bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How ordinary returnees and foreigners drive firms’ exports?
Authors: Hu Xiaoting , Li Jizhen , Jin Zhanming
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of ordinary returnee and foreign employees in firm export performance, whose impacts have been overseen in prior research. This study also explores whether returnee and foreign employees function as substitutes or complements, and simultaneously considers the impacts of contextual factors on the relationship between returnee (foreign) employees and firm export performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Using panel data of Beijing’s Zhongguancun Science Park manufacturing firms over a seven-year period, from 2009 to 2015, the paper applies panel Tobit regression to deal with the left-censoring dependent variable.

Findings

This paper finds the number of returnee and foreign employees has significantly positive influence in promoting firm export performance; however, substitution effects exist between them. In addition, the positive effects of returnee and foreign employees on firm export performance are conditional. For foreign employees, the presence of corporate president with international background and firm imports will weaken their positive impacts. In terms of returnee employees, their positive influence proves not to be significantly reduced by corporate president’s international background but weakened by firm imports.

Originality/value

Previous research only highlights returnee entrepreneurs’ and top managers’ positive influence on firm export performance. However, with the development of emerging countries, for instance, China in this paper, ordinary returnee and foreign employees are playing more and more critical roles in firms’ internationalization process. This paper responds to the practical needs to focus on ordinary returnee and foreign employees.
Viral and bacterial community responses to stimulated Fe(III)‐bioreduction during simulated subsurface bioremediation
Authors: Liang Xiaolong , Zhuang Jie , Löffler Frank E. , Zhang Yingyue , DeBruyn Jennifer M. , Wilhelm Steven W. , Schaeffer Sean M. , Radosevich Mark
Published: February 2019

The delivery of fermentable substrate(s) to subsurface environments stimulates Fe(III)‐bioreduction and achieves detoxification of organic/inorganic contaminants. Although, much research has been conducted on the microbiology of such engineered systems at lab and field scales, little attention has been given to the phage‐host interactions and virus community dynamics in these environments. The objective was to determine the responses of soil bacterial communities and viral assemblages to stimulated anaerobic Fe(III)‐bioreduction following electron donor (e.g. acetate) addition. Microbial communities, including viral assemblages, were investigated after 60 days of Fe(III)‐bioreduction in laboratory‐scale columns continuously fed with acetate‐amended artificial groundwater. Viral abundances were greatest in the influent section and decreased along the flow path. Acetate availability was important in influencing bacterial diversity, microbial interactions and viral abundance and community composition. The impact of acetate addition was most evident in the influent section of the columns. The increased relative abundance of Fe(III)‐reducing bacteria coincided with an increase in viral abundance in areas of the columns exhibiting the most Fe(III) reduction. The genetic composition of viruses in these column sections also differed from the control column and distal sections of acetate‐treated columns suggesting viral communities responded to biostimulated Fe(III)‐bioreduction.
Beverage Complexity Yields Unpredicted Power Results for Seven Discrimination Test Methods
Authors: Bloom David J. , Baik Hwa‐Young , Lee Soo‐Yeun
Published: February 2019

The power of discrimination tests is crucial in determining sample size and resources needed for testing. Although research has been conducted on the power analysis of several discrimination testing methods, much of the previous research has focused on basic taste solutions, which may not be directly applicable to food and beverage systems. The objective of the current study was to compare the power of seven discrimination tests: Panelist‐Articulated‐2‐Alternative Forced Choice (PA‐2‐AFC), triangle, triangle with partial presentation, duo‐trio, duo‐trio with partial presentation, 4‐category rating methods for R‐index measure, and same‐different pairwise comparison for R‐index measure using commercial‐type beverage products. Sixty‐one prescreened panelists participated in the study. Six product comparisons were performed using tea, tomato juice (three comparisons), citrus‐flavored carbonated soda, and cola‐flavored carbonated soda. The tests were randomized over two testing sessions for each product comparison. Triangle testing methodologies were found to be overall the most powerful methods across product categories. The PA‐2‐AFC method was found to be the least powerful across all products. Thurstonian modeling predicts that the PA‐2‐AFC method would be the most powerful method contrary to the findings of the current study. The products tested were complex in both basic formulations and in changes made between control and variant samples. Complexity of the products may have influenced the discriminability by the panelists using different discrimination tests. Further research should be conducted to characterize the specific influence of sample complexity on the power of discrimination methodology.

