bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated Marketing Communications
Authors: Ang Lawrence
Published: March 2018

In the area of marketing communications, the concept of integrated marketing communications (or IMC) is well known. This concept was first introduced into the US academic curriculum in 1991 at Northwestern University with the support of the American Association of Advertising Agencies (or 4As), but it is now taught around the world. IMC is essentially a planning concept which emphasizes the importance of coordinating various communication disciplines (e.g., advertising, PR, sales promotions, direct marketing, and personal selling), so that a maximum impact can be achieved in a campaign. This concept gained popularity with the advent of the internet as new (and ever-growing) digital media options and platforms developed. As more audiences move online, the use of offline traditional media (e.g., television, print, radio, and cinema) is now but one option. Both organizations and advertising agencies have realized that a combination of offline and online media is now necessary to reach their target audience, and hence the importance of having a central planning system. Advertising agencies also like this idea because it means extra revenue can be earned. However firms struggle to understand how best to operationalize, optimize and evaluate various channel combinations for an effective campaign. This has led to the rise of cross-media research and methods of evaluation with obvious implications for budget allocation. Adding to this complication is that purchase behavior is also changing. Consumers can now access product information, and inquire about the products or complain about poor service through a number of channels. This means firms have to be efficient in their coordination of several operations. This perspective means it is now important to build an organizational structure and processes to fulfil a number of business operations. The definition of IMC has thus evolved from communications to include strategic business functions. However, as in any implementations of new processes, resistance ensues. Thus, although the concept of IMC seems deceptively simple, its implementation is not, and this has led to research into barriers to and implementations of IMC.
Medievalism and Music
Authors: Cook James , Cook Karen
Published: March 2018

Medievalism, broadly construed, concerns the cultural and intellectual afterlife of the Middle Ages. It has a long tradition as a topic for critical scholarly engagement. Initially growing up in the disciplines of history and literature, it quickly spread to encompass the disciplines of art, architecture, music, and cultural studies, and began to incorporate theoretical positions taken from critical theory and psychoanalysis. With the founding of Studies in Medievalism by Leslie J. Workman, medievalism began to strike out as an interdisciplinary subject in its own right, crossing boundaries of genre, discipline, and period. The study of music and medievalism is a key part of the broader discipline, as an integral part of understanding popular culture broadly, and the genres of film, television, video games, and opera (among others) specifically. Medievalism is an important part of understanding the context of scholarly and performance traditions such as the historically informed performance practice movement and in understanding many types of music from Wagnerian opera to heavy metal. Indeed, medievalism has a long history in the arts. It has, throughout its history, come to mean many things, from the deliberate creative use of the medieval by later generations in art, literature, music, and other cultural products, to its explicit representation, and even more-general influence, conscious or otherwise. The earliest forays of 18th-century Romanticism tended to hold the medieval in high regard as a way of rejecting the political and ideological formulations of the Age of Enlightenment. It therefore formed an important part of 18th-century movements in art, architecture, literature, poetry, and music. More recently, medievalism has become an important part of popular culture, impacting upon film, television, video game, and popular music to an increasing degree, as well as entering political and journalistic discourse as a way of understanding contemporary phenomena.
Sustained Lesion and Shedding Rate Reductions in Genital Herpes Patients 24 Months after Immunization with GEN-003, a Genital Herpes Immunotherapy
Authors: Heineman Thomas , Mcneil Lisa K , Oliphant Thomas , Natenshon Andrew , Van Wagoner Nicholas , Flechtner Jessica B , Hetherington Seth ,   GEN-003-002b Investigators
Published: March 2018

Background

Herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) are the main cause of genital ulcers worldwide. GEN-003 is an investigational genital herpes immunotherapy composed of HSV-2 antigens gD2DTMR and ICP4.2, and the saponin-based adjuvant Matrix-M2TM (MM2). In a Phase 2 dose-ranging study (GEN-003-002), 3 doses of GEN-003 reduced HSV-2 lesion rate (percent of days with genital lesions) and anogenital HSV-2 shedding rate (percent of days with detectable virus). The antiviral effect of GEN-003 persisted to 12 months after the 3-dose vaccination regimen. We report here the results of an extension study to evaluate efficacy and immunogenicity of GEN-003 at 24 months post-vaccination.

Methods

GEN-003-002 subjects who received at least 1 dose of GEN-003 (dose groups: 30 or 60 µg of antigens combined with 25, 50 or 75 µg of MM2) were eligible to enroll in the extension study. At 24 months post-vaccination, anogenital swabs were collected twice daily for 28 days for HSV-2 DNA detection by quantitative PCR. During this period, subjects also reported genital herpes lesion data via a daily reporting tool. Blood samples were collected at the end of the swab collection period to evaluate humoral and cellular immune responses. HSV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) was measured by ELISA, and HSV-2 neutralizing antibodies were measured by a colorimetric assay. Cellular responses were evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells using an interferon-g/granzyme B Fluorospot assay.

