bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biomarker model for cancer: Development of fast LC-MS/MS method for reduced and oxidized glutathione
Authors: Nassar Ray F. , Chitralia Praneeth , Rushworth Roger , O’Donnell Charles , Gagrin Iswarya 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn recent years, there have been significant efforts devoted to countering the challenge of detecting cancer in early stages. Reduced glutathione (GSH) plays an important role in the antioxidant system and is required for the maintenance of the redox status of the cell, defense against free radicals and detoxification of toxic compounds. GSH may be converted to oxidized glutathione (GSSG) during the oxidative stress that it regularly undergoes when combating cancer cells. Therefore, the ratio of GSH to the total amount of glutathione can be an extremely useful biomarker for detecting cancer. However, there has yet to be an effective method of detecting and quantifying glutathione in cells, making it extremely difficult to use as a biomarker. In this study, we have created an effective method of detecting both forms of glutathione, utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The analysis time took less than 1 minute, and we were able to quantify both GSH and GSSG in one method. The limit of quantitation is 1 ng/mL, and we ran three trials, each examining a range of concentrations, from 1 to 500 ng/ml of GSH and GSSG. Results were calculated using peak area ratios, using HPLC-MS/MS technology, we were able to determine both the amounts of GSH and GSSG in a single method, creating a fast, reliable, non-invasive, and cost-effective method of testing early stages of cancer.
Remote control of CAR T cell therapies by thermal targeting
Authors: Miller Ian C. , Sun Lee-Kai , Harris Adrian M. , Gamboa Lena , Zamat Ali , Kwong Gabriel A. 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTThe limited ability to control anti-tumor activity within tumor sites contributes to poor CAR T cell responses against solid malignancies. Systemic delivery of biologic drugs such as cytokines can augment CAR T cell activity despite off-target toxicity in healthy tissues that narrows their therapeutic window. Here we develop a platform for remote control of CAR T therapies by thermal targeting. To enable CAR T cells to respond to heat, we construct synthetic thermal gene switches that trigger expression of transgenes in response to mild elevations in local temperature (40–42 °C) but not to orthogonal cellular stresses such as hypoxia. We show that short pulses of heat (15–30 min) lead to more than 60-fold increases in gene expression without affecting key T cell functions including proliferation, migration, and cytotoxicity. We demonstrate thermal control of broad classes of immunostimulatory agents including CARs, Bispecific T cell Engagers (BiTEs), and cytokine superagonists to enhance proliferation and cell targeting. In mouse models of adoptive transfer, photothermal targeting of intratumoral CAR T cells to control the production of an IL-15 superagonist significantly enhances anti-tumor activity and overall survival. We envision that thermal targeting could improve the safety and efficacy of next-generation therapies by allowing remote control of CAR T cell activity.
IPSC-derived midbrain astrocytes from Parkinson’s disease patients carrying pathogenicSNCAmutations exhibit alpha-synuclein aggregation, mitochondrial fragmentation and excess calcium release
Authors: Barbuti Peter A. , Antony Paul , Novak Gabriella , Larsen Simone B. , Berenguer-Escuder Clara , Santos Bruno FR. , Massart Francois , Grossmann Dajana , Shiga Takahiro , Ishikawa Kei-ichi , Akamatsu Wado , Finkbeiner Steven , Hattori Nobutaka , Krüger Rejko 
Published: April 2020

AbstractParkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by the loss of A9 midbrain dopaminergic neurons and the accumulation of alpha-synuclein aggregates in remaining neurons. Many studies of the molecular and cellular basis of neurodegeneration in PD have made use of iPSC-derived neurons from patients with familial PD mutations. However, approximately half of the cells in the brain are glia, and their role facilitating neurodegeneration is unclear. We developed a novel serum-free protocol to generate midbrain astrocytes from patient-derived iPSCs harbouring the pathogenic p.A30P, p.A53T mutations inSNCA, as well as duplication and triplication of theSNCAlocus. In our cellular model, aggregates of alpha-synuclein occurred only within the GFAP+astrocytes carrying the pathogenicSNCAmutations. Assessment of spontaneous cytosolic calcium (Ca2+) release using Fluo4 revealed thatSNCAmutant astrocytes released excess Ca2+compared to controls. Unbiased evaluation of 3D mitochondrial morphometric parameters showed that theseSNCAmutant astrocytes had increased mitochondrial fragmentation and decreased mitochondrial connectivity compared to controls, and reduced mitochondrial bioenergetic function. This comprehensive assessment of different pathogenicSNCAmutations derived from PD patients using the same cellular model enabled assessment of the mutation effect, showing that p.A53T and triplication astrocytes were the most severely affected. Together, our results indicate that astrocytes harbouring the familial PD mutations inSNCAare dysfunctional, suggesting a contributory role for dysfunctional astrocytes in the disease mechanism and pathogenesis of PD.Table of Contents ImageMain PointsWe used a novel serum-free protocol to generate midbrain-specific functional astrocytes from Parkinson’s disease patients carrying pathological mutations inSNCAPatient-derived astrocytes show morphological and functional impairments
A near-chromosome level genome assembly ofAnopheles stephensi
Authors: Chida Afiya Razia , Ravi Samathmika , Jayaprasad Suvratha , Paul Kiran , Saha Jaysmita , Suresh Chinjusha , Whadgar Saurabh , Kumar Naveen , Rao K Raksha , Ghosh Chaitali , Choudhary Bibha , Subramani Suresh , Srinivasan Subhashini 
Published: April 2020

