bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contactin-1 and contactin-2 in cerebrospinal fluid as potential biomarkers for axonal domain dysfunction in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Chatterjee Madhurima , Koel-Simmelink Marleen JA , Verberk Inge MW , Killestein Joep , Vrenken Hugo , Enzinger Christian , Ropele Stefan , Fazekas Franz , Khalil Michael , Teunissen Charlotte E 
Published: December 2018

Background Contactin-1 and contactin-2 are important for the maintenance of axonal integrity. Objective To investigate the cerebrospinal fluid levels of contactin-1 and contactin-2 in multiple sclerosis patients and controls, and their potential use as prognostic markers for neurodegeneration. Methods Cerebrospinal fluid contactin-1 and contactin-2 were measured in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis ( n = 41), secondary progressive multiple sclerosis ( n = 26) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis patients ( n = 13) and controls ( n = 18), and in a second cohort with clinically isolated syndrome patients ( n = 88, median clinical follow-up period of 2.3 years) and controls ( n = 20). Correlations/linear regressions were analysed with other baseline cerebrospinal fluid axonal damage markers and cross-sectional/longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging features. Results Contactin-1 and contactin-2 levels were up to 1.4-fold reduced in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (contactin-1: p = 0.01, contactin-2: p = 0.02) and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (contactin-1: p = 0.05, contactin-2: p = 0.02) compared to controls. In clinically isolated syndrome patients, contactin-1 tended to increase when compared to controls ( p = 0.07). Both contactin-1 and contactin-2 correlated with neurofilament light, neurofilament heavy and magnetic resonance imaging metrics differently depending on the disease stage. In clinically isolated syndrome patients, baseline contactin-2 level (β = –0.42, p = 0.04) predicted the longitudinal decline in cortex volume. Conclusion Cerebrospinal fluid contactin-1 and contactin-2 reveal axonal dysfunction in various stages of multiple sclerosis and their inclusion to the biomarker panel may provide better insight into the extent of axonal damage/dysfunction.
The roles of dystroglycan in the nervous system: insights from animal models of muscular dystrophy
Authors: Nickolls Alec R. , Bönnemann Carsten G. 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACTDystroglycan is a cell membrane protein that binds to the extracellular matrix in a variety of mammalian tissues. The α-subunit of dystroglycan (αDG) is heavily glycosylated, including a special O-mannosyl glycoepitope, relying upon this unique glycosylation to bind its matrix ligands. A distinct group of muscular dystrophies results from specific hypoglycosylation of αDG, and they are frequently associated with central nervous system involvement, ranging from profound brain malformation to intellectual disability without evident morphological defects. There is an expanding literature addressing the function of αDG in the nervous system, with recent reports demonstrating important roles in brain development and in the maintenance of neuronal synapses. Much of these data are derived from an increasingly rich array of experimental animal models. This Review aims to synthesize the information from such diverse models, formulating an up-to-date understanding about the various functions of αDG in neurons and glia of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Where possible, we integrate these data with our knowledge of the human disorders to promote translation from basic mechanistic findings to clinical therapies that take the neural phenotypes into account.
Comparison of clustering tools in R for medium-sized 10x Genomics single-cell RNA-sequencing data
Authors: Freytag Saskia , Tian Luyi , Lönnstedt Ingrid , Ng Milica , Bahlo Melanie 
Published: December 2018

Background: The commercially available 10x Genomics protocol to generate droplet-based single cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) data is enjoying growing popularity among researchers. Fundamental to the analysis of such scRNA-seq data is the ability to cluster similar or same cells into non-overlapping groups. Many competing methods have been proposed for this task, but there is currently little guidance with regards to which method to use. Methods: Here we use one gold standard 10x Genomics dataset, generated from the mixture of three cell lines, as well as multiple silver standard 10x Genomics datasets generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells to examine not only the accuracy but also running time and robustness of a dozen methods. Results: We found that Seurat outperformed other methods, although performance seems to be dependent on many factors, including the complexity of the studied system. Furthermore, we found that solutions produced by different methods have little in common with each other. Conclusions: In light of this we conclude that the choice of clustering tool crucially determines interpretation of scRNA-seq data generated by 10x Genomics. Hence practitioners and consumers should remain vigilant about the outcome of 10x Genomics scRNA-seq analysis.
Carrying out streamlined routine data analyses with reports for observational studies: introduction to a series of generic SAS® macros
Authors: Liu Yuan , Nickleach Dana C. , Zhang Chao , Switchenko Jeffrey M. , Kowalski Jeanne 
Published: December 2018

