bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing the determinants of fund flows in domestically managed Malaysian Islamic and conventional equity funds
Authors: Othman Jaizah , Asutay Mehmet , Jamilan Norhidayah
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an empirical evidence on the fund flows-past return performance relationship by also considering the management expense ratio, the portfolio turnover, the fund size and the fund age of Islamic equity funds (IEF) investors in comparison with conventional equity funds (CEF) investors.

Design/methodology/approach

By using panel data, the sample of Malaysian domestic managed equity funds is considered which comprises 20 individual funds from IEF and CEF from 2011 to 2013.

Findings

The results provide evidence that IEF investors have different factors when choosing funds in comparison with CEF investors. The study finds that the key factor influencing the fund flows of IEF is the management expense ratio, compared to the CEF which is fund size. This study also shows that all the fund characteristics of IEF and CEF are positively or negatively related to the fund flows.

Research limitations/implications

The present study may be extended by considering other fund categories such as the money market fund, the balanced fund, the bond fund and the fixed income fund.

Practical implications

The empirical findings of this paper clearly call for fund managers and investors to review their investment policy. The results could also provide better information and guidance for investors as well policy makers on the factors that affect the fund flow for Malaysian Islamic funds and CEF.

Originality/value

This paper is among the earliest empirical evidence studies on the fund flows-past return performance relationship by focusing in a comparative manner on IEF investors and CEF investors in Malaysia.
Pyro terrorism in Greece? Greek forest fires August 2007 and the impact on Greek banks stocks
Authors: Repousis Spyridon
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine Greek forest fires in August 2007 and statements about terrorism (pyro-terrorism) and the impact on Greek banks stocks.

Design/methodology/approach

Event study methodology and market model is used in this paper and data of all Greek bank stocks prices listed in Athens Stock Exchange are analysed, before and after 17 August 2007, which is when forest fires took place in Greece.

Findings

Total number of burned acres during a seven-year period, 2000-2006, was 2,530,883, and during only August 2007, burned acres accounted to 2,059,615. The former Minister for Public Order, Vyron Polydoras, stated the fires may be a result of terrorist attacks, as many of the fires started simultaneously and in places where an arsonist could not be seen. The Minister also stated that the country is facing an asymmetric threat, a military term used for terrorist attacks. The findings of event study methodology and market model show that CAARs were slightly negative but not statistically significant and during event date, and average abnormal return (AAR) was slightly positive at 0.0273 per cent. The event caused no influence on the stock market.

Practical implications

Results are important for banking system, compliance and regulatory authorities, justice system and politicians.

Originality/value

The impact of Greek forest fires in August 2007 on Greek banks stocks has not been examined so far.
Do donors respond to discretionary accounting information consolidation?
Authors: Quosigk Benedikt , Forgione Dana A.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate donor responses to discretionary accounting information consolidation. Nonprofit (NP) financial statement consolidation discretion significantly impacts program ratio reporting, the primary NP performance measure. Stakeholders are misled to allocate limited resources inefficiently. While some NPs file group Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 990 returns with their affiliates, effectively providing consolidated statements, others choose to file independently of their affiliates.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use OLS regression analysis and panel data for 5,697 NP-year observations for the period 2009-2011 retrieved from the National Center for Charitable Statistics Form 990 database.

Findings

The authors find evidence that consolidation discretion substantially impacts donor decisions. NP managers have incentive to utilize consolidation discretion to influence charitable giving.

Practical implications

The authors urge the IRS and the Financial Accounting Standards Board to reconsider the consolidation guidance for NP organizations, to develop performance measures beyond the widely used program ratio, and to require program ratio segment reporting to allow for better comparability among NPs irrespective of consolidation status. Further, the authors caution stakeholders to consider supporting organization transactions in their resource allocation decisions.

Originality/value

The authors are the first to use NP supporting organization information to investigate consolidation discretion and its impact on donor responses.
Seven additional families with spondylocarpotarsal synostosis syndrome with novel biallelic deleterious variants in FLNB
Authors: Salian S. , Shukla A. , Shah H. , Bhat S.N. , Bhat V.R. , Nampoothiri S. , Shenoy R. , Phadke S.R. , Hariharan S.V. , Girisha K.M.
Published: March 2018

The location and/or type of variants in FLNB result in a spectrum of osteochondrodysplasias ranging from mild forms, like spondylocarpotarsal synostosis syndrome and Larsen syndrome, to severe perinatal lethal forms, such as atelosteogenesis I and III and Boomerang dysplasia. Spondylocarpotarsal synostosis syndrome is characterized by disproportionate short stature, vertebral anomalies and fusion of carpal and tarsal bones. Biallelic loss‐of‐function variants in FLNB are known to cause spondylocarpotarsal synostosis syndrome and 9 families and 9 pathogenic variants have been reported so far. We report clinical features of 10 additional patients from 7 families with spondylocarpotarsal synostosis syndrome due to 7 novel deleterious variants in FLNB, thus expanding the clinical and molecular repertoire of spondylocarpotarsal synostosis syndrome. Our report validates key clinical (fused thoracic vertebrae and carpal and tarsal coalition) and molecular (truncating variants in FLNB) characteristics of this condition.
A Computational Model of the Self‐Teaching Hypothesis Based on the Dual‐Route Cascaded Model of Reading
Authors: Pritchard Stephen C. , Coltheart Max , Marinus Eva , Castles Anne
Published: March 2018

