bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dynamic connectivity maps of pericytes and endothelial cells mediate neurovascular coupling in health and disease
Authors: Kovacs-Oller Tamas , Ivanova Elena , Bianchimano Paola , Sagdullaev Botir T. 
Published: November 2019

SummaryFunctional hyperemia, or matching blood flow to activity, is spatially accurate to direct the oxygen and nutrients to regionally firing neurons. The underlying signaling mechanisms of neurovascular coupling remain unclear, but are critical for brain function and establish the diagnostic power of BOLD-fMRI. Here, we described a mosaic of pericytes, the vasomotor capillary cells in the living retina. We then tested if this symmetric net of pericytes and surrounding neuroglia predicted a connectivity map in response to sensory stimuli. Surprisingly, we found that these connections were not only discriminatory across cell types, but also highly asymmetric spatially. First, pericytes connected predominantly to other neighboring pericytes and endothelial cells, and less to arteriolar smooth muscle cells, and not to surrounding neurons or glia. Second, focal, but not global stimulation evoked a directional vasomotor response by strengthening connections along the feeding vascular branch. This activity required local NO signaling and occurred by means of direct coupling via gap-junctions. By contrast, bath application of NO or diabetes, a common microvascular pathology, not only weakened the vascular signaling but also abolished its directionality. We conclude that the discriminatory nature of neurovascular interactions may thus establish spatial accuracy of blood delivery with the precision of the neuronal receptive field size, and is disrupted early in microvascular disease.HighlightsWithin a structurally symmetric mosaic, pericytes form discriminatory connectionsPericyte connectome tunes with a precision matching a neuronal receptive fieldFocal but not global input evokes a vasomotor response by strengthening the gap-junction mediated signaling towards a feeding vascular branchDisrupted functional connectivity map triggers loss of the functional hyperemia in diabetic neuropathy
Deep Generative Models for 3D Compound Design
Authors: Imrie Fergus , Bradley Anthony R. , van der Schaar Mihaela , Deane Charlotte M. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractRational compound design remains a challenging problem for both computational methods and medicinal chemists. Computational generative methods have begun to show promising results for the design problem. However, they have not yet used the power of 3D structural information. We have developed a novel graph-based deep generative model that combines state-of-the-art machine learning techniques with structural knowledge. Our method (“DeLinker”) takes two fragments or partial structures and designs a molecule incorporating both. The generation process is protein context dependent, utilising the relative distance and orientation between the partial structures. This 3D information is vital to successful compound design, and we demonstrate its impact on the generation process and the limitations of omitting such information. In a large scale evaluation, DeLinker designed 60% more molecules with high 3D similarity to the original molecule than a database baseline. When considering the more relevant problem of longer linkers with at least five atoms, the outperformance increased to 200%. We demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of this approach on a diverse range of design problems: fragment linking, scaffold hopping, and proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) design. As far as we are aware, this is the first molecular generative model to incorporate 3D structural information directly in the design process. Code is available at https://github.com/oxpig/DeLinker.
Differential complex formation via paralogs in the human Sin3 protein interaction network
Authors: Adams Mark K. , Banks Charles A.S. , Thornton Janet L. , Sardiu Mihaela E. , Killer Maxime , Kempf Cassandra G. , Florens Laurence , Washburn Michael P. 
Published: November 2019

