bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fit to last: Exploring the longevity of the survival processing effect
Authors: Clark Daniel P. A. , Bruno Davide
Published: July 2015

Mounting evidence indicates that processing items for their survival value produces superior recall compared to a number of other well-known memory-enhancing techniques, and that this mnemonic advantage remains up to 48 hours after encoding (Raymaekers et al., 2014). However, little attention has been dedicated to the survival processing effect in location memory, which may represent a better test of adaptive memory than retrieval of verbal information. The current study aims to fill this gap by exploring the longevity of the survival processing effect with both word list (Experiment 1) and location-based (Experiment 2) stimuli. Participants rated target items using a single incidental encoding scenario, either Survival versus Pleasantness (word stimuli) or Survival versus Scavenger Hunt (location stimuli). They were then asked to complete a surprise recall task immediately after the ratings and a second recall task 96 hours later. The results demonstrated that, despite a general reduction in memory performance across time, the survival processing advantage was detected at both test times for both stimuli types. These findings provide further support for the survival processing effect and extend the observed effect duration for both word lists and location to 96 hours.
Inflammation-induced desmoglein-2 ectodomain shedding compromises the mucosal barrier
Authors: Kamekura Ryuta , Nava Porfirio , Feng Mingli , Quiros Miguel , Nishio Hikaru , Weber Dominique A. , Parkos Charles A. , Nusrat Asma
Published: July 2015

Desmosomal cadherins mediate intercellular adhesion and control epithelial homeostasis. Recent studies show that proteinases play an important role in the pathobiology of cancer by targeting epithelial intercellular junction proteins such as cadherins. Here we describe the proinflammatory cytokine-induced activation of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain–containing protein 10, which promote the shedding of desmosomal cadherin desmoglein-2 (Dsg2) ectodomains in intestinal epithelial cells. Epithelial exposure to Dsg2 ectodomains compromises intercellular adhesion by promoting the relocalization of endogenous Dsg2 and E-cadherin from the plasma membrane while also promoting proliferation by activation of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2/3 signaling. Cadherin ectodomains were detected in the inflamed intestinal mucosa of mice with colitis and patients with ulcerative colitis. Taken together, our findings reveal a novel response pathway in which inflammation-induced modification of columnar epithelial cell cadherins decreases intercellular adhesion while enhancing cellular proliferation, which may serve as a compensatory mechanism to promote repair.
Proliferative Fasciitis of the Orbit
Authors: Bautista Michael J. , Perumal Balaji , Jones David M. , Meyer Dale R.
Published: July 2015

Proliferative fasciitis is a rare entity in the orbit. A 16-year-old boy presented with a growing right orbital mass, which was palpable just inferior to the medial right eyebrow. MRI demonstrated a 12 × 8 × 9 mm mass located medial to and slightly above the right globe within the subcutaneous soft tissues. An anterior orbitotomy with debulking of the lesion was performed. Histopathological examination confirmed a diagnosis of proliferative fasciitis. To the authors’ knowledge, there is only one prior case in the literature demonstrating proliferative fasciitis of the orbit.
Osteolytic Sarcoidosis of the Orbital Roof Masquerading as a Malignant Orbital Lesion
Authors: Cole Scott C. , Eftekhari Kian , Oberg Thomas , Mamalis Nick , Anderson Richard L.
Published: July 2015

A 51-year-old man without a significant past medical history presented with 4 weeks of progressive swelling and drooping of his left upper eyelid. A CT of the left orbit revealed an osteolytic mass lesion in the area of the lacrimal gland. A left orbitotomy with excisional biopsy was performed. The excised tissue was sent for infectious workup and histopathological examination, which revealed osteolytic sarcoidosis. The patient was treated with systemic and local injection corticosteroids, and followed over 10 months without evidence of recurrence. Systemic workup with CT of his chest, abdomen, and pelvis revealed no further evidence of sarcoidosis. To the best of the authors knowledge, this is the first report of an otherwise healthy patient presenting with isolated osteolytic sarcoidosis of the orbit and a negative systemic workup.
Short-term predictive capacity of two different triage systems in patients with acute heart failure: TRICA-EAHFE study
Authors: Miró Òscar , Tost Josep , Herrero Pablo , Jacob Javier , Martín-Sánchez Francisco Javier , Gil Víctor , Fernández-Pérez Cristina , Escoda Rosa , Llorens Pere
Published: July 2015

Objective

To evaluate whether prioritization of patients with acute heart failure (AHF) in the Andorran Triage Model/Spanish Triage System (MAT/SET) and the Manchester Triage System (MTS) also allows the identification of different profiles of outcome and prognosis and determine whether either system has a better predictive capacity of outcomes.

Patients and methods

Patients with AHF included in the Spanish EAHFE registry from hospitals using the MAT/SET or MTS were selected and divided according to the triage system used. Outcome variables included hospital admission, length of stay, death during admission, 3, 7, and 30-day all-cause mortality, and emergency department (ED) reconsultation at 30 days. The results were compared according to the level of priority and the triage system used.

