bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alpha-Synuclein is a Target of Fic-mediated Adenylylation/AMPylation: Implications for Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Sanyal Anwesha , Dutta Sayan , Chandran Aswathy , Koller Antonius , Camara Ali , Watson Ben G. , Sengupta Ranjan , Ysselstein Daniel , Montenegro Paola , Cannon Jason , Rochet Jean-Christophe , Mattoo Seema
Published: January 2019

During disease, cells experience various stresses that manifest as an accumulation of misfolded proteins and eventually lead to cell death. To combat this stress, cells activate a pathway called UPR (Unfolded Protein Response) that functions to maintain ER (endoplasmic reticulum) homeostasis and determines cell fate. We recently reported a hitherto unknown mechanism of regulating ER stress via a novel post-translational modification (PTM) called Fic-mediated Adenylylation/AMPylation. Specifically, we showed that the human Fic (filamentation induced by cAMP) protein, HYPE/FicD, catalyzes the addition of an AMP (adenosine monophosphate) to the ER chaperone, BiP, to alter the cell’s UPR-mediated response to misfolded proteins. Here, we report that we have now identified a second target for HYPE - alpha-Synuclein (αSyn), a presynaptic protein involved in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Aggregated αSyn has been shown to induce ER stress and elicit neurotoxicity in PD models. We show that HYPE adenylylates αSyn and reduces phenotypes associated with αSyn aggregation in vitro, suggesting a possible mechanism by which cells cope with αSyn toxicity.

HIGHLIGHTS

Aggregated forms of the presynaptic protein αSyn cause neurotoxicity and induce ER stress in cellular and animal models of Parkinson’s disease.

We have identified αSyn as a novel target for the human Fic protein, HYPE, a key regulator of ER homeostasis.

HYPE adenylylates αSyn and reduces the aggregation of recombinant αSyn

Fic-mediated adenylylation/AMPylation is a possible mechanism by which cells cope with αSyn toxicity.

Graphic Abstract
Clustering and rapid long-range motility behavior of bacteria by type IV pili
Authors: Madukoma Chinedu S. , Soto Nydia Morales , Mattingly Anne E. , Lee Shaun W. , Shrout Joshua D.
Published: January 2019

Many organisms coordinate to move and colonize over surfaces. Bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibit such surface motility as a precursor step to forming biofilms. Here we show a group surface motility where small groups of P. aeruginosa use their type IV pili (TFP) appendages over long-distances. Small cell clusters employ their TFP to move multiple cell lengths in fractions of a second and form new multicellular groups. Given the length scale and speed of displacement, cells appear to “snap” to a new position and then resume their previous behavior. The same long range TFP action also leads to rapid community contraction of sparsely arranged cell clusters. Cluster development and snapping motility does not require exogenous DNA or extracellular polysaccharides.
Longitudinal Trajectory of Early Functional Recovery in Patients with First Episode Psychosis
Authors: Hall Mei-Hua , Holton Kristina M , Öngu□r Dost , Montrose Debra , Keshavan Matcheri S.
Published: January 2019

Background

There is a large variability in the recovery trajectory and outcome of first episode of psychosis [FEP] patients. To date, individuals’ outcome trajectories at early stage of illness and potential risk factors associated with a poor outcome trajectory are largely unknown. This study aims to apply three separate predictors (positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and soft neurological signs) to identify homogeneous function outcome trajectories in patients with FEP using objective data-driven methods, and to explore the potential risk /protective factors associated with each trajectory.

Methods

A total of 369 first episode patients (93% antipsychotic naive) were included in the baseline assessments and followed-up at 4-8 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year. K means cluster modelling for longitudinal data (kml3d) was used to identify distinct, homogeneous clusters of functional outcome trajectories. Patients with at least 3 assessments were included in the trajectory analyses (N=129). The Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS), and Neurological examination abnormalities (NEA) were used as predictors against Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF).

Results

In each of the three predictor models, four distinct functional outcome trajectories emerged: “Poor”, “Intermediate”, “Good” and “Catch-up”. Individuals with male gender; ethnic minority status; low premorbid adjustment; low executive function/IQ, low SES, personality disorder, substance use history may be risk factors for poor recovery.

