bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of environmental interventions among mouse siblings on the heritability and malleability of general cognitive ability
Authors: Sauce Bruno , Bendrath Sophie , Herzfeld Margalit , Siegel Dan , Style Conner , Rab Sayeeda , Korabelnikov Jonathan , Matzel Louis D.
Published: August 2018

General cognitive ability can be highly heritable in some species, but at the same time, is very malleable. This apparent paradox could potentially be explained by gene–environment interactions and correlations that remain hidden due to experimental limitations on human research and blind spots in animal research. Here, we shed light on this issue by combining the design of a sibling study with an environmental intervention administered to laboratory mice. The analysis included 58 litters of four full-sibling genetically heterogeneous CD-1 male mice, for a total of 232 mice. We separated the mice into two subsets of siblings: a control group (maintained in standard laboratory conditions) and an environmental-enrichment group (which had access to continuous physical exercise and daily exposure to novel environments). We found that general cognitive ability in mice has substantial heritability (24% for all mice) and is also malleable. The mice that experienced the enriched environment had a mean intelligence score that was 0.44 standard deviations higher than their siblings in the control group (equivalent to gains of 6.6 IQ points in humans). We also found that the estimate of heritability changed between groups (55% in the control group compared with non-significant 15% in the enrichment group), analogous to findings in humans across socio-economic status. Unexpectedly, no evidence of gene–environment interaction was detected, and so the change in heritability might be best explained by higher environmental variance in the enrichment group. Our findings, as well as the ‘sibling intervention procedure’ for mice, may be valuable to future research on the heritability, mechanisms and evolution of cognition.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Causes and consequences of individual differences in cognitive abilities’.
Linking cognition with fitness in a wild primate: fitness correlates of problem-solving performance and spatial learning ability
Authors: Huebner Franziska , Fichtel Claudia , Kappeler Peter M.
Published: August 2018

Linking the cognitive performance of wild animals with fitness consequences is crucial for understanding evolutionary processes that shape individual variation in cognition. However, the few studies that have examined these links revealed differing relationships between various cognitive performance measures and fitness proxies. To contribute additional comparative data to this body of research, we linked individual performance during repeated problem-solving and spatial learning ability in a maze with body condition and survival in wild grey mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus). All four variables exhibited substantial inter-individual variation. Solving efficiency in the problem-solving task, but not spatial learning performance, predicted the magnitude of change in body condition after the harsh dry season, indicating that the ability to quickly apply a newly discovered motor technique might also facilitate exploitation of new, natural food resources. Survival was not linked with performance in both tasks, however, suggesting that mouse lemurs' survival might not depend on the cognitive performances addressed here. Our study is the first linking cognition with fitness proxies in a wild primate species, and our discussion highlights the importance and challenges of accounting for a species’ life history and ecology in choosing meaningful cognitive and fitness variables for a study in the wild.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Causes and consequences of individual differences in cognitive abilities’.
Brain-based ranking of cognitive domains to predict schizophrenia
Authors: Karrer Teresa M. , Bassett Danielle S. , Derntl Birgit , Gruber Oliver , Aleman André , Jardri Renaud , Laird Angela R. , Fox Peter T. , Eickhoff Simon B. , Grisel Olivier , Varoquaux Gaël , Thirion Bertrand , Bzdok Danilo
Published: August 2018

Schizophrenia is a devastating brain disorder that disturbs sensory perception, motor action, and abstract thought. Its clinical phenotype implies dysfunction of various mental domains, which has motivated a series of theories regarding the underlying pathophysiology. Aiming at a predictive benchmark of a catalogue of cognitive functions, we developed a bottom-up machine-learning strategy and provide a proof of principle in a multi-site clinical dataset (n=324). Existing neuroscientific knowledge on diverse cognitive domains was first condensed into neuro-topographical maps. We then examined how the ensuing meta-analytic cognitive priors can distinguish patients and controls using brain morphology and intrinsic functional connectivity. Some affected cognitive domains supported well-studied directions of research on auditory evaluation and social cognition. However, rarely suspected cognitive domains also emerged as disease-relevant, including self-oriented processing of bodily sensations in gustation and pain. Such algorithmic charting of the cognitive landscape can be used to make targeted recommendations for future mental health research.
Connecting natural and artificial neural networks in functional brain imaging using structured sparsity
Authors: Cox Christopher R. , Rogers Timothy T.
Published: August 2018

