CNTNAP2 variants affect early language development in the general population

Early language development is known to be under genetic influence, but the genes affecting normal variation in the general population remain largely elusive. Recent studies of disorder reported that variants of the CNTNAP2 gene are associated both with language deficits in specific language impairment (SLI) and with language delays in autism. We tested the hypothesis that these CNTNAP2 variants affect communicative behavior, measured at 2 years of age in a large epidemiological sample, the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study. Singlepoint analyses of 1149 children (606 males and 543 females) revealed patterns of association which were strikingly reminiscent of those observed in previous investigations of impaired language, centered on the same genetic markers and with a consistent direction of effect (rs2710102, P = 0.0239; rs759178, P = 0.0248). On the basis of these findings, we performed analyses of four-marker haplotypes of rs2710102–rs759178–rs17236239–rs2538976 and identified significant association (haplotype TTAA, P = 0.049; haplotype GCAG, P = .0014). Our study suggests that common variants in the exon 13–15 region of CNTNAP2 influence early language acquisition, as assessed at age 2, in the general population. We propose that these CNTNAP2 variants increase susceptibility to SLI or autism when they occur together with other risk factors

Social media adoption and export intensity: The moderating role of firm size

Purpose: Social media (SM) networks offer a golden opportunity for firms that particularly engage in international activities to set up sustainable customer relationships and improve competitiveness. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of SM adoption on the export intensity (EI) of firms listed on Borsa Istanbul (BIST) for the years 2010–2020. The authors use social media index (SMI) to measure SM adoption and firm size (FSize) as a moderator on exploring the interaction of SM and EI. Design/methodology/approach: Using a sample of 150 firms listed on the BIST Industrials Index, this study explores how the adoption of SM affects EI by using panel data analysis over the period of 2010–2020. Findings: The results indicate that the SMI has a positive and significant effect on the EI. FSize positively moderates the interaction of SMI and EI, indicating that large firms benefit more from the SM in increasing export performance. The findings reflect high potential of EI improvement through adopting right SM policies in emerging markets. Research limitations/implications: The sample covers only public companies listed on the BIST Industrials Index. Future studies may extend the coverage and include multiple emerging markets to draw generalized results for the export-oriented firms. This research also analyzes solely four SM networks, i.e. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. However, there are many other SM networks that firms use in online marketing in foreign markets. Finally, this research did not discuss the potential factors that could influence the use of SM in emerging market firms. Practical implications: This study denotes the significant role of SM adoption on the EI of firms in an emerging market setting from the perspective of resource-based view. It presents an insightful approach in understanding the mission played by SM networks in enhancing the EI of Turkish firms. Policymakers may use the findings to develop public support programs to promote the adoption and implementation of the SM among exporting firms in emerging markets. Originality/value: The study provides evidence on the effects of SM adoption on the EI from the perspective of emerging countries. It also helps to gain a deeper understanding of how different SM platforms contribute to the internationalization of firms

Sustainability performance in firms located in a science and technology park: the influence of knowledge sources and absorptive capacity

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to identify how firms’ sustainability performance is affected by external knowledge sources and absorptive capacity, accounting for the influence of being located in a science and technology park (STP). Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on data from the Spanish Technological Innovation Panel, the authors estimate the determinants of sustainability performance using fixed effects multiple linear regression models with robust standard errors. The analysis covers the period 2009–2016, with a total panel of 8,874 companies and a total sample of 47,870 observations. Findings – This study highlights the heterogeneity in on-park firms’ sustainability performance, which can be explained by the different capacities of these firms when it comes to embedding themselves in STP networks and processes and effectively absorbing the knowledge from the many knowledge sources that may be on offer in the park. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the literature by examining the influence of external sources of knowledge and absorptive capacity, and the relationship between them, on sustainability performance. This study approaches sustainability performance as an aggregate measure of firms’ competitiveness and potential for long-term survival from the triple bottom line perspective. In addition, this study examines the effect that location in an STP can have on business sustainability performance and, more specifically, the mediating effect that knowledge sources and absorptive capacity can exert on this relationship

Formation of b-Bi2O3 and d-Bi2O3 during laser irradiation of Bi films studied in-situ by spatially resolved Raman spectroscopy

The formation of different phases of Bi2O3 induced by laser irradiation of Bi films has been assessed in situ by micro-Raman spectroscopy as a function of laser wavelength, power density and irradiation time. Raman mapping of the irradiated samples enabled a spatially-resolved study of the distribution of the formed Bi2O3 phases. Red laser (633 nm) irradiation was found to induce the appearance of b-Bi2O3, within a certain range of power densities, by diffusion-controlled processes. In contrast, ultraviolet (UV, 325 nm) laser irradiation, above a certain power density threshold, initially induces the formation of both b and d-Bi2O3 phases. The amount of the produced d-Bi2O3 phase increases by increasing the irradiation time, while that of the b phase follows the opposite trend. UV laser irradiation seems to be a suitable method to produce room temperature stable d-Bi2O3 patterns on Bi film

Scrophularia arguta, a widespread annual plant in the Canary Islands: a single recent colonization event or a more complex phylogeographic pattern?

