bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Observing action sequences elicits sequence-specific neural representations in frontoparietal brain regions
Authors: Apšvalka Dace , Cross Emily S. , Ramsey Richard 
Published: June 2018

AbstractLearning new skills by watching others is important for social and motor development throughout the lifespan. Prior research has suggested that observational learning shares common substrates with physical practice at both cognitive and brain levels. In addition, neuroimaging studies have used multivariate analysis techniques to understand neural representations in a variety of domains including vision, audition, memory and action, but few studies have investigated neural plasticity in representational space. As such, although movement sequences can be learned by observing other people’s actions, a largely unanswered question in neuroscience is how experience shapes the representational space of neural systems. Here we combined pre- and post-training fMRI sessions with six days of observational practice to examine whether the observation of action sequences elicits sequence-specific representations in frontoparietal brain regions and the extent to which these representations become more pronounced with observational practice. Our results showed that observed action sequences are modelled by distinct patterns of activity in frontoparietal cortex and that such representations largely generalise to very similar, but untrained, sequences. These findings advance our understanding of what is modelled during observational learning (sequence-specific information), as well as how it is modelled (reorganisation of frontoparietal cortex is similar manner to that of physical practice). Thus, on a more fine-grained neural level than demonstrated previously, we show the representational structure of how frontoparietal cortex maps visual information onto motor circuits to order to enhance motor performance.Significance statementLearning by watching others is a cornerstone in the development of expertise and skilled behaviour. However, it remains unclear how visual signals are mapped onto motor circuits for such learning to occur. Here we show that observed action sequences are modelled by distinct patterns of activity in frontoparietal cortex and that such representations largely generalise to very similar, but untrained, sequences. These findings advance our understanding of what is modelled during observational learning (sequence-specific information), as well as how it is modelled (reorganisation of frontoparietal cortex is similar manner to that of physical practice). More generally, these findings demonstrate how motor circuit involvement in the perception of action sequences shows high fidelity to the physical performance of action sequences.
Developmental-stage-specific proliferation and retinoblastoma genesis in RB-deficient human but not mouse cone precursors
Authors: Singh Hardeep P. , Wang Sijia , Stachelek Kevin , Lee Sunhye , Reid Mark W. , Thornton Matthew E. , Craft Cheryl Mae , Grubbs Brendan H. , Cobrinik David 
Published: June 2018

AbstractMost retinoblastomas initiate in response to the inactivation of the RB1 gene and loss of functional RB protein. The tumors may form without additional genomic changes and develop after a pre-malignant retinoma phase. Despite this seemingly straightforward etiology, mouse models have not recapitulated the genetic, cellular, and stage-specific features of human retinoblastoma genesis. For example, whereas human retinoblastomas appear to derive from cone photoreceptor precursors, current mouse models develop tumors that derive from other retinal cell types. To investigate the basis of the human cone-specific oncogenesis, we compared developmental-stage-specific cone precursor responses to RB loss in human and murine retina cultures and in cone-specific Rb1 knockout mice. We report that RB-depleted maturing (ARR3+) but not immature (ARR3-) human cone precursors enter the cell cycle, proliferate, and form retinoblastoma-like lesions characterized by Flexner-Wintersteiner rosettes, then form low or non-proliferative pre-malignant retinoma-like lesions with fleurettes and high p16INK4A and p130 expression, and finally form highly proliferative retinoblastoma-like masses. In contrast, in murine retina, only RB-depleted immature (Arr3-) cone precursors entered the cell cycle and they failed to progress from S to M phase. Moreover, whereas the intrinsically highly expressed MDM2 and MYCN contribute to RB-depleted maturing (ARR3+) human cone precursor proliferation, ectopic MDM2 and Mycn promoted only immature (Arr3-) murine cone precursor cell cycle entry. These findings demonstrate that developmental-stage-specific as well as speciesand cell-type-specific features sensitize to RB1 inactivation and reveal the human cone precursors’ capacity to model retinoblastoma initiation, proliferation, pre-malignant arrest, and tumor growth.Significance StatementRetinoblastoma is a childhood tumor that forms in response to mutations in the RB1 gene and loss of functional RB protein. Prior studies suggested that retinoblastomas arise from cone photoreceptor precursors, whereas mouse models yield tumors deriving from other retinal cell types and lacking human retinoblastoma features. Here, we show that in cultured human retinae, retinoblastomas initiate from RB-depleted cone precursors that are in a specific maturation state and form pre-malignant “retinomas” prior to retinoblastoma lesions, as is believed to occur in retinoblastoma patients. In contrast, Rb-deficient mouse cone precursors of similar maturation state and supplemented with human-cone-precursor-specific oncoproteins fail to proliferate. Thus, human species-specific developmental features underlie retinoblastomagenesis and may challenge the production of accurate mouse retinoblastoma models.
Crystallization and X-ray analysis of all of the players in the autoregulation of theataRTtoxin–antitoxin system
Authors: Jurėnas Dukas , Van Melderen Laurence , Garcia-Pino Abel 
Published: June 2018

