bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genomic characterization and computational phenotyping of nitrogen-fixing bacteria isolated from Colombian sugarcane fields
Authors: Medina-Cordoba Luz K. , Chande Aroon T. , Rishishwar Lavanya , Mayer Leonard W. , Valderrama-Aguirre Lina C. , Valderrama-Aguirre Augusto , Gaby John Christian , Kostka Joel E. , Jordan I. King
Published: September 2019

Previous studies have shown that the sugarcane microbiome harbors diverse plant growth promoting (PGP) microorganisms, including nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and the objective of this study was to design a genome-enabled approach to prioritize sugarcane associated nitrogen-fixing bacteria according to their potential as biofertilizers. Using a systematic high throughput approach, 22 pure cultures of nitrogen-fixing bacteria were isolated and tested for diazotrophic potential by PCR amplification of nitrogenase (nifH) genes, common molecular markers for nitrogen fixation capacity. Genome sequencing confirmed the presence of intact nitrogenasenifHgenes and operons in the genomes of 18 of the isolates. Isolate genomes also encoded operons for phosphate solubilization, siderophore production operons, and other PGP phenotypes.Klebsiella pneumoniaestrains comprised 14 of the 22 nitrogen-fixing isolates, and four others were members of closely related genera toKlebsiella. A computational phenotyping approach was developed to rapidly screen for strains that have high potential for nitrogen fixation and other PGP phenotypes while showing low risk for virulence and antibiotic resistance. The majority of sugarcane isolates were below a genotypic and phenotypic threshold, showing uniformly low predicted virulence and antibiotic resistance compared to clinical isolates. Six prioritized strains were experimentally evaluated for PGP phenotypes: nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, and the production of siderophores, gibberellic acid and indole acetic acid. Results from the biochemical assays were consistent with the computational phenotype predictions for these isolates. Our results indicate that computational phenotyping is a promising tool for the assessment of benefits and risks associated with bacteria commonly detected in agricultural ecosystems.

IMPORTANCE

A genome-enabled approach was developed for the prioritization of native bacterial isolates with the potential to serve as biofertilizers for sugarcane fields in Colombia’s Cauca Valley. The approach is based on computational phenotyping, which entails predictions related to traits of interest based on bioinformatic analysis of whole genome sequences. Bioinformatic predictions of the presence of plant growth promoting traits were validated with experimental assays and more extensive genome comparisons, thereby demonstrating the utility of computational phenotyping for assessing the benefits and risks posed by bacterial isolates that can be used as biofertilizers. The quantitative approach to computational phenotyping developed here for the discovery of biofertilizers has the potential for use with a broad range of applications in environmental and industrial microbiology, food safety, water quality, and antibiotic resistance studies.
Studying the drug treatment pattern based on the action of drug and multi-layer network model
Authors: Yu Liang , Shi Yayong , Zou Quan , Gao Lin
Published: September 2019

Objectives

A drug can treat multiple diseases, indicating that the treatment of the drug has certain patterns. In this paper, we studied the treatment pattern of drugs from a new perspective based on theaction of drug andmulti-layer network model (STAM). Diseases affect the gene expression in related tissues and each disease corresponds to a tissue-specific protein-protein interaction (TSPPI) network. Therefore, a drug is associated with a multi-layer TSPPI network associated with diseases it treats. Single tissue-specific PPI network cannot consider all disease-related information, leading to find the potential treatment pattern of drugs difficultly. Research on multi-layer networks can effectively solve this disadvantage. Furthermore, proteins usually interact with other proteins in PPI to achieve specific functions, such as causing disease. Hence, studying the drug treatment patterns is equivalent to study common module structures in the multi-layer TSPPI network corresponding to drug-related diseases. Knowing the treatment patterns of the drug can help to understand the action mechanisms of the drug and to identify new indications of the drug.

Methods

In this paper, we were based on the action of drug and multi-layer network model to study the treatment patterns of drugs. We named our method as STAM. As a case of our proposed method STAM, we focused on a study to trichostatin A (TSA) and three diseases it treats: leukemia, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. Based on the therapeutic effects of TSA on various diseases, we constructed a tissue-specific protein-protein interaction (TSPPI) network and applied a multi-layer network module mining algorithm to obtain candidate drug-target modules. Then, using the genes affected by TSA and related to the three diseases, we employed Gene Ontology (GO), the modules’ significance, co-expression network and literatures to filter and analyze the identified drug-target modules. Finally, two modules (named as M17 and M18) were preserved as the potential treatment patterns of TSA.

Results

The processed results based on the above framework STAM demonstrated that M17 and M18 had strong potential to be the treatment patterns of TSA. Through the analysis of the significance, composition and functions of the selected drug-target modules, we validated the feasibility and rationality of our proposed method STAM for identifying the drug treatment pattern.

