bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neutrophil Phenotype Correlates With Postoperative Inflammatory Outcomes in Infants Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Authors: Huber Jody N. , Hilkin Brieanna M. , Hook Jessica S. , Brophy Patrick D. , Davenport Tina L. , Davis James E. , Colaizy Tarah T. , Moreland Jessica G.
Published: October 2017

Objectives:

Infants with congenital heart disease frequently require cardiopulmonary bypass, which causes systemic inflammation. The goal of this study was to determine if neutrophil phenotype and activation status predicts the development of inflammatory complications following cardiopulmonary bypass.

Design:

Prospective cohort study.

Setting:

Tertiary care PICU with postoperative cardiac care.

Patients:

Thirty-seven patients 5 days to 10 months old with congenital heart disease requiring cardiopulmonary bypass.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

Laboratory and clinical data collected included length of mechanical ventilation, acute kidney injury, and fluid overload. Neutrophils were isolated from whole blood at three time points surrounding cardiopulmonary bypass. Functional analyses included measurement of cell surface protein expression and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity. Of all patients studied, 40.5% displayed priming of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity in response to N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe stimulation 24 hours post cardiopulmonary bypass as compared to pre bypass. Neonates who received steroids prior to bypass demonstrated enhanced priming of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity at 48 hours. Patients who displayed priming post cardiopulmonary bypass were 8.8 times more likely to develop severe acute kidney injury as compared to nonprimers. Up-regulation of neutrophil surface CD11b levels pre- to postbypass occurred in 51.4% of patients, but this measure of neutrophil priming was not associated with acute kidney injury. Subsequent analyses of the basal neutrophil phenotype revealed that those with higher basal CD11b expression were significantly less likely to develop acute kidney injury.

Conclusions:

Neutrophil priming occurs in a subset of infants undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. Acute kidney injury was more frequent in those patients who displayed priming of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity after cardiopulmonary bypass. This pilot study suggests that neutrophil phenotypic signature could be used to predict inflammatory organ dysfunction.
Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Ter Louw Ryan P. , Nahabedian Maurice Y.
Published: October 2017

Oncologic and reconstructive advancements in the management of patients with breast cancer and at high risk for breast cancer have led to improved outcomes and decreased patient morbidity. Traditional methods for prosthetic breast reconstructions have utilized total or partial muscle coverage of prosthetic devices. Although effective, placement of devices under the pectoralis major muscle can be associated with increased pain due to muscle spasm and animation deformities. Prepectoral prosthetic breast reconstruction has gained popularity in the plastic surgery community, and long-term outcomes have become available. This article will review the indications, technique, and current literature surrounding prepectoral prosthetic breast reconstruction.
Fat Grafting to the Breast: Clinical Applications and Outcomes for Reconstructive Surgery
Authors: Katzel Evan B. , Bucky Louis P.
Published: October 2017

This article is a review of fat grafting for breast reconstruction. The use of small volume fat grafting for the correction of step-off deformities, intrinsic deformities, and extrinsic deformities of the breast, and the uses of large volume fat grafting for total breast reconstruction, correction of implant complications with simultaneous implant exchange with fat, and correction of noncancer chest wall deformities is reviewed. Cancer monitoring and the risks of cancer recurrence following fat-grafting to the breast is also reviewed.
What’s New in Acellular Dermal Matrix and Soft-Tissue Support for Prosthetic Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Kim John Y. S. , Mlodinow Alexei S.
Published: October 2017

Of the nearly 90,000 implant-based breast reconstructions performed in the United States, the majority use internal soft-tissue support. Aesthetically, these constructs may allow for better positioning of prosthesis, improve lower pole expansion, and increase projection. They may have particular utility in direct-to-implant, nipple-sparing mastectomies, and prepectoral reconstructions. In recent years, new permutations of acellular dermal matrices have evolved with diverse shapes, sizes, form-factor innovations, and processing characteristics. The literature is largely limited to retrospective studies (and meta-analyses thereof), making robust comparisons of 1 iteration vis-à-vis another difficult. Although synthetic mesh may provide a cost-effective alternative in primary and secondary reconstruction, comparative studies with acellular dermal matrix are lacking. This review aims to provide a balanced overview of recent biologic and synthetic mesh innovation. As this technology (and concomitant techniques) evolve, the reconstructive surgeon is afforded more—and better—choices to improve care for patients.
A New Operative One-Wing Technique to Correct Fronto-Orbital Region in Unilateral Nonsyndromic Plagiocephaly
Authors: Messi Marco , Luzi Michele , Consorti Giuseppe
Published: October 2017

Anterior plagiocephaly is a premature closing of unilateral coronal suture. This premature suture fusion causes a series of cranial asymmetry and alteration of the fronto-orbital region.

The authors described a new surgical technique to correct the facial asymmetry that reduces the operative time and the possible complications.

