bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
White spot syndrome virus infection induces Caspase 1-mediated antiviral cell death in crustacean
Authors: Yang Geng , Wang Jiajia , Luo Tao , Wei Jun , Yang Yadong , Zhang Wenyuan , Zhang Xiaobo 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn vertebrates, pyroptosis is an intensely inflammatory form of programmed cell death which is dependent on Caspase 1 activation and release of cytoplasmic cytokines including IL-1β. This death pathway is critical for controlling pathogenic infection by mobilizing immune cells and stimulating the development of adaptive immune response. In invertebrates, however, due to the lack of adaptive immune response, it is still elusive whether Caspase 1-dependent cell death pathway exists. In this study, our data showed that Caspase 1-mediated cell death was activated by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection to control the virus in shrimp. Caspase 1 had a higher expression level in hemocytes and lymphoid-like organ in shrimp and WSSV infection was significantly promoted upon the inhibition of Caspase 1 enzymatic activity. IL-1β-like protein was identified as the substrate of Caspase 1 and its interaction with Caspase 1 was validated ectopically and endogenously. Moreover, IL-1β like protein was released into extracellular contents under WSSV infection and Prophenoloxidase system was activated, resulting in the reduction of WSSV copiesin vivo. Our data unraveled a previously unidentified mechanism through which Caspase 1-dependent cell death controlled virus infection in shrimp. Therefore, our study opened the possibility that an invertebrate cytokine network might be operative and regulate host defenses against virus infection as in vertebrates.Author SummaryThe elimination of infected cells by programmed cell death is considered as one of the most important anti-pathogen responses. Pyroptosis is one form of programmed cell death, which is mediated by Caspase 1 activation. Activated Caspase 1 can process the inactive precursors of interleukin 1β (IL-1β) into mature inflammatory cytokines to induce potent immune responses. Meanwhile, pyroptosis also induces morphologic changes, DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation to destroy infected cells. However, due to the lack of efficient adaptive immune responses, it is still unclear whether Caspase 1-mediated cell death also exits and plays such an important role in defending hosts from pathogen invasion in invertebrates. In our data, Caspase 1 gene was characterized and Caspase 1-mediated cell death pathway was validated in shrimp. The Caspase 1-mediated cell death pathway was enhanced by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection to control the virus in shrimp. IL-1β-like protein was cleaved by Caspase 1 and released into extracellular contents under WSSV infection to activate Prophenoloxidase system, leading to the reduction of WSSV copies in shrimp in vivo. On the other hand, silencing ofCaspase 1orIL-1β-likegene facilitated virus infection in shrimp. Our study indicated that Casapase-1-mediated cell death played an important antiviral role in shrimp against WSSV infection and opened the possibility that an invertebrate cytokine network might be operative.
Did a plant-herbivore arms race drive chemical diversity in Euphorbia?
Authors: Ernst M. , Nothias L.-F. , van der Hooft J. J. J. , Silva R. R. , Saslis-Lagoudakis C. H. , Grace O. M. , Martinez-Swatson K. , Hassemer G. , Funez L. A. , Simonsen H. T. , Medema M. H. , Staerk D. , Nilsson N. , Lovato P. , Dorrestein P. C. , Rønsted N. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe genus Euphorbia is among the most diverse and species-rich plant genera on Earth, exhibiting a near-cosmopolitan distribution and extraordinary chemical diversity, especially across highly toxic macro-and polycyclic diterpenoids. However, very little is known about drivers and evolutionary origins of chemical diversity within Euphorbia. Here, we investigate 43 Euphorbia species to understand how geographic separation over evolutionary time has impacted chemical differentiation. We show that the structurally highly diverse Euphorbia diterpenoids are significantly reduced in species native to the Americas, compared to the Eurasian and African continents, where the genus originated. The localization of these compounds to young stems and roots suggest ecological relevance in herbivory defense and immunomodulatory defense mechanisms match diterpenoid levels, indicating chemoevolutionary adaptation to reduced herbivory pressure.One Sentence SummaryGlobal chemo-evolutionary adaptation of Euphorbia affected immunomodulatory defense mechanisms.
ATPase and protease domain movements in the bacterial AAA+ protease FtsH are driven by thermal fluctuations
Authors: Ruer Martine , Krainer Georg , Gröger Philip , Schlierf Michael 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAAA+ proteases are essential players in cellular pathways of protein degradation. Elucidating their conformational behavior is key for understanding their reaction mechanism and, importantly, for elaborating our understanding of mutation-induced protease deficiencies. Here, we study the structural dynamics of the Thermotoga maritima AAA+ hexameric ring metalloprotease FtsH (TmFtsH). Using a single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer approach to monitor ATPase and protease inter-domain conformational changes in real time, we show that TmFtsH—even in the absence of nucleotide—is a highly dynamic protease undergoing conformational transitions between five states on the second timescale in a sequential manner. Addition of ATP does not influence the number of states nor change the timescale of domain motions, but affects the state occupancy distribution leading to an inter-domain compaction. These findings suggest that thermal energy, but not chemical energy, provides the major driving force for conformational switching, while ATP, through a state reequilibration, introduces directionality into this process. The TmFtsH A359V mutation, a homolog of the human pathogenic A510V mutation of paraplegin (SPG7) causing hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), does not affect the dynamic behavior of the protease but impairs the ATP-coupled domain compaction and, thus, may account for protease malfunctioning and pathogenesis in HSP.
Filamentation and restoration of normal growth in E.coli using a combined CRISPRi sgRNA/antisense RNA approach
Authors: Mückl Andrea , Schwarz-Schilling Matthaeus , Fischer Katrin , Simmel Friedrich C. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractCRISPR interference (CRISPRi) using dCas9/sgRNA is a powerful tool for the exploration and manipulation of gene functions. Here we quantify the reversible switching of crucial cellular processes by CRISPRi and an antisense RNA mechanism. Reversible induction of filamentous growth in E. coli has been recently demonstrated by controlling the expression levels of the bacterial cell division proteins FtsZ/FtsA via CRISPRi. If FtsZ falls below a critical level, cells cannot divide. However, the cells remain metabolically active and continue with DNA replication. We surmised that this makes them amenable to an inducible antisense RNA strategy to counteract FtsZ inhibition. We show that both static and inducible thresholds can adjust the characteristics of the switching process. Combining bulk data with single cell measurements, we clarify the role of bacterial heterogeneity and population dynamics for gene circuits affecting cell division. Filamentation is shown to strongly increase gene expression variability in the bacteria. Furthermore, we find reversible switching only in a small subpopulation of the bacteria, which takes over the population upon continued cell division. Successful restoration of division occurs faster in the presence of antisense sgRNAs than upon simple termination of CRISPRi induction.
Applying quality tools to improve student retention supporting process: a case study from WOU
Authors: Chuah PohLean , Lim PengKeat 
Published: May 2018

