bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revisiting the Roles of Tobamovirus Replicase Complex Proteins in Viral Replication and Silencing Suppression
Authors: Malpica-López Nachelli , Rajeswaran Rajendran , Beknazariants Daria , Seguin Jonathan , Golyaev Victor , Farinelli Laurent , Pooggin Mikhail M.
Published: September 2017

Tobamoviral replicase possesses an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RDR) domain and is translated from genomic (g)RNA via a stop codon readthrough mechanism at a one-to-ten ratio relative to a shorter protein lacking the RDR domain. The two proteins share methyltransferase and helicase domains and form a heterodimer implicated in gRNA replication. The shorter protein is also implicated in suppressing RNA silencing–based antiviral defenses. Using a stop codon mutant of Oilseed rape mosaic tobamovirus (ORMV), we demonstrate that the readthrough replicase (p182) is sufficient for gRNA replication and for subgenomic RNA transcription during systemic infection in Nicotiana benthamiana and Arabidopsis thaliana. However, the mutant virus displays milder symptoms and does not interfere with HEN1-mediated methylation of viral short interfering (si)RNAs or plant small (s)RNAs. The mutant virus tends to revert the stop codon, thereby restoring expression of the shorter protein (p125), even in the absence of plant Dicer-like activities that generate viral siRNAs. Plant RDR activities that generate endogenous siRNA precursors do not prevent replication or movement of the mutant virus, and double-stranded precursors of viral siRNAs representing the entire virus genome are likely synthesized by p182. Transgenic expression of p125 partially recapitulates the ORMV disease symptoms associated with overaccumulation of plant sRNAs. Taken together, the readthrough replicase p182 is sufficient for viral replication and transcription but not for silencing suppression. By contrast, the shorter p125 protein suppresses silencing, provokes severe disease symptoms, causes overaccumulation of unmethylated viral and plant sRNAs but it is not an essential component of the viral replicase complex.
Characterization of Blueberry shock virus, an Emerging Ilarvirus in Cranberry
Authors: Thomas-Sharma Sara , Wells-Hansen Lindsay , Page Rae , Kartanos Victoria , Saalau-Rojas Erika , Lockhart Benham. E. L. , McManus Patricia S.
Published: September 2017

Blueberry shock virus (BlShV), an Ilarvirus sp. reported only on blueberry, was associated with scarring, disfigurement, and premature reddening of cranberry fruit. BlShV was detected by triple-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and isometric virions of 25 to 28 nm were observed in cranberry sap. The virus was systemic, although unevenly distributed in plants. The coat protein of BlShV from cranberry shared 90% identity compared with BlShV accessions from blueberry on GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis of isolates of BlShV from cranberry collected from Wisconsin and Massachusetts did not indicate grouping by state. BlShV was detected in cranberry pollen, and seed transmission of up to 91% was observed. Artificial inoculation of cranberry flowers by pollination did not cause virus transmission. In some Nicotiana spp., rub inoculation of leaves with homogenized BlShV-positive cranberry flowers resulted in systemic infection. Cranberry plants recovered from symptoms the year after berry scarring occurred but continued to test positive for BlShV. The virus caused significant reduction in the average number of marketable fruit and average berry weight in symptomatic cranberry plants but recovered plants yielded comparably with healthy plants. Although recovery may limit the immediate economic consequences of BlShV, long-term implications of single- or mixed-virus infection in cranberry is unknown.
Postharvest Development of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ in Late-Season Infected Potato Tubers under Commercial Storage Conditions
Authors: Rashed Arash , Olsen Nora , Wallis Christopher M. , Paetzold Li , Woodell Lynn , Rashidi Mahnaz , Workneh Fekede , Rush Charles M.
Published: September 2017

Zebra chip (ZC) disease of potato is associated with the putative pathogen ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’, which is transmitted by the potato psyllid Bactericera cockerelli (Hem., Triozidae). The present study was initiated to investigate ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ development during and following typical commercial storage practices. Using bacteriliferous psyllids, Russet Norkotah potato tubers were infested in field cages 14, 10, and 4 days before harvest. Changes in ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ detection rate, ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ titer, and concentrations of phenolic compounds were documented throughout storage. ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ titer continued to increase during storage. Although significant increases in the frequency of ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ detection were observed in all infestation treatments, the impact of ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ infection on tuber quality remained comparatively low in plants infected 4 days before harvest, because the majority of the tubers remained asymptomatic. Minimizing storage and retail chain movement durations would help to limit ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ impact on tuber quality in tubers infected 14 and 10 days before harvest. This study also demonstrated that ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ can relocate from a newly infected leaf to a tuber in as little as 4 days. Psyllid management is recommended until at least 4 days before green harvest, when psyllid pressure is high in fields in which tubers are destined for commercial storage.
Development of Phytophthora Fruit Rot Caused by Phytophthora capsici on Resistant and Susceptible Watermelon Fruit of Different Ages
Authors: Kousik Chandrasekar S. , Ikerd Jennifer L. , Turechek William W.
Published: September 2017

