bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implicit temporal predictability biases slow oscillatory phase in auditory cortex and enhances pitch discrimination sensitivity
Authors: Herbst Sophie K. , Obleser Jonas
Published: September 2018

Can human listeners use strictly implicit temporal contingencies in auditory input to form temporal predictions, and if so, how are these predictions represented endogenously? To assess this question, we implicitly manipulated foreperiods in an auditory pitch discrimination task. Unbeknownst to participants, the pitch of the standard tone could either be deterministically predictive of the onset of the target tone, or convey no predictive information. Both conditions were presented interleaved in one stream, and separated by variable inter-stimulus intervals such that there was no dominant stimulus rhythm throughout. Even though participants were unaware of the implicit temporal contingencies, pitch discrimination sensitivity (i.e. the slope of the psychometric function) increased when the onset of the target tone was predictable in time (N = 49). Concurrently recorded EEG data (N = 24) revealed that standard tones which initiated temporal predictions evoked a more negative N1 component than non-predictive standards, and were followed by an increase in delta power during the foreperiod. Furthermore, the phase angle of delta oscillations (1–3Hz) evoked by the standard tone predicted pitch discrimination sensitivity at the target tone (1.75 s later on average), which suggests that temporal predictions can be initiated by an optimized delta phase reset. In sum, we show that auditory perception benefits from implicit temporal contingencies, and provide evidence for a role of slow neural oscillations in the endogenous representation of temporal predictions, in absence of exogenously driven entrainment to rhythmic input.

Significance Statement

Temporal contingencies are ubiquitous in sensory environments, especially in the auditory domain, and have been shown to facilitate perception and action. Yet, how these contingencies in exogenous inputs are transformed into an endogenous representation of temporal predictions is not known. Here, we implicitly induced temporal predictability in the absence of a rhythmic input structure, that is without exogenously driven entrainment of neural oscillations. Our results show that even implicit and non-rhythmic temporal predictions are extracted and used by human observers, underlining the role of timing in sensory processing. Furthermore, our EEG results point towards an instrumental role of delta oscillations in initiating temporal predictions by an optimized phase reset in response to a temporally predictive cue.
The controlled direct effect of temperament at 2-3 years on cognitive and academic outcomes at 6-7 years
Authors: Chong Shiau Y. , Chittleborough Catherine R. , Gregory Tess , Lynch John , Mittinty Murthy N. , Smithers Lisa G.
Published: September 2018

There is widespread interest in temperament and its impact upon cognitive and academic outcomes. Parents adjust their parenting according to their child’s temperament, however, previous studies have not accounted for parenting while estimating the association between temperament and academic outcomes. We examined the controlled direct effect of temperament (2-3 years) on cognitive and academic outcomes (6-7 years) when mediation by parenting practices (4-5 years) was held constant. Participants were from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (n=5107). Cognitive abilities were measured by the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (verbal) and the Matrix Reasoning test (non-verbal). Literacy and numeracy were reported by teachers using the Academic Rating Scale. Mothers reported children’s temperament using the Short Temperament Scale for Toddlers (subscales: reactivity, approach, and persistence). Parenting practices included items about engagement in activities with children. Marginal structural models with inverse probability of treatment weights were used to estimate the controlled direct effect of temperament, when setting parenting to the mean. All temperament subscales were associated with cognitive abilities, with persistence showing the largest controlled direct effect on verbal (β=0.58; 95%CI 0.27, 0.89) and non-verbal (β=0.19; 0.02, 0.34) abilities. Higher persistence was associated with better literacy (β=0.08; 0.03, 0.13) and numeracy (β=0.08; 0.03, 0.13), and higher reactivity with lower literacy (β=−0.08; −0.11, −0.05) and numeracy (β=−0.07; −0.10, −0.04). There was little evidence that temperamental approach influenced literacy or numeracy. Overall, there was a small controlled direct effect of temperament on cognitive and academic outcomes after accounting for parenting and confounders.
Optimal diameter reduction ratio of acinar airways in human lungs
Authors: Park Keunhwan , Son Taeho , Cho Young-Jae , Jeon Noo Li , Kim Wonjung , Kim Ho- Young
Published: September 2018

In the airway network of a human lung, the airway diameter gradually decreases through multiple branching. The diameter reduction ratio of the conducting airways that transport gases without gas exchange is 0.79, but this reduction ratio changes to 0.94 in acinar airways beyond transitional bronchioles. While the reduction in the conducting airways was previously rationalized on the basis of Murray’s law, our understanding of the design principle behind the acinar airways has been far from clear. Here we elucidate that the change in gas transfer mode is responsible for the transition in the diameter reduction ratio. The oxygen transfer rate per unit surface area is maximized at the observed geometry of acinar airways, which suggests the minimum cost for the construction and maintenance of the acinar airways. The results revitalize and extend the framework of Murray’s law over an entire human lung.
Gαq sensitizes TRPM8 to inhibition by PI(4,5)P2 depletion upon receptor activation
Authors: Liu Luyu , Yudin Yevgen , Kang Chifei , Shirokova Natalia , Rohacs Tibor
Published: September 2018

