bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Narrow diversification, wide diversification, and audit quality, evidence from China
Authors: Hao Jun , Liu Linxiao , Xu Zhaohui
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Audit firm diversification can take many forms. Strategic management theory suggests that if the diversification has a narrow focus, it can have a positive effect on performance through knowledge spillover. However, if the diversification is too wide, the lack of economies of scope may cause an even negative impact on performance. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of an audit firm’s diversification strategy on audit quality.

Design/methodology/approach

Specifically, the authors test whether auditors can benefit from knowledge spillover in their area of specialization.

Findings

The authors find that the magnitude of discretionary accruals and the balance of below-the-line item are significant lower for clients from narrowly diversified area than those from a widely diversified area, suggesting a higher audit quality due to possible knowledge spillover. In addition, the authors find such benefits are more pronounced with clients with high earnings volatility.

Originality/value

This study extends the studies on auditor industry specialization by examining the effect of audit firms’ diversification on audit quality and assessing potential differences on audit quality between narrow and wide diversification.
The role of knowledge sharing and LMX to enhance employee creativity in theme park work team
Authors: Liao Shu-hsien , Chen Chih-chiang , Hu Da-chian
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to empirically test individual, team and multi-level relationships among knowledge sharing (KS), leader–member exchange (LMX), employee creativity (EC) and team innovation (TI). The study tests how KS affects EC via LMX at lower and multi levels. At a higher level, how creativity affects TI is also tested.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaires were sent to 43 team leaders and 215 team members from the largest theme park in Taiwan, E-DA, who are engaged in offering creative and innovative customer services. Multilevel analysis was conducted based on the questionnaires received.

Findings

Major findings agree the contention that KS can improve EC via LMX at both employee and multi-level. The results also indicate that KS affects team creativity (TC) at the team level; however, TC and TI do not have a significant positive relationship.

Originality/value

The study examined how to enhance employees’ creativity from the individual and team levels in a theme park, an area with rare literature. The authors found that LMX is an important mediator between KS and EC. The mediated effect of KS on EC through LMX is higher in a cross level than individual level. In addition, a team’s KS has more effect on EC than the individual level.
Effects of Gen Y hotel employee’s voice and team-member exchange on satisfaction and affective commitment between the U.S. and China
Authors: Kim MiRan , Choi Laee , Borchgrevink Carl P. , Knutson Bonnie , Cha JaeMin
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effects of employee voice (EV) and team-member exchange (TMX) on employee job satisfaction (EJS) and affective commitment to an organization among Gen Y employees of hotel companies in the USA and China.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a Qualtrics panel, a self-administered online survey was completed by Gen Y hotel employees in the USA and China. Multiple-group structural equation modeling analysis examined relative moderating effects on the proposed framework.

Findings

The effect of EV on EJS was greater in China than in the USA. However, Gen Y hotel employees in the USA who experience high-quality TMX are more likely to have greater EJS than they would in China.

Research limitations/implications

Further studies need to be carried out in other hospitality sectors or non-hospitality business areas with different cross-national contexts.

Practical implications

Chinese hotel managers need to develop effective ways to encourage Gen Y EV. To promote TMX of Gen Y employees in the USA, supporting team-oriented projects and/or evaluations can be an effective way.

Originality/value

This study advances previous cross-cultural studies by focusing on a generation subculture. It makes significant contributions to the hospitality literature, as it is the first among research studies that examines Gen Y employees’ extra-role behavior (EV) and TMX across different national cultures: the USA vs China.
Creation of unstructured big data from customer service
Authors: Bhattacharjya Jyotirmoyee , Ellison Adrian Bachman , Pang Vincent , Gezdur Arda
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Customer service provision is a growing phenomenon on social media and parcel shipping companies have been among the most prominent adopters. This has coincided with greater interest in the development of analysis techniques for unstructured big data from social media platforms, such as the micro-blogging platform, Twitter. Given the growing use of dedicated customer service accounts on Twitter, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness with which parcel shipping companies use the platform.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper demonstrates the use of a combination of tools for retrieving, processing and analysing large volumes of customer service-related conversations generated between parcel shipping companies and their customers in Australia, UK and the USA. Extant studies using data from Twitter tend to focus on the contributions of individual entities and are unable to capture the insights provided by a holistic examination of the interactions.

Findings

This study identifies the key issues that trigger customer contact with parcel shipping companies on Twitter. It identifies similarities and differences in the approaches that these companies bring to customer engagement and identifies the opportunities for using the medium more effectively.

Originality/value

The development of consumer-centric supply chains and relevant theories require researchers and practitioners to have the ability to include insights from growing quantities of unstructured data gathered from consumer engagement. This study makes a methodological contribution by demonstrating the use of a set of tools to gather insight from a large volume of conversations on a social media platform.
Reflective vicarious learning (RVL) as an enhancement for action learning
Authors: Yeadon-Lee Annie
Published: March 2018

Purpose

A fundamental assumption within action learning is that learning only occurs through participation, reflection and action. Revans maintains that individuals will fail to understand the “how” of an experience until they have experienced it for themselves, i.e. “learned by doing”. The purpose of this paper is to postulate that Revans’ second phase of action learning, the reflection phase can, in situations where participation is not possible, be enhanced through reflective vicarious learning (RVL) or learning from the behaviour of others.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a desk research approach review of the literature.