Watermelon is an important crop grown in 44 states in the United States. Phytophthora fruit rot caused by Phytophthora capsici is a serious disease in the southeastern U.S.A., where over 50% of the watermelons are produced. The disease has resulted in severe losses to watermelon growers, especially in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina during the past few years. Several fruit rot-resistant watermelon germplasm lines have been developed for use in breeding programs. To evaluate the development of Phytophthora fruit rot on fruit of different ages, plants of fruit rot-resistant and susceptible lines were planted at weekly intervals for five consecutive weeks in experiments conducted over three years (2011 to 2013). Flowers were routinely inspected and hand pollinated to ensure having fruit of different ages. In each year, different aged fruit were harvested on the same day and inoculated with a 5-mm agar plug from an actively growing colony of P. capsici. Inoculated fruit were maintained in a room set to conditions conducive for disease development (>95% relative humidity, 26 ± 2°C). After 5 days, lesion diameter and intensity of sporulation was recorded for each fruit. Lesion diameter and sporulation intensity were significantly greater on fruit of susceptible lines compared with resistant lines. Fruit age did not have an effect on either measurement on susceptible (Sugar Baby) or resistant lines (PI 560020 and PI 595203). Our results showed that resistance to Phytophthora fruit rot in watermelon was not correlated with fruit age.
Evaluation of Clonostachys rosea for Control of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in Soil and in Roots of Carrot and Wheat
Authors: Iqbal Mudassir , Dubey Mukesh , McEwan Kerstin , Menzel Uwe , Franko Mikael Andersson , Viketoft Maria , Jensen Dan Funck , Karlsson Magnus
Published: September 2017

Biological control is a promising approach to reduce plant diseases caused by nematodes. We tested the effect of the fungus Clonostachys rosea strain IK726 inoculation on nematode community composition in a naturally nematode infested soil in a pot experiment, and the effect of C. rosea on plant health. The numbers of plant-parasitic nematode genera extracted from soil and plant roots decreased by 40 to 73% when C. rosea was applied, while genera of nonparasitic nematodes were not affected. Soil inoculation of C. rosea increased fresh shoot weight and shoot length of wheat plants by 20 and 24%, respectively, while only shoot dry weight increased by 48% in carrots. Light microscopy of in vitro C. rosea–nematode interactions did not reveal evidence of direct parasitism. However, culture filtrates of C. rosea growing in potato dextrose broth, malt extract broth and synthetic nutrient broth exhibited toxicity toward nematodes and immobilized 57, 62, and 100% of the nematodes, respectively, within 48 h. This study demonstrates that C. rosea can control plant-parasitic nematodes and thereby improve plant growth. The most likely mechanism responsible for the antagonism is antibiosis through production of nematicidal compounds, rather than direct parasitism.
Nematicidal Activity of Cry1Ea11 from Bacillus thuringiensis BRC-XQ12 Against the Pine Wood Nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus)
Authors: Huang Tianpei , Lin Qunxin , Qian Xiaoli , Zheng Ying , Yao Junmin , Wu Huachuan , Li Mengmeng , Jin Xin , Pan Xiaohong , Zhang Lingling , Guan Xiong
Published: September 2017

The nematicidal activity of 92 Bacillus thuringiensis strains against the pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, one of the world’s top 10 plant-parasitic nematodes, was determined. The insecticidal crystal proteins (ICPs) from Bacillus thuringiensis BRC-XQ12 were the most toxic to Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, with a lethal concentration 50 (LC50) of 32.13 μg/ml. Because the ICPs expressed by Bacillus thuringiensis BRC-XQ12 were closest to Cry1Ea6 and B. thuringiensis BRC-XQ12 contained four kinds of cry1 subgenes (cry1Aa, cry1Cb, cry1Ea, and cry1Ia), Cry1Ea was most likely to be the key active component against the nematode. The 3,516-bp cry1Ea11 gene from BRC-XQ12, as designated by the B. thuringiensis δ-endotoxin nomenclature committee, was expressed in Escherichia coli. Purified Cry1Ea11 showed an LC50 of 32.53 and 23.23 μg/ml at 24 and 48 h, with corresponding virulence equations of Y = 32.15X + 1.38 (R2 = 0.9951) and Y = 34.29X + 3.16 (R2 = 0.9792), respectively. In order to detect the pathway of B. thuringiensis Cry1Ea11 into Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, the nematode was fed with NHS-rhodamine-labeled GST-Cry1Ea11. The results of confocal laser-scanning microscopy showed that the 159-kDa GST-Cry1Ea11 could be detected in the stylet and the esophageal lumen of the pine wood nematode, indicating that GST-Cry1Ea11 could enter into the nematode through the stylet. As far as we know, no Cry1 proteins have been shown to have activity against plant-parasitic nematodes before. These results demonstrate that Cry1Ea11 is a promising nematicidal protein for controlling pine wilt disease rendered by B. xylophilus, further dramatically broadening the spectrum of Bacillus thuringiensis ICPs.
Longitudinal Validation of the PROMIS Physical Function Item Bank in Upper Extremity Trauma
Authors: Kaat Aaron J. , Rothrock Nan E. , Vrahas Mark S. , O'Toole Robert V. , Buono Sarah K. , Zerhusen Timothy , Gershon Richard C.
Published: September 2017

Objectives:

To evaluate the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Upper Extremity Computer Adaptive Test (UE-CAT) and the 8-item Physical Function short form (PF-SF8a) for monitoring outcomes after musculoskeletal injuries in upper extremity trauma patients.

