bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are “early birds” bolder? Early daily activity is not correlated with risk-taking behaviour in a major invasive species
Authors: Sbragaglia Valerio , Breithaupt Thomas
Published: December 2019

Daily behavioural rhythms provide ecological advantages with respect to exploitation of food resources and avoidance of predation and recent studies suggested that timing of activity could form a behavioural syndrome with risk-taking behavior. Behavioural syndromes are often displayed by invasive species but the role of activity rhythms in biological invasions is unknown. Here, we investigated whether early nocturnal activity (the relative amount of locomotor activity displayed early in the night) and risk-taking behaviour (i.e. response to a scare stimulus) form a behavioural syndrome in a major invasive species, the signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus). We first characterized daily rhythms of locomotor activity over five days under controlled laboratory conditions and then scored the response to a scare stimulus across two different contexts (neutral and food) two days apart within the following six days. Crayfish displayed overall daily activity rhythms peaking in the first four hours of darkness. Both early nocturnal activity and risk-taking behaviour showed consistent inter-individual differences with repeatability scores of 0.20 and 0.35, respectively. However, the two behavioural traits were not correlated as in a behavioural syndrome. We argue that in contrast to other behavioural syndromes, a link between early nocturnal activity and risk-taking tendency would not be evolutionary stable as it dramatically increases predictability and therefore predatory pressure to individuals. We suggest that daily activity rhythms and risk-taking behavior can be important traits in understanding the adaptations underlying biological invasions or other processes of contemporary evolution.
Marine water environmental DNA metabarcoding provides a comprehensive fish diversity assessment and reveals spatial patterns in a large oceanic area
Authors: Fraija-Fernández Natalia , Bouquieaux Marie-Catherine , Rey Anaïs , Mendibil Iñaki , Cotano Unai , Irigoien Xabier , Santos María , Rodríguez-Ezpeleta Naiara
Published: December 2019

Current methods for monitoring marine fish diversity mostly rely on trawling surveys, which are invasive, costly and time-consuming. Moreover, these methods are selective, targeting a subset of species at the time, and can be inaccessible to certain areas. Here, we explore the potential of environmental DNA (eDNA), the DNA present in the water column as part of shed cells, tissues or mucus, to provide comprehensive information about fish diversity in a large marine area. Further, eDNA results were compared to the fish diversity obtained in pelagic trawls. A total of 44 5L-water samples were collected onboard a wide-scale oceanographic survey covering about 120,000 square kilometres in Northeast Atlantic Ocean. A short region of the 12S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced through metabarcoding generating almost 3.5 million quality-filtered reads. Trawl and eDNA samples resulted in the same most abundant species (European anchovy, European pilchard, Atlantic mackerel and blue whiting), but eDNA metabarcoding resulted in more detected fish and elasmobranch species (116) than trawling (16). Although an overall correlation between fish biomass and number of reads was observed, some species deviated from the common trend, which could be explained by inherent biases of each of the methods. Species distribution patterns inferred from eDNA metabarcoding data coincided with current ecological knowledge of the species, suggesting that eDNA has the potential to draw sound ecological conclusions that can contribute to fish surveillance programs. Our results support eDNA metabarcoding for broad scale marine fish diversity monitoring in the context of Directives such as the Common Fisheries Policy or the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
Multivariable G-E interplay in the prediction of educational achievement
Authors: Allegrini A.G. , Karhunen V. , Coleman J. R. I. , Selzam S. , Rimfeld K. , von Stumm S. , Pingault J.-B. , Plomin R.
Published: December 2019

Polygenic scores are increasingly powerful predictors of educational achievement. It is unclear, however, how sets of polygenic scores, which partly capture environmental effects, perform jointly with sets of environmental measures, which are themselves heritable, in prediction models of educational achievement.

Here, for the first time, we systematically investigate gene-environment correlation (rGE) and interaction (GxE) in the joint analysis of multiple genome-wide polygenic scores (GPS) and multiple environmental measures as they predict tested educational achievement (EA). We predict EA in a representative sample of 7,026 16-year-olds, with 20 GPS for psychiatric, cognitive and anthropometric traits, and 13 environments (including life events, home environment, and SES) measured earlier in life. Environmental and GPS predictors were modelled, separately and jointly, in penalized regression models with out-of-sample comparisons of prediction accuracy, considering the implications that their interplay had on model performance.

Jointly modelling multiple GPS and environmental factors significantly improved prediction of EA, with cognitive-related GPS adding unique independent information beyond SES, home environment and life events. We found evidence for rGE underlying variation in EA (rGE = .36; 95% CIs = .29, .43). We estimated that 38% (95% CIs = 29%, 49%) of the GPS effects on EA were mediated by environmental effects, and in turn that 18% (95% CIs =12%, 25%) of environmental effects were accounted for by the GPS model. Lastly, we did not find evidence that GxE effects collectively contributed to multivariable prediction.

