bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Psychological Stress on Heart Autophagy in Mice With Heart Failure
Authors: Lu Xiao-Ting , Liu Xiao-Qiong , Wang Bo , Sun Yuan-Yuan , Yang Rui-Xue , Xing Yi-Fan , Sun Ping , Wang Ying-Bin , Zhao Yu-Xia
Published: July 2017

Objective

Psychological stress in chronic heart failure (CHF) is associated with systemic neurohormonal and immune system responses and increased mortality. Autophagy refers to the biological process of degradation and recycling of dysfunctional cellular components. We investigated the role of psychological stress on autophagy function in CHF mice.

Methods

C57BL/6 mice underwent transverse aortic constriction, with or without combined acoustic and restraint stress, and cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography analysis. Serum corticosterone and angiotensin II (Ang II) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Autophagy and oxidative stress were measured with immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and chloroquine and rapamycin were used to detect autophagy flux. In vivo, cardiomyocytes were cultured with or without Ang II or N-acetylcysteine, and autophagy and oxidative stress were also detected.

Results

A 1-week stress exposure significantly increased serum levels of corticosterone and Ang II (p = .000), increased levels of oxidative stress, induced overt heart failure, and increased mortality (p = .002). Furthermore, stress exposure unregulated messenger RNA expression of Bcl-2–interacting coiled-coil protein 1 (10.891 [3.029] versus 4.754 [1.713], p = .001), cysteine-rich domain containing beclin-1 interacting (6.403 [1.813] versus 3.653 [0.441], p = .006), and autophagy 7 (111.696 [4.049] versus 6.189 [1.931], p = .017), increased expression of autophagosomal, and decreased clearance of autophagosomes. In vitro, Ang II significantly increased autophagy flux in cultured cardiomyocytes, which could be partly inhibited by N-acetylcysteine.

Conclusions

Psychological stress may contribute to the development of CHF by enhancing heart oxidative stress and impairing autophagy flux.
Distraction of Fronto-Orbital Segment as a Nonvascularized Bone Graft in Craniosynostotic Patients
Authors: Tunçbilek Gökhan , Konaş Ersoy , Çaliş Mert , Ustun Galip Gencay , Bilginer Burçak
Published: July 2017

Fronto-orbital advancement using distraction techniques involves the dura left attached to the osteotomized bone segment to avoid dead space formation and dural injury, whereas it is impossible to reshape the supraorbital bar and the frontal bone complex, when necessary. Our approach combines advantageous parts of conventional and distraction osteogenesis techniques as remodel and distract the supraorbital bar and frontal bone complex as a free bone graft. Twenty-seven patients either being syndromic and nonsyndromic craniosynostosis, with at least 3 years of follow-up were reviewed in this study. Mean age of the patients at the time of the operation was 23.44 ± 18.42 months and mean operative time was 4.96 ± 0.97 hours. Blood transfusion was required in all patients, with an average of 112.04 ± 44.60 mL. Amount of the distraction ranged 10 to 30 mm, a mean of 17.26 ± 4.71 mm for the right side and 18.15 ± 4.69 mm for the left side. Mean duration of consolidation was 98.26 ± 12.98 days and mean follow-up was 41.33 ± 22.92 months. In this study, result of internal distraction of fronto-orbital segment as a nonvascularized bone graft in craniosynostotic patients is reviewed to emphasize the efficacy of the nonvascularized bone graft distraction in management of craniosynostosis. Graft distraction after fronto-orbital and cranial vault remodeling appears to be safe and effective approach in correcting severe craniosynostosis deformities especially necessitating asymmetrical advancement.
The Effect of External Approach Septoplasty on Olfactory Function
Authors: Türk Bilge , Akpinar Meltem , Altundağ Aytuğ , Kirik Mehtap Özkahraman , Ünsal Özlem , Coşkun Berna Uslu
Published: July 2017

Objective:

Septal deviation-induced nasal obstruction is frequently accompanied by hyposmia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of external approach septoplasty on olfactory function.

Methods:

Thirty patients (23 males, 7 females) who had external approach septoplasty were included in the study. The age interval was 18 to 60 years (mean 33±12 years). All subjects had olfactory function and acoustic rhinometry tests in both the pre- and postoperative periods (mean interval 6 weeks ± 3 weeks). Olfactory function was determined by the “Sniffin Sticks” test. The minimum cross-sectional area from the nostril to 2.20 cm backward was referred to as MCA1, and the minimum cross-sectional area from 2.20 to 5.40 cm was referred to as MCA2, determined by acoustic rhinometry.

Results:

Olfactory threshold, discrimination, and identification function improved significantly after external approach septoplasty. A statistically significant difference was also detected between pre- and postoperative left MCA1 and left MCA2 of the nasal cavities. Postoperative hyposmic and anosmic patient improvement was statistically significant.

