bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS AND ITS GENERALIZATIONS FOR ANY TYPE SEQUENCE (PCA-SEQ)
Authors: Efimov V.M. , Efimov K.V. , Kovaleva V.Y.
Published: January 2019

In the 40s of the last century, Karhunen and Loève proposed a method for processing of one-dimensional numeric time series by converting it into a multidimensional by shifts. In fact, a one-dimensional number series was decomposed into several orthogonal time series. This method has many times been independently developed and applied in practice under various names (EOF, SSA, Caterpillar, etc.). Nowadays, the name SSA (the Singular Spectral Analysis) is most often used. It turned out that it is universal, applicable to any time series without requiring stationary assumptions, automatically decomposes time series into a trend, cyclic components and noise. By the beginning of the 1980s Takens showed that for a dynamical system such a method makes it possible to obtain an attractor from observing only one of these variables, thereby bringing the method to a powerful theoretical basis. In the same years, the practical benefits of phase portraits became clear. In particular, it was used in the analysis and forecast of the animal abundance dynamics.

In this paper we propose to extend SSA to one-dimensional sequence of any type elements, including numbers, symbols, figures, etc., and, as a special case, to molecular sequence. Technically, the problem is solved almost the same algorithm as the SSA. The sequence is cut by a sliding window into fragments of a given length. Between all fragments, the matrix of Euclidean distances is calculated. This is always possible. For example, the square root from the Hamming distance between fragments is the Euclidean distance. For the resulting matrix, the principal components are calculated by the principal-coordinate method (PCo). Instead of a distance matrix one can use a matrix of any similarity/dissimilarity indexes and apply methods of multidimensional scaling (MDS). The result will always be PCs in some Euclidean space.

We called this method PCA-Seq. It is certainly an exploratory method, as its particular case SSA. For any sequence, including molecular, PCA-Seq without any additional assumptions allows to get its principal components in a numerical form and visualize them in the form of phase portraits. Long-term experience of SSA application for numerical data gives all reasons to believe that PCA-Seq will be not less useful in the analysis of non-numerical data, especially in hypothesizing.

PCA-Seq is implemented in the freely distributed Jacobi 4 package (http://mrherrn.github.io/JACOBI4/).
Extremely Drug-ResistantPseudomonas aeruginosaST309 Harboring Tandem GES Enzymes: A Newly Emerging Threat in the United States
Authors: Khan Ayesha , Tran Truc T. , Rios Rafael , Hanson Blake , Shropshire William C. , Sun Zhizeng , Diaz Lorena , Dinh An Q. , Wanger Audrey , Ostrosky-Zeichner Luis , Palzkill Timothy , Arias Cesar A. , Miller William R.
Published: January 2019

Two ST309Pseudomonas aeruginosaclinical isolates resistant to carbapenems and newer β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations were found to harbor the extended spectrum beta-lactamases GES 19 and 26 genetically clustered in tandem. The combination of ceftazidime/avibactam plus aztreonam achieved cure in one patient. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that ST309P. aeruginosacarrying tandem GES are an emerging lineage in the United States.
Thymosin β4 mediates vascular protection via regulation of Low Density Lipoprotein Related Protein 1 (LRP1)
Authors: Munshaw Sonali , Bruche Susann , Patel Jyoti , Redpath Andia , Dubé Karina N. , Davies Rachel , Neal Giles , Lee Regent , Handa Ashok , Channon Keith M. , Smart Nicola
Published: January 2019

Vascular stability and tone are maintained by contractile smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). However, injury-induced growth factors stimulate a contractile-synthetic phenotypic switch which promotes atherosclerosis and susceptibility to abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). As a regulator of embryonic VSMC differentiation, we hypothesised that Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) may additionally function to maintain healthy vasculature and protect against disease throughout postnatal life. This was supported by identification of an interaction with Low density lipoprotein receptor related protein 1 (LRP1), an endocytic regulator of PDGF-BB signalling and VSMC proliferation. LRP1 variants have been identified by GWAS as major risk loci for AAA and coronary artery disease. Tβ4-null mice display aortic VSMC and elastin defects, phenocopying LRP1 mutants and suggesting compromised vascular integrity. We confirmed predisposition to disease in models of atherosclerosis and AAA. Diseased vessels and plaques were characterised by accelerated contractile-synthetic VSMC switching and augmented PDGFRβ signalling. In vitro, enhanced sensitivity to PDGF-BB, upon loss of Tβ4, coincided with dysregulated endocytosis, leading to increased recycling of LRP1-PDGFRβ and reduced lysosomal targeting. Our study identifies Tβ4 as a key regulator of LRP1 for maintaining vascular health, providing insight which may reveal useful therapeutic targets for modulation of VSMC phenotypic switching and disease progression.
Temporal control of inhibitionviamuscarinic acetylcholine receptor signaling generates ON and OFF selectivity in a simple visual circuit
Authors: Qin Bo , Humberg Tim-Henning , Kim Anna , Kim Hyong , Short Jacob , Diao Fengqiu , White Benjamin H. , Sprecher Simon , Yuan Quan
Published: January 2019

