bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growth hormone control and cardiovascular function in patients with acromegaly
Authors: Lin Yi-Chun , Yu Wen-Chung , Kuo Chin-Sung , Chen Harn-Shen
Published: October 2020

Background:

Acromegaly is associated with cardiovascular alterations. Up to 50% acromegalic patients suffered from treatment failure after multiple modalities. We investigated correlation between cardiovascular function and control of growth hormone (GH) in acromegalic patients following transsphenoidal adenomectomy (TSA).

Methods:

We recruited acromegalic patients who had undergone TSA between 2006 and 2014 in this cross-sectional study. Patients were assigned to group 1, controlled acromegaly (GH <1.0 ng/mL and normalized insulin-like growth factor-1 [IGF-1]); group 2, partially controlled acromegaly (either GH >1.0 ng/mL or non-normalized IGF-1); or group 3, uncontrolled acromegaly (GH >1.0 ng/mL and non-normalized IGF-1). Echocardiography evaluated the left ventricular mass index, left ventricular ejection fraction, and the early transmitral filling velocity (E)-to-late transmitral filling velocity (A) and the E-to-the early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E′) ratios. Carotid tonometry evaluated the intima-media thickness of the carotid artery, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, augmentation index, aortic characteristic impedance (Zc), and pulse pressure amplification.

Results:

Thirty-three patients participated in this study. Fourteen of the 33 patients were males (42%). Mean age at diagnosis was 50.33 years (SD 18.45). Compared to patients in group 1, patients in group 3 had younger age and shorter years after operation, without statistical significance. Cumulative GH levels were progressively higher from group 1 to group 3, without statistical significance. The groups did not differ with respect to cardiovascular structure and function evaluated by echocardiography and carotid tonometry. Only Zc value had a difference that was of borderline significance (group 1: 109.13 ± 32.99; group 2: 129.30 ± 32.27; group 3: 159.56 ± 77.4 dynes × s/cm5; ANOVA p = 0.088; p = 0.086 for group 1 vs group 3).

Conclusion:

In the patients with acromegaly who had undergone TSA, cardiac structure and vascular stiffness did not differ among the groups with different levels of GH control.
Platelets parameters in septic shock: clinical usefulness and prognostic value
Authors: Harbi Ghada Al , Chaari Anis
Published: October 2020

Septic shock is a common cause of admission in the ICUs. Despite tremendous improvement in the management modalities, mortality remains high. Early diagnosis and prompt resuscitation are required to improve prognosis. Therefore, identifying a biomarker that could reveal the sepsis at its earlier stage is of paramount importance. In this regards, platelet parameters, such as mean platelet volume, immature platelet fraction and platelet-derived microparticles have been investigated as possible sepsis biomarkers. In fact, haemostasis disturbances are one of the hallmark of septic shock where platelets play a pivotal role in orchestrating the inflammatory response of the host. Moreover, these parameters could have a prognostic value as the severity of the multiorgan dysfunction is correlated with the inflammatory reaction.
Measuring human leukocyte antigen alloantibodies: beyond a binary decision
Authors: Maguire Chelsea H. , Schinstock Carrie A. , Tambur Anat R.
Published: October 2020

Purpose of review

Accurate measurement of human leukocyte antigen antibodies is critical for making clinical decisions treating patients awaiting transplantation or monitoring them post transplantation. Single antigen bead assay results are given as Mean Fluorescence Intensity, falling short of providing the required quantitative measure.

Recent findings

Titration studies were shown to circumvent the limitation of target-saturation that affect interpretation of single antigen bead assays especially in highly sensitized patients with strong antibodies. In fact, titration information can serve to measure efficacy of antibody removal during pretransplant desensitization using plasmapheresis/intravenous immunoglobulin (PP/IVIg) approaches. Moreover, recent studies indicate that knowing the donor-specific antibody titer has prognostic value that can guide PP/IVIg desensitization treatments. Newer data demonstrates an additional layer of information obtained by titration studies allowing to stratify patients with very high cPRA (>99%) based on the strength of the antibodies present, rather than the breadth. This data can thereby identify patients that are more likely to benefit from desensitization approaches on the transplant wait-list.

Titration studies have a prognostic value with regards to quantifying antibody strength. Obtaining this information does not require performing the complete set of dilutions. In fact, performing two to three specific dilutions can provide relevant information while maintaining practical cost.
Antiretroviral therapy reduces but does not normalize immune and vascular inflammatory markers in adults with chronic HIV infection in Kenya
Authors: Temu Tecla M. , Zifodya Jerry S. , Polyak Stephen J. , Wagoner Jessica , Wanjalla Celestine N. , Masyuko Sarah , Nyabiage Jerusha , Kinuthia John , Bloomfield Gerald S. , Page Stephanie T. , Farquhar Carey
Published: October 2020

Introduction:

Markers of monocyte/macrophage activation and vascular inflammation are associated with HIV-related cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and mortality. We compared these markers among African people living with HIV (PLWH) and HIV-negative adults, and examined risk factors associated with elevated biomarkers (>75th percentile) in PLWH on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Methods:

We measured serum concentrations of a gut integrity biomarker (intestinal-fatty acid binding protein), monocyte/macrophage activation biomarkers (soluble CD14 and CD163), and vascular inflammation biomarkers [soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1)]. We assessed the relationship of these inflammatory parameters with HIV, using logistic regression adjusting for traditional CVD risk factors.

