bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Extracellular Cation Binding Pocket Is Essential For Ion Conduction Of OsHKT2;2
Authors: Riedelsberger Janin , Vergara-Jaque Ariela , Piñeros Miguel , Dreyer Ingo , González Wendy 
Published: November 2018

AbstractHKT channels mediate sodium uniport or sodium and potassium symport in plants. Monocotyledons express a higher number of HKT proteins than dicotyledons, and it is only within this clade of HKT channels that cation symport mechanisms are found. The prevailing ion composition in the extracellular medium affects the transport abilities of various HKT channels by changing their selectivity or ion transport rates. How this mutual effect is achieved at the molecular level is still unknown. Here, we built a homology model of the monocotyledonous OsHKT2;2, which shows sodium and potassium symport activity, and performed molecular dynamics simulations in the presence of sodium and potassium ions. By analyzing ion-protein interactions, we identified a cation binding pocket on the extracellular protein surface, which is formed by residues P71, D75, D501 and K504. Proline and the two aspartate residues coordinate cations, while K504 forms salt bridges with D75 and D501 and may be involved in the forwarding of cations towards the pore entrance. Functional validation via electrophysiological experiments confirmed the biological relevance of the predicted ion binding pocket and identified K504 as a central key residue. Mutation of the cation coordinating residues affected the functionality of HKT only slightly. Additional in silico mutants and simulations of K504 supported experimental results.
X-ray crystallographic analysis of the catalytic domain of α-1,3-glucanase FH1 fromPaenibacillus glycanilyticusoverexpressed inBrevibacillus choshinensis
Authors: Intuy Rattanaporn , Itoh Takafumi , Suyotha Wasana , Hayashi Junji , Yano Shigekazu , Makabe Koki , Wakayama Mamoru , Hibi Takao 
Published: November 2018

α-1,3-Glucanase hydrolyzes α-1,3-glucan, an insoluble linear α-1,3-linked homopolymer of glucose that is found in the extracellular polysaccharides produced by oral streptococci in dental plaque and in fungal cell walls. This enzyme could be of application in dental care and the development of fungal cell-wall lytic enzymes, but its three-dimensional structure has not been available to date. In this study, the recombinant catalytic domain of α-1,3-glucanase FH1 fromPaenibacillus glycanilyticusFH11, which is classified into glycoside hydrolase family 87, was prepared using aBrevibacillus choshinensisexpression system and purified in a soluble form. Crystals of the purified protein were produced by the sitting-drop vapor-diffusion method. Diffraction data were collected to a resolution of 1.6 Å using synchrotron radiation. The crystals obtained belonged to the tetragonal space groupP41212 orP43212, with unit-cell parametersa = b = 132.6,c= 76.1 Å. The space group and unit-cell parameters suggest that there is one molecule in the asymmetric unit.
Dynamic trajectory-tracking control method of robotic transcranial magnetic stimulation with end-effector gravity compensation based on force sensors
Authors: Lin ZeCai , Xin Wang , Yang Jian , QingPei Zhang , ZongJie Lu 
Published: November 2018

Purpose
This paper aims to propose a dynamic trajectory-tracking control method for robotic transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), based on force sensors, which follows the dynamic movement of the patient’s head during treatment.

Design/methodology/approach
First, end-effector gravity compensation methods based on kinematics and back-propagation (BP) neural networks are presented and compared. Second, a dynamic trajectory-tracking method is tested using force/position hybrid control. Finally, an adaptive proportional-derivative (PD) controller is adopted to make pose corrections. All the methods are designed for robotic TMS systems.

Findings
The gravity compensation method, based on BP neural networks for end-effectors, is proposed due to the different zero drifts in different sensors’ postures, modeling errors in the kinematics and the effects of other uncertain factors on the accuracy of gravity compensation. Results indicate that accuracy is improved using this method and the computing load is significantly reduced. The pose correction of the robotic manipulator can be achieved using an adaptive PD hybrid force/position controller.

