bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Return, but Not Facilitation, Disappears Under Vigilance Decrease Due to Sleep Deprivation
Authors: Martella Diana , Marotta Andrea , Fuentes Luis J. , Casagrande Maria
Published: August 2013

In this study, we assessed whether unspecific attention processes signaled by general reaction times (RTs), as well as specific facilitatory (validity or facilitation effect) and inhibitory (inhibition of return, IOR) effects involved in the attentional orienting network, are affected by low vigilance due to both circadian factors and sleep deprivation (SD). Eighteen male participants performed a cuing task in which peripheral cues were nonpredictive about the target location and the cue-target interval varied at three levels: 200 ms, 800 ms, and 1,100 ms. Facilitation with the shortest and IOR with the longest cue-target intervals were observed in the baseline session, thus replicating previous related studies. Under SD condition, RTs were generally slower, indicating a reduction in the participants’ arousal level. The inclusion of a phasic alerting tone in several trials partially compensated for the reduction in tonic alertness, but not with the longest cue-target interval. With regard to orienting, whereas the facilitation effect due to reflexive shifts of attention was preserved with sleep loss, the IOR was not observed. These results suggest that the decrease of vigilance produced by SD affects both the compensatory effects of phasic alerting and the endogenous component involved in disengaging attention from the cued location, a requisite for the IOR effect being observed.
Molecular and morphological data support reclassification of the octocoral genus Isidoides
Authors: Pante Eric , Saucier Esprit Heestand , France Scott C.
Published: August 2013

The rare octocoral genus Isidoides Nutting, 1910 was originally placed in the Gorgonellidae (now the Ellisellidae), even though it showed a remarkable similarity to the Isidae (now the Isididae). Isidoides was not classified in the Isididae mostly because the type specimen lacked skeletal nodes, a defining characteristic of that family. The genus was later assigned to the Chrysogorgiidae based on sclerite morphology. Specimens were recently collected in the south-western Pacific, providing material for genetic analysis and detailed characterisation of the morphology, and allowing us to consider the systematic placement of this taxon within the suborder Calcaxonia. A previously reported phylogeny allowed us to reject monophyly with the Chrysogorgiidae, and infer a close relationship with the Isididae subfamily Keratoisidinae. While scanning for molecular variation across mitochondrial genes, we discovered a novel gene order that is, based on available data, unique among metazoans. Despite these new data, the systematic placement of Isidoides is still unclear, as (1) the phylogenetic relationships among Isididae subfamilies remain poorly resolved, (2) genetic distances between mitochondrial mtMutS sequences from Isidoides and Keratoisidinae are characteristic of intra-familial distances, and (3) mitochondrial gene rearrangements may occur among confamilial genera. For these reasons, and because a revision of the Isididae is beyond the scope of this contribution, we amend the familial placement of Isidoides to incertae sedis.
A Hedonic Valuation of Residential Water Services
Authors: Vásquez William F.
Published: August 2013

This paper investigates the economic value of municipal, private, and community‐managed water services in Guatemala through a hedonic analysis of rental housing prices observed in 2006. Hedonic models are jointly estimated with water service choices using a maximum simulated likelihood approach in order to control for potential endogeneity. Findings indicate that the value of piped water depends on the type of water utility. The estimated value of municipal services is at least 15 times as much as the average water bill, while value estimates are not significant for private and community‐managed systems. Value differentials are discussed considering the performance of water utilities and their institutional arrangements.
Bayesian consensus clustering
Authors: Lock Eric F. , Dunson David B.
Published: August 2013

Motivation: In biomedical research a growing number of platforms and technologies are used to measure diverse but related information, and the task of clustering a set of objects based on multiple sources of data arises in several applications. Most current approaches to multisource clustering either independently determine a separate clustering for each data source or determine a single ‘joint’ clustering for all data sources. There is a need for more flexible approaches that simultaneously model the dependence and the heterogeneity of the data sources.

Results: We propose an integrative statistical model that permits a separate clustering of the objects for each data source. These separate clusterings adhere loosely to an overall consensus clustering, and hence they are not independent. We describe a computationally scalable Bayesian framework for simultaneous estimation of both the consensus clustering and the source-specific clusterings. We demonstrate that this flexible approach is more robust than joint clustering of all data sources, and is more powerful than clustering each data source independently. We present an application to subtype identification of breast cancer tumor samples using publicly available data from The Cancer Genome Atlas.

Availability: R code with instructions and examples is available at http://people.duke.edu/%7Eel113/software.html.