ON and OFF selectivity in visual processing is encoded by parallel pathways that respond to either increments or decrements of light. Despite lacking anatomical features to support split channels,Drosophilalarvae effectively perform visually-guided behaviors. To understand principles guiding visual computation in this simple circuit, we focus on the physiological properties and behavioral relevance of larval visual interneurons and elucidate their functions in visual processing. We find that the ON vs. OFF discrimination in the larval visual circuit emerges through light-elicited cholinergic signaling that depolarizes the cholinergic interneuron (cha-lOLP) and hyperpolarizes the glutamatergic interneuron (glu-lOLP). Genetic studies further indicate that muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAchR)/Gαo signaling in glu-lOLP separates the ON and OFF signals through temporal delays, the disruption of which strongly impacts both physiological responses of downstream projection neurons and dark-induced pausing behavior. Together, our studies identify cellular and molecular substrates for OFF detection in the larval visual circuit and suggests temporal control of inhibition functions as an effective strategy in generating ON and OFF selectivity without anatomical segregation.
A neural correlate of image memorability
Authors: Jaegle Andrew , Mehrpour Vahid , Mohsenzadeh Yalda , Meyer Travis , Oliva Aude , Rust Nicole
Published: January 2019

Some images are easy to remember while others are easily forgotten. While variation in image memorability is consistent across individuals, we lack a full account of its neural correlates. By analyzing data collected from inferotemporal cortex (IT) as monkeys performed a visual memory task, we demonstrate that a simple property of the visual encoding of an image, its population response magnitude, is strongly correlated with its memorability. These results establish a novel behavioral role for the magnitude of the IT response, which lies largely orthogonal to the coding scheme that IT uses to represent object identity. To investigate the origin of IT memorability modulation, we also probed convolutional neural network models trained to categorize objects. We found brain-analogous correlates of memorability that grew in strength across the hierarchy of these networks, suggesting that this memorability correlate is likely to arise from the optimizations required for visual as opposed to mnemonic processing.
Argonaute bypasses cellular obstacles without hindrance during target search
Authors: Cui Tao Ju , Klein Misha , Hegge Jorrit W. , Chandradoss Stanley D. , der Oost John van , Depken Martin , Joo Chirlmin
Published: January 2019

Argonaute (Ago) proteins are key players in gene regulation in eukaryotes and host defense in prokaryotes. For specific interference, Ago relies on base pairing between small nucleic acid guides and complementary target sequences. To efficiently scan nucleic acid chains for potential targets, Ago must bypass both secondary structures in mRNA and single stranded DNA as well as protein barriers. Through single-molecule FRET, we reveal that lateral diffusion is mediated mainly through protein-nucleic acid interactions, rather than interactions between the guide and targeted strand. This allows Ago to scan for targets with high efficiency but without maintaining tight contact with the DNA backbone. Real-time observations show that Ago “glides” short distances over secondary structures while using intersegmental jumps to reduce scanning redundancy and bypass protein barriers. Our single-molecule method in combination with kinetic analysis may serve as a novel platform to study the effect of sequence on search kinetics for other nucleic acid-guided proteins.
SCCNV: a software tool for identifying copy number variation from single-cell whole-genome sequencing
Authors: Dong Xiao , Zhang Lei , Hao Xiaoxiao , Wang Tao , Vijg Jan
Published: January 2019

Background

Identification of de novo mutations from cell populations requires single-cell whole-genome sequencing (SCWGS). Although many experimental protocols of SCWGS have been developed, few computational tools are available for downstream analysis of different types of somatic mutations, including copy number variation (CNV).

Results

We developed SCCNV, a software tool for detecting CNVs from whole genome-amplified single cells. SCCNV is a read-depth based approach with adjustment for the whole-genome amplification bias.

Conclusions

We demonstrate its performance by analyzing data collected from most of the single-cell amplification methods, including DOP-PCR, MDA, MALBAC and LIANTI. SCCNV is freely available at https://github.com/biosinodx/SCCNV.
Extrachromosomal circular DNA, microDNA, without canonical promoters produce short regulatory RNAs that suppress gene expression
Authors: Paulsen Teressa , Shibata Yoshiyuki , Kumar Pankaj , Dillon Laura , Dutta Anindya
Published: January 2019

Interest in extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) molecules has increased recently because of their widespread presence in normal cells across every species ranging from yeast to humans, their increased levels in cancer cells, and their overlap with oncogenic and drug-resistant genes. However, the majority of eccDNA (microDNA) are too small to carry protein coding genes. We have tested functional capabilities of microDNA, by creating artificial microDNA molecules mimicking known microDNA sequences and have discovered that they express functional small regulatory RNA including microRNA and novel si-like RNA. MicroDNA is transcribedin vitroandin vivoindependent of a canonical promoter sequence. MicroDNA which carry miRNA genes form transcripts which are processed into mature miRNA molecules, through the endogenous RNA-interference pathway, which repress a luciferase reporter gene as well as endogenous mRNA targets of the miRNA. Further, microDNA containing sequences of exons repress the endogenous gene from which the microDNA was derived through the formation of novel si-like RNA. We also show that endogenous microDNA associate with RNA polymerases subunits POLR2H and POLR3F. Together, these results suggest that microDNA may modulate gene expression through the production of both known and novel regulatory small RNA.
Visual interference can help and hinder memory: Capturing representational detail using the Validated Circular Shape Space
Authors: Li Aedan Y. , Fukuda Keisuke , Lee Andy C. H. , Barense Morgan D.
Published: January 2019

