bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of a putative nuclear localization signal in maspin protein shed light into its nuclear import regulation
Authors: Reina Jeffrey , Zhou Lixin , Fontes Marcos R.M. , Panté Nelly , Cella Nathalie
Published: November 2018

Maspin (SERPINB5) is a potential tumor suppressor gene with pleiotropic biological activities, including regulation of cell proliferation, death, adhesion, migration and gene expression. Several studies suggest that subcellular localization plays an essential role on maspin tumor suppression activity. In this study we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying maspin nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. Anin vitronuclear-import assay using digitonin-permeabilized HeLa cells demonstrated that maspin enters the nucleus by an energy-and carrier-independent mechanism. However, previous studies indicated that maspin subcellular localization is regulated in the cell. Using a nuclear localization signal (NLS) prediction software, we identified a putative NLS in the maspin amino acid sequence. To distinguish between passive and regulated nuclear translocation, maspinNLS or the full-length protein (MaspinFL) were fused to 5GFP, rendering the construct too large to enter the nucleus passively. Unexpectedly, 5GFP-maspinNLS, but not maspinFL-5GFP, entered the nucleus of HeLa cells. Dominant-negative Ran-GTPase mutants RanQ69L or RanT24N, suppressed 5GFP-maspinNLS nuclear localization. In summary, we provide evidence that maspin translocates to the nucleus passively. In addition, we identified a peptide in the maspin protein sequence, which is able to drive a 5GFP construct to the nucleus in an energy-dependent manner.
GimmeMotifs: an analysis framework for transcription factor motif analysis
Authors: Bruse Niklas , Heeringen Simon J. van
Published: November 2018

Background

Transcription factors (TFs) bind to specific DNA sequences, TF motifs, in cis-regulatory sequences and control the expression of the diverse transcriptional programs encoded in the genome. The concerted action of TFs within the chromatin context enables precise temporal and spatial expression patterns. To understand how TFs control gene expression it is essential to model TF binding. TF motif information can help to interpret the exact role of individual regulatory elements, for instance to predict the functional impact of non-coding variants.

Findings

Here we present GimmeMotifs, a comprehensive computational framework for TF motif analysis. Compared to the previously published version, this release adds a whole range of new functionality and analysis methods. It now includes tools for de novo motif discovery, motif scanning and sequence analysis, motif clustering, calculation of performance metrics and visualization. Included with GimmeMotifs is a non-redundant database of clustered motifs. Compared to other motif databases, this collection of motifs shows competitive performance in discriminating bound from unbound sequences. Using our de novo motif discovery pipeline we find large differences in performance between de novo motif finders on ChIP-seq data. Using an ensemble method such as implemented in GimmeMotifs will generally result in improved motif identification compared to a single motif finder. Finally, we demonstrate maelstrom, a new ensemble method that enables comparative analysis of TF motifs between multiple high-throughput sequencing experiments, such as ChIP-seq or ATAC-seq. Using a collection of ~200 H3K27ac ChIP-seq data sets we identify TFs that play a role in hematopoietic differentiation and lineage commitment.

Conclusion

GimmeMotifs is a fully-featured and flexible framework for TF motif analysis. It contains both command-line tools as well as a Python API and is freely available at: https://github.com/vanheeringen-lab/gimmemotifs.
Modulation of RNA-dependent interactions in stress granules prevents persistent TDP-43 accumulation in ALS/FTD
Authors: Fang Mark Y. , Markmiller Sebastian , Dowdle William E. , Vu Anthony Q. , Bushway Paul J. , Ding Sheng , Mercola Mark M. , Lewcock Joseph W. , Yeo Gene W.
Published: November 2018

Human genetic variants are usually represented by four values with variable length: chromosome, position, reference and alternate alleles. Thereis no guarantee that these components are represented in a consistent way across different data sources, and processing variant-based data can be inefficient because four different comparison operations are needed for each variant, three of which are string comparisons. Working with strings, in contrast to numbers, poses extra challenges on computer memory allocation and data-representation. Existing variant identifiers do not typicallyrepresent every possible variant we may be interested in, nor they are directly reversible. To overcome these limitations,VariantKey, a novel reversible numerical encoding schema for human genetic variants, is presented here alongside a multi-language open-source software implementation (http://github.com/genomicspls/variantkey). VariantKey represents variants as single 64 bit numeric entities, while preserving the ability to be searched and sorted by chromosome and position. The individual components of short variants can be directly read back from the VariantKey, while long variants are supported with a fast lookup table.

Highlights

~100 compounds identified by high-content screen inhibit SGs in HEK293, NPCs and iPS-MNs.

