bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stability of amino acids and related amines in human serum under different preprocessing and pre-storage conditions based on iTRAQ®-LC-MS/MS
Authors: An Zhuoling , Shi Chen , Li Pengfei , Liu Lihong
Published: July 2020

Amino acids analysis or metabonomics requires abundant serum/plasma samples collection and samples storage has become inevitable given the limited capacity for immediate analysis. Currently, most of the existing studies on metabolites stability during sample storage focused on long-term and short-term stability, while many functional amino acids might be ignored due to the poor sensitivity and detection of analysis methods. Here, we attempted to elucidate the stability of amino acids and related amines as comprehensive as possible in human serum following different preprocessing and pre-storage procedures. Pooled, fasting serum samples were collected and stored at 4 °C and 22 °C respectively after a delay in sample processing (0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours) and underwent freeze-thaw cycles for three times at −80 °C. The concentration of amino acids and related amines were quantified using isobaric tagging reagent iTRAQ®-LC-MS/MS. Approximately 54.84 %, 58.06 % and 48.39 % of detectable and target analytes altered at 4 °C and 22 °C during pre-treatment and freeze-thaw cycles. Some amino acids which are not stable and relatively stable were found. Our study provided detailed profiles and suggestions for amino acids in human serum corresponding to diverse collection and pre-treatment measures.
Structural basis of DegP-protease temperature-dependent activation
Authors: Sulskis Darius , Thoma Johannes , Burmann Björn M.
Published: July 2020

Protein quality control is an essential cellular function mainly executed by a vast array of different proteases and molecular chaperones. One of the bacterial HtrA (high temperature requirement A) protein family members, the homo-oligomeric DegP-protease, plays a crucial role in theEscherichia coli(E. coli) protein quality control machinery by removing unfolded proteins or preventing their aggregation and chaperoning them to their final folded state within the periplasm. DegP contains two regulatory PDZ domains, which play key roles in substrate recognition and in the transformation of DegP between inactive hexameric and proteolytic active cage-like structures. Here, we analyze the interaction and dynamics of the DegP PDZ-domains underlying this transformation by high-resolution NMR spectroscopy complemented with biochemical cleavage assays. We identify an interdomain molecular lock, which controls the interactions between the two PDZ domains, regulated by fine-tuned temperature-dependent protein dynamics, and which is potentially conserved in proteins harboring tandem PDZ domains.
Transcriptional co-activator regulates melanocyte differentiation and oncogenesis by integrating cAMP and MAPK/ERK pathways
Authors: Ostojić Jelena , Sonntag Tim , Ngyen Billy , Vaughan Joan M. , Shokirev Maxim , Montminy Marc
Published: July 2020

The cyclic AMP pathway promotes melanocyte differentiation in part by triggering gene expression changes mediated by CREB and its coactivators (CRTC1-3). Differentiation is dysregulated in melanomas, although the contributions of different cAMP effectors in this setting is unclear. We report a selective differentiation impairment in CRTC3 KO melanocytes and melanoma cells, due to downregulation of OCA2 and block of melanosome maturation. CRTC3 stimulated OCA2 expression via binding to CREB on a conserved enhancer, a regulatory site for pigmentation and melanoma risk in humans. Response to cellular signaling differed between CRTC3 and its family members; CRTC3 was uniquely activated by ERK1/2-mediated phosphorylation at Ser391 and by low levels of cAMP. Phosphorylation at Ser391 was constitutively elevated in human melanoma cells with hyperactivated ERK1/2 signaling; knockout of CRTC3 in this setting impaired anchorage-independent growth, migration and invasiveness while CRTC3 overexpression supported cell survival in response to MAPK inhibition by vemurafenib. Human melanomas expressing gain of function mutations in CRTC3 were associated with poorer clinical outcome. Our results suggest that CRTC3 inhibition may provide benefit in the treatment of hyperpigmentation and melanoma, and potentially other disorders with deregulated cAMP/MAPK crosstalk.
LC3 subfamily in cardiolipin-mediated mitophagy: A comparison of the LC3A, LC3B and LC3C homologs
Authors: Iriondo Marina N. , Etxaniz Asier , Varela Yaiza R. , Hervás Javier H. , Montes L. Ruth , Goñi Félix M. , Alonso Alicia
Published: July 2020

