bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Noninvasive prenatal screening for patients with high body mass index: Evaluating the impact of a customized whole genome sequencing workflow on sensitivity and residual risk
Authors: Muzzey Dale , Goldberg James D. , Haverty Carrie
Published: November 2019

Objective

Women with high body mass index (BMI) tend to have reduced fetal fraction (FF) during cell‐free DNA‐based noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPS), causing test failure rates up to 24.3% and prompting guidelines that recommend aneuploidy screening other than NIPS for patients with significant obesity. Because alternatives to NIPS are only preferable if they perform better, we compared the respective sensitivities at different BMI levels of traditional aneuploidy screening and a customized whole‐genome sequencing NIPS.

Method

The relationship between FF, aneuploidy, and BMI was quantified from 58 105 patients screened with a customized NIPS that does not fail samples because of low FF alone. Expected analytical sensitivity as a function of aneuploidy and BMI (eg, trisomy 18 sensitivity when BMI = 35) was determined by scaling the BMI‐ and aneuploidy‐specific FF distribution by the FF‐ and aneuploidy‐specific sensitivity calculated from empirically informed simulations.

Results

Across all classes of obesity and assuming zero FF‐related test failures, analytical sensitivity for the investigated NIPS exceeded that of traditional aneuploidy screening for trisomies 13, 18, and 21.

Conclusion

Relative to traditional aneuploidy screening, a customized NIPS with high accuracy at low FF and a low test‐failure rate is a superior screening option for women with high BMI.
Quantitative Proteomics Reveals Remodeling of Protein Repertoire Across Life Phases of Daphnia pulex
Authors: Peshkin Leonid , Boukhali Myriam , Haas Wilhelm , Kirschner Marc W. , Yampolsky Lev Y.
Published: November 2019

Although the microcrustacean Daphnia is becoming an organism of choice for proteomic studies, protein expression across its life cycle have not been fully characterized. Proteomes of adult females, juveniles, asexually produced embryos, and the ephippia‐resting stages containing sexually produced diapausing freezing‐ and desiccation‐resistant embryos are analyzed. Overall, proteins with known molecular functions are more likely to be detected than proteins with no detectable orthology. Similarly, proteins with stronger gene model support in two independent genome assemblies can be detected, than those without such support. This suggests that the proteomics pipeline can be applied to verify hypothesized proteins, even given questionable reference gene models. In particular, upregulation of vitellogenins and downregulation of actins and myosins in embryos of both types, relative to juveniles and adults, and overrepresentation of cell‐cycle related proteins in the developing embryos, relative to diapausing embryos and adults, are observed. Upregulation of small heat‐shock proteins and peroxidases, as well as overrepresentation of stress‐response proteins in the ephippium relative to the asexually produced non‐diapausing embryos, is found. The ephippium also shows upregulation of three trehalose‐synthesis proteins and downregulation of a trehalose hydrolase, consistent with the role of trehalose in protection against freezing and desiccation.
Template‐based modeling of diverse protein interactions in CAPRI rounds 38‐45
Authors: Dapkūnas Justas , Kairys Visvaldas , Olechnovič Kliment , Venclovas Česlovas
Published: November 2019

Structures of proteins complexed with other proteins, peptides, or ligands are essential for investigation of molecular mechanisms. However, the experimental structures of protein complexes of interest are often not available. Therefore, computational methods are widely used to predict these structures, and, of those methods, template‐based modeling is the most successful. In the rounds 38‐45 of the Critical Assessment of PRediction of Interactions (CAPRI), we applied template‐based modeling for 9 of 11 protein‐protein and protein‐peptide interaction targets, resulting in medium and high‐quality models for six targets. For the protein‐oligosaccharide docking targets, we used constraints derived from template structures, and generated models of at least acceptable quality for most of the targets. Apparently, high flexibility of oligosaccharide molecules was the main cause preventing us from obtaining models of higher quality. We also participated in the CAPRI scoring challenge, the goal of which was to identify the highest quality models from a large pool of decoys. In this experiment, we tested VoroMQA, a scoring method based on interatomic contact areas. The results showed VoroMQA to be quite effective in scoring strongly binding and obligatory protein complexes, but less successful in the case of transient interactions. We extensively used manual intervention in both CAPRI modeling and scoring experiments. This oftentimes allowed us to select the correct templates from available alternatives and to limit the search space during the model scoring.
On the structure and function of Escherichia coli YjhC: An oxidoreductase involved in bacterial sialic acid metabolism
Authors: Horne Christopher R. , Kind Laura , Davies James S. , Dobson Renwick C. J.
Published: November 2019

