bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expression of the miR-302/367 microRNA cluster is regulated by a conserved long non-coding host gene
Authors: Rahimi Karim , Füchtbauer Annette C. , Fathi Fardin , Mowla Seyed Javad , Füchtbauer Ernst-Martin 
Published: December 2018

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of cellular functions. MiR-302/367 is a polycistronic miRNA cluster including miR-302b/c/a/d (collectively termed miR-302s) and miR-367. The cluster is located in the intron of a non-coding host gene. MiR-302s have been shown to repress mRNAs required for differentiation and to induce pluripotency in somatic cells. The stem cell specific transcription factors OCT4, SOX2 and Nanog drive miR-302s expression, however, the reported expression in human and mice indicates a more complex transcriptional regulation. Here we investigate the transcriptional control and the processing of the miR-302 host gene. The murine miR-302 host gene is alternatively spliced, polyadenylated and exported from the nucleus. The regulatory sequences extend at least 2 kb upstream of the transcription start side and contain several conserved binding sites for both transcriptional activators and repressors. Reporter constructs with different upstream regions revealed a significant influence of the more distant regulatory sequences in pluripotent stem cells. The gene structure and regulatory elements like binding sites for activating and repressing transcriptional regulators, splice, and polyadenylation signals are highly conserved between mouse and human. So far, no miR-302 independent function has been annotated for the miR-302 host gene and we hypothesize that the complex and differential regulation of the miRNA transcription and processing might the reason for its conservation. Thus, regulation or micro-RNA expression might be a so far less recognized function of non-coding RNA genes.Author SummaryNon-coding RNAs constitute a large part of the mammalian genome. Interestingly, some long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) are transcribed and processed in the same way as mRNAs but lack an open reading frame. Here we give evidence that a so far less recognized function of such lncRNAs could be to supply microRNAs with the complex transcriptional control and processing required for their intricate expression. As an example, we analyzed the regulatory sequences of the miR-302/367 host gene. MiR-302/367 is a microRNA cluster involved in the regulation of stem cells and cellular differentiation. We show here that the regulatory region is much more complex than anticipated, a complexity that can not be conferred alone by any of the stem cell specific transcription factors which were so far associated with the expression of miR-302/367.
Optimal foraging and the information theory of gambling
Authors: Baddeley Roland J. , Franks Nigel R. , Hunt Edmund R. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAt a macroscopic level, part of the ant colony life-cycle is simple: a colony collects resources; these resources are converted into more ants, and these ants in turn collect more resources. Because more ants collect more resources, this is a multiplicative process, and the expected logarithm of the amount of resources determines how successful the colony will be in the long run. Over 60 years ago, Kelly showed, using information theoretic techniques, that the rate of growth of resources for such a situation is optimised by a strategy of betting in proportion to the probability of payoff. Thus, in the case of ants the fraction of the colony foraging at a given location should be proportional to the probability that resources will be found there, a result widely applied in the mathematics of gambling. This theoretical optimum generates predictions for which collective ant movement strategies might have evolved. Here, we show how colony level optimal foraging behaviour can be achieved by mapping movement to Markov chain Monte Carlo methods, specifically Hamiltonian Markov chain Monte Carlo (HMC). This can be done by the ants following a (noisy) local measurement of the (logarithm of) the resource probability gradient (possibly supplemented with momentum, i.e. a propensity to move in the same direction). This maps the problem of foraging (via the information theory of gambling, stochastic dynamics and techniques employed within Bayesian statistics to efficiently sample from probability distributions) to simple models of ant foraging behaviour. This identification has broad applicability, facilitates the application of information theory approaches to understanding movement ecology, and unifies insights from existing biomechanical, cognitive, random and optimality movement paradigms. At the cost of requiring ants to obtain (noisy) resource gradient information, we show that this model is both efficient, and matches a number of characteristics of real ant exploration.
The Germline Variants rs61757955 and rs34988193 are Predictive of Survival in Low Grade Glioma Patients
Authors: Chatrath Ajay , Kiran Manjari , Kumar Pankaj , Ratan Aakrosh , Dutta Anindya 
Published: December 2018

