bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Defining the neural correlates of spontaneous theory of mind (ToM): An fMRI mega-analytic investigation
Authors: Boccadoro Sara , Cracco Emiel , Hudson Anna R. , Bardi Lara , Nijhof Annabel D. , Wiersema Jan R. , Brass Marcel , Mueller Sven C.
Published: February 2019

There is a major debate in the theory of mind (ToM) field, concerning whether spontaneous and explicit ToM are based on the same or two distinct cognitive systems. While there is extensive research on the neural correlates of explicit ToM, revealing consistent activation of the temporo-parietal junction (TPJ) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), few studies investigated spontaneous ToM, with conflicting results, probably due to having small samples of participants. Here, we implemented a mega-analytic approach by pooling data from three fMRI studies, to achieve enough statistical power to better define the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying spontaneous ToM. Participants watched videos in which an agent acquires a true or false belief about the location of a ball. By analysing the blood-oxygen level dependent signal during the belief formation phase for false versus true beliefs, we found a cluster of activation in the right, and to a lesser extent, left posterior parietal cortex spanning the TPJ, but no mPFC activation. Region of interest (ROI) analysis on bilateral TPJ and mPFC confirmed these results and added evidence to the content-selectivity for false beliefs with positive content and asymmetry in laterality of the spontaneous ToM system. Interestingly, the whole brain analysis, supported by an overlap with brain maps, revealed maximum activation in areas involved in visuospatial working memory and attention switching functions, such as the supramarginal gyrus, the middle temporal gyrus, and the inferior frontal gyrus. Taken together, these findings suggest that spontaneous and explicit ToM rely on partially overlapping brain systems. However, spontaneous ToM tasks also show clear differences with explicit ToM tasks.
Avant-garde assembly-line biosynthesis expands diversity of cyclic lipodepsipeptide products
Authors: Zhang Jia Jia , Tang Xiaoyu , Huan Tao , Ross Avena C. , Moore Bradley S.
Published: February 2019

Modular nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) and polyketide synthase (PKS) enzymatic assembly lines are large and dynamic protein machines that generally undergo a linear progression of catalytic cycles via a series of enzymatic domains organized into independent modules. Here we report the heterologous reconstitution and comprehensive characterization of two hybrid NRPS-PKS assembly lines that defy many standard rules of assembly-line biosynthesis to generate a large combinatorial library of cyclic lipodepsipeptide protease inhibitors called thalassospiramides. We generate a series of precise domain-inactivating mutations in thalassospiramide assembly lines and present compelling evidence for an unprecedented biosynthetic model that invokes inter-module substrate activation and tailoring, module skipping, and pass-back chain extension, whereby the ability to pass the growing chain back to a preceding module is flexible and substrate-driven. Expanding bidirectional inter-module domain interactions could represent a viable mechanism for generating chemical diversity without increasing the size of biosynthetic assembly lines and raises new questions regarding our understanding of the structural features of multi-modular megaenzymes.
Serial femtosecond X-ray diffraction of HIV-1 Gag MA-IP6 microcrystals at ambient temperature
Authors: Ciftci Halil I , Sierra Raymond G , Yoon Chun Hong , Su Zhen , Tateishi Hiroshi , Koga Ryoko , Kotaro Koiwai , Yumoto Fumiaki , Senda Toshiya , Liang Mengling , Wakatsuki Soichi , Otsuka Masami , Fujita Mikako , DeMirci Hasan
Published: February 2019

The Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) matrix (MA) domain is involved in the highly regulated assembly process of the virus particles that occur at the host cell’s plasma membrane. High-resolution structures of the MA domain determined using cryo X- ray crystallography have provided initial insights into the possible steps in the viral assembly process. However, these structural studies have relied on large and frozen crystals in order to reduce radiation damage caused by the intense X-rays. Here, we report the first XFEL study of the HIV-1 MA domain’s interaction with inositol hexaphosphate (IP6), a phospholipid headgroup mimic. We also describe the purification, characterization and microcrystallization of two MA crystal forms obtained in the presence of IP6. In addition, we describe the capabilities of serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography (SFX) using X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) to elucidate the diffraction data of MA-IP6 complex microcrystals in liquid suspension at ambient temperature. Two different microcrystal forms of MA-IP6 complex both diffracted to beyond 3.5 Å resolution, demonstrating the feasibility of using SFX to study the complexes of MA domain of HIV-1 Gag polyprotein with IP6 at near-physiological temperatures. Further optimization of the experimental and data analysis procedures will lead to better understanding of the MA domain of HIV-1 Gag and IP6 interaction at high resolution and provide basis for optimization of the lead compounds for efficient inhibition of the Gag protein recruitment to the plasma membrane prior to virion formation.
Bridging micro and macro: accurate registration of the BigBrain dataset with the MNI PD25 and ICBM152 atlases
Authors: Xiao Yiming , Lau Jonathan C. , Anderson Taylor , DeKraker Jordan , Collins D. Louis , Peters Terry , Khan Ali R.
Published: February 2019