Activation of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) was proposed to inhibit the cold and menthol sensitive Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 8 (TRPM8) channels via direct binding of Gαq to the channel. It is well documented that TRPM8 requires the plasma membrane phospholipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2 or PIP2] for activity. It was claimed however that a decrease in cellular levels of this lipid does not contribute to channel inhibition upon receptor activation. Here we show that supplementing the whole cell patch pipette with PI(4,5)P2 reduced inhibition of TRPM8 by activation of Gαq-coupled receptors in mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Activation of the same receptors induced Phospholipase C (PLC) activation and decreased plasma membrane PI(4,5)P2 levels in these neurons. PI(4,5)P2 also reduced inhibition of TRPM8 by activation of heterologously expressed Gαq-coupled muscarinic M1 receptors. Co-expression of a constitutively active Gαq protein that does not couple to PLC inhibited TRPM8 activity, and in cells expressing this protein decreasing PI(4,5)P2 levels using a voltage sensitive 5’-phosphatase induced a stronger inhibition of TRPM8 activity than in control cells. Our data indicate that PI(4,5)P2 depletion plays an important role in TRPM8 inhibition upon GPCR activation, and Gαq inhibits the channel by reducing its apparent affinity for PI(4,5)P2 and thus sensitizes the channel to inhibition by decreasing PI(4,5)P2 levels.
Tensorflow Based Deep Learning Model and Snakemake Workflow for Peptide-Protein Binding Predictions
Authors: Altay Gokmen
Published: September 2018

In this study, we first present a Tensorflow based Deep Learning (DL) model that provides high performances in predicting the binding of peptides to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I protein. Second, we provide the necessary Python codes to run the model and also easily input large train and test peptide binding benchmark dataset. Third, we provide Snakemake based workflow that allows to run all the model and performance analysis over all the different test alleles at once in parallel over computer and clusters. We also provide comparison analysis of the performances of various models. Finally, in order to help attaining to the best possible DL model by a community effort, this work is intended to be a ready to modify base model and workflow for the global Deep Learning community with no domain knowledge in MHC-peptide binding problem and thus provides all the necessary reference code templates and benchmarking data sets for further developments on the presented model architecture. All the reproducible Python codes, Snakemake workflow and benchmark data sets and a tutorial are available online at https://github.com/altayg/Deep-Learning-MHCI.
Heatlines visualization of convective heat flow during differential heating of porous enclosures with concave/convex side walls
Authors: Biswal Pratibha , Basak Tanmay
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This paper is aimed to study natural convection in enclosures with curved (concave and convex) side walls for porous media via the heatline-based heat flow visualization approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The numerical scheme involving the Galerkin finite element method is used to solve the governing equations for several Prandtl numbers (Prm) and Darcy numbers (Dam) at Rayleigh number, Ram = 106, involving various wall curvatures. Finite element method is advantageous for curved domain, as the biquadratic basis functions can be used for adaptive automated mesh generation.

Findings

Smooth end-to-end heatlines are seen at the low Dam involving all the cases. At the high Dam, the intense heatline cells are seen for the Cases 1-2 (concave) and Cases 1-3 (convex). Overall, the Case 1 (concave) offers the largest average Nusselt number (

Nur¯) at the low Dam for all Prm. At the high Dam,

Nur¯ for the Case 1 (concave) is the largest involving the low Prm, whereas

Nur¯ is the largest for Case 1 (convex) involving the high Prm.

Practical implications

Thermal management for flow systems involving curved surfaces which are encountered in various practical applications may be complicated. The results of the current work may be useful for the material processing, thermal storage and solar heating applications

Originality/value

The heatline approach accompanied by energy flux vectors is used for the first time for the efficient heat flow visualization during natural convection involving porous media in the curved walled enclosures involving various wall curvatures.
Perceived value, relationship quality and positive WOM intention in banking
Authors: van Tonder Estelle , Petzer Daniël J. , van Vuuren Naomi , De Beer Leon T.
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the proposed relationships between perceived usefulness (a dimension of perceived value), the relationship quality factors (competence trust and continuous commitment) and positive word-of-mouth intentions in an electronic banking setting.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted among 511 electronic banking customers.

Findings

Continuous commitment was found to mediate the relationships between perceived usefulness and competence trust with positive word-of-mouth intention, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

The results indicate the role of perceived value and relationship quality in contributing to positive word-of-mouth intention.

Practical implications

The findings could also guide banking institutions in managing their existing electronic banking customers more appropriately and to encourage them to engage in word-of-mouth behaviour that will convince other potential users of the benefits of the service.

