bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reduced survival in COPD patients who received long-term oxygen therapy without meeting prescription criteria: a preliminary study
Authors: Alexandre François , Varray Alain , Stéphan Yannick , Hayot Maurice , Héraud Nelly
Published: July 2019

Background

Randomized clinical trials have provided clear evidence that long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) increases life expectancy in severely hypoxemic COPD patients. However, in real-life settings, in global COPD cohorts, a paradoxical 2-3-fold increased risk of death has been reported in patients under LTOT. This discrepancy could be explained by a subgroup of patients under LTOT who do not meet the current guidelines and for whom LTOT would be associated with poor prognosis. This retrospective study of a global COPD cohort therefore sought to: (1) determine if a subgroup of patients under LTOT without severe hypoxemia could be distinguished, and (2) compare the mortality risk according to hypoxemia severity and LTOT prescription.

Method

The sample was taken from a database (NCT02055885) on 191 stable COPD patients (age: 65.1±9.8 years, 85 women) admitted for a pulmonary rehabilitation program between 2009 and 2012 and followed until 1 January 2018. Uni- and multivariate Cox proportional hazard ratio (HR) models were used to examine the associations between clinical characteristics (age, sex, blood gases, etc.), LTOT according to PaO2 level, and mortality.

Results

Forty patients (21%) were under LTOT at PR entry despite not meeting the O2 prescription criteria. Patients under LTOT had a nearly 2-fold higher mortality risk adjusted by covariates (HRmultivariate=1.83; p=0.009). Furthermore, the higher mortality risk under LTOT was specific to the patients under LTOT without severe hypoxemia (HRmultivariate=2.39; p=0.04).

Conclusion

The association between LTOT and mortality might be attributed to a subgroup under LTOT despite not/no longer meeting the LTOT criteria. Further studies are needed to identify the physiological basis of this phenomenon.
Barley ROP-INTERACTIVE PARTNER-a organizes into RAC1- and MICROTUBULE-ASSOCIATED ROP-GTPASE ACTIVATING PROTEIN 1-dependent membrane domains
Authors: Hoefle Caroline , McCollum Christopher , Hückelhoven Ralph
Published: July 2019

Small ROP (also called RAC) GTPases are key factors in polar cell development and in interaction with the environment. ROP-Interactive Partner (RIP) proteins are predicted scaffold or ROP-effector proteins, which function downstream of activated GTP-loaded ROP proteins in establishing membrane heterogeneity and cellular organization. Grass ROP proteins function in cell polarity, resistance and susceptibility to fungal pathogens but grass RIP proteins are little understood.

We found that the barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) RIPa protein can interact with barley ROPs in yeast. Fluorescent-tagged RIPa, when co-expressed with the constitutively activated ROP protein CA RAC1, accumulates at the cell periphery or plasma membrane. Additionally, RIPa, locates into membrane domains, which are laterally restricted by microtubules, when co-expressed with RAC1 and MICROTUBULE-ASSOCIATED ROP-GTPASE ACTIVATING PROTEIN 1. Both structural integrity of MICROTUBULE-ASSOCIATED ROP-GTPASE ACTIVATING PROTEIN 1 and microtubule stability are key to maintenance of RIPa-labeled membrane domains. In this context, RIPa also accumulates at the interface of barley and invading hyphae of the powdery mildew fungus Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei.

Data suggest that barley RIPa interacts with barley ROPs and specifies RAC1 activity-associated membrane domains with potential signaling capacity. Lateral diffusion of this RAC1 signaling capacity is restricted the resulting membrane heterogeneity requires intact microtubules and MICROTUBULE-ASSOCIATED ROP-GTPASE ACTIVATING PROTEIN 1. Focal accumulation of RIPa at sites of fungal attack may indicate locally restricted ROP activity at sites of fungal invasion.
Threat imminence dictates the role of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in contextual fear
Authors: Goode Travis D. , Acca Gillian M. , Maren Stephen
Published: July 2019

Previous work indicates that the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is involved in defensive freezing to unpredictable Pavlovian conditioned stimuli (Goode et al., 2019). Here we show that the BNST mediates freezing to contexts paired with remote (unpredictable), but not imminent (predictable), footshock. Rats underwent a fear conditioning procedure in which a single footshock unconditioned stimulus (US) was delivered either 1 (imminent) or 9 minutes (remote) after placement in the context; each rat received a total of four conditioning trials over two days. Contexts associated with either imminent or remote USs produced distinct patterns of freezing and shock-induced activity but freezing in each case was context-dependent. Reversible inactivation of the BNST reduced the expression of contextual freezing in the context paired with remote, but not imminent, footshock. Implications of these data are discussed in light of recent conceptualizations of BNST function, as well as for anxiety behaviors.
Intracranial recordings from human auditory cortex reveal a neural population selective for song
Authors: Norman-Haignere Sam V , Feather Jenelle , Boebinger Dana , Brunner Peter , Ritaccio Anthony , McDermott Josh H , Schalk Gerwin , Kanwisher Nancy
Published: July 2019