Among the described indicators of mitochondrial damage, externalization of the phospholipid cardiolipin (CL) to the outer mitochondrial membrane has been proposed to trigger mitophagy, acting as a signal for binding the autophagy protein LC3B. However, the behavior of the other LC3 subfamily members has not been explored yet. In the present contribution, a comparative analysis of the interaction of LC3B, LC3A and LC3C with CL-containing model membranes, as well as their ability to translocate to mitochondria was assessed. Binding of LC3A to CL was higher than that of LC3B, and both proteins showed a similar ability to colocalize with mitochondria upon induction of CL externalization by rotenone in HeLa-NDPK-D or SH-SY5Y cells. Two residues located in the N-terminal region of LC3A were shown to be important for its recognition of damaged mitochondria. Moreover, thein vitroresults suggested a possible role of LC3A, but not of LC3B, in oxidized-CL recognition as a counterweight to excessive apoptosis activation. In the case of LC3C, even if this protein showed a higher binding than LC3B or LC3A to CL, binding was less specific, and colocalization of LC3C with mitochondria was not rotenonedependent. These results suggest that, at variance with LC3A, LC3C does not participate in the rotenone-CL mitophagy mechanism. The data support the notion that the various LC3/GABARAP family members might play different roles during autophagy initiation, identifying LC3A as a novel stakeholder in CL-mediated mitophagy.
Dynamics of nevus development implicate cell cooperation in the growth arrest of transformed melanocytes
Authors: Ruiz-Vega Rolando , Chen Chi-Fen , Razzak Emaad , Vasudeva Priya , Krasieva Tatiana B. , Shiu Jessica , Caldwell Michael G. , Yan Huaming , Lowengrub John , Ganesan Anand , Lander Arthur D.
Published: July 2020

Mutational activation of the BRAF proto-oncogene in melanocytes reliably produces benign nevi (pigmented “moles”), yet the same change is the most common driver mutation in melanoma. The reason nevi stop growing, and do not progress to melanoma, is widely attributed to a cell-autonomous process of “oncogene-induced senescence”. Using a mouse model of Braf-driven nevus formation, analyzing both proliferative dynamics and single-cell gene expression, we found no evidence that nevus cells are senescent, either compared with other skin cells, or other melanocytes. We also found that nevus size distributions could not be fit by any simple cell-autonomous model of growth arrest, yet were easily fit by models based on collective cell behavior, e.g. in which arresting cells release an arrest-promoting factor. We suggest that nevus growth arrest is more likely related to the cell interactions that mediate size control in normal tissues, than to any cell-autonomous, “oncogene-induced” program of senescence.
Parallel monitoring of mRNA abundance, localisation and compactness with correlative single molecule FISH on LR White embedded samples
Authors: Kramer Susanne , Meyer-Natus Elisabeth , Thoma Hanna , Schnaufer Achim , Engstler Markus
Published: July 2020

Single mRNA molecules are frequently detected by single molecule fluorescence in situ hybridisation (smFISH) using branched DNA technology. While providing strong and background-reduced signals, the method is inefficient in detecting mRNAs within dense structures, in monitoring mRNA compactness and in quantifying abundant mRNAs.

To overcome these limitations, we have hybridised slices of high pressure frozen, LR White embedded cells (LR White smFISH). mRNA detection is physically restricted to the surface of the resin. This enables single molecule detection of RNAs with accuracy comparable to RNA sequencing, irrespective of their abundance, while at the same time providing spatial information on RNA localisation that can be complemented with immunofluorescence and electron microscopy, as well as electron tomography. Moreover, LR White embedding restricts the number of available probe pair recognition sites for each mRNA to a small subset. As a consequence, differences in signal intensities between RNA populations reflect differences in RNA tertiary structures, and we show that the method can be employed to probe for mRNA compactness. We apply LR White smFISH to answer some outstanding questions related to trans-splicing, RNA granules and mitochondrial RNA editing, using trypanosomes and their versatile RNA biology as a model system.
Cerebral laterality of writing in right- and left- handers: A functional transcranial Doppler ultrasound study
Authors: Papadatou-Pastou Marietta , Sampanis Panagiotis , Koumzis Ioannis , Stefanopoulou Sofia , Sousani Dionysia , Tsigkou Athina , Badcock Nicholas A.
Published: July 2020

The cerebral lateralization of written language has received very limited research attention in comparison to the wealth of studies on the cerebral lateralization of oral language. The purpose of the present study was to further our understanding of written language lateralization, by elucidating the relative contribution of language and motor functions. We compared written word generation with a task that has equivalent visuomotor demands but does not include language: the repeated drawing of symbols. We assessed cerebral laterality using functional transcranial Doppler ultrasound (fTCD), a non-invasive, perfusion-sensitive neuroimaging technique in 23 left- and 31 right-handed participants. Findings suggest that the linguistic aspect of written word generation recruited more left-hemispheric areas during writing, in right-handers compared to left-handers. This difference could be explained by greater variability in cerebral laterality patterns within left-handers or the possibility that the areas subserving language in left-handers are broader than in right-handers. Another explanation is that the attentional demands of the more novel symbol copying task (compared to writing) contributed more right-hemispheric activation in right-handers, but this could not be captured in left-handers due to ceiling effects. Future work could investigate such attentional demands using both simple and complex stimuli in the copying condition.
Chronic stress has lasting effects on improved cued discrimination early in extinction
Authors: Judd Jessica M. , Smith Elliot A. , Kim Jinah , Shah Vrishti , Sanabria Federico , Conrad Cheryl D.
Published: July 2020

