bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human adipose-derived stem cell treatment modulates cellular protection in both in vitro and in vivo traumatic brain injury models
Authors: Kappy Nikolas S. , Chang Shaohua , Harris William M. , Plastini Michael , Ortiz Telisha , Zhang Ping , Hazelton Joshua P. , Carpenter Jeffrey P. , Brown Spencer A. 
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in the civilian population. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect(s) of adipose-derived stem cell (ASC) treatment on cellular and functional recovery in TBI via both in vitro and in vivo methods.

METHODS
Cultured neuroblastoma cells, SH-SY5Y, were scratched to mimic TBI in an in vitro model. The effect of ASC-conditioned medium (CM) on cell death, mitochondrial function, and expression of inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α [TNF-α], interleukin 1β [IL-1β], and IL-6), as well as apoptosis marker FAS, was measured. In our in vivo model, Sprague-Dawley rats underwent TBI via a frontal, closed-head injury model. Animals randomly received either intravenous human-derived ASCs or intravenous saline within 3 hours of injury and were compared with a sham group. Functional recovery was evaluated via accelerating Rotarod method. On post-TBI Day 3, brain tissue was harvested and assessed for cellular damage via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for TNF-α, as well as immunohistochemical staining for β-amyloid precursor protein (β-APP).

RESULTS
Our in vitro data show that ASC treatment imparted reduced cell death (ratio to control: 1.21 ± 0.066 vs. 1.01 ± 0.056, p = 0.017), increased cell viability (ratio to control: 0.86 ± 0.009 vs. 1.09 ± 0.01, p = 0.0001), increased mitochondrial function (percentage of control: 78 ± 6% vs. 68 ± 3%), and significantly decreased levels of inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. In our in vivo study, compared with TBI alone, ASC-treated animals showed no difference in functional recovery, lower levels of expressed TNF-α (ratio to total protein, 0.47 ± 0.01 vs. 0.67 ± 0.04; p < 0.01), and lower levels of β-amyloid precursor protein (fluorescence ratio, 0.43 ± 0.05 vs. 0.69 ± 0.03; p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS
Adipose-derived stem cell treatment results in improved cell survival, decreased inflammatory marker release, and decreased evidence of neural injury. No difference in functional recovery was seen. These data suggest the potential for ASC treatment to aid in cellular protection and recovery in neural cells following TBI.
TheEscherichia coliCpxAR system does not sense surface contact
Authors: Kimkes Tom Eric Pieter , Heinemann Matthias 
Published: December 2017

