bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Micropapillary Cervical Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Alvarado-Cabrero Isabel , McCluggage W. Glenn , Estevez-Castro Rafael , Pérez-Montiel Delia , Stolnicu Simona , Ganesan Raji , Vella Josefa , Castro Rosario , Canedo-Matute Javier , Gomez-Cifuentes Jessica , Rivas-Lemus Vilma M. , Park Kay J. , Soslow Robert A. , Oliva Esther , Valencia-Cedillo Raquel
Published: March 2019

Micropapillary adenocarcinoma has been reported as an aggressive variant of adenocarcinoma in several organs, where it is associated with poor clinical outcome. This study reports the clinicopathologic features and outcomes of cervical adenocarcinomas with a micropapillary component (micropapillary cervical adenocarcinomas); this represents the largest reported study of these neoplasms. The study comprised 44 cervical adenocarcinomas of usual (human papillomavirus–related)-type (84%), mucinous, not otherwise specified (4.5%), gastric-type (4.5%), endometrioid (4.5%), and adenosquamous carcinoma (2%). The micropapillary component comprised >50% of the neoplasm in 34 cases (77%) (group 1), and 10% to 50% in 10 cases (23%) (group 2). Lymph node metastasis was present in 41 of 44 (93%) cases and typically the nodal tumor retained a prominent micropapillary morphology. Follow-up ranged from 7 to 123 months (mean, 65.9 mo). Seventeen of 44 (38.6%) patients had no evidence of disease on follow-up, 6/44 (13.6%) were alive with disease, and 21/44 (47.7%) died of disease. There were no survival differences between group 1 and group 2. On univariate analysis, lymph node metastasis (P=0.0015), lymphovascular space invasion (P=0.002), parametrial involvement (P=0.03), and depth of stromal invasion (P=0.045) were related to tumor recurrence. On multivariate analysis, lymph node metastasis (P=0.001), and extent of lymphovascular space invasion (P=0.027) were significant independent predictors of tumor recurrence. Our study shows that a micropapillary component in cervical adenocarcinoma may be associated with aggressive behavior and that a micropapillary architecture may occur within a variety of types of cervical adenocarcinoma.
First Impressions Matter: How Initial Worries Influence Adherence to the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring
Authors: van der Straten Ariane , Browne Erica N. , Shapley-Quinn Mary Kate , Brown Elizabeth R. , Reddy Krishnaveni , Scheckter Rachel , Soto-Torres Lydia , Palanee-Phillips Thesla , Baeten Jared M. , Mensch Barbara ,   for the MTN-020/ASPIRE Study Team
Published: March 2019

Background:

In MTN-020/ASPIRE, a dapivirine vaginal ring effectiveness trial in sub-Saharan Africa, we assessed whether worries about ring use changed over time and were associated with adherence.

Methods:

Participants (N = 2585) were surveyed at baseline and follow-up about worries regarding daily ring use. First, they answered a question about general worries and then responded to 15 items covering specific worries. From a nested qualitative component (N = 214), we extracted themes related to ring worries and adherence. Seven months into the trial, aggregate adherence data were shared with study sites as part of an intervention that included counseling and social support. Nonadherence was defined as dapivirine plasma levels of ≤95 pg/mL. Mixed-effect logistic regression models were used to assess changes in ring worries and nonadherence from baseline to month 3 and later.

Results:

Worry about wearing the ring decreased from 29% at baseline to 4% at month 3 (P < 0.001), while having a specific worry decreased from 47% to 16% (P < 0.001). Among those enrolled before intervention, 29% with baseline worries were nonadherent at month 3 (95% confidence interval: 19% to 39%) compared to 14% without worries (95% confidence interval: 9% to 19%; P = 0.005); the difference persisted through month 6. There was no difference in nonadherence by baseline worry for those enrolled after intervention (P = 0.40). In the qualitative subset, initial ring anxieties reportedly subsided with self-experimentation and practice and the beneficial influence of the intervention.

Conclusions:

Although worries may be an initial deterrent to correct ring use, intervening early by leveraging social influences from peers and clinicians should facilitate successful adoption and correct ring use.
Cavernous Angioma Mimicking Meningioma
Authors: Uzunoglu Inan , Guvenc Gonul , Kizmazoglu Ceren , Aydin Hasan Emre , Kaya Ismail , Rezanko Turkan Atasever , Yuceer Nurullah
Published: March 2019

The authors present a rare case of cavernous angioma mimicking a meningioma in a 58-year-old man who presented with a headache and dizziness. There were no neurological deficits or other neurological symptoms or signs. An extra-axial mass lesion thought to be associated with diffusely well-enhanced falx in the postcontrast sections was noted in the posterior interhemispheric fissure near the posterior part of the corpus callosum splenium. Extra-axial cavernous angiomas (cavernomas) are extremely rare lesions. They most commonly occur in the parenchyma but have been occasionally reported to arise from the dura matter. Dural cavernous angiomas arise from dural sinuses, falx cerebri, tentorium cerebelli, cranial base dura, or internal auditory canal dura and convexity. Parenchymal cavernous angiomas classically have a ring of hemosiderin surrounding the lesions observed on magnetic resonance imaging, but dural cavernous angiomas do not display the same magnetic resonance imaging characteristics and occasionally exhibit a dural tail sign due to which they can often be misdiagnosed as meningiomas.
The impact of modern-day neuroimaging on the field of deep brain stimulation
Authors: Horn Andreas
Published: March 2019

