bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Default risk modelling using macroeconomic variables
Authors: Agrawal Khushbu , Maheshwari Yogesh
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to find out significant macroeconomic variables, incorporated as sensitivity variables (macroeconomic sensitivities), affecting financial distress for a sample of listed Indian firms.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study uses a matched pair sample of defaulting and non-defaulting listed Indian firms. It uses two alternative statistical techniques, viz., logistic regression and multiple discriminant analysis. The macroeconomic sensitivities are estimated by regressing the monthly stock return of the individual firm on the monthly changes in each macroeconomic variable.

Findings

– Sensitivity to changes in the stock market (stock market sensitivity) and sensitivity to changes in inflation [Consumer Price Index (CPI) sensitivity] have a significant impact on the default probability of a firm. Stock market sensitivity has a significant positive relationship with the probability of default, and CPI sensitivity has a significant negative relationship with the probability of default.

Originality/value

– The study links the developments in the external environment to the firm’s susceptibility to default. Furthermore, it highlights the significance of sensitivity of a firm to uncertainties in the macroeconomic environment and its impact on default risk. This establishes the fact that each firm is uniquely affected by the changes in the overall macroeconomic environment. The findings could be valuable to lenders such as banks and financial institutions, investors and policymakers.
Analytics based decision making
Authors: Agrawal Deepak
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to trace the history, application areas and users of Classical Analytics and Big Data Analytics.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper discusses different types of Classical and Big Data Analytical techniques and application areas from the early days to present day.

Findings

– Businesses can benefit from a deeper understanding of Classical and Big Data Analytics to make better and more informed decisions.

Originality/value

– This is a historical perspective from the early days of analytics to present day use of analytics.
Enterprise-wide risk management and organizational fit: a comparative study
Authors: Arnaboldi Michela , Lapsley Irvine
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse enterprise risk management (ERM), its organizational translation and fit, investigating in particular its impact on a major control process: budgeting.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research was carried out with a multiple case study approach including three companies in the UK. This approach was chosen to gain a deeper understanding of the nature of ERM within each of the organizations and the factors shaping its achievements.

Findings

– Three main issues emerged. The first is related specifically to ERM implementations and its variety in practice. Second, ERM champions emerged as central in shaping the managerial usefulness of ERM. Third, the cases showed diversity of practice in term of integration with budgeting which range from a voluntary full integration to an voluntary separation.

Practical implications

– The cases analysed highlighted that the integration between risk and other control processes is a challenge but also a strategic choice. Although conceding that ERM implementation is not linear, companies should reflect upon the type of relations they would like to have between different processes of control.

Originality/value

– The results of the paper explored ERM organizational fit, evidencing variety in practice and theoretically discussing how this diversity is linked to organizational and technical issues.
Post mortem crisis analysis: dissecting the London bombings of July 2005
Authors: K. Stern Eric , Deverell Edward , Fors Fredrik , Newlove-Eriksson Lindy
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– Taming the complexity of crisis and integrating diverse narratives and sources regarding crisis events is a serious challenge. The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology for reconstructing, dissecting, and thematically comparing crisis experiences, using the 7/7 London bombings of 2005 as an illustrative empirical application.

Design/methodology/approach

– A cognitive-institutional process-tracing methodology suitable compatible with structured focussed comparison of crisis cases (Stern and Sundelius, 2002; cf. George and Bennett, 2005) is used. This cognitive-institutional process tracing and analysis strategy consists of four steps: contextualization, development of a synthetic chronological narrative, identification and reconstruction of decision occasions, and (comparative) thematic analysis.

Findings

– The paper demonstrates the feasibility of applying the methodology to real-world cases in the UK and concludes with reflections about the need for contextualized, systematic post mortem crisis analysis taking into account problem and process complexity, differential crisis performances of individuals and organizations under adverse conditions, and the increasing importance of social media and personal communications devices for crisis research and practice.

Practical implications

– The methodology used in this paper has the potential to improve the effectiveness of organizational learning and reform efforts in the wake of crisis experiences.

Social implications

– Insights associated with the application of this methodology can lead to improved post-crisis learning and fairer accountability processes, and thus contribute to enhancing societal resilience.

Originality/value

– The study not only presents an original methodology developed by one of the authors, but also provides a systematic, relatively comprehensive and theoretically informed analysis of the July 7 London bombings based not only upon the documentary record, but also upon a substantial number of interviews.
Individual variation in the oxidative costs of personality traits
Authors: Arnold Kathryn E. , Herborn Katherine A. , Adam Aileen , Alexander Lucille
Published: November 2014

‘Personality traits’ are behavioural differences between individuals that are stable within individuals. Different combinations of personality traits can correlate with fitness variation but the mechanisms remain unclear. There is the suggestion that personality reflects variation in physiology. For example, ‘fast’ (bold, active, fast exploring) individuals are predicted to maintain a higher metabolic rate than ‘slow’ animals. A raised metabolic rate can result in a proliferation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which, if unchecked, cause oxidative stress. Thus, the ‘extended pace of life theory’ predicts that ‘fast’ individuals will pay higher oxidative costs than ‘slow’ ones. Alternatively, stress hormones, which are often relatively high in ‘slow’ individuals, can also cause proliferation of ROS and subsequent oxidative damage. Here, we assessed co‐variation between personality and oxidative profile in wild blue tits.

