bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The physical boundaries of public goods cooperation between surface-attached bacterial cells
Authors: Weigert Michael , Kümmerli Rolf
Published: July 2017

Bacteria secrete a variety of compounds important for nutrient scavenging, competition mediation and infection establishment. While there is a general consensus that secreted compounds can be shared and therefore have social consequences for the bacterial collective, we know little about the physical limits of such bacterial social interactions. Here, we address this issue by studying the sharing of iron-scavenging siderophores between surface-attached microcolonies of the bacterium
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. Using single-cell fluorescence microscopy, we show that siderophores, secreted by producers, quickly reach non-producers within a range of 100 µm, and significantly boost their fitness. Producers in turn respond to variation in sharing efficiency by adjusting their pyoverdine investment levels. These social effects wane with larger cell-to-cell distances and on hard surfaces. Thus, our findings reveal the boundaries of compound sharing, and show that sharing is particularly relevant between nearby yet physically separated bacteria on soft surfaces, matching realistic natural conditions such as those encountered in soft tissue infections.
Optimal background matching camouflage
Authors: Michalis Constantine , Scott-Samuel Nicholas E. , Gibson David P. , Cuthill Innes C.
Published: July 2017

Background matching is the most familiar and widespread camouflage strategy: avoiding detection by having a similar colour and pattern to the background. Optimizing background matching is straightforward in a homogeneous environment, or when the habitat has very distinct sub-types and there is divergent selection leading to polymorphism. However, most backgrounds have continuous variation in colour and texture, so what is the best solution? Not all samples of the background are likely to be equally inconspicuous, and laboratory experiments on birds and humans support this view. Theory suggests that the most probable background sample (in the statistical sense), at the size of the prey, would, on average, be the most cryptic. We present an analysis, based on realistic assumptions about low-level vision, that estimates the distribution of background colours and visual textures, and predicts the best camouflage. We present data from a field experiment that tests and supports our predictions, using artificial moth-like targets under bird predation. Additionally, we present analogous data for humans, under tightly controlled viewing conditions, searching for targets on a computer screen. These data show that, in the absence of predator learning, the best single camouflage pattern for heterogeneous backgrounds is the most probable sample.
Chronotype variation drives night-time sentinel-like behaviour in hunter–gatherers
Authors: Samson David R. , Crittenden Alyssa N. , Mabulla Ibrahim A. , Mabulla Audax Z. P. , Nunn Charles L.
Published: July 2017

Sleep is essential for survival, yet it also represents a time of extreme vulnerability to predation, hostile conspecifics and environmental dangers. To reduce the risks of sleeping, the sentinel hypothesis proposes that group-living animals share the task of vigilance during sleep, with some individuals sleeping while others are awake. To investigate sentinel-like behaviour in sleeping humans, we investigated activity patterns at night among Hadza hunter–gatherers of Tanzania. Using actigraphy, we discovered that all subjects were simultaneously scored as asleep for only 18 min in total over 20 days of observation, with a median of eight individuals awake throughout the night-time period; thus, one or more individuals was awake (or in light stages of sleep) during 99.8% of sampled epochs between when the first person went to sleep and the last person awoke. We show that this asynchrony in activity levels is produced by chronotype variation, and that chronotype covaries with age. Thus, asynchronous periods of wakefulness provide an opportunity for vigilance when sleeping in groups. We propose that throughout human evolution, sleeping groups composed of mixed age classes provided a form of vigilance. Chronotype variation and human sleep architecture (including nocturnal awakenings) in modern populations may therefore represent a legacy of natural selection acting in the past to reduce the dangers of sleep.
The middle half genome of interferon-inducing porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus strain A2MC2 is essential for interferon induction
Authors: Ma Zexu , Yu Ying , Xiao Yueqiang , Opriessnig Tanja , Wang Rong , Yang Liping , Nan Yuchen , Samal Siba K. , Halbur Patrick G. , Zhang Yan-Jin
Published: July 2017

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is known to antagonize the innate immune response. An atypical PRRSV strain A2MC2 is capable of inducing synthesis of type I interferons (IFNs) in cultured cells. Here, we show that the middle half of the A2MC2 genome is needed for triggering the IFN synthesis. First, a cDNA infectious clone of this atypical strain was constructed as a DNA-launched version. Virus recovery was achieved from the infectious clone and the recovered virus, rA2MC2, was characterized. The rA2MC2 retained the feature of IFN induction in cultured cells. Infection of pigs with the rA2MC2 virus caused viremia similar to that of the wild-type virus. Chimeric infectious clones were constructed by swapping genomic fragments with a cDNA clone of a moderately virulent strain VR-2385 that antagonizes IFN induction. Analysis of the rescued chimeric viruses demonstrated that the middle two fragments, ranging from nt4545 to nt12709 of the A2MC2 genome, were needed for the IFN induction, whereas the chimeric viruses containing any one of the two A2MC2 fragments failed to do so. The results and the cDNA infectious clone of the IFN-inducing A2MC2 will facilitate further study of its biology, ultimately leading towards the development of an improved vaccine against PRRS.
Conformational locking of Ufm1 upon binding to the Ufm1-interacting sequence of Uba5
Authors: Kelly Ryan T. , Oweis Walaa , Wiener Reuven , Berndsen Christopher E.
Published: July 2017

