bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Statins activate the canonical hedgehog-signaling and aggravate non-cirrhotic portal hypertension, but inhibit the non-canonical hedgehog signaling and cirrhotic portal hypertension
Authors: Uschner Frank E. , Ranabhat Ganesh , Choi Steve S. , Granzow Michaela , Klein Sabine , Schierwagen Robert , Raskopf Esther , Gautsch Sebastian , van der Ven Peter F. M. , Fürst Dieter O. , Strassburg Christian P. , Sauerbruch Tilman , Mae Diehl Anna , Trebicka Jonel 
Published: September 2015

AbstractLiver cirrhosis but also portal vein obstruction cause portal hypertension (PHT) and angiogenesis. This study investigated the differences of angiogenesis in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic PHT with special emphasis on the canonical (Shh/Gli) and non-canonical (Shh/RhoA) hedgehog pathway. Cirrhotic (bile duct ligation/BDL; CCl4 intoxication) and non-cirrhotic (partial portal vein ligation/PPVL) rats received either atorvastatin (15 mg/kg; 7d) or control chow before sacrifice. Invasive hemodynamic measurement and Matrigel implantation assessed angiogenesis in vivo. Angiogenesis in vitro was analysed using migration and tube formation assay. In liver and vessel samples from animals and humans, transcript expression was analyzed using RT-PCR and protein expression using Western blot. Atorvastatin decreased portal pressure, shunt flow and angiogenesis in cirrhosis, whereas atorvastatin increased these parameters in PPVL rats. Non-canonical Hh was upregulated in experimental and human liver cirrhosis and was blunted by atorvastatin. Moreover, atorvastatin blocked the non-canonical Hh-pathway RhoA dependently in activated hepatic steallate cells (HSCs). Interestingly, hepatic and extrahepatic Hh-pathway was enhanced in PPVL rats, which resulted in increased angiogenesis. In summary, statins caused contrary effects in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. Atorvastatin inhibited the non-canonical Hh-pathway and angiogenesis in cirrhosis. In portal vein obstruction, statins enhanced the canonical Hh-pathway and aggravated PHT and angiogenesis.
Genome wide discovery of long intergenic non-coding RNAs in Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) and their expression in insecticide resistant strains
Authors: Etebari Kayvan , Furlong Michael J. , Asgari Sassan 
Published: September 2015

AbstractLong non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in genomic imprinting, cancer, differentiation and regulation of gene expression. Here, we identified 3844 long intergenic ncRNAs (lincRNA) inPlutella xylostella, which is a notorious pest of cruciferous plants that has developed field resistance to all classes of insecticides, includingBacillus thuringiensis(Bt) endotoxins. Further, we found that some of those lincRNAs may potentially serve as precursors for the production of small ncRNAs. We found 280 and 350 lincRNAs that are differentially expressed in Chlorpyrifos and Fipronil resistant larvae. A survey onP. xylostellamidgut transcriptome data from Bt-resistant populations revealed 59 altered lincRNA in two resistant strains compared with the susceptible population. We validated the transcript levels of a number of putative lincRNAs in deltamethrin-resistant larvae that were exposed to deltamethrin, which indicated that this group of lincRNAs might be involved in the response to xenobiotics in this insect. To functionally characterize DBM lincRNAs, gene ontology (GO) enrichment of their associated protein-coding genes was extracted and showed over representation of protein, DNA and RNA binding GO terms. The data presented here will facilitate future studies to unravel the function of lincRNAs in insecticide resistance or the response to xenobiotics of eukaryotic cells.
Mass-Controlled Direct Synthesis of Graphene-like Carbon Nitride Nanosheets with Exceptional High Visible Light Activity. Less is Better
Authors: Zhao Zaiwang , Sun Yanjuan , Luo Qian , Dong Fan , Li Hui , Ho Wing-Kei 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIn the present work, it is very surprising to find that the precursors mass, a long overlooked factor for synthesis of 2D g-C3N4, exerts unexpected impact on g-C3N4 fabrication. The nanoarchitecture and photocatalytic capability of g-C3N4 can be well-tailored only by altering the precursors mass. As thiourea mass decreases, thin g-C3N4 nanosheets with higher surface area, elevated conduction band position and enhanced photocatalytic capability was triumphantly achieved. The optimized 2D g-C3N4 (CN-2T) exhibited exceptional high photocatalytic performance with a NO removal ratio of 48.3%, superior to that of BiOBr (21.3%), (BiO)2CO3 (18.6%) and Au/(BiO)2CO3 (33.8%). The excellent activity of CN-2T can be ascribed to the co-contribution of enlarged surface areas, strengthened electron-hole separation efficiency, enhanced electrons reduction capability and prolonged charge carriers lifetime. The DMPO ESR-spin trapping and hole trapping results demonstrate that the superoxide radicals (•O2−) and photogenerated holes are the main reactive species, while hydroxyl radicals (•OH) play a minor role in photocatalysis reaction. By monitoring the reaction intermediate and active species, the reaction mechanism for photocatalytic oxidation of NO by g-C3N4 was proposed. This strategy is novel and facile, which could stimulate numerous attentions in development of high-performance g-C3N4 based functional nanomaterials.
Re-examination of genetic and nutritional factors related to trichothecene biosynthesis in Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Kitou Yoshiyuki , Nakajima Yuichi , Maeda Kazuyuki , Jin Qi , Nishiuchi Takumi , Kanamaru Kyoko , Kobayashi Tetsuo , Kimura Makoto 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
Disruption of two Fusarium genes that negatively regulate trichothecene biosynthesis was reported to cause a drastic increase in trichothecene production. However, careful inspection of these genes revealed that neither was significantly related to trichothecene production. Agmatine medium maintained the expression of trichothecene genes at significant levels, resulting in a 2–3-fold increase in the final yield, as compared to glutamine medium.
Evolutionary assembly patterns of prokaryotic genomes
Authors: Press Maximilian O. , Queitsch Christine , Borenstein Elhanan 
Published: September 2015