The personality traits neophobia (latency to approach food near novel objects), activity level in a novel environment and exploratory tendency (controlling for differences in activity) assayed in captivity were repeatable within individuals but were uncorrelated with each other. Reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs an index of pro‐oxidant status) and OXY (antioxidant capacity) were also uncorrelated with each other and did not vary with age or sex. Blood sampling birds within three minutes of capture from their familiar cage vs. after 15 min of exposure to a standardized stressor did not affect ROMs or OXY.

Wintering blue tits that were both highly neophobic and exploratory had low OXY defences and individuals that showed low neophobia and low exploration had high OXY defences. Variation in ROMs was not explained by any personality trait. High exploratory tendency also correlated with a reduction in body condition in captivity, but body condition did not predict ROMs or OXY. Activity level in the exploration trial did not vary with oxidative profile or change in body condition.

Personality types differed in antioxidant defences, and it was the combination of an individual's personality traits that proved important. ROS production and antioxidant defences will vary due to many processes for example resource allocation, not just metabolic rate and stress responsiveness. Consequently, the costs of personality traits and thus the predictions regarding fitness are complex.
Climatic conditions cause complex patterns of covariation between demographic traits in a long‐lived raptor
Authors: Herfindal Ivar , van de Pol Martijn , Nielsen Jan T. , Sæther Bernt‐Erik , Møller Anders P.
Published: November 2014

Environmental variation can induce life‐history changes that can last over a large part of the lifetime of an organism. If multiple demographic traits are affected, expected changes in climate may influence environmental covariances among traits in a complex manner. Thus, examining the consequences of environmental fluctuations requires that individual information at multiple life stages is available, which is particularly challenging in long‐lived species.

Here, we analyse how variation in climatic conditions occurring in the year of hatching of female goshawksAccipiter gentilis(L.) affects age‐specific variation in demographic traits and lifetime reproductive success (LRS).LRSdecreased with increasing temperature inApril in the year of hatching, due to lower breeding frequency and shorter reproductive life span. In contrast, the probability for a female to successfully breed was higher in years with a warmApril, but lowerLRSof the offspring in these years generated a negative covariance among fecundity rates among generations.

The mechanism by which climatic conditions generated cohort effects was likely through influencing the quality of the breeding segment of the population in a given year, as the proportion of pigeons in the diet during the breeding period was positively related to annual andLRS, and the diet of adult females that hatched in warm years contained fewer pigeons.

Climatic conditions experienced during different stages of individual life histories caused complex patterns of environmental covariance among demographic traits even across generations. Such environmental covariances may either buffer or amplify impacts of climate change on population growth, emphasizing the importance of considering demographic changes during the complete life history of individuals when predicting the effect of climatic change on population dynamics of long‐lived species.
Inhibition of protein kinase (PK) Cδ attenuates methamphetamine‐induced dopaminergic toxicity via upregulation of phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase at Ser40 by modulation of protein phosphatase 2A and PKA
Authors: Dang Duy‐Khanh , Duong Chu X , Nam Yunsung , Shin Eun‐Joo , Lim Yong Kwang , Jeong Ji Hoon , Jang Choon‐Gon , Nah Seung‐Yeol , Nabeshima Toshitaka , Kim Hyoung‐Chun
Published: November 2014

Recently, we proposed that inhibition of protein kinase (PK) Cδ may be a useful target for protection against methamphetamine (MA)‐induced dopaminergic toxicity. We demonstrated that treatment with MA resulted in a significant decrease in phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) at Ser40 in the striatum, but not in the phosphorylation of TH at Ser31. In the present study, treatment with rottlerin (1.5 or 3.0 μg, i.c.v, once a day for 5 days), a PKCδ inhibitor, or a PKCδ antisense oligonucleotide (ASO; 2.5 μg/μl, i.c.v., 3 times) significantly attenuated MA‐induced reductions in the phosphorylation of TH at Ser40 and in the expression of PKA in the striatum of mice. This attenuation was significantly counteracted by H89 (10 or 30 ng, i.c.v., 1 h after the last MA administration), a PKA inhibitor. Treatment with rottlerin or ASO significantly attenuated the MA‐induced increase in protein phosphatase (PP) 2A activity. FTY720 (1 or 5 mg/kg, i.p., 1 h after the last MA administration), a PP2A activator, significantly reversed the recovery in TH phosphorylation mediated by inhibition of PKCδ after MA treatment. Both H89 and FTY720 counteracted the recovery of MA‐induced behavioural impairments induced by PKCδ inhibition. The effects, mediated by rottlerin or ASO in MA‐treated wild‐type mice were comparable with those in MA‐treated PKCδ−/− mice. However, neither inhibition of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase subfamily (extracellular signal‐regulated kinase, c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase, p38) nor inhibition of calcium calmodulin kinase II significantly altered PKCδ inhibition‐mediated attenuation of MA‐induced impairment of TH phosphorylation. The results suggest that genetic or pharmacological inhibition of PKCδ requires modulation of PKA expression and/or PP2A activity to attenuate the impairment of TH phosphorylation at Ser40 and behavioural activity induced by MA.
Waardenburg Syndrome With Familial Unilateral Renal Agenesis: A New Syndrome Variant?
Authors: Webb Katie M , Smith Alisha J , Dansby Linda M , Diskin Charles J
Published: November 2014