Ubiquitin fold modifier 1 (Ufm1) is a ubiquitin-like protein (UBL) found in eukaryotic organisms which plays a crucial role in ER stress management and signal transduction. The crystal structure of UFM1 and its E1 (Uba5) in complex shows that Ufm1 binds to the adenylation domain of UBA5 and interacts with a separate Ufm1-interacting sequence (UIS) in the C-terminus of UBA5. The UIS interacts with Ufm1 on the opposite side of Ufm1 protein from the adenylation domain of Uba5 and the reason for this second interaction site is unclear. We analyzed Ufm1 bound to the UIS sequence through molecular dynamics simulations in order to identify additional functions for this interaction. We found that the residues in the adenylation interaction site of Ufm1 have less movement when the UIS peptide was bound to Ufm1 and formed a structure that aligns well with Ufm1 bound to the Uba5 adenylation domain. We further identified an amino acid that connects the UIS to the adenylation domain interacting site. Mutation of this amino acid decreases charging activity and shifts the Ufm1 conformation population toward the unlocked configuration even in the presence of the UIS peptide. These data suggest a role for the Uba5 UIS in stimulating activation of Ufm1.
Feedback regulation of steady-state epithelial turnover and organ size
Authors: Liang Jackson , Balachandra Shruthi , Ngo Sang , O’Brien Lucy Erin
Published: July 2017

Epithelial organs undergo steady-state turnover throughout adult life, with old cells being continually replaced by the progeny of stem cell divisions1. To avoid hyperplasia or atrophy, organ turnover demands strict equilibration of cell production and loss2-4. However, the mechanistic basis of this equilibrium is unknown. Using the adultDrosophilaintestine5, we find that robustly precise turnover arises through a coupling mechanism in which enterocyte apoptosis breaks feedback inhibition of stem cell divisions. Healthy enterocytes inhibit stem cell division through E-cadherin, which prevents secretion of mitogenic EGFs by repressing transcription of the EGF maturation factorrhomboid. Individual apoptotic enterocytes promote divisions by loss of E-cadherin, which releases cadherin-associated β-catenin/Armadillo and p120-catenin to inducerhomboid. Induction ofrhomboidin the dying enterocyte triggers EGFR activation in stem cells within a discrete radius. When we block apoptosis, E-cadherin-controlled feedback suppresses divisions, and the organ retains the same number of cells. When we disrupt feedback, apoptosis and divisions are uncoupled, and the organ develops either hyperplasia or atrophy. Altogether, our work demonstrates that robust cellular balance hinges on the obligate coupling of divisions to apoptosis, which limits the proliferative potential of a stem cell to the precise time and place that a replacement cell is needed. In this manner, localized cell-cell communication gives rise to tissue-level homeostatic equilibrium and constant organ size.
The use of a chimeric rhodopsin vector for the detection of new proteorhodopsins based on color
Authors: Pushkarev Alina , Hevroni Gur , Roitman Sheila , Shim Jin-gon , Choi Ahreum , Jung Kwang-Hwan , Béjà Oded
Published: July 2017

Student microbial ecology laboratory courses are often conducted as condensed courses in which theory and wet lab work are combined in a very intensive short time period. In last decades, the study of marine microbial ecology is increasingly reliant on molecular-based methods, and as a result many of the research projects conducted in such courses require sequencing that is often not available on site and may take more time than a typical course allows. In this work, we describe a protocol combining molecular and functional methods for analyzing proteorhodopsins (PRs), with visible results in only 4-5 days, that do not rely on sequencing. PRs were discovered in oceanic surface waters two decades ago, and have since been observed in different marine environments and diverse taxa, including the abundant alphaproteobacterial SAR11 group. PR subgroups are currently known to absorb green and blue light, and their distribution was previously explained by prevailing light conditions - green pigments at the surface and blue pigments in deeper waters, as blue light travels deeper in the water column. To detect PR in environmental samples, we created a chimeric plasmid suitable for direct expression of PRs using PCR amplification and functional analysis inEscherichia colicells. Using this assay, we discovered several exceptional cases of PRs whose phenotypes differed from those predicted based on sequence only, including a previously undescribed yellow-light absorbing PRs. We applied this assay in two 10-days marine microbiology courses and found it to greatly enhance students’ laboratory experience, enabling them to gain rapid visual feedback and colorful reward for their work. Furthermore we expect this assay to promote the use of functional assays for the discovery of new rhodopsin variants.
Sex- and genotype-effects on nutrient-dependent fitness landscapes inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Camus M. Florencia , Fowler Kevin , Piper Matthew W.D. , Reuter Max
Published: July 2017

