bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Somatic genetic drift and multi-level selection in modular species
Authors: Yu Lei , Boström Christoffer , Franzenburg Sören , Bayer Till , Dagan Tal , Reusch Thorsten B.H.
Published: November 2019

Cells in multicellular organisms are genetically heterogeneous owing to somatic mutations. The accumulation of somatic genetic variation in species undergoing asexual (or clonal) reproduction (termed modular species) may lead to phenotypic heterogeneity among modules. However, abundance and dynamics of somatic genetic variation under clonal growth, a widespread life history in nature, remain poorly understood. Here we show that branching events in a seagrass clone or genet leads to population bottlenecks at the cellular level and hence the evolution of genetically differentiated modules. Studying inter-module somatic genetic variation, we uncovered thousands of SNPs that segregated among modules. The strength of purifying selection on mosaic genetic variation was greater at the intra-module comparing with the inter-module level. Our study provides evidence for the operation of selection at multiple levels, of cell population and modules. Somatic genetic drift leads to the emergence of genetically unique modules; hence, modules in long-lived clonal species constitute an appropriate elementary level of selection and individuality.
A reservoir of rituximab-resistant splenic memory B cells contributes to relapses after B-cell depletion therapy
Authors: Crickx Etienne , Chappert Pascal , Weller Sandra , Sokal Aurélien , Azzaoui Imane , Vandenberghe Alexis , Bonnard Guillaume , Rossi Geoffrey , Fadeev Tatiana , Storck Sébastien , Galicier Lionel , Meignin Véronique , Rivière Etienne , Godeau Bertrand , Michel Marc , Weill Jean-Claude , Reynaud Claude-Agnès , Mahévas Matthieu
Published: November 2019

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disease mediated by pathogenic antibodies directed against platelet antigens, including GPIIbIIIa. Taking advantage of spleen samples obtained from ITP patients, we characterized by multiples approaches the onset of disease relapses occurring after an initial complete response to rituximab. Analysis of splenic B cell immunoglobulin heavy chain gene repertoire at bulk level and from single anti-GPIIbIIIa B cells revealed that germinal centers were fueled by B cells originating from the ongoing lymphopoiesis, but also by rituximab-resistant memory B cells, both giving rise to anti-GPIIbIIIa plasma cells. We identified a population of splenic memory B cells that resisted rituximab through acquisition of a unique phenotype and contributed to relapses, providing a new target in B cell mediated autoimmune diseases.
Signal processing in auditory cortex underlies degraded speech sound discrimination in noise
Authors: Town Stephen M. , Wood Katherine C. , Bizley Jennifer K.
Published: November 2019

The ability to recognize sounds in noise is a key part of hearing, and the mechanisms by which the brain identifies sounds in noise are of considerable interest to scientists, clinicians and engineers. Yet we know little about the necessity of regions such as auditory cortex for hearing in noise, or how cortical processing of sounds is adversely affected by noise. Here we used reversible cortical inactivation and extracellular electrophysiology in ferrets performing a vowel discrimination task to identify and understand the causal contribution of auditory cortex to hearing in noise. Cortical inactivation by cooling impaired task performance in noisy but not clean conditions, while responses of auditory cortical neurons were less informative about vowel identity in noise. Simulations mimicking cortical inactivation indicated that effects of inactivation were related to the loss of information about sounds represented across neural populations. The addition of noise to target sounds drove spiking activity in auditory cortex and recruitment of additional neural populations that were linked to degraded behavioral performance. To suppress noise-related activity, we used continuous exposure to background noise to adapt the auditory system and recover behavioral performance in both ferrets and humans. Inactivation by cooling revealed that the benefits of continuous exposure were not cortically dependent. Together our results highlight the importance of auditory cortex in sound discrimination in noise and the underlying mechanisms through which noise-related activity and adaptation shape hearing.
Mapping polyclonal antibody responses in non-human primates vaccinated with HIV Env trimer subunit vaccines
Authors: Nogal Bartek , Bianchi Matteo , Cottrell Christopher A. , Kirchdoerfer Robert N. , Sewall Leigh M. , Turner Hannah L. , Zhao Fangzhu , Sok Devin , Burton Dennis R. , Hangartner Lars , Ward Andrew B.
Published: November 2019

Rational immunogen design aims to focus antibody responses to vulnerable sites on the primary antigens. Given the size of these antigens there is however potential for eliciting unwanted, off-target responses. Here, we used our electron microscopy polyclonal epitope mapping approach to describe the antibody specificities elicited by immunization of non-human primates with soluble HIV envelope trimers and subsequent repeated viral challenge. An increased diversity of epitopes recognized, and the approach angle by which these antibodies bound, constituted a hallmark of the humoral response in most protected animals. We also show that fusion peptide-specific antibodies are responsible for some neutralization breadth. Moreover, cryoEM analysis of a fully-protected animal revealed a high degree of clonality within a subset of putatively neutralizing antibodies, enabling a detailed molecular description of the antibody paratope. Our results provide important insights into the immune response against a vaccine candidate that entered into clinical trials earlier this year.
pumilio regulates sleep homeostasis in response to chronic sleep deprivation in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: De Jesús-Olmo Luis A. , Rodríguez Norma , Francia Marcelo , Alemán-Rios Jonathan , Pacheco-Agosto Carlos J. , Ortega-Torres Joselyn , Nieves Richard , Fuenzalida-Uribe Nicolás , Ghezzi Alfredo , Agosto José L.
Published: November 2019

