bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cold‐pressed Canola Oil Reduces Hepatic Steatosis by Modulating Oxidative Stress and Lipid Metabolism in KM Mice Compared with Refined Bleached Deodorized Canola Oil
Authors: Zhou Ying‐Jun , Chang Ya‐Ning , You Jia‐Qi , Li Sui‐Zi , Zhuang Wei , Cao Cheng‐Jia
Published: June 2019

The quality of canola oil is affected by different extraction methods. The effect of cold‐pressed canola oil (CPCO) diet and traditional refined bleached deodorized canola oil (RBDCO) diet on lipid accumulation and hepatic steatosis in mice were investigated. The body weight, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐α concentration, serum lipid profile, insulin sensitivity, and oxidative stress were increased in mice fed with CPCO diet, which had higher unsaturated fatty acid, tocopherols, phytosterols, and phospholipids but lower saturated fatty acid than RBDCO, after 12 weeks,. Moreover, CPCO significantly increased tocopherols and phytosterols content in liver and reduced liver cholesterol contents and lipid vacuoles accumulation than RBDCO. Also, serum proinflammatory cytokines, 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutary coenzyme A reductase expression level, lipogenic enzymes, and transcriptional factors such as sterol regulatory element‐binding proteins 1c, acetyl‐CoA carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase in the liver were also markedly downregulated from CPCO diet mice. Overall, CPCO can reduce lipid accumulation and hepatic steatosis by regulating oxidative stress and lipid metabolism in Kun Ming mice compared with RBDCO.

Practical Application

The results suggested that more bioactive components were contained in cold‐pressed canola oil (CPCO) rather than refined bleached deodorized canola oil (RBDCO). CPCO could lower the risk of obesity and hyperlipidemia, reduce lipid accumulation, and prevent hepatic steatosis. It could be considered as a kind of better edible oil than RBDCO.
Retrospective analysis of 1‐year mortality after gastric cancer surgery: Total intravenous anesthesia versus volatile anesthesia
Authors: Oh Tak Kyu , Kim Hyung‐Ho , Jeon Young‐Tae
Published: June 2019

Background

It remains controversial whether propofol‐based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) or inhalation anesthesia is associated with better outcomes after cancer surgery. We investigated whether there is a difference in the 1‐year overall or cancer‐related mortality between propofol‐based TIVA and inhalation anesthesia in patients who underwent gastric cancer surgery.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was based on medical records of ll patients aged ≥18 years who underwent elective gastric cancer surgery with curative intent between January 2005 and December 2015 at a single tertiary academic hospital. Propensity score (PS) matching and Cox proportional hazard models were used for analyses.

Results

After PS matching, 1538 patients (769 patients in each group) were included in the final analysis. The 1‐year overall mortality risk was not significantly different between the TIVA and inhalation groups in either the PS‐matched analysis [hazard ratio (HR): 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.52‐1.64; P = 0.774] or entire cohorts (HR: 0.82 95% CI: 0.52‐1.33; P = 0.417) after multivariable adjustment. The 1‐year cancer‐related mortality risk was similar between the groups in both the PS‐matched cohort (HR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.50‐1.67; P = 0.764) and the entire cohort after multivariable adjustment (HR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.50‐1.33; P = 0.406).

Conclusions

We show that propofol‐based TIVA was not significantly associated with a decrease in the 1‐year overall or cancer‐related mortality after gastric cancer surgery, as compared with inhalation anesthesia. Further studies are required to ascertain the optimal anesthetic choice for gastric cancer surgery.
Qualitative accounting research: special issue introduction
Authors: Dumay John , de Villiers Charl
Published: June 2019

This special issue dedicated to qualitative accounting research shows the commitment of Accounting & Finance to support and publish qualitative research. This introductory piece explains the rationale behind this commitment and recounts the process followed with this special issue, before introducing the papers published in it. The first paper in the special issue, co‐authored by De Villiers, Dumay and Maroun, will be of interest to a large cross‐section of accounting researchers, even those with a quantitative bent, because it dispels some myths around qualitative research, and it sets a research agenda that others may pursue.
The real effects of stock prices: learning, disclosure and corporate social responsibility
Authors: Ji Yucheng , Xu Weijun , Zhao Qi
Published: June 2019

This paper develops a tractable model to study the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on real decisions (i.e., production and disclosure decisions) of a firm which can learn from the stock price. Firms with high CSR disclose more precise information, improving the stock liquidity and price efficiency, which also benefit liquidity traders and consumers. Interventions by regulators in firms’ disclosure decisions, such as mandatory disclosure, can improve social welfare, but their effectiveness depends on the degree of CSR. We also discuss the implications of learning from the price.
Involvement of d‐amino acid oxidase in cerebral ischaemia induced by transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in mice
Authors: Liu Hao , Zhao Meng‐Jing , Wang Zi‐Ying , Han Qiao‐Qiao , Wu Hai‐Yun , Mao Xiao‐fang , Wang Yong‐Xiang
Published: June 2019

Background and Purpose

d‐Amino acid oxidase (DAAO) is a flavine adenine dinucleotide‐containing flavoenzyme and specifically catalyses oxidative deamination of d‐amino acids. This study aimed to explore the association between increased cerebral DAAO expression or enzymic activity and the development of cerebral ischaemia.

