bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-throughput data-driven analysis of myofiber composition reveals muscle-specific disease and age-associated patterns
Authors: Raz Vered , Raz Yotam , van de Vijver Davy , Bindellini Davide , van Putten Maaike , van den Akker Erik
Published: November 2018

Contractile properties of myofibers are dictated by the abundance of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoforms. MyHC composition designates muscle function and its alterations could unravel differential muscle involvement in muscular dystrophies and aging. Current analyses are limited to visual assessments in which myofibers expressing multiple MyHC isoforms are prone to misclassifications. As a result, complex patterns and subtle alterations are unidentified. We developed a high-throughput data-driven myofiber analysis to quantitatively describe the variations in myofibers across the muscle. We investigated alterations in myofiber composition between genotypes, two muscles and two age groups. We show that this analysis facilitates the discovery of complex myofiber compositions and its dependency on age, muscle type and genetic conditions.
Experience-specific anterograde amnesia: memory reacquisition deficit phenomenon and its characterization in the vertebrate learning model
Authors: Tiunova A. A. , Bezryadnov D. V. , Gaeva D.R. , Solodovnikov V.S. , Anokhin K.V.
Published: November 2018

A common assumption from experiments that interfere with memory consolidation is that the resultant amnesia returns the brain of an animal to a tabula rasa state with respect to disturbed experience. However, recent studies in terrestrial snail classical conditioning revealed an odd phenomenon: animals were unable to relearn conditioned avoidance of specific food after this memory had been impaired by protein-synthesis inhibitors or N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists. Here we examined whether such specific memory reacquisition deficit can also be observed in vertebrate learning. We trained day-old chicks in a one-trial passive avoidance task by presenting them a bead of a specific color covered with a repellent substance, methyl anthranilate. Training was preceded by administration of the protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin or the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801. Both drugs produced permanent amnesia, and no spontaneous recovery of memory was observed. A second training was given to the amnestic animals either using a bead of the same color (retraining) or a new color (novel training). The interval between the first and second training was 2 or 24 h, and the retention test was given from 30 min to 48 h after the second training. Retraining of the amnestic chicks with the bead that was presented during the initial training failed to produce new avoidance memory for this stimulus at all the between-training and training-to-test intervals. This memory reacquisition deficit was specific and was not transferred to a new conditioned stimulus, which was readily learned. We suggest that such pharmacologically induced experience-specific anterograde amnesia might reflect general properties of normal memory allocation, and we discuss its possible neural bases.
SHARP: Single-cell RNA-seq Hyper-fast and Accurate Processing via Ensemble Random Projection
Authors: Wan Shibiao , Kim Junil , Won Kyoung Jae
Published: November 2018

To process large-scale single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) data effectively without excessive distortion during dimension reduction, we present SHARP, an ensemble random projection-based algorithm which is scalable to clustering 10 million cells. Comprehensive benchmarking tests on 17 public scRNA-seq datasets demonstrate that SHARP outperforms existing methods in terms of speed and accuracy. Particularly, for large-size datasets (>40,000 cells), SHARP’s running speed far excels other competitors while maintaining high clustering accuracy and robustness. To the best of our knowledge, SHARP is the only R-based tool that is scalable to clustering scRNA-seq data with 10 million cells.
Global analysis of N6-methyladenosine functions and its disease association using deep learning and network-based methods
Authors: Zhang Song-Yao , Zhang Shao-Wu , Fan Xiaonan , Meng Jia , Chen Yidong , Gao Shoujiang , Huang Yufei
Published: November 2018

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant methylation, existing in >25% of human mRNAs. Exciting recent discoveries indicate the close involvement of m6A in regulating many different aspects of mRNA metabolism and diseases like cancer. However, our current knowledge about how m6A levels are controlled and whether and how regulation of m6A levels of a specific gene can play a role in cancer and other diseases is mostly elusive. We propose in this paper a computational scheme for predicting m6A-regulated genes and m6A-associated disease, which includes Deep-m6A, the first model for detecting condition-specific m6A sites from MeRIP-Seq data with a single base resolution using deep learning and a new network-based pipeline that prioritizes functional significant m6A genes and its associated diseases using the Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) and gene-disease heterogeneous networks. We applied Deep-m6A and this pipeline to 75 MeRIP-seq human samples, which produced a compact set of 709 functionally significant m6A-regulated genes and nine functionally enriched subnetworks. The functional enrichment analysis of these genes and networks reveal that m6A targets key genes of many critical biological processes including transcription, cell organization and transport, and cell proliferation and cancer-related pathways such as Wnt pathway. The m6A-associated disease analysis prioritized five significantly associated diseases including leukemia and renal cell carcinoma. These results demonstrate the power of our proposed computational scheme and provide new leads for understanding m6A regulatory functions and its roles in diseases.

