bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Degradation paths of manganese-based MOF materials in a model oxidative environment: a computational study
Authors: Khramenkova Elena V. , Polynski Mikhail V. , Vinogradov Alexander V. , Pidko Evgeny A.
Published: June 2018

Understanding MOF degradation for controlled drug delivery.
Theoretical study on photophysical properties of three high water solubility polypyridyl complexes for two-photon photodynamic therapy
Authors: Liu Ying-Tao , Yin Xue , Lai Xiao-Yong , Wang Xin
Published: June 2018

Two-photon photodynamic therapy (TP-PDT) is a very promising treatment that has drawn much attention in recent years due to its ability to penetrate deeper into tissues and minimize the damage to normal cells.
Isomer discrimination in condensed phase by laser-induced breakdown spectrometry and laser-ionization mass spectrometry using a tailored paired-pulse excitation scheme
Authors: Delgado Tomás , Vadillo José M. , Laserna J. Javier
Published: June 2018

A new excitation scheme for direct analysis of organic compounds in condensed phase is described.
Persistierendes Foramen ovale – aktuelles Vorgehen
Authors: Schön Steffen P. , Wunderlich Carsten , Braun Martin , Kretzler Lucie , Wiedemann Stephan , Christoph Marian
Published: June 2018

Das persistierende Foramen ovale (PFO) kann bei 25 – 30% der Bevölkerung nachgewiesen werden. Über ein PFO kann es zu einer paradoxen Embolie und zum Schlaganfall kommen. Nach neueren Studien scheint der PFO-Verschluss bei Patienten mit kryptogenem Schlaganfall embolisch-ischämische Rezidive effektiver vermeiden zu können als eine medikamentöse Therapie.
Visible-Light-Induced Decarboxylative Iodination of Aromatic Carboxylic Acids
Authors: Fu Hua , Jiang Min , Yang Haijun , Jin Yunhe , Ou Lunyu
Published: June 2018

A convenient, efficient and practical visible-light-induced decarboxylative iodination of aromatic carboxylic acids has been developed, and the corresponding aryl iodides were obtained in good yields. The method shows some advantages including the use of readily available aromatic carboxylic acids as the starting materials, simple and mild conditions, high efficiency, wide substrate scope and tolerance of various functional groups.
Evaluation of the Utility of von Willebrand Factor Propeptide in the Differential Diagnosis of von Willebrand Disease and Acquired von Willebrand Syndrome
Authors: Stufano Francesca , Boscarino Marco , Bucciarelli Paolo , Baronciani Luciano , Maino Alberto , Cozzi Giovanna , Peyvandi Flora
Published: June 2018

An increased von Willebrand factor propeptide (VWFpp) to VWF antigen (VWF:Ag) ratio (VWFpp/VWF:Ag) indicates an enhanced clearance of VWF. This finding has been described in von Willebrand disease (VWD) and in acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS). A distinction between these two diseases, one congenital and the other acquired, is primarily based on family and personal history of bleeding. However, if this information is scanty, the diagnosis might be challenging due to the lack of an effective diagnostic biomarker. In this cross-sectional study, we assessed the ability of VWFpp/VWF:Ag for the differential diagnosis between VWD and AVWS. VWFpp/VWF:Ag was measured in a group of 153 patients (125 with VWD and 28 with AVWS). Most patients with AVWS and VWD showed an increased VWFpp/VWF:Ag, although to variable degrees. A marked increase of VWFpp/VWF:Ag was mainly associated with the diagnosis of AVWS and VWD type 1 Vicenza. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to identify the optimal cutoff of VWFpp/VWF:Ag for discrimination of patients with a modestly increased (most VWD cases) versus those with a markedly increased clearance (AVWS and VWD type 1 Vicenza), and this cutoff was identified at the value of 3.9 (sensitivity: 0.70, specificity: 0.97). The ROC curve sorting from a logistic model containing VWFpp/VWF:Ag, age, and sex had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.88 (95% confidence interval: 0.80–0.95). A subsequent molecular evaluation discriminated VWD type 1 Vicenza from AVWS. In conclusion, VWFpp/VWF:Ag appears helpful to discriminate patients with a markedly increase VWF clearance (AVWS or VWD type 1 Vicenza) from those with a modestly increased clearance (most VWD patients).
From phase space to multivector matrix models
Authors: Valenzuela Mauricio
Published: June 2018

Combining elements of twistor-space, phase space, and Clifford algebras, we propose a framework for the construction and quantization of certain (quadric) varieties described by Lorentz-covariant multivector coordinates. The correspondent multivectors can be parametrized by second order polynomials in the phase space. Thus the multivectors play a double role, as covariant objects in D = 2, 3, 4 Mod 8 space-time dimensions and as mechanical observables of a non-relativistic system in 2[D/2]−1 Euclidean dimensions. The latter attribute permits a dual interpretation of concepts of non-relativistic mechanics as applying to relativistic space-time geometry. Introducing the Groenewold-Moyal *-product and Wigner distributions in phase space induces Lorentz-covariant non-commutativity, and it provides the spectra of geometrical observables. We propose also new (multivector) matrix models, interpreted as descending from the interaction term of a Yang-Mills theory with minimally coupled massive fermions, in the large-N limit, which serves as a physical model containing the constructed multivector (fuzzy) geometries. We also include a section on speculative aspects on a possible cosmological effect and the origin of space-time entropy.
Deepening subwavelength acoustic resonance via metamaterials with universal broadband elliptical microstructure
Authors: Rowley William D. , Parnell William J. , Abrahams I. David , Voisey S. Ruth , Lamb John , Etaix Nicolas
Published: June 2018

