bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Of Faith and Faithlessness: Adaptive Fidelity in Shusaku Endo’s and Martin Scorsese’s Silence
Authors: Ng Teng-Kuan
Published: July 2019

Adapted from the 1966 novel by the Japanese Catholic writer Shusaku Endo, Martin Scorsese’s Silence offers a timely occasion for expanding the critical discourse on adaptive fidelity. This article explores the ways that both texts draw from historical and scriptural sources within the Christian tradition—most notably the biblical tale of Judas—to clarify the meaning of faith in their respective contexts. Employing Andre Bazin’s theory of adaptation, I argue that alongside their source texts, both novel and film compose an intertextual ‘ideal construct’ of religious fidelity as dynamically lived across time and place, a fidelity paradoxically performed via various modes and tropes of adaptive infidelity.
Factors Associated with Cigarette Use During Airmen’s First Year of Service in the United States Air Force
Authors: Little Melissa , Ebbert Jon O , Krukowski Rebecca A , Halbert Jennifer , Kalpinski Maj Ryan , Patten Christi A , Talcott Gerald W , Klesges Robert C
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Despite declines of cigarette use in the civilian population, military personnel report alarmingly high rates of cigarette use. Enlisted Air Force recruits are required to remain tobacco-free for the first 12 weeks of training, and the majority express confidence they will not use tobacco after the ban; however, most previous smokers return to smoking and many nonsmokers initiate. Understanding the factors associated with cigarette-smoking initiation among non-users and re-initiation among former users is critical for the development of successful tobacco control efforts.

Materials and Methods

The current study examines predictors of cigarette smoking among a sample of 2,188 USAF personnel after their first year of service. Logistic regression analyses examined associations between baseline predictors and initiation and re-initiation of cigarette smoking at a one-year follow-up.

Results

Compared to never smokers at both time points, the strongest predictor of smoking initiation over the past 12 months was having owned cigarette-branded merchandise (OR 3.81, 95% CI 1.67, 8.71). Compared to former smokers who remained abstinent, the strongest predictor of re-initiation was intention to use tobacco (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.53, 2.83). Compared to individuals who initiate, the strongest predictors of re-initiation were prior use of other tobacco products and tobacco use intentions (ORs range 1.85 to 4.63).

Conclusions

Multiple risk factors are associated with tobacco use. Given that Airmen are tobacco-free for the first 12 weeks of training, tobacco interventions during this period might be more effective. Our findings can be used to tailor interventions to prevent tobacco use in the U.S. military.
Expression Patterns of Genes Encoding Sugar and Potassium Transport Proteins Are Simultaneously Upregulated or Downregulated When Carbon and Potassium Availability Is Modified in Shiraz (Vitis vinifera L.) Berries
Authors: Coetzee Zelmari A , Walker Rob R , Liao Siyang , Barril Celia , Deloire Alain J , Clarke Simon J , Tyerman Stephen D , Rogiers Suzy Y
Published: July 2019

A link between the accumulation of sugar and potassium has previously been described for ripening grape berries. The functional basis of this link has, as of yet, not been elucidated but could potentially be associated with the integral role that potassium has in phloem transport. An experiment was conducted on Shiraz grapevines in a controlled environment. The accumulation of berry sugar was curtailed by reducing the leaf photoassimilation rate, and the availability of potassium was increased through soil fertilization. The study characterizes the relationship between the accumulation of sugar and potassium into the grape berry and describes how their accumulation patterns are related to the expression patterns of their transporter proteins. A strong connection was observed between the accumulation of sugar and potassium in the grape berry pericarp, irrespective of the treatment. The relative expression of proteins associated with sugar and potassium transport across the tonoplast and plasma membrane was closely correlated, suggesting transcriptional coregulation leading to the simultaneous translocation and storage of potassium and sugar in the grape berry cell.
Excessive daytime sleepiness with snoring or witnessed apnea is associated with handgrip strength: a population-based study
Authors: Cao X , Gu Y , Fu J , Vu T Q C , Zhang Q , Liu L , Meng G , Yao Z , Wu H , Bao X , Zhang S , Wang X , Sun S , Zhou M , Jia Q , Song K , Wu Y , Niu K
Published: July 2019

Background

Sarcopenia is emerging as an important public health problem, and evidences have determined that poor sleep is associated with muscle strength, but the potential effects of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), snoring and witnessed apnea on handgrip strength have not been evaluated.

Aim

We aimed to examine the association between EDS, snoring, witnessed apnea and muscle strength in an adult population.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Methods

This cross-sectional study comprised 19 434 adults. Handgrip strength was measured using a handheld digital dynamometer. EDS was assessed by Epworth Sleepiness Scale, snoring and witnessed apnea during sleep were reported through simple yes/no questions. Analysis of covariance was carried out to determine the association between EDS with snoring or witnessed apnea and muscle strength.

Results

The means (95% confidence interval) for average handgrip strength/body weight (kg/kg) across symptoms categories were 0.396 (0.333–0.472), 0.393 (0.330–0.467), 0.396 (0.333–0.471) and 0.386 (0.325–0.460) (P < 0.0001), respectively. Similar results were observed with maximal handgrip strength/body weight (kg/kg).

