bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Heterogeneous Genomic Samples Using Image Normalization and Machine Learning
Authors: Basodi Sunitha , Baykal Pelin Icer , Zelikovsky Alex , Skums Pavel , Pan Yi
Published: May 2019

Background

Analysis of heterogeneous populations such as viral quasispecies is one of the most challenging bioinformatics problems. Although machine learning models are becoming to be widely employed for the analysis of sequencing data associated with such populations, their straightforward application is impeded by multiple challenges associated with technological limitations and biases, difficulty of selection of relevant features and need to compare genomic datastes of different sizes and structures.

Methods

We propose a novel preprocessing approach to transform irregular genomic data into normalized image data. Such representation allows to restate the problems of classification and comparison of heterogeneous populations as image classification problems which can be solved using variety of available machine learning tools. We then apply the proposed approach to two important molecular epidemiology problems: inference of viral infection stage and detection of viral transmission clusters and outbreaks using next-generation sequencing data.

Results

The infection staging method has been applied to HCV HVR1 samples collected from 108 recently and 257 chronically infected individuals. The SVM-based image classification approach achieved more than 95% accuracy for both recently and chronically HCV-infected individuals. Clustering has been performed on the data collected from 33 epidemiologically curated outbreaks, yielding more than 97% accuracy.

Availability

The developed software is freely available at https://bitbucket.org/adv_bio_coll/chronic_vs_clinic
White matter pathways supporting individual differences in epistemic and perceptual curiosity
Authors: Valji Ashvanti , Priemysheva Alisa , Hodgetts Carl J. , Costigan Alison G. , Parker Greg D. , Graham Kim S. , Lawrence Andrew D. , Gruber Matthias J.
Published: May 2019

Across the lifespan, curiosity motivates us to learn, yet curiosity varies strikingly between individuals. Such individual differences have been shown for two distinct dimensions of curiosity:epistemic curiosity(EC), the desire to acquire conceptual knowledge, andperceptual curiosity(PC), the desire for sensory information. It is not known, however, whether both dimensions of curiosity depend on different brain networks and whether inter-individual differences in curiosity depend on variation in anatomical connectivity within these networks. Here, we investigated the neuroanatomical connections underpinning individual variation in trait curiosity. Fifty-one female participants underwent a two-shell diffusion MRI sequence and completed questionnaires measuring EC and PC. Using deterministic spherical deconvolution tractography we extracted microstructural metrics (fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD)) from two key white matter tracts: the fornix (implicated in novelty processing, exploration, information seeking and episodic memory) and the inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF) (implicated in semantic learning and memory). In line with our predictions, we found that EC – but not PC – correlated with ILF microstructure. Fornix microstructure, in contrast, correlated with both EC and PC, with posterior hippocampal fornix fibres - associated with posterior hippocampal network connectivity - linked to PC specifically. These findings suggest that differences in distinct dimensions of curiosity map systematically onto specific white matter tracts underlying well characterized brain networks. Furthermore, the results pave the way to study the anatomical substrates of inter-individual differences in dimensions of trait curiosity that motivate the learning of distinct forms of knowledge and skills.
Culturable diversity of Arctic phytoplankton during pack ice melting
Authors: Ribeiro Catherine Gérikas , dos Santos Adriana Lopes , Gourvil Priscillia , Gall Florence Le , Marie Dominique , Tragin Margot , Probert Ian , Vaulot Daniel
Published: May 2019

Massive phytoplankton blooms develop at the Arctic ice edge, sometimes extending far under the pack ice. An extensive culturing effort was conducted before and during a phytoplankton bloom in Baffin Bay between April and July 2016. Different isolation strategies were applied, including flow cytometry cell sorting, manual single cell pipetting and serial dilution. Although all three techniques yielded the most common organisms, each technique retrieved specific taxa, highlighting the importance of using several methods to maximize the number and diversity of isolated strains. More than 1,000 cultures were obtained, characterized by 18S rRNA sequencing and optical microscopy and de-replicated to a subset of 276 strains presented in this work. Strains grouped into 57 genotypes defined by 100% 18S rRNA sequence similarity. These genotypes spread across five divisions: Heterokontophyta, Chlorophyta, Cryptophyta, Haptophyta and Dinophyta. Diatoms were the most abundant group (193 strains), mostly represented by the generaChaetocerosandAttheya. The generaRhodomonasandPyramimonaswere the most abundant non-diatom nanoplankton strains, whileMicromonas polarisdominated the picoplankton. Diversity at the class level was higher during the peak of the bloom. Potentially new species were isolated, in particular within the generaNavicula,Nitzschia,Coscinodiscus,Thalassiosira,Pyramimonas,MantoniellaandIsochrysis.

