bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
T7 Linear Amplification of DNA (TLAD) for Microarrays
Authors: Rando Oliver
Published: August 2019

Round A/Round B amplification has been used extensively in genomic localization analysis and appears to work quite well for typical microarray applications in which DNA is sheared by sonication to ∼500 bp. For amplification of material <500 bp in size, however, T7 linear amplification of DNA (TLAD) is preferred because it more accurately maintains uniform representation of short DNA fragments. Amplification of double-stranded DNA by TLAD begins with the addition of a 3′ tail of poly-thymidine to DNA by TdT. Second, the Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase is used, along with a T7-poly(A) primer, to generate a complementary strand that carries a 5′ T7 primer. Finally, extension of the original T-tailed DNA strand yields a template suitable for T7-based transcription, which generates amplified RNA (aRNA). This technique avoids the “jackpotting” issues observed with PCR, in which an early amplification event leads to disproportionate representation of a particular sequence, because PCR follows exponential kinetics, whereas transcription is a linear amplification method.
Detection of an Antigen on an Immunoblot
Authors: Litovchick Larisa
Published: August 2019

Detection of the antigen on an immunoblot can be achieved by either enzyme-based detection systems or using detection reagents labeled with fluorochromes. Two major types of enzyme-based detection systems are used in immunoblotting based on either horseradish peroxidase (HRP)–or alkaline phosphatase (AP)–coupled antibodies, and a range of soluble substrates that yield insoluble colored products (chromogenic detection) or generate light (chemiluminescent detection). This protocol describes chromogenic detection with AP as well as both chromogenic and chemiluminescent methods of detection with HRP. Before the detection step, the nitrocellulose or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane is incubated with the antigen using enzyme-conjugated primary antibodies or secondary detection reagents (such as species-specific anti-immunoglobulin antibodies, streptavidin, or Protein A) and washed. An appropriate substrate solution is applied to the membrane, and the signal is detected in the course of the enzymatic reaction, resulting either in development of insoluble colored products (chromogenic substrates) or in generation of light (chemiluminescent substrates). This protocol also describes use of detection reagents labeled with fluorochromes. The nitrocellulose or PVDF membrane incubated with fluorochrome-labeled detection reagents is rinsed with PBS and processed for image capturing with appropriate imaging equipment.
Attaching Phosphorylated Adaptors/Linkers to Blunt-Ended DNAs
Authors: Green Michael R. , Sambrook Joseph
Published: August 2019

Adaptors and linkers are attached to the end of DNA fragments to facilitate their insertion into plasmid vectors for cloning and expression.
In Vivo Assessment of Neural Precursor Cell Cycle Kinetics in the Amphibian Retina
Authors: Locker Morgane , Perron Muriel
Published: August 2019

Cell cycle progression is intimately linked to cell fate commitment during development. In addition, adult stem cells show specific proliferative behaviors compared to progenitors. Exploring cell cycle dynamics and regulation is therefore of utmost importance, but constitutes a great challenge in vivo. Here we provide a protocol for evaluating in vivo the length of all cell cycle phases of neural stem and progenitor cells in the post-embryonic Xenopus retina. These cells are localized in the ciliary marginal zone (CMZ), a peripheral region of the retina that sustains continuous neurogenesis throughout the animal's life. The CMZ bears two tremendous advantages for cell cycle kinetics analyses. First, this region, where proliferative cells are sequestered, can be easily delineated. Second, the spatial organization of the CMZ mirrors the temporal sequence of retinal development, allowing for topological distinction between retinal stem cells (residing in the most peripheral margin), and amplifying progenitors (located more centrally). We describe herein how to determine CMZ cell cycle parameters using a combination of (i) a cumulative labeling assay, (ii) the percentage of labeled mitosis calculation, and (iii) the mitotic index measurement. Taken together, these techniques allow us to estimate total cell cycle length (TC) as well as the duration of all cell cycle phases (TS/G2/M/G1). Although the method presented here was adapted to the particular system of the CMZ, it should be applicable to other tissues and developmental stages as well.
Method of calculating the aberrations of soft X-ray and vacuum ultraviolet optical systems
Authors: Cao Yiqing , Shen Zhijuan , Zheng Zhixia
Published: August 2019

