bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II regulates mammalian axon growth by affecting F-actin length in growth cone
Authors: Xi Feng , Xu Ren-Jie , Xu Jin-Hui , Wang Wei-Hua , Ma Jin-Jin , Wang Feng , Ma Yan-Xia , Qi Shi-Bin , Zhang Jing-Cheng , Zhang Hao-Nan , Qin Xu-Zhen , Chen Jian-Quan , Li Bin , Liu Chang-Mei , Yang Hui-Lin , Meng Bin , Saijilafu
Published: January 2019

While axon regeneration is a key determinant of functional recovery of the nervous system after injury, it is often poor in the mature nervous system. Influx of extracellular calcium (Ca2+) is one of the first phenomena that occur following axonal injury, and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMKII), a target protein for calcium ions, regulates the status of cytoskeletal proteins such as F-actin. Herein, we found that peripheral axotomy activates CaMKII in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sensory neurons, and inhibition of CaMKII impairs axon growth in both the peripheral and central nervous systems (PNS and CNS, respectively). Most importantly, we also found that activation of CaMKII promotes PNS and CNS axon growth, and regulatory effects of CaMKII on axon growth occur via affecting the length of the F-actin. Thus, we believe our findings provide clear evidence that CaMKII is a critical modulator of mammalian axon regeneration.
PBMC Treatment Significantly Changes Gene Expression Regulation in Horses
Authors: Mason Victor C. , Leeb Tosso , Gerber Vinzenz
Published: January 2019

Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) are context dependent, and therefore change between tissues, cell types, and after cell treatment. In addition, SNP positions and RNAseq counts must be updated after assembly of new reference genome sequences. Therefore, we remapped eQTLs with Matrix eQTL using the previously generated and publicly available data from four contexts of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from European Warmblood horses to the EquCab3.0 reference genome, and used a linear mixed model in R to identify eQTLs with significantly different gene expression regulation in treated PBMCs when compared to no treatment (baseline). We found no evidence that SNPs associated with significant changes in gene expression between MCK and a treatment in PBMCs caused strong opposing regulatory effects. We identified canonical pathways with a significant number of genes in PBMCs with altered gene expression regulation when treated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and hay-dust extract (HDE). Significant pathways included RhoA signaling in LPS, as well as histamine degradation, cholesterol biosynthesis, FcγRIIB signaling, and others in HDE. Our results support previous research indicating that pathways altered between baseline and treatment of PBMCs in horses with LPS or HDE affect inflammatory responses through RhoA, B-cell signaling, IL-4 and IFN-γ, and histamine.
Local adaptation and hybrid failure share a common genetic basis
Authors: Walter Greg M. , Aguirre J. David , Wilkinson Melanie J , Richards Thomas J. , Blows Mark W. , Ortiz-Barrientos Daniel
Published: January 2019

Testing whether local adaptation and intrinsic reproductive isolation share a genetic basis can reveal important connections between adaptation and speciation. Local adaptation arises as advantageous alleles spread through a population, but whether these same advantageous alleles fail on the genetic backgrounds of other populations remains largely unknown. We used a quantitative genetic breeding design to produce a late generation (F4) recombinant hybrid population by equally mating amongst four contrasting ecotypes of a native Australian daisy for four generations. We tracked fitness across generations and measured morphological traits in the glasshouse, and used a reciprocal transplant to quantify fitness in all four parental habitats. In the glasshouse, plants in the second generation showed a reduction in fitness as a loss of fertility, but this was fully recovered in the following generation. The F4 hybrid lacked extreme phenotypes present in the parental ecotypes, suggesting that genes reducing hybrid fitness were linked to traits specific to each ecotype. In the natural habitats, additive genetic variance for fitness was greatest for habitats that showed stronger native-ecotype advantage, suggesting that a loss of genetic variation present in the parental ecotypes were adaptive in the natural habitats. Reductions in genetic variance for fitness were associated with a loss of ecological trade-offs previously described in the parental ecotypes. Furthermore, natural selection on morphological traits differed amongst the parental habitats, but was not predicted to occur towards the morphology of the parental ecotypes. Together, these results suggest that intrinsic reproductive isolation removed adaptive genetic variation present in the parental ecotypes. The evolution of these distinct ecotypes was likely governed by genetic variation that resulted in both ecological trade-offs and intrinsic reproductive isolation among populations adapted to contrasting environments.
YAMB: metagenome binning using nonlinear dimensionality reduction and density-based clustering
Authors: Korzhenkov Aleksei
Published: January 2019

YAMB is a novel metagenome binning tool, which uses tetranucletotide composition and average contig coverage and performs t-SNE dimensionality reduction and sequential DBSCAN data clusterization. YAMB provided with metagenomics assembly and reads may be used for straightforward metagenome binning on a recent personal computer running Linux OS.

Availability and Implementation

Source code of YAMB is freely available on GitHub (https://github.com/laxeye/YAMB), implemented in R, Perl and Bash and supported on Linux.

