bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Upregulated toll-like receptors 2 and 4 expression underlies delayed diabetic wound healing
Authors: Bajpai Surabhi , Dhayani Ashish , Vemula Praveen Kumar , Mishra Rakesh 
Published: April 2019

AbstractDiabetes is marked by delayed wound healing response and prolonged phase of inflammation. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are the key pathogen recognition receptors known to regulate inflammation in wound healing. Therefore, we aim to investigate the role of TLRs in delayed healing of diabetic wounds. TLR (1-9) expression studies were conducted using J774 macrophage cell line. Further, primary macrophages were isolated from wound tissues of db/db mice, subjected to RT-PCR and western blot analysis. The RT-PCR expression of TLRs revealed that expression of TLR2, TLR4, TLR5, TLR6, TLR7 and TLR8 were significantly upregulated in macrophage cells, cultured in high glucose medium. Expression of TLR 1-9 were significantly upregulated in wound tissues of db/db mice. However, TLR1, TLR2 and TLR4, TLR6, TLR7 were only found upregulated in the primary macrophages. Only TLR2 and TLR4 exhibited significantly increased protein expression. Further, TLR2 and TLR4 inhibition by OxPAPC (1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine) impregnated hydrogels, resulted in a significantly increased rate of wound healing in db/db mice via decreasing the significant levels of TNF-α and IL-1β. These results show that increased TLR 2 and TLR 4 expression underlies delayed wound healing in diabetes and a hydrogel impregnated with OxPAPC may be a promising therapeutic strategy for the management of diabetic wounds. Our study goes closer in understanding the molecular mechanism and provides a novel treatment method in diabetic wounds.
Protein engineering expands the effector recognition profile of a rice NLR immune receptor
Authors: De la Concepcion JC , Franceschetti M , Terauchi R , Kamoun S , Banfield MJ 
Published: April 2019

AbstractPlant NLR receptors detect pathogen effectors and initiate an immune response. Since their discovery, NLRs have been the focus of protein engineering to improve disease resistance. However, this has proven challenging, in part due to their narrow response specificity. Here, we used structure-guided engineering to expand the response profile of the rice NLR Pikp to variants of the rice blast pathogen effector AVR-Pik. A mutation located within an effector binding interface of the integrated Pikp-HMA domain increased the binding affinity for AVR-Pik variants in vitro and in vivo. This translates to an expanded cell death response to AVR-Pik variants previously unrecognized by Pikp in planta. Structures of the engineered Pikp-HMA in complex with AVR-Pik variants revealed the mechanism of expanded recognition. These results provide a proof-of-concept that protein engineering can improve the utility of plant NLR receptors where direct interaction between effectors and NLRs is established, particularly via integrated domains.
piRNA-guided co-transcriptional silencing coopts nuclear export factors
Authors: Fabry Martin H. , Ciabrelli Filippo , Munafò Marzia , Eastwood Evelyn L. , Kneuss Emma , Falciatori Ilaria , Falconio Federica A. , Hannon Gregory J. , Czech Benjamin 
Published: April 2019

SummaryThe PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway is a small RNA-based immune system that controls the expression of transposons and maintains genome integrity in animal gonads. In Drosophila, piRNA-guided silencing is achieved, in part, via co-transcriptional repression of transposons by Piwi. This depends on Panoramix (Panx); however, precisely how an RNA binding event silences transcription remains to be determined. Here we show that Nuclear Export Factor 2 (Nxf2) and its cofactor, Nxt1, form a complex with Panx and are required for co-transcriptional silencing of transposons in somatic and germline cells of the ovary. Tethering of Nxf2 or Nxt1 to RNA results in silencing of target loci and the concomitant accumulation of repressive chromatin marks. Nxf2 and Panx proteins are mutually required for proper localization and stability. We mapped the protein domains crucial for the Nxf2/Panx complex formation and show that the amino-terminal portion of Panx is sufficient to induce transcriptional silencing.
Nuclear deformation and anchorage defect induced by DCM mutants in lamin A
Authors: Bera Manindra , Kumar Rinku , Sinha Bidisha , Sengupta Kaushik 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACTDilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the different types of laminopathies caused by the mutations in A-type lamins in somatic cells. The involuntary cyclic stretching of cardiac muscle cells, as observed in normal physiological conditions is perturbed in DCM which afflict patients globally. As A-type lamins are principal components in nuclear mechanics, we have investigated the effect of the DCM causing mutants- K97E, E161K and R190W on nuclear stretching and deformation by static and dynamic strain inducing experiments. All the mutants exhibited differential nuclear structural aberrations along with a tilt in the nuclear axis compared to the direction of the cell axis and a significant decrease in the lamina thickness which reflected the lower mechanical rigidity. These phenotypes could potentially lead to defects in nuclear anchorage to the actin filaments thereby resulting in the misshapen and misaligned nucleus.
A qualitative study of Irish parents’ views on hippotherapy, including its influence on their children’s home-based occupations
Authors: O’Mahony Rachel , Connolly Emma , Hynes Patrick 
Published: April 2019