Practical Application

There are several discrimination testing methods that can be selected when determining whether two products are significantly different. A method with high statistical power can allow researchers to save time and resources when addressing this question. The current research compares seven discrimination test methods in order to determine which method results in the highest power for several common commercial‐type beverage products. The results from this study demonstrate deviations from Thurstonian model predictions of method power revealing the need to experiment with several methods using commercial‐type products commonly tested within a business or research setting prior to selecting an optimal method to use.
Characterization of Volatile Profiles of Six Popular Edible Mushrooms Using Headspace‐Solid‐Phase Microextraction Coupled with Gas Chromatography Combined with Chemometric Analysis
Authors: Jung Mun Yhung , Lee Da Eun , Cheng Hong Yu , Chung Il‐Min , Kim Seung‐Hyun , Han Jae‐Gu , Kong Won‐Sik
Published: February 2019

The classification of six mushroom species (white beech, brown beech, button, oyster, king oyster, and enoki mushrooms) was successfully achieved using canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) on volatile metabolite data sets obtained by headspace‐solid‐phase microextraction gas chromatography (HS‐SPME‐GC). Twenty‐seven major volatile compounds in six edible mushrooms were positively identified by HS‐SPME‐GC mass spectroscopy. The total volatile content was highest in brown beech mushroom (P < 0.05). Significant difference in volatile profile was observed between brown beach and white beech mushrooms. Button mushroom contained significantly higher contents of benzaldehyde and benzyl alcohol than the other mushrooms (P < 0.05). Oyster mushroom contained 1‐octen‐3‐ol as the most prevalent volatile, representing 67% out of total volatiles. Hexanal (35.0%) and 1‐octen‐3‐ol (22.5%) were the most abundant volatiles found in king oyster. Hexanal (29.1%) was the most prevalent volatile in enoki mushroom only. Several volatile pairs with very high positive correlation in their levels were identified, representing the highest correlation coefficient (r = 0.970) for the pair of t‐2‐octenal and 2,4‐octandienal. CDA was much more efficient than principal component analysis for the differentiation of mushroom species.

Practical Application

The present study provided the important information on the volatile metabolite profiles of popular six commercial mushroom species. The present data will be useful for the quality control of mushrooms cultivated in farms and mushroom products processed in food industry. The strategy of canonical discriminant analysis in combination with HS‐SPME‐GC could be expanded for the determining the authentication of mushroom species.
Global Financial Regulation: Shortcomings and Reform Options
Authors: Jones Emily , Knaack Peter
Published: February 2019

Standard‐setting bodies in global finance follow a core‐periphery logic, imposing a rigid dichotomy between standard‐setters and standard‐takers. They also focus exclusively on promoting financial stability. We argue that both attributes are increasingly problematic in today's world of globalised finance. Developing countries outside of standard‐setting bodies are highly integrated into global finance and while they are not systemically important, they are greatly affected by the regulatory decisions taken in the core. Analysing Basel banking standards, we show how the two‐tier structure of decision‐making results in international standards that generate adverse implications for countries in the periphery, particularly developing countries. Focusing on debates over the regulation of non‐bank credit intermediation, we show how the exclusive focus on financial stability can operate to the detriment of other important policy objectives, including financial inclusion. To improve the efficacy of international standard setting we make a series of recommendations aimed at increasing the applicability of standards to a wide variety of jurisdictions, and widening the focus of standard‐setting beyond financial stability. We also propose the creation of a new standard‐setting body for the regulation of fintech that models a more inclusive and holistic approach.
Accuracy of partial biopsies in the management of cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Doolan Brent J , Robinson Aaron J , Wolfe Rory , Kelly John W , McLean Catriona , McCormack Chris , Henderson Michael A , Pan Yan
Published: February 2019

Background

The recommended method for histopathological diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma is excisional biopsy, although partial biopsies (shave and punch) are often used. Following a partial biopsy, treatment guidelines recommend a narrow excisional biopsy to plan definitive management. There is limited evidence on the benefits of direct wide local excision (WLE) following diagnostic partial biopsies.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of cutaneous melanoma cases, from two tertiary referral centres from January 2013 to December 2015. Demographic and histopathological data, including tumour thickness (T‐stage) from initial biopsy and subsequent excisions, were collected. Logistic regression was used to examine histopathological T‐staging between biopsy and subsequent excisions (upstaging).

Results

2304 melanomas (2157 patients) were identified; 455 shave, 308 punch, 14 incisional and 1527 excisional biopsies. Out of 1527, 5 (<1%) excisional biopsies were upstaged from original biopsy T‐stage to final WLE; compared to 28/455 (6%) for shave, 45/308 (15%) for punch and 2/14 (14%) for incisional biopsies. Histopathology upstaging were increased with punch (OR, 52.1; 95% CI, 20.5–132.4. P < 0.001) and shave biopsy (OR, 20.0; 95% CI, 7.7–52.0. P < 0.001) compared to excisional biopsy. Upstaging rates of 9.4% for desmoplastic (OR, 6.9; 95% CI, 2.4–19.7. P < 0.001) and 21.9% for acral lentiginous (OR, 18.4; 95% CI, 6.9–49.2. P < 0.001) melanomas were elevated compared to 1.4% for superficial spreading melanoma.