Slow sound is a frequently exploited phenomenon that metamaterials can induce in order to permit wave energy compression, redirection, imaging, sound absorption, and other special functionalities. Generally, however, such slow sound structures have a poor impedance match to air, particularly at low frequencies and consequently exhibit strong transmission only in narrow frequency ranges. This therefore strongly restricts their application in wave manipulation devices. In this work, we design a slow sound medium that halves the effective speed of sound in air over a wide range of low frequencies (hence our referral to the microstructure as “broadband”), whilst simultaneously maintaining a near impedance match to air. This is achieved with a rectangular array of acoustically rigid cylinders of elliptical cross section, a microstructure that is motivated by combining transformation acoustics with homogenization. Microstructural parameters are optimized in order to provide the required anisotropic material properties as well as near impedance matching. We then employ this microstructure in order to halve the size of a quarter-wavelength resonator (QWR) or equivalently to halve the resonant frequency of a QWR of a given size. This provides significant space savings in the context of low-frequency tonal noise attenuation in confined environments where the absorbing material is adjacent to the region in which sound propagates, such as in a duct. We employ the term “universal” since we envisage that this microstructure may be employed in a number of diverse applications involving sound manipulation.
PIND: High spatial resolution by pinhole neutron diffraction
Authors: Wu Wei , Stoica Alexandru D. , Berry Kevin D. , Frost Matthew J. , Skorpenske Harley D. , An Ke
Published: June 2018

A pinhole neutron diffraction (PIND) technique was developed to enable improving the spatial resolution down to 250 μm. Instead of the conventional engineering diffraction method which integrates all the diffraction signals on the detector plane, the PIND setup utilizes the diffraction pattern of each pixel on 2D detectors. The proposed PIND arrangement enables improving the spatial resolution of time-of-flight instruments and allows solving problems involving steep gradients of strain or texture. The phase content and preferential orientation of grains inside samples can be spatially resolved in 2D/3D. Further, PIND retains the capability of in-situ non-destructive neutron diffraction mapping of lattice strain and grain orientation under external stimuli such as temperature and force.
Sparse identification of nonlinear dynamics for rapid model recovery
Authors: Quade Markus , Abel Markus , Nathan Kutz J. , Brunton Steven L.
Published: June 2018

Big data have become a critically enabling component of emerging mathematical methods aimed at the automated discovery of dynamical systems, where first principles modeling may be intractable. However, in many engineering systems, abrupt changes must be rapidly characterized based on limited, incomplete, and noisy data. Many leading automated learning techniques rely on unrealistically large data sets, and it is unclear how to leverage prior knowledge effectively to re-identify a model after an abrupt change. In this work, we propose a conceptual framework to recover parsimonious models of a system in response to abrupt changes in the low-data limit. First, the abrupt change is detected by comparing the estimated Lyapunov time of the data with the model prediction. Next, we apply the sparse identification of nonlinear dynamics (SINDy) regression to update a previously identified model with the fewest changes, either by addition, deletion, or modification of existing model terms. We demonstrate this sparse model recovery on several examples for abrupt system change detection in periodic and chaotic dynamical systems. Our examples show that sparse updates to a previously identified model perform better with less data, have lower runtime complexity, and are less sensitive to noise than identifying an entirely new model. The proposed abrupt-SINDy architecture provides a new paradigm for the rapid and efficient recovery of a system model after abrupt changes.
Octave bandwidth hybrid-coupled microstrip diplexer for a broadband radio astronomy receiver
Authors: Villa E. , Aja B. , Artal E. , de la Fuente L.
Published: June 2018

A new octave bandwidth high selectivity compact microstrip diplexer working in the band from 10 to 20 GHz is presented, intended to be a part of an electro-optical interferometer covering the whole frequency band. The circuit is based on the combination of hybrid couplers and bandpass filters both on the microstrip technology. The diplexer provides two output frequency bands which cover the 10–14 GHz (relative bandwidth of 33%) and the 16–20 GHz (relative bandwidth of 22%) ranges, respectively, with a stop band in between from 14 to 16 GHz. Measured results show a insertion loss level of 3.3 dB for both output bands and high selectivity performance, exhibiting a rejection level between output bands higher than 20 dB and return loss better than 10 dB in all ports.
Topological Dirac semimetal phase in GexSny alloys
Authors: Kong Xiangru , Li Linyang , Peeters François M.
Published: June 2018