Conclusion

This paper studied the drug treatment pattern from a new perspective. The new method STAM used a multi-layer network model, which overcame the shortcomings of the single-layer network, and combined the action of drug. Research on drug treatment model provides new research ideas for disease treatment.
Molecular dynamic simulations to investigate the structural impact of known drug resistance mutations on HIV-1C Integrase-Dolutegravir binding
Authors: Chitongo Rumbidzai , Obasa Adetayo Emmanuel , Mikasi Sello Given , Jacobs Graeme Brendon , Cloete Ruben
Published: September 2019

Resistance associated mutations (RAMs) threaten the long-term success of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) outcomes for HIV-1 treatment. HIV-1 Integrase (IN) strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) have proven to be a viable option for highly specific HIV-1 therapy. The INSTI, Dolutegravir is recommended by the World Health Organization for use as first-line cART. This study aims to understand how RAMs affect the stability of IN, as well as the binding of the drug Dolutegravir to the catalytic pocket of the protein. Molecular modelling of HIV-1C IN was performed using the SWISS-MODEL webserver; with quality assessment performed using internal methods and external software tools. The site directed mutator webserver was used to predict destabilizing and/or stabilizing effects of known RAMs while FoldX confirmed any changes in protein energy upon introduction of mutation. Interaction analysis between neighbouring residues was done using PyMOL. Three randomly selected mutations were chosen for molecular dynamic simulation studies using Gromacs. Trajectory analysis included Root mean square deviation and fluctuation, Radius of gyration, Principal component analysis and Interaction analysis between Dolutegravir and protein residues. The structural quality assessment indicated high reliability of the HIV-1C IN tetrameric structure, with more than 90% confidence in modelled regions. Change in free energy for the G140S mutant indicated a stabilizing effect and simulation analysis showed it to affect structural stability and flexibility of the protein structure. This was further supported by the drug being expelled from the G140S mutant active site, as indicated by interaction analysis. Our findings suggest the G140S mutant has a strong effect on the HIV-1C IN protein structure and Dolutegravir binding and should be validated using laboratory-based experiments. This approach can be applied to determine the effect of other mutations/variants on HIV-1C integrase drug binding.
Radiofrequency Remote Control of Thermolysin Activity
Authors: Collins Christian B. , Ackerson Christopher J.
Published: September 2019

Nearly all biological processes are regulated by enzymes, precise control over specific enzymes could create the potential for controlling cellular processes remotely. We have successfully shown that the thermophilic enzyme thermolysin can be remotely activated in 17.76 MHz radiofrequency (RF) fields when covalently attached to 6.1 nm gold coated magnetite nanoparticles. Without raising the bulk solution temperature, we observe enzyme activity as if the solution was 16 ± 2 °C warmer in RF fields, or an increase in enzymatic rate of 129 ± 8%. Kinetics studies show that the activity increase of the enzyme is consistent with the induced fit of a hot enzyme with cold substrate.
CRISPR/Cas13a signal amplification linked immunosorbent assay (CLISA)
Authors: Chen Qian , Tian Tian , Xiong Erhu , Wang Po , Zhou Xiaoming
Published: September 2019

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a basic technique used in analytical and clinical investigations. However, conventional ELISA is still not sensitive enough to detect ultra-low concentrations of biomarkers for the early diagnosis of cancer, cardiovascular risk, neurological disorders, and infectious diseases. Herein we show a mechanism utilizing the CRISPR/Cas13a-based signal export amplification strategy, which double-amplifies the output signal by T7 RNA polymerase transcription and CRISPR/Cas13a collateral cleavage activity. This process is termed the CRISPR/Cas13a signal amplification linked immunosorbent assay (CLISA). The proposed method was validated by detecting an inflammatory factor, human interleukin-6 (human IL-6), and a tumor marker, human vascular endothelial growth factor (human VEGF), which achieved limit of detection (LOD) values of 45.81 fg/mL (2.29 fM) and 32.27 fg/m (0.81 fM), respectively, demonstrating that CLISA is at least 102-fold more sensitive than conventional ELISA.
The OpenPicoAmp-100k : an open-source high performance amplifier for single channel recording in planar lipid bilayers
Authors: Shlyonsky V , Gall D
Published: September 2019

We propose an upgraded version of our previously designed open-source lipid bilayer amplifier. This improved amplifier is now suitable both for the use in introductory courses in biophysics and neurosciences at the undergraduate level and for scientific research. Similar to its predecessor, the OpenPicoAmp-100k is designed using the common lithographic printed circuit board fabrication process and off-the-shelf electronic components. It consists of the high-speed headstage, followed by voltage-gain amplifier with built-in 6-order Bessel filter. The amplifier has a bandwidth of 100 kHz in the presence of 100 pF input membrane capacitance and is capable of measuring ion channel current with amplitudes from sub-pA and up to ±4 nA. At the full bandwidth and with a 1 GΩ transimpedance gain, the amplifier shows 12 pArms noise with an open input and 112 pArms noise in the presence of 100 pF input capacitance, while at the 5 kHz bandwidth (typical in single-channel experiments) noise amounts to 0.45 pArms and 2.11 pArms, respectively. Using an optocoupler circuit producing TTL-controlled current impulses and using 50% threshold analysis we show that at full bandwidth the amplifier has deadtimes of 3.5 µs and 5 µs at signal-to-noise ratios(SNR) of 9 and 1.7, respectively. Near 100% of true current impulses longer than 5 µs and 6.6 µs are detected at these two respective SNRs, while false event detection rate remains acceptably low. The wide bandwidth of the amplifier was confirmed in bilayer experiments with alamethicin, for which open ion channel current events shorter that 10 µs could be resolved.
Neural dynamics of perceptual inference and its reversal during imagery
Authors: Dijkstra Nadine , Ambrogioni Luca , van Gerven Marcel A.J.
Published: September 2019