Contact:  Eric.Lock@duke.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The MaSuRCA genome assembler
Authors: Zimin Aleksey V. , Marçais Guillaume , Puiu Daniela , Roberts Michael , Salzberg Steven L. , Yorke James A.
Published: August 2013

Motivation: Second-generation sequencing technologies produce high coverage of the genome by short reads at a low cost, which has prompted development of new assembly methods. In particular, multiple algorithms based on de Bruijn graphs have been shown to be effective for the assembly problem. In this article, we describe a new hybrid approach that has the computational efficiency of de Bruijn graph methods and the flexibility of overlap-based assembly strategies, and which allows variable read lengths while tolerating a significant level of sequencing error. Our method transforms large numbers of paired-end reads into a much smaller number of longer ‘super-reads’. The use of super-reads allows us to assemble combinations of Illumina reads of differing lengths together with longer reads from 454 and Sanger sequencing technologies, making it one of the few assemblers capable of handling such mixtures. We call our system the Maryland Super-Read Celera Assembler (abbreviated MaSuRCA and pronounced ‘mazurka’).

Results: We evaluate the performance of MaSuRCA against two of the most widely used assemblers for Illumina data, Allpaths-LG and SOAPdenovo2, on two datasets from organisms for which high-quality assemblies are available: the bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides and chromosome 16 of the mouse genome. We show that MaSuRCA performs on par or better than Allpaths-LG and significantly better than SOAPdenovo on these data, when evaluated against the finished sequence. We then show that MaSuRCA can significantly improve its assemblies when the original data are augmented with long reads.

Availability: MaSuRCA is available as open-source code at ftp://ftp.genome.umd.edu/pub/MaSuRCA/. Previous (pre-publication) releases have been publicly available for over a year.

Contact:  alekseyz@ipst.umd.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Effect of brand origin on brand personality perceptions: an empirical analysis from Turkey
Authors: Basfirinci Cigdem
Published: August 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this study was to explore whether and to what extent brand origin associations transfer to brand personality (BP) perceptions. Whether and in which ways product involvement and familiarity have some moderating effects on this relationship was also explored.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using experimental design, hypotheses were tested in two product groups.

Findings

– Results show that subjects not provided brand origin information perceived the competence dimension of BP significantly lower than subjects who were provided brand information. Also, product involvement positively moderates brand origin effect while product familiarity negatively moderates it. However, two-way interactions of brand origin and product involvement are more meaningful than all other interactions and main effects.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings were based on data collected in an experimental setting from a convenience sample that was somewhat homogeneous. Also only one dimension of BP (competence) has been used in this study.

Practical implications

– Supporting the importance of brand origin on BP perceptions, these results show that the general characteristics of countries can translate into personalities of their brands from the product categories that have a good reputation on international markets. As the most significant implication for practitioners, the maximum effectiveness of marketing communication strategies can be achieved through the effect of brand origin on BP perceptions only if proper segmentation can be made with regard to involvement and familiarity.

Originality/value

– This is the first study that has empirically demonstrated the role of image transfer on building BP perceptions through brand origin information.
Organisational culture: features and framework from Islamic perspective
Authors: Hoque Nazamul , Aktaruzzaman Khan Mohammad , Mowla Masrurul
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop the features as well as model of organisational culture from Islamic point of view.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is descriptive, in so far as its goal is to describe a method, and the nature of the paper is conceptual. The study draws on secondary materials through library research.

Findings

In this paper both the features as well as model of organisational culture are developed from Islamic perspective. The salient features are trust on Allah, missionary zeal, justice, accountability, mutual respects, mutual trust, absolute sincerity, hard working, cooperation, excellence, brotherly treatment, honesty and truthfulness, morality, consultative decision making, knowledge, good behaviour, sacrifice, neat and cleanliness.

Research limitations/implications

The paper has some implications for Islamic managers and employees who have to deal with ethical dilemmas between traditional and Islamic organisational culture in Muslim countries representing one fourth of the world population. It is also hoped that the study will reinforce managers' Islamic behaviour and make them more aware of the code of conduct based on Quran and Sunna in a modern organisational set up.

Practical implications

The findings of this research can be used as a guide to Islamic organisational culture in Muslim countries. The study could have practical implications falling within the purview of social sciences such as political science, management and organizational studies, education, international law, and human resource management.

Originality/value

While many studies, partially, have focused on traditional organisational culture sparing the demand of Muslim world, in this paper, the authors open a new avenue contributing to the literature on organisational culture from Islamic perspective. The proposed model will be of genuine interest and benefits to Islamic as well as non‐Islamic managers, employees, and academicians.
Multilevel analysis of teacher work attitudes
Authors: Duyar Ibrahim , Gumus Sedat , Sukru Bellibas Mehmet
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether the instructional and administrative leadership practices of principals and professional collaboration of teachers predict teachers’ self‐efficacy and job satisfaction in Turkish middle schools.

