Minimum Core Research Articles

The “Essence” of International Human Rights

AbstractWhile the “essence” of EU fundamental rights has received much attention following the CJEU’s Schrems decision, the concept of “essence” remains much less examined in international human rights law. Nonetheless, a concept of “essence” for human rights can also be found in international law. This Article discusses different aspects of the “essence” concept in international human rights law, namely non-derogability, non-restrictability, and minimum core, in three steps. First, the Article looks at civil political rights and socioeconomic rights separately and identifies two different approaches to the concept of essence for each of the two categories: While for civil and political rights the concept of essence is mainly linked to the notions of non-derogability and non-restrictability, for socioeconomic rights, the concept refers mainly to the states’ obligation to guarantee an essential level of protection independent of their resource limitations. Second, the Article continues by reading the two approaches together and identifies certain elements of an overarching “essence” concept. Finally, the Article discusses the relationship between the CJEU’s “essence” jurisprudence and the related concepts in international law and concludes with two theses: First, international law deserves more attention when reflecting on the EU’s concept of essence. It equally employs concepts of “essence” and also informs the development and interpretation of EU law. Second, when engaging with the question of whether the EU law should draw lessons from its international counterpart on the notion of “essence,” one must contemplate drawbacks for EU law that the concept has presented for international law.

Starvation in Armed Conflicts

Abstract Armed conflict can cause food shortages, which continue long after the fighting is over, and increase the chance that a famine may occur. When it occurs during the context of an armed conflict, death resulting from hunger is tolerated by the international community. Yet, the prevention or alleviation of famines, even within environmentally precarious regions, is often within human control. This gives rise to the following questions. Can a state use the outbreak of an armed conflict as an excuse to remain passive while starvation takes its course? Is it justified for a state to allocate most of its resources to its military operations, while claiming to have difficulties to collect sufficient resources to meet its minimum core obligations under international human rights law? This article aims to clarify these complex questions and elaborates on how the framework of human rights law includes provisions to prevent starvation in armed conflicts. With a focus on the right to food, this analysis scrutinizes the human rights-based obligations to respect, protect and fulfil, which impose clear duties on states with respect to famines. As it is generally accepted that international human rights law continues to apply in situations of armed conflict, both human rights law and international humanitarian law apply simultaneously in these scenarios. The analysis thus also examines the complex relationship between obligations under human rights law and humanitarian law and the influence of the former on the assessment of latter. Finally, the article touches upon the scope of obligations held by armed non-state actors.

Characterization of the plasmid of incompatibility groups IncFIIpKF727591 and IncpKPHS1 from Enterobacteriaceae species.

BackgroundMultiple incompatibility (Inc) groups of plasmids have been identified in Enterobacteriaceae species, but there are still quite a few sequenced plasmids that could not be assigned to any known Inc groups.MethodsOne IncFIIpKF727591β plasmid p205880-qnrS and two IncpKPHS1 plasmids p11219-CTXM and p205880-NR1 were fully sequenced in this work. Detailed genomic comparison was applied to all available sequenced plasmids of IncFIIpKF727591 or IncpKPHS1 group.Resultsp205880-qnrS carried a novel transposon Tn6396, which was an ISKpn19-compsite transposon and represented a prototype transposable element carrying a minimum core qnrS1 module. p11219-CTXM harbored a novel transposon Tn6559, which was generated from integration of a truncated IS903D–blaCTX-M-14–ISEcp1 unit into the Tn3-family cryptic unit transposon Tn1722. Two Inc groups, IncFIIpKF727591 and IncpKPHS1, of plasmids from Enterobacteriaceae species were proposed, and IncFIIpKF727591 was further grouped into two subgroups IncFIIpKF727591α and IncFIIpKF727591β. Each of the 11 IncFIIpKF727591 plasmids carried multiple accessory modules including at least one resistance module, and the relatively small IncFIIpKF727591 backbones could acquire a wealth of foreign genetic contents. The modular structures of plasmid backbones were conserved within each of IncFIIpKF727591α and IncFIIpKF727591β subgroups but dramatically different, although with similar gene organizations, between these two subgroups. The IncpKPHS1 backbones were conserved with respect to modular structures, and only four of the 14 IncpKPHS1 plasmids carried accessory modules, two of which contained resistance genes.ConclusionA genomic comparison of sequenced IncpKPHS1 or IncFIIpKF727591 plasmids provides insights into modular differences and genetic diversification of these plasmids, some of which carries antimicrobial resistance genes.

