bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Select panicogenic drugs and stimuli induce consistent increases in tail skin flushes and decreases in core body temperature
Authors: Federici Lauren M. , Caliman Izabela F. , Fitz Stephanie D. , Shekhar Anantha , Johnson Philip L.
Published: November 2018

Panic attacks (PAs) are episodes of intense fear or discomfort that are accompanied by a variety of both psychological and somatic symptoms. Panic induction in preclinical models (e.g. rats) has largely been assayed through flight and avoidance behavioral tests and cardiorespiratory activity. Yet, the literature pertaining to PAs shows that thermal sensations (hot flushes/heat sensations and chills) are also a common symptom during PAs in humans. Considering that temperature alterations are objectively measurable in rodents, we hypothesized that select panicogenic drugs and stimuli induce consistent changes in thermoregulation related to hot flushes and chills. Specifically, we challenged male rats with intraperitoneal injections of the GABAergic inverse agonist FG-7142; the α2 adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine; the serotonin agonist d-fenfluramine, and 20% CO2 (an interoceptive homeostatic challenge). We assayed core body temperature and tail skin temperature using implanted radiotelemetry probes and tail thermistors/thermal imaging camera, respectively, and found that all challenges elicited rapid, high-amplitude (~7–9°C) increase in tail skin temperature and delayed decreases (~1–3°C) in core body temperature. We propose that thermal sensations such as these may be an additional indicator of a panic response in rodents and humans, as these panicogenic compounds or stimuli are known to precipitate PAs in persons with panic disorder.
An Innovative Technique to Simplify and Improve Pattern Fabrication for Digital Somatoprosthesis
Authors: Aggarwal Himanshi , Singh Saumyendra Vikram
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Patterns for somatoprostheses are conventionally made of modeling wax.

The rigidity, brittle nature, reduced edge strength, and susceptibility to distortion of this wax often leads to failure in achieving marginal thinning and desired aesthetics.

Technique

A technique for fabrication of digital somatoprosthetic wax patterns with thin accurate margin by incorporation of a vacuum-formed polyvinyl chloride (PVC) template is described.

Results and Discussion

The technique helps in overcoming limitations of an all-wax pattern and improves accuracy and aesthetics of outcomes.

Conclusions

Incorporation of a PVC template in a somatoprosthetic wax pattern is a valuable technique to achieve good aesthetics and accuracy with the prosthesis.
Advances in neuroblastoma therapy
Authors: MacFarland Suzanne , Bagatell Rochelle
Published: November 2018

Purpose of review

Our understanding of the biologic basis of neuroblastoma, the genetic heterogeneity of this malignancy and the role of host factors has expanded significantly in recent years. In this review, we highlight current and future risk-based treatment approaches and discuss the opportunities and challenges of selecting optimal therapies for specific patient subsets.

Recent findings

Significant progress has been made in understanding neuroblastoma predisposition and new approaches have been taken to treatment of this disease. Although survival remains poor for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma, current-era therapy has improved outcomes. Integration of new prognostic markers into neuroblastoma classification systems will allow more precise risk classification and refined treatment assignment. Promising treatments that include targeted therapies as well as immunotherapeutics are being evaluated in clinical trials, and new predictive biomarkers are being developed.

As our understanding of neuroblastoma biology deepens, our approaches to therapy for this disease continue to evolve. Improved risk stratification and the use of predictive biomarkers will aid in treatment selection for patients with neuroblastoma, and it is expected that future treatments will be associated with greater efficacy and less toxicity.
Effector B cells in cardiac allograft vasculopathy
Authors: Zorn Emmanuel
Published: November 2018

Purpose of review

B cells have recently emerged as important immune players in solid organ rejection, especially in cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), a chronic form of rejection following heart transplantation. B cells can exert either regulatory or effector functions. This review will provide an update on effector B cells in CAV.

Recent findings

Independent studies reported the abundance of B cells in graft infiltrates during CAV, especially around coronary arteries. Infiltrates comprise CD20+ CD27+ memory B cells together with differentiated CD20−CD138+ plasma cells, which are almost always associated with T cells and macrophages. The structure of some of these infiltrates evokes that of germinal centers, suggesting the generation of tertiary lymphoid organs in the graft. Remarkably, B-cell infiltrates are most often detected in the absence of circulating donor human leukocyte antigen-specific antibodies, strongly suggesting that the two components are unrelated. Characterization of B-cell clones isolated from explanted human cardiac graft infiltrates revealed the prevalence of polyreactive innate, B1-like B cells. Accumulating evidence suggests that these cells act primarily as antigen-presenting cells in situ. Additional effector functions, such as local antibody secretion and pro-inflammatory cytokine production, promoting T-cell polarization, macrophage activation and fibrosis are also considered.

