bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the formation of multiply twinned structure in decahedral intermetallic nanoparticles
Authors: Liang Chao , Yu Yi
Published: April 2019

The structure of monometallic decahedral multiply twinned nanoparticles (MTPs) has been extensively studied, whereas less is known about intermetallic MTPs, especially the mechanism of formation of multiply twinned structures, which remains to be understood. Here, by using aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy, a detailed structural study of AuCu decahedral intermetallic MTPs is presented. Surface segregation has been revealed on the atomic level and the multiply twinned structure was studied systematically. Significantly different from Au and Cu, the intermetallic AuCu MTP adopts a solid-angle deficiency of −13.35°, which represents an overlap instead of a gap (+7.35° gap for Au and Cu). By analysing and summarizing the differences and similarities among AuCu and other existing monometallic/intermetallic MTPs, the formation mechanism has been investigated from both energetic and geometric perspectives. Finally, a general framework for decahedral MTPs has been proposed and unknown MTPs could be predicted on this basis.
More crystal field theory in action: the metal–4-picoline (pic)–sulfate [M(pic)
x
]SO4 complexes (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Cd)
Authors: Pham Duyen N. K. , Roy Mrittika , Kreider-Mueller Ava , Golen James A. , Manke David R.
Published: April 2019

Seven crystal structures of five first-row (Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn) and one second-row (Cd) transition metal–4-picoline (pic)–sulfate complexes of the form [M(pic)
x
]SO4 are reported. These complexes are catena-poly[[tetrakis(4-methylpyridine-κN)metal(II)]-μ-sulfato-κ2
O:O′], [M(SO4)(C6H7N)4]
n
, where the metal/M is iron, cobalt, nickel, and cadmium, di-μ-sulfato-κ4
O:O-bis[tris(4-methylpyridine-κN)copper(II)], [Cu2(SO4)2(C6H7N)6], catena-poly[[bis(4-methylpyridine-κN)zinc(II)]-μ-sulfato-κ2
O:O′], [Zn(SO4)(C6H7N)2]
n
, and catena-poly[[tris(4-methylpyridine-κN)zinc(II)]-μ-sulfato-κ2
O:O′], [Zn(SO4)(C6H7N)3]
n
. The Fe, Co, Ni, and Cd compounds are isomorphous, displaying polymeric crystal structures with infinite chains of M
II ions adopting an octahedral N4O2 coordination environment that involves four picoline ligands and two bridging sulfate anions. The Cu compound features a dimeric crystal structure, with the CuII ions possessing square-pyramidal N3O2 coordination environments that contain three picoline ligands and two bridging sulfate anions. Zinc crystallizes in two forms, one exhibiting a polymeric crystal structure with infinite chains of ZnII ions adopting a tetrahedral N2O2 coordination containing two picoline ligands and two bridging sulfate anions, and the other exhibiting a polymeric crystal structure with infinite chains of ZnII ions adopting a trigonal bipyramidal N3O2 coordination containing three picoline ligands and two bridging sulfate anions. The structures are compared with the analogous pyridine complexes, and the observed coordination environments are examined in relation to crystal field theory.
Implementing AASB 15 revenue from contracts with customers: the preparer perspective
Authors: Davern Michael , Gyles Nikole , Potter Brad , Yang Victor
Published: April 2019

Purpose

This study aims to examine the implementation of AASB 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers to provide insight into preparers’ perspectives on the challenges, costs and benefits experienced in implementing a new and complex standard.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a survey of 143 financial statement preparers engaged in implementing AASB 15.

Findings

The results reveal significant variation in the approach to, and progress in, implementing AASB 15.

Research limitations/implications

The study provides evidence of the role of proprietary costs in implementing a new standard and suggests that preparers adopt a more pragmatic view of the nature of compliance compared to standard-setters.

Practical implications

The evidence in this study strongly suggests that there is little to be gained in deferring effective dates for new standards. It suggests that standard-setters can motivate entities by framing a standard in terms of how it improves the business itself, rather than from a compliance framing.

Originality/value

This study provides a rare perspective on the actual implementation experience of preparers confronted with the introduction of a new standard. Such a perspective is of value to standard-setters and preparers and offers insight to researchers that cannot be gained from traditional capital market archival approaches.
Progress, traditions and future directions in research on disasters involving slow-onset hazards
Authors: Staupe-Delgado Reidar
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The importance of onset speed has been stressed by disaster researchers and inter-governmental bodies for some time, but its meaning and knowledge frontier has not been explored in depth. The purpose of this paper is to contextualise disasters involving slow-onset hazards within the broader literature on disasters, assess the current state of knowledge and identify themes in the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs a semi-structured review design with the purpose of identifying both scholarship engaging directly with the term and less obvious but related literatures.