Submitted to: Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene Date: May 17, 2019
Extensive Transcriptional and Translational Regulation Occur During the Maturation of Malaria Parasite Sporozoites
Authors: Lindner Scott E. , Swearingen Kristian E. , Shears Melanie J. , Walker Michael P. , Vrana Erin N. , Hart Kevin J. , Minns Allen M. , Sinnis Photini , Moritz Robert L. , Kappe Stefan H.I.
Published: May 2019

Plasmodium sporozoites are transmitted from an infected mosquito to mammals in which they infect the liver. The infectivity profile of sporozoites changes as they egress from oocysts on the mosquito midgut into the hemocoel, and then invade the salivary glands, where they maintain a poised and infectious state until transmission occurs. Upon transmission, the sporozoite must then navigate the host skin, vasculature, and liver. All of these feats require distinct repertoires of proteins and capabilities that are coordinated in an appropriate temporal manner. Here, we report the comprehensive and dynamic transcriptomes and proteomes of both oocyst sporozoite and salivary gland sporozoite stages in both rodent-infectious Plasmodium yoelii parasites and human-infectious Plasmodium falciparum parasites. These data robustly define mRNAs and proteins that are Upregulated in Oocyst Sporozoites (UOS) or Upregulated in Infectious Sporozoites (UIS), which include critical gene products for sporozoite functions, as well as many of unknown importance that are similarly regulated. Moreover, we found that Plasmodium uses two overlapping, extensive, and independent programs of translational repression across sporozoite maturation to temporally regulate specific genes necessary to successfully navigate the mosquito vector and mammalian host environments. Finally, gene-specific validation experiments of selected, translationally repressed transcripts in P. yoelii confirmed the interpretations of the global transcriptomic and proteomic datasets. Together, these data indicate that two waves of translational repression are implemented and relieved at different times in sporozoite maturation to promote its successful life cycle progression.
Older adults benefit from more widespread brain network integration during working memory
Authors: Crowell C.A. , Davis S.W. , Beynel L. , Deng L. , Lakhlani D. , Hilbig S.A. , Palmer H. , Brito A. , Wang J. , Peterchev A. V , Luber B. , Lisanby S.H. , Appelbaum L.G. , Cabeza R.
Published: May 2019

Neuroimaging evidence suggests that the aging brain relies on a more distributed set of cortical regions than younger adults in order to maintain successful levels of performance during demanding cognitive tasks. However, it remains unclear how task demands give rise to this age-related expansion in cortical networks. To investigate this issue, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to measure univariate activity, network connectivity, and cognitive performance in younger and older adults during a working memory (WM) task. In the WM task investigated, participants hold letters online (maintenance) while reordering them alphabetically (manipulation). WM load was titrated to obtain four individualized difficulty levels. Network integration—defined as the ratio of within-versus between-network connectivity—was linked to individual differences in WM capacity. The study yielded three main findings. First, as task difficulty increased, network integration decreased in younger adults, whereas it increased in older adults. Second, age-related increases in network integration were driven by increases in right hemispheric connectivity to both left and right cortical regions, a finding that helps to reconcile extant theories of compensatory recruitment in aging to address the multivariate dynamics of global network functioning. Lastly, older adults with higher WM capacity demonstrated higher levels of network integration in the most difficult condition. These results shed light on the mechanisms of age-related network reorganization by suggesting that changes in network connectivity may act as an adaptive form of compensation, with older adults recruiting a more distributed cortical network as task demands increase.

Significance statement

Older adults often activate brain regions not engaged by younger adults, but the circumstances under which this widespread network emerges are unclear. Here, we examined the effects of aging on network connectivity between task regions recruited during a working memory (WM) manipulation task, and the rest of the brain. We found an age-related increase in the more global network integration in older adults, and an association between this integration and working memory capacity in older adults. The findings are generally consistent with the compensatory interpretation of these effects.
Genotype Imputation and Reference Panel: A Systematic Evaluation
Authors: Bai Wei-Yang , Zhu Xiao-Wei , Cong Pei-Kuan , Zhang Xue-Jun , Richards J Brent , Zheng Hou-Feng
Published: May 2019

Here, 622 imputations were conducted with 394 customized reference panels for Han Chinese and European populations. Besides validating the fact that the imputation accuracy could always benefit from the increased panel size when the reference panel was population-specific, the results brought two new thoughts as follows. First, when the haplotype size of reference panel was fixed, the imputation accuracy of common and low-frequency variants (MAF>0.5%) decreased while the population-diversity of reference panel increased, but for rare variants (MAF<0.5%), a fraction of diversity (<20%) of panel could improve the imputation accuracy. Second, when the haplotype size of reference panel was increased with extra population-diverse samples, the imputation accuracy of common variants (MAF>5%) for European population could always benefit from the expanding sample size. But for Han Chinese population, the accuracy of all imputed variants reached the highest when reference panel contained a fraction of extra diverse sample (15%∼21%). In addition, we evaluated the existing reference panels such as the HRC and 1000G Phase3 and CONVERGE. For European population, HRC was the best reference panel. For Han Chinese population, we proposed an optimum constituent ratio for the Han Chinese imputation if researchers would like to customize their own sequenced reference panel, but a high quality and large-scale Chinese reference panel was still needed. Our findings could be generalized to the other populations with conservative genome, a tool was provided to investigate other populations of interest (https://github.com/Abyss-bai/reference-panel-reconstruction).

