bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interplay of a secreted protein with type IVb pilus for efficient enterotoxigenic
Escherichia coli
colonization
Authors: Oki Hiroya , Kawahara Kazuki , Maruno Takahiro , Imai Tomoya , Muroga Yuki , Fukakusa Shunsuke , Iwashita Takaki , Kobayashi Yuji , Matsuda Shigeaki , Kodama Toshio , Iida Tetsuya , Yoshida Takuya , Ohkubo Tadayasu , Nakamura Shota
Published: June 2018

Significance

To avoid the mucosal barrier and attach to the intestinal epithelium, enteric pathogens have evolved a unique proteinaceous fiber called type IVb pilus (T4bP). Despite its importance for bacterial pathogenesis, little is known about the adhesion mechanisms of T4bP, especially regarding the role of the minor pilin subunit located at its tip. Here, we show that the type IVb minor pilin CofB of CFA/III from enterotoxigenic
Escherichia coli
(ETEC) plays a role not only in T4bP assembly by forming a trimeric initiator complex, but also in bacterial adhesion by anchoring a secreted protein, CofJ, at the trimerization interface of H-type lectin domain. These findings expand our knowledge of T4P biology and provide important insights for developing therapeutics against ETEC infection.
The underlying reasons for the emerging dynamic of regional security cooperation against Boko Haram
Authors: Atangana Elysée Martin
Published: June 2018

The persistent violence of Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin and beyond between 2011 and 2014 is linked to a variety of reasons: the trouble that had the Nigeria’s national army to contain this group, the lack of cooperation between states directly touched by Boko Haram, the difficult coordination between regional organizations as the Lake Chad Basin is overlapping between the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and many other intergovernmental organizations. Faced with the difficult regional cooperation in the area during the above-named period, the atrocities of Boko Haram made at least 30.000 dead, more than 1.6 million refugees and displaced, 4.2 million people facing food insecurity and health problems. However, starting in 2015, there have been a shift in the regional management of the crisis in the Lake Chad Basin. States directly affected by the Boko Haram phenomenon moved forward by pooling their efforts. By using the Regional Security Complex Theory, this paper aim to show that the rise of a new regional leadership stimulated the collective military coalition which led later to the reactivation and gradual deployment of the Multinational Joint Task Force of the Lake Chad Basin. This collective action linked states of West Africa and those of Central Africa region and, sounds like African solutions to African problems.
Key determinants of time to 5 m in different ventral swimming start techniques
Authors: Peterson Silveira Ricardo , Stergiou Pro , Figueiredo Pedro , Castro Flávio de S. , Katz Larry , Stefanyshyn Darren J.
Published: June 2018

The aim of this study was to determine the biomechanical parameters that explain ventral start performance in swimming. For this purpose, 13 elite swimmers performed different variants of the ventral start technique. Two‐dimensional video analyses of the aerial and underwater phases were used to assess 16 kinematic parameters from the starting signal to 5 m, and an instrumented starting block was used to assess kinetic data. A Lasso regression was used to reduce the number of parameters, providing the main determinants to starting performance, revealing different combinations of key determinants, depending on the variant (r² ≥ 0.90), with flight distance being the most relevant to all variants (r≤ −0.80;p< .001). Also, special attention should be given to the total horizontal impulse in the grab start (r= −0.79;p< .001) and to the back foot action in the track and kick starts (r≤ 0.61;p< .001). In addition, we provide two equations that could be easily used to predict starting performance by assessing block time and flight time (r² = 0.66) or block time and flight distance (r² = 0.83). These data provide relevant contributions to the further understanding of the biomechanics of swimming starts as well as insights for performance analysis and targeted interventions to improve athlete performance.
Current fluctuations and transport efficiency for general Langevin systems
Authors: Dechant Andreas , Sasa Shin-ichi
Published: June 2018

We derive a universal bound on generalized currents in Langevin systems in terms of the mean-square fluctuations of the current and the total entropy production. This bound generalizes a relation previously found by Barato et al to arbitrary times and transient states. Using the bound, we define a new efficiency for stochastic transport, which measures how close a given system comes to saturating the bound. The existence of such a bounded efficiency implies that stochastic transport is unavoidably accompanied by a fluctuations and dissipation, which cannot be reduced arbitrarily. We apply the definition of transport efficiency to steady state particle transport and heat engines and show that the transport efficiency may approach unity at finite current, in contrast to the thermodynamic efficiency. Finally, we derive a bound on purely diffusive transport in terms of the Shannon entropy.
Generic Structures†
Authors: Horsten Leon
Published: June 2018

In this article ideas from Kit Fine’s theory of arbitrary objects are applied to questions regarding mathematical structuralism. I discuss how sui generis mathematical structures can be viewed as generic systems of mathematical objects, where mathematical objects are conceived of as arbitrary objects in Fine’s sense.
The Virtues of Sunset Clauses in Relation to Constitutional Authority
Authors: Kouroutakis Antonios
Published: June 2018