Findings

The authors maintain that Revans’ concept of “learning by doing” in the context of the goldfish bowl exercise can enhance an individual’s insight through RVL or learning from the behaviour of others.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is limited in some respects as it focusses on the viewpoint of the author coupled with the literature. Future research could explore participant voices to add an extra dimension to the work.

Practical implications

In terms of utility for others, this paper is useful for developing an understanding of the differing learning opportunities that RVL and action learning combined can offer. As such, it has meaning for action learning facilitators, set members, academics and educational consultants.

Originality/value

This papers originality is that it seeks to enhance Revans’ proposition by illustrating how RVL in the second phase of action learning can enhance an individual’s learning in situations where participation is not possible.
Governing a therapeutic community prison in an age of managerialism
Authors: Bennett Jamie
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Recent ethnographic research has examined the forces that shape the working lives of prison managers, in particular, the growth of managerialism, pushing in from the outside and the deeply rooted local cultures that exist within. The purpose of this paper is to reconsider the interplay of these forces in the context of a therapeutic community (TC) prison.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws upon ethnographic research conducted in two prisons and expands this using an autoethnographic approach to examine the experience of governing a TC prison.

Findings

The original study described how the dynamic interaction of globalised change and local culture created gave rise to “prison managerialism”. This notion reflects the negotiation between the global managerialism and local occupational culture. This concept is equally relevant in a TC prison, albeit it exists in an altered form reflecting the distinct characteristics of the local culture.

Research limitations/implications

The approach builds upon an ethnographic study, expanding this through autoethnography. This inevitably limits the scope and perspective as it is looking at a specific context. It nevertheless highlights the distinctive challenges of managing a TC prison.

Practical implications

The work has implications for the management of TC prisons in practice, including human resource management such as recruitment, selection, appraisal and development of those managers.

Originality/value

The paper applies and revisits a recent in-depth study of prison managers, re-imagining and revising this to reflect the distinct context of managing a TC prison.
Gangs and groups: the impact on therapeutic processes
Authors: Akerman Geraldine Ann
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the impact having been in a gang has on being in a group in a democratic therapeutic community (DTC). In particular what characteristics attract (in this case) males to join a gang and or group, and what is the impact on a DTC of having former gang members in it.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a discussion paper considering the implications of the points raised above. It also includes results of research relating to the “Changing the Game” programme.

Findings

The findings result from experience of having worked in the environment, reviewing available literature, conducting research and having managed some of the issues raised. It is not a research paper but does present findings.

Research limitations/implications

This is a conceptual paper which incorporates findings from this author and others on the impact of gangs in a DTC. There is limited research in this area and so much is drawn from findings in other settings.

Originality/value

Little is written on the impact of having been in a gang and the dynamics that introduces in a forensic DTC. Therefore, it is hoped that it will encourage further research in this area.
A Hybrid Eulerian–Eulerian Discrete-Phase Model of Turbulent Bubbly Flow
Authors: Yang Hyunjin , Vanka Surya P. , Thomas Brian G.
Published: March 2018

The Eulerian–Eulerian two-fluid model (EE) is a powerful general model for multiphase flow computations. However, one limitation of the EE model is that it has no ability to estimate the local bubble sizes by itself. In this work, we have combined the discrete phase model (DPM) to estimate the evolution of bubble sizes with the EE model. In the DPM, the change of bubble size distribution is estimated by coalescence, breakup, and volumetric expansion modeling of the bubbles. The time-varying bubble distribution is used to compute the local interface area between gas and liquid phase, which is then used to estimate the momentum interactions such as drag, lift, wall lubrication, and turbulent dispersion forces for the EE model. In this work, this newly developed hybrid model Eulerian–Eulerian discrete-phase model (EEDPM) is applied to compute an upward flowing bubbly flow in a vertical pipe and the results are compared with previous experimental work of Hibiki et al. (2001, “Axial Interfacial Area Transport of Vertical Bubbly Flows,” Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer, 44(10), pp. 1869–1888). The EEDPM model is able to reasonably predict the locally different bubble size distributions and the velocity and gas fraction fields. On the other hand, the standard EE model without the DPM shows good comparison with measurements only when the prescribed constant initial bubble size is accurate and does not change much. Parametric studies are implemented to understand the contributions of bubble interactions and volumetric expansion on the size change of bubbles quantitatively. The results show that coalescence is larger than other effects, and naturally increases in importance with increasing gas fraction.
Congress gives science a record funding boost
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: March 2018

Lawmakers largely reject deep cuts proposed by President Donald Trump for 2018.
New missions aim to make a short list of exo-Earths
Authors: Clery Daniel
Published: March 2018

Ground- and space-based searches seek Earth-like targets for the next great space telescope.
SciLine scores successes in first five months of operation
Authors: Jarvis Michaela
Published: March 2018