Conclusions

Self-reported EDS accompanied with snoring or apnea is associated with lowest handgrip strength, independently of confounding factors. Whether improvement of EDS, snoring and apnea, can ameliorate age-associated decline in muscle strength warrants further studies.
PROPOSAL FOR LOCAL DIAGNOSTIC REFERENCE LEVELS IN GENERAL RADIOGRAPHY IN JAPAN
Authors: Asada Yasuki , Ono Koji , Kondo Yuya , Sugita Kazuma , Ichikawa Takuma , Shibata Hideki
Published: July 2019

The present study aimed to propose local diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) formulated by calculating entrance surface doses for general radiography at 20 facilities of Aichi prefecture in Japan, by comparing these values with DRLs established in Japan in 2015 (DRLs 2015) and assessing radiation dose differences among facilities. X-ray outputs (half-value layer and air kerma) of each facility were measured with a non-invasive type of detector. The results were employed to formulate local DRLs based on the 75th percentiles of dose distributions. These local DRLs were lower than the DRLs 2015 for all examinations. If proposed local DRLs from other 46 prefectures can be collected, this paper can be used to benefit the next effort to draft better DRL for Japan.
DOES THE USE OF CONTEMPORARY CT SCANNERS ALTER THE RADIATION DOSE DEBATE IN THE IMAGING WORK UP FOR PULMONARY EMBOLISM?
Authors: Tonkopi Elena , Manos Daria , Ross Andrew
Published: July 2019

The aim of this study was to compare patient doses from ventilation perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (V/Q SPECT) and computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) performed on contemporary scanners. Effective dose (ED) for V/Q SPECT was calculated using organ doses per unit administered activity of the radiopharmaceuticals. Organ doses in CT were measured using nanoDot aluminium oxide optically stimulated dosemeters placed within a female adult anthropomorphic phantom. To simulate a larger patient, the phantom was wrapped in three layers of Superflab sheets. The V/Q SPECT resulted in ED of 2.82 mSv and a breast dose of 1.12 mGy. The CTPA dose was 1.82 ± 0.42 and 3.43 ± 0.91 mSv, whilst dose to the breast tissue was 2.86 ± 0.86 and 5.95 ± 0.44 mGy for small- and medium-sized patients, respectively.
Collaborative Solutions to Antibiotic Stewardship in Small Community and Critical Access Hospitals
Authors: Bhatt Jay , Smith Brian , Neuhauser Melinda M. , Srinivasan Arjun , Moore Paul , Hyun David Y.
Published: July 2019

The overuse and misuse of antibiotics affect patients in many ways, including by driving antibiotic resistance, a serious public health threat in the United States and around the world. To improve patient safety and address rising rates of resistance, an increasing number of health care facilities have created antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs). ASPs have been successful in slowing the emergence of resistance and improving patient outcomes. However, there are serious geographic and resource barriers to ASP adoption in small community hospitals and critical access hospitals. Fortunately, many barriers can be overcome by using collaborative models to bring together key stakeholders, including large hospitals and health systems and academic medical centers; hospital associations; federal, state, and local public health organizations; and federal and state offices of rural health. These stakeholders are ideally positioned to assist with stewardship efforts in small community and critical access hospitals and, in doing so, can improve patient safety while stemming the spread of resistant bacteria.
A New and Innovative Method of Preoperatively Planning and Projecting Vascular Anatomy in DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Hummelink Stefan , Hoogeveen Yvonne L. , Schultze Kool Leo J. , Ulrich Dietmar J. O.
Published: July 2019

Background:

In deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstructions, a free tissue flap from the abdomen is shaped into a breast and transferred to the thorax. Survival of this free flap relies on minuscule blood vessels, so-called perforators, providing blood supply to this newly molded breast. Preoperative mapping of these randomly distributed blood vessels is essential to avoid complications. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the preoperative projection of a virtual three-dimensional plan based on computed tomographic angiography onto the abdomen leads to more correctly identified perforator locations and less operative time spent on dissecting the free flap compared to the commonly used Doppler ultrasound planning method.

Methods:

The authors conducted a randomized, open, single-center, superiority trial in patients undergoing DIEP flap breast reconstruction with 1-week follow-up. Randomized participants were 60 adults (projection method, n = 33; Doppler method, n = 27) undergoing DIEP flap breast reconstruction without lymph node transfer.

Results:

Sixty patients provided 69 DIEP flaps for analysis. The projection method is capable preoperatively of displaying significantly more perforators compared to the Doppler method (61.7 ± 7.3 percent versus 41.2 ± 8.2 percent, respectively; p = 0.020)). During the procedure, flap harvest time is decreased by 19 minutes (136 ± 7 minutes versus 155 ± 7 minutes; p = 0.012). Complications were comparable across both groups.