The self‐teaching hypothesis describes how children progress toward skilled sight‐word reading. It proposes that children do this via phonological recoding with assistance from contextual cues, to identify the target pronunciation for a novel letter string, and in so doing create an opportunity to self‐teach new orthographic knowledge. We present a new computational implementation of self‐teaching within the dual‐route cascaded (DRC) model of reading aloud, and we explore how decoding and contextual cues can work together to enable accurate self‐teaching under a variety of circumstances. The new model (ST‐DRC) uses DRC’s sublexical route and the interactivity between the lexical and sublexical routes to simulate phonological recoding. Known spoken words are activated in response to novel printed words, triggering an opportunity for orthographic learning, which is the basis for skilled sight‐word reading. ST‐DRC also includes new computational mechanisms for simulating how contextual information aids word identification, and it demonstrates how partial decoding and ambiguous context interact to achieve irregular‐word learning. Beyond modeling orthographic learning and self‐teaching, ST‐DRC’s performance suggests new avenues for empirical research on how difficult word classes such as homographs and potentiophones are learned.
Appropriate use criteria in dermatopathology: Initial recommendations from the American Society of Dermatopathology
Authors: Vidal Claudia I. , Armbrect Eric A. , Andea Aleodor A. , Bohlke Angela K. , Comfere Nneka I. , Hughes Sarah R. , Kim Jinah , Kozel Jessica A. , Lee Jason B. , Linos Konstantinos , Litzner Brandon R. , Missall Tricia A. , Novoa Roberto A. , Sundram Uma , Swick Brian L. , Hurley Maria Yadira , Alam Murad , Argenyi Zsolt , Duncan Lyn M. , Elston Dirk M. , Emanuel Patrick O. , Ferringer Tammie , Fung Maxwell A. , Hosler Gregory A. , Lazar Alexander J. , Lowe Lori , Plaza Jose A. , Prieto Victor G. , Robinson June K. , Schaffer Andras , Subtil Antonio , Wang Wei‐Lien
Published: March 2018

Background

Appropriate use criteria (AUC) provide physicians guidance in test selection, and can affect health care delivery, reimbursement policy and physician decision‐making.

Objectives

The American Society of Dermatopathology, with input from the American Academy of Dermatology and the College of American Pathologists, sought to develop AUC in dermatopathology.

Methods

The RAND/UCLA appropriateness methodology, which combines evidence‐based medicine, clinical experience and expert judgment, was used to develop AUC in dermatopathology.

Results

With the number of ratings predetermined at 3, AUC were developed for 211 clinical scenarios involving 12 ancillary studies. Consensus was reached for 188 (89%) clinical scenarios, with 93 (44%) considered “usually appropriate,” 52 (25%) “rarely appropriate” and 43 (20%) “uncertain appropriateness.”

Limitations

The methodology requires a focus on appropriateness without comparison between tests and irrespective of cost.

Conclusions

The ultimate decision of when to order specific test rests with the physician and is one where the expected benefit exceeds the negative consequences. This publication outlines the recommendations of appropriateness—AUC for 12 tests used in dermatopathology. Importantly, these recommendations may change considering new evidence. Results deemed “uncertain appropriateness” and where consensus was not reached may benefit from further research.
Modernization and rural imagery at the Paris Salon: an interdisciplinary approach to the economic history of art
Authors: Greenwald Diana Seave
Published: March 2018

This article proposes a novel interdisciplinary approach to the economic history of art. Engaging with research questions defined by the existing art‐historical literature, it draws on econometric approaches to understand better and measure how social and economic change affected artistic output—particularly output of rural imagery—in nineteenth‐century France. To facilitate this quantitative approach, the article introduces a novel data source that provides information about more than 140,000 works of art displayed in Paris during the nineteenth century. Analysis of this dataset demonstrates that artists’ ability to have regular access to the countryside, largely because of artists’ colonies and inexpensive train travel from Paris, had the greatest demonstrable effect on the output of landscape and rural genre painting in France during the nineteenth century.
DC‐CIK cells derived from ovarian cancer patient menstrual blood activate the TNFR1‐ASK1‐AIP1 pathway to kill autologous ovarian cancer stem cells
Authors: Qin Wenxing , Xiong Ying , Chen Juan , Huang Yongyi , Liu Te
Published: March 2018