Reporters and science experts work together to provide evidence-based news
Dimethyl fumarate targets GAPDH and aerobic glycolysis to modulate immunity
Authors: Kornberg Michael D. , Bhargava Pavan , Kim Paul M. , Putluri Vasanta , Snowman Adele M. , Putluri Nagireddy , Calabresi Peter A. , Snyder Solomon H.
Published: March 2018

Immunometabolism as therapeutic target

Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is an immunomodulatory compound used to treat multiple sclerosis and psoriasis whose mechanisms of action remain only partially understood. Kornberg
et al.
found that DMF and its metabolite, monomethyl fumarate, succinate the glycolytic enzyme GAPDH (see the Perspective by Matsushita and Pearce). After DMF treatment, GAPDH was inactivated, and aerobic glycolysis was down-regulated in both myeloid and lymphoid cells. This resulted in down-modulated immune responses because inflammatory immune-cell subsets require aerobic glycolysis. Thus, metabolism can serve as a viable therapeutic target in autoimmune disease.

Science
, this issue p.
449
; see also p.
377
Antibody-mediated inhibition of MICA and MICB shedding promotes NK cell–driven tumor immunity
Authors: Ferrari de Andrade Lucas , Tay Rong En , Pan Deng , Luoma Adrienne M. , Ito Yoshinaga , Badrinath Soumya , Tsoucas Daphne , Franz Bettina , May Kenneth F. , Harvey Christopher J. , Kobold Sebastian , Pyrdol Jason W. , Yoon Charles , Yuan Guo-Cheng , Hodi F. Stephen , Dranoff Glenn , Wucherpfennig Kai W.
Published: March 2018

Helping NK cells find their way

MICA and MICB proteins can be expressed on tumors and act as “kill me” signals to the immune system. But tumors often disguise themselves by shedding these proteins, which prevents specialized natural killer (NK) cells from recognizing and destroying the cancer. Ferrari de Andrade
et al.
engineered antibodies directed against the site responsible for the proteolytic shedding of MICA and MICB (see the Perspective by Cerwenka and Lanier). The approach effectively locked MICA and MICB onto tumors so that NK cells could spot them for elimination. The antibodies exhibited preclinical efficacy in multiple tumor models, including humanized melanoma. Furthermore, the strategy reduced lung cancer metastasis after NK cell–mediated tumor lysis.

Science
, this issue p.
1537
; see also p.
1460
Structure of the nucleotide exchange factor eIF2B reveals mechanism of memory-enhancing molecule
Authors: Tsai Jordan C. , Miller-Vedam Lakshmi E. , Anand Aditya A. , Jaishankar Priyadarshini , Nguyen Henry C. , Renslo Adam R. , Frost Adam , Walter Peter
Published: March 2018

ISRIB mechanism of action

In rodents, a druglike small molecule named ISRIB enhances cognition and reverses cognitive deficits after traumatic brain injury. ISRIB activates a protein complex called eIF2B that is required for the synthesis of new proteins. Tsai
et al.
report the visualization of eIF2B bound to ISRIB at near-atomic resolution by cryo–electron microscopy. Biochemical studies revealed that ISRIB is a “molecular staple” that promotes assembly of the fully active form of eIF2B. Zyryanova
et al.
report similar structures together with information on the binding of ISRIB analogs and their effects on protein translation.

Science
, this issue p.
eaaq0939
, p.
1533
Destabilizing mutations encode nongenetic variation that drives evolutionary innovation
Authors: Petrie Katherine L. , Palmer Nathan D. , Johnson Daniel T. , Medina Sarah J. , Yan Stephanie J. , Li Victor , Burmeister Alita R. , Meyer Justin R.
Published: March 2018

Nongenetic variation drives viral evolution

Bacteriophage λ is a virus that infects bacteria by exploiting various membrane proteins in a well-characterized manner. Petrie
et al.
show how the evolution of variable folding conformations of isogenic proteins, which do not differ in their genetic sequences, contributed to λ's ability to exploit an additional host receptor for infection. Because the protein can take on two shapes, this genotype can have two phenotypes. Natural selection may thus be able to act on this nongenetic heterogeneity to connect phenotypic heterogeneity, evolvability, and protein stability.

Science
, this issue p.
1542
A bound reaction intermediate sheds light on the mechanism of nitrogenase
Authors: Sippel Daniel , Rohde Michael , Netzer Julia , Trncik Christian , Gies Jakob , Grunau Katharina , Djurdjevic Ivana , Decamps Laure , Andrade Susana L. A. , Einsle Oliver
Published: March 2018

Sulfur steps aside for nitrogen

Enzymatic conversion of molecular nitrogen to ammonia requires a dance of electrons and protons. The stage for that dance is the nitrogenase cofactor, a carefully constructed cluster of iron, sulfur, and carbon with homocitrate and, in some cases, bicarbonate appendages, as well as a secondary metal ion that defines the class of enzyme. The question of how this cofactor binds nitrogen has been vexingly difficult to answer. Sippel
et al.
report a high-resolution structure of the vanadium nitrogenase with a light atom, interpreted as nitrogen, bound to the FeV cofactor. A sulfur atom is displaced from the cofactor in this structure and is observed resting in a holding site formed by rearrangement of a glutamine residue. The putative bridging nitrogen atom suggests that diatomic nitrogen may bind to the cluster in a head-on manner, with the glutamine side chain stabilizing protonated intermediates as they are reduced.