This article focuses on the virtues of sunset clauses pertaining to authority. It examines the utility of such clauses in three instances: first, when there is a transfer of constitutional authority; secondly, when there is an exclusively attributed authority, but it is not exercised; and thirdly, when there is a creation of a new authority. In the case of a transfer of authority subject to sunset clauses, unless such authority is re-authorized, the sunset clause brings about its expiration on a prescribed date. In practice, the benefits from the sunset clause are twofold. First, such a clause allows the comprehensive evaluation of the transferred authority, minimizing the risk of any abuse. Secondly, such a clause sets the timetable, which promotes legal certainty. In the case of inactivity while there is an exclusive authority, the use of a sunset clause as an alarm clock creates an incentive for action; or alternatively, with the expiration of the sunset clause, the authority is considered ipso jure and simultaneously exercised. Finally, in the case where new authority is created, such authority may be subject to a sunset clause if it is implemented as a constitutional experiment or if it is controversial in nature because it possibly distorts the system of separation of powers.
What can Andreev bound states tell us about superconductors?
Authors: Millo Oded , Koren Gad
Published: June 2018

Zero-energy Andreev bound states, which manifest themselves in the tunnelling spectra as zero-bias conductance peaks (ZBCPs), are abundant at interfaces between superconductors and other materials and on the nodal surface of high-temperature superconductors. In this review, we focus on the information such excitations can provide on the properties of superconductor systems. First, a general introduction to the physics of Andreev bound states in superconductor/normal metal interfaces is given with a particular emphasis on why they appear at zero energy in
d
-wave superconductors. Then, specific spectroscopic tunnelling studies of thin films, bilayers and junctions are described, focusing on the corresponding ZBCP features. Scanning tunnelling spectroscopy (STS) studies show that the ZBCPs on the
c
-axis YBa
2
Cu
3
O
7−

δ

(YBCO) films are correlated with the surface morphology and appear only in proximity to (110) facets. STS on
c
-axis La
1.88
Sr
0.12
CuO
4
(LSCO) films exhibiting the 1/8 anomaly shows spatially modulated peaks near zero bias associated with the anti-phase ordering of the
d
-wave order parameter predicted at this doping level. ZBCPs were also found in micrometre-size edge junctions of YBCO/SrRuO
3
/YBCO, where SrRuO
3
is ferromagnetic. Here, the results are consistent with a crossed Andreev reflection effect (CARE) at the narrow domain walls of the SrRuO
3
. ZBCPs measured in STS studies of manganite/cuprate bilayers could not be attributed to CARE because the manganite's domain wall is much larger than the coherence length in YBCO, and instead are attributed to proximity-induced triplet-pairing superconductivity with non-conventional symmetry. And finally, ZBCPs found in junctions of non-intentionally doped topological insulator films of Bi
2
Se
3
and the
s
-wave superconductor NbN are attributed to proximity-induced

p
x 
+ 
i
p
y

triplet order parameter in the topological material.

This article is part of the theme issue ’Andreev bound states’.
Andreev bound states in superconducting films and confined superfluid
3
He
Authors: Vorontsov Anton B.
Published: June 2018

This paper reviews confinement-driven phase transitions in superconductors and Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer superfluids, and the appearance in thin films of new phases that break the time-reversal or translational symmetry. The origins of the new phases are closely tied to the Andreev scattering processes involving particle-hole conversions that create surface quasiparticle states with energies inside the superconducting gap. Restructuring of the low-energy spectrum in the surface region of several coherence lengths
ξ
0
results in large spatial variations of the superconducting order parameter. In confined geometry, such as slabs, films, pores or nano-dots, with one or more physical dimensions
D
∼10
ξ
0
, the Andreev bound states can dominate properties of a superconductor, leading to modified experimental signatures. They can significantly change the energy landscape, and drive transitions into new superconducting phases. The new phases are expected in a variety of materials, from singlet
d
-wave superconductors to multi-component triplet superfluid
3
He, but properties of the new phases will depend on the symmetry of the parent state. I will highlight the connection between the Andreev surface states and confinement-stabilized phases with additional broken symmetries, describe recent progress and open questions in the theoretical and experimental investigation of superfluids in confined geometry.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Andreev bound states’.
Theory of Andreev bound states in S-F-S junctions and S-F proximity devices
Authors: Eschrig M.
Published: June 2018

Andreev bound states are an expression of quantum coherence between particles and holes in hybrid structures composed of superconducting and non-superconducting metallic parts. Their spectrum carries important information on the nature of the pairing, and determines the current in Josephson devices. Here, I focus on Andreev bound states in systems involving superconductors and ferromagnets with strong spin-polarization. I provide a general framework for non-local Andreev phenomena in such structures in terms of coherence functions, and show how the latter link wave function and Green-function based theories.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Andreev bound states’.
Weyl nodes in periodic structures of superconductors and spin-active materials
Authors: Keles Ahmet , Zhao Erhai
Published: June 2018