Human pathogenic and commensal bacteria have evolved the ability to scavenge host‐derived sialic acids and subsequently degrade them as a source of nutrition. Expression of the Escherichia coli yjhBC operon is controlled by the repressor protein nanR, which regulates the core machinery responsible for the import and catabolic processing of sialic acid. The role of the yjhBC encoded proteins is not known—here, we demonstrate that the enzyme YjhC is an oxidoreductase/dehydrogenase involved in bacterial sialic acid degradation. First, we demonstrate in vivo using knockout experiments that YjhC is broadly involved in carbohydrate metabolism, including that of N‐acetyl‐d‐glucosamine, N‐acetyl‐d‐galactosamine and N‐acetylneuraminic acid. Differential scanning fluorimetry demonstrates that YjhC binds N‐acetylneuraminic acid and its lactone variant, along with NAD(H), which is consistent with its role as an oxidoreductase. Next, we solved the crystal structure of YjhC in complex with the NAD(H) cofactor to 1.35 Å resolution. The protein fold belongs to the Gfo/Idh/MocA protein family. The dimeric assembly observed in the crystal form is confirmed through solution studies. Ensemble refinement reveals a flexible loop region that may play a key role during catalysis, providing essential contacts to stabilize the substrate—a unique feature to YjhC among closely related structures. Guided by the structure, in silico docking experiments support the binding of sialic acid and several common derivatives in the binding pocket, which has an overall positive charge distribution. Taken together, our results verify the role of YjhC as a bona fide oxidoreductase/dehydrogenase and provide the first evidence to support its involvement in sialic acid metabolism.
Benzodiazepines and dementia
Authors: Lam Y. W. Francis
Published: November 2019

Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed for treating situational anxiety, as well as for various anxiety disorders. Their popularity has raised concerns regarding their safety profile, including risk of dementia in elderly patients. Benzodiazepine use in patients with dementia remains controversial, with most studies suggesting an increased risk, although some suggest a protective effect.
Transmural rupture and cartilage ring fracture in a tracheobronchial tuberculosis patient
Authors: Wu Guihui , Chen Qing , Huang Tao , Liu Yong , He Wei
Published: November 2019

Tuberculosis (TB) tracheobronchial stenosis is considered as the worst complication of tracheobronchial TB (TBTB). Endobronchial balloon dilation (EBD) is a promising treatment for adult tracheal stenosis; however, it may be complicated by transmural rupture and cartilage ring fracture. We present a 29‐year‐old female with a six‐month history of cough and chest pain, and three weeks of dyspnoea. She was diagnosed with TBTB with active caseous lesions and had an effective response to anti‐TB treatment. Nevertheless, she suffered recurrent tracheobronchial stenosis requiring several bronchoscopic treatments, including EBD. Her eight‐month follow‐up bronchoscopy showed transmural rupture and cartilage ring fracture of the anterior trachea. The patient finally recovered after 18 months of conservative management. Transmural rupture and cartilage ring fracture on the anterior trachea wall without pneumomediastinum or subcutaneous emphysema in TBTB patients may be best treated with a conservative approach.
Facile Construction of Microgel based Biomimetic Glutathione Peroxidase with Temperature Responsive Catalytic Activity
Authors: Jiao Shufei , Liang Xingtang , Zhang Ruirui , Zhong Shuming , Zheng Yunying , Wang Shuangshuang , Liu Min , Hu Xiaoxi , Yin Yanzhen
Published: November 2019

Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) is an important antioxidant enzyme. The exploration of a simple and efficient strategy for preparing biomimetic GPx is of great significance, because it can provide theoretical supports for the development of antioxidant drugs that can regulate the concentration of free radicals. In this work, a microgel based biomimetic GPx (PAMTegel) with temperature responsive catalytic activity was simply and efficiently constructed by the combination of one‐pot method and ATRP polymerization. The PAMTegel exhibited a typical enzymatic catalytic behavior with temperature responsiveness. The catalytic activity of PAMTegel could be facilely regulated by adjusting temperature from 25 to 50 °C. The hydrophobicity change of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) molecular chain in the PAMTegel was the key factor to manage the catalytic activity. The strategy for constructing temperature responsive biomimetic GPx and the related investigation for its catalytic mechanism may provide an important theoretical basis for the development of intelligent antioxidants.
A contingency perspective on imitation strategies: When is “benchmarking” ineffective?
Authors: Posen Hart E. , Yi Sangyoon , Lee Jeho
Published: November 2019

Research Summary

Imitation is ubiquitous, yet the comparative efficacy of imitation strategies is poorly understood. A popular imitation strategy, sometimes called benchmarking, “mixes‐and‐matches” practices common to leading firms. Using computational models, we compare benchmarking with the “copy‐the‐best” imitation strategy of copying a subset of the best‐performing firm's practices. We find that benchmarking is more effective in heterogeneous environments, where practices that are good for firms in one group (e.g., geographic submarket) may be bad for firms in another. Firms using mix‐and‐match tend to imitate practices of rivals within their group, less likely copying inappropriate practices from other groups. In homogeneous environments, however, the “copy‐the‐best” strategy is superior because firms are more likely to go beyond their group and copy novel good practices from rivals in other groups.

Managerial Summary

Mix‐and‐match imitation, popularly known as benchmarking, is believed to be an effective means of enhancing firm performance. The popular press is replete with how‐to books for managers. However, our results suggest that this belief may be wrong under some industry conditions, in particular, where practices that are good for firms in one group (e.g., geographic submarket) are also good for firms in another. The efficacy of benchmarking is likely to be undermined by fads, fashions, and bandwagons that overemphasize practices common to leading firms. Our study highlights the possibility that, under these conditions, imitating common practices is prone to propagate bad practices and widespread practices may not always be good practices.
The origins of firm strategy: Learning by economic experimentation and strategic pivots in the early automobile industry
Authors: Pillai Sandeep D. , Goldfarb Brent , Kirsch David A.
Published: November 2019

Research Summary

We explore the effectiveness of economic experimentation as a learning mechanism through a historical exploration of the early automobile industry. We focus on a particular subset of economic experiments, called strategic pivots, that requires irreversible firm commitments. Our quantitative analysis suggests that strategic pivoting was associated with success. We then use historical methods to understand whether this association is reasonably interpreted as a causal link. We identify lessons that could only plausibly have been learned through strategic pivoting and document that those firms that were able to learn from the strategic pivots were most likely to succeed. We discuss the generalizability of our findings to build the hypothesis that strategic pivots and economic experiments originate firm strategy.

