bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unraveling intratumoral heterogeneity through high-sensitivity single-cell mutational analysis and parallel RNA-sequencing
Authors: Rodriguez-Meira Alba , Buck Gemma , Clark Sally-Ann , Povinelli Benjamin J , Alcolea Veronica , Louka Eleni , McGowan Simon , Hamblin Angela , Sousos Nikolaos , Barkas Nikolaos , Giustacchini Alice , Psaila Bethan , Jacobsen Sten Eirik W , Thongjuea Supat , Mead Adam J
Published: November 2018

Single-cell RNA-sequencing has emerged as a powerful tool to resolve transcriptional heterogeneity. However, its application to study cancerous tissues is currently hampered by the lack of coverage across key mutation hotspots in the vast majority of cells, which prevents correlation of genetic and transcriptional readouts from the same single cell. To overcome this, we developed TARGET-seq, a method for the high-sensitivity detection of multiple mutations within single-cells from both genomic and coding DNA, in parallel with unbiased, high-depth whole transcriptome analysis. We demonstrate how this technique uniquely resolves transcriptional and genetic tumor heterogeneity in myeloproliferative neoplasm stem/progenitor cells, providing insights into deregulated pathways of mutant and non-mutant cells. TARGET-seq provides a powerful tool to resolve molecular signatures of genetically distinct subclones of tumor cells.
Prokaryotic genome expansion is facilitated by phages and plasmids but impaired by CRISPR
Authors: Gao Na L. , Chen Jingchao , Lercher Martin J , Chen Wei-Hua
Published: November 2018

Bacteriophages and plasmids can introduce novel DNA into bacterial cells, thereby creating an opportunity for genome expansion; conversely, CRISPR, the prokaryotic adaptive immune system, which targets and eliminates foreign DNAs, may impair genome expansions. Recent studies presented conflicting results over the impact of CRISPR on genome expansion. In this study, we assembled a comprehensive dataset of prokaryotic genomes and identified their associations with phages and plasmids. We found that genomes associated with phages and/or plasmids were significantly larger than those without, indicating that both phages and plasmids contribute to genome expansion. Genomes were increasingly larger with increasing numbers of associated phages or plasmids. Conversely, genomes with CRISPR systems were significantly smaller than those without, indicating that CRISPR has a negative impact on genome size. These results confirmed that on evolutionary timescales, bacteriophages and plasmids facilitate genome expansion, while CRISPR impairs such a process in prokaryotes. Furthermore, our results also revealed that CRISPR systems show a strong preference for targeting phages over plasmids.
MiR-146a wild-type 3’ sequence identity is dispensable for proper innate immune function in vivo
Authors: Bertolet Grant , Kongchan Natee , Miller Rebekah , Patel Ravi K. , Jain Antrix , Choi Jong Min , Saltzman Alexander , Christenson Amber , Jung Sung Yun , Malovannaya Anna , Grimson Andrew , Neilson Joel R.
Published: November 2018

The prevailing model of microRNA function is that the “seed” region (nucleotides 2-8) is typically sufficient to mediate target recognition and repression. However, numerous recent studies have challenged this model, either by demonstrating extensive 3’ pairing between physically defined miRNA-mRNA pairs or by showing in C. elegans that disrupted 3’ pairing can result in impaired function in vivo. To test the importance of miRNA 3’ pairing in a mammalian system in vivo, we engineered a mutant murine mir-146a allele in which the 5’ half of the mature microRNA retains its wild-type sequence, but the 3’ half has been altered to be anti-complementary. Mice homozygous or hemizygous for this mutant allele are phenotypically indistinguishable from wild-type controls and do not recapitulate any of the immunopathology previously described for mir-146a-null mice. Our results indicate that 3’ pairing is dispensable for the established myeloid function of this key mammalian microRNA.

Summary Blurb

3’ sequence identity is dispensable for the established function of a mammalian miRNA in vivo.
Heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) is intrinsically required for post-transcriptional regulation ofDrosophilaGermline Stem Cell (GSC) maintenance
Authors: Casale Assunta Maria , Cappucci Ugo , Fanti Laura , Piacentini Lucia
Published: November 2018

A very important open question in stem cells regulation is how the fine balance between GSCs self-renewal and differentiation is orchestrated at the molecular level. In the past several years much progress has been made in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying intrinsic and extrinsic controls of GSC regulation but the complex gene regulatory networks that regulate stem cell behavior are only partially understood. HP1 is a dynamic epigenetic determinant mainly involved in heterochromatin formation, epigenetic gene silencing and telomere maintenance. Furthermore, recent studies have revealed the importance of HP1 in DNA repair, sister chromatid cohesion and, surprisingly, in positive regulation of gene expression. Here, we show that HP1 plays a crucial role in the control of GSC homeostasis inDrosophila. Our findings demonstrate that HP1 is required intrinsically to promote GSC self-renewal and progeny differentiation by directly stabilizing the transcripts of key genes involved in GSCs maintenance.
Dynamic networks of fighting and mating in a wild cricket population
Authors: Fisher David N. , Rodríguez-Muñoz Rolando , Tregenza Tom
Published: November 2018

