bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimizing genomic prediction of host resistance to koi herpesvirus disease in carp
Authors: Palaiokostas Christos , Vesely Tomas , Kocour Martin , Prchal Martin , Pokorova Dagmar , Piackova Veronika , Pojezdal Lubomir , Houston Ross D.
Published: April 2019

Genomic selection (GS) is increasingly applied in breeding programmes of major aquaculture species, enabling improved prediction accuracy and genetic gain compared to pedigree-based approaches. Koi Herpesvirus disease (KHVD) is notifiable by the World Organisation for Animal Health and the European Union, causing major economic losses to carp production. Genomic selection has potential to breed carp with improved resistance to KHVD, thereby contributing to disease control. In the current study, Restriction-site Associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) was applied on a population of 1,425 common carp juveniles which had been challenged with Koi herpes virus, followed by sampling of survivors and mortalities. Genomic selection (GS) was tested on a wide range of scenarios by varying both SNP densities and the genetic relationships between training and validation sets. The accuracy of correctly identifying KHVD resistant animals using genomic selection was between 8 and 18 % higher than pedigree best linear unbiased predictor (pBLUP) depending on the tested scenario. Furthermore, minor decreases in prediction accuracy were observed with decreased SNP density. However, the genetic relationship between the training and validation sets was a key factor in the efficacy of genomic prediction of KHVD resistance in carp, with substantially lower prediction accuracy when the relationships between the training and validation sets did not contain close relatives.
Upscaling of Microbial Electrolysis Cell Integrating Microbial Electrosynthesis: Insights, Challenges and Perspectives
Authors: Tian Jiang-Hao , Lacroix Rémy , Quéméner Elie Desmond-Le , Bureau Chrystelle , Midoux Cédric , Bouchez Théodore
Published: April 2019

Recent development of microbial electrochemical technologies has allowed microbial electrosynthesis (MES) of organic molecules with microbial electrolysis cell treating waste organic matter. An electrolytic cell with a MES cathode (ME-ME cell) can produce soluble organic molecules with higher market price than biomethane, and thus satisfy both economic and environmental interest. However, the sustainability of bioanode activity could become a major concern. In this work, a 15-liter ME-ME reactor was designed with specific electrode configurations. An electrochemical model was established to assess the feasibility and possible performance of the design, considering the “aging” effect of the bioanode. The reactor was then built and operated for performance evaluation as well as bioanode regeneration assay. Biowaste from an industrial deconditioning platform was used as substrate for bioanode. The COD removal rate in the anodic chamber reached 0.83 g day-1 L-1 of anolyte and the anodic coulombic efficiency reached 98.6%. Acetate was produced with a rate of 0.53 g day-1 L-1 of catholyte, reaching a maximum concentration of 8.3 g L-1. A potential difference was applied between the bioanode and biocathode independent of reference electrodes. The active biocathode was dominated by members of the Genus Pseudomonas, rarely reported so far for MES activity.
Developmentally regulated Shh expression is robust to TAD perturbations
Authors: Williamson Iain , Kane Lauren , Devenney Paul S. , Anderson Eve , Kilanowski Fiona , Hill Robert E. , Bickmore Wendy A. , Lettice Laura A.
Published: April 2019

Topologically Associating Domains (TADs) have been proposed to both guide and constrain enhancer activity. Shh is located within a TAD known to contain all its enhancers. To investigate the importance of chromatin conformation and TAD integrity on developmental gene regulation, we have manipulated the Shh TAD – creating internal deletions, deleting CTCF sites including those at TAD boundaries, as well as larger deletions and inversions of TAD boundaries. Chromosome conformation capture and fluorescence in situ hybridisation assays were used the investigate changes in chromatin conformation that result from these manipulations. Our data suggest that the substantial alteration of TAD structure has no readily detectable effect on Shh expression patterns during development – except where enhancers are deleted - and results in no detectable phenotypes. Only in the case of a larger deletion of one TAD boundary could some ectopic influence of the Shh limb enhancer be detected on a gene - Mnx1 in the neighbouring TAD. Our data suggests that, contrary to expectations, the developmental regulation of Shh expression is remarkably robust to TAD perturbations.
Progress toward the identification and stacking of crucial domestication traits in pennycress
Authors: Chopra Ratan , Johnson Evan B. , Emenecker Ryan , Cahoon Edgar B. , Lyons Joe , Kliebenstein Daniel J. , Daniels Erin , Dorn Kevin M. , Esfahanian Maliheh , Folstad Nicole , Frels Katherine , McGinn Michaela , Ott Matthew , Gallaher Cynthia , Altendorf Kayla , Berroyer Alexandra , Ismail Baraem , Anderson James A. , Wyse Donald L. , Umaslov Tim , Sedbrook John C. , Marks M. David
Published: April 2019

