bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Centromere-mediated chromosome break drives karyotype evolution in closely relatedMalasseziaspecies
Authors: Sankaranarayanan Sundar Ram , Ianiri Giuseppe , Reza Md. Hashim , Thimmappa Bhagya C. , Ganguly Promit , Coelho Marco A. , Sun Sheng , Siddharthan Rahul , Tellgren-Roth Christian , Dawson Thomas L , Heitman Joseph , Sanyal Kaustuv
Published: January 2019

Intra-chromosomal or inter-chromosomal genomic rearrangements often lead to speciation (1). Loss or gain of a centromere leads to alterations in chromosome number in closely related species. Thus, centromeres can enable tracing the path of evolution from the ancestral to a derived state (2). TheMalasseziaspecies complex of the phylum Basiodiomycota shows remarkable diversity in chromosome number ranging between six and nine chromosomes (3–5). To understand these transitions, we experimentally identified all eight centromeres as binding sites of an evolutionarily conserved outer kinetochore protein Mis12/Mtw1 inM. sympodialis. The 3 to 5 kb centromere regions share an AT-rich, poorly transcribed core region enriched with a 12 bp consensus motif. We also mapped nine such AT-rich centromeres inM. globosaand the related speciesMalassezia restrictaandMalassezia slooffiae. While eight predicted centromeres were found within conserved synteny blocks between these species andM. sympodialis, the remaining centromere inM. globosa(MgCEN2) or its orthologous centromere inM. slooffiae(MslCEN4) andM. restricta(MreCEN8) mapped to a synteny breakpoint compared withM. sympodialis. Taken together, we provide evidence that breakage and loss of a centromere (CEN2) in an ancestralMalasseziaspecies possessing nine chromosomes resulted in fewer chromosomes inM. sympodialis. Strikingly, the predicted centromeres of all closely relatedMalasseziaspecies map to an AT-rich core on each chromosome that also shows enrichment of the 12 bp sequence motif. We propose that centromeres are fragile AT-rich sites driving karyotype diversity through breakage and inactivation in these and other species.

Significance statement

The number of chromosomes can vary between closely related species. Centromere loss destabilizes chromosomes and results in reduced number of chromosomes to drive speciation. A series of evidence from studies on various cancers suggest that an imbalance in kinetochore-microtubule attachments results in breaks at the centromeres. To understand if such events can cause chromosome number changes in nature, we studied six species ofMalassezia, of which three possess eight chromosomes and others have nine chromosomes each. We find signatures of chromosome breakage at the centromeres in organisms having nine chromosomes. We propose that the break at the centromere followed by fusions of acentric chromosomes to other chromosomes could be a plausible mechanism shaping the karyotype ofMalasseziaand related organisms.

Classification

Biological sciences, Genetics
Genome-wide assessment ofMycobacterium tuberculosisconditionally essential metabolic pathways
Authors: Minato Yusuke , Gohl Daryl M , Thiede Joshua M. , Chacón Jeremy M. , Harcombe William R. , Maruyama Fumito , Baughn Anthony D.
Published: January 2019

Better understanding of essential cellular functions in pathogenic bacteria is important for the development of more effective antimicrobial agents. We performed a comprehensive identification of essential genes inMycobacterium tuberculosis, the major causative agent of tuberculosis, using a combination of transposon insertion sequencing (Tn-seq) and comparative genomic analysis. To identify conditional essential genes by Tn-seq, we used media with different nutrient composition. Although many conditional gene essentialities were affected by the presence of relevant nutrient sources, we also found that the essentiality of genes in a subset of metabolic pathways was unaffected by metabolites. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that not all essential genes identified by Tn-seq were fully conserved within theM. tuberculosiscomplex including some existing anti-tubercular drug target genes. In addition, we utilized an availableM. tuberculosisgenome-scale metabolic model, iSM810, to predictM. tuberculosisgene essentialityin silico. Comparing the sets of essential genes experimentally identified by Tn-seq to those predictedin silicoreveals the capabilities and limitations of gene essentiality predictions highlighting the complexity ofM. tuberculosisessential metabolic functions. This study provides a promising platform to study essential cellular functions inM. tuberculosis.

Author Summary

Mycobacterium tuberculosiscauses 10 million cases of tuberculosis (TB) each year resulting in over one million deaths. TB therapy is challenging because it requires a minimum of six months of treatment with multiple drugs. Protracted treatment times and the emergent spread of drug resistant TB necessitate the identification of novel targets for drug discovery to curb this global health threat. Essential functions, defined as those indispensable for growth and/or survival, are potential targets for new antimicrobial drugs. In this study, we aimed to define gene essentialities ofM. tuberculosison a genome-wide scale to comprehensively identify potential targets for drug discovery. We utilized a combination of experimental (functional genomics) andin silicoapproaches (comparative genomics and flux balance analysis). Our functional genomics approach identified sets of genes whose essentiality was affected by nutrient availability. Comparative genomics revealed that not all essential genes were fully conserved within theM. tuberculosiscomplex. Comparing sets of essential genes identified by functional genomics to those predicted by flux balance analysis highlighted gaps in current knowledge regardingM. tuberculosismetabolic capabilities. Thus, our study identifies numerous potential anti-tubercular drug targets and provides a comprehensive picture of the complexity ofM. tuberculosisessential cellular functions.
Identifying and ranking potential driver genes of Alzheimer’s Disease using multi-view evidence aggregation
Authors: Mukherjee Sumit , Perumal Thanneer , Daily Kenneth , Sieberts Solveig , Omberg Larsson , Preuss Christoph , Carter Gregory , Mangravite Lara , Logsdon Benjamin
Published: January 2019

