bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High-throughput binding affinity measurements for mutations spanning a transcription factor-DNA interface reveal affinity and specificity determinants
Authors: Aditham Arjun K. , Markin Craig J. , Mokhtari Daniel A. , DelRosso Nicole V. , Fordyce Polly M. 
Published: June 2020

SummaryTranscription factors (TFs) bind regulatory DNA to control gene expression, and mutations to either TFs or DNA can alter binding affinities to rewire regulatory networks and drive phenotypic variation. While studies have profiled energetic effects of DNA mutations extensively, we lack similar information for TF variants. Here, we present STAMMP (Simultaneous Transcription Factor Affinity Measurements via Microfluidic Protein Arrays), a high-throughput microfluidic platform enabling quantitative characterization of hundreds of TF variants simultaneously. Measured affinities for ∼210 mutants of a model yeast TF (Pho4) interacting with 9 oligonucleotides (>1,800Kds) reveal that many combinations of mutations to poorly conserved TF residues and nucleotides flanking the core binding site alter but preserve physiological binding, providing a mechanism for mutations incisandtransto rewire networks without insurmountable evolutionary penalties. Moreover, biochemical double-mutant cycles across the TF-DNA interface reveal molecular mechanisms driving recognition, linking sequence to function.
Wetland plant evolutionary history influences soil and endophyte microbial community composition
Authors: Szubryt Marisa B. , Skinner Kelly , O’Loughlin Edward J. , Koval Jason , Greenwald Stephanie M. , Owens Sarah M. , Kemner Kenneth M. , Weisenhorn Pamela B. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMethane is a microbially derived greenhouse gas whose emissions are highly variable throughout wetland ecosystems. Differences in plant community composition account for some of this variability, suggesting an influence of plant species on microbial community structure and function in these ecosystems. Given that closely related plant species have similar morphological and biochemical features, we hypothesize that plant evolutionary history is related to differences in microbial community composition. To examine species-specific patterns in microbiomes, we selected five monoculture-forming wetland plant species based on the evolutionary distances among them. We detected significant differences in microbial communities between sample types (unvegetated soil, bulk soil, rhizosphere soil, internal root tissues, and internal leaf tissues) associated with these plant species based on 16S relative abundances. We additionally found that differences in plant evolutionary history were correlated with variation in microbial communities across plant species within each sample type. Using qPCR, we observed substantial differences in overall methanogen and methanotroph population sizes between plant species and sample types. Methanogens tended to be most abundant in rhizosphere soils while methanotrophs were the most abundant in roots. Given that microbes influence methane flux and that plants affect methanogen and methanotroph populations, plant species contribute to variable degrees of methane emissions. Incorporating the influence of plant evolutionary history into future modeling efforts may improve predictions of wetland methane emission since microbial community differences correlate with differences in plant evolutionary history.
Activation of meiotic recombination by nuclear import of the DNA break hotspot-determining complex
Authors: Wintrebert Mélody , Nguyen Mai-Chi , Smith Gerald R. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMeiotic recombination forms crossovers important for proper chromosome segregation and viability of offspring. This process involves many proteins acting at each of the multiple steps of recombination. Recombination is initiated by formation of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), which in the several species examined often occur with high frequency at special sites (DSB hotspots). In the fission yeastSchizosaccharomyces pombeDSB hotspots are bound with high specificity and activated by linear element (LinE) proteins Rec25, Rec27, and Mug20 which form co-localized nuclear foci with Rec10, essential for all DSB formation and recombination. Here, we identify Rec10’s nuclear localization signal (NLS) and show it is important for coordinated nuclear entry after complex-formation with other LinE proteins. In NLS mutants, recombination is much reduced but not eliminated; nuclear entry of limited amounts of Rec10 can account for the residual recombination. LinEs are related to synaptonemal complex proteins of other species, suggesting that they also may share an as-yet-unidentified NLS and protein complex-formation before nuclear entry.
The Biomechanical Basis of Biased Epithelial Tube Elongation in Lung and Kidney Development