Findings

The majority of publications that mention slow-onset hazards and their adverse impacts do so only by means of delimitation. The paper finds that there is a great need for empirical and theoretical work on onset and manifestation speed and to test the degree to which existing theories and frameworks of disaster management are also relevant for the study of slow-onset hazard impacts.

Research limitations/implications

The review identifies several gaps in existing research disasters involving slow-onset hazards and proposes research on community, political, policy and practical challenges, including answering the question of how to secure proactive response to emerging slow-onset hazard impacts.

Practical implications

In theory, hazards with a gradual and creeping onset are easier to manage and proactively respond to than that of sudden and unexpected ones. Not only do slow-onset hazards provide more lead time, but also a larger potential for proactive response, which in turn provides ample time to take early action to cushion their impacts. Yet, warnings often go unheard and response is put on hold until impacts become unnecessarily costly to reverse. More research on onset speed and gradual manifestation patterns should therefore be carried out.

Originality/value

Gradually occurring hazards have remained largely absent from the core literature on disasters, including most definitions of the term. This paper represents an initial effort to assess the state-of-the-art on the concept and the phenomenon of disasters involving slow-onset hazards.
Dynamics of immigrant assimilation: lessons from immigrants’ trust
Authors: Lim Sokchea , Morshed A.K.M. Mahbub
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the dynamics and persistence of interpersonal trust among immigrants in the USA. More specifically, the authors investigate the association between the levels of trust of US immigrants and the levels of trust in their home countries across different cohorts and generations of immigrants.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to quantify the extent of this relationship, the authors use two large sets of survey data, the General Social Survey and the World Value Survey, to construct the trust of immigrants in the USA and their levels of trust in their country of origin. The final sample size for the immigrants’ trust is 27,531 observations.

Findings

The examination of the two trust variables at different levels and for different cohorts show that there is an association between the levels of US immigrants’ trust and the levels of trust in the country of origin, suggesting that immigrants bring their culture with them and transmit it to the next generation. However, this association differs across various cohorts and generations of immigrants. The transmission of trust is strong in the second generation but becomes weaker in the third generation and seems to disappear in the fourth generation.

Social implications

Empirical estimates of how long the cultural traits embodied in a new immigrant are sustained in the newly adopted country are essential to the appraisal of the current apparent segregation of immigrants in the USA.

Originality/value

This paper focuses on the under-researched area of the dynamic properties of immigrants’ trust by using large data sets from social surveys. The authors examine this cultural assimilation across different cohorts and generations.
Policy shocks, current account and the macroeconomy in a developing country
Authors: Basu Moumita , Nag Ranjanendra Narayan
Published: April 2019

Purpose

This is a theoretical paper in the field of international macroeconomics. The purpose of this paper is to focus on a dynamic interaction between current account imbalance and unemployment in response to some policy-induced shocks for a small open economy under a flexible exchange rate.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a two-sector framework: one sector is traded and another is the non-traded sector that is subject to an effective demand constraint. The current account imbalance arises due to the discrepancy between production of traded goods, household consumption of traded goods and government purchases of importables. The authors keep the asset structure simple by considering only domestic currency and foreign bonds that are imperfect substitutes. The paper considers a standard methodology of dynamic adjustment process involving change in foreign exchange reserves and exchange rate under perfect foresight. The saddle path properties of the equilibrium are also examined.

Findings

The results of comparative static exercises depend on a set of structural features of a developing country, which include asset substitutability, wage price rigidity and sectoral asymmetries. The paper shows that expansionary monetary policy, balanced budget fiscal expansion and financial liberalization have an ambiguous effect on the current account balance, foreign exchange reserves, non-traded sector and the level of employment.

Originality/value

The existence of Keynesian unemployment with fixed prices is the key ingredient of this paper. The paper introduces the problem of effective demand to analyze the dynamics of current account balance and exchange rate, which, in turn, determine the sectoral composition of output and level of employment.
The shape of income distribution and decomposition of the changes in income inequality in India
Authors: Mishra Aswini Kumar , Kumar Anil , Sinha Abhishek
Published: April 2019

Purpose

Though Indian economy since 1980s has expanded very rapidly, yet the benefits of growth remain very unequally distributed. The purpose of this paper is to provide new evidence about the shape, intensity and decomposition of inequality change between 2005 and 2012. The authors find that Gini, as a measure of income inequality, has increased irrespective of geographic regions.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a recent distribution analysis tool, “ABG,” the paper focuses on local inequality, and summarizes the shape of inequality in terms of three inequality parameters (α, β and γ) to examine how the income distributions have changed over time. Here, the central coefficient (α) measures inequality at the median level, with adjustment parameters at the top (β) and bottom (γ).

