bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting antigen-specificity of single T-cells based on TCR CDR3 regions
Authors: Fischer David S. , Wu Yihan , Schubert Benjamin , Theis Fabian J.
Published: August 2019

It has recently become possible to assay T-cell specificity with respect to large sets of antigens as well as T-cell receptor sequence in high-throughput single-cell experiments. We propose multiple sequence-data specific deep learning approaches to impute TCR to epitope specificity to reduce the complexity of new experiments. We found that models that treat antigens as categorical variables outperform those which model the TCR and epitope sequence jointly. Moreover, we show that variability in single-cell immune repertoire screens can be mitigated by modeling cell-specific covariates.
Dynamic synergetic configurations of resting-state networks in ADHD
Authors: Kaboodvand Neda , Iravani Behzad , Fransson Peter
Published: August 2019

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by high distractibility and impaired executive functions. Notably, there is mounting evidence suggesting that ADHD could be regarded as a default mode network (DMN) disorder. In particular, failure in regulating the dynamics of activity and interactions of the DMN and cognitive control networks have been hypothesized as the main source of task interference causing attentional problems. On the other hand, previous studies indicated pronounced fluctuations in the strength of functional connections over time, particularly for the inter-network connections between the DMN and fronto-parietal control networks. Hence, characterization of connectivity disturbances in ADHD disorder requires a thorough assessment of time-varying FCs. In this study, we propose a dynamical systems perspective to assess how the DMN over time recruits different configurations of network segregation and integration. Specifically, we were interested in configurations for which both intra- and inter-network connections are retained, as opposed to commonly used methods which assess network segregation as a single measure. From resting-state fMRI data, we extracted three different stable configurations of FC patterns for the DMN, namely synergies. We provide evidence supporting our hypothesis that the ADHD brain differs in both recruitment rate and the topology of specific synergies between resting-state networks.
What difference do retractions make? An estimate of the epistemic impact of retractions on recent meta-analyses
Authors: Fanelli Daniele , Moher David
Published: August 2019

Every year, several hundred publications are retracted due to fabrication and falsification of data or plagiarism and other breeches of research integrity and ethics. Despite considerable research on this phenomenon, the extent to which a retraction requires revising previous scientific estimates and beliefs – which we define as the epistemic impact - is unknown. We collected a representative sample of recently retracted studies that had been included in recent meta-analyses, and compared the summary effect size of these meta analyses with and without the refracted studies. On average, the retractions had occurred about six years prior to the publication of the corresponding meta-analyses.

Our results suggest that retractions have varying impacts depending on their causes. In particular, removing from an analysis a study retracted because of issues with data, methods or results, led to a statistically significant reduction of the estimated effect size. Assuming that the results of these retracted studies are completely false, then the meta-analyses that had included them had overestimated the summary effect sizes by, averaging across effect size metrics, 30% (median, 13%). However, retractions due to plagiarism or other issues not related to data, methods or results had no impact on the conclusions of meta-analyses.

Since retractions due to plagiarism or other non-data related issues typically constitute over 75% of total retractions, our results suggest that the epistemic impact of most retractions is likely to be null. However, our results also suggest that retractions due to issues with data, methods or results should be accompanied by a revision of relevant meta-analyses, and by extension a downwards revision of prior scientific beliefs.
Analysis of the lineage ofPhytophthora infestansisolates using mating type assay, traditional markers, and next generation sequencing technologies
Authors: Arafa Ramadan A. , Kamel Said M. , Rakha Mohamed T. , Soliman Nour Elden K. , Moussa Olfat M. , Shirasawa Kenta
Published: August 2019

Phytophthora infestans(Mont.) de Bary, a hemibiotrophic oomycete, has caused severe epidemics of late blight in tomato and potato crops around the world since the Irish Potato Famine in the 1840s. Breeding of late blight resistant cultivars is one of the most effective strategies to overcome this disruptive disease. However,P. infestansis able to break down host resistance and acquire resistance to various fungicides, possibly because of the existence of high genetic variability amongP. infestansisolates via sexual and asexual reproduction. Therefore, to manage this disease, it is important to understand the genetic divergence ofP. infestansisolates. In this study, we analyzed the genomes ofP. infestansisolates collected from Egypt and Japan using various molecular approaches including the mating type assay and genotyping simple sequence repeats, mitochondria DNA, and effector genes. We also analyzed genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms using double-digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing and whole genome resequencing (WGRS). The isolates were classified adequately using high-resolution genome-wide approaches. Moreover, these analyses revealed new clusters ofP. infestansisolates in the Egyptian population. Monitoring the genetic divergence ofP. infestansisolates as well as breeding of resistant cultivars would facilitate the elimination of the late blight disease.
Marketplace Shrimp Mislabeling in North Carolina
Authors: Korzik Morgan L. , Austin Hannah M. , Cooper Brittany , Jasperse Caroline , Tan Grace , Richards Emilie , Spencer Erin T. , Steinwand Blaire , Fodrie F. Joel , Bruno John F.
Published: August 2019

