bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Overexpression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction of the nisin resistance protein fromStreptococcus agalactiae
Authors: Khosa Sakshi , Hoeppner Astrid , Kleinschrodt Diana , Smits Sander H. J.
Published: May 2015

Nisin is a 34-amino-acid antimicrobial peptide produced byLactococcus lactisbelonging to the class of lantibiotics. Nisin displays a high bactericidal activity against various Gram-positive bacteria, including some human-pathogenic strains. However, there are some nisin-non-producing strains that are naturally resistant owing to the presence of thensrgene within their genome. The encoded protein, NSR, cleaves off the last six amino acids of nisin, thereby reducing its bactericidal efficacy. An expression and purification protocol has been established for the NSR protein fromStreptococcus agalactiaeCOH1. The protein was successfully crystallized using the vapour-diffusion method in hanging and sitting drops, resulting in crystals that diffracted X-rays to 2.8 and 2.2 Å, respectively.
Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of theEscherichia colicommon pilus chaperone EcpB
Authors: Garnett James A. , Diallo Mamou , Matthews Steve J.
Published: May 2015

Pili are key cell-surface components that allow the attachment of bacteria to both biological and abiotic solid surfaces, whilst also mediating interactions between themselves. InEscherichia coli, the common pilus (Ecp) belongs to an alternative chaperone–usher (CU) pathway that plays a major role in both early biofilm formation and host-cell adhesion. The chaperone EcpB is involved in the biogenesis of the filament, which is composed of EcpA and EcpD. Initial attempts at crystallizing EcpB using natively purified protein from the bacterial periplasm were not successful; however, after the isolation of EcpB under denaturing conditions and subsequent refolding, crystals were obtained at pH 8.0 using the sitting-drop method of vapour diffusion. Diffraction data have been processed to 2.4 Å resolution. These crystals belonged to the trigonal space groupP3121 orP3221, with unit-cell parametersa=b= 62.65,c= 121.14 Å and one monomer in the asymmetric unit. Molecular replacement was unsuccessful, but selenomethionine-substituted protein and heavy-atom derivatives are being prepared for phasing. The three-dimensional structure of EcpB will provide invaluable information on the subtle mechanistic differences in biogenesis between the alternative and classical CU pathways. Furthermore, this is the first time that this refolding strategy has been used to purify CU chaperones, and it could be implemented in similar systems where it has not been possible to obtain highly ordered crystals.
Expression, crystallization and X-ray diffraction analysis of a complex between B7-H6, a tumor cell ligand for the natural cytotoxicity receptor NKp30, and an inhibitory antibody
Authors: Xu Xiaoping , Li Yili , Gauthier Laurent , Chen Qianming , Vivier Eric , Mariuzza Roy A.
Published: May 2015

Natural killer (NK) cells are essential components of the innate immune response to tumors and viral infections. In humans, the activating natural cytotoxicity receptor NKp30 plays a major role in NK cell-mediated tumor cell lysis. NKp30 recognizes the cell-surface protein B7-H6, which is expressed on tumor, but not healthy, cells. A mouse monoclonal antibody (17B1.3) against human B7-H6 has been developed (Kd= 0.2 µM) to investigate NKp30-mediated NK cell activation and to target tumors expressing B7-H6. Surprisingly, 17B1.3 blocks NK cell activation without interfering with the binding of B7-H6 to NKp30. Understanding the inhibitory mechanism of this antibody will require knowing the structure of 17B1.3 bound to B7-H6. The antigen-binding fragment (Fab) of 17B1.3 was expressed byin vitrofolding from bacterial inclusion bodies. The extracellular domain of B7-H6 was produced by secretion from baculovirus-infected insect cells. Crystals of the Fab 17B1.3–B7-H6 complex grown by macro-seeding diffracted to 2.5 Å resolution and belonged to space groupP212121, with unit-cell parametersa= 89.6,b= 138.0,c= 171.4 Å, α = β = γ = 90°. Comparison of the Fab 17B1.3–B7-H6 structure with the known NKp30–B7-H6 structure will elucidate the inhibitory mechanism of 17B1.3.
Crystallization of interleukin-18 for structure-based inhibitor design
Authors: Krumm Brian , Meng Xiangzhi , Xiang Yan , Deng Junpeng
Published: May 2015

