bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Th2 cytokine profile in appendicular lavage fluid is compatible with allergy as an etiology for acute appendicitis
Authors: Carvalho Nuno , Barros André , Coelho Hélder O. , Moita Catarina F. , Neves-Costa Ana , Pedroso Dora , Borges Filipe C. , Moita Luís F. , Costa Paulo M.
Published: March 2019

Acute appendicitis is the most frequent surgical abdominal emergency, but its etiology remains poorly understood. Histological examination of the appendix, following its removal due to acute appendicitis, consistently shows features in common with bronchial asthma, suggesting an allergic reaction as a candidate etiologic factor. Here we propose the concept of appendicular lavage and used it to study the levels of the Th2 cytokines IL-4, IL-5 and IL-9 in patients with a clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The study group included 20 patients with a histological diagnosis of phlegmonous appendicitis, 13 patients with gangrenous appendicitis, and a control group of 8 patients with clinical diagnosis of appendicitis but with normal histology. Cytokines levels were higher in acute appendicitis. The difference was more pronounced when comparing phlegmonous appendicitis with non-pathological appendix (p=0.01) for IL-4 (48,3 vs 21,3 pg/mL), IL-5 (29,2 vs 8,0 pg/mL) and IL-9 (34,1 vs 16,6 pg/mL). This Th2 cytokine profile is compatible with the hypothesis of allergy as an etiologic factor for acute appendicitis and may have important implications for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of this condition.
MetaMLP: A fast word embedding based classifier to profile target gene databases in metagenomic samples
Authors: Arango-Argoty G. A. , Heath L. S. , Pruden A. , Vikesland P. J. , Zhang L.
Published: March 2019

The functional profile of metagenomic samples allows the understanding of the role of the microbes in their environment. Such analysis consists of assigning short sequencing reads to a particular functional category. Normally, manually curated databases are used for functional assignment where genes are arranged into different classes. Sequence alignment has been widely used to profile metagenomic samples against curated databases. However, this method is time consuming and requires high computing resources. Although several alignment free methods based on k-mer composition have been developed in the recent years, they still require a large amount of memory. In this paper, MetaMLP (Metagenomics Machine Learning Profiler) a machine learning method that represents sequences into numerical vectors (embeddings) and uses a simple one hidden layer neural network to profile functional categories is proposed. Unlike other methods, MetaMLP enables partial matching by using a reduced alphabet to build sequence embeddings from full and partial kmers. MetaMLP is able to identify a slightly larger number of reads compared to Diamond (one of the fastest sequence alignment method) as well as to perform accurate predictions with 0.99 precision and 0.99 recall. MetaMLP can process 100M reads in around 10 minutes in a laptop computer which is 50x faster than Diamond. MetaMLP is free for use, available athttps://bitbucket.org/gaarangoa/metamlp/src/master/.
Genetic mapping of fitness determinants across the malaria parasitePlasmodium falciparumlife cycle
Authors: Li Xue , Kumar Sudhir , McDew-White Marina , Haile Meseret , Cheeseman Ian H. , Emrich Scott , Button-Simons Katie , Nosten François , Kappe Stefan H.I. , Ferdig Michael T. , Anderson Tim J.C. , Vaughan Ashley M.
Published: March 2019

Malaria is transmitted through female Anopheline mosquitoes where gamete fusion and meiosis occurs, and humans where parasites proliferate asexually. We describe a powerful approach to identify the genetic determinants of parasite fitness across both invertebrate and vertebrate life-cycle stages in human malaria parasitePlasmodium falciparumusing bulk segregant analysis (BSA). We combined experimental genetic crosses using humanized mice, with selective whole genome amplification and BSA at multiple developmental stages in both mosquito and vertebrate host to examine parasite competition and identify genomic regions under selection. We generated crosses between artemisinin resistant (ART-R,kelch13-C580Y) and ART-sensitive (ART-S,kelch13-WT) parasite clones recently isolated from Southeast Asian patients. We then quantified genome-wide changes in allele frequency in the parasite progeny population from infected midgut and salivary glands ofAnopheles stephensimosquitoes, infected livers, emerging merozoites and aliquots ofin vitrocultured progeny parasites at intervals over 30 days. Three striking results emerge: we observed (i) a strong skew (>80%) towards alleles from the ART-R parent in the mosquito stage, that dropped to ∼50% in the blood stage as selfed ART-R parasites were selected against; (ii) highly repeatable skews in allele frequencies across the genome in blood stage parasites; (iii) particularly strong selection (selection coefficient (s) ≤ 0.18/asexual cycle) against alleles from the ART-R parent at loci on chromosome 12 containing MRP2 and chromosome 14 containing ARPS10. This approach robustly identifies selected loci and has strong potential for identifying parasite genes that interact with the mosquito vector or compensatory loci involved in drug resistance.
Activity-dependent long-term potentiation of electrical synapses in the mammalian thalamus
Authors: Fricker Brandon , Heckman Emily , Cunningham Patrick C. , Haas Julie S.
Published: March 2019