Conclusions

In most cases, partial biopsy (particularly shave biopsy) can provide sufficient information to plan for definitive surgical melanoma management. Punch and incisional biopsies have elevated upstaging rates, a consideration in planning therapy. Partial biopsies of desmoplastic or acral lentiginous melanomas have high rates of upstaging and should have a complete excision prior to definitive treatment.
Sex‐based differences in the incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases—pooled analysis of population‐based studies from the Asia‐Pacific region
Authors: Shah Shailja C. , Khalili Hamed , Chen Chung‐Yu , Ahn Hyeong Sik , Ng Siew C. , Burisch Johan , Colombel Jean‐Frederic
Published: February 2019

Background

There appear to be differences in risk factor profiles for IBD between Asia‐Pacific and Western populations, which might suggest idiosyncrasies in pathogenesis. Recently, sex‐based differences in IBD according to the age of diagnosis have been described in Western populations.

Aim

To identify whether sex‐based differences in IBD incidence similarly exist across the age spectrum for Asia‐Pacific populations.

Methods

We identified Asia‐Pacific population‐based cohorts where IBD incidence data stratified by sex were available for the full age spectrum. Cohorts were included only if IBD diagnoses were confirmed and validated. We calculated incidence rate ratios of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) according to age and compared differences between males and females using random‐effects meta‐analysis.

Results

Among 567.8 million people from 11 Asia‐Pacific countries/provinces/nations, we identified 10 553 incident CD cases (7060 males; 3493 females) and 16 946 incident UC cases (9754 males; 7192 females). Starting in early adolescence until age 50 years, there was a 36%‐64% higher incidence of CD in males vs females (P < 0.001). UC incidence ranged from 20%‐42% higher in males vs females in the age groups between 15 and 65 years (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

In a pooled analysis of population‐based studies from the Asia‐Pacific region, we found a male predominance of both CD and UC for the majority of the age spectrum from adolescence to middle/late‐middle age. Additional studies are needed to clarify biological and nonbiological determinants of sex differences in IBD, which might be distinct between Asia‐Pacific and Western populations.
Absence of cuticular alkenes allows lycaenid larvae to avoid predation by Formica japonica ants
Authors: Morozumi Yutaro , Murakami Tomotoshi , Watanabe Michihito , Ohta Shinji , Ômura Hisashi
Published: February 2019

Chemical mimicry and camouflage based on cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are adaptive strategies that are frequently observed in myrmecophilous insects. The larvae of several lycaenid butterfly species that exhibit obligate associations with specific ant species have been reported to use chemical mimicry. However, little is known about the strategies used by the larvae of species that have facultative associations with multiple ant species. We attempted to reveal the effects of larval CHC profiles on interactions with Formica japonica workers, using three lycaenid species, two facultative ant‐associated (Lycaeides argyrognomon and Zizeeria maha) and one non‐ant‐associated (Lycaena phlaeas), which commonly possess n‐alkanes as the major CHCs. In field bioassays, the lycaenid larvae were attacked by ant workers less often than larvae of Papilio polytes (Papilionidae), the CHCs of which were rich in 7‐alkenes. Treating the lycaenid larvae with 7‐heptacosene and 9‐heptacosene significantly activated ant aggression (biting), whereas treating them with n‐heptacosane, n‐octacosane and 13‐methylheptacosane had little effect. Furthermore, larvae of Pieris rapae (Pieridae), possessing n‐alkanes as the dominant CHCs, suffered an intermediate level of ant biting between the lycaenid and Pa. polytes larvae. However, treatments of the P. rapae larvae with 7‐heptacosene and 9‐heptacosene significantly affected the frequency of ant biting. These findings suggest that the absence of alkenes in larval CHC profiles is an effective means of circumventing predation by ants and allows lycaenid larvae to inhabit the foraging territory of predaceous ants, at least to some extent.
In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy of oral lichen planus
Authors: Contaldo Maria , Di Stasio Dario , Petruzzi Massimo , Serpico Rosario , Lucchese Alberta
Published: February 2019

Background

In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is an imaging technique that can virtually biopsy vital tissues, noninvasively and in real time. It results in horizontal virtual slices at a microscopic resolution that correlates well with conventional histopathology. Despite the widespread use of RCM in dermatology, it is still rarely applied to the study of oral pathologies. The aim of the present work is to describe RCM cellular and architectural findings in oral mucosae affected by oral lichen planus (OLP).

Materials and Methods

A series of conventionally diagnosed OLP lesions underwent RCM imaging with a portable reflectance confocal microscope that could scan from the surface to the submucosa. The confocal findings were collected, described, and compared with the literature.

Results

A total of 31 oral sites affected by OLP in 12 patients were considered. According to their clinical appearance, 22 lesions showed a reticular‐plaque pattern, six lesions were mainly atrophic‐erosive, and the remaining three presented a mixed pattern. RCM examination showed hypergranulosis, epithelial disarray, spongiosis, necrotic keratinocytes, epithelial and subepithelial inflammatory cell infiltration, and dilated vessels; all findings were in lichen planus, with differences noted between the “white” and “red” manifestations of this pathology.