Purpose of review

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established but growing treatment option for multiple brain disorders. Over the last decade, electrode placement and their effects were increasingly analyzed with modern-day neuroimaging methods like spatial normalization, fibertracking, or resting-state functional MRI. Similarly, specialized basal ganglia MRI sequences were introduced and imaging at high field strengths has become increasingly popular.

Recent findings

To facilitate the process of precise electrode localizations, specialized software pipelines were introduced. By those means, DBS targets could recently be refined and significant relationships between electrode placement and clinical improvement could be shown. Furthermore, by combining electrode reconstructions with network imaging methods, relationships between electrode connectivity and clinical improvement were investigated. This led to a broad series of imaging-based insights about DBS that are reviewed in the present work.

The reviewed literature makes a strong case that brain imaging plays an increasingly important role in DBS targeting and programming. Furthermore, brain imaging will likely help to better understand the mechanism of action of DBS.
Minimally-invasive nasal sampling in children offers accurate pneumococcal colonization detection
Authors: Nikolaou Elissavet , Blizard Annie , Pojar Sherin , Mitsi Elena , German Esther L. , Reiné Jesús , Hill Helen , McNamara Paul S. , Collins Andrea M. , Ferreira Daniela M. , Jochems Simon P.
Published: March 2019

Nasopharyngeal colonization of potential respiratory pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae is the major source of transmission and precursor of invasive disease. Swabbing deeply the nasopharynx, which is currently recommended by WHO, provides accurate pneumococcal detection but is unpleasant. We showed that nasal lining fluid filter strips offer equal detection sensitivity.
Engineered phenotype patterns in microbial populations
Authors: Bittihn Philip , Didovyk Andriy , Tsimring Lev S. , Hasty Jeff
Published: March 2019

Rapid advances in cellular engineering1,2have positioned synthetic biology to address therapeutic3,4and industrial5problems, but a significant obstacle is the myriad of unanticipated cellular responses in heterogeneous environments such as the gut6,7, solid tumors8,9, bioreactors10or soil11. Complex interactions between the environment and cells often arise through non-uniform nutrient availability, which can generatebidirectionalcoupling as cells both adjust to and modify their local environment through different growth phenotypes across a colony.12,13While spatial sensing14and gene expression patterns15–17have been explored under homogeneous conditions, the mutual interaction between gene circuits, growth phenotype, and the environment remains a challenge for synthetic biology. Here, we design gene circuits which sense and control spatiotemporal phenotype patterns in a model system of heterogeneous microcolonies containing both growing and dormant bacteria. We implement pattern control by coupling different downstream modules to a tunable sensor module that leveragesE. coli⁉sstress response and is activated upon growth arrest. One is an actuator module that slows growth and thereby creates an environmental negative feedback via nutrient diffusion. We build a computational model of this system to understand the interplay between gene regulation, population dynamics, and chemical transport, which predicts oscillations in both growth and gene expression. Experimentally, this circuit indeed generates robust cycling between growth and dormancy in the interior of the colony. We also use the stress sensor to drive an inducible gating module that enables selective gene expression in non-dividing cells. The ‘stress-gated lysis circuit’ derived from this module radically alters the growth pattern through elimination of the dormant phenotype upon a chemical cue. Our results establish a strategy to leverage and control the presence of distinct microbial growth phenotypes for synthetic biology applications in complex environments.
Connectivity profile of thalamic deep brain stimulation to effectively treat essential tremor
Authors: Al-Fatly Bassam , Ewert Siobhan , Kübler Dorothee , Kroneberg Daniel , Horn Andreas , Kühn Andrea A.
Published: March 2019

Essential tremor is the most prevalent movement disorder and is often refractory to medical treatment. Deep brain stimulation offers a therapeutic approach that can efficiently control tremor symptoms. Several deep brain stimulation targets (ventral intermediate nucleus, zona incerta, posterior subthalamic area) have been discussed for tremor treatment. Effective deep brain stimulation therapy for tremor critically involves optimal targeting to modulate the tremor network. This could potentially become more robust and precise by using state-of-the-art brain connectivity measurements. In the current study, we utilized two normative brain connectomes (structural and functional) to show the pattern of effective deep brain stimulation electrode connectivity in 36 essential tremor patients. Our structural and functional connectivity models were significantly predictive of post-operative tremor improvement in out-of-sample data (p< 0.001 for both structural and functional leave-one-out cross-validation). Additionally, we segregated the somatotopic brain network based on head and hand tremor scores. These resulted in segregations that mapped onto the well-known somatotopic maps of both motor cortex and cerebellum. Crucially, this shows that slightly distinct networks need to be modulated to ameliorate head vs. hand tremor and that those networks could be identified based on somatotopic zones in motor cortex and cerebellum.

