bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The existence of a stable money multiplier in the small open economy of Kazakhstan
Authors: Bhatti Razzaque Hamza , Khawaja Muhammad Junaid
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether a long-run stable money multiplier exists in Kazakhstan. It also investigates whether different episodes of currency shocks, including the financial crisis and recession of 2008–2010, have affected the working of the money multiplier in Kazakhstan.

Design/methodology/approach

The long-run multiplier is tested employing three cointegration tests: Engle–Granger (1987), Phillips–Ouliaris (1990) and Johansen and Juselius (1990).

Findings

The results of cointegration and coefficient restrictions tests are consistent with the money multiplier when broad money (M2 and M3) is used rather than when narrow money (M1) is used. The relationship between broad money and monetary base is structurally stable when examined on the basis of a dynamic (an error-correction) model. However, the M2 multiplier performs better than the M3 multiplier.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is restricted to testing a mechanistic version of the money multiplier and its stability using both narrow (M1) and broad money (M2 and M3) supplies. Thus, the paper focusses on the money view of the multiplier rather than the credit view of the multiplier.

Practical implications

One implication that emerges from the findings of this paper is that the National Bank of Kazakhstan can control M2 by controlling the monetary base, and hence the latter can serve as an indicator for monetary policy.

Social implications

The validity of the money multiplier implies that monetary policy can be conducted to control the money supply and the provision of bank credit to private sector to stabilize economic activity, thereby leading towards social stability in the economy as well.

Originality/value

In addition to offering a coherent survey of the literature on the standard money multiplier, this paper is a first attempt to find a stable money multiplier for Kazakhstan.
The importance of being earnest
Authors: Gomez-Bengoechea Gonzalo , Arahuetes Alfredo
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an empirical analysis of the macroeconomic determinants of sovereign bond yield spreads in the Eurozone from 2000 until August 2012, when the Outright Monetary Transactions programme was launched.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors constructed an unbalanced panel with quarterly data from 2000 Q1 to 2012 Q2 for the 12 Eurozone countries: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. The authors propose a model that explains spreads through the main categories of variables observed in the literature. The relationship between variables is analysed using ordinary least squares and quantile regressions. As discussed by the authors, quantile regressions provide a more precise estimation, given the huge heterogeneity across counties that can be observed in the Eurozone.

Findings

Results show that the relationship between sovereign risk and macroeconomic fundamentals is affected by a strong country sentiment effect. The impact of country sentiment on sovereign risk is larger for those countries that were already experiencing higher spreads. Regardless the impact that European Central Bank’s (ECB) intervention had on sovereign risk from 2012, quantile regression results suggest that policy recommendations and goals should be adapted to each country’s market perception.

Originality/value

The results obtained improve on previous findings on this topic (De Grauwe and Ji, 2012) in two ways. First, they show that even introducing every category of determinants found in the literature in the main specification, fundamentals can only partially explain the evolution of sovereign risk in the Eurozone. Second, they find there is a country-sentiment effect that affects the relationship between macroeconomic indicators and sovereign risk. Furthermore, the paper finds that the country-sentiment effect is larger for countries facing high spreads.
IC disclosure practices in India using a comprehensive disclosure framework
Authors: Maji Santi Gopal , Goswami Mitra
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to address the need to modify the existing intellectual capital (IC) disclosure frameworks and examines the disclosure practices of Indian knowledge-based companies by using a comprehensive IC disclosure index that has been developed in this study.

Design/methodology/approach

The annual reports of 30 listed knowledge-intensive companies from two sectors – pharmaceutical sector and engineering sector – have been analysed for a period of five years from 2010-2011 to 2014-2015. Additionally, the sample firms were ranked on the basis of market capitalisation (MC) to examine the IC reporting practice of firms with high and low MC. An IC disclosure index has been developed through comparative analysis of the frameworks used in three studies that is based on Bukhet al.’s (2001) classification. Further, the study has also considered intangibles and the related non-financial indicators of MERITUM guidelines. The disclosure index consists of a total of 69 items encompassing six components.

Findings

The overall IC disclosure trend showed an increase in reporting practice over the five-year study period. With respect to the components, process capital is found to be the most disclosed component while relational capital is the least disclosed component. After categorisation of firms into high and low MC, it has been observed that the IC disclosure scores of firms with high MC are significantly higher than firms with low MC.

Practical implications

This paper has developed an IC disclosure index through careful analysis and scrutiny of the existing frameworks which contributes to the existing literature. Likewise, the use of a comprehensive framework can aid the investors to know the true value of the firm and make proper market decisions.

Originality/value

This is the first paper in the Indian context in which a modified IC disclosure index is framed based on Bukhet al.(2001) framework for examining IC reporting practices.
Relationship between social loafing and the self-concept
Authors: Varshney Deepanjana
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between social loafing behaviour, self-concept and perceived organisational politics (POP). The impact of POP and self-concept upon social loafing behaviour has been the fundamental focus of the paper.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from four companies (n = 262) that combined the responses of subordinates and supervisors. The consequent impact of self-concept factors and POP on social loafing behaviour was analysed through correlations; multiple regressions and mediation were tested using Barren–Kenny and Hayes Bootstrap methods.

