bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Partitioning plant spectral diversity into alpha and beta components
Authors: Laliberté Etienne , Schweiger Anna K. , Legendre Pierre
Published: August 2019

Plant spectral diversity — how plants differentially interact with solar radiation — is an integrator of plant chemical, structural, and taxonomic diversity that can be remotely sensed. We propose to measure spectral diversity as spectral variance, which allows the partitioning of the spectral diversity of a region, called spectral gamma (γ) diversity, into additive alpha (α; within communities) and beta (β; among communities) components. Our method calculates the contributions of individual bands or spectral features to spectral γ-, β-, and α-diversity, as well as the contributions of individual plant communities to spectral diversity. We present two case studies illustrating how our approach can identify “hotspots” of spectral α-diversity within a region, and discover spectrally unique areas that contribute strongly to β-diversity. Partitioning spectral diversity and mapping its spatial components has many applications for conservation since high local diversity and distinctiveness in composition are two key criteria used to determine the ecological value of ecosystems.
LIN28B-PDZ Binding Kinase Signaling Promotes Neuroblastoma Metastasis
Authors: Chen Dongdong , Cox Julie , Annam Jayabhargav , Weingart Melanie , Essien Grace , Rathi Komal S. , Rokita Jo Lynne , Khurana Priya , Cuya Selma M. , Bosse Kristopher R. , Pilgrim Adeiye , Li Daisy , Maris John M. , Schnepp Robert W.
Published: August 2019

Neuroblastoma is an aggressive pediatric malignancy of the neural crest with suboptimal cure rates and a striking predilection for widespread metastases, underscoring the need to identify novel therapeutic vulnerabilities. We recently identified the RNA binding protein LIN28B as a driver in high-risk neuroblastoma and demonstrated it promotes oncogenic cell proliferation by coordinating a RAN-Aurora kinase A network. Here, we demonstrate that LIN28B influences another key hallmark of cancer, metastatic dissemination. Using a murine xenograft model of neuroblastoma dissemination, we show that LIN28B promotes metastasis. We demonstrate that this is in part due to the effects of LIN28B on self-renewal and migration, providing an understanding of how LIN28B shapes the metastatic phenotype. Our studies reveal that the let-7 family, which LIN28B inhibits, opposes the effects of LIN28B. Next, we identify PDZ Binding Kinase (PBK) as a novel LIN28B target. PBK is a serine/threonine kinase that promotes the proliferation and self-renewal of neural stem cells and serves as an oncogenic driver in multiple aggressive malignancies. We demonstrate that PBK is both a novel direct target of let-7 and that MYCN regulates PBK expression, thus elucidating two oncogenic drivers that converge on PBK. Functionally, PBK promotes self-renewal and migration, phenocopying LIN28B. Taken together, our findings define a role for LIN28B in neuroblastoma metastasis and define the targetable kinase PBK as a potential novel vulnerability in metastatic neuroblastoma.
A curated database reveals trends in single-cell transcriptomics
Authors: Svensson Valentine , da Veiga Beltrame Eduardo , Pachter Lior
Published: August 2019

The more than 500 single-cell transcriptomics studies that have been published to date constitute a valuable and vast resource for biological discovery. While various “atlas” projects have collated some of the associated datasets, most questions related to specific tissue types, species, or other attributes of studies require identifying papers through manual and challenging literature search. To facilitate discovery with published single-cell transcriptomics data, we have assembled a near exhaustive, manually curated database of single-cell transcriptomics studies with key information: descriptions of the type of data and technologies used, along with descriptors of the biological systems studied. Additionally, the database contains summarized information about analysis in the papers, allowing for analysis of trends in the field. As an example, we show that the number of cell types identified in scRNA-seq studies is proportional to the number of cells analysed. The database is available at www.nxn.se/single-cell-studies/gui.
Site-specific ubiquitination of the E3 ligase HOIP regulates cell death and immune signaling
Authors: Fennell Lilian M. , Deszcz Luiza , Schleiffer Alexander , Mechtler Karl , Kavirayani Anoop , Ikeda Fumiyo
Published: August 2019

