bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leveraging allelic heterogeneity to increase power of association testing
Authors: Hormozdiari Farhad I , Jung Junghyun , Eskin Eleazar , Joo Jong Wha J.
Published: December 2018

The standard genome-wide association studies (GWAS) detects an association between a single variant and a phenotype of interest. Recently, several studies reported that at many risk loci, there may exist multiple causal variants. For a locus with multiple causal variants with small effect sizes, the standard association test is underpowered to detect the associations. Alternatively, an approach considering effects of multiple variants simultaneously may increase statistical power by leveraging effects of multiple causal variants. In this paper, we propose a new statistical method, Model-based Association test Reflecting causal Status (MARS), that tries to find an association between variants in risk loci and a phenotype, considering the causal status of the variants. One of the main advantages of MARS is that it only requires the existing summary statistics to detect associated risk loci. Thus, MARS is applicable to any association study with summary statistics, even though individual level data is not available for the study. Utilizing extensive simulated data sets, we show that MARS increases the power of detecting true associated risk loci compared to previous approaches that consider multiple variants, while robustly controls the type I error. Applied to data of 44 tissues provided by the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) consortium, we show that MARS identifies more eGenes compared to previous approaches in most of the tissues; e.g. MARS identified 16% more eGenes than the ones reported by the GTEx consortium. Moreover, applied to Northern Finland Birth Cohort (NFBC) data, we demonstrate that MARS effectively identifies association loci with improved power (56% of more loci found by MARS) inGWAS studies compared to the standard association test.
Environmental DNA metabarcoding as an effective and rapid tool for fish monitoring in canals:
Authors: McDevitt Allan D , Guimaraes Sales Naiara , Browett Samuel S , Sparnenn Abbie , Mariani Stefano , Wangensteen Owen S , Coscia Ilaria , Benvenuto Chiara
Published: December 2018

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding has revolutionized biomonitoring of aquatic habitats. Man-made canal systems are among the least-studied environments in terms of biodiversity in Britain. Here we focus on a case study along an English canal comparing eDNA metabarcoding with two types of electrofishing techniques (wade-and-reach and boom-boat). In addition to corroborating data obtained by electrofishing, eDNA provided a wider snapshot of fish assemblages. Given the semi-lotic nature of canals, we encourage the use of eDNA as a fast and cost-effective tool to detect and monitor whole fish communities.
Decoupling of rates of protein synthesis from cell expansion leads to supergrowth: Supplement
Authors: Knapp Benjamin D , Odermatt Pascal , Rojas Enrique R , Cheng Wenpeng , He Xiangwei , Huang Kerwyn Casey , Chang Fred
Published: December 2018

Cell growth is a complex process in which the biosynthesis of cellular components must be coordinated with increases in cell size in order to maintain their concentrations. In many cell types, the steady-state growth rate is proportional to cell size such that larger cells grow proportionally faster than smaller cells. Little is known about the mechanisms coordinating biosynthesis, cell volume, and cytoplasmic density. Here, we reveal a global mechanism for proteome homeostasis by transiently decoupling protein synthesis from volume growth rate in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Rapid osmotic oscillations strongly inhibited growth, but when oscillations were terminated cells subsequently underwent a period of "supergrowth" in which growth was significantly faster than steady-state growth for multiple generations. Protein concentrations and cytoplasmic density increased steadily during oscillations, and gradually decreased to steady-state values during supergrowth. Transient growth inhibition by disabling the secretory pathway produced similar behaviors to osmotic oscillations. The accumulation of biomass was responsible for driving subsequent rapid growth, yielding a homeostatic mechanism for maintaining global protein concentration.
BLAST : a short computerized test to measure the ability to stay on task. Normative behavioral data and detailed cortical dynamics.
Authors: Petton Mathilde , Perrone-Bertolotti Marcela , Mac-Auliffe Diego , Bertrand Olivier , Aguera Pierre-Emmanuel , Sipp Florian , Batthacharjee Manik , Isnard Jean , Minotti Lorella , Rheims Sylvain , Kahane Philippe , Herbillon Vania , Lachaux Jean-Philippe
Published: December 2018

This article provides an exhaustive description of a new short computerized test to assess on a second-to-second basis the ability of individuals to stay on task, that is, to apply selectively and repeatedly task-relevant cognitive processes. The task (Bron/Lyon Attention Stability Test, or BLAST) lasts around one minute, and measures repeatedly the time to find a target letter in a two-by-two letter array, with an update of all letters every new trial across thirty trials. Several innovative psychometric measures of attention stability are proposed based on the instantaneous fluctuations of reaction times throughout the task, and normative data stratified over a wide range of age are provided by a large (>6000) dataset of participants aged 8 to 70. We also detail the large-scale brain dynamics supporting the task from an in-depth study of 32 participants with direct electrophysiological cortical recordings (intracranial EEG) to prove that BLAST involves critically large-scale executive attention networks, with a marked activation of the dorsal attention network and a deactivation of the default-mode network. Accordingly, we show that BLAST performance correlates with scores established by ADHD-questionnaires.
Analysis of the structural variability of topologically associated domains as revealed by Hi-C
Authors: Sauerwald Natalie , Singhal Akshat , Kingsford Carl
Published: December 2018