Conclusions

Functioning recovery in individuals with FEP is heterogeneous, although distinct recovery profiles are apparent. Data-driven trajectory analysis can facilitate better characterization of individual longitudinal patterns of functioning recovery.
Data driven analysis reveals shared transcriptome response and immune cell composition across aetiologies of critical illness
Authors: Zador Zsolt , Landry Alexander , Balas Michael , Marshall John C. , Cusimano Michael D.
Published: January 2019

Sepsis and trauma are frequent and challenging health problems in critical care. The diversity of patient response to these conditions complicates both disease management and outcome prediction. Whole blood transcriptomics allows the analysis of response in the critically ill at a molecular level. Prior results in this field demonstrate robust and diverse genomic response in the acute phase and others have shown shared biological mechanisms across wide disease aetiologies. We hypothesize that specific biological mechanisms, particularly those related to immune processes, are shared between sepsis and trauma cohorts. These may serve as universal markers for patients vulnerable to a complicated clinical course and/or mortality. We present a systems level analysis of gene expression for a total of 317 patients with abdominal sepsis (51), pulmonary sepsis (108) or trauma (158) and compare them to healthy controls (68). Our results confirm that immune processes are shared across disease aetiologies in critical illnesses. We identify two consistent and distinct subgroups of critical illness: 1) increased dendritic cell and CD4 T helper fractions but suppressed neutrophils and 2) high neutrophils and otherwise suppressed leukocyte fractions. These subgroups validate in an independent cohort of 181 paediatric patients suffering from septic shock of diverse aetiologies. Furthermore, we found immune and inflammatory processes derived from gene co-expression networks were downregulated in subgroup 1. This paralleled prior results which find similar leukocyte configuration by deconvolving whole blood transcriptomics, and this leukocyte configuration associates with greater susceptibility to multi organ failure. We are the first to identify a patient subgroup with a preserved leukocyte configuration across aetiologies of critical illness, which may serve as a universal predictor of complicated clinical course/poor outcome.
Elucidating small RNA pathways in Arabidopsis thaliana egg cells
Authors: Sprunck Stefanie , Urban Marc , Strieder Nicholas , Lindemeier Maria , Bleckmann Andrea , Evers Maurits , Hackenberg Thomas , Möhle Christoph , Dresselhaus Thomas , Engelmann Julia C.
Published: January 2019

Small RNA pathway components and small RNA profiles of flowering plant egg cells are largely unexplored, mainly because they are not easily accessible but deeply buried inside the ovary.

We describe here the utilization of proliferating callus tissue that adopted transcriptome features of Arabidopsis egg cell as a tool to explore small RNA pathway components and small RNA profiles in egg cells. We furthermore complement our studies with mRNA-Seq data from isolated Arabidopsis egg cells and provide data validation by promoter-reporter studies and whole mount in situ hybridization.

Sequencing of small RNA libraries demonstrate the predominance of TE-derived siRNAs in the egg cell-related callus. TE-features and expression profiles suggest post-transcriptional silencing of activated Gypsy-like LTR retrotransposons, whereas the majority of class II DNA transposons belonging to Copia, CACTA, hAT-like and Mutator superfamilies are subjected to transcriptional silencing.

Small RNA-seq furthermore led to the identification of differentially expressed known and novel miRNAs whose expression in the egg cell was verified by small RNA whole mount in situ hybridization. Both the strong expression of miRNAs in the egg-cell-adjoining synergids and the secretion of miRNAs into the micropyle suggest hitherto undescribed roles for these accessory cells in intercellular communication with the egg cell and the arriving pollen tube.

In conclusion, our datasets provide valuable and comprehensive resources to study small RNA pathways and small-RNA-mediated epigenetic reprogramming during egg cell differentiation and the onset of plant embryogenesis.
Knockdown of PTOV1 and PIN1 Exhibit Common Phenotypic Anti-Cancer Effects in MDA-MB-231 Cells
Authors: Karna Shibendra Kumar Lal , Ahmad Faiz , Lone Bilal Ahmad , Pokharel Yuba Raj
Published: January 2019

Background

Earlier, we have identified PTOV1 as a novel interactome of PIN1 in PC-3 cells. This study aims to explore the functional similarity and the common role of both genes in breast cancer cell proliferation.

Methods

CTG, crystal violet assay, clonogenic assay, wound healing assay, cell cycle analysis, Hoechst staining and ROS measurement were performed to assess cell viability were performed after knocking down of PTOV1 and PIN1 by siRNAs in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. CO-IP, qPCR and western blot were performed for interaction, transcriptional and translational regulation of both genes.

Results

Knockdown of PTOV1 and PIN1 inhibited the cell proliferation, colony formation, migration cell cycle, and induces nuclear condensation as well as ROS production. Interaction of PTOV1 and PIN1 was validated by Co-IP in MDA-MB-231 cells. Genes involved in cell proliferation, migration, cell cycle, and apoptosis were regulated by PIN1 and PTOV1. PTOV1 knockdown inhibited Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and induces BAX, LC3 and Beclin-1. Overexpression of PIN1 increased the expression of PTOV1. Knockdown of both genes inhibited the expression of cyclin D1, c-Myc, and β-catenin.

