bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Loss of ADAMTS4 reduces high fat diet-induced atherosclerosis and enhances plaque stability in ApoE−/− mice
Authors: Kumar Saran , Chen Mo , Li Yan , Wong Fiona H. S. , Thiam Chung Wee , Hossain Md Zakir , Poh Kian Keong , Hirohata Satoshi , Ogawa Hiroko , Angeli Véronique , Ge Ruowen 
Published: August 2016

AbstractAtherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by formation of lipid-rich plaques on the inner walls of arteries. ADAMTS4 (a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-4) is a secreted proteinase that regulates versican turnover in the arterial wall and atherosclerotic plaques. Recent reports indicated elevated ADAMTS4 level in human atherosclerotic plaques and in the plasma of acute coronary syndrome patients. Nevertheless, whether increased ADAMTS4 is a consequence of atherosclerosis or ADAMTS4 has a causal role in atherogenesis remains unknown. In this work, we investigated the role of ADAMTS4 in diet induced atherosclerosis using apolipoprotein E deficient (ApoE−/−) and Adamts4 knockout mice. We show that ADAMTS4 expression increases in plaques as atherosclerosis progresses in ApoE−/− mice. ApoE−/−Adamts4−/− double knockout mice presented a significant reduction in plaque burden at 18 weeks of age. Loss of ADAMTS4 lead to a more stable plaque phenotype with a significantly reduced plaque vulnerability index characterized by reduced lipid content and macrophages accompanied with a significant increase in smooth muscle cells, collagen deposition and fibrotic cap thickness. The reduced atherosclerosis is accompanied by an altered plasma inflammatory cytokine profile. These results demonstrate for the first time that ADAMTS4 contributes to diet induced atherosclerosis in ApoE−/− mice.
Collective dynamics of identical phase oscillators with high-order coupling
Authors: Xu Can , Xiang Hairong , Gao Jian , Zheng Zhigang 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIn this paper, we propose a framework to investigate the collective dynamics in ensembles of globally coupled phase oscillators when higher-order modes dominate the coupling. The spatiotemporal properties of the attractors in various regions of parameter space are analyzed. Furthermore, a detailed linear stability analysis proves that the stationary symmetric distribution is only neutrally stable in the marginal regime which stems from the generalized time-reversal symmetry. Moreover, the critical parameters of the transition among various regimes are determined analytically by both the Ott-Antonsen method and linear stability analysis, the transient dynamics are further revealed in terms of the characteristic curves method. Finally, for the more general initial condition the symmetric dynamics could be reduced to a rigorous three-dimensional manifold which shows that the neutrally stable chaos could also occur in this model for particular parameters. Our theoretical analysis and numerical results are consistent with each other, which can help us understand the dynamical properties in general systems with higher-order harmonics couplings.
The use of thermographic imaging to evaluate therapeutic response in human tumour xenograft models
Authors: Hussain Nosheen , Connah David , Ugail Hassan , Cooper Patricia A. , Falconer Robert A. , Patterson Laurence H. , Shnyder Steven D. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractNon-invasive methods to monitor tumour growth are an important goal in cancer drug development. Thermographic imaging systems offer potential in this area, since a change in temperature is known to be induced due to changes within the tumour microenvironment. This study demonstrates that this imaging modality can be applied to a broad range of tumour xenografts and also, for the first time, the methodology’s suitability to assess anti-cancer agent efficacy. Mice bearing subcutaneously implanted H460 lung cancer xenografts were treated with a novel vascular disrupting agent, ICT-2552 and the cytotoxin doxorubicin. The effects on tumour temperature were assessed using thermographic imaging over the first 6 hours post-administration and subsequently a further 7 days. For ICT-2552 a significant initial temperature drop was observed, whilst for both agents a significant temperature drop was seen compared to controls over the longer time period. Thus thermographic imaging can detect functional differences (manifesting as temperature reductions) in the tumour response to these anti-cancer agents compared to controls. Importantly, these effects can be detected in the first few hours following treatment and therefore the tumour is observable non-invasively. As discussed, this technique will have considerable 3Rs benefits in terms of reduction and refinement of animal use.
Stress-dependent phosphorylation of myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) by the p38MAPK/MK2 axis
Authors: Ronkina Natalia , Lafera Juri , Kotlyarov Alexey , Gaestel Matthias 
Published: August 2016

AbstractMyocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) is a known actin-regulated transcriptional coactivator of serum response factor (SRF). Stimulation of actin polymerization activates MRTF-A by releasing it from G-actin and thus allowing it to bind to and activate SRF. Here, we compared protein phosphorylation in MK2/3-deficient cells rescued or not by ectopic expression of MK2 in two independent phosphoproteomic approaches using anisomycin-treated MEF cells and LPS-stimulated mouse macrophages, respectively. Two MRTF-A sites, Ser351(corresponding to Ser312in human) and Ser371(Ser333in human), showed significantly stronger phosphorylation (12-fold and 6-fold increase) in the cells expressing MK2. MRTF-A is phosphorylated at these sites in a stress-, but not in a mitogen-induced manner and p38MAPK/MK2 catalytic activities are indispensable for this phosphorylation. MK2-mediated phosphorylation of MRTF-A at Ser312and Ser333was further confirmed in anin vitrokinase assay and using the phospho-protein kinase-D (PKD)-consensus motif antibody (anti-LXRXXpS/pT), the p38MAPKinhibitor BIRB-796, MK2/3-deficient cells and MRTF-A phospho-site mutants. Unexpectedly, dimerization, subcellular localization and translocation, interaction with actin, SRF or SMAD3 and transactivating potential of MRTF-A seem to be unaffected by manipulating the p38MAPK/MK2-dependent phosphorylations. Hence, MRTF-A is stress-dependently phosphorylated by MK2 at Ser312and Ser333with so far undetected functional and physiological consequences.
Strategic diagrams and the technologization of culture
Authors: Ledin Per , Machin David 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
Strategic diagrams are becoming ubiquitous across all forms of social practices, used to map out core elements and processes in private and public institutions and also for more localized and individual activities – where, for example, so that it reads: where, for example, early years school children can manage attitudinal goals. These are easy to produce with cheap software providing templates and tools to do so. This paper shows how these diagrams must be placed in the ideological shift to neoliberal governance with its emphasis on the market, flexibility and competition. All things and processes, however intangible, are viewed as assets with simple cause-effect relations, to be converted into tangible outcomes and maximised outputs. Taking a multimodal critical discourse analysis approach, we analyse two cases, from a university and an early-years school.
When corporations come to define the visual politics of gender
Authors: Aiello Giorgia , Woodhouse Anna 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
While stock photographs have come to saturate media and have been mocked for their clichéd nature, for example where women are pictured laughing alone with salad, a powerful corporation like Getty Images that disseminates commercial imagery globally has sought to challenge these stereotypes by making more politicized images. This article examines one such case, that is, Getty’s Genderblend visual trend, which claims to portray gender identities and relations in ways that are both more inclusive and diverse, harnessing feminist theory as part of its promotion. Taking a multimodal discourse and visual design approach, the article looks at how corporate imagery can be styled as political and, in turn, how a politics of difference itself is shaped in the interests of the ideologies of consumer capitalism.
Evaluation of Interocular Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Symmetry as a Diagnostic Modality for Glaucoma
Authors: Hong Seung Woo , Lee Seung Bum , Jee Dong-hyun , Ahn Myung Douk 
Published: August 2016

Purpose of the Study:
The purpose of study was to measure the diagnostic utility of interocular retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) symmetry and interocular RNFL thickness comparison.

Methods:
Both eyes of 103 normal subjects and 106 glaucoma patients (31 patients with early glaucoma and 75 patients with moderate to severe glaucoma) received comprehensive ophthalmologic evaluation including visual field testing and optic disc scanning using optical coherence tomography. RNFL thickness values for 256 measurement points were rearranged according to a new reference line connecting the optic disc center and the foveola. The interocular RNFL thickness symmetry value and absolute and fractional interocular difference in RNFL thickness were calculated and compared between groups. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) were calculated and compared.

Result:
Among the parameters reflecting whole RNFL status, the corrected interocular RNFL thickness symmetry exhibited the largest AUROCs at all glaucoma stages. RNFL thickness and absolute and fractional interocular difference in RNFL thickness exhibited largest AUROC in the inferotemporal area, regardless of glaucoma stage. In the early glaucoma group, absolute and fractional interocular RNFL thickness differences in the temporal and superotemporal areas exhibited equal to or larger AUROCs than RNFL thickness. The AUROCs for RNFL thickness were greater than those for absolute and fractional interocular RNFL thickness differences in the moderate to severe glaucoma group except in the nasal and temporal area.