After the presentation of a visual stimulus, cortical visual processing cascades from low-level sensory features in primary visual areas to increasingly abstract representations in higher-level areas. It is often hypothesized that the reverse process underpins the human ability to generate mental images. Under this hypothesis, visual information feeds back from high-level areas as abstract representations are used to construct the sensory representation in primary visual cortices. Such reversals of information flow are also hypothesized to play a central role in later stages of perception. According to predictive processing theories, ambiguous sensory information is resolved using abstract representations coming from high-level areas through oscillatory rebounds between different levels of the visual hierarchy. However, despite the elegance of these theoretical models, to this day there is no direct experimental evidence of the reversion of visual information flow during mental imagery and perception. In the first part of this paper, we provide direct evidence in humans for a reverse order of activation of the visual hierarchy during imagery. Specifically, we show that classification machine learning models trained on brain data at different time points during the early feedforward phase of perception are reactivated in reverse order during mental imagery. In the second part of the paper, we report an 11Hz oscillatory pattern of feedforward and reversed visual processing phases during perception. Together, these results are in line with the idea that during perception, the high-level cause of sensory input is inferred through recurrent hypothesis updating, whereas during imagery, this learned forward mapping is reversed to generate sensory signals given abstract representations.
Anisotropy links cell shapes to a solid-to-fluid transition during convergent extension
Authors: Wang Xun , Merkel Matthias , Sutter Leo B. , Erdemci-Tandogan Gonca , Manning M. Lisa , Kasza Karen E.
Published: September 2019

Within developing embryos, tissues flow and reorganize dramatically on timescales as short as minutes. This includes epithelial tissues, which often narrow and elongate in convergent extension movements due to anisotropies in external forces or in internal cell-generated forces. However, the mechanisms that allow or prevent tissue reorganization, especially in the presence of strongly anisotropic forces, remain unclear. We study this question in the converging and extendingDrosophilagermband epithelium, which displays planar polarized myosin II and experiences anisotropic forces from neighboring tissues, and we show that in contrast to isotropic tissues, cell shape alone is not sufficient to predict the onset of rapid cell rearrangement. From theoretical considerations and vertex model simulations, we predict that in anisotropic tissues two experimentally accessible metrics of cell patterns—the cell shape index and a cell alignment index—are required to determine whether an anisotropic tissue is in a solid-like or fluid-like state. We show that changes in cell shape and alignment over time in theDrosophilagermband indicate a solid-to-fluid transition that corresponds to the onset of cell rearrangement and convergent extension in wild-type embryos and are also consistent with more solid-like behavior inbntmutant embryos. Thus, the onset of cell rearrangement in the germband can be predicted by a combination of cell shape and alignment. These findings suggest that convergent extension is associated with a transition to more fluid-like tissue behavior, which may help accommodate tissue shape changes during rapid developmental events.
A highly prevalent and pervasive densovirus discovered among sea stars from the North American Atlantic Coast
Authors: Jackson Elliot W. , Pepe-Ranney Charles , Johnson Mitchell R. , Distel Daniel L. , Hewson Ian
Published: September 2019

Viral metagenomes prepared from tissues from Forbes’ sea star (Asterias forbesi) led to the discovery of a complete genome of a novel sea star densovirus (AfaDV). The genome organization of AfaDV and phylogenetic analysis place this virus among the Ambidensovirus genus in the subfamily Densoviridae, family Parvoviridae. AfaDV shares 78% nucleotide pairwise identity to the sea star associated densovirus (SSaDV), previously described as the putative causative agent of Sea Star Wasting Syndrome among sea stars from the Northwest Pacific. SSaDV was not found in specimens collected in this study, and the discovery of AfaDV might explain previous reports of SSaDV among sea stars from the Atlantic Coast. A qPCR assay was designed to assess tissue tropism, host specificity, and prevalence of AfaDV among wild populations of sea stars at five locations on the North American Atlantic Coast. AfaDV was detected in all three common sea star species (Asterias forbesi, Asterias rubens, and Henricia sp.) found in the region and was highly prevalent (80-100% of individuals tested, n=134), among populations collected at disparate sites 7 years apart. AfaDV was detected in the body wall, gonads, and pyloric caeca (digestive gland) of specimens but was not detected in their coelomic fluid. A significant difference in viral load was found between tissue types with the pyloric caeca having the highest viral load suggesting it is the primary site of viral replication in the animal. Further investigation of Asterias forbesi gonad tissue found germline cells (oocytes) to be virus positive suggesting a potential route of vertical transmission. Taken together, these observations show that the presence AfaDV is not an indicator of Sea Star Wasting Syndrome because AfaDV is a common constituent of these animals’ microbiome, regardless of health. These results broaden the understanding of echinoderm densoviruses outside the context of disease that suggest these viruses might form commensal or mutualistic relationships with their hosts.
Signaling Diversity Enabled by Rap1-Regulated Plasma Membrane ERK with Distinct Temporal Dynamics
Authors: Keyes Jeremiah , Ganesan Ambhighainath , Molinar-Inglis Olivia , Hamidzadeh Archer , Ling Megan , Trejo JoAnn , Levchenko Andre , Zhang Jin
Published: September 2019