Managerial Summary

We explore the effectiveness of experimentation as a learning mechanism through a historical exploration of the early automobile industry. We focus on a particular subset of experiments, called strategic pivots, that requires irreversible firm commitments. Our analysis suggests that strategic pivoting was associated with success. We identify lessons that could only plausibly be learned through strategic pivoting and document that those firms that were able to learn from the strategic pivots were most likely to succeed. Even though firms may use lean techniques, market solutions may only be discovered through strategic pivots whose outcomes are unknowable ex‐ante. Therefore, successful strategies reflect an element of luck.
Allocation of property rights and technological innovation within firms
Authors: Magelssen Catherine
Published: November 2019

Research Summary

This paper examines whether ownership rights to strategic assetswithin firmsaffects innovation. Although existing research maintains that strategic assets can be leveraged freely within the firm, many firms allocate ownership rights to strategic assets to business units or subsidiaries. While scholars have examined strategic asset ownership rights as a tool for tax avoidance, scholars have yet to study its effects on innovation. In the context of multinational firms, I find evidence that subsidiaries with ownership rights produce more technological innovations and are more responsive to shocks to R&D opportunity than those without ownership rights. Additionally, the results provide evidence of the cost of tax avoidance strategies. When subsidiaries in technologically advantaged locations do not hold ownership rights, they produce fewer and less impactful innovations.

Managerial Summary

A key decision made by multinational firms is which subsidiaries should hold ownership rights to the firm's strategic assets. The choice often entails a trade‐off between allocating ownership rights to subsidiaries best positioned to innovate and manage the strategic asset versus to subsidiaries in income shielding locations to reduce the firm's tax bill. This paper examines whether subsidiary strategic asset ownership rights matter for subsidiary innovation. I find evidence that subsidiaries with ownership rights produce greater quantity and quality of innovations and are more responsive to changes in R&D opportunity than subsidiaries without ownership rights. This study highlights an important ramification of tax avoidance strategies: locating strategic asset ownership rights away from subsidiaries in regions of expertise can adversely affect innovation within the firm.
Manipulation of Dipolar Polarization at Steady States for a Quasi‐2D Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Perovskite with a Nanorod Network
Authors: Yang Hanjun , Wang Kai , Deng Liangliang , Yu Haomiao , Li Jinpeng , Hu Bin
Published: November 2019

Layered quasi‐2D organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites (OIHPs) prevent oxygen and moisture permeation, for long‐lifetime photovoltaic performance. Unfortunately, the electrical and photoinduced surface and dipolar polarizations caused due to the presence of the organic cation spacer in the structure remain unclear. Herein, a high‐performance planar quasi‐2D OIHP solar cell comprising (PEA)2(MA)3Pb4I13 (n = 4) is designed. It displays a large area coverage and an interconnected nanorod network, which contributes to efficient light absorption and charge carrier transport. The surface and dipolar polarizations exhibit remarkable light intensity and electric field–dependent characteristics at short‐circuit‐current (Jsc) and steady‐state (i.e., Voc) conditions. More importantly, exhibits a nonlinear behavior at steady states. Such a unique feature is in accordance with the dipolar polarization measured at the same condition. The phenomenon can be explained by the significant dipole–dipole interaction at lower electric field strengths. At higher field strengths, the screen of the dipoles due to charge accumulation at the surface of the organic cation spacer leads to slower increment of . Thus, carefully designing the quasi‐2D perovskite nanostructure, together with the dielectric property of the organic cation spacer, may play an exceptionally important role for future high‐performance quasi‐2D perovskite solar cells.
Electron‐Withdrawing Anchor Group of Sensitizer for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells, Cyanoacrylic Acid, or Benzoic Acid?
Authors: Zhang Li , Yang Xichuan , Li Shuping , Yu Ze , Hagfeldt Anders , Sun Licheng
Published: November 2019

High electron‐injection efficiency is important for further development of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Different electron acceptors have different electron‐injection capabilities, which affect device performance. Herein, the effects of two organic triazatruxene (TAT)‐based donor‐π‐bridge‐acceptor sensitizers applied in DSSCs are reported. The sensitizers have either rigid 4‐ethynyl benzoic acid (EBA) or Z‐type cyanoacrylic acid (CA) as their electron acceptor, denoted as ZL003 and ZL005, respectively. Time‐resolved photoluminescence (TR‐PL) spectroscopy is applied to reveal the electron transfer dynamics between the sensitizers and TiO2 films. Notably, ZL003 has higher electron‐injection efficiency compared with that of ZL005, which is consistent with the higher efficiency and photocurrent of devices based on the former. The dye loading of ZL003 is nearly twice as great as that of ZL005, which accounts for the lower photocurrent of the device. The charge recombination lifetimes for the two dyes are consistent with their open‐circuit voltage. Consequently, the ZL003‐based devices achieve a higher power conversion efficiency of 13.4% compared with only 7.2% for ZL005.
Vorbemessungstabellen für Kranbahnträger aus Walzprofilen
Authors: Possler Raphael , Seeßelberg Christoph
Published: November 2019

