bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The influence of QTL allelic diversity on QTL detection in multi-parent populations: a simulation study in sugar beet
Authors: Garin Vincent , Wimmer Valentin , Borchardt Dietrich , Malosetti Marcos , van Eeuwijk Fred 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMulti-parent populations (MPPs) are important resources for studying plant genetic architecture and detecting quantitative trait loci (QTLs). In MPPs, the QTL effects can show various levels of allelic diversity, which is an important factor influencing the detection of QTLs. In MPPs, the allelic effects can be more or less specific. They can depend on an ancestor, a parent or the combination of parents in a cross. In this paper, we evaluated the effect of QTL allelic diversity on the QTL detection power in MPPs.We simulated: a) cross-specific QTLs; b) parental and ancestral QTLs; and c) bi-allelic QTLs. Inspired by a real application, we tested different MPP designs (diallel, chessboard, factorial, and NAM) derived from five or nine parents to explore the ability to sample genetic diversity and detect QTLs. Using a fixed total population size, the QTL detection power was larger in MPPs with fewer but larger crosses derived from a reduced number of parents. The use of a larger set of parents was useful to detect rare alleles with a large phenotypic effect. The benefit of using a larger set of parents was however conditioned on an increase of the total population size. We also determined empirical confidence intervals for QTL location to compare the resolution of different designs. For QTLs representing 6% of the phenotypic variation, using 1600 offspring individuals, we found 95% empirical confidence intervals of 50 and 26 cM for cross-specific and bi-allelic QTLs, respectively.MPPs derived from less parents with few but large crosses generally increased the QTL detection power. Using a larger set of parents to cover a wider genetic diversity can be useful to detect QTLs with a reduced minor allele frequency when the QTL effect is large and when the total population size is increased.
Systematic problem-solving and its antecedents: a synthesis of the literature
Authors: Mohaghegh Matin , Furlan Andrea 
Published: February 2020

PurposeThis study aims at determining the factors that favor a systematic approach to deal with complex operational and strategic problems. Management literature on problem-solving makes a clear distinction between either fixing a problem temporarily by eliminating its symptoms or solving it by diagnosing and altering underlying causes. Adopting a cognitive perspective of the dual-processing theory, this study labels these two approaches intuitive problem-solving and systematic problem-solving (SPS). While the superior effectiveness of SPS in fostering organizational learning is widely documented, existing literature fails to provide an overview of the conditions that support the adoption of SPS.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents a systematic literature review to shed light on the main supporting factors of SPS in operational as well as strategic domains.FindingsSeven supporting factors of SPS (namely, nature of the problem, time availability, information availability, collaborative culture, transformational leadership, organizational learning infrastructure and environmental dynamism) are first identified and then discussed in an integrative model.Originality/valueThis work is an original attempt to inclusively address organizational, environmental and problem nature-related factors that favor SPS adoption. By determining the SPS supporting factors, this study highlights why many organizations fail or struggle to implement and sustain SPS over time.
Discourses on quality and quality assurance in higher education from the perspective of global university rankings
Authors: Hauptman Komotar Maruša 
Published: February 2020

Purpose
This paper aims to investigate how global university rankings interact with quality and quality assurance in higher education along the two lines of investigation, that is, from the perspective of their relationship with the concept of quality (assurance) and the development of quality assurance policies in higher education, with particular emphasis on accreditation as the prevalent quality assurance approach.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper firstly conceptualises quality and quality assurance in higher education and critically examines the methodological construction of the four selected world university rankings and their references to “quality”. On this basis, it answers the two “how” questions: How is the concept of quality (assurance) in higher education perceived by world university rankings and how do they interact with quality assurance and accreditation policies in higher education? Answers are provided through the analysis of different documentary sources, such as academic literature, glossaries, international studies, institutional strategies and other documents, with particular focus on official websites of international ranking systems and individual higher education institutions, media announcements, and so on.