How are neural representations of music organized in the human brain? While neuroimaging has suggested some segregation between responses to music and other sounds, it remains unclear whether finer-grained organization exists within the domain of music. To address this question, we measured cortical responses to natural sounds using intracranial recordings from human patients and inferred canonical response components using a data-driven decomposition algorithm. The inferred components replicated many prior findings including distinct neural selectivity for speech and music. Our key novel finding is that one component responded nearly exclusively to music with singing. Song selectivity was not explainable by standard acoustic features and was co-located with speech- and music-selective responses in the middle and anterior superior temporal gyrus. These results suggest that neural representations of music are fractionated into subpopulations selective for different types of music, at least one of which is specialized for the analysis of song.
Focused ultrasound blood brain barrier opening mediated delivery of MRI-visible albumin nanoclusters to the rat brain for localized drug delivery with temporal control
Authors: Rich Megan C. , Sherwood Jennifer , Bartley Aundrea F. , Whitsitt Quentin A. , Willoughby W.R. , Dobrunz Lynn E. , Bao Yuping , Lubin Farah D. , Bolding Mark
Published: July 2019

There is an ongoing need for noninvasive tools to manipulate brain activity with molecular, spatial and temporal specificity. Here we have investigated the use of MRI-visible, albumin-based nanoclusters for noninvasive, localized and temporally specific drug delivery to the rat brain. We demonstrated that IV injected nanoclusters could be deposited into target brain regions via focused ultrasound facilitated blood brain barrier opening. We showed that nanocluster location could be confirmed in vivo with MRI. Additionally, following confirmation of nanocluster delivery, release of the nanocluster payload into brain tissue can be triggered by a second focused ultrasound treatment performed without circulating microbubbles. Release of glutamate from nanoclusters in vivo caused enhanced c-Fos expression, indicating that the loading capacity of the nanoclusters is sufficient to induce neuronal activation. This novel technique for noninvasive stereotactic drug delivery to the brain with temporal specificity could provide a new way to study brain circuits in vivo preclinically with high relevance for clinical translation.

Graphical Abstract
From heterogenous morphogenetic fields to homogeneous regions as a step towards understanding complex tissue dynamics
Authors: Yamashita Satoshi , Guirao Boris , Graner François
Published: July 2019

Within developing tissues, cell proliferation, cell motility, and other cell behaviors vary spatially, and this variability gives a complexity to the morphogenesis. Recently, novel formalisms have been developed to quantify tissue deformation and underlying cellular processes. A major challenge for the study of morphogenesis now is to objectively define tissue sub-regions exhibiting different dynamics. Here we propose a method to automatically divide a tissue into regions where the local deformation rate is homogeneous. This was achieved by several steps including image segmentation, clustering, and region boundary smoothing. We illustrate the use of the pipeline using a large dataset obtained during the metamorphosis of the Drosophila pupal notum. We also adapt it to determine regions where the time evolution of the local deformation rate is homogeneous. Finally, we generalize its use to find homogeneous regions for the cellular processes such as cell division, cell rearrangement, or cell size and shape changes. We also illustrate it on wing blade morphogenesis. This pipeline will contribute substantially to the analysis of complex tissue shaping and the biochemical and bio-mechanical regulations driving tissue morphogenesis.

1

Summary statement

Tissue morphogenesis is driven by multiple mechanisms. This study proposes a methodology to identify regions in the developing tissue, where each of the regions has distinctive cellular dynamics and deformation.
Genomic and experimental evidence that alternate transcription initiation of the Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) kinase domain does not predict single agent sensitivity to ALK inhibitors
Authors: Inam Haider , Sokirniy Ivan , Rao Yiyun , Shah Anushka , Naeemikia Farnaz , O’Brien Edward , Dong Cheng , McCandlish David , Pritchard Justin R
Published: July 2019

Genomic data can facilitate personalized treatment decisions by enabling therapeutic hypotheses in individual patients. Conditional selection, which includes mutual exclusivity, is a signal that has been empirically useful for identifying mutations that may be sensitive to single agent targeted therapies. However, a low mutation frequency can underpower this signal for rare variants and prevent robust conclusions from genomic data. We develop a resampling based method for the direct pairwise comparison of conditional selection between sets of gene pairs. This effectively creates positive control guideposts of mutual exclusivity in known driver genes that normalizes differences in mutation abundance. We applied this method to a transcript variant of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) in melanoma, termed ALKATI, which has been the subject of a recent controversy in the literature. We reproduced some of the original cell transformation experiments, performed rescue experiments, and analyzed drug response data to revisit the original ALKATI findings. We found that ALKATI is not as mutually exclusive with BRAF or NRAS as BRAF and NRAS genes are with each other. We performed in vitro transformation assays and rescue assays that suggested that alternative transcript initiation in ALK is not likely to be sufficient for cellular transformation or growth and it does not predict single agent therapeutic dependency. Our work strongly disfavors the role of ALKATI as a targetable oncogenic driver that might be sensitive to single agent ALK treatment. The progress of other experimental agents in late-stage melanoma and our experimental and computational re-analysis led us to conclude that further single agent testing of ALK inhibitors in patients with ALKATI should be limited to cases where no other treatment hypotheses can be identified.
Skewed distributions of LRS: beyond mean and variance
Authors: Tuljapurkar Shripad , Zuo Wenyun , Coulson Tim , Horvitz Carol , Gaillard Jean-Michel
Published: July 2019