Seafood mislabeling occurs in a wide range of seafood products worldwide, resulting in public distrust, economic fraud, and health risks for consumers. We quantified the extent of shrimp mislabeling in coastal and inland North Carolina. We used standard DNA barcoding procedures to determine the species identity of 106 shrimp sold by 60 vendors across North Carolina as “local” shrimp. Thirty-four percent of the purchased shrimp was mislabeled, and surprisingly the percentage did not differ significantly between coastal and inland counties. Roughly one third of product incorrectly marketed as “local” was in fact whiteleg shrimp: an imported, and very likely farmed, species from the eastern Pacific (and not found in North Carolina waters). In addition to the negative ecosystem consequences of shrimp farming (e.g., the loss of mangroves forests and the coastal buffering they provide) and seafood importation, North Carolina fishers—as with local fishers elsewhere—are negatively impacted when vendors label farmed, frozen, and imported shrimp as local, fresh, and wild-caught.
Over the rainbow: a practical guide for fluorescent protein selection in plant FRET experiments
Authors: Denay Grégoire , Schultz Patrick , Hänsch Sebastian , Weidtkamp-Peters Stefanie , Simon Rüdiger
Published: August 2019

Receptor-like kinases (RLK) and receptor-like proteins (RLP) often interact in a combinatorial manner depending on tissue identity, membrane domains, or endo- and exogenous cues, and the same RLKs or RLPs can generate different signaling outputs depending on the composition of the receptor complexes they are involved in. Investigation of their interaction partners in a spatial and dynamic way is therefore of prime interest to understand their functions. This is however limited by the technical complexity of assessing it in endogenous conditions. A solution to close this gap is to determine protein interaction directly in the relevant tissues at endogenous expression levels using Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). The ideal fluorophore pair for FRET must, however, fulfil specific requirements: (i) the emission and excitation spectra of the donor and acceptor, respectively, must overlap; (ii) they should not interfere with proper folding, activity, or localization of the fusion proteins; (iii) they should be sufficiently photostable in plant cells. Furthermore, the donor must yield sufficient photon counts at near-endogenous protein expression levels. Although many fluorescent proteins were reported to be suitable for FRET experiments, only a handful were already described for applications in plants. Herein, we compare a range of fluorophores, assess their usability to study RLK interactions by FRET-based fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) and explore their differences in FRET efficiency. Our analysis will help to select the optimal fluorophore pair for diverse FRET applications.

One-sentence summary

We compared the performances of several different fluorescent protein pairs to study membrane protein interaction in plants with FRET.
Combined efficacy of a novel antimicrobial cationic peptide polymer with conventional antibiotics to combat multi-drug resistant pathogens
Authors: Thappeta Kishore Reddy , Vikhe Yogesh Shankar , Yong Adeline Mei Hui , Park Mary B. Chan , Kline Kimberly A.
Published: August 2019

Antibiotic-resistant infections are predicted to kill 10 million people worldwide per year by 2050 and to cost the global economy 100 trillion USD. Novel approaches and alternatives to conventional antibiotics are urgently required to combat antimicrobial resistance. We have synthesized a chitosan-based oligolysine antimicrobial peptide, CSM5-K5, which targets multidrug resistant (MDR) bacterial species. Here we show that CSM5-K5 exhibits rapid bactericidal activity against methicillin resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA), MDREscherichia coli, and vancomycin resistantEnterococcus faecalis(VRE). Combinatorial therapy of CSM5-K5 with antibiotics to which each organism is otherwise resistant restores sensitivity to the conventional antibiotic. CSM5-K5 alone significantly reduced pre-formed bacterial biofilm by two-four orders of magnitude and, in combination with traditional antibiotics, reduced pre-formed biofilm by more than two-three orders of magnitude at sub inhibitory concentrations. Moreover, using a mouse excisional wound infection model, CSM5-K5 treatment reduced bacterial burdens by one to three orders of magnitude, and acted synergistically with vancomycin and tetracycline to clear VRE and MDRE. coli,respectively. Importantly, little to no resistance against CSM5-K5 arose for any of the three MDR bacteria during 15 days of serial passage. This work demonstrates the feasibility and benefits of using this synthetic cationic peptide as alternative to, or in combination with, traditional antibiotics to treat infections caused by MDR bacteria.
Improved detection of differentially represented DNA barcodes for high-throughput lineage phenomics
Authors: Akimov Yevhen , Bulanova Daria , Timonen Sanna , Wennerberg Krister , Aittokallio Tero
Published: August 2019