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a pleiotropic pro-inflammatory cytokine belonging to the IL-1 superfamily. IL-18 plays an important role in host innate and acquired immune defense, with its activity being modulatedin vivoby its naturally occurring antagonist IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP). Recent crystal structures of human IL-18 (hIL-18) in complex with its antagonist or cognate receptor(s) have revealed a conserved binding interface on hIL-18 representing a promising drug target. An important step in this process is obtaining crystals of apo hIL-18 or hIL-18 in complex with small-molecule inhibitors, preferably under low ionic strength conditions. In this study, surface-entropy reduction (SER) and rational protein design were employed to facilitate the crystallization of hIL-18. The results provide an excellent platform for structure-based drug design.
Impacts of climate change on agro-ecological landscapes in the coastal area of the Thai Binh province (Vietnam) using the Delphi technique
Authors: Trinh Hai Le , An Thinh Nguyen , Anh Tuan Tran , Dinh Cham Dao , The Anh Luu , Luu Thu Thuy Hoang , Manh Ha Nguyen , Quoc Bao Tran , Van Huong Le , Dinh Khanh Uong , Thi Mai Bui , Phuc Tuan Tong , Hai Hoang , Truong Quang Hai
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to facilitate the joint assessment of issues related to the agricultural systems, i.e. agriculture, aquaculture and climate change (CC) response strategies, in the coastal districts with a panel of stakeholders; and to evaluate the level of agreement on the topics under consideration and potentially identify the most promising approaches to assessing CC affecting agricultural systems in the area and identify relevant and adequate response strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

– Stakeholder Delphi technique – its assessment is an interactive method of qualitative research used to facilitate the interactive participation of varied and conceivably hierarchical and antagonistic stakeholder groups.

Findings

– The most important result for the province is that the impact of climate change on agro-ecological landscapes (poverty and near river areas) is the duration of cold weather, more frequent and extreme. Moreover, Kendall’s W test gave a score of 0.547, which indicates a “strong” stakeholder agreement and the “confidence in ranks” being “high” in Thai Binh (Vietnam).

Originality/value

– The scientific results in this study are intended to serve as relevant knowledge-inputs and direct contributions to capacity-building for the local partners (stakeholders and local authorities). These local partners are engaged in policy-making and effective planning and implementation of climate response measures in the districts in the province of Thai Binh.
From barriers to bridges: approaching accessibility in course design
Authors: Varonis Evangeline Marlos
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore how the principles of universal design can be implemented by faculty and course designers to help give all learners access to equivalent information. It describes how information communication technologies can create barriers to information access, particularly when course content is rich in multimedia, but also how such technologies can be utilized to creates bridges to accessible content through designing for accessibility from the outset.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper offers a brief review of current international guidelines and US legislation related to information communication technologies in higher education. It documents the challenge of meeting these best practices and legal mandates, as evidenced by recent legal cases in the USA resulting from inaccessible course content in higher education. Finally, it describes how universal design can enhance accessibility for individuals with visual, hearing, motor, and cognitive impairments and provides concrete suggestions for making content more accessible to all learners, not just those with disabilities.

Findings

– Given the challenges of creating accessible content that provides equivalent information to all learners, faculty and course designers can implement the principles of Universal Design to enhance the learning environment for all students and ensure they are in compliance with guidelines and regulations. Such compliance is facilitated by emerging standards for accessible content and emerging technologies for making content accessible to all without the need for special accommodations.

Originality/value

– This paper focusses on concrete approaches to achieving accessibility in higher education, a matter of increasing concern for moral reasons (it is the right thing to do) and for legal reasons given recent lawsuits.
Bringing the national interlending system into the local document supply process – a Swedish case study
Authors: Gavel Ylva
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe how systems automating the local document supply process (such as integrated library systems and ILL management systems) can be integrated with systems automating regional document requesting (interlending). This is illustrated with a case study of DocFlow, an ILL management system developed in-house at Karolinska Institutet and its integration with Libris, the national interlending system in Sweden.

Design/methodology/approach

– The present paper describes how system integration between Libris and DocFlow was accomplished in practice. It also discusses various aspects of integration between systems offering automation of document supply.

Findings

– Integration between local document supply workflows and regional document request flows may involve techniques such as import of outgoing and incoming interlending requests, synchronization of status values between systems, exchange of messages between systems and quick links to the native interfaces of external systems.

Practical implications

– The paper brings up various aspects to consider when developing or procuring a system for the local management of ILL workflows.

Originality/value

– The paper may provide a deeper understanding of system integration, as it applies to the document supply process.
The new consumer advocates for safer chemicals: mandating healthy products
Authors: Bollheimer Meredith
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to introduce a variety of rationales for adopting a proactive posture related to removing chemicals of concern from consumer products.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author’s methodology included reviewing existing and proposed international and domestic legislation. The author also reviewed topical literature and numerous scientific studies related to chemicals in consumer products, and undertook a comprehensive review and summary of current advocacy work.

Findings

– The pace of change legislatively and in the marketplace is rapid in the area of chemicals of concern in consumer products. Companies could mitigate and manage a myriad of risks more effectively by contemplating a proactive approach to removing chemicals of concern from consumer products.