The sexes perform different reproductive roles and have evolved sometimes strikingly different phenotypes. One focal point of adaptive divergence occurs in the context of diet and metabolism, and males and females of a range of species have been shown to require different nutrients to maximise their fitness. Biochemical analyses inDrosophila melanogasterhave confirmed that dimorphism in dietary requirements is associated with molecular sex-differences in metabolite titres. In addition, they also showed significant within-sex genetic variation in the metabolome. To date however, it is unknown whether this metabolic variation translates into differences in reproductive fitness. The answer to this question is crucial to establish whether genetic variation is selectively neutral or indicative of constraints on sex-specific physiological adaptation and optimisation. Here we assay genetic variation in consumption and metabolic fitness effects by screening male and female fitness of thirtyD. melanogastergenotypes across four protein-to-carbohydrate ratios. In addition to confirming sexual dimorphism in consumption and fitness, we find significant genetic variation in male and female dietary requirements. Importantly, these differences are not explained by feeding responses and most likely reflect metabolic variation that, in turn, suggest the presence of genetic constraints on metabolic dimorphism.
Multi-method brain imaging reveals impaired representations as well as altered connectivity in adults with dyscalculia
Authors: Bulthé Jessica , Prinsen Jellina , Vanderauwera Jolijn , Duyck Stefanie , Daniels Nicky , Gillebert Céline R. , Mantini Dante , Op de Beeck Hans P. , De Smedt Bert
Published: July 2017

Two hypotheses have been proposed about the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders: representation impairments versus disrupted access to representations. We implemented a multi-method brain imaging approach to directly compare the representation vs. access hypotheses in dyscalculia, a highly prevalent but understudied neurodevelopmental disorder in learning to calculate. We combined several magnetic resonance imaging methods and analyses, including multivariate analyses, functional and structural connectivity, and voxel-based morphometry analysis, in a sample of 24 adults with dyscalculia and 24 carefully matched controls. Results showed a clear deficit in the non-symbolic magnitude representations in parietal, temporal, and frontal regions in dyscalculia. We also observed hyper-connectivity in visual brain regions and increased grey matter volume in the default mode network in adults with dyscalculia. Hence, dyscalculia is related to a combination of diverse neural markers which are altogether distributed across a substantial portion of cerebral cortex, supporting a multifactorial model of this neurodevelopmental disorder.
TumorFusions: an integrative resource for reporting cancer-associated transcript fusions in 33 tumor types
Authors: Hu Xin , Wang Qianghu , Barthel Floris , Tang Ming , Amin Samirkumar , Yoshihara Kosuke , Lang Frederick M. , Lee Soo Hyun , Zheng Siyuan , Verhaak Roel G.W.
Published: July 2017

Fusion genes, particularly those involving kinases, have been demonstrated as drivers and are frequent therapeutic targets in cancer1. Here, we describe our results on detecting transcript fusions across 33 cancer types from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), totaling 9,966 cancer samples and 648 normal samples2. Preprocessing, including read alignment to both genome and transcriptome, and fusion detection were carried out using a uniform pipeline3. To validate the resultant fusions, we also called somatic structural variations for 561 cancers from whole genome sequencing data. A summary of the data used in this study is provided inTable S1. Our results can be accessed per our portal athttp://www.tumorfusions.org.
Chill coma in the locust,Locusta migratoria, is initiated by spreading depolarization in the central nervous system
Authors: Robertson R. Meldrum , Spong Kristin E. , Srithiphaphirom Phinyaphat
Published: July 2017

The ability of chill-sensitive insects to function at low temperatures limits their geographic ranges. They have species-specific temperatures below which movements become uncoordinated prior to entering a reversible state of neuromuscular paralysis. In spite of decades of research, which in recent years has focused on muscle function, the role of neural mechanisms in detemining chill coma is unknown. Spreading depolarization (SD) is a phenomenon that causes a shutdown of neural function in the integrating centres of the central nervous system. We investigated the role of SD in the process of entering chill coma in the locust,Locusta migratoria. We used thermolimit respirometry and electromyography in whole animals and extracellular and intracellular recording techniques in semi-intact preparations to characterize neural events during chilling. We show that chill-induced SD in the central nervous system is the mechanism underlying the critical thermal minimum for coordinated movement in locusts. This finding will be important for understanding how insects adapt and acclimate to changing environmental temperatures.
Traction force screening enabled by compliant PDMS elastomers
Authors: Yoshie Haruka , Koushki Newsha , Kaviani Rosa , Rajendran Kavitha , Dang Quynh , Husain Amjad , Yao Sean , Li Chuck , Sullivan John K , Saint-Geniez Magali , Krishnan Ramaswamy , Ehrlicher Allen J
Published: July 2017

