bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microhabitat predicts species differences in exploratory behavior in Lake Malawi cichlids
Authors: Johnson Zachary V. , Moore Emily C. , Wong Ryan Y. , Godwin John R. , Streelman Jeffrey T. , Roberts Reade B.
Published: January 2019

Encountering and adaptively responding to unfamiliar or novel stimuli is a fundamental challenge facing animals and is linked to fitness. Behavioral responses to novel stimuli, or exploratory behavior, can differ strongly between closely related species; however, the ecological and evolutionary factors underlying these differences are not well understood, in part because most comparative investigations have focused on only two species. In this study, we investigate exploratory behavior across 23 species in a previously untested vertebrate system, Lake Malawi cichlid fishes, which comprises hundreds of phenotypically diverse species that have diverged in the past one million years. We investigate behavioral variation across species, across microhabitats, and across environmental contexts. We find strong species differences in behavior that are associated with microhabitat, demonstrate that intermediate microhabitats are associated with higher levels of exploratory behavior, show that patterns of behavioral covariation across contexts are characteristic of modular complex traits, and contrast Malawi cichlid data with behavioral data from selectively bred high-and low-exploratory zebrafish. Taken together, our results tie ecology to species differences in behavior, and highlight Lake Malawi cichlids as a powerful system for understanding the evolution, ecology, and biology of natural behavioral variation.

Highlights

Malawi cichlids exhibit high phenotypic variance in exploratory behaviors

Species differences in exploratory behavior are explained by microhabitat

Rock-dwelling species exhibit strong edge preferences across assays

Intermediate habitats are associated with “high exploratory” open field behavior

Patterns of behavioral covariance across contexts are modular in Malawi cichlids
A Bayesian approach for correcting Tn5 transposition bias in ATAC-seq footprinting
Authors: Viswanadham Vinayak V , Mahajan Vinay S , Pillai Shiv
Published: January 2019

ATAC-seq exploits the observation that the pattern of transposition of a hyperactive Tn5 transposase in native chromatin mirrors genome-wide chromatin accessibility. It has been suggested that transposition observed around transcription factor binding motifs can be used to assess their occupancy in the form of footprints. However, we show that the vast majority of footprints observed at transcription factor motifs in ATAC-seq data spuriously arise from the intrinsic sequence-dependent transposition site bias of Tn5 and are also observed in naked DNA. We demonstrate that the Tn5 transposition bias can be corrected using existing tools for sequence bias correction and a novel estimate of global occupancy in order to produce more reliable estimates of footprints.
Chromatin maturation of the HIV-1 provirus in primary resting CD4+ T cells
Authors: Lindqvist Birgitta , Svensson Akusjarvi Sara , Sonnerborg Anders , Dimitriou Marios , Svensson J. Peter
Published: January 2019

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is a chronic condition, where viral DNA integrates into the genome. Latently infected cells form a persistent, heterogeneous reservoir. The reservoir that reinstates an active replication comprises only cells with intact provirus that can be reactivated. We confirmed that latently infected cells from patients exhibited active transcription throughout the provirus. To find transcriptional determinants, we characterized the establishment and maintenance of viral latency during proviral chromatin maturation in cultures of primary CD4+ T-cells for four months after ex vivo HIV-1 infection. As heterochromatin (marked with H3K9me3 or H3K27me3) gradually stabilized, the provirus became less accessible with reduced activation potential. In a subset of infected cells, active marks (i.e., H3K27ac) remained detectable, even after prolonged proviral silencing. After T-cell activation, the proviral activation occurred uniquely in cells with H3K27ac-marked proviruses. Our observations suggested that, after transient proviral activation, cells were actively returned to latency.
Kinase-independent inhibition of cyclophosphamide-induced pathways protects the ovarian reserve and prolongs fertility
Authors: Bellusci Giovanna , Iannizzotto Valentina , Ciccone Sarah , Mattiello Luca , Maiani Emiliano , Villani Valentina , Diederich Marc , Gonfloni Stefania
Published: January 2019

Premature ovarian failure and infertility are adverse effects of cancer therapies. The mechanism underlying chemotherapy-mediated depletion of the ovarian reserve remains unclear. Here, we aim to identify the signaling pathways involved in the loss of the ovarian reserve to prevent the damaging effects of chemotherapy. We evaluated the effects of cyclophosphamide, one of the most damaging chemotherapeutic drugs, against follicle reserve. In vivo studies showed that the cyclophosphamide-induced loss of ovarian reserve occurred through a sequential mechanism. Cyclophosphamide exposure induced the activation of both DNAPK-γH2AX-checkpoint kinase 2 (CHK2)-p53/TAp63α isoform and protein kinase B (AKT)-forkhead box O3 (FOXO3a) signaling axes in the nucleus of oocytes. Concomitant administration of an allosteric ABL inhibitor and cyclophosphamide modulated both pathways while protecting the ovarian reserve from chemotherapy assaults. As a consequence, the fertility of the treated mice was prolonged. On the contrary, the administration of an allosteric ABL activator enhanced the lethal effects of cyclophosphamide while shortening mouse fertility. Therefore, kinase-independent inhibition may serve as an effective ovarian-protective strategy in women under chemotherapy.
Human Cytomegalovirus Remodeling of Lipid Metabolism Requires pUL37x1
Authors: Purdy John G , Xi Yuecheng , Harwood Samuel , Wise Lisa
Published: January 2019