Results

140 subjects were enrolled. At 24 months, those in the two best-performing GEN-003-002 study groups, 60 µg antigens combined with either 50 or 75 µg MM2 (60/50 and 60/75, respectively), recorded decreased mean viral shedding rates of 58% and 69% below baseline, similar to the 12-month shedding rate reductions, and mean anogenital lesion rates of 77% and 39% below baseline, respectively (Fig 1). In all dose groups, mean IgG titers to ICP4.2 and gD2ΔTMR were sustained from 12 to 24 months. Similarly, mean neutralizing antibody titers did not change significantly from month 12 to 24.

Conclusion

GEN-003 induces reductions in HSV-2 shedding and genital herpes lesion rates that persist to 24 months following treatment. Humoral immune responses to GEN-003 are maintained at 24 months after immunization.

Disclosures

T. Heineman, Genocea Biosciences: Employee, Salary. L. K. Mcneil, Genocea Biosciences: Employee, Salary. T. Oliphant, Genocea Biosciences: Consultant, Consulting fee. A. Natenshon, Genocea Biosciences: Employee, Salary. N. Van Wagoner, Genocea Biosciences: Consultant, Research support and Travel support to present at scientific meetings .J. B. Flechtner, Genocea Biosciences: Employee, Salary S. Hetherington, Genocea Biosciences: Employee, Salary/
Minimum Acceptable Susceptibility of Empirical Antibiotic Regimens for Gram-Negative Bloodstream Infections
Authors: Haggard Emily , Hagedorn Maureen , Bookstaver P. Brandon , Justo Julie Ann , Kohn Joseph , Al-Hasan Majdi N.
Published: March 2018

Background

There is a paucity of data describing the minimum acceptable susceptibility (MAS) of empirical antimicrobial regimens based on severity of illness, prognosis, and practitioner level of comfort.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine the MAS used by pharmacists involved in antimicrobial decision making for gram-negative bloodstream infections.

Methods

This cross-sectional survey targeted infectious diseases and/or critical care pharmacists. The 11-item survey was distributed electronically in September and October 2014. Survey respondents were asked to indicate a 2-digit number (between 59% and 99%) representing their MAS targets for each clinical scenario (3 cases of gram-negative bloodstream infection of varying complexity and prognosis and 1 control scenario of uncomplicated cystitis). The median MAS were reported by prognosis as estimated by the Bloodstream Infection Mortality Risk Score (BSIMRS) and respondent characteristics.

Results

Among 316 participant pharmacists, 209 (66%) and 52 (17%) identified infectious diseases and critical care as specialty practice areas, respectively. The median MAS was 90% for both case 1 (poor prognosis; BSIMRS: 13) and case 2 (guarded prognosis; BSIMRS: 8), 85% for case 3 (good prognosis; BSIMRS: 2), and 80% for case 4 (uncomplicated cystitis; BSIMRS: 0). There was a significant increase in median MAS as BSIMRS increased from 0 to 2 (P < 0.001) and from 2 to 8 (P < 0.001). The median MAS plateaued as BSIMRS increased from 8 to 13 (P = 0.20).

Conclusion

There was a proportional increase in respondents' median MAS as severity and complexity of infections progressed until MAS reached the maximum in patients with guarded/poor prognosis.
Chronic Q Fever Infection Mimicking Hematological Malignancy
Authors: Khateeb Jasmin , Stern Anat , Yaseen Hiba , Levi Yishai , Khamaisi Mogher
Published: March 2018

Chronic Q fever (QF) infection is considered a synonym for endocarditis and, less frequently, hepatitis. Rarely, it may resemble hematological malignancies. We present an unusual chronic QF infection mimicking lymphoma with secondary hemophagocytosis. A high level of suspicion for QF is essential in cases with an unusual course.
Student Perceptions of Peer Evaluation in an Online RN-to-BSN Course
Authors: Kim-Godwin Yeoun Soo , Turrise Stephanie , Lawson Sarah , Scott Melissa
Published: March 2018

The purpose of this study was to explore student perceptions of peer-evaluation experiences in an online RN-to-BSN nursing research course. A total of 140 students completed the online survey. A majority of students reported their peer-evaluation experience was helpful for learning (69%), and 81.8% of students indicated their writing skills improved. Findings of the study support the use of peer evaluation in online nursing courses.
Gait Variability and Energy Cost of Oveground Walking in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Sebastião Emerson , Bollaert Rachel E. , Hubbard Elizabeth A. , Motl Robert W.
Published: March 2018

Objective

This study examined the associations between gait variability based on common spatiotemporal parameters and energetic cost of walking in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Design

Eighty-six persons with multiple sclerosis underwent the 6-min walk while wearing a portable metabolic unit. The cost of walking was generated by dividing the net steady-state VO2 (milliliter per kilogram per minute) by walking speed during the 6-min walk. Participants further completed two trials of walking on the GAITRite mat at a self-selected pace for measuring spatiotemporal parameters. Variability of step length, step time, stride length, swing time, stance time, stride velocity, and single- and double-support time was indexed by the coefficient of variation.