A 64‐year‐old man with Waardenburg syndrome presented with anuria and was subsequently discovered by renal ultrasound to have unilateral renal agenesis. The patient is one of three generations with incidental finding of renal agenesis also marked by the presence of Waardenburg syndrome. To our knowledge, there has been no mention elsewhere in the scientific literature of a variant of Waardenburg syndrome with associated renal agenesis.
Equity‐Based Compensation of Outside Directors and Corporate Disclosure Quality
Authors: Sengupta Partha , Zhang Suning
Published: November 2014

We examine the relationship between a firm's disclosure quality and equity‐based compensation of independent members of the board of directors. The dimensions of disclosure quality we focus on are management's earnings guidance and information flowthrough financial analysts. Using both levels and changes specifications, we find the average ratio of equity‐based pay to total pay of independent board members to be positively related to a firm's disclosure quality. Our findings are robust to the inclusion of management's equity‐based compensation, other governance measures, and financial controls, and robust to instrumental variable tests of endogeneity. Furthermore, we find directors’ equity‐based compensation to be negatively associated with the firm's cost of equity capital. Our results are consistent with equity‐based compensation providing incentives to independent directors to push for better disclosure quality.
Comprehension of affective prosody in women with post‐traumatic stress disorder related to childhood abuse
Authors: Nazarov A. , Frewen P. , Oremus C. , Schellenberg E. G. , McKinnon M. C. , Lanius R.
Published: November 2014

Objective

Although deficits in memory and cognitive processing are evident in post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), difficulties with social cognition and the impact of such difficulties on interpersonal functioning are poorly understood. Here, we examined the ability of women diagnosed with PTSD related to childhood abuse to discriminate affective prosody, a central component of social cognition.

Method

Women with PTSD and healthy controls (HCs) completed two computer‐based tasks assessing affective prosody: (i) recognition (categorizing foreign‐language excerpts as angry, fearful, sad, or happy) and (ii) discrimination (identifying whether two excerpts played consecutively had the ‘same’ or ‘different’ emotion). The association of performance with symptom presentation, trauma history, and interpersonal functioning was also explored.

Results

Women with PTSD were slower than HCs at identifying happiness, sadness, and fear, but not anger in the speech excerpts. The presence of dissociative symptoms was related to reduced accuracy on the discrimination task. An increased severity of childhood trauma was associated with reduced accuracy on the discrimination task and with slower identification of emotional prosody.

Conclusion

Exposure to childhood trauma is associated with long‐term, atypical development in the interpretation of prosodic cues in speech. The findings have implications for the intergenerational transmission of trauma.
How I manage sinusoidal obstruction syndrome after haematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Carreras Enric
Published: November 2014

Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), also called veno‐occlusive disease of the liver, is one of the most relevant complications of endothelial origin that appears early after haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Despite its relatively low incidence and the fact that most cases of SOS resolve spontaneously, the cases that evolve to multi‐organ failure (MOF; severe SOS) have a mortality rate higher than 80% and represent one of the major clinical problems after HCT. For this reason, transplantation teams must have a pre‐established policy regarding preventive measures in high‐risk patients, strict daily control of weight and fluid balance during HCT, homogeneous diagnostic criteria, appropriate complementary studies for a correct differential diagnosis and measures to prevent and manage hepatorenal syndrome; in addition they must also be ready to start early treatment with defibrotide in patients with a possible severe SOS. Due to the lack of definitive evidence to enable the establishment of general recommendations in the management of SOS, this review analyses all of these aspects based on the author's personal experience.
Melanotic Tumors of the Nervous System are Characterized by Distinct Mutational, Chromosomal and Epigenomic Profiles
Authors: Koelsche Christian , Hovestadt Volker , Jones David T. W. , Capper David , Sturm Dominik , Sahm Felix , Schrimpf Daniel , Adeberg Sebastian , Böhmer Katja , Hagenlocher Christian , Mechtersheimer Gunhild , Kohlhof Patricia , Mühleisen Helmut , Beschorner Rudi , Hartmann Christian , Braczynski Anne Kristin , Mittelbronn Michel , Buslei Rolf , Becker Albert , Grote Alexander , Urbach Horst , Staszewski Ori , Prinz Marco , Hewer Ekkehard , Pfister Stefan M. , von Deimling Andreas , Reuss David E.
Published: November 2014