Based on the the third-order aberration theory of plane-symmetric optical systems, this paper studies the effect on aberrations of the second-order accuracy of aperture-ray coordinates and the extrinsic aberrations of this kind of optical system; their calculation expressions are derived. The resultant aberration expressions are then applied to calculate the aberrations of two design examples of soft X-ray and vacuum ultraviolet (XUV) optical systems; images are compared with ray-tracing results usingSHADOWsoftware to validate the aberration expressions. The study shows that the accuracy of the aberration expressions is satisfactory.
Developing serving culture: focus on workplace empowerment
Authors: Nowak Radoslaw
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Based on the data gathered from healthcare organizations, the purpose of this paper is to identify new antecedents of service quality. The proposed model posits that workplace empowerment should increase a level of employee helping behaviors, thus supporting the development of a firm’s serving culture. Consequently, while focusing on two forms of workplace empowerment, the study empirically tests mediating paths that link structural empowerment and psychological empowerment with service quality via serving culture. The findings expand the understanding of how companies could better manage evolving demands of their customers. Furthermore, the project provides clear guidelines to practitioners by suggesting how firms should allocate their organizational resources to boost service quality.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses the original survey data collected from healthcare organizations to empirically test the mediating paths linking structural empowerment, psychological empowerment and service quality via serving culture. The data were tested using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Although the initial model assumed that both types of workplace empowerment should play equally important roles in the development of serving culture, the data reveal the statistical significance of structural empowerment. Thereby, findings emphasize that in health care, employees must be provided with access to key organizational resources (e.g., vertical and horizontal information flow) to drive up quality of service.

Originality/value

This research is one of a few empirical studies examining antecedents of serving culture. An overall implication of the study should be a reinforced call for more empirical studies that could identify how companies could develop serving culture. Furthermore, the paper proposes that managers must remove structural barriers that may exist in their organizations to empower employees to better manage changing customer needs.
Perceptions of collective narratives and identity strategies as indicators of intergroup relations
Authors: Somech Lior Y. , Sagy Shifra
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This study aims to explore intergroup relations between two Jewish religious groups in Israel, namely, ultra-Orthodox and national-religious communities, by using an integrated model that combines two psychosocial concepts: perceptions of collective narratives and identity strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a representative sample of 402 ultra-Orthodox and 388 national-religious Jews living in Israel, of age 18 and over. Repeated-measures ANOVAs were conducted to examine group differences in perceiving in-group and out-group collective narratives and in patterns of identity strategies. Further, partial correlations and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the relative contribution of perceptions of collective narratives and patterns of identity strategies.

Findings

Willingness to compete with and to separate from the out-group was related to the tendency to reject its collective narrative while endorsing the in-group one. In the same vein, the opposite pattern was found in the relations between willingness to integrate and unite with the out-group and the perceptions of collective narratives. The results also indicate group differences: the ultra-Orthodox exhibited stronger tendencies to preserve their in-group collective narratives and to reject the out-group, as well as stronger endorsement of identity strategies of competition and separation compared to national-religious.

Practical implications

The results suggest that it might be useful to encourage dialogue between both groups to clarify each side’s narratives and rationale underlying the endorsement of specific identity strategies. Such an open dialogue could help each group understand the other group’s needs and might also reduce their sense of threat as well as anxiety about losing their religious and social uniqueness. One possible opportunity for such dialogue is workplaces in which members of each group can gradually uncover stereotypes, enhancing reconciliation and willingness to accept the “other’s” collective narrative and choose to adhere more to the similar than dissimilar characteristics.

Originality/value

This is the first study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to examine collective narratives and identity strategies as powerful indicators of intergroup relations between two minority groups of the same religion. Within such a unique context, the power struggle exists and the separation and competition strategies are apparent, but the main conflictual issue is related to similarities and discrepancies of religious ideologies, values, norms and worldviews that shape one’s daily life and his/her encounter with the similar but different “other”.
Cosmetic applied based face recognition for biometric passport
Authors: Choudhury Ziaul Haque , Rabbani M. Munir Ahamed
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Nowadays, the use of forged e-passport is increasing, which is threatening national security. It is important to improve the national security against international crime or terrorism. There is a weak verification process caused by lack of identification processes such as a physical check, biometric check and electronic check. The e-passport can prevent the passport cloning or forging resulting from the illegal immigration. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper focuses on face recognition to improve the biometric authentication for an e-passport, and it also introduces facial permanent mark detection from the makeup or cosmetic-applied faces, twins and similar faces. An algorithm is proposed to detect the cosmetic-applied facial permanent marks such as mole, freckle, birthmark and pockmark. Active Shape Model into Active Appearance Model using Principal Component Analysis is applied to detect the facial landmarks. Facial permanent marks are detected by applying the Canny edge detector and Gradient Field Histogram of Oriented Gradient.

Findings

This paper demonstrated an algorithm and proposed facial marks detection from cosmetic or makeup-applied faces for a secure biometric passport in the field of personal identification for national security. It also presented to detect and identify identical twins and similar faces. This paper presented facial marks detection from the cosmetic-applied face, which can be mixed with traditional methods. However, the use of the proposed technique faced some challenges due to the use of cosmetic. The combinations of the algorithm for facial mark recognition matching with classical methods were able to attain lower errors in this proposed experiment.

Originality/value

The proposed method will enhance the national security and it will improve the biometric authentication for the e-passport. The proposed algorithm is capable of identifying facial marks from cosmetic-applied faces accurately, with less false positives. The proposed technique shows the best results.
Islamic mortgages: principles and practice
Authors: Hanif Muhammad
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an analysis of current practices of Islamic mortgages in the light of the principles of Islamic financial system, to document divergences – if any. A subsidiary goal is to develop an Islamic Mortgage Model (IMM) based on Musharakah principles.