Motivated by recent progress in epitaxial growth of proximity structures of
s
-wave superconductors (S) and spin-active materials (M), in this paper we show that certain periodic structures of S and M can behave effectively as superconductors with pairs of point nodes, near which the low-energy excitations are Weyl fermions. A simple model, where M is described by a Kronig–Penney potential with both spin–orbit coupling and exchange field, is proposed and solved to obtain the phase diagram of the nodal structure, the spin texture of the Weyl fermions, as well as the zero-energy surface states in the form of open Fermi lines (Fermi arcs). As a second example, a lattice model with alternating layers of S and magnetic
Z
2
topological insulators is solved. The calculated spectrum confirms previous predictions of Weyl nodes based on the tunnelling Hamiltonian of Dirac electrons. Our results provide further evidence that periodic structures of S and M are well suited for engineering gapless topological superconductors.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Andreev bound states’.
Morphological, cellular and molecular characterization of posterior regeneration in the marine annelid Platynereis dumerilii
Authors: Planques Anabelle , Malem Julien , Parapar Julio , Vervoort Michel , Gazave Eve
Published: June 2018

Regeneration, the ability to restore body parts after an injury or an amputation, is a widespread but highly variable and complex phenomenon in animals. While having fascinating scientists for centuries, fundamental questions about the cellular basis of animal regeneration as well as its evolutionary history remain largely unanswered. We study regeneration of the marine annelid Platynereis dumerilii, an emerging comparative developmental biology model, which, like many other annelids, displays important regenerative abilities. If the posterior part of the body is amputated, P. dumerilii worms are able to regenerate the posteriormost differentiated part of the body and stem cell-rich growth zone that allows to make new segments which replace the amputated ones. We show that posterior regeneration is a rapid process that follows a well reproducible paths and timeline, going through specific stages that we thoroughly defined. Wound healing is achieved by one day post-amputation and a regeneration blastema forms one day later. At this time point, some tissue specification already occurs, and a functional posterior growth zone is re-established as early as three days after amputation. Regeneration is only influenced in a minor manner by worm size and position of the amputation site along the antero-posterior axis of the worm and regenerative abilities persist upon repeated amputations without important alterations of the process. We also show that intense cell proliferation occurs during regeneration and that cell divisions are strictly required for regeneration to normally proceed. Finally, through several 5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine (EdU) pulse and chase experiments, we provide evidence in favor of a local origin of the blastema, whose constituting cells mostly derive from the segment immediately abutting the amputation plane. The detailed characterization of P. dumerilii posterior body regeneration presented in this article provides the foundation for future mechanistic and comparative studies of regeneration in this species.
Enhanced β-secretase processing of amyloid precursor protein in the skeletal muscle of ALS animal models
Authors: Yang Huaqiang
Published: June 2018

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a lethal neurodegenerative disorder primarily characterized by motor neuron degeneration and muscle paralysis. Several studies indicate that pathological changes in the skeletal muscle contribute to disease progression. We report a significant increase of β-secretase processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the skeletal muscle but not the spinal cord or cerebral cortex of hSOD1 (G93A) transgenic ALS mouse models. Enhanced β-secretase processing of APP was manifested by up-regulated expression of βCTF, the 22-kd CTF of APP, and β-secretase processing enzyme, BACE1. Morphological analysis demonstrated that enhanced β-secretase processing of APP mainly occurred in the atrophic myofibers of ALS mice. We also observed a similar change in APP processing in an hSOD1 (G93A) transgenic ALS pig model, suggesting that enhanced β-secretase processing of APP in skeletal muscle may be a common pathological feature of ALS. These findings reveal a selective change in APP processing in skeletal muscle of ALS animal models, and highlight the involvement of aberrant APP processing in ALS pathogenesis.
Implication of exofacial thiol groups in the reducing activity ofListeria monocytogenes
Authors: Pillot Guillaume , Brillet-Viel Anne , Prévost Hervé
Published: June 2018

Listeria monocytogenesgrowing in BHI in anaerobic condition leads a decrease of redox potential at pH7 (Eh7) from 0 to −250 mV. An investigation of mechanisms involved in this reducing activity shows the implication of thiol groups located on the bacterial cell surface. Indeed, after reduction of media to −250 mV, only thiol-reactive reagents could restore the initialEh7value. Moreover, the growth ofL. monocytogenesin anaerobic condition is characterized by a reduction then acidification phases. This suggests a sensor mechanism of environmentalEh7to convert the metabolism way from the first phase to the second. Finally, the concentration of exofacial thiol still increase strongly during the acidification phase ofL. monocytogenes, even after reach the minimal value ofEh7. These results suggest that maintaining the exofacial thiol (−SH) groups in a reduced state do not depend on an active mechanism. Thiol groups appear to be displayed by membrane proteins or cell wallbound proteins and may participate in protecting cells against oxidative stress.
“Stick-slip dynamics of cell adhesion triggers spontaneous symmetry breaking and directional migration”
Authors: Hennig K. , Wang I. , Moreau P. , Valon L. , DeBeco S. , Coppey M. , Miroshnikova Y. A. , Albiges-Rizo C. , Favard C. , Voituriez R. , Balland M.
Published: June 2018