A variety of different signals induce specific responses through a common, ERK-dependent kinase cascade. It has been suggested that signaling specificity can be achieved through precise temporal regulation of ERK activity. Given the wide distrubtion of ERK susbtrates across different subcellular compartments, it is important to understand how ERK activity is temporally regulated at specific subcellular locations. To address this question, we have expanded the toolbox of FRET-based ERK biosensors by creating a series of improved biosensors targeted to various subcellular regions via sequence specific motifs to measure spatiotemporal changes in ERK enzymatic activity. Using these sensors, we showed that EGF induces sustained ERK activity near the plasma membrane in sharp contrast to the transient activity observed in the cytopolasm and nucleus. Furthermore, EGF-induced plasma membrane ERK activity involves Rap1, a noncanonical activator, and controls cell morphology and EGF-induced membrane protrusion dynamics. Our work strongly supports that spatial and temporal regulation of ERK activity is integrated to control signaling specificity from a single extracellular signal to multiple cellular processes.
Modelling the in vitro pre-infection dynamics of Colletotrichum spp. isolated from yellow passion fruit in function of environmental variables
Authors: Velame Karinna Vieira Chiacchio , Santos Filho Hermes Peixoto , de Almeida Lima Adelise , Bragança Carlos Augusto Dórea , Laranjeira Francisco Ferraz
Published: September 2019

Brazil is the largest world producer of yellow passion fruit, but the mean yield (14.3t.ha-1) is less than half the potential of the crop. Part of this difference can be explained by plant health problems, including anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp. In regions with favorable climatic conditions, anthracnose can be a factor of significant yield reduction, but these regions have not yet been zoned. The objective of this study was to model the pre-infection dynamics of the fungus. The influence of temperature and photoperiod was studied on mycelia growth, sporulation and conidia germination. Mathematical models were fitted to the results and the optima for the environmental variables were estimated. The maximum mycelia growth was estimated to occur at 26.5°C. Between 24.5°C and 28.5°C the fungus grew from 95% to 100% of the estimated maximum. Temperatures below 13°C or above 34°C were harmful to mycelia growth. Temperatures over 26°C were the most favorable to sporulation while below 13°C sporulation was only 5% of the maximum. Optimum germination occurred between 25°C and 29°C with the ideal wetness period between 11h and 13h. These results can be used as a basis for zoning the risk of anthracnose occurrence in passion fruit producing regions.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Many diseases affect the yellow passion fruit crop, limiting its yield; among them anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum spp. The disease occurs in both field (leaf and stem symptoms) and post-harvest (fruits) conditions. Understanding the role environmental conditions play in the biological cycle of such diseases is essential for developing management strategies. By modelling mycelial growth, spore production and spore germination of Colletotrichum spp. as affected by temperature, photoperiod and wetness period, it was possible to characterize the pathogen’s pre-infectional dynamics. The results should be used as a first approximation to estimate the risk of anthracnose occurrence in pre- or post-harvest.
Systematic identification of functional SNPs interrupting 3’ UTR polyadenylation signals
Authors: Shulman Eldad David , Elkon Ran
Published: September 2019

Alternative polyadenylation (APA) is emerging as a widespread regulatory layer as the majority of human protein-coding genes contain several polyadenylation (p(A)) sites in their 3’ UTRs. By generating isoforms with different 3’ UTR length, APA potentially affects mRNA stability, translation efficiency, nuclear export, and cellular localization. Polyadenylation sites are regulated by adjacent RNA cis-regulatory elements, the principals among them are the polyadenylation signal (PAS) AAUAAA and its main variant AUUAAA, typically located ~20- nt upstream of the p(A) site. Mutations in PAS and other auxiliary poly(A) cis-elements in the 3’ UTR of several genes have been shown to cause human Mendelian diseases, and to date, only a few common SNPs that regulate APA were associated with complex diseases. Here, we systematically searched for SNPs that affect gene expression and human traits by modulation of 3’ UTR APA. Focusing on the variants most likely to exert the strongest effect, we identified 2,305 SNPs that interrupt the canonical PAS or its main variant. Implementing pA-QTL tests using GTEx RNA-seq data, we identified 139 PAS SNPs significantly associated with the usage of their p(A) site. As expected, PAS-interrupting alleles were significantly linked with decreased cleavage at their p(A) site and the consequential 3’ UTR lengthening. As an indication for a functional effect of these PAS SNPs on gene expression, 65 of the pA-QTLs were also detected as eQTLs of the same gene in the same tissue. Furthermore, we observed that PAS-interrupting alleles linked with 3’ UTR lengthening were also strongly associated with decreased gene expression, pointing that shorter isoforms generated by APA are generally more stable than longer ones. Last, indicative of the impact of PAS SNPs on human phenotypes, 53 pA-QTLs overlapped GWAS SNPs that are significantly linked with human traits.
Formula alters preterm infant gut microbiota and increases its antibiotic resistance load
Authors: Pärnänen Katariina , Hultman Jenni , Satokari Reetta , Rautava Samuli , Lamendella Regina , Wright Justin , McLimans Christopher J. , Kelleher Shannon L. , Virta Marko
Published: September 2019