Experimental Approach

A mouse model of transient (90 min) middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was established, and western blotting, enzymic activity assay, and fluorescent immunostaining techniques were used.

Key Results

The expression and enzymic activity of DAAO increased over time in the cortical peri‐infarct area of the mice subjected to transient MCAO. The DAAO was specifically expressed in astrocytes, and its double immunostaining with the astrocytic intracellular marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein, in the cortical peri‐infarct area was up‐regulated following ischaemic insult, with peak increase on Day 5 after MCAO. Single intravenous injection of the specific and potent DAAO inhibitor Compound SUN reduced the cerebral DAAO enzymic activity and attenuated neuronal infarction and neurobehavioural deficits with optimal improvement apparent immediately after the MCAO procedure. The neuroprotective effect was dose dependent, with ED50 values of 3.9–4.5 mg·kg−1. Intracerebroventricular injection of the DAAO gene silencer siRNA/DAAO significantly reduced cerebral DAAO expression and attenuated MCAO‐induced neuronal infarction and behavioural deficits.

Conclusions and Implications

Our results, for the first time, demonstrated that increased cerebral astrocytic DAAO expression and enzymic activity were causally associated with the development of neuronal destruction following ischaemic insults, suggesting that targeting cerebral DAAO could be a potential approach for treatment of neurological conditions following cerebral ischaemia.
Neutrophil extracellular traps in nasal secretions of patients with stable and exacerbated chronic rhinosinusitis and their contribution to induce chemokine secretion and strengthen the epithelial barrier
Authors: Hwang Jae Woong , Kim Jae Hyung , Kim Hyun Jung , Choi In Hak , Han Hye Min , Lee Ki Jung , Kim Tae Hoon , Lee Sang Hag
Published: June 2019

Background

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) participate in innate immunity by trapping microorganisms. Their pathophysiological implications have not been defined in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Objective

We investigated the presence of NETs in nasal secretion of patients with stable or exacerbated CRS and evaluated whether NETs participate in the secretion of chemokines in sinonasal epithelial cells, the epithelial permeability, and transendothelial leucocyte migration, and elucidate whether NETs are released by macrolides and dexamethasone.

Methods

The presence of NETs in nasal secretion and the release of NETs from neutrophils stimulated with macrolides or dexamethasone were evaluated by dsDNA Assay kit and fluorescence microscope. The chemokine secretion, epithelial permeability, and transendothelial leucocyte migration were measured in cultured cells incubated with NETs, the supernatant of unstimulated neutrophils (unstim), NETs inhibitor (DPI), or H3Cit, where the expression of junctional complex proteins and ICAM‐1 was evaluated by real‐time PCR, Western blots, and confocal microscope.

Results

The amount of NETs and NETs‐forming neutrophils in nasal secretion increased in exacerbated CRS. Epithelial cells treated with NETs or H3Cit secreted chemokines and showed decreased permeability associated with up‐regulated junctional complex proteins. Increased transendothelial leucocyte migration associated with up‐regulated ICAM‐1 was noted in endothelial cells treated with NETs or H3Cit. These findings were not found in cells treated with unstim, or DPI. NETs were released by macrolides, but not by dexamethasone.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

NETs formation increased in exacerbated CRS, inducing chemokine secretion, strengthening the epithelial barrier, and promoting the neutrophils infiltration. Therefore, the release of NETs in CRS might be beneficial or detrimental to CRS patients.
Children and Young People Living Through a Serious Family Illness: Structural, Interpersonal and Personal Perspectives
Authors: Payler Jane , Cooper Victoria , Bennett Stephanie
Published: June 2019

This study explores the experiences of children and young people in Britain living through a serious family illness. The study considers the interplay between social structures, social relationships and individual agency. We draw on data from the Millennium Cohort Study to estimate the number of children and young people affected nationally and on seven in‐depth interviews to understand young people’s experiences and the effects on their daily lives. Living through a serious family illness impacts on young people’s educational achievements, mental health and social relationships over long periods. Policy and service responses are suggested.
Sema7A, a brain immune regulator, regulates seizure activity in PTZ‐kindled epileptic rats
Authors: Deng Jing , Xu Tao , Yang Juan , Zhang Ke‐Ming , Li Qi , Yu Xin‐Yuan , Li Rong , Fu Jie , Jiang Qian , Ma Jing‐Xi , Chen Yang‐Mei
Published: June 2019

Aims

Semaphorin7A (Sema7A) plays an important role in the immunoregulation of the brain. In our study, we aimed to investigate the expression patterns of Sema7A in epilepsy and further explore the roles of Sema7A in the regulation of seizure activity and the inflammatory response in PTZ‐kindled epileptic rats.

Methods

First, we measured the Sema7A expression levels in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and in rats of a PTZ‐kindled epilepsy rat model. Second, to explore the role of Sema7A in the regulation of seizure activity, we conducted epilepsy‐related behavioral experiments after knockdown and overexpression of Sema7A in the rat hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG). Possible Sema7A‐related brain immune regulators (eg, ERK phosphorylation, IL‐6, and TNF‐α) were also investigated. Additionally, the growth of mossy fibers was visualized by anterograde tracing using injections of biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) into the DG region.

