bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recombinant expression, purification and characterization of acetylated LysargiNase from Escherichia coli with high activity and stability
Authors: Zhang Junling , Zhao Mingzhi , Xiao Weidi , Chang Lei , Wang Fuqiang , Xu Ping 
Published: March 2019

RationaleLysargiNase is a novel characterized metalloprotease that can cleave the N‐terminii of lysine or arginine residues. The peptides generated by LysargiNase are just mirrors to those generated by trypsin. These characteristics of LysargiNase provide a powerful tool for mass spectrometry (MS)‐based proteomics research. A highly active and stable LysargiNase produced by an easy and inexpensive method could greatly benefit proteomics research. Here, we report the soluble recombinant expression, purification and acetyl modification of LysargiNase in Escherichia coli.MethodsThe coding sequence of LysargiNase with an enterokinase cleavage site at the N‐terminus was inserted into plasmid pGEX‐4 T‐2 and transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3). The strain was cultured in a 14‐L fermenter with a working volume of 5 L. The protein expression was induced by adding isopropyl‐β‐D‐thiogalactoside (IPTG) to a final concentration of 1 mM. The recombinant LysargiNase was loaded onto a GSTrap and an on‐column digestion was performed to remove the GST tag and was subsequently purified by chromatographic purification. In vitro acetylation of LysargiNase was performed by using acetic anhydride. The digestion efficiency and specificity of recombinant LysargiNase and acetylated LysargiNase were compared with simple protein substrate, human serum albumin (HSA), and a complex proteomic sample, yeast lysate, by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS).ResultsHighly soluble expression of recombinant LysargiNase was achieved by plasmid pGEX‐4 T‐2 in E. coli BL21 (DE3). In addition, acetylation of purified LysargiNase significantly increased its resistance to autolysis, which resulted in a more complete digestion of proteomics samples and more identified peptides and proteins by LC/MS/MS.ConclusionsIn this study, we constructed a highly soluble expression system for producing recombinant LysargiNase in E. coli, which gave tremendous advantages in the downstream purification process. We also confirmed that acetyl modification can increase the stability and activity of recombinant LysargiNase. The study provided a superior way to produce this powerful tool for proteomics research.
Understanding sustainable disaster mitigation of stakeholder engagement: Risk perception, trust in public institutions, and disaster insurance
Authors: Peng Li , Tan Jing , Lin Lei , Xu Dingde 
Published: March 2019