Author summary

The goal of this work is to identify functional significant m6A-regulated genes and m6A-associated diseases from analyzing an extensive collection of MeRIP-seq data. To achieve this, we first developed Deep-m6A, a CNN model for single-base m6A prediction. To our knowledge, this is the first condition-specific single-base m6A site prediction model that combines mRNA sequence feature and MeRIP-Seq data. The 10-fold cross-validation and test on an independent dataset showthat Deep-m6A outperformed two sequence-based models. We applied Deep-m6A followed by network-based analysis using HotNet2 and RWRH to 75 human MeRIP-Seq samples from various cells and tissue under different conditions to globally detect m6A-regulated genes and further predict m6A mediated functions and associated diseases. This is also to our knowledge the first attempt to predict m6A functions and associated diseases using only computational methods in a global manner on a large number of human MeRIP-Seq samples. The predicted functions and diseases show considerable consistent with those reported in the literature, which demonstrated the power of our proposed pipeline to predict potential m6A mediated functions and associated diseases.
Partitioned coalescence support reveals biases in species-tree methods and detects gene trees that determine phylogenomic conflicts
Authors: Gatesy John , Sloan Daniel B. , Warren Jessica M. , Baker Richard H. , Simmons Mark P. , Springer Mark S.
Published: November 2018

Genomic datasets sometimes support unconventional or conflicting phylogenetic relationships when different tree-building methods are applied. Coherent interpretations of such results are enabled by partitioning support for controversial relationships among the constituent genes of a phylogenomic dataset. For the supermatrix (= concatenation) approach, several simple methods that measure the distribution of support and conflict among loci were introduced over 15 years ago. More recently, partitioned coalescence support (PCS) was developed for phylogenetic coalescence methods that account for incomplete lineage sorting and use the summed fits of gene trees to estimate the species tree. Here, we automate computation of PCS to permit application of this index to genome-scale matrices that include hundreds of loci. Reanalyses of four phylogenomic datasets for amniotes, land plants, skinks, and angiosperms demonstrate how PCS scores can be used to: 1) compare conflicting results favored by alternative coalescence methods, 2) identify outlier gene trees that have a disproportionate influence on the resolution of contentious relationships, 3) assess the effects of missing data in species-trees analysis, and 4) clarify biases in commonly-implemented coalescence methods and support indices. We show that key phylogenomic conclusions from these analyses often hinge on just a few gene trees and that results can be driven by specific biases of a particular coalescence method and/or the extreme weight placed on gene trees with high taxon sampling. Attributing exceptionally high weight to some gene trees and very low weight to other gene trees counters the basic logic of phylogenomic coalescence analysis; even clades in species trees with high support according to commonly used indices (likelihood-ratio test, bootstrap, Bayesian local posterior probability) can be unstable to the removal of only one or two gene trees with high PCS. Computer simulations cannot adequately describe all of the contingencies and complexities of empirical genetic data. PCS scores complement simulation work by providing specific insights into a particular dataset given the assumptions of the phylogenetic coalescence method that is applied. In combination with standard measures of nodal support, PCS provides a more complete understanding of the overall genomic evidence for contested evolutionary relationships in species trees.
Prefrontal cortical ChAT-VIP interneurons provide local excitation by cholinergic synaptic transmission and control attention
Authors: Obermayer Joshua , Luchicchi Antonio , de Kloet Sybren F. , Terra Huub , Bruinsma Bastiaan , Heistek Tim S. , Mnie-Filali Oissame , Kortleven Christian , Kroon Tim , Jonker Allert J. , Khalil Ayoub J. , de Haan Roel , Goriounova Natalia A. , van den Berg Wilma D.J. , de Kock Christiaan P.J. , Pattij Tommy , Mansvelder Huibert D.
Published: November 2018

Neocortical choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-expressing interneurons are a subclass of vasoactive intestinal peptide (ChAT-VIP) neurons of which circuit and behavioural function are unknown. It has also not been addressed whether these neurons release both neurotransmitters acetylcholine (ACh) and GABA. Here, we find that in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), ChAT-VIP neurons directly excite interneurons in layers (L)1-3 as well as pyramidal neurons in L2/3 and L6 by fast cholinergic transmission. Dual recordings of presynaptic ChAT-VIP neurons and postsynaptic L1 interneurons show fast nicotinic receptor currents strictly time-locked to single presynaptic action potentials. A fraction (10-20%) of postsynaptic neurons that received cholinergic input from ChAT-VIP interneurons also received GABAergic input from these neurons. In contrast to regular VIP interneurons, ChAT-VIP neurons did not disinhibit pyramidal neurons, but instead depolarized fast spiking and low threshold spiking interneurons. Finally, we find that ChAT-VIP neurons control attention behaviour distinctly from basal forebrain ACh inputs to mPFC. Our findings show that ChAT-VIP neurons are a local source of cortical ACh, that directly excite pyramidal and interneurons throughout cortical layers.
In vitro characterization of the human segmentation clock
Authors: Diaz-Cuadros Margarete , Wagner Daniel E , Budjan Christoph , Hubaud Alexis , Touboul Jonathan , Michaut Arthur , Tanoury Ziad Al , Yoshioka-Kobayashi Kumiko , Niino Yusuke , Kageyama Ryoichiro , Miyawaki Atsushi , Pourquié Olivier
Published: November 2018