Design/methodology/approach

By applying a causal comparative design and a multilevel methodology, the current study used OECD's Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) data set to examine the relationships among study variables. The multilevel data included 178 schools/principals and 2,967 teachers. Two‐level Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) method was used to investigate whether principals’ leadership and teachers’ collaboration predict teacher self‐efficacy and teacher job satisfaction, net of several important teacher‐level and school‐level control variables.

Findings

The findings showed that some select aspects of principal leadership and teacher collaborative practices significantly predict teachers’ self‐efficacy and job satisfaction at within and across schools. Among all independent and control variables, teachers’ collaboration appeared to be the strongest predictor of both teacher self‐efficacy and job satisfaction.

Originality/value

The areas of significance identified by this study may guide policy makers and practitioners for informed decisions and interventions targeting to enhance teacher self‐efficacy and job satisfaction. The multilevel methodology utilized by this study may also stimulate future research endeavors for capturing the nested relationships of educational data, otherwise would be unaccounted for at different levels of schooling.
Creative and innovative e‐learning using interactive storytelling
Authors: Alsumait Asmaa , Al‐Musawi Zahraa S.
Published: August 2013

Purpose

Interactive storytelling is a powerful tool for improving children's development of essential skills and general knowledge. As an informal learning method, interactive storytelling provides life experience and promotes the use of vocabulary and communication skills. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a storytelling tool was developed to help kindergarteners create stories. This tool included an instrument used to measure four characteristics of four‐ to five‐year‐old children: general knowledge, creativity, self‐confidence and between the children and the technology to assess a child's progress. Moreover, there is a pressing need to better understand and improve upon this educational innovation. Therefore, this paper proposed the child interactive storytelling (CIS) framework.

Findings

The developed interactive storytelling tool helped instructors as well as parents to perceive the child's progress through multiple use of the tool. Experiments indicated that teachers' evaluations of their children with those measured from the developed tool were aligned which indicates that the interactive storytelling tool is valid. Moreover, the proposed CIS framework for formalizing the design of interactive storytelling tools can be used in educational interventions for children.

Originality/value

The proposed CIS framework can guide both research and practice in the design, development and evaluation of effective and useful CIS environments.
Principles inhalalpurchasing
Authors: Tieman Marco , Che Ghazali Maznah
Published: August 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this conceptual article is to investigate the application ofhalalin purchasing.

Design/methodology/approach

– This article provides a discussion on the implications ofhalalfor the purchasing function, in particular the purchasing portfolio matrix of Kraljic and the purchasing process model of van Weele.

Findings

–Halalleads to stronger partnerships with suppliers (strategic and leverage products) and adopting various strategies to secure continuity of supply (bottleneck products). Therefore, conventional commodity categories in certain industries can be allocated different forhalalcertified products and services, resulting in possible different product and supplier strategies.Halalrequirements also have impact on the purchasing process; its tactical and operational purchasing activities.

Research limitations/implications

– This conceptual paper shows thathalalhas implications for the procurement strategy and purchasing process, key components of the procurement function. However, more empirical research is needed through case study research and focus groups to better understand the challenges and solutions surrounding the sourcing practices ofhalalcertified companies.

Practical implications

– Forhalalcertified companies it is important to extendhalaltowards purchasing. Effective alignment is required between thehalalpolicy, procurement strategy and purchasing process. A procurement organisation can progress in three stages, from viewinghalalcompliance as opportunity, making its supply chainshalal, to making its value chainhalal.

Originality/value

– Purchasing is an important marketing discipline in defining the buyer supplier relationship. This study contributes to the understanding of the purchasing function in ahalalsupply chain and value chain. It is the first study investigating the application ofhalalin purchasing.
Giving behaviors in Indonesia: motives and marketing implications for Islamic charities
Authors: Awaliah Kasri Rahmatina
Published: August 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the motives and giving behaviours of donors towards Islamic charities in Indonesia by using various demographic, socio-economic, psychographic and motivational/situational characteristics. Based on these analyses, relevant marketing implications are also discussed. The study hopes to enrich Islamic marketing literature and contribute further to the understanding of marketing within the context of the Islamic voluntary sector.

Design/methodology/approach

– This empirical paper primarily employs a quantitative approach in analysing the giving behaviours. The primary data is gathered through a survey conducted in January 2011 involving 300 Indonesian Muslim donors. The results are analysed with descriptive and correlation statistics.

Findings

– First, the analysis highlights that the main causes for charitable giving are to help the poor/needy and support religious causes. Second, most of the donors provide funds through “informal” Islamic charities. Third, most of the individual donors are young, educated and possess strong humanitarian concerns. Interestingly, although there is a positive correlation between income and donation, individuals who donate more are not the rich but the middle-income earners. Finally, there is evidence to indicate that donors may increase donations even during economic crisis.