Kranbahnträger für leichten und mittleren Betrieb werden häufig aus I‐Walzprofilen hergestellt. Mit den nach DIN EN 10365 (07/2017) erstmalig genormten europäischen Breitflanschprofilen (HD‐ und HL‐Walzprofile) wurde der Einsatzbereich der Walzprofile bei Kranbahnträgern nochmals deutlich erweitert [1]. Für Kranbahnträger wird immer häufiger die Stahlgüte S 355 verwendet statt S 235, dies erlaubt häufig noch wirtschaftlichere Konstruktionen. Um schon in frühen Planungsphasen von Industrieanlagen abschätzen zu können, ob für die vorgesehenen Kranbahnen Walzprofile ausreichend tragfähig sind und ggf. welche Profilreihen und ‐größen zu wählen sind, wurden für ein‐ und zweifeldrige Kranbahnträger mit gleichen Feldweiten Vorbemessungstabellen erstellt. Dabei wurde die aktuelle Eurocode‐Normenlage berücksichtigt. Eingangsparameter für die Tabellen sind Feldlänge, Feldanzahl, charakteristische vertikale Radlasten, Radstand und Profilreihe. So lässt sich sehr gut abschätzen, welche Walzprofile für die zu bemessende Kranbahn gut geeignet sind und welcher Nachweis maßgebend für die Dimensionierung ist.
Tetrabromoethylcyclohexane (TBECH) exhibits immunotoxicity in murine macrophages
Authors: Wang Xia , Wei Lai , Zhu Jianbo , He Bingnan , Kong Baida , Jin Yuanxiang , Fu Zhengwei
Published: November 2019

Tetrabromoethylcyclohexane (TBECH) has been linked to endocrine disruption, hepatotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity. However, its immunotoxicity remains largely unknown. In the present study, RAW 264.7 cells, mouse macrophage cell line, were exposed to TBECH. MTT assays showed that TBECH significantly enhanced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release in RAW 264.7 cells. The mRNA expression of some proapoptotic genes was upregulated by TBECH. Accordingly, TBECH elevated caspase‐3 activity. In addition, TBECH upregualted the mRNA levels of some pro‐inflammatory cytokines, whereas it downregulated LPS‐stimulated mRNA expression of these cytokines. Moreover, TBECH downregulated the mRNA expression of selected antigen presenting‐related genes. Furthermore, TBECH increased reactive oxygen species level, reduced glutathione content and the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, and upregulated the mRNA expression of selected oxidative stress‐related genes. The obtained data demonstrated that TBECH exhibits immunotoxicity in macrophages, and will help to evaluate its health risks.
Unexpected Reaction of Fe3(CO)12 with Dialkyldithiophosphate: The Case of P–S Bond Activation
Authors: Li Qian‐Li , Gong Sheng , Lü Liang , Lü Shuang , Deng Cheng‐Long , Yang Jun , Li Yu‐Long
Published: November 2019

The reaction of Fe3(CO)12 with O,O′‐dialkyldithiophosphate diethylamine salts (RO)2P{S}SH·Et2NH (R = CH3, CH2CH3) resulted in the formation of trinuclear cluster complex {μ‐SP(OR)2Fe[S2P(OR)2)]S‐μ]}Fe2(CO)6 [R = CH3 (1), CH2CH3 (2)]. The two complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT‐IR, NMR (1H, 31P and 13C) spectroscopy, as well as by X‐ray diffraction analyses. Crystal structures reveal that one P–S bond is cleaved during the reaction, yielding the [2Fe2S] unit together with FePS3(CO)2. The other dialkyldithiophosphate coordinated with iron by S, S chelating model. The trinuclear cluster was observed with the P‐Fe and S–Fe bond formed by the P‐S activation. In addition, the electrochemical properties for complex 2 as an illustration was also studied by cyclic voltammetry in MeCN.
Analytic Euclidean bootstrap
Authors: Mukhametzhanov Baur , Zhiboedov Alexander
Published: November 2019

Abstract

We solve crossing equations analytically in the deep Euclidean regime. Large scaling dimension ∆ tails of the weighted spectral density of primary operators of given spin in one channel are matched to the Euclidean OPE data in the other channel. Subleading

$$ \frac{1}{\varDelta } $$

1
Δ

tails are systematically captured by including more operators in the Euclidean OPE in the dual channel. We use dispersion relations for conformal partial waves in the complex ∆ plane, the Lorentzian inversion formula and complex tauberian theorems to derive this result. We check our formulas in a few examples (for CFTs and scattering amplitudes) and find perfect agreement. Moreover, in these examples we observe that the large ∆ expansion works very well already for small ∆ ∼ 1. We make predictions for the 3d Ising model. Our analysis of dispersion relations via complex tauberian theorems is very general and could be useful in many other contexts.
Risikobewertung von Zytologiebefunden im Zervixkarzinom-Screening
Authors: Marquardt Katrin , Ziemke Peter , Neumann Konrad , Kühn Wolfgang
Published: November 2019

Zielstellung

Das CIN2+-/CIN3+(zervikale intraepitheliale Neoplasie)-Risiko plattenepithelialer zytologischer Befunde (Gruppe II‑p, IIID1, III‑p, IIID2 der Münchner Nomenklatur [MN] III) soll bewertet und mit Empfehlungen für das Patienten-Management korreliert werden.

