bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vaginal Native Tissue Repair for Posterior Compartment Prolapse: Long-Term Analysis of Sexual Function and Quality of Life in 151 Patients
Authors: Schiavi Michele Carlo , D'Oria Ottavia , Faiano Pierangelo , Prata Giovanni , Di Pinto Anna , Sciuga Valentina , Colagiovanni Vanessa , Giannini Andrea , Zullo Marzio Angelo , Monti Marco , Muzii Ludovico , Benedetti Panici Pierluigi
Published: August 2017

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of vaginal native tissue repair for symptomatic rectocele and to evaluate the impact on quality of life (QoL) and sexual function.

Methods

One hundred fifty-one patients affected by rectocele stage II or higher according to the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System were enrolled. Patients underwent vaginal native tissue repair. Postoperative assessments consisted in a clinical examination and assessment of posterior compartment symptoms and defecatory dysfunctions. These were conducted 1, 12, and 60 months after surgery. Patients completed the Prolapse Quality-of-Life questionnaire, the Pelvic Floor Disability Index, the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire, and the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire short form.

Results

The median follow-up was 64 (60–72) months. The median operative time was 55 (37–127) minutes, and the median postoperative hospital stay was 2 (2–4) days. No intraoperative complications occurred. At median follow-up, an objective cure rate of 88.2% was observed. Seventeen patients (11.3%) showed recurrent posterior vaginal descent stage II or higher. Defecatory dysfunctions, vaginal digitation, and vaginal bulge decreased significantly. The change of values of the Prolapse Quality-of-Life, Pelvic Floor Disability Index, and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire questionnaires has shown a significant improvement in the QoL after surgery. The percentage of patients regularly practicing sexual activity increased, and dyspareunia decreased after treatment.

Conclusions

Vaginal native tissue repair is a safe and effective procedure for symptomatic rectocele, with a low rate of complications, and improves pelvic organ prolapse–related symptoms, QoL, and sexual function.
Utility of EEG Activation Procedures in Epilepsy: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Baldin Elisa , Hauser W. A. , Buchhalter Jeffrey R. , Hesdorffer Dale C. , Ottman Ruth
Published: August 2017

Purpose:

No previous population-based study has addressed the contribution of activation procedures to the yield of epileptiform abnormalities on serial EEGs. We assessed yield of activation-related epileptiform abnormalities and predictors of finding an activation-related abnormality with multiple EEGs in a population-based study of newly diagnosed epilepsy.

Methods:

We used the resources of the Rochester Epidemiology Project to identify 449 residents of Rochester, Minnesota with a diagnosis of newly diagnosed epilepsy at age 1 year or older, between 1960 and 1994, who had at least one EEG. Information on all activation procedures (i.e., sleep, hyperventilation, and photic activation) and seizure/epilepsy characteristics was obtained by comprehensive review of medical records.

Results:

At the first EEG, the yield of epileptiform abnormalities was greatest for individuals 1 to 19 years of age at diagnosis, for each activation procedure. The yield in patients aged 1 to 19 versus ≥20 years was 21.6% versus 10.3% for sleep, 6.5% versus 3.3% for photic stimulation, and 10.3% versus 5% for hyperventilation. Among young people (aged 1–19 years), sleep was associated with an increased likelihood of finding an activation-related abnormality on any EEG. The likelihood of finding an activation-related abnormality on any EEG was decreased for postnatal symptomatic and for unknown etiology.

Conclusions:

Among activation procedures, sleep showed the highest yield of epileptiform abnormalities. There was a low yield for photic stimulation and hyperventilation. Within each activation procedure, younger age at diagnosis had the greatest yield. Sleep is the most effective activation procedure, especially in younger patients, and should be performed when possible.
Broad-scale redistribution of mRNA abundance and transcriptional machinery in response to growth rate in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium
Authors: Cameron Andrew D. S. , Dillon Shane C. , Kröger Carsten , Beran Laurens , Dorman Charles J.
Published: August 2017

We have investigated the connection between the four-dimensional architecture of the bacterial nucleoid and the organism's global gene expression programme. By localizing the transcription machinery and the transcriptional outputs across the genome of the model bacterium Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium at different stages of the growth cycle, a surprising disconnection between gene dosage and transcriptional output was revealed. During exponential growth, gene output occurred chiefly in the Ori (origin), Ter (terminus) and NSL (non-structured left) domains, whereas the Left macrodomain remained transcriptionally quiescent at all stages of growth. The apparently high transcriptional output in Ter was correlated with an enhanced stability of the RNA expressed there during exponential growth, suggesting that longer mRNA half-lives compensate for low gene dosage. During exponential growth, RNA polymerase (RNAP) was detected everywhere, whereas in stationary phase cells, RNAP was concentrated in the Ter macrodomain. The alternative sigma factors RpoE, RpoH and RpoN were not required to drive transcription in these growth conditions, consistent with their observed binding to regions away from RNAP and regions of active transcription. Specifically, these alternative sigma factors were found in the Ter macrodomain during exponential growth, whereas they were localized at the Ori macrodomain in stationary phase.
Role of KCC2-Dependent Potassium Efflux in 4-Aminopyridine-Induced Epileptiform Synchronization
Authors: Gonzalez Oscar C , Shiri Zahra , Krishnan Giri P , Myers Timothy L , Williams Sylvian , Avoli Massimo , Bazhenov Maxim
Published: August 2017