Recent studies have identified the Drosophila brain circuits involved in the sleep/wake switch and have pointed to the modulation of neuronal excitability as one of the underlying mechanisms triggering sleep need. In this study we aimed to explore the link between the homeostatic regulation of neuronal excitability and sleep behavior in the circadian circuit. For this purpose, we selected the neuronal homeostasis protein Pumilio (Pum), whose main function is to repress protein translation and has been linked to modulation of neuronal excitability during chronic patterns of altered neuronal activity. Here we explore the effects of Pum on sleep homeostasis in Drosophila melanogaster, which shares most of the major features of mammalian sleep homeostasis. Our evidence indicates that Pum is necessary for sleep rebound and that its effect is more pronounced during chronic sleep deprivation (84 hours) than acute deprivation (12 hours). Knockdown of pum, results in a reduction of sleep rebound during acute sleep deprivation and the complete abolishment of sleep rebound during chronic sleep deprivation. These behavioral changes were associated with accompanying changes in the expression of genes involved in the regulation of neuronal excitability. Interestingly, pum knockdown also increased baseline daytime sleep, suggesting that Pum differentially regulates rebound and normal sleep. Based on these findings, we propose that Pum is a critical regulator of sleep homeostasis through neural adaptations triggered during sleep deprivation and induces rebound sleep by altering neuronal excitability.
Competition-by-drought interactions change phenotypic plasticity and the direction of selection on Arabidopsis traits
Authors: Lorts Claire M , Lasky Jesse R
Published: November 2019

Populations often exhibit genetic diversity in traits involved in responses to abiotic stressors, but what maintains this diversity is unclear. Arabidopsis thaliana exhibits high within-population variation in drought response. One hypothesis is that competition, varying at small scales, promotes diversity in resource use strategies. However, little is known about natural variation in competition effects on Arabidopsis physiology. We imposed drought and competition treatments on diverse genotypes. We measured resource economics traits, physiology, and fitness to characterize plasticity and selection in response to treatments. Plastic responses to competition differed depending on moisture availability. We observed genotype-drought-competition interactions for relative fitness: competition had little effect on relative fitness under well-watered conditions, while under drought competition caused rank changes in fitness. Early flowering was always selected. Higher δ13C was selected only in the harshest treatment (drought and competition). Competitive context significantly changed the direction of selection on aboveground biomass and inflorescence height in well-watered environments. Our results highlight how local biotic conditions modify abiotic selection, in some cases promoting diversity in abiotic stress response. The ability of populations to adapt to environmental change may thus depend on small-scale biotic heterogeneity.
Altered functional connectivity during speech perception in congenital amusia
Authors: Jasmin Kyle , Dick Fred , Stewart Lauren , Tierney Adam
Published: November 2019

Individuals with congenital amusia have a lifelong history of unreliable pitch processing. Accordingly, they downweight pitch cues during speech perception (even large, obvious ones) and instead rely on other dimensions such as duration. We investigated the neural basis for this strategy. During fMRI, individuals with amusia and controls (N=30) matched auditory and visual sentences using pitch and duration cues. A data-driven analysis procedure detected prominent reductions in functional connectivity in the amusia group, between left prefrontal language-related regions (inferior and middle frontal gyrus/DLPFC) and right hemisphere pitch-related regions (auditory and anterior insular cortex). Functional connectivity levels were correlated with prosodic cue weights measured outside the scanner. Furthermore, group differences in functional connectivity between these regions was not present during a control task (passive listening to tones). Our results suggest that individuals compensate for differences in the reliability of perceptual dimensions by regulating functional connectivity between task-relevant frontal and perceptual regions.
Direct readout of neural stem cell transgenesis with an integration-coupled gene expression switch
Authors: Kumamoto Takuma , Maurinot Franck , Barry Raphaëlle , Vaslin Célia , Vandormael-Pournin Sandrine , Le Mickaël , Lerat Marion , Cohen-Tannoudji Michel , Rebsam Alexandra , Loulier Karine , Nédelec Stéphane , Tozer Samuel , Livet Jean
Published: November 2019