Design/methodology/approach

The author documents theoretical underpinnings of risk-return sharing from the Shari’ah perspective. A comparative study of conventional and Islamic mortgages is completed; existing practice of Islamic mortgages analyzed in the light of Musharakah principles and divergences identified. IMM is developed after taking divergences and Musharakah principles into considerations. A housing case is used to highlight differences (in financial terms) under multiple methods and scenarios.

Findings

Study documents multiple divergences from Musharakah principles in the existing practice of Islamic mortgages including ignorance of market pricing in the negotiation of rentals and trading of equity units, and transfer of all ownership risks and rewards (vacancy, damage, destruction and market) to one partner (i.e. customer). Practice is divergent from principles in the area of economic substance. Modified IMM is developed by taking into account Musharakah principles; and differences highlighted by calculating financial figures – to determine financial rights and liabilities of the parties.

Practical implications

Divergence from the principles of risk-return sharing leads to failure in the achievement of Islamic finance objective of equitable distribution of wealth. Moreover, protection of capital for financier reduces the market abilities to achieve financial stability by matching credit expansion with the rise in the real economy. Shari’ah boards and regulators, as well as, management of Islamic banking industry are expected to incorporate proposed changes in-practice for the realization of Islamic finance objectives.

Originality/value

This study contributes to Islamic finance literature in the area of risk-return sharing. Based on important objectives of Islamic finance – equitable distribution of wealth and financial stability – divergences identified and a modified IMM in the light of Musharakah principles is presented. Descriptive rules are transformed into financial figures to document financial rights and liabilities of the concerned parties.
The intention to use Islamic banking: an exploratory study to measure Islamic financial literacy
Authors: Albaity Mohamed , Rahman Mahfuzur
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Several research models have been proposed in the existing literature to understand the intention to use Islamic banking where conventional bank customers are not primarily addressed. Upon measuring the level of Islamic financial literacy (IFL) among the customers of conventional banks in the UAE, the purpose of this paper is to examine the direct and indirect effects of IFL, awareness, cost and benefit, reputation and attitude towards Islamic banking on the intention of potential customers to use Islamic banking.

Design/methodology/approach

Using judgmental sampling techniques, questionnaires were distributed to working individuals who did not have accounts with Islamic banks. A total of 350 completed and usable questionnaires were received and used for further analysis. The SmartPLS 3.0 software was used to analyse the data.

Findings

The results revealed that the level of IFL was high across the respondents and differed significantly as a function of gender, income level and years of work experience. The findings showed that IFL, awareness, reputation and attitude towards Islamic banking significantly influenced the intention to use Islamic banking, while cost and benefit appear not to. Interestingly, IFL was negatively correlated with the intention to use Islamic banking, but when the attitude towards Islamic banking mediated the relationship between IFL and the intention to use Islamic banking it then became positive.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should consider looking at non-Muslim economies, which might be more vulnerable to IFL. In addition, a comparison between the current customers of Islamic banks and potential customers might be relevant to see whether the IFL of the current customers differs from the new customers.

Practical implications

The implications of the research are twofold. First the study suggests that IFL is crucial for an Islamic bank’s potential new customers. Islamic bank managers should design and focus their policies toward enriching the knowledge of the public about Islamic banks and their products. Second, IFL alone does not lead to a higher level of intention to use Islamic banks unless there is a positive attitude towards such banks.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies to consider the IFL measure used in this paper. Therefore, this study will be the foundation for future research on IFL.
International reserves and domestic money market disequilibrium
Authors: Nayak Shibananda , Baig Mirza Allim
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the likely determinants of the demand for official international reserves (hereafter reserves) for India and China in the long run in a basic buffer stock model. The paper also examines the role of domestic money market disequilibrium in the short-run demand for official reserves for both the countries in a dynamic synthesis model.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used quarterly data for the time period 1993:Q1–2015:Q4. The long-run model is being estimated by following the Frenkel–Jovanovic (1981) buffer stock model and includes the determinants such as transaction motive variable (GDP or Imports), opportunity cost variable (domestic interest rate), precautionary motive variable (volatility of reserves) and exchange rate. The study also examined the role of domestic money market disequilibrium in addition to the above variables in the short-run reserve demand model. The money market disequilibrium term is expected to be negative and significant in the short run. The study employed autoregressive distributed lag bound testing approach to co-integration and unrestricted error-correction model (UECM) approach developed by Pesaranet al.(2001) for estimating the long-run and short-run models, respectively.

Findings

The co-integration test suggests the existence of long-run relationship between international reserves and its determinants. In the long run, all the variables are statistically significant with expected sign, except domestic interest rate variable for China. It is also found that, the money market disequilibrium term in the short run is negative and significant which validates that an excessive money demand (supply) induces an inflow (outflow) of international reserves for both India and China with a lag of four quarters. The recursive residual tests (CUSUM and CUSUMSQ) confirm the stability of both long-run and short-run reserve demand models.

