bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Common and unique effects of HD-tDCS to the social brain across cultural groups
Authors: Martin A. K. , Su P. , Meinzer M.
Published: September 2018

Cultural background influences social cognition, however no study has examined brain stimulation differences attributable to cultural background. 104 young adults [52 South-East Asian Singaporeans (SEA); 52 Caucasian Australians (CA)] received anodal high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) to the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) or the right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ). Participants completed tasks with varying demands on self-other processing including visual perspective taking and episodic memory with self and other encoding. At baseline, SEA showed greater self-other integration than CA in the level one (line-of-sight) VPT task as indexed by greater interference from the alternate perspective. Anodal HD-tDCS to the dmPFC resulted in the CA performing closer to the SEA during egocentric perspective judgements. Baseline performance on level two (embodied rotation) VPT task and the self-reference effect in memory (SRE) was comparable between the two groups. In the combined sample, HD-tDCS to the rTPJ decreased the interference from the egocentric perspective during level two VPT and dmPFC HD-tDCS removed the SRE in episodic memory. Stimulation effects were comparable when baseline performance was comparable. When baseline performance differed, stimulation differences were identified. Therefore, social cognitive differences due to cultural background are an important consideration in social brain stimulation studies.

HIGHLIGHTS

Compared with Caucasians, South-East Asians were influenced by the alternate perspective to a greater extent during level one visual perspective taking

Anodal HD-tDCS to the dmPFC shifted Caucasians closer to the baseline performance of South-East Asians

Anodal HD-tDCS to the dmPFC removed the self-reference effect in episodic memory in both cultural groups

Anodal HD-tDCS to the dmPFC reduced overall memory performance in the South-East Asians but not in the Caucasian group

Anodal HD-tDCS to the rTPJ reduced egocentric interference in a level two visual perspective taking task in both cultural groups
Live-Cell Imaging Reveals Enhancer-dependent Sox2 Transcription in the Absence of Enhancer Proximity
Authors: Alexander Jeffrey M. , Guan Juan , Huang Bo , Lomvardas Stavros , Weiner Orion D.
Published: September 2018

Enhancers are important regulatory elements that can control gene activity across vast genetic distances. However, the underlying nature of this regulation remains obscured because it has been difficult to observe in living cells. Here, we visualize the spatial organization and transcriptional output of the key pluripotency regulatorSox2and its essential enhancerSox2Control Region (SCR) in living embryonic stem cells (ESCs). We find thatSox2and SCR show no evidence of enhanced spatial proximity and that spatial dynamics of this pair is limited over tens of minutes.Sox2transcription occurs in short, intermittent bursts in ESCs and, intriguingly, we find this activity demonstrates no association with enhancer proximity, suggesting that direct enhancer-promoter contacts do not drive contemporaneousSox2transcription. Our study establishes a framework for interrogation of enhancer function in living cells and supports an unexpected mechanism for enhancer control ofSox2expression that uncouples transcription from enhancer proximity.
Integrative analysis of Paneth cell proteomic and transcriptomic data from intestinal organoids reveals functional processes dependent on autophagy
Authors: Jones Emily J , Matthews Zoe J , Gul Lejla , Sudhakar Padhmanand , Treveil Agatha , Divekar Devina , Buck Jasmine , Wrzesinski Tomasz , Jefferson Matthew , Armstrong Stuart D , Hall Lindsay J , Watson Alastair JM , Carding Simon R , Haerty Wilfried , Di Palma Federica , Mayer Ulrike , Powell Penny P , Hautefort Isabelle , Wileman Tom , Korcsmaros Tamas
Published: September 2018

Summary statement

Using an integrative approach encompassing intestinal organoid culture, proteomics, transcriptomics and protein-protein interaction networks, we list Paneth cell functions dependent on autophagy.

Paneth cells are key epithelial cells providing an antimicrobial barrier and maintaining integrity of the small intestinal stem cell niche. Paneth cell abnormalities are unfortunately detrimental to gut health and often associated with digestive pathologies such as Crohn’s disease or infections. Similar alterations are observed in individuals with impaired autophagy, a process which recycles cellular components. The direct effect of autophagy-impairment on Paneth cells has not been analysed. To investigate this, we generated a mouse model lacking Atg16l1 specifically in intestinal epithelial cells making these cells impaired in autophagy. Using 3D intestinal organoids enriched for Paneth cells, we compared the proteomic profiles of wild-type (WT) and autophagy-impaired organoids. We used an integrated computational approach combining protein-protein interaction networks, autophagy targeted proteins and functional information to identify the mechanistic link between autophagy-impairment and disrupted pathways. Of the 284 altered proteins, 198 (70%) were more abundant in autophagy-impaired organoids, suggesting reduced protein degradation. Interestingly, these differentially abundant proteins comprised 116 proteins (41%), predicted targets of the selective autophagy proteins p62, LC3 and ATG16L1. Our integrative analysis revealed autophagy-mediated mechanisms degrading proteins key to Paneth cell functions, such as exocytosis, apoptosis and DNA damage repair. Transcriptomic profiling of additional organoids confirmed that 90% of the observed changes upon autophagy alteration affect protein level and not gene expression. We performed further validation experiments showing differential lysozyme secretion, confirming our computationally inferred down-regulation of exocytosis. Our observations could explain how protein level alterations affect Paneth cell homeostatic functions upon autophagy impairment.
The impact of cryosolution thermal contraction on proteins and protein crystals: volumes, conformation and order
Authors: Juers Douglas H. , Farley Christopher A. , Saxby Christopher P. , Cotter Rosemary A. , Cahn Jackson K. B. , Holton-Burke R. Conor , Harrison Kaitlin , Wu Zhenguo
Published: September 2018