Our multivariable polygenic and environmental prediction model suggests widespread rGE and unsystematic GxE contributions to EA in adolescence.
Quantifying Aphantasia through drawing: Those without visual imagery show deficits in object but not spatial memory
Authors: Bainbridge Wilma A. , Pounder Zoë , Eardley Alison F. , Baker Chris I.
Published: December 2019

Congenital aphantasia is a recently characterized experience defined by the inability to form voluntary visual imagery, in spite of intact semantic memory, recognition memory, and visual perception. Because of this specific deficit to visual imagery, aphantasia serves as an ideal population for probing the nature of representations in visual memory, particularly the interplay of object, spatial, and symbolic information. Here, we conducted a large-scale online study of aphantasics and revealed a dissociation in object and spatial content in their memory representations. Sixty-one aphantasics and matched controls with typical imagery studied real-world scene images, and were asked to draw them from memory, and then later copy them during a matched perceptual condition. Drawings were objectively quantified by 2,795 online scorers for object and spatial details. Aphantasics recalled significantly fewer objects than controls, with less color in their drawings, and an increased reliance on verbal scaffolding. However, aphantasics showed incredibly high spatial accuracy, equivalent to controls, and made significantly fewer memory errors. These differences between groups only manifested during recall, with no differences between groups during the matched perceptual condition. This object-specific memory impairment in aphantasics provides evidence for separate systems in memory that support object versus spatial information.
Evaluation of the impact ofShigellavirulence genes on the basis of clinical features observed in patients with shigellosis
Authors: Chowdhury Visnu Pritom , Azmi Ishrat Jahan , Islam Mohammad Rafiqul , Akter Mahmuda , Mahmud Shahin , Golam Faruque Abu Syed , Talukder Kaisar Ali
Published: December 2019

Shigellais still attributable to nearly 164,300 deaths annually, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asian young children, remaining as a major public health threat, especially in the developing countries. Our goal was to study the association betweenShigellavirulence genes and clinical features observed in shigellosis. Therefore, 61S. flexneristrains were investigated, isolated from patients from a tertiary level facility in Bangladesh between 2009 to 2013. Subsequently, the presence of 140 MDa large virulence plasmid (p140), virulence (ipaH, ial), toxin (set, sen) and T3SS related genes (virB, ipaBCD, ipgC, ipgB1, ipgA, icsB, ipgD, ipgE, ipgF, mxiH, mxiI, mxiK, mxiE, mxiC, spa15, spa47, spa32andspa24) were evaluated. p140 was found in 79% (n=48) cases.ipaBCDwas found in 90% (n=55) strains, while seven of them were missing p140. However,ialwas found in 89% isolates, andipgCandipgEin 85% cases. The prevalence of the rest of the genes was less than 85%. These findings were then compared against the clinical features of each of the corresponding pathogens, and several statistically significant correlations were observed (all p<0.05). Briefly, the enterotoxin genes (set, sen) and another virulence gene (ial) were found significantly associated with several clinical features of shigellosis, including bloody mucoid stool, rectal straining, fever, and abdominal pain. Our findings reiterate that the diarrheal disease severity is significantly associated with the enterotoxin producingShigellainfection, also suggesting that the T3SS related virulence genes might be translocated elsewhere other than the 140 MDa large virulence plasmid.
In Vivo Emergence of a Novel Protease Inhibitor Resistance Signature in HIV-1 Matrix
Authors: Datir Rawlings , Kemp Steven , El Bouzidi Kate , Mlchocova Petra , Goldstein Richard , Breuer Judy , Towers Greg J. , Jolly Clare , Quiñones-Mateu Miguel E. , Dakum Patrick S. , Ndembi Nicaise , Gupta Ravindra K.
Published: December 2019

Background

Protease Inhibitors (PIs) are the second- and last-line therapy for the majority of HIV-infected patients worldwide. Only around 20% of individuals who fail PI regimens develop major resistance mutations in protease. We sought to explore the role of mutations ingag-proteasegenotypic and phenotypic changes within six Nigerian patients who failed PI-based regimens without known drug resistance associatedproteasemutations in order to identify novel determinants of PI resistance.

Methods

Target enrichment and NGS by Illumina Miseq were followed by haplotype reconstruction. Full lengthgag-protease regions were amplified from baseline (pre-PI) and virologic failure (VF) samples, sequenced and used to constructgag/proteasepseudotyped viruses. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using maximum likelihood methods. Susceptibility to lopinavir (LPV) and darunavir (DRV) were measured using a single-cycle replication assay. Western blotting was used to analyse Gag cleavage.

Results

In one of six participants (subtype CRF02_AG) we found 4-fold lower LPV susceptibility in viral clones during failure of second line treatment. A combination of four mutations (S126del, H127del, T122A and G123E) in p17 matrix of baseline virus generated a similar 4x decrease in susceptibility to LPV but not darunavir. These four amino acid changes were also able to confer LPV resistance to a subtype B gag-protease backbone. Western blotting did not demonstrate significant Gag cleavage differences between sensitive and resistant isolates. Resistant viruses had around 2-fold lower infectivity compared to sensitive clones in the absence of drug. NGS combined with haplotype reconstruction revealed resistant, less fit clones emerged from a minority population at baseline and thereafter persisted alongside sensitive fitter viruses.

