bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is it the staff or is it the food? How the attire of restaurant employees affects customer judgments of food quality
Authors: Chen Yen-Cheng Daniel , Lee Ching-Sung
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the appearances of Chinese restaurant employees, including gender and the style and color of dress, influence the appetites and additional order intentions of customers.

Design/methodology/approach

This research implemented questionnaire survey. Consumers in Chinese restaurants of international tourist hotels located in Taipei, Taiwan, were targeted as research objects. After deleting questionnaires with incomplete answers, the researchers obtained 818 valid questionnaires for data analysis.

Findings

The analysis results indicate that the gender, style of dress and degree of color coordination of a waitperson’s clothing can significantly influence consumer perceptions and feelings.

Originality/value

The analysis of this study implies that restaurant management should stress professional attendant training. By strengthening training and regulating attendant style, a management team can effectively improve upon their customers’ recognition of a business. This research addresses the influence of different dress style and dress color combinations on consumer appetites and additional order intentions.
Sustainability reporter classification matrix: explaining variations in disclosure quality
Authors: Farooq Muhammad Bilal , Ahmed Ammad , Nadeem Muhammad
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a sustainability reporter classification matrix (hereafter referred to as the “matrix”) to explain why some reporters publish better-quality sustainability reports than others and why some reporters experience improvements in the quality of their sustainability reports while others experience no improvement or a decline in sustainability report quality.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws on the existing literature, which is analysed using a combination of legitimacy theory (i.e. commitment to sustainability reporting) and resource-based view (RBV, i.e. competencies in sustainability reporting).

Findings

A two-dimensional matrix is developed representing organisations’ competencies in (explained using the RBV) and commitment to (explained using legitimacy theory) sustainability reporting. Based on these two dimensions the matrix identifies four reporter classifications: incompetent uncommitted reporters (who publish low-quality reports); competent uncommitted reporters (who publish average-quality reports); incompetent committed reporters (who publish average-quality reports); and competent committed reporters (who publish high-quality reports). The matrix explains how reporters can transition from one quadrant/classification to another and how this transition can be either forward (moving from a lower quadrant to a higher quadrant), resulting in improvements in report quality, or backward (moving from a higher quadrant to a lower quadrant), leading to a deterioration in disclosure quality.

Originality/value

The study builds on the extant literature, combining legitimacy theory with the RBV, to provide a more complete explanation for why organisations publish sustainability reports of varying quality and why this quality varies over time. These insights can also be used to explain variations in the quality of integrated reports. The matrix may prove useful to practitioners as a tool for classifying reporters, identifying issues, assessing risk and tracking progress made.
Innovativeness and accounting practices: an empirical investigation
Authors: Healy Margaret , Cleary Peter , Walsh Eimear
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Innovation, the outcome of innovativeness, is a collaborative activity, requiring an integrated approach to the development and management of organisational capabilities (Tushman and Nadler, 1986), and therefore inextricably implicated in the accounting practices of organisations. Extant research however is not conclusive as to the influence of accounting practices on organisational innovativeness with some considering them enabling while others view them as restricting. This study aims to investigate the process of innovation as suggestive of a greater understanding of innovativeness as a dynamic organisational capability and therefore requiring greater consideration of the enabling conditions underpinning this.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a case study approach, and from the perspectives of three separate functionally specific organisational actors, this paper investigates the role of accounting practices in managing innovativeness within one high-technology organisation. Structuration theory is used as a lens through which the data collected are analysed.

Findings

Creative tensions (Simons, 2000) at the operational level between innovativeness and performance measurement are managed through the development of creative boundaries (“guide rails”), within which innovative solutions must be developed.

Practical implications

The findings support the assertion that the use of performance metrics (i.e. accounting practices) can support organisational innovativeness thereby potentially contributing to enhanced organisational performance.

Originality/value

Accounting metrics are simultaneously enabling and constraining, whereby the tension created from this dual functionality generates ways of empowering organisational capabilities for innovativeness throughout the organisation.
Economic development, food demand and the consequences for agricultural resource requirements: an application to Indonesia
Authors: Briggs Adam , Chowdhury Shyamal
Published: June 2018

We analyse food demand patterns of Indonesian households from a resource intensity perspective and quantify the impact of changed demand patterns on the use of three major resource inputs: fossil fuel; land; and water in agricultural production. Using Indonesian Family Life Survey data, 13 major food items (which constitute 70 per cent of food expenditure) are categorised into low, moderate and high resource intensity, and income elasticity and Engel curves are estimated for the period from 1997 to 2007. Our results show that income growth in Indonesia is associated with demand patterns that are more resource intensive. By 2007, per capita requirements of fossil fuel, land and water increased by 42.7 per cent (3.13 MJ), 44.9 per cent (1.24 m2) and 50.4 per cent (2.1 kL), respectively, relative to 1997. The results imply that, at least for Indonesia, changed food demand patterns resulting from economic development will increase the demand for natural resources substantially.
Developing an indicator set for measuring sustainable development in India
Authors: Khalid Ahmad M. , Sharma Seema , Dubey Amlendu K.
Published: June 2018