Cryocooling of macromolecular crystals is commonly employed to limit radiation damage during X-ray diffraction data collection. However, cooling itself affects macromolecular conformation and often damages crystals via poorly understood processes. Here, the effects of cryosolution thermal contraction on macromolecular conformation and crystal order in crystals ranging from 32 to 67% solvent content are systematically investigated. It is found that the solution thermal contraction affects macromolecule configurations and volumes, unit-cell volumes, crystal packing and crystal order. The effects occur through not only thermal contraction, but also pressure caused by the mismatched contraction of cryosolvent and pores. Higher solvent-content crystals are more affected. In some cases the solvent contraction can be adjusted to reduce mosaicity and increase the strength of diffraction. Ice formation in some crystals is found to cause damage via a reduction in unit-cell volume, which is interpreted through solvent transport out of unit cells during cooling. The results point to more deductive approaches to cryoprotection optimization by adjusting the cryosolution composition to reduce thermal contraction-induced stresses in the crystal with cooling.
Hybrid realization of fillet weld
Authors: Kotlan Václav , Hamar Roman , Šroubová Lenka , Doležel Ivo
Published: September 2018

Purpose

A model of hybrid fillet welding is built and solved. No additional material (welding rod, etc.) is used. Heating of the welded parts is realized by laser beam with induction preheating and/or postheating. The purpose of these operations is to reduce the temperature gradient in welded parts in the course of both heating and cooling, which reduces the resultant hardness of the weld and its neighborhood and also reduces undesirable internal mechanical strains and stresses in material.

Design/methodology/approach

The complete mathematical model of the combined welding process is presented, taking into account all relevant nonlinearities. The model is then solved numerically by the finite element method. The methodology is illustrated with an example, the results of which are compared with experiment.

Findings

The proposed model provided satisfactory results even when some subtle phenomena were not taken into account (flow of melt in the pool after irradiation of the laser beam driven by the buoyancy and gravitational forces and evaporation of molten metal and influence of plasma cloud above the irradiated spot).

Research limitations/implications

Accuracy of the results depends on the accuracy of physical parameters of materials entering the model and their temperature dependencies. These quantities are functions of chemical composition of the materials used, and may more or less differ from the values delivered by manufacturers. Also, the above subtle physical phenomena exhibit stochastic character and their modeling may be accompanied by non-negligible uncertainties.

Practical implications

The presented model and methodology of its solution may represent a basis for design of welding processes in various branches of industry.

Originality/value

The model of a complex multiphysics problem (induction-assisted laser welding) provides reasonable results confirmed by experiments.
Composite beam identification using a variant of the inhomogeneous wave correlation method in presence of uncertainties
Authors: Lajili Ramzi , Bareille Olivier , Bouazizi Mohamed Lamjed , Ichchou Mohamed , Bouhaddi Noureddine
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to propose numerical-based and experiment-based identification processes, accounting for uncertainties to identify structural parameters, in a wave propagation framework.

Design/methodology/approach

A variant of the inhomogeneous wave correlation (IWC) method is proposed. It consists on identifying the propagation parameters, such as the wavenumber and the wave attenuation, from the frequency response functions. The latters can be computed numerically or experimentally. The identification process is thus called numerical-based or experiment-based, respectively. The proposed variant of the IWC method is then combined with the Latin hypercube sampling method for uncertainty propagation. Stochastic processes are consequently proposed allowing more realistic identification.

Findings

The proposed variant of the IWC method permits to identify accurately the propagation parameters of isotropic and composite beams, whatever the type of the identification process in which it is included: numerical-based or experiment-based. Its efficiency is proved with respect to an analytical model and the Mc Daniel method, considered as reference. The application of the stochastic identification processes shows good agreement between simulation and experiment-based results and that all identified parameters are affected by uncertainties, except damping.