Design:

Prospective cohort study.

Setting:

Two Level-I trauma centers.

Patients:

Eligible consecutive patients were approached and 424 consented at time 1 (median 9.7 weeks posttreatment). After 6 months, 132 patients (43% of the 307 eligible) completed follow-up measures.

Intervention:

Cross-sectional and longitudinal monitoring of upper extremity trauma patients treated with or without surgery.

Main Outcome Measurements:

Reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the UE-CAT and PF-SF8a. Internal consistency reliability, convergent validity correlations, and discriminant validity (by fracture severity and dominant/nondominant extremity groups) were calculated for PROMIS and non-PROMIS forms. Floor and ceiling effects were also examined at both assessment occasions. Responsiveness was evaluated using random-intercept mixed effects models and effect sizes.

Results:

PROMIS measures had excellent reliability, correlated well with legacy measures, and were responsive to treatment.

Conclusions:

PROMIS measures had good statistical properties. In addition to the known advantages of PROMIS, such as lower patient burden and the ability to assess the broadest range of functioning, our data demonstrated that for patients with upper extremity limitations, a region-specific measure such as the UE-CAT may perform more favorably than an overall/full body physical function measure.
Scientific Understanding of the Induced Membrane Technique: Current Status and Future Directions
Authors: Yee Michael A. , Mead Matthew P. , Alford Andrea I. , Hak David J. , Mauffrey Cyril , Hake Mark E.
Published: September 2017

Objectives:

To review the most recent basic science advances made in relation to the induced membrane technique and how those relate to clinical practice, applications, and future research directions.

Design:

Review of the literature.

Setting:

Any trauma center which might encounter large segmental bone defects.

Articles Reviewed:

Basic science articles that looked at characteristics of the induced membrane published in the past 30 years.

Intervention:

None.
Risk Factors for Failure of Bone Grafting of Tibia Nonunions and Segmental Bone Defects: A New Preoperative Risk Assessment Score
Authors: Maceroli Michael A. , Gage Mark J. , Wise Brent T. , Connelly Daniel , Ordonio Katherine , Castillo Renan C. , Jarman Molly P. , Nascone Jason W. , O'Toole Robert V. , Sciadini Marcus F.
Published: September 2017

Objective:

To develop a clinically useful prediction model of success at the time of surgery to promote bone healing for established tibial nonunion or traumatic bone defects.

Design:

Retrospective case controlled.

Setting:

Level 1 trauma center.

Patients:

Adult patients treated with surgery for established tibia fracture nonunion or traumatic bone defects from 2007 to 2016. Two hundred three patients met the inclusion criteria and were available for final analysis.

Intervention:

Surgery to promote bone healing of established tibia fracture nonunion or segmental defect with plate and screw construct, intramedullary nail fixation, or multiplanar external fixation.

Main Outcome Measures:

Failure of the surgery to promote bone healing that was defined as unplanned revision surgery for lack of bone healing or deep infection. No patients were excluded who had a primary outcome event.

Results:

Multivariate logistic modeling identified 5 significant (P < 0.05) risk factors for failure of the surgery to promote bone healing: (1) mechanism of injury, (2) Increasing body mass index, (3) cortical defect size (mm), (4) flap size (cm2), and (5) insurance status. A prediction model was created based on these factors and awarded 0 points for fall, 17 points for high energy blunt trauma (OR = 17; 95% CI, 1–286, P = 0.05), 22 points for industrial/other (OR = 22; 95% CI, 1–4, P = 0.04), and 28 points for ballistic injuries (OR = 28; 95% CI, 1–605, P = 0.04). One point is given for every 10 cm2 of flap size (OR = 1; 95% CI, 1–1.1, P < 0.001), 10 mm of mean cortical gap distance (OR = 1; 95% CI, 1–2, P = 0.004), and 10 units BMI, respectively (OR = 1.5; 95% CI, 1–3, P = 0.16). Two points are awarded for Medicaid or no insurance (OR = 2; 95% CI, 1–5, P = 0.035) and 3 points for Medicare (3; 95% CI, 1–9, P = 0.033). Each 1-point increase in risk score was associated with a 6% increased chance of requiring at least 1 revision surgery (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

This study presents a clinical score that predicts the likelihood of success after surgery for tibia fracture nonunions or traumatic bone defects and may help clinicians better determine which patients are likely to fail these procedures and require further surgery.
All Internal Segmental Bone Transport and Optional Lengthening With a Newly Developed Universal Cylinder-Kombi-Tube Module for Motorized Nails—Description of a Surgical Technique
Authors: Krettek Christian , El Naga Ashraf
Published: September 2017

Segmental transport is an effective method of treatment for segmental defects, but the need for external fixation during the transport phase is a disadvantage. To avoid external fixation, we have developed a Cylinder-Kombi-Tube Segmental Transport (CKTST) module for combination with a commercially available motorized lengthening nail. This CKTST module allows for an all-internal segmental bone transport and also allows for optional lengthening if needed. The concept and surgical technique of CKTST are described and illustrated with a clinical case.
Accuracy and Repeatability of an Anterior Segment Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomographer
Authors: Peguda Rajini , Kang Pauline , Maseedupally Vinod , Swarbrick Helen
Published: September 2017

Objectives:

To assess accuracy and repeatability of the CASIA swept-source optical coherence tomographer (SS-OCT) in measuring contact lens (CL) radii of curvature and thicknesses compared with verified CL parameters and to investigate intrasession and intersession repeatability of the CASIA SS-OCT in measuring epithelial and total corneal thicknesses.