Practical implications

– Understanding donor's characteristics and behaviours are essential in designing and implementing an effective marketing framework, which is expected to retain and manage long-term supportive relationships with the donors. Relationship marketing framework and branding strategy are also worth considered for this purpose.

Originality/value

– Few studies analyse Islamic charities in the modern marketing perspective, especially in Indonesia. This study, therefore, fills the gap in the research area.
Foreign direct investment and stock market development in Pakistan
Authors: Abdul Malik Ihtisham , Amjad Shehla
Published: August 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the impact of FDI on the stock market development in Pakistan, both aggregate as well as sector wise, the reason being that no such work has been carried out in this context.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on secondary data for the period 1985‐2011. Johansen co‐integration approach is used for determining relationship among variables for aggregate stock market development in long run. Granger causality test is also applied to check the causal relation between the variables. Correlation analysis and regression analysis has been used for examining the relationship of sector wise development, FDI and economic growth in Pakistan.

Findings

The results support the positive role of FDI in boosting the aggregate stock market development in long run. Bi‐directional causality between FDI and economic growth has been found along with the uni‐directional causality between aggregate stock market development and economic growth. For sector wise development the relationship of FDI is positive in the sectors where FDI concentration is high in recent years whereas and negative in other sectors.

Originality/value

Co‐integration coefficients showed a positive and statistically strong relationship between FDI and aggregate market capitalization thus reflecting the complementary role of FDI in the stock market development of Pakistan.
WTO post Doha: trade deadlocks and protectionism
Authors: Ezeani Elimma
Published: August 2013

Purpose

At its inception, the Doha Round offered the hope of a more inclusive World Trade Organisation (WTO); one where developing countries in particular envisioned would allow them the policy space to enable their socio‐economic advancement even as they carried out their obligations as Member States of the rules‐based international trade system. While the rewards of this novel development round are awaited, WTO Member States are making a marked shift away from the foundation principles of multilateralism on non‐discriminatory treatment, and pursuing independent trade deals outside the rules. An emerging acceptance of this shift comes with an idea that countries can converge after divergence – that alternatives to multilateralism can still yield agreements that will operate in a multilateral rules‐based framework, post Doha. To this end, this article reviews the challenges facing the Doha negotiations as it pertains to developing country concerns and the shortcomings of the existing development framework. It critically examines the issues arising from the stalemate of the Doha negotiations and the efforts of the international trading system to continue engaging in trade in the face of globalisation, increasing unemployment, decreased wages and living standards in the backdrop of a global recession. It examines the emerging convergence theory which recognises departures from the uniform trading arrangements under multilateralism, without recognising this as a tacit acceptance of a return to protectionism with its consequences. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Reference is made to primary and secondary research material on the subject including WTO rules and agreements.

Findings

The article finds that the stalemate in this Doha Round reveals more than just dissatisfaction between Member States on the nature and scope of the rules that must guide their global trading activities. It reveals the fragility of rules and the potential inefficacy of a system that attempts to regulate nebulous activity – trade in the face of divergent needs and concerns.

Research limitations/implications

The research is library/desk based.

Originality/value

This work is an original contribution and is not under consideration elsewhere.
Chemical composition and nutritional value of saffron's pollen (Crocus sativus L.)
Authors: Mohamadi Sani Ali , Hemmati Kakhki Abbas , Moradi Elahe
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition of saffron's pollen.

Design/methodology/approach

A 30 kg sample of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) was collected at the end of November from a farm in a village in the suburb of Gonabad, in Khorasan Razavi, in Iran. Then the pollens were separated from the flowers and stored at −15°C in airtight containers until the analyze. The proximate composition of the pollen was determined by using standard methods of food analysis. The samples of ash were used for the subsequent determination of potassium, magnesium, sodium, calcium, zinc, iron, copper and manganese by using atomic absorption.

Findings

Results showed the chemical composition as follows: moisture (12.50 percent), ash (9.5 percent), crude fiber (7.4 percent), crude fat (5.8 percent), crude protein (23.6 percent) and total carbohydrate (20 percent). Saffron's pollen is a good source of minerals such as potassium (57,460 ppm), magnesium (3,357.5 ppm), sodium (1,100 ppm), calcium (600 ppm), zinc (100.75 ppm), iron (194 ppm), copper (53.2 ppm) and manganese (48.5 ppm).

Originality/value

The composition and nutritional value of saffron's pollen had not been determined before.
Why people use social media: a uses and gratifications approach
Authors: Whiting Anita , Williams David
Published: August 2013

Purpose

This paper seeks to demonstrate the importance of uses and gratifications theory to social media. By applying uses and gratifications theory, this paper will explore and discuss the uses and gratifications that consumer receive from using social media. This paper seeks to provide a better and more comprehensive understanding of why consumers use social media.