Stable genomic integration of exogenous transgenes is critical for neurodevelopmental and neural stem cell studies. Despite the emergence of tools driving genomic insertion at high rates with DNA vectors, transgenesis procedures remain fundamentally hindered by the impossibility to distinguish integrated transgenes from residual episomes. Here, we introduce a novel genetic switch termed iOn that triggers gene expression upon insertion in the host genome, enabling simple, rapid and faithful identification of integration events following transfection with naked plasmids accepting large cargoes. In vitro, iOn permits rapid drug-free stable transgenesis of mouse and human pluripotent stem cells with multiple vectors. In vivo, we demonstrate accurate cell lineage tracing, assessment of regulatory elements and mosaic analysis of gene function in somatic transgenesis experiments that reveal new aspects of neural progenitor potentialities and interactions. These results establish iOn as an efficient and widely applicable strategy to report transgenesis and accelerate genetic engineering in cultured systems and model organisms.
Native Elongation Transcript sequencing reveals temperature dependent dynamics of nascent RNAPII transcription in Arabidopsis
Authors: Kindgren Peter , Ivanov Maxim , Marquardt Sebastian
Published: November 2019

Temperature profoundly affects the kinetics of biochemical reactions, yet how large molecular complexes such as the transcription machinery accommodate changing temperatures to maintain cellular function is poorly understood. Here, we developed plant native elongating transcripts sequencing (plaNET-seq) to profile genome-wide nascent RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription during the cold-response of Arabidopsis thaliana with single-nucleotide resolution. Combined with temporal resolution, these data revealed transient genome-wide reprogramming of nascent RNAPII transcription during cold, including characteristics of RNAPII elongation and thousands of non-coding transcripts connected to gene expression. Our results suggest a role for promoter-proximal RNAPII stalling in predisposing genes for transcriptional activation during plant-environment interactions. At gene 3’-ends, cold initially facilitated transcriptional termination by limiting the distance of read-through transcription. Within gene bodies, cold reduced the kinetics of co-transcriptional splicing leading to increased intragenic stalling. Our data resolved multiple distinct mechanisms by which temperature transiently altered the dynamics of nascent RNAPII transcription and associated RNA processing, illustrating potential biotechnological solutions and future focus areas to promote food security in the context of a changing climate.
Modeling humanTBX5haploinsufficiency predicts regulatory networks for congenital heart disease
Authors: Kathiriya Irfan S. , Rao Kavitha S. , Iacono Giovanni , Devine W. Patrick , Blair Andrew P. , Hota Swetansu K. , Lai Michael H. , Garay Bayardo I. , Thomas Reuben , Gong Henry Z. , Wasson Lauren K. , Goyal Piyush , Sukonnik Tatyana , Akgun Gunes A. , Bernard Laure D. , Akerberg Brynn N. , Gu Fei , Li Kai , Pu William T. , Stuart Joshua M. , Seidman Christine E. , Seidman J. G. , Heyn Holger , Bruneau Benoit G.
Published: November 2019

Haploinsufficiency of transcriptional regulators causes human congenital heart disease (CHD). However, underlying CHD gene regulatory network (GRN) imbalances are unknown. Here, we define transcriptional consequences of reduced dosage of the CHD-linked transcription factor, TBX5, in individual cells during cardiomyocyte differentiation from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). We discovered highly sensitive dysregulation of TBX5-dependent pathways— including lineage decisions and genes associated with cardiomyocyte function and CHD genetics—in discrete subpopulations of cardiomyocytes. GRN analysis identified vulnerable nodes enriched for CHD genes, indicating that cardiac network stability is sensitive to TBX5 dosage. A GRN-predicted genetic interaction betweenTbx5andMef2cwas validated in mouse, manifesting as ventricular septation defects. These results demonstrate exquisite sensitivity to TBX5 dosage by diverse transcriptional responses in heterogeneous subsets of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. This predicts candidate GRNs for human CHDs, with implications for quantitative transcriptional regulation in disease.
A DNA nanoassembly-based approach to map membrane protein nanoenvironments
Authors: Ambrosetti Elena , Bernardinelli Giulio , Hoffecker Ian , Hartmanis Leonard , Sandberg Rickard , Högberg Björn , Teixeira Ana I.
Published: November 2019

Super-resolution imaging has revealed that most proteins at the plasma membrane are not uniformly distributed but localize to dynamic domains of nanoscale dimensions. To investigate their functional relevance, there is a need for methods that enable comprehensive mapping of the compositions and spatial organizations of membrane protein nanodomains in cell populations. However, current superresolution methods are limited to analysing small, preselected subsets of proteins, at very low sampling fractions. Here we describe the development of a non-microscopy based super-resolution method for unbiased ensemble analysis of membrane protein nanodomains. The method, termed NANOscale DEciphEring of membrane Protein nanodomains (NanoDeep), is based on the use of DNA nanoassemblies to translate membrane protein organization information into a DNA sequencing readout. Using NanoDeep, we characterized the nanoenvironments of Her2, a membrane receptor of critical relevance in cancer. We found that the occupancies of Her2, Her3 and EGFR in the nanoenvironments surrounding Her2 were similar in two cell lines with vastly different expression levels of Her2. Further, we found that adding Heregulin-β1 to cancer cells led to increased occupancy of Her2 and Her3, and to a lesser extent EGFR, in Her2 nanoenvironments. NanoDeep has the potential to provide new insights into the roles of the composition and spatial organization of protein nanoenvironments in the regulation of membrane protein function.
Graphical user interface for the programFraGen
Authors: Wang Chao , Wei Yueju , Yang Bing , Li Yi
Published: November 2019