AbstractMany rural settlements in China's western mountainous regions are affected by mountain disasters, such as landslides and mudslides. For residents living in landslide‐prone areas, behaviors related to disaster risk mitigation (such as purchasing disaster insurance) are inevitably affected by disaster risk perception. Due to the substantial differences in disaster occurrence patterns, landslide‐related insurance research is relatively rare compared with insurance research focused on other types of natural disasters (e.g., floods and droughts). Based on the results of questionnaires administered in landslide‐prone areas in Chongqing, China, this paper uses partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS‐SEM) to investigate the relationships among the questionnaire respondents' risk perception, trust in public institutions (TPI), and willingness to buy disaster insurance (WBDI). The results reveal that risk perception and TPI directly affect WBDI. Here, competence, participation, possibility perception, and fear perception are significantly positively correlated to WBDI, whereby fear perception has the largest impact, followed by possibility perception, competence, and participation. In addition, TPI indirectly affects WBDI through risk perception. Here, competence reduces fear perception and indirectly reduces WBDI. The implications of these results for theory are discussed. This study introduces a new method to support disaster risk mitigation‐related decision making that can be useful to governments and individuals.
Early Triassic benthic invertebrates from the Great Bank of Guizhou, South China: systematic palaeontology and palaeobiology
Authors: Foster William J. , Lehrmann Daniel J. , Hirtz Jaime A. , White Mackenzie , Yu Meiyi , Li Ji , Martindale Rowan C. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractTo further our understanding of the evolution, selectivity and ecological composition of marine communities following the latest Permian mass extinction, new collections from underrepresented regions in the immediate extinction aftermath are required. Here, we provide new systematic data and the first palaeobiological account of the benthic invertebrate community from the Great Bank of Guizhou, South China. We systematically describe three brachiopod species, 26 bivalve species, 11 gastropod species, 1 microconchid and 1 crinoid species. The descriptions include 5 new species; 2 bivalve species (Hoernesia? danisae, Atomodesma? hautmanni) and 3 gastropod species (Donaldina erwini, Cossmannina alfischeri and Vernelia samae). This is the most species‐rich benthic community known so far from the extinction aftermath, which is typically characterized by a high proportion of Permian holdover genera and cosmopolitan taxa. Taxonomically, this community is different from coeval faunas with dissimilarity values >60%. Ecologically, however, this fauna is similar to faunas from the Dolomites (Italy) and East Greenland. This new data, therefore, suggests that the lower Griesbachian invertebrate faunas were taxonomically heterogeneous, whereas ecologically they were relatively homogenous. The marine community on the Great Bank of Guizhou records genera that survived the mass extinction event with some, but not all, recording a size reduction, that is, the Lilliput effect. The absence of large body fossils and the preferential survival of small species suggest that the mass extinction event was size‐selective.
Jumping bristletails (Insecta, Archaeognatha) from the Lower Cretaceous amber of Lebanon
Authors: Sánchez‐García Alba , Peñalver Enrique , Delclòs Xavier , Engel Michael S. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractJumping bristletails (order Archaeognatha), the basalmost order of extant insects, include some of the earliest fossil records among hexapods, yet their overall geological occurrence remains sparse and has provided little insight into their evolution. The earliest representatives of crown‐group bristletails are those in Lebanese amber (Cretaceous), hitherto known only from a single species. Here we significantly expand the known fossil record of Archaeognatha, and from the prolific Lower Cretaceous (Barremian) deposits of Lebanon. One new genus and species,Glaesimeinertellus intermediusgen. et sp. nov., and one new species,Macropsontus bachaesp. nov., are described and figured from Hammana amber, whereas one additionalMacropsontusspecies,M. azarisp. nov., and one meinertellid morphotype are described and figured from Al‐Rihan amber. The new taxa are compared with their modern and fossil relatives. Collectively, the new taxa render the Archaeognatha fauna from Lebanese amber the earliest with sufficient preservation to provide character data comparable to modern forms, highlighting the considerable morphological conservatism within the order.
Global well‐posedness for incompressible flow in porous media with partial diffusion or fractional diffusion
Authors: Guo Yana , Shang Haifeng 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis paper examines the equation of heat transfer with fractional diffusion or partial diffusion of an incompressible fluid in a porous medium. We establish two main results. The first result is the global regularity for the equation with partial diffusion when the norm of initial datum in is small. The second result is to show that for the supercritical case, the equation with fractional diffusion has a unique global solution provided that the norm of initial datum in the Besov space with is small.
Association between APOE e4 and white matter hyperintensity volume, but not total brain volume or white matter integrity
Authors: Lyall Donald M. , Cox Simon R. , Lyall Laura M. , Celis-Morales Carlos , Cullen Breda , Mackay Daniel F. , Ward Joey , Strawbridge Rona J. , McIntosh Andrew M. , Sattar Naveed , Smith Daniel J. , Cavanagh Jonathan , Deary Ian J. , Pell Jill P. 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
Apolipoprotein (APOE) e4 genotype is an accepted risk factor for accelerated cognitive aging and dementia, though its neurostructural substrates are unclear. The deleterious effects of this genotype on brain structure may increase in magnitude into older age. This study aimed to investigate in UK Biobank the association between APOE e4 allele presence vs. absence and brain imaging variables that have been associated with worse cognitive abilities; and whether this association varies by cross-sectional age. We used brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and genetic data from a general-population cohort: the UK Biobank (N = 8395 after exclusions). We adjusted for the covariates of age in years, sex, Townsend social deprivation scores, smoking history and cardiometabolic diseases. There was a statistically significant association between APOE e4 genotype and increased (i.e. worse) white matter (WM) hyperintensity volumes (standardised beta = 0.088, 95% confidence intervals = 0.036 to 0.139, P = 0.001), a marker of poorer cerebrovascular health. There were no associations with left or right hippocampal, total grey matter (GM) or WM volumes, or WM tract integrity indexed by fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD). There were no statistically significant interactions with age. Future research in UK Biobank utilising intermediate phenotypes and longitudinal imaging hold significant promise for this area, particularly pertaining to APOE e4’s potential link with cerebrovascular contributions to cognitive aging.
Corporate reputation and the future cost of equity
Authors: Pfister Benjamin , Schwaiger Manfred , Morath Tobias 
Published: March 2019