Recently, two stable allotropes (germancite and stancite) for the group IV elements (Ge and Sn) with a staggered layered dumbell structure were proposed to be three-dimensional (3D) topological Dirac semimetals [Phys. Rev. B 93, 241117 (2016)]. A pair of Dirac points is on the rotation axis away from the time-reversal invariant momentum, and the stability of the 3D bulk Dirac points is protected by the C3 rotation symmetry. Here, we use the first principles calculations to investigate GexSny alloys which share the same rhombohedral crystal structure with the space group of D3d6. Six GexSny alloys are predicted to be energetically and dynamically stable, where (x, y) = (8, 6) and (6, 8) and the α and β phases of (10, 4) and (4, 10). Our results demonstrate that all the six GexSny alloys are topological Dirac semimetals. The different nontrivial surface states and surface Fermi arcs are identified. Our work will substantially enrich the family of 3D Dirac semimetals which are within the reach of experimental realization.
Modulation of transcriptional burst frequency by histone acetylation
Authors: Nicolas Damien , Zoller Benjamin , Suter David M. , Naef Felix
Published: June 2018

Significance

Single-cell approaches have shown that many mammalian genes are transcribed stochastically in bursts of specific sizes and frequencies; however, molecular mechanisms controlling these bursting parameters have remained largely undetermined. By studying transcriptional bursting of a luciferase reporter controlled by a circadian gene promoter, we found that the gene integration site mainly influenced the burst size, while the circadian time primarily modulated the burst frequency. These daily variations in burst frequency correlated with histone acetylation levels, and CRISPR-Cas9–mediated acetylation of the promoter was sufficient to change the burst frequency. Since this correlation was also observed in other genes and in several cell types, we conclude that the impact of histone acetylation on gene expression is achieved mainly through modulation of burst frequency.
Cryo-EM structure of human mitochondrial trifunctional protein
Authors: Liang Kai , Li Ningning , Wang Xiao , Dai Jianye , Liu Pulan , Wang Chu , Chen Xiao-Wei , Gao Ning , Xiao Junyu
Published: June 2018

Significance

The β-oxidation is a fundamental metabolic pathway that breaks down fatty acid molecules to generate energy. The mitochondrial trifunctional protein (TFP) catalyzes three reactions during this process, and mutations in the TFP subunits cause diseases such as mitochondrial trifunctional protein deficiency and acute fatty liver of pregnancy. Despite the fact that the reactions catalyzed by the TFP are well documented in almost all major biochemistry textbooks, the structure of the human TFP is not yet known. Here using the cryo-EM single-particle reconstruction method, we have determined a 4.2-Å structure of the human TFP. Our results provide insights into the function of an important enzyme complex and shed light on the molecular pathology of human fatty acid oxidation disorders.
Asf1a resolves bivalent chromatin domains for the induction of lineage-specific genes during mouse embryonic stem cell differentiation
Authors: Gao Yuan , Gan Haiyun , Lou Zhenkun , Zhang Zhiguo
Published: June 2018

Significance

ES cells possess the unique capacity to self-renew as well as differentiate into specialized cell types. It is known that transcription factors and chromatin regulators regulate the cell-fate choices during differentiation. We report unexpectedly that Asf1a, a histone chaperone involved in nucleosome assembly, regulates mouse ES cell differentiation. Mechanistically, we show that Asf1a functions in nucleosome disassembly to resolve the bivalent chromatin domains at lineage-specific genes for gene activation during differentiation. These insights will likely be applicable for understanding human ES cell differentiation and regenerative medicine.
Changes in white matter in mice resulting from low-frequency brain stimulation
Authors: Piscopo Denise M. , Weible Aldis P. , Rothbart Mary K. , Posner Michael I. , Niell Cristopher M.
Published: June 2018

Significance

Meditation has been shown to modify brain connections. However, the cellular mechanisms by which this occurs are not known. We hypothesized that changes in white matter found following meditation may be due to increased rhythmicity observed in frontal areas in the cortex. The current study in mice tested this directly by rhythmically stimulating cells in the frontal midline. We found that such stimulation caused an increase in connectivity due to changes in the axons in the corpus callosum, which transmit impulses to and from the frontal midline. This work provides a plausible but not proven mechanism through which a mental activity such as meditation can improve brain connectivity.
Altering gain of the infralimbic-to-accumbens shell circuit alters economically dissociable decision-making algorithms
Authors: Sweis Brian M. , Larson Erin B. , Redish A. David , Thomas Mark J.
Published: June 2018

Significance

Synaptic remodeling in the infralimbic-to-accumbens shell (IL–NAcSh) circuit is linked to addiction relapse susceptibility; however, how these changes interact with decision-making computations remains unclear. We develop a neurophysiological assay to measure the strength of a specific circuit at the ensemble level. We then use that assay in combination with a neuroeconomic task to provide causal evidence that synaptic strength of the IL–NAcSh mediates distinct aspects of decision-making information processing. We find that individual differences in IL–NAcSh strength mediate reevaluations behaviorally resolvable from parallel, co-occurring deliberative valuations. An important implication of our work is that acutely delivered circuit-specific plasticity manipulations can produce long-lasting computation-specific effects on certain kinds of choices and can potentially serve as a therapeutic neuromodulation intervention.
A second RNA-binding protein is essential for ethanol tolerance provided by the bacterial OLE ribonucleoprotein complex
Authors: Harris Kimberly A. , Zhou Zhiyuan , Peters Michelle L. , Wilkins Sarah G. , Breaker Ronald R.
Published: June 2018