ALS-associated RBPs are recruited to SGs in an RNA-dependent manner

Molecules with planar moieties prevent recruitment of ALS-associated RBPs to SGs

Compounds inhibit TDP-43 accumulation in SGs and inTARDBPmutant iPS-MNs.
Annotations capturing cell-type-specific TF binding explain a large fraction of disease heritability
Authors: Geijn Bryce van de , Finucane Hilary , Gazal Steven , Hormozdiari Farhad , Amariuta Tiffany , Liu Xuanyao , Gusev Alexander , Loh Po-Ru , Reshef Yakir , Kichaev Gleb , Raychauduri Soumya , Price Alkes L.
Published: November 2018

It is widely known that regulatory variation plays a major role in complex disease and that cell-type-specific binding of transcription factors (TF) is critical to gene regulation, but genomic annotations from directly measured TF binding information are not currently available for most cell-type-TF pairs. Here, we construct cell-type-specific TF binding annotations by intersecting sequence-based TF binding predictions with cell-type-specific chromatin data; this strategy addresses both the limitation that identical sequences may be bound or unbound depending on surrounding chromatin context, and the limitation that sequence-based predictions are generally not cell-type-specific. We evaluated different combinations of sequence-based TF predictions and chromatin data by partitioning the heritability of 49 diseases and complex traits (average N=320K) using stratified LD score regression with the baseline-LD model (which is not cell-type-specific). We determined that 100bp windows around MotifMap sequenced-based TF binding predictions intersected with a union of six cell-type-specific chromatin marks (imputed using ChromImpute) performed best, with an 58% increase in heritability enrichment compared to the chromatin marks alone (11.6x vs 7.3x; P = 9 × 10-14 for difference) and a 12% increase in cell-type-specific signal conditional on annotations from the baseline-LD model (P = 8 × 10-11 for difference). Our results show that intersecting sequence-based TF predictions with cell-type-specific chromatin information can help refine genome-wide association signals.
Artificial selection of microbial communities to enhance degradation of recalcitrant polymers
Authors: Wright Robyn J. , Gibson Matthew I. , Christie-Oleza Joseph A.
Published: November 2018

Recalcitrant polymers are widely distributed in the environment. This includes natural polymers, such as chitin, but synthetic polymers are becoming increasingly abundant, for which biodegradation is uncertain. Distribution of labour in microbial communities commonly evolves in nature, particularly for arduous processes, suggesting a community may be better at degrading recalcitrant compounds than individual microorganisms. Artificial selection of microbial communities with better degradation potential has seduced scientists for over a decade, but the method has not been systematically optimised nor applied to polymer degradation. Using chitin as a case study, we successfully selected for microbial communities with enhanced chitinase activities but found that continuous optimisation of incubation times between selective generations was of utmost importance. The analysis of the community composition over the entire selection process revealed fundamental aspects in microbial ecology: when incubation times between generations were optimal, the system was dominated byGammaproteobacteria, main bearers of chitinase enzymes and drivers of chitin degradation, before being succeeded by cheating, cross-feeding and grazing organisms.

Importance

Artificial selection is a powerful and atractive technique that can enhance the biodegradation of a recalcitrant polymer and other pollutants by microbial communities. We show, for the first time, that the success of artificially selecting microbial communities requires an optimisation of the incubation times between generations when implementing this method. Hence, communities need to be transferred at the peak of the desired activity in order to avoid community drift and replacement of the efficient biodegrading community by cheaters, cross-feeders and grazers.
Re-expression of SynGAP Protein in Adulthood Improves Translatable Measures of Brain Function and Behavior in a Model of Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Authors: Creson Thomas K. , Rojas Camilo , Hwaun Ernie , Vaissiere Thomas , Kilinc Murat , Holder J. Lloyd , Tang Jianrong , Colgin Laura Lee , Miller Courtney A. , Rumbaugh Gavin
Published: November 2018

Background

Neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) risk genes have pleiotropic biological functions, such as control over both developmental and non-developmental processes that influence disease-related phenotypes. Currently, it remains unclear how developmental versus non-developmental processes influence the duration and/or effectiveness of permissive treatment windows for NDDs. SYNGAP1 haploinsufficiency causes an NDD defined by autistic traits, cognitive impairment, and epilepsy. Syngap1 heterozygosity in mice disrupts a developmental critical period, and, consistent with this, certain behavioral abnormalities are resistant to gene therapy initiated in adulthood. However, the Syngap1 endophenotype is extensive and this protein has diverse cell biological functions. Therefore, SynGAP pleiotropy may influence the permissive treatment window for previously untested disease-relevant phenotypes.

Methods

A whole-body gene restoration technique was used to determine how restoration of SynGAP protein in adult heterozygous mice impacted previously untested phenotypes, such as memory, seizure susceptibility, systems-level cortical hyperexcitability, and hippocampal oscillations linked to mnemonic processes.

Results

Adult restoration of SynGAP protein in haploinsufficient mice reversed long-term contextual memory deficits and behavioral measures of seizure susceptibility. Moreover, SynGAP re-expression in adult mice eliminated brain state-dependent, patient-linked paroxysmal interictal spiking and increased the amplitude of hippocampal theta oscillations.