Conclusions

PTOV1 and PIN1 interacts and exert oncogenic role in MDA-MB-231 cells by sharing the similar expression profile at transcriptional and translational level which can be a promising hub for therapeutic target.
DSNetwork: An integrative approach to visualize predictions of variants’ deleteriousness
Authors: Lemaçon Audrey , Scott-Boyer Marie-Pier , Soucy Penny , Ongaro-Carcy Régis , Simard Jacques , Droit Arnaud
Published: January 2019

One of the most challenging tasks of the post-genome-wide association studies (GWAS) research era is the identification of functional variants among those associated with a trait for an observed GWAS signal. Several methods have been developed to evaluate the potential functional implications of genetic variants. Each of these tools has its own scoring system which forces users to become acquainted with each approach to interpret their results. From an awareness of the amount of work needed to analyze and integrate results for a single locus, we proposed a flexible and versatile approach designed to help the prioritization of variants by aggregating the predictions of their potential functional implications. This approach has been made available through a web interface called DSNetwork which acts as a single-point of entry to almost 60 reference predictors for both coding and non-coding variants and displays predictions in an easy-to-interpret visualization. We confirmed the usefulness of our methodology by successfully identifying functional variants in four breast cancer susceptibility loci. DSNetwork is an integrative web application implemented through the Shiny framework and available at: http://romix.genome.ulaval.ca/dsnetwork.

Author summary

Over the past years, GWAS have enabled the identification of numerous susceptibility loci associated with complex traits (https://www.ebi.ac.uk/gwas/). However, many of those signals contain hundreds or even thousands of significantly associated variants among which only a few are really responsible of the phenotype. Substantial efforts have been made in the development of prediction methods to prioritize variants within GWAS-associated regions to go from statistical associations, to the identification of functional variants modulating gene expression, in order to ultimately gain insight into disease pathophysiology. Unfortunately, these numerous prediction tools generate contradictory predictions rendering the interpretation of results challenging. Some tools such as VEP [McLaren et al., 2016] report their scores using a color scheme, thus acknowledging the need to assist the user in the interpretation of predictor results. Nonetheless, the multiplication of approaches can often result in an extensive amount of data that is hard to synthesize. Aware of the challenge of evaluating the potential deleteriousness of variants in the context of fine mapping analyses, we created a customizable visualization approach that was implemented it in the decision support tool called DSNetwork for Decision Support Network. This tool enables quick access to gold standard and new predictors for both coding and non-coding variants through an easily interpretable visualization of these predictions for a set of variants.
SoftBV – a software tool for screening the materials genome of inorganic fast ion conductors
Authors: Chen Haomin , Wong Lee Loong , Adams Stefan
Published: January 2019

The identification of materials for advanced energy-storage systems is still mostly based on experimental trial and error. Increasingly, computational tools are sought to accelerate materials discovery by computational predictions. Here are introduced a set of computationally inexpensive software tools that exploit the bond-valence-based empirical force field previously developed by the authors to enable high-throughput computational screening of experimental or simulated crystal-structure models of battery materials predicting a variety of properties of technological relevance, including a structure plausibility check, surface energies, an inventory of equilibrium and interstitial sites, the topology of ion-migration paths in between those sites, the respective migration barriers and the site-specific attempt frequencies. All of these can be predicted from CIF files of structure models at a minute fraction of the computational cost of density functional theory (DFT) simulations, and with the added advantage that all the relevant pathway segments are analysed instead of arbitrarily predetermined paths. The capabilities and limitations of the approach are evaluated for a wide range of ion-conducting solids. An integrated simple kinetic Monte Carlo simulation provides rough (but less reliable) predictions of the absolute conductivity at a given temperature. The automated adaptation of the force field to the composition and charge distribution in the simulated material allows for a high transferability of the force field within a wide range of Lewis acid–Lewis base-type ionic inorganic compounds as necessary for high-throughput screening. While the transferability and precision will not reach the same levels as in DFT simulations, the fact that the computational cost is several orders of magnitude lower allows the application of the approach not only to pre-screen databases of simple structure prototypes but also to structure models of complex disordered or amorphous phases, and provides a path to expand the analysis to charge transfer across interfaces that would be difficult to cover by ab initio methods.
Structural complexity of natural uranyl sulfates
Authors: Gurzhiy Vladislav V. , Plášil Jakub
Published: January 2019

Uranyl sulfates, including those occurring in Nature (∼40 known members), possess particularly interesting structures. They exhibit a great dimensional and topological diversity of structures: from those based upon clusters of polyhedra to layered structures. There is also a great variability in the type of linkages between U and S polyhedra. From the point of view of complexity of those structures (measured as the amount of Shannon information per unit cell), most of the natural uranyl sulfates are intermediate (300–500 bits per cell) to complex (500–1000 bits per cell) with some exceptions, which can be considered as very complex structures (>1000 bits per cell). These exceptions are minerals alwilkinsite-(Y) (1685.95 bits per cell), sejkoraite-(Y) (1859.72 bits per cell), and natrozippeite (2528.63 bits per cell). The complexity of these structures is due to an extensive hydrogen bonding network which is crucial for the stability of these mineral structures. The hydrogen bonds help to propagate the charge from the highly charged interlayer cations (such as Y3+) or to link a high number of interlayer sites (i.e.five independent Na sites in the monoclinic natrozippeite) occupied by monovalent cations (Na+). The concept of informational ladder diagrams was applied to the structures of uranyl sulfates in order to quantify the particular contributions to the overall informational complexity and identifying the most contributing sources (topology, real symmetry, interlayer bonding).
Prioritization of multi-dimensional risk for digital services using the generalized analytic network process
Authors: Mustafa Syed Ziaul , Kar Arpan Kumar
Published: January 2019

Purpose

In current times, organizations operating in emerging economies are providing digital services to its citizen the internet. Literature indicates that digital services are facing major challenges with respect to its adoption among users groups due to the perceived risks.