Conclusions

The use of RCM in routine clinical oral pathology tests is recommended to avoid recurrence of OLP and changes in its responsiveness to therapy, thus limiting the need for biopsy of lesions suspected of tumoral changes.
Studying to Stay: Understanding Graduate Visa Policy Content and Context in the United States and Australia
Authors: Grimm Adam
Published: February 2019

As the global mobility of students has continued to grow, many of those who obtain their degrees abroad are seeking opportunities to stay in the countries where they received their education. Responding to these trends, several host countries have devised visa schemes to enable international graduates to remain in the country and work after graduation. Using a summative content analysis approach, this article provides an analysis of the content of the Optional Practical Training and Temporary Graduate Visa programmes situated within the economic, political and social contexts of the United States and Australia respectively. Graduation from a domestic institution is the core requirement of these programmes, directly implicating higher education in immigration issues and placing higher education institutions at the border of the state. As such, we must consider HEIs not only as a temporary home for globally mobile student sojourners but as the starting point for transnational talent on complex migration journeys.
Enhanced spontaneous polarization in double perovskite Bi2FeCrO6 films
Authors: Meng Dehuan , Xiao Yunsheng , He Hongcai , Liao Yulong , Zhang Huaiwu , Zhai Junyi , Chen Zuhuang , Martin Lane W. , Bai Feiming
Published: February 2019

We report the pulsed‐laser deposition of epitaxial double‐perovskite Bi2FeCrO6 (BFCO) films on the (001)‐, (110), and (111)‐oriented single‐crystal SrTiO3 substrates. All of the BFCO films with various orientations show the and superlattice‐diffraction peaks. The intensity ratios between the ‐superlattice and the main 111‐diffraction peak can be tailored by simply adjusting the laser repetition rate and substrate temperature, reaching up to 4.4%. However, both optical absorption spectra and magnetic measurements evidence that the strong superlattice peaks are not correlated with the B‐site Fe3+/Cr3+ cation ordering. Instead, the epitaxial (111)‐oriented Bi2FeCrO6 films show an enhanced remanent polarization of 92 μC/cm2 at 10 K, much larger than the predicted values by density‐functional theory calculations. Positive‐up‐negative‐down (PUND) measurements with a time interval of 10 μs further support these observations. Therefore, our experimental results reveal that the strong superlattice peaks may come from A‐ or B‐site cation shifts along the pseudo‐cubic [111] direction, which further enhance the ferroelectric polarization of the BFCO thin films.
Extracellular vesicles from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells improve nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve transection in rats
Authors: Ma Yongbin , Dong Liyang , Zhou Dan , Li Li , Zhang Wenzhe , Zhen Yu , Wang Ting , Su Jianhua , Chen Deyu , Mao Chaoming , Wang Xuefeng
Published: February 2019

Peripheral nerve injury results in limited nerve regeneration and severe functional impairment. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a remarkable tool for peripheral nerve regeneration. The involvement of human umbilical cord MSC‐derived extracellular vesicles (hUCMSC‐EVs) in peripheral nerve regeneration, however, remains unknown. In this study, we evaluated functional recovery and nerve regeneration in rats that received hUCMSC‐EV treatment after nerve transection. We observed that hUCMSC‐EV treatment promoted the recovery of motor function and the regeneration of axons; increased the sciatic functional index; resulted in the generation of numerous axons and of several Schwann cells that surrounded individual axons; and attenuated the atrophy of the gastrocnemius muscle. hUCMSC‐EVs aggregated to rat nerve defects, down‐regulated interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐1β, up‐regulated IL‐10 and modulated inflammation in the injured nerve. These effects likely contributed to the promotion of nerve regeneration. Our findings indicate that hUCMSC‐EVs can improve functional recovery and nerve regeneration by providing a favourable microenvironment for nerve regeneration. Thus, hUCMSC‐EVs have considerable potential for application in the treatment of peripheral nerve injury.
Development of inhibitory control during childhood and its relations to early temperament and later social anxiety: unique insights provided by latent growth modeling and signal detection theory
Authors: Troller‐Renfree Sonya V. , Buzzell George A. , Bowers Maureen E. , Salo Virginia C. , Forman‐Alberti Alissa , Smith Elizabeth , Papp Leanna J. , McDermott Jennifer M. , Pine Daniel S. , Henderson Heather A. , Fox Nathan A.
Published: February 2019

Background

Children with the temperament of behavioral inhibition (BI) face increased risk for social anxiety. However, not all children with BI develop anxiety symptoms. Inhibitory control (IC) has been suggested as a moderator of the pathway between BI and social anxiety. This study uses longitudinal data to characterize development of IC and tests the hypothesis that IC moderates associations between early BI and later social anxiety symptoms.

Methods

Children completed a Go/Nogo task at ages 5, 7, and 10 years as part of a longitudinal study of BI (measured at 2–3 years) and social anxiety symptoms (measured at 12 years). To assess IC development, response strategy (criterion) and inhibitory performance (d′) were characterized using signal detection theory. Latent growth models were used to characterize the development of IC and examine relations among BI, IC parameters, and social anxiety symptoms.

Results

IC response strategy did not change between 5 and 10 years of age, whereas IC performance improved over time. BI scores in toddlerhood predicted neither initial levels (intercept) nor changes (slope) in IC response strategy or IC performance. However, between ages 5 and 10, rate of change in IC performance, but not response strategy, moderated relations between BI and later parent‐reported social anxiety symptoms. Specifically, greater age‐related improvements in IC performance predicted higher levels of social anxiety in high BI children.