A balance between excitation and inhibition is required to maintain stable brain network dynamics. Traditionally, seizure activity is believed to arise from the breakdown of this delicate balance in favor of excitation with loss of inhibition. Surprisingly, recent experimental evidence suggests that this conventional view may be untrue, and that inhibition plays a prominent role in the development of epileptiform synchronization. Here, we explored the role of the co-transporter KCC2 in the onset of inhibitory network-induced seizures. Our experiments in acute mouse brain slices of either sex revealed that optogenetic stimulation of either parvalbumin- or somatostatin-expressing interneurons induced ictal discharges in rodent entorhinal cortex during 4-aminopyridine application. These data point to a proconvulsive role of GABAA receptor signaling that is independent of the inhibitory input location (i.e., dendritic vs. somatic). Further, we developed a biophysically realistic network model implementing complex dynamics of the ion concentrations to explore the mechanisms leading to inhibitory network-induced seizures. In agreement with experimental results, we found that stimulation of inhibitory interneurons induced seizure-like activity in a network with reduced potassium A-current. Model predicted that interneuron stimulation triggered interneuron firing that was accompanied by an increase in intracellular chloride and a subsequent KCC2-dependent gradual accumulation of extracellular potassium promoting epileptiform ictal activity. When the KCC2 activity was reduced, stimulation of the interneurons was no longer able to induce ictal events. Overall, our study provides evidence for a proconvulsive role of GABAA receptor signaling that depends on the involvement of the KCC2 co-transporter.
Intra- and inter-chromosomal chromatin interactions mediate genetic effects on regulatory networks
Authors: Delaneau O. , Zazhytska M. , Borel C. , Howald C. , Kumar S. , Ongen H. , Popadin K. , Marbach D. , Ambrosini G. , Bielser D. , Hacker D. , Romano-Palumbo L. , Ribaux P. , Wiederkehr M. , Falconnet E. , Bucher P. , Bergmann S. , Antonarakis S. E. , Reymond A. , Dermitzakis E. T.
Published: August 2017

Genome-wide studies on the genetic basis of gene expression and the structural properties of chromatin have considerably advanced our understanding of the function of the human genome. However, it remains unclear how structure relates to function and, in this work, we aim at bridging both by assembling a dataset that combines the activity of regulatory elements (e.g. enhancers and promoters), expression of genes and genetic variations of 317 individuals and across two cell types. We show that the regulatory activity is structured within 12,583 Cis Regulatory Domains (CRDs) that are cell type specific and highly reflective of the local (i.e. Topologically Associating Domains) and global (i.e. A/B nuclear compartments) nuclear organization of the chromatin. These CRDs essentially delimit the sets of active regulatory elements involved in the transcription of most genes, thereby capturing complex regulatory networks in which the effects of regulatory variants are propagated and combined to finally mediate expression Quantitative Trait Loci. Overall, our analysis reveals the complexity and specificity of cis and trans regulatory networks and their perturbation by genetic variation.
C-BERST: Defining subnuclear proteomic landscapes at genomic elements with dCas9-APEX2
Authors: Gao Xin D. , Tu Li-Chun , Mir Aamir , Rodriguez Tomás , Ding Yuehe , Leszyk John , Dekker Job , Shaffer Scott A. , Zhu Lihua Julie , Wolfe Scot A. , Sontheimer Erik J.
Published: August 2017

Mapping proteomic composition at distinct genomic loci and subnuclear landmarks in living cells has been a long-standing challenge. Here we report that dCas9-APEX2Biotinylation at genomicElements byRestrictedSpatialTagging (C-BERST) allows the rapid, unbiased mapping of proteomes near defined genomic loci, as demonstrated for telomeres and centromeres. By combining the spatially restricted enzymatic tagging enabled by APEX2 with programmable DNA targeting by dCas9, C-BERST has successfully identified nearly 50% of known telomere-associated factors and many known centromere-associated factors. We also identified and validated SLX4IP and RPA3 as telomeric factors, confirming C-BERST’s utility as a discovery platform. C-BERST enables the rapid, high-throughput identification of proteins associated with specific sequences, facilitating annotation of these factors and their roles in nuclear and chromosome biology.
Empirical evidence reveals the phase diagram of patch patterns in Mediterranean drylands
Authors: Meloni Fernando , Granzotti Cristiano R. F. , Martinez Alexandre S.
Published: August 2017

