bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seagrass coastal protection services reduced by invasive species expansion and megaherbivore grazing
Authors: James Rebecca K. , Christianen Marjolijn J. A. , van Katwijk Marieke M. , de Smit Jaco C. , Bakker Elisabeth S. , Herman Peter M. J. , Bouma Tjeerd J.
Published: May 2020

Seagrasses provide an important ecosystem service by creating a stable erosion‐resistant seabed that contributes to effective coastal protection. Variable morphologies and life‐history strategies, however, are likely to impact the sediment stabilization capacity of different seagrass species. We question how opportunistic invasive species and increasing grazing by megaherbivores may alter sediment stabilization services provided by established seagrass meadows, using the Caribbean as a case study.

Utilizing two portable field‐flumes that simulate unidirectional and oscillatory flow regimes, we compared the sediment stabilization capacity of natural seagrass meadows in situ under current‐ and wave‐dominated regimes. Monospecific patches of a native (Thalassia testudinum) and an invasive (Halophila stipulacea) seagrass species were compared, along with the effect of three levels of megaherbivore grazing on T. testudinum: ungrazed, lightly grazed and intensively grazed.

For both hydrodynamic regimes, the long‐leaved, dense meadows of the climax species, T. testudinum provided the highest stabilization. However, the loss of above‐ground biomass by intensive grazing reduced the capacity of the native seagrass to stabilize the surface sediment. Caribbean seagrass meadows are presently threatened by the rapid spread of the invasive opportunistic seagrass, H. stipulacea. The dense meadows of H. stipulacea were found to accumulate fine sediment, and thereby, appear to be effective in reducing bottom shear stress during calm periods. This fine sediment within the invasive meadows, however, is easily resuspended by hydrodynamic forces, and the low below‐ground biomass of H. stipulacea make it susceptible to uprooting during storm events, potentially leaving large regions vulnerable to erosion. Overall, this present study highlights that intensive megaherbivore grazing and opportunistic invasive species threaten the coastal protection services provided by mildly grazed native species.

Synthesis. Seagrass meadows of dense, long‐leaved species stabilize the sediment surface and maintain the seabed integrity, thereby contributing to coastal protection. These services are threatened by intensive megaherbivore grazing, which reduces the stability of the surface sediment, and opportunistic invasive species, which are susceptible to uprooting in storms and thereby can leave the seabed vulnerable to erosion.
Risk Aversion and the Elasticity of Intertemporal Substitution among Australian Households
Authors: Freestone Owen , Breunig Robert
Published: May 2020

This paper explores the degree of risk aversion amonsg Australian households using panel data from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. Using households' share of risky assets, we test whether relative risk aversion is constant in wealth. After accounting for measurement error, we cannot reject the constant relative risk aversion (CRRA) assumption. Using a CRRA utility function, we estimate the elasticity of intertemporal substitution and infer a coefficient of relative risk aversion of 1.2 to 1.4. These findings can provide guidance for calibrating household preferences in macroeconomic models of the Australian economy.
The Psilocin (4‐hydroxy‐N,N‐dimethyltryptamine) and Bufotenine (5‐hydroxy‐N,N‐dimethyltryptamine) Case: Ensuring the Correct Isomer has Been Identified
Authors: Mishraki‐Berkowitz Tehila , Kochelski Esti , Kavanagh Pierce , O'Brien John , Dunne Clodagh , Talbot Brian , Ennis Patricia , Wolf Udi (Ehud)
Published: May 2020

Psilocin (4‐hydroxy‐N,N‐dimethyltryptamine, 4‐HO‐DMT) and bufotenine (5‐hydroxy‐N,N‐dimethyltryptamine, 5‐HO‐DMT), which are both naturally occurring compounds, are classified as controlled substances in numerous countries due to their pharmacological activities and recreational usage. There are two other benzene ring regioisomers, 6‐hydroxy‐N,N‐dimethyltryptamine (6‐HO‐DMT) and 7‐hydroxy‐N,N‐dimethyltryptamine (7‐HO‐DMT), which are not classified by name as controlled substances, and which were synthesized for this current work. The four isomers were analyzed using routine methodologies employed by the Israel's Police Division of Identification and Forensic Science (DIFS) Laboratory, namely thin layer chromatography (TLC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC‐MS). It was found possible to differentiate the four isomers. Forensic specimens that were suspected to be psilocybe mushrooms were examined, confirming that it is now possible to unequivocally identify the presence of psilocin and rule out the presence of its other isomers.
Long‐term survivor of pulmonary combined large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma treated with nivolumab
Authors: Oda Risa , Okuda Katsuhiro , Yamashita Yoriko , Sakane Tadashi , Tatematsu Tsutomu , Yokota Keisuke , Endo Katsuhiko , Nakanishi Ryoichi
Published: May 2020

Several authors have previously reported that patients with pulmonary combined large cell neuroendocrine cancer ( LCNEC) have a poor prognosis and there is no consensus on the treatment strategy for combined LCNEC as well as LCNEC. Here, we report the case of a long‐term survivor with pulmonary combined LCNEC. The patient was a 60‐year‐old man who underwent thoracoscopic right lower lobectomy. The final histopathology and staging of the tumor showed LCNEC combined with squamous cell carcinoma and T2aN0M0 stage IB. Multimodality treatments including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery for several recurrences were performed after the pulmonary surgery. After immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy with nivolumab, all the metastatic lesions shrunk and a partial response was maintained at five years after the first surgery. In our case, ICI after multimodality therapy combining cytotoxic anticancer drugs and radiotherapy was effective in LCNEC with metachronous multiple metastases.