Chronic stress typically leads to deficits in fear extinction when tested soon after chronic stress ends. Given the importance of extinction in updating fear memories, the current study examined whether fear extinction was impaired in rats that were chronically stressed and then given a break from the end of chronic stress to the start of fear conditioning and extinction. Male rats were chronically stressed by restraint (6 h/d/21 d) and tested soon (termed immediate, STR-IMM), or 3 or 6 wk after a rest period from restraint (termed rest or “R,” STR-R3, STR-R6). In Experiment 1, STR-R3 and STR-R6 discriminated between the cue and nonshock context better than STR-IMM or control. Interestingly, STR-IMM showed high freezing to the nonshock context. Consequently, Experiment 2 investigated whether STR-IMM generalized across contexts, which was not supported. Experiment 3 determined whether STR-IMM were susceptible to second-order conditioning to a novel context, but showed that the level of second-order conditioning was similar for all groups. These findings reveal that rats exposed to chronic stress and then given a rest period of 3 or 6 wk, express unique fear extinction profiles compared to control and STR-IMM. Specifically, STR-R demonstrated excellent cue and context discrimination during extinction, and perhaps showed a stress inoculation effect. For STR-IMM, the heightened freezing under these extensive acclimation parameters was not attributed to generalization nor to second-order fear conditioning to “safe” contexts and, instead, may reflect hypervigilance.
Hippocampal efferents to retrosplenial cortex and lateral septum are required for memory acquisition
Authors: Opalka Ashley N. , Wang Dong V.
Published: July 2020

Learning and memory involves a large neural network of many brain regions, including the notable hippocampus along with the retrosplenial cortex (RSC) and lateral septum (LS). Previous studies have established that the dorsal hippocampus (dHPC) plays a critical role during the acquisition and retrieval/expression of episodic memories. However, the role of downstream circuitry from the dHPC, including the dHPC-to-RSC and dHPC-to-LS pathways, has come under scrutiny only recently. Here, we used an optogenetic approach with contextual fear conditioning in mice to determine whether the above two pathways are involved in acquisition and expression of contextual fear memory. We found that a selective inhibition of the dHPC neuronal terminals in either the RSC or LS during acquisition impaired subsequent memory performance, suggesting that both the dHPC-to-RSC and dHPC-to-LS pathways play a critical role in memory acquisition. We also selectively inhibited the two dHPC efferent pathways during memory retrieval and found a differential effect on memory performance. These results indicate the intricacies of memory processing and that hippocampal efferents to cortical and subcortical regions may be differentially involved in aspects of physiological and cognitive memory processes.
Behavioral evidence for pattern separation in human episodic memory
Authors: Zotow Ewa , Bisby James A , Burgess Neil
Published: July 2020

An essential feature of episodic memory is the ability to recall the multiple elements relating to one event from the multitude of elements relating to other, potentially similar events. Hippocampal pattern separation is thought to play a fundamental role in this process, by orthogonalizing the representations of overlapping events during encoding, to reduce interference between them during the process of pattern completion by which one or other is recalled. We introduce a new paradigm to test the hypothesis that similar memories, but not unrelated memories, are actively separated at encoding. Participants memorized events which were either unique or shared a common element with another event (paired “overlapping” events). We used a measure of dependency, originally devised to measure pattern completion, to quantify how much the probability of successfully retrieving associations from one event depends on successful retrieval of associations from the same event, an unrelated event or the overlapping event. In two experiments, we saw that within event retrievals were highly dependent, indicating pattern completion; retrievals from unrelated events were independent; and retrievals from overlapping events were antidependent (i.e., less than independent), indicating pattern separation. This suggests that representations of similar (overlapping) memories are actively separated, resulting in lowered dependency of retrieval performance between them, as would be predicted by the pattern separation account.
Vibration and fatigue life of an arresting cable under impact landing loads
Authors: Egido Fernández Andrés , García-Fogeda Nuñez Pablo , Arévalo Lozano Félix
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the fatigue life and dynamic loads of an arresting cable when a landing aircraft passes through a runway.

Design/methodology/approach

The cable is assumed to be under tension and with bending rigidity. The normal modes and natural frequencies of the vibrating wire are obtained analytically. The response of the arresting cable owing to the impact of the landing aircraft is modelled as a problem of initial conditions. The maximum normal and tangential stresses are determined for different landing conditions and landing aircraft sizes. The fatigue life of the wire is determined based on classical theories.