Cellular DNA barcoding has become a popular approach to study heterogeneity of cell populations and to identify lineages with differential response to cellular stimuli. However, there is a lack of reliable methods for statistical inference of differentially responding lineages. Here, we used mixtures of DNA-barcoded cell pools to generate a realistic benchmark read count dataset for modelling a range of outcomes of lineage-tracing experiments. By accounting for the statistical properties intrinsic to the DNA barcode read count data, we implemented an improved algorithm that provides a significantly higher accuracy at detecting differentially responding lineages, compared to current RNA-seq data analysis algorithms. Building on the reliable statistical methodology, we illustrate how multidimensional phenotypic profiling (or high-throughput ‘lineage phenomics’) enables one to deconvolute phenotypically distinct cell subpopulations within a cancer cell line. The mixture control dataset and our analysis results provide a systematic foundation for benchmarking and improving algorithms for lineage-tracing experiments.
Spatial Intra- and Intercellular Alignment of Respiratory Cilia and its Relation to Function
Authors: Schneiter Martin , Halm Sebastian , Odriozola Adolfo , Mogel Helga , Rička Jaroslav , Stoffel Michael H. , Zuber Benoît , Frenz Martin , Tschanz Stefan A.
Published: August 2019

Ciliary alignment is considered necessary to establish respiratory tract mucociliary clearance, and disorientation is often associated with primary ciliary dyskinesia. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a detailed analysis of ciliary orientation (CO). We used volume electron microscopy to examine CO relative to the tracheal long axis (TLA) by measuring the inter- and intracellular basal body orientation (BBO) and axonemal orientation (AO), which are considered to coincide, both equivalently indicating the effective stroke direction. Our results, however, reveal that only the mean BBO is aligned with the TLA, whereas the AO determines the effective stroke direction as well as the mucociliary transport direction. Furthermore, we show that even if the mean CO is conserved across cell boundaries, a considerable gradient in CO exists within individual cells, which we suspect to be crucial for the emergence of coordinated ciliary activity. Our findings provide new quantitative insight into CO and correlate this new structural information with mucociliary function.
Post-Transcriptional Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 (BMP2) Gene Regulation in Aorta
Authors: Shah Tapan A. , Tang Ying , Yurkow Edward J. , Rogers Melissa B.
Published: August 2019

Deletion of an “ultra-conserved sequence” (UCS) within theBone Morphogenetic Protein (Bmp)2mRNA previously revealed that the sequence repressesBmp2reporter gene expression in vascular cells. The objective was to determine the impact of the endogenous UCS onBmp2mRNA levels, BMP signaling, and calcification in the healthy control aorta and in the calcified aorta of mice with renal disease. We compared the phenotypes of mice bearing a wild typeBmp2allele or the UCS deletion allele in mice with normal kidney function or inKlothomutant mice with reduced kidney function. BMP signaling and calcium levels were normally higher in control females relative to males. UCS deletion induced aorticBmp2mRNA and BMP signaling in control males, but not in females. UCS deletion significantly increased BMP signaling in both male and femaleKlothohomozygotes. Inheritance of theBmp2UCS deletion andKlothoalleles was skewed from Mendelian expectations suggesting that these alleles influence interacting pathways. Analyses of body and heart weight supported these interactions. TheBmp2UCS represses BMP signaling in control males and in mice of both sexes with abnormal mineralization associated with kidney disease. Disease and sex-specific differences inBmp2gene control may influence the onset and progression of cardiovascular diseases.
MYC promotes tryptophan uptake and metabolism by the kynurenine pathway in colon cancer
Authors: Venkateswaran Niranjan , Lafita-Navarro M. Carmen , Hao Yi-Heng , Kilgore Jessica A. , Perez-Castro Lizbeth , Braverman Jonathan , Borenstein-Auerbach Nofit , Kim Min , Lesner Nicholas P. , Mishra Prashant , Brabletz Thomas , Shay Jerry W. , DeBerardinis Ralph J. , Williams Noelle S. , Yilmaz Omer H. , Conacci-Sorrell Maralice
Published: August 2019

Tumors display increased uptake and processing of nutrients to fulfill the demands of rapidly proliferating cancer cells. Seminal studies have shown that the proto-oncogene MYC promotes metabolic reprogramming by altering glutamine uptake and metabolism in cancer cells. How MYC regulates the metabolism of other amino acids in cancer is not fully understood. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), we found that MYC increased intracellular levels of tryptophan and tryptophan metabolites in the kynurenine pathway. MYC induced the expression of the tryptophan transporters SLC7A5 and SLC1A5 and the enzyme arylformamidase (AFMID), involved in the conversion of tryptophan into kynurenine. SLC7A5, SLC1A5, and AFMID were elevated in colon cancer cells and tissues, and kynurenine was significantly greater in tumor samples than in the respective adjacent normal tissue from patients with colon cancer. Compared with normal human colonic epithelial cells, colon cancer cells were more sensitive to the depletion of tryptophan. Blocking enzymes in the kynurenine pathway caused preferential death of established colon cancer cells and transformed colonic organoids. We found that only kynurenine and no other tryptophan metabolite promotes the nuclear translocation of the transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Blocking the interaction between AHR and kynurenine with CH223191 reduced the proliferation of colon cancer cells. Therefore, we propose that limiting cellular kynurenine or its downstream targets could present a new strategy to reduce the proliferation of MYC-dependent cancer cells.
Crystallographic orientation of primary and eutectic phases in a hypoeutectic Mn–Sb alloy induced by solidification in high magnetic fields
Authors: Dong Shulin , Liu Tie , Dong Meng , Wang Shuang , Wang Wen , Wang Kuaishe , Wang Qiang
Published: August 2019

