity analysis has been performed to investigate the priority stability of the issues.

Findings

The results of the analysis show that among the five domains of VSC issues, the economic domain with a weight of 0.4262 is the most important domain, followed by the management (0.2672), operational (0.2222), environmental (0.0532) and social (0.0312).

Research limitations/implications

This study focuses on the prioritization of VSC issues; therefore, the results of the present study can provide direction to the decision-makers of immunization programs of developing countries in driving their efforts and resources on eliminating the most important obstacles to design successful vaccination programs.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this paper is first to provide a direction to the decision-makers in identifying and managing important issues through the use of an analytical approach.
Audit committee gender diversity and financial reporting: evidence from restatements
Authors: Oradi Javad , Izadi Javad
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the association between gender diversity on the audit committees and the incidence of financial restatements.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 683 firm-year observations from Iranian listed companies for the period 2013 to 2017, this paper uses a logistic regression model to examine a research hypothesis related to the association between the presence of female members on the audit committee and the incidence of financial restatements.

Findings

After controlling for other restatement-related factors, the authors find that the presence of at least one female member on audit committees reduces the likelihood of the incidence of financial restatements. Robustness tests also confirmed this result. Moreover, the additional analyses show that independent and financial expert female members on audit committees are more strongly associated with a reduction in financial restatements. Further, the results suggest that the presence of female members on the audit committee can increase the likelihood of hiring higher quality auditors. Generally, the findings are consistent with the literature on gender diversity which suggests that women perform better in a monitoring role, are more conservative and make more ethical decisions.

Practical implications

The findings of this study could help with the understanding of broader participation of female directors on company boards and subgroups such as the audit committee, and of the improvement in corporate governance. Moreover, the findings can be of particular interest to monitoring authorities and policy makers in developing countries and send positive signals to them regarding the recommendation or requirement of gender diversity as a part of corporate governance mechanisms.

Originality/value

The present study contributes to the extant literature by providing empirical evidence on the effect of audit committee gender diversity on financial restatements. Furthermore, this study provides evidence on the more effective oversight and greater ability of independent and financial expert female directors, which has been significantly disregarded in the previous studies.
Active and upcoming deals: effect on purchase intention
Authors: Chaklader Garima
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the interaction of timing cues (active deals vs upcoming deals) and brand familiarity on consumers’ purchase intention.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design of this paper is based on one experiment conducted in a behavioural experimental laboratory and two experiments in Mechanical Turk. The data received from these experiments were analysed using one-way ANOVA technique and PROCESS models.

Findings

Results across three experiments show that consumers prefer upcoming deals over active deals when brands are of low familiarity. However, the effect is attenuated for brands with high familiarity. Further, the paper proposes and shows that the effects of timing cues and brand familiarity interactions on purchase intention are explained by temporal distance. Finally, results show that need for cognition moderates the effects.

Research limitations/implications

The research results may vary when size of discounts is mentioned. There is a need to study various other moderators such as product type, self-other overlap and regulatory focus.

Practical implications

The paper offers managerial strategies and insights that can be adopted by the online retailing industry. Paper offers practical implications for brands, especially for ones with low familiarity.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the literature by studying new timing cues to understand the behaviour of consumers in retailing industries.
Unethical leader behavior and employee performance: a deontic justice perspective
Authors: Gan Chenjing , Guo Weixiao , Chai Yandong , Wang Duanxu
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating effect of deontic justice in the relationship between unethical leader behavior and employee performance, and whether leader–member exchange (LMX) moderates the effect.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-time-point questionnaire survey was used to collect data from 225 employees of nine firms in China at two points in time separated by approximately three weeks.

Findings

The hypothesized moderated mediation model used in this study was supported. Deontic justice mediates the negative relationship between unethical leader behavior and employee performance, and higher LMX tends to strengthen this indirect relationship.

Originality/value

Previous scholars mainly focused on the cognitive and conscious thought process to explain employees’ reactions to unethical leader behavior, and largely ignored the research on the nonconscious thought process. Drawing on deontic justice theory, this study extends the previous research on the nonconscious system of moral decision-making processing by introducing employee deontic justice as a mediator in the relationship between unethical leader behavior and employee performance and further exploring LMX as a boundary condition of this indirect relationship.
Developing the employee lifecycle to keep top talent
Authors: Cattermole Gary
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This article aims to set out the best strategies to understand the employee life cycle and how to employ tactics to keep top talent within an organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

This feature explores desktop data and industry research.

Findings

This feature demonstrates how an employee’s life cycle can be extended in the workplace and explains the link between the employee value proposition and the employee life cycle to create successful onboarding strategies.

Social implications

This article also looks at how millennials will stay longer in an organisation that has strong environmental policies.

