bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Qing Fei Pai Du Tang, a Chinese multi-herbal medicine formulated against COVID-19, elevates the plasma levels of IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α, and IL-8
Authors: Kageyama Yasunari , Aida Koichi , Kawauchi Kimihiko , Morimoto Masafumi , Ebisui Tomoka , Akiyama Tetsu , Nakamura Tsutomu 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThere are currently no specific vaccine or drugs proven to be effective against COVID-19. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine has been integrated into the official therapeutic protocol against COVID-19 in China. Qing Fei Pai Du Tang (QFPDT) is a Chinese multi-herbal formula newly developed and specifically optimized for the treatment of COVID-19. Therapeutic administration of QFPDT resulted in an improved cure rate in mild to critically-ill patients. However, the immunological mechanism for the efficacy of QFPDT has been poorly understood. Furthermore, the feasibility of prophylactic use in uninfected individuals remain unconfirmed. We thus examined whether the administration of QFPDT at a dose lower than recommended for therapeutic use alters hematological and/or immunological measures in healthy individuals. We found that QFPDT elevates the plasma levels of IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α, and IL-8, which are key mediators of acute inflammatory responses to ssRNA viruses. No apparent adverse effects were observed during the trial. Our finding suggests that the pharmacological action of QFPDT is associated with the upregulation of a subset of proinflammatory cytokines despite its clinical benefits for COVID-19 patients. We should therefore be careful in its prophylactic use in uninfected individuals until we have a better understanding of the immunopharmacological action of QFPDT through further clinical studies with larger cohorts.
An optimal 1H-MRS technique at 7T: Proof-of-principle in Chronic Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromyelitis Optica Brain Lesions and Normal Appearing Brain Tissue
Authors: Tackley George , Kong Yazhuo , Minne Rachel , Messina Silvia , Winkler Anderson , Cavey Ana , Everett Rosie , DeLuca Gabriele C , Weir Andrew , Craner Matthew , Tracey Irene , Palace Jacqueline , Stagg Charlotte J , Emir Uzay 
Published: July 2020

AbstractMagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) allows for the non-invasive quantification of neurochemicals and has the potential to differentiate between the pathologically distinct diseases, multiple sclerosis (MS) and AQP4Ab-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (AQP4Ab-NMOSD). In this study we characterised the metabolite profiles of brain lesions in 11 MS and 4 AQP4Ab-NMOSD patients using an optimised MRS methodology at ultra-high field strength (7T) incorporating correction for T2 water relaxation differences between lesioned and normal tissue.MS metabolite results were in keeping with the existing literature: total NAA was lower in lesions compared to normal appearing brain white matter (NAWM) with reciprocal findings for Inositol. An unexpected subtlety revealed by our technique was that total NAA differences were driven by NAA-glutamate (NAAG), a ubiquitous CNS molecule with functions quite distinct from NAA though commonly quantified together with NAA in MRS studies as total NAA. Surprisingly, AQP4Ab-NMOSD showed no significant differences for total NAA, NAA, NAAG or Inositol between lesion and NAWM sites, nor were there any differences between MS and AQP4Ab-NMOSD fora priorihypotheses. Post-hoc testing did however reveal greater total NAA in MS compared to AQP4Ab-NMOSD NAWM. Post-hoc testing also revealed a significant correlation between NAWM Ins:NAA and disability (as measured by EDSS) for disease groups combined, driven by the AP4Ab-NMOSD group.Utilising an optimised MRS methodology, our study highlights some under-explored subtleties in MRS profiles, such as the absence of Inositol concentration differences in AQP4Ab-NMOSD brain lesions versus NAWM and the important influence of NAAG differences between lesions and normal appearing white matter in MS.
The role of social network support on treatment outcomes for medication for opioid use disorder: a systematic review
Authors: Kumar Navin , Howell Benjamin A. , Oles William , Janmohamed Kamila , Lee Selena T. , O’Connor Patrick G. , Alexander Marcus 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundDespite the possible influence of social network support on medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment, there has been no systematic evaluation of the scientific evidence on the effectiveness of social network support on MOUD.MethodsWe searched electronic research databases, specialist journals and grey literature till February 2020. We included experimental and observational studies regarding individuals receiving MOUD, and intersections with social network support.ResultsOf 4116 articles screened, we identified 41 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Nineteen studies reported treatment retention/adherence as an MOUD outcome. Three were experimental and 16 were observational. Seventeen studies indicated that social network support was related with improved MOUD treatment retention/adherence. Of the studies with statistically significant results, 12 involved family social network support, while five focused on combined family and peer social network support. Twenty-two studies reported reduced drug use/abstinence as an MOUD outcome. Ten were experimental and 12 were observational. Sixteen studies indicated that social network support was related to reduced drug use/abstinence. Of the studies with statistically significant results, 13 involved family social network support, while three focused on either peer network support or combined family and peer network support.ConclusionsAlthough evidence was limited, social network support was associated with MOUD treatment outcomes. Interventions around social network support could potentially augment MOUD treatment outcomes. Despite the variety of outcomes and social network support, we suggest the key role of social network support on broad MOUD outcomes.
Genetic Analysis of Human RNA Binding Motif Protein 48 (RBM48) Reveals an Essential Role in U12-Type Intron Splicing
Authors: Siebert Amy E. , Corll Jacob , Gronevelt J. Paige , Levine Laurel , Hobbs Linzi M. , Kenney Catalina , Davenport Ruth , Settles A. Mark , Barbazuk W. Brad , Westrick Randal J. , Madlambayan Gerard J. , Lal Shailesh 
Published: July 2020