Originality/value
A BP neural network-based gravity compensation method is developed and compared with traditional kinematic methods. The adaptive PD control strategy is designed to make the necessary pose corrections more effectively. The proposed methods are verified on a robotic TMS system. Experimental results indicate that the system is effective and flexible for the dynamic trajectory-tracking control of manipulator applications.
Selection guide of multi-objective optimization for ergonomic design
Authors: Muramatsu Masatoshi , Kato Takeo 
Published: November 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose the selection guide of the multi-objective optimization methods for the ergonomic design. The proposed guide enables designers to select an appropriate method for optimizing the human characteristics composed of the engineering characteristics (e.g. users’ height, weight and muscular strength) and the physiological characteristics (e.g. brain wave, pulse-beat and myoelectric signal) in the trade-off relationships.Design/methodology/approachThis paper focuses on the types of the relationships between engineering or physiological characteristics and their psychological characteristics (e.g. comfort and usability). Using these relationships and the characteristics of the multi-objective optimization methods, this paper classified them and constructed a flow chart for selecting them.FindingsThis paper applied the proposed selection guide to a geometric design of a comfortable seat and confirmed its applicability. The selected multi-objective optimization method optimized the contact area of seat back (engineering characteristic associated with the comfortable fit of the seat backrest) and the blood flow volume (physiological characteristic associated with the numbness in the lower limb) on the basis of each design intent such as a deep-vein thrombosis after long flight.Originality/valueBecause of the lack of the selection guide of the multi-objective optimization methods, an inappropriate method is often applied in industry. This paper proposed the selection guide applied in the ergonomic design having a lot of the multi-objective optimization problem.
Big data analytics capabilities and knowledge management: impact on firm performance
Authors: Ferraris Alberto , Mazzoleni Alberto , Devalle Alain , Couturier Jerome 
Published: November 2018

Purpose
Big data analytics (BDA) guarantees that data may be analysed and categorised into useful information for businesses and transformed into big data related-knowledge and efficient decision-making processes, thereby improving performance. However, the management of the knowledge generated from the BDA as well as its integration and combination with firm knowledge have scarcely been investigated, despite an emergent need of a structured and integrated approach. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach
Through an empirical analysis based on structural equation modelling with data collected from 88 Italian SMEs, the authors tested if BDA capabilities have a positive impact on firm performances, as well as the mediator effect of knowledge management (KM) on this relationship.

Findings
The findings of this paper show that firms that developed more BDA capabilities than others, both technological and managerial, increased their performances and that KM orientation plays a significant role in amplifying the effect of BDA capabilities.

Originality/value
BDA has the potential to change the way firms compete through better understanding, processing, and exploiting of huge amounts of data coming from different internal and external sources and processes. Some managerial and theoretical implications are proposed and discussed in light of the emergence of this new phenomenon.
A process to evaluate an iTV platform to enhance seniors’ access to information about public and social services
Authors: Silva Telmo , Caravau Hilma , Reis Liliana , Campelo David 
Published: November 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a process to evaluate the usability and usefulness of a high-fidelity prototype of the +TV4E platform (removed for blind review), an iTV service which aims to promote the info-inclusion and quality of life of Portuguese seniors by delivering informative contents about public and social services.

Design/methodology/approach
The research presented in this study is qualitative and uses an inclusive and participatory co-design process involving seniors to evaluate usability of an iTV service with support of the Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ) tool and a questionnaire survey. The participants were 11 individuals, over 65 years enrolled in an adult day care center in Aveiro city, Portugal (removed for blind review).

Findings
Findings from this study allowed to assess some key aspects in the +TV4E platform implementation that should be addressed in its final version. Using the PSSUQ tool as well as a questionnaire survey confirmed the relevance of this platform to meet seniors’ informational needs.

