bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Picture fuzzy multi-criteria group decision-making method to hotel building energy efficiency retrofit project selection
Authors: Wang Le , Zhang Hong-Yu , Wang Jian-Qiang , Wu Guo-Fang
Published: January 2019

Building energy consumption accounts for a considerable proportion on energy consumption. To reduce building energy consumption, building energy efficiency retrofitting (BEER) based on Energy Performance Contracting mechanism is the most feasible and cost-effective method. With the increase number of BEER projects, BEER project selection has become an essential problem for energy service companies. In this paper, a multi-criteria group decision-making (MCGDM) method is proposed to deal with BEER project selection problem. First, picture fuzzy sets are employed to describe the evaluation information under the complex and uncertain environment. Subsequently, picture fuzzy weighted average operator and Laplace distribution-picture fuzzy order weighted average operator are proposed based on convex combination to aggregate individual evaluations into the overall evaluations. Furthermore, picture fuzzy TOPSIS-based QUALIFLEX method is developed to identify the optimal ranking of alternatives. Moreover, the practicality, effectiveness and advantages of the proposed MCGDM method are illustrated using a case study of hotel BEER project selection and comparative analysis. Finally, conclusions about primary contributions, and future discussions of the proposed method are demonstrated.
Numerical study on the effect of bi-polar plate geometry in the SOFC heating-up process
Authors: Zheng Keqing , Kuang Yong , Rao Zhonghao , Shen Shuanglin
Published: January 2019

Structural failure often occurs in the heating-up process of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) due to thermal shock. The bi-polar plate of a planar-SOFC, which consists of gas channels and current collectors, significantly affects the temperature rise and distribution in the SOFC unit. Thus, in this work, a 3D transient heating-up model is developed to study the effect of the bi-polar plate geometry on the SOFC heating-up process and the model results agree well with the results reported in the literature. The effects of the ratios of channel width to height (α) and channel width to rib width (β) on the temperature increasing rate and temperature distribution in a single-channel SOFC unit are numerically studied. The results show that the volume of bi-polar plate dominates the temperature increasing rate and heating-up time due to its largest theoretical heat absorption quantity. The max temperature gradient both parallel to the channel and perpendicular to the electrolyte decreases with the increase in β, due to the decrease in the bi-polar plate volume, but the max temperature gradient perpendicular to the channel increases with the increase in α and β (except β = 0.5) due to the rib effect. These different relations are important for the optimization of bi-polar plate geometry.
Optimal power flow control of hybrid renewable energy system with energy storage: A WOANN strategy
Authors: Venkatesan Karunakaran , Govindarajan Uma
Published: January 2019

This paper proposed an optimal control technique for power flow control of hybrid renewable energy systems (HRESs) like a combined photovoltaic and wind turbine system with energy storage. The proposed optimal control technique is the joined execution of both the whale optimization algorithm (WOA) and the artificial neural network (ANN). Here, the ANN learning process has been enhanced by utilizing the WOA optimization process with respect to the minimum error objective function and named as WOANN. The proposed WOANN predicts the required control gain parameters of the HRES to maintain the power flow, based on the active and reactive power variation in the load side. To predict the control gain parameters, the proposed technique considers power balance constraints like renewable energy source accessibility, storage element state of charge, and load side power demand. By using the proposed technique, power flow variations between the source side and the load side and the operational cost of HRES in light of weekly and daily prediction grid electricity prices have been minimized. The proposed technique is implemented in the MATLAB/Simulink working stage, and the effectiveness is analyzed via the comparison analysis using the existing techniques.
Pulse analysis by delayed absorption from a coherently excited atom
Authors: Dahlström Jan Marcus , Pabst Stefan , Lindroth Eva
Published: January 2019

In this tutorial, we provide a short review of attosecond pulse characterization techniques and a pedagogical account of a recently proposed method called Pulse Analysis by Delayed Absorption (PANDA) [S. Pabst and J. M. Dahlström, Phys. Rev. A 94, 013411 (2016)]. We discuss possible implementations of PANDA in alkali atoms using either principal quantum number wave packets or spin-orbit wave packets. The main merit of the PANDA method is that it can be used as a pulse characterization method that is free from atomic latency effects, such as scattering phase shifts and long-lived atomic resonances. Finally, we propose that combining the PANDA method with angle-resolved photoelectron detection should allow for experimental measurements of attosecond delays in photoionization from bound wave packets on the order of tens of attoseconds.
Towards ultimate impedance of phonon transport by nanostructure interface
Authors: Ohnishi Masato , Shiomi Junichiro
Published: January 2019