Reproductive success is often highly skewed in animal populations. Yet the processes leading to this are not always clear. Similarly, connections in animal social networks are often non-randomly distributed, with some individuals with many connections and others with few, yet whether there are simple explanations for this pattern has not been determined. Numerous social interactions involve dyads embedded within a wider network. As a result, it may be possible to model which individuals accumulate social interaction through a more general understanding of the social network’s structure, and how this structure changes over time. We analysed fighting and mating interactions across the breeding season in a population of wild field crickets under surveillance from a network of video cameras. We fitted stochastic actor-oriented models to determine the dynamic process by which networks of cricket fighting and mating interactions form, and how they co-influence each other. We found crickets tended to fight those in close spatial proximity to them, and those possessing a mutual connection in the fighting network, and heavier crickets fought more often. We also found that crickets who mate with many others tended to fight less in the following time period. This demonstrates that a mixture of spatial constraints, characteristics of individuals and characteristics of the immediate social environment are key for determining social interactions. The mating interaction network required very few parameters to understand its growth and so structure; only homophily by mating success was required to simulate the skew of mating interactions seen in this population. This demonstrates that relatively simple, but dynamic processes can give highly skewed distributions of mating success.
Risk stratification of allogeneic stem cell recipients with respect to the potential for development of GVHD via their pre-transplant plasma lipid and metabolic signature
Authors: Contaifer Daniel , Roberts Catherine H , Kumar Naren Gajenthra , Natarajan Ramesh , Fisher Bernard J , Leslie Kevin , Reed Jason , Toor Amir A , Wijesinghe Dayanjan S
Published: November 2018

The clinical outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) is strongly influenced from the complications arising during the post-transplant immune restoration and has been well studied and described. However, the metabolic status of the recipient pre-transplant also has the potential to influence this outcome and has never been studied before and has the potential to enable risk stratification with respect to the development of transplant associated complications such as graft vs. host disease (GVHD). In order to better understand this aspect of transplant related complications we investigated the pre-transplantation metabolic signature to assess the possibility of pre-transplant risk stratification. This pilot study was composed of 14 patients undergoing myeloablative conditioning followed by either HLA matched related, unrelated donor, or autologous stem cell transplantation. Blood samples were taken prior to transplant and the plasma was comprehensively characterized with respect to its lipidome and metabolome via LCMS and GCMS. The results indicated a significantly pro-inflammatory metabolic profile in patients who eventually developed Graft vs. Host Disease (GVHD). The data revealed 5 potential pre-transplant biomarkers (1-monopalmitin, diacylglycerol (DG) 38:5, DG 38:6, 2-aminobutyric acid, and fatty acid (FA) 20:1) that demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity towards predicting post-transplant GVHD development. The predictive model developed demonstrated an estimated predictive accuracy of risk stratification of 100%, with an Area under the Curve of the ROC of 0.995 with 100%. The likelihood ratio of 1-monopalmitin (infinity), DG 38:5 (6.0) and DG 38:6 (6.0) also demonstrated that a patient with a positive test result for these biomarkers pre-transplant will likely have very high odds of developing GVHD post-transplant. Collectively the data demonstrates the possibility of using pre-transplant metabolic signature for risk stratification of SCT recipients with respect to development of GVHD.
Design of a GAK/EGFR inhibitor set to interrogate the relationship of EGFR and GAK in chordoma
Authors: Asquith Christopher R. M. , Naegeli Kaleb M. , East Michael P. , Laitinen Tuomo , Havener Tammy M. , Wells Carrow I. , Johnson Gary L. , Drewry David H. , Zuercher William J. , Morris David C.
Published: November 2018

We describe the design of a set of inhibitors to investigate the relationship between cyclin G associated kinase (GAK) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in chordoma bone cancers. These compounds were characterized both in vitro and using in cell target engagement assays. The most potent chordoma inhibitors were further characterized in a kinome-wide screen demonstrating narrow spectrum profiles.
Weight statistics controls dynamics in recurrent neural networks
Authors: Krauss Patrick , Schuster Marc , Dietrich Verena , Schilling Achim , Schulze Holger , Metzner Claus
Published: November 2018

Recurrent neural networks are complex non-linear systems, capable of ongoing activity in the absence of driving inputs. The dynamical properties of these systems, in particular their long-time attractor states, are determined on the microscopic level by the connection strengths wij between the individual neurons. However, little is known to which extent network dynamics is tunable on a more coarse-grained level by the statistical features of the weight matrix. In this work, we investigate the dynamical impact of three statistical parameters: density (the fraction of non-zero connections), balance (the ratio of excitatory to inhibitory connections), and symmetry (the fraction of neuron pairs with wij = wji). By computing a ‘phase diagram’ of network dynamics, we find that balance is the essential control parameter: Its gradual increase from negative to positive values drives the system from oscillatory behavior into a chaotic regime, and eventually into stationary fix points. Only directly at the border of the chaotic regime do the neural networks display rich but regular dynamics, thus enabling actual information processing. These results suggest that the brain, too, is fine-tuned to the ‘edge of chaos’ by assuring a proper balance between excitatory and inhibitory neural connections.