Design/methodology/approach

With the use of generalized analytic network process (GANP), prioritization of different dimensions of risk has been done on the basis of an empirical survey among user groups in India.

Findings

The result indicates that dimensions like privacy risk, performance risk and financial risk are more important risks across digital services models. However, physical risk, social risk, psychological risk and time risk are comparatively less important risks across digital services. This research also finds out that the end users are reluctant to provide their personal information.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size is relatively small which limits generalizability of results beyond India. However, an application of GANP has been showcased for empirical research.

Practical implications

The research outcome can help managers in deciding which dimensions of risk are more important for digital service delivery and thus facilitate adoption.

Originality/value

This paper focused on the different facets of risk perceived by consumers, toward the digital services available in smart cities. Perceived risk dimensions such as privacy risk, performance risk, financial risk, physical risk, social risk, psychological risk and time risk have shown that there is a need to prioritize these risks to the digital services which is offered to the residents of the smart cities.
A background cell-based numerical integration for B-spline wavelet on the interval finite element method
Authors: Vadlamani Shashank , C.O. Arun
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss about evaluating the integrals involving B-spline wavelet on the interval (BSWI), in wavelet finite element formulations, using Gauss Quadrature.

Design/methodology/approach

In the proposed scheme, background cells are placed over each BSWI element and Gauss quadrature rule is defined for each of these cells. The nodal discretization used for BSWI WFEM element is independent to the selection of number of background cells used for the integration process. During the analysis, background cells of various lengths are used for evaluating the integrals for various combination of order and resolution of BSWI scaling functions. Numerical examples based on one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) plane elasto-statics are solved. Problems on beams based on Euler Bernoulli and Timoshenko beam theory under different boundary conditions are also examined. The condition number and sparseness of the formulated stiffness matrices are analyzed.

Findings

It is found that to form a well-conditioned stiffness matrix, the support domain of every wavelet scaling function should possess sufficient number of integration points. The results are analyzed and validated against the existing analytical solutions. Numerical examples demonstrate that the accuracy of displacements and stresses is dependent on the size of the background cell and number of Gauss points considered per background cell during the analysis.

Originality/value

The current paper gives the details on implementation of Gauss Quadrature scheme, using a background cell-based approach, for evaluating the integrals involved in BSWI-based wavelet finite element method, which is missing in the existing literature.
The ambiguity dilemma in procurement projects
Authors: Asadabadi Mehdi Rajabi , Sharpe Keiran
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use game theory and ambiguity theory to show how “economically rational” vendors will behave in a procurement process that runs over more than one period. In light of that behavior, we have proposed “economically rational” counter-strategies on the part of purchasers.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a perception–expectation framework, a unique game-based approach is designed. The authors have proposed “economically rational” counter-strategies on the part of purchasers, which are premised on the theory of rational agency.

Findings

Ambiguity in the procurement process is a bane for procuring principals and a boon for suppliers – for the former, it is an issue to be managed, and for the latter it provides an opportunity to extract “insurance rents” from the principals. The authors show that, under certain conditions, the contracting principal can be exploited by a rational, rent-extracting vendor. In particular, they show that there is an incentive for a vendor to delay the resolution of ambiguities in the contract until late in the procurement process, when the insurance rents are at a maximum.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the current literature by highlighting an existing problem in the procurement process and describing it using decision theory under ambiguity in a game-like setting. Specifically, the authors use game theory in a unique way to deal with imperfect information coupled with ambiguity.
Study of mixed materials heat exchanger using optimization techniques
Authors: Karimi Habib , Danesh Ashtiani Hossein Ahmadi , Aghanajafi Cyrus
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine total annual cost from economic view mixed materials heat exchangers based on three optimization algorithms. This study compares the use of three optimization algorithms in the design of economic optimization shell and tube mixed material heat exchangers.

Design/methodology/approach

A shell and tube mixed materials heat exchanger optimization design approach is expanded based on the total annual cost measured by dividing the costs of the heat exchanger to area of surface and power consumption. In this study, optimization and minimization of the total annual cost is considered as the objective function. There are three types of exchangers: cheap, expensive and mixed. Mixed materials are used in corrosive flows in the heat exchanger network. The present study explores the use of three optimization techniques, namely, hybrid genetic-particle swarm optimization, shuffled frog leaping algorithm techniques and ant colony optimization.

