bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Target-detecting neurons in the dragonfly lock on to selectively attended targets
Authors: Lancer Benjamin H , Evans Bernard J.E. , Fabian Joseph M. , O'Carroll David C. , Wiederman Steven D.
Published: December 2018

The visual world projects a complex and rapidly changing image on to the retina, presenting a computational challenge for any animal relying on vision for an accurate view of the world. One such challenge is parsing a visual scene for the most salient targets, such as the selection of prey amidst a swarm. The ability to selectivity prioritize processing of some stimuli over others is known as selective attention. Previously, we identified a dragonfly visual neuron called Centrifugal Small Target Motion Detector 1 (CSTMD1) that exhibits selective attention when presented with multiple, equally salient features. Here we conducted electrophysiological recordings from CSTMD1 neurons in vivo, whilst presenting visual stimuli on a monitor display. To identify the target selected in any given trial, we modulated the intensity of moving targets, each with a unique frequency (frequency-tagging). We find that the frequency information of the selected stimulus is preserved in the neuronal response, whilst the distracter is completely ignored. We show that the competitive system that underlies selection in this neuron can be biased by the presentation of a preceding target on the same trajectory, even when it is of lower contrast to the distracter. With an improved method of identifying and biasing target selection in CSTMD1, the dragonfly provides an effective animal model system to probe the mechanisms underlying neuronal selective attention.
A novel computational complete deconvolution method using RNA-seq data
Authors: Kang Kai , Meng Qian , Shats Igor , Umbach David M. , Li Melissa , Li Yuanyuan , Li Xiaoling , Li Leping
Published: December 2018

The cell type composition of many biological tissues varies widely across samples. Such sample heterogeneity hampers efforts to probe the role of each cell type in the tissue microenvironment. Current approaches that address this issue have drawbacks. Cell sorting or single-cell based experimental techniques disrupt in situ interactions and alter physiological status of cells in tissues. Computational methods are flexible and promising; but they often estimate either sample-specific proportions of each cell type or cell-type-specific gene expression profiles, not both, by requiring the other as input. We introduce a computational Complete Deconvolution method that can estimate both sample-specific proportions of each cell type and cell-type-specific gene expression profiles simultaneously using bulk RNA-Seq data only (CDSeq). We assessed our method’s performance using several synthetic and experimental mixtures of varied but known cell type composition and compared its performance to the performance of two state-of-the art deconvolution methods on the same mixtures. The results showed CDSeq can estimate both sample-specific proportions of each component cell type and cell-typespecificgene expression profiles with high accuracy. CDSeq holds promise for computationally deciphering complex mixtures of cell types, each with differing expression profiles, using RNA-seq data measured in bulk tissue (MATLAB code is available at https://github.com/kkang7/CDSeq_011).
Scalable probabilistic matrix factorization for single-cell RNA-seq analysis
Authors: Ferreira Pedro F. , Carvalho Alexandra M. , Vinga Susana
Published: December 2018

Motivation: The gene expression profile of a cell dictates its function in molecular processes, and can be used to probe its health status. This represents a step forward in the deep characterization of diseases such as cancer and may lead to breakthroughs in their treatment. The technology used to measure the gene expression of isolated cells, single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq), has emerged in the last decade as a key enabler of this progress. However, the use of existing methods for dimensionality reduction, clustering and differential expression is limited by the specificities of the data obtained from scRNA-seq experiments, where technical factors may confound analyses of the true biological signal and contribute to spurious results. To overcome this issue, a possible approach is designing probabilistic generative models of the data with hidden variables encoding different underlying processes. Results: We propose two novel probabilistic models for scRNA-seq data: modified probabilistic count matrix factorization (m-pCMF) and Bayesian zero-inflated negative binomial factorization (ZINBayes). These build upon previous models in the literature while leveraging scalable Bayesian inference via variational methods. We show that the proposed methods are competitive with the state-of-the-art models for robust dimensionality reduction in modern data sets, and improve upon the current best Bayesian model for small numbers of cells. The results show that building probabilistic models of latent variables which encode domain knowledge and using variational inference constitute a promising approach to analyse scRNA-seq data in a scalable way. Availability: m-pCMF and ZINBayes are publicly available as Python packages at https://github.com/pedrofale/, along with the code to reproduce all the results. Contact: susanavinga@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
International travelers and genomics uncover a ‘hidden’ Zika outbreak
Authors: Grubaugh Nathan D. , Saraf Sharada , Gangavarapu Karthik , Watts Alexander , Tan Amanda L. , Oidtman Rachel J. , Ladner Jason T. , Oliveira Glenn , Matteson Nathaniel L. , Kraemer Moritz U.G. , Vogels Chantal B.F. , Hentoff Aaron , Bhatia Deepit , Stanek Danielle , Scott Blake , Landis Vanessa , Stryker Ian , Cone Marshall R. , Kopp Edgar W. , Cannons Andrew C. , Heberlein-Larson Lea , White Stephen , Gillis Leah D. , Ricciardi Michael J. , Kwal Jaclyn , Lichtenberger Paola K. , Magnani Diogo M. , Watkins David I. , Palacios Gustavo , Hamer Davidson H. ,   for the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network, Gardner Lauren M. , Alex Perkins T. , Baele Guy , Khan Kamran , Morrison Andrea , Isern Sharon , Michael Scott F. , Andersen Kristian G.
Published: December 2018