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication requires remodeling of the host metabolic network, including increasing central carbon metabolism, fatty acid elongation and lipid synthesis. The virus-host interactions regulating HCMV metabolic hijacking are essential to infection. While multiple host factors including kinases and transcription factors have been defined, little is known about the viral factors required. Some host factors involved are dependent on Ca2+ signaling or host stress response. The viral pUL37x1 protein mobilizes Ca2+ and targets the mitochondria. The Ca2+ changes induced by pUL37x1 can activate stress responses. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the viral pUL37x1 protein is required for HCMV metabolic remodeling. Using a combination of metabolomics, lipidomics, and metabolic tracers, we demonstrate that pUL37x1 protein is necessary for HCMV induced fatty acid elongation and lipid metabolism but not required for most viral hijacking of central carbon metabolism. Additionally, we show that pUL37x1 is required for HCMV to fully induce two host proteins that were previously demonstrated to be important for virus induced lipid metabolism: fatty acid elongase 7 and the ER-stress related kinase PERK. We also demonstrate, for the first time, that HCMV replication results in the increase in phospholipids with very-long chain fatty acyl tails. We conclude that pUL37x1 is required for HCMV metabolic remodeling but is not necessary to for the virus to hijack metabolism on a network-wide scale.
The niche is not the range: Dispersal and persistence shape mismatches between ecological niches and geographic distributions of plants
Authors: Pagel Jörn , Treurnicht Martina , Bond William J. , Kraaij Tineke , Nottebrock Henning , Schutte-Vlok AnneLise , Tonnabel Jeanne , Esler Karen J. , Schurr Frank M.
Published: January 2019

The ecological niche of a species describes the variation in population growth rates along environmental gradients that drives geographic range dynamics. Niches are thus central for understanding and forecasting species’ geographic distributions. However, theory predicts that migration limitation, source-sink dynamics and time-lagged local extinction can cause mismatches between niches and geographic distributions. It is still unclear how relevant these niche-distribution mismatches are for biodiversity dynamics and how they depend on species life history traits. This is mainly due to a lack of the comprehensive, range-wide demographic data needed to directly infer ecological niches for multiple species. Here we quantify niches from extensive demographic measurements along environmental gradients across the geographic ranges of 26 plant species (Proteaceae; South Africa). We then test whether life history explains variation in species’ niches and niche-distribution mismatches. Niches are generally wider for species with high seed dispersal or persistence abilities. Life history traits also explain the considerable interspecific variation in niche-distribution mismatches: poorer dispersers are absent from larger parts of their potential geographic ranges, whereas species with higher persistence ability more frequently occupy environments outside their ecological niche. Our study thus identifies major demographic and functional determinants of species’ niches and geographic distributions. It highlights that the inference of ecological niches from geographical distributions is most problematic for poorly dispersed and highly persistent species. We conclude that the direct quantification of ecological niches from demographic responses to environmental variation is a crucial step towards a better predictive understanding of biodiversity dynamics under environmental change.
Advances in Geometric Techniques for Analyzing Blebbing in Chemotaxing Dictyostelium Cells
Authors: Santiago Zully , Loustau John , Meretzky David , Rawal Devarshi , Brazill Derrick
Published: January 2019

We present a technical platform that allows us to monitor and measure cortex and membrane dynamics during bleb-based chemotaxis. Using D. discoideum cells expressing LifeAct-GFP and crawling under agarose containing RITC-dextran, we were able to simultaneously visualize the actin cortex and the cell membrane throughout bleb formation. Using these images, we then applied edge detect to generate points on the cell boundary with coordinates in a coordinate plane. Then we fitted these points to a curve with known x and y coordinate functions. The result was to parameterize the cell outline. With the parameterization, we demonstrate how to compute data for geometric features such as cell area, bleb area and edge curvature. This allows us to collect vital data for the analysis of blebbing.
Loss of EPAC2 results in altered synaptic composition of dendritic spines and excitatory and inhibitory balance
Authors: Jones Kelly A , Sumiya Michiko , Woolfrey Kevin M , Srivastava Deepak P , Penzes Peter
Published: January 2019