Highlights (Key points)

A total of 394 reference panels were designed and customized by three strategies, and large-scale genotype imputations were performed with these panels for systematic evaluation in Han Chinese and European populations.

The accuracy of imputed variants reached the highest when reference panel contains a fraction of extra diverse sample (15%∼21%) for Han Chinese population, if the haplotype size of the reference panel was increased with extra samples, which is the most common cases.

The imputation accuracy showed the different trends between Han Chinese and European populations. In a sense, the European genome may more diverse than Han Chinese genome by itself.

Existing reference panels were not the best choice for Chinese imputation, a high quality and large-scale Chinese reference panel was still needed.
miRNA-encoded peptide, miPEP858, regulates plant growth and development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Sharma Ashish , Badola Poorwa Kamal , Bhatia Chitra , Sharma Deepika , Trivedi Prabodh Kumar
Published: May 2019

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding endogenous RNAs, are processed product of primary miRNAs (pri-miRNAs) and regulate target gene expression. pri-miRNAs have also been reported to encode small peptides, miRNA-Encoded Peptides (miPEPs). Though regulatory role of miPEPs has been speculated, no detailed study has been carried out to elucidate their function through developing knock-out mutants. Here, we report that pri-miR858a ofArabidopsis thalianaencodes a small peptide (miPEP858a) which regulates the expression of pri-miR858a leading to modulation in the expression of target genes involved in the plant growth and development as well as phenylpropanoid pathway. CRISPR-based miPEP858a-edited plants developed phenotypes similar to that of mature miR858-edited plants suggesting crucial role of miPEP858a in mediating miR585a function. miPEP858a-edited and miPEP858a overexpressing lines altered plant development and accumulated modulated levels of flavonoids due to changes in expression of associated genes. Exogenous treatment of synthetic-miPEP858a to the miPEP858a-edited plants complemented phenotypes and the gene function suggesting a significant role of miPEP858a in controlling the miR858 function and plant development.

One sentence summary

Small peptide, miPEP858a, encoded by primary miRNA for miR858a regulates plant growth, development and flavonoid biosynthesis

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Identifying dynamic, partially occupied residues using anomalous scattering
Authors: Rocchio Serena , Duman Ramona , El Omari Kamel , Mykhaylyk Vitaliy , Yan Zhen , Wagner Armin , Bardwell James C. A. , Horowitz Scott
Published: May 2019

X-ray crystallography is generally used to take single snapshots of a protein’s conformation. The important but difficult task of characterizing structural ensembles in crystals is typically limited to small conformational changes, such as multiple side-chain conformations. A crystallographic method was recently introduced that utilizes Residual Anomalous and Electron Density (READ) to characterize structural ensembles encompassing large-scale structural changes. Key to this method is an ability to accurately measure anomalous signals and distinguish them from noise or other anomalous scatterers. This report presents an optimized data collection and analysis strategy for partially occupied iodine anomalous signals. Using the long wavelength-optimized beamline I23 at Diamond Light Source, the ability to accurately distinguish the positions of anomalous scatterers with as low as ~12% occupancy is demonstrated. The number and position of these anomalous scatterers are consistent with previous biophysical, kinetic and structural data that suggest the protein Im7 binds to the chaperone Spy in multiple partially occupied conformations. This study shows that a long-wavelength beamline results in easily validated anomalous signals that are strong enough to be used to detect and characterize highly dynamic sections of crystal structures.

Synopsis

Structural studies on partially occupied, dynamic protein systems by crystallography are difficult. We present methods here for detecting these states in crystals.
Structural analysis ofde novoSTXBP1 mutation in complex with syntaxin 1A reveals a major alteration in the interaction interface in a child with developmental delay and spasticity
Authors: Banne Ehud , Falik-Zaccai Tzipora , Brielle Esther , Kalfon Limor , Ladany Hagay , Klinger Danielle , Schneidman-Duhovny Dina , Linial Michal
Published: May 2019

STXBP1, also known as Munc-18, is a master regulator of neurotransmitter release and synaptic function in the human brain through its direct interaction with syntaxin 1A. STXBP1 related disorders are well characterized and cover a diverse range of neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions. Through exome sequencing of a child with developmental delay, hypotonia and spasticity, we found a novelde novoinsertion mutation of three nucleotides in the STXBP1 coding region, resulting in an additional arginine after position 39 (R39dup). Inconclusive results from state-of-the-art variant prediction tools mandated a structure-based approach using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the STXBP1-syntaxin 1A complex. Comparison of the interaction interfaces of the wild type and the R39dup complexes revealed a reduced interaction surface area in the mutant, leading to destabilization of the interaction. We applied the same MD methodology to 7 additional previously reported STXBP1 mutations. We find that the stability of the STXBP1-syntaxin 1A interface correlates with the reported clinical phenotypes. We illustrate a direct link between a patient’s genetic variations and the observed clinical phenotype through protein structure, dynamics, and function.
Performance Evaluation of Traditional Signal Processing Methods in LocalizingTursiops truncatusWhistles in a Reverberant Aquatic Environment
Authors: Woodward SF , Magnasco MO
Published: May 2019