Melanotic tumors of the nervous system show overlapping histological characteristics but differ substantially in their biological behavior. In order to achieve a better delineation of such tumors, we performed an in‐depth molecular characterization. Eighteen melanocytomas, 12 melanomas, and 14 melanotic and 14 conventional schwannomas (control group) were investigated for methylome patterns (450k array), gene mutations associated with melanotic tumors and copy number variants (CNVs). The methylome fingerprints assigned tumors to entity‐specific groups. Methylation groups also showed a substantial overlap with histology‐based diagnosis suggesting that they represent true biological entities. On the molecular level, melanotic schwannomas were characterized by a complex karyotype with recurrent monosomy of chromosome 22q and variable whole chromosomal gains and recurrent losses commonly involving chromosomes 1, 17p and 21. Melanocytomas carried GNAQ/11 mutations and presented with CNV involving chromosomes 3 and 6. Melanomas were frequently mutated in the TERT promoter, harbored additional oncogene mutations and showed recurrent chromosomal losses involving chromosomes 9, 10 and 6q, as well as gains of 22q. Together, melanotic nervous system tumors have several distinct mutational and chromosomal alterations and can reliably be distinguished by methylome profiling.
Symmetric Assumptions in the Theory of Disruptive Innovation: Theoretical and Managerial Implications
Authors: Sandström Christian , Berglund Henrik , Magnusson Mats
Published: November 2014

The literature on disruptive innovation has convincingly explained why many established firms encounter problems under conditions of discontinuous change. Incumbents fail to invest in new technologies that are not demanded by their existing customers. This argument is grounded in resource dependency theory and the associated assumption that existing customers control a firm's internal resource allocation processes. While the problem of disruptive innovation has been convincingly explained, there is still a need for managerial solutions. We argue that a key reason why such solutions are lacking can be found in the asymmetric assumptions made in the original theory of disruptive innovation. Specifically, we identify two related forms of asymmetry. First, the focal (incumbent) firm is treated as a collection of heterogeneous actors with different preferences, incentives and competencies, whereas firms in the surrounding environment are treated as if they contained no such heterogeneity. Second, the theory of disruptive innovation describes incumbents as controlled by their environment, but has failed to recognize that the environment can also be influenced. In this paper we argue that a more symmetric theory of disruptive innovation – i.e. one that treats all similar entities in the same way – opens up for a range of interesting managerial solutions.
Serum Immunoglobulin G4 levels are elevated in patients with Graves’ ophthalmopathy
Authors: Bozkirli Emre , Bakiner Okan Sefa , Ersozlu Bozkirli Emine Duygu , Eksi Haydardedeoglu Filiz , Sizmaz Selcuk , Torun Aysenur Izol , Ertorer Melek Eda
Published: November 2014

Objective

Recent studies have shown close association between serum Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) levels and forms of autoimmune thyroiditis. However, there are limited data about the relationship between IgG4 and Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO). In the present study, we aimed to determine the possible association between IgG4 and GO.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Patients

Sixty‐five patients with Graves’ disease (GD) and 25 healthy controls were recruited into the study. Thirty‐two of these patients had GO.

Measurements

Serum IgG4 levels, thyroid functions and thyroid volumes were measured in all participants. Ophthalmological examination including Hertel's exophthalmometer readings (HER), Schirmer's test (ST), ‘NO SPECS’ classification and clinical activity score evaluation (CAS) were performed to all patients with GD.

Results

IgG4 levels were significantly elevated in patients with Graves’ disease compared to controls (P = 0·0001). Also, IgG4 levels were significantly higher in patients with and without GO when compared to control subjects (P = 0·0001 and P = 0·002, respectively). Furthermore, IgG4 levels were significantly higher in the GO group compared with GD patients without GO (P = 0·024). IgG4 levels were observed to increase in parallel to CAS. Compared with other GD patients, 15 GD patients with serum IgG4 levels ≥135 mg/dl had higher CAS scores (P = 0·012). None of the factors including, TSH, T3, T4 levels, thyroid volume, HER and ST measurements, affect IgG4 levels as an independent factor.

Conclusion

IgG4 levels are evidently increased in patients with GD, and there is a possible relationship between IgG4 and GO. Our results suggest that IgG4 may be helpful in screening GD patients with high risk for GO and may well become a good indicator for the selection of right medication in the future.
Computing Minimum Area Homologies
Authors: Chambers Erin Wolf , Vejdemo‐Johansson Mikael
Published: November 2014