Key points

Significant findings of the study

Immune checkpoint inhibitor after multimodality therapy combining cytotoxic anticancer drugs and radiotherapy was effective in LCNEC with metachronous multiple metastases. The patient survived over five‐years after the first surgery.

What this study adds

Immune checkpoint inhibitor may be effective in some LCNEC patients.
Morphology of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)tongue
Authors: Abbate Francesco , Guerrera Maria Cristina , Levanti Maria , Laurà Rosaria , Germanà Germana Patrizia , Montalbano Giuseppe , Cavallaro Mauro , Germanà Antonino
Published: May 2020

The Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is a freshwater and marine fish of the family Salmonidae, widely farmed in aquaculture facilities in several countries. The salmon are carnivorous, but in aquaculture, alternative foods have been experienced. It is well known that feeding in captivity should cause adaptation and modifications of the morphological characteristics of the oral cavity, especially of tongue; therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate, by light, laser confocal and scanning electron microscopy, the morphological characteristics of the tongue dorsal surface, considering the importance of the correlations between feeding habits and the anatomy of the tongue. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrates the presence of caniniform teeth with oro‐aboral orientation surrounded by numerous filiform papillae, single, fused or arranged in row. Oro‐aborally, the papillae show an appearance like a rosette and they disappear at level of the root. Light and laser confocal microscopy demonstrates that the mucosa is covered by a non‐keratinized stratified pavement epithelium with, in the deepest layer, the presence of a triangular structure whose apex is cranially directed and base facing aborally. In this structure, spindle‐shaped cells are present, with a vimentin immunoreactivity, that for their characteristics could be adult mesenchymal stem cells. The obtained data could be useful not only for further studies on the nutrition, but it is interesting the detection of tissues typical of the embryo‐fetal phase in the adult specimens tongue, thus giving a basis for studies of potential applications, if any, regarding cell therapies for different clinical indications.
The Face of the Mexican: Race, Nation, and Criminal Identification in Mexico
Authors: Nieves Delgado Abigail
Published: May 2020

Various scientific techniques are used worldwide in contemporary criminal identification. Caramex, called the “Face of the Mexican,” is a face‐recall system for criminal identification specifically developed for the Mexican population. It is a photographic database composed of Mexican facial traits to generate composite sketches. In this article, I examine Caramex and show that it works according to specific ideas of nation, mixture (mestizaje), and race (mestizo). In contrast to racial ideologies in which purity is the assumed and desired condition of races, Caramex highlights hybridity. This specific framework—drawing on what I call “Mexicanness”—guides the construction of the database and thus the production of portraits. The analysis historically situates the development of Caramex and provides insights into the daily use of this technology. It shows that Caramex not only reproduces old views of nation and race but also generates new ideas on these issues, as users can alter the photographic database and contest the ideas that shaped the technology. Thus, more generally, this case shows how technologies of identification incorporate and construct ideas of nationhood and human variation in Latin America. [face‐recall system, mestizo, race, Caramex, Mexicanness, Mexico]
Pneumomediastinum following intubation in COVID‐19 patients: a case series
Authors: Wali A. , Rizzo V. , Bille A. , Routledge T. , Chambers A.J.
Published: May 2020

The number of patients requiring tracheal intubation rose dramatically in March and April 2020 with the COVID‐19 outbreak. Our thoracic surgery department has seen an increased incidence of severe pneumomediastinum referred for surgical opinion in intubated patients with COVID‐19 pneumonitis. Here we present a series of five patients with severe pneumomediastinum requiring decompression therapy over a 7‐day period in the current COVID‐19 outbreak. We hypothesise that the mechanism for this is the aggressive disease pathophysiology with an increased risk of alveolar damage and tracheobronchial injury, along with the use of larger‐bore tracheal tubes and higher ventilation pressures. We present this case series in order to highlight the increased risk of this potentially life‐threatening complication among the COVID‐19 patient cohort and offer guidance for its management to critical care physicians.
A virtual clinic increases anti‐TNF dose intensification success via a treat‐to‐target approach compared with standard outpatient care in Crohn’s disease
Authors: Srinivasan Ashish , van Langenberg Daniel R. , Little Robert D. , Sparrow Miles P. , De Cruz Peter , Ward Mark G.
Published: May 2020

Background

Virtual clinics represent a novel model of care in inflammatory bowel disease. Their effectiveness in promoting high quality use of biologic therapy and facilitating a treat‐to‐target approach is unknown.

Aim

To evaluate clinical and process‐driven outcomes in a virtual clinic compared to standard outpatient care amongst patients receiving intensified anti‐TNF therapy for secondary loss of response.