Infants are at a high risk of acquiring infections caused by antibiotic resistant bacterial strains. Antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) load is typically higher in newborns than in adults, but it is unknown which factors besides antibiotic treatment affect the load. Our study demonstrates that inclusion of any formula in the newborn diet causes shifts in microbial community composition that result in higher ARG loads in formula-fed infants compared to infants not fed formula. The effect of formula was especially strong in premature newborns and newborns treated with antibiotics. Interestingly, antibiotics alone without formula did not have a detectable impact on the ARG load of the newborn gut. We also observed that formula-fed infants had enriched numbers of pathogenic species and were depleted in typical infant gut species such as Bifidobacterium bifidum. The results suggest infant feeding choices should include assessment of risks associated with elevated ARG abundance.
Effects of fiscal decentralization on carbon emissions in China
Authors: Yang Yuanhua , Tang Dengli , Zhang Peng
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Fiscal fund is the key support of carbon emissions control for local governments. This paper aims to analyze the impact of fiscal decentralization on carbon emissions by spatial Durbin model (SDM), and verify the existence of “free-riding” phenomenon to reveal the behavior of local governments in carbon emissions control.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the provincial data of carbon emissions from 2005 to 2016 in China, this paper uses spatial exploratory data analysis technology to analyze the spatial correlation characteristics and constructs SDM to test the impact of fiscal decentralization on carbon emissions.

Findings

The results show that carbon emissions exhibits significant spatial autocorrelation in China, and the increasing of fiscal decentralization in the region will increase carbon emissions in surrounding areas and on the whole. Then, by comparing the impact of fiscal decentralization on carbon emissions and industrial solid waste, it is found that “free-riding” phenomenon of carbon emissions control exists in China.

Practical implications

Based on the spatial cluster characteristics of China’s provincial carbon emissions, carbon emissions control regions can be divided into regions and different carbon emission control policies can be formulated for different cluster regions. Carbon emissions indicators should be included in the government performance appraisal policy, and carbon emissions producer survey should be increased in environmental policies to avoid “free-riding” behaviors of local government in carbon emissions control in China.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to fill this gap and fully considers the spatial spillover characteristics of carbon emissions by introducing spatial exploratory data analysis technology, constructs SDM to test the impact of fiscal decentralization on carbon emissions in the perspective of space econometrics, and tests the existence of “free-riding” phenomenon in carbon emissions control for local governments in China.
Consequences of national cultures and motivations on entrepreneurship, innovation, ethical behavior, and quality-of-life
Authors: Woodside Arch G. , Megehee Carol M. , Isaksson Lars , Ferguson Graham
Published: September 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to apply complexity theory tenets to deepen understanding, explanation and prediction of how configurations of national cultures and need motivations influence national entrepreneurial and innovation behavior and nations’ quality-of-life (QOL). Also, the study examines whether or not high national ethical behavior is sufficient for indicating nations high in quality-of-life.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying core tenets of complexity theory, the study constructs asymmetric, case-based (nations), explanations and predictive models of cultures’ consequences (via Schwartz’s seven value dimensions) and implicit need motivations (via McClelland’s three need motivations) indicating national entrepreneur and innovation activities and subsequent national quality-of-life and ethical behavior. The study includes testing configurational models empirically for predictive accuracy. The empirical examination is for a set of data for 24 nations in Asia, Europe, North and South America and the South Pacific.

Findings

The findings confirm the usefulness of applying complexity theory to learn how culture and motivation configurations support versus have negative consequences on nations’ entrepreneurship, innovation and human well-being. Nurturing of entrepreneur activities supports the nurturing of enterprise innovation activity and their joint occurrence indicates nations achieving high quality-of-life. The findings advance the perspective that different sets of cultural value configurations indicate nations high versus low in entrepreneur and innovation activities.

Practical implications

High entrepreneur activities without high innovation activity are insufficient for achieving high national quality-of-life. Achieving high ethical behavior supports high quality-of-life.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to apply complexity theory tenets in the field of entrepreneurship research. The study here advances the perspective that case-based asymmetric modeling of recipes is necessary to explain and predict entrepreneur activities and outcomes rather than examining whether variable relationships are statistically significant from zero.
Neurodiverse workforce: inclusive employment as an HR strategy
Authors: Rao Bramhani , Polepeddi Jyothi
Published: September 2019

Purpose

This study aims to develop and propose a Neurodiversity-Smart HR framework that may facilitate organizations to build an inclusive workforce.