Finally, we propose a multi-modal connectomic deep brain stimulation sweet spot that may serve as a reference to enhance clinical care, in the future. This spot resided in the posterior subthalamic area, encroaching on the inferior borders of ventral intermediate nucleus and sensory thalamus. Our results underscore the importance of integrating brain connectivity in optimizing deep brain stimulation targeting for essential tremor.
Non-linear effects of socioeconomic status on brain development: associations between parental occupation, cortical thickness and language skills in childhood and adolescence
Authors: Khundrakpam Budhachandra , Choudhury Suparna , Vainik Uku , Al-Sharif Noor , Bhutani Neha , Evans Alan ,   the Pediatric Imaging, Neurocognition and Genetics Study
Published: March 2019

Studies have pointed to the role of the brain in mediating the effects of the social environment of the developing child on life outcomes. Since brain development involves nonlinear trajectories, these effects of the child’s social context will likely have age-related differential associations with the brain. However, there is still a dearth of integrative research investigating the interplay between neurodevelopmental trajectories, social milieu and life outcomes. We set out to fill this gap, focusing specifically on the role of socioeconomic status, SES (indexed by parental occupation) on brain and cognitive development by analyzing MRI scans from 757 typically-developing subjects (age = 3-21 years). We observed nonlinear interaction of age and SES on cortical thickness, specifically a significant positive association between SES and thickness around 9-13 years at several cortical regions. Using a moderated mediation model, we observed that cortical thickness mediated the link between SES and language abilities, and this mediation was moderated by ‘age’ in a quadratic pattern, indicating a pronounced SES-effect during early adolescence. Our results, drawn from cross-sectional data, provide a basis for further longitudinal studies to test whether early adolescence may be a sensitive time window for the impact of SES on brain and cognitive development.
Differential Tractography as a Track-Based Biomarker for Neuronal Injury
Authors: Yeh Fang-Cheng , Zaydan Islam M. , Suski Valerie R. , Lacomis David , Richardson R. Mark , Maroon Joseph C. , Barrios-Martinez Jessica
Published: March 2019

Diffusion MRI tractography has been used to map the axonal structure of human brain, but its ability to detect neuronal injury is yet to be explored. Here we report differential tractography, a new type of tractography that utilizes repeat MRI scans and a novel tracking strategy to map the exact segment of fiber pathways with a neuronal injury. We examined differential tractography on multiple sclerosis, Huntington disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and epileptic patients. The results showed that the affected pathways shown by differential tractography matched well with the unique clinical symptoms of the patients, and the false discovery rate of the findings could be estimated using a sham setting to provide a reliability measurement. This novel approach enables a quantitative and objective method to monitor neuronal injury in individuals, allowing for diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of brain diseases.
Activity-dependent changes in synaptic protein complex composition are consistent in different detergents despite differential solubility
Authors: Lautz Jonathan D. , Gniffke Edward P. , Brown Emily A. , Immendorf Karen B. , Mendel Ryan D. , Smith Stephen E.P.
Published: March 2019

At the post-synaptic density (PSD), large protein complexes dynamically form and dissociate in response to synaptic activity, comprising the biophysical basis for learning and memory. The use of detergents to both isolate the PSD fraction and release its membrane-associated proteins complicates studies of these activity-dependent protein interaction networks, because detergents can simultaneously disrupt the very interactions under study. Despite widespread recognition that different detergents yield different experimental results, the effect of detergent on activity-dependent synaptic protein complexes has not been rigorously examined. Here, we characterize the effect of three detergents commonly used to study synaptic proteins on activity-dependent protein interactions. We first demonstrate that SynGAP-containing interactions are more abundant in 1% Deoxycholate (DOC), while Shank-, Homer-and mGluR5-containing interactions are more abundant in 1% NP-40 or Triton. All interactions were detected preferentially in high molecular weight (HMW) complexes generated by size exclusion chromatography, although the detergent-specific abundance of proteins in HMW fractions did not correlate with the abundance of detected interactions. Activity-dependent changes in protein complexes were consistent across detergent types, suggesting that detergents do not isolate distinct protein pools with unique behaviors. However, detection of activity-dependent changes is more or less feasible in different detergents due to baseline solubility. Collectively, our results demonstrate that detergents affect the solubility of individual proteins, but activity-dependent changes in protein interactions, when detectable, are consistent across detergent types.
Germline genetic determination of cancer progression and survival
Authors: Ostendorf Benjamin N. , Tafreshian Kimia N. , Adaku Nneoma , Bilanovic Jana , Tavora Bernardo , Tavazoie Sohail F.
Published: March 2019