Drylands are ecosystems with limited water resources, often subjected to desertification. Conservation and restoration efforts towards these ecosystems depend on the interplay between ecological functioning and spatial patterns formed by local vegetation. Despite recent advances on the subject, an adequate description of phase transitions between the various vegetated phases remains an open issue. Here, we gather vegetation data of drylands from Southern Spain using satellite images. Our findings support three vegetated phases, separated by two distinct phase transitions, including a continuous phase transition, with new relations between scaling exponents of ecological variables. The phase diagram is obtained without a priori assumption about underlying ecological dynamics. We apply our analysis to a different dryland system in the Western United States and verify a compatible critical behavior, in agreement with the universality hypothesis.
T1 white/gray contrast as a predictor of chronological age, and an index of cognitive performance
Authors: Lewis John D , Evans Alan C , Tohka Jussi
Published: August 2017

The maturational schedule of human brain development appears to be narrowly confined. The chronological age of an individual can be predicted from brain images with considerable accuracy, and deviation from the typical pattern of brain maturation has been related to cognitive performance. Methods using multi-modal data, or complex measures derived from voxels throughout the brain have shown the greatest accuracy, but are difficult to interpret in terms of the biology. Measures based on the cortical surface(s) have yielded less accurate predictions, suggesting that perhaps developmental changes related to cortical gray matter are not strongly related to chronological age, and that perhaps development is more strongly related to changes in subcortical regions or in deep white matter. We show that a simple metric based on the white/gray contrast at the inner border of the cortical gray-matter is a comparably good predictor of chronological age, and our usage of an elastic net penalized linear regression model reveals the brain regions which contribute most to age-prediction. We demonstrate this in two large datasets: the NIH Pediatric Data, with 832 scans of typically developing children, adolescents, and young adults; and the Pediatric Imaging, Neurocognition, and Genetics data, with 760 scans of individuals in a similar age-range. Moreover, we show that the residuals of age-prediction based on this white/gray contrast metric are more strongly related to IQ than are those from cortical thickness, suggesting that this metric is more sensitive to aspects of brain development that reflect cognitive performance.
New waves: Rhythmic electrical field stimulation systematically alters spontaneous slow dynamics across mouse neocortex
Authors: Greenberg Anastasia , Karimi Abadchi Javad , Dickson Clayton T. , Mohajerani Majid H.
Published: August 2017

The signature rhythm of slow-wave forebrain activity is the large amplitude, slow oscillation (SO: ~1 Hz) made up of alternating synchronous periods of depolarizing and hyperpolarizing states at the single cell and network levels. On each wave, the SO originates at a unique location and propagates across the neocortex. Attempts to manipulate SO activity using electrical fields have been shown to entrain cortical networks and enhance memory performance. However, neural activity during this manipulation has remained elusive due to methodological issues in typical electrical recordings. Here we use voltage-sensitive dye (VSD) imaging in a bilateral cortical preparation of urethane-anesthetized mice to track SO cortical activity and its modulation by sinusoidal electrical field stimulation applied to frontal regions. We show that under spontaneous conditions, the SO propagates in two main opposing directional patterns along an anterior lateral – posterior medial axis. Rhythmic field stimulation alters spontaneous propagation to reflect activity that repeats cycle after cycle with distributed and varied anterior initiation zones and a consistent termination zone in the posterior somatosensory cortex. Our results show that slow electrical field stimulation stereotypes ongoing slow cortical dynamics during sleep-like states.

Author Contributions

A.G., J.K.A., M.H.M. and C.T.D. designed the study. A.G. and J.K.A. performed the experiments. A.G. analyzed the data. A.G. wrote the manuscript, which all authors commented on and edited. C.T.D. and M.H.M. supervised the study.
A dynamic microbial community with high functional redundancy inhabits the cold, oxic subseafloor aquifer
Authors: Tully Benjamin , Wheat Charles Geoff , Glazer Brian T , Huber Julie
Published: August 2017

The rock-hosted subseafloor crustal aquifer harbors a reservoir of microbial life that may influence global marine biogeochemical cycles. Here we utilized genomic reconstruction of crustal fluid samples from North Pond, located on the flanks of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a site with cold, oxic subseafloor fluid circulation within the upper basement. Twenty-one samples were collected during a two-year period at three different depths and two locations with the basaltic aquifer to examine potential microbial metabolism and community dynamics. We observed minor changes in the geochemical signatures over the two years, yet a dynamic microbial community was present in the crustal fluids that underwent large shifts in the dominant taxonomic groups. An analysis of 195 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) were generated from the dataset and revealed a connection between litho- and autotrophic processes, linking carbon fixation to the oxidation of sulfide, sulfur, thiosulfate, hydrogen, and ferrous iron in a diverse group of microorganisms. Despite oxic conditions, analysis of the MAGs indicated that members of the microbial community were poised to exploit hypoxic or anoxic conditions through the use of microaerobic cytochromes and alternative electron acceptors. Temporal and spatial trends from the MAGs revealed a high degree of functional redundancy that did not correlate with the shifting microbial community membership, suggesting functional stability in mediating subseafloor biogeochemical cycles.
Spot-On: robust model-based analysis of single-particle tracking experiments
Authors: Hansen Anders S , Woringer Maxime , Grimm Jonathan B , Lavis Luke D , Tjian Robert , Darzacq Xavier
Published: August 2017