Relative to individually distinctivesignature whistles, little is known about the “non-signature” calls – particularly the non-signature whistles – of the common Atlantic bottlenose dolphin,Tursiops truncatus. While such calls are suspected to serve social function, tracking their exchange among conspecifics and correlating their usage with non-acoustic behavior has proven challenging, given both their relative scarcity in the dolphin repertoire and their characteristic shared use among dolphins, which precludes the unique identification of callers on the basis of whistle properties alone. Towards the goal of robustly identifying the callers of non-signature whistles (equivalently, attributing non-signature whistles to callers), we present a new, long-term audiovisual monitoring system designed for and tested at the Dolphin Discovery exhibit of the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland. In this paper, we confirm the system’s ability to spatially localize impulse-like sounds using traditional signal processing approaches that have already been used to localize dolphin echolocation clicks. We go on to provide the first rigorous experimental evaluation of the component time-difference-of-arrival-(TDOA) extraction methods on whistle-like tonal sounds in a (reverberant) aquatic environment, showing that they are generally not suited to sound localization. Nevertheless, we find that TDOA extraction under these circumstances is performed significantly better using a Generalized Cross-Correlation with Phase Transform (GCC-PHAT) method than a standard circular cross-correlation method, a potentially important result.
Incorporating neuronal fatigue in deep neural networks captures dynamics of adaptation in neurophysiology and perception
Authors: Vinken Kasper , Boix Xavier , Kreiman Gabriel
Published: May 2019

Adaptation is a fundamental property of the visual system that molds how an object is processed and perceived in its temporal context. It is unknown whether adaptation requires a circuit level implementation or whether it emerges from neuronally intrinsic biophysical processes. Here we combined neurophysiological recordings, psychophysics, and deep convolutional neural network computational models to test the hypothesis that a neuronally intrinsic, biophysically plausible, fatigue mechanism is sufficient to account for the hallmark properties of adaptation. The proposed model captured neural signatures of adaptation including repetition suppression and novelty detection. At the behavioral level, the proposed model was consistent with perceptual aftereffects. Furthermore, adapting to prevailing but irrelevant inputs improves object recognition and the adaptation computations can be trained in a network trained to maximize recognition performance. These results show that an intrinsic fatigue mechanism can account for key neurophysiological and perceptual properties and enhance visual processing by incorporating temporal context.
Benchmarking of computational error-correction methods for next-generation sequencing data
Authors: Mitchell Keith , Brito Jaqueline J. , Mandric Igor , Wu Qiaozhen , Knyazev Sergey , Chang Sei , Martin Lana S. , Karlsberg Aaron , Gerasimov Ekaterina , Littman Russell , Hill Brian L. , Wu Nicholas C. , Yang Harry , Hsieh Kevin , Chen Linus , Littman Eli , Shabani Taylor , Enik German , Yao Douglas , Sun Ren , Schroeder Jan , Eskin Eleazar , Zelikovsky Alex , Skums Pavel , Pop Mihai , Mangul Serghei
Published: May 2019

Background

Recent advancements in next-generation sequencing have rapidly improved our ability to study genomic material at an unprecedented scale. Despite substantial improvements in sequencing technologies, errors present in the data still risk confounding downstream analysis and limiting the applicability of sequencing technologies in clinical tools. Computational error-correction promises to eliminate sequencing errors, but the relative accuracy of error correction algorithms remains unknown.

Results

In this paper, we evaluate the ability of error-correction algorithms to fix errors across different types of datasets that contain various levels of heterogeneity. We highlight the advantages and limitations of computational error correction techniques across different domains of biology, including immunogenomics and virology. To demonstrate the efficacy of our technique, we apply the UMI-based high-fidelity sequencing protocol to eliminate sequencing errors from both simulated data and the raw reads. We then perform a realistic evaluation of error correction methods.

Conclusions

In terms of accuracy, we find that method performance varies substantially across different types of datasets with no single method performing best on all types of examined data. Finally, we also identify the techniques that offer a good balance between precision and sensitivity
A diversity of traits contributes to salinity tolerance of wild Galapagos tomatoes seedlings
Authors: Pailles Yveline , Awlia Mariam , Julkowska Magdalena , Passone Luca , Zemmouri Khadija , Negrão Sónia , Schmöckel Sandra M. , Tester Mark
Published: May 2019