Significance

Although large bacterial noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are rare, those whose functions have been experimentally established perform fundamental roles in genetic information transfer, RNA processing, and protein production and localization. OLE (ornate, large, extremophilic) RNAs represent one of the most widespread and well-conserved classes of bacterial ncRNAs whose activities remain unknown. We have identified mutations in an OLE-associated protein (OapA), an essential partner for OLE RNA, which cause more severe inhibition of host bacterial growth under cold or ethanol stress conditions compared with knockout strains lacking OLE or OapA. A genetic screen using a bacterial strain carrying the mutant OapA protein revealed another protein partner that also forms a complex with OLE RNA, and is essential for the biological function of this mysterious bacterial ncRNA.
Aldehydes are the predominant forces inducing DNA damage and inhibiting DNA repair in tobacco smoke carcinogenesis
Authors: Weng Mao-wen , Lee Hyun-Wook , Park Sung-Hyun , Hu Yu , Wang Hsing-Tsui , Chen Lung-Chi , Rom William N. , Huang William C. , Lepor Herbert , Wu Xue-Ru , Yang Chung S. , Tang Moon-shong
Published: June 2018

Significance

Tobacco smoke (TS) contains numerous carcinogens. Intriguingly, while TS itself is a weak carcinogen in animal models, many of the TS components, such as 4-(methylnitrosamine)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are strong carcinogens. We found that TS induces mainly aldehyde-DNA adducts in mice and humans. TS reduces DNA repair activity and repair proteins in mouse lung. All of these TS-induced effects can be reduced by diet polyphenols. Aldehydes prevent PAHs and NNK from inducing DNA damage in human cells. We propose that, because they act to damage DNA, reduce DNA repair activity, and inhibit NNK and PAHs from becoming DNA-damaging agents, aldehydes are the major TS carcinogens. These insights allow for better TS cancer risk assessment and the design of effective preventive measures.
ER-phagy requires Lnp1, a protein that stabilizes rearrangements of the ER network
Authors: Chen Shuliang , Cui Yixian , Parashar Smriti , Novick Peter J. , Ferro-Novick Susan
Published: June 2018

Significance

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) undergoes autophagy in response to starvation in a process utilizing Atg40, a cortical ER receptor that serves to recruit the machinery needed to assemble an autophagosome. Little is known about the components that work in conjunction with ER cargo receptors. Here we show that autophagy of the ER requires Lnp1, a protein that helps to maintain the structure of the ER by stabilizing rearrangements of the ER network. In the absence of Lnp1 or upon depolymerization of actin, Atg40 puncta fail to distribute to the cell interior, where the autophagy machinery resides, thus blocking incorporation of ER into autophagosomes. These studies show that the localization of Atg40 is critical for its function as a cargo receptor.
Efficient cruising for swimming and flying animals is dictated by fluid drag
Authors: Floryan Daniel , Van Buren Tyler , Smits Alexander J.
Published: June 2018

Significance

Almost 30 y ago, researchers discovered that a great variety of efficient swimmers cruise in a narrow range of Strouhal numbers, a dimensionless number describing the kinematics of swimming. Almost 15 y later, separate researchers discovered that fliers (bats, birds, and insects) also cruise in the same narrow range of Strouhal numbers. Attendant experiments on flapping airfoils have shown that this narrow range of Strouhal numbers gives rise to the most efficient kinematics. Here, we explain why this range of Strouhal numbers is the most efficient.
Structural and functional insights into the unique CBS–CP12 fusion protein family in cyanobacteria
Authors: Hackenberg Claudia , Hakanpää Johanna , Cai Fei , Antonyuk Svetlana , Eigner Caroline , Meissner Sven , Laitaoja Mikko , Jänis Janne , Kerfeld Cheryl A. , Dittmann Elke , Lamzin Victor S.
Published: June 2018

Significance

Carbon fixation is arguably one of the most important metabolic processes on Earth. Stand-alone CP12 proteins are major players in the regulation of this pathway in all oxygenic photosynthetic organisms, yet their intrinsic disorder has so far hampered the capturing of a principal part of their structure. Here we provide structural insights into CP12 by investigating an uncharacterized CP12 fusion protein, CBS–CP12, which is widespread among cyanobacteria, and reveal a unique hexameric structure. Our data further extend the existing knowledge of the regulation of photosynthesis and carbon fixation by the CP12 protein family, suggesting a more versatile role of this protein family in global redox regulation, predominantly in bloom-forming cyanobacteria that pose major threats in lakes and reservoirs.
Molecular determination of claudin-15 organization and channel selectivity
Authors: Samanta Priyanka , Wang Yitang , Fuladi Shadi , Zou Jinjing , Li Ye , Shen Le , Weber Christopher , Khalili-Araghi Fatemeh
Published: June 2018