Single-particle tracking (SPT) has become an important method to bridge biochemistry and cell biology since it allows direct observation of protein binding and diffusion dynamics in live cells. However, accurately inferring information from SPT studies is challenging due to biases in both data analysis and experimental design. To address analysis bias, we introduce “Spot-On”, an intuitive web-interface. Spot-On implements a kinetic modeling framework that accounts for known biases, including molecules moving out-of-focus, and robustly infers diffusion constants and subpopulations from pooled single-molecule trajectories. To minimize inherent experimental biases, we implement and validate stroboscopic photo-activation SPT (spaSPT), which minimizes motion-blur bias and tracking errors. We validate Spot-On using experimentally realistic simulations and show that Spot-On outperforms other methods. We then apply Spot-On to spaSPT data from live mammalian cells spanning a wide range of nuclear dynamics and demonstrate that Spot-On consistently and robustly infers subpopulation fractions and diffusion constants.

IMPACT STATEMENT

Spot-On is an easy-to-use website that makes a rigorous and bias-corrected modeling framework for analysis of single-molecule tracking experiments available to all.
System-level studies of a cell-free transcription-translation platform for metabolic engineering
Authors: Wu Yong Y. , Sato Hirokazu , Huang Hongjun , Culler Stephanie J. , Khandurina Julia , Nagarajan Harish , Yang Tae Hoon , Van Dien Stephen , Murray Richard M.
Published: August 2017

Current methods for assembling biosynthetic pathways in microorganisms require a process of repeated trial and error and have long design-build-test cycles. We describe the use of a cell-free transcription-translation (TX-TL) system as a biomolecular breadboard for the rapid engineering of the 1,4-butanediol (BDO) pathway. We demonstrate the reliability of TX-TL as a platform for engineering biological systems by undertaking a careful characterization of its transcription and translation capabilities and provide a detailed analysis of its metabolic output. Using TX-TL to survey the design space of the BDO pathway enables rapid tuning of pathway enzyme expression levels for improved product yield. Leveraging TX-TL to screen enzyme variants for improved catalytic activity accelerates design iterations that can be directly applied toin vivostrain development.
Optimization of selective phenotyping and population design for genomic prediction
Authors: Heslot Nicolas , Feoktistov Vitaliy
Published: August 2017

Calibration population design for genomic prediction has attracted a lot of interest in the plant and animal breeding literature. In this article we present an efficient optimization method to select a subset of preexisting individuals to phenotype. Application to the choice of maize hybrids to create and phenotype, to best predict the unobserved hybrid combination, is demonstrated using real data and simulations. Further, the proposed method is extended to optimize the choice of a connected population design before crosses are actually made. Population design is optimized to maximize efficiency of recurrent selection with genomic prediction. Validation results using real data and simulations are presented.
The contributions of the actin machinery to endocytic membrane bending and vesicle formation
Authors: Picco Andrea , Kukulski Wanda , Manenschijn Hetty E. , Specht Tanja , Briggs John A. G. , Kaksonen Marko
Published: August 2017

Branched and crosslinked actin networks mediate cellular processes that move and shape membranes. To understand how actin contributes during the different stages of endocytic membrane reshaping, we analysed deletion mutants of yeast actin network components using a hybrid imaging approach that combines live imaging with correlative microscopy. We could thereby temporally dissect the effects of different actin network perturbations, revealing distinct stages of actin-based membrane reshaping. Our data show that initiation of membrane bending requires the actin network to be physically linked to the plasma membrane and to be optimally crosslinked. Once initiated, the membrane invagination process is driven by nucleation and polymerization of new actin filaments, independently of the degree of cross-linking and unaffected by a surplus of actin network components. A key transition occurs 2 seconds before scission when the filament nucleation rate drops. From that time point on, invagination growth and vesicle scission are driven by an expansion of the assembled actin network. The expansion is sensitive to the amount of filamentous actin and its crosslinking. Our results suggest that the mechanism by which actin reshapes the membrane adapts to force requirements that vary during the progress of endocytosis.
Midfrontal theta and pupil dilation parametrically track subjective conflict (but also surprise) during intertemporal choice
Authors: Lin Hause , Saunders Blair , Hutcherson Cendri A , Inzlicht Michael
Published: August 2017