Results

We included 3837 patients (MAT/SET=2474; MTS=1363) classified as follows: 4.0% level 1; 34.7% level 2; 55.1% level 3; and 6.3% levels 4–5. Both systems associated greater priority with higher rates of admission and mortality; the MTS associated greater priority with greater ED reconsultation and the MAT/SET found greater priority to be associated with less ED reconsultation. The discriminative capacity of the two scales for adverse outcomes was statistically significant, albeit poor, for almost all the outcome events and it was of scarce clinical relevance (Area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic between 0.458 and 0.661).

Conclusion

The prediction of the outcome of patients with AHF determined with the MAT/SET or MTS showed scarce differences between the two systems, and their discriminative capacity does not seem to be clinically relevant.
A systematic structural study of halogen bondingversushydrogen bonding within competitive supramolecular systems
Authors: Aakeröy Christer B. , Spartz Christine L. , Dembowski Sean , Dwyre Savannah , Desper John
Published: July 2015

As halogen bonds gain prevalence in supramolecular synthesis and materials chemistry, it has become necessary to examine more closely how such interactions compete with or complement hydrogen bonds whenever both are present within the same system. As hydrogen and halogen bonds have several fundamental features in common, it is often difficult to predict which will be the primary interaction in a supramolecular system, especially as they have comparable strength and geometric requirements. To address this challenge, a series of molecules containing both hydrogen- and halogen-bond donors were co-crystallized with various monotopic, ditopic symmetric and ditopic asymmetric acceptor molecules. The outcome of each reaction was examined using IR spectroscopy and, whenever possible, single-crystal X-ray diffraction. 24 crystal structures were obtained and subsequently analyzed, and the synthon preferences of the competing hydrogen- and halogen-bond donors were rationalized against a background of calculated molecular electrostatic potential values. It has been shown that readily accessible electrostatic potentials can offer useful practical guidelines for predicting the most likely primary synthons in these co-crystals as long as the potential differences are weighted appropriately.
Crystal structure of natural phaeosphaeride A
Authors: Abzianidze Victoria V. , Poluektova Ekaterina V. , Bolshakova Ksenia P. , Panikorovskii Taras L. , Bogachenkov Alexander S. , Berestetskiy Alexander O.
Published: July 2015

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C15H23NO5, contains two independent molecules. Phaeosphaeride A contains two primary sections, an alkyl chain consisting of five C atoms and a cyclic system consisting of fused five- and six-membered rings with attached substituents. In the crystal, the molecules form layered structures. Nearly planar sheets, parallel to the (001) plane, form bilayers of two-dimensional hydrogen-bonded networks with the hydroxy groups located on the interior of the bilayer sheets. The network is constructed primarily of four O—H...O hydrogen bonds, which form a zigzag pattern in the (001) plane. The butyl chains interdigitate with the butyl chains on adjacent sheets. The crystal was twinned by a twofold rotation about thecaxis, with refined major–minor occupancy fractions of 0.718 (6):0.282 (6).
Establishing the DEA energy management system for individual departments within universities
Authors: Tu Kung-Jen
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to present the theoretical framework of the “data envelopment analysis (DEA) Energy Management System (DEMS)” proposed to assist individual departments occupying the same buildings on university campus in assessing the energy efficiencies of their facilities, as well as to demonstrate the implementation results of the DEMS applied in the case of the Department of Architecture of NTUST in Taiwan.

Design/methodology/approach

– The proposed DEMS considers each “space” within a department in a given “time” (such as a month) as a decision-making unit (DMU). Then, regression analysis is performed on data of “existing environment”, “occupancy” factors and “actual energy consumption EUI (energy usage intensity)” related variables. The regression equation derived is then used to calculate the “predicted EUI” for all DMUs. The “actual EUI” is further considered as the input data and the “predicted EUI” as the output data of the DEMS, on which data envelopment analysis is conducted to produce three types of energy-efficiency scores (overall efficiency, scale efficiency, pure technical efficiency) to indicate the energy efficiencies of all DMUs.

Findings

– The DEMS was developed and further implemented in the Department of Architecture of NTUST in Taiwan to illustrate how it can be used to assist individual departments within universities in assessing the energy management effectiveness of their spaces.

Research limitations/implications

– The accuracy of the energy-efficiency scores depends greatly on the accuracy of the predicted EUIs of spaces, and, therefore, it is critical to identify a better regression model with higher predictability (R2). The relatively low actual EUIs of certain student spaces during winter and summer breaks may greatly affect the resulting energy-efficiency scores.

Practical implications

– The DEMS allows facility managers to assess and compare the energy-efficiency scores “among different spaces”, to further review the energy efficiency of a space “over time” and to recognize the benchmark cases and pursue actions for energy improvement.