Results

Variability in the spatiotemporal variables and Expanded Disability Status Scale scores were significantly correlated with cost of walking (i.e., ρ = 0.25–0.36). Multivariate analysis revealed that disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale: β = 0.186), stance time variability (β = 1.446), and step length variability (β = −1.216) explained significant variance (R
2 = 0.38, P < 0.001) in cost of walking.

Conclusions

We provide evidence of the positive association between gait variability and cost of walking during overground walking in persons with multiple sclerosis. The findings highlight the need for interventions aiming to reduce gait variability, thereby reducing the energetic demands of walking in this population.
Richard Langton Gregory. 24 July 1923—17 May 2010
Authors: Land Michael F. , Heard Priscilla
Published: March 2018

Richard Gregory was a pioneer of cognitive psychology. Much of his scientific work involved the development and interpretation of visual illusions, which he used as a tool to work out the perceptual mechanisms involved in the way that the visual world is normally perceived. He was also an inventor, developing a technique for viewing microscopic objects in three dimensions, and a method for taking sharp telescope images through an unstable atmosphere. He was a man of great charm, enthusiasm and wit, who listed his hobbies as punning and pondering. He was to become an outstanding public communicator of scientific ideas. He gave the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures (‘The intelligent eye’) in 1967, was a founder member of the Experimental Psychology Society, set up his own journal,
Perception
, in 1972, and in 1978 founded the Exploratory, a hands-on science centre in Bristol. His work on illusions and his interest in painting led to a collaboration with the art historian Sir Ernst Gombrich, resulting in the book
Illusion in nature and art
(1973) and an exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art. Other books included
Mind in science
(1981) and
The Oxford companion to the mind
(1987), for which he was both editor and a major contributor. The book for which he is best known is the wonderfully accessible
Eye and brain
, whose five editions (1966–1997) and many translations have inspired students of all ages.
Rodney Deane Davies CBE. 8 January 1930—8 November 2015
Authors: Graham-Smith Francis , Lyne Andrew G. , Dickinson Clive
Published: March 2018

Following early life on a farm in South Australia and a degree in Physics at the University of Adelaide, Rod Davies began his research career at the Radiophysics Laboratory in Sydney in 1951, working on the development of radio interferometers for solar observations. In 1953, he moved to the University of Manchester, Jodrell Bank, working with Bernard Lovell, later becoming the Director of Jodrell Bank from 1988 to 1997 and the President of the Royal Astronomical Society from 1987 to 1989. He is best known for leading observations of the structure of the cosmic microwave background, first carried out at Jodrell Bank and then transferred to Tenerife during the 1980s and 90s. Later, he was instrumental in establishing the European Space Agency's
Planck
spacecraft mission and continued after retirement to be closely involved in the interpretation of the data from
Planck
. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1992 and awarded a CBE in 1995. During Rod's tenure as Director of Jodrell Bank, he was responsible for the start of a major project to upgrade the Lovell Telescope, recognizing that with increased capability it could play a leading role into the 21st century. He was also Director during a major upgrade to the MERLIN telescope array, completed around 1991, and making MERLIN a modern, useable, open-access instrument. It was transformed into a true national facility, funded by government, and widely used by the national and international radio astronomy community. Rod Davies was always a kind and generous colleague, and a great inspiration to several generations of radio astronomers.
Peter Orlebar Bishop. 14 June 1917—3 June 2012
Authors: Pettigrew Jack D. , Dreher Bogdan
Published: March 2018

Peter Orlebar Bishop was an Australian neurophysiologist renowned for his ingenious quantitative approach to the study of the mammalian visual system and his great ability to attract a large number of talented people to visual research. Peter’s research was based on specially designed, precise instrumentation and data quantification applied mainly to analysis of the response properties of single neurones in the principal dorsal thalamic visual relay nucleus, the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGNd) and the primary visual cortex. This quantitative bent was evident throughout Peter’s entire research career: starting with the design and construction of innovative DC amplifiers; to his quantitative analysis of optics, ‘schematic eye’ for the cat, which rivalled Gullstrand’s schematic eye for humans; to creating and demonstrating validity of the concept of ‘projection lines’ in the representation of contralateral visual field in different cellular layers of the LGNd of mammals with frontally positioned eyes and discovery of massive binocular input to single LGNd neurones. Peter’s engineering approach was probably at its heuristic peak when it revealed many details of binocular interactions at the level of single neurones in the primary visual cortex—the interactions which appear to underpin overall mechanisms underlying stereopsis, the high precision binocular depth sense.
TGFβ-facilitated optic fissure fusion and the role of bone morphogenetic protein antagonism
Authors: Knickmeyer Max D. , Mateo Juan L. , Eckert Priska , Roussa Eleni , Rahhal Belal , Zuniga Aimee , Krieglstein Kerstin , Wittbrodt Joachim , Heermann Stephan
Published: March 2018