Results:

Among the 541 participants, median age was 43 years and half were female. Among 275 PLWH, median CD4+ T-cell count and duration of ART use was 509 cells/μl and 8 years, respectively. PLWH had significantly higher prevalence of elevated inflammatory biomarkers compared with HIV-negative individuals even after adjustment for traditional CVD risk factors. Compared with individuals without HIV, the prevalence of elevated biomarkers was highest among persons with detectable viral load and CD4+ T-cell counts 200 cells/μl or less. In a subanalysis among PLWH, nadir CD4+ T-cell count 200 cells/μl or less was associated with elevated soluble CD14 (sCD14); dyslipidemia with elevated sCD14, sICAM-1, and sVCAM-1; and overweight/obesity with reduced sCD14. Longer ART exposure (>4 years) was associated with reduced sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1.

Conclusion:

HIV and not traditional CVD risk factors is a primary contributor of monocyte/macrophage activation and inflammation despite ART. Anti-inflammatory therapies in addition to ART may be necessary to reduce these immune dysregulations and improve health outcomes of African PLWH.
Paget Schroetter Syndrome and Chylothorax After Rhinoplasty
Authors: Toros Sema Zer , Ertugay Omer Cagatay , Celep Sinan , Tanrikulu Handan
Published: October 2020

Paget-Schroetter syndrome is a rare clinical condition characterized by subclavian vein thrombosis following repetitive upper extremity effort. In this case, we presented a 35-year-old female patient who underwent septorhinoplasty in our clinic. A swelling of the left part of the neck extending to the clavicle was detected 4 hours after the operation. Computed tomography of the thorax revealed a pleural effusion at the base of the left lung and a computed tomography angiogram demonstrated a recanalized left subclavian vein thrombosis. History of the patient clarified that she had moved to another house and had lifted heavy furnitures 4 days before the surgery. The patient was diagnosed with Paget Schroetter syndrome followed by chylothorax. Paget-Schroetter syndrome followed by chylothorax could be presented after a surgical intervention of the head and neck. Early diagnosis is essential to reduce the risk of ongoing morbidity and mortality.
Influence of Radiographic Soft Tissue Findings on Clinical Entrapment in Patients With Orbital Fractures
Authors: Pontell Matthew E. , Jackson Kianna , Golinko Michael , Drolet Brian C.
Published: October 2020

Introduction:

Radiographic assessment of facial fractures with computed tomography (CT) scanning has become standard of care. As imaging resolution has improved, findings such as herniation of extraocular muscles (EOM) have become a means of diagnosing conditions like orbital entrapment. However, the sensitivity and specificity of these findings has not been well-studied. We sought to evaluate the value of radiographic findings such as fat herniation, EOM contour irregularity, and EOM herniation in predicting orbital entrapment after orbital fracture. Secondary endpoints include diplopia, abnormal EOM motility, and the need for surgical fixation.

Methods:

A single institution, retrospective review at a regional level 1 trauma center was conducted. Patients with orbital fractures were identified by International Classification of Disease (ICD) codes and CT reports were queried for the terms “herniation,” “herniated,” “entrapped,” and “entrapment.” Four hundred records were analyzed.

Results:

Sixty-seven percent of radiology reports mentioned “entrapped” or “entrapment,” while the incidence of clinical entrapment was 2.8%. The odds of entrapment, diplopia, and abnormal EOM motility were higher in those with EOM herniation; however, EOM herniation had a positive predictive value of 7.9% for clinical entrapment. Fat herniation alone and EOM contour irregularity had positive predictive values of 4.2% and 4.8%, respectively.

Conclusions:

While the odds of entrapment appear higher in patients with EOM herniation, this imaging finding is not predictive of clinical entrapment. Fat herniation and EOM contour irregularity did not have higher odds of entrapment, nor were they predictive. Diagnosis of orbital entrapment should be based primarily on physical exam, with CT as an adjunct only. The assumption that radiographic findings indicate orbital emergencies may result in unnecessary interfacility transfers, subspecialist consultations, and emergency operative procedures.
Ethmoid Sinus Mucosal and Lacrimal Sac Flap Anastomosing in Patients With Failed Dacryocystorhinostomy
Authors: Yu Bo , Xia Yu , Ji Yuanfei , Tu Yunhai , Wu Wencan
Published: October 2020

Purpose:

The aim of this work is to demonstrate the outcomes of endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (En-DCR) with anterior ethmoid sinus mucosal and posterior lacrimal sac flap anastomosing in patients with previous failed DCR.