Conclusions

We have used a multi-pronged genotypic and phenotypic approach to document emergence and temporal dynamics of a novel protease inhibitor resistance signature in p17 matrix, revealing the interplay between Gag associated resistance and fitness.
Atrial natriuretic peptide orchestrates a coordinated physiological response to fuel non shivering thermogenesis
Authors: Carper Deborah , Coue Marine , Nascimento Emmani , Barquissau Valentin , Lagarde Damien , Pestourie Carine , Laurens Claire , Vily Petit Justine , Soty Maud , Monbrun Laurent , Marques Marie-Adeline , Jeanson Yannick , Sainte-Marie Yannis , Mairal Aline , Dejean Sébastien , Tavernier Geneviève , Viguerie Nathalie , Bourlier Virginie , Lezoualc’h Frank , Carrière Audrey , Saris Wim H.M. , Astrup Arne , Casteilla Louis , Mithieux Gilles , van Marken Lichtenbelt Wouter , Langin Dominique , Schrauwen Patrick , Moro Cedric
Published: December 2019

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a cardiac hormone controlling blood volume and arterial pressure in mammals. It is unclear whether and how ANP controls cold-induced thermogenesis in vivo. Here we show that acute cold exposure induces cardiac ANP secretion in mice and humans. Genetic inactivation of ANP promotes cold intolerance and suppresses about half of cold-induced brown adipose tissue (BAT) activation in mice. While white adipocytes are resistant to ANP-mediated lipolysis at thermoneutral temperature in mice, cold exposure renders white adipocytes fully responsive to ANP to activate lipolysis and a thermogenic program, a physiological response which is dramatically suppressed in ANP null mice. ANP deficiency also blunts liver triglycerides and glycogen metabolism thus impairing fuel availability for BAT thermogenesis. ANP directly increases mitochondrial uncoupling and thermogenic genes expression in human white and brown adipocytes. Together, these results indicate that ANP is a major physiological trigger of BAT thermogenesis upon cold exposure in mammals.
Data structures based on k-mers for querying large collections of sequencing datasets
Authors: Marchet Camille , Boucher Christina , Puglisi Simon J , Medvedev Paul , Salson Mikaël , Chikhi Rayan
Published: December 2019

High-throughput sequencing datasets are usually deposited in public repositories, e.g. the European Nucleotide Archive, to ensure reproducibility. As the amount of data has reached petabyte scale, repositories do not allow to perform online sequence searches; yet such a feature would be highly useful to investigators. Towards this goal, in the last few years several computational approaches have been introduced to index and query large collections of datasets. Here we propose an accessible survey of these approaches, which are generally based on representing datasets as sets of k-mers. We review their properties, introduce a classification, and present their general intuition. We summarize their performance and highlight their current strengths and limitations.
Agonist-selective recruitment of engineered protein probes and of GRK2 by opioid receptors in living cells
Authors: Stoeber Miriam , Jullié Damien , Li Joy , Chakraborty Soumen , Majumdar Susruta , Lambert Nevin A. , Manglik Aashish , Zastrow Mark von
Published: December 2019

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) signal through allostery, and it is increasingly clear that chemically distinct agonists can produce different receptor-based effects. It has been proposed that agonists selectively promote receptors to recruit one cellular interacting partner over another, introducing allosteric ‘bias’ into the signaling system. However, the core underlying hypothesis - that different agonists drive GPCRs to engage different cytoplasmic proteins in living cells - remains untested due to the complexity of downstream readouts through which receptor-proximal interactions are typically inferred. Here we describe a scalable cell-based assay to overcome this challenge, based on the use of engineered GPCR-interacting proteins as orthogonal biosensors that are disconnected from endogenous transduction mechanisms. Focusing on opioid receptors, we directly demonstrate differences between protein probe recruitment produced by chemically distinct opioid ligands in living cells. We then show how the selective recruitment applies to GRK2, a biologically relevant opioid receptor regulator protein, through discrete interactions of GRK2 with receptors or with G protein beta-gamma subunits which are differentially promoted by agonists.
Functional reorganization of brain networks across the human menstrual cycle
Authors: Pritschet Laura , Santander Tyler , Taylor Caitlin M. , Layher Evan , Yu Shuying , Miller Michael B. , Grafton Scott T. , Jacobs Emily G.
Published: December 2019

The brain is an endocrine organ, sensitive to the rhythmic changes in sex hormone production that occurs in most mammalian species. In rodents and nonhuman primates, estrogen and progesterone’s impact on the brain is evident across a range of spatiotemporal scales. Yet, the influence of sex hormones on the functional architecture of the human brain is largely unknown. In this dense-sampling, deep phenotyping study, we examine the extent to which endogenous fluctuations in sex hormones alter intrinsic brain networks at rest in a woman who underwent brain imaging and venipuncture for 30 consecutive days. Standardized regression analyses illustrate estrogen and progesterone’s widespread associations with functional connectivity. Time-lagged analyses examined the temporal directionality of these relationships and suggest that cortical network dynamics (particularly in the Default Mode and Dorsal Attention Networks, whose hubs are densely populated with estrogen receptors) are preceded—and perhaps driven—by hormonal fluctuations. A similar pattern of associations was observed in a follow-up study one year later. Together, these results reveal the rhythmic nature in which brain networks reorganize across the human menstrual cycle. Neuroimaging studies that densely sample the individual connectome have begun to transform our understanding of the brain’s functional organization. As these results indicate, taking endocrine factors into account is critical for fully understanding the intrinsic dynamics of the human brain.