AbstractCorporate reputation is an important management objective, bearing the potential to create sustainable competitive advantage, and many scholars have studied its impact on firm performance. However, its effect on the cost of equity has only recently begun to attract the attention of academic research. Empirical evidence is scarce, and the results are inconclusive. Applying a validated measure of reputation, we scrutinize its impact for a set of German blue-chip companies between 2005 and 2011. We show that higher levels of reputation are associated with a lower future cost of equity. While reputation improvements are not followed by a measurable short-term effect, reputational damages lead to a significant increase in the future cost of equity within 6 months. We interpret our findings against the backdrop of the previous studies, offering several explanations for diverging results.
V2O5 Nanospheres with Mixed Vanadium Valences as High Electrochemically Active Aqueous Zinc-Ion Battery Cathode
Authors: Liu Fei , Chen Zixian , Fang Guozhao , Wang Ziqing , Cai Yangsheng , Tang Boya , Zhou Jiang , Liang Shuquan 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
A V4+-V2O5 cathode with mixed vanadium valences was prepared via a novel synthetic method using VOOH as the precursor, and its zinc-ion storage performance was evaluated. The products are hollow spheres consisting of nanoflakes. The V4+-V2O5 cathode exhibits a prominent cycling performance, with a specific capacity of 140 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at 10 A g−1, and an excellent rate capability. The good electrochemical performance is attributed to the presence of V4+, which leads to higher electrochemical activity, lower polarization, faster ion diffusion, and higher electrical conductivity than V2O5 without V4+. This engineering strategy of valence state manipulation may pave the way for designing high-performance cathodes for elucidating advanced battery chemistry.
Utility of CT and MRI in assessment of mandibular involvement in oral cavity cancer
Authors: Nae Andreea , O'Leary Gerard , Feeley Linda , Fives Cassie , Fitzgerald Brendan , Chiriac Elena , Sheahan Patrick 
Published: March 2019

ObjectiveOral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) may present with early invasion of mandibular bone. Preoperative planning of surgery is essential considering patient's postoperative quality of life. Our purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of computer tomography scan (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting mandibular bone involvement in oral SCC.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on 98 patients with SCC of floor of mouth, lower alveolus and retromolar trigone operated on with curative intent. Preoperative CT and MRI scans were re‐reviewed by a consultant radiologist and original histology slides were re‐reviewed by 3 pathologists.ResultsForty‐five patients were included in the final study. Combined CT and MRI had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 72%.ConclusionThe results suggest that combined CT and MRI have diagnostic utility in detecting mandibular invasion by oral cancer, but with a significant false positive rate.
Is reputational damage worse than a regulator's fine?
Authors: Canada Jesse 
Published: March 2019

Companies today have a huge task on their hands with the sheer volume of red tape required to demonstrate compliance. Such is the global nature of today's regulations that most organisations must adhere to them even if they are not physically in the markets covered. This is exposing them to greater compliance risk than ever before. Such is the global nature of today's regulations that most organisations must adhere to them even if they are not physically in the markets covered. This is exposing them to greater compliance risk than ever before. Data leaks, intentional or unintentional, happen. And when incidents occur, organisations may find themselves having to prove – both to the authorities and their customers – what measures were taken to secure information. This can leave firms struggling to manage the adverse side effects of data leaks, such as damage to customer loyalty, says Jesse Canada of ASG Technologies.
Headline hype disguises security failings
Authors: Harrison Henry 
Published: March 2019

The world is not short of headlines about cyber security – the latest breach, the latest malware, the latest vulnerability. The world has become vastly better educated about the risk – from a position 10 years ago where most board members would respond to the mention of cyber security with “I think there's a guy called Bob in IT who deals with that” to the position today where boards routinely identify cyber security as their number one business risk. The world is not short of headlines about cyber security incidents and most organisations have become better educated about the risk. Among security professionals, however, the news flow feeds the risk of ‘shiny object syndrome’ – a focus on the latest threat or security tool. Many organisations have invested in swathes of new security software, establishing a defence in depth that layers product upon product. But software contains vulnerabilities and that applies to security software too. However, there are technologies that offer us a new way forward, argues Henry Harrison of Garrison.
Best practices for preventing and recovering from a ransomware attack
Authors: Malecki Florian 
Published: March 2019

Today's cyber criminals are smarter than ever and it's likely that we are yet to see the most advanced attacks. With an estimated global cost of around $6tr (£4.24tr) per year attributed to cybercrime, there can be no denying that digital crime is just as lucrative for criminals as it is destructive to businesses. 1 Today's cyber criminals are smarter than ever and it's likely that we are yet to see the most advanced attacks. Ransomware, in particular, has proven to be a devastating and constantly morphing form of attack. Yet there is a lot that companies can do to prepare. Taking steps to outsmart the new technologies that criminals are employing is key. Florian Malecki of StorageCraft outlines the steps you can take to protect your organisation.
From wooden shoe to click of a button: the risk of disgruntled employees
Authors: Schouteren Sjaak 
Published: March 2019