Activity-dependent changes of synapse strength have been extensively characterized at chemical synapses, but the relationship between physiological forms of activity and strength at electrical synapses remains poorly understood. For mammalian electrical synapses composed of hexomers of connexin36, physiological forms of neuronal activity in coupled pairs has thus far have only been linked to long-term depression; activity that results in strengthening of electrical synapses has not yet been identified. The thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN), a central brain area primarily connected by gap junctional (electrical) synapses, regulates cortical attention to the sensory surround. Bidirectional plasticity of electrical synapses may be a key mechanism underlying these processes in both healthy and diseased states. Here we show in electrically coupled TRN pairs that tonic spiking in one neuron results in long-term potentiation of electrical synapses between coupled pairs of TRN neurons. Potentiation is expressed asymmetrically, indicating that regulation of connectivity depends on the direction of use. Further, potentiation depends on calcium flux, and we thus propose a calcium-based activity rule for bidirectional plasticity of electrical synapse strength. Because electrical synapses dominate intra-TRN connectivity, these synapses and their modifications are key regulators of thalamic attention circuitry. More broadly, bidirectional modifications of electrical synapses are likely to be a widespread and powerful principle for ongoing, dynamic reorganization of neuronal circuitry across the brain.

Long-term potentiation results from spiking in one cell of an electrically coupled pair. Asymmetry of synapses increases following unidirectional activity. We suggest a calcium-based rule for electrical synapse plasticity.
CHaRTr: An R toolbox for modeling Choices and Response Times in decision-making tasks
Authors: Chandrasekaran Chandramouli , Hawkins Guy E.
Published: March 2019

Decision-making is the process of choosing and performing actions in response to sensory cues so as to achieve behavioral goals. A sophisticated research effort has led to the development of many mathematical models to describe the response time (RT) distributions and choice behavior of observers performing decision-making tasks. However, relatively few researchers use these models because it demands expertise in various numerical, statistical, and software techniques. Although some of these problems have been surmounted in existing software packages, the packages have often focused on the classical decision-making model, the diffusion decision model. Recent theoretical advances in decision-making that posit roles for “urgency”, time-varying decision thresholds, noise in various aspects of the decision-formation process or low pass filtering of sensory evidence, have proven to be challenging to incorporate in a coherent software framework that permits quantitative evaluations among these competing classes of decision-making models. Here, we present a toolbox —Choices and Response Times in R, orCHaRTr— that provides the user the ability to implement and test a wide variety of decision-making models ranging from classic through to modern versions of the diffusion decision model, to models with urgency signals, or collapsing boundaries. Earlier versions ofCHaRTrhave been instrumental in a number of recent studies of humans and monkeys performing perceptual decision-making tasks. We also provide guidance on how to extend the toolbox to incorporate future developments in decision-making models.
Fractionation of impulsive and compulsive trans-diagnostic phenotypes and their longitudinal associations
Authors: Chamberlain Samuel R. , Tiego Jeggan , Fontenelle Leonardo F. , Hook Roxanne , Parkes Linden , Segrave Rebecca , Hauser Tobias U. , Dolan Ray J. , Goodyer Ian M. , Bullmore Ed , Grant Jon E. , Yücel Murat
Published: March 2019

Objective

Young adulthood is a crucial neurodevelopmental period during which impulsive and compulsive problem behaviours commonly emerge. While traditionally considered diametrically opposed, impulsive and compulsive symptoms tend to co-occur. The objectives of this study were: (i) to identify the optimal trans-diagnostic structural framework for measuring impulsive and compulsive problem behaviours; and (ii) to use this optimal framework to identify common/distinct antecedents of these latent phenotypes.

Methods

654 young adults were recruited as part of the Neuroscience in Psychiatry Network (NSPN), a population-based cohort in the United Kingdom. The optimal trans-diagnostic structural model capturing 33 types of impulsive and compulsive problem behaviours was identified. Baseline predictors of subsequent impulsive and compulsive trans-diagnostic phenotypes were characterised, along with cross-sectional associations, using Partial Least Squares (PLS).

Results

Current problem behaviours were optimally explained by a bi-factor model, which yielded dissociable measures of impulsivity and compulsivity, as well as a general disinhibition factor. Impulsive problem behaviours were significantly explained by prior antisocial and impulsive personality traits, male gender, general distress, perceived dysfunctional parenting, and teasing/arguments within friendships. Compulsive problem behaviours were significantly explained by prior compulsive traits, and female gender.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that trans-diagnostic phenotypes of 33 impulsive and compulsive problem behaviours are identifiable in young adults, utilizing a bi-factor model based on responses to a single questionnaire. Furthermore, these phenotypes have different antecedents. The findings yield a new framework for fractionating impulsivity and compulsivity; and suggest different early intervention targets to avert emergence of problem behaviours. This framework may be useful for future biological and clinical dissection of impulsivity and compulsivity.
KLK4 inhibition by cyclic and acyclic peptides: structural and dynamical insights into standard-mechanism protease inhibitors
Authors: Riley Blake T. , Ilyichova Olga , de Veer Simon J. , Swedberg Joakim E. , Wilson Emily , Hoke David E. , Harris Jonathan M. , Buckle Ashley M.
Published: March 2019

