bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing and overcoming genetic trade-offs in breeding grazing-tolerant lucerne
Authors: Pecetti L. , Annicchiarico P.
Published: May 2017

Selection of grazing-tolerant lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) for mild-winter environments is challenged by marked cold-season dormancy and prostrate habit often observed in tolerant material. This study aimed to assess the amount of genetic variation and genetically based trade-offs for key traits in four biparental populations, and their implications for selection. Some 432 cloned F1 progenies from four crosses between contrasting genotypes (erect, not very dormant, non-grazing tolerant v. prostrate, dormant, tolerant) were evaluated for dry matter (DM) yield and final plant persistence under continuous, intense sheep grazing for 3 years, along with a set of morpho-physiological traits. Both DM yield and persistence displayed negative genetic correlation with erect plant habit (rg –0.31 to –0.87, depending on the cross), with persistence inversely related also to cold-season growth (rg –0.33 to –0.73). Correlations of performance traits with DM yield before grazing management, plant diameter and leaflet area were inconsistent or nil. DM yield during grazing management and persistence exhibited large genetic variation (CVg 33.3–57.8%), and within-cross variance largely exceeded between-cross variance. Morpho-physiological traits had lower genetic variation and even greater relative within-cross variance than yield and persistence. Selection for grazing-tolerant germplasm could exploit large genetic variation, but it requires extensive within-cross genotype evaluation to produce material with little dormancy and relatively erect growth habit.
Variations in out-of-pocket costs for primary care services across Australia: a regional analysis
Authors: Callander Emily , Larkins Sarah , Corscadden Lisa
Published: May 2017

The aim of this study is to describe average out-of-pocket costs across different regions of Australia, as defined by Primary Health Network (PHN) boundaries, and assess the association between population characteristics and out-of-pocket costs for selected primary care services. A combination of descriptive and regression analysis was undertaken using administrative data from the Australian Department of Human Services reporting on the health services used across PHNs in Australia. Those in regional areas paid significantly more for Allied Health services than those in capital cities (A$5.68, P=0.006). The proportion of an area’s population aged 65 years and over was inversely related to out-of-pocket charges for Allied Mental Health (–A$79.12, P=0.029). Some areas had both high charges and disadvantaged populations: Country South Australia, Northern Queensland, Country Western Australia, Tasmania and Northern Territory, or populations with poor health: Northern Territory and Tasmania. Although there was a large amount of variation in out-of-pocket charges for primary care services between PHNs in Australia, there was little evidence of inequality based on health, age and socioeconomic characteristics of a population or the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Effects of vitrification of cumulus-enclosed porcine oocytes at the germinal vesicle stage on cumulus expansion, nuclear progression and cytoplasmic maturation
Authors: Appeltant Ruth , Somfai Tamás , Santos Elisa C. S. , Dang-Nguyen Thanh Quang , Nagai Takashi , Kikuchi Kazuhiro
Published: May 2017

Although offspring have been produced from porcine oocytes vitrified at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage, the rate of embryo development remains low. In the present study, nuclear morphology and progression, cumulus expansion, transzonal projections (TZPs), ATP and glutathione (GSH) levels were compared between vitrified cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) and control COCs (no cryoprotectant treatment and no cooling), as well as a toxicity control (no cooling). Vitrification was performed with 17.5% (v/v) ethylene glycol and 17.5% (v/v) propylene glycol. Vitrification at the GV stage caused premature meiotic progression, reflected by earlier GV breakdown and untimely attainment of the MII stage. However, cytoplasmic maturation, investigated by measurement of ATP and GSH levels, as well as cumulus expansion, proceeded normally despite detectable damage to TZPs in vitrified COCs. Moreover, treatment with cryoprotectants caused fragmentation of nucleolus precursor bodies and morphological changes in F-actin from which oocytes were able to recover during subsequent IVM culture. Reduced developmental competence may be explained by premature nuclear maturation leading to oocyte aging, although other mechanisms, such as initiation of apoptosis and reduction of cytoplasmic mRNA, can also be considered. Further research will be required to clarify the presence and effects of these phenomena during the vitrification of immature COCs.
Meaningful learning from texts
Authors: Beker Katinka , Jolles Dietsje , van den Broek Paul
Published: May 2017

This chapter describes how comprehension and meaningful learning processes are related. It explains how comprehension processes can contribute to meaningful learning and how knowledge representations in turn affect comprehension processes. Both passive and strategic reading processes are important in comprehending texts and constructing knowledge representations from texts. An overview is provided of reading strategies that are particularly effective improving learning from texts. It is suggested that consolidation and enrichment processes play an important role in effective learning strategies. Furthermore, the chapter describes reader and text characteristics that affect the process of constructing meaningful knowledge representations from texts. It concludes with a summary of ways to improve learning from texts.
Causal inferences in reading comprehension
Authors: León José A. , Escudero Inmaculada
Published: May 2017

