bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and characterization of two one-dimensional CdII coordination polymers (CPs) with 5-amino-2,4,6-tribromoisophthalic acid and flexible N-donor bipyridyl ligands
Authors: Zhang Chong , Zhang Kou-Lin
Published: July 2018

The bromo-substituted aromatic dicarboxylic acid 5-amino-2,4,6-tribromoisophthalic acid (H2ATBIP) was used to assemble with CdII ions in the presence of the N-donor flexible bipyridyl ligands 3,3′-(diazene-1,2-diyl)dipyridine (mzpy) and 1,3-bis(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)urea (3bpmu), leading to the formation of two chain coordination polymers by adopting solution methods, namely, catena-poly[[[triaqua(5-amino-2,4,6-tribromoisophthalato-κO)cadmium(II)]-μ-3,3′-(diazene-1,2-diyl)dipyridine-κ2
N
1:N
1′] dihydrate], {[Cd(C8H2Br3NO4)(C10H8N4)(H2O)3]·2H2O}
n
or {[Cd(ATBIP)(mzpy)(H2O)3]·2H2O}
n
, (1), and catena-poly[[[tetraaquacadmium(II)]-μ-1,3-bis(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)urea-κ2
N
1:N
1′-[diaquabis(5-amino-2,4,6-tribromoisophthalato-κO)cadmium(II)]-μ-1,3-bis(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)urea-κ2
N
1:N
1′] octahydrate], {[Cd(C8H2Br3NO4)(C12H12N4O)(H2O)3]·4H2O}
n
or {[Cd(ATBIP)(3bpmu)(H2O)3]·4H2O}
n
, (2). Both complexes were characterized by FT–IR spectroscopic analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), solid-state diffuse reflectance UV–Vis spectroscopic analysis, and single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction analysis (PXRD). The mzpy and 3bpmu ligands bridge the CdII metal centres in (1) and (2) into one-dimensional chains, and the ATBIP2− ligands show a monodentate coordination to the CdII centres in both coordination polymers. A discrete water tetramer exists in (1). Within the chains of (1) and (2), there are halogen bonds between adjacent ATBIP2− and mzpy or 3bpmu ligands, as well as hydrogen bonds between the ATBIP2− ligands and the coordinated water molecules. With the aid of weak interactions, the structures of (1) and (2) are further extended into three-dimensional supramolecular networks. An analysis of the solid-state diffuse reflectance UV–Vis spectra of (1) and (2) indicates that a wide indirect band gap exists in both complexes. Complexes (1) and (2) exhibit irreversible and reversible dehydration–rehydration behaviours, respectively, and the solid-state fluorescence properties of both complexes have been studied.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of (E)-3-(2-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-1-(2,5-dichlorothiophen-3-yl)prop-2-en-1-one
Authors: Sanjeeva Murthy T. N. , Naveen S. , Chidan Kumar C. S. , Veeraiah M. K. , Quah Ching Kheng , Siddaraju B. P. , Warad Ismail
Published: July 2018

In the title chalcone–thiophene derivative, C13H6Cl3FOS, the aromatic rings are inclined to one another by 12.9 (2)°, and the thiophene ring is affected by π-conjugation. In the crystal, molecules are linked by C—H...F hydrogen bonds, forming an R
2
2(8) ring motif. A Hirshfeld surface analysis was conducted to verify the contribution of the different intermolecular interactions. The shape-index surface clearly shows that the two sides of the molecules are involved in the same contacts with neighbouring molecules and the curvedness plots show flat surface patches characteristic of planar stacking.
An examination of SEC revenue recognition comments and IPO earnings management
Authors: Schuldt Michael , Vega Jose
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the association between revenue-based earnings management in the periods immediately before and after firms’ initial public offerings (IPOs) and regulatory scrutiny by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) during review of IPO firms’ registration statements.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses conditional discretionary revenues (Stubben, 2010) as its measure of earnings management, and revenue recognition comments delivered by the SEC as its measure of regulatory scrutiny. The authors use ordinary least squares regression (OLS) models, as well as a supplemental count model, to assess the association between conditional discretionary revenues and revenue recognition comments delivered by the SEC.

Findings

This study finds evidence of a positive association between earnings management measures in the pre-IPO period and the number of revenue recognition comments received by those firms during the SEC’s review. Furthermore, this study provides evidence that greater numbers of comments are associated with declining earnings management measures in the post-IPO period. However, the evidence suggests that these associations apply only to income-decreasing earnings management.

Originality/value

This paper extends the IPO earnings management literature by using conditional discretionary revenues as the measure of earnings management, and contributes to a nascent research stream in the accounting literature by investigating the SEC’s comment letter process and its association with, and impact upon, earnings management in the IPO process.
Impact of workplace bullying on employee outcomes: a study of Indian managerial employees
Authors: Rai Arpana , Agarwal Upasna
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of workplace bullying on innovative work behavior and neglect with defensive silence as a mediator. The study further examines if the presence of friendship networks in the workplace can weaken the negative impact of workplace bullying.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through self-report questionnaires from 835 full-time Indian managerial employees working in different Indian organizations.