Calculating and categorizing the similarity of curves is a fundamental problem which has generated much recent interest. However, to date there are no implementations of these algorithms for curves on surfaces with provable guarantees on the quality of the measure. In this paper, we present a similarity measure for any two cycles that are homologous, where we calculate the minimum area of any homology (or connected bounding chain) between the two cycles. The minimum area homology exists for broader classes of cycles than previous measures which are based on homotopy. It is also much easier to compute than previously defined measures, yielding an efficient implementation that is based on linear algebra tools. We demonstrate our algorithm on a range of inputs, showing examples which highlight the feasibility of this similarity measure.
Synapse formation changes the rules for desensitization of PKC translocation in Aplysia
Authors: Farah Carole A. , Naqib Faisal , Weatherill Daniel B. , Pack Christopher C. , Sossin Wayne S.
Published: November 2014

Protein kinase Cs (PKCs) are activated by translocating from the cytoplasm to the membrane. We have previously shown that serotonin‐mediated translocation of PKC to the plasma membrane in Aplysia sensory neurons was subject to desensitization, a decrease in the ability of serotonin to induce translocation after previous application of serotonin. In Aplysia, changes in the strength of the sensory–motor neuron synapse are important for behavioral sensitization and PKC regulates a number of important aspects of this form of synaptic plasticity. We have previously suggested that the desensitization of PKC translocation in Aplysia sensory neurons may partially explain the differences between spaced and massed training, as spaced applications of serotonin, a cellular analog of spaced training, cause greater desensitization of PKC translocation than one massed application of serotonin, a cellular analog of massed training. Our previous studies were performed in isolated sensory neurons. In the present study, we monitored translocation of fluorescently‐tagged PKC to the plasma membrane in living sensory neurons that were co‐cultured with motor neurons to allow for synapse formation. We show that desensitization now becomes similar during spaced and massed applications of serotonin. We had previously modeled the signaling pathways that govern desensitization in isolated sensory neurons. We now modify this mathematical model to account for the changes observed in desensitization dynamics following synapse formation. Our study shows that synapse formation leads to significant changes in the molecular signaling networks that underlie desensitization of PKC translocation.
Productivity enhances benthic species richness along an oligotrophic Indian Ocean continental margin
Authors: McCallum Anna W. , Woolley Skipton , Błażewicz‐Paszkowycz Magda , Browne Joanna , Gerken Sarah , Kloser Rudy , Poore Gary C. B. , Staples David , Syme Anna , Taylor Joanne , Walker‐Smith Genefor , Williams Alan , Wilson Robin S.
Published: November 2014

Aims

Marine soft sediments cover much of the deep ocean and are one of the largest habitats in the world, yet much of our understanding about their diversity is based on sampling in the North Atlantic. The deep‐sea benthos provides a simplified environment in which to explore the processes which maintain species richness. Here we investigate the influence of energy and habitat complexity on benthic species richness along an oligotrophic continental margin within the Indian Ocean.

Location

The upper continental margin of western Australia (c. 13–35° S, 100–1000 m depth).

Methods

We examined the species richness of selected polychaetes (Annelida) and crustaceans in sediment grab samples. We used generalized linear models and hierarchical partitioning to examine the relationship and relative importance of temperature, productivity (particulate organic carbon flux, net primary productivity and depth) and habitat complexity (sediment particle size diversity and grain size) on species richness at 51 sites.

Results

In contrast to benthic studies in the North Atlantic, we found that species richness was higher on the shelf than on the slope. Species richness was positively correlated with net primary productivity; this relationship was influenced by high species richness in two areas where oceanic mixing is known to enhance primary productivity. Habitat heterogeneity and temperature were less influential.

Main conclusion

This study represents one of the first extensive quantitative studies of deep‐water benthos in the Indo‐West Pacific, and provides further evidence that bathymetric gradients of species richness are variable between regions, probably due to variation in local oceanography and productivity regimes. Our findings provide support for the overriding influence of productivity on species richness, even over relatively small ranges in depth and productivity. As climate change is expected to modify biogeochemical fluxes to the deep seafloor, this is likely to affect the communities of deep‐sea fauna.
Pre‐service teacher perspectives towards pedagogical uses of non‐native and native speech samples
Authors: Litzenberg Jason
Published: November 2014

This article reports on part of a quantitative/ qualitative study investigating the attitudes of pre‐service English language teachers in the United States towards native/non‐native Englishes in interaction. The study is unique to language attitude research in that participants evaluate speech‐in‐action of multiple speakers rather than isolated speech samples. It is therefore relevant to linguistic approaches that emphasize communication, such as English as a Lingua Franca (ELF), which until now has been under‐represented in North American research. Results indicate a willingness among pre‐service teachers to use non‐native Englishes as pedagogical models for certain language skills and course types. Implications for English language teacher training are discussed.
Clinical resistance to three types of botulinum toxin type A in aesthetic medicine
Authors: Stephan Farid , Habre Maya , Tomb Roland
Published: November 2014