In recent decades, the study of inferences and, in particular, causal inferences, has acquired great importance. Inferences are now considered to be the key to our understanding and interpretation of reality and one of the bases of human cognition. Causal inferences, such as backward and forward inferences, are crucial components in discourse comprehension and reading comprehension processes because they are required in order to establish a coherent representation that provides a basis to predict and explain behaviors. In this chapter, we focus on several aspects related to causal inferences such as its universal character in cognitive processing and reading comprehension and its underlying neural correlates. Finally, we focus on the influence of different text genre on causal inferences generation.
Development of a cognitive model of web-navigation
Authors: van Oostendorp Herre , Aggarwal Sonal , Karanam Saraschandra
Published: May 2017

Easiness of navigation within a website is an important factor for information seeking performance. Several cognitive models exist that simulate the web-navigation process and these models in turn can be useful in supporting information seeking behavior. In this chapter we first discuss previous work we did on further developing a cognitive model of web-navigation CoLiDeS (Comprehension-based Linked model of Deliberate Search) that takes information from pictures into consideration, next to information from hyperlinks. This model is called CoLiDeS + Pic. Just like its parent model CoLiDeS, it uses Latent Semantic Analysis to compute semantic similarity in order to measure the information scent of hyperlinks available on a page. Next, we propose a new model CoLiDeS ++ Pic that adds path adequacy (with information from both hyperlinks and pictures) and applies backtracking. We hypothesize that in this way the information seeking process can be better modeled when compared to the previous model CoLiDeS + Pic. This was verified by simulating the model on a mockup website and comparing the results with the previous CoLiDeS + Pic model. The results support our hypothesis. We also present briefly the results of an experiment with tool-support based on the new model CoLiDeS ++ Pic. The results prove that model-generated support is fostering information seeking performance and helps in search tasks. We further discuss the challenges and advantages of automating navigation support using the proposed model.
Exploring the challenges in obtaining physical activity data from women using hip‐worn accelerometers
Authors: O'Brien Wendy J. , Shultz Sarah P. , Firestone Ridvan T. , George Lily , Breier Bernhard H. , Kruger Rozanne
Published: May 2017

Quality objective physical activity data are required to inform physical activity‐based health improvement initiatives, however, various challenges undermine acquisition of such data. We examined the efficacy and challenges of a hip‐worn accelerometry protocol in women. Specific objectives included determining accelerometer‐wear‐compliance rates and understanding the barriers and acceptability of wearing accelerometers. Healthy New Zealand women (n = 406) of three ethnicities (Māori (indigenous New Zealander), Pacific, European) aged 16–45 years (30.9 ± 8.7 y) wore hip‐mounted Actigraph wGT3X+ accelerometers for 7 consecutive days under a 24‐h wear protocol. Post hoc, a sub‐sample (n = 45; age: 29.4 ± 9.0 y) was interviewed to investigate comfort/convenience and burdens of accelerometer‐wear. Wear‐compliance (≥10 h/day, ≥4 day) was 86%. European women returned more valid data (92.7%, p < .04) than Pacific (73.0%) or Māori women (82.1%). Twenty‐two participants (5.4%) had completely missing data; 13 due to lost accelerometers. Burden of accelerometer‐wear was greatest during sleeping (66.7%) due to discomfort. Embarrassment of accelerometer visibility through clothing and consequent restricted clothing choices caused high burden in social settings (45.2%). Discomfort during sleeping, embarrassment due to perceived appearance in social settings and ethnicity are key factors affecting the efficacy of collecting physical activity data from women using hip‐worn accelerometers. Refining accelerometer design to reduce size and subsequently participant burden should improve acceptability and wear‐compliance. Increasing overall participant compliance by reducing burden and ensuring appropriate understanding of study aims and relevance should reduce attrition and improve wear‐compliance and data quality when collecting accelerometry data from women of different ethnicities.
Lipidomic profiling reveals distinct differences in plasma lipid composition in healthy, prediabetic, and type 2 diabetic individuals
Authors: Zhong Huanzi , Fang Chao , Fan Yanqun , Lu Yan , Wen Bo , Ren Huahui , Hou Guixue , Yang Fangming , Xie Hailiang , Jie Zhuye , Peng Ye , Ye Zhiqiang , Wu Jiegen , Zi Jin , Zhao Guoqing , Chen Jiayu , Bao Xiao , Hu Yihe , Gao Yan , Zhang Jun , Yang Huanming , Wang Jian , Madsen Lise , Kristiansen Karsten , Ni Chuanming , Li Junhua , Liu Siqi
Published: May 2017