Conclusion:

External approach septoplasty has a beneficial effect on olfaction and this effect may be partly due to interactions between the increased perception of nasal air flow, as well as surgery-associated improvement in the internal nasal valve area.
Eagle Syndrome: a Follow-Up Examination of Four Patients After Surgical Treatment Via Cervical Approach
Authors: Heim Nils , Faron Anton , Martini Markus , Reich Rudolf H.
Published: July 2017

Objective:

Eagle syndrome is a rare pain syndrome caused by an elongated styloid apophysis or an ossified styloid ligament. It is characterized by a complex range of symptoms in head and neck region. The most effective treatment is surgical shortening of the styloid apophysis. The authors report of a follow-up examination of 4 patients after surgical treatment via cervical approach.

Methods:

Retrospectively reviewed hospital records of 5 patients (4 females and 1 male), aged from 26 to 59 years old (mean age = 45.5 years) who underwent surgical shortening of the styloid process via cervical approach. Further, a paper-based survey of 4 patients was conducted, including a clinical questionnaire and 4 visual analogue scales, consisting of questions regarding postoperative pain.

Results:

Period of follow-up ranged from 16 to 79 months (mean 53.75 months). All patients were asymptomatic at follow-up. None of the patients reported a visible scar or hypoesthesia in the affected area. The patients demonstrated low mean visual analogue scales for each item (facial pain: 0.6 ± 1.2, foreign body sensation: 0.725 ± 1.45, pain of throat and neck 1.35 ± 1.58 and limitation of dietary habits: 0.75 ± 1.5). None of the patients reported a resurgence of pain in the head and neck region so far.

Conclusions:

Surgical treatment via cervical approach appears to be an effective and safe option with low morbidity and mortality in the treatment of symptomatic Eagle syndrome of adults.
RNA Transcriptome Mapping with GraphMap
Authors: Križanović Krešimir , Sović Ivan , Krpelnik Ivan , Šikić Mile
Published: July 2017

Next generation sequencing technologies have made RNA sequencing widely accessible and applicable in many areas of research. In recent years, 3rd generation sequencing technologies have matured and are slowly replacing NGS for DNA sequencing. This paper presents a novel tool for RNA mapping guided by gene annotations. The tool is an adapted version of a previously developed DNA mapper – GraphMap, tailored for third generation sequencing data, such as those produced by Pacific Biosciences or Oxford Nanopore Technologies devices. It uses gene annotations to generate a transcriptome, uses a DNA mapping algorithm to map reads to the transcriptome, and finally transforms the mappings back to genome coordinates. Modified version of GraphMap is compared on several synthetic datasets to the state-of-the-art RNAseq mappers enabled to work with third generation sequencing data. The results show that our tool outperforms other tools in general mapping quality.
Distinctive desmoplastic 3D morphology associated with BRAFV600Ein papillary thyroid cancers
Authors: Tarabichi M. , Antoniou A. , Le Pennec S. , Gacquer D. , de Saint Aubain N. , Craciun L. , Cielen T. , Laios I. , Larsimont D. , Andry G. , Dumont J.E. , Maenhaut C. , Detours V.
Published: July 2017

Textbooks suggest that cancers are compact balls with an inner core and an invasive front in contact with non-cancerous cells, and that tumor growth is driven by tumor cell proliferation subsequent to oncogenic genome mutations. We reconstructed at histological scale the 3D volume occupied by tumor cells in two regions of a BRAFV600E-mutated papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with low tumor purity, as determined by sequencing, but initially considered high purity during pathology review. In contrast with a compact ball, tumor cells formed a sparse mesh deeply embedded within the stroma. The concepts of inner core and invasive front broke down in this morphology: all tumor cells were within short distance from the stroma. The fibrous stroma was highly cellular and proliferative, a result confirmed in an independent series. This case was not unique: 3.5% of The Cancer Genome Atlas PTCs had purities <25%, 27% were below the 60% purity inclusion criterion. Moreover, the presence of BRAFV600Ewas associated with extensive fibrosis, high stromal activation, and dedifferentiation. Thus, non-tumor cells make most of the tumor mass and contribute to its expansion in a significant fraction of BRAFV600EPTCs. Therapeutics targeting the tumor-stroma crosstalk could be beneficial in this context.
A unified theory of distraction in human perceptual, cognitive and economic decision-making
Authors: Li Vickie , Michael Elizabeth , Balaguer Jan , Herce Castañón Santiago , Summerfield Christopher
Published: July 2017

When making decisions, humans are often distracted by irrelevant information. Distraction has different impact on perceptual, cognitive and value-guided choices, giving rise to well-described behavioural phenomena such as the tilt illusion, conflict adaptation, or economic decoy effects. However, a single, unified model that can account for all these phenomena has yet to emerge. Here, we offer one such account, based on adaptive gain control, and additionally show that it successfully predicts a range of counterintuitive new behavioural phenomena on variants of a classic cognitive paradigm, the Eriksen flanker task. We also report that BOLD signals in a dorsal network prominently including the anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), index a gain-modulated decision variable predicted by the model. This work unifies the study of distraction across perceptual, cognitive and economic domains.
The most developmentally truncated fishes show extensiveHoxgene loss and miniaturized genomes
Authors: Malmstrøm Martin , Britz Ralf , Matschiner Michael , Tørresen Ole K. , Hadiaty Renny K. , Yaakob Norsham , Tan Heok H. , Jakobsen Kjetill S. , Salzburger Walter , Rüber Lukas
Published: July 2017