Contact

Korzhenkov_AA@nrcki.ru
Shedding light on biogas: a transparent reactor triggers the development of a biofilm dominated by Rhodopseudomonas faecalis that holds potential for improved biogas production
Authors: Abendroth Christian , Latorre- Pérez Adriel , Porcar Manuel , Simeonov Claudia , Luschnig Olaf , Vilanova Cristina , Pascual Javier
Published: January 2019

Conventional anaerobic digesters intended for the production of biogas usually operate in complete darkness. Therefore, little is known about the effect of light on microbial communities operating in anaerobic digesters. In the present work, we have studied through 16S rRNA gene amplicon Nanopore sequencing and shotgun metagenomic sequencing the taxonomic and functional structure of the microbial community forming a biofilm on the inner wall of a lab-scale transparent anaerobic biodigester illuminated with natural sunlight. The biofilm was composed of microorganisms involved in the four metabolic processes needed for biogas production. The biofilm proved surprisingly rich in Rhodopseudomonas faecalis, a versatile bacterium able to carry out a photoautotroph metabolism when grown under anaerobic conditions. Our results suggest that this bacterium, able to fix carbon dioxide, could be considered for its use in transparent biogas fermenters in order to contribute to the production of optimized biogas with a higher CH4:CO2 ratio than the biogas produced in regular, opaque digesters. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study supporting illuminated bioreactors as a new bioprocess for the obtention of biogas enriched in methane.
scruff: An R/Bioconductor package for preprocessing single-cell RNA-sequencing data
Authors: Wang Zhe , Hu Junming , Johnson Evan W. , Campbell Joshua D.
Published: January 2019

Background

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) enables the high-throughput quantification of transcriptional profiles in single cells. In contrast to bulk RNA-seq, additional preprocessing steps such as cell barcode identification or unique molecular identifier (UMI) deconvolution are necessary for preprocessing of data from single cell protocols. R packages that can easily preprocess data and rapidly visualize quality metrics and read alignments for individual cells across multiple samples or runs are still lacking.

Results

Here we present scruff, an R/Bioconductor package that preprocesses data generated from the CEL-Seq or CEL-Seq2 protocols and reports comprehensive data quality metrics and visualizations. scruff demultiplexes, aligns, and counts the reads mapped to genome features with deduplication of unique molecular identifier (UMI) tags. scruff also provides novel and extensive functions to visualize both pre- and post-alignment data quality metrics for cells from multiple experiments. Detailed read alignments with corresponding UMI information can be visualized at specific genome coordinates to display differences in isoform usage. The package also supports the visualization of quality metrics for sequence alignment files for multiple experiments generated by Cell Ranger from 10X Genomics. scruff is available as a free and open-source R/Bioconductor package.

Conclusions

scruff streamlines the preprocessing of scRNA-seq data in a few simple R commands. It performs data demultiplexing, alignment, counting, quality report and visualization systematically and comprehensively, ensuring reproducible and reliable analysis of scRNA-seq data.
Parallel signaling through IRE1α and PERK regulates pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor growth and survival
Authors: Moore Paul C. , Qi Jenny Y. , Thamsen Maike , Ghosh Rajarshi , Peng Justin , Gliedt Micah J. , Meza-Acevedo Rosa , Warren Rachel E. , Hiniker Annie , Kim Grace E. , Maly Dustin J. , Backes Bradley J. , Papa Feroz R. , Oakes Scott A.
Published: January 2019

Master regulators of the unfolded protein response (UPR)—IRE1α and PERK— promote adaptation or apoptosis depending on levels of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. While the UPR is activated in many cancers, its effects on tumor growth remain unclear. Derived from endocrine cells, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) universally hypersecrete one or more peptide hormones, likely sensitizing these cells to high ER protein-folding stress. For the nearly 1,500 Americans diagnosed with PanNETs annually, surgery is the only potentially curative treatment; however the five-year survival is extremely low for those who develop metastatic disease. To assess whether targeting the UPR is a viable therapeutic strategy, we analyzed human PanNET samples and found evidence of elevated ER stress and UPR activation. We then used genetic and pharmacologic approaches to modulate IRE1α and PERK in cultured cells and xenograft and spontaneous genetic (RIP-Tag2) mouse models of PanNETs. We found that UPR signaling is optimized for adaptation and that inhibiting either IRE1α or PERK leads to hyperactivation and apoptotic signaling through the reciprocal arm, thereby halting tumor growth and survival. Our results provide a strong rationale for therapeutically targeting the UPR in PanNETs and other cancers experiencing elevated ER stress.

