bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Slit2 is necessary for optic axon organization in the zebrafish ventral midline
Authors: Davison Camila , Zolessi Flavio R. 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTSlit-Robo signaling has been implicated in regulating several steps of retinal ganglion cell axon guidance, with a central role assigned to Slit2. We report here the phenotypical characterization of a CRISPR-Cas9-generated zebrafish null mutant for this gene, along with a detailed analysis of its expression pattern by WM-FISH. All evident defects in the optic axons inslit2-/-mutants were detected outside the retina, coincident with the major sites of expression at the ventral forebrain, around the developing optic nerve and anterior to the optic chiasm/proximal tract. Anterograde axon tracing experiments in zygotic and maternal-zygotic mutants, as well as morphants, showed the occurrence of axon sorting defects, which appeared mild at the optic nerve level, but more severe in the optic chiasm and the proximal tract. A remarkable sorting defect was the usual splitting of one of the optic nerves in two branches that surrounded the contralateral nerve at the chiasm. Although all axons eventually crossed the midline, the retinotopic order appeared lost at the proximal optic tract, to eventually correct distally. Time-lapse analysis demonstrated the sporadic occurrence of axon misrouting at the chiasm level, which could be responsible for the sorting errors. Our results support previous evidence of a channeling role for Slit molecules in retinal ganglion cell axons at the optic nerve, in addition to a function in the segregation of axons coming from each nerve and from different retinal regions at the medio-ventral area of the forebrain.
Treating Porcine Abscesses With Histotripsy: A Pilot Study
Authors: Matula Thomas J. , Wang Yak-Nam , Khokhlova Tatiana , Leotta Daniel F. , Kucewicz John , Brayman Andrew A. , Bruce Matthew , Maxwell Adam D. , MacConaghy Brian E. , Thomas Gilles , Chernikov Valery P. , Buravkov Sergey V. , Khokhlova Vera A. , Richmond Keith , Chan Keith , Monsky Wayne 
Published: September 2020

AbstractInfected abscesses are walled-off collections of pus and bacteria. They are a commonsequelaof complications in the setting of surgery, trauma, systemic infections, and other disease states. Current treatment is typically limited to antibiotics with long-term catheter drainage, or surgical wash-out when inaccessible to percutaneous drainage or unresponsive to initial care efforts. Antibiotic resistance is also a growing concern. Although bacteria can develop drug resistance, they remain susceptible to thermal and mechanical damage. In particular, short pulses of focused ultrasound (i.e., histotripsy) generate mechanical damage through localized cavitation, representing a potential new paradigm for treating abscesses non-invasively, without the need for long-term catheterization and antibiotics. In this pilot study, boiling and cavitation histotripsy treatments were applied to subcutaneous and intramuscular abscesses developed in a novel porcine model. Ultrasound imaging was used to evaluate abscess maturity, for treatment monitoring and assessment of post-treatment outcomes. Disinfection was quantified by counting bacteria colonies from samples aspirated before and after treatment. Histopathological evaluation of the abscesses was performed to identify changes resulting from histotripsy treatment and potential collateral damage. Cavitation histotripsy was more successful in reducing the bacterial load while having a smaller treatment volume compared with boiling histotripsy. The results of this pilot study suggest focused ultrasound may lead to a technology forin situtreatment of acoustically accessible abscesses.
Human papillomavirus 16 E2 repression of TWIST1 transcription is a potential mediator of HPV16 cancer outcomes
Authors: Fontan Christian T , Das Dipon , Bristol Molly L , James Claire D , Wang Xu , Lohner Hannah , Atfi Azeddine , Morgan Iain M. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractHuman papillomaviruses are causative agents in around 5% of all cancers, including cervical and oropharyngeal. A feature of HPV cancers is their better clinical outcome compared with non-HPV anatomical counterparts. In turn, the presence of E2 predicts a better clinical outcome in HPV positive cancers; the reason(s) for the better outcome of E2 positive patients is not fully understood. Previously, we demonstrated that HPV16 E2 regulates host gene transcription that is relevant to the HPV16 life cycle in N/Tert-1 cells. One of the genes repressed by E2 and the entire HPV16 genome in N/Tert-1 cells is TWIST1. Here we demonstrate that TWIST1 RNA levels are reduced in HPV positive versus negative head and neck cancer, and that E2 and HPV16 downregulate both TWIST1 RNA and protein in our N/Tert-1 model; E6/E7 cannot repress TWIST1. E2 represses the TWIST1 promoter in transient assays, and is localized to the TWIST1 promoter; E2 also induces repressive epigenetic changes on the TWIST1 promoter. TWIST1 is a master transcriptional regulator of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and a high level of TWIST1 is a prognostic marker indicative of poor cancer outcomes. We demonstrate that TWIST1 target genes are also downregulated in E2 positive N/Tert-1 cells, and that E2 promotes a failure in wound healing, a phenotype of low TWIST1 levels. We propose that the presence of E2 in HPV positive tumors leads to TWIST1 repression, and that this plays a role in the better clinical response of E2 positive HPV tumors.ImportanceHPV16 positive cancers have a better clinical outcome that their non-HPV anatomical counterparts. Furthermore, the presence of HPV16 E2 RNA predicts a better outcome for HPV16 positive tumors; the reasons for this are not known. Here we demonstrate that E2 represses expression of the TWIST1 gene; an elevated level of this gene is a marker of poor prognosis for a variety of cancers. We demonstrate that E2 directly binds to the TWIST1 promoter and actively represses transcription. TWIST1 is a master regulator promoting EMT and here we demonstrate that the presence of E2 reduces the ability of N/Tert-1 cells to wound heal. Overall, we propose that the E2 repression of TWIST1 may contribute to the better clinical outcome of E2 positive HPV16 positive tumors.
Political interference in private entities' financial reporting and the public interest: evidence from the Spanish financial crisis
Authors: Giner Begoña , Mora Araceli 
Published: September 2020