Tight junctions are macromolecular structures that traverse the space between adjacent cells in epithelia and endothelia. Members of the claudin family are known to determine tight junction permeability in a charge- and size-selective manner. Here, we use molecular dynamics simulations to build and refine an atomic model of claudin-15 channels and study its transport properties. Our simulations indicate that claudin-15 forms well-defined channels for ions and molecules and otherwise “seals” the paracellular space through hydrophobic interactions. Ionic currents, calculated from simulation trajectories of wild-type as well as mutant channels, reflect in vitro measurements. The simulations suggest that the selectivity filter is formed by a cage of four aspartic acid residues (D55), contributed by four claudin-15 molecules, which creates a negative electrostatic potential to favor cation flux over anion flux. Charge reversal or charge ablation mutations of D55 significantly reduce cation permeability in silico and in vitro, whereas mutations of other negatively charged pore amino acid residues have a significantly smaller impact on channel permeability and selectivity. The simulations also indicate that water and small ions can pass through the channel, but larger cations, such as tetramethylammonium, do not traverse the pore. Thus, our model provides an atomic view of claudin channels, their transport function, and a potential three-dimensional organization of its selectivity filter.
Re-identification of genomic data using long range familial searches
Authors: Erlich Yaniv , Shor Tal , Carmi Shai , Pe’er Itsik
Published: June 2018

Consumer genomics databases reached the scale of millions of individuals. Recently, law enforcement investigators have started to exploit some of these databases to find distant familial relatives, which can lead to a complete re-identification. Here, we leveraged genomic data of 600,000 individuals tested with consumer genomics to investigate the power of such long-range familial searches. We project that half of the searches with European-descent individuals will result with a third cousin or closer match and will provide a search space small enough to permit re-identification using common demographic identifiers. Moreover, in the near future, virtually any European-descent US person could be implicated by this technique. We propose a potential mitigation strategy based on cryptographic signature that can resolve the issue and discuss policy implications to human subject research.
Integration of online and offline channels: a view of O2O commerce
Authors: Chang Yu-Wei , Hsu Ping-Yu , Yang Qing-Miao
Published: June 2018

Purpose

This study uses the travel industry as the research context and investigates online–offline integration between the different business entities of hoteliers and online travel agencies (OTAs). The purpose of this paper is threefold: first, to examine cooperation between hotels and OTAs; second, to examine how online and offline satisfaction increase behavioral intentions toward online and offline channels; and third, to investigate the factors that increase online and offline satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate customers’ behavioral intentions toward online and offline channels, the authors collected 241 data points from ten hotels from four well-known chains. The partial least squares structural equation modeling approach was used to test the research model and the 13 hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that system quality, information quality and service quality of OTA websites increase online satisfaction. Online satisfaction further increases behavioral intentions toward online channels but has no significant effect on offline satisfaction and behavioral intentions toward offline channels. Emotional value and social value offered by hotels increase offline satisfaction. Offline satisfaction further increases behavioral intentions toward online and offline channels. Finally, behavioral intentions toward online channels indeed reinforce behavioral intentions toward offline channels.

Originality/value

Some prior studies have focused on the effects of offline channels on online channels, whereas others have examined the influences of online channels on offline channels. However, in previous studies, the online and offline channels were both owned by the same business entities. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine how online and offline channels belonging to different business entities can work together to increase customer intentions.
The impact of uncertain rewards on customers’ recommendation intention in social networks
Authors: Wang Qi , Sun Yan , Zhu Ji , Zhang Xiaohang
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to research the effect of uncertain rewards on the recommendation intention in referral reward programs (RRPs) and investigate the interaction of tie strength and reward type on the recommendation intention.

Design/methodology/approach

The research adopts a quantitative exploratory approach through the use of experiments. Study 1 adopted a 2×2 between-participants design ((reward type: certain reward vs uncertain reward)×(tie strength: strong tie vs weak tie)). Respectively, by manipulating uncertain probabilities and expected value, Studies 2 and 3 further explore the effect of uncertain rewards and tie strength on customers’ referral intention.

Findings

This paper finds the following: compared to certain rewards, customers’ referral intention under uncertain rewards is higher and positive experience has a mediating effect between reward type and recommendation intention; when only the recommender is rewarded, the tie strength between the recommender and the receiver moderates the effect of reward type on the recommendation intention; for strong ties, customers’ recommendation intention is higher in uncertain reward condition, but for weak ties, customers’ willingness to recommend is almost the same in both reward types; when both the recommender and the receiver are rewarded, although certain rewards have a higher expected value than uncertain and random rewards, for strong ties, the participants have a higher referral intention under random rewards than that under uncertain rewards, which have a higher referral willingness than that under certain rewards. Additionally, for weak ties, the reverse is true.

Originality/value

The research has both theoretical implications for research on uncertain rewards and tie strength and practical implications for marketing managers designing and implementing RRPs.
Do Chinese acquirers paying premiums in large international acquisitions experience negative market reactions as Western counterparts?
Authors: Tseng Chiung-Hui , Kuo Tony
Published: June 2018

Purpose

This study draws on behavioral finance and signaling theory to investigate market reactions to Chinese acquirers when they made premium payments in large cross-border acquisitions. Paying high premiums has been considered an inferior acquisition decision that engenders negative market reactions in previous studies examining Western acquirers. Moving beyond previous work, this paper aims to propose that the premiums paid by Chinese firms in large international acquisitions will yield positive market reactions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper applies an event study method and tests hypotheses on a sample that comprises large international acquisitions made by Chinese acquirers between 2007 and 2012.