Design/methodology/approach

Exploratory study was conducted. 25 in‐depth interviews were conducted with individuals who use social media.

Findings

This study identified ten uses and gratifications for using social media. The ten uses and gratifications are: social interaction, information seeking, pass time, entertainment, relaxation, communicatory utility, convenience utility, expression of opinion, information sharing, and surveillance/knowledge about others.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations are small sample size. Research implications are that uses and gratifications theory has specific relevance to social media and should be given more prominence. Uses and gratifications theory helps explain the many and varied reasons why consumers use social media.

Practical implications

This paper helps organizations to understand why consumers use social media and what gratifications they receive from social media.

Originality/value

This paper makes the contribution that uses and gratifications theory has specific relevance and should be given more prominence within the area of social media. This paper also provides a rich and vivid understanding of why consumers use social media.
Toward an age-friendly city: the constraints preventing the elderly's participation in community programs in Akita city
Authors: Kadoya Yoshihiko
Published: August 2013

Purpose

– The inclusion of the elderly in community life is a major factor in achieving an age-friendly city. However, there has been little research investigating the constraints preventing the elderly's interaction with society. With that in mind, this paper is pioneering the investigation of such constraints.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper used the results from the “Questionnaire towards an Age-Friendly City” by Japan's Akita City, a member of the World Health Organization (WHO)'s Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities.

Findings

– This paper reveals two constraining factors. First, living solo discourages elderly to interact with society. Second, the elderly who cannot drive a car tend to be reluctant to participate in social activities.

Practical implications

– To be age-friendly that encourages the elderly to participate in community life, municipalities may apply the following “implementations for practice”: implementing regular visits to the elderly who live alone; giving young people some incentives (e.g. tax reductions) to live with their aged parents/relatives; increasing the number of community buses in order to encourage the elderly to go out; and increasing community taxis by deregulating the industry.

Originality/value

– This paper contributes significantly to the study of the elderly's inclusion in community life, which is a major component of an age-friendly city. Although little research has analyzed the constraints preventing the elderly's social interaction due to data limitations, this pioneering paper identifies at least some of the constraints. This research can help to improve the health and wellbeing of elderly individuals in our society and it can help to create more age-friendly cities.
Current methods of analgesia for transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)‐guided prostate biopsy – a systematic review
Authors: Lee Chanyang , Woo Henry H.
Published: August 2013

Transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)‐guided prostate biopsy is the most commonly used method of sampling prostate tissue for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. The technique is well recognised to potentially cause severe pain and discomfort for patients and this has led to numerous attempts to devise ways to minimise these problems. This systematic review summarises the techniques that have been described to date, with special reference to studies using either a visual analogue or numerical analogue scale to report outcomes. Commonly used approaches that are effective to minimise pain or discomfort include intravenous sedoanalgesia, inhalational agents and periprostatic infiltration of local anaesthetic. Whilst diclofenac suppositories are more effective than placebo, intra‐rectal local anaesthetic gels appear to be of no benefit. Performing TRUS‐guided prostate biopsy without any form analgesia is not appropriate.
HDAC inhibitors restore C‐fibre sensitivity in experimental neuropathic pain model
Authors: Matsushita Yosuke , Araki Kohei , Omotuyi Olaposi idowu , Mukae Takehiro , Ueda Hiroshi
Published: August 2013

Background and Purpose

Hypoesthesia is a clinical feature of neuropathic pain. The feature is partly explained by the evidence of epigenetic repression of Nav1.8 sodium channel in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG).

Experimental Approach

We investigated the possibility of trichostatin A (TSA), valproic acid (VPA) and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) to reverse the unique C‐fibre sensitivity observed following partial ligation of sciatic nerve in mice.

Key Results

Nerve injury‐induced down‐regulation of DRG Nav1.8 sodium channel and C‐fibre‐related hypoesthesia were reversed by TSA, VPA and SAHA treatments, which inhibit histone deacetylase (HDAC), and increase histone acetylation at the regulatory sequence of Nav1.8.