HOIP, the catalytic component of the Linear Ubiquitin chain Assembly Complex (LUBAC), is a critical regulator of inflammation. However, how HOIP itself is regulated to control inflammatory responses is unclear. Here, we discover that site-specific ubiquitination of K784 within HOIP promotes Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF)-induced inflammatory signalling by controlling TNF Receptor complex I (TNFR1) formation. A HOIP K784R mutant is catalytically active but shows reduced induction of an NF-κB reporter relative to wild type HOIP. HOIP K784 is evolutionarily conserved, equivalent to HOIP K778 in mice. We generated HoipK778R/K778R knockin mice, which show no overt developmental phenotypes; however, in response to TNF, HoipK778R/K778R mouse embryonic fibroblasts display suppressed NF-κB activation and increased sensitivity to apoptosis. On the other hand, HOIP K778R enhances the TNF-induced formation of TNFR complex II, and an interaction between TNFR complex II and LUBAC. Loss of the LUBAC component SHARPIN leads to embryonic lethality in HoipK778R/K778R mice, which is rescued by knockout of TNFR1. We propose that site-specific ubiquitination of HOIP regulates a LUBAC-dependent switch between survival and apoptosis in TNF-signalling.
In vivo characterisation of endogenous cardiovascular extracellular vesicles in larval and adult zebrafish
Authors: Scott Aaron , Ballesteros Lorena Sueiro , Bradshaw Marston , Power Ann , Lorriman James , Love John , Paul Danielle , Herman Andrew , Emanueli Costanza , Richardson Rebecca J.
Published: August 2019

Objective

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) facilitate molecular transport across extracellular space, allowing local and systemic signalling during homeostasis and in disease. Extensive studies have described functional roles for EV populations, including during cardiovascular disease, but the in vivo characterisation of endogenously produced EVs is still in its infancy. Due to their genetic tractability and opportunities for live imaging, zebrafish represent an ideal but under-used model to investigate endogenous EVs. The overall aim of this study was to establish a transgenic zebrafish model to allow the in vivo identification, tracking and extraction of endogenous EVs produced by different cell types.

Approach and Results

Using a membrane-tethered fluorophore reporter system, we show that EVs can be fluorescently labelled in larval and adult zebrafish and demonstrate that multiple cell types including endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes actively produce EVs in vivo. Cell-type specific EVs can be tracked by high spatiotemporal resolution light-sheet live imaging and modified flow cytometry methods allow these EVs to be further evaluated. Importantly, we demonstrate the utility of this model by showing that cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells and macrophages exchange EVs in the adult heart and that ischaemic injury models dynamically alter EV production.

Conclusions

We have developed a powerful in vivo zebrafish model for the investigation of endogenous EVs in all aspects of cardiovascular biology and pathology. A cell membrane fluorophore labelling approach allows cell type-specific tracing of EV origin without bias towards the expression of individual protein markers and will allow detailed future examination of their function.
The temporal structure of the inner retina at a single glance
Authors: Zhao Zhijian , Klindt David , Chagas André Maia , Szatko Klaudia P. , Rogerson Luke , Protti Dario A. , Behrens Christian , Dalkara Deniz , Schubert Timm , Bethge Matthias , Franke Katrin , Berens Philipp , Ecker Alexander , Euler Thomas
Published: August 2019

The retina decomposes visual stimuli into parallel channels that encode different features of the visual environment. Central to this computation is the synaptic processing in a dense and thick layer of neuropil, the so-called inner plexiform layer (IPL). Here, different types of bipolar cells stratifying at distinct depths relay the excitatory feedforward drive from photoreceptors to amacrine and ganglion cells. Current experimental techniques for studying processing in the IPL do not allow imaging the entire IPL simultaneously in the intact tissue. Here, we extend a two-photon microscope with an electrically tunable lens allowing us to obtain optical vertical slices of the IPL, which provide a complete picture of the response diversity of bipolar cells at a “single glance”. The nature of these axial recordings additionally allowed us to isolate and investigate batch effects, i.e. inter-experimental variations resulting in systematic differences in response speed. As a proof of principle, we developed a simple model that disentangles biological from experimental causes of variability, and allowed us to recover the characteristic gradient of response speeds across the IPL with higher precision than before. Our new framework will make it possible to study the computations performed in the central synaptic layer of the retina more efficiently.
Measuring Board of Director Performance: An Overview and Future Research Opportunities1
Authors: Nowland John
Published: August 2019

This article provides a brief overview of the literature on board of director performance, highlighting the difficulties in attempting to directly measure the performance of boards of directors and how various studies have tackled this challenge. As an illustration, I show that two current measures of board of director performance, board meeting activity and director attendance, suggest that the boards of Asian firms do not compare favorably to the boards of firms from developed markets. Suggestions for future research on the performance of corporate boards are provided, as well as implications for board of director practices in Asia.
Determining The Effectiveness of Going Concern Audit Opinion by ISA 570
Authors: Triani Ni Nyoman Alit , Satyawan Made Dudy , Yanthi Merlyana Dwinda
Published: August 2019