Acto-myosin contractility is an essential element of many aspects of cellular biology, and manifests as traction forces that cells exert on their surroundings. The central role of these forces makes them a novel principal therapeutic target in diverse diseases. This requires accurate and higher capacity measurements of traction forces; however, existing methods are largely low throughput, limiting their utility in broader applications. To address this need, we employ Fourier-transform traction force microscopy in a parallelized 96-well format, which we refer to as contractile force screening (CFS).Critically, rather than the frequently employed hydrogel polyacrylamide (PAA), we fabricate these plates using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) rubber. Key to this approach is that the PDMS used is very compliant, with a lower-bound Young’s modulus of approximately 0.7 kPa. We subdivide these monolithic substrates spatially into biochemically independent wells, creating a uniform multiwell platform for traction force screening. We demonstrate the utility and versatility of this platform by quantifying the compound and dose-dependent contractility responses of human airway smooth muscle cells and retinal pigment epithelial cells.
Polymorphism in the structure of N-(5-methylthiazol-2-yl)-4-oxo-4H-chromene-3-carboxamide
Authors: Gomes Ligia R. , Low John Nicolson , Cagide Fernando , Borges Fernanda
Published: July 2017

Chromone derivatives have been extensively studied recently because of to their promising biological activities. The new title chromone–thiazole hybrid presented here, C14H10N2O3S, is a candidate as a selective ligand for adenosine receptors. The compound has been synthesized and characterized by the usual spectroscopic means (NMR and EM/IE) and its structure elucidated by X-ray crystallography, which revealed the presence of packing polymorphism. The two polymorphs (one with space group P21/n and one with P21/c) show slightly different conformations and the major change induced by crystallization regards the intramolecular contacts defining the supramolecular structure. Those differences been highlighted by Hirshfeld surface analysis mapped over d
norm and ESP.
Package graphic design development
Authors: Hamlin Robert P. , Gin Michael , Nyhof Fiona , Bogue Joe
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish whether consumer focus groups can generate reliable data when used as a consumer research input to copy/graphic design development for retail food packaging.

Design/methodology/approach

Six focus groups of six consumers each (n=36) were used to assess four concept designs for a manuka honey cordial product. The focus groups were used to rank the design concepts and to generate specific consumer-driven recommendations to develop/improve each of the designs. A new version of each design was then developed using these recommendations. The eight designs (four original and four improved) were tested together, using a quantitative field experiment at a supermarket in the area from which the focus group sample was drawn.

Findings

The results showed that the focus group rankings of the four original designs were largely predictive of the outcomes of the field trial. The improved designs also consistently outperformed their original equivalents in the field trials. Very large improvements were recorded with respect to the weaker original designs.

Research limitations/implications

The research only studied a single product type. However, the results demonstrate that focus group outcomes can be extended onto larger populations if the focus group sample is large enough.

Practical implications

These results support the use of consumer focus groups as a research input to package graphic design development.

Originality/value

Focus groups are used regularly in research where the applicability of their results to larger populations is assumed. This is the first research to formally test that assumption.
The five-factor traits as moderators between job insecurity and health
Authors: Iliescu Dragos , Macsinga Irina , Sulea Coralia , Fischmann Gabriel , Vander Elst Tinne , De Witte Hans
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the moderating effects of the broad personality traits associated with the five-factor model (FFM) of personality, on the relationship between qualitative and quantitative job insecurity (JI) and physical and mental health complaints.

Design/methodology/approach

Self-report data collected in a cross-sectional study from a heterogeneous sample of 469 Romanian employees was analyzed with hierarchical regressions in order to identify moderation effects between each personality trait, JI and health outcomes.

Findings

Neuroticism and introversion amplify the relationship between JI and mental health complaints. None of the other personality traits showed any significant interaction with JI. No moderating effects were found for physical health complaints. Quantitative and qualitative JI show a high correlation and similar relationships with other variables, but may not be part of the same larger factor.

Practical implications

The FFM has a lower contribution than expected in explaining the JI-health dynamic, with only 2 out of 5 reaching significance. The personality traits of neuroticism and introversion function as moderately strong vulnerability factors in the JI-mental health relationship, and may be used by managers in identifying employees who are at risk in situations when JI is likely to appear.

Originality/value

The authors offer overall support for the main effect model in the relationship between JI and health, showing that, while some broad personality traits buffer the negative effect of JI in a fairly strong manner, this effect may be very difficult to completely abolish. The authors further show that quantitative and qualitative JI are very closely related facets of the broader JI construct.
The implications of work-family balance among dual-earner couples
Authors: Adisa Toyin Ajibade , Osabutey Ellis L.C. , Gbadamosi Gbolahan
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The implications of the work-family balance (WFB) of dual-earner couples are well known; however, the extant literature on this topic has failed to adequately explore the context of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), specifically Nigeria. The purpose of this paper is to examine the implications of the WFB of dual-earner couples in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs a qualitative methodology in order to explore the effect of couples’ dual-earner status on their WFB in an African context by using Nigerian medical practitioners as the empirical focus.