Conclusions and Implications

Taken together, these studies provide the evidence that hypoesthesia and underlying down‐regulation of Nav1.8, negative symptoms observed in nerve injury‐induced neuropathic pain models are regulated by an epigenetic chromatin remodelling through HDAC‐related machineries.
Refuge‐Effect Hypothesis and the Demise of the Dodo
Authors: ROBERTS DAVID L.
Published: August 2013

The Dodo was last sighted on the inshore island of Ile d'Ambre in 1662, nearly 25 years after the previous sighting on the mainland of Mauritius. It has been suggested that its survival on the inshore island is representative of the refuge effect. Understanding what constitutes significant persistence is fundamental to conservation. I tested the refuge‐effect hypothesis for the persistence of the Dodo (Raphus cucullatus) on an inshore island beyond that of the mainland population. For a location to be considered a refuge, most current definitions suggest that both spatial and temporal isolation from the cause of disturbance are required. These results suggest the island was not a refuge for the Dodo because the sighting in 1662 was not temporally isolated from that of the mainland sightings. Furthermore, with only approximately 350 m separating Ile d'Ambre from the mainland of Mauritius, it is unlikely this population of Dodos was spatially isolated.

Hipótesis del Efecto Refugio y la Desaparición del Dodo
The expression of LIM‐homeobox genes, Lhx1 and Lhx5, in the forebrain is essential for neural retina differentiation
Authors: Inoue Junji , Ueda Yuuki , Bando Tetsuya , Mito Taro , Noji Sumihare , Ohuchi Hideyo
Published: August 2013

Elucidating the mechanisms underlying eye development is essential for advancing the medical treatment of eye‐related disorders. The primordium of the eye is an optic vesicle (OV), which has a dual potential for generation of the developing neural retina and retinal pigment epithelium. However, the factors that regulate the differentiation of the retinal primordium remain unclear. We have previously shown that overexpression of Lhx1 and Lhx5, members of the LIM‐homeobox genes, induced the formation of a second neural retina from the presumptive pigmented retina of the OV. However, the precise timing of Lhx1 expression required for neural retina differentiation has not been clarified. Moreover, RNA interference of Lhx5 has not been previously reported. Here, using a modified electroporation method, we show that, Lhx1 expression in the forebrain around stage 8 is required for neural retina formation. In addition, we have succeeded in the knockdown of Lhx5 expression, resulting in conversion of the neural retina region to a pigment vesicle‐like tissue, which indicates that Lhx5 is also required for neural retina differentiation, which correlates temporally with the activity of Lhx1. These results suggest that Lhx1 and Lhx5 in the forebrain regulate neural retina differentiation by suppressing the development of the retinal pigment epithelium, before the formation of the OV.
Hume's Foundational Project in the Treatise
Authors: Boehm Miren
Published: August 2013

In the Introduction to the Treatise Hume very enthusiastically announces his project to provide a secure and solid foundation for the sciences by grounding them on his science of man. And Hume indicates in the Abstract that he carries out this project in the Treatise. But most interpreters do not believe that Hume's project comes to fruition. In this paper, I offer a general reading of what I call Hume's ‘foundational project’ in the Treatise, but I focus especially on Book 1. I argue that in Book 1 much of Hume's logic is put in the service of the other sciences, in particular, mathematics and natural philosophy. I concentrate on Hume's negative thesis that many of the ideas central to the sciences are ideas that we cannot form. For Hume, this negative thesis has implications for the sciences, as many of the texts I discuss make evident. I consider and criticize different proposals for understanding these implications: the Criterion of Meaning and the ‘Inconceivability Principle’. I introduce what I call Hume's ‘No Reason to Believe’ Principle, which I argue captures more adequately the link Hume envisions between his logic, in particular his examination of ideas, and the other sciences.
Laundry routine and resource consumption in Australia
Authors: Jack Tullia
Published: August 2013

Inconspicuous consumption, the habitual use of resources in daily routines, poses a challenge to sustainable consumption. For example, laundry is often the most environmentally demanding stage of clothing's life cycle, consuming significant quantities of water, energy and chemicals. Laundry thus provides a prime example of inconspicuous consumption, from which to consider sustainability transitions. However, because of the mundane nature of washing clothes, it is sometimes over looked in sustainable fashion literature.

This paper presents the results of surveying 263 Australians about their jeans, laundry habits and resource consumption, to build a picture of the expectations and actions surrounding the performance of cleanliness in everyday life. These surveys are triangulated against in‐depth interviews with people who had not washed their jeans for three months revealing qualitative insights into influences of laundry practice. This paper documents how and why people perform laundry. An interesting finding is that people can not wash and still be socially acceptable, suggesting that cleanliness is a cultural construct, the pursuit of which increases the use of water, energy and chemicals, in conflict with sustainable consumption goals.
Drivers of clothing disposal in the US: An exploration of the role of personal attributes and behaviours in frequent disposal
Authors: Lang Chunmin , Armstrong Cosette M. , Brannon Laura A.
Published: August 2013

