bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mis-expression of the Alzheimer’s disease associated gene Ankyrin causes memory loss and shortened lifespan in Drosophila
Authors: Higham James P , Malik Bilal R , Buhl Edgar , Dawson Jenny , Ogier Anna S , Lunnon Katie , Hodge James JL 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated Tau, including the 4R0N isoform. Recent epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) of AD have identified a number of loci that are differentially methylated in AD cortex. Indeed, hypermethylation of the Ankyrin 1 (ANK1) gene in AD has been reported in the cortex in numerous different post-mortem brain cohorts. Little is known about the normal function of ANK1 in the healthy brain, nor the role it may play in AD. We have generated Drosophila models to allow us to functionally characterize Drosophila Ank2, the ortholog of human ANK1. These models have targeted reduction in the expression of Ank2 in neurons. We find that Drosophila with reduced neuronal Ank2 expression have shortened lifespan, reduced locomotion, reduced memory and reduced neuronal excitability similar to flies overexpressing either human mutant APP (that leads to Aβ42 production) and MAPT (that leads to 0N4R Tau). Therefore, we show that the mis-expression of Ank2 can drive disease relevant processes and phenocopy some features of AD and we propose targeting ANK1 may have therapeutic potential. This represents the first study to characterize a gene implicated in AD, which was nominated from EWAS.Author summaryThe majority (>95%) of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) cases are sporadic, with their incidence attributed to common genetic mutations, epigenetic variation, aging and the environment. There is no cure for AD and only limited treatment options which only treat the symptoms of AD and only work in some people. Recent epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) in AD have highlighted hypermethylation of the Ankyrin1 (ANK1) gene in AD cortex. Little is known of the normal role of the gene in the brain. Here, we have demonstrated that Drosophila with reduced neuronal expression of the Drosophila ortholog of human ANK1 (Ank2), can drive AD relevant processes including locomotor difficulties, memory loss and shortened lifespan similar to expression of human amyloid-Beta or tau mutant proteins. Furthermore, increasing Ank2 expression reversed the memory loss caused by expression of human amyloid-Beta or tau mutant proteins, suggesting that targeting ANK1 may have therapeutic potential. This represents the first study to characterize a gene implicated in AD, which was nominated from EWAS.
Logistics and supply chain management research in Africa
Authors: El Baz Jamal , Laguir Issam , Stekelorum Rébecca 
Published: September 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the literature on logistics and supply chain management (SCM) in Africa over the last few decades. It provides a comprehensive assessment of theory application regarding the research articles published between 1994 and 2016.Design/methodology/approachIn this structured systematic literature review, a set of 110 articles on SCM research in Africa is assessed.FindingsThe authors present the state-of-the-art review on logistics and SCM research in Africa. Extant literature shows that most research works focused on operational aspects of logistics and SCM and that papers drew heavily on theories inspired by strategic management, marketing, micro/macroeconomics and organizational behavior theories. Also, most of the papers with theoretical background can be categorized into theory matching and theory dressing and only a minority of theoretical papers belongs to theory suggestion category. Furthermore, based on the findings, the authors present a framework to characterize the peculiar aspects of Africa-based SCM and logistics practices and provide research propositions related to underexplored aspects of logistics and SCM in Africa.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has a number of implications. Practitioners and researchers will gain a greater understanding of how logistics and SCM are carried out in Africa and the type of issues that have been addressed. Furthermore, researchers will be able to identify areas that need greater research attention in Africa.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first literature reviews of publications on logistics and SCM in Africa. It presents an overarching map of the research to date and a series of propositions to inform future research.
Leader behaviour to achieve employee engagement in Ghana: a qualitative study
Authors: Obuobisa-Darko Theresa , Domfeh Kwame Ameyaw 
Published: September 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the behaviour of leaders that enhances employee engagement (EE) in organisations. It locates the importance of EE and the role leaders play within the public sector in a developing country and finds answer to the question on the behaviour of the leader that causes employees to be engaged.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses qualitative method to identify the behaviour of leaders that causes and enhances employees to be engaged. It proposes a framework outlining what the leader does to ensure EE.FindingsBased on results of data analysed, six behaviours of leaders were identified: seeking employee welfare and caring; openness and information flow; conscientiousness; good and cordial relationship; fairness and trust and lastly involvement in decision making.Research limitations/implicationsLimitation of the study was that it did not focus on the entire public sector but was carried out in only one company. It is therefore recommended that further studies could be carried out with focus on other public sector organisations to confirm the leader behaviour identified. Again, a comparative study between public and private sector organisations could be carried out to ascertain if there are differences in the behaviour of the leaders that cause employees to be engaged in these two different sectors.Practical implicationsThe study develops a framework outlining behaviour which leaders within organisations could exhibit to enhance EE and thus organisational success.Originality/valueThe paper provides a framework that shows leader behaviour that causes EE in organisations in a developing country. This framework will be helpful to leaders in organisations to behave in specific ways to enhance EE and for researchers who want to conduct research in this field of study.
Digital footprints: an emerging dimension of digital inequality
Authors: Micheli Marina , Lutz Christoph , Büchi Moritz 
Published: September 2018

