bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic landscape of schizophrenia-associated genes defines candidates and their shared functions
Authors: Thyme Summer B. , Pieper Lindsey M. , Li Eric H. , Pandey Shristi , Wang Yiqun , Morris Nathan S. , Sha Carrie , Choi Joo Won , Soucy Edward R. , Zimmerman Steve , Randlett Owen , Greenwood Joel , McCarroll Steven A. , Schier Alexander F.
Published: July 2018

Genomic studies have identified hundreds of candidate genes near loci associated with risk for schizophrenia. To define candidates and their functions, we mutated zebrafish orthologues of 132 human schizophrenia-associated genes and created a phenotype atlas consisting of whole-brain activity maps, brain structural differences, and profiles of behavioral abnormalities. Phenotypes were diverse but specific, including altered forebrain development and decreased prepulse inhibition. Exploration of these datasets identified promising candidates in more than 10 gene-rich regions, including the magnesium transportercnnm2and the translational repressorgigyf2, and revealed shared anatomical sites of activity differences, including the pallium, hypothalamus or tectum. Single-cell RNA sequencing uncovered an essential role for the understudied transcription factorznf536in the development of forebrain neurons implicated in social behavior and stress. This phenotypic landscape of schizophrenia-associated genes prioritizes more than 30 candidates for further study and provides hypotheses to bridge the divide between genetic association and biological mechanism.
Gut bacterial diversity and physiological traits ofAnastrepha fraterculusBrazilian-1 morphotype males are affected by antibiotic treatment
Authors: Juárez M. Laura , Pimper Lida E. , Bachmann Guillermo E. , Conte Claudia A. , Ruiz M. Josefina , Goane Lucía , Pereyra Pilar Medina , Castro Felipe , Salgueiro Julieta , Cladera Jorge L. , Fernández Patricia E. , Bourtzis Kostas , Lanzavecchia Silvia B. , Vera M. Teresa , Segura Diego F.
Published: July 2018

Background

The interaction between gut bacterial symbionts and Tephritidae became the focus of several studies that showed that bacteria contributed to the nutritional status and the reproductive potential of its fruit fly hosts.Anastrepha fraterculusis an economically important fruit pest in South America. This pest is currently controlled by insecticides, which prompt the development of environmentally friendly methods such as the sterile insect technique (SIT). For SIT to be effective, a deep understanding of the biology and sexual behavior of the target species is needed. Although many studies have contributed in this direction, little is known about the composition and role ofA. fraterculussymbiotic bacteria. In this study we tested the hypothesis that gut bacteria contribute to nutritional status and reproductive success ofA. fraterculusmales.

Methods

Wild and laboratory-reared males were treated with antibiotics (AB) and provided sugar (S) or sugar plus protein (S+P) as food sources. The effect of AB on the gut bacteria diversity was assessed through DGGE and sequencing of the V6-V9 variable region of the bacterial 16SrRNAgene.

Results

AB affected the bacterial community of the digestive tract ofA. fraterculus, in particular bacteria belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family, which was the dominant bacterial group in the control flies (i.e., non-treated with AB). AB negatively affected parameters directly related to the mating success of laboratory males and their nutritional status. AB also affected males’ survival under starvation conditions. The effect of AB on the behaviour and nutritional status of the males depended on two additional factors: the origin of the males and the presence of a proteinaceous source in the diet.

Conclusions

Our results suggest thatA. fraterculusmales gut contain symbiotic organisms that are able to exert a positive contribution onA. fraterculusmales’ fitness, although the physiological mechanisms still need further studies.
The age-dependent relationship between resting heart rate variability and functional brain connectivity
Authors: Kumral D. , Schaare H.L. , Beyer F. , Reinelt J. , Uhlig M. , Liem F. , Lampe L. , Babayan A. , Reiter A. , Erbey M. , Roebbig J. , Loeffler M. , Schroeter M.L. , Husser D. , Witte A.V. , Villringer A. , Gaebler M.
Published: July 2018

Resting heart rate variability (HRV), an index of parasympathetic cardioregulation and an individual trait marker related to mental and physical health, decreases with age. Previous studies have associated resting HRV with structural and functional properties of the brain – mainly in cortical midline and limbic structures. We hypothesized that HRV may alter its relationship with brain structure and function across the adult lifespan. In 388 healthy subjects of three age groups (140 younger: 26.0±4.2 years, 119 middle-aged: 46.3±6.2 years, 129 older: 66.9±4.7 years), gray matter structure (voxel-based morphometry) and resting-state functional connectivity (eigenvector centrality mapping and exploratory seed-based functional connectivity) were related to resting HRV, measured as the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD). Confirming previous findings, resting HRV decreased with age. For HRV-related gray matter volume, there were no statistically significant differences between the age groups, nor similarities across all age groups. In whole-brain functional connectivity analyses, we found an age-dependent association between resting HRV and eigenvector centrality in the bilateral ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), driven by the younger adults. Across all age groups, HRV was positively correlated with network centrality in bilateral posterior cingulate cortex. Seed-based functional connectivity analysis using the vmPFC cluster revealed an HRV-related cortico-cerebellar network in younger but not in middle-aged or older adults. Our results indicate that the decrease of HRV with age is accompanied by changes in functional connectivity along the cortical midline. This extends our knowledge of brain-body interactions and their changes over the lifespan.
The processing of color preference in the brain
Authors: Racey Chris , Franklin Anna , Bird Chris M.
Published: July 2018