Science
, this issue p.
1484
Chameleon-like elastomers with molecularly encoded strain-adaptive stiffening and coloration
Authors: Vatankhah-Varnosfaderani Mohammad , Keith Andrew N. , Cong Yidan , Liang Heyi , Rosenthal Martin , Sztucki Michael , Clair Charles , Magonov Sergei , Ivanov Dimitri A. , Dobrynin Andrey V. , Sheiko Sergei S.
Published: March 2018

Active camouflage from a polymer

Human skin is soft and compliant, but it can quickly become stiff when deformed to prevent injury. Chameleon skin can change color when the animal goes from a relaxed to an excited state. Although these properties can be captured individually in synthetic materials, the combination of different dynamic responses can be hard to control. Vatankhah-Varnosfaderani
et al.
created triblock copolymers of the ABA variety, where the A blocks have a linear structure and the B blocks are like bottlebrushes. When strained, these polymers stiffened like human skin and changed color, thus giving the materials a range of adaptive properties.

Science
, this issue p.
1509
Questioning quantum mechanics
What Is Real? The Unfinished Quest for the Meaning of Quantum Physics
Adam Becker
Basic Books, 2018. 381 pp.
Authors: Frappier Mélanie
Published: March 2018

In a critique of the Copenhagen dogma, a physicist gives voice to “quantum dissidents”
What's in a name?
The Art of Naming
Michael Ohl Translated by Elisabeth Lauffer
MIT Press, 2018. 310 pp.
Authors: Goldsmith Gregory R.
Published: March 2018

A taxonomist contemplates the implications involved in naming new species
Change is key to frog survival
Authors: Collins James P.
Published: March 2018

Changes in host traits help amphibian populations to survive chytrid infection
Absence of Azole or Echinocandin Resistance in Candida glabrata Isolates in India despite Background Prevalence of Strains with Defects in the DNA Mismatch Repair Pathway
Authors: Singh Ashutosh , Healey Kelley R. , Yadav Priyanka , Upadhyaya Gargi , Sachdeva Neelam , Sarma Smita , Kumar Anil , Tarai Bansidhar , Perlin David S. , Chowdhary Anuradha
Published: March 2018

Candida glabrata
infections are increasing worldwide and exhibit greater rates of antifungal resistance than those with other species. DNA mismatch repair (MMR) gene deletions, such as
msh2Δ
, in
C. glabrata
resulting in a mutator phenotype have recently been reported to facilitate rapid acquisition of antifungal resistance. This study determined the antifungal susceptibility profiles of 210
C. glabrata
isolates in 10 hospitals in India and investigated the impact of novel
MSH2
polymorphisms on mutation potential. No echinocandin- or azole-resistant strains and no mutations in
FKS
hot spot regions were detected among the
C. glabrata
isolates, supporting our
in vitro
susceptibility testing results. CLSI antifungal susceptibility data showed that the MICs of anidulafungin (geometric mean [GM], 0.12 μg/ml) and micafungin (GM, 0.01 μg/ml) were lower and below the susceptibility breakpoint compared to that of caspofungin (CAS) (GM, 1.31 μg/ml). Interestingly, 69% of the
C. glabrata
strains sequenced contained six nonsynonymous mutations in
MSH2
, i.e., V239L and the novel mutations E459K, R847C, Q386K, T772S, and V239/D946E. Functional analysis of
MSH2
mutations revealed that 49% of the tested strains (40/81) contained a partial loss-of-function
MSH2
mutation. The novel
MSH2
substitution Q386K produced higher frequencies of CAS-resistant colonies upon expression in the
msh2Δ
mutant. However, expression of two other novel
MSH2
alleles, i.e., E459K or R847C, did not confer selection of resistant colonies, confirming that not all mutations in the
MSH2
MMR pathway affect its function or generate a phenotype of resistance to antifungal drugs. The lack of drug resistance prevented any correlations from being drawn with respect to
MSH2
genotype.
Quantitative Imaging Flow Cytometry of Legionella-Infected Dictyostelium Amoebae Reveals the Impact of Retrograde Trafficking on Pathogen Vacuole Composition
Authors: Welin Amanda , Weber Stephen , Hilbi Hubert
Published: March 2018