The research aims to address the Going Concern Audit Opinion published by the auditor with an ISA 570 basis. The application of ISA 570 will help to facilitate the auditor in publishing the Going Concern Audit Opinion. The Going Concern Audit Opinion is the opinion which is released by the auditor to assure whether the company is enabled to maintain its viability. The difference between SA 341 and ISA 570 will to contribute effective impact to the management for elucidating the management plan undertaken to overcome any difficulty they may encounter. The ISA 570 will represent that the auditor intensely guides the management in plan or strategy development for upgrading the finance and non-finance performance. The research approach is the Non-Positivistic approach from an Interpretive Perspective. The researcher obtains the source and type of data from key persons consisting of all auditors working in Public Accountant Firms (PAF) in Surabaya. The data collecting technique uses observation, interview and documentation. The result of the research shows the ISA 570 application gives the facility for the auditors in publishing a Going Concern Audit Opinion. In the audit execution, the auditor will accentuate the strategic plan for resolving the problems with which the company deals.
An Investigation of Expectation Gap between Independent Auditors and Users from Auditing Services Related to the Quality of Auditing Services Based on Their Role and Professional Features
Authors: Behzadian Fatah , Nia Naser Izadi
Published: August 2019

In this research, using an analytical framework on factors affecting the quality of auditing services, we consider factors that affect an expectations gap in providers and users of auditing services related to factors affecting auditing quality. Effective factors studied in this regard are professional features, including the professional role of individuals in the auditing process (auditors against preparers of financial statements), professional experience of individuals, professional rating and size of auditing firms. The first statistical society consists of certified public accountants (CPAs) working in the auditing organization and audit firms in Iran, and the second statistical society consists of all investment companies that operate under the supervision of the Tehran Stock Exchange Organization. Based on the results of the research, the role of professionals in the auditing process is not effective as an independent auditor or financial statements provider, as well as the professional experience of individuals in the expectations gap from factors affecting auditing quality, while the size and qualities of the auditing firms were influenced by the expectations gap of individuals in the field of auditing regulation.
Women in control and tax compliance
Authors: Damayanti Theresia Woro , Supramono Supramono
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The study aims to empirically analyze the effects of the presence of female top managers and owners on corporate tax compliance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for analysis were sourced from the World Bank Enterprise Surveys that involved 23,178 private firms in 98 countries. The surveys used a stratified random sampling method by using three criteria, namely, firm size, business sector and geographic region, within each country. Further, data are analyzed using the ordinal logistic regression and supported by the marginal effect analysis.

Findings

The results show that the presence of female top managers and owners is a significant factor that underlies the firm-level tax compliance difference when firms exhibit relatively lower compliance.

Practical implications

Although this study shows that the determinants of corporate tax compliance are very complex, there are also crucial roles of top managers and owners' gender. This study advises firms to use the gender equality strategy to generate the best human capital, especially in their top management levels. Besides, this study can be helpful in designing policies that facilitate women to reach top managerial levels or to own businesses as an alternative method to enhance tax compliance for developing countries that fail to generate optimal corporate income tax revenues.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous studies examine the effects of the presence of female top managers and business owners on firms’ tax compliance policies. This study contributes to extend the understanding of the important role of women in corporate strategic decision-making, especially in taxation policies in various developing countries.
Bibliometric structure of IJCHM in its 30 years
Authors: Mulet-Forteza Carles , Genovart-Balaguer Juanabel , Merigó José Maria , Mauleon-Mendez Emilio
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management is a leading international journal in the field of hospitality and tourism management. It was started in 1989, and it turns 30 years old this year. To celebrate this anniversary, this paper presents a bibliometric overview of the publication and citation structure of the journal over the past 30 years. The purpose of this paper is to identify the relevant issues in terms of keywords and topics and who is achieving better results in terms of authors, universities and countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The Scopus database is used to collect the bibliographical material. A graphical mapping of the bibliographic data is developed by using VOSviewer software. It produces graphical maps with several bibliometric techniques, including co-citation, bibliographic coupling and co-occurrence of keywords.

Findings

The results indicate that English-speaking countries are producing the highest number of articles in the journal, followed by Asian institutions, with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University as the most productive institution.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there are no papers that present a general overview of the publication and citation structure of this journal. Its 30th anniversary is a good moment to develop this study.
Educational restoration: a foundational model inspired by ecological restoration
Authors: Kensler Lisa A.W. , Uline Cynthia L.
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to articulate, and advocate for, a deep shift in how the authors conceptualize and enact school leadership and reform. The authors challenge fundamental conceptions regarding educational systems and call for a dramatic shift from the factory model to a living systems model of schooling. The authors call is not a metaphorical call. The authors propose embracing assumptions grounded in the basic human nature as living systems. Green school leaders, practicing whole school sustainability, provide emerging examples of educational restoration.

Design/methodology/approach

School reform models have implicitly and even explicitly embraced industrialized assumptions about students and learning. Shifting from the factory model of education to a living systems model of whole school sustainability requires transformational strategies more associated with nature and life than machines. Ecological restoration provides the basis for the model of educational restoration.