We report the surprising finding that common germline polymorphisms ofAPOE, present in approximately 39% of Caucasians, predict survival outcomes in human melanoma. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas revealed that carriers of theAPOE2variant experienced shorter survival relative toAPOE3homozygotes, whileAPOE4variant carriers exhibited increased survival. Consistent with this, melanoma growth in humanAPOEknock-in mice followed the order ofAPOE2>APOE3>APOE4, revealing causal regulation of progression byAPOEvariants. Mechanistically, recombinant ApoE protein variants differentially suppressed melanoma cell invasion and endothelial recruitment phenotypes. Moreover, tumors inAPOE4mice exhibited greater immune cell infiltration and activation relative to tumors ofAPOE2mice. These findings support the notion that human germline genetic makeup can impact the trajectory of a future malignancy.
Dynamic and synergistic influences of air temperature and rainfall on general flowering in a Bornean lowland tropical forest
Authors: Ushio Masayuki , Osada Yutaka , Kumagai Tomo’omi , Kume Tomonori , Pungga Runi anak Sylvester , Nakashizuka Tohru , Itioka Takao , Sakai Shoko
Published: March 2019

Supra-annually synchronized flowering events occurring in tropical forests in Southeast Asia, known as general flowering (GF), are “spectacular and mysterious” forest events. Recently, studies that combined novel molecular techniques and model-based theoretical approaches suggested that cool temperature and drought synergistically drove GF. Although the novel approaches advanced our understanding of GF, it is usually difficult to know whether the mathematical formulation reasonably well represents the complex and dynamic processes involved in GF. In the present study, we collected a 17-year set of community-wide phenology data during 1993 to 2011 from Lambir Hills National Park in Borneo, Malaysia, and analyzed it using a model-free approach, empirical dynamic modeling (EDM), that does not rely on specific assumptions about the underlying mechanisms, to overcome and complement the previous limitations. By using EDM, we found that GF in the forest in Lambir Hills National Park is synergistically driven by cool air temperature and drought, which is consistent with the previous studies. Also, we found that cumulative meteorological variables, rather than instantaneous values, drive GF with delayed effects, which is also consistent with the previous studies. Interestingly, the present study showed that effects of cumulative meteorological variables on GF changed through time, which implies that the relationship between GF and meteorological variables may be influenced by other factors such as plant/soil nutrient resource dynamics. Future studies integrating novel mathematical/statistical frameworks, long-term and large spatial scale ecosystem monitoring and molecular phenology data are promising for better understanding and fore-casting of GF events in tropical forests in Southeast Asia.
Timing seed germination under changing salinity: a key role of the ERECTA receptor-kinases
Authors: Nanda Amrit K. , Habti Abdeljalil El , Hocart Charles , Masle Josette
Published: March 2019

Appropriate timing of seed germination is crucial for the survival and propagation of plants, and for crop yield, especially in environments prone to salinity or drought. Yet, how exactly seeds perceive changes in soil conditions and integrate them to trigger germination remains elusive, especially once non-dormant. Here we report that the Arabidopsis ERECTA (ER), ERECTA-LIKE1 (ERL1) and ERECTA-LIKE2 (ERL2) leucine-rich-repeat receptor-like kinases synergistically regulate germination and its sensitivity to salinity and osmotic stress. Loss of ER alone, or in combination with ERL1 and/or ERL2 slows down the initiation of germination and its progression to completion, or arrests it altogether until better conditions return. That function is maternally controlled via the embryo surrounding tissues, primarily the properties of the seed coat determined during seed development on the mother plant, that relate to both seed coat expansion and subsequent differentiation, particularly the formation of its mucilage. Salt-hypersensitive er, er erl1, er erl2 and triple mutant seeds also exhibit increased sensitivity to ABA during germination, and under salinity show an enhanced upregulation of the germination repressors and inducers of dormancy ABA-insensitive-3, ABA-insensitive-5, DELLA encoding RGL2 and Delay-Of-Germination-1. These findings reveal a novel role of the ERECTA kinases in the sensing of conditions at the seed surface and the integration of developmental and stress signalling pathways in seeds. They also open novel avenues for the genetic improvement of plant adaptation to harsh soils.

Highlight

The ERECTA family of receptor-kinases regulates seed germination under salinity, through mucilage-mediated sensing of conditions at the seed surface, and interaction with secondary dormancy mechanisms.
The transcription factor Odd-paired regulates temporal identity in transit-amplifying neural progenitors via an incoherent feed-forward loop
Authors: Abdusselamoglu Merve Deniz , Eroglu Elif , Burkard Thomas R. , Knoblich Juergen A.
Published: March 2019