The ongoing Zika epidemic in the Americas has challenged public health surveillance, response, and control systems. Even as the epidemic appears to be near its end in the Americas, it is unclear whether substantial Zika virus transmission may still be ongoing. This issue is exacerbated by large discrepancies in local case reporting and significant delays in detecting outbreaks due to surveillance gaps. To uncover locations with lingering outbreaks in the Americas, we investigated travel-associated Zika cases diagnosed in the United States and Europe to identify signatures of transmission dynamics that were not captured by local reporting. We found that a large and unreported Zika outbreak occurred in Cuba during 2017, a year after peak transmission in neighboring countries, with cases still appearing in 2018. By sequencing Zika virus from infected travelers, we show that the 2017 outbreak in Cuba was sparked by long-lived lineages of Zika virus introduced from multiple places in the Americas a year prior. Our data suggest that while aggressive mosquito control in Cuba may initially have been effective at mitigating Zika virus transmission, in the absence of vaccines, herd immunity, or strong international coordination, such control measures may need to be maintained to be effective. Our study highlights how Zika virus may still be ‘silently’ spreading in the Americas and provides a framework for more accurately understanding outbreak dynamics.
Using a diabetes discussion forum and Wikipedia to detect the alignment of public interests and the research literature
Authors: Didegah Fereshteh , Ghaseminik Zahra , Alperin Juan Pablo
Published: December 2018

Background

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects millions of people worldwide. It is therefore unsurprising that there is a high volume of public discussions, resources, and research tackling various aspects of the disease. Over the last decade, more than hundred thousand research articles have been published by researchers and countless of online discussions have taken place on various online platforms. This study is an attempt to identify the areas of public interest, related to diabetes, by looking at online discussion forums and to evaluate their relationship to pages about diabetes found on Wikipedia and to the academic research about the topic. The main aim is to investigate the extent to which researchers are responding to the public’s interests and concerns, and to the level of uptake of the research topics in the public sphere.

Methodology/Principal findings

To detect public interests and concerns in diabetes, we collected posts on a popular diabetes discussion forum (DiabeticConnect) and pages (articles) about diabetes published in Wikipedia. We also downloaded the titles and abstracts of research articles about diabetes from the Scopus database, all between 2008 and 2016. Tags assigned to each post in the discussion forum were used along with the post itself to compute a Labeled Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LLDA) model, which was then used to classify the Wikipedia pages and research articles. The resulting classifications were then used to compare the prevalence of the topics found in the discussion forum with those of the other two sources. The results show that while research articles and Wikipedia pages about diabetes focus on diabetes testing, treatments, and disease control, the public forum discussions focus on Type 2 diabetes, emotional support, and proper diet for diabetic patients. However, for some other topics there was an alignment in the relative rise and fall of interest across the three platforms.

Conclusions/Significance

The alignment and misalignment in the changes of relative interest over the various topics is evidence that the LLDA modelling can be useful for comparing a public corpus, like a diabetes forum, and an academic one, like research titles and abstracts. The success of using LLDA to classify research articles based on the tags assigned to posts in a public discussion forum shows that this a promising method for better understanding how the scientific community responds to public interests and needs, and, on the flip side, how the public takes up the language and topics discussed by the academic community.
Metagenomic 16S rRNA gene sequencing survey of Borrelia species in Irish samples of Ixodes ricinus ticks
Authors: Lambert John S , Cook Michael John , Healy John Eoin , Murtagh Ross , Avramovic Gordana , Lee Sin Hang
Published: December 2018

