bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A roadblock-and-kill model explains the dynamical response to the DNA-targeting antibiotic ciprofloxacin
Authors: Ojkic Nikola , Lilja Elin , Direito Susana , Dawson Angela , Allen Rosalind J. , Waclaw Bartlomiej
Published: October 2019

Fluoroquinolones - antibiotics that cause DNA damage by inhibiting DNA topoisomerases - are clinically important, but their mechanism of action is not yet fully understood. In particular, the dynamical response of bacterial cells to fluoroquinolone exposure has hardly been investigated, although the SOS response, triggered by DNA damage, is often thought to play a key role. Here we investigate growth inhibition of the bacteriumEscherichia coliby the fluoroquinolone ciprofloxacin at low doses (up to 5x the minimum inhibitory concentration). We measure the long-term and short-term (dynamic) response of the growth rate and DNA production rate to ciprofloxacin, at both population- and single-cell level. We show that despite the molecular complexity of DNA metabolism, a simple `roadblock-and-kill’ model focusing on replication fork blockage and DNA damage by ciprofloxacin-poisoned DNA topoisomerase II (gyrase) quantitatively reproduces long-term growth rates. The model also predicts dynamical changes in DNA production rate in wild typeE. coliand in an SOS-deficient mutant, following a step-up of ciprofloxacin. Our work reveals new insights into the dynamics of fluoroquinolone action, with important implications for predicting the rate of resistance evolution. Most importantly, our model explains why the response is delayed: it takes many doubling times to fragment the DNA sufficiently to inhibit gene expression. Our model also challenges the view that the SOS response plays a central role: the dynamical response is controlled by the timescale of DNA replication and gyrase binding/unbinding to the DNA rather than by the SOS response. More generally, our work highlights the importance of including biophysical processes in biochemical-systems models to fully understand bacterial response to antibiotics.
TypeTE: a tool to genotype mobile element insertions from whole genome resequencing data
Authors: Goubert Clement , Thomas Jainy , Payer Lindsay M. , Kidd Jeffrey M. , Feusier Julie , Watkins W. Scott , Burns Kathleen H. , Jorde Lynn B. , Feschotte Cedric
Published: October 2019

Alu retrotransposons account for more than 10% of the human genome, and insertions of these elements create structural variants segregating in human populations. Such polymorphic Alu are powerful markers to understand population structure, and they represent variants that can greatly impact genome function, including gene expression. Accurate genotyping of Alu and other mobile elements has been challenging. Indeed, we found that Alu genotypes previously called for the 1000 Genomes Project are sometimes erroneous, which poses significant problems for phasing these insertions with other variants that comprise the haplotype. To ameliorate this issue, we introduce a new pipeline -- TypeTE -- which genotypes Alu insertions from whole-genome sequencing data. Starting from a list of polymorphic Alus, TypeTE identifies the hallmarks (poly-A tail and target site duplication) and orientation of Alu insertions using local re-assembly to reconstruct presence and absence alleles. Genotype likelihoods are then computed after re-mapping sequencing reads to the reconstructed alleles. Using a ‘gold standard’ set of PCR-based genotyping of >200 loci, we show that TypeTE improves genotype accuracy from 83% to 92% in the 1000 Genomes dataset. TypeTE can be readily adapted to other retrotransposon families and brings a valuable toolbox addition for population genomics.
Hypothalamic C2-domain protein involved in MC4R trafficking and control of energy balance
Authors: Gavini Chaitanya K , Cook Tyler M , Rademacher David J , Mansuy-Aubert Virginie
Published: October 2019

Objective

Rates of overweight and obesity epidemic have risen significantly in the past few decades, and 34% of adults and 15-20% of children and adolescents in the United States are now obese. Melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R), contributes to appetite control in hypothalamic neurons and is a target for future anti-obesity treatments (such as setmelanotide) or novel drug development effort. Proper MC4R trafficking regulation in hypothalamic neurons is crucial for normal neural control of homeostasis and is altered in obesity and in presence of lipids. The mechanisms underlying altered MC4R trafficking in the context of obesity is still unclear. Here, we discovered that C2CD5 expressed in the hypothalamus is involved in the regulation of MC4R endocytosis. This study unmasked a novel trafficking protein nutritionally regulated in the hypothalamus providing a novel target for MC4R dependent pathways involved in bodyweight homeostasis and Obesity.