PurposeHippotherapy is an emerging area of paediatric occupational therapy practice in Ireland. It is a treatment strategy used by specially trained occupational therapy practitioners, physical therapists and speech language pathologists as part of the intervention programme to facilitate functional gains. This paper aims to explore parents’ perspectives on children’s participation in home-based occupations following hippotherapy treatment.Design/methodology/approachQualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight participants. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. In accordance with thematic analysis, line-by-line coding was completed to identify codes. Codes were organised into categories, which were grouped to develop themes.FindingsThree core themes were identified: lack of knowledge regarding hippotherapy as an occupational therapy intervention; children’s increased participation in home-based occupations secondary to improved physical, psychological, communication and social skills; and the unique hippotherapy environment as a motivating factor for children to engage in occupational therapy intervention.Originality/valueFindings from this study support the growing body of evidence that hippotherapy is an effective means of intervention for increasing physical, psychological, social and communication skills. The participants report positive effects following hippotherapy on their children’s participation in home-based occupations. It highlights a link between the unique hippotherapy environment and children’s increased engagement in occupational therapy. Given that no published hippotherapy-specific literature related to occupational therapy exists in the Irish context, and given that hippotherapy is an emerging area of practice in Ireland, this paper contributes to the knowledge base.
Predictors of academic honesty and success in domestic and international occupational therapy students
Authors: Brown Ted , Isbel Stephen , Logan Alexandra , Etherington Jamie 
Published: April 2019

PurposeAcademic integrity is the application of honest, ethical and responsible behaviours to all facets of students’ scholarly endeavours and is the moral code of academia. The international literature reports the prevalence of academic dishonesty in higher education across many disciplines (including the health sciences), and there is evidence linking academic dishonesty in health professional students with future unprofessional behaviour in the workplace. International students are reported to be a particularly vulnerable group. This paper aims to investigate the factors that may be predictive of academic honesty and performance in domestic and international occupational therapy students.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 701 participants (603 domestic students; 98 international students) were recruited from five Australian universities, and data were collected via a two-part self-report questionnaire. ANOVA and multi-linear regression analyses with bootstrapping were completed.FindingsTendency towards cheating and self-perception tendency towards dishonesty in research, gender, age and hours spent in indirect study were found to be statistically significant predictors of academic integrity and performance.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations of this study were the use of convenience sampling and self-report scales which can be prone to social desirability bias. Further studies are recommended to explore other potential predictors of academic honesty and performance in occupational therapy students.Originality/valueA range of predictors of academic honesty and success were found that will assist educators to target vulnerable domestic and international occupational therapy students as well as address deficiencies in academic integrity through proactive strategies.
The determinants of Sub-Saharan African attitudes towards Chinese FDI
Authors: Larue Patrick 
Published: April 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand the reasons why individuals in Sub-Saharan African countries may be more supportive or more opposed to rising foreign direct investment (FDI) from China. As Chinese FDI continues to increase throughout Africa, African populations are consistently found to be supportive, sceptical or at time hostile. Previous literature has shown that the attitudes of individuals towards different classes of rights protections is a significant predictor of individual attitudes. This paper explores this question in greater detail, providing academics and policymakers insight into how individual attitudes are derived.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses large-N statistical methods (ordered logit regression) aimed at accurately unpacking the relationship between individuals affinity towards rights protections and attitudes towards Chinese FDI. The paper uses over 40,000 responses from 36 countries to explain this relationship, where updated survey questions more accurately address the key questions of interest.

Findings
Based on updated survey data, the results of this paper show that an individual’s affinity for a particular class of rights protection is not a significant predictor of attitudes towards Chinese FDI.

Originality/value
The value of this paper is in its contradiction to the previous literature. While others have examined this very question, academics have been limited due to the marginally relevant questions found in survey instruments. With updated questions in the newest round of Afrobarometer surveys that are more appropriate given this specific research question, this paper provides a new conclusion to a question that is only becoming more pressing in today's global economic climate.
Supply chain vulnerability: contributions from an edifying case study
Authors: Ruel Salomée , Shaaban Sabry , Ducros Margaux 
Published: April 2019