Brain atlases that encompass detailed anatomical or physiological features are instrumental in the research and surgical planning of various neurological conditions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has played important roles in neuro-image analysis while histological data remain crucial as a gold standard to guide and validate such analyses. With cellular-scale resolution, the BigBrain atlas offers 3D histology of a complete human brain, and is highly valuable to the research and clinical community. To bridge the insights at macro- and micro-levels, accurate mapping of BigBrain and established MRI brain atlases is necessary, but the existing registration is unsatisfactory. The described dataset includes co-registration of the BigBrain atlas to the MNI PD25 atlas and the ICBM152 2009b atlases (symmetric and asymmetric versions) in addition to manual segmentation of the basal ganglia, red nucleus, and hippocampus for all mentioned atlases. The dataset intends to provide the bridge between insights from histological data and MRI studies in research and neurosurgical planning. The registered atlases, anatomical segmentations, and deformation matrices are available at:nist.mni.mcgill.ca/?p=1209.
Carnivore endozoochory of a dry-fruited tree can benefit quarry passive restoration
Authors: Salgueiro Vânia , Silva Carmo , Eufrázio Sofia , Salgueiro Pedro , Vaz Pedro G.
Published: February 2019

As more work assert passive restoration as a complementary approach to technical reclamation, it is imperative to know its drivers. Although the consequences of endozoochory are crucial to predict passive restoration success, few experimental studies assess the use of heavily disturbed sites by seed dispersers such as carnivores and how the seeds they bring in emerge and survive. Using an indoor sowing experiment conductedin situ, we examined for the first time how carnivore endozoochorous seeds collected in a quarry potentially influence its passive restoration, through effects on plant emergence and survival. Also, we tested whether sowing date and water soaking, relevant factors when sowings are to be carried out, would affect seedling emergence and survival rates when compared with the effect of endozoochory. Most interesting in our analysis were the results for Carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua), a dry-fruited species being used in an ongoing action of artificial revegetation of this quarry located within a natural park in Portugal. Irrespective of the carnivore species, endozoochorous carob seeds collected in the quarry performed similarly to untreated seeds regarding emergence rates. Endozoochorous carob seedlings showed greater mortality rates but the net result for the plant can still be the colonization of recently vacant habitats by a large proportion of viable seeds. The later carob seeds were sown, the faster seedlings emerged, including endozoochorous seedlings. As expected, water soaking implied faster emergences. Broadly, plantings, sowings with previous soaking, and carnivore-mediated seed dispersal of this dry-fruited tree can jointly enhance quarry restoration.

Implications for practice

Restorers can undertake pilot sowing experiments similar to ours prior to large scale revegetation campaigns to identify which species can benefit the most from endozoochory.

Carnivores in the surroundings of a quarry contribute a large proportion of viable seeds, likely assisting quarry passive restoration.

Carnivores ingesting carob seeds later in the fruiting season may assist quarry passive revegetation more readily as seeds ingested around that time emerge earlier.

Immersion in tap water seems to be a simple, inexpensive, and a highly efficient method to break physical dormancy when carob seed sowings are to be carried out in degraded sites.
Blood metabolome signature predicts gut microbiome α-diversity in health and disease
Authors: Wilmanski Tomasz , Rappaport Noa , Earls John C. , Magis Andrew T. , Manor Ohad , Lovejoy Jennifer , Omenn Gilbert S. , Hood Leroy , Gibbons Sean M. , Price Nathan D.
Published: February 2019

Defining a ‘healthy’ gut microbiome has been a challenge in the absence of detailed information on both host health and microbiome composition. Here, we analyzed a multi-omics dataset from hundreds of individuals (discovery n=399, validation n=540) enrolled in a consumer scientific wellness program to identify robust associations between host physiology and gut microbiome structure. We attempted to predict gut microbiome α-diversity from nearly 1000 analytes measured from blood, including clinical laboratory tests, proteomics and metabolomics. While a broad panel of 77 standard clinical laboratory tests and a set of 263 proteins from blood could not accurately predict gut microbial α-diversity, we found that 45% of the variance in microbial community diversity was explained by a subset of 40 blood metabolites, many of microbial origin. This relationship between the host metabolome and gut microbiome α-diversity was very robust, persisting across disease conditions and antibiotics use. Several of these novel metabolic biomarkers of gut microbial diversity were previously associated with host health (e.g. cardiovascular disease risk, diabetes, and kidney function). A subset of 11 metabolites classified participants with potentially problematic low α-diversity (ROC AUC=0.88, Precision-Recall AUC=0.76). Relationships between host metabolites and α-diversity remained consistent across most of the Body Mass Index (BMI) spectrum, but were modified in extreme obesity (class II/III, but not class I), suggesting a significant metabolic shift. Out-of-sample prediction accuracy of α-diversity from the 40 identified blood metabolites in a validation cohort, whose microbiome samples were analyzed by a different vendor, confirmed the robust correspondence between gut microbiome structure and host physiology. Collectively, our results reveal a strong coupling between the human blood metabolome and gut microbial diversity, with implications for human health.
A positively selected, common, missense variant in FBN1 confers a 2.2 centimeter reduction of height in the Peruvian population
Authors: Asgari Samira , Luo Yang , Belbin Gillian M. , Bartell Eric , Calderon Roger , Slowikowski Kamil , Contreras Carmen , Yataco Rosa , Galea Jerome T. , Jimenez Judith , Coit Julia M. , Farroñay Chandel , Nazarian Rosalynn M. , O’Connor Timothy D. , Dietz Harry C. , Hirschhorn Joel , Guio Heinner , Lecca Leonid , Kenny Eimear E. , Freeman Esther , Murray Megan B. , Raychaudhuri Soumya
Published: February 2019