Author summary

Computations in the brain need to be both reproducible and sensitive to changing input from the environment. It has been shown that recurrent neural networks can meet these simultaneous requirements only in a particular dynamical regime, called the edge of chaos in non-linear systems theory. Here, we demonstrate that recurrent neural networks can be easily tuned to this critical regime of optimal information processing by assuring a proper ratio of excitatory and inhibitory connections between the neurons. This result is in line with several micro-anatomical studies of the cortex, which frequently confirm that the excitatory-inhibitory balance is strictly conserved in the cortex. Furthermore, it turns out that neural dynamics is largely independent from the total density of connections, a feature that explains how the brain remains functional during periods of growth or decay. Finally, we find that the existence of too many symmetric connections is detrimental for the above mentioned critical dynamical regime, but maybe in turn useful for pattern completion tasks.
CD8+ lymphocytes modulate Zika virus dynamics and tissue dissemination and orchestrate antiviral immunity
Authors: Schouest Blake , Fahlberg Marissa , Scheef Elizabeth A. , Ward Matthew J. , Headrick Kyra , Szeltner Dawn M. , Blair Robert V. , Gilbert Margaret H. , Doyle-Meyers Lara A. , Danner Victoria W. , Bonaldo Myrna C. , Wesson Dawn M. , Panganiban Antonito T. , Maness Nicholas J.
Published: November 2018

CD8+ lymphocytes are critically important in the control of viral infections, but their roles in acute Zika virus (ZIKV) infection remain incompletely explored in a model sufficiently similar to humans immunologically. Here, we use CD8+ lymphocyte depletion to dissect acute immune responses in adult male rhesus and cynomolgus macaques infected with ZIKV. CD8 depletion delayed serum viremia and dysregulated patterns of innate immune cell homing and monocyte-driven transcriptional responses in the blood. CD8-depleted macaques also showed evidence of compensatory adaptive immune responses, with elevated Th1 activity and persistence of neutralizing antibodies beyond the clearance of serum viremia. The absence of CD8+ lymphocytes increased viral burdens in lymphatic tissues, semen, and cerebrospinal fluid, and neural lesions were also evident in both CD8-depleted rhesus macaques. Together, these data support a role for CD8+ lymphocytes in the control of ZIKV dissemination and in maintaining immune regulation during acute infection of nonhuman primates.
Glutamate signaling at cytoneme synapses
Authors: Huang Hai , Liu Songmei , Kornberg Thomas B.
Published: November 2018

We investigated the roles of neuronal synapse components for development of the Drosophila air sac primordium (ASP). The ASP, an epithelial tube, extends specialized signaling filopodia called cytonemes that take up signals such as Dpp from the wing imaginal disc. Dpp signaling in the ASP requires that disc cells express Dpp, Synaptobrevin, Synaptotagmin-1, the glutamate transporter, and a voltage-gated calcium channel, and that ASP cells express the Dpp receptor, Synaptotagmin-4 and the AMPA-type glutamate receptor GluRII. Calcium transients in ASP cytonemes correlate with signaling activity. Calcium transients in the ASP require GluRII, are activated by L-glutamate and by stimulation of an optogenetic ion channel expressed in the wing disc, and are inhibited by EGTA and NASPM. Activation of GluRII is essential but not sufficient for signaling. Cytoneme-mediated signaling is glutamatergic.

Paracrine signals transfer between Drosophila epithelial cells at glutamatergic synapses.
BAP1 regulation of the key adaptor protein NCoR1 is critical for γ-globin gene repression
Authors: Yu Lei , Jearawiriyapaisarn Natee , Lee Mary P. , Hosoya Tomonori , Wu Qingqing , Myers Greggory , Lim Kim-Chew , Kurita Ryo , Nakamura Yukio , Vojtek Anne B. , Rual Jean-François , Engel James Douglas
Published: November 2018

Human globin gene production transcriptionally “switches” from fetal to adult synthesis shortly after birth and is controlled by macromolecular complexes that enhance or suppress transcription by cis elements scattered throughout the locus. The DRED (direct repeat erythroid-definitive) repressor is recruited to the ε-globin and γ-globin promoters by the orphan nuclear receptors TR2 (NR2C1) and TR4 (NR2C2) to engender their silencing in adult erythroid cells. Here we found that nuclear receptor corepressor-1 (NCoR1) is a critical component of DRED that acts as a scaffold to unite the DNA-binding and epigenetic enzyme components (e.g., DNA methyltransferase 1 [DNMT1] and lysine-specific demethylase 1 [LSD1]) that elicit DRED function. We also describe a potent new regulator of γ-globin repression: The deubiquitinase BRCA1-associated protein-1 (BAP1) is a component of the repressor complex whose activity maintains NCoR1 at sites in the β-globin locus, and BAP1 inhibition in erythroid cells massively induces γ-globin synthesis. These data provide new mechanistic insights through the discovery of novel epigenetic enzymes that mediate γ-globin gene repression.
Damage-responsive elements in Drosophila regeneration
Authors: Vizcaya-Molina Elena , Klein Cecilia C. , Serras Florenci , Mishra Rakesh K. , Guigó Roderic , Corominas Montserrat
Published: November 2018