The vertebral column is characterized by the periodic arrangement of vertebrae along the anterior-posterior (AP) axis. This segmental or metameric organization is established early in embryogenesis when pairs of embryonic segments called somites are rhythmically produced by the presomitic mesoderm (PSM). The tempo of somite formation is controlled by a molecular oscillator known as the segmentation clock 1,2. While this oscillator has been well characterized in model organisms 1,2, whether a similar oscillator exists in humans remains unknown. We have previously shown that human embryonic stem (ES) cells or induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells can differentiate in vitro into PSM upon activation of the Wnt signaling pathway combined with BMP inhibition3. Here, we show that these human PSM cells exhibit Notch and YAP-dependent oscillations4 of the cyclic gene HES7 with a 5-hour period. Single cell RNA-sequencing comparison of the differentiating iPS cells with mouse PSM reveals that human PSM cells follow a similar differentiation path and exhibit a remarkably coordinated differentiation sequence. We also demonstrate that FGF signaling controls the phase and period of the oscillator. This contrasts with classical segmentation models such as the “Clock and Wavefront” 1,2,5, where FGF merely implements a signaling threshold specifying where oscillations stop. Overall, our work identifying the human segmentation clock represents an important breakthrough for human developmental biology.
Fast, sensitive, and accurate integration of single cell data with Harmony
Authors: Korsunsky Ilya , Fan Jean , Slowikowski Kamil , Zhang Fan , Wei Kevin , Baglaenko Yuriy , Brenner Michael , Loh Po-Ru , Raychaudhuri Soumya
Published: November 2018

The rapidly emerging diversity of single cell RNAseq datasets allows us to characterize the transcriptional behavior of cell types across a wide variety of biological and clinical conditions. With this comprehensive breadth comes a major analytical challenge. The same cell type across tissues, from different donors, or in different disease states, may appear to express different genes. A joint analysis of multiple datasets requires the integration of cells across diverse conditions. This is particularly challenging when datasets are assayed with different technologies in which real biological differences are interspersed with technical differences. We present Harmony, an algorithm that projects cells into a shared embedding in which cells group by cell type rather than dataset-specific conditions. Unlike available single-cell integration methods, Harmony can simultaneously account for multiple experimental and biological factors. We develop objective metrics to evaluate the quality of data integration. In four separate analyses, we demonstrate the superior performance of Harmony to four single-cell-specific integration algorithms. Moreover, we show that Harmony requires dramatically fewer computational resources. It is the only available algorithm that makes the integration of ∼ 106 cells feasible on a personal computer. We demonstrate that Harmony identifies both broad populations and fine-grained subpopulations of PBMCs from datasets with large experimental differences. In a meta-analysis of 14,746 cells from 5 studies of human pancreatic islet cells, Harmony accounts for variation among technologies and donors to successfully align several rare subpopulations. In the resulting integrated embedding, we identify a previously unidentified population of potentially dysfunctional alpha islet cells, enriched for genes active in the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) stress response. The abundance of these alpha cells correlates across donors with the proportion of dysfunctional beta cells also enriched in ER stress response genes. Harmony is a fast and flexible general purpose integration algorithm that enables the identification of shared fine-grained subpopulations across a variety of experimental and biological conditions.
Genome-wide strategies reveal target genes of Npas4l associated with cardiovascular development in zebrafish
Authors: Marass Michele , Beisaw Arica , Gerri Claudia , Luzzani Francesca , Fukuda Nana , Günther Stefan , Kuenne Carsten , Reischauer Sven , Stainier Didier Y. R.
Published: November 2018