AbstractLow grade gliomas are invasive brain tumors that are difficult to completely resect neurosurgically. They often recur following resection and progress, resulting in death. Although previous studies have shown that specific germline variants increase the risk of tumor formation, no previous study has screened many germline variants to identify variants predictive of survival in glioma patients. In this study, we present an approach to identify the small fraction of prognostic germline variants from the pool of over four million variants that we variant called in The Cancer Genome Atlas whole exome sequencing and RNA sequencing datasets. We identified two germline variants that are predictive of poor patient outcomes by Cox regression, controlling for eleven covariates. rs61757955 is a germline variant found in the 3’ UTR of GRB2 associated with increased KRAS signaling, CIC mutations, and 1p/19q co-deletion. rs34988193 is a germline variant found in the tumor suppressor gene ANKDD1a that causes an amino acid change from lysine to glutamate. This variant was found to be predictive of poor prognosis in two independent low grade glioma datasets and is predicted to be within the top 0.06% of deleterious mutations across the human genome. The wild type residue is conserved in all 22 other species with a homologous protein.ImplicationsThis is the first study presenting an approach to screening many germline variants to identify variants predictive of survival and our application of this methodology revealed the germline variants rs61757955 and rs34988193 as being predictive of survival in low grade glioma patients.
Metabolic network reductions
Authors: Tefagh Mojtaba , Boyd Stephen P. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractGenome-scale metabolic networks are exceptionally huge and even efficient algorithms can take a while to run because of the sheer size of the problem instances. To address this problem, metabolic network reductions can substantially reduce the overwhelming size of the problem instances at hand. We begin by formulating some reasonable axioms defining what it means for a metabolic network reduction to be “canonical” which conceptually enforces reversibility without loss of any information on the feasible flux distributions. Then, we start to search for an efficient way to deduce some of the attributes of the original network from the reduced one in order to improve the performance. As the next step, we will demonstrate how to reduce a metabolic network repeatedly until no more reductions are possible. In the end, we sum up by pointing out some of the biological implications of this study apart from the computational aspects discussed earlier.Author summaryMetabolic networks appear at first sight to be nothing more than an enormous body of reactions. The dynamics of each reaction obey the same fundamental laws and a metabolic network as a whole is the melange of its reactions. The oversight in this kind of reductionist thinking is that although the behavior of a metabolic network is determined by the states of its reactions in theory, nevertheless it cannot be inferred directly from them in practice. Apart from the infeasibility of this viewpoint, metabolic pathways are what explain the biological functions of the organism and thus also what we are frequently concerned about at the system level.Canonical metabolic network reductions decrease the number of reactions substantially despite leaving the metabolic pathways intact. In other words, the reduced metabolic networks are smaller in size while retaining the same metabolic pathways. The possibility of such operations is rooted in the fact that the total degrees of freedom of a metabolic network in the steady-state conditions are significantly lower than the number of its reactions because of some emergent redundancies. Strangely enough, these redundancies turn out to be very well-studied in the literature.
Service design and knowledge management in the construction supply chain for an infrastructure programme
Authors: Duryan Meri , Smyth Hedley 
Published: December 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the extent to which service design (SD) is addressed by the client and its supply chain at a program level into one functional capability, knowledge management (KM), to share knowledge across projects and organizational actors.Design/methodology/approachThe interpretative methodology employing two methods of engaged scholarship, namely, action research and engaged research, is applied. The data are analyzed using cognitive mapping to identify the extent of alignment of perceptions.FindingsThe findings show that the client and its supply chain are very transactional in their management minimizing investment in KM and program management. There is a lack of commitment and cultural leadership; hence, there is over-reliance on individuals to take responsibility for knowledge sharing and application. SD thinking can help develop a holistic approach to learning from projects.Research limitations/implicationsThe study underlines the links between the concepts of SD and KM. The findings emphasize the importance of developing a holistic approach to KM through the lenses of SD. The organizations must view KM as a process and build capabilities at a program level to make knowledge sharing an integral part of the work culture across projects.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the subject of KM in the construction industry by mobilizing the concept of SD to examine how KM systems and procedures are embedded in the client and across its supply chain.
Time to look beyond ageing as a factor? Alternative explanations for the continuing rise in drug related deaths in Scotland
Authors: McPhee Iain , Sheridan Barry , O’Rawe Steve 
Published: December 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the reasons and risk factors that explain the threefold increase in drug-related deaths from 267 in 1996 to 934 in 2017 in Scotland. The authors explore the known links between deprivation and problem drug use (PDU) and discuss the impact of drug policy and service provision on PDU and drug-related deaths.Design/methodology/approachUsing quantitative data sets from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) for drug-related deaths registered in 2017 and data sets from the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD), we produce statistical data on mortality rates relating to areas of deprivation, gender and age.FindingsThe data highlight the disproportionate number of deaths in the most deprived areas in comparison to the least deprived areas and the national average. Findings indicate that one quarter of male and female DRD in 2017 were under 35. When examining the least deprived vingtile, drug-related deaths account for 2.84 per 100,000 population. Based on this mortality rate calculation, the amount of drug-related deaths are 23 times higher in the most deprived area than the least deprived area.Research limitations/implicationsThe research design uses data obtained from the NRS and data from Scottish Multiple Index of Deprivation. Due to the limitations of available data, the research design focused on SIMD population vingtiles.Practical implicationsThis research contributes to making unarguable links between entrenched structural inequality and increased drug-related death.Social implicationsThis paper contributes to knowledge on the need for drug policy advisors to recognise the importance of deprivation that plays a major part in risks of problematic drug use and harms.Originality/valueWhile several national data sets have published information by SIMD vingtile, no published research has sought to investigate the disproportionate number of deaths by population in the most deprived areas.
A critical perspective on the changing patterns of Lean Six Sigma research
Authors: Rodgers Bryan , Antony Jiju , Gupta Sandeep 
Published: December 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to utilise the research patterns of the most prolific contributors to Lean and Six Sigma methodologies over a 15-year period to inform the discussion on whether the methodologies should be or are being integrated.