Lyme borreliosis is a systemic infection caused by tick-borne pathogenic borreliae of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex or of the more heterogeneous relapsing fever borrelia group. Clinical distinction of the infections due to different borrelia species is difficult. Accurate knowledge of the prevalence and the species of borreliae in the infected ticks in the endemic areas is valuable for formulating appropriate guidelines for proper management of this infectious disease. The purpose of this research was to design a readily implementable protocol to detect the divergent species of borreliae known to exist in Europe, using Irish samples of Ixodes ricinus ticks as the subject for study. Questing I. ricinus nymph samples were taken at six localities within Ireland. The crude DNA of each dried tick was extracted by hot NH4OH and used to initiate a same-nested PCR with a pair of borrelial genus-specific primers to amplify a highly conserved 357/358 bp segment of the 16S rRNA gene for detection and as the template for Sanger sequencing. To distinguish B. garinii from B. burgdorferi and to discriminate the various strains of B. garinii, a second 282 bp segment of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified for Sanger sequencing. A signature segment of the DNA sequence excised from the computer-generated electropherogram was submitted to the GenBank for BLAST alignment analysis. A 100% ID match with the unique reference sequence in the GenBank was required for the molecular diagnosis of the borrelial species or strain. We found the overall rate of borrelial infection in the Irish tick population to be 5%, with a range from 2% to 12% depending on the locations of tick collection. At least 3 species, namely B. garinii, B. valaisiana and B. miyamotoi, are infecting the ticks collected in Ireland. The isolates of B. garinii were confirmed to be strain BgVir, strain Bernie or strain T25. Since antigens for diagnostic serology tests may be species- or even strain-specific, expanded surveillance of the species and strains of the borreliae among human-biting ticks in Ireland is needed to ensure that the antigens used for the serology tests do contain the epitopes matching the antibodies elicited by the borrelial species and strains in the ticks cohabitating in the same environment.
Intake of red and processed meat, use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, genetic variants and risk of colorectal cancer; a prospective study of the Danish “Diet, Cancer and Health” cohort
Authors: Andersen Vibeke , Halekoh Ulrich , Tjønneland Anne , Vogel Ulla , Kopp Tine Iskov
Published: December 2018

Red and processed meat have been associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), whereas long-term use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may reduce the risk. The aim was to investigate potential interactions between meat intake, NSAID use, and gene variants in fatty acid metabolism and NSAID pathways in relation to the risk of CRC. A nested case-cohort study of 1038 CRC cases and 1857 randomly selected participants from the Danish prospective “Diet, Cancer and Health” study encompassing 57,053 persons was performed using the Cox proportional hazard models. Gene variants in SLC25A20, PRKAB1, LPCAT1, PLA2G4A, ALOX5, PTGER3, TP53, CCAT2, TCF7L2, BCL2 were investigated. CCAT2 rs6983267 was associated with risk of CRC per se (p<0.01). Statistically significant interactions were found between intake of red and processed meat and CCAT2 rs6983267, TP53 rs1042522, LPCAT1 rs7737692, SLC25A20 rs7623023 (pinteraction=0.04, 0.04, 0.02, 0.03, respectively), and use of NSAID and alcohol intake and TP53 rs1042522 (pinteraction=0.04, 0.04, respectively) in relation to risk of CRC. No other consistent associations or interactions were found. This study replicated an association of CCAT2 rs6983267 with CRC and an interaction between TP53 rs1042522 and NSAID in relation to CRC. Interactions between genetic variants in fatty acid metabolism and NSAID pathway and intake of red and processed meat were found. Our results suggest that meat intake and NSAID use affect the same carcinogenic mechanisms. All new findings should be sought replicated in independent prospective studies. Future studies on the cancer-protective effects of aspirin/NSAID should include gene and meat assessments.
A quantitative framework for characterizing the evolutionary history of mammalian gene expression
Authors: Chen Jenny , Swofford Ross , Johnson Jeremy , Cummings Beryl B. , Rogel Noga , Lindblad-Toh Kerstin , Haerty Wilfried , Palma Federica di , Regev Aviv
Published: December 2018

The evolutionary history of a gene helps predict its function and relationship to phenotypic traits. Although sequence conservation is commonly used to decipher gene function and assess medical relevance, methods for functional inference from comparative expression data are lacking. Here, we use RNA-seq across seven tissues from 17 mammalian species to show that expression evolution across mammals is accurately modeled by the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process, a commonly proposed model of continuous trait evolution. We apply this model to identify expression pathways under neutral, stabilizing, and directional selection. We further demonstrate novel applications of this model to quantify the extent of stabilizing selection on a gene's expression, parameterize the distribution of each gene's optimal expression level, and detect deleterious expression levels in expression data from individual patients. Our work provides a statistical framework for interpreting expression data across species and in disease.
A recurrent novel MGA–NUTM1 fusion identifies a new subtype of high-grade spindle cell sarcoma
Authors: Diolaiti Daniel , Dela Cruz Filemon S. , Gundem Gunes , Bouvier Nancy , Boulad Mathieu , Zhang Yanming , Chou Alexander J. , Dunkel Ira J. , Sanghvi Rashesh , Shah Minita , Geiger Heather , Rahman Sadia , Felice Vanessa , Wrzeszczynski Kazimierz O. , Darnell Robert B. , Antonescu Cristina R. , French Christopher A. , Papaemmanuil Elli , Kung Andrew L. , Shukla Neerav
Published: December 2018