Motivation

Late onset Alzheimers disease (LOAD) is currently a disease with no known effective treatment options. To address this, there have been a recent surge in the generation of multi-modality data (Hodes and Buckholtz, 2016; Muelleret al., 2005) to understand the biology of the disease and potential drivers that causally regulate it. However, most analytic studies using these data-sets focus on uni-modal analysis of the data. Here we propose a data-driven approach to integrate multiple data types and analytic outcomes to aggregate evidences to support the hypothesis that a gene is a genetic driver of the disease. The main algorithmic contributions of our paper are: i) A general machine learning framework to learn the key characteristics of a few known driver genes from multiple feature-sets and identifying other potential driver genes which have similar feature representations, and ii) A flexible ranking scheme with the ability to integrate external validation in the form of Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS) summary statistics. While we currently focus on demonstrating the effectiveness of the approach using different analytic outcomes from RNA-Seq studies, this method is easily generalizable to other data modalities and analysis types.

Results

We demonstrate the utility of our machine learning algorithm on two benchmark multi-view datasets by significantly outperforming the baseline approaches in predicting missing labels. We then use the algorithm to predict and rank potential drivers of Alzheimers. We show that our ranked genes show a significant enrichment for SNPs associated with Alzheimers, and are enriched in pathways that have been previously associated with the disease.

Availability

Source code and link to all feature sets is availabile athttps://github.com/Sage-Bionetworks/EvidenceAggregatedDriverRanking.

Contact

ben.logsdon@sagebionetworks.org
Cus2 enforces the first ATP-dependent step of splicing by binding to yeast SF3b1 through a UHM-ULM interaction
Authors: Talkish Jason , Igel Haller , Hunter Oarteze , Horner Steven W. , Jeffrey Nazish N. , Leach Justin R. , Jenkins Jermaine L. , Kielkopf Clara L. , Ares Manuel
Published: January 2019

Stable recognition of the intron branchpoint by the U2 snRNP to form the pre-spliceosome is the first ATP-dependent step of splicing. Genetic and biochemical data from yeast indicate that Cus2 aids U2 snRNA folding into the stem IIa conformation prior to pre-spliceosome formation. Cus2 must then be removed by an ATP-dependent function of Prp5 before assembly can progress. However, the location from which Cus2 is displaced and the nature of its binding to the snRNP are unknown. Here, we show that Cus2 contains a conserved UHM (U2AF homology motif) that binds Hsh155, the yeast homolog of human SF3b1, through a conserved ULM (U2AF ligand motif). Mutations in either motif block binding and allow pre-spliceosome formation without ATP. A 2.0 Å resolution structure of the Hsh155 ULM in complex with the UHM of Tat-SF1, the human homolog of Cus2, and complementary binding assays show that the interaction is highly similar between yeast and humans. Furthermore, Tat-SF1 enforces ATP-dependence of pre-spliceosome formation in yeast extracts, showing that it can replace Cus2 function. Cus2 is removed before pre-spliceosome formation, and both Cus2 and its Hsh155 ULM binding site are absent from available cryo-EM structure models. However, our data are consistent with the apparent location of the disordered Hsh155 ULM between the U2 stem-loop IIa and the HEAT-repeats of Hsh155 that interact with Prp5. We suggest a model in which Prp5 uses ATP to remove Cus2 from Hsh155 such that extended base pairing between U2 snRNA and the intron branchpoint can occur.
Locality sensitive hashing for the edit distance
Authors: Marçais Guillaume , DeBlasio Dan , Pandey Prashant , Kingsford Carl
Published: January 2019

Motivation

Sequence alignment is a central operation in bioinformatics pipeline and, despite many improvements, remains a computationally challenging problem. Locality Sensitive Hashing (LSH) is one method used to estimate the likelihood of two sequences to have a proper alignment. Using an LSH, it is possible to separate, with high probability and relatively low computation, the pairs of sequences that do not have an alignment from those that may have an alignment. Therefore, an LSH reduces in the overall computational requirement while not introducing many false negatives (i.e., omitting to report a valid alignment). However, current LSH methods treat sequences as a bag ofk-mers and do not take into account the relative ordering ofk-mers in sequences. And due to the lack of a practical LSH method for edit distance, in practice, LSH methods for Jaccard similarity or Hamming distance are used as a proxy.