Conclusions:
The corrected interocular RNFL thickness symmetry value is an effective diagnostic tool for glaucoma. Interocular comparison of RNFL thickness has good diagnostic performance and gives information about the RNFL beyond just the RNFL thickness itself.
Community structure follows simple assembly rules in microbial microcosms
Authors: Friedman Jonathan , Higgins Logan M. , Gore Jeff 
Published: August 2016

IntroductionMicrobes typically form diverse communities of interacting species, whose activities have tremendous impact on the plants, animals, and humans they associate with1–3, as well as on the biogeochemistry of the entire planet4. The ability to predict the structure of these complex communities is crucial to understanding, managing, and utilizing them5. Here, we propose a simple, qualitative assembly rule that predicts community structure from the outcomes of competitions between small sets of species, and experimentally assess its predictive power using synthetic microbial communities. The rule's accuracy was evaluated by competing combinations of up to eight soil bacterial species, and comparing the experimentally observed outcomes to the predicted ones. Nearly all competitions resulted in a unique, stable community, whose composition was independent of the initial species fractions. Survival in three-species competitions was predicted by the pairwise outcomes with an accuracy of ~90%. Obtaining a similar level of accuracy in competitions between sets of seven or all eight species required incorporating additional information regarding the outcomes of the three-species competitions. Our results demonstrate experimentally the ability of a simple bottom-up approach to predict community structure. Such an approach is key for anticipating the response of communities to changing environments, designing interventions to steer existing communities to more desirable states, and, ultimately, rationally designing communitiesdenovo6,7.
Comprehensive population-based genome sequencing provides insight into hematopoietic regulatory mechanisms
Authors: Guo Michael , Nandakumar Satish K. , Ulirsch Jacob C. , Zekavat Seyedeh Maryam , Buenrostro Jason D. , Natarajan Pradeep , Salem Rany , Chiarle Roberto , Mitt Mario , Kals Mart , Pärn Kalle , Fischer Krista , Milani Lili , Mägi Reedik , Palta Priit , Gabriel Stacey B. , Metspalu Andres , Lander Eric S. , Kathiresan Sekar , Hirschhorn Joel N. , Esko Tõnu , Sankaran Vijay G. 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTGenetic variants affecting hematopoiesis can influence commonly measured blood cell traits. To identify factors that affect hematopoiesis, we performed association studies for blood cell traits in the population-based Estonian Biobank using high coverage whole genome sequencing (WGS) in 2,284 samples and SNP genotyping in an additional ~17,000 samples. Our analyses identified 17 associations across 14 blood cell traits. Integration of WGS-based fine-mapping and complementary epigenomic data sets provided evidence for causal mechanisms at several loci, including at a novel basophil count-associated locus near the master hematopoietic transcription factorCEBPA.The fine-mapped variant at this basophil count association nearCEBPAoverlapped an enhancer active in common myeloid progenitors and influenced its activity.In situperturbation of this enhancer by CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells demonstrated that it is necessary for and specifically regulatesCEBPAexpression during basophil differentiation. We additionally identified basophil count-associated variation at another more pleiotropic myeloid enhancer nearGATA2, highlighting regulatory mechanisms for ordered expression of master hematopoietic regulators during lineage specification. Our study illustrates how population-based genetic studies can provide key insights into poorly understood cell differentiation processes of considerable physiologic relevance.
Strong structuration theory in accounting research
Authors: Coad Alan , Jack Lisa , Kholeif Ahmed 
Published: August 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the interdisciplinary use of strong structuration theory and consider the impact of this for accounting research. The paper also provides an overview of the contributions advanced by the other papers in this special issue of Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal (AAAJ).

Design/methodology/approach
This paper draws together and identifies key issues and themes related to the rapidly evolving interdisciplinary use of strong structuration theory and considers the relevance of these issues to accounting research.

Findings
The paper highlights that there is a growing use of strong structuration theory in a number of disciplines, such as in healthcare, learning studies, management, migration studies and childcare as well as in accounting. Within the accounting discipline, whilst the interest began in management accounting and control, there are ongoing studies of the not-for-profit sector, social and environmental accounting, financial reporting standards and audit. Using strong structuration theory, researchers are more interested in the people (individually or collectively) and their analysis of their conduct and context. They are moving forwards from an overly static use of the quadripartite framework to a more dynamic approach that also includes the other important central elements of strong structuration that focus on the issue of agency in situ rather than on structure cut off from agency.

Research limitations/implications
The paper provides important insights into emerging issues and developments in strong structuration theory that have clear relevance to accounting research and practice as well as other disciplines.

Originality/value
This paper, and other contributions to this special issue of AAAJ, provide a basis and a research agenda for accounting scholars seeking to undertake empirical research using Stones’ strong structuration theory.
Pre-curing investigation of filling conductive paste in prepreg to interconnect two multilayer structures of backboard for press-fit application
Authors: Wang Shouxu , Yang Ting , Chen Yuanming , He Wei , Hu Yongsuan , Su Xinhong 
Published: August 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to form high density interconnection (HDI) of backboard for press-fit applications with the pre-curing conditions of conductive paste. The best condition of pre-curing conductive paste should be found to obtain good electrical and physical performance of the conductive paste and avoid the simultaneous curing behavior of prepreg.