Traits of modern crops have been heavily selected in agriculture, causing the commercial lines to be more susceptible to harsh conditions, which their wild relatives are naturally better able to withstand. Understanding the developed mechanisms of tolerance present in wild relatives can enhance crop performance under stress. In this study, salinity tolerance traits of two species of wild tomato endemic to the Galapagos Islands, Solanum cheesmaniae and Solanum galapagense, were investigated. Since these tomatoes grow well despite being constantly splashed with seawater, they could be a valuable genetic resource for improving salinity tolerance in commercial tomatoes. To explore their potential, over 20 traits reflecting plant growth, physiology and ion content were recorded in 67 accessions of S. cheesmaniae and S. galapagense and two commercial tomato lines of Solanum lycopersicum. Salt treatments of 200 mM NaCl were applied for ten days, using supported hydroponics. Great natural variation was evident in the responses of the Galapagos tomatoes to salt stress and they also displayed greater tolerance to salt stress than the commercial lines tested, based on multivariate trait analyses. Although Galapagos tomatoes in general exhibited better tolerance to salt stress than the commercial lines tested, the accessions LA0317, LA1449 and LA1403 showed particularly high salinity tolerance based on growth maintenance under stress. Thus, Galapagos tomatoes should be further explored using forward genetic studies to identify and investigate the genes underlying their high tolerance and be used as a resource for increasing salinity tolerance of commercial tomatoes. The generated data, along with useful analysis tools, have been packaged and made publicly available via an interactive online application (https://github.com/mmjulkowska/La_isla_de_tomato) to facilitate trait selection and the use of Galapagos tomatoes for the development of salt tolerant commercial tomatoes.
White Matter Connectometry Among Individuals with Self-Reported Family History of Drug and Alcohol Use Disorders
Authors: Waters Abigail B. , Sawyer Kayle S. , Gansler David A.
Published: May 2019

Heredity is an important risk factor for alcoholism. Several studies have been conducted on small groups of alcohol naïve adolescents which show lowered fractional anisotropy of frontal white matter in FH+ groups. We sought to compare large FH+ and FH-groups using white matter connectometry, as opposed to the previously used global tractography method, as it is more sensitive to regional variability. Imaging and behavioral data from the Human Connectome Project (WU-MINN HCP 1200) was used. Groups of participants were positive (n=109) and negative (n=109) for self-reported drug and alcohol use disorders in at least one parent. Groups were matched on gender, age, education, current alcohol usage, and alcohol use disorders (AUD). Connectometry was performed on diffusion MRI in DSI-Studio using q-space diffeomorphic reconstruction, and multiple regression was completed with 5000 permutations. Analyses showed decreased major tract (>40 mm) connectivity in the FH+ group in left inferior longitudinal fasciculus, bilateral cortico-striatal pathway, left cortico-thalamic pathway, and corpus callosum, compared to the FH- group. For cognitive tasks related to reward processing, inhibition, and monitoring, there were a number of interactions, such that the relationship between identified networks and behavior differed significantly between groups. Positive self-report of family history of alcoholism was associated with decreased connectivity in reward signaling pathways, controlling for alcohol consumption and AUD. This is the first connectometry study of FH+, and extends the neural basis of the hereditary diathesis of alcoholism beyond that demonstrated with global tractography. Regions associated with FH+ are similar to those associated with AUD.
Stirred Suspension Bioreactor Culture of Porcine Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Burrell Kyle , Dardari Rkia , Goldsmith Taylor , Toms Derek , Villagomez Daniel A.F. , King W. Allan , Ungrin Mark , West Franklin D. , Dobrinski Ina
Published: May 2019

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are an attractive cell source for regenerative medicine and the development of therapies, as they can proliferate indefinitely under defined conditions and differentiate into any cell type in the body. Large scale expansion of cells is limited in adherent culture, making it difficult to obtain adequate cell numbers for research. It has been previously shown that stirred suspension bioreactors (SSBs) can be used to culture mouse and human stem cells. Pigs are important pre-clinical models for stem cell research. Therefore, this study investigated the use of SSBs as an alternative culture method for the expansion of iPSCs. Using an established porcine iPSC line as well as a new cell line derived and characterized in the current study, we report that porcine iPSCs (piPSCs) can grow in SSB while maintaining characteristics of pluripotency and karyotypic stability similar to cells grown in traditional two-dimensional static culture. This culture method provides a suitable platform for scale up of cell culture to provide adequate cell numbers for future research applications involving porcine induced pluripotent stem cells.
Left parietal tACS at alpha frequency induces a shift of visuospatial attention
Authors: Schuhmann T. , Kemmerer S. K. , Duecker F. , de Graaf T.A. , ten Oever S. , De Weerd P. , Sack A.T.
Published: May 2019

Background

Voluntary shifts of visuospatial attention are associated with a lateralization of occipitoparietal alpha power (7-13Hz), i.e. higher power in the hemisphere ipsilateral and lower power contralateral to the locus of attention. Recent noninvasive neuromodulation studies demonstrated that alpha power can be experimentally increased using transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS).