FraGenis a real-space structure determination program capable of building structure models of inorganic extended frameworks. Despite its high efficiency in model building, it does not have a graphical user interface (GUI), which makes the input of instructions and the interpretation of results rather difficult. In this work, a Python GUI forFraGenhas been developed. UsingFraGen-GUI, users can easily prepare their instruction files forFraGenand visualize the corresponding output directly. More importantly, it can be used to remove duplicate models generated byFraGen, add bridging atoms that are missing inFraGensimulations and simulate XRD patterns for comparison with experimental results.
(μ-Di-tert-butylsilanediolato)bis[bis(η5-cyclopentadienyl)methylzirconium]
Authors: Berg David J. , Gajecki Leah , Hill Hunter , Twamley Brendan
Published: November 2019

The reaction of t-Bu2Si(OH)2 with two equivalents of Cp2Zr(CH3)2 produces the title t-Bu2SiO2-siloxide bridged dimer, [Zr2(CH3)2(C5H5)4(C8H18O2Si)] or [Cp2Zr(CH3)]2[μ-t-Bu2SiO2] (1), where one methyl group is retained per zirconium atom. The same product is obtained at room temperature even when equimolar ratios of the silanediol and Cp2Zr(CH3)2 are used. Attempts to thermally eliminate methane and produce a bridging methylene complex resulted in decomposition. The crystal structure of 1 displays typical Zr—CH3 and Zr—O distances but the Si—O distance [1.628 (2) Å] and O—Si—O angle [110.86 (15)°] are among the largest observed in this family of compounds suggesting steric crowding between the t-Bu substituents of the silicon atom and the cyclopentadienyl groups. The silicon atom lies on a crystallographic twofold axis and both Cp rings are disordered over two orientations of equal occupancy.
Crystal structure of 1,4-bis[5-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2H-tetrazol-2-yl]butane
Authors: Byun Young Min , Ume Farwa , Ryu Ji Yeon , Lee Junseong , Park Hyoung-Ryun
Published: November 2019

The title compound, C20H22N8O2, was synthesized by the coupling reaction of a sodium tetrazolate salt and dibromobutane in a molar ratio of 2:1. The reaction can produce several possible regioisomers and the title compound was separated as the major product. The X-ray crystallographic study confirmed that the title compound crystallizes in the monoclinic P21/c space group and possesses a bridging butylene group that connects two identical phenyl tetrazole moieties. The butylene group is attached not to the first but the second nitrogen atoms of both tetrazole rings. The dihedral angles between the phenyl groups and the adjacent tetrazolyl rings are 5.32 (6) and 15.37 (7)°. In the crystal, the molecules form centrosymmetric dimers through C—H...O hydrogen bonds between a C—H group of the butylene linker and the O atom of a methoxy group.
Some reflections on symmetry: pitfalls of automation and some illustrative examples
Authors: Clegg William
Published: November 2019

In the context of increasing hardware and software automation in the process of crystal structure determination by X-ray diffraction, and based on conference sessions presenting some of the experience of senior crystallographers for the benefit of younger colleagues, an outline is given here of some basic concepts and applications of symmetry in crystallography. Three specific examples of structure determinations are discussed, for which an understanding of these aspects of symmetry avoids mistakes that can readily be made by reliance on automatic procedures. Topics addressed include pseudo-symmetry, twinning, real and apparent disorder, chirality, and structure validation.
Gender diversity on audit committees and its impact on audit fees: evidence from India
Authors: Miglani Seema , Ahmed Kamran
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship existing between gender diverse (women directors) audit committees and audit fees.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a sample of 200 listed Indian firms over a four-year period (2011-2014). Ordinary least squares regression is used to assess whether and how the presence of women directors on audit committees affects the fee paid to the external auditor in India. To deal with the self-selection bias, the authors use a two-stage model developed using Heckman’s (1976) method.

Findings

The results show a significant positive relationship between the presence of a woman financial expert on the audit committee and audit fees after controlling for a number of firm-specific and governance characteristics and potential endogeneity with the propensity-matching score analysis. From the demand-side perspective of audit pricing, the results indicate that women financial experts on audit committees increase the need for assurance provided by external auditors. Using interaction terms, the authors find that women with financial expertise on an audit committee have a stronger association with audit fees as entity becomes more complex.