Three-dimensional chromosome structure plays an integral role in gene expression and regulation, replication timing, and other cellular processes. Topologically associating domains (TADs), one of the building blocks of chromosome structure, are genomic regions with higher contact frequencies within the region than outside the region. A central question is the degree to which TADs are conserved or vary between conditions. We analyze a set of 137 Hi-C samples from 9 different studies under 3 measures in order to quantify the effects of various sources of biological and experimental variation. We observe significant variation in TAD sets between both non-replicate and replicate samples, and show that this variability does not seem to come from genetic sequence differences. The effects of experimental protocol differences are also measured, demonstrating that samples can have protocol-specific structural changes, but that TADs are generally robust to lab-specific differences. This study represents a systematic quantification of the key factors influencing comparisons of chromosome structure.
Self-repair protects microtubules from their destruction by molecular motors:
Authors: Triclin Sarah , Inoue Daisuke , Gaillard Jeremie , Htet Zaw Min , De Santis Morgan , Portran Didier , Derivery Emmanuel , Aumeier Charlotte , Schaedel Laura , John Karin , Leterrier Christophe , Reck-Peterson Samara , Blanchoin Laurent , Thery Manuel
Published: December 2018

Microtubules are dynamic polymers that are used for intracellular transport and chromosome segregation during cell division. Their instability stems from the low energy of tubulin dimer interactions, which sets the growing polymer close to its disassembly conditions. Microtubules function in coordination with kinesin and dynein molecular motors, which use ATP hydrolysis to produce mechanical work and move on microtubules. This raises the possibility that the forces produced by walking motors can break dimer interactions and trigger microtubule disassembly. We tested this hypothesis by studying the interplay between microtubules and moving molecular motors in vitro. Our results show that the mechanical work of molecular motors can remove tubulin dimers from the lattice and rapidly destroy microtubules. This effect was not observed when free tubulin dimers were present in the assay. Using fluorescently labelled tubulin dimers we found that dimer removal by motors was compensated for by the insertion of free tubulin dimers into the microtubule lattice. This self-repair mechanism allows microtubules to survive the damage induced by molecular motors as they move along their tracks. Our study reveals the existence of coupling between the motion of kinesin and dynein motors and the renewal of the microtubule lattice.
Genetic association between angiotensin converting enzyme gene in Saudi obese women established gestational diabetes; Non-replication of case-control studies in insertion and deletion polymorphism
Authors: Alodhayani Abdulaziz
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as carbohydrate intolerance detected during pregnancy and resolves after delivery. Presently, GDM was identified with biochemical but not with molecular analysis. Therefore, this study investigated the genetic, biochemical, clinical association between ACE polymorphism in GDM women.

Methods

In this case-control study, 400 pregnant women were selected to inspect the ACE genotyping. Two hundred GDM cases were compared with 200 non-GDM subjects. Genotyping was carried out with direct primer sequence followed with 3% agarose gel electrophoresis.

Results

Statistical association was identified between GDM and non-GDM subjects with D allele, ID genotype and dominant model (D vs I: OR-1.62 [95%CI: 1.09-2.41]; p=0.01; ID vs II: OR-1.58 [95%CI: 1.02-2.42]; p=0.03; DD+ID vs II; OR-1.62 [95%CI: 1.09-2.40]; p=0.01). when comparison was carried out in obese and non-obese of GDM subjects’ negative association was confirmed (p>0.05) and Weight cum BMI associated positively with ACE II, ID and DD genotypes (p=0.07 and p=0.02).

Conclusion

This results confirm positive association with ACE variant in GDM subjects; confirms the association between GDM and obesity in Saudi women. However, future studies should be implement in other diseases in Saudi as well as GDM with obesity studies in global populations to rule out the diseases.
Terminal Reproductive Investment, Physiological Trade-offs and Pleiotropic Effects: Their effects produce complex immune/reproductive interactions in the cricket Gryllus texensis
Authors: Miyashita Atsushi , Lee Ting Yat Marco , McMillan Laura E , Easy Russell , Adamo Shelley A
Published: December 2018