The global agenda of sustainable development (SD) will get a major boost from the successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing countries. This requires effective planning and understanding of the SDGs at the national level and developing sound SDG indicators that account for country priorities. Currently, there is no formal SDG indicator set in India, but the process for it is underway. This paper has attempted to propose a unique technique for identifying the most representative indicator set for SD measurement in India based on the SDGs. Considering the needs and preferences of the country, a three‐stage process is proposed to develop the priority indicator set. The application of the approach has been presented for SDG 7, which relates to energy. This is supported with a background on India's SD progress. The proposed technique is simple yet effective, and can be easily replicated by other developing countries.
A Hydraulic MultiModel Ensemble Framework for Visualizing Flood Inundation Uncertainty
Authors: Zarzar Christopher M. , Hosseiny Hossein , Siddique Ridwan , Gomez Michael , Smith Virginia , Mejia Alfonso , Dyer Jamie
Published: June 2018

While deterministic forecasts provide a single realization of potential inundation, the inherent uncertainty associated with forecasts also needs to be conveyed for improved decision support. The objective of this study was to develop an ensemble framework for the quantification and visualization of uncertainty associated with flood inundation forecast maps. An 11‐member ensemble streamflow forecast at lead times from 0 to 48 hr was used to force two hydraulic models to produce a multimodel ensemble. The hydraulic models used are (1) the International River Interface Cooperative along with Flow and Sediment Transport with Morphological Evolution of Channels solver and (2) the two‐dimensional Hydrologic Engineering Center‐River Analysis System. Uncertainty was quantified and augmented onto flood inundation maps by calculating statistical spread among the ensemble members. For visualization, a series of probability flood maps conveying the uncertainty in forecasted water extent, water depth, and flow velocity was disseminated through a web‐based decision support tool. The results from this study offer a framework for quantifying and visualizing model uncertainty in forecasted flood inundation maps.
Inhibiting mechanism of small molecule toward the p53‐MDM2 interaction: A molecular dynamic exploration
Authors: Chen Jianzhong , Wang Jinan , Pang Laixue , Zhu Weiliang
Published: June 2018

Disruption of the p53‐MDM2 interaction has been an efficient strategy to renew the function of wild‐type p53. In this work, molecular dynamic simulations, molecular mechanics–generalized Born surface area method, and principal component analysis were combined to probe interaction mechanism of inhibitors 2TZ, 2U0, 2U1, 2U5, 2U6, and 2U7 with MDM2. The rank of our current predicted binding free energies is in agreement with that of the experimental values. The results demonstrate that the introductions of thiazole and pyridine rings into 2TZ as well as the change in the orientation of inhibitors lead to the increase in the polar interactions of 2U0, 2U1, 2U5, 2U6, and 2U7 with MDM2 relative to 2TZ. The information derived from principal component analysis suggests that inhibitor bindings produce significant effect on the binding cleft of MDM2 and make the binding cleft wider and bigger so as to accommodate different type inhibitors. This study is looked forward to contributing theoretical hints for designs of potent inhibitors targeting the p53‐MDM2 interaction.
The value and rationale of gender‐specific intervention with at‐risk adolescent girls
Authors: Piller Shir , Gibly Jess , Peled Einat
Published: June 2018

Gender‐specific intervention (GSI) with at‐risk adolescent girls (ARAGs) is highly prevalent in Israel and elsewhere; professionals commonly consider GSI to be beneficial for ARAGs. However, despite the popularity of such programmes, there is little empirical support for their effectiveness and almost no critical examination of their theoretical rationale. The aim of this qualitative, naturalistic study was to explore how experienced professionals in this domain perceive the value and rationale of GSI with ARAGs, based on in‐depth, semistructured interviews with 15 female Israeli professionals. All of the interviewees claimed that overall, GSI is the “right” or most effective way to work with ARAGs. The discussion reviews the empirical support for participants' assumptions regarding the value of GSI for ARAGs and critically considers the potential drawbacks of GSI with ARAGs.
A new minimally invasive treatment of pilonidal sinus disease with the use of a diode laser: a prospective large series of patients
Authors: Pappas A. F. , Christodoulou D. K.
Published: June 2018

Aim

Various surgical techniques are available for the management of pilonidal sinus, but there is still controversy concerning the optimal surgical approach. The aim of our study was to evaluate the safety, efficacy and clinical outcome of a laser procedure for the treatment of pilonidal sinus.

Method

Patients suffering from pilonidal sinus were operated on with sinus laser therapy (SiLaT) in our institute. SiLaT was applied under local anaesthesia after a small skin incision of 0.5–1 cm and careful cleaning of the sinus tracts with a curette. A radial fibre connected to a diode laser set at a wavelength of 1470 nm was then introduced into the tracts. The laser energy was delivered in continuous mode.