Originality/value

The proposed variant of the IWC method is an accurate alternative for structural identification on wide frequency ranges. Numerical-based identification process can reduce experiments’ cost without significant loss of accuracy. Statistical investigations of the randomness of identified parameters illustrate the robustness of identification against uncertainties.
Creating the mobile engineer: a study of a training program for engineering consultants
Authors: Pantic-Dragisic Svjetlana , Borg Elisabeth
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how a technical consulting firm approaches the development of engineering consultants, to prepare them to deal with their liminal, i.e. mobile and transient work situation. More specifically, this paper addresses how a training program, designed for newly graduated engineers, can increase the consultants’ liminality competence.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reports on a qualitative case study of an introductory development program in a Scandinavian technical consulting firm. The study is based on observations of training sessions and meetings, and interviews with developers, leaders and participants of the program.

Findings

This study identifies three processes, which develop the engineering consultants’ ability to master their mobile and transient work situation: identifying the core of an assignment, embracing “in-betweenness” and broadening the scope of action.

Originality/value

This paper enhances the understanding of formal training in the context of technical consulting and adds to the knowledge of how engineering consultants can master their liminal work positions; in particular, the study identifies how liminality competence can be elevated through formal training.
The influence of personal- and business centre characteristics on knowledge sharing types in business centres
Authors: Weijs-Perrée Minou , Appel-Meulenbroek Rianne , Arentze Theo , Romme Georges
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Knowledge sharing is a process where individuals mutually exchange knowledge to create new knowledge. Understanding the knowledge-sharing process, during which organizations share spaces, facilities and services, is highly important for owners/managers who seek to optimize their business centres and to attract more innovative tenants. For users of business centres, it is interesting to know how, where and what type of knowledge is shared. However, there is hardly any research into sharing different types of knowledge in business centres. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the influence of personal and organizational characteristics on sharing different types of knowledge within and between organizations in business centres.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using a questionnaire that was completed by 268 users of 53 business centres in The Netherlands. A seemingly unrelated regression analysis was used to simultaneously analyse the influence of personal and organizational characteristics on knowledge sharing in business centres.

Findings

The results show that public and private non-codified knowledge is more frequently shared with people from other organizations by those who more frequently use an event space, lounge space, canteen or consultancy services. Knowledge sharing with colleagues within organizations was influenced by the use of individual closed workspaces, meeting spaces and restaurant/canteen and gender.

Originality/value

The study suggests that owners and managers of business centres can optimize their business centres by offering specific facilities, services and workspaces to attract a specific group of tenants. In addition, organizations that want to enhance knowledge sharing with other organizations need to stimulate their employees to use shared facilities and services.
Risks, coping strategies and family wellbeing: evidence from Finland
Authors: Lindberg Marja , Nygård Mikael , Nyqvist Fredrica
Published: September 2018

Purpose

As a member of the Nordic welfare regime, Finland has been acknowledged for its encompassing family policies with high degrees of parental employment and low incidence of poverty. During recent years, however, sluggish growth, high levels of unemployment and recurrent austerity measures have gradually undermined the economic security of families, notably among single-parent and multi-child families, and this has put families under increasing strain and increased the risks of poverty, inequality and other forms of ill-being. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors investigate risks and coping strategies and well-being of Finnish families with children. Family well-being is defined as an umbrella concept covering economic, social or psychological well-being and physical health. The data consist of 22 qualitative semi-structured interviews with parents from the region of Ostrobothnia in Finland and were collected in the winter of 2016–2017.

Findings

Based on the findings, the authors argue that the risks the families in Finland confront are linked to lower well-being, most notably for families encountering sickness, unemployment or divorce. The findings also show that parents have to employ various coping strategies themselves and that the society’s support is insufficient.

Originality/value

This paper, thus, contributes to the literature on the effects of austerity policies on families by focussing on the consequences on family well-being, but also on the risks that families face and the coping mechanisms they use for handling with these risks.
Family or state responsibility? Elderly- and childcare policy preferences in Spain
Authors: Valarino Isabel , Meil Gerardo , Rogero-García Jesús
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Spain is typically considered a familialistic country where the family is the main responsible for individuals’ well-being. Recent demographic, socioeconomic and policy changes raise the question to what extent familialism is regarded as the preferred care arrangement in society or whether more state support is considered legitimate. The purpose of this paper is to analyse individual preferences among Spanish residents regarding care responsibility for pre-school children and the frail elderly, and the factors that influence such preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

Representative data from the 2012 International Social Survey Programme are used (n=1419). Six patterns of care responsibility that capture preferences regarding who, between the family or the state, should provide and pay for the care of pre-school children and the frail elderly are identified. Logistic regressions are performed on each care responsibility pattern to analyse the factors influencing individuals’ preferences.

Findings

Multiple preferences coexist and state responsibility is often preferred over family responsibility, especially for elderly-care. It suggests that the tendency to rely on the family in Spain is due to insufficient support rather than to familialistic values. Individuals who usually bear most care work responsibilities, such as women and individuals in caring ages, or those with a poor health, high care load or low income consider there should be extra-family support. Individuals’ values also matter: the least religious, the most supportive of maternal employment and left-wing voters are most likely to reject traditional care arrangements.