PurposeThe study aims to show how the public interest has been argued to justify the political interference in the accounting of financial entities as a tool to face a critical financial situation in a country. And to offer a different perspective of the publicness notion that focuses on the field of financial accounting for private entities.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws on legal and political arguments referred to the public interest that consider the balancing approach, and so goes beyond the traditional agency framework, to explain politicians' influence on financial reporting. The behavior of the newly elected Spanish government, which issued accounting impairment rules for banks is described, and the accounting practices of a highly politically connected financial entity—Bankia—are used to illustrate the consequences of that intervention.FindingsThe paper evidences that the government intervention, which implied non-compliance with IFRS, was in line with its economic goals, led to the financial sector bailout and avoided the rescue of the country. This is what we call “breaking rules to achieve the public interest”, which is also consistent with a big-bath behavior to justify the bailout and legitimate the decision to breach IFRS. The silence of enforcers is consistent with the balancing approach that suggests compliance costs from a breach of rules are perceived less relevant after a high-level decision.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a country-specific study based on a single case study that limits the generalizability of the findings.Originality/valueThis research provides a new angle to consider the political motivations to intervene in accounting in the private sector, as well as the enforcers' motivations to allow it. From an interdisciplinary perspective, it shows how politicians have argued the “public interest” to use (and abuse) to intervene in accounting rules, as well as to influence the accounting practice of a highly politically connected bank. It also highlights the potential long-term unintended consequences of these actions.
Management reporting complexity and earnings management: evidence from the Baltic markets
Authors: Pajuste Anete , Poriete Elva , Novickis Reinis 
Published: September 2020

PurposeThis paper explores how the text complexity and content of management discussion and analysis (MD&A) relate to earnings management in Baltic listed companies.Design/methodology/approachUsing a panel data set of 250 firm-year observations from the Baltic markets in the period 2012–2016, this paper uses linear regression analysis to examine the relation between earnings management and reporting complexity.FindingsThe results show that earnings could be managed in about 6–11% of firm-years, depending on specification, and there is a positive relationship between earnings management and reporting complexity; however, this relationship is confined to more liquid companies. The authors argue that higher scrutiny by market participants in more liquid companies incentivizes managers to obfuscate negative financial results through report complexity.Originality/valueThis paper presents a novel application of the opportunistic perspective of positive accounting theory (PAT) in relation to managers' choice of reporting complexity. The findings of this paper contribute by providing empirical evidence for strategic reporting by managers and can be useful for regulators and investors that should monitor the level of reporting complexity in the listed companies.
A risk-oriented tender evaluation system for construction projects in Malaysia
Authors: Ismail Mohd Razali , Sun Ming , Bowles Graeme 
Published: September 2020