Conclusions

IC development in childhood occurs independent of BI levels. However, rapid increases in IC performance moderate risk for social anxiety symptoms in children with BI. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Does thermal plasticity align with local adaptation? An interspecific comparison of wing morphology in sepsid flies
Authors: Rohner Patrick T. , Roy Jeannine , Schäfer Martin A. , Blanckenhorn Wolf U. , Berger David
Published: February 2019

Although genetic and plastic responses are sometimes considered as unrelated processes, their phenotypic effects may often align because genetic adaptation is expected to mirror phenotypic plasticity if adaptive, but run counter to it when maladaptive. Because the magnitude and direction of this alignment has further consequences for both the tempo and mode of adaptation, they are relevant for predicting an organisms’ reaction to environmental change. To better understand the interplay between phenotypic plasticity and genetic change in mediating adaptive phenotypic variation to climate variability, we here quantified genetic latitudinal variation and thermal plasticity in wing loading and wing shape in two closely related and widespread sepsid flies. Common garden rearing of 16 geographical populations reared across multiple temperatures revealed that wing loading decreases with latitude in both species. This pattern could be driven by selection for increased dispersal capacity in the cold. However, although allometry, sexual dimorphism, thermal plasticity and latitudinal differentiation in wing shape all show similar patterns in the two species, the relationship between the plastic and genetic responses differed between them. Although latitudinal differentiation (south to north) mirrored thermal plasticity (hot to cold) in Sepsis punctum, there was no relationship in Sepsis fulgens. While this suggests that thermal plasticity may have helped to mediate local adaptation in S. punctum, it also demonstrates that genetic wing shape differentiation and its relation to thermal plasticity may be complex and idiosyncratic, even among ecologically similar and closely related species. Hence, genetic responses can, but do not necessarily, align with phenotypic plasticity induced by changing environmental selection pressures.
No evidence for an intragenomic arms race under paternal genome elimination in Planococcus mealybugs
Authors: de la Filia Andrés G. , Fenn‐Moltu Gyda , Ross Laura
Published: February 2019

Genomic conflicts arising during reproduction might play an important role in shaping the striking diversity of reproductive strategies across life. Among these is paternal genome elimination (PGE), a form of haplodiploidy which has independently evolved several times in arthropods. PGE males are diploid but transmit maternally inherited chromosomes only, whereas paternal homologues are excluded from sperm. Mothers thereby effectively monopolize the parentage of sons, at the cost of the father's reproductive success. This creates striking conflict between the sexes that could result in a co‐evolutionary arms race between paternal and maternal genomes over gene transmission, yet empirical evidence that such an arms race indeed takes place under PGE is scarce. This study addresses this by testing whether PGE is complete when paternal genotypes are exposed to divergent maternal backgrounds in intraspecific and hybrid crosses of the citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri, and the closely related Planococcus ficus. We determined whether males can transmit genetic information through their sons by tracking inheritance of two traits in a three‐generation pedigree: microsatellite markers and sex‐specific pheromone preferences. Our results suggest leakages of single paternal chromosomes through males occurring at a low frequency, but we find no evidence for transmission of paternal pheromone preferences from fathers to sons. The absence of differences between hybrid and intraspecific crosses in leakage rate of paternal alleles suggests that a co‐evolutionary arms race cannot be demonstrated on this evolutionary timescale, but we conclude that there is scope for intragenomic conflict between parental genomes in mealybugs. Finally, we discuss how these paternal escapes can occur and what these findings may reveal about the evolutionary dynamics of this bizarre genetic system.
Phase equilibrium modelling of the amphibolite to granulite facies transition in metabasic rocks (Ivrea Zone, NW Italy)
Authors: Kunz Barbara E. , White Richard W.
Published: February 2019

The development of thermodynamic models for tonalitic melt and the updated clinopyroxene and amphibole models now allow the use of phase equilibrium modelling to estimate P–T conditions and melt production for anatectic mafic and intermediate rock types at high‐T conditions. The Permian mid‐lower crustal section of the Ivrea Zone preserves a metamorphic field gradient from mid amphibolite facies to granulite facies, and thus records the onset of partial melting in metabasic rocks. Interlayered metabasic and metapelitic rocks allows the direct comparison of P–T estimates and partial melting between both rock types with the same metamorphic evolution. Pseudosections for metabasic compositions calculated in the Na2O–CaO–K2O–FeO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2–H2O–TiO2–O (NCKFMASHTO) system are presented and compared with those of metapelitic rocks calculated with consistent end‐member data and a–x models. The results presented in this study show that P–T conditions obtained by phase equilibria modelling of both metabasic and metapelitic rocks give consistent results within uncertainties, allowing integration of results obtained for both rock types. In combination, the calculations for both metabasic and metapelitic rocks allows an updated and more precisely constrained metamorphic field gradient for Val Strona di Omegna to be defined. The new field gradient has a slightly lower dP/dT which is in better agreement with the onset of crustal thinning of the Adriatic margin during the Permian inferred in recent studies.
Hyperthermia‐induced seizures followed by repetitive stress are associated with age‐dependent changes in specific aspects of the mouse stress system
Authors: Umeoka Eduardo H. L. , Robinson Edward J. , Turimella Sada Lakshmi , van Campen Jolien S. , Motta‐Teixeira Lívia C. , Sarabdjitsingh R. Angela , Garcia‐Cairasco Norberto , Braun Kees , de Graan Pierre N. , Joëls Marian
Published: February 2019