Artificial neural network models have long proven useful for understanding healthy, disordered, and developing cognition, but this work has often proceeded with little connection to functional brain imaging. We consider how analysis of functional brain imaging data is best approached if the representational assumptions embodied by neural networks are valid. Using a simple model to generate synthetic data, we show that four contemporary methods each have critical and complementary blind-spots for detecting distributed signal. The pattern suggests a new approach based on structured sparsity that, in simulation, retains the strengths of each method while avoiding its weaknesses. When applied to functional magnetic resonance imaging data the new approach reveals extensive distributed signal missed by the other methods, suggesting radically different conclusions about how brains encode cognitive information in the well-studied domain of visual face perception.
Quantifying the potential for future gene therapy to lower lifetime risk of polygenic late-onset diseases
Authors: Oliynyk Roman Teo
Published: August 2018

Background

Within the next few decades, gene therapy techniques and genetic knowledge may sufficiently advance to support prophylactic gene therapy to prevent polygenic late-onset diseases. A combination of a large number of common low effect gene variants offers the most likely explanation for the heritability of the majority of these diseases, and their risk may be lowered by correcting the effect of a subset of such gene variants.

Methods

Computer simulations quantified the correlation between the aging process, polygenic risk score, and hazard ratio change with age, using as inputs clinical incidence rates and familial heritability, and estimated the outcomes of hypothetical future prophylactic gene therapy on the lifetime risk and age of onset for eight highly prevalent late-onset diseases.

Results

The simulation results confirmed that gene therapy would be beneficial in both delaying the age of onset and lowering the lifetime risk of the analyzed lateonset diseases. Longer life expectancy is associated with a higher lifetime risk of these diseases, and this tendency, while delayed, will continue after the therapy.

Conclusions

When the gene therapy as hypothesized here becomes possible, and if the incidences of the treated diseases follow the proportional hazards model with multiplicative genetic architecture composed of a sufficient number of common small effect gene variants, then (a) late-onset diseases with the highest familial heritability will have the largest number of variants available for editing, (b) diseases that currently have the highest lifetime risk, and particularly those with the highest incidence rate continuing into older ages, will prove the most challenging cases in which to lower lifetime risk and delay the age of onset at the populational level, and (c) diseases that are characterized by the lowest lifetime risk will show the strongest and longest-lasting response to such therapy.
Hierarchical composition of reliable recombinase logic devices
Authors: Guiziou Sarah , Mayonove Pauline , Bonnet Jerome
Published: August 2018

We provide a systematic framework for engineering reliable recombinase logic devices by hierarchical composition of well-characterized, optimized recombinase switches. We apply this framework to build a recombinase logic device family supporting up to 4-input Boolean logic. This work will support the predictable engineering of several classes of recombinase devices to reliably control cellular behavior.
Identification of meteorological factors affecting migration of wild birds into miyazaki and its relation to circulation of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Authors: Arikawa Genki , Abe Maiku , Ngan Mai Thi , Mitoma Shuya , Notsu Kosuke , Huyen Nguyen Thi , Elhanafy Eslam , Daous Hala El , Kabali Emmanuel , Norimine Junzo , Sekiguchi Satoshi
Published: August 2018

Aim of our study is to establish models for predicting the number of migratory wild birds based on the meteorological data. From 136 species of wild birds, which have been observed at Futatsudate in Miyazaki, Japan, from 2008 to 2016, we selected the potential high-risk species, which can introduce highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus into Miyazaki; we defined them as “risky birds”. We then performed regression analysis to model the relationship between the number of risky birds and meteorological data. We selected 10 wild bird species as risky birds: Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Northern pintail (Anas acuta), Eurasian wigeon (Anas penelope), Eurasian teal (Anas crecca), Common pochard (Aythya ferina), Eurasian coot (Fulica atra), Northern shoveler (Anas clypeata), Common shelduck (Tadorna tadorna), Tufted duck (Aythya fuligula), and Herring gull (Larus argentatus). We succeeded in identifying five meteorological factors associated with their migration: station pressure, mean value of global solar radiation, minimum of daily maximum temperature, days with thundering, and days with daily hours of daylight under 0.1 h. We could establish some models for predicting the number of risky birds based only on the published meteorological data, without manual counting. Dynamics of migratory wild birds has relevance to the risk of HPAI outbreak, so our data could contribute to save the cost and time in strengthening preventive measures against the epidemics.
PGxO and PGxLOD: a reconciliation of pharmacogenomic knowledge of various provenances, enabling further comparison
Authors: Monnin Pierre , Legrand Jöel , Husson Graziella , Ringot Patrice , Tchechmedjiev Andon , Jonquet Clément , Napoli Amedeo , Coulet Adrien
Published: August 2018

Background

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) studies how genomic variations impact variations in drug response phenotypes. Knowledge in pharmacogenomics is typically composed of units that have the form of ternary relationships gene variant – drug – adverse event. Such a relationship states that an adverse event may occur for patients having the specified gene variant and being exposed to the specified drug. State-of-the-art knowledge in PGx is mainly available in reference databases such as PharmGKB and reported in scientific biomedical literature. But, PGx knowledge can also be discovered from clinical data, such as Electronic Health Records (EHRs), and in this case, may either correspond to new knowledge or confirm state-of-the-art knowledge that lacks “clinical counterpart” or validation. For this reason, there is a need for automatic comparison of knowledge units from distinct sources.