EPAC2 is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor that regulates GTPase activity of the small GTPase Rap and Ras) and is highly enriched at synapses. Activation of EPAC2 has been shown to induce dendritic spine shrinkage and increase spine motility, effects that are necessary for synaptic plasticity. These morphological effects are dysregulated by rare mutations of EPAC2 associated with autism spectrum disorders. In addition, EPAC2 destabilizes synapses through the removal of synaptic GluA2/3-containing AMPA receptors. Previous work has shown that Epac2 knockout mice (Epac2-/-) display abnormal social interactions, as well as gross disorganization of the frontal cortex and abnormal spine motility in vivo. In this study we sought to further understand the cellular consequences of knocking out Epac2 on the development of neuronal and synaptic structure and organization of cortical neurons. Using primary cortical neurons generated from Epac2+/+ or Epac2-/- mice, we confirm that EPAC2 is required for cAMP-dependent spine shrinkage. Neurons from Epac2-/- mice also displayed increased synaptic expression of GluA2/3-containing AMPA receptors, as well as of the adhesion protein N-cadherin. Intriguingly, analysis of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic proteins revealed that loss of EPAC2 resulted in altered of expression of vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGluT1) and vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT), indicating a potential imbalance in excitatory/inhibitory inputs onto neurons. Finally, examination of cortical neurons located within the anterior cingulate cortex further revealed subtle deficits in the establishment of dendritic arborization in vivo. These data provide evidence that EPAC2 is required for the correct composition of synapses and that loss of this protein could result in an imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory synapses.
Discoidan Domain Receptor 1 (DDR1) Tyrosine Kinase is Upregulated in PKD Kidneys But Does Not Play a Role in the Pathogenesis of Polycystic Kidney Disease
Authors: Skolnik Edward Y , Soomro Irfana , Hong Aram , Li Zhai , Duncan James ,   ALL ON MAIN LIST
Published: January 2019

Tolvaptan is the only drug approved to slow cyst growth and preserve kidney function in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). However, its limited efficacy combined with significant side effects underscores the need to identify new and safe therapeutic drug targets to slow progression to end stage kidney disease. We identified DDR1 as receptor tyrosine kinase upregulated in vivo in 3 mouse models of ADPKD using a novel mass spectrometry approach to identify kinases upregulated in ADPKD. Previous studies demonstrating critical roles for DDR1 to cancer progression, its potential role in the pathogenesis of a variety of other kidney disease, along with the possibility that DDR1 could provide new insight into how extracellular matrix impacts cyst growth led us to study the role of DDR1 in ADPKD pathogenesis. However, genetic deletion of DDR1 using CRISPR/Cas9 failed to slow cyst growth or preserve kidney function in both a rapid and slow mouse model of ADPKD demonstrating that DDR1 does not play a role in PKD pathogenesis and is thus a not viable drug target. In spite of the negative results, our studies will be of interest to the nephrology community as it will prevent others from potentially conducting similar experiments on DDR1 and reinforces the potential of performing unbiased screens coupled with in vivo gene editing using CRISPR/Cas9 to rapidly identify and confirm new potential drug targets for ADPKD.
Guide Positioning Sequencing identifies aberrant DNA methylation patterns that alter cell identity and tumor-immune surveillance networks
Authors: Li Jin , Li Yan , Li Wei , Luo Huaibing , Xi Yanping , Dong Shihua , Gao Ming , Xu Peng , Zhang Baolong , Liang Ying , Zou Qingping , Hu Xin , Peng Lina , Zou Dan , Wang Ting , Yang Hongbo , Jiang Cizhong , Peng Shaoliang , Wu Feizhen , Yu Wenqiang
Published: January 2019

Aberrant DNA methylation is a distinguishing feature of cancer. Yet, how methylation affects immune surveillance and tumor metastasis remains ambiguous. We introduce a novel method, Guide Positioning Sequencing (GPS), for precisely detecting whole-genome DNA methylation with cytosine coverage as high as 96% and unbiased coverage of GC-rich and repetitive regions. Systematic comparisons of GPS with whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) found that methylation difference between gene body and promoter is an effective predictor of gene expression with a correlation coefficient of 0.67 (GPS) versus 0.33 (WGBS). Moreover, Methylation Boundary Shift (MBS) in promoters or enhancers is capable of modulating expression of genes associated with immunity and tumor metabolism. Furthermore, aberrant DNA methylation results in tissue-specific enhancer switching, which is responsible for altering cell identity during liver cancer development. Altogether, we demonstrate that GPS is a powerful tool with improved accuracy and efficiency over WGBS in simultaneously detecting genome-wide DNA methylation and genomic variation. Using GPS, we show that aberrant DNA methylation is associated with altering cell identity and immune surveillance networks, which may contribute to tumorigenesis and metastasis.
Enablers of clinician involvement inclination, care delivery agility and clinical productivity
Authors: Chakraborty Samyadip , Mandal Santanu
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Healthcare services have enormous potential for growth in the country. However, the drivers of clinical productivity are yet to be explored. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of clinician buy-in, clinician ease of use, clinician work stream flexibility and device placement comfort on clinician’ s involvement. The study further examines the effect of converged devices implementation and wireless portable devices adoption on care delivery agility. Lastly, the authors examine the influence of clinician’s involvement and care delivery agility on clinical productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

Measures for the constructs were developed from extant literature and expert feedback complemented with pre-testing. Further, perceptual responses were collected from 221 doctors through internet surveys and were analyzed using partial least squares.