Significance

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is upregulated in human pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and its genetic or pharmacological inhibition significantly reduces tumor growth in preclinical models, providing strong rationale for targeting the UPR in neoplasms with elevated ER stress.
Numerical studies of active flow control on wing tip extension
Authors: Vrchota Petr , Prachar Ales , Peng Shia-Hui , Tormalm Magnus , Eliasson Peter
Published: January 2019

Purpose

In the European project AFLoNext, active flow control (AFC) measures were adopted in the wing tip extension leading edge to suppress flow separation. It is expected that the designed wing tip extension may improve aerodynamic efficiency by about 2 per cent in terms of fuel consumption and emissions. As the leading edge of the wing tip is not protected with high-lift device, flow separation occurs earlier than over the inboard wing in the take-off/landing configuration. The aim of this study is the adoption of AFC to delay wing tip stall and to improve lift-to-drag ratio.

Design/methodology/approach

Several actuator locations and AFC strategies were tested with computational fluid dynamics. The first approach was “standard” one with physical modeling of the actuators, and the second one was focused on the volume forcing method. The actuators location and the forcing plane close to separation line of the reference configuration were chose to enhance the flow with steady and pulsed jet blowing. Dependence of the lift-to-drag benefit with respect to injected mass flow is investigated.

Findings

The mechanism of flow separation onset is identified as the interaction of slat-end and wing tip vortices. These vortices moving toward each other with increasing angle of attack (AoA) interact and cause the flow separation. AFC is applied to control the slat-end vortex and the inboard movement of the wing tip vortex to suppress their interaction. The separation onset has been postponed by about 2° of AoA; the value of ift-to-drag (L/D) was improved up to 22 per cent for the most beneficial cases.

Practical implications

The AFC using the steady or pulsed blowing (PB) was proved to be an effective tool for delaying the flow separation. Although better values of L/D have been reached using steady blowing, it is also shown that PB case with a duty cycle of 0.5 needs only one half of the mass flow.

Originality/value

Two approaches of different levels of complexity are studied and compared. The first is based on physical modeling of actuator cavities, while the second relies on volume forcing method which does not require detailed actuator modeling. Both approaches give consistent results.
Ranking of choice cues for smartphones using the Best–Worst scaling method
Authors: Pinto Luis , Kaynak Erdener , Chow Clement S.F. , Zhang Lida L.
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The number of studies on the use of choice cues in the purchase decision of a smartphone does not appear to be extensive, given the size and rate of growth of the market. Surprisingly, it appears that no study of this type in the Chinese context has been undertaken. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to fill the existing gap in the marketing literature in this area.

Design/methodology/approach

Best–Worst (BW) scaling method was used in the study. It is suggested that the method overcomes some of the biases commonly found in surveys where Likert-type scales are used, and it has superior discriminating power, because respondents are asked to rank the most and the least important factor from a group, and are thereby forced to make tradeoffs between factors.

Findings

Among the 13 choice cues, connectivity, price and memory capacity are found to be the most important, whereas recommendation from others, ease of handling and availability of apps are found to be the least important. Findings due to gender, income and age difference were also analyzed and discussed for orderly decision-making purposes.

Practical implications

The ranking of factors showing what choice cues consumers consider most or least important in a particular market helps practitioners to develop appropriate adaptation strategies for the market. The comparison of findings for gender, income and age difference can further help practitioners to devise various alternative marketing strategies for different market segments and identify underserved segments, if any.

Originality/value

The BW scaling method, however, appropriate in ranking order of importance, had never been used in ranking choice cues of smartphone purchase. Moreover, there seems to be a dearth of studies about ranking of choice cues on smartphone purchases in the Chinese context.
Time domain parameter identification of transient electromechanical oscillations
Authors: Sotelo-Castañón Julián , Gutiérrez-Robles José Alberto , Johnson Brian , Moreno Pablo , Guzman Armando
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The power systems behavior is nonlinear, and this is reflected in that the measurement signals are composed by multi-components. Thus, this paper aims to present a method for analyzing multi-component signals that allow calculating signal parameters such as frequency, damping constant, amplitude and phase for each component, as well as determining the direct current component.

Design/methodology/approach

The method proposed is based in the Z-transform of a damped sinusoidal signal with direct current. Only the Z-transform poles are used to form equation systems which are used to obtain frequency and damping. Then, the amplitude, the phase and the direct current component are determined by the above results.

Findings

The method is able to determine frequencies, damping constants, phases and amplitudes of the different modal components of a signal using only a few measurements. Moreover, the method does not require filter banks tuned with some previous knowledge of signal’s characteristics. The presented test cases of field measured signals show the good performance of the proposed method, which is able to obtain the parameters of interest with a very short observation window.

Originality/value

One quality of this method is that it has a very short delay to reach the first solution and from there you get one result each sample; the delay time is equivalent to 2 + 4C samples where C is the number of components in the signal. Finally, it is concluded that because of the small number of samples that are needed and the low algorithmic complexity of the methodology, the method is apt to make applications in real time.
Recent trend in mixed-model assembly line balancing optimization using soft computing approaches
Authors: Razali Muhamad Magffierah , Kamarudin Nur Hairunnisa , Ab. Rashid Mohd Fadzil Faisae , Mohd Rose Ahmad Nasser
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to review and discuss four aspects of mixed-model assembly line balancing (MMALB) problem mainly on the optimization angle. MMALB is a non-deterministic polynomial-time hard problem which requires an effective algorithm for solution. This problem has attracted a number of research fields: manufacturing, mathematics and computer science.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper review 59 published research works on MMALB from indexed journal. The review includes MMALB problem varieties, optimization algorithm, objective function and constraints in the problem.