PurposeThis conceptual contribution is based on the observation that digital inequalities literature has not sufficiently considered digital footprints as an important social differentiator. The purpose of the paper is to inspire current digital inequality frameworks to include this new dimension.Design/methodology/approachLiterature on digital inequalities is combined with research on privacy, big data and algorithms. The focus on current findings from an interdisciplinary point of view allows for a synthesis of different perspectives and conceptual development of digital footprints as a new dimension of digital inequality.FindingsDigital footprints originate from active content creation, passive participation and platform-generated data. The literature review shows how different social groups may experience systematic advantages or disadvantages based on their digital footprints. A special emphasis should be on those at the margins, for example, users of low socioeconomic background.Originality/valueBy combining largely independent research fields, the contribution opens new avenues for studying digital inequalities, including innovative methodologies to do so.
Financial innovations in municipal securities markets
Authors: Whitaker Stephan David 
Published: September 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to measure how frequently innovative financial products appeared or became widely adopted in the municipal securities markets over the last two decades; and also investigate what types of issuers adopted the innovations, the relationship between yields and innovation and the patterns of diffusion within states.

Design/methodology/approach
Using comprehensive data on municipal securities issued from 1992 to 2015, the author searches for financial innovations as defined in the literature. The author uses issuer fixed effects models to characterize the relationship between yields and use of innovative products. Other models provide estimates of the conditional correlations between issuer characteristics and innovation usage. Finally, the author fits trend models to identify significant differences in the pace of adoption between different types of issuers.

Findings
In total, 35 security features fit one or more definitions of innovation. Extensive analysis is presented for four innovations that represent significant transfers of risk: variable rates, put options, corporate backers and derivatives. Small issuers used these innovative products, but the largest issuers adopted them to a greater extent. Usage appears to diffuse within states. Issuance of innovative securities fell during the financial crisis and has not recovered. Novel securities since the financial crisis have been created by legislation rather than by market participants.

Research limitations/implications
The data appear to cover all or nearly all municipal securities, but they do not cover loans or other types of municipal borrowing.

Practical implications
This analysis reveals that financial innovations in municipal securities markets usually take the form of a rare practice becoming widespread rather than a never-before-seen feature appearing in the market. Changes in response to legislation are an exception.

Social implications
Regulators concerned about financial stability can monitor the expansion of formerly rare securities features. This will be informative about new risks or transfers of risk in the market. They can also anticipate that expanded use of an innovation by states and high-volume issuers will be followed by adoption of the innovations by smaller, less sophisticated issuers in subsequent years.