In a period between 2013and 2016, 12 children affected by nonsyndromic anterior plagiocephaly were treated with this new procedure.

Clinical, cranial development, and absence of postoperative complication demonstrated that one-wing surgical bone correction is a useful and innovative technique.
Transorbital Penetrating Intracranial Injury by a Battery
Authors: Park Su Jin , Chi Mijung
Published: October 2017

The authors report a patient of transorbital penetrating intracranial injury by a battery. A 59-year-old man presented with a foreign body in the left orbital region after an explosion during waste combustion. Physical examination revealed his left eyelid had been punctured and the eyeball ruptured by what appeared to be a battery, which was lodged in the left orbit. The patient was neurologically intact. Facial computed tomography showed a ca. 6.2 × 1.7 cm sized metallic foreign body, probably an electric battery, penetrating through the left orbit and orbital roof and terminating in the left anterior cranial fossa. Clinical presentation, treatment course, and follow-up are discussed.
Corticotomy With a Palatal Bone-Borne Retractor for Correcting Severe Bimaxillary Protrusion
Authors: Noh Min-Ki , Kim Young-Jun , Chung Kyu-Rhim , Kim Seong-Hun , Nelson Gerald
Published: October 2017

Background:

This article presents an alternate surgical treatment method to correct a severe anterior protrusion in the adult patient with an extremely thin alveolus.

Methods:

In the maxilla, a wide linear corticotomy was performed under local anesthesia. Cortical alveolar bone of the upper first bicuspids area was widely removed. Orthopedic force for bony block movement was applied by a palatal bone-borne type retractor supported by skeletal anchorage. Residual extraction space closure was performed by biocreative orthodontics strategy (BOS). In the mandible, an anterior segmental osteotomy (ASO) and extraction of 1st premolars were performed under local anesthesia.

Results:

In the maxilla, bony block movement followed by the wide linear corticotomy with a palatal bone-borne type retractor was implemented without complications. Remaining extraction space after the bony block movement was closed effectively by BOS. In the mandible, anterior segmental retraction was achieved effectively by ASO.

Conclusions:

Wide linear corticotomy with a palatal bone-borne type retractor and ASO under local anesthesia can be an effective alternative to orthognathic surgery in adults with protrusion and an extremely thin alveolus. The biocreative strategy also provides a simple and effective method to retract the 6 anterior teeth.
Relationship of a Metopic Ridge and Anterior Cranial Volume Measured by a Noninvasive Laser Shape Digitizer
Authors: Applegren Nathan D. , Shock Leslie A. , Aldridge Kristina J. , Derrick Chase D. , Tanaka Tomoko , Baker C. Lynette , Muzaffar Arshad R.
Published: October 2017

Cranial dysmorphology observed in patients with metopic craniosynostosis varies along a spectrum of severity including varying degrees of metopic ridging, bitemporal narrowing, and trigonocephaly. Management has been based upon the subjective clinical impression of presence and severity of trigonocephaly. Severity of cranial dysmorphology does not predict the occurrence or severity of associated abnormal neurodevelopment, as children with mild-to-moderate trigonocephaly may also experience developmental delays. The authors sought to determine the relationship between mild-to-moderate trigonocephaly and anterior cranial volume using a noninvasive laser shape digitizer (STARscanner) in patients with abnormal head shape.

An IRB-approved retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database and medical records was performed. Two hundred three patients less than 1 year of age with abnormal head shape were categorized as having a metopic ridge with mild-to-moderate trigonocephaly, metopic ridge without trigonocephaly, or no ridge. Measurements of cranial volume, circumference, and symmetry were calculated by the STARscanner, which quantifies three-dimensional shape of the cranial surface. Measures were analyzed using a series of analyses of variance and post-hoc Tukey honest significant difference.

The authors results showed ACV was significantly reduced in patients with mild-to-moderate trigonocephaly compared with those without metopic ridge (P = 0.009), and trended toward significance compared with those with a ridge but without trigonocephaly (P = 0.072). The ratio of anterior-to-posterior cranial volume was significantly reduced in those with mild-to-moderate trigonocephaly compared with those without metopic ridge (P = 0.036).

In conclusion, patients with milder anterior cranial deformities demonstrated an association between a metopic ridge with mild-to-moderate trigonocephaly and reduced anterior cranial volume.
Innovation: an emerging focus from cells to societies
Authors: Hochberg Michael E. , Marquet Pablo A. , Boyd Robert , Wagner Andreas
Published: October 2017

Innovations are generally unexpected, often spectacular changes in phenotypes and ecological functions. The contributions to this theme issue are the latest conceptual, theoretical and experimental developments, addressing how ecology, environment, ontogeny and evolution are central to understanding the complexity of the processes underlying innovations. Here, we set the stage by introducing and defining key terms relating to innovation and discuss their relevance to biological, cultural and technological change. Discovering how the generation and transmission of novel biological information, environmental interactions and selective evolutionary processes contribute to innovation as an ecosystem will shed light on how the dominant features across life come to be, generalize to social, cultural and technological evolution, and have applications in the health sciences and sustainability.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Process and pattern in innovations from cells to societies’.
Phylogenetic tests for evolutionary innovation: the problematic link between key innovations and exceptional diversification
Authors: Rabosky Daniel L.
Published: October 2017