Findings

Based on research trend, this topic is still growing with the highest publication number observed in 2016 and 2017. The review indicated that the future research direction should focus on human factors and sustainable issues in the problem modeling. As the assembly cost becomes crucial, resource utilization in the assembly line should also be considered. Apart from that, the growth of new optimization algorithms is predicted to influence the MMALB optimization, which currently relies on well-established algorithms.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper is on the research trend in MMALB. It provides the future direction for the researchers in this field.
Construction education in Ethiopia
Authors: Mengistu Desalegn Girma , Mahesh Gangadhar
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate knowledge and skills level of final-year students of undergraduate construction programs in Ethiopia and assess the effectiveness of internship and its coordination under these programs.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods approach is used in this study. Data were collected through two separate questionnaires, completed by students and company supervisors (professionals having experience in supervising internship students). Interviews were held with university instructors to supplement findings of the questionnaire.

Findings

The findings show the students have performance shortfalls in most of the required knowledge areas. A significant correlation was found between students’ self-evaluation and supervisors’ evaluation rankings. It was also found that both students and industry perceive the internship to have benefited them. However, the coordination of internship program was found unsatisfactory. These findings indicate there is a room for improvement in the curricula and coordination of internship program.

Originality/value

As performance of the construction industry (CI) is associated with the competence of professionals, it is important to assess the knowledge and skills level of students, and internship coordination for the effective development of CI. Hence, the findings of this paper will help academic institutes to review their curricula and improve their internship coordination mechanism. It has implication for industry organizations in indicating knowledge and skills gap of entry-level professionals which could be filled through training. It may also invite other researchers in the country to focus on construction education for betterment of the CI.
Robust stability of mixed Cohen–Grossberg neural networks with discontinuous activation functions
Authors: Zheng Cheng-De , Liu Ye , Xiao Yan
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a method for the existence, uniqueness and globally robust stability of the equilibrium point for Cohen–Grossberg neural networks with time-varying delays, continuous distributed delays and a kind of discontinuous activation functions.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the Leray–Schauder alternative theorem and chain rule, by using a novel integral inequality dealing with monotone non-decreasing function, the authors obtain a delay-dependent sufficient condition with less conservativeness for robust stability of considered neural networks.

Findings

It turns out that the authors’ delay-dependent sufficient condition can be formed in terms of linear matrix inequalities conditions. Two examples show the effectiveness of the obtained results.

Originality/value

The novelty of the proposed approach lies in dealing with a new kind of discontinuous activation functions by using the Leray–Schauder alternative theorem, chain rule and a novel integral inequality on monotone non-decreasing function.
Should banks be averse to elections? A GMM analysis of recent elections in Ghana
Authors: Broni Mohammed Yaw , Hosen Mosharrof , Mohammed Hardi Nyagsi , Tiamiyu Ganiyatu
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Actions of incumbent politicians and firms’ managers during election years have been cited as sources of many problems that afflict economies and business entities. Given the controversies surrounding the impact of elections on firms’ soundness, this paper poses a question of whether banks should be averse to elections. Specifically, this study aims to investigate the impact of elections on the profitability and efficiency of banks.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the authors’ knowledge, this is maiden analysis in this context for Ghana where relatively advanced appropriate GMM technique has been used on annual data from 2012 to 2016.

Findings

This study reveals that banks make higher returns in election years. Additionally, the authors report that government’s economic policies in election years are detrimental to management efficiency, though insignificant.

Practical implications

From an emerging economy perspective, this study would guide policymakers in designing policies that respond to, or minimize, the impact of elections on bank performance. The result of this analysis would also substantiate the market reaction to the changes in the economic, political and financial conditions.

Originality/value

This analysis suggests that firms’ performances in an election year depend on policies and political institutions in place. The authors argue that Ghana, with its exemplary democratic credentials and strong institutions, living alongside a high perception of corruption, is different. The contribution to literature is, first, by limiting this work to the banking sector of Ghana and, second, by incorporating the behaviors of incumbent governments and individuals in the regression specification model.
Monetary policy and macroeconomic responses: non-recursive SVAR study of Egypt
Authors: Shokr Mohamed Aseel , Abdul Karim Zulkefly , Zaidi Mohd Azlan Shah
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effects of monetary policy and foreign shocks on output, inflation and exchange rate in Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper studies the effects of monetary policy and foreign shocks on output, inflation and exchange rate by using non-recursive SVAR model and quarterly data.