Originality/value

– This study explores the research concepts of “space type” and “internal benchmark” with an analytical method “data envelopment analysis” to assess the energy efficiency of an individual department which may only occupy certain floors of a building.
On the running-in behavior of rough surface of piston rings in mixed lubrication regime
Authors: Cheng Jun , Meng Xianghui , Xie Youbai , Li Wenxiang
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the real-time change of surface roughness at different small regions of piston rings during running-in process. Meanwhile, the effects of real-time change of the rough surface topography on the lubrication and friction of piston rings are investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

– An uneven wear model has been developed to research the running-in behavior at the different small regions of piston rings. The model is verified by comparing the simulation results with the experimental results on a reciprocating friction and wear test rig.

Findings

– This research shows that the wear process of piston ring surface is uneven during running-in. At most time of the operating cycle except the vicinity of top dead center and bottom dead center, the minimum oil film thickness ratio increases while the friction force and power loss decrease after the running-in period.

Originality/value

– Through this research, the running-in behavior of piston rings is investigated in detail. The interaction between the running-in and the lubrication and friction of piston rings is understood more deeply.
Synthesis and lubricating properties of neopentyl glycol oligoesters based on rapeseed oil
Authors: Liao Dezhong , He Jieyu , Mao Lixin , Xu Yixue
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The aim of this work is to synthesize neopentyl glycol oligoesters based on adipic acid and rapeseed oil (NOAR) which may be used as the renewable and environmentally acceptable base fluids to replace mineral oils in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

– Oligomeric intermediates were synthesized in the first esterification of neopentyl glycol with adipic acid and characterized by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) to calculate the average oligomerisation degree. NOAR were synthesized in the second esterification of oligomeric intermediates with rapeseed oil fatty acid. The effects of average oligomerisation degree on the viscosity, viscosity index, pour point, oxidative stability and biodegradability of NOAR were investigated; the tribological properties and thermal stability of NOAR were evaluated by four-ball tribometer and TGA, respectively.

Findings

– Results show that with the increase of average oligomerisation degree from 2.10 to 4.34, the viscosity of NOAR increased from 101.1 to 182.0 (mm2/s) at 40°C and 18.3 to 30.1 (mm2/s) at 100°, respectively, and their oxidation stability can be improved as well. The yields of NOAR were 83.3-89.4 per cent, and the evaluated properties were as follows: viscosity index of over 200, pour point of below −43°C, biodegradation rate of more than 96 per cent, maximum non-seizure load (PB value) of 784 N, wear scar diameters of 0.40 mm and thermal decomposition temperature of higher than 300°C.

Originality/value

– This work provides a method to synthesize rapeseed oil-based oligoesters which can serve as the renewable and environmentally acceptable base fluids with tunable viscosity by controlling the oligomerisation degree of esterification.
Comparative performance-related fund flows for Malaysian Islamic and conventional equity funds
Authors: Marzuki Ainulashikin , Worthington Andrew
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to compare the fund flow – performance relationship for Islamic and conventional equity funds in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors use panel regression models to estimate the relationship between fund flows and performance for Islamic and conventional equity funds in Malaysia from 2001 to 2009. The data for each fund include fund flows, assets under management, management expenses, fund age, portfolio turnover, fund risk and return and the number of funds in the fund’s family. The authors also include market returns and year effects. The sample consists of 127 Malaysian equity funds with at least 65 per cent domestic equity holdings comprising 35 Islamic and 92 conventional equity funds.

Findings

– Islamic fund investors respond to performance in much the same way as conventional fund investors, increasing fund flows to better performing funds and decreasing fund flows to poorer performing funds. However, there is also evidence that Islamic fund investors are relatively less responsive toward poorly performing Islamic funds, suggesting an asymmetry in the expected positive fund flow – performance relationship, but only for Islamic fund investors. When choosing funds based on other fund attributes, Islamic fund investors again exhibit similar behaviour, and like conventional fund investors direct larger percentage fund flows into smaller funds as well as funds with larger past fund flows and higher expense ratios.

Research limitations/implications

– The authors were only able to access data on annual net fund flows not quarterly or monthly fund inflows and outflows as usual in developed markets and this may obscure some important aspects of investor decision-making. There is also insufficient data for matched-sample techniques, which may better control for fund-specific characteristics.

Practical implications

– Islamic funds like conventional funds will experience increased fund flows with better performance and vice versa. However, Islamic fund investors appear somewhat less likely to remove monies from poorly performing funds. The authors believe this is because investors either place a premium on the non-return attributes of Shariah-compliant funds and/or wish to avoid search costs in finding another suitable Islamic fund. Apart from this, Islamic and conventional fund investors behave in a similar manner, and the authors believe that this is possible in Malaysia given the size and diversity of its Islamic fund sector.

Originality/value

– This paper is one of the very few empirical studies concerning the behaviour of Islamic investors, particularly in Malaysia, primarily because of limitations in data availability.
IsWa’danany different toMuwa’adah? Empirical evidence from Malaysia
Authors: Abdullah Md. Faruk , Ab Rahman Asmak
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The study aims to considerwa’dan-based products in Islamic banks in Malaysia and discuss the validity ofwa’danin those products from the perspective of Shari’ah.

Design/methodology/approach

– Case studies were conducted of three Islamic banks in Malaysia. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with bankers as well as Shari’ah scholars. The document analysis method was adopted to strengthen the findings.

