bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CDNF rescues motor neurons in three animal models of ALS by targeting ER stress
Authors: De Lorenzo Francesca , Lüningschrör Patrick , Nam Jinhan , Pilotto Federica , Galli Emilia , Lindholm Päivi , von Collenberg Cora Rüdt , Mungwa Simon Tii , Jablonka Sibylle , Kauder Julia , Petri Susanne , Lindholm Dan , Saxena Smita , Sendtner Michael , Saarma Mart , Voutilainen Merja H. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe role of chronic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the pathophysiology of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), as well as a potential drug target, has received increasing attention. Here, we investigated the mode of action and therapeutic effect of the ER resident protein cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) in preclinical models of ALS harboring different genetic mutations. We identify that intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of CDNF significantly halts the progression of the disease and improves motor behavior in TDP43-M337V and SOD1-G93A rodent models of ALS. CDNF rescues motor neurons (MNs)in vitroandin vivofrom ER stress associated cell death and its beneficial effect is independent of genetic disease etiology. Notably, CDNF regulates the unfolded protein response (UPR) initiated by transducers IRE1α, PERK, and ATF6, thereby enhancing MN survival. Thus, CDNF holds great promise for the design of new rational treatments for ALS.
UPREGULATION OF SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE 2 BY ASTROCYTES IN THE SIV/MACAQUE MODEL OF HIV-ASSOCIATED NEUROLOGIC DISEASE
Authors: Sullivan Michelle N. , Brill Samuel A. , Mangus Lisa M. , Jeong Yea Ji , Solis Clarisse V. , Knight Audrey C. , Colantuoni Carlo , Keceli Gizem , Paolocci Nazareno , Queen Suzanne E. , Mankowski Joseph L. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractHIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain prevalent despite implementation of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Development of HAND is linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in the brain; therefore, upregulation of antioxidant defenses is critical to curtail neuronal damage. Superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) is a mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme essential for maintaining cellular viability. We hypothesized that SOD2 was upregulated during retroviral infection. Using a simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected macaque model of HIV, quantitative PCR showed elevatedSOD2mRNA in cortical gray (GM, 7.6-fold for SIV vs. uninfected) and white matter (WM, 77-fold for SIV vs. uninfected) during SIV infection. Further, SOD2 immunostaining was enhanced in GM and WM from SIV-infected animals. Double immunofluorescence labeling illustrated that SOD2 primarily co-localized with astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in SIV-infected animals. Interestingly, in ART-treated SIV-infected animals, brainSOD2RNA levels were similar to uninfected animals. Additionally, using principal component analysis in a transcriptomic approach,SOD2andGFAPexpression separated SIV-infected from uninfected brain tissue. Projection of these data into a HIV dataset revealed similar expression changes, thereby validating the clinical relevance. Together, our findings suggest that novel SOD2-enhancing therapies may delay the onset or reduce severity of HAND seen in ART-treated HIV-infected patients.
AAV9 gene therapy restores lifespan and treats pathological and behavioral abnormalities in a mouse model of CLN8-Batten disease
Authors: Johnson Tyler B. , White Katherine A. , Cain Jacob T. , Langin Logan , Pratt Melissa A. , Brudvig Jon , Booth Clarissa D. , Timm Derek J. , Davis Samantha S. , Meyerink Brandon , Likhite Shibi , Meyer Kathrin , Weimer Jill M. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractCLN8 disease is a rare form of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis caused by biallelic mutations in theCLN8gene, which encodes a transmembrane endoplasmic reticulum protein involved in trafficking of lysosomal enzymes. CLN8 disease patients present with myoclonus, tonic-clonic seizures, and progressive declines in cognitive and motor function, with many cases resulting in premature death early in life. There are currently no treatments that can cure the disease or substantially slow disease progression. Using a mouse model ofCLN8disease, we tested the safety and efficacy of an intracerebroventricularly (ICV)-delivered self-complementary AAV9 (scAAV9) gene therapy vector driving expression of humanCLN8. A single neonatal injection was safe and well-tolerated, resulting in robust transgene expression throughout the brain and spinal cord from 4 to 24 months, reducing histopathological and behavioral hallmarks of the disease and completely restoring lifespan from 10 months in untreated animals to beyond 24 months of age in treated animals. These results demonstrate, by far, the most successful rescue reported in an animal model of CLN8 disease, and supports gene therapy as a promising therapeutic strategy for this disorder.
DuringAspergillusinfection, neutrophil, monocyte-derived DC, and plasmacytoid DC enhance innate immune defense through CXCR3-dependent crosstalk
Authors: Guo Yahui , Kasahara Shinji , Jhingran Anupam , Tosini Nicholas L. , Zhai Bing , Aufiero Mariano A. , Mills Kathleen A.M. , Gjonbalaj Mergim , Espinosa Vanessa , Rivera Amariliz , Luster Andrew D. , Hohl Tobias M. 
Published: May 2020