AbstractMalaria remains a major healthcare risk to growing economies like India and a chromosome-level reference genome ofAnopheles stephensiis critical for successful vector management and an understanding of vector evolution. We report a chromosome-level assembly of an Indian strain from draft genomes of two strains using a homology-based iterative approach. The resulting assembly with an L50 of 9 had long enough scaffolds for building 90% of the three chromosomes using physical markers. The sequencing of individuals reveals a genetic diversity ten times higher than what is reported. Based on the developmental transcriptome and orthology of the 54 olfactory receptors (ORs) to those of otherAnophelesspecies, we identify olfactory receptors with the potential for host recognition in the genusAnopheles. A comparative analysis of the genomes suggests limited inter-chromosomal gene flow and chromosomal arm switching with a potential role in adaptive radiation within the genusAnopheles.
A multiplexed work-flow for absolute quantification ofKlebsiella oxytocaNif proteins
Authors: Waite Christoph James , Battle Anya Lindstrom , Bennett Mark , Buck Martin , Schumacher Jörg 
Published: April 2020

AbstractGlobal imbalances of the nitrogen cycle are increasingly recognized as a major challenge to human development, and are exacerbated by the use of synthetic inorganic fertilizers. Biotechnology alternatives to inorganic fertilizers include biofertilisation from nitrogen fixing bacteria (diazotrophs), expressing nitrogenase and auxiliary genes (nifgenes). In order to directly quantify all twenty Nif proteins through multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) MS, we established a high throughput pipeline to generate a set ofKlebsiella oxytocaNif protein QconCATs as quantotypic standards. A stringent validation of the pipeline and QconCATs application with regards to isotopic labelling efficiency (100%), limits of detection and quantification, analyte to internal standard concentration boundaries was used for optimisation. Using three QconCATs for the measurement of 20 likely low, middle and high Nif protein abundances enabled detection of all Nif proteins, 19 of which could be accurately quantified and their variation over time monitored. Stoichiometries betweenKlebsiella oxytocaNif proteins and changes between early and late transition into diazotrophy suggest i) a temporal regulation ofnifgene cluster expression that may be linked to nitrogenase expression and maturation; ii) vast disparities in Nif protein abundances and iii) high dependency on thenifLAmaster regulator pair fornifgene expression.
Impact of expertise of audit committee chair and nomination committee chair on financial performance of firm
Authors: Chaudhry Naveed Iqbal , Roomi Muhammad Azam , Aftab Iqra 
Published: April 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of financial, monitoring and experiential expertise of audit committee chair (ACC) and HR, monitoring and experiential expertise of nomination committee chair (NCC) on the financial performance (FP) of the firm.

Design/methodology/approach
Quantitative approach was used in this study to collect data from 50 non-financial firms of Pakistan and to analyze the data through e-views for testing hypotheses.

Findings
The findings revealed that financial and monitoring expertise of ACC and experiential expertise of NCC positively influence return on assets, return on equity and the net profit margin of the firm. However, no significant influence of experiential expertise of ACC and monitoring and HR expertise of NCC on FP was found.

Research limitations/implications
The findings of this study will help firms of Pakistan to understand what expertise of their ACC and NCC can contribute to the enhancement of their FP. However, the current study examined the non-financial firms of Pakistan only.

Originality/value
Past studies have never shown the particular focus on different types of expertise of “Chairs” of nomination and audit committees in a combined research to analyze their impact on FP of firms. The present study has abridged this gap in the field of expertise of chairs of board committees so, it will open new areas of discussion for future researchers in domains of “agency theory”, “human capital theory” and corporate governance.
Fostering process innovations in construction through industry–university consortium
Authors: Lavikka Rita , Seppänen Olli , Peltokorpi Antti , Lehtovaara Joonas 
Published: April 2020

Purpose
University research efforts have not been effective in developing lasting impacts on operations management in construction because of inadequate coordination between academia and industry. This study aims to describe the development of an industry–university (IU) relationship which has enabled the conduct of practically and scientifically relevant research.