Highlights

Intrinsic fluctuations in sex hormones shape the brain’s functional architecture.

Estradiol facilitates tighter coherence within whole-brain functional networks.

Progesterone has the opposite, reductive effect.

Ovulation (via estradiol) modulates variation in topological network states.

Effects are pronounced in network hubs densely populated with estrogen receptors.
An expanded analysis framework for multivariate GWAS connects inflammatory biomarkers to functional variants and disease
Authors: Ruotsalainen Sanni E. , Partanen Juulia J. , Cichonska Anna , Lin Jake , Benner Christian , Surakka Ida , FinnGen  , Reeve Mary Pat , Palta Priit , Salmi Marko , Jalkanen Sirpa , Ahola-Olli Ari , Palotie Aarno , Salomaa Veikko , Daly Mark J. , Pirinen Matti , Ripatti Samuli , Koskela Jukka
Published: December 2019

Multivariate methods are known to increase the statistical power of association detection, but they have lacked essential follow-up analysis tools necessary for understanding the biology underlying these associations. We developed a novel computational workflow for multivariate GWAS follow-up analyses, including fine-mapping and identification of the subset of traits driving associations (driver traits). Many follow-up tools require univariate regression coefficients which are lacking from multivariate results. Our method overcomes this problem by using Canonical Correlation Analysis to turn each multivariate association into its optimal univariate Linear Combination Phenotype (LCP). This enables an LCP-GWAS, which in turn generates the statistics required for follow-up analyses. We implemented our method on 12 highly correlated inflammatory biomarkers in a Finnish population-based study. Altogether, we identified 11 associations, four of which (F5, ABO, C1orf140 and PDGFRB) were not detected by biomarker-specific analyses. Fine-mapping identified 19 signals within the 11 loci and driver trait analysis determined the traits contributing to the associations. A phenome-wide association study on the 19 putative causal variants from the signals in 176,899 individuals from the FinnGen study revealed 53 disease associations (p < 1×10-4). Several reported pQTLs in the 11 loci provided orthogonal evidence for the biologically relevant functions of the putative causal variants. Our novel multivariate analysis workflow provides a powerful addition to standard univariate GWAS analyses by enabling multivariate GWAS follow-up and thus promoting the advancement of powerful multivariate methods in genomics.
A self-penetrated three-dimensional zinc(II) coordination framework based on 4,4′,4′′-(1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triyl)tribenzoic acid and 1,3-bis[(imidazol-1-yl)methyl]benzene ligands: synthesis, structure and properties
Authors: Wang Saier , Bi Rong , Liu Jiadi , Shi Ying , Wang Kuaibing , Mao Feifei , Wu Hua
Published: December 2019

With the rapid development of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), a variety of MOFs and their derivatives have been synthesized and reported in recent years. Commonly, multifunctional aromatic polycarboxylic acids and nitrogen-containing ligands are employed to construct MOFs with fascinating structures. 4,4′,4′′-(1,3,5-Triazine-2,4,6-triyl)tribenzoic acid (H3TATB) and the bidentate nitrogen-containing ligand 1,3-bis[(imidazol-1-yl)methyl]benzene (bib) were selected to prepare a novel ZnII-MOF under solvothermal conditions, namely poly[[tris{μ-1,3-bis[(imidazol-1-yl)methyl]benzene}bis[μ3-4,4′,4′′-(1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triyl)tribenzoato]trizinc(II)] dimethylformamide disolvate trihydrate], {[Zn3(C24H12N3O6)2(C14H14N4)3]·2C3H7NO·3H2O}
n
(1). The structure of 1 was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. The properties of 1 were investigated by thermogravimetric and fluorescence analysis. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction shows that 1 belongs to the monoclinic space group Pc. The asymmetric unit contains three crystallographically independent ZnII centres, two 4,4′,4′′-(1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triyl)tribenzoate (TATB3−) anions, three complete bib ligands, one and a half free dimethylformamide molecules and three guest water molecules. Each ZnII centre is four-coordinated and displays a distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry. The ZnII centres are connected by TATB3− anions to form an angled ladder chain with large windows. Simultaneously, the bib ligands link ZnII centres to give a helical Zn–bib–Zn chain. Furthermore, adjacent ladders are bridged by Zn–bib–Zn chains to form a fascinating three-dimensional self-penetrated framework with the short Schläfli symbol 65·7·813·9·10. In addition, the luminescence properties of 1 in the solid state and the fluorescence sensing of metal ions in suspension were studied. Significantly, compound 1 shows potential application as a fluorescent sensor with sensing properties for Zr4+ and Cu2+ ions.
Synthesis, crystal structures, antiproliferative activities and reverse docking studies of eight novel Schiff bases derived from benzil
Authors: Tan Xue-Jie , Wang Di , Hei Xiao-Ming , Yang Feng-Cun , Zhu Ya-Ling , Xing Dian-Xiang , Ma Jian-Ping
Published: December 2019