Methods

We performed a retrospective multi‐centre, parallel, observational cohort study of Crohn's disease patients receiving intensified anti‐TNF therapy for secondary loss of response. Objective assessments of disease activity and anti‐TNF trough levels at secondary loss of response and during subsequent 6‐month semesters, were compared longitudinally between virtual clinic and standard outpatient care cohorts. The primary endpoint was treatment success, with appropriateness of dose intensification, tight disease monitoring and treatment de‐escalation representing secondary outcomes.

Results

Of 149 patients with similar baseline characteristics, 69 were managed via a virtual clinic and 80 via standard outpatient care. There were higher rates of treatment success in the virtual clinic cohort (60.9 vs 35.0%, P < 0.002). Rates of appropriate dose intensification (82.6% vs 40.0%, P < 0.001), biomarker remission (faecal calprotectin P = 0.002), tight‐disease monitoring (84.1% vs 28.8%, P < 0.001) and treatment de‐escalation (21.3% vs 10.0%, P = 0.027) also favoured the virtual clinic cohort.

Conclusion

This study favoured a virtual clinic‐led model‐of‐care over standard outpatient care in facilitating treatment success as part of an effective treat‐to‐target approach in Crohn's disease. A virtual clinic model‐of‐care also improved treatment outcomes and quality of use of intensified anti‐TNF therapy through processes that promoted appropriate dose intensification and tight‐disease monitoring, while encouraging more frequent dose de‐escalation.
Review article: impact of cigarette smoking on intestinal inflammation—direct and indirect mechanisms
Authors: Papoutsopoulou Stamatia , Satsangi Jack , Campbell Barry J. , Probert Chris S.
Published: May 2020

Background

The inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are related multifactorial diseases. Their pathogenesis is influenced by each individual's immune system, the environmental factors within exposome and genetic predisposition. Smoking habit is the single best‐established environmental factor that influences disease phenotype, behaviour and response to therapy.

Aim

To assess current epidemiological, experimental and clinical evidence that may explain how smoking impacts on the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease.

Methods

A Medline search for 'cigarette smoking', in combination with terms including ‘passive’, ‘second‐hand’, 'intestinal inflammation', ‘Crohn's disease’, ‘ulcerative colitis’, 'colitis'; 'intestinal epithelium', ‘immune system', 'intestinal microbiota', ‘tight junctions’, ‘mucus’, ‘goblet cells’, ‘Paneth cells’, ‘autophagy’; ‘epigenetics’, ‘genes’, ‘DNA methylation’, ‘histones’, ‘short noncoding/long noncoding RNAs’; ‘carbon monoxide/CO’ and ‘nitric oxide/NO’ was performed.

Results

Studies found evidence of direct and indirect effects of smoking on various parameters, including oxidative damage, impairment of intestinal barrier and immune cell function, epigenetic and microbiota composition changes, that contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease.

Conclusions

Cigarette smoking promotes intestinal inflammation by affecting the function and interactions among intestinal epithelium, immune system and microbiota/microbiome.
Course video recommendation with multimodal information in online learning platforms: A deep learning framework
Authors: Xu Wei , Zhou Yuhan
Published: May 2020

With the rapid development of online learning platforms, learners have more access to various kinds of courses. However, they may find it difficult to make choices due to the massive number of courses. The main contribution of our research is the design of a course recommendation framework which extracts multimodal course features based on deep learning models. In this framework, different kinds of information of course, such as course title, and course audio and course comments, are used to make proper recommendation in online learning platforms. Moreover, we utilize both explicit and implicit feedback to infer learner’s preference. Based on real‐world datasets, our empirical results show that the proposed framework performs well in course recommendation, achieving an AUC score of 79.03%. This framework can provide technical support for course video recommendation, thus helping online learning platforms to manage course resources and optimize user learning experience.
Indigenous health organizations, Indigenous community resurgence, and the reclamation of place in urban areas
Authors: Nelson Sarah E. , Wilson Kathi
Published: May 2020

Research around the world has been nearly unanimous about the positive impacts of Indigenous‐led health organizations on Indigenous peoples' qualitative experiences in health care, in the face of often negative experiences in non‐Indigenous‐led health care settings. Urban environments, including health care environments, are areas of increasing attention with regard to Indigenous peoples' health in Canada. In this study, which took place in the northern city of Prince George, British Columbia, 65 Indigenous community members and health services workers participated in interviews and focus groups, describing their experiences with urban Indigenous‐led health organizations—defined in this study as non‐governmental organizations that prioritize the values and practices of local Indigenous communities. Employing perspectives on place and relationships drawn from Indigenous critical theory and Indigenous community resurgence to analyze the findings of this qualitative study leads to a focus on how relationships impact and can even constitute places, enabling new understandings of the roles of Indigenous‐led health organizations in urban Indigenous community resurgence.
Understanding When and Why Some Adolescent Girls Attempt Suicide: An Emerging Framework Integrating Menstrual Cycle Fluctuations in Risk
Authors: Owens Sarah A. , Eisenlohr‐Moul Tory A. , Prinstein Mitchell J.
Published: May 2020

The prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors increases dramatically across the transition to puberty, particularly among adolescent girls. Yet we know little about why adolescent girls are at heightened risk, or when girls may be most likely to consider or engage in suicidal behavior. In this article, we outline evidence supporting a role for the menstrual cycle in the onset of and fluctuations in adolescent girls’ suicide risk. This emerging framework outlines developmental (i.e., biological, social, and cognitive) characteristics that might place certain girls at higher risk (e.g., between‐subjects factors), as well as potential mechanisms that occur during the perimenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle (i.e., within‐subjects factors) that increase adolescent females’ increased risk for suicide.
Diagnostic value of circulating microRNAs in thyroid carcinoma: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Xu Shi‐Lin , Tian Yu‐Yang , Zhou Ying , Liu Li‐Qiao
Published: May 2020

Background and objective

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine system tumour. Several studies had revealed the potential of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) as novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of TC. The purpose of this meta‐analysis is to summarize published studies and evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of circulating miRNAs in TC detection.

Methods

In this meta‐analysis, we systematically searched three databases: PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library. We used the bivariate mixed‐effects regression model to calculate the pooled diagnostic parameters and conduct the summary receiver operator characteristic curve (SROC). All calculations were performed using stata software.

Results

Thirty‐five studies from 9 articles, including 663 TC patients, 519 patients with benign thyroid nodules (BTNs), and 84 healthy controls were included in this meta‐analysis. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and area under the SROC curve (AUC) were 0.81 (95% CI 0.75‐0.86), 0.81 (95% CI 0.75‐0.86), 4.3 (95% CI 3.2‐5.6), 0.24 (95% CI 0.18‐0.31), 18 (95% CI 12‐28) and 0.88 (95% CI 0.85‐0.90), respectively in BTN controls, and 0.81 (95% CI 0.75‐0.86), 0.85 (95% CI 0.75‐0.91), 5.3 (95% CI 3.3‐8.7), 0.23 (95% CI 0.18‐0.29), 24 (95% CI 14‐39), 0.89 (95% CI 0.86‐0.91) in healthy controls. The subgroup analysis found that multiple miRNA assays had higher diagnostic accuracy than single miRNA assays with sensitivity of 0.88, specificity of 0.89 and AUC of 0.94.

Conclusion

Circulating miRNAs have good values to diagnose TC and distinguish TC patients from BTN patients. MiRNAs can assist in the diagnosis of malignancy and avoid unnecessary surgery. In summary, circulating miRNAs should be added to our current clinical tools.
GREB1L variants in familial and sporadic hereditary urogenital adysplasia and Mayer‐Rokitansky‐Kuster‐Hauser syndrome
Authors: Jacquinet Adeline , Boujemla Bouchra , Fasquelle Corinne , Thiry Jerôme , Josse Claire , Lumaka Aimé , Brischoux‐Boucher Elise , Dubourg Christèle , David Véronique , Pasquier Laurent , Lehman Anna , Morcel Karine , Guerrier Daniel , Bours Vincent
Published: May 2020

Congenital uterine anomalies (CUA) may have major impacts on the health and social well‐being of affected individuals. Their expressivity is variable, with the most severe end of the spectrum being the absence of any fully or unilaterally developed uterus (aplastic uterus), which is a major feature in Mayer‐Rokitansky‐Kuster‐Hauser syndrome (MRKH). So far, etiologies of CUA remain largely unknown. As reports of familial occurrences argue for strong genetic contributors in some cases, we performed whole exome sequencing in nine multiplex families with recurrence of uterine and kidney malformations, a condition called hereditary urogenital adysplasia. Heterozygous likely causative variants in the gene GREB1L were identified in four of these families, confirming GREB1L as an important gene for proper uterine and kidney development. The apparent mode of inheritance was autosomal dominant with incomplete penetrance. The four families included fetuses with uterovaginal aplasia and bilateral renal agenesis, highlighting the importance to investigate GREB1L in such phenotypes. Subsequent sequencing of the gene in a cohort of 68 individuals with MRKH syndrome or uterine malformation (mostly sporadic cases) identified six additional variants of unknown significance. We therefore conclude that heterozygous GREB1L variants contribute to MRKH syndrome and this probably requires additional genetic or environmental factors for full penetrance.
Introducing a trauma‐informed capability approach in youth services
Authors: Hickle Kristine
Published: May 2020

Trauma‐informed practice has been developing for decades, though much remains unknown regarding how it is understood and practised. Drawing upon focus group data from an evaluation of a trauma‐informed approach (TIA) implemented by an organisation in Southeast England, this paper provides a unique perspective of 31 staff members and 18 young people. Results indicate how choice and control, key elements of a TIA, align with the Capability Approach (CA). The CA is then used as a novel analytic framework to examine the data. A ‘Trauma‐Informed Capabilities Approach’ is introduced as a holistic, person‐centred way of conceptualising young trauma survivors' well‐being.
Histopathological analysis of biopsies of “peri‐implant inflammatory lesions.” Everything is not what it seems
Authors: Sotorra‐Figuerola Didac , Lafuente‐Ibáñez de Mendoza Irene , Parra‐Pérez Carmen , Aguirre‐Urizar José Manuel
Published: May 2020

Background

Peri‐implantitis is the inflammatory process, which most commonly affects the therapy with dental implants. However, there are other reactive and neoplastic entities, mainly benign but also malignant, which also take place in the peri‐implant mucosa. There is little information about the histopathological analysis of these peri‐implant inflammatory diseases.