Practical implications

The findings and policy implications of this study may be useful for the policy makers of the similar emerging economies for designing money and currency policies.

Originality/value

This paper is a comparative study which systematically analyzed the reserve demand behavior of the two emerging economies India and China. The study integrates the domestic money market with the international reserve demand behavior for these two economies.
An approach by human and material resources combination to reduce hospitals crowding
Authors: Jebbor Sara , El Afia Abdellatif , Chiheb Raddouane
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to propose an approach by human and material resources combination to reduce hospitals crowding. Hospitals crowding is becoming a serious problem. Many research works present several methods and approaches to deal with this problem. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge – after a deep reading of literature – in all the proposed approaches, human and material resources are studied separately while they must be combined (to a given number of material resources an optimal number of human resources must be assigned and vice versa) to reflect reality and provide better results.

Design/methodology/approach

Hospital inpatient unit is chosen as framework. This unit crowding reduction is carried out by its capacity increasing. Indeed, inpatient unit modeling is performed to find the adequate combinations of human and material resources numbers insuring this unit stability and providing optimal service rates. At first, inpatient unit is modeled using queuing networks and considering only two resources (beds and nurses). Then, the obtained service rate formula is improved by including other resources and parameters using Baskett, Chandy, Muntz and Palecios (BCMP) queuing networks. This work is applied to “Princess Lalla Meryem” hospital inpatient unit.

Findings

Results are patients’ average number reduction by an average (in each block) of three patients, patients’ average waiting time reduction by an average of 9.98 h and non-admitted patients (to inpatient wards) access percentage of 39.26 per cent on average.

Originality/value

Previous works focus their studies on either human resources or material resources. Only a few works study both resources types, but separately. The context of those studies does not meet the real hospital context (where human resources are combined with material resources). Therefore, the provided results are not very reliable. In this paper, an approach by human and material resources combination is proposed to increase inpatient unit care capacity. Indeed, this approach consists of developing inpatient unit service rate formula in terms of human and material resources numbers.
Comment
Authors: Hughes David McDermott , Hickel Jason
Published: August 2019

On 23 July 2018, Saddle Dam D of the Xe Pian Xe Namnoy hydropower plant in Laos collapsed, inundating farmlands and villages downstream. The author was in the capital, Vientiane, at the time. This article provides a first‐hand account of some of the early relief efforts as the author joined the flood of everyday citizens in Laos interested in making a gesture of assistance.
Review article: Identifying occupational violence patient risk factors and risk assessment tools in the emergency department: A scoping review
Authors: Cabilan CJ , Johnston Amy NB
Published: August 2019

Occupational violence (OV) is a daily risk for ED staff. It contributes to staff stress, sick leave, turn‐over and burn‐out, and limits the capacity of staff to provide unimpeded quality care to patients and their families. Many factors contribute to incidents of OV; however, early detection of such risk factors could pre‐empt incidences of OV during ED episodes of care. A five‐stage methodological framework for scoping reviews was used to identify, summarise and synthesise OV risk factors from five key databases. A validated tool was used to appraise the quality of included studies. Independent evaluation by the reviewers was used throughout. Patient factors were extracted and described from 24 methodologically and geographically diverse papers. Methodological quality for these studies varied from moderate to high. A total of 34 OV risk factors were identified. Although there was variation in, and differences between, staff‐perceived and objective (documented) OV risk factors, patient risk factors can be categorised into three main groups: clinical presentation, behaviours and past history. Five existing ED OV risk assessment tools were identified, with limited supporting evidence for each. The results support the development of a reliable and validated OV risk assessment tool to be initiated at triage.
Effects of different segmentation methods on geometric morphometric data collection from primate skulls
Authors: Ito Tsuyoshi
Published: August 2019

An increasing number of studies are analysing the shapes of objects using geometric morphometrics with tomographic data, which are often segmented and transformed to three‐dimensional (3D) surface models before measurement. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different image segmentation methods on geometric morphometric data collection using computed tomography data collected from non‐human primate skulls.

Three segmentation methods based on a visually selected threshold, a half‐maximum height protocol and a gradient and watershed algorithm were compared. For each method, the efficiency of surface reconstruction, the accuracy of landmark placement and the level of variation in shape and size compared with various levels of biological variation were evaluated.

The visual‐based method inflated the surface in high‐density anatomical regions, whereas the half‐maximum height protocol resulted in a large number of artificial holes and erosion. However, the gradient‐based method mitigated these issues and generated the most efficient surface model. The segmentation method used had a much smaller effect on shape and size variation than interspecific and inter‐individual differences. However, this effect was statistically significant and not negligible when compared with intra‐individual (fluctuating asymmetric) variation.