This paper investigates how applying high magnetic fields influences the crystallographic orientations of the primary and eutectic phases, and their relationship, in a binary eutectic alloy. At 0 T, the primary MnSb phase in hypoeutectic Mn–Sb showed a random orientation, but at 3, 6, 9 and 11.5 T, its c axis was perpendicular to the magnetic field direction. In all cases, the eutectic MnSb phases showed the same orientations as their neighboring primary MnSb phase, on which they nucleated and grew. With high magnetic fields, the c axes of the eutectic and primary MnSb phases were oriented perpendicular to the magnetic field direction. The results show that applying a high magnetic field during solidification is a way of controlling the crystallographic orientation of both the primary and the eutectic phases in eutectic alloys.
Sample delivery using viscous media, a syringe and a syringe pump for serial crystallography
Authors: Park Suk-Youl , Nam Ki Hyun
Published: August 2019

Sample delivery using injectors is widely used in serial crystallography (SX) and has significantly contributed to the determination of crystal structures at room temperature. However, sophisticated injector nozzle fabrication methods and sample delivery operations have made it difficult for ordinary users to access the SX research. Herein, a simple and easily accessible sample delivery method for SX experiments is introduced, that uses a viscous medium, commercially available syringe and syringe pump. The syringe containing the lysozyme crystals embedded in lipidic cubic phase (LCP) or polyacrylamide (PAM) delivery media was connected to a needle having an inner diameter of 168 µm, after which it was installed on a syringe pump. By driving the syringe pump, the syringe plunger was pushed and the crystal sample was delivered to the X-ray beam position in a stable manner. Using this system, the room-temperature crystal structures of lysozyme embedded in LCP and PAM at 1.56 Å and 1.75 Å, respectively, were determined. This straightforward syringe pump-based sample delivery system can be utilized in SX.
Understanding the intention to use commodity futures contracts
Authors: Michels Marius , Möllmann Johannes , Musshoff Oliver
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Adoption rates of commodity futures contracts among farmers are rather low in Europe despite their political support. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) can contribute to the understanding of farmers’ intention to use commodity futures contracts. Here, the authors explicitly distinguish between usage motives for price risk reduction and speculation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on an online survey with 134 German farmers using partial least squares structural equation modeling to estimate the TAM.

Findings

The intention to use commodity futures contracts is mostly driven by farmers’ motivation for speculation rather than price risk reduction. Assuming risk averse farmers, this result could explain low adoption rates. Furthermore, perceived ease of use has a positive effect on the intention to use commodity futures contracts.

Practical implications

Handling of price hedging instruments should be facilitated to increase farmers’ adoption. Effective marketing trainings, which can demonstrate the ability of commodity futures contracts to reduce price risk, could increase farmers’ motivation to use them for their risk management instead of speculation.

Originality/value

This study analyzes path relationships between constructs expected to influence the intention to use commodity futures contracts which are allowed to be estimated by the TAM in one model. Here, the authors explicitly distinguish between usage motives for price risk reduction and speculation. This is the first study applying the TAM to price risk management tools.
Reconceptualization of the usefulness of a system as a multidimensional construct geared towards supporting tasks
Authors: Bravo Edgardo
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a theory and provide empirical support for the re-conceptualization of usefulness as a multidimensional construct based on the technological roles of automation and computerization.

Design/methodology/approach

A non-experimental transverse design is followed. Data were gathered using a questionnaire. The participants were users of enterprise resource planning systems. The analysis technique used was the structural equation model.

Findings

Results show that the proposed conceptualization has empirical grounding as well as sufficient predictive validity.

Research limitations/implications

The empirical evaluation was developed using only one type of information system (IS).

Originality/value

This study expands on the existing literature by proposing and empirically evaluating a multidimensional conceptualization of usefulness to try to clarify how a system is useful and, once a greater granularity of usefulness is established, helping to improve the design and construction of information systems.
Process improvement in a radiology department
Authors: Camgoz-Akdag Hatice , Beldek Tuğçe
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the mammography and ultrasound screening processes to increase the healthcare system quality and patients’ pleasantness while decreasing costs.

