84 Characterization of agouti-signalling protein expression within the bovine ovary and early embryo

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 150
Author(s):  
H. Baldwin ◽  
M. Zhang ◽  
J. Current ◽  
J. Yao
Keyword(s):  
Hair Follicles ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Follicular Cells ◽  
Fetal Testis ◽  
Theca Cells ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Somatic Tissues ◽  
Adult Ovary ◽  
Bovine Ovary ◽  
Fetal Ovary

Factors present in the oocyte and surrounding follicular cells aid in the attainment of oocyte competence. Agouti-signalling protein (ASIP) is a known regulator of melanocyte function through binding to melanocortin receptors including MC1R and MC4R. Additionally, ASIP has been classified as an adipokine due to a link with insulin resistance and obesity in humans. In mice, expression is limited to hair follicles where ASIP regulates hair pigmentation. In cattle, however, ASIP mRNA has been detected in a variety of tissues, including adipose, skin, heart, testis, and the ovary. Despite ovarian expression, the role of ASIP in reproduction remains undetermined. Bovine ASIP is a secreted protein consisting of 133 amino acids. The aim of this experiment was to provide a detailed description of the ASIP expression profile within the bovine ovary and during early embryonic development. Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) was conducted to analyse ASIP, MC1R, and MC4R mRNA expression. Samples examined included fetal ovaries from gestational day 90 to 250, adult ovary, fetal testis, adult testis, and 12 somatic tissues including adrenal, cerebral cortex, gut, heart, intestine, kidney, liver, lung, muscle, pituitary, stomach, and thymus. Amplification of ribosomal protein L19 (RPL19) served as a positive control for all samples. Expression of ASIP was detected in the fetal testis, 9 somatic tissues, and the fetal and adult ovary. In the fetal ovary, ASIP was detected as early as 90 days of gestation and continued throughout gestation. Expression of the ASIP receptors, MC1R and MC4R, were detected exclusively in the fetal ovary. To further characterise ASIP expression, quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) was utilised to examine samples including germinal vesicle and MII oocytes (pool of 10 oocytes), invitro-produced embryos ranging from the 2-cell to blastocyst stages (pool of 10 embryos), and cumulus and granulosa cells collected from a pool from 5 cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) and follicles, respectively. Theca cells from a single follicle were analysed. Samples with cycle threshold values below 35 were considered to express the gene of interest. Of the follicular cells examined, ASIP expression was present in theca, granulosa, and cumulus cells. ASIP expression was detected in both GV and MII oocytes. Early embryonic expression of ASIP was detected in the 2-cell embryo and continued to the blastocyst stage of development. In conclusion, ASIP is present in the bovine adult and fetal ovary, follicular cells including cumulus, granulosa, and theca cells, GV and MII oocytes, and invitro-produced embryos from the 2-cell to blastocyst stages. Future research will focus on identifying the function of ovarian and early embryonic ASIP in cattle.

Industry 4.0 – organizing routines or innovations?

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maximiliane Wilkesmann ◽  
Uwe Wilkesmann
Keyword(s):  
Work Environment ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Transport Systems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
The Future ◽  
Control Authority ◽  
The Right