Design/methodology/approach

Real cases of inclusive companies in India such as Lemon Tree Hotels have been explored in detail through observations, video interviews of company’s leadership and personal discussion with special-needs community to design a generalized framework.

Findings

Development of Neurodiversity-Smart HR framework that integrates resources from multiple stakeholders.

Practical implications

The proposed framework shall facilitate organizations to build an inclusive workforce and engage with the special-needs community throughout the inclusion process. The neurodiversity approach is a potential solution to organizational issues such as innovation, engagement, social responsibility and attrition.

Originality/value

The only study to propose a functional inclusive employment framework.
The state of human capital analytics in developing countries: a focus on the Middle East
Authors: Phillips Patti P. , Phillips Jack J.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Human capital analytics (HCA) is integral to all other human capital processes. With a mature analytics practice, leaders can make better decisions more quickly and with greater confidences. This paper aims to describe results of research that shows how organizations in Middle East countries are investing in HCA. Specifically, it describes as follows: the extent to which they are investing; types of projects in which they are investing; and factors critical to making analytics work.

Design/methodology/approach

While research may include respondents from organizations in developing countries, only recently have efforts been made to monitor progress specifically in these countries. This paper attempts to describe the most recent findings of such research, paying specific attention to the use of HCA in the Middle East.

Findings

Organizations in the Middle East embrace HCA. While still in its infancy, analytics is poised to be a strategic driver that will lead to improved organizational performance.

Originality/value

Whether investing in leadership development, talent acquisition, employee engagement or talent development, analytics plays a central role in informing decisions about people investments. To make HCA work, Middle East organizations plan to continue building capability through training; embracing technology and striving to link data across programs and platforms; and integrating systems, processes and people with other functions, particularly finance. In the end, organizations will seamlessly integrate HCA into all processes to drive organization performance.
Investigation on effects of solder paste voids on thermal and optical performance of white high-power surface-mounted device LEDs
Authors: Raypah Muna , Devarajan Mutharasu , Mahmud Shahrom
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The presence of voids in the solder layer has been considered as one of the main issues causing reliability problems in optoelectronic devices. Voids can be created due to trapped gas, clean-up agent residues (fluxes), poor wettability at interface or shortcoming of the reflow process. The voids hinder the heat conduction path and subsequently, the thermal resistance will increase. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of lead-free water-washable Sn96.5Ag3.0Cu0.5 (SAC305) solder paste (SP) voids on the thermal and optical performance of white high-power (HP) surface-mounted device (SMD) light-emitting diode (LED).

Design/methodology/approach

Five LEDs are mounted on five SinkPAD substrates by using the SP. The SMT stencil printing is used to control the thickness of the SP and reflow oven for the soldering process. The fraction of voids in the SP layer is calculated using the X-ray machine software. The thermal parameters of the LEDs with different voids fraction and configuration are measured using a thermal transient tester (T3Ster) system. In addition, the optical characterizations of the LEDs are determined by the thermal and radiometric characterization of power LEDs (TeraLED) and the electroluminescence by using the spectrometer.

Findings

The results showed that the thermal performance and temperature distribution are improved for the LED with lower voids fraction and good filling state of soldering. In addition, luminous flux, efficacy and color shift of the LEDs with different fraction and configurations of voids on the SP layer are compared and discussed. It is found that the color shift of LED1 of low voids fraction and higher thickness are less than other LEDs.

Originality/value

The paper provides valuable information about the effect of water-washable SAC305 SP voids fraction and filling state of solder on the thermal and optical performance of ThinGaN HP SMD LED. A comprehensive overview of the outcomes is not available in the literature. It was shown experimentally that the voids fraction, height and configuration of the SP layer could strongly influence the heat dissipation efficiency and thermal resistance. This study can help in heat diffusion investigation and failure analysis of HP SMD LEDs.
Returning to sexual stigma: post‐trafficking lives
Authors: Richardson Diane , Laurie Nina
Published: September 2019

This article is concerned with returning to sexual stigma in two key respects. First, it prompts a return to the conceptual understanding of sexual stigma and makes an important contribution to critiques of the individualized frameworks that have dominated much of the literature on stigma to date, through a critical analysis of sexual stigma as a collective process at different scales and locations. Second, using empirical data from a qualitative study of post‐trafficking experiences of women in Nepal as a case study to develop theoretical understandings of the production of stigma, it explores modalities of sexualized stigma encountered on return from trafficking situations. Within the trafficking literature there has been very little attention to what happens after trafficking. This article addresses this gap in focusing on lives post‐trafficking and, in addition, contributes to the limited research on trafficking in Nepal.
Ergatoid reproductives in the Neotropical termite Nasutitermes aquilinus (Holmgren) (Blattaria: Isoptera: Termitidae): developmental origin, fecundity, and genetics
Authors: da Silva Iago Bueno , Haifig Ives , Vargo Edward L. , Casarin Fabiana Elaine , da Mota Marcelo Luiz , Lima Juliana Toledo , Costa‐Leonardo Ana Maria
Published: September 2019