The Conserved Non-Coding Sequence 2 (CNS2) Enhances CD69 Transcription through Cooperation between the Transcription Factors Oct1 and RUNX1.

The immune regulatory receptor CD69 is expressed upon activation in all types of leukocytes and is strongly regulated at the transcriptional level. We previously described that, in addition to the CD69 promoter, there are four conserved noncoding regions (CNS1-4) upstream of the CD69 promoter. Furthermore, we proposed that CNS2 is the main enhancer of CD69 transcription. In the present study, we mapped the transcription factor (TF) binding sites (TFBS) from ChIP-seq databases within CNS2. Through luciferase reporter assays, we defined a ~60 bp sequence that acts as the minimum enhancer core of mouse CNS2, which includes the Oct1 TFBS. This enhancer core establishes cooperative interactions with the 3′ and 5′ flanking regions, which contain RUNX1 BS. In agreement with the luciferase reporter data, the inhibition of RUNX1 and Oct1 TF expression by siRNA suggests that they synergistically enhance endogenous CD69 gene transcription. In summary, we describe an enhancer core containing RUNX1 and Oct1 BS that is important for the activity of the most potent CD69 gene transcription enhancer.

THE ROLE OF EFFICIENCY MEDIATION IN THE EFFECT OF BANKS SIZE ON BANK PROFITABILITY IN INDONESIA

The purpose of this study was to analyze the mediating role of bank efficiency in the effect of bank size on bank profitability. The research sample is 25 banks that have a minimum core capital of Rp. 5,000,000,000,000 and publish financial statements in full during 2010-2017. The data analysis technique in this study is path analysis (path analysis) with the help of AMOS software (Analysis of Moment Structure). The results of the study found that; 1) bank size has a positive and significant effect on bank efficiency; 2) bank size has a positive and not significant effect on bank profitability; 3) bank efficiency has a positive and significant effect on bank profitability. 4) bank efficiency is able to mediate the effect of bank size on bank profitability.

Exploring the burden of fatal drowning and data characteristics in three high income countries: Australia, Canada and New Zealand

BackgroundDrowning is a leading and preventable cause of death that has suffered an attention deficit. Improving drowning data in countries would assist the understanding of the full extent and circumstances of drowning, to target interventions and evaluate their effectiveness. The World Health Organization identifies data collection as a key strategy underpinning effective interventions. This study compares unintentional fatal drowning data collection, management and comparison using the databases of Australia, Canada and New Zealand.MethodsCases of fatal unintentional drowning between 1-January-2005 and 31–December-2014 were extracted. Cases were combined into a single dataset and univariate and chi square analysis (p < 0.01) were undertaken. Location and activity variables were mapped and combined. Variables consistently collected across the three countries were compared to the ILCOR Drowning Data Guideline. The authors also recommend variables for a minimum core dataset.ResultsOf 55 total variables, 19 were consistent and 13 could be compared across the three databases. When mapped against the ILCOR Drowning Data Guideline, six variables were consistently collected by all countries, with five compared within this study. The authors recommend a minimum core dataset of 11 variables including age, sex, location, activity, date of incident, and alcohol and drug involvement).There were 8176 drowning deaths (Australia 34.1%, Canada 55.9%, New Zealand 9.9%). All countries achieved reductions in crude drowning rates (Australia − 10.2%, Canada − 20.4%, New Zealand − 24.7%). Location and activity prior to drowning differed significantly across the three countries. Beaches (X2 = 1151.0;p < 0.001) and ocean/harbour locations (X2 = 300.5;p < 0.001) were common in Australia and New Zealand, while lakes/ponds (X2 = 826.5;p < 0.001) and bathtubs (X2 = 27.7;p < 0.001) were common drowning locations in Canada. Boating prior to drowning was common in Canada (X2 = 66.3;p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe comparison of data across the three countries was complex. Work was required to merge categories within the 20% of variables collected that were comparable, thus reducing the fidelity of data available. Data sources, collection and coding varied by country, with the widest diversity seen in location and activity variables. This study highlights the need for universally agreed and consistently applied categories and definitions to allow for global comparisons and proposes a core minimum dataset.