Findings

The study identified clinician’s ease of use and workflow streamlining flexibility as key enablers of clinician’s involvement. Findings further reveal that converged devices implementation and wireless portable adoption as prominent enablers of care delivery agility. Further, the authors found clinician’s involvement and care delivery agility to have a positive contribution in enhancing clinical productivity.

Research limitations/implications

The study has collected perceptual responses from doctors practicing both in hospitals and private clinics and their perceptions have been based on their experiences at those specific institutions or sites, which may limit generalizability of the current study findings. This study incorporated only doctors and ignored other assistant staffs’ perceptions who assisted and aided doctors in executing treatment procedures either in private clinics or hospitals.

Practical implications

The study has practical implications for enhancing clinical productivity.

Social implications

The study findings highlight the role of process focus and infrastructure focus on the human elements of involvement and agility which often play pivotal role for motivation for individual physicians and their productivity.

Originality/value

The study is the foremost to develop perceptual measures for several constructs in the healthcare services.
Creating shared value and clusters
Authors: Alberti Fernando G. , Belfanti Federica
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it aims at reconciling the literature on creating shared value (CSV) with the one on cluster development, searching for complementarities and similarities. Second, it aims at understanding the role of cluster development in CSV. For these reasons, the authors operationalized the general idea of cluster development with the widely accepted concept of cluster initiatives, i.e. systematic efforts aimed at cluster development. The authors focused on exploring the process of launching and supporting local cluster initiatives through empirical evidence. In particular, the authors aimed at analyzing how a CSV strategy can be defined and developed when adopted within a cluster initiative.

Design/methodology/approach

The research draws on a critical review of the literature focusing on CSV and on a conceptual reconciliation between the literature on the CSV ecosystem with the one on clusters, and more specifically on those initial cluster initiatives. The authors relied on an exploratory case study of an Italian cluster initiative in CSV, i.e. the Science and Innovation Food District (SIFooD) cluster promoted by Whirlpool. Thanks to the richness and great availability of information about the case, this study primarily relied on the use of secondary data.

Findings

The case of SIFooD has highlighted how Whirlpool promoted the cluster initiative within its CSV framework to achieve sustainable and collaborative innovation in food waste prevention and, conversely, how SIFooD enhanced CSV of its cluster members. To arrange its network development process, SIFooD has implemented all the elements that prior literature has considered fundamental for launching and supporting a successful cluster initiative. On the other hand, SIFooD was able to adopt a collective-impact approach, implementing the five elements needed in its ecosystem to create shared value. Moreover, thanks to all the activities comprised in the SIFooD cluster initiative, shared value was actually created.

Research limitations/implications

The present paper has some limitations. First of all, the empirical analysis focuses only on one cluster initiative; thus, cross/comparative analyses with other cluster initiatives may illuminate the findings better. Second, the authors relied on a very recent cluster initiative in a particular field (food waste prevention) and in one specific institutional context (Italy); thus, data may suffer from temporal, industrial and geographical biases.

Originality/value

Literature on the border between CSV and clusters is still in its infancy and almost nothing is known about their relationship, despite them being intimately related since the inception of this field. The paper qualifies for a very first attempt to understand how firms promote clusters, through cluster initiatives, for the sake of CSV and how clusters may enhance CSV of firms.
Universal usability evaluation by using an integrated fuzzy multi criteria decision making approach
Authors: Can Gülin Feryal , Demirok Seda
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an integrated fuzzy approach to determine important universal usability problems (UUPs) by providing experts who behave like real users and to establish a work plan to correct the most important ones.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making approach with three stages is proposed for the evaluation of universal usability. At the first stage, UUPs are identified by performing modified heuristic evaluation, and severity rating of each problem is determined by experts. At the second stage, critical problems are specified by applying the fuzzy Delphi considering these severity ratings. At the third stage, Fuzzy Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory approach is applied to prioritize critical problems as sub and main criteria. An illustrative example related to emergency service is performed to apply the proposed approach.

Findings

Results showed that the elevator button design, the elevator emergency button design and the position of the floor signboard are the first three problems that should be primarily improved as sub-criteria. In terms of main criteria, equitable use, simple and intuitive use, and perceptible information are the first three main criteria that should be improve in emergency service.