Interface-induced reduction of thermal conductivity has attracted great interest from both engineering and science points of view. While nanostructures can enhance phonon scattering, the multiscale nature of phonon transport (length scales ranging from 1 nm to 10 µm) inhibits precise tuning of thermal conductivity. Here, we introduce recent advances toward ultimate impedance of phonon transport with nanostructures and their interfaces. We start by reviewing the progress in realizing extremely low thermal conductivity by ultimate use of boundary scattering. There, phonon relaxation times of polycrystalline structures with single-nanometer grains reach the minimum scenario. We then highlight the newly developed approaches to gain further designability of interface nanostructures by combining informatics and materials science. The optimization technique has revealed that aperiodic nanostructures can effectively reduce thermal conductivity and consequently improve thermoelectric performance. Finally, in the course of discussing future perspective toward ultimate low thermal conductivity, we introduce recent attempts to realize phonon strain-engineering using soft interfaces. Induced-strain in carbon nanomaterials can lead to zone-folding of coherent phonons that can significantly alter thermal transport.
HIV peptidome-wide association study reveals patient-specific epitope repertoires associated with HIV control
Authors: Arora Jatin , McLaren Paul J. , Chaturvedi Nimisha , Carrington Mary , Fellay Jacques , Lenz Tobias L.
Published: January 2019

Significance

Individual differences in HIV-1 control and progression to AIDS have been pinpointed to genetic variation in the HLA, coding for antigen-presenting molecules. However, our understanding of the corresponding antigens is still incomplete. Here we developed an approach that combines HLA genotypes and viral load data of HIV-infected individuals to screen the entire HIV-1 proteome for disease-relevant peptides. Our PepWAS approach identified a limited manageable core set of peptides, accounting for the entire variation in viral load previously associated with genetic variation in the HLA. This core set of disease-relevant antigens thus provides a functional link between HLA genetic variation and HIV-1 control, confirming several known antigens, but also prioritizing previously undescribed antigens as potential therapeutic targets.
Nanoscale infrared imaging analysis of carbonaceous chondrites to understand organic-mineral interactions during aqueous alteration
Authors: Kebukawa Yoko , Kobayashi Hanae , Urayama Norio , Baden Naoki , Kondo Masashi , Zolensky Michael E. , Kobayashi Kensei
Published: January 2019

Significance

Spatial relationships between organic matter and minerals are necessary for understanding the formation and evolution of organic matter during aqueous and thermal alteration in their parent bodies, as well as preaccretional history. Infrared spectroscopy is a powerful tool to analyze the molecular structures of organic matter and identification of minerals. However, its spatial resolution is limited due to the diffraction limit. Recently, the atomic force microscopy (AFM) based IR nanospectroscopy was developed and applied in various scientific fields to overcome the diffraction limit of IR. We applied the AFM-based IR nanospectroscopy to carbonaceous chondrites and studied organic-mineral associations at the ∼30 nm spatial resolution.
Effect of in-situ formed MgO on the microstructure of thixomolded AZ91 magnesium alloy
Authors: Rogal Lukasz , Litynska-Dobrzynska Lidia
Published: January 2019

In-situ magnesium matrix nano-composites were produced through a reaction of CO2 with the AZ91 alloy at a semi-solid temperature range. The process was performed at 595°C, which corresponded to about 10% of solid fraction, under shear and mixing conditions generated by a screw-barrel system. As a result, nano-scale native MgO (30–50 nm) and a small amount of Al4C3 carbide within an eutectic consisting of α(Mg), β-Mg17Al12 were formed. Homogeneously distributed α(Mg) globular grains with volume 8–12% were visible. AZ91 composites revealed yield strength of 220 MPa at compression strength of 460 MPa and hardness 103 ± 2 HV.
Dual regulation of lin28a by Myc is necessary during zebrafish retina regeneration
Authors: Mitra Soumitra , Sharma Poonam , Kaur Simran , Khursheed Mohammad Anwar , Gupta Shivangi , Chaudhary Mansi , Kurup Akshai J. , Ramachandran Rajesh
Published: January 2019

Cellular reprogramming leading to induction of Muller glia–derived progenitor cells (MGPCs) with stem cell characteristics is essential for zebrafish retina regeneration. Although several regeneration-specific genes are characterized, the significance of MGPC-associated Mycb induction remains unknown. Here, we show that early expression of Mycb induces expression of genes like ascl1a, a known activator of lin28a in MGPCs. Notably, mycb is simultaneously activated by Ascl1a and repressed by Insm1a in regenerating retina. Here, we unravel a dual role of Mycb in lin28a expression, both as an activator through Ascl1a in MGPCs and a repressor in combination with Hdac1 in neighboring cells. Myc inhibition reduces the number of MGPCs and abolishes normal regeneration. Myc in collaboration with Hdac1 inhibits her4.1, an effector of Delta–Notch signaling. Further, we also show the repressive role of Delta–Notch signaling on lin28a expression in post-injured retina. Our studies reveal mechanistic understanding of Myc pathway during zebrafish retina regeneration, which could pave way for therapeutic intervention during mammalian retina regeneration.
Developmental increase in β-MHC enhances sarcomere length–dependent activation in the myocardium
Authors: Reda Sherif M. , Gollapudi Sampath K. , Chandra Murali
Published: January 2019