1. Should females increase or decrease reproduction when attacked by pathogens? Two hypotheses provide opposite predictions. Terminal reproductive investment theory predicts an increase in reproduction, but hypothesized physiological trade-offs between reproduction and immune function might be expected to produce a decrease. There is evidence for both hypotheses. What determines the choice between the two responses remains unclear. We examine the effect of age on the reproductive response to immune challenge in long-wing females of the Texas field cricket, Gryllus texensis, when fed an ecologically valid (limited) diet.
2. The limited diet reduced reproductive output. However, immune challenge had no effect on their reproductive output either in young or middle-aged crickets, which is contrary to either prediction.
3. Flight muscle maintenance correlated negatively with reproductive output, suggesting a physiological trade-off between flight muscle maintenance and reproduction. Within the long-wing variant there was considerable variability in flight muscle maintenance. This variability may mask physiological trade-offs between immunity and reproduction.
4. Middle-aged crickets had higher total phenoloxidase (PO) activity in their hemolymph, compared to young females, which is contrary to the terminal investment theory. Given that PO is involved in both immunity and reproduction, the increased PO may reflect simultaneous investment in both functions.
5. We identified four proPO transcripts in a published RNA-seq dataset (transcriptome). Three of the proPO genes were expressed either in the fat body or the ovaries (supporting the hypothesis that PO is bifunctional); however, the two organs expressed different subsets. The possible bifunctionality of PO suggests that it may not be an appropriate immune measure for immune/reproductive trade-offs in some species.
6. Increasing age may not cue terminal reproductive investment prior to senescence.
Using deep maxout neural networks to improve the accuracy of function prediction from protein interaction networks
Authors: Wan Cen , Cozzetto Domenico , Fa Rui , Jones David T.
Published: December 2018

Protein-protein interaction network data provides valuable information that infers direct links between genes and their biological roles. This information brings a fundamental hypothesis for protein function prediction that interacting proteins tend to have similar functions. With the help of recently-developed network embedding feature generation methods and deep maxout neural networks, it is possible to extract functional representations that encode direct links between protein-protein interactions information and protein function. Our novel method, STRING2GO, successfully adopts deep maxout neural networks to learn functional representations simultaneously encoding both protein-protein interactions and functional predictive information. The experimental results show that STRING2GO outperforms other network embedding-based prediction methods and one benchmark method adopted in a recent large scale protein function prediction competition.
Vaginal lubricants in the couple trying-to-conceive: assessing healthcare professional recommendations and effect on in vitro sperm function
Authors: Mackenzie Scott C , Gellatly Steven A
Published: December 2018

Vaginal lubricants are commonly used by couples trying-to-conceive. However, most vaginal lubricants are sperm toxic and therefore should not be used by couples trying-to-conceive. Despite this, lubricant sperm toxicity is insufficiently reported and guidance for healthcare professionals (HCPs) are absent. In this study, lubricant-related practices of fertility-based HCPs in Scotland were sampled via an online survey. Lubricants identified as being utilised in the fertility setting were subsequently incubated with prepared sperm samples to establish effects on sperm motility.

HCP recommendations (n=32) on lubricant use were varied although knowledge related to sperm toxicity was generally poor. HCPs infrequently asked about lubricant use and were unaware of guidance in this area. Aquagel, the only prescribed lubricant identified in this study, reduced sperm progressive motility to 49% of control after 10 minutes, even at concentrations as low as 5%. Vitality testing suggested the deterioration in progressive motility with Aquagel was not as a result of cell death. Conversely, Pré Vaginal Lubricant, a ‘sperm-safe’ lubricant, did not significantly affect any markers of sperm function assessed. Development of clinical guidance in this area is recommended to ensure HCPs deliver informed advice as lubricant use in couples trying-to-conceive may inadvertently contribute to delay in conception.
TDP-43 oligomers detected as initial intermediate species during aggregate formation
Authors: French Rachel L. , Reeb Ashley N. , Aligireddy Himani , Kedia Niraja , Dhavale Dhruva D. , Grese Zachary R. , Kotzbauer Paul T. , Bieschke Jan , Ayala Yuna M.
Published: December 2018

Aggregates of the RNA binding protein TDP-43 are a hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which are neurodegenerative disorders with overlapping clinical, genetic and pathological features. Mutations in the TDP-43 gene are causative of ALS, supporting its central role in pathogenesis. The process of TDP-43 aggregation remains poorly understood and whether this includes formation of intermediate complexes is unknown. We characterized aggregates derived from purified TDP-43 as a function of time and analyzed them under semi-denaturing conditions. Our assays identified oligomeric complexes at the initial time points prior to the formation of large aggregates, suggesting that ordered oligomerization is an intermediate step of TDP-43 aggregation. In addition, we analyzed liquid-liquid phase separation of TDP-43 and detected similar oligomeric assembly upon the maturation of liquid droplets into solid-like fibrils. These results strongly suggest that the oligomers form during the early steps of TDP-43 misfolding. Importantly, ALS-linked mutations A315T and M337V significantly accelerate aggregation, rapidly decreasing the monomeric population and shortening the oligomeric phase. We also show that the aggregates generated from purified protein seed intracellular aggregation, which is detected by established markers of TDP-43 pathology. Remarkably, cytoplasmic aggregate propagation is detected earlier with A315T and M337V and is 50% more widespread than with wild-type aggregates. Our findings provide evidence for a controlled process of TDP-43 self-assembly into intermediate structures that provide a scaffold for aggregation. This process is altered by ALS-linked mutations, underscoring the role of perturbations in TDP-43 homeostasis in protein aggregation and ALS-FTD pathogenesis.
SGK regulates pH increase and cyclin B-Cdk1 activation to resume meiosis in starfish ovarian oocytes
Authors: Hosoda Enako , Hiraoka Daisaku , Hirohashi Noritaka , Omi Saki , Kishimoto Takeo , Chiba Kazuyoshi
Published: December 2018