Although the gradient‐based method is not widely used in geometric morphometric analyses, it may be one of promising options for reconstructing 3D surfaces. When evaluating small variations, such as fluctuating asymmetry, care should be taken around combining 3D data that were obtained using different segmentation methods.
Prejudice and Inclusiveness in Adolescence: The Role of Social Dominance Orientation and Multiple Categorization
Authors: Albarello Flavia , Crocetti Elisabetta , Rubini Monica
Published: August 2019

This study examined the relations of multiple categorization and social dominance orientation with adolescents’ prejudice against migrants and identification with the human group over time. Participants were 304 Northern‐Italian late adolescents (61.84% female, Mage = 17.49) involved in a three‐wave longitudinal study (with 3 months interval between waves). Results showed that multiple categorization was negatively linked to prejudice at a later time, whereas social dominance orientation was positively associated with it; prejudice also negatively affected multiple categorization and positively affected social dominance orientation at a later time. Moreover, prejudice mediated the effects of multiple categorization and social dominance orientation on human identification. These findings have important implications suggesting the construens effect of multiple categorization for enhancing social inclusiveness.
Comprehensive characterization of a Canadian cohort of von Hippel‐Lindau disease patients
Authors: Salama Yasser , Albanyan Saleh , Szybowska Marta , Bullivant Garrett , Gallinger Bailey , Giles Rachel H. , Asa Sylvia , Badduke Chansonette , Chiorean Andreea , Druker Harriet , Ezzat Shereen , Hannah‐Shmouni Fady , Hernandez Karen G. , Inglese Cara , Jani Payal , Kaur Yuvreet , Krema Hatem , Krimus Lior , Laperriere Normand , Lichner Zsuzanna , Mete Ozgur , Sit Marisa , Zadeh Gelareh , Jewett Michael A.S. , Malkin David , Stockley Tracy , Wasserman Jonathan D. , Xu Wei , Schachter Nathan F. , Kim Raymond H.
Published: August 2019

Von Hippel‐Lindau disease (VHL) is a heritable condition caused by pathogenic variants in VHL and is characterized by benign and malignant lesions in the central nervous system (CNS) and abdominal viscera. Due to its variable expressivity, existing efforts to collate VHL patient data do not adequately capture all VHL manifestations. We developed a comprehensive and standardized VHL database in the web‐based application, REDCap, that thoroughly captures all VHL manifestation data. As an initial trial, information from 86 VHL patients from the University Health Network/Hospital for Sick Children was populated into the database. Analysis of this cohort showed missense variants occurring with the greatest frequency, with all variants localizing to the α‐ or β‐domains of VHL. The most prevalent manifestations were central nervous system (CNS), renal, and retinal neoplasms, which were associated with frameshift variants and large deletions. We observed greater age‐related penetrance for CNS hemangioblastomas with truncating variants compared to missense, while the reverse was true for pheochromocytomas. We demonstrate the utility of a comprehensive VHL database, which supports the standardized collection of clinical and genetic data specific to this patient population. Importantly, we expect that its web‐based design will facilitate broader international collaboration and lead to a better understanding of VHL.
Multicenter study of autoimmune gastritis in Japan: Clinical and endoscopic characteristics
Authors: Terao Shuichi , Suzuki Shiho , Yaita Hiroki , Kurahara Koichi , Shunto Johji , Furuta Takahisa , Maruyama Yasuhiko , Ito Masanori , Kamada Tomoari , Aoki Rika , Inoue Kazuhiko , Manabe Noriaki , Haruma Ken
Published: August 2019

Background and Aim

In Japan, the prevalence of autoimmune gastritis (AIG) is assumed to be very low. With the recent rapid decrease in Helicobacter pylori (Hp) prevalence, reports on AIG are increasing. This multicenter registry study aimed to clarify the characteristics of AIG, especially its endoscopic appearance.

Methods

A total of 245 patients with AIG from 11 institutions in Japan from January 2010 to October 2016 were included, and their clinical and endoscopic findings were evaluated.

Results

Mean age was 67.2 ± 11.4 years, and 63.7% of the participants were women. The most common approach to diagnose AIG was endoscopic examination. Repeated incorrect treatment for Hp infection, due to a false‐positive result in 13C‐urea breath test, ranked third among the basis for diagnosis of AIG. Associated gastric lesions were type 1 neuroendocrine tumor (11.4%), adenocarcinoma (9.8%), and hyperplastic polyps (21.1%). Corpus pan‐atrophy was the most common appearance (90.1%); however, remnant oxyntic mucosa was found in 31.5% of the patients (flat, localized type, 48.6%). Sticky adherent dense mucus and scattered minute whitish protrusions were also observed in approximately 30% of the patients. Despite the prevailing presumption of the antral mucosa remaining normal, 42.3% of the patients presented with various extents of atrophy, and patchy redness and circular wrinkle‐like patterns were both observed in approximately 20% of the patients.