Although we can all agree that interference induces forgetting, there is surprisingly little consensus regarding what type of interference most likely disrupts memory. We previously proposed that the similarity of interference differentially impacts the representational detail of color memory. Here, we extend this work by applying the Validated Circular Shape Space (Li et al., 2020) for the first time to a continuous retrieval task, in which we quantified both the visual similarity of distracting information as well as the representational detail of shape memory. We found that the representational detail of memory was systematically and differentially altered by the similarity of distracting information. Dissimilar distractors disrupted both fine- and coarse-grained information about the target, akin to memory erasure. In contrast, similar distractors disrupted fine-grained target information but increased reliance on coarse-grained information about the target, akin to memory blurring. Notably, these effects were consistent across two mixture models that each implemented a different scaling metric (either angular distance or perceived target similarity), as well as a parameter-free analysis that did not fit the mixture model. These findings suggest that similar distractors will help memory in cases where coarse-grained information is sufficient to identify the target. In other cases where precise fine-grained information is needed to identify the target, similar distractors will impair memory. As these effects have now been observed across both stimulus domains of shape and color, and were robust across multiple scaling metrics and methods of analyses, we suggest that these results provide a general set of principles governing how the nature of interference impacts forgetting.
Whole genome sequencing and comparative genomic analysis reveal novel allelic variations unique to a purple colored rice landrace (Oryza sativa ssp. indica cv. Purpleputtu)
Authors: Lachagari V. B. Reddy , Gupta Ravi , Lekkala Sivarama Prasad , Mahadevan Lakshmi , Kuriakose Boney , Chakravartty Navajeet , Katta A. V. S. Krishna Mohan , Santhosh Sam , Reddy Arjula R. , Thomas George
Published: January 2019

Purpleputtu (Oryza sativa ssp. indica cv. Purpleputtu) is a unique rice landrace from southern India that exhibits predominantly purple color. This study reports the underlying genetic complexity of the trait and associated domestication and de-domestication processes during its coevolution with present day cultivars. Along-with genome level allelic variations in the entire gene repertoire associated with purple, red coloration of grain and other plant parts. Comparative genomic analysis of the whole genome sequence of Purpleputtu (PP) revels total of 3,200,951 variants including 67,774 unique variations were observed in PP when compared with 108 rice genomes. Multiple sequence alignment uncovered a 14bp deletion in Rc (Red colored, a transcription factor of bHLH class) locus of PP, a key regulatory gene of anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway. Interestingly, this deletion in Rc gene is a characteristic feature of the present-day white pericarped rice cultivars. Phylogenetic analysis of Rc locus revealed a distinct clade showing proximity to the progenitor species rufipogon and nivara. In addition, PP genome exhibits a well conserved a 4.5Mbp region on chromosome 5 that harbors several loci associated with domestication of rice. Further, PP showed 1,387 unique SNPs compared to 3,024 lines of rice (SNP-Seek database). The results indicate that PP genome is rich in allelic diversity and can serve as an excellent resource for rice breeding for a variety of agronomically important traits such as disease resistance, enhanced nutritional values, stress tolerance and protection from harmful UV-B rays.
Acute ethanol intoxication induces preferred loss of presynaptic boutons devoid of mitochondria in vivo
Authors: Protzmann Jil , Jaiswal Astha , Rohr Karl , Kuner Thomas , Cambridge Sidney , Knabbe Johannes
Published: January 2019

Acute alcohol intoxication is frequently observed in modern societies and carries a vast burden, ranging from traffic accidents to transient memory loss. Despite years of intense research, the effects of acute ethanol intoxication on brain function remain incompletely understood. Here, we studied the effect of acute ethanol intoxication on axonal organelle trafficking and presynaptic structure using in vivo two photon microscopy in anesthetized mice. After a single intraperitoneal injection of ethanol, inducing a blood alcohol concentration of roughly 250 mg/dl, the axonal mitochondrial mobility was doubled while dense core vesicle mobility remained unaffected. Simultaneously imaging mitochondria and presynaptic boutons revealed that unoccupied presynaptic boutons perished more frequently after ethanol exposure, while boutons stably occupied with mitochondria mostly persisted. Our results define a novel mechanism of ethanol action and may explain difficulties in permanently storing new memories after episodes of intense ethanol consumption with a loss of synapses.
Male clients of male sex workers in West Africa: A neglected high risk population
Authors: Kounta Cheick Haïballa , Sagaon-Teyssier Luis , Coulaud Pierre-Julien , Mora Marion , Maradan Gwenaelle , Bourrelly Michel , keita Abdoul Aziz , Yoro Stéphane-Alain Babo , Anoma Camille , Coulibaly Christian , Dah Elias Ter Tiero , Agbomadji Selom , Mensah Ephrem , Bernier Adeline , Couderc Clotilde , Keita Bintou Dembélé , Laurent Christian , Spire Bruno ,   the CohMSM Study Group
Published: January 2019