NUTM1-rearranged tumors are defined by the presence of a gene fusion between NUTM1 and various gene partners and typically follow a clinically aggressive disease course with poor outcomes despite conventional multimodality therapy. NUTM1-rearranged tumors display histologic features of a poorly differentiated carcinoma with areas of focal squamous differentiation and typically express the BRD4–NUTM1 fusion gene defining a distinct clinicopathologic entity—NUT carcinoma (NC). NCs with mesenchymal differentiation have rarely been described in the literature. In this report, we describe the characterization of two cases of high-grade spindle cell sarcoma harboring a novel MGA–NUTM1 fusion. Whole-genome sequencing identified the presence of complex rearrangements resulting in a MGA–NUTM1 fusion gene in the absence of other significant somatic mutations. Genetic rearrangement was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization, and expression of the fusion gene product was confirmed by transcriptomic analysis. The fusion protein was predicted to retain nearly the entire protein sequence of both MGA (exons 1–22) and NUTM1 (exons 3–8). Histopathologically, both cases were high-grade spindle cell sarcomas without specific differentiation markers. In contrast to typical cases of NC, these cases were successfully treated with aggressive local control measures (surgery and radiation) and both patients remain alive without disease. These cases describe a new subtype of NUTM1-rearranged tumors warranting expansion of diagnostic testing to evaluate for the presence of MGA–NUTM1 or alternative NUTM1 gene fusions in the diagnostic workup of high-grade spindle cell sarcomas or small round blue cell tumors of ambiguous lineage.
X-ray diffraction reveals blunt-force loading threshold for nanoscopic structural change in ex vivo neuronal tissues
Authors: Orgel Joseph , Madhurapantula Rama S. , Eidsmore Ashley , Wang Meng , Dutov Pavel , Modrich Charles D. , Antipova Olga , McDonald Jason , Satapathy Sikhanda
Published: December 2018

An ex vivo blunt-force loading experiment is reported that may, in the future, provide insight into the molecular structural changes occurring in load-induced conditions such as traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI appears to manifest in changes in multiple structures and elements within the brain and nervous system. Individuals with a TBI may suffer from cognitive and/or behavioral impairments which can adversely affect their quality of life. Information on the injury threshold of tissue loading for mammalian neurons is critical in the development of a quantified neuronal-level dose-response model. Such a model could aid in the discovery of enhanced methods for TBI detection, treatment and prevention. Currently, thresholds of mechanical load leading to direct force-coupled nanostructural changes in neurons are unknown. In this study, we make use of the fact that changes in the structure and periodicity of myelin may indicate neurological damage and can be detected with X-ray diffraction (XRD). XRD allows access to a nanoscopic resolution range not readily achieved by alternative methods, nor does the experimental methodology require chemical sample fixation. In this study, XRD was used to evaluate the affects of controlled mechanical loading on myelin packing structure in ex vivo optic nerve samples. By using a series of crush tests on isolated optic nerves a quantified baseline for mechanical load was found to induce changes in the packing structure of myelin. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of its kind.
Four isostructural lanthanide(III) coordination compounds based on a new N-oxydic pyridyl naphthalenediimide ligand: synthesis and characterization
Authors: Xiang Zheng , Shan Yue-Bin , Li Tao , Huang Chang-Cang , Huang Xi-He , Lin Mei-Jin
Published: December 2018

Naphthalenediimides, an attractive class of electron-deficient organic dyes with rich redox and photoredox properties, have been investigated extensively as building blocks for coordination networks or metal–organic frameworks in recent decades. However, most of the available work has focused on d-block metal cations rather than f-block lanthanide ions, whose complexes exhibit a large variability in coordination numbers. In this article, four coordination polymers composed of naphthalenediimides and lanthanide cations, namely catena-poly[[[tris(nitrato-κ2
O,O′)lanthanide]-bis{μ-N,N′-bis[(1-oxidopyridin-1-ium-3-yl)methyl]-1,8:4,5-naphthalenetetracarboxdiimide-κ2
O:O′}-[tris(nitrato-κ2
O,O′)lanthanide]-μ-N,N′-bis[(1-oxidopyridin-1-ium-3-yl)methyl]-1,8:4,5-naphthalenetetracarboxdiimide-κ2
O:O′] methanol disolvate], {[Ln(C26H16N4O4)1.5(NO3)3]·CH3OH}
n
, with Ln = Eu, 1, Gd, 2, Dy, 3, and Er, 4, have been successfully synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that the four compounds are isomorphic and that each asymmetric unit contains one nine-coordinated Ln centre, one and a half diimide ligands, three nitrate anions and one uncoordinated methanol molecule. In addition, each metal centre is surrounded by nine O atoms in a distorted tricapped trigonal–prismatic geometry. Two centres are bridged by two cis ligands to form a ring, which is further bridged by trans ligands to generate one-dimensional chains. Neighbouring chains are stacked via π–π interactions between pyridine rings to give a two-dimensional structure, which is stabilized by π–π interactions between naphthalene rings, forming the final three-dimensional supermolecular network. Solid-state optical diffuse-reflectance spectral studies indicate that compound 4 is a potential wide band gap semiconductor.
Externalizing Europe: the global effects of European data protection
Authors: Bendiek Annegret , Römer Magnus
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to explain how the EU projects its own data protection regime to third states and the US in particular. Digital services have become a central element in the transatlantic economy. A substantial part of that trade is associated with the transfer of data, most of it personal, requiring many of the new products and services emerging to adhere to data protection standards. Yet different conceptions of data protection exist across the Atlantic, with the EU putting a particular focus on protecting the fundamental right to privacy.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the distinction between positive and negative forms of market integration as a starting point (Scharpf, 1997), this paper examines the question of how the EU is projecting its own data protection regime to third states. The so-called California effect (Vogel, 1997) and the utilization of trade agreements in the EU’s foreign policy and external relations are well researched. With decreasing effectiveness and limited territorial reach of its enlargement policy, the EU found trade agreements to be particularly effective to set standards on a global level (Lavenex and Schimmelfennig, 2009). The existence of the single market makes the Union not only an important locus of regulation but also a strong economic actor with the global ambition of digital assertiveness. In the past, establishing standards for the EU’s vast consumer market has proven effective in compelling non-European market participants to join.

