bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphology as an adaptive discriminative system
Authors: Blevins James P. , Ackerman Farrell , Malouf Robert
Published: June 2016

The past decade has witnessed a productive convergence of a number of historically separate research strands. One strand explores the implicational models that grew out of classical WP approaches to inflection (e.g., Wurzel 1984; Maiden 2005; Blevins 2006; Ackerman et al. 2009). A second strand extends the information-theoretic perspectives on ‘morphological information’ developed originally in the processing models of Kostić et al. (2003), Moscoso del Prado Martín et al. (2004), and Milin et al. (2009a, b). A third strand investigates a ‘complex systems’ approach to grammatical organization (Ackerman & Blevins 2008; Ackerman et al. 2008; Beckner et al. 2009). The fourth strand develops a cohesive discriminative perspective on language learning and use (Ramscar & Yarlett 2007; Ramscar & Dye 2010; Ramscar et al. 2010, 2013; Ramscar 2013; Arnon & Ramscar 2012; Baayen et al. 2011). This chapter considers how the interaction of these distinct components has produced a general conception of the structure and function of morphological systems which opens significant points of contact with research in other domains.
Language interaction effects in bimodal bilingualism
Authors: Koulidobrova Elena V.
Published: June 2016

The focus of the paper is a phenomenon well documented in both monolingual and bilingual English acquisition: argument omission. Previous studies have shown that bilinguals acquiring a null and a non-null argument language simultaneously tend to exhibit unidirectional cross-language interaction effects — the non-null argument language remains unaffected but over-suppliance of overt elements in the null argument language is observed. Here subject and object omission in both ASL (null argument) and English (non-null argument) of young ASL-English bilinguals is examined. Results demonstrate that in spontaneous English production, ASL-English bilinguals omit subjects and objects to a higher rate, for longer, and in unexpected environments when compared with English monolinguals and bilinguals; no effect on ASL is observed. Findings also show that the children differentiate between their two languages — rates of argument omission in English are different during ASL vs. English target sessions differ. Implications for the general theory of bilingual effects are offered.
Chapter 1. Empirical approaches to the study of literature in learning environments
Authors: Fialho Olivia , Zyngier Sonia , Burke Michael
Published: June 2016

Due to the variety of areas involved in the scientific study of literature in learning environments, this chapter provides an overview in six parts. Part 1 focuses on students’ perceptions of literature, how readers construct literary interpretation in the classroom, the growth of literary expertise in literary response, and instructional factors in literary interpretation. Part 2 looks at studies on creative writing in pedagogical settings. Part 3 discusses recent studies on pedagogical stylistics. Part 4 aims at research on online environments while Part 5 centers on book clubs and reading groups. In Part 6, the synopses of the contributions to the volume signal the advances this book brings to the area.
Chapter 2. Learning from literature
Authors: Hakemulder Frank , Fialho Olivia , Bal Matthijs P.
Published: June 2016

This chapter explores what learning from literature entails and how we can come to insights about what literature can mean in the lives of readers, what they may discover about themselves and others. Reading literary stories leads to higher scores on standardized tests for social skills (e.g., ‘reading’ other peoples’ minds) than reading non-literary stories (Kidd & Castano, 2013). The available research, however, does not inform us about what causes these effects, relevant knowledge for a variety of social contexts, including literary education and social competence trainings (e.g., for managers). We explore the methodological possibilities and limitations to test our assumptions about relevant factors, conducting interdisciplinary research by combining insights of the Humanities in textual processes with the methodological rigor of the Social Sciences.
SLAH1, a homologue of the slow type anion channel SLAC1, modulates shoot Cl− accumulation and salt tolerance inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Qiu Jiaen , Henderson Sam W , Tester Mark , Roy Stuart J , Gilliham Mathew
Published: June 2016

Salinity tolerance is correlated with shoot chloride (Cl–) exclusion in multiple crops, but the molecular mechanisms of long-distance Cl– transport are poorly defined. Here, we characterize the in planta role of AtSLAH1 (a homologue of the slow type anion channel-associated 1 (SLAC1)). This protein, localized to the plasma membrane of root stelar cells, has its expression reduced by salt or ABA, which are key predictions for a protein involved with loading Cl– into the root xylem. Artificial microRNA knockdown mutants of AtSLAH1 had significantly reduced shoot Cl− accumulation when grown under low Cl–, whereas shoot Cl– increased and the shoot nitrate/chloride ratio decreased following AtSLAH1 constitutive or stelar-specific overexpression when grown in high Cl–. In both sets of overexpression lines a significant reduction in shoot biomass over the null segregants was observed under high Cl– supply, but not low Cl– supply. Further in planta data showed AtSLAH3 overexpression increased the shoot nitrate/chloride ratio, consistent with AtSLAH3 favouring nitrate transport. Heterologous expression of AtSLAH1 in Xenopus laevis oocytes led to no detectible transport, suggesting the need for post-translational modifications for AtSLAH1 to be active. Our in planta data are consistent with AtSLAH1 having a role in controlling root-to-shoot Cl– transport.
Joint Effects of Exposure to Prenatal Infection and Peripubertal Psychological Trauma in Schizophrenia
Authors: Debost Jean-Christophe P. G. , Larsen Janne Tidselbak , Munk-Olsen Trine , Mortensen Preben Bo , Meyer Urs , Petersen Liselotte
Published: June 2016

Context

Prenatal infection and traumatizing experiences have both been linked with schizophrenia, but none of these factors seem sufficient to cause the disorder. However, recent evidence suggests that these environmental insults act in synergy to increase schizophrenia risk.