Practical implications

– Affected industries could maintain or increase market share and reputation by recognizing and responding to growing consumer demand and legislative and supply chain pressures.

Social implications

– Society could experience health benefits from a reduction or elimination of chemicals of concern. Consumer–corporate relationships could also be strengthened by adoption of the approach suggested.

Originality/value

– This paper is original in its assessment of the myriad risks facing industry in regards to chemicals of concern. It is also original in proffering a multi-faceted argument which includes viewing the suggested rationales through a gender-based, ethical, legal and market framework.
Knowledge sharing in online communities: the power game
Authors: Bourdon Isabelle , Kimble Chris , Tessier Nathalie
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to gain a better understanding of the nature of online communities, the relationships within them and the relationship between such communities and the host organization. Knowledge sharing via participation in online communities is a central part of many multinational organizations’ business strategies; however, the task is not always straightforward.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research focused on power relationships in online communities. The approach was inductive and consisted of an exploratory case study using semi-structured interviews, augmented with direct observation and documentary sources, within a framework provided by the French sociologists Crozier and Friedberg.

Findings

– The findings identify the various reasons for participating in the community and aspects of both the relationships within the community and between the community and the host company.

Practical implications

– The research shows that online communities are not easy to categorize and that attempting to use a single solution for the management of such communities risks oversimplifying a complex situation. It also shows that Crozier and Friedberg’s framework is useful in highlighting issues that otherwise might not have been noticed.

Originality/value

– Issues of power are often neglected in studies of online communities. The use of Crozier and Friedberg’s framework offers a novel way to examine power relationships, which can offer new insights into how such communities function.
A culture of employee engagement: a strategic perspective for global managers
Authors: Taneja Sonia , Sewell Scott S. , Odom Randall Y.
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a model that identifies the strategies that have the ability to create a culture of employee engagement for global managers in making the tactical adaptations necessary to develop and implement global strategy in an increasingly complex and dynamic marketplace.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors focused on the global managers charged with the responsibilities of developing and creating a culture of employee engagement as an important strategy for the competitive advantage of organizations.

Findings

– Employee engagement should be viewed as a long-term commitment between the employees and the organization, each supporting the other in an era of increasing international operations. In fact, employee engagement is an important strategy for long-term organizational sustainability in international markets.

Practical implications

– Employee engagement is critical to the management and retention of talented employees in the organization. It can be achieved by managing global mobility in increasingly complex global workplaces; talent so that it enhances business results; training and development; rewards, recognitions and engagement; manager/employee communication and interaction; and leadership and development.

Originality/value

– In today’s global society, it is critical for organizational leaders to focus on creating a culture of employee engagement to attract and retain quality employees in an increasingly competitive market. Engaged employees are more committed to their work and feel connected to the success of their organization. In addition, they are more likely to believe in their organization’s values, mission and vision. The increasing utilization of boundary less organizations poses a challenge for leaders who strive to create and maintain employee engagement within an organization.
Cultural heritage and consumer behaviour: a survey on Italian cultural visitors
Authors: Di Pietro Laura , Guglielmetti Mugion Roberta , Mattia Giovanni , Renzi Maria Francesca
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The urgency to cope with the international economic crisis has led to efforts to identify innovative tools and frameworks that are capable of regenerating local and national economic development. The enhancement of the cultural heritage sector can be a strategic factor in improving the competitiveness of country systems. In Italy, the nation’s rich cultural heritage is not managed in an efficient and effective manner, even though it embodies a tremendous opportunity to enhance local economic growth, especially in light of the role of new Cultural Technology Districts (CTDs). In this context, the purpose of this paper is to present the results of a survey conducted to investigate the behaviour of tourists who consume Italian cultural resources.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper is an empirical investigation that attempts to identify the needs and expectations of cultural consumers through descriptive statistics, as well as factor and cluster analysis. This study is the beginning of an effort to develop innovative products and services that will facilitate the revitalisation of the growth of the cultural heritage sector of Italy’s economy.

Findings

– This paper identifies new profiles of the cultural consumer that will be useful for planning customised development strategies. New social trends and technological tools have influenced the behaviour and expectations of cultural visitors and present an opportunity to redefine the cultural tourist experience.

Originality/value

– The lack of systematic surveys in Italy to gather data on the behaviour and expectations of cultural consumers has resulted in a gap of information between demand and supply. This paper proposes some significant strategies to learn about the business strategies of cultural heritage organisations.
Customer-centered knowledge management: challenges and implications for knowledge-based innovation in the public transport sector
Authors: Sindakis Stavros , Depeige Audrey , Anoyrkati Eleni
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to explore the role of knowledge management practices in supporting current and emerging passengers’ and customer needs, aiming to create value. Specifically, the research examines the importance of customer-centred knowledge management in the delivery of innovative services and practices in the public transport sector, promoting the role of interactions between mobility stakeholders and travellers.

