bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multistep metabolic engineering ofBacillus licheniformisto improve pulcherriminic acid production
Authors: Wang Shiyi , Wang Huan , Zhang Dan , Li Xiaoyun , Zhang Jin’ge , Zhan Yangyang , Cai Dongbo , Ma Xin , Wang Dong , Chen Shouwen 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPulcherriminic acid, a cyclodipeptide, possesses the excellent antibacterial activities by chelating iron ions from environment, however, the low yield has hindered its application. In this study, high-level production of pulcherriminic acid was achieved by the multistep metabolic engineering ofBacillus licheniformisDWc9n*. Firstly, leucine (Leu) supply was increased by overexpressing the genesilvBHC-leuABCDandilvDinvolved in the Leu synthetic pathway and deleting the genebkdABencoding a branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase. The intracellular Leu content and pulcherriminic acid yield of strain W2 reached 147.4 mg/g DCW and 189.9 mg/L respectively, which corresponded to a 226.7% and 49.1% higher than those of DWc9n*. Secondly, the strain W3 was obtained by overexpressing leucyl-tRNA synthase LeuS in W2, which lead to a 190% improvement compared to DWc9n*, pulcherriminic acid yield increase to 367.7 mg/L. Thirdly, overexpression of the cytochrome synthase gene clusteryvmC-cypXfurther increased the yield of pulcherriminic acid to 507.4 mg/L. Finally, the secretion capability was improved by overexpressing the pulcherriminic acid transporter geneyvmA. This resulted in the 556.1 mg/L pulcherriminic acid was produced in W4/pHY-yvmA, increased by 340% as compared with DWc9n*, and it is the highest pulcherriminic acid production currently reported. Taken together, this study provided an efficient strategy for enhancing pulcherriminic acid production and might also be applied for high-level production of other cyclodipeptides.ImportancePulcherriminic acid is a cyclodipeptide that derived from cyclo(L-Leu-L-Leu), which has the same iron chelation group with hydroxamate siderophores. Pulcherriminic acid producing strains can inhibit the growths of various bacteria and plant pathogenic fungi. However, the expected pulcherriminic acid yield was not achieved. This study reports efficient microbial production of pulcherriminic acid inBacillus licheniformisDWc9n* via multistep metabolic engineering strategies. The combination of these interventions resulted in the establishment of a pulcherriminic acid overproducing strain. In combination with bioprocess engineering efforts, pulcherriminic acid was produced at a final yield of 556 mg/L in a shake flask. This is the highest pulcherriminic acid yield ever reported so far using rationally engineered microbial cell factories.
Spatiotemporal Maps of Proprioceptive Inputs to the Cervical Spinal Cord During Three-Dimensional Reaching and Grasping
Authors: Kibleur Pierre , Tata Shravan R , Greiner Nathan , Conti Sara , Barra Beatrice , Zhuang Katie , Kaeser Melanie , Ijspeert Auke , Capogrosso Marco 
Published: October 2019

AbstractProprioceptive feedback is a critical component of voluntary movement planning and execution. Neuroprosthetic technologies aiming at restoring movement must interact with it to restore accurate motor control. Optimization and design of such technologies depends on the availability of quantitative insights into the neural dynamics of proprioceptive afferents during functional movements. However, recording proprioceptive neural activity during unconstrained movements in clinically relevant animal models presents formidable challenges. In this work, we developed a computational framework to estimate the spatiotemporal patterns of proprioceptive inputs to the cervical spinal cord during three-dimensional arm movements in monkeys. We extended a biomechanical model of the monkey arm with ex-vivo measurements, and combined it with models of mammalian group-Ia, Ib and II afferent fibers. We then used experimental recordings of arm kinematics and muscle activity of two monkeys performing a reaching and grasping task to estimate muscle stretches and forces with computational biomechanics. Finally, we projected the simulated proprioceptive firing rates onto the cervical spinal roots, thus obtaining spatiotemporal maps of spinal proprioceptive inputs during voluntary movements. Estimated maps show complex and markedly distinct patterns of neural activity for each of the fiber populations spanning the spinal cord rostro-caudally. Our results indicate that reproducing the proprioceptive information flow to the cervical spinal cord requires complex spatio-temporal modulation of each spinal root. Our model can support the design of neuroprosthetic technologies as well as in-silico investigations of the primate sensorimotor system.
Spironolactone but not Eplerenone Exacerbates Cisplatin Nephrotoxicity
Authors: Estrela Gabriel R. , Bonnard Benjamin , Barrera-Chimal Jonatan , Jaisser Frédéric 
Published: October 2019