Findings

Results revealed that workplace bullying negatively related to innovative work behavior and positively related to neglect. Defensive silence mediated bullying–outcomes relationships and effects of workplace bullying on proposed outcomes were weaker in the presence of high workplace friendship.

Research limitations/implications

A cross-sectional design and use of self-reported questionnaire data are few limitations of this study.

Originality/value

The study extended the current research stream of workplace bullying to one of the underrepresented developing Asian countries, India. The study also contributes in terms of its sample characteristics as it covers managerial employees working across different organizations.
Determinants of ERM implementation: the case of Tunisian companies
Authors: Mardessi Sana Masmoudi , Ben Arab Sonda Daoud
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Enterprise risk management (ERM) has become an important subject of increasing interest among companies throughout the world. It is gaining global attention among risk management professionals and academics. However, little is known about the extent of ERM implementation in the Tunisian context. More importantly, there are limited studies in literature that examine the determinants of this implementation. The purpose of this study is threefold, to propose an index to measure the level of ERM implementation, to examine the level of ERM implementation in Tunisian companies and to propose a conceptual framework for the determinants of this implementation. From the review of literature, several factors are found to be determinants of ERM implementation. Such factors are the presence of a Chief Risk Officer, the appointment of an internal auditor, the type of industry and the firm size.

Design/methodology/approach

To further understand the relation between ERM implementation and its determinants, a questionnaire survey was conducted in 2016 and administrated to 80 companies. Respondents were CRO and more often internal auditors or financial directors. Other data were collected from annual reports and notes to the financial statements. Along with this, the ordinal regression was applied to test the dependence between ERM implementation and its determinants.

Findings

Based on the data gathered, Tunisian companies have shown an increasing interest in risk management in the post-revolution context; however, an integrated approach of ERM implementation is still at an early stage. Descriptive statistics suggest that ERM is essentially developed in financial institutions, especially in banks and some large companies operating in non- financial industries. With regard to the multivariate regression results, the level of ERM implementation is positively related to the presence of a Chief Risk Officer, internal auditor, the type of industry and the firm size.

Originality/value

This study attempts to contribute to the risk management literature in two ways. Conceptually, this study proposes an ERM index to assess the level of ERM implementation. Empirically, it provides some empirical evidence that highlights factors which determine the level of ERM implementation. Therefore, this study will extend the scope of literature by providing novel empirical evidence by exploring the Tunisian context.
Reproductive mode, stem cells and regeneration in a freshwater cnidarian with postreproductive senescence
Authors: Sebestyén Flóra , Barta Zoltán , Tökölyi Jácint
Published: July 2018

In many basal metazoans, both somatic and reproductive functions are performed by cellular derivatives of a single multipotent stem cell population. Reproduction can drain these stem cell pools, imposing a physiological cost with subsequent negative effects on somatic maintenance functions.

In the freshwater cnidarian Hydra oligactis, both asexual (budding) and sexual reproductive modes (production of resting eggs) are present, and both of these are dependent on a common pool of interstitial stem cells. Resting eggs tolerate harsh abiotic conditions which neither the parental animals, nor asexual offspring can survive (e.g., freezing). Therefore, when facing unfavourable conditions and increased mortality risk, hydra polyps are expected to show higher level of differentiation of interstitial stem cells into germ cells (i.e., sexual reproduction) than other cell types needed for self‐maintenance or asexual reproduction.

Here, by comparing sexually and asexually reproducing individuals to nonreproductives, we studied the physiological costs of reproduction (size of interstitial stem cell pools, their somatic derivatives and regeneration rate, which is dependent on these cell types) in H.  oligactis polyps from a free‐living Hungarian population prior to the onset of winter.

Sexual individuals were characterized by significantly smaller interstitial stem cell pools, fewer nematoblasts involved in food capture and lower regeneration ability compared to nonreproductives, but asexuals did not differ from nonreproductive animals. We also found a negative correlation between germ cell counts and stem cell numbers in males (but not in females).

We suggest that the lower numbers of these cell types and lower regenerative ability in sexual individuals reflect a somatic cost of sexual reproduction. Our results also suggest that increased differentiation of stem cells into gametes might limit investment into somatic functions in hydra polyps. Exhaustion of cellular resources (stem cells) could be a major mechanism behind the extreme postreproductive senescence observed in this species.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Macronutrients and micronutrients drive trade‐offs between male pre‐ and postmating sexual traits
Authors: Ng Soon Hwee , Simpson Stephen J. , Simmons Leigh W.
Published: July 2018

Nutrition fundamentally affects life span and reproduction, and identifying how nutrient intakes are linked to the expression of these life‐history traits can advance understanding of the mechanisms underlying life‐history trade‐offs. Males are thought to face trade‐offs between the allocation of resources to premating secondary sexual traits for gaining access to females and allocation to postmating traits such as ejaculate quality that affects their fertility.

We used the Geometric Framework for nutrition to examine the effects of macronutrient and micronutrient consumption on life span and the expression of pre‐ and postmating sexual traits in male field crickets Teleogryllus oceanicus.