The relationship between dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) has been extensively reported, but the global lipid profiles, especially in the East Asia population, associated with the development of T2D remain to be characterized. Liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry was applied to detect the global lipidome in the fasting plasma of 293 Chinese individuals, including 114 T2D patients, 81 prediabetic subjects, and 98 individuals with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Both qualitative and quantitative analyses revealed a gradual change in plasma lipid features with T2D patients exhibiting characteristics close to those of prediabetic individuals, whereas they differed significantly from individuals with NGT. We constructed and validated a random forest classifier with 28 lipidomic features that effectively discriminated T2D from NGT or prediabetes. Most of the selected features significantly correlated with diabetic clinical indices. Hydroxybutyrylcarnitine was positively correlated with fasting plasma glucose, 2-hour postprandial glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR). Lysophosphatidylcholines such as lysophosphatidylcholine (18:0), lysophosphatidylcholine (18:1), and lysophosphatidylcholine (18:2) were all negatively correlated with HOMA-IR. The altered plasma lipidome in Chinese T2D and prediabetic subjects suggests that lipid features may play a role in the pathogenesis of T2D and that such features may provide a basis for evaluating risk and monitoring disease development.
Impact of time interval and dose rate on cell survival following low-dose fractionated exposures
Authors: Terashima Shingo , Hosokawa Yoichiro , Tsuruga Eichi , Mariya Yasushi , Nakamura Toshiya
Published: May 2017

Enhanced cell lethality, also known as hyper-radiosensitivity, has been reported at low doses of radiation (≤0.5 Gy) in various cell lines, and is expected to be an effective cancer therapy. We conducted this study to examine the impact of time interval and dose rate of low-dose fractionated exposures with a short time interval. We evaluated the cell-survival rates of V79 and A549 cells using clonogenic assays. We performed fractionated exposures in unit doses of 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 Gy. We exposed the cells to 2 Gy of X-rays (i) at dose-rates of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 Gy/min at 1-min intervals and (ii) at a dose-rate of 2.0 Gy/min at 10-s, 1-min and 3-min intervals by fractionated exposures. Apoptosis and cell cycle analyses were also evaluated in the fractionated exposures (unit dose 0.25 Gy) and compared with single exposures by using flow cytometry. Both cell-type survival rates with fractionated exposures (unit dose 0.25 Gy) with short time intervals were markedly lower than those for single exposures delivering the same dose. When the dose rates were lower, the cytotoxic effect decreased compared with exposure to a dose-rate of 2.0 Gy/min. On the other hand, levels of apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were not significantly different between low-dose fractionated exposures and single exposures in either cell line. These results indicate that a stronger cytotoxic effect was induced with low-dose fractionated exposures with a short time interval for a given dose due to the hyper-radiosensitivity phenomenon, suggesting that dose rates are important for effective low-dose fractionated exposures.
Improved Survival with Decreased Wait Time to Surgery in Glioblastoma Patients Presenting with Seizure
Authors: Flanigan Patrick M , Jahangiri Arman , Kuang Ruby , Truong Albert , Choi Sarah , Chou Alvin , Rick Jonathan W , Chang Susan M , Molinaro Annette M , McDermott Michael W , Berger Mitchel S , Aghi Manish K
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND

Preoperative seizure is reported to confer favorable prognosis in glioblastoma patients, but studies to date have not investigated how broadly applicable seizure is as a prognostic factor.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate if prompter surgical intervention affects the relationship between preoperative seizure and prognosis in glioblastoma patients, focusing on the development of tumor growth and/or additional preoperative symptoms after seizure.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 443 patients (mean age = 60.2; 60% male) undergoing first glioblastoma resection at our institution (2005-2011).

RESULTS

Preoperative seizure(s) occurred in 28% of patients (n = 124), of which 63 (51%) had only seizure at presentation. Patients experiencing seizure as their only preoperative symptom (“seizure-only”; n = 45) survived over twice as long as patients who presented with seizure and then later developed additional preoperative symptoms (n = 18; “other symptoms postseizure”; 26.8 vs 10.2 months, P < .001) and patients without preoperative seizure (“no seizure”; 26.8 vs 13.1 months, P < .001). Multivariate stepwise analysis revealed preoperative seizures only (hazard ratio 0.54 [0.37-0.75]; P < .001) to be independently associated with increased survival. Longer wait time from presentation (ie, diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging) to surgery was a risk factor for developing additional symptoms. Eleven “other symptoms postseizure” patients (69%) vs 6 of the “seizure-only” patients (15%) had wait times >45 days (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Seizure as the only preoperative symptom independently improved survival, however, when patients developed additional preoperative symptoms, typically due to surgical delay, no prognostic benefit was observed. Prompt diagnosis and neurosurgical intervention is warranted in patients with seizures without other preoperative symptoms to preserve their favorable prognosis.
Revisiting Chemoaffinity Theory:Chemotactic Implementation of Topographic Axonal Projection
Authors: Naoki Honda
Published: May 2017

Neural circuits are wired by chemotactic migration of growth cones guided by extracellular guidance cue gradients. How growth cone chemotaxis builds the macroscopic structure of the neural circuit is a fundamental question in neuroscience. I addressed this issue in the case of the ordered axonal projections called topographic maps in the retinotectal system. In the retina and tectum, the erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular (Eph) receptors and their ligands, the ephrins, are expressed in gradients. According to Sperry’s chemoaffinity theory, gradients in both the source and target areas enable projecting axons to recognize their proper terminals, but how axons chemotactically decode their destinations is largely unknown. To identify the chemotactic mechanism of topographic mapping, I developed a mathematical model of intracellular signaling in the growth cone that focuses on the growth cone’s unique chemotactic property of being attracted or repelled by the same guidance cues in different biological situations. The model presented mechanism by which the retinal growth cone reaches the correct terminal zone in the tectum through alternating chemotactic response between attraction and repulsion around a preferred concentration. The model also provided a unified understanding of the contrasting relationships between receptor expression levels and preferred ligand concentrations in EphA/ephrinA- and EphB/ephrinB-encoded topographic mappings. Thus, this study redefines the chemoaffinity theory in chemotactic terms.

