bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Country logistics performance and disaster impact
Authors: Vaillancourt Alain , Haavisto Ira
Published: August 2015

The aim of this paper is to deepen the understanding of the relationship between country logistics performance and disaster impact. The relationship is analysed through correlation analysis and regression models for 117 countries for the years 2007 to 2012 with disaster impact variables from the International Disaster Database (EM‐DAT) and logistics performance indicators from the World Bank. The results show a significant relationship between country logistics performance and disaster impact overall and for five out of six specific logistic performance indicators. These specific indicators were further used to explore the relationship between country logistic performance and disaster impact for three specific disaster types (epidemic, flood and storm). The findings enhance the understanding of the role of logistics in a humanitarian context with empirical evidence of the importance of country logistics performance in disaster response operations.
Motor development in visually impaired children
Authors: Hallemans Ann
Published: August 2015

This commentary is on the original article by Celano et al. on pages 154–159 of this issue.
Timing and content of interventions to enhance cognitive performance of very‐low‐birthweight children
Authors: Wolke Dieter
Published: August 2015

This commentary is on the original article by Grunewaldt et al. on pages 195–201 of this issue.
Genetic influences on dental enamel that impact caries differ between the primary and permanent dentitions
Authors: Bayram Merve , Deeley Kathleen , Reis Maria F. , Trombetta Vanessa M. , Ruff Timothy D. , Sencak Regina C. , Hummel Michael , Dizak Piper M. , Washam Kelly , Romanos Helena F. , Lips Andrea , Alves Gutemberg , Costa Marcelo C. , Granjeiro José M. , Antunes Leonardo S. , Küchler Erika C. , Seymen Figen , Vieira Alexandre R.
Published: August 2015

Clinically, primary and permanent teeth are distinct anatomically and the presentation of caries lesions differs between the two dentitions. Hence, the possibility exists that genetic contributions to tooth formation of the two dentitions are different. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that genetic associations with an artificial caries model will not be the same between primary and permanent dentitions. Enamel samples from primary and permanent teeth were tested for microhardness at baseline, after carious lesion creation, and after fluoride application to verify association with genetic variants of selected genes. Associations were found between genetic variants of ameloblastin, amelogenin, enamelin, tuftelin, tuftelin interactive protein 11, and matrix metallopeptidase 20 and enamel from permanent teeth but not with enamel from primary teeth. In conclusion, our data continue to support that genetic variation may impact enamel development and consequently individual caries susceptibility. These effects may be distinct between primary and permanent dentitions.
Which Beta Is Best? On the Information Content of Option‐implied Betas
Authors: Baule Rainer , Korn Olaf , Saßning Sven
Published: August 2015

Option‐implied betas are a promising alternative to historical beta estimators, because they are inherently forward‐looking and can incorporate new information immediately and fully. Recently, different implied beta estimators have been developed, but very little is known about their properties and information content. This paper presents a first systematic comparison between six different implied beta estimators, providing guidance for applications and identifying directions for further improvement. The analysis identifies explanatory factors for the predictive performance of implied estimators both in the cross section of stocks and over time. Furthermore, the analysis reveals patterns in the term structure of implied betas.
Deletion of Prdm8 impairs development of upper‐layer neocortical neurons
Authors: Inoue Mayuko , Iwai Ryota , Yamanishi Emiko , Yamagata Kazuyuki , Komabayashi‐Suzuki Mariko , Honda Aya , Komai Tae , Miyachi Hitoshi , Kitano Satsuki , Watanabe Chisato , Teshima Waka , Mizutani Ken‐ichi
Published: August 2015

Upper‐layer (UL) neocortical neurons are the most prominent distinguishing features of the mammalian neocortex compared with those of the avian dorsal cortex and are vastly expanded in primates. However, little is known about the identities of the genes that control the specification of UL neurons. Here, we found that Prdm8, a member of the PR (PRDI‐BF1 and RIZ homology) domain protein family, was specifically expressed in the postnatal UL neocortex, particular those in late‐born RORß‐positive layer IV neurons. We generated homozygous Prdm8 knockout (Prdm8 KO) mice and found that the deletion of Prdm8 causes growth retardation and a reduced brain weight, although the brain weight‐to‐body weight ratio is unchanged at postnatal day 8 (P8). Immunohistochemistry showed that the relative UL thickness, but not the thickness of the deep layer (DL), was significantly reduced in Prdm8 KO mice compared with wild‐type (WT) mice. In addition, we found that a number of late‐born Brn2‐positive UL neurons were significantly decreased in Prdm8 KO mice. To identify genes regulated by Prdm8 during neocortical development, we compared expression profiling analysis in Prdm8 KO and WT mice, and identified some candidate genes. These results suggest that the proper expression of Prdm8 is required for the normal development and construction of UL neurons in the mammalian neocortex.
miRNA for diagnosis and clinical implications of human hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Yurong , Tian Yaping
Published: August 2015

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies, as a result of being asymptomatic at early stage, subsequent late clinical confirmation and poor prognosis. It is urgent to search more accurate biomarkers for diagnosing early HCC and predicting prognosis. Many factors participate in liver carcinogenesis, including dysregulation of miRNA. miRNA were endogenously expressed non‐coding single‐stranded small RNA with 19–25 nucleotides. Accumulating evidences have showed that miRNA from circulation and solitary tumors may be useful to classify the differentiation degree and stages of HCC, detect the hepatitis B/C virus‐related HCC, and predict the survival rate after surgical resection or orthotopic liver transplantation. In this review, we summarize dysregulated miRNA, their roles in diagnosis and clinical implications of HCC.
The impact of oral health on daily performances and its association with clinical variables in a population in Zambia
Authors: Andersson P , Kavakure J , Lingström P
Published: August 2015

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate oral impacts on daily performance and to relate these data to oral clinical variables.

