Improving College Access and Completion for Low-Income and First-Generation Students: The Role of College Access and Success Programs

Resequencing of Agaricus bisporus herbarium specimen 99817338

Genomic Treasure Troves: Complete Genome Sequencing of Herbarium and Insect Museum Specimens

Unlocking the vast genomic diversity stored in natural history collections would create unprecedented opportunities for genome-scale evolutionary, phylogenetic, domestication and population genomic studies. Many researchers have been discouraged from using historical specimens in molecular studies because of both generally limited success of DNA extraction and the challenges associated with PCR-amplifying highly degraded DNA. In today's next-generation sequencing (NGS) world, opportunities and prospects for historical DNA have changed dramatically, as most NGS methods are actually designed for taking short fragmented DNA molecules as templates. Here we show that using a standard multiplex and paired-end Illumina sequencing approach, genome-scale sequence data can be generated reliably from dry-preserved plant, fungal and insect specimens collected up to 115 years ago, and with minimal destructive sampling. Using a reference-based assembly approach, we were able to produce the entire nuclear genome of a 43-year-old Arabidopsis thaliana (Brassicaceae) herbarium specimen with high and uniform sequence coverage. Nuclear genome sequences of three fungal specimens of 22–82 years of age (Agaricus bisporus, Laccaria bicolor, Pleurotus ostreatus) were generated with 81.4–97.9% exome coverage. Complete organellar genome sequences were assembled for all specimens. Using de novo assembly we retrieved between 16.2–71.0% of coding sequence regions, and hence remain somewhat cautious about prospects for de novo genome assembly from historical specimens. Non-target sequence contaminations were observed in 2 of our insect museum specimens. We anticipate that future museum genomics projects will perhaps not generate entire genome sequences in all cases (our specimens contained relatively small and low-complexity genomes), but at least generating vital comparative genomic data for testing (phylo)genetic, demographic and genetic hypotheses, that become increasingly more horizontal. Furthermore, NGS of historical DNA enables recovering crucial genetic information from old type specimens that to date have remained mostly unutilized and, thus, opens up a new frontier for taxonomic research as well

Management of miscarriage:A randomized controlled trial of expectant management versus surgical evacuation

Background: In many countries, surgical uterine evacuation is the standard treatment for women with a miscarriage, but expectant management has been advocated as an alternative. The choice between the two options cannot be based on published evidence alone, because randomized clinical trials are scarce while generalizability of findings to patients with a strong preference for either management options in unclear. Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, the complications and efficacy of either expectant or surgical management for miscarriages were compared, and the results in patients who refused randomization and were managed according to their own preference were studied. In total, 122 patients were randomized and 305 were managed according to their choice. Results: No differences were found in the number of emergency curettages and complications between expectant and surgical management. Efficacy at 6 weeks was 30/64 (47%) in women allocated to expectant management, and 55/58 (95%) in women allocated to surgical evacuation. After 7 days, 37% of expectantly managed women had a spontaneous complete miscarriage. After 6 weeks, intention-to-treat analysis including cross-overs showed similar effectiveness (92% versus 100%). Results in the preference groups were comparable with those in the randomized groups. Conclusion: In our experience a waiting period of 7 days after diagnosis may prevent 37% of surgical procedures.</p

The Role of Marketing in Digital Business Platforms

Digital business platforms (DBPs) such as eBay, Google, and Uber Technologies have seen enormous growth; this paper explores their salient characteristics, the role of marketing in helping DBPs succeed, and important research topics for theory and practice. A new conceptual framework based on insights

The Role of Marketing in Digital Business Platforms

Digital business platforms (DBPs) such as eBay, Google, and Uber Technologies have seen enormous growth; this paper explores their salient characteristics, the role of marketing in helping DBPs succeed, and important research topics for theory and practice. A new conceptual framework based on insights

Zes Sigma zakelijk verbeterd

In de loop van de twintigste eeuw zijn door de industriële statistiek methoden ontwikkeld die een belangrijke bijdrage kunnen leveren aan kwaliteitszorg binnen het bedrijfsleven. Deze methodieken zijn operationeel gemaakt in verbeterprogramma's als Statische Procesbeheersing (SPC) en het momenteel in Amerika furore makende Six Sigma. De auteurs hebben hun ervaringen met de diverse verbeterprogramma's gebruikt om te komen tot een programma dat toegespitst is op het Nederlandse bedrijfsleven. Dit programma heeft de naam Zakelijk Verbeter Programma (ZVP) meegekregen en biedt een doortimmerd methodologisch kader voor het aanpakken van verbeterprojecten. Door projecten te selecteren met een besparingspotentieel van minstens 50.000 Euro per jaar resulteert de aanpak in grote financiële voordelen. De auteurs zetten de theorie uiteen en lichten haar toe aan de hand van vele praktijkvoorbeelden. Het boek richt zich op bedrijven die van plan zijn om het Nederlandse model van Zes Sigma in te voeren