Eight novel Schiff bases derived from benzil dihydrazone (BDH) or benzil monohydrazone (BMH) and four fused-ring carbonyl compounds (3-formylindole, FI; 3-acetylindole, AI; 3-formyl-1-methylindole, MFI; 1-formylnaphthalene, FN) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ESI–QTOF–MS, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction. They are (1Z,2Z)-1,2-bis{(E)-[(1H-indol-3-yl)methylidene]hydrazinylidene}-1,2-diphenylethane (BDHFI), C32H24N6, (1Z,2Z)-1,2-bis{(E)-[1-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethylidene]hydrazinylidene}-1,2-diphenylethane (BDHAI), C34H28N6, (1Z,2Z)-1,2-bis{(E)-[(1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)methylidene]hydrazinylidene}-1,2-diphenylethane (BMHMFI) acetonitrile hemisolvate, C34H28N6·0.5CH3CN, (1Z,2Z)-1,2-bis{(E)-[(naphthalen-1-yl)methylidene]hydrazinylidene}-1,2-diphenylethane (BDHFN), C36H26N4, (Z)-2-{(E)-[(1H-indol-3-yl)methylidene]hydrazinylidene}-1,2-diphenylethanone (BMHFI), C23H17N3O, (Z)-2-{(E)-[1-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethylidene]hydrazinylidene}-1,2-diphenylethanone (BMHAI), C24H19N3O, (Z)-2-{(E)-[(1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)methylidene]hydrazinylidene}-1,2-diphenylethanone (BMHMFI), C24H19N3O, and (Z)-2-{(E)-[(naphthalen-1-yl)methylidene]hydrazinylidene}-1,2-diphenylethanone (BMHFN) C25H18N2O. Moreover, the in vitro cytotoxicity of the eight title compounds was evaluated against two tumour cell lines (A549 human lung cancer and 4T1 mouse breast cancer) and two normal cell lines (MRC-5 normal lung cells and NIH 3T3 fibroblasts) by MTT assay. The results indicate that four (BDHMFI, BDHFN, BMHMFI and BMHFN) are inactive and the other four (BDHFI, BDHAI, BMHFI and BMHAI) show severe toxicities against human A549 and mouse 4T1 cells, similar to the standard cisplatin. All the compounds exhibited weaker cytotoxicity against normal cells than cancer cells. The Swiss Target Prediction web server was applied for the prediction of protein targets. After analyzing the differences in frequency hits between these active and inactive Schiff bases, 18 probable targets were selected for reverse docking with the Surflex-dock function in SYBYL-X 2.0 software. Three target proteins, i.e. human ether-á-go-go-related (hERG) potassium channel, the inhibitor of apoptosis protein 3 and serine/threonine-protein kinase PIM1, were chosen as the targets. Finally, the ligand-based structure–activity relationships were analyzed based on the putative protein target (hERG) docking results, which will be used to design and synthesize novel hERG ion channel inhibitors.
An unusual partial occupancy of labile chloride and aqua ligands in cocrystallized isomers of a nickel(II) complex bearing a tripodal N
4-donor ligand
Authors: Padilha Diego da S. , Bortoluzzi Adailton J. , Scarpellini Marciela
Published: December 2019

A novel Ni2+ complex with the N
4-donor tripodal ligand bis[(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)methyl][2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]amine (L), namely, aqua{bis[(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl-κN
3)methyl][2-(pyridin-2-yl-κN)ethyl]amine-κN}chloridonickel(II) perchlorate, [NiCl(C17H22N6)(H2O)]ClO4 or [NiCl(H2O)(L)Cl]ClO4 (1), was synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and spectrometric methods. The crystal structure of 1 reveals an interesting and unusual cocrystallization of isomeric complexes, which are crystallographically disordered with partial occupancy of the labile cis aqua and chloride ligands. The Ni2+ centre exhibits a distorted octahedral environment, with similar bond lengths for the two Ni—N(imidazole) bonds. The bond length increases for Ni—N(pyridine) and Ni—N(amine), which is in agreement with literature examples. The bond lengths of the disordered labile sites are also in the expected range and the Ni—Cl and Ni—O bond lengths are comparable with similar compounds. The electronic, redox and solution stability behaviour of 1 were also evaluated, and the data obtained suggest the maintenance of structural integrity, with no sign of demetalation or decomposition under the studied conditions.
Crystal structure of the coordination polymer catena-poly[[[(acetonitrile-κN)copper(I)]-μ3-1,3-dithiolane-κ3
S:S:S′] hexafluoridophosphate]
Authors: Knauer Lena , Knorr Michael , Viau Lydie , Strohmann Carsten
Published: December 2019