Conclusion:

Not only can more perforators be identified intraoperatively using the projection method compared with Doppler ultrasound, there is also a significant time reduction in harvesting the DIEP flap.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, II.
Autogenous Bone Cranioplasty: Review of a 42-Year Experience by a Single Surgeon
Authors: Cabbad Nicole C. , Stalder Mark W. , Arroyave Aaron , Wolfe Erin M. , Wolfe S. Anthony
Published: July 2019

Background:

Autogenous bone is frequently espoused as the gold standard material for cranioplasty procedures, yet alloplastic cranioplasty continues to persist in the search, presumably, for a simpler technique. Although short-term outcomes can be successful using foreign materials, long-term follow-up in these patients often demonstrates increased rates of failure because of exposure or late infection. Autogenous bone grafts, however, integrate and revascularize, and are thus more resistant to infection than alloplastic materials.

Methods:

This is a retrospective review of all patients that underwent reconstructive cranioplasty for full-thickness defects, as performed by the senior author (S.A.W.) between 1975 and 2018. All procedures were performed with autogenous bone.

Results:

One hundred fifty-four patients met criteria for inclusion in the report. Cranioplasties were performed for both congenital and secondary indications. Split calvaria was used in 115 patients (74.7 percent), rib graft was used in 12 patients (7.8 percent), iliac crest graft was used in 10 patients (6.5 percent), and combinations of donor-site grafts were used in 17 patients (11.0 percent). In the entire series, none of the patients suffered from complications related to infection of either the donor site or transferred bone graft. None of the patients required secondary operations to fill in defects created by the postoperative resorption.

Conclusions:

Although autologous bone is widely considered the gold standard material for cranioplasty procedures, some argue against its use, mainly citing unpredictable resorption as the purported disadvantage. However, it is less susceptible to infection, and results in fewer long-term complications than alloplastic materials. There is no alloplastic material that has matched these outcomes, and thus autogenous bone should be considered as the primary option for cranioplasty procedures.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, IV.
Oncofetal Protein CR-1 in a new clinical role: a potential tumor marker for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Anu Jain , Kumar Mallupattu Sumanth , Reetu Thakur , Satyawati Mohindra , Amanjit Bal , Ashim Das , Sushmita Ghoshal , Arnab Pal
Published: July 2019

PURPOSE

CR-1 (CR-1) is an oncofetal protein with its role as a key factor in early process of carcinoma has been evaluated in cases of various cancers. However, very few studies have reported its role in oral cancers, which is the sixth most common cancer around the world, particularly with high prevalence in developing countries. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most predominant (90%) of all the histological types of oral cancer. Late detection, associated with increased morbidity and mortality, is mainly attributed to non-availability of a suitable biomarker for the disease. In the present pilot study we have evaluated the role of soluble CR-1, in serum as a potential tumor marker for OSCC.

METHODS

CR-1 was estimated using sandwich ELISA in serum samples of 50 biopsy proven OSCC patients (pre and post treatment) along with age and gender matched healthy controls. Immunohistochemistry was also done in corresponding tumor tissue sections to check the expression of CR-1.

RESULTS

Pre-treatment CR-1 was found to be 2.25 fold higher in serum of OSCC patients as compared to control (p<0.0001***), which was reduced to 1.6 folds post treatment (p=0.0006***). CR-1 levels were comparatively higher in early stage of disease. Upon IHC 80% of the cases were found to be positive for CR-1.

CONCLUSION

This study provides evidence that serum levels of CR-1 are elevated in patients of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, which decrease post treatment. Also, the association of expression of protein with tumor progression predicts CR-1 as a molecule that can be further evaluated as a potential tumor maker in OSCC.
B cell humoral response and differentiation is regulated by the non-canonical poly(A) polymerase TENT5C
Authors: Bilska Aleksandra , Kusio-Kobiałka Monika , Krawczyk Paweł S. , Gewartowska Olga , Tarkowski Bartosz , Kobyłecki Kamil , Gruchota Jakub , Borsuk Ewa , Dziembowski Andrzej , Mroczek Seweryn
Published: July 2019

TENT5C is a non-canonical cytoplasmic poly(A) polymerase (ncPAP) upregulated in activated B cells and suppressing their proliferation. Herein we measured the global distribution of poly(A) tail lengths in responsive B cells using a modified Nanopore direct RNA-sequencing approach and revealed that TENT5C polyadenylates immunoglobulin mRNAs regulating their steady-state levels. Consequently, TENT5C deficient B cells secrete less antibodies and KO mice have diminished gamma globulin concentrations despite the increased number of CD138high plasma cells as a consequence of accelerated differentiation. TENT5C is explicitly upregulated in differentiating plasma cells by innate signaling. Importantly, TENT5C deficiency in B lymphocytes impairs the capacity of the secretory pathway through the reduction of ER volume and downregulation of unfolded protein response.

Our findings define the role of the TENT5C enzyme in B cell physiology and discover the first ncPAP engaged in the regulation of immunoglobulin mRNA poly(A) tails, thus serving as a regulator of humoral immunity.
Directed evolution of the PcaV allosteric transcription factor to generate a biosensor for aromatic aldehydes
Authors: Machado Leopoldo F. M. , Currin Andrew , Dixon Neil
Published: July 2019

Background

Genetically encoded biosensors are useful tools for the detection of metabolites and industrially valuable molecules, and present many potential applications in biotechnology and biomedicine. However, the most common approach to develop biosensors relies on employing a limited set of naturally occurring allosteric transcript factors (aTFs). Therefore, altering the substrate specificity of aTFs towards the detection of new effectors is an important goal.