Stress is among the most frequently self‐reported factors provoking epileptic seizures in children and adults. It is still unclear, however, why some people display stress‐sensitive seizures and others do not. Recently, we showed that young epilepsy patients with stress‐sensitive seizures exhibit a dysregulated hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA)‐axis. Most likely, this dysregulation gradually develops, and is triggered by stressors occurring early in life (early‐life stress [ELS]). ELS may be particularly impactful when overlapping with the period of epileptogenesis. To examine this in a controlled and prospective manner, the present study investigated the effect of repetitive variable stressors or control treatment between postnatal day (PND) 12 and 24 in male mice exposed on PND10 to hyperthermia (HT)‐induced prolonged seizures (control: normothermia). A number of peripheral and central indices of HPA‐axis activity were evaluated at pre‐adolescent and young adult age (ie, at PND25 and 90, respectively). At PND25 but not at PND90, body weight gain and absolute as well as relative (to body weight) thymus weight were reduced by ELS (vs control), whereas relative adrenal weight was enhanced, confirming the effectiveness of the stress treatment. Basal and stress‐induced corticosterone levels were unaffected, though, by ELS at both ages. HT by itself did not affect any of these peripheral markers of HPA‐axis activity, nor did it interact with ELS. However, centrally we did observe age‐specific interaction effects of HT and ELS with regard to hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor mRNA expression, neurogenesis with the immature neurone marker doublecortin and the number of hilar (ectopic) granule cells using Prox1 staining. This lends some support to the notion that exposure to repetitive stress after HT‐induced seizures may dysregulate central components of the stress system in an age‐dependent manner. Such dysregulation could be one of the mechanisms conferring higher vulnerability of individuals with epilepsy to develop seizures in the face of stress.
Restrictive Rating and Adverse Selection in Health Insurance
Authors: Born Patricia H. , Sirmans E. Tice
Published: February 2019

Recent healthcare reform in the United States, including rating restrictions, imposed substantial changes to health insurer operations. We provide evidence of the presence of adverse selection following the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. Using a unique dataset consisting of information on health insurance plans from multiple health insurers, across states for the years 2013–2017, we document a statistically significant correlation between coverage and risk, indicating the presence of adverse selection, that varies over time in both the individual and group markets for health insurance.
Verify the scene, report the symptoms: Testing the Verifiability Approach and SRSI in the detection of fabricated PTSD claims
Authors: Boskovic Irena , Dibbets Pauline , Bogaard Glynis , Hope Lorraine , Jelicic Marko , Orthey Robin
Published: February 2019

Purpose

In order to effectively feign post‐traumatic stress disorder, a person needs to confabulate an exposure narrative and to fabricate symptoms of high distress. The Verifiability Approach (VA) is a lie‐detection method based on the notion that truth tellers’ narratives include more verifiable (checkable) information than liars’ narratives. The Self‐Report Symptom Inventory (SRSI) is a measure of over‐reporting, and it includes genuine symptoms and pseudosymptoms that are likely to be endorsed in fabricated symptom reports. In this study, we examined whether the VA can help discriminate the fabricated exposure narratives, and whether the SRSI can aid screening for symptom over‐reporting.

Method

One group of participants (truth tellers) witnessed a vehicle crash scene using the Virtual Reality paradigm (n = 22), while the other group (feigners) was instructed to fabricate such an experience (n = 46). All the participants wrote the exposure narratives and completed the SRSI.

Results

Feigners produced non‐verifiable (vague) and lengthier narratives than truth tellers, who reported a higher proportion of checkable information. Regarding the symptom reports, feigners endorsed more of trauma‐related genuine symptoms and pseudosymptoms than truth tellers.