Findings

The results show that maximum shear stresses occur at the end of the cable. These shear stresses increased with higher off-centre landing position and decreased tyre width. Between 50 and 70% of the service life of the cable is reduced due to the dynamic loading effects.

Originality/value

A novel technique based on the solution of a continuous elastic system is proposed for analysing the displacements and stresses on an arresting cable due to the impact of a landing aircraft. The derived stresses can be used to calculate the service life of the cable.
Modified I-shaped hexa-band near perfect terahertz metamaterial absorber
Authors: A. Elakkiya , Sankararajan Radha , B.S. Sreeja , E. Manikandan
Published: July 2020

Purpose

A novel and simple six-band metamaterial absorber is proposed in the terahertz region, which is composed of an I-shaped absorber and circular ring with four gaps and a continuous metal ground plane separated by only 0.125 mm polyimide dielectric substrate. Initially, I-shaped resonator gives three bands at 0.4, 0.468 and 0.4928 THz with the absorptivity of 99.3%, 97.9% and 99.1%, respectively. The purpose of this paper is to improve the number of bands, for which the authors added the circular ring with four gaps, so the simulated metamaterial absorber exhibited six absorption peaks at 0.3392, 0.3528, 0.3968, 0.4676, 0.4768 and 0.492 THz, with the absorption rate of 91.4%, 94.2%, 94.9%, 90.3%, 77.5% and 97.4%, respectively. The surface current distribution and angle independence are explained for all the six frequencies which are used to analyze the absorption mechanism clearly. Structure maximum uses the squares and circles, so it will make the fabrication easy. The multiband absorbers obtained here have potential applications in many engineering technology, thermal radiation, material detection and imaging and optoelectronic areas.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents the design of the six-band metamaterial absorber which is from the I-shaped resonator and circular ring with four gaps and the metallic ground plane separated by the 0.125 polyimide dielectric substrate. The absorber exhibited six absorption peaks at 0.3392, 0.3528, 0.3968, 0.4676, 0.4768 and 0.492 THz, with the absorption rate of 91.4%, 94.2%, 94.9%, 90.3%, 77.5% and 97.4%, respectively. From the fabrication point of view, the proposed six-band metamaterial absorber has a very simple geometrical structure, and it is very easy to be fabricated.

Findings

The authors present a new and simple design of six-band absorber based on an I-shaped absorber and circular ring with four gaps and a metallic ground plane separated by a polyimide layer having the thickness of 0.125 mm. Six different resonance absorption peaks are found at 0.3392, 0.3528, 0.3968, 0.4676 , 0.4768 and 0.492 THz. Surface current distribution and angle independence plot have been studied to understand the absorption behavior of the designed terahertz metamaterial absorber.

Originality/value

The multiband absorbers obtained here have potential applications in many engineering technology, thermal radiation, material detection, security, sensors, imaging and optoelectronic areas.
Acute-lethal toxicity test on juvenileOreochromis niloticusexposed toPiper betleextract under static exposure
Authors: Mustapha Siti Nurafiqah , John Akbar , Sheikh Hassan , Chowdhury Ahmad Jalal Khan , Yunus Kamaruzzaman
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the effect ofPiper betleleaf extract towards the acute-lethal toxicity, LC50 of red Nile tilapia juveniles (Oreochromis niloticus).

Design/methodology/approach

Ten red Nile tilapia juveniles per tank (in triplicate) were used as an experimental fish for the LC50 bioassay. Five different concentrations ofP. betleextract; 80 ppm, 90 ppm, 100 ppm, 110 ppm and 120 ppm, were tested on the red Nile tilapia juveniles and one tank was acting as a control. The progress of the LC50 and lethal time of fish mortality were observed and recorded within the random interval of 96 h. The value for LC50 was determined as 100 ppm ofP. betleleaf extract. Higher number of fish mortalities was observed when concentration higher than 100 ppm was tested on to the red Nile tilapia juveniles.

Findings

Data obtained shows that theP. betleconcentration of 120 ppm accelerated the fish mortality period.

Originality/value

However, adaption ofP. betleextract occurred after 50 h, as there was no fish mortality observed within the time.
New and renewable energy resources in the Indonesian electricity sector: a systems thinking approach
Authors: Sunitiyoso Yos , Mahardi Johan Prabandono , Anggoro Yudo , Wicaksono Agung
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to apply a systems thinking methodology to analyse Indonesia’s new and renewable energy (NRE) electricity sector to describe the complex interrelations between its actors and variables, identify the systemic patterns and formulate recommendations for the policymakers.

Design/methodology/approach

Systems thinking methodology is used to observe the NRE electricity system and compile the corresponding data into a meaningful diagram to describe and recommend solutions for the sector’s issues. Causal loop diagram is used as the main method in this study with a deeper analysis of system archetypes to uncover the system behaviour. Soft system methodology and critical system heuristic are used partially to clarify the system boundaries, cultivate the perspective of the involved actors and problem categorization.