Results

Here, the PcaV repressor, a member of the MarR aTF family, was used to develop a biosensor for the detection of hydroxyl-substituted benzoic acids, including protocatechuic acid (PCA). The PCA biosensor was further subjected to directed evolution to alter its substrate specificity towards vanillin and other closely related aromatic aldehydes, to generate the Van2 biosensor. Substrate recognition of Van2 was explored in vitro using a range of biochemical and biophysical analyses, and extensive in vivo genetic-phenotypic analysis was performed to determine the role of each amino acid change upon biosensor performance.

Conclusions

This is the first study to report directed evolution of a member of the MarR aTF family, and demonstrates the plasticity of the PCA biosensor by altering its substrate specificity to generate a biosensor for aromatic aldehydes.
One week of chronic sleep debt does not affect decision-making processes in a mouse version of the Iowa Gambling Task
Authors: Pittaras Elsa , Granon Sylvie , Rabat Arnaud
Published: July 2019

Socio-professional pressures push people to sleep less which leads to chronic sleep debt (CSD) for a significant percentage of the population. Although the health consequences of CSD are well known, research shows that high-level cognitive processes in humans are more affected by acute sleep debt (ASD) rather than CSD (Drake et al., 2001). We have previously shown that ASD has deleterious effects on decision-making in mice and that some mice were more sensitive to ASD than others (Pittaras et al., 2018) by using a rodent version of the Iowa Gambling Task (Bechara et al., 1994). In this study, we showed that, as in humans, CSD has fewer effects on decision-making compared to ASD. We hypothesize that this observation was due to the set-up of a compensatory mechanism.
Accelerated viral dynamics in bat cell lines, with implications for zoonotic emergence
Authors: Brook Cara E. , Boots Mike , Chandran Kartik , Dobson Andrew P. , Drosten Christian , Graham Andrea L. , Grenfell Bryan T. , Müller Marcel A. , Ng Melinda , Wang Lin-Fa , van Leeuwen Anieke
Published: July 2019

Bats host virulent zoonotic viruses without experiencing disease. A mechanistic understanding of the impact of bats’ virus hosting capacities, including uniquely constitutive immune pathways, on cellular-scale viral dynamics is needed to elucidate zoonotic emergence. We carried out virus infectivity assays on bat cell lines expressing induced and constitutive immune phenotypes, then developed a theoretical model of ourin vitrosystem, which we fit to empirical data. Best fit models recapitulated expected immune phenotypes for representative cell lines, supporting robust antiviral defenses in bat cells that correlated with higher estimates for within-host viral propagation rates. In general, heightened immune responses limit pathogen-induced cellular morbidity, which can facilitate the establishment of rapidly-propagating persistent infections within-host. Rapidly-replicating viruses that have evolved with bat immune systems will likely cause enhanced virulence following emergence into secondary hosts with immune systems that diverge from those unique to bats.
Structure of nucleotide-bound Tel1ATM reveals the molecular basis of inhibition and structural rationale for disease mutations
Authors: Yates Luke A. , Williams Rhys M. , Hailemariam Sarem , Ayala Rafael , Burgers Peter , Zhang Xiaodong
Published: July 2019

Yeast Tel1 and its highly conserved human orthologue ATM are large protein kinases central to the maintenance of genome integrity. Mutations in ATM are found in ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) patients and ATM is one of the most frequently mutated genes in many cancers. Using cryo electron microscopy, we present the structure of Tel1 in a nucleotide-bound state. Our structure reveals molecular details of key residues surrounding the nucleotide binding site and provides a structural and molecular basis for its intrinsically low basal activity. We show that the catalytic residues are in a productive conformation for catalysis, but the PIKK-regulatory domain-Insert (PRD-I) restricts peptide-substrate access and the N-lobe is in an open conformation, thus explaining the requirement for Tel1 activation. Structural comparisons with other PIKKs suggest a conserved and common allosteric activation mechanism. Our work also provides a structural rationale for many mutations found in A-T and cancer.
convertibleCARs: A chimeric antigen receptor system for flexible control of activity and antigen targeting
Authors: Landgraf Kyle E. , Williams Steven R. , Steiger Daniel , Gebhart Dana , Lok Stephen , Martin David W. , Roybal Kole T. , Kim Kaman Chan
Published: July 2019