The ubiquitous environmental bacterium
Legionella pneumophila
survives and replicates within amoebae and human macrophages by forming a
Legionella
-containing vacuole (LCV). In an intricate process governed by the bacterial Icm/Dot type IV secretion system and a plethora of effector proteins, the nascent LCV interferes with a number of intracellular trafficking pathways, including retrograde transport from endosomes to the Golgi apparatus. Conserved retrograde trafficking components, such as the retromer coat complex or the phosphoinositide (PI) 5-phosphatase
D. discoideum
5-phosphatase 4 (Dd5P4)/oculocerebrorenal syndrome of Lowe (OCRL), restrict intracellular replication of
L. pneumophila
by an unknown mechanism. Here, we established an imaging flow cytometry (IFC) approach to assess in a rapid, unbiased, and large-scale quantitative manner the role of retrograde-linked PI metabolism and actin dynamics in the LCV composition. Exploiting
Dictyostelium discoideum
genetics, we found that Dd5P4 modulates the acquisition of fluorescently labeled LCV markers, such as calnexin, the small GTPase Rab1 (but not Rab7 and Rab8), and retrograde trafficking components (Vps5, Vps26, Vps35). The actin-nucleating protein and retromer interactor WASH (Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein [WASP] and suppressor of cAMP receptor [SCAR] homologue) promotes the accumulation of Rab1 and Rab8 on LCVs. Collectively, our findings validate IFC for the quantitative and unbiased analysis of the pathogen vacuole composition and reveal the impact of retrograde-linked PI metabolism and actin dynamics on the LCV composition. The IFC approach employed here can be adapted for a molecular analysis of the pathogen vacuole composition of other amoeba-resistant pathogens.

IMPORTANCE
Legionella pneumophila
is an amoeba-resistant environmental bacterium which can cause a life-threatening pneumonia termed Legionnaires' disease. In order to replicate intracellularly, the opportunistic pathogen forms a protective compartment, the
Legionella
-containing vacuole (LCV). An in-depth analysis of the LCV composition and the complex process of pathogen vacuole formation is crucial for understanding the virulence of
L. pneumophila
. Here, we established an imaging flow cytometry (IFC) approach to assess in a rapid, unbiased, and quantitative manner the accumulation of fluorescently labeled markers and probes on LCVs. Using IFC and
L. pneumophila
-infected
Dictyostelium discoideum
or defined mutant amoebae, a role for phosphoinositide (PI) metabolism, retrograde trafficking, and the actin cytoskeleton in the LCV composition was revealed. In principle, the powerful IFC approach can be used to analyze the molecular composition of any cellular compartment harboring bacterial pathogens.
eCD4-Ig Variants That More Potently Neutralize HIV-1
Authors: Fetzer Ina , Gardner Matthew R. , Davis-Gardner Meredith E. , Prasad Neha R. , Alfant Barnett , Weber Jesse A. , Farzan Michael
Published: March 2018

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) entry inhibitor eCD4-Ig is a fusion of CD4-Ig and a coreceptor-mimetic peptide. eCD4-Ig is markedly more potent than CD4-Ig, with neutralization efficiencies approaching those of HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). However, unlike bNAbs, eCD4-Ig neutralized all HIV-1, HIV-2, and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) isolates that it has been tested against, suggesting that it may be useful in clinical settings, where antibody escape is a concern. Here, we characterize three new eCD4-Ig variants, each with a different architecture and each utilizing D1.22, a stabilized form of CD4 domain 1. These variants were 10- to 20-fold more potent than our original eCD4-Ig variant, with a construct bearing four D1.22 domains (eD1.22-HL-Ig) exhibiting the greatest potency. However, this variant mediated less efficient antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity than eCD4-Ig itself or several other eCD4-Ig variants, including the smallest variant (eD1.22-Ig). A variant with the same architecture as the original eCD4-Ig (eD1.22-D2-Ig) showed modestly higher thermal stability and best prevented the promotion of infection of CCR5-positive, CD4-negative cells. All three variants, and eCD4-Ig itself, mediated more efficient shedding of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 than did CD4-Ig. Finally, we show that only three D1.22 mutations contributed to the potency of eD1.22-D2-Ig and that introduction of these changes into eCD4-Ig resulted in a variant 9-fold more potent than eCD4-Ig and 2-fold more potent than eD1.22-D2-Ig. These studies will assist in developing eCD4-Ig variants with properties optimized for prophylaxis, therapy, and cure applications.

IMPORTANCEHIV-1 bNAbs have properties different from those of antiretroviral compounds. Specifically, antibodies can enlist immune effector cells to eliminate infected cells, whereas antiretroviral compounds simply interfere with various steps in the viral life cycle. Unfortunately, HIV-1 is adept at evading antibody recognition, limiting the utility of antibodies as a treatment for HIV-1 infection or as part of an effort to eradicate latently infected cells. eCD4-Ig is an antibody-like entry inhibitor that closely mimics HIV-1's obligate receptors. eCD4-Ig appears to be qualitatively different from antibodies, since it neutralizes all HIV-1, HIV-2, and SIV isolates. Here, we characterize three new structurally distinct eCD4-Ig variants and show that each excels in a key property useful to prevent, treat, or cure an HIV-1 infection. For example, one variant neutralized HIV-1 most efficiently, while others best enlisted natural killer cells to eliminate infected cells. These observations will help generate eCD4-Ig variants optimized for different clinical applications.
Exploring factors impacting early childhood health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities: protocol for a population-based cohort study using data linkage (the ‘Defying the Odds’ study)
Authors: McNamara Bridgette , Gubhaju Lina , Jorm Louisa , Preen David , Jones Jocelyn , Joshy Grace , Shepherd Carrington , McAullay Daniel , Eades Sandra
Published: March 2018

Introduction

Empirical evidence on family and community risk and protective factors influencing the comparatively high rates of potentially preventable hospitalisations and deaths among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants and children is limited. As is evidence on geographical variation in these risks. The ‘Defying the Odds’ study aims to explore the impact of perinatal outcomes, maternal social and health outcomes and level of culturally secure service availability on the health outcomes of Western Australian (WA) Aboriginal infants and children aged 0–5 years.

