bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The structure and function of the sucker systems of hill stream loaches
Authors: Willis Jay , Burt de Perera Theresa , Newport Cait , Poncelet Guillaume , Sturrock Craig J , Thomas Adrian 
Published: November 2019

AbstractHill stream loaches (familyBalitoridaeandGastromyzontidae) are thumb-sized fish that effortlessly exploit environments where flow rates are so high that potential competitors would be washed away. To cope with these extreme flow rates hill stream loaches have evolved adaptations to stick to the bottom, equivalent to the downforce generating wings and skirts of F1 racing cars, and scale architecture reminiscent of the drag-reducing riblets of Mako sharks. Hill stream loaches exhibit far more diverse flow-modifying morphological features than fast pelagic predators, suggesting as yet unknown drag reducing systems remain to be discovered. Here we describe the skeletal structure ofSewellia lineolataandGastromyzon punctulatusand contrast that with other fish that face similar hydrodynamic challenges. We identify a major structural variation withinBalitoridaepelvic sucker attachment positions which may explain fundamental constraints on the parallel development of different genera and which has not been described before. We also use high speed video capture, CT scans and Frustrated Total Internal Reflection to image and measure the sucker system in live operation and describe how it functions on a familiar activity for hill stream loaches (climbing waterfalls). We show how they can drag 3 to 4 times their own bodyweight up a vertical glass waterfall. Adaptations to high flow rates are the inspiration for this study, because there are many engineering applications where the ability to deal with high flow rates are important - either by reducing drag, or by generating the forces needed to hold an animal in place.
Axon-dependent expression of YAP/TAZ mediates Schwann cell remyelination but not proliferation after nerve injury
Authors: Grove Matthew , Lee Hyunkyoung , Zhao Huaqing , Son Young-Jin 
Published: November 2019

ABSTRACTPreviously we showed that YAP/TAZ promote not only proliferation but also differentiation of immature Schwann cells (SCs), thereby forming and maintaining the myelin sheath around peripheral axons (Grove et al., 2017). Here we show that YAP/TAZ are required for mature SCs to restore peripheral myelination, but not to proliferate, after nerve injury. We find that YAP/TAZ dramatically disappear from SCs of adult mice concurrent with axon degeneration after nerve injury. They reappear in SCs only if axons regenerate. YAP/TAZ ablation does not impair SC proliferation or transdifferentiation into growth promoting repair SCs. SCs lacking YAP/TAZ, however, fail to upregulate myelin-associated genes and completely fail to remyelinate regenerated axons. We also show that both YAP and TAZ are redundantly required for optimal remyelination. These findings suggest that axons regulate transcriptional activity of YAP/TAZ in adult SCs and that YAP/TAZ are essential for functional regeneration of peripheral nerve.
Predator complementarity dampens variability of phytoplankton biomass in a diversity-stability trophic cascade
Authors: Rakowski Chase J. , Farrior Caroline E. , Manning Schonna R. , Leibold Mathew A. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractTrophic cascades – indirect effects of predators that propagate down through food webs – have been extensively documented. It has also been shown that predator diversity can mediate these trophic cascades, and separately, that herbivore biomass can influence the stability of primary producers. However, whether predator diversity can cause cascading effects on the stability of lower trophic levels has not yet been studied. We conducted a laboratory microcosm experiment and a field mesocosm experiment manipulating the presence and coexistence of two heteropteran predators and measuring their effects on zooplankton herbivores and phytoplankton basal resources. We predicted that if the predators partitioned their zooplankton prey, for example by size, then co-presence of the predators would reduce zooplankton prey mass and lead to 1) increased average values and 2) decreased temporal variability of phytoplankton basal resources. We present evidence that the predators partitioned their zooplankton prey, leading to a synergistic suppression of zooplankton; and that in turn, this suppression of zooplankton reduced the variability of phytoplankton biomass. However, mean phytoplankton biomass was unaffected. Our results demonstrate that predator diversity may indirectly stabilize basal resource biomass via a “diversity-stability trophic cascade,” seemingly dependent on predator complementarity, but independent of a classic trophic cascade in which average biomass is altered. Therefore predator diversity, especially if correlated with diversity of prey use, could play a role in regulating ecosystem stability. Furthermore, this link between predator diversity and producer stability has implications for potential biological control methods for improving the reliability of crop yields.
Activation of GPR56, a novel adhesion GPCR, is necessary for nuclear androgen receptor signaling in prostate cells
Authors: Singh Julie Pratibha , Dagar Manisha , Dagar Gunjan , Rawal Sudhir , Sharma Ravi Datta , Tyagi Rakesh Kumar , Bagchi Gargi 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe androgen receptor (AR) is activated in patients with castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) despite low circulating levels of androgen, suggesting that intracellular signaling pathways and non-androgenic factors may contribute to AR activation. Many G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) and their ligands are also activated in these cells indicating a role for these in CRPC. Although a cross talk has been suggested between the two pathways, yet, the identity of GPCRs which may play a role in androgen signaling, is not established yet. We demonstrate that adhesion GPCR 205, also known as GPR56, can be activated by androgens to stimulate the Rho signaling pathway, a pathway that plays an important role in prostate tumor cell metastasis. Testosterone stimulation of GPR56 also activates the cAMP/ Protein kinase A (PKA) pathway, that is necessary for AR signaling. Knocking down the expression of GPR56 using siRNA, disrupts nuclear translocation of AR and transcription of prototypic AR target genes such as PSA. GPR56 expression is higher in all prostate tumor samples tested and cells expressing GPR56 exhibit increased proliferation. These findings provide new insights about androgen signaling and identify GPR56 as a possible therapeutic target in advanced prostate cancer patients.
Rare Rewards Amplify Dopamine Learning Responses
Authors: Rothenhoefer Kathryn M. , Hong Tao , Alikaya Aydin , Stauffer William R. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractDopamine neurons drive learning by coding reward prediction errors (RPEs), which are formalized as subtractions of predicted values from reward values. Subtractions accommodate point estimate predictions of value, such as the average value. However, point estimate predictions fail to capture many features of choice and learning behaviors. For instance, reaction times and learning rates consistently reflect higher moments of probability distributions. Here, we demonstrate that dopamine RPE responses code probability distributions. We presented monkeys with rewards that were drawn from the tails of normal and uniform reward size distributions to generate rare and common RPEs, respectively. Behavioral choices and pupil diameter measurements indicated that monkeys learned faster and registered greater arousal from rare RPEs, compared to common RPEs of identical magnitudes. Dopamine neuron recordings indicated that rare rewards amplified RPE responses. These results demonstrate that dopamine responses reflect probability distributions and suggest a neural mechanism for the amplified learning and enhanced arousal associated with rare events.
Derivatives of the antimalarial drug mefloquine are broad spectrum antifungal molecules with activity against drug-resistant clinical isolates
Authors: Montoya Marhiah C. , Beattie Sarah , Alden Kathryn M. , Krysan Damian J. 
Published: November 2019