Findings

First, the empirical results reveal that monetary policy shocks, through changes in interest rate or money supply, have a significant effect on output, inflation and exchange rate in Egypt. Second, the world oil prices and foreign output have significant impacts on output, inflation and exchange rate in Egypt, while foreign interest rate has a significant effect on domestic output and inflation.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of the study is examining one country only.

Practical implications

The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) should adjust interest rate to stabilize inflation, output and exchange rate. By stabilizing inflation, output and exchange rate, the CBE would be able to achieve the ultimate targets of monetary policy, namely, price stability and economic growth.

Social implications

It is important for the CBE because it shows the significant effect of monetary policy on macroeconomic variables in Egypt. Also, it is important for people because it shows the important role for the CBE.

Originality/value

It is important for the CBE because it examines the effect of monetary policy and foreign shocks on macroeconomic variables.
CEO transformational leadership and top management team performance: study from GCC
Authors: Suliman Abubakr , Rao A. Srinivasa , Elewa Tamer
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Various research studies have been carried out to study Chief Executive Officers’ (CEOs’) transformational leadership in driving organizational performance and success. Evidence shows that few studies were carried out on CEO transformational leadership and top management team (TMT) performance in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Thus, this study aims to provide a unique contribution and the first of its kind to examine the CEO leadership–TMT performance link across GCC countries.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the researchers approached 500 employees and 30 CEOs working in 30 different organizations operating in the GCC countries. The firms were selected conveniently from different industries located in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain. The researchers used the PASW (SPSS) program to analyze the data.

Findings

The findings show that psychological empowerment has no significant role in moderating the transformational leadership – TMT performance relationship. Internal support for innovation plays a significant role in mediating the relationship between transformational leadership and TMT performance.

Research limitations/implications

The present study has not examined the behavioral aspects of CEO followers. Future research may study behavioral characteristics of the entire TMT.

Originality/value

This study contributes to body of research that identifies CEO transactional leadership as perceived by the followers was found to be more important in predicting TMT performance than transformational leadership in the context of organizations located in GCC countries. Managerial implications and future research areas are further discussed.
Citizen-centric model of governmental entrepreneurship
Authors: Kumar Avanish
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The paper aims to examine a citizen-centric model of governmental entrepreneurship that transforms public service management for the empowerment of marginalized women.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a qualitative methodology to analyze the distinctive model of a rural livelihoods program in India. A fieldwork was conducted in four villages, a total of 250 women were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire and eight focus-group discussions were conducted. The data were analyzed using constant comparative analysis and discourse analysis. Finally, the findings were shared with women in the study area.

Findings

The analysis suggests that the adoption of distinct management for social welfare program results in social legitimacy and social value creation. JEEViKA illustrates that citizen-centric social entrepreneurship model is an outcome of internal and external governance mechanisms, strategy that thrusts on skills and capacity as investment, tools local women (community resource persons) as instruments and targets spatial saturation as an intervention creates political and economic participation, and that marketability promotes power over economic resources that enable freedom from servitude.

Research limitations/implications

The model provides a direction to overcome multiple barriers to addressing poverty and marginalization.

Practical implications

Poor and government can leverage through the collaborative capacity to meet ever-evolving social needs by developing a state-society partnership in citizen-centric governmental entrepreneurship.

Social implications

The policies to overcome large-scale marginalization can adopt citizen-centric model to create social legitimacy that furthers social value among the poor and marginalized rural women.

Originality/value

This study provides a model that illustrates government ability to transform marginalized poor as co-producers of development benefits.
Validation of stage groupings in the eighth edition of the tumor node metastasis classification for lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yu Wenguan , Zhao Qingchun , Xia Chunqiu , Dong Ming , Liu Jinghao , Li Xin , Zhao Honglin , Chen Gang , Liu Hongyu , Chen Jun
Published: January 2019

Background

The purpose of this study was to validate stage groupings in the 8th edition of the tumor node metastasis (TNM) classification for lung adenocarcinoma and explore the non‐anatomic factors that influence the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma patients in China.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the data of 291 lung adenocarcinoma patients at our department between 2008 and 2013. Logrank tests and Cox regression models were used to analyze survival among adjacent stage groupings. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to estimate overall survival (OS).

Results

There were significant differences in OS in adjacent stage groupings in early stages in the 8th edition. There were also significant differences between patients treated with radical surgery and limited resection (P = 0.027). Lepidic predominant adenocarcinoma (LPA) had better survival rates than acinar predominant (APA), papillary predominant, and solid predominant with mucin production adenocarcinoma (SPA) (P = 0.008). Survival rates of micropapillary predominant adenocarcinoma were lower than the others (P = 0.003). EGFR mutations were closely associated with lepidic predominant (65%, P = 0.56) but less commonly associated with solid predominant with mucin production adenocarcinoma (24%, P = 0.02). There was no significant difference in survival between EGFR gene mutation‐positive and negative groups (P = 0.402).