Methods

To evaluate the expression of C2cd5, we first used in situ hybridization and RNAscope technology in combination with electronic microscopy. For in vivo, we characterized the energy balance of wild type (WT) and C2CD5 whole-body knockout (C2CD5KO) mice fed normal chow (NC) and/or western-diet (high-fat/high-sucrose/cholesterol) (WD). To this end, we performed comprehensive longitudinal assessment of bodyweight, energy balance (food intake, energy expenditure, locomotor activity using TSE metabolic cages), and glucose homeostasis. In addition, we evaluated the consequence of loss of C2CD5 on feeding behavior changes normally induced by MC4R agonist (Melanotan, MTII) injection in the paraventricular hypothalamus (PVH). For in vitro approach, we tease out the role of C2CD5 and its calcium sensing domain C2 in MC4R trafficking. We focused on endocytosis of MC4R using an antibody feeding experiment (in a neuronal cell line - Neuro2A (N2A) stably expressing HA-MC4R-GFP; against HA-tag and analyzed by flux cytometry).

Results

We found that 1) the expression of hypothalamic C2CD5 is decreased in diet-induced obesity models compared to controls, 2) mice lacking C2CD5 exhibit an increase in food intake compared to WT mice, 3) C2CD5 interacts with endocytosis machinery in hypothalamus, 4) loss of functional C2CD5 (lacking C2 domain) blunts MC4R endocytosis in vitro and increases MC4R at the surface that fails to respond to MC4R ligand, and, 5) C2CD5KO mice exhibit decreased acute responses to MTII injection into the PVH.

Conclusions

Based on these, we conclude that hypothalamic C2CD5 is involved in MC4R endocytosis and regulate bodyweight homeostasis. These studies suggest that C2CD5 represents a new protein regulated by metabolic cues and involved in metabolic receptor endocytosis. C2CD5 represent a new target and pathway that could be targeted in Obesity.
The crystal structures of two novel polymorphs of bis(oxonium) ethane-1,2-disulfonate
Authors: Mazurek Jaroslaw , Fernandez-Casares Ana
Published: October 2019

Two novel crystal forms of bis(oxonium) ethane-1,2-disulfonate, 2H3O−·C2H4O6S2
2−, are reported. Polymorph II has monoclinic (P21/n) symmetry, while the symmetry of form III is triclinic (P\overline{1}). Both structures display extensive networks of O—H...O hydrogen bonds. While this network in Form II is similar to that observed for the previously reported Form I [Mootz & Wunderlich (1970). Acta Cryst. B26, 1820–1825; Sartori et al. (1994). Z. Naturforsch.
49, 1467–1472] and extends in all directions, in Form III it differs significantly, forming layers parallel to the ab plane. The sulfonate molecule in all three forms adopts a nearly identical geometry. The other observed differences between the forms, apart from the hydrogen-bonding network, are observed in the crystal density and packing index.
Crystal structure, DFT calculation, Hirshfeld surface analysis and energy framework study of 6-bromo-2-(4-bromophenyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine
Authors: Khamees Hussien Ahmed , Chaluvaiah Kumara , El-khatatneh Nasseem Ahmed , Swamynayaka Ananda , Chong Kwong Huey , Dasappa Jagadeesh Prasad , Madegowda Mahendra
Published: October 2019

The title imidazo[1,2-a] pyridine derivative, C13H8Br2N2, was synthesizedviaa single-step reaction method. The title molecule is planar, showing a dihedral angle of 0.62 (17)° between the phenyl and the imidazo[1,2-a] pyridine rings. An intramolecular C—H...N hydrogen bond with anS(5) ring motif is present. In the crystal, a short H...H contact links adjacent molecules into inversion-related dimers. The dimers are linked in turn by weak C—H...π and slipped π–π stacking interactions, forming layers parallel to (110). The layers are connected into a three-dimensional network by short Br...H contacts. Two-dimensional fingerprint plots and three-dimensional Hirshfeld surface analysis of the intermolecular contacts reveal that the most important contributions for the crystal packing are from H...Br/Br...H (26.1%), H...H (21.7%), H...C/C...H (21.3%) and C...C (6.5%) interactions. Energy framework calculations suggest that the contacts formed between molecules are largely dispersive in nature. Analysis of HOMO–LUMO energies from a DFT calculation reveals the pure π character of the aromatic rings with the highest electron density on the phenyl ring, and σ character of the electron density on the Br atoms. The HOMO–LUMO gap was found to be 4.343 eV.
3-Bromopyridine-2-carbonitrile
Authors: Sharif Muhammad , Razzaq Rauf , Jackstell Ralf , Spannenberg Anke
Published: October 2019

The title compound, C6H3BrN2, also known as 3-bromopicolinonitrile, was synthesized by cyanation of 2,3-dibromopyridine. In the solid state, short intermolecular Br...N contacts are observed. Additionally, the crystal packing is consolidated by π–π stacking interactions with centroid–centroid distances of 3.7893 (9) Å.
Social value creation by multinational enterprises
Authors: Rygh Asmund
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This study aims to discuss an argument that the social value creation of multinational enterprises (MNEs), beyond creating economic value for the shareholders, could be the next “big question” for international business (IB) research. The authors also provide examples of promising research topics associated with this research agenda.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is conceptual.