Purpose
Student retention is important in the management of any university especially one which is not financially independent. Administrators in such institutions need to investigate ways to improve the retention rate in order to avoid the loss of revenue. One of the methods is to ensure that students are able to follow their study pathway and complete their study on time instead of dropping out. The purpose of this paper is to establish a system that allows the university to monitor the progression of these students and highlight the need for counselling when necessary. It is also hoped that this paper helps to improve the student retention rate using quality analysis tools and add knowledge into factual-based problem-solving methodology.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper is a co-relational study based on secondary data. It is a continuous improvement method adopting the “plan-do-check-action” model. Quality analysis tools adopted are failure modes and effects analysis and process mapping, where both are the quality analysis tools commonly used in solving product design or assembly process issues in manufacturing. Using the case study of Wawasan Open University, the authors will adapt the aforesaid quality analysis tools from design and manufacturing sectors into an open distance learning education design. It is hoped that the identified process facilitates certain functions of the departments of the organisation to be more effective.

Findings
This paper provides a practical approach on the methods to improve the retention rate in a private higher education institute. Stakeholders are more willing to embrace the improvement when there is proper factual analysis to support the plans. A cross-departmental team is formed to brainstorm the various aspects of the process and the potential failure modes. In a resource-constrained environment, prioritisation is important to identify the high-impact problems. It is also important that a mechanism is available to deliver information to the area where decisions and actions can be made. The failure modes are prioritised systematically and the corresponding solutions installed. The end result is a system with the process that reduces interdepartmental inconsistency thus providing students with a clearer visibility of their study pathway so that they can complete their study on time instead of dropping out.

Research limitations/implications
This study is performed within the context of an institute. The generalisation is low. Other researchers are encouraged to explore further.

Practical implications
This paper provides some practical actions for the improvement of student retention in the university. It is hoped that other researchers will be attracted to explore further on using quality analysis tools to solve non-technical problems.