As a society, we have greatly profited from the digitisation of our processes, the rise of the Internet and the Internet of Things (IoT). As companies, we are able to connect systems and data so that we can work efficiently and provide customers with the best service at the lowest cost. These benefits also bring a great amount of dependency on these systems and have subsequently opened a Pandora's Box of very real and ever-increasing cyber- and technology-related exposures. Many cyber incidents are the result of actions taken by someone within the organisation. And a special category that is getting increasing attention is the disgruntled employee. In recent years, we have seen examples of employees facilitating sabotage and fraud for the benefit of a new employer or to satiate their need for recognition. Whatever the motivation, insiders are perfectly placed to wreak considerable damage on the organisation, either through sabotage or data theft, as Sjaak Schouteren of JLT Specialty explains.
Job security matters: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the relationship between job security and work attitudes
Authors: Hur Hyunkang 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis article synthesizes public and private sector accumulated research regarding the relationship between job security and employee work attitudes (i.e., job satisfaction and organizational commitment). The present meta-analysis of 37 studies (including 45 independent samples) shows that the medium-sized associations between job security and each work attitude variables (i.e., job satisfaction and organizational commitment) were found, with true score correlations (ρ) of .327 for job satisfaction, and .253 for organizational commitment. These results highlight the significance of job security at the workplace, in shaping and enhancing attitudes of employee and job security is worth retaining in some form in the public sector, contrary to the logic of at-will employment. This meta-analysis findings also call attention to several important considerations for developing effective public job security policy.
Making a difference: Doing leadership research that matters
Authors: Tourish Dennis 
Published: March 2019

AbstractLeadership research largely ignores the really big issues facing our species, such as climate change, the now rapid growth of new technologies that are already transforming the world of work, and the possibility that an insufficiently reformed banking system will inflict a worse crisis on us than it did in 2008. We also have a proliferation of leadership constructs that often look remarkably like those they are trying to replace. There is much heat but little illumination. The dominant methodologies that the field employs are part of a wider crisis in management studies where many of our claimed results are invalid and/or unreliable, unreproducible and offer little guidance for practice. I conclude that radical changes are needed if we are to play a serious role in improving the world in which we live. Let's take Ken Parry's lead, and make a difference.
Spatiotemporal dynamics of snow erosion, deposition and horizontal mass flux
Authors: CRIVELLI PHILIP , PATERNA ENRICO , LEHNING MICHAEL 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRACTThe quantification of snow transport, both in wind tunnels and the field, apply particle counting methods limited to punctual sampling of relatively small volumes. Particle counting can only capture horizontal mass fluxes, failing to measure snow erosion or deposition. Herein, we present a novel low-cost sensor tool, based on a Microsoft Kinect, adapted to capture snow surface changes during snow drifting at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions. In the wind tunnel setting of these experiments we observe a balance between erosion and deposition at low wind speeds, while erosion is dominant at higher wind speeds. Significant differences in power spectral densities of surface mass flux and horizontal particle mass flux are observed. We show that for the saltation-length-scale parameter λ = 1, the integrated particle flux can be used to estimate the total surface mass flux in the wind tunnel. This provides an important basis to interpret mass flux measurements in the field.
A randomised controlled trial comparing the efficacy of micellised and fat-soluble vitamin D3 supplementation in healthy adults
Authors: Marwaha Raman K. , Dev Tanvi , Mittal Ambrish , Mani Kalaivani , Narang Archna , Arora Preeti , Singh Anne , Chadha Aditi , Dang Navin , Goel Meetu , Sharma Vinod K. , Sethuraman Gomathy 
Published: March 2019

AbstractNanoemulsion formulation of vitamin D3 have been shown to have better bioavailability than the coarse emulsion preparation in vitro and in vivo animal studies. In the absence of randomised trial in humans, comparing the efficacy of nanotechnology-based miscellised vitamin D3 over conventional vitamin D3, we undertook this study. A total of 180 healthy adults were randomised to receive either micellised (DePura, group A) or conventional vitamin D3 (Calcirol, group B) at a monthly dose of 60 000 IU (1500μg) for 6 months. The outcome parameters were serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), parathyroid hormone (PTH), Ca, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase and urinary Ca:creatinine ratio. A total of eighty-nine subjects in group A and seventy-seven in group B completed the trial. Subjects in both the groups had a significant increase in their serum 25(OH)D levels following supplementation (group A: 21·5 (sd 10·9) to 76·7 (sd 18·8) nmol/l (P<0·001); group B: 22·8 (sd 10·4) to 57·8 (sd 16·0) nmol/l (P<0·001)). Participants in micellised group had an additional increase of 20·2 (95 % CI 14·0, 26·4) nmol/l in serum 25(OH)D levels (P<0·001). The difference between the groups was 17·5 (95 % CI 11·8, 23·1) nmol/l, which remained statistically significant (P<0·001) even after adjustment for age and sex. Significant decline in mean serum PTH was observed in both the groups. No hypercalcaemia or hypercalciuria was noted. Although supplementation with both the preparations resulted in a significant rise in serum 25(OH)D levels, micellised vitamin D3 appeared to be more efficacious in achieving higher levels of serum 25(OH)D.