Directional cell motility during organism and tissue development, homeostasis and disease requires symmetry breaking. This process relies on the ability of single cells to establish a front-rear polarity, and can occur in absence of external cues. The initiation of migration has been attributed to the spontaneous polarization of cytoskeleton components, while the spatiotemporal evolution of cytoskeletal forces arising from continuous mechanical cell-substrate interaction has yet to be resolved. Here, we establish a one-dimensional microfabricated migration assay that mimics complex in vivo fibrillar environment while being compatible with high-resolution force measurements, quantitative microscopy, and optogenetics. Quantification of morphometric and mechanical parameters reveals a generic stick-slip behavior initiated by contractility-dependent stochastic detachment of adhesive contacts at one side of the cell, which is sufficient to drive directional cell motility in absence of pre-established cytoskeleton polarity or morphogen gradients. A theoretical model validates the crucial role of adhesion dynamics during spontaneous symmetry breaking, proposing that the examined phenomenon can emerge independently of a complex self-polarizing system.

One sentence summary

Cells can autonomously break their symmetry through traction force oscillations (mechanical instabilities) that lead to stochastic detachment of adhesion patches on one side of the cell and the subsequent initiation of migration.
Reduced signal for polygenic adaptation of height in UK Biobank
Authors: Berg Jeremy J. , Harpak Arbel , Sinnott-Armstrong Nasa , Jørgensen Anja Moltke , Mostafavi Hakhamanesh , Field Yair , Boyle Evan A. , Zhang Xinjun , Racimo Fernando , Pritchard Jonathan K. , Coop Graham
Published: June 2018

Several recent papers have reported strong signals of selection on European polygenic height scores. These analyses used height effect estimates from the GIANT consortium and replication studies. Here, we describe a new analysis based on the the UK Biobank (UKB), a large, independent dataset. We find that the signals of selection using UKB effect-size estimates for height are strongly attenuated or absent. We also provide evidence that previous analyses were confounded by population stratification Therefore, the conclusion of strong polygenic adaptation now lacks support. Moreover, these discrepancies highlight (1) that methods for correcting for population stratification in GWAS may not always be sufficient for polygenic trait analyses, and (2) that claims of differences in polygenic scores between populations should be treated with caution until these issues are better understood.
Non-assortative community structure in resting and task-evoked functional brain networks
Authors: Betzel Richard F. , Bertolero Maxwell A. , Bassett Danielle S.
Published: June 2018

Brain networks exhibit community structure that reconfigures during cognitively demanding tasks. Extant work has emphasized a single class of communities: those that are assortative, or internally dense and externally sparse. Other classes that may play key functional roles in brain function have largely been ignored, leading to an impoverished view in the best case and a mischaracterization in the worst case. Here, we leverage weighted stochastic blockmodeling, a community detection method capable of detecting diverse classes of communities, to study the community structure of functional brain networks while subjects either rest or perform cognitively demanding tasks. We find evidence that the resting brain is largely assortative, although higher order association areas exhibit non-assortative organization, forming cores and peripheries. Surprisingly, this assortative structure breaks down during tasks and is supplanted by core, periphery, and disassortative communities. Using measures derived from the community structure, we show that it is possible to classify an individual’s task state with an accuracy that is well above average. Finally, we show that inter-individual differences in the composition of assortative and non-assortative communities is correlated with subject performance on in-scanner cognitive tasks. These findings offer a new perspective on the community organization of functional brain networks and its relation to cognition.
Signals of polygenic adaptation on height have been overestimated due to uncorrected population structure in genome-wide association studies
Authors: Sohail Mashaal , Maier Robert M. , Ganna Andrea , Bloemendal Alex , Martin Alicia R. , Turchin Michael C. , Chiang Charleston W. K. , Hirschhorn Joel N. , Daly Mark J. , Patterson Nick , Neale Benjamin M. , Mathieson Iain , Reich David , Sunyaev Shamil R.
Published: June 2018

Genetic predictions of height differ among human populations and these differences are too large to be explained by genetic drift. This observation has been interpreted as evidence of polygenic adaptation. Differences across populations were detected using SNPs genome-wide significantly associated with height, and many studies also found that the signals grew stronger when large numbers of subsignificant SNPs were analyzed. This has led to excitement about the prospect of analyzing large fractions of the genome to detect subtle signals of selection and claims of polygenic adaptation for multiple traits. Polygenic adaptation studies of height have been based on SNP effect size measurements in the GIANT Consortium meta-analysis. Here we repeat the height analyses in the UK Biobank, a much more homogeneously designed study. Our results show that polygenic adaptation signals based on large numbers of SNPs below genome-wide significance are extremely sensitive to biases due to uncorrected population structure.
Cell-intrinsic genetic regulation of peripheral memory-phenotype T cell frequencies
Authors: Chawla Amanpreet Singh , Kanodia Parna , Mukherjee Ankur , Jain Vaibhav , Kaur Gurvinder , Coshic Poonam , Chatterjee Kabita , Wadhwa Nitya , Mouli Natchu Uma Chandra , Sopory Shailaja , Bhatnagar Shinjini , Majumder Partha P. , George Anna , Bal Vineeta , Rath Satyajit , Prabhu Savit B.
Published: June 2018