Botulinum toxin injections have become the most frequent noninvasive cosmetic procedure carried out worldwide. Botulinum toxin has also multiple other indications in different medical fields. However, with the repetition of injections, a new concern has emerged: clinical resistance and loss of effectiveness of the treatment. After reporting a case of primary nonresponsiveness to three types of botulinum toxin type A injections, we conducted a review about all factors leading to the primary or secondary nonresponsiveness, as well as the factors affecting the immunogenicity of this neurotoxin. Most of the reports and studies focused on secondary resistance to botulinum toxin (BT) and the neurotoxin immunogenicity; primary nonresponsiveness was rarely reported. Factors leading to primary or secondary resistance to BT injections were numerous. In the majority of the studies, development of neutralizing antibodies to botulinum toxin was considered responsible of the induced clinical resistance. Patients should be aware of this rising concern as well as clinicians who should learn how to minimize the risk of resistance development, sparing the patients more invasive treatment modalities. Further studies related to botulinum toxin resistance are needed.
Safety and effectiveness of injection of calcium hydroxylapatite via blunt cannula compared to injection by needle for correction of nasolabial folds
Authors: Beer Kenneth R
Published: November 2014

Background

Pain and potential adverse events (AE) remain challenges for patients being treated with calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA; Radiesse), especially CaHA not mixed with an anesthetic. The blunt cannula may provide more comfortable and lower risk delivery of CaHA for nasolabial folds (NLF) correction.

Objective

This 30‐day pilot study was designed to compare the effectiveness and safety of standard needles with that of blunt cannulas for CaHA application.

Methods

Twenty patients with moderate to severe NLF received split‐face injections of CaHA mixed with 2% lidocaine using a cannula for one NLF and needle for the other NLF. At day 0, patients evaluated pain; the treating investigator evaluated changes in NLF depth. At 0, 3, 7, 14, and 30 days, the investigator evaluated AEs and NLF correction. Patients recorded AEs in daily dairies.

Results

After initial treatment, patients experienced greater pain and displayed increased erythema and swelling in the needle‐treated side. At days 3 and 7, patients displayed greater instances of bruising, redness, and swelling in the needle‐treated sides. At day 30, 19 patients showed slightly better correction in the cannula‐treated sides.

Conclusions

The blunt cannula provided advantages in mitigation of pain and AEs, with a degree of correction similar to needle. The addition of blunt cannulas to the clinical setting may be appropriate.
A cleanser based on sodium laureth carboxylate and alkyl carboxylates washes facial sebum well but does not induce dry skin
Authors: Yokoi Aya , Endo Koji , Ozawa Toshiaki , Miyaki Masahiro , Matsuo Keiko , Nozawa Kazumi , Manabe Motomu , Takagi Yutaka
Published: November 2014

Background

Because excess sebum and/or metabolites of sebum induce skin problems, cleansers that can remove those kinds of sebum are sought after. However, many people, especially who have little facial sebum, are afraid to wash off sebum well because that may induce dry skin. This concern may be caused by the result that cleansers with a high cleansing ability tend to decrease not only facial sebum but also natural moisturizing factors and intercellular lipids that are essential for cutaneous function. Recently, we have developed a new cleanser based on sodium laureth carboxylate and alkyl carboxylates (AEC/soap) that cleans sebum well without penetrating the stratum corneum.

Objectives

This trial was aim to clarify the effects of sebum removal by AEC/soap‐based cleanser on the induction of dry skin.

Methods

We designed a controlled single blind parallel trial. Thirty female subjects with mild dry skin were assigned randomly to two groups: one group used AEC/soap‐based cleanser while the other group kept using their usual facial cleanser twice a day for 4 weeks in the winter season.

Results

Using a colored artificial sebum mixture, it was demonstrated that this cleanser washed sebum well. Following usage of this cleanser, their dry skin improved rather than worsen which was indicated by instrumental analysis and visual assessment. These improvements were recognized by subjects.

Conclusions

These results suggest that AEC/soap‐based cleanser washes off facial sebum well, but it has little effect on the induction of dry skin because of less penetration into stratum corneum.
The Reduction Corporoplasty: The Answer to the Improbable Urologic Question “Can You Make My Penis Smaller?”
Authors: Martinez Daniel R. , Manimala Neil J. , Rafiei Arash , Hakky Tariq S. , Yang Chris , Carrion Rafael
Published: November 2014

Introduction

Aneurysmal dilatation of the corpora cavernosa can occur because of recurrent priapism in the setting of sickle cell disease.

Aim

We present the first case of a successful implementation of the reduction corporoplasty technique for treatment of a phallus that was “too large for intercourse.”

Methods

We describe the presentation of a 17-year-old male with a history of sickle cell disease with a phallus “too large for intercourse.” Patient reported normal erectile function and response with masturbation but also reported inability to penetrate his partner due to the enlarged and disfigured morphology. He had three priapismic episodes since the age of 10 that progressively led to an aneurysmal morphologic deformity of his phallus. Evaluation included a magnetic resonance imaging, which revealed true aneurysmal dilatation of bilateral corpora cavernosa in the middle and distal portions, and diffusely hyperplastic tunica.

Main Outcome Measure

The main outcome measure is the successful management of phallic disfiguration.