Design/methodology/approach
Structured searches using keywords were carried out using a single database (SCOPUS) to identify the most prolific contributors to research articles in the areas of Lean, Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma, and thereafter patterns were analysed in five-year periods between 2000 and 2015.

Findings
This research demonstrates clear changing and evolving patterns of research activity. Not only is there a clear emergence of research focussed on Lean Six Sigma rather than a single methodology, there are also indications that researchers publish work using different methodologies in response to different challenges.

Research limitations/implications
The research is restricted to a single database and includes only the 21 most prolific contributors in each five-year period. The analysis is based on the focus of each peer-reviewed paper contributed to.

Practical implications
This research is intended to support and inform organisations which are developing or running business process improvement approaches by demonstrating the flexibility of Lean and Sigma, and evidencing that researchers work across different approaches and combine them when appropriate.

Originality/value
This paper provides a unique perspective on the debate for the integration of Lean and Six Sigma by looking at the patterns of work of researchers themselves to identify whether the focus of research has in fact moved on from exclusively lean or Six Sigma to more integrated approaches as has been argued in individual pieces of research.
Thai Airways: key influencing factors on customers’ word of mouth
Authors: Ahmadi Arash 
Published: December 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and analyze the influence of service convenience, service quality and customer satisfaction on the formation of word of mouth in airline industry.

Design/methodology/approach
The sample included 400 passengers who had experienced THAI’S international flights. To test the study hypotheses, a research model was examined applying structural equation modeling.

Findings
The findings submit that, in addition to effects of service convenience, service quality and customer satisfaction on word of mouth, decision convenience has the most positive significant influence on word of mouth compared to service quality dimensions and customer satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications
The present research focuses on assessing the word of mouth level only for THAI; therefore, its findings may not be generalized for the other airlines. In addition, the target market of this study is the customers of THAI. Future researchers can select the markets of other airlines customers.

Practical implications
In airline companies, service convenience plays a central role on customer word of mouth. Therefore, airlines should concentrate on travelers’ convenience in the service procedure. They should plan the service to support the best convenience for travelers.

Originality/value
This investigation would help airlines to understand what makes customers more satisfied before, during and after using an airline service and to understand how this is related to the word of mouth.
Manager perceptions of big data reliability in hotel revenue management decision making
Authors: Egan David , Haynes Natalie Claire 
Published: December 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceptions that managers have of the value and reliability of using big data to make hotel revenue management and pricing decisions.Design/methodology/approachA three-stage iterative thematic analysis technique based on the approaches of Braun and Clarke (2006) and Nowell et al. (2017) and using different research instruments to collect and analyse qualitative data at each stage was used to develop an explanatory framework.FindingsWhilst big data-driven automated revenue systems are technically capable of making pricing and inventory decisions without user input, the findings here show that the reality is that managers still interact with every stage of the revenue and pricing process from data collection to the implementation of price changes. They believe that their personal insights are as valid as big data in increasing the reliability of the decision-making process. This is driven primarily by a lack of trust on the behalf of managers in the ability of the big data systems to understand and interpret local market and customer dynamics.Practical implicationsThe less a manager believes in the ability of those systems to interpret these data, the more they perceive gut instinct to increase the reliability of their decision making and the less they conduct an analysis of the statistical data provided by the systems. This provides a clear message that there appears to be a need for automated revenue systems to be flexible enough for managers to import the local data, information and knowledge that they believe leads to revenue growth.Originality/valueThere is currently little research explicitly investigating the role of big data in decision making within hotel revenue management and certainly even less focussing on decision making at property level and the perceptions of managers of the value of big data in increasing the reliability of revenue and pricing decision making.
Tackling the taboo: talking menopause-related problems at work
Authors: Hardy Claire , Griffiths Amanda , Thorne Eleanor , Hunter Myra 
Published: December 2018