Results

Sema7A expression was markedly upregulated in the brain tissues of TLE patients and rats of the epileptic model after PTZ kindling. After knockdown of Sema7A, seizure activity was suppressed based on the latency to the first epileptic seizure, number of seizures, and duration of seizures. Conversely, overexpression of Sema7A promoted seizures. Overexpression of Sema7A increased the expression levels of the inflammatory cytokines, IL‐6 and TNF‐α, ERK phosphorylation, and growth of mossy fibers in PTZ‐kindled epileptic rats.

Conclusion

Sema7A is upregulated in the epileptic brain and plays a potential role in the regulation of seizure activity in PTZ‐kindled epileptic rats, which may be related to neuroinflammation. Sema7A promotes the inflammatory cytokines TNF‐α and IL‐6 as well as the growth of mossy fibers through the ERK pathway, suggesting that Sema7A may promote seizures by increasing neuroinflammation and activating pathological neural circuits. Sema7A plays a critical role in epilepsy and could be a potential therapeutic target for this neurological disorder.
Church: A creature from which “word”? Reflecting on the meaning of the remembrance of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in Latin America
Authors: Beros Daniel C.
Published: June 2019

To answer the question, “From which word is the church supposed to be created,” I briefly delineate what I understand to be the reality and circumstances in which Latin American churches are situated. Then, I present a basic outline of main factors constituting the reality of these churches as churches. Particular attention is given to the Evangelical church at La Plata. Subsequently, I present essential perspectives from the theological tradition of the Reformation—particularly its Lutheran expression—that are most important and need to be regained, while taking into account complex “external” and “internal” realities that churches are facing in the current day and age.
Temperature‐dependent competition between juvenile salmonids in small streams
Authors: Watz Johan , Otsuki Yasuhiko , Nagatsuka Kenta , Hasegawa Koh , Koizumi Itsuro
Published: June 2019

Biotic interactions affect species distributions, and environmental factors that influence these interactions can play a key role when range shifts in response to environmental change are modelled.

In a field experiment using enclosures, we studied the effects of the thermal habitat on intra‐ versus inter‐specific competition of juvenile Dolly Varden Salvelinus malma and white‐spotted charr Salvelinus leucomaenis, as measured by differences in specific growth rates during summer in allopatric and sympatric treatments. Previous laboratory experiments have shown mixed results regarding the importance of temperature‐dependent competitive abilities as a main driver for spatial segregation in stream fishes, and no study so far has confirmed its existence in natural streams.

Under natural conditions in areas where the two species occur in sympatry, Dolly Varden dominate spring‐fed tributaries (cold, stable thermal regime), whereas both species often coexist in non‐spring‐fed tributaries (warm, unstable thermal regime). Enclosures (charr density = 6 per m2) were placed in non‐spring‐fed (10–14°C) and spring‐fed (7–8°C) tributaries.

In enclosures placed in non‐spring‐fed tributaries, Dolly Varden grew 0.81% per day in allopatry and had negative growth (−0.33% per day) in sympatry, whereas growth rates were similar in allopatry and sympatry in spring‐fed tributaries (0.68 and 0.58% per day). White‐spotted charr grew better in sympatry than in allopatry in both thermal habitats. In non‐spring‐fed tributaries, they grew 0.17 and 0.79% per day and in spring‐fed tributaries 0.46 and 0.75% per day in allopatry and sympatry, respectively.

The negative effect of inter‐specific competition from white‐spotted charr on Dolly Varden thus depended on the thermal habitat. However, there was no strong evidence of a temperature‐dependent effect of intra‐ and inter‐specific competition on white‐spotted charr growth.

Multiple factors may shape species distribution patterns, and we show that temperature may mediate competitive outcomes and thus coexistence in stream fish. These effects of temperature will be important to incorporate into mechanistic and dynamic species distribution models.
The effect of O2 and pressure on thiosulfate oxidation by Thiomicrospira thermophila
Authors: Houghton Jennifer L. , Foustoukos Dionysis I. , Fike David A.
Published: June 2019

Microbial sulfur cycling in marine sediments often occurs in environments characterized by transient chemical gradients that affect both the availability of nutrients and the activity of microbes. High turnover rates of intermediate valence sulfur compounds and the intermittent availability of oxygen in these systems greatly impact the activity of sulfur‐oxidizing micro‐organisms in particular. In this study, the thiosulfate‐oxidizing hydrothermal vent bacterium Thiomicrospira thermophila strain EPR85 was grown in continuous culture at a range of dissolved oxygen concentrations (0.04–1.9 mM) and high pressure (5–10 MPa) in medium buffered at pH 8. Thiosulfate oxidation under these conditions produced tetrathionate, sulfate, and elemental sulfur, in contrast to previous closed‐system experiments at ambient pressure during which thiosulfate was quantitatively oxidized to sulfate. The maximum observed specific growth rate at 5 MPa pressure under unlimited O2 was 0.25 hr−1. This is comparable to the μmax (0.28 hr−1) observed at low pH (<6) at ambient pressure when T. thermophila produces the same mix of sulfur species. The half‐saturation constant for O2 () estimated from this study was 0.2 mM (at a cell density of 105 cells/ml) and was robust at all pressures tested (0.4–10 MPa), consistent with piezotolerant behavior of this strain. The cell‐specific was determined to be 1.5 pmol O2/cell. The concentrations of products formed were correlated with oxygen availability, with tetrathionate production in excess of sulfate production at all pressure conditions tested. This study provides evidence for transient sulfur storage during times when substrate concentration exceeds cell‐specific and subsequent consumption when oxygen dropped below that threshold. These results may be common among sulfur oxidizers in a variety of environments (e.g., deep marine sediments to photosynthetic microbial mats).
The hotelisation of the housing crisis: Experiences of family homelessness in Dublin hotels
Authors: Nowicki Mel , Brickell Katherine , Harris Ella
Published: June 2019