Findings

Educational restoration, as proposed here, makes nature a central player in the conversations about ecologies of learning, both to improve the quality of learning for students and to better align educational practice with social, economic and environmental needs of the time. Educational leaders at all levels of the educational system have critical roles to play in deconstructing factory model schooling and reform. The proposed framework for educational restoration raises new questions and makes these opportunities visible. Discussion of this framework begins with ecological circumstances and then addresses, values, commitment and judgments.

Practical implications

Educational restoration will affect every aspect of teaching, learning and leading. It will demand new approaches to leadership preparation. This new landscape of educational practice is wide open for innovative approaches to research, preparation and practice across the field of educational leadership.

Originality/value

The model of educational restoration provides a conceptual foundation for future research and leadership practice.
Principals’ perceptions of school identity: logo, vision and practice
Authors: Iftach Geva , Shapira-Lishchinsky Orly
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the meaning of the concept “school identity” as reflected in principals’ perceptions of their school logo, vision and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

In-depth interviews were conducted with 24 principals from Israeli elementary, junior high and high schools. The content analysis of principals’ interviews, including open, axial and selective coding and confirmatory qualitative analysis was used to examine the principals’ perceptions regarding the school’s logo, vision and practice.

Findings

The principals’ perceptions of the logo, vision and practice comprised five main features: academic, traditional, national, organizational and social-ethical. Different types of relationships were found between these features: correspondence by appearance, correspondence by non-appearance and incongruence.

Research limitations/implications

The study suggests a new theoretical model for generating the concept of school identity. The study demonstrates that incongruent findings may be viewed as complementary rather than conflicting when establishing a school’s identity.

Practical implications

The findings can promote an understanding of the function of school logos and vision statements in school practice, and help develop and maintain school identity. All these may affect the surroundings that come in contact with the school principal, such as parental decision on school choice and governmental activities.

Originality/value

To date, no study has investigated the meaning of school identity based on the principals’ perceptions regarding the school logo, vision and practice. The findings can facilitate the development of an ecological approach, which can help in understanding the meaning of school identity and its effect on students, staff, parents, wider community and national policy.
Tax climate manipulation on individual tax behavioural intentions
Authors: Chong K-Rine , Yusri Yusniyati , Selamat Aslam Izah , Ong Tze San
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend the slippery slope framework by exploring different dimensions of compliance quality and tax minimisation under different tax climate manipulation by groups.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors run a random assignment of tax climate manipulations through questionnaire with 301 usable data collected from the full-time postgraduate students, employed individuals and self-employed individuals. Manipulation check and results are generated via multivariate analysis of variance.

Findings

The results confirm the biggest impact of synergistic climate on voluntary compliance, and small to medium impact of antagonistic climate on tax evasion across three groups.

Research limitations/implications

The manipulation of this research is constrained with two treatments in addition to the common pitfall of social desired responses of self-report.

Practical implications

Theoretically, this study empirically explores tax minimisation dimensions and provides new insights that only illegal tax minimisation is at maximum under the prevailing negative antagonistic climate, but not for legal tax minimisation. Second, the effect of tax climate represented by trust and power on enforced compliance is minimal, as compared to the strong effect of positive synergistic climate on voluntary compliance. As for policy implications, possible guidelines and interventions are outlined to policy makers which would lead to a better quality of compliance behaviour.

Originality/value

This study operationalises and manipulates tax climate from perceptions of trust, legitimate power and coercive power. It also further affirms the prior inconsistent findings in respect of tax behavioural intentions due to sampling group and cultural differences.
Blockchain and cryptocurrencies: a cross-border conundrum
Authors: Spafford Michael L. , Stanaway Daren F. , Chung Sabin
Published: August 2019

Purpose

To analyze the CFTC’s approach to regulating cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies in light of their cross-border nature, limitations on the CFTC’s extraterritorial authority, and the CFTC’s prerogative to work cooperatively with foreign regulators.

Design/methodology/approach

Discusses the principles set forth in CFTC Chairman Christopher Giancarlo’s White Paper regarding cross-border swap regulation; analyzes the similar nature of cross-border issues arising from regulation of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies; examines regulations and guidance implemented by foreign authorities in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space; and assesses the limitations of the CFTC’s extraterritorial authority.

Findings

The principles set forth in Chairman Giancarlo’s White Paper regarding cross-border swap regulation apply equally to blockchain technologies and cryptocurrencies, and as such, the CFTC may wish to pursue an analogous approach to regulating cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies.

Practical implications

The CFTC should exercise deference to and cooperate with foreign counterparts to regulate cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies that traverse international borders, thereby avoiding overlapping and potentially conflicting regulation while fostering an innovative growth environment for emerging technologies.

Originality/value

In-depth analysis and insight from experienced professionals in the CFTC and cross-border investigations and enforcement space.
The classroom as a community of interpretation
Authors: de Groot Therèse , van de Ven Arco
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use qualitative research findings to describe and analyze the use of a new teaching approach for a better understanding of earnings management.