PurposeWomen are typically reluctant to disclose menopause-related problems that may affect their working lives to line managers. Consequently, support may not be offered nor potential solutions explored. The purpose of this paper is to examine how working menopausal women would prefer to have conversations about the menopause at work.Design/methodology/approachUsing semi-structured telephone interviews working menopausal women (aged 45–60 years) were asked about their experiencing of talking about their menopause at work, and how helpful conversations might be initiated and conducted. Transcripts were analyzed thematically to identify factors that may facilitate or hinder such conversations.FindingsTwo themes emerged: first, organizational context. Facilitators included an open culture with friendly relationships, a knowledgeable and proactive manager, organization-wide awareness of the menopause and aging, and access to a nominated woman to discuss problems. Barriers included male-dominated workplaces, male line managers, fear of negative responses, stigma, discrimination, embarrassment or believing menopause is inappropriate to discuss at work; second, the nature of the discussion. Facilitators included managers demonstrating an understanding and acceptance of a woman’s experience, jointly seeking acceptable solutions, respecting privacy and confidentiality, and appropriate use of humor, as opposed to being dismissive and using inappropriate body language. Discussions with suitable persons at work were preferred and being prepared was advised. The women in the sample advised having discussions with appropriate persons and being prepared.Practical implicationsThese findings could inform training programs, workplace policies and practice.Originality/valueThis study provides insights to help women and their managers discuss menopause-related difficulties at work and seek solutions together.
Are there enough stimuli to develop sustainable farming in Lithuania?
Authors: Baležentis Tomas , Galnaitytė Aiste , Namiotko Virginia , Novickytė Lina , Chen Xueli 
Published: December 2018

PurposeThe new programming period of 2021–2027 of the European Union (EU) Common Agricultural Policy requires reconsidering the policy measures. In the new period, the European Commission is to allow each member state (MS) developing eco-schemes to support and/or incentivise farmers to observe agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment beyond their mandatory requirements. The purpose of this paper is to compare the performance of organic and conventional family farms.Design/methodology/approachOrganic farming under the organic farming measure of the Rural Development Programme is one of the most widely applied sustainable farming practices in the EU as well as in Lithuania. By assessing theex posteconomic impact of the organic farming measure on farm performance indicators, the authors seek to reveal possibilities and obstacles for the implementation of sustainable farming practices. A counterfactualex postimpact assessment method – propensity score matching (PSM) analysis – was used to evaluateex posteconomic impact of the organic farming measure on the performance of farming indicators.FindingsThe application of the PSM allowed assessing both the effectiveness of the implemented measure and possibilities for applying this measure in the future. The research has revealed that organic farming is less profitable and the gap between farm income in organic and conventional farms has increased during the period of 2007–2013.Originality/valueThe most comprehensive economic information about the farm activities from the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) was used for theex posteconomic impact evaluation of the organic farming measure in Lithuania. The matched groups of Lithuanian family farms (organic and conventional) were compared. The results of the research provide a new knowledge about the effectiveness of the organic farming measure in Lithuania and suggest the ways of their improvement in the future. The results can also be generalised to other countries with similar agricultural structure.
Do market participants value earnings management? An analysis using the quantile regression method
Authors: Li Leon , Hwang Nen-Chen Richard 
Published: December 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to postulate that market participants’ views on the nature of discretionary accruals as earnings management or earnings manipulation could relate to a rise or a fall in a firm’s stock prices.Design/methodology/approachApplying the quantile regression and measuring gains and losses according to the stock returns, this study shows that the relation between earnings manipulation and stock returns is non-uniform and it varies significantly across various quantiles of the latter.FindingsThe empirical results imply a positive (negative) |DA|-RETURN relation for stocks experiencing a rise (fall) in stock prices. This finding is consistent with the notion that market participants lean towards (become) trend followers (fundamentalists) when their stocks price rise (fall) and, thus, positively reward (negatively punish) discretionary accruals.Originality/valueUsing the behavioural heterogeneity of market participants as a research framework, this paper contributes to the literature by demonstrating that market participants’ decisions to positively reward (negatively punish) earning management behaviour depend on their perceptions on nature of discretionary accruals (earnings management vs earnings manipulation).