Methods:

Rigid CLs with varying radii of curvature (front, rf; back, rb) and thicknesses were imaged with the CASIA SS-OCT across two sessions. Contact lens parameters were measured from processed images using an automated MATLAB program and were compared with parameters verified using standard techniques. Central epithelial and total corneal thicknesses of 43 normal subjects were measured to assess intrasession and intersession repeatability of the CASIA SS-OCT.

Results:

No significant differences (P>0.05) were found in rigid CL rf and central and peripheral thickness measurements compared with verified CL parameters. However, the rb values obtained from the CASIA SS-OCT were consistently 0.2 mm flatter than the verified rb values (P<0.001) along horizontal and vertical meridians. Bland–Altman analysis revealed excellent intrasession agreement with mean differences of 0.004 and 0.003 mm for rf and rb, 0.000 mm for CL thickness and 0.372 and 0.395 μm for epithelial and total corneal thicknesses, respectively. Similarly, mean intersession differences of 0.020 and 0.000 mm for rf and CL thickness and 0.100 and 0.984 μm for epithelial and total corneal thicknesses were found, respectively. Ninety-five percentage confidence intervals across one or two sessions indicated insignificant undermeasurement or overmeasurement for CL rf, and corneal thicknesses, but significant bias toward overmeasurement for CL rb was found across two sessions.

Conclusions:

The CASIA SS-OCT produces accurate measurements of CL parameters compared with verified values. Inbuilt distortion correction in this instrument necessitated no further correction of scanned images and provided high intrasession and intersession repeatability in measuring both CLs and corneal thicknesses. Further investigation of discrepancies in rb measurements is warranted.
Efficacy of Toric Contact Lenses in Fitting and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Contact Lens Wearers
Authors: Cox Stephanie M. , Berntsen David A. , Bickle Katherine M. , Mathew Jessica H. , Powell Daniel R. , Little B. Kim , Lorenz Kathrine Osborn , Nichols Jason J.
Published: September 2017

Objectives:

To assess whether patient-reported measures are improved with soft toric contact lenses (TCLs) compared with soft spherical contact lenses (SCLs) and whether clinical time needed to fit TCL is greater than SCL.

Methods:

Habitual contact lens wearers with vertexed spherical refraction +4.00 to +0.25 D or −0.50 to −9.00 D and cylinder −0.75 to −1.75 DC were randomly assigned to be binocularly fitted into a TCL or SCL, and masked to treatment assignment. Time to successful fit was recorded. After 5 days, the National Eye Institute Refractive Error Quality of Life Instrument (NEI-RQL-42) and modified Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey (CISS) were completed. After washout, subjects were fit into the alternative lens design (TCL or SCL). Outcomes were evaluated using linear mixed models for the time to fit and CISS score, generalized linear model for the successful fit, and Wilcoxon tests for the NEI-RQL-42.

Results:

Sixty subjects (71.7% women, mean age [±SD] = 27.5±5.0 years) completed the study. The mean time to fit the TCL was 10.2±4.3 and 9.0±6.5 min for the SCL (least square [LS] mean difference (TCL−SCL)=1.2,P=0.22). Toric contact lens scored better than SCL in global NEI-RQL-42 score (P=0.006) and the clarity of vision (P=0.006) and satisfaction with correction subscales (P=0.006). CISS showed a 15% reduction in symptoms (LS mean difference [TCL−SCL]=−2.20,P=0.02).

Conclusion:

TCLs are a good option when trying to improve the vision of patients with low-to-moderate astigmatism given the subjective improvements in outcomes.
Corneal Biomechanical Parameters With Corneoscleral Contact Lenses in Post–Laser In Situ Keratomileusis Eyes
Authors: Montalt Juan C. , Porcar Esteban , España-Gregori Enrique , Peris-Martínez Cristina
Published: September 2017

Objective:

To evaluate corneal biomechanical parameters wearing corneoscleral contact lenses (CScL) in patients with irregular corneas after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Methods:

Data from patients fitted with CScL because of corneal surface irregularities after complicated LASIK surgery were selected by two eye clinics. Previously and after 1 year of CScL fitting, corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), corneal-compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc), and central corneal thickness were evaluated. In addition, visual acuity, subjective comfort, and wearing time CScL were reported.

Results:

The study comprised 27 eyes. Statistically significant differences were found in visual acuity between the best spectacle-corrected vision and after CScL fitting [mean±SD, 0.16±0.03 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) and 0.01±0.06 logMAR, respectively; P<0.001]. In addition, the patients reported high subjective comfort ratings (22 eyes were comfortable or very comfortable) and prolonged usage times (mean±SD, 12.67±1.98 hr of continuous wear a day). Statistically significant differences were found in the CRF between before CScL fitting and after 1 year of CScL wear (mean±SD, 7.57±0.87 and 7.68±0.84 mm Hg, respectively; P=0.015). Central corneal thickness, CH, and IOPcc showed slight differences after 1 year of CScL wear (1.78 μm, 0.04 and 0.21 mm Hg, respectively).