Findings

A positively significant connection among self-concept, social loafing and POP has been found in this study. The findings show that POP significantly mediates the relationship between social loafing and self-concept.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides evidence of the positive relationship among POP, social loafing behaviour and self-concept. Such knowledge derived may facilitate the scientific task allocation process, feedback system, team orientation, individual differences and job choice aspects, and thus help in the essential understanding of withdrawal work behaviour and perceived organisational support variables.

Practical implications

Productivity and employee satisfaction are major concerns for all organisations. This research paper provides insight to the organisations and supervisors about individual loafing attitude, self-concept and organisational politics and suggests to overcome their impact and improvement in productivity and employee satisfaction.

Originality/value

This is a pioneer paper in the sense that previously there has been no attempt to determine the relationship between POP and social loafing behaviour. Past research has mostly been conducted in the laboratory settings or classroom contexts. The longitudinal data used in this study remove prior research drawbacks and enlighten the unexplored relationships.
Intellectual capital, organisational climate, innovation culture, and SME performance
Authors: Dabić Marina , Lažnjak Jasminka , Smallbone David , Švarc Jadranka
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the relationship between the three components of intellectual capital (IC) (human, structural, and relational), and contextual factors relating to organisational climate (OC) and innovation culture, together with their influence on business performance (BP).

Design/methodology/approach

This empirical research is based on an online questionnaire, which collected data from a non-probability quota sample consisting of 253 Croatian SMEs. The scales for IC, OC, and innovation culture were constructed to test the relationship between these dimensions and assess the BP of the SMEs.

Findings

Based on a survey on 253 SMEs in Croatia, the analysis shows that the key dimensions of IC, innovation culture, and OC are vital to a company’s success and are strongly inter-correlated. Higher BP is positively related to higher levels of both IC and innovation culture.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of the research is the subjective aspect of the study. The data used in the study were self-reported where respondents in a survey gave their assessment of firm performance. Although this was necessary because of the absence of other data, it is an issue that must be taken into account when interpreting the findings in the study.

Practical implications

Understanding the role of IC, OC, and innovation culture in relation to BP, particularly in former transition countries, can have important implications for managers and enterprise owners, as well as policy makers and the academic community.

Social implications

The findings emphasise the important role of tacit knowledge in the innovation process, of which IC and OC are good examples.

Originality/value

This empirical study brings evidence from the understudied country of Croatia. Croatia is a post-transitional country and the last accessed member of the EU, on the dividing line between a modest and a moderate innovator. This is the first empirical study conducted in Croatia that explores the association between three concepts that are typically investigated separately (IC, OC, and innovation culture).
Too resilient for anyone’s good
Authors: Nizami Lance
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This study aims to examine the observer’s role in “infant psychophysics”. Infant psychophysics was developed because the diagnosis of perceptual deficits should be done as early in a patient’s life as possible, to provide efficacious treatment and thereby reduce potential long-term costs. Infants, however, cannot report their perceptions. Hence, the intensity of a stimulus at which the infant can detect it, the “threshold”, must be inferred from the infant’s behavior, as judged by observers (watchers). But whose abilities are actually being inferred? The answer affects all behavior-based conclusions about infants’ perceptions, including the well-proselytized notion that auditory stimulus-detection thresholds improve rapidly during infancy.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 55 years of infant psychophysics is scrutinized, starting with seminal studies in infant vision, followed by the studies that they inspired in infant hearing.

Findings

The inferred stimulus-detection thresholds are those of the infant-plus-watcher and, more broadly, the entire laboratory. The thresholds are therefore tenuous, because infants’ actions may differ with stimulus intensity; expressiveness may differ between infants; different watchers may judge infants differently; etc. Particularly, the watcher’s ability to “read” the infant may improve with the infant’s age, confounding any interpretation of perceptual maturation. Further, the infant’s gaze duration, an assumed cue to stimulus detection, may lengthen or shorten nonlinearly with infant age.

Research limitations/implications

Infant psychophysics investigators have neglected the role of the observer, resulting in an accumulation of data that requires substantial re-interpretation. Altogether, infant psychophysics has proven far too resilient for its own good.

Originality/value

Infant psychophysics is examined for the first time through second-order cybernetics. The approach reveals serious unresolved issues.
Heterogeneous topology design and voxel-based bio-printing
Authors: Ahsan AMM , Xie Ruinan , Khoda Bashir
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a topology-based tissue scaffold design methodology to accurately represent the heterogeneous internal architecture of tissues/organs.

Design/methodology/approach

An image analysis technique is used that digitizes the topology information contained in medical images of tissues/organs. A weighted topology reconstruction algorithm is implemented to represent the heterogeneity with parametric functions. The parametric functions are then used to map the spatial material distribution following voxelization. The generated chronological information yields hierarchical tool-path points which are directly transferred to the three-dimensional (3D) bio-printer through a proposed generic platform called Application Program Interface (API). This seamless data corridor between design (virtual) and fabrication (physical) ensures the manufacturability of personalized heterogeneous porous scaffold structure without any CAD/STL file.