Conclusion

The 8th edition TNM may be more accurate and applicable than the 7th edition for Chinese lung adenocarcinoma patients who have undergone surgical treatment. Stage IV patients may gain survival improvement from radical surgery.
Assets and Liabilities: When Do They Exist?
Authors: Cade Nicole L. , Koonce Lisa , Mendoza Kim I. , Rees Lynn , Tokar Mary B.
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we investigate whether the current references to probability in standard setters' conceptual definitions of assets and liabilities cause individuals to believe that the probability of a future transfer of economic benefits must be above some meaningful threshold for an asset or a liability to exist—a belief that is contrary to standard setters' intent. Results of multiple experiments indicate that the majority of individuals do use a high probability threshold to determine asset existence, whereas for liabilities the majority use a very low threshold. Thus, even under ceteris paribus conditions, liabilities are more frequently judged to exist than assets—a phenomenon analogous to accounting conservatism, as has been discussed in terms of the performance statement. These findings are robust to variation in formal training and in type of liability, and cannot be explained by alternative approaches to judging existence. Consistent with standard setters' intentions, results also suggest that their proposed changes to the definitions of assets and liabilities—changes that attempt to clarify the intended role of probability—do cause a greater proportion of participants to indicate that the relevant financial statement element (asset or liability) exists, relative to participants with no definition. Our study provides important insights for standard setters as they continue work on their missions to update their Conceptual Frameworks and for researchers regarding the role of conservatism on the balance sheet.
Thinking Outside the Block: Projected Phases of Blockchain Integration in the Accounting Industry
Authors: Karajovic Maria , Kim Henry M. , Laskowski Marek
Published: January 2019

This paper aims to propound a thorough and circumspect analysis of the implications of blockchain technology in the accounting profession and its broader industry. The analysis begins with a summary of early developments by first movers and how they are harnessing blockchain technology to improve business practices. Concomitantly, the paper will go on to discuss how this technology will streamline accounting processes, specifically as the technology approaches critical mass. Finally, a discussion of its long‐term implications will follow through a more philosophical and conceptual dialogue. Throughout the paper, criticisms will be raised to address concerns regarding blockchain's widespread use.
A new diagnostic index for sarcopenia and its association with short‐term postoperative complications in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer
Authors: Yang J. , Zhang T. , Feng D. , Dai X. , Lv T. , Wang X. , Gong J. , Zhu W. , Li J.
Published: January 2019

Aim

Sarcopenia is a robust prognostic indicator of outcomes after surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC). However, there are no serum markers routinely available for estimating skeletal muscle mass (SMM). The present study aimed to describe a new sarcopenia index (SI), serum creatinine (Scr) × cystatin C‐based glomerular filtration rate, and investigate its association with short‐term complications after curative resection of CRC.

Method

Consecutive patients who underwent curative resection of CRC from December 2011 to January 2017 were retrospectively identified. Skeletal muscle cross‐sectional area was analysed on L3 computed tomographic images. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the cutoff points of SI for sarcopenia were below 56.1 in men and below 43.7 in women. Patients were classified into low and high SI groups in accordance with these cutoff values. The association between SI and body composition and the impact of preoperative SI on postoperative outcomes were analysed.

Results

Among 417 patients, SI showed a stronger correlation with skeletal muscle area (SMA) (r = 0.537, P < 0.001) than with the Scr/cystatin C ratio (r = 0.469, P < 0.001) and Scr (r = 0.447, P < 0.001). The low SI group had a lower SMA, lower preoperative haemoglobin, a higher prevalence of sarcopenia and experienced more postoperative complications compared with the high SI group (all P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the independent risk factors for overall complications were low preoperative haemoglobin, low SI, sarcopenia and American Society of Anesthesiologists grade ≥ 3.

Conclusion

This new SI is a simple and useful surrogate marker for estimating SMM, and is associated with outcomes after CRC surgery.
“I Want to Know More!”: Children Are Sensitive to Explanation Quality When Exploring New Information
Authors: Mills Candice M. , Sands Kaitlin R. , Rowles Sydney P. , Campbell Ian L.
Published: January 2019

When someone encounters an explanation perceived as weak, this may lead to a feeling of deprivation or tension that can be resolved by engaging in additional learning. This study examined to what extent children respond to weak explanations by seeking additional learning opportunities. Seven‐ to ten‐year‐olds (N = 81) explored questions and explanations (circular or mechanistic) about 12 animals using a novel Android tablet application. After rating the quality of an initial explanation, children could request and receive additional information or return to the main menu to choose a new animal to explore. Consistent with past research, there were both developmental and IQ‐related differences in how children evaluated explanation quality. But across development, children were more likely to request additional information in response to circular explanations than mechanistic explanations. Importantly, children were also more likely to request additional information in direct response to explanations that they themselves had assigned low ratings, regardless of explanation type. In addition, there was significant variability in both children's explanation evaluation and their exploration, suggesting important directions for future research. The findings support the deprivation theory of curiosity and offer implications for education.
Bacteremia in kidney transplant recipients: Burden, causes, and consequences
Authors: Brar Sandeep , Wang Yue , Cannitelli Alyssa , Lambadaris Maria , Li Yanhong , Famure Olusegun , Husain Shahid , Kim Sang J.
Published: January 2019