Findings

– The study shows that three Islamic banking products:Musyarakah Mutanaqisah(MM) home and property financing;Al-Ijarah Thumma Al-Bai’(AITAB) vehicle financing; andIjarahrental swap (IRS) usewa’danin their product structures. After discussing the different views of the scholars, the study concludes thatwa’danshould be allowed in the above-mentioned products because it is different frommuwa’adah. Inwa’dan, every single wa’d is separate from each other, as every one of them is related to different types of events. With regard to the issue ofShari’ahin MM home and property financing, it was concluded that wa’d from the customer to purchase the bank’s share is not a capital guarantee. Moreover, IRS is not a form of gambling but is in line with Maqasid al-Shari’ah.

Research limitations/implications

– The study is limited to three Islamic banks in Malaysia that focus on retail and commercial banking products. Therefore, the study excludes application ofwa’danin sukuk and some other Islamic derivatives that are not the practice of these three banks.

Originality/value

– This empirical study adds new knowledge by developing the concept and practice ofwa’dan.Wa’danas an innovative tool for product development to overcomeShari’ahissues in conventional banking may be of interest to practitioners all around the world.
Brand trust in a cross-cultural context: test for robustness of an alternative measurement model
Authors: Li Fuan , Xu Lan , Li Tiger , Zhou Nan
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide further validation of an alternative measurement model of brand trust and demonstrate the robustness and measurement invariance of the model in a cross-cultural context.

Design/methodology/approach

– Survey data collected from the USA and China were submitted to the alternative measurement model. Amos 7.0 was used in testing the robustness and stability of the proposed model.

Findings

– The results provide strong support for the stability and robustness of the alternative model. The multidimensional scale satisfies the minimum requirement of configural invariance and metric invariance.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings confirm that the multidimensional scale of brand trust can be meaningfully used in countries with distinct cultures. However, further testing may be needed given that the present study involves only two countries.

Practical implications

– Overall brand trust is shown to be a function of consumers’ trust in specific aspects of a brand. Thus, it is imperative that brand managers make every effort to build consumers’ trust in performance competence and/or benevolent intention.

Originality/value

– The present research demonstrates the robustness of the alternative measurement model of brand trust. It also exemplifies a way of testing a measurement model that involves a second-order construct and formative indicators.
DNA Analysis and Document Examination: The Impact of Each Technique on Respective Analyses
Authors: Parsons Lauren , Sharfe Gordon , Vintiner Sue
Published: July 2015

Threatening letters, counterfeit documents, and anonymous notes can commonly be encountered in criminal situations. Such handwritten documents may encourage DNA to transfer from the writer's hands and lower arms when these areas come into contact with the document. As any DNA transferred is likely to be at a low level, sensitive low copy number (LCN) DNA analysis can be employed for testing document exhibits. In this study, we determine locations on the document that are most commonly touched during writing and handling and compare DNA recovery from these sites. We describe the impact of DNA sampling on subsequent document examination techniques including the ESDA® and likewise the effect of the ESDA® and two other document examination techniques on subsequent DNA analysis. The findings from this study suggest that DNA results can be obtained through targeted sampling of document evidence, but that care is required when ordering these examination strategies.
Molecular characterization, tissue and developmental expression profiles of cryptochrome genes in wing dimorphic brown planthoppers, Nilaparvata lugens
Authors: Xu Jing‐Jing , Wan Gui‐Jun , Hu Ding‐Bang , He Juan , Chen Fa‐Jun , Wang Xian‐Hui , Hua Hong‐Xia , Pan Wei‐Dong
Published: July 2015

Cryptochromes (CRYs) are blue and UV light photoreceptors, known to play key roles in circadian rhythms and in the light‐dependent magnetosensitivity of insects. Two novel cryptochrome genes were cloned from the brown planthopper, and were given the designations of Nlcry1 and Nlcry2, with the accession numbers KM108578 and KM108579 in GenBank. The complementary DNA sequences of Nlcry1 and Nlcry2 are 1935 bp and 2463 bp in length, and they contain an open reading frame of 1629 bp and 1872 bp, encoding amino acids of 542 and 623, with a predicted molecular weight of 62.53 kDa and 70.60 kDa, respectively. Well‐conserved motifs such as DNA‐photolyase and FAD‐binding‐7 domains were observed in Nlcry1 and Nlcry2. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated the proteins of Nlcry1 and Nlcry2 to be clustered into the insect's cryptochrome 1 and cryptochrome 2, respectively. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that the daily oscillations of messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in the head of the brown planthopper were mild for Nlcry1, and modest for Nlcry2. Throughout all developmental stages, Nlcry1 and Nlcry2 exhibited extreme fluctuations and distinctive expression profiles. Cryptochrome mRNA expression peaked immediately after adult emergence and then decreased subsequently. The tissue expression profiles of newly emerged brown planthopper adults showed higher expression levels of CRYs in the head than in the thorax or abdomen, as well as significantly higher levels of CRYs in the heads of the macropterous strain than in the heads of the brachypterous strain. Taken together, the results of our study suggest that the two cryptochrome genes characterized in the brown planthopper might be associated with developmental physiology and migration.
Appropriate therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus in view of pancreatic β‐cell glucose toxicity: “the earlier, the better”
Authors: Kaneto Hideaki , Matsuoka Taka‐aki , Kimura Tomohiko , Obata Atsushi , Shimoda Masashi , Kamei Shinji , Mune Tomoatsu , Kaku Kohei
Published: July 2015