Recommendations for Registry Data Collection for Revascularisations of Acute Limb Ischaemia: A Delphi Consensus from the International Consortium of Vascular Registries

To develop a minimum core data set for evaluation of acute limb ischaemia (ALI) revascularisation treatment and outcomes that would enable collaboration among international registries. A modified Delphi approach was used to achieve consensus among international multidisciplinary vascular specialists and registry members of the International Consortium of Vascular Registries (ICVR). Variables identified in the literature or suggested by the expert panel, and variables, including definitions, currently used in 15 countries in the ICVR, were assessed to define both a minimum core and an optimum data set to register ALI treatment. Clinical relevance and practicability were both assessed, and consensus was defined as ≥ 80% agreement among participants. Of 40 invited experts, 37 completed a preliminary survey and 31 completed the two subsequent Delphi rounds via internet exchange and face to face discussions. In total, 117 different items were generated from the various registry data forms, an extensive review of the literature, and additional suggestions from the experts, for potential inclusion in the data set. Ultimately, 35 items were recommended for inclusion in the minimum core data set, including 23 core items important for all registries, and an additional 12 more specific items for registries capable of capturing more detail. These 35 items supplement previous data elements recommended for registering chronic peripheral arterial occlusive disease treatment. A modified Delphi study allowed 37 international vascular registry experts to achieve a consensus recommendation for a minimum core and an optimum data set for registries covering patients who undergo ALI revascularisation. Continued global harmonisation of registry infrastructure and definition of items allows international comparisons and global quality improvement. Furthermore, it can help to define and monitor standards of care and enable international research collaboration.

RMSTCAF: The rapid measurement system for transmission characteristics of astronomical fibers

The fiber link between a telescope and a spectrograph is an attractive solution to improve the performance of astronomical instruments. The throughput of the observing system is mainly current concerned by the astronomer. The throughput of fiber link system is limited by the transmission efficiency (TE) and focal ratio degradation (FRD) of the fibers.The rapid measurement system for transmission characteristics of astronomical fibers (RMSTCAF) is an instrument to measure the output focal ratio (OFR), TE, the throughput of the fiber in a certain focal ratio and fiber endface quality. The number of optical fibers used in multi-object spectroscopy (MOS) and integral field spectroscopy (IFS) are increasing. It will be a time-consuming and huge burden to measure the FRD and TE of these fibers, especially the dynamic characteristics of high density optical cables. We designed this instrument to solve this problem.The system uses the encircled energy (EE) of the output energy of the fiber to determine the focal ratio of the optical fiber. With two measurement arms, the RMSTCAF provides feedback compensation to reducing the influence of incident light source fluctuation and realizes the closed-looped real-time measurement of the optical fiber transmission characteristics. The powermeters with double probes was used to suppress the environmental stray light to improve the measurement precision of the system with different wavelength. Used this system, we measured the critical focal ratio of the optical fiber with Numerical Aperture (NA) 0.128, the OFR average value within EE95 is F/3.83, compared with theoretical Fcritical/3.87, the error is 1.1%. We repeatedly connected the fiber with NA0.124 to the system and measured TE and OFR within EE90 and EE95. The standard deviation of them is 0.002, 0.03 and 0.02.As a universal measuring platform, RMSTCAF can meet the measurement requirements of minimum core diameter of 30 μm, minimum incident focal ratio F/2.6 and wavelength range of 400–850 nm. It has good repeatability and environmental adaptability. It would provide effective data for the design and evaluation of astronomical instruments with fiber link.

Judicial Adherence to the Minimum Core Obligation of a Right to Health in Bangladesh

This article examines how a right to health, expressed as a minimum core obligation under international law, can be advanced within the constitutional framework of Bangladesh. Reinforcing this right is important within the post-2015 Development Agenda under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Drawing upon examples of other jurisdictions to develop minimum core obligations of a right to health, it is argued that courts have a key role to play in actively enforcing a right to health to benefit poor, vulnerable and marginalised people. This article proposes that judicial adherence through interpretation of domestic and international law may provide the best mechanism to promote a right to health as a minimum core obligation in Bangladesh.

Outcome domains and outcome measures used in studies assessing the effectiveness of interventions to manage non-respiratory sleep disturbances in children with neurodisabilities: a systematic review

ObjectivesTo assess whether a core outcome set is required for studies evaluating the effectiveness of interventions for non-respiratory sleep disturbances in children with neurodisabilities.DesignSurvey of outcome measures used in primary...