Bacteremia is an important complication after kidney transplantation. We examined bacteremia and its outcomes in a large cohort of kidney transplant recipients. Kidney transplants from 1‐Jul‐2004 to 1‐Dec‐2014 at the Toronto General Hospital were eligible for study inclusion. Bacteremia was defined as two blood culture positives for common skin contaminants or one blood culture positive for other organisms. The cumulative incidence of first bacteremia was estimated using the Kaplan‐Meier method, and risk factors were examined in a Cox proportional hazards model. The risk of graft failure or death was assessed in a time‐dependent Cox model. Over follow‐up, 154 of 1333 patients had at least one bacteremia episode. The cumulative incidence of first bacteremia was 6.8% (6 months) and 11.9% (5 years). Risk factors included recipient diabetes mellitus, time on dialysis, dialysis modality, delayed graft function, donor age, and donor eGFR. Bacteremia increased the risk of total graft failure (hazard ratio 2.11 [95% CI: 1.50, 2.96]), death‐censored graft failure (1.73 [0.99, 3.02]), and death with graft function (2.52 [1.63, 3.89]). In conclusion, bacteremia is common after kidney transplantation and impacts both graft and patient survival. Identifying high‐risk patients for targeted preventive strategies may reduce the burden and adverse consequences of this important complication.
The Evolution and Reshaping of Globalization: A Perspective Based on the Development of Regional Trade Agreements
Authors: Bao Xiaohua , Wang Xiaozhuo
Published: January 2019

With the weakening role of the World Trade Organization multilateral trading system, the globalization pattern is moving toward regional economic integration. As a result, the number of regional trade agreements (RTAs) has rapidly increased. New trends in international economics and trade, such as the withdrawal of the US from the Trans‐Pacific Partnership and the trade disputes between the US and China, have revealed the intention of the developed countries represented by the US to reshape the direction of globalization. This paper combines the relevant research conclusions and current stylized facts to examine the evolution and reshaping of globalization. We find that: (i) countries have different attitudes toward the recent round of globalization, which are related to changes in the patterns of income distribution within countries caused by the last round of globalization; and (ii) regional economic development is an effective way to reshape globalization. The self‐strengthening effect of the hub country in the trade network has promoted global RTA expansion.
In vitro lifetime of zirconium dioxide‐based crowns veneered using Rapid Layer Technology
Authors: Riedel Christopher , Wendler Michael , Belli Renan , Petschelt Anselm , Lohbauer Ulrich
Published: January 2019

Rapid Layer Technology (RLT) uses computer‐aided design/computer‐aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) to manufacture a veneer layer that is adhesively bonded to the zirconia framework, avoiding firing steps during the fabrication process and thus preventing build‐up of residual stresses. This work studied, using sliding contact fatigue, the in vitro lifetime of restorations produced using RLT compared with restorations produced using conventional veneering techniques. Zirconia copings were veneered with a conventional hand‐layering method (VM9) using a fast (n = 16) or a slow (n = 16) cooling protocol, or with RLT. For the latter, the veneers were CAD/CAM fabricated using a feldspathic reinforced‐glass (Vitablocs Mark II; n = 16) or a polymer‐infiltrated reinforced‐glass network (Enamic; n = 16) and adhesively bonded to the zirconia frameworks. Crowns thus obtained were submitted to sliding contact fatigue against a steatite indenter in a chewing simulator until failure. A Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was conducted. None of the hand‐layered restorations survived after a 2 × 106‐cycle interval, whereas no fractures in the RLT groups were observed. Vitablocs Mark II veneers survived for a longer testing period (3.5 × 106 cycles) than their Enamic counterparts (2.5 × 106 cycles) owing to their superior wear behavior. The RLT represents an efficient method to veneer zirconia frameworks by reducing processing steps and, more importantly, increasing the lifetime of the restorations.
Archaeology and the Search for Homeric Ithaca
Authors: Souyoudzoglou-Haywood Christina
Published: January 2019

This short article on a large subject is presented as a tribute to Klavs Randsborg, because of his involvement in the 1990s with the archaeology of Kephalonia at the time of the resurgence of the debate over the identification of the island with Homeric Ithaca, to which he himself contributed some thoughts. It briefly traces the history of the controversy about the Homeric geography and topography from its origins and discusses the evidence that has made Kephalonia a contender for the homeland of Odysseus. The intention is not to off er yet another hypothesis about the location of Homeric Ithaca, but to consider and question the role of archaeology in the debate, in view of the high expectations of Homeric realists.
Strong ZrC ceramics at high temperatures with the addition of W
Authors: Shen Yi‐Bo , Wang Xin‐Gang , Zhang Guo‐Jun , Xue Jia‐Xiang , Li Qiang , Jiang Dan‐Yu
Published: January 2019