The optic fissure is a transient gap in the developing vertebrate eye, which must be closed as development proceeds. A persisting optic fissure, coloboma, is a major cause for blindness in children. Although many genes have been linked to coloboma, the process of optic fissure fusion is still little appreciated, especially on a molecular level. We identified a coloboma in mice with a targeted inactivation of transforming growth factor β2 (TGFβ2). Notably, here the optic fissure margins must have touched, however failed to fuse. Transcriptomic analyses indicated an effect on remodelling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) as an underlying mechanism. TGFβ signalling is well known for its effect on ECM remodelling, but it is at the same time often inhibited by bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling. Notably, we also identified two BMP antagonists among the downregulated genes. For further functional analyses we made use of zebrafish, in which we found TGFβ ligands expressed in the developing eye, and the ligand binding receptor in the optic fissure margins where we also found active TGFβ signalling and, notably, also gremlin 2b (
grem2b
) and follistatin a (
fsta
), homologues of the regulated BMP antagonists. We hypothesized that TGFβ is locally inducing expression of BMP antagonists within the margins to relieve the inhibition from its regulatory capacity regarding ECM remodelling. We tested our hypothesis and found that induced BMP expression is sufficient to inhibit optic fissure fusion, resulting in coloboma. Our findings can likely be applied also to other fusion processes, especially when TGFβ signalling or BMP antagonism is involved, as in fusion processes during orofacial development.
Entering the post-epigenomic age: back to epigenetics
Authors: Bultmann Sebastian , Stricker Stefan H.
Published: March 2018

It is undeniably one of the greatest findings in biology that (with some very minor exceptions) every cell in the body possesses the whole genetic information needed to generate a complete individual. Today, this concept has been so thoroughly assimilated that we struggle to still see how surprising this finding actually was: all cellular phenotypes naturally occurring in one person are generated from genetic uniformity, and thus are per definition epigenetic. Transcriptional mechanisms are clearly critical for developing and protecting cell identities, because a mis-expression of few or even single genes can efficiently induce inappropriate cellular programmes. However, how transcriptional activities are molecularly controlled and which of the many known epigenomic features have causal roles remains unclear. Today, clarification of this issue is more pressing than ever because profiling efforts and epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) continuously provide comprehensive datasets depicting epigenomic differences between tissues and disease states. In this commentary, we propagate the idea of a widespread follow-up use of epigenome editing technology in EWAS studies. This would enable them to address the questions of which features, where in the genome, and which circumstances are essential to shape development and trigger disease states.
Synthesis of novel and stable g-C
3
N
4
-Bi
2
WO
6
hybrid nanocomposites and their enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation
Authors: Li Haitao , Li Na , Wang Ming , Zhao Beiping , Long Fei
Published: March 2018

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C
3
N
4
) nanosheets with a thickness of only a few nanometres were obtained by a facile deammoniation treatment of bulk g-C
3
N
4
and were further hybridized with Bi
2
WO
6
nanoparticles on the surface via a solvothermal method. The composite photocatalysts were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV–vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The HR-TEM results show that the nano-sized Bi
2
WO
6
particles were finely distributed on g-C
3
N
4
sheet surface, which forms heterojunction structure. The UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) show that the absorption edge of composite photocatalysts shifts towards lower energy region in comparison with those of pure g-C
3
N
4
and Bi
2
WO
6
. The degradation of methyl orange (MO) tests reveals that the optimum activity of 8 : 2 g-C
3
N
4
-Bi
2
WO
6
photocatalyst is almost 2.7 and 8.5 times higher than those of individual g-C
3
N
4
and Bi
2
WO
6
. Moreover, the recycle experiments depict high stability of the composite photocatalysts. Through the study of the influencing factors, a possible photocatalytic mechanism is proposed. The enhancement in both photocatalytic performance and stability was caused by the synergistic effect, including the effective separation of the photogenerated electron-hole pairs at the interface of g-C
3
N
4
and Bi
2
WO
6
, the smaller the particle size and the relatively larger specific surface area of the composite photocatalyst.
Effects of elevated carbon dioxide on male and female behavioural lateralization in a temperate goby
Authors: Sundin Josefin , Jutfelt Fredrik
Published: March 2018