Findings
The paper argues that given their quantitative orientation, it is quite problematic to perceive world university rankings as a means of assessing or assuring the institutional quality. Like (international) accreditations, they may foster vertical differentiation of higher education systems and institutions. Because of their predominant accountability purpose, they cannot encourage improvements in the quality of higher education institutions.

Practical implications
Research results are beneficial to different higher education stakeholders (e.g. policymakers, institutional leadership, academics and students), as they offer them a comprehensive view on rankings’ ability to assess, assure or improve the quality in higher education.

Originality/value
The existing research focuses principally either on interactions of global university rankings with the concept of quality or with processes of quality assurance in higher education. The comprehensive and detailed analysis of their relationship with both concepts thus adds value to the prevailing scholarly debates.
Exploring value-dense environment in the healthcare service delivery
Authors: Prakash Gyan , Srivastava Shefali 
Published: February 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the antecedents and consequences of a value-dense environment in healthcare service delivery.

Design/methodology/approach
A structural model was developed based on a literature review. Circulation of a 31-indicator questionnaire among service receivers in the healthcare system across India generated 279 valid responses. The research model was assessed using a cross-sectional research design, and the data were analyzed by partial least squares-structural equation modeling.

Findings
Integrated supply chain performance (ISCP), internal service quality (ISQ) and coordinated care are antecedents of a value-dense environment, which drives patient-centricity. The leagile supply chain strategy strengthens the relationship between ISCP and coordinated care. Employee trust and commitment acts as a moderator between coordinated care and ISQ.

Research limitations/implications
By adopting the perspective of service receivers, this paper highlights the influence of value-density on patient-centricity in healthcare organizations. Future research should include healthcare professionals’ perceptions of value-dense environment creation.

Practical implications
The study provides suggestions to practitioners for designing patient-centric healthcare services by leveraging ISCP, coordinated care and ISQ in the value-creation process. Recognizing the relationships among these constructs can aid the timely formulation of corrective actions and future policies.

Social implications
This study underscores patient-centric care as a basis for effectively delivering healthcare as a social good.

Originality/value
This paper contributes to the body of knowledge by identifying and empirically validating the relationships between patient-centricity and value co-creation.
Pulsed electric field‐assisted extraction of valuable compounds from microorganisms
Authors: Martínez Juan M. , Delso Carlota , Álvarez Ignacio , Raso Javier 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMicroorganisms (bacteria, yeast, and microalgae) are a promising resource for products of high value such as nutrients, pigments, and enzymes. The majority of these compounds of interest remain inside the cell, thus making it necessary to extract and purify them before use. This review presents the challenges and opportunities in the production of these compounds, the microbial structure and the location of target compounds in the cells, the different procedures proposed for improving extraction of these compounds, and pulsed electric field (PEF)‐assisted extraction as alternative to these procedures. PEF is a nonthermal technology that produces a precise action on the cytoplasmic membrane improving the selective release of intracellular compounds while avoiding undesirable consequences of heating on the characteristics and purity of the extracts. PEF pretreatment with low energetic requirements allows for high extraction yields. However, PEF parameters should be tailored to each microbial cell, according to their structure, size, and other factors affecting efficiency. Furthermore, the recent discovery of the triggering effect of enzymatic activity during cell incubation after electroporation opens up the possibility of new implementations of PEF for the recovery of compounds that are bounded or assembled in structures. Similarly, PEF parameters and suspension storage conditions need to be optimized to reach the desired effect. PEF can be applied in continuous flow and is adaptable to industrial equipment, making it feasible for scale‐up to large processing capacities.
Training and organisational performance: A meta‐analysis of temporal, institutional and organisational context moderators
Authors: Garavan Thomas , McCarthy Alma , Lai Yanqing , Murphy Kevin , Sheehan Maura , Carbery Ronan 
Published: February 2020