Originality/value
This original research offers insights on how valuable is including potential users in the development and test phases of an innovative technology which intends to offer more adequate tools to improve seniors’ info-inclusion and quality of life. Also, it is possible to understand what should be considered when evaluating a prototype intended to be used by seniors.
Adapting the Chumbley Score to Match Striae on Land Engraved Areas (LEAs) of Bullets,
Authors: Krishnan Ganesh , Hofmann Heike 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe same‐source problem remains a major challenge in forensic toolmark and firearm examination. Here, we investigate the applicability of the Chumbley method (J Forensic Sci, 2018, 63, 849; J Forensic Sci, 2010, 55, 953) (10,12), developed for screwdriver markings, for same‐source identification of striations on bulletLEAs. The Hamby datasets 44 and 252 measured byNISTandCSAFE(high‐resolution scans) are used here. We provide methods to identify parameters that minimize error rates for matching ofLEAs, and a remedial algorithm to alleviate the problem of failed tests, while increasing the power of the test and reducing error rates. For 85,491 land‐to‐land comparisons (84,235 known nonmatches and 1256 known matches), the adapted test does not provide a result in 176 situations (originally more than 500). The Type I and TypeIIerror rates are 7.2% (6105 out of 84,235) and 21.4% (271 out of 1256), respectively. This puts the proposed method on similar footing as other single‐feature matching approaches in the literature.
Effects of genomic selection for intramuscular fat content in breast muscle in Chinese local chickens
Authors: Liu R. , Zheng M. , Wang J. , Cui H. , Li Q. , Liu J. , Zhao G. , Wen J. 
Published: November 2018

SummaryImprovements in living standards have resulted in consumers having higher expectations for chicken meat quality. This is particularly true in Asia, where there is high consumer preference for local breeds. Nothing is presently known about the effectiveness of using genomic selection (GS) strategies in chickens to genetically improve meat quality traits that cannot be measured in living potential parents. In this study, 724 Beijing‐You chickens were used as a training population; all were genotyped using Illumina 60K SNP chips, and intramuscular fat content in breast muscle (IMFbr) was measured. Birds in the GS line were selected based on genomic estimated breeding values, IMFbr being the sole trait. Genetic progress in one generation was compared to that from conventional family‐based selection, and both were evaluated against random‐bred controls. Results showed that relative to the random‐bred controls, IMF percentage was improved 9.62% using GS, comparable to the 10.38% improvement using family‐based selection. We quantified the effectiveness of GS when applied to a meat quality trait with low heritability in chickens. We plan to introduce custom SNP chips, appropriate for native chicken breeds in China, to assist in applying GS in local breeding and accelerate genetic gain.
Subjective well‐being among left‐behind children in rural China: The role of ecological assets and individual strength
Authors: Chai Xiaoyun , Li Xiaoyan , Ye Zhi , Li Yuxuan , Lin Danhua 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe plight of left‐behind children affected by parental migration has aroused widespread public concern in China. However, limited research has been conducted on the positive aspects of the development (e.g., subjective well‐being) among left‐behind children. Recently, a new means to investigating the mechanisms of positive development in left‐behind children emerged from the positive youth development (PYD) approach. Grounded in the framework of PYD, this study was designed to examine how ecological assets (i.e., neighbourhood social cohesion and trusting relationships with caregivers) and individual strength (i.e., resilience) predict subjective well‐being among left‐behind children.MethodsAltogether, 1,449 left‐behind children (50.70% boys; Mage = 12.11 years, SD = 1.84) were recruited to complete questionnaires designed to assess perceived neighbourhood social cohesion, trusting relationships with caregivers, resilience, and subjective well‐being.ResultsThe results show that neighbourhood social cohesion and trusting relationships with caregivers positively predicted left‐behind children's subjective well‐being. Moreover, structural equation modelling results reveal that resilience partially mediated the effect of neighbourhood social cohesion and trusting relationships with caregivers on subjective well‐being.ConclusionsIn this research, we identified key contextual and personal enablers for subjective well‐being among left‐behind children. The results provide some important implications regarding the manner in which subjective well‐being can be promoted among left‐behind children by increasing neighbourhood and family ecological assets and enhancing resilience.
TGF‐β1 promotes gap junctions formation in chondrocytes via Smad3/Smad4 signalling
Authors: Wang Qingxuan , Zhou Chenchen , Li Xiaobing , Cai Linyi , Zou Jing , Zhang Demao , Xie Jing , Lai Wenli 
Published: November 2018