Design/methodology/approach

The data storage system is very insufficient so that data are collected from hospital staff and by personal observations. A lean management tool, value stream mapping is used to see the general view of the radiology department with its problems at a glance. Data and the map are used as a guide to conduct a quality house to make a prioritization between the problems, to decide which one to solve first, of patients at the hospital.

Findings

Problems of the radiology department related to mammography and ultrasound and suggestions to these problems according to the quality house conducted.

Originality/value

The paper consequently focuses on the value creation process and on how to revisit managing for quality in the systems perspective.
Numerical simulation for transient flow of Williamson fluid with multiple slip model in the presence of chemically reacting species
Authors: Hamid Aamir , Khan Masood , Alghamdi Metib
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze a mathematical model for the time-dependent flow of non-Newtonian Williamson liquid because of a stretching surface. The mathematical formulation of the current model is accomplished from the momentum, energy and concentration balances by assuming a laminar, two-dimensional and incompressible flow subjected to a variable magnetic field. The study further aimed at discovering the possible effects of temperature-dependent thermal conductivity on the heat transfer characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

In addition, a first-order chemical reaction is considered between the fluid and chemically reacting species. The governing transport model for Williamson fluid has been altered to ordinary differential equations via appropriate dimensionless parameters. These basic non-dimensional partially coupled differential equations of fluid motion are solved by an efficient Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg integration scheme along with the Nachtsheim–Swigert shooting technique.

Findings

It is found that the velocity slip parameter has a reducing impact on the skin friction coefficient. Moreover, we noticed that the Hartmann number and variable thermal conductivity parameters show prominent impacts on the velocity and temperature fields. It is also perceived that the fluid temperature shows an increasing trend with uplifting values of variable thermal conductivity.

Originality/value

No such work is yet published in the literature.
Do vocational high school graduates have better employment outcomes than general high school graduates?
Authors: Torun Huzeyfe , Tumen Semih
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to estimate the causal effect of vocational high school (VHS) education on employment likelihood relative to general high school (GHS) education in Turkey using Census data.

Design/methodology/approach

To address non-random selection into high school types, the authors collect construction dates of the VHSs at the town level and use various measures of VHS availability in the town by the age of 13 as instrumental variables.

Findings

The first-stage estimates suggest that the availability of VHS does not affect the overall high school graduation rates, but generates a substitution from GHS to VHS. The OLS estimates yield the result that individuals with a VHS degree are around 5 percentage points more likely to be employed compared to those with a GHS degree. When the authors use measures of VHS availability as instruments, they still find positive and statistically significant effect of VHS degree on employment likelihood relative to GHS degree. However, once they include town-level controls or town fixed effects, IV estimates get much smaller and become statistically insignificant.

Originality/value

The authorsconclude that, although VHS construction generates a substitution from GHS to VHS education, this substitution is not transformed into increased employment rates in a statistically significant way.
Reducing global supply chains’ waste of overproduction by using lean principles
Authors: Chen Chi-Kuang , Palma Fernando , Reyes Lidia
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to present a lean management approach to reduce waste generated by overproduction within a global supply chain setting. Statistics register a considerable increase in inventories which has increased waste because of the overproduction/oversupply throughout the global supply chain, and there has been insufficient research targeting on it.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops a conceptual approach based on the practices of Toyota Production System (TPS). The analysis is performed on four segments of a business: “R&D”, “Production”, “Logistics” and “Service/retailers”. The proposed approach adopts the pull-based lean management system by two modules, “Intra-lean management” and “Inter-lean management”.

Findings

A case study is conducted to demonstrate how the proposed approach can be used in a real situation. The ideas and benefits of the proposed approach are also discussed.

Practical implications

The proposed solution can be applied in manufacturing and service industries, as well as in industries where production and R&D are interconnected.

Originality/value

The paper provides a conceptual approach that explains how intra- and inter-lean management can be effectively integrated to achieve a smooth flow in the business. This paper innovates in developing a pull-based driven flow relationship among the four segments of a business, as a response to the lack of integration among them and the increase of inventory in the hands of businesses.
Design of a logistics performance management system based on the system dynamics model
Authors: Irfani Dian Prama , Wibisono Dermawan , Basri Mursyid Hasan
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Logistics systems used in companies that perform multiple roles are expected to be able to manage conflicting objectives. Nevertheless, the literature suggests that many existing logistics performance measurement system (PMS) frameworks are not optimized to provide mechanisms to reveal dynamic relationships between conflicting performance indicators. The purpose of this paper is to develop a new logistics PMS by linking the system dynamics model with a set of balanced performance indicators.

Design/methodology/approach

The logistics PMS is developed through a literature review and case study of a company that plays multiple roles. The interrelationships between logistics factors and their links to end results are modeled in diagrams through in-depth interviews with stakeholders. The developed model is then used to build a simulation tool to analyze factors that cause poor performance.