Material und Methoden

Alle 4321 Frauen mit einer Gruppe II‑p, IIID1, III‑p, IIID2, IVa‑p, IVb-p und V‑p von Januar 2014 bis Dezember 2016 wurden in einer Praxis für Pathologie erfasst. Zytologische Vorbefunde, alle zytologischen und histologischen Folgebefunde bis Juli 2019 wurden dokumentiert. Für die Erstbefunde wurde pro Befundgruppe mittels Kaplan-Meier-Schätzung das Risiko für CIN2+/CIN3+ ermittelt. Das Risiko bei persistierenden Befunden und der Einfluss des Alters wurden untersucht.

Ergebnisse

Für die Erstbefunde der Gruppen II‑p, IIID1, III‑p und IIID2 beträgt das Risiko für CIN2+ nach 12, 24 und 60 Monaten 1,0/3,3/11,8; 3,1/9,4/22,7; 33,4/38,4/55,5 bzw. 35,1/46,2/64,4 (%). Das Risiko für CIN3+ beträgt für die gleichen Zeiträume 0,6/2,7/9,7; 1,9/5,2/14,3; 28,8/32,4/44,0 bzw. 28,5/36,7/52,4 (%). Bei persistierenden Befunden derselben Gruppe steigt das Risiko für CIN2+ und CIN3+ signifikant vom ersten zum zweiten II-p‑, IIID1-, III-p- und IIID2-Befund. Bei den Gruppen II‑p, IIID1 und IIID2 finden sich keine signifikanten Altersunterschiede, bei III-p-Befunden ist das Risiko für Frauen <30 und <35 signifikant größer als für ältere Frauen.

Schlussfolgerung

Die MN III mit 3‑gliedriger Dysplasiegraduierung klassifiziert die zytologischen Befunde risikoorientiert. Ihre Befundgruppen eignen sich als Basis für ein risikoadaptiertes Management, um insbesondere Überdiagnostik und -therapie zu vermeiden.
Forecasting models for the Chinese macroeconomy: the simpler the better?
Authors: Heaton Chris , Ponomareva Natalia , Zhang Qin
Published: November 2019

We consider the problem of macroeconomic forecasting for China. Our objective is to determine whether well-established forecasting models that are commonly used to compute forecasts for Western macroeconomies are also useful for China. Our study includes 19 different forecasting models, ranging from simple approaches such as the naive forecast to more sophisticated techniques such as ARMA, Bayesian VAR, and factor models. We use these models to forecast two different measures of price inflation and two different measures of real activity, with forecast horizons ranging from 1 to 12 months, over a period that stretches from March 2005 to December 2018. We test null hypotheses of equal mean squared forecasting error between each candidate model and a simple benchmark. We find evidence that AR, ARMA, VAR, and Bayesian VAR models provide superior 1-month-ahead forecasts of the producer price index when compared to simple benchmarks, but find no evidence of superiority over simple benchmarks at longer horizons, or for any of our other variables.
High-throughput screening for in planta characterization of VOC biosynthetic genes by PTR-ToF-MS
Authors: Li Mingai , Cappellin Luca , Xu Jia , Biasioli Franco , Varotto Claudio
Published: November 2019

Functional characterization of plant volatile organic compound (VOC) biosynthetic genes and elucidation of the biological function of their products often involve the screening of large numbers of plants from either independent transformation events or mapping populations. The low time resolution of standard gas chromatographic methods, however, represents a major bottleneck for in planta genetic characterization of VOC biosynthetic genes. Here we present a fast and highly-sensitive method for the high-throughput characterization of VOC emission levels/patterns by coupling a Proton Transfer Reaction Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer to an autosampler for automation of sample measurement. With this system more than 700 samples per day can be screened, detecting for each sample hundreds of spectrometric peaks in the m/z 15–300 range. As a case study, we report the characterization of VOC emissions from 116 independent Arabidopsis thaliana lines transformed with a putative isoprene synthase gene, confirming its function also when fused to a C-terminal 3×FLAG tag. We demonstrate that the method is more reliable than conventional characterization of transgene expression for the identification of the most highly isoprene-emitting lines. The throughput of this VOC screening method exceeds that of existing alternatives, potentially allowing its application to reverse and forward genetic screenings of genes contributing to VOC emission, constituting a powerful tool for the functional characterization of VOC biosynthetic genes and elucidation of the biological functions of their products directly in planta.
Proto-CSR Before the Industrial Revolution: Institutional Experimentation by Medieval Miners’ Guilds
Authors: Hielscher Stefan , Husted Bryan W.
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we argue that antecedents of modern corporate social responsibility (CSR) prior to the Industrial Revolution can be referred to as “proto-CSR” to describe a practice that influenced modern CSR, but which is different from its modern counterparts in form and structure. We develop our argument with the history of miners’ guilds in medieval Germany—religious fraternities and secular mutual aid societies. Based on historical data collected by historians and archeologists, we reconstruct a long-term process of pragmatic experimentation with institutions of mutual aid that address social problems in the early mining industry, and thus before the rise of the modern state and the capitalist firm. Co-shaped by economic and political actors, these institutions of mutual aid have influenced the social responsibility programs of early industrialists, modern social welfare legislation, and contemporary CSR. We conjecture that other elements of proto-CSR might have evolved according to similar trajectories.
Integration of refugees at universities: Austria’s more initiative
Authors: Bacher Johann , Fiorioli Elisabeth , Moosbrugger Robert , Nnebedum Chigozie , Prandner Dimitri , Shovakar Nadine
Published: November 2019