Research limitations/implications

The findings suggest that audit committees with women financial experts are likely to demand higher audit quality,ceteris paribus.

Practical implications

Gender of the financial expert is critical to the audit committee’s effectiveness. The findings of this study have implications for the composition of an audit committee in a firm.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the extant literature by examining the less-researched topic of the association between the women representation on audit committees and audit fees. It also offers further empirical evidence that will influence the debate on the importance of gender diversity in corporations.
The impact of communication style on psychological comfort and trust in audit services
Authors: Sarapaivanich Naruanard , Sampet Jomjai , Patterson Paul G.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

This study aims to examine the extent to which clients’ perceptions of a financial auditor’s communication style affect their psychological comfort and trust when considering whether to retain the incumbent firm for future financial audits.

Design/methodology/approach

A multistage method was used comprising integrated results from a literature review and findings from five in-depth interviews with chief financial officers of listed firms. A cross-sectional survey then yielded valid responses from 190 incorporated firms listed on The Stock Exchange of Thailand or Market for Alternative Investment.

Findings

The results reveal that, consistent with social interaction theory, an affiliation communication style positively influenced client’s psychological comfort and trust in an auditor. On the other hand, a dominant communications style negatively impacted psychological comfort. Cognitive social capital was found to moderate the links between dominant communication–psychological comfort, psychological comfort–trust and trust–relationship commitment.

Practical implications

From a managerial perspective, an affiliation communication style is fundamental for building client comfort and trust, especially for professional service firms, but especially in Eastern collectivist cultures that are relationship rich, where people seek to avoid conflict and prefer indirect communication styles over more direct styles.

Originality/value

This research highlights the central role that interpersonal communication style plays in developing psychological comfort and trust with a professional service firm. In addition, this study introduces the role of client psychological comfort as a key mediator between communications and trust.
Environmental disclosures and changes in firm value: new evidence from the BP oil spill
Authors: Garner Steve A. , Lacina Michael J.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to use a sample of oil and gas firms and examine the relationship between environmental disclosure in the USA Form 10-K and the stock market reaction after the BP oil spill.

Design/methodology/approach

The study focused on three important time periods associated with the oil spill: the time period beginning with the explosion on April 20, 2010 and ending August 5, 2010, one day after BP permanently sealed the oil leak; the period beginning with the explosion on April 20 and ending with the sinking of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig on April 22; and the period associated with President Obama’s first public comments on the oil spill and his administration’s ban on oil drilling, i.e. April 29-30 and May 3.

Findings

The results show a negative relationship between environmental disclosure and stock market reaction.

Social implications

The findings of a negative association could be the result of higher disclosure by firms with more environmental risk because they indeed are riskier and/or they engage in “window dressing” to legitimize their operations and practices and maintain acceptance by society.

Originality/value

The results in this study run counter to a positive association documented in prior research studying the effects of environmental disasters.
Innovation speed and competitiveness of food small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in Malang, Indonesia
Authors: Hutahayan Benny , Yufra Stefanus
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of creative destruction as mediation between the speed of innovation and competitiveness of food small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Creative destruction that is competence-based and market-based is usually done by incumbent enterprises to create barrier to entry and widen the distance with similar businesses, then the role of creative destruction as a mediation to strengthen the competitiveness is investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

To test this, data were collected from 161 SMEs that is the food SME population in Great Malang covering three areas namely Malang Municipality, Malang Regency and Batu Municipality. warp partial least square-structural equation modeling (WarpPLS-SEM) was applied because parameter estimation with WarpPLS-SEM is very efficient because it has greater statistical requirements than other covariant-based methods, which is more likely to deliver results that match the population condition (significant if that is in fact significant in the population).

Findings

The pace of innovation development is very important to improve the competitiveness of food SMEs. The idea of innovation is quickly realized and products that enter the market faster have a greater chance to improve competitiveness through profit and productivity. The pace of innovation development enhances the competitiveness of food SMEs. This study proves that competitiveness can be increased once the pace of innovation development is followed by creative destruction. Creative destruction in this case is done through increased competence and maintain the innovations that have been achieved by food SMEs. Increased business competence could be conducted through cost efficiency enhancing product quality and improving worker skill. It is conducted while maintaining the achieved innovation to strengthen the market network customer service and innovation in product packaging. The government’s role is proven not to strengthen the relationship of the pace of innovation development and competitiveness of food SMEs. The role of the government is reflected through credit facilities business licensing promotion marketing and training. These have been carried out by the government. Nevertheless, these activities do not generate widespread impact in strengthening the pace of innovation development to enhance the competitiveness of food SMEs.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of this study is that it analyzes processed foods and innovations in general. Future research should investigate one type of processed food based on the typology of innovation so as to provide more effective and efficient recommendations.