At a time of acute housing crisis, hotels are increasingly being deployed to give temporary shelter to homeless families in wealthy cities. This paper explores the socio‐political implications of the use of hotels for temporary accommodation, drawing on research conducted in Dublin. Specifically, we argue that the housing of homeless families in hotels exposes how they are made out of place in the city, even in the spaces allocated to house them. Hotels are spaces designed for the respite of others but, for homeless families, they conversely offer no relief and are even actively disruptive to their lives. The paper explores three ways in which hotels, presumed to provide restorative breaks from everyday routines, conversely act as points of rupture for homeless families. First, we consider how hotels are marketed as spaces where social reproductive work can be enjoyably put on hold. However, we argue that these perceived conveniences are experienced as disruptive for families forced to live in hotels for months, even years, at a time. Second, we explore the juxtaposition between the well‐being and health benefits hotels are designed to offer guests and the devastating physical and mental health implications for homeless families living in hotels. Third, we compare how hotel management and marketing emphasise the importance of customer service as integral to a hotel's success, while simultaneously shaming and stigmatising homeless residents. The paper concludes by calling for greater attention to be paid to how hotels, normally considered sites of rest, become sites of rupture when used as temporary accommodation, exacerbating the stigmatisation and threats to well‐being that homeless families suffer.
Technological Diversification: A Systematic Review of Antecedents, Outcomes and Moderating Effects
Authors: Ceipek René , Hautz Julia , Mayer Michael C.J. , Matzler Kurt
Published: June 2019

Technological diversification has been linked to a wide range of phenomena, including financial performance, innovation, product diversification and inter‐organizational relationships. This is the first systematic review of this literature and provides an overview of its historical development and conceptual foundations. It finds that the role of contingency factors impacting the positive relationship between technological diversification and financial performance needs further exploration. Also, it finds that the research on the links between technological diversification and inter‐organizational relationships requires consolidation. This paper suggests three avenues for further research. First, it sets out an agenda for identifying the antecedents of technological diversification. Second, it identifies contextual factors that could shape the relationship between technological diversification and performance. Third, it argues that technological diversification research must engage with contemporary technological and organizational developments such as digital organizations, open boundaries and networks.
Multidisciplinary quality improvement programme for older patients admitted to a vascular surgery ward*
Authors: Mudge Alison M. , McRae Prue , Donovan Peter J. , Reade Michael C.
Published: June 2019

Background

Older vascular surgical patients are at high risk of hospital‐associated complications and prolonged stays.

Aims

To implement a multidisciplinary co‐management model for older vascular patients and evaluate impact on length of stay (LOS), delirium incidence, functional decline, medical complications and discharge destination.

Methods

Prospective pre‐post evaluation of a quality improvement intervention, enrolling pre‐intervention (August 2012–January 2013) and post‐intervention cohort (September 2013–March 2014). Participants were consenting patients aged 65 years and over admitted to the vascular surgical ward of a metropolitan teaching hospital for at least 3 days. Intervention was physician‐led co‐management plus a multidisciplinary improvement programme targeting delirium and functional decline. Primary outcomes were LOS, delirium and functional decline. Secondary outcomes were medical complications and discharge destination. Process measures included documented consultation patterns. Administrative data were also compared for all patients aged 65 and older for 12 months pre‐ and post‐intervention.

Results

We enrolled 112 participants pre‐intervention and 123 participants post‐intervention. LOS was reduced post‐intervention (geometric mean 7.6 days vs 9.3 days; ratio of geometric means 0.82 (95% confidence interval CI0.68–1.00), P = 0.04). There was a trend to less delirium (18 (14.6%) vs 24 (21.4%), P = 0.17) and functional decline (18 (14.6%) vs 27 (24.3%), P = 0.06), with greatest reductions in the urgently admitted subgroup. Administrative data showed reduced median LOS (5.2 days vs 6 days, P = 0.03) and greater discharge home (72% vs 50%, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Physician‐led co‐management plus a multidisciplinary improvement programme may reduce LOS and improve functional outcomes in older vascular surgical patients.
Production of very‐high‐amylose cassava by post‐transcriptional silencing of branching enzyme genes
Authors: Zhou Wenzhi , Zhao Shanshan , He Shutao , Ma Qiuxiang , Lu Xinlu , Hao Xiaomeng , Wang Hongxia , Yang Jun , Zhang Peng
Published: June 2019