PurposeCompanies today observe an increase in the complexity and vulnerability of their supply chains (SCs) as a result of global scale networks and a turbulent environment. The purpose of this paper is to explore knowledge management (KM) as a potential way of reducing SC vulnerability and answer the following question: how does inter-organisational KM influence efforts to reduce SC vulnerability?Design/methodology/approachDrawing on the resource-based view and the knowledge-based view (KBV), a single case study in the energy industry is conducted by collecting various data through interviews, observations and internal documents.FindingsThis edifying case study indicates that a lack of KM hinders any attempt to mitigate SC vulnerability.Research limitations/implicationsThis research shows several limitations such as data privacy, generalisation and the decision to study an atypical SC.Practical implicationsThe paper points out in a dedicated section the key actions a company should take in order to develop the required characteristics of knowledge expressed in the KBV.Originality/valueThis is the first qualitative research that investigates the relationships between SC vulnerability and KM, and more particularly in a recycling context where a strong research gap exists.
Coordinating regulatory agencies for improved tourism policy in Tanzania
Authors: Charles Goodluck 
Published: April 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the institutional challenges of coordinating regulatory agencies and the costs associated with compliance requirements in Tanzania’s tourist industry.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on qualitative research conducted in the northern tourism circuit of Tanzania. Data were generated through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with owner-managers of tourism enterprises, heads of regulatory agencies and leaders of business associations (n=60). The findings were analysed through triangulating the data from various sources to establish emerging themes and patterns in accordance with the theoretical underpinnings and research objectives.FindingsThe findings show that tourism enterprises are governed by a multitude of national, sub-national and sectoral institutions mandated to impose several taxes, fees and levies on enterprises. As a result, tourism enterprises are required to obtain duplicate licences and are subjected to uncoordinated inspections. The poor treatment by regulatory agencies, the unclear basis for estimating taxes and levies, inadequate tax education and closure of businesses were also reported as key regulatory challenges. Most challenges emerge from agentification of the public sector and the lack of a legal framework in which to formally facilitate coordination and information sharing amongst government agencies.Practical implicationsThe paper proposes streamlining the functions of divergent institutions governing the industry by increasing intergovernmental coordination through delegating some functions, sharing information and enforcing formal inter-ministerial and cross-government consultation structures.Originality/valueThis paper adds value to previous regulatory assessments by empirically analysing the specific sector and showing how the principal–agent relationship for the public sector can be improved through enforcing coordination of the multiple agencies governing the tourist industry.
Expanding the toolbox of nutrient limitation studies: A novel method of soil microbial in‐growth bags to evaluate nutrient demands in tropical forests
Authors: Camenzind Tessa , Scheu Stefan , Rillig Matthias C. 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Ecosystem processes and the organisms involved are generally limited by the availability of one or more elements in soil, an important phenomenon to consider for our understanding of ecosystem functioning and future changes. Especially in tropical forests, typically growing on nutrient depleted soils, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) or other limitations are assumed. However, large‐scale nutrient manipulation experiments revealed complex site‐specific patterns and several authors raised the need for novel approaches to reveal deeper mechanistic insights on limitation patterns, especially concerning soil microbial activity.

In order to gain such deeper knowledge, based on a short review of previous small‐scale studies focusing on soil micro‐organisms, we developed an experimental approach which controls for common biases, including indirect treatment effects, addition of co‐elements or nutrient pulses. Using this technique, we tested the hypotheses that fungi growing in tropical forest soils are mainly limited by P and that N versus P limitations shift along an altitudinal gradient.

Mesh bags of 38 μm filled with sand were amended with weak ion exchange resins loaded with N, P or potassium (K) and buried underneath the litter layer at three altitudinal sites in southern Ecuador. After a period of four months, the in‐growth of fungal hyphae was quantified, phospholipid fatty acids were analysed for a subset of samples, and chemical properties were determined.

In line with the first hypothesis, hyphal abundance was increased in P‐amended mesh bags, indicating P limitation. However, this pattern was not significantly shifted along the altitudinal gradient. By contrast, N addition increased hyphal abundance at the lowest site, compared to significant reductions at 2,000 and 3,000 m—not only in fungi but also in bacterial abundance as indicated by PLFA analyses, contradicting common soil‐age hypotheses. Decreased nutrient immobilization and fungal in‐growth at higher elevations suggest slow microbial activity, including nitrification, which may have caused toxic ammonium accumulation.