Objective

To estimate the independent and joint effects of exposure to prenatal infection and peripubertal psychological trauma on the risk of schizophrenia.

Design

Danish nationwide registers were linked in this prospective cohort study. We used survival analysis to report incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Analyses were adjusted for age and calendar period and stratified by sex.

Participants

A total of 979701 persons born between 1980 and 1998 were followed up from January 1, 1995 through December 31, 2013, with 9656 having a hospital contact for schizophrenia.

Results

Females exposed to prenatal infection had a significantly increased risk of schizophrenia (IRR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.30–2.00), but not males (IRR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.77–1.28). Peripubertal trauma was associated with increased risk in both sexes. Males, however, had a significantly higher risk of schizophrenia after exposure to both prenatal infection and peripubertal psychological trauma (IRR: 2.85, 95% CI: 2.32–3.51), with significant interaction between infection and peripubertal trauma on the multiplicative scale (P = .007).

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated for the first time that prenatal infection and psychological trauma in peripubertal life can act in synergy to increase the risk of schizophrenia, with a potentially stronger susceptibility in males.
Reciprocal Risk of Acute Kidney Injury and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Critically Ill Burn Patients*
Authors: Clemens Michael S. , Stewart Ian J. , Sosnov Jonathan A. , Howard Jeffrey T. , Belenkiy Slava M. , Sine Christy R. , Henderson Jonathan L. , Buel Allison R. , Batchinsky Andriy I. , Cancio Leopoldo C. , Chung Kevin K.
Published: June 2016

Objective:

To evaluate the association between acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute kidney injury with respect to their contributions to mortality in critically ill patients.

Design:

Retrospective analysis of consecutive adult burn patients requiring mechanical ventilation.

Setting:

A 16-bed burn ICU at tertiary military teaching hospital.

Patients:

Adult patients more than 18 years old requiring mechanical ventilation during their initial admission to our burn ICU from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2011.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

A total 830 patients were included, of whom 48.2% had acute kidney injury (n = 400). These patients had a 73% increased risk of developing acute respiratory distress syndrome after controlling for age, gender, total body surface area burned, and inhalation injury (hazard ratio, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.18–2.54; p = 0.005). In a reciprocal multivariate analysis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (n = 299; 36%) demonstrated a strong trend toward developing acute kidney injury (hazard ratio, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.99–1.95; p = 0.05). There was a 24% overall in-hospital mortality (n = 198). After adjusting for the aforementioned confounders, both acute kidney injury (hazard ratio, 3.73; 95% CI, 2.39–5.82; p < 0.001) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (hazard ratio, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.58–2.94; p < 0.001) significantly contributed to mortality. Age, total body surface area burned, and inhalation injury were also significantly associated with increased mortality.

Conclusions:

Acute kidney injury increases the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome in mechanically ventilated burn patients, whereas acute respiratory distress syndrome similarly demonstrates a strong trend toward the development of acute kidney injury. Acute kidney injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome are both independent risks for subsequent death. Future research should look at this interplay for possible early interventions.
In-Hospital Neurologic Complications in Adult Patients Undergoing Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Results From the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry
Authors: Lorusso Roberto , Barili Fabio , Mauro Michele Di , Gelsomino Sandro , Parise Orlando , Rycus Peter T. , Maessen Jos , Mueller Thomas , Muellenbach Raf , Belohlavek Jan , Peek Giles , Combes Alain , Frenckner Bjorn , Pesenti Antonio , Thiagarajan Ravi R.
Published: June 2016

Objectives:

To elucidate the epidemiology, complication profiles, hospital outcome, and predisposing factors of CNS complications occurring during venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adults.

Design:

Retrospective analysis of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry.

Setting:

Data reported to Extracorporeal Life Support Organization by 230 extracorporeal membrane oxygenation centers from 1992 to 2013.

Patients:

Patients more than 16 years old supported with a single-run of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

We examined 4,522 adult patients supported with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and included in the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was used for cardiac dysfunction in 3,005 patients (66.5%), cardiopulmonary resuscitation in 877 patients (19.4%), and respiratory failure in 640 patients (14.1%), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors independently associated with CNS injury. Neurologic complications occurred in 682 patients (15.1%), and included brain death in 358 patients (7.9%), cerebral infarction in 161 patients (3.6%), seizures in 83 patients (1.8%), and cerebral hemorrhage in 80 patients (1.8%). Multiple CNS complications in the same patient occurred in 70 cases. Hospital mortality in patients with CNS complications was 89%, compared with 57% in patients without (p < 0.001). In a multivariable model, age, pre-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cardiac arrest, the use of inotropes on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and post-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation hypoglycemia were shown to be associated with CNS complications.

