bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro and intracellular activity of imipenem combined with tedizolid, rifabutin, and avibactam against Mycobacterium abscessus
Authors: Run Eva Le , Arthur Michel , Mainardi Jean-Luc 
Published: September 2018

Mycobacterium abscessus has emerged as a significant pathogen responsible for chronic pulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, which are difficult to treat due to resistance to a broad range of antibiotics. The initial phase of the recommended treatment in CF patients includes imipenem used without any β-lactamase inhibitor in spite of the production of the β-lactamase BlaMab. Here, we determine whether the addition of tedizolid, a once-daily oxazolidinone, improves the activity of imipenem alone or in combination with a β-lactamase inhibitor, avibactam, and rifabutin.The activity of the drugs was evaluated against M. abscessus CIP104536 by determining in vitro and intracellular antibacterial activities. The impact of BlaMab inhibition by avibactam on antibiotic activity was assessed by comparing CIP104536 and its β-lactamase-deficient derivative (ΔblaMab).The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of tedizolid against M. abscessus CIP104536 and ΔblaMab were 4 μg/mL. Tedizolid combined with imipenem showed a moderate synergistic effect with fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indexes of 0.41 and 0.38 for CIP104536 and ΔblaMab, respectively. For both strains, the addition of tedizolid at 2 μg/mL, corresponding to the peak serum concentration, increased the intracellular efficacy of imipenem at 8 and 32 μg/mL. Addition of avibactam and rifabutin improved the activity of the imipenem-tedizolid combination against CIP104536S.The imipenem-tedizolid combination should be further considered for the treatment of M. abscessus pulmonary infections in CF patients. The efficacy of the treatment might benefit from the use of a β-lactamase inhibitor, such as avibactam, and the addition of rifabutin.
Biosynthesis of Circular RNA ciRS-7/CDR1as Is Mediated by Mammalian-Wide Interspersed Repeats (MIRs)
Authors: Yoshimoto Rei , Rahimi Karim , Hansen Thomas , Kjems Jørgen , Mayeda Akila 
Published: September 2018

SUMMARYCircular RNAs (circRNAs) are stable noncoding RNAs with a closed circular structure. One of the first and best studied circRNAs is ciRS-7 (CDR1as) that acts as a regulator of the microRNA miR-7, however, the biosynthesis pathway has remained an enigma. Here we delineate the biosynthesis pathway of ciRS-7. The back-splicing events that form circRNAs are often facilitated by flanking inverted repeats of the primate-specific Alu elements. ciRS-7 gene lacks these elements but, instead, we identified a set of flanking inverted elements belonging to the mammalian-wide interspersed repeat (MIR) family. Splicing reporter assays in HEK293 cells demonstrated that these inverted MIRs are required to generate ciRS-7 through a back-splicing and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletions confirmed the requirement of the endogenous MIR elements in SH-SY5Y cells. Using bioinformatics searches, we identified several other MIR-dependent circRNAs that we confirmed experimentally. We propose that MIR-mediated RNA circularization constitutes a new widespread biosynthesis principle for mammalian circRNAs.
Mismatch-repair signature mutations activate gene enhancers across colorectal cancer epigenomes
Authors: Hung Stevephen , Saiakhova Alina , Faber Zachary , Bartels Cynthia F. , Neu Devin , Bayles Ian , Ojo Evelyn , Hong Ellen S. , Pontius W. Dean , Morton Andrew R. , Liu Ruifu , Kalady Matthew , Wald David N. , Markowitz Sanford , Scacheri Peter C. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractCommonly-mutated genes have been found for many cancers, but less is known about mutations incis-regulatory elements. We leverage gains in tumor-specific enhancer activity, coupled with allele-biased mutation detection from H3K27ac ChIP-seq data, to pinpoint potential enhancer-activating mutations in colorectal cancer (CRC). Analysis of a genetically-diverse cohort of CRC specimens revealed that microsatellite instable (MSI) samples have a high indel rate within active enhancers. Enhancers with indels show evidence of positive selection, increased target gene expression, and a subset is highly recurrent. The indels affect short homopolymer tracts of A/T and increase affinity for FOX transcription factors. We further demonstrate that signature mismatch-repair (MMR) mutations activate enhancers using a xenograft tumor metastasis model, where mutations are induced naturally via CRISPR/Cas9 inactivation ofMLH1prior to tumor cell injection. Our results suggest that MMR signature mutations activate or augment enhancers in CRC tumor epigenomes to provide a selective advantage.
Imaging breast cancer using a dual-ligand nanochain particle
Authors: Covarrubias Gil , Cha Anthony , Rahmy Abdelrahman , Lorkowski Morgan , Perera Vindya , Erokwu Bernadette O. , Flask Chris , Peiris Pubudu M. , Schiemann William P. , Karathanasis Efstathios 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTNanoparticles often only exploit the upregulation of a receptor on cancer cells to enhance intratumoral deposition of therapeutic and imaging agents. However, a single targeting moiety assumes that a tumor is homogenous and static. Tumoral microenvironments are both heterogenous and dynamic, often displaying variable spatial and temporal expression of targetable receptors throughout disease progression. Here, we evaluated the in vivo performance of an iron oxide nanoparticle in terms of targeting and imaging of orthotropic mouse models of aggressive breast tumors. The nanoparticle, a multi-component nanochain, was comprised of 3-5 iron oxide nanoparticles chemically linked in a linear chain. The nanoparticle’s surface was decorated with two types of ligands each targeting two different upregulated biomarkers on the tumor endothelium, P-selectin and fibronectin. The nanochain exhibited improved tumor deposition not only through vascular targeting but also through its elongated structure. A single-ligand nanochain exhibited a ∼2.5-fold higher intratumoral deposition than a spherical nanoparticle variant. Furthermore, the dual-ligand nanochain exhibited higher consistency in generating detectable MR signals compared to a single-ligand nanochain. Using a 7T MRI, the dual-ligand nanochains exhibited highly detectable MR signal within 3h after injection in two different animal models of breast cancer.
Evaluation of discontinuities in friction stir welds of aluminum matrix composites
Authors: Morales Cindy Estefanía , Miranda Argelia Fabiola , Pérez Gladys Yerania , Hurtado Eduardo 
Published: September 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the welding quality of the friction stir joints of Al-SiC with diverse shape of pin geometry tools.