Authors: Conrad Lisa , Runser Steve , Gómez Harold , Lang Christine , Dumond Mathilde , Sapala Aleksandra , Kramps Laura , Michos Odysse , Vetter Roman , Iber Dagmar 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTDuring lung development, epithelial branches expand preferentially in longitudinal direction. This bias in outgrowth has been linked to a bias in cell shape and in the cell division plane. How this bias arises is unknown. Here, we show that biased epithelial outgrowth occurs independent of the surrounding mesenchyme, of preferential turn-over of the extracellular matrix at the bud tips, and of FGF signalling. There is also no evidence for actin-rich filopodia at the bud tips. Rather, we find epithelial tubes to be collapsed during early lung and kidney development, and we observe fluid flow in the narrow tubes. By simulating the measured fluid flow inside segmented narrow epithelial tubes, we show that the shear stress levels on the apical surface are sufficient to explain the reported bias in cell shape and outgrowth. We use a cell-based vertex model to confirm that apical shear forces, unlike constricting forces, can give rise to both the observed bias in cell shapes and tube elongation. We conclude that shear stress may be a more general driver of biased tube elongation beyond its established role in angiogenesis.Summary StatementWe systematically analysed the requirements for biased elongating outgrowth of epithelial tubes during lung and kidney development, and provide evidence that fluid-flow induced shear stress drives their biased elongation.
Systematic review of health state utility values used in pharmacoeconomic evaluations for chronic hepatitis C: impact on cost-effectiveness results
Authors: Han Ru , François Clément , Toumi Mondher 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundHealth state utility values (HSUVs) identified from utility elicitation studies are widely used in pharmacoeconomic evaluations for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and are particularly instrumental in health technology assessment (HTA) evaluation like the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to identify HSUVs used in cost-utility analyses (CUAs) for CHC in Europe and evaluate the impact of HSUVs selection on cost-effectiveness results in terms of incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained (ICER).MethodsA systematic search of pharmacoeconomic evaluations for CHC was updated in Medline and Embase from the period of 2012-2017 to the period of 2017-2020. Data on health states, HSUVs and utility elicitation studies were extracted. The difference in HSUVs of the same health state in different CUAs and the difference between HSUVs of one health state and of the interlink health state in the same CUAs were calculated. A quality assessment was performed to evaluate the selection of HSUVs in CUAs. Sets of HSUVs identified were used in a re-constructed CUA model to assess the impact on ICER.ResultsTwenty-six CUAs conducted in European countries and referring to 17 utility elicitation studies were included. The difference in HSUVs of the same health states in different CUAs ranged from 0.021 (liver transplant) to 0.468 (decompensated cirrhosis). The difference between HSUVs of one health state and of the interlink health state of next disease severity level was calculated between health state of F0-F1/mild and F2-F3/moderate (n=11, 0.040 to 0.110), F2-F3/moderate and F4/compensated cirrhosis (n=18, 0.027 to 0.130), compensated cirrhosis and decompensated cirrhosis (n=22, 0.020 to 0.100), decompensated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (n=24, 0.000 to 0.200), hepatocellular carcinoma and liver transplant in the first year (n=17, −0.329 to 0.170) and liver transplant in the first year and in subsequent years (n=17, −0.340 to 0.000). The utility elicitation study selected by most CUAs (n=11)was recommended as the source of HSUVs, as least for the CUAs conducted in the UK, based on the results of quality assessment. Seven sets of HSUVs were generated to fit the re-constructed model and changed the results of incremental analysis from being cost-effective to not cost-effective (ICER raging from £2,460 to £24,954 per QALY gained), and to dominated in the UK setting.ConclusionsThe CUAs for CHC were found to apply various HSUVs from different utility elicitation studies in the same health state. This variability of HSUVs has the potential to significantly affect ICER and ICER-based reimbursement decision. A rigorous selection of HSUVs in CUAs to inform healthcare resource allocation is suggested for future studies of CUAs and guideline development.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES IN PATIENTS WITH NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW PROTOCOL
Authors: Fernández-Mincone Tiziana , Viñuela Morales Macarena , Jiménez Marco Arrese , Arab Verdugo Juan Pablo , Cabrera Daniel , Martínez Francisco Barrera 
Published: June 2020

AbstractNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a worldwide raising liver condition and it is expected to become the first cause of progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in the next 5 years (Araújo 2018). At present, there are no pharmacological treatments approved. Weight loss is the first-line treatment (European Association for the Study of the Liver 2016) (Chalasani 2012) showing that 7 to 10% weight loss improves steatosis, inflammation, hepatocyte ballooning and, in NASH patients, has an impact in fibrosis too (Romero-Gómez 2017). However, the reduction and maintenance of weight loss is often complex. To achieve this goal, it is recommended doing lifestyle changes including exercise and diet on daily living (Hannah 2016). However, it has been difficult to establish any conclusions regarding the best type of diet or exercise protocol to maximize improvements and to maintain its effects through time. Because of this, the objective of this review is assessing the efficacy and safety of diet, exercise, or a combination of these in patients with NAFLD.
Exchange Traded Funds and the likelihood of closure
Authors: Akhigbe Aigbe , Balasubramnian Bhanu , Newman Melinda 
Published: June 2020

PurposeThough exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are similar to mutual funds, we identify several reasons how they are different based on their structure and trading characteristics. Therefore, we argue that the determinants of fund closure decisions for ETFs will not be the same as the mutual funds. We systematically explore those factors.Design/methodology/approachWe use Cox Proportional Hazard model, which is considered a superior method, over the logistic regression models. All previous studies are based on logistic regressions.FindingsWe investigate the closure rate of ETFs over the 1995–2018 sample period. We find that the first three years are the most critical period for the survival of ETFs. Our full sample results show that early fund performance, the investment style of the fund, the expense ratio and fund family size are the most relevant factors influencing the likelihood of closure. When we consider equity-only funds, we find that key factors that influence fund closure are early fund performance, the expense ratio, failure to grow the fund's assets relatively quickly and the equity investment category of the fund.Research limitations/implicationsTracking error could be a significant factor. However, we have several missing values in the data. Therefore, we are forced to drop that variable. However, we use the SD of daily returns in lieu of that. Similarly, we were constrained by the availability of data for the equity style box scores.Practical implicationsOur study suggests that individual investors will be better off by investing in ETFs that are at least three-year to four-year old. If individuals want to invest in ETFs from the date of inception, the probability of survival is higher for an ETF within a larger fund family.Social implicationsHopefully, our research will attract the attention of CFPB and provide a warning to individual investors when they choose to invest in ETFs. More and more ETFs are getting included in retirement savings. So, abrupt ETF closures are likely to have large social implications for the future.Originality/valueWe are the first to use Cox Proportional Hazard model. We base our arguments from latest research on ETFs that the one earlier paper on ETF closure has missed. So, we examine the issue in a more systematic way.
Communicating philanthropic CSR versus ethical and legal CSR to employees: empirical evidence in Turkey
Authors: Wang Yijing , Pala Buket 
Published: June 2020

PurposeThis study investigates the mechanism through which banks employ corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitment to engage in employees. The values of different types of CSR engagement (i.e. philanthropic CSR vs ethical and legal CSR) are distinguished and their influences on employee identification are analyzed. The moderation effect of CSR communication through corporate social media is examined in this context.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 254 respondents was collected through surveying the employees of one of the largest banks in Turkey.FindingsFindings suggest that ethical and legal CSR is perceived more importantly than philanthropic CSR by employees in the banking industry. In addition, the level of transparency and frequency of CSR communication through corporate social media moderates the CSR types–employee identification relationship distinctively.Practical implicationsSpecial attention should be paid to the conditions under which CSR communication takes place effectively, as skeptics toward certain types of CSR initiatives may occur along with the disclosure of information about them.Social implicationsIf organizations use social media communication in a way that would bring the CSR interests of their employees to light, it is likely that CSR initiatives will become more meaningful and have a greater societal impact.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the CSR literature through identifying the value of different types of CSR initiative and confirming the importance of transparent and proactive CSR communication on employee identification in the banking sector.
FDI determinants: dynamic extreme bounds analysis
Authors: Pham Linh Huyen , Wongsurawat Winai 
Published: June 2020

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to develop a new analysis method, named dynamic extreme bounds analysis (DEBA), and to determine decisive determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) by using this new method.Design/methodology/approachIn econometrics, the extreme bounds analysis (EBA) method is a convincing way of examining the strength of independent variables. However, the results obtained when using the EBA method contain little information, since each variable is only either strong or fragile, and some strong variables may be omitted because their significance could be undermined by just one unreasonable regression. Therefore, in order to overcome these limitations, this paper proposes DEBA, a new analysis method.FindingsThe authors employ the DEBA method to determine the factors which impact FDI in 86 countries. The authors note that in developing countries, the level of previous FDI, a high degree of openness, large market size and development of infrastructure help to attract FDI, whereas the development of domestic industry deters it. In developed countries, FDI is lured by the level of previous FDI stock, a high degree of openness, large market size, macroeconomic instability and availability of energy.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough this study is expected to contribute a new methodological approach and define the strong determinants of FDI, the study is not without limitations, such as the unavailability of data. Further studies should improve the DEBA method by developing DEBA packages for use in popular statistical software, enhancing methods for other types of data and more accurately determining the estimation order of variables. In addition, further research should expand the study's FDI model, providing more potential variables for an in-depth overview of this model.Originality/valueThis study is to contribute a new methodological approach (DEBA method) for data analysis and defining of strong determinants of FDI. The study findings are useful for governments, policy-makers and economists in formulating more attractive FDI policies.
The influence of board directors' institutional and business relationships on philanthropic foundation performance
Authors: Zhang Yuting , Wu Jiebing , Chin Tachia , Yu Xiaofen , Cai Ning 
Published: June 2020