Findings

The new logistics PMS developed by incorporating system dynamics offers decision makers ways to identify dynamic relationships among factors and conflicting indicators, in turn helping them to understand holistic logistics performance, objectively analyze why logistics systems perform in a certain way and foster a common shared view.

Practical implications

Stakeholders of companies that play multiple roles can use the new PMS model to comprehensively evaluate the performance of logistics systems. In addition, the increased visibility of logistics systems may support decision-making while preventing local optimization.

Originality/value

A logistical PMS based on the system dynamics model for managing logistics systems in companies performing multiple roles has not yet been identified. This paper fills this theoretical gap and contributes to the academic literature by proposing a novel PMS model based on the system dynamics model to address the limitations of existing PMS frameworks.
Cross-impact of leverage and firm performance: developed vs frontier bank-based economies
Authors: Mishra Sibanjan , Dasgupta Ranjan
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the cross-impact of leverage and performance for firms operating in the developed and frontier bank-based economies.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses annual panel data for a sample of 400 firms over a period of 27 years from 1990 to 2016. The sample sample firms consist of developed, Germany, France and Japan, and frontier including Argentina and Sri Lanka bank-based economies firms. The authors employ a simultaneous equation modeling consisting of two equations estimated using the two-stage least squares procedure to examine the cross-relationships between leverage and performance after controlling for other firm-level variables like size, growth and liquidity.

Findings

The empirical results are presented in two sets. First, in the case of firms in the developed bank-based sample, the authors find a negative debt-to-performance relationship and a negative performance-to-debt relationship. This inconsistent negative debt–performance relationship implies that firms operating in these economies use debt beyond a threshold limit, which, in turn, increases agency issues between the managers and debt-holders, thereby influencing firm performance adversely. Second, for frontier economies firms, the authors find a positive debt-to-performance relationship in line with the “trade-off theory.” Furthermore, the authors find a negative performance-to-debt relationship for both sub-samples in line with the “pecking-order theory.”

Originality/value

The study is distinct from earlier empirical studies and contributes largely to the existing literature. First, it emphasizes whether financial leverage influences firm performance in bank-based economies as firms operating in such systems are exposed directly to the strict regulatory environment. Second, it investigates whether any reverse relationship emanating from firm performance to capital structure holds for firms of these countries. This issue, to the best of author knowledge, is unanswered in previous research, more specifically for developed and frontier bank-based economies. Moreover, the results are relevant, as firm managers, analysts and policymakers must consider the importance of such cross-debt-performance relationships, while determining the optimal capital structure, in the bank-based economies.
What farmer types are most likely to adopt joint venture farm business structures?
Authors: Kragt Marit E. , Lynch Brendan , Llewellyn Rick S. , Umberger Wendy J.
Published: August 2019

Joint venture (JV) farm structures have the potential to increase the productivity and profitability of traditional family farms. However, such structures are not widely adopted within the farm business community. Furthermore, knowledge on the relative attractiveness of different JV models to farmers is limited. We use a choice experiment to explore what JV structures are preferred by Australian farmers, and how farmers’ socio‐demographic and attitudinal characteristics influence the type of JV structure preferred. A latent class analysis revealed significant unobserved preference heterogeneity amongst the population. We identify four latent classes that differ in their preferences regarding the number of JV partners, access to new machinery, and/or the opportunity for additional annual leave. All classes of farmers displayed positive preferences for operational decision‐making with other JV partners, although they varied in their preferences towards final operational responsibility. The diversity in preferences shows that there is no ‘one size fits all’ JV design, leaving opportunities for a range of JV decision models. Such flexibility in JV design is likely to have advantages when seeking JV partners, with a significant proportion of the sampled population open to collaborative decision‐making models.
Justifying Public Sector Accounting Change from the Inside: Ex‐post Reflections from Three Countries
Authors: Hyndman Noel , Liguori Mariannunziata , Meyer Renate E. , Polzer Tobias , Seiwald Johann , Steccolini Ileana
Published: August 2019

Looking at accounting reforms in central government, the paper investigates how key actors (senior managers responsible for developing and/or implementing change) account for the related change outcomes subsequent to implementation. Using aggregated data from three countries (the UK, Italy, and Austria), and a mixed‐methods approach, the study investigates which rhetorical strategies are used to construct ex‐post legitimation or delegitimation of the changes, and how these strategies are associated with different perceived outcomes of change. Building on previous literature, possible strategies for ex‐post (de‐)legitimation and outcomes of change are identified. The study finds that radical change (leading to new accounting systems bedding down with accompanying new interpretative schemes) is associated with ex‐post legitimation based on rationalization. In contrast, incremental change (introducing new accounting tools, but not resulting in changed interpretative schemes) is often connected with narratives criticizing (or delegitimating) the change. The study contributes to the scant body of literature focusing on ex‐post legitimation of accounting change. How managers justify change in relation to its outcomes provides useful insights for the current situation when, as a consequence of crisis and austerity, new roles and relevancies for accounting and control systems continue to emerge. It is argued that for change to be substantive, it is not only essential that the actual systems and structures of accounting are adjusted, but it is critical that the way people interpret and make sense of accounting information (and consequently take decisions) is also modified. The particular challenges of achieving this in a period of crisis are highlighted.
Editorial: it is not a wide‐open field for incretins ‐ collateral benefits favour the use of metformin in advanced non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Ratziu Vlad , Pais Raluca
Published: August 2019