Research on male clients of male sex workers (MCMSW) has been neglected for a long time globally. We aimed to characterize MCMSW and to identify factors associated with their sexual practices using data from the prospective cohort study CohMSM conducted in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Togo. Our study focused on HIV-negative men who have sex with other men (MSM) recruited between 06/2015 and 01/2018 by a team of trained peer educators. Scheduled study visits at 6, 12 and 18 months included medical examinations, HIV screening, risk-reduction counselling and face-to-face interviews to collect information on their sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behaviours, and HIV risk-reduction strategies (HIV-RRS). Three stigmatization sub-scores were constructed (experienced, perceived and internalized). Mixed-effects logistic regression was used for data analysis. Of the 280 participants recruited at baseline, 238, 211 and 118, respectively, had a follow-up visit at 6, 12 and 18 months. Over a total of 847 visits, 47 transactional sex (TS) encounters were reported by 38 MCMSW (13.6%). Of the latter, only one participant reported systematic TS (2.6%), 18 (47.4 %) stopped reporting TS after baseline, and 6 (15.8%) reported TS after baseline. Thirteen participants (34.2 %) reported occasional TS. After adjusting for country of study and age, the following self-reported factors were associated with a greater likelihood of being MCMSW: protected anal sex, exclusively insertive anal sex with male sexual partners, avoidance of sex after consuming psychoactive products and experiencing stigmatization (all during the previous 6 months). The majority of MCMSW in this study employed HIV-RRS with male sexual partners, including engaging in protected anal sex, avoidance of sex when consuming psychoactive products, and practising exclusively insertive anal sex.
Mapping the lineage relationship between CXCR5+ and CXCR5- CD4+ T cells in HIV infected human lymph nodes
Authors: Del Alcazar Daniel , Wang Yifeng , He Chenfeng , Wendel Ben S. , Del Río-Estrada Perla M. , Lin Jerome , Ablanedo-Terrazas Yuria , Malone Michael J , Hernandez Stefany M. , Frank Ian , Naji Ali , Reyes-Terán Gustavo , Jiang Ning , Su Laura F.
Published: January 2019

CXCR5 is a key surface marker expressed on follicular helper T (TFH) cells. We report here B cell help functionality in a population of CD4+ T cells isolated from primary human lymph nodes (LN) that lacked CXCR5 expression. This CXCR5- subset is distinguished from other CXCR5- CD4+ T cells by high PD-1 expression. Accumulation of CXCR5-PD-1+ T cells correlated with peripheral CD4+ T cell depletion and an increase in T-bet+ B cells in the LN, highlighting these atypical CD4+ T cells as a key component of lymphoid dysregulation during chronic HIV infection. By interrogating the phenotypic heterogeneity, functional capacity, TCR repertoire, transcriptional profile, and epigenetic state of CXCR5-PD-1+ T cells, we showed that CXCR5-PD-1+ T cells are related to CXCR5+PD-1+ T cells and provided evidence for the down regulation of CXCR5 following cell division as one mechanism for the absence of CXCR5 expression. Notably, CXCR5-PD-1+ T cells exhibited a migratory transcriptional program and contributed to circulating CXCR5-PD-1+ T cells with B cell help functionality in the peripheral blood. Thus, these data link LN pathology to circulating T cells and expand the current understanding on T cell diversity in the regulation of B cell responses during chronic inflammation.

High dimensional profiling of activated CD4+ T cells in HIV infected lymph nodes revealed an accumulation of a CXCR5 negative subset.

CXCR5-PD-1+CD4+ T cells exhibited TFH-like protein expression and function.

CXCR5-PD-1+CD4+ T cells are related to TFH cells by clonal lineage and epigenetic similarity.

CXCR5-PD-1+CD4+ T cells upregulate a migratory gene program and contribute to circulating T cells with B cell help functionality
The suboptimality of perceptual decision making with multiple alternatives
Authors: Yeon Jiwon , Rahnev Dobromir
Published: January 2019

It is becoming widely appreciated that human perceptual decision making is suboptimal but the nature and origins of this suboptimality remain poorly understood. Most past research has employed tasks with two stimulus categories, but such designs cannot fully capture the limitations inherent in naturalistic perceptual decisions where choices are rarely between only two alternatives. We conducted four experiments with tasks involving multiple alternatives and used computational modeling to determine the decision-level representation on which the perceptual decisions were based. The results from all four experiments pointed to the existence of robust suboptimality such that most of the information in the sensory representation was lost during the transformation to a decision-level representation. These results reveal severe limits in the quality of decision-level representations for multiple alternatives and have strong implications about perceptual decision making in naturalistic settings.
Crystal structure determination of two pyridine derivatives: 4-[(E)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethenyl]-1-methylpyridin-1-ium hexafluoro-λ6-phosphane and 4-[(E)-2-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]ethenyl]-1-phenyl-1λ5-pyridin-1-ylium hexafluoro-λ6-phosphane
Authors: Mani J. Arul Martin , Mercina M. , Inglebert S. Antony , Narayanan P. , Joseph V. , Sagayaraj P.
Published: January 2019