Many field studies find that lifetime reproductive success (LRS) is highly skewed and often multimodal among individuals. Field biologists generate invaluable data on survival and reproductive rates, as a function of age and stage, that are used to parameterise structured models. These models often perform well at predicting population growth and mean LRS, but we do not know whether they accurately predict observed distributions of individual LRS. If the models fail to recreate these distributions, their use may be limited because the LRS is central to understanding life history evolution. We present powerful tools to generate distributions of LRS from age and/or stage structured models. Our methods reveal that structured models do perform well at generating distributions that agree with observations. Our approach also reveals why such skewed distributions arise, and helps resolve a debate about detecting signatures of selection in skewed distributions of LRS.
Gamma oscillations weaken with age in healthy elderly in human EEG
Authors: Murty Dinavahi V. P. S. , Manikandan Keerthana , Kumar Wupadrasta Santosh , Ramesh Ranjini Garani , Purokayastha Simran , Javali Mahendra , Rao Naren Prahalada , Ray Supratim
Published: July 2019

Gamma rhythms (∼20-70 Hz) have been reported to be abnormal in mental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia in humans, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) models in rodents. However, the effect of normal aging on these oscillations is not known, especially for elderly subjects (>49 years) for which AD is most prevalent. In a first large-scale (236 subjects; 104 females) electroencephalogram (EEG) study on gamma oscillations on elderly subjects (aged 50-88 years), we presented full-screen Cartesian gratings that induced two distinct gamma oscillations (slow: 20-34 Hz and fast: 36-66 Hz). Power and centre frequency significantly decreased with age for both slow and fast gamma, but not alpha (8-12 Hz). Reduction was more salient for fast gamma than slow. These results were independent of microsaccades and pupillary reactivity to stimulus, as well as variations in power spectral density with age. Steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEPs) also reduced with age. These results are crucial first steps towards using gamma/SSVEPs as biomarkers of cognitive decline in elderly.

Significance statement

No study in humans has examined visual narrow-band gamma oscillations with healthy aging in elderly subjects. In a first large-scale (236 subjects) EEG study on stimulus-induced narrow band gamma in cognitively normal elderly (>49 years) humans, we show that both power and centre frequency of slow and fast gamma (20-34 Hz and 36-66 Hz respectively) decrease with age, but alpha power does not. Steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEPs) in gamma range also decrease with age. Any EEG-based biomarker is accessible and affordable to patients of a wide socio-economic spectrum. Our results are important steps for developing such screening/diagnostic tests for aging-related diseases, like Alzheimer’s disease.
Widespread associations between grey matter structure and the human phenome
Authors: Couvy-Duchesne Baptiste , Strike Lachlan T. , Zhang Futao , Holtz Yan , Zheng Zhili , Kemper Kathryn E. , Yengo Loic , Colliot Olivier , Wright Margaret J. , Wray Naomi R. , Yang Jian , Visscher Peter M.
Published: July 2019

The recent availability of large-scale neuroimaging cohorts (here the UK Biobank [UKB] and the Human Connectome Project [HCP]) facilitates deeper characterisation of the relationship between phenotypic and brain architecture variation in humans. We tested the association between 654,386 vertex-wise measures of cortical and subcortical morphology (from T1w and T2w MRI images) and behavioural, cognitive, psychiatric and lifestyle data. We found a significant association of grey-matter structure with 58 out of 167 UKB phenotypes spanning substance use, blood assay results, education or income level, diet, depression, being a twin as well as cognition domains (UKB discovery sample: N=9,888). Twenty-three of the 58 associations replicated (UKB replication sample: N=4,561; HCP, N=1,110). In addition, differences in body size (height, weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference, body fat percentage) could account for a substantial proportion of the association, providing possible insight into previous MRI case-control studies for psychiatric disorders where case status is associated with body mass index. Using the same linear mixed model, we showed that most of the associated characteristics (e.g. age, sex, body size, diabetes, being a twin, maternal smoking, body size) could be significantly predicted using all the brain measurements in out-of-sample prediction. Finally, we demonstrated other applications of our approach including a Region Of Interest (ROI) analysis that retain the vertex-wise complexity and ranking of the information contained across MRI processing options.

Highlights

Our linear mixed model approach unifies association and prediction analyses for highly dimensional vertex-wise MRI data

Grey-matter structure is associated with measures of substance use, blood assay results, education or income level, diet, depression, being a twin as well as cognition domains

Body size (height, weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference) is an important source of covariation between the phenome and grey-matter structure

Grey-matter scores quantify grey-matter based risk for the associated traits and allow to study phenotypes not collected

The most general cortical processing (“fsaverage” mesh with no smoothing) maximises the brain-morphometricity for all UKB phenotypes
Periosteum-derived Osteocrin regulates bone growth through both endochondral ossification and intramembranous ossification
Authors: Watanabe-Takano Haruko , Ochi Hiroki , Chiba Ayano , Matsuo Ayaka , Kanai Yugo , Fukuhara Shigetomo , Sako Keisuke , Miyazaki Takahiro , Sato Shingo , Minamino Naoto , Takeda Shu , Yasoda Akihiro , Mochizuki Naoki
Published: July 2019