Findings

The results reveal that at the middle of distribution (α), there is almost the same inequality in both the periods, but the coefficients on the curvature parameters β and γ show that there is increasing inequality in the subsequent period. Finally, an analysis of decomposition of inequality change suggests that though income growth was progressive, however, this equalizing effect was more than offset by the disequalizing effect of income reranking.

Research limitations/implications

This paper shows how it can be possible both for “the poor” to fare badly relatively to “the rich” and for income growth to be pro-poor.

Practical implications

This paper stresses the significance of inequality reduction.

Social implications

Inequality reduction is very much imperative in ending poverty and boosting shared prosperity.

Originality/value

Perhaps, this research work is first of its kind to examine the shape and decomposition of change in income inequality in India in recent years.
In‐the‐Moment Drinking Characteristics: An Examination Across Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder History and Race
Authors: McKone Kirsten M. P. , Kennedy Traci M. , Piasecki Thomas M. , Molina Brooke S. G. , Pedersen Sarah L.
Published: April 2019

Background

Adults with a history of childhood attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Black drinkers are at elevated risk for alcohol problems and alcohol use disorder. Processes that increase risk for these distinct populations have not focused on in‐the‐moment behaviors that occur while drinking. The present study examined in‐the‐moment drinking characteristics (i.e., location, social context, day, time, drink type, speed of consumption) that may differ for individuals with and without ADHD histories or for Black and White drinkers. We also examined the interplay among these in‐the‐moment drinking characteristics to further understanding of contexts when risk may be momentarily increased.

Methods

As part of a larger study, 135 individuals (Mage = 27.81, 69.6% male, 45.9% ADHD, 69.6% White) completed a 10‐day ecological momentary assessment protocol that included self‐initiated reports following consumption of an alcoholic drink. Hypotheses were tested using multilevel modeling.

Results

Controlling for multiple demographic covariates, Black drinkers drank significantly more quickly than White drinkers and were more likely to consume hard liquor–containing beverages. Differences in drinking speed remained significant when adjusting for Black drinkers’ greater likelihood to consume liquor‐containing beverages and momentary experience of discrimination; however, Black drinkers’ increased likelihood to consume liquor‐containing beverages was no longer significant when adjusting for momentary experience of discrimination. Individuals with ADHD histories did not differ from those without ADHD histories in any in‐the‐moment drinking characteristics. ADHD and race did not interact to predict any drinking characteristic.

Conclusions

Differences in speed of alcohol consumption and propensity to consume liquor‐containing beverages may contribute to increased risk for alcohol problems experienced by Black drinkers compared to White drinkers.
Tuning In, Not Turning Out: Evaluating the Impact of Ethnic Television on Political Participation
Authors: Velez Yamil Ricardo , Newman Benjamin J.
Published: April 2019

Despite the importance of ethnic television within immigrant communities, its effects on political participation are unclear. On the one hand, ethnic media can mobilize and inform voters. On the other hand, it can serve as a source of diversion and reduce the desire to participate. To evaluate these competing possibilities, we implement a geographic regression discontinuity (GRD) approach involving Federal Communication Commission reception boundaries for Spanish‐language television stations in two states. Additionally, we replicate and unpack our GRD analyses using three nationally representative samples of Latinos. Across multiple studies, we find that access to Spanish‐language television is associated with decreases in turnout, ethnic civic participation, and political knowledge. We conclude by discussing the implications of these findings on the ethnic politics, political communication, and social capital literatures.
Poverty in Transit: Uber, Taxi Coops, and the Struggle over Philadelphia's Transportation Economy
Authors: Borowiak Craig
Published: April 2019

This article examines how ride‐hailing companies like Uber have disrupted not only the mainstream taxi industry but also progressive efforts to remedy that industry's shortcomings. The article focuses on Alliance Taxi Cooperative (ATC), a failed taxi worker cooperative in Philadelphia. ATC was deeply committed to economic democracy, living wages, and outreach to underserved communities. Its ambitions were nevertheless thwarted by regulatory obstruction and market disruptions caused by Uber. Drawing on relational poverty theory and literature on solidarity economy and platform capitalism, I suggest that ATC's story offers more than a cautionary tale about the pitfalls facing small taxi start‐ups. It also illuminates a great deal about the exploitative conditions and discriminatory geographies of the taxi and ride‐hailing industry, the biases of regulatory agencies, and the complicated ways that platform capitalism is refiguring class dynamics.
Antibiotic therapy as personalized medicine – general considerations and complicating factors
Authors: Moser Claus , Lerche Christian Johann , Thomsen Kim , Hartvig Tom , Schierbeck Jens , Jensen Peter Østrup , Ciofu Oana , Høiby Niels
Published: April 2019