Conclusion:

Corneal biomechanical parameters increased slightly, although significantly for CRF, apparently without adverse clinical effects in post-LASIK eyes with irregular corneas after wearing CScL for 1 year.
Release of Moxifloxacin From Corneal Collagen Shields
Authors: Zhou Siwei , Hunt Kristin M. , Grewal Arman S. , Brothers Kimberly M. , Dhaliwal Deepinder K. , Shanks Robert M. Q.
Published: September 2017

Objectives:

To investigate the diffusion of moxifloxacin through bandage contact lenses (BCLs) versus corneal collagen shields (CSs), the relative ability of BCLs and CSs to release moxifloxacin, and the potential of release of moxifloxacin from CSs in the clinical setting.

Methods:

Using an in vitro model, the diffusion of 5% moxifloxacin across BCLs and CSs was compared. Next, the amount of drug release from BCLs and CSs soaked in 0.5% moxifloxacin was measured. Finally, based on a clinical model, CSs were soaked in Vigamox (commercial moxifloxacin) and the total concentration released was detected. Collagen shields remained intact after 24 hr; therefore, enzymatic digestion and mechanical grinding of the CS were performed to determine whether further drug could be released. The concentration of moxifloxacin was measured using a spectrophotometer at set time points up to 24 hr.

Results:

In the diffusion assay, 35.7±10.5% diffused through the BCLs and 36.2±11.8% diffused through the CSs (P=0.77). The absorption assay demonstrated at 120 min, a total of 33.3±6.77 μg/mL was released from BCLs compared with 45.8±5.2 μg/mL from the CSs (P=0.0008). In vitro experiments to simulate clinical application of Vigamox-soaked CS found the concentration of moxifloxacin released of 127.7±7.25 μg/mL in 2 mL of phosphate-buffered saline over 24 hr.

Conclusions:

Moxifloxacin diffuses through BCLs and CSs at similar rates; however, CSs have greater capacity to absorb and release moxifloxacin compared with BCLs. Vigamox-soaked CSs released 250 μg of moxifloxacin and may be a useful method to prevent endophthalmitis.
Influence of Menopausal Status on the Symptom Experience of Women Before Breast Cancer Surgery
Authors: Mazor Melissa , Cataldo Janine K. , Lee Kathryn , Dhruva Anand , Paul Steven M. , Smoot Betty J. , Dunn Laura B. , Levine Jon D. , Mastick Judy , Conley Yvette P. , Miaskowski Christine
Published: September 2017

Background

Breast cancer treatments can change women's hormonal milieu and alter their symptom experience. Little is known about associations between menopausal status and menopausal symptoms in women with breast cancer before surgery.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate for differences in occurrence, severity, and distress of symptoms between premenopausal and postmenopausal women before breast cancer surgery.

Methods

A total of 312 women with breast cancer completed the Menopausal Symptoms Scale, a self-report measure that evaluated the occurrence, severity, and distress of 46 common symptoms associated with menopause. Regression analyses were used to evaluate for between-group differences in these symptoms.

Results

Of the 312 patients enrolled, 37.4% (n = 116) were premenopausal, and 62.6% (n = 196) were postmenopausal. In the multivariate analysis that adjusted for 7 covariates, premenopausal patients reported higher occurrence rates for urinary frequency (P = .006) and reported lower occurrence rates for joint pain/stiffness (P = .011), difficulty falling asleep (P = .025), and vaginal dryness (P = .002). A significant interaction was found between age and menopausal status for hot flashes (P = .002), wake during the night (P = .025), and headache (P = .040).

Conclusion

Regardless of menopausal status, women reported high occurrence rates for several menopausal symptoms. Associations between some symptom occurrence rates and menopausal status depended on the patients' age.

Implications for Practice

As part of a preoperative symptom assessment, clinicians need to consider a woman's menopausal status and salient demographic and clinical characteristics. The identification of women with a higher symptom burden will assist with more effective management.
A common pathogen in an uncommon site: coronary artery stent meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection
Authors: Shafer Krystle , Toma Catalin , Galdys Alison
Published: September 2017

Introduction. Coronary artery stents are an uncommon site for infection. Only a handful of case reports describe this condition, and Staphylococcus aureus is the most frequent pathogen. Although rare, coronary stent infections are associated with a high mortality rate.

Case presentation. We describe the case of a 50-year-old man with a past medical history of seven prior meticillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infections over the previous 12 months, who presented with fever and was found to have persistent MRSA bacteraemia. During his hospital course, he developed chest pain and underwent coronary angiography, which revealed a left circumflex coronary to left atrium fistula, presumably due to endarteritis/sent infection. He was treated with combination parenteral antibiotics that were succeeded by oral suppressive therapy. Six months after his diagnosis of coronary stent infection, he suffered a fatal cardiac arrest.