Neural progenitors undergo temporal patterning to generate diverse neurons in a chronological order. This process is well-studied in the developing Drosophila brain and conserved in mammals. During larval stages, intermediate neural progenitors (INPs) serially express Dichaete (D), grainyhead (Grh) and eyeless (Ey/Pax6), but how the transitions are regulated is not precisely understood. Here, we developed a method to isolate transcriptomes of INPs in their distinct temporal states to identify a complete set of temporal patterning factors. Our analysis identifies odd-paired (opa), as a key regulator of temporal patterning. Temporal patterning is initiated when the SWI/SNF complex component Osa induces D and its repressor Opa at the same time but with distinct kinetics. Then, high Opa levels repress D to allow Grh transcription and progress to the next temporal state. We propose that Osa and its target genes opa and D form an incoherent feedforward loop (FFL) and a new mechanism allowing the successive expression of temporal identities.
Co-occurrence of organic and inorganic N sources influences asparagine uptake and internal amino acid profiles in white clover
Authors: Czaban Weronika , Rasmussen Jim
Published: March 2019

Direct plant uptake of organic nitrogen (N) is important for plant N nutrition, but we lack knowledge of how the concentration of external N forms (organic and inorganic) -influence organic N uptake and plant N status. We investigated the uptake of the amino acid asparagine (Asn) in white clover in the presence of different nitrate (NO3-), Asn, and total N concentrations. White clover seedlings were for one week exposed to combinations of NO3-(3-30 µmol N kg-1sand DW) and Asn (3-30 µmol N kg-1sand DW), where after the Asn uptake rate was determined by addition of13C4-Asn. Shoot and root Asn content and amino acid profiles were also analyzed. Increasing external NO3-and total N concentrations decreased13C4-Asn uptake rates and internal clover Asn content. Furthermore, total N affected clover amino acid profiles from non-essential amino acids at low N doses to the dominance of essential amino acids at increasing N doses. Asn uptake rate in white clover is reduced by increasing inorganic N, but not by increasing organic N concentrations. Furthermore, plant amino acid profiles are likely to be a more sensitive indicator of N supply and descriptor of the N status.
Human recombinant erythropoietin improves motor function in rats with spinal cord compression myelopathy
Authors: Tanaka Takahiro , Murata Hidetoshi , Miyazaki Ryohei , Yoshizumi Tetsuya , Sato Mitsuru , Ohtake Makoto , Tateishi Kensuke , Kim Phyo , Yamamoto Tetsuya
Published: March 2019

OBJECTIVE

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a clinically available hematopoietic cytokine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of EPO on a rat model of cervical cord compression myelopathy and to explore the possibility of its use as a pharmacological treatment.

METHODS

To produce the chronic cervical cord compression model, thin polyurethane sheets were implanted under the C5-C6 laminae of rats and gradually expanded due to water absorption. In this model, motor functions significantly declined from 7 weeks after surgery. Based on the result, EPO administration was started 8 weeks after surgery. Motor function as seen with rotarod performance and grip strength was measured 16 weeks after surgery, and then motor neurons were stained with H-E and NeuN staining, and counted. Apoptotic cell death was assessed with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. To assess transfer of EPO into spinal cord tissue, the EPO level in spinal cord tissue was measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for each group after subcutaneous injection of EPO.

RESULTS

High-dose EPO (5000 IU/kg) administered from 8 weeks after surgery markedly restored and maintained motor function in the Compression groups (P < 0.01). EPO significantly prevented loss of motor neurons in the anterior horn (P < 0.05) and significantly decreased the number of TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells (P < 0.05). The EPO level in spinal cord tissue was significantly higher in the High-dose EPO group than other groups.

CONCLUSIONS

EPO improves motor function in rats with progressive chronic compression myelopathy. EPO protects anterior horn motor neurons and inhibits neuronal cell apoptosis in spinal cord compression. The neuroprotective effects can be produced through transfer of EPO into spinal cord tissue. These findings suggest that EPO has high potential as a treatment for developing compression myelopathy.
A virome-wide clonal integration analysis platform for discovering cancer viral etiology
Authors: Chen Xun , Kost Jason , Sulovari Arvis , Wong Nathalie , Liang Winnie S. , Cao Jian , Li Dawei
Published: March 2019

Oncoviral infection is responsible for 12%–15% of cancer in humans. Convergent evidence from epidemiology, pathology, and oncology suggests that new viral etiologies for cancers remain to be discovered. Oncoviral profiles can be obtained from cancer genome sequencing data; however, widespread viral sequence contamination and noncausal viruses complicate the process of identifying genuine oncoviruses. Here, we propose a novel strategy to address these challenges by performing virome-wide screening of early-stage clonal viral integrations. To implement this strategy, we developed VIcaller, a novel platform for identifying viral integrations that are derived from any characterized viruses and shared by a large proportion of tumor cells using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data. The sensitivity and precision were confirmed with simulated and benchmark cancer data sets. By applying this platform to cancer WGS data sets with proven or speculated viral etiology, we newly identified or confirmed clonal integrations of hepatitis B virus (HBV), human papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and BK Virus (BKV), suggesting the involvement of these viruses in early stages of tumorigenesis in affected tumors, such as HBV in TERT and KMT2B (also known as MLL4) gene loci in liver cancer, HPV and BKV in bladder cancer, and EBV in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. We also showed the capacity of VIcaller to identify integrations from some uncharacterized viruses. This is the first study to systematically investigate the strategy and method of virome-wide screening of clonal integrations to identify oncoviruses. Searching clonal viral integrations with our platform has the capacity to identify virus-caused cancers and discover cancer viral etiologies.
The structure of lipopolysaccharide transport protein B (LptB) from Burkholderia pseudomallei
Authors: Pankov Genady , Dawson Alice , Hunter William N.
Published: March 2019