Originality/value

This is the first known analysis of innovation speed and creative destruction for SMEs of food sector.
Evolution of corporate social responsibility: two sets of explanation
Authors: Mishra Supriti
Published: November 2019

Purpose

This study aims to advance two sets of explanation on the evolution of corporate social responsibility (CSR) – one set of explanation in the context of a developed country, USA, and another in the context of a developing country, India. The discussion includes the period after mandatory CSR rules were implemented in India.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper on the historical evolution of CSR in the USA and India. It reviews the chronological evolution of CSR. It compares the phases of CSR evolution between the two countries by tracking their CSR growth curves.

Findings

This study divides the evolution of CSR in the USA into four phases – conceptualization, introduction, growth and consolidation. In the first two phases, the rate of growth in CSR increases at a decreasing rate; in the growth phase, it increases at an increasing rate which stabilizes in the consolidation phase. In the Indian context, the study considers a three phase growth – conceptualization, introduction and growth. In the first two phases, the growth in CSR curve is inelastic. In the third phase, the growth rate increases but at a rate less than that in the USA.

Originality/value

Though past research has examined historical evolution of CSR in the US context, scant research has tracked CSR evolution in India. Not many studies have compared the growth of CSR between developed and developing countries. This study also contributes the concept of CSR growth curves to the extant literature on CSR.
Elevator‐Related Deaths
Authors: Prahlow Joseph A. , Ashraf Zuhha , Plaza Natalie , Rogers Christopher , Ferreira Pamela , Fowler David R. , Blessing Melissa M. , Wolf Dwayne A. , Graham Michael A. , Sandberg Kelly , Brown Theodore T. , Lantz Patrick E.
Published: November 2019

Elevators are mechanical transportation devices used to move vertically between different levels of a building. When first developed, elevators lacked the safety features. When safety mechanisms were developed, elevators became a common feature of multistory buildings. Despite their well‐regarded safety record, elevators are not without the potential for danger of injury or death. Persons at‐risk for elevator‐related death include maintenance and construction workers, other employees, and those who are prone to risky behavior. Deaths may be related to asphyxia, blunt force, avulsion injuries, and various forms of environmental trauma. In this review, we report on 48 elevator‐related deaths that occurred in nine different medicolegal death investigation jurisdictions within the United States over an approximately 30‐year period. The data represents a cross‐section of the different types of elevator‐related deaths that may be encountered. The review also presents an overview of preventive strategies for the purpose of avoiding future elevator‐related fatalities.
The Scavenging Patterns of Feral Cats on Human Remains in an Outdoor Setting
Authors: Garcia Sara , Smith Alexander , Baigent Christiane , Connor Melissa
Published: November 2019

Two cases of feral cat (Felis catus) scavenging were documented at the Forensic Investigation Research Station in Whitewater, Colorado. Human remains at the facility are placed outside, observed daily, documented with field notes, and photographed; decomposition is scored on a Likert scale. Scavenger activity is monitored with game cameras. The cases documented included: preferential scavenging of the soft tissue of the shoulder and arm, differential consumption of tissue layers, superficial defects, and no macroscopic skeletal defects. This pattern more closely parallels the documented pattern of bobcat (Lynx rufus) scavenging than that of domestic cats. Scavenging among felids is relatively rare, as felids typically prefer to hunt. Such cases studied in detail are relatively few, spatially relative, and lack statistical robustness. While only two examples are reported here, these cases are rare overall, and this documentation may help field investigators understand the place of feral cats within a local scavenger guild.
The HR lady is on board: Untangling the link between HRM's feminine image and HRM's board representation
Authors: Reichel Astrid , Scheibmayr Isabella , Brandl Julia
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we untangle the relationship between the HRM occupation's feminine image and the representation of the HRM function on executive boards. A Monte Carlo simulation analysis of 172 executive boards in Austria, Germany, France, Spain, and Sweden shows that women on boards are disproportionately often responsible for HRM and having a woman on the board corresponds to HRM being represented on the board. Additional exploratory analyses of country contexts indicate that this relationship is not universal. Considering several explanations for these country differences, we propose that institutional pressures promoting women's integration into boards is the main reason for the differences. Organisations yield to this pressure and reduce the anticipated performance risks by appointing women with function‐specific experience to board positions responsible for HRM—a function perceived as matching women's stereotypically assumed talents.
Adverse Events from Emergency Physician Pediatric Extremity Radiograph Interpretations: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Al‐Sani Faisal , Prasad Soni , Panwar Jyoti , Stimec Jennifer , Khosroawshahi Arash , Mizzi Trent , Camp Mark , Colaco Keith , Kramer Adam , Boutis Kathy
Published: November 2019

Objectives

We determined how often emergency physician pediatric musculoskeletal (MSK) radiograph interpretations were discordant to that of a radiologist and led to an adverse event (AE). We also established the variables independently associated with this outcome.