Conclusions

SynGAP protein in the mature brain dynamically regulates neural circuit function and influences disease-relevant phenotypes. The impact of these findings is that treatments targeting certain debilitating aspects of SYNGAP1-related disorders may be effective throughout life. Moreover, the efficacy of experimental treatments for SYNGAP1 patients may be quantifiable through changes in species-conserved, state-dependent pathological electroencephalogram signals.
CRISPR-TSKO facilitates efficient cell type-, tissue-, or organ-specific mutagenesis in Arabidopsis
Authors: Decaestecker Ward , Buono Rafael Andrade , Pfeiffer Marie L. , Vangheluwe Nick , Jourquin Joris , Karimi Mansour , Van Isterdael Gert , Beeckman Tom , Nowack Moritz K. , Jacobs Thomas B.
Published: November 2018

Detailed functional analyses of many fundamentally-important plant genes via conventional loss-of-function approaches are impeded by severe pleiotropic phenotypes. In particular, mutations in genes that are required for basic cellular functions and/or reproduction often interfere with the generation of homozygous mutant plants, precluding further functional studies. To overcome this limitation, we devised a CRISPR-based tissue-specific knockout system, CRISPR-TSKO, enabling the generation of somatic mutations in particular plant cell types, tissues, and organs. In Arabidopsis, CRISPR-TSKO mutations in essential genes caused well-defined, localized phenotypes in the root cap, stomatal lineage, or entire lateral roots. The underlying modular cloning system allows for efficient selection, identification, and functional analysis of mutant lines directly in the first transgenic generation. The efficacy of CRISPR-TSKO opens new avenues to discover and analyze gene functions in spatial and temporal contexts of plant life while avoiding pleiotropic effects of system-wide loss of gene function.
Intrinsically disordered regions regulate both catalytic and non-catalytic activities of the MutLα mismatch repair complex
Authors: Kim Yoori , Furman Christopher M. , Manhart Carol M. , Alani Eric , Finkelstein Ilya J.
Published: November 2018

Intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) are present in at least 30% of the eukaryotic proteome and are enriched in chromatin-associated proteins. Using a combination of genetics, biochemistry, and single-molecule biophysics, we characterize how IDRs regulate the functions of the yeast MutLα (Mlh1-Pms1) mismatch repair (MMR) complex. Shortening or scrambling the IDRs in both subunits ablates MMR in vivo. Mlh1-Pms1 complexes with shorter IDRs that disrupt MMR retain wild-type DNA binding affinity but are impaired for diffusion on both naked and nucleosome-coated DNA. Moreover, the IDRs also regulate the ATP hydrolysis and nuclease activities that are encoded in the structured N- and C-terminal domains of the complex. This combination of phenotypes underlies the catastrophic MMR defect seen with the mutant MutLα in vivo. More broadly, this work highlights an unanticipated multi-functional role for IDRs in regulating both facilitated diffusion on chromatin and nucleolytic processing of a DNA substrate.
Metagenomic Insights Unveil the Dominance of Undescribed Actinobacteria in Pond Ecosystem of an Indian Shrine
Authors: Manikkam Radhakrishnan , Imchen Madangchanok , Kaari Manigundan , Vignesh Angamuthu , Gopikrishnan Venugopal , Shanmugasundaram Thangavel , Joseph Jerrine , Balagurunathan Ramasamy , Kumavath Ranjith
Published: November 2018

Metagenomic analysis holds immense potential for identifying rare and uncharacterized microorganisms from many ecological habitats. Actinobacteria have been proved to be an excellent source of novel antibiotics for several decades. The present study was designed to delineate and understand the bacterial diversity with special focus on Actinobacteria from pond sediment collected from Sanjeeviraya Hanuman Temple, Ayyangarkulam, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. The sediment had an average temperature (25.32%), pH (7.13), salinity (0.960 mmhos/cm) and high organic content (10.7%) posing minimal stress on growth condition of the microbial community. Subsequent molecular manipulations, sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of V3 and V4 region of 16S rRNA metagenomics analysis confirmed the presence of 40 phyla, 100 classes, 223 orders, 319 families and 308 genera in the sediment sample dominated by Acidobacteria (18.14%), Proteobacteria (15.13%), Chloroflexi (12.34), Actinobacteria (10.84%), Cyanobacteria (5.58%), Verrucomicrobia (3.37%), Firmicutes (2.28%), and, Gemmatimonadetes (1.63%). Among the Actinobacteria phylum, Acidothermus (29.68%) was the predominant genus followed by Actinospica (17.65%), Streptomyces (14.64%), Nocardia (4.55%) and Sinomonas (2.9%). Culture-dependent isolation of Actinobacteria yielded all strains of similar morphology to that of Streptomyces genus which clearly indicating that the traditional based technique is incapable of isolating majority of the non-Streptomyces or the so called rare Actinobacteria. Although Actinobacteria were among the dominant phylum, a close look at the species level indicated that only 15.2% within the Actinobacterial phylum could be assigned to cultured species. This leaves a vast majority of the Actinobacterial species yet to be explored with possible novel metabolites have special pharmaceutical and industrial application. It also indicates that the microbial ecology of pond sediment is neglected fields which need attention.
Spatio-temporal dynamics of dengue in Brazil: seasonal travelling waves and determinants of regional synchrony
Authors: Churakov Mikhail , Villabona-Arenas Christian J. , Kraemer Moritz U.G. , Salje Henrik , Cauchemez Simon
Published: November 2018