Findings

As the globe’s largest consumer market, Europe aims to project its own data protection laws through the market place principle (lex loci solutionis), requiring any data processor to follow its laws whenever European customers’ data are processed. This paper argues that European data protection law creates a “California Effect”, whereby the EU exerts pressure on extra-territorial markets by unilateral standard setting.

Originality/value

With its GDPR, the EU may have defused the problem of European citizens’ data being stored and evaluated according to the US law. However, it has also set a precedent of extra-territorial applicability of its legislation – despite having previously criticized the USA for such practices. By now, international companies increasingly store data of European customers in Europe to prevent conflicts with EU law. With this decision, the EU will apply its own law on others’ sovereign territory. Conflicts created through the extra-territorial effects of national law may contradict the principle of due diligence obligations but are nevertheless not illegitimate. They may, however, have further unintended effects: Other major economies are likely to be less reluctant in the future about passing legal provisions with extra-territorial effect.
Continuing professional development of academic librarians in Trinidad and Tobago
Authors: Bowen-Chang Portia , Hosein Yacoob
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This study aims to present a detailed investigation into the approaches of academic librarians in Trinidad and Tobago in pursuing continuing professional development (CPD) activities. The paper also examines the extent of their participation in CPD at both the institutional and external levels in contributing to the development of their careers.

Design/methodology/approach

The instrument used was a questionnaire which assesses the effectiveness of the librarians in their involvement in and attitude toward CPD activities.

Findings

The paper demonstrates the active role and willingness of academic librarians in Trinidad and Tobago in providing and participating in CPD training and support to library and information personnel at both the national and international levels.

Originality/value

The paper underscores the effectiveness of a group of academic librarians in Trinidad and Tobago who pursue and provide a high level of CPD activities to professionals.
Social cohesion and immigrant health: does language-efficacy matter?
Authors: Maleku Arati , Kim Youn Kyoung , Lee Guijin
Published: December 2018

Purpose

While social cohesion is important for the promotion of immigrant health, language is a core component through which immigrant groups establish social connections. Since language is a vehicle through which immigrant groups establish social linkages and that English language proficiency has been established as a virtual requirement for full participation in US society, the purpose of this paper is to examine the role of language in establishing social cohesion affecting immigrant health.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the 2012 California Health Interview Survey, the authors investigated the role of language efficacy in the relationship between social cohesion and utilization of healthcare among immigrant groups with good and poor health statuses (n=11,134). Mediation analyses were conducted using PROCESS Macro.

Findings

The direct effect of social cohesion on healthcare utilization and the effect of English language efficacy on healthcare utilization were significant for both groups. English language efficacy was a significant mediator between social cohesion and healthcare utilization among immigrants with good health statuses.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include generalizability issues across immigrant sub-populations, limited measures in terms of English language efficacy and limitations with measures variables such as length of stay.

Social implications

This study highlights that language is the channel that plays a crucial role not only to establish and maintain social cohesion for positive health outcomes, but also the ripple effects of promoting trust, belonging, opportunity of upward mobility and inclusion.

Originality/value

The findings of the study add value to other pertinent issues of linguistic diversity, positive social relationships and well-being of diverse communities.
The moderating effect of religiosity on resource-capability-competitive advantage interaction
Authors: Sachitra Vilani , Siong-Choy Chong
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the moderating effect of religiosity of farm owners on the resource-capability-competitive advantage interaction.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered structured questionnaire was developed to collect data from farm owners who possess the experience in commercial cultivation of three main minor export crops in Sri Lanka.