Material and methods

The study was performed at a dental clinic in Livingstone, Zambia, and included 78 subjects (mean age 28, range 15–48 years) consecutively recruited in connection with a dental care visit. Data were collected through a structured interview using the Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP) index measuring oral health‐related quality of life followed by a clinical examination.

Results

Oral health affected one or more daily performances during the last 6 months for 61.5% of the subjects. ‘Difficulty of eating and enjoying food’ was the performance reported most frequently (42.3%), and ‘speaking and pronouncing clearly’ was least often reported (10.3%). DMFT was 3.8, ±3.6 (mean ± SD; range 0–15). A majority of the individuals had periodontal pockets ≥4 mm (mean 4.3, ±2.6) (94.9%) and gingival bleeding on probing >20% (88.5%). Two or more decayed teeth were shown to be significantly associated (OR 4.6, CI 1.2–17.1) with one or more oral impacts on daily performances in a multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Conclusions

This study shown that there is a significant association between decayed teeth and oral impacts on daily performances. More research is needed, however, for deeper understanding of oral health problems and their impacts on daily life in Zambia.
Concentration of Omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids by polymeric membrane
Authors: Ghasemian Samaneh , Sahari Mohammad Ali , Barzegar Mohsen , Gavlighi Hassan Ahmadi
Published: August 2015

Omega‐3 is a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), which is an essential nutrient for health. Through this, the ω3‐PUFA concentration has increasingly gained interest. In this study, the concentration of ω3‐PUFA of Lantern fish oil was investigated through utilisation of membrane separation. Between tested membranes, it was observed that ETNA01PP separates ω3‐PUFA more selectively. Additionally, effects of main parameters affecting the ω3‐PUFA concentration, including temperature (20–40 °C), pressure (3–5 bar) and stirring rate (0–200 rpm), were evaluated through Box–Behnken design of experiment. According to anova, all these parameters showed significant impact on ω3‐PUFA concentration. To determine the optimal process parameters, the Derringer's desirability prediction tool was employed in which the highest ω3‐PUFA concentration of 35.1058 wt. % was estimated. The obtained optimal condition was found to be the temperature of 36.19 °C, pressure of 4.82 bar and stirring rate of 43.01 rpm with a desirability value of 0.99.
Combination of SYBR Green II and TaqMan Probe in the adulteration detection of Dendrobium devonianum by fluorescent quantitative PCR
Authors: Yan Wenjin , Zhang Jingzi , Zheng Rui , Sun Yulong , Ren Jie , Ding Xiaoyu
Published: August 2015

‘Zipi Fengdou’ is a restorative food made of the stem of Dendrobium devonianum, Paxt., whose high commercial value presents the constant risk of adulteration with cheaper ‘Foudou’ products made from other Dendrobium species. Therefore, this study developed two assays capable of detecting D. devonianum based on SYBR Green II and TaqMan probe real‐time PCR. By performing the diagnostic real‐time PCR based on SYBR Green II, two DNA fragments (163 and 159 bp) were specifically amplified from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of D. devonianum. The average cycle threshold (Ct) values of two D. devonianum samples collected from different Chinese provinces were shown to be 16.65 for ITS1‐4 and 16.38 for ITS2‐1, which were significantly (P < 0.001, SPSS) different from those of the reference Dendrobium species used as adulterants of ‘Zipi Fengdou’ (34.94 for ITS1‐4, 34.67 for ITS2‐1). Moreover, in the assay based on TaqMan probe real‐time PCR, two TaqMan probes were designed and tested for the quantitative detection of D. devonianum in commercial samples labelled as ‘Zipi Fengdou’. As a result, this assay specifically and sensitively distinguished the processed Fengdou’ sample of D. devonianum from those of adulterant Dendrobium species.
Prognostic Value of 24-H ABPM in Acute Ischemic Stroke for Short-, Medium-, and Long-Term Outcome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kakaletsis Nikolaos , Ntaios George , Milionis Haralampos , Haidich Anna-Bettina , Makaritsis Konstantinos , Savopoulos Christos , Berge Eivind , Hatzitolios Apostolos I.
Published: August 2015

Background

The association of blood pressure levels during the acute phase of ischemic stroke with outcome remains controversial.

Aims

The objective of this systematic review is to assess the predictive value for stroke outcome assessed by the modified Rankin scale score of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, measured by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring methods during the acute phase of ischemic stroke, compared with the values of casually derived blood pressure measurement on admission.