Objective/Hypothesis

We hypothesized that tACS at alpha frequency over the left parietal cortex induces shifts of attention to the left hemifield. However, spatial attention shifts not only occur voluntarily (endogenous), but also stimulus-driven (exogenous). In order to study the task-specificity of the potential effects of tACS on attentional processes, we administered three conceptually different spatial attention tasks.

Methods

36 healthy volunteers were recruited from an academic environment. In two seperate sessions, we applied either high-density tACS at 10Hz, or sham tACS, for 35-40 minutes to their left parietal cortex. We systematically compared performance on endogenous attention, exogenous attention, and stimulus detection tasks.

Results

In the Endogenous attention task, we found a greater leftward bias in reaction times during left parietal 10Hz tACS as compared to sham. There were no stimulation effects in the exogenous attention or stimulus detection task.

Conclusion

The study shows that high-density tACS at 10Hz can be used to modulate visuospatial attention performance. The tACS effect is task-specific, indicating that not all forms of attention are equally susceptible to the stimulation.
A five-coordinate iron(III) porphyrin complex including a neutral axial pyridine N-oxide ligand
Authors: Short Melanie A. , Sommer Roger D. , Falzone Alec J. , Huang Tao , Weare Walter W. , Roizen Jennifer L.
Published: May 2019

While six-coordinate iron(III) porphyrin complexes with pyridine N-oxides as axial ligands have been studied as they exhibit rare spin-crossover behavior, studies of five-coordinate iron(III) porphyrin complexes including neutral axial ligands are rare. A five-coordinate pyridine N-oxide–5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrinate–iron(III) complex, namely (pyridine N-oxide-κO)(5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphinato-κ4
N,N′,N′′,N′′′)iron(III) hexafluoroantimonate(V) dichloromethane disolvate, [Fe(C44H28N4)(C5H5NO)][SbF6]·2CH2Cl2, was isolated and its crystal structure determined in the space group P\overline{1}. The porphyrin core is moderately saddled and the Fe—O—N bond angle is 122.08 (13)°. The average Fe—N bond length is 2.03 Å and the Fe—ONC5H5 bond length is 1.9500 (14) Å. This complex provides a rare example of a five-coordinate iron(III) porphyrin complex that is coordinated to a neutral organic ligand through an O-monodentate binding mode.
Advances in intellectual capital performance measurement: a state-of-the-art review
Authors: Lee Cheng Sheng , Wong Kuan Yew
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a review on the latest developments, approaches and methods in intellectual capital (IC) performance measurement.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 53 research papers from high-ranking journals concerning the advances in IC performance measurement were thoroughly reviewed and classified to identify the advanced approaches and methods that have been used to evaluate IC performance.

Findings

It is clear that the current application of advanced or intelligent methods in IC performance measurement is still at the primary stage. The reviewed approaches mainly focus on two core applications. First is to assist the data collection or data handling process and second is to enhance the result computation process to obtain a more reliable and realistic value that represents the performance of IC.

Research limitations/implications

This study offers a foundation and guideline for the researchers who wish to integrate advanced methods into IC performance measurement based on the reviewed advanced approaches in terms of their respective functions, strengths and limitations. It stimulates the creation of new IC performance measurement models that use advanced approaches to cope with real-life problems and dynamic conditions.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature on IC performance measurement, in light of advances in technology. In general, five advanced approaches were identified, analyzed and discussed. Future research directions were presented to provide new insights for researchers to apply advanced methods in IC performance measurement, together with theoretical and managerial implications.
State-of-the-art and adoption of artificial intelligence in retailing
Authors: Weber Felix Dominik , Schütte Reinhard
Published: May 2019

Purpose

In the most abstract way, artificial intelligence (AI) allows human work to be shifted toward technological systems that are currently not fully capable. Following this, the domain of retail can be sketched as a natural fit for the application of AI tools, which are known for their high proportion of human work and concurrent low profit margins. This paper aims to explore the current dissemination of the application of AI within the industry. The value-added core tasks of retail companies are examined to determine the possible utilization and the market adoption within the globally largest retail companies is given.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses two different approaches to identify the scientific state-of-the-art: a search on the major scientific databases and an empirical study of the ten largest international retail companies and their adoption of AI technologies in the domains of wholesale and retail.

Findings

The application within the different value-added core tasks varies greatly depending on the area. In summary, there are numerous possible applications in all areas. Especially, in areas where future forecasts are needed within the task areas (such as marketing or replenishment), the use of AI, today, is both scientifically and practically highly developed. In contrast, the market adoption of AI is highly variable. The pioneers have integrated extensive applications into everyday business, while the challengers are investing heavily in new initiatives. Some others, however, show neither active use nor any effort to adopt such technology.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is one of the first research contributions to analyze the areas of application and the impact of AI structured along the value-added core processes of retail companies.
An assessment of education, in-service training and tenure prolongation as methods for enhancing nursing performance
Authors: Asiamah Nestor , Mensah Henry Kofi , Ocra Ben
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an empirical basis for considering in-service training, tenure prolongation and continuing education as methods for enhancing nursing performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data from 532 nurses, who were selected using the simple random sampling method from ten hospitals in Accra North, Ghana. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test the study’s hypotheses.