AbstractU12-type or minor introns are found in most multicellular eukaryotes and constitute ∼0.5% of all introns in species with a minor spliceosome. Although the biological significance for evolutionary conservation of U12-type introns is debated, mutations disrupting U12 splicing cause developmental defects in both plants and animals. In human hematopoietic stem cells, U12 splicing defects disrupt proper differentiation of myeloid lineages and are associated with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), predisposing individuals to acute myeloid leukemia. Mutants in the maize ortholog of RNA Binding Motif Protein48 (RBM48) have aberrant U12-type intron splicing. Human RBM48 was recently purified biochemically as part of the minor spliceosome and shown to recognize the 5’ end of the U6atac snRNA. In this report, we use CRISPR/Cas9-mediated ablation ofRBM48in human K-562 cells to show the genetic function of RBM48. RNA-seq analysis comparing wild-type and mutant K-562 genotypes found that 48% of minor intron containing genes (MIGs) have significant U12-type intron retention inRBM48mutants. Comparing these results to maizerbm48mutants defined a subset of MIGs disrupted in both species. Mutations in the majority of these orthologous MIGs have been reported to cause developmental defects in both plants and animals. Our results provide genetic evidence that the primary defect of humanRBM48mutants is aberrant U12-type intron splicing, while a comparison of human and maize RNA-seq data identifies candidate genes likely to mediate mutant phenotypes of U12-type splicing defects.
Spider webs as eDNA tool for biodiversity assessment of life’s domains
Authors: Gregorič Matjaž , Kutnjak Denis , Bačnik Katarina , Gostinčar Cene , Pecman Anja , Ravnikar Maja , Kuntner Matjaž 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe concept of environmental DNA (eDNA) utilizes nucleic acids of organisms directly from the environment. Recent breakthrough studies have successfully detected a wide spectrum of prokaryotic and eukaryotic eDNA from a variety of environments, ranging from ancient to modern, and from terrestrial to aquatic. These numerous sources promise to establish eDNA as a tool for diverse scientific settings. Here, we propose and establish spider webs as a source of eDNA with far reaching implications. First, we conducted a field study to track specific arthropod targets from different spider webs. We then employed high-throughput amplicon sequencing of taxonomic barcodes to investigate the utility of spider web eDNA for biodiversity monitoring of animals, fungi and bacteria. Our results show that genetic remains on spider webs allow the detection of even the smallest target organisms. We also demonstrate that eDNA from spider webs is useful in research of community compositions in different domains of life, with potentially highly detailed temporal and spatial information.
Morphological evolution in the ant reproductive caste
Authors: Divieso Raquel , Silva Thiago S. R. , Pie Marcio R. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe evolution of eusociality led to severe changes in the general hymenopteran body plan. In particular, the evolution of reproductive division of labour caused the worker caste to be largely freed from the demands involved in reproduction. As a consequence, workers were able to evolve highly specialized morphologies for foraging and colony maintenance, whereas the reproductive caste became specialized for reproduction. Despite these important changes, little is known about general patterns of morphological evolution within the ant reproductive caste. Our goals were to characterize morphological variation in the ant reproductive caste and to test whether different sexes display variation in their evolutionary rates. We obtained measurements of 897 specimens from a total of 678 ant species. The shapes of the size distributions were similar between sexes, with queens being larger than males in all traits except for eye length. Contrary to the expectation based on Rensch’s rule, although queens were larger, the degree of dimorphism increased with body size. Finally, there is strong evidence for an accelerated tempo of morphological evolution in queens in relation to males. These results represent the first comprehensive treatment of morphological variation in the ant reproductive caste and provide important new insights into their evolution.
Identification and Characterization of a B-Raf Kinase Alpha Helix Critical for the Activity of MEK Kinase in MAPK Signaling
Authors: Nguyen Diep , Lin Linda Yingqi , Zhou Jeffrey O. , Kibby Emily , Sia Twan W. , Tillis Tiara D. , Vapuryan Narine , Xu Ming-Ray , Potluri Rajiv , Shin YongJoon , Erler Elizabeth A. , Bronkema Naomi , Boehlmer Daniel J. , Chung Christopher D. , Burkhard Caroline , Zeng Shirley H. , Grasso Michael , Acevedo Lucila A. , Marmorstein Ronen , Fera Daniela 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn the MAPK pathway, an oncogenic V600E mutation in B-Raf kinase causes the enzyme to be constitutively active, leading to aberrantly high phosphorylation levels of its downstream effectors, MEK and ERK kinases. The V600E mutation in B-Raf accounts for more than half of all melanomas and ∼3% of all cancers and many drugs target the ATP-binding site of the enzyme for its inhibition. Since B-Raf can develop resistance against these drugs and such drugs can induce paradoxical activation, drugs that target allosteric sites are needed. To identify other potential drug targets, we generated and kinetically characterized an active form of B-RafV600Eexpressed using a bacterial expression system. In doing so, we identified an alpha helix on B-Raf, found at the B-Raf-MEK interface, that is critical for their interaction and the oncogenic activity of B-RafV600E. We performed binding experiments between B-Raf mutants and MEK using pull downs and biolayer interferometry, and assessed phosphorylation levels of MEKin vitroand in cells as well as its downstream target ERK to show that mutating certain residues on this alpha helix is detrimental to binding and downstream activity. Our results suggest that this B-Raf alpha helix binding site on MEK could be a site to target for drug development to treat B-RafV600E-induced melanomas.
Understanding critical success factors and perceived future among micro and small firms through entrepreneurial action theory
Authors: Duarte Alonso Abel , Kok Seng Kiat 
Published: July 2020