The polymeric title compound, [Cu2(C2H3N)2(C3H6S2)2](PF6)2, represents an example of a one-dimensional coordination polymer resulting from the reaction of [Cu(MeCN)4][PF6] with 1,3-dithiolane. The cationic one-dimensional ribbon consists of two copper(I) centers each ligated by one acetonitrile molecule and interconnected through two bridging 1,3-dithiolane ligands. One S-donor site of each ligand is κ1-bound to Cu, whereas the second S atom acts as a four-electron donor, bridging two Cu atoms in a κ4-bonding mode. The positive charge of each copper cation is compensated for by a hexafluoridophosphate counter-ion. In the crystal, the polymer chains are linked by a series of C—H...F hydrogen bonds, forming a supramolecular framework.
Creating Synergies for Business Transformation: Brigade Enterprises Limited
Authors: Khanna Varun , Kaul Asha
Published: December 2019

In 2009, Brigade Enterprises Limited, with operations in the real estate sector and construction in South India, prepared a blueprint for implementing Total Transformation in the organization. A central communication channel was identified as a “must” area for improvement. Aided by Wipro Consulting Services, active and passive measures were adopted to make the internal communication vibrant, which would, it was envisioned, change organizational culture and bring about attitudinal change. However, the review after 18 months pointed towards gaps in the existing model. Should BEL continue with the existing strategies or amend? Given the organizational dynamics, what new changes, if necessary, can be initiated?
The Mispriced ADRs of Allied Irish Bank
Authors: Jacob Joshy , Varma Jayanth R.
Published: December 2019

After the global financial crisis of 2008, Allied Irish Banks (AIB) was rescued by the Irish government. During 2013 and 2014, the tiny fraction of shares remaining with the public appeared to be vastly overvalued in the Irish stock market. The American Depository Receipts (ADRs) of AIB appeared to be overvalued even relative to the inflated Irish price. The case illustrates the possibility of pervasive mispricing in an illiquid market and the difficulty of valuing companies with large embedded option values.
OGQ: The Quest for Gold
Authors: Tripathi Sanjeev , Dhandhania Kopal Agrawal
Published: December 2019

The Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ) was founded as a Non-profit to support Indian athletes in their quest to win Olympic Gold medals by bridging the gap between the best athletes in India and in the world. The support from OGQ has been instrumental to India in winning its highest number of medals at any summer Olympics. Buoyed by this success, OGQ has set up a target of achieving eight Olympic medals at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. With OGQ relying on donations to support the athletes, the challenge is to market the Olympic cause by creating, communicating, and delivering the right offering for its donors.
Regency Hospital Limited (A)
Authors: Gupta Parvinder
Published: December 2019

Regency Hospital Limited, a multi-specialty hospital in Kanpur, India was founded by Dr. Atul Kapoor in 1995. The hospital had grown over the years. However, there were a number of issues that were yet to be dealt with. The case describes the struggles that the founder went through in setting up this hospital. It presents the challenges from the perspective of the founder as well as the staff and doctors of the hospital. In the process, the case highlights issues on leadership, entrepreneurship, organizational culture, and management of change.
The Odyssey of Savita and Krishna
Authors: Rajadhyaksha Ujvala , Vohra Neharika , Bhatnagar Deepti , Moorthy Ravi
Published: December 2019

This case is in four parts, highlighting the crossroads at which the protagonist Savita finds herself in and the difficulties she faces in balancing her career aspirations with family responsibilities. A Fellow of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad, Savita's dilemmas concern working in a prestigious management institute in Kolkata versus getting a job in Mumbai in order to psychologically and financially support her family and get married; joining her husband in China on his posting versus going to the US on a prestigious fellowship prioritizing her career, and finally, starting a family versus postponing the decision till the couple were together and reasonably settled in their respective careers.
The role of frequent engagement in alliances in firm likelihood to patent
Authors: Filiou Despoina , Tusselmann Heinz , Green Lawrence
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of alliance experience in firm innovation; it argues that, while cumulative alliance experience has a marginally diminishing contribution to likelihood of firm innovation over time, frequent engagement in alliances and an expanding alliance portfolio inhabit an enhancing role. This reveals new dimensions to the role of alliance experience as an antecedent to firm learning in managing alliances and to the development of alliance capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper estimates a range of models identifying the relationship between alliance experience and firm innovation. The panel data sample captures the full range of firms active in the UK bio-pharmaceuticals sector during the early stages of its development observing them from 1991 to 2001. An exploratory case study analysis is employed to shed light on the nuanced factors linking frequent engagement in alliances to the development of practices for efficient alliance management.

Findings

The paper shows that cumulative alliance experience has a marginally diminishing contribution to likelihood of firm innovation over time, while frequent engagement in alliances and the ensuing expansion of alliance portfolios enhance firm innovation. The exploratory case analysis demonstrates a link between frequent engagement in alliances and the development of processes for alliance management that could collectively reflect alliance capabilities.