Evolutionary innovation contributes to the spectacular diversity of species and phenotypes across the tree of life. ‘Key innovations’ are widely operationalized within evolutionary biology as traits that facilitate increased diversification rates, such that lineages bearing the traits ultimately contain more species than closely related lineages lacking the focal trait. In this article, I briefly review the inference, analysis and interpretation of evolutionary innovation on phylogenetic trees. I argue that differential rates of lineage diversification should not be used as the basis for key innovation tests, despite the statistical tractability of such approaches. Under traditional interpretations of the macroevolutionary ‘adaptive zone’, we should not necessarily expect key innovations to confer faster diversification rates upon lineages that possess them relative to their extant sister clades. I suggest that a key innovation is a trait that allows a lineage to interact with the environment in a fundamentally different way and which, as a result, increases the total diversification—but not necessarily the diversification rate—of the parent clade. Considered alone, branching patterns in phylogenetic trees are poorly suited to the inference of evolutionary innovation due to their inherently low information content with respect to the processes that produce them. However, phylogenies may be important for identifying transformational shifts in ecological and morphological space that are characteristic of innovation at the macroevolutionary scale.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Process and pattern in innovations from cells to societies’.
Geographic mosaics and changing rates of cereal domestication
Authors: Allaby Robin G. , Stevens Chris , Lucas Leilani , Maeda Osamu , Fuller Dorian Q.
Published: October 2017

Domestication is the process by which plants or animals evolved to fit a human-managed environment, and it is marked by innovations in plant morphology and anatomy that are in turn correlated with new human behaviours and technologies for harvesting, storage and field preparation. Archaeobotanical evidence has revealed that domestication was a protracted process taking thousands of plant generations. Within this protracted process there were changes in the selection pressures for domestication traits as well as variation across a geographic mosaic of wild and cultivated populations. Quantitative data allow us to estimate the changing selection coefficients for the evolution of non-shattering (domestic-type seed dispersal) in Asian rice (Oryza sativaL.), barley (Hordeum vulgareL.), emmer wheat (Triticum dicoccon(Shrank) Schübl.) and einkorn wheat (Triticum monococcumL.). These data indicate that selection coefficients tended to be low, but also that there were inflection points at which selection increased considerably. For rice, selection coefficients of the order of 0.001 prior to 5500 BC shifted to greater than 0.003 between 5000 and 4500 BC, before falling again as the domestication process ended 4000–3500 BC. In barley and the two wheats selection was strongest between 8500 and 7500 BC. The slow start of domestication may indicate that initial selection began in the Pleistocene glacial era.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Process and pattern in innovations from cells to societies’.
From Cohorts to Molecules: Adverse Impacts of Endocrine Disrupting Mixtures
Authors: Birgersson Lina , Borbély Gábor , Caporale Nicolò , Germain Pierre-Luc , Leemans Michelle , Rendel Filip , D’Agostino Giuseppe Alessandro , Bressan Raul Bardini , Cavallo Francesca , Chorev Nadav Even , Kos Vesna Munic , Lazzarin Maddalena , Pollard Steven M. , Sundström Birgitta , Tobon Alejandro Lopez , Trattaro Sebastiano , Zanella Matteo , Bergman Åke , Damdimopoulou Pauliina , Jönsson Maria , Kiess Wieland , Kitraki Efthymia , Kiviranta Hannu , Öberg Mattias , Rantakkoko Panu , Rudén Christina , Söder Olle , Bornehag Carl-Gustaf , Demeneix Barbara , Fini Jean-Baptiste , Gennings Chris , Nånberg Eewa , Rüegg Joëlle , Sturve Joachim , Testa Giuseppe
Published: October 2017

Convergent evidence associates endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) with major, increasingly-prevalent human disorders. Regulation requires elucidation of EDC-triggered molecular events causally linked to adverse health outcomes, but two factors limit their identification. First, experiments frequently use individual chemicals, whereas real life entails simultaneous exposure to multiple EDCs. Second, population-based and experimental studies are seldom integrated. This drawback was exacerbated until recently by lack of physiopathologically meaningful human experimental systems that link epidemiological data with results from model organisms.

