bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential gene expression in populations of sympathetic neurons purified from a neuropeptide Y reporter mouse
Authors: Sikora Kristine M. , Kullmann Paul H. M. , Horn John P. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractUsing gene chip methodology, we identified candidate genes differentially expressed by vasomotor and non-vasomotor sympathetic neurons in the superior cervical ganglion. Groups of 10 neurons were manually sorted after isolation from a transgenic neuropeptide Y (NPY) reporter mouse that expresses the humanizedRenillagreen fluorescent protein (GFP) under control of Npy promoter sequences. Anatomical analysis of GFP and NPY co-expression showed that 98% of GFP-positive neurons and 16% of GFP-negative neurons express NPY. The probability of contamination in sorted cell samples was therefore high. To minimize this problem, we screened amplified cDNA samples by the quantitative polymerase chain reaction. This approach identified 101 candidate genes preferentially expressed by GFP-positive neurons and 74 candidate genes preferentially expressed by GFP-negative neurons.
Regulatory RNPs: A novel class of ribonucleoproteins that contribute to ribosome heterogeneity
Authors: Poole Aaron R. , Vicino Ian , Adachi Hiro , Yu Yi-Tao , Hebert Michael D. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractRibonucleoproteins (RNPs), which are comprised of non-coding RNA and associated proteins, are involved in essential cellular processes such as translation and pre-mRNA splicing. One class of RNP is the small Cajal body-specific RNP (scaRNP), which contributes to the biogenesis of small nuclear RNPs (snRNPs) that are central components of the spliceosome. Interestingly, three scaRNAs are internally processed, generating stable nucleolus-enriched RNAs of unknown function. Here we provide evidence that these RNAs become part of novel RNPs we term regulatory RNPs (regRNPs). We postulate that regRNPs can impact rRNA modifications via interactions with the guide RNA component of small nucleolar RNPs (snoRNPs). Most modifications within rRNA (predominantly pseudouridylation and ribose 2’-O-methylation) are conducted by snoRNPs, and we hypothesize that the activity of at least some of these snoRNPs is under the control of regRNPs. Ribosome heterogeneity leading to specialized ribosomes is an exciting emerging concept. Because modifications within rRNA can vary in different physiological or pathological situations, rRNA modifications are thought to be the major source of ribosome heterogeneity. Our identification of regRNPs thus provides important and timely insight into how ribosome heterogeneity may be accomplished. This work also provides additional functional connections between the Cajal body and the nucleolus.Summary StatementProcessed scaRNAs give rise to a novel regulatory RNP which regulates the modification of ribosomal RNA. These findings provide insight into the mechanisms governing ribosome heterogeneity.
Effects of Δ9-THC and cannabidiol vapor inhalation in male and female rats
Authors: Javadi-Paydar Mehrak , Nguyen Jacques D. , Kerr Tony M. , Grant Yanabel , Vandewater Sophia A. , Cole Maury , Taffe Michael A. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractRationalePrevious studies report sex differences in some, but not all, responses to cannabinoids in rats. The majority of studies use parenteral injection, however most human use is via smoke inhalation and, increasingly, vapor inhalation.ObjectivesTo compare thermoregulatory and locomotor responses to inhaled Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and their combination using an e-cigarette based model in male and female rats.MethodsMale and female Wistar rats (N=8 per group) were implanted with radiotelemetry devices for the assessment of body temperature and locomotor activity. Animals were then exposed to THC or CBD vapor using a propylene glycol (PG) vehicle. THC dose was adjusted via the concentration in the vehicle (12.5-200 mg/ml) and the CBD (100, 400 mg/mL) dose was also adjusted by varying the inhalation duration (10-40 minutes). Anti-nociception was evaluated using a tail-withdrawal assay following vapor inhalation. Plasma samples obtained following inhalation in different groups of rats were compared for THC content.ResultsTHC inhalation reduced body temperature and increased tail-withdrawal latency in both sexes equivalently and in a concentration-dependent manner. Female temperature, activity and tail-withdrawal responses to THC did not differ between the estrus and diestrus phases. CBD inhalation alone induced modest hypothermia and suppressed locomotor activity in both males and females. Co-administration of THC with CBD, in a 1:4 ratio, significantly decreased temperature and activity in an approximately additive manner and to similar extent in each sex. Plasma THC varied with the concentration in the PG vehicle but did not differ across rat sex.ConclusionIn summary the inhalation of THC or CBD, alone and in combination, produces approximately equivalent effects in male and female rats. This confirms the efficacy of the e-cigarette based method of THC delivery in female rats.
Large-scale structure prediction by improved contact predictions and model quality assessment
Authors: Michel Mirco , Menéndez Hurtado David , Uziela Karolis , Elofsson Arne 
Published: April 2017