Findings

Although a new paradigmatic question for IB in terms of social value creation would lead IB outside familiar territory in terms of the previous focus on financial performance, IB scholars are well equipped to take on this broader question. IB scholars arguably have their key strengths in understanding the inner workings of firms, as well as in understanding the role of context for business. Moreover, to the extent that this new agenda requires IB scholars to acquire new capabilities and form new partnerships with relevant disciplines, this could contribute to revitalising the IB field. As illustrated by the suggested topics, such an agenda could both increase the relevance of IB research and contribute to theory development.

Originality/value

The paper is amongst the first to explore the notion that a broader view of the outcome of MNE activities, beyond MNEs’ own financial outcomes, should be a key goal of future IB research.
A chaotic circuit under a new classification framework of inductorless Chua’s circuits
Authors: Zhu Lei , Pan Minghai , Qiao Xiaohua
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to classify the inductorless Chua’s circuits into two types from the topological structures and construct a chaotic circuit under this new classification framework.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, two types of inductorless Chua’s circuit models are presented from topological structure, among which the first type of inductorless Chua’s circuit (FTICC) model is much closer to the original Chua’s circuit. Under this classification framework, a new inductorless Chua’s circuit that belongs to the FTICC model is built by replacing LC parallel resonance of the original Chua’s circuit with a second order Sallen–Key band pass filter.

Findings

Compared with a paradigm of a reported inductorless Chua’s circuit that belongs to the second type of inductorless Chua’s circuit (STICC) model, the newly proposed circuit can present the attractors which are much more closely to the original Chua’s attractors. The dynamical behaviors of coexisting period-doubling bifurcation patterns and boundary crisis are discovered in the newly proposed circuit from both numerical simulations and experimental measurements. Moreover, a crisis scenario is observed that unmixed pairs of symmetric coexisting limit cycles with period-3 traverse through the entire parameter interval between coexisting single-scroll chaotic attractors and double-scroll chaotic attractor.

Originality/value

The newly constructed circuit enriches the family of inductorless Chua’s circuits, and its simple topology with small printed circuit board size facilitates the various types of engineering applications based on chaos.
Thermal and mechanical design of reverting microchannels for cooling disk-shaped electronic parts using constructal theory
Authors: Dadsetani Reza , Salimpour Mohammad Reza , Tavakoli Mohammad Reza , Goodarzi Marjan , Pedone Bandarra Filho Enio
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to study the simultaneous effect of embedded reverting microchannels on the cooling performance and mechanical strength of the electronic pieces.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a new configuration of the microchannel heat sink was proposed based on the constructal theory to examine mechanical and thermal aspects. Initially, the thermal-mechanical behavior in the radial arrangement was analyzed, and then, by designing the first reverting channel, maximum temperature and maximum stress on the disk were decreased. After that, by creating second reverting channels, it has been shown that the piece is improved in terms of heat and mechanical strength.

Findings

Having placed the second reverting channel on the optimum location, the effect of creating the third reverting channel has been investigated. The study has shown that there is a close relationship between the maximum temperature and maximum stress in the disk as maximum temperature and maximum stress decrease in pieces with more uniform distribution channels.

Originality/value

The proposed structure has decreased the maximum temperature and maximum thermal stresses close to 35 and 50%, respectively, and also improved the mechanical strength, with and without thermal stresses, about 40 and 24%, respectively.
Housing practices and livelihood challenges in the hazard-prone contested spaces of rural Bangladesh
Authors: Kashem Shakil Bin
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Disaster-resistant housing practices are widely promoted in developing countries as an integral component of climate adaptation efforts, particularly in rural hazard-prone areas. However, how the prevailing housing practices are intertwined with rural livelihoods and how the external initiatives to promote disaster-resistant housing practices materialize in a contested marginalized space are key questions with social vulnerability implications that seldom receive adequate attention. This paper aims to explore these questions through case studies of two hazard-prone rural areas in Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

The two study areas were selected considering the variation of risk patterns: one located in cyclone hazard-prone southern District of Noakhali and the other located in a flood hazard-prone area of Rajbari District. Existing housing practices in these two communities, their adoption of disaster-resistant housing options and their overall livelihood challenges were explored through questionnaire surveys, focus group discussions and transect walks.

Findings

As this study shows, safe housing practices are tertiary concerns for people living in those contested spaces after meeting livelihood challenges. Further, in the absence of formal land tenure, adaptation efforts that introduce disaster-resistant housing practices may fail to be effective.

Practical implications

The findings of this study demonstrate the need for a reorientation in the present approaches of climate adaptation (particularly, in case of housing practice) to make them more responsive to the adaptation challenges of socially vulnerable populations.