Ovarian cancer stem cells (OCSCs) are highly carcinogenic and have very strong resistance to traditional chemotherapeutic drugs; therefore, they are an important factor in ovarian cancer metastasis and recurrence. It has been reported that dendritic cell (DC)‐cytokine‐induced killer (CIK) cells have significant killing effects on all cancer cells across many systems including the blood, digestive, respiratory, urinary and reproductive systems. However, whether DC‐CIK cells can selectively kill OCSCs is currently unclear. In this study, we collected ovarian cancer patient menstrual blood (OCPMB) samples to acquire mononuclear cells and isolated DC‐CIK cells in vitro. In addition, autologous CD44+/CD133+ OCSCs were isolated and used as target cells. The experimental results showed that when DC‐CIK cells and OCSCs were mixed and cultured in vitro at ratios of 5:1, 10:1 and 50:1, the DC‐CIK cells killed significant amounts of OCSCs, inhibited their invasion in vitro and promoted their apoptosis. The qPCR and Western blot results showed that DC‐CIK cells stimulated high expression levels and phosphorylation of TNFR1, ASK1, AIP1 and JNK in OCSCs through the release of TNF‐α. After the endogenous TNFR1 gene was knocked out in OCSCs using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology, the killing function of DC‐CIK cells on target OCSCs was significantly attenuated. The results of the analyses of clinical samples suggested that the TNFR1 expression level was negatively correlated with ovarian cancer stage and prognosis. Therefore, we innovatively confirmed that DC‐CIK cells derived from OCPMB could secret TNF‐α to activate the expression of the TNFR1‐ASK1‐AIP1‐JNK pathway in OCSCs and kill autologous OCSCs.
Use of Antiepileptic Drugs and Dementia Risk—an Analysis of Finnish Health Register and German Health Insurance Data
Authors: Taipale Heidi , Gomm Willy , Broich Karl , Maier Wolfgang , Tolppanen Anna‐Maija , Tanskanen Antti , Tiihonen Jari , Hartikainen Sirpa , Haenisch Britta
Published: March 2018

Objectives

To evaluate the association between regular antiepileptic drug (AED) use and incident dementia.

Design

Case‐control analysis.

Setting

Finnish public health register and German health insurance data.

Participants

Individuals with dementia of any type (German data, N=20,325) and Alzheimer's disease (AD; Finnish data, N=70,718) were matched with up to four control persons without dementia.

Measurements

We analyzed the association between regular AED use and dementia. To address potential protopathic bias, a lag time of 2 years between AED use and dementia diagnosis was introduced. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated by applying conditional logistic regression, adjusted for potential confounding factors such as comorbidities and polypharmacy.

Results

Regular AED use was more frequent in individuals with dementia than controls. Regular use of AEDs was associated with a significantly greater risk of incident dementia (adjusted OR=1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.14–1.44) and AD (adjusted OR=1.15, 95% CI=1.09–1.22) than no AED use. We also detected a trend toward greater risk of dementia with higher exposure. When AEDs with and without known cognitive adverse effects (CAEs) were compared, a significantly greater risk of dementia was observed for substances with known CAEs (dementia: OR=1.59, 95% CI=1.36–1.86; AD: OR=1.19, 95% CI=1.11–1.27).

Conclusion

AEDs, especially those with known CAEs, may contribute to incident dementia and AD in older persons.
The Breath‐Hold Acceleration Index: A New Method to Evaluate Cerebrovascular Reactivity using Transcranial Doppler
Authors: Alwatban Mohammed , Truemper Edward J. , Al‐rethaia Abdullah , Murman Daniel L. , Bashford Gregory R.
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Cerebrovascular reactivity (CR) is an ideal biomarker to detect cerebrovascular damage. CR can be quantified by measuring changes in cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) resulting from a CO2 vasodilatory stimulus, often using the breath‐holding index (BHI). In this method, transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound is used to measure CBFV changes in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) during a breath‐hold maneuver. Despite its convenience, BHI has high variability. Changing body position may contribute to potential variability. It is important to determine if CR differs with body position. The aims of this study were, first, to propose an alternative, more robust index to evaluate CR using a breath‐hold maneuver; second, investigate the effect of body position on CR measured with conventional (BHI) and a new proposed index.

METHODS

Ten healthy young volunteers held their breath for 30 seconds on a tilt table. CR was calculated at five different angles using two indices: the conventional BHI, and the breath‐hold acceleration index (BHAI), a new index obtained by linear regression of the most linear portion of the mean velocity change during the breath‐hold maneuver. The regression represents acceleration (change in blood flow velocity per unit of time) sampled at each cardiac cycle.

RESULTS

The mean coefficient of variation was 43.7% lower in BHAI in comparison with BHI. Neither index was statistically significant between body positions (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

BHAI has less variability in comparison with the conventional standard BHI. Additionally, neither index showed statistical significance in CR based on change in body position.
Dental implications in Hajdu–Cheney syndrome: A novel case report and review of the literature
Authors: Lee JW , Kim YJ , Kang J , Shin TJ , Hyun H‐K , Kim Y‐J , Lee S‐H , Lee ZH , Kim J‐W
Published: March 2018

Objective

To identify the molecular genetic etiology of an individual with a dysmorphic face, unusual teeth mobility, and root resorption.

Subjects and Methods

DNA samples were collected from a trio of family members, and whole‐exome sequencing was performed.

Results

Mutational analysis revealed a de novo mutation (c.6787C>T) in the last exon of the NOTCH2 gene. This mutation would introduce a premature stop codon [p.(Gln2263*)] and generate a truncated protein without C‐terminus, escaping from the nonsense‐mediated decay system. Sanger sequencing confirmed that this mutation was generated spontaneously.