PurposeThe effect of board intellectual capital on non-profit organizational performance in non-western, less developed economies has been an important yet under-researched area. Given that the institutional and business relationships of a board account for the majority of board intellectual capital, the purpose of this paper is to fill the previously mentioned research gap by addressing how the interactions of the two relationships of board directors influence Chinese philanthropic foundation performance.Design/methodology/approachFollowing Creswell's (2014) explanatory sequential mixed-methodology, a qualitative study (Study 1) was first conducted to pre-test the assumptions, and then a quantitative study (Study 2) was carried out based on a secondary database of 1,405 Chinese philanthropic foundations to further examine the hypotheses. Several regression models were built for analyzing the results.FindingsStudy 1 confirmed that Chinese philanthropic foundations gained greater revenues and hosted more public welfare activities by leveraging the reinforcing or complementary effects of board directors' intellectual capital to improve organizational performance. Study 2 further examined the hypotheses that the interactions of intellectual capital increased the total revenue and public welfare expenditure of the foundations; however, significant positive relationships were only identified in foundations at the local level, and no significant associations were found in those at the national level.Practical implicationsThe research indicates that the intellectual capital of board directors may influence the performance of their philanthropic foundations. Thus, Chinese philanthropic foundations should be more aware of the importance of this influence when determining which candidates will join the board.Originality/valueThe study makes significant contributions to the existing knowledge of the development of non-governmental organizations; it incorporates the resource dependence theory and agency theory into understanding how the intricate interactions between the institutional and business relationships of board directors affect foundation performance and how the jurisdiction affiliations act as a boundary condition for such relationships in a non-western setting such as China.
The need for more research on the Asian real estate markets
Authors: Newell Graeme 
Published: June 2020

PurposeThe Asian real estate markets have grown considerably in recent years and have taken on increased investment importance, particularly with significant developments in the emerging markets in Asia. This paper assesses the opportunities for more research on the Asian real estate markets, by highlighting the significance of Asia real estate, the drivers behind this growth and the unique opportunities this presents for high-quality real estate research, by both local researchers and their international colleagues. Strategies for delivering this research agenda are also identified.Design/methodology/approachThis research is based on a thorough understanding of the Asian real estate markets, based on my own research agenda, personal interactions, insights and extensive discussions with real estate leaders in the Asian markets. This is supported by a clear understanding of the real estate research opportunities in the Asian markets and the strategies needed to deliver this research agenda in an effective manner.FindingsA range of real estate research areas are identified to increase the level of Asian real estate research. This sees research opportunities around key areas such as market dynamics, real estate investment vehicles, alternate real estate sectors, infrastructure and sustainability. Strategies for expanding this level of research for both local and international real estate researchers are also identified.Practical implicationsWith the Asian real estate markets taking on more importance with many international real estate investors, it is important to see more high-quality research into these dynamic real estate markets. This research will see a fuller understanding of these Asian real estate markets to enable more informed real estate investment decision-making.Originality/valueThe need for more high-quality research into the Asian real estate markets is clearly presented, with enabling strategies to achieve this agenda identified. This will see expanded research opportunities to critically research these unique real estate markets and produce high-quality research publications.
A novel fuzzy hybrid multi-criteria decision-making approach for evaluating maintenance strategies in petrochemical industry
Authors: Aghaee Asghar , Aghaee Milad , Fathi Mohammad Reza , Shoa'bin Shirin , Sobhani Seyed Mohammad 
Published: June 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate maintenance strategies based on fuzzy decision-making trial evaluation and laboratory (DEMATEL) and fuzzy analytic network process (ANP) in the petrochemical industry.Design/methodology/approachThis study proposes a hybrid-structured multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method based on fuzzy Delphi, fuzzy DEMATEL and fuzzy ANP as a structured methodology to assist decision makers in strategic maintenance. The fuzzy Delphi method (FDM) is applied to refine the effective criteria, fuzzy DEMATEL is applied for defining the direction and relationships between criteria and Fuzzy ANP is used for the selection of optimized maintenance strategy.FindingsThe results identify “strategic management complexity” as the top criterion. The predictive maintenance (PdM) with the highest priority is the best strategy. It is followed by reliability-centered (RCM), condition-based (CBM), total productive (TPM), predictive (PM) and corrective maintenance (CM).Originality/valueToday, companies act in an atmosphere that is known with the features of uncertainty. In this atmosphere, only those companies can survive that have a strategy based on presenting the quality services and products to their customers. Similarly, maintenance as a system plays a vital role in availability and the quality of products, which creates value for customers. The selection of maintenance strategy is a kind of MCDM problem, which includes consideration of different factors. This article considers a broad category of alternates, including CM, PM, TPM, CBM, RCM and PdM.