AbstractCisplatin is a highly successful chemotherapeutic agent used for the treatment of solid tumors. However, nephrotoxicity is a limiting factor that occurs in 30% of patients under treatment. Many mechanisms are involved in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, such as epithelial and endothelial injury, inflammation, oxidative stress, and renal vasoconstriction. The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) has an important role in inflammation and vascular function. MR blockage and ablation have been shown to be effective in preventing renal ischemia-reperfusion injury and cyclosporine A-induced nephrotoxicity. We investigated whether MR antagonism with spironolactone or eplerenone could prevent cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Here, we show that spironolactone treatment exacerbates nephrotoxicity in mice treated with acute and long-term cisplatin regimes. Moreover, spironolactone potentiated the toxicity induced by cisplatin treatment in a cell viability assay in human embryonic kidney cells. In contrast, eplerenone neither prevented nor increased cisplatin toxicity in mice or cultured cells. Thus, our studies support recent findings showing that spironolactone potentiates cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity, independently of mineralocorticoid receptor inhibition.
Integration of eye-centered and landmark-centered codes in frontal eye field gaze responses
Authors: Bharmauria Vishal , Sajad Amirsaman , Li Jirui , Yan Xiaogang , Wang Hongying , Crawford J. Douglas 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTThe visual system is thought to separate egocentric and allocentric representations, but behavioral experiments show that these codes are optimally integrated to influence goal-directed movements. To test if frontal cortex participates in this integration process, we recorded primate frontal eye field (FEF) activity during a cue-conflict memory delay saccade task. To dissociate egocentric and allocentric coordinates, we surreptitiously shifted a visual landmark during the delay period, causing saccades to deviate by 37% in the same direction. To assess the cellular mechanisms, we fit neural response fields against an egocentric (eye centered target-to-gaze) continuum, and an allocentric shift (eye-to-landmark centered) continuum. Initial visual responses best fit target position. Motor responses (after the landmark shift) predicted future gaze position but embedded within the motor code was a 29% shift toward allocentric coordinates. This shift appeared transiently in memory-related visuomotor activity, and then reappeared in motor activity before saccades. Notably, fits along the egocentric and allocentric shift continua were initially independent, but became correlated just before the motor burst. Overall, these results implicate frontal cortex in the integration of egocentric and allocentric visual information for goal-directed action, and demonstrate the cell-specific, temporal progression of signal multiplexing for this process in the gaze system.
A framework for contextualising the formation and transformation of the medina in North Africa
Authors: Abudib Huyam Hadi , Remali Adel Mohammad 
Published: October 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to offer a framework to contextualise the formation and transformation of three major medinas in North Africa, namely, Tripoli, Tunis and Fez. The framework is designed to identify key factors that formed these medinas in the first place, and key causes of transformation in reference to three distinctive forces: colonisation, modernisation and globalisation, which include political, economic and social changes that influenced the transformation process.Design/methodology/approachColonisation, modernisation and globalisation changed the physical appearance and urban fabric, introduced new architectural styles and at the same time changed the social structure, lifestyle, and the inhabitants’ perception and use of spaces within their medinas. Physical aspects of the transformation process are investigated using comparative case studies, while social aspects are studied through interviewing three main actors in housing: users, decision makers and professional architects.FindingsBy identifying key factors of formation and main drivers of transformation, together with analysing the physical and social aspects associated with the transformation process, the framework aims at developing a holistic, complex picture of housing transformation within a specific context: the medinas of North Africa. However, the framework is introduced as a valuable tool for exploring the transformation of other cities with relevant and similar context.Originality/valueThrough the use of comparative case studies and interviews, the study focuses on capturing the essence of traditional medinas, understanding the reality of social change within housing transformation and contextualising the physical aspects of housing transformation.
Confronting extractivism – the role of local struggles in the (un)making of place
Authors: Ehrnström-Fuentes Maria 
Published: October 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the politics involved in local struggles against forestry extractivism. The forestry sector is dependent on vast areas of land for tree plantations. This creates deep-rooted conflicts between global corporations that seek access to natural resources and locals whose way of life requires the use of the same land.Design/methodology/approachThis study draws on a political ontology frame of reference and storytelling methodology to build on testimonies of three small-scale farmers who actively seek to resist forestry plantations next to their land in rural Uruguay. The stories reveal the impossibilities they face when raising claims in the public political sphere and how they lack the means to organise strong collective resistance.FindingsOne of the testimonies reveals how the farmers engage in a form of “politics of place” (Escobar, 2001, 2008) to counter the power of the proponents of forestry and the further expansion of plantations. This form of politics strengthens and politicises the ontological difference between extractive and non-extractive worlds. The farmers seek to build new imaginations of rural living and sustainable futures without the presence of extractive corporations. They fulfil this aim by designing community projects that aim to revitalise ancient indigenous legends, set up agro-ecological farms, and teach schoolchildren about the environment.Originality/valueThe struggles of the farmers indicate the territorial transformations involved in (un)making (non)extractive places and the need to expand the analysis of the politics involved in struggles against extractivism beyond social struggles.
Structural key factors of participatory sustainability reporting for universities
Authors: Klußmann Coco , Sassen Remmer , Gansel Elisa 
Published: October 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to answer the following research question: What are the key factors of the participatory process for establishing sustainability reporting in German universities?Design/methodology/approachTo answer the research question, this study uses qualitative methodology, following the grounded theory approach and triangulation of qualitative methods for accessing data.FindingsThe findings show that universities face a high level of difficulty in introducing sustainability reporting, which has an external and an internal dimension.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the understanding of sustainability reporting processes of universities from an internal perspective, specifically through experts who are involved in the preparation of sustainability reports. Furthermore, it delivers insights for a theory-based discussion, which may support universities in starting sustainability reporting activities and improving reporting processes.
Damage mechanism of giant orthogonal grid barrel vault under strong earthquake
Authors: Qi Lin , Zhang Wenbo , Sun Ronglai , Liu Fang 
Published: October 2019