Author Summary

This study revisited the chemoaffinity theory for topographic mapping in terms of chemotaxis. According to this theory, the axonal growth cone projects to specific targets based on positional information encoded by chemical gradients in both source and target areas. However, the mechanism by which the chemotactic growth cone recognizes its proper terminal site remains elusive. To unravel this mystery, I mathematically modeled a growth cone exhibiting concentration-dependent attraction and repulsion to chemotactic cues. The model identified a novel growth cone guidance mechanism in topographic mapping, highlighting the importance of the growth cone’s unique ability to alternate between attraction and repulsion. Furthermore, an extension of the model provided possible molecular mechanisms for contrasting two types of topographic mappings observed in the retinotectal system.
Loss of PTEN promotes formation of signaling-capable clathrin-coated pits
Authors: Rosselli-Murai Luciana K , Yates Joel A , Yoshida Sei , Bourg Julia , Ho Kenneth K.Y. , White Megan , Prisby Julia , Tan Xinyu , Altemus Megan , Bao Liwei , Wu Zhi-Fen , Veatch Sarah , Swanson Joel , Merajver Sofia , Liu Allen P
Published: May 2017

Defective endocytosis and vesicular trafficking of signaling receptors has recently emerged as a multifaceted hallmark of malignant cells. Clathrin-coated pits (CCPs), the fundamental unit of clathrin-mediated endocytosis, display highly heterogeneous dynamics on the plasma membrane where they can take from 20 seconds to over a minute to form cytosolic coated-vesicles. Despite the large number of cargo molecules that traffic through CCPs, it is not well understood whether signaling receptors activated in cancer, such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), are regulated through a specific subset of CCPs. The signaling lipid phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-triphosphate (PI(3,4,5)P3), which is dephosphorylated by phosphatase tensin homolog (PTEN), is a potent tumorigenic signaling lipid that is present in excess in many types of cancers. Using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and automated tracking and detection of CCPs, we find PTEN and EGF bound EGFR are enriched in a distinct subset of short-lived CCPs that corresponded with clathrin-dependent EGF-induced signaling. By deleting PTEN using CRISPR-Cas9 and reconstituting PTEN, we demonstrate that PTEN plays a role in the regulation of CCP dynamics; this appears to recapitulate CCP dynamics in highly metastatic PTEN-deleted cancer cells where we find a larger proportion of short-lived CCPs and higher initiation density compared to the normal cells. Furthermore, increased PI(3,4,5)P3results in higher proportion of short-lived CCPs, an effect that recapitulates PTEN deletion. Our findings provide strong evidence for the existence of short-lived ‘signaling-capable’ CCPs. Altogether, these findings demonstrate the importance of PTEN and PI(3,4,5)P3in regulating CCP dynamics and assign a new function to PTEN as a modulator of signaling-capable CCPs.
Analysis of interphase node proteins in fission yeast by quantitative and super resolution fluorescence microscopy
Authors: Akamatsu Matthew , Lin Yu , Bewersdorf Joerg , Pollard Thomas D.
Published: May 2017

We used quantitative confocal microscopy and FPALM super resolution microscopy of live fission yeast to investigate the structures and assembly of two types of interphase nodes, multiprotein complexes associated with the plasma membrane that merge together and mature into the precursors of the cytokinetic contractile ring. During the long G2 phase of the cell cycle seven different interphase node proteins maintain constant concentrations as they accumulate in proportion to cell volume. During mitosis the total numbers of type 1 node proteins (cell cycle kinases Cdr1p, Cdr2p, Wee1p, and anillin Mid1p) are constant even when the nodes disassemble. Quantitative measurements provide strong evidence that both types of nodes have defined sizes and numbers of constituent proteins, as observed for cytokinesis nodes. Type 1 nodes assemble in two phases, a burst at the end of mitosis, followed by steady increase during interphase to double the initial number. Type 2 nodes containing Blt1p, Rho-GEF Gef2p, and kinesin Klp8p remain intact throughout the cell cycle and are constituents of the contractile ring. They are released from the contractile ring as it disassembles and then associate with type 1 nodes around the equator of the cell during interphase.