Results

Two‐hundred and thirty‐seven patients (183 male, median age 24 years, range 14–58) suffering from pilonidal sinus were operated on using the SiLaT laser procedure in our referral Institute and prospectively evaluated. A high healing rate was observed after the first session (90.3%, 214 of 237) with a median healing time of 47 days (range 30–70 days). A second treatment was offered for patients failing in the first session; this was successful in 78.3% (18/23). The duration of the procedure ranged between 20 and 30 min and had limited morbidity (wound infection in 7.2%, 17 of 237).

Conclusion

SiLaT proved to be a safe and effective procedure for treating patients suffering from pilonidal sinus. Clinical results showed low morbidity and recurrence rates comparable to the published literature for other modern techniques.
Anisomycin Activates Utrophin Upregulation Through a p38 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Hadwen Jeremiah , Farooq Faraz , Witherspoon Luke , Schock Sarah , Mongeon Kevin , MacKenzie Alex
Published: June 2018

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a recessive X‐linked disease characterized by progressive muscle wasting; cardiac or respiratory failure causes death in most patients by the third decade.  The disease is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene that lead to a loss of functional dystrophin protein. Although there are currently few treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, previous reports have shown that upregulating the dystrophin paralog utrophin in Duchenne muscular dystrophy mouse models is a promising therapeutic strategy. We conducted in silico mining of the Connectivity Map database for utrophin‐inducing agents, identifying the p38‐activating antibiotic anisomycin. Treatments of C2C12, undifferentiated murine myoblasts, and mdx primary myoblasts with anisomycin conferred increases in utrophin protein levels through p38 pathway activation.  Anisomycin also induced utrophin protein levels in the diaphragm of mdx mice.  Our study shows that repositioning small molecules such as anisomycin may prove to have Duchenne muscular dystrophy clinical utility.
Alcohol management practices in community sporting clubs: Validation of an online self‐report tool
Authors: McFadyen Tameka , Tindall Jennifer , Wiggers John , Kingsland Melanie , Sherker Shauna , Gillham Karen , Rowland Bosco , Heaton Rachael , Lecathelinais Christophe , Wolfenden Luke
Published: June 2018

Introduction and Aims

Those involved in organised sport have a high risk of excessive alcohol consumption and alcohol‐related harm, the implementation of alcohol management practices have been proven to reduce these risks. Measuring alcohol management practice implementation by sporting clubs is impeded by a lack of valid tools. The aim of this study was to determine the validity of online self‐report of alcohol‐management practices by community football clubs via comparison with observational methods.

Design and Methods

A cross‐sectional study was undertaken with a sample of community football clubs within Australia. The implementation of 12 alcohol management practices was collected via: (i) an online survey; and (ii) observational audit at a clubs home ground. The prevalence of implementation of alcohol management practices for both data collection methods was calculated as was percent agreement and Kappa/Prevalence Adjusted and Bias Adjusted Kappa (PABAK) statistics.

Results

Data were collected from 58 football clubs. For both assessment methods, implementation prevalence was greater than 80% for 6 of the 12 alcohol management practices. A total of 75% (n = 9) of practices had at least 70% agreement between the online and observation methods of assessment. Kappa/PABAK scores ranged from −0.08 (poor agreement) to 0.97 (almost perfect agreement).

Discussion and Conclusion

The online survey provided valid measure of assessing some but not all alcohol management practices in community sporting clubs. The validity of the measure may be improved by enhancements to the manner in which the self‐report data are collected.
Natsumushi: Image measuring software for entomological studies
Authors: Tanahashi Masahiko , Fukatsu Takema
Published: June 2018

Natsumushi is a free image analysis software that offers easy handling and quick measurement, designed especially for entomologists as the main users. The software enables measurement of: (i) color features of a specific region; (ii) area size; (iii) length of simple lines or polylines; and (iv) number of points or their x–y coordinates. Users can specify the region for measurement either manually or automatically by using image thresholding operations. The software is freely available at the website https://staff.aist.go.jp/t-fukatsu/Natsumushi.html.
Wood mice aggressiveness and flight response to human handling: Effect of individual and environmental factors
Authors: Hernández MªCarmen , Navarro‐Castilla Álvaro , Piñeiro Ana , Barja Isabel
Published: June 2018

Numerous studies have examined human disturbance repercussions on wildlife, mainly focused on the effects on behaviour, reproductive success and population dynamics. However, few studies have addressed the behaviour of prey species during and after human capture and handling and how this may correlate to individual characteristics or variation in their physical environment they inhabit. We explored wood mouse’s fleeing and aggressive behaviours in response to captures by human in their natural habitat. Eighty‐seven wood mice were caught using Sherman live traps. For each trapped individual, aggressiveness was measured as the total number of bites inflicted upon the investigator during handling time. Afterwards, each mouse was released in a two‐metre radius partially covered vegetation area that allowed visual mouse tracking by the observer and flight behaviour was registered by individual one‐zero focal sampling technique during 2 min. Both aggressiveness and fleeing behaviour were analysed regarding individual (sex, reproductive status, age) and environmental factors (habitat and season). Males, adults and breeding individuals showed heightened aggression levels. Higher aggressiveness levels were found in wood mice occupying scrubland and during summer and autumn. The flight response was exclusively explained by reproductive status, whereby breeding individuals spent more time on fast escape than nonbreeding ones. These results indicate that both individual and environmental factors seem to influence defensive behaviours in the wood mouse during and after being captured by a human. Since human disturbance shares many aspects with the predation risk, behavioural responses found to captures may likely be influenced by previous experience of individuals with predators as well as to seasonal and habitat features conditioning predators’ densities but also protection against them.
Mining Information from Collections of Papers: Illustrative Analysis of Groundwater and Disease
Authors: Zhang Yiding , Ji Xiaonan , Ibaraki Motomu , Schwartz Franklin W.
Published: June 2018