Results

In this article, we propose an approach, based on Semantic Web technologies, to represent and compare PGx knowledge units. To this end, we developed PGxO, a simple ontology that represents PGx knowledge units and their components. Combined with PROV-O, an ontology developed by the W3C to represent provenance information, PGxO enables encoding and associating provenance information to PGx relationships. Additionally, we introduce a set of rules to reconcile PGx knowledge, i.e. to identify when two relationships, potentially expressed using different vocabularies and levels of granularity, refer to the same, or to different knowledge units. We evaluated our ontology and rules by populating PGxO with knowledge units extracted from PharmGKB (2,701), the literature (65,720) and from discoveries reported in EHR analysis studies (only 10, manually extracted); and by testing their similarity. We called PGxLOD (PGx Linked Open Data) the resulting knowledge base that represents and reconciles knowledge units of those various origins.

Conclusions

The proposed ontology and reconciliation rules constitute a first step toward a more complete framework for knowledge comparison in PGx. In this direction, the experimental instantiation of PGxO, named PGxLOD, illustrates the ability and difficulties of reconciling various existing knowledge sources.
Resolving within-host malaria parasite diversity using single-cell sequencing
Authors: Nkhoma Standwell C. , Trevino Simon G. , Gorena Karla M. , Nair Shalini , Khoswe Stanley , Jett Catherine , Garcia Roy , Daniel Benjamin , Dia Aliou , Terlouw Dianne J. , Ward Stephen A. , Anderson Timothy J.C. , Cheeseman Ian H.
Published: August 2018

Malaria patients can carry one or more clonal lineage of the parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, but the composition of these infections cannot be directly inferred from bulk sequence data. Well-defined, complete haplotypes at single-cell resolution are ideal for describing within-host population structure and unambiguously determining parasite diversity, transmission dynamics and recent ancestry but have not been analyzed on a large scale. We generated 485 near-complete single-cell genome sequences isolated from fifteen P. falciparum patients from Chikhwawa, Malawi, an area of intense malaria transmission. Matched single-cell and bulk genomic analyses revealed patients harbored up to seventeen unique lineages. Estimation of parasite relatedness within patients suggests superinfection by repeated mosquito bites is rarer than co-transmission of parasites from a single mosquito. Our single-cell analysis indicates strong barriers to establishment of new infections in malaria-infected patients and allows high resolution dissection of intra-host variation in malaria parasites.
Cargo diffusion shortens single-kinesin runs at low viscous drag
Authors: Wilson John O. , Quint David A. , Gopinathan Ajay , Xu Jing
Published: August 2018

Molecular motors are mechanoenzymes that actively drive long-range transport in cells. Thermal diffusion of the cargo can result in mechanical load on the motor carrying the cargo; the direction of this diffusion-based load is not correlated with motor motion. Recent single molecule-based experiments highlighted a strong asymmetric dependence of the run length of the single kinesin-1 motor on load direction, raising the intriguing possibility that thermal diffusion of the cargo may non-trivially influence the run length of the motor carrying the cargo. To test this possibility, here we employed Monte Carlo-based stochastic simulations to evaluate the transport of single-kinesin cargos over a large parameter space of physiologically relevant solution viscosities, cargo sizes, and motor velocities. Our simulations uncovered a previously unexplored, significant shortening effect of cargo diffusion on single-kinesin run length. This effect is non-monotonically influenced by viscous drag force on the cargo, which biases the effect of cargo diffusion toward the hindering direction. The non-monotonic variation of cargo run length with drag force is the direct result of the asymmetric response of kinesin’s run length to load direction. Our findings may be important for understanding the diverse characteristics of cargo transport, including run length, observed in living cells.
Trajectory changes are susceptible to change blindness manipulations
Authors: Jaquiery Matt , Andermane Nora , Chrisley Ron
Published: August 2018

People routinely fail to notice that things have changed in a visual scene if they do not perceive the changes in the process of occurring, a phenomenon known as ‘change blindness’ (1,2). The majority of lab-based change blindness studies use static stimuli and require participants to identify simple changes such as alterations in stimulus orientation or scene composition. This study uses a ‘flicker’ paradigm adapted for dynamic stimuli which allowed for both simple orientation changes and more complex trajectory changes. Participants were required to identify a moving rectangle which underwent one of these changes against a background of moving rectangles which did not. The results demonstrated that participants’ ability to correctly identify the target deteriorated with the presence of a visual mask and a larger number of distractor objects, consistent with findings in previous change blindness work.