Methods

We searched for studies with patients admitted within 24 h of stroke onset, and who had ambulatory blood pressure monitoring during the first 24 h of admission. We identified studies that reported blood pressure in those with good outcome and in those with poor outcome at end of follow-up, and performed a meta-analysis of the effect of mean blood pressure on outcome.

Results

High systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels derived with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were associated with poor short-, medium-, and long-term outcome, but the same was not found for casual blood pressure measurements. An increase in systolic blood pressure of 9·1 mmHg (95% confidence interval: 6·6–11·6, P < 0·001; I2 = 9%) and an increase in diastolic blood pressure of 2·3 mmHg (95% confidence interval: 0·8–3·7, P = 0·002; I2 = 0%) were associated with poor outcome.

Conclusions

Higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels derived with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were associated with poor outcome. The same was not found for higher casual blood pressure measurements on admission, and it is possible that ambulatory blood pressure monitoring conveys better prognostic information.
Co‐evolution of the MHC class I and KIR gene families in rhesus macaques: ancestry and plasticity
Authors: de Groot Natasja G. , Blokhuis Jeroen H. , Otting Nel , Doxiadis Gaby G. M. , Bontrop Ronald E.
Published: August 2015

Researchers dealing with the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and killer immunoglobulin receptor (KIR) multi‐gene families in humans are often wary of the complex and seemingly different situation that is encountered regarding these gene families in Old World monkeys. For the sake of comparison, the well‐defined and thoroughly studied situation in humans has been taken as a reference. In macaques, both the major histocompatibility complex class I and KIR gene families are plastic entities that have experienced various rounds of expansion, contraction, and subsequent recombination processes. As a consequence, haplotypes in macaques display substantial diversity with regard to gene copy number variation. Additionally, for both multi‐gene families, differential levels of polymorphism (allelic variation), and expression are observed as well. A comparative genetic approach has allowed us to answer questions related to ancestry, to shed light on unique adaptations of the species’ immune system, and to provide insights into the genetic events and selective pressures that have shaped the range of these gene families.
NK cells: tuned by peptide?
Authors: Das Jayajit , Khakoo Salim I.
Published: August 2015

Natural killer cells express multiple receptors for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I, including the killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIRs) and the C‐type lectin‐like CD94:NKG2 receptors. The KIR locus is extremely polymorphic, paralleling the diversity of its classical MHC class I ligands. Similarly, the conservation of the NKG2 family of receptors parallels the conservation of MHC‐E, the ligand for CD94:NKG2A/C/E. Binding of both CD94:NKG2 heterodimers and KIR to their respective MHC class I ligand is peptide dependent, and despite the evolution of these receptors, they have retained the property of peptide selectivity. Such peptide selectivity affects these two systems in different ways. HLA‐E binding non‐inhibitory peptides augment inhibition at CD94:NKG2A, while HLA‐C binding non‐inhibitory peptides antagonize inhibition at KIR2DL2/3, implying that KIRs are specialized to respond positively to changes in peptide repertoire. Thus, while specific KIRs, such as KIR2DL3, are associated with beneficial outcomes from viral infections, viral peptides augment inhibition at CD94:NKGA. Conversely, NKG2A‐positive NK cells sense MHC class I downregulation more efficiently than KIRs. Thus, these two receptor:ligand systems appear to have complementary functions in recognizing changes in MHC class I.
Human KIR repertoires: shaped by genetic diversity and evolution
Authors: Manser Angela R. , Weinhold Sandra , Uhrberg Markus
Published: August 2015

Killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIRs) on natural killer (NK) cells are crucially involved in the control of cancer development and virus infection by probing cells for proper expression of HLA class I. The clonally distributed expression of KIRs leads to great combinatorial diversity that develops in the presence of the evolutionary older CD94/NKG2A receptor to create highly stochastic but tolerant repertoires of NK cells. These repertoires are present at birth and are subsequently shaped by an individuals’ immunological history toward recognition of self. The single most important factor that shapes functional NK cell repertoires is the genetic diversity of KIR, which is characterized by the presence of group A and B haplotypes with complementary gene content that are present in all human populations. Group A haplotypes constitute the minimal genetic entity that provides high affinity recognition of all major human leukocyte antigen class I‐encoded ligands, whereas group B haplotypes contribute to the diversification of NK cell repertoires by providing sets of stimulatory KIR genes that modify NK cell responses. We suggest a cooperative model for the balancing selection of A and B haplotypes, which is driven by the need to provide a suitable corridor of repertoire complexity in which A/A individuals with only 16 different KIR combinations coexist with A/B and B/B donors expressing up to 2048 different clone types.
Ly49 receptors: evolution, genetic diversity, and impact on immunity
Authors: Rahim Mir Munir A. , Makrigiannis Andrew P.
Published: August 2015