Results

Reduction corporoplasty was performed, and the patient reported intact erectile function without aneurysmal recurrence.

Conclusions

Patients with significant corporal aneurysmal defects secondary to recurrent priapism can be successfully managed with reduction corporoplasty.
Combination therapy of interferon and nucleotide/nucleoside analogues for chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Wong G. L.‐H. , Wong V. W.‐S. , Chan H. L.‐Y.
Published: November 2014

Chronic hepatitis B is one of the leading causes of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma globally. At present, seven drugs, including two interferons and five oral nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs), have been approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Interferon works by immunomodulation, but is successful in less than a third of treated patients and is a relatively weak antiviral. NAs directly suppress the hepatitis B virus but have limited durability. Based on current data, combination of NA and interferon results in greater viral suppression but does not translate to off‐treatment sustained response. Concomitant or sequential treatment also does not make a difference. Combining telbivudine and interferon also runs the risk of severe peripheral neuropathy. On the other hand, interferon switch or additional therapy in patients well controlled with NAs appears to improve the durability of off‐treatment response. This article reviews current data on interferon and NA combination and discusses potential future developments.
BcNoxD, a putative ER protein, is a new component of the NADPH oxidase complex in Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Siegmund Ulrike , Marschall Robert , Tudzynski Paul
Published: November 2014

NADPH oxidases (Nox) are major enzymatic producer of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In fungi these multi‐enzyme complexes are involved in sexual differentiation and pathogenicity. However, in contrast to mammalian systems, the composition and recruitment of the fungal Nox complexes are unresolved. Here we introduce a new Nox component, the membrane protein NoxD in the grey mold fungus Botrytis cinerea. It has high homology to the ER protein Pro41 from Sordaria macrospora, similar functions to the catalytic Nox subunit BcNoxA in differentiation and pathogenicity, and shows similarities to phagocytic p22phox. BcNoxA and BcNoxD interact with each other. Both proteins are involved in pathogenicity, fusion of conidial anastomosis tubes (CAT) and formation of sclerotia and conidia. These data support our earlier view based on localization studies, for an ER‐related function of the Nox complex. We present the first evidence that some functions of the BcNoxA complex are indeed linked to the ER, while others clearly require export from the ER.
The membrane proteome of stroma thylakoids from Arabidopsis thaliana studied by successive in‐solution and in‐gel digestion
Authors: Yin Lan , Vener Alexander V. , Spetea Cornelia
Published: November 2014

From individual localization and large‐scale proteomic studies, we know that stroma‐exposed thylakoid membranes harbor part of the machinery performing the light‐dependent photosynthetic reactions. The minor components of the stroma thylakoid proteome, regulating and maintaining the photosynthetic machinery, are in the process of being unraveled. In this study, we developed in‐solution and in‐gel proteolytic digestion methods, and used them to identify minor membrane proteins, e.g. transporters, in stroma thylakoids prepared from Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh Columbia‐0 leaves. In‐solution digestion with chymotrypsin yielded the largest number of peptides, but in combination with methanol extraction resulted in identification of the largest number of membrane proteins. Although less efficient in extracting peptides, in‐gel digestion with trypsin and chymotrypsin led to identification of additional proteins. We identified a total of 58 proteins including 44 membrane proteins. Almost half are known thylakoid proteins with roles in photosynthetic light reactions, proteolysis and import. The other half, including many transporters, are not known as chloroplast proteins, because they have been either curated (manually assigned) to other cellular compartments or not curated at all at the plastid protein databases. Transporters include ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) proteins, transporters for K+ and other cations. Other proteins either have a role in processes probably linked to photosynthesis, namely translation, metabolism, stress and signaling or are contaminants. Our results indicate that all these proteins are present in stroma thylakoids; however, individual studies are required to validate their location and putative roles. This study also provides strategies complementary to traditional methods for identification of membrane proteins from other cellular compartments.
Polygonal Clustering Analysis Using Multilevel Graph‐Partition
Authors: Wang Wanyi , Du Shihong , Guo Zhou , Luo Liqun
Published: November 2014

Existing methods of spatial data clustering have focused on point data, whose similarity can be easily defined. Due to the complex shapes and alignments of polygons, the similarity between non‐overlapping polygons is important to cluster polygons. This study attempts to present an efficient method to discover clustering patterns of polygons by incorporating spatial cognition principles and multilevel graph partition. Based on spatial cognition on spatial similarity of polygons, four new similarity criteria (i.e. the distance, connectivity, size and shape) are developed to measure the similarity between polygons, and used to visually distinguish those polygons belonging to the same clusters from those to different clusters. The clustering method with multilevel graph‐partition first coarsens the graph of polygons at multiple levels, using the four defined similarities to find clusters with maximum similarity among polygons in the same clusters, then refines the obtained clusters by keeping minimum similarity between different clusters. The presented method is a general algorithm for discovering clustering patterns of polygons and can satisfy various demands by changing the weights of distance, connectivity, size and shape in spatial similarity. The presented method is tested by clustering residential areas and buildings, and the results demonstrate its usefulness and universality.
Productivity and R&D as Drivers of Exports and Domestic Sales: Semi‐parametric Evidence from French Firm‐level Data
Authors: Egger Peter H. , Erhardt Katharina , Lassmann Andrea
Published: November 2014