AbstractEvolutionary innovation must occur in the context of some genomic background, which limits available evolutionary paths. For example, protein evolution by sequence substitution is constrained by epistasis between residues. In prokaryotes, evolutionary innovation frequently happens by macrogenomic events such as horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Previous work has suggested that HGT can be influenced by ancestral genomic content, yet the extent of such gene-level constraints has not yet been systematically characterized. Here, we evaluated the evolutionary impact of such constraints in prokaryotes, using probabilistic ancestral reconstructions from 634 extant prokaryotic genomes and a novel framework for detecting evolutionary constraints on HGT events. We identified 8,228 directional dependencies between genes, and demonstrated that many such dependencies reflect known functional relationships, including, for example, evolutionary dependencies of the photosynthetic enzyme RuBisCO. Modeling all dependencies as a network, we adapted an approach from graph theory to establish chronological precedence in the acquisition of different genomic functions. Specifically, we demonstrated that specific functions tend to be gained sequentially, suggesting that evolution in prokaryotes is governed by functional assembly patterns. Finally, we showed that these dependencies are universal rather than clade-specific and are often sufficient for predicting whether or not a given ancestral genome will acquire specific genes. Combined, our results indicate that evolutionary innovation via HGT is profoundly constrained by epistasis and historical contingency, similar to the evolution of proteins and phenotypic characters, and suggest that the emergence of specific metabolic and pathological phenotypes in prokaryotes can be predictable from current genomes.
Optimal selection of third-party logistics service providers using quality function deployment and Taguchi loss function
Authors: Sharma Satyendra Kumar , Kumar Vinod 
Published: September 2015

Purpose
– Selection of logistics service provider (LSP) (also known as Third-party logistics (3PL) is a critical decision, because logistics affects top and bottom line as well. Companies consider logistics as a cost driver and at the time of LSP selection decision, many important decision criteria’s are left out. 3PL selection is multi-criteria decision-making process. The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated approach, combining quality function deployment (QFD), and Taguchi loss function (TLF) to select optimal 3PL.

Design/methodology/approach
– Multiple criteria are derived from the company requirements using house of quality. The 3PL service attributes are developed using QFD and the relative importance of the attributes are assessed. TLFs are used to measure performance of each 3PL on each decision variable. Composite weighted loss scores are used to rank 3PLs.

Findings
– QFD is a better tool which connects attributes used in a decision problem to decision maker’s requirements. In total, 15 criteria were used and TLF provides performance on these criteria.

Practical implications
– The proposed model provides a methodology to make informed decision related to 3PL selection. The proposed model may be converted into decision support system.

Originality/value
– Proposed approach in this paper is a novel approach that connects the 3PL selection problem to practice in terms of identifying criteria’s and provides a single numerical value in terms of Taghui loss.
The mediating effect of human resource on successful total quality management implementation
Authors: Dubey Rameshwar , Singh Tripti , Ali Sadia Samar 
Published: September 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to study the mediating effect of human resource (HR) between independent variables (i.e. leadership and quality culture (QC)) and successful total quality management (TQM) implementation for firm performance as dependent variable.

Design/methodology/approach
– In this paper, the authors have used exploratory factor analysis output as input for mediation statistics. The mediating regression analysis has been performed using exploratory factor analysis based on four steps technique proposed by Baron and Keene in the year 1986 to test the theoretical model.

Findings
– The mediation statistics output suggests that HR is a complete mediation between independent variables (i.e. leadership) and successful TQM implementation for firm performance and QC is having direct impact on firm performance without any mediation effect of HR.