Hoxgenes play a fundamental role in regulating the embryonic development of all animals. Manipulation of these transcription factors in model organisms has unraveled key aspects of evolution, like the transition from fin to limb. However, by virtue of their fundamental role and pleiotropic effects, simultaneous knockouts of several of these genes pose significant challenges. Here, we report on evolutionary simplification in two species of the dwarf minnow genusPaedocyprisusing whole genome sequencing. The two species feature unprecedentedHoxgene loss and genome reduction in association with their massive developmental truncation. We also show how other genes involved in the development of musculature, nervous system, and skeleton have been lost inPaedocypris,mirroring its highly progenetic phenotype. Further, we identify two mechanisms responsible for genome streamlining: severe intron shortening and reduced repeat content. As a naturally simplified system closely related to zebrafish,Paedocyprisprovides novel insights into vertebrate development.
Building a high-resolution in vivo minimum deformation average model of the human hippocampus
Authors: Jacobsen Nina , Munk Julie Broni , Plocharski Maciej , Østergaard Lasse Riis , Marstaller Lars , Reutens David , Barth Markus , Janke Andrew L. , Bollmann Steffen
Published: July 2017

Objective

Minimum deformation averaging (MDA) procedures exploit the information contained in inter-individual variations to generate high-resolution, high-contrast models through iterative model building. However, MDA models built from different image contrasts reside in disparate spaces and their complementary information cannot be utilized easily. The aim of this work was to develop an algorithm for the non-linear alignment of two MDA models with different contrasts to create a high-resolution in vivo model of the human hippocampus with a spatial resolution of 300 μm.

Methods

A Turbo Spin Echo MDA model covering the hippocampus was contrast matched to a whole-brain MP2RAGE MDA model and aligned using cross-correlation and non-linear transformation. The contrast matching algorithm followed a global voxel location-based approach to estimate the relationship between intensity values of the two models. The performance of the algorithm was evaluated by comparing it to a non-linear registration obtained using mutual information without contrast matching. The complimentary information from both contrasts was then utilized in an automated hippocampal subfield segmentation pipeline.

Results

The contrast of the Turbo Spin Echo MDA model could successfully be matched to the MP2RAGE MDA model. Registration using cross correlation provided more accurate alignment of the models compared to a mutual information based approach. The segmentation using ASHS resulted in hippocampal subfield delineations that resembled the tissue boundaries observed in the Turbo Spin Echo MDA model.

Conclusion

The developed contrast matching algorithm facilitated the creation of a high-resolution multi-modal in vivo MDA model of the human hippocampus. This model can be used to improve algorithms for hippocampal subfield segmentation and could potentially support the early detection of neurodegenerative diseases.
The global impact ofWolbachiaon mitochondrial diversity and evolution
Authors: Cariou Marie , Duret Laurent , Charlat Sylvain
Published: July 2017

The spread of maternally inherited microorganisms, such asWolbachiabacteria, can induce indirect selective sweeps on host mitochondria, to which they are linked within the cytoplasm. The resulting reduction in effective population size might lead to smaller mitochondrial diversity and reduced efficiency of natural selection. Although suggested by a few case studies, the global consequences of this process on mitochondrial diversity and evolution remains to be assessed. Here we address this question using a mapping of Wolbachia acquisition / extinction events on a large mitochondrial DNA tree, including over 1,000 species. We show that the presence of Wolbachia is associated with a twofold reduction in silent mitochondrial polymorphism, and a 13% increase in non-synonymous substitution rates. These findings validate the conjecture that the widespread distribution of Wolbachia infections throughout arthropods impacts the effective population size of mitochondria. These effects might in part explain the disconnection between genetic diversity and demographic population size in mitochondria, and also fuel red-queen-like cytonuclear coevolution through the fixation of deleterious mitochondrial alleles.
The Neurocognitive Architecture of Individual Differences in Math Anxiety in Typical Children
Authors: Hartwright Charlotte Emily , Looi Chung Yen , Sella Francesco , Inuggi Alberto , Santos Flávia Heloísa , González-Salinas Carmen , García Santos Jose M. , Cohen Kadosh Roi , Fuentes Luis J
Published: July 2017

Math Anxiety (MA) is characterized by a negative emotional response when facing math-related situations. MA is distinct from general anxiety and can emerge during primary education. Prior studies typically comprise adults and comparisons between high-versus low-MA, where neuroimaging work has focused on differences in network activation between groups when completing numerical tasks. The present study used voxel-based morphometry to identify the structural brain correlates of MA in a sample of 79 healthy children aged 7-12 years. Given that MA is thought to develop in later primary education, the study focused on the level of MA, rather than categorically defining it as present or absent. Using a battery of cognitive- and numerical-function tasks, this study identified that increased MA was associated with reduced attention, working memory and math achievement. Increased MA was associated with reduced grey matter in the left anterior intraparietal sulcus. This region was also associated with attention, suggesting that baseline differences in morphology may underpin attentional differences. Future studies should clarify whether poorer attentional capacity due to reduced grey matter density results in the later emergence of MA. Further, our data highlight the role of working memory in propagating reduced math achievement in children with higher MA.
SLFL Genes Participate in the Ubiquitination and Degradation ofS-RNase in Self-Compatible Chinese Peach
Authors: Chen Qiuju , Meng Dong , Li Wei , Gu Zhaoyu , Yuan Hui , Duan Xuwei , Yang Qing , Li Yang , Li Tianzhong
Published: July 2017