Memory T and B lymphocyte numbers are thought to be regulated by recent and cumulative microbial exposures. We report here that memory-phenotype lymphocyte frequencies in B, CD4 and CD8 T-cells in 3-monthly serial bleeds from healthy young adult humans were relatively stable over a 1-year period, while recently activated -B and -CD4 T cell frequencies were not, suggesting that recent environmental exposures affected steady state levels of recently activated but not of memory lymphocyte subsets. Frequencies of memory B and CD4 T cells were not correlated, suggesting that variation in them was unlikely to be determined by cumulative antigenic exposures. Immunophenotyping of adult siblings showed high concordance in memory, but not of recently activated lymphocyte subsets, suggesting genetic regulation of memory lymphocyte frequencies. To explore this possibility further, we screened effector memory (EM)-phenotype T cell frequencies in common independent inbred mice strains. Using two pairs from these strains that differed predominantly in either CD4EM and/or CD8EM frequencies, we constructed bi-parental bone marrow chimeras in F1 recipient mice, and found that memory T cell frequencies in recipient mice were determined by donor genotypes. Together, these data suggest cell-autonomous determination of memory T niche size, and suggest mechanisms maintaining immune variability.
Lactate production without hypoxia in skeletal muscle during electrical cycling: Crossover study of femoral venous-arterial differences in healthy volunteers
Authors: Gojda Jan , Waldauf Petr , Hrušková Natália , Blahutová Barbora , Krajčová Adéla , Tůma Petr , Řasová Kamila , Duška František
Published: June 2018

Background

Aim of the study was to compare metabolic response of leg skeletal muscle during functional electrical stimulation-driven unloaded cycling (FES) to that seen during volitional supine cycling.

Methods

Fourteen healthy volunteers were exposed in random order to supine cycling, either volitional (10-25-50 W, 10 min) or FES assisted (unloaded, 10 min) in a crossover design. Whole body and leg muscle metabolism were assessed by indirect calorimetry with concomitant repeated measurements of femoral venous-arterial differences of blood gases, glucose, lactate and amino acids.

Results

Unloaded FES cycling, but not volitional exercise, led to a significant increase in across-leg lactate production (from −1.1±2.1 to 5.5±7.4 mmol/min, p<0.001) and mild elevation of arterial lactate (from 1.8±0.7 to 2.5±0.8 mM). This occurred without widening of across-leg VA O2 and CO2 gaps. Femoral SvO2 difference was directly proportional to VA difference of lactate (R2= 0.60, p=0.002). Across-leg glucose uptake did not change with either type of exercise. Systemic oxygen consumption increased with FES cycling to similarly to 25W volitional exercise (138±29% resp. 124±23% of baseline). There was a net uptake of branched-chain amino acids and net release of Alanine from skeletal muscle, which were unaltered by either type of exercise.

Conclusions

Unloaded FES cycling, but not volitional exercise causes significant lactate production without hypoxia in skeletal muscle. This phenomenon can be significant in vulnerable patients’ groups.
RBM-5 modulates U2AF large subunit-dependent alternative splicing inC. elegans
Authors: Zhou Chuanman , Gao Xiaoyang , Hu Surong , Gan Wenjing , Jing Xu , Yong-Chao Ma , Long Ma
Published: June 2018

A key step in pre-mRNA splicing is the recognition of 3’ splicing sites by the U2AF large and small subunits, a process regulated by numeroustrans-acting splicing factors. How thesetrans-acting factors interact with U2AFin vivois unclear. From a screen for suppressors of the temperature-sensitive (ts) lethality of theC. elegansU2AF large subunit geneuaf-1(n4588)mutants, we identified mutations in theRNAbindingmotif generbm-5, a homolog of the tumor suppressorRBM5.rbm-5mutations can suppressuaf-1(n4588)ts-lethality by loss of function and neuronal expression ofrbm-5was sufficient to rescue the suppression. Transcriptome analyses indicate thatuaf-1(n4588)affected the expression of numerous genes andrbm-5mutations can partially reverse the abnormal gene expression to levels similar to that of wild type. Thoughrbm-5mutations did not obviously affect alternative splicing per se, they can suppress or enhance, in a gene-specific manner, the altered splicing of genes inuaf-1(n4588)mutants. Specifically, the recognition of a weak 3’ splice site was more susceptible to the effect ofrbm-5. Our findings provide novelin vivoevidence that RBM-5 can modulate UAF-1-dependent RNA splicing and suggest that RBM5 might interact with U2AF large subunit to affect tumor formation.