Originality/value

This is the first study to analyse both elderly- and childcare policy preferences in one single study. It shows that childcare is more often seen as a family responsibility than elderly care.
Multi-class Twitter sentiment classification with emojis
Authors: Li Mengdi , Ch’ng Eugene , Chong Alain Yee Loong , See Simon
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Recently, various Twitter Sentiment Analysis (TSA) techniques have been developed, but little has paid attention to the microblogging feature – emojis, and few works have been conducted on the multi-class sentiment analysis of tweets. The purpose of this paper is to consider the popularity of emojis on Twitter and investigate the feasibility of an emoji training heuristic for multi-class sentiment classification of tweets. Tweets from the “2016 Orlando nightclub shooting” were used as a source of study. Besides, this study also aims to demonstrate how mapping can contribute to interpreting sentiments.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors presented a methodological framework to collect, pre-process, analyse and map public Twitter postings related to the shooting. The authors designed and implemented an emoji training heuristic, which automatically prepares the training data set, a feature needed in Big Data research. The authors improved upon the previous framework by advancing the pre-processing techniques, enhancing feature engineering and optimising the classification models. The authors constructed the sentiment model with a logistic regression classifier and selected features. Finally, the authors presented how to visualise citizen sentiments on maps dynamically using Mapbox.

Findings

The sentiment model constructed with the automatically annotated training sets using an emoji approach and selected features performs well in classifying tweets into five different sentiment classes, with a macro-averaged F-measure of 0.635, a macro-averaged accuracy of 0.689 and the MAEM of 0.530. Compared to those experimental results in related works, the results are satisfactory, indicating the model is effective and the proposed emoji training heuristic is useful and feasible in multi-class TSA. The maps authors created, provide a much easier-to-understand visual representation of the data, and make it more efficient to monitor citizen sentiments and distributions.

Originality/value

This work appears to be the first to conduct multi-class sentiment classification on Twitter with automatic annotation of training sets using emojis. Little attention has been paid to applying TSA to monitor the public’s attitudes towards terror attacks and country’s gun policies, the authors consider this work to be a pioneering work. Besides, the authors have introduced a new data set of 2016 Orlando Shooting tweets, which will be made available for other researchers to mine the public’s political opinions about gun policies.
The impact of branding strategies on horizontal and downward line extension of luxury brands
Authors: Boisvert Jean , Ashill Nicholas J.
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically assess the impact of branding strategies on horizontal and downward line extensions of French luxury brands in a cross-national context (France vs USA).

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a two line extensions (horizontal/downward) × three branding strategies (direct brand/sub-brand/standalone brand) x two country (France/USA) between-subjects ANOVA design.

Findings

The study shows that the subtyping effect created by a sub-branded luxury downward line extension tends to be rated similarly to a direct branded extension which oppose previous beliefs put forward in non-luxury settings. In contrast, a new independent/standalone extension fully uses the subtyping effect which helps attenuate this risk related to luxury downward stretches. The study also found that the effect of gender in cross-national settings must always be taken into consideration as significant variations occur in the process.

Research limitations/implications

The study covers two countries but should be replicated in other cross-national contexts.

Practical implications

This study helps marketing managers of luxury brands make a better decision when it comes to launching vertical line extensions (upscale/downward) by carefully using types of branding strategies and relevant communications whether women and/or men are targeted in cross-national contexts.

Originality/value

This study breaks new ground in the international luxury literature by providing key theoretical and managerial insights in terms of launching new downward line extensions with the proper use of branding strategies when targeting specific genders.
Social media environments effect on perceived interactivity
Authors: Xu Xi , Yao Zhong , Sun Qing
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to treat WeChat moments as social media environments and applies the research model to explore the effect of social media environments on perceived interactivity from the perspective of environmental psychology.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes social media environments as effective stimuli for future participate in online social interactions. First, two cues of social media environments (user-to-system cues and user-to-user cues) can be important antecedents of users’ perception of interactivity. Second, users’ intention of future participates in online social interactions can be influenced by three dimensions of perceived interactivity (action control, connectedness and responsiveness). Using data from 334 users of WeChat moments, the authors conduct partial least squares analysis to validate the research model.

Findings

The results indicate that both technological and social environments positively affect three dimensions of perceived interactivity, respectively, including action control, connectedness and responsiveness. Moreover, actual findings also suggest that higher perceived interactivity increases users’ intention of future participate in online social interactions.

Originality/value

This work contributes to in-depth research on the relationships between social environments and perceived interactivity. Besides, this paper demonstrates that both technological and social cues of social media environments are significant elements in simulating users’ internal experience and behavioral intention. The main conclusions of this study can be valuable to social media developers and managers.
Learning transfer system inventory (LTSI) and knowledge creation in organizations
Authors: Chatterjee Aindrila , Pereira Arun , Sarkar Bijan
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Knowledge creation has received substantial attention by researchers, ever since the Socialization Externalization Combination Internalization (SECI) process was introduced. Learning Transfer System Inventory (LTSI) focuses on learning transfer and has been validated across many countries. The purpose of this paper is to explore the theoretical underpinnings between LTSI and SECI, and LTSI’s role in knowledge amplification as part of the organizational knowledge creation spiral.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature on organizational learning, SECI and LTSI is studied, as well as a detailed review of the LTSI constructs as it relates to SECI is completed.