We have developed a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) platform that functions as a modular system to address limitations of current CAR therapies. An inert form of the NKG2D extracellular domain (iNKG2D) was used as the ectodomain of the CAR to generate convertibleCAR™-T cells. These cells were activated only when an immunological synapse was formed with an antigenic target, mediated by a bispecific adaptor comprised of an iNKG2D-exclusive ULBP2-based ligand fused to an antigen-targeting antibody (MicAbodyTM). Efficacy against Raji tumors in NSG mice was dependent upon doses of both a rituximab-based MicAbody and convertibleCAR-T cells. We have also demonstrated that the exclusive ligand-receptor partnering enabled the targeted delivery of a mutant form of IL-2 to exclusively promote the expansion of convertibleCAR-T cells in vitro and in vivo. By altering the Fv domains of the MicAbody or the payload fused to the orthogonal ligand, convertibleCAR-T cells can be readily targeted or regulated.
Phase discontinuities underlie increased drowsiness and diminished sleep quality in older humans
Authors: Sanders Teresa Hinkle
Published: July 2019

Healthy humans switch seamlessly between activity states, wake up and fall asleep with regularity, and cycle through sleep stages necessary for restored homeostasis and memory consolidation each night. This study tested the hypothesis that such smooth behavioral transitions are accompanied by smooth transitions between stable neural states within the brain. A method for detecting phase discontinuities across a broad range of frequencies was created to quantify phase disruptions in the Fp-Cz EEG channel from 20 annotated sleep files. Phase discontinuities decreased with increasingly deep sleep, and increased phase discontinuity was associated with increased drowsiness, reduced deep sleep, and shorter REM sleep. A 10s phase discontinuity summary measure (the phase jump indicator) closely tracked the annotated sleep stages and enabled discrimination between short (< 10 min) and longer REM periods. Overall phase discontinuity correlated inversely with broadband EEG power, suggesting that reduced spurious signaling may facilitate increased synchronization. However, the correlation between phase discontinuity and power varied with sleep stage and age. Older individuals spent significantly more time in the Awake and Drowsy stages and less time in the deepest sleep stage and REM sleep. Interestingly, although EEG power was reduced in older individuals across all sleep stages, increased phase discontinuity only occurred in stages that showed impairment. In older patients the power vs. phase discontinuity correlation shifted to positive during drowsiness, suggesting potential deficits in cortical inhibition. These results provide evidence that phase discontinuity measures extend current capabilities for assessing sleep and may yield new insights into pathological brain states.

Significance statement

Evidence continues to accumulate regarding the positive relationship between healthy sleep and brain function. Recent studies also show that more healthful sleep can be induced with timely application of non-invasive therapies. Accordingly, the ability to accurately assess sleep quality in real-time has become increasingly important. Here, a newly defined measure, referred to as phase discontinuity, enabled rapid identification of unhealthful neural patterns associated with increased drowsiness, reduced deep sleep, and early termination of REM sleep. Moreover, the measure was linked to underlying neuronal and circuit properties known to impact sleep quality. Thus, the phase discontinuity measure defined in this study provides new insight into sleep pathology and has potential implications for closed-loop therapeutic intervention.
Overexpressing CsGH3.1 and CsGH3.1L reduces susceptibility to Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri by repressing auxin signaling in citrus (Citrus sinensis Osbeck)
Authors: Zou Xiuping , Long Junhong , Zhao Ke , Peng Aihong , Chen Min , Long Qin , He Yongrui , Chen Shanchun
Published: July 2019

The auxin early response gene Gretchen Hagen3 (GH3) plays dual roles in plant development and responses to biotic or abiotic stress. It functions in regulating hormone homeostasis through the conjugation of free auxin to amino acids. In citrus, GH3.1 and GH3.1L play important roles in responding to Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc). Here, in Wanjingcheng orange (C. sinensis Osbeck), the overexpression of CsGH3.1 and CsGH3.1L caused increased branching and drooping dwarfism, as well as smaller, thinner and upward curling leaves compared with wild-type. Hormone determinations showed that overexpressing CsGH3.1 and CsGH3.1L decreased the free auxin contents and accelerated the Xcc-induced decline of free auxin levels in transgenic plants. A resistance analysis showed that transgenic plants had reduced susceptibility to citrus canker, and a transcriptomic analysis revealed that hormone signal transduction-related pathways were significantly affected by the overexpression of CsGH3.1 and CsGH3.1L. A MapMan analysis further showed that overexpressing either of these two genes significantly downregulated the expression levels of the annotated auxin/indole-3-acetic acid family genes and significantly upregulated biotic stress-related functions and pathways. Salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, abscisic acid, ethylene and zeatin levels in transgenic plants displayed obvious changes compared with wild-type. In particular, the salicylic acid and ethylene levels involved in plant resistance responses markedly increased in transgenic plants. Thus, the overexpression of CsGH3.1 and CsGH3.1L reduces plant susceptibility to citrus canker by repressing auxin signaling and enhancing defense responses. Our study demonstrates auxin homeostasis’ potential in engineering disease resistance in citrus.
Aero-heating modelling on the ablative noses during flight trajectory
Authors: Doustdar Mohamad Mehdi , Mardani Morteza , Ghadak Farhad
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the more accurate estimation of aero-heating for the ablative 3-D noses by using the viscous shock layers and similarity of viscous boundary layer methods.