Findings

The findings reveal that the dual-earner status provides some respite from financial hardship and improves family finances, which subsequently enhances WFB. However, the dual-earner status also has negative impacts on WFB in terms of work performance, dysfunctionality, and associated societal problems.

Originality/value

This paper provides insights into the WFB of dual-earner couples in the non-western context of SSA, highlighting the previously unexplored implications of dual-earner status in the context of SSA.
Responsive HTML generation using SuperSQL
Authors: Goto Kento , Koshijima Ryosuke , Toyama Motomichi
Published: July 2017

Purpose

With the rapid spread of smartphones and tablets, it is becoming necessary for web developers to create responsive web pages which are visually appealing on devices of various sizes. However, building responsive UIs is a very challenging task, requiring deep knowledge of HTML and CSS. This paper aims to propose an approach to generate responsive web pages using SuperSQL, which is an extension of SQL that can format data retrieved from a database into various kinds of structured documents.

Design/methodology/approach

By incorporating the methodology of bootstrap, a grid-based framework for front-end development, the authors have made it possible to create responsive web pages from simple SuperSQL queries. In addition, by utilizing SuperSQL’s unique feature that can describe the structure of the output web page, the authors have proposed and implemented a mechanism to automatically optimize the web content’s size and position.

Findings

In the evaluation, the authors created some actual web applications with and without the use of SuperSQL and compared the code amount (number of lines). As a result, when using the proposed system, the amount of code was reduced to about 1/5. The authors also compared the layout generated by the proposed automatic layout generation mechanism with the responsive layout that was generated manually. As a result, the automatic layout generation mechanism created the same layout as the manually created layout 74.8 per cent of the time, and the user satisfaction level turned out to be 85.8 per cent.

Originality/value

The way to generate a responsive HTML by using a single SuperSQL query, and the mechanism for automatic responsive layout generation.
Resource scarcity in SMEs: effects on incremental and radical innovations
Authors: Woschke Tino , Haase Heiko , Kratzer Jan
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This study deals with the impact of resource scarcity on the innovation performance of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The purpose of this paper is to scrutinise whether resource scarcity among SMEs has an effect on their innovation performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample was based on panel data for 302 SMEs from the mechanical and electrical engineering sectors. Firms were divided into four groups by resource scarcity: human resource scarcity, financial resource scarcity, both types of resource scarcity and no resource scarcity. To test for significant inter-group differences in innovation performance, multivariate analysis of covariance and a multiple discriminant function analysis were carried out.

Findings

The results indicated that resource scarcity can have a positive effect on incremental but not radical innovation performance in SMEs. However, the authors found this to be true for financial resource scarcity only.

Research limitations/implications

These results may not be applicable to all SMEs, as the authors only focused on the industries of mechanical and electrical engineering. Future studies should focus on analysing the internal structures of SMEs that led to this study’s results. More research should also be conducted on ways that resource-limited SMEs can appropriately conduct radical innovations. Finally, resources should be made available for both practitioners and academics, explaining why the acquisition of resources is not always be the best option in response to limited resources.

Practical implications

These results indicate that resource-constrained SMEs, especially those that struggle with limited finances, should concentrate their innovation activities on incremental rather than radical innovations.

Originality/value

This study closes the knowledge gap as to whether it is beneficial for resource-limited SMEs to focus on either incremental or radical innovation. From the theoretical viewpoint, the resource-based view provides two strategies for resource-limited SMEs: acquiring new resources or recombining available resources. The authors were able to clearly demonstrate for the first time that the recombination of resources is especially important for SMEs that specifically wish to pursue incremental innovation.
Why have relative rates of class mobility become more equal among women inBritain?
Authors: Bukodi Erzsébet , Goldthorpe John H. , Joshi Heather , Waller Lorraine
Published: July 2017

In a previous paper it has been shown that across three cohorts of men and women born in Britain in 1946, 1958 and 1970 a gender difference exists in regard to relative rates of class mobility. For men these rates display an essential stability but for women they become more equal. The aim of the present paper is to shed light on the causes of this trend—or, that is, of increasing social fluidity—among women. We begin by considering a refined version of the perverse fluidity hypothesis: that is, one that proposes that part‐time work leads to increasing downward worklife mobility among women that also entails downward intergenerational mobility and thus promotes greater fluidity. We do in fact find that the increase in fluidity is very largely, if not entirely, confined to women who have had at least one period of part‐time work. However, a more direct test of the hypothesis is not supportive. We are then led to investigate whether it is not that part‐time working itself is the crucial factor but rather that women who subsequently work part‐time already differ from those who do not at entry into employment. We find that eventual full‐ and part‐timers do not differ in their class origins nor, in any systematic way, in their educational qualifications. But there is a marked and increasing difference in the levels of employment at which they make their labour market entry. Eventual part‐timers are more likely than eventual full‐timers to enter in working‐class positions, regardless of their class origins and qualifications. Insofar as these women are from more advantaged origins, they would appear not to seek to exploit their advantages to the same extent as do full‐timers in order to advance their own work careers. And it is, then, in the downward mobility accepted by these women—who increase in number across the cohorts—that we would locate the main source of the weakening association between class origins and destinations that is revealed among women at large.
Expensing Versus Capitalization
Authors: Lu Tong , Sivaramakrishnan Konduru
Published: July 2017