Originality/value

Most of the prior studies on disaster and rural housing have focused on the post-disaster housing recovery, but there is yet to have enough study that looked at households’ current housing strategies and, in particular, how land tenure and livelihood challenges influence their choices. This study fills this research gap and also provides evidence in support of considering the risk priority of marginalized vulnerable population while responding to the broader concerns of climate change.
Conceptualizing the implementation of Lesson Study in Kazakhstan within a social theory framework
Authors: Wilson Elaine , Sharimova Assel
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of processes in operation during the implementation of a reform programme in Kazakhstan culminating in the widespread adoption of Lesson Study (LS).

Design/methodology/approach

The study is positioned within a critical realist theoretical perspective, drawing on Archer’s social theory to focus on the social world of the school while changes to classroom practice are being made. This is a case study using process tracing methods to analyse how school actions and interactions are used during the change process resulting in widespread implementation of LS.

Findings

Three key mechanisms for implementing the structural changes are identified; increasing teacher’s pedagogical knowledge, collaborative working structures and active collective inquiry. The capacity to change practice is underpinned by reflection on classroom interactions and in having the necessary skills and available time to analyse the effect on pupils’ learning. Engaging in reflexive deliberation is dependent on having access to new knowledge, together with the opportunity to collaborate in supportive groups.

Originality/value

This study provides an insight into what changes were made and why these support the spread of LS in Kazakhstan, drawing on Archer’s social theory and using theory building process tracing methods to delve deeper into the empirical fingerprints left during the intervention. LS is an important structural factor which is still supporting change in Kazakhstani classrooms.
Gaming as a research method in humanitarian logistics
Authors: Lukosch Heide , Comes Tina
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology for research through game design and discuss how simulation games can be used to bridge the gap between operational exercises and simulation or analytical modelling and to provide guidelines on how simulation games can be designed for different research purposes in the context of humanitarian logistics.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper combines a literature review on gaming as a research method with an analysis of requirements for humanitarian logistics research methods. Starting from this theoretical framework, the authors develop a design thinking approach that highlights how games can be used for different research purposes. To illustrate the approach, the authors develop two different game set-ups that are of increasing fidelity and complexity. Finally, the authors discuss the results of the evaluation of both approaches, reflect on the design choices and provide recommendations for research and practice.

Findings

Gaming is a suitable research method to explore and analyse behaviour and decisions in emergent settings that require team work and collaborative problem solving. Especially when safety and security concerns may hinder access and experimentation on site, gaming can offer a realistic and engaging quasi-experimental environment. The aspects of engagement and realism also make gaming a suitable tool to combine training and research.

Originality/value

Although the use of games has attracted some attention in commercial supply chain management and crisis response, there is no systematic overview of gaming as a research method in humanitarian logistics. This paper is set to make a headway in addressing this gap by proposing a concrete approach to design games for humanitarian logistics research.
Online/offline information search patterns and outcomes for services
Authors: Sa Vinhas Alberto , Bowman Douglas
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This study aims to determine the antecedents and consequences of information source choice to support a purchase decision for services high in experience attributes.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct two studies to test their propositions. Study 1 is a single-category application using data from a national survey of 974 consumers who recently made a hotel-stay purchase/reservation. Correspondence analysis was used to identify search patterns, and regression analysis was used to identify their antecedents and influence on search outcomes. Study 2 is a cross-category study using data from a survey of 422 MTurk respondents reporting on search processes across six different services contexts, including hotel reservations. In this study, the authors seek generalization of their results to other services categories.

Findings

The authors identify four dimensions that characterize what information sources consumers, on average, use together when purchasing services. It is found that loyalty program membership and consistency in service delivery across a brand’s outlets for the brands in a consumer’s evoked set are important determinants of search patterns. Search patterns partially mediate the impact of consumer characteristics, choice context and choice set characteristics on search effort and, ultimately, on price paid.

Practical implications

An understanding of the factors that are associated with consumers’ choices of information sources and whether these choices are systematically related to search outcomes has implications for market segmentation and for marketers’ initiatives with respect to what information content to emphasize across sources.

Originality/value

The contribution is an understanding of the antecedents and consequences of consumer search patterns – and what information sources consumers tend to use together, considering the diversity of both internet and non-internet sources. There are limited insights in the services literature regarding how the internet impacts information search processes.
Volunteer engagement: conceptual extensions and value-in-context outcomes
Authors: Conduit Jodie , Karpen Ingo Oswald , Tierney Kieran D.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The ability to attract and retain volunteers is crucial for not-for-profit organizations, and consequently, the need to understand and manage volunteers’ engagement is paramount. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of five volunteer engagement dimensions (cognitive, affective, behavioral, social and spiritual engagement) on perceived value-in-context, and its subsequent role for volunteer retention. Thus, providing for the first time an understanding of how unique types of value are determined through different facets of volunteer engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

To establish the nature and consequences of volunteer engagement, the authors collaborated with an Australian not-for-profit service organization. Using a survey method, the authors studied the organization’s volunteer workforce resulting in 464 usable responses. To capture volunteers’ degree of spiritual engagement, this paper introduces a rigorously developed unidimensional measure.