AbstractDrawing on systems theory, we conducted a moderated meta‐analysis of the training and organisational performance relationship using 119 primary studies. We examined the moderating effects of quality versus quantity of training, time, institutional and organisational context factors in the relationship between training and organisational performance. Our findings reveal that training is positively and directly related to organisational performance with no statistically significant difference between measures of training quality and quantity. We found that the relationship was stronger over time and that country performance orientation and country labour cost moderate the training and organisational performance relationship. We found no evidence for the moderating effects of the three organisational context moderators we examined (i.e. industry sector, organisational size and technology intensity). Finally, our results reveal that training type (i.e. general or firm‐specific) does not moderate the training and organisational performance relationship.
Open‐source, low‐cost modular GPS collars for monitoring and tracking wildlife
Authors: Foley Conrad J. , Sillero‐Zubiri Claudio 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Monitoring the movements and behaviour of wildlife using radio telemetry or GPS devices has been critical to the fields of ecology and conservation over several decades. For many field projects however, commercially available devices can be expensive and may not always be ideally suited for collecting desired data.

We present a low‐cost solution of customizable tracking devices based on the open‐source Arduino system. These devices can be custom designed for specific studies and easily programmed to collect desired data.

Custom‐built collars with GPS and accelerometer units were trialled on 30 free‐ranging domestic dogs in rural Ethiopia. These collars collected high‐resolution data at a frequency of 10 fixes per hour and accelerometer data at 10 Hz over a 10‐day period, at a cost of approximately £100 ($130 USD) per collar.

These devices can be placed on any species that can handle a weight of 15.4 g plus battery and housing. The current configuration weighs approximately 240 g which would be suitable for any animal above 8 kg living in terrestrial environments.
A spatial community regression approach to exploratory analysis of ecological data
Authors: Krapu Christopher , Borsuk Mark 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Ecological datasets tabulating hundreds or thousands of species are now becoming available. Identifying and understanding the underlying clustering or communities of species which comprise these datasets is difficult with existing joint species distribution models as they usually model dependence on covariates or spatial effects at the species level rather than at the community level.

This study describes a novel Bayesian statistical model incorporating multiple model components from existing work designed to represent the communities of species and the dependence of each community on covariates. This model is also extended to produce per‐community maps of spatial residuals designed to help identify useful missing covariates.

We assess this model via a simulation study and it is applied to analyse a subset of the Florabank1 plant species database with approximately 2,000 sampling units across 900 species.