Design/methodology/approach

– A theoretical framework is developed and supported by the background literature on customer-centric knowledge management approaches, business model innovation, as well as on inter-organisational and network co-operations.

Findings

– Results show that the development of sustainable innovation and technologies in the transport sector requires knowledge management practices, which enable the access to knowledge about users’ needs, the mapping and evaluation of innovative knowledge, the promotion of knowledge-based innovation through collective approaches, as well as the acquisition and integration of new knowledge.

Research limitations/implications

– The conceptual framework developed in the paper remains limited to a theoretical understanding. Further research should empirically examine knowledge issues related to the intangible character and intellectual capital intensiveness of innovation in the transport sector.

Practical implications

– Researchers, public transport companies and public transport authorities are expected to benefit from this research, by developing mechanisms for customer-centred knowledge management, which is found to lead to innovative services and practices in the public transport sector. Another practical implication regards the adoption of knowledge management practices, leading to technological innovations in public transport, and advancing the level of sustainability in transport systems.

Originality/value

– The originality of this study lies in the development of a customer-focussed knowledge management framework, which provides a novel perspective of value creation in an attempt to engage researchers and practitioners from the transport industry in the conceptualisation and development of innovative solutions.
Towards a knowledge-based approach for effective decision-making in railway safety
Authors: Garcia-Perez Alexeis , Shaikh Siraj A , Kalutarage Harsha K. , Jahantab Mahsa
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to contribute towards understanding how safety knowledge can be elicited from railway experts for the purposes of supporting effective decision-making.

Design/methodology/approach

– A consortium of safety experts from across the British railway industry is formed. Collaborative modelling of the knowledge domain is used as an approach to the elicitation of safety knowledge from experts. From this, a series of knowledge models is derived to inform decision-making. This is achieved by using Bayesian networks as a knowledge modelling scheme, underpinning a Safety Prognosis tool to serve meaningful prognostics information and visualise such information to predict safety violations.

Findings

– Collaborative modelling of safety-critical knowledge is a valid approach to knowledge elicitation and its sharing across the railway industry. This approach overcomes some of the key limitations of existing approaches to knowledge elicitation. Such models become an effective tool for prediction of safety cases by using railway data. This is demonstrated using passenger–train interaction safety data.

Practical implications

– This study contributes to practice in two main directions: by documenting an effective approach to knowledge elicitation and knowledge sharing, while also helping the transport industry to understand safety.

Social implications

– By supporting the railway industry in their efforts to understand safety, this research has the potential to benefit railway passengers, staff and communities in general, which is a priority for the transport sector.

Originality/value

– This research applies a knowledge elicitation approach to understanding safety based on collaborative modelling, which is a novel approach in the context of transport.
The role of organizational culture in the knowledge management process
Authors: Chang Christina Ling-hsing , Lin Tung-Ching
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of the study is to focus on the enhancement of knowledge management (KM) performance and the relationship between organizational culture and KM process intention of individuals because of the diversity of organizational cultures (which include results-oriented, tightly controlled, job-oriented, closed system and professional-oriented cultures). Knowledge is a primary resource in organizations. If firms are able to effectively manage their knowledge resources, then a wide range of benefits can be reaped such as improved corporate efficiency, effectiveness, innovation and customer service.

Design/methodology/approach

– The survey methodology, which has the ability to enhance generalization of results (Dooley, 2001), was used to collect the data utilized in the testing of the research hypotheses.

Findings

– Results- and job-oriented cultures have positive effects on employee intention in the KM process (creation, storage, transfer and application), whereas a tightly controlled culture has negative effects.

Research limitations/implications

– However, it would have been better to use a longitudinal study to collect useful long-term data to understand how the KM process would be influenced when organizational culture dimensions are changed through/by management. This is the first limitation of this study. According to Mason and Pauleen (2003), KM culture is a powerful predictor of individual knowledge-sharing behavior, which is not included in this study. Thus, this is the second limitation of this paper. Moreover, national culture could be an important issue in the KM process (Jackset al., 2012), which is the third limitation of this paper for not comprising it.

Practical implications

– In researchers’ point of view, results- and job-oriented cultures have positive effects, whereas a tightly controlled culture has a negative effect on the KM process intention of the individual. These findings provide evidences that challenge the perspective of Kayworth and Leidner (2003) on this issue. As for practitioners, management has a direction to modify their organizational culture to improve the performance of KM process.