Purpose The rise of new information and communication technologies forms the cornerstone for the future development of work. The term Industry 4.0 refers to the vision of a fourth industrial revolution that is based on a network of autonomous, self-controlling, self-configuring, knowledge-based, sensor-based and spatially distributed production resources. All in all, different forms of the application of the Industry 4.0 concept can be observed, ranging from autonomous logistic transport systems drawn upon the idea of swarm intelligence to smart knowledge management systems. This paper aims to develop a theoretical framework to analyze different applications of Industry 4.0 on an organizing continuum. The general research questions are: What forms of organizing digitalized work lead to the reproduction of routines, and what forms foster innovation within Industry 4.0? The authors thus analyze the consequences of different forms of organizing work on workers’ perceptions and the results of the working process. Design/methodology/approach This paper provides case studies for different stages of the organizing continuum in the context of Industry 4.0. The cases and a further analysis of all 295 funded projects are based on the Platform Industry 4.0 Map, which is part of the Industry 4.0 initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The consequences for people acting in such organizational and digitally supported structures are discussed. Findings A variety of applications of Industry 4.0 can be found. These applications mainly vary in the dimensions of the degree of formalization, the location of control authority, the location of knowledge and the degree of professionalization. At the right side of the organizing continuum, the digitalization organizes a work environment that supports highly qualified humans. They have broad leeway and a high degree of autonomy to design and create innovative forms of digitalization for tomorrow. At the left side of the organizing continuum, Industry 4.0 structures a work environment with narrow leeway, a low degree of autonomy and a top-down structure of control authority predetermined by digital applications. In this case, employees fill the gaps the machines cannot handle. Research limitations/implications As the paper focuses on Industry 4.0 developments in Germany, the comparability with regard to other countries is limited. Moreover, the methodological approach is explorative, and broader quantitative verification is required. Specifically, future research could include quantitative methods to investigate the employees’ perspective on Industry 4.0. A comparison of Industry 4.0 applications in different countries would be another interesting option for further research. Practical implications This paper shows that applications of Industry 4.0 are currently at a very early stage of development and momentarily organize more routines than innovations. From a practical point of view, professional vocational and academic training will be a key factor for the successful implementation of digitalization in future. A joint venture of industry and educational institutions could be a suitable way to meet the growing demand for qualified employees from the middle to the right-hand of the organizing continuum in the context of Industry 4.0. Social implications Industry 4.0 is designed by men, and therefore, humans are responsible for whether the future work situation will be perceived as supportive or as an alienated routine. Therefore, designers of Industry 4.0, as well as politicians and scientists, absolutely must take the underlying outcomes of digitalized work into account and must jointly find socially acceptable solutions. Originality/value This paper provides a promising avenue for future research on Industry 4.0 by analyzing the underlying organizational structures of digital systems and their consequences for employees. Moreover, the paper shows how Industry 4.0 should be organized to simply reproduce routines or to support innovation.

The Compliance of IT Control and Governance

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-44
Author(s):  
Colin Lai ◽  
Hung-Lian Tang ◽  
J. Michael Tarn ◽  
Sock Chung
Keyword(s):  
Regulatory Compliance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Gaming Industry ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Casino Gaming ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
The Status ◽  
Compliance Requirements ◽  
Multiple Case

This study used a multiple-case study methodology in exploring the status of IT control in the casino gaming industry. The observations of this research should very much represent the overall status of the concerned issues regarding the casino gaming industry of Macao. Having attained a more complete level of IT control not only helps the company in satisfying the concerned regulatory compliance requirements, but also makes IT works more effectively for the companies in helping them to gain the competitive advantage in the fierce competitive environment in the gaming industry. The findings of this research can help the gaming companies to identify the potential enhancement areas of IT control. This study has captured the IT control status of the gaming industry at an initial stage of development in Macao. Further, the results can serve as a solid foundation for future research on the casino gaming industry and extending similar research to be conducted on other industries and government agencies, which are promoting the awareness of the importance of IT control.

E-Learning Localized

2011 ◽  
pp. 168-186
Author(s):  
Meng-Fen (Grace) Lin ◽  
Mimi Miyoung Lee
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Prototype System ◽  
Educational Materials ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
The World ◽  
History Of ◽  
E Learning ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
China Region

The power of Internet provides unprecedented opportunities for learners to obtain diverse content and for educators to quickly distribute resources. In the increasing globalized learning environment, OpenCourseWare (OCW) is one of the recent movements to utilize the Internet in making educational materials freely available to the world. However, the fact that these materials are offered mainly in English poses challenges to the non-English speaking population in many parts of the world. In response to such concern in the Great China Region, a localization project called the Opensource OpenCourseWare Prototype System (OOPS) was born in Taiwan in February, 2004 (Lin & Chu, 2005). OOPS aims to break the language barrier and deliver the openly-accessible English educational materials to the Chinese-speaking audience in their native language. This chapter presents the detailed background and history of this project, and highlights three challenges that OOPS has faced in its early stage of development. They are: (1) access to materials, (2) issues about translation, and (3) complexity of intra-cultural communication. Based on the first author’s direct experience with the project, suggestions and implications for future research are also offered.

scholarly journals Barriers to implementing the International Integrated Reporting Framework

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 461-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Dumay ◽  
Cristiana Bernardi ◽  
James Guthrie ◽  
Matteo La Torre
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
General Concept ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Integrated Reporting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Reporting Framework