We developed a novel approach, integrating epidemiological with experimental evidence. Starting from 1,874 mother-child pairs we identified mixtures of chemicals, measured during early pregnancy, associated with language delay or low-birth weight in offspring. These mixtures were then tested on multiple complementary in vitro and in vivo models. We demonstrate that each EDC mixture, at levels found in pregnant women, disrupts hormone-regulated and disease-relevant gene regulatory networks at both the cellular and organismal scale.
Frailty index as a predictor of all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a Swedish population-based cohort
Authors: Jiang M , Foebel AD , Kuja-Halkola R , Karlsson I , Pedersen NL , Hägg S , Jylhävä J
Published: October 2017

Background

Frailty is a complex manifestation of aging and associated with increased risk of mortality and poor health outcomes. Younger individuals (under 65 years) typically have low levels of frailty and are less-studied in this respect. Also, the relationship between the Rockwood frailty index (FI) and cause-specific mortality in community settings is understudied.

Methods

We created and validated a 42-item Rockwood-based FI in The Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging (n=1477; 623 men, 854 women; aged 29-95 years) and analyzed its association with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in up to 30-years of follow-up. Deaths due to cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, dementia and other causes were considered as competing risks.

Results

Our FI demonstrated construct validity as its associations with age, sex and mortality were similar to the existing literature. The FI was independently associated with increased risk for all-cause mortality in younger (<65 years; HR per increase in one deficit 1.11, 95%CI 1.07-1.17) and older (≥65 years; HR 1.07, 95%CI 1.04-1.10) women and in younger men (HR 1.05, 95%CI 1.01-1.10). In cause-specific mortality analysis, the FI was strongly predictive of CVD mortality in women (HR per increase in one deficit 1.13, 95%CI 1.09-1.17), whereas in men the risk was restricted to deaths from other causes (HR 1.07, 95%CI 1.01-1.13).

Conclusions

The FI showed good predictive value for all-cause mortality especially in the younger group. The FI predicted CVD mortality risk in women, whereas in men it captured vulnerability to death from various causes.
Selective attention gates the interactive crossmodal coupling between perceptual systems
Authors: Convento Silvia , Rahman Md. Shoaibur , Yau Jeffrey M.
Published: October 2017

Cortical sensory systems often activate in parallel, even when stimulation is experienced through a single sensory modality [1–3]. Critically, the functional relationship between co-activated cortical systems is unclear: Co-activations may reflect the interactive coupling between information-linked cortical systems or merely parallel but independent sensory processing. Here, we report causal evidence consistent with the hypothesis that human somatosensory cortex (S1), which co-activates with auditory cortex during the processing of vibrations and textures [4–9], interactively couples to cortical systems that support auditory perception. In a series of behavioural experiments, we used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to probe interactions between the somatosensory and auditory perceptual systems as we manipulated attention state. Acute manipulation of S1 activity using TMS impairs auditory frequency perception when subjects simultaneously attend to auditory and tactile frequency, but not when attention is directed to audition alone. Auditory frequency perception is unaffected by TMS over visual cortex thus confirming the privileged interactions between the somatosensory and auditory systems in temporal frequency processing [10–13]. Our results provide a key demonstration that selective attention can modulate the functional properties of cortical systems thought to support specific sensory modalities. The gating of crossmodal coupling by selective attention may critically support multisensory interactions and feature-specific perception.
Bcl-xL as a poor prognostic biomarker and predictor of response to adjuvant chemotherapy specifically in BRAF-mutant stage II and III colon cancer
Authors: Dunne Philip D. , Coleman Helen G. , Bankhead Peter , Alderdice Matthew , Gray Ronan T. , McQuaid Stephen , Bingham Victoria , Loughrey Maurice B. , James Jacqueline A. , McCorry Amy M. B. , Gilmore Alan , Holohan Caitriona , Klingbiel Dirk , Tejpar Sabine , Johnston Patrick G. , McArt Darragh G. , Di Nicolantonio Federica , Longley Daniel B. , Lawler Mark
Published: October 2017

Background

BRAF mutation occurs in 8-15% of colon cancers (CC), and is associated with poor prognosis in metastatic disease. Compared to wild-type BRAF (BRAFWT) disease, stage II/III CC patients with BRAF mutant (BRAFMT) tumors have shorter overall survival after relapse; however, time-to-relapse is not significantly different. The aim of this investigation was to identify, and validate, novel predictors of relapse of stage II/III BRAFMT CC.

Patients and methods

We used gene expression data from a cohort of 460 patients (GSE39582) to perform a supervised classification analysis based on risk-of-relapse within BRAFMT stage II/III CC, to identify transcriptomic biomarkers associated with prognosis within this genotype. These findings were validated using immunohistochemistry in an independent population-based cohort of Stage II/III CC (n=691), applying Cox proportional hazards analysis to determine associations with survival.

Results

High gene expression levels of Bcl-xL, a key regulator of apoptosis, were associated with increased risk of relapse, specifically in BRAFMT tumors (HR=8.3, 95% CI 1.7-41.7), but not KRASMT/BRAFWT or KRASWT/BRAFWT tumors. High Bcl-xL protein expression in BRAFMT, untreated, stage II/III CC was confirmed to be associated with an increased risk of death in an independent cohort (HR=12.13, 95% CI 2.49-59.13). Additionally, BRAFMT tumors with high levels of Bcl-xL protein expression appeared to benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy (P for interaction =0.006), indicating the potential predictive value of Bcl-xL expression in this setting.