The thick outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria performs an important protective role against hostile environments, supports cell integrity, and contributes to surface adhesion and in some cases also to virulence. A major component of the OM is lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a complex glycolipid attached to a core containing fatty-acyl chains. The assembly and transport of lipid A, the membrane anchor for LPS, to the OM begins when a heteromeric LptB2FG protein complex extracts lipid A from the outer leaflet of the inner membrane. This process requires energy, and upon hydrolysis of ATP one component of the heteromeric assembly, LptB, triggers a conformational change in LptFG in support of lipid A transport. A structure of LptB from the intracellular pathogen Burkholderia pseudomallei is reported here. LptB forms a dimer that displays a relatively fixed structure irrespective of whether it is in complex with LptFG or in isolation. Highly conserved sequence and structural features are discussed that allow LptB to fuel the transport of lipid A.
CSR website disclosure: the influence of the upper echelons
Authors: Everaert Patricia , Bouten Lies , Baele Annelien
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Using upper echelons theory (UET), the purpose of this paper is to unravel the influence of a CEO’s ethical ideology on the presence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure on corporate websites. It also considers the CEO’s perception of the importance of CSR (i.e. the extent of the CEO’s detachment from the stockholder-oriented logic and attachment to the stakeholder-oriented logic).

Design/methodology/approach

First, a survey was sent to CEOs of large unlisted Belgian companies. Its intention was to assess CEOs’ ethical ideology along the idealism and relativism dimensions and their perceptions on the importance of CSR (PRESOR-detachment-from-stockholder view; PRESOR-attachment-to-stakeholder view), and to gather some demographics. Second, a content analysis of corporate websites was conducted so as to classify companies as being either CSR disclosing or non-disclosing. Third, the annual accounts of these corporations were investigated and follow-up phone calls were conducted to obtain data on managerial discretion (MD).

Findings

CEOs’ ethical ideology influences the degree to which they detach from the stockholder-oriented logic and attach to the stakeholder-oriented logic. Moreover, when MD is high, the degree of these CEOs’ attachment to the stakeholder-oriented logic is the factor that influences the presence of CSR disclosure on their corporate websites. Finally, CEO’s idealism indirectly influences the presence of CSR disclosure through the effect of idealism on the degree to which CEOs attach to the stakeholder-oriented logic.

Originality/value

This paper shows that, when MD is high, CEOs’ values and perceptions influence CSR disclosure decisions. This study thereby enhances our knowledge regarding the internal drivers of CSR disclosure practices and offers UET as a lens through which the importance of CEOs’ personal characteristics in the decision-making process might be further explored.
Australian corporate political donation disclosures
Authors: Tello Edward , Hazelton James , Leong Shane Vincent
Published: March 2019

Purpose

A primary tool for managing the democratic risks posed by political donations is disclosure. In Australia, corporate donations are disclosed in government databases. Despite the potential accountability benefits, corporations are not, however, required to report this information in their annual or stand-alone reports. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the quantity and quality of voluntary reporting and seek to add to the nascent theoretical understanding of voluntary corporate political donations.

Design/methodology/approach

Corporate donors were obtained from the Australian Electoral Commission database. Annual and stand-alone reports were analysed to determine the quantity and quality of voluntary disclosures and compared to O’Donovan’s (2002) legitimation disclosure response matrix.

Findings

Of those companies with available reports, only 25 per cent reported any donation information. Longitudinal results show neither a robust increase in disclosure levels over time, nor a clear relationship between donation activity and disclosure. The findings support a legitimation tactic being applied to political donation disclosures.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that disclosure of political donations in corporate reports should be mandatory. Such reporting could facilitate aligning shareholder and citizen interests; aligning managerial and firm interests and closing disclosure loopholes.

Originality/value

The study extends the literature by evaluating donation disclosures by companies known to have made donations, considering time-series data and theorising the findings.
Semiconductor properties of passive film and corrosion resistance of 2205 duplex stainless steel joint welded by laser hybrid welding
Authors: Yi Guo , Xu Junhua , Zheng Chuanbo
Published: March 2019

Purpose

There are obvious differences in corrosion resistance of different 2205 welding joints with different ratios of austenite and ferrite, from the top to the bottom, the austenite content decreased gradually while the ferrite increased. In each region of welded joint, the pitting resistance number of ferrite is higher than that of austenite; pitting corrosion is more likely to occur in austenite phase first on the top region of the weld and in the secondary phase precipitates on the other regions of the weld. The fluctuation of the ratio of austenite and ferrite has a great influence on performance of passive film in 3.5 per cent NaCl solution.