Dengue continues to be the most important vector-borne viral disease globally and in Brazil, where more than 1.4 million cases and over 500 deaths were reported in 2016. Mosquito control programmes and other interventions have not stopped the alarming trend of increasingly large epidemics in the past few years.

Here, we analyzed monthly dengue cases reported in Brazil between 2001 and 2016 to better characterize the key drivers of dengue epidemics. Spatio-temporal analysis revealed recurring travelling waves of disease occurrence. Using wavelet methods, we characterised the average seasonal pattern of dengue in Brazil, which starts in the western states of Acre and Rondônia, then travels eastward to the coast before reaching the northeast of the country. Only two states in the north of Brazil (Roraima and Amapá) did not follow the countrywide pattern and had inconsistent timing of dengue epidemics throughout the study period.

We also explored epidemic synchrony and timing of annual dengue cycles in Brazilian regions. Using gravity style models combined with climate factors, we showed that both human mobility and vector ecology contribute to spatial patterns of dengue occurrence.

This study offers a characterization of the spatial dynamics of dengue in Brazil and its drivers, which could inform intervention strategies against dengue and other arboviruses.

Author summary

In this paper we studied the synchronization of dengue epidemics in Brazilian regions. We found that a typical dengue season in Brazil can be described as a wave travelling from the western part of the country towards the east, with the exception of the two most northern equatorial states that experienced inconsistent seasonality of dengue epidemics.

We found that the spatial structure of dengue cases is driven by both climate and human mobility patterns. In particular, precipitation was the most important factor for the seasonality of dengue at finer spatial resolutions.

Our findings increase our understanding of large scale dengue patterns and could be used to enhance national control programs against dengue and other arboviruses.
Bayʿ wa salaf in Islamic banking current practices
Authors: Mahmud Munawwaruzzaman , Hassan Muhammad Hisyam , Khairul Anuar Nur Fathin
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the issue of bayʿ wa salaf (the combination of sale and loan contracts in a single arrangement) from the Sharīʿah perspective. Based on the Sharīʿah findings on the issue, the paper examines the existing Islamic banking products and services that use these two specific contracts to determine whether the current practice is in line with Sharīʿah.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses the qualitative method by reviewing and analyzing relevant literature and operational structures to comprehend the issues pertaining to bayʿ (sale) and salaf (loan). It then provides Sharīʿah parameters for bayʿ wa salaf before applying them in assessing some existing Islamic banking products and practices. Subsequently, the compliance status of the banking operations that use these contracts in a specific product structure can be ascertained.

Findings

The paper finds that the bayʿ wa salaf arrangement in the existing Islamic banking products and services, as elaborated in the paper, does not fall under the prohibited category. This deduction is made in accordance with the parameters derived from jurists’ discussion on the issue of bayʿ wa salaf. It also takes into consideration other factors influencing the existence of such arrangements.

Research limitations/implications

This conceptual research highlights the jurists’ discussion on the issue of bayʿ wa salaf and the compliance status of the current products and services that use the contracts in a single arrangement (specifically in the case of Malaysia) without discussing other possible structures that can be applied as an alternative to the bayʿ wa salaf arrangement.

Practical implications

Thorough understanding of the issue can strengthen the industry’s confidence in executing operations that conform to Sharīʿah principles.

Originality/value

The paper provides comprehensive deliberation on the ruling of bayʿ wa salaf from various schools of thought and exhaustive elaboration on existing Islamic banking products that apply bayʿ wa salaf in their structures. This contributes in reinforcing the stakeholders’ confidence in the operations of Islamic banking and finance.
Enhanced prediction of vulnerable Web components using Stochastic Gradient Boosting Trees
Authors: Elish Mahmoud
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Effective and efficient software security inspection is crucial as the existence of vulnerabilities represents severe risks to software users. The purpose of this paper is to empirically evaluate the potential application of Stochastic Gradient Boosting Trees (SGBT) as a novel model for enhanced prediction of vulnerable Web components compared to common, popular and recent machine learning models.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study was conducted where the SGBT and 16 other prediction models have been trained, optimized and cross validated using vulnerability data sets from multiple versions of two open-source Web applications written in PHP. The prediction performance of these models have been evaluated and compared based on accuracy, precision, recall and F-measure.