Findings

The results of linear regression analysis on 456 responses received suggest that the religiosity of farm owners significantly moderates the relationships between resources, capabilities and competitive advantage of the minor export crop farms, confirming the study hypotheses.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies should consider the specific impact of different religious affiliations, traits and/or precepts of the farm owners. In addition, educational level, income level and mental capacity of the farm owners should be considered too since they may form part of the observed relationships.

Originality/value

The study has addressed the gap in literature by highlighting the potential of religiosity in the interaction between resources, capabilities and competitive advantage. From the practical standpoint, besides providing some directions to the farm owners, the results also benefit different stakeholders such as policy makers, government and local communities in suggesting and implementing appropriate measures with regard to selecting suitable resources and integrating them with proper capabilities for greater competitive advantage of the agribusiness sector.
From camps to social integration? Social housing interventions for asylum seekers in Greece
Authors: Kourachanis Nikos
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper offers an empirical study of the Emergency Support to Integration and Accommodation (ESTIA) programme, as the policy initiative for the provision of housing and social integration for asylum seekers over the last few years in Greece. Greece is a country that is geographically situated on the southern external borders of Europe and has been experiencing a rise in refugee flows since 2015. At a first glance, it seems that ESTIA’s central aim is social integration. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the design and implementation framework of ESTIA essentially promotes the goal of social integration or whether it is merely a gesture that has no real effect.

Design/methodology/approach

The field research focussed on an evaluation of the ESTIA programme on the basis of its impact on the social integration of its beneficiaries. This was attempted by examining the attitudes and perceptions of key stakeholders during its design and implementation stages. In order to examine these dimensions, qualitative research methods were developed. In particular, in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants involved in the design and implementation processes of ESTIA.

Findings

Social integration is something much more than providing permanent shelters to asylum seekers. ESTIA has been designed and implemented with a view to providing better temporary housing conditions for its beneficiaries. The rest of the range of actions for their social actions was left to voluntary actions by the implementing agencies, without offering them any financial support – a fact that suggests that the use of the term “social integration” in relation to this programme is disingenuous. Such an intervention does not aim at significant social integration but, primarily, the temporary management of extreme impoverishment. ESTIA can, therefore, be added to the scientific literature as yet another case study where the complex concept of social integration is misused by the EU and European states to legitimise the policies of repression and control of refugee populations.

Originality/value

This is the first field research that examines the design and implementation framework of ESTIA, the most important programme for the social integration of asylum seekers in Greece. The presentation of research findings is expected to make a significant contribution to the improvement of many aspects of the design and implementation framework of ESTIA.
Fostering work engagement in geographically-dispersed and asynchronous virtual teams
Authors: Panteli Niki , Yalabik Zeynep Y. , Rapti Andriana
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors that enable work engagement to develop when asynchronous communication is used in virtual team (VT) projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative approach, a longitudinal study of an eight-month long VT project was carried out. Data collected included an extensive e-mail archive, project documentation, observation of team meetings and interviews with project members and leaders.

Findings

The findings show that VT leaders can actively promote work engagement through the effective use of resources along with appropriate practices that foster its development. They can also sustain and nourish work engagement throughout the different phases of the VT lifecycle project.

Research limitations/implications

The study has examined work engagement in asynchronous mediated settings. Future work should involve studying the effect of synchronous communications on work engagement within VTs.

Practical implications

Organizations that are interested in promoting effective virtual work practices need to train VT managers on how to keep VT members engaged throughout the various phases of the VT project.

Social implications

It is posited that developing work engagement is not a one-off practice, but instead, requires ongoing effort that should be evident and supported across the different phases of the VT lifecycle.

Originality/value

This paper forwards an important debate on work engagement in alternative, non-permanent, work settings.
Enhancing client-agency relationship quality in the advertising industry – an application of project management
Authors: Levin Elizabeth , Quach Thu Nguyen , Thaichon Park
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to determine the dimensions of service quality of advertising agencies and their effects on relationship quality between an advertising agency and their clients through the social and economic exchange.

Design/methodology/approach

The intention was to target firms which use the services of an advertising or marketing solutions agency; hence, participants were recruited from a business database service providing details for key decision makers in Australia and New Zealand. An online survey was used in this study.

Findings

Creative competence, project management processes and project outcome influenced relationship quality through value and interpersonal relationships. However, only creativity had a significant direct relationship with relationship quality.

Practical implications

Although creativity plays a major role in relationship development, agencies must have efficient and effective project management processes in place to ensure successful project completion within timeline and budget to be able to maintain ongoing relationships with their clients.