Findings

The resulting model is of good fit at 5 per cent significance level (χ2=1.492, p=0.222), with in-service training found to be the ultimate method for enhancing nursing performance. The fitted CFA model also shows that in-service training is positively associated with education and tenure at 1 per cent significance level (p<0.001). The overall evidence suggests that training, continuing formal education and tenure prolongation are methods for improving nursing performance.

Originality/value

Apart from its contribution to the literature, this study applies validated primary data to empirically identify key methods for enhancing nursing performance.
The rainbow sign: climate change and corporate reputation
Authors: Hirsch Peter Buell
Published: May 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to highlight the increasing importance corporate responses to climate change will play in corporate reputation.

Design/methodology/approach

Review of the relevant secondary literature

Findings

Companies that develop active responses to climate change will see positive impact on their corporate reputation.

Research limitations/implications

The review of the secondary literature is not comprehensive and subject to the author’s qualitative interpretation of it.

Practical implications

Companies that follow the recommendations will see a benefit in stakeholder appreciation.

Social implications

The more companies embrace a proactive stance on climate change, the more likely society is to meet the 2 per cent goal.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first treatment of climate change from the perspective of corporate reputation.
Attractions of Dubai and Expo 2020: an exploratory study
Authors: Haneef Sunitha K. , Ansari Zakiya , Bhavani Ganga
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide context to the evolution of tourist attractions in Dubai, retrospectively learn from the experiences of the Milan and Shanghai Expos and to highlight the tourist attractions of Dubai Expo 2020. In so doing, the paper also seeks to understand how attractions play a role in shaping the growth of the tourism and hospitality sectors in Dubai.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for this paper were gathered from primary and secondary sources. Informal discussions with officials of Expo 2020 generally and tourism stakeholders, in particular, who were willing to participate in this study, form the core of the primary data reflected in this paper. These discussions, which span a period of four weeks, were transcribed for later study and analysis.

Findings

First, the tourism industry, the bedrock of Dubai’s economy, has witnessed remarkable growth during the period 1990-2015 and beyond because of its rich tourism infrastructure comprising hotels, tourism activities and tourist attractions. Second, it is important that Dubai Expo draws on the experiences and expectations of prior events and can apply lessons learnt from the Milan and Shanghai Expo events. Third, that Dubai Expo 2020 can enable Dubai to build on its established image for excellent infrastructure, attractions, hotels, affordable amenities, easy accessibility and highly-developed air and road transport systems.

Research limitations/implications

Even if lessons learnt from the Milan and Shanghai Expo are taken into account, they may not account for unforeseen circumstances and sources of failure – though they provide a guide in relation to the conduct of a mega event.

Practical implications

Dubai Expo 2020 can enable Dubai to build on its established and broadening global appeal.

Social implications

Employment prospects will be enhanced by Expo 2020 that will project an image of Dubai as a world tourist destination to a far greater extent than it has done so to date. Social changes may also occur because of cultural exchanges during the Expo 2020 period.

Originality/value

The paper discusses how strategic planning for new attractions combined with the existing attractions will help spread awareness of Expo 2020. The observations made from this study can be used by other nations hosting similar events in similar geographical areas, to help prepare and draw on prior experience and lessons learnt.
SOLOMO – are hospitality SMEs able to move beyond traditional websites in their digital marketing roadmap for Expo 2020?
Authors: Kriechbaumer Florian
Published: May 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an overview of how trends encompassing SOLOMO (social, local, mobile) factors impact marketing activities in small and medium-sized hospitality enterprises (SMEs). It explores the relevancy of these factors and their application in the industry and synthesizes them in the context of Dubai’s path toward Expo 2020 by collecting practitioner input.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides continuity with the author’s previous WHATT article exploring SME website implementation by expanding its scope by analyzing literature on SOLOMO adoption in the hospitality industry, drawing from a range of journals and applicable industry sources. It collects informal commentary from practitioners with relevant local experience to contextualize the findings within Dubai’s digital roadmap.

Findings

Several aspects of SOLOMO in the context of hospitality have been examined by researchers; however, their successful applicability to the SME sector (which is still struggling with the fundamentals of website implementation) lacks comprehensive consideration. There is a dearth of academic and governmental guidance for industry executives. At the same time, trends beyond SOLOMO, particularly around data analytics, are emerging and require incorporation into a digital SME roadmap.

Practical implications

Executives in the hospitality SME domain are encouraged to continue focusing on the fundamentals of website implementation while they take into consideration the trends around SOLOMO identified in the study. A holistic, result-driven view of digital marketing is required to ensure focused resource usage. Closer collaboration between private sector, policymakers and academia will support Dubai’s initiatives to leverage its high degree of technological readiness for marketing innovation in the SME sector.