Conclusions

The present study showed some prominent clinical characteristics and endoscopic findings of AIG. We believe that our study will facilitate the diagnosis of potential AIG.
European Electronic Personal Health Records initiatives and vulnerable migrants: A need for greater ethical, legal and social safeguards
Authors: Feeney Oliver , Werner‐Felmayer Gabriele , Siipi Helena , Frischhut Markus , Zullo Silvia , Barteczko Ursela , Øystein Ursin Lars , Linn Shai , Felzmann Heike , Krajnović Dušanka , Saunders John , Rakić Vojin
Published: August 2019

The effective collection and management of personal data of rapidly migrating populations is important for ensuring adequate healthcare and monitoring of a displaced peoples’ health status. With developments in ICT data sharing capabilities, electronic personal health records (ePHRs) are increasingly replacing less transportable paper records. ePHRs offer further advantages of improving accuracy and completeness of information and seem tailored for rapidly displaced and mobile populations. Various emerging initiatives in Europe are seeking to develop migrant‐centric ePHR responses. This paper highlights their importance and benefits, but also identifies a number of significant ethical, legal and social issues (ELSI) and challenges to their design and implementation, regarding (1) the kind of information that should be stored, (2) who should have access to information, and (3) potential misuse of information. These challenges need to be urgently addressed to make possible the beneficial use of ePHRs for vulnerable migrants in Europe.
Cortical activation in generalized seizures
Authors: Ding Li , Satish Sanjana , Zhou Chengwen , Gallagher Martin J.
Published: August 2019

Objective

Patients with generalized epilepsy exhibit different epileptiform events including asymptomatic interictal spikes (IS), absence seizures with spike‐wave discharges (SWDs), and myoclonic seizures (MS). Our objective was to determine the spatiotemporal patterns of cortical activation in SWDs, IS, and MS in the Gabra1+/A322D juvenile myoclonic epilepsy mouse.

Methods

We fabricated affordable, flexible high‐density electroencephalography (HdEEG) arrays and recorded spontaneous SWD, IS, and MS with video/HdEEG. We determined differences among the events in amplitude spectral density (ASD) in the δ/θ/α/β/γ frequency bands at baseline (3.5‐4.0 seconds before the first spike time, t0) and the prespike period (0.1‐0.5 seconds before t0), and we elucidated the spatiotemporal activation during the t0 spike.

Results

All three events had an increase in ASD between baseline and prespike in at least one frequency band. During prespike, MS had the largest δ‐band ASD, but SWD had the greatest α/β/γ band ASD. For all three events, the ASD was largest in the anterior regions. The t0 spike voltage was also greatest in the anterior regions for all three events and IS and MS had larger voltages than SWD. From 7.5 to 17.5 msec after t0, MS had greater voltage than IS and SWD, and maximal voltage was in the posterior parietal region.

Significance

Changes in spectral density from baseline to prespike indicate that none of these generalized events are instantaneous or entirely unpredictable. Prominent engagement of anterior cortical regions during prespike and at t0 suggest that common anterior neural circuits participate in each event. Differences in prespike ASD signify that although the events may engage similar brain regions, they may arise from distinct proictal states with different neuronal activity or connectivity. Prolonged activation of the posterior parietal area in MS suggests that posterior circuits contribute to the myoclonic jerk. Together, these findings identify brain regions and processes that could be specifically targeted for further recording and modulation.
State formation and identity: Historiographical trends concerning South America's War of the Triple Alliance
Authors: Izecksohn Vitor
Published: August 2019

The War of the Triple Alliance shaped state formation in the Rio De La Plata Basin during the second half of the 19th century. Historians have long debated how emerging countries could have endured such protracted periods of fighting. Recently, however, historiography has moved away from patriotic and military accounts and towards social and political analyses of civilian responses to the bloodbath. These responses had profound consequences for the fragile regional order postindependence. Paraguay, the loser, suffered unspeakable destruction. However, the political systems of the winners, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, were also challenged as initial popular enthusiasm succumbed to the difficult requisites of war. This paper explores how historians have dealt with political, cultural, and demographic changes as war support and resistance waxed and waned over time in the belligerent countries. The war demanded the utmost sacrifices from civilians and soldiers, and their responses created new national identities throughout the Rio de la Plata Basin.
Effect of molding machine’s stiffness on the thickness of molded glass rings
Authors: Zhou Jian , Li Lihua , Ng Man Cheung , Lee Wing Bun
Published: August 2019