TheataRToperon from enteropathogenicEscherichia coliencodes a toxin–antitoxin (TA) module with a recently discovered novel toxin activity. This new type II TA module targets translation initiation for cell-growth arrest. Virtually nothing is known regarding the molecular mechanisms of neutralization, toxin catalytic action or translation autoregulation. Here, the production, biochemical analysis and crystallization of the intrinsically disordered antitoxin AtaR, the toxin AtaT, the AtaR–AtaT complex and the complex of AtaR–AtaT with a double-stranded DNA fragment of the operator region of the promoter are reported. Because they contain large regions that are intrinsically disordered, TA antitoxins are notoriously difficult to crystallize. AtaR forms a homodimer in solution and crystallizes in space groupP6122, with unit-cell parametersa = b = 56.3,c= 160.8 Å. The crystals are likely to contain an AtaR monomer in the asymmetric unit and diffracted to 3.8 Å resolution. The Y144F catalytic mutant of AtaT (AtaTY144F) bound to the cofactor acetyl coenzyme A (AcCoA) and the C-terminal neutralization domain of AtaR (AtaR44–86) were also crystallized. The crystals of the AtaTY144F–AcCoA complex diffracted to 2.5 Å resolution and the crystals of AtaR44–86diffracted to 2.2 Å resolution. Analysis of these structures should reveal the full scope of the neutralization of the toxin AtaT by AtaR. The crystals belonged to space groupsP6522 andP3121, with unit-cell parametersa=b= 58.1,c= 216.7 Å anda=b= 87.6,c = 125.5 Å, respectively. The AtaR–AtaT–DNA complex contains a 22 bp DNA duplex that was optimized to obtain high-resolution data based on the sequence of two inverted repeats detected in the operator region. It crystallizes in space groupC2221, with unit-cell parametersa= 75.6,b= 87.9,c= 190.5 Å. These crystals diffracted to 3.5 Å resolution.
Experimental and theoretical study of aluminium corrosion in NaOH, NaCl and HCl solutions
Authors: Padash Rahman , Jafari Abdol Hamid , Jamalizadeh Effat 
Published: June 2018

Purpose
Study of corrosion behaviour could benefit from quantum chemical calculation to investigate the role of adsorption of main anions such as OH− and Cl− on metallic surfaces. The purpose of this study is to report the quantum chemical study of aluminium immersed in NaOH, NaCl and HCl solutions and verifying the calculations by potentiodynamic and open-circuit potential (OCP) measurements.

Design/methodology/approach
The electrochemical evaluations based on potentiodynamic polarization and OCP experiments were carried out. For theoretical investigations, the quantum chemical calculation was performed. In this regard, the adsorption of Cl−, OH− and H+ on aluminium surface was investigated. Furthermore, the natural bond orbital for the direction and magnitude of charge transfer interactions was calculated.

Findings
The calculations indicate that higher interaction energy between ions with the metallic cluster being modelled together with natural bond orbital calculations of direction and magnitude of charge transfer accurately predicts corrosion.

Originality/value
This paper shows that ions such as Cl−, OH− and H+ cause the corrosion of aluminium in NaOH, NaCl and HCl environments. The overall theoretical data corroborate with experimental results.
Corrosion inhibition and friction-reduction property of tetrazole derivatives on copper
Authors: Liu Lin , Su Hongyu , Xing Jinjuan , Peng Dan , Zhang Qiang , Qian Jianhua 
Published: June 2018

Purpose
This paper aims to evaluate the inhibitive effect and adsorption behavior of 5-(ethylthio)-1H-tetrazole (EHT) and 5-(benzylthio)-1H-tetrazole (BHT) on copper in a sulfur-ethanol system.

Design Methodology Approach
Evaluation was carried out using electrochemical measurement and surface analysis techniques. Measurements of static friction coefficient by scanning electron microscopy and contact angle analysis were applied and finally confirmed the existence of the adsorbed film. The inhibitive mechanism of the two compounds was evaluated by means of quantitative calculation and molecular dynamics simulation. The friction coefficient of corrosion surface before and after adding corrosion inhibitor was determined through static friction coefficient measurements.