One of the most important questions in regenerative biology is to unveil how and when genes change expression and trigger regeneration programs. The resetting of gene expression patterns during response to injury is governed by coordinated actions of genomic regions that control the activity of multiple sequence-specific DNA binding proteins. Using genome-wide approaches to interrogate chromatin function, we here identify the elements that regulate tissue recovery in Drosophila imaginal discs, which show a high regenerative capacity after genetically induced cell death. Our findings indicate there is global coregulation of gene expression as well as a regeneration program driven by different types of regulatory elements. Novel enhancers acting exclusively within damaged tissue cooperate with enhancers co-opted from other tissues and other developmental stages, as well as with endogenous enhancers that show increased activity after injury. Together, these enhancers host binding sites for regulatory proteins that include a core set of conserved transcription factors that control regeneration across metazoans.
Quantification of somatic mutation flow across individual cell division events by lineage sequencing
Authors: Brody Yehuda , Kimmerling Robert J. , Maruvka Yosef E. , Benjamin David , Elacqua Joshua J. , Haradhvala Nicholas J. , Kim Jaegil , Mouw Kent W. , Frangaj Kristjana , Koren Amnon , Getz Gad , Manalis Scott R. , Blainey Paul C.
Published: November 2018

Mutation data reveal the dynamic equilibrium between DNA damage and repair processes in cells and are indispensable to the understanding of age-related diseases, tumor evolution, and the acquisition of drug resistance. However, available genome-wide methods have a limited ability to resolve rare somatic variants and the relationships between these variants. Here, we present lineage sequencing, a new genome sequencing approach that enables somatic event reconstruction by providing quality somatic mutation call sets with resolution as high as the single-cell level in subject lineages. Lineage sequencing entails sampling single cells from a population and sequencing subclonal sample sets derived from these cells such that knowledge of relationships among the cells can be used to jointly call variants across the sample set. This approach integrates data from multiple sequence libraries to support each variant and precisely assigns mutations to lineage segments. We applied lineage sequencing to a human colon cancer cell line with a DNA polymerase epsilon (POLE) proofreading deficiency (HT115) and a human retinal epithelial cell line immortalized by constitutive telomerase expression (RPE1). Cells were cultured under continuous observation to link observed single-cell phenotypes with single-cell mutation data. The high sensitivity, specificity, and resolution of the data provide a unique opportunity for quantitative analysis of variation in mutation rate, spectrum, and correlations among variants. Our data show that mutations arrive with nonuniform probability across sublineages and that DNA lesion dynamics may cause strong correlations between certain mutations.
Peculiarities of supramolecular organization of cyclic ketones with vinylacetylene fragments
Authors: Voronova Eugenia D. , Golovanov Alexander A. , Odin Ivan S. , Anisimov Maksim A. , Dorovatovskii Pavel V. , Zubavichus Yan V. , Vologzhanina Anna V.
Published: November 2018

1,5-Diaryl(heteroaryl)pentenynones show a tendency to crystallize in acentric space groups due to their inclination to form C—H...O hydrogen-bonded chains instead of dimers and thus exhibit nonlinear optical properties. A series of symmetrical α,α′-bis(3-arylprop-2-yn-1-ylidene)cycloalkanones and unsymmetrical α-(furan-2-ylmethylene)-α′-(3-arylprop-2-yn-1-ylidene)cyclohexanones closely related to pentenynones was synthesized, namely 2,5-bis(3-phenylprop-2-yn-1-ylidene)cyclopentanone, C23H16O, 2,5-bis[3-(4-bromophenyl)prop-2-yn-1-ylidene]cyclopentanone, C23H14Br2O, 2,6-bis(3-phenylprop-2-yn-1-ylidene)cyclohexanone, C24H18O, 2,6-bis[3-(4-bromophenyl)prop-2-yn-1-ylidene]cyclohexanone, C24H16Br2O, 4-tert-butyl-2,6-bis(3-phenylprop-2-yn-1-ylidene)cyclohexanone, C28H25O, 4-tert-butyl-2,6-bis[3-(4-methylphenyl)prop-2-yn-1-ylidene]cyclohexanone, C30H30O, 2-(furan-2-ylmethylene)-6-(3-phenylprop-2-yn-1-ylidene)cyclohexanone, C20H16O2, and 6-(3-butylprop-2-yn-1-ylidene)-2-(furan-2-ylmethylene)cyclohexanone, C10H20O2, and investigated by means of X-ray diffraction to understand peculiarities of their supramolecular organization. Four of the eight novel compounds crystallize in acentric space groups. Three of these four compounds contain substituents at the para position of the phenyl ring, which affect the charge density on the H(CPh) atoms and thus stabilize CPh—H...O interactions. The fourth compound realizes the C—H...O hydrogen bonding via H atoms of the furyl ring. The applicability and shortcomings of the Full Interaction Map tool to predict the likelihood of C—H...O and C—H...Br hydrogen-bonded motifs, and the effect of substituents on the phenyl ring on the supramolecular architecture are discussed.
Determinants of China’s structural change during the reform era
Authors: Guo Kaiming , Hang Jing , Yan Se
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Economic theories on structural change focus on factors such as fluctuations in relative prices and income growth. In addition, China’s reform and opening up has also been accompanied by increasing openness, significant fluctuations in investment rates, and frictions in the labor market. Existing literature lacks a unified theoretical framework to assess the relative importance of all these determinants. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