Findings

The results indicate that the SGBT models offer improved prediction over the other 16 models and thus are more effective and reliable in predicting vulnerable Web components.

Originality/value

This paper proposed a novel application of SGBT for enhanced prediction of vulnerable Web components and showed its effectiveness.
On the mixed EHL characteristics, friction and flash temperature in helical gears with consideration of 3D surface roughness
Authors: Yang Yong , Li Wenguang , Wang Jiaxu , Zhou Qinghua
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the tribological performance of helical gear pairs with consideration of the properties of non-Newtonian lubricant and the real three-dimensional (3D) topography of tooth flanks.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) theory for infinite line contact, this paper proposes a complete model for involute helical gear pairs considering the real 3D topography of tooth flanks and the properties of non-Newtonian lubricant. Film thickness, contact load and contact area ratios at the mid-point of contact line are studied for each angular displacement of pinion. Both the total friction coefficient and surface flash temperature are calculated after obtaining the values of pressure and subsurface stress. Then, the influences of input parameters including rotational speed and power are investigated.

Findings

During the meshing process, contact load ratio and area ratio of the two rough surface cases first increase and then decrease; the maximum flash temperature rise (MFTR) on the gear is lower than that on the pinion first, but later the situation converses. For cylindrical gears, on the plane of action, there is a point or a line where the instantaneous friction reduces to a minimum value in a sudden, as the sliding–rolling ratio becomes zero. When rotational speed increases, film thickness becomes larger, and meanwhile, contact load ratio, coefficient of friction and MFTR gradually reduce.

Originality/value

A comprehensive analysis is conducted and a computer program is developed for meshing geometry, kinematics, tooth contact, mixed EHL characteristics, friction, FTR and subsurface stress of involute helical gear pairs. Besides, a numerical simulation model is developed, which can be used to analyze mixed lubrication with 3D machined roughness under a wide range of operating conditions.
Effects of laser surface texturing on tribological properties of Ti-6Al-4V in hydroxyethyl-cellulose water-based lubrication
Authors: Sheng Dezun , Ni Tao , Zou Ming , Zhang Huichen
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effect of laser surface texturing on the tribological performance of Ti-6Al-4V disks sliding against Si3N4 balls under hydroxyethyl-cellulose water-based lubrication. The friction coefficients and wear losses of textured and untextured disks were measured and compared. The results indicate that the texture patterns can lead to reduction of friction and wear in the condition of water-based lubrication.

Design/methodology/approach

Solutions of hydroxyethyl cellulose were used as water-based lubricants. To find the optimal laser texturing parameters for the best performance enhancement, three line-like patterns were fabricated onto the disks and three machining parameters were used for each type of pattern. Tribological tests were conducted in rotation sliding with ball-on-disk contact configuration on UMT-2.

Findings

A higher density of texture lines leads to a larger friction and wear reduction. Compared with untextured disks, the friction coefficient is reduced from 0.043 to 0.028 for textured disks. Some unworn parts were detected in the contact region of the balls against textured disks, which were not found on the balls against untextured disks. The worn surfaces indicated that periodic geometry of the contact track was rebuilt during run-in period, which was beneficial for the formation of lubricant films.

Originality/value

In this work, laser surface texturing was used to reduce the friction and wear of Ti-6Al-4V specimens in water-based lubrication, which can be used to improve the tribological performance of Ti-6Al-4V components in mechanical equipment.
Determination of Archard’s wear coefficient and wear simulation of sliding bearings
Authors: Stanković Miloš , Marinković Aleksandar , Grbović Aleksandar , Mišković Žarko , Rosić Božidar , Mitrović Radivoje
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to present the methodology to determine Archard’s wear coefficient. By applying this coefficient into the numerical simulation of wear, it is possible to predict wear without long lasting and usually expensive experiments.

Design/methodology/approach

To determine necessary particles of Archard’s equation and calculate wear coefficient K, an experimental investigation is proposed. Afterwards, the wear simulation is executed in FEM software ANSYS 18.1. Analytical method is offered to determine worn volume for cylinder-in-cylinder contact, based on “inclination” of inner cylinder.

Findings

Comparing the value of Archard’s coefficient obtained by this experimental investigation with the values from the literature for the similar materials, high correlation is noted. Furthermore, numerically calculated contact pressure is confirmed with analytical method. Trend of pressure decrease due to wearing process, as well as due to increase of contact surface is observed.

Practical implications

Since the prediction of the wear is closely related to the life cycle assessment of bearings, and the machines in general, it has significant practical importance for designers.