SummaryAspergillus fumigatus, a ubiquitous mold, is a common cause of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in immunocompromised patients. Host defense against IA relies on lung-infiltrating neutrophils and monocyte-derived dendritic cells (Mo-DCs). Here, we demonstrate that plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), which are prototypically anti-viral cells, participate in innate immune crosstalk underlying mucosal antifungal immunity.Aspergillus-infected murine Mo-DCs and neutrophils recruited pDCs to the lung by releasing the CXCR3 ligands, CXCL9 and CXCL10, in a Dectin-1/Card9- and type I and III interferon-signaling dependent manner, respectively. During aspergillosis, circulating pDCs entered the lung in response to CXCR3-dependent signals. Via targeted pDC ablation, we found that pDCs were essential for host defense in the presence of normal neutrophil and Mo-DC numbers. Although interactions between pDC and fungal cells were not detected, pDCs regulated neutrophil NADPH oxidase activity and conidial killing. Thus, pDCs act as positive feedback amplifiers of neutrophil effector activity against inhaled mold conidia.
BRI projects: the “rules of engagement”
Authors: Wong Wilson Kia Onn 
Published: May 2020

PurposeThis paper establishes the “Rules of Engagement” (i.e. being “Long-Term Greedy”, adopting a “Caesar's Wife Approach” and promoting “Inclusive Growth”), which aim to strengthen the chances of success of “Belt and Road Initiative” (“BRI”) projects.Design/methodology/approachThis study deploys a case-study approach, supported by research on the economic and political development of developing countries.FindingsDespite the professed altruism of BRI projects, many of these projects have been bedevilled by corruption scandals, financial overruns and spurious accusations of them being used as politically driven “debt-traps”. These problems present an urgent need for an overarching overseer to implement the “rules of engagement” needed to enhance the prospect of long-term success in BRI projects.Originality/valueThis study is one of the few academic research papers on the BRI.
Modeling the electric field at interfaces and surfaces in high-voltage cable systems
Authors: Jörgens Christoph , Clemens Markus 
Published: May 2020

Purpose
In high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable systems, space charges accumulate because of the constant applied voltage and the nonlinear electric conductivity of the insulating material. The change in the charge distribution results in a slowly time-varying electric field. Space charges accumulate within the insulation bulk and at interfaces. With an operation time of several years of HVDC systems, typically the stationary electric field is of interest. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of interfaces on the stationary electric field stress and space charge density.

Design/methodology/approach
An analytic description of the stationary electric field inside cable insulation is developed and numerical simulations of a cable joint geometry are applied, considering spatial variations of the conductivity in the vicinity of the electrodes and interfaces.

Findings
With increasing conductivity values toward the electrodes, the resulting field stress decreases, whereas a decreasing conductivity results in an increasing electric field. The increased electric field may cause partial discharge, resulting in accelerated aging of the insulation material. Thus, interfaces and surfaces are characterized as critical areas for the reliability of HVDC cable systems.

Research limitations/implications
This study is restricted to stationary electric field and temperature distributions. The electric field variations during a polarity reversal or a time-varying temperature may result in an increased electric conductivity and electric field at interfaces and surfaces.

Originality/value
An analytical description of the electric field, considering surface effects, is developed. The used conductivity model is applicable for cable and cable-joint insulations, where homo- and hetero-charge effects are simulated. These simulations compare well against measurements.
Actionable knowledge with the help of method repositories
Authors: Khezri Hero , Rezaei-Hachesu Peyman , Ferdousi Reza 
Published: May 2020

Purpose
Nowadays, there is a rapid growth in different sciences that has led to thousands of publications in the form of scientific research papers. The readers of these papers are generally the people that are involved in science (i.e. researchers, students, teachers and professors). On the other hand, practitioners rarely use these articles as a resource to learn and apply new methods. They prefer an easy to understand, step-by-step guide (i.e. cookbook) helping them skip over the difficult scientific terms and structures. Therefore, because of a shortage of tools in this space, it takes practitioners many years to use newly developed methods.

Design/methodology/approach
The purpose of this study is to review the literature on verified repositories and presents the necessity of method repositories.

Findings
This paper aims to introduce method repositories as new tools to bridge the gap between science and practice.