We develop a theoretical framework to study the effects of expensing versus capitalization of investment expenditures on capital market asset prices, corporate investment, and investment efficiency. We use a two‐period model in which the financial reports at the end of the first period influence the price of the firm. In the first period, the current owner makes an investment decision that yields returns during the first and the second periods. We highlight the benefits and costs of the matching principle in GAAP and identify conditions under which less disclosure improves investment efficiency. We find that, in terms of investment efficiency, expensing beats capitalization if and only if the expected growth rate is high, the growth volatility is large, or the earnings persistence is small. We also offer testable empirical implications for accounting choice and for real earnings management.
IFRS Adoption in Emerging Markets: The Case of Jordan
Authors: Al‐Htaybat Khaldoon
Published: July 2017

The aim of this study is to research the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Jordan, which was one of the first Middle Eastern emerging economies to adopt IFRS. The paper investigates the related factors that pressure and prevent such adoption over time, and illustrates the developmental aspects of such adoption. An interpretive methodology is employed, and perceptions of the study's participants are analysed regarding the adoption of IFRS in Jordan, which is an area that is under researched. Semi‐structured interviews were undertaken to collect Jordanian experts’ perceptions. Based on the empirical data analysis and prior theoretical and empirical literature, an adoption model was developed, which can serve future studies as well. The model illustrates the paradox of accounting changes in emerging economies, in which the actual conditions that pressure IFRS adoption are also the conditions that prevent full adoption. The model also provides an explanation of the implementation process of IFRS in emerging economies at both country and corporation levels. It combines practical features and related theories in an integrative model seeking to explain the phenomenon of IFRS as a new accounting regulation change.
The concepts of asymmetric and symmetric power can help resolve the puzzle of altruistic and cooperative behaviour
Authors: Phillips Tim
Published: July 2017

Evolutionary theory predicts competition in nature yet altruistic and cooperative behaviour appears to reduce the ability to compete in order to help others compete better. This evolutionary puzzle is usually explained by kin selection where close relatives perform altruistic and cooperative acts to help each other and by reciprocity theory (i.e. direct, indirect and generalized reciprocity) among non‐kin. Here, it is proposed that the concepts of asymmetry and symmetry in power and dominance are critical if we are ever to resolve the puzzle of altruism and cooperation towards non‐kin. Asymmetry in power and dominance is likely to emerge under competition in nature as individuals strive to gain greater access to the scarce resources needed to survive and reproduce successfully. Yet asymmetric power presents serious problems for reciprocity theory in that a dominant individual faces a temptation to cheat in interactions with subordinates that is likely to far outweigh any individual selective benefits gained through reciprocal mechanisms. Furthermore, action taken by subordinates to deter non‐reciprocation by dominants is likely to prove prohibitively costly to their fitness, making successful enforcement of reciprocal mechanisms unlikely. It is also argued here that many apparently puzzling forms of cooperation observed in nature (e.g. cooperative breeding in which unrelated subordinates help dominants to breed) might be best explained by asymmetry in power and dominance. Once it is recognized that individuals in these cooperative interactions are subject to the constraints and opportunities imposed on them by asymmetric power then they can be seen as pursuing a ‘least bad’ strategy to promote individual fitness – one that is nevertheless consistent with evolutionary theory. The concept of symmetric power also provides important insights. It can inhibit reciprocal mechanisms in the sense that symmetric power makes it easier for a cheat to appropriate common resources while incurring fewer penalties. Nevertheless under certain restrictive conditions, symmetric power is seen as likely to promote direct reciprocity through ‘tit for tat’.
E‐cadherin expression increases cell proliferation by regulating energy metabolism through nuclear factor‐κB in AGS cells
Authors: Park Song Yi , Shin Jee‐Hye , Kee Sun‐Ho
Published: July 2017