Purpose
This study aims to examine how owners and managers of micro and small enterprises perceive firm success and the future of their businesses. Entrepreneurial action theory is adopted in the analysis and a modified theoretical framework is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach
Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 34 owners and managers representing 32 Italian and Spanish wine businesses; qualitative content analysis was used.

Findings
Eight dimensions common to both groups of participants emerged, with the most prevalent themes revealing strong links with opportunity maximisation. In particular, the importance of perceived critical success factors was manifested by continuous improvements, building relationships, and being perceived highly are in line with perceptions of wineries’ future, including entering demanding markets, becoming a referent for the region, or attaining global recognition.

Originality/value
In investigating critical success factors and the perceived future of businesses from two of the world’s largest wine producers and exporters, this study provides a theoretical, practical and international perspective concerning these dimensions. In addition, this study focuses on Europe’s largest business sector, namely, small and medium enterprises. Furthermore, this study proposes a theoretical framework, which brings together the findings and the insights of entrepreneurial action theory.
A paradoxical approach to instructional leadership
Authors: Shaked Haim 
Published: July 2020

PurposePerceptual inhibitors to instructional leadership are based on disagreements with the premises of instructional leadership. This study explored how the paradoxical approach, which advocates “both/and” approach to conflicting demands, may moderate the influence of the perceptual inhibitors of instructional leadership.Design/methodology/approachThe current study is qualitative in nature. Study participants were 30 Israeli school principals, representing the larger body of Israeli principals in terms of sex, age, years of experience, education and school level. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis included a two-step theory-driven coding process.FindingsThis study found that the paradoxical approach allowed school principals to hold conflicting perspectives on instructional leadership simultaneously. Thus, it has reduced the effect of the perceptual inhibitors of instructional leadership, as it permitted principals to delay the decision between the expectation to fulfill the role of instructional leader and their disagreements with it.Originality/valueDespite prolonged pressures, school principals demonstrate limited involvement in instructional leadership, in part because of perceptual inhibitors. The findings of this study can be used in dealing with these inhibitors.
An incorporated RUU model for multi-agent systems in e-commerce
Authors: Majd Elham , Hobson Mark 
Published: July 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to enhance trust in e-commerce multi-agent systems by presenting a model, called RUU, to select the most trustworthy provider agent based on learning from previous interactions and computing reliability, unreliability and uncertainty.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology comprises analyzing the most representative existing trust models, while a new concept was proposed and measured as unreliability. To make decision about the agents, RUU integrated reliability, unreliability and uncertainty components and used the TOPSIS multi-criteria decision method to select the most trustworthy provider agent. To evaluate the RUU model, the experimentation was carried out in two stages. First, the average accuracy of the model was investigated by simulating RUU in a multi-agent environment. Second, the performance of the model was compared with other related trust models.FindingsThe experimental results revealed that RUU model outperforms current models in providing accurate credibility measurements and computing an accurate trust mechanism for agents, also presenting a decision-making process to choose the most trustworthy provider agent.Research limitations/implicationsThe model presented based on different mathematical computations that take time to be calculated, which is a big limitation of computational models.Practical implicationsRUU enables an agent to make effective and sound decisions in light of the uncertainty that exists in e-commerce multi-agent environments.Originality/valueThis paper is beneficial to enhance the fulfilment of purchasing between provider and requester agents. In fact, the proposed model can ensure critical transactions performed securely in e-commerce multi-agent environments.
Female directors on boards. The impact of faultlines on CSR reporting
Authors: Ramon-Llorens M. Camino , Garcia-Meca Emma , Pucheta-Martínez María Consuelo 
Published: July 2020