Findings

A comprehensive diagram is developed to present interrelation between all the components within the NRE electricity sector in Indonesia and the expected impact of any act or change to the entire system. Based on the causal interrelations between variables, typical systemic patterns or archetypes are used to identify unproductive patterns towards achieving the NRE electricity sector objectives.

Originality/value

The findings provide an initial outlook on the variables and systemic patterns within the system as a critical consideration in the decision-making process and policy development for the NRE electricity sector.
Do buzz and evidence really matter in product preannouncements? An empirical test of two competing theories
Authors: Mishra Debi P. , Atav Gizem , Dalman M. Deniz
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate if product pre-announcement effects measured using stock market returns conform to the predictions of two competing consumer marketing theories. In particular, while buzz marketing theory indicates a direct positive effect, information asymmetry theory suggests an influence contingent upon evidence. The study also investigates whether a pecking order of performance effects exists across different signaling situations.

Design/methodology/approach

The final sample consists of 219 product-preannouncements reported in theWall Street Journalbetween 2005 and 2015. The standard event study methodology was used to test for performance effects.

Findings

The results show that preannouncements with evidence alone significantly outperform those with buzz alone, and announcements containing buzz and evidence. Also, buzz acts as a salient moderator of the relationship between evidence and performance. In addition, company size also affects the evidence-performance relationship, with smaller firms benefiting more from evidence than larger firms.

Research limitations/implications

The event study method assumes efficient markets and deals with publicly traded companies.

Practical implications

Managers can allocate resources wisely by deciding whether to invest in evidence or buzz in their pre-announcements.

Originality/value

In contrast to extant research that primarily investigates contingency effects, this study identifies how an important moderator, i.e. buzz affects performance.
Rent dynamics in France between 1970 and 2013
Authors: Pourcelot Alexis , Coën Alain , Malle Richard , Simon Arnaud
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to highlight the determinants of market rents and to build a hedonic market rent index for each urban area and rental sector in France for the period 1970–2013. The authors also analyse the market rent dynamics over this period, with a special attention to the turning points in the French housing policy.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, the authors implement a hedonic model, called stratified time dummy variable, using the Box–Cox transformation as a functional form.

Findings

The contribution of this study to the housing research is threefold: First, the study improves our understanding of the French’s rental submarket specificities and their valuation. It sheds new light on the determinants of rents. Second, this study builds a hedonic market rent index over the period 1970–2013 for each geographical and sectoral segment (Paris urban area, urban areas of more and less than 100,000 inhabitants and private and public rental sectors). Third, this study explains rent dynamics focusing on the turning points in the French housing policy.

Originality/value

Finally, the authors provide the first long-term market rent index in France by submarket (geographical and sectoral). In the case of the French market, no long-term market rent exists. The only long series available is an indexed rent.
The need for anti-corruption policies in developing countries
Authors: Brody Richard G. , Gupta Gaurav , Ekofo Angela N. , Ogunade Kehinde Mayokun
Published: July 2020

Purpose

In this study, the authors examine the issue of corruption in the government institutions of developing countries. Additionally, this study aims to answer the following research question: How do developing countries implement and enforce these anti-corruption policies? Specifically, the authors look at the laws adopted in different developing countries to deal with issues related to corruption.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the qualitative approach to examine the causes of recent corruption among government officials in developing countries such as Nigeria, India, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. A comparative approach was used to compare and contrast the anti-corruption practices of developing and developed countries.

Findings

The findings indicate that corruption is rampant in much of the developing world. On a positive note, the authors have found evidence of actions taken by governments in these developing economies to rapidly deal with issues of corruption. All the countries analyzed in this paper have developed anti-corruption policies and related acts to detect and punish the perpetrators of corruption.

Originality/value

This paper provides a greater insight as to how the anti-corruption policies are formulated and enforced in the developing world. Specifically, the authors provide examples of different emerging countries and their approaches to developing and enforcing anti-corruption policies. This guidance can help others around the world to deal with anti-corruption policies in their countries. Although the authors have learned a lot about the detrimental effects of corruption and laws enacted to combat it, the next step is to examine the processes used by the developing countries to develop these anti-corruption laws and policies.
Offender personality disorder pathway screening tools evaluation
Authors: Mawby Zoe , Newman Andrew , Wilkinson-Tough Megan
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The offender personality disorder (OPD) pathway faces the difficult task of identifying individuals who are eligible for their service from the entire probation caseload. The offender assessment system personality disorder (OASys PD) screen is a national screening tool used by the pathway to help with this task. This paper aims to describe an evaluation of the effectiveness of this plus an additional screening tool currently used to identify eligible individuals for the OPD service in the South of England. Recommendations for improvements were made as necessary.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed methods design used a quantitative analysis of data on the effectiveness of the OASys PD for correctly identifying individuals and a thematic analysis of a focus-group conducted with clinicians within the service.