Originality/value

This study is original in terms of methodology and providing a new perspective for building design evaluation. The results can help the designers to see the UUPs in buildings, to focus the most important UUPs and to establish improvement ranking. These advantages provide time and cost-effective design improvement actions.
The fight against international transfer pricing abuses: a recommendation for Mauritius
Authors: Beebeejaun Ambareen
Published: January 2019

Purpose

One of the most common forms of international tax avoidance is transfer pricing by multinational enterprises. The research will investigate on the factors that contribute to transfer pricing abuses. At present, there is no substantial and extensive transfer pricing rule in Mauritius. This paper aims to analyse the legal approaches to tackle transfer pricing issues that are undertaken by some countries whose taxation regime is similar to Mauritius. The selected countries are South Africa and UK. The objective behind the comparative study is to come up with the appropriate preventive and corrective measures for Mauritius.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology adopted for this research consists of a critical analysis and comparative legal review of the relevant legislation, case law and literature. A minor quantitative analysis of the transfer pricing problem in Mauritius will be conducted, in terms of which interviews will be conducted with officials from different institutions in Mauritius.

Findings

The study will conclude that the absence of explicit formal rules on transfer pricing allows businesses to use the country to manipulate transfer prices to avoid paying taxes. Therefore, an amendment to Mauritius laws and regulatory framework is required to dissuade multinationals to engage in transfer pricing abuses. The study will conclude that the scope and application of the arm’s length principle needs to be formally set out in legislation and also, the use of Advance Pricing Agreements will also be recommended.

Originality/value

The research is among the first studies that compare Mauritius legal provisions on transfer pricing with that of South Africa and UK. The research is unique as it intends to provide fruitful recommendation to stakeholders in Mauritius to enhance the existing legal framework on the subject.
Antecedents of tax compliance of small business enterprises: a developing country perspective
Authors: Sadress Night , Bananuka Juma , Orobia Laura , Opiso Julius
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution of attitude towards electronic tax system, adoption of electronic tax system and isomorphic forces to tax compliance of small business enterprises (SBEs) in a developing country in a single study.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is cross-sectional and correlational. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 214 owner-managed SBEs in Uganda through their managers. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences.

Findings

Attitude towards electronic tax system, adoption of electronic tax system and isomorphic forces significantly contribute to tax compliance to the extent of 57.4 per cent. Isomorphic forces have a high predictive power of tax compliance as compared with attitude towards electronic tax system. Further, coercive, normative and mimetic isomorphism as constructs of isomorphic forces are significantly associated with tax compliance.

Research limitations/implications

Given that this study was cross-sectional, monitoring changes in behaviour over time was not possible. The results are useful for policy makers and taxpayers in developing countries. These results can also be generalized to other developing countries especially those in Africa and other continents dominated by developing countries.

Originality/value

To the researchers’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine the contribution of attitude towards electronic tax system, adoption of electronic tax system and isomorphic forces to tax compliance of SBEs in a developing country in a single study on the African scene.
New geothermal law and its implications for geothermal development in Indonesia
Authors: Hermanto Agus , Narindro Laser
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the new geothermal law and its implications for geothermal development in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper investigates new geothermal law and its implications for geothermal development in Indonesia by using comparable law article to discuss this development. All the data are obtained from literature studies based on the history and background, ownership and access, investment and risks, electricity market and re-policies, environmental regulations and community participation around the geothermal resources.

Findings

Geothermal industries in Indonesia need assurance and clear legal basis to be developed. Geothermal investors, whether foreign or local, need policy assurance and good business structures that can create a secure investment environment. Furthermore, a good relationship with international cooperation agency needs to be improved to establish knowledge transfer regarding technologies and information about exploration, production and geothermal development. This is essential to further develop the geothermal utilization and prepare Indonesia to be the country with the biggest reduction in CO2emission in 2025. New geothermal regulation (Law No.21 Year 2014) has facilitated the geothermal activities. After the issuance of this regulation, the activities can be done at conserved, production and conservation forest. Moreover, the public service agency (BLU) or state-owned enterprise (BUMN) assignment scheme can boost the geothermal industries development.

Originality/value

Indonesia has huge geothermal resources because of its geological condition that is located at volcanoes path, also known as “Ring of Fire”. According to 2017 ESDM data, Indonesia’s geothermal potentials are almost 30 GW and are distributed to 331 potential points. However, only 5 per cent of those potentials (1,643.5 MW) have been utilized to date. The huge potentials can be utilized optimally to support the Government’s plan in achieving the energy security. Therefore, policies that regulate geothermal utilization is strategically essential for Indonesia’s future.
Exploring the “relational” link between responsibility and social ontology
Authors: Arrigoni Adalberto
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This study aims to point out and try to describe the (missing) link between “responsible practises” (e.g. CSR – corporate social responsibility) and social ontology. This critical gap in the literature may conceivably be a stumbling block to responsible business/political/societal action and its theoretical/empirical understanding and effectiveness; therefore, we can legitimately ask ourselves whether a social ontology-focused approach can be considered relevant to this field of study.