To incorporate all of the potential determinants of China’s structural change, the authors build a two-country four-sector neoclassical growth model that embeds the multi-sector Eaton and Kortum (2002) model of international trade, complete input-output structure, non-homothetic preference and labor market frictions. The authors decompose the sectoral employment shares into six effects: the Baumol, Engel, investment, international trade, factor intensity and labor market friction effects. Using the data of Chinese economy from 1978 to 2011, the authors perform a quantitative investigation of the six determinants’ effects through the decomposition approach and counterfactual exercises.

Findings

Low-income elasticity of demand, high labor intensity, and the existence of the switching costs are the reasons for the high employment share in the agricultural sector. Technological progress, investment and international trade have comparatively less influence on the proportion difference of employment in the three sectors.

Originality/value

Therefore, to examine the impact on China’s structural change, in addition to Baumol effect and the Engel effect, it is also necessary to consider the impact of three more factors: international trade, investment and switching costs. Therefore, the authors decompose the factors that may influence China’s structural change into the Baumol, Engel, investment, international trade, factor intensity effect and switching cost effects. The authors evaluate these six effects using the decomposition approach and counterfactual exercises.
Prediction and analysis the causes of increasing an illegal e-taxi in Bangladesh municipalities
Authors: Chakma Mital , Rana Md Sohel , Pramanik Md Ashrafuzzaman
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This study aims to find out the causes for an increase in the number illegal E-taxis and the extent of these vehicles in the municipalities of Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on extensive literature review and field investigation, a set of questionnaires was developed to explore the actual causes for an increase in the number of illegal E-taxis, where ten predicted hypotheses were tested.

Findings

The result proved that the illegal E-taxi is very active in the study area. Besides the socio-economic condition of the commuter, education level of taxi drivers and commuter satisfaction level (safety and comfort) and provision of continuous and door-to-door service system are the main causes for increasing number of E-taxis in the municipality of Bangladesh.

Originality/value

Moreover, this study provides an effective thinking on socio-economic condition of drivers and the legalization of illegal E-taxis in the study area.
A thematic analysis of the experience of educational leaders introducing coaching into schools
Authors: Anthony Dirk Posthumus , van Nieuwerburgh Christian J.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Schools are traditionally hierarchical organisations with headteachers holding significant influence to effect change. The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of an investigation into the experiences of school leaders introducing coaching cultures into their schools.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a phenomenological approach. In total, 20 face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted with headteachers and deputy headteachers in the UK. Thematic analysis was used to code the data and identify themes.

Findings

The paper reports on six themes based on the experiences of school leaders who participated in this study: personal beliefs about coaching are influenced by prior experiences; frustration about the pace of change; pressure of conflicting demands; feelings of isolation; the need for confidence to see the process through; and experiencing personal growth. The findings of this study shed light on the experience that school leaders may face when introducing coaching initiatives.

Research limitations/implications

These findings are unique to the participants of this study and therefore not representative of a general population of educational leaders. Further research into factors that can influence the successful introduction of coaching initiatives into educational settings is recommended.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for school leaders who wish to introduce coaching initiatives into their educational contexts. It is argued, for example, it is helpful for school leaders to reflect on their own beliefs about coaching before initiating cultural change within their schools.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified need to understand leadership experiences in relation to coaching in schools. This understanding will support policy makers and school leaders interested in embedding coaching cultures within schools.
How to move away from using symmetric tests, net effects, andp<0.05
Authors: Woodside Arch George
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe how and why to shift away from bad science practices now dominant in research in marketing to good science practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The essay includes details in theory construction and the use of symmetric tests to illustrate bad science practices. In contrast, the essay includes asymmetric case-based asymmetric theory construction and testing to illustrate good science practices.

Findings

Researchers in marketing science should not report null hypothesis significance tests. They should report somewhat precise outcome tests, avoid using multiple regression analysis (MRA) and do use Boolean-algebra-based algorithms to predict cases of interest.