Behavioural abnormality in fishes has been proposed as a significant consequence of the increasing levels of carbon dioxide occurring in the oceans. Negative effects of elevated CO
2
have been reported for behaviours such as predator–prey interactions, foraging, hearing and behavioural lateralization. Importantly, the effects vary greatly both within and between species, and some recent studies have shown minimal effects of CO
2
on behaviour. Whether the effect of CO
2
also varies between males and females is, however, virtually unexplored. According to resource allocation theory, females are expected to be more sensitive to elevated CO
2
, meaning that non-sex-specific studies may overlook ecologically important differences between the sexes. In this study, we investigated the possible differences between males and females in their response to elevated CO
2
by performing behavioural lateralization tests in adult temperate two-spotted gobies,
Gobiusculus flavescens
. We found that the strength of the side bias (absolute lateralization) was unaffected by the CO
2
treatment, and there was no difference between males and females. The control fish were slightly right-biased in their behavioural asymmetry (mean relative lateralization of 14). Exposure to high CO
2
affected this pattern, such that treated fish were slightly left-biased (mean relative lateralization of −10), regardless of their sex. The same results were obtained yet again when the study was repeated during a second year. We discuss our results in light of the great variation in lateralization that has been reported to depend on variables such as species, ecological settings and environmental factors.
Random distributions of initial porosity trigger regular necking patterns at high strain rates
Authors: N’souglo K. E. , Srivastava A. , Osovski S. , Rodríguez-Martínez J. A.
Published: March 2018

At high strain rates, the fragmentation of expanding structures of ductile materials, in general, starts by the localization of plastic deformation in multiple necks. Two distinct mechanisms have been proposed to explain multiple necking and fragmentation process in ductile materials. One view is that the necking pattern is related to the distribution of material properties and defects. The second view is that it is due to the activation of specific instability modes of the structure. Following this, we investigate the emergence of necking patterns in porous ductile bars subjected to dynamic stretching at strain rates varying from 103 s−1to 0.5×105 s−1using finite-element calculations and linear stability analysis. In the calculations, the initial porosity (representative of the material defects) varies randomly along the bar. The computations revealed that, while the random distribution of initial porosity triggers the necking pattern, it barely affects the average neck spacing, especially, at higher strain rates. The average neck spacings obtained from the calculations are in close agreement with the predictions of the linear stability analysis. Our results also reveal that the necking pattern does not begin when the Considère condition is reached but is significantly delayed due to the stabilizing effect of inertia.
Genetic rescue in an inbred Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) population
Authors: Hasselgren Malin , Angerbjörn Anders , Eide Nina E. , Erlandsson Rasmus , Flagstad Øystein , Landa Arild , Wallén Johan , Norén Karin
Published: March 2018

Isolation of small populations can reduce fitness through inbreeding depression and impede population growth. Outcrossing with only a few unrelated individuals can increase demographic and genetic viability substantially, but few studies have documented such genetic rescue in natural mammal populations. We investigate the effects of immigration in a subpopulation of the endangered Scandinavian arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus), founded by six individuals and isolated for 9 years at an extremely small population size. Based on a long-term pedigree (105 litters, 543 individuals) combined with individual fitness traits, we found evidence for genetic rescue. Natural immigration and gene flow of three outbred males in 2010 resulted in a reduction in population average inbreeding coefficient (f), from 0.14 to 0.08 within 5 years. Genetic rescue was further supported by 1.9 times higher juvenile survival and 1.3 times higher breeding success in immigrant first-generation offspring compared with inbred offspring. Five years after immigration, the population had more than doubled in size and allelic richness increased by 41%. This is one of few studies that has documented genetic rescue in a natural mammal population suffering from inbreeding depression and contributes to a growing body of data demonstrating the vital connection between genetics and individual fitness.
ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: Hypoviridae
Authors: Suzuki Nobuhiro , Ghabrial Said A. , Kim Kook-Hyung , Pearson Michael , Marzano Shin-Yi L. , Yaegashi Hajime , Xie Jiatao , Guo Lihua , Kondo Hideki , Koloniuk Igor , Hillman Bradley I. ,   ICTV Report Consortium
Published: March 2018

The Hypoviridae, comprising one genus, Hypovirus, is a family of capsidless viruses with positive-sense, ssRNA genomes of 9.1–12.7 kb that possess either a single large ORF or two ORFs. The ORFs appear to be translated from genomic RNA by non-canonical mechanisms, i.e. internal ribosome entry site-mediated and stop/restart translation. Hypoviruses have been detected in ascomycetous or basidiomycetous filamentous fungi, and are considered to be replicated in host Golgi-derived, lipid vesicles that contain their dsRNA as a replicative form. Some hypoviruses induce hypovirulence to host fungi, while others do not. This is a summary of the current ICTV report on the taxonomy of the Hypoviridae, which is available at www.ictv.global/report/hypoviridae.
Interhomolog polymorphism shapes meiotic crossover withinRAC1andRPP13disease resistance genes
Authors: Serra Heïdi , Choi Kyuha , Zhao Xiaohui , Blackwell Alexander R. , Henderson Ian R.
Published: March 2018

