Multi-site genetic analysis of diffusion images and voxelwise heritability analysis : a pilot project of the ENIGMA–DTI working group

The ENIGMA (Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis) Consortium was set up to analyze brain measures and genotypes from multiple sites across the world to improve the power to detect genetic variants that influence the brain. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) yields quantitative measures sensitive to brain development and degeneration, and some common genetic variants may be associated with white matter integrity or connectivity. DTI measures, such as the fractional anisotropy (FA) of water diffusion, may be useful for identifying genetic variants that influence brain microstructure. However, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) require large populations to obtain sufficient power to detect and replicate significant effects, motivating a multi-site consortium effort. As part of an ENIGMA–DTI working group, we analyzed high-resolution FA images from multiple imaging sites across North America, Australia, and Europe, to address the challenge of harmonizing imaging data collected at multiple sites. Four hundred images of healthy adults aged 18–85 from four sites were used to create a template and corresponding skeletonized FA image as a common reference space. Using twin and pedigree samples of different ethnicities, we used our common template to evaluate the heritability of tract-derived FA measures. We show that our template is reliable for integrating multiple datasets by combining results through meta-analysis and unifying the data through exploratory mega-analyses. Our results may help prioritize regions of the FA map that are consistently influenced by additive genetic factors for future genetic discovery studies. Protocols and templates are publicly available at (http://enigma.loni.ucla.edu/ongoing/dti-working-group/)

Crystal growth of PbTe and (Pb, Sn)Te by the bridgman method and by THM

Synthesis and growth of PbTe and (Pb, Sn)Te single crystals by the Bridgman method and by the Travelling Heater Method (THM) from Te-rich solutions are described. It is to be seen from comparative investigations that seeded THM growth reproducibly provides oriented single-crystalline ingots free of low-angle grain boundaries and with etch pit densities of 8-12 × 104 cm-2. All the materials were p-type with carrier concentrations from 1 to 2 × 1018 cm-3

Critical factors for transferring and sharing tacit knowledge within lean and agile construction processes

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to investigate the critical success factors (CSFs) associated with the effectiveness of transfer and sharing of tacit knowledge in lean and agile construction processes. Design/methodology/approach The study identifies ten CSFs that initiate the transferring and sharing of tacit knowledge. The CSFs are validated through quantitative study. This study recruited project managers, executives, consultants and other managers that are directly involved in the management of a construction project. It recruits the respondents those have background and experience from disciplines such as lean construction, agile construction, construction supply chain (CSC) and knowledge management in lean, agile and CSC. The data collected through self-administrative questionnaire are categorised as ordinal data to analyse in SPSS with frequency and Kruskal–Wallis H test, Spearman’s correlation analysis and a rank-order analysis is done to establish the level of importance of those factors. Findings Initially, “Trust between construction organisations” is identified as the foremost CSF. Moreover, other CSFs such as motivation, leadership capabilities, business strategies and organisational capabilities follow trust. Originality/value This is the first study that investigates and establishes the CSFs that are essential to initiate transferring and sharing tacit knowledge in a lean and in an agile construction processes

The response of bispectral index to laryngoscopy, comparison between hemispheres in patients with a brain tumour versus a healthy control group

Background and Goal of Study: Electroencephalogram during anaesthesia may be affected by brain tumour.(1) We studied whether patients with a brain tumour have different BIS responses after laryngoscopy (LAR). We compared tumour patients with healthy control patients. Materials and Methods: After EC approval, 40 ASA 1 or 2 patients (control) and 41 intracranial tumour patients(tumour) received standardized anaesthesia while measuring bilateral BIS (BIS VISTAXP4 with bilateral sensor).(Covidien, Dublin, Ireland) Remifentanil was randomized to 3 or 5ng/ml effect‐site concentration (Minto) and maintained throughout the study. Propofol effect‐site concentration(CePROP)(Schnider) was set at 2 μg/ml and increased with incremental steps of 0.5 μg/ml until loss of consciousness was observed. After 3 minutes, laryngoscopy was performed and BIS was monitored during one minute. The median BIS of 1 minute before LAR is subtracted from the median BIS one minute after LAR to obtain delta BIS for each hemisphere. We tested if delta BIS is significantly different between hemispheres in control, between healthy and diseased hemispheres in tumour and between ipsilateral control and tumour hemispheres. Statistical significance was set at p< 0.05. Results and Discussion: No demographic differences were present except for age.(table 1) Delta BIS is not statistically different, neither between hemispheres in control, nor between healthy and diseased hemispheres in tumour groups.(table 2) No significant difference was found in delta BIS between ipsilateral control and pathological hemispheres. Conclusion(s): Bilateral BIS does not provide additional information on responsiveness to a standardized stimulus. We could not observe major differences in bilateral BIS response between control and brain tumour patients. Unilateral BIS monitoring seems to be equally informative in healthy and brain tumour patients compared to bilateral monitoring