Results

We present an LSH method, called Order Min Hash (OMH), for the edit distance. This method is a refinement of the minHash LSH used to approximate the Jaccard similarity, in that OMH is not only sensitive to thek-mer contents of the sequences but also to the relative order of thek-mers in the sequences. We present theoretical guarantees of the OMH as a gapped LSH.

Contact

gmarcais@cs.cmu.edu,carlk@cs.cmu.edu
Distinct characteristics of genes associated with phenome-wide variation in maize (Zea mays)
Authors: Liang Zhikai , Qiu Yumou , Schnable James C.
Published: January 2019

Naturally occurring functionally variable alleles in specific genes within a population allows the identification of which genes are involved in the determination of which phenotypes. The omnigenetic model proposes that essentially all genes which are expressed in relevant contexts likely play some role in determining phenotypic outcomes. Here, we develop an approach to identify genes where natural functional variation plays a role in shaping many phenotypic traits simultaneously. We demonstrate that this approach identifies a distinct set of genes relative to conventional genome wide association using data for 260 traits scored a maize diversity panel, and the genes identified using this approach are more likely to be independently validated than genes identified by convetional genome wide association. Genes identified by the new approach share a number of features with a gold standard set of genes characterized through forward genetics which separate them from both genes identified by conventional genome wide association and the overall population of annotated gene models. These features include evidence of significantly stronger purifying selection, positional conservation across the genomes of related species, greater length, and a scarcity of presence absence variation for these loci in natural populations. Genes identified by phenome-wide analyses also showed much stronger signals of GO enrichment and purification than genes identified by conventional genome wide association. Overall these findings are consistent with large subset of annotated gene models – despite support from transcriptional and homology evidence – being unlikely to play any role in determining organismal phenotypes.
IsDrosophila melanogasterStress Odorant (dSO) really an alarm pheromone?
Authors: Yost Ryley T. , Liang Emerald , Stewart Megan P. , Chui Selwyn , Greco Andrew F. , Long Shirley Q. , McDonald Ian S. , McNeil Jeremy N. , Simon Anne F.
Published: January 2019

Social interactions are crucial for the reproduction and survival of many organisms, including those using visual, auditory and olfactory cues to signal the presence of danger.Drosophila melanogasteremits an olfactory alarm signal, termed theDrosophilastress odorant (dSO) in response to mechanical agitation or electric shock, and conspecifics avoid areas previously occupied by stressed individuals. However, the contextual, genetic and neural underpinnings of the emission of, and response to dSO, have received little attention. Using a binary choice assay, we determined that neither age and sex of emitters, nor the time of the day, affected the emission or avoidance of dSO. However, both sex and mating status affected the response to dSO. We also demonstrated that dSO was not species specific so it should not be considered a pheromone but a general alarm signal for Drosophila. However, the response levels to both intra and inter-specific cues differed between species and possible reasons for these differences are discussed.

HIGHLIGHTS

Emission of dSO, a highly volatile chemical blend emitted by stressed flies, is not context specific

Response to dSO is context specific, affected by factors such as age and mating status.

As flies respond to volatiles for stressed heterospecifics, dSO should not be considered an alarm pheromone, but as an alarm cue.
Population history and gene divergence in Native Mexicans inferred from 76 human exomes
Authors: Ávila-Arcos María C. , McManus Kimberly F. , Sandoval Karla , Rodríguez-Rodríguez Juan Esteban , Martin Alicia R. , Luisi Pierre , Villa-Islas Viridiana , Peñaloza-Espinosa Rosenda I. , Eng Celeste , Huntsman Scott , Burchard Esteban G. , Gignoux Christopher R. , Bustamante Carlos D. , Moreno-Estrada Andrés
Published: January 2019

Native American genetic variation remains underrepresented in most catalogs of human genome sequencing data. Previous genotyping efforts have revealed that Mexico’s indigenous population is highly differentiated and substructured, thus potentially harboring higher proportions of private genetic variants of functional and biomedical relevance. Here we have targeted the coding fraction of the genome and characterized its full site frequency spectrum by sequencing 76 exomes from five indigenous populations across Mexico. Using diffusion approximations, we modeled the demographic history of indigenous populations from Mexico with northern and southern ethnic groups splitting 7.2 kya and subsequently diverging locally 6.5 kya and 5.7 kya, respectively. Selection scans for positive selection revealed BCL2L13 and KBTBD8 genes as potential candidates for adaptive evolution in Rarámuris and Triquis, respectively. BCL2L13 is highly expressed in skeletal muscle and could be related to physical endurance, a well-known phenotype of the northern Mexico Rarámuri. The KBTBD8 gene has been associated with idiopathic short stature and we found it to be highly differentiated in Triqui, a southern indigenous group from Oaxaca whose height is extremely low compared to other native populations.
Neuropathy-related mutations alter the membrane binding properties of the human myelin protein P0 cytoplasmic tail
Authors: Raasakka Arne , Ruskamo Salla , Barker Robert , Krokengen Oda C. , Vatne Guro H. , Kristiansen Cecilie K. , Hallin Erik I. , Skoda Maximilian W.A. , Bergmann Ulrich , Wacklin-Knecht Hanna , Jones Nykola C. , Vrønning Hoffmann Søren , Kursula Petri
Published: January 2019