AbstractFor proper biofilm formation, bacteria must have mechanisms in place to sense adhesion to surfaces. InEscherichia coli, the CpxAR and RcsCDB systems have been reported to sense surfaces. The CpxAR system is widely considered to be responsible for sensing attachment, to specifically hydrophobic surfaces. Here, using both single-cell and population-level analyses, we confirm RcsCDB activation upon surface contact, but find that the CpxAR system is not activated, in contrast to what had earlier been reported. Thus, the role of CpxAR in surface sensing and initiation of biofilm formation needs to be reconsidered.Significance statementE. coliis capable of forming medically problematic biofilms, which are surface-associated microbial communities, protected by an exopolymeric matrix and with increased antibiotic tolerance. How these bacteria sense physical contact with a surface, which may lead to initiation of the biofilm formation process, is largely elusive. The signal transduction systems CpxAR and RcsCDB have previously been found to activate upon surface contact. Here, we confirm that RcsCDB is a surface sensing system, immediately responding to attachment. In contrast, using two different experimental approaches, we found that the CpxAR system does not perceive surface contact. Thus, contrary to the current view, the CpxAR system does not play a signaling role in the first step of biofilm initiation.
iterativeWGCNA: iterative refinement to improve module detection from WGCNA co-expression networks
Authors: Greenfest-Allen Emily , Cartailler Jean-Philippe , Magnuson Mark A. , Stoeckert Christian J. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWeighted-gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) is frequently used to identify highly co-expressed clusters of genes (modules) within whole-transcriptome datasets. However, transcriptome-scale networks tend to be highly connected, making it challenging for the hierarchical clustering underlying the WGCNA-based classification to discriminate coherently expressed gene sets without significant information loss from either a priori filtering of the expression dataset or a posteriori pruning of the cluster dendrogram.Here we present iterativeWGCNA, a Python-wrapped extension for the WGCNA R software package that improves the robustness of detected modules and minimizes information loss. The method works by pruning poorly fitting genes from estimated modules and then re-running WGCNA to refine gene clusters. After refining, pruned genes are assembled into a new expression dataset to isolate overlapping modules and the process repeated. In doing so, iterativeWGCNA provides an unsupervised, non-biased filtering to generate a robust, comprehensive network-based classification of whole-transcriptome expression datasets.
Agri-environment policy for grain production in China: toward sustainable intensification
Authors: Jiao Xiao-qiang , He Gang , Cui Zhen-ling , Shen Jian-bo , Zhang Fu-suo 
Published: December 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the historical pattern of environmental cost due to grain production in China and to provide further implications of technologies and policies for the transformation of China’s agricultural development toward sustainable intensification.Design/methodology/approachThe data sets about grain production, arable land and chemical fertilizer use in China were collected from FAO, NBSC, and IFA. Greenhouse gas emissions were estimated using life cycle assessments. The policies concerning grain production and the environment were collected from the Ministry of Agriculture, and the State Council of China.FindingsChina has produced enough food to feed its growing population, but has neglected the resource-environmental costs of grain production since 1978. Consequently, China’s grain production is always accompanied with a high cost of resource and environment sustainability. However, from 2006 to 2015, the growth rate of grain production has surpassed that of chemical fertilizer consumption, resulting in improvement in nutrient use efficiency and decreasing trends of environmental cost for grain production. This could be partially attributed to technology innovations, such as Soil-Testing and Fertilizer-Recommendations (STFR), soil quality and crop management improvement, and so on, and policy supports (policies of STFR, soil quality improvement, and high-yield construction). This indicated that China’s grain production is starting to transform from high-input and high-output model to “less for more.”Originality/valueThis study is the first to determine the detailed, historical role of technological innovation and agri-environmental policy on the sustainability of grain production in China. The findings should have significant implications for technology and policy for the transformation of China’s agriculture development to sustainable intensification.
Rural education across China’s 40 years of reform: past successes and future challenges
Authors: Yue Ai , Tang Bin , Shi Yaojiang , Tang Jingjing , Shang Guanminjia , Medina Alexis , Rozelle Scott 
Published: December 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the policy and trends in rural education in China over the past 40 years; and also discuss a number of challenges that are faced by China’s rural school system.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use secondary data on policies and trends over the past 40 years for preschool, primary/junior high school, and high school.FindingsThe trends over the past 40 years in all areas of rural schooling have been continually upward and strong. While only a low share of rural children attended preschool in the 1980s, by 2014 more than 90 percent of rural children were attending. The biggest achievement in compulsory education is that the rise in the number of primary students that finish grade 6 and matriculate to junior high school. There also was a steep rise of those going to and completing high school. While the successes in upscaling rural education are absolutely unprecedented, there are still challenges.Research limitations/implicationsThis is descriptive analysis and there is not causal link established between policies and rural schooling outcomes.Practical implicationsThe authors illustrate one of the most rapid rises of rural education in history and match the achievements up with the policy efforts of the government. The authors also explore policy priorities that will be needed in the coming years to raise the quality of schooling.Originality/valueThis is the first paper that documents both the policies and the empirical trends of the success that China has created in building rural education from preschool to high school during the first 40 years of reform (1978-2018). The paper also documents – drawing on the literature and the own research – the achievements and challenges that China still face in the coming years, including issues of gender, urbanization, early childhood education and health and nutrition of students.
Determinants and consequences of board size: conditional indirect effects
Authors: Ali Muhammad 
Published: December 2017

PurposeBoard size is an important dimension of corporate governance. The purpose of this study is to propose and test indirect effects of organization size on organizational performance via board size, in the context of industry.Design/methodology/approachThe study’s predictions were tested in 288 medium and large organizations listed on the Australian Securities Exchange using archival data.FindingsThe findings of this study suggest the following: organization size is positively associated with board size and this relationship is stronger in manufacturing organizations; board size is positively associated with performance and this relationship is conditional on industry; and organization size has an indirect effect on performance via board size, and this indirect effect is also conditional on industry.Research limitations/implicationsThe results provide some support for the resource dependency theory, agency theory and contingency theory.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that directors should take into account the effects of board size and industry to provide a more precise assessment of the board’s performance.Originality/valueIt predicts and tests the pioneering moderating effect of industry (manufacturing vs services) on the organization size–board size, board size–organizational performance and organization size–board size–organizational performance relationships.
Exploring student’s team behavior through entrepreneurship education: a time-lagged study
Authors: Chen Ming-Huei , Agrawal Somya 
Published: December 2017