We found that life span was maximized on diets with a low protein‐to‐carbohydrate (P:C) ratio, whereas premating sexual traits (courtship song and cuticular hydrocarbons) were maximized on high P:C ratios. In contrast, sperm viability, a postmating trait, was lowest on high‐P:C‐ratio diets.

Higher consumption of micronutrients (minerals and vitamins) was associated with decreased life span and lower relative abundances of longer chained CHCs, but improved the performance of sperm viability and courtship song.

We show that different macronutrients are not simply calories to be allocated to different traits, but directly determine the expression of different life‐history traits and mediate their trade‐offs. In this study, we also provide evidence that micronutrients influenced the expression of life‐history traits, emphasizing the value of including micronutrients in experiments using nutritional geometry.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Use of electropalatography in the treatment of speech disorders in children with Down syndrome: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wood Sara E. , Timmins Claire , Wishart Jennifer , Hardcastle William J. , Cleland Joanne
Published: July 2018

Background

Electropalatography (EPG) records details of the location and timing of tongue contacts with the hard palate during speech. It has been effective in treating articulation disorders that have failed to respond to conventional therapy approaches but, until now, its use with children and adolescents with intellectual/learning disabilities and speech disorders has been limited.

Aims

To evaluate the usefulness of EPG in the treatment of speech production difficulties in children and adolescents with Down syndrome (DS) aged 8–18 years.

Methods & Procedures

A total of 27 children with DS were assessed on a range of cognitive and speech and language measures and underwent additional EPG assessment. Participants were randomly allocated to one of three age‐matched groups receiving either EPG therapy, EPG‐informed conventional therapy or ‘treatment as usual’ over a 12‐week period. The speech of all children was assessed before therapy using the Diagnostic Evaluation of Articulation and Phonology (DEAP) and reassessed immediately post‐ and 3 and 6 months post‐intervention to measure percentage consonants correct (PCC). EPG recordings were made of the DEAP assessment items at all time points. Per cent intelligibility was also calculated using the Children's Speech Intelligibility Measure (CSIM).

Outcomes & Results

Gains in accuracy of production immediately post‐therapy, as measured by PCC, were seen for all groups. Reassessment at 3 and 6 months post‐therapy revealed that those who had received therapy based directly on EPG visual feedback were more likely to maintain and improve on these gains compared with the other groups. Statistical testing showed significant differences between groups in DEAP scores across time points, although the majority did not survive post‐hoc evaluation. Intelligibility across time points, as measured by CSIM, was also highly variable within and between the three groups, but despite significant correlations between DEAP and CSIM at all time points, no statistically significant group differences emerged.

Conclusions & Implications

EPG was an effective intervention tool for improving speech production in many participants. This may be because it capitalizes on the relative strength of visual over auditory processing in this client group. The findings would seem to warrant an increased focus on addressing speech production difficulties in current therapy.
Unstable Bodies: Biosocial Perspectives on Human Variation
Authors: Palsson Gisli
Published: July 2018

Biological and physical anthropologists have tended to see the study of human variation and the material body as the defining elements of their subdiscipline(s). Generally, sociologists and social anthropologists, in contrast, have shown little interest in such issues. For them, the body has often been taken for granted, absent-present, as a relatively stable and commanding platform on which a variety of cultural inscriptions can be established and performed. Recent theoretical developments, however, in anthropology, sociology and related fields – informed by the notions of biosociality and nature cultures – contribute to the understanding of an unstable, relational and variable body. Since the material and the social body are fundamentally conflated through continuous processes of relationality and embodiment, this paper argues, the issue of human variation needs to be revised and expanded. Such rethinking has important biopolitical implications, particularly in the context of divisions marked by race, ethnicity, class and gender.
Exome sequencing revealed a novel deletion in the ERCC8 gene in an Iranian family with Cockayne syndrome
Authors: Mohammadi‐asl J. , Hajjari M. , Tahmasebi Birgani M. , Riahi K. , Nasiri H. , Kollaee A.
Published: July 2018

Cockayne syndrome (CS) is one the rare DNA‐repair deficiency disorders with autosomal recessive inheritance. Failure to thrive and microcephaly are the major criteria of diagnosis. Owing to genetic heterogeneity of CS, whole exome sequencing is promising way to determine the genetic basis of the disease. Here, we present c.1053delT in ERCC8 gene in an Iranian family with symptom of CS using whole exome sequencing. The deletion was novel and was not previously reported elsewhere.
Driving After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation
Authors: Hanke Jasmin S. , Riebandt Julia , Wahabzada Miena , Nur Fatma , Wahabzada Angela , Dogan Günes , Feldmann Christina , Haverich Axel , Popov Aron‐Friedrich , Zimpfer Daniel , Schmitto Jan D.
Published: July 2018