Purpose

To analyze the histopathological diagnosis of biopsies located in the peri‐implant mucosa that showed an inflammatory clinical appearance.

Materials and Methods

We have made a retrospective study of 111 peri‐implant biopsies analyzed in the Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Unit of the Dental Clinic Service at the University of the Basque Country, from January 2001 to December 2018. These samples corresponded to 84 women and 27 men, whose mean age was 59 years. We performed a standard histological processing with paraffin embedding, and sections were stained with H&E and PAS. All cases were analyzed following a specific diagnostic histopathological protocol. A descriptive statistical analysis was carried out with the obtained data.

Results

Lesions located in the mandible (64.8%) were more frequent and 34.2% of the biopsies arrived without a presumptive clinical diagnosis. “Inflammatory peri‐implant lesion” or peri‐implantitis was the most common clinical diagnosis. Histopathologically, the majority of the lesions were peri‐implant nonspecific inflammatory hyperplasia (60.3%), followed by peripheral giant cell granuloma (18.1%), pyogenic granuloma (lobular capillary hemangioma) (14.4%), actinomicotic infection (3.6%), and squamous cell carcinoma (3.6%). Individually, peri‐implant lesions were more common among women and in the mandible, except for actinomicotic infection and squamous cell carcinoma.

Conclusions

An important percentage of cases whose initial presumptive clinical diagnosis was “peri‐implant inflammatory lesion” truly corresponded to other reactive and neoplastic processes. Thus, it is key to always submit all the tissue removed during the implant surgery, in order to perform a good histopathological study and achieve the correct final diagnosis.
Abnormal dynamic functional connectivity in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Gu Yue , Lin Ying , Huang Liangliang , Ma Junji , Zhang Jinbo , Xiao Yu , Dai Zhengjia ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: May 2020

Aims

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Previous studies have demonstrated abnormalities in functional connectivity (FC) of AD under the assumption that FC is stationary during scanning. However, studies on the FC dynamics of AD, which may provide more insightful perspectives in understanding the neural mechanisms of AD, remain largely unknown.

Methods

Combining the sliding‐window approach and the k‐means algorithm, we identified three reoccurring dynamic FC states from resting‐state fMRI data of 26 AD and 26 healthy controls. The between‐group differences both in FC states and in regional temporal variability were calculated, followed by a correlation analysis of these differences with cognitive performances of AD patients.

Results

We identified three reoccurring FC states and found abnormal FC mainly in the frontal and temporal cortices. The temporal properties of FC states were changed in AD as characterized by decreased dwell time in State I and increased dwell time in State II. Besides, we found decreased regional temporal variability mainly in the somatomotor, temporal and parietal regions. Disrupted dynamic FC was significantly correlated with cognitive performances of AD patients.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest abnormal dynamic FC in AD patients, which provides novel insights for understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of AD.
Signaling via earnings downgrades: How reputational concerns shape analyst responses to corporate fraud?
Authors: He Lerong , Conyon Martin J. , Chen Jing
Published: May 2020

Research Question/Issue

This study examines reactions of financial analysts to the disclosure of corporate fraud. We posit that analysts downgrade earnings forecasts of fraudulent firms after fraud disclosure to signal their quality and integrity. We explore how internal and external contingencies shape analysts' reputational concerns, influence their motivation to signal via earnings downgrades, and consequently affect their responses to corporate fraud.

Research Findings/Insights

Using longitudinal data on Chinese publicly traded firms between 2002 and 2013 and employing a difference‐in‐differences design, this study documents that financial analysts significantly lower their earnings estimates of fraudulent firms after fraud disclosure compared with the control group of non‐fraudulent firms. In addition, post‐disclosure earnings downgrades are larger for more experienced analysts, for analysts following firms with stronger analyst coverage, and after the revision of the professional ethics code for analysts.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

This study provides empirical support to signaling theory. We show that earnings downgrades of fraudulent firms may serve as a signal for financial analysts to indicate their quality and integrity. We document that analysts' motivation to signal via earnings downgrades is influenced by their reputational concerns, which are moderated by their career experience, peer pressure, professional norm, and social expectations.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

This study offers insights to policy makers on how a professional labor market and codes of ethics could serve as disciplinary mechanisms to strengthen the external governance role of financial analysts.
The utility of the oxygen pulse recovery as a marker of the cardiac output response to exercise in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Spee Ruud F. , Niemeijer Victor M. , Thijssen Carlijn G. E. , Hoogeveen Adwin , Wijn Pieter F. F. , Doevendans Pieter A. , Kemps Hareld M. C.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The cardiac output (CO) response to exercise is a useful marker to grade the prognosis and severity of chronic heart failure (CHF). The recovery of the oxygen pulse (OP) is a non‐invasive parameter, which is related to exercise capacity in cardiac patients. However, the relation between OP recovery and the central haemodynamic response to exercise remains to be determined. We hypothesized that an impaired OP recovery is associated with a reduced CO response to exercise in CHF patients.