Findings

The acquisition premium paid by a Chinese acquirer in a large cross-border acquisition positively affects its stock market return to the acquisition announcement. That is, investors rely on the managers’ judgment about the synergistic and value-creating potential of the acquisitions, as inferred from the premiums paid. Moreover, it was found that the relationship between acquisition premiums and stock market returns is moderated by whether the transactions are tender offers, in that the positive relationship is weaker when acquisitions are tender offers.

Originality/value

Different from previous research focusing on Western companies and proposing a negative linkage between premiums paid and investor reactions to the acquisitions, this study sheds light on Chinese acquirers who paid premiums in large international acquisitions and, based on the logic of behavioral finance and signaling theory, posits a positive association in the context of Chinese acquirers.
A global synthesis of offspring size variation, its eco‐evolutionary causes and consequences
Authors: Marshall Dustin J. , Pettersen Amanda K. , Cameron Hayley
Published: June 2018

Offspring size is a key functional trait that can affect all phases of the life history, from birth to reproduction, and is common to all the Metazoa. Despite its ubiquity, reviews of this trait tend to be taxon‐specific. We explored the causes and consequences of offspring size variation across plants, invertebrates and vertebrates.

We find that offspring size shows clear latitudinal patterns among species: fish, amphibians, invertebrates and birds show a positive covariation in offspring size with latitude; plants and turtles show a negative covariation with latitude. We highlight the developmental window hypothesis as an explanation for why plants and turtles show negative covariance with latitude. Meanwhile, we find evidence for stronger, positive selection on offspring size at higher latitudes for most animals.

Offspring size also varies at all scales of organization, from populations through to broods from the same female. We explore the reasons for this variation and suspect that much of this variation is adaptive, but in many cases, there are too few tests to generalize.

We show that larger offspring lose relatively less energy during development to independence such that larger offspring may have greater net energy budgets than smaller offspring. Larger offspring therefore enter the independent phase with relatively more energy reserves than smaller offspring. This may explain why larger offspring tend to outperform smaller offspring but more work on how offspring size affects energy acquisition is needed.

While life‐history theorists have been fascinated by offspring size for over a century, key knowledge gaps remain. One important next step is to estimate the true energy costs of producing offspring of different sizes and numbers.

Aplain language summaryis available for this article.
Investment in reproduction for 14 iteroparous perennials is large and associated with other life‐history and functional traits
Authors: Wenk Elizabeth Hedi , Abramowicz Konrad , Westoby Mark , Falster Daniel S.
Published: June 2018

While theoretical models predict reproductive allocation (RA) should approach 100% of available energy as a plant ages, available empirical data suggest much lower RA values in perennial plants. In this study, we have two aims. First, we assess whether the discrepancy between theory and data arises from methodological differences in how growth and RA are calculated. Specifically, we hypothesize RA in older plants is large when compared to growth in leaf area, that is, after excluding turnover of stem and leaf tissues. Second, we hypothesize that species with cheap tissues or those that are shorter reach RA = 0.5 at a younger age.

We measured investment in leaf, stem and reproduction on individuals from 14 co‐occurring woody perennial iteroparous species. A fire chronosequence allowed us to use a space‐for‐time substitution to estimate RA schedules for each species, simultaneously measuring reproductive and vegetative production on individuals differing in age.

For most (11 of 14) species, we found RA eventually reached 100% of available energy, with another two species reaching at least 80%. Increases in RA were associated with a decline in growth of leaf area. Comparing species, we found that species with cheap leaves reached RA = 0.5 sooner (they could be called fast‐living), whereas delayed maturation and slower increases in RA were associated with greater maximum height.

Synthesis. Explicitly accounting for the cost of leaf replacement leads to the high estimates of reproductive allocation in perennial plants predicted by theoretical models, limiting or even halting leaf area expansion. For some species, so much energy is allocated to reproduction that leaf area declines year‐upon‐year for multiple growing seasons preceding death. Connecting lifetime reproductive allocation schedules with leaf area expansion, leaf life span, and plant maximum height demonstrates how reproductive allocation schedules synthesize a plant’s life‐history strategy, making them a valuable tool for connecting plant traits and demography.
Dating Relationship Dynamics, Mental Health, and Dating Victimization: A Longitudinal Path Analysis
Authors: Mumford Elizabeth A. , Taylor Bruce G. , Liu Weiwei , Giordano Peggy C.
Published: June 2018

The purpose of this study was to assess the longitudinal association between adolescent dating relationship dynamics (measures of intimacy and problem dynamics), mental health, and physical and/or sexual victimization by a dating partner. Gender‐stratified analyses were conducted in a sample of 261 adolescents, ages 10–18 at baseline, interviewed in three annual waves (2013–2015) of the nationally representative Survey on Teen Relationships and Intimate Violence (STRiV). Among male daters, better mental health at baseline was negatively associated with problem dynamics at follow‐up, and aspects of problem dynamics at baseline predicted worse mental health at follow‐up. However, unexpectedly, aspects of relationship intimacy at baseline were also negatively associated with mental health at follow‐up. Male daters’ victimization did not mediate longitudinal measures of mental health or of relationship dynamics, but did predict worse mental health at follow‐up. Among female daters, we found no longitudinal associations between mental health and intimacy or problem relationship dynamics, in either direction. However, victimization mediated aspects of female daters’ reported relationship dynamics. Dating violence prevention efforts should reflect that adolescent females reporting controlling behaviors and feelings of passionate love may be at increased risk for victimization. Positive youth development efforts should attend to the bidirectional associations of mental health and dating relationship dynamics over time, particularly for male adolescents.
Successful Treatment of a Large Superficial Bladder Cancer with Neoadjuvant Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy: A Case Report
Authors: Kano Hiroshi , Miwa Sotaro , Koshida Kiyoshi , Kawai Keiichi
Published: June 2018