Methods:

The clinical data of patients who suffered from recurrent epiphora after failed DCR between September 2014 and March 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. Among them, those who received the second En-DCR procedure were enrolled in this study. During the surgery, anterior ethmoidectomy was performed. Posterior lacrimal sac flap was apposed closely to the mucosal of anterior ethmoid sinus instead of nasal flap at end of the surgery. Patients were followed up more than 12 months were included, the success rate and complications were recorded.

Results:

Sixty-one eyes of 61 patients were enrolled in the study. The success rate of our modified En-DCR was 83.6% (51/61). Among 10 eyes with postoperative obstruction, 4 eyes caused by granuloma, 2 eyes caused by scar synechia, 2 eyes caused by membranous obstruction, and 2 eyes caused by common canalicular stenosis. No serious complications such as orbital fat prolapse, cerebrospinal fluid leak, sinusitis, or visual impairment were occurred in this study.

Conclusion:

Endoscopic approach with anterior ethmoid sinus mucosal and posterior lacrimal sac flap anastomosing is a good choice for patients with recurrent epiphora after previous failed DCR.
Development of a Nurse-Led Competency-Based Program for Therapeutic Endoscopy
Authors: Embertson Anne , Ernst Neysa , Yoder Janet , Monroe Libbie , Hess MaryRose
Published: October 2020

Therapeutic endoscopy is emerging as an innovating alternative to gastroenterology surgery. Due to the increase in new technologies, endoscopy clinical staff require ongoing education to develop safe, competent practice for new equipment and supplies. Maintaining competencies with new equipment and supplies can be challenging. This article illustrates the development and implementation of a continuous educational program for endoscopy clinical staff at a major academic medical center. An initial needs assessment of staff education and competency led to the multidisciplinary plan for continuous education. Development of the Nurse Product Procedure Group enabled endoscopy staff to standardize care and maintain competency in advanced therapeutic procedures. The Nurse Product Procedure Group offers various pathways of learning to meet clinical staff's individual learning needs. Over a 5-year span of implementation, staff satisfaction of education and resources improved. Key implementation elements of the Nurse Product Procedure Group include monthly staff education, resource development, multidisciplinary collaboration, cost savings, outreach education, and external collaboration with national and international gastroenterology professional organizations and societies.
An exploration of Menzerath's law in wild mountain gorilla vocal sequences
Authors: Watson Stuart K. , Heesen Raphaela , Hedwig Daniela , Robbins Martha M. , Townsend Simon W.
Published: October 2020

Menzerath's law, traditionally framed as a negative relationship between the size of a structure and its constituent parts (e.g. sentences with more clauses have shorter clauses), is widespread across information-coding systems ranging from human language and the vocal and gestural sequences of primates and birds, to the building blocks of DNA, genes and proteins. Here, we analysed an extensive dataset of ‘close-call' sequences produced by wild mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei, no. individuals = 10, no. sequences = 2189) to determine whether, in accordance with Menzerath's law, a negative relationship existed between the number of vocal units in a sequence and the duration of its constituent units. We initially found positive evidence for this but, on closer inspection, the negative relationship was driven entirely by the difference between single- and multi-unit (two to six unit) sequences. Once single-unit sequences were excluded from the analysis, we identified a relationship in the opposite direction, with longer sequences generally composed of longer units. The close-call sequences of mountain gorillas therefore represent an intriguing example of a non-human vocal system that only partially conforms to the predictions of Menzerath's law.
Systems biology approach suggests new miRNAs as phenotypic stability factors in the epithelial–mesenchymal transition
Authors: Silveira Daner A. , Gupta Shantanu , Mombach José Carlos M.
Published: October 2020

The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular programme on which epithelial cells undergo a phenotypic transition to mesenchymal ones acquiring metastatic properties such as mobility and invasion. TGF-β signalling can promote the EMT process. However, the dynamics of the concentration response of TGF-β-induced EMT is not well explained. In this work, we propose a logical model of TGF-β dose dependence of EMT in MCF10A breast cells. The model outcomes agree with experimentally observed phenotypes for the wild-type and perturbed/mutated cases. As important findings of the model, it predicts the coexistence of more than one hybrid state and that the circuit between TWIST1 and miR-129 is involved in their stabilization. Thus, miR-129 should be considered as a phenotypic stability factor. The circuit TWIST1/miR-129 associates with ZEB1-mediated circuits involving miRNAs 200, 1199, 340, and the protein GRHL2 to stabilize the hybrid state. Additionally, we found a possible new autocrine mechanism composed of the circuit involving TGF-β, miR-200, and SNAIL1 that contributes to the stabilization of the mesenchymal state. Therefore, our work can extend our comprehension of TGF-β-induced EMT in MCF10A cells to potentially improve the strategies for breast cancer treatment.
Phylogenomic analyses of the Staphylococcaceae family suggest the reclassification of five species within the genus Staphylococcus as heterotypic synonyms, the promotion of five subspecies to novel species, the taxonomic reassignment of five Staphylococcus species to Mammaliicoccus gen. nov., and the formal assignment of Nosocomiicoccus to the family Staphylococcaceae
Authors: Madhaiyan Munusamy , Wirth Joseph S. , Saravanan Venkatakrishnan Sivaraj
Published: October 2020

Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences of members of the family

Staphylococcaceae

showed the presence of para- and polyphyletic genera. This finding prompted a thorough investigation into the taxonomy of the

Staphylococcaceae

family by analysing their core genome phylogeny complemented with genome-based indices such as digital DNA–DNA hybridization, average nucleotide identity and average amino acid identity. The resulting data suggested the following proposals:

Auricoccus indicus

was reduced in taxonomic rank as a later heterotypic synonym of

Abyssicoccus albus

;

Staphylococcus petrasii

subsp.

jettensis

as a later heterotypic synonym of

Staphylococcus petrasii

subsp.

petrasii

; the unification of

Staphylococcus aureus

subsp.

anaerobius

and

Staphylococcus aureus

subsp.

aureus

as

Staphylococcus aureus

; the unification of

Staphylococcus carnosus

subsp.

utilis

and

Staphylococcus carnosus

subsp.

carnosus

as

Staphylococcus carnosus

; the unification of

Staphylococcus saprophyticus

subsp.

bovis

and

Staphylococcus saprophyticus

subsp.

saprophyticus

as

Staphylococcus saprophyticus

; Staphylococcus succinis subsp. casei as the novel species Staphylococcus casei;

Staphylococcus schleiferi

subsp.

coagulans

as the novel species Staphylococcus coagulans;

Staphylococcus petrasii

subsp.

croceilyticus

as the novel species Staphylococcus croceilyticus;

Staphylococcus petrasii

subsp.

pragensis

as the novel species Staphylococcus pragensis;

Staphylococcus cohnii

subsp.

urealyticus

as the novel species Staphylococcus urealyticus; the reassignment of

Staphylococcus sciuri

,

Staphylococcus fleurettii

,

Staphylococcus lentus

,

Staphylococcus stepanovicii

and

Staphylococcus vitulinus

to the novel genus Mammaliicoccus with Mammaliicoccus sciuri as the type species; and the formal assignment of

Nosocomiicoccus

as a member of the family

Staphylococcaceae

.
SoftWipe – a tool and benchmark to assess scientific software quality
Authors: Zapletal Adrian , Höhler Dimitri , Sinz Carsten , Stamatakis Alexandros
Published: October 2020

Scientific software from all areas of scientific research is pivotal to obtaining novel insights. Yet the quality of scientific software is rarely assessed, even though it might lead to incorrect scientific results in the worst case. Therefore, we have developed an open source tool and benchmark calledSoftWipe, that provides a relative software quality ranking of 51 computational tools from diverse research areas.SoftWipecan be used in the review process of software papers and to inform the scientific software selection process.
Mathematical Perspective of Covid-19 Pandemic: Disease Extinction Criteria in Deterministic and Stochastic Models
Authors: Adak Debadatta , Majumder Abhijit , Bairagi Nandadulal
Published: October 2020

The world has been facing the biggest virological invasion in the form of Covid-19 pandemic since the beginning of the year 2020. In this paper, we consider a deterministic epidemic model of four compartments classified based on the health status of the populations of a given country to capture the disease progression. A stochastic extension of the deterministic model is further considered to capture the uncertainty or variation observed in the disease transmissibility. In the case of a deterministic system, the disease-free equilibrium will be globally asymptotically stable if the basic reproduction number is less than unity, otherwise, the disease persists. Using Lyapunov functional methods, we prove that the infected population of the stochastic system tends to zero exponentially almost surely if the basic reproduction number is less than unity. The stochastic system has no interior equilibrium, however, its asymptotic solution is shown to fluctuate around the endemic equilibrium of the deterministic system under some parametric restrictions, implying that the infection persists. A case study with the Covid-19 epidemic data of Spain is presented and various analytical results have been demonstrated. The epidemic curve in Spain clearly shows two waves of infection. The first wave was observed during March-April and the second wave started in the middle of July and not completed yet. A real-time basic reproduction number has been given to illustrate the epidemiological status of Spain throughout the study period. Estimated cumulative numbers of confirmed and death cases are 1,613,626 and 42,899, respectively, with case fatality rate 2.66 per cent till the deadly virus is eliminated from Spain.
Effects of long-term closed environment on human saliva microbiota and salivary cytokines
Authors: Zhu Yinzhen , Hao Zikai , Fu Yuming , Yang Jianlou , Dong Chen , Liu Hong
Published: October 2020