Natural killer (NK) cells express cell surface receptors that recognize class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC‐I) molecules to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy cells. The multigenic and polymorphic nature of the MHC‐I genes has influenced the convergent evolution of similarly polymorphic and diversified NK cell receptor families: the C‐type lectin‐like Ly49 receptors in mice, and the killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIRs) in humans. Although structurally distinct, both receptor families have similar functions in terms of MHC‐I recognition and downstream signal transduction, and they regulate multiple aspects of NK cell biology during development and after maturation as fully differentiated and functionally competent cells. The Ly49 gene locus has undergone rapid, lineage‐specific expansions and contractions resulting in multiple distinct haplotypes of variable gene number, allelic diversity, and MHC‐I ligand specificity. This in turn has influenced the type and degree of Ly49 receptor expression on NK cells, and their contribution to immunity in different mouse strains. In this review, we have attempted to describe the evolutionary processes that have shaped strain‐specific Ly49 receptor repertoires, and their impact on NK cell functions during health and disease.
A bird's eye view of NK cell receptor interactions with their MHC class I ligands
Authors: Saunders Philippa M. , Vivian Julian P. , O'Connor Geraldine M. , Sullivan Lucy C. , Pymm Phillip , Rossjohn Jamie , Brooks Andrew G.
Published: August 2015

The surveillance of target cells by natural killer (NK) cells utilizes an ensemble of inhibitory and activating receptors, many of which interact with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. NK cell recognition of MHC class I proteins is important developmentally for the acquisition of full NK cell effector capacity and during target cell recognition, where the engagement of inhibitory receptors and MHC class I molecules attenuates NK cell activation. Human NK cells have evolved two broad strategies for recognition of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules: (i) direct recognition of polymorphic classical HLA class I proteins by diverse receptor families such as the killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIRs), and (ii) indirect recognition of conserved sets of HLA class I‐derived peptides displayed on the non‐classical HLA‐E for recognition by CD94‐NKG2 receptors. In this review, we assess the structural basis for the interaction between these NK receptors and their HLA class I ligands and, using the suite of published KIR and CD94‐NKG2 ternary complexes, highlight the features that allow NK cells to orchestrate the recognition of a range of different HLA class I proteins.
Activation of human T cells by CD1 and self‐lipids
Authors: de Jong Annemieke
Published: August 2015

Over two decades ago, it was discovered that the human T‐cell repertoire contains T cells that do not recognize peptide antigens in the context of MHC molecules but instead respond to lipid antigens presented by CD1 antigen‐presenting molecules. The ability of T cells to ‘see’ lipid antigens bound to CD1 enables these lymphocytes to sense changes in the lipid composition of cells and tissues as a result of infections, inflammation, or malignancies. Although foreign lipid antigens have been shown to function as antigens for CD1‐restricted T cells, many CD1‐restricted T cells do not require foreign antigens for activation but instead can be activated by self‐lipids presented by CD1. This review highlights recent developments in the field, including the identification of common mammalian lipids that function as autoantigens for αβ and γδ T cells, a novel mode of T‐cell activation whereby CD1a itself rather than lipids serves as the autoantigen, and various mechanisms by which the activation of CD1‐autoreactive T cells is regulated. As CD1 can induce T‐cell effector functions in the absence of foreign antigens, multiple mechanisms are in place to regulate this self‐reactivity, and stimulatory CD1‐lipid complexes appear to be tightly controlled in space and time.
Co‐evolution of NK receptors and HLA ligands in humans is driven by reproduction
Authors: Moffett Ashley , Colucci Francesco
Published: August 2015

Allogeneic individuals co‐exist during pregnancy in eutherian mammals. Maternal and fetal cells intermingle at the site of placental attachment in the uterus, where the arteries are remodeled to supply the fetus with oxygen and nutrients. This access by placental cells to the maternal supply line determines the growth and birth weight of the baby and is subject to stabilizing selection. Invading placental trophoblast cells express human leukocyte antigen class I ligands (HLA‐E, HLA‐G, and HLA‐C) for receptors on maternal uterine natural killer (NK) and myelomonocytic cells, CD94/NKG2, leukocyte immunoglobulin‐like receptor (LILR), and killer immunoglobulin receptor (KIR). Of these, only the KIR/HLA‐C system is highly polymorphic. Different combinations of maternal KIR and fetal HLA‐C variants are correlated with low birth weight and pre‐eclampsia or high birth weight and obstructed labor, the two extremes of the obstetric dilemma. This situation has arisen because of the evolution of bipedalism and subsequently, in the last million years, larger brains. At this point, the human system began to reach a balance between KIR A and KIR B haplotypes and C1 and C2 epitopes of HLA‐C alleles that reflects a functional compromise between the competing demands of immunity and reproduction.
Selection, tuning, and adaptation in mouse NK cell education
Authors: Kadri Nadir , Luu Thanh Thuy , Höglund Petter
Published: August 2015