Findings

The proposed methodology is implemented to verify the effectiveness of the approach and the designed example structures are bio-fabricated with a deposition-based bio-additive manufacturing system. The designed and fabricated heterogeneous structures are evaluated which shows conforming porosity distribution compared to uniform method.

Originality/value

In bio-fabrication process, the generated bio-models with boundary representation (B-rep) or surface tessellation (mesh) do not capture the internal architectural information. This paper provides a design methodology for scaffold structure mimicking the native tissue/organ architecture and direct fabricating the structure without reconstructing the CAD model. Therefore, designing and direct bio-printing the heterogeneous topology of tissue scaffolds from medical images minimize the disparity between the internal architecture of target tissue and its scaffold.
Experimental investigations on natural fiber embedded additive manufacturing-based biodegradable structures for biomedical applications
Authors: Mangat Amarveer Singh , Singh Sunpreet , Gupta Munish , Sharma Ravinder
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore and investigate the mechanical as well as bacterial characteristics of chemically treated waste natural fiber inserted three-dimensional structures (NFi3DS) produced with fused filament deposition (FFD) for biomedical applications.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, a novel approach has been used for developing the customized porous structures particularly for scaffold applications. Initially, raw animal fibers were collected, and thereafter, the chemical treatment has been performed for making their wise utility in biomedical structures. For this purpose, silk fiber and sheep wool fibers were used as laminations, whereas polylactic acid was used as matrix material. A low-cost desktop time additive manufacturing setup was used for making the customized and porous parts by considering type of fiber, number of laminates, infill density and raster angle as input parameters.

Findings

The results obtained after using design of experimental technique highlighted that output characteristics (such as dimensional accuracy, hardness, three-point bending strength and bacterial test) are influenced by input parameters, as reported in the obtained signal/noise plots and analysis of variance. Optimum level of input parameters has also been found through Taguchi L9 orthogonal array, for single parametric optimization, and teaching learning-based algorithm and particle swarm optimization, for multiple parametric optimization. Overall, the results of the studies supported the use of embedded structures for scaffold-based biomedical applications.

Research limitations/implications

Presently, NFi3DS were produced by using the hand-lay-based manual approach that affected the uniform insert’s distribution and thickness. It is advised to use the automatic fiber placement system, synced with a three-dimensional printer, to achieve greater geometrical precision.

Practical implications

As both natural fibers and polymer matrix used in this work are well established for their biological properties, hence the methodology explored in this work will help the practitioners/academicians in developing highly compatible scaffold structures.

Social implications

The present work defines a new practice where the researchers can use natural fibers to reduce the cost associated with fabrication of customized scaffold prints.

Originality/value

The development of natural fiber embedded FFD-based structures is not yet explored for their feasibility in biomedical applications.
Drivers of the real effective exchange rates in high and upper‐middle income countries
Authors: Vogiazas Sofoklis , Alexiou Constantinos , Ogan Orafiri C.
Published: October 2018

This paper revisits the nexus between real effective exchange rate (REER) and total factor productivity (TFP) by controlling for trade openness, financial development and natural resources rents. We use a sample of 60 high‐income and upper‐middle income countries over the period 1995–2015 and employ the GMM estimation framework. Our results advance the empirical knowledge on the drivers of REER by providing robust evidence that the impact of TFP is not uniform across different country clusters. We find that in high‐income countries, increasing productivity causes the REER to depreciate hence becoming more trade competitive while the opposite is true for upper‐middle income countries. Furthermore, financial development and natural resources rents have no meaningful impact in the case of upper‐middle income countries but retain a significant effect in high‐income countries. Trade openness plays a key role in explaining the variation in REER in both country clusters.
Combined therapy with osimertinib and afatinib in a lung adenocarcinoma patient with EGFR T790M mutation and multiple HER2 alterations after resistance to icotinib: A case report
Authors: Zhang Ping , Nie Xin , Wang Bing , Li Lin
Published: October 2018

Acquired resistance inevitably occurs after initial treatment with first‐generation EGFR‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Several mechanisms have been identified, including EGFR T790M mutation and HER2 amplification. Herein, we present the case of a patient who progressed on first‐generation EGFR‐TKIs and developed EGFR T790M mutation, HER2 amplification, and HER2 mutation. The administration of single‐agent osimertinib yielded an inconsistent response, with worsened pleural effusion and a reduction to lung metastases, but remarkably, a partial response was achieved after four weeks of treatment with combined osimertinib and afatinib, with grade 1 rash and grade 2 diarrhea. Our findings indicate an overlap of T790M, HER2 amplification, and HER2 mutation, which is rarely reported. Moreover, HER2 mutation was identified during the development of resistance, suggesting that HER2 mutation may cause resistance to first‐generation EGFR‐TKIs.
SIRT1 deacetylase in aging‐induced neuromuscular degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Herskovits Adrianna Z. , Hunter Tegan A. , Maxwell Nicholas , Pereira Katherine , Whittaker Charles A. , Valdez Gregorio , Guarente Leonard P.
Published: October 2018