Sunflower Trypsin Inhibitor (SFTI-1) is a 14-amino acid serine protease inhibitor. The dual anti-parallel β-sheet arrangement of SFTI-1 is stabilized by a N-terminal-C-terminal backbone cyclization and a further disulfide bridge to form a final bicyclic structure. This constrained structure is further rigidified by an extensive network of internal hydrogen bonds. Thus, the structure of SFTI-1 in solution resembles the protease-bound structure, reducing the entropic penalty upon protease binding. When cleaved at the scissile bond, it is thought that the rigidifying features of SFTI-1 maintain its structure, allowing the scissile bond to be reformed. The lack of structural plasticity for SFTI-1 is proposed to favour initial protease binding and continued occupancy in the protease active site, resulting in an equilibrium between cleaved and uncleaved inhibitor in the presence of protease. We have determined, at 1.15 Å resolution, the x-ray crystal structures of complexes between human kallikrein-related peptidase 4 (KLK4) and SFTI-FCQR(Asn14), and between KLK4 and an acyclic form of the same inhibitor, SFTI-FCQR(Asn14)[1,14], with the latter displaying a cleaved scissile bond. Structural analysis and MD simulations together reveal the roles of altered contact sequence, intramolecular hydrogen bonding network and backbone cyclization, in altering the state of SFTI’s scissile bond ligation at the protease active site. Taken together, the data presented reveal insights into the role of dynamics in the standard-mechanism inhibition, and suggest that modifications on the noncontact strand may be a useful, underexplored approach for generating further potent or selective SFTI-based inhibitors against members of the serine protease family.
A Clustering Approach for Detecting Implausible Observation Values in Electronic Health Records Data
Authors: Estiri Hossein , Murphy Shawn N.
Published: March 2019

Background

Identifying implausible clinical observations (e.g., laboratory test and vital sign values) in Electronic Health Record (EHR) data using rule-based procedures is challenging. Anomaly/outlier detection methods can be applied as an alternative algorithmic approach to flagging such implausible values in EHRs.

Objective

The primary objectives of this research were to develop and test an unsupervised clustering-based anomaly/outlier detection approach for detecting implausible observations in EHR data as an alternative algorithmic solution to the existing procedures.

Methods

Our approach is built upon two underlying hypotheses that, (i) when there are large number of observations, implausible records should be sparse, and therefore (ii) if these data are clustered properly, clusters with sparse populations should represent implausible observations. To test these hypotheses, we applied an unsupervised clustering algorithm to EHR observation data on 50 laboratory tests. We tested different specifications of the clustering approach and computed confusion matrix indices against a set of silver-standard plausibility thresholds. We compared the results from the proposed approach with conventional anomaly detection (CAD) approach’s, including standard deviation and Mahalanobis distance.

Results

We found that the clustering approach produced results with exceptional specificity and high sensitivity. Compared with the conventional anomaly detection approaches, our proposed clustering approach resulted in significantly smaller number of false positive cases.

Conclusion

Our contributions include (i) a clustering approach for identifying implausible EHR observations, (ii) evidence that implausible observations are sparse in EHR laboratory test results, (iii) a parallel implementation of the clustering approach on i2b2 star schema, and (3) a set of silver-standard plausibility thresholds for 50 laboratory tests that can be used in other studies for validation. The proposed algorithmic solution can augment human decisions to improve data quality. Therefore, a workflow is needed to complement the algorithm’s job and initiate necessary actions that need to be taken in order to improve the quality of data.
Native protein delivery into rice callus using ionic complexes of protein and cell-penetrating peptides
Authors: Guo Boyang , Itami Jun , Oikawa Kazusato , Motoda Yoko , Kigawa Takanori , Numata Keiji
Published: March 2019

Direct protein delivery into intact plants remains a challenge for the agricultural and plant science fields. Cell-penetrating peptide (CPP)-mediated protein delivery requires the binding of CPPs to a protein to carry the protein into the cell through the cell wall and lipid bilayer. Thus, we prepared ionic complexes of a CPP-containing carrier peptide and a cargo protein, namely, Citrine yellow fluorescent protein, and subsequently studied their physicochemical properties. Two types of carrier peptides, BP100(KH)9 and BP100CH7, were investigated for delivery efficiency into rice callus. Both BP100(KH)9 and BP100CH7 successfully introduced Citrine protein into rice callus cells under pressure and vacuum treatment. Moreover, delivery efficiency varied at different growth stages of rice callus; 5-day rice callus was a more efficient recipient for Citrine than 21-day callus.
Epistasis detectably alters correlations between genomic sites in a narrow parameter window
Authors: Pedruzzi Gabriele , Rouzine Igor M.
Published: March 2019