For a typical medical research project based on observational data, sequential routine analyses are often essential to comprehend the data on hand and to draw valid conclusions. However, generating reports in SAS® for routine analyses can be a time-consuming and tedious process, especially when dealing with large databases with a massive number of variables in an iterative and collaborative research environment. In this work, we present a general workflow of research based on an observational database and a series of SAS® macros that fits this framework, which covers a streamlined data analyses and produces journal-quality summary tables. The system is generic enough to fit a variety of research projects and enables researchers to build a highly organized and concise coding for quick updates as research evolves. The result reports promote communication in collaborations and will escort the research with ease and efficiency.
A Malawi guideline for research study participant remuneration
Authors: Gordon Stephen B. , Chinula Lameck , Chilima Ben , Mwapasa Victor , Dadabhai Sufia , Mlombe Yohannie ,   Malawi Research Ethics Workshop 2018 Participants
Published: December 2018

Background: Research participant remuneration has been variable and inconsistent world-wide for many years owing to uncertainty regarding best practice and a lack of written guidelines for investigators and research ethics committees. Recent recommendations are that researchers and regulators should develop regionally appropriate written guidelines to define reasonable remuneration based on expense reimbursement, compensation for time and burden associated with participation. Incentives to motivate participation are acceptable in specific circumstances. Methods: We wished to develop regionally informed, precise and applicable guidelines in Malawi that might also be generally useful for African researchers and review committees. We therefore reviewed the current literature and developed widely applicable and specific remuneration tables using acceptable and evidence-based payment rationales. Results: There were good international guidelines and limited published regional guidelines. There were published examples of best practice and sufficient material to suggest a structured remuneration table. The rationale and method for the table were discussed at an inter-disciplinary workshop resulting in a reimbursement and compensation model with fixed rates. Payment is recommended pro rata and equally across a study. Conclusions: Transparent, fair remuneration of research participants is recommended by researchers and regulators in Malawi. The means to achieve this are now presented in the Malawi research participant remuneration table.
ETHICAL DECISION MAKING IN ACTION: EVALUATING HOSPITAL CARE ATTENDANCE APPROACHES
Authors: Forbes Julie E. , Hebb Abigail M. , Mu Enrique 
Published: December 2018

Patient safety is a priority in the hospital. Hospitals are always considering cost effective ways to keep patients safe and free from harm. Every year an average of 340,000 hospitalized patients are injured due to falls. Providing the best possible care attendance to prevent these incidents is very important. It is demonstrated here that, beyond medical and financial considerations, the proper selection of care attendance is an ethical decision. This decision requires considering the needs of, as well as getting input from, all the parties involved (hospitals, nurses, and patients). Unfortunately, until now, the care attendance discussion has mainly considered the hospital’s perspective and rarely that of the patient. Using a stakeholder theoretical approach taken from ethical decision making literature and the Analytic Hierarchy Process which allows the integration of multiple stakeholder perspectives and the inclusion of intangible variables (such as patient’s perceived value), we developed an evaluation framework to enable the prioritization and allocation of resources to the different care attendance approaches: care attendant (CA), continuous video monitoring (CVM), normal rounding (NR) and family visitor sitters (FVS). The decision criteria have been identified from the extant medical evidence-based literature, and expert opinions from three decision-makers (each representing a particular stakeholder’s perspective) were used to assess the criteria weights and rate the alternatives.
Music and world-building in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Authors: English Helen Jane , Monk Sarah , Davidson Jane W. 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
This article investigates the perceived benefits of music community membership within a historical framework of music making in the same geographical locations. Research was carried out in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter Valley regions of New South Wales. These regions were selected because of their connection with ongoing historical research on the role of music in world-building for these communities in the early settler period. Coalmining was the major industry underpinning the founding of these regions and today it is still a dominant presence, whether it be as active mines or felt as the impact of mine closures. The research aimed to compare music communities across time, looking for continuities and discontinuities in paradigms and experiences related to world-building. while music’s affordances in the historical communities were deduced through a close reading of historical sources, the perceived personal and social benefits of current communities were investigated using qualitative methods. Six music communities were chosen for their historical connections and diversity in musical styles, instrumentation, approach and membership. The researchers attended rehearsals and held focus groups to explore changes over time and the effect on members. The qualitative data analysis revealed clear links back to earlier music community experiences in the region.
Multi-norm structure based on enveloping 𝐶∗-algebras
Authors: Shams Yousefi Marzieh 
Published: December 2018