Highlight summary

FPALM super resolution microscopy and quantitative confocal microscopy reveal that interphase nodes, the precursors to the fission yeast cytokinetic contractile ring, are discrete unitary structures with defined sizes and ratios of component proteins. Type 1 nodes disassemble during mitosis, but type 2 nodes remain intact throughout the cell cycle.
Cellular adaptation through fitness-directed transcriptional tuning
Authors: Freddolino Peter L. , Yang Jamie , Tavazoie Saeed
Published: May 2017

Cells adapt to changes in their environment through transcriptional responses that are hard-coded in their regulatory networks. Such dedicated pathways, however, may be inadequate for adaptation to novel or extreme environments. We propose the existence of a fitness optimization mechanism that tunes the global transcriptional output of a genome to match arbitrary external conditions in the absence of dedicated gene-regulatory networks. We provide evidence for the proposed tuning mechanism in the adaptation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to laboratory-engineered environments that are foreign to its native gene-regulatory network. We show that transcriptional tuning operates locally at individual gene promoters and its efficacy is modulated by genetic perturbations to chromatin modification machinery.
Intercellular mRNA trafficking via membrane nanotubes in mammalian cells
Authors: Haimovich Gal , Ecker Christopher M. , Dunagin Margaret C. , Eggan Elliot , Raj Arjun , Gerst Jeffrey E. , Singer Robert H.
Published: May 2017

RNAs have been shown to undergo transfer between mammalian cells, though the mechanism behind this phenomenon and its overall importance to cell physiology is not well understood. Numerous publications have suggested that RNAs (microRNAs and incomplete mRNAs) undergo transfer via extracellular vesicles (e.g. exosomes). However, in contrast to a diffusion-based transfer mechanism, we find that full-length mRNAs undergo direct cell-cell transfer via cytoplasmic extensions, called membrane nanotubes (mNTs), which connect donor and acceptor cells. By employing a simple co-culture experimental model and using single-molecule imaging, we provide quantitative data showing that mRNAs are transferred between cells in contact. Examples of mRNAs that undergo transfer include those encoding GFP, mouse β-actin, and human Cyclin D1, BRCA1, MT2A, and HER2. We show that intercellular mRNA transfer occurs in all co-culture models tested (e.g.between primary cells, immortalized cells, and in co-cultures of immortalized human and murine cells). Rapid mRNA transfer is dependent upon actin, but independent ofde novoprotein synthesis, and is modulated by stress conditions and gene expression levels. Hence, this work supports the hypothesis that full-length mRNAs undergo transfer between cells through a refined structural connection. Importantly, unlike the transfer of miRNA or RNA fragments, this process of communication transfers genetic information that could potentially alter the acceptor cell proteome. This phenomenon may prove important for the proper development and functioning of tissues, as well as host-parasite or symbiotic interactions.

Significance

Messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules convey genetic information within cells, beginning from genes in the nucleus to ribosomes in the cell body, where they are translated into proteins. Here, we show a novel mode of transferring genetic information from one cell to another. Contrary to previous publications suggesting that mRNAs transfer via extracellular vesicles, we provide visual and quantitative data showing that mRNAs transfer via membrane nanotubes and direct cell-to-cell contact. We predict that this process has a major role in regulating local cellular environments with respect to tissue development and maintenance, cellular responses to stress, interactions with parasites, tissue transplants, and the tumor microenvironment.

Author contributions

G.H., A.R. and R.H.S. conceived the research and designed the experiments; C.M.E. performed and analyzed the experiments with WM983b+/-GFP, including transwell and exosomes; M.C.D. and E.E. performed and analyzed the WM983b/NIH393 co-culture experiments; G.H. performed and analyzed all other experiments; and G.H., J.E.G, A.R. and R.H.S. wrote the paper.
Uncovering the drivers of host-associated microbiota with joint species distribution modeling
Authors: Björk Johannes R. , Hui Francis K.C. , O’Hara Robert B. , Montoya Jose M.
Published: May 2017

In addition to the processes structuring free-living communities, host-associated microbiota are directly or indirectly shaped by the host. Therefore, microbiota data have a hierarchical structure where samples are nested under one or several variables representing host-specific factors, often spanning multiple levels of biological organization. Current statistical methods do not accommodate this hierarchical data structure, and therefore cannot explicitly account for the effect of the host in structuring the microbiota. We introduce a novel extension of joint species distribution models (JSDMs) which can straightforwardly accommodate and discern between effects such as host phylogeny and traits, recorded covariates like diet and collection sites, among other ecological processes. Our proposed methodology includes powerful yet familiar outputs seen in community ecology overall, including: (i) model-based ordination to visualize and quantify the main patterns in the data; (ii) variance partitioning to asses how influential the included host-specific factors are in structuring the microbiota; and (iii) co-occurrence networks to visualize microbe-to-microbe associations.
An empirical examination of the direct and indirect effects of geographic diversification on stock market and financial performances of multinational corporations
Authors: Cho Woohyun , Ke Jian-yu Fisher , Han Chaodong
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Literature indicates that global geographic diversification (GD) has mixed effects on a multinational corporation’s (MNC) performances. The purpose of this paper is to examine how an MNC’s GD influences its stock market and financial performances directly and indirectly via operational performance (i.e. changes in inventory levels).

Design/methodology/approach

Using firm-level data collected from Compustat database for the period 2000-2011 and estimating a mediating regression model, the authors examine the direct and indirect effects of GD on an MNC’s stock market (Tobin’sq) and financial performances (ROA), with inventory level being a mediator. Additionally, the examination is implemented separately under two economic situations: financial crisis vs without financial crisis.