Different genomic sites evolve inter-dependently due to the combined action of epistasis, non-additive contributions of different loci to genome fitness, and physical linkage of different loci due to their common heritage. Both epistasis and linkage, partially compensated by recombination, cause correlations between allele frequencies at the loci (linkage disequilibrium, LD). The interaction and competition between epistasis and linkage are not fully understood, nor is their relative sensitivity to recombination. Modeling an adapting population in the presence of random mutation, natural selection, pairwise epistasis, and random genetic drift, we compare the contributions of epistasis and linkage. For this end, we use a panel of haplotype-based measures of LD and their various combinations calculated for epistatic and non-epistatic pairs separately. We compute the optimal percentages of detected and false positive pairs in a one-time sample of a population of moderate size. We demonstrate that true interacting pairs can be told apart in a sufficiently short genome within a narrow window of time and parameters. Outside of this parameter region, unless the population is extremely large, shared ancestry of individual sequences generates pervasive stochastic LD for non-interacting pairs masking true epistatic associations. In the presence of sufficiently strong recombination, linkage effects decrease faster than those of epistasis, and the detection of epistasis improves. We demonstrate that the epistasis component of locus association can be isolated, at a single time point, by averaging haplotype frequencies over multiple independent populations. These results demonstrate the existence of fundamental restrictions on the protocols for detecting true interactions in DNA sequence sets.
Quality of Life, Salivary Cortisol and Atopic Diseases in Young Children
Authors: Rolfsjord Leif Bjarte , Skjerven Håvard Ove , Bakkeheim Egil , Løvold Berents Teresa , Carlsen Kai-Håkon , Lødrup Carlsen Karin C
Published: March 2019

Background

Children with atopic disease may have reduced health-related quality of life (QoL) and morning cortisol. The link between QoL, cortisol and atopic disease is unclear.

We aimed to determine if QoL was associated with morning salivary cortisol at two years of age, and if asthma, atopic dermatitis and/or allergic sensitisation influenced this association. Secondarily, we aimed to determine if QoL at one year of age was associated with salivary cortisol one year later.

Methods and findings

From the Bronchiolitis All SE-Norway study, enrolling infants during hospitalisation for acute bronchiolitis in infancy (bronchiolitis group) and population based control infants (controls), we included all 358 subjects with available Infant Toddler Quality of Life Questionnaire™ (ITQOL) consisting of 13 domains, and morning salivary cortisol measurements at two years of age. Additionally, QoL nine months after enrolment was available for 289 of these children at one year of age. Recurrent bronchial obstruction was used as an asthma proxy. Atopic dermatitis was defined by Hanifin and Rajka criteria and allergic sensitisation by a positive skin prick test. Associations between QoL and cortisol were analysed by multivariate analyses, stratified by bronchiolitis and control groups due to interaction. At two years of age, QoL was significantly associated with 8/13 QoL domains in the bronchiolitis group, but only with General health in the controls. The associations in the bronchiolitis group showed 0.06-0.19 percentage points changes per nmol/L cortisol for each of the eight domains (p-values 0.0001-0.034). The associations for all domains remained significant, but were diminished by independently including recurrent bronchial obstruction and atopic dermatitis, but remained unchanged by allergic sensitisation.

In the bronchiolitis group only, 8/13 age and gender adjusted QoL domains in one-year old children were significantly associated with cortisol levels at two years (p= 0.0005-0.04).

Conclusions:

At two years, most QoL domains were associated with salivary cortisol in children who had been hospitalised for acute bronchiolitis in infancy, but for one domain only in controls. The associations were weakened, but remained significant by taking into account asthma and atopic dermatitis. The QoL in one-year old children was associated with salivary cortisol 10 months later.
An ancient lineage of highly divergent parvoviruses infects both vertebrate and invertebrate hosts
Authors: Pénzes Judit J , de Souza William Marciel , Agbandje-McKenna Mavis , Gifford Robert J.
Published: March 2019

Chapparvoviruses are a highly divergent group of parvoviruses (familyParvoviridae) first identified in 2013. Interest in these poorly characterized viruses has been raised by recent studies indicating that they are the cause of chronic kidney disease that arises spontaneously in laboratory mice. In this study, we investigate the biological and evolutionary characteristics of chapparvoviruses via comparative analysis of genome sequence data. Our analysis, which incorporates sequences derived from endogenous viral elements (EVEs) as well as exogenous viruses, reveals that chapparvoviruses are an ancient lineage within the familyParvoviridae, clustering separately from members of both currently established parvoviral subfamilies. Consistent with this, they exhibit a number of characteristic genomic and structural features, i.e. a large number of putative auxiliary protein-encoding genes, capsid protein genes non-homologous to any hitherto parvoviralcap, as well as a putative capsid structure lacking the canonical fifth strand of the ABIDG sheet comprising the luminal side of the jelly roll. Our findings demonstrate that the chapparvovirus lineage infects an exceptionally broad range of host species, including both vertebrates and invertebrates. Furthermore, we observe that chapparvoviruses found in fish are more closely related to those from invertebrates than they are to those that infect amniote vertebrates. This suggests that transmission between distantly related host species may have occurred in the past. Our study provides the first integrated overview of the chapparvovirus group, and revises current views of parvovirus evolution