Originality/value
Method repositories presented in this paper act as an easy to understand guide for newly developed methods in specific fields.
Understanding the role of trade unions in improving construction productivity through the institutional framework
Authors: Gao Shang , Low Sui Pheng , Simin Ng Serene 
Published: May 2020

PurposeSluggish performance in construction productivity (CP) is a common occurrence worldwide. This phenomenon is also observed in Singapore. In this context, the role of trade unions (TUs) has also been mentioned but appears to be little understood. Hence, this study evaluates the role of TUs in contributing to CP. The key issue is to determine whether TUs have a role to play in contemporary society in improving CP.Design/methodology/approachThis study takes on multiple research methodologies; more specifically, the mixed-method of survey questionnaires and interviews is used. Firstly, a survey questionnaire was employed to obtain broad viewpoints on the general understanding of the target groups towards the CP issues in Singapore. The survey questionnaire also attempts to study the TUs in greater depth by examining their existing strategies of and hindrances to improving CP. Once findings were gathered from the survey questionnaire, the interviews were carried out to probe deeper into the phenomena in the results.FindingsThe research findings showed there is a generally positive outlook that TUs have the ability to contribute to CP. The study finds that the TU respondents possess strong attributes within the normative pillar, but weak attributes in the regulative and cultural–cognitive pillars.Originality/valueThis study uses the Institutional Theory as a general framework, which identifies a union's functions and activities in three pillars that underpin the institutional theory and defines its impact on construction productivity.
Business intelligence systems and operational capability: an empirical analysis of high-tech sectors
Authors: Yiu L.M. Daphne , Yeung Andy C.L. , Jong Abe P.L. 
Published: May 2020

PurposeIn this research, we empirically examine the impact of Business Intelligence (BI) systems on operational capability in high-tech sectors. We also seek to understand the contextual factors that facilitate the adoption of BI systems.Design/methodology/approachWe adopt Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and event study methodology, and analyze the financial data for a sample of 144 US firms which adopted BI systems from 2005–2014, and compare them to control firms without BI systems.FindingsWe find that the implementation of BI systems leads to higher operational capability, particularly for large high-tech firms with high technology intensity. We further show that technology intensity and firm size are important contextual factors for firms to reap the benefits of BI systems.Practical implicationsWe demonstrate how benefits from the adoption of BI systems are likely to be strengthened. The benefits of BI systems depend on firms' technology intensity and firm size of high-tech firms. Accessing relevant and timely reports for decision-making is particularly important in the highly dynamic, volatile and competitive high-tech sectors.Originality/valueWe contribute to the literature by providing empirical evidence that the adoption of BI systems can improve firms' operational capability and show that technology intensity and firm size are important contextual factors for firms to reap the benefits of BI systems. We advance the understanding regarding the contextual factors in which firms are more likely to gain additional benefits from their adoptions of BI systems.
Female audit partners and accruals quality: evidence from Indonesia
Authors: Soepriyanto Gatot , Krisky Pamela , Indra Yanto , Zudana Arfian 
Published: May 2020

PurposeThis study examines the association between accruals quality and gender of the firm's audit engagement partner in Indonesia. Specifically, prior studies provide evidence that gender-based difference in diligence, conservatism and risk tolerance, it is plausible that female auditors may improve audit quality. Indonesia provides a valuable research setting to investigate the issue, as it is mandatory to disclose the identity of the audit partners in the audit reports.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs multivariate regression model to test the hypothesis, which examines the association between accruals quality and audit partners gender. Using a sample of Indonesian publicly listed firms, we run a panel of regression of audit quality measure proxied by abnormal accruals on female auditor variable and firm-specific controls. To triangulate the results, we also conduct sensitivity analysis using high and low category of abnormal accruals, an alternative measure of accruals quality (i.e. Beneish's M score) and propensity score matching (PSM).FindingsWe find that firms with female audit engagement partners are not associated with smaller abnormal accruals, thereby implying that female auditors may not constrain effects on earnings management. In other words, gender is not an important predictor for audit quality in Indonesia.Research limitations/implicationsWe are not able to use broader measures of audit quality such as GAAP violations/restatement, litigation or audit fee. This is because the Indonesian setting somewhat limits us to collect them due to lack of regulatory actions and/or database availability.Practical implicationsThis study will contribute to the regulators (such as Financial Service Authorities/OJK) and professionals, on the effectiveness of female audit partners in improving audit quality. The study can be used as an evidence to support the gender equality in the accounting and audit industry.Social implicationsOur findings suggest that auditor gender does not lead to the improvement of accruals quality in Indonesia. Given the fact that only 14% of firms in our sample audited by female audit partners, it is plausible that the positive traits of female top managers may not transmit to the overall audit process. As such, it is important to encourage more female involvement in top position of auditing and accounting industry is required to advance the profession and its positive impact to the society.Originality/valueThere are no prior studies in Indonesia examining the effect of audit partner gender on accruals quality using archival data. As such, this research will be the first to document such evidence and therefore can improve our understanding on the role of auditor characteristic on audit quality. We also respond to the call from DeFond and Zhang (2014) to push analysis of audit quality to the individual auditor level by examining the gender of audit partner.
Interdependence between banking earnings, banking security and growth achievement: case study in the ASEAN community
Authors: Pham Minh Phu 
Published: May 2020