Conclusions:

Neurologic complications in adult patients on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support are common and associated with poor survival. Further research should focus on better understanding and management of brain/extracorporeal membrane oxygenation interaction to avoid such catastrophic complications.
Experimental pain phenotyping in community-dwelling individuals with knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Cardoso Josue S. , Riley Joseph L. , Glover Toni , Sibille Kimberly T. , Bartley Emily J. , Goodin Burel R. , Bulls Hailey W. , Herbert Matthew , Addison Adriana S. , Staud Roland , Redden David T. , Bradley Laurence A. , Fillingim Roger B. , Cruz-Almeida Yenisel
Published: June 2016

Pain among individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA) is associated with significant disability in older adults, and recent evidence demonstrates enhanced experimental pain sensitivity. Although previous research showed considerable heterogeneity in the OA clinical pain presentation, less is known regarding the variability in responses to experimental pain. The present study included individuals with knee OA (n = 292) who participated in the Understanding Pain and Limitations in Osteoarthritic Disease study and completed demographic and psychological questionnaires followed by a multimodal quantitative sensory testing (QST) session. Quantitative sensory testing measures were subjected to variable reduction procedures to derive pain sensitivity index scores, which in turn were entered into a cluster analysis. Five clusters were significantly different across all pain sensitivity index variables (P < 0.001) and were characterized by: (1) low pain sensitivity to pressure pain (N = 39); (2) average pain sensitivity across most modalities (N = 88); (3) high temporal summation of punctate pain (N = 38); (4) high cold pain sensitivity (N = 80); and (5) high sensitivity to heat pain and temporal summation of heat pain (N = 41). Clusters differed significantly by race, gender, somatic reactivity, and catastrophizing (P < 0.05). Our findings support the notion that there are distinct subgroups or phenotypes based on experimental pain sensitivity in community-dwelling older adults with knee OA, expanding previous findings of similar cluster characterizations in healthy adults. Future research is needed to further understand the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying pain within these subgroups, which may be of added value in tailoring effective treatments for people with OA.
BMI history and risk of incident fatty liver: a population-based large-scale cohort study
Authors: Hashimoto Yoshitaka , Hamaguchi Masahide , Fukuda Takuya , Nakamura Naoto , Ohbora Akihiro , Kojima Takao , Fukui Michiaki
Published: June 2016

Background and aims

Most physicians might consider that fatty liver would develop along with increasing body weight; however, an association between BMI history and incident fatty liver has not been clarified as yet.

Methods

We carried out a population-based cohort study that included 4427 healthy Japanese individuals who received yearly health-checkup programs over a decade. Fatty liver was diagnosed using ultrasonography.

Results

During the observational period, 38.7% (case/N=1002/2588) of men and 17.3% (319/1847) of women were diagnosed with fatty liver. Among these, only 18.9% (189 of 1002 participants) of men and 18.5% (59 of 319) of women developed fatty liver when they reached the lifetime maximum BMI. Adjusted odds ratio of the difference between lifetime maximum BMI and BMI at age 20 years (ΔBMImax−20 years) for incident fatty liver was 1.33 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28–1.39, P<0.001] in men or 1.40 (95% CI 1.33–1.49, P<0.001) in women. According to receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis, the optimal cut-off points of ΔBMImax−20 years for incident fatty liver were 4.82 kg/m2 [area under ROC curve 0.70 (95% CI 0.68–0.72), P<0.001] in men and 4.11 kg/m2 [area under ROC curve 0.76 (95% CI 0.73–0.79), P<0.001] in women.

Conclusion

The ΔBMImax−20 years was associated with an increased risk of incident fatty liver. In addition, more patients developed fatty liver not at the maximum point of BMI history, but after that. Therefore, it is useful to check ΔBMImax−20 years and to continue observing the individuals for detection of fatty liver.
The Effect of Concomitant Sirolimus and Propofol Therapy on Triglyceride Concentrations in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Dube Kevin M. , Szumita Paul M. , Rocchio Megan A. , Lee Po-Shun , Anger Kevin E.
Published: June 2016

Background:

Sirolimus and propofol are both independently associated with the development of hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) during therapy. To date, there are no published reports describing synergistic or additive drug interaction resulting in HTG with concomitant use of these medications.

Study Question:

To identify the occurrence of HTG in patients receiving concomitant sirolimus and propofol infusion therapy.

Methods:

Adult patients receiving sirolimus and a continuous propofol infusion for at least 12 hours from January 2005 to August 2009 were retrospectively evaluated. Data included Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, weight, length of propofol therapy, and baseline triglyceride (TG) concentrations. The major outcome was incidence of HTG (TGs ≥500 mg/dL). Minor outcomes included the change in TG concentration from therapy initiation and manifestations of propofol-related infusion syndrome (PRIS).

Results:

Sixteen patients were included in the analysis, with 8 (50%) of the patients developing HTG. The patients in this case series had the following mean values: Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score of 20.2 ± 5.3, weight of 76.3 ± 21.2 kg, and baseline TG concentrations of 181.3 ± 89.7 mg/dL. Indications for sirolimus therapy included hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (n = 15) and heart transplantation (n = 1). Mean length of propofol infusion was 99.8 ± 88.5 hours. The mean TG concentration during infusion was 515.6 ± 468.1 mg/dL. Fourteen (87.5%) patients had an increase of ≥100 mg/dL, 12 (75%) patients had an increase of ≥200 mg/dL, and 6 (37.5%) patients had an increase of ≥300 mg/dL in TG concentrations during therapy. Eleven patients developed one manifestation of PRIS, excluding HTG, and one patient had more than 2 new onset PRIS manifestations during propofol therapy.