AUTHOR SUMMARY

Chapparvoviruses are a recently identified group of viruses about which relatively little is known. However, recent studies have shown that these viruses cause disease in laboratory mice and are prevalent in the fecal virome of pigs and poultry, raising interest in their potential impact as pathogens, and utility as experimental tools. We examined the genomes of chapparvoviruses and endogenous viral elements (‘fossilized’ virus sequences derived from ancestral viruses) using a variety of bioinformatics-based approaches. We show that the chapparvoviruses have an ancient origin and are evolutionarily distinct from all other related viruses. Accordingly, their genomes and virions exhibit a range of distinct characteristic features. We examine the distribution of these features in the light of chapparvovirus evolutionary history (which we can also infer from genomic data), revealing new insights into chapparvovirus biology.
Mapping Histone Modifications in Low Cell Number and Single Cells Using Antibody-guided Chromatin Tagmentation (ACT-seq)
Authors: Carter Benjamin , Ku Wai Lim , Tang Qingsong , Kang Jee Youn , Zhao Keji
Published: March 2019

Modern next-generation sequencing-based methods have empowered researchers to assay the epigenetic states of individual cells. Existing techniques for profiling epigenetic marks in single cells often require the use and optimization of time-intensive procedures such as drop fluidics, chromatin fragmentation, and end repair. Here we describe ACT-seq, a novel and streamlined method for mapping genome-wide distributions of histone tail modifications, histone variants, and chromatin-binding proteins in a small number of or single cells. ACT-seq utilizes a fusion of Tn5 transposase to Protein A that is targeted to chromatin by a specific antibody, allowing chromatin fragmentation and sequence tag insertion specifically at genomic sites presenting the relevant antigen. The Tn5 transposase enables the use of an index multiplexing strategy (iACT-seq), which enables construction of thousands of single-cell libraries in one day by a single researcher without the need for drop-based fluidics or visual sorting. We conclude that ACT-seq present an attractive alternative to existing techniques for mapping epigenetic marks in single cells.
Quantitative high-throughput tests of ubiquitous RNA secondary structure prediction algorithms via RNA/protein binding
Authors: Becker Winston R. , Jarmoskaite Inga , Kappel Kalli , Vaidyanathan Pavanapuresan P. , Denny Sarah K. , Das Rhiju , Greenleaf William J. , Herschlag Daniel
Published: March 2019

Nearest-neighbor (NN) rules provide a simple and powerful quantitative framework for RNA structure prediction that is strongly supported for canonical Watson-Crick duplexes from a plethora of thermodynamic measurements. Predictions of RNA secondary structure based on nearest-neighbor (NN) rules are routinely used to understand biological function and to engineer and control new functions in biotechnology. However, NN applications to RNA structural features such as internal and terminal loops rely on approximations and assumptions, with sparse experimental coverage of the vast number of possible sequence and structural features. To test to what extent NN rules accurately predict thermodynamic stabilities across RNAs with non-WC features, we tested their predictions using a quantitative high-throughput assay platform, RNA-MaP. Using a thermodynamic assay with coupled protein binding, we carried out equilibrium measurements for over 1000 RNAs with a range of predicted secondary structure stabilities. Our results revealed substantial scatter and systematic deviations between NN predictions and observed stabilities. Solution salt effects and incorrect or omitted loop parameters contribute to these observed deviations. Our results demonstrate the need to independently and quantitatively test NN computational algorithms to identify their capabilities and limitations. RNA-MaP and related approaches can be used to test computational predictions and can be adapted to obtain experimental data to improve RNA secondary structure and other prediction algorithms.

Significance statement

RNA secondary structure prediction algorithms are routinely used to understand, predict and design functional RNA structures in biology and biotechnology. Given the vast number of RNA sequence and structural features, these predictions rely on a series of approximations, and independent tests are needed to quantitatively evaluate the accuracy of predicted RNA structural stabilities. Here we measure the stabilities of over 1000 RNA constructs by using a coupled protein binding assay. Our results reveal substantial deviations from the RNA stabilities predicted by popular algorithms, and identify factors contributing to the observed deviations. We demonstrate the importance of quantitative, experimental tests of computational RNA structure predictions and present an approach that can be used to routinely test and improve the prediction accuracy.
Mindfulness in organizations (Part 2): a practitioners’ guide to applying mindfulness-based approaches in leadership development, workplace wellbeing and coaching
Authors: Passmore Jonathan
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the application of mindfulness in organizational development and provide a useful guide for practitioners in their work as managers, consultants and coaches.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper offers practical applications of mindfulness in organizations, specifically its use in leadership development, organizational wellbeing and coaching.

Findings

The paper notes a variety of ways in which mindfulness can be applied. While it recognizes that the research into the application of mindfulness at work is under developed, it suggests that through applied organizational research our understanding of its value to employees and organizations can be enhanced.

Practical implications

The paper provides insights drawn from practice that can be applied by HR practitioners or consultants addressing modern organizational challenges from workplace stress to developing leaders with greater situational awareness and empathy.