During development of long bones, two mechanistically distinct processes contribute to long- and short-axis growth. Endochondral ossification in the growth plate leads to the long-axis growth, while intramembranous ossification including apposition in the periosteum regulates the short axis growth. Here, we show that periosteal osteoblast-derived secretory peptide, Osteocrin (OSTN), promotes both types of long bone growth through potentiation of signaling by C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), because OSTN inhibits the clearance of CNP by binding to natriuretic peptide receptor 3 (NPR3). The mice lacking OSTN showed less bone mass in trabecular and cortical regions than the control mice, suggesting the dual functions of OSTN in long bone growth. We found that OSTN regulated trabecular bone formation by inducing proliferation and maturation of chondrocytes possibly through enhancing CNP-dependent signaling. Besides the contribution of OSTN to long axis growth, we demonstrated that OSTN together with CNP induced osteoblast differentiation of periosteum-derived multipotent progenitor cells expressing NPR3. These data suggest that OSTN induces long bone growth through endochondral ossification and osteoblast specification of multipotent progenitor cells in the periosteum.
Habitat use, fruit consumption, and population density of the black-headed night monkey, Aotus nigriceps, in Southeastern Peru
Authors: Helenbrook William. D. , Wilkinson Madison L. , Suarez Jessica A.
Published: July 2019

The study of wild black-headed night monkey (Aotus nigriceps) ecology is limited to a single field station, despite the species being found across a vast distributional range in the Amazon. We studied several aspects of their ecology, specifically habitat use, group size, population density, and diet. All sampled groups were found in secondary tropical rainforest, often dominated by either native bamboo or cane species. Sleeping sites were often in bamboo stands, though groups were also found in cane thickets and lianas. This is in contrast to other Aotus studies which have found groups living in tree cavities and lianas. Population density estimates varied between field sites (19 and 50 individuals per km2), but both were consistent with other Aotus studies (31-40 individuals per km2). And, twelve seed species were recovered from fecal samples over the course of two field seasons, dominated primarily by Cecropiaceae, Piperaceae and Moraceae. Our results suggest that the black-headed night monkey can survive and even thrive in secondary forest, feeding extensively on pioneer species, occupying a range of forest types, all while living in proximity to people (<1km).

El estudio de la ecología del mono nocturno salvaje (Aotus nigriceps) se limita a una única estación de campo, a pesar de que la especie se encuentra en un vasto rango de distribución en el Amazonas. Estudiamos varios aspectos de su ecología, específicamente el uso del hábitat, el tamaño del grupo, la densidad de población y la dieta. Todos los grupos muestreados se encontraron en la selva tropical secundaria, a menudo dominada por bambú nativo o especies de caña. Los sitios donde dormían a menudo se encontraban en puestos de bambú, aunque también se encontraron grupos en matorrales de caña y lianas. Esto contrasta con otros estudios de Aotus que han encontrado grupos que viven en cavidades de árboles y lianas. Las estimaciones de densidad de población variaron entre los sitios de campo (19 y 50 individuos por km2), pero ambos fueron consistentes con otros estudios de Aotus (31-40 individuos por km2). Y, doce especies de semillas fueron recuperadas de muestras fecales, dominadas principalmente por Cecropiaceae, Piperaceae y Moraceae. Nuestros resultados sugieren que el mono nocturno de cabeza negra puede sobrevivir e incluso prosperar en bosques secundarios, alimentándose ampliamente de especies pioneras, ocupando una variedad de tipos de bosques, mientras viven cerca de personas (<1 km).
Ligand pathways in neuroglobin revealed by low-temperature photodissociation and docking experiments
Authors: Ardiccioni Chiara , Arcovito Alessandro , Della Longa Stefano , van der Linden Peter , Bourgeois Dominique , Weik Martin , Montemiglio Linda Celeste , Savino Carmelinda , Avella Giovanna , Exertier Cécile , Carpentier Philippe , Prangé Thierry , Brunori Maurizio , Colloc'h Nathalie , Vallone Beatrice
Published: July 2019

A combined biophysical approach was applied to map gas-docking sites within murine neuroglobin (Ngb), revealing snapshots of events that might govern activity and dynamics in this unique hexacoordinate globin, which is most likely to be involved in gas-sensing in the central nervous system and for which a precise mechanism of action remains to be elucidated. The application of UV–visible microspectroscopy in crystallo, solution X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction experiments at 15–40 K provided the structural characterization of an Ngb photolytic intermediate by cryo-trapping and allowed direct observation of the relocation of carbon monoxide within the distal heme pocket after photodissociation. Moreover, X-ray diffraction at 100 K under a high pressure of dioxygen, a physiological ligand of Ngb, unravelled the existence of a storage site for O2 in Ngb which coincides with Xe-III, a previously described docking site for xenon or krypton. Notably, no other secondary sites were observed under our experimental conditions.
N,N′-Bis(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)oxalamide benzene monosolvate: crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and computational study
Authors: Tan Sang Loon , Halcovitch Nathan R. , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: July 2019