Purpose
Giant orthogonal grid barrel vault is generated by deleting members in the inessential force transfer path of the two-layer lattice barrel vault. Consisting of members in the essential transfer path only, giant orthogonal grid barrel vault is a new type of structure with clear mechanical behavior and efficient material utilization. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach
The geometrical configuration of this structure is analyzed, and the geometrical modeling method is proposed. When necessary parameters are determined, such as the structural span, length, vault rise, longitudinal and lateral giant grid number and section height to top chord length ratio of the lattice member, the structure geometrical model can be generated.

Findings
Numerical models of giant orthogonal grid barrel vaults with different rise–span ratios are built using the member model that can simulate the pre-buckling and post-buckling behavior. So the possible member buckle-straighten process and the plastic hinge form–disappear process of the structure under strong earthquake can be simulated.

Originality/value
Seismic analysis results indicate that when the structure damages under strong earthquake there are a large number of buckling members and few endpoint plastic hinges in the structure. Dynamic damage of giant orthogonal grid barrel vault under strong earthquake is caused by buckling members that weaken the structural bearing capacity.
The impact of country-level and fund-level factors on mutual fund performance in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Hoa Thi , Nguyen Dung Thi Nguyet 
Published: October 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of mutual funds’ performance at both a country level and a fund level in Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach
The different types of funds with more than three-year operation are selected to remove outliers of the stock market boom from 2015 to 2018. The data set includes 54 mutual funds operating during the period from 2008 until November 2018.

Findings
The research finds that there is a positive relationship between macroeconomics and mutual funds’ performance. Furthermore, country-level governance such as regulation effectiveness, political stability, economic growth and financial development has a positive correlation with mutual funds’ performance. However, the impact of fund-level factors is diverse with the no significant impact of board size on mutual fund’s performance, while passive funds perform better than active funds in Vietnam.

Practical implications
The research results suggest that investors should pay attention to the types of funds and operating expense when making an investment decision in mutual funds. There are some recommendations for both government policy-makers and the mutual fund industry that are likely to facilitate the development of this field in Vietnam.

Originality/value
The research contributes to the understanding of what are the factors that should be considered when investing in mutual funds.
Assessing the health, safety, and environment culture in the United Arab Emirates oil and gas industry
Authors: Almazrouei Mohmaed , Khalid Khalizani , Abdallah Salam , Davidson Ross 
Published: October 2019

Purpose
This paper aims to assess the ways through which the concept of health, safety and environment (HSE) is perceived by workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) oil and gas industry. The study focused on different aspects of the HSE culture and how employees with and without leadership responsibilities differed in their conceptualization of HSE culture.

Design/methodology/approach
Semi-structured interviews were conducted for 30 staff of the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in the UAE. The interviewees were purposively selected which included both those in leadership and non-leadership roles.

Findings
The findings revealed that the interviewees viewed HSE culture as a descriptive term, a causal phenomenon, a systemic approach or a legal requirement/obligation. Interviewees in the production and maintenance units mentioned safety most often. Employees and managers exhibited negligible differences in their usage of the HSE culture concept. Managers predominantly featured in the narratives as important drivers of HSE culture. Physical conditions, behavior and procedures, management, competence and collaboration emerged as important components of a sound HSE culture.