The title molecular salts, C16H16NO+·PF6
−, (I), and C21H21N2
+·PF6
−, (II), are pyridine derivatives. In compound (I), the cation comprises a methyl N-substituted pyridine ring and a methoxy-substituted benzene ring connected by a C=C double bond. The F atoms of the PF6
− anion are disordered over two sets of sites with refined occupancy factors of 0.614 (7):0.386 (7). In compound (II), the cation comprises a pyridine ring attached to unsubstituted phenyl ring and a dimethylaniline ring, which are connected by a C=C double bond. The anion is PF6
−. In both salts, the cation adopts an E configuration with respect to the C=C bond. The pyridine ring makes a dihedral angle of 9.86 (12)° with the methoxy-substituted benzene ring in compound (I) and 11.2 (3)° with the dimethylamine-substituted benzene ring in compound (II). In compound (I), the crystal packing is stabilized by weak C—H...F intermolecular interactions which result in R
4
3(14) ring motifs, forming molecular sheets running parallel to (\overline{1}03). These are further stabilized by weak P—F...π interactions. In compound (II), the crystal packing is stabilized by C—H...F interactions, which result in R
6
6(40) ring motifs, forming molecular sheets running parallel to (101) and these are further connected by π–π interactions.
Processing serial crystallography data with CrystFEL: a step-by-step guide
Authors: White Thomas A.
Published: January 2019

This article provides a step-by-step guide to the use of the CrystFEL software for processing serial crystallography data from an X-ray free-electron laser or a synchrotron light source. Whereas previous papers have described the theory and algorithms and their rationale, this paper describes the steps to be performed from a user perspective, including command-line examples.
Dipotassium tetrahydroxidopentaoxidotetraborate monohydrate
Authors: Dhatchaiyini M. K. , NizamMohideen M. , Rajasekar G. , Bhaskaran A.
Published: January 2019

In the tetraborate anion of the title compound, K2[B4O5(OH)4]·H2O, the bridging B—O bond lengths of the tetrahedral BO4 and the trigonal-planar BO3 units are slightly longer than the corresponding terminal B—OH bond lengths. The crystal structure is stabilized by intermolecular O—H...O, O—H...Owater and Owater—H...O hydrogen bonds, generating a three-dimensional network. The two potassium cations both show a coordination number of 9.
5-[5-(4-Chlorophenyl)isoxazol-3-yl]-N-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-amine
Authors: El-Hiti Gamal A. , Abdel-Wahab Bakr F. , Yousif Emad , Hayal Alotaibi Mohammad , Hegazy Amany S. , Kariuki Benson M.
Published: January 2019

The title compound, C17H11ClN4O2, consists of chlorophenyl (A), isoxazolyl (B), oxadiazolyl (C) and phenyl (D) rings with twist angles between the planes through neighbouring rings A/B, B/C and C/D of 14.9 (1), 1.8 (1) and 8.9 (1)° respectively. In the crystal, adjacent molecules related by inversion symmetry form columns parallel to the [010] direction through π–π stacking [shortest centroid–centroid separation = 3.6203 (10) Å]; these are cross-linked by N—H...N interactions in the [001] direction.
[(1,2,5,6-η)-Cycloocta-1,5-diene]bis(thiocyanato-κS)platinum(II)
Authors: Ha Kwang
Published: January 2019

In the title complex, [Pt(SCN)2(C8H12)], the PtII ion lies in a square-planar coordination geometry defined by the mid-points of the two π-coordinated double bonds of cycloocta-1,5-diene and two S-bound SCN− anions. The complex is disposed about a mirror plane passing through the Pt atom and the SCN− ligands, and bisecting the cycloocta-1,5-diene molecule. The room-temperature crystal structure of the title complex was previously reported in the orthorhombic space group Pna21 [Musitu & Garcia-Blanco (1984). Acta Cryst. A40, C101]. The low-temperature structure presented herein represents a different (higher symmetry) orthorhombic space group Pnma whereby the PtII atom lies on a mirror plane, lacking in the earlier study.
Constrained purchase decision-making process at the base of the pyramid
Authors: Choudhury Nanda , Mukherjee Srabanti , Datta Biplab
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors affecting decision-making at the BoP and propose a framework of the consumer decision-making process at the base of the pyramid (BoP).

Design/methodology/approach

The qualitative research design was adopted to collect primary data. Data collected through the in-depth semi-structured interviews of the 48 BoP consumers in Kolkata and Kharagpur (India) were subjected to grounded theory analysis for theory development.

Findings

This study reveals that consumer vulnerability affects the decision-making process and the transaction cost at BoP level. It was observed that the consumers at the BoP make constrained choices due to their vulnerability and try to minimise transaction cost while selecting the retails. The constrained retail choice leads to a limited selection of products and brands.

Originality/value

This study, for the first time, has investigated the decision-making process for BoP consumers in detail. As a pioneering attempt, it sheds light on some new factors including consumer vulnerability and transaction cost that have an impact on the consumer decision-making process.
Knowledge management in franchising: a research agenda
Authors: Iddy Judith Jacob , Alon Ilan
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to offer a comprehensive systematic review of knowledge management (KM) in franchising literature over the past 29 years.

Design/methodology/approach

By means of bibliometric citation analysis, ISI Web of Science (WoS) database is used to analyze articles from 1990-2018. A total of 169 articles by 369 authors across 40 countries published in 113 journals from 200 institutions were clustered and examined through HistCites and VOSviewer.

Findings

The exploration of KM in franchising is associated with 3 factors: governance structure; performance outcome; and franchise network growth. The findings also reveal that KM in franchising is still an emerging discipline encompassing conflicting results which offer potential for future research.

Research limitations/implications

Identified research gaps and contradicting views in the literature offer opportunities for researchers to contribute to this research domain by empirically testing the role of absorptive capacity, replication vs adaptation strategies and new franchising formats, such as micro/social franchising.