Findings

There are three parameters as decision variables such as tube outer diameter, shell diameter and central baffle spacing considered for optimization. Results have been compared with the findings of previous studies to demonstrate the accuracy of algorithms.

Originality/value

The present study explores the use of three optimization techniques, namely, hybrid genetic-particle swarm optimization, shuffled frog leaping algorithm techniques and ant colony optimization. This study has demonstrated successful application of each technique for the optimal design of a mixed material shell and tube heat exchanger from the economic view point.
Tablet-based intervention to foster music-related hand responses and positive engagement in people with advanced Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Lancioni Giulio , Singh Nirbhay , O’Reilly Mark , Sigafoos Jeff , D’Amico Fiora , Laporta Dominga , Scordamaglia Antonella , Pinto Katia
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Music stimulation is considered beneficial for people with advanced Alzheimer’s disease. The purpose of this paper is to assess a tablet-based program to promote music-related hand responses and positive engagement (e.g. singing or moving the body with the music) in people with advanced Alzheimer’s disease.

Design/methodology/approach

The program was implemented with 20 participants according to a non-concurrent multiple baseline design across participants. The participants were provided with a tablet whose screen worked as a sensor. During the intervention, sensor activations by hand responses led the tablet to present 10 s segments of preferred songs; an absence of sensor activation led the tablet to produce a prompt.

Findings

The participants’ mean frequencies of hand responses (i.e. sensor activations) per 5 min session increased from mostly zero during baseline to between about 9 and 20 during the intervention. The mean percentages of observation intervals with participants’ positive engagement increased from 0 to 12 during the baseline to between 13 and 55 during the intervention. The differences between baseline and intervention data were statistically significant for all participants.

Originality/value

A tablet-based program, such as that used in this study, may help people with advanced Alzheimer’s disease develop specific music-related responses and positive engagement.
Transformational leadership and knowledge sharing behavior in freelancers
Authors: Yadav Mohit , Choudhary Sangita , Jain Shubhi
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between transformational leadership and knowledge sharing behavior in freelancers. Also, the study focuses upon mediation of the relationship by employee engagement and moderation by social support.

Design/methodology/approach

Confirmatory factor analysis was used to find validity and reliability of the model under study. To study the relation between variables, the Pearson correlation was used. Further, the PROCESS macro of Hayes (2013) was used to test mediation and moderated mediation.

Findings

Transformational leadership influenced knowledge collecting and knowledge donating behavior in freelancers. The relation was mediated by employee engagement. Social support was found to moderate the mediated path by employee engagement between transformational leadership and knowledge collecting behavior. A similar result was found for knowledge donating behavior as a dependent variable.

Research limitations/implications

The model under study can be tested in other contexts with extended data.

Practical implications

The study asserts importance on freelancers in knowledge sharing in client organizations; leaders should take a transformational role to create a culture of free flow of knowledge and information between various types of employees.

Originality/value

This study is the first to research how transformational leadership, through engagement, motivates freelancers in engaging in knowledge collecting and knowledge donating. The importance of social support is also noted.
Influential factors on medical equipment maintenance management
Authors: Bahreini Rona , Doshmangir Leila , Imani Ali
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Effective maintenance management of medical equipment is one of the major issues for quality of care and cost-effectiveness especially in modern hospitals. An effective medical equipment maintenance management (MEMM) consists of adequate planning, management and implementation. This is essential for providing good health services and saving scarce resources. Considering the importance of the subject, the purpose of this paper is to extract the influential factors on MEMM using a qualitative approach.

Design/methodology/approach

Documents review and interviews were main methods for data collection. Semi structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 14 clinical engineers with different degree of education and job levels. Interviews were voice recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative data were analyzed using a content analysis approach (inductive and deductive) to identify the underlying themes and sub-themes.

Findings

Factors influencing an effective and efficient MEMM system categorized in seven themes and 19 sub-themes emerged. The themes included: “resources,” “quality control,” “information bank,” “education,” “service,” “inspection and preventive maintenance” and “design and implementation.”

Originality/value

The proposed framework provides a basis for a comprehensive and accurate assessment of medical equipment maintenance. The findings of this study could be used to improve the profitability of healthcare facilities and the reliability of medical equipment.
An analysis of the impact of a leadership intervention on an undergraduate work-based learning project for human resource management students
Authors: Gerhardt Trevor
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of an action research intervention during a work-based learning (WBL) project among human resource management (HRM) students at a business college in London. The intervention was the researcher’s meeting with the nominated group leaders to facilitate reflection on their leadership and instil confidence.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on an action research leadership intervention on a broader undergraduate WBL module taught across nine disciplines and numerous projects. The action learning involved the phases of action, reflection, learning and planning. The sample was five group leaders on one of the projects for HRM students. A content analysis of their assessment submissions was included in the reflection, learning and planning phases.