Findings

The analysis revealed a positive predictive value of the OASys PD screen of 72% and a negative predictive value of 91%. Key themes from the focus-group revealed what worked well about the screening process, what was difficult and what needed to be improved.

Practical implications

The OASys PD performed better than the clinicians had expected. It was recommended that the service continued to use the combination of the screening tool and the interviews with minor adjustments.

Originality/value

This is the first research study of its kind on the effectiveness of the OASys Personality Disorder Screening tool. Using such a tool with some caution (the addition of consultation) creates a useful and effective process for tackling the very difficult task of identifying people for the community component of the Offender Personality Disorder Service. This research provides some evidence for the validity of such a process that is currently used throughout the National Probation Service in England and Wales.
Commerce with a bit of ethics or ethics with a bit of commerce? The conundrum of British consumer co-operation 1863-1990
Authors: Webster Anthony , Wilson John F. , Wong Nicholas D.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper is concerned with the historical record of one business in the UK, which has long laid claim to the moral high ground in the conduct of its affairs – the amalgam of consumer co-operative business organisations, which eventually merged to become the Co-operative Group at the beginning of the 21st century. This paper aims to offer an assessment of the record of the British consumer co-operative movement’s efforts to abide by and promote its values and principles during the first 137 years of its existence (1863 to 1990).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is developed using largely qualitative research methods and a variety of sources. These include archival resources and business-historical materials such as committee minutes and correspondence. These materials have been complemented by several semi-structured recorded interviews with senior members of the Co-operative Group.

Findings

The authors develop several conclusions. First, where ethical choices were possible and no serious commercial interests were impaired, the co-operative movement could and usually did do its best to adhere to its principles. Second, in several instances, commercial interests did frequently trump ideals. Finally, the organisational structure of the movement made it very difficult to ensure that co-operative principles and values were adhered to.

Originality/value

This paper presents a unique case-study that examines the inherent tension between commerce and ethics in the co-operative movement.
Learning from your leaders and helping your coworkers: the trickle-down effect of leader helping behavior
Authors: Zhang Zhenduo , Zhang Li , Xiu Jing , Zheng Junwei
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Based on the social cognitive theory, this research analyzed the helping behavior of leaders and its trickle-down effect on an employee's helping behavior. Additionally, this study analyzed the relationship between an employee's helping behavior and thriving at work.

Design/methodology/approach

Cellphones were used to collect data using the experience sampling method from 74 participants over five consecutive days (N = 370), and the conceptual model was analyzed at the episode level.

Findings

This research examined the helping behavior of employees and its role in mediating the relationship between a leader's helping behavior and an employee's thriving at work. Psychological availability moderates this indirect relationship; and high psychological availability increases the indirect influence of a leader's helping behavior on an employee's helping behavior, which in turn increases employee's thriving at work.

Originality/value

The findings of this research shed light on a new social cognitive mechanism through which the helping behavior of leaders enhances an employee's thriving at work.
Multi-stakeholder partnerships: a catalyst to achieve sustainable development goals
Authors: Eweje Gabriel , Sajjad Aymen , Nath Shobod Deba , Kobayashi Kazunori
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the concept of multi-stakeholder partnerships in relation to the United Nations' sustainable development goals and propose a renewed multi-stakeholder partnerships framework that enables the implementation of the sustainable development goals.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs an integrative review methodology to assess, critique and synthesize the extant literature on the multi-stakeholder partnerships and sustainable development goals.

Findings

We propose a conceptual framework of multi-stakeholder partnerships to support the sustainable development goals implementation. Thus, this paper contributes to the conceptual understanding of the multi-stakeholder partnerships mechanism that enhances the sustainable development goals implementation.

Research limitations/implications

We propose a conceptual framework of multi-stakeholder partnerships to support the sustainable development goals implementation. Thus, this paper contributes to the conceptual understanding of the multi-stakeholder partnerships mechanism that enhances the sustainable development goals implementation.

Originality/value

We contend that this is one of the few early papers that contributes to the conceptual development of a collaborative multi-stakeholder partnerships paradigm by which such partnerships are formed and institutionalized among multiple interacting sectors to achieve the sustainable development goals.
Numerical modelling of concrete-filled stainless steel slender columns loaded eccentrically
Authors: M.A. Kadhim Majid
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper is aimed at clarifying the behaviour of concrete-filled stainless steel tube (CFSST) slender columns. Based on the review of previous works, it can be found that the pieces of research on the behaviour of CFSST slender columns are very rare and the existing studies, to the author’s knowledge, have not covered this topic in greater depth. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the structural response and strength capacity of eccentric loaded long CFSST columns.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a new finite element (FE) model is presented for predicting the nonlinear behaviour of CFSST slender columns under eccentric load. The FE model developed accounts for confinement influences of the concrete in-filled material. In addition, the initial local and overall geometric imperfections were introduced in the numerical model in addition to the inelastic response of stainless steel. The interaction between the stainless section and concrete in-filled was modelled using contact pair algorithm. The FE model was then verified against an experimental work presented in the literature. The ultimate strengths, axial load–lateral displacement and failure mode of CFSST slender columns predicted by the FE model were validated against corresponding experimental results.