SIRT1 is an NAD+‐dependent deacetylase that functions in a variety of cells and tissues to mitigate age‐associated diseases. However, it remains unknown if SIRT1 also acts to prevent pathological changes that accrue in motor neurons during aging and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this study, we show that SIRT1 expression decreases in the spinal cord of wild‐type mice during normal aging. Using mouse models either overexpressing or lacking SIRT1 in motor neurons, we found that SIRT1 slows age‐related degeneration of motor neurons’ presynaptic sites at neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Transcriptional analysis of spinal cord shows an overlap of greater than 90% when comparing alterations during normal aging with changes during ALS, revealing a substantial upregulation in immune and inflammatory response genes and a downregulation of synaptic transcripts. In addition, overexpressing SIRT1 in motor neurons delays progression to end‐stage disease in high copy SOD1G93Amice. Thus, our findings suggest that there are parallels between ALS and aging, and interventions to impede aging may also slow the progression of this devastating disease.
Current mismatch repair deficiency tumor testing practices and capabilities: A survey of Australian pathology providers
Authors: Mascarenhas Lyon , Shanley Susan , Mitchell Gillian , Spurdle Amanda B. , Macrae Finlay , Pachter Nicholas , Buchanan Daniel D. , Ward Robyn L. , Fox Stephen , Duxbury Elaine , Driessen Rebecca , Boussioutas Alex
Published: October 2018

Aim & Methods

An electronic survey of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia accredited pathology services was conducted to assess Lynch syndrome tumor screening practices and to identify barriers and capabilities to screen newly diagnosed colorectal and endometrial tumors in Australia.

Results

Australia lacks a national policy for universal mismatch repair‐deficient (dMMR) testing of incident colorectal and endometrial tumors cases. Routine Lynch syndrome tumor screening program for colorectal and/or endometrial tumors was applied by 95% (37/39) of laboratories. Tumor dMMR screening methods varied; MMR protein immunohistochemistry (IHC) alone was undertaken by 77% of 39 laboratories, 18% performed both IHC and microsatellite instability testing, 5% did not have the capacity to perform in‐house testing. For colorectal tumors, 47% (17/36) reported following a universal approach without age limit, 30% (11/36) tested only “red flag” cases; 6% (3/36) on clinician request only. For endometrial tumors, 37% (12/33) reported clinician request generated testing, 27% (9/33) were screening only “red flag” cases, and 12% (4/33) carried out universal screening without an age criteria. BRAF V600E mutation testing of colorectal tumors demonstrating aberrant MLH1 protein expression by IHC was the most common secondary tumor test, with 53% of laboratories performing the test; 15% of laboratories also applied the BRAF V600E test to endometrial tumors with aberrant MLH1 expression despite no evidence for its utility. Tumor testing for MLH1 promoter methylation was performed by less than 15% laboratories.

Conclusion

Although use of tumor screening for evidence of dMMR is widely available, protocols for its use in Australia vary widely. This national survey provides a snapshot of the current availability and practice of tumor dMMR screening and identifies the need for a uniform national testing policy.
Recombinant mouse calcitonin gene‐related peptide secreted by Lactococcus lactis inhibits lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammatory response in macrophages
Authors: Namai Fu , Yamamoto Yoshinari , Sato Takashi , Ogita Tasuku , Shimosato Takeshi
Published: October 2018

We describe the development of a genetically modified strain of lactic acid bacteria (gmLAB) capable of producing a recombinant mouse calcitonin gene‐related peptide (rCGRP). This strain (NZ‐CGRP) was generated by introducing a CGRP secretion plasmid into Lactococcus lactis NZ9000. Western blotting confirmed the secretion of rCGRP in the presence of the inducer nisin. Highly purified rCGRP was obtained from the culture supernatants of NZ‐CGRP. We demonstrated that prophylactic exposure of a culture of mouse peritoneal macrophages to rCGRP inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induction of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). The rCGRP‐secreting gmLAB strain holds promise for development as a new anti‐inflammatory prophylactic.
Stanozolol promotes lipid deposition in the aorta through an imbalance in inflammatory cytokines and oxidative status in LDLr knockout mice fed a normal diet
Authors: de Andrade Tadeu Uggere , Haguihara Silvia Cruz Goes Coutinho , Falsoni Raiana Maria Prucoli , da Silva Cristiane Lyrio , Dubois Filho Dionísio Gonzaga , de Souza Andrade Moraes Flávia , do Nascimento Andrews Marques , Brasil Girlandia Alexandre , de Lima Ewelyne Miranda
Published: October 2018