Methods

Sixty one CHF patients performed cardiopulmonary exercise test with simultaneous measurement of CO. Impaired OP recovery was defined as an overshoot during the first minute of recovery or OP at 1‐min recovery as a percentage of peak OP (OPRR).

Results

An OP overshoot was observed in 9% (n = 5) of patients. In these patients, peak CO and VO2 were significantly lower (peak CO 7.9 ± 0.8 versus 11.2 ± 4.3 L/min and peak VO2 14.1 ± 4.7 versus 19.6 ± 5.8 ml min−1 kg−1). Mean relative recovery of OP was 78 ± 20%. Slow OP recovery (negative OPRR) was seen in 13% (n = 8). Peak CO and VO2 were significantly lower in the negative OPRR group (11 ± 4 versus 8 ± 0.7 L/min and 19.7 ± 5.9 versus 14.6 ± 3.7 ml kg min−1). There was a significant relation between OPRR and stroke volume (SV) RR (r = .57), as well as between OPRR and a‐v O2 diff RR (rs = .4).

Conclusion

An impaired OP recovery is associated with a reduced CO response to exercise and worse functional status. Therefore, the OP recovery can be used to grade the severity of CHF.
Improving scientific impact: How to practice science that influences environmental policy and management
Authors: Fisher Jonathan R. B. , Wood Stephen A. , Bradford Mark A. , Kelsey Thomas Rodd
Published: May 2020

Scientists devote substantial time and resources to research intended to help solve environmental problems. Environmental managers and policymakers must decide how to use the best available research evidence to prioritize actions leading to desired environmental outcomes. Yet decision‐makers can face barriers to using scientific evidence to inform action. They may be unaware of the evidence, lack access to it, not understand it, or view it as irrelevant. These barriers mean a valuable resource (evidence) is underused. We outline a set of practical steps for scientists who want to improve the impact their research has on decision‐making: (a) identify and understand the audience; (b) clarify the need for evidence; (c) gather “just enough” evidence; and (d) share and discuss the evidence. These are guidelines, not a strict recipe for success. But, we believe that regularly following these recommendations should increase the chance of scientific evidence being considered and used in environmental decision‐making. Our goal is for this article to be accessible to anyone, rather than a comprehensive review of the topic.
Childhood social environmental and behavioural predictors of early adolescent onset cannabis use
Authors: Scholes‐Balog Kirsty E. , Hemphill Sheryl A. , Heerde Jessica A. , Toumbourou John W. , Patton George C.
Published: May 2020

Introduction and Aims

This study prospectively investigates behavioural and social antecedents of different patterns of adolescent cannabis use, specifically, early adolescent onset cannabis use and late onset occasional use.

Design and Methods

The sample comprised 852 adolescents (53% female) drawn from the Australian arm of the International Youth Development Study. Data were collected via self‐report surveys. Risk and protective factors from a modified version of the Communities That Care youth survey were measured in fifth grade (mean [M] = 10.9 years, SD = 0.4). Frequency of cannabis use was measured at six time‐points throughout adolescence (ages 12–19 years).

Results

Early adolescent onset cannabis use (10.7% of the sample [n = 91]) was predicted by childhood family‐related factors including poor family management, family history of antisocial behaviour and attachment to parents. Cigarette use and drinking until drunk were the strongest predictors of early adolescent onset cannabis use. Cumulative risks associated with community, family, peer/individual environments and early substance use (cigarettes, alcohol) in childhood were predictive of early adolescent onset cannabis use (e.g. relative risk ratio = 2.64; 95% confidence interval 1.40–4.97 for early substance use). Family and early substance use‐related cumulative risks were predictive of late adolescent onset occasional cannabis use (n = 231; 27%). Cumulative early substance use risk was the strongest independent predictor of both early adolescent onset and late adolescent onset occasional cannabis use.

Discussion and Conclusions

Primary prevention efforts should focus on reducing exposure and access to licit substances during late childhood and delaying the onset of use. Prevention and intervention targeted toward the family environment also appears likely to be important in the prevention of early adolescent onset cannabis use.
Vitamin D and the insulin‐like growth factor system: Implications for colorectal neoplasia
Authors: Ciulei George , Orasan Olga Hilda , Coste Sorina Cezara , Cozma Angela , Negrean Vasile , Procopciuc Lucia Maria
Published: May 2020

Epidemiological studies have strongly associated lower levels of vitamin D and its metabolites with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). The action of calcitriol, the active metabolite of vitamin D, is mediated by the vitamin D receptor (VDR) that is present in most tissues. In advanced CRC, VDR expression is lowered. Calcitriol has several antineoplastic effects in CRC: it promotes the G1‐phase cycle arrest, lowers vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) synthesis and acts on tumour stromal fibroblasts to limit cell migration and angiogenesis. Hyperinsulinemia and insulin‐like growth factors (IGFs) have been implicated in the pathophysiology of CRC. IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐3 have been the most studied components of the IGF system. Only 1% of the total serum IGF‐1 is free and bioactive, and 80% of it binds to IGFBP‐3. IGF‐1 and its receptor IGF‐1R are known to induce cell proliferation. Both IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐3 can favour angiogenesis by increasing the transcription of the VEGF gene. A high serum IGF‐1/IGFBP‐3 ratio is associated with increased risk for CRC. VDR is a transcription factor for the IGFBP‐3 gene, and IGF‐1 can increase calcitriol synthesis. Studies examining the effect of vitamin D treatment on serum IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐3 have not been in agreement since different populations, dosages and intervention periods have been used. New vitamin D treatment studies that examine CRC should take in account confounding factors such as obesity or VDR genotypes.
Single unit and beta oscillatory activities in subthalamic nucleus are modulated during visual choice preference
Authors: Al‐Ozzi Tameem M. , Botero-Posada Luis F. , Lopez Rios Adriana L. , Hutchison William D.
Published: May 2020

