ARE GRADUATING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ENTERING THE INFORMATION WORKFORCE FAMILIAR WITH DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY? A STUDY ON DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY AWARENESS

This study investigates the digital accessibility awareness of graduate and undergraduate students from a major public research university who are preparing to graduate from information workforce generating degree programs. Students from four major degree programs (information science, computer science, communications, and media and journalism) completed in-depth semi-structured interview sessions to discuss the concept and answer detailed questions about digital accessibility fundamentals and applications within the student’s respective field of work or study. The vast majority of students interviewed were very familiar with digital accessibility and showed that they were prepared to implement its fundamental principles in their future professional roles in the workforce after graduation.Master of Science in Information Scienc

Measuring hidden phenotype:Quantifying the shape of barley seeds using the Euler characteristic transform

Shape plays a fundamental role in biology. Traditional phenotypic analysis methods measure some features but fail to measure the information embedded in shape comprehensively. To extract, compare and analyse this information embedded in a robust and concise way, we turn to topological data analysis (TDA), specifically the Euler characteristic transform. TDA measures shape comprehensively using mathematical representations based on algebraic topology features. To study its use, we compute both traditional and topological shape descriptors to quantify the morphology of 3121 barley seeds scanned with X-ray computed tomography (CT) technology at 127 μm resolution. The Euler characteristic transform measures shape by analysing topological features of an object at thresholds across a number of directional axes. A Kruskal-Wallis analysis of the information encoded by the topological signature reveals that the Euler characteristic transform picks up successfully the shape of the crease and bottom of the seeds. Moreover, while traditional shape descriptors can cluster the seeds based on their accession, topological shape descriptors can cluster them further based on their panicle. We then successfully train a support vector machine to classify 28 different accessions of barley based exclusively on the shape of their grains. We observe that combining both traditional and topological descriptors classifies barley seeds better than using just traditional descriptors alone. This improvement suggests that TDA is thus a powerful complement to traditional morphometrics to comprehensively describe a multitude of 'hidden' shape nuances which are otherwise not detected.</p

Innovative approaches in investigating inter-beat intervals: Graph theoretical method suggests altered autonomic functioning in adolescents with ADHD

Cardiac inter-beat intervals (IBIs) are considered to reflect autonomic functioning and self-regulatory abilities and are often investigated by traditional time- and frequency domain analyses. These analyses investigate IBI fluctuations across relatively long time series. The similarity graph algorithm is a nonlinear method that analyzes segments of IBI time series (i.e., time windows)—possibly being more sensitive to transient and spontaneous IBI fluctuations. We hypothesized that the similarity graph algorithm would detect differences between Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and control groups. Resting electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings were collected in 10–18-year-olds with ADHD (n = 37) and controls (n = 36). IBIs were converted to graphs that were subsequently investigated for similarity. We varied the criterion for defining IBIs as similar, assessing which setting best distinguished ADHD and control groups. Using this setting, we applied the similarity graph algorithm to time windows of 2–5, 6–13 and 12–25 s, respectively. We also performed traditional IBI analyses. Independent samples t tests assessed group differences. Results showed that a 1.5% criterion of similarity and a time window of 2–5 s best distinguished adolescents with ADHD and controls. The similarity graph algorithm showed a higher number of edges, maximum edges and cliques, and lower edges10+10/edges2+2 in the ADHD group compared to controls. The results suggested more similar IBIs in the ADHD group compared to the controls, possibly due to altered vagal activity and less effective regulation of heart rate. Traditional analyses did not detect any group differences. Consequently, the similarity graph algorithm might complement traditional IBI analyses as a marker of psychopathology.publishedVersio

A standardised study to compare prostate cancer targeting efficacy of five radiolabelled bombesin analogues

Purpose: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening for prostate cancer (PC) has dramatically increased early diagnosis. Current imaging techniques are not optimal to stage early PC adequately. A promising alternative to PC imaging is peptide-based scintigraphy using radiolabelled bombesin (BN) analogues that bind to gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRPR) being overexpressed in PC. When labelled to appropriate radionuclides BN targeting of GRPRs may also provide applications for peptide radionuclide receptor therapy (PRRT). Assessment studies under identical experimental conditions allowing a reliable comparison of the potential of such analogues are lacking. This study was performed to evaluate and directly compare five promising radiolabelled BN analogues for their targeting efficacy for PC under standardised conditions. Methods: The BN agonists [111In]DOTA-PESIN, [111In]AMBA, [111In]MP2346 and [111In]MP2653 and one antagonist [99mTc]Demobesin-1 were evaluated in GRPR-overexpressing human PC-3 tumou

Versuche uber Immunisierung von dem Konjunktivalsack aus mit Berucksichtigung des Einflusses der Ultraviolettbestrahlung auf den Immunisierungsvorgang