Converging observations made through animal and human studies add substantial support for an effector B-cell role in the pathophysiology of CAV. On the basis of these collective findings, a therapeutic strategy targeting B cells could reasonably be envisaged to prevent or treat this complication.
Manifestations of High-Reliability Principles on Hospital Units With Varying Safety Profiles
Authors: Mossburg Sarah E. , Weaver Sallie J. , Pillari MarieSarah , Daugherty Biddison Elizabeth
Published: November 2018

Background:

To prevent patient harm, health care organizations are adopting practices from other complex work environments known as high-reliability organizations (HRO).

Purpose:

The purpose was to explore differences in manifestations of HRO principles on hospital units with high and low safety performance.

Methods:

Focus groups were conducted on units scoring high or low on safety measures. Themes were identified using a grounded theory approach, and responses were compared using qualitative thematic analysis.

Results:

High performers indicated proactive responses to safety issues and expressed understanding of systems-based errors, while low performers were more reactive and often focused on individual education to address issues. Both groups experienced communication challenges, although they employed different methods of speaking up.

Conclusion:

Some HRO principles were present in the language used by our participants. High performers exhibited greater manifestations of HRO, although HRO alone was insufficient to describe our results. Mindful organizing, which expands on HRO, was a better fit.
Intratumoral Heterogeneity Accounts for Apparent Progression of Noninvasive Serous Tumors to Invasive Low-grade Serous Carcinoma: A Study of 30 Low-grade Serous Tumors of the Ovary in 18 Patients With Peritoneal Carcinomatosis
Authors: Seidman Jeffrey D. , Savage Johanna , Krishnan Jayashree , Vang Russell , Kurman Robert J.
Published: November 2018

Noninvasive ovarian low-grade serous tumors [atypical proliferative serous tumor (APST)/serous borderline tumor] appear to progress to invasive low-grade serous carcinoma (LGSC) at a low but regular rate. The underlying biology of this phenomenon is unknown. We studied 18 patients with 30 ovarian tumors (12 bilateral), including APST, noninvasive LGSC and invasive LGSC, who also had low-grade serous carcinomatosis. Tumors were evaluated for microinvasion (usual eosinophilic cell type), microinvasive carcinoma (<5 mm invasion of micropapillary nests), and overt carcinoma (≥5 mm invasion of micropapillary nests). Tumors were evaluated based on the original numerical order of sections under the hypothetical scenarios in which sampling was stopped at 1 section/cm and 2 sections/cm. Sampling based on 1 section/cm of greatest tumor dimension identified invasion of any type in 21 tumors (70%). Among these 21 tumors, 10 had microinvasive carcinoma, and 11 overt carcinoma. Sampling based on 2 sections/cm identified microinvasive carcinoma in 9 tumors and overt carcinoma in 14 tumors. With increased sampling from 1 to 2 sections/cm, the diagnosis in 3 tumors would have changed from microinvasive carcinoma to overt carcinoma, and in an additional 2 tumors from APST to APST with microinvasive carcinoma. Sampling based on >2 sections/cm changed the diagnosis in 1 additional case of APST with microinvasive carcinoma to overt carcinoma. These findings support that undetected (unsampled) occult invasion in the primary ovarian tumors is a likely explanation for some cases of apparent progression of noninvasive low-grade serous ovarian tumors to invasive LGSC. To minimize undetected occult invasion, consideration of sampling noninvasive low-grade ovarian serous tumors with at least 2 sections/cm of maximum tumor diameter may be warranted. The eosinophilic cell type of microinvasion, or microinvasive carcinoma, regardless of size, should prompt further sampling to identify overt carcinoma. The eosinophilic type of microinvasion was never seen alone in this cohort and by itself may be biologically insignificant.
Multiple Epidermolytic Acanthomas: Rare Vulval Lesions Which May be Mistaken for Viral Warts
Authors: Irwin Steven , Karim Afzal , McHenry Pamela , Hutchinson Sonya , Miller Keith , Jamison Jackie , Houghton Joseph , McCluggage W. Glenn
Published: November 2018

Epidermolytic acanthoma is a rare benign lesion that most often presents as a solitary or multiple small papular lesions on the trunk, face, limbs or external male genitalia. Only a small number of cases have been reported occurring on the vulva and clinically and histologically they may mimic and be misdiagnosed as viral warts. We report 2 cases of multiple epidermolytic acanthomas localized to the vulva. Molecular tests (in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction) showed no evidence of human papillomavirus infection and p16 staining was negative. We stress the need for pathologists to consider epidermolytic acanthoma in the differential diagnosis of multiple vulval lesions resembling viral warts.
PANINI: Pangenome Neighbour Identification for Bacterial Populations
Authors: Abudahab Khalil , Prada Joaquín M. , Yang Zhirong , Bentley Stephen D. , Croucher Nicholas J. , Corander Jukka , Aanensen David M.
Published: November 2018