Schwann cells myelinate selected axons in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and contribute to fast saltatory conduction via the formation of compact myelin, in which water is excluded from between tightly adhered lipid bilayers. Peripheral neuropathies, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) and Dejerine-Sottas syndrome (DSS), are incurable demyelinating conditions that result in pain, decrease in muscle mass, and functional impairment. Many Schwann cell proteins, which are directly involved in the stability of compact myelin or its development, are subject to mutations linked to these neuropathies. The most abundant PNS myelin protein is protein zero (P0); point mutations in this transmembrane protein cause CMT subtype 1B and DSS. P0 tethers apposing lipid bilayers together through its extracellular immunoglobulin-like domain. Additionally, P0 contains a cytoplasmic tail (P0ct), which is membrane-associated and contributes to the physical properties of the lipid membrane. Six CMT- and DSS-associated missense mutations have been reported in P0ct. We generated recombinant disease mutant variants of P0ct and characterized them using biophysical methods. Compared to wild-type P0ct, some mutants have negligible differences in function and folding, while others highlight functionally important amino acids within P0ct. For example, the D224Y variant of P0ct induced tight membrane multilayer stacking. Our results show a putative molecular basis for the hypermyelinating phenotype observed in patients with this particular mutation and provide overall information on the effects of disease-linked mutations in a flexible, membrane-binding protein segment.
Septin 9-containging filaments and Golgi assembly depend on two polybasic domains
Authors: Omrane Mohyeddine , Camara Amanda S. , Taveneau Cyntia , Benzoubir Nassima , Tubiana Thibault , Yua Jinchao , Guérois Raphaël , Samuel Didier , Goud Bruno , Poüs Christian , Bressanelli Stéphane , Garratt Richard C. , Thiam Abdou Rachid , Gassama-Diagne Ama
Published: January 2019

Septins are GTP-binding proteins involved in several membrane remodeling mechanisms. They associate with membranes, presumably by using a polybasic domain (PB1) that interacts with phosphoinositides (PIs). Membrane-bound septins assemble into microscopic structures that regulate membrane shape. How septins exactly interact with PIs, assemble, and shape membranes is weakly understood. Here, we found that septin 9 has a second polybasic domain (PB2) conserved in the human septin family. Similarly to PB1, PB2 binds specifically to PIs, and both domains are critical for septin filament formation. However, septin 9 membrane association does not depend on these PB domains but on putative PB-adjacent amphipathic helices. The presence of the PB domains guarantees the protein enrichment to PI-contained membranes, which is critical for PI-enriched organelles. In particular, we found that septin 9 PB domains control the assembly and functionality of the Golgi apparatus. Our findings bring novel insights into the role of septins in organelle morphology.

Highlights

Two polybasic domains mediate septin 9 interaction with PIs

Human septins have amphipathic helices suitable for binding membrane

Septin 9 polybasic domains mediate septin high order structure formation

Mutation or depletion of septin polybasic domains induce Golgi fragmentation
Energy Landscape of the Domain Movement in Staphylococcus aureus UDP-N-acetylglucosamine 2-epimerase
Authors: de Azevedo Erika Chang , Nascimento Alessandro S.
Published: January 2019

Staphylococcus aureus is an important cause of resistant healthcare-associated infections. It has been shown that the Wall Teichoic Acid (WTA) may be an important drug target acting on antibiotic-resistant cells. The UDP-N-Acetylglucosamine 2-epimerase, MnaA, is one of the first enzymes on the pathway for the biosynthesis of the WTA. Here, detailed molecular dynamics simulations of S. aureus MnaA were used to characterize the conformational changes that occur in the presence of UDP and UDP-GlcNac and also the energetic landscape associated with these changes. Using different simulation techniques, such as ABMD and GAMD, it was possible to assess the energetic profile for the protein with and without ligands in its active site. We found that there is a dynamic energy landscape that has its minimum changed by the presence of the ligands, with a closed structure of the enzyme being more frequently observed for the bound state while the unbound enzyme favors an opened conformation. Further structural analysis indicated that positively charged amino acids associated with UDP and UDP-GlcNac interactions play a major role in the enzyme opening movement. Finally, the energy landscape profiled in this work provides important conclusions for the design of inhibitor candidates targeting S. aureus MnaA.
Towards a low CO2 emission building material employing bacterial metabolism in a two-step process of limestone dissolution and recrystallization: The bacterial system and prototype production
Authors: Røyne Anja , Phua Yi Jing , Le Simone Balzer , Eikjeland Ina Grosås , Josefsen Kjell Domaas , Markussen Sidsel , Myhr Anders , Throne-Holst Harald , Sikorski Pawel , Wentzel Alexander
Published: January 2019