Decades of research has established that humans have preferences for some colors (e.g., blue) and a dislike of others (e.g., dark chartreuse), with preference varying systematically with variation in hue (e.g., Hurlbert & Owen, 2015). Here, we used functional MRI to investigate why humans have likes and dislikes for simple patches of color, and to understand the neural basis of preference, aesthetics and value judgements more generally. We looked for correlations of a behavioural measure of color preference with the blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) response when participants performed an irrelevant orientation judgement task on colored squares. A whole brain analysis found a significant correlation between BOLD activity and color preference in the posterior midline cortex (PMC), centred on the precuneus but extending into the adjacent posterior cingulate and cuneus. These results demonstrate that brain activity is modulated by color preference, even when such preferences are irrelevant to the ongoing task the participants are engaged. They also suggest that color preferences automatically influence our processing of the visual world. Interestingly, the effect in the PMC overlaps with regions identified in neuroimaging studies of preference and value judgements of other types of stimuli. Therefore, our findings extends this literature to show that the PMC is related to automatic encoding of subjective value even for basic visual features such as color.
Genetic variation in a complex polyploid: unveiling the dynamic allelic features of sugarcane
Authors: Sforça Danilo Augusto , Vautrin Sonia , Cardoso-Silva Claudio Benicio , Mancini Melina Cristina , da Cruz María Victoria Romero , da Silva Pereira Guilherme , Conte Mônica , Bellec Arnaud , Dahmer Nair , Fourment Joelle , Rodde Nathalie , Van Sluys Marie-Anne , Vicentini Renato , Garcia Antônio Augusto Franco , Forni-Martins Eliana Regina , Carneiro Monalisa Sampaio , Hoffmann Hermann Paulo , Pinto Luciana Rossini , de Andrade Landell Marcos Guimarães , Vincentz Michel , Berges Helene , Souza Anete Pereira
Published: July 2018

Background

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is highly polyploid and aneuploid. Modern cultivars are derived from hybridization betweenS. officinarumandS. spontaneum. This combination results in a genome exhibiting variable ploidy among different loci, a huge genome size (approximately 10 Gb) and a high content of repetitive regions. Gene expression mechanisms are poorly understood in these cultivars. An approach using genomic, transcriptomic and genetic mapping can improve our knowledge of the behavior of genetics in sugarcane.

Results

The hypotheticalHP600and centromere protein C (CENP-C) genes from sugarcane were used to elucidate the allelic expression and genomic and genetic behavior of this complex polyploid. The genomically side-by-side genesHP600andCENP-Cwere found in two different homeologous chromosome groups with ploidies of eight and ten. The first region (Region01) was aSorghum bicolorortholog with all haplotypes ofHP600andCENP- Cexpressed, butHP600exhibited an unbalanced haplotype expression. The second region (Region02) was a scrambled sugarcane sequence formed from different noncollinear genes containing duplications ofHP600andCENP-C(paralogs). This duplication occurred before theSaccharumgenus formation and after the separation of sorghum and sugarcane, resulting in a nonexpressedHP600pseudogene and a recombined fusion version ofCENP-Cand orthologous gene Sobic.003G299500 with at least two chimerical gene haplotypes expressed. The genetic map construction supported the difficulty of mapping markers located in duplicated regions of complex polyploid genomes.

Conclusion

All these findings describe a low synteny region in sugarcane, formed by events occurring in all members of theSaccharumgenus. Additionally, evidence of duplicated and truncate gene expression and the behavior of genetic markers in a duplicated region was found. Thus, we describe the complexity involved in sugarcane genetics and genomics and allelic dynamics, which can be useful for understanding the complex polyploid genome.
Hierarchical Domain Structure Reveals the Divergence of Activity among TADs and Boundaries
Authors: An Lin , Yang Tao , Yang Jiahao , Nuebler Johannes , Xiang Guanjue , Hardison Ross C. , Li Qunhua , Zhang Yu
Published: July 2018