The asymmetric unit of the title 1:1 solvate, C14H14N4O2·C6H6[systematic name of the oxalamide molecule:N,N′-bis(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)ethanediamide], comprises a half molecule of each constituent as each is disposed about a centre of inversion. In the oxalamide molecule, the central C2N2O2atoms are planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.0006 Å). An intramolecular amide-N—H...O(amide) hydrogen bond is evident, which gives rise to anS(5) loop. Overall, the molecule adopts an antiperiplanar disposition of the pyridyl rings, and an orthogonal relationship is evident between the central plane and each terminal pyridyl ring [dihedral angle = 86.89 (3)°]. In the crystal, supramolecular layers parallel to (10\overline{2}) are generated owing the formation of amide-N—H...N(pyridyl) hydrogen bonds. The layers stack encompassing benzene molecules which provide the links between layersviamethylene-C—H...π(benzene) and benzene-C—H...π(pyridyl) interactions. The specified contacts are indicated in an analysis of the calculated Hirshfeld surfaces. The energy of stabilization provided by the conventional hydrogen bonding (approximately 40 kJ mol−1; electrostatic forces) is just over double that by the C—H...π contacts (dispersion forces).
Poly[diaqua[μ4-2-(carboxylatomethoxy)benzoato][μ2-2-(carboxylatomethoxy)benzoato]dicadmium(II)]
Authors: Gaskin Gabrielle J. , LaDuca Robert L.
Published: July 2019

In the title compound, [Cd2(C9H6O5)2(H2O)2]
n
, the crystallographically distinct CdII cations are coordinated in pentagonal–bipyramidal and octahedral fashions. The 2-(carboxymethoxy)benzoate (cmb) ligands connect the Cd atoms into [Cd2(cmb)2(H2O)2)]
n
coordination polymer ribbons that are oriented along the a-axis direction. Supramolecular layers are formed parallel to (01\overline{1}) by O—H...O hydrogen bonding between the ribbons. The supramolecular three-dimensional crystal structure of the title compound is then constructed by π–π stacking interactions with a centroid–centroid distance of 3.622 (2) Å between cmb ligands in adjacent layer motifs.
Complicating or simplifying? Investigating the mixed impacts of online product information on consumers’ purchase decisions
Authors: Yu Yan , Liu Ben Qianqian , Hao Jin-Xing , Wang Chuanqi
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Prior literature indicates conflicting effects of online product information, which may complicate or simplify consumer purchase decisions. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate how different online product information (i.e. the choice set size and the popularity information and its presentation) affect consumers’ decision making and the related market outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

This research relies on information-processing theories and social learning theory. By stepwise conducting two 2×2 within-subject factorial design experiments, this research examines the effects of the choice set size, product popularity information and product presentation on consumers’ decision making and the aggregated market outcomes.

Findings

The results show that product popularity information led consumers to either simplify or complicate their decision strategy, depending on the size of the choice sets. Additionally, presenting products by their popularity in descending order resulted in consumers making decisions with a larger decision bias. The results also show that the presence of product popularity was more likely to forge a “superstar” structure in a large market.

Practical implications

The research suggests that e-retailers and e-marketplace operators should carefully utilize product popularity information. Multiple mechanisms that shape different shopping environments with different orders are necessary to create a long-tailed market structure.

Originality/value

This study found the mixed effects of product popularity information when it is presented in different environments (i.e. the large/small choice set and the sorted/randomized product presentation). The overuse of popularity information may induce consumers’ decision bias.
Using co-creating mass-customisation and innovation climate for enhanced value
Authors: Adel Heba Mohamed , Younis Raghda Abulsaoud Ahmed
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to study the impact of innovation climate (IC) on co-creating modular mass-customisation (CMMC) in terms of cost effectiveness, volume effectiveness, responsiveness, product modularity and collaborative assembly. Additionally, this research paper investigates the effect of IC and CMMC on the value to customer (VC) in a modular jewellery emerging market that includes international companies.

Design/methodology/approach

After conducting a comprehensive literature review, the authors suggested a conceptual framework and examined it using mixed methods approach. In addition to qualitative focus groups, questionnaires were filled – across five-point Likert scale format – through 63 depth interviews carried out with subject-matter-experts working at 14 international organisations in the Egyptian modular jewellery market. SmartPLS software was used for structural equation modelling analysis.

Findings

Results showed that CMMC positively and significantly affects VC. Furthermore, IC positively and significantly affects both CMMC and VC.

Practical implications

Recent industrial developments that can be observed in such international modular jewellery sector can be enhanced by the empirical evidence of this research regarding the importance of developing IC for more creative manufacturing approach of modular mass-customisation and better VC.