Findings

The results demonstrate the importance of the five engagement dimensions on volunteers’ perceived value-in-context, while highlighting significant effect differences including some counterintuitive consequences. The authors also establish the role of spiritual engagement and demonstrate the impact of value-in-context for volunteer retention.

Originality/value

This research explores the volunteer engagement-retention chain, by empirically studying the role of value-in-context. The authors provide first evidence for the relationship between volunteer engagement and value-in-context, examining the independent yet relative effects of various facets of volunteer engagement. In doing so, the authors offer new insight into the dimensionality of the volunteer engagement construct, broadening its conceptualization to include spiritual engagement as a core constituent. The authors further demonstrate the impact of value-in-context on volunteer retention, helping organizations to better make sense of meaningful volunteer experiences with long-lasting impacts and mutual benefits.
Measuring causal relations and identifying critical drivers for corporate sustainability: the quadruple bottom line approach
Authors: Budsaratragoon Pornanong , Jitmaneeroj Boonlert
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the causal interrelations among the four pillars of corporate sustainability, which indicate a firm’s contribution to environmental, social, governance and economic activities. Moreover, this study identifies the critical drivers of corporate sustainability by focusing on the levels of market developments and geographical regions.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on corporate sustainability data of 2,725 global companies in 2016, this study uses a combination of analytical techniques including cluster analysis, data mining, partial least square path modeling and importance performance map analysis.

Findings

This study finds that companies in European developed markets exhibit the highest-ranking of corporate sustainability. In line with the social impact hypothesis, environmental, social and governance performance positively affects economic performance. Moreover, there is strong evidence of causal relationships and synergistic effects among the four pillars of corporate sustainability. In accordance with the institutional theory, the patterns of causal directions and the critical pillars depend on levels of market developments and geographical regions. Overall, social and environmental pillars are among the most critical drivers of corporate sustainability.

Research limitations/implications

The methodology does not aim to provide a new weighting scheme for calculating the corporate sustainability index.

Practical implications

Corporate managers should consider sustainability practices in all dimensions to benefit from synergistic effects among environmental, social, governance and economic activities. Furthermore, corporate sustainability strategies should not be generalized across countries with different levels of market developments and geographical regions.

Originality/value

This study prioritizes environmental, social, governance and economic pillars of corporate sustainability in emerging and developed markets across geographical regions.
A multi-theoretical approach on drivers of integrated reporting – uniting firm-level and country-level associations
Authors: Fuhrmann Stephan
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to unite firm- and country-level drivers of the disclosure of integrated reports. It creates a synopsis of voluntary disclosure, signaling, proprietary cost, legitimacy, stakeholder and institutional theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analyses build on a logistic regression model examining the disclosure decisions for integrated reports published between 2012 and 2016 by the 2,000 largest listed companies worldwide.

Findings

The results indicate that the disclosure of integrated reports by large listed companies is explained in parallel by multiple theories, operationalized by the firm-level characteristics of lower profitability, a higher market-to-book value, lower leverage, lower level of industry concentration and higher social performance. Additionally, the country-level characteristics of civil law setting and lower investor protection, lower power distance and lower masculinity coincide with the disclosure of integrated reports.

Originality/value

The inferences emphasize that a single theoretical framework cannot explain the decision to disclose an integrated report. Rather, a set of economic firm characteristics may lead to different disclosure decisions in different socio-economic and institutional environments.
Impact of marine industrial structure on environmental efficiency
Authors: Wang Shuhong , Xing Lu , Chen Hanxue
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Recently, China has been paying increasing attention to how to improve the efficiency of the marine environment and realize a green and sustainable development of the marine economy. Consequently, the industrial structure is crucial to improving efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to introduce environmental factors into the efficiency analysis framework and explore the relationship between marine industrial structure and marine environmental efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses marine economic data under the DEA-BBC model to measure the marine environmental efficiency of provinces and cities and classifies them by cluster analysis. Then, the marine industrial structure and marine environmental efficiency are studied by an econometric model with human capital, ownership structure, land economic development level, scientific research input and government intervention degree as control variables.

Findings

The overall level of marine environmental efficiency is relatively low in China, increasing and then decreasing over the research period. The rationalization of industrial structure and scientific research input have significant promoting effects on marine environmental efficiency, while the degree of government intervention has a significant inhibiting effect. The positive effect of human capital on efficiency depends on whether it can be successfully converted into productivity. The effects of industrial structure advancement, ownership structure and land economic development level of on the marine environmental efficiency are mixed.