Research limitations/implications
– Mediation regression has its own limitations. Satisfying four steps does not, however, conclusively establish that mediation has occurred and also there persists a measurement problem. The cross-ectional data is one of the present limitation of our present study. While this study was able to provide additional insight into leadership and QC of TQM and its relationship with firm performance, it also revealed areas that would benefit from further research.

Originality/value
– This study provides an insight into leadership together with right QC mediates with HR practices to help successful TQM implementation for firm performance on the basis of survey conducted among Indian manufacturing sector is unique contribution.
A warranty based bilateral multi-issue negotiation approach
Authors: Ambad Prashant M. , Kulkarni Makarand S. 
Published: September 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to propose a warranty-based bilateral automated multi-issue negotiation approach.

Design/methodology/approach
– A methodology for bilateral automated negotiation process is developed considering the targets such as warranty attractiveness, warranty cost, mean time between failures, spare parts cost to the end user over the useful life of the life. The negotiation methodology is explained using different cases of negotiation. The optimization for each negotiation step is carried out using genetic algorithm with elitism strategy.

Findings
– The result after optimization indicates that the desired target values are achieved and manufacturer obtained desired profit margin.

Practical implications
– Application of automated negotiation model is illustrated using a real life case of an automobile engine manufacturer. The proposed approach helps the manufacturer of any product to develop a methodology for carrying out the negotiation process. The approach also results into taking warranty-related decisions at the design stage.

Originality/value
– This paper contributes in proposing a generalized methodology for warranty-based negotiation in which the negotiation is carried out between the manufacturer and the customer.
Slack based measure of efficiencies of public sector hospitals in Uttarakhand (India)
Authors: Mogha Sandeep Kumar , Yadav Shiv Prasad , Singh S. P. 
Published: September 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to determine the relative efficiencies of public sector hospitals in Uttarakhand, India.Design/methodology/approach– The study use data of public hospitals collected from Directorate of Medical Health and Family Welfare, Government of Uttarakhand, Dehradun, India for the year 2011. The cross-sectional data analyses are carried out by applying data envelopment analysis (DEA) based slack based model.Findings– The analysis found that out of total 36 hospitals only ten hospitals are relatively overall technical efficient. The average overall technical efficiency 54.10 per cent indicates that an average hospital has the scope of producing the outputs with the inputs 45.90 per cent lesser than their existing levels. The slack analysis results show that on average 12.57 per cent of beds, 13.16 per cent of doctors, 14.04 per cent of paramedical staff can be reduced and 17.53 per cent of out-door patients, 66.55 per cent of in-door patients, 208.23 per cent of major surgeries, 110.73 per cent of minor surgeries can be expanded if all the inefficient hospitals operate at the level of efficient hospitals.Originality/value– The present study is undertaken to measure the relative efficiencies of public sector hospitals in Uttarakhand. There is dearth of studies being done on Indian healthcare sector and this study will help to utilize healthcare resources efficiently for formulating policy implications for public hospitals in Uttarakhand. For the robustness of DEA results, Jackknifing analysis is also conducted.
Untangling the antecedents of code of ethics quality: does corporate governance matter?
Authors: Garegnani Giovanni Maria , Merlotti Emilia Piera , Russo Angeloantonio 
Published: September 2015

Purpose– This study aims to investigate the antecedents of code of ethics’ quality with specific regard to the peculiarities of corporate governance, which include the role of the primary shareholders within the firm, the role and influence of independent directors on the board, the effect of board size on the strategic decision-making process and the influence of the chief executive officer’s (CEO) age and gender diversity.Design/methodology/approach– A sample of 248 Italian public companies publishing a code of ethics as of 2011 is used to test the hypotheses through Tobit regression models.Findings– A positive or negative impact is derived from the implementation of a high-quality code of ethics. Codes of ethics are strongly influenced by the ownership structure of the company given the critical role played by primary shareholders with larger stakes in influencing the quality of a code. Moreover, the lower the number of independent directors, the higher the firm’s propensity to invest in code of ethics’ quality. Similar results were found in relation to board size and CEO age, where smaller boards and younger CEOs are more inclined to implement higher-quality codes of ethics.Originality/value– Results support the argument that when linked to a sustainability strategic orientation focused on a high-quality code of ethics, corporate governance characteristics reveal influences that differ from those found in prior literature.
Multiple directorships, industry relatedness, and corporate governance effectiveness
Authors: Clements Curtis , Neill John D. , Wertheim Paul 
Published: September 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the industry relatedness of directors’ multiple directorships and corporate governance effectiveness. The authors posit that a director gains “beneficial experience” by serving on outside boards of companies in related industries, with a resulting increase in governance effectiveness. Conversely, they predict a decrease in governance effectiveness when directors serve on outside boards of companies in unrelated industries.Design/methodology/approach– Using publicly available data, a Tobit regression model is used to examine the effect of the industry relatedness of board members’ multiple directorships on corporate governance effectiveness.Findings– The results demonstrate a significant positive correlation between the industry relatedness of directors’ multiple directorships and corporate governance effectiveness. It was found that this industry relatedness effect is stronger for directors of small companies than large company directors. The paper also documents a significant negative effect on governance effectiveness for small firms whose directors increase their board service on non-industry-related boards.Originality/value– Prior research has examined the “Busyness Hypothesis” and the “Experience Hypothesis” as mutually exclusive hypotheses. This paper extends prior research by examining the possibility that the two hypotheses are not competing, but rather that both an experience effect and a busyness effect may be present for directors serving on multiple boards, and that one of the effects will dominate the other, based on certain company-specific characteristics.
Ownership concentration of three large Belgian banks during the crisis
Authors: Deudon Jean-Charles , Marques Ana C. , Sarens Gerrit 
Published: September 2015