Methods and analysis

The study combines a retrospective cohort study that uses state-wide linked health and administrative data from 12 data sources for multiple generations within Aboriginal families in WA, with specifically collected survey data from health and social services supporting Aboriginal families in regions of WA. Data sources include perinatal/birth registration, hospital, emergency department, mental health services, drug and alcohol service use, mortality, infectious disease notifications, and child protection and family services. Multilevel regression models will be used to examine the intensity of admissions and presentations, mortality, intensity of long stays and morbidity-free survival (no admissions) for Aboriginal children born in WA in 2000–2013. Relationships between maternal (and grand-maternal) health and social factors and child health outcomes will be quantified. Community-level variation in outcomes for Aboriginal children and factors contributing to this variation will be examined, including the availability of culturally secure services. Online surveys were sent to staff members at relevant services to explore the scope, reach and cultural security of services available to support Aboriginal families across selected regions of WA.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approvals have been granted for the study. Interpretation and dissemination are guided by the study team’s Aboriginal leadership and reference groups. Dissemination will be through direct feedback and reports to health services in the study and via scientific publications and policy recommendations.
Comparison of general anaesthesia and non-general anaesthesia approach in transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Eskandari Mehdi , Aldalati Omar , Dworakowski Rafal , Byrne Jonathan A , Alcock Emma , Wendler Olaf , MacCarthy Philip A , Ludman Peter F , Hildick-Smith David J R , Monaghan Mark J
Published: March 2018

Objective

Performing transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) without general anaesthesia (GA) has been increasingly adopted. We sought to study the impact of GA and non-GA approaches on procedural outcome and 30-day and 1-year mortality in transfemoral TAVI.

Methods

The UK TAVI registry holds information for every TAVI procedure in the UK. We analysed the data for patients implanted during 2013–2014 using either an Edwards Sapien or a Medtronic CoreValve prosthesis. Propensity score-matching analysis was performed to adjust for confounding factors.

Results

2243 patients were studied (aged 81.4±7.5 years, 1195 males). 1816 (81%) underwent TAVI with GA and 427 (19%) without GA. Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) was used in 92.3% of GA and 12.4% of non-GA cases (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in the rate of successful valve deployment (GA 97.2% vs non-GA 95.7%, p=0.104) and in the incidence of more than mild aortic regurgitation (AR) at the end of the procedure (GA 5.6% vs non-GA 7.0%, p=0.295). However, procedure time was longer (131±60 vs 121±60mins, p=0.002) and length of stay was greater (8.0±13.5 vs 5.7±5.5 days, p<0.001) for GA cases. 30-day and 1-year mortality rates did not differ between the GA and non-GA cases. After propensity matching, these results remained unchanged. A second propensity analysis (adjusted for mode of anaesthesia) did not show an association between use of TOE and rate of successful valve deployment or frequency of significant AR. Neither was TOE associated with a longer procedural time or greater length of stay.

Conclusion

Procedure outcome, and 30-day and 1-year mortality are not influenced by mode of anaesthesia. However, GA is associated with longer procedure duration and greater length of stay.
Correlation of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant exposure and cerebral microbleeds in Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Soo Yannie , Abrigo Jill , Leung Kam Tat , Liu Wenyan , Lam Bonnie , Tsang Suk Fung , Ip Vincent , Ma Karen , Ip Bonaventure , Ma Sze Ho , Fan Florence , Chu Winnie , Wong Lawrence , Mok Vincent , Leung Thomas W
Published: March 2018

Background and purpose

Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are radiological markers which predict future intracerebral haemorrhage. Researchers are exploring how CMBs can guide anticoagulation decisions in atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the correlation of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC) exposure and prevalence of CMBs in Chinese patients with AF.

Methods

We prospectively recruited Chinese patients with AF on NOAC therapy of ≥30 days for 3T MRI brain for evaluation of CMBs and white matter hyperintensities. Patients with AF without prior exposure to oral anticoagulation were recruited as control group.

Results

A total of 282 patients were recruited, including 124 patients in NOAC group and 158 patients in control group. Mean duration of NOAC exposure was 723.8±500.3 days. CMBs were observed in 103 (36.5%) patients. No significant correlation was observed between duration of NOAC exposure and quantity of CMBs. After adjusting for confounding factors (ie, age, hypertension, labile hypertension, stroke history and white matter scores), previous intracerebral haemorrhage was predictive of CMBs (OR 15.28, 95% CI 1.81 to 129.16), particularly lobar CMBs (OR 5.37, 95% CI 1.27 to 22.6). While white matter score was predictive of mixed lobar CMBs (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.5), both exposure and duration of NOAC use were not predictive of presence of CMBs.