The gametophytic self-incompatibility (SI) mediated by S-RNase of Rosaceae, Solanaceae and Plantaginaceae, is controlled by two tightly linked genes located at highly polymorphic S-locus: the S-RNase for pistil specificity and the F-box gene (SFB/SLF) for pollen specificity, respectively. The F-box gene of peach (Prunus persica) isShaplotype-specific F-box (SFB). In this study, we selected 37 representative varieties according to the evolution route of peach and identified their S genotypes. We cloned pollen determinant genes mutantPperSFB1m, PperSFB2m, PperSFB4mand normalPperSFB2, and style determinant genesS1-RNase, S2-RNase, S2m-RNaseandS4-RNase.MutantPperSFBswere translated terminated prematurely because of fragment insertion. Yeast two-hybrid showed that mutant PperSFBs and normal PperSFB2 interacted with all S-RNases. NormalPperSFB2was divided into four parts: box, box-V1, V1-V2 and HVa-HVb. Protein interaction analyses showed that the box portion did not interact with S-RNases, both of the box-V1 and V1-V2 had interactions with S-RNases, while the hypervariable region ofPperSFB2HVa-HVb only interacted with S2-RNase. Bioinformatics analysis of peach genome revealed that there were other F-box genes located at S-locus, and of which three F-box genes were specifically expressed in pollen, namelyPperSLFL1, PperSLFL2andPperSLFL3, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that PperSFBs and PperSLFLs were classified into two different clades. Yeast two-hybrid analysis revealed that as with PperSFBs, the three F-box proteins interacted with PperSSK1. Yeast two-hybrid and BiFC showed that PperSLFLs interacted with S-RNases with no allelic specificity. In vitro ubiquitination assay showed that PperSLFLs could tag ubiquitin molecules to PperS-RNases. In all, the above results suggest that threePperSLFLsare the appropriate candidates for the ‘general inhibitor’, which would inactivate the S-RNases in pollen tubes, and the role of three PperSLFL proteins is redundant, as S-RNase repressors involved in the self-incompatibility of peach.
Classifying smartphone-based accelerometer data to obtain validated measures of subject activity status, step count, and gait speed
Authors: Kwon Yong Jun , Aung Thawda , Synovec Sarah M , Oberle Anthony D , Hanton Cassia Rye , Whittington Jackie , Goulding Evan H , Witbrodt Bradley C , Bonasera Stephen J , Schenk A Katrin
Published: July 2017

Background

The ubiquitous spread of smartphone technology throughout global societies offers an unprecedented opportunity to ethically obtain long-term, highly accurate measurements of individual physical activity. For example, the smartphone intrinsic 3-D accelerometer can be queried during normal phone operation to save time series of acceleration magnitudes (in each of the component directions) for near-real time or post processing.

Objective

We describe simple, straightforward algorithms (based on windowed Fourier analysis) for accelerometer data quality control and behavioral classification.

Methods

To maximize the clinical utility of our classifications, we focused on differentiating the following conditions: forgotten phone, subject resting, low physical activity, high physical activity. We further differentiated high physical activity into epochs of walking and climbing stairs, and further quantified walking to infer step count and gait speed.

Results

We validated these algorithms in 75 individuals, in both laboratory (treadmill) and naturalistic settings. Our algorithm performance was quite satisfactory, with accuracies of 92-99% for all behavioral categories, and 87-90% for gait metrics in naturalistic settings.

Conclusions

We conclude that smartphones are valid and accurate platforms for measuring day-to-day physical activity in ambulatory, community dwelling individuals.
Enhanced neuronal regeneration in the CAST/Ei mouse strain is linked to expression of differentiation markers after injury
Authors: Lisi Véronique , Singh Bhagat , Giroux Michel , Guzman Elmer , Painter Michio W , Cheng Yung-Chih , Huebner Eric , Coppola Giovanni , Costigan Michael , Woolf Clifford J. , Kosik Kenneth S
Published: July 2017

Peripheral nerve regeneration after injury requires a broad program of transcriptional changes. We investigated the basis for the enhanced nerve regenerative capacity of the CAST/Ei mouse strain relative to C57BL/6 mice. RNA sequencing of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) showed a CAST/Ei specific upregulation ofAscl1after injury.Ascl1overexpression in C57BL/6 mice DRG neurons enhanced their neurite outgrowth.Ascl1is regulated by miR-7048-3p, which is down-regulated in CAST/Ei mice. Inhibition of miR-7048-3p enhances neurite outgrowth. Following injury, CAST/Ei neurons largely retained their mature neuronal profile as determined by single cell RNAseq, whereas the C57BL/6 neurons acquired an immature profile. These findings suggest that one facet of the enhanced regenerative phenotype is preservation of neuronal identity in response to injury.
Disorder and the neural representation of complex odors: smelling in the real world
Authors: Krishnamurthy Kamesh , Hermundstad Ann M. , Mora Thierry , Walczak Aleksandra M. , Balasubramanian Vijay
Published: July 2017