Conclusions

These findings provide evidence that Bcl-xL gene and/or protein expression identifies a poor prognostic subgroup of BRAFMT stage II/III CC patients, who may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.

Key Message

Using a combination of computational biology discovery and immunohistochemistry validation in independent patient cohorts, we show that high expression of the apoptosis regulator Bcl-xL is associated with disease relapse specifically within BRAF mutant stage II/III colon cancer.

This data could enable tailored disease management to reduce relapse rates in the most aggressive subtype.
Learning to perform auditory discriminations from observation is efficient but less robust than learning from experience
Authors: Narula Gagan , Herbst Joshua , Hahnloser Richard H.R.
Published: October 2017

Social learning enables complex societies. However, it is largely unknown how insights obtained from observation compare with insights gained from trial-and-error, in particular in terms of their robustness. We use aversive reinforcement to train “experimenter” zebra finches to discriminate between auditory stimuli in the presence of an “observer” finch. We find that experimenters are slow to successfully discriminate the stimuli but immediately generalize their ability to a new set of similar stimuli. By contrast, observers subjected to the same task instantly discriminate the initial stimulus set, but require more time for successful generalization. Drawing upon machine learning insights, we suggest that observer learning has evolved to rapidly absorb sensory statistics without pressure to minimize neural resources, whereas learning from experience is endowed with a form of regularization that enables robust inference.
How Cognitive and Reactive Fear Circuits Optimize Escape Decisions in Humans
Authors: Qi Song. , Hassabis Demis. , Sun Jiayin , Guo Fangjian. , Daw Nathaniel , Mobbs Dean
Published: October 2017

Flight initiation distance (FID), the distance at which an organism flees from an approaching threat, is an ecological metric of cost-benefit functions of escape decisions. We adapted the FID paradigm to investigate how fast or slow attacking ‘virtual predators’ constrain escape decisions. We show that rapid escape decisions rely on ‘reactive fear’ circuits in the periaqueductal gray and midcingulate cortex (MCC), while protracted escape decisions, defined by larger buffer zones, were associated with ‘cognitive fear’ circuits which include posterior cingulate cortex, hippocampus and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, circuits implicated in strategic avoidance and behavioral flexibility. Using a Bayesian Decision Model, we further show that optimization of escape decisions under rapid flight were localized to the MCC, a region involved in adaptive motor control, while the hippocampus is implicated in optimizing decisions that update and control slower escape initiation. These results demonstrate an unexplored link between defensive survival circuits and their role in adaptive escape decisions.

Significance

Humans, like other animals, have evolved a set of circuits whose primary function is survival. In the case of predation, these circuits include ‘reactive fear’ circuits involved in fast and immediate escape decisions and ‘cognitive fear’ circuits that are involved in the conscious feeling of threat as well as slow strategic escape. Using neuroimaging combined with computational modeling, we support this differentiation of fear circuits by showing that fast escape decisions are elicited by the periaqueductal gray and MCC, regions involved in reactive flight. Conversely, slower escape decisions rely on the hippocampus, posterior cingulate cortex and prefrontal cortex, a circuit implicated in behavioral flexibility. These results support the role of the defensive survival circuitry in escape decisions and a separation of fear into reactive and cognitive circuits.
A most wanted list of conserved protein families with no known domains
Authors: Wyman Stacia K. , Avila-Herrera Aram , Nayfach Stephen , Pollard Katherine S.
Published: October 2017

The number and proportion of genes with no known function are growing rapidly. To quantify this phenomenon and provide criteria for prioritizing genes for functional characterization, we developed a bioinformatics pipeline that identifies robustly defined protein families with no annotated domains, ranks these with respect to phylogenetic breadth, and identifies them in metagenomics data. We applied this approach to 271 965 protein families from the SFams database and discovered many with no functional annotation, including >118 000 families lacking any known protein domain. From these, we prioritized 6 668 conserved protein families with at least three sequences from organisms in at least two distinct classes. These Function Unknown Families (FUnkFams) are present in Tara Oceans Expedition and Human Microbiome Project metagenomes, with distributions associated with sampling environment. Our findings highlight the extent of functional novelty in sequence databases and establish an approach for creating a “most wanted” list of genes to characterize.
Assembly and translocation of a CRISPR-Cas primed acquisition complex
Authors: Brown Maxwell W. , Dillard Kaylee E. , Xiao Yibei , Dolan Adam , Hernandez Erik , Dahlhauser Samuel , Kim Yoori , Myler Logan R. , Anslyn Eric , Ke Ailong , Finkelstein Ilya J.
Published: October 2017