The oilseed speciesThlaspi arvense(pennycress) is being domesticated as a new crop that can provide both important ecosystem services and intensify farmland output. Through the use of high throughput sequencing and phenotyping, along with classical mutagenesis key traits needed for pennycress domestication have been identified. Domestication traits identified herein include reduced pod shatter, early maturity, reduced seed glucosinolate levels, and improved oil fatty acid content. By taking advantage of pennycress’ close genetic relationship withArabidopsis thaliana, the causative mutations responsible for each of these traits have been identified. These mutations have been used to develop molecular markers to begin to stack the traits into individual lines.
A Porcine Model of Peripheral Nerve Injury Enabling Ultra-Long Regenerative Distances: Surgical Approach, Recovery Kinetics, and Clinical Relevance
Authors: Burrell Justin C. , Browne Kevin D. , Dutton John L. , Das Suradip , Brown Daniel P. , Laimo Franco A. , Roberts Sanford , Petrov Dmitriy , Ali Zarina , Ledebur Harry C. , Rosen Joseph M. , Kaplan Hilton M. , Wolf John A. , Smith Douglas H. , Chen H. Isaac , Cullen D. Kacy
Published: April 2019

Approximately 20 million Americans currently experience residual deficits from traumatic peripheral nerve injury. Despite recent advancements in surgical technique, peripheral nerve repair typically results in poor functional outcomes due to prolonged periods of denervation resulting from long regenerative distances coupled with relatively slow rates of axonal regeneration. Development of novel surgical solutions requires valid preclinical models that adequately replicate the key challenges of clinical peripheral nerve injury. Our team has developed a porcine model using Yucatan minipigs that provides an opportunity to investigate peripheral nerve regeneration using different nerves tailored for a specific mechanism of interest, such as (1) nerve modality: motor, sensory, and mixed-modality; (2) injury length: short versus long gap; and (3) total regenerative distance: proximal versus distal injury. Here, we describe a comprehensive porcine model of two challenging clinically relevant procedures for repair of long segmental lesions (≥ 5 cm) – the deep peroneal nerve repaired using a sural nerve autograft and the common peroneal nerve repaired using a saphenous nerve autograft – each featuring ultra-long total regenerative distances (up to 20 cm and 27 cm, respectively) to reach distal targets. This paper includes a detailed characterization of the relevant anatomy, surgical approach/technique, functional/electrophysiological outcomes, and nerve morphometry for baseline and autograft repaired nerves. These porcine models of major peripheral nerve injury are suitable as preclinical, translatable models for evaluating the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of next-generation artificial nerve grafts prior to clinical deployment.
Routing of non-mnemonic hippocampal ripples to subcortical structures
Authors: Tingley David , Buzsáki György
Published: April 2019

The mnemonic functions of hippocampal sharp wave ripples (SPW-Rs) have been studied extensively. Because hippocampal outputs affect not only downsteam cortical structures but also subcortical targets, we examined the impact of SPW-Rs on the firing patterns of lateral septal (LS) neurons in behaving rats. A large fraction of SPW-Rs were temporally locked to high frequency oscillations (HFOs; 120-180 Hz) in LS. SPW-R to LS HFOs coupling was strongest during NREM sleep, followed by waking immobility. However, coherence and spike-LFP coupling between the two events were low, suggesting that HFOs are generated locally within the LS GABAergic population. This hypothesis was supported by optogenetic induction of HFOs in LS. Spiking of LS neurons was independent from the sequential order of spiking in SPW-Rs but, instead, correlated strongly with the magnitude of excitatory synchrony of the hippocampal output. Thus, LS is strongly activated by SPW-Rs and may convey hippocampal population events to its motivation and action-inducing targets in the hypothalamus and brainstem.
Three-Dimensional Reconstructions of Mouse Circumvallate Taste Buds Using Serial Blockface Scanning Electron Microscopy: I. Cell Types and the Apical Region of the Taste Bud
Authors: Yang Ruibiao , Dzowo Yannick K. , Wilson Courtney E. , Russell Rae L. , Kidd Grahame J. , Salcedo Ernesto , Lasher Robert S. , Kinnamon John C. , Finger Thomas E.
Published: April 2019

Taste buds comprise four types of taste cells: 3 mature, elongate types: Type I, Type II, Type III; and basally-situated, immature post-mitotic Type IV cells. We employed serial blockface scanning electron microscopy to delineate the characteristics and interrelationships of the taste cells in the circumvallate papillae of adult mice. Type I cells have an indented, elongate nucleus with invaginations, folded plasma membrane, and multiple apical microvilli in the taste pore. Type I microvilli may be either restricted to the bottom of the pore or extend outward reaching midway up into the taste pore. Type II cells (aka receptor cells) are characterized by a large round or oval nucleus, a single apical microvillus extending through the taste pore, and specialized “atypical” mitochondria at functional points of contact with nerve fibers. Type III cells (aka “synaptic cells”) are elongate with an indented nucleus, possess a single, apical microvillus extending through the taste pore and are characterized by a small accumulation of synaptic vesicles at points of contact with nerve fibers. About one-quarter of Type III cells also exhibit an atypical mitochondrion amidst the presynaptic vesicle clusters at the synapse. Type IV cells (non-proliferative “basal cells”) have a nucleus in the lower quarter of the taste bud but have a foot process extending to the basement membrane often contacting nerve processes along the way. Type I cells represent just over 50% of the population, whereas Type II, Type III, and Type IV (basal cells) represent 19%, 15%, and 14% respectively.
Collective aggressiveness limits colony persistence in high but not low elevation sites in Amazonian social spiders
Authors: Lichtenstein James L. L. , Fisher David N. , McEwen Brendan L. , Nondorf Daniel T. , Calvache Esteban , Schmitz Clara , Elässer Jana , Pruitt Jonathan N.
Published: April 2019