Design/methodology/approach

Three classroom workshop designs with finance professionals were performed as an experiment to discuss the underlying assumptions of mainstream earnings management research. The outcome of the experiment is analyzed and serves as a basis for reflection on the new teaching approach.

Findings

The teaching experiment revealed the value to participants in discussing the complexity of the accounting choice process. The workshops provided insights into the wide range of accounting choices that finance professionals are confronted with and into the differences in perception of the participants relating to the accounting choices to be made. These insights contradict the assumptions of a “neutral reporting process” and solely “purposeful interventions” used in mainstream earnings management research. Analyzing the elements of the different workshop settings in relation to the outcome of the discussion identified strengths and weaknesses of each setting and generated ideas for further development of the teaching approach.

Practical implications

This research note adds to the understanding on how qualitative research can be used in teaching and shows that it is also coherent with using teaching as a site for qualitative research.

Originality/value

The discussions relating to the limitations of mainstream accounting research are predominantly of a general nature. This research note takes these discussions into consideration by exploring the subject of earnings management, offering an alternative teaching approach.
Risk estimation bias and mutual fund performance
Authors: Bu Qiang
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to create a quantitative measure that captures the effects of investor sentiment in an objective way.

Design/methodology/approach

The author introduced risk estimation bias (REB) to examine the effects of forecasting error of future market volatility on fund alpha. The author also used GARCH to model the volatility of the REB.

Findings

The author documented a statistically significant relation between REB and realized market volatility. The author also found that the REB plays a significant role in explaining fund alpha.

Originality/value

REB is the first quantitative measure to examine the effects of investor sentiment on risk estimation and fund performance. The GRACH properties of REB provide important information on how investor sentiment fluctuates over time.
Potential of legacy 2D seismic data for deep targeting and structural imaging at the Neves–Corvo massive sulphide‐bearing deposit, Portugal
Authors: Donoso George A. , Malehmir Alireza , Pacheco Nelson , Araujo Vitor , Penney Matthew , Carvalho Joao , Spicer Bill , Beach Steve
Published: August 2019

Seismic methods are becoming an established choice for deep mineral exploration after being extensively tested and employed for the past two decades. To investigate whether the early European mineral‐exploration datasets had potential for seismic imaging that was overlooked, we recovered a low‐fold legacy seismic dataset from the Neves–Corvo mine site in the Iberian Pyrite Belt in southern Portugal. This dataset comprises six 4–6 km long profiles acquired in 1996 for deep targeting. Using today's industry‐scale processing algorithms, the world‐class, ca. 150 Mt, Lombador massive sulphide and other smaller deposits were better imaged. Additionally, we also reveal a number of shallow but steeply dipping reflections that were absent in the original processing results. This study highlights that legacy seismic data are valuable and should be revisited regularly to take advantage of new processing algorithms and the experiences gained from processing such data in hard‐rock environments elsewhere. Remembering that an initial processing job in hard rock should always aim to first obtain an overall image of the subsurface and make reflections visible, and then subsequent goals of the workflow could be set to, for example understanding relative amplitude ratios. The imaging of the known mineralization implies that this survey could likely have been among one of the pioneer studies in the world that demonstrated the capability of directly imaging massive sulphide deposits using the seismic method.
Rapid local adaptation to northern winters in the invasive Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus: A moving target
Authors: Medley Kim A. , Westby Katie M. , Jenkins David G.
Published: August 2019

Rapid adaptation in response to novel environments can facilitate species invasions and range expansions. Understanding how invasive disease vectors rapidly evolve to novel conditions—particularly at the edge of its non‐native range—has important implications for mitigating the prevalence and spread of disease.

Here, we evaluate the role of local adaptation in overwintering capability of the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus. This species invaded the Southern United States in the 1980s and rapidly spread northward into novel climate compared to its native range. Photoperiodically induced egg diapause is a key trait contributing to the establishment and spread of Ae. albopictus in temperate latitudes, and diapause incidence rapidly developed a cline along a latitudinal gradient in the United States shortly after its initial invasion. However, variation in overwintering survival of diapause‐induced eggs along this gradient is not known, but is critical to the fitness‐related role of diapause evolution in the establishment of Ae. albopictus in its northern US range.

Using reciprocal transplants, we detected local adaptation in overwinter survival of diapausing Aedes albopictus eggs. In northern range‐edge winters, eggs produced by range‐edge individuals survived better than those produced by range‐core individuals. Diapause eggs from range‐edge and range‐core locations survived equally well in range‐core winters, and no eggs survived a winter beyond the current northern range limit in the United States.