The development of a vascular network is essential to nourish tissues and sustain organ function throughout life. Endothelial cells (ECs) are the building blocks of blood vessels, yet our understanding of EC specification remains incomplete. zebrafishcloche/npas4lmutants have been used broadly as an avascular model, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms of action of the Npas4l transcription factor. Here, to identify its direct and indirect target genes, we combined complementary genome-wide approaches including transcriptome analyses and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). The cross-analysis of these datasets indicates that Npas4l functions as a master regulator by directly inducing a group of transcription factor genes crucial for hematoendothelial specification such asetv2,tal1andlmo2. We also identified new targets of Npas4l and investigated the function of a subset of them using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Phenotypic characterization oftspan18bmutants reveals a novel player in developmental angiogenesis, confirming the reliability of the datasets generated. Collectively, these data represent a useful resource for future studies aimed to better understand EC fate determination and vascular development.
Parameter Identifiability of the Generalized Lotka-Volterra Model for Microbiome Studies
Authors: Remien Christopher H , Eckwright Mariah J , Ridenhour Benjamin J
Published: November 2018

Background

Population dynamic models can be used in conjunction with time series of species abundances to infer interactions. Understanding microbial interactions is a prerequisite for numerous goals in microbiome research; predicting how populations change over time, determining how manipulations of microbiomes affect dynamics, and designing synthetic microbiomes to perform tasks are just a few examples. As such, there is great interest in adapting population dynamic theory for microbial systems. Despite the appeal, numerous hurdles exist. One hurdle is that the data commonly obtained from DNA sequencing yield estimates of relative abundances, while population dynamic models such as the generalized Lotka-Volterra model track absolute abundances or densities. It is not clear whether relative abundance data alone can be used to infer parameters of population dynamic models such as the Lotka-Volterra model.

Results

We used structural identifiability analyses to determine the extent to which time series of relative abundances can be used to parameterize the generalized Lotka-Volterra model. We found that only with absolute abundance data to accompany relative abundance estimates from sequencing can all parameters be uniquely identified. However, relative abundance data alone do contain information on relative interaction strengths, which is sufficient for many studies where the goal is to estimate key interactions and their effects on dynamics. Our results also indicate that the relative interaction rates that can be estimated using relative abundance data provide ample information to estimate relative changes of absolute abundance over time. Using synthetic data for which we know the underlying structure, we found our results to be robust to modest amounts of both process and measurement error.

Conclusions

Fitting the generalized Lotka-Volterra model to time-series sequencing data typically requires either assuming a constant population size or performing additional measurements to obtain absolute abundances. We have found that these assumptions are not strictly necessary because relative abundance data alone contain sufficient information to estimate relative rates of interaction, and thus to infer key drivers of microbial population dynamics.
Simultaneous mesoscopic Ca2+ imaging and fMRI: Neuroimaging spanning spatiotemporal scales
Authors: Lake Evelyn MR , Ge Xinxin , Shen Xilin , Herman Peter , Hyder Fahmeed , Cardin Jessica A , Higley Michael J , Scheinost Dustin , Papademetris Xenophon , Crair Michael C , Constable R Todd
Published: November 2018

To achieve a more comprehensive understanding of brain function requires simultaneous measurement of activity across a range of spatiotemporal scales. However, the appropriate tools to perform such studies are largely unavailable. Here, we present a novel approach for concurrent wide-field optical and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). By merging these two modalities, we are for the first time able to simultaneously acquire whole-brain blood-oxygen-level-dependent and whole-cortex calcium-sensitive fluorescent measures of brain activity. We describe the developments that allow us to combine these modalities without compromising the fidelity of either technique. In a transgenic murine model, we examine correspondences between activity measured using these modalities and identify unique and complementary features of each. Our approach links cell-type specific optical measurements of neural activity to the most widely used method for assessing human brain function. These data and approach directly establish the neural basis for the macroscopic connectivity patterns observed with fMRI.
Socio-spatial distribution of urban residents in a small-sized city
Authors: Alkay Elif , Kaya Hasan Serdar
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This study aims to explore the pattern of urban residents’ socio-spatial distribution in a small-sized city where the local housing market capacity and variety is limited.

Design/methodology/approach

Spatial variation was reflected by two different analysis. First, factor analysis was applied to determine the major dimensions of the social, economic and housing environment in the investigation area. Second, Kriging maps, which depict the socio-spatial distribution pattern of the households according to major dimensions, were produced by interpolating factor scores on a continuous surface. Those were supported by complementary exploratory analysis to deepen the discussion.

Findings

Homogenous distribution of similar groups to housing areas and low inner differentiation particularly within lower income neighborhoods are the noticeable results of the analysis set. Ethnicity and income differentiation are the principal determinants of socio-spatial distribution pattern in our case. The constraints of the local housing market are seemed to facilitate spatial separation. Disadvantaged population groups are limited to small niches within the urban fabric; they are relegated to poor quality neighborhoods or to unpopular inner-city housing estates.