Shifts in myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms in cardiac myocytes have been shown to alter cardiac muscle function not only in healthy developing hearts but also in diseased hearts. In guinea pig hearts, there is a large age-dependent shift in MHC isoforms from 80% α-MHC/20% β-MHC at 3 wk to 14% α-MHC/86% β-MHC at 11 wk. Because kinetic differences in α- and β-MHC cross-bridges (XBs) are known to impart different cooperative effects on thin filaments, we hypothesize here that differences in α- and β-MHC expression in guinea pig cardiac muscle impact sarcomere length (SL)–dependent contractile function. We therefore measure steady state and dynamic contractile parameters in detergent-skinned cardiac muscle preparations isolated from the left ventricles of young (3 wk old) or adult (11 wk old) guinea pigs at two different SLs: short (1.9 µm) and long (2.3 µm). Our data show that SL-dependent effects on contractile parameters are augmented in adult guinea pig cardiac muscle preparations. Notably, the SL-mediated increase in myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity (ΔpCa50) is twofold greater in adult guinea pig muscle preparations (ΔpCa50 being 0.11 units in adult preparations but only 0.05 units in young preparations). Furthermore, adult guinea pig cardiac muscle preparations display greater SL-dependent changes than young muscle preparations in (1) the magnitude of length-mediated increase in the recruitment of new force-bearing XBs, (2) XB detachment rate, (3) XB strain-mediated effects on other force-bearing XBs, and (4) the rate constant of force redevelopment. Our findings suggest that increased β-MHC expression enhances length-dependent activation in the adult guinea pig cardiac myocardium.
Methodological improvements for fluorescence recordings in Xenopus laevis oocytes
Authors: Lee Elizabeth E.L. , Bezanilla Francisco
Published: January 2019

Xenopus laevis oocytes are a widely used model system because of their capacity to translate exogenous mRNA, but their high intrinsic background fluorescence is a disadvantage for fluorescence recordings. Here, we developed two distinct methods for improving fluorescence recordings from oocytes. One was a pharmacological method in which a small-molecule salt-inducible kinase inhibitor was co-injected with the mRNA of interest to stimulate melanin production. We interrogated the oocytes using cut-open voltage clamp with simultaneous fluorescence recording and found that by increasing the amount of light-absorbing melanin in these oocytes, we decreased their intrinsic background fluorescence. The treated oocytes produced fluorescence signals that were approximately four times larger. The second method consisted of direct injection of synthetic melanin. This method also significantly improved (doubled) fluorescence signals and allowed any oocyte to be used for fluorescence recording. These two methods provide significant improvements of the signal quality for fluorescent oocyte recordings and allow all healthy oocytes to be used for high-sensitivity recordings.
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: Optimal Salvage Therapy in Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Choy Matthew C , Seah Dean , Faleck David M , Shah Shailja C , Chao Che-Yung , An Yoon-Kyo , Radford-Smith Graham , Bessissow Talat , Dubinsky Marla C , Ford Alexander C , Churilov Leonid , Yeomans Neville D , De Cruz Peter P
Published: January 2019

Background

Infliximab is an effective salvage therapy in acute severe ulcerative colitis; however, the optimal dosing strategy is unknown. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the impact of infliximab dosage and intensification on colectomy-free survival in acute severe ulcerative colitis.

Methods

Studies reporting outcomes of hospitalized steroid-refractory acute severe ulcerative colitis treated with infliximab salvage were identified. Infliximab use was categorized by dose, dose number, and schedule. The primary outcome was colectomy-free survival at 3 months. Pooled proportions and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were reported.

Results

Forty-one cohorts (n = 2158 cases) were included. Overall colectomy-free survival with infliximab salvage was 79.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 75.48% to 83.6%) at 3 months and 69.8% (95% CI, 65.7% to 73.7%) at 12 months. Colectomy-free survival at 3 months was superior with 5-mg/kg multiple (≥2) doses compared with single-dose induction (odds ratio [OR], 4.24; 95% CI, 2.44 to 7.36; P < 0.001). However, dose intensification with either high-dose or accelerated strategies was not significantly different to 5-mg/kg standard induction at 3 months (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.39 to 1.27; P = 0.24) despite being utilized in patients with a significantly higher mean C-reactive protein and lower albumin levels.

Conclusions

In acute severe ulcerative colitis, multiple 5-mg/kg infliximab doses are superior to single-dose salvage. Dose-intensified induction outcomes were not significantly different compared to standard induction and were more often used in patients with increased disease severity, which may have confounded the results. This meta-analysis highlights the marked variability in the management of infliximab salvage therapy and the need for further studies to determine the optimal dose strategy.
Reimagining the research-practice relationship: policy recommendations for informatics-enabled evidence-generation across the US health system
Authors: Embi Peter J , Richesson Rachel , Tenenbaum Jessica , Kannry Joseph , Friedman Charles , Sarkar Indra Neil , Smith Jeff ,   The members of 2016 AMIA Policy Invitational Planning Committee
Published: January 2019