Identifying the traits that foster group survival in contrasting environments is important for understanding local adaptation in social systems. Here we evaluate the relationship between the aggressiveness of social spider colonies and their persistence along an elevation gradient using the Amazonian spider,Anelosimus eximius. We found that colonies ofA. eximiusexhibit repeatable differences in their collective aggressiveness, and that colony aggressiveness is linked with persistence in a site-specific manner. Less aggressive colonies are better able to persist at high-elevation sites, which lack colony-sustaining large-bodied prey, whereas colony aggression was not related to chance of persistence at low-elevation sites. This suggests resistance to resource limitation through docility promotes colony survival at high elevations. These data reveal that the collective phenotypes that relate to colony persistence vary by site, and thus, the path of social evolution in these environments is likely to be affected.
Arabidopsis glutathione reductase 2 is indispensable in plastids, while mitochondrial glutathione is safeguarded by additional reduction and transport systems
Authors: Marty Laurent , Bausewein Daniela , Müller Christopher , Bangash Sajid Ali Khan , Moseler Anna , Schwarzländer Markus , Müller-Schüssele Stefanie J. , Zechmann Bernd , Riondet Christophe , Balk Janneke , Wirtz Markus , Hell Rüdiger , Reichheld Jean-Philippe , Meyer Andreas J.
Published: April 2019

A highly negative glutathione redox potential (EGSH) is maintained in the cytosol, plastids and mitochondria of plant cells to support fundamental processes, including antioxidant defence, redox regulation and iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis. Out of two glutathione reductase (GR) proteins in Arabidopsis, GR2 is predicted to be dual-targeted to plastids and mitochondria, but its differential roles in these organelles remain unclear.

We dissected the role of GR2 in organelle glutathione redox homeostasis and plant development using a combination of genetic complementation and stacked mutants, biochemical activity studies, immunogold labelling and in vivo biosensing.

Our data demonstrate that GR2 is dual-targeted to plastids and mitochondria, but embryo lethality of gr2 null mutants is caused specifically in plastids. Whereas lack of mitochondrial GR2 leads to a partially oxidised glutathione pool in the matrix, the ABC transporter ATM3 and the mitochondrial thioredoxin system provide functional backup and maintain plant viability.

We identify GR2 as essential in the plastid stroma, where it counters GSSG accumulation and developmental arrest. By contrast a functional triad of GR2, ATM3 and the thioredoxin system in the mitochondria provides resilience to excessive glutathione oxidation.
Altered structural hub connectivity and its clinical relevance in glioma
Authors: Douw Linda , Miller Julie J. , Steenwijk Martijn D. , Stufflebeam Steven M. , Gerstner Elizabeth R.
Published: April 2019

Background and Purpose

Structural network analysis of diffusion imaging is increasingly used to study neurological disease, its pathophysiology and symptoms. We therefore evaluate structural hub connectivity in glioma patients and its association with molecular subtype and clinical status.

Materials and Methods

Using retrospective diffusion imaging, structural connectivity was investigated in 65 newly diagnosed glioma patients (36 males; mean age 52 ± 14 years) and 60 healthy controls (23 males; mean age 50 ± 7 years). Probabilistic tractography was performed between 39 cortical nodes per hemisphere. In patients, tumors were drawn in to exclude each tumor-containing voxel from analysis. As previous connectomic research in glioma and other neurological diseases has shown particular importance of ‘hub’ nodes and connections, the numbers of connections between hubs, hubs and non-hubs, and non-hubs were calculated for each hemisphere separately. Clinical and molecular characteristics were assessed as part of routine clinical care. Group differences in connectivity and its associations with performance and molecular subtypes were tested non-parametrically through Mann-Whitney U-tests, corrected for multiple comparisons.

Results

Glioma patients had more hub-related connections in the hemisphere contralateral to the tumor (hub-hub P = 0.002, hub-non-hub P = 0.005), despite being comparable to controls in terms of total and ipsilateral connections. Within patients, hub-related connectivity related to performance status (P = 0.009) and molecular subtype (P = 0.045).

Conclusion

We present experimental evidence for the relevance of structural connectomics as a tool to pick up on the clinical impact of glioma on the rest of the brain.
Plasma membrane associated Receptor Like Kinases relocalise to plasmodesmata in response to osmotic stress
Authors: Grison Magali S. , Kirk Philip , Brault Marie , Wu Xu Na , Schulze Waltraud X , Benitez-Alfonso Yoselin , Immel Françoise , Bayer Emmanuelle M.
Published: April 2019

Plasmodesmata act as key elements in intercellular communication, coordinating processes related to plant growth, development and responses to environmental stresses. While many of the developmental, biotic and abiotic signals are primarily perceived at the plasma membrane (PM) by receptor proteins, plasmodesmata also cluster receptor-like activities and whether or not these two pathways interact is currently unknown.