The study provides evidence that the flicker paradigm can be used to induce change blindness with dynamic stimuli, and that changes to predictable trajectories are detected or missed in the similar way as orientation changes.
Noncanonical secondary structures arising from non-B DNA motifs are determinants of mutagenesis
Authors: Georgakopoulos-Soares Ilias , Morganella Sandro , Jain Naman , Hemberg Martin , Nik-Zainal Serena
Published: August 2018

Somatic mutations show variation in density across cancer genomes. Previous studies have shown that chromatin organization and replication time domains are correlated with, and thus predictive of, this variation. Here, we analyze 1809 whole-genome sequences from 10 cancer types to show that a subset of repetitive DNA sequences, called non-B motifs that predict noncanonical secondary structure formation can independently account for variation in mutation density. Combined with epigenetic factors and replication timing, the variance explained can be improved to 43%–76%. Approximately twofold mutation enrichment is observed directly within non-B motifs, is focused on exposed structural components, and is dependent on physical properties that are optimal for secondary structure formation. Therefore, there is mounting evidence that secondary structures arising from non-B motifs are not simply associated with increased mutation density—they are possibly causally implicated. Our results suggest that they are determinants of mutagenesis and increase the likelihood of recurrent mutations in the genome. This analysis calls for caution in the interpretation of recurrent mutations and highlights the importance of taking non-B motifs that can simply be inferred from the reference sequence into consideration in background models of mutability henceforth.
Efficiency performance of fertilizer use in arable agricultural production in China
Authors: Huang Wei , Jiang Li
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Fertilizer overuse is regarded as one of the main contributors to agricultural pollution and environmental problems in China. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate technical efficiency (TE) and fertilizer overuse index (FOI) with respect to China’s arable agricultural production and examine regional variations in terms of fertilizer overuse.

Design/methodology/approach

The maximum likelihood random effects–time varying inefficiency effects model was applied to estimate TE, fertilizer use efficiency (FUE) and FOI.

Findings

Over the study period (2011–2015), TE steadily increased for each individual province. Overall, mean annual TE was 0.811, implying that, on average, Chinese provinces could increase output by 18.9 per cent given unchanged levels of inputs and technology. Mean annual FOI ranged from 0.008 to 3.139, with a mean of 0.685, suggesting that there is fertilizer overuse in almost all provinces, and that large regional variation exists. Coastal provinces were found to have the highest TE scores, while the central region showed the highest degree of fertilizer overuse.

Originality/value

The results indicate that fertilizer use has had a significant positive impact on production in the China’s arable agricultural sector. High TE was not necessarily associated with low FUE.
Coupling of finite element method and integral formulation for vector Helmholtz equation
Authors: Grabmaier Sebastian , Jüttner Matthias , Rucker Wolfgang
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Considering the vector Helmholtz equation in three dimensions, this paper aims to present a novel approach for coupling the finite element method and a boundary integral formulation. It is demonstrated that the method is well-suited for many realistic three-dimensional problems in high-frequency engineering.

Design/methodology/approach

The formulation is based on partial solutions fulfilling the global boundary conditions and the iterative interaction between them. In comparison to other coupling formulation, this approach avoids the typical singularity in the integral kernels. The approach applies ideas from domain decomposition techniques and is implemented for a parallel calculation.

Findings

Using confirming elements for the trace space and default techniques to realize the infinite domain, no additional loss in accuracy is introduced compared to a monolithic finite element method approach. Furthermore, the degree of coupling between the finite element method and the integral formulation is reduced. The accuracy and convergence rate are demonstrated on a three-dimensional antenna model.

Research limitations/implications

This approach introduces additional degrees of freedom compared to the classical coupling approach. The benefit is a noticeable reduction in the number of iterations when the arising linear equation systems are solved separately.

Practical implications

This paper focuses on multiple heterogeneous objects surrounded by a homogeneous medium. Hence, the method is suited for a wide range of applications.

Originality/value

The novelty of the paper is the proposed formulation for the coupling of both methods.
Can green human resource management attract young talent? An empirical analysis
Authors: Chaudhary Richa
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of perceived green human resource management (GHRM) on job pursuit intention (JPI) of prospective employees. In addition, an attempt was made to unfurl the underlying psychological mechanisms and illuminate the boundary conditions of the aforementioned relationship by proposing organizational prestige (OP) as mediator and environmental orientation (EO) and gender as moderators.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 172 undergraduate engineering students of a reputed engineering institute in India constituted the sample for this scenario-based study. Direct, mediation, moderation and moderated mediation hypotheses were tested using hierarchical linear regression analysis and bootstrapping procedures in SPSS.