Conclusions

In this study, we identified a novel nonsense mutation in the last exon of the NOTCH2 gene causing Hajdu–Cheney syndrome. We described the genotype and phenotype correlation and the related dental complications. These results will advance the understanding of the NOTCH2 signaling in periodontitis and root resorption.
The bZip transcription factor HY5 mediates CRY1a‐induced anthocyanin biosynthesis in tomato
Authors: Liu Chao‐Chao , Chi Cheng , Jin Li‐Juan , Zhu Jianhua , Yu Jing‐Quan , Zhou Yan‐Hong
Published: March 2018

The production of anthocyanin is regulated by light and corresponding photoreceptors. In this study, we found that exposure to blue light and overexpression of CRY1a are associated with increased accumulation of anthocyanin in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). These responses are the result of changes in mRNA and the protein levels of SlHY5, which is a transcription factor. In vitro and in vivo experiments using electrophoretic mobility shift assay and ChIP‐qPCR assays revealed that SlHY5 could directly recognize and bind to the G‐box and ACGT‐containing element in the promoters of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes, such as chalcone synthase 1, chalcone synthase 2, and dihydroflavonol 4‐reductase. Silencing of SlHY5 in OE‐CRY1a lines decreased the accumulation of anthocyanin. The findings presented here not only deepened our understanding of how light controls anthocyanin biosynthesis and associated photoprotection in tomato leaves, but also allowed us to explore potential targets for improving pigment production.
Cultural Norms and Son Preference in Intrahousehold Food Distribution: A Case Study of Two Asian Rural Economies
Authors: Rahman Aminur
Published: March 2018

Based on the cost and content of individual calorie intake, I find evidence of son preference in food distribution in rural Bangladesh but not in the rural Philippines, which is consistent with the contrasting cultural norms of these two agrarian societies. Unlike in the Philippines, few females in Bangladesh, a male‐dominated patriarchal society with the strong presence of dowry and purdah systems, seem to participate in the labor market. Gender differences in wage rates appear to be prominent in Bangladesh as well, and the transfer at marriage from a bride's family seems to exceed that from a groom's family. In Bangladesh, the village wage rate of adult females is positively associated with a girl's allocation from the animal food group, while village wage rates of adult males are negatively associated. However, no such association is observed in the Philippines, which is characterized by egalitarian values between the sexes. In recent marriages in Bangladesh, a village's average value of transfers from grooms' families is also positively associated with a girl's allocation. While higher birth order children fare worse than lower birth order children in both economies, in Bangladesh a higher birth order girl does worse than a higher birth order boy, whereas this is not the case in the Philippines. The son preference does not seem to be associated with scarcity, as it is prominent in non‐poor Bangladeshi households but not in poor ones; the preference does not appear in either category in the Philippines. A Bangladeshi village's access to television, which I use as a proxy for liberal values, is positively associated with girls' calorie allocations.
Effects of montmorency tart cherry (L. Prunus Cerasus) consumption on nitric oxide biomarkers and exercise performance
Authors: Keane K. M. , Bailey S. J. , Vanhatalo A. , Jones A. M. , Howatson G.
Published: March 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Montmorency tart cherry juice (MC) on nitric oxide (NO) biomarkers, vascular function, and exercise performance. In a randomized, double‐blind, placebo (PLA)‐controlled, crossover study, 10 trained cyclists (mean ± SD; O2peak 59.0 ± 7.0 mL/kg/min) acutely ingested 30 mL of either MC or PLA following dietary restrictions of polyphenol‐rich compounds and completed 6‐minutes moderate‐ and severe‐intensity cycling bouts 1.5 hour post‐ingestion on 2 occasions for each experimental condition. The severe‐intensity cycling test was continued to exhaustion on 1 occasion and immediately followed by a 60‐seconds all‐out sprint on the other occasion. Blood pressure, pulse wave measures, tissue oxygenation index, and plasma nitrite concentration were assessed pre‐ and 1.5 hour post‐ingestion. Time to exhaustion was not different between conditions (P > .05), but peak power over the first 20 seconds (363 ± 42 vs 330 ± 26 W) and total work completed during the 60‐seconds all‐out sprint (21 ± 3 vs 19 ± 3 kJ) were 10% higher in the MC trial compared to the PLA trial (P < .05). Systolic blood pressure was 5 ± 2 mm Hg lower 1.5 hour post‐MC supplementation compared to PLA supplementation (P < .05). There were no differences in pulse wave measures, plasma nitrite concentration, or tissue oxygenation between the MC and PLA trials (P > .05). These results suggest that acute supplementation with MC can lower blood pressure and improve some aspects of exercise performance, specifically end‐sprint performance, in trained cyclists.
Unbalanced nutrient ratios in pelleted compound recycling fertilizers
Authors: Brod E. , Toven K. , Haraldsen T. K. , Krogstad T.
Published: March 2018