Peruvians are among the shortest people in the world. To understand the genetic basis of short stature in Peru, we examined an ethnically diverse group of Peruvians and identified a novel, population-specific, missense variant in FBN1 (E1297G) that is significantly associated with lower height in the Peruvian population. Each copy of the minor allele (frequency = 4.7%) reduces height by 2.2 cm (4.4 cm in homozygous individuals). This is the largest effect size known for a common height-associated variant. This variant shows strong evidence of positive selection within the Peruvian population and is significantly more frequent in Native American populations from coastal regions of Peru compared to populations from the Andes or the Amazon, suggesting that short stature in Peruvians is the result of adaptation to the coastal environment.

One Sentence Summary

A mutation found in Peruvians has the largest known effect on height for a common variant. This variant is specific to Native American ancestry.
Triple Arginines as Molecular Determinants for Pentameric Assembly of the Intracellular Domain of 5-HT3A Receptors
Authors: Pandhare Akash , Pirayesh Elham , Stuebler Antonia G. , Jansen Michaela
Published: February 2019

Serotonin type 3A receptors (5-HT3ARs) are cation-conducting homo-pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs) also known as the Cys-loop superfamily in eukaryotes. 5-HT3Rs are found in the peripheral and central nervous system, and they are targets for drugs used to treat anxiety, drug dependence, schizophrenia, as well as chemotherapy-induced and post-operative nausea and emesis. Decades of research of Cys-loop receptors have identified motifs in both the extracellular and transmembrane domains that mediate pentameric assembly. Those efforts have largely ignored the most diverse domain of these channels, the intracellular domain (ICD). Here we identify molecular determinants inside the ICD for pentameric assembly by first identifying the segments contributing to pentamerization using deletion constructs, and remarkably by making a small number of defined amino acid substitutions. Our work provides direct experimental evidence for the contribution of three arginines, previously implicated in governing the low conductance of 5-HT3ARs, in structural features such as pentameric assembly.
Flv1-4 proteins function in versatile combinations in O2 photoreduction in cyanobacteria
Authors: Santana-Sánchez Anita , Solymosi Daniel , Mustila Henna , Bersanini Luca , Aro Eva-Mari , Allahverdiyeva Yagut
Published: February 2019

Flavodiiron proteins (FDPs) constitute a group of modular enzymes widespread in all life Domains. Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 has four FDPs (Flv1-4) essential for photoprotection of photosynthesis. A direct comparison of the Mehler-like reaction (O2 photoreduction) in high Ci (3% CO2, HC) and low Ci (air level CO2, LC) acclimated cells demonstrated that the Flv1/Flv3 heterodimer is responsible for an efficient steady-state O2 photoreduction under HC, with flv2 and flv4 expression strongly down-regulated. Conversely, under LC conditions Flv1/Flv3 acts only as a transient electron sink due to competing withdrawal of electrons by the highly induced NDH-1 complex. Further, in vivo evidence is provided indicating that Flv2/Flv4 contributes to the Mehler-like reaction when naturally expressed under LC conditions, or when artificially overexpressed under HC. The O2 photoreduction driven by Flv2/Flv4 occurs down-stream of PSI in a coordinated manner with Flv1/Flv3 and supports slow and steady-state O2 photoreduction.
Quantitative proteomic profiling of tumor-associated vascular endothelial cells in colorectal cancer
Authors: Wang Guoqiang , Yang Qiongzhi , Li Maoyu , Zhang Ye , Cai Yu-xiang , Liang Xujun , Fu Ying , Xiao Zhefeng , Zhou Minze , Xie Zhongpeng , Huang Huichao , Huang Yahui , Chen Yongheng , He Qiongqiong , Peng Fang , Chen Zhuchu
Published: February 2019