Literature on driving capacities of ventricular assist device patients is rare and driving restrictions differ from center to center. Currently, no guidelines exist on whether and when left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients are allowed to begin driving cars after device implantation. In this study, we assess the driving abilities of patients after LVAD implantation. Three hundred and ninety LVAD patients have been surveyed in a worldwide, multicenter study. The single survey followed a multi‐method design, including online, phone, and face‐to‐face interviews. Out of 390 patients, 72% are still driving and 28% did not continue driving after LVAD implantation. Reasons for discontinuation were capability (24%), insecurity (17%), and disapproval by family members (9%) or doctors (5%). Ninety percent of the patients describe their ability to drive as perfect or adequate. Sixty‐nine percent state that they are not restricted in their general driving capacity. Forty‐nine percent report not to be restricted in agility to drive by the device equipment. The majority of patients have not been involved in car accidents or major complications (94%). Eight accidents were reported (3%). Out of those, all were minor collisions. No patient reported the occurrence of a fatal accident or casualties. LVAD alarms did occur in six incidents (2%) with the majority being low battery alarms. The results of this study suggest that driving with a left ventricular assist device is safe for stable patients and driving can be resumed 3 months after LVAD implantation after careful patient assessment.
Retrospective study found that outpatient care for infants exposed to drugs during pregnancy was sustainable and safe
Authors: Rasul R , Ward M , Clews S , Falconer J , Feller J , Lui K , Oei J
Published: July 2018

Aim

We determined the safety, feasibility and sustainability of an outpatient model of care for infants exposed to intra‐uterine drugs.

Methods

This was a retrospective chart review of 774 drug‐exposed infants born between 1998 and 2016 at the Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney, Australia.

Results

Most (86%) of the mothers used multiple drugs, including opioids (58%). More than three‐quarters (78%) of the infants were born full term at a mean gestation of 38 weeks and hospitalised for a median of seven days. This rose to 14 days if they were medicated for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Most of the NAS patients (83%) were discharged on medication, namely morphine, and the median duration of NAS treatment was 76 (interquartile range 35–120). Three medication errors occurred: two extra doses of phenobarbitone and one infant weaned off morphine faster than prescribed. No infants were rehospitalised for NAS. Four died from sudden infant death syndrome at 2.2–5.8 months after discharge and one drowned at 15 months. None were medicated at the time of death.

Conclusion

Outpatient care for drug‐exposed infants was sustainable and had low complication rates, even for those with NAS. The optimum duration of follow‐up and impact on hospital costs should be examined.
Logistic Regression Augmented Community Detection for Network Data With Application in Identifying Autism-Related Gene Pathways
Authors: Zhao Yunpeng , Pan Qing , Du Chengan
Published: July 2018

When searching for gene pathways leading to specific disease outcomes, additional information on gene characteristics is often available that may facilitate to differentiate genes related to the disease from irrelevant background when connections involving both types of genes are observed and their relationships to the disease are unknown. We propose method to single out irrelevant background genes with the help of auxiliary information through a logistic regression, and cluster relevant genes into cohesive groups using the adjacency matrix. Expectation–maximization algorithm is modified to maximize a joint pseudo-likelihood assuming latent indicators for relevance to the disease and latent group memberships as well as Poisson or multinomial distributed link numbers within and between groups. A robust version allowing arbitrary linkage patterns within the background is further derived. Asymptotic consistency of label assignments under the stochastic blockmodel is proven. Superior performance and robustness in finite samples are observed in simulation studies. The proposed robust method identifies previously missed gene sets underlying autism related neurological diseases using diverse data sources including de novo mutations, gene expressions, and protein–protein interactions.
Generalized Linear Models With Linear Constraints for Microbiome Compositional Data
Authors: Lu Jiarui , Shi Pixu , Li Hongzhe
Published: July 2018

Motivated by regression analysis for microbiome compositional data, this article considers generalized linear regression analysis with compositional covariates, where a group of linear constraints on regression coefficients are imposed to account for the compositional nature of the data and to achieve subcompositional coherence. A penalized likelihood estimation procedure using a generalized accelerated proximal gradient method is developed to efficiently estimate the regression coefficients. A de-biased procedure is developed to obtain asymptotically unbiased and normally distributed estimates, which leads to valid confidence intervals of the regression coefficients. Simulations results show the correctness of the coverage probability of the confidence intervals and smaller variances of the estimates when the appropriate linear constraints are imposed. The methods are illustrated by a microbiome study in order to identify bacterial species that are associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to predict IBD using fecal microbiome.
Marginal Screening of 2 × 2 Tables in Large-Scale Case-Control Studies
Authors: McKeague Ian W. , Qian Min
Published: July 2018

Assessing the statistical significance of risk factors when screening large numbers of tables that cross-classify disease status with each type of exposure poses a challenging multiple testing problem. The problem is especially acute in large-scale genomic case-control studies. We develop a potentially more powerful and computationally efficient approach (compared with existing methods, including Bonferroni and permutation testing) by taking into account the presence of complex dependencies between the tables. Our approach gains its power by exploiting Monte Carlo simulation from the estimated null distribution of a maximally selected log-odds ratio. We apply the method to case-control data from a study of a large collection of genetic variants related to the risk of early onset stroke.
Motive‐ and appearance awareness‐based explanations for body (dis)satisfaction following exercise in daily life
Authors: Fuller‐Tyszkiewicz Matthew , Dias Stephanie , Krug Isabel , Richardson Ben , Fassnacht Daniel
Published: July 2018

Objective

Although exercise is typically found to improve body satisfaction, this effect may be reduced or even reversed for trait body‐dissatisfied individuals. The reasons for this remain unclear. This study tested the possibility that these effects are due to appearance‐related motives and/or increased appearance awareness post‐exercise.