ABSTRACTDespite the continued analysis of HDAC inhibitor efficacy in clinical trials, the heterogeneous nature of the protein complexes they target limits our understanding of the beneficial and off-target effects associated with their application. Among the many HDAC protein complexes found within the cell, Sin3 complexes are conserved from yeast to humans and likely play important roles as regulators of transcriptional activity. The functional attributes of these protein complexes remain poorly characterized in humans. Contributing to the poor definition of Sin3 complex attributes in higher eukaryotes is the presence of two Sin3 scaffolding proteins, SIN3A and SIN3B. Here we show that paralog switching influences the interaction networks of the Sin3 complexes. While SIN3A and SIN3B do have unique interaction network components, we find that SIN3A and SIN3B interact with a common set of proteins. Additionally, our results suggest that SIN3A and SIN3B may possess the capacity to form hetero-oligomeric complexes. While one principal form of SIN3B exists in humans, the analysis of rare SIN3B proteoforms provides insight into the domain organization of SIN3B. Together, these findings shed light on the shared and divergent properties of human Sin3 proteins and highlight the heterogeneous nature of the complexes they organize.
Enhanced aversive memory retrieval by chemogenetic activation of locus coeruleus norepinephrine neurons
Authors: Fukabori Ryoji , Iguchi Yoshio , Kato Shigeki , Takahashi Kazumi , Eifuku Satoshi , Tsuji Shingo , Hazama Akihiro , Uchigashima Motokazu , Watanabe Masahiko , Mizuma Hiroshi , Cui Yilong , Onoe Hirotaka , Hikishima Keigo , Yasoshima Yasunobu , Osanai Makoto , Inagaki Ryo , Fukunaga Kohji , Nishijo Takuma , Momiyama Toshihiko , Benton Richard , Kobayashi Kazuto 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe ability to retrieve memory store in response to the environment is essential for animal behavioral adaptation. Norepinephrine (NE)-containing neurons in the brain play a key role in the modulation of synaptic plasticity underlying various processes of memory formation. However, the role of the central NE system in memory retrieval remains unclear. In this study, we developed a neural chemogenetic activation strategy using insect olfactory Ionotropic Receptors (IRs), and used it for selective stimulation of NE neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC) in transgenic mice. Ligand-induced activation of LC NE neurons resulted in enhancement of the retrieval process of conditioned taste aversion, which was mediated through at least partly adrenergic receptors in the amygdala. Pharmacological blockade of LC activity confirmed the facilitative role of these neurons in memory retrieval. Our findings indicate that the LC-amygdalar pathway is required and sufficient for enhancing the recall of taste associative memory.
Strategies of Kenyan firms: a case study of food processing firms in Nairobi
Authors: Wamalwa Herbert , Upadhyaya Radha , Kamau Paul , McCormick Dorothy 
Published: November 2019

Purpose
While many studies have discussed the regulatory constraints that hinder industrial development in sub-Saharan Africa, little attention has been paid to the behavior of those firms that succeed despite a challenging business environment. The purpose of this paper is to fill this gap by focusing on specific strategies of a subset of successful industrial firms in Kenya.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper draws on two data sets. First, a quantitative data set based on a survey of food processing firms provides an overall profile of the sub-sector and the strategies employed by successful Kenyan firms. Second, qualitative in-depth case studies unpack the concept of strategy from the perspective of the firm, with the aim of showing the links between vision and strategy and the adaptive nature of firm strategy.

Findings
The quantitative data set reveals that the most important strategies used by agri-processing firms are differentiation strategies (selling at a premium), cost reduction strategies and niche strategies. A second major finding, based on the case study interviews, is that Kenyan firms adopt a combination of strategies to cope with the volatile business environment and grow their market. Furthermore, the qualitative interviews reveal that the vision of the leader is linked to firm strategy and firms follow an adaptive approach to strategy development.

Originality/value
The paper’s original contribution is the conclusion that while the existing typologies of strategy were acknowledged by respondents, their actual strategies were composites resulting from adaptive strategy development. This conclusion was made possible by the paper’s mixed methods approach.
Feasibility of drone integration as last mile delivery
Authors: Ali Sadia Samar , Deka Supriya , Ahmad Zulfiqar , Ahmed Salma , Jaswal Mansingh , Alsulami Hemaid 
Published: November 2019

Supplementary materials
Padmanabhan A. 2017 “Civilian drones and India’s regulatory response”. Moushami P. Joshi and Jennifer E. Trock (2016) “India Moving Forward with Unmanned Aircraft Systems Regulations for Civil and Commercial Use” www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=6d596577-7a4a-4ecc-916e-83c4d37cc90c. www.indrones.com/2017/04/27/drone-industry-india/.Zeimpekis, Vasileios; Ichoua, Soumia; and Minis, Ioannis (2013), Humanitarian and Relief Logistics. Research Issues, Case Studies and Future Trends;Operations Research/Computer Sciences Interfaces Series. Springer Publications, www.springer.com/in/book/9781461470069.

Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes are to illustrate the concept and features of cost-effective and responsive supply chain, to explain the concept of hub and spoke and milk run methods used for delivery, to identify financial, operational and technological risks, to elaborate the importance of social dimension (behavioral dimension) in any technological change in an organization and to understand the concept of management of change in organizations.

Case overview/synopsis
The case deals with a typical challenge of periodical delivery systems, in this case specifically of The Topical, an Indian periodical. The service manager of the company, Sara Jindal, recognized a problem with customer retention. She explored the causes and found that The Topical, a 20-year-old company, was losing its popularity due to the untimely delivery of the magazines. To solve the problem Jindal, tried to gain an understanding of the operational processes and realized that there was no issue in the warehouse regarding inventory control, management or order pickup. However, she found that the magazines were parceled through book post and that there was no tracking policy in the company for the deliveries. Therefore, it was not possible to know whether the magazines got delivered on time. The matter was taken seriously and as a solution, the possibility of integrating drones into the delivery system came up.

Complexity academic level
Undergraduate and Postgraduate students.

Subject code
CSS 9: Operations and Logistics
Prediction of clothing mobility using a musculoskeletal simulator
Authors: Horiba Yosuke , Tokutake Ayumu , Inui S. 
Published: November 2019

Purpose
Mobility is one of the important elements in clothing design. The purpose of this paper is to examine the predictability of clothing mobility via musculoskeletal simulation.

Design/methodology/approach
In order to carry out the musculoskeletal simulation considering the influence of clothing, simulation of the dressed state was attempted. This paper simulated the dressed state and measured the motion-related deformation of the clothing to estimate the force applied to the human body based on the material property of the clothing samples. The dressed state was simulated using an external force in the musculoskeletal model.

Findings
When the elbow flexion torque with an elbow supporter was calculated using the above-mentioned method of musculoskeletal simulation, it was confirmed that the lower the stretchability of the sample, the higher the elbow flexion torque. In addition, the sensory evaluation performed under the same condition as that in the simulation showed that the lower the joint torque during the motion, the higher the subjective mobility, and that the higher the joint torque, the lower the subjective mobility. Thus, it is suggested that musculoskeletal simulation of the dressed state can predict the clothing mobility.

Research limitations/implications
However, the method proposed in this paper requires the measurement of the deformation of the clothing to estimate the force applied to the human body. Thus, it is difficult to apply this in the measurement of general clothing that allows enough space between it and the human body, requiring further improvement of the dressed state simulation method.

Originality/value
Because it is difficult to estimate the force applied by the clothing to the human body, only a few studies have performed analysis on the effect of clothing by using musculoskeletal simulation. Conversely, although the force applied by the clothing to the human body needs to be estimated in advance by the measurement of the deformation, the utility of the simulation in clothing design seems to be high because the simulation can estimate clothing mobility and the effects of clothing on muscle activity.
Characteristics of New Zealand dividend omissions and resumptions
Authors: Kraiger Nicholas , Anderson Warwick 
Published: November 2019

Purpose
For firms listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange, which is a relatively thinly traded market, the purpose of this paper is to examine the nature of stock returns associated with a dividend omission announcement when computations specifically address thin trading, and whether specific firm characteristics affect the likelihood and nature of a dividend omission.

Design/methodology/approach
First, event study analysis is used to check if dividend omissions actually do impact share prices in terms of short-term abnormal returns and longer-term cumulative abnormal returns (CARs) in a thinly traded market. Second, binomial logistic regression analysis is used to determine what, if any, company characteristics are associated with the decision to omit a dividend. Third, multinomial logistic regression analysis is employed to determine what firm characteristics are associated with continuing (or ending) a phase of no dividends before a dividend resumption.