Many everyday choices are based on personal, subjective preferences. When choosing between two options, we often feel conflicted, especially when trading off costs and benefits occurring at different times (e.g., saving for later versus spending now). Although previous work has investigated the neurophysiological basis of conflict during inhibitory control tasks, less is known about subjective conflict resulting from competing subjective preferences. In this pre-registered study, we investigated subjective conflict during intertemporal choice, whereby participants chose between smaller immediate versus larger delayed rewards (e.g., $15 today vs. $22 in 30 days). We used economic modeling to parametrically vary eleven different levels of conflict, and recorded EEG data and pupil dilation. Midfrontal theta power, derived from EEG, correlated with pupil responses, and our results suggest that these signals track different gradations of subjective conflict. Unexpectedly, both signals were also maximally enhanced when decisions were surprisingly easy. Therefore, these signals may track events requiring increased attention and adaptive shifts in behavioral responses, with subjective conflict being only one type of such event. Our results suggest that the neural systems underlying midfrontal theta and pupil responses interact when weighing costs and benefits during intertemporal choice. Thus, understanding these interactions might elucidate how individuals resolve self-control conflicts.

Highlights

Modeled conflict during intertemporal choice and measured EEG and pupil responses.

Midfrontal theta and pupil responses parametrically tracked subjective conflict.

But theta and pupil responses were also large when decisions were surprisingly easy.

These signals may implement adaptive control during value-guided choice.
Bots for Software-Assisted Analysis of Image-Based Transcriptomics
Authors: Cicconet Marcelo , Hochbaum Daniel R. , Richmond David , Sabatini Bernardo L.
Published: August 2017

We introduce software assistants – bots – for the task of analyzing image-based transcriptomic data. The key steps in this process are detecting nuclei, and counting associated puncta corresponding to labeled RNA. Our main release offers two algorithms for nuclei segmentation, and two for spot detection, to handle data of different complexities. For challenging nuclei segmentation cases, we enable the user to train a stacked Random Forest, which includes novel circularity features that leverage prior knowledge regarding nuclei shape for better instance segmentation. This machine learning model can be trained on a modern CPU-only computer, yet performs comparably with respect to a more hardware-demanding state-of-the-art deep learning approach, as demonstrated through experiments. While the primary motivation for the bots was image-based transcriptomics, we also demonstrate their applicability to the more general problem of scoring “spots” in nuclei.
Ingredients in Victoria’s Secret Bombshell and Ivanka Trump eaux de parfums that repel mosquitoes
Authors: Zeng Fangfang , Xu Pingxi , Tan Kaiming , Zarbin Paulo H. G. , Leal Walter S.
Published: August 2017

Insect repellents are widely used to fend off nuisance mosquitoes and, more importantly, to reduce or eliminate mosquito bites in areas where viruses and other vector-borne diseases are circulating. Synthesized more than six decades ago, DEET is the most widely used insect repellent. Plant-derived compounds are used in a plethora of commercial formulations and natural recipes to repel mosquitoes. They are also used as fragrances. We analysed Bombshell®to identify the constituent(s) eliciting a previously reported “off-label” repellence activity. The two major fragrance ingredients in Bombshell, i.e., methyl dihydrojasmonate and lilial, demonstrated strong repellence against the southern house mosquito,Culex quinquefasciatus, in laboratory assays. Both compounds activated a previously identified DEET-sensitive odorant receptor, CquiOR136. These compounds were also major constituents of Ivanka Trump eau de parfum. The methyl dihydrojasmonate content was higher in the Ivanka Trump perfume than in Bombshell, the reverse being true for lilial. Both Bombshell and Ivanka Trump eaux de parfums retained activity for as long as 6 hours in laboratory assays. Although wearing these perfumes may repel nuisance mosquitoes, their use as “off-label” repellents against infected mosquitoes is not recommended. A panel of 104 students (18-23 years old) conducted a blind test to compare the two eaux de parfums and showed a preference for Bombshell over Ivanka Trump’s brand, particularly among women.
Dissociable components of the reward circuit are involved in appraisal versus choice
Authors: Shenhav Amitai , Karmarkar Uma R.
Published: August 2017

People can evaluate a set of options as a whole, or they can approach those same options with the purpose of making a choice between them. A common network has been implicated across these two types of evaluations, including regions of ventromedial prefrontal cortex and the posterior midline. We test the hypothesis that sub-components of this reward circuit are differentially involved in triggering more automatic appraisal of one’s options (Dorsal Value Network) versus explicitly comparing between those options (Ventral Value Network). Participants undergoing fMRI were instructed to appraise how much they liked a set of products (Like) or to choose the product they most preferred (Choose). Activity in the Dorsal Value Network consistently tracked set liking, across both task-relevant (Like) and task-irrelevant (Choose) trials. In contrast, the Ventral Value Network was sensitive to evaluation condition (more active during Choose than Like trials). Within vmPFC, anatomically distinct regions were dissociated in their sensitivity to choice (ventrally, in medial OFC) versus appraisal (dorsally, in pregenual ACC). Dorsal regions additionally tracked decision certainty across both types of evaluation. These findings suggest that separable mechanisms drive decisions about how good one’s options are versus decisions about which option is best.
Computational, 1H NMR, and X-ray structural studies on 1-arylurazole tetrazane dimers
Authors: Martin Kenneth L. , Breton Gary W.
Published: August 2017