Originality/value
This paper provides a structured problem-solving method in a service-oriented organisation.
Audit fee trends from 2000 to 2014
Authors: Dey R. Mithu , Lim Lucy 
Published: May 2018

Purpose
Setting audit fees is a persistent source of stress for auditors who must, on one hand, comply with the increasing government regulations that generally cause costs to rise; and on the other hand, respond to client pressures to keep audit fees down. In the post-scandal environment of Enron, WorldCom, and the demise of Arthur Andersen, policy makers have introduced additional costs for auditors by increasing regulations and creating a new industry watchdog – the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). In this environment of constant pricing-cost tension for the auditor, the purpose of this paper is to examine audit fee trends over an extended period, 2000-2014.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors calculate the unexpected audit fees using the audit fee model. The authors examine audit fee trends while controlling for changes due to inflation, auditor wages, and other audit fee determinants.

Findings
The key findings indicate that audit fees increased in response to the promulgation of new audit regulations requiring additional audit work, the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act of 2002 and Auditing Standard No. 2 in 2004. Additionally, the authors find that audit fees decreased after new regulations alleviating audit work, namely the passage of Auditing Standard No. 5 in 2007, and remained unchanged when new regulations had a minimal impact on audit work, namely the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010.

Practical implications
The findings of this research are relevant to audit clients, auditors, and regulators as they weigh the cost and benefits of significant new audit regulations and their impacts on audit fees.

Originality/value
Using the more recent US data, the results in this paper show how events changed audit fee trends in recent years. The findings indicate that audit fees increased after the passage of new audit regulations such as the SOX Act of 2002, Auditing Standards No. 2 in 2004, and decreased after the passage of Auditing Standards No. 5 in 2007.
More entrepreneur innovation and less labor conflicts – empirical evidence from China employer–employee survey
Authors: Li Tang , Deng Yue , Jia Xu , Wang Zeyu 
Published: May 2018

Purpose
Labor conflict has become a serious problem in recent China. From the perspective of entrepreneur innovation, this paper aims to find an effective path to eliminate this conflict. On the basis of theoretical analyses and regression analyses, this paper finds that, with legal environment and other conditions identical, entrepreneur innovation will significantly facilitate elimination of labor conflicts.

Design/methodology/approach
Using theoretical analyses based on entrepreneurship theory, this paper puts forward a series of hypotheses about the effects of entrepreneur innovation on labor conflicts. With panel data during 2013-2015 from China Employer–Employee Survey, this paper examines the effects of entrepreneur innovation on labor conflicts. Using interaction term regressions, this paper examines heterogeneous effects of entrepreneur innovation on labor conflicts by ownership, market power and export behavior. With mediating effect model, this paper examine whether workers’ participation in corporation governance is an important channel in which entrepreneurial innovation can impact on labor conflicts.

Findings
First, using benchmark regressions and robustness checks, this paper finds that there exist significantly positive effects of entrepreneur innovation on workers’ job satisfaction, incentive, social security, job development and job stability, which will reduce potential risks of labor conflict effectively. Second, using interaction term regressions, this paper finds that there exist heterogeneous effects of entrepreneur innovation on labor conflicts by ownership, market power and export behaviors. The study finds that the effects of entrepreneur innovation are more concentrated in private firms, firms with stronger market power and non-exporters. Third, using a mediating effect model, the study finds that workers’ participation in corporation governance is an important channel in which entrepreneur innovation can have impacts on labor conflicts.

Originality/value
The paper enriches the existing research about how to eliminate labor conflicts in China. On the basis of China Employer–Employee Survey data, this paper finds the importance of entrepreneur innovation on Chinese transition, which not only has positive impacts on firm performance, but also has impacts on eliminating labor conflicts and establishing better labor relationship. Therefore, stimulating entrepreneur innovation is very important for solving conflicts during Chinese transition.
Housing affordability in Malaysia: perception, price range, influencing factors and policies
Authors: Yap Jeffrey Boon Hui , Ng Xin Hua 
Published: May 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the affordability of Malaysian housing market, sufficiency of affordable housing and factors influencing the housing affordability in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach
In this study, qualitative research approach was adopted. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten industry practitioners from developers and real estate agencies and further validation with three industry experts.

Findings
The findings reveal that housing affordability is a grave concern to average Malaysians, and the supply of affordable housing is insufficient in the current residential property market. Income, property price, land cost and demand and supply are identified as significant factors affecting housing affordability.

Research limitations/implications
The research findings provide an insight rather than definitive information, as the small sample size could limit the generalizability of the findings. Future research can include participants from the public sector and focus on the policy options.