Purpose This paper is motivated by the call for feedback by the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) from all stakeholders with knowledge of the International Integrated Reporting Framework (<IRF>) and specifically of the enablers, incentives and barriers to its implementation. The paper synthesises insights from contemporary accounting research into integrated reporting (IR) as a general concept and <IR> as espoused by the IIRC in the <IRF> (IIRC, 2013). The authors specifically focus on possible barriers and emphasise the specific issues the authors feel could be rectified to advance the <IRF>, along with the areas that may potentially hinder its wider adoption and implementation. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws upon and synthesises academic analysis and insights provided in the IR and <IR> academic literature as well as various directives, policy and framework pronouncements. Findings The flexibility and lack of prescription concerning actual disclosures and metrics in the <IRF> could allow it to be used for compliance, regardless of the other benefits lauded by the IIRC. Thus the authors see forces, both external and internal, driving <IR> adoption, with one prominent example being the European Union Directive on non-financial reporting. Because of the different ways in which IR is understood and enacted, there are numerous theoretical and empirical challenges for academics. The authors paper highlights potential areas for further robust academic research and the need to contribute to <IR> policy and practice. Research limitations/implications The paper provides the IIRC, academics, regulators and reporting organisations with insights into current practice and the <IRF>. The authors highlight the need for further development and evidence to help inform improvements both from a policy and a practice perspective. A key limitation of the authors’ work is that the authors draw upon a synthesis of the existing literature which is still in an early stage of development. Originality/value The paper provides the IIRC with several insights into the current <IRF> and specifically with the enablers, incentives and barriers to its implementation. Also, it provides academic researchers with a number of important observations and an agenda upon which the authors can build their future research.

scholarly journals Innovative Biological Treatment Processes for Wastewater in Canada

2003 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine N. Mulligan ◽  
Bernard F. Gibbs
Keyword(s):  
Biological Treatment ◽  
Waste Treatment ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Metal Removal ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Future Research ◽  
New Developments ◽  
Treatment Processes ◽  
Stage Of Development

Abstract Biological treatment of wastewater has been employed successfully for many types of industries. Aerobic processes have been used extensively. Production of large amounts of sludge is the main problem and methods such as biofilters and membrane bioreactors are being developed to combat this phenomenon. Anaerobic waste treatment has undergone significant developments and is now reliable with low retention times. The UASB, the original high rate anaerobic reactor, is now becoming less popular than the EGSB reactor. New developments such as the Annamox process are highly promising for nitrogen removal. For metal removal, processes such as biosorption and biosurfactants combined with ultrafiltration membranes are under development. Biosurfactants have also shown promise as dispersing agents for oil spills. If space is available, wetlands can be used to reduce biological oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), nutrients and heavy metals. These innovative processes are described in this paper in terms of applications, the stage of development, and future research needs particular to Canada.

Blockchain security research: theorizing through bibliographic-coupling analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lurdes D. Patrício ◽  
João J. Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Data Encryption ◽  
Bibliographic Coupling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Coupling Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Future Research Agenda ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Stage Of Development

PurposeThe continuous presence and intensity of the Internet of things (IoT) in our lives and the risk of security breaches in traditional transactional and financial platforms are the major cause of personal and organizational data losses. Blockchain emerges as a promised technology to ensure higher levels of data encryption and security. Thus, this study aims to develop a systematic literature review analyzing the previous literature and to purpose of a framework to better understand the process of blockchain security.Design/methodology/approachThe 75 articles reviewed were obtained through the Scopus database and a bibliographic-coupling analysis was developed to identify the main themes of this research area, via VOSviewer software.FindingsThe results enable the categorization of the existing literature revealing four clusters: 1) feasibility, 2) fintech and cryptocurrency, 3) data trust and share and 4) applicability. Blockchain technology is still in its early stage of development and counting on researchers in security and cryptography to take it further to new highs, to allow its applicability to different areas and in long-term scenarios.Originality/valueThis systematic literature creates a base to reduce the blockchain security literature gap. In addition, it provides a framework that enables the scientific community to access the main subjects discussed and the articulation between concepts. Furthermore, it enhances the state-of-the-art literature on blockchain security and proposes a future research agenda.

scholarly journals GIANT CENTRIOLE FORMATION IN SCIARA

1967 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Daughter Cell ◽  
Germ Line ◽  
Tissue Type ◽  
Characteristic Morphology ◽  
Opaque Material ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Spindle Axis ◽  
Somatic Tissues ◽  
Daughter Centriole