The academic world is driven by scholarly research and publications. Yet, for many fields, the volume of published research and the associated knowledge base have been expanding exponentially for decades. The result is that scientists are literally drowning in data and information. There are strategies and approaches that could help with this problem. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate the power of computer‐based approaches such as data mining and machine learning to evaluate large collections of papers. The objective is to conduct a systematic analysis of research related to the emerging area of groundwater‐related diseases. More specifically, the analysis of information from the database of papers will examine systematics in the research topics, the inter‐relationships among multiple diseases, contaminants, and groundwater, and discover styles of research associated with groundwater and disease. The analysis uses 426 papers (1971 to 2017) retrieved from a MEDLINE bibliographic database, PubMed, given the search terms “groundwater” and “disease.” We developed tools that take care of necessary text processing steps, which lead naturally to clustering and visualization techniques that demonstrate published research. The resulting 2D article map shows how the collection of papers is subdivided into 11 article clusters. The cluster topics were determined by analyzing keywords or common words contained in the articles' titles, abstracts, and key words. We found that research on water‐related disease in groundwater primarily focuses on two types of contaminants—chemical compounds and pathogens. Cancer and diarrhea are two major diseases associated with groundwater contamination. According to the systematic analysis, the study of this area is still growing.
Blood group O: A novel risk factor for increased postpartum blood loss?
Authors: Kahr M. K. , Franke D. , Brun R. , Wisser J. , Zimmermann R. , Haslinger C.
Published: June 2018

Introduction

Blood group O is known to be associated with lower levels of von Willebrand factor (VWF) and with increased bleeding complications. The influence of blood group O on postpartum blood loss was assessed by a few studies, however, without adjustment for important obstetric risk factors for postpartum blood loss.

Aim

Aim of this study was to investigate whether women with blood group O exhibit increased blood loss after delivery in consideration of established risk factors for postpartum bleeding.

Methods

A total of 1487 patients were prospectively included into this cohort study. Blood loss was assessed by estimated blood loss (in mL), and drop of haemoglobin (Δ haemoglobin) was calculated. Association of blood loss with risk factors (such as blood group O, cervical tears, morbidly adherent placenta, placenta praevia and uterine atony amongst others) was assessed with appropriate tests. Significant variables were entered into a stepwise multivariate regression analysis.

Results

Women with blood group O showed a significantly higher blood loss when compared to women with blood group non‐O (529.2 mL ± 380.4 mL and 490.5 mL ± 276.4 mL, respectively, P = .024)). The increased blood loss in women with blood group O remained significant after multivariate regression analysis (difference 47 mL, P = .019).

Conclusion

This is the first study reporting significantly increased blood loss following delivery in women with blood group O after adjustment for major risk factors for postpartum blood loss. Albeit having a statistically significant, but clinically minor effect on absolute blood loss, blood group O carriers may suffer from aggravated bleeding in the presence of additional obstetric bleeding pathologies.
Toll‐like receptor 4 signalling regulates antibody response to adenoviral vector‐based vaccines by imprinting germinal centre quality
Authors: Li Ruihua , Liu Ju , Wu Shipo , Zai Xiaodong , Li Yaohui , Yang Qiaoling , Hou Lihua , Xu Junjie , Chen Wei
Published: June 2018

Adenoviral vectors (AdV) are considered promising candidates for vaccine applications. A prominent group of Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) participate in the adenovirus‐induced adaptive immune response, yet there is little information regarding the role of TLR4 in AdV‐induced immune responses in recent literature. We investigated the function of TLR4 in both adaptive and innate immune responses to an AdV‐based anthrax vaccine. By immunizing wild‐type and TLR4 knockout (TLR4‐KO) mice, we revealed the requirement of TLR4 in AdV‐induced innate responses. We also showed that TLR4 functions are required for germinal centre responses in immunized mice, as expression of the apoptosis‐related marker Fas was down‐regulated on germinal centre B cells from TLR4‐KO mice. Likewise, decreased expression of inducible costimulator on follicular T helper cells was observed in immunized TLR4‐KO mice. Moreover, a potent protective antigen‐specific humoral immune response was mimicked using an adjuvant system containing the TLR4 agonist monophosphoryl lipid A. Overall, our findings showed that very rapid antigen‐specific antibody production is correlated with the TLR4‐imprinted germinal centre response to AdV‐based vaccine. These results provide additional evidence for the use of the AdV and a TLR agonist to induce humoral responses. Our findings offer new insights into rational vaccine design.
Exercise fidelity and progression in a supervised exercise programme for adults with venous leg ulcers
Authors: Klonizakis Markos , Gumber Anil , McIntosh Emma , King Brenda , Middleton Geoff , Michaels Jonathan A , Tew Garry A
Published: June 2018