Originality/value

To the best of our knowledge, it is the first empirical study that investigates the relationship between CMMC, IC and VC in a unique jewellery market, which recently generated high customer involvement in the assembly/reassembly processes. Conceptually and empirically, it consolidates and adds to the literature of production and operations management (mass-customisation), organisational studies and innovation science (organisational climate for innovation) and applied social sciences.
Market orientation, CSR and financial and marketing performance in manufacturing firms in Ghana and Ethiopia
Authors: Oduro Stephen , Haylemariam Leul Girma
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) often gives a humanistic touch to the marketing activities of firms and even creates the atmosphere that businesses are reliable. Yet, little is known about its interaction effect on the relationship between market orientation (MO) and financial and marketing performance in emerging economies. The present study aims to comparatively examine the interaction effect of CSR on the direct link between MO and financial and marketing performance in manufacturing firms in Ghana and Ethiopia.

Design/methodology/approach

The interaction effect of CSR is examined using a quantitative methodological study design. A total of 439 usable questionnaires across manufacturing firms in Ghana and Ethiopia were collected and analyzed using SEM-PLS 3.0. Analytically, the study used product indicator approach to test the interaction effect of CSR on the nexus between MO and financial and marketing performance, while PLS-multigroup analysis (PLS-MGA) was used to test the significance of the observed differences in the results among the manufacturing firms in the two countries.

Findings

Results show that MO significantly improves financial and marketing performance. However, CSR reveals both “suppression” and “spurious” effects on the direct link between MO and financial and marketing performance under varying market conditions. The relationship between MO and financial performance is weakened in Ghanaian manufacturing firms but is strengthened in Ethiopian manufacturing firms when the level of CSR is high. Results, moreover, show that the nexus between MO and marketing performance is strengthened when CSR actions are high in both Ghanaian and Ethiopian manufacturing firms. The PLS-MGA revealed that these differences in findings in the two countries are statistically significant.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that company managers and marketing practitioners can use CSR in their marketing orientation campaigns to keep high performance and to remain competitive in today’s globalized market.

Social implications

Findings illustrate that incorporation of social interests and sustainability initiatives into firms’ marketing orientation strategies can meet stakeholders’ interest and expectation.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies that examine comparatively the interaction effect of CSR on the MO–financial and marketing performance linkage in two emerging economies. The study extends our understanding of the RBV and stakeholder theories regarding the role of CSR in firms’ marketing strategies.
Positioning at the Olympic Winter Games
Authors: Weber Andreas Christoph , De Bosscher Veerle , Kempf Hippolyt
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Since the 1990s, the International Olympic Committee has offered nations more medal-winning opportunities at every Winter Games. Meanwhile, many countries are constrained by their limited financial resources to target sports strategically. The purpose of this paper is to examine the targeting approaches to Olympic Winter Sports of National Sports Agencies (NSAs), and to identify the factors they assess in the decision-making process.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 11 decision makers of medal-winning NSAs at the 2014 Sochi Games. The data were then analysed with reference to strategic management in an approach which combines a resource-based view (RBV) with a market-based view (MBV) to build a competitive advantage.

Findings

The results show that NSAs, like firms, combine an internal analysis that reflects the RBV on resources and capabilities (e.g. athletes’ performance per sport and sport-specific elite sport system), with an external analysis of the competitive environment that reflects an MBV (e.g. sport’s medal market size and intensity of competition at Games) to target sports. Using this information, two phases were distinguished: first, the target sports are identified and finance is prioritised accordingly; second, the allocation of the nation’s resources is constantly reviewed in order to optimise it.

Research limitations/implications

Even though social desirability bias in the responses could not be fully excluded, the findings can help policy-makers to distinguish between the internal and external factors identified in this study, and to make more strategic decisions by combining RBV and MBV approaches to build-up their nation’s competitive advantage.

Originality/value

This paper models the targeting strategies of NSAs during an Olympic cycle by introducing the competitive positioning of firms to sports management.
Optical sensor of components concentration in solution
Authors: Nadezhdin Igor S. , Goryunov Aleksey G. , Nadezhdina Yuliya Yu
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the development of an optical concentration sensor designed for measuring the concentration of components in solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The operating principle of the developed sensor is based on the Bouguer–Lambert–Beer law. An optical measuring system using fiber optical cables was used for the practical implementation of the concentration sensor.

Findings

As a result of fiber optical cable use in the concentration sensor, the remote measurement principle was implemented, ensuring the instrument’s reliability and the reduction of operating costs.

Originality/value

The advantage of the proposed measuring system is that the sensitive element is maintenance-free, does not require power supply and can operate under severe industrial conditions. Using a fiber optic cable to transmit a light signal allows placing the sensitive element at a distance of several tens of meters from the electronics unit (the smart part).
Interaction modifications lead to greater robustness than pairwise non‐trophic effects in food webs
Authors: Terry J. Christopher D. , Morris Rebecca J. , Bonsall Michael B.
Published: July 2019

Considerable emphasis has been placed recently on the importance of incorporating non‐trophic effects into our understanding of ecological networks. Interaction modifications are well‐established as generating strong non‐trophic impacts by modulating the strength of interspecific interactions.

For simplicity and comparison with direct interactions within a network context, the consequences of interaction modifications have often been described as direct pairwise interactions. The consequences of this assumption have not been examined in non‐equilibrium settings where unexpected consequences of interaction modifications are most likely.

To test the distinct dynamic nature of these “higher‐order” effects, we directly compare, using dynamic simulations, the robustness to extinctions under perturbation of systems where interaction modifications are either explicitly modelled or represented by corresponding equivalent pairwise non‐trophic interactions.