High amylose starch can be produced by plants deficient in the function of branching enzymes (BEs). Here we report the production of transgenic cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) with starches containing up to 50% amylose due to the constitutive expression of hair‐pin dsRNAs targeting the BE1 or BE2 genes. All BE1‐RNAi plant lines (BE1i) and BE2‐RNAi plant lines (BE2i) were grown up in the field, but with reduced total biomass production. Considerably high amylose content in the storage roots of BE2i plant lines was achieved. Storage starch granules of BE1i and BE2i plants had similar morphology as wild type (WT), however, the size of BE1i starch granules were bigger than that of WT. Comparisons of amylograms and thermograms of all three sources of storage starches revealed dramatic changes to the pasting properties and a higher melting temperature for BE2i starches. Glucan chain length distribution analysis showed a slight increase in chains of DP>36 in BE1i lines and a dramatic increase in glucan chains between DP 10‐20 and DP>40 in BE2i lines. Furthermore, BE2i starches displayed a B‐type X‐ray diffraction pattern instead of the A‐type pattern found in BE1i and WT starches. Therefore, cassava BE1 and BE2 function differently in storage root starch biosynthesis.
Risk factors for abnormal postpartum glucose outcome in women with gestational diabetes mellitus diagnosed by modified The International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups criteria
Authors: Wang Teng , Zheng Wei , Huang Wenyu , Zhang Li , Tian Zhihong , Zhang Ting , Yan Qi , Li Guanghui
Published: June 2019

Aim

To characterize postpartum glycemic outcome and related risk factors in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by modified The International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria.

Methods

This is a cohort study of 583 patients with GDM diagnosed by modified IADPSG criteria for Chinese women from 2016 to 2017. According to their oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) results at 6–12 weeks postpartum, the subjects were categorized into normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT) groups using the World Health Organization criteria. Multivariate pregestational and gestational factors were compared between the NGT and AGT groups.

Results

A total of 174 (29.9%) and 17 (2.9%) subjects were found to have AGT and diabetes, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elevated 2 h postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) at the diagnosis of GDM (odds ratio [OR], 1.485; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.253–1.760) and multigravida (OR, 2.187; 95% CI, 1.152–4.150) were independent predictors of AGT in GDM women. Subjects with elevated OGTT 2 h PPG at gestational 24–28 weeks had a 2.254‐fold increased risk (95% CI, 1.439–3.530) of developing AGT. Presence of multigravida further increased the risk to 7.329 (95% CI, 2.879–18.659). Women with two or three elevated glucose levels at OGTT had higher risk for postpartum dysglycemia. There was a robust and continuous association of OGTT 2 h PPG at gestational 24–28 weeks with abnormal postpartum glycemic outcomes.

Conclusion

In GDM women, OGTT 2 h PPG at gestational 24–28 weeks appear to confer a continuously increased risk for postpartum dysglycemia, which is further increased by the presence of multigravida. Multigravida and women with two or three elevated glucose levels during OGTT have higher risks of impaired postpartum glucose metabolism.
Hostile, Benevolent, and Ambivalent Ableism: Contemporary Manifestations
Authors: Nario‐Redmond Michelle R. , Kemerling Alexia A. , Silverman Arielle
Published: June 2019

Disabled people experience ableism in many forms from the seemingly benevolent to the blatantly hostile, and more ambivalent or mixed forms (e.g., paternalistic/condescending and jealous/envy). Rooted in historic and contemporary frameworks, this study explores the experiences of an international sample of disabled people (N =185) using six open‐ended questions to assess some of the manifestations of ableism documented in the literature. We found that experiences with paternalistic forms of ableism were among the most pervasive followed by inspirational, hostile, envious, and dehumanizing forms while fears of becoming disabled or “catching” disability were less commonly reported. Furthermore, some forms of ableism (e.g., infantilization, unwanted help, and invasions of privacy) were more common among those with visible impairments whereas invalidation and accusations of fraud were more common among those with less apparent conditions. Implications for policies related to hate crimes, health care, and media representations are discussed along with directions for future research.
Conserved and novel roles of miR164‐CUC2 regulatory module in specifying leaf and floral organ morphology in strawberry
Authors: Zheng Guanghui , Wei Wei , Li Yongping , Kan Lijun , Wang Fuxi , Zhang Xi , Li Feng , Liu Zhongchi , Kang Chunying
Published: June 2019

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a kind of short noncoding RNA (20–24 nt), playing versatile roles in plant growth and development. Strawberry generates leaves and flowers with unique features. However, few miRNAs have been functionally characterised in strawberry, especially for their developmental regulation.

Here, we identified one ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mutant, deeply serrated (des), in the woodland strawberry Fragaria vesca that has wrinkled leaves with deeper serrations, serrated petals and deformed carpels. The causative mutation occurs in the 19th nucleotide of the FvemiR164a mature sequence. Overexpressing FveMIR164A rescued the phenotypes of des/fvemir164a except the petal serrations.

Furthermore, we identified two allelic mutants of FveCUC2a, one target of FvemiR164a, which developed leaves with smooth margins and fused leaflets. Phenotypes of the double mutant fvemir164a fvecuc2a indicated that the two genes act linearly in leaf and carpel development, but synergistically in the development of other floral organs and inflorescence architecture.