Conclusions

In Chinese patients with AF, duration of NOAC exposure did not correlate with prevalence and burden of CMBs. Further studies with follow-up MRI are needed to determine if long-term NOAC therapy can lead to development of new CMBs.
Optimal ventilator strategies for trauma-related ARDS
Authors: Goatly Giles , Guidozzi N , Khan M
Published: March 2018

Background

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was first described in the 1960s and has become a major area of research due to the mortality and morbidity associated with it. ARDS is currently defined using the Berlin Consensus; however, this is not wholly applicable for trauma-related ARDS.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was undertaken using the Preferred Reporting for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses methodology. The Ovid Medline, Web of Science and PubMed online databases were interrogated for papers published between 1 January 1995 and 31 December 2017.

Results

The literature search yielded a total of 64 papers that fulfilled the search criteria.

Conclusions

Despite decades of dedicated research into different treatment modalities, ARDS continues to carry a high burden of mortality. The ARDS definitions laid out in the Berlin consensus are not entirely suited to trauma. While trauma-related ARDS represents a small portion of the available research, the evidence continues to favour low tidal volume ventilation as the benchmark for current practice. Positive end expiratory ventilation and airway pressure release ventilation in trauma cohorts may be beneficial; however, the evidence to date does not show this.
Immediate effects of an artificial change in hoof angulation on the dorsal metacarpophalangeal joint angle and cross‐sectional areas of both flexor tendons
Authors: Hagen Jenny , Kojah Kaid , Geiger Michael , Vogel Mandy
Published: March 2018

Corrective shoeing is used to change hoof angulation with the intention to influence the angulation of the digital joints to reduce strain on associated tendons. The objective of this study is to examine how gradual changes in hoof angulation affect the dorsal metacarpophalangeal joint (DMPJ) angulation and cross‐sectional areas (CSAs) of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) and superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) concerning the individual toe conformation. Forelimbs of 30 horses were examined barefoot and equipped with 5°, 10° and 20° toe wedges (TWs) and heel wedges (HWs). Phalangeal angulation and lengths were measured in lateromedial radiographs of the digit. CSAs of both flexor tendons was calculated in sonographic images. Significant effects on the DMPJ and CSA of the DDFT/SDFT were measured with 10° and 20° HWs or 20° TWs. Both flexor tendons showed increasing CSA after heel elevation. Significant interindividual variations occurred. Phalangeal angulation and length influenced the responsivity of the parameters to a changed hoof angulation. Significant impact of corrective shoeing on the DMPJ and flexor tendons is related to a distinct change in hoof orientation and varies with individual toe conformation. Similar response of the DDFT and SDFT to raised and lowered hoof orientation needs further investigation for a more specific application of therapeutic shoeing.
Peter Stewart Hastie
Authors: Dyson Sue
Published: March 2018

A veterinary surgeon who left a legacy of pursuing clinical excellence and never really retired.
VOLUNTARY VERIFIABLE INFORMATION DISCLOSURE AND LOAN FUNDING PERFORMANCE: EVIDENCE FROM PAIPAIDAI IN CHINA
Authors: LI YING , SO JACKY , YUAN JIA
Published: March 2018

We investigate what mechanism helps to motivate the willingness of Chinese people to lend money to strangers online in the peer-to-peer (P2P) lending market. We argue that the voluntary verifiable information disclosure created by Chinese P2P practitioners helps to mitigate the asymmetric information problem and facilitates lending transactions between lenders and borrowers. We exploit a unique individual level data set obtained from Paipaidai, a leading Chinese P2P company, and evaluate the extent that the voluntary verifiable information disclosure helps to ease adverse selection problems. We find that information disclosure does increase the probability that a loan listing will be successfully funded by around 10% on average. We also find that the voluntary verifiable information disclosure helps to decrease the equilibrium interest rate by around 0.2% on average.
Three-dimensional graphene as gas diffusion layer for micro direct methanol fuel cell
Authors: Zhu Yingli , Zhang Xiaojian , Li Jianyu , Qi Gary
Published: March 2018

The gas diffusion layer (GDL), as an important structure of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), provides a support layer for the catalyst and the fuel and the product channel. Traditionally, the material of GDL is generally carbon paper (CP). In this paper, a new material, namely three-dimensional graphene (3DG) is used as GDL for micro DMFC. The experimental results reveal that the performance of the DMFC has been improved significantly by application of 3DG. The peak powers increase from 25 mW to 31.2 mW and 32 mW by using 3DG as the anode and cathode GDL instead of CP, respectively. The reason may be the decrease of charge and mass transfer resistance of the cell. This means that the unique 3D porous architecture of the 3DG can provide lower contact resistance and sufficient fuel diffusion paths. The output performance of the cell will be further improved when porous metal current collectors is used.
Aspects of electron transport in zigzag graphene nanoribbons
Authors: Bhalla Pankaj , Pratap Surender
Published: March 2018