Originality/value

Contribution derives from a longitudinal analysis of an original panel data set that maps the UK bio-pharmaceuticals sector over the initial period of its development. The paper sheds light on factors that can compel firms to form alliance capabilities, and extends a currently thin body of work on the foundations and antecedents to alliance and alliance portfolio capabilities.
News shocks modeling on monetary policies using dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model
Authors: Zarei Shapoor , Marzban Hussain , Samadi Ali H. , Javaheri Ahmad Sadraei
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of news shocks on monetary policies using the dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model. To this end, two kinds of news shocks (known as technology and consumer preferences) are defined according to Khan and Tsoukalas’ (2012) approach.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to construct and simulate the DSGE model to approaching the real conditions in a case study, consumption habits in the utility function were concerned based on the assumption of the zero-value obtained from multiplying the inflation by the real interest rate in the Fisher’s equation, whereas the real interest rates in the long run were appointed as negative remark in simulating the monetary policy models. The estimation and simulation results for the research models indicated that monetary policies using the interest rate instrument identified the news shocks less frequently than monetary policies using the monetary base instrument.

Findings

The approximate value of the social loss function in the optimal commitment and discretionary monetary policies suggests that the optimal commitment policy is estimated to be lower in both cases. Due to value of the social loss function in optimal monetary policies with nominal interest rate instrument in the presence of news shocks, this could be claimed that monetary policy with interest rate instrument is more appropriate than the monetary policy with a monetary base instrument.

Originality/value

The approximate value of the social loss function in the optimal commitment and discretionary monetary policies suggests that the optimal commitment policy is estimated to be lower in both cases.
Employers’ perception of employability skills among built-environment graduates
Authors: Aliu John , Aigbavboa Clinton Ohis
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Universities have become training centres or “academic hubs” where skilled labour for societal and global consumptions are continuously produced. More so, the quality of teaching (pedagogy) provided by universities is essential in enhancing the skills, expertise and competencies of students who are required to meet the needs of the construction industry after graduation. Hence, the purpose of this study is to assess employers’ level of satisfaction with the employability skills of built-environment graduates in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach was adopted for this study with close-ended questionnaires administered to respondents drawn from professionals in the Nigerian construction industry. Out of 150 questionnaires disseminated, 131 were completed and 126 were usable, signifying an 87% response rate. Data from this research were analysed using descriptive and exploratory factor analysis.

Findings

Employers are seemingly satisfied with the sound academic record of built-environment graduates. They also affirmed their contentment with graduates’ willingness to learn and the way they achieve tasks with positive results. However, they expressed their dissatisfaction with the graduates’ prior work experience, communication skills and technical competencies in handling industry tasks effectively.

Research limitations/implications

Data was collected from construction professions across two cities – Abuja and Lagos. Because of the limited budget allocated for this study, other regions were not considered. Because of time and financial implications, it was extremely impossible to visit all 36 states. It is, therefore, impossible to generalise the results of this research to the larger population. In generalising the results on a larger scale, the study would have to factor in a more diverse sample to ensure it is more representative. A more diverse sample may mitigate any possible bias that may arise from a self-administered questionnaire.

Practical implications

From the survey results obtained from the respondents, it was observed that general knowledge about local and global trends, management skills, teamwork skills, work experience, communication skills, critical thinking skills, numeracy skills and civic responsibility are among the major non-academic skills lacking among built-environment graduates. This places significant pressures on universities in Nigeria to revisit and revamp its curricula in developing these skills among students who require them to thrive in the construction industry.

Originality/value

Although the subject of employability has been adequately discussed across various fields (accountancy, psychology, management, business, marketing, etc.), there exist limited research studies in the built-environment context, a gap, which this study aims to fill. This study also provides several approaches through which employability skills can be developed.
Housing not for all
Authors: Nasarre-Aznar Sergio , Simón-Moreno Héctor
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This study aims to explore the current situation of universal accessibility to multi-unit buildings in three European countries (Spain, Germany and Sweden), in view of the lack of effective European rules on this topic, with the aim to identify which legal frameworks and policies may be useful to favour it.

Design/methodology/approach

The results presented in this work are based on empirical data gathered from three surveys conducted in three representative countries of different housing models (Spain, Germany and Sweden). These surveys addressed the grade of accessibility at each point of the route that a person with mobility difficulties, with a physical deficiency or aged +70, has to do to access to their home from a public street or road.

Findings

The current paper shows that, in the end, there is still a long way to go in terms of universal accessibility to multi-unit buildings in, at least, three European Union Member States as, according to this study’s findings, the percentage of universally accessible multi-unit buildings is limited to 0.6 per cent in Spain, 2.5 per cent in Sweden and 1.5 per cent in Germany. The study also identifies successful legal frameworks and policies among the studied countries that may be useful to achieve a true universal accessibility to flats located in multi-unit buildings.

Research limitations/implications

The legal frameworks and policies identified in this paper in terms of promoting universal accessibility to housing located in multi-unit buildings may provide guidance to other researchers and policymakers when addressing this topic, thus helping them to reach an egalitarian and inclusive society.