The production of concrete for construction purposes is a major source of anthropogenic CO2 emissions. One promising avenue towards a more sustainable construction industry is to make use of naturally occurring mineral-microbe interactions, such as microbial-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP), to produce solid materials. In this paper, we present a new process where calcium carbonate in the form of powdered limestone is transformed to a binder material (termed BioZEment) through microbial dissolution and recrystallization. For the dissolution step, a suitable bacterial strain, closely related to Bacillus pumilus, was isolated from soil near a limestone quarry. We show that this strain produces organic acids from glucose, inducing the dissolution of calcium carbonate in an aqueous slurry of powdered limestone. In the second step, the dissolved limestone solution is used as the calcium source for MICP in sand packed syringe moulds. The amounts of acid produced and calcium carbonate dissolved are shown to depend on the amount of available oxygen as well as the degree of mixing. Precipitation is induced through the pH increase caused by the hydrolysis of urea, mediated by the enzyme urease, which is produced in situ by the bacterium Sporosarcina pasteurii DSM33. The degree of successful consolidation of sand by BioZEment was found to depend on both the amount of urea and the amount of glucose available in the dissolution reaction.
Adherence rate to iron folic acid supplementation among pregnant women
Authors: Niguse Wondwossen
Published: January 2019

Introduction

Globally 41.8% of pregnant women are anemic with the highest proportion affected in developing countries. Nationally, only 0.4% of the pregnant women take Iron supplements more than 90 days of the recommended 180 days. In Oromiya region 75.3% of pregnant women do not take any iron tablets or syrup during their last pregnancy, while 10.8% take for less than 60 days, 0.4% took for 60-89 days and only 0.3% took for 90 days or more.

Objective

To assess the adherence rate to iron and folic acid supplements among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Asella Town, south east Ethiopia

Method and materials

Institution based cross-sectional quantitative study design was conducted in Asella town from September 2015 to June 2016. A purposive sampling technique used to select the health institution. There are six health institutions selected for this study. The sample size 317 was selected with systematic random sampling method. Ten percent of pre-test was conducted in one institution which is not included in data collection. Data were collected using structured pre-tested questionnaire. Before data collection verbal consent was obtained. The collected data were analyzed using Epi-data and SPSS version 22.00 packages.

Result

The study revealed that Out of 317 pregnant women 296 (93%) responded to the questioner. The study revealed that 177 (59.8%) of pregnant mothers in the town adhered to the iron/folic acid supplement.

Conclusion and recommendation

Adherence of iron/folic acid supplementation found in this study is very low. Consequently, maternal education, adequate supplement supply to the health facility, early starting antenatal visit, and health education on duration of supplementation
BIN1 protein isoforms are differentially expressed in astrocytes, neurons, and microglia: neuronal and astrocyte BIN1 implicated in Tau pathology
Authors: Taga Mariko , Petyuk Vladislav A , White Charles , Marsh Galina , Ma Yiyi , Klein Hans-Ulrich , Connor Sarah M , Khairallah Anthony , Olah Marta , Schneider Julie , Ransohoff Richard , Bennett David A , Crotti Andrea , Bradshaw Elizabeth M , De Jager Philip L
Published: January 2019

Identified as an Alzheimer’s disease (AD) susceptibility gene by genome wide-association studies, BIN1 has 10 isoforms that are expressed in the Central Nervous System (CNS). The distribution of these isoforms in different cell types, as well as their role in AD pathology still remains unclear. Utilizing antibodies targeting specific BIN1 epitopes in human postmortem tissue and analyzing RNA expression data from purified microglia, we identified three isoforms expressed specifically in neurons (isoforms 1, 2 and 3) and four isoforms expressed in microglia (isoforms 6, 9, 10 and 12). The abundance of selected peptides, which correspond to groups of BIN1 protein isoforms, was measured in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and their relation to neuropathological features of AD was assessed. Peptides contained in exon 7 of BIN1’s N-BAR domain were found to be significantly associated with AD-related traits and, particularly, tau pathology. Since only isoforms 1, 2 and 3 contain exon 7, it appears that decreased protein expression of the N-BAR domain of BIN1 is associated with greater accumulation of tau pathology and subsequent cognitive decline, with astrocytic rather than neuronal BIN1 being the more likely culprit. These effects are independent of the BIN1 AD risk variant, suggesting that targeting specific BIN1 isoforms might be a novel therapeutic approach to prevent the accumulation of tau pathology.
A new polymorph of ammonium succinate – serendipity in action
Authors: Kats Eynav , Bernstein Joel , Lemmerer Andreas
Published: January 2019

Succinic acid has been known since 1546 and was first chemically identified in the mid-19th century. In an attempt to prepare a molecular salt of succinic acid with (S)-(−)-α-methylbenzylamine, we have obtained the second polymorph of the monoammonium salt of succinic acid, NH4+·C4H5O4−. The crystal structure determination proves the structure of the ionic compound and the intimate role of the ammonium ion in the structure, which is compared to the earlier described polymorph.
Support, training readiness and learning motivation in determining intention to transfer
Authors: Kim Eun-Jee , Park Sunyoung , Kang Hye-Seung (Theresa)
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to augment knowledge of how work environment and personal characteristics affect intention to transfer in a work context. This study aims to investigate the factors that can influence intention to transfer training in a professional development training context. The study examined the predictive capacity of organizational support, supervisor support, training readiness and learning motivation on transfer intention among the study respondents.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from teachers in secondary schools in the USA. The structural equation modeling method was adopted to analyze 216 responses using a self-report survey.