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease affecting the supply of dopamine to basal ganglia nuclei, leading to pathological beta band (13–35 Hz) oscillations in the subthalamic nucleus (STN). STN and beta activity are recognized in motoric functions but their role in cognitive functions remains elusive. We examined single unit and beta local field potential (LFP) activity in the STN during a visual choice preference task in PD patients (n = 12) undergoing deep brain stimulation surgery. Patients viewed 2 of 5 possible animal picture‐pairs and were instructed to choose their favorite (“fav”) picture by clicking the left or right mouse key. A block of trials consisted of 50–75 picture‐pair presentations. Single unit histograms and LFP spectrograms were aligned to picture presentation and point of decision for pairs that included the fav and non‐fav pictures, respectively. A total of 58 neurons from 26 blocks of trials were analyzed. Thirty of 58 neurons showed a selective change in spiking activity 0.20–0.65 s to fav picture presentation, which preceded the shortest recorded reaction time (=0.7 s), and 17/58 neurons showed no significant response in our task. Beta LFP significantly desynchronized in response to fav but not non‐fav pictures in all trials, and in 14/26 blocks of trials, the desynchronization was followed by a “beta burst” and ramp‐up to baseline activity. Neurons with choice preference responses were found throughout the dorsoventral extent of the STN. STN single units and beta activity are modulated during visual choice preference, and this suggests a role for STN beta activity in cognitive processing.
Predicting below‐surface horizontal pore gas velocity in porous media from above‐surface wind conditions and medium gas permeability
Authors: Poulsen Tjalfe , Yuan Yue
Published: May 2020

Below‐surface horizontal pore gas velocity profiles in response to above‐surface wind conditions were measured for 16 combinations of wind speed (1.4–5.7 ms−1) and wind gust frequency (0–1 Hz) in four porous media with different particle size (0.6–10 mm), yielding 64 combinations of wind condition and porous medium using a recently developed experimental gas tracer tracking method. Experiments were carried out under controlled conditions in a wind tunnel. Gusty wind conditions were created using a wind‐driven propeller operating at variable rotation frequencies. A recently presented empirical model for predicting horizontal pore gas velocity in porous media in response to above‐surface wind conditions was validated against the experimental data. The model uses one empirical parameter (B) together with the wind speed at the surface as input parameters. Further analyses were carried out to identify relations between B, above‐surface wind conditions and porous medium properties. Results indicate that it is possible to accurately estimate B and thus predict below‐surface pore gas velocity profiles based on porous medium properties and surface wind speed. B was found inversely proportional to above‐surface wind speed, porous medium particle diameter and porous medium gas permeability, all in a linear manner.

Highlights

Horizontal pore gas velocity profiles measured for 64 porous medium–wind speed combinations

Recent two‐parameter empirical model for pore gas velocity evaluated using the experimental data

Model accurately approximated experimental pore gas velocity data.

Model parameters could be predicted from medium gas permeability and above‐surface wind speed
The seventh macronutrient: how sodium shortfall ramifies through populations, food webs and ecosystems
Authors: Kaspari Michael
Published: May 2020

Of the 25 elements required to build most organisms, sodium has a unique set of characteristics that ramify through terrestrial ecology. In plants, sodium is found in low concentrations and has little metabolic function; in plant consumers, particularly animals, sodium is essential to running costly Na‐K ATPases. Here I synthesise a diverse literature from physiology, agronomy and ecology, towards identifying sodium’s place as the ‘7th macronutrient’, one whose shortfall targets two trophic levels – herbivores and detritivores. I propose that sodium also plays a central, though unheralded role in herbivore digestion, via its importance to maintaining microbiomes and denaturing tannins. I highlight how sodium availability is a key determinant of consumer abundance and the geography of herbivory and detritivory. And I propose a re‐appraisal of the assumption that, because sodium is metabolically unimportant to most plants, it is of little use. Instead, I suggest that sodium’s critical role in limiting herbivore performance makes it a commodity used by plants to manipulate their herbivores and mutualists, and by consumers like bison and elephants to generate grazing lawns: dependable sources of sodium.
Marine protected areas rescue a sexually selected trait in European lobster
Authors: Sørdalen Tonje Knutsen , Halvorsen Kim Tallaksen , Vøllestad Leif Asbjørn , Moland Even , Olsen Esben Moland
Published: May 2020