Conclusions:

Coadministration of propofol and sirolimus can potentially result in HTG, which may warrant more frequent monitoring. Further analysis is needed to examine the mechanism and clinical impact of this interaction.
Successful Corticosteroid Treatment of Refractory Spontaneous Vasoconstriction of Extracranial Internal Carotid and Coronary Arteries
Authors: Takeuchi Mariko , Saito Kozue , Kajimoto Katsufumi , Nagatsuka Kazuyuki
Published: June 2016

Introduction:

Spontaneous vasoconstriction of the extracranial internal carotid artery (SVEICA) is a rare cause of cerebral infarction. Most patients with SVEICA suffer recurrent attacks of vasoconstriction. The standard treatment for this condition has not been established and its long-term prognosis is unclear.

Case Report:

A 25-year-old man with a history of refractory vasospasm angina presented with transient alternating hemiplegia in both the right and left side. Serial carotid ultrasonography examinations showed severe transient stenosis or occlusion of cervical internal carotid arteries on 1 or both sides, with and without neurological symptoms. This condition resolved completely within 1 day to 1 week. The patient did not present any other risk factors for atherosclerosis and was diagnosed with SVEICA. The treatment with calcium antagonists and nitrates did not prevent the attacks. Administration of a corticosteroid substantially reduced the vasospasm attacks.

Conclusions:

SVEICA is intractable and difficult to diagnose. It has been reported that SVEICA sometimes complicates coronary artery disease, as observed in this case. The present case demonstrated the effectiveness of corticosteroid treatment against this disease. Serial ultrasonography examinations helped us to diagnose and follow-up the vasospasm attacks.
Reversible Edema-Like Changes Along the Optic Tract Following Pipeline-Assisted Coiling of a Large Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm
Authors: La Pira Biagia , Brinjikji Waleed , Hunt Christopher , Chen John J. , Lanzino Giuseppe
Published: June 2016

Aneurysmal volume expansion after endovascular treatment is caused by intra-aneurysmal thrombosis in the early postembolization period. Although postembolization mass effect on cranial nerves and other adjacent structures has been previously reported, we are unaware of reports involving the anterior visual pathway. A 66-year-old woman with a 2-week history of blurred vision without headache was found to have a large, unruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm. One month after endovascular treatment of the aneurysm with coiling and flow diversion, the patient developed decreased vision in her right eye and a left homonymous hemianopia. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated compression of the right optic nerve, chiasm, and edema of the right optic tract. The patient was treated with a course of high dose corticosteroids, and over the course of several weeks, her vision improved and the optic tract edema resolved. We alert clinicians to this rare but potentially reversible visual complication of endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms.
The mitotic kinesin-14 KlpA contains a context-dependent directionality switch
Authors: Popchock Andrew R. , Tseng Kuo-Fu , Wang Pan , Karplus P. Andrew , Xiang Xin , Qiu Weihong
Published: June 2016

Kinesins are microtubule-based motor proteins that convert chemical energy from ATP hydrolysis into mechanical work for a variety of essential intracellular processes. Kinesin-14s (i.e. kinesins with a C-terminal motor domain) are commonly considered to be nonprocessive minus end-directed motors that mainly function for mitotic spindle assembly and maintenance. Here, we show that KlpA – a mitotic kinesin-14 motor from the filamentous fungusAspergillus nidulans– contains a context-dependent directionality switch. KlpA exhibits canonical minus end-directed motility inside microtubule bundles, but on individual microtubules it unexpectedly moves processively toward the plus ends. Removal of the N-terminal nonmotor microtubule-binding domain renders KlpA diffusive on individual microtubules but does not abolish its minus end-directed motility to collectively glide microtubules, suggesting that the nonmotor microtubule-binding domain likely acts as a switch for controlling the direction of KlpA motility. Collectively, these findings provide important insights into the mechanism and regulation of KlpA functions inside the mitotic spindle.
Whole Exome Sequencing in Neurogenetic Diagnostic Odysseys: An Argentinian Experience
Authors: Córdoba M , Rodriguez-Quiroga SA , Vega PA , Amartino H , Vázquez-Dusefante C , Medina N , González-Morón D , Kauffman MA
Published: June 2016

Clinical variability is a hallmark of neurogenetic disorders. They involve widespread neurological entities such as neuropathies, ataxias, myopathies, mitochondrial encephalopathies, leukodystrophies, epilepsy and intellectual disabilities. Despite the use of considerable time and resources, the diagnostic yield in this field has been disappointingly low. This etiologic search has been called a “diagnostic odyssey” for many families. Whole exome sequencing (WES) has proved to be useful across a variety of genetic disorders, simplifying the odyssey of many patients and their families and leading to subsequent changes in clinical management in a proportion of them. Although a diagnostic yield of about 30% in neurogenetic disorders can be extrapolated from the results of large series that have included other medical conditions as well, there are not specific reports assessing its utility in a setting such as ours:a neurogeneticist ledacademic group serving in a low-income country. Herein, we report on a series of our first 40 consecutive cases that were selected for WES in a research-based neurogenetics laboratory. We demonstrated the clinical utility of WES in our patient cohort, obtaining a diagnostic yield of 40% (95% CI, 24.8%-55.2%), describing cases in which clinical management was altered, and suggesting the potential cost-effectiveness of WES as a single test by examining the number and types of tests that were performed prior to WES which added up to a median cost of $3537.6 ($2892 to $5084) for the diagnostic odysseys experienced by our cohort.
Translational contributions to tissue-specificity in rhythmic and constitutive gene expression
Authors: Castelo-Szekely Violeta , Arpat Alaaddin Bulak , Janich Peggy , Gatfield David
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND

The daily gene expression oscillations that underlie mammalian circadian rhythms show striking tissue differences and involve post-transcriptional regulation. Both aspects remain poorly understood. We have used ribosome profiling to explore the contribution of translation efficiency to temporal gene expression in kidney, and contrasted our findings with liver data available from the same mice.

RESULTS

Rhythmic translation of constantly abundant mRNAs affected largely non-overlapping transcript sets with distinct phase clustering in the two organs. Moreover, tissue differences in translation efficiency modulated the timing and amount of protein biosynthesis from rhythmic mRNAs, consistent with organ-specificity in clock output gene repertoires and rhythmicity parameters. Our comprehensive datasets provided insights into translational control beyond temporal regulation. Between tissues, many transcripts showed differences in translation efficiency, which were, however, of markedly smaller scale than mRNA abundance differences. Tissue-specific changes in translation efficiency were associated with specific transcript features and, intriguingly, globally counteracted and compensated transcript abundance variations, leading to higher similarity at the level of protein biosynthesis between both tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

We show that tissue-specificity in rhythmic gene expression extends to the translatome and contributes to define the identities, the phases and the expression levels of rhythmic protein biosynthesis. Moreover, translational compensation of transcript abundance divergence leads to overall higher similarity at the level of protein production across organs. The unique resources provided through our study will serve to address fundamental questions of post-transcriptional control and differential gene expression in vivo.
Optimization of an antiStaphylococcusantibiotic produced by tropical soil dwellingStreptomyces parvulus
Authors: Velho-Pereira Sonashia , Kamat Nandkumar M
Published: June 2016

An antibiotic produced by strainStreptomyces parvulusshowing activity againstStaphylococcus citreuswas subjected to various optimization parameters for enhancing its production. Nutritional and physiological parameters produced byS. parvulusunder shaken flask conditions were determined. Optimization of these parameters led to 11% increase in antibiotic activity with a mean zone of inhibition of 42 mm.

Highest antibiotic production was obtained at 250 rpm for 14 days with optimum temperature of 28°C and pH 7. Kuster#x2019;s modified medium containing glycerol 0.7% (v/v), casein 0.03% (w/v), NaCl 0% (w/v), phosphate 0.25% (w/v), KNO3 0.1% (w/v) and CaCO3 0.0015% (w/v) concentration was found ideal.
A descriptive marker gene approach to single-cell pseudotime inference
Authors: Campbell Kieran R , Yau Christopher
Published: June 2016

Pseudotime estimation from single-cell gene expression allows the recovery of temporal information from otherwise static profiles of individual cells. This pseudotemporal information can be used to characterise transient events in temporally evolving biological systems. Conventional algorithms typically emphasise an unsupervised transcriptome-wide approach and use retrospective analysis to evaluate the behaviour of individual genes. Here we introduce an orthogonal approach termed “Ouija” that learns pseudotimes from a small set of marker genes that might ordinarily be used to retrospectively confirm the accuracy of unsupervised pseudotime algorithms. Crucially, we model these genes in terms of switch-like or transient behaviour along the trajectory, allowing us to understand why the pseudotimes have been inferred and learn informative parameters about the behaviour of each gene. Since each gene is associated with a switch or peak time the genes are effectively ordered along with the cells, allowing each part of the trajectory to be understood in terms of the behaviour of certain genes. In the following we introduce our model and demonstrate that in many instances a small panel of marker genes can recover pseudotimes that are consistent with those obtained using the entire transcriptome. Furthermore, we show that our method can detect differences in the regulation timings between two genes and identify “metastable” states - discrete cell types along the continuous trajectories - that recapitulate known cell types. Ouija therefore provides a powerful complimentary approach to existing whole transcriptome based pseudotime estimation methods. An open source implementation is available at http://www.github.com/kieranrcampbell/ouija as an R package and at http://www.github.com/kieranrcampbell/ouijaflow as a Python/TensorFlow package.
X-ray characterization and magnetic properties of dioxygen-bridged CuIIand MnIIISchiff base complexes
Authors: Yahsi Yasemin
Published: June 2016