Synthesis and applications. These results demonstrate rapid (~3 decades) local adaptation of egg diapause, a key trait facilitating overwinter survival and range expansion for the invasive Asian tiger mosquito. In light of these results, control efforts could shift from targeting satellite populations to a focus on preventing dispersal into locally adapted, range‐edge locations and to aim removal efforts towards areas surrounding locally adapted populations. Adopting new approaches to target rapidly adapting populations will require large‐scale collaboration among control agencies and research institutions, and should begin in the northern US range to better control Aedes albopictus mosquito populations in the face of rapid adaptation.
Brazilian Artisanal Cheeses: An Overview of their Characteristics, Main Types and Regulatory Aspects
Authors: Kamimura Bruna A. , Magnani Marciane , Luciano Winnie A. , Campagnollo Fernanda B. , Pimentel Tatiana C. , Alvarenga Verônica O. , Pelegrino Beatriz O. , Cruz Adriano G. , Sant'Ana Anderson S.
Published: August 2019

A large variety of cheeses exist in Brazil, reflecting historical and cultural aspects. Brazilian artisanal cheeses present differences in the processing, ripening time (when applied), type of milk used, texture, size, shape, color, moisture content, flavor, the use or not of starter cultures, among others. This review describes the main artisanal cheeses produced in Brazil, focusing on general and particular characteristics associated with their making process and geographical identity. Overall, the high variability of the physicochemical data and deficiency of information on sensorial properties of Brazilian artisanal cheeses were noticed. On the other hand, culture‐dependent methods were mostly used to expand the knowledge into the microbiology of these cheeses, whereas their microbial diversity has been recently discovered through the use of 16S rRNA gene sequencing‐based methods. The certification of a geographical indication for Brazilian artisanal cheeses may encompass an essential milestone for adding value to these products. Regardless of their significance in the diet, culture, and economy of producing regions, taken together, the reviewed literature discloses the need of insightful studies to generate scientific data to support the expansion of the market, while ensuring the protection of historic aspects related to the production of Brazilian artisanal cheeses.
The Frequency of Cranial Base Fractures in Lethal Head Trauma
Authors: Crudele Graziano D.L. , Merelli Vera G. , Vener Claudia , Milani Silvano , Cattaneo Cristina
Published: August 2019

The interpretation of cranial base injuries has never been investigated from a purely anthropological perspective. Very little exists in forensic literature in order to interpret the significance of cranial base fractures. We analyzed 296 cases of deaths due to skull–brain injuries. The frequency of vault fractures was 75.7% and that of base fractures was 91.9%. We observed the distribution of cases of death according to manner of death and manner of injury and number of fossae involved. These observations were analytically compared to different variables (age, sex, manner of injury, and mode of injury). The study presented the proportion of base fractures associated with vault fractures, and the frequency of absence of base fracture in subjects with no vault fractures. Interesting associations of base fractures to age and manner of death are shown.
Positive Association of Serum Adipocyte Fatty Acid Binding Protein Level With Peripheral Artery Disease in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Lai Yu‐Hsien , Lin Yu‐Li , Wang Chih‐Hsien , Kuo Chiu‐Huang , Hsu Bang‐Gee
Published: August 2019

Adipocyte fatty acid binding protein is positively associated with atherosclerosis. Peripheral arterial disease is associated with an increased mortality in hemodialysis patients. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum adipocyte fatty acid binding protein levels and peripheral arterial disease by ankle‐brachial index in hemodialysis patients. Among the 90 chronic hemodialysis recipients, 20 patients (22.2%) were in the low ankle‐brachial index group who had a higher prevalence of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, statin use, older age, higher body fat mass, higher serum adipocyte fatty acid binding protein level, and lower serum creatinine level compared with patients in the control group. After statistical analysis, body fat mass (P = 0.006) and creatinine level (P = 0.018) were shown to be the independent predictors of adipocyte fatty acid binding protein level. Serum adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (P = 0.021) was found to be positively associated with peripheral arterial disease in hemodialysis patients.
Will a No‐deal Brexit Disturb the EU‐UK Agri‐food Trade?
Authors: Cheptea Angela , Huchet Marilyne
Published: August 2019

The UK's decision to leave the European Union (EU) marks a turning point in the history of the EU. We analyse the impacts of an exit with no deal on agri‐food trade using the temporary customs duties on imports announced by the British government. We focus on three product groups highly traded between the EU and the UK: wine, cheese and meat preparations. First, we show that a no‐deal Brexit will put pressure on EU food producers exporting to the UK, Ireland being the most exposed. Second, impacts differ across products. The EU is a key wine supplier to the UK, but the expected removal of import tariffs may permit New World suppliers to grab market shares. The UK is also highly dependent on the EU for its imports of cheese. In the case of a no‐deal, EU producers will face increased competition from third country producers of cheese varieties without geographical indications. The EU exports of meat preparations seem the most affected by a no‐deal Brexit. In addition to the strong position of some non‐EU suppliers on the British market, which will continue to enjoy a preferential market access, the UK's tariffs on meat products imported from the EU will rise sharply.
Radiofrequency‐Assisted Thermal Processing of Soft Wheat Flour
Authors: Boreddy Sreenivasula Reddy , Rose Devin J. , Subbiah Jeyamkondan
Published: August 2019