Design/methodology/approach

The combination of viscous shock layer, similarity of viscous boundary layer (SVBL) methods, Park ablation and Baldwin–Lomax turbulent models is presented in this paper. The proposed method reduces computational memory and run time as compared to the time marching algorithms during flight trajectory. Therefore, the space marching algorithm and finite difference method is used, and the governing equations are transferred into curvature coordinate by using the mapping terms.

Findings

The solving for an ogive nose during flight trajectory shows that the convergence of this technique is fast as compared to the user defined function based on the fluent solvers, program to axisymmetric regular geometry code and other research. The results of this research are validated by the mentioned research studies. The relative error for the aero-heating, species concentration of the shock layer gas mixture because of dissociation/ionization of air and surface ablation results is less than 6, 5 and 11 per cent, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

The required time for an aerodynamic design of hypersonic noses reduces as the induced aero-heating is one of the principal design parameters in standpoint aerodynamic, structural and other terms. The magnitude of this parameter, surface temperature and surface recess because of ablation should be corrected during flight trajectory.

Social implications

The results of this research are applicable for aerospace industries.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper is 90 per cent.
The impact of corporate governance mechanisms on real and accrual earnings management practices: evidence from Jordan
Authors: Al-Haddad Lara , Whittington Mark
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the impact of corporate governance (CG) mechanisms on real (REM), accrual-based earnings management (AEM) and REM/AEM interaction in Jordan following the 2009 Jordanian CG Code (JCGC).

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a sample of 108 Jordanian public firms covering 2010-2014. Hypotheses are tested using pooled OLS-regression models.

Findings

The authors find that both institutional and managerial ownership constrain the use of REM and AEM. In contrast, both independent directors and large shareholders are found to exaggerate such practices, and CEO-duality is found to exaggerate REM only. However, foreign ownership does not appear to have a significant impact. They further find that managers use REM and AEM jointly to obtain the greatest earnings impact.

Practical implications

The findings have important implications for policymakers, regulators, audit professionals and investors in their attempts to constrain earnings management (EM) practices and improve financial reporting quality in Jordan.

Originality/value

The authors believe this to be the first Jordanian study examining the relationship between CG mechanisms and both REM and AEM following the introduction of the 2009 JCGC, as well as the first in Jordan and the Middle East to examine board characteristics and REM. Moreover, it is the first to test for the potential substitution of REM and AEM since the 2009 JCGC enactment. As such, the findings draw attention to EM practices and the role of monitoring mechanisms in Jordan.
Co-creation experiences in the music business: a systematic literature review
Authors: Saragih Harriman
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Various literature have contextualised value co-creation concept in the music business and how that notion puts into practice in benefitting the actors in this particular business. The purpose of this paper is to review the extant literature to comprehend regarding the applicability of co-creation in music business which can be used to map and evaluate strategies used to stimulate and exercise co-creation experiences; focus from such co-creational activities; stages during which co-creation occurred; channels in which the music as cultural product is delivered; and the co-creative platform used that can be useful for practitioners as well as scholars in the music business.

Design/methodology/approach

Of the available academic databases that exist on the online platform, this study takes into account six scholarly databases, i.e., Emerald, EBSCO, ISI Web of Sciences, ProQuest, ScienceDirect and Scopus.

Findings

Having filtered through the initial 113 papers that fulfil the predetermined criteria, this study discovers 33 empirical journal and proceeding papers that have discussed the co-creation concept in the music context from 2011 to 2017.

Practical implications

The review practically implies that practitioners as well as scholars in the music or marketing field can first begin with planning and understanding the right strategy, focus, stage, channels and platforms before executing co-creational activities in the music business. This paper also speaks to the broader literature, particularly in the creative industries, that value co-creation can serve to be used to obtain monetary, experience or social value in the market using virtual and physical co-creative platforms. Other sectors in the creative industries can also infer that co-creation can be promoted and exercised through various orchestration strategies in several stages of the value chain.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to integrate five practical criteria as to how co-creation is applied and contextualised in the music business. It also contributes to the academic literature by presenting an exhaustive selective review of the value co-creation concept and its applicability to the music business.
Marketing communication in the digital age: online ads, online WOM and mobile game adoptions
Authors: Gong Shiyang , Wang Wanqin , Li Qian
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This study aims to explore the interdependent impacts of online word-of-mouth (WOM) and online ads on digital product adoptions, as well as their dynamic changes throughout the product life cycle.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted an empirical approach by using a unique data set of five mobile games launched between 2012 and 2014 provided by Renren Games Ltd. in China.

Findings

The results indicated that advertising generally has a positive impact on WOM. During the product life cycle, the influence on volume and variance gradually decreases, whereas the impact on valence increases over time. WOM (including WOM volume and WOM valence) and advertising both have positive impacts on game adoptions. They complement each other to shape adoptions throughout the product life cycle: advertising is more effective in encouraging adoptions in the early and later stages of the demand evolution process, whereas WOM has a greater impact on adoptions in the mid-stage.

Practical implications

This study provided detailed managerial recommendations on how to effectively integrate different types of marketing communication and optimize the investment strategy of online ads and online WOM in different stages of the product life cycle.