The coordination chemistry of multinuclear metal compounds is important because of their relevance to the multi-metal active sites of various metalloproteins and metalloenzymes. Multinuclear CuIIand MnIIIcompounds are of interest due to their various properties in the fields of coordination chemistry, inorganic biochemistry, catalysis, and optical and magnetic materials. Oxygen-bridged binuclear MnIIIcomplexes generally exhibit antiferromagnetic interactions and a few examples of ferromagnetic interactions have also been reported. Binuclear CuIIcomplexes are important due to the fact that they provide examples of the simplest case of magnetic interaction involving only two unpaired electrons. Two novel dioxygen-bridged copper(II) and manganese(III) Schiff base complexes, namely bis(μ-4-bromo-2-{[(3-oxidopropyl)imino]methyl}phenolato)dicopper(II), [Cu2(C10H10BrNO2)2], (1), and bis(diaqua{4,4′-dichloro-2,2′-[(1,1-dimethylethane-1,2-diyl)bis(nitrilomethanylylidene)]diphenolato}manganese(III)) bis{μ-4,4′-dichloro-2,2′-[(1,1-dimethylethane-1,2-diyl)bis(nitrilomethanylylidene)]diphenolato}bis[aquamanganese(III)] tetrakis(perchlorate) ethanol disolvate, [Mn(C18H16Cl2N2O2)(H2O)2]2[Mn2(C18H16Cl2N2O2)2(H2O)2](ClO4)4·2C2H5OH, (2), have been synthesized and single-crystal X-ray diffraction has been used to analyze their crystal structures. The structure analyses of (1) and (2) show that each CuIIatom is four-coordinated, with long weak Cu...O interactions of 2.8631 (13) Å linking the dinuclear halves of the centrosymmetric tetranucelar molecules, while each MnIIIatom is six-coordinated. The shortest intra- and intermolecular nonbonding Mn...Mn separations are 3.3277 (16) and 5.1763 (19) Å for (2), while the Cu...Cu separations are 3.0237 (3) and 3.4846 (3) Å for (1). The magnetic susceptibilities of (1) and (2) in the solid state were measured in the temperature range 2–300 K and reveal the presence of antiferromagnetic spin-exchange interactions between the transition metal ions.
Crystal structure of diaquabis(7-diethylamino-3-formyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-olato-κ2O3,O4)zinc(II) dimethyl sulfoxide disolvate
Authors: Davis Aaron B. , Fronczek Frank R. , Wallace Karl J.
Published: June 2016

The structure of the title coordination complex, [Zn(C14H14NO4)2(H2O)2]·2C2H6OS, shows that the ZnIIcation adopts an octahedral geometry and lies on an inversion center. Two organic ligands occupy the equatorial positions of the coordination sphere, forming a chelate ring motifviathe O atom on the formyl group and another O atom of the carbonyl group (a pseudo-β-diketone motif). Two water molecules occupy the remaining coordination sites of the ZnIIcation in the axial positions. The water molecules are each hydrogen bonded to a single dimethyl sulfoxide molecule that has been entrapped in the crystal lattice.
N′-[(1E)-(5-Nitrofuran-2-yl)methylidene]thiophene-2-carbohydrazide: crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis
Authors: Cardoso Laura N. F. , Nogueira Thais C. M. , Wardell James L. , Wardell Solange M. S. V. , Souza Marcus V. N. de , Jotani Mukesh M. , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: June 2016

In the title carbohydrazide, C10H7N3O4S, the dihedral angle between the terminal five-membered rings is 27.4 (2)°, with these lying to the same side of the plane through the central CN2C(=O) atoms (r.m.s. deviation = 0.0403 Å), leading to a curved molecule. The conformation about the C=N imine bond [1.281 (5) Å] isE, and the carbonyl O and amide H atoms areanti. In the crystal, N—H...O hydrogen bonds lead to supramolecular chains, generated by a 41screw-axis along thecdirection. A three-dimensional architecture is consolidated by thienyl-C—H...O(nitro) and furanyl-C—H...O(nitro) interactions, as well as π–π interactions between the thienyl and furanyl rings [inter-centroid distance = 3.515 (2) Å]. These, and other, weak intermolecular interactions,e.g. nitro-N—O...π(thienyl), have been investigated by Hirshfeld surface analysis, which confirms the dominance of the conventional N—H...O hydrogen bonding to the overall molecular packing.
Structural characterization of two benzene-1,2-diamine complexes of zinc chloride: a molecular compound and a co-crystal salt
Authors: Zick Patricia L. , Geiger David K.
Published: June 2016

The structures of two zinc complexes containing bidentate benzene-1,2-diamine ligands are reported. (Benzene-1,2-diamine-κ2N,N′)dichloroidozinc, [ZnCl2(C6H8N2)], (I), displays a distorted tetrahedral coordination sphere for the metal cation. The diamine ligand and the Zn atom reside on a crystallographic mirror plane. In the 1:1 co-crystal salttrans-diaquabis(4,5-dimethylbenzene-1,2-diamine-κ2N,N′)zinc chloride–4,5-dimethylbenzene-1,2-diamine (1/1), [Zn(C8H12N2)2(H2O)2]Cl2·2C8H12N2, (II), the zinc(II) complex cation exhibits a tetragonally distorted octahedral coordination sphere. The Zn atom sits on a crystallographically imposed inversion center and the diamine ligands are tilted 30.63 (6)° with respect to the ZnN4plane. Both complexes exhibit extensive hydrogen bonding. In (I), a stacked-sheet extended structure parallel to (101) is observed. In (II), the co-crystallized diamine is hydrogen-bonded to the complex cationviaO—H...N and N—H...N linkages. These units are in turn linked into planes along (200) by O—H...Cl and N—H...Cl hydrogen bonds.
1-Methyl-5-nitro-3-phenyl-1H-indazole
Authors: Naas Mohammed , Benchidmi Mohammed , Essassi El Mokhtar , Saadi Mohamed , El Ammari Lahcen
Published: June 2016