Methods

This prospective cohort study was conducted in an urban, tertiary care children's emergency department (ED). We enrolled children who presented to an ED with an extremity injury and received radiographs. ED physicians documented their radiograph interpretation, which was compared to a radiology reference standard. Patients received telephone follow‐up and had institutional medical records reviewed in 3 weeks. An AE occurred if there were clinical sequelae and/or repeat health care visits due to a delay in correct radiograph interpretation.

Results

We enrolled 2,302 children (mean [±SD] age = 9.0 [4.4] years; 1,288 (56.0%) male]. Of these, 180 (7.8%; 95% confidence interval = 6.8 to 9.0) ED physician discordant interpretations resulted in an AE. Specifically, there were no negative clinical outcomes; however, relative to cases diagnosed correctly at the index ED, patients whose fracture was not initially identified encountered 77.2% more subsequent ED visits, while those falsely diagnosed with a fracture experienced 41.5% additional orthopedic clinic visits. Odds of an ED discrepant interpretation was significantly higher if a physician’s pretest probability of a fracture was ≤ 20% versus> 20% (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.6), patient’s pain score was ≤ 2 versus> 2 (aOR = 1.6), and injury was located in a joint versus other location (aOR = 1.7).

Conclusions

Emergency physician discordant pediatric MSK radiograph interpretations that resulted in an AE occurred with regular frequency in a pediatric ED setting. AEs were primarily an increase in subsequent health care visits. Importantly, a low clinical suspicion for a fracture or injury located in the joint were risk factors for ED physician discordant interpretations.
Fear conditioning and extinction in alcohol dependence: Evidence for abnormal amygdala reactivity
Authors: Muench Christine , Charlet Katrin , Balderston Nicholas L. , Grillon Christian , Heilig Markus , Cortes Carlos R. , Momenan Reza , Lohoff Falk W.
Published: November 2019

Fear conditioning and extinction (FCE) are vital processes in adaptive emotion regulation and disrupted in anxiety disorders. Despite substantial comorbidity between alcohol dependence (ALC) and anxiety disorders and reports of altered negative emotion processing in ALC, neural correlates of FCE in this clinical population remain unknown. Here, we used a 2‐day fear learning paradigm in 43 healthy participants and 43 individuals with ALC at the National Institutes of Health. Main outcomes of this multimodal study included structural and functional brain magnetic resonance imaging, clinical measures, as well as skin conductance responses (SCRs) to confirm differential conditioning. Successful FCE was demonstrated across participants by differential SCRs in the conditioning phase and no difference in SCRs to the conditioned stimuli in the extinction phase. The ALC group showed significantly reduced blood oxygenation level‐dependent responses in the right amygdala during conditioning (Cohen's d = .89, P(FWE) = .037) and in the left amygdala during fear renewal (Cohen's d = .68, P(FWE) = .039). Right amygdala activation during conditioning was significantly correlated with ALC severity (r = .39, P(Bonferroni) = .009), depressive symptoms (r = .37, P(Bonferroni) = .015), trait anxiety (r = .41, P(Bonferroni) = .006), and perceived stress (r = .45, P(Bonferroni) = .002). Our data suggest that individuals with ALC have dysregulated fear learning, in particular, dysregulated neural activation patterns, in the amygdala. Furthermore, amygdala activation during fear conditioning was associated with ALC‐related clinical measures. The FCE paradigm may be a promising tool to investigate structures involved in negative affect regulation, which might inform the development of novel treatment approaches for ALC.
Digging up the dirt: Quantifying the effects on soil of a translocated ecosystem engineer
Authors: Halstead Lauren M. , Sutherland Duncan R. , Valentine Leonie E. , Rendall Anthony R. , Coetsee Amy L. , Ritchie Euan G.
Published: November 2019

Digging mammals are often considered ecosystem engineers, as they affect important properties of soils and in turn nutrient exchange, vegetation dynamics and habitat quality. Returning such species, and their functions, to areas from where they have been extirpated could help restore degraded landscapes and is increasingly being trialled as a conservation tool. Studies examining the effects of digging mammals have largely been from arid and semi‐arid environments, with little known about their impacts and importance in mesic systems. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated the ecological role of a recently introduced population of eastern barred bandicoots (Perameles gunnii) on Churchill Island, Victoria, south‐eastern Australia, from which all digging mammals have been lost. We quantified the annual rate of soil turnover by estimating the number of foraging pits bandicoots created in 100‐m2plots over a 24‐h period. Foraging pit counts could not be completed in each season, and the overall turnover estimate assumes that autumn/winter months represent turnover rates for the entire year; however, this is likely to fluctuate between seasons. Ten fresh and ten old pits were compared to paired undug control sites to quantify the effect soil disturbance had on soil hydrophobicity, moisture content and soil strength. Plots contained between zero and 64 new foraging pits each day. We estimated that an individual eastern barred bandicoot digs ~487 (95% CI = 416–526) small foraging pits per night, displacing ~13.15 kg (95% CI = 11.2–14.2 kg) of soil, equating to ~400 kg (95% CI = 341–431 kg) of soil in a winter month. Foraging pits were associated with decreased soil compaction and increased soil moisture along the foraging pit profile. Eastern barred bandicoots likely play an important role in ecosystems through their effects on soil, which adds to an increasing body of knowledge suggesting restoration of ecosystems, via the return of ecosystem engineers and their functions, holds much promise for conserving biodiversity and ecological function.
Three‐dimensional printing in orthopaedic preoperative planning improves intraoperative metrics: a systematic review
Authors: Jiang Michael , Chen Gordon , Coles‐Black Jasamine , Chuen Jason , Hardidge Andrew
Published: November 2019