Here we show that specific PM-located Leucine-Rich-Repeat Receptor-Like-Kinases (LRR-RLKs), KIN7 and IMK2, which under optimal growth conditions are absented from plasmodesmata, rapidly relocate and cluster to the pores in response to osmotic stress. This process is remarkably fast, it is not a general feature of PM-associated proteins and is independent of sterol- and sphingolipid-membrane composition. Focusing on KIN7, previously reported to be involved in stress responses, we show that relocalisation upon mannitol depends on KIN7 phosphorylation. Loss-of-function mutation in KIN7 induces delay in lateral root (LR) development and the mutant is affected in the root response to mannitol stress. Callose-mediated plasmodesmata regulation is known to regulate LR development. We found that callose levels are reduced inkin7mutant background with a root phenotype resembling ectopic expression of PdBG1, an enzyme that degrades callose at the pores. Both the LR and callose phenotypes can be complemented by expression of KIN7 -wild-type and –phosphomimic variants but not by KIN7 phosphodead mutant which fails to relocalise at plasmodesmata. Together the data indicate that re-organisation of RLKs to plasmodesmata is important for the regulation of callose and LR development as part of the plant response to osmotic stress.
A combination of Interferon Stimulated Genes is more effective than IFNα and IFNβ in reducing HIV-1 replication in human cervicovaginal tissues
Authors: Rollenhagen Christiane , Gui Jiang , Doncel Gustavo F. , Asin Susana N.
Published: April 2019

Enhancing antiviral responses while controlling immune cell activation is an attractive strategy to reduce HIV-1 replication in the cervicovaginal mucosae, a primary site of heterosexual transmission. Interferon alpha and beta (IFNα/β) signaling up-regulates expression of inflammatory factors and Interferon-Stimulated Genes (ISGs). The simultaneous induction of both IFNs by pathogen-bound molecular pattern recognition receptors and the paucity of data on the anti-HIV-1 efficacy of a combination of these antiviral factors or their downstream targets in human experimental models taking into account mucosal and submucosal cell populations, motivated us to determine whether combined IFNα/β or ISGs could decrease HIV-1 replication in cervicovaginal tissues.

IFNα/β reduced HIV-1 p24 release. This reduction was associated with upregulation of expression of a subset of ISGs, the type I IFN receptor and interferon regulatory factor seven. IFNα/β also enhanced immune cell activation. In contrast, when added directly to CV tissues, a combination of ISGs was more effective than IFNα/β in reducing HIV-1 p24 release. The ISG combination demonstrated early kinetics and a more robust reduction in HIV-1 p24 release. Opposite to IFNα/β, the combination of ISGs did not induce immune cell activation.

IFNα/β-induced ISGs provide novel mucosal therapeutic targets with a greater capacity to reduce HIV-1 compared to IFNα/β, without inducing immune cell activation.
Human co-transcriptional splicing kinetics and coordination revealed by direct nascent RNA sequencing
Authors: Drexler Heather L. , Choquet Karine , Churchman L. Stirling
Published: April 2019

Human genes have numerous exons that are differentially spliced within pre-mRNA. Understanding how multiple splicing events are coordinated across nascent transcripts requires quantitative analyses of transient RNA processing events in living cells. We developed nanopore analysis of CO-transcriptional Processing (nano-COP), in which nascent RNAs are directly sequenced through nanopores, exposing the dynamics and patterns of RNA splicing without biases introduced by amplification. nano-COP showed that in both human andDrosophilacells, co-transcriptional splicing occurs after RNA polymerase II transcribes several kilobases of pre-mRNA, suggesting that metazoan splicing transpires distally from the transcription machinery. Inhibition of the branch-site recognition complex SF3B globally abolished co-transcriptional splicing in both species. Our findings revealed that splicing order does not strictly follow the order of transcription and is influenced by cis-regulatory elements. In human cells, introns with delayed splicing frequently neighbor alternative exons and are associated with RNA-binding factors. Moreover, neighboring introns in human cells tend to be spliced concurrently, implying that splicing occurs cooperatively. Thus, nano-COP unveils the organizational complexity of metazoan RNA processing.
Characterization of aroma-active compounds in delicious apples juices by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), gas chromatography–olfactometry (GC-O) and odor activity value (OAV)
Authors: deshou Mao , liu Hong , zhengfeng Li , yunwei Niu , zuobing Xiao , fengmei Zhang , jiancai Zhu
Published: April 2019