Natural killer (NK) cells recognize transformed cells with an array of germline‐encoded inhibitory and activating receptors. Inhibitory Ly49 receptors bind major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC‐I) molecules, providing a mechanism by which NK cells maintain self‐tolerance yet eliminate cells expressing reduced levels of MHC‐I. Additionally, MHC‐I molecules are required for NK cell education, a process in which NK cells acquire responsiveness. In this review, we discuss three facets of MHC class I‐dependent education of mouse NK cells: skewing of the inhibitory receptor repertoire, induction of functional responsiveness, and tuning in response to changes in MHC‐I expression. We discuss prevailing models for education such as licensing and disarming and propose a model for positive selection of ‘useful’ NK cell subsets. Furthermore, we argue that both repertoire skewing and functional NK cell education may be altered in mature NK cells subject to changes in MHC‐I input and suggest that this process may provide increased dynamics to the NK cell system.
Constrained Sintering of Alumina Stripes on Rigid Substrates: Effect of Substrate Roughness and Coating
Authors: Jamin Christine , Rasp Tobias , Kraft Torsten , Guillon Olivier
Published: August 2015

Micromolding in capillaries has been used to fabricate alumina stripes on smooth (Ra = 0.5 nm) and rough substrates (Ra = 900 nm). Different lateral (10–500 μm) and vertical stripe dimensions (8–27 μm) were used to study the influence of substrate roughness (smooth and rough sapphire) and substrate material (platinum coated and plain sapphire) on sintering behavior. Alumina stripes experience edge delamination during sintering on a rigid substrate independent of substrate roughness. However, enhanced substrate roughness reduced delamination length by half and lowered lateral strains by up to 0.10. Grooves in the rough substrate were found to be responsible for this feature as they act as crack propagation barriers and generate local density minima. Accompanying discrete element simulations revealed a localized triaxial stress state at the grooves of a sinusoidal‐shaped substrate interface as the main cause of the density minima. Platinum interlayers also resulted in reduced delamination by 40% in some stripe geometries while density was enhanced by 4% and lateral strains doubled in some geometries. Creep of the metal layer during sintering is thought to be the reason for this seemingly contradictory behavior.
The effects of auditory hallucination symptom management programme for people with schizophrenia: a quasi‐experimental design
Authors: Yang Chiu‐Yueh , Lee Tien‐Hao , Lo Su‐Chen , Beckstead Jason W.
Published: August 2015

Aim

To examine the effectiveness of an auditory hallucinatory symptom management programme in patients with chronic schizophrenia.

Background

Thirty per cent of chronic schizophrenia patients are still disturbed by hallucinations, which influence their psychological and social well‐being, even when they take medication regularly.

Method

Fifty‐eight people experiencing schizophrenia with auditory hallucinations from psychiatric inpatient rehabilitation wards in northern Taiwan participated in the study, with 29 in the experimental group and 29 in the control group. The experimental group received an auditory hallucinatory symptom management programme. The auditory hallucinatory symptom management programme involved 60‐minute meetings once a week, for a total of 10 meetings. The control group received routine care, which included free recreation for 40 minutes and walking for 20 minutes. The participants completed three self‐report questionnaires: the Beck Depressive Inventory II, the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Characteristics of Auditory Hallucinations Questionnaire. Data were collected at baseline, immediately following the intervention and at 3 months and 6 months post intervention. Data collection occurred between March 2010–May 2013.

Results

The experimental group showed a non‐significant improvement in anxiety symptoms over time. Generalized estimating equations revealed that the experimental group achieved a greater drop in Characteristics of Auditory Hallucinations Questionnaire score than the controls at three and 6 months post intervention. Beck Depressive Inventory II scores in the experimental group (n = 29) had significantly improved in 3 months.

Conclusion

The auditory hallucinatory symptom management programme seems to be effective in improving auditory hallucinatory symptoms and depressive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.
Are support and social comparison compatible? Individual differences in the multiplexity of career‐related social networks
Authors: Tschopp Cécile , Unger Dana , Grote Gudela
Published: August 2015

Social networks are crucial for helping people in their careers. Moreover, social identity is reflected in and influenced by individuals’ networks. To date, there is little knowledge on how these different functions of networks might interact. A survey in which 450 individuals provided information on 2,499 contacts in their social networks indicated both multiplexity and segmentation in networks. Contacts tended either to provide psychosocial support only or to provide instrumental support and serve as a standard for social comparison. The segmentation was stronger for individuals with an independent career orientation than for promotion‐oriented individuals. These findings contribute to the literature on social networks and careers by providing insights into how career orientation affects the multiplexity in career‐related social networks.
Trade Credit Risk Management: The Role of Executive Risk‐Taking Incentives
Authors: Elsilä Anna
Published: August 2015

In this study we investigate how executive equity incentives affect companies’ risk‐taking behavior in relationships with their customers. We hypothesize and find that executive risk‐taking incentives provided by options are positively related to the degree of trade credit riskiness measured both as the amount of total trade credit a firm extends to all its customers and as the amount of trade credit a firm extends to customers with a high probability of default. We also find that the measures of trade credit riskiness are positively related to the firm's future stock return volatility, suggesting that the customer default risk inherent in customer‐supplier trade credit relationships represents an important economic source of the overall supplier‐firm riskiness. The findings of the study provide insights into why firms facing financial difficulties are not denied trade credit.
Impact of Pulmonary Vein Isolation on Superior Vena Cava Potentials With a Second‐Generation Cryoballoon
Authors: ICHIHARA NOBORU , MIYAZAKI SHINSUKE , KUROI AKIO , HACHIYA HITOSHI , NAKAMURA HIROAKI , TANIGUCHI HIROSHI , ARAKI MAKOTO , TAKAGI TAKAMITSU , IWASAWA JIN , IESAKA YOSHITO
Published: August 2015

Impact of Cryoballoon Ablation on SVC Potentials

Background

Radiofrequency ablation of the right superior pulmonary vein (RSPV) can lead to inadvertent superior vena cava (SVC) isolation due to the close anatomical proximity. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of PV isolation on SVC potentials with a second‐generation cryoballoon.