Bacteria and archaea destroy foreign nucleic acids by mounting an RNA-based CRISPR-Cas adaptive immune response1–3. In type I CRISPR-Cas systems, the most frequently found type of CRISPR in bacteria and archaea3,4, foreign DNAs that trigger efficient immunity can also provoke primed acquisition of protospacers into the CRISPR locus5–12. Both interference and primed acquisition require Cascade (CRISPR-associated complex for antiviral defense) and the Cas3 helicase/nuclease. Primed acquisition also requires the Cas1-Cas2 integrase; however, the biophysical mechanisms of how interference and primed acquisition are coordinated have remained elusive. Here, we present single-molecule characterization of the type I-E Thermobifida fusca (Tfu) primed acquisition complex (PAC). TfuCascade rapidly samples non-specific DNA for its target via facilitated one-dimensional (1D) diffusion. An evolutionary-conserved positive patch on the Cse1 subunit increases the target recognition efficiency by promoting this 1D diffusion. Cas3 loads at target-bound Cascade and the Cascade/Cas3 complex initiates processive translocation via a looped DNA intermediate. Moving Cascade/Cas3 complexes stall and release the DNA loop at protein roadblocks. Cas1-Cas2 samples DNA transiently via 3D collisions, but stably associates with target-bound Cascade. Cas1-Cas2 also remains associated with translocating Cascade/Cas3, forming the PAC. By directly imaging all key subcomplexes involved in target recognition, interference, and primed acquisition, this work provides a molecular basis for the coordinated steps in CRISPR-based adaptive immunity.
Deciphering composition and connectivity of a natural product with the assistance of MS and 2D NMR
Authors: Vinokur Anastasiya I. , White Paul B. , Fotsing Maurice Tagatsing , Arderne Charmaine , Ndinteh Derek Tantoh , Vestling Martha M. , Guzei Ilia A.
Published: October 2017

A complementary application of three analytical techniques, viz. multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), mass spectrometry (MS), and single-crystal X-ray diffractometry was required to identify and refine two natural products isolated from Millettia versicolor and solvent of crystallization. The two compounds, namely 3-(2H-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-6-methoxy-8,8-dimethyl-4H,8H-pyrano[2,3-h]chromen-4-one, or durmillone, (I), and (2E)-1-(4-{[(2E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-yl]oxy}-2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one, (II), could not be separated by routine column chromatography and cocrystallized in a 2:1 ratio with 0.13 molecules of ethanol solvent. Compound (II) and ethanol could not be initially identified by single-crystal X-ray analysis due to complex disorder in the aliphatic chain region of (II). Mass spectrometry ensured that (II) represented only one species disordered over several positions in the solid state, rather than several species cohabitating on the same crystallographic site. The atomic identification and connectivity in (II) were established by several 2D (two-dimensional) NMR techniques, which in turn relied on a knowledge of its exact mass. The derived connectivity was then used in the single-crystal analysis to model the disorder of the aliphatic chain in (II) over three positions and allowed identification of a partially occupied ethanol solvent molecule that was disordered over an inversion center. The disordered moieties were refined with restraints and constraints.
Synthesis, crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of a polymeric bismuthate(III) halide complex, (C6H6N3)2[BiCl5]·2H2O
Authors: Boukoum Chaima , Aloui Zouhaier , Ferretti Valeria , Abid Sonia
Published: October 2017

The synthesis and the crystal structure of a new halide-bridged polymer, namelycatena-poly[bis(1,2,3-benzotriazolium) [[tetrachloridobismuth(III)]-μ-chlorido] dihydrate], {(C6H6N3)2[BiCl5]·2H2O}nare reported. The structure comprises polyanionic zigzag chains of formula [(BiCl5)2−]nrunning along thec-axis direction. The 1,2,3-benzotriazolium cations are linked between these polymer chains,viathe water molecules, giving rise to left- and right-handed helical chains. Hirshfeld surface analysis and fingerprint plots were used to decode the intermolecular interactions in the crystal network and determine the contribution of the component units for the construction of the three-dimensional architecture.
Patanjali’s marketing mix: the monk’s new Ferrari
Authors: Agarwal Varun , Agrawalla Sweta
Published: October 2017

Subject area

Marketing Management, Product & Brand Management, Entrepreneurship.

Study level/applicability

This case can be taught effectively to MBA/BBA students as part of Marketing Management, Product & Brand Management, Entrepreneurship.