Volatile aroma compounds of delicious apple juice in three cultivars were obtained by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O), and GC-flame photometric detection (FPD). Quantitatively, the major volatiles of the delicious apple juice were detected by GC-MS, such as esters, alcohols, aldehydes. In addition, GC-O and OAV were used to determine the aroma-active compounds in fruit. Amongst these compounds, ethyl 2-methylbutanoate (47-229), butyl 2-methylbutanoate (8-208), (E)-2-hexenal (25-120), butyl propanoate (14-54), methyl 2-methylbutanoate (28-41), ethyl hexanoate (4-32), ethyl butanoate (5-17) showed high OAVs in three delicious apple juices, which contributed greatly to the aroma of delicious apple juice. Beside those compounds, methanethiol (OAV: 1.1-1.6), dimethyl sulfide (OAV: 2.5-3.6), methional (OAV: 4.2-11.7) and 2-(methylthio)ethanol (OAV: 1.2-1.9) also presented relatively high OAVs. Finally, four compounds (ethyl 2-methylbutanoate, ethyl octanoate, ethyl butanoate and ethyl hexanoate) were selected to investigate the possible interactions occurring in the delicious apple juice. The resultants demonstrated that those aroma volatile compounds can decrease threshold of the solution to dissimilar degrees before and after their addition.
Benchmarking of alignment-free sequence comparison methods
Authors: Zielezinski Andrzej , Girgis Hani Z. , Bernard Guillaume , Leimeister Chris-Andre , Tang Kujin , Dencker Thomas , Lau Anna K. , Röhling Sophie , Choi JaeJin , Waterman Michael S. , Comin Matteo , Kim Sung-Hou , Vinga Susana , Almeida Jonas S. , Chan Cheong Xin , James Benjamin T. , Sun Fengzhu , Morgenstern Burkhard , Karlowski Wojciech M.
Published: April 2019

Alignment-free (AF) sequence comparison is attracting persistent interest driven by data-intensive applications. Hence, many AF procedures have been proposed in recent years, but a lack of a clearly defined benchmarking consensus hampers their performance assessment. Here, we present a community resource (http://afproject.org) to establish standards for comparing alignment-free approaches across different areas of sequence-based research. We characterize 74 AF methods available in 24 software tools for five research applications, namely, protein sequence classification, gene tree inference, regulatory element detection, genome-based phylogenetic inference and reconstruction of species trees under horizontal gene transfer and recombination events. The interactive web service allows researchers to explore the performance of alignment-free tools relevant to their data types and analytical goals. It also allows method developers to assess their own algorithms and compare them with current state-of-the-art tools, accelerating the development of new, more accurate AF solutions.
Cloning, Biochemical Characterization and Inhibition of Alanine racemase fromStreptococcus iniae
Authors: Muhammad Murtala , Li Yangyang , Gong Siyu , Shi Yanmin , Ju Jiansong , Zhao Baohua , Liu Dong
Published: April 2019

Streptococcus iniaeis a pathogenic and zoonotic bacteria that impacted high mortality to many fish species, as well as capable of causing serious disease to humans. Alanine racemase (Alr, EC 5.1.1.1) is a pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (PLP)-containing homodimeric enzyme that catalyzes the racemization of L-alanine and D-alanine. In this study, we purified alanine racemase from the pathogenic strain ofS. iniae, determined its biochemical characteristics and inhibitors. Thealrgene has an open reading frame (ORF) of 1107 bp, encoding a protein of 369 amino acids, which has a molecular mass of 40 kDa. The optimal enzyme activity occurred at 35°C and a pH of 9.5. The enzyme belongs to the PLP dependent enzymes family and is highly specific to L-alanine.S.iniaeAlr can be inhibited by some metal ions, hydroxylamine and dithiothreitol (DTT). The kinetic parametersKmandVmaxof the enzyme were 33.11 mM, 2426 units/mg for L-alanine and 14.36 mM, 963.6 units/mg for D-alanine. Finally, the 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) values and antibiotic activity of two alanine racemase inhibitors, were determined and found to be effective against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria employed in this study. The important role of alanine racemase as a target of developing new antibiotics againstS. iniaehighlighted the usefulness of the enzyme for new antibiotics discovery.
Structural variants in 3000 rice genomes
Authors: Fuentes Roven Rommel , Chebotarov Dmytro , Duitama Jorge , Smith Sean , De la Hoz Juan Fernando , Mohiyuddin Marghoob , Wing Rod A. , McNally Kenneth L. , Tatarinova Tatiana , Grigoriev Andrey , Mauleon Ramil , Alexandrov Nickolai
Published: April 2019

Investigation of large structural variants (SVs) is a challenging yet important task in understanding trait differences in highly repetitive genomes. Combining different bioinformatic approaches for SV detection, we analyzed whole-genome sequencing data from 3000 rice genomes and identified 63 million individual SV calls that grouped into 1.5 million allelic variants. We found enrichment of long SVs in promoters and an excess of shorter variants in 5′ UTRs. Across the rice genomes, we identified regions of high SV frequency enriched in stress response genes. We demonstrated how SVs may help in finding causative variants in genome-wide association analysis. These new insights into rice genome biology are valuable for understanding the effects SVs have on gene function, with the prospect of identifying novel agronomically important alleles that can be utilized to improve cultivated rice.
Successful and unsuccessful attempts to swallow in a reduced Aplysia preparation regulate feeding responses and produce memory at different neural sites
Authors: McManus Jeffrey M. , Chiel Hillel J. , Susswein Abraham J.
Published: April 2019