Method

Participants included 178 women who completed baseline measures of trait body dissatisfaction, and then completed an experience sampling phase in which they self‐reported state body satisfaction and appearance awareness levels, and recent exercise experiences at six time‐points daily for 10 days.

Results

Trait body‐dissatisfied individuals were more likely to exercise for appearance‐related reasons, and experienced less of an increase in state body satisfaction post‐exercise. Appearance‐motivated exercise also increased appearance awareness. After controlling for appearance motives, the moderating effect of trait body dissatisfaction on the exercise–state body satisfaction relationship reduced to non‐significance.

Conclusions

Collectively, the present findings offer some support for both motive‐ and appearance awareness‐based explanations for the reduced benefits of exercise on body satisfaction exhibited in individuals with trait body dissatisfaction. Targeting the reasons for exercise and what one focuses on during exercise may be viable ways to overcome potential negative impacts of exercise on body image for these individuals.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

While the physical and psychological benefits of exercise are well established, recent findings suggest that these benefits for body satisfaction may be reduced (and possibly reversed) for individuals with elevated trait body dissatisfaction. The reasons for this moderating effect remain unclear.

What does this study add?

Trait body‐dissatisfied individuals more often engaged in exercise for appearance‐related reasons.

Appearance motives for exercise are associated with smaller body satisfaction gains post‐exercise.

Reduced body satisfaction was also linked to increased appearance awareness post‐exercise.
Identification of 2‐benzoxazolinone derivatives as lead against molecular targets of diabetic complications
Authors: Vyas Bhawna , Choudhary Shalki , Singh Pankaj Kumar , Singh Baldev , Bahadur Renu , Malik Ashok Kumar , Silakari Om
Published: July 2018

Diabetic complications follow multiple pathophysiological pathways involving aldose reductase (ALR2)‐mediated polyol pathway, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and reactive oxygen species formation. Literature suggests ALR2 inhibitors such as epalrestat to possess significant potential in retinopathy and neuropathy. Thus, in this study, multiple pathophysiology directed molecules targeting ALR2, AGEs and free radicals formation were designed using in silico techniques. Initially, database was screened via in silico tools to obtain hits with affinity for the catalytic domain of ALR2. Additional focus was laid on the presence of structural attributes responsible for AGE's inhibitory and anti‐oxidant potential. Out of obtained hits, 2‐benzoxazolinone scaffold was selected and ten derivatives were synthesized accordingly. Finally, the synthesized molecules were evaluated for their ALR2 and AGEs inhibitory activities along with free radical scavenging potency.
A simulated annealing‐based maximum‐margin clustering algorithm
Authors: Seifollahi Sattar , Bagirov Adil , Zare Borzeshi Ehsan , Piccardi Massimo
Published: July 2018

Maximum‐margin clustering is an extension of the support vector machine (SVM) to clustering. It partitions a set of unlabeled data into multiple groups by finding hyperplanes with the largest margins. Although existing algorithms have shown promising results, there is no guarantee of convergence of these algorithms to global solutions due to the nonconvexity of the optimization problem. In this paper, we propose a simulated annealing‐based algorithm that is able to mitigate the issue of local minima in the maximum‐margin clustering problem. The novelty of our algorithm is twofold, ie, (i) it comprises a comprehensive cluster modification scheme based on simulated annealing, and (ii) it introduces a new approach based on the combination of k‐means++ and SVM at each step of the annealing process. More precisely, k‐means++ is initially applied to extract subsets of the data points. Then, an unsupervised SVM is applied to improve the clustering results. Experimental results on various benchmark data sets (of up to over a million points) give evidence that the proposed algorithm is more effective at solving the clustering problem than a number of popular clustering algorithms.
Seronegative dermatomyositis presenting with features of anti‐MDA5 subtype
Authors: Ahmed Aadil , Scarborough Richard , Gabriela Rosa , Fernandez Anthony P. , Bergfeld Wilma
Published: July 2018

Dermatomyositis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of muscles and skin, presenting with muscle weakness, characteristic rash, and classic serology findings. Histologically, cutaneous lesions show interface dermatitis with mild perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate and increased intradermal mucin. These findings are non‐specific, and the diagnosis is based on clinicopathologic correlation and serology results. However, variation in clinical presentation, serology, and histology can make the diagnosis difficult and requires cognizance of uncommon findings that may serve as a clue to the diagnosis. Herein, we report such a case with unusual histologic features of vascular damage and deep dermal necrosis in a seronegative patient who presented with clinical features of anti‐MDA5 variant of dermatomyositis.
Clinical and histopathologic manifestations of solid organ transplantation‐associated graft‐versus‐host disease involving the skin: A single‐center retrospective study
Authors: Kim Grace Y. , Schmelkin Leah A. , Davis Mark D. , El‐Azhary Rokea A. , Wieland Carilyn N. , Leise Michael D. , Meves Alexander , Lehman Julia S.
Published: July 2018

Background

Graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) following solid organ transplantation (SOT) is extremely rare and infrequently described in the dermatologic literature.