Ensuring the final center thickness of molded optics within specified tolerance is one standard requirement for precision glass molding. In this study, we mainly discuss why and how the machine's stiffness affects the final thickness of molded glass rings. To this end, molding experiments using displacement control mode are performed at different molding temperatures. Additionally, tailored tests are conducted to determine the mechanical stiffness and thermal deformation of the molding machine. Thermo‐displacement coupled finite element simulations are employed to reveal how the molding behaviors and the thickness evolution depend on the machine's stiffness. Results show that the final thickness deviation is mainly related to the maximum generated machine deformation during pressing, and thus decreases with the machine's stiffness. The influence extent of the machine's stiffness remarkably decreases with the molding temperature, which explains why the experimental final thickness results decrease as well. Besides, compared to the rigid machine assumption, the simulated thickness results under the real machine's stiffness, are well coherent with the experiments, which proves the importance of considering the machine's stiffness. Finally, it is demonstrated that applying a period of position holding after pressing at molding temperature, can effectively reduce the final thickness deviation.
Proteome changes in renal cortex and medulla induced by dietary supplementation with inulin‐type fructans in growing pigs
Authors: Robak Paulina , Ożgo Małgorzata , Lepczyński Adam , Herosimczyk Agnieszka , Barszcz Marcin , Taciak Marcin , Skomiał Jacek
Published: August 2019

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of dietary supplementation with inulin extract from chicory root and dried chicory root on the protein profile of the renal cortex and medulla of growing pigs. The experiment was carried out on renal cortex and medulla tissue collected from 24 50‐day‐old PIC x Penarlan P76 crossbred piglets (males). Animals were divided into three dietary groups (n = 8) and fed with a control diet, diet supplemented with 2% inulin extract from chicory root and a diet supplemented with 4% dried chicory root. Kidney samples were collected after 40 days of feeding, and renal cortex and medulla proteins were separated by two‐dimensional electrophoresis. Protein identification was performed using MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry. The diet supplemented with 2% chicory inulin induced significant expression changes of 20 and 26 protein spots in the renal cortex and medulla respectively. Supplementation with 4% dried chicory root triggered changes in the expression of 44 and 24 proteins in the renal cortex and medulla respectively. Both forms of chicory inulin‐type fructans effectively affected the expression of proteins involved in energy metabolism, heat shock proteins and other chaperones, cytoskeletal and cytoskeleton‐related proteins, as well as other proteins. Additionally, changes in transferrin abundance in both experimental groups suggested the significance of chicory fructan supplementation for iron absorption and bioavailability. In conclusion, 2% inulin extract from chicory root and 4% dried chicory root exerted a similar effect on changes in renal protein expression; however, more pronounced alterations were induced by dried chicory root. Nevertheless, further studies are needed for better understanding the mechanism underlying the effect of chicory inulin‐type fructans and their fermentation end products on the kidneys of growing pigs.
Liver enzymes and all‐cause mortality: Open issues
Authors: Turati Federica , La Vecchia Carlo
Published: August 2019

See Article on Page 1566
Survivability of presolar oxygen isotopic signature of amorphous silicate dust in the protosolar disk
Authors: Yamamoto Daiki , Tachibana Shogo , Kawasaki Noriyuki , Yurimoto Hisayoshi
Published: August 2019

Oxygen isotope exchange experiments between tens of nanometer‐sized amorphous enstatite grains and water vapor were carried out under a condition of protoplanetary disk‐like low water vapor pressure in order to investigate the survivability of distinct oxygen isotope signatures of presolar silicate grains in the protosolar disk. Oxygen isotope exchange between amorphous enstatite and water vapor proceeded at 923–1003 K and 0.3 Pa of water vapor through diffusive isotope exchange in the amorphous structure. The rate of diffusive isotope exchange is given by D (m2 s–1) = (5.0 ± 0.2) × 10–21 exp[–161.3 ± 1.7 (kJ mol–1) R–1 (1/T–1/1200)]. The activation energy for the diffusive isotope exchange for amorphous enstatite is the same as that for amorphous forsterite within the analytical uncertainties, but the isotope exchange rate is ~30 times slower in amorphous enstatite because of the difference in frequency factor of the reaction. The reaction kinetics indicates that 0.1–1 μm‐sized presolar amorphous silicate dust with enstatite and forsterite compositions would avoid oxygen isotope exchange with protosolar disk water vapor only if they were kept at temperatures below ~500–650 K within the lifetime of the disk gas.
A role for the Salmonella Type III Secretion System 1 in bacterial adaptation to the cytosol of epithelial cells
Authors: Chong Audrey , Starr Tregei , Finn Ciaran E. , Steele‐Mortimer Olivia
Published: August 2019

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is a facultative intracellular pathogen that invades the intestinal epithelium. Following invasion of epithelial cells, Salmonella survives and replicates within two distinct intracellular niches. While all of the bacteria are initially taken up into a membrane bound vacuole, the Salmonella‐containing vacuole or SCV, a significant proportion of them promptly escape into the cytosol. Cytosolic Salmonella replicates more rapidly compared to the vacuolar population, although the reasons for this are not well understood. SipA, a multi‐function effector protein, has been shown to affect intracellular replication and is secreted by cytosolic Salmonella via the invasion‐associated Type III Secretion System 1 (T3SS1). Here, we have used a multipronged microscopy approach to show that SipA does not affect bacterial replication rates per se, but rather mediates intra‐cytosolic survival and/or initiation of replication following bacterial egress from the SCV. Altogether, our findings reveal an important role for SipA in the early survival of cytosolic Salmonella.
Endozoochory of a dry‐fruited tree aids quarry passive restoration and seed soaking further increases seedling emergence
Authors: Salgueiro Vânia , Silva Carmo , Eufrázio Sofia , Salgueiro Pedro A. , Vaz Pedro G.
Published: August 2019