Findings
Dividend omissions generate immediate negative abnormal returns, and there is a longer-term persistence of negative CARs. The size and duration of these abnormal returns are smaller, but still significant, when thin-market-specific methodology is employed. With respect to firm characteristic, smaller firms, firms with decreased earnings, a higher level of extraordinary charges, greater leverage and firms with a higher book-to-market value are associated with a greater likelihood of making an omission. With respect to the length of time between an omission and resumption of dividend payments, earnings decreases, a higher book-to-market value, a higher level of extraordinary charges and a decrease in firm debt level become significant.

Originality/value
This paper adds value in two dimensions. First, it considers dividend omissions in three different, but inter-connected ways. Second, the use of multinomial logistic regression to examine an aspect of the non-payment hiatus breaks new ground.
Greenwashing and responsible investment practices: empirical evidence from Zimbabwe
Authors: Olatubosun Posi , Nyazenga Sethi 
Published: November 2019

Purpose
This paper aims to explore the nature of responsible investment (RI) practices in Zimbabwe from the point of view of the institutional asset owners by investigating not only how they incorporate the ESG criteria when selecting investee companies but also the elements of greenwashing and impression management.

Design/methodology/approach
Based on semi-structured interviews conducted with Pension Fund Entities, Mutual Funds and Life Assurance companies, the authors used interpretive methodological approach to derive the symbolic RI techniques used.

Findings
This study discovered many symbolic acts of “greenwashing” and impression management as opposed to genuine concerns for ESG issues which are at the core of RI practice. RI is used as not only a systematic risk management instrument but also a symbolic marketing tool due to weak regulatory environment. Contrary to the significantly high public communication on RI, the actual links of the asset owners with the environmental impacts in investee companies is insignificant. The authors also found that there are clear distinctions between how foreign and local firms operating in the local economy engage on ESG matters.

Practical implications
This is likely to have practical implications for stewardship practices in developing jurisdictions where RI practices are puerile.

Originality/value
This paper contributes to the literature on RI dialogue by demonstrating the peculiarity of ESG engagement in a developing economy.
Addressing sustainability information needs along supply chains
Authors: Akhavan Roya Manuela , Zvezdov Dimitar 
Published: November 2019

PurposeGaining a better understanding of various actors’ information demands and developing suitable approaches to fulfilling them is key in managing sustainability performance in supply chains. Sustainability thereby creates different levels of uncertainty and equivocality. This paper investigates the challenges in managing sustainability information flows along several nodes in the supply chain.Design/methodology/approachA multiple case study approach explores the various sustainability information needs along different nodes of supply chains. For this, three automotive triads are investigated, each comprising an original equipment manufacturer, a first-tier supplier and a second-tier supplier.FindingsThe results reveal that fulfilling information demands presents a substantial challenge to each of the three actors, albeit a different one in each case: whereas focal companies seek to figure out what information may be relevant to sustainability performance, their direct suppliers struggle to develop suitable approaches for enabling second-tier suppliers to generate and provide such information.Practical implicationsDepending on the level of uncertainty and equivocality, companies are supported in approaching sustainability information needs by applying individual or collective processing mechanisms. Decisions on such mechanisms and organisational structure can help to allocate resources according to the degree of challenges to achieve a fit between information needs and mechanisms.Social implicationsReducing uncertainty and equivocality related to sustainability information provides a powerful approach to improving the sustainability performance along supply chains.Originality/valueHaving identified sustainability information challenges, the paper analyses and develops a typology of potentially useful approaches.
Significance of Markers of Monocyte Activation (CD163 and sCD14) and Inflammation (IL‐6) in Patients Admitted for Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment
Authors: García‐Calvo Xavier , Bolao Ferran , Sanvisens Arantza , Zuluaga Paola , Tor Jordi , Muga Robert , Fuster Daniel 
Published: November 2019