Originality/value

The results provide a theoretical and decision-making basis for China to transform and upgrade its marine industrial structure and sustainably develop the marine economy.
Probing the progress of the external dimension of the Bologna process
Authors: Mngo Zachary Y.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the “external dimension” goals of the Pan European Bologna reform, almost 19 years after its launch. The influences of the reform on higher education in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Asia-Pacific are investigated. The paper analyses the appeal of the 1999 Bologna Process (BP), which, arguably, symbolizes an effort to strengthen the hegemony of Western European education and influence, has for the first time gone beyond ex-colonial lines, including areas where Europe’s socio-political influence is not impactful.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper opted for an analytical review of the literature on the European higher education internationalization goals as stated in external dimension objectives of the Bologna Process reform. The literature search was complicated by the limited number of peer review articles focusing on the spread of the Bologna model beyond Europe. As a result, the inclusion criteria were flexible, and consideration was given to educational website reports/articles, dissertations, books, pamphlets, and internal EU/European Commission reports.

Findings

The findings of this review indicate that, in spite of significant challenges, the internationalization objectives of Bologna Process are gradually being met in Africa, Latin America and Asia. Most notable is that some countries that historically did not have a European colonial presence are embracing aspects of the Bologna reform. Almost 19 years after, the BP reform now has a significant external influence not only in the former Portuguese, Spanish, British and French colonies but also beyond. In spite of the overwhelming embrace of the BP model in Europe and outside of Europe, its implementation, everywhere, has faced some administrative, political, and economic challenges.

Research limitations/implications

The study examined the spread of the Bologna Process models beyond Europe and not its acceptability by stakeholders such as faculty and students outside Europe. Future research could examine the satisfaction rates among higher education stakeholders in regions and countries embracing the BP models.

Practical implications

The findings of this review indicate that the steady spread of the BP means that more countries and tertiary education institutions can explore opportunities aimed at developing more educational and socioeconomic partnership, including the exchange of knowledge, technology and resources.

Originality/value

While emphasizing the benefits and opportunities for cooperation, the paper identifies that the increasing internationalization trends influenced by the BP are leading to regional higher education cooperation in Asia, Latin America and Africa. Other higher education models around the world can learn from the marketing strategies of the BP aided by EU.
Implications of strategic flexibility in small firms: the moderating role of absorptive capacity
Authors: Chaudhary Sanjay
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Guided by the theory of dynamic capabilities and the knowledge-based view of an organization, the purpose of this paper is to examine the crucial role played by entrepreneurial orientation and absorptive capacity in the relationship between strategic flexibility and firm performance, with a specific focus on small firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses survey data collected from owners of 272 small businesses in India and follows the linear regression method to establish the link between strategic flexibility and firm performance. It hypothesizes that the strategic flexibility of a small firm impacts entrepreneurial orientation, and subsequently its performance, while absorptive capacity further enhances this relationship.

Findings

The conclusions drawn from the study provide empirical evidence on the mediating role of entrepreneurial orientation in the relationship between strategic flexibility and firm performance. The findings also point out that the potential absorptive capacity of a firm strengthens the relationship between its strategic flexibility and entrepreneurial orientation.

Research limitations/implications

The empirical findings of the study are limited to small firms from the automotive service industry.

Practical implications

The study contributes to the existing knowledge on managerial practice by pointing out the importance of strategic flexibility as a dynamic capability and illustrating its impact in the case of a small firm’s performance.

Originality/value

As yet, there is a dearth of empirical evidence derived from large samples of small firms. The study supplements available literature on dynamic capabilities and knowledge management.
Microstructure evolution of Au/SnSb-CuNiAg/(Au)Ni during high temperature aging
Authors: Han Bangyao , Sun Fenglian , Li Tianhui , Liu Yang
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the morphology evolution and the composition transformation of Au-Sn intermetallic compounds (IMCs) of the new Au/Sn-5Sb-1Cu-0.1Ni-0.1Ag/(Au)Ni solder joint during the high temperature aging.

Design/methodology/approach

Sn-5Sb-1Cu-0.1Ni-0.1Ag solder balls (500 µm in diameter), heat sink with structure of 7.4 µm Au layer on 5 µm Ni-plated Cu alloy and Si chip with 5.16 µm plated Au were used to fabricate micro-solder joints. The joints were performed in a furnace at 150°C for 150, 250 and 350 h aging. The samples were polished and deep etched before analyzed by metallographic microscope and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy was used to identify the composition of the IMCs.