Although somatic tissues of Sciara contain 9-membered centrioles, germ line tissues develop giant centrioles with 60–90 singlet tubules disposed in an oval array. Some 9-membered centrioles still may be seen in second instar spermatogonia. Each of these centrioles is associated with a larger "daughter" or secondary centriole at right angles to it. Most centrioles of second instar spermatogonia consist of 20–50 singlet tubules arranged in an oval, sometimes associated with an even larger secondary centriole. The more recently formed centriole of a pair is distinguishable from its partner by a concentric band of electron-opaque material inside its tubules. If a pair of centrioles at right angles to each other is pictured as a "T" formed by two cylinders, the secondary centriole is always the stem of the T; the primary centriole is the top. The two centrioles are oriented at the pole of the mitotic spindle so that the tubules of the primary centriole are parallel to the spindle axis. Each daughter cell receives a pair of centrioles and, during interphase, each of these centrioles gives rise to a new daughter centriole. A Golgi area of characteristic morphology is found in association with centrioles shortly after two new ones have formed. We conclude that in Sciara a centriole may give rise to a daughter morphologically different from itself. Whether the daughter is a 9-membered or giant centriole depends on the tissue type and stage of development.

scholarly journals Adolescent Social Cognitive Development

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Guazzelli Williamson
Keyword(s):  
Social Cognition ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Developmental Trajectories ◽  
Mental States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cultural Considerations ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Social Cognitive Processes

During adolescence, our bodies, brains, and behaviors undergo marked developmental changes. Adolescents often become increasingly aware of their social worlds and use this stage of development to develop skills to help them navigate this changing landscape. Up until recently, an overwhelming majority of research on social cognition–specifically on understanding the mental states of others–has focused on childhood. In this chapter, I demonstrate that adolescence is an important developmental period for the refinement and sophistication of social cognitive processes that began developing during childhood. I also discuss the development of more advanced and distinct social cognitive processes. Additionally, I review the available literature on the developmental trajectories of advanced social cognition across adolescence–including individual differences, cultural considerations, and implications for adolescent health and wellbeing. Finally, I describe how future research may begin to address current knowledge gaps on this topic.

scholarly journals Bouncing Back and Jumping Forward: Scoping the Resilience Landscape of International Sports Events And Implications for Events and Festivals

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 185-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Shipway ◽  
Lee Miles
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Management ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Sports Events ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
New Knowledge ◽  
Interdisciplinary Study

The purpose of this conceptual article is to critically scope the resilience landscape to help better understand how future studies on international sports events and venues could be informed by existing work in disaster management and resilience studies. The article suggests that within the differing benchmarks currently used to define and classify major international sports events, at present crises and disaster management considerations are largely ignored or underestimated. The article reviews previous research in crisis and disaster management, highlighting the potential for closer synergies between both sport and events studies and crisis and disaster management fields. It contributes new knowledge through the introduction of an international sports events (ISEs) resilience continuum to assist with better understanding resilience. The broader implications for events and festivals are highlighted. Although the interdisciplinary study of crisis, disasters, and emergency management has become increasingly sophisticated, the identification of synergies and useful concepts in relation to both sport and events studies to inform these areas is still at an early stage of development. This article adds to the limited body of knowledge on sports events resilience, and in doing so highlights potential avenues for future research in both sport and events, in terms of both theory and practice.

Parent-Emerging Adult Relationships in the Digital Age

2018 ◽  
pp. 1419-1434
Author(s):  
Justin Peer
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Digital Communication ◽  
Emerging Adult ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Parent Child Relationship ◽  
Systems Perspective ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Child Relationship ◽  
Insight Into

Emerging adulthood is a period of life characterized by increased individuation and independence. For emerging adults to successfully navigate this process, many aspects of the parent-child relationship must be renegotiated, including rules and expectations related to communication. The emergence of digital communication technology has provided an added layer to this process. This chapter summarizes research related to the influence of digital technology on parent-emerging adult relations. Early findings suggest that digital influence on this stage of development is complex. This chapter employs a Family Systems perspective to offer insight into how current and historical family functioning influences choices related to the use of digital communication technology and how these choices affect the development of emerging adults. Implications for practice as well as avenues for future research are offered.

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