Social implications

– Both behavioral and value perspectives of the organizational cultural dimensions (results-oriented, tightly control, job-oriented, sociability, solidarity, need for achievement and democracy) should be examined to ascertain their effects firstly on KM culture and then on the KM process intention of the individual. It is hoped that the current study will spawn future investigations that lead to the development of an integrated model which includes organizational culture, KM culture and the KM process intention of the individual.

Originality/value

– The results-oriented, loosely controlled and job-oriented cultures will improve the effectiveness of the KM process and will also increase employees’ satisfaction and willingness to stay with the organization.
Examining knowledge audit for structured and unstructured business processes: a comparative study in two Hong Kong companies
Authors: Yip Jessica Y.T. , Lee Rongbin W.B. , Tsui Eric
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This study/paper aims to study the knowledge audit methodologies needed in structured business processes (SBP) and unstructured business processes (UBP) respectively. The knowledge audit methodology used for SBP aims to identify and capture procedural knowledge, while the one for UBP aims to facilitate the sharing of experiential knowledge. The designs of audit methodologies, including elements of knowledge elicitation (KE), knowledge representation (KR), and role of researcher (RR) for SBP and UBP, are proposed in this paper.

Design/methodology/approach

– Two knowledge audit cases studies were conducted. The first case was conducted in an SBP, and the second one in an UBP. The first case provides a view of a typical knowledge audit in SBP, the limitations are identified. The second case pinpoints the development of a new knowledge audit methodology applicable for UBP.

Findings

– A significant differentiation between knowledge audits in SBP and UBP is that the knowledge to be captured in the former is procedural knowledge, whereas that to be elicited in the latter is experiential knowledge. The deliverables in the former include lists of knowledge workers, knowledge assets and knowledge inventories, and in the latter include the interplay of interaction between activities, stakeholders and knowledge displayed in the form of a knowledge activity network.

Originality/value

– This research clarifies and strengthens the position of the knowledge audit by illustrating two knowledge audit methodologies for respective use in SBP and UBP. It points out that the fundamental difference of knowledge audit approaches is attributed to the different knowledge requirements. To cater to the different knowledge requirements, the authors asserted that three basic components of the knowledge audit, namely, KE, KR and the role of the researcher, should be customized.
Understanding knowledge sharing in the work context by applying a belief elicitation study
Authors: Stenius Minna , Hankonen Nelli , Haukkala Ari , Ravaja Niklas
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate cognitive antecedents of knowledge sharing (KS) by applying a belief elicitation study and embedding KS in an organizationally relevant context, work meetings.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study was carried out in two phases: an elicitation study (n= 18), and a survey (n= 200) based on its findings. The method, which combines a qualitative and a quantitative approach, is frequently used in the study of other behaviors (e.g. health behaviors) when applying the theory of planned behavior (TPB).

Findings

– Belief-based measures, informed by the elicitation study, were meaningful predictors of KS intentions. In line with TPB, attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control explained 47.7 per cent of the variance in KS intentions, which together with perceived behavioral control explained 55.2 per cent of the variance in KS behavior. Behavioral beliefs reflecting positive collective outcomes (new perspectives, knowledge diffusion/collective learning, increased interaction) were the most important predictors.

Research limitations/implications

– Single organization and the study design limit generalizability of the results.

Practical implications

– The findings suggest that by eliciting shared beliefs relating to specific KS behaviors, organizations may come a long way in understanding and subsequently influencing these behaviors.

Originality/value

– This is the first study to apply TPB on KS by investigating the underlying beliefs using an elicitation study. By demonstrating its utility, the study not only lays avenue for evidence-based interventions to improve KS in organizations, but also presents a method that bridges the gap between quantitative and qualitative approaches to KS.
Factors influencing the retrofitting of existing office buildings using Adelaide, South Australia as a case study
Authors: Bruce Toby , Zuo Jian , Rameezdeen Raufdeen , Pullen Stephen
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the barriers preventing investment in the re-use of low-grade multi-storey building stock in order to identify attributes that determine whether an existing building is suitable for retrofitting.

Design/methodology/approach

– Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with key industry practitioners to investigate existing practices and barriers facing low-grade building retrofits and what “ideal” multi-storey building features represent a successful investment opportunity.

Findings

– The findings showed that tenant commitment is necessary before any project goes ahead and that there exist many barriers influencing the investment decision. These include: high levels of asbestos found in existing buildings; changes in the National Construction Code necessitating enhanced fire safety and disability access; heritage listing; lack of awareness; overestimation of costs involved on simple and effective energy efficiency upgrades and change in tenant demands towards modern and efficient open plan offices. Many low-grade structures are privately owned inherited assets where the owners lack the expertise and capital to undertake retrofitting effectively.