Methods

Thirty‐one consecutive paroxysmal atrial fibrillation patients who underwent PV isolation exclusively with a 28 mm second‐generation cryoballoon and single 3‐minute freeze technique were prospectively enrolled. The produced SVC potential conduction delay during the RSPV isolation was prospectively evaluated using circular mapping catheters placed in the SVC throughout the cryoballoon procedure.

Results

Stable SVC potentials were recorded in 28 (90.3%) patients. The produced SVC potential conduction delay during the RSPV isolation was a median of 6.0 (0.5–7.6) milliseconds, and >5.0 milliseconds in 16 (57.1%) patients. Among them, the delay had shortened by >5.0 milliseconds in 7 (43.8%) patients within 5 minutes after the RSPV application. The distance between the RSPV ostium and SVC was the sole parameter correlated with the produced delay (R = 0.77, P < 0.0001). For the association between the distance and a produced delay of >5 milliseconds, the area under the curve was 0.896 (95% confidential interval = 0.775–1.000). The optimal cutoff point for the distance predicting the occurrence of the conduction delay (>5 milliseconds) was 2.5 mm (sensitivity 83.3%, specificity 81.2%).

Conclusions

RSPV isolation with a second‐generation cryoballoon could produce an SVC potential conduction delay. The anatomical distance between the RSPV and SVC significantly correlated with the impact.
Doxycycline reduces the migration of tuberous sclerosis complex‐2 null cells ‐ effects on RhoA‐GTPase and focal adhesion kinase
Authors: Ng Ho Yin , Oliver Brian Gregory George , Burgess Janette Kay , Krymskaya Vera P. , Black Judith Lee , Moir Lyn M.
Published: August 2015

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is associated with dysfunction of the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) leading to enhanced cell proliferation and migration. This study aims to examine whether doxycycline, a tetracycline antibiotic, can inhibit the enhanced migration of TSC2‐deficient cells, identify signalling pathways through which doxycycline works and to assess the effectiveness of combining doxycycline with rapamycin (mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 inhibitor) in controlling cell migration, proliferation and wound closure. TSC2‐positive and TSC2‐negative mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF), 323‐TSC2‐positive and 323‐TSC2‐null MEF and Eker rat uterine leiomyoma (ELT3) cells were treated with doxycycline or rapamycin alone, or in combination. Migration, wound closure and proliferation were assessed using a transwell migration assay, time‐lapse microscopy and manual cell counts respectively. RhoA‐GTPase activity, phosphorylation of p70S6 kinase (p70S6K) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in TSC2‐negative MEF treated with doxycycline were examined using ELISA and immunoblotting techniques. The enhanced migration of TSC2‐null cells was reduced by doxycycline at concentrations as low as 20 pM, while the rate of wound closure was reduced at 2–59 μM. Doxycycline decreased RhoA‐GTPase activity and phosphorylation of FAK in these cells but had no effect on the phosphorylation of p70S6K, ERK1/2 or AKT. Combining doxycycline with rapamycin significantly reduced the rate of wound closure at lower concentrations than achieved with either drug alone. This study shows that doxycycline inhibits TSC2‐null cell migration. Thus doxycycline has potential as an anti‐migratory agent in the treatment of diseases with TSC2 dysfunction.
Measuring fish body condition with or without parasites: does it matter?
Authors: Lagrue C. , Poulin R.
Published: August 2015

A fish body condition index was calculated twice for each individual fish, including or excluding parasite mass from fish body mass, and index values were compared to test the effects of parasite mass on measurement of body condition. Potential correlations between parasite load and the two alternative fish condition index values were tested to assess how parasite mass may influence the perception of the actual effects of parasitism on fish body condition. Helminth parasite mass was estimated in common bully Gobiomorphus cotidianus from four New Zealand lakes and used to assess the biasing effects of parasite mass on body condition indices. Results showed that the inclusion or exclusion of parasite mass from fish body mass in index calculations significantly influenced correlation patterns between parasite load and fish body condition indices. When parasite mass was included, there was a positive correlation between parasite load and fish body condition, seemingly indicating that fish in better condition supported higher parasite loads. When parasite mass was excluded, there was no correlation between parasite load and fish body condition, i.e. there was no detectable effect of helminth parasites on fish condition or fish condition on parasite load. Fish body condition tended to be overestimated when parasite mass was not accounted for; results showed a positive correlation between relative parasite mass and the degree to which individual fish condition was overestimated. Regardless of the actual effects of helminth parasites on fish condition, parasite mass contained within a fish should be taken into account when estimating fish condition. Parasite tissues are not host tissues and should not be included in fish mass when calculating a body condition index, especially when looking at potential effects of helminth infections on fish condition.
Angular roughshark Oxynotus centrina (Squaliformes: Oxynotidae) in captivity feeding exclusively on elasmobranch eggs: an overlooked feeding niche or a matter of individual taste?
Authors: Guallart J. , García‐Salinas P. , Ahuir‐Baraja A. E. , Guimerans M. , Ellis J. R. , Roche M.
Published: August 2015