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Vilar‐Gomez paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15331.
A 24‐year experience of autologous stem cell transplantation for light chain amyloidosis patients in the United Kingdom
Authors: Sharpley Faye A. , Petrie Aviva , Mahmood Shameem , Sachchithanantham Sajitha , Lachmann Helen J. , Gillmore Julian D. , Whelan Carol J. , Fontana Marianna , Martinez-Naharro Ana , Quarta Cristina , Hawkins Philip N. , Wechalekar Ashutosh D.
Published: August 2019

Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is considered to be the best method to achieve deep haematological/organ responses and improve survival in selected patients with AL amyloidosis. This field has been led by US centres and is less utilised in Europe. The introduction of effective chemotherapy agents for AL prompted us to re‐evaluate UK outcomes of ASCT in affected patients. A total of 264 AL amyloidosis patients treated with an ASCT between 1994 and 2018 were identified. Patient baseline characteristics, transplant‐related mortality (TRM) and overall survival (OS) were analysed. The median OS post‐ASCT was 87 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 77–106 months]. The median time from ASCT to next treatment was 48 months (95% CI: 29–55 months). A haematological response was achieved in 94·8% of patients and was a strong predictor of time to next treatment [P < 0·0001, hazard ratio (HR) = 1·75, 95% CI = 1·35–2·28] and OS (P = 0·007, HR = 1·91, 95% CI = 1·19–3·07). Organ response was: cardiac (n = 28, 60·9%), renal (n = 101, 76%) and liver (n = 7, 13·5%). Overall TRM was 8·7%, with a significant reduction over time (1994–2000: 18·8%; 2001–2006: 13·6%; 2007–2012: 6·2%; 2013–2018: 1·1%). In conclusion, ASCT is significantly safer and remains a highly effective treatment with excellent long‐term survival; it should be more widely considered as a treatment option for systemic AL amyloidosis.
Studies of pathology and pharmacology of diabetic encephalopathy with KK‐Ay mouse model
Authors: Shi Si , Yin Hua‐Jing , Li Jiang , Wang Ling , Wang Wei‐Ping , Wang Xiao‐Liang
Published: August 2019

Aims

Pathogenesis of diabetic encephalopathy (DE) is not completely understood until now. The purposes of this study were to illustrate the changes in morphology, function, and important transporters in neurons and glia during DE, as well as to reveal the potential therapeutic effects of medicines and the diet control on DE.

Methods

Spontaneous obese KK‐Ay mice were used to investigate diabetes‐induced cognitive disorder, the morphology, function, and protein expression changes in impact animal and the cell level studies. The new drug candidate PHPB, donepezil, and low‐fat food were used to observe the therapeutic effects.

Results

KK‐Ay mice at 5 months of age showed typical characteristics of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM） and appeared significant cognitive deficits. Morphological study showed microtubule‐associated protein 2 (MAP2) expression was increased in hippocampal neurons and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression decreased in astrocytes. Meanwhile, the vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (vGLUT1) expression was increased and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) decreased, and the expression of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial cell‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) was also reduced in KK‐Ay mice. Microglia were activated, and IL‐1β and TNF‐α were increased obviously in the brains of the KK‐Ay mice. Most of the above changes in the KK‐Ay mice at 5 months of age could be relieved by diet intervention (DR) or by treatment of donepezil or new drug candidate PHPB.

Conclusion

KK‐Ay mouse is a useful animal model for studying DE. The alterations of morphology, structure, and function of astrocyte and microglia in KK‐Ay mice might be rescued by DR and by treatment of medicine. The proteins we reported in this study could be used as biomarkers and the potential drug targets for DE study and treatment.
Staying Together: A Bidirectional Delay–Coupled Approach to Joint Action
Authors: Demos Alexander P. , Layeghi Hamed , Wanderley Marcelo M. , Palmer Caroline
Published: August 2019