Case overview

The case talks about the marketing mix strategy of India’s fastest growing fast moving consumer goods (FMCGs) brand Patanjali, with a tremendous revenue growth rate of 100 per cent for the past five years, leaving major FMCG companies insomniac. Patanjali Ayurved Limited riding on Baba Ramdev’s brand equity positioned itself as an authentic Ayurved brand with ancient Indian roots. Patanjali’s product line ranges from healthcare, personal care, home care, to food and more. Patanjali’s products were priced 10-40 per cent lower than that of its competitors. Run by franchisees, Patanjali had a three-tier distribution system. These included Patanjali Chikitsalayas which were franchise dispensaries and clinics along with doctors, Patanjali Arogya Kendra which were health and wellness centres and Swadeshi Kendra, non-medicine outlets. The company has 15,000 exclusive outlets across India and plans to grow to 1,00,000 exclusive outlets by 2020. Patanjali amazed the world by achieving phenomenal success without spending much on advertising in its nascent stage. Recently Patanjali adopted the multinational corporation (MNC) style of advertising by hiring two top advertising agencies McCann and DDB Mudra to prepare the company for the next phase of growth. Patanjali diversified into various segments of the market, ranging from FMCG products, Ayurvedic medicines, Ayurvedic hospitals and a medical college. Patanjali plans to enter various categories of products including the beauty products segment to compete with major MNCs, the baby care segment to compete with Johnson & Johnson, and the sports segment to compete with Nike and Adidas. Patanjali as a brand has a strong positioning in the minds of consumers as a natural and Ayurvedic brand. Will Patanjali’s foray into so many diversified segments lead to a brand extension trap and confused positioning? Because Patanjali as a brand, solely rides on Baba Ramdev’s image, if Baba Ramdev ever finds himself at the centre of a controversy, will Patanjali’s brand equity take a hit? Will it affect the brand Patanjali? Even if Baba Ramdev does not get into any controversy, what will happen to the brand Patanjali when Baba Ramdev is no more? Who should be the next face of Patanjali? Can the brand survive without a face?

Expected learning outcomes

The case is designed to enable students to understand the following key learning points: The concept of marketing mix. Product mix, Promotion mix branding (especially “Person as a Brand”), customer-based brand equity (CBBE) model or brand resonance pyramid.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing.
Factors influencing the adoption of digital reference services among the university librarians in Pakistan
Authors: Khan Asad , Masrek Mohamad Noorman , Mahmood Khalid , Qutab Saima
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This study aims to explore the factors affecting the adoption of digital reference services (DRS) among the university librarians in Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the adapted unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model, the proposed study tested 12 hypothetical relationships through structural equation modelling (SEM) techniques. The study approach was quantitative based on a questionnaire distributed online to a sample of Pakistani university librarians and completed by 289 respondents. The questionnaire used in this study was developed from other validated instruments used in past empirical studies. Descriptive and inferential data analyses were performed through SPSS and AMOS for SEM.

Findings

The results revealed usefulness, ease of use and information and communication technology (ICT) skills as the significant predictors of the adoption of DRS. However, moderating influence of the demographic factors (age, gender and type of library) on the relationship of predictors with outcome variable was found insignificant. The findings of this study imply that individuals’ readiness for the adoption of DRS is present in the university libraries of Pakistan.

Originality/value

In the context of Pakistan, this study was the first attempt that investigated factors of the adoption of DRS at individual level. In addition, two new factors – namely, ICT skills and library type – were incorporated into the UTAUT model and were then evaluated in the Pakistani context. However, these two factors were found insignificant in influencing librarians towards the adoption of DRS. The intended study is equally useful for librarians in other countries in terms of understanding the factors that impact the effective adoption of DRS.
Factors affecting LIS Israeli students’ mobile phone use: an exploratory study
Authors: Aharony Noa
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Although the mobile phone is a popular gadget, only a few studies have examined the relationships between personality characteristics and mobile phone use. This study aims to integrate and extend the literature by focusing on various personality characteristics and motivations to fully understand the influence of these variables on mobile phone use.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted in Israel during the first semester of the 2015 academic year and encompassed 181 library and information science students. Participants were asked to complete the following questionnaires: personal details, mobile usage, motivation, self-disclosure and personality characteristics (openness to experience and extroversion and loneliness).

Findings

The most common use of students’ mobile phones is for mobile voice communication. Further, results show that the major factors that influence individual mobile phone use are motivation and the time spent using the phone. In addition, results indicate that personality characteristics have a large impact on mobile phone use as well, and that the dominant ones are openness to experience and self-disclosure.

Originality/value

The current study expands the scope of research about mobile phone use by examining the different functions provided by mobile phones within the context of personality characteristics as well as motivation. Further, mobile phones now not only serve as a means of communication but also have become a central means in students’ lives to access their social network system of choice, search for information and enjoy online leisure activities.
Information security behaviors of smartphone users in China: an empirical analysis
Authors: Zhang Xiao Juan , Li Zhenzhen , Deng Hepu
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Understanding user behavior is increasingly critical for information security in the use of smartphones. There is, however, lack of empirical studies about the behavior of smartphone users for information security in China. The purpose of this paper is to present an empirical analysis of the behavior of smartphone users in China in relation to information security.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the related literature is conducted, leading to the development of a questionnaire for investigating the behavior of smartphone users. An online survey of the smartphone users in China is conducted. The collected data are analyzed with the use of descriptive analysis and Pearson’s chi-square test to better understand the behavior of smartphone users on information security.