Findings

Based on a content analysis, most of the group leaders acknowledged the leadership intervention in their submissions in varying degrees of quantity and quality. The findings reflect the impact of the intervention upon leadership confidence and the application of theory on practice. Specific leadership input would enhance the impact. The intervention did address confidence which impacted self-directed learning.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited to a specific context and small sample. It is limited by the fact that reflective assessment work could not be used in comparison with the project assessment submissions.

Practical implications

The research demonstrates directly from the assessed submissions of students the benefit of WBL with a specific focus on confidence, leadership, reflection and self-directed learning. It demonstrates as an example the application of action research on a small WBL sample.

Social implications

The research is the evidence of the importance of leadership and confidence among mature adults in WBL contexts.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates the impact of WBL on the learning of mature adults and, furthermore, the impact of a leadership intervention on the motivation of students for self-directed learning.
Inferring longitudinal hierarchies: Framework and methods for studying the dynamics of dominance
Authors: Strauss Eli D. , Holekamp Kay E.
Published: January 2019

Social inequality is a consistent feature of animal societies, often manifesting as dominance hierarchies, in which each individual is characterized by a dominance rank denoting its place in the network of competitive relationships among group members. Most studies treat dominance hierarchies as static entities despite their true longitudinal, and sometimes highly dynamic, nature.

To guide study of the dynamics of dominance, we propose the concept of a longitudinal hierarchy: the characterization of a single, latent hierarchy and its dynamics over time. Longitudinal hierarchies describe the hierarchy position (r) and dynamics (∆) associated with each individual as a property of its interaction data, the periods into which these data are divided based on a period delineation rule (p) and the method chosen to infer the hierarchy. Hierarchy dynamics result from both active (∆a) and passive (∆p) processes. Methods that infer longitudinal hierarchies should optimize accuracy of rank dynamics as well as of the rank orders themselves, but no studies have yet evaluated the accuracy with which different methods infer hierarchy dynamics.

We modify three popular ranking approaches to make them better suited for inferring longitudinal hierarchies. Our three “informed” methods assign ranks that are informed by data from the prior period rather than calculating ranks de novo in each observation period and use prior knowledge of dominance correlates to inform placement of new individuals in the hierarchy. These methods are provided in an R package.

Using both a simulated dataset and a long‐term empirical dataset from a species with two distinct sex‐based dominance structures, we compare the performance of these methods and their unmodified counterparts. We show that choice of method has dramatic impacts on inference of hierarchy dynamics via differences in estimates of ∆a. Methods that calculate ranks de novo in each period overestimate hierarchy dynamics, but incorporation of prior information leads to more accurately inferred ∆a. Of the modified methods, Informed MatReorder infers the most conservative estimates of hierarchy dynamics and Informed Elo infers the most dynamic hierarchies.

This work provides crucially needed conceptual framing and methodological validation for studying social dominance and its dynamics.
Oncological results and recurrent risk factors following abdominal radical trachelectomy: an updated series of 333 patients
Authors: Li X , Li J , Jiang Z , Xia L , Ju X , Chen X , Wu X
Published: January 2019

Objective

To update the oncological results and identify recurrent risk factors in young patients with early stage cervical cancers following abdominal radical trachelectomy (ART).

Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

A university‐based cancer hospital.

Population

Three hundred and thirty‐three patients.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis from a prospectively maintained database of patients undergoing ART from April 2004 to December 2017.

Main outcome measures

Survival rate, clinicopathological factors related to recurrences.

Results

Two hundred and seventy‐one patients had squamous carcinomas (SCC), 51 had pure adenocarcinomas (AC), and 11 had adenosquamous carcinomas (AS). One hundred thirty‐two women (39.6%) had tumours ≥2 cm. With a median follow up of 56 months (range, 6–169), 11 patients (3.3%) had recurrence, and five patients (1.5%) died. The cumulative 5‐year recurrence‐free survival and overall survival rates were 96.3 and 98.6%, respectively. The recurrence rate in women with tumours ≥2 cm was comparable to that in patients with tumours <2 cm (5.3 versus 2.0%, respectively, P = NS). However, the recurrence rate was significantly higher in patients with AS histology than those with AC and SCC histology (18.2, 3.9, and 2.6%, respectively, P < 0.05). All of the recurrent patients with AS histology had tumours ≥2 cm. Multivariate analysis showed that the only independent risk factor for recurrence was histology type.

Conclusions

This updated series showed a favourable survival rate following ART. These results further supported that ART was a safe option for well‐selected patients with stage IB1 cervical cancers ≥2 cm. However, if patients with tumours ≥2 cm have AS histology, they should be advised with great caution when contemplating ART.