BackgroundMonocyte activation and inflammation are prominent features of alcohol‐related liver disease; however, they have not been thoroughly assessed in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) without overt liver disease. This study aimed to analyze associations among clinical and laboratory variables and markers of monocyte activation (CD163 and sCD14), and inflammation (interleukin [IL]‐6) among AUD patients.MethodsWe analyzed the aforementioned associations in the highest quartile in 289 patients (77.5% male; median age, 50 years) consecutively admitted for alcohol detoxification in 2 tertiary hospitals in the Barcelona metropolitan area, Spain.ResultsMedian alcohol intake was 142 g/d; median glucose, albumin, creatinine, and bilirubin levels (mg/dl), 92, 40, 0.78, and 0.69, respectively; median AST, 41 U/l; median hemoglobin, median corpuscular volume, and platelet count, 14.1 g/dl, 94.8 fL, and 189 × 109/l, respectively; median cholesterol, triglyceride, fibrinogen, and ferritin levels, 187 mg/dl, 109.3 mg/dl, 341 mg/dl, and 177 ng/ml, respectively. In addition, 36.7% patients had an erythrocyte sedimentation rate >20 mm, 32.5% had a C‐reactive protein (CRP) level of >5 mg/l, and 10.9% were hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐positive. Median CD163, sCD14, and IL‐6 levels were 759, 1.68 × 106, and 4.37 pg/ml, respectively. On logistic regression analyses, glucose, AST, bilirubin, hemoglobin levels, and HCV infection (adjusted odds ratio [aORs]: 1.01, 1.02, 3.04, and 9.73, respectively) were associated with CD163. Glucose, AST, triglyceride, and CRP >5 mg/l (aORs: 1.02, 1.01, 1.00, and 3.49, respectively) were associated with sCD14. Alcohol consumption upon admission, MCV, total cholesterol levels, and CRP >5 mg/l (aORs: 0.99, 1.05, 0.99, and 2.56, respectively) were associated with IL‐6.ConclusionsMonocyte activation and systemic inflammation are associated with higher glucose, liver enzyme, and lipid levels, HCV infections, and CRP of >5 mg/l, thus potentially identifying patients with AUD at high risk of midterm poor outcomes.
Pre‐eclampsia is associated with reduced resolvin D1 and maresin 1 to leukotriene B4 ratios in the plasma
Authors: Oliveira Perucci Luiza , Pereira Santos Talita Adriana , Campi Santos Patrícia , Ribeiro Teixeira Lívia Cristina , Nessralla Alpoim Patrícia , Braga Gomes Karina , Pires Sousa Lirlândia , Sant'Ana Dusse Luci Maria , Talvani André 
Published: November 2019

AbstractProblemOmega‐3 and omega‐6 fatty acids can be endogenously converted into mediators with pro‐inflammatory (eg, leukotriene B4/LTB4) or anti‐inflammatory/pro‐resolving activities (eg, resolvin D1/RvD1 and maresin 1/MaR1). Recent data indicate an imbalance of LTB4 and MaR1 levels in pre‐eclampsia (PE), but the relative production of these mediators, including RvD1, and the role of these mediators in the disease pathogenesis remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the plasma levels of LTB4, RvD1, and MaR1 in pregnant women with or without PE and non‐pregnant controls and their association with clinical/laboratory parameters of PE women.Method of studyLTB4, RvD1, and MaR1 plasma levels were measured by competitive enzyme immunoassay in 19 non‐pregnant, 20 normotensive pregnant, and 21 PE women.ResultsPlasma concentrations of LTB4 were higher and RvD1 were lower in PE women than in normotensive pregnant women, who presented higher levels of LTB4 and similar levels of RvD1 to non‐pregnant women. MaR1 levels did not differ among the groups. Pre‐eclampsia women had decreased RvD1/LTB4 and MaR1/LTB4 ratios. Considering only the PE group, positive correlations were observed among all the mediators tested, between LTB4 and white blood cell count and between RvD1 and creatinine levels. However, all lipid mediators correlated negatively with body mass index before pregnancy. LTB4 also correlated negatively with maternal age.ConclusionOur findings suggest that the PE state results in systemic overproduction of LTB4 in relation to RvD1 and MaR1, and that these lipid mediators may be involved with the disease pathogenesis.