Compared with the normal environment, the microbiota in controlled closed cabins such as space capsules, Lunar/Mars bases have changed. To ensure the health of crewmembers, it’s necessary to understand the effects of these changes on human symbiotic microorganisms and immunity. In this study, the experimental platform “Lunar Palace 1” with a similar closed and controlled environment was used to research the effects of changed microbial exposure on human saliva microbiota and salivary cytokines. This paper studied on four crewmembers who participated in the third phase of the “Lunar Palace 365” experiment, analyzing the dynamic changes of saliva microbiota and salivary cytokines, and further studying the correlation between salivary cytokines and highly abundant genera. According to our data, the crewmembers’ saliva microbiota and salivary cytokines fluctuated smoothly throughout the whole experiment. Although a part of microbes increased or decreased some times, they recovered quickly after leaving the controlled environment. The level of IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α in crewmembers’ saliva decreased from normal environment to the controlled environment, showing reduced levels of oral inflammatory response in crewmembers. In addition, although there were significant individual differences in crewmembers’ saliva microbiota, sharing living space reduced the difference. Furthermore, the level of TNF-α showed a consistent positive correlation with the abundance ofActinomycesandRothiain the controlled environment, indicating healthy individuals’ oral mucosal barrier may be sensitive to changes in saliva microbiota. According to the result, semi-sterile environments in controlled closed cabins didn’t cause persistent changes in human saliva microbiota and oral immunity. Besides, it provides a new idea for future research on the impact of the controlled environment on crewmembers health, and provides guidance for studying the effect of semi-sterile environments on human immunity based on saliva microbiota.

Key points

Saliva microbes kept stable for individual but got convergent when sharing space;

The level of salivary cytokines reduced after entering the controlled environment;

There were complex correlations between salivary cytokines and saliva microbes;

The crewmembers adapt well to the controlled environment.
AAV Capsid Chimeras with Enhanced Infectivity reveal a core element in the AAV Genome critical for both Cell Transduction and Capsid Assembly
Authors: Viney Lydia , Bürckstümmer Tilmann , Mietzsch Mario , Choudhry Modassir , Henley Tom , Agbandje-McKenna Mavis
Published: October 2020

Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) have attracted significant attention in the field of gene and cell therapy due to highly effective delivery of therapeutic genes into human cells. The ability to generate recombinant AAV vectors compromised of unique or substituted protein sequences has led to the development of capsid variants with improved therapeutic properties. Seeking a novel AAV capable of enhanced transduction of human T cells for applications in immunotherapy, we have developed a unique capsid variant termed AAVX-Vivo(AAV-XV) that is a chimera of AAV12 VP1/2 sequences and the VP3 sequence of AAV6. This AAV chimera showed enhanced infection of human primary T cells and hematopoietic stem cells, and superiority over wildtype AAV6 for the genomic integration of DNA sequences either by AAV alone or in combination with CRISPR gene editing. AAV-XV demonstrated transduction efficiency equivalent to AAV6 at multiplicities of infection 2 logs lower, enabling T cell engineering at low AAV doses. Analyzing the protein coding sequence of AAV-XV revealed disruptions within the assembly-activating protein (AAP) which likely accounted for observed lower virus yield. A series of genome alterations reverting the AAP sequence back to wildtype had a negative impact on the enhanced transduction seen with AAV-VX, indicating overlapping functions within this sequence for both viral assembly and effective T cell transduction. Our findings show that AAV-XV is highly efficient at T cell engineering at low AAV dose and demonstrates the importance of AAP coding region in both viral particle assembly and cell infection.

IMPORTANCE

A major hurdle to the therapeutic potential of AAV in gene therapy lies in achieving clinically meaningful AAV doses, and secondarily, ability to manufacture commercially viable titers of AAV to support this. By virtue of neutralizing antibodies against AAV that impede patient repeat-dosing, the dose of AAV forin vivogene delivery has been high, which has resulted in unfortunate recent safety concerns and deaths in patients given higher-dose AAV gene therapy. We have generated a new AAV variant possessing a unique combination of capsid proteins for ex-vivo application termed AAV-XV, which delivers high levels of cell transduction and gene delivery at a lower MOI. Furthermore, we demonstrate a novel finding, and an important consideration for recombinant AAV design, that a region of the AAV genome encoding the capsid protein and AAP gene is critical for both virus yield and the enhancement of infection/transduction.
PIP2promotes conformation-specific dimerization of the EphA2 membrane region
Authors: Stefanski Katherine M. , Russell Charles M. , Westerfield Justin M. , Lamichhane Rajan , Barrera Francisco N.
Published: October 2020

The impact of the EphA2 receptor on cancer malignancy hinges on the two different ways it can be activated. EphA2 induces anti-oncogenic signaling after ligand binding, but ligand-independent activation of EphA2 is pro-oncogenic. It is believed that the transmembrane (TM) domain of EphA2 adopts two alternate conformations in the ligand-dependent and the ligand-independent states. However, it is poorly understood how the difference in TM helical crossing angles found in the two conformations impacts the activity and regulation of EphA2. We devised a method that uses hydrophobic matching to stabilize two conformations of a peptide comprising the EphA2 TM domain and a portion of the intracellular juxtamembrane (JM) segment. The two conformations exhibit different TM crossing angles, resembling the ligand-dependent and ligand-independent states. We developed a single-molecule technique using SMALPs to measure dimerization in membranes. We observed that the signaling lipid PIP2promotes TM dimerization, but only in the small crossing angle state, which we propose corresponds to the ligand-independent conformation. In this state the two TM are almost parallel, and the positively charged JM segments are expected to be close to each other, causing electrostatic repulsion. The mechanism PIP2uses to promote dimerization might involve alleviating this repulsion due to its high density of negative charges. Our data reveal a conformational coupling between the TM and JM regions, and suggest that PIP2might directly exert a regulatory effect on EphA2 activation in cells that is specific to the ligand-independent conformation of the receptor.
Adaptive fuzzy Jacobian control of spacecraft combined attitude and Sun tracking system
Authors: Chak Yew-Chung , Varatharajoo Renuganth , Assadian Nima
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The paper aims to address the combined attitude control and Sun tracking problem in a flexible spacecraft in the presence of external and internal disturbances. The attitude stabilization of a flexible satellite is generally a challenging control problem, because of the facts that satellite kinematic and dynamic equations are inherently nonlinear, the rigid–flexible coupling dynamical effect, as well as the uncertainty that arises from the effect of actuator anomalies.