Research limitations/implications

Given the widespread dominance of bad science practices (e.g. MRA and structural equation modeling), the inclusion of both bad and good science practices may be necessary during the transition years of 2015–2025 (e.g. Ordaniniet al., 2014).

Practical implications

Good science practices fit reality much closer than bad science practices. Asymmetric modeling includes recognizing the separate models are necessary for positive vs negative outcomes because the antecedents of each often differ.

Originality/value

This essay presents details of why and how researchers need to embrace a new research paradigm that is helpful for ending bad science practices that are now dominant in research in marketing.
Carolyn R. Dexter’s legacies: a broader perspective on faculty work productivity and impact
Authors: Monserrat Silvia Ines , Simmers Claire A.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the legacies of Carolyn R. Dexter through the lens of a broader perspective on faculty work productivity and impact.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used critical biography, a qualitative methodology, to explore and explain the development and contributions of Carolyn R. Dexter.

Findings

Carolyn R. Dexter was both a product and an anomaly of her times. By contemporary academic standards Dexter’s publication productivity was limited, yet her influence was strong on many individuals and organizations. She promoted internationalization of professional organizations and supported gender equality.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of authors’ interpretation is recognized.

Practical implications

Dexter’s career is an example of faculty work productivity and impact which is broader than publication productivity. This work illustrates the appropriateness of qualitative research, specifically, critical biography, in placing important management figures in context.

Originality/value

Studies focusing on women leadership at The Academy of Management, the preeminent professional association for management and organization scholars, are limited. Carolyn R. Dexter’s leadership provides a roadmap illustrating practical contributions of faculty productivity and impact beyond publications. Throughout her academic life Carolyn Dexter made her faculty work “meaningful” to the organizations in which she worked and to the people she encountered.
An investigation on the professionalization of education in Maritime logistics and supply chains
Authors: Lau Yui-Yip , Ng Adolf K.Y. , Tam Ka-Chai , Chan Erico Ka Kan
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the development of logistics and supply chain education through conducting comparative study between high diploma and associate degree. This study will critically review the added value of sub-degree courses of professional education. What exactly drives sub-degree students to enroll for a high diploma and associate degree program in maritime logistics and supply chain studies? How do they select to enroll such programs? Do such programs foster the students to equip in the professions? What do they look for obtaining professional status afterwards?

Design/methodology/approach

To address the stated queries, this study will analyze students’ evaluation of the effectiveness of sub-degree education and their motivation on enrolling these courses through a questionnaire survey.

Findings

In the context of higher education, sub-degrees of professional studies experienced tremendous growth in recent decades. Many academic institutions have recorded an upward trend in providing professional education on subjects that traditionally focused on apprentice-style, non-academic learning approach. However, the reasons behind the steady growth of the demand of sub-degree level of professional education have been under-researched.

Research limitations/implications

This research is based on Hong Kong data only.

Originality/value

The paper not only increases the scope and depth of research area in logistics and supply chain education but also contributes theoretically to the understanding on the curriculum of sub-degree logistics and supply chain programs.
Ports, peripherality and concentration – deconcentration factors: a review
Authors: Wiradanti Bahana , Pettit Stephen , Potter Andrew , Abouarghoub Wessam
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on peripheral ports, hub ports and concentration – deconcentration factors. This is an issue, as investments in port development in more peripheral locations are challenging due to the difficult financial situation currently faced by the maritime industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a narrative literature review focusing on peripherality in the context of seaports and transport. Moreover, it gathers the reasons why ports concentrate–deconcentrate, and how these factors evolve over time.

Findings

This paper develops a future research agenda for peripheral ports.

Practical implications

The paper provides insights for ports in developing countries in their efforts to upgrade their port facilities and infrastructure.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the research on ports in peripheral locations which have been under studied compared to larger hub ports.
Controlling the porosity of 316L stainless steel parts manufactured via the powder bed fusion process
Authors: AlFaify Abdullah , Hughes James , Ridgway Keith
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The pulsed-laser powder bed fusion (PBF) process is an additive manufacturing technology that uses a laser with pulsed beam to melt metal powder. In this case, stainless steel SS316L alloy is used to produce complex components. To produce components with acceptable mechanical performance requires a comprehensive understanding of process parameters and their interactions. This study aims to understand the influence of process parameters on reducing porosity and increasing part density.

Design/methodology/approach

The response surface method (RSM) is used to investigate the impact of changing critical parameters on the density of parts manufactured. Parameters considered include: point distance, exposure time, hatching distance and layer thickness. Part density was used to identify the most statistically significant parameters, before each parameter was analysed individually.

Findings

A clear correlation between the number and shape of pores and the process parameters was identified. Point distance, exposure time and layer thickness were found to significantly affect part density. The interaction between these parameters also critically affected the development of porosity. Finally, a regression model was developed and verified experimentally and used to accurately predict part density.

Research limitations/implications

The study considered a range of selected parameters relevant to the SS316L alloy. These parameters need to be modified for other alloys according to their physical properties.