Originality/value

The research draws upon literature from three key disciplines, service quality, relationship marketing and project management, to address the gaps in the current literature related to customer relationship management in the B2B client–agency context.
Student performance is linked to connecting effectively with teachers
Authors: Gilbert Michael
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine student performance on both criterion- and norm-referenced measures, linked with teacher and student communication orientations.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a pre-post design. During the pre-study phase, teachers underwent three days of intensive training in the Process Education Model®. In total, 21 middle and high school teachers at an independent school were the subject group. Each teacher identified ten students, five of whom they classified as “easy to communicate with” and five others whom they classified as “difficult to communicate with.” Approximately, 200 students participated in the study. Teachers and students provided communication preferences via the Kahler Personality Pattern Inventory® (1996). Performance data were gleaned from student grade point averages (GPAs) and grade-appropriate versions of ACT instruments.

Findings

The PPI reveals, in part, perceptual preferences in an assessing matrix. Intrinsic and extrinsic orientations were one set of distinctions. Most (more than 85 percent) of the teachers had intrinsic orientations, compared with 63 percent of the “easy” students and 47 percent of the “difficult” students. Both GPA and ACT comparisons were significantly different (p<0.001) on both pre- and post-measures, with the easy students outstripping their difficult counterparts. No significant differences were observed on the ACT Aspire, taken by students in grades 6–9.

Research limitations/implications

The study was conducted at one site.

Practical implications

Student performance appears to be linked with connecting with teachers’ preferred delivery and communication styles. The more like their teachers the students are, the better their performance. Reinforcing new knowledge and skills was recognized as an important component of training.

Originality/value

If connecting better with students is tied with performance, teachers who learn how to shift their delivery methods may foster better outcomes. Also, attention should be paid on how distress may impact teacher performance, especially as they interact with students whose communication preferences may differ from theirs.
Influence of part’s geometrical properties on shrinkage and laser heat affected zone size at selective laser sintering
Authors: Brajlih Tomaz , Kostevsek Urska , Drstvensek Igor
Published: December 2018

Purpose

One of the main problems of selective laser sintering (SLS) manufacturing process is the dimensional accuracy of products. Main causes of dimensional deviations are material shrinkage and size of laser heat affected zone (LHAZ). This paper aims to present a new method of adapting SLS manufacturing shrinkage and LHAZ compensation parameters to the geometrical characteristics of processed parts to improve their accuracy.

Design/methodology/approach

The first part of this work presents a hypothesis asserting that the shrinkage and the LHAZ size depend on geometrical properties of products. A method that defines geometrical properties by numerical influence factors is described in the continuation. A multi-factorial experiment with adaptable test part is set up. Then, test builds are manufactured on an SLS machine and measured with a three-dimensional optical scanner. Afterwards, the results are analysed in relation to the presumed hypothesis.

Findings

The analysis of variance of multi-factorial experiment proves the hypothesis and the influence of the geometrical properties on the accuracy of the SLS manufacturing process. Afterwards, a part is manufactured with adapted values of compensation parameters and the archived accuracy is discussed.

Research limitations/implications

Presented research is limited on a single SLS material. Also, some numerical factors are directly linked to the build volume dimensions of the SLS machine that was used in the experiment. However, results can be generalised and some guidelines for shrinkage and LHAZ compensation method are presented. Also, some guidelines for future research are proposed.

Practical implications

Based on the presented results, it can be determined that using constant shrinkage and LHAZ values on an SLS machine will not yield the same results in terms of accuracy if the geometrical properties of parts change significantly.

Social implications

By correctly adapting compensation values, the overall achievable accuracy of the SLS process can be achieved, enabling a more reliable production of mass-customised end-user parts such as customised medical accessories and devices for example.

Originality/value

A similar method of numerically describing geometrical properties of part in regard to SLS and directly adapting shrinkage and LHAZ compensation values to them for every individual build has not yet been proposed.
Evaluation of the efficacy of granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis on skin manifestation and joint symptoms of patients with pustulotic arthro‐osteitis
Authors: Kawakami Hiroshi , Nagaoka Yume , Hirano Hirofumi , Matsumoto Yuka , Abe Namiko , Tsuboi Ryoji , Kanno Yoshihiko , Okubo Yukari
Published: December 2018