As practitioners promote passive restoration as a complementary approach to technical reclamation, it is imperative to know its drivers. Although the consequences of endozoochory can be crucial to passive restoration success, few experimental studies assess the use of heavily disturbed sites by seed dispersers such as carnivores and how the seeds they bring in emerge and survive. Using an indoor sowing experiment conducted in a quarry located within a natural park in Portugal, we examined for the first time how carnivore endozoochorous seeds collected in the quarry potentially influence its passive restoration, through effects on plant emergence and survival. Also, we tested whether sowing date and water soaking, relevant factors when sowings are to be carried out, would affect seedling emergence and mortality rates when compared with the effect of endozoochory. Our target species were included in the revegetation plan of the quarry, of which endozoochorous seeds of Carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua) were collected in sufficient number for analysis. Irrespective of the carnivore species, endozoochorous carob seeds performed similarly to untreated seeds regarding emergence rates. Endozoochorous carob seedlings showed greater mortality rates but the net result for the plant can still be the colonization of recently vacant habitats by a large proportion of viable seeds. Concerning sowing date, the later carob seeds were sown over the fruit‐ripening season the faster seedlings emerged. Water soaking increased emergence rate by 6.5 times. Broadly, sowings with previous soaking and carnivore‐mediated seed dispersal of this dry‐fruited tree can jointly enhance quarry restoration.
The feasting table as the gateway to hell on the early modern stage and page
Authors: Seymour Laura
Published: August 2019

When banquets are performed on the early modern stage, devils can be seen beside the eaters. This is notably the case when grace has not been said properly before the meal. This article focuses on a group of four texts: Thomas Dekker's If This Be Not a Good Play, The Devil Is In It (1611), Thomas Heywood and Richard Brome's The Late Lancashire Witches (1634), William Winstanley's The Essex Champion (1690?), and Christopher Marlowe's Dr Faustus (c.1592). These texts contain particularly striking examples of an early modern anxiety about the importance of saying grace and eating piously rather than greedily for maintaining hierarchies within the state and the household. They also show the ways in which debates about the Eucharist underlie, and can be mapped on to, representations of saying grace. The article demonstrates that the theatre makes visible early modern concerns about souls imperilled and household hierarchies destabilised by improper eating practices.
Pigeonholes and Mustard Seeds: Growing Capacity to use Data for Society
Authors: Ashby Deborah
Published: August 2019

The Royal Statistical Society was founded to address social problems ‘through the collection and classification of facts’, leading to many developments in the collection of data, the development of methods for analysing them and the development of statistics as a profession. Nearly 200 years later an explosion in computational power has led, in turn, to an explosion in data. We outline the challenges and the actions needed to exploit those data for the public good, and to address the step change in statistical skills and capacity development necessary to enable our vision of a world where data are at the heart of understanding and decision making.
TALE homeobox heterodimer GSM1/GSP1 is a molecular switch that prevents unwarranted genetic recombination in Chlamydomonas
Authors: Kariyawasam Thamali , Joo Sunjoo , Lee Jenny , Toor Deepak , Gao Ally F. , Noh Kyung‐Chul , Lee Jae‐Hyeok
Published: August 2019

Eukaryotic sexual life cycles alternate between haploid and diploid stages, the transitions between which are delineated by cell fusion and meiotic division. Transcription factors in the TALE‐class homeobox family, GSM1 and GSP1, predominantly control gene expression for the haploid‐to‐diploid transition during sexual reproduction in the unicellular green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. To understand the roles that GSM1 and GSP1 play in zygote development, we used gsm1 and gsp1 mutants and examined fused gametes that normally undergo the multiple organellar fusions required for the genetic unity of the zygotes. In gsm1 and gsp1 zygotes, no fusion was observed for the nucleus and chloroplast. Surprisingly, mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum, which undergo dynamic autologous fusion/fission, did not undergo heterologous fusions in gsm1 or gsp1 zygotes. Furthermore, the mutants failed to resorb their flagella, an event that normally renders the zygotes immotile. When gsm1 and gsp1 zygotes resumed the mitotic cycle, their two nuclei fused prior to mitosis, but neither chloroplastic nor mitochondrial fusion took place, suggesting that these fusions are specifically turned on by GSM1/GSP1. Taken together, this study shows that organellar restructuring during zygotic diploidization does not occur by default but is triggered by a combinatorial switch, the GSM1/GSP1 dyad. This switch may represent an ancient mechanism that evolved to restrict genetic recombination during sexual development.