Editor's Choice – Recommendations for Registry Data Collection for Revascularisations of Acute Limb Ischaemia: A Delphi Consensus from the International Consortium of Vascular Registries

To develop a minimum core data set for evaluation of acute limb ischaemia (ALI) revascularisation treatment and outcomes that would enable collaboration among international registries. A modified Delphi approach was used to achieve consensus among international multidisciplinary vascular specialists and registry members of the International Consortium of Vascular Registries (ICVR). Variables identified in the literature or suggested by the expert panel, and variables, including definitions, currently used in 15 countries in the ICVR, were assessed to define both a minimum core and an optimum data set to register ALI treatment. Clinical relevance and practicability were both assessed, and consensus was defined as ≥ 80% agreement among participants. Of 40 invited experts, 37 completed a preliminary survey and 31 completed the two subsequent Delphi rounds via internet exchange and face to face discussions. In total, 117 different items were generated from the various registry data forms, an extensive review of the literature, and additional suggestions from the experts, for potential inclusion in the data set. Ultimately, 35 items were recommended for inclusion in the minimum core data set, including 23 core items important for all registries, and an additional 12 more specific items for registries capable of capturing more detail. These 35 items supplement previous data elements recommended for registering chronic peripheral arterial occlusive disease treatment. A modified Delphi study allowed 37 international vascular registry experts to achieve a consensus recommendation for a minimum core and an optimum data set for registries covering patients who undergo ALI revascularisation. Continued global harmonisation of registry infrastructure and definition of items allows international comparisons and global quality improvement. Furthermore, it can help to define and monitor standards of care and enable international research collaboration.

Protocol for the development of a core indicator set for reporting burn wound infection in trials: ICon-B study

IntroductionSystematic reviews of high-quality randomised controlled trials are necessary to identify effective interventions to impact burn wound infection (BWI) outcomes. Evidence synthesis requires that BWI is reported in a consistent...

Optimization of direct torque controlled induction motor drive by golden section method

A search control based energy loss minimization technique is proposed for Direct Torque Control (DTC) of three phase Induction Motor (IM) with Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) used in Electric Vehicles (EV). The performance parameters of the EV considered for analysis are Dynamic performance and Efficiency. DTC is used to achieve the excellent dynamic performance of the IM drive. FLC is employed to achieve accurate speed tracking and enhance the ruggedness against disturbance and uncertainties. Loss minimization using Golden section method is proposed to search optimum level of flux value for DTC of induction motor drive. This will lead to minimum core loss and enhanced efficiency of the system. The proposed work is simulated in MATLAB/SIMULINK. The simulation and experimental results are presented to validate the performance of the proposed loss minimization algorithm.

Great Power Brings Great Responsibility: Some Thoughts About a Promising Approach to Standardised Data Assessment in Registry Studies

Behrendt et al. have generated a lucid core set of items specific for acute limb ischaemia (ALI), which could enable standardised data collection in vascular surgical registries.1Behrendt C.A. Björck M. Schwaneberg T. Debus E.S. Cronenwett J. Sigvant B. et al.Recommendations for registry data collection for revascularisations of acute limb ischaemia: a Delphi consensus from the international consortium of vascular registries.Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2019; 57: 815-820Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (24) Google Scholar This cooperation is a promising approach towards creating a comparable framework for the assessment of “big data” gained from prospective registries, leading to more reliable and valid results. Furthermore, these criteria may be used as an objective benchmark to evaluate each registry in which they are used. From our perspective, it is the efforts made thus far to facilitate the consensus decision between experts from 15 different countries following the Delphi protocol that should be stressed. However, there are some relevant limitations as mentioned by Behrendt et al. that require discussion. All efforts to realise such a consensus should lead eventually to more reliable and valid results in registry studies. Hence, each consensus recommendation that might be applied to reach this desirable aim must be verified critically, as each could be a source of bias in itself. The current study should be seen as a cornerstone of an ongoing process, leading to improved evidence in future vascular registries, which could narrow the gap between fiction and truth. As mentioned, the consensus is mainly based on the opinion and experience of colleagues from Europe and the United States. Colleagues from Asia, Australia, and South America, whose contribution is urgently required to create a complete image of the medical treatment reality of acute or chronic limb ischaemia, should be involved in future. Regarding the methodology of the consensus protocol, the participation of two or more external scientists as additional “critical voices” could be considered. By implementing external quality control, the risk of observer bias, which is relevant in the non-blinded setting of the consensus process, especially during the last panel of the Delphi Consensus process, could be minimised.2Hrobjartsson A. Thomsen A.S. Emanuelsson F. Tendal B. Rasmussen J.V. Hilden J. et al.Observer bias in randomized clinical trials with time-to-event outcomes: systematic review of trials with both blinded and non-blinded outcome assessors.Int J Epidemiol. 2014; 43: 937-948Crossref PubMed Scopus (73) Google Scholar It would be desirable to involve the patients' point of view by including different patients' interest groups in the decision making process.3Nelson E.C. Dixon-Woods M. Batalden P.B. Homa K. Van Citters A.D. Morgan T.S. et al.Patient focused registries can improve health, care, and science.BMJ. 2016; 354: i3319Crossref PubMed Scopus (107) Google Scholar Finally, following the title of our invited commentary, we believe that Behrendt et al. and all participants bear a great responsibility. The relevance and validity of so called “big data” for healthcare research are under debate.4Househ M.S. Aldosari B. Alanazi A. Kushniruk A.W. Borycki E.M. Big data, big problems: a healthcare perspective.Stud Health Technol Inform. 2017; 238: 36-39PubMed Google Scholar Consequently, the authors' project requires continued critical self evaluation, as it will legitimately have a relevant impact on subsequent vascular surgical research. Editor's Choice – Recommendations for Registry Data Collection for Revascularisations of Acute Limb Ischaemia: A Delphi Consensus from the International Consortium of Vascular RegistriesEuropean Journal of Vascular and Endovascular SurgeryVol. 57Issue 6PreviewTo develop a minimum core data set for evaluation of acute limb ischaemia (ALI) revascularisation treatment and outcomes that would enable collaboration among international registries. Full-Text PDF Open Archive