β‐Catenin is a central player in Wnt signaling, and activation of Wnt signaling is associated with cancer development. E‐cadherin in complex with β‐catenin mediates cell–cell adhesion, which suppresses β‐catenin‐dependent Wnt signaling. Recently, a tumor‐suppressive role for E‐cadherin has been reconsidered, as re‐expression of E‐cadherin was reported to enhance the metastatic potential of malignant tumors. To explore the role of E‐cadherin, we established an E‐cadherin‐expressing cell line, EC96, from AGS cells that featured undetectable E‐cadherin expression and a high level of Wnt signaling. In EC96 cells, E‐cadherin re‐expression enhanced cell proliferation, although Wnt signaling activity was reduced. Subsequent analysis revealed that nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) activation and consequent c‐myc expression might be involved in E‐cadherin expression‐mediated cell proliferation. To facilitate rapid proliferation, EC96 cells enhance glucose uptake and produce ATP using both mitochondria oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis, whereas AGS cells use these mechanisms less efficiently. These events appeared to be mediated by NF‐κB activation. Therefore, E‐cadherin re‐expression and subsequent induction of NF‐κB signaling likely enhance energy production and cell proliferation.
Condensed Mastery Profile Method for Setting Standards for Diagnostic Assessment Systems
Authors: Clark A. K. , Nash B. , Karvonen M. , Kingston N.
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this study was to develop a standard‐setting method appropriate for use with a diagnostic assessment that produces profiles of student mastery rather than a single raw or scale score value. The condensed mastery profile method draws from established holistic standard‐setting methods to use rounds of range finding and pinpointing to specify cut points between performance levels. Panelists are convened to review profiles of mastery and specify cut points between performance levels based on the total number of skills mastered. Following panelist specification of cut points, a statistical method is implemented to smooth cut points over grades to decrease between‐grade variability. Procedural evidence, including convergence plots, standard errors of pinpointing ratings, and panelist feedback, suggest the condensed mastery profile method is a useful and technically sound approach for setting performance standards for diagnostic assessment systems.
Morphing structures and fatigue: The case of an unmanned aerial vehicle wing leading edge
Authors: Moreira S.J. , Tavares S.M.O. , de Castro P.M.S.T.
Published: July 2017

With the emergence of novel aircraft structural concepts, which make use of large‐scale shape deflections to achieve improved flight performance across significantly different flight regimes and missions, unusual crack paths and mixed‐mode crack propagation situations may take place. Consequently, morphing concepts require a full understanding of the materials' behaviour in primary or secondary structures to reliably withstand unusual and demanding operating conditions.

A case study of a morphing leading edge developed for the wings of an unmanned aerial vehicle is presented in this paper. Leading edges are subjected to damage originated by bird strike or other events, and those damages can compromise the structural integrity and stability of the flight. Due to the deflections during the morphing structure actuation, cracks will propagate eventually until critical sizes. Possible crack propagation scenarios are presented, considering the service operation of the morphing leading edge.
Stabbing Headache as the Presenting Symptom of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
Authors: Yunisova Gulshan , Güngör Ipek , Kocasoy Orhan Elif , Baykan Betül
Published: July 2017

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Forecasting Individual Headache Attacks Using Perceived Stress: Development of a Multivariable Prediction Model for Persons With Episodic Migraine
Authors: Houle Timothy T. , Turner Dana P. , Golding Adrienne N. , Porter John A. H. , Martin Vincent T. , Penzien Donald B. , Tegeler Charles H.
Published: July 2017

Objective

To develop and validate a prediction model that forecasts future migraine attacks for an individual headache sufferer.

Background

Many headache patients and physicians believe that precipitants of headache can be identified and avoided or managed to reduce the frequency of headache attacks. Of the numerous candidate triggers, perceived stress has received considerable attention for its association with the onset of headache in episodic and chronic headache sufferers. However, no evidence is available to support forecasting headache attacks within individuals using any of the candidate headache triggers.

Methods

This longitudinal cohort with forecasting model development study enrolled 100 participants with episodic migraine with or without aura, and N = 95 contributed 4626 days of electronic diary data and were included in the analysis. Individual headache forecasts were derived from current headache state and current levels of stress using several aspects of the Daily Stress Inventory, a measure of daily hassles that is completed at the end of each day. The primary outcome measure was the presence/absence of any headache attack (head pain > 0 on a numerical rating scale of 0‐10) over the next 24 h period.

Results

After removing missing data (n = 431 days), participants in the study experienced a headache attack on 1613/4195 (38.5%) days. A generalized linear mixed‐effects forecast model using either the frequency of stressful events or the perceived intensity of these events fit the data well. This simple forecasting model possessed promising predictive utility with an AUC of 0.73 (95% CI 0.71‐0.75) in the training sample and an AUC of 0.65 (95% CI 0.6‐0.67) in a leave‐one‐out validation sample. This forecasting model had a Brier score of 0.202 and possessed good calibration between forecasted probabilities and observed frequencies but had only low levels of resolution (ie, sharpness).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that future headache attacks can be forecasted for a diverse group of individuals over time. Future work will enhance prediction through improvements in the assessment of stress as well as the development of other candidate domains to use in the models.
Synthesis and characterization of novel bio‐material: Nano composites of hydroxyapatite and curcumin
Authors: Jogiya Bhoomika , Chudasama Kiran , Thaker Vrinda , Joshi Mhir
Published: July 2017