AbstractMotivationAccurate contact predictions can be used for predicting the structure of proteins. Until recently these methods were limited to very big protein families, decreasing their utility. However, recent progress by combining direct coupling analysis with machine learning methods has made it possible to predict accurate contact maps for smaller families. To what extent these predictions can be used to produce accurate models of the families is not known.ResultsWe present the PconsFold2 pipeline that uses contact predictions from PconsC3, the CONFOLD folding algorithm and model quality estimations to predict the structure of a protein. We show that the model quality estimation significantly increases the number of models that reliably can be identified. Finally, we apply PconsFold2 to 6379 Pfam families of unknown structure and find that PconsFold2 can, with an estimated 90% specificity, predict the structure of up to 558 Pfam families of unknown structure. Out of these 415 have not been reported before.AvailabilityDatasets as well as models of all the 558 Pfam families are available athttp://c3.pcons.net/. All programs used here are freely available.Contactarne@bioinfo.seSupplementary informationNo supplementary data
Glutathione and thioredoxin systems of the malaria parasitePlasmodium falciparum: partners in crime?
Authors: Chaudhari Rahul , Sharma Shobhona , Patankar Swati 
Published: April 2017

AbstractInP. falciparum, antioxidant proteins of the glutathione and thioredoxin systems are compartmentalized. Some subcellular compartments have only a partial complement of these proteins. This lack of key anti-oxidant proteins in certain sub-cellular compartments might be compensated by functional complementation between these systems. By assessing the cross-talk between these systems, we show for the first time, that the glutathione system can reduce thioredoxins that are poor substrates for thioredoxin reductase (Thioredoxin-like protein 1 and Thioredoxin 2) and thioredoxins that lack access to thioredoxin reductase (Thioredoxin 2). Our data suggests that crosstalk between the glutathione and thioredoxin systems does exist; this could compensate for the absence of certain antioxidant proteins from key subcellular compartments.
Social media usage, electronic word of mouth and purchase-decision involvement
Authors: Prasad Shantanu , Gupta Ishwar C. , Totala Navindra K. 
Published: April 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose the theory which gives valuable insight into the context of social media, electronic word of mouth (EWOM), trust and purchase-decision involvement.Design/methodology/approachA review of the existing literature was carried out and construct-wise measurement items were adapted from existing scales. Experts reviewed the items and validated. Convergent validity, discriminant validity and reliability of the scales were tested with the data collected from 252 respondents. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the proposed model.FindingsSocial media usage and EWOM have positive impact on purchase-decision involvement and online trust plays a vital mediating role in this context.Originality/valueThe implications of findings of this research are relevant for managers and public policy makers. People can be sensitized against any menace or can be made aware about any good things in the society in true sense so that they become proactive, participate and take decision (or purchase decision).
Longer, faster and heavier freight trains
Authors: Islam Dewan Md Zahurul , Mortimer Phil N. 
Published: April 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the necessity of longer and/heavier and/or faster freight train operations and their viability in the European context.

Design/methodology/approach
Using a case study, the current research applies qualitative methods, including desktop research and informal discussion with the rail freight industry and shippers. The case study is the recently conducted trial of 1.5 km long Marathon freight train in Europe.

Findings
The research finds that at this stage there is no commercial necessity of running a 1.5 km long train. There are technical and operational limitations which are less problematic, but the commercial necessity is a must and that will need sufficient traffic volume on a longer route (to justify extra time and cost incurred in marshalling yard and reasonable pre- and post-consolidated rail transport haul). The time required to form up/disperse such large formation could arguably be a major constraint for the train itself as well as for other services run on the same network. The authors agree in principle with the “do more with less” notion and the necessity of faster train concept. Also, the authors are agreeing with the heavier train aspect.

Practical implications
Considering the current and future (more semi-finished and finished, containerised) cargo trend, it is more important that freight train is operated consistently, reliably, and commercially attractive relatively faster and frequent serving moderate distances (around 300+ km). Towards this, the operation of merging two (or more) short trains to form up to 750 m long trains should be explored, in particular on the nine Rail Freight Corridors, to identify the potential and realistic opportunities for commercial deployment of “longer and/or faster and/or and heavier” freight train.

Social implications
At the moment there is no need of a 1.5 km long freight train to improve the performance of EU railways.