Findings
The electrochemical measurement indicated that the most effective concentration of two corrosion inhibitors was 70 mg L–1, while the inhibition efficiency of that was EHT > BHT. The friction coefficient data showed that the addition of corrosion inhibitor reduced the roughness of the corrosion surface. Adsorption behavior of two inhibitors followed the Langmuir’s adsorption isotherm and was attributed to mixed-type adsorption. The results of quantitative calculation and molecular dynamics simulation showed that tetrazole rings of the two inhibitors and its connected S atoms were adsorbed on Cu(111) surface in parallel.

Originality Value
The corrosion inhibition performance of two tetrazolium derivatives in a sulfur-ethanol system was studied by combining experiments with theory, which provided a theoretical basis for the future research.
Halal food standard implementation: are Malaysian firms proactive or reactive?
Authors: Ab Talib Mohamed Syazwan , Ai Chin Thoo 
Published: June 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the reasons behind halal food standard (HFS) implementation among food manufacturers in Malaysia. Additionally, it examines whether firms in the Malaysian food manufacturing industry are proactive or reactive in implementing HFS.

Design/methodology/approach
A field survey was conducted in 210 halal-certified food manufacturers. A partial least squares structural equation modeling technique was used to examine the relationships between the reasons and implementation of HFS.

Findings
The empirical assessments revealed that organization’s commitment, operational improvement and marketing functions are the internal reasons. Meanwhile, government intervention and consumer pressure are the external reasons to implement HFS. Findings also indicated that Malaysian food manufacturers are proactive in implementing HFS.

Practical implications
The knowledge from this research could encourage non-certified firms to implement HFS and entices halal-certified firms to remain certified. It guides managers toward adopting a better strategy, particularly in prioritizing the internal factors and resources for a more sustainable and positive implication.

Originality/value
This research is among the few studies that scrutinized the rationale behind the rapid growth of halal food industry. It argues that the pursuit of HFS is not solely a religious obligation, but it is also driven by safety, quality and marketing motives.
Taska Kyrana Sdn. Bhd.: to change or not to change its operating days?
Authors: Hashim Hazirhah , Basiruddin Rohaida , Quoquab Farzana , Md Husin Maizaitulaidawati 
Published: June 2018

Subject area
Entrepreneurship, Marketing management, Consumer behaviour

Study level/applicability
Undergraduate students, taking courses of entrepreneurship, marketing management and/or consumer behaviour that cover the topics related to entrepreneurial challenges, institutional support, growth strategy, market segmentation and marketing promotion strategy.

Case overview
This case demonstrates the dilemma of a founder, cum entrepreneur dealing with the issue related to a change in operating days that would affect her business profitability in the kindergarten industry. The case begins with the problem faced by Azizah Ayob, the founder and entrepreneur of Taska Kyrana when she hears that the state minister of Johor has announced that business operation days will be changed from Sunday to Friday with effect from 1 January 2014. The change would be applicable to government institutions in the state. However, businesses and corporations in the private sector can choose to continue observing Saturday-Sunday weekends or switch to the new official rest days of Friday-Saturday. As customers of Taska Kyrana consist of parents working in public and private sectors, as well as Singaporean parents, Ayob needs to choose either to follow the state requirement or to maintain the usual operation days.

Expected learning outcomes
Using this case, the students should be able to understand the need for institutional support for an entrepreneur; understand a possible growth strategy to cope with the volatile situation; understand the importance of a proper segmentation strategy to target the right group of customers; and understand the importance of a promotional strategy to attract new customers and to retain the existing one in a volatile situation.

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 8: Marketing.
Health Zone: the solution to slimming, fitness and beauty care
Authors: Tiwari Mitali , Dwivedi Amit 
Published: June 2018

Subject area
Entrepreneurship; Strategy.

Study level/applicability
The case is meant for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students pursuing entrepreneurship and management with specializations in strategy. It can be also used for Entrepreneurship and Management Development programs for generating an insight into strategic planning, organic growth of enterprise and the formulation of a future road map. The case can be used in courses like “strategic management”, “female entrepreneurship” and specialization courses like “Start-up: Ideation, Launching, Managing and Growth”.

Case overview
Simran Sahni and Sachin Sahni, the owner and co-founders of health, beauty and slimming center are currently running centers in Lucknow and Ludhiana. Although as of now there is no operational franchisee provided by Health Zone in any of the other cities across the country, the owners have a vision to open around 100 franchised and company owned centers across the country. At this juncture, both the co-founders, who also happen to be husband and wife, look forward to understanding and revisiting the operations and strategies at Health Zone to formulate the road map for the future.