Methods

We performed a retrospective clinicopathologic review of our institution's experience with patients diagnosed with SOT‐associated GVHD (SOT GVHD) (May 1, 1996 to September 1, 2017).

Results

Of nine patients with SOT GVHD, seven had undergone liver transplantation, while two had undergone lung transplantation. All presented initially with a skin eruption, which developed an average of 63 days (range: 11‐162 days) post transplant. The average time to diagnosis following the onset of the skin eruption was 12 days (range: 0‐54 days). Diagnosis was often delayed because of a competing diagnosis of drug reaction. Frequent skin findings included pruritic erythematous to violaceous macules and papules with desquamation. Histopathology showed vacuolar interface dermatitis in 12 of 15 cases (80.0%). Of the 11 specimens in which a hair follicle was present for evaluation, vacuolar interface changes around the hair follicle were present in eight (72.7%) cases. Seven patients (77.8%) died from complications during the follow‐up period.

Conclusions

SOT GVHD presents initially with skin involvement, is associated with vacuolar interface changes on skin biopsy, and is associated with a high mortality rate. Clinicopathologic correlation is required for accurate diagnosis.
Cardiovascular outcomes of sodium glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Dawwas Ghadeer K. , Smith Steven M. , Park Haesuk
Published: July 2018

Aims

To determine the association between cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and SGLT2 inhibitors compared to sulfonylureas and dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP4) inhibitors and to examine within‐class effects of SGLT2 inhibitors.

Methods

A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted using Truven Health MarketScan. New users of SGLT2 inhibitors, sulfonylureas or DPP‐4 inhibitors were included. Primary outcome was incident CVD, defined as non‐fatal myocardial infarction or non‐fatal stroke; secondary outcomes were hospitalization because of heart failure and lower extremity amputation. Proportional hazards models, after propensity score matching, were used to obtain hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

In fully adjusted models, use of SGLT2 inhibitors was associated with a decreased risk of developing CVD compared with use of sulfonylureas (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.45, 0.55) and DPP‐4 inhibitors (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.52, 0.62), respectively. Analyses revealed no evidence of within‐class effects: dapagliflozin vs sulfonylureas (HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.43, 0.70) or DPP‐4 inhibitors (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.46, 0.70); and canagliflozin vs sulfonylureas (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.54, 0.69) or DPP‐4 inhibitors (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.54, 0.71). Additionally, SGLT2 inhibitors were associated with lower risk of hospitalization because of heart failure compared to both sulfonylureas and DPP‐4 inhibitors, as well as lower risk of lower extremity amputation compared to sulfonylureas.

Conclusion

Using population‐based data, incident use of SGLT‐2 inhibitors was associated with a decreased incidence of CVD compared to use of sulfonylureas and DPP‐4 inhibitors. These findings were consistent between dapagliflozin and canagliflozin, suggesting that CVD reduction is a class effect for SGLT2 inhibitors. In addition, SGLT2 inhibitors portended lower risk of hospitalization because of heart failure (vs sulfonylureas and DPP‐4 inhibitors) and lower risk of lower extremity amputation (vs sulfonylureas).
Over‐indebtedness and microcredit in Cambodia: Moving beyond borrower‐centric frames
Authors: Bylander Maryann , Res Phasy , Jacoby Lacey , Bradley Peter , Pérez Andrea Blobel
Published: July 2018

Over the past two decades, Cambodia has experienced an unprecedented credit boom, a growth in lending so rapid that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) referred to it as “one of the fastest financial deepening episodes by historical cross‐cultural standards” (IMF, 2016, p. 4). This deepening has been driven by the expansion of microcredit. In tandem, over‐indebtedness has increased among microcredit borrowers, and debt has become a significant political and economic concern. This article explores how over‐indebtedness is understood and explained by stakeholders across microcredit value chains. To do so, we draw on interviews with microfinance institution (MFI) executives, investors, branch managers, partners, financial literacy trainers, loan officers and borrowers in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. We find that across the sector, dominant framings of over‐indebtedness privilege borrower‐centric explanations, while discounting the structural drivers of excessive lending and borrowing. As a consequence, current efforts to limit over‐indebtedness are unlikely to produce the kinds of solutions that are most needed to reduce the debt stress among borrowers. These arguments have implications across the Global South, particularly for contexts where microfinance is rapidly expanding.
Public Goods and Ethnic Diversity: Evidence from Deforestation in Indonesia
Authors: Alesina Alberto , Gennaioli Caterina , Lovo Stefania
Published: July 2018

This paper shows that the level of deforestation in Indonesia is positively related to the degree of ethnic fractionalization. To identify a causal relation, we exploit the exogenous timing of variation in the level of ethnic heterogeneity due to the creation of new jurisdictions. We provide evidence consistent with a lower control of politicians, through electoral punishment, in more ethnically fragmented districts. Our results are consistent with the literature on (under)provision of public goods in ethnically diverse societies.
The effects of El Niño‐Southern Oscillation events on intertidal seagrass beds over a long‐term timescale
Authors: Lin Hsing‐Juh , Lee Chen‐Lu , Peng Shang‐En , Hung Meng‐Chi , Liu Pi‐Jen , Mayfield Anderson B.
Published: July 2018