During meiosis chromosomes undergo DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), which can produce crossovers via interhomolog repair. Meiotic recombination frequency is variable along chromosomes and concentrates in narrow hotspots. We mapped crossovers withinArabidopsis thalianahotspots located within theRAC1andRPP13disease resistance genes, using varying haplotypic combinations. We observed a negative non-linear relationship between interhomolog divergence and crossover frequency, consistent with polymorphism suppressing crossover repair of DSBs. Anti-recombinase mutantsfancm,recq4a recq4b,figl1andmsh2, or lines with increasedHEI10dosage, are known to show increased crossovers. Surprisingly,RAC1crossovers were either unchanged or decreased in these genetic backgrounds. We employed deep-sequencing of crossovers to examine recombination topology withinRAC1, in wild type,fancmandrecq4a recq4bmutant backgrounds. TheRAC1recombination landscape was broadly conserved in anti-recombinase mutants and showed a negative relationship with interhomolog divergence. However, crossovers at theRAC15’-end were relatively suppressed inrecq4a recq4bbackgrounds, indicating that local context influences recombination outcomes. Our results demonstrate the importance of interhomolog divergence in shaping recombination within plant disease resistance genes and crossover hotspots.
Cohort-based smoothing methods for age-specific contact rates
Authors: Vandendijck Yannick , Gressani Oswaldo , Faes Christel , Camarda Carlo G. , Hens Niel
Published: March 2018

The use of social contact rates is widespread in infectious disease modeling since it has been shown that they are key driving forces of important epidemiological parameters. Quantification of contact patterns is crucial to parametrize dynamic transmission models and to provide insights on the (basic) reproduction number. Information on social interactions, can (for instance) be obtained from population-based contact surveys, such as the European Commission project POLYMOD. Estimation of age-specific contact rates from these studies is often done using a piecewise constant approach or bivariate smoothing techniques. For the latter, typically, smoothing is done in the dimensions of the respondent’s and contact’s age. We propose a new flexible strategy based on a smoothing constrained approach - taking into account the reciprocal nature of contacts - where the contact rates are assumed smooth from a cohort perspective as well as from the age distribution of contacts. This is achieved by smoothing over the diagonal components (including all subdiagonals) of the social contact matrix. This approach is supported by the fact that people age with time and thus motivates smoothly varying contact rates from a cohort angle. Two approaches that allow for smoothing of social contact data over cohorts are proposed namely, (1) reordering of the diagonal components of the social contact matrix; and (2) reordering of the penalty matrix associated with the diagonal components. Parameter estimation is done in the likelihood framework by using constrained penalized iterative reweighted least squares (C-PIRLS), under Poisson and negative Binomial distributional assumptions for the observed contacts. A simulation study underlines the benefits of cohort-based smoothing based on two scalar measures of performance. Finally, the proposed methods are illustrated on the Belgian POLYMOD data of 2006. Code to reproduce the results of the article can be downloaded on this Github repositoryhttps://github.com/oswaldogressani/Cohort_smoothing.
Computation is concentrated in rich clubs of local cortical neurons
Authors: Faber Samantha P. , Timme Nicholas M. , Beggs John M. , Newman Ehren L.
Published: March 2018

To understand how neural circuits process information, it is essential to identify the relationship between computation and circuit topology. Rich-clubs, highly interconnected sets of neurons, are known to propagate a disproportionate amount of information within cortical circuits. Here, we test the hypothesis that rich-clubs also perform a disproportionate amount of computation. To do so, we recorded the spiking activity of on average ∼300 well-isolated individual neurons from organotypic cortical cultures. We then constructed weighted, directed networks reflecting the effective connectivity between the neurons. For each neuron, we quantified the amount of computation it performed based on its inputs. We found that rich-club neurons compute ∼200% more information than neurons outside of the rich club. Indeed, the amount of computation performed in the rich-club was proportional to the amount information propagation by the same neurons. This suggests that, in these circuits, information propagation drives computation. Comparing the computation-to-propagation ratio inside versus outside of the rich club showed that rich clubs compute at a slightly, though significantly, reduced level (∼4% lower). In total, our findings indicate that rich club topology in effective cortical circuits supports not only information propagation but also neural computation.

AUTHOR SUMMARY

Here we answer the question of whether rich club topology in functional cortical circuits supports neural computation as it has been previously shown to do for information propagation. To do so, we combined network analysis with information theoretic tools to analyze the spiking activity of hundreds of neurons recorded from organotypic cultures of mouse somatosensory cortex. We found that neurons in rich clubs computed significantly more than neurons outside of rich clubs, suggesting that rich-clubs do support computation in cortical circuits. Indeed, the amount of computation that we found in the rich club was proportional to the amount of information they propagate suggesting that, in these circuits, information propagation drives computation.
Necroptosis in development and diseases
Authors: Shan Bing , Pan Heling , Najafov Ayaz , Yuan Junying
Published: March 2018