Tight regulation of intracellular pH (pHi) is essential for biological processes. Fully-grown oocytes, having a large nucleus called the germinal vesicle, arrest at meiotic prophase-I. Upon hormonal stimulus, oocytes resume meiosis to acquire fertilizability. At this time, pHi increases through Na+/H+ exchanger activity. However, regulation and function of this change remains obscure. Here we show that in starfish oocytes, serum- and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase (SGK) is activated by the PI3K/TORC2/PDK1 signaling after hormonal stimulus, and is required for the pHi increase and cyclin B–Cdk1 activation. Furthermore, when we clamped pHi at 6.7, corresponding to the pHi of unstimulated ovarian oocytes, hormonal stimulus normally induced cyclin B–Cdk1 activation; thereafter, oocytes initiated germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), but failed to complete it. Thus, SGK-dependent pHi increase is likely prerequisite for completion of GVBD in ovarian oocytes. We propose a model that SGK drives meiotic resumption through concomitant regulation of pHi and the cell-cycle machinery.
Differential cell fates of muscle stem cells are accompanied by symmetric segregation of canonical H3 histones in vivo
Authors: Evano Brendan , Carrou Gilles Le , Almouzni Geneviève , Tajbakhsh Shahragim
Published: December 2018

Stem cells are maintained through symmetric or asymmetric cell divisions. While various mechanisms initiate asymmetric cell fates during mitosis, possible epigenetic control of this process has emerged recently. The asymmetrical distribution of a canonical histone H3 variant during mitosis in fly germline has suggested a role for partitioning old and new nucleosomes in asymmetric cell fates. Here, we provide resources for single cell assays and show the asymmetric segregation of transcription factors along with old and new DNA in mouse muscle stem cells ex vivo and in vivo. However, these differential fate outcomes contrast with a symmetric distribution of the canonical H3.1 vertebrate variant. These findings point to different evolutionary mechanisms operating in fly germline stem cells and vertebrate somatic stem cells to mitigate epigenetic regulation of asymmetric cell fates.
A coloring-book approach to finding coordination sequences
Authors: Goodman-Strauss C. , Sloane N. J. A.
Published: December 2018

An elementary method is described for finding the coordination sequences for a tiling, based on coloring the underlying graph. The first application is to the two kinds of vertices (tetravalent and trivalent) in the Cairo (or dual-32.4.3.4) tiling. The coordination sequence for a tetravalent vertex turns out, surprisingly, to be 1, 4, 8, 12, 16, …, the same as for a vertex in the familiar square (or 44) tiling. The authors thought that such a simple fact should have a simple proof, and this article is the result. The method is also used to obtain coordination sequences for the 32.4.3.4, 3.4.6.4, 4.82, 3.122and 34.6 uniform tilings, and the snub-632 tiling. In several cases the results provide proofs for previously conjectured formulas.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of N,N′-[ethane-1,2-diylbis(oxy)]bis(4-methylbenzenesulfonamide)
Authors: Meral Seher , Kansiz Sevgi , Dege Necmi , Alaman Agar Aysen , Tsapyuk Galyna G.
Published: December 2018

In the molecule of the title compound, C16H20N2O6S2, the mid-point of the C—C bond of the central ethane moiety is located on a twofold rotation axis. In the crystal, molecules are linked by N—H...O hydrogen bonds into supramolecular chains propagating along the [101] direction. Hirshfeld surface analysis and two-dimensional fingerprint plots indicate that the most important contributions to the crystal packing are from H...H (43.1%), O...H/H...O (40.9%), C...H/H...C (8.8%) and C...C (5.5%) interactions.
Interstellar medium magnetic field in bow shock modelling
Authors: Kotlarz Jan , Ratkiewicz Romana , Konior Wojciech
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to demonstrate the impact of interstellar (IS) magnetic field on stellar shocks existence, shape and size in the stellar wind (SW) vs interstellar medium (ISM) numerical models.

Design/methodology/approach

Comparison of hydrodynamics (HD) and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models results with or without ISM magnetic field, its intensity and ISM parameters.

Findings

ISM magnetic field facilitates formation and stabilises bow shocks around all astrophysical objects. ISM magnetic field may also be one of the reasons for a bow shock existence around the Sun.

Practical implications

ISM magnetic field should be implemented in MHD and future kinetic numerical models of the SW interaction with ISM plasma.

Originality/value

This paper presents the results of HD and MHD models of bow shocks and the importance of ISM magnetic field implementation, according to astronomical bow shock observations. The study also presents a review of the most important papers showing the numerical results of bow shock formation.
Innovative time-based separation procedures for civil RPAS integration
Authors: Fusaro Roberta , Viola Nicole , Cresto Aleina Sara , Di Meo Giovanni Antonio
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to suggest feasible solutions to overcome the problem of unmanned aerial vehicles integration within the existing airspace.