Originality/value

Little is known on a mediated model noting the connection between perceived value, the relationship quality factors competence trust and continuous commitment and positive word-of-mouth intention. The findings provide more insight into the matter and accordingly contribute to the developing body of knowledge on perceived value, relationship quality and behavioural intention and their importance to the stream of research on positive word of mouth.
An Uber ethical dilemma: examining the social issues at stake
Authors: Chee Florence M.
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to engage with the social issues emerging from the increasing reliance upon app-driven services, as they pertain to precarious labor and ethical standpoints in a digital era. Popular ride services such as Uber have been lauded for bringing much needed transportation services that are superior to expensive taxis or unpleasant or inaccessible public transit.

Design/methodology/approach

As a result of over three years of ongoing research and analysis, this paper is a comprehensive assessment of a number of social issues facing the integration of practices both signified and enacted in an economy driven by apps such as Uber. While these companies are indeed profitable, questions remain as to just how much of a panacea these practices actually herald.

Findings

Findings indicate that privatization and a lack of labor regulation may present a significant savings to the user, but full cost economics suggest that the social and environmental costs require consideration.

Research limitations/implications

The recommendations here refer to the ethical considerations forwarded in this paper and serve to open up dialog to further discuss the persistent issues facing a precarious future.

Practical implications

In terms of practical implications, there is a point of tension between governmental/regulatory bodies, disruptive innovators and users.

Social implications

Stakeholders of all stripes are scrambling to keep up with the pace and problematics of digital innovations and an inclusive critical dialog on app-driven services has yet to become a priority.

Originality/value

The original value of this analytical framework from a social justice perspective stands to catalyze action on a number of pervasive social issues surrounding digital ethics and policy.
Family firms, political connections and audit fees: evidence from Malaysian firms
Authors: Tee Chwee Ming
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the association between family firms and audit fees in an emerging economy setting. As family firms either face Type 1 or Type 2 agency problem, it seeks to gain a better understanding on family firms in an emerging economy such as Malaysia. Additionally, this study introduces political connections to investigate whether it can moderate the association between family firms and audit fees. Political connection is chosen as an important institutional feature because of its many and well-documented politically connected firms and pervasive political patronage system in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a dataset of 750 firms or 7,848 firm-year observations from 2002 till 2015, panel regression analysis is used to investigate the research questions. As a robustness test, Heckman’s self-selection model is used to deal with the self-selection problem.

Findings

The results reveal that family firms are associated with higher audit fees, indicating that Type 2 dominates Type 1 agency problems in Malaysia. This positive relationship is stronger in family firms which are older and have higher family controlling shareholding. Further, the association is exacerbated if it is also connected to the ruling elite.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by showing that institutional feature such as family firms and political connections can produce different firm outcomes between emerging and advanced economy, particularly in auditing. This study responds to calls for more research on auditing in family firms, particularly in emerging economy.
A consumer value approach to a holistic understanding of the winery experience
Authors: Massa Charlotte , Bédé Sébastien
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The present study is part of a joint effort to gain a holistic understanding of the consumption experience. This paper aims to understand the essence of the winery experience through a better characterisation of the latter because of the consumer value approach and to define the main cultural differences between the Old World and the New World in this respect.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors felt that netnography offered the most suitable qualitative method to capture the meaning of a winery experience in an international context. To this end, we collected 3,065 original tourist reviews for 35 wineries, written from January 2015 to June 2016.

Findings

The findings suggest that a winery experience is made up of the following values: “hedonic”, “economic”, “social” and “legacy”. In addition, the results indicate that social and legacy values are more important for the Old World, while the New World tends to put more emphasis on economic and hedonic values.

Practical implications

Wineries need to deliver experiences that encourage tourists to explore what their enterprise has to offer. Given the importance of the customer experience to trigger wine purchases and positive word-of-mouth to promote brand loyalty, the findings can help winery managers to adapt their services in consequence.

Originality/value

Few studies have applied a consumer value approach or used netnography to examine tourists’ experiences from a cross-cultural perspective.
Reap exceptional value from M&A: manage it as a core competence
Authors: Galpin Timothy
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) have become the preferred growth strategy for many executives. However, simply “doing deals” is not enough to create a competitive advantage for their companies. Only focusing on M&A as a financial transaction is too narrow of an approach, which is easily duplicated across firms. Using Woodward, Inc. as a case example, this article shows how using an actionable, end-to-end process model, and embedding integrated capabilities within the organization, across the entire process, managers can make M&A a core competence to provide a valuable, rare, and inimitable advantage for their firms.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods approach, combining action research with a narrative synthesis of empirical and practice literature was used to develop a comprehensive M&A process model - the Deal Flow Model - consisting of ten stages across three phases. The resource-based view, core competencies, and the VRIO framework provide a theoretical foundation for the model. An application of the Deal Flow Model using Woodward Inc. as a case example is also presented.