Originality/value
The case study provides an important platform for debate on the contemporary notion of “longer”, “faster” and “heavier” freight trains in the European context.
Financial self-efficacy: a mediator in advancing financial inclusion
Authors: Mindra Rachel , Moya Musa 
Published: April 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating effect of financial self-efficacy (FSE) on the relationship between financial attitude, financial literacy and financial inclusion (FI) among individuals in Uganda.

Design/methodology/approach
Using a quantitative approach and cross-sectional research design, a sample of 400 individuals from urban Central and rural Northern Uganda was drawn. Using SPSS and AMOS™ 21, structural equation models and bootstrapping methods were used to establish the hypothesized relationships and mediation effects between financial attitude, financial literacy and FI.

Findings
The results suggested FSE as a mediator of the relationship between financial attitude, financial literacy and FI. Further, there was a significant and insignificant relationship between financial literacy, financial attitude and FI, respectively.

Research limitations/implications
The study was assessed using both potential and actual consumers of financial services collectively. However if separately assessed, possibly there would be a variation in perceptions or behavioural responses towards FI.

Practical implications
There is a need to develop and sustain high levels of financial confidence among individuals to enable them use formal financial services.

Social implications
Possession of financial knowledge, skills, an evaluative judgement with high levels of financial confidence enable individuals make financial decisions that improve their integration into the formal financial system and improved welfare.

Originality/value
The results contribute towards the limited empirical and theoretical evidence regarding the mediating role of FSE in explaining the financial behaviour.
Sustainable housing financing model to reduce South Africa housing deficit
Authors: Ganiyu Bashir Olanrewaju , Fapohunda Julius Ayodeji , Haldenwang Rainer 
Published: April 2017

Purpose
This study aims to identify and establish effective housing financing concepts to be adopted by government in achieving its mandate of providing sustainable affordable housing for the poor to decrease the building of shacks, as well as proposing solutions to the housing deficit in South Africa. A rise in demand and shortage in supply of housing calls for the need to address issues of affordable housing in South Africa, and developing countries in general, to ensure a stable and promising future for poor families.

Design/methodology/approach
Literature has revealed that the South African government, at all levels, accorded high priority to the provision of low-cost housing. Thus, government has adopted subsidy payment as a method of financing affordable housing to ensure that houses are allocated free to the beneficiaries. This also addresses the historically race-based inequalities of the past, but unfortunately, this has not been fully realised. This study uses a sequential mixed method approach, where private housing developers and general building contractors were the research participants. The qualitative data were analysed using a case-by-case analysis, and quantitative data were analysed using a descriptive statistical technique on SPSS.

Findings
The results of the qualitative analysis reveal a gross abuse of the housing subsidies system by the beneficiaries of government-funded housing in South Africa. This is evident from illegal sale of the houses below market value. This has led to a continual building of shacks and an increased number of people on the housing waiting list instead of a decrease in the housing deficit. The results from quantitative analysis affirm the use of “Mortgage Payment Subsidies, Mortgage Payment Deductions, Down-Payment Grant and Mortgage Interest Deductions” as viable alternatives to subsidy payment currently in use to finance affordable housing projects by the South African Government.

Practical implications
At the moment, the focus of the South African National Government is continual provision of free housing to the historically disadvantage citizens, but the housing financing method being used encourages unapproved transfer of ownership in the affordable housing sector. This study thus recommends the use of an all-inclusive housing financing method that requires a monetary contribution from the beneficiaries to enable them take control of the process.

Originality/value
The relational interface model proposed in this study will reduce pressure on government budgetary provision for housing and guarantee quick return of private developers’ investment in housing. Government must, as a matter of urgency, launch a continuous awareness programme to educate the low-income population on the value and the long-term benefits of the housing.
Does competition only impact on insolvency risk? New evidence from the Chinese banking industry
Authors: Tan Yong , Anchor John 
Published: April 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of competition on credit risk, liquidity risk, capital risk and insolvency risk in the Chinese banking industry during the period 2003-2013.

Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a generalized method of moments system estimator to examine the impact of competition on risk. In particular, translog specifications are used to measure the competition and insolvency risk.

Findings
The results show that greater competition within each bank ownership type (state-owned commercial banks, joint-stock commercial banks and city commercial banks) leads to higher credit risk, higher liquidity risk, higher capital risk, but lower insolvency risk.