Author summary

RNA splicing is a critical regulatory step for eukaryotic gene expression and has been involved in the pathogenesis of multiple diseases. How RNA splicing factors interactin vivoto affect the splicing and expression of genes is unclear. In studying the temperature-sensitive lethal phenotypes of a mutation affecting the splicing factor U2AF large subunit geneuaf-1in the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans, we isolated suppressive mutations in therbm-5gene, a homolog of the human tumor suppressor geneRBM5.rbm-5is broadly expressed in neurons to enhance the lethality of theuaf-1mutants. We found that the uaf-1 mutation causes aberrant expression of genes in numerous biological pathways, a large portion of which can be corrected byrbm-5mutations. The abnormal splicing of multiple genes caused by theuaf-1mutation is either corrected or enhanced byrbm-5mutations in a gene-specific manner. We propose that RBM-5 interacts with UAF-1 to affect RNA splicing and the tumor suppressor function of RBM5 might involve U2AF-dependent RNA splicing.
PReMS: Parallel Regularised Regression Model Search for sparse bio-signature discovery
Authors: Hoggart Clive J.
Published: June 2018

There is increasing interest in developing point of care tests to diagnose disease and predict prognosis based upon biomarker signatures of RNA or protein expression levels. Technology to measure the required biomarkers accurately and in a time-frame useful to health care professionals will be easier to develop by minimising the number of biomarkers measured. In this paper we describe the Parallel Regularised Regression Model Search (PReMS) method which is designed to estimate parsimonious prediction models. Given a set of potential biomarkers PReMS searches over many logistic regression models constructed from optimal subsets of the biomarkers, iteratively increasing the model size. Zero centred Gaussian prior distributions are assigned to all regression coefficients to induce shrinkage. The method estimates the optimal shrinkage parameter, optimal model for each model size and the optimal model size. We apply PReMS to six freely available data sets and compare its performance with the LASSO and SCAD algorithms in terms of the number of covariates in the model, model accuracy, as measured by the area under the receiver operator curve (AUC) and root predicted mean square error, and model calibration. We show that PReMS typically selects models with fewer biomarkers than both the LASSO and SCAD algorithms but has comparable predictive accuracy.

Availability:(PReMS) is freely available as an R packagehttps://github.com/clivehoggart/PReMS
Dopamine maintains network synchrony via direct modulation of gap junctions in the crustacean cardiac ganglion
Authors: Lane Brian J , Kick Daniel R , Wilson David K , Nair Satish S , Schulz David J
Published: June 2018

Abstract The Large Cell (LC) motor neurons of the crab (C. borealis) cardiac ganglion have variable membrane conductance magnitudes even within the same individual, yet produce identical synchronized activity in the intact network. In our previous study (Lane et al., 2016) we blocked a subset of K+conductances across LCs, resulting in loss of synchronous activity. In this study, we hypothesized that this same variability of conductances could make LCs vulnerable to desynchronization during neuromodulation. We exposed the LCs to serotonin (5HT) and dopamine (DA) while recording simultaneously from multiple LCs. Both amines had distinct excitatory effects on LC output, but only 5HT caused desynchronized output. We further determined that DA rapidly increased gap junctional conductance. Co-application of both amines induced 5HT-like output, but waveforms remained synchronized. Furthermore, DA prevented desynchronization induced by the K+channel blocker tetraethylammonium (TEA), suggesting that dopaminergic modulation of electrical coupling plays a protective role in maintaining network synchrony.
Structural flexibility of halogen bonds showed in a single-crystal-to-single-crystal [2+2] photodimerization
Authors: Sinnwell Michael A. , Blad Jared N. , Thomas Logan R. , MacGillivray Leonard R.
Published: June 2018

Halogen bonds have emerged as noncovalent forces that govern the assembly of molecules in organic solids with a degree of reliability akin to hydrogen bonds. Although the structure-directing roles of halogen bonds are often compared to hydrogen bonds, general knowledge concerning the fundamental structural behavior of halogen bonds has had limited opportunity to develop. Following an investigation of solid-state reactions involving organic syntheses and the development of photoresponsive materials, this work demonstrates the ability of the components of intermolecular N...I halogen bonding – a `workhorse' interaction for the crystal engineer – to support a single-crystal-to-single-crystal [2+2] photodimerization. A comparison is provided of the geometric changes experienced by the halogen-bonded components in the single-crystal reaction to the current crystal landscape of N...I halogen bonds, as derived from the Cambridge Structural Database. Specifically, a linear-to-bent type of deformation of the halogen-bonded components was observed, which is expected to support the development of functional halogen-bonded materials containing molecules that can undergo movements in close-packed crystal environments.
Parental expectations of and satisfaction with the services of preschool centres
Authors: Prayukvong Wanna , Sornprasith Amporn , Foster Morris John
Published: June 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to study parental expectations of and satisfaction with overall services of preschool centres and to determine the factors which affect parents’ satisfaction in a part of one of Thailand’s southern provinces.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from parents of children attending 29 day-care or preschool centres in Songkhla Province, South Thailand, over a two-month period in the Spring 2014. The data were analysed mainly using descriptive statistics and some correlation analyses with subsequent logical interpretation.