Background

Three‐dimensional (3D) printing has seen increasing interest in surgery, where it improves the visualization of difficult anatomy in complex cases. This literature review investigates the benefits and limitations of 3D printed models in preoperative planning in the field of orthopaedic surgery.

Methods

A literature search was performed using the Ovid platform on the Embase and MEDLINE databases using the terms ‘3D printing’, ‘Orthopaedics’ and ‘Surgical Planning’. Studies using 3D printed models as a part of preoperative planning were included. All others were excluded. Data regarding the metrics used to assess the benefit of the use of 3D models, surgical outcome, and surgeon or patient opinion on the technology were extracted.

Results

A total of 41 studies resulted. Eight (19.5%) were case–control studies, the remainder were case reports or case series. Assessment of benefit was mostly subjective, although the case–control studies included objective metrics such as operation time, intraoperative blood loss and intraoperative fluoroscopy time. The use of 3D printing technology showed subjective benefit for both patient and surgeon as well as indicating clinically significant improvements in intraoperative metrics.

Conclusion

Despite the current absence of large scale trials, 3D printing has clear benefits in preoperative planning, particularly when utilized in complex cases. A streamlined workflow for case selection, in‐house model creation and preoperative rehearsals is still required to be developed before the process is ready for routine use. Evidence supports an improvement in intraoperative metrics and patient engagement but data to support improved clinical outcome is lacking.
Impact of temporary ileostomy on long‐term quality of life and bowel function: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Keane Celia , Sharma Puja , Yuan Lance , Bissett Ian , O'Grady Greg
Published: November 2019

Background

Defunctioning ileostomy is widely used to protect a low colorectal anastomosis. However, the use of an ileostomy may have an impact on long‐term bowel function and quality of life after anterior resection. The objectives were to compare bowel function and quality of life outcomes between patients undergoing an anterior resection for rectal cancer, with and without the formation of a diverting ileostomy, and to compare outcomes for early versus late closure of diverting ileostomy.

Method

A systematic literature review was performed to identify studies published between 2007 and 2018 comparing bowel function and quality of life outcomes after an anterior resection for rectal cancer in those with and without formation of a diverting ileostomy.

Results

Four studies (three randomized controlled trials) reported bowel function and quality of life outcomes. Pooled analysis for 227 participants showed that having an ileostomy is associated with twice the risk of suffering from low anterior resection syndrome (odds ratio (major low anterior resection syndrome) 1.96, 95% confidence interval 1.1, 3.5; P = 0.02). There were no consistent differences in quality of life. Based on single studies there is limited evidence of some improvements in bowel function but no difference in quality of life after early compared to late closure of ileostomy.

Conclusion

There is some evidence for an association between low anterior resection syndrome and the use of a diverting ileostomy to protect a rectal anastomosis. Potential confounders include height of the anastomosis. Further research into the mechanisms underlying this potential association may inform methods to mitigate the harms of an ileostomy.
Navigating Postsocialism: Bulgarian Seafarers’ Working Lives before and after 1989
Authors: Kremakova Milena
Published: November 2019

The collapse of state socialism in 1989 reshaped the maritime industries in East European countries. Based on an ethnographic study of Bulgarian maritime and waterfront workers, this article examines how shipping mobilities changed after 1989. This case study provides a unique vantage point for understanding the experiences of two generations in a stormy world of work. Before 1989, many countries in the Soviet Bloc had successful merchant navies. Fleets and transport infrastructures were owned and managed by each state, but also coordinated transnationally via the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (COMECON). Seafarers were a unique occupational group under state socialism. While they had more access to international mobility than other occupational groups, their economic and political freedom was still limited. After the fall of the Iron Curtain, the Bulgarian shipping industry joined the global market almost overnight. The profound social, economic, and political transformations unleashed by the change of regime coincided with the rapid internationalization, technological and security innovations, and marketization that were reshaping the maritime industry worldwide at the time. These overlapping transformations radically changed the working lives of Bulgarian seafarers, opening new opportunities for some, but also creating dramatic social inequalities in the formerly tight maritime community and shifting the balance between mobility and fixity of maritime labor. Bulgarian seafarers found themselves “at sea” in two ways simultaneously: not just employed in mobile and international workplaces, but also adapting to a society and job market in flux.