Summery

To investigate the global proteomic profiles of vascular endothelial cells (VECs) in the tumor microenvironment and antiangiogenic therapy for colorectal cancer (CRC), matched pairs of normal (NVECs) and tumor-associated VECs (TVECs) were purified from CRC tissues by laser capture microdissection and subjected to iTRAQ based quantitative proteomics analysis. Here, 216 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified and performed bioinformatics analysis. Interestingly, these proteins were implicated in epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), ECM-receptor interaction, focal adhesion, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, angiogenesis and HIF-1 signaling pathway, which may play important roles in CRC angiogenesis. Among these DEPs, Tenascin-C (TNC) was found to upregulated in the TVECs of CRC and be correlate with CRC multistage carcinogenesis and metastasis. Furthermore, the reduction of tumor-derived TNC could attenuate human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation, migration and tube formation through ITGB3/FAK/Akt signaling pathway. Based on the present work, we provided a large-scale proteomic profiling of VECs in CRC with quantitative information, a certain number of potential antiangiogenic targets and a novel vision in the angiogenesis bio-mechanism of CRC.

Summery statement

We provided large-scale proteomic profiling of vascular endothelial cells in colorectal cancer with quantitative information, a number of potential antiangiogenic targets and a novel vision in the angiogenesis bio-mechanism of CRC.
Detecting space-time clusters of dengue fever in Panama after adjusting for vector surveillance data
Authors: Whiteman Ari , Desjardins Michael R. , Eskildsen Gilberto A. , Loaiza Jose R.
Published: February 2019

Long term surveillance of vectors and arboviruses is an integral aspect of disease prevention and control systems in countries affected by increasing risk. Yet, little effort has been made to adjust space-time risk estimation by integrating disease case counts with vector surveillance data, which may result in inaccurate risk projection when several vector species are present, and little is known about their likely role in local transmission. Here, we integrate 13 years of dengue case surveillance and associatedAedesoccurrence data across 462 localities in 63 districts to estimate the risk of infection in the Republic of Panama. Our space-time modelling approach detected the presence of five clusters, which varied by duration, relative risk, and spatial extent after incorporating vector species as covariates. Dengue prevalence (n = 49,910) was predicted by the presence of residentAedes aegyptialone, while all other covariates exhibited insignificant statistical relationships with it, including the presence and absence of invasiveAedes albopictus. Furthermore, theAe. aegyptimodel contained the highest number of districts with more dengue cases than would be expected given baseline population levels. This implies that arbovirus case surveillance coupled with entomological surveillance can affect cluster detection and risk estimation, improving efforts to understand outbreak dynamics at national scales.

Author Summary

Dengue cases have increased in tropical regions worldwide owing to climate change, urbanization, and globalization facilitating the spread ofAedesmosquito vectors. National surveillance programs monitor trends in dengue fever and inform the public about epidemiological scenarios where outbreak preventive actions are most needed. Yet, most estimations of dengue risk so far derive only from disease case data, ignoringAedesoccurrence as a key aspect of dengue transmission dynamic. Here we illustrate how incorporating vector presence and absence as a model covariate can considerably alter the characteristics of space-time cluster estimations of dengue cases. We further show thatAe. aegyptihas likely been a greater driver of dengue infection in high risk districts of Panama thanAe. albopictus, and provide a discussion of possible public health implications of both spatial and non-spatial model outcomes.
TGIF transcription factors repress acetyl CoA metabolic gene expression and promote intestinal tumor growth
Authors: Shah Anant , Melhuish Tiffany A. , Fox Todd E. , Frierson Henry F. , Wotton David
Published: February 2019

Tgif1 (thymine–guanine-interacting factor 1) and Tgif2 repress gene expression by binding directly to DNA or interacting with transforming growth factor (TGF) β-responsive SMADs. Tgifs are essential for embryogenesis and may function in tumor progression. By analyzing both gain and loss of Tgif function in a well-established mouse model of intestinal cancer, we show that Tgifs promote adenoma growth in the context of mutant Apc (adenomatous polyposis coli). Despite the tumor-suppressive role of TGFβ signaling, transcriptome profiling of colon tumors suggests minimal effect of Tgifs on the TGFβ pathway. Instead, it appears that Tgifs, which are up-regulated in Apc mutant colon tumors, contribute to reprogramming metabolic gene expression. Integrating gene expression data from colon tumors with other gene expression and chromatin-binding data identifies a set of direct Tgif target genes encoding proteins involved in acetyl CoA and pyruvate metabolism. Analysis of both tumor and nontumor tissues indicates that these genes are targets of Tgif repression in multiple settings, suggesting that this is a core Tgif function. We propose that Tgifs play an important role in regulating basic energy metabolism in normal cells, and that this function of Tgifs is amplified in some cancers.
RNAi-dependent Polycomb repression controls transposable elements in Tetrahymena
Authors: Zhao Xiaolu , Xiong Jie , Mao Fengbiao , Sheng Yalan , Chen Xiao , Feng Lifang , Dui Wen , Yang Wentao , Kapusta Aurélie , Feschotte Cédric , Coyne Robert S. , Miao Wei , Gao Shan , Liu Yifan
Published: February 2019