Findings

Both SECI and LTSI emphasize the substantial interplay between explicit and tacit knowledge as the basis of knowledge interchange. The result of this research is a theoretical framework combining LTSI and SECI that can help understand knowledge transfer in terms of interplay of explicit and tacit knowledge and LTSI’s role in knowledge amplification as part of organizational knowledge creation.

Practical implications

It is proposed that LTSI can potentially be used to gauge the propensity of an organizational environment to create and transfer knowledge ontologically, as well as adopt knowledge management systems. The LTSI constructs into basic knowledge interactions (various combinations of explicit and tacit knowledge conversions) are categorized thus helping practitioners analyze the basic building blocks of learning transfer and knowledge creation. The theoretical association of the two frameworks paves the way for more empirical validation of the SECI model potentially.

Originality/value

This paper is an original attempt to associate SECI with LTSI.
Governing public–private partnerships: A systematic review of case study literature
Authors: Xiong Wei , Chen Bin , Wang Huanming , Zhu Dajian
Published: September 2018

Governance plays a critical role in determining the success and failure of public–private partnerships (PPPs). We conducted a systematic review of case study literature on PPP governance and developed a governance framework consisting of 21 issues in four groups: institutional, organizational, contractual, and managerial. Then, we investigate the dynamics of governance issues, including the relative importance, interrelationships, and connections with PPP success and failure. Results suggest that PPPs should emphasize cooperation, trust, communication, capability, risk allocation and sharing, competition, and transparency in their governance. We also found that the governance practice of emphasizing dominant and direct factors and ignoring recessive and indirect ones has hindered PPPs’ success.
Acceptability of Peanut Skins as a Natural Antioxidant in Flavored Coated Peanuts
Authors: Christman Lindsey M. , Dean Lisa L. , Bueno Almeida Camilla , Weissburg Jacy R.
Published: September 2018

Peanut skins are a low‐value byproduct of the peanut processing industry. Following their removal during the preparation of common peanut products, they are either discarded or used as a minor component of animal feed. Studies have found peanuts skins to be rich in health promoting phenolic compounds and thus have potential as a functional food ingredient. The aim of this study was to evaluate a new product that included the encapsulated phenolic extract from peanut skins in a flavored coating for peanuts. The phenolic compounds were extracted from peanut skins and then encapsulated in 10.5% (w/w) maltodextrin in to reduce the bitter flavor. The encapsulated phenolic extract was added at varying concentrations to honey roast flavored and chili lime flavored coatings which were applied to roasted peanuts. The resulting total phenolic content and antioxidant potential of the coated peanuts were evaluated by the Folin‐Ciocalteu, DPPH, and β‐carotene bleaching assays. A best estimate sensory threshold for the peanut skin extract in the honey roasted and chili lime coating was found to be 12.8% (w/w) and 16.6% (w/w), respectively. The total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity for both the honey roasted and chili lime coated peanuts at their threshold was found to be significantly higher than control peanuts that did not contain peanut skins in the coating. The increased antioxidant activity and unaltered flavor profile at the sensory threshold levels of peanut skins demonstrated their potential as a functional food ingredient.

Practical Application

The ability of polyphenols to act as antioxidants suggests that extracts of peanut skins containing polyphenols can be used as functional ingredients in new food products. The encapsulation of peanut skin extract in maltodextrin allowed for the incorporation of the extracts into flavored coatings for peanuts at levels high enough to increase the antioxidant activity without impacting sensory profiles. Utilization of this by‐product of the peanut can create an economic opportunity for the peanut industry.
Can radiation oncologists learn to be better leaders? Outcomes of a pilot Foundations of Leadership in Radiation Oncology program for trainees delivered via personal electronic devices
Authors: Turner Sandra , Janssen Anna , Chan Ming‐Ka , Morris Lucinda , Martin Rowena , Mackenzie Penelope , Shaw Tim
Published: September 2018

Introduction

There has been no systematic attempt to enhance leadership capacity within radiation oncology as an integrated component of training. This pilot study examines an intervention to introduce basics of leadership learning to radiation oncology trainees.

Methods

A case‐based learning tool was designed for delivery via trainees’ personal electronic devices. Eight typical workplace case scenarios representing leadership challenges were followed by multiple choice questions, key learning points and hyperlinks to relevant resources. Cases were automatically sent every few days over 4 weeks and participants’ responses anonymously collated by the delivery platform (QStream). In addition, an online survey was sent at completion of the program to capture trainees’ perspectives on the utility of this tool.