The standard workhorse for genomic analysis of the evolution of bacterial populations is phylogenetic modelling of mutations in the core genome. However, a notable amount of information about evolutionary and transmission processes in diverse populations can be lost unless the accessory genome is also taken into consideration. Here, we introduce panini (Pangenome Neighbour Identification for Bacterial Populations), a computationally scalable method for identifying the neighbours for each isolate in a data set using unsupervised machine learning with stochastic neighbour embedding based on the t-SNE (t-distributed stochastic neighbour embedding) algorithm. panini is browser-based and integrates with the Microreact platform for rapid online visualization and exploration of both core and accessory genome evolutionary signals, together with relevant epidemiological, geographical, temporal and other metadata. Several case studies with single- and multi-clone pneumococcal populations are presented to demonstrate the ability to identify biologically important signals from gene content data. panini is available at http://panini.pathogen.watch and code at http://gitlab.com/cgps/panini.
A precursor of reading ability? 3-month-old infants easily learn to pair a phoneme with a visual shape
Authors: Mersad Karima , Kabdebon Claire , Dehaene-Lambertz Ghislaine
Published: November 2018

Being aware of the phonemes that compose syllables is difficult without having learned to read an alphabetic script, a skill generally acquired around 5 to 7 years of age. Nevertheless, preverbal infants are particularly good at discriminating syllables that differ by a single phoneme. Do they perceive syllables as a whole unit or can they become aware of the underlying phonemes if their attention is attracted to the relevant level of analysis? We trained 3-month-old infants to pair two consonants, co-articulated with different vowels, with two visual shapes. Using event-related potentials, we show that infants generalize the learned associations to new syllables with respect to a familiarization phase. The systematic pairing of a visual label with a phonetic category is thus easy to learn, suggesting that the main process underlying reading (i.e., grapheme-phoneme pairing) is grounded in the early faculties of the human linguistic system.
Facile method for screening clinical T cell receptors for off-target peptide-HLA reactivity
Authors: Gee Marvin H. , Yang Xinbo , Garcia K. Christopher
Published: November 2018

T cell receptors (TCRs) exhibit varying degrees of cross-reactivity for peptides presented by the human leukocyte antigen (HLA). In engineered T cell therapies, TCR affinity maturation is a strategy to improve the sensitivity and potency to often a low-density peptide-HLA (pHLA) target. However, the process of affinity maturation towards a known pHLA complex can introduce new and untoward cross-reactivities that are difficult to detect and raises significant safety concerns. We developed a yeast-display platform of pHLA consisting of ~100 million different 9mer peptides presented by HLA-A*01 and used a previously established selection approach to validate the specificity and cross-reactivity of the A3A TCR, an affinity-matured TCR against the MAGE-A3 target (EVDPIGHLY). We were able to identify reactivity against the titin peptide (ESDPIVAQY), to which there is now known clinical toxicity. We propose the use of yeast-display of pHLA libraries to determine cross-reactive profiles of candidate clinical TCRs to ensure safety and pHLA specificity of natural and affinity-matured TCRs.
Analysis of a Novel Bioreactor Designed for Ultrasound Stimulation of Cell-Seeded Scaffolds
Authors: Crapps Jacob , Rahimi Abdolrasol , Case Natasha
Published: November 2018

Although daily low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) treatment has been shown to induce cellular responses supporting bone repair, in vitro studies in 3D models, such as cell-seeded scaffolds, are needed to further investigate the underlying cellular mechanisms. This requires well-controlled conditions in an US bioreactor. Computational studies are needed to investigate various effects on US wave propagation influenced by bioreactor configurations, such as reflections at interfaces and wave interference, and optimize the bioreactor design for experimental repeatability. In this study, an enclosed cylindrical sample holder that contained an inner well for placement of a scaffold immersed in culture medium was fabricated by stereolithography 3D printing and combined with an acoustic absorbent material to eliminate the presence of an air-liquid interface perpendicular to the wave propagation path. Finite element simulations conducted in the frequency domain demonstrated that weak standing waves were present within the culture medium, indicating the effects of reflections at solid-liquid interfaces within the sample holder, as expected. Focusing on the acoustic pressure at the inner well surface, it was found that the spatially-averaged pressure varied from a maximum to a minimum value as the thickness of the water layer beneath the sample holder was changed. Average pressure values at antinode positions were 2-fold higher than at node positions. A volume-averaged pressure was calculated within the culture medium corresponding to the region where a scaffold would be centrally located within the bioreactor. It was shown that the thickness of the volume analyzed had a minimal effect on the calculated average pressure. Time-dependent simulations for one complete pulse (i.e. 1 ms) showed that the acoustic pressure in volumes that would be occupied by scaffolds of two different thicknesses (diameter of 8.5 mm and thicknesses of 0.2 or 2.0 mm) reached a stable value after 45 µs, and then remained at that value until the active period of the pulse ceased. Once the active period ended, the acoustic pressure rapidly decreased to a low baseline pressure. Overall, this study showed that the proposed novel bioreactor design provided a controlled environment for the US treatment of a cell-seeded scaffold by removing the air-liquid interface using a custom-designed sample holder and an acoustic absorbent material.
Laboratory evolution of aSaccharomyces cerevisiaexS. eubayanushybrid under simulated lager-brewing conditions: genetic diversity and phenotypic convergence
Authors: de Vries Arthur R. Gorter , Voskamp Maaike A. , van Aalst Aafke C. A. , Kristensen Line H. , Jansen Liset , van den Broek Marcel , Salazar Alex N. , Brouwers Nick , Abeel Thomas , Pronk Jack T. , Daran Jean-Marc G.
Published: November 2018