Findings

GHRM was found to relate significantly with JPI of prospective applicants and OP mediated the above linkage. EO was found to significantly moderate the association of GHRM with JPI. However, gender failed to add to the understanding of the above relationship.

Practical implications

By providing evidence on the psychological processes which the applicants engage in during employer selection, organizations will be able to form appropriate strategies for attracting talent to their organizations.

Originality/value

The study addresses the call for research to integrate the diverse disciplines of environmental management and human resource management and provides additional insights into human aspect of environmental sustainability. It advances the sustainable HRM literature by providing comprehensive understanding of how and when GHRM influences prospective employee outcomes.
Shanghai aged care and Confucian welfare
Authors: Fisher Karen R. , Zhang Xiaoyi , Alston Max
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Some social policy theorists assert that East Asia has a distinct social welfare regime that due to the influence of Confucian values relies on families more than in other countries. This theorisation has been questioned, partly because it is a static, reductive generalisation. The purpose of this paper is to ask whether this characterisation is relevant to aged care services in Shanghai.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses data from ageing profile statistics, policy documents and ethnographic fieldwork to examine Shanghai aged care services.

Findings

These data show a growing reliance and preference for state aged care service provision to complement family care. It finds that changes in Shanghai aged care services in the last ten years have moved towards a model with similar patterns in high-income countries. It suggests that differences in the service system that were attributed to Confucian values were more likely due to the degree of economic development and internationalisation.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature by re-examining the structure of Shanghai’s welfare regime in the context of the dynamic nature of aged care services and preferences of older people.
Art as document: on conceptual art and documentation
Authors: Berryman Jim
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to bring the work of Seth Siegelaub (1941–2013) to the attention of document studies. Siegelaub was a pioneer of the conceptual art movement in New York in the 1960s, active as an Art Dealer, Curator and Publisher. He is remembered by art history for his exhibition catalogues, which provided a material base for intangible works of art.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a comparative approach to examine the documents of conceptual art, especially the exhibition catalogues produced by Siegelaub between 1968 and 1972. Drawing on literature from document theory and art history and criticism, it examines several of Siegelaub’s key exhibition catalogues and books.

Findings

Siegelaub’s theories of information have much in common with the documentalist tradition. Siegelaub’s work is important, not just for its potential to contribute to the literature of document theory. It also provides a point of dialogue between art history and information studies.

Originality/value

To date, the common ground between art and documentation has been explored almost exclusively from the perspective of art history. This paper is among the first to examine conceptual art from the perspective of document theory. It demonstrates potential for cross-disciplinary collaboration.
A collaborative agent based green IS practice assessment tool for environmental sustainability attainment in enterprise data centers
Authors: Anthony Jr Bokolo , Abdul Majid Mazlina , Romli Awanis
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a collaborative agent-based web architecture and an agent-based green IS assessment tool to aid information technology (IT) practitioners in data centers assess their current green information systems (IS) practice toward attaining sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology comprises that the collaborative agent-based web architecture, agents’ algorithm and the green IS assessment tool, which is validated by employing focus group questionnaire targeting IT practitioners in seven Malaysian-based enterprises that have an in-house data centers. With 105 valid samples at hand, descriptive analysis and exploratory factor analysis was utilized to determine the applicability of the implemented agent-based green IS assessment tool.

Findings

Findings reveal that the agent-based green IS assessment tool possesses the capability to evaluate benchmark and rate enterprise data centers current green IS practice. Additional findings indicate that the agent-based green IS assessment tool provide suggestions on how green IS practice can be improved in enterprise data centers.

Research limitations/implications

This study only collected data from 105 IT practitioners in enterprise data centers based in Malaysia; as such results from this research cannot be generalized to other countries. Moreover, the developed collaborative agents for green IS practice assessment can only be fully deployed after domain experts has added green IS practice assessment questions and alternative answers.

Practical implications

This study presents an autonomous agent-based green IS assessment tool that supports the assessment of enterprise toward inclusion of sustainability considerations to enhance enterprise environmental performance.

Social implications

This study provides empirical evidence for data centers efficacy leading toward a greener society for environmental conservation for future generations to come.