Design/methodology/approach

As the role of social ontology has presumably been under-explored despite its foundational importance, a set of germane and adjoining themes has been identified, which can be possibly included in future research projects. An overview of relevant literature is provided, and further analysis and desk research can be drawn from the key notions identified.

Findings

It is argued that social ontology – especially the underlying debate in terms of shared agency, collective responsibility and collective intentionality – can be an innovative and promising perspective within business ethics studies. Potentially, CSR management and/or similar responsible practices can re-appraised in similar terms.

Research limitations/implications

This study specifically focuses on some selected key aspects related to the ontological status of social collectives (e.g. groups and organisations), trying to recall the main trajectories/directions of the relevant arguments and debates. More empirical research/pilot case studies validating the approach presented here will be required.

Practical implications

Building on the findings of this study, new emergent research methodologies/theoretical tools will make it possible to explore not so much the ways “responsible” practises are defined (indeed, there seems to be a broad consensus about it), but rather how they are socially constructed, implemented and carried out.

Social implications

This theoretical work can potentially facilitate a comprehensive inter-/multi-/pluri-disciplinary understanding of the novel links explored, namely, between responsibility, social ontology and the underlying longstanding philosophical issues.

Originality/value

The novel thematic approach outlined in this study can challenge and widen the mainstream approaches about CSR management, e.g. stakeholder management and engagement, social accounting and reporting, SRI (socially responsible investment).
Organizational culture and knowledge management processes: case study in a public university
Authors: Adeinat Iman M. , Abdulfatah Fatheia H.
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine knowledge management interrelationships in higher education institutions and to assess the impact of the university’s culture on knowledge management processes: creation, dissemination, exchange and application.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed model establishes the relationships between organizational culture (OC) and knowledge management processes in a single framework. The study used the organizational culture assessment instrument to determine the culture type and used structural equation modeling to assess the underlying relationships between knowledge management process and OC.

Findings

The results of the factor analysis used in this study suggest that adhocracy organizational culture, in which an organization is characterized by emphasis on individual initiative and employee empowerment, may not necessarily affect all knowledge management processes equally. In particular, an organization’s culture principally influences the knowledge creation process, followed by knowledge exchange, in a public university setting.

Originality/value

The study provides a comprehensive outlook on the effect of adhocracy culture in higher education on the knowledge management process through the lens of one cultural context. In addition, this is the first study that explores the OC effect on knowledge management process in a Saudi public university.
Thermal acclimation and adaptation across populations in a broadly distributed soil arthropod
Authors: Jensen Anne , Alemu Tibebu , Alemneh Temesgen , Pertoldi Cino , Bahrndorff Simon
Published: January 2019

The relative contributions of phenotypic plasticity and adaptive evolution to the responses of species to climate change are poorly understood. It has been suggested that some species or populations will have to rely on their ability to adjust their phenotype rather than on adaptation through evolutionary adaptation.

We test the extent of intra‐ and inter‐population patterns of acclimation and genetic variation in multiple traits directly related to environmental tolerance limits in the broadly distributed soil dwelling collembolanOrchesella cincta.

Genetic variation in both dynamic and static assays of thermal tolerance was present across seven populations spanning 14° of latitude and both heat and cold tolerance were significantly correlated with latitude. Short‐term heat and cold acclimation significantly increased thermal tolerance limits across all populations, and there was local adaptation for acclimation responses for some traits. Furthermore, results showed large acclimatization responses in the field within populations for cold tolerance throughout a 13‐month period and smaller acclimatization responses for heat tolerance. Acclimatization responses were correlated with microhabitat temperature at the site of collection suggesting that plastic responses are highly dynamic and allow organisms to cope with changes in temperature.

Our findings demonstrate small differences in upper and lower thermal tolerance limits across populations, but substantial local acclimatization effects dictated by microhabitat temperatures, and also highlight strong tradeoffs and limited scope to respond to increasing temperatures. These findings demonstrate the need for incorporating information on species’ ability to respond to environmental change using both laboratory and field approaches into climate change models.

Aplain language summaryis available for this article.
Carbon resource richness shapes bacterial competitive interactions by alleviating growth‐antibiosis trade‐off
Authors: Yang Chunlan , Dong Yue , Friman Ville‐Petri , Jousset Alexandre , Wei Zhong , Xu Yangchun , Shen Qirong
Published: January 2019

Antibiosis and resource competition are major drivers shaping the assembly, diversity and functioning of microbial communities. While it is recognized that competition is sensitive to environmental conditions, it is unclear to what extent this mediated by the availability of different carbon resources.