Pancreatic β‐cells secrete insulin when blood glucose levels become high; however, when β‐cells are chronically exposed to hyperglycemia, β‐cell function gradually deteriorates, which is known as β‐cell glucose toxicity. In the diabetic state, nuclear expression of the pancreatic transcription factors pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX‐1) and v‐Maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene family, protein A (MafA) is decreased. In addition, incretin receptor expression in β‐cells is decreased, which is likely involved in the impairment of incretin effects in diabetes. Clinically, it is important to select appropriate therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) so that β‐cell function can be preserved. In addition, when appropriate pharmacological interventions against β‐cell glucose toxicity are started at the early stages of diabetes, β‐cell function is substantially restored, which is not observed if treatment is started at advanced stages. These observations indicate that it is likely that downregulation of pancreatic transcription factors and/or incretin receptors is involved in β‐cell dysfunction observed in T2DM and it is very important to start appropriate pharmacological intervention against β‐cell glucose toxicity in the early stages of diabetes.
Clinical outcomes of hydronephrosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Hong Seokchan , Kim Yong‐Gil , Ahn Soo Min , Bae Seung‐Hyeon , Lim Doo‐Ho , Kim Jeong Kon , Lee Chang‐Keun , Yoo Bin
Published: July 2015

Aim

Hydronephrosis is a rare complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Bladder and/or gastrointestinal involvement in SLE are associated with development of hydronephrosis, but the management and treatment outcomes of hydronephrosis are largely unknown. Therefore, we investigated the clinical manifestations and factors associated with the treatment response in patients with SLE complicated by hydronephrosis.

Method

A retrospective analysis was performed of all 634 SLE patients who underwent computed tomography and/or ultrasonography between January 1998 and December 2013. We reviewed the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with SLE‐associated hydronephrosis.

Results

Hydronephrosis was identified in 15 patients with SLE complicated by cystitis and/or enteritis. All patients were treated initially with moderate to high doses of corticosteroids. A follow‐up imaging study showed that 11 (73.3%) of 15 patients experienced improvements in hydronephrosis, and urinary obstruction was resolved without urological intervention in the majority of these patients (8/11, 72.7%). The four patients who experienced no improvement in hydronephrosis were older than those who responded to treatment (median age [interquartile range]; 43.0 [37.5–53.0] years vs. 28.0 [21.0–38.5] years; P = 0.026). In addition, delayed treatment (≥ 1 month after onset of symptoms) with corticosteroids was more frequently observed in the non‐responding patients than in the responding patients (P = 0.011).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that treatment with corticosteroids alone leads to favorable outcomes in patients with SLE‐associated hydronephrosis, except when treatment is delayed, particularly in elderly patients.
Interplay of the PtsN (EIIANtr) protein of Pseudomonas putida with its target sensor kinase KdpD
Authors: Deuschle M. , Limbrunner S. , Rother D. , Wahler S. , Chavarría M. , de Lorenzo V. , Kremling A. , Pflüger‐Grau K.
Published: July 2015

The nitrogen phosphotransferase system (PTSNtr) of Pseudomonas putida is a multi‐component regulatory device that participates in controlling a variety of physiological processes in a post‐translational fashion. A general survey of genes regulated by PtsN exposed transcription of the kdpFABC operon is most conspicuously affected. Measurements of kdpFp promoter activity in different pts mutants showed that PtsN is responsible for repression of kdpFABC transcription. This effect could be assigned mainly to PtsN∼P, depending on the external K+ concentration. Bacterial two‐hybrid assays demonstrated that kdpFp regulation is implemented through direct interaction of the PtsN protein with the sensor kinase KdpD of the KdpD/KdpE two‐component system. Interaction between KdpD and PtsN was detectable with a PtsN variant that imitates the non‐phosphorylated form as well as with a PtsN type mimicking the phosphorylated form of PtsN. These results raise a regulatory scenario in which the Kdp system is regulated by the action of PtsN through direct interaction with the sensor kinase KdpD, and the outcome of such an interaction depends on the phosphorylation state of PtsN as well as on the external K+ concentration.
High protists diversity in the plankton of sulfurous lakes and lagoons examined by 18s rRNA gene sequence analyses
Authors: Triadó‐Margarit Xavier , Casamayor Emilio O.
Published: July 2015