Design/methodology/approach
Design science research was carried out between 2016 and 2019 to build a consortium between a university and 17 design, construction, technology and logistics companies for enabling process innovations in construction. The consortium conducted industry-funded research on various topics, such as takt production, lean design management, prefabrication, measurement of waste and business models supported by digitalisation. The academic and practical impacts of the consortium’s research projects were investigated through a survey and in-depth company interviews.

Findings
The paper presents a conceptual model for creating an IU relationship to support scientifically and practically relevant research. The model includes network architects who mobilised consortium development and a joint governance body that developed a shared long-term vision and selected research topics based on this vision. The results show that using the model’s approach, the consortium selected research topics that have led to both academic publications and process innovations in construction.

Originality/value
Using empirical data, this study describes how to create a win-win IU innovation relationship that enables the implementation of process innovations into the construction sector and, at the same time, the conduct of scientific research in construction management.
A dynamic reliability assessment methodology of gear transmission system of wind turbine
Authors: Liu Huahan , Dong Qiang , Jiang Wei 
Published: April 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a new methodology, used for dynamic reliability analysis of a gear transmission system (GTS) of wind turbine (WT), which could be used for assembly decision-making of the parts with errors to improve the GTS’s performance.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper involves the dynamic and dynamic reliability analysis of a GTS. The history curves of dynamic responses of the parts are obtained with the developed gear-bearing coupling dynamic model considering the random errors, failure dependency and random load. Then, the surrogate models of the mean and standard deviation of responses are presented by statistics, rain flow counting method and corrected-partial least squares regression response surface method. Further, a novel dynamic reliability model based on the maximum extreme theory, a theory of sequential statistics, equivalent principles and the inverse transform theory of random variable sampling, is developed to overcome the limitations of traditional methods.

Findings
The dynamic reliability of GTS considering the different impact factors are evaluated. The proposed reliability methodology not only overcomes the limitations associated with traditional approaches but also provides good guidance to assembly the parts in a GTS to its best performance.

Originality/value
Instead of constant errors, this paper considers the randomness of the impact factors to develop the dynamic reliability model. Further, instead of the limitation of the normal distribution of the random parameters in the traditional method, the proposed methodology can deal with the problems with non-normal distribution parameters, which is more suitable for the real engineering problems.
Patternmaking for middle-aged women's swimsuit applying 3D scan pattern development
Authors: Han Hyunjung , Han Hyunsook , Kim Taehoon 
Published: April 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose the swimsuit patternmaking method suitable for the body shapes of middle-aged women and to propose the swimsuit pattern development procedures that enable automated swimsuit patternmaking.Design/methodology/approachTo propose the patternmaking method of the swimsuit, which is suitable for the body shape of middle-aged women, the swimsuit patterns were developed in three stages in this study. The measurements of the middle-aged woman body model were compared with the size of the developed pattern in each stage, and the optimal stretch rate of the fabric was defined. In total, 22 items were used for size analysis of developed patterns in each stage.FindingsThe swimsuit patternmaking method proposed in this study was derived by considering the body shapes of middle-aged women, desired design and fabric characteristics. Also, a series of processes, including obtaining a raw pattern from the surface of the three-dimensional (3D) human body, designing patterns by the expert, evaluating patterns, drafting the final pattern and the final patternmaking method, was presented.Practical implicationsThis study has great significance to provide a manual of swimsuit patternmaking for middle-aged women, which has high tightness and movement compatibility.Originality/valueThe swimsuit patternmaking method proposed in this study is relatively simple because it is based on the human body measurements and delivers the lines and the calculated values clearly and objectively rather than the patterner's intuition does so that it is suitable for the automation of the swimsuit patternmaking for the middle-aged women.
Numerical modelling of the interaction between eccrine sweat and textile fabric for the development of smart clothing
Authors: Stephenson Ted , Carvalho Ellero Caio , Sebastia-Saez Daniel , Klymenko Oleksiy , Maria Battley Angela , Arellano-Garcia Harvey 
Published: April 2020