Design/methodology/approach

To study the corrosion behavior of welded joint, the samples were obtained by laser hybrid welding. Pitting corrosion was studied in different area of welded joint. The Mott–Schottky curves of welded joints were measured to study the passive film on the different welded joint area.

Findings

Due to the difference of heat input and the limit of filler depth of the wire, the microstructure of duplex stainless steel laser welding joint has obvious difference in the thickness direction. In addition, there will be harmful secondary phase (such as chromium nitride and σphase) precipitates in the lower part of the joint. For the welded joint, the corrosion resistance decreases with the increase in the difference of the microstructure. Pitting corrosion usually takes the two phases as the nucleation point and grows up. The surface of 2205 duplex stainless steel laser hybrid welding joint cannot form a complete passive film in 3.5 per cent NaCl solution, and the more the ratios of austenite and ferrite deviate from equilibrium position (50:50), the worse the performance of passive film is.

Originality/value

In this paper, the authors attempt to establish the correlation between the semiconductor electronic properties of passive film and the difference of microstructures and the component in a joint welded by laser hybrid welding. The effect of passive film on the corrosion resistance of the weld was further investigated.
Building blocks of the luxury jewellery industry: conversations with a CEO
Authors: Pereira Beulah , Teah Kevin , Sung Billy , Teah Min
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conduct an in-depth interview with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Larry Jewelry, a luxury jeweller with boutiques in Hong Kong and Singapore. Given the ever-evolving luxury jewellery market in South East Asia, it is paramount to understand the success factors of the luxury jewellery sector.

Design/methodology/approach

An in-depth interview approach is used to understand the antecedents of the success of the luxury jewellery sector. Specifically, this paper presents a complex business model of Larry Jewelry and an in-depth interview with the CEO of Larry Jewelry for current insights in the sector.

Findings

This paper highlights the history of Larry Jewelry, its product segments and the key elements of its business blueprint. Specifically, the success of Larry Jewelry is attributed to its business model and strong branding on quality, craftsmanship, rarity, human interaction and trust.

Originality/value

Despite the substantial growth in the luxury jewellery sector, there is relatively little research on the success factors of this industry, especially in South East Asia. The current research provides practical insights into business blueprint of a successful luxury jeweller in Hong Kong and Singapore.
Adaptation of international sustainability rating tools to Bahrain
Authors: Al Khalifa Fay Abdulla
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The damage humans caused to the environment post the industrial revolution fostered developing sustainability-rating systems – a number of evaluation instruments that focus on various factors to evaluate buildings and small-scale urban developments. Nevertheless, no buildings are certified in Bahrain, the environmentally challenged country in the Arabian Gulf. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This study assesses 11 sustainability-rating systems: LEED, Green Globes, BREEAM, DGNB, SBTool, WELL, CASBEE, Green Star, HQE, GSAS and the Pearl Rating System (PRS). These were selected because of their international applicability, popularity and importance. The study adopts a system of criteria using a comparative review and cross-comparisons to draw conclusions on the compliance of the selected systems to the Bahraini context and assesses the need and importance of a customised sustainability-rating tool.

Findings

The study concluded that LEED is the most comprehensive, international and versatile sustainability-rating system. It is also the most popular. Nevertheless, the PRS is the most relevant to the Bahraini context and is the easiest to access.

Originality/value

This paper provides a deep understanding of sustainability-rating tools and introduces a methodology of comparison that can be used as a reference when choosing between tools.
Adoption of green practices throughout the supply chain: an empirical investigation
Authors: Choudhary Kailash , Sangwan Kuldip Singh
Published: March 2019

Purpose

There is a dichotomy in the actual and expected environmental performances of the Indian enterprises even though the Indian enterprises have aligned their businesses with intended nationally determined contributions (INDC) targets. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the supply chain of Indian enterprises to understand influences to adopt green practices throughout the supply chains, and how these green practices influence economic, operational and environmental performances to reveal the underlying currents explaining difference in actual and expected performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Five research propositions are developed based on the existing literature. Data are collected from 233 ceramic enterprises in India. Exploratory factor analysis has been done to test construct validity and correlation. Confirmatory factor analysis is used to check unidimensionality of constructs. Structural equation modeling is used to test the strength and direction of the relations between the constructs and to develop the model.

Findings

The findings of the study suggest that the Indian companies have aligned their businesses with INDC targets but they have not adopted the green practices in inbound and outbound supply chains; therefore, the actual environmental performance is not as expected. Other major finding is that the enterprise and government are not focusing on the informative pressure and instead the focus is on coercive techniques which are not yielding positive results. The statistical results show that the adoption of green practices led to the improvements in environmental and operational performances but reduction in economic performance.