Originality/value
To enable better communication and subsequent improvement of the HSE culture, an analogical HSE culture “vehicle” was developed in the study. The vehicle is a novel illustration based on the key roles of managers and employees, as well as the main components of a sound HSE culture.
WARRN – a formulation-based risk assessment procedure for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS): the view of clinicians
Authors: Gray Nicola S. , Tiller Jacqui , Snowden Robert J. 
Published: October 2019

Purpose
Wales Applied Risk Research Network (WARRN) is a formulation-based technique for the assessment and management of serious risk (e.g. violence to others, suicide, etc.) for users of mental health services which has been adopted across most Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) across Wales. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach
An online survey was disseminated to National Health Service clinicians in CAMHS to evaluate their perceptions of the use and effectiveness of WARRN. Data from 88 clinicians were analysed with both quantitative and qualitative methods.

Findings
Clinicians reported increased clinical skills, increased confidence in their assessment and management of risk and in safety planning, the increased safety of service users and the general public, and a belief that WARRN had saved lives. The qualitative data showed that clinicians thought a common risk evaluation instrument across Wales and different agencies had created a common language and understanding that improved communication.

Practical implications
WARRN appears well accepted in CAMHS services with the view that it is having a very positive effect on service user well-being and safety and could be implemented in other services.

Originality/value
This is the first report of a formulation-based approach to the management of serious problem behaviours in CAMHS services.
Busy boards and corporate earnings management: an international analysis
Authors: Ferris Stephen P. , Liao Min-Yu (Stella) 
Published: October 2019

PurposeBecause of our limited understanding of the incidence and effect of board busyness globally, the mixed evidence of the effect of board busyness obtained in the USA and the divergence of international patterns of director busyness from that observed in the USA, the author contends that there is a strong need to examine board busyness from a global perspective. The literature, however, does not examine the effect of board busyness on reported earnings quality and certainly does not analyze it internationally. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to examine the effect of multiple board appointments on the quality of a firm’s reported earnings.Design/methodology/approachThe research design for this study is empirical. It uses both univariate and multivariate statistical analysis to examine historical corporate accounting, finance and governance data.FindingsConsistent with the busyness hypothesis of corporate governance, the author finds that firms with a higher proportion of busy independent directors or busy CEOs manage their earnings more extensively. Further, the findings of this study present that firms with a higher proportion of busy independent audit committee members have poorer financial reporting quality. Using a sample of American Depository Receipts (ADRs), this study determines that the ineffectiveness of busy boards regarding earnings management is mitigated by the listing regulations imposed by US exchanges.Research limitations/implicationsThe author believes that this study offers new and important evidence regarding the debate whether busy directors provide knowledge, skill and corporate connections, or whether they are overextended and, thus, unable to fully perform their monitoring duties. This study shows that firms with busy directors are associated with poorer financial reporting quality and, consistent with the busyness hypothesis, are less effective as managerial monitors.Practical implicationsThis study provides useful guidance regarding board design and the kinds of policies that firms should adopt regarding multiple boarding.Social implicationsThe social implications focus on the public policy implications regarding the importance of effective corporate governance in the reporting of financial wealth, wealth creation and wealth management.Originality/valueThis is the first study that examines the relation between board/committee busyness and corporate earnings management using a comprehensive set of international firms. Second, the author expands the analysis of audit committee into a new dimension: committee quality as captured by the busyness of its independent members. This study also contributes to the ongoing debate in the corporate finance literature regarding the reputation and busyness hypotheses of multiple directorships.
Sequential mergers and competition policy under partial privatisation
Authors: Ebina Takeshi , Shimizu Daisuke 
Published: October 2019

AbstractWe examine optimal merger and privatisation policies in a partially privatised oligopoly with differentiated goods. We first show that under the subgame perfect Nash equilibrium, sequential mergers either emerge completely or do not emerge at all. Given this outcome, we derive the following policy implications. First, the level of social welfare can be U‐shaped with respect to the number of merged firm pairs. That is, given that there are some mergers that have already taken place, further mergers may actually lead to welfare improvement. However, these welfare‐improving mergers may not be privately profitable, implying that merger‐friendly policies are appropriate. Second, policymakers can halt privatisation in order to diminish the private incentive for further sequential (welfare‐deteriorating) mergers and improve welfare. Third, full nationalisation is never optimal unless the goods are homogeneous or independent. Our results are applicable to the Japanese life insurance industry and the partial privatisation of Japan Post Insurance.