Saccharomyces pastorianuslager-brewing yeasts are domesticated hybrids ofS. cerevisiaexS. eubayanusthat display extensive inter-strain chromosome copy number variation and chromosomal recombinations. It is unclear to what extent such genome rearrangements are intrinsic to the domestication of hybrid brewing yeasts and whether they contribute to their industrial performance. Here, an allodiploid laboratory hybrid ofS. cerevisiaeandS. eubayanuswas evolved for up to 418 generations on wort under simulated lager-brewing conditions in six independent sequential batch bioreactors. Characterization of 55 single-cell isolates from the evolved cultures showed large phenotypic diversity and whole-genome sequencing revealed a large array of mutations. Frequent loss of heterozygosity involved diverse, strain-specific chromosomal translocations, which differed from those observed in domesticated, aneuploidS. pastorianusbrewing strains. In contrast to the extensive aneuploidy of domesticatedS. pastorianusstrains, the evolved isolates only showed limited (segmental) aneuploidy. Specific mutations could be linked to calcium-dependent flocculation, loss of maltotriose utilisation and loss of mitochondrial activity, three industrially relevant traits that also occur in domesticatedS. pastorianusstrains. This study indicates that fast acquisition of extensive aneuploidy is not required for genetic adaptation ofS. cerevisiaexS. eubayanushybrids to brewing environments. In addition, this work demonstrates that, consistent with the diversity of brewing strains for maltotriose utilization, domestication under brewing conditions can result in loss of this industrially relevant trait. These observations have important implications for the design of strategies to improve industrial performance of novel laboratory-made hybrids.
Adaptation to DNA damage checkpoint in senescent telomerase-negative cells promotes genome instability
Authors: Coutelier Héloïse , Xu Zhou , Morisse Mony Chenda , Lhuillier-Akakpo Maoussi , Pelet Serge , Charvin Gilles , Dubrana Karine , Teixeira Maria Teresa
Published: November 2018

In cells lacking telomerase, telomeres gradually shorten during each cell division to reach a critically short length, permanently activate the DNA damage checkpoint, and trigger replicative senescence. The increase in genome instability that occurs as a consequence may contribute to the early steps of tumorigenesis. However, because of the low frequency of mutations and the heterogeneity of telomere-induced senescence, the timing and mechanisms of genome instability increase remain elusive. Here, to capture early mutation events during replicative senescence, we used a combined microfluidic-based approach and live-cell imaging in yeast. We analyzed DNA damage checkpoint activation in consecutive cell divisions of individual cell lineages in telomerase-negative yeast cells and observed that prolonged checkpoint arrests occurred frequently in telomerase-negative lineages. Cells relied on the adaptation to the DNA damage pathway to bypass the prolonged checkpoint arrests, allowing further cell divisions despite the presence of unrepaired DNA damage. We demonstrate that the adaptation pathway is a major contributor to the genome instability induced during replicative senescence. Therefore, adaptation plays a critical role in shaping the dynamics of genome instability during replicative senescence.
Maternal Eed knockout causes loss of H3K27me3 imprinting and random X inactivation in the extraembryonic cells
Authors: Inoue Azusa , Chen Zhiyuan , Yin Qiangzong , Zhang Yi
Published: November 2018

Genomic imprinting is essential for mammalian development. Recent studies have revealed that maternal histone H3 Lys27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) can mediate DNA methylation-independent genomic imprinting. However, the regulatory mechanisms and functions of this new imprinting mechanism are largely unknown. Here we demonstrate that maternal Eed, an essential component of the Polycomb group complex 2 (PRC2), is required for establishing H3K27me3 imprinting. We found that all H3K27me3-imprinted genes, including Xist, lose their imprinted expression in Eed maternal knockout (matKO) embryos, resulting in male-biased lethality. Surprisingly, although maternal X-chromosome inactivation (XmCI) occurs in Eed matKO embryos at preimplantation due to loss of Xist imprinting, it is resolved at peri-implantation. Ultimately, both X chromosomes are reactivated in the embryonic cell lineage prior to random XCI, and only a single X chromosome undergoes random XCI in the extraembryonic cell lineage. Thus, our study not only demonstrates an essential role of Eed in H3K27me3 imprinting establishment but also reveals a unique XCI dynamic in the absence of Xist imprinting.
Genetic interactions between specific chromosome copy number alterations dictate complex aneuploidy patterns
Authors: Ravichandran Madhwesh C. , Fink Sarah , Clarke Matthew N. , Hofer Franziska Christina , Campbell Christopher S.
Published: November 2018

