Meeting Summary of the 6th European Workshop on Plant Chromatin 2019 in Cologne, Germany

In June 2019, more than a hundred plant researchers met in Cologne, Germany, for the 6th European Workshop on Plant Chromatin (EWPC). This conference brought together a highly dynamic community of researchers with the common aim to understand how chromatin organization controls gene expression, development, and plant responses to the environment. New evidence showing how epigenetic states are set, perpetuated, and inherited were presented, and novel data related to the three-dimensional organization of chromatin within the nucleus were discussed. At the level of the nucleosome, its composition by different histone variants and their specialized histone deposition complexes were addressed as well as the mechanisms involved in histone post-translational modifications and their role in gene expression. The keynote lecture on plant DNA methylation by Julie Law (SALK Institute) and the tribute session to Lars Hennig, honoring the memory of one of the founders of the EWPC who contributed to promote the plant chromatin and epigenetic field in Europe, added a very special note to this gathering. In this perspective article we summarize some of the most outstanding data and advances on plant chromatin research presented at this workshop

Ein Kompliment in Ehren ... Aspekte eines „höflichen“ Sprechaktes in mehreren Sprachen

Das Kompliment als Sprechakt ist im alltäglichen Sprachgebrauch fest verankert. Wenn nicht in allen, so doch in den meisten Sprachgemeinschaften dient der Austausch von Komplimenten als gängige Höflichkeitsstrategie. Während also die Vergabe von Komplimenten mehr oder weniger als universell bezeichnet werden kann, variiert die Form des Gebrauchs sowie der Status von Komplimenten in den unterschiedlichen Sprachen bzw. Kulturen. Die deskriptive Analyse dieses Sprechaktes - bzw. einzelner Sprechakte überhaupt - erlaubt es, Einsichten in die soziale Struktur und das Wertesystem der jeweiligen Sprachgemeinschaft zu erhalten, denn jeder Sprechakt gibt etwas über die der Sprache und Kultur immanenten Charakteristika preis. Dieser Beitrag, in dem eine sprachkontrastive Analyse von Komplimentäußerungen im Deutschen und Französischen vorgestellt wird (vgl. Probst 1997), soll zeigen, welche Hinweise man durch die Betrachtung der sprachlichen Realisierung des speziellen Sprechaktes ‚Komplimentieren’ auf gewisse Einstellungen bzw. Wertvorstellungen von Sprechern dieser zwei Sprachgemeinschaften erhält. Da es zu diesem Thema bereits eine ganze Reihe von Erkenntnissen gibt, welche v.a. aus Untersuchungen des Amerikanischen hervorgehen, werden sich die Untersuchungsergebnisse der eigens durchgeführten kontrastiven Analyse z.T. auf jene vorhergehenden beziehen. Zunächst stellt sich allerdings die Frage, wie der Sprechakt des Komplimentierens überhaupt charakterisiert werden kann. Welche Inhalte werden durch Komplimente kommuniziert? Wie werden sie sprachlich realisiert? Warum werden Komplimente überhaupt ausgetauscht, d.h. welche Funktion haben sie? Und welche Schwierigkeiten können bei der Äußerung von Komplimenten für Sprecher und Rezipient entstehen

A Review of Information Systems Research on Online Social Networks

Over the last decade, online social networks have evolved into a global mainstream medium with increasing social, organizational, and economic impact. This paper provides a structured overview of Information Systems research on this outstanding techno-social phenomenon of the 21st century via a structured literature review. Based on our search in information systems journals and conference proceedings that resulted in 510 papers, we carve out and assess the knowledge and the research fields that have been predominantly addressed and impacted by the information systems research community so far. Moreover, we identify research gaps that future research should address. We analyze how the academic discussion on online social networks developed in the information systems literature over time, which publication outlets are most receptive to research on online social networks, which research areas have already been covered by information systems research on online social networks, and what potential future research areas exist that have not been covered by information systems research yet. We hope that our results will stimulate and guide future research in this field

Customer Lifetime Network Value

Today, people are increasingly connected and extensively interact with each other using technology-enabled media. Hence, customers are more frequently exposed to social influence of other customers when making purchase decisions. However, established approaches for customer valuation most widely neglect network effects based on social influence leading to a misallocation of resources. Therefore, following a design-oriented approach, this paper develops a model for customer valuation referred to as the customer lifetime network value (CLNV) incorporating an integrated network perspective. By considering the net network contribution of customers, the CLNV reallocates values between customers based on social influence without changing the overall network value, that is, a firm’s customer equity. Using a real-world dataset of a European online social network, we demonstrate and evaluate the applicability of the CLNV. We show that the CLNV enables a sound determination of both individual customers’ value and firm’s customer equity and supports thorough customer segmentation