Diversity of small protists was studied in sulfidic and anoxic (euxinic) stratified karstic lakes and coastal lagoons by 18S rRNA gene analyses. We hypothesized a major sulfide effect, reducing protist diversity and richness with only a few specialized populations adapted to deal with low‐redox conditions and high‐sulfide concentrations. However, genetic fingerprinting suggested similar ecological diversity in anoxic and sulfurous than in upper oxygen rich water compartments with specific populations inhabiting euxinic waters. Many of them agreed with genera previously identified by microscopic observations, but also new and unexpected groups were detected. Most of the sequences matched a rich assemblage of Ciliophora (i.e., Coleps, Prorodon, Plagiopyla, Strombidium, Metopus, Vorticella and Caenomorpha, among others) and algae (mainly Cryptomonadales). Unidentified Cercozoa, Fungi, Stramenopiles and Discoba were recurrently found. The lack of GenBank counterparts was higher in deep hypolimnetic waters and appeared differentially allocated in the different taxa, being higher within Discoba and lower in Cryptophyceae. A larger number of populations than expected were specifically detected in the deep sulfurous waters, with unknown ecological interactions and metabolic capabilities.
Is Tax Avoidance Associated with Economically Significant Rent Extraction among U.S. Firms?
Authors: Blaylock Bradley S.
Published: July 2015

Two influential papers in the tax‐avoidance literature (Desai and Dharmapala ; Desai, Dyck, and Zingales ) argue that aggressive forms of tax avoidance employ technologies that complement managerial rent extraction, and provide supporting evidence from firms in Russia. Several papers rely on this theory to motivate and interpret tests in a U.S. setting, but these tests are open to multiple interpretations. This paper investigates the extent to which shareholders of U.S. companies are affected by any such rent extraction. The evidence is inconsistent with the tax‐avoidance technologies employed by U.S. firms allowing managers to extract sufficient rents to negatively affect future performance. Additional tests on poorly governed U.S. firms find no evidence that tax‐avoidance activities relate positively to either overinvestment or higher executive compensation, and no evidence that either complexity or the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act moderates the relation between future performance and tax avoidance. The evidence suggests that caution is warranted in interpreting evidence according to this theory in a U.S. setting.
Caesarean section at full cervical dilatation
Authors: Davis Georgina , Fleming Tina , Ford Keryn , Mouawad Marie Rose , Ludlow Joanne
Published: July 2015

Background

Caesarean section at full cervical dilatation has many implications for maternal and neonatal morbidity as well as subsequent pregnancy outcomes. However, increasing trends are reported internationally for second‐stage caesarean delivery.

Objectives

To review the rate and indication for a caesarean section at full dilatation over a 5‐year period at a tertiary referral obstetric centre in Sydney.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective cohort review of all women with a singleton, cephalic presenting fetus at ≥370 weeks’ gestation delivered by caesarean section in the second stage of labour between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2013 at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Medical records were reviewed, and demographic, maternal and fetal outcome data were obtained. Consultant supervision and documentation standards were recorded. The main outcome measures were the rate of caesarean section at full cervical dilatation, maternal and fetal morbidity.

Results

During the study period, 8449/26063 (32.4%) babies were born by caesarean section. Of these surgical births, 476 (5.6%) were performed at full cervical dilatation at >37 weeks' gestation. There was no observed trend over the 5 years. The majority of women delivered by caesarean section at full dilatation were nulliparous and in spontaneous labour. More than half of these women were delivered without a trial of instrumental delivery. Consultant obstetricians were present for 7% of public second‐stage caesarean deliveries.

Conclusion

We report a 5‐year experience with caesarean delivery at full dilatation at a tertiary unit. The rate was variable over the 5 years. Secondary outcome measures suggest that consultant supervision is uncommon and documentation standards require improvement.
Mode of birth and early postnatal psychological morbidity
Authors: Hanlon Amie J. M. , Beckmann Michael M.
Published: July 2015

Background

Postnatal depression affects the well‐being of women and families. While several studies have shown an association between mode of birth and symptoms of postnatal depression, others have found no relationship.

Aims

To determine whether women who have instrumental or caesarean births report higher levels of poor coping, sleep or appetite disturbance, or relationship difficulties, than women who have vaginal births, at the time of Universal Postnatal Contact (7–10 days post‐discharge).

Materials and Methods

Retrospective cohort study of term, singleton births from 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2013 at a tertiary obstetric facility. Outcomes were compared for 1816 women having vaginal births versus 1205 women having instrumental or caesarean births.

Results

When adjusted for confounders, no association could be demonstrated between mode of birth and reporting of any postnatal symptom of psychological morbidity. However, the model did demonstrate an association between reporting of symptoms and nulliparity (aOR 1.69 (1.08–2.63); P = 0.02), as well as having an unplanned pregnancy with a supportive partner (aOR 0.54 (0.29–0.97); P = 0.04).