In this paper, we investigate the aspects of electron transport in the zigzag graphene nanoribbons (ZGNRs) using the nonequilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) formalism. The latter is an esoteric tool in mesoscopic physics. It is used to perform an analysis of ZGNRs by considering potential well. Within this potential, the dependence of transmission coefficient, local density of states (LDOS) and electron transport properties on number of atoms per unit cell is discussed. It is observed that there is an increment in electron and thermal conductance with increasing number of atoms. In addition to these properties, the dependence of same is also studied in figure of merit. The results infer that the contribution of electrons to enhance the figure of merit is important above the crossover temperature.
Evidence of cosmic strings by the observation of the alignment of quasar polarization axes on Mpc scale
Authors: Slagter Reinoud Jan
Published: March 2018

The recently found alignment of the polarization axes (PA) of quasars in large quasar groups (LQGs) on Mpc scales can be explained by general relativistic cosmic string networks. By considering the cosmic string as a result of spontaneous symmetry breaking of the gauged U(1) abelian Higgs model with topological charge [Formula: see text], many stability features of [Formula: see text]-vortex solutions of superconductivity can be taken over. Decay of the high multiplicity ([Formula: see text]) super-conducting vortex into a lattice of [Formula: see text] vortices of unit magnetic flux is energetically favorable. The temporarily broken axial symmetry will leave an imprint of a preferred azimuthal-angle on the lattice. The stability of the lattice depends critically on the parameters of the model, especially when gravity comes into play.

In order to handle the strong nonlinear behavior of the time-dependent coupled field equations of gravity and the scalar-gauge field, we will use a high-frequency approximation scheme to second order on a warped 5D axially symmetric spacetime with the scalar-gauge field residing on the brane. We consider different winding numbers for the subsequent orders of perturbations of the scalar field. A profound contribution to the energy–momentum tensor comes from the bulk spacetime and can be understood as “dark”-energy. The cosmic string becomes super-massive by the contribution of the 5D Weyl tensor on the brane and the stored azimuthal preferences will not fade away. During the recovery to axial symmetry, gravitational and electro-magnetic radiation will be released.

The perturbative appearance of a nonzero energy–momentum component [Formula: see text] can be compared with the phenomenon of bifurcation along the Maclaurin–Jacobi sequence of equilibrium ellipsoids of self-gravitating compact objects, signaling the onset of secular instabilities. There is a kind of similarity with the Goldstone-boson modes of spontaneously broken symmetries of continuous groups. The recovery of the SO(2) symmetry from the equatorial eccentricity takes place on a time-scale comparable with the emission of gravitational waves.

The emergent azimuthal-angle dependency in our model can be used to explain the aligned PA in LQGs on Mpc scales. Spin axis direction perpendicular to the major axes of LQGs when the richness decreases can be explained as a second-order effect in our approximation scheme by the higher multiplicity terms. The preferred directions are modulo [Formula: see text], with [Formula: see text] being an integer dependent on the [Formula: see text]th order of approximation.

When more data of quasars of high redshift becomes available, one could prove that the alignment emerged after the symmetry breaking scale and must have a cosmological origin. The effect of the warp factor on the second-order perturbations could also be an indication of the existence of extra large dimensions.
INFLUENCE OF ARGON PRESSURE ON MICROSTRUCTURE AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF Zn0.9Se:Co0.1 THIN FILMS PREPARED BY PULSED LASER DEPOSITION
Authors: LI SHU FENG , WANG LI , SU XUEQIONG , GAO DONGWEN , KONG LE
Published: March 2018

Zn[Formula: see text]Se:Co[Formula: see text] thin films were deposited on sapphire (Al2O3) substrates in argon atmosphere at various gas pressures by pulsed laser deposition. Influence of argon pressure on the thickness, surface morphology, crystal structure and optical properties of the thin films were investigated by various diagnosis tools. It was found that these physical properties were correlated to the argon pressure and appeared like a mutation between the pressure of 2[Formula: see text]Pa and 4[Formula: see text]Pa. As the deposition pressure changed from 2[Formula: see text]Pa to 4[Formula: see text]Pa, the collision probability between ablated species and argon molecule was increased, which resulted in the transformation of the deposition type from sputter effect to adsorption effect and the mutation of film thickness and structure. These in turn influence the transmission range and band gap of the films. All of the results suggest that the ambient pressure is a very important factor to the deposition of Zn[Formula: see text]Se:Co[Formula: see text] films by PLD.
Effect of the Casimir Force on Buckling of a Double-Nanowire System with Surface Effects
Authors: Zou J. , Li X.-F.
Published: March 2018

Structural stability of a double-nanowire system with surface effects subjected to axial compressive forces is analyzed. Taking into account the Casimir force between the two nanowires, two coupled governing equations for buckling of a double-nanowire system are derived. For four typical end supports including simply-supported, clamped, cantilevered, and clamped-pinned double-nanowire systems, the characteristic equations are derived and the critical loads are determined for the out-of-phase in-plane buckling. Numerical results indicate that positive surface elasticity enhances the load-carrying capacity of the nanowires, and the reverse is also true. The Casimir force and residual surface tension always increase the critical loads.