Originality/value

This study is believed to be the first systematic attempt to use RSM for the design of experiments (DOE) to investigate the effect of process parameters of the pulsed-laser PBF process on the density of the SS316L alloy components.
Household collectives: resituating health promotion and physical activity
Authors: Bønnelycke Julie , Sandholdt Catharina Thiel , Jespersen Astrid Pernille
Published: November 2018

In this article, we situate the practices of health and physical activity in household collectives, and conceptualise everyday health ‘behaviour’ and lifestyle as complex, collective practices. Based on an ethnographic study on everyday family life and health practices, we provide a framework for understanding the household as a collective, where the household collective may take precedence over individual preferences, and individual behaviour has collective implications. We describe the household as a node for practices, gathered by the activities that draw together and align actors in collective practices of everyday life. In the everyday efforts of the households to live up to ideals and balance conflicting practices, healthy living is about more than simple, individual choices about whether to follow health recommendations or not. It is also dependent on pragmatic negotiations, the distribution of roles and tasks and conflicts between ideals and what is feasible in the everyday management and maintaining of the household. We suggest that engaging with these collectives could serve as a useful point of departure for health promotion activities, situating health promotion in the here and now of collectives, tinkering with their specific constellations, values and identities in the entangledness of multiple household practices.
Breastfeeding and long‐term maternal metabolic health in the HUNT Study: a longitudinal population‐based cohort study
Authors: Velle‐Forbord V , Skråstad RB , Salvesen Ø , Kramer MS , Morken NH , Vanky E
Published: November 2018

Objective

Breastfeeding (BF) has been reported to improve long‐term maternal metabolic health in observational studies, but not in the randomised controlled PROBIT study. Research also suggests that maternal pre‐pregnant metabolic health may affect BF. We aimed to disentangle effects of BF on long‐term maternal metabolic health from effects of pre‐pregnant metabolic health on BF duration and long‐term metabolic health.

Design

Longitudinal population‐based cohort study.

Setting

Nord‐Trøndelag county, Norway.

Population

Women with a first live‐born baby (1987–2008) participating in the Nord‐Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT).

Methods

Odds ratios (ORs) for short BF duration (<3 months) by pre‐pregnant body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WCF), blood pressures (BPs), and heart rate (HR) were adjusted for age and smoking using logistic regression. Mixed linear models were used to estimate effects of BF duration (<3, 3–6, >6 months) on mean values of metabolic health parameters from baseline to follow‐up.

Main outcome measures

Mean change in BMI, WCF, BPs, HR, serum‐glucose, and serum‐lipids from baseline to follow‐up by BF duration categories.

Results

We analysed 1403 women with a median follow‐up of 12 years (interquartile range 11–22). Pre‐pregnant WCF and HR correlated inversely with BF duration. Pre‐pregnant BMI had a u‐shaped correlation‐pattern with BF duration. We observed similar between‐group differences in metabolic health parameters at baseline and at follow‐up, which implies that mean change in metabolic health parameters was similar across BF groups. Those women who started out with the best health had the longest BF duration and ended up with the best health, and those women who started out with the poorest health had shortest BF duration and ended up with the poorest health.

Conclusions

Our results do not support a causal relationship between long BF duration and improved metabolic health. It is more likely that pre‐pregnant metabolic health affects both BF duration and long‐term metabolic health. Reverse causality can explain previously observed improved long‐term metabolic health after BF.

Tweetable abstract

Breastfeeding seems not to affect long‐term maternal metabolic health, but good pre‐pregnant metabolic health does.
Continence, quality of life and depression following surgical repair of obstetric vesicovaginal fistula: a cohort study
Authors: Kopp DM , Tang JH , Bengtson AM , Chi BH , Chipungu E , Moyo M , Wilkinson J
Published: November 2018

Objective

We evaluated residual incontinence, depression, and quality of life among Malawian women who had undergone vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) repair 12 or more months previously.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Fistula Care Centre in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Population

Women who had undergone VVF repair in Lilongwe, Malawi at least 12 months prior to enrolment.

Methods

Self‐report of urinary leakage was used to evaluate for residual urinary incontinence; depression was evaluated with the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9; quality of life was evaluated with the King's Health Questionnaire.

Main outcome measures

Prevalence and predictors of residual incontinence, quality of life scores, and prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation.

Results

Fifty‐six women (19.3%) reported residual urinary incontinence. In multivariable analyses, predictors of residual urinary incontinence included: pre‐operative Goh type 3 [adjusted risk ratio (aRR) 2.82; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.61–5.27) or Goh type 4 1.08–2.78), positive postoperative cough stress test (aRR = 2.42; 95% CI 1.24–4.71) and the positive 1‐hour postoperative pad test (aRR = 2.20; 95% CI 1.08–4.48). Women with Goh types 3 and 4 VVF reported lower quality of life scores. Depressive symptoms were reported in 3.5% of women; all reported residual urinary incontinence.