We present a case in which neoadjuvant arterial infusion chemotherapy was effective in treating a large superficial bladder cancer. A 50-year-old male was admitted to the Kanazawa Medical Center with the complaint of dizziness. The patient exhibited severe anemia, and his computer tomography showed a large bladder tumor. Cystoscopy revealed a large papillary tumor. Magnetic resonance imaging showed no muscle invasion and no metastasis. To avoid a prolonged operation time and excessive blood loss, we performed neoadjuvant arterial infusion chemotherapy for tumor volume reduction before transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TUR-BT). The arterial infusion chemotherapy was performed twice, and the tumor size gradually reduced from 275 to 28 cm3. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, TUR-BT was safely performed without blood transfusion. The tumor was staged as T1 with G1. This is the first report demonstrating that neoadjuvant arterial infusion chemotherapy is effective in treating large superficial bladder cancer and is a possible strategy for bladder preservation.
Prospective Countywide Surveillance and Autopsy Characterization of Sudden Cardiac Death
Authors: Tseng Zian H. , Olgin Jeffrey E. , Vittinghoff Eric , Ursell Philip C. , Kim Anthony S. , Sporer Karl , Yeh Clement , Colburn Benjamin , Clark Nina M. , Khan Rana , Hart Amy P. , Moffatt Ellen
Published: June 2018

Background:

Studies of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death (SCD) use emergency medical services records, death certificates, or definitions that infer cause of death; thus, the true incidence of SCD is unknown. Over 90% of SCDs occur out-of-hospital; nonforensic autopsies are rarely performed, and therefore causes of death are presumed. We conducted a medical examiner–based investigation to determine the precise incidence and autopsy-defined causes of all SCDs in an entire metropolitan area. We hypothesized that postmortem investigation would identify actual sudden arrhythmic deaths among presumed SCDs.

Methods:

Between February 1, 2011, and March 1, 2014, we prospectively identified all incident deaths attributed to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (emergency medical services primary impression, cardiac arrest) between 18 to 90 years of age in San Francisco County for autopsy, toxicology, and histology via medical examiner surveillance of consecutive out-of-hospital deaths, all reported by law. We obtained comprehensive records to determine whether out-of-hospital cardiac arrest deaths met World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for SCD. We reviewed death certificates filed quarterly for missed SCDs. Autopsy-defined sudden arrhythmic deaths had no extracardiac cause of death or acute heart failure. A multidisciplinary committee adjudicated final cause.

Results:

All 20 440 deaths were reviewed; 12 671 were unattended and reported to the medical examiner. From these, we identified 912 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest deaths; 541 (59%) met WHO SCD criteria (mean 62.8 years, 69% male) and 525 (97%) were autopsied. Eighty-nine additional WHO-defined SCDs occurred within 3 weeks of active medical care with the death certificate signed by the attending physician, ineligible for autopsy but included in the countywide WHO-defined SCD incidence of 29.6/100 000 person-years, highest in black men (
P
<0.0001). Of 525 WHO-defined SCDs, 301 (57%) had no cardiac history. Leading causes of death were coronary disease (32%), occult overdose (13.5%), cardiomyopathy (10%), cardiac hypertrophy (8%), and neurological (5.5%). Autopsy-defined sudden arrhythmic deaths were 55.8% (293/525) of overall, 65% (78/120) of witnessed, and 53% (215/405) of unwitnessed WHO-defined SCDs (
P
=0.024); 286 of 293 (98%) had structural cardiac disease.

Conclusions:

Forty percent of deaths attributed to stated cardiac arrest were not sudden or unexpected, and nearly half of presumed SCDs were not arrhythmic. These findings have implications for the accuracy of SCDs as defined by WHO criteria or emergency medical services records in aggregate mortality data, clinical trials, and cohort studies.
Scottoecia villosa sp. nov., a new deep-sea species of halocyprid (Ostracoda, Myodocopa) from the northern Pacific
Authors: Chavtur Vladimir G. , Bashmanov Alexander G.
Published: June 2018

A new species of halocyprid ostracod, Scottoecia villosa sp. nov., from the bathypelagic zone of the Kurile-Kamchatka Trench, is described and illustrated. This species is closely similar to S. foveolata (Deevey, 1968), but differs by the shape of the postero-dorsal corners of the carapace, the carapace sculpture, the number of secondary filaments on the first antenna, and the setae on the first endopodite segment of the maxilla. A key to the species of the genus Scottoecia is presented.
Effect of carbon dioxide-induced water acidification and seasonality on the physiology of the sea-bob shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (Decapoda, Penaeidae)
Authors: Augusto Alessandra , Ramaglia Andressa C. , Mantoan Paulo V.
Published: June 2018