The aim of this study was to contribute to the development of pelleted compound recycling fertilizers with favourable handling and spreading characteristics and balanced nutrient ratios by combining nitrogen (N)‐ and phosphorus (P)‐rich waste resources (meat bone meal, fish sludge or food waste) with potassium (K)‐rich bottom wood ash. Pelleted compound recycling fertilizers with good durability and low dusting tendency were produced by roll‐pelleting preheated waste resources at a suitable moisture content. However, the nutrient ratios in the final products were insufficiently balanced, with too low N concentrations relative to P and K to meet crop demands. In a bioassay using barley (Hordeum vulgare) and a nutrient‐deficient sand/peat mixture, the relative agronomic effectiveness (RAE) of pelleted compound recycling fertilizers and reference recycling fertilizers was 22–42% of that of mineral compound fertilizer. Growth limitation was due to reduced N availability (mineral fertilizer equivalent ‐ MFE = 35–57%) or reduced P availability (MFE = 20–115%), with the greatest P fertilizer value obtained for digestate based on dairy manure and fish sludge. Availability of K in bottom wood ash was masked by the experimental soil.
Abelian varieties isogenous to a power of an elliptic curve
Authors: Jordan Bruce W. , Keeton Allan G. , Poonen Bjorn , Rains Eric M. , Shepherd-Barron Nicholas , Tate John T.
Published: March 2018

Let $E$ be an elliptic curve over a field $k$. Let $R:=\operatorname{End}E$. There is a functor $\mathscr{H}\!\mathit{om}_{R}(-,E)$ from the category of finitely presented torsion-free left $R$-modules to the category of abelian varieties isogenous to a power of $E$, and a functor $\operatorname{Hom}(-,E)$ in the opposite direction. We prove necessary and sufficient conditions on $E$ for these functors to be equivalences of categories. We also prove a partial generalization in which $E$ is replaced by a suitable higher-dimensional abelian variety over $\mathbb{F}_{p}$.
Pair correlation for quadratic polynomials mod 1
Authors: Marklof Jens , Yesha Nadav
Published: March 2018

It is an open question whether the fractional parts of non-linear polynomials at integers have the same fine-scale statistics as a Poisson point process. Most results towards an affirmative answer have so far been restricted to almost sure convergence in the space of polynomials of a given degree. We will here provide explicit Diophantine conditions on the coefficients of polynomials of degree two, under which the convergence of an averaged pair correlation density can be established. The limit is consistent with the Poisson distribution. Since quadratic polynomials at integers represent the energy levels of a class of integrable quantum systems, our findings provide further evidence for the Berry–Tabor conjecture in the theory of quantum chaos.
Connected Cooperative Control of Autonomous Vehicles During Unexpected Road Situations
Authors: Andersen Hans , Shen Xiaotong , Eng You Hong , Rus Daniela , Ang Marcelo H.
Published: March 2018

This article discusses how connected cooperative control of autonomous vehicles (AVs) can help in providing safe and comfortable mobility during unexpected road situations. Driving AVs in urban areas poses a big challenge due to the complexity of the traffic rules as well as unexpected scenarios involved. In these situations, an inter-vehicle communication system can be of great help. Cooperation between multiple AVs is possible with the development of vehicular communication. In particular, state estimation can be improved with multiple sources of information gathered from different vehicles. Cooperative state estimation can also improve robustness against communication failure. With future trajectories shared among nearby vehicles, the motion can be coordinated to make navigation safer and smoother for AVs. For vehicular communication, the IEEE 802.11p standard has been designed to allow information exchange between high-speed cars, and between vehicles and roadside infrastructure. Other wireless communication technologies, such as 3G, 4G, and WiFi, are also suggested.
Running in Place
Authors: Langston Lee S.
Published: March 2018

This article highlights technological performance improvements in the gas turbine industry and its likely future course. While the outlook for commercial aviation gas turbines is bright, the non-aviation segment is decidedly clouded. While analysts have focused on the growing demand for electricity worldwide, the average output of each individual gas turbine unit is also increasing, and at a rate that is faster than that of electricity demand. Gas turbine power plants also have the advantage of dispatchability, which wind, hydroelectric, and solar often do not. A recent econometric study of renewable electric power implementation shows that the use of fast-reacting fossil technologies such as gas turbines to hedge against variability of electrical supply made it more likely to result in the successful investment and use of renewables. The article suggests that gas turbine power plants are cost-effective and can provide a necessary backup to the variability of renewable power plants. Gas turbines combine low cost and fast reaction time in a way that will enable the grid to handle winds dying down unexpectedly or unpredicted heavy clouds diminishing solar power output.
Living Machines
Authors: Brouillette Monique
Published: March 2018

This article provides an insight into National Science Foundation (NSF) funded research and development of biological machines. The goal of these research projects is to build living, multicellular machines that sense, move, and solve real-world health problems. One of the Emergent Behaviors of Integrated Cellular Systems (EBICS) group has developed a biobot that walks. Inspired by the structure of human joints, this walker has two short, stubby legs connected by a bridge. The skeleton is constructed from a soft Jell-O-like 3D-printed skeleton called hydrogel, and surrounded by a band of skeletal muscle. The group genetically engineered the cells to produce a protein called channel rhodopsin, a sensory photorecepter that enables the muscle to contract in response to blue light. This provides an easy on–off switch to activate the muscle spurring the bot to move its legs and walk. As biologists understand better how tissues develop, bioengineers will be able to reverse-engineer development to better program cells to self-assemble to create biological machines. Plans for future bots include different cell types and many more functionalities.
Toward Intelligent Human Machine Interactions
Authors: Lin Yingzi
Published: March 2018