The widespread adoption and use of electronic health records and their use to enable learning health systems (LHS) holds great promise to accelerate both evidence-generating medicine (EGM) and evidence-based medicine (EBM), thereby enabling a LHS. In 2016, AMIA convened its 10th annual Policy Invitational to discuss issues key to facilitating the EGM-EBM paradigm at points-of-care (nodes), across organizations (networks), and to ensure viability of this model at scale (sustainability). In this article, we synthesize discussions from the conference and supplements those deliberations with relevant context to inform ongoing policy development. Specifically, we explore and suggest public policies needed to facilitate EGM-EBM activities on a national scale, particularly those policies that can enable and improve clinical and health services research at the point-of-care, accelerate biomedical discovery, and facilitate translation of findings to improve the health of individuals and populations.
Discovery of new mycoviral genomes within publicly available fungal transcriptomic datasets
Authors: Gilbert Kerrigan B. , Holcomb Emily E. , Allscheid Robyn L. , Carrington James C.
Published: January 2019

The distribution and diversity of RNA viruses in fungi is incompletely understood due to the often cryptic nature of mycoviral infections and the focused study of primarily pathogenic and/or economically important fungi. As most viruses that are known to infect fungi possess either single-stranded or double-stranded RNA genomes, transcriptomic data provides the opportunity to query for viruses in diverse fungal samples without any a priori knowledge of virus infection. Here we describe a systematic survey of all transcriptomic datasets from fungi belonging to the subphylum Pezizomycotina. Using a simple but effective computational pipeline that uses reads discarded during normal RNA-seq analyses, followed by identification of a viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) motif in de novo assembled contigs, 59 viruses from 44 different fungi were identified. Among the viruses identified, 89% were determined to be new species and 68% are, to our knowledge, the first virus described from the fungal species. Comprehensive analyses of both nucleotide and inferred protein sequences characterize the phylogenetic relationships between these viruses and the known set of mycoviral sequences and support the classification of up to four new families and two new genera. Thus the results provide a deeper understanding of the scope of mycoviral diversity while also increasing the distribution of fungal hosts. Further, this study demonstrates the suitability of analyzing RNA-seq data to facilitate rapid discovery of new viruses.
Overexpression of long noncoding RNA GAS5 suppresses tumorigenesis and development of gastric cancer by sponging miR-106a-5p through the Akt/mToR pathway
Authors: Dong Shuaijun , Zhang Xiefu , Liu Dechun
Published: January 2019

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as important regulators of human cancers. LncRNA GAS5 (GAS5) is identified tumor suppressor involved in several cancers. However, the roles of GAS5 and the mechanisms responsible for its functions in gastric cancer (GC) have not been well undocumented. Herein, the decreased GAS5 and increased miRNA-106a-5p levels were observed in GC and cell lines. GAS5 expression level was significantly inversely correlated with miRNA-106a-5p level in GC tissues. Moreover, luciferase reporter and qRT-PCR assays showed that GAS5 bound to miRNA-106a-5p and negatively regulated its expression in GC cells. Functional experiments showed that GAS5 overexpression suppressed GC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities and promoted apoptosis, while miRNA-106a-5p overexpression inversed the functional effects induced by GAS5 overexpression. In vivo, GAS5 overexpression inhibited tumor growth by negatively regulating miRNA-106a-5p expression. Mechanistic investigations revealed that GAS5 overexpression inactivating the Akt/mToR pathway by suppressing miRNA-106a-5p expression in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our findings conclude the GAS5 overexpression suppresses tumorigenesis and development of gastric cancer by sponging miR-106a-5p through the Akt/mToR pathway.
Ephrin receptor A4 (EphA4) is a new Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus virus entry receptor
Authors: Chen Jia , Zhang Xianming , Schaller Samantha , Jardetzky Theodore S. , Longnecker Richard
Published: January 2019

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a human γ-herpesvirus associated with the development of Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS). KSHV target cells include endothelial cells, B cells, monocytes, epithelial cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, and fibroblasts. KSHV entry into target cells is a complex multistep process and is initiated by the binding and interaction of viral envelope glycoproteins with the cellular receptors. In our current studies, we have found that EphA4 promotes KSHV gH/gL-mediated fusion and infection better than EphA2 in HEK293T cells indicating that EphA4 is a new KSHV entry receptor. To confirm that epithelial cells express EphA2 and EphA4, we analyzed the expression of EphA2 and EphA4 in epithelial cells, endothelial cells, B cells, monocytes, fibroblasts using RNA-seq data analysis of existing data sets. We found these cell types broadly express both EphA2 and EphA4 with the exception of monocytes and B cells. To confirm EphA4 is important for KSHV fusion and infection, we generated EphA2 and EphA4 single and double knockout cells. We found that both EphA2 and EphA4 play a role in KSHV fusion and infection, since EphA2/EphA4 double knockout cells had the greatest decrease in fusion activity and infection compared to single knockout cells. Fusion and infection of KSHV was rescued in the EphA2/EphA4 double knock cells upon overexpression of EphA2 and/or EphA4. EphA2 binds to both EBV and KSHV gH/gL; however, EphA4 binds only to KSHV gH/gL. Taken together, our results identify EphA4 as a new entry receptor for KSHV.