Here, we used a model laboratory system to directly test this by exploring how carbon resource richness and identity shape resource competition and antibiosis between plant probiotic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and phytopathogenic Ralstonia solanacearum bacteria. We found that while sugars typically promoted B. amyloliquefaciens growth, organic and amino acids increased the production of both bacillaene and macrolactin antibiotics and the direct inhibition of R. solanacearum. In contrast, when multiple different carbon resources were available, B. amyloliquefaciens could efficiently grow and produce antibiotics at the same time.

Together, these results suggest that high carbon resource richness allows concurrent expression of growth‐ and antibiosis‐related traits, potentially altering bacterial competitive dynamics and plant growth promotion in microbial communities.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Occupational engagement of people living with a life‐limiting illness: Occupational therapists’ perceptions
Authors: Hammill Kathrine , Bye Rosalind , Cook Catherine
Published: January 2019

Background/aim

Occupational therapists working in palliative care aim to enable clients living with a life‐limiting illness to continue participating in meaningful activities for as long as possible. However, little is published about the occupations people living with a life‐limiting illness wish to engage in, and how occupational therapists can best enable occupational engagement. Therefore, this study aimed to gain an in‐depth understanding of occupational therapists’ perceptions on clients’ occupational engagement post‐diagnosis of a life‐limiting condition.

Methods

Occupational therapists working in Australia with people with a life‐limiting illness were recruited to participate in a national online survey over the period of a month. Recruitment used a purposive, snowball sampling technique, resulting in 144 survey responses. Data were analysed using modified grounded theory methods.

Results

Findings revealed two interrelated categories and four subcategories. The first category,focusing on lifeis concerned with therapists’ perceptions of how clients continue to focus on living post diagnosis and encompasses two subcategories: (i)prioritised engagementand (ii)altered engagement. The second category,preparing for death, centres on therapists’ perceptions of what clients do to practically prepare for death and find closure as their illness progresses, and is comprised of the two subcategories: (i)practical preparation for deathand (ii) “facilitating closure”.

Conclusion

Therapists perceived that meaningful occupational engagement changes over time as occupational performance levels decrease and clients prepare for death.
A professional development program increased the intensity of practice undertaken in an inpatient, upper limb rehabilitation class: A pre‐post study
Authors: Schneider Emma J. , Lannin Natasha A. , Ada Louise
Published: January 2019

Background/aim

Increasing the intensity of practice is associated with improved upper limb outcomes, yet observed intensity levels during rehabilitation are low. The purpose of this study was to investigate: whether a professional development program would increase the intensity of practice undertaken in an inpatient, upper limb rehabilitation class; and whether any increase would be maintained six months after the cessation of the program.

Method

A pre‐post study was conducted within an existing inpatient, upper limb rehabilitation class in a metropolitan hospital. Staff received a professional development program which included: a two day theoretical, practical and clinical training workshop covering evidence‐based practice for upper limb rehabilitation after stroke; and three 1‐hour meetings to revise evidence‐based practice and discuss implementation of strategies. Intensity of practice, as measured by the proportion of practice time per class (%) and the number of repetitions per practice time (repetitions/min) observed during the 60‐minute classes during one week, was recorded at baseline, end of program (12 months) and six months later (18 months).

Results

Twenty‐two (100%) staff attended at least one professional development program session; outcomes were measured across n = 15 classes (n = 30 patients). Between baseline and 12 months, the mean proportion of practice time per class increased by 52% (95% confidence interval (CI) 33–70; P < 0.001) and the mean number of repetitions per practice time increased by 5.1 repetitions/min (95% CI 1.7–8.4; P < 0.01). Between baseline and 18 months, the mean proportion of practice time per class increased by 53% (95% CI 36–69; P < 0.001) and the mean number of repetitions per practice time increased by 3.9 repetitions/min (95% CI 1.9–5.9; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Providing professional development was associated with increased intensity of practice in an inpatient, upper limb rehabilitation class. The increase was maintained six months later.
Accuracy of clinician gestalt in diagnosing appendicitis in children presenting to the emergency department
Authors: Lee Wei Hao , O'Brien Sharon , Skarin Dmitry , Cheek John A , Deitch Jessica , Nataraja Ramesh , Craig Simon , Borland Meredith L ,   on behalf of PREDICT
Published: January 2019

Objective

Abdominal pain is a common paediatric presentation to the ED. Accurate diagnosis of acute appendicitis is challenging, with the best‐performing clinical scoring systems having sensitivities between 72% and 100%. The aim of this study is to assess the diagnostic accuracy of clinician gestalt according to seniority in diagnosing paediatric acute appendicitis in ED.