The spatial organization of chromatin in the nucleus has been implicated in many aspects of regulated gene expression. Maps of high frequency interactions between different segments of chromatin have revealed Topologically Associating Domains (TADs), within which most of the regulatory interactions are thought to occur. Recent studies have shown that TADs are not homogeneous structural units, but rather they appear to be organized into a hierarchy. However, precise identification of hierarchical TAD structures remains a challenge. We present OnTAD, an Optimized Nested TAD caller from Hi-C data, to identify hierarchical TADs. Compared to existing methods, OnTAD has significantly improved accuracy and running speed. Results from OnTAD reveal new biological insights on the role of different TAD levels, boundary usage in gene regulation, the loop extrusion model, and compartmental domains. The software and documentation for OnTAD are available at:https://github.com/anlin00007/OnTAD
Whole Genome Sequencing of Antimicrobial-Resistant Shigella sonnei Associated with Infection Acquired from International and Domestic Settings Reveals Gene Allelic Variants that Predict Global Lineages
Authors: Abelman Rebecca L. , M’ikanatha Nkuchia M. , Dudley Edward G.
Published: July 2018

Shigella spp. are a major cause of gastroenteritis worldwide, and S. sonnei is the most common species isolated within the United States. Recently, advancements in technology have made whole genome sequencing (WGS) readily available, and as such, laboratories are moving to implement WGS in outbreak analysis, surveillance, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) monitoring of major foodborne pathogens. Accordingly, our study examined a collection of 22 antimicrobial resistant S. sonnei isolates from patients who either acquired the infections within the United States or when travelling to international locations between 2009 to 2014. We applied WGS to investigate both the relatedness of these isolates and the genetic determinants of AMR to address the phenotypic differences seen in previous observations. We analyzed the phylogeny of these strains and observed segmentation based on the previously described Global Lineages of S. sonnei. Following these results, 17 gene sequences with lineage specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified and developed into a lineage prediction test to determine the Global Lineage of uncharacterized S. sonnei, which accurately predicted phylogenetic segmentation and additionally showed specificity for S. sonnei genomes (97% accuracy, 38/39 genomes). Lastly, to determine differences between either the international or domestic isolates or between the Global Lineages, the AMR determinants were identified. We found a variety of AMR determinants within the genomes, and while the international and domestic S. sonnei carried similar resistance determinants, differences between Global Lineages were observed.
Oxytocin promotes lying for personal gain in a genotype-dependent manner
Authors: Sindermann Cornelia , Luo Ruixue , Becker Benjamin , Kendrick Keith M , Montag Christian
Published: July 2018

Society values honesty, since it fosters trust in others. Although we have a strong moral aversion to lying, particularly when it is self-serving, we nevertheless lie quite frequently and the biological basis for this is poorly understood. The hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin has been implicated in a number of anti-social as well as pro-social behaviours, including lying to benefit in-group members or in competitive situations. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of oxytocin administration on self-serving lying behaviour and possible moderating effects of genetic underpinnings of the oxytocin receptor. A total of 161 adult men participated in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled between-subject intranasal oxytocin administration (24 International Units) study where self-serving lying was assessed using the die-in-a-cup paradigm. Additionally, contributions of polymorphisms in the oxytocin receptor gene were investigated using a haplotype approach. Results showed that while placebo-treated subjects behaved honestly across three successive rounds, oxytocin administration promoted self-serving lying, particularly in the third / last round and only to a certain degree (not to the maximum). Moreover, this effect of oxytocin was strongest in carriers of the GCG individual haplotype (rs237887-rs2268491-rs2254298) and non-carriers of the GT individual haplotype (rs53576-rs2268498) on the oxytocin receptor gene. Overall our findings demonstrate that oxytocin administration can promote self-serving lying when subjects are given repeated opportunities to lie and that these effects are moderated by genetic underpinnings of the oxytocin receptor.
How to build a mycelium: tradeoffs in fungal architectural traits
Authors: Lehmann Anika , Zheng Weishuang , Soutschek Katharina , Rillig Matthias C.
Published: July 2018

The fungal mycelium represents the essence of the fungal lifestyle, and understanding how a mycelium is constructed is of fundamental importance in fungal biology and ecology. Previous studies have examined initial developmental patterns or focused on a few strains, often mutants of model species, and frequently grown under non-harmonized growth conditions; these factors currently collectively hamper systematic insights into rules of mycelium architecture. To address this, we here use a broader suite of fungi (31 species including members of the Ascomycota, Basidiomycota and Mucoromycotina), all isolated from the same soil, and test for ten architectural traits under standardized laboratory conditions.

We find great variability in traits among the saprobic fungal species, and detect several clear tradeoffs in mycelial architecture, for example between internodal length and hyphal diameter. Within the constraints so identified, we document otherwise great versatility in mycelium architecture in this set of fungi, and there was no evidence of trait ‘syndromes’ as might be expected.