Findings

The paper shows that there are serious concerns about information security in the use of smartphones in China including the ignorance of security information in downloading and using applications, inadequate phone settings, inappropriate enabling of add-on utilities and lack of proper disaster recovery plans. The study also reveals that there is a significant difference between different groups of users on information security in smartphone use.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is based on a purposeful sample of smartphone users in China. It is exploratory in nature.

Practical implications

The paper can lead to a better understanding of the behavior of smartphone users and information security in China and provide relevant government departments and institutions with useful information for developing appropriate strategies and policies and designing specific training programs to improve information security in the smartphone use.

Originality/value

This paper is the first of this kind to collect quantitative data from users in China for better understanding the behavior of smartphone users on information security. It provides insight towards the adoption of various measures for information security from the perspective of smartphone users in China.
Ecosystem services in adaptation projects in West Africa
Authors: Muthee Kennedy Wahome , Mbow Cheikh , Macharia Geoffrey Mugo , Leal-Filho Walter
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the extent to which adaptation projects have incorporated ecosystem services, as well as their redesigning options. The projects selected are listed under National Adaptation Programme of Action in West African region.

Design/methodology/approach

A desktop survey approach was used to review 168 projects from 13 countries across West Africa. The projects were categorized and analyzed according to their adaptation goal, thematic focus, their implementation duration and level of investment.

Findings

The adaptation initiatives are dominated by actions in the agricultural sector accounting for 32 per cent of the total. Further, they were characterized by small grants consideration with 63 per cent falling under US$1m budget, short-term implementation duration with 46 per cent having three years’ execution period. A large portion of projects (55 per cent) mentioned directly one or more ecosystem services, with provisioning services being referred to in 50 per cent of the cases.

Originality/value

Adaptation projects with ecosystem services components are more sustainable and beneficial to the community. Hence, more consideration of nature benefits during project design, more financial consideration and localizing of the projects to realize the global adaptation goal should be considered.
Design optimization of sustainable affordable housing model in hot-arid climate-case of Jordan
Authors: Ali Hikmat H. , Alzu’bi Shorouq N.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to study and evaluate the situation of different affordable housing projects with an eye toward developing a new affordable and sustainable housing model in the hot-arid climate of Jordan. There is a clear interest in providing affordable housing, yet sustainable and environmental issues are highly marginalized. To bridge this gap, and to meet Jordanian housing needs while tackling environmental problems, this research has analyzed the environmental issues of selected housing projects in Jordan, aiming to determine the existing problems. In addition, it proposes a solution through a sustainable and affordable housing model that was analyzed and compared to the previously studied housing projects.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional design strategy was adopted and a mixed design method was used. Information related to the physical and operation characteristics of buildings was collected through the review of “as built” drawings and other relevant documents. Further information was obtained from field surveys and personal interviews with architects and decision-makers in the housing sector. Energy consumption patterns of these housing projects were analyzed using the DesignBuilder simulation program. Water efficiency was assessed using the BRE Code Water Calculator. Based on the previous analysis, a new housing model was developed that was evaluated in terms of energy and water consumption.

Findings

The analysis shows a significant difference among different housing projects in terms of energy cooling and heating loads in different climatic regions in Jordan. Energy analysis proved that the proposed model is energy efficient in different locations and it can save up to 50.4 per cent of annual energy usage in comparison with existing projects. In addition, it can save around 43 per cent of water consumption by using a number of modifications for saving water.

Originality/value

Most of the housing initiatives focus on providing affordable housing, yet sustainable and environmental issues are highly marginalized. This research will bridge the gap by reducing the operation cost of affordable housing through adapting and implementing sustainable measures of design and construction.
Economic role of politics and corporate governance: reforms captured in Malaysia’s setting
Authors: Jamil Nurul Nazlia
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This study aims to examine the economic role of politics on corporate governance reforms in one of emerging market, namely, Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based upon a literature review analysis.

Findings

The Malaysian economic, political and social settings have resulted in undue state and detrimental political influence on business, and yet the corporate governance reforms undertaken seemed not be able to resolve the matter. It is suggesting that it would be beneficial for Malaysia to have more independent regulatory bodies representing a wide variety of stakeholders to improve the transparency and accountability to ensure that the reforms are effectively enforced without conflicting with the political agenda. Legal institutional reforms also may be needed to improve the structure, capacity and performance of judicial system, as it is capable to capture reliance of economic role of politics and promoting accountability in Malaysia.

Research limitations/implications

The economic role of politics on corporate governance reforms is merely to broaden the political strategy in the corporate sector as the change in politics can improve the effectiveness of corporate governance reforms. Moreover, the economic role of politics raises the tone of the corporate governance reforms, and it implies that policymakers need to have effective corporate governance strategy in dealing with the reforms initiatives in areas that have strong political interventions.

Originality/value

Regulatory and judicial implications are offered as a means to improve corporate governance in Malaysia.