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of an anabolic steroid, stanozolol, in a model of atherosclerosis and to investigate the involvement of the modulation of the inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress in vascular lipid deposition. Low‐density lipid receptor‐deficient (LDLr−/−) mice were fed a standard chow diet and were each week injected subcutaneously either saline (control C group) or 20 mg/kg stanozolol (S group). After 8 weeks, the levels of cholesterol, oxidized LDL (OxLDL) and cytokines were measured in plasma, lipid deposition in aorta was evaluated by en face analysis, and thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances and oxidation protein were determined in liver. The S group demonstrated increases in vascular lipid deposition, triglycerides and non‐HDL cholesterol levels. Stanozolol increased tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and decreased interleukin‐10 as well as increased the TNF‐α/IL‐10 ratio. Furthermore, oxidative stress was observed in the S group, as indicated by an increase in the plasma OxLDL, as well as by lipid peroxidation and oxidation of proteins in the liver. Chronic treatment with stanozolol promoted lipid deposition in the LDLr−/− mice that could be attributed to a modification of the circulating cytokine levels and systemic oxidative stress. Our results suggest that the anabolic steroid stanozolol in the absence of functional LDL receptors by increasing systemic inflammation and oxidative stress may increase the risk of development and progression of atherosclerosis.
The impact of climate on the law of one price: A test using North American food prices from the 1920s
Authors: Cater Bruce , Lew Byron
Published: October 2018

Using grocery price data for over 100 urban locations across the US and Canada from the 1920s, we show that deviations from the law of one price (LOP) were strongly related to climate differences. The effect of climate has a large impact on the elasticity of deviations from LOP with respect to distance, while having no impact on the border effect. We then test a counterfactual to show that the relationship between deviations from LOP and temperature does not hold when historical temperature data are replaced with contemporary. This is evidence that climate impacts production.
Maternal Depressive Symptoms During the Pre‐ and Postnatal Periods and Infant Attention to Emotional Faces
Authors: Kataja Eeva‐Leena , Karlsson Linnea , Leppänen Jukka M. , Pelto Juho , Häikiö Tuomo , Nolvi Saara , Pesonen Henri , Parsons Christine E. , Hyönä Jukka , Karlsson Hasse
Published: October 2018

We examined how infants’ attentional disengagement from happy, fearful, neutral, and phase‐scrambled faces at 8 months, as assessed by eye tracking, is associated with trajectories of maternal depressive symptoms from early pregnancy to 6 months postpartum (decreasing n = 48, increasing n = 34, and consistently low symptom levels n = 280). The sample (mother–infant dyads belonging to a larger FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study) was collected between 5/2013–6/2016. The overall disengagement probability from faces to distractors was not related to maternal depressive symptoms, but fear bias was heightened in infants whose mothers reported decreasing or increasing depressive symptoms. Exacerbated attention to fearful faces in infants of mothers with depressive symptoms may be independent of the timing of the symptoms in the pre‐ and postnatal stages.
Word Forms Are Structured for Efficient Use
Authors: Mahowald Kyle , Dautriche Isabelle , Gibson Edward , Piantadosi Steven T.
Published: October 2018

Zipf famously stated that, if natural language lexicons are structured for efficient communication, the words that are used the most frequently should require the least effort. This observation explains the famous finding that the most frequent words in a language tend to be short. A related prediction is that, even within words of the same length, the most frequent word forms should be the ones that are easiest to produce and understand. Using orthographics as a proxy for phonetics, we test this hypothesis using corpora of 96 languages from Wikipedia. We find that, across a variety of languages and language families and controlling for length, the most frequent forms in a language tend to be more orthographically well‐formed and have more orthographic neighbors than less frequent forms. We interpret this result as evidence that lexicons are structured by language usage pressures to facilitate efficient communication.
Self‐care and manual ability in preschool children with cerebral palsy: a longitudinal study
Authors: Burgess Andrea , Boyd Roslyn N , Ziviani Jenny , Ware Robert S , Sakzewski Leanne
Published: October 2018

Aim

To describe longitudinal development of self‐care and its relationship to manual ability in children with cerebral palsy (CP) aged 18 months to 5 years across all functional abilities.

Method

This was a prospective longitudinal population‐based study of 290 children with CP (178 [61%] males, 112 [39%] females). Self‐care was assessed using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). At 60 months (n=242), children were classified using the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS); 113 in level I (47%), 61 in MACS level II (25%), 24 in MACS level III (10%), 14 in MACS level IV (6%), and 30 in MACS level V (12%). Measures were taken at 18 months, 24 months, 30 months, 36 months, 48 months, and 60 months of age. Longitudinal analyses were performed using mixed‐effects linear regression models.

Results

Self‐care development achieved by 60 months was negatively associated with the severity of manual ability impairment. Distinct self‐care developmental trajectories were found with estimated changes in PEDI self‐care scaled scores per month: 0.61 for MACS level I, 0.46 for MACS levels II, 0.31 for MACS level III, 0.16 for MACS level IV, and 0.03 for MACS level V. Children classified in MACS level V had the lowest level of self‐care skills at 18 months and showed no progress in self‐care development.

Interpretation

This study reports rate of self‐care development in preschool children with CP. Self‐care performance was highest in children with greatest manual ability. Clinicians may use rates of change to predict or monitor self‐care performance. PEDI trajectories inform goal setting in discussions with families regarding expected levels of independence in self‐care.

What this paper adds

Distinct self‐care developmental trajectories in children with cerebral palsy were found according to Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) levels.

Children in MACS levels IV and V with epilepsy did not show any significant change in self‐care.