RNAi and Polycomb repression play evolutionarily conserved and often coordinated roles in transcriptional silencing. Here, we show that, in the protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila, germline-specific internally eliminated sequences (IESs)—many related to transposable elements (TEs)—become transcriptionally activated in mutants deficient in the RNAi-dependent Polycomb repression pathway. Germline TE mobilization also dramatically increases in these mutants. The transition from noncoding RNA (ncRNA) to mRNA production accompanies transcriptional activation of TE-related sequences and vice versa for transcriptional silencing. The balance between ncRNA and mRNA production is potentially affected by cotranscriptional processing as well as RNAi and Polycomb repression. We posit that interplay between RNAi and Polycomb repression is a widely conserved phenomenon, whose ancestral role is epigenetic silencing of TEs.
Average and local strain fields in nanocrystals
Authors: Xiong Shangmin , Lee Seung-Yub , Noyan Ismail Cevdet
Published: February 2019

This article presents a rigorous and self-consistent comparison of lattice distortion and deformation fields existing in energy-optimized pseudo-spherical gold nanoparticles obtained from real-space and powder diffraction strain analysis techniques. The changes in atomic positions resulting from energy optimization (relaxation) of ideally perfect gold nanoparticles were obtained using molecular dynamics modeling. The relaxed atomic coordinates were then used to compute the displacement, rotation and strain components in all unit cells within the energy-optimized (relaxed) particles. It was seen that all of these terms were distributed heterogeneously along the radial and tangential directions within the nanospheroids. The heterogeneity was largest in the first few atomic shells adjacent to the nanoparticle surface, where the continuity of crystal lattice vectors originating from the interior layers was broken because of local lattice rotations. These layers also exhibited maximum shear and normal strains. These (real-space) strain values were then compared with the average lattice strains obtained by refining the computed diffraction patterns of such particles. The results show that (i) relying solely on full-pattern refinement techniques for lattice strain analysis might lead to erroneous conclusions about the dimensionality and symmetry of deformation within relaxed nanoparticles; (ii) the lattice strains within such relaxed particles should be considered `eigenstrains' (`inherent strains') as defined by Mura [Micromechanics of Defects in Solids, (1991), 2nd ed., Springer]; and (iii) the stress/strain state within relaxed nanoparticles cannot be analyzed rigorously using the constitutive equations of linear elasticity.
Free-film small-angle neutron scattering: a novel container-free in situ sample environment with minimized H/D exchange
Authors: Krauss Sebastian W. , Schweins Ralf , Magerl Andreas , Zobel Mirijam
Published: February 2019

The development of a container-free sample environment which is particularly well suited for in situ reaction studies of liquid samples by small-angle neutron scattering and related techniques is reported. Hydrogen exchange with the humidity from air is reduced by an encapsulating setup in a bag filled with an inert gas such as He. The effectiveness of this measure is quantitatively accessed by infrared absorption and gravimetry, and further correlated with neutron scattering.
A fourfold interpenetrating cadmium(II) metal–organic framework based on 2,4,6-tris(pyridin-4-yl)-1,3,5-triazine with reversible photochromic properties
Authors: Liu Jian-Jun , Li Li-Zhi , Chen Chun-Ping , Wei Jin-Zhong , Cheng Fei-Xiang
Published: February 2019

2,4,6-Tris(pyridin-4-yl)-1,3,5-triazine (tpt), as an organic molecule with an electron-deficient nature, has attracted considerable interest because of its photoinduced electron transfer from neutral organic molecules to form stable anionic radicals. This makes it an excellent candidate as an organic linker in the construction of photochromic complexes. Such a photochromic three-dimensional (3D) metal–organic framework (MOF) has been prepared using this ligand. Crystallization of tpt with Cd(NO3)2·4H2O in an N,N-dimethylacetamide–methanol mixed-solvent system under solvothermal conditions afforded the 3D MOF poly[[bis(nitrato-κ2
O,O′)cadmium(II)]-μ3-2,4,6-tris(pyridin-4-yl)-1,3,5-triazine-κ3
N
2:N
4:N
6], [Cd(NO3)2(C18H12N6)]
n
, which was characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The X-ray diffraction crystal structure analysis reveals that the asymmetric unit contains one independent CdII cation, one tpt ligand and two coordinated NO3
− anions. The CdII cations are connected by tpt ligands to generate a 3D framework. The single framework leaves voids that are filled by mutual interpenetration of three independent equivalent frameworks in a fourfold interpenetrating architecture. The compound shows a good thermal stability and exhibits a reversible photochromic behaviour, which may originate from the photoinduced electron-transfer generation of radicals in the tpt ligand.
Crystal structure of a new tripotassium hexanickel iron hexaphosphate
Authors: Ouaatta Said , Assani Abderrazzak , Saadi Mohamed , El Ammari Lahcen
Published: February 2019