Results

Thirty‐seven of 45 (82%) trainees participated: 21 females and 16 males. Twenty‐six of 37 (70%) starting the program completed it. Sixteen (62% of ‘completers’) responded to the post‐program survey. Fourteen of 16 (87.5%) agreed to the program and helped them identify ways they were already exhibiting leadership. Eleven of 16 (68.8%) agreed they had acquired knowledge that could assist them in being better leaders. Fifteen of 16 said the program made them consider future leadership possibilities in radiation oncology. Fourteen of 15 enjoyed the digital format. Most suggestions for improvement linked to a desire for more interactivity in learning these skills.

Conclusion

Piloting an online tool designed to introduce foundation leadership concepts to radiation oncology trainees has provided useful feedback to guide further development in this area. Although this method had high feasibility, it revealed the need for additional interactive methods for leadership learning.
A Novel Angiosperm from the Early Cretaceous and Its Implications for Carpel‐Deriving
Authors: LIU Zhongjian , WANG Xin
Published: September 2018

The Yixian Formation (Lower Cretaceous) of China is famous for its fossils of early angiosperms, and these fossils have shed otherwise unavailable light on the evolution of angiosperms. The seeds in Archaefructus and Nothodichocarpum are inserted along the dorsal of the fruits while those in Sinocarpus are along the ventral of the fruits, suggesting different Bau‐plans and pathways deriving the carpels in these plants of the Early Cretaceous. Adding further fossil evidence, here we report a novel fossil angiosperm, Neofructus lingyuanensis gen. et sp. nov, with its seeds inserted on both ventral and dorsal sides of the fruits documented through light microscopic and SEM observations, suggesting a novel way forming gynoecium in the Yixian Formation. These fossil angiosperms indicate that angiosperm gynoecia in the Yixian Formation (the Barremian to Aptian) are derived in obviously different ways, implying an evolutionary scenario for angiosperms quite different from formerly assumed.
Latest Triassic to Early Jurassic Thrusting and Exhumation in the Southern Ordos Basin, North China: Evidence from LA‐ICP‐MS‐based Apatite Fission Track Thermochronology
Authors: ZHANG Shaohua , LIU Chiyang , YANG Minghui , BAI Jianke , WANG Jianqiang
Published: September 2018

The contractional structures in the southern Ordos Basin recorded critical evidence for the interaction between Ordos Basin and Qinling Orogenic Collage. In this study, we performed apatite fission track (AFT) thermochronology to unravel the timing of thrusting and exhumation for the Laolongshan‐Shengrenqiao Fault (LSF) in the southern Ordos Basin. The AFT ages from opposite sides of the LSF reveal a significant latest Triassic to Early Jurassic time‐temperature discontinuity across this structure. Thermal modeling reveals at the latest Triassic to Early Jurassic, a ∼50°C difference in temperature between opposite sides of the LSF currently exposed at the surface. This discontinuity is best interpreted by an episode of thrusting and exhumation of the LSF with ∼1.7 km of net vertical displacement during the latest Triassic to Early Jurassic. These results, when combined with earlier thermochronological studies, stratigraphic contact relationship and tectono‐sedimentary evolution, suggest that the southern Ordos Basin experienced coeval intense tectonic contraction and developed a north‐vergent fold‐and‐thrust belt. Moreover, the southern Ordos Basin experienced a multi‐stage differential exhumation during Mesozoic, including the latest Triassic to Early Jurassic and Late Jurassic to earliest Cretaceous thrust‐driven exhumation as well as the Late Cretaceous overall exhumation. Specifically, the two thrust‐driven exhumation events were related to tectonic stress propagation derived from the latest Triassic to Early Jurassic continued compression from Qinling Orogenic Collage and the Late Jurassic to earliest Cretaceous intracontinental orogeny of Qinling Orogenic Collage, respectively. By contrast, the Late Cretaceous overall exhumation event was related to the collision of an exotic terrain with the eastern margin of continental China at ∼100 Ma.
Geochemistry, Zircon U–Pb Dating and Hf Isotopic Characteristics of Neoproterozoic Granitoids in the Yaganbuyang Area, Altyn Tagh, NW China
Authors: CHEN Hongjie , WANG Nan , WU Cailai , LEI Min , ZHENG Kun , ZHANG Xin , GAO Dong
Published: September 2018