Originality/value

This manuscript provides a practically oriented and engaging overview of the applicability of SOLOMO concepts for hospitality SMEs, with a local focus on the Dubai ecosystem.
Development of an aid tool for evaluation of unsaturated soils permeability
Authors: Mechkarini Leila , Messafer Tahar , Bali Abderrahim , Silhadi Kamel
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Prediction models for the unsaturated permeability proposed in the literature are numerous. However, a model may give a good result for a sample of a given soil when it may give a bad result for another sample belonging to the same type of soil. This showed that the choice of a model to complete the permeability curve in the unsaturated state is complex. To facilitate such studies, this paper aims to present a help system capable of defining the mathematical model to the user that best represents the permeability of the soil.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have detailed the difficulties in determining the correct value of kuns from a thorough bibliographic study. To develop this idea, the authors took real examples, to which they applied mathematical models and then compared their results with those of the bibliographic study. Knowledge structuring in the form of classes, rules and functions. Implementation of the data in generator of help system Kappa-pc. validation of results.

Findings

An aid tool was developed for the evaluation of unsaturated soils permeability using Brooks and Corey (1964) and Leong and Rahardjo (1997) models, which are known for their effectiveness and ease of application. This system will also evaluate these two methods using estimation models of saturated permeability [Dane and Pocket (1992), Terzaghi (1981) and laboratory data]. This system allows the evaluation of unsaturated permeability by the aforementioned two models, makes comparison between these two models, classifies them and proposes the model presenting the best result.

Originality/value

This aid system is able to compare results of different models of prediction of the hydraulic conductivity of unsaturated soils according to several criteria (suction, degree of saturation, plasticity index, models of estimation of the permeability to the soil, saturated state, particle size, etc.). It can also deduce the model that best adapts to a given soil. This aid system will be of great use for geotechnical engineers and researchers in the field.
Severe dermatitis, multiple allergies and metabolic wasting (SAM) syndrome caused by de novo mutation in the DSP gene misdiagnosed as generalized pustular psoriasis and treatment of acitretin with gabapentin
Authors: Liang Jianying , Li Chunxiao , Zhang Zhen , Ni Cheng , Yu Hong , Li Ming , Yao Zhirong
Published: May 2019

Severe dermatitis, multiple allergies and metabolic wasting (SAM) syndrome is a recently recognized syndrome caused by mutations in the desmoglein 1 (DSG1) and desmoplakin (DSP) genes. Only two cases of SAM‐DSP have been reported. We report on a 2‐year‐old girl presenting with pustular lakes within areas of erythema and large accumulations of intraepidermal neutrophils, which initially led to our misdiagnosis of generalized pustular psoriasis. No mutation was found in either the IL36RN or CARD14 genes by Sanger sequencing. The distinctive manifestations of erythroderma with severe itching, hypotrichosis, enamel defects, onychodystrophy, palmoplantar keratoderma and the crucial result of de novo missense mutation in exon 14 of the DSP gene (c.1828T>C, p.S610P) discovered by next‐generation sequencing finally confirmed the diagnosis of SAM syndrome. The eruptions significantly improved after a 4‐week treatment with oral acitretin and topical pimecrolimus. Oral gabapentin was prescribed simultaneously for 4 months, relieving her skin pruritus and suggesting that early treatment with pimecrolimus, acitretin and gabapentin for SAM‐DSP syndrome is effective. It may even inhibit multiple allergies induced by skin barrier injury. In this work we also review the clinical features, differential diagnoses and pathological manifestations of SAM‐DSP syndrome.
A genomic island in a plant beneficial rhizobacterium encodes novel antimicrobial fatty acids and a self‐protection shield to enhance its competition
Authors: Wang Dandan , Xu Zhihui , Zhang Guishan , Xia Liming , Dong Xiaoyan , Li Qing , Liles Mark R. , Shao Jiahui , Shen Qirong , Zhang Ruifu
Published: May 2019

Rhizobacteria devote a relatively large percentage of their genomes to encode bioactive natural products that are important for competition in the rhizosphere. In this study, a plant beneficial rhizobacteriumBacillus velezensisSQR9 was discovered to produce novel antibacterial fatty acids, Bacillunoic acids, which are encoded on a genomic island (GI). This GI contains a hybrid type I fatty acid synthase (FAS)‐polyketide synthase (PKS) system and an ABC transporter. The FAS was predicted to synthesize a primer that was transferred to the PKS to synthesize Bacillunoic acids. The synthesized Bacillunoic acids inhibit the growth of diverse bacteria, with the strongest activity against closely relatedBacillusstrains, the ABC transporter exported the toxic Bacillunoic acids upon their induction for protecting the producing strain. The inhibition of otherBacillusstrains by Bacillunoic acids extended the antimicrobial spectrum of SQR9 and enhanced its competition with closely related root‐associated bacteria. So, through the obtaining of this GI by horizontal gene transfer, strain SQR9 not only acquired a competitive weapon but also acquired a self‐protecting shield, which increased its competition with other rhizobacteria.