Animals smelling in the real world use a small number of receptors to sense a vast number of natural molecular mixtures, and proceed to learn arbitrary associations between odors and valences. Here, we propose a new interpretation of how the architecture of olfactory circuits is adapted to meet these immense complementary challenges. First, the diffuse binding of receptors to many molecules compresses a vast odor space into a tiny receptor space, while preserving similarity. Next, lateral interactions “densify” and decorrelate the response, enhancing robustness to noise. Finally, disordered projections from the periphery to the central brain reconfigure the densely packed information into a format suitable for flexible learning of associations and valences. We test our theory empirically using data from Drosophila. Our theory suggests that the neural processing of olfactory information differs from the other senses in its fundamental use of disorder.
Continuous diffraction of molecules and disordered molecular crystals
Authors: Chapman Henry N. , Yefanov Oleksandr M. , Ayyer Kartik , White Thomas A. , Barty Anton , Morgan Andrew , Mariani Valerio , Oberthuer Dominik , Pande Kanupriya
Published: July 2017

The intensities of far-field diffraction patterns of orientationally aligned molecules obey Wilson statistics, whether those molecules are in isolation (giving rise to a continuous diffraction pattern) or arranged in a crystal (giving rise to Bragg peaks). Ensembles of molecules in several orientations, but uncorrelated in position, give rise to the incoherent sum of the diffraction from those objects, modifying the statistics in a similar way as crystal twinning modifies the distribution of Bragg intensities. This situation arises in the continuous diffraction of laser-aligned molecules or translationally disordered molecular crystals. This paper develops the analysis of the intensity statistics of such continuous diffraction to obtain parameters such as scaling, beam coherence and the number of contributing independent object orientations. When measured, continuous molecular diffraction is generally weak and accompanied by a background that far exceeds the strength of the signal. Instead of just relying upon the smallest measured intensities or their mean value to guide the subtraction of the background, it is shown how all measured values can be utilized to estimate the background, noise and signal, by employing a modified `noisy Wilson' distribution that explicitly includes the background. Parameters relating to the background and signal quantities can be estimated from the moments of the measured intensities. The analysis method is demonstrated on previously published continuous diffraction data measured from crystals of photosystem II [Ayyeret al.(2016),Nature,530, 202–206].
Crystal structures of two 2,3-diethylnaphtho[2,3-g]quinoxaline-6,11-dione derivatives
Authors: Forsyth Craig M. , Francis Craig L.
Published: July 2017

Two new 5,12-disubstituted 2,3-diethylnaphtho[2,3-g]quinoxaline-6,11-dione compounds were readily synthesized from the commercial dye quinizarin. For 2,3-diethyl-5,12-dihydroxynaphtho[2,3-g]quinoxaline-6,11-dione, (II), C20H16N2O4, the molecule displays a near planar conformation and both hydroxy groups participate in intramolecular O—H...O(carbonyl) hydrogen bonds. In the crystal, π–π ring interactions [minimum ring centroid separation = 3.5493 (9) Å] form stacks of co-planar molecules down the c axis, while only minor intermolecular C—H...O interactions are present. In contrast, in 2,3-diethyl-5,12-bis(piperidin-1-yl)naphtho[2,3-g]quinoxaline-6,11-dione, (IV), C30H34N4O2, which contains two independent, but similar, molecules in the asymmetric unit, the polycyclic cores have a significant twist, with dihedral angles of 29.79 (6) and 29.31 (7)° between the terminal rings and only minor intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions are present. Electron density associated with additional solvent molecules disordered about a fourfold axis was accounted for using the SQUEEZE procedure in PLATON [Spek (2015). Acta Cryst. C71, 9–18].
Crystal structure and UV spectra of a 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazolium chloride
Authors: Khan Tuhin , Mishra Navneet , Mhatre Darshan S. , Datta Anindya
Published: July 2017

1-(2-Hydroxybenzyl)-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-3-ium chloride, C20H17N2O2
+·Cl−, was prepared by reaction of salicylaldehyde with o-phenylenediamine in the presence of trimethylsilyl chloride acting as a source of HCl. As a result of steric hindrance, the cation in the crystal is far from planar: the benzimidazole ring system makes dihedral angles of 55.49 (9) and 81.36 (8)° with the planes of the phenolic groups. The crystal packing is dominated by O—H...Cl and N—H...Cl hydrogen bonds, which link the cations and anions into four-membered rings and then into chains along [100]. The title compound exhibits two transitions in the UV region, which are revealed in the solid state and solution spectra as an absorption maximum at 280 nm and a shoulder at 320 nm. According to the results of TD–DFT calculation, both transitions have a π–π* nature and the molecular orbitals involved in these transitions are mostly localized on the benzimidazole ring system and on the phenyl ring attached to it at the 2-position.
Structure of 7-hydroxy-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-4H-chromen-4-one
Authors: Low John Nicolson , Gomes Ligia R. , Gaspar Alexandra , Borges Fernanda
Published: July 2017