AbstractA non-trivial multi-norm structure based on the enveloping {C^{*}}-algebras will be discussed in this paper. The main example is group {C^{*}}-algebras on compact groups. Also a (generalizing) non-trivial multi-norm structure based on the Fourier and Fourier–Stieltjes algebras on compact groups will be given.
Assay of β-glucosidase 2 (GBA2) activity using lithocholic acid β-3-O-glucoside substrate for cultured fibroblasts and glucosylceramide for brain tissue
Authors: Harzer Klaus , Yildiz Yildiz , Beck-Wödl Stefanie 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
Beta (β)-glucosidase 2 (GBA2) is deficient in a form of human spastic paraplegia due to defects in GBA2 (SPG46). GBA2 was proposed as a modifier of Gaucher disease, a lysosomal storage disease resulting from deficient β-glucosidase 1; GBA1. Current GBA2 activity assays using artificial substrates incompletely model the activity encountered in vivo. We studied GBA2 activity, using lithocholic acid β-glucoside or glucosylceramide as natural β-glucosidase substrates in murine tissues or cultured patient fibroblasts with the pathologic genotypes: Gba1−/−
; Gba2−/−
; GBA1−/−
; GBA2+/−
and found expected and unexpected deviations from normal controls.
Italy after the Pyrrhic War: the Beginnings of Roman Colonization in Etruria
Authors: Bianchi Edoardo 
Published: December 2018

SummaryMy paper aims to clarify the subsequent steps of Rome’s encroachment on Etruria in the aftermath of the Pyrrhic War. As is well known, the Latin colony of Cosa was founded in 273 BC on the Tyrrhenian coast to the north of Vulci; moreover, in the years 264–245 BC, four citizen colonies were founded on the Caeretan coast, namely Castrum Novum, Pyrgi, Alsium and Fregenae. Unfortunately, it is not easy to reconstruct precisely what the Roman movements in Etruria were, or how the Etruscans reacted to them. Above all, it is difficult to determine whether (and to what extent) a colonial foundation like Cosa – which was contemporary with the establishment of Paestum in Lucania – was part of a broader and coherent strategy that the Romans had been following in their expansion into the Italian peninsula. By evaluating all the available evidence, I will try to demonstrate that the foundation of Cosa depended more upon particular contingencies than upon any preconceived plan for the conquest of Italy.
Crystal structure of catena-poly[aqua-(μ2-1,7-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane-1,7-dicarboxylato-κ2
O:O′)-(1,10-phenanthrolin-κ2
N,N′)copper(II)], C16H20B10CuN2O5
Authors: Liguo Yang , Xin Wang , Yongsheng Niu , Haixiang Song , Dayong Tian , Linna Gao 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
C16H20B10CuN2O5, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 7.4252(8) Å, b = 13.5409(14) Å, c = 23.020(3) Å, β = 94.4880(10)°, V = 2307.4(4) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0583, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1320, T = 298(2) K [1], [2], [3].
How do you teach transdisciplinary competences for food and farming systems research? Insights from the course “System Analysis and Scenario Technique”
Authors: Fiala Valentin , Freyer Bernhard , Klimek Milena , Fahringer Alexandre 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
In this paper we evaluate whether the course “System Analysis and Scenario Technique” at BOKU University can equip students with the necessary competencies to perform transdisciplinary research to foster the integration of science, technology, policy and practice. Furthermore, we investigate what the most effective didactic methods applied in the course are, and whether the course qualifies as transdisciplinary pedagogy. The course follows the simplified framework of a transdisciplinary case study and tries to transfer such an approach into the traditional curricula of Master programs. An online survey among former participants of the course was conducted. Results for the years 2015/16 and 2016/17 indicate that the course indeed has potential to increase transdisciplinary competencies among participants and could therefore qualify as transdisciplinary pedagogy. Students expressed that work with real-world cases and stakeholders from outside the university was the most effective didactic method. However, the study also showed that there were limits in integrating real-world cases within the course. Students complained about the high workload and time constraints. Short-term solutions might include optimizing case selection and student guidance. Long-term solutions beg for a reorganization of traditional Austrian curricula that would allow for the appropriate arrangement of the course with other classes. These results highlight some of the advantages, but also drawbacks of moving transdisciplinary education outside of standard curricula.
Enhancement of psychomotor skills in children with autism spectrum disorder by employing a mechatronic training kit
Authors: Moorthy Ramya S. , Iyer Kritika , Krishnan R. Hari , Pugazhenthi S. 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children has been increasing over the years. These children, when compared to typically growing children, face challenges in leading a day-to-day life. Other than the social interactions, communication and cognitive skills, psychomotor skill deficits are also found in them. This paper focuses on enhancement of psychomotor skills in children with ASD by employing a mechatronic training kit. Training using this kit aims at developing skills like ‘palmar grasp’, ‘wrist rotation’ and ‘eye-hand coordination’. Trials were conducted with six children with autism aged between four and nine years. Significant improvements were seen in these children both in skills and in behaviour after the training. Thus, teaching psychomotor skills to children with autism using the newly developed mechatronic door training kit is found to be working and the results are encouraging.
Puritanischer Terror
Authors: Japp Klaus P. 
Published: December 2018