Nitrogen-centered urazole radicals exist in equilibrium with tetrazane dimers in solution. The equilibrium established typically favors the free-radical form. However, 1-arylurazole radicals bearing substituents at the ortho position favor the dimeric form. We were able to determine the structure of one of the dimers (substituted at both ortho positions with methyl groups), namely 1,2-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-2-[2-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-4-methyl-3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-triazolidin-1-yl]-4-methyl-1,2,4-triazolidine-3,5-dione, C24H28N6O4, via X-ray crystallography. The experimentally determined structure agreed well with the computationally obtained geometry at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level of theory. The preferred syn conformation of these 1-arylurazole dimers results in the two aromatic rings being proximate and nearly parallel, which leads to some interesting shielding effects of certain signals in the 1H NMR spectrum. Armed with this information, we were able to decipher the more complicated 1H NMR spectrum obtained from a dimer that was monosubstituted at the ortho position with a methyl group.
Invariom-model refinement and Hirshfeld surface analysis of well-ordered solvent-free dibenzo-21-crown-7
Authors: Wiedemann Dennis , Kohl Julia
Published: August 2017

Crown ethers and their supramolecular derivatives are well-known chelators and scavengers for a variety of cations, most notably heavier alkali and alkaline-earth ions. Although they are widely used in synthetic chemistry, available crystal structures of uncoordinated and solvent-free crown ethers regularly suffer from disorder. In this study, we present the X-ray crystal structure analysis of well-ordered solvent-free crystals of dibenzo-21-crown-7 (systematic name: dibenzo[b,k]-1,4,7,10,13,16,19-heptaoxacycloheneicosa-2,11-diene, C22H28O7). Because of the quality of the crystal and diffraction data, we have chosen invarioms, in addition to standard independent spherical atoms, for modelling and briefly discuss the different refinement results. The electrostatic potential, which is directly deducible from the invariom model, and the Hirshfeld surface are analysed and complemented with interaction-energy computations to characterize intermolecular contacts. The boat-like molecules stack along the a axis and are arranged as dimers of chains, which assemble as rows to form a three-dimensional structure. Dispersive C—H...H—C and C—H...π interactions dominate, but nonclassical hydrogen bonds are present and reflect the overall rather weak electrostatic influence. A fingerprint plot of the Hirshfeld surface summarizes and visualizes the intermolecular interactions. The insight gained into the crystal structure of dibenzo-21-crown-7 not only demonstrates the power of invariom refinement, Hirshfeld surface analysis and interaction-energy computation, but also hints at favourable conditions for crystallizing solvent-free crown ethers.
Crystal structure of ethyl (E)-2-cyano-3-(thiophen-2-yl)acrylate: two conformers forming a discrete disorder
Authors: Castro Agudelo Brian , Cárdenas Juan C. , Macías Mario A. , Ochoa-Puentes Cristian , Sierra Cesar A.
Published: August 2017

In the title compound, C10H9NO2S, all the non-H atoms, except for the ethyl fragment, lie nearly in the same plane. Despite the molecular planarity, the ethyl fragment presents more than one conformation, giving rise to a discrete disorder, which was modelled with two different crystallographic sites for the ethoxy O and ethoxy α-C atoms, with occupancy values of 0.5. In the crystal, the three-dimensional array is mainly directed by C—H...(O,N) interactions, giving rise to inversion dimers withR22(10) andR22(14) motifs and infinite chains running along the [100] direction.
KInAs2O7, a new diarsenate with the TlInAs2O7structure type
Authors: Schwendtner Karolina , Kolitsch Uwe
Published: August 2017

Potassium indium diarsenate(V) was grown under mild hydrothermal conditions (T= 493 K, 7 d) at a pH value of about 1. It adopts the TlInAs2O7structure type (P-1,Z= 4) and is closely related to the KAlP2O7(P21/c) and RbAlAs2O7(P-1) structure types. The framework topology of KInAs2O7is built of two symmetrically non-equivalent As2O7groups which share corners with InO6octahedra. The K atoms are located in channels extending along [010].
A blueprint towards accounting for the management of ecosystems
Authors: Feger Clément , Mermet Laurent
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new ecological-issues-centered accounting research agenda, at the crossroads of accounting research and conservation science.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a case study of the Natural Capital Project, the research examines the efforts and challenges of conservation practitioners regarding the use of evaluative information systems for conservation (EISC) in complex social and ecological contexts. It discusses why and how, to address these challenges, EISC promoters would benefit from theoretical and empirical insights coming from accounting research.

Findings

The paper suggests that the use of new information systems centered on organized collective action for biodiversity conservation should be regarded as a new type of accounting for the management of ecosystems, complementary to organization-centered biodiversity accounting and to ecosystem accounting at the national scale. A research agenda inspired by critical accounting should be developed for EISC design and use by: critically analyzing the organizational models currently underlying the use of new calculative practices for ecosystems; and developing new analytical and practical avenues on the basis of more explicit and powerful theories adapted to collective action for conservation perimeters.