Originality/value

This study is unique in its examination of KM in franchising. It also highlights the value of knowledge in franchise chain performance.
Yoghurt‐type beverage with partial substitution of milk by a chickpea extract: Effect on physicochemical and flow properties
Authors: Aguilar‐Raymundo Victoria Guadalupe , Vélez‐Ruiz Jorge Fernando
Published: January 2019

The objective of this study was to determine the evolution of physicochemical and flow properties of a yoghurt‐type beverage partially replaced with a chickpea extract over a period of 22 days. From two chickpea extracts, Blanco Noroeste was selected for its higher protein content. Six yoghurt‐type formulations were prepared, stored at 4 °C and analysed on days 1, 8, 15 and 22. pH was 4.24–4.75, while brightness was 81.7–94.5. Flow properties of the yoghurt‐type exhibited a non‐Newtonian behaviour. From three formulations that underwent sensory evaluation, the 30:70 mix obtained the highest acceptation. This yoghurt‐type beverage exhibited characteristics similar to natural yoghurt.
Relapse patterns and predictors of IgG4‐related diseases involved with autoimmune pancreatitis: A single‐center retrospective study of 115 patients
Authors: Miki Masami , Fujimori Nao , Oono Takamasa , Kawabe Ken , Ohno Akihisa , Matsumoto Kazuhide , Teramatsu Katsuhito , Tachibana Yuichi , Ogawa Yoshihiro
Published: January 2019

Objective

Autoimmune pancreatitis is an autoimmune disorder accompanied by clinicopathological manifestations that have been established as immunoglobulin (IgG)4‐related diseases (IgG4‐RD). Other IgG4‐RD are often involved with autoimmune pancreatitis. They sometimes relapse despite a favorable response to steroid therapy. This study aimed to clarify the patterns and risk factors for extrapancreatic relapse.

Methods

We reviewed the data of 115 patients diagnosed with definite autoimmune pancreatitis type 1 and followed up for > 1 year. We analyzed two items: the timing and pattern of extrapancreatic relapse, and risk factors for relapse with three common manifestations: IgG4‐related sclerosing cholangitis (SC), IgG4‐related dacryoadenitis and sialadenitis (DS), and IgG4‐related retroperitoneal fibrosis (RF).

Results

Remission was achieved in all patients, except one. The extrapancreatic relapse rates were 11.0%, 19.7%, and 40% within 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Of 26 patients with extrapancreatic relapse, nine (34.6%) relapsed with a new IgG4‐RD. Based on multivariate analysis, the interval between symptom onset and steroid initiation, and the presence of RF at onset were significant risk factors for relapse with SC and RF, respectively.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that they may be various extrapancreatic relapse patterns especially in autoimmune pancreatitis with other organ involvement. Patients with a delayed initiation of steroids or RF at onset should be carefully followed up as high‐risk groups for SC and RF relapse.
Point‐Combination Transect (PCT): Incorporation of small underwater cameras to study fish communities
Authors: Widmer Lukas , Heule Elia , Colombo Marco , Rueegg Attila , Indermaur Adrian , Ronco Fabrizia , Salzburger Walter
Published: January 2019

Available underwater visual census (UVC) methods such as line transects or point count observations are widely used to obtain community data of underwater species assemblages, despite their known pit‐falls. As interest in the community structure of aquatic life is growing, there is need for more standardized and replicable methods for acquiring underwater census data.

Here, we propose a novel approach, Point‐Combination Transect (PCT), which makes use of automated image recording by small digital cameras to eliminate observer and identification biases associated with available UVC methods. We conducted a pilot study at Lake Tanganyika, demonstrating the applicability of PCT on a taxonomically and phenotypically highly diverse assemblage of fishes, the Tanganyikan cichlid species‐flock.

We conducted 17 PCTs consisting of five GoPro cameras each and identified 22,867 individual cichlids belonging to 61 species on the recorded images. These data were then used to evaluate our method and to compare it to traditional line transect studies conducted in close proximity to our study site at Lake Tanganyika.

We show that the analysis of the second hour of PCT image recordings (equivalent to 360 images per camera) leads to reliable estimates of the benthic cichlid community composition in Lake Tanganyika according to species accumulation curves, while minimizing the effect of disturbance of the fish through SCUBA divers. We further show that PCT is robust against observer biases and outperforms traditional line transect methods.
No increased pain among opioid‐dependent individuals treated with extended‐release naltrexone or buprenorphine‐naloxone: A 3‐month randomized study and 9‐month open‐treatment follow‐up study
Authors: Latif Zill‐e‐Huma , Solli Kristin K. , Opheim Arild , Kunoe Nikolaj , Benth Jūratė Š. , Krajci Peter , Sharma‐Haase Kamni , Tanum Lars
Published: January 2019

Background and Objectives

It is presently unclear whether extended‐release naltrexone hydrochloride treatment induces pain or aggravates existing pain among individuals with opioid use disorders. We assessed changes in pain among individuals receiving treatment with either extended‐release naltrexone hydrochloride or buprenorphine‐naloxone hydrochloride.