PurposeBased on group development theories, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate student’s team behavior during different stages of team development.Design/methodology/approachA time-lagged survey method was used to collect data over a period of 18 weeks from 40 undergraduate students enrolled in an entrepreneurship course. Hierarchical linear regression and structural equation modeling were used for analysis.FindingsFindings reveal that during the early stages of team development, a leader with an entrepreneurial approach directed student’s team behavior proactively. Analysis showed that lower level of task conflict strengthened the impact of leadership on team cohesion. It was also found that during the pre-final stages, students demonstrated knowledge-sharing behavior once they were characterized by team cohesion.Research limitations/implicationsData were collected from student teams, which may not generalize to organizational teams.Social implicationsThis research presents first of the few empirical studies investigating the above-mentioned interrelationships and provides insights on the order of events that contribute to perceived team performance. An attempt was also made to extend the group theories by exploring the effects of leadership on task conflict.Originality/valueShowcasing the dynamics of student’s team behavior during the different stages of team development, this study highlights the importance of teamwork to students and provides useful insights to course facilitators and teachers. In light of the results, educators should take account of team dynamics when designing effective teaching methods and incentives.
A goal programming model for a sustainable biomass supply chain network
Authors: Petridis Konstantinos , Grigoroudis Evangelos , Arabatzis Garyfallos 
Published: December 2017

PurposeThe design of a biomass supply chain is a problem where multiple stakeholders with often conflicting objectives are involved. To accommodate the aspects stakeholder, the supply chain design should incorporate multiple objectives. In addition to the supply chain design, the management of energy from biomass is a demanding task, as the operation of production of biomass products needs to be aligned with the rest of the operations of the biomass supply chain. The purpose of the paper is to propose a mathematical framework for the optimal design of biomass supply chain.Design/methodology/approachAn integrated mathematical framework that models biomass production, transportation and warehousing throughout the nodes of a biomass supply chain is presented. Owing to conflicting objectives, weights are imposed on each aspect, and a 0-1 weighted goal programming mixed-integer linear programming (WGP MILP) programming model is formulated and used for all possible weight representations under environmental, economic and social criteria.FindingsThe results of the study show that emphasis on the environmental aspect, expressed with high values in the environmental criterion, significantly reduces the level of CO2emissions derived from the transportation of biomass through the various nodes of the supply chain. Environmental and economic criteria seem to be moving in the same direction for high weight values in the corresponding aspect. From the results, social criterion seems to move to the opposite direction from environmental and economic criteria.Originality/valueAn integrated mathematical framework is presented modeling biomass production, transportation and warehousing. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, such a model that integrates multiple objectives with supply chain design has not yet been published.
Co-production as deep engagement
Authors: Mangai Mary S. , De Vries Michiel S. 
Published: December 2017

PurposeWhile there is an urgent need for clean water in Ghana and Nigeria, governments lack the financial means to do much to address this need. This does not mean that improving access to clean water is impossible. On the contrary, this paper argued that engaging citizens through co-production, as is already being done in developed countries in the fields of care-giving, waste management, healthcare and community policing, could provide a successful strategy. The purpose of this paper is to examine how public water facilities are being managed to improve and sustain access to clean water for domestic use in rural areas in Ghana and Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachA survey interview with households and in-depth interviews with water professionals were conducted in Ghana and Nigeria to help the authors understand the practicalities of the co-production of clean water and how this is improving and maintaining access to clean water sources. The paper draws on a philosophical framework of “deep” citizen engagement to describe the merits of co-production and how it works in practice in developing countries.FindingsBased on the interviews with officials and surveys among the population of rural areas in the two countries studied, the authors found that the two countries vary significantly in their approach to water management decisions and the extent to which citizens are involved. Ghana’s approach seems much more successful than Nigeria when it comes to maintaining boreholes for water supply with the help of the population. In Nigeria, three-quarters of the public water facilities are non-functional, while in Ghana, community involvement in maintaining public water facilities has resulted in the sustained use of boreholes and eliminated the lack of access to clean water in many communities.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the practical understanding of co-production in developing countries and the potential of such co-production in improving clean water access. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous scientific research has studied how co-production can improve and sustain access specifically to clean water sources in developing countries, and this paper aimed to fill this gap.
Social issue qua wicked problems
Authors: Coombs W. Timothy , Holladay Sherry J. 
Published: December 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the need to theorize firms’ involvement in social issues and propose the social issues management model as a framework for analyzing the communication processes underlying social issues management. An application of the new approach is illustrated through a brief case analysis.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper is conceptual and emphasizes theory building for firm’s involvement in social issues management.