Originality/value

The paper is distinctive in providing a strong practitioners focus and from broadening the inquiry from the individual toward considering organizational benefits that may be obtained from workplace mindfulness programs.
Sunk time fallacy with recoverable monetary costs
Authors: Pandey Shivendra Kumar , Sharma Dheeraj
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the sunk-time fallacy in the context of simultaneous variations of time and money when financial expenditures are recoverable. The study compares a recoverable monetary scenario with conditions where money is either not spent or spent, but purchase and payment are decoupled.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 184 participants was utilised in three experiments. A randomised design was used, and experimental manipulations were achieved using the vignette method.

Findings

The results indicate that consumers are susceptible to sunk-time fallacy. Specifically, results suggest that there is no significant difference in sunk cost fallacy when a consumer spends only time vs when a consumer spends money and time both but money can be recovered. The sunk-time fallacy did not occur in credit card purchases. The sunk-time fallacy did not happen in temporal investments of less than a week but appeared in the temporal investments of two weeks.

Research limitations/implications

The study indicates that sunk-time fallacy occurs after a minimum threshold of time is spent on a particular activity.

Practical implications

Online retailers may vary the delivery period of ordered merchandise to reduce product returns. Online retailers may not deliver the merchandise too early to take advantage of the sunk-time fallacy. Bestseller products should be quickly delivered as there are lesser chances of product return. On the other hand, new products or products with mixed consumer reviews should be provided preferably with a time lag beyond a week. Managers should incentivise payments through debit card/net banking and cash-on-delivery to reduce returns by using sunk-time fallacy.

Originality/value

The study is perhaps the first one to study the sunk-time fallacy in a simultaneous variation of time and money where monetary costs can be recovered fully.
A Bourdieusian analysis of the educational field and professional identity of EFL teachers
Authors: Hashemi Moghadam Hamidreza , Adel Seyyed Mohammad Reza , Ghaniabadi Saeed , Amirian Seyyed Mohammad Reza
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Informed by the Bourdieusian construct of the social field, the purpose of this paper is to explore how different aspects of the educational field and the sub-field of English language teaching in Iran influence diverse components of the professional identity of high school EFL teachers. To this aim, the impact of the power hierarchization structure, distribution of capitals and field autonomy, as important aspects of the social field theory, is investigated in relation to Iranian EFL teachers’ professional identity construction.

Design/methodology/approach

Van Manen’s (1990) hermeneutic phenomenological research method was adopted to analyze the data obtained through the semi-structured interviews and reflexive journals from 15 Iranian EFL teachers at high schools.

Findings

The hermeneutic phenomenological analysis of the data yielded to the extraction of one global, three organizing and six basic themes. The global theme was the educational field and professional identity. The resulting organizing themes were: first, autonomous field and teachers’ commitment; second, asymmetric power relation and teachers’ autonomy; and, finally, cultural capital and teachers’ motivation. This study revealed how the complex and multi-dimensional nature of the power relations between the field of education and power influenced the professional identity of EFL teachers.

Research limitations/implications

This dynamic representation of the inherent complexities of the educational context contributes to a more profound understanding of the role of the micro and macro contextual factors in formulating teachers’ professional identity. The implications of this study are further explained.

Originality/value

Hereby, the authors declare that all the procedures of data collection and analysis have been just done by the researchers.
Research through design for energy transition: two case studies in Germany and The Netherlands
Authors: Stremke Sven , Schöbel Sören
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to enlarge the body of knowledge on research through design (RtD) methods that can be employed by landscape architects and others working on (but not limited to) sustainable energy transition.

Design/methodology/approach

A specific approach to RtD – qualitative landscape structure analysis (QLSA) – is introduced and illustrated by means of diagrams and photographs. Two case studies showcase the application of QLSA for research on solar parks in the Netherlands and research on wind turbines in the Alpine foothills in Southern Germany.

Findings

The case studies show how RtD can help to define design principles for large solar parks and arrangement of wind turbines in particular landscape types in the Netherlands and Germany, respectively. In doing so, RtD can help to expand the breadth of spatial research beyond well-established methods such as multi-criteria decision analysis and environmental impact assessment.

Originality/value

The paper provides insights into contemporary RtD in two countries and affirms the importance of such research with regard to landscape transformations while starting to define a research niche for landscape architects and other environmental designers working on the topic of sustainable energy transition.
Entebbe Ltd.: A Tax Case
Authors: Farrar Jonathan , Zhang Lu
Published: March 2019

This case is designed to integrate two major tax issues—wind‐up of a company versus sale of shares—with business valuations. Thus, it is designed to incorporate key tax and finance CPA competency areas. There are two valuations required in this case. One is the valuation of shares; the other is the valuation of an intangible asset (a patent). Students have to recognize that before they can decide whether a wind‐up or sale of shares is preferred, they first need to determine the fair market value (FMV) of the shares. However, to determine the FMV of the shares, the valuation of a patent must be done first, as its value will impact the FMV of the shares. Thus, this case requires students to sequence their analysis. Residency issues (“departure tax”) upon leaving Canada permanently are also indirectly identified in the case.
Krazy Kimmy's: A Case in Fraud Examination
Authors: Weingartner Shawna
Published: March 2019