Research limitations/implications

This research has been performed for the small size city in Turkey and may not hold for other areas, even though the methodology can be replicated and the mechanisms at play are quite similar elsewhere.

Practical implications

The internal differentiation of urban residents’ is worth investigation to develop consistent housing and planning policies to overcome prospective social exclusion problems. This study has a potential of remarking the importance of policy-based economic and housing development in smaller cities in Turkey.

Social implications

Analyses displayed a sectoral structure of the distribution of urban residents but lower inner differentiation within neighborhoods. Limitations of the housing stock facilitate substantial level of isolation to the extent of ethnicity. Two different ethnic groups are confined to small niches, and they are ethnically and economically tied down to their neighborhoods. The physical properties and the quality of both dwellings and the housing environment are the poorest in these areas, and these are unpopular housing areas by the majority of the population. These findings are supposed to give direction of setting consistent housing policies in the case area.

Originality/value

This research is one of the initial research on socio-spatial distribution of urban residents to housing areas in Turkey. It is also one of the rare examples of socio-spatial differentiation study in small-sized city in the literature. The authors have shown that socio-spatial differentiation would be severe even in small size housing markets as opposed to expectation.
Parent brands’ influence on co-brand’s perception: a model-based approach
Authors: Böger Daniel , Kottemann Pascal , Decker Reinhold
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate what influence the perceptions of two parent brands have on the perception of a newly formed co-brand. Furthermore, it elaborates whether respondents’ evaluations of the parent brands, their familiarity towards the parent brands and their usage of the parent brands affect this influence.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on both cognitive consistency and information integration theory, this paper proposes a model-based approach to quantify the parent brands’ influence on the co-brand’s perception. Using an empirical study with 317 respondents collected by a professional online market research firm, this paper highlights the benefits of this model-based approach.

Findings

The results indicate that the perception of a co-brand arises from a weighted merge of the parent brands’ perceptions. The findings further reveal that the better (worse) a parent brand’s evaluation is in contrast to the other parent brand’s evaluation, the more (less) familiar a parent brand is in contrast to the other parent brand, and the more (less) frequent a parent brand is used in contrast to the other parent brand, the larger (smaller) is its influence on the co-brand’s perception.

Originality/value

The findings shed light on the formation of a co-brand’s perception which can be crucial when selecting the right co-branding partner. Additionally, by quantifying the parent brands’ influence on the perception of the co-brand, this model-based approach helps brand managers to analyze co-brand pairings beforehand and select the best pairing in accordance with their goals.
Integrating methods for the prioritization of innovations and improvements in services
Authors: Picolo Jaime Dagostim , Tontini Gérson
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to present a methodology for the prioritization of innovations and improvements in services and products that integrates penalty–reward contrast analysis (PRCA) and improvement gap analysis (IGA).

Design/methodology/approach

The presented method is theoretically developed and simulated. It uses a case study with 290 clients of supermarkets, evaluating 16 attributes of this service, to demonstrate the advantages of integrating PRCA and IGA.

Findings

The integration of PRCA and IGA provides benefits that outweigh the use of each method individually. The joint use of these methods allows the identification of possible nonlinear impact of attributes on customers’ overall satisfaction, allowing managerial recommendations to be made with greater discriminatory power, in addition to qualifying the identification of innovative attributes.

Originality/value

Managers must be aware of the effect of the interaction of innovative attributes with attributes already used by the company. At the same time, it is appropriate to verify whether there is potential to improve the existing attributes. The literature shows that PRCA identifies the nonlinear influence of customers’ satisfaction with individual attributes on overall satisfaction, but it fails to identify the possible impact of innovative attributes. In turn, IGA identifies innovative attributes but does not identify how the attributes influence overall satisfaction. Thus, the benefits of integrating PRCA and IGA outweigh the individual limitations of each method, thereby increasing the quality of managerial recommendations. Moreover, a limitation of PRCA makes this method useful for identifying innovative attributes in relation to attractive attributes identified by the IGA method.
Bank capital and liquidity creation: new evidence from a quantile regression approach
Authors: Mazioud Chaabouni Manel , Zouaoui Haykel , Ellouz Nidhal Ziedi
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of bank capital on liquidity creation. Especially, the authors test two competing hypotheses: the “risk absorption” hypothesis and the “financial fragility-crowding out” hypothesis that describe such association in the context of UK and French banking industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use data collected from Bankscope for commercial banks pertaining to the aforementioned countries. The sample period ranges from 2000 to 2014. Liquidity creation was measured using a novel approach proposed by Berger and Bouwman (2007). This study uses the quantile regression (QR) and the instrumental variables QR, along with classical ordinary least squares (OLS) and panel regression, to deal with the mixed results reported by previous papers.