Despite exercise being included in the recommended advice for patients with venous leg ulcers, there is a fear shared by clinicians and patients that exercise may be either inappropriate or harmful and actually delay rather than promote healing. Therefore, before implementing a larger‐scale study exploring the effects of a supervised exercise programme in patients with venous ulcers being treated with compression therapy, it is important to assess exercise safety as well as fidelity and progression in a feasibility study. Eighteen participants randomised in the exercise group were asked to undertake 36 (3 times/week for 12 weeks) 60‐min exercise sessions, each comprising moderate‐intensity aerobic, resistance, and flexibility exercise components. For the purposes of this paper, we analysed the data collected during the exercise sessions. The overall session attendance rate was 79%, with 13 of 18 participants completing all sessions. No in‐session adverse events were reported; 100% aerobic components and 91% of resistance components were completed within the desired moderate‐intensity target. Similarly, 81% of aerobic components and 93% of flexibility components were completed within the prescribed duration targets. Our data showed that patients with venous ulcers could safely follow a supervised exercise programme incorporating moderate‐intensity aerobic, resistance, and flexibility components.
Flipping learning not just content: A 4‐year action research study investigating the appropriate level of flipped learning
Authors: Maycock K.W. , Lambert J. , Bane D.
Published: June 2018

This action research study follows a between‐subject design strategy and attempts to identify whether a departure from a direct instructional teaching strategy towards a flipped learning pedagogy results in increases in student performance over time. In particular, the study considers the effects of integrating flipped learning pedagogic instruction into a Year 1, second‐semester undergraduate Computer Architecture module. The first year of the study represented a baseline year in which a traditional direct instructional teaching method was used. The three subsequent years of study involved the inclusion of increased proportions of flipped learning instruction. When removing the baseline year from the study and focusing on the years that included a flipped proportion of instruction only, the analysis showed statistically significant increases in learner performance for mature students as the module migrated towards a fully flipped delivery model. Positive increases associated with continuous assessment components of the modules were also observed across the population as the module migrated towards a flipped learning model. However, this apparent increase in learner performance showed no impact on the terminal examination scores across years, indicating that improved performance in continuous assessments was probably due to shallow learning.
A data‐driven procedural‐content‐generation approach for educational games
Authors: Hooshyar D. , Yousefi M. , Wang M. , Lim H.
Published: June 2018

Although game‐based learning has been increasingly promoted in education, there is a need to adapt game content to individual needs for personalized learning. Procedural content generation (PCG) offers a solution for difficulty in developing game contents automatically by algorithmic means as it can generate individually customizable game contents applicable to various objectives. In this paper, we advanced a data‐driven PCG approach benefiting from a genetic algorithm and support vector machines to automatically generate educational‐game contents tailored to individuals' abilities. In contrast to other content generation approaches, the proposed method is not dependent on designer's intuition in applying game contents to fit a player's abilities. We assessed this data‐driven PCG approach at length and showed its effectiveness by conducting an empirical study of children who played an educational language‐learning game to cultivate early English‐reading skills. To affirm the efficacy of our proposed method, we evaluated the data‐driven approach against a heuristic‐based approach. Our results clearly demonstrated two things. First, users realized greater performance gains from playing contents tailored to their abilities compared with playing uncustomized game contents. Second, this data‐driven approach was more effective in generating contents closely matching a specific player‐performance target than the heuristic‐based approach.
Female mate preferences on high‐dimensional shape variation for male species recognition traits
Authors: Siepielski Adam M. , McPeek Sarah J. , McPeek Mark A.
Published: June 2018

Females in many animal species must discriminate between conspecific and heterospecific males when choosing mates. Such mating preferences that discriminate against heterospecifics may inadvertently also affect the mating success of conspecific males, particularly those with more extreme phenotypes. From this expectation, we hypothesized that female mate choice should cause Enallagma females (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) to discriminate against conspecific males with more extreme phenotypes of the claspers males use to grasp females while mating – the main feature of species mate recognition in these species. To test this, we compared cerci sizes and shapes between males that were captured while mating with females to males that were captured at the same time but not mating in three Enallagma species. In contrast to our hypothesis, we found only one of forty comparisons of shape variation that was consistent with females discriminating against males with more extreme cerci shapes. Instead, differences in cerci shape between mating and single males suggested that females displayed directional preferences on 1–4 aspects of cerci shape in two of the species in our samples. These results suggest that whereas some directional biases in mating based on cerci shape occur, the intraspecific phenotypic variation in male cerci size and shape is likely not large enough for females to express any significant incidental discrimination among conspecifics with more extreme shapes.
Consumer Bankruptcy Stigma: Understanding Relationships with Familiarity and Perceived Control
Authors: Chin Alycia , Cohen Taya R. , Lindblad Mark R.
Published: June 2018