Children in MACS levels IV and V without epilepsy demonstrated small yet significant gains in self‐care performance.
An integrative systems biology approach for precision medicine in diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Mulder Skander , Hamidi Habib , Kretzler Matthias , Ju Wenjun
Published: October 2018

Current therapeutic approaches are ineffective in many patients with established diabetic kidney disease (DKD), an epidemic affecting one in three patients with diabetes. Early identification of patients at high risk for progression and individualizing therapies have the potential to mitigate kidney complications due to diabetes. To achieve this, a better understanding of the complex pathophysiology of DKD is needed. A system biology approach integrating large‐scale omic data is well suited to unravel the molecular mechanisms driving DKD and may offer new perspectives how to personalize therapy. Recent studies indeed show that integrating genome scale data sets generated from prospectively designed clinical cohort studies with model systems using innovative bioinformatics analysis revealed critical molecular pathways in DKD and led to the development of candidate prognostic molecular biomarkers. This review seeks to provide an overview of the recent progress in the application of the integrative systems biology approaches specifically in the field of molecular biomarkers for DKD. We will mainly focus the discussion on how to use integrative system biology approach to first identify patients at high risk of progression, and second to identify patients who may or may not respond to treatment. Challenges and opportunities in applying precision medicine in DKD will also be discussed.
Discula quercina as a possible causal agent of dieback on oak trees in Iran
Authors: Hanifeh Syamak , Zafari Doustmorad , Soleimani Mohammad Javad , Ravanlou Abbasali
Published: October 2018

During spring and summer of 2016, dieback symptoms including blights of leaves, twigs, and acorns were observed on current year shoots of Quercus infectoria in the Zagros oak forests of Iran. The fungus isolated from damaged tissues was identified as Discula quercina based on both morphological characteristics and ITS sequencing. To fulfil the Koch's postulates, a representative isolate was inoculated onto shoots of Q. infectoria and Quercus libani in both laboratory and forest conditions. Responses of the two oak species to inoculation with D. quercina were examined under laboratory and forest conditions in a completely randomized experiment. Discula quercina was clearly involved in oak dieback, and Q. infectoria was more susceptible than Q. libani to damage by the pathogen. This is the first record of the occurrence and pathogenicity of the fungus Discula quercina on Quercus infectoria. The fungus is considered as an emerging pathogen on oak trees in Zagros forests in Iran. Furthermore, the pathogenicity of the Discula quercina on Q. libani under laboratory and forest conditions increases the potential importance of this pathogen in Zagros forests.
Beyond the personal–anonymous divide: agency relations in powers of attorney in France in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries
Authors: Eloire Fabien , Lemercier Claire , Santarosa Veronica Aoki
Published: October 2018

Powers of attorney are often interpreted as evidence of trust among the parties involved. We build a novel dataset of notarized powers of attorney, capturing a wide variety of agency relationships in four large French commercial cities in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, to test hypotheses on the relational basis of economic relationships. We find little support for the idea of a radical shift from personal to anonymous relationships during our period. Our results point to more nuanced transformations. The preference for proxies in the same occupation as the principal somewhat declined, while professional proxies emerged and principals used relational chains, especially involving notaries, to find proxies.
Tired and stressed: Examining the need for sleep
Authors: Hill Vanessa M. , O'Connor Reed M. , Shirasu-Hiza Mimi
Published: October 2018

A key feature of circadian rhythms is the sleep/wake cycle. Sleep causes reduced responsiveness to the environment, which puts animals in a particularly vulnerable state; yet sleep has been conserved throughout evolution, indicating that it fulfils a vital purpose. A core function of sleep across species has not been identified, but substantial advances in sleep research have been made in recent years using the genetically tractable model organism, Drosophila melanogaster. This review describes the universality of sleep, the regulation of sleep, and current theories on the function of sleep, highlighting a historical and often overlooked theory called the Free Radical Flux Theory of Sleep. Additionally, we summarize our recent work with short‐sleeping Drosophila mutants and other genetic and pharmacological tools for manipulating sleep which supports an antioxidant theory of sleep and demonstrates a bi‐directional relationship between sleep and oxidative stress.
A retrobulbar dermoid cyst with involvement of the sinus in an 18‐year old pony
Authors: Visser E. M. S. , Caliskan N. , Veraa S. , Hermans H.
Published: October 2018

This case report describes a retrobulbar dermoid cyst in an 18‐year‐old pony with an invasive character into the frontal sinus. CT imaging was important for the appropriate management of this case and the definitive diagnosis was obtained from histopathology. Surgical excision was performed successfully without recurrence 1‐year post‐operatively. The pony returned to its intended use and previous performance level, although complaints of mild symptoms of headshaking were noted in bright light only.
The real effects of proxy advisors on the firm
Authors: Calluzzo Paul , Dudley Evan
Published: October 2018