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are increasingly implemented worldwide to maintain and restore depleted populations. However, despite our knowledge on the myriad of positive responses to protection, there are few empirical studies on the ability to conserve species’ mating patterns and secondary sexual traits. In male European lobsters (Homarus gammarus), the size of claws relative to body size correlates positively with male mating success and is presumably under sexual selection. At the same time, an intensive trap fishery exerts selection against large claws in males. MPAs could therefore be expected to resolve these conflicting selective pressures and preserve males with large claws. We explored this hypothesis by contrasting claw size of males and females in three pairs of MPAs and nearby fished areas in southern Norway. By finding that male lobsters have up to 8% larger claws inside MPAs compared to similarly sized males in fished areas, our study provides evidence that MPAs rescue a secondary sexual trait. Recovery from harvest selection acting on claws is the most likely explanation; however, the higher abundance of lobster inside MPAs does not rule out a plastic response on claw size due to increased competition. Regardless of the underlying cause, our study demonstrates (a) the value of protected areas as a management tool for mitigating fisheries‐induced evolution and (b) that MPAs help maintaining the scope for sexual selection in populations with vulnerable life histories and complex mating system.
Deep OCR for Arabic script‐based language like Pastho
Authors: Naz Saeeda , Khan Naila H. , Zahoor Shizza , Razzak Muhammad I.
Published: May 2020

Developing cursive script recognition systems have always been a challenging task for researchers. This article proposes a ligature‐based recognition system for the cursive Pashto script using four pre‐trained CNN models using a fine‐tuned approach. The SqueezeNet, ResNet, MobileNet and DenseNet models have been observed for the classification and the recognition of Pashto sub‐word (ligature). Overall, the proposed system is divided into two domains (Source and Target). The source domain contains the pre‐trained models used on the ImageNet Dataset. These models are later fine‐tuned using the transfer learning approach to be used for the Pashto ligature recognition. The data augmentation techniques of negative and contour are used to increase the representation of ligature images and the dataset size. The CNN models have been evaluated on the benchmarks Pashto ligatures FAST‐NU dataset. The proposed system achieved the highest recognition rate of up to 99.31% using the DenseNet architecture of Convolutional Neural Network for Pashto ligature.
Comparison of low cycle fatigue behavior of 304 stainless steels induced by tensile and torsional prestrain
Authors: Jin Xin , Ji Shengyuan , Liu Caiming , Shi Shouwen , Chen Xu
Published: May 2020

The effect of tensile and torsional prestrains on fatigue lives of 304 stainless steels is compared. The fatigue life as a function of prestrain amplitudes exhibits an ‘S’ curve, and the inflexion point of the S curve is affected by prestrain modes and cyclic strain amplitudes. An interesting phenomenon is that when the onset stress of secondary hardening reaches 300 MPa, intergranular martensite begins to be formed. Combining martensite distribution, fatigue life and cyclic stress responses, the onset stress of secondary hardening is proposed to reflect the location of martensite nucleation sites. Compared with tensile prestrain, torsional prestrain results in higher stress. In addition, higher prestrain and cyclic amplitudes also lead to higher cyclic stress and hence earlier nucleation of intergranular martensite. Furthermore, the influence mechanism of prestrain modes and cyclic strain amplitudes on the inflexion point of S curve is revealed.
Enterococcus faecalis induces necroptosis in human osteoblastic MG63 cells through the RIPK3 / MLKL signalling pathway
Authors: Dai X. , Deng Z. , Liang Y. , Chen L. , Jiang W , Zhao W.
Published: May 2020

Aim

To explore the activation of necroptosis triggered by Enterococcus faecalis in human osteoblastic MG63 cells and provide new insights into the pathogenesis of refractory apical periodontitis.

Methodology

The viability of MG63 cells exposed to live E. faecalis was investigated using the cell counting kit‐8 assay. The relative expressions of specific markers for necroptosis, namely p‐RIPK3 and p‐MLKL, were determined by western blotting. Cells pretreated with necrosulfonamide and GSK’872, which are specific inhibitors for MLKL and RIPK3, respectively, were then subjected to lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assay, flow cytometry analysis and Hoechst 33342/PI double fluorescence staining. Lentiviral‐delivered short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting MLKL was employed to further confirm the activation of necroptosis in MG63 cells infected with E. faecalis. Transmission electron microscopy was additionally used to observe the morphological characteristics. Statistical analysis was conducted using Student’s t‐tests or one‐way ANOVA followed by the Student–Newman–Keuls test.

Results

The infection with E. faecalis significantly inhibited the viability of MG63 cells in a multiplicity of infection‐ and infection time‐dependent manners (P < 0.05). In line with this, the expression levels of necroptosis‐related markers, p‐RIPK3 and p‐MLKL, were significantly increased postinfection (P < 0.05). Significant reductions in death rate were detected in the case of E. faecalis‐infected MG63 cells following pretreatment with the inhibitors of RIPK3 and MLKL (P < 0.01). Furthermore, silencing of MLKL by shRNA significantly decreased LDH release (P < 0.01) and resulted in less mitochondrial swelling and vacuole‐like changes, as well as reduced endoplasmic reticulum expansion.

Conclusions

Enterococcus faecalis infection‐induced necroptosis of MG63 cells via the RIPK3/MLKL signalling pathway, which may exert a negative influence on the healing process of refractory apical periodontitis. This study may offer novel insights into the pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets of refractory apical periodontitis.