A new potassium-nickel iron phosphate, K3Ni6Fe(PO4)6, has been synthesized by solid-state reaction and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and qualitative energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. The structure is built up by [FeO6], [PO4], and [NiO6] coordination polyhedra, which are linked to each other by edge and corner sharing to form zigzag layers parallel to the ab plane. These layers are interconnected by [PO4] tetrahedra and [NiO6] octahedra via common corners, leading to a three-dimensional framework delimiting large channels running along the [100] direction in which the K+ cations are localized.
Solution structures of long-acting insulin analogues and their complexes with albumin
Authors: Ryberg Line A. , Sønderby Pernille , Barrientos Fabian , Bukrinski Jens T. , Peters Günther H. J. , Harris Pernille
Published: February 2019

The lipidation of peptide drugs is one strategy to obtain extended half-lives, enabling once-daily or even less frequent injections for patients. The half-life extension results from a combination of self-association and association with human serum albumin (albumin). The self-association and association with albumin of two insulin analogues, insulin detemir and insulin degludec, were investigated by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) in phenolic buffers. Detemir shows concentration-dependent self-association, with an equilibrium between hexamer, dihexamer, trihexamer and larger species, while degludec appears as a dihexamer independent of concentration. The solution structure of the detemir trihexamer has a bent shape. The stoichiometry of the association with albumin was studied using DLS. For albumin–detemir the molar stoichiometry was determined to be 1:6 (albumin:detemir ratio) and for albumin–degludec it was between 1:6 and 1:12 (albumin:degludec ratio). Batch SAXS measurements of a 1:6 albumin:detemir concentration series revealed a concentration dependence of complex formation. The data allowed the modelling of a complex between albumin and a detemir hexamer and a complex consisting of two albumins binding to opposite ends of a detemir dihexamer. Measurements of size-exclusion chromatography coupled to SAXS revealed a complex between a degludec dihexamer and albumin. Based on the results, equilibria for the albumin–detemir and albumin–degludec mixtures are proposed.
Measuring the innovation capability of micro enterprises in India
Authors: Raghuvanshi Juhi , Agrawal Rajat , Ghosh Prakriti Kumar
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The development of innovation capability (IC) is a central issue for both practitioners and academicians. However, studies that investigate the dimension of IC in the context of micro-enterprises are absent. Based on capability-based view, the purpose of this paper is to identify important dimensions to build a scale to measure IC in micro-enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on focus group discussions for item generation and questionnaire survey on a sample of 379 micro-enterprises in India. The scale is developed with the help of exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Statistical tests demonstrate that the scale presents composite reliability as well as discriminant and convergent validity.

Findings

The findings show that four dimensions form IC in micro-enterprises: resources, networking, risk taking and involvement.

Originality/value

This study develops a new scale, which is a measure of IC of micro-enterprises. The implications have been recommended, which focus upon entrepreneurs, academicians and policymakers interested in developing the IC of micro-enterprises in India.
Transmedia storytelling: a potentially vital resource for CSR communication
Authors: Coombs Timothy
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The focus of this paper is on developing a rationale for the use of transmedia storytelling in corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication. Transmedia storytelling involves telling stories across multiple platforms by multiple people that are still united by a central theme. The purpose of this paper is to develop a rationale for the application of transmedia storytelling for CSR communication and illustrate how Procter & Gamble’s “Thank You Mom” campaign demonstrates how transmedia storytelling can be found in the current CSR communication.

Design/methodology/approach

The first part of the story is theoretical development. The idea of transmedia storytelling is developed then translated into how it can be used in CSR communication. The key ideas are that the engagement with messages created by transmedia storytelling is the idea for capturing emotions in CSR messages and avoiding the backlash created by some CSR messages, such as advertising. Transmedia storytelling provides a lens for understanding and guiding the use of various social media channels in the distribution of CSR communication. A case study is they conducted to illustrate how P&G used transmedia storytelling in its “Thank You Mom” campaign. Qualitative content analysis is used to identify the plot lines in the stories and the overall storyworld that is being developed thereby illustrating how the concepts for transmedia storytelling can be applied to the case.

Findings

The results illustrate how transmedia storytelling can be applied to CSR communication and the potential benefits of this application. The primary yields are theory development for CSR communication and the insights from the case study.

Originality/value

The extant literature on strategic communication in general and CSR communication specially have shown only a passing interest in transmedia storytelling. This paper provides a very detailed rationale for applying transmedia storytelling to CSR communication and illustrates the utility of this approach with a case study. A detailed application of transmedia storytelling to CSR communication is new and can help advance both theory and practice.
Quantitative assessment of risks on construction projects using fault tree analysis with hybrid uncertainties
Authors: Shoar Shahab , Nasirzadeh Farnad , Zarandi Hamid Reza
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a fault tree (FT)-based approach for quantitative risk analysis in the construction industry that can take into account both objective and subjective uncertainties.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, the identified basic events (BEs) are first categorized based on the availability of historical data into probabilistic and possibilistic. The probabilistic and possibilistic events are represented by probability distributions and fuzzy numbers, respectively. Hybrid uncertainty analysis is then performed through a combination of Monte Carlo simulation and fuzzy set theory. The probability of occurrence of the top event is finally calculated using the proposed FT-based hybrid uncertainty analysis method.