Findings

Only focusing on M&A as a financial transaction is too narrow of an approach, which is easily duplicated across firms. Instead, using an actionable, end-to-end process model, and embedding integrated capabilities within the organization across the entire M&A process provides a valuable, rare, and inimitable advantage for firms.

Research limitations/implications

Researchers will find the Deal Flow Model useful as a structure to examine the M&A process as a whole or to frame single-stage, single-discipline research in the broader context of the overall M&A process.

Practical implications

A practice-oriented Deal Flow Model, providing a cross-disciplinary, end-to-end view of the M&A process is presented. The model is designed to be actionable by managers, who can apply the process to build the M&A competence of their organization.

Originality/value

The Deal Flow Model is unique as it is designed to be actionable by managers, who can apply the process to build the M&A competence of their organization. Likewise, researchers will find the model useful as a structure to examine the M&A process as a whole or to frame single-stage, single-discipline research in the broader context of the overall M&A process.
TQM implementation in 3PL organisations vs organisations with in-house logistics department
Authors: Vouzas Fotis , Katsogianni Theano
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of an exploratory literature review investigating the similarities and differences in TQM implementation between 3PL organisations and organisations with an in-house logistics function.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected all relevant papers covering both types of organisations implementing TQM worldwide in a time period from 1991 until today. The aim was to identify key papers and analyse its contents based on the quality of services provided by these two types of organisations.

Findings

The survey contains information about the forces that encourage managers to implement quality practices in the logistics function, the reasons that impeded the implementation of such a quality programme, the quality methods being used and also the level of their satisfaction with the current quality management in logistics.

Research limitations/implications

This paper only mentioned the principal papers that have been published globally from 1991 – today.

Originality/value

The present study is one of the few that reviewed literature from the year 1991 – today in order to provide a comparison of quality management practices between 3PLs and in-house Logistics organisations.
Third sector partnerships for older people: insights from live at home schemes in the UK
Authors: Adisa Olumide
Published: September 2018

Purpose

While there is a rich literature on the role of partnerships between statutory agencies and third sector organisations for public service delivery in health and social care, the evidence base on, partnerships between community-based groups and charities for older people in the UK is lacking. Drawing on quantitative and qualitative data, the purpose of this paper is to examines partnerships within 46 live at home (LAH) schemes. These schemes were specifically designed to tackle isolation and promote independence and wellbeing by providing a wide range of activities, based on the needs of its members.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on an online survey of 46 LAH schemes and face-to-face interviews with seven scheme managers to capture data on the various partnership initiatives within the LAH schemes.

Findings

Third sector partnerships for older people varied by type – formal, semi-formal and informal. In addition, third sector partnership working fosters the achievement of clear outcomes for older people who LAH and could be a mechanism for building social capital in communities. The study also identified barriers to developing third sector partnerships within this context. Mapping existing partnerships in LAH schemes were considered to be useful in engaging with partners. LAH scheme managers were better able to identify partnerships that could be deepened and broadened, depending on the desired outcomes.

Originality/value

To the author’s knowledge, there are few studies on third sector partnership working in LAH schemes for older people. According to Age UK, there are 1.2m chronically lonely older people in the UK. Over half of all people aged 75 and over live alone (ONS, 2015). Loneliness and social isolation in later life are considered to be two of the largest health concerns we face. Scaling up these third sector partnerships may offer a credible way to shore up support for older people who live alone or want to live at home.
Supporting outdoor inquiry learning (SOIL): Teachers as designers of mobile‐assisted seamless learning
Authors: Kali Yael , Levy Keren‐Sarah , Levin‐Peled Rachel , Tal Tali
Published: September 2018

Extending teaching beyond the classroom walls has been known for its potential to promote inquiry learning in various disciplinary domains. Current technologies can enhance these benefits, especially by enabling supports for seamless learning between contexts. But even without technology, teachers tend to refrain from implementing outdoor inquiry due to the many complexities involved. To address this challenge, a design‐based research (DBR) was employed to develop and explore a teacher professional development (TPD) model for supporting teachers in designing TEL environments for outdoor inquiry. The study included two exploratory iterations, both implemented within TPD programs comprised of three stages (teachers‐as‐learners, teachers‐as‐designers, teachers‐as‐enactors). Analysis of the TEL environments' teachers designed in the first iteration revealed insufficient supports for students' seamless learning. Based on these findings, we developed the Supporting Outdoor Inquiry Learning (SOIL) guidelines to support teachers in designing seamless flows of activities for learning within and between four dimensions: scientific practices, outdoor learning, physical settings and social activity structures. Findings from the second iteration, in which the SOIL guidelines were embedded in each of the TPD stages, indicate that they enabled teachers to productively analyze and design TEL environments for outdoor inquiry.
ESTIMATING CAUSAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ACCESS AND USE ON A BROAD SET OF RISKY BEHAVIORS: REGRESSION DISCONTINUITY EVIDENCE
Authors: Fletcher Jason M.
Published: September 2018