Findings

We found that (a) organizational support was directly associated with supervisor support for training, (b) supervisor support for training significantly influenced training readiness and motivation to learn, (c) training readiness positively affected motivation to learn, and (d) motivation to learn positively influenced intention to transfer. In addition, supervisor support mediated the relationships between organizational support and training readiness and between organizational support and motivation to learn. Training readiness linked intention to transfer and motivation to learn. Motivation to learn also played a mediating role in the relationship between supervisor support and intention to transfer.

Originality/value

Our findings add to the academic work on training transfer by empirically analyzing how both the environment (e.g. organizational support) and individual factors (e.g. learning motivation) influence employees’ intention to transfer. In particular, we investigated the potential impact of both organizational support and supervisory support on intentions to transfer, compared to previous studies emphasizing only supervisory support to improve training outcomes.
Understanding pro-environmental workplace behavior: a comparative study
Authors: Tezel Ecem , Giritli Heyecan
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to fulfill the gap in existing knowledge of determinants of pro-environmental behavior (PEB) in the workplace and the influence of sustainability certificates on occupants’ PEBs in workplace settings.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey with a total of 95 respondents from both certified and noncertified office buildings was conducted. Two independent sample comparisons were executed to understand the influence of sustainable building certificates on occupants’ environmental values, beliefs, awareness and PEBs.

Findings

Ecocentric value, belief and awareness were found as the predictors of pro-environmental workplace behavior. Certified office occupants showed higher awareness about buildings’ environmentally oriented characteristics. Despite higher awareness, certified office occupants revealed less PEB compared to those who work in noncertified office buildings.

Originality/value

This study determined the influencing factors on PEBs in workplaces and PEB differences between certified and noncertified building occupants. Less PEBs of occupants in certified offices signify the misperception of individuals about sustainable buildings and the need for more informative training about sustainability issues in the society. This result also draws academic attention to sustainable building evaluation practices and provides certain insights for more occupant integrated evaluation alternative for sustainable buildings.
University dropouts vs high school graduates in the school-to-work transition
Authors: Ghignoni Emanuela , Croce Giuseppe , d’Ambrosio Alessandro
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the enrolment at university and the subsequent possible dropout as a piece of the school-to-work transition and ask whether it improves or worsens the labour market outcomes a few years after graduation from the high school.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis exploits data from the upper secondary graduate survey by ISTAT on a cohort of high school graduates and investigates the effect of dropping out four years after graduation. The labour market outcomes of university dropouts are compared to the outcomes of high school graduates who never enrolled at university. A propensity score matching approach is applied. The model is also estimated on the subsamples of males and females.

Findings

The findings show that spending a period at university and leaving it before completion makes the transition to work substantially more difficult. Both the probability of being NEET and getting a bad job increase in the case of dropout, while no relevant effect is found on earnings. Moreover, the impact of university dropout tends to be more harmful the longer the spell from enrolment to dropping out. Separate estimates by gender point out that females appear to be relatively more affected in the case of dropping out without a fallback plan.

Originality/value

While the existing studies in the literature on the school-to-work transition mostly focus on the determinants of the dropout, this paper investigates whether and how the employment outcomes are affected by dropping out in Italy. Moreover, university dropouts are compared to high school graduates with no university experience, rather than to university graduates. Finally, evidence on the mechanisms driving the effect of dropping out is provided, by considering timing and motivations for dropping out.
Dynamic behavior of concrete filled steel tubular columns
Authors: Boukhalkhal Said Hicham , Ihaddoudène Abd Nacer Touati , Da Costa Neves Luis Filipe , Madi Wafa
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the static and dynamic inelastic response of rigid and semi-rigid connections of steel structures with concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) columns built in high seismic areas, and to compare it with those with open section columns.

Design/methodology/approach

CFST columns are frequently used in moment resistant steel frames located in seismic areas due to their inherent advantages, including their ductility, energy absorption capacity as well as their high bearing capacity. The smart combination of steel and concrete makes it possible to benefit from the advantages of both components to the maximum. This research work presents the nonlinear dynamic response of moment resistant steel frames with CFST columns, with rigid or semi-rigid connections, built in high seismic areas, according to the Algerian seismic code RPA 99/2003, European EC8 and American FEMA 356 to show the nonlinear characteristics of this type of structures, and their advantages over steel frames with open section columns.