Research limitations/implications

– The study is focused on the Adelaide CBD in South Australia but the findings are relevant to other Australian cities.

Practical implications

– There is room in the market for more positive and influential schemes such as the Green Building Fund that encourage more energy efficiency upgrading of these buildings.

Social implications

– The greater occurrence of retrofitting and re-use of older buildings, rather than demolition and rebuilding, has advantages with regard to reducing the impact of buildings on the environment and promoting sustainability.

Originality/value

– The research has indicated certain features of older buildings which render them as suitable candidates for retrofitting and refurbishment.
Viral protein R of HIV type‐1 induces retrotransposition and upregulates glutamate synthesis by the signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 signaling pathway
Authors: Doi Akihiro , Iijima Kenta , Kano Shigeyuki , Ishizaka Yukihito
Published: May 2015

Viral protein R (Vpr) of HIV‐1 plays an important role in viral replication in macrophages. Various lines of evidence suggest that expression of Vpr in macrophages causes immunopathogenesis; however, the underlying mechanism is not yet fully understood. In this study, it was shown that recombinant Vpr (rVpr) induces retrotransposition of long interspersed element‐1 in RAW264.7, a macrophage‐like cell line, and activates reverse transcriptase‐dependent immunotoxic cascades including production of IFN‐β and phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1). Knockout experiments based on the CRISPR/Cas9 nickase system further demonstrated that cyclic guanosine monophosphate‐adenosine monophosphate synthase (cGAS) and stimulator of interferon gene (STING) are responsible for IFN‐β production and STAT1 phosphorylation, respectively. Moreover, rVpr was found to increase production of glutaminase C, a regulator of glutamate synthesis, which is also dependent on the cGAS−STING pathway. Taken together with reports that glutaminase C is involved in the pathogenesis of HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) and that Vpr is detectable in the cerebrospinal fluid of HIV‐1‐positive patients, a possible role of Vpr‐induced L1‐RTP and immunotoxic cascades in the development of HAND is discussed.
Invasion pathways at a crossroad: policy and research challenges for managing alien species introductions
Authors: Hulme Philip E.
Published: May 2015

Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity have agreed that, by 2020, invasion pathways will be identified, prioritized and managed to prevent the introduction of invasive alien species.

The challenges facing this target are examined for six primary invasion pathways: assisted colonization as a deliberate release; escape of pets and aquaria species; parasite and pathogen contaminants of wildlife; stowaways on tourist clothing and equipment; navigation corridors; and transboundary implications of unaided spread.

Economic drivers such as tourism, the pet trade and infrastructure projects will accelerate invasive alien species introductions, particularly in emerging economies. Mitigation requires ‘polluter pays’ legislation combined with improved policy enforcement and compliance.

Policy implications. Policymakers require new risk analysis tools to predict the hazards posed by species with no prior invasion history, the vulnerability of native biodiversity to emerging diseases, and the components of regional species pools that become invasive following connection via corridors.
Public Support for Expert Decision-Making: Evidence from Finland
Authors: Rapeli Lauri
Published: May 2015

Those sceptical of the competence of the ordinary citizens have often argued for some form of epistemic, Platonic rule by ‘wise’ experts. Using the 2011 Finnish National Election Study, this article compares popular support for representative democracy with expert democracy. The analysis is structured around two hypotheses. The competence hypothesis states that high political competence is negatively associated with support for expert decision making. The disillusionment hypothesis assumes that political disappointment is positively associated with such support. The study uses measures that are different from previous studies and finds much less support for stealth democracy. The results support the disillusionment hypothesis.
The Public Baptism of Muslims in Early Modern Spain and Portugal: Forging Communal Identity through Collective Emotional Display
Authors: Soyer Francois
Published: May 2015

This article seeks to consider the role played by emotions, or rather emotional display, in the public spectacle of the conversion of infidels in early modern Spain and Portugal. It begins with a concise examination of the ritual of public baptism, based chiefly on evidence gleaned from surviving accounts of four large ceremonies held in Lisbon (1588), Seville (1625 and 1672), and Barcelona (1723), as well as two smaller public baptisms in the village of Fitero in Spain (1659) and the town of Estremoz in Portugal (1739). It then focuses on the account of the public baptism of a Muslim that took place in Seville in 1625 — by far the most detailed account — to highlight the importance given to the emotional responses of both the convert (to establish his sincerity) and the spectators in these ceremonies. Finally, it examines the wider social function of these spectacles and argues that their organisers, beyond their own personal or institutional motives, exploited the conversion of infidels in order to create a sense of communal identity binding the spectators together through their collective emotional response to specific symbols.
Differential effect of intrauterine growth restriction on childhood neurodevelopment: a systematic review
Authors: Murray E , Fernandes M , Fazel M , Kennedy SH , Villar J , Stein A
Published: May 2015

Background

Neurodevelopmental disorders are increasingly believed to originate from intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Current reviews exploring the neurodevelopmental effects of IUGR, however, are mostly based on birthweight, an inadequate proxy.