Conclusion

The non‐verifiable details and the proportion of verifiable details, together with the SRSI subscales, can assist explaining the reporting strategies of those feigning negative exposures.
Variation and inheritance of the XanthomonasraxX‐raxSTAB gene cluster required for activation of XA21‐mediated immunity
Authors: Liu Furong , McDonald Megan , Schwessinger Benjamin , Joe Anna , Pruitt Rory , Erickson Teresa , Zhao Xiuxiang , Stewart Valley , Ronald Pamela C.
Published: February 2019

The rice XA21‐mediated immune response is activated on recognition of the RaxX peptide produced by the bacterium Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo). The 60‐residue RaxX precursor is post‐translationally modified to form a sulfated tyrosine peptide that shares sequence and functional similarity with the plant sulfated tyrosine (PSY) peptide hormones. The 5‐kb raxX‐raxSTAB gene cluster of Xoo encodes RaxX, the RaxST tyrosylprotein sulfotransferase, and the RaxA and RaxB components of a predicted type I secretion system. To assess raxX‐raxSTAB gene cluster evolution and to determine its phylogenetic distribution, we first identified rax gene homologues in other genomes. We detected the complete raxX‐raxSTAB gene cluster only in Xanthomonas spp., in five distinct lineages in addition to X. oryzae. The phylogenetic distribution of the raxX‐raxSTAB gene cluster is consistent with the occurrence of multiple lateral (horizontal) gene transfer events during Xanthomonas speciation. RaxX natural variants contain a restricted set of missense substitutions, as expected if selection acts to maintain peptide hormone‐like function. Indeed, eight RaxX variants tested all failed to activate the XA21‐mediated immune response, yet retained peptide hormone activity. Together, these observations support the hypothesis that the XA21 receptor evolved specifically to recognize Xoo RaxX.
Candida auris—the growing menace to global health
Authors: Lone Shabir A. , Ahmad Aijaz
Published: February 2019

summary

A paradigm shift of candidiasis from Candida albicans to non‐albicans Candida species has fundamentally increased with the advent of C. auris. C. auris, despite being a newly emerged multidrug‐resistant fungal pathogen, is associated with severe invasive infections and outbreaks with high mortality rates. Initially reported from Japan in 2009, C. auris have now been found in different countries on all the continents except Antarctica. Due to its capability of nosocomial transmission and forming adherent biofilms on clinically important substrates, a high number of related hospital outbreaks have been reported worldwide. As C. auris is a multidrug‐resistant pathogen and is prone to misidentification by available conventional methods, it becomes difficult to detect and manage C. auris infection and also limits the therapeutic options against this deadly pathogen. The emergence of multidrug‐resistant C. auris advocates and amplifies the vigilance of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of fungal infections. In this review, we discussed the nine‐year‐old history of C. auris—its trends in global emergence, epidemiological relatedness, isolation, mortality, associated risk factors, virulence factors, drug resistance and susceptibility testing, diagnostic challenges, microbiological characteristics, therapeutic options and infection prevention and control associated with this pathogen.
Simulated image doubling and visual acuity: effects of doubling magnitude, orientation, and ghost image intensity
Authors: Carkeet Andrew , Chang Yu‐Chong Anderson , Chang Te‐Yuan , Chen Po‐Yen Mike , Gu Ming , Lin Vincent , Ng Jia Hao
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The effects of image doubling on logarithmic progression chart visual acuity were investigated by simulating diplopia on a computer monitor.

Methods

Ten participants (6M, 4F) aged 21–28 years (mean 22.4 ± 2.3) were assessed viewing with their left eye while wearing their best correction. Stimuli were eight rows of five Sloan letters, from 0.4 to −0.3 logMAR (6/15 to 6/3) arranged in logarithmic progression format, generated on an HD monitor. Stimuli were generated with different magnitudes of doubling, different directions of doubling, and different intensity ratios between the ghost image and main images.

Results

When the ghost image had the same intensity as the main image, there was a significant effect of doubling magnitude on visual acuity, with the mean acuity being −0.11 logMAR (6/4.7) for no doubling. Acuity thresholds (logMAR) increased when doubling exceeded 1 min of arc, reaching a level of 0.12 logMAR (6/7.9) for doubling of 16 min of arc. There were no significant effects of orientation on acuity, nor were there significant orientation‐doubling magnitude interaction effects of visual acuity. Image doubling magnitude level affected visual acuity differently for different ghost image intensities, with the highest acuity elevation occurring when ghost and main images were equal or nearly equal. For faint ghost image intensities (10% and 20%) image doubling did not significantly affect visual acuity.

Conclusions

Image doubling will degrade visual acuity if doubling is greater than 1 min of arc, and ghost images are sufficiently intense. However, even with very obvious visually‐disturbing image doubling, visual acuity remains only slightly reduced.
Statistical Inference for the Population Landscape via Moment-Adjusted Stochastic Gradients
Authors: Liang Tengyuan , Su Weijie J.
Published: February 2019

Modern statistical inference tasks often require iterative optimization methods to compute the solution. Convergence analysis from an optimization viewpoint informs us only how well the solution is approximated numerically but overlooks the sampling nature of the data. In contrast, recognizing the randomness in the data, statisticians are keen to provide uncertainty quantification, or confidence, for the solution obtained by using iterative optimization methods. The paper makes progress along this direction by introducing moment-adjusted stochastic gradient descent: a new stochastic optimization method for statistical inference. We establish non-asymptotic theory that characterizes the statistical distribution for certain iterative methods with optimization guarantees. On the statistical front, the theory allows for model misspecification, with very mild conditions on the data. For optimization, the theory is flexible for both convex and non-convex cases. Remarkably, the moment adjusting idea motivated from ‘error standardization’ in statistics achieves a similar effect to acceleration in first-order optimization methods that are used to fit generalized linear models. We also demonstrate this acceleration effect in the non-convex setting through numerical experiments.
Adhesive Joint Model for Delamination Analysis of a Co-Cured Composite Joint: Applicability and Limitation
Authors: Duong C. N.
Published: February 2019