Hier bin ich - Film ab! : Digital Storytelling bei Kindern und Jugendlichen mit Fluchterfahrung

Darstellung des Themas: Die mit einer Flucht verbundenen Erlebnisse können negative Auswirkungen auf das Wohlbefinden von Kindern und Jugendlichen haben. Die Arbeit mit Menschen mit Fluchterfahrung ist ein neuer Bereich der Ergotherapie. Digital Storytelling kann eine neue, durch Ergotherapeuten anwendbare, Therapieform werden. Ziel: Durch die Einordung der Intervention in das Modell CMCE soll ein Übertrag in die Ergotherapie geschaffen werden. So wird festgestellt, inwiefern Digital Storytelling eine Intervention in der Behandlung von Kindern und Jugendlichen mit Fluchterfahrung sein kann. Methode: Eine systematische Literaturrecherche in acht Datenbanken ergab sechs Hauptstudien, welche kritisch beurteilt wurden. Die Ergebnisse wurden zusammengefasst, gewürdigt und in das Modell CMCE eingeordnet. Relevante Ergebnisse: Digital Storytelling konnte allen Enablement Skills des CMCE zugeordnet werden. Dabei stellten sich die Skills Advocate, Design/Build, Educate und Specialize als besonders überraschend und relevant für die Ergotherapie heraus. Schlussfolgerung: Aufgrund der erfolgreichen Einordnung in das CMCE zeigt sich Digital Storytelling als eine mögliche, von Ergotherapeuten/-innen durchführbare, Intervention, die Potential hat die Arbeit mit Kindern und Jugendlichen mit Fluchterfahrung zu unterstützen. Es wird jedoch noch weitere Forschung im Bereich der Ergotherapie benötigt

Measuring the Cognitive Complexity in the Comprehension of Modular Process Models

Modularization in process models is a method to cope with the inherent complexity in such models (e.g., model size reduction). Modularization is capable to increase the quality, the ease of reuse, and the scalability of process models. Prior conducted research studied the effects of modular process models to enhance their comprehension. However, the effects of modularization on cognitive factors during process model comprehension are less understood so far. Therefore, this paper presents the results of two exploratory studies (i.e., a survey research study with N = 95 participants; a follow-up eye tracking study with N = 19 participants), in which three types of modularization (i.e., horizontal, vertical, orthogonal) were applied to process models expressed in terms of the Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) 2.0. Further, the effects of modularization on the cognitive load, the level of acceptability, and the performance in process model comprehension were investigated. In general, the results revealed that participants were confronted with challenges during the comprehension of modularized process models. Further, performance in the comprehension of modularized process models showed only a few significant differences, however, the results obtained regarding the cognitive load revealed that the complexity and concept of modularization in process models were misjudged initially. The insights unraveled that the attitude towards the application and the behavioral intention to apply modularization in process model is still not clear. In this context, horizontal modularization appeared to be the best comprehensible modularization approach leading to a more fine-grained comprehension of respective process models. The findings indicate that alterations in modular process models (e.g., change in the representation) are important to foster and enable their comprehension. Finally, based on our results, implications for research and practice as well as directions for future work are discussed in this paper

Looking at the past and heading to the Future : Meeting summary of the 6th European Workshop on Plant Chromatin 2019 in Cologne, Germany

Altres ajuts: CERCA Programme/Generalitat de CatalunyaIn June 2019, more than a hundred plant researchers met in Cologne, Germany, for the 6th European Workshop on Plant Chromatin (EWPC). This conference brought together a highly dynamic community of researchers with the common aim to understand how chromatin organization controls gene expression, development, and plant responses to the environment. New evidence showing how epigenetic states are set, perpetuated, and inherited were presented, and novel data related to the three-dimensional organization of chromatin within the nucleus were discussed. At the level of the nucleosome, its composition by different histone variants and their specialized histone deposition complexes were addressed as well as the mechanisms involved in histone post-translational modifications and their role in gene expression. The keynote lecture on plant DNA methylation by Julie Law (SALK Institute) and the tribute session to Lars Hennig, honoring the memory of one of the founders of the EWPC who contributed to promote the plant chromatin and epigenetic field in Europe, added a very special note to this gathering. In this perspective article we summarize some of the most outstanding data and advances on plant chromatin research presented at this workshop