Objective

We aimed to examine the association between IUGR documented in utero, and neurodevelopmental outcomes during childhood.

Search strategy

Medline, CINAHL, PsycInfo and Scopus were searched for relevant studies published after 1970.

Selection criteria

The analysis included studies that identified IUGR in utero, with follow‐up assessments between 1 month and 12 years of age.

Data collection and analysis

Data was extracted for cognitive, behavioural, language, motor, hearing, vision or sleep outcomes. Studies were summarised separately for children born at <35 and ≥35 weeks gestation.

Main results

Of 28 876 titles identified, 38 were suitable for inclusion. IUGR children born ≥35 weeks gestation scored on average 0.5 SD lower than non‐IUGR children across all neurodevelopmental assessments. IUGR children born <35 weeks of gestation scored approximately 0.7 SD lower than non‐IUGR children across all neurodevelopmental assessments. IUGR children with evidence of fetal circulatory redistribution (preferential perfusion of the brain) had more severe neurodevelopmental impairments than those born IUGR alone.

Conclusions

IUGR increases the risk of neurodevelopmental impairment during childhood differentially across domains. IUGR children born preterm or with evidence of fetal circulatory redistribution are more severely affected.

Tweetable abstract

IUGR is associated with an overall risk for neurodevelopmental delay in a range of neurodevelopmental domains.
Primary aspergillosis of the kidney in systemic lupus erythematosus and positron emission tomography‐computed tomography
Authors: Fong Warren , Chua Ying Ying
Published: May 2015

Primary aspergillosis of the kidney is a rare complication of immunosuppression in systemic lupus erythematosus. Symptoms can be insidious and can mimic malignancies, such as lymphomas. Herein, we report a case of a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus with recent history of lymphoma, who presented with a history of prolonged pyrexia without localizing symptoms. Repeat biopsy of the kidneys was crucial in obtaining histological diagnosis, and this was aided by findings on positron emission tomography – computed tomography.
Legislative Capacity and Executive Unilateralism
Authors: Bolton Alexander , Thrower Sharece
Published: May 2015

This article develops a theory of presidential unilateralism in which both ideological divergence with Congress and legislative capacity influence the president's use of executive orders. We argue that when Congress is less capable of constraining the executive, the president will issue more executive orders during periods of divided government. Conversely, in periods of high legislative capacity, the president is less likely to issue executive orders when faced with an opposed Congress. Based on an examination of institutional changes, we identify years prior to the mid‐1940s as characterized by low congressional capacity and the subsequent period as characterized by high capacity. Testing the theory between 1905 and 2013, we find strong support for these predictions and demonstrate that legislative capacity conditions the role of ideological disagreement in shaping presidential action. Overall, this article deepens our current understanding of the dynamics of separation‐of‐powers politics and the limits of executive power.
Phosphate Kinetics During Weekly Cycle of Hemodialysis Sessions: Application of Mathematical Modeling
Authors: Debowska Malgorzata , Poleszczuk Jan , Wojcik‐Zaluska Alicja , Ksiazek Andrzej , Zaluska Wojciech
Published: May 2015

Both hyperphosphatemia and hypophosphatemia are associated with increased morbidity and mortality among patients on dialysis. The control of serum phosphate concentration is a considerable clinical problem. Our study aimed to improve understanding of phosphate kinetics in patients on dialysis using mathematical modeling. Three consecutive hemodialysis sessions with breaks of 2–2–3 days were monitored in 25 patients. Phosphate concentration was measured every hour and 45 min after the end of dialysis in blood serum and every 30 min in dialysate during each session. Volume of fluid compartments and body composition were assessed by bioimpedance. The pseudo one‐compartment model was applied to describe the profile of phosphate in blood serum during intra‐ and interdialytic periods of 1‐week cycle of three hemodialysis sessions. Model parameters, such as phosphate internal clearance (KM) and the rate of phosphate mobilization (RM), were correlated with the reduction of serum phosphate concentration during dialysis (Cpost/Cpre) and with equivalent continuous clearance (ECC) for phosphate. KM correlated negatively with predialysis serum phosphate concentration. There was significant positive correlation between RM and age. Postdialysis volume of phosphate central compartment was lower than, but correlated to, extracellular water volume. Parameters of the pseudo one‐compartment model, phosphate internal clearance, and the rate of phosphate inflow to the central compartment (the one accessible for dialysis) from other phosphate body reservoirs correlated with the indices of dialysis adequacy, such as reduction of serum phosphate and ECC. The pseudo one‐compartment model can be successfully extended from a single hemodialysis to the standard weekly cycle of sessions and the model parameters strongly correlate with the adequacy parameters of dialytic removal of phosphate.
Characterization of Late Prehistoric Plasters and Mortars from Erimi – Laonin tou Porakou (Limassol, Cyprus)
Authors: Turco F. , Davit P. , Chelazzi F. , Borghi A. , Bombardieri L. , Operti L.
Published: May 2015