Wheat flour may be thermally processed to improve microbiological safety; however, come‐up time for thermal processing of wheat flour is long due to its low thermal conductivity. In the present study, a novel radiofrequency (RF)‐assisted thermal processing approach was investigated for reducing the come‐up time of soft wheat flour (SWF) and for improving microbiological safety. The temperature and time combinations of 80 °C for 7 and 10 hr, 90 °C for 2 and 3 hr, and 100 °C for 0.75 and 1 hr for RF‐assisted thermal processing were selected to achieve a minimum of a 7‐log reduction in Salmonella spp. The quality and functional properties of RF‐assisted thermally processed SWF was evaluated by solvent retention capacity (SRC), swelling power, sodium dodecyl sulfate sedimentation tests, and rapid‐visco‐analyzer test, and the values were compared with the untreated (unpasteurized) and commercially pasteurized SWF. All the SRC attributes at 80 °C for 7 hr, 90 °C for 2 hr and 100 °C for 0.75 hr were not significantly different from that of the unpasteurized SWF. The optimum RF‐assisted thermal processing conditions of 80 °C for 7 hr and 90 °C for 2 hr were recommended for pasteurization of SWF without any compromise in the quality and functionality.

Practical application

Thermal processing of low‐moisture foods such as flours and powders through traditional methods is not practical due to extremely long come‐up times. Novel radiofrequency‐assisted thermal processing is poised to reduce the processing time 89 times for 100 °C. The processing parameters determined in this study will enhance the microbiological safety of wheat flour without compromising the quality and functionality.
Quality of life of patients with endodontically treated teeth: A systematic review
Authors: Leong Dephne Jack Xin , Yap Adrian U‐Jin
Published: August 2019

This systematic review aimed to appraise the quality of life of patients with restored endodontically treated teeth. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines were employed. The specific PEO question was as follows: population: patients who were healthy individuals ≥18 years old and required endodontic treatment; exposure: endodontic treatment with a coronal restoration with at least 6 months in occlusal function; and outcome: quality of life of patients. Databases were searched in conjunction with hand searching of reference lists of endodontic textbooks, endodontic‐related journals, and relevant articles from electronic searching. Six articles met the inclusion criteria. Most studies concluded that non‐surgical root canal therapy improved patients’ quality of life. The effect of operator type yielded conflicting results. Only one paper compared endodontic treatment with implant placement, and it showed similar patient‐centric outcome with a high level of patient satisfaction. Current research is still limited, and further studies are warranted.
Do Inheritance Customs Affect Political and Social Inequality?
Authors: Hager Anselm , Hilbig Hanno
Published: August 2019

Why are some societies more unequal than others? The French revolutionaries believed unequal inheritances among siblings to be responsible for the strict hierarchies of the ancien régime. To achieve equality, the revolutionaries therefore enforced equal inheritance rights. Their goal was to empower women and to disenfranchise the noble class. But do equal inheritances succeed in leveling the societal playing field? We study Germany—a country with pronounced local‐level variation in inheritance customs—and find that municipalities that historically equally apportioned wealth, to this day, elect more women into political councils and have fewer aristocrats in the social elite. Using historic data, we point to two mechanisms: wealth equality and pro‐egalitarian preferences. In a final step, we also show that, counterintuitively, equitable inheritance customspositivelypredict income inequality. We interpret this finding to mean that equitable inheritances level the playing field by rewarding talent, not status.
Balloon catheter vs oxytocin alone for induction of labor in women with a previous cesarean section: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Sarreau Mélie , Isly Helene , Poulain Patrice , Fontaine Brigitte , Morel Olivier , Villemonteix Pascal , Mares Pierre , Mousty Eve , Godard Alain , Ragot Stephanie , Pierre Fabrice
Published: August 2019

Introduction

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and maternal‐neonatal morbidity between balloon catheter and oxytocin for induction of labor in women with a previous cesarean section and an unfavorable cervix.

Material and methods

This open‐label randomized controlled trial took place in seven French hospitals. Inclusion criteria were medical indication for labor induction in pregnant women, ≥37 weeks, with lower segment cesarean section, Bishop score ≤4, no pre‐labor rupture of membranes, singleton fetus in cephalic presentation. Women were allocated randomly to induction with a 50‐mL balloon catheter for 12 hours or a low‐dose oxytocin infusion. Primary outcome was the rate of vaginal birth. Secondary outcomes were maternal and neonatal complications.