Findings

The results show that GD enhances an MNC’s stock market performance, while deteriorating its financial performance in the presence of a financial crisis. In contrast, GD has little direct impact on an MNC’s stock market and financial performances during periods without financial crisis. The indirect effects of GD are mediated by changes in inventory levels.

Practical implications

This study suggests that MNCs need to carefully weigh the benefits and costs of global strategy obtained through GD. The results also indicate that GD is highly appreciated by the stock market investors during economic downturns and tighter inventory management may further enhance firm values.

Originality/value

This paper is the first empirical research to estimate both direct and indirect effects of GD via inventory in the operations management literature, highlighting the value of GD depending on the different economic situations and echoing the role of operations in implementing GD.
Infrastructure framework and manufacturing supply chain agility: the role of delivery dependability and time to market
Authors: Al-Shboul Moh’d Anwer
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to examine the role of delivery dependability and time to market, on the relation between the infrastructure framework and supply chain agility. Furthermore, the impacts of supply chain agility on firm performance are examined.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 113 respondents, senior executives and managers, in purchasing, operations, supplying, planning and other supply chain functions in large manufacturing firms in the MENA region, which includes 12 countries (Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Morocco, Tunis and Algeria). A large-scale survey questionnaire was used for data collection process. The research framework was tested by using hypothesis-testing deductive approach. The results are based on covariance-based analysis and structural equation modelling using analysis of moment structures software.

Findings

The results show that infrastructure framework elements do not contribute significantly to support supply chain agility. It is also found that delivery dependability and time to market partially mediate the relationship between infrastructure framework elements and supply chain agility. Additionally, it is found that supply chain agility is associated with enhanced firm performance.

Originality/value

This paper provides an overview and empirically shows that delivery dependability and time to market are appropriate logistics practices for mediating the impact of infrastructure framework and supply chain agility. These relationships indicate a contribution to theory that explains how infrastructure framework elements can procreate supply chain agility, through the synchronising of appropriately matched logistics practices.
Mycoplasma bovis isolates from dairy calves in Japan have less susceptibility than a reference strain to all approved macrolides associated with a point mutation (G748A) combined with multiple species‐specific nucleotide alterations in 23S rRNA
Authors: Sato Toyotaka , Higuchi Hidetoshi , Yokota Shin‐ichi , Tamura Yutaka
Published: May 2017

Erythromycin, tylosin and tilmicosin are approved for use in cattle in Japan, the latter two being used to treat Mycoplasma bovis infection. In this study, 58 M. bovis isolates obtained from Japanese dairy calves all exhibited reduced susceptibility to these macrolides, this widespread reduced susceptibility being attributable to a few dominant lineages. All 58 isolates contained the G748A variant in both the rrl3 and rrl4 alleles of 23S rRNA, whereas a reference strain (PG45) did not. G748 localizes in the central loop of domain II (from C744 to A753) of 23S rRNA, which participates in binding to mycinose, a sugar residue present in both tylosin and tilmicosin. A number of in vitro‐selected mutants derived from M. bovis PG45 showed reduced susceptibility to tylosin and tilmicosin and contained a nucleotide insertion within the central loop of domain II of rrl3 (U747–G748Ins_CU/GU or A743–U744Ins_UA), suggesting that mutations around G748 confer this reduced susceptibility phenotype. However, other Mycoplasma species containing G748A were susceptible to tylosin and tilmicosin. Sequence comparison with Escherichia coli revealed that M. bovis PG45 and isolates harbored five nucleotide alterations (U744C, G745A, U746C, A752C and A753G) in the central loop of domain II of 23S rRNA, whereas other Mycoplasma species lacked at least two of these five nucleotide alterations. It was therefore concluded that G748 mutations in combination with species‐specific nucleotide alterations in the central loop of domain II of 23S rRNA are likely sufficient to reduce susceptibility of M. bovis to tylosin and tilmicosin.
Benchmarking the research track record and level of appointment of Australian occupational therapy academics
Authors: Broome Kieran , Gray Marion
Published: May 2017

Background

Academic faculty are active contributors to the evidence base of the profession. Little is known about the research productivity of Australian occupational therapy academics.

Methods

A bibliographic analysis of Australian occupational therapy faculty websites and corresponding Scopus citation database profiles was conducted. A description of current research productivity benchmarks and relationships with holding a doctorate, academic appointment level and institutional characteristics were explored.

Results

The median H‐index of Clinical and Associate Lecturers was 0, 1 for Lecturers, 4 for Senior Lecturers, 7.5 for Associate Professors and 13 for Professors. The number of publications and number of citing documents follows a Pareto tendency, where 20% of researchers are responsible for around 80% of the research track record of Australian occupational therapy academics.