Climate changes are altering the chemistry of the oceans, and knowing their effects on the biology of animals is urgent. Since the physiological responses of crustaceans may be different given the seasons of the year, this work evaluated the synergistic effect of ocean acidification and seasonality on the physiology of the sea-bob shrimp,Xiphopenaeus kroyeri. Experimental groups were exposed for 5 days to two levels of pH, representing present-day mean ambient conditions (pH 8.0) and distant-future conditions (pH 7.3) during the summer and winter. Metabolism, nitrogen excretion, energy type and storage were determined, respectively, by oxygen consumption, ammonia excretion, atomic ratio O/N and hepatosomatic index. The reduction of pH resulted in a decrease of about 30% in theX. kroyerimetabolism during the summer and winter. Nitrogen excretion (reduction of 40%) and hepatosomatic index (increase of 120%) showed to be altered in animals exposed to reduced pH only throughout summer. Regardless of pH and seasons of the year, animals use mainly proteins as energy substrate and they do not show mortality. The increase of the hepatosomatic index, indicator of the accumulation of energy reserves, associated with metabolism reduction, suggests the suppression of activities that demand energy expenditure. The consequences of the physiological alterations observed may include decreases in growth and reproduction rate and displacement of populations to more appropriate conditions. The results might be associated with a set of factors resulting from the exposure to reduced pH, the synergy between pH and temperature, but also with a pattern of different physiological responses that may occur according to seasonality.
The Organization of Profile Training of Pupils Through Implementation of the «University Saturdays Project»
Authors: Беляк Елена , Belyak Elena , Лосева Наталья , Loseva Natal'ya
Published: June 2018

This article discusses the possibility of the organization of profi le training of pupils on the example of cooperation between school and University.The didactic function of chemical experiment is defi ned, its role in the formation of research skills of students is shown. The non-standard form of cooperation of educational institutions is proposed, orienting learners to build individual learning paths on the basis of trade preferences in the context of cognitive interests.
Acceso y participación de los pueblos indígenas en el sistema de medios de Argentina
Authors: Doyle María Magdalena
Published: June 2018

La Ley de Servicios de Comunicación Audiovisual, sancionada en Argentina en 2009, reconoce el derecho a la comunicación de los pueblos originarios. Sin embargo, las luchas indígenas en torno a su participación en el sistema de medios se remontan a mucho antes, ya que tienen más de tres décadas y se inscriben en modalidades históricas de ‘inclusión’ de los indígenas en la nación. Aquí proponemos analizar los antecedentes de la presencia indígena en la Ley de SCA: las trayectorias de sus luchas por derechos a la comunicación y las políticas públicas que, antes de la sanción de la ley, promovieron la participación indígena en los medios. Luego, nos detenemos en la modalidad de inclusión de los pueblos originarios en la ley y los debates en torno a ello, recuperando principalmente la perspectiva indígena. Analizamos las principales transformaciones que ocurrieron a partir de la sanción de la ley en lo que refiere al acceso y participación indígena en el sistema de medios. Y, finalmente, señalamos algunos desafíos que enfrentan las comunidades que gestionan medios de comunicación, a partir de las transformaciones políticas que tienen lugar desde diciembre de 2015 por el cambio de gobierno en Argentina.
Utilização de leveduras para a produção de biomassa em extrato de palma forrageira (Opuntia ficus-indica)
Authors: Matos Lins Clarissa Izabel , Veras Flávio Fonseca , Gondim Martins Danyelly Bruneska , De Lima Filho José Luiz
Published: June 2018

Opuntia ficus-indica é uma cactácea utilizada na produção de bioprodutos, sendo rica em carboidratos e reconhecida como fonte alternativa de alimento para agricultura de subsistência. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a utilização do extrato líquido de O. ficus-indica como substrato para o crescimento de leveduras de interesse biotecnológico. Candida utilis, C. lipolytica, Saccharomyces cerevisiae e Kluyveromyces marxianus foram cultivadas no extrato obtido após tratamento da cactácea.  Alíquotas do cultivo microbiano foram coletadas para análise de biomassa, açúcares redutores, pH e parâmetros cinéticos. K. marxianus apresentou maior taxa de crescimento (µmax= 0,25h-1) e maior porcentagem de consumo de açúcar (95,68%). C. utilis obteve melhor rendimento de biomassa em relação ao substrato consumido (Yx/s=2,69). C. lipolytica se destacou por exibir melhor perfil cinético uma vez que apresentou maiores valores de produção de biomassa (∆Xmax=10,93 g/L) e produtividade (P= 0,58 g/L.h-1) em 24 horas de cultivo. A influência de diferentes concentrações salinas no crescimento de C. lipolytica cultivada em extrato de O. ficus-indica foi testada com NaCl e KCl (0,1M, 0,25M, 0,50M, 1M, 2M e 4M). No crescimento sob estresse a levedura foi tolerante às concentrações salinas (até 1M de NaCl e a 0,5M para KCl). As concentrações maiores inibiram o crescimento celular. A concentração de 4M foi considerada letal para ambas as células leveduriformes e a 2M sub-letal. As células de C. lipolytica expressaram adaptação contra estresse osmótico até a concentração de 1M. Os resultados sugerem a utilização desta cactácea como substrato alternativo para a produção de biomassa microbiana.