Design/methodology/approach

To deal with these issues in the combined attitude and Sun tracking system, a novel control scheme is proposed based on the adaptive fuzzy Jacobian approach. The augmented spacecraft model is then analyzed and the Lyapunov-based backstepping method is applied to develop a nonlinear three-axis attitude pointing control law and the adaptation law.

Findings

Numerical results show the effectiveness of the proposed adaptive control scheme in simultaneously tracking the desired attitude and the Sun.

Practical implications

Reaction wheels are commonly used in many spacecraft systems for the three-axis attitude control by delivering precise torques. If a reaction wheel suffers from an irreversible mechanical breakdown, then it is likely going to interrupt the mission, or even leading to a catastrophic loss. The pitch-axis mounted solar array drive assemblies (SADAs) can be exploited to anticipate such situation to generate a differential torque. As the solar panels are rotated by the SADAs to be orientated relative to the Sun, the pitch-axis wheel control torque demand can be compensated by the differential torque.

Originality/value

The proposed Jacobian control scheme is inspired by the knowledge of Jacobian matrix in the trajectory tracking of robotic manipulators.
Trust research in public relations: an assessment of its conceptual, theoretical and methodological foundations
Authors: Valentini Chiara
Published: October 2020

Purpose

During the past few years, public trust in organisations, institutions and systems has decreased. Trust is an important antecedent not only for relationship-building but also for image and reputation management. This study aims to systematically review scientific publications on public relations and trust to explore the current status of trust research, including its conceptual definition, measurement and theorisation.

Design/methodology/approach

Only English-language scientific papers published in key public relations journals were analysed. Titles, abstracts and keywords were searched with the terms “public relations” and/or “strategic communication” and/or “communication management” and “trust”, returning 254 discrete articles. Quantitative content analysis and thematic analysis were used to extract information.

Findings

Trust research has limited methodological and intellectual diversity. Most studies have been published by North American scholars using surveys and interviews as the primary methods, and most are positioned within the public relations literature. One-third of papers do not use any specific theory to define trust, and about 13% of those in which trust is a central element do not refer to any conceptual foundation. The majority of papers are centred on professional and managerial problems, with limited discussion of publics/stakeholders' or societal problems.

Originality/value

This study offers important information about the development of trust research in public relations and sheds light on current knowledge gaps that can inform future research.
Two 3D virtual worlds as domain-oriented design environments: closing the educational gap with the action-breakdown-repair model
Authors: Mørch Anders I.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The present study proposes action-breakdown-repair (ABR) as a pedagogical model and 3D virtual worlds as technology, to bridge the gap between curricular goals and students out of school technology experiences, referred to as the educational gap.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study combining design-based research (DBR) and a case study was used with video observation as a data collection method. ABR is demonstrated by an empirical analysis of learning activities with ©Minecraft (hereafter MC) and ©Second LifeTM (hereafter SL) used in two teacher education programs.

Findings

Teachers and students could use the technology with some initial training. Experience in gameplay, collaboration and problem solving eased the transitioning into curricular activities. The teachers integrated domain knowledge by giving students tasks that involved the creation of domain-specific artifacts and role-play scenarios. In total, two dilemmas of educational gap closing were found and discussed: learning domain knowledge vs learning technology and breakdown in action vs breakdown in understanding.

Research limitations/implications

Automated feedback (critiquing) adapted to students' individual needs while building and role-playing in MC or SL to off-load some of the teachers’ work in scaffolding design activities in the classroom is a direction for further work.

Practical implications

The model can provide guidance for teachers and other stakeholders who are in the process of integrating creative technologies like visual programming, design environments and collaboration tools in K-12 education.

Originality/value

A novelty of the present research is treating ABR as a pedagogical model and closing the educational gap.
Teacher professional learning through lesson study: teachers' reflections
Authors: Fox Alison , Poultney Val
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study examines the experiences of five teachers working in two English secondary school subject departments after being given the opportunity to engage with Lesson Study (LS) to increase student performance in their subject areas. This study aimed to reveal the drivers for the teachers' engagement in LS, and how this experience of Joint Professional Development (JPD) might be contributing to their learning as teachers.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies an analytic approach to evidencing teacher learning, based on the work of Knud Illeris, offering this as a methodological contribution to the field of professional development literature.