Conclusion

The findings provide a benchmark for Australian occupational therapy faculty research track records and associations with appointment levels. This benchmark differs across countries and disciplines. The results raise considerations for enhancing the overall research track record of occupational therapy academics.
A novel synthetic chemical entity (UPEI‐800) is neuroprotective in vitro and in an in vivo rat model of oxidative stress
Authors: Saleh Tarek M. , Saleh Monique C. , Connell Barry J. , Kucukkaya Inan , Abd‐El‐Aziz Alaa S.
Published: May 2017

In this study, we tested a novel synthetic pyrazole‐containing compound, 5‐amino‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carbonitrile (APPC), as an antioxidant in both in vitro and in vivo models of oxidative stress. In addition, the utility of covalently combining APPC with another well‐established antioxidant, lipoic acid (LA), was also tested in both models. The in vitro results demonstrated that pretreatment with APPC in a mixed neuronal‐glial culture exposed to oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD) followed by reoxygenation‐refeeding, resulted in significant neuroprotection at concentrations between 2.5 to 25 μmol/L. In contrast, LA was not neuroprotective following OGD alone or following reoxygenation‐refeeding. However, the synthetic covalent combination of APPC with LA, named “UPEI‐800”, resulted in significant neuroprotection at concentrations between 0.027 and 2.7 μmol/L (100‐fold more potent than APPC alone), an effect shown to be correlated with increased cellular antioxidant capacity. Further, in an in vivo model of ischaemia‐reperfusion injury following transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (tMCAO), both APPC (0.1 and 1.0 mg/kg) and UPEI‐800 (1×10−3 mg/kg) provided significant neuroprotection. Consistent with the in vitro findings, the in vivo results following tMCAO also demonstrated a 100‐fold increase in the potency of the covalently linked compound UPEI‐800 compared to APPC alone.
The cyclin dependent kinase subunit Cks1 is required for infection‐associated development of the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Yue Xiaofeng , Que Yawei , Deng Shuzhen , Xu Lin , Oses‐Ruiz Miriam , Talbot Nicholas J. , Peng Youliang , Wang Zhengyi
Published: May 2017

Cell cycle regulation is pivotal for proper cell division and cellular differentiation in eukaryotic cells. The central regulators that govern eukaryotic cell cycle progression are cyclin‐dependent kinases (CDKs) and their partners. Here, we report that Magnaporthe oryzae CKS1 encodes a cyclin‐dependent kinase subunit, which plays a significant role in regulation of plant infection. We demonstrate that CKS1 is a functional homolog of CKS1/SUC1 and can physically interact with the CDK protein Cdc28, and Som1, a downstream regulator of the cyclic AMP‐dependent Protein Kinase A pathway. CKS1 deletion mutants are severely impaired in hyphal growth, sexual reproduction, melanin pigmentation and conidiogenesis. Cks1 mutants are able to form appressoria from hyphal tips, but these are unable to re‐polarize, and rice infection is impaired. CKS1 also affects chitin and glucan synthase activity during cell wall differentiation and fungal hydrophobin function. CKS1, therefore, encodes a conserved CDK‐binding partner, essential for appressorium‐mediated plant infection by the rice blast fungus.
Following Rapoport's Rule: the geographic range and genome size of bacterial taxa decline at warmer latitudes
Authors: Lear Gavin , Lau Kelvin , Perchec Anne‐Marie , Buckley Hannah L. , Case Bradley S. , Neale Martin , Fierer Noah , Leff Jonathan W. , Handley Kim M. , Lewis Gillian
Published: May 2017

We sought to test whether stream bacterial communities conform to Rapoport's Rule, a pattern commonly observed for plants and animals whereby taxa exhibit decreased latitudinal range sizes closer to the equator. Using a DNA sequencing approach, we explored the biogeography of biofilm bacterial communities in 204 streams across a ∼1000 km latitudinal gradient. The range sizes of bacterial taxa were strongly correlated with latitude, decreasing closer to the equator, which coincided with a greater than fivefold increase in bacterial taxonomic richness. The relative richness and range size of bacteria were associated with spatially correlated variation in temperature and rainfall. These patterns were observed despite enormous variability in catchment environmental characteristics. Similar results were obtained when restricting the same analyses to native forest catchments, thereby controlling for spatial biases in land use. We analysed genomic data from ∼500 taxa detected in this study, for which data were available and found that bacterial communities at cooler latitudes also tended to possess greater potential metabolic potential. Collectively, these data provide the first evidence of latitudinal variation in the range size distributions of freshwater bacteria, a trend which may be determined, in part, by a trade‐off between bacterial genome size and local variation in climatic conditions.
The ArfGAP protein MoGlo3 regulates the development and pathogenicity of Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Zhang Shengpei , Liu Xiu , Li Lianwei , Yu Rui , He Jialiang , Zhang Haifeng , Zheng Xiaobo , Wang Ping , Zhang Zhengguang
Published: May 2017