Originality/value

Determination of Archard’s coefficient is usually performed by conventional pin-on-disk tribometers. This methodology offers a different approach for the determination of Archard’s wear coefficient for cylinder-in-cylinder contact, which is convenient for shaft-sliding bearing contact.
Simulating the benefit of disruption prevention in assembly
Authors: Burggraef Peter , Wagner Johannes , Dannapfel Matthias , Vierschilling Sebastian Patrick
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the benefit of pre-emptive disruption management measures for assembly systems towards the target dimension adherence to delivery times.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted by creating simulation models for typical assembly systems and measuring its varying throughput times due to changes in their disruption profiles. Due to the variability of assembly systems, key influence factors were investigated and used as a foundation for the simulation setup. Additionally, a disruption profile for each simulated process was developed, using the established disruption categories material, information and capacity. The categories are described by statistical distributions, defining the interval between the disruptions and the disruption duration. By a statistical experiment plan, the effect of a reduced disruption potential onto the throughput time was investigated.

Findings

Pre-emptive disruption management is beneficial, but its benefit depends on the operated assembly system and its organisation form, such as line or group assembly. Measures have on average a higher beneficial impact on group assemblies than on line assemblies. Furthermore, it was proven that the benefit, in form of better adherence to delivery times, per reduced disruption potential has a declining character and approximates a distinct maximum.

Originality/value

Characterising the benefit of pre-emptive disruption management measures enables managers to use this concept in their daily production to minimise overall costs. Despite the hardly predictable influence of pre-emptive disruption measures, these research results can be implemented into a heuristic for efficiently choosing these measures.
Interactive co-teaching strategies: developing effective partnerships
Authors: Casale Carolyn , Thomas Stephanie
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand how to develop closer partnership ties among university education faculty and local high school teachers. This study consisted of a university-based teacher education faculty and a high school social studies teacher co-teaching controversial topics using interactive student-centered approaches at a high school in the southeastern United States.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative design included data sources from lesson plans, student assignments and the co-teacher’s reflection process. The theoretical frame integrates reflective practice, culturally relevant teaching and Zeichner’s hybrid space.

Findings

The findings of this research identified best practices for an effective co-teaching partnership between university-based teacher education faculty and social studies high school teachers.

Originality/value

The significance and practical implications are to develop partnerships to promote effective teaching.
Assessment of metabolic syndrome risk factors among rural-dwelling older adults requires innovation: partnerships and a mobile unit can help
Authors: Crowther Martha R. , Ford Cassandra D. , Vinson Latrice D. , Huang Chao-Hui , Wayde Ernest , Guin Susan
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Older adults are at risk for developing metabolic syndrome (MSX). Given the growing rural older adult population and the unknown prevalence rate of MSX in rural communities, the purpose of this paper is to assess the risk factors for MSX among rural elders.

Design/methodology/approach

Individuals aged 55+ from four West Alabama rural communities were assessed by an interdisciplinary healthcare team via a mobile unit (n=216). Descriptive analyses and analysis of variances (ANOVA) were conducted to assess the effect of gender, race and community on the number of risk factors of MSX among rural elders.

Findings

Results of a three-way ANOVA revealed a significant interaction between gender, age and community on the number of MSX risk factors [F (16,193)= 2.41, p <0.01]. Rural communities with lower social economic status (SES) and predominantly African American residents were at higher risk for developing MSX compared to communities with higher SES [F(3, 68) = 7.42, p<0.05].

Practical implications

Findings suggest low SES rural communities are at risk of developing MSX. Innovative approaches such as mobile healthcare delivery are crucial to providing quality healthcare and preventive health screens to underserved rural older adult communities.

Originality/value

Limited research is available on assessing rural midlife and older adults at risk for metabolic syndrome largely due to lack of communication or transportation infrastructure and their history of negative experiences with public institutions. This research demonstrates that these barriers can be addressed.
Relationship between corporate social responsibility performance and disclosures: commercial banks of Bangladesh
Authors: Saha Anup Kumar
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The research investigates the determinants of corporate social responsibility (CSR) spending and CSR disclosures by the Bangladeshi commercial banks. In the process, it explains the relationship between CSR disclosures and CSR expenditure by Bangladeshi commercial banks.

Design/methodology/approach

Legitimacy theory has been used to explain the motivation for such expenditure and disclosure. For purpose of analysing the determinants, ordinary least square (OLS) regression analysis has been used for the first test with CSR expenditures and ordered PROBIT regression analysis has been used for test with CSR disclosures.

Findings

The result found that CSR expenditure depend on banks’ size, age and government ownership, whilst CSR disclosures depend on CSR expenditure, profitability, age, government ownership and Islamic compliance.

Practical implications

The practical contribution of this study includes the assistance for the public policy development by providing better understanding of extent and credibility of CSR reporting by the Bangladeshi banking sector.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the academic literature by presenting preliminary findings from different focus on a developing economy like Bangladesh. The study leads to draw a standard for the developing country to find out the differences compared to developed country.
Inter-professional knowing as collective authorship practice
Authors: Bispo Marcelo de Souza , Cavalcante Erica Dayane Chaves
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to understand how members of an organization with different backgrounds form an inter-professional knowing (IPK) from a collective authorship practice (CAP).