Full, multi‐species representations of interaction modifications resulted in a greater robustness to extinctions compared to equivalent pairwise effects. Explanations for this increased stability despite apparent greater dynamic complexity can be found in additional routes for dynamic feedbacks. Furthermore, interaction modifications changed the relative vulnerability of species to extinction from those trophically connected close to the perturbed species towards those receiving a large number of modifications.

Future empirical and theoretical research into non‐trophic effects should distinguish interaction modifications from direct pairwise effects in order to maximize information about the system dynamics. Interaction modifications have the potential to shift expectations of species vulnerability based exclusively on trophic networks.
Assessing the accuracy of survey reports of health insurance coverage using enrollment data
Authors: Pascale Joanne , Fertig Angela R. , Call Kathleen Thiede
Published: July 2019

Objective

To measure the accuracy of survey‐reported data on features and type of health insurance coverage.

Data Source

Enrollment records from a private insurer were used as sample for primary survey data collection in spring of 2015 using the Current Population Survey health insurance module.

Study Design

A reverse record check study where households with individuals enrolled in a range of public and private health insurance plans (including the marketplace) were administered a telephone survey that included questions about general source of coverage (eg, employer), program name (eg, Medicaid), portal, premium, and subsidies.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Survey data were matched back to enrollment records, which indicated coverage status at the time of the survey. Concordance between the records and survey data was assessed.

Principal Findings

Correct reporting of general source of coverage ranged from 77.8 percent to 98.3 percent across coverage type, premium ranged from 91.6 percent to 96.4 percent, and subsidy ranged from 83.0 percent to 91.0 percent. Using a conceptual algorithm to categorize coverage type resulted in sensitivity of 98.3 percent for employer‐sponsored enrollees, and 70.6 percent‐77.6 percent for the other coverage types, while specificity ranged from 93.9 percent to 99.4 percent across coverage types.

Conclusions

Survey reports of features of coverage suggest they are viable items to include in an algorithm to categorize coverage type. Findings have implications beyond the CPS, particularly for marketplace enrollees.
Metastatic Osteolytic Angioleiomyosarcoma Induced by a Foreign Body in a Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)
Authors: Setyo L , Sabater M , Young A , Rickman BH
Published: July 2019

An adult female Eastern Grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) was examined for lameness due to a mass located at the right tibiotarsal joint. Radiographs revealed a metal arrowhead‐shaped foreign body within the mass alongside a pathologic fracture. Grossly, at necropsy, there was a multilobulated and haemorrhagic mass with intralesional metal fragments, associated osteolysis of the tibiotarsus and pulmonary metastatic nodules. Histologically the neoplasm was composed of plump elongated and fusiform cells that often formed concentrically around small vessels. The pulmonary nodules were composed of similar neoplastic cells, necrosis and haemorrhage. Neoplastic cells were positive immunohistochemically for vimentin and smooth muscle actin. The histological features, immunohistochemical profiles and behaviour of this tumour support a diagnosis of a primary angioleiomyosarcoma with lung metastasis associated with a metal foreign body.
Bovine digital dermatitis in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Hesseling J. , Legione A. R. , Stevenson M.A. , McCowan C.I. , Pyman M.F. , Finochio C. , Nguyen D. , Roic C.L. , Thiris O.L. , Zhang A.J. , van Schaik G. , Coombe J.E.
Published: July 2019

Aims

The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of digital dermatitis (DD) in Victoria, Australia, and to investigate which organisms are consistent with typical DD lesions. The prevalence and causative pathogens of DD are not clear yet in Australia and this paper is one of the first to explore these questions in this country.

Methods

Examination and sampling of limbs was undertaken at three knackeries in Victoria, Australia. Limbs were classified as normal (N), active DD‐lesion (A), dried or chronic DD‐lesion (D) or suspected case of DD (S). A total of 823 cows were examined. Six skin biopsies were taken at each knackery, from which DNA was extracted for diversity profiling. Histochemical staining of samples was performed on eight of the skin biopsies.

Results

DD was detected in 29.8% of all cows. The prevalence of DD was significantly higher in dairy cows (32.2%) than in beef cows (10.8%). The differential abundance of Treponema‐species was significantly increased in dried lesions, compared with the normal skin biopsies. Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Tenericutes were found to be significantly different in abundance in the DD lesions compared with normal skin biopsies. Silver staining of samples showed only mild inflammation and in two samples organisms with morphology consistent with Spirochaetes were detected.

Conclusions

The calculated prevalence indicates that DD is present in Victoria, Australia. The results of diversity profiling showed that the presence of Treponema‐species was significantly different between the samples of DD lesions and normal skin.
Diagnostic accuracy of 68Ga‐prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron‐emission tomography (PET) and multiparametric (mp)MRI to detect intermediate‐grade intra‐prostatic prostate cancer using whole‐mount pathology: impact of the addition of 68Ga‐PSMA PET to mpMRI
Authors: Scheltema Matthijs J. , Chang John I. , Stricker Phillip D. , van Leeuwen Pim J. , Nguyen Quoc A. , Ho Bao , Delprado Warick , Lee Jonathan , Thompson James E. , Cusick Thomas , Spriensma Alette S. , Siriwardana Amila R. , Yuen Carlo , Kooner Raji , Hruby George , O'Neill Gordon , Emmett Louise
Published: July 2019

Objective

To evaluate the ability of prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA)‐positron‐emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) to detect intermediate‐grade intra‐prostatic prostate cancer (PCa), and to determine if PSMA‐PET improves the diagnostic accuracy of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI).