Bankruptcy stigma is commonly thought to influence debtors' bankruptcy filing decisions. Despite its importance, researchers have not collected direct quantitative measures of bankruptcy stigma, either in terms of attitudes toward bankruptcy or evaluations of filers. Across two empirical studies, we find that (1) attitudes toward bankruptcy and bankruptcy filers are less negative among those with firsthand bankruptcy experience; (2) bankruptcy stigma is a multidimensional construct that includes morality‐, warmth‐, and competence‐related elements; and (3) consistent with psychological models of blame, filers who are perceived to have more control over the circumstances leading to their bankruptcy are more highly stigmatized. By directly investigating bankruptcy stigma, this research can be used to inform models of consumer decisions about bankruptcy filings and bankruptcy policy.
Salivary secretion in health and disease
Authors: Pedersen A. M. L. , Sørensen C. E. , Proctor G. B. , Carpenter G. H. , Ekström J.
Published: June 2018

Saliva is a complex fluid produced by 3 pairs of major salivary glands and by hundreds of minor salivary glands. It comprises a large variety of constituents and physicochemical properties, which are important for the maintenance of oral health. Saliva not only protects the teeth and the oropharyngeal mucosa, it also facilitates articulation of speech, and is imperative for mastication and swallowing. Furthermore, saliva plays an important role in maintaining a balanced microbiota. Thus, the multiple functions provided by saliva are essential for proper protection and functioning of the body as a whole and for the general health. A large number of diseases and medications can affect salivary secretion through different mechanisms, leading to salivary gland dysfunction and associated oral problems, including xerostomia, dental caries and fungal infections. The first part of this review article provides an updated insight into our understanding of salivary gland structure, the neural regulation of salivary gland secretion, the mechanisms underlying the formation of saliva, the various functions of saliva and factors that influence salivary secretion under normal physiological conditions. The second part focuses on how various diseases and medical treatment including commonly prescribed medications and cancer therapies can affect salivary gland structure and function. We also provide a brief insight into how to diagnose salivary gland dysfunction.
Fulminant leptomeningeal carcinomatosis from a malignant melanoma arising in a cerebellopontine epidermoid cyst: A rare case with diagnostic pointers
Authors: Kaif Mohammad , Neyaz Azfar , Shukla Saumya , Husain Nuzhat
Published: June 2018

A malignant component in an epidermoid cyst is rare. We report an exceptionally rare case of a malignant melanoma arising in an epidermoid cyst located in the cerebellopontine (CP) angle. A 26‐year‐old woman presented with headache, vomiting, ataxia and difficulty in swallowing over the previous 3 months. The radiological finding suggested an epidermoid cyst and the lesion was excised. The histopathology confirmed a CP angle epidermoid cyst. Within 1 month of discharge, she developed hydrocephalus for which a ventriculo‐peritoneal shunt was performed. Postoperatively she developed weakness in lower limbs. A contrast‐enhanced MRI was done which showed dilated CSF cisternal spaces with a small enhancing lesion in the pineal region and enhancement of meninges extending to the spinal cord. Re‐exploration showed gelatinous material with gross adhesions in the CP angle cistern. A dural biopsy was done which showed sheets of poorly differentiated tumor cells which expressed S100 and Melan A and were immunoreactive with Human Melanoma Black (HMB)‐45 antibody, consistent with the diagnosis of malignant melanoma. Histology of the excised epidermoid cyst was re‐evaluated in deeper sections and showed scattered atypical melanocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis which were highlighted with HMB‐45 antibody. The patient expired within 3 days of the second procedure due to respiratory failure. A very aggressive fulminant course of the disease was evident after surgery for the epidermoid cyst. Treatment options are limited. Criteria for identification of malignancy in an intracranial epidermoid cyst were identified in our case retrospectively and have been highlighted.
OsLRR‐RLK1, an early responsive leucine‐rich repeat receptor‐like kinase, initiates rice defense responses against a chewing herbivore
Authors: Hu Lingfei , Ye Meng , Kuai Peng , Ye Miaofen , Erb Matthias , Lou Yonggen
Published: June 2018

Plants are constantly exposed to a variety of environmental stresses, including herbivory. How plants perceive herbivores on a molecular level is poorly understood. Leucine‐rich repeat receptor‐like kinases (LRR‐RLKs), the largest subfamily of RLKs, are essential for plants to detect external stress signals, and may therefore also be involved in herbivore perception.

Here, we employed RNA interference silencing, phytohormone profiling and complementation, as well as herbivore resistance assays, to investigate the requirement of an LRR‐RLK for the initiation of rice (Oryza sativa) defenses against the chewing herbivore striped stem borer (SSB) Chilo suppressalis.