Originality/value
This paper is the first attempt to empirically analyze the extent of financial innovation in municipal securities. Existing public finance literature has proposed definitions of financial innovation, qualitatively documented some specific innovations and empirically analyzed others. However, no previous study has empirically analyzed the entire municipal securities market for all possible innovations.
A bigger bang for the public buck
Authors: Chen Can 
Published: September 2018

PurposeIt is well known that public infrastructure, particularly the transportation infrastructure sector, is notorious for low efficiency, spending waste and corruption. Achieving the efficiency of public infrastructure investment is a crucial element to improve the current deteriorating condition of American transportation infrastructure system. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approachThis research utilizes an input-oriented, variable return to scale non-parametric data envelopment analysis to estimate the relative cost efficiency of highway infrastructure investment among the 48 American continental states from 1995 to 2009.FindingsThe empirical results reveal that there is a large efficiency variation among state highway infrastructure systems.Practical implicationsIn addition, state governments on average reach 95.8 percent of the efficiency of their best practice peers in terms of providing quality highway infrastructure outcomes.
Whitney Johnson: applying the principles of disruptive entrepreneurship to talent management
Authors: Leavy Brian 
Published: September 2018

Purpose
Whitney Johnson is interviewed about her latest book, Build an A Team: Play to Their Strengths and Lead Them Up the Learning Curve (Harvard Business Review Press, 2018), which extends her disruptive innovation perspective on career development into a talent management strategy for corporate leaders and their organizations. 10; 10;

Design/methodology/approach
In today’s exciting and volatile competitive context, leaders need to see that the skillful and entrepreneurial management of their talent will be at least as important to their organization’s future success as the skillful and entrepreneurial management of their financial resources.

Findings
Eager, capable employees, tackling new challenges are drivers of innovation within organizations, and the primary benefit of an S Curve talent management strategy is elevated employee engagement.

Practical implications
In terms of personal disruption, choosing market risk means being more entrepreneurial with your own career development and seeking out a distinctive learning curve.

Originality/value
Leaders will need to foster work environments that provide learning opportunities, stretch assignments, new challenging roles internally—not necessarily promotions, but also well-conceived lateral moves that can help to give employees the enhanced skillset to ultimately move ahead.
Poverty Reduction Effects of Agricultural Technology Adoption: The Case of Improved Cassava Varieties in Nigeria
Authors: Wossen Tesfamicheal , Alene Arega , Abdoulaye Tahirou , Feleke Shiferaw , Rabbi Ismail Y. , Manyong Victor 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe use DNA‐fingerprinting to estimate the poverty reduction effect of adoption of improved cassava varieties in Nigeria. We estimate the counterfactual household income distribution of cassava producers by combining farm‐level treatment effects with a market‐level model. Our results suggest that adoption of improved cassava varieties has led to a 4.6 percentage point reduction in poverty, though this is sensitive to the measurement of adoption status. Therefore, accurate measurement of adoption is crucial for a more credible estimate of the poverty reduction effect of adoption. Our analysis also suggests that farmers who are more likely to be adopters are also likely to face higher structural costs. Addressing structural barriers that make improved technologies less profitable for the poor would therefore be important to increase the poverty reduction effect of improved cassava varieties.
Nonprofit accountability: The viewpoint of the primary stakeholders
Authors: Costa Ericka , Goulart da Silva Geiza 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBy means of a questionnaire survey, this paper aims at analyzing the primary stakeholder viewpoint regarding nonprofit organization accountability. In detail, it investigates the member's perspective regarding social accountability in a cooperative bank (CB) in Italy.Our findings suggest that respondents had a high level of satisfaction with social reporting: a large portion of the sample indicated that they found social reporting to be useful, credible, transparent, and complete. Moreover, members of the CB under investigation consider social accountability as a way to improve relationships, strengthen trust among members, and demonstrate transparency in its activities within the community.
Breeding progress and preparedness for mass‐scale deployment of perennial lignocellulosic biomass crops switchgrass, miscanthus, willow and poplar
Authors: Clifton‐Brown John , Harfouche Antoine , Casler Michael D. , Dylan Jones Huw , Macalpine William J. , Murphy‐Bokern Donal , Smart Lawrence B. , Adler Anneli , Ashman Chris , Awty‐Carroll Danny , Bastien Catherine , Bopper Sebastian , Botnari Vasile , Brancourt‐Hulmel Maryse , Chen Zhiyong , Clark Lindsay V. , Cosentino Salvatore , Dalton Sue , Davey Chris , Dolstra Oene , Donnison Iain , Flavell Richard , Greef Joerg , Hanley Steve , Hastings Astley , Hertzberg Magnus , Hsu Tsai‐Wen , Huang Lin S. , Iurato Antonella , Jensen Elaine , Jin Xiaoli , Jørgensen Uffe , Kiesel Andreas , Kim Do‐Soon , Liu Jianxiu , McCalmont Jon P. , McMahon Bernard G. , Mos Michal , Robson Paul , Sacks Erik J. , Sandu Anatolii , Scalici Giovanni , Schwarz Kai , Scordia Danilo , Shafiei Reza , Shield Ian , Slavov Gancho , Stanton Brian J. , Swaminathan Kankshita , Taylor Gail , Torres Andres F. , Trindade Luisa M. , Tschaplinski Timothy , Tuskan Gerald A. , Yamada Toshihiko , Yeon Yu Chang , Zalesny Ronald S. , Zong Junqin , Lewandowski Iris 
Published: September 2018