Expected learning outcomes
The participants will be able to identify key challenges for service organizations and will learn ways to meet these challenges. The participants will be able to identify motivation and retention strategies applied by the co-owners in their organization. The participants will be able to have an insight on the key elements of the Business Model of a service organization based in the wellness industry. The participants will be able to analyze the opportunities available for new startups in the wellness industry drawing their conclusions from experiences and business development and expansion of Health Zone in its overall journey. Participants will be able to devise models for the enterprise so as to help it grow and expand its operations nationally.

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 3: Entrepreneurship.
Innovation at the crossroads
Authors: Palumbo Rocco , Manna Rosalba 
Published: June 2018

PurposesThis paper aims at investigating the link between inter-organizational relationships and innovation, discussing whether the probability to detect a greater innovation propensity of organizations increases with or without collaborative partnerships.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on secondary data provided by the Italian Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) about a representative sample of 8,967 Italian firms, three multinomial logit models and four logit models have been estimated, in an attempt to examine the effects of inter-organizational relationships on different types of organizational innovation.FindingsA positive and statistically significant relationship between inter-organizational relationships and organizational innovation emerged from all the models which were arranged for the purpose of this study. Several categories of partners, including suppliers, universities and firms belonging to the same holding group, were found to be more effective in fostering the probability of organizational innovation. Interestingly, geographical proximity did not seem to influence the organizational propensity to innovate.Practice implicationsEven though further developments are needed to disentangle the complex link between inter-organizational relationships and organizational innovation, the former are likely to positively affect the innovation ability of organizations. From this point of view, it could be argued that partners perform as catalysts, which boost the knowledge creation process underlying the emergence of organizational innovation.Originality/valueThis is one of the first attempts to exploit the potential of multinomial logit models and logit models to investigate the effects of inter-organizational relationships on the propensity of organizations to innovate.
Responsible leadership and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Luxembourg
Authors: Schinzel Ursula 
Published: June 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a link between responsible leadership and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Luxembourg and also to determine Luxembourg’s specifics in the field of CSR.

Design/methodology/approach
This is a qualitative study. In total, 64 semi-structured interviews were conducted from January to August 2017 with four culturally different samples: Luxembourgers with Luxembourgish nationality, foreigners who reside in Luxembourg, cross-borderers and the rest of the world.

Findings
Responses from all four samples were similar on the one hand and quite contradictory on the other. Three groups were formed: euphoric respondents who said it is the authenticity of the leader and his modelling role in lived CSR; moderate respondents; critical respondents who deny any link between responsible leadership and CSR and claim for change and innovation, accusing the high Uncertainty Avoidance Index. In their opinion, there is an urgent need for managers to learn responsible leadership and CSR.

Practical implications
This paper contributes to the discussion on change and innovation in the field of leadership theory with particular emphasis on responsible leadership following Michael Maccoby, on multilingual and multicultural Luxembourg in the middle of Europe following Geert Hofstede and Edgar Schein and on CSR following Thomas Maak and Nicole Pless.

Originality/value
This study is a combination of research on responsible leadership and CSR in Luxembourg in connection with Hofstede’s cultural dimensions: high long-term orientation, high uncertainty avoidance and high collectivism (low individualism).
Employer brand and its unexplored impact on intent to join
Authors: Sharma Ruchika , Prasad Asha 
Published: June 2018

PurposeThe purpose for this paper is to determine the various dimensions of employer brand in the IT sector of India and analyse their impact on the final intent of the candidates to join an organisation. A five-factor employer brand (EB) model and three-factor intent to join (ITJ) model have been tested for reliability and validity through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). A structural model is empirically tested with EB as independent variable and ITJ as dependent variable through structured equation modelling.Design/methodology/approachThe items for the independent variable EB are generated with the help of literature and semi-structured interviews with final-year student placement coordinators of B.Tech and MCA, studying in central, state and deemed universities of India. For ITJ, the variables are adopted from the literature and confirmed through CFA in the Indian context. Structured equation modelling has been used to analyse the relationship between EB and ITJ.FindingsFive dimensions of EB were explored as growth and development opportunity, company’s reputation, acceptance and belongingness, work–life balance and ethics and CSR. ITJ was found to be composed of intent to pursue, employer’s attractiveness and employer’s reputation. EB has been found to be an effective contributor to ITJ.Research limitations/implicationsThe current study has been conducted in the IT sector, and other sectors have not been included. The universities considered for the study were limited to central, state and deemed universities of India. Apart from intention to join, there are other attitudinal and behavioural aspects that have not been included in the current study.Originality/valueThis study gives empirical evidence on EB to be an important antecedent of ITJ from the perspective of prospective employees of a developing nation.