Tweetable abstract

Abdominal radical trachelectomy could be a safe, fertility‐sparing option for strictly selected patients with stage IA1–IB1 cervical cancers ≤4 cm.
Vaginal delivery in women with a low‐lying placenta: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Jansen CHJR , de Mooij YM , Blomaard CM , Derks JB , van Leeuwen E , Limpens J , Schuit E , Mol BW , Pajkrt E
Published: January 2019

Background

Low‐lying placentas are positioned close to the internal os of the cervix. The preferred way of delivery within this group is unclear.

Objectives

To review the literature on the success of a vaginal delivery with a low‐lying placenta.

Search strategy

We searched OVID EMBASE and MEDLINE for studies on vaginal delivery with a low‐lying placenta.

Data collection and analyses

Data was extracted on successful vaginal delivery and emergency caesarean section due to haemorrhage. We distinguished between different distances between the cervical os and the placenta (internal os distance, IOD); 0–10, 11–20, and >20 mm. A meta‐analysis of proportions was made for successful vaginal delivery and emergency caesarean section at every cut‐off value. Maternal morbidity (i.e. antepartum blood loss, postpartum haemorrhage and blood transfusion) at different cut‐off values was evaluated.

Main results

Of the 999 articles retrieved, 10 articles met our inclusion criteria. A vaginal delivery was successful at an IOD of 0–10 mm in 43%, at an IOD of 11–20 mm in 85%, and at an IOD of >20 mm in 82%. A shorter IOD had a higher chance of antepartum haemorrhage, whereas a larger IOD needed postpartum blood transfusion more often. Postpartum haemorrhage did not depend on IOD.

Conclusion

A low‐lying placenta is not a contraindication for a trial of labour, and the morbidity in these women is not increased. However, women with a low‐lying placenta have a higher chance of an emergency caesarean section compared with women with a placenta outside the lower uterine segment. Therefore, shared decision‐making is mandatory in case of a trial of labour.

Tweetable abstract

This systematic review demonstrates the possibility of a vaginal delivery in women with a low‐lying placenta within 20 mm of the cervix.
An Experiment to Characterize the Decomposer Community Associated with Carcasses (Sus scrofa domesticus) on Oahu, Hawaii
Authors: Dibner Hannah , Mangca Valdez Chelsie , Carter David O.
Published: January 2019

Pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) carcasses were decomposed on the soil surface of a terrestrial habitat on the island of Oahu, Hawaii to begin characterizing the decomposer community. Results showed that carcasses can decompose rapidly on Oahu, primarily due to the activity of fly larvae, with ~80% of mass lost by 8 days (~220 ADD) postmortem. Scavenging was conducted exclusively by the small Indian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus), first feeding on larvae then feeding on the remains. Carcasses were habitats of warm temperature, little to no oxygen, slightly acidic/neutral pH, and high sodium concentration. Larval masses selected for a microbial community comprised of multiple bacterial taxa from phyla Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, particularly genera Clostridium, Proteus, and Providencia. These larval masses were well established from 3 to 8 days (~90 to ~220 ADD) postmortem. These data provide helpful, novel insight into the structure and activity of carcass decomposer communities on Oahu.
Entomological and Cardiologic Evidence of Time Since Death in Short Postmortem Intervals
Authors: Ondruschka Benjamin , Babian Carsten , Neef Martin , Zwirner Johann , Schwarz Marcus
Published: January 2019

Estimating the time since death of the deceased is a main goal in forensic investigations, but this can be challenging due to contradictory results derived from different investigations at the scene of death. We present a case of a 78‐year‐old woman, found dead in a small forest with broad‐leaved trees, whose husband had a history of domestic violence. Routinely performed investigations, such as postmortem rectal temperature and lividity, yielded inconsistent time since death results between only a few and longer than 20 h. This difficulty was most likely caused by high ambient temperatures of up to 38.0°C, which negatively influenced the informative value of the applied nomogram method. Additionally, performed entomological investigation of fly maggots (Lucilia illustris) recovered from the corpse and the assessment of heart pacemaker data revealed consistent and incontrovertible results. The presented case highlights the benefits of information provided by entomological investigations and data evaluation of cardiac implantable electronic devices and the combined use of the two techniques.
Human resource change‐agent role, state ownership, and employee behavioural flexibility
Authors: Zhang Bo
Published: January 2019

Although evidence about the relationship between HRM systems and employee behavioural flexibility has been accumulating, HR function's role in this relationship has been neglected. Using data collected in 168 firms in China, this study examines whether the HR change‐agent role influences employee behavioural flexibility. It is conceptualised that this role shapes the collective social exchange relationship between organisation and employees, which then offers employees change‐oriented social resources, such as shared experiences, values and norms. Employees reciprocate with change‐supportive behaviours and abilities (employee behavioural flexibility). By integrating the hierarchy of needs principles into collective social exchange theory, the study examines the boundary conditions of the HR change‐agent role – employee behavioural flexibility relationship by testing the moderating role of state ownership. In China's state‐owned enterprises, employees’ lower‐order needs are likely to be satisfied by the broader institutional environment. Hence, they are more likely to have higher‐order behavioural aims.
Morphology and function of ovipositorial and tarsal sensilla of female Asian citrus psyllid
Authors: Zhang Xingyan , Rizvi Syed Arif Hussain , Wang Huatang , Zeng Xinnian
Published: January 2019