Methods

This randomized prospective open‐label clinical study included 143 participants (aged 18–60 years) with opioid dependencies, recruited from outpatient addiction clinics at five urban hospitals in Norway. After in‐patient detoxification from opioids, patients were randomized to 12‐week treatment with either long‐acting naltrexone (380 mg intramuscularly injected every four weeks) or buprenorphine‐naloxone (flexible 4–16 mg sublingual doses daily). This phase was followed by a 9‐month open‐treatment study with the participant's choice of either naltrexone or buprenorphine‐naloxone. Changes in pain were assessed every 4 weeks using the Norwegian Short‐Form of McGill Pain Questionnaire.

Results

Throughout the study period, we found no increase in mean sensory pain, affective pain, or present pain intensity on the McGill Pain Questionnaire, in either treatment group, including the subgroups of participants with chronic pain. Participants who switched from buprenorphine‐naloxone to extended‐release naltrexone treatment after week 12 reported no increase in pain intensity during longer‐term treatment. Women experienced significantly more affective pain symptoms than men (p = .01).

Discussion and Conclusions

Among individuals with opioid use disorder, switching from daily opioid use to long‐acting naltrexone did not induce pain, or aggravate mild‐to‐moderate chronic pain.

Scientific Significance

In opioid‐dependent individuals, mild‐to‐moderate chronic pain was not influenced by opioid agonist or antagonist treatment.

Trial Registration

Clinicaltrials.gov #NCT01717963, first registered: Oct 28, 2012. Protocol version # 3C, June 12th 2012. (Am J Addict 2018;XX:1–9)
Review article: Effective management of opioid withdrawal symptoms: A gateway to opioid dependence treatment
Authors: Kosten Thomas R. , Baxter Louis E.
Published: January 2019

Background and Objectives

The opioid crisis has taken an immense toll in the United States. On average, five lives are lost to an opioid overdose every hour of the day; estimated costs associated with opioid misuse exceed $500 billion annually. Illicit opioid discontinuation is the first step in the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD), and transition to an opioid agonist may initiate treatment. However, discontinuation to abstinence from either OUD directly or following agonist treatment results in severely distressing opioid withdrawal symptoms (OWS).

Methods

This review evaluated studies on the etiology, burden, and management of OWS.

Results

Noradrenergic hyperactivity generates many OWS. These OWS can cause patients to relapse during early opioid discontinuation. While agonist therapies are generally first‐line for moderate or severe OUD and reduce OWS, prescribing restrictions can limit their availability.

Discussion and Conclusions

Non‐opioid medications to treat OWS provides a gateway into long‐term treatment with naltrexone or psychosocial therapies. For opioid dependent patients without OUD, non‐opioid treatments like α‐2 adrenergic agonists can facilitate opioid tapering.

Scientific Significance

For the millions who are physically dependent on opioids, new treatments for OWS can enhance recovery from OUD and prevent relapse. (© 2019 The Authors. The American Journal on Addictions Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.;XX:1–8)
Preclinical efficacy of an anti‐methamphetamine vaccine using E6020 adjuvant
Authors: Arora Reetakshi , Haile Colin N. , Kosten Therese A. , Wu Yan , Ramakrishnan Muthu , Hawkins Lynn D. , Orson Frank M. , Kosten Thomas R.
Published: January 2019

Background and Objective

Methamphetamine (MA) substance use disorder (SUD) does not have an efficacious pharmacotherapy. We developed a MA vaccine and investigated its potential to attenuate MA induced responses.

Methods

We examined a novel adjuvant, E6020, a Toll‐like receptor‐4 (TLR‐4) agonist combined with tetanus‐toxoid conjugated to succinyl‐methamphetamine (TT‐SMA) adsorbed on aluminum hydroxide (alum). Adult BALB/c female mice received the vaccine and booster injections at weeks 0, 3, and 6. The efficacy of the vaccine was assessed by the level and affinity of anti‐MA antibodies elicited, its ability to attenuate MA induced locomotor activation and its reduction in the amount of MA entering the brains of vaccinated mice.

Results

The TT‐SMA vaccine containing alum and E6020 adjuvant produced anti‐MA antibodies with nanomolar affinities and showed threefold greater peak titer levels than without E6020 (700 vs 250 μg/ml). These antibodies significantly decreased MA‐induced locomotor activation (p < .05), and reduced the brain (p < .005) MA levels following MA administration in actively immunized mice.

Conclusions

Thus, this anti‐MA vaccine formulated with E6020 demonstrated effective functional protection against behavioral disruptions induced by MA.

Scientific Significance

Together, anti‐MA vaccine showing a promising improvement in the efficacy of the vaccine that could be an effective candidate vaccine for methamphetamine use disorder (MUD). Furthermore, combinations of adjuvants may be a tool to design vaccines for MA dependence in humans. (Am J Addict 2019;XX:1–8)
Timing of brain metastases development in metastatic renal cell cancer patients treated with targeted therapies and survival outcomes: An Australian multicenter study
Authors: Ha Francis J. , Spain Lavinia , Dowling Anthony , Kwan Edmond M. , Pezaro Carmel , Day Daphne , Chia Puey Ling , Tran Ben , Pook David , Weickhardt Andrew J.
Published: January 2019

Aim

Targeted therapy (TT) has improved survival for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). However, survival is usually limited if brain metastases (BMs) develop. We aimed to evaluate survival outcomes in mRCC patients based on timing of BM diagnosis.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter, retrospective study of mRCC patients with BM who received TT at any point between 2005 and 2014. We determined overall survival (OS) from stage IV diagnosis, TT initiation and BM diagnosis, and prognostic factors. Patients were grouped into three categories: synchronous‐BM, metachronous‐BM diagnosed while conservatively managed (metachronous‐BM before TT) and metachronous‐BM diagnosed during TT. Survival was calculated by Kaplan–Meier method and predictors were calculated using Cox hazards regression.