Design/methodology/approach
Aluminum matrix composites are gaining unlimited interest and special position in aeronautical industry because of their properties enhanced by the presence of ceramic reinforcement, such as lower density, dimensional stability, exceptional wear and abrasion resistance. Friction stir welding arises as a promising welding process with more advantages than traditional fusion process in the joining of aeronautical components with the utilization of a non-consumable rotational tool shaped by a shoulder and a pin, which can be designed in as many possible geometries. However, the welding quality is not always achieved when varying these pin configurations.

Findings
The fabrication and implementation of different pin geometry tools to weld the plates of the material allows to study the behavior of the joints assessing some discontinuities produced in the welds.

Practical implications
To examine the microstructural evolution and its behavior in the different zones of the joint, the practical implication consists in the use of different characterization techniques like the optic microscopy and scanning microscopy, furthermore mechanical test such as the measurement of hardness.

Originality/value
The study of the joints uses different welding tool geometries that were fabricated at prototype scale contribute in the microstructural analysis as well as in the evaluation of the possible discontinuities that are presented.
Making communities disaster resilient
Authors: Pandey Chandra Lal 
Published: September 2018

Purpose
Understanding bottom-up approaches including local coping mechanisms, recognizing them and strengthening community capacities is important in the process of disaster risk reduction. The purpose of this paper is to address the questions: to what extent existing disaster policies in Nepal support and enable community-based disaster resilience? and what challenges and prospects do the communities have in responding to disaster risk for making communities resilient?

Design/methodology/approach
This paper is based on policy and academic literature reviews complimented by field research in two communities, one in Shankhu, Kathmandu district and another in Satthighare, Kavrepalanchowk district in Nepal. The author conducted in-depth interviews and mapped out key disaster-related policies of Nepal to investigate the role of communities in disaster risk management and post-disaster activities and their recognition in disaster-related policies.

Findings
The author found that existing literature clearly identifies the importance of the community led initiatives in risks reduction and management. It is evolutionary phenomenon, which has already been piloted in history including in the aftermath of Nepal earthquake 2015 yet existing policies of Nepal do not clearly identify it as an important component by providing details of how communities can be better engaged in the immediate aftermath of disaster occurrence.

Research limitations/implications
The author conducted this research based on data from two earthquake affected areas only. The author believes that this research can still play an important role as representative study.

Practical implications
The practical implication of this research is that communities need to understand about risks society for disaster preparedness, mitigation and timely response in the aftermath of disasters. As they are the first responders against the disasters, they also need trainings such as disaster drills such as earthquakes, floods and fire and mock practice of various early warning systems can be conducted by local governments to prepare these communities better to reduce disaster risk and casualties.