Cells that contain an abnormal number of chromosomes are called aneuploid. High rates of aneuploidy in cancer are correlated with an increased frequency of chromosome missegregation, termed chromosomal instability (CIN). Both high levels of aneuploidy and CIN are associated with cancers that are resistant to treatment. Although aneuploidy and CIN are typically detrimental to cell growth, they can aid in adaptation to selective pressures. Here, we induced extremely high rates of chromosome missegregation in yeast to determine how cells adapt to CIN over time. We found that adaptation to CIN occurs initially through many different individual chromosomal aneuploidies. Interestingly, the adapted yeast strains acquire complex karyotypes with specific subsets of the beneficial aneuploid chromosomes. These complex aneuploidy patterns are governed by synthetic genetic interactions between individual chromosomal abnormalities, which we refer to as chromosome copy number interactions (CCNIs). Given enough time, distinct karyotypic patterns in separate yeast populations converge on a refined complex aneuploid state. Surprisingly, some chromosomal aneuploidies that provided an advantage early on in adaptation are eventually lost due to negative CCNIs with even more beneficial aneuploid chromosome combinations. Together, our results show how cells adapt by obtaining specific complex aneuploid karyotypes in the presence of CIN.
High-throughput continuous rotation electron diffraction data acquisitionviasoftware automation
Authors: Cichocka Magdalena Ola , Ångström Jonas , Wang Bin , Zou Xiaodong , Smeets Stef
Published: November 2018

Single-crystal electron diffraction (SCED) is emerging as an effective technique to determine and refine the structures of unknown nano-sized crystals. In this work, the implementation of the continuous rotation electron diffraction (cRED) method for high-throughput data collection is described. This is achieved through dedicated software that controls the transmission electron microscope and the camera. Crystal tracking can be performed by defocusing everynth diffraction pattern while the crystal rotates, which addresses the problem of the crystal moving out of view of the selected area aperture during rotation. This has greatly increased the number of successful experiments with larger rotation ranges and turned cRED data collection into a high-throughput method. The experimental parameters are logged, and input files for data processing software are written automatically. This reduces the risk of human error, and makes data collection more reproducible and accessible for novice and irregular users. In addition, it is demonstrated how data from the recently developed serial electron diffraction technique can be used to supplement the cRED data collection by automatic screening for suitable crystals using a deep convolutional neural network that can identify promising crystals through the corresponding diffraction data. The screening routine and cRED data collection are demonstrated using a sample of the zeolite mordenite, and the quality of the cRED data is assessed on the basis of the refined crystal structure.
Crystal structure, spectroscopic studies and theoretical studies of thiobarbituric acid derivatives: understanding the hydrogen-bonding patterns
Authors: Sharma Anamika , Zamisa Sizwe J. , Noki Sikabwe , Almarhoon Zainab , El-Faham Ayman , Torre Beatriz G. de la , Albericio Fernando
Published: November 2018

In addition to their wide-ranging applications in the pharmaceutical industry, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) derivatives are also known to possess applications in engineering and materials science. 20 TBA derivatives, with diversity at the N and C-5 positions through acylation, Schiff base formation, Knoevenagel condensation, thioamide and enamine formation, were studied. The absolute configurations for six derivatives, namely 5-acetyl-1,3-diethyl-2-thioxodihydropyrimidine-4,6(1H,5H)-dione, C10H14N2O3S, A01, 1,3-diethyl-5-propionyl-2-thioxodihydropyrimidine-4,6(1H,5H)-dione, C11H16N2O3S, A02, tert-butyl [1-(1,3-diethyl-4,6-dioxo-2-thioxohexahydropyrimidin-5-yl)-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]carbamate, C18H29N3O5S, A06, 1,3-diethyl-4,6-dioxo-2-thioxo-N-(p-tolyl)hexahydropyrimidine-5-carbothioamide, C16H19N3O2S2, A13, 5-(1-aminoethylidene)-1,3-diethyl-2-thioxodihydropyrimidine-4,6(1H,5H)-dione, C10H15N3O2S, A17, and 5-(1-aminopropylidene)-1,3-diethyl-2-thioxodihydropyrimidine-4,6(1H,5H)-dione, C11H17N3O2S, A18, were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, which indicates the formation of intramolecular hydrogen bonding in all six cases and intermolecular hydrogen bonding for A17. In A13, the presence of two intramolecular hydrogen bonds was observed. The stabilization of the enol form over the keto form was confirmed by computation. In order to convert the keto form to the enol form, an energy barrier of 55.05 kcal mol−1 needs to be overcome, as confirmed by transition-state calculations.
Charge-assisted hydrogen bonding in three diaminobenzene salts
Authors: Zick Patricia L. , Geiger David K.
Published: November 2018