Findings

Given the location and non-compulsory nature of the childcare provision being assessed, it would seem fair to say that the answer to the overarching objective was fairly positive. Expectations were non-trivial; parents looked for more than “baby-minding” and expected there to be some appropriately qualified staff. The perceived satisfaction levels indicate that there is nevertheless scope for improvement.

Research limitations/implications

The sample studied is from a limited geographical region of Thailand; hence, there must be some caution in making recommendations for the whole country.

Practical implications

As the outcomes being delivered are seen to be mainly positive by parents and guardians, the policy implication for the Thai Government is that they should continue to promote, and ideally enhance, this kind of early years provision. Results suggest that Thai parents would be well advised to make use of childcare centres to promote the socialisation and development of their children.

Originality/value

The originality of the work derives from the lack of similar systematic studies in Thailand and, in particular, for the rural southern provinces.
Undergraduate African–American student’s experience of racial microaggressions on a primarily white campus
Authors: Brezinski Kyle J. , Laux John , Roseman Christopher , O’Hara Caroline , Gore Shanda
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between African–American undergraduate students, racial microaggressions (RMAs) and college retention rates.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained from a survey given out to African–American undergraduate students, recruited from a large, midwestern, predominantly white public university (n = 53).

Findings

The results indicate that students did experience a wide range of microaggressions. Furthermore, the data revealed a statistically significant relationship between the participants’ perceptions that others viewed them as if they were foreigners and did not belong to the place and the participants’ thoughts about dropping out during the ongoing semester [r(51) = 0.338, p = 0.05]. The results suggest that African–Americans frequently experience RMAs while on campus but these experiences are not significantly tied to their intentions to complete the ongoing semester or return for the subsequent semester.

Practical implications

This study shows that African–American students felt disconnected from the campus that they attend. This information may allow for faculty and staff members to assist in making students feel more welcomed and included in the classroom and on campus.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies to provide evidence of the relationships between African–American undergraduate students, RMAs and college retention rates. In addition, most studies looking at the relationship between RMAs and retention are qualitative in nature. The use of a quantitative approach helps us eliminating possible observer bias and increasing sample size.
Validation of a short form of the Inventory of Organizational Learning Facilitators
Authors: Lauzier Martin , Barrette Jacques , Kenny Sandra , Lemyre Louise
Published: June 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a short form of the Inventory of Organizational Learning Facilitators (IOLF) by using the same factors as the long form to test the equivalence between two language versions (English and French) and to explore executives’ attitudes toward organizational learning (OL).

Design/methodology/approach

The structure of the long-form IOLF is based on five factors found in previous work: knowledge acquisition and transformation; OL culture; learning-focused leadership; OL support; and strategic management of new knowledge and learning. Two surveys of Canadian Federal Government executives assessed their perception of OL facilitators, organizational commitment, cynicism and intention to leave the organization. Correlational pattern analysis, conducted after confirmatory factor analyses, assessed the equivalence of the two language versions.

Findings

The short-form IOLF replicated the factor structure of previous work and demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency. Correlations showed equivalence between and across languages. Significant correlations with outcome variables, albeit in a cross-sectional design, supported predictive validity.

Research limitations/implications

This conceptually valid instrument can be adapted to English- and French-speaking populations. It can test hypotheses about the relationship between OL facilitators and individual, collective and organizational outcomes. The findings stem from self-report data in a cross-sectional design and require further research.

Practical implications

The short-form IOLF can quickly identify areas for improvement and monitor the evolution of an organization’s learning abilities.

Originality/value

This quick, efficient tool assesses OL context and can indicate factors likely to influence OL. This study offers empirically driven insights into conditions that influence executives’ attitudes.
Is Google scholar really scholarly?
Authors: Loan Fayaz Ahmad , Sheikh Shueb
Published: June 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the scholarly nature of the results retrieved by the Google Scholar on the five major global problems, i.e. global warming, economic recession, terrorism, HIV AIDS and child labour.

Design/methodology/approach

The five terms (global warming, economic recession, terrorism, HIV AIDS and child labour) were searched into the Google Scholar database, and the first 50 retrieved hits were manually analysed to record the relevant bibliographic details. The scholarship of the results was measured by quality indices like h-index, Altmetrics and Journal Impact Factor. The Scopus – the world’s biggest abstract and citation database – was used to identify the h-index of the prolific authors, citations of articles and impact factor of journals.