Originality/value

First, the study enriched the theory of digital marketing communication by studying the relationship between mass media (online ads), interpersonal media (online WOM) and product adoptions in the network context. Second, it provided an empirical basis for the inference of the dynamic development of media effect in the new product diffusion theory. Third, the results will be helpful to end the debate in current theoretical literature on whether there is a complementary or alternative relationship between the two effects. Last but not least, it enriched research on the antecedents and dynamic effects of online WOM.
Effects of green coffee extract supplementation on level of chemerin, malondialdehyde, nutritional and metabolic status in patients with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Fasihi Mehdi , Yousefi Mohammad , Safaiyan Abdolrasoul , Mousavi Mele Mahdi , Rostami Mohammadreza , Barzegar Ali
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of green coffee extract on anthropometric index and lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, chemerin and malondialdehyde on subjects with metabolic syndrome.

Design/methodology/approach

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in Sheikh Al Raise Clinic from September 2016 to March 2017. The participants were randomly divided into green coffee group and placebo group. Green coffee group (n = 24) received green coffee extract (GCE), while placebo group (n = 24) took cellulose as a placebo, two capsules (400 mg) two times each day for eight weeks. The anthropometric index and lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, chemerin and malondialdehyde were measured at the beginning of the study and after eight weeks of treatment with GCE. Blood samples were collected before and after eight weeks of supplementation.

Findings

Significant weight loss, from 84.80 ± 2.12 kg to 80.94 ± 2.10 kg (ptime = 0.030, pGC = 0.007), as well as decreases in body mass index (ptime = 0.034, pGC = 0.006) were detected in the green coffee group after eight weeks. Also, the green coffee group has significant lower (pgroup = 0.029, ptime = 0.013) malondialdehyde (MDA) compared to the placebo group, and there was a significant difference between two groups at the insulin level and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (ptime = 0.001, pgroup = 0.048), (ptime = 0.012, pgroup = 0.007). However, there was no significant difference in lipid profile, fasting blood sugar and serum chemerin between two groups after eight weeks of supplementation.

Originality/value

This paper showed the statistical difference in body weight, malondialdehyde, insulin and insulin resistance after eight weeks of treatment. GCE might be associated to reduction in the carbohydrate absorption and the enhancement of lipid metabolism.
Can hot temperatures limit disease transmission? A test of mechanisms in a zooplankton–fungus system
Authors: Shocket Marta S. , Magnante Alexandra , Duffy Meghan A. , Cáceres Carla E. , Hall Spencer R.
Published: July 2019

Thermal ecology theory predicts that transmission of infectious diseases should respond unimodally to temperature, that is be maximized at intermediate temperatures and constrained at extreme low and high temperatures. However, empirical evidence linking hot temperatures to decreased transmission in nature remains limited.

We tested the hypothesis that hot temperatures constrain transmission in a zooplankton–fungus (Daphnia dentifera–Metschnikowia bicuspidata) disease system where autumnal epidemics typically start after lakes cool from their peak summer temperatures. This pattern suggested that maximally hot summer temperatures could be inhibiting disease spread.

Using a series of laboratory experiments, we examined the effects of high temperatures on five mechanistic components of transmission. We found that (a) high temperatures increased exposure to parasites by speeding up foraging rate but (b) did not alter infection success post‐exposure. (c) High temperatures lowered parasite production (due to faster host death and an inferred delay in parasite growth). (d) Parasites made in hot conditions were less infectious to the next host (instilling a parasite ‘rearing’ or 'trans‐host' effect of temperature during the prior infection). (e) High temperatures in the free‐living stage also reduce parasite infectivity, either by killing or harming parasites.

We then assembled the five mechanisms into an index of disease spread. The resulting unimodal thermal response was most strongly driven by the rearing effect. Transmission peaked at intermediate hot temperatures (25–26°C) and then decreased at maximally hot temperatures (30–32°C). However, transmission at these maximally hot temperatures only trended slightly lower than the baseline control (20°C), which easily sustains epidemics in laboratory conditions and in nature. Overall, we conclude that while exposure to hot epilimnetic temperatures does somewhat constrain disease, we lack evidence that this effect fully explains the lack of summer epidemics in this natural system. This work demonstrates the importance of experimentally testing hypothesized mechanisms of thermal constraints on disease transmission. Furthermore, it cautions against drawing conclusions based on field patterns and theory alone.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Death by Ram Attack: A Case Report from Greece and a Brief Review of the Literature
Authors: Katsos Konstantinos D. , Sakelliadis Emmanouil I. , Moraitis Konstantinos , Spiliopoulou Chara A.
Published: July 2019

A case of a ram attack that caused injuries to a 73‐year‐old man is presented. The deceased survived the attack and had the opportunity to speak with a friend over the phone before being transferred to the hospital. After a 21‐day hospitalization, the patient passed away. A postmortem examination was performed to ascertain the cause of death. The autopsy findings are presented along with a brief review of the literature. Attacks by agricultural animals (or livestock) around the world are reported in the scientific literature. Fatalities from ram attacks are extremely rare. The need to implement specific codes in the ICD system, relevant to each animal attack, appears to be of great importance, in order to allow tracking of animal‐related deaths.
High‐performance work systems and work–family interface: job autonomy and self‐efficacy as mediators
Authors: Wattoo Mashal Ahmed , Zhao Shuming , Xi Meng
Published: July 2019