We discovered a plasma membrane‐localized LRR‐RLK, OsLRR‐RLK1, whose transcription is strongly up‐regulated by SSB attack and treatment with oral secretions of Spodoptera frugiperda. OsLRR‐RLK1 acts upstream of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MPK) cascades, and positively regulates defense‐related MPKs and WRKY transcription factors. Moreover, OsLRR‐RLK1 is a positive regulator of SSB‐elicited, but not wound‐elicited, levels of jasmonic acid and ethylene, trypsin protease inhibitor activity and plant resistance towards SSB.

OsLRR‐RLK1 therefore plays an important role in herbivory‐induced defenses of rice. Given the well‐documented role of LRR‐RLKs in the perception of stress‐related molecules, we speculate that OsLRR‐RLK1 may be involved in the perception of herbivory‐associated molecular patterns.
An update of knowledge on cortactin as a metastatic driver and potential therapeutic target in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ramos‐García Pablo , González‐Moles Miguel Ángel , González‐Ruiz Lucía , Ayén Ángela , Ruiz‐Ávila Isabel , Navarro‐Triviño Francisco José , Gil‐Montoya José Antonio
Published: June 2018

Cortactin is a protein encoded by the CTTN gene, localized on chromosome band 11q13. As a result of the amplification of this band, an important event in oral carcinogenesis, CTTN is also usually amplified, promoting the frequent overexpression of cortactin. Cortactin enhances cell migration in oral cancer, playing a key role in the regulation of filamentous actin and of protrusive structures (invadopodia and lamellipodia) on the cell membrane that are necessary for the acquisition of a migratory phenotype. We also analyze a series of emerging functions that cortactin may exert in oral cancer (cell proliferation, angiogenesis, regulation of exosomes, and interactions with the tumor microenvironment). We review its molecular structure, its most important interactions (with Src, Arp2/3 complex, and SH3‐binding partners), the regulation of its functions, and its specific oncogenic role in oral cancer. We explore the mechanisms of its overexpression in cancer, mainly related to genetic amplification. We analyze the prognostic implications of the oncogenic activation of cortactin in potentially malignant disorders and in head and neck cancer, where it appears to be relevant in the development of lymph node metastasis. Finally, we discuss its usefulness as a therapeutic target and suggest future research lines.
CAX1 suppresses Cd‐induced generation of reactive oxygen species in Arabidopsis halleri
Authors: Ahmadi Hassan , Corso Massimiliano , Weber Michael , Verbruggen Nathalie , Clemens Stephan
Published: June 2018

The molecular analysis of metal hyperaccumulation in species such as Arabidopsis halleri offers the chance to gain insights into metal homeostasis and into the evolution of adaptation to extreme habitats. A prerequisite of metal hyperaccumulation is metal hypertolerance. Genetic analysis of a backcross population derived from Arabidopsis lyrata × A. halleri crosses revealed three quantitative trait loci for Cd hypertolerance. A candidate gene for Cdtol2 is AhCAX1, encoding a vacuolar Ca2+/H+ antiporter. We developed a method for the transformation of vegetatively propagated A. halleri plants and generated AhCAX1‐silenced lines. Upon Cd2+ exposure, several‐fold higher accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detectable in roots of AhCAX1‐silenced plants. In accordance with the dependence of Cdtol2 on external Ca2+ concentration, this phenotype was exclusively observed in low Ca2+ conditions. The effects of external Ca2+ on Cd accumulation cannot explain the phenotype as they were not influenced by the genotype. Our data strongly support the hypothesis that higher expression of CAX1 in A. halleri relative to other Arabidopsis species represents a Cd hypertolerance factor. We propose a function of AhCAX1 in preventing a positive feedback loop of Cd‐elicited ROS production triggering further Ca2+‐dependent ROS accumulation.
The E3 ligase BRUTUS facilitates degradation of VOZ1/2 transcription factors
Authors: Selote Devarshi , Matthiadis Anna , Gillikin Jeffrey W. , Sato Masa H. , Long Terri A.
Published: June 2018

BRUTUS (BTS) is an iron binding E3 ligase that has been shown to bind to and influence the accumulation of target basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription factors through 26S proteasome‐mediated degradation in Arabidopsis thaliana. Vascular Plant One‐Zinc finger 1 (VOZ1) and Vascular plant One‐Zinc finger 2 (VOZ2) are NAM, ATAF1/2 and CUC2 (NAC) domain transcription factors that negatively regulate drought and cold stress responses in plants and have previously been shown to be degraded via the 26S proteasome. However, the mechanism that initializes this degradation is unknown. Here, we show that BTS interacts with VOZ1 and VOZ2 and that the presence of the BTS RING domain is essential for these interactions. Through cell‐free degradation and immunodetection analyses, we demonstrate that BTS facilitates the degradation of Vascular plant One‐Zinc finger 1/2 (VOZ1/2) protein in the nucleus particularly under drought and cold stress conditions. In addition to its known role in controlling the iron‐deficiency response in plants, here, we report that BTS may play a role in drought and possibly other abiotic stress responses by facilitating the degradation of transcription factors, VOZ1/2.
Hazardous haze in Asia and breathing problems
Authors: Li Shanshan , Guo Yuming
Published: June 2018