Conclusions

Mode of birth does not appear to be associated with the reporting of symptoms of psychological morbidity in the early postnatal period. However, these symptoms may be associated with nulliparity and in the context of an unplanned pregnancy, a lack of partner support. These findings highlight the ongoing need for antenatal screening with respect to pregnancy intention and the presence of a social support system, to facilitate the implementation of interventions for women at risk of postnatal depression.
Outcome of children with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) experiencing primary induction failure in the AIEOP AML 2002/01 clinical trial
Authors: Quarello Paola , Fagioli Franca , Basso Giuseppe , Putti Maria C. , Berger Massimo , Luciani Matteo , Rizzari Carmelo , Menna Giuseppe , Masetti Riccardo , Locatelli Franco
Published: July 2015

Paediatric patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) who fail induction due to primary resistance to chemotherapy account for a significant proportion of cases and have a particularly dismal prognosis. We report the clinical and biological data, and final outcome of 48 paediatric patients with primary‐resistant AML enrolled in the Associazione Italiana di Ematologia e Oncologia Pediatrica AML 2002/01 clinical trial. These patients had a significantly higher white blood cell count at diagnosis compared to other AML patients. Cytogenetic and molecular features did not differ between patients with primary induction failure and patients allocated to the high‐risk group. For the whole patient population, the probability of overall survival, event‐free survival (EFS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) was 21·8% ± 6·2, 20·4% ± 5·9, and 49·5% ± 11·3, respectively. Twenty‐eight (58%) patients received haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT); 3 were autologous and 25 were allogeneic. Patients who underwent HSCT had improved EFS (31·2% vs. 5%, P < 0·0001). Only one of the 20 patients who did not receive HSCT is alive and disease free. The 19 patients in complete remission at time of HSCT showed significantly better DFS than the 9 with active disease (46% vs. 0%, P = 0·02). This study represents one of the largest series with long‐term follow up of paediatric AML patients with primary refractory disease. Children who underwent transplantation had an encouraging long‐term outcome. Disease recurrence remains the major cause of treatment failure; a better understanding of the disease biology is desirable to develop more effective treatment strategies.
Early loading of splinted implants supporting a two‐unit fixed partial denture in the posterior maxilla: 13‐month results from a randomized controlled clinical trial of two different implant systems
Authors: Ryu Hyo‐Sook , Namgung Cheol , Heo Young‐Ku , Lee Jong‐Ho , Lim Young‐Jun
Published: July 2015

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate early‐loaded implants supporting a two‐unit fixed dental prosthesis in the posterior maxilla and to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of two different implant systems in terms of success rates, implant stability quotient (ISQ) values, and peri‐implant parameters.

Materials and methods

Thirty patients with the unilateral loss of two consecutive maxillary posterior teeth were randomly assigned to two different implant systems: SLActive Bone level implant (Institut Straumann AG, Basel, Switzerland) in the control group and CMI IS‐II active implant (Neobiotech Co., Seoul, Korea) in the experimental group. The patients received provisional and definitive two‐unit fixed prostheses at 4 weeks and 6 months after implant surgery, respectively. The peak insertion torque was recorded at surgery. The stability of each implant was evaluated during surgery and at 2, 3, and 4 weeks and 6 and 13 months after implant placement by means of ISQ values. In addition, periapical radiographs and peri‐implant parameters were taken throughout the trial.

Results

Overall, comparable results were obtained between the control and experimental groups in terms of insertion torque, ISQ values, marginal bone loss, and peri‐implant soft tissue parameters. All 60 implants had 100% of success rate. The average insertion torque was 36.83 ± 6.09 (control) and 35.33 ± 3.20 (test) Ncm. The ISQ values remained steady until 4 weeks and then increased with statistical significance during 4 weeks to 13 months after surgery. Both groups exhibited no stability dip during the early phase of healing. The average marginal bone loss from the baseline of implant placement for the control and experimental groups was 0.38 and 0.45 mm after 4 weeks and 0.98 and 0.61 mm after 13 months. All of the soft tissue parameters were within normal limits.

Conclusions

The results of this study indicate that the concept of early loading at 4 weeks after placement in the posterior maxilla can be an effective treatment option, even in the areas of low bone density, when implants satisfy the inclusion criteria of minimum insertion torque and ISQ of 30 Ncm and 65, respectively.
The Pharos Project: Solving the Building Materials Toxicity Challenge
Authors: Friar John H. , Vittori Wendy D.
Published: July 2015

The founder, Bill Walsh, with a background in law and a passion to protect the natural environment, has built a nonprofit venture that has pioneered the awareness of toxicity issues in the building industry. He finds himself at a crossroads because he needs an infusion of cash to bring to market the database on building product toxicity that he has developed. The options include whether to radically change the way he manages his nonprofit in order to grow or to change the company status to a Benefit Corporation. Bill is unsure whether he is the right person to implement either alternative.
The Persistence of Multifamily Firms: Founder Imprinting, Simple Rules, and Monitoring Processes
Authors: Pieper Torsten M. , Smith Anne D. , Kudlats Jerry , Astrachan Joseph H.
Published: July 2015

This study focuses on a particular form of family businesses—businesses with at least two unrelated founding families—and how their organizational form of a multifamily business persists over several generations. Using an inductive approach to study five multifamily cases, we discovered that these firms did not meet complexity with complex structures and processes. Instead, four cases developed and utilized simple rules imprinted by the founders and pulled through to current generations, enabling effective mutual monitoring and persistence of the multifamily organizational form. The lack of simple rules development is associated with one multifamily business to abandon this organizational form.
Governance Challenges in Family Businesses and Business Families
Authors: Steier Lloyd P. , Chrisman James J. , Chua Jess H.
Published: July 2015