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to examine the existence of interdependence amongst banking earnings, banking security and growth performance across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.Design/methodology/approachThis paper utilizes a panel autoregressive distributed lag method with the annual data of nine ASEAN members over 1996–2017.FindingsOnly the short-run Granger causal impact of banking profitability on economic expansion is supported, while the long-run Granger causality between all the variables is strongly recognized. Increased banking well-being supports economic development, while higher banking security might have inverse impacts. However, increasing the banking profit without the corresponding better soundness can be detrimental to the economic growth in the short run and much more in the long run. Thus, improving banking profitability and stability simultaneously has positive net effects on the economic development.Research limitations/implicationsThis research is restricted to unavailable data and limited measurements of both banking profitability and stability. Further inclusion of other macro-economic variables, other banking development aspects or even non-banking indicators should also be considered.Practical implicationsNational governments should emphasize a convenient financial environment, which can strongly enhance the positive relationship between banking earnings, banking safeness and output growth. Also, the relevant policies on higher banking well-being and stricter security obligations have to be simultaneously maintained.Originality/valueFew papers have inspected the interrelationship between banking stability, banking profitability and economic growth, particularly in the ASEAN region. This causes the banking literature shortage, as well as insufficient insights for the financial policymakers into their endogenous dynamics. Thus, the study is the first attempt to fulfil the research gap.
A comparison of child development, growth and illness in home-care and day-care center settings
Authors: Limtrakul Darunnee , Ongprasert Krongporn , Ayood Pisittawoot , Sapbamrer Ratana , Siviroj Penprapa 
Published: May 2020

PurposeChildcare is an essential part of early life environment that has a significant influence on lifelong physical and mental health. This study aimed to examine the relationship between development, growth and frequency of illness in different types of care.Design/methodology/approachThis cross-sectional study recruited 177 children aged 30–36 months and their caregivers. Of these 66 were being cared for at home and 111 were attending out-of-home day-care facilities. An interview form, growth measurement and the Denver Developmental Screening Test II were collected. The association between child developmental, growth and illness variables was analyzed with Chi-square, Fisher's exact and Mann–Whitney U tests.FindingsThis study found that the development and growth results did not show statistically significant differences between the home-care and day-care groups. The number of minor illnesses was significantly lower in home-care children than in day-care children (OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.15-0.72).Research limitations/implicationsThis study indicated that the risk of infection is increased in the children attending day care. Provision of a healthy and safe childcare environment needs to be an essential health promotion strategy to improve family and child well-being.Originality/valueAs the number of women's participation in the labor market has increased rapidly over the past decades, so did the number of children in nonparental care. The study findings reflect that the development of a day-care center for children was unclear, whereas the risk of infection was increased. Therefore, provision of a healthy and safe childcare environment needs to be an essential health promotion strategy to improve family and child well-being.
Seeking economic cyber security: a Middle Eastern example
Authors: Gibbs Tanya 
Published: May 2020

PurposeThe transformation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) into an important global economic player has been accompanied by digitalization that has also left it at a risk to cybercrime. Concurrent with the rise in technology use, the UAE fast became one of the most targeted countries in the world. The purpose of this paper is to discuss how the UAE has tried to cope with accelerating levels of cyber threat using legislative and regulatory efforts as well as public- and private-sector initiatives meant to raise cybersecurity awareness.Design/methodology/approachThe paper surveys the UAE’s cybersecurity legislative, regulatory and educational initiatives from 2003 to 2019.FindingsBecause the human factor still remains the number one reason for security breaches, robust cyber laws alone are not enough to protect against cyber threats. Building public awareness and educating internet users about cyber risks and safety have become essential components of the UAE's efforts in building a more secure cyber environment for the country.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper relies on English-language translations of primary sources (laws) originally in Arabic, as well as English-language studies from local media. This should not be considered a problem, as English is established as the language of business and commerce in the UAE.Practical implicationsThe paper provides a detailed overview of the country’s cybersecurity environment to guide and aide practitioners with risk assessment and legal and regulatory compliance.Originality/valueThe paper presents a comprehensive overview of the UAE’s cybersecurity legislative, regulatory and educational environment. It also surveys government and private sector initiatives directed in protecting the country’s cyberspace.