PurposeThis paper presents results of an empirical investigation involving private construction clients in Malaysia, which seeks to establish appropriate tender evaluation criteria and weightings for a risk-oriented tender evaluation system.Design/methodology/approachAt the initial stage of this study, a list of significant risks is identified and gathered through literature review. These risks are then mapped onto tender evaluation criteria. Following this, the identified risks and their mappings are validated through a questionnaire survey to determine appropriate criteria for tender evaluation. Weightings for the selected evaluation criteria are established through an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) group decision-making (GDM) method.FindingsIn practice, different lists of criteria, covering tender's technical capability and financial performance, are often used by different client organisations. However, there is a paucity of research behind the selection of these criteria and the weighting being attributed to different criteria.Originality/valueThis study provides an important and a valuable insight into the actual criteria used during tender evaluation practice based on an analysis of documentary evidence. Both current practice and existing tender evaluation studies failed to address the risk element adequately. There is a lack of an explicit link between evaluation criteria and project risks. This study fills this knowledge gap by identifying tender evaluation criteria through reviewing criteria used in practice and examining their links to risk factors.
Cross flow and heat transfer past a permeable stretching/shrinking sheet in a hybrid nanofluid
Authors: Roşca Natalia C. , Roşca Alin V. , Jafarimoghaddam Amin , Pop Ioan 
Published: September 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the laminar boundary layer cross flow and heat transfer on a rotational stagnation-point flow over either a stretching or shrinking porous wall submerged in hybrid nanofluids. The involved boundary layers are of stream-wise type with stretching/shrinking process along the surface.

Design/methodology/approach
Using appropriate similarity variables the partial differential equations are reduced to ordinary (similarity) differential equations. The reduced system of equations is solved analytically (by high-order perturbed field propagation for small to moderate stretching/shrinking parameter and low-order perturbation for large stretching/shrinking parameter) and numerically using the function bvp4c from MATLAB for different values of the governing parameters.

Findings
It was found that the basic similarity equations admit dual (upper and lower branch) solutions for both stretching/shrinking surfaces. Moreover, performing a linear stability analysis, it was confirmed that the upper branch solution is realistic (physically realizable), while the lower branch solution is not physically realizable in practice. These dual solutions will be studied in the present paper.

Originality/value
The authors believe that all numerical results are new and original and have not been published before for the present problem.
Mobile payments adoption – introducing mindfulness to better understand consumer behavior
Authors: Flavián Carlos , Guinaliu Miguel , Lu Yuntao 
Published: September 2020

PurposeWith the popularity of mobile devices and new technologies, such as NFC, mobile payment, which is taking the place of credit cards and cash as the chief payment method, is attracting more and more attention. Thus, this paper aims to investigate the main determinants of mobile payment use intention and proposes a model of mobile payment adoption, integrating mindfulness as a major factor.Design/methodology/approachData for the study were collected through an online survey of a representative sample of 414 users in the United States and 380 in Spain. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to verify the validity of the variables and the relationships among them.FindingsThe results showed that mindfulness, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, subjective norms and attitude have significant influence on mobile payment use intention.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study is based on samples from only the United States and Spain, which limits generalization of the results. The notion of mindfulness is new in mobile payment adoption research, so future studies should analyze in more detail and in depth its effect on these adoption processes.Originality/valueThis is the first study to incorporate mindfulness into a mobile payment adoption process. Incorporating mindfulness complements traditional variables to show how users address the adoption process (e.g. novelty seeking, engagement, anxiety, attention paid).
Information and communication technologies and human resources in hospitality and tourism
Authors: Gonzalez Reyes , Gasco Jose , Llopis Juan 
Published: September 2020

PurposeICTs play a key role in the tourism sector, influencing the labor context among other things. Hence, the purpose of this study: a review of the literature in which the topics of tourism, ICTs and human resources converge through an analysis of the articles published in the relevant journals, which are included in the Web of Science.Design/methodology/approachThe 60 articles analyzed – published over a period of 31 years – were studied according to several criteria such as research methodology, statistical techniques used, topics dealt with, technologies addressed, authors and countries.FindingsThe topics under study were divided into four broad areas – technology and employees, technology and HR processes, technology and results and technology and organizational structure – the first, which focuses on how employees behave in relation to technology, received the most attention.Research limitations/implicationsThe literature review was confined to articles on the topics of tourism, ICTs and human resources published in 73 academic journals, leaving aside other research sources, e.g. books and papers presented at conferences. This study can be useful both in the academic field and for tourism firm managers – especially those in ICT and human resources.Originality/valueAlthough there are several previous reviews of the literature on human resource management and ICTs in the tourism sector, none of them has jointly examined these three topics.
A reconsideration of the EWOM construct in restaurant research: what are we really measuring?
Authors: Line Nathaniel Discepoli , Hanks Lydia , Dogru Tarik 
Published: September 2020

Purpose
With the proliferation of internet-based communication channels, understanding how restaurant consumers engage in electronic word of mouth (EWOM) has become an important field of academic pursuit. However, while communication channels have become more numerous and complex, the methods used to operationalize the attendant EWOM behaviors on these channels have remained relatively simplistic. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to consider existing methods of measuring restaurant EWOM in terms of their face validity in the contemporary communications landscape.

Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a total of six independent surveys that use various combinations of sampling, methodological and analytical approaches to demonstrate, measurement, social media, methodology, user-generated content, EWOM, electronic word of mouth the multiple problems associated with the measurement of restaurant EWOM as a latent construct.

Findings
The results suggest that the current methods for measuring EWOM are indeed outdated, indicating the need for a more nuanced approach to the academic pursuit of EWOM behavior.

Research limitations/implications
The existing methods of measuring restaurant EWOM are found to be invalid for many reasons. These methods of measuring EWOM should be abandoned in favor of channel-specific operationalizations that control for previous behavior and respondents’ account access at a minimum.

Originality/value
As its inception, many studies have operationalized restaurant EWOM as an intention-based construct used to measure an individual’s likelihood to communicate information about hospitality experiences “online.” While such measures were no doubt valid in the early years of EWOM research, the research is the first to criticize the face validity of this approach in terms of its relevance in the contemporary communications environment.
Redefining quality in terms of value, risk and cost: a literature review
Authors: Grigg Nigel P. 
Published: September 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a literature review demonstrating that quality and its management are increasingly definable as a balancing act between value, risk and cost throughout the value stream, from product/service design to production and delivery, and purchaser decision-making. An original framework is presented showing this interplay across the value stream, referred to as the QVRC framework.Design/methodology/approachContent analysis is combined with bibliometric analytics, displayed via temporal graphs and citation networks. Reviewed literature is transdisciplinary, encompassing marketing, operations/quality and psychology sources. Core quality management methodologies are positioned on the framework illustrating their relative contribution to value, risk and cost management.FindingsThe QVRC framework is developed, and used as a basis for classifying models and methodologies associated with quality management. A set of propositions are developed, which, together with the framework, set an agenda for further research.Research limitations/implicationsNo literature review can capture the richness of discourses on terms as pervasive as value, risk and cost. This paper aims to present a systematic and reliable sampling of such literature.Practical implicationsThe resulting model can be applied to management tools, and to products and services.Originality/valueResearchers, particularly in marketing, have developed models of value, risk and cost in terms of products and services. However, delivering products that provide the appropriate value, risk and cost trade-off is an operations management problem. This is the first paper to combine value, risk and cost across the value stream showing how this interplay extends beyond product.
The impact of working conditions on the health of taxi drivers in an urban metropolis
Authors: Marani Husayn , Roche Brenda , Anderson Laura , Rai Minnie , Agarwal Payal , Martin Danielle 
Published: September 2020

PurposeThis descriptive qualitative study explores how working conditions impact the health of taxi drivers in Toronto, Canada.Design/methodology/approachDrivers were recruited between September 2016 and March 2017. A total of 14 semi-structured qualitative interviews and one focus group (n = 11) were conducted. Transcripts were analyzed inductively through a socioecological lens.FindingsThe findings of this study are as follows: drivers acknowledged that job precariousness (represented by unstable employment, long hours and low wages) and challenging workplace conditions (sitting all day and limited breaks) contribute to poor physical/mental health. Also, these conditions undermine opportunities to engage in health-protective behaviors (healthy eating, regularly exercising and taking breaks). Drivers do not receive health-enabling reinforcements from religious/cultural networks, colleagues or their taxi brokerage. Drivers do seek support from their primary care providers and family for their physical health but remain discreet about their mental health.Research limitations/implicationsAs this study relied on a convenience sample, the sample did not represent all Toronto taxi drivers. All interviews were completed in English and all drivers were male, thus limiting commentary on other experiences and any gender differences in health management approaches among drivers.Practical implicationsGiven the global ubiquity of taxi driving and an evolving workplace environment characterized by growing competition, findings are generalizable across settings and may resonate with other precarious professions, including long-haul truck operators and Uber/Lyft drivers. Findings also expose areas for targeted intervention outside the workplace setting.Originality/valueHealth management among taxi drivers is understudied. A fulsome, socioecological understanding of how working conditions (both within and outside the workplace) impact their health is essential in developing targeted interventions to improve health outcomes.