Conclusion. Coronary artery stents are an infrequent source of infection; when they occur, they are typically due to S. aureus, have a high mortality and ideally are treated with surgical intervention.
Evolutionary Transitions in Heritability and Individuality
Authors: Bourrat Pierrick
Published: September 2017

With a few exceptions, the literature on evolutionary transitions in individuality (ETIs) has mostly focused on the relationships between lower-level (particle-level) and higher-level (collective-level) selection, leaving aside the question of the relationship between particle-level and collective-level inheritance. Yet, without an account of this relationship, our hope to fully understand the evolutionary mechanisms underlying ETIs is impeded. To that effect, I present a highly idealized model to study the relationship between particle-level and collective-level heritability both when a collective-level trait is a linear function and when it is a non-linear function of a particle-level trait. I first show that when a collective trait is a linear function of a particle-level trait, collective-level heritability is a by-product of particle-level heritability. It is equal to particle-level heritability, whether the particles interact randomly or not to form collectives. Second, I show that one effect of population structure is the reduction in variance in offspring collective-level character for a given parental collective. I propose that this reduction in variance is one dimension of individuality. Third, I show that even in the simple case of a non-linear collective-level character, collective-level heritability is not only weak but also highly dependent on the frequency of the different types of particles in the global population. Finally, I show that population structure, because one of its effects is to reduce the variance in offspring collective-level character, allows not only for an increase in collective-level character but renders it less context dependent. This in turns permits a stable collective-level response to selection. The upshot is that population structure is a driver for ETIs. These results are particularly significant in that the relationship between population structure and collective-level heritability has, to my knowledge, not been previously explored in the context of ETIs.
CUT&RUN: Targetedin situgenome-wide profiling with high efficiency for low cell numbers
Authors: Skene Peter J. , Henikoff Steven
Published: September 2017

Cleavage Under Targets and Release Using Nuclease (CUT&RUN) is an epigenomic profiling strategy in which antibody-targeted controlled cleavage by micrococcal nuclease releases specific protein-DNA complexes into the supernatant for paired-end DNA sequencing. As only the targeted fragments enter into solution, and the vast majority of DNA is left behind, CUT&RUN has exceptionally low background levels. CUT&RUN outperforms the most widely-used Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) protocols in resolution, signal-to-noise, and depth of sequencing required. In contrast to ChIP, CUT&RUN is free of solubility and DNA accessibility artifacts and can be used to profile insoluble chromatin and to detect long-range 3D contacts without cross-linking. Here we present an improved CUT&RUN protocol that does not require isolation of nuclei and provides high-quality data starting with only 100 cells for a histone modification and 1000 cells for a transcription factor. From cells to purified DNA CUT&RUN requires less than a day at the lab bench.
Adaptation to a Space-variant Visuomotor Delay can Cause Neglect-like Effects on Drawing Symmetry
Authors: Avraham Chen , Avraham Guy , Mussa-Ivaldi Ferdinando A. , Nisky Ilana
Published: September 2017

In daily interactions, our sensorimotor system accounts for spatial and temporal discrepancies between the senses. Functional lateralization between hemispheres causes differences in attention and control of action. In addition, differences in transmission delays between modalities affects motor control. Studies on hemispatial neglect syndrome suggest a link between temporal processing and lateral spatial biases. To understand this link, we studied participants who performed lateral reaching, and adapted to delayed visual feedback in either left, right, or both workspaces. We tested transfer of adaptation to blind drawing, and found that adaptation to left or both delay caused selective leftward elongation. In contrast, adaptation to right delay caused elongation in both directions. Arm dynamics alone cannot explain these findings, but a model of a combined attentional-motor asymmetry across the hemispheres explains our observations. This suggests a possible connection between laterality in delay processing and motor performances observed in cases of hemispatial neglect.
(E)-2,6-Dibromo-4-{2-[1-(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)pyridinium-4-yl]ethenyl}phenolate methanol disolvate, a fluoroponytailed solvatochromic dye
Authors: Fliri Lukas , Partl Gabriel , Gelbrich Thomas , Kahlenberg Volker , Laus Gerhard , Schottenberger Herwig
Published: September 2017

The title compound, C21H12Br2F13NO·2CH3OH, was obtained by condensation of 4-methyl-1-(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)pyridinium iodide and 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, followed by deprotonation. It crystallizes as a methanol disolvate and exhibits short O—H...O hydrogen bonds and a disordered perfluoroalkyl chain [occupancy ratio 0.538 (7):0.462 (7)]. Significant π–π stacking interactions are observed between the benzene and pyridine rings of neighbouring molecules along theb-axis direction.
Aquachlorido(2-{[6-(dimethylamino)pyrimidin-4-yl]sulfanyl}pyrimidine-4,6-diamine)copper(II) chloride hydrate
Authors: Moyaert Tristen E. , Paul Christina , Chen Weibin , Sarjeant Amy A. , Dawe Louise N.
Published: September 2017