Our results point to an important dimension of fungal properties with likely consequences for coexistence within local communities, as well as for functional complementarity (e.g. decomposition, soil aggregation).
Anti-CD137 monoclonal antibody enhances trastuzumab-induced, natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity against pancreatic cancer cell lines with low human epidermal growth factor-like receptor 2 expression
Authors: Masu Takushi , Atsukawa Masanori , Nakatsuka Katsuhisa , Shimizu Masumi , Miura Daishu , Arai Taeang , Harimoto Hirotomo , Kondo Chisa , Kaneko Keiko , Futagami Seiji , Kawamoto Chiaki , Takahashi Hidemi , Iwakiri Katsuhiko
Published: July 2018

Background

Because human epidermal growth factor-like receptor (HER) 2 is expressed on the surface of human pancreatic carcinoma cells to varying degrees, trastuzumab, an anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody (mAb), is expected to exert antibody-dependent, natural killer (NK) cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) against the cells. However, some reports found that the effect of trastuzumab against human pancreatic carcinoma cells was limited because most express only limited HER2.

Methods

We examined whether anti-CD137 stimulating mAb could enhance trastuzumab-mediated ADCC against Panc-1, a human pancreatic cancer cell line with low HER2 expression, in vitro.

Results

Supplementation of anti-CD137 mAb could improve trastuzumab-mediated ADCC against Panc-1 which was insufficient without this stimulating antibody. The ADCC differed in individual cells, and this was related to the expression of CD137 on the surface of NK cells after trastuzumab stimulation in association with the Fcγ-RIIIA polymorphism. NK cells with Fcγ-RIIIA-VV/VF showed high levels of ADCC against Panc-1, but those with Fcγ-RIIIA-FF did not show optimal ADCC. In addition, trastuzumab-mediated ADCC against the human pancreatic cancer cell line Capan-1 with high HER2 expression was generally high and not affected by the Fcγ-RIIIA polymorphism.

Conclusions

These results demonstrated that in Fcγ-RIIIA-VV/VF-carrying hosts, trastuzumab plus αCD137 mAb could induce effective ADCC against HER2-low-expressing pancreatic cancer cells. This also indicates the therapeutic potential for unresectable human pancreatic cancer, in which HER-2 expression is generally low.
Mental and Physical Well-being of People Working in Helping Professions, Employed in Youth Educational Centres and Sociotherapy Centres
Authors: Szrajda Justyna , Kowalkowska Ewa Sygit , Weber-Rajek Magdalena , Ziółkowski Marcin , Borkowska Alina
Published: July 2018

Representatives of helping professions are particularly exposed to occupational stress. The aim of the study was to evaluate mental and physical well-being, as well as their correlates and predictors in a group of employees working at youth educational centres and sociotherapy centres. A total of 96 employees working at youth educational centres and sociotherapy centres in Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodeship took part in the study. The following psychometric tools were used: the Psychosocial Working Conditions Questionnaire, the Mini-COPE, the LOT-R, and the GSES. The results obtained indicate that people working in helping professions experience mental and physical health problems. Only 3% of the subjects declared they sleep all night. Over 40% and over 35% of the subjects estimate they suffer from low mood and irritation episodes, respectively, rather frequently or continually. Subjects with poorer mental health are more likely to use Helplessness, Avoidance behaviours, or Turning to religion to cope with stress. The strongest predictor of mental well-being is the sense of self-efficacy. Whereas, the strongest predictor of physical well-being is the ability to cope with stress by giving into the feeling of Helplessness. The study demonstrated poor mental and physical well-being of the subjects. A statistically significant correlation was found between sex and the level of mental and physical health. Employees working at youth educational centres and sociotherapy centres with better mental and physical well-being had a stronger sense of self-efficacy and a higher level of life optimism. Hence, the sense of self-efficacy is a predictor for better mental well-being.
Genome-wide analysis of the role of the antibiotic biosynthesis regulator AbsA2 inStreptomyces coelicolorA3(2)
Authors: Lewis Richard A. , Wahab Abdul , Bucca Giselda , Laing Emma E. , Möller-Levet Carla , Kierzek Andrze , Smith Colin P.
Published: July 2018

The AbsA1-AbsA2 two component signalling system ofStreptomyces coelicolorhas long been known to exert a powerful negative influence on the production of the antibiotics actinorhodin, undecylprodiginine and the Calcium-Dependent Antibiotic (CDA). Here we report the analysis of aΔabsA2deletion strain, which exhibits the classic precocious antibiotic hyper-production phenotype, and its complementation by an N-terminal triple-FLAG-tagged version of AbsA2. The complemented and non-complementedΔabsA2mutant strains were used in large-scale microarray-based time-course experiments to investigate the effect of deletingabsA2on gene expression and to identify thein vivoAbsA2 DNA-binding target sites using ChIP-on chip. We show that in addition to binding to the promoter regions ofredZandactII-orfIVAbsA2 binds to several previously unidentified sites within thecdabiosynthetic gene cluster within and/or upstream ofSCO3215-SCO3216,SCO3217,SCO3229-SCO3230, andSCO3226, and we relate the pattern of AbsA2 binding to the results of the transcriptomic study and antibiotic phenotypic assays. Interestingly, dual ‘biphasic’ ChIP peaks were observed with AbsA2 binding across the regulatory genesactII-orfIVandredZand theabsA2gene itself, while more conventional single promoter-proximal peaks were seen at the CDA biosynthetic genes suggesting a different mechanism of regulation of the former loci. Taken together the results shed light on the complex mechanism of regulation of antibiotic biosynthesis inStreptomyces coelicolorand the important role of AbsA2 in controlling the expression of three antibiotic biosynthetic gene clusters.
Immune signatures correlate with L1 retrotransposition in gastrointestinal cancers
Authors: Jung Hyunchul , Choi Jung Kyoon , Lee Eunjung Alice
Published: July 2018