Hydrogen-bonding interactions play an important role in the rational design of crystal systems with desirable architectures. The crystal structures of benzene-1,2-diaminium sulfate sesquihydrate, C6H20N2
2+·SO4
2−·1.5H2O, (1), benzene-1,3-diaminium tetrachloridozincate(II), (C6H20N2)[ZnCl4], (3), and 3-aminoanilinium perchlorate, C6H9N2
+·ClO4
−, (4), are reported. Hydrated salt (1) is a polymorph (space group C2/c) of a previously reported [Anderson et al. (2011). Cryst. Growth Des.
11, 4904–4919] crystalline modification of salt (2) (space group P21/c). The contents of the asymmetric unit of (2) are twice that of (1). In each, the extended structures exhibit hydrogen bonds, resulting in chains of ions and hydrogen-bonded rings with an R
4
4(8) motif involving water molecules. Hirshfeld surface analysis shows that a significant difference between the two is the degree of C...C interaction. Salt (3) exhibits an extended structure having hydrogen-bonded rings and parallel benzene rings, with a centroid-to-centroid separation of 3.860 (2) Å. Salt (4) displays a three-dimensional superstructure that results from linked planes of ions joined by an extensive hydrogen-bonding network involving N—H...O, N—H...N and C—H...π interactions. The cation–anion and N—H...N interaction energies in (4), determined using density functional theory (DFT), show significantly stronger aminium–perchlorate than amine–perchlorate interactions.
Mixed natural arylolefin–quinoline platinum(II) complexes: synthesis, structural characterization and in vitro cytotoxicity studies
Authors: Chi Nguyen Thi Thanh , Thong Pham Van , Mai Truong Thi Cam , Van Meervelt Luc
Published: November 2018

Five new platinum(II) complexes bearing a eugenol and a quinoline derivative, namely [η2-4-allyl-2-methoxy-1-(propoxycarbonylmethoxy)benzene]-trans-dichlorido(quinoline-κN)platinum(II), [PtCl2(C15H20O4)(C9H7N)], (2), {η2-4-allyl-2-methoxy-1-[(propan-2-yloxy)carbonylmethoxy]benzene}-trans-dichlorido(quinoline-κN)platinum(II), [PtCl2(C15H19O4)(C9H7N)], (3), [η2-4-allyl-2-methoxy-1-(propoxycarbonylmethoxy)benzene]chlorido(quinolin-8-olato-κ2
N,O)platinum(II), [Pt(C9H6NO)Cl(C15H20O4)], (4), {η2-4-allyl-2-methoxy-1-[(propan-2-yloxy)carbonylmethoxy]benzene}chlorido(quinolin-8-olato-κ2
N,O)platinum(II), [Pt(C9H6NO)Cl(C15H20O4)], (5), and [η2-4-allyl-2-methoxy-1-(propoxycarbonylmethoxy)benzene]chlorido(quinolin-2-carboxylato-κ2
N,O)platinum(II), [Pt(C10H6NO2)Cl(C15H20O4)], (6), have been synthesized and fully characterized spectroscopically. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study was carried out for complexes (2) and (4)–(6). PrEug [or 4-allyl-2-methoxy-1-(propoxycarbonylmethoxy)benzene] in (2), (4) and (6), and iPrEug (the propan-2-yloxy analogue of PrEug) in (3) and (5) coordinate with PtII at the ethylenic double bond of the allyl group. In (2)–(6), the donor N atom of the amine group occupies a trans position with respect to the double bond. A comparison of the IC50 values of 0.38–29.23 µM for (2)–(6) with cisplatin, as well as other platinum(II) complexes, indicates an excellent in vitro cytotoxicity against the KB, LU, Hep-G2 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines, with the highest cytotoxic effect (IC50 = 0.38–1.99 µM) being for complexes (4) and (5) bearing a quinolin-8-olate ligand.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 1-[(1-butyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl]-3-methylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one
Authors: Abad Nadeem , Ramli Youssef , Hökelek Tuncer , Sebbar Nada Kheira , Mague Joel T. , Essassi El Mokhtar
Published: November 2018

The title compound, C16H19N5O, is built up from a planar quinoxalinone ring system linked through a methylene bridge to a 1,2,3-triazole ring, which in turn carries ann-butyl substituent. The triazole ring is inclined by 67.09 (4)° to the quinoxalinone ring plane. In the crystal, the molecules form oblique stacks along thea-axis direction through intermolecular C—HTrz...NTrz(Trz = triazole) hydrogen bonds, and offset π-stacking interactions between quinoxalinone rings [centroid–centroid distance = 3.9107 (9) Å] and π–π interactions, which are associated pairwise by inversion-related C—HDhydqn...π(ring) (Dhydqn = dihydroquinoxaline) interactions. The Hirshfeld surface analysis of the crystal structure indicates that the most important contributions for the crystal packing are from H...H (52.7%), H...N/N...H (18.9%) and H...C/C...H (17.0%) interactions.
Influence of selected factors in journals’ citations
Authors: Giri Rabishankar
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of selected factors in journal citations. Various factors can affect citations distribution of journals. Among them, skewness of citations distribution, author self-citation, journal self-citation and recitations (RCs) have been studied.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study based on 16 systematically selected journals indexed in Scopus under the subject category “Library and Information Science.” The study was confined to original research and review articles that were published in the selected journals in the year 2011. The temporal citation window from 2011 to 2014 was taken for analysis. Tools like, Scopus author ID, ORCID and author profiles from Google Scholar were used to minimize the error due to homonyms, spelling variances and misspelling in authors’ names.