Findings

Using OLS and panel regression, the authors first find that bank capital negatively affects liquidity creation which supports risk absorption hypothesis. Second, the result from QR confirms the negative association between the aforementioned variables and shows that the effect is homogenous across quantiles of liquidity creation distribution. The result remains unchanged when using the QR with instrumental variables to address the potential problem of endogeneity.

Originality/value

This paper sheds more lights on the relationship between bank capital and liquidity creation by using a novel estimation approach based on the QR methodology.
Prior fracture and refracture among patients admitted with hip fracture: Data from a regional hip fracture registry in Sri Lanka
Authors: Sabapathippillai Saumyarika , Lekamwasam Sarath
Published: November 2018

Aim

Fragility hip fracture has become a major global health concern. Data related to recurrent fragility fractures are sparse in the South Asian region.

Method

We assessed the prevalence of prior fragility fracture among patients admitted with new hip fracture to a tertiary care hospital in southern Sri Lanka. Also the incidence of refracture was assessed among hip fracture survivors followed up for 24 months after discharge.

Results

Three hundred and nine patients with incident hip fracture were admitted during the study period (June 2014‐February 2015) and 11 patients died while in the ward. We detected previous fracture in the contralateral hip in eight patients, while two others had distal radius fracture and one patient clinical vertebral fracture (rate = 3.6%). During the follow up two patients developed fractures in the contralateral hip while either clinical vertebral or distal forearm fractures were not detected (refracture rate = 0.004/person years).

Conclusion

This analysis based on a regional hip fracture registry shows a low prevalence of prior fracture among patients admitted with incident hip fracture and a low rate of refracture among survivors. More studies are needed to assess whether there are geographical variations in the prevalence of prior fracture or refracture among patients with incident hip fracture.
Impact of EUSTAR standardized training on accuracy of modified Rodnan skin score in patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Park Jun Won , Ahn Ga Young , Kim Ji‐Won , Park Eun Seong , Kang Ji‐Hyoun , Chang Sung Hae , Choi In Ah , Yoo Su‐Jin , Park Jin Kyun , Shin Kichul , Park Yong‐Beom , Jun Jae‐Bum , Czirják László , Allanore Yannick , Matucci‐Cerinic Marco , Lee Eun Bong
Published: November 2018

Objectives

To investigate the impact of European Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) standardized training on the accuracy of modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods

Eight SSc patients (four diffuse, four limited) and 10 physicians (4 fellows, 6 professors) were included. Gold‐standard mRSS was performed by a senior instructor. Training comprised a video presentation and a live demonstration. Each physician performed mRSS with no clinical information in all patients: (a) before training; (b) after video session; and (c) after live demonstration. Primary outcome was the change in scoring accuracy, which was defined as the difference from the gold‐standard skin score, as analyzed using a linear mixed model.

Results

Mean (standard deviation) difference from the gold‐standard score in all measurements by participants before the training was 7.7 (9.5). Completion of training significantly enhanced mRSS accuracy (adjusted β = −7.61; 95% CI: −11.91 to −3.32). This was largely attributable to the video presentation (adjusted β = −5.47; −9.16 to −1.78), although the live demonstration was associated with numerical reduction in the difference from the gold‐standard score (adjusted β = −2.15; −5.84 to 1.55). Effect of training was prominent in fellows whereas professors showed an increase in the difference from gold‐standard score after training (P value for interaction <0.001). The intraclass correlation coefficient for physician skin scores was acceptable. However, no significant change was observed after training.

Conclusion

New EUSTAR standardized mRSS training significantly enhanced mRSS accuracy, especially in participant with less previous experience in skin scoring.
Conjoint Removal of Hip Screw–Femur Head during Hip Replacement after Previous Dynamic Hip Screw Fixation
Authors: Kittanakere Ramanath Sharath , Hemant Shah Rahul , Kaushik Kanika
Published: November 2018

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the reduced chances of iatrogenic femoral neck fracture while removing the Richard's screw using the dynamic hip screw–femur head conjoint removal technique. This retrospective cohort study analyzed 16 hips operated on with total hip arthroplasty from March 2010 to February 2015. All cases were previously treated with dynamic hip screws (DHS) for proximal femur fractures. The age of the patients ranged from 20 to 75 years. We used uncemented sockets in 15 patients and cemented sockets in 1 patient. We used conical fluted straight stems in 9 cases, ML (Mediolateral) tapered stems in 5 patients and CLS (Cementless Spotorno) stems in 2 patients. The head of the femur was removed together with the attached Richard's screw after taking a neck cut during hip replacement after previous dynamic hip screw fixation. At 2‐year follow‐up, there was a statistically significant improvement in the Harris hip score: from a mean preoperative score of 35 ± 7.975 to a mean postoperative score of 89.38 ± 4.870 (P < 0.001). Stem sinking and Type AL (Vancouver classification for periprosthetic fracture) periprosthetic fracture in 1 patient with a tapered stem was noted. Good acetabular inclination was achieved in all cases. At 2‐year follow‐up, all patients were able to carry out their daily activities. This is a novel technique with the advantage of avoiding iatrogenic femoral neck fracture in an osteoporotic bone.
Meeting the need or falling in line? The effect of laissez‐faire formal leaders on informal leadership
Authors: Wellman Ned , Newton Daniel W. , Wang Danni , Wei Wu , Waldman David A. , LePine Jeffery A.
Published: November 2018