Originality/value
This paper is the first piece of research testing the impact of competition on different types of risk in banking industry and it further contributes to the empirical literature by using a more accurate competition indicator (efficiency-adjusted Lerner index) and a more precise insolvency risk indicator (stability inefficiency).
Corporate dividend decisions and dividend smoothing
Authors: Al-Najjar Basil , Kilincarslan Erhan 
Published: April 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of regulations, reforms and legal environment on dividend policy in a different institutional setting. Particularly, it examines the firm-level cash dividend behaviour of publicly listed firms in Turkey in the post-2003 period, since there were major economic and structural reforms as well as significant regulatory changes of dividend payout rules imposed by the supervisory bodies.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper focuses on a recent large panel data set of 264 Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE)-listed firms over a ten-year period 2003-2012. First, it employs a modified specification of Lintner’s (1956) partial adjustment model for analysis regarding target payout ratio and dividend smoothing. Second, it performs a logit model for analysis in identifying the link between financial characteristics and the likelihood of paying dividends.

Findings
The results show that ISE firms now follow the same determinants as suggested by Lintner. They, indeed, have long-term payout ratios and adjust their cash dividends by a moderate level of smoothing, and therefore adopt stable dividend policies (although less stable policies compared to their counterparts in the developed US market) as a signalling mechanism over the period 2003-2012. Moreover, the results also report that ownership structure concentration affects the target payout ratio and dividend smoothing in the Turkish market. In addition, the results further show that more profitable, more mature and larger sized ISE firms are more likely to pay cash dividends, whereas ISE firms with higher investment opportunities and more debt are less likely to distribute cash dividends in the post-2003 period.

Originality/value
To the best of authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first major research that examines the implications of reforms and regulations on cash dividend payments and dividend smoothing over time in Turkey during its market integration process in the post-2003 period.
Supplier perceptions of distributive justice in sustainable apparel sourcing
Authors: Normann Ulla , Ellegaard Chris , Møller Morten Munkgaard 
Published: April 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is two-fold: first, it attempts to determine whether suppliers perceive distributive justice (equity) when their key customers implement sustainable sourcing initiatives based on assessment governance, composed of codes of conduct and auditing; second, it generates insights into specific costs, rewards, and investments and how these together result in perceived equity.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research design was adopted for this study. A total of 30 executives from textile manufacturing suppliers in China, India, and Bangladesh were interviewed to determine their perceptions of distributive justice in relation to their key customers’ sustainable sourcing initiatives.FindingsMost of the interviewees perceived that their customers’ assessment of governance initiatives was unfair. Four types of suppliers are identified based on their varying perceptions of the equity equation.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings introduce distributive justice as an important mediating variable between assessment-based governance and compliance. They also provide insights into the various types of perceived costs, rewards, and investments related to sustainable sourcing, and how they form varieties of the equity equation. The findings rely on a limited number of respondents and should, therefore, be researched further.Practical implicationsAssessment based on codes of conduct and auditing is the most prevalent sustainable sourcing governance approach, but suppliers may perceive this as an injustice leading to non-compliance. Buying companies are therefore advised to consider supplier perceptions of costs, rewards, and investments and adapt their sustainable sourcing initiatives accordingly.Social implicationsIncreased consideration of distributive justice in sustainable sourcing should increase the likelihood of supplier compliance, improving conditions for employees in global textile plants.Originality/valueExtant research has studied the connection between assessment-based sustainability governance and compliance or overall performance. This paper contributes by suggesting that distributive justice might be a mediating variable helping to explain this connection.
Eco-control change and environmental performance: a longitudinal perspective
Authors: Henri Jean-Francois , Journeault Marc , Brousseau Carl 
Published: April 2017

PurposeThe aim of this longitudinal study is to quantitatively examine the impact of changes in the mix of eco-controls. More specifically, the purpose of this study is twofold. First, it investigates the nature of change occurring in eco-controls by analyzing three attributes of change, namely, direction of change, scope of change and scale of change. Second, this study investigates the impact of changes in eco-controls by examining to what extent the three attributes of change specifically explain environmental performance.Design/methodology/approachLongitudinal survey approach is used to collect data from a sample of manufacturing firms at two points in time.FindingsThe results suggest three main conclusions: changes leading to more (less) importance devoted to eco-controls within the organization contribute positively (negatively) to environmental performance; concerted changes on all aspects of the mix of eco-controls contribute more to environmental performance than piecemeal changes on specific aspects of the mix; and the aspect which contributes to environmental performance is not the scale of that change but the mere presence of a credible signal which reflects the seriousness of the intentions.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to management accounting change literature by breaking down the nature of change of management control practices in attributes (direction, scope and scale) and examining their specific impact on performance.