Social implications
The mantra of community-based disaster risk management (CBDRM) is community engagement, which means the involvement of local people to understand and prepare against their local hazards and risks associated with disaster and haphazard development. CBDRM approaches motivate people to work together because they feel a sense of belongingness to their communities and recognize the benefits of their involvement in disaster mitigation and preparedness. Clearly, community engagement for disaster risk reduction and management brings great benefits in terms of ownership and direct savings in losses from disasters because the dynamic process allows community to contribute and interchange ideas and activities for inclusive decision making and problem solving.

Originality/value
This research is based on both primary and secondary data and original in case of its findings and conclusion.
Driving forces influencing the uptake of sustainable housing in New Zealand
Authors: Li Xintong , Liu Yisheng , Wilkinson S. , Liu Tingting 
Published: September 2018

Purpose
Sustainable houses remain at a low rate among the housing stock in New Zealand. Government, industry and the public are wanting to deliver homes that are energy and water efficient, healthy and adaptive to the climate. The purpose of this paper is to find out the driving forces influencing the uptake of sustainable housing in New Zealand.

Design/methodology/approach
Comparative case studies of Hobsonville Point, Wynyard Quarter and Long Bay were adopted as the primary research method. Semi-structured interviews and an online survey were both conducted for data collection to increase the validity of the research.

Findings
Central and local governments were the most effective driving forces for encouraging sustainable housing. Corporate brand and leadership were critical drivers for public-owned companies, whereas private-owned companies were mainly driven by local governments’ policies and strategies. Social awareness and client demand were increasing to influence the sustainable housing, but there was still room for improvement.

Research limitations/implications
The developers can learn from the sustainable development frameworks to set the sustainability goals. Policymakers can draw lessons from the public sectors’ experiences to carry out new policies and inspire the private sectors to follow. Besides, the basic framework could help the further study to use a larger sample size and more rigorous statistical analysis to explore the synergies among the identified drivers.

Originality/value
This paper provides the useful information on how to promote the uptake of sustainable housing in New Zealand.
Tata: the biggest boardroom coup
Authors: Sudhakar Goparaju Purna 
Published: September 2018

Subject area
Corporate governance; General management; Strategy

Study level/applicability
Post Graduate/MBA

Case overview
Tata Group is a conglomerate having 29 listed companies with consolidated revenues of $103bn in FY2016. On October 24, 2016, Cyrus Mistry, chairman of the group has been replaced in an unceremonious way from this job, in a boardroom coup, without being given any opportunity to explain his case. This news arrived in the media between October 2016 and December 2016 and wide and public debates took place on the corporate governance practices of Tata Group. Mistry’s ouster was attributed to non-performance, unethical practices and non-compliance to Tata culture. This case presents the Tata Group performance before Mistry, at the ouster of Mistry, the major trouble points and the corporate governance activities that took place in this saga at Tata Group. The real losers in this battle were the investors who lost $12bn between October 2016 and December 2016. Many of Tata Group companies’ stocks plunged.

Expected learning outcomes
The students will learn corporate governance, know how a non-listed company control and govern listed entities, know the way performance of a chairman of a company has been evaluated and learn how ethical and cultural issues impact the performance of chairman of a listed company.

Supplementary materials
Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code
CSS: 11: Strategy
Simulation and experimental analysis of heat transfer characteristics in the plate type heat exchangers using TiO2/water nanofluid
Authors: Khanlari Ataollah , Sözen Adnan , Variyenli Halil İbrahim 
Published: September 2018

Purpose
The plate heat exchangers (PHE) with small size but large efficiency are compact types of heat exchangers formed by corrugated thin pressed plates, operating at higher pressures when compared to most other traditional exchangers. This paper aims to analyze heat transfer characteristics in the PHE experimentally and numerically.

Design/methodology/approach
Computational fluid dynamics analysis has been used to simulate the problem by using the ANSYS fluent 16 software. Also, the effect of using TiO2/water nanofluid as working fluid was investigated. TiO2/water nanofluid had 2% (Wt/Wt) nanoparticle content. To improve solubility of the TiO2 nanoparticles, Triton X-100 was added to the mixture. The results have been achieved in different working condition with changes in fluid flow rate and its temperature.

Findings
The obtained results showed that using TiO2/water nanofluid improved the overall heat transfer coefficient averagely as 6%, whereas maximum improvement in overall heat transfer coefficient was 10%. Also, theoretical and experimental results are in line with each other.