Originality/value

This feature offers fantastic insight into an issue that is currently costing the country millions.
How automation and digital disruption are shaping the workforce of the future
Authors: Card Debora , Nelson Craig
Published: October 2019

Purpose

With the US unemployment rate at 50-year lows and the increased use of automation expected to force organizations to replace or retrain over 25 per cent of their workforce, enterprises need new ways to re-skill employees to prepare for future needs.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors spoke with HR leaders of different enterprises to see how they will adapt to the future of work with the combination of automation in the workplace. After gaining insights from multiple sources, they were able to come to some conclusions on how the future of work is shaping up to be.

Findings

After gaining insights, they were able to find that companies that seek to combine the best of human ingenuity, empathy and change resilience with the prudent use of automation and re-skilling will be leading the workforce of the future.

Originality/value

This paper from ISG was created to give insights into Strategic HR Review from real customers and research conducted. This paper gives valuable insights on how enterprises are actually re-skilling employees to adapt to the rise of automation and IT skills gap.
Unravelling plasmidome distribution and interaction with its hosting microbiome
Authors: Brown Kav Aya , Rozov Roye , Bogumil David , Sørensen Søren Johannes , Hansen Lars Hestbjerg , Benhar Itai , Halperin Eran , Shamir Ron , Mizrahi Itzhak
Published: October 2019

Horizontal gene transfer via plasmids plays a pivotal role in microbial evolution. The forces that shape plasmidomes functionality and distribution in natural environments are insufficiently understood. Here, we present a comparative study of plasmidomes across adjacent microbial environments present in different individual rumen microbiomes. Our findings show that the rumen plasmidome displays enormous unknown functional potential currently unannotated in available databases. Nevertheless, this unknown functionality is conserved and shared with published rat gut plasmidome data. Moreover, the rumen plasmidome is highly diverse compared with the microbiome that hosts these plasmids, across both similar and different rumen habitats. Our analysis demonstrates that its structure is shaped more by stochasticity than selection. Nevertheless, the plasmidome is an active partner in its intricate relationship with the host microbiome with both interacting with and responding to their environment.
Forming Effective Employee Information and Consultation: A Five‐Stage Trust and Justice Process
Authors: Kougiannou Nadia K. , Dundon Tony , Wilkinson Adrian
Published: October 2019

In this paper we show how trust and justice influence the efficacy of employee information and consultation (I&C) bodies. Evidence is drawn from a 2‐year qualitative study of I&C participants in two organizations in the UK. The research builds on Dietz and Fortin's conceptual five‐stage model of the I&C process to provide a more nuanced understanding of I&C trust and justice outcomes. In particular, we point to crucial stages in the process, and how these influence the effectiveness of I&C mechanisms. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Brexit Means Brexit—or Does It? The Legacy of Theresa May's Discursive Treatment of Brexit
Authors: Brusenbauch Meislova Monika
Published: October 2019

With the looming reality of Brexit drawing closer, it is the intention of this article to explore Theresa May's post‐referendum communicative behaviour on Brexit—the very issue that came to define her premiership agenda—and uncover what legacy it has left behind. Building upon, extending and updating the emerging literature on May's discourse, the inquiry helps us understand how May acted through language in order to influence and change other people's attitudes towards and ways of looking at Brexit. The article argues that there are at least seven ways, closely interrelated and feeding into each other, in which her discursive construction of Brexit has left a somewhat bitter legacy, contributing to the Brexit political paralysis and inspiring substantial levels of confusion and exasperation, both within the UK and abroad.
In the Shadow of Brexit: The 2019 European Parliament Elections as First‐Order Polity Elections?
Authors: Galpin Charlotte , Trenz Hans‐Jörg
Published: October 2019

European Parliament (EP) elections have traditionally been described as ‘second‐order national elections' in which campaigns are fought by national parties on national issues. We argue that the 2019 elections should instead be considered ‘first‐order polity' elections. It is not EU‐level party politics or policy issues that are debated, but rather the legitimacy of the EU itself. Firstly, the EP elections have transformed into an EU ‘blame game' in which national governments are punished or rewarded over their stance on European integration. Secondly, the 2019 election was about the EU's fundamental values, not only with respect to multiculturalism, but also gender equality and LGBTQ rights. Finally, these first‐order polity elections are driven in large part by traditional news and social media platforms. While this is a long way from the patterns of the early EP elections, they still fail in fulfilling the function of holding MEPs and European party groupings adequately to account.
Changes in coding of pneumonia and impact on the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program
Authors: Buxbaum Jason D. , Lindenauer Peter K. , Cooke Colin R. , Nuliyalu Ushapoorna , Ryan Andrew M.
Published: October 2019

Objective

To evaluate whether changes in diagnosis assignment explain reductions in 30‐day readmission for patients with pneumonia following the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP).