The title compound, C14H11N3O2, crystallizes with two molecules in the asymmetric unit. The indazole ring system and the nitro group are nearly coplanar, with the largest deviations from the mean plane being 0.070 (4) Å in one molecule and 0.022 (3) Å in the second. The dihedral angle between the mean plane through the phenyl ring and the mean plane of the indazole ring system is of 23.24 (18)° in the first molecule and 26.87 (18)° in the second. In the crystal, molecules are linked by two C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming linear zigzag tapes running along thec-axis direction, and by π–π stacking of molecules along thebaxis, generating a three-dimensional structure.
(5Z)-5-(4-Chlorobenzylidene)-1,3-thiazolidine-2,4-dione
Authors: Mohamed Shaaban K. , Mague Joel T. , Akkurt Mehmet , Younes Sabry H. H. , Albayati Mustafa R.
Published: June 2016

In the title compound, C10H6ClNO2S, the dihedral angle between the planes of the 4-chlorophenyl and thiazolidine rings is 8.62 (9)°. In the crystal, molecules form undulating ribbons running approximately parallel to (101) through N—H...O hydrogen bonds.
Bis(creatininium) 3-nitrophthalate monohydrate
Authors: Thayanithi V. , Kumar P. Praveen , Gunasekaran B.
Published: June 2016

In the title hydrated molecular salt, 2C4H8N3O+·C8H3NO62−·H2O, the dihedral angles between the benzene ring and the nitro group and the carboxylate groups are 48.0 (2), 55.3 (2) and 60.7 (2)°, respectively. In the crystal, the components are linked by N—H...O, O—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds, generating a two-dimensional network parallel to (102).
1,3-Bis(1-methyl-5-thioxo-1,2,4-triazolin-4-yl)urea
Authors: Laus Gerhard , Kahlenberg Volker , Schottenberger Herwig
Published: June 2016

The title compound, C7H10N8OS2, was obtained by acylation of 4-amino-1-methyl-1,2,4-triazoline-5-thione with triphosgene. The asymmetric unit contains two half molecules. The full molecules are generated by twofold rotation axes. In the crystal, the molecules associate through bifurcated (N—H)2...O hydrogen bonds into chains extending in theb-axis direction.
2-Oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline-4-carboxylic acid monohydrate
Authors: Filali Baba Yassir , Mague Joel T. , Kandri Rodi Youssef , Ouzidan Younes , Essassi El Mokhtar , Zouihri Hafid
Published: June 2016

In the title compound, C10H7NO3·H2O, O—H...O hydrogen bonds involving the carboxyl groups, the keto groups and the lattice water molecules form stepped sheets approximately parallel to {010} which are tied together by pairwise N—H...O interactions. The asymmetric unit contains two independent quinolone derivatives and two water molecules, one of which is disordered over two positions, of equal occupancy.
2,2′-[(4-Bromophenyl)methylene]bis(1H-pyrrole)
Authors: Bauri A. K. , Foro Sabine , Nguyen Nhu Do Quynh
Published: June 2016

The title compound, C15H13BrN2, is a substituted methane derivative. Three H atoms of the methane molecule have been substituted by means of two pyrrole rings and one 4-bromophenyl moiety. The two pyrrole rings are inclined to one another by 85.0 (3)°, and to the benzene ring by 71.4 (2) and 69.5 (2)°. In the crystal, molecules are linkedviaN—H...π and C—H...π interactions, forming layers parallel to (101). The layers are linked by C—Br...π interactions, forming a three-dimensional structure.
2-Amino-4-methoxy-6-methylpyrimidin-1-ium trifluoroacetate
Authors: Jeevaraj Muthaiah , Edison Bellarmin , Kavitha Savaridasson Jose , Thanikasalam Kanagasabapathy , Britto Sebastian , Balasubramani Kasthuri
Published: June 2016

In the title molecular salt, C6H10N3O+·C2F3O2−, the pyrimidinium cation is essentially planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.042 (3) Å for all non-H atoms. In the crystal, the cations and anions are linkedviaN—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a centrosymmetric 2 + 2 aggregate withR22(8) andR42(8) ring motifs. These motifs are further linked through a pair of C—H...O hydrogen bonds into a supramolecular tape along the [101] direction.
4-(2-Oxopropyl)-1,3-bis(prop-2-yn-1-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzodiazepin-2(1H)-one
Authors: Sebhaoui Jihad , El Bakri Youness , Rayni Ibtissam , Essassi El Mokhtar , Mague Joel T.
Published: June 2016

In the title molecule, C18H16N2O2, the seven-membered diazepinone ring adopts a boat conformation. An intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond encloses anS(6) ring. The two propynyl substituents each point away from the same face of the benzodiazepinone ring system. In the crystal, C—H...O hydrogen bonds form double chains of molecules along thec-axis direction.
An empirical investigation of the relationship between intellectual capital and project success
Authors: Handzic Meliha , Durmic Nermina , Kraljic Adnan , Kraljic Tarik
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the relationship between project-specific intellectual capital (IC) and project success in the context of information technology (IT) projects.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using data collected from surveys of 603 IT professionals across a variety of projects, the authors constructed a structural (structural equation model) model in AMOS to examine the relationships between three dimensions of project-specific IC (project team, project customer and project process) and project success.