Necroptosis, a form of regulated necrotic cell death mediated by RIPK1 (receptor-interacting protein kinase 1) kinase activity, RIPK3, and MLKL (mixed-lineage kinase domain-like pseudokinase), can be activated under apoptosis-deficient conditions. Modulating the activation of RIPK1 by ubiquitination and phosphorylation is critical to control both necroptosis and apoptosis. Mutant mice with kinase-dead RIPK1 or RIPK3 and MLKL deficiency show no detrimental phenotype in regard to development and adult homeostasis. However, necroptosis and apoptosis can be activated in response to various mutations that result in the abortion of the defective embryos and human inflammatory and neurodegenerative pathologies. RIPK1 inhibition represents a key therapeutic strategy for treatment of diseases where blocking both necroptosis and apoptosis can be beneficial.
Dynamic asset allocation with asymmetric jump distribution
Authors: Li Xiaoping , Zhou Chunyang
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to solve the optimal dynamic portfolio problem under the double-exponential jump diffusion (DEJD) distribution, which can allow the asset returns to jump asymmetrically.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors solve the problem by solving the HJB equation. Meanwhile, in the presence of jump component in the asset returns, the investor may suffer a large loss due to high leveraged position, so the authors impose the short-sale and borrowing constraints when solving the optimization problem.

Findings

The authors provide sufficient conditions such that the optimal solution exists and show theoretically that the optimal risky asset weight is an increasing function of jump-up probability and average jump-up size and a decreasing function of average jump-down size.

Research limitations/implications

In this study, the authors assume that the jump-up and jump-down intensities are constant. In the future, the authors will relax the assumption and allows the jump intensities to be time varying.

Practical implications

Empirical studies based on Chinese Shanghai stock index data show that the jump distribution of Shanghai index returns is asymmetric, and the DEJD model can fit the data better than the log-normal jump-diffusion model. The numerical results are consistent with the theoretical prediction, and the authors find that the less risk-averse investor will suffer more economic cost if ignoring asymmetric jump distribution.

Originality/value

This study first examines how asymmetric jumps affect the investor’s portfolio allocation.
Organizational barriers to employee training and learning: evidence from the automotive sector
Authors: Anlesinya Alex
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This study examines the factors that hinder employee training and learning in the automotive industry in Ghana, Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts quantitative research methodology and cross-sectional survey design. Eighty-nine usable questionnaires from employees of an automotive organization in Ghana are used. Descriptive statistics and one-sample t-test are used for the analyses.

Findings

The results indicate that organizational culture, poor management commitment to training, inadequate promotion prospects, and lack of transparency and fairness in trainees’ selection are the most common barriers to employee training and learning.

Practical implications

Top management should provide opportunities to employees to apply new skills and knowledge they acquired. Fair and transparent procedures should be used to select training beneficiaries. Finally, organizations should develop cultural systems that encourage continuous learning motivation among their employees.

Originality/value

In this era of knowledge-driven economy, this research highlights factors that inhibit employees’ motivation to learn.
The governance of spectrum: a possible venue of accountability for global telecommunication
Authors: Rozgonyi Krisztina
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The paper aims to explore accountability as a virtue and as a mechanism (Bovens, 2010) of global telecommunication operators in the process of governing spectrum and of broadband development. The two concepts of accountability are juxtaposed with operators’ corporate reporting practices and spectrum licensing procedures of European national regulatory authorities (NRAs) and are analysed accordingly. The paper argues that spectrum licensing within the European Union regulatory context offers possible venues for policy intervention, rendering telecom providers to take an account on their global operations. Corruption is the case study to draw connections to public accountability, with a focus on the information and communication technology global market activity.

Design/methodology/approach

Spectrum bidding processes of European NRAs were analysed according to published documentation of auctions and to answers of NRAs on specific aspects of their licensing practices. Auctioning cases on 800 MHz band frequencies (790-862 MHz, or the “digital dividend”) were selected in countries where telecoms involved in corruption cases were based or where corrupt practices were revealed. Furthermore, a survey was carried out between 08 March and 03 June 2017 – coordinated by the Radio Spectrum Policy Group among its 28 members – on inquiring about licensing practices of NRAs during spectrum trading with respect to identifying beneficial ownership of bidders to spectrum.

Findings

Findings show that European NRAs are in possession of regulatory tools that could enforce telecoms’ public accountability; there are strong arguments on the need for European and national-level policy interventions. Spectrum licensing procedures are offering possible and potential venues of accountability. Further legislative action is necessary to adopt a minimum set of criteria applicable in the licensing process. Harmonised implementation by NRAs should further develop new standards fostering transparency.

Originality/value

Information about the ethical behaviour and corruption of European telecom operators is surprisingly scarce and unsystematic, particularly considering the centrality of those actors in advancing a number of the aims of the historical Millennium Development Goals and the new Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. Research into the governance of spectrum as a possible venue of accountability, and the findings shed new light on regulatory aspects of telecommunication in a global perspective.
Situational strategic versus personal influences on negotiation medium choice
Authors: Geiger Ingmar , Laubert Christoph
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This study aims to compare predictions from media synchronicity theory (MST) with the influence of personality variables in an attempt to explain how negotiators choose the communication media for negotiation.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors examine media choice in two scenario-based experimental studies with students (n = 209) and professionals (n = 302) in a negotiation setting. For the analysis of the data, the authors use multilevel modeling.