Oncostatin M Mediates STAT3-Dependent Intestinal Epithelial Restitution via Increased Cell Proliferation, Decreased Apoptosis and Upregulation of SERPIN Family Members

Objective: Oncostatin M (OSM) is produced by activated T cells, monocytes, and dendritic cells and signals through two distinct receptor complexes consisting of gp130 and LIFR (I) or OSMR-beta and gp130 (II),respectively. Aim of this study was to analyze the role of OSM in intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) and intestinal inflammation. Methods: OSM expression and OSM receptor distribution was analyzed by PCR and immunohistochemistry experiments, signal transduction by immunoblotting. Gene expression studies were performed by microarray analysis and RT-PCR. Apoptosis was measured by caspases-3/7 activity. IEC migration and proliferation was studied in wounding and water soluble tetrazolium assays. Results: The IEC lines Caco-2, DLD-1, SW480, HCT116 and HT-29 express mRNA for the OSM receptor subunits gp130 and OSMR-b, while only HCT116, HT-29 and DLD-1 cells express LIFR mRNA. OSM binding to its receptor complex activates STAT1, STAT3, ERK-1/2, SAPK/JNK-1/2, and Akt. Microarray analysis revealed 79 genes that were significantly up-regulated (adj.-p <= 0.05) by OSM in IEC. Most up-regulated genes belong to the functional categories "immunity and defense'' (p=2.1x10(-7)),"apoptosis'' (p=3.7x10(-4)) and "JAK/STAT cascade'' (p=3.4x10(-6)). Members of the SERPIN gene family were among the most strongly up-regulated genes. OSM significantly increased STAT3- and MEK1-dependent IEC cell proliferation (p < 0.05) and wound healing (p=3.9x10(-5)). OSM protein expression was increased in colonic biopsies of patients with active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Conclusions: OSM promotes STAT3-dependent intestinal epithelial cell proliferation and wound healing in vitro. Considering the increased OSM expression in colonic biopsy specimens of patients with active IBD, OSM upregulation may modulate a barrier-protective host response in intestinal inflammation. Further in vivo studies are warranted to elucidate the exact role of OSM in intestinal inflammation and the potential of OSM as a drug target in IBD

Risk of symptomatic heterotopic ossification following plate osteosynthesis in multiple trauma patients: an analysis in a level-1 trauma centre

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Symptomatic heterotopic ossification (HO) in multiple trauma patients may lead to follow up surgery, furthermore the long-term outcome can be restricted. Knowledge of the effect of surgical treatment on formation of symptomatic heterotopic ossification in polytrauma is sparse. Therefore, we test the effects of surgical treatment (plate osteosynthesis or intramedullary nailing) on the formation of heterotopic ossification in the multiple trauma patient.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We retrospectively analysed prospectively documented data of blunt multiple trauma patients with long bone fractures which were treated at our level-1 trauma centre between 1997 and 2005. Patients were distributed to 2 groups: Patients treated by intramedullary nails (group IMN) or plate osteosynthesis (group PLATE) were compared. The expression and extension of symptomatic heterotopic ossifications on 3-6 months follow-up x-rays in antero-posterior (ap) and lateral views were classified radiologically and the maximum expansion was measured in millimeter (mm). Additionally, ventilation time, prophylactic medication like indomethacine and incidence and correlation of head injuries were analysed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>101 patients were included in our study, 79 men and 22 women. The fractures were treated by intramedullary nails (group IMN n = 50) or plate osteosynthesis (group PLATE n = 51). Significantly higher radiologic ossification classes were detected in group PLATE (2.9 ± 1.3) as compared to IMN (2.2 ± 1.1; p = 0.013). HO size in mm ap and lateral showed a tendency towards larger HOs in the PLATE group. Additionally PLATE group showed a higher rate of articular fractures (63% vs. 28% in IMN) while IMN demonstrated a higher rate of diaphyseal fractures (72% vs. 37% in PLATE; p = 0.003). Ventilation time, indomethacine and incidence of head injuries showed no significant difference between groups.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Fracture care with plate osteosynthesis in polytrauma patients is associated with larger formations of symptomatic heterotopic ossifications (HO) while intramedullary nailing was associated with a higher rate of remote HO. For future fracture care of multiply injured patients these facts may be considered by the responsible surgeon.</p