A growing body of evidence suggests large increases in criminal behavior and mortality coinciding with a young adult's 21st birthday, when alcohol consumption becomes legal. The policy implications from these findings have focused on the need to reduce drinking among young people, potentially by enforcing stricter alcohol controls. However, mortality and arrests are relatively infrequent outcomes and relatively less is known about the intermediate and more prevalent consequences of legal access to alcohol at age 21. This paper uses the Add Health data combined with a regression discontinuity approach to examine the effects of alcohol access on sexual behavior, drunk driving, violence, and other outcomes. The results suggest relatively large effects that appear concentrated in men. The sample also allows some suggestive policy implications on whether changing the minimum drinking age may reduce these consequences. (JEL I12, I18)
RESERVE PRICE VERSUS ENTRY FEE IN STANDARD AUCTIONS
Authors: Chakraborty Indranil
Published: September 2018

Analysis of standard auction rules when bidders are risk averse is usually carried out under the assumption that the seller is able to set an optimal reserve. The role of entry fees has been generally overlooked in that analysis. We consider bidders with constant absolute risk aversion and show that reserve price is an essential tool in the second price auction while entry fee is essential in the first price auction. Furthermore, setting a reserve price and entry fee combination optimally may change some of the rankings of the standard auctions that hold under optimal reserves. (JEL D44)
Evolution of the Subsurface K‐Rich Brines in the Triassic Carbonates in the Sichuan Basin of China
Authors: Zhou Xun , Wang Xiaocui , Han Jiajun , Cao Qin , Jiang Changlong , Guo Juan , Zhou Haiyan
Published: September 2018

Subsurface K‐rich brines are important mineral resources for fertilizer production while the evolution of such brines is poorly documented. In the Sichuan Basin in southwest China, they are found mainly in the Middle and Lower Triassic marine carbonate aquifers. Total dissolved solids of the brines range from 176 to 378 g/L and K concentrations, from 1.9 to 53.3 g/L. We found that the brines are mainly of Cl‐Na type, while Ba is absent in the brines. Comparison of the brine samples with both the trajectories of ions and the newly proposed trajectories of ion ratios of evaporated seawater suggests that the brines are enriched in Ca, Sr, Li, and I, depleted in SO4 and Mg, and neither enriched nor depleted in Cl and Na. These brines underwent four evolutionary periods: (1) deposition of marine rocks, (2) deposition of continental clastics, (3) tectonic deformation, and (4) rock erosion. Precipitation of salt minerals, dolomitization, sulfate reduction, and recrystallization during the first two periods are responsible for the enrichment and depletion of the chemical constituents of the brines. Extremely high K concentrations in two wells, both tapping the Middle Triassic Leikoupo carbonate aquifers, are attributed to the subsurface dissolution of potash salts during the migration of the brines to the anticlines formed during the third period in the Paleogene age. Saline and salty springs emanate from the outcropping carbonates in the river valleys in some anticlines in the eastern basin due to incongruent dissolution of the salt‐bearing carbonates during the fourth period.
P‐Glycoprotein (P‐gp)/ABCB1 plays a functional role in extravillous trophoblast (EVT) invasion and is decreased in the pre‐eclamptic placenta
Authors: Dunk Caroline E. , Pappas Jane J. , Lye Phetcharawan , Kibschull Mark , Javam Mohsen , Bloise Enrrico , Lye Stephen J. , Szyf Moshe , Matthews Stephen G.
Published: September 2018

Dysregulation of trophoblast differentiation is implicated in the placental pathologies of intrauterine growth restriction and pre‐eclampsia. P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp encoded by ABCB1) is an ATP‐binding cassette transporter present in the syncytiotrophoblast layer of the placenta where it acts as a molecular sieve. In this study, we show that P‐gp is also expressed in the proliferating cytotrophoblast (CT), the syncytiotrophoblast (ST) and the extravillous trophoblast (EVT), suggesting our hypothesis of a functional role for P‐gp in placental development. Silencing of ABCB1, via siRNA duplex, results in dramatically reduced invasion and migration, and increased tube formation and fusion in the EVT‐like HTR8/SVneo cell line. In both EVT and CT explant differentiation experiments, silencing of ABCB1 leads to induction of the fusion markers human hCG, ERVW‐1 and GJA1 and terminal differentiation of both trophoblast subtypes. Moreover, P‐gp protein levels are decreased in both the villous and the EVT of severe early‐onset pre‐eclamptic placentas. We conclude that, in addition to its role as a syncytial transporter, P‐gp is a key factor in the maintenance of both CT and EVT lineages and that its decrease in severe pre‐eclampsia may contribute to the syncytial and EVT placental pathologies associated with this disease.
Epithelial down‐regulation of the miR‐200 family in fibrostenosing Crohn's disease is associated with features of epithelial to mesenchymal transition
Authors: Mehta Shameer J. , Lewis Amy , Nijhuis Anke , Jeffery Rosemary , Biancheri Paolo , Di Sabatino Antonio , Feakins Roger , Silver Andrew , Lindsay James Oliver
Published: September 2018