Purpose
– In this paper, two different ownership structures in Belgian banks are studied to see whether this had an impact on how these banks went through the financial crisis of 2007-2008. On the one hand, there is the concentrated ownership structure with a number of major shareholders, while on the other hand, the ownership can be really dispersed with no shareholder having a significantly large stake and ability to influence management’s decisions.

Design/methodology/approach
– The authors study three large Belgians banks. Dexia and KBC followed the first model (concentrated ownership), while Fortis’ ownership was really dispersed since the year 2000. The authors perform several interviews with people involved with these banks during the crisis and analyze several external sources of information.

Findings
– The mitigating impact that major shareholders could have had on the – in hindsight – wrong decisions of Belgian banks’ top managers is found to be very limited. Therefore, it can be concluded that the dispersed ownership structure of Fortis was not an important factor in its collapse. Nevertheless, a concentrated ownership structure has been found out to help in case of financial distress, mainly because governments will be more inclined to participate to bailouts when a sound rescue strategy, elaborated with the help of a stable and concentrated ownership structure, is present.

Originality/value
– By performing interviews, the authors get an insider’s point of view of these banks during the crisis.
Remuneration committee and corporate failure
Authors: Appiah Kingsley Opoku , Chizema Amon 
Published: September 2015

Purpose– This study aims to examine the role the structure of corporate boards plays in the failure of the firm. Specifically, it examines whether the remuneration committee is related to corporate failure in the UK.Design/methodology/approach– The study uses 1,835 firm-year observations for 98 failed and 269 non-failed UK-listed non-financial firms between the periods of 1994 and 2011. This study used pooled cross-sectional, fixed and random effects LOGIT models to estimate whether corporate failure is related to remuneration committee in the UK.Findings– The findings indicate that corporate failure is negatively related to the independence of the remuneration committee chairman and remuneration committee’s effectiveness but not remuneration committee’s presence, size and meetings. However, a positive and significant relationship was observed between corporate failure and remuneration committee independence.Practical implications– The findings of the study provide support for the appropriateness of agency theory as analytical lens through which to study the efficacy of remuneration committee, especially the independence of the remuneration committee chairperson, as a board monitoring device, in the context of corporate failure.Originality/value– The paper adds to existing literature on corporate governance by establishing the likely causes of corporate failure in the UK.
Investigation of the effect of different gravity conditions on penetration mechanisms by the Distinct Element Method
Authors: Jiang Mingjing , Liu Fang , Wang Huaning , Wang Xinxin 
Published: September 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to present an investigation of the effect of different gravity conditions on the penetration mechanism using the two-dimensional Distinct Element Method (DEM), which ranges from high gravity used in centrifuge model tests to low gravity incurred by serial parabolic flight, with the aim of efficiently analyzing cone penetration tests on the lunar surface.Design/methodology/approach– Seven penetration tests were numerically simulated on loose granular ground under different gravity conditions, i.e. one-sixth, one-half, one, five, ten, 15 and 20 terrestrial gravities. The effect of gravity on the mechanisms is examined with aspect to the tip resistance, deformation pattern, displacement paths, stress fields, stress paths, strain and rotation paths, and velocity fields during the penetration process.Findings– First, under both low and high gravities, the penetration leads to high gradients of the value and direction of stresses in addition to high gradients in the velocity field near the penetrometer. In addition, the soil near the penetrometer undergoes large rotations of the principal stresses. Second, high gravity leads to a larger rotation of principal stresses and more downward particle motions than low gravity. Third, the tip resistance increases with penetration depth and gravity. Both the maximum (steady) normalized cone tip resistance and the maximum normalized mean (deviatoric) stress can be uniquely expressed by a linear equation in terms of the reciprocal of gravity.Originality/value– This study investigates the effect of different gravity conditions on penetration mechanisms by using DEM.