Hydroxyapatite/curcumin nano‐composites were synthesized by surfactant mediated approach. As hydroxyapatite is a bio‐mineral with various bio‐medical applications, the composites were made with natural pigment curcumin having numerous therapeutic applications and characterized it using various analytical techniques like powder XRD, FT‐IR, TEM, TGA, CHN, and Impedance spectroscopic studies. Impedance spectroscopy study suggested the effect of grain and grain boundary for pure hydroxyapatite, while only the grain effect was observed for the composites. Hemolytic and antimicrobial activities were also carried out suggesting that the samples were safer to use medically. The bio‐activity study was conducted using Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) in vitro indicating increased bio‐activity in terms of increased formation of apatite layer.
Very early hallucinatory experiences: a school‐based study
Authors: Pignon Baptiste , Geoffroy Pierre A. , Gharib Axelle , Thomas Pierre , Moutot Dan , Brabant William , Weens Brigitte , Dupond Marie‐Pierre , Caron Annick , Falissard Bruno , Medjkane François , Jardri Renaud
Published: July 2017

Background

The prevalence and clinical significance of hallucinatory experiences among children below 7 years of age remain unknown. We aimed to determine the independent influences of sensory deficits, the presence of an imaginary companion and metacognition on hallucinatory experiences. We assumed that hallucinatory experiences were associated with (a) sensory deficits, (b) the presence of an imaginary companion (IC) and (c) metacognition defaults (i.e. first‐ and second‐order theory of mind default).

Methods

All children in the third year of preschool from a region of Northern France underwent medical screening. We compared the prevalence rates of visual, auditory and audio‐visual hallucinatory experiences based on (a) the presence of visual or auditory deficits, (b) the actual presence of an IC and (c) metacognition. The analyses were adjusted for age.

Results

A total of 1,087 children aged between 5 and 7 years were included. The prevalence rates of auditory, visual and audio‐visual hallucinatory experiences were 15.8%, 12.5% and 5.8%, respectively. The prevalences of different types of hallucinatory experiences were not significantly different according to sensory deficit. The prevalences of all types of hallucinatory experiences were significantly higher among children with an IC and among children with metacognition defaults.

Conclusions

The association between hallucinatory experiences and sensory deficits might concern only long‐lasting deficits. The association with the presence of an IC confirms experimental findings of the likelihood of perceiving words among meaningless auditory stimuli. Relations between hallucinatory experiences and theory of mind need to be addressed in longitudinal studies.
Predictors of Early Continence after Robot‐assisted Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: YAMADA Yuta , FUJIMURA Tetsuya , FUKUHARA Hiroshi , SUGIHARA Toru , NAKAGAWA Tohru , KUME Haruki , IGAWA Yasuhiko , HOMMA Yukio
Published: July 2017

Objective

Our objective was to investigate predictors of early continence outcome after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

Methods

Clinical records were prospectively collected in 272 patients who underwent RARP. Clinical parameters, continence rates, and time to achieve continence were investigated and analyzed. Recovery of continence was defined as achieving complete continence (pad‐free).

Results

In the univariate analysis, young age (≤67 years) and low pT stage (≤pT2) were significantly associated with continence achieved within 2 weeks after RARP (P = 0.0343 and P = 0.0406, respectively). Low prostate weight was the only factor associated with recovery of continence within 1 month (P = 0.0461). Multivariate analysis revealed that young age (≤67 years) and low pT stage (≤pT2) were statistically significant predictors of continence within 2 weeks after RARP (P = 0.040 and P = 0.015, respectively).

Conclusion

Young age and low pT stage were independent predictors of early continence.
Predicting in a predicament: Stroke and hemorrhage risk prediction in dialysis patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Molnar Amber O. , Sood Manish M.
Published: July 2017

Whether to anticoagulate dialysis patients with atrial fibrillation is a common clinical dilemma with limited high‐quality data to inform decision‐making. While the efficacy and safety of anticoagulation for stroke prevention in dialysis patients with atrial fibrillation has long been debated and remains unclear, the more upstream issue of stroke risk assessment from atrial fibrillation has received relatively little attention. In the general population, a handful of risk scores to help predict stroke and hemorrhage risk in the setting of atrial fibrillation are widely validated and applied in clinical practice. But are they applicable to the dialysis population? The most commonly used stroke risk scores, CHADS2 and CHA2DS2‐VASC, have limited validation in the dialysis population, and when validated, have shown poor performance (c‐statistics <0.70). Stroke risk scores derived in the general atrial fibrillation population may perform poorly in dialysis patients for a number of reasons. Dialysis patients have unique stroke risk factors, such as chronic inflammation and vascular calcification, and a much higher competing risk of death, none of which are accounted for in current risk scores. Further complicating the dilemma of anticoagulation is hemorrhage risk, which is known to be exceedingly high in dialysis patients. Currently available hemorrhage risk scores, such as HAS‐BLED, have not been validated in dialysis patients and will likely underestimate hemorrhage risk. Moving forward, risk tools specific to the dialysis population are needed to accurately assess and balance stroke and hemorrhage risks in dialysis patients with atrial fibrillation.