1) In Vorversuchen hat der Verfasser eingehend einerseits den direkten Einfluss der Ultraviolettstrahlen auf die beabsichtigte Antigene, ihre Suspensions-bzw. Losungs-medien so wie auf die in Immunserum anwesenden Antikorper festgestellt, anderseits die lokale und allgemeine Einwirkung auf den Tierkorper der U. V. Bestrahlung des Kaninchenauges sichergestellt. Im allgemeinen hat die U. V. Bestrahlung auf lebende Bakterien verschiedener Rassen bakterizide Wirkung entfaltet. Die Wirkungskraft war bei verschiedenen Bakterienarten, in verschiedenen Suspensionsmedien und je nach der Bestrahlungsweise verschieden. Auf das Auge selbst hat die U. V. Bestrahlung, vorausgesetzt, dass sie zweck-massig durchgefuhrt wird, keinen ublen Einfluss. Die Keime des Konjunktivalsackes nehmen als Folge der Bestrahlung an ihrer Zahl ab. Als allgemeiner Einfluss auf den Tierkorper kann der Aufstieg der Korpertem-peratur nach der Bestrahlung und die Korpergewichtzunahme erwahnt werden. Uber-massiges Bestrahlen fuhrt zur Gewichtsabnahme. Im Gegenteil zu der Wirkung im immuisierten Korper verliert das direkt bestr-ahlte Immunserum an seinem Antikorpergehalt. 2) Durch Agglutinationsproben wurde der Immunisierungsvorgang verfolgt und die Moglichkeit der Immunisierung vom Konjumktivalsack aus festgestellt. Es kamen die folgenden Bakterien in Frage; B. typhi B. prodigiosus, Staphylokokken, Gonoko-kken, Pneumokokken, V. Metschnikoffi. Als Aufschwemmungsmedium der bakteriellen Antigene wurde Kochsalzlosung, Dionin-, NaHCO3-, und verdunnte HCl- losung gebraucht. Diese Immunisierungsversuche wurden teilweise mit, teilweise ohne U. V. Bestrahlung durchgefuhrt, wodurch die Tatsache festgestellt wurde, dass die Bestr-ahlung auf die Agglutininbildung einen gunstigen Einfluss ausubt. 3) Ahnlich wie mit den verschiedenen Bakterien wurden auch Immunisierungs-versuche mit Diphterietoxin angestellt. Es ist zwar gelungen im Blute der auf die in Frage stehende Weise behandelten Versuchstiere das spezifische Antitoxin nachzuweisen, aber es lag kein Beweis a

Perivascular Adipose Tissue and Its Role in Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease

Obesity is associated with insulin resistance, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, but the mechanisms underlying these associations are incompletely understood. Microvascular dysfunction may play an important role in the pathogenesis of both insulin resistance and hypertension in obesity. Adipose tissue-derived substances (adipokines) and especially inflammatory products of adipose tissue control insulin sensitivity and vascular function. In the past years, adipose tissue associated with the vasculature, or perivascular adipose tissue (PAT), has been shown to produce a variety of adipokines that contribute to regulation of vascular tone and local inflammation. This review describes our current understanding of the mechanisms linking perivascular adipose tissue to vascular function, inflammation, and insulin resistance. Furthermore, we will discuss mechanisms controlling the quantity and adipokines secretion by PAT

Cystatin C and Cardiovascular Disease

Background Epidemiological studies show that high circulating cystatin C is associated with risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), independent of creatinine-based renal function measurements. It is unclear whether this relationship is causal, arises from residual confounding, and/or is a consequence of reverse causation. Objectives The aim of this study was to use Mendelian randomization to investigate whether cystatin C is causally related to CVD in the general population. Methods We incorporated participant data from 16 prospective cohorts (n = 76,481) with 37,126 measures of cystatin C and added genetic data from 43 studies (n = 252,216) with 63,292 CVD events. We used the common variant rs911119 in CST3 as an instrumental variable to investigate the causal role of cystatin C in CVD, including coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke, and heart failure. Results Cystatin C concentrations were associated with CVD risk after adjusting for age, sex, and traditional risk factors (relative risk: 1.82 per doubling of cystatin C; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.56 to 2.13; p = 2.12 × 10−14). The minor allele of rs911119 was associated with decreased serum cystatin C (6.13% per allele; 95% CI: 5.75 to 6.50; p = 5.95 × 10−211), explaining 2.8% of the observed variation in cystatin C. Mendelian randomization analysis did not provide evidence for a causal role of cystatin C, with a causal relative risk for CVD of 1.00 per doubling cystatin C (95% CI: 0.82 to 1.22; p = 0.994), which was statistically different from the observational estimate (p = 1.6 × 10−5). A causal effect of cystatin C was not detected for any individual component of CVD. Conclusions Mendelian randomization analyses did not support a causal role of cystatin C in the etiology of CVD. As such, therapeutics targeted at lowering circulating cystatin C are unlikely to be effective in preventing CVD

An Empirical Comparison of Consumer Innovation Adoption Models: Implications for Subsistence Marketplaces

So called “pro-poor” innovations may improve consumer wellbeing in subsistence marketplaces. However, there is little research that integrates the area with the vast literature on innovation adoption. Using a questionnaire where respondents were asked to provide their evaluations about a mobile banking innovation, this research fills this gap by providing empirical evidence of the applicability of existing innovation adoption models in subsistence marketplaces. The study was conducted in Bangladesh among a geographically dispersed sample. The data collected allowed an empirical comparison of models in a subsistence context. The research reveals the most useful models in this context to be the Value Based Adoption Model and the Consumer Acceptance of Technology model. In light of these findings and further examination of the model comparison results the research also shows that consumers in subsistence marketplaces are not just motivated by functionality and economic needs. If organizations cannot enhance the hedonic attributes of a pro-poor innovation, and reduce the internal/external constraints related to adoption of that pro-poor innovation, then adoption intention by consumers will be lower