Herein, the synthesis and crystal structure of 7-hydroxy-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-4H-chromen-4-one, C17H11F3O4, are reported. This isoflavone is used as a starting material in the preparation an array of potent and competitive FPR antagonists. The pyran ring significantly deviates from planarity and the dihedral angle between the benzopyran mean plane and that of the exocyclic benzene ring is 88.18 (4)°. In the crystal, O—H...O hydrogen bonds connect the molecules into C(8) chains propagating in the [010] direction.
6-[(R)-(2-Hydroxy-1-phenylethyl)aminomethylidene]-4-(2-phenyldiazen-1-yl)cyclohexa-2,4-dien-1-one
Authors: Moriwaki Ryoji , Yagi Shiomi , Haraguchi Tomoyuki , Akitsu Takashiro
Published: July 2017

The title chiral photochromic Schiff base compound, C21H19N3O2, was synthesized from (R)-(−)-2-phenylglycinol and salicylaldehyde of azobenzene derivative. The molecule exhibits the keto–amine tautomeric form and displays characteristic features of azobenzene derivatives. The diazenyl group adopts a trans (E) conformation, with N=N bond length of 1.260 (2) Å. The hydroxy group is involved in an intermolecular O—H...O hydrogen bond.
3,5-Dimethoxyphenyl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate
Authors: Olszowy Aleksandra , Siodłak Dawid , Zarychta Bartosz
Published: July 2017

Molecules of the title compound, C15H16O5S, are composed of a 3,5-dimethoxyphenyl moiety substituted with a toluene-4-sulfonate group. The dihedral angle between two aromatic rings is 57.23 (4)°. In the crystal, molecules are connected by weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds and S...O van der Waals interactions.
The nature and potential of corporate governance in developing countries
Authors: Chanda Shikaputo , Burton Bruce , Dunne Theresa
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide detailed findings regarding the perceived role of corporate governance in Zambia. There have been no detailed studies of opinions in a setting such as Zambia, i.e. a nation which has experienced relative political calm and which has an abundance of natural resources – but where corporate governance failures have been blamed directly for economic difficulties.

Design/methodology/approach

The study reports the results of a series of 24 in-depth interviews with Zambians, including politicians, regulators, senior business executives, transnational organisation representatives, academics and governance consultants. The discussions were conducted face-to-face and recorded in all cases.

Findings

Understanding of corporate governance is at an embryonic stage in Zambia, but embedded corruption is likely to require addressing before any meaningful change is likely. A range of isomorphic forces appear to be prevalent and the study argues that root and branch change in structures and attitudes is a necessity if improvements are to be forthcoming. The paper concludes with a call for unity in purpose and recognition of current malignancies.

Originality/value

Despite Zambia’s idiosyncrasies, the evidence suggests that a pan-African picture is emerging, with growing awareness of the potential benefits of improved corporate behaviour – but deep cynicism exists about the likelihood of these arising given corruption in reward structures. Such is the extent of embeddedness in power amongst those who benefit from current arrangements that both mimetic and coercive forces are argued to be ranged against any shift in extant systems and processes.
Anglo American Corporation and the South African State
Authors: Hammond Theresa , Cooper Christine , van Staden Chris J.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the complex and shifting relationship between the Anglo American Corporation (Anglo) and the South African State (“the State”) as reflected in Anglo’s annual reports.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper builds on research on the role of annual reports in ideological conflict. To examine the ongoing relationship between Anglo and the State, the authors read all the annual reports published by Anglo American from 1917 to 1975, looking for instances in which the corporation appeared to be attempting to address, criticise, compliment, or implore the State.

Findings

During the period under study, despite the apparent struggles between the South African State and Anglo American, the relationship between the two was primarily symbiotic. The symbolic confrontation engaged in by these two behemoths perpetuated the real, physical violence perpetrated on the oppressed workers. By appearing to be a liberal opponent of apartheid, Anglo was able to ensure continued investment in South Africa.

Social implications

The examination of decades’ worth of annual reports provides an example of how these supposedly neutral instruments were used to contest and sustain power. Thereby, Anglo could continue to exploit workers, reap enormous profits, and maintain a fiction of opposition to the oppressive State. The State also benefited from its support of Anglo, which provided a plurality of tax revenue and economic expansion during the period.

Originality/value

This paper provides insights into the ways the State and other institutions sustain each other in the pursuit of economic and political power in the face of visible and widely condemned injustices. Although they frequently contested each other’s primacy, both benefited while black South African miners suffered.
Polyphonic orchestration – facilitating creative knowledge processes for innovation
Authors: Ness Ingunn Johanne
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide new and deeper insight into how creative knowledge processes are facilitated in multidisciplinary groups working with innovation in knowledge-intensive organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through an ethnographic fieldwork following two groups in a Norwegian oil and gas company and one group in a Norwegian research institute working with innovation. The analysis is inductive and conducted within a qualitative framework seeking to go deeper into the complexity of the facilitation of creative knowledge processes. The analytical framework is sociocultural and underscores how new knowledge and ideas are facilitated in the tension between different voices.