Intestinal mesenchymal cells deposit extracellular matrix in fibrotic Crohn's disease (CD). The contribution of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) to the mesenchymal cell pool in CD fibrosis remains obscure. The miR‐200 family regulates fibrosis‐related EMT in organs other than the gut. E‐cadherin, cytokeratin‐18 and vimentin expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry on paired strictured (SCD) and non‐strictured (NSCD) ileal CD resections and correlated with fibrosis grade. MiR‐200 expression was measured in paired SCD and NSCD tissue compartments using laser capture microdissection and RT‐qPCR. Serum miR‐200 expression was also measured in healthy controls and CD patients with stricturing and non‐stricturing phenotypes. Extra‐epithelial cytokeratin‐18 staining and vimentin‐positive epithelial staining were significantly greater in SCD samples (P = 0.04 and P = 0.03, respectively). Cytokeratin‐18 staining correlated positively with subserosal fibrosis (P < 0.001). Four miR‐200 family members were down‐regulated in fresh SCD samples (miR‐141, P = 0.002; miR‐200a, P = 0.002; miR‐200c, P = 0.001; miR‐429; P = 0.004); miR‐200 down‐regulation in SCD tissue was localised to the epithelium (P = 0.001‐0.015). The miR‐200 target ZEB1 was up‐regulated in SCD samples (P = 0.035). No difference in serum expression between patient groups was observed. Together, these observations suggest the presence of EMT in CD strictures and implicate the miR‐200 family as regulators. Functional studies to prove this relationship are now warranted.
The potential contribution and role of a blood platelets in autoimmune thyroid diseases
Authors: Tomczyńska Małgorzata , Salata Ireneusz , Bijak Michał , Saluk‐Bijak Joanna
Published: September 2018

The blood platelets are multifunctional blood cells which are involved in the initiation of atheroma, endothelial dysfunction, and modulation of inflammatory and immune responses in the pathophysiology of many diseases. Because of their multifaceted pro‐inflammatory activity, platelets may be involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs), such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease. The aim of this study was to assess the level of activation and response ability of platelets in AITDs. We used the flow cytometry technique and kinetic measurement of aggregation to analyse platelet function immediately after blood collection and to demonstrate their activation in the circulation of patients with AITDs. We noted reorganization of platelet subpopulations (normal platelets, microparticles and aggregates) in AITDs, dependent on the degree of cell activation. We proved the elevated expression of the active form of integrin receptor GPIIb/IIIa, responsible for platelet aggregation, and in the kinetic test we confirmed the increased aggregation of platelets in different intracellular signal pathways (dependent on ADP, collagen, arachidonic acid). Our study demonstrates the high platelet activation level found in AITDs.
The novel regulatory role of lncRNA‐miRNA‐mRNA axis in cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Huang Ying
Published: September 2018

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNAs longer than 200 nt in length that are characterized by low levels of sequence conservation and expression; lncRNAs modulate various biological functions at epigenetic, transcriptional and post‐transcriptional levels, or directly regulate protein activity. As a family of small and evolutionarily conserved noncoding RNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) are capable of regulating physiological and pathological processes via inhibiting target mRNA translation or promoting mRNA degradation. A number of studies have confirmed that both lncRNAs and miRNAs are closely associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), such as cardiac remodelling, heart failure, myocardial injury and arrhythmia, and that they act as biomarkers, potential therapeutic targets or strong indicators of prognosis; however, the underlying molecular mechanism has not been elucidated. Recently, emerging evidence showed that the novel regulatory mechanism underlying the crosstalk among lncRNAs, miRNAs and mRNAs plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiological processes of CVDs in response to stress stimuli. In this review, I comprehensively summarized the regulatory relationship of lncRNAs, miRNAs and mRNAs and highlighted the important role of the lncRNA‐miRNA‐mRNA axis in CVDs.
Gentisic acid attenuates pressure overload‐induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in mice through inhibition of the ERK1/2 pathway
Authors: Sun Simei , Kee Hae Jin , Jin Li , Ryu Yuhee , Choi Sin Young , Kim Gwi Ran , Jeong Myung Ho
Published: September 2018