Importance

The overall entry mechanism for herpesviruses is not completely known including that for the human γ-herpesviruses Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). To fully understand the herpesvirus entry process, functional receptors need to be identified. In our current study, we found that EphA4 can also function for a KSHV entry receptor along with EphA2. Interestingly, we found that EphA4 does not function as an entry receptor for EBV whereas EphA2 does. The discovery of EphA4 as KSHV entry receptor has important implications for KSHV pathogenesis in humans and may prove useful in understanding the unique pathogenesis of KSHV infection in humans and may uncover new potential targets that can be used for the development of novel interventional strategies.
Integrated high-resolution phenotyping, chlorophyll fluorescence induction kinetics and photosystem II dynamics under water stress and heat in Wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Authors: Shanker Arun K. , Coe Robert , Sirault Xavier
Published: January 2019

An experiment was conducted in controlled conditions in three varieties of wheat under water stress, heat and heat +water stress treatments with the objective of studying Chlorophyll a fluorescence, chlorophyll fluorescence induction kinetics and the function of Photosystem II by plant phenotyping as affected by stress. We hypothesised that during stress, specific adaptive strategies are employed by plants, such as structural and functional changes in PS II by which they acquire new homeostasis which may be protective adaptations. Water stress stress treatment was imposed on Water stress and Heat +Water stress treatments at 43 DAS. Heat treatment was imposed on 48 DAS. Maximum quantum yield of primary photochemistry was measured with PAM 2500 and OJIP was measured with FluorPen FP 100 after the onset of stress at four observation times on two days viz., pre-dawn and afternoon during stress. In addition continuous monitoring of photosynthetic efficiency was done with Monitoring PAM. Heat +Water stress stress was more detrimental as compared to Heat or Water stress alone in terms of maximum quantum yield of photochemistry. This could have been due to higher decrease in connectivity between PSII and its antennae resulting in lower photosynthetic efficiency resulting in the impairment and disruption of the electron transport. K step was observed in heat stress and heat +Water stress stress which may be because of damage to Oxygen Evolving Complex indicating that low thermostability of the complex. The stress treatments had a reduction in the plastoquinone pool size as indicated by the reduced area above the OJIP curve. Our study indicated that the instrument PAM 2500 sensed both stresses separately and combined earlier than the other instruments, so in terms of sensitivity PAM 2500 was more effective than FluorPen FP 100 and MultispeQ. Rapid screening of stress was more effectively with FluorPen FP 100 and MultispeQ than by PAM 2500.
Molecular evolution in small steps under prevailing negative selection – A nearly-universal rule of codon substitution
Authors: Chen Qingjian , Lan Ao , Shen Xu , Wu Chung-I
Published: January 2019

The widely accepted view that evolution proceeds in small steps is based on two premises: i) negative selection acts strongly against large differences (Kimura 1983); and ii) positive selection favors small-step changes (Fisher 1930). The two premises are not biologically connected and should be evaluated separately. We now extend the approach of Tang et al. (2004) to codon evolution for the entire genome. Codon substitution rate is a function of the physico-chemical distance between amino acids (AAs), equated with the step size of evolution. This step size depends on a large number of physico-chemical properties as 46 of the 48 properties examined affect the rate. Between 9 pairs of closely-related species of plants, invertebrates and vertebrates, the evolutionary rate is indeed strongly andnegativelycorrelated with the AA distance (ΔU, scaled to [0, 1]). While the analyses corroborate the published results that relied on partial genomes, there is an important difference: ΔUis strongly correlated with the evolutionary rate (R2> 0.8) only when the genes are under predominant negative selection. Nevertheless, since most genes in most taxa are strongly constrained by negative selection, ΔUwould appear to be a nearly-universal measure of codon evolution. In conclusion, the driving force of the small-step evolution at the codon level is negative selection. The unanswered question of whether positive selection may, or may not, follow the small-step rule will be addressed in a companion study (Chen, et al. 2019).
Fundamental Law of Memory Recall
Authors: Naim Michelangelo , Katkov Mikhail , Romani Sandro , Tsodyks Misha
Published: January 2019

Free recall of random lists of words is a standard paradigm used to probe human memory. We proposed an associative search process that can be reduced to a deterministic walk on random graphs defined by the structure of memory representations. The corresponding graph model is different from the ones considered in the past but still can be solved analytically, resulting in a novel parameter-free prediction for the average number of memory items recalled (RC) out of M items in memory: . This prediction was verified with a specially designed experimental protocol combining large-scale crowd-sourced free recall and recognition experiments with randomly assembled lists of words or common facts. Our theoretical and experimental results indicate that memory recall operates according to a stereotyped search process common to all people.
Mitochondrial Ca2+influences photoresponse recovery, metabolism, and mitochondrial localization in cone photoreceptors
Authors: Hutto Rachel A. , Bisbach Celia M. , Abbas Fatima , Brock Daniel , Cleghorn Whitney M. , Parker Edward D. , Bauer Benjamin , Ge William , Vinberg Frans , Hurley James B. , Brockerhoff Susan E.
Published: January 2019