We use the articles and commentaries in this special issue to reinvigorate the theme of family business governance and extend its scope beyond the single business, single–family approach that has traditionally dominated the family business literature. Through a discussion of the implications of the articles and commentaries included in this special issue we begin to chart a new and expanded research program for governance that addresses the challenges of the large and complex multifamily and/or multibusiness family enterprise. We hope to encourage research in a direction that will add significantly to our understanding of business families’ contributions to the global economy.
Chemokine MCP1/CCL2 gene polymorphism influences Henoch–Schönlein purpura susceptibility in Iranian Azeri–Turkish patients
Authors: Bonyadi Mortaza , Mohammadian Tahereh , Rafeey Mandana , Sadeghi Shabestri Mahnaz , Mortazavi Fakhrossadat , Aliyari Behzad
Published: July 2015

Background

Henoch–Schönlein purpura (HSP) is the most common small‐vessel vasculitis and mainly affects children. Although its pathophysiology is unknown, several studies have indicated the possible involvement of infections and genetic factors in the development of HSP. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene family and several other genes involved in the inflammatory system have been studied. The CCL2 gene, encoding chemokine monocyte chemo‐attractant protein 1 (MCP‐1/CCL2), is one of several cytokine genes clustered on chromosome 17. The encoded protein displays chemotactic activity for monocytes.

Methods

This is a case–control study comparing 36 children diagnosed with HSP within the Iranian Azeri–Turkish ethnic population and 50 healthy adults from the same ethnic group. CCL2, C‐2518T polymorphism genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction and by PVUII restriction enzyme analysis and subsequent agarose gel electrophoresis.

Results

Our results showed a significant association between the allelic and genotypic frequency of this gene and HSP disease in this cohort. The results of this study indicate that frequencies of the T allele of CCL2 (P = 0.015) and the TT genotype (P = 0.004) are significantly higher in HSP patients. A comparison of clinical symptoms and laboratory data with CCL2 C‐2518T polymorphism showed that patients with the TT genotype presented a higher clinical score and more severe clinical features.

Conclusions

MCP1/CCL2 C‐2518T gene polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to HSP. This is the first study to report a significant association between MCP1/CCL2 C‐2518T and a susceptibility to HSP in this population.
Effects of external shear forces on crystallisation kinetics of model fat blends
Authors: Shi Xun , Maleky Farnaz
Published: July 2015

The effects of different shearing conditions on the crystallisation of cocoa butter (CB) with the addition of other confectionery ingredients (sugar and lecithin) were investigated. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and polarised light microscopy (PLM) were conducted to measure the thermal, polymorphic and microstructural properties, of these mixtures, respectively. Both shearing conditions and ingredients have a pronounced impact on the thermal and polymorphic behaviour of CB, and its microstructure. In the absence of shear, the addition of lecithin delayed the polymorphic transformation in CB and results in slightly bigger crystal clusters. When both sugar and lecithin are added to nonsheared CB, they retard the formation of stable polymorphism. Moreover, sugar particles tended to agglomerate in the absence of lecithin under static conditions. With the application of shear, a more homogenous microstructure of the samples was observed. Shear significantly increases the crystallisation rate, polymorph transformation and the formation of a higher number of smaller crystals at both the presence and absence of lecithin.
Technology forecasting using DEA in the presence of infeasibility
Authors: Lim Dong‐Joon
Published: July 2015

As a predictive application of data envelopment analysis (DEA), technology forecasting using DEA (TFDEA) measures the rate of frontier shift by which the arrival of future technologies can be estimated. However, it is well known that DEA and therefore TFDEA may suffer from the issue of infeasible super‐efficiency especially under the condition of variable returns to scale. This study develops an extended TFDEA model based on the modified super‐efficiency model proposed in the literature, which has the benefit of yielding radial super‐efficiency scores equivalent to those obtained from the original super‐efficiency model when feasibility is present. The previously published application of liquid crystal displays (LCD) is revisited to illustrate the use of the new model. The results show that the proposed approach makes a reasonable forecast for formerly infeasible targets as well as a consistent forecast for feasible targets.
Core Earnings Uncertainty, Dividend Change Announcements and the Reduction of Covariance Component Risks
Authors: Dempsey Stephen J. , Harrison David M. , Sheng Hainan
Published: July 2015

We present evidence of two systematic market risk implications associated with core earnings news implicit in dividend change announcements: (1) a decline in firm‐market correlation intensity, consistent with reduced investor reliance on overall market movements to value shares, and (2) a downward shift in standard deviation of returns, consistent with increased core earnings information precision. Decoupling these two covariance component risk effects is important because they can offset one another at the firm level, masking unique market influences on total systematic risk. Each is influenced by the information environment in different ways and each is shown to incrementally explain returns in a manner consistent with the capital asset pricing model (CAPM).