A specimen of angular roughshark Oxynotus centrina has been kept successfully in captivity for the first time. Over a period of 24 months, the specimen preyed exclusively on the contents of elasmobranch egg cases, suggesting a specialized trophic niche.
Human cytomegalovirus‐1 and Epstein–Barr virus‐1 viral colonization of titanium and zirconia abutments: a split‐mouth study
Authors: Kheur Mohit , Harianawala Husain Hatim , Sethi Tania , Kheur Supriya , Acharya Aneesha , Mattheos Nikos
Published: August 2015

Aim

Human cytomegalovirus‐1 (HCMV‐1) and Epstein–Barr virus‐1 (EBV‐1) detection in submarginal plaque is linked to diseased states of the periodontium. In the present study, we evaluated the viral colonization of titanium and zirconia abutments by HCMV‐1 and EBV‐1 in a split‐mouth study.

Methods

Forty dental implant abutments placed in 20 non‐smokers were evaluated retrospectively. Each participant had received at least one each of titanium and zirconia abutments (in function for at least 1 year). HCMV‐1 and EBV‐1 were evaluated in these clinically‐healthy peri‐implant sites' submarginal plaque biofilm at one titanium and one zirconia abutment, one healthy tooth site, and serum using polymerase chain reaction assays. Related‐samples McNemar test and Wilcoxon signed‐rank test were used to determine the differences in viral detection frequency and load, respectively.

Results

EBV‐1 was detected at the titanium abutment in 60% of participants, but in none at their zirconia abutment (P = 0.04). HCMV‐1 was detected at the titanium abutments in 90% of participants, and at the zirconia abutments in 70% of participants. This difference was not significant (P = 0.25). The differences in HCMV‐1 viral load between the abutment types were insignificant (P = 0.075).

Conclusion

EBV‐1 did not colonize the biofilm at the zirconia abutments as opposed to the titanium abutments in the same participants. Abutment material could contribute to differences in biofilm characteristics.
Detection of Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage After Endovascular Therapy in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke Using Immediate Postprocedural Flat‐Panel Computed Tomography Scan
Authors: Payabvash Seyedmehdi , Khan Asif A. , Qureshi Mushtaq H. , Saeed Omar , Suri M. Fareed K. , Qureshi Adnan I.
Published: August 2015

PURPOSE

To assess the diagnostic value of parenchymal hyperdense lesions visualized on the flat‐panel CT scan in detecting/excluding intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH) after the endovascular treatment of acute stroke patients.

METHODS

Two separate cohorts of acute ischemic stroke patients who underwent endovascular treatment were evaluated. In the first group, patients were evaluated for hyperdense parenchymal lesions immediately after the treatment with flat‐panel CT scan; whereas, in the second group, patients underwent multidetector CT scan post procedure. IPH was defined as hyperdensity that persisted for >24 hours on follow up CT scan.

RESULTS

A total of 30 patients were evaluated with flat panel, and 135 with multidetector CT scan immediately after the endovascular treatment. Hyperdense lesions were visualized on 7/30 (23%) of those evaluated with flat‐panel CT versus 74/135 (55%) of those evaluated with multidetector CT scan. Based on 24‐hour follow up imaging, hyperdense parenchymal lesions on immediate postprocedural flat‐panel or multidetector CT studies had 100% sensitivity and negative predictive value for IPH; whereas, the specificity, and positive predictive value of such lesions were 88% and, 57% on the flat panel; and 53% and, 27% on the multidetector CT study, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The absence of hyperdense lesions on immediate postprocedural flat‐panel CT scan of ischemic stroke patients can exclude IPH with a high sensitivity and negative predictive value. The hyperdense parenchymal lesions visualized on flat‐panel versus multidetector CT studies may have comparable sensitivity and negative predictive value for the detection of IPH.
Focus on Italian Verbal Morphology in Multilingual Classes
Authors: Whittle Anna , Lyster Roy
Published: August 2015

This quasi‐experimental study investigated the effects of form‐focused instruction on Italian verbal morphology (first‐ and second‐person singular forms and third‐person plural forms of the present indicative) in a multilingual primary school in Italy. The 10‐hour instructional treatment was distributed over fifteen 40‐minute biweekly lessons in three intact Grade 2 classes comprising native and nonnative speakers of Italian. The instruction was designed to increase the saliency and frequency of the target forms while providing opportunities for oral production practice and corrective feedback. To measure the effects of instruction, 14 Chinese L1 students from the three classes comprised the experimental group, while a similar group of nine Chinese L1 students attending Grade 2 classes at the same school during the following year served as the comparison group. Both groups participated in oral elicitation tasks that served as pre‐ and posttests. A one‐way analysis of variance showed a strong treatment effect for the form‐focused instruction and qualitative analysis of the production data revealed developmental strategies specific to the experimental group.
α1 and α2‐adrenergic agonists on cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites
Authors: Ventura‐Cots Meritxell , Santos Begoña , Genescà Joan
Published: August 2015