Mitochondrial Ca2+regulates key cellular processes including cytosolic Ca2+signals, energy production, and susceptibility to apoptosis. Photoreceptors are specialized neurons that have extraordinarily high energy demands and rely on cytosolic Ca2+signals for light adaptation and neurotransmission. Here we show that unlike other neurons zebrafish cone photoreceptors express low levels of the mitochondrial Ca2+uniporter (MCU), the channel that allows mitochondrial Ca2+entry. To determine why MCU expression is kept low, we overexpressed MCU specifically in cones. This increases mitochondrial [Ca2+], causes faster cytosolic Ca2+clearance, and accelerates photoresponse recovery. Moreover, flux through the citric acid cycle increases despite dramatic changes in mitochondrial ultrastructure and localization. Remarkably, cones survive this ongoing stress until late adulthood. Our findings demonstrate the importance of tuning mitochondrial Ca2+influx to modulate physiological and metabolic processes and reveal a novel directed movement of abnormal mitochondria in photoreceptors.
Molecular evolution in large steps - Codon substitutions under positive selection
Authors: Chen Qingjian , He Ziwen , Lan Ao , Wen Haijun , Wu Chung-I
Published: January 2019

Molecular evolution is believed to proceed in small steps. The step size can be defined by a distance reflecting physico-chemical disparities between amino acid (AA) pairs that can be exchanged by single 1 bp mutations. We show that AA substitution rates are strongly and negatively correlated with this distance but only when positive selection is relatively weak. We use the McDonald and Kreitman (MK) test to separate the influences of positive and negative selection. While negative selection is indeed stronger on AA substitutions generating larger changes in chemical properties of amino acids, positive selection operates by different rules. For 65 of the 75 possible pairs, positive selection is comparable in strength regardless of AA distance. However, the 10 pairs under the strongest positive selection all exhibit large leaps in chemical properties. Five of the 10 pairs are shared between hominoids andDrosophila, thus hinting at a common but modest biochemical basis of adaptation across taxa. The hypothesis that adaptive changes often take large functional steps will need to be extensively tested. If validated, molecular models will need to better integrate positive and negative selection in the search for adaptive signal.
Demographic and genetic structure of a severely fragmented population of the endangered hog deer (Axis porcinus) in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot
Authors: Angom Sangeeta , Tuboi Chongpi , Ullah Mirza Ghazanfar , Hussain Syed Ainul
Published: January 2019

The population of the globally endangered hog deer (Axis porcinus) has declined severely across its geographic range. Intensive monitoring of its demographic and genetic status is necessary. Northeast India is a stronghold of the species; however, in recent years the population has been getting fragmented, and it is vulnerable to extinction. We examined the demographic and genetic structure of a small hog deer population in the floating meadows of Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP), located on the western fringe of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot for conservation planning. We used a double-observer distance sampling method to derive the hog deer abundance and population structure. We also derived the genetic diversity of the population through microsatellite screening and bottleneck detection. Our study revealed that the abundance of the deer in the park was 1.82–4.32 individuals/km2. The adult male to female ratio and fawn to doe ratio were 36.2 ± 1.9 males/100 females and 16.5 ± 0.4 fawns/100 females, respectively. The mean number of alleles at 23 loci was 2.70 ± 0.18, the observed heterozygosity (HO) ranged from 0.26 to 0.63 (mean 0.42 ± 0.02), the expected heterozygosity (HE) ranged from 0.23 to 0.73 (χ = 0.51 ± 0.03), and the polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from 0.2 to 0.67 (χ = 0.43 ± 0.03). The observed allelic distribution reveals that the population has not encountered any genetic bottleneck in the recent past. Although the population is declining, it still retains some rare alleles, and the genetic diversity is 50%. This diversity will probably not affect the short-term population growth but may affect the evolutionary potential by limiting the selection flexibility. Conservation measures coupled with a scientifically sound management regime may help the persistence of the population in the region at a time when the population still retains rare alleles and maintains reproductive fitness.
An AR-ERG transcriptional signature defined by long-range chromatin interactomes in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Zhang Zhizhuo , Chng Kern Rei , Lingadahalli Shreyas , Chen Zikai , Liu Mei Hui , Do Huy Hoang , Cai Shaojiang , Rinaldi Nicola , Poh Huay Mei , Li Guoliang , Sung Ying Ying , Heng Charlie L. , Core Leighton J. , Tan Si Kee , Ruan Xiaoan , Lis John T. , Kellis Manolis , Ruan Yijun , Sung Wing-Kin , Cheung Edwin
Published: January 2019