Findings
The paper describes modifications to the general issues management model that can be adopted to reflect the social issues management process and contemporary digital media environments.

Practical implications
The paper can benefit theory and practice of social issues management by describing how specific communication strategies and digital media use may affect social issues management.

Social implications
Because firms increasingly are motivated or urged by stakeholders to take stands on social issues, understanding how they can perform the role of social issue manager can enhance their potential for contributing to positive social change.

Originality/value
The paper provides a much needed update to the models of issues management used in strategic communication. The new model accounts for the increasing pressure on firms to address social issues and the role of digital communication channels in that process.
Monitoring mobilization: a discursive psychological analysis of online mobilizing practices
Authors: Sneijder Petra , Stinesen Baukje , Harmelink Maartje , Klarenbeek Annette 
Published: December 2017

Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to describe the ways in which people use language to achieve mobilization. Recognizing and anticipating the discursive practices that are used online, for instance for mobilization, increasingly is a primary concern for professionals in crisis communication or issue management.

Design/methodology/approach
A discursive psychological perspective is drawn upon to conduct a qualitative analysis of the interactional and rhetorical features of mobilization on two Facebook event pages, and to discover patterns of talk.

Findings
Three dominant discursive patterns were identified: disputing the integrity of authorities, constructing a positive atmosphere and a feeling of “togetherness” and constructing decisive identities. These activities play an important role in mobilization and are accomplished by the use of language. Furthermore, it demonstrates that mobilization involves the concern of not overtly presenting oneself as a victim or activist.

Research limitations/implications
Insights into the discursive strategies people use to achieve mobilization are important for recognizing these discursive phenomena during media monitoring. The analysis presented in this paper does not allow the authors to draw general conclusions nor the success of the strategies in terms of the actual events.

Practical implications
The study offers important insights for communication professionals (for instance, in the domain of crisis communication), enabling them to recognize mobilizing practices in other contexts and designing an adequate response.

Social implications
The study exposes those issues that are important for mobilizing a community and creating public engagement.

Originality/value
In addition to other studies on the role of language in mobilization, the current study adds a perspective that takes into account both the rhetorical and the interactional features of mobilization. Furthermore, the findings are implemented in a training for professionals in the domain of crisis communication.
Maintenance of lift systems affecting resident satisfaction in low-cost high-rise residential buildings
Authors: Au-Yong Cheong Peng , Azmi Nur Farhana , Mahassan Nur Aaina 
Published: December 2017

Purpose
Providing quality low-cost high-rise residential housing for poor households remains a major concern worldwide and especially in Malaysia. Despite government effort to maintain the quality of the housing through the Housing Maintenance Program and 1Malaysia Maintenance Fund Program (TP1M), the maintenance industry is still faced with serious housing quality problems in terms of facilities, one of which is the lift system. As the most expensive and important transportation system in a high-rise building, a lift system requires regular maintenance and inspection to provide safe and effective service to occupants. Unfortunately, most lift systems in Malaysia are not effectively maintained. The purpose of this paper is to examine contributing factors to the breakdown of lift systems, which greatly affect resident satisfaction in low-cost high-rise residential buildings.

Design/methodology/approach
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three stakeholders involved in maintenance management to identify the common causes of lift breakdown. Subsequently, a questionnaire survey was used to investigate resident satisfaction with the system.

Findings
The results demonstrate vandalism as the most common cause for the frequent breakdown of lift system in low-cost housing. The study also reveals that there is a significant relationship between system breakdown rate and residents’ satisfaction.

Originality/value
The paper concludes with the recommendation that stakeholders, including both maintenance personnel and residents, should commit themselves to ensuring that the use and care of lift system are correct