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera:Psyllidae), is one of the most important pests of citrus plants worldwide, due to be the dominant vector of the devastating citrus disease Huanglongbing (HLB). Selection of suitable oviposition site is a crucial event of phytophagous insect life. Usually, the chemical and physical characteristics of a host plant were recognized by sensilla on the ovipositor and tarsi of a phytophagous insect after settling on a plant surface. In this study, the morphology, number, and distribution pattern of the ovipositorial and tarsal sensilla of adult female psyllids, were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The effect of these sensilla on oviposition was investigated by sensilla deactivation using hydrochloric acid (HCl). The results showed that sensilla trichoid (ST), sensilla chaetica (ChS) and sensilla basiconica (SB) were distributed on ovipositor, while sensilla trichoid (ST) were distributed on the external genitalia. Sensilla chaetica (ChS) and basiconica (SB) were mainly distributed on the end of the ovipositor back plate, and on the base of the sternum. On tarsus, sensilla trichoid (ST), sensilla chaetica (ChS), sensilla triangular (TeS) and sensilla ear ball (SE) were observed. However, whole tarsal segments were covered with Böhm's mane, which was arranged in a circular line. Oviposition assay revealed that a significantly lower number of eggs were laid on the Murraya paniculata seedlings confined by the psyllids with deactivated ovipositorial sensilla followed by protarsal sensilla, mesotarsal sensilla and hindtarsal sensilla. These results suggested that the ovipositorial and tarsal sensilla of citrus psyllid have an important role in the oviposition.
Tip rates, phylogenies and diversification: What are we estimating, and how good are the estimates?
Authors: Title Pascal O. , Rabosky Daniel L.
Published: January 2019

Species‐specific diversification rates, or ‘tip rates’, can be computed quickly from phylogenies and are widely used to study diversification rate variation in relation to geography, ecology and phenotypes. These tip rates provide a number of theoretical and practical advantages, such as the relaxation of assumptions of rate homogeneity in trait‐dependent diversification studies. However, there is substantial confusion in the literature regarding whether these metrics estimate speciation or net diversification rates. Additionally, no study has yet compared the relative performance and accuracy of tip rate metrics across simulated diversification scenarios.

We compared the statistical performance of three model‐free rate metrics (inverse terminal branch lengths; node density metric; DR statistic) and a model‐based approach (Bayesian analysis of macroevolutionary mixtures [BAMM]). We applied each method to a large set of simulated phylogenies that had been generated under different diversification processes. We summarized performance in relation to the type of rate variation, the magnitude of rate heterogeneity and rate regime size. We also compared the ability of the metrics to estimate both speciation and net diversification rates.

We show decisively that model‐free tip rate metrics provide a better estimate of the rate of speciation than of net diversification. Error in net diversification rate estimates increases as a function of the relative extinction rate. In contrast, error in speciation rate estimates is low and relatively insensitive to extinction. Overall, and in particular when relative extinction was high, BAMM inferred the most accurate tip rates and exhibited lower error than non‐model‐based approaches. DR was highly correlated with true speciation rates but exhibited high error variance, and was the best metric for very small rate regimes.

We found that, of the metrics tested, DR and BAMM are the most useful metrics for studying speciation rate dynamics and trait‐dependent diversification. Although BAMM was more accurate than DR overall, the two approaches have complementary strengths. Because tip rate metrics are more reliable estimators of speciation rate, we recommend that empirical studies using these metrics exercise caution when drawing biological interpretations in any situation where the distinction between speciation and net diversification is important.
Gross osteology and radiology of the pelvic limb of the adult small East African goat
Authors: Makungu Modesta
Published: January 2019

The aim of this study was to provide the detailed normal gross osteology and radiographic anatomy of the pelvic limb in adult small East African goats as a reference for clinical use, biomedical research and teaching. Radiography of the pelvic limb was performed in five adult small East African goats. Bone specimens of four skeletally mature small East African goats were used for gross osteological study. The ilial wing was wide. The ischiatic tuberosity was prominent and well developed. The acetabulum was rounded. The minor trochanter was located caudomedially, and the femoral trochlea was deep and narrow. The lateral and medial condyles of the femur were approximately of the same size. The tibial tuberosity was prominent, and the cochlea grooves were deep with a pronounced intermediate ridge. The trochlea of the talus was deep. The patella presented a prominent tuberosity on the cranial surface. The metatarsal sesamoid bone was seen in all animals. The observed gross osteology and radiographic anatomy of the pelvic limb of small East African goats was consistent with the presence of strong extensor muscles of the hip, stifle and tarsus for propulsion during terrestrial walking and trotting.