We consider the utility of two contrasting theoretical perspectives in explaining how laissez‐faire formal leaders and team member motivation to lead (MTL) influences informal leadership and team task performance. The first perspective, functional leadership theory, is the dominant lens used currently to understand informal leadership. However, we suggest that social learning theory offers a compelling alternative account. In a multiwave survey study of 344 members of 72 work teams, we find support for the social learning theory predictions that laissez‐faire formal leaders are perceived by team members to engage in less modeling of effective leadership and as a result are negatively associated with informal leadership and team task performance. We do not find support for the functional leadership theory predictions that laissez‐faire formal leaders are positively associated with team members’ informal leadership and team task performance, which would be due to an increased perceived need for leadership. The social learning effects are stronger for teams that are lower in member MTL and weaker for teams that are higher in member MTL. These results suggest social learning theory may be preferable to functional leadership theory for understanding informal leadership in teams.
FAKTOR PEMBERIAN HIBAH MENURUT PERSPEKTIF PENTADBIR TANAH (FACTORS OF GRANTING HIBAH FROM THE LAND ADMINISTRATION'S PERSPECTIVE)
Authors: Kamarudin Mohd Khairy , Nor Muhammad Nasrul Hisyam
Published: November 2018

Hibah through transfer the ownership of land is a regular practice among Muslims in Malaysia. Transfer the ownership of land can be completed in the Land Office by using Form 14A. However, there are many disagreements among the heirs towards the equality of transfer ownership as many cases concerning the validity and the withdrawal of the hibah in court. So the question arises, how the selection of beneficiaries by the grantors for their property. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify transfer of the land ownership, according to the Land Administrator perspective. This study applies a qualitative approach in which semi-structured interviews with Land Administrator was conducted. The results indicates that parents transfer his/her land to the children as to avoid property is distributed according to the law of inheritance  and help their  children due to economic constraints.
The Effect of Similarity Between A Product's Packaging Color and the Benefit Offered on Judgments and Preferences
Authors: Saporta-Sorozon Keli
Published: November 2018

Studies show a product's color affects consumer behavior. Yet the basic principle that governs color effects is unclear. In this study, we fill this gap. We demonstrate that causal-reasoning considerations govern color effects. Specifically, people expect that a cause and its effect should exhibit some degree of resemblance or congruency (“like causes like”), which leads them to use the “law of similarity” heuristic. In two studies, using various products, we focused on an irrelevant aspect of the product’s color—the color of its packaging. We demonstrate that the same ad (e.g., a patch that prevents mosquito bites) was more persuasive (willingness to purchase the product – henceforth WTP, and preference) when the product’s packaging color was congruent (pinkish) with the effect promised (calm skin) than when it was not (red).We strengthen the notion that leaning on a cause-effect-similarity heuristic is very basic, by showing that individual differences in thinking style have a very small effect on moderating this tendency.In line with other studies, which shows that causal-reasoning considerations (as previous knowledge and metal causal structure) govern judgment and choice on artifacts (products), the present study demonstrates that causal-reasoning considerations govern judgment and choice concerning cause-effect similarity heuristic as well.
Automated Creation of the Pipeline Digital Twin During Construction: Improvement to Construction Quality and Pipeline Integrity
Authors: Hlady Joseph , Glanzer Matt , Fugate Lance
Published: November 2018

The concept of the digital twin dates all the way back to the 1950’s when NASA, GE and other industrial manufacturers started creating abstract digital models of equipment to model their performance in simulations and maintain a record of the asset throughout its life span [1]. Over the years more and more industries have adopted the digital twin paradigm to improve traceability, maintenance, and analytics allowing for improved sustainment of the asset or equipment while reducing various risks identified during life cycle management. It has been found that collectively, the digital twin concept improves the overall net present value of an asset. The oil and gas industry has slowly been adopting the digital twin paradigm of asset life cycle management over the past two decades with the focus on facilities. Recently, field trials were completed to test and evaluate workflows and sensor platforms for the creation of a digital twin for pipelines. The trials resulted in highly accurate pipeline centerlines, weld locations, Depth to Cover (DoC) and ditch geometry capture in digital formats. This paper describes the methodologies used, and the results of an actual construction field trial with a comparison to traditional data collection methods for these attributes. The value of creating a pipeline digital twin during pipeline construction in near-real-time is discussed with an emphasis on the potential benefits to life cycle management and pipeline integrity.
Integrity Risk-Informed Decision Making
Authors: Hassanien Sherif , Langer Doug , Abdolrazaghi Mona
Published: November 2018