ZusammenfassungDer Aufsatz thematisiert die puritanische Programmierung der religiösen Semantik altjüdischer, protestantischer und islamistischer Gruppierungen. Alle drei Protestbewegungen werden in einem Zusammenhang von Struktur und Semantik gesehen, der durch die Ausdifferenzierung puritanischer Sekten konstituiert wird. Der einschlägige Strukturbezug wird in der Ausdifferenzierung von religiös verfassten Sekten gesehen, deren Konkurrenzdynamik durch puritanisch-protestantische Motivbeschreibungen (Max Weber) gesteuert wird. Die Konkurrenz der Sekten untereinander und mit der jeweiligenKirchetreibt einen religiösen Reinigungs- und Steigerungszusammenhang an. Der Sektencode – gläubig/ungläubig – absorbiert ökonomische, politische (Waldmann, Pape) und anderweitig kulturelle Motive (Roy, Tibi) und nicht umgekehrt. Allein die puritanische Eigendynamik des religiösen Eigensinns kann äußerste Radikalität der Weltablehnung gewährleisten, wie sie für die diskutierten Sekten typisch ist. Die semantischen Traditionen für die Programmierung dieses Codes lassen sich in der radikalen Theologie von Augustinus‘ „Logik des Schreckens“ paradigmatisch identifizieren. Im „Makkabäer-Syndrom“ (Jan Assmann), in den protestantischen Sekten im 16./17. Jahrhundert (Max Weber) und den islamistischen Protestbewegungen (Gilles Kepel) finden sich Manifestationen dieses Paradigmas. Es wird durch Formen religiöser Selbstbeschreibung gestützt, die der Gesellschaft (der Sekten) Zentrum und Spitze verschaffen (Luhmann). Fundamentalismus und Terrorismus resultieren aus der puritanischen Eigendynamik religiöser Sekten.
Religiös inspirierter Terrorismus als Parasit politischer Macht und seine gesellschaftlichen Voraussetzungen in historisch vergleichender Perspektive
Authors: Schneider Wolfgang Ludwig 
Published: December 2018