We present a streamlined workflow for interpreting clusters of co‐occurring species along with their salient environmental and spatial characteristics.
Prediction of mechanical hemolysis in medical devices via a Lagrangian strain‐based multiscale model
Authors: Nikfar Mehdi , Razizadeh Meghdad , Zhang Jiafeng , Paul Ratul , Wu Zhongjun J. , Liu Yaling 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThis work introduces a new Lagrangian strain‐based model to predict the shear‐induced hemolysis in biomedical devices. Current computational models for device‐induced hemolysis usually utilize empirical fitting of the released free hemoglobin (Hb) in plasma from damaged red blood cells (RBCs). These empirical correlations contain parameters that depend on specific device and operating conditions, thus cannot be used to predict hemolysis in a general device. The proposed algorithm does not have any empirical parameters, thus can presumably be used for hemolysis prediction in various blood‐wetting medical devices. In contrast to empirical correlations in which the Hb release is related to the shear stress and exposure time without considering the physical processes, the proposed model links flow‐induced deformation of the RBC membrane to membrane permeabilization and Hb release. In this approach, once the steady‐state numerical solution of blood flow in the device is obtained under a prescribed operating condition, sample path lines are traced from the inlet of the device to the outlet to calculate the history of the shear stress tensor. In solving the fluid flow, it is assumed that RBCs do not have any influence on the flow pattern. Along each path line, shear stress tensor will be input into a coarse‐grained (CG) RBC model to calculate the RBC deformation. Then the correlations obtained from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are applied to relate the local areal RBC deformation to the perforated area on the RBC membrane. Finally, Hb released out of transient pores is calculated over each path line via a diffusion equation considering the effects of the steric hindrance and increased hydrodynamic drag due to the size of the Hb molecule. The total index of hemolysis (IH) is calculated by integration of released Hb over all the path lines in the computational domain. Hemolysis generated in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nozzle and two blood pumps, that is, a CentriMag blood pump (a centrifugal pump) and HeartMate II (an axial pump), for different flow regimes including the laminar and turbulent flows are calculated via the proposed algorithm. In all the simulations, the numerical predicted IH is close to the range of experimental data. The results promisingly indicate that this multiscale approach can be used as a tool for predicting hemolysis and optimizing the hematologic design of other types of blood‐wetting devices.
Reduced corneal nerve fibre length in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: The Maastricht Study
Authors: De Clerck Eline E.B. , Schouten Jan S.A.G. , Berendschot Tos T.J.M. , Koolschijn Renée S. , Nuijts Rudy M.M.A. , Schram Miranda T. , Schaper Nicolaas C. , Henry Ronald M.A. , Dagnelie Pieter C. , Ruggeri Alfredo , Guimarães Pedro , Stehouwer Coen D.A. , Webers Carroll A.B. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractPurposeIn individuals with diabetes, injury to the corneal nerve fibres predisposes to delayed corneal epithelial healing, reduced corneal sensitivity and corneal erosion. We investigated to what extent a reduction in corneal nerve fibre length (CNFL) is present in individuals with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes (DM2) compared with individuals with normal glucose metabolism (NGM).MethodsUsing composite images acquired by corneal confocal microscopy, we assessed total CNFL per mm2 in the subbasal nerve plexus of the cornea in 134 participants (mean age 59 ± 8 years, 49% men, 87 NGM, 20 prediabetes, 27 DM2). Multivariable linear regression was used to assess the association between CNFL and glucose metabolism status, adjusted for age and sex.ResultsIn individuals with type 2 diabetes, the mean CNFL was significantly reduced [β = −1.86 mm/mm2 (95% CI −3.64 to −0.08), p = 0.04], as compared with individuals with normal glucose metabolism after adjustment for age and sex. Part of the reduction was present in individuals with prediabetes [β = −0.96 mm/mm2 (95% CI −2.91 to 0.99), p = 0.34], with a linear trend of corneal nerve fibre reduction with severity of glucose metabolism status (p trend = 0.04).ConclusionsA significant reduction in CNFL was found in individuals with DM2 compared with individuals with NGM. A trend of reduction in CNFL was observed between individuals with NGM and prediabetes. The reduction in corneal nerve fibre length could contribute to a delayed corneal healing and an increased risk for corneal complications after surgery.
The impact of the gut microbiota on prognosis after surgery for colorectal cancer – a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Colov Emilie Palmgren , Degett Thea Helene , Raskov Hans , Gögenur Ismail 
Published: February 2020

The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the association between gut microbiota and prognosis after colorectal cancer surgery. The review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Scopus. Studies examining the association between gut microbiota and survival after colorectal cancer surgery were identified. Secondary outcomes were association with cancer stage and immune infiltration of tumor. A total of 27 studies were included in the review. Fusobacterium nucleatum was the most frequently examined bacterium, and the meta‐analysis showed that high level of F. nucleatum was significantly associated with decreased overall survival, hazard ratio of 1.63 (95% confidence interval 1.23–2.16) for unadjusted data, and hazard ratio of 1.47 (95% confidence interval 1.08–1.98) for adjusted data. Association between higher tumor stage and F. nucleatum was reported in ten studies, and two studies found an association with unfavorable tumor infiltration of immune cells. Three out of five studies examining Bacteroides fragilis found an association with decreased survival, advanced tumor stage, or unfavorable immune infiltration of tumor. High levels of F. nucleatum and possibly B. fragilis were associated with worse prognosis after surgery for colorectal cancer.
The peripheral CB1 receptor antagonist JD5037 attenuates liver fibrosis via a CB1 receptor/β‐arrestin1/Akt pathway
Authors: Tan Siwei , Liu Huiling , Ke Bilun , Jiang Jie , Wu Bin 
Published: February 2020