Findings

ß-(Au,Ni,Cu)10Sn phase is formed during the soldering process. The IMCs evolution has two periods during the aging. The first is theξ-(Au,Ni,Cu)5Sn,ξ-(Au,Cu)5Sn andδ-AuSn were formed and grew to form a full-compound joint after about 150 h aging. The second is the conversion of the full-compound joint. The IMCs converted toξ′ phase when the aging time extends to 250 h, and transformed toε-(Au,Ni,Cu)Sn2andη-(Au,Ni,Cu)Sn4after 350 h aging. The thicker gold layer and thinner solder joint can promote the growth of the IMCs.ß-(Au,Ni,Cu)10Sn emerged in Au/SnSb-CuNiAg/(Au)Ni in this research, which is not usually found.

Originality/value

The results in this study have a significant meaning for the application of the new Sn-5Sb-1Cu-0.1Ni-0.1Ag in harsh conditions.
Cold temperature improves tannin tolerance in a granivorous rodent
Authors: Windley Hannah R. , Shimada Takuya
Published: October 2019

The foraging ecology of mammalian herbivores is regulated in part by their ability to detoxify plant secondary metabolites (PSM). Ambient temperature has been shown to alter liver function in rodents and the toxicity of some PSMs, but little is known about the physiological and nutritional consequences of consuming PSMs at different ambient temperatures. Furthermore, the effect of ambient temperature on the response of mammals to the most ubiquitous class of PSM, tannins, is unknown.

We measured the effect of temperature and tannin intake on liver function, and the subsequent effect on the tannin tolerance of wild Japanese wood mice, Apodemus speciosus. The experiment involved acclimation to one of two ambient temperatures (10°C or 20°C) followed by acclimation to a diet of acorns (6.2% tannin DW). Liver function was measured both before and after acclimation to acorns by measuring the clearance time of a hypnotic agent. Finally, the mice were fed only acorns in a 5‐day feeding experiment to assess their tolerance to tannin in the diet.

Acclimation to acorns had a significant effect on liver function, but the direction of this effect was dependent on ambient temperature. Acorn consumption improved the liver function of wood mice at 10°C, but reduced liver function at 20°C, revealing a complex relationship between ambient temperature and tannin intake on liver function. Furthermore, mice with better liver function, indicated by faster clearance of the hypnotic agent, exhibited higher protein digestibility on an acorn‐only diet, indicative of higher tannin tolerance.

These results suggest that environmental temperature plays a significant role in the tolerance of A. speciosus to tannins, providing new insight into their seasonal feeding behaviour and winter ecology. We contend that cold‐induced tannin tolerance may help to explain the population dynamics of mammalian herbivores with seasonal changes in the tannin content of their diet, and inform predictions about the response of these animals to a changing climate.
Spatial transitions in tree cover are associated with soil hydrology, but not with grass biomass, fire frequency, or herbivore biomass in Serengeti savannahs
Authors: Holdo Ricardo M. , Onderdonk Daphne A. , Barr Annabelle G. , Mwita Meshak , Anderson T. Michael
Published: October 2019

Although there is a well‐known association between tree cover and soil texture in savannahs, the hydrological drivers of tree cover variation have not been systematically explored, particularly in parallel with factors such as fire, herbivory, and tree–grass interactions. The relationship between hydrological factors and tree cover is important for resolving the relative contribution of bottom‐up versus top‐down factors in structuring savannah vegetation.

We quantified soil moisture dynamics across eight 1‐km transects spanning tree cover gradients from open to woody savannah in Serengeti National Park in Tanzania using soil moisture sensors coupled with dataloggers. We mapped tree cover at two spatial scales through supervised classification of high‐resolution satellite imagery. We simultaneously produced water retention curves in open and woody habitats within each transect to compare soil hydrological properties and to convert volumetric water content (θ) from dataloggers to plant‐available water over the course of an annual cycle. We also quantified grass biomass at 100 locations per transect, estimated fire frequency from MODIS satellite data, and quantified herbivore occupancy with paired camera traps situated in open and woody habitats within each transect.

We found a positive relationship between tree cover and soil moisture drainage rate, and found that open habitats had more negative water potentials than woody habitats for a given value of θ. In contrast, we found no evidence for a consistent relationship between grass biomass or fire frequency and tree cover. We found evidence for higher browser occupancy in woody than open habitats, but no habitat effects on herbivores as a group (browsers plus grazers), suggesting that herbivory is unlikely to be the dominant factor explaining variation in tree cover.