AbstractObjectivesConnexin‐mediated functional gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) has a vital role in development, homeostasis and pathology. Transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1), as one of the most vital factors in chondrocytes, promotes cartilage precursor cell differentiation and chondrocyte proliferation, migration and metabolism. However, how TGF‐β1 mediates GJIC in chondrocytes remains unclear. This study aims to determine the influence of TGF‐β1 on GJIC in mouse chondrocytes and its underlying mechanism.MethodsqPCR and mRNA microarray were used to verify the expression of genes in the TGF‐β and connexin families in cartilage and chondrocytes. A scrape loading/dye transfer assay was performed to explore GJIC. Western blot analysis was used to detect connexin43 (Cx43) and Smad signalling components. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to characterize protein distribution.ResultsThe TGF‐β1 mRNA was the highest expressed member of the TGFβ super family in cartilage. TGF‐β1 promoted functional GJIC through increased expression of Cx43. TGF‐β1‐mediated GJIC required the participation of TGF‐β type I receptor. TGF‐β1 activated Smad3 and Smad4 signalling to facilitate their nuclear translocation. The Smad3 and Smad4 signalling proteins bound to the promoter of Gja1 and thus initiated Cx43 gene expression.ConclusionsFor the first time, these results revealed a vital role of TGF‐β1 in cell‐cell communication in chondrocytes via gap junction formation. We describe the regulatory mechanism, the involvement of TGF‐β type I receptor and the nuclear translocation of Smad3/4.
Bottom boundary layer cooling and wind‐driven upwelling enhance the catchability of spanner crab (Ranina ranina) in South‐East Queensland, Australia
Authors: Spencer David M. , Brown Ian W. , Doubell Mark J. , Brown Christopher J. , Redondo Rodriguez Ana , Lee Shing Yip , Zhang Hong , Lemckert Charles J. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSpecies catchability is an important parameter used to help optimise stock assessment modelling and the economic efficiency of commercial fishing operations. Previous studies have shown several physical oceanographic parameters, including ambient temperature, waves and currents, affect the catchability of spanner crabs (Ranina ranina) throughout the Indo‐Pacific. Most notably in the Australian fishery, where oceanographic processes vary over space and time, a positive relationship between bottom boundary layer temperature (BBLT) and catch rates was observed. Here, we aimed to better understand how localised oceanographic processes affected this relationship in the southernmost South‐East Queensland (SEQ) sector of the Australian fishery at seasonal and short temporal scales. Our results show cooler BBLT, upwelling‐favourable alongshore wind stress and increased catch rates occurred during mating season in austral spring. At the end of austral summer, BBLT began warming, downwelling‐favourable winds were dominant, and catch rates declined around the post‐moult period. Outputs from the generalised linear models (GLMs) that separated these effects in each season show that, at shorter temporal scales, daily catch rates also increased with episodic BBLT cooling and upwelling‐favourable alongshore wind stress, but only during austral autumn and winter. These new findings suggest that region‐specific, short‐term and seasonal variability of oceanographic processes responsible for changes in BBLT play an important role in influencing the catchability of spanner crabs. We suggest that the effects of region‐specific physical oceanographic processes must be considered in future work when investigating the catchability of commercially important fisheries species fished over large spatial domains.
SN‐Learning: An exploratory study beyond e‐learning and evaluation of its applications using EV‐SNL framework
Authors: Krouska Akrivi , Troussas Christos , Virvou Maria 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSocial networks have intruded in human life by providing new technological innovations in a range of fields, including the education. The use of social networks in education has the potential to extend e‐learning and to introduce new forms of tutoring, communication, and collaboration between students and instructors. Thus, e‐learning is the threshold of Social Networking‐based Learning (SN‐Learning). SN‐Learning consists of a new term, introduced in this paper, and involves e‐learning systems with social networking characteristics or learning through social networking platforms. To this direction, the main objective of this paper is to present this new technological advancement emerged nowadays and to evaluate relevant applications of the last decade using our adjusted evaluation framework, EV‐SNL, in order to highlight their strengths and weaknesses regarding digital learning. The major finding is that SN‐Learning systems focus mainly on the incorporation of social features and do not provide yet personalized and adaptive tutoring. This research provides guidelines to computer science researchers on the design and implementation of SN‐Learning platforms using artificial intelligence and modelling techniques. Moreover, it can support teachers of different fields so that they can enhance their instruction with new technologies. There is scope for a lot of improvement.
High‐mass resolution molecular imaging of organic compounds on the surface of Murchison meteorite
Authors: Hashiguchi Minako , Naraoka Hiroshi 
Published: November 2018