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between high‐performance work systems (HPWS) and the work–family interface (i.e. work–family conflict (WFC) and work–family facilitation (WFF)) in a Chinese context. We used job autonomy and self‐efficacy as an underlying mechanism for describing the relationship between HPWS and the work–family interface. Using data from 152 HR managers and 1324 employees, we found that the HPWS was positively associated with both job autonomy and self‐efficacy. We observed that self‐efficacy was an important mechanism to explain the relationship between HPWS and WFF and WFC. We also observed that job autonomy mediated the relationship between HPWS and WFF, but its presence was not significant between HPWS and WFC. One unique contribution of the study is that the authors extended the job demands–resources model to Chinese employees, confirming that self‐efficacy is an important mechanism linking HPWS with WFC and WFF. Practical implications and future research directions are discussed.
Challenges for real‐time intraoperative diagnosis of high risk histology in lung adenocarcinoma: A necessity for sublobar resection
Authors: Takahashi Yusuke , Kuroda Hiroaki , Oya Yuko , Matsutani Noriyuki , Matsushita Hirokazu , Kawamura Masafumi
Published: July 2019

Recently, the incidence of small, peripheral lung adenocarcinoma has been increasing as lung cancer screening with radiologic examination is more widely performed. Tumor size is one of the determinants of the prognostic outcome in clinically node‐negative lung adenocarcinoma. Sublobar resection has been proposed as one of the minimally invasive surgical options for small‐sized adenocarcinomas. Despite the lack of robust clinical trial evidence, sublobar resection has become more popular, especially in developed countries where less extensive surgery may be of benefit in a population where the age of the elderly is growing. However, high risk histologic features such as micropapillary subtype and tumor spread through air space (STAS) have been associated with a significantly higher risk of local recurrence after sublobar resection, but not after lobectomy. Surgical decision‐making based on frozen section diagnosis of high risk histologic features may be useful to prevent local control failure after sublobar resection. At the present time, there is little evidence to demonstrate the diagnostic accuracy of identifying high risk histologic features on frozen section. One study has so far demonstrated that diagnostic accuracy of identifying STAS is higher than that of identifying the micropapillary subtype. Additionally, the presence of STAS has been found to be more strongly associated with local recurrence in patients who had undergone sublobar resection. Although further investigation is required for validation of this finding, STAS diagnosis on frozen section may shed further light on intraoperative surgical decision‐making during sublobar resection. To this end, we review the recently published data on the intraoperative identification of high risk features.
Rho‐associated coiled‐coil kinase 1 activation mediates amyloid precursor protein site‐specific Ser655 phosphorylation and triggers amyloid pathology
Authors: Hu Yong‐Bo , Ren Ru‐Jing , Zhang Yong‐Fang , Huang Yue , Cui Hai‐Lun , Ma Chao , Qiu Wen‐Ying , Wang Hao , Cui Pei‐Jing , Chen Hong‐Zhuan , Wang Gang
Published: July 2019

Rho‐associated coiled‐coil kinase 1 (ROCK1) is proposed to be implicated in Aβ suppression; however, the role for ROCK1 in amyloidogenic metabolism of amyloid precursor protein (APP) to produce Aβ was unknown. In the present study, we showed that ROCK1 kinase activity and its APP binding were enhanced in AD brain, resulting in increased β‐secretase cleavage of APP. Furthermore, we firstly confirmed that APP served as a substrate for ROCK1 and its major phosphorylation site was located at Ser655. The increased level of APP Ser655 phosphorylation was observed in the brain of APP/PS1 mice and AD patients compared to controls. Moreover, blockade of APP Ser655 phosphorylation, or inhibition of ROCK1 activity with either shRNA knockdown or Y‐27632, ameliorated amyloid pathology and improved learning and memory in APP/PS1 mice. These findings suggest that activated ROCK1 targets APP Ser655 phosphorylation, which promotes amyloid processing and pathology. Inhibition of ROCK1 could be a potential therapeutic approach for AD.
The Emergence of Cognitive Maps for Spatial Navigation in 7‐ to 10‐Year‐Old Children
Authors: Burles Ford , Liu Irene , Hart Chelsie , Murias Kara , Graham Susan A. , Iaria Giuseppe
Published: July 2019

Although much is known about adults’ ability to orient by means of cognitive maps (mental representations of the environment), it is less clear when this important ability emerges in development. In the present study, 97 seven‐ to 10‐year‐olds and 26 adults played a video game designed to investigate the ability to orient using cognitive maps. The game required participants to reach target locations as quickly as possible, necessitating the identification and use of novel shortcuts. Seven‐ and 8‐year‐olds were less effective than older children and adults in using shortcuts. These findings provide clear evidence of a distinct developmental change around 9 years of age when children begin to proficiently orient and navigate using cognitive maps.