Originality/value

This study creates awareness by presenting the green IS practice to be implemented by IT practitioners in data centers. In addition, the agent-based green IS assessment tool provides a web-based platform for promoting environmental sustainability by supporting data centers toward evaluating, benchmarking and rating their current green IS practices.
Commodity Futures Trading Commission issues advisory for virtual currency pump-and-dump schemes
Authors: Rosenfeld Richard , Lakatos Alex , Beam David , Carlson Jennifer , Flax Nina , Niehoff Philip , Bisanz Matthew , McCoy Nicholas
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain innocent actors in the virtual currency space (e.g. virtual currency exchanges, financial institutions, social media platforms) and how to avoid potential exposure because of the misconduct of users or customers.

Design/methodology/approach

Explains how pump-and-dump securities and commodities fraud schemes work, explains the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s warning to consumers about how to avoid being victimized by schemers running pump-and-dump schemes in the virtual currency space, explains how innocent well-meaning actors may – because of misconduct by their customers or users – be at risk of exposure to victims of pump-and-dump schemes and provides practical guidance for avoiding these dangers and remediating problems.

Findings

Market participants must protect their reputations, and they cannot rely on the government to do so for them. Moreover, because investors who fall prey to fraud may be unable to recover from fraudsters, such investors may seek to recover from innocent market participants. Accordingly, market participants should take precautionary measures to avoid being used by fraudsters.

Originality/value

Practical guidance from experienced securities and financial services litigators.
Environmental concern: an issue for poor or rich
Authors: Teoh Chai Wen , Gaur Sanjaya Singh
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the role of environmental concern on brand preference. The authors also examine whether the proposed relationship is contingent upon the individual’s income.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model is proposed based on the theory of buyer behaviour and environmental concern. Model is empirically validated by conducting a survey using self-administered questionnaire. Measurements for each construct were adapted from literature. Partial least square based structural equation modelling is used for the hypotheses testing and confirmatory factor analysis is used for the validation of measurement model.

Findings

The authors found that brand preference is influenced by environmental concern and attitude towards the environment-friendly product. Further, social influence indirectly affects brand preference via environmental concern and attitude towards the environment-friendly product. The authors also found that income significantly moderates the relationship between social influence and environmental concern.

Originality/value

This paper provides useful guidance for the marketers of environment-friendly products for marketing to people with different income.
The role of mental health nurses in supporting young people’s mental health: a review of the literature
Authors: Arnold Jessica Louise , Baker Charley
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Adolescent mental health issues are on the increase, in particular depression, which is now a major public health concern globally. Mental health education is important and young people’s awareness of mental health is potentially limited. This is one factor that creates barriers to seeking support. School nurses and educational professionals recognise that they do not necessarily have the required skill base to support emotional health concerns with young people. The purpose of this paper is to synthesise qualitative evidence related to the nurse’s role in supporting adolescents.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review using a systematic approach was undertaken, predominantly through collection of primary qualitative research studies. In total, 22 published studies are included in this review, extracted from four databases – CINAHL, Embase, Medline and Scopus.

Findings

This review shows that awareness of mental health is needed early in adolescence, while at school, to encourage young people to access support and have knowledge of their own emotional health. The need for further mental health education and provision is asserted.

Practical implications

Young people benefit from someone who is accessible and familiar to them in schools so that they can access emotional support as and when needed. Careful involvement of families (including extended families) is noted. It is proposed that this role should be a mental health nurse role, who should be accessible within the school environment.

Originality/value

This paper is original and adds to existing knowledge that mental health challenges are increasing, and more needs to be done in schools to promote mental health and reduce the stigma associated with seeking support.
The electrothermal impact on a contact metal-semiconductor: applications to the germanium–silver system
Authors: Skvortsov Arkadiy , Khripach Nikolay A. , Papkin Boris A. , Pshonkin Danila E.
Published: August 2018

Purpose

This study aims to examine the electromigration processes resulting from thermal overloads of semiconductor devices. While in operation, parts of such devices can heat up to 330°C for a short period, resulting in the emergence of molten zones and the devices’ inevitable degradation. Therefore, this study examines the mechanisms behind the formation and migration of silver-based molten zones in bulk germanium and on its surface.

Design/methodology/approach

Experimental data concerning the correlation between the migration velocities of the inclusions and their sizes are obtained.

Findings

By comparing these experimental data with known electromigration models, it is concluded that inclusions move through the mechanism of melting and crystallization. The dynamics of Ge–Ag zones in the volume of a germanium crystal are compared to those on its surface and accelerated electromigration on the surface of the crystal is observed. This increased migration velocity is shown to be associated with additional contributions of the electrocapillary component.