Data Sources

100 percent MedPAR, 2008‐2015.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study of Medicare discharges in HRRP‐eligible hospitals. Outcomes were 30‐day readmission rates for pneumonia under a “narrow” definition (used for the HRRP until October 2015; n = 2 288 644) and a “broad” definition that included certain diagnoses of sepsis and aspiration pneumonia (used since October 2015; n = 3 618 215). We estimated changes in 30‐day readmissions in the pre‐HRRP period (January 2008‐March 2010), the HRRP implementation period (April 2010‐September 2012), and the HRRP penalty period (October 2012‐June 2015).

Principal Findings

Under the narrow definition, adjusted annual readmission rates changed by +0.07 percentage points (pp) during the pre‐HRRP period (95% CI: −0.03 pp, +0.18 pp), −1.07 pp during HRRP implementation (95% CI: −1.15 pp, −0.99 pp), and −0.09 pp during the penalty period (95% CI: −0.18 pp, −0.00 pp). Under the broad definition, 30‐day readmissions changed by +0.21 pp during the pre‐HRRP period (95% CI: +0.12 pp, +0.30 pp), −1.28 pp during HRRP implementation (95% CI: −1.35 pp, −1.21 pp), and −0.09 pp during the penalty period (95% CI: −0.16 pp, −0.02 pp).

Conclusions

Changes in the coding of inpatient pneumonia admissions do not explain readmission reduction following the HRRP.
Statistical evidence and the problem of robust litigation
Authors: Bull Jesse , Watson Joel
Published: October 2019

We propose a new model of disclosure, interpretation, and management of hard evidence in the context of litigation and similar applications. A litigant has private information and may also possess hard evidence that can be disclosed to a fact‐finder, who interprets the evidence and decides a finding in the case. We identify conditions under which hard evidence generates value that is robust to the scope of rational reasoning and behavior. These fail if the litigant's private information is sufficiently strong relative to the “face‐value signal” of evidence, and then hard evidence may be misleading. Rules that exclude some relevant hard evidence can be justified.
Detection of EGFR gene mutation status from pleural effusions and other body fluid specimens in patients with lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhang Ping , Wu Xiaonan , Tang Min , Nie Xin , Li Lin
Published: October 2019

Background

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation status is essential to the optimal management of lung adenocarcinoma. Liquid biopsy has advantages such as noninvasiveness, speediness, and convenience. This study aimed to detect EGFR gene mutations using next‐generation sequencing (NGS) from different types of body fluids from patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

Methods

This was a prospective study of 20 patients with lung adenocarcinoma recruited between January 2017 and December 2018 at the Beijing Hospital. All patients had adenocarcinoma with confirmed sensitizing EGFR mutations. Body fluid specimens included pleural effusion, ascites, pericardial effusion, and cerebrospinal fluid. NGS was conducted to test for nine lung cancer‐related gene in body fluid supernatant free DNA, sedimentary tumor cells, and plasma free DNA.

Results

The EGFR gene mutation abundance of body fluid supernatant free DNA was higher than that of body fluid sedimentary tumor cells and plasma free DNA specimens (100% vs. 90% vs. 80%, respectively, all P < 0.05). The results of EGFR mutation from the body fluid supernatants were consistent with the results from the tissue biopsy.

Conclusions

This study showed that compared with body fluid sediment tumor cells and plasma free DNA samples, body fluid supernatant free DNA has a higher detection rate and sensitivity of tumor‐specific mutations. Free DNA obtained from body fluid supernatants could be used as high‐quality specimens for gene mutation detection in patients with lung cancer. This could be applied in treatment decisions and patient management.
Intraocular pressure response affected by changing of sitting and supine positions
Authors: Najmanová Eliška , Pluháček František , Haklová Markéta
Published: October 2019

Purpose

To assess the intraocular pressure (IOP) time response to change in body position from sitting to supine and from supine to sitting immediately and during rest in each position.

Methods

Forty‐four visually healthy volunteers were recruited for the study. The experiment consisted of the initial sitting position (baseline state), the subsequent lying period and the final sitting period. Both periods were 30 min long. The IOP was measured in the baseline state, immediately after each position change and then in minutes 5, 15, 25 and 30 during each period. The Icare Pro® rebound tonometer was used.

Results

The mean IOP increased after each position change (2.6 ± 2.4 mmHg after lying down and 2.1 ± 3.1 mmHg after sitting up) and then gradually decreased with time. The mean IOP was 1.41 ± 2.4 mmHg higher in the lying period than in the sitting period; the mean difference was smaller for the lower baseline (0.9 ± 2.2 mmHg) than the higher baseline (1.9 ± 2.5 mmHg). The mean IOP in the final sitting was significantly lower (2.5 ± 1.9 mmHg) than in the initial sitting position. The effect of sex was insignificant.