Termite colonies are usually headed by primary reproductives, which establish nests during the swarming season. However, secondary reproductives may develop in some species and become supplementary or replacement breeders, extending colony lifespan. Here we investigate the developmental origin, fecundity and genetic characterization of ergatoid reproductives in the Neotropical termite Nasutitermes aquilinus (Holmgren), using morphometrical and histological techniques, five microsatellite loci and the COI mitochondrial DNA. Twelve measurements performed on 208 apterous individuals of N. aquilinus revealed 10 groups, including ergatoid females, which developed from major workers through two successive molts, and were characterized by the presence of imaginal features such as eyes and wing buds. The differentiation of these features was correlated to physogastric development in these ergatoids. Histology revealed oocytes in all maturation stages in worker‐derived reproductives of N. aquilinus, presence of nonflagellate spermatozoa inside the spermatheca, and royal fat body. Thus, ergatoid reproductives were reproductively functional. According to the genotypes of 221 individuals from 11 nests, and mitochondrial haplotypes of 43 ergatoids, 73% of the colonies were simple families, whereas 27% were extended families. Despite the occurrence of related reproductives, low inbreeding rates were detected within and among colonies. Such values could be explained given that sib mating itself cannot result in a higher inbreeding rate but depend on several factors discussed in detail. This is the first study to investigate the genetic structure of termite colonies influenced by the development of ergatoids, and further investigations are encouraged to understand the influence of these reproductives on colony lifespan.
Gap‐filling approaches for eddy covariance methane fluxes: A comparison of three machine learning algorithms and a traditional method with principal component analysis
Authors: Kim Yeonuk , Johnson Mark S. , Knox Sara H. , Black T. Andrew , Dalmagro Higo J. , Kang Minseok , Kim Joon , Baldocchi Dennis
Published: September 2019

Methane flux (FCH4) measurements using the eddy covariance technique have increased over the past decade. FCH4 measurements commonly include data gaps, as is the case with CO2 and energy fluxes. However, gap‐filling FCH4 data are more challenging than other fluxes due to its unique characteristics including multidriver dependency, variabilities across multiple timescales, nonstationarity, spatial heterogeneity of flux footprints, and lagged influence of biophysical drivers. Some researchers have applied a marginal distribution sampling (MDS) algorithm, a standard gap‐filling method for other fluxes, to FCH4 datasets, and others have applied artificial neural networks (ANN) to resolve the challenging characteristics of FCH4. However, there is still no consensus regarding FCH4 gap‐filling methods due to limited comparative research. We are not aware of the applications of machine learning (ML) algorithms beyond ANN to FCH4 datasets. Here, we compare the performance of MDS and three ML algorithms (ANN, random forest [RF], and support vector machine [SVM]) using multiple combinations of ancillary variables. In addition, we applied principal component analysis (PCA) as an input to the algorithms to address multidriver dependency of FCH4 and reduce the internal complexity of the algorithmic structures. We applied this approach to five benchmark FCH4 datasets from both natural and managed systems located in temperate and tropical wetlands and rice paddies. Results indicate that PCA improved the performance of MDS compared to traditional inputs. ML algorithms performed better when using all available biophysical variables compared to using PCA‐derived inputs. Overall, RF was found to outperform other techniques for all sites. We found gap‐filling uncertainty is much larger than measurement uncertainty in accumulated CH4 budget. Therefore, the approach used for FCH4 gap filling can have important implications for characterizing annual ecosystem‐scale methane budgets, the accuracy of which is important for evaluating natural and managed systems and their interactions with global change processes.
Divergent carbon cycle response of forest and grass‐dominated northern temperate ecosystems to record winter warming
Authors: Sanders‐DeMott Rebecca , Ouimette Andrew P. , Lepine Lucie C. , Fogarty Sean Z. , Burakowski Elizabeth A. , Contosta Alexandra R. , Ollinger Scott V.
Published: September 2019

Northern temperate ecosystems are experiencing warmer and more variable winters, trends that are expected to continue into the foreseeable future. Despite this, most studies have focused on climate change impacts during the growing season, particularly when comparing responses across different vegetation cover types. Here we examined how a perennial grassland and adjacent mixed forest ecosystem in New Hampshire, United States, responded to a period of highly variable winters from 2014 through 2017 that included the warmest winter on record to date. In the grassland, record‐breaking temperatures in the winter of 2015/2016 led to a February onset of plant growth and the ecosystem became a sustained carbon sink well before winter ended, taking up roughly 90 g/m2more carbon during the winter to spring transition than in other recorded years. The forest was an unusually large carbon source during the same period. While forest photosynthesis was restricted by leaf‐out phenology, warm winter temperatures caused large pulses of ecosystem respiration that released nearly 230 g C/m2from February through April, more than double the carbon losses during that period in cooler years. These findings suggest that, as winters continue to warm, increases in ecosystem respiration outside the growing season could outpace increases in carbon uptake during a longer growing season, particularly in forests that depend on leaf‐out timing to initiate carbon uptake. In ecosystems with a perennial leaf habit, warming winter temperatures are more likely to increase ecosystem carbon uptake through extension of the active growing season. Our results highlight the importance of understanding relationships among antecedent winter conditions and carbon exchange across land‐cover types to understand how landscape carbon exchange will change under projected climate warming.
Comparative study of efficacy and safety of 45% mandelic acid versus 30% salicylic acid peels in mild‐to‐moderate acne vulgaris
Authors: Dayal Surabhi , Kalra Kirti Dudeja , Sahu Priyadarshini
Published: September 2019