Findings

The simulation results show that the improvement in the column strengths (compared to hollow section) is less significant when the composite columns have small width-to-thickness ratio. Finally, comparisons were made between the results obtained from FE simulation and those computed from the Eurocode 4 (EC4). It has been found that the EC4 predictions in most analysed cases are conservative for composite columns analysed under a combination of axial load and uniaxial or biaxial bending. However, the conservatism of the code is reduced with a higher slenderness ratio of the composite columns.

Practical implications

The simulation results throughout this research were compared with the corresponding Eurocode predictions.

Originality/value

This paper provides new findings about the structural behaviour of CFSST columns.
Moisture absorption and drying alter nonadditive litter flammability in a mixed conifer forest
Authors: de Magalhães Rita Quinones , Schwilk Dylan W.
Published: July 2020

Moisture content is a strong determinant of forest fuel flammability. However, little is known about the mechanisms by which species‐specific litter traits influence litter moisture absorption and retention. Characterizing how litter fuels retain moisture through time and how fuels from multiple species interact are key steps to adding taxon‐specific information to fire behaviour prediction.

To fill these gaps in knowledge, we determined moisture absorption and retention characteristics of the litter from multiple tree species, investigated what litter traits influenced these processes and tested for nonadditive moisture dynamics and nonadditive flammability in multi‐species mixtures. The litter from eight tree species of a mixed conifer forest was saturated and allowed to dry to determine moisture absorption capacity and drying rates. Burn trials were performed in litter beds of single species and of mixtures to establish flammability response to the dry‐down process and to species interactions.

Litter mixtures exhibited nonadditivity in flame spread rate and in fuel consumption. This nonadditivity became more positive with fuel drying.

Moisture dynamics varied across species with higher specific leaf area being associated with higher maximum absorption and lower litter bulk density being associated with faster drying rates. We found that these differing moisture dynamics resulted in time since wetting having strongly differing effects on flammability across the major litter types typified by different tree taxa.

Synthesis. This study is the first to examine ecologically relevant drying rates and their interaction with nonadditive mixture effects on flammability. We find that taxon specific patterns of moisture absorption and drying change flammability rankings under moist compared with dry fuels because traits that increase flame spread rate increase water absorption. Litter mixtures generally burn with fire behaviour more similar to that of the most flammable constituent species and this effect increases as fuels dry.
Demographic back‐casting reveals that subtle dimensions of climate change have strong effects on population viability
Authors: Czachura Kevin , Miller Tom E. X.
Published: July 2020

The effects of climate change on population viability reflect the net influence of potentially diverse responses of individual‐level demographic processes (growth, survival, regeneration) to multiple components of climate. Articulating climate–demography connections can facilitate forecasts of responses to future climate change as well as back‐casts that may reveal how populations responded to historical climate change.

We studied climate–demography relationships in the cactus Cyclindriopuntia imbricata; previous work indicated that our focal population has high abundance but a negative population growth rate, where deaths exceed births, suggesting that it persists under extinction debt. We parameterized a climate‐dependent integral projection model with data from a 14‐year field study, then back‐casted expected population growth rates since 1900 to test the hypothesis that recent climate change has driven this population into extinction debt.

We found clear patterns of climate change in our central New Mexico study region but, contrary to our hypothesis, C. imbricata has most likely benefitted from recent climate change and is on track to reach replacement‐level population growth within 37 years, or sooner if climate change accelerates. Furthermore, the strongest feature of climate change (a trend towards years that are overall warmer and drier, captured by the first principal component of inter‐annual variation) was not the main driver of population responses. Instead, temporal trends in population growth were dominated by more subtle, seasonal climatic factors with relatively weak signals of recent change (wetter and milder cool seasons, captured by the second and third principal components).