We previously reported that gentisic acid (2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid) is the third most abundant phenolic component of Dendropanax morbifera branch extracts. Here, we investigated its effects on cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in a mouse model of pressure overload and compared them to those of the beta blocker bisoprolol and calcium channel blocker diltiazem. Cardiac hypertrophy was induced in mice by transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Beginning 2 weeks after this procedure, the mice were given daily intraperitoneal injections of gentisic acid (100 mg/kg/d), bisoprolol (5 mg/kg/d) or diltiazem (10 mg/kg/d) for 3 weeks. Cardiac hypertrophy was evaluated by the heart weight‐to‐body weight ratio, the cardiomyocyte cross‐sectional area after haematoxylin and eosin staining, and echocardiography. Markers of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis were tested by reverse transcription‐quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and Masson's trichrome staining. The suppressive effects of gentisic acid treatment on TAC‐induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis were comparable to those of bisoprolol administration. Cardiac hypertrophy was reversed and left ventricular septum and posterior wall thickness were restored by gentisic acid, bisoprolol and diltiazem treatment. Cardiac hypertrophic marker gene expression and atrial and brain natriuretic peptide levels were decreased by gentisic acid and bisoprolol, as were cardiac (interstitial and perivascular) fibrosis and fibrosis‐related gene expression. Cardiac hypertrophy‐associated upregulation of the transcription factors GATA4 and Sp1 and activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 were also negated by these drugs. These results suggest that gentisic acid could serve as a therapeutic agent for cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis.
PARADOXICAL PROPOSITIONS
Authors: Priest Graham
Published: September 2018

This paper concerns two paradoxes involving propositions. The first is Russell's paradox from Appendix B of The Principles of Mathematics, a version of which was later given by Myhill. The second is a paradox in the framework of possible worlds, given by Kaplan. This paper shows a number of things about these paradoxes. First, we will see that, though the Russell/Myhill paradox and the Kaplan paradox might appear somewhat different, they are really just variants of the same phenomenon. Though they do this in different ways, the core of each paradox is to use the notion of a proposition to construct a function, f, from the power set of some set into the set itself. Next we will see how this paradox fits into the Inclosure Schema. Finally, I will provide a model of the paradox in question, showing its results to be non‐trivial, though inconsistent.
‘Rapid onset’ of transgender identity ignites storm
Authors: Wadman Meredith
Published: September 2018

Critics charge a study is biased, but others say politics is inhibiting science.
Assessing the usefulness of acute physiological responses following resistance exercise: sensitivity, magnitude of change, and time course of measures
Authors: Jackman Joshua S. , Bell Phillip G. , Gill Simone , van Someren Ken , Davison Gareth W. , Cockburn Emma
Published: September 2018

A variety of strategies exist to modulate the acute physiological responses following resistance exercise aimed at enhancing recovery and/or adaptation processes. To assess the true impact of these strategies, it is important to know the ability of different measures to detect meaningful change. We investigated the sensitivity of measures used to quantify acute physiological responses to resistance exercise and constructed a physiological profile to characterise the magnitude of change and the time course of these responses. Eight males accustomed to regular resistance exercise performed experimental sessions during a “control week”, void of an exercise stimulus. The following week, termed the “exercise week”, participants repeated this sequence of experimental sessions, and they also performed a bout of lower-limb resistance exercise following the baseline assessments. Assessments were conducted at baseline and at 2, 6, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after the intervention. On the basis of the signal-to-noise ratio, the most sensitive measures were maximal voluntary isometric contraction, 20-m sprint, countermovement jump peak force, rate of force development (100–200 ms), muscle soreness, Daily Analysis Of Life Demands For Athletes part B, limb girth, matrix metalloproteinase-9, interleukin-6, creatine kinase, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein with ratios >1.5. Clear changes in these measures following resistance exercise were determined via magnitude-based inferences. These findings highlight measures that can detect real changes in acute physiological responses following resistance exercise in trained individuals. Researchers investigating strategies to manipulate acute physiological responses for recovery and/or adaptation can use these measures, as well as the recommended sampling points, to be confident that their interventions are making a worthwhile impact.
Chirped optical solitons in nanofibers
Authors: Younas Bushra , Younis Muhammad , Ahmed Muhammad Ozair , Rizvi Syed Tahir Raza
Published: September 2018

The nonlinear chirp solitons are for the first time derived in optical nanofibers, thus illustrating the set of confined structure with nontrivial phase for the model of Schrödinger–Hirota equation. The model is studied with the dispersion of self-phase and self-steeping coefficients. The results show that bright, dark and singular solitons are dependent on the pulse intensity. Additionally, the constraint settings for the existence of solitons are also fall out during the derivation.
On Uniqueness of Limit Cycles in General Bogdanov–Takens Bifurcation
Authors: Han Maoan , Llibre Jaume , Yang Junmin
Published: September 2018

In this paper, we present a complete study of the well-known Bogdanov–Takens bifurcation and give a rigorous proof for the uniqueness of limit cycles.
Sir Archibald Geikie: the North American connections
Authors: Sorkhabi Rasoul
Published: September 2018