ZusammenfassungReligiös inspirierter Terrorismus kann als wohl älteste Form des Terrorismus gelten. Der Aufsatz sieht dafür die folgenden Gründe: Bereits in den hochkulturellen Reichen setzt die Differenzierung zwischen politischer Macht und religiösem Glauben als symbolisch generalisierten Kommunikationsmedien ein. Grundlage dafür ist die politische Verfügung über militärische Gewalt. Zwischen den Medien Macht und Glaube besteht dabei eine Beziehung der partiellen Überschneidung und Wahlverwandtschaft, die es sowohl ermöglicht, dass beide Medien einander stützen, als auch, dass sie miteinander in Konflikt geraten. Wenn es zum Konflikt zwischen Machthabern und religiösen Führern kommt, nehmen letztere typisch die Position der Machtunterlegenen ein, aus der sie versuchen, religiös begründete Ansprüche gegenüber machtüberlegenen Herrschern zur Geltung zu bringen. Terroristische Gewalt ist besonders geeignet, unter solchen Bedingungen Gegenmachtansprüche wirksam zu kommunizieren und fungiert dabei alsParasit politischer Macht. An drei Beispielen aus Antike, Mittelalter und Gegenwart werden die gesellschaftsstrukturell begründeten Übereinstimmungen und Differenzen herausgearbeitet, welche die historisch-konkrete Ausprägung dieses Parasiten jeweils bestimmen.
Die Inklusion des Todes Arrangements des Terrors unter dem Blickwinkel konditionierter Koproduktion von Bewusstsein, Gemeinschaft und Gesellschaft
Authors: Vogd Werner 
Published: December 2018

Zusammenfassung
Unter welchen Konstellationen einer konditionierten Koproduktion kann es zum ‚Einschnappen‘ in eine Todesbereitschaft kommen, die den Tod bringt und erleiden lässt? Welche Formen der Verschränkung von Ego und Alter Ego sowie von Gemeinschaft und Gesellschaft können dazu führen, dass die Imaginäre des Todes bedeutsamer werden als die Autopoiesis des eigenen Körpers? Mit Blick auf Luhmanns Theorie der Autopoiesis des Bewusstseins wird zunächst deutlich, dass die Problematik eines epistemischen Dualismus, der den Menschen sich über die eigene Körperlichkeit erheben lässt, immer schon angelegt ist. Angefangen beim Selbstmord und endend beim gesellschaftlich und gemeinschaftlich hoch integrierten Terror der SS werden unterschiedliche Arrangements aufgezeigt, in denen sich das Ich-Selbst gegenüber dem Leib hypostasiert. Abschließend wird von den Fallbeispielen abstrahiert, um zu einer Heuristik analytisch zu unterscheidender Konstellationen des Terrors zu gelangen. Es wird deutlich, dass Terror nicht gleich Terror ist und je nach Konstellation andere Antworten gefragt sind.
Laboratory Studies on Soil Conditioning of Sand in the Mechanized Tunneling
Authors: Pourmand Salim , Chakeri Hamid , Sharghi Mohammad , Bonab Masoud Hajialilue , Ozcelik Yilmaz 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
Earth pressure balance (EPB) tunnel boring machines have become increasingly common in the last decade for the construction of tunnels in soft soils. The performance of these machines is so different that they have a major effect on the outside conditions of drilling operations. They use the excavated soil in a pressurized head chamber to apply support pressure to the tunnel face during excavation. A machine may be designed to work in ideal ground conditions. However, natural soils rarely have these properties, and conditioning of the soil is usually necessary to alter its properties to suit the machine. Tunnel excavation is not impossible when the unconditioned soils around the tunnel are coarse and sticky. Effective soil conditioning significantly improves machine performance and control of the soil flow through the screw conveyor. This research presents experimental investigations of soil conditioning for soil/foam and foam/polymer/soil. Methods are also provided to establish a suitable conditioning procedure for determining the optimum foam injection ratio (FIR) for these soils and for studying the effective parameters in soil conditioning such as shear strength and plasticity paste of conditioned soils. Direct shear strength tests were conducted on a small scale, and the plasticity paste of soil was studied by slump tests. The slump tests show that the plasticity of sand/foam and sand/foam/polymer is dependent on the initial moisture content, type of soil, etc. Thus, these parameters are important for achieving optimum FIR and suitable conditioning. In addition, direct shear strength tests show that the injection of foam to sand Type C caused a reduction of 51 % in the internal friction angle. Thus, foams are suitable for modifying soil. Increasing the FIR by more than a special value (optimum FIR) did not change the shear strength significantly.