Findings

It is found that citations distribution in majority of the journals under the study is highly skewed and more likely to follow log-normal distribution. The nature of authorship in papers was found to have positive effect on citation counts. Self-citing data show that higher ranked journals have rather less direct impact on total citation counts than their lower counterpart. RCs are also found to be more in top-tier journals. Though the influence of self-citations and RCs were relatively less at individual level on total citations of journals but combined, they can play a dominant role and can affect total citation counts of journals at significant level.

Research limitations/implications

The present study is based on Scopus database only. Therefore, citation data can be affected by the inherent limitation of Scopus. Readers are encouraged to further the study by taking into account large sample and tracing citations from an array of citation indexes, such as Web of Science, Google citations, Indian Citation Index, etc.

Originality/value

This paper reinforces that the citations received by journals can be affected by the factors selected in this study. Therefore, the study provides better understanding of the role of these selected factors in journal citations.
On data and connectivity in complete supply chains
Authors: Engelseth Per , Molka-Danielsen Judith , White Brian E.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to question the applicability of recent industry-derived terms such as “Big Data” (BD) and the “Internet of things” (IoT) in a supply chain managerial context. Is this labeling useful in managing the operations found in supply chains?

Design/methodology/approach

BD and IoT are critically discussed in the context of a complete supply chain organization. A case study of banana supply from Costa Rica to Norway is provided to empirically ground this research. Thompson’s contingency theory, Alderson’s functionalistic end-to-end “marketing channels” model, Penrose’s view of supply purpose associated with service provision, and particularities of banana supply reveal how end-to-end supply chains are complex systems, even though the product distributed is fairly simple.

Findings

Results indicate that the usefulness of BD in supply chain management discourse is limited. Instead its connectivity is facilitated by what is now becoming commonly labeled as IoT, people, devices and documents that are useful when taking an end-to-end supply chain perspective. Connectivity is critical to efficient contemporary supply chain management.

Originality/value

BD and IoT have emerged as a part of contemporary supply chain management discourse. This study directs attention to the importance of scrutinizing emergent and actual discourse in managing supply chains, that it is not irrelevant which words are applied, e.g., in research on information-enabled supply process development. Often the old words of professional terminology may be sufficient or even better to help manage supply.
Identity matters
Authors: Mariconda Simone , Zamparini Alessandra , Lurati Francesco
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conceptually develop and empirically test a model according to which a crisis leads to a greater reputational damage when it is highly relevant to the firm’s organizational identity or highly relevant to stakeholders’ identity.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 299 participants based in the USA were recruited online using the Amazon Mechanical Turk platform. The study uses a 2 (relevance of crisis to organizational identity: low vs high) × 2 (relevance of crisis to stakeholders’ identity: low vs high) between-subjects experimental design.

Findings

The results confirm the hypotheses that an organizational crisis leads to greater reputational damage when it is highly relevant to the firm’s organizational identity or when it is highly relevant to stakeholders’ identity. No significant interaction between the two variables was found.

Research limitations/implications

Future research could focus on further elaborating on how the two identity-related variables tested in this paper interact with other variables that have already been studied for moderating the effects of crises on reputation damage.

Practical implications

The paper reaffirms the deep interconnection between identity, stakeholders and reputation. Concretely, the results of the study suggest an informative way of mapping the degree to which risks or issues could potentially damage organizational reputation.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature by providing a more situational understanding of how the same exact crisis can damage the reputation of organizations differently. By doing so, the paper opens several new avenues for future research.
Winning in the court of public opinion
Authors: Kim Soojin , Krishna Arunima , Plowman Kenneth D.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how public relations (PR) professionals develop co-narratives with legal counsel when formulating crisis communication strategies. Understanding how PR practitioners work with their legal counterparts may help lead to more advanced and effective PR practice in the area of crisis communication and management. The authors attempt to do so in this study through interviews conducted with PR practitioners in two Asian countries – South Korea and Singapore.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 11 semi-structured interviews with PR consultants, 6 in Korea and 5 in Singapore were conducted between May and August 2016. Data analyses revealed key points of interest for PR practice.

Findings

First, PR consultants in both countries reported increased collaboration with legal counsel in times of crisis. Second, PR consultants report that legal professionals have begun to realize the significance of winning in the court of public opinion. However, the process by which PR–legal collaboration takes place to develop co-narratives followed extremely different patterns in the two countries.

Research limitations/implications

This exploratory study is not exempt from limitations. The findings from this study may not be applicable to other countries. As data collection in both countries relied on snowball sampling techniques, the participants in the interviews may not be representative of PR consultants in South Korea and Singapore. E-mail interviews had limitations due to their lack of richness and details compared to other forms of interviews (i.e. face-to-face or Skype interviews). However, computer-mediated interviews including e-mail interviews can still create good level of understandings about the phenomenon in question.