ABSTRACTThe antifungal pharmacopeia is critically small, particularly in light of the recent emergence of multi-drug-resistant pathogens such as Candida auris. Herein, we report that derivatives of the anti-malarial drug mefloquine have broad spectrum antifungal activity against pathogenic yeasts and molds. In addition, the mefloquine derivatives have activity against clinical isolates that are resistant to one or more of the three classes of drugs currently used to treat invasive fungal infections, indicating that they have a novel mechanism of action. Importantly, the in vitro toxicity profiles using human cell lines indicate that the mefloquine derivatives are very similar to the parent mefloquine despite being up to 64-fold more active against fungal cells. In addition to direct antifungal activity, sub-inhibitory concentrations of the mefloquine derivatives inhibit the expression of virulence traits including filamentation in C. albicans and capsule formation/melanization in C. neoformans. Mode/mechanism of action experiments indicate that the mefloquine derivatives interfere with both mitochondrial and vacuolar function as part of a multi-target mechanism of action. The broad-spectrum scope of activity, blood-brain-barrier penetration, and large number of previously synthesized analogs available combine to support the further optimization and development of the antifungal activity of this general class of drug-like molecules.
Protein adlayer thickness on colloidal nanoparticle determined by Rayleigh-Gans-Debye approximation
Authors: Yuan L , Zhai Z , Chen L , Ge X , Li D , Ge G 
Published: November 2019

ABSTRACTReference materials (RM)-assisted Rayleigh-Gans-Debye approximation (rm-RGDA) has been developed and used to in situ determine the size and thickness of the adlayer on the particles in solution. The particle size determined by rm-RGDA is quite close to that measured by electron microscopy but significantly smaller than that measured by DLS. The BSA adlayer absorbed on PS50, PS100 and SiO2 NPs is 3.3, 0.9 and 1.2 nm, respectively, and close to those observed by SEM, which is 4.6, 1.3 and 3.8 nm, respectively. The FTIR analysis results show that the BSA absorbed on larger particles or hydroxyl-abundant surface, e.g. PS100 and SiO2 NPs can lose its secondary structure, e.g. α-helix, to a great extent and that absorbed on a more curve surface, e.g. smaller PS50 particles can largely preserve its secondary structure as its free state. The measurement results show the curvature of the NPs is closely related to the structure change of the adsorbed protein. This method provide a facile and new approach to measure the size and its adlayer change of the hybrid and core-shell structured nanoparticles in a wide range of wavelength.SIGNIFICANCEQuantitative study on the adsorption of the protein on colloidal nanoparticles is an important approach to understand the biophysical effect, compared with other ex situ methods such as TEM and SEM, where the specimen are undergone pre-processing and no longer the original state in measurement. It is, therefore, a big challenge. In order to cope with this challenge, UV-vis based RGDA has been developed and applied to in situ measure the size of the dispersed colloidal nanoparticles and their protein adlayer thickness, where the protein adlayer thickness on the colloidal nanoparticles can be easily determined. We believe this method provide a facile and sensitive way to in situ measure the dimension change of hybrid colloidal nanoparticles.
Islamic marketing ethics for Islamic financial institutions
Authors: Aman Ameenullah 
Published: November 2019