This two‐part case allows for maximum student engagement through preparation, in‐class discussion, and through a Part B case that is part of the Teaching Note. Through this case, students work to identify possible fraud schemes, plan an investigation, and perform horizontal analysis calculations. Students will learn about the concept of ethical hacking, red flag identification, internal control weaknesses, and investigation considerations for fraud schemes. Further, in‐class planning for next steps and investigation can occur, providing an opportunity for group work and in‐depth learning. This case offers flexibility for instructors in that it can be covered over one class or multiple classes, or can be assigned as an independent or group assignment. This teaching note provides an overview of the case along with guidance for teaching this case.
Performance attribution of mutual funds in India: outperformance or mis‐representation?
Authors: Chauhan Gaurav Singh
Published: March 2019

We conduct a novel holdings‐based performance attribution, particularly suited to emerging markets, for equity‐oriented active mutual funds in India. Although, we find significantly positive alphas for an average fund, the stated benchmarks are grossly mis‐specified. A style‐adjusted benchmark could beat the stated benchmarks by greater margins than the funds themselves. While funds’ trading activity consistently adds value, cash drag and market timing usually diminish value. Although, the best‐performing funds exhibit superior security selection abilities, their outperformance does not persist. However, despite the lack of persistence winner funds continue to generate significantly higher alphas than loser funds for quite some time.
Anterior abdominal wall defects managed at a tertiary maternal‐fetal medicine service in New Zealand: What counselling advice can we offer parents?
Authors: Narang Apoorv , Carlsen Victoria , Long Audrey , Battin Malcolm , Upadhyay Vipul , Sadler Lynn , Stone Peter
Published: March 2019

Background

Anterior abdominal wall defects, including gastroschisis and omphalocoele, are common fetal anomalies. The management remains complicated, and their diagnosis may lead to significant parental distress. Effective parental counselling may impact on parental perceptions of the defect and help guide pregnancy management.

Aims

Using contemporary data, we aimed to describe clinical outcomes of patients with gastroschisis or omphalocoele in order to provide information for clinicians to assist in parental counselling.

Materials and Methods

We followed a case‐series of patients with anterior abdominal wall defects referred to our regional Maternal Fetal Medicine services from 2011 to 2016. Outcomes of interest antenatally included details of diagnosis, associated anomalies and outcomes of pregnancy and postnatally included the nature of surgical repair, hospital stay and secondary complications until initial discharge.

Results

Eighty babies with gastroschisis were referred antenatally, and 72 were liveborn. Forty‐nine babies with omphalocoele were referred antenatally, and 24 were liveborn. One further neonate with omphalocoele was postnatally diagnosed. Seventy‐one neonates with gastroschisis progressed to operation, 30 developed complications post‐surgery, and 68 survived until initial discharge. Twenty‐two neonates with omphalocoele progressed to surgery, only two developed complications, and 21 survived until initial discharge. Eight of the surviving neonates with omphalocoele had associated structural abnormalities. The median hospital stay was 27 and eight days for gastroschisis and omphalocoele, respectively.

Conclusion

Neonates with gastroschisis can have complex postnatal periods. Omphalocoele is associated with high antenatal mortality, especially in the presence of associated abnormalities; however, surviving neonates may have uneventful postnatal periods.
Retinal oximetry in normal and amblyopic children: a pilot study
Authors: Mohan Ashwin , Kemmanu Vasudha , Baliga Swathi , Patil Minal , Madhavrao Bhanumathi , Webers Carroll A.B. , Yadav Naresh Kumar , Shetty Rohit , Berendschot Tos T.J.M.
Published: March 2019

Purpose

To study the retinal vascular oxygen saturation in amblyopic eyes and compare them to unaffected fellow eyes and eyes of normal subjects.

Methods

A total of 32 amblyopic, 24 normal and 13 fellow eyes of patients below age of 18 were enrolled in this prospective observation study. Retinal oximetry was performed using the Oxymap T1 retinal oximeter. Retinal vascular oxygen saturations and diameters were compared between amblyopic eyes, normal eyes and unaffected fellow eyes.

Results

The average age was 8.6 years in the amblyopia group (M:F 16:16) and 10.9 years in the normal group (M:F 7:5; p = 0.024). Median corrected distance visual acuity in the amblyopia group was 20/50; it was 20/20 in the other groups (p < 0.001). The average arteriolar and venous saturation in the amblyopia, normal and fellow group was 84.5% (95% CI: 82.6–86.4), 83.2% (95% CI: 80.7–85.6) and 80.8% (95% CI: 78.6–82.9) and 51.9% (95% CI: 50.4–53.4), 50.8% (95% CI: 48.2–53.4) and 49.3% (95% CI: 45.7–52.9). There was no statistically significant difference between the saturation values of the amblyopia group and the controls, however, significantly higher values were found in the amblyopia group compared to the fellow group for arteriolar and venous saturations (p = 0.013; p = 0.005). Arteriolar and venous diameters showed no significant difference between groups.