Findings

Findings reveal that, despite all the teachers developing a passion for learning through LS, there are constraints on its sustainability and impact which can be attributed to the teachers' broader contexts and which affected them differently. The constraints centre on tensions between priorities and agendas within and beyond the school, related largely to budgets and visions of staff development.

Research limitations/implications

This focused study on two subject departments engaging in LS limits its generalisability in terms of findings. However, the study offers a practical research application of a model of learning for analysis of teacher reflections on collaborative learning experiences.

Originality/value

Understanding individual teacher reflections on LS experiences is under-represented in the literature, in particular studies providing insights into conditions conducive and constraining to JPD.
Sustainability key performance indicators and the global reporting initiative: usage and challenges in a developing country context
Authors: Dissanayake Dinithi
Published: October 2020

Purpose

First, this paper aims to explore the extent of the global reporting initiative (GRI) sustainability key performance indicator (KPI) usage in sustainability reporting by businesses operating in Sri Lanka. Second, using a contingency theory approach, this research examines the factors which promote or inhibit the use of the GRI framework to adopt sustainability KPIs in a developing country context, Sri Lanka.

Design/methodology/approach

Content analysis and semi-structured interviews are used in this study to explore the key factors which affect the usage of the GRI framework by Sri Lankan companies in adopting sustainability KPIs and reporting on sustainability.

Findings

The findings indicate that the GRI framework is increasingly used for sustainability reporting by Sri Lankan companies because of its flexibility, consistency, legitimacy and its focus on continuous improvement. However, company managers also shed light on the extensive number of KPIs in the GRI framework making selections challenging and the consequent difficulties associated with adapting these KPIs for companies operating in a developing country context.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to extending the broader literature on sustainability reporting in developing countries and specifically on sustainability KPIs. Second, this paper adds to the current empirical research on sustainability reporting in Sri Lanka where the literature is still sparse. Third, this study highlights the key factors that support or hinder the usage of the GRI framework in a developing country context.

Practical implications

Important insights for GRI, other standard-setting agencies and businesses can be drawn from the findings of this study. By capitalising further on the training and the educational courses provided by GRI, GRI can be involved in mitigating some of the pressing issues faced by the reporting companies.

Originality/value

This study adds to the limited research on sustainability reporting and sustainability KPIs in developing country contexts. It shows how companies in Sri Lanka are engaging with sustainability KPIs and sustainability reporting, but are also constrained by the GRI framework as its standards are not tailored to issues in developing countries.
Measuring the financial effects of mitigating commodity price volatility in supply chains
Authors: Gaudenzi Barbara , Zsidisin George A. , Pellegrino Roberta
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Firms can choose from an array of approaches for reducing the detrimental financial effects caused by unfavorable fluctuations in commodity prices. The purpose of this paper is to provide guidance for effectively estimating the financial effects of mitigating commodity price risk volatility (CPV) in supply chain management decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts two prominent and complementary methodologies, namely, total cost of ownership (TCO and real options valuation (ROV), to illustrate how commodity price risk mitigation strategies can be analyzed with respect to their effect on costs and performance. The paper provides insights through a case study to demonstrate the application of these methods together and establish the benefits and challenges associated with their implementation.

Findings

The paper illustrates advantages and disadvantages of TCO and ROV and how these approaches can be adopted together to contribute to effective purchasing decisions. Supply chain flexibility is a key capability but requires investments. Holistically measuring the financial effects of flexibility investments is imperative for gaining executive management support in mitigating commodity price volatility.

Research limitations/implications

This study can provide supply chain professionals with useful guidance for measuring the costs and benefits related to developing strategies for mitigating commodity price volatility. TCO provides a focus on the costs associated with the commodity purchasing process, and ROV enables the aggregation of all the costs and benefits associated with the use of the strategy and synthesizes them into the net value estimate.

Originality/value

The paper provides a comparison of different but complementary approaches, specifically TCO and ROV, for analyzing the effectiveness of CPV risk mitigation decisions. In addition, these two methods allow supply chain professionals to evaluate and control the financial effects of CPV risk, particularly the impact of mitigation on firm’s cash flows.
Designing employee experiences to create customer experience value
Authors: Pine II B. Joseph
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The author’s thesis is that today we have transitioned from a Service Economy to an Experience Economy, . What customers increasingly want are experiences – memorable events that engage each individual in an inherently personal way. And if companies want to create and consistently offer engagement experience value, then they need to give their employees the wherewithal to design, create and stage such offerings through an employee experience that is equally personal, memorable and of course engaging. 10;

Design/methodology/approach

The author suggests that we think of the customer/employee relationship as the experience profit chain, one that interacts in multiple and complex ways to yield a connected human experience.

Findings

Better employee experience leads to the creation of a better experience for customers, which feeds back to enabling a more engaging employee experience. Separate employee experiences from customer experiences and it will become increasingly hard to create the economic value desired by customers today.

Practical implications

The employee experience depends on how well companies design the time employees spend that creates value for customers.