The South Altyn continental block is an important geological unit of the Altyn Tagh orogenic belt, in which numerous Neoproterozoic granitoids crop out. Granitoids are mainly located in the Paxialayidang–Yaganbuyang area and can provide indispensable information on the dynamics of Rodinia supercontinent aggregation during the Neoproterozoic. Therefore, the study of granitoids can help us understand the formation and evolutionary history of the Altyn Tagh orogenic belt. In this work, we investigated the Yaganbuyang granitic pluton through petrography, geochemistry, zircon U–Pb chronology, and Hf isotope approaches. We obtained the following conclusions: (1) Yaganbuyang granitoids mainly consist of two‐mica granite and granodiorite. Geochemical data suggested that these granitoids are peraluminous calc–alkaline or high‐K calc–alkaline granite types. Zircon U–Pb data yielded ages of 939±7.1 Ma for granodiorite and ∼954 Ma for granitoids, respectively. (2) The εHf(t) values of two–mica granite and granodiorite are in the range of –3.93 to +5.30 and –8.64 to +5.19, respectively. The Hf model ages (TDM2) of two‐mica granite and granodiorite range from 1.59–.05 Ga and 1.62–2.35 Ga, respectively, indicating that the parental magma of these materials is derived from ancient crust with a portion of juvenile crust. (3) Granitoids formed in a collisional orogen setting, which may be a response to Rodinia supercontinent convergence during the Neoproterozoic.
Geological and Geochemical Characteristics and Exploration Prospect of Coal‐Derived Tight Sandstone Gas in China: Case Study of the Ordos, Sichuan, and Tarim Basins
Authors: ZOU Caineng , TAO Shizhen , HAN Wenxue , ZHAO Zhenyu , MA Weijiao , LI Changwei , BAI Bin , GAO Xiaohui
Published: September 2018

This work extensively investigated global tight sandstone gas, and geologically and geochemically analyzed the tight sandstone gas in China's Ordos, Sichuan, and Tarim basins. We compared typical tight sandstone gas in China with that in North America. We proposed six conditions for the formation of China's tight sandstone gas, and illustrated the geological characteristics of tight sandstone gas. In China, gas‐bearing tight sandstones were mainly deposited in continental lake deltas and marine‐terrigenous facies basin environments, associated with coal‐measure strata, and were mostly buried deeper than 2000 m under a formation pressure of 20–30 MPa, with pressure coefficients varying from overpressure to negative pressure. In other countries, tight gas bearing sandstones were dominantly deposited in marine to marine‐terrigenous facies environments, occurred in coal‐measure strata, and were mostly buried shallower than 2000 m in low‐pressure systems. We systematically analyzed tight sandstone gas in the Ordos, Sichuan, and Tarim basins in terms of chemical compositions, geochemical characteristics of carbon isotopes, origins, and sources. Tight sandstone gas in China usually has a hydrocarbon content of >95%, with CH41 content >90%, and a generally higher dry coefficient. In the three above‐mentioned large tight sandstone gas regions, δ13C1 and δ13C2 mainly ranges from –42‰ to –28‰ and from –28‰ to –21‰, respectively. Type III coal‐measure source rocks that closely coexist with tight reservoirs are developed extensively in these gas regions. The organic petrology of source rocks and the carbon isotope compositions of gas indicate that tight sandstone gas in China is dominantly coal‐derived gas generated by coal‐measure strata. Our analysis of carbon isotope series shows that local isotope reversals are mainly caused by the mixing of gases of different maturities and that were generated at different stages. With increasing maturity, the reversal tendency becomes more apparent. Moreover, natural gas with medium‐low maturity (e.g., Xujiahe Formation natural gas in the Sichuan Basin) presents an apparent reversal at a low‐maturity stage, a normal series at a medium ‐maturity stage, and a reversal tendency again at a high‐maturity stage. Finally, we proposed four conditions for preferred tight sandstone gas “sweep spots,” and illustrated the recoverable reserves, proven reserves, production, and exploration prospects of tight sandstone gas. The geological and geochemical characteristics, origins, sources, and exploration potential of tight sandstone gas in China from our research will be instructive for the future evaluation, prediction, and exploration of tight sandstone gas in China and abroad.
Prevalence of a ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ strain, so far associated only with other hosts, in Bois Noir‐affected grapevines within Tuscan vineyards
Authors: Pierro Roberto , Passera Alessandro , Panattoni Alessandra , Rizzo Domenico , Stefani Luciana , Bartolini Linda , Casati Paola , Luvisi Andrea , Quaglino Fabio , Materazzi Alberto
Published: September 2018

Due to its complex epidemiological cycle, including several polyphagous insect vectors and host plants, and the absence of efficient control strategies, Bois Noir (BN) disease of grapevine is encroaching wider territories in the main viticultural areas worldwide. Molecular approaches allowed to increase the knowledge about its etiological agent (Bois Noir phytoplasma, BNp; ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ species), revealing interesting features concerning BNp population structure and dynamics and transmission routes in vineyard agro‐ecosystems. In the present study, a multilocus sequence typing approach (vmp1 and stamp genes) was utilised for describing the genetic diversity among BNp strain populations in 17 vineyards localised in two distinct geographic areas in Tuscany (central Italy). The results confirmed that BNp ecology in Tuscan vineyards is mainly associated to the bindweed‐related host system, and allowed the identification of 14 BNp vmp1/stamp genotypes. Interestingly, the prevalent genotype (Vm43/St10) was never found in grapevines outside of Tuscany. Moreover, statistical analyses showed significant differences between the composition of BNp strain populations identified in grapevines from north‐western and central‐eastern Tuscany. These results reinforce the hypothesis that distinct geographic areas, probably associated with different ecological niches, can drive the selection of BNp strains, also favouring the entrance of unusual ‘Ca. Phytoplasma solani’ genotypes in vineyards.
Lisbon's Red Belt: A Cautionary Tale on Politicisation and Depoliticisation of the Urban Realm
Authors: Drago Ana
Published: September 2018