Results

The study enrolled 204 women from 26 December 2010 to 31 December 2013: 101 were allocated to receive balloon catheter and 103 to oxytocin. Vaginal birth rate was 50% (n = 51) in the balloon catheter group vs 37% (n = 38) in the oxytocin group (P = 0.050). Maternal and neonatal morbidity did not differ between balloon catheter and oxytocin groups: two uterine dehiscences vs one, one vs four maternal infections, five vs two hemorrhages and 11 vs five neonatal transfers, respectively. Heterogeneity of treatment effect for vaginal delivery was observed across initial Bishop scores. Balloon catheter was more effective for low values of bishop score.

Conclusions

Balloon catheter tended to be associated with a higher probability of vaginal delivery as compared with low‐dose intravenous oxytocin when used for induction of labor in women with a previous cesarean section and low Bishop score at induction.
Molecular defects in thyroid dysgenesis
Authors: Mio Catia , Grani Giorgio , Durante Cosimo , Damante Giuseppe
Published: August 2019

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a neonatal endocrine disorder that might occur as itself or be associated to congenital extra‐thyroidal defects. About 85% of affected subjects experience thyroid dysgenesis (TD), characterized by defect in thyroid gland development. In vivo experiments on null mice paved the way for the identification of genes involved thyroid morphogenesis and development, whose mutation has been strongly associated to TD. Most of them are thyroid‐specific transcription factors expressed during early thyroid development. Despite the arduous effort in unraveling the genetics of TD in animal models, up to now these data have been discontinuously confirmed in humans and only 5% of TD have associated with known null mice‐related mutations (mainly PAX8 and TSHR). Notwithstanding, the advance in genetic testing represented by the next‐generation sequencing (NGS) approach is steadily increasing the list of genes whose highly penetrant mutation predisposes to TD. In this review we intend to outline the molecular bases of TD, summarizing the current knowledge on thyroid development in both mice and humans and delineating the genetic features of its monogenetic forms. We will also highlight current strategies to enhance the insight into the non‐Mendelian mechanisms of abnormal thyroid development.
Increased risk for cardiovascular disease in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome‐chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (overlap syndrome)
Authors: Voulgaris Athanasios , Archontogeorgis Kostas , Papanas Nikolaos , Pilitsi Eleni , Nena Evangelia , Xanthoudaki Maria , Mikhailidis Dimitri P. , Froudarakis Marios E. , Steiropoulos Paschalis
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Accumulating evidence suggests that cardiovascular disease (CVD) is highly prevalent among patients with concurrent obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, otherwise known as overlap syndrome (OS).

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the 10‐year risk for CVD in OS patients compared with OSAS patients and controls.

Methods

Consecutive patients, referred for symptoms suggestive of OSAS, were evaluated with polysomnography and pulmonary function testing. Cardiovascular risk was assessed using the Framingham risk score (FRS) and systematic coronary risk evaluation (SCORE).

Results

Overall, 244 participants (184 males) without CVD and diabetes were divided into 3 groups: controls (n = 63), OSAS (n = 139) and OS (n = 42). Both FRS and SCORE were found to be elevated in the OS group compared with the OSAS and control groups (P < .001 for all). In multivariate analysis, age (β = .461, P < .001), forced expiratory volume in first second (β = −.285, P = .036) and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) (β = .234, P = .007) were major determinants for the SCORE, whereas age (β = .308, P < .001) and apnoea‐hypopnoea index (β = .252, P = .010) for the FRS.

Conclusion

In our study, an increased risk for CVD was observed in a group of patients with OS at the time of their initial evaluation. Further studies are needed in the field of OS in order to investigate, prevent and manage early CVD in this population.
What are the Marital Problems of Happy Couples? A Multimethod, Two‐Sample Investigation
Authors: Rauer Amy , Sabey Allen K. , Proulx Christine M. , Volling Brenda L.
Published: August 2019

How couples handle marital conflict may depend on what issues they are facing, as some issues may be more difficult to resolve than others. What is unclear, however, is what issues happy couples face and how these issues may be different for couples depending on their developmental stage. To explore this possibility, the current study used both self‐reports and observations drawn from two separate samples of happily married couples—one early in middle adulthood (N = 57 couples; average marital duration = 9 years) and one in older adulthood (N = 64 couples; average marital duration = 42 years). Results indicated that all issues were relatively minor, but early middle‐aged couples reported more significant problems than did older couples. As to determining the most salient topic for happy couples, it depended on the spouses’ gender, developmental stage, and how salience was assessed (i.e., highest rated issue vs. most discussed issue). Only moderate links were found between what happy couples said was their most serious concern and what they actually tried to resolve during observations of marital problem‐solving, but there were differences in how spouses behaved based on the proportion of their time discussing certain topics. Findings suggest that more attention should be devoted to understanding what marital issues happy couples discuss and why, as doing so may reveal how couples maintain their marital happiness.