Lithofacies classification based on open hole logging using ternary diagram techniques

The composition of the sandstone reservoir in Malay Basin sequences is dominated by sand size fraction followed by silt and clay sizes, respectively. Depositional environments in these types of sediments controlling the sand, silt, and clay fraction distribution where the proximal part of the delta characterized by more sand than silt and clay due to high energy, however, the distal part tend to have fines from silt and clay rather than sand fractions. To date the facies and lithofacies identification and classified based on the description of core analysis, which is always limited due to cost of the core samples. To minimize the uncertainty due to minimum core, the current approach was used to help the geoscientist to identify the lithofacies classification based on ternary diagram. The proposed approach is to use the ternary diagram to identify and classify the lithofacies based on the clay, silt, and sand volume produced from well logging interpretation including traditional logs and NMR technology. The fractions of the sand, silt and clay can be calculated from openhole logging based on gamma ray, density and neutron logs using the PETRONAS algorithm SSC model to compute the volume of the three fractions (sand, silt, and clay). The volume was calibrated with XRD data and sieve analysis. Ternary diagram was used to identify the lithofacies association for the reservoir interval which showing a good match with rock typing identified from porosity/permeability of core data. NMR technology used to derive grain-size-distributions in contrast to core analysis, NMR provides a continuous along hole profile of grain-size-distributions which have match with LPSA and sieve analysis, which can be utilize a continuous grain-size-distribution profile. Based on the T2 cutoff we can easily define clay, silt and sand volumes. The study was conducted blindfolded, without initial reference to core studies, to test the robustness of the methodology. Ternary diagram considered as a good tool for lithofacies association in the interval where no core date. The defined sand, silt, and clay volumes normalized to 100% were used to compute the actual volume of each then input into the ternary diagram to identify the lithofacies association. The proposed model will help to minimize the uncertainty as a fit-for-purpose approach by improving the lithofacies association which can be translated to rock typing to improve the facies distribution in the static model and consequently, reserve estimations.

Design of Low-Cost BLAC Motors for Integrated Electric Brake Systems

During motor production processes, the influence of motor manufacturing tooling costs on motor prices is mostly negligible and considered to be insignificant. The manufacturing cost, particularly the molding cost, may not be a significant issue for mass production, but it would become a crucial issue for modern small-scale application-oriented design. When the total number of motors produced per motor manufacturing tool such as stator and rotor pressing tool is reduced, the effect of the motor manufacturing tool cost on the motor price can be greatly increased. To reduce the cost, we present a new design approach of a brushless AC (BLAC) motor that shares motor manufacturing tools, unlike many previous studies on low-cost designs. The design approach of a BLAC motor is applied to integrated electric brake (IEB) systems of various specifications. In addition, to analyze the motor performances in IEB systems, the BLAC vector control system, FEM, design of experiment, and moving least square method are used. Furthermore, to predict the available operating time of a motor, a heat compensation coefficient that uses the experimental data of an existing motor is proposed. By implementing this design approach, we have effectively designed motors that satisfy performance requirements such as speed response, available operating time, and total harmonics distortion (THD) of back EMF with minimum stator core volume, in the IEB systems, and achieve a 25.5% reduction in cost through sharing of motor manufacturing tools.