Originality/value

The paper shows the importance of combining three domains of research and practice that are usually disconnected: the design and use of innovative information systems in biodiversity conservation research and practice; accounting research; and theories and conceptual models of collective action to resolve ecological challenges.
UK local councils reporting of biodiversity values: a stakeholder perspective
Authors: Gaia Silvia , John Jones Michael
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the use of narratives in biodiversity reports as a mechanism to raise the awareness of biodiversity’s importance. By classifying biodiversity narratives into 14 categories of biodiversity values this paper investigates whether the explanations for biodiversity conservation used by UK local councils are line with shallow, intermediate or deep philosophies.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used content analysis to examine the disclosures on biodiversity’s importance in the biodiversity action plans published by UK local councils. The narratives were first identified and then allocated into 14 categories of biodiversity value. Then, they were ascribed to either shallow (resource conservation, human welfare ecology and preservationism), intermediate (environmental stewardship and moral extensionism) or deep philosophies.

Findings

UK local councils explained biodiversity’s importance mainly in terms of its instrumental value, in line with shallow philosophies such as human welfare ecology and resource conservation. UK local councils sought to raise awareness of biodiversity’ importance by highlighting values that are important for the stakeholders that are able to contribute towards biodiversity conservation such as landowners, residents, visitors, business and industries. The authors also found that local councils’ biodiversity strategies were strongly influenced by 2010, the International Year of Biodiversity.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the few accounting studies that engages with the literature on environmental ethics to investigate biodiversity. In line with stakeholder theory, it indicates that explanations on biodiversity’s importance based on anthropocentric philosophies are considered more effective in informing those stakeholders whose behaviour needs to be changed to improve biodiversity conservation.
Status and quality of open access journals in Scopus
Authors: Erfanmanesh Mohammadamin
Published: August 2017

Purpose

This study aims to provide an extensive overview of OA journals’ status and quality in 27 research areas based on all Scopus-indexed journals. It shows the volume of OA journals, proportion of publications in OA journals and the quality of these journals in comparison with subscription-based counterparts.

Design/methodology/approach

This research investigated 22,256 active peer-reviewed journals indexed by Scopus in 2015. Data were gathered using the Journal Metrics website. The current research adopted four indicators to compare the quality of OA and non-OA journals indexed in Scopus under each subject area, namely citedness rate, CiteScore, SNIP and SJR.

Findings

OA journals comprised approximately 17 per cent out of the total journals indexed by Scopus in 2015. The results revealed an uneven spread of OA journals across disciplines, ranged from 5.5 to 28.7 per cent. Studying the quality of journals as measured by CiteScore, SJR SNIP leads us to the finding that, in all research areas, except for health profession and nursing, non-OA journals attain statistically significant higher average quality than do OA journals.

Originality/value

Although OA publishing improves the visibility of scholarly journals, this increase is not always coupled with increase in journals’ impact and quality.
Leveraging the corporate brand
Authors: Brexendorf Tim Oliver , Keller Kevin Lane
Published: August 2017

Purpose

Most research on branding highlights the role of associations for a single brand. Many firms, however, have multiple brands and/or different versions of one brand. The latter is largely the case for many corporate brands. This paper aims to broaden the understanding of corporate brand associations and their transfer within the firm’s brand and product portfolio. In particular, this paper also examines the concept of corporate brand innovativeness and the influence of brand architecture as supportive and restrictive boundary conditions for its transfer.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper explains the nature, benefits and challenges of corporate brand innovativeness within the context of a firm’s brand architecture. On the basis of a literature review, the authors provide an overview of the domain and derive avenues for future research.

Findings

Research and practice have not fully realised the importance of corporate brand images for supporting a firms’ product portfolio. In particular, (corporate) marketing managers need to consider the potential value of favourable perceptions of corporate brand innovativeness across products and the moderating role of brand architecture.

Research limitations/implications

More empirical research is needed to understand the reciprocal relationship and transfer between corporate and product brand associations and equity.

Practical implications

A corporate marketing perspective allows firms to use corporate brand associations to support products and services for that brand. This paper discusses perceived corporate brand innovativeness as one particularly important corporate brand association.