Design/methodology/approach

It envisages innovative time-based separation procedures that will enhance the integration in the future air traffic management (ATM) system of next generation of large remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS). 4D navigation and dynamic mobile area concepts, both proposed in the framework of Single European Sky ATM Research program, are brought together to hypothesize innovative time-based separation procedures aiming at promoting integration of RPAS in the future ATM system.

Findings

Benefits of proposed procedures, mainly evaluated in terms of volume reduction of segregated airspace, are quantitatively analyzed on the basis of realistic operational scenarios focusing on monitoring activities in both nominal and emergency conditions. Eventually, the major limits of time-based separation for RPAS are investigated.

Practical implications

The implementation of the envisaged procedures will be a key enabler in RPAS integration in future ATM integration.

Originality/value

In the current ATM scenario, separation of RPAS from air traffic is ensured by segregating a large amount of airspace areas with fixed dimensions, dramatically limiting the activities of these vehicles.
Evaluating impact of entrepreneurship education programs
Authors: Daneshjoovash Seyedeh Khatereh , Hosseini Mirza Hassan
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of Entrepreneurship Education Programs (EEPs) from students’ and educators’ viewpoint to improve the quality of EEPs.

Design/methodology/approach

This research applies a qualitative-quantitative methodology. Its sample is included 291 students were selected randomly and 35 educators were chosen by convenience technique from universities of Applied Science and Technology of Iran.

Findings

The results revealed that essence of EEPs had a positive direct effect on objectives and content of EEPs; objectives and content of EEPs had a positive direct effect on methods of EEPs; essence of EEPs had a positive direct effect on impact of EEPs; and essence of EEPs had a positive indirect effect on methods through objectives and content based on students’ and educators’ perspective. Moreover, as opposed to educators’, students believed that methods of EEPs have not a positive direct effect on impact, while educators were opponent to students approach about the positive direct effect of essence of EEPs on methods.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to Applied Science and Technology universities were selected by convenience sampling method. Similar studies in other universities are needed to be conducted by simple random sampling to evaluate EEPs.

Practical implications

The study recommends policy-makers to be aware of students’ needs of EEPs’ methods, as well inform educators about effective and initiative methods.

Originality/value

Evaluating impact of EEPs based on demand and supply-side viewpoint is the first study conducted in Applied Science and Technology universities of Iran.
Employees’ agency in the formalisation of knowledge-intensive business service processes
Authors: Tuominen Tiina , Martinsuo Miia
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and explain how different kinds of knowledge-intensive business service processes (KIBS processes) can be formalised without excessively limiting employees’ agency, and thus flexibility in value creation. Previous research acknowledges the need to balance flexibility and formalisation but does not investigate how employees achieve this balance in various types of KIBS processes.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs a qualitative multiple-case study approach to compare employees’ agency in six successful formalisation projects targeting different types of KIBS processes in three firms. Through a systematic mapping of employees’ agency across the cases, this study reveals alternative patterns of formalisation that enable agency.

Findings

The findings reveal notable differences in employees’ agency in the studied cases. When KIBS processes were scale intensive and/or the culture-favoured conformity, formalisation projects were centrally organised, and employees obeyed codified process templates, even though some agency remained. When KIBS processes were smaller scale and/or the culture-favoured freedom, employees conducted formalisation projects autonomously and retained higher levels of agency in formalised KIBS processes.

Practical implications

Firms and business units providing KIBS should choose their formalisation approaches locally based on the scalability of the KIBS process, their employees’ skill levels, knowledge bases and culture. Choosing the right approach enables flexibility while striving for efficient processes.

Originality/value

Previous studies suggest that formalisation benefits only some KIBS, but this comparative approach shows that a variety of KIBS processes benefit from formalisation if the formalisation approach is tailored to the context. Alternative patterns of formalisation are revealed to guide further empirical research on the topic.
How personality type and languages of appreciation interrelate
Authors: White Paul , Hamrick Natalie , Hepner Tim , Toomey Rob
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Given that assessment tools based upon the Jung/Myers personality framework and the Motivating By Appreciation Inventory are used by tens of thousands of workplaces, questions have arisen regarding their interrelatedness. The purpose of the current study is to assess the relationship between TypeCoach personality type and Language of Appreciation.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 300 participants took both the MBA Inventory and TypeCoach Verifier. Each person’s primary Language of Appreciation and the summary scores for each of the four languages (Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Quality Time and Tangible Gifts) were calculated. Each participant’s TypeCoach data were scored as 1 of 16 traditional four-letter types (i.e. INTJ, ENFP), as well as dichotomously coded as extraversion (vs not), sensing (vs not), thinking (vs not) and judging (vs not). Logistic regression and chi-square tests were conducted to assess the relationships between primary Language of Appreciation and TypeCoach Verifier.

Findings

None of the analyses yielded a statistically significant relationship between Language of Appreciation and TypeCoach scores (all ps > 0.05).