Sir Archibald Geikie (1835–1924), one of the towering figures in the history of British geology, maintained a long professional relationship and correspondence with pioneering American geologists of the nineteenth century, including James Dwight Dana, Clarence Dutton, Ferdinand Vandeveer Hayden and Grove Karl Gilbert. Geikie made two trips to the USA. Geikie's first trip, accompanied by his former student at Edinburgh Henry Drummond, took place in August–November 1879 for field excursions in the American ‘Far West’, including Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, where he could find ample evidence for the dominant role of fluvial erosion in the denudation of continents (a school of thought called ‘fluvialism’ or ‘erosionalism’). These geological excursions also resulted in nine articles by Geikie published during 1880–82 as well as a large number of landscape paintings and sketches now preserved at the Haslemere Educational Museum in England. Geikie's second trip from April to May 1897 was due to an invitation to deliver a series of lectures on ‘The Founders of Geology’ at Johns Hopkins University; these lectures became the basis for his classic book of the same title. Geikie kept an active interest in geological mapping and discoveries in the USA, as evident from his numerous references to American geology in his 1882
Text-book of Geology
. Geikie's American connections demonstrate that geology, although primarily a field-based regional science, did not evolve in isolation in various countries during the nineteenth century, but that there was lively exchange and synergy in geological research and findings among geologists working in Europe, the Americas and Asia.
Upcoming SIGWEB supported conferences
Authors: Samuel Hamman
Published: September 2018

The Special Interest Group on Hypertext and the Web, SIGWEB was created in 1989 to support the community participating in the annual ACM Hypertext Conference. Now in its third decade, SIGWEB has grown considerably and now sponsors seven annual conferences of different sizes and covering a wide range of topics. SIGWEB supports several specialized conferences, short courses, and workshops, as well as the Annual Hypertext Conference. SIGWEB sponsored conferences focus on timely topics in applied and computational hypertext and Web disciplines and provide a place for members and the entire applied Hypermedia and Web community to exchange ideas and to meet with and expand their network of colleagues. In this article, we provide a brief overview of SIGWEB sponsored conferences, in addition to events that are in cooperation with SIGWEB.
Molecular Communication
Authors: Farsad Nariman
Published: September 2018

Recent advances in the fi elds of bioengineering and nanotechnology have resulted in the emergence of tiny devices of sub-millimeter and even micron or less dimensions that can perform sensing and actuation. In many cases, the main challenge in moving these devices out of the laboratory and into the real world is not production cost, as they can be produced cost-eff ectively in large volumes, but rather a communication problem. For many applications, these tiny devices need to communicate and collaborate in swarms, or they need to transmit their measurements to other devices. Inspired by nature, chemical signaling (also known as molecular communication) is an eff ective solution to this problem. Th is article explores some of the recent advancements and challenges in engineering molecular communication systems.
Rethinking Evaluations of MHealth Systems for Behavior Change
Authors: Klasnja Predrag , Hekler Eric B.
Published: September 2018

Much of the recent research in mobile health (mHealth) has focused on the development of apps and wearables for promoting healthy behavior changes, such as losing weight, increasing physical activity, or adhering to a medication regimen. These interactive systems help users make changes in their behavior by, for instance, tracking healthrelated activities and states, providing feedback, helping users set and track goals, and facilitating supportive social interactions. We refer to the features that implement such functionality as the system's "intervention components," as they are designed to actuate psychosocial mechanisms (e.g., modeling, selfefficacy, positive reinforcement, etc.) thought to mediate the behavior change process. As with any other type of behavioral intervention, mHealth systems are only effective for some users and some of the time, but insofar as they do work, they do so mainly through the mechanisms of change that are activated via users' interactions with the system's intervention components.
The Dermal Abyss
Authors: Vega Katia , Jiang Nan , Liu Xin , Kan Viirj , Barry Nick , Maes Pattie , Yetisan Ali K. , Paradiso Joe
Published: September 2018

Can tattoos reveal changes in human physiology? The Dermal Abyss (d-abyss) presents an approach to biointerfaces in which the body surface is rendered an interactive display. Traditional tattoo inks are replaced with biosensors whose colours or intensity change in response to variations of biomarkers in the interstitial fluid. The Dermal Abyss is designed to use the aesthetics, permanence, and visible nature of tattoos to encode diagnostic information. Here, tattoo biosensors were designed to report on the concentration of sodium ions, glucose, and pH in the skin. We report the preliminary quantitative evaluation of these biosensors in an ex vivo skin model by assessing their visibility of color changes from the dermis. This work provides a proof of concept of a platform in which the skin reveals information inside the body, tattoos form wearable displays within the skin, and the body's metabolism works as an input for the d-abyss biosensors.