Originality/value

The results of this study can be used to calculate the operating modes of semiconductor power devices under intense heat loading.
Electrical properties of Pb[Zr0.35Ti0.65]O3 on PEALD Al2O3 for NVM applications
Authors: Singh Prashant , Jha Rajesh Kumar , Singh Rajat Kumar , Singh B.R.
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Development of (1T-type) ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM) has most actively progressed since 1995 and motivated by the physical limits and technological drawbacks of the flash memory. 1T-type FeRAM implements ferroelectric layer at the field effect transistor (FET) gate. During the course of the investigation, it was very difficult to form a thermodynamically stable ferroelectric-semiconductor interface at the FET gate, leading to the introduction of one insulating buffer layer between the ferroelectric and the silicon substrate to overcome this problem. In this study, Al2O3 a high-k buffer layer deposited by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) is sandwiched between the ferroelectric layer and silicon substrate.

Design/methodology/approach

Ferroelectric/high-k gate stack were fabricated on the silicon substrate and pt electrode. Structural characteristics of the ferroelectric (PZT) and high-k (Al2O3) thin film deposited by RF sputtering and PEALD, respectively, were optimized and investigated for different process parameters. Metal/PZT/Metal, Metal/PZT/Silicon, Metal/PZT/Al2O3/Silicon structures were fabricated and electrically characterized to obtain the memory window, leakage current, hysteresis, PUND, endurance and breakdown characteristics.

Findings

XRD pattern shows the ferroelectric perovskite thin Pb[Zr0.35Ti0.65]O3 film with (101) tetragonal orientation deposited by sputtering and PEALD Al2O3 with (312) orientation showing amorphous nature. Multiple angle analysis shows that the refractive index of PZT varies from 2.248 to 2.569, and PEALD Al2O3 varies from 1.6560 to 1.6957 with post-deposition annealing temperature. Increase in memory window from 2.3 to 8.4 V for the Metal-Ferroelectric-Silicon (MFS) and Metal-Ferroelectric-Insulator-Semiconductor (MFIS) structure has been observed at the annealing temperature of 500°C. MFIS structure with 10 nm buffer layer shows excellent endurance of 3 × 109 read-write cycles and the breakdown voltage of 33 V.

Originality/value

This paper shows the feature, principle and improvement in the electrical properties of the fabricated gate stack for 1T-type nonvolatile FeFET. The insulating buffer layer sandwiched between ferroelectric and silicon substrate acts as a barrier to ferroelectric–silicon interdiffusion improves the leakage current, memory window, endurance and breakdown voltage. This is perhaps the first time that the combination of sputtered PZT on the PEALD Al2O3 layer is being reported.
Machine learning for image based species identification
Authors: Wäldchen Jana , Mäder Patrick
Published: August 2018

Accurate species identification is the basis for all aspects of taxonomic research and is an essential component of workflows in biological research. Biologists are asking for more efficient methods to meet the identification demand. Smart mobile devices, digital cameras as well as the mass digitisation of natural history collections led to an explosion of openly available image data depicting living organisms. This rapid increase in biological image data in combination with modern machine learning methods, such as deep learning, offers tremendous opportunities for automated species identification.

In this paper, we focus on deep learning neural networks as a technology that enabled breakthroughs in automated species identification in the last 2 years. In order to stimulate more work in this direction, we provide a brief overview of machine learning frameworks applicable to the species identification problem. We review selected deep learning approaches for image based species identification and introduce publicly available applications.

Eventually, this article aims to provide insights into the current state‐of‐the‐art in automated identification and to serve as a starting point for researchers willing to apply novel machine learning techniques in their biological studies.

While modern machine learning approaches only slowly pave their way into the field of species identification, we argue that we are going to see a proliferation of these techniques being applied to the problem in the future. Artificial intelligence systems will provide alternative tools for taxonomic identification in the near future.
The prevention and detection of human error in ecological stable isotope analysis
Authors: Hawke David J. , Brown Julie C. S. , Bury Sarah J.
Published: August 2018

Stable isotope analysis (SIA) is widely used in ecology, but samples are usually analysed in specialist facilities. Like any complex process, SIA is susceptible to human error. Despite the best efforts of the SIA laboratory, errors may occasionally remain in results released to clients.

We used our experiences as ecologists and laboratory analysts to identify human error scenarios to which SIA performed anywhere might be susceptible. These scenarios ran from sample selection and submission by the ecologist, to the final results report from the SIA laboratory. Several scenarios involved errors hard to find by visual examination, by either ecologist or analyst.

The ecologist can prevent pre‐submission errors by formalising their sample submission process, and can best perform a final results quality check by submitting their own quality control material with a matrix similar to that of the samples. Prevention of laboratory errors is best accomplished by a comprehensive risk‐based quality management system and a continual improvement, no‐blame laboratory culture.