Findings

The paper presents the advantages of using CFST columns with rigid and semi-rigid connections on the seismic response of portal steel frames. A high performance level in terms of ductility, plastic hinges distribution and their order of appearance has been obtained. It also shows the low effect of seismic loading on the structural elements with CFST columns compared to structures with open section columns.

Originality/value

The investigation of the numerical results has shown the possibility of their use in the seismic areas for their adequate performance, and also with respect to the design limits specified in the seismic guidelines. In addition, this study represents a first step to develop seismic performance factors for steel structures with CFST columns in Algeria, where the Algerian code do not include a comprehensive specification for the composite steel structures.
Sensitivity analysis of beam–column joint rotation angles with respect to the stiffnesses of the columns of frame structures
Authors: Li Lin
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Damage detection of frame structures is important for guaranteeing the safety of people’s lives and property. Sensitivity analysis is an effective method for damage identification. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a sensitivity analysis of beam–column joint rotation angles for frame structures with limited flexural stiffness beams.

Design/methodology/approach

First, based on the D-value method and the assumption of inflection points, statically indeterminate frames were transformed to statically determinate structures, and the expressions of beam–column joint rotation angles were derived. Next, the sensitivity coefficients of beam–column joint rotation angles were obtained by taking the derivative of the expressions of beam–column joint rotation angles with respect to the linear stiffness of column. Finally, the expressions of the sensitivity coefficients were verified by a numerical example.

Findings

The analytical solutions of the sensitivity coefficients are in good agreement with finite element results. The results show that the beam–column joint rotation angles of damaged column decrease and those of intact columns within the same story increase when damage occurs.

Originality/value

In this study, the sensitivity coefficients of beam–column joint rotation angles with respect to the linear stiffnesses of columns were derived for frame structures. Based on the result of the sensitivity analysis, the relationship between the changes of beam–column joint rotation angles and damaged columns is revealed. The findings provide an important base to further detect damage of frame structures.
Learning, connectivity and networks
Authors: Haythornthwaite Caroline
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This is paper is concerned with the learning outcomes associated with connectivity through online networks, open online exchange and wider changes associated with contemporary information practices. The theme of connectivity is used here to capture both the detailed specificity of relations that define networks of learners and the ambient effect of wide accessibility to resources and people through open, online forums.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper follows the idea of a network from the ground up, outlining the social network perspective as a way to consider the foundational bases of learning and networks, as well as the effect of ambient influence. The paper addresses the ways learning may be viewed as a social network relation, an interpersonal relationship and an outcome of interaction and connectivity, and how network connectivity can be used as input for design for learning.

Findings

The paper presents a range of perspectives and studies that view learning from a social network and connectivity perspective, emphasizing both the person-to-person connectivity of a learning tie and the impact of contemporary data and information sharing through the dynamics of open contributory practice.

Practical implications

The outcome of connectivity in the service of learning is bound up with digital information practices, including individual practices of search, retrieval, participation, knowledge dissemination, knowledge construction and more. This paper provides a network perspective on learning relations that accommodates analysis in online and offline environments, but incorporates attention to the open, online retrieval and contributory practices that now influence learning practices and which may support design of new learning environments.

Originality/value

This paper offers insight into the way social networks and connectivity combine to show network relations, relationships, outcomes and design input at the actor, network and societal levels.
Reducing skepticism about corporate social responsibility: roles of gender and agentic-communal orientations
Authors: Newman Kevin P. , Trump Rebecca K.
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Companies are increasingly emphasizing corporate social responsibility (CSR). However, consumers are often skeptical of the sincerity of companies’ CSR claims, particularly when the claim comes directly from the company. This paper aims to demonstrate how to reduce consumer CSR skepticism by examining the role of a company spokesperson’s gender and gender-related characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

Two between-subjects experiments with a combined total of 329 participants examined how consumers’ levels of CSR skepticism are affected depending on the gender of the consumer and the gender and gender-related characteristics of the company’s CSR spokesperson.

Findings

Study 1 finds that a female (vs male) spokesperson generally elicits less CSR skepticism. However, Study 2 expands on this to demonstrate that consumers are less skeptical of a company’s CSR efforts when they are promoted by a spokesperson who exhibits gender-related characteristics that match, or are typically associated with, the individual consumer’s gender.

Practical implications

Brands often face difficulties in successfully promoting their own CSR efforts to skeptical consumers. These findings should guide companies and their brands in choosing ideal spokespeople for making effective, sincere CSR claims, depending on the target market.

Originality/value

This research is the first to identify the important role of gender in consumers’ perceptions of CSR sincerity. Thus, it provides practically-oriented strategies that may mitigate a growing consumer CSR skepticism that exists in today’s marketplace.
The impact of downside risk on UK stock returns
Authors: Huang Fangzhou
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate patterns in UK stock returns related to downside risk, with particular focus on stock returns during financial crises.