See Article on Page 205
Roost site selection by tree‐dwelling bats across biogeographical regions: an updated meta‐analysis with meta‐regression
Authors: Naďo Ladislav , Kaňuch Peter
Published: August 2015

Bats roosting in tree cavities, under loose bark or just on branches in foliage, so‐called tree‐dwelling bats, are a very diverse and abundant group of species. Although they can be very different species with locally distinct needs, radical exploitation of forest habitats and global changes have meant that many of them are regionally endangered and survive today only in small populations. To help develop appropriate conservation policies and management plans, much research in recent decades has been focussed on inferring habitat selection by tree‐dwelling bats. However, large variability in the reported selection patterns makes it difficult to suggest some more‐or‐less universal and easily applicable management recommendations, also for regions in which nature conservation awareness is low.

We created a meta‐analytic model to explore selection patterns at a global scale. Phylogenetic relationships among species and additional variables were included to explain discrepancies between studies.

A meta‐analytic model showed that bats are selecting trees with trunk diameters that are larger than those of randomly selected trees, and this pattern is consistent within each biogeographical region. However, meta‐regression revealed that the detectability of the selection depends strongly on the structural variability within the study environment (size of randomly selected or surrounding trees in forest stands, forest fragmentation, habitat disturbance) and on the methodological approach that has been applied (the length of the study). We found stronger selection for larger trees in non‐fragmented and less disturbed forests than in fragmented forests with high habitat disturbance, and, strikingly, short‐term studies yielded results with stronger selection than long‐term studies.

Our results suggest that patterns of roosting habitat selection by bats may be overestimated in some studies. In conclusion, we propose that further research should be conducted in all types of forest ecosystem (data from the tropics are currently missing). Future studies should include at least three years of data collection, in order to avoid estimation bias in habitat selection patterns.
Evolutionary processes driving spatial patterns of intraspecific genetic diversity in river ecosystems
Authors: Paz‐Vinas I. , Loot G. , Stevens V. M. , Blanchet S.
Published: August 2015

Describing, understanding and predicting the spatial distribution of genetic diversity is a central issue in biological sciences. In river landscapes, it is generally predicted that neutral genetic diversity should increase downstream, but there have been few attempts to test and validate this assumption across taxonomic groups. Moreover, it is still unclear what are the evolutionary processes that may generate this apparent spatial pattern of diversity. Here, we quantitatively synthesized published results from diverse taxa living in river ecosystems, and we performed a meta‐analysis to show that a downstream increase in intraspecific genetic diversity (DIGD) actually constitutes a general spatial pattern of biodiversity that is repeatable across taxa. We further demonstrated that DIGD was stronger for strictly waterborne dispersing than for overland dispersing species. However, for a restricted data set focusing on fishes, there was no evidence that DIGD was related to particular species traits. We then searched for general processes underlying DIGD by simulating genetic data in dendritic‐like river systems. Simulations revealed that the three processes we considered (downstream‐biased dispersal, increase in habitat availability downstream and upstream‐directed colonization) might generate DIGD. Using random forest models, we identified from simulations a set of highly informative summary statistics allowing discriminating among the processes causing DIGD. Finally, combining these discriminant statistics and approximate Bayesian computations on a set of twelve empirical case studies, we hypothesized that DIGD were most likely due to the interaction of two of these three processes and that contrary to expectation, they were not solely caused by downstream‐biased dispersal.
Assessment of bolus transit with intraluminal impedance measurement in patients with esophageal motility disorders
Authors: Bogte A. , Bredenoord A. J. , Oors J. , Siersema P. D. , Smout A. J. P. M.
Published: August 2015

Background

The clinical management of patients with non‐obstructive dysphagia is notoriously difficult. Esophageal impedance measurement can be used to measure esophageal bolus transit without the use of radiation exposure to patients. However, validation of measurement of bolus transit with impedance monitoring has only been performed in healthy subjects with normal motility and not in patients with dysphagia and esophageal motility disorders. The aim was, therefore, to investigate the relationship between transit of swallowed liquid boluses in healthy controls and in patients with dysphagia.

Methods

Twenty healthy volunteers and 20 patients with dysphagia underwent concurrent impedance measurement and videofluoroscopy. Each subject swallowed five liquid barium boluses. The ability of detecting complete or incomplete bolus transit by means of impedance measurement was assessed, using radiographic bolus transit as the gold standard.

Key Results

Impedance monitoring recognized stasis and transit in 80.5% of the events correctly, with 83.9% of bolus transit being recognized and 77.2% of stasis being recognized correctly. In controls 79.8% of all swallows were scored correctly, whereas in patients 81.3% of all swallows were scored correctly. Depending on the contractility pattern, between 77.0% and 94.3% of the swallows were scored correctly.

Conclusions & Inferences

Impedance measurement can be used to assess bolus clearance patterns in healthy subjects, but can also be used to reliably assess bolus transit in patients with dysphagia and motility disorders.