This article discusses the concept of human assistance systems (HAS) and research works to design the interface of HAS. It also focuses on the issue of how humans and HAS collaborate with each other during such interactions. HAS are expected to detect and compensate for human errors. In a case that a machine is a part of the team to complete an operation, it is highly desired that HAS collaborate with humans effectively. Advances on HAS have been made within application areas including vehicle driving, pilot–flight interfaces, healthcare and rehabilitation, robotics, etc. One important method for studying driver assistance system (DAS) is the availability of a powerful research tool, as the simulator is an effective means to generate real-world traffic scenarios without putting drivers in any real danger. A control strategy for HAS been investigated, especially for DAS. The goal is to provide a warning message and/or intervention to the driver if necessary to avoid hitting objects on road while not frustrating the user.
Vehicle and Powertrain Optimization for Autonomous and Connected Vehicles
Authors: Shao Yunli , Mohd Zulkefli Mohd Azrin , Sun Zongxuan
Published: March 2018

This article discusses the potential of using autonomous and connected vehicle (CV) technologies to save energy. It also focuses on the potential energy savings of internal combustion engine-based vehicles (ICVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). An example of vehicle and powertrain co-optimization for HEV eco-approaching and departure is also given. CV technologies are gaining increasing attention around the world. Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication enable real-time access to traffic information that was not available before, including preceding vehicles’ location, speed, pedal position, traffic signal phasing and timing (SPaT). The example shown in this article demonstrates the potential benefits from vehicle and powertrain co-optimization by investigating an eco-approaching and departure application. More research in this area can offer more mature solutions to implement such optimization in a real-production vehicle.
A Comparative Framing Analysis of Major Violations in the National Collegiate Athletic Association
Authors: Walker Khirey B. , Seifried Chad , Soebbing Brian , Agyemang Kwame
Published: March 2018

The present study used framing theory to analyze reports and articles from 1998 through 2016 offered by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and various newspapers to analyze the relationship between social-control agents and how they speak to specific audiences (e.g., public and NCAA members) about instances of misconduct by Division I members. The concept of conflict framing (i.e., frame alignment, counterframing, and reframing) is featured. The research demonstrated that episodic framing is more widespread than thematic framing, but it is used differently for specific audiences. The study also found that thematic framing is highly correlated with the normative approach and confirms that media outlets used assorted conflict-framing strategies (e.g., frame alignment, counterframing, and debunking) to emphasize that information on cases was false, incomplete, correct, or filtered. Different uses regarding precedent are also acknowledged, along with coverage concerning the type of institution and location of newspaper (i.e., local or national).
U.K. attack puts nerve agent in the spotlight
Authors: Stone Richard
Published: March 2018

Researchers race to understand deadly compound developed by Soviet scientists.
Protein may explain morning sickness, and worse
Authors: Dengler Roni
Published: March 2018

Two groups point to a possible trigger for vomiting, nausea.
The realist
Authors: Voosen Paul
Published: March 2018

Vaclav Smil looks to history for the future of energy. What he sees is sobering.
RNA targeting and translation in axons
Authors: Riccio Antonella
Published: March 2018

Local translation of transcripts takes center stage in neuron growth and regeneration
Multicenter Validation of Commercial Antigenuria Reagents To Diagnose Progressive Disseminated Histoplasmosis in People Living with HIV/AIDS in Two Latin American Countries
Authors: Cáceres Diego H. , Samayoa Blanca E. , Medina Narda G. , Tobón Angela M. , Guzmán Brenda J. , Mercado Danicela , Restrepo Angela , Chiller Tom , Arathoon Eduardo E. , Gómez Beatriz L.
Published: March 2018

Histoplasmosis is an important cause of mortality in patients with AIDS, especially in countries with limited access to antiretroviral therapies and diagnostic tests. However, many disseminated infections in Latin America go undiagnosed. A simple, rapid method to detect
Histoplasma capsulatum
infection in regions where histoplasmosis is endemic would dramatically decrease the time to diagnosis and treatment, reducing morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to validate a commercial monoclonal
Histoplasma
galactomannan (HGM) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Immuno-Mycologics [IMMY], Norman, OK, USA) in two cohorts of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV). We analyzed urine samples from 589 people (466 from Guatemala and 123 from Colombia), including 546 from PLHIV and 43 from non-PLHIV controls. Sixty-three of these people (35 from Guatemala and 28 from Colombia) had confirmed histoplasmosis by isolation of
H. capsulatum
. Using the standard curve provided by the quantitative commercial test, the sensitivity was 98% (95% confidence interval [CI], 95 to 100%) and the specificity was 97% (95% CI, 96 to 99%) (cutoff = 0.5 ng/ml). Semiquantitative results, using a calibrator of 12.5 ng/ml of
Histoplasma
galactomannan to calculate an enzyme immunoassay index value (EIV) for the samples, showed a sensitivity of 95% (95% CI, 89 to 100%) and a specificity of 98% (95% CI, 96 to 99%) (cutoff ≥ 2.6 EIV). This relatively simple-to-perform commercial antigenuria test showed a high performance with reproducible results in both countries, suggesting that it can be used to detect progressive disseminated histoplasmosis in PLHIV in a wide range of clinical laboratories in countries where histoplasmosis is endemic.
Intracellular Hepatitis C Virus Modeling Predicts Infection Dynamics and Viral Protein Mechanisms
Authors: Aunins Thomas R. , Marsh Katherine A. , Subramanya Gitanjali , Uprichard Susan L. , Perelson Alan S. , Chatterjee Anushree
Published: March 2018