Practical implications
This paper provided numerous policies to ensure successful deliverability of affordable housing which eases government to partner with private sector to formulate a systematic framework for implementation of affordable housing programs and schemes.

Social implications
There is a need for government to pay more attention to housing needs of middle-income groups. Also, the government is urged to ensure transparent balloting process in every implementation of affordable housing programs.

Originality/value
The paper emphasised the issues of undersupply of affordable housing and mismatch of property price and income. The paper also highlights the key reasons behind high housing affordability index. Hence, it is hoped that this paper will encourage positive debate and gain some attention from the policymakers, practitioners and researchers in Malaysia and beyond.
Assessing the determinants of retirement home ownership among Malaysian young-old seniors
Authors: Tan Teck Hong , Lee Ji Hei 
Published: May 2018

Purpose
Many of the existing senior living accommodation options in Malaysia are ill-suited to the needs and requirements of seniors as they age further. To establish best practice guidance to meet the housing needs for seniors, the purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of neighbourhood quality, locational and structural attributes on the likelihood of owning a retirement home among the young-old aged 60 to 74 years in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, 300 young-old retirees from Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were interviewed using purposive sampling. Only 240 were used for the analysis.

Findings
The results revealed that respondents are likely to own the retirement home which could support their overall health and well-being within a safe and supportive senior-friendly neighbourhood. Furthermore, respondents are willing to reside in the retirement home that is served with good access to amenities.

Research limitations/implications
The likelihood of young-old seniors adjusting their housing disequilibrium situation is higher as long as the right housing attributes are incorporated into the retirement home.

Practical implications
The results of this paper would be very pertinent for the development of the physical planning guidelines on settlements and facilities for the elderly in Malaysia.

Originality/value
With the change in cultural values, the increasing life expectancy in senior adult population and improved household income in Malaysia, there is great potential for purpose-built senior housing projects for seniors who need help with activities of daily living, but desire to live as independently as possible.
Competitive vs coopetitive strategies: lessons from professional sport leagues
Authors: Fulconis François , Nollet Jean , Paché Gilles 
Published: May 2018

Purpose
Over the past decades, analyses of the functioning of professional sport leagues have been done from various angles: economic, financial and sociological; in some cases, comparisons were made between North-American and European leagues. The purpose of this paper is to look at this reality from a different angle, i.e. human capital management, by showing how different the models from both continents are.

Design/methodology/approach
Based on an identification of the major elements associated to human capital management in professional sport leagues in North America and Europe, this paper compares competitive and coopetitive strategies using an original framework based on consortium sourcing and pooling dimensions.

Findings
The paper underlines the benefits that North-American professional sport leagues get from acquiring players using a consortium sourcing perspective (coopetition). In Europe, the most powerful clubs use their financial resources to get the best players; as a result, it is always the same clubs with get the best results (competition). In the long run, the European approach might result in less attractiveness to TV viewers, and less revenues for TV networks.

Originality/value
This paper helps to understand the differences between professional sport leagues in North America and Europe; it also discusses the risk associated to the adoption, without any adjustment in the human capital management, in Europe of the North-American model based on a coopetitive perspective. This dimension is seldom mentioned in articles dealing with professional sport leagues.
Thinking green: How marketing managers select media for consumer acceptance
Authors: Rademaker Claudia A. , Royne Marla B. 
Published: May 2018

PurposeKnowledge about what drives managers to make more sustainable media decisions is important, as it can influence communication effectiveness, especially in countries with strong green consumption preferences.Design/methodology/approachThe authors examine corporate environmental policies and personal green attitudes of managers in the media selection process as potential influencers of marketing managers’ green thought, driving corporate sustainability.FindingsThe findings show that managers’ personal green attitudes are an internal driver of corporate sustainability with regard to more sustainable media decisions, while corporate environmental policies are not.Practical implicationsThese findings highlight the importance of recruiting marketing managers with strong green personal profiles, particularly companies with a green profile. Results also suggest companies use environmental policies in all managerial decisions, including marketing communications decisions such as media selection.Social implicationsThis research begins the process of understanding what drives marketing managers in their green thinking and related managerial decisions. With today’s growing focus on the environment, this knowledge is increasingly important, so companies can be aligned with the increasing number of eco-conscious consumers who purchase products based on corporate communications and green corporate decisions.Originality/valueWhere previous research found that the lack of commitment among company’s owners and the inability of suppliers to comply with the company’s sustainable policies are barriers of corporate sustainability, the current study found that this is the case even for marketing managers through the non-use of corporate green policies in marketing decisions and those with weak personal green attitudes.