PurposeLive non-invasive monitoring of biomarkers is of great importance for the medical community. Moreover, some studies suggest that there is a substantial business gap in the development of mass-production commercial sweat-analysing wearables with great revenue potential. The objective of this work is to quantify the concentration of biomarkers that reaches the area of the garment where a sensor is positioned to advance the development of commercial sweat-analysing garments.Design/methodology/approachComputational analysis of the microfluidic transport of biomarkers within eccrine sweat glands provides a powerful way to explore the potential for quantitative measurements of biomarkers that can be related to the health and/or the physical activity parameters of an individual. The numerical modelling of sweat glands and the interaction of sweat with a textile layer remain however rather unexplored. This work presents a simulation of the production of sweat in the eccrine gland, reabsorption from the dermal duct into the surrounding skin and diffusion within an overlying garment.FindingsThe model represents satisfactorily the relationship between the biomarker concentration and the flow rate of sweat. The biomarker distribution across an overlying garment has also been calculated and subsequently compared to the minimum amount detectable by a sensor previously reported in the literature. The model can thus be utilized to check whether or not a given sensor can detect the minimum biomarker concentration threshold accumulated on a particular type of garment.Originality/valueThe present work presents to the best of our knowledge, the earliest numerical models of the sweat gland carried out so far. The model describes the flow of human sweat along the sweat duct and on to an overlying piece of garment. The model considers complex phenomena, such as reabsorption of sweat into the skin layers surrounding the duct, and the structure of the fibres composing the garment. Biomarker concentration maps are obtained to check whether sensors can detect the threshold concentration that triggers an electric signal. This model finds application in the development of smart textiles.
Impact of transactional, relational and balanced contract on affective commitment
Authors: Singh Nishant , Tyagi Harsha , Bamel Umesh 
Published: April 2020

PurposeThis paper is aimed at examining the impact of three types of psychological contracts such as transactional, relational and balanced contract on affective commitment by keeping meaningful work (MFW) as a mediator in this relationship.Design/methodology/approachThe data of 355 employees was collected from the large heavy Indian manufacturing organizations. The mediation path was analyzed through SPSS macro computational tool, i.e. PROCESS.FindingsThe result suggests that MFW partially mediates the relationship between all three types of psychological contract and affective commitment.Originality/valueThe study adds value to research in organizational behavior and human psychology by providing new insights on employee-employer relationships, MFW, and commitment.
How consumer-based brand equity relates to market share of global and local brands in developed and emerging countries
Authors: Zarantonello Lia , Grappi Silvia , Formisano Marcello , Brakus Josko 
Published: April 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between consumer-based brand equity (CBBE) – conceptualized as consisting of brand awareness, perceived quality, brand associations, perceived value and brand loyalty – and market share for different brand types (global versus local) in different country groups (developed versus emerging).Design/methodology/approachThis paper combines consumer–survey-based data, experts' coding and retail panel data of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) brands in 29 countries.FindingsIn developed countries, the relationship between each CBBE component (except for brand associations) with market share is stronger for local than global brands. In emerging countries, the relationship between each CBBE component with market share is stronger for global than local brands.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper contributes to better understanding the relationships between CBBE and market share by showing how CBBE components relate to market share for different brand types (global and local) in different country groups (developed and emerging). Limitations arise from constraints related to existing datasets (e.g. limited number of variables and type of product categories considered).Practical implicationsThis paper offers insights to managers working in multinational FMCG companies, as it suggests which CBBE components relate more strongly to the global or local brands' market shares in different countries.Originality/valueThis paper analyzes the relationship between CBBE and market share by focusing on different brand types (global versus local) in different country groups (developed versus emerging). It does so by using a company dataset and showing correspondence with conceptualizations and measures of brand equity from the academic literature. It also considers a large set of 29 countries, extending research beyond national boundaries.
Cloud computing technology adoption: an evaluation of key factors in local governments
Authors: Ali Omar , Shrestha Anup , Osmanaj Valmira , Muhammed Shahnawaz 
Published: April 2020

PurposeThe significance of cloud services in information technology (IT) is increasing as a means of achieving enhanced productivity, efficiency and cost reduction. Through cloud-based service, the reliability and scalability of an organization’s systems can be enhanced since organizations such as local governments are able to concentrate on their main business strategies. This research seeks to identify critical factors that may have an impact on the acceptance of cloud-based services, where the organizational context is based on local governments in Australia.Design/methodology/approachTo formulate a more comprehensive IT innovation adoption model for cloud technology, factors from the technology-organizational-environment framework, desires framework and diffusion of innovation model were integrated. Data was obtained from 480 IT staff working in 47 local government organizations.FindingsThe research results show that the factors which had a statistically significant and positive impact on the adoption of cloud-based services in local governments were compatibility, complexity, cost, security concerns, expected benefits and organization size. It is likely that the outcomes from this research will provide insights to any organization seeking to make investment decisions on the adoption of cloud-based services.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations include generalizability of the findings since the data is restricted to local government areas in Queensland, Australia. Further, the sample mostly included individuals with managerial positions and may not completely capture the cloud adoption factors relevant for front line IT employees. Another limitation is the possible omission of factors that may be relevant but not considered due to the selected theories. Lastly, this research did not differentiate between different types of cloud adoption such as private, public, community and hybrid models that are possible in this context.Originality/valueThe paper provides a combination framework of cloud-based service adoption based on a literature review on cloud adoption from an IS perspective. It adapts integrated model to establish a more comprehensive innovation adoption framework for cloud technology.