Modeling the interface between two adherents in a co-cured composite joint for a delamination analysis is always a challenge since properties and thickness of the material forming the interface are not clearly defined or well characterized. In a conventional finite element (FE) analysis using virtual crack closure technique (VCCT) based on a linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) theory, adherents are assigned to share the same common nodes along their intact interface. On the other hand, an FE analysis using cohesive elements or analytical methods based on an adhesive joint model for a delamination analysis of a co-cured joint will require modeling of the interface as well as the appropriate selection of its thickness and properties. The purpose of this paper is to establish the applicability and limitation of the adhesive joint model for a delamination analysis of a co-cured composite joint. In particular, it will show that when certain requirements are met, the strain energy release rates (SERR) become independent or nearly independent of the adhesive stiffness and thickness, and thus, SERR of an adhesive joint will be the same as that for a co-cured joint. These requirements are determined from a theoretical consideration, and they can be expressed explicitly in terms of joint characteristic (or load transfer) lengths and joint physical lengths. The established requirements are further validated by numerical results for various cracked joint geometries. Finally, implication of a mode ratio obtained by the proposed adhesive joint model for a corresponding delamination crack is discussed.
Tunable Contact of Epidermal Electronics With Skin Based on Ionic Polymer–Metal Composite Material
Authors: Chen Weitong , Ren Xinsheng , Wang Qitao , Wu Jian
Published: February 2019

Epidermal electronics mounted on the body provides the robust and noninvasive interfaces to monitor the electrophysiological signals of human body. The contact characteristic of the epidermal electronics with the skin affects the accuracy of the measured signals. In this paper, ionic polymer–metal composite is used to regulate the interface force for the consistency of the contact performance. The patterns of the ionic polymer–metal composite are designed for the flexibility and the contact characteristic of the epidermal electronics with the skin. This study provides an approach for the adjustment of the contact characteristic, which is very valuable for the longtime accurate monitoring of the epidermal electronics attached on the skin.
Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infects Functionally Polarized Memory CD4 T Cells Equivalently
In Vivo
Authors: Lai Stephen H. , Starke Carly E. , Flynn Jacob K. , Vinton Carol L. , Ortiz Alexandra M. , Mudd Joseph C. , Brenchley Jason M.
Published: February 2019

Functional perturbations of memory CD4 T cells have been suggested to underlie important aspects of HIV disease progression. However, the mechanisms underlying these perturbations remain unclear. Using a nonhuman primate model of HIV, we show that SIV infects functionally defined populations of memory CD4 T cells equally in different anatomic sites. Thus, preferential infection by the virus is unlikely to cause functional perturbations.
Targeting mTOR with MLN0128 Overcomes Rapamycin and Chemoresistant Primary Effusion Lymphoma
Authors: Caro-Vegas Carolina , Bailey Aubrey , Bigi Rachele , Damania Blossom , Dittmer Dirk P.
Published: February 2019

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is an aggressive and incurable malignancy, which is usually characterized by lymphomatous effusions in body cavities without tumor masses. PEL has no established treatment and a poor prognosis, with a median survival time shorter than 6 months. PEL usually develops in the context of immunosuppression, such as HIV infection or post-organ transplantation. The optimal treatment for PEL has not been established, as PEL is generally resistant to traditional chemotherapy. The molecular drivers for PEL are still unknown; however, PEL displays a constitutively active mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, which is critical for metabolic and cell survival mechanisms. Therefore, the evaluation of novel agents targeting the mTOR pathway could be clinically relevant for the treatment of PEL.
Inhibiting Human Parainfluenza Virus Infection by Preactivating the Cell Entry Mechanism
Authors: Bottom-Tanzer S. F. , Rybkina K. , Bell J. N. , Alabi C. A. , Mathieu C. , Lu M. , Biswas S. , Vasquez M. , Porotto M. , Melero J. A. , Más V. , Moscona A.
Published: February 2019

Paramyxoviruses, including human parainfluenza virus type 3, are internalized into host cells by fusion between viral and target cell membranes. The receptor binding protein, hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN), and the fusion protein (F) facilitate viral fusion and entry into cells through a process involving HN activation by receptor binding, which triggers conformational changes in F to activate it to reach its fusion-competent state. Interfering with this process through premature activation of the F protein may be an effective antiviral strategy
in vitro
. We identified and optimized small compounds that implement this antiviral strategy through an interaction with HN, causing HN to activate F in an untimely fashion. To address that mechanism, we produced novel anti-HPIV3 F conformation-specific antibodies that can be used to assess the functionality of compounds designed to induce F activation. Both the novel antiviral compounds that we present and these newly characterized postfusion antibodies are novel tools for the exploration and development of antiviral approaches.