PurposeThis paper aims to analyze the role of female directors on CSR disclosure. It assumes the existence of faultlines when studying gender diversity and classifies female directors into three categories: industry experts, advisors and community leaders. It also examines the influence of the power of female directors as a moderator on the association between female director categories and CSR disclosure.Design/methodology/approachThe paper bases on a dynamic generalized method of moments panel estimator which allows controlling for the unobservable heterogeneity and endogeneity and reduces the estimation bias.FindingsResults confirm the double-sided nature of gender diversity, noting different behavior among female directors according to their experience and backgrounds. Moreover, the dominating owner position of female directors can balance and moderate the effect of female directors appointed for their technical knowledge or political and social ties. The results also confirm the necessity to not consider all women directors as a homogeneous group and explore the influence and interrelations of female faultlines on CSR disclosure.Practical implicationsThe paper highlights the need to consider the specific skills, expertise, and connections of female board members when analyzing the effect of board composition, and supports the view that firms should emphasize the unique human and social capital of directors to understand how boards impact on firm strategies. Specifically, the authors support the recommendations of the European Commission (2011) regarding the need to increase skills and expertise when selecting new non-executive female board members.Social implicationsAt a time when most governments are introducing active policies that require firms to nominate women to boards, the understanding of the consequences of women’s presence on boards and the interrelations between female power and the diverse categories of female directors is timely and important.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper that provides empirical evidence to the scarcely studied area of the human and social capital of female directors’ roles in CSR disclosure, providing an alternative view of the role of women in corporate board effectiveness.
Relationships and impacts of perceived CSR, service quality, customer satisfaction and consumer rights awareness
Authors: Bello Kamarudeen Babatunde , Jusoh Ahmad , Md Nor Khalil 
Published: July 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is threefold: first, to examine the effects of perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) on service quality, satisfaction and repurchase intention; second, to investigate the mediating (unique and serial) effects of service quality and satisfaction; and third, to determine the moderating effects of consumer rights awareness (CRA) on the relationship between perceived CSR and consumer responses.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data was collected from a sample of 604 customers of the 4 major mobile telecommunications companies in Nigeria. The partial least squares structural equation modeling approach was used to test the hypothesized model.FindingsResearch findings indicate that perceived CSR has direct and positive effects on service quality, satisfaction and repurchase intention. Also, service quality and satisfaction mediates (uniquely and in sequence) the effect of perceived CSR on repurchase intention. In addition, CRA moderates perceived CSR’s effect on service quality perceptions and repurchase intention.Practical implicationsThe findings confirm the complementary relationships between CSR, service quality and satisfaction in influencing consumers’ repurchase intention. Managers should imbibe CSR as an intangible attribute that complements high-quality services, leading to enhanced customer satisfaction and repurchase intentions. The findings also suggest that CRA enhances perceived CSR’s effect on service quality perceptions and repurchase intentions. Thus, managers should take proactive steps to inform consumers of their rights, and also show efforts at protecting the same.Originality/valueThis study has overcome the limitation observed in previous studies by testing the sequential mediating effects of service quality and customer satisfaction in the perceived CSR–consumer response relationships. Also, this study represents a pioneering effort at empirically confirming the role of CRA in enhancing perceived CSR’s influence on consumer responses. In addition, the findings also provide insights on the impact of CSR on consumer behavior from a developing country’s perspective.
Pre‐stack seismic inversion based on ‐norm regularized logarithmic absolute misfit function
Authors: Huang Guangtan , Chen Xiaohong , Luo Cong , Chen Yangkang 
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACTIll‐posedness is one of the most common and intractable issues that arise when solving geophysical inverse problems. Ill‐posedness could be induced by various factors such as noise, band‐limited intrinsic property of seismic data and inappropriate forward operators. Regularization has been proven to be an effective method widely accepted for mitigating the adverse effects of ill‐posedness. Aiming to improve the stability and fidelity of the pre‐stack seismic inversion process, we implement the inversion in a Bayesian framework, with a logarithmic absolute criterion taken as a likelihood function, and an ‐norm metric as a priori constraint. Here, we exploit the linear approximation as the forward operator, and optimize the regularized misfit function by the alternating direction method of multipliers. Applications of the method to synthetic and real data sets yielded improved inversion results in terms of accuracy and resolution, and demonstrated the robustness of the method to noise.