Originality/value

This study is the first to assess the relationship between Jung/Myers personality types and languages of appreciation. It appears that personality type and preferred ways of receiving appreciation are independent, but potentially complimentary constructs. This study provides suggestions on how to best combine the tools to create an engaging work environment.
Employer organisations transformed
Authors: Demougin Philippe , Gooberman Leon , Hauptmeier Marco , Heery Edmund
Published: December 2018

Employer organisations and the literature examining them have transformed since their inception in the 19th century. We systematically review this literature and the evolving role of employer organisations by focusing on the most cited publications of this body of academic work. This article provides a synopsis of our current understanding of employer organisations, identifies gaps in our knowledge, and develops the following argument. Employer organisations adapted to changing socio‐economic contexts by evolving within and across three roles—as industrial relations actor, political actor, and service provider. Historically, employer organisations were predominantly understood as an industrial relations actor with collective bargaining as their defining activity. However, employer organisations also influenced the political process through lobbying and participating in corporatist arrangements, although more recently their provision of member services has grown in scope and importance.
Intraspecific DNA contamination distorts subtle population structure in a marine fish: Decontamination of herring samples before restriction‐site associated sequencing and its effects on population genetic statistics
Authors: Petrou Eleni L. , Drinan Daniel P. , Kopperl Robert , Lepofsky Dana , Yang Dongya , Moss Madonna L. , Hauser Lorenz
Published: December 2018

Wild specimens are often collected in challenging field conditions, where samples may be contaminated with the DNA of conspecific individuals. This contamination can result in false genotype calls, which are difficult to detect, but may also cause inaccurate estimates of heterozygosity, allele frequencies and genetic differentiation. Marine broadcast spawners are especially problematic, because population genetic differentiation is low and samples are often collected in bulk and sometimes from active spawning aggregations. Here, we used contaminated and clean Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) samples to test (a) the efficacy of bleach decontamination, (b) the effect of decontamination on RAD genotypes and (c) the consequences of contaminated samples on population genetic analyses. We collected fin tissue samples from actively spawning (and thus contaminated) wild herring and nonspawning (uncontaminated) herring. Samples were soaked for 10 min in bleach or left untreated, and extracted DNA was used to prepare DNA libraries using a restriction site‐associated DNA (RAD) approach. Our results demonstrate that intraspecific DNA contamination affects patterns of individual and population variability, causes an excess of heterozygotes and biases estimates of population structure. Bleach decontamination was effective at removing intraspecific DNA contamination and compatible with RAD sequencing, producing high‐quality sequences, reproducible genotypes and low levels of missing data. Although sperm contamination may be specific to broadcast spawners, intraspecific contamination of samples may be common and difficult to detect from high‐throughput sequencing data and can impact downstream analyses.
Depression precedes, but does not follow, gestational diabetes
Authors: Clark Claire E. , Rasgon Natalie L. , Reed David E. , Robakis Thalia K.
Published: December 2018

Objectives

To determine whether past history of depression is associated with increased rates of gestational diabetes, and whether history of gestational diabetes is associated with increased rates of postpartum depression.

Research design

Data for this case–control study consisted of de‐identified chart records for 1439 women who received pregnancy care at a large university hospital between 1998 and 2017.

Results

A history of depression prior to pregnancy was associated with gestational diabetes requiring insulin, although not with subtler degrees of gestational hyperglycemia. Diabetes in pregnancy was not associated with an increased risk of postpartum depression. Trauma history was associated with both impaired glucose tolerance in pregnancy and postpartum depression.

Conclusions

Past episodes of depression increase risk for the most severe form of gestational diabetes; however, gestational diabetes does not contribute significantly to risk for postpartum depression. This suggests a unidirectional association, unlike the bidirectional association of diabetes with depression among the general population. History of trauma increases risk for both gestational hyperglycemia and postpartum depression, suggesting important health effects of trauma that may differ measurably from those associated with depression.
Neighborhood density of alcohol outlets moderates genetic and environmental influences on alcohol problems
Authors: Slutske Wendy S. , Deutsch Arielle R. , Piasecki Thomas M.
Published: December 2018

Background and Aims

Geographic differences in rates of alcohol use disorder suggest that environmental factors and gene–environment interactions are likely to play an important role in its genesis. We aimed to examine whether living in a community with more alcohol outlets would facilitate the expression of the genetic propensity to develop alcohol problems.

Design

Cross‐sectional twin/sibling study.

Setting

United States.

Participants

The participants were 18–26‐year‐old twin, full‐ and half‐sibling pairs from Wave III of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health.

Measurements

Participants completed in‐home interviews in which past year alcohol problems were assessed. Alcohol outlet densities were extracted from state‐level liquor license databases aggregated at the census tract level.

Findings

There was evidence that estimates of genetic and environmental influences on alcohol problems varied as a function of the density of alcohol outlets in the community. The heritability of alcohol problems for those residing in a neighborhood with more than 10 on‐premises outlets was 78% (95% confidence limits = 52–100%), compared with 11% (95% confidence limits = 0–29%) for those in a neighborhood with no on‐premises outlets. This moderating effect of alcohol outlet density was not explained by state of residence, population density or neighborhood socio‐demographic characteristics.