The so-called refugee wave in the summer of 2015 led to an impressive wave of helpfulness in Austrian society. Universities Austria (uniko)—the umbrella organization of the 22 public universities in Austria—set up and launched an initiative called MORE. MORE provides refugees and asylum seekers with additional opportunities and perspectives that go beyond basic tools for survival. All 22 public universities implemented MORE, albeit in different ways. The article draws on a specific case—the MORE initiative—which aims to integrate refugee students into university life and higher education, as well as on data collected within the scope of evaluating the particular cases at hand. Analysis focuses on whether MORE has contributed to integrate refugee students. Drawing on different integration theories, the findings of this evaluation provide an insight as to how integration is achieved and affected by influencing factors such as personal characteristics, the usage of program elements, etc. Hence, the paper gives insight in the applicability of different integration theories and may be helpful for improving MORE or similar initiatives. The results confirmed the assumptions of modern sociological integration theories. Universities who offer the MORE program can conclude that they should take care of special, vulnerable groups, and that they should offer more than language classes in order to foster integration. Integration depends on the characteristics of the refugee group, the general societal and political climate, and on the specific attitudes towards the group in question.
Do Agile Managed Information Systems Projects Fail Due to a Lack of Emotional Intelligence?
Authors: Luong Tan Trung , Sivarajah Uthayasankar , Weerakkody Vishanth
Published: November 2019

Agile development methodologies (ADM) have become a widely implemented project management approach in Information Systems (IS). Yet, along with its growing popularity, the amount of concerns raised in regard to human related challenges caused by applying ADM are rapidly increasing. Nevertheless, the extant scholarly literature has neglected to identify the primary origins and reasons of these challenges. The purpose of this study is therefore to examine if these human related challenges are related to a lack of Emotional Intelligence (EI) by means of a quantitative approach. From a sample of 194 agile practitioners, EI was found to be significantly correlated to human related challenges in agile teams in terms of anxiety, motivation, mutual trust and communication competence. Hence, these findings offer important new knowledge for IS-scholars, project managers and human resource practitioners, about the vital role of EI for staffing and training of agile managed IS-projects.
Singular Stationary Measures for Random Piecewise Affine Interval Homeomorphisms
Authors: Barański Krzysztof , Śpiewak Adam
Published: November 2019

We show that the stationary measure for some random systems of two piecewise affine homeomorphisms of the interval is singular, verifying partially a conjecture by Alsedà and Misiurewicz and contributing to a question by Navas on the absolute continuity of stationary measures, considered in the setup of semigroups of piecewise affine circle homeomorphisms. We focus on the case of resonant boundary derivatives.
Knowing Me, Knowing You: Anal Gland Secretion of European Badgers (Meles meles) Codes for Individuality, Sex and Social Group Membership
Authors: Noonan Michael J. , Tinnesand Helga V. , Müller Carsten T. , Rosell Frank , Macdonald David W. , Buesching Christina D.
Published: November 2019

European badgers, Meles meles, are group-living in the UK, and demarcate their ranges with shared latrines. As carnivores, badgers possess paired anal glands, but olfactory information on the content of badger anal gland secretion (AGS) is largely uninvestigated. Here, we examined the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of AGS samples from 57 free-living badgers using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography—mass spectrometry. AGS was rich in alkanes (C7–C15, 14.3% of identified compounds), aldehydes (C5–C14, 9.7%), phenols (C6–C15, 9.5%), alcohols (C5–C10, 7.3%), aromatic hydrocarbons (C6–C13, 6.8%), ketones (C6–C13, 6.3%) and carboxylic acids (C3–C12, 5.6%) and contained a variety of esters, sulfurous and nitrogenous compounds, and ethers. The number of VOCs per profile ranged from 20 to 111 (mean = 65.4; ± 22.7 SD), but no compound was unique for any of the biological categories. After normalization of the raw data using Probabilistic Quotient Normalization, we produced a resemblance matrix by calculating the Euclidian distances between all sample pairs. PERMANOVA revealed that AGS composition differs between social groups, and concentration and complexity in terms of number of measurable VOCs varies between seasons and years. AGS VOC profiles encode individual identity, sex and vary with female reproductive state, indicating an important function in intraspecific communication. Because AGS is excreted together with fecal deposits, we conclude that chemical complexity of AGS enables particularly latrine-using species, such as badgers, to advertise more complex individual-specific information than in feces alone.
Hybrid Simulation of Solar-Wind-Like Turbulence
Authors: Roberts D. Aaron , Ofman Leon
Published: November 2019