Results

Incidence of BM was 17% in mRCC patients treated with TT (two centers). Fifty‐four mRCC‐BM patients were identified from five tertiary centers. Twenty‐eight percentage (15/54) had synchronous‐BM, 28% (15/54) had metachranous‐BM before TT and 44% (24/54) had metachronous‐BM during TT. Most had central nervous system (CNS) symptoms at BM diagnosis (78%; 42/54). Median OS from stage IV diagnosis, TT commencement and BM diagnosis was 28 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 16–43), 19 months (95% CI 9–26) and 9 months (95% CI 5–16), respectively. Synchronous‐BM group trended toward poorer survival from TT commencement (P = 0.06). Metachronous‐BM during TT group had lower survival from BM diagnosis than synchronous‐BM and metachronous‐BM before TT group (P < 0.001). Eight of 50 deaths (16%) were from neurological complications. The presence of CNS symptoms did not predict worse survival from stage IV diagnosis (P = 0.73).

Conclusion

In patients with mRCC, the development of BM while on TT portends shorter prognosis compared with synchronous diagnosis of BM at stage IV disease or metachronous BM developed prior to commencing TT. The presence of CNS symptoms does not predict worse survival.
Social exclusion and donation behaviour: What conditions motivate the socially excluded to donate?
Authors: Lee Guk‐Hee , Park Cheongyu
Published: January 2019

Previous research has indicated that social exclusion can result in people becoming more focused on themselves than on others, and this may reduce their likelihood of engaging in prosocial behaviour. However, the question of how to promote prosocial behaviour in people who have experienced social exclusion remains. This study comprised two experiments that address this question in the context of donation advertising. Experiment 1 examined participants’ donation intentions after experiencing social exclusion in a ball‐passing game. Experiment 2 followed the same design as Experiment 1, except that real‐life donation behaviour was measured. Consistent with prior findings, our results indicated that those who experienced social exclusion displayed lower donation intentions (Experiment 1) and donated less (Experiment 2) than did those who did not experience social exclusion. However, when those who experienced social exclusion watched advertisements that only portrayed alienated people, they showed as much donation intent as those who did not experience social exclusion (Experiment 1) and ultimately donated more (Experiment 2). These findings indicate that social exclusion may increase an individual's tendency to help others who also are alienated.
The Sensible Life of Return: Collaborative Experiments in Art and Anthropology in Palestine/Israel
Authors: Strohm Kiven
Published: January 2019

As a younger generation of Palestinians have started to return to the lands and villages of their parents and grandparents over the last decade, they have come to acknowledge a sensible world for which they have no immediate experience. The smell of wild za'atar, the sound of the breeze roaming the land, and the stories of trees and rocks are all experiences handed down by their parents and grandparents, heretofore unavailable to their own sensible life. This article is about a project‐to‐come that attends to these returns and the sensible/material worlds being invented. It is about the making of a collaboration between an anthropologist and an artist to create an experimental laboratory for Palestinians returning to their former lands and villages for speculating about their futures or what is yet to come. [Landscape, Sensible Colonialism, Materiality, Participatory Art, Palestine/Israel]
Suprachoroidally injected pharmacological agents for the treatment of chorio‐retinal diseases: a targeted approach
Authors: Habot‐Wilner Zohar , Noronha Glenn , Wykoff Charles C.
Published: January 2019

Delivery of pharmaceuticals to the posterior segment presents challenges that arise from the anatomy and clearance pharmacokinetics of the eye. Systemic and several local administration options [topical, periocular, intravitreal (IVT) and subretinal] are in clinical use, each with a unique benefit to risk profile shaped by factors including the administered agent, frequency of dosing, achievable pharmaceutical concentrations within posterior segment structures versus elsewhere in the eye or the body, invasiveness of the procedure and the inherent challenges with some administration methods. The use of the suprachoroidal space (SCS), which is the region between the sclera and the choroid, is being explored as a potential approach to target pharmacotherapies to the posterior segment via a minimally invasive injection procedure. Preclinical data on agents such as vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors and triamcinolone acetonide (TA) indicate that administration via suprachoroidal injection results in more posterior distribution of the pharmacologic agent, with higher exposure to the sclera, choroid, retinal pigment epithelium cells and retina, and lesser exposure to the anterior segment, than observed with IVT administration. Based in part on these findings, clinical trials have explored the efficacy and safety of suprachoroidal administration of pharmacologic therapies in conditions affecting the posterior segment. Data on a proprietary formulation of TA administered by suprachoroidal injection show improvement in anatomic and visual outcomes in subjects with noninfectious uveitis, with the potential to mitigate the known risks of cataract and increased intraocular pressure (IOP) associated with the use of intraocular corticosteroids. Suprachoroidal administration appears to be a promising treatment modality and is also in the early stages of investigation for other possible applications, such as injection of antiglaucoma agents into the anterior SCS for long‐lasting control of elevated IOP, and as a mode of delivery for gene‐ or cell‐based therapies for retinal disorders.