Long interspersed nuclear element-1 (LINE-1 or L1) retrotransposons are normally suppressed in somatic tissues mainly due to DNA methylation and antiviral defense. However, the mechanism to suppress L1s may be disrupted in cancers, thus allowing L1s to act as insertional mutagens and cause genomic rearrangement and instability. Whereas the frequency of somatic L1 insertions varies greatly among individual tumors, much remains to be learned about underlying genetic, cellular, or environmental factors. Here, we report multiple correlates of L1 activity in stomach, colorectal, and esophageal tumors through an integrative analysis of cancer whole-genome and matched RNA-sequencing profiles. Clinical indicators of tumor progression, such as tumor grade and patient age, showed positive association. A potential L1 expression suppressor, TP53, was mutated in tumors with frequent L1 insertions. We characterized the effects of somatic L1 insertions on mRNA splicing and expression, and demonstrated an increased risk of gene disruption in retrotransposition-prone cancers. In particular, we found that a cancer-specific L1 insertion in an exon of MOV10, a key L1 suppressor, caused exon skipping and decreased expression of the affected allele due to nonsense-mediated decay in a tumor with a high L1 insertion load. Importantly, tumors with high immune activity, for example, those associated with Epstein–Barr virus infection or microsatellite instability, tended to carry a low number of L1 insertions in genomes with high expression levels of L1 suppressors such as APOBEC3s and SAMHD1. Our results indicate that cancer immunity may contribute to genome stability by suppressing L1 retrotransposition in gastrointestinal cancers.
Lesson study as a fundamental situation for the knowledge of teaching
Authors: Clivaz Stéphane
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to elaborate on the commonality between the Theory of Didactical Situations (TDS) and lesson study to propose a model of lesson study using both the predominant graphical representation of lesson study by Lewis and the model of the didactical situation at the heart of TDS by Brousseau.

Design/methodology/approach

Starting by describing and adapting the predominant graphical representation of lesson study by Lewis and the model of the didactical situation at the heart of TDS by Brousseau, the paper integrates the two representations to highlight the commonalities between the students’ learning situation and the teachers’. Based on this integrated graphical representation, the key phases of lesson study are then conceptualised by the mean of the dialectic between didactical and adidactical situation.

Findings

The reflection about the use of the TDS graphical representation embedded in the lesson study diagram helps the reflection on the use of TDS itself to analyse lesson study. This theoretical analysis describes the process of teacher learning in lesson study and the link between their learning and the student’s. It also shows that lesson study is a good candidate for the fundamental situation of the knowledge for teaching.

Originality/value

The graphical conceptualisation of lesson study as a learning situation for teachers offers new insight about how teachers learn in lesson study.
Effect of the size on the friction characteristics of brake friction materials: a case study with Al2O3
Authors: Sugözü Banu , Dağhan Behcet , Akdemir Ahmet
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the potential of alumina (Al2O3) in nanometer size in automotive brake friction materials.

Design/methodology/approach

Four brake linings containing alumina differing in particle size (355 µm and 80 nm) and various amount (5 and 10 Wt.%) were designed and produced. The hardness, density and porosity of the samples were measured. All samples were tested on a full-scale brake dynamometer with gray cast iron disc to determine the tribological properties. Detailed examinations on the worn surface were analyzed using a scanning electron microscopy.

Findings

It was concluded that all performance parameters were beneficially affected because of nano alumina.

Originality/value

This paper emphasizes the importance of nano-composites in the automotive industry and helps industrial firms and academicians working on wear of materials.
Constructing authority in times of crisis
Authors: Zhao Hui
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the Chinese government generates authority during a crisis through discursive practices expressed in social media.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the theoretical framework of authority and the method of genre analysis, this study examined the top 100 forwarded posts on Weibo about a high-profile murder to determine the mechanisms involved in generating authority.