Within the making of Portuguese liberal‐representative democracy, the Portuguese Communist Party became a major actor in local government in urban deprived peripheries, shaping Lisbon's Red Belt. In this article, we analyse the communist discourse on the Portuguese urban question, showing how it politicised the urban as a site of unevenness and deprivation, but simultaneously depoliticised it by refusing to acknowledge it as a proper space for conflict. This historical account leads us to a critical debate with proposals that discuss urban politicisation by ontologising “the urban” or “the political”—we argue that these approaches tend to be less helpful in understanding processes of contingent, partial and inter‐related forms of politicisation/depoliticisation of the urban in itself. In contrast, we argue for a more attentive theorisation on politicisation–depoliticisation of the urban condition as a most valuable path to grasp situated formulations of citizenship and, hence, configurations of political regimes.
Identification and characterization of dendritic cell subtypes in preserved and cultured cadaveric human corneolimbal tissue on amniotic membrane
Authors: Lužnik Zala , Kopitar Andreja Nataša , Lapajne Luka , Pižem Jože , Ferrari Stefano , Ihan Alojz , Hawlina Marko , Schollmayer Petra
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Rejection is the leading cause of failure of limbal allogafts. Resident dendritic cell (DC) maturation plays a critical role in host allosensitization. There are two lineages: myeloid (mDC) and lymphoid (pDC), with different biological properties. The aim was to analyse the distribution of DC subtypes in limbal explant cultures on amniotic membrane (AM), cultivated on either the epithelial or stromal side and to compare the results with directly isolated cells from cadaveric whole corneoscleral tissue divided into specific areas.

Methods

The expression of CD11c (mDC), CD303/CD123 (pDC) and costimulatory molecules CD80, CD86 and activation markers HLA‐DR, CD83 was investigated by flow cytometry. Additionally, the corneal epithelium marker CK12 and ABCB5, a new epithelial stem cell marker, were investigated.

Results

Cells positive for pDC and mDC markers were found in all examined areas, with a nonsignificant prevalence of pDC. In limbal explant cultures on AM, the percentage of pDC and mDC was similar, with no statistically significant difference between cultures on epithelial or stromal sides of AM. However, with ex vivo limbal explant cultivation on AM, the pDC content declined significantly (p < 0.05) and the ABCB5 marker was likewise statistically significantly reduced.

Conclusion

This is the first study to characterize the distribution of pDC and mDC subsets in cultured and noncultured human corneolimbal tissue. Additionally, ABCB5 positive cells were identified. These findings might be important for future strategies, allowing preparation of corneolimbal allografts with optimal stem cell content for a longer lasting therapeutic effect.
Zinc finger protein 91 positively regulates the production of IL‐1β in macrophages by activation of MAPKs and non‐canonical caspase‐8 inflammasome
Authors: Mi Chunliu , Wang Zhe , Li Ming Yue , Zhang Zhi Hong , Ma Juan , Jin Xuejun
Published: September 2018

Background and Purpose

IL‐1β is a cytokine of critical importance in inflammatory, infectious and autoimmune diseases. Zinc finger protein 91 (ZFP91) has been reported to be involved in multiple biological processes. Here, we identified a previously unknown role for ZFP91 in the production of biologically active IL‐1β and investigated the underlying mechanisms of its effects.

Experimental Approach

In vitro, the underlying mechanisms of ZFP91 at inhibiting the expression of IL‐1β were investigated by ELISA, RT‐PCR, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence assays. In vivo, colitis was induced by giving 4% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) p.o. in drinking water for 5 days. Peritonitis was induced by injecting 700 μg alum i.p. for 12 h.

Key Results

ZFP91 activated the non‐canonical caspase‐8 inflammasome, which resulted in robust IL‐1β secretion. Using an immunoprecipitation assay and immunofluorescence assay, we found that ZFP91 promoted the assembly of the non‐canonical caspase‐8 inflammasome complex. Moreover, ZFP91 enhanced the activation of ERK, p38 MAPK and JNK in macrophages. In addition, our data demonstrate that the synthesis of pro‐IL‐1β is dependent on activation of these MAPK signalling pathways. In vivo experiments, the symptoms and colonic inflammation associated with DSS‐induced colitis were ameliorated in mice deficient in ZFP91. Furthermore, the inflammation in alum‐induced peritonitis was also attenuated in mice deficient in ZFP91.

Conclusions and Implications

Our research describes a mechanism by which ZFP91 promotes production of IL‐1β under physiological conditions and suggests that ZFP91 may be a promising therapeutic target for intervention in inflammatory, infectious and autoimmune‐related diseases.