Over the last three decades, safety-critical industries (e.g. Nuclear, Aviation) have witnessed an evolution from risk-based to risk-informed safety management approaches, in which quantitative risk assessment is only one component of the decision making process. While the oil and gas pipeline industry has recently made several advancements towards safety management processes, their safety performance may still be seen to fall below the expected level achieved by other safety-critical industries. The intent of this paper is to focus on the safety decision making process within pipeline integrity management systems. Pipeline integrity rules, routines, and procedures are commonly based on regulatory requirements, industry best practices, and engineering experience; where they form “programmed” decisions. Non-programmed safety and business decisions are unique and “usually” unstructured, where solutions are worked out as problems arise. Non-programmed decision making requires more activities towards defining decision alternatives and mutual adjustment by stakeholders in order to reach an optimal decision. Theoretically, operators are expected to be at a maturity level where programmed decisions are ready for most, if not all, of their operational problems. However, such expectations might only cover certain types of threats and integrity situations. Herein, a formal framework for non-programmed integrity decisions is introduced. Two common decision making frameworks; namely, risk-based and risk-informed are briefly discussed. In addition, the paper reviews the recent advances in nuclear industry in terms of decision making, introduces a combined technical and management decision making process called integrity risk-informed decision making (IRIDM), and presents a guideline for making integrity decisions.
Pipeline Geohazard Assessment: Bridging the Gap Between Integrity Management and Construction Safety Contexts
Authors: Read Rodney S.
Published: November 2018

Geohazards are threats of a geological, geotechnical, hydrological, or seismic/tectonic nature that may negatively affect people, infrastructure and/or the environment. In a pipeline integrity management context, geohazards are considered under the time-independent threat category of Weather-related and Outside Force in the American standard ASME B31.8S. Geotechnical failure of pipelines due to ground movement is addressed in Annex H and elsewhere in the Canadian standard CSA-Z662. Both of these standards allow flexibility in terms of geohazard assessment as part of pipeline integrity management. As a result of this flexibility, many systems for identifying, characterizing, analyzing and managing geohazards have been developed by operators and geotechnical engineering practitioners. The evolution of these systems, and general expectations regarding geohazard assessment, toward quantitative geohazard frequency assessment is a trend in recent pipeline hearings and regulatory filings in Canada. While this trend is intended to frame geohazard assessment in an objective and repeatable manner, partitioning the assessment into a series of conditional probability estimates, the reality is that there is always an element of subjectivity in assigning these conditional probabilities, requiring subject matter expertise and expert judgment to make informed and defensible decisions. Defining a specific risk context (typically loss of containment from a pipeline) and communicating uncertainty are important aspects of applying these types of systems. Adoption of these approaches for alternate risk contexts, such as worker safety during pipeline construction, is challenging in that the specific geohazards and threat scenarios considered for long-term pipeline integrity may or may not adequately represent all credible threats during pipeline construction. This paper explores the commonalities and differences in short- and long-term framing of geohazard assessment, and offers guidance for extending geohazard assessment for long-term pipeline integrity to other contexts such as construction safety.
Program to Evaluate Readiness Levels of Pipeline-Oriented Technologies
Authors: Alexander Chris , Kulkarni Satish
Published: November 2018

Technology plays a critical role in the oil and gas sector, and the pipeline industry is no exception. Maintaining the integrity of high pressure oil and gas pipeline requires the use of advanced technologies. A challenge that confronts every pipeline operator is the risk posed in the deployment of unproven technologies, especially those associated with the inspection, assessment, monitoring, and rehabilitation of their systems. Use of unproven technologies and concepts puts pipeline operators at risk.

The concept of Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), commonly used in the aerospace and defense industries, provides the pipeline industry with a proven means for evaluating and assessing technologies used to enhance integrity management efforts. This paper presents details on technology readiness levels ranging from Proof of Concept to System Operation. The adoption and implementation of the TRL approach will minimize operator risk and foster the deployment of advanced technologies, thus enhancing the safe operation of high pressure pipelines. Three TRL-oriented case studies will be included evaluating the monitoring of pipelines using fiber optics, inspection using three-dimensional imaging, and reinforcement using optimized composite technologies.