AbstractGenetic improvement through breeding is one of the key approaches to increasing biomass supply. This paper documents the breeding progress to date for four perennial biomass crops (PBCs) that have high output–input energy ratios: namely Panicum virgatum (switchgrass), species of the genera Miscanthus (miscanthus), Salix (willow) and Populus (poplar). For each crop, we report on the size of germplasm collections, the efforts to date to phenotype and genotype, the diversity available for breeding and on the scale of breeding work as indicated by number of attempted crosses. We also report on the development of faster and more precise breeding using molecular breeding techniques. Poplar is the model tree for genetic studies and is furthest ahead in terms of biological knowledge and genetic resources. Linkage maps, transgenesis and genome editing methods are now being used in commercially focused poplar breeding. These are in development in switchgrass, miscanthus and willow generating large genetic and phenotypic data sets requiring concomitant efforts in informatics to create summaries that can be accessed and used by practical breeders. Cultivars of switchgrass and miscanthus can be seed‐based synthetic populations, semihybrids or clones. Willow and poplar cultivars are commercially deployed as clones. At local and regional level, the most advanced cultivars in each crop are at technology readiness levels which could be scaled to planting rates of thousands of hectares per year in about 5 years with existing commercial developers. Investment in further development of better cultivars is subject to current market failure and the long breeding cycles. We conclude that sustained public investment in breeding plays a key role in delivering future mass‐scale deployment of PBCs.
Reducing nitrogen leaching losses in grazed dairy systems using an Italian ryegrass‐plantain‐white clover forage mix
Authors: Woods Roshean R. , Cameron Keith C. , Edwards Grant R. , Di Hong J. , Clough Tim J. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIn grazed agricultural systems, animal urine patches are the major source of nitrogen (N) leaching losses and can cause a decline in water quality. Urine‐N rates often exceed plant requirements, and there is a need for mitigation options to reduce the impact of agriculture on the environment. One approach is to use alternative forages to reduce urine‐N loading rates, or to increase N uptake. This study used lysimeters to determine the N leaching losses, dry matter yields and N uptake following ruminant urine application to an Italian ryegrass‐plantain‐white clover forage mix (IRPWC,Lolium multiflorumLam.‐Plantago lanceolataL.‐Trifolium repensL.) or perennial ryegrass‐white clover (PRWC,Lolium perenneL.‐T. repensL.). Three urine treatments were applied: Control (no urine), Urine Actual (urine from cows grazing each of the forages: 508, and 664 kg N/ha, forIRPWCandPRWC, respectively) and Urine 700 (700 kg N/ha). Compared withPRWC(113 kg N/ha), N leaching losses were 88.9% lower fromIRPWC‐Urine Actual (12.5 kg N/ha) and 45.5% lower fromIRPWC‐Urine 700 (61.8 kg N/ha). These reductions were attributed partly to theIRPWChaving higher cool season activity and ability to take up N during the cool period, and partly to the lower concentration of urine‐N, compared withPRWC.IRPWCis a promising alternative forage for future farm systems with the ability to reduce urine‐N excretion from grazing animals and cause large reductions in N leaching losses while producing the same herbage dry matter yields asPRWC.
Pilot‐Scale Electrochemical Treatment of a 1,4‐Dioxane Source Zone
Authors: Blotevogel Jens , Pijls Charles , Scheffer Bert , de Waele Jean‐Paul , Lee Amy , van Poecke Reggy , van Belzen Nicolaas , Staal Wim 
Published: September 2018

