Towards model governance in predictive toxicology

Efficient management of toxicity information as an enterprise asset is increasingly important for the chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries. Many organisations focus on better information organisation and reuse, in an attempt to reduce the costs of testing and manufacturing in the product development phase. Toxicity information is extracted not only from toxicity data but also from predictive models. Accurate and appropriately shared models can bring a number of benefits if we are able to make effective use of existing expertise. Although usage of existing models may provide high-impact insights into the relationships between chemical attributes and specific toxicological effects, they can also be a source of risk for incorrect decisions. Thus, there is a need to provide a framework for efficient model management. To address this gap, this paper introduces a concept of model governance, that is based upon data governance principles. We extend the data governance processes by adding procedures that allow the evaluation of model use and governance for enterprise purposes. The core aspect of model governance is model representation. We propose six rules that form the basis of a model representation schema, called Minimum Information About a QSAR Model Representation (MIAQMR). As a proof-of-concept of our model governance framework we develop a web application called Model and Data Farm (MADFARM), in which models are described by the MIAQMR-ML markup language.     

Roles of alternative and self-oriented perspectives in the context of the continued use of social network sites

Individuals with a positive evaluation of a target system are likely to continue using the system, and this sustained use is likely to result in continued use. This target-oriented perspective has served as a major conceptual framework for understanding users’ behaviors in online contexts. The primary objective of this paper is to address two additional perspectives—alternative- and self-oriented perspectives—for a firmer understanding of continued use in the context of social network sites (SNS). A research model is built by employing regret and self-image congruity to represent these two perspectives. The model also examines the condition under which habits are formed and how this automatic mechanism influences the dynamics of the nomological network between intentions and behaviors. The analysis results of two rounds of surveys for capturing the actual link between intentions and behaviors indicate that regret and self-image congruity can play crucial roles in post-adoption phenomena in the context of SNS.     

Protein immobilization techniques for microfluidic assays

Microfluidic systems have shown unequivocal performance improvements over conventional bench-top assays across a range of performance metrics. For example, specific advances have been made in reagent consumption, throughput, integration of multiple assay steps, assay automation, and multiplexing capability. For heterogeneous systems, controlled immobilization of reactants is essential for reliable, sensitive detection of analytes. In most cases, protein immobilization densities are maximized, while native activity and conformation are maintained. Immobilization methods and chemistries vary significantly depending on immobilization surface, protein properties, and specific assay goals. In this review, we present trade-offs considerations for common immobilization surface materials. We overview immobilization methods and chemistries, and discuss studies exemplar of key approaches—here with a specific emphasis on immunoassays and enzymatic reactors. Recent “smart immobilization” methods including the use of light, electrochemical, thermal, and chemical stimuli to attach and detach proteins on demand with precise spatial control are highlighted. Spatially encoded protein immobilization using DNA hybridization for multiplexed assays and reversible protein immobilization surfaces for repeatable assay are introduced as immobilization methods. We also describe multifunctional surface coatings that can perform tasks that were, until recently, relegated to multiple functional coatings. We consider the microfluidics literature from 1997 to present and close with a perspective on future approaches to protein immobilization.     

Micro- and nanofluidic technologies for epigenetic profiling

This short review provides an overview of the impact micro- and nanotechnologies can make in studying epigenetic structures. The importance of mapping histone modifications on chromatin prompts us to highlight the complexities and challenges associated with histone mapping, as compared to DNA sequencing. First, the histone code comprised over 30 variations, compared to 4 nucleotides for DNA. Second, whereas DNA can be amplified using polymerase chain reaction, chromatin cannot be amplified, creating challenges in obtaining sufficient material for analysis. Third, while every person has only a single genome, there exist multiple epigenomes in cells of different types and origins. Finally, we summarize existing technologies for performing these types of analyses. Although there are still relatively few examples of micro- and nanofluidic technologies for chromatin analysis, the unique advantages of using such technologies to address inherent challenges in epigenetic studies, such as limited sample material, complex readouts, and the need for high-content screens, make this an area of significant growth and opportunity.     