PurposeTo wipe out the criticism of being a replica of conventional financial institution, Islamic financial institutions (IFIs) need to comply with Islamic principles not only on financial side but also while branding and marketing their products and services. This will bring the coherence between their overall market image and core business activities. This paper aims to discuss in detail the Islamic marketing traits relevant to the IFIs for positioning and offering their products.Design/methodology/approachThis study follows the research design based on reviewing existing sources of Qura’an and Hadith, the secondary research literature on this novel topic and substantial intellectual discourse with the field experts.FindingsIt is criticized that IFIs lack the spirit of Islamic values for marketing and branding a commercial business entity. Therefore, this paper outline the differences between Islamic and conventional marketing. Also, it contributes to explain the traits of Islamic marketing mix relevant to the IFIs based on Islamic established principles.Research limitations/implicationsThis study gives valuable practical guidelines for the marketing policymakers of Islamic financial institutions. Islamic marketing mix; product, price, place and promotion, related strategies can be designed and branded keeping the true spirit of Islamic marketing values intact.Practical implicationsThis study is practically important for Islamic financial intuitions to sustain their “Islamic” image by making sure of Islamic principles in their product development, pricing, promotions and distribution.Social implicationsThe socioeconomic system is the brand of Islamic economics and finance. IFIs being the stakeholders of this brand can contribute to the well-being of the society by enhancing their acceptability with the help of divine image and operations.Originality/valueLiterature on practical Islamic marketing approach in particular to the IFIs is very limited. This study gives comprehensive findings on all the major aspects of marketing based on Islamic values for Islamic financial institutions.
Antecedents and outcomes of flow experience of MOOC users
Authors: Mulik Shrikant , Srivastava Manjari , Yajnik Nilay , Taras Vas 
Published: November 2019

Purpose
This paper aims to develop and empirically test a model of relationships between antecedents and outcomes of flow experience of users of massive open online courses (MOOC).

Design/methodology/approach
The researchers surveyed individuals primarily from India, who had enrolled in at least one MOOC offered by MOOC providers such as Coursera, edX and FutureLearn. The data were collected from 310 individuals using an online questionnaire. The partial least squares technique of structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the reliability and validity of the data, and the study’s hypothesized relationships.

Findings
The study found support for identification of telepresence, challenge and skill as antecedents of flow experience. MOOC satisfaction and MOOC usage intention were found to be the outcomes of flow experience, as hypnotized. The study also found the mediating role of MOOC satisfaction in the relationship of flow experience and MOOC usage intention.

Practical implications
The findings indicate that if the MOOC providers can orchestrate flow experience for MOOC users then that will increase the satisfaction of MOOC users, which will lead to increase in MOOC adoption.

Originality/value
The study makes the contribution towards better understanding of flow experience in the context of MOOC usage by identifying both antecedents and outcomes of flow experience. Further, it highlights the influencing role of flow experience on MOOC adoption.
EDP – Portugal’s main energy producer that everyone loved to hate
Authors: Silva Joao Carlos Marques , Azevedo Pereira José 
Published: November 2019

Research methodology
This study has used public sources, interview with one of the case protagonists.

Case overview/synopsis
This business case portrays the problems that an energy producing company faced in Portugal, in its transition from being a public company to becoming privatized. The Portuguese Government issued EDP with generous subsidies to guarantee its future profits and privatization success, but a few years later, after EDP was fully privatized, there was great political pressure to downsize such subsidies. The case describes the main steps taken by EDP from its creation and privatization, culminating at the end of 2017, where it was heavily criticized by media and political parties due to a high value of subsidies that had been granted to the company by the Portuguese Government in the past, while it was still a public company, and the renegotiation of those same subsidies after it had been privatized. EDP’s President António Mexia was under police investigation due to having led the renegotiation talks in 2007, and it was feared that EDP’s investors could refrain from investing in the company. Should EDP campaign to clear its good name, or would it be better to let the matter fall with the passing of time? Could the share value be affected? Should EDP prepare itself for loss of revenue due to an eventual downsizing of the subsidies?