Decay of supersonic rectangular jet issuing from a nozzle with diagonal expansion ramps

This paper addresses the effect of expansion ramps on the decay characteristics of a controlled supersonic rectangular jet. A Mach 1.8 rectangular jet issuing from a converging-diverging nozzle of aspect ratio 2 and Reynolds number 1.861?105 is considered as the base model for the study. Two separate nozzle models with expansion ramps placed at the diagonal ends on major and on the minor internal surface are considered for the present study. The diagonal placements of ramps induce additional vortices near the nozzle exit apart from the corner vortices emanating from the rectangular corners. Experimental and computational investigations at different expansion levels are carried to prove the enhanced mixing rate due to the induced vortex. The ramps on the minor side caused maximum supersonic core length reduction of 44% at an inlet total pressure of 4 bar and a minimum of 27% at an inlet total pressure of 8 bar. The maximum and minimum core length reductions caused by the ramps placed on the major side are 22% and 11% at inlet total pressures 6 and 8 bar respectively. Both experimental and numerical studies show that shock waves are rendered weak by the minor side placement of ramps at all expansion levels.

Best-estimate calculation plus uncertainty analysis of SBLOCA transient for the scale-down passive test facility

CAP1400 has been developed as a new passive nuclear power plant in China based on AP1000 technique. In order to support the CAP1400 licensing, a scale-down integral test facility named ACME (Advanced Core-cooling Mechanism Experiment) has been designed and constructed. In this study, best-estimate calculation using RELAP5/MOD3.4 code plus uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis of the small break loss of coolant accident (SBLOCA) transient were carried out for the ACME test facility. The important thermal-hydraulic phenomena during the SBLOCA transient were investigated through the comparing calculations between the ACME and CAP1400. Thereafter, uncertainty quantification process was demonstrated including the selection of input uncertain parameters, the application of Wilks’ nonparametric statistics and the propagation of uncertainty through the SNAP interface coupling RELAP5 and DAKOTA codes. Furthermore, the results of uncertainty and sensitivity analysis were discussed. Through the comparison of the thermal-hydraulic modeling results between ACME and CAP1400, the results show that the ACME test facility is able to reproduce the important thermal-hydraulic phenomena of CAP1400 by reasonable scaling design. The 95/95 uncertainty bands of some key output parameters are obtained through uncertainty quantification. The lower band of the minimum core level is maintained still above the top of the active core section, thus the core uncover will not occur with 95% confidence level. Important input uncertain contributors for the minimum core level are identified through the measure of Spearman rank correlation coefficients in sensitivity analysis. The demonstration of best-estimate plus uncertainty analysis (BEPU) application will provide some guidance for the safety analysis of advanced passive nuclear power plants.

Ontological Representation of Smart City Data: From Devices to Cities

Existing smart city ontologies allow representing different types of city-related data from cities. They have been developed according to different ontological commitments and hence do not share a minimum core model that would facilitate interoperability among smart city information systems. In this work, a survey has been carried out in order to study available smart city ontologies and to identify the domains they are representing. Taking into account the findings of the survey and a set of ontological requirements for smart city data, a list of ontology design patterns is proposed. These patterns aim to be easily replicated and provide a minimum set of core concepts in order to guide the development of smart city ontologies.

Molecular characterization of ABHD5 gene promoter in intramuscular preadipocytes of Qinchuan cattle: Roles of Evi1 and C/EBPα

The genetic regulation of lipolytic enzyme is closely related to carcass quality traits through deposition of intramuscular fat (marbling) in beef cattle breeds. The α/β hydrolase domain containing 5 (ABHD5) is an accelerating factor of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), which plays a key role in triglyceride metabolism. In this study, we determined that bovine ABHD5 gene was highly expressed in adult bovine adipose tissue. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in bovine ABHD5 regulation, we cloned and characterized the promoter region of ABHD5. Applying 5′-rapid amplification of cDNA end analysis (RACE), we identified transcriptional start site (TSS) found in the predicted CpG island within promoter region of ABHD5 gene. Using the recombinant dual fluorescent reporter vectors, the fragment of –109/+307 was identified as proximal minimum core promoter region of ABHD5 in bovine intramuscular adipocytes. Site directed mutagenesis and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) confirmed the role of two transcription factors, namely Ectopic viral integration site-1 (Evi1) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), in the regulation of ABHD5 gene. Taken together these findings we can conclude that ABHD5 gene regulated by Evi1 and C/EBPα could be used as potential marker in marker assisted selection for the improvement of Qinchuan cattle breed for carcass quality traits.