Conclusions

Individuals who are genetically predisposed to develop alcohol problems may be especially sensitive to the influence of many alcohol outlets in their community.
Prediction of pathological stage at radical prostatectomy: do commonly used prostate cancer nomograms apply to men from Far North Queensland?
Authors: Nesbitt Alexander L. , Kapoor Jada , Piesse Charlotte , Evans Garrath , Antoniou Stefan , Smith Philip , Pridgeon Simon W.
Published: December 2018

Background

Clinical nomograms are routinely used by urologists to predict pathological and clinical outcomes. Commonly used prostate cancer nomograms include Partin's tables and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre (MSKCC) nomograms which were developed in high‐volume centres in the United States. We aimed to assess whether these tools are valid for prostate cancer patients in Far North Queensland.

Methods

All patients undergoing radical prostatectomy in Cairns between August 2014 and September 2017 were identified. Preoperative data were entered into the online nomogram tools. The predicted probability of organ‐confined (OC) disease, extra‐prostatic extension (EPE) and seminal vesical invasion was compared to the observed outcomes.

Results

Preoperative clinical information was available for 290 patients. Partin's tables accurately estimated OC disease, EPE and seminal vesical invasion with the observed outcome plot overlying the ideal correlation curve. More patients in our cohort had OC disease than was predicted by the MSKCC nomogram; fewer patients had EPE that was predicted by the MSKCC nomogram. On logistic regression modelling, the area under the curve for MSKCC and Partin's were 0.751 and 0.706, respectively, suggesting both tests have good performance in predicting final pathological outcome for our population of patients with no statistical difference between the two nomograms (P = 0.29).

Conclusion

The MSKCC preoperative nomogram and Partin's tables were both able to accurately predict pathological outcomes from preoperative clinical information in men from Far North Queensland, despite likely differences in population genetics and environmental exposures.
Pottery technology in the Tang dynasty (ninth century ad): archaeometric analyses of a Gongyi sherd found at Siraf, Iran
Authors: Spataro M. , Wood N. , Meeks N. , Meek A. , Priestman S.
Published: December 2018

In 1969–70, a single Tang dynasty blue‐spotted Gongyi sherd was found at Siraf, Iran, the main trading port on the Persian Gulf in the early Islamic period. This is the only known example of Chinese blue‐and‐white ware, whether low‐ or high‐fired, found in the Middle East from such an early date. The sherd provides direct archaeological evidence for the Indian Ocean trade between China and the Middle East in the ninth century ad. The body paste, clear glaze and blue glaze or pigment were analysed by thin‐section petrography, scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry (SEM‐EDX) and X‐ray fluorescence (XRF). The technological analysis reveals the different steps of the chaîne opératoire: clay mixing, slip and glaze application, and decoration with the cobalt blue glaze before high‐temperature firing. These steps are characteristic of Tang stoneware production at Gongyi in Henan province, China. The use of cobalt blue pigment as part of a simple spotted decoration scheme on the Gongyi sherd, and its find context within the Middle East, provides evidence for the complex interplay and influence occurring between Chinese and Middle East ceramic industries at this time. Closely comparable examples of contemporary low‐fired earthenware ceramics with cobalt blue decoration on a white tin glaze manufactured within the Middle East also occur within the same assemblage from Siraf.
Effectiveness of pharmaceutical interventions for meibomian gland dysfunction: An evidence‐based review of clinical trials
Authors: Khoo Pauline , Ooi Kenneth G.‐J. , Watson Stephanie
Published: December 2018

Meibomian gland dysfunction is one of the most common ocular disorders encountered by ophthalmologists and is the leading cause of evaporative dry eye. The disease causes significant morbidity in the population such that patients seek treatment. Multiple clinical studies on pharmacological and mechanical interventions for the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction have been evaluated. However, there is limited comparative clinical evidence for the effectiveness of these interventions. This review paper aims to report the clinical evidence for pharmaceutical interventions for meibomian gland dysfunction in order to guide clinicians in the management of the disease.
Protocol for psychosocial screening of adolescents and young adults with chronic illness
Authors: d'Emden Helen , McDermott Brett , Poulson Kellee , McGahan Greg
Published: December 2018

Background

One in five adolescents and young adults (AYA) has a chronic health condition necessitating on‐going engagement with healthcare systems. Despite increasing prevalence there remains limited understanding of the burden of illness they experience. Living with a chronic illness can challenge healthy adolescent development, with the unique health and developmental issues affecting AYA requiring different responses from the healthcare system.

Aims

To examine and compare the burden of illness in this group across a large range of chronic health conditions.

Methods

In a dedicated health service for AYA aged 15–25 years with chronic health conditions, (13–25 years for those with substance use issues) we detail a protocol where demographics, general health, disease‐specific indicators and comprehensive psychosocial variables will be collected. The health conditions include chronic gastrointestinal disease, cystic fibrosis, chronic rheumatic disease, phenylketonuria, craniomaxillofacial deformities, renal transplant patients and problematic substance use. Results will be compared to AYA without chronic illness and AYA with diabetes.