Pustulotic arthro‐osteitis, occasionally complicated with palmoplantar pustulosis, affects patients’ activities of daily living. Granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis selectively removes activated granulocytes and monocytes by means of extracorporeal circulation. Although the efficacy of granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis in the treatment of generalized pustular psoriasis has been proved, very few reports have assessed its efficacy in the treatment of palmoplantar pustulosis and pustulotic arthro‐osteitis. Ten pustulotic arthro‐osteitis patients with five palmoplantar skin manifestations were treated with weekly granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis over 5 weeks. Skin manifestations were assessed using palmoplantar pustulosis area and severity index, and joint symptoms were assessed using a visual analog scale of joint pain, tender joint count, swollen joint count and C‐reactive protein immediately before, after and at the 3‐month follow up of the five granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis sessions. Two out of five patients with skin manifestations achieved more than 50% improvement in their score (remarkably improved). However, in two patients, deterioration was noted, in one of whom the skin manifestations remained unchanged at the 3‐month follow up. In five out of the 10 patients, the joint symptoms were assessed as better than improved at the 3‐month follow up. No deterioration was noted at the 3‐month follow up. In three patients, reduction or cessation of medication for arthralgia was possible. We concluded that granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis is a therapeutic option to consider when pustulotic arthro‐osteitis is recalcitrant to conventional therapy.
Guided cobamide biosynthesis for heterologous production of reductive dehalogenases
Authors: Schubert Torsten , von Reuß Stephan H. , Kunze Cindy , Paetz Christian , Kruse Stefan , Brand‐Schön Peggy , Nelly Anita Mac , Nüske Jörg , Diekert Gabriele
Published: December 2018

Cobamides (Cbas) are essential cofactors of reductive dehalogenases (RDases) in organohalide‐respiring bacteria (OHRB). Changes in the Cba structure can influence RDase function. Here, we report on the cofactor versatility or selectivity of Desulfitobacterium RDases produced either in the native organism or heterologously. The susceptibility of Desulfitobacterium hafniense strain DCB‐2 to guided Cba biosynthesis (i.e. incorporation of exogenous Cba lower ligand base precursors) was analysed. Exogenous benzimidazoles, azabenzimidazoles and 4,5‐dimethylimidazole were incorporated by the organism into Cbas. When the type of Cba changed, no effect on the turnover rate of the 3‐chloro‐4‐hydroxy‐phenylacetate‐converting enzyme RdhA6 and the 3,5‐dichlorophenol‐dehalogenating enzyme RdhA3 was observed. The impact of the amendment of Cba lower ligand precursors on RDase function was also investigated in Shimwellia blattae, the Cba producer used for the heterologous production of Desulfitobacterium RDases. The recombinant tetrachloroethene RDase (PceAY51) appeared to be non‐selective towards different Cbas. However, the functional production of the 1,2‐dichloroethane‐dihaloeliminating enzyme (DcaA) of Desulfitobacterium dichloroeliminans was completely prevented in cells producing 5,6‐dimethylbenzimidazolyl‐Cba, but substantially enhanced in cells that incorporated 5‐methoxybenzimidazole into the Cba cofactor. The results of the study indicate the utilization of a range of different Cbas by Desulfitobacterium RDases with selected representatives apparently preferring distinct Cbas.
Parallel likelihood calculation for phylogenetic comparative models: The SPLITT C++ library
Authors: Mitov Venelin , Stadler Tanja
Published: December 2018

Phylogenetic comparative models (PCMs) have been used to study macroevolutionary patterns, to characterize adaptive phenotypic landscapes, to quantify rates of evolution, to measure trait heritability, and to test various evolutionary hypotheses. A major obstacle to applying these models has been the complexity of evaluating their likelihood function. Recent works have shown that for many PCMs, the likelihood can be obtained in time proportional to the size of the tree based on post‐order tree traversal, also known as pruning. Despite this progress, inferring complex multi‐trait PCMs on large trees remains a time‐intensive task. Here, we study parallelizing the pruning algorithm as a generic technique for speeding‐up PCM‐inference.

We implement several parallel traversal algorithms in the form of a generic C++ library for Serial and Parallel LIneage Traversal of Trees (SPLITT). Based on SPLITT, we provide examples of parallel likelihood evaluation for several popular PCMs, ranging from a single‐trait Brownian motion model to complex multi‐trait Ornstein‐Uhlenbeck and mixed Gaussian phylogenetic models.

Using the phylogenetic Ornstein–Uhlenbeck mixed model (POUMM) as a showcase, we run benchmarks on up to 24 CPU cores, reporting up to an order of magnitude parallel speed‐up for the likelihood calculation on simulated balanced and unbalanced trees of up to 100,000 tips with up to 16 traits. Noticing that the parallel speed‐up depends on multiple factors, the SPLITT library is capable to automatically select the fastest traversal strategy for a given hardware, tree‐topology, and data. Combining SPLITT likelihood calculation with adaptive Metropolis sampling on real data, we show that the time for Bayesian POUMM inference on a tree of 10,000 tips can be reduced from several days to less than an hour.

We conclude that parallel pruning effectively accelerates the likelihood calculation and, thus, the statistical inference of Gaussian phylogenetic models. For time‐intensive Bayesian inferences, we recommend combining this technique with adaptive Metropolis sampling. Beyond Gaussian models, the parallel tree traversal can be applied to numerous other models, including discrete trait and birth–death population dynamics models. Currently, SPLITT supports multi‐core shared memory architectures, but can be extended to distributed memory architectures as well as graphical processing units.