Many studies have addressed evolution and phylogeography of plant taxa in oceanic islands, but have primarily focused on endemics because of the assumption that in widespread taxa the absence of morphological differentiation between island and mainland populations is due to recent colonization. In this paper, we studied the phylogeography of Scrophularia arguta, a widespread annual species, in an attempt to determine the number and spatiotemporal origins of dispersal events to Canary Islands. Four different regions, ITS and ETS from nDNA and psbA-trnH and psbJ-petA from cpDNA, were used to date divergence events within S. arguta lineages and determine the phylogenetic relationships among populations. A haplotype network was obtained to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships among haplotypes. Our results support an ancient origin of S. arguta (Miocene) with expansion and genetic differentiation in the Pliocene coinciding with the aridification of northern Africa and the formation of the Mediterranean climate. Indeed, results indicate for Canary Islands three different events of colonization, including two ancient events that probably happened in the Pliocene and have originated the genetically most divergent populations into this species and, interestingly, a recent third event of colonization of Gran Canaria from mainland instead from the closest islands (Tenerife or Fuerteventura). In spite of the great genetic divergence among populations, it has not implied any morphological variation. Our work highlights the importance of nonendemic species to the genetic richness and conservation of island flora and the significance of the island populations of widespread taxa in the global biodiversity.Trabajo financiado por: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación y Fondos FEDER. Proyecto CGL2011-24140 (I+D+i)peerReviewe

The moderating effect of adaptability on the relationship between cognitive social capital and innovation capacity

El turismo es una fuerza activa que identifica oportunidades reales de desarrollo para la comunidad y actividades relacionadas. En línea con las tendencias globales, las expectativas de crecimiento apuntan a alcanzar niveles prepandemia, con una contribución estimada en alrededor del 3,66% del producto interno bruto del Perú generando divisas a través de actividades indirectas asociadas a los destinos turísticos. La presente investigación analiza el efecto moderador de la adaptabilidad sobre la relación entre capital social cognitivo y capacidad de innovación en empresas del sector turístico, buscando contribuir a una mejor comprensión del vínculo directo e indirecto que se genera entre estas variables. Para alcanzar este objetivo, se ha estudiado una población de 776 empresas del sector turístico de Arequipa – Perú, constituidas formalmente registradas ante la Superintendencia de Administración tributaria al 31 de octubre del 2021. En el estudio se ha concluido que la teoría del capital social, específicamente la dimensión cognitiva, se ha vinculado con la adaptabilidad, demostrando que la homogeneidad en términos de metas y valores influye en el desarrollo de la capacidad de innovación, y cuando se invierten esfuerzos en la transferencia de información y conocimiento a través de la red, la capacidad adaptativa la recoge y la adapta al conocimiento existente, logrando una rápida respuesta a las exigencias del mercado. el estudio sugiere que los directivos de empresas del Perú y de otros países con características similares deberían fortalecer y diversificar las relaciones de las redes internas y externas, promoviendo instituciones, asociaciones y universidades con quienes se puedan tomar acciones para fomentar una visión de negocio compartido. valores y objetivos que permitirán compartir la información recopilada sobre los cambios y expectativas de los nuevos visitantes.Este trabajo fue financiado por la Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, en el marco del Proyecto: "El efecto mediador de las capacidades dinámicas en la relación entre el capital social y los resultados de nuevos productos de las empresas de turismo de la Región Arequipa. [Contrato: N° IBA-CS-05-2021-UNSA

COMBUSTION AND HEAT TRANSFER IN MESO-SCALE HEAT RECIRCULATING COMBUSTORS

Combustion in small-scale systems faces problems related to time available for chemical reaction to go to completion and the possible quenching of the reaction by the increased effects of interfacial phenomena (thermal quenching and radical quenching) that occur at the combustor walls due to higher surface to volume ratio. Heat recirculation, where in a portion of the energy from the products is fed back to the reactants through structural conduction is one of the strategies employed in meso-scale combustors to overcome the problems of thermal quenching of the flame. When liquid fuels are employed, structural conduction can help pre-vaporize the fuel and thereby removes the necessity for a fuel atomizer. This dissertation focuses on the design, development and operational characteristics of meso-scale combustors employing heat recirculation principle. Self-sustained combustion of propane-air and methanol-air flames were achieved in sub centimeter dimensions (32.6 mm3). The effects of design and operational parameters like wall thermal conductivity, heat exchanger size/channel length, combustion chamber geometry, equivalence ratio, Reynolds number, and external heat transfer (loss) coefficient on the combustor performance were investigated experimentally and numerically. The experimental procedure involved fabrication of combustors with different geometric features employing materials of different thermal conductivities and then obtaining their operating limits. Thermal performance with respect to various flow conditions was obtained by measuring the reactant preheating and exhaust gas temperatures using thermocouples. Numerical simulations were performed for both reacting and non-reacting flow cases to understand the heat transfer characteristics with respect to various design and operational conditions. Both experiments and numerical simulations revealed that wall thermal conductivity is one of the most important parameters for meso-scale combustor design. For typical meso-scale dimensions wall materials with minimal thermal conductivity (< 1W/m-K), especially ceramics would yield the best performance. Results showed that the most thermally efficient operating condition occurs for fuel lean cases at higher Reynolds numbers. Flame dynamics inside the combustor were investigated through high-speed imaging and flame acoustic spectrum mapping. Due to the small length scales involved, hydrodynamic instabilities have negligible effect on meso-scale combustion. Flame was observed to be extremely stable with negligible fluctuations. However, a significant amount of thermoacoustic phenomena is present within the combustion regime. Chemiluminescence imaging was employed to correctly map the flame zone inside the combustor