Handedness and behavioural inhibition:left-handed females show most inhibition as measured by BIS/BAS self-report

This study investigated the relationship between handedness, gender and behavioural approach and inhibition using Carver and White’s (1994) BIS/BAS Scale. 112 participants took part: 46 left-handers and 66 right-handers. All participants completed Peters’ (1998) handedness questionnaire followed by the self-report BIS/BAS Scale. Significant effects of both handedness and gender on the BIS scores were found, with left-handers and females scoring significantly higher on inhibition. BIS scores were re-examined to include FFFS scores, which showed a significant effect of gender. Revised BIS scores replicated the original BIS findings. These findings are discussed in relation to handedness research

他者影響力の自己認知と仮想的有能感が攻撃の置き換え傾向に及ぼす影響の検討

In this study, We investigated that effect of perceived sense of power and assumed competence on BIS/BAS and displaced aggression. Participants were one hundred forty-one undergraduates and they answered four questionnaires on their university class. As a result, assumed competence did not influence BIS/BAS, and positively influenced displaced aggression directly. On the other hand, perceived sense of power negatively influenced BIS and BIS positively influenced displaced aggression. Perceived sense of power showed indirectly influences on displaced aggression through BIS

Geometallurgical characterization of the Kittilä gold ore deposit

Comminution testing is a key component to geometallurgical characterization of different ore types. Through comminution tests, valuable information is extracted regarding the breakage mechanisms of the rock, which can be used to enhance the processing operations, including ore blending, circuit design and mill optimization. Most geotechnical tests require large amounts of sample, expensive equipment and are very time consuming. Standard test methods like uniaxial compressive strength and fracture toughness are not considered appropriate in comminution characterization. Alternatively, simple and rapid methods have been used in this study to determine comminution indexes. The results from the comminution tests were used to characterize the grindability and crushability properties of six different ore types from the Kittilä Au deposit in Northern Finland. In summary, the tests which were conducted for this study include the Bond Ball mill grindability test, the Los Angeles abrasion test, the Point Load Strength test and the JK Drop Weight impact test. Additionally, the mineral composition, content and microstructures of the ore types have been determined through optical microscopy and the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Statistical interpretation and correlations were carried out between the various tests and the modal composition of the six sample groups, using the statistical software IBM SPSS. From the results, the six ore groups were classified in the range of moderate hard crush to hard crush, while the grindability fluctuated between moderate hard grinding to very hard grinding. It was concluded that the mineral composition, textures and microstructures have as effect on the ore’s resistance to breakage mechanisms. Due to the simplicity and empirical nature of the comminution tests used in this study, the data cannot be used directly for mill circuit optimization. However, the data from this study can be implemented in future research for determining geometallurgical properties using rapid-remote techniques that will utilize real time mine to mill informatio

Changing the configuration of business information systems for advanced continuous replenishment implementation : case studies of Indonesian and Dutch retailers on contingency factors that determine the configuration

Business Information Systems (BIS) play an important role in the CR practice. The definition of BIS in this thesis includes the aspects of data, data processing activities, and data processing technologies that support those activities. The BIS configuration in a retail company shows the possibility of CR implementation. The availability of advanced capabilities in a company¿s BIS would enable advanced CR

An evaluation of the relationship between Gray’s revised RST and Eysenck’s PEN: distinguishing BIS and FFFS in Carver and White’s BIS/BAS scales

Recent revisions of Gray's Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) have important implications for self-report measures of approach and avoidance behaviours and how Gray's model relates to other personality models. In this paper, we examine the revised RST by comparing Carver and White's (1994) original one-factor solution of the BIS scale with two alternative two-factor solutions separating BIS-Anxiety and FFFS-Fear. We also examine the relationships between Eysenck's PEN and revised RST factors. Two hundred and twelve participants completed Carver and White's BIS/BAS scales and Eysenck's Personality Questionnaire-Revised. Confirmatory factor analyses of the original BIS scale showed that the hypothesized two-factor model of BIS-Anxiety and FFFS-Fear was the best fit to these data. Associations between the revised RST and Eysenck's PEN were examined using path analysis. In line with theoretical predictions, Psychoticism was related to revised BIS-Anxiety and BAS, Neuroticism to revised BIS-Anxiety and FFFS- Fear, and Extraversion to BAS and FFFS-Fear. Distinctions between BAS subscales and their associations to BIS, N and P were made in terms of past, present and future focus. Possible explanations for mixed findings in the literature and implications for future research are discussed