Originality/value

Seminal article that analyzes and offers guidance on how to formulate the relationship between customer experience and employee experience.
iTRAQ‐ and LC–MS/MS‐based quantitative proteomics reveals Pqlc2 as a potential regulator of hepatic glucose metabolism and insulin signalling pathway during fasting
Authors: Sun Di‐Yang , Fu Jiang‐Tao , Li Guo‐Qiang , Zhang Wen‐Jie , Zeng Fei‐Yan , Tong Jie , Miao Chao‐Yu , Li Dong‐Jie , Wang Pei
Published: October 2020

Glucose homeostasis is tightly controlled by balance between glucose production and uptake in liver tissue upon energy shortage condition. Altered glucose homeostasis contributes to the pathophysiology of metabolic disorders including diabetes and obesity. Here, we aimed to analyse the change of proteomic profile upon prolonged fasting in mice with isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) labelling followed by liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC/MS) technology. Adult male mice were fed or fasted for 16 hours and liver tissues were collected for iTRAQ labelling followed by LC/MS analysis. A total of 322 differentially expressed proteins were identified, including 189 upregulated and 133 downregulated proteins. Bioinformatics analyses, including Gene Ontology analysis (GO), Kyoto encyclopaedia of genes and genomes analysis (KEGG) and protein‐protein interaction analysis (PPI) were conducted to understand biological process, cell component, and molecular function of the 322 differentially expressed proteins. Among 322 hepatic proteins differentially expressed between fasting and fed mice, we validated three upregulated proteins (Pqlc2, Ehhadh and Apoa4) and two downregulated proteins (Uba52 and Rpl37) by western‐blotting analysis. In cultured HepG2 hepatocellular cells, we found that depletion of Pqlc2 by siRNA‐mediated knockdown impaired the insulin‐induced glucose uptake, inhibited GLUT2 mRNA level and suppressed the insulin‐induced Akt phosphorylation. By contrast, knockdown of Pqlc2 did not affect the cAMP/dexamethasone‐induced gluconeogenesis. In conclusion, our study provides important information on protein profile change during prolonged fasting with iTRAQ‐ and LC–MS/MS‐based quantitative proteomics, and identifies Pqlc2 as a potential regulator of hepatic glucose metabolism and insulin signalling pathway in this process.
The impact of sampling patients on measuring physician patient‐sharing networks using Medicare data
Authors: O'Malley A. James , Onnela Jukka‐Pekka , Keating Nancy L. , Landon Bruce E.
Published: October 2020

Objective

To investigate the impact of sampling patients on descriptive characteristics of physician patient‐sharing networks.

Data Sources

Medicare claims data from 10 hospital referral regions (HRRs) in the United States in 2010.

Study Design

We form a sampling frame consisting of the full cohort of patients (Medicare enrollees) with claims in the 2010 calendar year from the selected HRRs. For each sampling fraction, we form samples of patients from which a physician (“patient‐sharing”) network is constructed in which an edge between two physicians depicts that at least one patient in the sample encountered both of those physicians. The network is summarized using 18 network measures. For each network measure and sampling fraction, we compare the values determined from the sample and the full cohort of patients. Finally, we assess the sampling fraction that is needed to measure each network measure to specified levels of accuracy.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

We utilized administrative claims from the traditional (fee‐for‐service) Medicare.

Principal Findings

We found that measures of physician degree (the number of ties to other physicians) in the network and physician centrality (importance or prominence in the network) are learned quickly in the sense that a small sampling fraction suffices to accurately compute the measure. At the network level, network density (the proportion of possible edges that are present) was learned quickly while measures based on more complex configurations (subnetworks involving multiple actors) are learned relatively slowly with relative rates of learning depending on network size (the number of nodes).

Conclusions

The sampling fraction applied to Medicare patients has a highly heterogeneous effect across different network measures on the extent to which sample‐based network measures resemble those evaluated using the full cohort. Even random sampling of patients may yield physician networks that distort descriptive features of the network based on the full cohort, potentially resulting in biased results.
The Logical Case for Love as an Ingredient in Policy Formulation After COVID‐19
Authors: Sur Rahul
Published: October 2020

In the backdrop of the COVID‐19 pandemic, which has already had disastrous public health and economic effects, but also resulted in the positive emotion of love as a spontaneous response at many levels, this article asks whether there is a need for the explicit inclusion of the emotion of love in policy formulation. It answers this affirmatively by first proposing, in Part I, what love should mean in policy formulation. However, as rationality remains highly prized in policy formulation, it considers emotion as prejudicial to its cool and level‐headed processes and assumes that human behaviour is exclusively negative. To overcome this drawback, love is proposed for inclusion in policy formulation on the rationale that it is a real and positive emotion. Part II takes an eclectic approach and provides six examples of love’s relevance drawn from hate studies, medicine, business, psychology, religion, and women’s preferences. Together, they constitute a significant pattern and demonstrate love’s versatility, making it relevant for those who formulate policy. Suggestions for policy applications are also made. While acknowledging that including love in policy formulation is not a panacea, this positive, universal, and resilient emotion should be incorporated in policy formulation to increase its effectiveness and relevance given the exceptional negativity of our times following COVID‐19.