The aberrant activities of transcription factors such as the androgen receptor (AR) underpin prostate cancer development. While the AR cis-regulation has been extensively studied in prostate cancer, information pertaining to the spatial architecture of the AR transcriptional circuitry remains limited. In this paper, we propose a novel framework to profile long-range chromatin interactions associated with AR and its collaborative transcription factor, erythroblast transformation-specific related gene (ERG), using chromatin interaction analysis by paired-end tag (ChIA-PET). We identified ERG-associated long-range chromatin interactions as a cooperative component in the AR-associated chromatin interactome, acting in concert to achieve coordinated regulation of a subset of AR target genes. Through multifaceted functional data analysis, we found that AR-ERG interaction hub regions are characterized by distinct functional signatures, including bidirectional transcription and cotranscription factor binding. In addition, cancer-associated long noncoding RNAs were found to be connected near protein-coding genes through AR-ERG looping. Finally, we found strong enrichment of prostate cancer genome-wide association study (GWAS) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at AR-ERG co-binding sites participating in chromatin interactions and gene regulation, suggesting GWAS target genes identified from chromatin looping data provide more biologically relevant findings than using the nearest gene approach. Taken together, our results revealed an AR-ERG-centric higher-order chromatin structure that drives coordinated gene expression in prostate cancer progression and the identification of potential target genes for therapeutic intervention.
Green innovation and performance: moderation analyses from Thailand
Authors: Tariq Adeel , Badir Yuosre , Chonglerttham Supasith
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of green product innovation performance (GPIP) on a firm’s financial performance (i.e. a firm’s profitability and risk). In addition, it has adopted the resource-based view and contingency theory to explore how GPIP and a firm’s financial performance relationship is manifested when subject to the moderating role of a firm’s market resource intensity and certain environmental factors, such as technological turbulence and market turbulence.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 202 publicly listed Thai manufacturing firms. This research has used hierarchical regression analyses to empirically test the proposed research hypotheses.

Findings

The findings reveal that GPIP exerts a significant influence on a firm’s financial performance, i.e. higher the GPIP, higher the firm’s profitability and lower the firm’s financial risk. Moreover, findings support the theoretical assertions that the higher level of market resource intensity, market turbulence and technological turbulence further strengthens GPIP and a firm’s financial performance relationship.

Originality/value

By considering the independent moderating role of market resource intensity, market turbulence and technological turbulence, this research has contributed to reconcile the previously disparate findings regarding the GPIP and a firm’s financial performance relationship. Moreover, this research has highlighted the role of the essential moderators that business managers must understand and adjust to capitalize on and achieve superior financial performance.
Does positive relationship exist between bank mergers
and asset turnover?
Authors: Yusuf Hassan , Raimi Lukman
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This study aims to examine the nature of relationship that exists between
merger and acquisition (M&A) and banks’ asset turnover (AT)
following M&As that took place during the 2004 and 2008 banking
sector reforms.

Design/methodology/approach

Considering the fact that this study is empirical, the authors adopted the
quantitative research method relying on financial industry data. Being a
matched-sample comparison, the study evaluated whether the merged banks
outperformed the stand-alone banks as a result of their involvement in
M&As. Using data extracted from the annual financial reports of the
banks, mean AT ratios were computed. Chow test for structural break, paired
sample and independent sample t-tests were performed on the
mean AT ratios to gauge the impact of M&A.

Findings

The findings suggest that there is no positive relationship between
M&A and banks’ AT as either the AT ratios of the banks
deteriorated or at best, did not improve significantly. Furthermore, the
evidence suggests that the stand-alone banks outperformed the merged banks
following M&As in Nigeria.

Practical implications

The major practical implication of this empirical study is that M&A
has not been able to solve the fundamental problems of banks in Nigeria.
Apart from improving their liquidity constraints, the unresolved problems of
banks in Nigeria include poor corporate governance compliance, poor credit
risk management policy and ineffective allocation of capital to
businesses.

Originality/value

This study supports the Keynesian argument for effective regulation
supervision and control of the economy in general and financial
institutions.
What remains to be discovered? Manifesto for researching the interactive business world
Authors: Waluszewski Alexandra , Snehota Ivan , La Rocca Antonella
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this viewpoint paper is to summarise the key findings of the industrial marketing and purchasing (IMP) research – especially for those who are unaware or unfamiliar with this research community – and above all, to point at some directions of development.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors draw on IMP research studies.

Findings

The authors identify three avenues for further research. The first is related to the need for a sharper, more elaborated and nuanced pictures of the business world, which is in a state of continuous evolution. Second, to present research on business movements from new angles and elaborate sequences of effects and larger patterns of change, there is a need for methodological and conceptual development. The third avenue for further research concerns the provision of normative recommendations to business and policymakers on how to cope with, and make use of, interactivity and interdependences.

Originality/value

The authors outline the areas in which they currently see the greatest “need for better understanding”, aware of the limits in what they know.
What drives omnichannel shopping behaviors?
Authors: Kang Ju-Young M.
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the interrelationships among fashion lifestyle of social-local-mobile (SoLoMo) consumers as individual characteristics, perceptions of the value of showrooming and webrooming and omnichannel shopping intention as choice/purchase behavior, and product review sharing intention as a post-purchase behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants were 601 SoLoMo consumers who were drawn from a US consumer panel. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized model.