Earlier work suggests that the relationship between exports and trade costs and exports and foreign market size is well described by a log‐linear functional form. A log‐linear relationship between exports and productivity is the underlying workhorse models of trade as well. The same pattern is assumed to hold for domestic sales. How the intensity of R&D affects quality or preferences and productivity, and hence, exports and domestic sales, is less well established. This paper is devoted to estimating the relationship between productivity, R&D and sales to different markets in a flexible, nonparametric way which is embedded in a semiparametric estimation approach. Using French firm‐level data, we can confirm a standard log‐linear relationship for exports. However, it takes a rather non‐linear functional form for domestic sales, suggesting that the data are generated by a potentially different class of models than the one considered traditionally.
Who Gains From Nominal Devaluation? An Empirical Assessment of Euro‐area Exports and Imports
Authors: Breuer Sebastian , Klose Jens
Published: November 2014

In early 2013, rumours about the euro‐appreciation gained momentum, which may lead to decreases in exports and increases in imports of the member states. Therefore, we investigate the impact of changes in the nominal euro exchange rate vis‐à‐vis major currencies on export and import performance of nine different euro‐area countries. To disentangle the ‘true’ equilibrium elasticities Stein's unbiased risk estimate (SURE) system error correction models (SSECM) are estimated for nominal exchange rate changes versus the rest of the world or other major currencies. To differentiate between price level changes and changes of the nominal exchange rate, a country's export and import equation is estimated using separately the nominal rate and the relative price/unit labour cost as regressors. Results of Wald tests indicate that assuming both variables to have the same influence on exports and imports is misleading. Whether the relative price/unit labour costs elasticities are high or low depends crucially on which indicator is chosen, while the effect of nominal exchange rate changes can be estimated robustly for all countries in the sample. In particular, France and Spain are hit by a euro‐appreciation since their exports are highly exchange rate elastic. However, for France, this effect is at least partly offset by an also negative exchange rate elasticity of imports.
Evaluation of viruses and their association with ocular lesions in pinnipeds in rehabilitation
Authors: Wright Erin P. , Waugh Lynnette F. , Goldstein Tracey , Freeman Katie S. , Kelly Terra R. , Wheeler Elizabeth A. , Smith Brett R. , Gulland Frances M. D.
Published: November 2014

Objective

To assess whether corneal lesions in stranded pinnipeds were associated with viral infections, and to identify the potential pathogen(s) associated with the lesions.

Animals studied

Twenty‐nine California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), 18 northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), and 34 Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsii).

Procedure

DNA and RNA were extracted from ocular swabs, corneal tissue, and aqueous humor and screened for herpesvirus, adenovirus, poxvirus, and calicivirus families by PCR.

Results

The results indicated a high overall prevalence of viruses, with adenoviruses and herpesviruses detected in all three host species. Three novel adenoviruses (PhAdV‐1, PhAdV‐2, OtAdV‐2) and two novel herpesviruses (PhHV‐6, OtHV‐4) were detected. There were no statistical differences in the prevalence of viral infection or coinfection among groups of individuals with or without corneal lesions, nor were lesion type, onset, or presence of concurrent disease significantly associated with a viral infection.

Conclusions

The results suggested that viral presence in ocular tissues was common, not significantly associated with ocular disease and thus should not preclude release of an otherwise healthy animal. We could not confirm a correlation of virus presence with lesion due to the high percentage of virus‐positive, clinically normal animals. This implied that seals and sea lions can have ocular tissues infected with several viruses without having readily evident associated lesions. This difficulty in correlating viral presence, particularly herpesviruses, with ocular lesions was also a common finding in studies with terrestrial species and highlighted the difficulty of confirming a virus as a primary pathogen in ocular lesions.
English in Brunei
Authors: HAJI‐OTHMAN NOOR AZAM , MCLELLAN JAMES
Published: November 2014

This article uses a kuih lapis (layer cake) analogy to describe English as one layer contributing to the diversity of indigenous and immigrant languages used in Negara Brunei Darussalam (Brunei). We then review some previous studies of bilingualism among Bruneians before outlining three major challenges facing researchers studying English in Brunei. These challenges comprise: the balance, or imbalance, between English‐medium and Malay‐medium in the national education system since 1985, the question of whether Brunei English is a distinct variety and the issue of whether English has become part of Brunei's identity. These challenges are framed within the dualities of Malay as national and official language, and the nation's need for English for increasing international and global connectedness. The discussion of future directions draws on recent research by Bruneians; these directions include the growing number of first‐language users of English, the position of Brunei English within Schneider's () Dynamic Model, the identification of subvarieties of Brunei English, and the notion of Brunei English as a code‐mixed variety.