Conclusions

There was an immediate increase in IOP as a response to both changes in the body position and the subsequent gradual decrease with time. The IOP difference between lying and sitting position was depended on baseline.
Situating animal ethics in Thai elephant tourism
Authors: Cui Qingming , Xu Honggang
Published: October 2019

Following ethical contextualism, this article situates different animal ethical principles, from anthropocentrism to non‐anthropocentrism and relational caring ethics, in Thai social contexts in order to examine whether these principles can lead to a sustainable ethical practice in elephant conservation. The results show that, as non‐anthropocentrism, animal rights ethics are impractical in Thailand because of temporal, spatial, economic and social constraints. As weak anthropocentrism, animal welfare ethics endorse the tourism industry to commercialise the encounter value of elephants by developing elephant camps. Along with animal welfare, relational ecofeminism justifies the emerging model of elephant sanctuaries. Both camp and sanctuary models create a work‐for‐care cycle, in which elephants work to generate economic gains, some of which are in turn used to care for elephants. However, because of evolving social situations, such as potential market competition and poaching of wild elephants, the morality of the work‐for‐care cycle is weak and can be challenged. Nevertheless, sanctuaries offer a direction for a local solution because of their potentially responsible business model. In conclusion, there is not a single set of ethics that can solve all problems and be sustainable in all contexts.
Diminished social interaction incentive contributes to social deficits in mouse models of autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Rein Benjamin , Yan Zhen , Wang Zi‐Jun
Published: October 2019

One of the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is impaired social interaction. Currently, no pharmacotherapies exist for this symptom due to complex biological underpinnings and distinct genetic models which fail to represent the broad disease spectrum. One convincing hypothesis explaining social deficits in human ASD patients is amotivation, however it is unknown whether mouse models of ASD represent this condition. Here we used two highly trusted ASD mouse models (male Shank3‐deficient [Shank3+/ΔC] mice modeling the monogenic etiology of ASD, and inbred BTBR mice [both male and female] modeling the idiopathic and highly polygenic pathology for ASD) to evaluate the level of motivation to engage in a social interaction. In the behavioral paradigms utilized, a social stimulus was placed in the open arm of the elevated plus maze (EPM), or the light compartment of the light‐dark box (LDB). To engage in a social interaction, mice were thus required to endure innately aversive conditions (open areas, height, and/or light). In the modified EPM paradigm, both Shank3+/ΔC and BTBR mice demonstrated decreased open‐arm engagement with a social stimulus but not a novel object, suggesting reduced incentive to engage in a social interaction in these models. However, these deficits were not expressed under the less severe aversive pressures of the LDB. Collectively, we show that ASD mouse models exhibit diminished social interaction incentive, and provide a new investigation strategy facilitating the study of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying social reward and motivation deficits in neuropsychiatric disorders.
Pathogenesis of Cluster Headache: From Episodic to Chronic Form, the Role of Neurotransmitters and Neuromodulators
Authors: D'Andrea Giovanni , Gucciardi Antonina , Perini Francesco , Leon Alberta
Published: October 2019

Objective

To describe the role of biochemical anomalies of tyrosine (TYR), tryptophan (TRP), and arginine (ARG) metabolism in patients suffering from episodic and chronic cluster headache (CCH).

Background

The pathogenesis of cluster headache (CH) and the process that transforms the episodic into the chronic form are unknown. However, the accompanying symptoms suggest a dysfunction of the sympathetic system and hypothalamus along with anomalies of metabolism of catecholamines, elusive amines, and nitric oxide (NO) metabolism.

Methods

We describe the results obtained from the last papers published on this issue. The level of metabolites were analyzed by different high‐performance liquid chromatography methods.

Results

In both episodic and CH patients, the levels of dopamine and elusive amines are very elevated. The only biochemical difference found in studies between episodic and chronic cluster was that norepinephrine levels were significantly lower in episodic cluster in comparison to control and chronic subjects. In addition, the levels of ARG, homoarginine, and citrulline, precursors of synthesis of NO, were significantly lower in chronic cluster.

Conclusions

All these results suggest that TYR, TRP, and ARG metabolism is abnormal and may constitute a biochemical fingerprint of CH patients. The increased levels of norepinephrine in chronic cluster constitute a possible cause of chronicity of this primary headache. The high levels of tryptamine and its activity on the central serotoninergic system may explain why the length of CH is brief in comparison to migraine and tension‐type headache. The low levels of ARG, homoarginine, and citrulline may be the consequence of high circulating levels of α1‐agonists, such as epinephrine and norepinephrine, and their biochemical interaction with endothelial trace amine‐associated receptor 1 that induces activation of NO synthase, resulting in NO synthesis in the circulation, NO release, intense vasodilation, and as a result, the cluster attack.