Partial Identification of Answer Reviewing Effects in Multiple-Choice Exams

Does reviewing previous answers during multiple-choice exams help examinees increase their final score? This article formalizes the question using a rigorous causal framework, the potential outcomes framework. Viewing examinees’ reviewing status as a treatment and their final score as an outcome, the article first explains the challenges of identifying the causal effect of answer reviewing in regular exam-taking settings. In addition to the incapability of randomizing the treatment selection (reviewing status) and the lack of other information to make this selection process ignorable, the treatment variable itself is not fully known to researchers. Looking at examinees’ answer sheet data, it is unclear whether an examinee who did not change his or her answer on a specific item reviewed it but retained the initial answer (treatment condition) or chose not to review it (control condition). Despite such challenges, however, the article develops partial identification strategies and shows that the sign of the answer reviewing effect can be reasonably inferred. By analyzing a statewide math assessment data set, the article finds that reviewing initial answers is generally beneficial for examinees.     

Influence of Type D personality on quality of life in university students: The mediating effect of health-promoting behavior and subjective health status

This study aimed to test a hypothetical path model estimating the influence of Type D personality on health-promoting behaviors (HPB), subjective health status, and quality of life (QoL) in university students, and to verify the mediating effects of HPB and subjective health status between Type D personality and QoL. A structural equation model involving 380 university students was used. Data were collected between November and December 2018 via structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS 25.0 and Amos 23.0. The model's fit indices were adequate. Type D personality had a direct effect on QoL and an indirect effect on QoL via HPB and subjective health status. Type D personality, HPB, and subjective health status explained 67.6% of the total variance in QoL. Intervention programs that consider Type D personality, HPB, and subjective health status may be useful to improve university students' QoL.     

Applying the communication theory of Diffusion of Innovations to economic sciences: a response to the ‘Using gossips to spread information’ experiments conducted by the 2019 Nobel Laureates

ABSTRACT

Drs Abhijit Banergee, Esther Duflo, and Michael Kremer won the 2019 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for their remarkable series of large-scale field experiments to lessen global poverty. The main theoretical framework that they employed was the diffusion of innovations research and practice paradigm (DOI) which has had a long presence in communication research dating back to the 1940s. Here, we reviewed the Nobel laureates’ article, ‘Using gossips to spread information: Theory and evidence from two randomized controlled trials,’ that is illustrative of how economists applied the communication theory of diffusion of innovations to their projects of social change. The present article poses questions and makes recommendations for similar future projects from a communication perspective.     

Effects of upper and lower body wearable resistance on spatio-temporal and kinetic parameters during running

ABSTRACT

Wearable resistance training involves added load attached directly to the body during sporting movements. The effects of load position during running are not yet fully established. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to determine spatio-temporal and kinetic characteristics during submaximal running using upper, lower and whole-body wearable resistance (1–10% body mass (BM)). Twelve trained male runners completed eight 2-min treadmill running bouts at 3.9 m/s with and without wearable resistance. The first and last bouts were unloaded, while the middle 6 were randomised wearable resistance conditions: upper body (UB) 5% BM, lower body (LB) 1%, 3%, 5% BM and whole body (WB) 5%, 10% BM. Wearable resistance of 1–10% BM resulted in a significant increase in heart rate (5.40–8.84%), but minimal impact on spatio-temporal variables. Loads of 5% BM and greater caused changes in vertical stiffness, vertical and horizontal force, and impulse. Functional and effective propulsive force (2.95%, 2.88%) and impulse (3.40%, 3.38%) were significantly (p < 0.05) greater with LB5% than UB5%. Wearable resistance may be used to increase muscular kinetics during running without negatively impacting spatio-temporal variables. The application of these findings will vary depending on athlete goals. Future longitudinal studies are required to validate training contentions.     

Implementing the SENCo system in Hong Kong: an initial investigation

Monitoring mechanisms of support services for students with special needs can be broadly classified as external and internal. Resembling the UK model, Hong Kong has adopted an internal mechanism through the establishment of the SENCo post. This investigation, written by Dr Kim Fong Poon‐McBrayer, of the Hong Kong Institute of Education, explores how SENCos understand the policy intention of their roles, what the role entails in practice, and what work conditions are usual for participants. This qualitative study involved semi‐structured interviews to probe SENCos' experiences. Findings reveal that SENCos assume management but not leadership roles in special educational needs provision. Policy deviation, and the prevalent autocratic leadership style across schools in Hong Kong, are the key contributors to conditions seen as unsatisfactory, of overwork, of the inadequate planning of provision, and of the need for professional and clerical support. It is concluded that policymakers can make improvements through implementing practical training in participatory governance for headteachers, developing a training model for SENCos, and providing SENCos with additional personnel resources. Further studies to gain a fuller picture of the organisational contexts are recommended.