Synthesis. Our results highlight the challenges of back‐casting or forecasting population dynamics under climate change, since the most apparent features of climate change may not be the most important drivers of ecological responses. Environmentally explicit demographic models can help meet this challenge, but they must consider the magnitudes of different aspects of climate change alongside the magnitudes of demographic responses to those changes.
Rural school access and the agricultural transformation
Authors: Charlton Diane , Taylor J. Edward
Published: July 2020

Improving children's access to primary and secondary education is a strategic goal for many global development agencies and government policymakers. Nevertheless, there is relatively little research examining how changes in rural school supply affect future labor markets. We leverage variation in the timing and location of secondary school construction in Southern Mexico to identify the effects of school supply on labor outcomes. We find that school construction increases expected education for school‐aged children by about 4 years and raises the share of years working in the nonagricultural sector between the ages of 18–22 by 29.8 percentage points. The magnitude of the effects on share of years doing nonagricultural work is smaller for individuals from homes where an indigenous language is spoken. Our findings indicate that rural school construction in less‐developed countries can accelerate the transformation from agricultural to nonagricultural economies, but there may be heterogeneous effects across socioeconomic groups and ethnicities.
Increased mortality in patients with secondary diagnosis of atrial fibrillation: Report from Chinese AF registry
Authors: Shao Xing‐Hui , Yang Yan‐Min , Zhu Jun , Yu Li‐Tian , Liu Li‐Sheng
Published: July 2020

Background

The relationship between mortality and the primary diagnosis in AF patients is poorly recognized. The purpose of the study is to compare the differences on mortality in patients with a primary or secondary diagnosis of AF and to identify risk factors amenable to treatment.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study using data from the Chinese AF registry. For admitted patients, a follow‐up was completed to obtain the outcomes during 1 year.

Results

A total of 2015 patients with confirmed AF were included. AF was the primary diagnosis in 40.9% (n = 825) of them. 78.9% (n = 939) of the secondary AF diagnosis patients and 55.5% (n = 458) of the primary AF diagnosis patients were sustained AF. Compared with primary AF diagnosis group, the secondary AF diagnosis group was older with more comorbidities. At 1 year, the unadjusted mortality was much higher in the secondary AF diagnosis groups compared with the primary AF diagnosis groups. In Cox regression analysis with adjustment for confounding factors, patients with secondary AF diagnosis were associated with an increased mortality (relative risk 1.723; 95% CI: 1.283 to 2.315, p < .001). On multivariate analysis, age ≥ 75, LVSD, COPD, and diabetes were independent predictors of mortality in patients with primary AF diagnosis, while for the secondary AF diagnosis group, the risk factors were age ≥ 75, heart failure, and previous history of stroke.

Conclusions

Patients presenting to ED with secondary diagnosis of AF were suffering from higher mortality risks compared with primary AF diagnosis patients. Physicians should distinguish these two groups in clinical practice.
Remedial insight on ageing of glass through the study of ancient man‐made artefacts
Authors: Golovchak R. , Kovalskiy A. , Shpotyuk Y. , Mahlovanyi B. , Ploch D. , Ignatova T. , Kozdras A. , Cebulski J. , Czopek S.
Published: July 2020

Ancient man‐made glass artefacts provide vital information about the physical and chemical processes occurring over the long‐term period of weathering conditions. Despite the obvious complications associated with purity, non‐optimal conditions of synthesis and unknown thermal prehistory, the studies are important in the context of surface chemical degradation and structural relaxation theories. The soda‐lime‐silica glass from the sixth‐century bce period of Eastern Europe are studied in this paper by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and electron microscopy techniques. The dense, amorphous, about 43 μm‐thick SiO2 layer was detected on the surface of all artefacts; it formed a sharp boundary with the rest of the bulk. Thermal studies show that the ancient soda‐lime‐silica glass did not lose much enthalpy during about 2600 years of natural storage. The results suggest important modifications to a general glass corrosion theory and favour the existence of a terminal temperature for glass relaxation, below which the enthalpy of a macrosystem remains stable. Although the applied methods are rarely used in archaeology, the developed approach allows the value of recovered glass artefacts to be expanded beyond just their cultural or historical significance.
Application of mortar to wrap coffins in ancient Chinese tombs: Their properties, compositions and protective effect for the buried objects
Authors: Wei G. , Fang S. , Yao Z.
Published: July 2020

The study analyses the different kinds of sealing materials that wrapped coffins, examples of which were excavated from several Chinese tombs. The mineral compositions, microstructure and properties of these materials were assessed by means of scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS), differential scanning calorimetry with glass transition (DSC‐TG), X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), as well as mechanical and weather resistance tests. The results showed that the historical cement concrete had best overall performance due to its compact structure. This concrete contains more calcium and aluminium, and most likely belongs to old artificial white Portland cement. The properties and structures of lime mortar were related to the content of lime and the kinds of organic additives. Although the ancient people perhaps had found these rules, subject to social productivity, the optimum lime mortars were not widely used. As a natural sealing material, green paste mud had been used in this field for a long time. It consisted of microcrystalline muscovite, feldspar and quartz. Its strength, sealing and water resistance were better than ordinary soil, but the stability was general. Thus, it was gradually replaced by hybrid artificial materials.