Clothing products remain important in today's consumer culture, but the sustainability of that consumption is questionable, as it often leads to excess waste. The purpose of this study was to explore the drivers of clothing waste, and to investigate the influence of demographic factors and personal attributes on disposal frequency. An online survey was conducted to over 500 men and women in the US from three different generational cohorts. The survey investigated fashion trend sensitivity, shopping frequency, quality and price consciousness as well as demographic factors, utilizing 5‐point Likert scales. On the basis of literature, seven hypotheses were developed. Correlational analysis, independent t‐test and one‐way analysis of variance were conducted to test the hypotheses. Results indicate that fashion trend sensitivity, fashion shopping frequency, higher incomes, younger age groups and being female are all positively correlated with frequent clothing disposal. Interestingly, quality consciousness was positively correlated to frequent clothing disposal, while price consciousness was negatively related to clothing disposal frequency. This study contributes to the literature by providing a more specific examination of the drivers of frequent clothing disposal and providing empirical evidence to support previous exploratory studies.
Regenerative treatment of male stress urinary incontinence by periurethral injection of autologous adipose‐derived regenerative cells: 1‐year outcomes in 11 patients
Authors: Gotoh Momokazu , Yamamoto Tokunori , Kato Masashi , Majima Tsuyoshi , Toriyama Kazuhiro , Kamei Yuzuru , Matsukawa Yoshihisa , Hirakawa Akihiro , Funahashi Yasuhito
Published: August 2013

Objectives

To assess the efficacy and safety of a novel cell therapy for male stress urinary incontinence consisting of periurethral injection of autologous adipose‐derived regenerative cells, and to determine the 1‐year outcomes.

Methods

A total of 11 male patients with persistent stress urinary incontinence after prostate surgery were included in the study. The Celution system was used to isolate adipose‐derived regenerative cells from abdominal adipose tissue obtained by liposuction. Subsequently, these regenerative cells, and a mixture of regenerative cells and adipose tissue were transurethrally injected into the rhabdosphincter and submucosal space of the urethra, respectively. The 1‐year outcomes were assessed using a 24‐h pad test, a validated patient questionnaire, urethral pressure profile, transrectal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

Stress urinary incontinence improved progressively in eight patients during the 1‐year follow up, as determined by a 59.8% decrease in the leakage volume in the 24‐h pad test, decreased frequency and amount of incontinence, and improved quality of life. One patient achieved total continence. The mean maximum urethral closing pressure and functional profile length increased from 35.5 to 44.7 cmH2O, and from 20.4 to 26.0 mm, respectively. Magnetic resonance imaging showed the sustained presence of the injected adipose tissue, and enhanced ultrasonography showed a progressive increase in blood flow to the injected area in all patients. No significant adverse events were observed peri‐ or postoperatively.

Conclusion

Periurethral injection of autologous adipose‐derived regenerative cells might represent a safe and feasible treatment modality for male stress urinary incontinence.
Mitonuclear discordance in genetic structure across the Atlantic/Indian Ocean biogeographical transition zone
Authors: Teske Peter R. , Papadopoulos Isabelle , Barker Nigel P. , McQuaid Christopher D. , Beheregaray Luciano B.
Published: August 2013

Aim

Based on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) data, many organisms with ranges spanning multiple biogeographical regions exhibit genetic structure across the transition zones between these regions, while others appear to be genetically homogenous. No clear link has been found between the presence or absence of such spatial genetic discontinuities and species' dispersal potential, confounding the formulation of general predictions concerning genetic structure. The fact that discrepancies between mtDNA and nuclear markers are common across semi‐permeable barriers suggests that a lack of structure could be attributable to mtDNA‐specific properties of inheritance. We re‐examined genetic structure in the coastal crab Hymenosoma orbiculare, a species that is represented by a single mtDNA lineage across the Atlantic/Indian Ocean biogeographical transition zone, by comparing mtDNA data with nuclear DNA data.

Location

South Africa's cool‐temperate and warm‐temperate marine biogeographical provinces.

Methods

DNA sequence data from the mitochondrial COI gene and the intron of the nuclear ANT gene were generated for 150 individuals of H. orbiculare. For each locus, we determined whether the sharing of alleles between provinces was the result of either the retention of ancestral polymorphism or of secondary contact.

Results

We recovered two nuclear intron lineages whose spatial genetic structure reflects contemporary biogeographical and oceanographical conditions, indicating that the existence of a single mtDNA lineage is not a function of unexpectedly high levels of dispersal.