Originality/value

This study was an attempt to understand PR–legal collaboration particularly in times of crisis and contribute to the development of Asia-centric models of PR practice. There has been little research that explores how legal and PR counsels actually collaborate to devise optional crisis communication strategies for their clients (or organizations) in the times of crisis. Given that crisis communicative strategies have been shown to affect publics’ perceptions of an organization’s credibility and trustworthiness, it is important to understand how PR work with legal practitioners to develop co-narratives for optimal crisis management, and understand how their different professional perspectives, practices, and approaches affect the collaboration.
Leadership development learning accelerators: voices from the trenches
Authors: Longenecker Clinton O. , Insch Gary S.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the practices that high-performance leaders believed were influential for accelerating their development as leaders.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consisted of US based, mid-level leaders at Fortune 1000 companies who were identified by their organizations as being “high performers possessing the strong ability to deliver desired results for their enterprises.” The authors recently conducted focus groups with a subset of over 200 of these high-performing leaders and asked them to answer the following question: “Please identify what you would consider to be the five (5) most influential factors that accelerated your development as a leader.” Leaders were then randomly assigned to five-person focus groups to discuss their individual responses and come to consensus on what they considered to be the top leadership development “accelerators.” A content analysis of over 20 focus groups’ response sets allowed us to identify a list of top leadership development “accelerators”.

Findings

Seven leadership accelerators were identified: working for a great leader; experiencing an extremely challenging assignment or major organizational change; working in an organization that requires and supports skill development; possessing a strong mentor/accountability partner; ongoing personal reflection and self-assessment; experiencing a significant failure or career setback; and formal leadership development training/continuing education.

Research limitations/implications

It is important that leaders, HR professionals, and talent managers know and understand these factors and to make it an ongoing priority to systematically address the key questions that emerged from these findings.

Practical implications

Leaders should thoughtfully answer the questions presented for themselves and encourage leaders in their organization to do the same.

Originality/value

This paper, using primary data from “high-performance” leaders, identifies and explains seven important leadership development accelerators.
Proposing a total quality management (TQM) model for open government data (OGD) initiatives: implications for India
Authors: Saxena Stuti
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to advance a total quality management (TQM) model for the open government data (OGD) initiatives undertaken by the governments. As an example, the paper investigates the national OGD portal of India (www.data.gov.in) and provides implications of the proposed TQM model for the Indian case.

Design/methodology/approach

The TQM model for the OGD initiatives (16 dimensions in terms of drivers, enablers and results) is derived from the extant literature on the principles of TQM and OGD. The proposed model is used for drawing implications for the Indian OGD initiative.

Findings

The application of TQM model for the OGD initiative in India would help in quality maintenance and sustainability. The quality of the OGD portal should be improved by taking the TQM model as a point of reference.

Practical implications

Ensuring quality of the datasets is important for any OGD initiative. The proposed TQM model leaves insights for the practitioners (policymakers and administrators) to implement the TQM model in the OGD policy initiatives. This would lead to increased trust, transparency and accountability.

Social implications

Through the integration of the TQM model in the OGD initiative of the country, a wider section of the stakeholders may tap the qualitatively advanced datasets for value creation. Citizen participation and engagement would increase with the integration of the TQM model in the OGD initiative.

Originality/value

While management of quality in the OGD initiatives has been underlined in the extant OGD-focused literature, the utility of applying TQM principles in OGD initiatives has not been conceived so far. The present study seeks to contribute towards the extant literature on TQM and OGD with the identification of the TQM model for the OGD initiatives.
Assessing the engagement rates and satisfaction levels of various clinical health science student sub-groups using supplementary eLearning resources in an introductory anatomy and physiology unit
Authors: Browne Cherylea J.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Introductory anatomy and physiology provide a core knowledge base to students within clinical health science courses. Increased student numbers, as well as reduced access to laboratory-based cadaveric resources, have created a need for enhanced learning approaches to support learning. The streamlining of courses has also resulted in the need to effectively engage course sub-groups within large units. The purpose of this paper is to utilize the eLearning activities to investigate engagement and satisfaction levels within students undertaking an anatomy and physiology unit.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 19 formative quizzes were made available to students. Online practical anatomy laboratories covered anatomical content, and physiology quizzes covered physiological content. Student engagement was compared using frequency analysis across students studying varying courses. Satisfaction was determined by analyzing student’s feedback using frequency analysis.

Findings

Students accessed the learning activities 29,898 times over semester, with the peak access (37 percent) prior to the closed book exams. The resources were utilized primarily as an exam preparation tool rather than consistently throughout semester. Out of the various courses, the Paramedicine, Physiotherapy and Podiatry students were the most engaged, with the highest percent of “engaged/highly engaged” students. Students from various courses shared very similar views of the perceived benefit of the eLearning activities.

Practical implications

These results indicated a difference in engagement levels between the students of various course sub-groups, and therefore suggests that the development of course-specific eLearning activities is necessary in large, streamlined units to achieve a more focused approach to support students’ learning, engagement and success, so that positive and beneficial learning experiences are ensured for all students.

Originality/value

These results suggest that in the future, development of eLearning activities is necessary to achieve a more focused approach to support students’ learning, engagement and success, so that positive and beneficial learning experiences are ensured for all.