This work demonstrates the conserved and novel roles of the miR164‐CUC2 module in leaf and flower development in different plant species, and reveals that the 19th nucleotide of FvemiR164a is important for its processing.
Secondary metabolites have more influence than morphophysiological traits on litter decomposability across genotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Kazakou Elena , Vasseur François , Sartori Kevin , Baron Etienne , Rowe Nick , Vile Denis
Published: June 2019

Although interspecific variation in plant phenotype is recognised to impact afterlife processes such as litter decomposability, it is still unclear which traits and selection pressures explain these relationships. Examining intraspecific variation is crucial to identify and compare trait effects on decomposability, and investigate the potential role of natural selection.

We studied the genetic variability and relationships between decomposability, plant traits typically related to decomposability at species level (morphophysiological traits), and leaf metabolites among a set of genotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana grown under controlled conditions. We also investigated correlations between decomposability and environmental variables at genotypes collection site. We investigated the genetic architecture of decomposability with genome‐wide association studies (GWAS).

There was large genetic variability in decomposability that was correlated with precipitation. Morphophysiological traits had a minor effect, while secondary metabolites, especially glucosinolates, were correlated with decomposability. Consistently, GWAS suggested that genes and metabolites related to the composition of cell membranes and envelopes control the variation of decomposability across genotypes.

Our study suggests that decomposability varies within species as a result of metabolic adaptation to climate. Our findings highlight that subtle variations of defence‐related metabolites like glucosinolates may strongly influence after‐life processes such as decomposability.
Oleoresin defenses in conifers: chemical diversity, terpene synthases and limitations of oleoresin defense under climate change
Authors: Celedon Jose M. , Bohlmann Jörg
Published: June 2019

Conifers have evolved complex oleoresin terpene defenses against herbivores and pathogens. In co‐evolved bark beetles, conifer terpenes also serve chemo‐ecological functions as pheromone precursors, chemical barcodes for host identification, or nutrients for insect‐associated microbiomes. We highlight the genomic, molecular and biochemical underpinnings of the large chemical space of conifer oleoresin terpenes and volatiles. Conifer terpenes are predominantly the products of the conifer terpene synthase (TPS) gene family. Terpene diversity is increased by cytochromes P450 of the CYP720B class. Many conifer TPS are multiproduct enzymes. Multisubstrate CYP720B enzymes catalyse multistep oxidations. We summarise known terpenoid gene functions in various different conifer species with reference to the annotated terpenoid gene space in a spruce genome. Overall, biosynthesis of terpene diversity in conifers is achieved through a system of biochemical radiation and metabolic grids. Expression of TPS and CYP720B genes can be specific to individual cell types of constitutive or traumatic resin duct systems. Induced terpenoid transcriptomes in resin duct cells lead to dynamic changes of terpene composition and quantity to fend off herbivores and pathogens. While terpenoid defenses have contributed much to the evolutionary success of conifers, under new conditions of climate change, these defences may become inconsequential against range‐expanding forest pests.
Oral cancer‐associated fibroblasts predict poor survival: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Graizel Diana , Zlotogorski‐Hurvitz Ayelet , Tsesis Igor , Rosen Eyal , Kedem Ron , Vered Marilena
Published: June 2019

Objectives

To perform systematic review and meta‐analysis on correlations between cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and the risk of death for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Subjects and methods

English literature (1966–2018) was systematically analyzed for studies that immunohistochemically assessed CAF density by alpha‐smooth muscle actin and presented 5 year survival rates by Kaplan–Meier plots. Mean age of patients, proportion of male/female patients, and male/female majority (>50% male/female patients) per study were also collected. Significance level for statistical models was p < 0.05.

Results

Meta‐analysis comprised 11 studies/1,040 patients. Univariate Cox regressions showed that high CAF density was a negative prognostic factor in studies with female and male majority [OR 5.329 (95% CI 3.223–8.811), p < 0.001, and OR 2.208 (95% CI 1.717–2.839), p < 0.001, respectively]. High CAF density with male majority was associated with a more favorable prognosis [OR 0.996 (95% CI 0.979–1.013), p < 0.001]. Multivariate Cox regressions showed that death risk was significantly higher among patients with high CAF density compared to low CAF [OR 2.741 (95% CI 2.220–3.384) p < 0.001]. High mean age and male proportion were significantly protective [OR 0.940 (95% CI 0.925–9.955), p < 0.001, OR 0.125 (95% CI 0.018–0.867), p = 0.035), respectively].

Conclusions

CAFs increased death risk, male majority, and higher mean age were protective. A clinically validated cutoff for CAF density could serve as a reliable prognostic tool.
Commotio cordis and L‐type calcium channel mutation: Is there a link?
Authors: Creta Antonio , Hanington Oliver , Lambiase Pier D.
Published: June 2019

Commotio cordis is a rare phenomenon when ventricular fibrillation and sudden death occurs with a blunt, nonpenetrating blow to the chest. Individual susceptibility to commotio cordis has been demonstrated in swine models, and might be present in humans as well. We report a case of commotio cordis in an adolescent with a heterozygous mutation on the gene CACNA1C, encoding for an L‐type calcium channel expressed in the heart. This genetic mutation has been previously associated with a phenotype of long‐QT syndrome; however, this was not demonstrated in our patient despite extensive investigations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of commotio cordis in which an ion‐channel gene mutation involved in repolarization abnormalities has been documented. This finding might corroborate the hypothesis that a genetic predisposition plays a role in the individual susceptibility to this rare cause of cardiac arrest.
Age Versus Socialization in Understanding Attitudes Toward Economic Reforms in China
Authors: Harmel Robert , Yeh Yao‐Yuan , Liu Xinsheng
Published: June 2019

Objective

The objective of this research is to address the roles of age and socialization in explanation for attitudes toward economic reforms in China.