We recommend that the ecologist views the entire sample selection, submission and laboratory analysis as an integrated whole, establishing their own quality management processes to run alongside those of the SIA facility. This recommendation applies to any ecological methodology where samples are sent to a specialist facility for analysis.
Effect of environmental factors on the abundance variations of two native rodents in agricultural systems of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Authors: Guidobono Juan S. , Cueto Gerardo R. , Teta Pablo , Busch María
Published: August 2018

Our aim was to assess the effect of environmental factors on short temporal abundance variations of the two most abundant native rodents of agricultural agroecosystems, Akodon azarae and Calomys laucha. We conducted a 3‐year longitudinal sampling of rodents, and recorded meteorological data such as temperature and precipitation, predation rate by Leopardus geoffroyi, Tyto furcata and Athene cunicularia, vegetation cover and height, characteristics of cropfields and their borders. The effect of these factors on rodent abundance was evaluated through generalized linear mixed models. Abundance variations of both rodent species were explained by characteristics of both cropfields and their borders. At the studied temporal scale, meteorological variables did not have a direct effect on abundance variations, but probably influenced through vegetation characteristics and were expressed in seasonal variations. For A. azarae there was also an effect of predation by L. geoffroyi (positive) and T. furcata (negative), while predation by A. cunicularia did not contribute to explain abundance variations of any species.
Early use of steroid‐sparing agents in the inactivation of moderate‐to‐severe active thyroid eye disease: a step‐down approach
Authors: Sipkova Zuzana , Insull Elizabeth A. , David Joel , Turner Helen E. , Keren Shay , Norris Jonathan H.
Published: August 2018

Objectives

The current first‐line treatment for management of active thyroid eye disease (TED) is high‐dose intravenous corticosteroids, which have the potential for serious adverse effects. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of steroid‐sparing agents (SSAs) in patients with moderate‐to‐severe active TED, using methotrexate as first‐line.

Methods

Presented is a retrospective, four‐year, single‐centre, consecutive case series of patients with moderate‐to‐severe TED treated using the Oxford protocol. Treatment modality, disease activity, and adverse effects are reported at presentation, 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up.

Results

104 consecutive TED patients treated by the Oxford TED team were reviewed. 24 patients with moderate‐to‐severe active disease were identified (mean age 46.8 years;12 female) with a mean pretreatment VISA inflammatory index score of 5.5/10 (SD = 1.98; range 1‐9). Intravenous methyl‐prednisolone (IVMP) and an SSA was commenced in all patients.

Mean total steroid dose was 2.72 g (SD = 1.4;1.0‐6.9). 38% of patients (n = 9) received ≤1.5 g of IVMP. Only two patients required >4.5 g of IVMP equating to the EUGOGO treatment protocol dose for this patient group. There was significant improvement in inflammatory index score both at the intermediate review (mean score 2.7; SD = 2.8; P < 0.001; mean follow up 25.2 weeks) and at one year or last follow‐up (mean score 1.4; SD = 1.5; P < 0.001; mean follow up 48.0 weeks). No serious or long‐term adverse effects were reported.

Conclusion

This study suggests that the initiation of an SSA, using methotrexate as first‐line, with limited adjuvant IVMP is an effective and safe treatment for moderate‐to‐severely active TED, resulting in a significant reduction in both disease activity and total steroid load.
Pronounced antiepileptic activity of the subtype‐selective GABAA‐positive allosteric modulator PF‐06372865 in the GAERS absence epilepsy model
Authors: Duveau Venceslas , Buhl Derek L. , Evrard Alexis , Ruggiero Céline , Mandé‐Niedergang Betty , Roucard Corinne , Gurrell Rachel
Published: August 2018

Aim

Antiepileptic drugs that modulate GABA have the potential to aggravate or improve the symptoms of absence epilepsy. PF‐06372865 is a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of α2/3/5 subunit‐containing GABAA receptors with minimal activity at α1‐containing receptors, which are believed to mediate many of the adverse events associated with benzodiazepines. The aim of this study was to assess the antiepileptic effect of PF‐06372865 in a preclinical model of absence seizures.

Methods

Genetic absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) was implanted with four cortical electrodes over the frontoparietal cortex, and the number and cumulated duration of spike‐and‐wave discharges (SWDs) were recorded for 10‐90 minutes following administration of vehicle, PF‐06372865, and positive controls diazepam and valproate.

Results

PF‐06372865 (0.3, 1, 2, 10 mg kg−1) dose‐dependently reduced the expression of SWDs, including full suppression at the highest doses by 30 minutes after administration.

Conclusions

PF‐06372865 demonstrated robust efficacy in suppressing SWDs in the GAERS model of absence epilepsy. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of antiepileptic activity of an α2/3/5‐subtype‐selective GABAA PAM in a model of absence epilepsy. Further study of the antiepileptic properties of PF‐06372865 is warranted in patients with absence seizures.