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global health problem, with nearly 2 million new infections occurring every year and up to 85% of these infections becoming chronic infections that pose serious long-term health risks. To effectively reduce the prevalence of HCV infection and associated diseases, it is important to understand the intracellular dynamics of the viral life cycle. Here, we present a detailed mathematical model that represents the full hepatitis C virus life cycle. It is the first full HCV model to be fit to acute intracellular infection data and the first to explore the functions of distinct viral proteins, probing multiple hypotheses of
cis
- and
trans
-acting mechanisms to provide insights for drug targeting. Model parameters were derived from the literature, experiments, and fitting to experimental intracellular viral RNA, extracellular viral titer, and HCV core and NS3 protein kinetic data from viral inoculation to steady state. Our model predicts higher rates for protein translation and polyprotein cleavage than previous replicon models and demonstrates that the processes of translation and synthesis of viral RNA have the most influence on the levels of the species we tracked in experiments. Overall, our experimental data and the resulting mathematical infection model reveal information about the regulation of core protein during infection, produce specific insights into the roles of the viral core, NS5A, and NS5B proteins, and demonstrate the sensitivities of viral proteins and RNA to distinct reactions within the life cycle.

IMPORTANCE
We have designed a model for the full life cycle of hepatitis C virus. Past efforts have largely focused on modeling hepatitis C virus replicon systems, in which transfected subgenomic HCV RNA maintains autonomous replication in the absence of virion production or spread. We started with the general structure of these previous replicon models and expanded it to create a model that incorporates the full virus life cycle as well as additional intracellular mechanistic detail. We compared several different hypotheses that have been proposed for different parts of the life cycle and applied the corresponding model variations to infection data to determine which hypotheses are most consistent with the empirical kinetic data. Because the infection data we have collected for this study are a more physiologically relevant representation of a viral life cycle than data obtained from a replicon system, our model can make more accurate predictions about clinical hepatitis C virus infections.
Paediatric Ebstein’s anomaly: how clinical presentation predicts mortality
Authors: Geerdink Lianne M , Delhaas Tammo , Helbing Willem A , du Marchie Sarvaas Gideon J , Heide Henriette ter , Rozendaal Lieke , de Korte Chris L , Peer Petronella G M , Kuipers Irene M , Kapusta Livia
Published: March 2018

Background

Forecasting the prognosis of a child when diagnosed with Ebstein’s anomaly is difficult. We, therefore, studied which factors at the time of diagnosis are associated with death during childhood.

Methods

All consecutive patients (0–18 years) diagnosed with Ebstein’s anomaly in the Netherlands between 1980 and 2014 were included. Survival curves were obtained using the Kaplan-Meier method. By using the Cox proportional hazard model, we analysed the factors (at diagnosis) that were associated with death.

Results

We included 176 patients. Thirty-one patients (18%) died before the age of 18 years. The 1-year survival was 84% and remained stable at 82% from 35 months after diagnosis and onwards. Modified Ross Heart Failure Class 4 at the time of diagnosis was the most important risk factor for death during childhood (HR 12.5, 95% CI 4.4 to 35.9). Furthermore, diagnosis in the neonatal period (HR 4.2, 95% CI 1.5 to 12.0), severe tricuspid valve regurgitation (HR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2 to 5.0), severe right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (HR 3.7, 95% CI 1.8 to 7.7) and a patent ductus arteriosus (HR 2.8, 95% CI 1.3 to 6.0) at the time of diagnosis were univariately associated with death. Multivariable analysis showed that presentation with Heart Failure Class 4 and a ventricular septal defect is the strongest predictor of death in childhood and adolescence.

Conclusion

Patients with Ebstein’s anomaly presenting with Heart Failure Class 4 and a ventricular septal defect have a high risk of death during childhood.
Prevalence of the optic disc anomalies in the adult South Indian population
Authors: Bassi Shikha Talwar , George Ronnie , Sen Swarnali , Asokan Rashima , Lingam Vijaya
Published: March 2018

Purpose

To determine the prevalence of congenitally abnormal disc (all anomalies) in an adult population in southern India.

Methods

Subjects aged ≥40 years (n=6013) underwent a complete ophthalmic examination. Optic disc anomalies were diagnosed according to the definitions given in the article.

Results

Optic disc anomalies were found in 81 eyes of 66 (1.1%, 95% CIs 0.00834 to 0.01361) patients. The prevalence of each anomaly in the descending order was peripapillary myelinated nerve fibre (0.28%), epipapillary glial tissue on the optic disc (0.28%), peripapillary vascular loops (0.16%), tilted disc (0.09%), optic disc coloboma (0.08%), optic nerve hypoplasia (0.04%), optic disc pit (0.04%), optic disc pigmentation (0.03%), optic nerve head drusen (0.03%), Bergmeister’s papilla (0.03%), optic disc pit and coloboma (0.01%).

Conclusions

The prevalence of optic disc anomalies is 1.1% in the adult South Indian population.
Levels of detection of hypertension in primary medical care and interventions to improve detection: a systematic review of the evidence since 2000
Authors: Baker Richard , Wilson Andrew , Nockels Keith , Agarwal Shona , Modi Priya , Bankart John
Published: March 2018

Objectives

In England, many hypertensives are not detected by primary medical care. Higher detection is associated with lower premature mortality. We aimed to summarise recent evidence on detection and interventions to improve detection in order to inform policies to improve care.