This paper examines the influence of proxy advisors (PA) on firm voting outcomes, policies, and value. We measure PA influence with shareholders' historical propensity to follow PA recommendations. PA influence increases the impact of PA recommendations on proxy voting outcomes and firm policies. When shareholders have private incentives to engage in costly research in the absence of a proxy advisor, PA influence neither harms nor benefits shareholder value. However, at firms with dispersed shareholders PA influence can increase value. Our findings are consistent with theories of voting in which proxy advisors compete with private information acquisition efforts by large shareholders.
Trade‐offs between soil carbon sequestration and reactive nitrogen losses under straw return in global agroecosystems
Authors: Xia Longlong , Lam Shu Kee , Wolf Benjamin , Kiese Ralf , Chen Deli , Butterbach‐Bahl Klaus
Published: October 2018

It is widely recommended that crop straw be returned to croplands to maintain or increase soil carbon (C) storage in arable soils. However, because C and nitrogen (N) biogeochemical cycles are closely coupled, straw return may also affect soil reactive N (Nr) losses, but these effects remain uncertain, especially in terms of the interactions between soil C sequestration and Nr losses under straw addition. Here, we conducted a global meta‐analysis using 363 publications to assess the overall effects of straw return on soil Nr losses, C sequestration and crop productivity in agroecosystems. Our results show that on average, compared to mineral N fertilization, straw return with same amount of mineral N fertilizer significantly increased soil organic C (SOC) content (14.9%), crop yield (5.1%), and crop N uptake (10.9%). Moreover, Nr losses in the form of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from rice paddies (17.3%), N leaching (8.7%), and runoff (25.6%) were significantly reduced, mainly due to enhanced microbial N immobilization. However, N2O emissions from upland fields (21.5%) and ammonia (NH3) emissions (17.0%) significantly increased following straw return, mainly due to the stimulation of nitrification/denitrification and soil urease activity. The increase in NH3 and N2O emissions was significantly and negatively correlated with straw C/N ratio and soil clay content. Regarding the interactions between C sequestration and Nr losses, the increase in SOC content following straw return was significantly and positively correlated with the decrease in N leaching and runoff. However, at a global scale, straw return increased net Nr losses from both rice and upland fields due to a greater stimulation of NH3 emissions than the reduction in N leaching and runoff. The trade‐offs between increased net Nr losses and soil C sequestration highlight the importance of reasonably managing straw return to soils to limit NH3 emissions without decreasing associated C sequestration potential.
Quantifying the legacy of snowmelt timing on soil greenhouse gas emissions in a seasonally dry montane forest
Authors: Blankinship Joseph C. , McCorkle Emma P. , Meadows Matthew W. , Hart Stephen C.
Published: October 2018

The release of water during snowmelt orchestrates a variety of important belowground biogeochemical processes in seasonally snow‐covered ecosystems, including the production and consumption of greenhouse gases (GHGs) by soil microorganisms. Snowmelt timing is advancing rapidly in these ecosystems, but there is still a need to isolate the effects of earlier snowmelt on soil GHG fluxes. For an improved mechanistic understanding of the biogeochemical effects of snowmelt timing during the snow‐free period, we manipulated a high‐elevation forest that typically receives over two meters of snowfall but little summer precipitation to influence legacy effects of snowmelt timing. We altered snowmelt rates for two years using black sand to accelerate snowmelt and white fabric to postpone snowmelt, thus creating a two‐ to three‐week disparity in snowmelt timing. Soil microclimate and fluxes of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) were monitored weekly to monthly during the snow‐free period. Microbial abundances were estimated by potential assays near the end of each snow‐free period. Although earlier snowmelt caused soil drying, we found no statistically significant effects (p < 0.05) of altered snowmelt timing on fluxes of CO2 or N2O, or soil microbial abundances. Soil CH4 fluxes, however, did respond to snowmelt timing, with 18% lower rates of CH4 uptake in the earlier snowmelt treatment, but only after a dry winter. Cumulative CO2 emission and CH4 uptake were 43% and 88% greater, respectively, after the dry winter. We conclude that soil GHG fluxes can be surprisingly resistant to hydrological changes associated with earlier snowmelt, likely because of persistent moisture and microbial activities in deeper mineral soils. As a result, a drier California in the future may cause seasonally snow‐covered soils in the Sierra Nevada to emit more GHGs, not less.
Bleeding events and safety outcomes in persons with haemophilia A with inhibitors: A prospective, multi‐centre, non‐interventional study
Authors: Mahlangu Johnny , Oldenburg Johannes , Callaghan Michael U. , Shima Midori , Santagostino Elena , Moore Maggie , Recht Michael , Garcia Claudia , Yang Renchi , Lehle Michaela , Macharia Harrison , Asikanius Elina , Levy Gallia G. , Kruse‐Jarres Rebecca
Published: October 2018

Introduction

Prospectively collected, real‐world data on bleeds, haemophilic treatment and safety outcomes in persons with haemophilia A (PwHA) with factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitors are limited. A prospective, global, multi‐centre, non‐interventional study (NIS; NCT02476942) collected detailed real‐world data in PwHA treated per local routine clinical practice.

Aim

To characterize bleeding rates, haemophilic treatment practices, prophylaxis adherence and adverse events (AEs) in adult/adolescent PwHA with inhibitors in the NIS.