Findings

The study reveals that Google Scholar retrieves a good number of publications on the selected global problems from reputed publishers such as Nature Publishing Group, Elsevier, Cambridge University Press, Blackwell and Sage and published from well-developed countries such as the USA, UK and Switzerland. Google Scholar mostly retrieves articles and research papers from qualitative journals having a good impact factor such as Nature, Science, The Lancet, American Journal of Public Health, The Economic Journal, Social Science and Medicine and Annals of Tourism Research. These articles and books are contributed by the reputed authors having high h-index. The journal articles and books retrieved have also a good number of citations, although such results are limited. The results prove that Google Scholar is scholarly in nature to a great extent.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are limited to Google Scholar only and cannot be generalized for the rest of the search tools or databases. Further, the study included only five major global problems in the study, and thus, results cannot be applicable to other areas of knowledge.

Practical implications

The study is a checklist to know the retrieval performance of Google Scholar in terms of quality of content.

Originality/value

It is the first study of its kind that takes into account the nature of content on major global problems retrieved by the Google Scholar. It is also the first study that used bibliometric analysis to evaluate the quality of results retrieved.
Parent‐directed commentaries during children's hearing habilitation appointments: a practice in family‐centred care
Authors: Ekberg Katie , Scarinci Nerina , Hickson Louise , Meyer Carly
Published: June 2018

Background

Family‐centred care (FCC) is recognized as best practice in the delivery of early intervention services for children with hearing loss (HL) and their families. However, there has been little research involving direct observation of family‐centred communication practices in paediatric hearing habilitation appointments, which means little is currently known about how family members are involved within appointments, and how FCC is accomplished by health professionals through their interactions with families.

Aims

To examine the interaction between hearing healthcare professionals, children with HL, and their parents within video‐recorded paediatric hearing habilitation appointments (including both audiology and speech and language therapy appointments), with a particular focus on how parents were involved in the interaction.

Methods & Procedures

The data for this study involved a corpus of 48 video‐recorded paediatric hearing habilitation appointments from three clinical sites (including 33 audiology appointments and 15 speech pathology appointments). Participants included 14 audiologists, 8 speech and language therapists, 41 children with HL (aged 18 months and over) and 48 of their attending family members (e.g., parents/carers). The data were analyzed using conversation analysis.

Outcomes & Results

Analysis revealed one specific practice that health professionals used to engage parents in the interaction during child‐directed assessment and therapy tasks: that of ‘parent‐directed commentaries’, where health professionals shifted their attention to the parent(s) to describe or evaluate what they were observing during appointment tasks. Health professionals were observed to produce two types of parent‐directed commentaries: (1) a positive evaluation of the child's just‐prior response; and (2) an account for the child's prior behaviour (sometimes also accompanied by a positive evaluation). These commentaries appeared at systematic points in the interaction when the child had been displaying difficulty with their response to the health professional. The parent‐directed commentaries accomplished several important functions: they engaged the parent's attention in the interaction; focused the parent's attention on positive responses from the child (while shrouding less positive responses); played down potential negative perceptions of the child's previous missed/incorrect responses; and provided parents with reassurance of their child's progress during the ongoing task.

Conclusions & Implications

The parent‐directed commentaries identified in this study provide an example of the practical, interactional resources that health professionals can draw on within paediatric appointments to facilitate FCC with parents.
The importance of input and output legitimacy in democratic governance: Evidence from a population‐based survey experiment in four West European countries
Authors: STREBEL MICHAEL ANDREA , KÜBLER DANIEL , MARCINKOWSKI FRANK
Published: June 2018

The study of subjective democratic legitimacy from a citizens’ perspective has become an important strand of research in political science. Echoing the well‐known distinction between ‘input‐oriented’ and ‘output‐oriented’ legitimacy, the scientific debate on this topic has coined two opposed views. Some scholars find that citizens have a strong and intrinsic preference for meaningful participation in collective decision making. But others argue, to the contrary, that citizens prefer ‘stealth democracy’ because they care mainly about the substance of decisions, but much less about the procedures leading to them. In this article, citizens’ preferences regarding democratic governance are explored, focusing on their evaluations of a public policy according to criteria related to various legitimacy dimensions, as well as on the (tense) relationship among them. Data from a population‐based conjoint experiment conducted in eight metropolitan areas in France, Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom is used. By analysing 5,000 respondents’ preferences for different governance arrangements, which were randomly varied with respect to their input, throughput and output quality as well as their scope of authority, light is shed on the relative importance of different aspects of democratic governance. It is found, first, that output evaluations are the most important driver for citizens’ choice of a governance arrangement; second, consistent positive effects of criteria of input and throughput legitimacy that operate largely independent of output evaluations can be discerned; and third, democratic input, but not democratic throughput, is considered somewhat more important when a governance body holds a high level of formal authority. These findings run counter to a central tenet of the ‘stealth democracy’ argument. While they indeed suggest that political actors and institutions can gain legitimacy primarily through the provision of ‘good output’, citizens’ demand for input and throughput do not seem to be conditioned by the quality of output as advocates of stealth democratic theory suggest. Democratic input and throughput remain important secondary features of democratic governance.