Sensory feedback shapes ongoing behavior and may produce learning and memory. Motor responses to edible or inedible food in a reduced Aplysia preparation were examined to test how sensory feedback affects behavior and memory. Feeding patterns were initiated by applying a cholinomimetic onto the cerebral ganglion. Feedback from buccal muscles increased the response variability and response rate. Repeated application of the cholinomimetic caused decreased responses, expressed in part by lengthening protractions. Swallowing strips of “edible” food, which in intact animals induces learning that enhances ingestion, increased the response rate, and shortened the protraction length, reflecting more swallowing. Testing memory by repeating the procedure prevented the decrease in response rate observed with the cholinomimetic alone, and shortened protractions. Training with “inedible” food that in intact animals produces learning expressed by decreased responses caused lengthened protractions. Testing memory by repeating the procedure did not cause decreased responses or lengthened protractions. After training and testing with edible or inedible food, all preparations were exposed to the cholinomimetic alone. Preparations previously trained with edible food displayed memory expressed as decreased protraction length. Preparations previously trained with inedible food showed decreases in many response parameters. Memory for inedible food may arise in part via a postsynaptic decrease in response to acetylcholine released by afferents sensing food. The lack of change in response number, and in the time that responses are maintained during the two training sessions preceding application of the cholinomimetic alone suggests that memory expression may differ from behavioral changes during training.
How can memories last for days, years, or a lifetime? Proposed mechanisms for maintaining synaptic potentiation and memory
Authors: Smolen Paul , Baxter Douglas A. , Byrne John H.
Published: April 2019

With memory encoding reliant on persistent changes in the properties of synapses, a key question is how can memories be maintained from days to months or a lifetime given molecular turnover? It is likely that positive feedback loops are necessary to persistently maintain the strength of synapses that participate in encoding. Such feedback may occur within signal-transduction cascades and/or the regulation of translation, and it may occur within specific subcellular compartments or within neuronal networks. Not surprisingly, numerous positive feedback loops have been proposed. Some posited loops operate at the level of biochemical signal-transduction cascades, such as persistent activation of Ca2+/calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) or protein kinase Mζ. Another level consists of feedback loops involving transcriptional, epigenetic and translational pathways, and autocrine actions of growth factors such as BDNF. Finally, at the neuronal network level, recurrent reactivation of cell assemblies encoding memories is likely to be essential for late maintenance of memory. These levels are not isolated, but linked by shared components of feedback loops. Here, we review characteristics of some commonly discussed feedback loops proposed to underlie the maintenance of memory and long-term synaptic plasticity, assess evidence for and against their necessity, and suggest experiments that could further delineate the dynamics of these feedback loops. We also discuss crosstalk between proposed loops, and ways in which such interaction can facilitate the rapidity and robustness of memory formation and storage.
Empowering small industry of wood carving handicraft in Bangli district
Authors: Marhaeni A.A.I.N. , Yuliarmi Ni Nyoman , Setiawina Nyoman Djinar
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of social capital on human capital; the effect of social capital on transaction costs; the influence of social capital, human capital and transaction costs on empowerment; the indirect effect of social capital on empowerment through human capital; and the indirect effect of social capital on empowerment through transaction costs in Bangli Regency.

Design/methodology/approach

The population in this research is all wood carving business in Bangli Regency, in all districts some 366 business units. The number of respondents surveyed were 191 business units in all sub-districts. The sampling technique used is stratified random sampling, with strata of business area. Inferential analysis is preceded by using factor analysis techniques to obtain factor scores on each latent variable, followed by path analysis to answer the research objectives.

Finding

Based on the analysis, the following conclusions are drawn: social capital has a positive and significant impact on human resources; positive social capital and significant positive to transaction costs; social capital and human resources have a positive and significant effect while transaction costs and no significant positive effect on empowerment; human resources partially mediate the influence of social capital on empowerment; and transaction costs do not act as a variable, mediating the influence of social capital on empowering small woodcraft industry in Bangli Regency.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few to investigate the role of social capital, human capital and transaction cost on empowerment of small industries, especially wood carving in Bangli District. This small woodcraft industry is famous for its uniqueness that characterizes Balinese carving ornaments. But lately, the productivity of handicrafts wood carving, especially in Bangli District, fluctuates tend to decline. Social capital, in addition to human capital and technology, also plays an important role in the production process. Social capital equals other physical capital and can increase productivity and economic efficiency. Higher social capital owned by individuals or groups can reduce transaction costs; thus economic activity can run efficiently. Social capital is the information, trust and norms of reciprocity inherent in social networks.
Consumers’ online brand-related activities (COBRAs) on SNS brand pages
Authors: Piehler Rico , Schade Michael , Kleine-Kalmer Barbara , Burmann Christoph
Published: April 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate word of mouth as a consequence and information, entertainment, social interaction and remuneration motivations as antecedents of consuming, contribution and creating behaviours as consumers’ online brand-related activities (COBRAs).

Design/methodology/approach

As an empirical test of the proposed conceptual model, the quantitative research features an online survey of a sample of 359 German Facebook users.