Findings

This study provides empirical support that building and maintaining authority distinguishes governments from other social actors during crisis communication. The genre analysis demonstrates that the strategic use of genre chain and genre mixing contributes to the construction of governments’ authority during a crisis. Furthermore, this study suggests the performative and social constructionist approach to understand governments’ authority in the digital age on two levels: a situationally-constructed concept that goes beyond the context of fixed institutions and a relationally-constructed concept that is promoted through discursive collaboration among various social actors.

Research limitations/implications

This study does not directly assess the effectiveness of a government’s ability to construct its authority. Nor does it examine the construction of governments’ authority outside the context of an authoritarian regime. These issues should be addressed in future research.

Practical implications

This study offers governmental organizations some practical insights that can be used to infuse a constructive aspect of authority into their crisis communication plans, practices and processes.

Originality/value

Here, authority is seen as a social construction that foregrounds the discursive, performative, constructive and communicative dimensions of crisis communication. Moreover, this study points to the need for a more complex integrated perspective in crisis communication that includes and connects corporate and government crisis communication.
The role of the university in accelerated learning and innovation as a regional ecosystem integrator
Authors: Celuch Kevin , Bourdeau Bryan , Khayum Mohammed , Townsend Leslie
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an adaptation of a program that is at the intersection of two dynamic force fields. The first relates to imperatives impinging upon and inherent in higher education. The second ties to the concept of ecosystems as spaces for aligning actors and resources to create value.

Design/methodology/approach

Tables I-III present pre-test and post-test means and p-values for the paired sample t-tests for the measures.

Findings

As expected, post-test means are consistently significantly higher (or lower depending on item wording) for a shift in beliefs away from self-censoring and prejudging ideas during ideation and more toward greater openness in the ideation process.

Originality/value

The paper examines the outcome of an educational program.
Critical success factors for sustainable construction: a literature review
Authors: Sfakianaki Eleni
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to synthesize and evaluate the available literature with respect to critical success factors (CSFs) for sustainable construction (SC).

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review (SLR) was undertaken to assist in the identification of the most pertinent papers from three publishers: Emerald, Elsevier and Wiley. The literature findings were assessed and presented relative to publication, author and contents as determined by review.

Findings

The SLR was conducted using a number of search criteria. A final set of 31 publications were detected for further examination. The characteristics in terms of publications, authors and contents of the extracted publication set were examined and discussed. A total of 35 factors were identified, distributed in five research categories. The frequency of the extracted factors within the publication set was investigated and enabled valuable quantitative and qualitative observations of current trends for SC. Interestingly, all research categories were represented in the top-counted factors, demonstrating a holistic perception of SC. Given the publication set, in most aspects, the research area examined seems to demonstrate features of an emerging field, which is not yet well established.

Research limitations/implications

SLR cannot ensure that all pertinent publications were identified, because it was tailored to a number of search criteria, although certain actions were taken to moderate this limitation. However, the outcome adequately identifies trends and offers valuable information and knowledge for SC and its successful implementation.

Originality/value

The present study presents a broad list of factors for SC, integrated from a variety of disciplines and stakeholders. The findings, therefore, provide a valuable reference for both construction professionals and practitioners attempting to implement SC. Furthermore, the list can be of use to academic scholars for further empirical work and basis for future research.
Evaluating the impact of police foot patrol at the micro-geographic level
Authors: Andresen Martin A. , Hodgkinson Tarah K.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of a police foot patrol considering micro-geographic units of analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

Six years of monthly crime counts for eight violent and property crime types are analyzed. Negative binomial and binary logistic regressions were used to evaluate the impact of the police foot patrol.

Findings

The impact of police foot patrol is in a small number of micro-geographic areas. Specifically, only 5 percent of the spatial units of analysis exhibit a statistically significant impact from the foot patrol.

Originality/value

These analyses show the importance of undertaking evaluations at the micro-scale in order to identify the impact of police patrol initiative because a small number of places are driving the overall result. Moreover, care must be taken with how small the units of analysis are because as the units of analysis become smaller and smaller, criminal events become rarer and, potentially, identifying statistically significant change becomes more difficult.
The impact of the police professional identity on burnout
Authors: Schaible Lonnie M.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Little research has been conducted which assesses the impact of the police self-identity on burnout. The purpose of this paper is to assess how identification with the police role, work centrality, policing values and perceived dissonance in values contributes to emotional exhaustion across the police career.

Design/methodology/approach

Conjunctive analysis of case configurations (CACC) is utilized to examine how various factors conjunctively interact to influence the probability of burnout among officers at various career stages. This method allows for the examination of more complex interactions than traditional statistical methods.

Findings

The findings suggest that the interaction between police values and professional identity is complex and neither completely supportive nor unsupportive of existing identity theories. Specifically, strong identification with the police role has both positive and negative effects over the course of the police career.

Practical implications

Understanding how the police professional identity changes over the course of the police career can help to inform more deliberate and targeted training to help officers avoid burnout and improve the quality of policing for both citizens and police.