AbstractHigh‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) imaging by desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) coupled with Orbitrap MS using methanol (MeOH) spray was performed on a fragment of the Murchison (CM2) meteorite in this study. Homologues of CnH2n–1N2+ (n = 7–9) and CnH2nNO+ (n = 9–14) were detected on the sample surface by the imaging. A high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/HRMS analysis of MeOH extracts from the sample surface after DESI/HRMS imaging indicated that the CnH2n–1N2+ homologues corresponds to alkylimidazole, and that a few isomers of the CnH2nNO+ homologues present in the sample. The alkylimidazoles and CnH2nNO+ homologues displayed different spatial distributions on the surface of the Murchison fragment, indicating chromatographic separation effects during aqueous alteration. Moreover, the distribution pattern of compounds is also different among homologues. This is probably also resulting from the separation of isomers by similar chromatographic effects, or different synthetic pathways. Alkylimidazoles and the CnH2nNO+ homologues are mainly distributed in the matrix region of the Murchison by mineralogical observations, which is consistent with previous reports. Altered minerals (e.g., Fe‐oxide, Fe‐sulfide, and carbonates) occurred in this region. However, no clear relationship was found between these minerals and the organic compounds detected by DESI/HRMS imaging. Although this result might be due to scale differences between the spatial resolution of DESI/HRMS imaging and the grain size in the matrix of the Murchison, our results would indicate that alkylimidazoles and the CnH2nNO+ homologues in the Murchison fragment were mainly synthesized by different processes from hydrothermal alteration on the parent body.
New perspectives of childhood asthma treatment with biologics
Authors: Just Jocelyne , Deschildre Antoine , Lejeune Stéphanie , Amat Flore 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAsthma is no longer considered as a single disease but rather as a syndrome corresponding to different entities and pathophysiologic pathways. A targeted strategy is part of personalized medicine which aims to better define each patient's phenotype and endotype so as to prescribe the most suitable treatment at an individual level. Omalizumab and, more recently, mepolizumab are the first biologics approved for children (6‐18 years). Omalizumab is now widely used to treat severe allergic asthma in children and is highly effective for asthma exacerbations and asthma control with a good safety profile. Moreover, several other drugs—lebrikizumab, dupilumab, tezepelumab, mepolizumab, reslizumab, benralizumab—are used or are being studied in both teenagers and adults and could benefit younger children in the near future. We hypothesize that defining the asthma phenotype/endotype regarding the type and intensity of inflammation, association with allergic or non‐allergic comorbidities, and airway remodeling should contribute to the choice of a specific biologic. Pediatric specificities have to be addressed and validated by studies in children. Long‐term effectiveness and particularly the impact on the natural history of asthma should also be investigated. Severe asthma in children is a complex disease, and patients have to be referred to a specialized pediatric asthma center to confirm diagnosis and initiate the best treatment strategy which could include biologics while taking into account their high cost.