Synthesis. Our results suggest that variation in tree cover is partly driven by hydrological (edaphic) factors unrelated to fire, herbivory, tree–grass interactions or mean annual precipitation at these spatial scales in Serengeti. We contrast our findings with previous work attributing tree cover shifts in Serengeti to precipitation gradients.
Volatile‐mediated antagonism of soil bacterial communities against fungi
Authors: Li Xiaogang , Garbeva Paolina , Liu Xiaojiao , klein Gunnewiek Paulien J. A. , Clocchiatti Anna , Hundscheid Maria P. J. , Wang Xingxiang , de Boer Wietse
Published: October 2019

Competition is a major type of interaction between fungi and bacteria in soil and is also an important factor in suppression of plant diseases caused by soil‐borne fungal pathogens. There is increasing attention for the possible role of volatiles in competitive interactions between bacteria and fungi. However, knowledge on the actual role of bacterial volatiles in interactions with fungi within soil microbial communities is lacking. Here, we examined colonization of sterile agricultural soils by fungi and bacteria from non‐sterile soil inoculums during exposure to volatiles emitted by soil‐derived bacterial communities. We found that colonization of soil by fungi was negatively affected by exposure to volatiles emitted by bacterial communities whereas that of bacteria was barely changed. Furthermore, there were strong effects of bacterial community volatiles on the assembly of fungal soil colonizers. Identification of volatile composition produced by bacterial communities revealed several compounds with known fungistatic activity. Our results are the first to reveal a collective volatile‐mediated antagonism of soil bacteria against fungi. Given the better exploration abilities of filamentous fungi in unsaturated soils, this may be an important strategy for bacteria to defend occupied nutrient patches against invading fungi. Another implication of our research is that bacterial volatiles in soil atmospheres can have a major contribution to soil fungistasis.
A Statistical Method to Enhance the Analysis of the Differences Among High‐Resolution Melting (HRM) Curves of PCR‐Amplified DNA Fragments
Authors: Ibarrondo Oliver , Lopez‐Oceja Andrés , Baeta Miriam , M. de Pancorbo Marian
Published: October 2019

Consistent differences among melting curves of PCR‐amplified DNA fragments are treated by normalizing the relative fluorescence units (RFU) and performing a clustering analysis, but statistically significant differences among curves are not usually determined. In the present study, an analysis based on functional data analysis (FDA) was implemented to evaluate the existence of statistically significant differences between normalized RFU curves obtained from PCR‐HRM (high‐resolution melting) analysis by using ANOVA for functional data. The effectiveness of the FDA method was analyzed with data from a set of samples of eight animal species of interest in food analysis, as well as mixtures of DNA from these species, analyzed by PCR‐HRM to differentiate them. The statistical method described in this study has been demonstrated to be a robust and precise tool to discriminate among melting curves derived from HRM analysis. This method has advantages over the current comparison methods.

Practical Application

As long as food fraud and mislabeling exist, new techniques for species identification are needed. High‐resolution melting (HRM) has been shown to be a rapid, reliable and inexpensive species identification method. In the present study, functional data analysis (FDA) was applied to HRM curves of DNA from eight animal species used for food, as well as to mixtures of these species in different proportions. FDA has advantages over the usual methods, providing a deeper statistical analysis and facilitating the data interpretation as shown by the HRM analysis for a clearer comparison among individual species and mixtures of species.
The role of miRNAs in male human reproduction: a systematic review
Authors: Salas‐Huetos A. , James E. R. , Aston K. I. , Carrell D. T. , Jenkins T. G. , Yeste M.
Published: October 2019

Background

The presence of miRNAs in human reproductive tissue is intriguing and suggests the possibility that these important regulatory molecules play a role in reproductive function. However, the regulatory role of miRNAs in reproductive tissue remains poorly understood with a significant amount of controversial and contradicting data.

Objectives

To systematically review the high‐quality studies published to date investigating miRNAs associated with male human reproduction in order to describe their roles and relations with infertility and update the knowledge in the field.

Materials and methods

A comprehensive systematic review of the published literature in MEDLINE–PubMed and EMBASE databases from the earliest available online indexing year until June 2018 (complimentary search until July 2019) was performed, in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. We have included descriptive, case–control, cross‐sectional, and observational prospective and retrospective studies in which fertile/infertile men were well‐defined. The primary outcome was the miRNA expression in testis, epididymis, sperm cells, seminal plasma, and extracellular vesicles (i.e., exosomes and microvesicles).

Results

We identified 25,204 articles, of which 42 were selected for qualitative analysis. Of the 42 articles included, 15 evaluated the miRNAs in testis, five in epididymis, 13 in spermatozoa, and 11 in seminal plasma and/or extracellular vesicles. Two studies tackled more than one sub‐group. As far as miRNA presence and content, the results of this systematic review indicated that every tissue/cell contains a well‐defined and stable population of miRNAs that could be potentially related to spermatogenesis and embryogenesis.

Discussion and conclusion

Our systematic review of descriptive and observational studies shows a consistent relationship between aberrant miRNA expression and infertility. Therefore, it seems reasonable that measuring the expression of particular miRNAs might be useful not only as infertility biomarkers, but also for developing therapeutic strategies.