The experimental design offers a promising tool to provide more mechanistic and soil‐focused analyses specifically targeting microbes, which in this system strongly supported the hypothesis of primary fungal P limitation in tropical forest soils.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Bilateral Trade Performance in West Africa: A Gravity Model Estimation
Authors: Osabuohien Evans S. , Efobi Uchenna R. , Odebiyi John T. , Fayomi Oluyemi O. , Salami Adeleke O. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThis study provides empirical insights on the functioning of regional trade agreements within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) by identifying bilateral trade barriers that affect the extent of trade flows among member countries. Also, it highlights some trade barrier indicators that are rarely covered in extant studies, such as the multilateral resistance term, the extent of trade complementarity, and the presence of economic integration agreements among ECOWAS member countries. We then provide augmented gravity model estimation on the determinants of bilateral trade in the region. We find, among other things, that trade complementarity had a positive and significant effect on bilateral trade within the sub‐region region. Other important determinants of intra‐regional trade include multilateral trade resistance and economic integration agreements — meaning that countries with some kind of agreement like the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) tend to trade more among themselves than other member countries.
What is the Norway Model? Mode of Affiliation or Political Compromise?
Authors: Fossum John Erik 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBrexit is a high‐stakes political process, but there is still no clear understanding of the political factors that underpin the various affiliation modes that the UK is currently debating. These are treated as quite static constructs, with emphasis on legal detail not the political and societal conditions that make them operate. What does the inclusion of the UK in the European Economic Area (EEA) agreement—which is the core component of the Norway model—do to that arrangement, itself a domestic Norwegian compromise? Will the arrangement continue to function, or will the UK's presence fundamentally alter or even abrogate the arrangement? This article spells out the specific political presuppositions that the Norway model rests on, and notes that the UK cannot emulate these. In addition, it argues that the more closely attached to the EEA agreement the UK is, the more precarious the arrangement will be.
Enhancement of the Textural and Gel Properties of Frankfurters by Adding Thermo‐reversible or Thermo‐irreversible Curdlan Gels
Authors: Jiang Shuai , Cao Chuan‐ai , Xia Xiu‐fang , Liu Qian , Kong Bao‐hua 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe influence of different addition levels (0.1% to 0.5%) of thermo‐reversible curdlan gels (TRC) and thermo‐irreversible curdlan gels (TIRC) on the physicochemical and textural characteristics of frankfurters, as well as dynamic rheological properties of meat batters, was investigated. Increased percentages of TRC and TIRC were associated with lower cooking loss and quicker relaxation times, as well as superior emulsion stability, and higher L*‐values and b*‐values of frankfurters (P < 0.05). Moreover, with equal curdlan concentrations from 0.3% to 0.5%, TRC showed higher hardness and chewiness values than those with added TIRC (P < 0.05), but the gumminess, springiness, and resilience values were almost the same between each treatment (P > 0.05). The textural profile results were in strong agreement with the rheological data. Principal component analysis revealed that certain quality attributes were affected differently by the inclusion levels of TRC and TIRC. Additionally, the distinctive mechanism of the formation of the complex meat protein network by TRC or TIRC was also clarified and verified via scanning electron microscopy analysis. Further studies will investigate the molecular interactions of meat proteins with these two types of curdlan gels as a function of addition levels.Practical ApplicationCurdlan can form two different types of gels mainly depending on heating temperature, designated as thermo‐reversible curdlan gels (TRC) and thermo‐irreversible curdlan gels (TIRC), respectively. The addition of these two gels could improve the textural and gel properties of frankfurters, as well as improve the rheological profiles of meat batters. Each gel type invokes a different mechanism of influence on the formation of the complex meat protein network. Results indicate that TRC (mainly as an effective gelling agent) and TIRC (mainly as a potential fat‐mimetic) can provide distinctive frankfurter formulations catered to the requirements preferred by different consumers.
Influence of climate on individual tree growth and carbon sequestration in native‐tree plantings
Authors: Lada Hania , Yen Jian D. L. , Cunningham Shaun C. , Selwood Katherine E. , Falcke Phillip , Hodgson Jarrod C. , Mac Nally Ralph 
Published: April 2019

AbstractNative ecosystems face challenges of past and ongoing human actions, including vegetation clearance and climate change arising from greenhouse gas emissions. Reforestation is an important tool for sequestering carbon, so we sought to determine how replanted native trees responded to weather, soil conditions and planting characteristics. We measured girth growth of 13 tree species in 19 native mixed‐species plantings and one remnant in south‐eastern Australia, bimonthly from 2011 to 2016; replantings ranged between 6 and 46 years at the commencement of measurements. Band dendrometers (flexible bands that record changes in girth) were used to measure growth, with 34 measurements per tree taken over 5 years. We used outcomes from models with several plausible weather future scenarios (Dry, Wet, Wet‐to‐Dry and Average) for 25 and 50 years for tree girth, and 25 years for carbon accumulation, into the future. Woody species richness enhanced girth growth of all tree species. Higher maximum temperatures and reduced rainfall, which generally are predicted for the region over coming decades, retarded growth of nine tree species. Planting tree density had no discernible association with growth for the range of planting densities used. The most and least carbon were sequestered in Wet and Dry projections, respectively. Three Acacia spp. (N‐fixers) grew slowest and would sequester least carbon, while four species of Eucalyptus grew fastest. These measurements of growth provide critical information for land managers to guide choice in replanting strategies for carbon storage.