Design/methodology/approach
A novel structure of backboard was designed by using the connection of conductive paste-filled through holes to connect two multilayers. Pre-curing conditions of conductive paste were investigated to find their effects on resistance, bond strength and volume shrinkage. The reliability of pre-curing conductive paste was also analyzed.

Findings
Pre-curing conditions led to a great influence on the resistance, bond strength and volume shrinkage of the conductive paste. The best condition of pre-curing conductive paste was chosen as the low curing temperature of 60°C and a curing time of 30 min. Cured conductive paste exhibited square resistance of 4.205 mΩ/□ and bonding strength of 22.86 N. The as-obtained pre-curing condition could improve the reliability of conductive paste. Pre-curing process of conductive paste at extremely low temperature to interconnect two multilayer structures improved the density interconnection of backboard for press-fit applications.

Originality/value
The use of HDI of backboard could lead to good assembly for high-speed signal transmission of electronic products with press-fitting components. The connection of pre-curing conductive paste for multilayers could have important function for improving the application for communication backboard.
Using human resource activities to implement sustainability in SMEs
Authors: Langwell Christina , Heaton Dennis 
Published: August 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to examine how small- and medium-sized organisations that were already participating in recognised sustainability programmes in Iowa, USA, in how they were utilising activities normally associated with human resources (HRs) to implement sustainability – activities included communication, engagement, incentives and recruitment and retention.

Design/methodology/approach
– The authors were interested in how small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were utilising HR functions to implement sustainability. This was an exploratory, qualitative research study utilised semi-structured interviews to obtain data.

Findings
– Based on the findings, some of the functions are being utilised more than others, with some activities not being implemented at all.

Research limitations/implications
– This research offers empirical research on how sustainability is achieved in SMEs.

Practical implications
– This paper outlines some practical methods that any SME could utilise to help implement sustainability within an organisation.

Originality/value
– This paper adds empirical research on how SMEs are implementing sustainable practices into their operations by using activities normally associated with the HR department.
The practice of employee learning in SME workplaces
Authors: Tam Steven , Gray David E 
Published: August 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to explore how employees in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) practise and view workplace learning at three different life-cycle stages.Design/methodology/approach– It is a qualitative study using a sample of 30 Hong Kong SMEs classified into inception, high-growth or maturity stage, from which firms in each stage were randomly selected and interviewed until data saturation was reached. Snowball sampling was adopted during interviews and data were examined through thematic analysis.Findings– Consistent themes (patterns) from 134 semi-structured interviews are identified, addressing both similarities and differences in the nature of the practice of workplace learning in SMEs between life-cycle stages.Research limitations/implications– More similar comparative studies in other parts of the world, including quantitative surveys on larger samples, with either SMEs or multinational corporations, are encouraged to enrich the current findings.Practical implications– If organisational growth is a priority, SME owner/managers should support employees’ work and learning in a timely fashion. As the study finds, individual learning and inter-organisational learning are considered “a must to have” for employees, regardless of which stage the firm is at. When an SME enters high-growth, however, more opportunities for group learning are particularly beneficial. For mature SMEs, it is essential for learning to move towards systemisation and include a professional development component to meet employees’ career expectations, not just their work demands.Originality/value– The results advance the body of knowledge in SME learning from the life-cycle perspective. As one of the first studies in bridging these areas, it brings new implications to academic researchers and SME practitioners.
Toward a deeper understanding of the roles of personal and business networks and market knowledge in SMEs’ international performance
Authors: Jin Byoungho , Jung Sojin 
Published: August 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to, built upon Johanson and Vahlne’s (2009) Business Network Internationalization Process Model, explore the role of personal networks and business networks and their impact on foreign market knowledge and performance among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) after international market entry.Design/methodology/approach– With a total mailing list of 2,250 US firms, data were collected via a mail survey in accordance with the methods of Dillmanet al.(2008).Findings– An empirical analysis of 105 SME cases revealed that business networks increased foreign market knowledge, which in turn also heightened the international performance of the SMEs. This confirmed the mediating role of market knowledge between business networks and international performance. Personal networks, however, provided little support in helping SMEs achieve foreign market knowledge and international performance.Originality/value– This study contributes unique empirical evidence demonstrating that business network internationalization models can be applicable to the context of SMEs; that is, having access to such a network (i.e. a business network) is found to be a critical factor of international performance.