To understand how individuals adapt to and anticipate each other in joint tasks, we employ a bidirectional delay–coupled dynamical system that allows for mutual adaptation and anticipation. In delay–coupled systems, anticipation is achieved when one system compares its own time‐delayed behavior, which implicitly includes past information about the other system’s behavior, with the other system’s instantaneous behavior. Applied to joint music performance, the model allows each system to adapt its behavior to the dynamics of the other. Model predictions of asynchrony between two simultaneously produced musical voices were compared with duet pianists’ behavior; each partner performed one voice while auditory feedback perturbations occurred at unpredictable times during live performance. As the model predicted, when auditory feedback from one musical voice was removed, the asynchrony changed: The pianist’s voice that was removed anticipated (preceded) the actions of their partner. When the auditory feedback returned and both musicians could hear each other, they rapidly returned to baseline levels of asynchrony. To understand how the pianists anticipated each other, their performances were fitted by the model to examine change in model parameters (coupling strength, time‐delay). When auditory feedback for one or both voices was removed, the fits showed the expected decrease in coupling strength and time‐delay between the systems. When feedback about the voice(s) returned, the coupling strength and time‐delay returned to baseline. These findings support the idea that when people perform actions together, they do so as a coupled bidirectional anticipatory system.
When and Why People Evaluate Negative Reciprocity as More Fair Than Positive Reciprocity
Authors: Shaw Alex , Barakzai Anam , Keysar Boaz
Published: August 2019

If you are kind to me, I am likely to reciprocate and doing so feels fair. Many theories of social exchange assume that such reciprocity and fairness are well aligned with one another. We argue that this correspondence between reciprocity and fairness is restricted to interpersonal dyads and does not govern more complex multilateral interactions. When multiple people are involved, reciprocity leads to partiality, which may be seen as unfair by outsiders. We report seven studies, conducted with people from the United States, in which participants were asked to evaluate situations involving resource distribution in contexts such as economic games, government, and the workplace. Specifically, we find that equal resource distribution in multilateral interactions is seen as more fair than engaging in reciprocity. We also find that negative reciprocity is seen as more fair than positive reciprocity in these multilateral situations because positive reciprocity is perceived as based in favoritism. We rule out alternative explanations and demonstrate that there are contexts where favoritism is not viewed as unfair. These findings are important for theories of fairness and reciprocity as they demonstrate the central role of perceived partiality in the evaluation of multi‐party resource allocation.
Aligning citizen science with best practice: Threatened species conservation in Australia
Authors: Steven Rochelle , Barnes Megan , Garnett Stephen T. , Garrard Georgia , O'Connor James , Oliver Jessica L. , Robinson Cathy , Tulloch Ayesha , Fuller Richard A.
Published: August 2019

Well‐designed citizen science projects can improve the capacity of the scientific community to detect and understand declines in threatened species, and with the emergence of frameworks to guide good design, there is an opportunity to test whether projects are aligned with best practice. We assessed the current landscape of citizen science projects for threatened species conservation via a content analysis of the online communique of citizen science projects across Australia. Only 2% of projects stated clear research questions, although approximately 86% had implied project objectives aimed at threatened species conservation. Most projects were focused on field‐based monitoring activities with half using structured ecological survey methods. Most reviewed projects (65%) shared data with open access biodiversity databases and the vast majority use at least one social media platform to communicate with potential and existing participants (up to 81%). Approximately 50% present citizen‐sourced data summaries or publications on their websites. Our study shows there is a very strong foundation for public participation in threatened species conservation activities in Australia, yet there is scope to further integrate the principles of citizen science best practice. Improved integration of these principles will likely yield better outcomes for threatened species as well as for the citizen scientists themselves.
Intense and sustained pain reduces cortical responses to auditory stimuli: Implications for the interpretation of the effects of heterotopic noxious conditioning stimulation in humans
Authors: Torta Diana M. , Jure Fabricio A. , Andersen Ole K. , Biurrun Manresa José A.B.
Published: August 2019

Phasic pain stimuli are inhibited when they are applied concomitantly with a conditioning tonic stimulus at another body location (heterotopic noxious conditioning stimulation, HNCS). While the effects of HNCS are thought to rely on a spino‐bulbo‐spinal mechanism in animals (termed diffuse noxious inhibitory controls, DNIC), the underlying neurophysiology in humans may involve other pathways. In this study, we investigated the role of concomitant supraspinal mechanisms during HNCS by presenting auditory stimuli during a conditioning tonic painful stimulus (the cold pressor test, CPT). Considering that auditory stimuli are not conveyed through the spinal cord, any changes in brain responses to auditory stimuli during HNCS can be ascribed entirely to supraspinal mechanisms. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded during HNCS, and auditory stimuli were administered in three blocks, before, during and after HNCS. Nociceptive withdrawal reflexes (NWRs) were recorded at the same time points to investigate spinal processing. Our results showed that AEPs were significantly reduced during HNCS. Moreover, the amplitude of the NWR was significantly diminished during HNCS in most participants. Given that spinal and supraspinal mechanisms operate concomitantly during HNCS, the possibility of isolating their individual contributions in humans is questionable. We conclude that the net effects of HCNS are not independent from attentional/cognitive influences.