A copper(II) complex of the non-symmetric bidentate ligand 2-{[6-(dimethylamino)pyrimidin-4-yl]sulfanyl}pyrimidine-4,6-diamine (L1) is reported. The single-crystal X-ray structure of aqua[aqua/chlorido(0.49/0.51)](2-{[6-(dimethylamino)pyrimidin-4-yl]sulfanyl}pyrimidine-4,6-diamine)copper(II) 0.49-chloride 1.51-hydrate, [CuCl1.51(C10H13N7S)(H2O)1.49]Cl0.49·1.51H2O or [(L1)Cl1.51(H2O)1.49Cu]0.49Cl·1.51H2O, exhibits distorted square-pyramidal geometry around the metal centre, with disorder in the axial position, occupied by chloride or water. The six-membered metal–chelate ring is in a boat conformation, and short intermolecular S...S interactions are observed. In addition to its capacity for bidentate metal coordination, the ligand has the ability to engage in further supramolecular interactions as both a hydrogen-bond donor and acceptor, and multiple interactions with lattice solvent water molecules are present in the reported structure.
Use ofSalvia hispanicaas an eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor for bronze in acid rain
Authors: Larios-Galvez A.K. , Porcayo-Calderon J. , Salinas-Bravo V.M. , Chacon-Nava J.G. , Gonzalez-Rodriguez Jose Gonzalo , Martinez-Gomez L.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this research paper was to investigate the use of methanolic extract ofSalvia hispanica(S. hispanica) as a green corrosion inhibitor for bronze in a simulated acid rain solution.

Design/methodology/approach

Extract ofS. hispanicawas used as a green corrosion inhibitor for bronze in simulated acid rain solution. Electrochemical techniques such as potentiodynamic polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and electrochemical noise were used. Parameters such as polarization, charge transfer and noise resistance (Rp, Rct and Rn, respectively) were calculated.

Findings

Results showed that the extract acts as a good, anodic type of inhibitor. The inhibitor efficiency increased with increasing its concentration up to 400 ppm, decreasing beyond this concentration. Efficiency also increased with an increase in the immersion time. The inhibition was due to the adsorption of components found in theS. hispanicaextract following a Langmuir adsorption isotherm.

Practical implications

S. hispanicaextract can be used as a corrosion inhibitor for bronze in acid rain solution.

Originality/value

This study provides new information on the inhibition features ofS. hispanicaunder specific conditions. This eco-friendly inhibitor could find applications to protect bronze exposed to polluted urban atmospheres.
Corrosion failure analysis of the galvanized lightning rod in a 220 kV transformer substation
Authors: Hu Jiayuan , Fang Zhixing , Qian Zhouhai , Shen Xiaoming , Zhou Haifei , Jin Dongchun
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the cause of severe corrosion of the galvanized lightning rods in a 220 kV transformer substation, and to seek the effective corrosion inhibition measures for the hollow lightning rods.

Design/methodology/approach

The corrosion morphology and rust component of lightning rod was analyzed, and the corrosion process of lightning rod was researched by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ion chromatography and electrochemical tests.

Findings

The results indicated that the outer surface of hollow lightning rod was corroded slightly; however, its inner surface suffered severe corrosion because of a long time high-humidity environment inside the tube caused by the rainwater permeation. A rust layer consisted of Fe3O4 and a little FeOOH was accumulated on the inner surface of the hollow lightning rod. Moreover, Fe3O4 rust layer worked as a large cathode area which could promote the corrosion of metal substrate further. A self-accelerating corrosion process was formed on the inner surface, making the corrosion failure of lightning rod occurred and aggravated gradually.

Originality/value

The corrosion of inner surface of hollow lightning rod cannot be detected easily. More attention should be paid to the corrosion inhibition of lightning rod. The key of corrosion inhibition for the hollow lightning rod was to avoid the rainwater accumulation inside tube. The research results can provide guidelines on the corrosion inhibition measures selection of lightning rod in transformer substation.
Determinants of accounting policy choices under international accounting standards
Authors: Ali Muhammad Jahangir , Ahmed Kamran
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of accounting policy choices under International Accounting Standards (IASs) of listed firms in South Asia.

Design/methodology/approach

We selected three IASs-based accounting policy choices from 369 listed companies in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh for the financial year 2007-2008.

Findings

Our results show that firm size, investment opportunity set, leverage and ownership by the general public are significant determinants of accounting policy choice in South Asian countries. However, we do not find a significant relationship between firms’ accounting policy choices and profitability, assets-in-place and taxes.

Practical implications

Our results suggest that as some flexibility exists in IASB’s accounting standards, this may allow managers to use income-increasing/decreasing methods. There is scope for regulators and standards setters to reduce the alternative methods which are likely improve firms’ reporting quality.

Originality/value

Our study contributes to the understanding as to what determines managers’ choice of a particular accounting method allowed in IAS.
The impact of government financial assistance on the performance and financing of Australian SMEs
Authors: Xiang Dong , Worthington Andrew C.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of government financial assistance provided to Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses firm-level panel data on more than 2,000 SMEs over a five-year period from the Business Longitudinal Database compiled by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The authors measure the impact of government financial assistance in terms of subsequent SME performance (income from sales of goods and services and profitability) and changes in the availability of alternative nongovernment finance.

Findings

The authors find government financial assistance helps SMEs improve performance over and above the effects of conventional financing. They also find than the implicit guarantee effect signalled by a firm receiving government financial assistance suggests firms are more likely to obtain nongovernment finance in the future. Control factors that significantly affect SME performance and finance availability include business size, the level of innovation, business objectives and industry.

Research limitations/implications

Nearly all of the responses in the original survey data are qualitative, so we are unable to assess how the strength of these relationships varies by the levels of assistance, income and profitability. The measure of government financial assistance of the authors is also general in that it includes grants, subsidies and rebates from any Australian Government organisation, so we are unable to comment on the impact of individual federal, state or local government programmes.