We present 2.5D hybrid simulations of the spectral and thermodynamic evolution of an initial state of magnetic field and plasma variables that in many ways represents solar wind fluctuations. In accordance with Helios near-Sun high-speed stream observations, we start with Alfvénic fluctuations along a mean magnetic field in which the fluctuations in the magnitude of the magnetic field are minimized. Since fluctuations in the radial flow speed are the dominant free energy in the observed fluctuations, we include a field-aligned $v_{\|}(k_{\perp })$v∥(k⊥) with an $k^{ -1}$k−1 spectrum of velocity fluctuations to drive the turbulent evolution. The flow rapidly distorts the Alfvénic fluctuations, yielding spectra (determined by spacecraft-like cuts) transverse to the field that become comparable to the $k_{\|}$k∥ fluctuations, as in spacecraft observations. The initial near constancy of the magnetic field is lost during the evolution; we show this also takes place observationally. We find some evolution in the anisotropy of the thermal fluctuations, consistent with expectations based on Helios data. We present 2D spectra of the fluctuations, showing the evolution of the power spectrum and cross-helicity. Despite simplifying assumptions, many aspects of simulations and observations agree. The greatly faster evolution in the simulations is at least in part due to the small scales being simulated, but also to the non-equilibrium initial conditions and the relatively low overall Alfvénicity of the initial fluctuations.
Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima Blume)
Authors: Sun Zhi-lin , Li Xiao , Zhou Wan , Yan Jun-di , Gao Yue-rong , Li Xiao-wei , Sun Jia-chen , Fang Ke-feng , Zhang Qing , Xing Yu , Qin Ling , Cao Qing-qin
Published: November 2019

Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima) is an important germplasm resource for the breeding ofCastaneaspecies worldwide with vital ecological and economic value. Biotechnology overcomes the limitations of traditional breeding and accelerates germplasm improvement. However, a genetic transformation system for Chinese chestnut has not yet been established. In this study, a stable and efficientAgrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation method for Chinese chestnut is described. Embryogenic calli ofC. mollissimacv. ‘Yanshanhongli’ were used as the target material. The sensitivity of embryogenic calli to kanamycin was determined, whereby the proliferation of non-transformed calli was completely inhibited at 180 mg/L. Antibiotic inhibition results for Chinese chestnut embryogenic calli showed that 50 mg/L cefotaxime and 500 μM timentin completely inhibited the growth ofAgrobacterium tumefaciensbut did not affect the normal growth of Chinese chestnut embryogenic calli. When embryogenic calli were co-cultured for 2 days withAgrobacterium tumefaciensstrain AGL1 harboring the PBI121-EGFP plasmid, an embryogenic callus transformation efficiency of 4.55% was obtained, and two transgenic chimera were acquired. ThisAgrobacterium-mediated transformation system for Chinese chestnut provides a fundamental platform for genetic improvement of core germplasm and for further verification of gene function.
Strategies for tropical forest protection and sustainable supply chains: challenges and opportunities for alignment with the UN sustainable development goals
Authors: Delabre Izabela , Alexander Anthony , Rodrigues Camila
Published: November 2019

Governance for sustainable development increasingly involves diverse stakeholder groups, with the promise of enhanced legitimacy and effectiveness in decision-making and implementation. The UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) emphasise the important role of multiple (non-state) actors, including businesses and non-governmental organisations, including in efforts to ensure the sustainability of supply chains, and to reduce tropical deforestation and forest degradation. This paper critically analyses sustainability strategies to examine how the UN SDG agendas related to ‘sustainable supply chains’ and ‘tropical forest protection’ are framed and enacted by two contrasting non-state actors: (1) Instituto Centro de Vida (ICV), an NGO in Brazil working to address deforestation, including by supporting farmers to produce commodities, and (2) Unilever, a global consumer goods manufacturer and major buyer of such commodities. By identifying areas of variability in the discursive techniques used by ICV and Unilever, we unearth particular power dynamics that can shape the processes and outcomes of sustainability strategies. This paper finds that the two organisations use diverse strategies at different levels of governance, both participate actively in multi-stakeholder forums to advance their organisations’ goals, but have divergent framings of ‘sustainability’. Despite being considered ‘non-state’ actors, the strategies of the two organisations examined both reflect, and influence, the structural effects of the state in the implementation of non-state organisations’ strategies, and progress towards the SDGs. Although there is alignment of certain strategies related to tropical forest protection, in some cases, there is a risk that more sustainable, alternative approaches to governing forests and supply chains may be excluded.
Sedimentary characteristics and internal architecture of a river-dominated delta controlled by autogenic process: implications from a flume tank experiment
Authors: Feng Wen-Jie , Zhang Chang-Min , Yin Tai-Ju , Yin Yan-Shu , Liu Jun-Ling , Zhu Rui , Xu Qing-Hai , Chen Zhe
Published: November 2019

Autogenic processes are widely found in various sedimentary systems and they play an important role in the depositional evolution and corresponding sedimentary architecture. However, autogenic processes are often affected by changing allogenic factors and are difficult to be identified and analyzed from modern and ancient records. Through the flume tank experiment under constant boundary conditions, the depositional process, evolution principles, and the sedimentary architecture of a river-dominated delta was presented, and a corresponding sedimentary architecture model was constructed. The evolution of river-dominated delta controlled only by autogenic process is obviously periodic, and each autogenic cycle can be divided into an initial progradational stage, a middle retrogratational stage, and a late aggradational–progradational stage. In the initial progradational stage, one feeder channel incised into the delta plain, mouth bar(s) was formed in front of the channel mouth, and small-scale crevasse splays were formed on the delta plain. In the middle retrogradational stage, the feeder channel was blocked by the mouth bar(s) which grew out of water at the end of the initial stage, and a set of large-scale distributary splay complexes were formed on the delta plain. These distributary splay complexes were retrogradationally overlapped due to the continuous migration of the bifurcation point of the feeder channel. In the late aggradational–progradational stage, the feeder channel branched into several radial distributary channels, overlapped distributary channels were formed on the delta plain, and terminal lobe complexes were formed at the end of distributary channels. The three sedimentary layers formed in the three stages constituted an autogenic succession. The experimental delta consisted of six autogenic depositional successions. Dynamic allocation of accommodation space and the following adaptive sediments filling were the two main driving factors of the autogenic evolution of deltas.
Stabilizate from Autoclaved Municipal Solid Waste as a Source of Valuable Humic Substances in a Waste Circular Economy
Authors: Kulikowska Dorota , Bernat Katarzyna , Wojnowska-Baryła Irena , Klik Barbara , Michałowska Sylwia , Kasiński Sławomir
Published: November 2019