Originality/value

The authors discuss the use of corporate brand associations under the consideration of brand architectures and boundaries and draw on several research streams in the brand management literature. Much of the branding and innovation literature centres on the product level; research on corporate brand innovativeness has been relatively neglected.
Advances in corporate brand, corporate heritage, corporate identity and corporate marketing scholarship
Authors: Balmer John M.T.
Published: August 2017

Purpose

This article introduces the special symposium entitled “Advances in corporate brand, corporate heritage, corporate identity and corporate marketing scholarship” and provide a synopsis of the five articles constituting this symposium. By means of context, this article celebrates the anniversaries of four marketing milestones apropos the formal introduction of the corporate brand concept (1995), the formal introduction of the corporate heritage notion (2006), the first special edition (in this journal) devoted to corporate identity (1997) and the formal introduction of the corporate marketing philosophical approach (1998). The latter – corporate marketing – can be viewed as a revolution in marketing thought by noting that mutually beneficial company–stakeholder relationship can be based on corporate identities and corporate brands are not restricted to products and/or services.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking a retrospective, this paper explains the four marketing milestones detailed above and notes the revolutionary notion of corporate marketing. All of the aforementioned have meaningfully advanced marketing scholarship over the last 20 years.

Findings

This study provides 18 reflections of developments with the corporate brand and corporate identity fields. It also shows the seminal importance of European Journal of Marketing (EJM) special editions on the territory dating back to 1997.

Practical implication

This paper discusses how corporate identity, corporate branding, corporate heritage, corporate identity and corporate marketing have, increasingly, become mainstream marketing concerns.

Originality/value

In marking these milestones, this celebratory EJM symposium comprises cutting-edge scholarship on the aforementioned areas, penned by renowned and prominent scholars from Australia, England, Germany and the USA.
ICT services to students in the greater Accra region of Ghana
Authors: Dzandza Patience Emefa
Published: August 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to describe an information and communication technology (ICT) training programme in the central library in Ghana, to discuss the benefits of the programme and the challenges faced by those delivering it and to relate this work to the broader development goals of the UN and the Africa Union (AU), offering some recommendations on how the programme can be made more effective.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a qualitative approach to help determine the modality of the programme to two junior high schools (JHSs) in the area that benefit weekly from the training programmes offered at the ICT corner. Interviews were conducted with two staff of the ICT corner to help gather information on the services that the ICT corner offers and the challenges with the programme; ICT teachers and a library coordinator of the two JHSs were also interviewed to find out about their opinion on the programme and the impact they think the programme can make to help achieve the agenda of equipping the youth with ICT skills. Focus group discussions were held with two classes from the JHSs for them to indicate the ICT skills they have acquired from the training and what they can use the skills to achieve. The researcher also witnessed two training sessions and observed daily activities of the ICT corner and the method of instruction.

Findings

The study brought to fore the contribution GhLA is making to help Ghana achieve Agenda 2063 and 2030 by helping students acquire basic ICT skills that are motivating them to use computers in their daily activities.

Originality/value

The study highlighted the importance of libraries in the twenty-first century and recommendations were made, among others, that, the facility should be replicated in all public libraries to be used by schools that do not have their own ICT lab in Ghana and the library should employ more staff to help with the training.
The business of the library is service
Authors: Massis Bruce E.
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to suggest that today’s libraries function using business practices in its management of the library to ensure that its service-based mission is respected.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review and commentary on this topic that has been addressed by professionals, researchers and practitioners.

Findings

Libraries have learned from business the importance of using not only the business practice of using a vigorous level of data-driven decision-making, but data-driven reporting as well to a public that expects a higher level of scrutiny, clarity and precision. Paired with evidence from those who have benefitted from the library’s programs and services most visibly, this combination of data and human-driven anecdotes can serve as the optimum marriage of business and service-based confirmation of library success.

Originality/value

The value in exploring this topic is to make the distinction between libraries whose supporters expect it to be formally managed like a business as opposed to those who suggest that business practices be used in library operations to ensure its mission as a service-based entity is maintained.
The effects of smileys on receivers’ emotions
Authors: Lohmann Katja , Pyka Sebastian Stefan , Zanger Cornelia
Published: August 2017

Purpose

Nowadays, computer-mediated communication (CMC) is an inherent part of consumers’ daily interactions. That kind of communication, however, is associated with limited options to express emotions and, thus, impairs smooth interactions. Considering these shortcomings, existing research has paid attention to the use of smileys and examines their impacts on communication. Nevertheless, little is known about the effects of smileys on the receivers’ emotions as well as on the interaction between the communication partners. Against this background, the study aims to investigate the appropriateness of smileys in causing emotional contagion in CMC. That interpersonal mechanism fosters harmonic interactions and strengthens the relationship between interaction partners by sharing emotions.

Design/methodology/approach

Field data of 1,745 females were obtained through an online experiment applying two scenarios that only differ by the use of either a positive or a negative smiley. The appropriateness of both smileys to express positive or negative emotions was pretested in a study with 18 respondents.

Findings

The findings support the assumption that emotions expressed by smileys affect receivers’ emotions through the process of emotional contagion. Furthermore, the effects of the negative smiley on the emotions of the receivers are moderated by the receivers’ susceptibility to emotional contagion.

Originality/value

Findings contribute to current research on CMC by offering a deeper understanding of the impacts of smileys on interactions. In that way, the present study underlines the suitability of smileys to stimulate emotional contagion in a “cueless” environment.