The effect of W addition on densification, microstructure, and mechanical properties of ZrC ceramics was investigated. W reacted with carbon in ZrC to form WC, which resulted in the formation of ZrC1‐x at 1300‐1700°C, while WC was further dissolved in ZrC to form a (Zr1‐yWy)C1‐x solid solution at 1800‐2000°C. The relative density of ZrC with 5 mol% W (ZW5, 96.8%) was markedly higher than that of pure ZrC (Z0, 94.8%). ZW5 exhibited a fine homogeneous microstructure with a grain size (2.6 ± 0.5 μm) much smaller than that of Z0 (10.9 ± 3.0 μm), while excess W addition (10 mol%) in ZrC adversely affected the densification and the microstructure. The flexure strength of Z0 was 446 ± 46 MPa at room temperature, which almost linearly decreased to 281 ± 10 MPa at 1800°C in a high‐purity flowing argon atmosphere. The flexure strength of ZW5 was 512 ± 40 MPa at room temperature, and had no degradation even up to 1800°C. The fine and homogeneous microstructure of ZW5 and the removal of oxygen impurity from the grain boundaries promoted the enhancement of high‐temperature mechanical properties.
Prevalence, risk factors, and characterization of multidrug resistant and extended spectrum β‐lactamase/AmpC β‐lactamase producing Escherichia coli in healthy horses in France in 2015
Authors: de Lagarde Maud , Larrieu Caroline , Praud Karine , Schouler Catherine , Doublet Benoît , Sallé Guillaume , Fairbrother John M. , Arsenault Julie
Published: January 2019

Background

Although antimicrobial resistance is increasingly common in equine medicine, molecular and epidemiological data remains scarce.

Objectives

We estimated the prevalence of, and risk factors for, shedding of multidrug resistant (MDR), extended spectrum β‐lactamase (ESBL)‐producing, and AmpC β‐lactamase‐producing, or some combination of these in Escherichia coli in horses in France. We characterized ESBL/AmpC isolates for antimicrobial susceptibility and the presence of virulence and ESBL/AmpC‐associated resistance genes.

Animals

Fecal samples from healthy adult horses at 41 premises were collected. A questionnaire was completed by each premises manager. A subset of these samples was tested to build 2 bacterial collections.

Methods

Indicator (without enrichment) and specific (enrichment with ceftriaxone) E. coli tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Prevalence of isolates nonsusceptible to antimicrobials was estimated at the horse and the premises level. The ESBL/AmpC and virulence genes were identified by PCR. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate risk factors for MDR and ESBL/AmpC isolates at premises.

Results

Approximately 44% of horses shed MDR E. coli. Resistance most commonly was observed to ampicillin, streptomycin, and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. Twenty‐nine percent of premises housed horses shedding ESBL/AmpC‐producing isolates. The ESBL/AmpC gene most commonly identified was blaCTX‐M‐1. Virulence gene iutA was identified in 1 ESBL/AmpC‐producing isolate. Medical treatment, staff numbers, and activity were identified as risk factors for housing horses shedding ESBL/AmpC‐producing E. coli isolates.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Prevalence of healthy horses harboring ESBL/AmpC genes and MDR isolates in their intestinal microbiota is substantial. Risk factors could be used to elaborate guidelines to prevent their dissemination.
Aurantimycin resistance genes contribute to survival of Listeria monocytogenes during life in the environment
Authors: Hauf Samuel , Herrmann Jennifer , Miethke Marcus , Gibhardt Johannes , Commichau Fabian M. , Müller Rolf , Fuchs Stephan , Halbedel Sven
Published: January 2019

Bacteria can cope with toxic compounds such as antibiotics by inducing genes for their detoxification. A common detoxification strategy is compound excretion by ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters, which are synthesized upon compound contact. We previously identified the multidrug resistance ABC transporter LieAB in Listeria monocytogenes, a Gram‐positive bacterium that occurs ubiquitously in the environment, but also causes severe infections in humans upon ingestion. Expression of the lieAB genes is strongly induced in cells lacking the PadR‐type transcriptional repressor LftR, but compounds leading to relief of this repression in wild‐type cells were not known. Using RNA‐Seq and promoter‐lacZ fusions, we demonstrate highly specific repression of the lieAB and lftRS promoters through LftR. Screening of a natural compound library yielded the depsipeptide aurantimycin A – synthesized by the soil‐dwelling Streptomyces aurantiacus – as the first known naturally occurring inducer of lieAB expression. Genetic and phenotypic experiments concordantly show that aurantimycin A is a substrate of the LieAB transporter and thus, lftRS and lieAB represent the first known genetic module conferring and regulating aurantimycin A resistance. Collectively, these genes may support the survival of L. monocytogenes when it comes into contact with antibiotic‐producing bacteria in the soil.