Findings

This study found that SoLoMo consumers’ perceptions of the value of showrooming and webrooming were antecedents of their omnichannel shopping intention, which had an influence on their intention to share product reviews. SoLoMo consumers’ brand prestige-based fashion lifestyle did not affect the perceived value of webrooming and had a negative influence on perceived value of showrooming. SoLoMo consumers’ information-based and practicality-based fashion lifestyles affected the perceived value of showrooming and webrooming. Interestingly, SoLoMo consumers’ personality-based fashion lifestyle did not have an influence on the perceived value of showrooming and webrooming.

Originality/value

This study provides the theoretical understanding of the interrelationships among SoLoMo consumers’ fashion lifestyle, perceived value, omnichannel shopping intention and product review sharing intention. This proposed model offers fashion retailers useful insights regarding the development of efficient omnichannel strategies based on SoLoMo consumers’ individual characteristics and perceptions. Finally, the results of this study engender important literature and knowledge related to omnichannel retailing and marketing.
Predicting delays in lung cancer diagnosis and staging
Authors: Leiro‐Fernández Virginia , Mouronte‐Roibás Cecilia , García‐Rodríguez Esmeralda , Botana‐Rial Maribel , Ramos‐Hernández Cristina , Torres‐Durán María , Ruano‐Raviña Alberto , Fernández‐Villar Alberto ,   On behalf of the Lung Cancer Group at the Álvaro Cunqueiro Hospital in Vigo
Published: January 2019

Background

Despite growing interest in increasing the efficiency and speed of the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of lung cancer (LC), the interval from signs and symptoms to diagnosis and treatment remains longer than recommended. The aim of this study was to analyze the factors that cause delays in the LC diagnosis/staging process and, consequently, delays in making therapeutic decisions.

Methods

We analyzed audit data from a prospective dataset of 1330 patients assessed at The Lung Cancer Rapid Diagnostic Unit from 26 June 2013 to 26 March 2016. The number and type of procedures and medical tests and the times of all procedures were recorded. Clinical and epidemiological variables and whether the diagnosis was performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis were also recorded.

Results

Malignancy was confirmed in 737 (55.4%) of the 1330 patients, with LC in 627 of these (85.2%). The mean interval to final diagnosis was 19.8 ± 13.9 days. Variables significantly related to a longer diagnostic time were the number of days until computed tomography (CT) was performed (odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.347, 1.103–1.645; P = 0.003), until a histology sample was obtained (OR 1.243, 95% CI1.062–1.454; P = 0.007), and the total number of tests performed during the diagnostic and staging process (OR 1.823, 95% CI 1.046–3.177; P = 0.03).

Conclusions

A greater number of tests and more days to CT and histology led to longer delay times. Optimization of these factors should reduce delays in the LC diagnosis process.
Pre‐operative respiratory optimisation: an expert review
Authors: Lumb A. B.
Published: January 2019

Postoperative pulmonary complications are common and cause increased mortality and hospital stay. Smoking and respiratory diseases including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnoea are associated with developing postoperative pulmonary complications. Independent risk factors for such complications also include low pre‐operative oxygen saturation, or a recent respiratory infection. Postponing surgery in patients who have respiratory infections or inadequately treated respiratory disease, until these can be fully treated, should, therefore, reduce postoperative pulmonary complications. There is evidence from several studies that pre‐operative smoking cessation reduces such complications, with no agreed duration at which the benefits become significant; the longer the abstinence, the greater the benefit. Intensive smoking cessation programmes are more effective, and there are long‐term benefits, as many patients become permanent non‐smokers following their surgery. Supervised exercise programmes normally last 6–8 weeks, and although they reduce overall complications, the evidence of benefit for postoperative pulmonary complications is mixed. High‐intensity interval training can improve fitness in just 2 weeks, and so may be more useful for surgical patients. Specific respiratory pre‐operative interventions, such as deep breathing exercises and incentive spirometry, can help when used as components of a package of respiratory care. Pre‐operative inspiratory muscle training programmes that involve inspiration against a predetermined respiratory load may also reduce some postoperative pulmonary complications. Pre‐operative exercise programmes are recommended for patients having major surgery, or in those where pre‐operative testing has shown low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness; interval training or respiratory interventions are more feasible as these reduce complications after a shorter pre‐operative intervention.
The challenges to trust‐based governance in the European Union: Assessing the use of mutual trust as a driver of EU integration
Authors: Rizcallah Cecilia
Published: January 2019

The principle of mutual trust constitutes a vital parameter for integration within the EU. In allowing Member States to open up to each other despite their legal diversities, this principle is an attractive tool in governance for achieving a borderless European area without going through the unification of the various national laws. The analysis of the consequences of mutual trust in the internal market and in the AFSJ shows that it enables Member States to exercise, to a certain degree, their prescriptive and enforcement powers extraterritorially throughout the whole European area. While the objective of enabling integration without jeopardising national autonomy is beyond doubt legitimate, this trust‐based governance raises several challenges. Integration by means of mutual trust may be problematic with regard to concerns such as national sovereignty, democratic legitimacy, the protection of individual prerogatives, state liability and the duty of public authorities to protect the public interest.