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative research drawn on an ethnomethodological approach on the committee responsible for the public policies of the waterfront for the city of João Pessoa, Brazil. The researchers spent one year observing the committee’s meetings.

Findings

The main result points out that IPK is a singular practice that emerges from the organization members’ different backgrounds in a collective authorship process.

Practical implications

It may be possible to adopt the notion of CAP as a methodology to address complex organizational problems.

Originality/value

This paper presents the notion of IPK from a CAP based on an ethnomethodological approach.
Three‐dimensional inversion of full magnetic gradient tensor data based on hybrid regularization method
Authors: Ji Shuangxi , Zhang Huai , Wang Yanfei , Rong Liangliang , Shi Yaolin , Chen Yongshun
Published: November 2018

Rapid developments in SQUID‐based technology make it possible for geophysical exploration to direct measure, inverse and interpret magnetic gradient tensor data. This contribution introduces a novel three‐dimensional hybrid regularization method for inversion of magnetic gradient tensor data, which is based on the minimum support functional and total variation functional. Compared to the existing stabilizers, for example, the minimum support stabilizer, the minimum gradient support stabilizer or the total variation stabilizer, our proposed hybrid stabilizer, in association with boundary penalization, improves the revision result greatly, including higher spatial and depth resolution, more clear boundaries, more highlighted images and more evident structure depiction. Moreover, suitable selection of model parameter λ will further improve the image quality of the recovered model. We verify our proposed hybrid method with various synthetic magnetic models. Experiment results prove that this method gives more accurate results, exhibiting advantages of less computational costs even when less prior information of magnetic sources are provided. Comparison of results with different types of magnetic data with and without remanence indicates that our inversion algorithm can obtain more detailed information on the source structure based on rational estimation of total magnetization direction. Finally, we present a case study for inverting SQUID‐based magnetic tensor data acquired at Da Hinggan Mountains area, inner Mongolia, China. The result also certifies that the method is reliable and efficient for real cases.
Filtering potential field data by modifying its amplitude and phase in the space domain
Authors: Cooper Gordon Robert John
Published: November 2018

Potential field datasets are commonly broken down in the space domain into amplitude (total gradient, or analytic signal amplitude) and phase (tilt angle) components as part of the data processing and interpretation procedure. However, it is possible to reconstruct the data again in the space domain from the amplitude and phase, and if they have been modified then a filtered dataset will be produced. For example, modified derivatives and filters which are based on them (such as the tilt angle and the theta map) can be produced. In addition, the modification of the data amplitude prior to the reconstruction of the signal allows controllable automatic gain control filters to be designed. The procedures are demonstrated on aeromagnetic and gravity data from Southern Africa.
Habermasian communication pathologies in do‐not‐resuscitate discussions at the end of life: manipulation as an unintended consequence of an ideology of patient autonomy
Authors: Dzeng Elizabeth
Published: November 2018

The focus on patient autonomy in American and increasingly British medicine highlights the importance of choice. However, to truly honour patient autonomy, there must be both understanding and non‐control. Fifty‐eight semi‐structured in‐depth interviews were conducted with internal medicine physicians at three hospitals in the US and one in the UK. At hospitals where autonomy was prioritised, trainees equated autonomy with giving a menu of choices and felt uncomfortable giving a recommendation based on clinical knowledge as they worried that that would infringe upon patient autonomy. Employing Habermas's Theory of Communicative Action, this paper explores how physician trainees’ communication practices of using purposefully graphic descriptions of resuscitation to discourage that choice prevent greater understanding and compromise non‐control. Central to this problem are also issues of colonisation of the life‐world by the system. Physicians are fully inculcated in their respect for autonomy but unintentionally resort to strategic forms of communication that prevent patients from adequately understanding their situation because trainees feel constrained against making recommendations. However, if the ideal of autonomy is to be realised, physicians might have to move towards practices that embrace a more authentic autonomy that fosters open communication that allows for co‐creation of consensus between doctors and patients.
A dynamic and multifunctional account of middle‐range theories
Authors: Kaidesoja Tuukka
Published: November 2018

This article develops a novel account of middle‐range theories for combining theoretical and empirical analysis in explanatory sociology. I first revisit Robert K. Merton’s original ideas on middle‐range theories and identify a tension between his developmental approach to middle‐range theorizing that recognizes multiple functions of theories in sociological research and his static definition of the concept of middle‐range theory that focuses only on empirical testing of theories. Drawing on Merton's ideas on theorizing and recent discussions on mechanism‐based explanations, I argue that this tension can be resolved by decomposing a middle‐range theory into three interrelated and evolving components that perform different functions in sociological research: (i) a conceptual framework about social phenomena that is a set of interrelated concepts that evolve in close connection with empirical analysis; (ii) a mechanism schema that is an abstract and incomplete description of a social mechanism; and (iii) a cluster of all mechanism‐based explanations of social phenomena that are based on the particular mechanism schema. I show how these components develop over time and how they serve different functions in sociological theorizing and research. Finally, I illustrate these ideas by discussing Merton’s theory of the Matthew effect in science and its more recent applications in sociology.
Prognosis of the co‐twin following spontaneous single intrauterine fetal death in twin pregnancies: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Mackie FL , Rigby A , Morris RK , Kilby MD
Published: November 2018

Background

Single intrauterine fetal death affects approximately 6% of twin pregnancies and can have serious sequelae for the surviving co‐twin.