Method

Using data from the China Survey 2008 and the China Governance and Policy Survey of 2016, this note reports age/cohort‐related differences in both abstract and concrete attitudes toward economic reforms, and addresses two competing (or complementary) explanations for those differences, one attributing differences to life cycle and the other attributing differences to the different environments within which Chinese adults were socialized.

Results

While socialization/generation explanations seem to apply for the more abstract “market reform would bring chaos” attitudes, an age/life‐cycle explanation alone seems sufficient to explain attitudes toward the more concrete subject of “privatization.”

Conclusion

Consistent with our literature‐based theoretical expectations, “life cycle” tends to explain more concrete attitudes while “socialization”—in early and/or lifelong forms—is a more potent explanation for abstract attitudes.
Comparison of automated vs manual analysis of corneal endothelial cell density and morphology in normal and corneal endothelial dystrophy‐affected dogs
Authors: Miyagi Hidetaka , Stanley Amelia A. , Chokshi Tanvi J. , Pasqualino Carina Y. , Hoehn Alyssa L. , Murphy Christopher J. , Thomasy Sara M.
Published: June 2019

Objective

To determine the efficacy of automated imaging software of the Nidek ConfoScan 4 confocal biomicroscope at analyzing canine corneal endothelial cell density and morphology in health and disease, by comparing to a manual analysis method.

Animal studied

Nineteen eyes of 10 dogs were evaluated and include three Beagles, three Jack Russell Terriers, and four miscellaneous breeds. Twelve clinically normal and seven eyes affected with corneal endothelial dystrophy (CED) were scanned and analyzed.

Procedures

Endothelial cell density (ECD), mean and standard deviation (SD) of cell area, percent polymegathism, mean and SD of the number of cell sides, and percent pleomorphism were calculated using automated and manual methods for each scan.

Results

The automated analysis showed significantly greater ECD in comparison with the manual frame method due to misidentification of cell domains in CED‐affected dogs. No significant differences in ECD were observed between normal and CED‐affected dogs in automated analysis, while CED‐affected dogs showed significantly lower ECD in manual frame method and planimetry. Using both automated and manual methods, CED‐affected dogs showed greater variability of cell area or the number of cell sides than normal dogs.

Conclusion

The automated imaging software is unable to accurately identify cell borders in CED‐affected dogs resulting in inaccurate estimates of ECD. Thus, manual analysis is recommended for use in clinical trials assessing adverse events associated with novel medical treatments and/or surgical procedures.
A Review of Bioinformatics Model and Computational Software of Next Generation Sequencing
Authors: Mohd Kamarudin Jalilah Arijah , Abdullah Afnizanfaizal , Sallehuddin Roselina
Published: June 2019

In the past decade it has become increasingly the effort for researcher to surpass the bioinformatics challenges foremost in next generation sequencing (NGS). This review paper gives an overview of the computational software and bioinformatics model that has been used for next generation sequencing. In this paper, the description on functionalities, source type and website of the program or software are provided. These computational software and bioinformatics model are differentiating into three types of bioinformatics analysis stages including alignment, variant calling and filtering and annotation. Besides, we discuss the future work and the development for new bioinformatics tool to be advanced.
Distributed CESVM-DR Anomaly Detection for Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Mohd Zamry Nurfazrina , Zainal Anazida , Abdo Rassam Murad
Published: June 2019

Nowadays, the advancement of the sensor technology, has introduced the smart living community where the sensor is communicating with each other or to other entities. This has introduced the new term called internet-of-things (IoT). The data collected from sensor nodes will be analyzed at the endpoint called based station or sink for decision making. Unfortunately, accurate data is not usually accurate and reliable which will affect the decision making at the base station. There are many reasons constituted to the inaccurate and unreliable data like the malicious attack, harsh environment as well as the sensor node failure itself. In a worse case scenario, the node failure will also lead to the dysfunctional of the entire network. Therefore, in this paper, an unsupervised one-class SVM (OCSVM) is used to build the anomaly detection schemes in recourse constraint Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). Distributed network topology will be used to minimize the data communication in the network which can prolong the network lifetime. Meanwhile, the dimension reduction has been providing the lightweight of the anomaly detection schemes. In this paper Distributed Centered Hyperellipsoidal Support Vector Machine (DCESVM-DR) anomaly detection schemes is proposed to provide the efficiency and effectiveness of the anomaly detection schemes.
A Study for the Development of Automated Essay Scoring (AES) in Malaysian English Test Environment
Authors: Wong Wee Sian , Bong Chih How
Published: June 2019