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The chimeric mitochondrial gene orf182 causes non‐pollen‐type abortion in Dongxiang cytoplasmic male‐sterile rice
Authors: Xie Hongwei , Peng Xiaojue , Qian Mingjuan , Cai Yicong , Ding Xia , Chen Qiusheng , Cai Qiying , Zhu Youlin , Yan Longan , Cai Yaohui
Published: June 2018

D1‐cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) rice is a sporophytic cytoplasmic male‐sterile rice developed from Dongxiang wild rice that exhibits a no‐pollen‐grain phenotype. A mitochondrial chimeric gene (orf182) was detected by mitochondrial genome sequencing and a comparative analysis. Orf182 is composed of three recombinant fragments, the largest of which is homologous to Sorghum bicolor mitochondrial sequences. In addition, orf182 was found only in wild rice species collected from China. Northern blot analysis showed that orf182 transcripts were affected by Rf genes in the isocytoplasmic restorer line DR7. Western blot analysis showed that the ORF182 product was localized in the mitochondria of the CMS line. An expression cassette containing orf182 fused to a mitochondrial transit peptide induced the maintainer line of male sterility, which lacked pollen grains in the anthers. Furthermore, the in vivo expression of orf182 also inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli, with lower respiration rate, excess accumulation of reactive oxygen species and decreased ATP levels. We conclude that the mitochondrial chimeric gene orf182 possesses a unique structure and origin differing from other identified mitochondrial CMS genes, and this gene is connected to non‐pollen type of sporophytic male sterility in D1‐CMS rice.
Development and Inculcation of Intrinsic Safety Principles for Fluid Power Systems Design
Authors: Alford David K. , Tilley Derek G. , Busby Jerry S. , Edge Kevin A.
Published: June 2018

This paper discusses intrinsic safety, advocating its embodiment in design artefacts, as the most effective means to reduce hazards and also to reduce costs. At odds with this desirable goal, real-world designs tend to exhibit layering of protective devices to mitigate hazardous side effects of existing features, so introducing unnecessary complexity, and further risk. Barriers to progress in intrinsic safety are addressed, both organizational and psychological. An early report of work in progress describes a case-based approach to inferring intrinsic safety principles, and a consideration of possible tools to modify designers’ existing mental models, and influence their design decisions favourably.
Human ossicular-joint flexibility transforms the peak amplitude and width of impulsive acoustic stimuli
Authors: Gottlieb Peter K. , Vaisbuch Yona , Puria Sunil
Published: June 2018

The role of the ossicular joints in the mammalian middle ear is still debated. This work tests the hypothesis that the two synovial joints filter potentially damaging impulsive stimuli by transforming both the peak amplitude and width of these impulses before they reach the cochlea. The three-dimensional (3D) velocity along the ossicular chain in unaltered cadaveric human temporal bones (N = 9), stimulated with acoustic impulses, is measured in the time domain using a Polytec (Waldbronn, Germany) CLV-3D laser Doppler vibrometer. The measurements are repeated after fusing one or both of the ossicular joints with dental cement. Sound transmission is characterized by measuring the amplitude, width, and delay of the impulsive velocity profile as it travels from the eardrum to the cochlea. On average, fusing both ossicular joints causes the stapes velocity amplitude and width to change by a factor of 1.77 (p = 0.0057) and 0.78 (p = 0.011), respectively. Fusing just the incudomalleolar joint has a larger effect on amplitude (a factor of 2.37), while fusing just the incudostapedial joint decreases the stapes velocity on average. The 3D motion of the ossicles is altered by fusing the joints. Finally, the ability of current computational models to predict this behavior is also evaluated.
Thermal analysis of ultrasound-powered miniaturized implants: A tissue-phantom study
Authors: Walden Candace , Soneson Joshua , Weber Marcus J. , Charthad Jayant , Chia Chang Ting , Arbabian Amin , Myers Matthew
Published: June 2018

Neurological implants that harvest ultrasound power have the potential to provide long-term stimulation without complications associated with battery power. An important safety question associated with long-term operation of the implant involves the heat generated by the interaction of the device with the ultrasound field. A study was performed in which the temperature rise generated by this interaction was measured. Informed by temperature data from thermocouples outside the ultrasound beam, a mathematical inverse method was used to determine the volume heat source generated by ultrasound absorption within the implant as well as the surface heat source generated within the viscous boundary layer on the surface of the implant. For the test implant used, it was determined that most of the heat was generated in the boundary layer, giving a maximum temperature rise ∼5 times that for absorption in an equivalent volume of soft tissue. This result illustrates that thermal safety guidelines based solely on ultrasound absorption of tissue alone are not sufficient. The method presented represents an alternative approach for quantifying ultrasound thermal effects in the presence of implants. The analysis shows a steady temperature rise of about 0.2 °C for every 100 mW/cm2 for the presented test implant.