Originality/value
The most important feature which separates the present study from the literature is that nanofluid is prepared by using TiO2 nanoparticles in optimum size and mixing ratio with surfactant usage to prevent sedimentation and flocculation problems. This process also prevents particle accumulation that may occur inside the PHE. The main aim of the present study is to predict heat transfer characteristics of nanofluids in a plate heat exchanger. Therefore, it will be possible to analyze thermal performance of the nanofluids without any experiment.
Structural equation modeling of lean manufacturing practices in a developing country context
Authors: Shrafat Fayiz Dahash , Ismail Mohammad 
Published: September 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically examine lean manufacturing (LM) practices and to quantify their impact on business performance (BP), with particular emphasis on the mediating role of operational performance (OP) in deriving the BP benefits commonly linked with LM. It also seeks to identify those lean practices most appropriate for application.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical data on LM practices were collected using a structured survey questionnaire. The sampling frame was Jordanian companies registered and listed by the Amman Chamber of Commerce. In total, 500 questionnaires were distributed among 300 companies and a total of 249 completed questionnaires were eligible for statistical processing, a response rate of 49.8 percent. Invalid questionnaires were eliminated, leaving 228 usable. The theoretical relations were tested by structural equation modeling.FindingsAlthough the results of the statistical analysis indicate a positive and significant impact of implementing LM practices on both OP and BP, they also show that the various LM practices did not receive equal recognition among the organizations surveyed. The most commonly adopted lean principles were found to be total preventive maintenance, statistical process control and housekeeping 5S.Research limitations/implicationsOther lean practices have not been considered as a dimension in this study. However, it opens new avenues of investigation relevant to lean practices.Practical implicationsThe most significant implication of the study is that managers in manufacturing firms should place more emphasis on LM practices when developing strategies for leveraging performance. The study shows that the LM approach contributes to BP when LM practices are simultaneously implemented.Originality/valueThe originality of this study lies in the new context in which it was conducted. The study adds value by investigating the implementation of LM practices which have been transferred from developed to developing countries and by empirically examining their impact on key performance indicators within the Jordanian manufacturing sector.
How does home country bribery affect firms’ foreign market focus?
Authors: Kim Jinsil , Weng David H. , Lee Seung-Hyun (Sean) 
Published: September 2018

PurposeDrawing on the bribery literature, this paper aims to examine the effect of bribes paid in the home country on firms’ decision to internationalize through exports from transition economies. It also investigates whether the effect of home country bribery may vary from new ventures to established firms, and from those firms that operate in an environment with high to low informal competition.Design/methodology/approachThis paper tests several hypotheses using a panel data with fixed effects based on a sample of firms in transition economies from the Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey.FindingsFirst, home country bribery in transition economies can make domestic markets more lenient and dampen firms’ motivation to seek opportunities abroad. Second, new ventures have a higher motivation to focus on their domestic markets after paying bribes. Finally, despite the benefits accrued in the home country through bribery, firms that face a higher level of informal competition in the home country are more likely to seek opportunities abroad.Practical implicationsManagers in transition economies should consider their home country bribery activities in their evaluation of foreign market opportunities. Firms that use money to influence home country government officials, especially new ventures, are advised to have a more holistic view in evaluating foreign market opportunities so they will not miss out on new opportunities.Originality/valueThis paper advances literature on home country institutions and the research on firm global strategies. Moreover, it also highlights several contingencies that shape the effect of home country bribery on firms’ foreign market focus.
Impact of customer orientation on word-of-mouth and cross-buying
Authors: Mukerjee Kaushik , Shaikh Ateeque 
Published: September 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the direct impact of proactive customer orientation (PCO) and responsive customer orientation (RCO) on word-of-mouth (WoM) and cross-buying (CB). Further, this study tests the mediating role of perceived value (PV) in the relationship between customer orientation (CO) (PCO and RCO) and WoM as well as CB in the context of retail banking in an emerging market, India.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used cross sectional survey research design to collect data from 443 customers of retail banks in India. The authors analyzed the data using IBM AMOS 23.0 taking structural equation modeling approach to test the hypothesized relationships.FindingsThe findings of the study suggest that PCO positively influences CB but there is no significant relationship between PCO and WoM. RCO positively influences WoM and CB. PV partially mediates the relationship between RCO and WoM as well as CB. PV does not mediate the relationship between PCO and WoM or the relationship between PCO and CB.Practical implicationsThis study shows that managers need to focus on proactive as well as RCO. Further, managers need to adopt RCO in order to ensure cross-buying and promote WoM recommendations by customers. By practicing PCO managers can promote CB. Also, managers will be able to enhance CB and promote WoM recommendations if the value delivered by the bank is perceived to be adequate by customers.Originality/valueThis study contributes to current knowledge in retail banking by testing the relationship between CO and CB as well as WoM through data obtained from customers in an emerging economy. This study also tests the mediating role of PV for the above-mentioned relationships.