Originality/value

This paper has analyzed green supply chain management pressure, practice and performance measure for Indian ceramic enterprises and proposed a structural model with their interrelation.
Exploring the challenges and opportunities of the United Nations sustainable development goals: a dialogue between a climate scientist and management scholars
Authors: Mukhi Umesh , Quental Camilla
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The 17 United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) represent a powerful guide to foster actions to achieve a more sustainable planet. This paper aims to analyze the challenges and opportunities of SDGs based on an interview conducted with climate scientist Dr Carlos Nobre. In this interview, Nobre addresses the opportunities and challenges of the SDGs. More broadly, the aim is to raise awareness among scholars, policymakers and citizens about what is considered to be the most important societal questions of the times.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyze the interview conducted with this prominent and experienced climate scientist through academic lenses of interpretive approach. Further, the authors are bringing important reflections from this interview and linking it to Rasche et al.’s (2017) model, which cut across different levels and take into consideration the individual, organizational and societal levels in the relationship for SDG.

Findings

The interview reveals that all SDGs are interlinked and are of equal importance. However, the authors discuss three important challenges and opportunities addressed by Dr Nobre regarding the implementation of the SDGs. These are education, climate change and peace.

Originality/value

To better understand the challenges and opportunities of SDGs and how to act on them as citizens and management scholars, the authors believe that it is imperative to consider the viewpoint of climate scientists who, through their knowledge on earth science, have been contributing globally to the United Nations SDGs agenda at global and local levels. In this paper, the authors analyze the challenges and opportunities of SDGs based on an interview conducted with climate scientist Dr Carlos Nobre. In this interview, Nobre addresses the opportunities and challenges of the SDGs.
Projecting at the project level: MMC supply chain integration roadmap for small housebuilders
Authors: Dowsett Ruth , Green Martin , Sexton Martin , Harty Chris
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to provide insights into how supply chain integration may occur for small housebuilders adopting modern methods of construction (MMCs). The process of creating an empirically informed road map is described, whereby the practical day-to-day challenges of adopting a timber-frame solution on a small housing development in Southeast England were fed into a road map of future supply chain integration scenarios. The intention is to better position small housebuilders to contribute in addressing the shortfall in housing that continues to face the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews with supply chain members along with on-site observations captured key aspects of integration. Findings were used within two collaborative forums to guide discussion in a dual approach; discussing the challenges of timber-frame on the project and what would be needed on future projects for the firms analysed.

Findings

Empirically informed malleable roadmaps, of the kind developed within this study, provide feasible options for small housebuilders and suppliers of MMCs to collectively collaborate when transitioning towards fully integrated supply chains. Practically, the roadmapping approach, and the roadmap itself, would help small housebuilders and suppliers of MMCs transition towards full integration. Opening up avenues of integration that are spread across yet connected through numerous phases, firms and technologies helps construction professionals use more sophisticated modular and volumetric off-site solutions.

Research limitations/implications

Data collection took place over the course of a year. Future research could expand this relatively short duration to analyse the potential for construction professionals within the supply chain to integrate further over a longer period of time.

Originality/value

The novelty and contribution of this paper lie in the development and application of an alternative approach to roadmapping that departs from the normative linear examples of roadmaps found within the technology-roadmapping literature. The authors present a structured yet flexible approach to roadmapping that is both representative of the strategic planning and innovation activities that occur within small housebuilding firms and open to adaption to account for firm-level characteristics and contingencies. Positioned alongside firm-level dynamics (e.g. business cases and approaches to design), the roadmapping approach also reinforces the potential of incremental rather than whole-scale transitions.
The individual side of ambidexterity
Authors: Salas Vallina Andrés , Moreno-Luzon Maria D. , Ferrer-Franco Anna
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to examine whether inspirational leadership of heads of specialized medical units is related to individual ambidexterity of their dependent physicians; and second, to study the possible mediating role of organizational learning capability (OLC) in the relationship between inspirational leadership and individual ambidexterity.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modeling was used on a sample of 194 medical specialists from Spanish public hospitals.

Findings

Results show that inspirational leadership is positively related to individual ambidexterity among healthcare physicians. In addition, the results of the study revealed that the relationship between inspirational leadership and individual ambidexterity is mediated by conditions that facilitate learning, namely, OLC.

Research limitations/implications

This study uses cross-sectional data, which do not guarantee causality relationships among the examined variables.

Practical implications

The results of this paper suggest first that heads of healthcare units should inspire followers to achieve both exploration and exploitation. Second, it is also necessary to consider that inspirational leaders promote those conditions that facilitate learning, which should be particularly taken into account to enhance both physician’s exploration and exploitation.

Originality/value

In stressing an evident gap in the relationship between leadership and ambidexterity at the individual level, this paper attempts to advance in the leadership literature by revealing how the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions, and enhancing enthusiasm and confidence, empowers physicians to both explore and exploit knowledge. The results also indicate that the inspiration transmitted by the heads of medical services, facilitate physician’s perceived learning conditions which, in turn, fosters their individual ambidexterity.