Findings

Word of mouth benefits from consuming behaviour but not contributing or creating behaviours. Therefore, brand-related outcomes can be realised solely through the consumption of brand-related content. Consuming behaviour is positively affected by social interaction and entertainment motivations.

Research limitations/implications

Further research could investigate the conceptual model in other social networks, as well as validate the findings in other cultural settings. Potential moderators also should be considered in further research.

Practical implications

In addition to tracking contributing and creating behaviours, brand managers should measure consuming behaviour. This paper provides new insights into how consumer motivations influence different COBRA types.

Originality/value

This study is the first to analyse the distinct effects of consuming, contributing and creating behaviours of SNS brand page followers on word of mouth as an offline brand-related consequence. It also represents the first study to investigate the unique effect of creating behaviour on an offline brand-related outcome. Furthermore, this study is the first to analyse the effects of all four types of motivations on any COBRA type quantitatively with an appropriate statistical analysis that allows distinguishing relevant from irrelevant motivations.
The adoption of green practices by Chinese firms
Authors: Li Yina , Ye Fei , Dai Jing , Zhao Xiande , Sheu Chwen
Published: April 2019

Purpose

Despite touting the value of green practices, many firms struggle to respond appropriately to the diverse environmental issues. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the external and internal pressures interplay to influence top management championship, which, in turn, fosters the company’s green culture and the adoption of green practices. It thus helps to explain Chinese firms’ diversity with respect to the adoption of green practices.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model is developed that summarizes the interplay of external and internal pressures, top management championship, green culture and the adoption of green practices. Data from 148 Chinese manufacturing firms were collected and a structural equation model was used for statistical analysis.

Findings

Government policy that provides incentives to adopt green practices and overseas customers’ green demand has significant positive influences on top management championship, while resources pressure has a significant negative effect. Government command and control policy, domestic customers’ green demand and organizational inertia do not impact top management championship. Furthermore, top management championship is positively correlated to both green culture and green practices, and green culture contributes to implementing green practices.

Practical implications

The findings help us understand which external and internal factors inspire or force top management to adopt green practices, and how they do so. Moreover, managers must also be aware of the bridging role of green culture. The findings will be valuable to policy makers in forming and enforcing “stick” or “carrot” environmental policies.

Originality/value

Leveraging a multi-theoretic approach, the authors’ research builds on insights from the institutional theory, natural resource-based view (NRBV) and upper echelons perspective, so as to increase the authors’ understanding on how firms adopt green practices to respond to environmental sustainability pressures. The institutional theory and the NRBV are leveraged in this study to recognize that firms perceive not only external institutional pressure for environmental management but also the internal pressure from resource constraints and capability to change. Upper echelons perspective is integrated into this study to explain the leadership role that top management serves in the management of the organization’s response to dynamic changes in the institutional environment and cultivate green culture within organization.
Evaluation of occupants’ well-being and perception towards indoor environmental quality in Malaysia affordable housing
Authors: Kamaruzzaman Syahrul Nizam , Azmal Ainur Mardiha
Published: April 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the indoor environmental quality in an affordable housing, as well as the health condition of users. Furthermore, it aims to find the relationship between quality of the indoor environment (IEQ) and sick building syndrome (SBS) and the satisfaction level of the occupants towards the IEQ factor, as well as the importance of the factors in the occupants’ view. Additionally, the purpose of this pilot study is to validate the questionnaire and identify the possible outcome of this research for the main study.

Design/methodology/approach

There are a few methods to achieve the objective of this paper: first is by literature review and second is by a survey. There are two types of survey made: observation survey and questionnaire survey. The purpose of observation survey is to survey the surrounding and the condition of the apartments, while questionnaire survey was distributed to the respondents in the affordable housing area. Next, is analysis and discussion of the survey, and finally, summary.

Findings

Aside from achieving the validity of the questionnaire survey, the results of the survey have found that the respondents are dissatisfied with the noise and glare level, as well as the amount of artificial lighting in their unit. Additionally, they have rated health, ventilation and amount of air movement as the most important IEQ factors. More importantly, the occupants have experienced the symptoms of SBS and the health condition of the building occupants. The results show that the most frequent symptoms affected the respondents are fatigue, dizziness and a headache.

Originality/value

This paper has indicated the IEQ in the affordable housing and identifies the health risk of occupants, specifically in Malaysia.
Religion, peculiar beliefs and luxury cars’ consumer behavior in Iran
Authors: Forghani Mohammad Hossein , Kazemi Ali , Ranjbarian Bahram
Published: April 2019

Purpose

Religious and peculiar beliefs are two of the factors affecting consumer behavior and may differentially affect individuals and societies. Therefore, this study aims to investigate them from the study of Iranian customers’ behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

These beliefs are sensitive issues, hence, to investigate them, the grounded theory method through 15 in-depth interviews was applied.

Findings

The results indicated that evil-eye effect, as a peculiar belief, affected the behavior of luxury cars’ consumers in the Iranian society while religion had no such effect on the consumers’ behavior, in spite of religious notions about luxury. Furthermore, the findings revealed that consumers may legitimize their inconsistent behaviors through a variety of tactics such as different interpretations of religious notions or dissembling their superstitious beliefs.