El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events can cause dramatic changes in marine communities. However, we know little as to how ENSO events affect tropical seagrass beds over decadal timescales. Therefore, a diverse array of seagrass (Thalassia hemprichii) habitat types were surveyed once every 3 months for 16 years (January 2001 to February 2017) in a tropical intertidal zone that is regularly affected by both ENSO events and anthropogenic nutrient enrichment. La Niña and El Niño events had distinct effects on the biomass and growth of T. hemprichii. During La Niña years, higher (a) precipitation levels and (b) seawater nitrogen concentrations led to increases in seagrass leaf productivity, canopy height, and biomass. However, the latter simultaneously stimulated the growth of periphyton on seagrass leaves; this led to decreases in seagrass cover and shoot density. More frequent La Niña events could, then, eventually lead to either a decline in intertidal seagrass beds or a shift to another, less drought‐resistant seagrass species in those regions already characterized by eutrophication due to local anthropogenic activity.
Deposition of Al2O3 ceramic film on copper‐based heterostructured coatings by aluminizing process: Study of the electrochemical responses and corrosion mechanism of the coating
Authors: Sabzi Masoud , Mersagh Dezfuli Saeid
Published: July 2018

The effect of deposition of the Al2O3 ceramic film by the aluminizing method on electrochemical responses and corrosion mechanism of copper‐based heterostructured coatings was studied. The single layer coatings of Cu and Al2O3 and Cu/Al2O3 double layers were produced using reverse pulsed current electroplating process followed by powder cementation of aluminum on a substrate made of Inconel 600 superalloy. The produced coatings were then characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), and X‐ray Diffraction (XRD) methods. In order to evaluate the behavior and corrosion mechanism of the produced coatings, potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy methods were also used in 1 mol/L HCl solution at immersion times of 1, 12, 24, and 48 hours. The results of the study showed that the mechanism of the formation of Cu/Al2O3 copper‐based coatings is that in the aluminizing step, first, the diffusion of Al from the surface layers to the interior occurs and then the diffusion of Cu from the plating layer to the exterior takes places. It was also found that the deposition of the Al2O3 ceramic film resulted in the formation of α‐Al2O3 and CuAl2O4 phases and increased corrosion resistance in Cu/Al2O3 copper‐based coatings at all immersion times and the corrosion mechanism has changed from uniform to localized state.
Phase evolution and microwave dielectric properties of BaTi4O9ceramics prepared by reaction sintering method
Authors: Luo Ting , He Lei , Yang Huan , Yu Hongtao
Published: July 2018

BaTi4O9microwave dielectric ceramics were prepared by reaction sintering method using BaCO3and TiO2as raw materials. The phase evolution and the chemical reactions were proposed based on the X‐ray diffraction results with sintering temperature. The microstructure characteristics were observed using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometer. The compact ceramics with a single phase of BaTi4O9could be prepared successfully by reaction sintering method, exhibiting optimum microwave dielectric properties: a dielectric constant of 36.9, a high quality factor of 52 735 (at 7.5GHz), and a near zero temperature coefficient of resonant frequency of 5.8 ppm/°C, after sintering at 1200°C for 6 hours.
Human leucocyte antigen‐G 14‐bp InDel polymorphism and oral squamous cell carcinoma risk in Chinese Han population: A case–control study
Authors: Wang Zengqi , Zhao Lina , Liu Lina , Liu Xueying
Published: July 2018

Human leucocyte antigen‐G (HLA‐G) is a nonclassical HLA class I molecule involved in tumour immune escape. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the 14‐bp insertion/deletion (InDel) polymorphism in the 3′ untranslated region (3′‐UTR) of HLA‐G gene and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) risk in Chinese Han population (216 cases and 193 healthy controls), and furthermore, to evaluate serum soluble HLA‐G (sHLA‐G) levels in the OSCC patients. Our results demonstrated that the Ins allele was significantly less frequent in the OSCC patients than that in the healthy controls (odds ratio [OR] = 0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.57–0.99; p = 0.040). Distribution of the 14‐bp genotypes in the OSCC patients and the healthy controls revealed that the Ins/Ins genotype was associated with decreased OSCC risk in both the codominant model (Ins/Ins versus Del/Del; OR = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.33–0.99; p = 0.044) and the log‐additive model (OR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.58–0.99; p = 0.044). The serum sHLA‐G level was significantly higher in the OSCC patients than those in the healthy controls (p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve revealed the valuable diagnostic value of sHLA‐G for OSCC detection, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.891 (95% CI: 0.856–0.925, p < 0.001). The OSCC patients with Ins/Ins genotype had lower serum sHLA‐G levels than those with Ins/Del and Del/Del genotypes (p = 0.015). Furthermore, serum sHLA‐G levels were significantly increased with the increasing TNM stages of the OSCC patients (p = 0.017). Our findings revealed that the HLA‐G 14‐bp InDel polymorphism might be a genetic risk factor for OSCC susceptibility, and the serum sHLA‐G may act as a promising biomarker for noninvasive diagnosis of OSCC.
Multicenter evaluation of the cobas m 511 integrated hematology analyzer
Authors: Bruegel Mathias , George Tracy I. , Feng Bo , Allen Timothy R. , Bracco Dan , Zahniser David J. , Russcher Henk
Published: July 2018

Introduction

The cobas m 511 integrated hematology analyzer conducts a complete blood count (CBC), white blood cell (WBC) differential, reticulocyte count, and nucleated red blood cell count using automated digital microscopy. This multicenter study validated the analytical performance of the cobas m 511 system.