AbstractElectrochemical treatment is a promising emerging technology in which direct current is applied to drive the degradation of aqueous contaminants. Several bench‐scale studies have demonstrated the capability of electrochemical oxidation to fully mineralize refractory organics such as pesticides and perfluorinated compounds. However, insights into large‐scale design and field performance are critically lacking. Here, we designed six pilot‐scale reactors and tested their performance and efficiency for the treatment of groundwater contaminated with 1,4‐dioxane (1,4‐DX) at concentrations exceeding 1000 mg/L. Anode surface area‐normalized degradation rates increased with increasing potential applied, while the process was more energy‐efficient per mass unit removed at low potentials. While not all 1,4‐DX was completely mineralized, the detected ring‐opening intermediates are known to be readily biodegradable. Analyses of potential by‐products from chloride oxidation revealed the generation of chloromethanes and perchlorate at low mg/L concentrations. Towards the end of the 8.5‐month pilot test, decreasing currents and degradation rates indicated progressing passivation of the electrodes, likely due to cathodic carbonate precipitation and/or poisoning by the uniquely high organic carbon load of this source zone groundwater. The findings of our study demonstrate that electrochemical groundwater remediation is a capable approach for the treatment of persistent organic pollutants. Our pilot‐scale test provides practitioners with a basis for evaluating its efficiency under site‐specific conditions and collecting critical performance metrics for technology scale‐up.
Multi‐phase glass‐ceramics containing CaF2: Er3+ and ZnAl2O4:Cr3+ nanocrystals for optical temperature sensing
Authors: Wadhwa Abhishek , Wang Changjian , Wang Chenhao , Ma Ronghua , Qiao Xvsheng , Fan Xianping , Qian Guodong 
Published: September 2018

AbstractOxyfluoride transparent glass‐ceramics (GC) containing CaF2 and ZnAl2O4 nanocrystals have been fabricated with melt‐quenching method. By carrying out the heat treatment of the precursor glass (PG), Er3+ and Cr3+ were selectively partitioned into CaF2 and ZnAl2O4 nanocrystals, respectively. The obtained multi‐phase GC exhibited strong upconversion (UC) fluorescence of Er3+ as well as intense down‐conversion (DC) fluorescence of Cr3+. Under 980 nm excitation, the green UC fluorescence of Er3+ due to 2H11/2,4S3/2 → 4I15/2 transition and the red DC fluorescence lifetime of Cr3+ due to 2E, 4T2 → 4A2 transition were found to be highly dependent on the temperature and makes them possibly suitable for Optical Thermometry. With least‐square fitting methods, the FIR of Er3+ from thermally coupled energy states (2H11/2 and 4S3/2) produced maximum temperature sensing sensitivity values of 0.33% K−1 at 437 K and 0.36% K−1 at 267 K, respectively. Similarly, fluorescence lifetime of Cr3+ attributed to the parity forbidden (2E → 4A2) and spin allowed (4T2 → 4A2) produced the maximum temperature sensor sensitivity value equal to 0.67% K−1 at 535 K.