Originality/value

This paper goes one step further than previous works as it is based on up to date empirical data concerning accessibility and it identifies successful legal frameworks and policies in a comparative perspective.
An innovative and integrated approach based on SERVQUAL, QFD and FMEA for service quality improvement
Authors: Altuntas Serkan , Kansu Semih
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an innovative and integrated approach based on service quality measurement (SERVQUAL), quality function deployment (QFD) and failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) for service quality improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

The SERVQUAL scale is used for service quality measurement, QFD is used for service design and FMEA is used to prevent possible failures during service delivery.

Findings

A case study in a public hospital in Turkey is performed to show how the proposed approach works in practice. The results of the study show that the proposed approach can be used effectively to assess service quality in practice.

Originality/value

Service quality has become an important issue for service enterprises facing a fiercely competitive environment to provide sustainability. This is the first study that applies an integrated methodology based on SERVQUAL scale, QFD and FMEA to service quality improvement.
Coopetitive dynamics and inter-organizational knowledge flow among venture capital firms
Authors: Sindakis Stavros , Aggarwal Sakshi , Chen Charles
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze important theoretical work conducted in the research streams of coopetition dynamics and knowledge flows in the area of start-up entrepreneurship. The authors see in practice that venture capital (VC) firms are a highly essential component of the environment that gives birth to entrepreneurial ventures, helping them to grow profoundly. Interorganizational collaborations facilitate VC firms to be a beneficial partner because except for providing funding, they also possess knowledge-based resources to support the new business.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review of the literature was conducted, using relevant keywords and academic databases. Then, the backward search was implemented to examine the references of the selected papers, and finally, the forward search to explore the citations of the selected papers. After the selection of papers, they were classified according to their content. A thorough search of the extant literature was done in Scopus and Google Scholar using a combination of keywords such as coopetition, knowledge flows, VC firms, interorganizational and inter-firm knowledge dynamics.

Findings

This paper highlights the capability of venture capitalists and provides insights as to how knowledge transfer and sharing between VC firms affect new venture’s growth and prosperity.

Research limitations/implications

This paper attempts to provide new perspectives and explore the significance of interorganizational coopetition and knowledge transfer and sharing between VC firms when they take part in the support and development of new ventures (e.g. start-ups). A theoretical model is proposed via the coopetition dynamics and inter-firm knowledge flows in the VC sector framework.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the existing theoretical knowledge and underlines the topic of interorganizational coopetition and knowledge flows between VC firms. This is the first attempt, on the one hand, to link inter-firm knowledge flows and new venture development, while on the other to examine the dynamics between VC firms and the collective contribution for the growth of start-ups.
Mediating knowledge across health ecosystems: a qualitative field study
Authors: Maženytė Brigita , Petraitė Monika
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Knowledge sharing across health ecosystems is extremely fuzzy because of knowledge asymmetries, barriers and diverse types and sources of knowledge, all of which together affect patient decision making and value creation. The purpose of this study is to identify core knowledge mediators across ecosystem with the focus on a patient as a central decision maker in their own health management to ensure smooth knowledge flows across actors.

Design/methodology/approach

To understand the knowledge flows in the health ecosystem, a phenomenological approach was applied in this study. Based on case study research. The analysis is based on the patient-centric approach and draws on qualitative, semi-structured interviews. Moreover, a knowledge-creating community approach (Paavola et al., 2004) is applied in which various stakeholders create and share knowledge of clinical and social domain, which together contribute to patient value creation.

Findings

Knowledge socialization and development starts within very close and trusted community members. Trust, validity, reliability and responsibility of knowledge have emerged as full mediators for knowledge absorption. Thus, health communities and knowledge ecosystems need safe places for “unverified” knowledge to ensure that the important trends and unresolved questions are not missed.

Originality/value

This study proposes a new health knowledge management approach for communities, which is more than clinical decisions and formal medical knowledge and embraces varieties of knowledge and information sources and types. At the end, the identified barriers and mediators can be used for serving the main goal of patient value increase because it responds to the need for a systematic approach in encouraging patients to play a more active role in their own health management.
Demotivation in academic reading during teacher training
Authors: Muñoz Carla , Valenzuela Jorge
Published: December 2019

Background

In this study, we analyse the process of academic reading demotivation in elementary preservice teachers. Academic reading motivation is conceptualised from the Expectancy‐Value Theory, with the respective eponymous dimensions as well as interest, attainment, utility, and cost as subcomponents for task value.

Methods

These motivational variables were measured by the Escala Motivacional por la Lectura Académica (Academic Reading Motivation Scale). Analysis focused on confirming the demotivation process organised by four different educational motivation profile types (clusters), as well as by cohorts. Participants were a total of 785 elementary preservice teachers from seven Chilean universities, both public and private, from six regions of Chile, enrolled in the first, third and last years of their programme. This population was tested, with a subsample (n = 295) retested the following year.

Results

Results show a concentration of negative motivational changes in the “school motivation” group, as well as changes during the first years of the programme. The more affected dimensions are utility and cost. There is no evidence for changes in feeling of competence for academic reading (expectancy).

Conclusions

We conclude the importance of focusing efforts on avoiding these negative motivational changes in students that demonstrate three key characteristics: they want to become primary teachers, they are engaged in their studies, and finally, they want to work in the school system.