Design/methodology/approach

First, stocks are sorted into five quintile portfolios based on the relevant beta values (classic beta, downside beta and upside beta, calculated by the moving window approach). Second, patterns of portfolio returns are examined during various sub-periods. Finally, predictive powers of beta and downside beta are examined.

Findings

The downside risk is observed to have a significant positive impact on contemporaneous stock returns and a negative impact on future returns in general. In contrast, an inverse relationship between risk and return is observed when stocks are sorted by beta, contrary to the classic literature. UK stock returns exhibit clear time sensitivity, especially during financial crises.

Originality/value

This paper focuses on the impact of the downside risk on UK stock returns, assessed via a comprehensive sub-period analysis. This paper fills the gap in the existing literature, in which very few studies examine the time sensitivity in relation to the downside risk and the risk-return anomaly in the UK stock market using a long sample period.
The effects of lines of credit on market timing and the underpricing of seasoned equity offerings
Authors: Ngo Anh , Varela Oscar , Feixue Xie
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effects of lines of credit on a firm’s market timing behavior and the pricing of its seasoned equity offerings (SEOs). It shows that firms with lines of credit are more likely to time the equity market and receive less underpricing for their SEOs. It also shows that the propensity of firms with lines of credit to time the market is particularly significant for financially unconstrained firms. The results are robust to different measures of market timing and financial constraint, and these fill the gap in the literature that, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, has not examined the relation between lines of credit, market timing and value creation as related to equity offerings.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper first investigates the relationship between lines of credit and the probability of a firm issuing SEOs using a logistic model. The paper then investigates whether firms with lines of credit engage in market timing behavior using ordinary least square regressions with two-way cluster-robust standard errors (standard errors that are robust to simultaneous correlation along two dimensions, such as firms and time) with two measures of market timing and two measures for financial constraints. Finally, the paper examines the relationship between lines of credit and SEO underpricing.

Findings

It was found that firms with lines of credit are more likely to time the equity market, perhaps driven by the financing flexibility resulting from the existence of their lines of credit. This finding comes mainly from financially unconstrained firms, as such an effect is not observed among financially constrained firms with lines of credit. It is further shown that firms with lines of credit are more likely to experience less severe equity underpricing, perhaps owing to market timing behavior. The results provide evidence on how lines of credit may create value to a firm through its market timing.

Originality/value

The paper sheds new light on how lines of credit may create value to a firm through the market timing channel.
Reliability and validity of the Children Participation Assessment Scale in Activities Outside of School–Parent version for children with physical disabilities
Authors: Amini Malek , Hassani Mehraban Afsoon , Pashmdarfard Marzieh , Cheraghifard Moslem
Published: January 2019

Introduction

Occupational therapy supports individuals to participate in meaningful activities. Participation in activities should be assessed with appropriate tools. The aim of the present study was to establish the reliability and validity of the Children Participation Assessment Scale in Activities Outside of School–Parent version (CPAS‐P) for children with physical disabilities.

Methods

The participants were 304 parents of 6‐ to 12‐year‐old children with physical disabilities. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), internal consistency, convergent validity of the CPAS‐P with the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS), and test–retest reliability were measured.

Results

Confirmatory factor analysis showed acceptable values for all indices of fit, namely goodness of fit index (GFI), adjusted GFI, normal fix index, comparative fit index, incremental fit index (i.e., greater than 0.90), and the value of root mean square error of approximation was 0.07, which was acceptable. High Cronbach's alpha coefficients (above 0.9) were reported for the total score of each scale (diversity = 0.94, frequency = 0.94, with whom = 0.92, enjoyment = 0.95, and parent satisfaction = 0.95). The convergent validity of the CPAS‐P with the VABS was moderate to good and the test–retest reliability (ICC) for the total scores ranged from 0.90 to 0.96.

Conclusion

The CPAS‐P had good psychometric properties for parents reporting the activities of their 6‐ to 12‐year‐old children with physical disabilities and can be utilized in clinical practice.
Successful intravenous Alteplase for a centenarian woman with acute ischaemic stroke
Authors: He Chaoming , Sun Yanyan , Yan Bo , Chen Haiyun , Zheng Yu , Tang Ying
Published: January 2019

We report a case of a 105‐year‐old woman who was treated with Alteplase for acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). On arrival, this centenarian woman had sudden‐onset aphasia and right‐sided hemiparesis, her baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 21. An acute noncontrast brain CT scan showed only mild white matter disease. After assessing the patient's risk‐benefit ratio, the patient was administered intravenous Alteplase (0.9 mg/kg) 2.5 hours after symptom onset. Her right hemiparesis and aphasia eased within 24 hours after Alteplase treatment. At discharge, her NIHSS score had decreased to 1, leaving only mild right facial palsy unresolved. Few clinical data are available on centenarian patients with AIS who undergo intravenous thrombolysis. There are no data on what is the best method to use to manage centenarians. Our successful thrombolysis case indicates that biologically young centenarians may profit from thrombolysis, despite the very high age.