Objectives

Determine the prognosis of the surviving co‐twin following spontaneous single intrauterine fetal death to aid counselling patients and highlight future research areas.

Search strategy

Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, from 1980 to June 2017.

Selection criteria

Studies of five or more cases of spontaneous single intrauterine fetal death after 14 weeks gestation, in diamniotic twin pregnancies.

Data collection and analysis

Summary event rates were calculated and stratified by chorionicity. Monochorionic and dichorionic twins, and sub‐groups, were compared by odds ratios.

Main results

In monochorionic twins, when single intrauterine fetal death occurred at less than 28 weeks’ gestation, this significantly increased the rate of co‐twin intrauterine fetal death [odds ratio (OR) 2.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–5.25, I2 = 0.0%, 12 studies, 184 pregnancies] and neonatal death (OR 2.84, 95% CI 1.18–6.77, I2 = 0.0%, 10 studies, 117 pregnancies) compared with when the single intrauterine fetal death occurred at more than 28 weeks’ gestation. Neonatal death in monochorionic twins was significantly higher if the pregnancy was complicated by fetal growth restriction (OR 4.83, 95% CI 1.14–20.47, I2 = 0.0%, six studies, 60 pregnancies) or preterm birth (OR 4.95, 95% CI 1.71–14.30, I2 = 0.0%, 11 studies, 124 pregnancies). Abnormal antenatal brain imaging was reported in 20.0% (95% CI 12.8–31.1, I2 = 21.9%, six studies, 116 pregnancies) of surviving monochorionic co‐twins. The studies included in the meta‐analysis demonstrated small study effects and possible selection bias.

Conclusions

Preterm birth was the commonest adverse outcome affecting 58.5 and 53.7% of monochorionic and dichorionic twin pregnancies. Outcomes regarding brain imaging and neurodevelopmental comorbidity are an important area for future research, but meta‐analysis may be limited due to different methods of assessment.

Tweetable abstract

Preterm birth is the highest risk in single co‐twin death. Abnormal antenatal brain imaging was found in 1/5 surviving MC twins.
Enhancing Undergraduate Research Experience Through a Food Science Research Project
Authors: Lee Yee Ming , Burnett Donna
Published: November 2018

Engaging undergraduate students in research has become increasingly important due to its potential benefits (for example, increased intention to pursue postgraduate study and enhanced understanding of theoretical knowledge). This study investigated whether a comprehensive food science research project that was incorporated into the laboratory component of an Experimental Study of Foods course would enhance student knowledge, confidence, and interest in research. A total of 84 students participated in two sections of the laboratory (2016, n = 39; 2017, n = 45). Scores for pre and posttests and questionnaires were used to determine if the differences in knowledge scores and ratings for confidence in doing research were significant. Knowledge scores indicated that participants were knowledgeable about research at baseline (2016, 7.31 ± 1.15; 2017, 6.89 ± 0.1.21; maximum of 10 points). Results of the t‐tests showed that the change in knowledge scores before and after the project was not statistically significant; however, the level of confidence in performing various research skills (for example, identify research questions, formulate hypotheses, design an experiment) significantly increased upon project completion. In general, students demonstrated favorable attitudes toward the research project at the end of this project. Qualitative responses were organized into three themes that related to the “input” (elements that made the project successful), “process” (how the project was conducted), and “outcomes” (reported gains or benefits) of the project. Recommendations were made in terms of mentorship, research guidelines and topics, and group culture to improve future projects.
Severe Cardiac Rupture by Only One Blow to the Chest in a Young Boy: An Autopsy Case
Authors: Muramatsu Hisanori , Umino Keishi , Masuda Hiroko , Ishizawa Fujio , Sugano Yukiko , Honda Katsuya
Published: November 2018

Cardiac rupture by blunt chest trauma is commonly seen after motor vehicle accidents and falls; however, it is rarely caused by a blow to the chest. We herein report an autopsy case of a high school boy who sustained severe right ventricular rupture by only one knee kick to the chest during a quarrel. He was hospitalized and developed cardiopulmonary arrest. Emergency surgery was performed, but the patient died. The autopsy revealed no external severe trauma or deformation, but the side wall of the right ventricle contained a large V‐shaped laceration. The other thoracic organs had no injuries. This case illustrates that severe cardiac rupture can occur by only one blow to the chest. Blunt cardiac injuries can occur even if no severe injuries are present on the body surface. We should consider the possibility of severe cardiac injuries regardless of the presence of external injuries.