Main conclusions

MtDNA‐based genetic homogeneity is increasingly being reported in coastal organisms with ranges spanning biogeographical transition zones that define distinct evolutionary lineages in other species. Our results stress the importance of revisiting single‐locus data sets by means of multilocus genetic approaches before any conclusions can be drawn about the role of biogeographical transition zones in driving genetic structure.
Whole-Genome Sequences of Two Staphylococcus aureus ST398 Strains of Human Origin, S94 and S100
Authors: Corvaglia Anna-Rita , François Patrice , Bertrand Xavier , Quentin Roland , Hernandez David , van der Mee-Marquet Nathalie
Published: August 2013

Sequence type 398 (ST398)
Staphylococcus aureus
was originally associated with animal infection. We announce the complete genome sequences of two ST398 methicillin-susceptible
S. aureus
strains of human origin, S94 and S100. The genome sequences assist in the characterization of interesting ST398 features related to host specificities
.
A novel management strategy for subungual exostosis
Authors: DaCambra Mark P , Gupta Sumit K , Ferri-de-Barros Fabio
Published: August 2013

Subungual exostosis is a relatively uncommon benign bone tumour that mostly affects the toes of young people and can be a source of significant impact on health-related quality of life. Treatment consists of marginal excision and meticulous wound closure. We presented a case of subungual exostosis in the hallux of a young Caucasian girl. Once diagnosed, the lesion was completely excised leaving a sizable defect in the nail bed and skin folds. A pedicled vacuum assisted closure (VAC) device was used postoperatively in an attempt to minimise the tissue deficit. At 1-year follow-up, the nail had regrown and tissue reformed producing an optimal functional and cosmetic result with no recurrence. Postoperative wound complications in the setting of subungual exostosis are significant and a great variability exists in their appropriate management. We presented the novel use of the VAC device in the successful management of subungual exostosis.
Finite-time boundedness of a class of discrete-time Markovian jump systems with piecewise-constant transition probabilities subject to average dwell time switching
Authors: Cheng Jun , Zhu Hong , Zhong Shouming , Zheng Fengxia , Shi Kaibo
Published: August 2013

This paper investigates the problem of finite-time boundedness of a class of discrete-time Markovian jump systems with piecewise-constant transition probabilities subject to average dwell time switching. Another set of useful regime-switching models has been given for both fixed transition probability Markov switching models and time-varying transition probabilities. Based on the knowledge of average dwell time and multiple Lyapunov function, a novel sufficient condition for finite-time boundedness of H∞ filtering is derived and the system trajectory stays within a prescribed bound. Finally, an example is provided to illustrate the usefulness and effectiveness of the proposed method.
HYBRID MODELING APPROACH TO COMPETITIVENESS THROUGH FAST STRATEGY
Authors: KORTELAINEN SAMULI , LÄTTILÄ LAURI
Published: August 2013

Understanding the sources of sustained competitive advantage is the fundamental task of strategic management research. An interesting concept of fast strategy has emerged, which builds a firm's competitiveness from its ability to react to change more rapidly than its competitors. We approach this concept with a simulation model based on a hybrid modeling technique. The simulation model is used to test the profitability of the fast strategy concept in different business environment conditions. The theoretical finding of our study supports the fast strategy concept and shows that there are some internal and external factors that control the value of agility. The methodological finding of this work is that the hybrid modeling technique offers an interesting platform for understanding the effects of environmental dynamics in strategic and technology management research.
Integrative pathway analysis of a genome-wide association study of V̇o2maxresponse to exercise training
Authors: Ghosh Sujoy , Vivar Juan C. , Sarzynski Mark A. , Sung Yun Ju , Timmons James A. , Bouchard Claude , Rankinen Tuomo
Published: August 2013

We previously reported the findings from a genome-wide association study of the response of maximal oxygen uptake (V̇o2max) to an exercise program. Here we follow up on these results to generate hypotheses on genes, pathways, and systems involved in the ability to respond to exercise training. A systems biology approach can help us better establish a comprehensive physiological description of what underlies V̇o2maxtrainability. The primary material for this exploration was the individual single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), SNP-gene mapping, and statistical significance levels. We aimed to generate novel hypotheses through analyses that go beyond statistical association of single-locus markers. This was accomplished through three complementary approaches: 1) building de novo evidence of gene candidacy through informatics-driven literature mining; 2) aggregating evidence from statistical associations to link variant enrichment in biological pathways to V̇o2maxtrainability; and 3) predicting possible consequences of variants residing in the pathways of interest. We started with candidate gene prioritization followed by pathway analysis focused on overrepresentation analysis and gene set enrichment analysis. Subsequently, leads were followed using in silico analysis of predicted SNP functions. Pathways related to cellular energetics (pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis; PPAR signaling) and immune functions (complement and coagulation cascades) had the highest levels of SNP burden. In particular, long-chain fatty acid transport and fatty acid oxidation genes and sequence variants were found to influence differences in V̇o2maxtrainability. Together, these methods allow for the hypothesis-driven ranking and prioritization of genes and pathways for future experimental testing and validation.