Findings

– The empirical results support the proposition that IC has a positive impact on project success, and thus may be a good indicator of future projects’ performance. More importantly, the authors found out an important mediating role of a project’s structural capital (process) in exploiting its human (team) and relational (customer) capital for realising project success.

Research limitations/implications

– Interpretation of current results should be considered in light of the following methodological limitations: convenient rather than systematic sampling, use of previously untested measures and prevailing European subjects.

Practical implications

– These results suggest that project-based organisations need to invest heavily in their project workforce talent and then translate it into superior project practices in order to produce successful IT projects. They also need to maintain close relationships with their project customers and involve them during the entire project process.

Originality/value

– The current empirical evidence extends the understanding of the role of IC in improving project success and thus helps project-based organisations create and maintain competitive advantage in emerging economies.
The communication of intellectual capital: the “whys” and “whats”
Authors: Wee Janet C.N. , Chua Alton Y.K.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to identify motivations that drive communication of IC (CIC); and second, to investigate content and format used in CIC from three perspectives, namely, human capital information, relational capital information and structural capital information.

Design/methodology/approach

– A global survey was conducted with 200 banks’ senior executives responsible for annual report (AR), followed by content analysis of each bank’s AR.

Findings

– The study found four motivations of CIC, namely, management responsibility to stakeholders, collective behavior, corporate responsibility and compliance. Content analysis of banks’ AR found structural capital information most prevalent, followed by human capital and relational capital. Five types of formats were analyzed to show the different presentation used in the CIC.

Research limitations/implications

– Current data source was limited to banking and focussed on English language publications.

Practical implications

– The study provides regulators insights to forces that either compel or hinder CIC, and updates literature on management’s thinking and priorities in CIC.

Originality/value

– This study is possibly the first paper that investigates the motivation of CIC for reporting, where IC is an important asset to organizations. The findings on the content and format used in CIC extend existing studies to a wider, global scale.
Intellectual capital and firm performance in the global agribusiness industry
Authors: Scafarto Vincenzo , Ricci Federica , Scafarto Francesco
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between intellectual capital (IC), categorized in terms of four sub-constructs – namely, human capital (HC), relational capital (RC), innovation capital (InnC) and process capital (PrC) – and business performance in the agribusiness industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on a sample of international agribusiness companies observed over a five-year period, this paper uses correlation and multiple regression analysis to test for the existence of a positive relationship between each IC component and conventional business performance metrics.

Findings

– The empirical results support the hypotheses that RC and PrC have a positive impact on corporate performance. Counter to the expectations, InnC by itself is negatively associated with performance. Results also failed to confirm the hypothesis that HC directly and positively affects performance. However HC positively moderates the relation between InnC and performance, which suggests that firms that heavily invest in HC are better placed to gain returns from their research and development (R & D) investments.

Originality/value

– This study expands the existing research on the link between IC and performance by adding fresh evidence from a highly knowledge-intensive sector which has been under-researched thus far. It may also contribute to the specific literature on R & D and performance as it uncovers that the value-generating effect associated with R & D investments is contingent on the levels of HC.
Business school accreditation in the changing global marketplace
Authors: Zhao Jun , Ferran Carlos
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to examine current trends in business accreditation by describing and comparing the major international business accreditation agencies (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, European Quality Improvement System, Association of MBAs, Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs and International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education), and analyze their recent market expansion strategies (development and penetration using Ansoff model) as they compete for the schools seeking initial or continuing accreditation.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a comparative study of the business accreditation agencies and their competitive strategies, using publically available data such as lists of accredited schools published by the agencies as main data collection method.

Findings

Business accreditation agencies have utilized the market penetration and market development strategies to expand their market share in recent years. The key growth areas are international schools, regional teaching-oriented institutions, two-year institutions and for-profit institutions.

Research limitations/implications

This study is based on publically available data published by accreditation agencies. More in-depth analysis with survey method could be utilized in future study to identify more specific strategies and their impact on business schools seeking accreditation.

Practical implications

Accreditation is no longer a luxury but a requirement for business schools, but they have to make an informed decision on which agency to pursue to assure an appropriate fit.

Social implications

The public needs to understand the value and the requirements of accreditation. Multiple agencies provide different options to fit the missions of the different types of schools.

Originality/value

This study is valuable to business school stakeholders for understanding accreditation, the need for accreditation and the options they have available.
Growth and conflict: the views of Chinese private higher education managers
Authors: Ma Xiaoying , Abbott Malcom
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a series of interviews conducted with a number of managers of Chinese private higher education institutions on the growth of the private higher education sector in China and the relationship it has with the government. Private higher education managers in China do seem concerned with the regulatory impediments to their institutions’ development and the difficulties involved in competing with state-funded institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a series of interviews conducted with a number of managers of Chinese private higher education institutions on the growth of the private higher education sector in China and the relationship it has with the government.

Findings

The research found that private higher education managers in China do seem concerned with the regulatory impediments to their institutions’ development and the difficulties involved in competing with state-funded institutions.

Originality/value

This work is the only one of its kind in the academic literature.