Conclusions

While the majority of women reported improved outcomes in the years following surgical VVF repair, those with residual urinary incontinence had a poorer quality of life. Services are needed to identify and treat this at‐risk group.

Tweetable abstract

Nearly one in five women reported residual urinary incontinence at follow up, 12 or months after vesicovaginal fistula repair.
Reduction of Phytic Acid in Soymilk by Immobilized Phytase System
Authors: Chen Kuan I , Chiang Cheng Yen , Ko Chih Yuan , Huang Hui Yu , Cheng Kuan Chen
Published: November 2018

In this study, three carriers (glass microsphere, cellulose beads and AlgNa/PVA beads) were evaluated as phytase solid carriers for reduction of phytic acid within soymilk. Phytase was covalently immobilized onto or entrapped within carriers for repeated use. Glass microsphere was chosen due to its high catalytic efficiency. Optimal operating condition (pH 6.0, 60 °C) was determined using 4‐Nitrophenyl phosphate disodium salt hexahydrate as an indicator. Operational reusability was confirmed for more than seven batch reactions and the storage stability was capable of sustaining 70% of its catalytic activity for 40 days. The kinetic parameters including rate constant (K), time (τ50) in which 50% of phytic acid hydrolysis was reached, and time (τcomplete) required to achieve complete phytic acid hydrolysis, were 0.023 min−1, 35.7 min, 110 min. The current procedure provides a cheap as well as an easy way to carry out the reduction of phytic acid in soymilk, which has great potential in practical application.
Updates on the pathogenesis of advanced lung cancer‐induced cachexia
Authors: Zhu Ruifang , Liu Zhihong , Jiao Ran , Zhang Chichen , Yu Qi , Han Shifan , Duan Zhiguang
Published: November 2018

Advanced lung cancer is becoming a chronic disease threatening human life and health. Cachexia has been recognized as the most common problem associated with advanced lung cancer. Lung cancer‐induced cachexia seriously affects patients’ quality of life. The present article summarizes the pathogenesis of advanced lung cancer‐induced cachexia from three aspects: anorexia, cytokines, and energy and metabolic abnormalities. In addition, the present article proposes corresponding nursing measures based on cachexia pathogenesis to improve the quality of life and survival rate of cachectic patients with advanced lung cancer by combining continuously advancing treatment regimens and effective nursing. The present article also provides references for healthcare professionals when administering related treatments and nursing care.
Independent associations of TOMM40 and APOE variants with body mass index
Authors: Kulminski Alexander M. , Loika Yury , Culminskaya Irina , Huang Jian , Arbeev Konstantin G. , Bagley Olivia , Feitosa Mary F. , Zmuda Joseph M. , Christensen Kaare , Yashin Anatoliy I. ,   Long Life Family Study Research Group
Published: November 2018

The TOMM40‐APOE variants are known for their strong, antagonistic associations with Alzheimer's disease and body weight. While a stronger role of the APOE than TOMM40 variants in Alzheimer's disease was suggested, comparative contribution of the TOMM40‐APOE variants in the regulation of body weight remains elusive. We examined additive effects of rs2075650 and rs157580 TOMM40 variants and rs429358 and rs7412 APOE variants coding the ε2/ε3/ε4 polymorphism on body mass index (BMI) in age‐aggregated and age‐stratified cohort‐specific and cohort‐pooled analysis of 27,863 Caucasians aged 20–100 years from seven longitudinal studies. Minor alleles of rs2075650, rs429358, and rs7412 were individually associated with BMI (β = −1.29, p = 3.97 × 10−9; β = −1.38, p = 2.78 × 10−10; and β = 0.58, p = 3.04 × 10−2, respectively). Conditional analysis with rs2075650 and rs429358 identified independent BMI‐lowering associations for minor alleles (β = −0.63, p = 3.99 × 10−2 and β = −0.94, p = 2.17 × 10−3, respectively). Polygenic mega‐analysis identified additive effects of the rs2075650 and rs429358 heterozygotes (β = −1.68, p = 3.00 × 10−9), and the strongest BMI‐lowering association for the rs2075650 heterozygous and rs429358 minor allele homozygous carriers (β = −4.11, p = 2.78 × 10−3). Conditional analysis with four polymorphisms identified independent BMI‐lowering (rs2075650, rs157580, and rs429358) and BMI‐increasing (rs7412) associations of heterozygous genotypes with BMI. Age‐stratified conditional analysis revealed well‐powered support for a differential and independent association of the rs429358 heterozygote with BMI in younger and older individuals, β = 0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −1.18, 2.35, p = 5.18 × 10−1 for 3,068 individuals aged ≤30 years and β = −4.28, CI = −5.65, −2.92, p = 7.71 × 10−10 for 6,052 individuals aged >80 years. TOMM40 and APOE variants are independently and additively associated with BMI. The APOE ε4‐coding rs429358 polymorphism is associated with BMI in older individuals but not in younger individuals.