Methods

Repeatability, reproducibility, carryover, mode‐to‐mode comparison, cytomorphology, WBC clinical sensitivity, and method comparison were analyzed at four clinical sites using residual whole blood clinical samples (n = 2546) and fresh whole blood from healthy volunteers (n = 480). For WBC clinical sensitivity, the cobas m 511 system automated CBC and WBC differential, system flags, cobas m 511 images, and stained cobas m 511 slides were compared with manual microscopy. Sysmex® XN analyzers were used for interinstrument method comparison.

Results

Repeatability and reproducibility results showed low variability. There was no significant sample carryover and no difference between open/closed modes. The overall percentage agreement of morphology assessments with manual microscopy (n = 163 samples) was 95.6% for cobas m 511 images and 95.7% for cobas m 511 slides. The sensitivity and specificity for detecting distributional and/or morphological abnormalities were 94.4% and 74.6% for cobas m 511 automated differential, and 95.9% and 73.3% for cobas m 511 image assessment, compared with a manual 400‐cell reference differential (n = 439 samples). Some discordance was seen for monocytes and basophils. Correlations between cobas m 511 and Sysmex XN system data were very good (Pearson's R ≥ 0.95 for most CBC parameters).

Conclusion

The cobas m 511 system performs robustly in the clinical laboratory and is suitable for routine clinical use.
Levels and activity of cyclic guanosine monophosphate‐dependent protein kinase in nurse and forager honeybees
Authors: Thamm M. , Sturm K. , Schlossmann J. , Scheiner R.
Published: July 2018

Age‐dependent division of labour in honeybees was shown to be connected to sensory response thresholds. Foragers show a higher gustatory responsiveness than nurse bees. It is generally assumed that nutrition‐related signalling pathways underlie this behavioural plasticity. Here, one important candidate gene is the foraging gene, which encodes a cyclic guanosine monophosphate‐dependent protein kinase (PKG). Several roles of members of this enzyme family were analysed in vertebrates. They own functions in important processes such as growth, secretion and neuronal adaptation. Honeybee foraging messenger RNA expression is upregulated in the brain of foragers. In vivo activation of PKG can modulate gustatory responsiveness. We present for the first time PKG protein level and activity data in the context of social behaviour and feeding. Protein level was significantly higher in brains of foragers than in those of nurse bees, substantiating the role of PKG in behavioural plasticity. However, enzyme activity did not differ between behavioural roles. The mediation of feeding status appears independent of PKG signalling. Neither PKG content nor enzyme activity differed between starved and satiated individuals. We suggest that even though nutrition‐related pathways are surely involved in controlling behavioural plasticity, which involves changes in PKG signalling, mediation of satiety itself is independent of PKG.
Natural killer cells are pivotal for in vivo protection following systemic infection by Sporothrix schenckii
Authors: Ferreira Lucas Souza , Portuondo Deivys Leandro , Polesi Marisa Campos , Carlos Iracilda Zeppone
Published: July 2018

Natural killer (NK) cells are one of the first cell types to enter inflammation sites and have been historically known as key effector cells against tumours and viruses; now, accumulating evidence shows that NK cells are also capable of direct in vitro activity and play a protective role against clinically important fungi in vivo. However, our understanding of NK cell development, maturation and activation in the setting of fungal infections is preliminary at best. Sporotrichosis is an emerging worldwide‐distributed subcutaneous mycosis endemic in many countries, affecting humans and other animals and caused by various related thermodimorphic Sporothrix species, whose prototypical member is Sporothrix schenckii. We show that following systemic infection of BALB/c mice with S. schenckii sensu stricto, NK cells displayed a more mature phenotype as early as 5 days post‐infection as judged by CD11b/CD27 expression. At 10 days post‐infection, NK cells had increased expression of CD62 ligand (CD62L) and killer cell lectin‐like receptor subfamily G member 1 (KLRG1), but not of CD25 or CD69. Depletion of NK cells with anti‐asialo GM1 drastically impaired fungal clearance, leading to a more than eightfold increase in splenic fungal load accompanied by heightened systemic inflammation, as shown by augmented production of the pro‐inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor‐α, interferon‐γ and interleukin‐6, but not interleukin‐17A, in the spleen and serum. Our study is, to the best of our knowledge, the first to demonstrate that a fungal infection can drive NK cell maturation in vivo and that such cells are pivotal for in vivo protection against S. schenckii.