Methods

This is a prospective multi‐centre observational study of clinician's prediction of appendicitis in children under the age of 16 years presenting to four EDs with abdominal pain over a 1 month period at each site. Clinician‐estimated likelihood of acute appendicitis was compared with the final diagnosis determined by histopathology or operative findings and supplemented by telephone follow up for those without an operation. The primary outcome was diagnostic accuracy of clinician gestalt according to clinician seniority in diagnosing appendicitis.

Results

There were 381 children enrolled with completed clinician questionnaires, and 224 children had complete follow up or underwent appendicectomy. The median age was 9 years (interquartile range 6–12) and the incidence of appendicitis was 31/224 (13.8%, 95% confidence interval 9.3–18.4). The area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of clinician gestalt were 0.84 (0.76–0.91), 81% (63–93%), 76% (69–82%), 35% (28–42%) and 96% (92–98%), respectively, giving an overall diagnostic accuracy of 76% (70–82%). AUC stratified by clinician seniority (junior, intermediate and senior) were 0.89 (0.80–0.98), 0.82 (0.69–0.95) and 0.76 (0.56–0.96), respectively.

Conclusions

The diagnostic accuracy of ED clinician gestalt in paediatric appendicitis is comparable to current clinical scoring systems irrespective of seniority.
Disease activity and functional status associated with health‐related quality of life and patient‐acceptable symptom state in patients with psoriatic arthritis in Thailand: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Chiowchanwisawakit Praveena , Srinonprasert Varalak , Thaweeratthakul Phakhamon , Katchamart Wanruchada
Published: January 2019

Aim

To identify factors associated with the EuroQol‐5 Dimensions‐5 levels (EQ‐5D‐5L) and patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) and to estimate health utility (HU) in Thai patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods

A cross‐sectional study of consecutive PsA patients visiting Siriraj Hospital was performed between 31 May, 2012 and 31 March, 2016. Data of patient demographics, HU outcomes (Thai EQ‐5D‐5L), disease activity (Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis [DAPSA], the Clinical DAPSA [cDAPSA], the minimal disease activity [MDA]), and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) were collected. Regression analyses were used to explore factors associated with each EQ‐5D domain, HU, and PASS.

Results

Of 129 PsA patients, the mean age was 47.6 years; 53.5% were male. The mean HU was 0.76. Univariable analysis showed lower disease activity and less impaired function were significantly associated with higher HU and no to mild problem in each EQ‐5D domain. Multivariable analysis showed HAQ and disease activity indices (cDAPSA, DAPSA, MDA) adjusting for age, had good goodness‐of‐fit to HU (adjusted R2: 0.63‐0.65). Patients answering “yes” to PASS had significantly longer disease duration of PsA, higher HU, lower disease activity, less disability, and were more often married than those answering “no” to PASS. Pain problem was the most important association to PASS adjusting for other domains and age.

Conclusions

Disease activity and functional status in PsA patients were significant factors related to HU and PASS. To improve quality of life, the goal of treatment should be achieving remission, improving function, and controlling pain.
Comparative study on serum‐induced arthritis in the temporomandibular and limb joint of mice
Authors: Safi Sema , Frommholz David , Reimann Susanne , Götz Werner , Bourauel Christoph , Neumann Anna‐Lena , Hoerauf Achim , Illges Harald , Safi Ali‐Farid , Jäger Andreas , Hübner Marc P. , Gölz Lina
Published: January 2019

Introduction

The subject of the present study was a systematic comparative analysis of the rheumatoid arthritis (RA)‐induced pathomechanisms in the temporomandibular joint with those of the limb joints using the serum‐induced arthritis K/BxN model.

Methods

In 18 BALB/c mice the induction of RA was performed according to the Kouskoff method. Another healthy cohort served as controls (n = 12). Joint swelling of the paws was measured using a micrometer. Functional data were obtained analyzing locomotion. Three‐dimensional examination of the temporomandibular joint was performed with micro‐computed tomography imaging, followed by histological evaluation of the extremity joints and the temporomandibular joint. Additionally, immunohistochemical investigations were carried out to evaluate inflammatory and immunological changes.

Results

Measurement of joint swelling showed a significant increase in the diameter of the paws, as well as a decrease in locomotor activity compared to control animals and the time before arthritis induction. Histological and immunohistochemical investigations showed clear signs of inflammation in the extremity joints. In contrast, no histological or immunohistochemical indications of an inflammatory process were detectable in the temporomandibular joint. In addition, the three‐dimensional analysis by micro‐computed tomography of the temporomandibular joints did not show any obvious morphological changes.

Conclusion

For the first time, using the K/BxN model we could demonstrate that, due to its anatomical and mechanical conditions, the temporomandibular joint seems to be less susceptible to the initiation of RA compared to limb joints. Therefore, additional investigations are needed on other arthritis models as well, in order to further improve our understanding of the pathogenesis and defense mechanisms of the disease.