Design

Data sources: systematic review of articles published since 2000. Searches of Medline and Embase were undertaken. Eligibility criteria: published in English, any study design, the setting was general practice and studies included patients aged 18 or over. Exclusion criteria: screening schemes, studies in primary care settings other than general practice, discussion or comment pieces. Participants: adult patients of primary medical care services. Synthesis: study heterogeneity precluded a statistical synthesis, and papers were described in summary tables.

Results

Seventeen quantitative and one qualitative studies were included. Detection rates varied by gender and ethnic group, but longitudinal studies indicated an improvement in detection over time. Patient socioeconomic factors did not influence detection, but living alone was associated with lower detection. Few health system factors were associated with detection, but in two studies higher numbers of general practitioners per 1000 population were associated with higher detection. Three studies investigated interventions to improve detection, but none showed evidence of effectiveness.

Limitations

The search was limited to studies published from 2000, in English. There were few studies of interventions to improve detection, and a meta-analysis was not possible.

Conclusions and implications

Levels of detection of hypertension by general practices may be improving, but large numbers of people with hypertension remain undetected. Improvement in detection is therefore required, but guidance for primary medical care is not provided by the few studies of interventions included in this review. Primary care teams should continue to use low-cost, practical approaches to detecting hypertension until evidence from new studies of interventions to improve detection is available.
Mycoplasma genitalium: high prevalence of resistance to macrolides and frequent anorectal infection in men who have sex with men in western Sydney
Authors: Couldwell Deborah L , Jalocon Dean , Power Melissa , Jeoffreys Neisha J , Chen Sharon C-A , Lewis David A
Published: March 2018

Objectives

We aimed to estimate the prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium infection and of mutations linked to macrolide resistance using the ResistancePlus MG assay (SpeeDx, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia) in first-void urine (FVU), anorectal and oropharyngeal samples from men who have sex with men (MSM) attending Western Sydney Sexual Health Centre (WSSHC).

Methods

Consecutive symptomatic and asymptomatic MSM attending for STI testing were prospectively enrolled. M. genitalium testing using the ResistancePlus MG assay was performed on FVU, anorectal and oropharyngeal samples routinely collected for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae assays.

Results

Overall, the prevalence of M. genitalium infection in the study group was 13.4% (68/508). Most (79.4%, 54/68) M. genitalium harboured macrolide resistance mutations (87.5% of urethral and 75.6% of anorectal infections). The anorectum was the most commonly infected site (45/505, 8.9%), followed by the urethra (24/508, 4.7%). No oropharyngeal M. genitalium infections were detected (0/508). Most of the anorectal (93.3%) and urethral (79.2%) infections were asymptomatic.

MSM who were taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) were twice as likely to be infected with M. genitalium compared with MSM who were not on PrEP (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3 to 3.6; P=0.0041). Always using condoms for anal sex in the last 3 months was protective of infection (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.6 to 1.0; P=0.0186).

Conclusions

We demonstrated a high prevalence of M. genitalium and very high levels of macrolide resistance among MSM attending WSSHC. Our findings support the routine use of an assay to detect macrolide resistance mutations in M. genitalium infections. This will ensure, in regions or populations with high rates of macrolide resistance among M. genitalium strains, that first-line treatment with azithromycin will only be used if a macrolide-sensitive strain is identified.
A microplate assay for measuring cell death in C2C12 cells
Authors: Lima Tanes I. , Silveira Leonardo R.
Published: March 2018

The main goal of this study was to develop a straightforward and rapid microplate assay for measuring propidium iodide (PI) in C2C12 cells. The PI method has proven to be an efficient quantitative assay for analyzing cell viability through PI fluorescence analysis. Importantly, the protocol takes less than 30 min and the results are reproducible. C2C12 cells were exposed to an increasing concentration of palmitate for a period of 24 h to induce cell death, and the PI fluorescence increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Evaluation of mitochondrial function and the production of reactive oxygen species confirmed the deleterious effects of palmitate. Also, the microplate PI assay demonstrated high sensitivity, as indicated by the detection of modest fluctuations in cell viability in response to catalase overexpression in palmitate-treated cells. The microplate PI assay, therefore, offers an accurate method for use in in-vitro studies.
On the reactivity of P-chloro dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]phosphole oxide
Authors: Wang Zisu , Spasyuk Denis , Baumgartner Thomas
Published: March 2018

The P-functionalization of dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]phosphole oxides via reaction of a P-chloro derivative with aromatic amines and alcohols is reported. The reactions proceed rapidly and provide the products in good yields, highlighting the synthetic versatility of the P-chloro dithienophosphole oxide toward effectively modifying the molecular scaffold without the need for elaborate phosphorus precursor syntheses. The resulting phosphinic amide and ester products show interesting photophysics that strongly depend on the nature of the P-substituent such as high luminescence quantum yields for the ester derivatives, as well as aggregation-induced enhanced emission for the amide derivative. The phosphinic amide species also shows intriguing self-assembly in the solid state via hydrogen bonding.