Conclusion

Amblyopic eyes showed higher mean oxygen saturations than the fellow eyes. This observation could be due to altered neuronal activity or could be due to a measurement artefact due to alterations in retinal reflectivity.
Myroxylon pereiraeresin (balsam of Peru) – A critical review of the literature and assessment of the significance of positive patch test reactions and the usefulness of restrictive diets
Authors: de Groot Anton C.
Published: March 2019

In this article, contact allergy toMyroxylon pereiraeresin (MP) (balsam of Peru) is reviewed. The topics presented include the uses, the chemical composition, the frequency of sensitization, the relevance of positive reactions, the MP‐containing products causing allergic contact dermatitis, co‐reactivity with other fragrance and non‐fragrance materials, the sensitizers, the usefulness of MP as a “marker” of fragrance allergy, and the effectiveness of, and indications for, “balsam‐restrictive” diets. Sensitization to MP occurs in 4% to 8% of patients routinely tested for suspected contact dermatitis. There are few adequate data on relevance. Topical pharmaceuticals were formerly, but are not today, important sources of sensitization. Cosmetics and foods or drinks are hardly ever products responsible for sensitization to MP. Positive patch test reactions in the large majority probably result from previous sensitization to MP constituents because of their presence in fragrances and fragranced products, MP thereby acting as marker (or “indicator”) of fragrance allergy. However, fragrance mix I is a more sensitive marker, and the added diagnostic value of testing with MP is unknown. The allergenic ingredients of MP include isoeugenol, eugenol and cinnamyl alcohol, but there are other—largely unknown—chemicals that are responsible for contact allergy. Suggestions are given for further research to address questions thus far unanswered and to improve patient care.
Longitudinal changes in glycated haemoglobin following treatment intensification after inadequate response to two oral antidiabetic agents in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Kim Kibum , Unni Sudhir , Brixner Diana I. , Thomas Sheila M. , Olsen Cody J. , Sterling Kimberly L. , Mitchell Matt , McAdam‐Marx Carrie
Published: March 2019

Aims

To identify change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) for 1 year after treatment intensification in patients with HbA1c >53 mmol/mol (7.0%) while on two classes of oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs).

Material and methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a regional health plan claims database for the period January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2017. Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) whose treatment was intensified with insulin, a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist or a third OAD within 365 days of having HbA1c ≥53 mmol/mol (7.0%) on two OADs were included. The HbA1c trajectory for 1 year after intensification was estimated using a mixed‐effects regression model.

Results

The analysis included 1226 patients with a mean ± SD HbA1c at treatment intensification of 74.2 ± 18.7 mmol/mol (8.93 ± 1.7%). HbA1c was higher in the insulin group (74.2 mmol/mol) than in the non‐insulin group (70.6 mmol/mol), as was the HbA1c decrease (P < 0.01) over the 1‐year follow‐up, particularly in patients with baseline HbA1c >9%. After intensification, insulin‐ and non‐insulin‐treated patients achieved an average change by month in HbA1c of −4.7 mmol/mol and −2.6 mmol/mol points, respectively. The analysis predicted HbA1c to be the lowest at 6 to 10 months post intensification, depending on intensification treatment and HbA1c at intensification; however, on average, HbA1c remained above 64.0 mmol/mol (8.0%).

Conclusion

In patients with T2DM, intensification following an HbA1c value ≥53 mmol/mol (7.0%) while on two OADs was associated with a significant improvement in glycaemic control. Patients intensified with insulin had a higher baseline HbA1c but greater HbA1c reduction than those intensified with a non‐insulin agent. However, HbA1c remained above 64 mmol/mol (8.0%) overall. Additional opportunity exists to further intensify therapy to improve glycaemic control.
How to survive a glaciation: the challenge of estimating biologically realistic potential distributions under freezing conditions
Authors: Guevara Lázaro , León‐Paniagua Livia
Published: March 2019

Correlative ecological niche models are increasingly used to estimate potential distributions during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) for biogeographical research. In the case of presence‐background/pseudoabsences techniques, cold environments that are poorly represented in existing geography can complicate the process of model calibration and transfer into more extreme cold environments that were very common during the LGM (non‐analog conditions). This may lead to biologically unrealistic estimations. Using one cold‐adapted North American mammal, we explore a real scenario to better understand the effect of restricting the range of environmental conditions over which niche models are calibrated and then transferred to LGM conditions. We performed two sets of experiments in Maxent: 1) we calibrated models in the context of only present‐day climate conditions, which is the most common practice, and compared predictions under LGM conditions based on two extrapolation methods (clamping versus unconstrained); 2) we calibrated single models using both present‐day and LGM conditions as part of the same background in order to include more extreme environments in the model calibration. Our experiments led to dramatically different estimates of species’ potential distributions, showing notable differences with respect to latitudinal and elevational shifts during the LGM. Models calibrated using present‐day climates yielded biologically unrealistic estimations, suggesting that species survived in the glaciers during the LGM. Even more unrealistic estimations were achieved when clamping was enforced as the method to extrapolate. Models calibrated in the context of both modern and past climates reduced the required degree of extrapolation and allowed more realistic potential distributions, suggesting that the species avoided extremely cold conditions during the LGM. This study alerts to the possibility of obtaining implausible potential distributions during the LGM due to restricted background datasets and offers recommendations that should promote better strategies to estimate distributional changes during glaciations.