Findings

This study offers support for the central proposition of MST, namely, that the type of communication subtask (conveyance or convergence) determines the degree of media synchronicity needed and therefore media choice (face-to-face or email). The support for its boundary conditions and contingent situational determinants is weaker. With the affect for communication channel scale, this study also captures individual media preferences for face-to-face or email communication, which have consistent influences on negotiators’ media choice. The personal influence variables on average account for similar variance in the data compared with the MST-based determinants.

Originality/value

This study sheds new light on diverging empirical results concerning media influences in negotiation and offers some reconciling suggestions. Furthermore, this study is the first to test boundary conditions of MST. Also, it stresses the importance of negotiators’ media preferences for media choice.
Crowd-sourcing (who, why and what)
Authors: Ikediego Henry Oluchukwu , Ilkan Mustafa , Abubakar A. Mohammed , Victor Bekun Festus
Published: March 2018

Purpose

There is growing interest in innovative online problem-solving models such as crowdsourcing to serve individuals, firms and the society as a whole. Crowdsourcing is the combination of efforts from various sets of individuals who are either volunteering or working part-time for socioeconomic production, basically in the cyber world. This hybrid work model is already in use by businesses and entrepreneurs; some of the platforms include Amazon mechanical Turk, 99designs, Hit RECORD and Design Crowd.

Design/methodology/approach

Much has been parleyed and published, and this is primarily because of the efficient socioeconomic potentials crowdsourcing offers.

Findings

This paper addressed the following three questions to help have a better understanding of crowdsourcing: who can perform crowdsourcing? why it is relevant to crowdsource in this present proliferated internet age and if there are going to be some changes in the future and the last but not the least what can be done to promote it in the society?

Originality/value

This paper discusses the three W’s and concludes with challenges facing the crowdsourcing work model.
Macroeconomic uncertainty, corporate governance and corporate capital structure
Authors: Chow Yee Peng , Muhammad Junaina , Bany-Ariffin A.N. , Cheng Fan Fah
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how corporate governance moderates the relationship between macroeconomic uncertainty and corporate capital structure.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs the two-step system generalized method of moments regression, considering a sample of 907 listed non-financial firms from seven Asia Pacific countries during the period 2004-2014.

Findings

This study finds that macroeconomic uncertainty has a significant negative impact on the capital structure decisions of firms. The results also reveal that the overall effect of macroeconomic uncertainty on capital structure among firms with better governance quality is significantly negative. The evidence suggests that corporate governance acts as an effective mechanism to curb the usage of leverage during times of high volatility. Further analysis shows that board independence, the separation between the roles of CEO and chairman of the board and blockholders’ ownership are effective governance mechanisms, whereas similar observations do not hold for board size and institutional ownership.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study may be useful to policy makers to formulate appropriate policies to mitigate the adverse effects caused by macroeconomic uncertainty. This is important because macroeconomic uncertainty may have potential destabilizing effects on a country’s or region’s development by jeopardizing the firms’ ability to formulate sound investment, production and financing decisions. Additionally, the results suggest that good governance quality can act as a check and balance to ensure that firms use less leverage when they are facing volatility in the macroeconomic environment. These findings could help to reinforce the importance of good governance among policy makers of a country as well as managers of firms.

Originality/value

The authors make the first attempt to examine the moderating effect of corporate governance on the relationship between macroeconomic uncertainty and corporate capital structure.
Hedge fund variables and short-run SEO returns
Authors: Hull Robert Martin , Kwak Sungkyu , Walker Rosemary
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine if hedge fund variables (HFVs) are associated with short-run daily buy and hold abnormal returns (BHARs) for a 30-day window around announcement dates for seasoned equity offerings (SEOs).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper utilizes the event study metric that computes BHARs. These BHARs are used in a regression model as dependent variables with HFVs and nonhedge fund variables (NFVs) as independent variables. For regression tests, standard errors are clustered at the month level.

Findings

This paper offers three new findings. First, HFVs are significantly associated with SEO BHARs. Second, HFVs are capable being associated with stronger statistical significance compared to NFVs. Third, not using HFVs can produce an omitted-variable bias.

Research limitations/implications

This paper does not have information on which individual hedge funds use a strategy during the month of the offering but only the proportion of hedge funds that do. A research implication is the proportion can be associated with SEO BHARs in a fashion predicted based on a long or short position.

Practical implications

Hedge funds can use trading strategies to capitalize on established patterns of price behavior.

Social implications

Hedge funds enjoy a trading advantage over smaller investors.

Originality/value

This paper is the first study to document the association between hedge fund stratagems and stock returns around a major corporate event. It shows researchers should consider institutional trading strategies when studying the market response to a major corporate event.