Patients and Methods

A total of 56 consecutive patients with International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade 2–3 PCa after radical prostatectomy, who underwent both mpMRI and PSMA‐PET CT (hereafter PSMA‐PET) preoperatively, were enrolled in this study. The accuracy of PSMA‐PET, mpMRI alone, and the two procedures in combination was analysed for identifying ISUP grades 1–3 within a 12‐segment model. The accuracy of a combined predictive model (PSMA‐PET and mpMRI) was determined. Receiver‐operating characteristic curve analysis to determine the optimal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) for PSMA‐PET in discriminating between ISUP grades 1 and ≥2 was performed.

Results

On a per‐patient basis, the sensitivities for PSMA‐PET and mpMRI in identifying ISUP grades 2–3 PCa were 100% and 97%, respectively. Assessing ISUP grade ≥2 PCa using a 12‐segment analysis, PSMA‐PET demonstrated greater diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve), sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV) and positive predictive value (PPV), with values of 0.91, 88%, 93%, 95% and 85%, respectively, than did mpMRI (Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System [PI‐RADS] 3–5), at 0.79, 68%, 91%, 87%, and 75%, respectively. When used in combination (PSMA‐PET and mpMRI PIRADS 4–5), sensitivity, specificity, NPV and PPV were 92%, 90%, 96% and 81%, respectively. The sensitivity for both techniques reduced markedly when assessing ISUP grade 1 PCa (18% for PSMA‐PET, 10% for mpMRI). An SUVmax value of 3.95 resulted in 94% sensitivity and 100% specificity.

Conclusion

PSMA‐PET is accurate in detecting segments containing intermediate‐grade intra‐prostatic PCa (ISUP grade ≥ 2), compared with and complementary to mpMRI. By contrast the detection rate for ISUP grade 1 disease for both PSMA‐PET and mpMRI was low.
Applying cryopreservation to anuran conservation biology
Authors: Poo Sinlan , Hinkson Kristin M.
Published: July 2019

Novel conservation methods have become increasingly important in protecting our remaining biodiversity in the face of unprecedented rates of species declines. One method of maintaining genetic and species diversity is through germplasm cryopreservation. However, our knowledge of cryopreservation relies heavily on studies in domestic or aquaculture species. Moreover, most studies are narrowly focused on a single species. Consequently, the broader application of these methods to wildlife conservation is often unknown or assumed. Here, we examine the response of four anuran species from two families (Anaxyrus fowleri, Anaxyrus baxteri, Lithobates pipiens, and Lithobates sevosus) to three sperm cryopreservation treatments (5, 10, and 15% N,N‐dimethylformamide with 10% trehalose). Within each family, we selected a congeneric species pair with one common, nonthreatened species and one endangered species. We found that endangered species had significantly lower initial sperm quality, though recovery rate of sperm after cryopreservation was not significantly different between nonthreatened and endangered species. Overall, responses to the three treatments were consistent across species, with 5% DMFA with 10% trehalose producing the highest recovery rates in all four species. In addition, cryopreserved sperm were used to successfully produce hatchlings in both of the nonthreatened species. Our results demonstrate that standardized methods developed for anurans can be applied more widely across families and can be transferred from model species to species of conservation concern. These findings form a basis for further exploration into cryopreservation as an effective tool for wildlife conservation in amphibians.
Outcome of lung transplantation in non‐idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis interstitial lung disease
Authors: Bode Hannelore , Verleden Stijn E. , Wuyts Wim A. , Yserbyt Jonas , Verleden Geert M. , Vos Robin
Published: July 2019

Lung transplantation remains the only curative treatment option for selected patients with end‐stage interstitial lung disease (ILD). Candidate selection is impeded by patient heterogeneity, particularly in the subgroup of non‐idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (non‐IPF) interstitial lung diseases. We performed a descriptive analysis of all non‐IPF ILD patients who underwent lung transplantation in our center between July 1991 and November 2016 (n = 129) and searched for pre‐transplant variables correlating with graft loss and chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). Our study cohort was characterized by a significantly affected medical condition, an extensive pre‐transplant corticosteroid use (73.8%), and a high prevalence of pulmonary hypertension (55.7%). Earlier year of transplantation (P = .004), higher bilirubin level (P < .0001), older recipient age (P = .04), and smaller recipient height (P = .02) were found to be associated with earlier graft loss in multivariate analysis. Moreover, pre‐transplant corticosteroid treatment tended to be related to earlier graft loss (P = .06), while pulmonary hypertension did not significantly correlate. None of the pre‐transplant variables were shown to be associated with CLAD development. Ongoing research is required to further explore this diverse patient population and the pre‐transplant variables determining their post‐transplant outcome.