Automated Essay Scoring (AES) is the use of specialized computer programs to assign grades to essays written in an educational assessment context. It is developed to overcome time, cost, and reliability issues in writing assessment. Most of the contemporary AES are “western” proprietary product, designed for native English speakers, where the source code is not made available to public and the assessment criteria may tend to be associated with the scoring rubrics of a particular English test context. Therefore, such AES may not be appropriate to be directly adopted in Malaysia context. There is no actual software development work found in building an AES for Malaysian English test environment. As such, this work is carried out as the study for formulating the requirement of a local AES, targeted for Malaysia's essay assessment environment. In our work, we assessed a well-known AES called LightSide for determining its suitability in our local context. We use various Machine Learning technique provided by LightSide to predict the score of Malaysian University English Test (MUET) essays; and compare its performance, i.e. the percentage of exact agreement of LightSide with the human score of the essays. Besides, we review and discuss the theoretical aspect of the AES, i.e. its state-of-the-art, reliability and validity requirement. The finding in this paper will be used as the basis of our future work in developing a local AES, namely Intelligent Essay Grader (IEG), for Malaysian English test environment.
How CEO Wealth Affects the Riskiness of a Firm
Authors: Mandal Sonik , Swartz Charlie , Guha Sanjib , Jr. Carl B. McGowan
Published: June 2019

The objective of this paper is to analyze the relationship between the ownership level of managers and the risk averse behavior of the firm.  We measure the ownership level of the managers by the ratio of their ownership of the company relative to their total wealth for a sample of 69 individuals from the Forbes 400 list of the wealthiest individuals in the world for the period from 2001-11 using an unbalanced panel data analysis. The dependent variable is the Altman Z-score of each firm and we further test these relationships using financial leverage. The independent variables are delta and Vega of the option portfolio of the manager, R&D for the firm, total assets, the age of the manager, the tenure of the manager, stock holding of the manager, CEO/Chair duality of the manager and firma age. The Z-score is statistically significantly related to size, CEO age, CEO wealth, and duality. Financial leverage is not statistically significantly related to any of the independent variables.
Human tooth, by near-ambient pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
Authors: Shah Dhruv , Roychowdhury Tuhin , Bahr Stephan , Dietrich Paul , Meyer Michael , Thißen Andreas , Linford Matthew R.
Published: June 2019

Near-ambient pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (NAP-XPS) is a less traditional form of XPS that allows samples to be analyzed at relatively high pressures, i.e., greater than 2500 Pa. With NAP-XPS, XPS can be used to analyze moderately volatile liquids, biological samples, porous materials, and/or polymeric materials that outgas significantly. In this submission, the authors present the NAP-XPS survey, C 1s, O 1s, Ca 2p, and P 2p narrow scans from a human adult molar tooth, a biological material that would be challenging to analyze by conventional approaches. No pretreatment or cleaning of this dental specimen was performed prior to analysis. Three different regions (top, middle, and root) of the tooth were analyzed. The survey spectra, which differed considerably from each other, show the presence of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorous. Tin and sulfur are also present in small amounts on the top part of the tooth. C 1s narrow spectra are well fitted with four synthetic peaks.
Non-Markov character of the phase fluctuations for sound propagation over relatively small ranges in the turbulent atmosphere
Authors: Ostashev Vladimir E. , Wilson D. Keith
Published: June 2019

The Markov approximation significantly simplifies formulations for the statistical moments of a wave propagating in a random medium. For the phase fluctuations, the Markov approximation is expected to be valid if the propagation range is much greater than the scale of largest inhomogeneities in a medium. In the atmospheric boundary layer, this scale can be several hundred meters, indicating that the Markov approximation might be inapplicable for relatively small ranges. In this paper, using geometrical acoustics, the correlation function and variance of the phase fluctuations of a plane sound wave are calculated without the Markov approximation and compared to previous results based on this approximation. The mean sound field and the spatial mutual coherence function (MCF) are also analyzed by expressing them in terms of the phase fluctuations. It is shown that for ranges smaller than the scale of largest inhomogeneities, the variance of the phase fluctuations is significantly smaller than that found with the Markov approximation. For large ranges, the relative difference between the two results tends to zero, while the absolute difference remains constant and can be much greater than unity. For the MCF, the Markov approximation is valid for both small and large ranges.
Evidence that Ergosterol Biosynthesis Modulates Activity of the Pdr1 Transcription Factor in Candida glabrata
Authors: Vu Bao Gia , Thomas Grace Heredge , Moye-Rowley W. Scott
Published: June 2019

A likely contributor to the increased incidence of non-
albicans
candidemias involving
Candida glabrata
is the ease with which this yeast acquires azole resistance, in large part due to induction of the ATP-binding cassette transporter-encoding gene
CDR1
. Azole drugs lead to induction of Pdr1 transactivation, with a central model being that this factor binds these drugs directly. Here we provide evidence that Pdr1 is activated without azole drugs by the use of genetic means to inhibit expression of azole drug target-encoding gene
ERG11
. These acute reductions in Erg11 levels lead to elevated Pdr1 activity even though no drug is present. A key transcriptional regulator of the
ERG
pathway, Upc2A, is shown to directly bind to the
PDR1
and
CDR1
promoters. We interpret these data as support for the view that Pdr1 function is responsive to ergosterol biosynthesis and suggest that this connection reveals the normal physiological circuitry in which Pdr1 participates.