Originality/value

The present study will contribute to the literature on religion and customer behavior through taking advantage of the application of a qualitative research design. Besides, the originality of the study might be in the application of various tactics by the customers to legitimize their behaviors inconsistent with religion.
Trust-building in a coopetitive multi-supplier network
Authors: Järvinen Markus
Published: April 2019

Purpose

Alliances are an important form of cooperation in the contemporary world. Although most of the different alliances have been rigorously studied, one type of alliance has been neglected: a multi-supplier network forcing potential competitors to cooperate. The purpose of this kind of network is to develop and maintain complex technological systems, such as ICT systems for the public sector. The coopetitive nature of the network poses numerous difficulties for productivity. This paper aims to explore how trust-building can mitigate such difficulties.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were gathered via 16 semi-structured interviews and analyzed using data-driven content analysis. The respondents were representatives of the private and public sectors in Finland, tasked with building an ICT system for the Finnish Defense Forces in a multi-supplier network.

Findings

The paper found that trust-building is influenced by structural and functional factors. For example, roles and responsibilities emerged as an important structural factor, and communication was seen as a crucial functional factor.

Practical implications

The paper identifies factors that have to be managed properly for a multi-supplier network to function effectively and efficiently.

Originality/value

The paper positions the multi-supplier network within the alliance framework. It also contributes to the literature on trust by identifying factors that influence trust-building.
Implementing category management of services – a new methodology
Authors: Apte Aruna , Arruda Corey , Clark Austin , Landale Karen
Published: April 2019

Purpose

In an increasingly budget-constrained environment, the Department of Defense (DoD) must maximize the value of fiscal resources obligated on service contracts. Over half of DoD procurement spending between 2008 and 2012 was obligated on service contracts (GAO, 2013). Many services are common across the enterprise and recurring in nature; however, they are treated as unique and procured individually at the base level, year after year, rather than collectively in accordance with a larger, enterprise-wide category management strategy. The purpose of this paper is to focus on creating a methodology that treats common, recurring service requirements in a more strategic manner.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors develop a standardized, repeatable methodology that uses relevant cost drivers to analyze service requirements to identify more efficient procurement strategies. Furthermore, they create a clustering continuum to organize services based on proximity between the customer-supplier bases. This paper uses a commercial business mapping software to analyze cost driver data, produce visualizations and illustrate strategic opportunities for category management initiatives. DoD requirements for Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) within the Los Angeles area are evaluated using the software and methodology to demonstrate a model for practical application.

Findings

The authors find that commercial software can be used to cluster requiring activities needing common, recurring services. This standardized, repeatable method can be applied to any category of services with any number of cost drivers. By identifying optimal requiring activity clusters, procurement agencies can more effectively implement category management strategies for service requirements.

Research limitations/implications

The initial approach of this paper was to develop a macro-level, one-size-fits-all model to centralize procurement. The authors found this approach inadequate as they tried to group service requirements of wildly differing characteristics. They experienced other significant limiting factors related to data availability and data collection.

Social implications

Clustering common and recurring DoD service requirements would result in standardized levels of service at all installations. The demand savings from clustering would promote the implementation of best practices for that service requirement across the DoD, which would eliminate non-value-added activities currently performed at some installations, or gold-plating of requirements, which is also likely occurring.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to use an analytics-based methodology to cluster common, recurring public services. It is the first method that offers a standardized, repeatable approach to implementing category management of service requirements to achieve cost savings.
Safety of container ship (un)loading operations in the Port of Antwerp
Authors: Van Zwijnsvoorde Thibaut , Vantorre Marc , Eloot Katrien , Ides Stefaan
Published: April 2019

Purpose

Economies of scale drive container ship owners towards ordering larger vessels. Terminals need to ensure a safe (un)loading operation of these vessels, which can only be guaranteed if the mooring equipment is not overloaded (lines, fenders and bollards) and if the motions of the vessel remain below set limits, under external forces. This paper aims to focus on the passing vessel effect as a potential disturbing factor in the Port of Antwerp.

Design/methodology/approach

Motion criteria for allowing safe (un)loading of container vessels are established by considering the container handling process and existing international standards (PIANC). A case study simulation is presented where the behaviour of the moored vessel under ship passages is evaluated. Starting from a representative event, the effect of changes in passing speed and distance is discussed.

Findings

The study illustrates the influence of passing velocity and distance on the behaviour of the moored vessel, showing that when passing speeds are higher and/or distances lower than the reference event, safety limits are potentially exceeded. Possible mitigating measures, including the use of stiffer mooring lines and/or a change in arrangement, are discussed.

Research limitations/implications

This paper serves as a basis for future research on safety criteria and optimisation of the mooring equipment and configuration to deal with passing vessel effects.

Practical implications

The presented results can be used by ship and terminal designers to gain familiarity with passing vessel effects and adopt suggested best practice.

Social implications

By restricting the motions of the passing vessels, the focus and general well-being of the crane operator is enhanced, as is the safety of workers.

Originality/value

The paper provides a unique combination of container fleet observation, safety criteria establishment and case study application.