Complexity academic level
This study covers energy sector, privatization issues and government support. The relevance of this study is good for use in Business Schools and MBA courses.
The practical relationship between continuous flow and lean construction in SMEs
Authors: Avelar Wallace , Meiriño Marcelo , Tortorella Guilherme Luiz 
Published: November 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the applicability of lean construction (LC) concepts and tools in necessary, but non-value-added activities (NVAA) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). The application of the lean tools in this way facilitates the flow of information and handling material, improving productivity, quality and performance. Finally, practical results motivate a discussion on the real potential of LC principles and on the challenges related to its implementation.

Design/methodology/approach
The methodology makes use of direct involvement in the environment under study. Some of the activities performed were the value stream mapping and time and motion studies of the company’s process selected, identification of wastes and the proposition of improvements to be implemented.

Findings
The main findings are related to the benefits of the application of LC not only in value-added activities but in activities that can influence the development and workforce planning, especially for SME businesses. This company should be able to achieve better management decisions and results after implementing the LC principles, overcoming the limited resources.

Originality/value
This proposed method helps in overcoming the lack of systematic procedures, enabling LC in activities that not add value properly. It has the advantage of integrating existing tools and models effectively, which not only improve the shortcomings of the conventional methods but also result in more convenient calculation and application.
Security challenges in tourism oriented economies: lessons from the Caribbean
Authors: Tarlow Peter 
Published: November 2019

Purpose
The paper aims to use the Caribbean as a backdrop in understanding the importance of tourism safety, security and surety.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper examines several Caribbean nations and these forms of tourism security enhance the visitor experience.

Findings
Good tourism security not only enhances the value of the product but also can be a major motivator to increase tourism.

Originality/value
This paper provides an overview on the importance and major security challenges in tourism oriented economies.
Lessons from companies and destinations while leading the way for sustainable development
Authors: Costa Jorge , Montenegro Mónica , Gomes João 
Published: November 2019

Purpose
This paper aims to critically review the contributions made by the authors of the papers selected for this global trends issue and to present the main lessons for tourist organizations and destinations.

Design/methodology/approach
A content analysis of the papers presented in this global trends issue was performed so as to identify the most relevant contributions made by the authors.

Findings
Despite the questions and uncertainties about the future of travel and tourism, one thing is certain – it is up to us to take a conscious, thoughtful attitude, to fully enjoy destinations while conserving the natural and built heritage for future generations.

Originality/value
A summary of the key ideas in the articles comprising this global trends issue is presented, allowing for the identification of good practices by organizations and destinations.
Emerging RHDV2 suppresses the impact of endemic and novel strains of RHDV on wild rabbit populations
Authors: Ramsey David S. L. , Cox Tarnya , Strive Tanja , Forsyth David M. , Stuart Ivor , Hall Robyn , Elsworth Peter , Campbell Susan 
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Multi‐strain, host‐disease dynamics describe a system where multiple strains of a pathogen compete for susceptible individuals of a single host. The theoretical properties of these systems have been well studied, but there are few empirical studies in wildlife hosts.

We examined the impacts of two novel strains of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) recently introduced into Australia, one inadvertently (RHDV2) and one deliberately for rabbit biocontrol (RHDV‐K5), by analysing long‐term monitoring data for introduced European rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus from 18 sites throughout Australia. We examined population‐level impacts using rabbit spotlight counts pre‐ and post‐arrival of the two strains. We also analysed serological data to determine potential interactions among the introduced and existing field strains of RHDV, as well as a pre‐existing benign strain of calicivirus (RCV‐A1).

Serological analyses suggested that RHDV2 arrived in Australia during spring 2014 and spread rapidly through the Australian rabbit population within 2 years. Following the establishment of RHDV2, rabbit abundance was reduced by an average of 60%, with impacts most pronounced in South and Western Australia. In contrast, the deliberate release of RHDV‐K5 had little impact on rabbit populations.

Although RHDV2 has spread rapidly throughout Australia, our serological analyses do not support the observation that RHDV2 is rapidly replacing existing field strains of RHDV, as was previously reported in Australia and Europe. Nevertheless, RHDV2 has negatively impacted the ability of RHDV and RCV‐A1 to spread within rabbit populations, most likely due to its ability to infect juvenile rabbits, thereby removing them from the pool of susceptible individuals available to be infected by competing strains.

Synthesis and applications. The impact of the release of a novel strain of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV‐K5) for rabbit biocontrol in Australia has been suppressed by the emergence of a competing strain, RHDV2. Hence, the success of further releases of similar RHDV strains for rabbit biocontrol appears doubtful. Despite this, RHDV2 has suppressed rabbit abundances by an average of 60%, with impacts most pronounced in South and Western Australia. Whether the incursion of RHDV2 leads to the competitive exclusion of other endemic RHDV strains remains to be resolved. However, the existence of partial cross‐immunity could allow some level of coexistence between RHDV2 and RHDV strains, at least in the medium term.