Methods

Participants aged ≥12 years with congenital haemophilia A/documented high‐titre FVIII inhibitor history were enrolled. Participants remained on their usual treatment; no interventions were applied.

Results

Overall, 103 PwHA with inhibitors enrolled, (median [range] age 31 [12‐75] years) and were monitored for median (range) 26.0 (4.1‐69.6) weeks. In the episodic (n = 75) and prophylactic (n = 28) treatment groups, respectively, 1244 and 325 bleeds were reported, and 528 (42.4%) and 104 (32.0%) were not treated; annualized bleeding rates (ABRs; 95% confidence interval) were 18.6 (15.2‐22.8) and 14.9 (10.5‐21.2) for treated bleeds, and 32.7 (27.3‐39.1) and 25.0 (18.4‐34.0) for all bleeds. Coagulation products used included activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC) and/or recombinant activated FVII. Among participants prescribed aPCC prophylaxis, 35.0% adhered to both prescribed frequency of aPCC administration and prescribed dose. Serious AEs of haemarthrosis and muscle haemorrhage were reported; most common AEs were arthralgia, viral upper respiratory tract infection and pyrexia.

Conclusions

ABRs (treated bleeds and all bleeds) remain high on standard treatment; this prospective NIS demonstrates the need for more effective treatments for PwHA with inhibitors to reduce/prevent bleeds, with potential to improve prophylaxis adherence and further improve outcomes.
Fermentation of Shiikuwasha (Citrus depressa Hayata) pomace by lactic acid bacteria to generate new functional materials
Authors: Kimoto‐Nira Hiromi , Moriya Naoko , Nogata Yoichi , Sekiyama Yasuyo , Toguchi Yutaka
Published: October 2018

Citrus depressa Hayata, known as Shiikuwasha, has a high content of flavonoids (e.g. nobiletin) and beneficial effects on human health. Because Shiikuwasha is mainly consumed as squeezed juice, the pomace is usually discarded, despite its high content of nobiletin. Here, we developed Shiikuwasha pomace as a functional food through fermentation with probiotic lactic acid bacteria. Lactobacillus plantarum E58 was able to ferment Shiikuwasha pomace. This strain had good survival at low pH and was able to adhere to porcine gastric mucin, a beneficial property of probiotics. Analysis with a taste‐sensing system indicated that Shiikuwasha pomace fermented by this strain, compared with unfermented pomace, was more acidic but less umami, and had less of an anionic bitter aftertaste. The fermentation did not decrease the nobiletin content. Thus, fermented Shiikuwasha pomace is a new functional by‐product that contains both flavonoids and probiotics and may facilitate waste reduction.
Optical and Judd‐Ofelt spectroscopic study of Er3+‐doped strontium gadolinium gallium garnet single‐crystal
Authors: Piao Rui‐Qi , Wang Yan , Zhang Zi‐Bo , Zhang Chao‐Yang , Yang Xiao‐Fei , Zhang De‐Long
Published: October 2018

Er3+‐doped strontium gadolinium gallium garnet (SrGdGa3O7) single‐crystal was grown by Czochralski method. The Er3+ concentration in the crystal was determined as 4.2 × 1021 ions/cm3 by inductively coupled plasma atomic absorption spectroscopy. Refractive index of the crystal was measured at the wavelengths of 633, 1311 and 1553 nm by prism coupling technique. The results show that the crystal is a positive uniaxial crystal with a birefringence of ~0.01, and the Sellmeier equation reported previously for the crystal doped with Nd3+ is also valid for the one doped with Er3+. Unpolarized absorption spectrum of the crystal was measured at room temperature and the Er3+ absorption cross‐section spectrum was calibrated from it. The Er3+ spectroscopic properties were studied by Judd‐Ofelt theory. Some fundamental spectroscopic parameters were obtained that include absorption coefficient and cross‐section spectral distributions, electronic transition oscillator strength, Judd‐Ofelt parameters, fluorescence branch ratio, transition probability, radiative and fluorescence lifetimes, and quantum efficiency.
Ferroelectric aging effects and large recoverable electrostrain in ceria‐doped BaTiO3 ceramics
Authors: Yan Kang , Wang Fangfang , Wu Dawei , Ren Xiaobing , Zhu Kongjun
Published: October 2018

Ferroelectric aging is a phenomenon that is generally observed in acceptor‐doped ferroelectrics and usually produces a large recoverable electrostrain. In this work, using an oxide ionic conducting material, a Gd‐modified ceria solution (GDC), as a dopant, we find that GDC‐doped BaTiO3 ceramics exhibit ferroelectric aging behaviors at room temperature. These ceramics show double polarization hysteresis (P‐E) loops and sprout‐shaped recoverable strain vs electric field (S‐E) curves. GDC‐doped BT ceramic (3 mol%) produces a large recoverable electrostrain of 0.12% at 3 kV/cm. The large ions of Ce3+ and Gd3+, which have small electronegativity, lead to the high mobility of oxygen vacancies and a rapid symmetry conformation for short range ordering (SC‐SRO) of points defects, which appear as fast aging effects and a large electrostrain in GDC‐doped BT ceramics at room temperature.