Several plasters and mortars from the Middle Bronze Age site of Erimi – Laonin tou Porakou (Cyprus) were analysed in order to perform a technological characterization. Morphological (SEM), elemental (EDX), mineralogical (XRPD), petrographic (polarized OM, SEM–EDX), thermal (TGA) and spectroscopic (FT–IR) techniques were applied. Plasters and mortars were identified as pyrotechnological lime products, obtained using local raw materials and containing a moderate amount of spathic calcite fragments. The use of organic fibres was ascertained and a seminal use of a crumbled ceramic as additive was evidenced.
What are large‐scale Archaeometric programmes for? Bell beaker pottery and societies from the third millennium BC in Western Europe
Authors: Salanova L. , Prieto‐Martínez M. P. , Clop‐García X. , Convertini F. , Lantes‐Suárez O. , Martínez‐Cortizas A.
Published: May 2015

Variability in clay processing recipes for pottery is still at a descriptive stage as far as prehistoric contexts are concerned. This paper intends to go beyond our traditional limits, based on the best‐documented case for prehistory, the Bell Beaker style, which spread throughout the whole of Europe during the third millennium bc. The thousands of archaeometric analyses that have been carried out on the main concentrations from France, Spain and Portugal are taken into account in order to reconstruct the circulation mechanisms of the pottery and the social organization of the communities who used it.
The cult of experience: standing out from the crowd in an era of austerity
Authors: Holdsworth Clare
Published: May 2015

Faced with uncertain futures associated with precarious/casualised employment or unemployment, young people are increasingly encouraged to invest in practices of distinction that enable them to stand out from the crowd in the pursuit of employability. These practices include the acquisition of experiences, such as work experience, internships, volunteering, travel and membership of organisations, which are assumed to give young people an edge over their peers in a crowded and increasingly globalised youth labour market. This paper challenges the logic that the acquisition of experience is a solution to tightening youth labour market conditions. I consider how the logic of employability means that young people are increasingly expected to run faster to stand still, and that rather than moving towards the future, they are increasingly fixed by their past. Moreover this fetishizing of experiences limits young people's subjectivity, because in expecting young people to accumulate more, they may end up achieving, and experiencing, less.
Rejoinder to “A note on the empirical likelihood confidence band for hazards ratio with covariate adjustment”
Authors: Dong Bin , Matthews David
Published: May 2015

This article is the rejoinder to:
An implementation intention strategy can improve prospective memory in older adults with very mild Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Lee Ji Hae , Shelton Jill T. , Scullin Michael K. , McDaniel Mark A.
Published: May 2015

Objectives

This study tested whether (1) very mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with impaired prospective memory (PM) for tasks that are supported by either spontaneous retrieval (focal PM) or strategic monitoring (non‐focal PM) and (2) implementation intention (II) encoding could improve PM performance in very mild AD.

Design

Thirty‐eight healthy older adults and 34 with very mild AD were randomly assigned to perform two PM tasks in either the standard or the II encoding condition.

Method

All participants performed blocks of category decision in which they were asked to respond to a focal PM target (e.g., the word ‘orange’) and a non‐focal PM target (e.g., words that begin with the letter ‘o’). Half of the participants encoded PM instructions in the standard manner, while the other half had a stronger encoding by forming IIs. PM accuracy and category decision accuracy and reaction times were measured.

Results

Participants with very mild AD showed deficits in both focal and non‐focal PM performance compared to the healthy controls, reflecting deficits in both spontaneous retrieval and strategic monitoring. Participants with very mild AD in the II encoding condition showed better focal PM performance relative to those in the standard encoding condition.

Conclusions

Deficits in both focal and non‐focal PM are associated with very mild AD and IIs may be a helpful behavioural intervention for the focal PM deficits.

Practitioner points

Multiple deficits in PM are observable in very mild AD.

Implementation intentions may enhance focal PM in very mild AD.

Future research using larger samples is needed to better understand the effect of II on non‐focal PM tasks in healthy older adults and those with very mild AD.

The use of simple laboratory PM tasks may limit the generality of our findings. Future research is needed to investigate whether IIs improve PM over a range of more realistic tasks.