Characterization of digestive disorders of patients with chronic Chagas disease in Cochabamba, Bolivia

Background: Chagas disease (CD) is endemic in Latin America and particularly common in Bolivia, but there is little information on the characteristics of chronic digestive involvement. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and characterize digestive manifestations in chronic CD patients in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Methods: Eighty-five T. cruzi-seropositive individuals with or without digestive symptoms (G1 group), and fifteen T. cruzi-seronegative patients with similar digestive symptoms to those seen in CD (G2 group) were included in the study. All patients underwent a detailed history including past medical history, epidemiological information, hygiene and dietary habits, a complete physical examination, two serological tests for T. cruzi, video endoscopy, barium swallow, and barium enema. Findings: We observed digestive manifestations in T. cruzi seropositive and seronegative patients. Colonic manifestations were detected in both groups, highlighting the relevance of other confounder factors in the region. Constipation was present in 52.9% of G1 patients, 62.4% presented two or more upper digestive tract symptoms, and 5.9% of them presented esophageal manifestations. Helicobacter pylori infection was detected in 58.8% of G1 patients, and all patients presented gastritis on endoscopy. Conclusions: Prevalence of digestive involvement in CD patients is higher than expected. However, digestive symptoms are not always caused by T. cruzi infection and require differential diagnoses

Environmental dissemination of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in rivers in Switzerland

The aquatic environment takes on a key role in the dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. This study assesses the occurrence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in freshwater samples from rivers, inland canals, and streams throughout Switzerland, and characterizes the isolated strains using phenotypic and NGS-based genotypic methods. CPE producing KPC-2 (n = 2), KPC-3 (n = 1), NDM-5 (n = 3), OXA-48 (n = 3), OXA-181 (n = 6), and VIM-1 (n = 2) were detected in 17/164 of the water samples. Seven Escherichia coli had sequence types (STs) that belonged to extra-intestinal pathogenic clonal lineages ST38, ST73, ST167, ST410, and ST648. The majority (16/17) of the carbapenemase genes were located on plasmids, including the widespread IncC (n = 1), IncFIIA (n = 1), and IncFIIB plasmids (n = 4), the epidemic IncL (n = 1) and IncX3 (n = 5) plasmids, a rare Col156 plasmid (n = 1), and the mosaic IncFIB, IncR, and IncQ plasmids (n = 3). Plasmids were composed of elements that were identical to those of resistance plasmids retrieved from clinical and veterinary isolates locally and worldwide. Our data show environmental dissemination of high-risk CPE clones in Switzerland. Epidemic and mosaic-like plasmids carrying clinically relevant carbapenemase genes are replicating and evolving pollutants of river ecosystems, representing a threat to public health and environmental integrity

Relationship between damage and mortality in juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: Cluster analyses in a large cohort from the Spanish Society of Rheumatology Lupus Registry (RELESSER)

Objectives: To identify patterns (clusters) of damage manifestation within a large cohort of juvenile SLE (jSLE) patients and evaluate their possible association with mortality. Methods: This is a multicentre, descriptive, cross-sectional study of a cohort of 345 jSLE patients from the Spanish Society of Rheumatology Lupus Registry. Organ damage was ascertained using the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Damage Index. Using cluster analysis, groups of patients with similar patterns of damage manifestation were identified and compared. Results: Mean age (years) ± S.D. at diagnosis was 14.2 ± 2.89; 88.7% were female and 93.4% were Caucasian. Mean SLICC/ACR DI ± S.D. was 1.27 ± 1.63. A total of 12 (3.5%) patients died. Three damage clusters were identified: Cluster 1 (72.7% of patients) presented a lower number of individuals with damage (22.3% vs. 100% in Clusters 2 and 3, P < 0.001); Cluster 2 (14.5% of patients) was characterized by renal damage in 60% of patients, significantly more than Clusters 1 and 3 (P < 0.001), in addition to increased more ocular, cardiovascular and gonadal damage; Cluster 3 (12.7%) was the only group with musculoskeletal damage (100%), significantly higher than in Clusters 1 and 2 (P < 0.001). The overall mortality rate in Cluster 2 was 2.2 times higher than that in Cluster 3 and 5 times higher than that in Cluster 1 (P < 0.017 for both comparisons). Conclusions: In a large cohort of jSLE patients, renal and musculoskeletal damage manifestations were the two dominant forms of damage by which patients were sorted into clinically meaningful clusters. We found two clusters of jSLE with important clinical damage that were associated with higher rates of mortality, especially for the cluster of patients with predominant renal damage. Physicians should be particularly vigilant to the early prevention of damage in this subset of jSLE patients with kidney involvement