The ADP ribosylation factor (Arf) and the coat protein complex I (COPI) are involved in vesicle transport. Together with GTPase‐activating proteins (ArfGAPs) and guanine exchange factors (ArfGEFs) that regulate the activity of Arf, they govern vesicle formation, COPI trafficking and the maintenance of the Golgi complex. In an ongoing effort to study the role of membrane trafficking in pathogenesis of the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, we identified MoGlo3 as an ArfGAP protein that is homologous to Glo3p of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. As suspected, MoGlo3 partially complements the function of yeast Glo3p. Consistent with findings in S. cerevisiae, MoGlo3 is localized to the Golgi, and that the localization is dependent on the conserved BoCCS domain. We found that MoGlo3 is highly expressed during conidiation and early infection stages and is required for vegetative growth, conidial production and sexual development. We further found that the ΔMoglo3 mutant is defective in endocytosis, scavenging of the reactive oxygen species, and in the response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The combined effects result in failed appressorium function and decreased pathogenicity. Moreover, we provided evidence showing that the domains including the GAP, BoCCS and GRM are all important for normal MoGlo3 functions. Our studies further illustrate the importance of normal membrane trafficking in the physiology and pathogenicity of the rice blast fungus.
Wanting to work: managing the sick role in high‐stake sickness insurance meetings
Authors: Flinkfeldt Marie
Published: May 2017

This article respecifies and develops Parsons's sick role theory, focusing on the postulate that the sick person must ‘want’ to get well. Using conversation analysis and discursive psychology to study how the psychological term ‘want’ is used in high‐stake, multi‐professional meetings with sickness benefit claimants in Sweden, the article shows how establishing that one ‘wants’ to get well requires extensive interactional work. In the examined meetings, the sick person's ‘want’ formulations make explicit the relationship between ‘wants’ and illness or inabilities, thus allowing for motivational character to be established without committing to its implications, and without appearing strategic or biased. By contrast, professional parties in the meetings invoke the sick person's ‘wants’ either to hold them accountable, or for establishing a desired course of recovery, confirming the centrality of such ‘wants’ in this setting as well as the risks associated with expressing them. The article suggests that analysing psychological matters as they are oriented to by participants renders sick role theory relevant for a wide range of settings and respecifies criticism of the model.
Early event‐related potentials differences in orthographic processing of native and non‐native Chinese readers
Authors: Yum Yen Na , Law Sam‐Po , Lee Cheuk Fung , Shum Mark Shiu Kee
Published: May 2017

Efficient Chinese character reading requires rapid access to orthographic representations of radical form and position. This study identified the temporal sequence of radical form, radical position and lexicality processing in adult first language (L1) and intermediate second language (L2) Chinese readers. Event‐related potential responses in a one‐back repetition detection task were submitted to linear mixed‐effects models. Violation of radical position produced P100 effects that were left‐lateralized for L1 readers and right‐lateralized for L2 readers. When controlling for P100 activation, radical position produced a left‐lateralized effect at the N170 for L2 readers but no additional activities for L1 readers. Radical form effects were found at the N270 for L1 readers, where radical form violation produced larger N270. Results suggested that radical representations are position‐specific in initial orthographic processing for both groups. However, different temporal dynamics and topographic distributions suggested divergent radical processing for native versus non‐native readers from the beginning.
Rediscovering the ritual technology of the placebo effect in analytical psychology
Authors: Goodwyn Erik
Published: May 2017

Technology, viewed more generally, is a collection of skills and methods that are used to accomplish an objective of some kind. Modernity has produced many kinds of ever‐expanding new technologies, but it is also evident that technologies can be lost or fall out of use. A cross‐cultural survey of ritual reveals a rather startling observation: that while developed nations often exceed other cultures in terms of material technology, they often pale by comparison in their use of ritual technology. In this essay we will see how ritual is a powerful sort of technology that developed nations have mostly allowed to drift out of regular, vigorous use, despite its numerous psychological and biological effects. This tendency has left one of the rituals we still have – psychotherapy itself – to be bereft of some of the typical tools for concretizing the symbolic in recurrent patterns around the world. Jung himself could be accused of being somewhat anti‐ritual himself, enmeshed as he was in the post‐Protestant, post‐Enlightenment cultural environment that defines the West in many ways. But these under‐utilized elements of ritual technology may be a natural fit for Jungian therapy due to its use of symbols.
Analytical practice: do the new technologies have an impact?
Authors: Favero Davide , Candellieri Stefano
Published: May 2017

Through commentary on four clinical vignettes, this article focuses on the anthropological transformations taking place in contemporary society, underlining their differences from the anthropologies of reference of the founding fathers of psychoanalysis. Hybridization between man and machine and the speeding up and alteration of communications which the new technologies promote are now crucial issues facing psychoanalysis. Social media and a 24/7 internet connection have produced deep changes in the way people live and perceive relationships. Analytical practice is not exempt from such issues, which can be particularly insidious, often subtle and difficult to recognize, or even underestimated or ignored by psychoanalysts outright, in order to preserve the illusion of a complete understanding of what unfolds in the analytical space. The authors suggest that such transformations, by (partially) rendering inadequate the theoretical and technical corpus on which the various depth psychologies are founded, require personal engagement on the part of psychoanalysts in the search for new strategies to treat their patients, with the consequent abandonment of the ‘certainties’ offered by sclerotic models of clinical procedure.