Originality/value

The present research applies an emerging statistical method, CACC, to an important but understudied question – the impact of the police professional identity on burnout throughout the career. In doing so, the present research illustrates that the effects of the professional identity on burnout are both complex, with significant ramifications for the practice of policing.
Beyond the final report
Authors: Terrill William , Paoline III Eugene A. , Ingram Jason Robert
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a snapshot of key findings from research published from the Assessing Police Use of Force Policy and Outcomes study, a project funded by the National Institute of Justice.

Design/methodology/approach

Key findings from a national survey of police agencies on use of force policy and from an in-depth look at police use of force outcomes across eight cities published over the last ten years are synthesized to provide a cumulative perspective regarding the outcomes of the project.

Findings

The majority of police departments had a written force policy and reporting requirements, however, there was no commonly accepted force policy. Patrol officers were conservative in their views of what is reasonable force, administrative policy does matter in influencing force usage, and the use of a TASER impacted the likelihood of injury for both officers and citizens. Additional findings were also reviewed in the areas of complaints, police culture, first-line supervision, college education, and promotional aspirations.

Originality/value

While federal funding for policing related research projects are commonplace, taking a look back ten years later and summarizing key findings is uncommon. Doing so provides concise feedback to practitioners in one readily digestible manuscript. Furthermore, the paper also demonstrates the additional value to the original investment made by the National Institute of Justice.
Variations in Mental Health Act calls to police: an analysis of hourly and intra-week patterns
Authors: Vaughan Adam , Wuschke Kathryn E. , Hewitt Ashley N. , Hodgkinson Tarah , Andresen Martin A. , Brantingham Patricia , Verdun-Jones Simon
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Investigating the day of week and hour of day temporal patterns of crime typically show that (late) nights and weekends are the prime time for criminal activity. Though instructive, mental-health-related calls for service are a significant component of police service to the community that have not been a part of this research. The purpose of this paper is to analyze calls for police service that relate to mental health, using intimate partner/domestic related calls for police service for context.

Design/methodology/approach

Approximately 20,000 mental health related and 20,000 intimate partner/domestic related calls for police service are analyzed. Intra-week and intra-day temporal patterns are analyzed using circular statistics.

Findings

Mental-health-related calls for police service have a distinct temporal pattern for both days of the week and hours of the day. Specifically, these calls for police service peak during the middle of the week and in the mid-afternoon.

Originality/value

This is the first analysis regarding the temporal patterns of police calls for service for mental health-related calls. The results have implications for police resourcing and scheduling, especially in the context of special teams for addressing mental health-related calls for police service.
Offender and family member perceptions after an offender-focused hot spots policing strategy
Authors: Santos Roberto G.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how both offenders and their families perceived their interactions with police and whether there were negative consequences of the offender-focused strategy that was implemented in a hot spots policing experiment.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from interviews of 32 offenders and 29 family members are examined qualitatively for themes to evaluate how the strategy was carried out and how it impacted offenders’ behavior and both groups’ perceptions of the police detectives and the strategy overall.

Findings

The results show that there was overwhelming agreement by both offenders and their family members that the police detectives who contacted them treated both groups with dignity and respect. After the contact was over, the offenders appeared to commit less crime, followed probation more closely, and had positive feelings about what the police detectives were trying to do. Improvement of the offenders’ relationships with their families was an unanticipated finding indicating a diffusion of benefits of the strategy.

Practical implications

The results suggest that when procedural justice principles are used in an offender-focused police intervention, positive impact can be achieved without negative consequences.

Originality/value

This is a rare example of an in-depth evaluation of the perceptions of offenders and family members contacted through a hot spots policing offender-focused strategy.
Small vs luxury cars: what is the coherent strategy for MNCs to survive in india’s automobile market?
Authors: Kaushal Leena Ajit
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of teh paper is to Explore why MNCs are not able to compete in Indian automobile industry and have very minimal market share.

Design/methodology/approach

Its a view point based on market intelligence.

Findings

In the circumstances where India consumers have abundant bargaining power due to the access to variety of products available in the same range, by different manufacturers, the MNCs can compete in the Indian market only by adopting local strategy and understanding local mindset of the customers.

Researchlimitations/implications

The study suggest that the MNCs can compete in the Indian market only by adopting local strategy and understanding local mindset of the customers.

Practical/implications

Its quite useful for MNCs planning to explore Indian automobile market.

Practical/implications

India has allowed 100 per cent FDI in Automobile sector. If MNCs strategically plan to cater to teh Indian consumers, that can help us upgrade technology and provide employment o our countrymen.

Originality/Value

Its a viewpoint.
Modeling satisfaction and repurchase intentions of mobile smart wristbands: the role of social mindfulness and perceived value
Authors: Oyedele Adesegun , Saldivar Roberto , Hernandez Monica D. , Goenner Emily
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to empirically test a model of different facets of perceived value (economic, emotional, aesthetic and convenience) and social mindfulness (SM) as determinants of consumer satisfaction and repurchase intentions of mobile smart wristbands.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire designed to assess these effects was administered to students at a Midwestern US university. Data were analyzed using AMOS structural equation modeling software.