Findings

The efficiency of the proposed method is demonstrated by implementing in a real steel structure project. A quantitative risk assessment is performed for weld cracks, taking into account of both types of uncertainties. An importance analysis is finally performed to evaluate the contribution of each BE to the probability of occurrence of weld cracks and adopt appropriate response strategies.

Research limitations/implications

In this research, the impact of objective (aleatory) dependence between the occurrences of different BEs and subjective (epistemic) dependence between estimates of the epistemically uncertain probabilities of some BEs are not considered. Moreover, there exist limitations to the application of fuzzy set rules, which were used for aggregating experts’ opinions and ranking purposes of the BEs in the FT model. These limitations can be investigated through further research.

Originality/value

It is believed that the proposed hybrid uncertainty analysis method presents a robust and powerful tool for quantitative risk analysis, as both types of uncertainties are taken into account appropriately.
Interactive theater: an effective tool to reduce gender bias in faculty searches
Authors: Shea Christine M. , Malone Mary Fran Fran T. , Young Justin R. , Graham Karen J.
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the development, implementation and impact evaluation of an interactive theater-based workshop by the ADVANCE program at the University of New Hampshire (UNH). The workshop is part of a larger institutional transformation program funded by the National Science Foundation.

Design/methodology/approach

This institutional transformation program relied upon a systems approach to diagnose potential causes for the underrepresentation of women faculty in certain disciplines. This revealed that increasing awareness of, and reducing, implicit gender bias among members of faculty search committees could, in time, contribute to increasing the representation of women faculty at UNH. A committee charged with developing a faculty workshop to achieve this change identified interactive theater as an effective faculty training approach. The committee oversaw the development of customized scripts, and the hiring of professional actors and a facilitator to implement the workshop.

Findings

The workshop’s effectiveness in fulfilling its goals was assessed using faculty hiring and composition data, program evaluations, participant interviews and questions in an annual faculty climate survey. Findings indicate that the representation of women faculty increased significantly at UNH since the implementation of the interactive theater workshop. Analysis of the multiple sources of data provides corroborating evidence that a significant portion of the increase is directly attributable to the workshop.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates the effectiveness of interactive theater-based workshops in an academic environment and of the systems approach in diagnosing and solving organizational problems.
Does diversity management matter in a traditionally homogeneous culture?
Authors: Mehng Si Ahn , Sung Sang Hyeon , Leslie Lisa M.
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate diversity management in an under-researched country by merging theoretical insights developed in the Western literature with cultural aspects of a traditionally homogeneous country, South Korea.

Design/methodology/approach

This study integrates theory and research on why diversity can have either a positive (i.e. the information/decision-making paradigm) or a negative (i.e. the social categorization paradigm) effect on performance with different diversity perspectives (i.e. integration-and-learning, access-and-legitimacy, and discrimination-and-fairness). This study develops a model of when and how gender diversity affects organization performance and test the model with a sample of 177 South Korean organizations.

Findings

This study finds that gender diversity is negatively related to organization performance in South Korea. This study also finds that the effect of gender diversity is contingent on organizational diversity perspectives. Organizations with high gender diversity perform better to the extent that they have a discrimination-fairness perspective, but not a business-oriented perspective. On the other hand, a discrimination-fairness perspective is unrelated to performance for organizations that are low in gender diversity.

Originality/value

Although gender diversity in the South Korean workplace continues to increase, the relationship between gender diversity and organization performance has rarely been studied in the aspect of Korea’s traditionally homogeneous culture. This study highlights the importance of cultural-contingencies in understanding the consequences of diversity.
How do Islamic equities respond to monetary actions?
Authors: Anwer Zaheer , Azmi Wajahat , Ramadili Mohd Shamsher Mohamad
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to appraise the effectiveness of monetary policy actions in variant market conditions for Islamic stocks. These stocks offer ground for a natural experiment as they have restrictions on the line of business and their distinguished capital structure does not allow them to combat the liquidity crisis through the use of leverage.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses the quantile regression approach for a multi-country sample of Islamic stock indices to assess the impact of domestic as well as US expansionary monetary policy on stock returns of Islamic indices at various locations of distribution of returns.

Findings

It is found that, at lower return levels, an expansionary monetary policy has a negative effect on the returns. In other cases, there is no significant impact of policy rate change on index returns.

Research limitations/implications

It is more appropriate to use firm level data of Islamic stocks instead of stock indices. However, the information regarding index constituents is not publicly available.

Practical implications

The paper offers useful information to investors and policy makers. It shows that central banks should improve their credibility for monetary policy to be effective and their policies must be designed keeping in view the strong impact of US rate on global monetary environment.