Practical implications

Government financial assistance helps SMEs improve both immediate and future performance as measured by income and profitability. This could be because government financial assistance quickly overcomes the financial constraints endemic in SMEs. Government financial assistance also helps SMEs obtain nongovernment finance in the future. The authors conjecture that this is because it overcomes some of the information opaqueness of SMEs.

Originality/value

Few studies focus on the impact of direct government financial assistance compared with indirect assistance as typical in credit guarantee schemes. The authors use a very large and detailed data set on Australian SMEs to undertake the analysis.
Information risk, stock returns, and asset pricing: Evidence from China
Authors: Safdar Raheel , Yan Chen
Published: September 2017

Purpose

This study aims to investigate information risk in relation to stock returns of a firm and whether information risk is priced in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used accruals quality (AQ) as their measure of information risk and performed Fama-Macbeth regressions to investigate association of AQ with future realized stock returns. Moreover, two-stage cross-sectional regression analysis was performed, both at firm level and at portfolio level, to test if the AQ factor is priced in China in addition to existing factors in the Fama French three-factor model.

Findings

The authors found poor AQ being associated with higher future realized stock returns. Moreover, they found evidence of market pricing of AQ in addition to existing factors in the Fama French three-factor model. Further, subsample analysis revealed that investors value AQ more in non-state owned enterprises than in state owned enterprises.

Research limitations/implications

The study sample comprises A-shares only and the generalization of the findings is limited by the peculiar institutional and economic setup in China.

Originality/value

This study contributes to market-based accounting literature by providing further insight into how and if investors value information risk, and it seeks to fill gap in empirical literature by providing evidence from the Chinese capital market.
The effect of multiple directorships on real and accrual-based earnings management
Authors: Baatour Kais , Ben Othman Hakim , Hussainey Khaled
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The study aims to examine the effect of multiple directorships on accrual-based earnings management and real earnings management. It analyses whether earnings management practices in the Saudi context increase or decrease with the average number of multiple directorships.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses the approach by Roychowdhury (2006) to capture the level of real earnings management and uses the cross-sectional model by Jones (1991) to measure accrual-based earnings management.

Findings

The paper provides partial evidence supporting the “busyness” hypothesis where earnings management practices increase with the number of multiple directorships. The evidence shows that multiple directorships have a positive and significant effect on real earnings management in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. However, we find no significant impact of multiple directorships on accrual-based earnings management.

Originality/value

This is the first study that empirically investigates the relationship between multiple directorships and earnings management in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The paper contributes to the limited literature on multiple directorships in developing countries by examining their impact on opportunistic real earnings management.
The impact of terrorism on industry returns and systematic risk in Pakistan
Authors: Shahzad Syed Jawad Hussain , Stauvermann Peter Josef , Kumar Ronald Ravinesh , Ahmad Tanveer
Published: September 2017

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of terrorism on return and systematic risk of Pakistan’s equity industries. Daily data from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2014 for 12 industries based on the specific types of companies listed on Karachi Stock Exchange are used for the empirical analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiplicative (additive) term is introduced in the standard capital asset pricing model to examine the change in systematic risk (industry returns) in response to the terrorist activities. The authors use the multiscale beta approach (Yamada, 2005) and the maximal overlap discrete wavelet transform (MODWT) to test the heterogeneous market hypothesis.

Findings

Terrorism activities increase the systematic risk for most of the industries and the negative impact on returns of banks and the financial industry. It is noted that terrorism positively impacts (increases) the industrial systematic risk mainly in short-run (between two and four days-time horizon).

Originality/value

The paper examines the impact of terrorism on a broad list of industries’ (banks, basic materials, chemicals, construction, consumer goods, consumer services, financials, industrials, minerals, oil and gas, textile and utilities) risk and return in Pakistan, using the multiscale beta approach (Yamada, 2005) and the MODWT methods.
Open Linked Statistical Data (OLSD): prospects and issues
Authors: Saxena Stuti
Published: September 2017

Purpose

With the progressive trends in Open Data, this paper aims to underscore the significance of Open Linked Statistical Data (OLSD) and identifies the trajectory of development of OLSD besides underlining the prospects and challenges underlying OLSD.

Design/methodology/approach

Being exploratory in nature, this viewpoint seeks to present a trajectory of OLSD which seeks to emphasize upon the futuristic trend in the development of OLSD.

Findings

Eight stages have been identified in the OLSD trajectory. The opening of more and more data results in new possibilities for combining data and gaining new insights. In the future, data will automatically be opened and streamed and could be used in using OLSD algorithms. Algorithms will mention the shortcomings and limitations of data and help to interpret the data in such a way that the user is in the driver’s seat.

Research limitations/implications

While the paper follows an exploratory approach, there are a couple of implications for the practitioners and academicians. For instance, government may become more accountable with the adoption of advanced OLSD algorithms. Further research on OLSD may be required in appreciating the impact of OLSD in different settings, and this would be helpful in providing novel insights to the concerned stakeholders.

Originality/value

While Big and Open Linked Data (BOLD) has gained prominence in academic research, the focus on OLSD has remained scanty. This paper seeks to underline the futuristic trends in OLSD.