Findings

The findings reveal that SM was significant in explicating perceived convenience value. The utilitarian value measures in the model (economic and convenience) were found to significantly affect satisfaction and in turn, repurchase intention. Surprisingly, all hedonic-related constructs in the model (emotional and aesthetic) did not significantly affect satisfaction and subsequently, repurchase intentions.

Practical implications

Findings from this research suggest that when targeting young adults, marketing managers and retailers should focus their efforts to convenience value as influenced by SM.

Originality/value

This is one of only a few studies in marketing to investigate the role of SM and perceived value on satisfaction and repurchase intentions of a technology gadget among young consumers.
Widespread nitrogen fixation in sediments from diverse deep‐sea sites of elevated carbon loading
Authors: Dekas Anne E. , Fike David A. , Chadwick Grayson L. , Green‐Saxena Abigail , Fortney Julian , Connon Stephanie A. , Dawson Katherine S. , Orphan Victoria J.
Published: July 2018

Nitrogen fixation, the biological conversion of N2 to NH3, is critical to alleviating nitrogen limitation in many marine ecosystems. To date, few measurements exist of N2 fixation in deep‐sea sediments. Here, we conducted > 400 bottle incubations with sediments from methane seeps, whale falls and background sites off the western coast of the United States from 600 to 2893 m water depth to investigate the potential rates, spatial distribution and biological mediators of benthic N2 fixation. We found that N2 fixation was widespread, yet heterogeneously distributed with sediment depth at all sites. In some locations, rates exceeded previous measurements by > 10×, and provided up to 30% of the community anabolic growth requirement for nitrogen. Diazotrophic activity appeared to be inhibited by pore water ammonium: N2 fixation was only observed if incubation ammonium concentrations were ≤ 25 μM, and experimental additions of ammonium reduced diazotrophy. In seep sediments, N2 fixation was dependent on CH4 and coincident with sulphate reduction, consistent with previous work showing diazotrophy by microorganisms mediating sulphate‐coupled methane oxidation. However, the pattern of diazotrophy was different in whale‐fall and associated reference sediments, where it was largely unaffected by CH4, suggesting catabolically different diazotrophs at these sites.
Plasma Cystine Levels and Cardiovascular and All‐Cause Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Suzuki Shota , Shino Midori , Fujikawa Tetsuya , Itoh Yoko , Ueda Eiko , Hashimoto Tatsuo , Kuji Tadashi , Kobayashi Naoyuki , Ohnishi Toshimasa , Hirawa Nobuhito , Tamura Kouichi , Toya Yoshiyuki
Published: July 2018

Oxidative stress accelerates the development of cardiovascular disease. Plasma cystine, a thiol oxidative stress marker, is related to several established factors for cardiovascular disease risk and prognosis. Although a comprehensive oxidative stress index is clinically required for hemodialysis patients with high oxidative stress, there are few reports concerning thiol oxidative stress markers predicting their prognosis. We investigated the relationship between plasma amino acids including cystine levels and cardiovascular disease‐related and all‐cause mortality in 132 maintenance hemodialysis patients. Higher cystine levels were associated with old age, longer hemodialysis duration, hemodialysis‐associated hypotension, higher cardiothoracic ratio, higher blood urea nitrogen, and lower ankle‐brachial index. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that high plasma cystine was independently related with both cardiovascular disease mortality and all‐cause mortality. Thus, high plasma cystine levels predict the prognosis of hemodialysis patients. High cystine levels necessitate a careful investigation for the cause of oxidative stress and comorbidities like vascular injury.
The moderating effect of laissez‐faire leadership on the relationship between co‐worker conflicts and new cases of workplace bullying: A true prospective design
Authors: Ågotnes Kari Wik , Einarsen Ståle Valvatne , Hetland Jørn , Skogstad Anders
Published: July 2018

In line with the work environment hypothesis, interpersonal conflict has been proposed as an important antecedent of workplace bullying. However, longitudinal studies on this relationship have been scarce. The aim of this study was to examine whether co‐worker conflict predicted new cases of self‐reported workplace bullying 2 years later and whether laissez‐faire leadership moderated this relationship. In a sample of 1,772 employees, drawn from the Norwegian working population, the hypotheses that co‐worker conflict increased the risk of subsequently reporting being a victim of workplace bullying and that laissez‐faire leadership strengthened this relationship were supported. This study empirically supports the work environment hypothesis by showing that co‐worker conflict within a true prospective research design is a source of new cases of bullying and that the lack and avoidance of leadership, through the enactment of a laissez‐faire leadership style, likely is a main source for co‐worker conflict to develop into workplace bullying.