One of the solutions in unsorted municipal waste management is autoclaving, which maximize the amount of waste for recycling. After autoclaving, however, up to 30% of autoclaved waste, called organic remaining fraction (ORF) is still unstabilized and cannot be landfilled but must be subjected for further stabilization, e.g. in aerobic conditions. After this process waste meets standards for landfilling. However, as during aerobic stabilization humification of organic matter proceed, before landfilling humic substances (HS) could be recovered. High HS concentration in ORF means that before its landfilling HS can be recovered. The maximal recovering of valuable substances from waste is in line with the principles of sustainable development. Therefore, this study examined the humification of ORF from a full-scale mechanical-heat-treatment plant during composting in two-stage system (1st stage in 550 L reactor, 2nd stage in windrow). The rates of organics mineralization were 8.35–12.00 g OM/kg d.m. d. The rates of HS formation were lower, 3.31–3.92 mg/g OM d, and process proceeded most intensively up to 50 days. The maximum HS concentrations were 82–120 mg/g OM, similar to those in composts from different kinds of organic waste.

Graphic Abstract
Evaluating the rheological property of Irvingia gabonensis and Abelmoschus esculentus as a substitute to conventional Pac-R on cutting carrying capacity and hole cleaning
Authors: Ihekoronye K. K. , Izuwa N. C. , Okereke N. U. , Ekwueme S. T. , Amaefula R. C.
Published: November 2019

In this work, experiment was carried out resulting in the utilization of local viscosifiers as substitute to conventional method (PAC-R) for hole cleaning purposes in drilling mud. The proposed viscosifiers are Irvingia gabonensis (Ogbono) and Abelmoschus esculentus (Okro) as alternative to the imported poly-anionic cellulose-regular (PAC-R) which is used in cutting carrying capacity efficiency. Laboratory tests were carried out on the proposed viscosifiers to evaluate their rheological properties. Slip velocity, annular velocity, shear stress, shear rate and cuttings transport efficiency on hole cleaning parameters were calculated to ascertain the effectiveness of the proposed viscosifiers in comparison with the conventional one (PAC-R). The results of the study showed that the proposed viscosifiers Sample B Irvingia gabonensis (Ogbono) had cutting carrying capacity of 96% for 5, 8, 10 and 15 (g), respectively. However, Sample C Abelmoschus esculentus (Okro) had 96% for 5 g and 8 g and 95% for 10 g and 15 g on the cutting transport efficiency. Based on the result of this work, the proposed viscosifiers compared favorably to that of PAC-R on hole cleaning and cutting carrying capacity.
Corrections to: The Effect of Nordic Hamstring Exercise Intervention Volume on Eccentric Strength and Muscle Architecture Adaptations: A Systematic Review and Meta-analyses
Authors: Cuthbert Matthew , Ripley Nicholas , McMahon John J. , Evans Martin , Haff G. Gregory , Comfort Paul
Published: November 2019

between the studies assessed for
Special issue—before translational medicine: laboratory clinic relations lost in translation? Cortisone and the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in Britain, 1950–1960
Authors: Worboys Michael , Toon Elizabeth
Published: November 2019

Cortisone, initially known as ‘compound E’ was the medical sensation of the late 1940s and early 1950s. As early as April 1949, only a week after Philip Hench and colleagues first described the potential of ‘compound E’ at a Mayo Clinic seminar, the New York Times reported the drug’s promise as a ‘modern miracle’ in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Given its high profile, it is unsurprising that historians of medicine have been attracted to study the innovation of cortisone. It arrived at the end of a decade of ‘therapeutic revolutions’, kicked off by penicillin transforming the treatment of bacterial infections and ending with hopes of a revolution in the treatment of non-infectious, chronic inflammatory diseases. Despite these studies of cortisone’s introduction, few historians have taken the story forward and considered how cortisone was adopted and adapted into clinical practice. This article tells the longer of how the drug and its derivatives were taken from research laboratories and integrated into clinical practice; what has in recent decades become known as translational medicine (TM). In exploring cortisone’s first decade in Britain, we focus specifically on its role in the treatment of RA. Our approach is always to consider cortisone’s use in the context of other treatments available to clinicians, and at local and national institutional settings. We do not discuss the many other therapeutic uses of cortisone, which ranged for topical applications for skin diseases to the management of cancers, especially childhood leukaemia, nor do we discuss its close analogue ACTH—AdenoCorticoTropic Hormone. We think there are lessons in our study for TM policies today.