Results

This protocol outlines a comprehensive screening study for AYA with a large range of chronic health conditions, inclusive of medical, mental health, impairment and quality of life variables. It will inform service planning and provide a foundation upon which allied health service requirements (e.g. psychology) can be based. Whilst currently cross‐sectional we anticipate further utility in broadening outcomes to include non‐physical illness‐related constructs.

Conclusions

The commonalities and differences between conditions will be examined to facilitate efficiencies of scale for systems and supports. Further iterations including quantifying access to allied health services will facilitate studying the impact of such interventions on treatment adherence and improving psychosocial functioning, quality of life and disease outcomes.
Effects of Cu–Zn phases on electronic properties in ZnO:Cu films
Authors: Gao Yang , Li Guojian , Liu Shiying , Chang Ling , Wang Zhao , Wang Qiang
Published: December 2018

Theory predicts Cu‐doped ZnO (ZnO:Cu) has p‐conductivity; however, this has only been demonstrated in a small number of experimental and mechanistic studies. In this paper, ZnO:Cu films were grown in situ with varying Cu content, prepared using radiofrequency atomic source–assisted molecular‐beam vapor deposition. The results indicate that ZnO:Cu films with dopant of Cu2+ only had n‐type behavior. As the Cu content increased, Cu+ was the major dopant and the ZnO:Cu films had p‐type behavior. However, excess Cu dopant resulted in the formation of second phases of Cu2O and Cu–Zn. The formation of a Cu–Zn phase increased the content of Zn vacancy, thus increasing hole concentration. Stronger alloy scattering decreased carrier mobility. Therefore, Cu+ dopant and Zn vacancy give ZnO:Cu films p‐conductivity properties.
Cord blood transplantation is associated with good outcomes in secondary Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in first remission
Authors: Baron F. , Labopin M. , Ruggeri A. , Volt F. , Mohty M. , Blaise D. , Chevallier P. , Sanz J. , Fegueux N. , Cornelissen J. J. , Rambaldi A. , Savani B. N. , Gluckman E. , Nagler A.
Published: December 2018

Background

We conducted a retrospective survey within the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) registry to assess the outcomes of cord blood transplantation (CBT) in secondary acute myeloid leukaemia (sAML).

Methods

Inclusion criteria consisted of ≥18 years of age, sAML, first CBT between 2002 and 2016, and either first complete remission (CR) or active disease at CBT.

Results

One hundred forty‐six patients met the study inclusion criteria. Status at transplantation was first CR (n = 97), primary refractory sAML (n = 30) or relapsed (n = 19) sAML. Neutrophil engraftment was achieved in 118 patients while the remaining 25 patients (17%) failed to engraft. This includes 13% of patients transplanted in first CR versus 30% of those transplanted with active disease (P = 0.008). Two‐year incidences of relapse were 25% in first CR patients versus 36% in those with advanced disease (P = 0.06) while 2‐year incidences of nonrelapse mortality were 35% and 49% (P = 0.03), respectively. At 2‐year overall survival, leukaemia‐free survival and graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD)‐free relapse‐free survival were 42% vs. 19% (P < 0.001), 40% vs. 16% (P < 0.001), and 26% vs. 12% (P = 0.002) in first CR patients versus those with advanced disease, respectively.

Conclusions

We report here the first study of CBT in a large cohort of sAML patients. Main observation was that CBT rescued approximately 40% of patients with sAML in first CR.
Motivators and Problems of Being a Global Migrant (Outsource) Soccer Labor in Turkey: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Çimen Zafer , Eraslan Ali , Sarol Halil
Published: December 2018

The aim of this study was to reveal the motivators and problems of soccer players that pursue their professional careers in Turkey. In this qualitative research, convenience sampling and criterion sampling, which are kinds of nonrandom sampling methods was used to determine the participants. Eight male soccer players from the Genclerbirligi Soccer Team who were complied with the research criteria, voluntarily participated in the study. The demographic information form and semi-structured interview form were used as data collection tools. All interviews were recorded by audio and video recording devices. Data was analyzed by content analysis. The findings showed that; this study was supported the "mercenary", "ambiotis" and "nomadic cosmopolitan" items, which are in typologies that motivates athletes to migrate to a host country. In addition, language and cultural differences were the main problems for migrant athletes. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that besides the items in the typologies, "positive information" can facilitate the migration of athletes to a host country. Furthermore, it expressed the importance of inquiry on the cultural structure of the host country for migrant athletes, in order to minimize negative influences of problems.
Toll-like Receptor 2 Prevents Neutrophil-Driven Immunopathology during Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis by Curtailing CXCL5 Production
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Archana , Dietzold Jillian , Verma Sheetal , Bhagavathula Madhuri , Salgame Padmini
Published: December 2018

The W-Beijing strain family is globally distributed and is associated with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) and treatment failure. Therefore, in this study, we examined the contribution of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) to host resistance against
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
HN878, a clinical isolate belonging to the W-Beijing family.