Originality/value

This paper provides first empirical evidence of the impact of discount rates on the returns of Islamic stocks in different market conditions.
Small winery-restaurant relationship building: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Velikova Natalia , Canziani Bonnie , Williams Helena
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Wine is an important profit center for restaurants. The purpose of this paper is to address some of the challenges and opportunities at the nexus of wine and hospitality, with an eye on relationship building between smaller wineries and dining establishments.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is essay style with acknowledgments made to extant literature, as well as US industry-based intelligence.

Findings

Primary challenges facing small wineries trying to enter the restaurant market revolve around constraints imposed by the traditional distribution system mindset, as well as pricing issues affecting procurement and markup of wine for restaurant use, limited abilities to provide sufficient inventory and the lack of time and people resources. Counterpoint discussion reveals opportunities related to increased focus on experience-based wine sales in restaurants, the importance of the story and the value of co-branding.

Practical implications

Partnerships with restaurants can be a delicate yet desirable part of a small winery’s strategy. The key is to develop a mutually beneficial relationship, while fulfilling the objectives and missions of both winery and restaurant. When wineries and restaurants carve out the time and invest the people resources to successfully and purposefully co-brand, optimum symmetry is formed which leads to mutually valued dining and special gastronomic experiences for the winery/restaurant partners and their customers.

Originality/value

In a viewpoint format, the paper outlines and discusses the key elements of relationship building between small wineries and restaurants.
Perceptions of culturally responsive pedagogy in teaching SEL
Authors: Barnes Tia Navelene , McCallops Kathleen
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine educators’ beliefs, perceptions and use of culturally responsive practices in implementing a social-emotional learning (SEL) intervention.

Design/methodology/approach

Focus groups with school personnel in a school with a diverse student population that had sustained success with an SEL intervention were conducted. Grounded theory was used to analyze data.

Findings

The analyses produced 11 interrelated themes.

Practical implications

School personnel noted that instruction in culturally responsive practices was foundational and should occur before SEL intervention implementation commences to ensure the use of culturally responsive practices as part of SEL implementation. Moreover, they noted the importance of school community buy-in (administrator, faculty, staff, parent and student) in supporting school-based SEL intervention sustainability.

Social implications

Within the USA, continued diversification of the student population is predicted, while the teaching force is projected to remain primarily White, middle class and female. Consequently, educators often differ in cultural background from their students, which has implications for SEL instruction. Incorporating the use of culturally responsive pedagogy in teaching SEL skills is one approach to addressing this cultural mismatch.

Originality/value

There are currently few studies that explore educator perceptions of SEL and no studies that examine the use of culturally responsive pedagogy in teaching SEL.
Mock-ups as a tool for assessing customer value early in the development process
Authors: Lyly-Yrjänäinen Jouni , Aarikka-Stenroos Leena , Laine Teemu
Published: February 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to propose an approach to broaden the focus of a low-fidelity prototype (i.e. mock-up) to enable user experimentation in a real environment at the early stages of the product development process. The functionality approaching a real solution enables customers to experience the key functionality, and therefore, the perceived customer value of the new product idea before major investments in the development.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on an interventionist case study in a manufacturing company. The researchers were involved in the development of two new products and analysing the potential process and cost implications.

Findings

Mock-ups enable the preliminary measurement of cost and value implications of a new product at the early stages of the development process. This holds significant potential for advancing development practices and reducing the uncertainties present in such processes. Thus, the business case at the early stage of the development process can be argued with “user-experienced” cost information and, therefore, also “perceived” customer value.

Practical implications

The use of mock-ups to gain customer feedback is well aligned with the fail-fast mentality emphasised in the contemporary start-up scene, but this study also encourages developers/practitioners from mature industries to use mock-ups to assess perceived customer value.

Originality/value

The originality of the paper lies in broadening the focus of mock-ups to enable user experimentation in a real environment at the early stages of the development process.
Disruptions of account planning in the digital age
Authors: Zimand Sheiner Dorit , Earon Amir
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on transformations in the advertising industry from the point of view of the role and position of account planners. It questions the current viability of account planning (AP) as a result of digital disruptions.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 18 face-to-face responsive interviews were conducted among professionals who hold planning responsibilities at advertising agencies. A theoretical thematic analysis revealed five main themes which are associated with the disruption of AP roles.

Findings

The research points out that AP is a profession in transition as part of the advertising industry that is undergoing a major shift. Digital transformations have not yet crystallized in the business domain, and so this period is one of learning and adjustment.

Research limitations/implications

It is suggested for advertising practitioners, as well as marketing executives, to encourage AP departments to re-think the core significance of the AP department since the AP role needs to be repositioned or even redefined.

Originality/value

The current research has several significant implications for theory and practice: confronting the role of the strategist in advertising agencies vs digital strategy and Big Data; contributing to the understanding of the dynamics of AP transitional roles as a starting point for re-examination of the advertising creative process; and calling for more research exploring the relationship between agency adoption of digital tools and its approach to AP.