Background and PurposeLiver fibrosis is a serious cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and has no adequate treatment. Accumulating evidence suggests that cannabinoid CB1 receptors regulate a variety of physiological and pathological processes in the liver, and blockage of CB1 receptor signalling shows promise as a new therapy for several liver diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of CB1 receptors and a peripheral CB1 receptor antagonist JD5037 in liver fibrogenesis.Experimental ApproachLiver samples from both humans and mouse models were investigated. The peripheral CB1 receptor antagonist JD5037, β‐arr1 wild type (β‐arr1‐WT) and β‐arr1 knockout (β‐arr1‐KO) littermate models, and primary hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were also used. The mechanisms underlying CB1 receptor‐regulated HSCs activation in fibrosis and the therapeutic potential of JD5037 were further analysed.Key ResultsCB1 receptors were induced in samples from patients with liver fibrosis and from mouse models. These receptors promoted activation of HSCs in liver fibrosis via recruiting β‐arrestin1 and Akt signalling, while blockage of CB1 receptors with JD5037 attenuated CB1 receptor‐regulated HSCs activation and liver fibrosis by suppressing β‐arrestin1/Akt signalling.Conclusions and ImplicationsCB1 receptors promote the activation of HSCs and liver fibrosis via the β‐arrestin1/Akt signalling pathway. The peripheral CB1 receptor antagonist JD5037 blocked this pathway, the activation of HSCs and liver fibrosis. This compound and the associated pathway may be a novel approach to the treatment of liver fibrosis.
Aurora kinase inhibitor tozasertib suppresses mast cell activation in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Zhang Li‐Na , Ji Kunmei , Sun Yue‐Tong , Hou Yi‐Bo , Chen Jia‐Jie 
Published: February 2020

Background and PurposeMast cells are important in allergic reactions. Here, we assessed the anti‐allergic effects of the anti‐cancer drug tozasertib specifically regarding regulatory effects on mast cell activation.Experimental ApproachTozasertib effects on mast cell degranulation were determined by measuring β‐hexosaminidase and histamine release and by assessing morphological changes in RBL‐2H3 and mouse bone marrow‐derived mast cells (BMMCs) stimulated with mouse anti‐dinitrophenyl (DNP)‐IgE/DNP‐human serum albumin or human LAD2 cells activated with phorbol‐12‐myristate 13‐acetate plus calcium ionophore (PMACI). Western blots were performed to detect the expression of molecules involved in NF‐κB, MAPK, and Aurora kinase signalling. in vivo anti‐allergic effects of tozasertib were determined in the murine IgE‐mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) and ovalbumin (OVA)‐induced active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA) models.Key ResultsTozasertib treatment decreased high‐affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) or PMACI‐mediated degranulation in RBL‐2H3 cells and in BMMCs or LAD2 cells as shown by β‐hexosaminidase or histamine levels. Similarly, tozasertib prevented morphological changes in mast cells, such as particle release and F‐actin reorganization. In addition, tozasertib markedly decreased expression of phosphorylated (p)‐NF‐κB p65, p‐Erk1/2, p‐p38, and p‐Aurora A/B, indicating that tozasertib can inhibit the signalling pathway mediating mast cell activation. Tozasertib attenuated IgE/Ag‐induced PCA dose‐dependently, as shown by reduced Evans blue staining. Similarly, tozasertib reduced body temperature levels and serum histamine levels in OVA‐challenged ASA mice.Conclusion and ImplicationsThe Aurora kinase inhibitor tozasertib suppressed mast cell activation in vitro and in vivo. Tozasertib may be a potential drug, targeting mast cell activation, to treat allergic diseases or mastocytosis.