Findings

Analyses show how the leaders of the groups facilitated imaginative and creative processes through open dialog by giving room for diverse disciplinary knowledge and stimulating different roles in the groups. The diverse experiences of the occupational disciplines in addition to four complementary roles that ensured group dynamics, stimulated polyphony and creative tension in the groups. This creative tension enhanced the groups’ imagination, which again enabled innovative idea development.

Research limitations/implications

This contribution is limited by looking at three groups in two organizations. On the premise that model generalization depends on extensive empirical data, the current paper should be considered as preliminary/exploratory research that aims at investigating how creative knowledge processes leading to innovative ideas are facilitated in knowledge-intensive organizations.

Practical implications

The paper offers a practical contribution in how leaders can facilitate such creative processes leading to innovative ideas. The paper is a contribution to leadership as a relational and dialogical practice.

Originality/value

The way the creative knowledge processes are orchestrated is visualized in a phase model. The paper contributes to new conceptualizations and thus theory development of leadership by offering polyphonic orchestration as a concept and a way of understanding facilitation from a sociocultural perspective.
Pragmatic impact of workplace ostracism: toward a theoretical model
Authors: Al-Atwi Amer Ali
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend the ostracism literature by exploring the pragmatic impact of ostracism on performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Ostracism workplace, social relations and empowerment structures are discussed. The paper then develops a theoretical framework that explains why and under what conditions workplace ostracism undermines employees’ performance. The author proposes that empowerment structures mediate the link between ostracism and in-role and extra-role performance. In addition, it was proposed that relational links buffer the negative relationship between ostracism and empowerment structures on performance and weaken the negative indirect effect of ostracism on performance.

Findings

The theoretical arguments provide support for the model showing that empowerment structures mediate the relationship between ostracism and performance, and the mediation effect only occurred when external links were high but not when external links were low.

Originality/value

The author has expanded the extant literature by answering recent calls for research exploring the pragmatic impact of workplace ostracism where past research has typically focused solely on the psychological impacts such as psychological needs.
Relationships between structural social capital, knowledge identification capability and external knowledge acquisition
Authors: Ortiz Beatriz , Donate Mario J. , Guadamillas Fátima
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the mediating effect of the identification of valuable external knowledge on the relationship between the development of inter-organizational ties (structural social capital) and the acquisition of external knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 87 firms from Spanish biotechnology and pharmaceutics industries, the authors have tested the proposed mediation hypothesis by applying the partial least squares technique to a structural equations model.

Findings

The study results show that those firms with stronger, more frequent and closer inter-relationships are able to increase the amount of intentionally acquired knowledge, partly due to the greater level of development of their knowledge identification capability. Thus, firms with a higher capability to recognize the value of the knowledge embedded in their inter-organizational networks will be more likely to design better strategies to acquire and integrate such knowledge into their current knowledge bases for either present or future use.

Originality/value

This research contributes to knowledge management and social capital literature by means of the study of two key determinants of knowledge acquisition – structural social capital and knowledge identification capability – and the explanation of their relationships of mutual influence. The paper thus tries to fill this literature gap and connects the relational perspective of social capital with the knowledge-based view from a strategic point of view.
Intrapreneurial competencies: development and validation of a measurement scale
Authors: Vargas-Halabí Tomás , Mora-Esquivel Ronald , Siles Berman
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Few models have attempted to explain intrapreneurial behavior from the perspective of competencies. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to contribute along this line by developing and validating a scale to measure intrapreneurial competencies for a Costa Rican organizational context.

Design/methodology/approach

A three stage process was followed. The first stage considered literature review, expert judgment, cognitive interviews, and back-translation. In the second stage, the questionnaire was administered to a sample of 543 university professionals who worked mainly in private organizations in Costa Rica. The third stage led to evaluate of the proposed scale’s psychometric properties, including, exploratory factor analysis procedure performing by SPSS 19; confirmatory factor analysis procedures by means of structural equation modeling using EQS 6.2 version and finally, a linear regression model to obtain evidence of external criterion-related validity, performed by SPSS 19.

Findings

This study provides evidence of five sub-dimensions of employee attributes, i.e., “opportunity promoter”, “proactivity”, “flexibility”, “drive”, and “risk taking” that constitute a higher-level construct called intrapreneurial competencies. The scale provided evidence of convergent, discriminant, and criterion-related validity – the latter, using an employee innovative behavior scale.

Originality/value

The model offers a first step to continue studies that aim at developing a robust model of intrapreneurial competencies. This potential predictive capacity of an instrument of this nature would be useful for the business sector, particularly as a diagnostic instrument to strengthen processes of staff development in areas that promote the development of innovation and the creation of new businesses for the company.
Financing public transport: a spatial model based on city size
Authors: Ruiz-Montañez Miguel
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships between public transport services and the financial needs. Cities require to be equipped with public transport networks as they are primarily responsible for creation of wealth for countries and to ensure sustainability of urbanization. Once decisions have been taken to design, build and operate such networks, it is equally important to set rules for urban transport financing. Depending on the city size and other factors, authorities allocate resources. Nonetheless, is there a relationship between the size of the city and its public transport financial needs? This paper develops a model to explain such relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The study develops a spatial model, while providing intuition through the use of graphs, to solve the question of the amount of resources allocated for financing the transport services.