Background

Chemical peels have become a popular modality in the treatment of acne vulgaris (AV). Mandelic acid (MA) is a new emerging peeling agent for AV owing to its antibacterial and anti‐inflammatory properties. Hence, it is worthwhile to evaluate the effectiveness and safety profile of this newer agent and to compare it with an older established peeling agent, salicylic acid (SA) in the treatment of AV.

Objective

Comparison between therapeutic efficacy and safety of 45% MA peel with 30% SA peel in Indian patients suffering from mild‐to‐moderate facial AV.

Methods

A total of 50 patients suffering from mild‐to‐moderate AV were randomly divided into two groups, with one receiving 30% SA peels and the other receiving 45% MA peels at an interval of 2 weeks for six sessions. Total duration of the study was 12 weeks. Michaelsson acne scores (MAS) and clinical photographs were used to evaluate the efficacy of therapy objectively. Adverse effects of both the agents were also noted at each visit.

Results

Both agents showed almost equal efficacy in improving mild‐to‐moderate AV. Salicylic acid was found better in treating noninflammatory lesions, while MA had an upper hand in treating inflammatory lesions. Overall, there was no significant difference between the two peels in improving MAS and percentage decrease in MAS. However, adverse effects were lesser with MA peels.

Conclusion

About 45% MA peel was found to be equally effective as 30% SA peel in mild‐to‐moderate facial AV. However, safety and tolerability of MA peel were better than SA peel.
Effect of oat decortication on chemical composition, in vitro digestibility and in situ degradability
Authors: Panah Farhad M. , Lashkari Saman , Weisbjerg Martin Riis
Published: September 2019

The effect of decortication on chemical composition and degradability characteristics of four Danish oat varieties was investigated. Effective degradability (ED) and post‐ruminal disappearance (PRD) were measured by in situ and mobile bag techniques respectively. Decorticated oat showed higher (p = .01) concentrations of crude protein (CP; 134 vs. 108 g/kg DM) and crude fat (71.6 vs. 53.1 g/kg DM) and a higher (p = .001) organic matter digestibility (OMD; 888 vs. 703 g/kg OM) than oat. The content of total fatty acids (FA) in DM was higher in decorticated oat. The proportion of linoleic acid (C18:2 n6) increased (p < .05) due to decortication, while the linolenic acid (C18:3 n3) proportion of total FA decreased in decorticated oat. Decortication increased (p = .01) the concentration of amino acids (AA), but the proportion of lysine in total AA decreased (p < .002). Effective degradability (ED) of both DM and CP was (p < .001) higher in decorticated oat. Decortication increased the total tract disappearance (TTD) and PRD of CP (p < .001). In conclusion, decortication can be used as a practical approach to increase the nutritional value of oat.
Physiologically based modelling of the pharmacokinetics of three beta‐lactam antibiotics after intra‐mammary administration in dairy cows
Authors: Woodward Andrew P. , Whittem Ted
Published: September 2019

Understanding the pharmacokinetics of intra‐mammary antibiotics is important for the prediction of drug residues in milk and for the design of optimal dosage regimens. Unfortunately, compartmental pharmacokinetic models are not valid for this unique system. A minimal physiologically based pharmacokinetic model is presented incorporating the physiology of milk secretion, drug administration at the quarter level, drug absorption and dispersion, drug retention during the inter‐milking interval and episodic drug elimination at milking. The primary objective of the study was the development and exploration of a model for major factors controlling drug concentration in milk, rather than generation of rigorously predictive pharmaco‐statistical models for any particular drug. This model was implemented in a two‐stage approach, using published concentration data for penicillin, cefuroxime, cephapirin and desacetyl‐cephapirin in milk of healthy cows. Model simulations evaluated sensitivity and developed predictions of drug residues. The model successfully predicted both drug concentrations and drug residues in milk. The postmilking residual milk volume did not adequately explain antibiotic pharmacokinetics, requiring additional considerations for drug retention. Local sensitivity analysis indicated that increasing the number of quarters treated, the dosage, or the duration of the inter‐milking interval prolonged both the persistence of drug residues and the duration that antibiotic concentration exceeded typical minimum inhibitory concentrations. The model was flexible across different beta‐lactam drugs as a general description of intra‐mammary pharmacokinetics. This model is suitable for the design and analysis of dosage regimens, and could be applied for the prediction of withholding periods when these antibiotic preparations are used off‐label. The final model indicates that explicit consideration of the milking regimen is fundamental to the design and interpretation of pharmacokinetic studies of antibiotics in bovine milk.