Findings

It is verified that those financial needs are more than proportional to the size of the city; when a city grows in its number of boroughs, economic funds needed to support public transport have to increase in a greater proportion in comparison to the growth of boroughs growth. The model states a formula valid for explaining the financial needs.

Originality/value

The model is interesting as it explains why large metropolitan areas need special financial aid from authorities. Real life shows that big cities like Paris, Berlin or Madrid need extraordinary funds for this purpose, and in most of the cases, specific national laws are required for financing public transport networks in these large metropolitan areas.
Sociodemographic determinants of the probability of wine consumption in Tenerife (Canary Islands)
Authors: Rodríguez-Donate M. Carolina , Romero-Rodríguez Margarita Esther , Cano-Fernández Víctor Javier , Guirao-Pérez Ginés
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The Spanish wine sector has gained ever greater relevance not only in economic terms but also from a social and environmental perspective. One Spanish region with a deeply rooted history of growing and producing wine is the Canary Islands, and specifically the island of Tenerife. The wine sector there has undergone notable evolution since the end of the past century. The main aim of these changes has been to improve the quality of Canarian wines, although it is also crucial to design marketing strategies that contribute to maintaining and increasing market share. In this context, it is essential to improve our knowledge of wine consumption among the population, especially given the scarcity of studies that analyze consumption preferences. Thus, the aim of this study is to identify wine consumption profiles.

Design/Methodology/Approach

This study uses data from a survey carried out on a representative sample of 1,028 Tenerife residents. Discrete choice models are estimated to identify profiles of wine consumers.

Findings

The main results show that the probability of consuming wine is the greatest among adult men compared to a lower consumption by younger individuals and women. Furthermore, it was shown that the probability of occasional consumption increases with higher educational levels.

Originality/value

This study examines in depth the individual factors that influence decisions on wine consumption (frequency and amount) in Tenerife (Canary Islands), which has a wine-growing landscape that produces several unique grape varieties. The study quantifies the probability of wine consumption depending on resident individuals’ sociodemographic characteristics. Thus, it contributes to a greater understanding of demand and consumption patterns in the island´s wine sector and allows comparisons to be made with studies for other geographical areas. It is, therefore, a valuable framework for designing targeted marketing strategies to increase consumption and attract demand from potential consumers with specific characteristics.
Social media as a means to access millennial wine consumers
Authors: Fuentes Fernández Rosana , Vriesekoop Frank , Urbano Beatriz
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to gain insights of the use of social media (SM) in the wine industry. The theoretical viewpoint is to analyse wineries’ SM segmentation, targeting and positioning (STP) to help the wine industry to improve the effectiveness of SM communication.

Design/methodology/approach

An observational study of Spanish wineries’ SM presence and traffic was carried out during a three-month period in 2013 and repeated in 2016. During this period, a questionnaire was distributed to 196 wineries. Logistic regression was used to model the dichotomous outcome variable of whether a winery “does” or “does not” utilise SM. Additionally, leader wineries were interviewed in April/May 2016 about SM STP.

Findings

The results show that most wineries are starting in SM without a well-defined strategy. The presence of a webpage is significantly related to the use of SM. SM wineries do not segment and can take advantage of digital targeting strategies.

Practical implications

Segmentation and targeting SM can improve the effectiveness of the winery SM activities as well as the winery competitiveness in the wine industry.

Originality/value

This paper is a first step in understanding the value of segmentation SM to reach millennial consumers and the importance of targeting to improve the effectiveness of winery on SM.
Urban high school principals’ promotion of college-and-career readiness
Authors: Malin Joel R. , Hackmann Donald
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to ascertain how two urban principals, in high schools that feature comprehensive college-and-career readiness practices, utilize distributed leadership to facilitate their implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed qualitative methods. Drawing upon semi-structured interview data, observational data gathered as part of site visits, and internal and electronic documents, case descriptions were developed of each school, focusing on principals’ activities in support of career pathways.

Findings

The principals contributed significantly to their schools’ college-and-career readiness reforms and programming. Although their approaches were distinct, six common themes were identified: facilitating processes to form a shared vision, developing relational trust, a focus on learning, successful partnerships, conducive structures, and developing leadership skills and capacity. The principals described utilizing distributed leadership approaches – including practices, structures, and tools – to support these reforms.

Originality/value

This study represents the initial phase of a multi-year research project investigating the implementation of college-and-career pathways in urban communities. Prior research has overlooked the important role of principals in leading and facilitating these reforms, and this study contributes to the literature because it focuses on principals’ contributions in supporting college-and-career readiness. Additionally, in both cases, substantive, regular leadership contributions were made by business representatives external to the organization.