The discovery of antibiotic drugs is considered one of the previous century's most important medical discoveries (Medicine's 10 greatest discoveries. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1998: 263). Appropriate use of antibiotics saves millions of lives each year and prevents infectious complications for numerous people. Still, infections kill unacceptable many people around the world, even in developed countries with easy access to most antibiotic drugs. Optimal use of antibiotics is dependent on the identification of primary and secondary focus, and knowledge on which pathogens to expect in a specific infectious syndrome and information on general patterns of regional antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, sampling for microbiological analysis, knowledge of patient immune status and organ functions, travel history, pharmacokinetics and ‐dynamics of the different antibiotics and possible biofilm formation are among several factors involved in antibiotic therapy of infectious diseases. The present review aims at describing important considerations when using antibacterial antibiotics and to describe how this is becoming substantially more personalized. The parameters relevant in considering the optimal use of antibiotics to treat infections are shown in Fig. 1 – leading to the most relevant antibiotic therapy for that specific patient. To illustrate this subject, the present review's focus will be on challenges with optimal dosing of antibiotics and risks of underdosing. Especially, in cases highly challenging for achieving the aimed antibiotic effect against bacterial infections – this includes augmented renal clearance (ARC) in sepsis, dosing challenges of antibiotics in pregnancy and against biofilm infections.
Opportunities for collaboration between pharmacists and clinical pharmacologists to support medicines optimisation in the UK
Authors: Barnett Nina L.
Published: April 2019

Medicines optimisation is a clinician‐driven, person‐centred ongoing process. Pharmacists and clinical pharmacologists have medicines‐related expertise to deliver medication review which optimises clinical and cost‐effective use of medication, aligned with patient preferences, contributing to improved health outcomes. There is a large pharmacy workforce, directly accessible to patients, who can provide expert medicines‐related care on the high street, and increasingly in general practice and care homes settings. There are a small number of clinical pharmacologists in practice, mainly working in a hospital setting. Potential opportunities for collaboration are extensive, including local initiatives in collaborative education, formulary/medicines management, electronic prescribing, service evaluation, research, direct clinical services as well as strategic planning through the Regional Medicines Optimisation Committees. Pharmacists and clinical pharmacologists have complementary skill sets and through acknowledging the differences in their approaches and valuing their unique skills, health services can ensure that patients are signposted to appropriate services.
Identification of monellin as the first naturally derived proteinaceous allosteric agonist of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5
Authors: Chen Amy N. Y. , Hellyer Shane D. , Trinh Phuc N. H. , Leach Katie , Gregory Karen J.
Published: April 2019

Allosteric modulators bind sites distinct from orthosteric ligands, allowing for improved spatiotemporal control of receptors and greater subtype selectivity. However, we recently showed that allosteric ligands previously classified as selective for select Class C G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) had unappreciated activity at other off‐target receptors, in some cases higher affinity, within the class. Here, we extended our investigation of off‐target activity of “selective” allosteric ligands for the sweet taste receptor. Using metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu5) as a representative of Class C GPCR, we assessed the sweet protein, monellin and the small‐molecule artificial sweetener, NHDC. We found that monellin, but not NHDC, is an agonist for mGlu5. Radioligand binding and functional assays performed in cells expressing N‐terminally truncated mGlu5 demonstrated that monellin agonism was not mediated via the “common” allosteric binding site in the transmembrane domain but required the presence of the large extracellular N‐terminal domain of mGlu5. Monellin displayed neutral functional cooperativity with orthosteric ligands. However, monellin positively modulated the mGlu5 PAM‐agonist, VU0424465, activity in intracellular calcium assays, but the interaction was neutral in inositol phosphate accumulation assays. Furthermore, monellin mGlu5 agonism was positively modulated by the mGlu5 pure PAM, VU0360172. Taken together, these data indicate that monellin is an allosteric agonist for mGlu5, binding to an allosteric binding site on the N‐terminus that is functionally linked to the common Class C GPCR allosteric site in a biased manner. This is the first evidence of a naturally derived proteinaceous allosteric ligand for the mGlu receptor family.
Family influences on child nutritional outcomes in Nairobi's informal settlements
Authors: Faye Cheikh Mbacké , Fonn Sharon , Kimani‐Murage Elizabeth
Published: April 2019

Background

Improving child nutritional status is an important step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 2 and 3 in developing countries. Most child nutrition interventions in these countries remain variably effective because the strategies often target the child's mother/caregiver and give limited attention to other household members. Quantitative studies have identified individual level factors, such as mother and child attributes, influencing child nutritional outcomes.

Methods

We used a qualitative approach to explore the influence of household members on child feeding, in particular, the roles of grandmothers and fathers, in two Nairobi informal settlements. Using in‐depth interviews, we collected data from mothers of under‐five children, grandmothers, and fathers from the same households.

Results

Our findings illustrate that poverty is a root cause of poor nutrition. We found that mothers are not the sole decision makers within the household regarding the feeding of their children, as grandmothers appear to play key roles. Even in urban informal settlements, three‐generation households exist and must be taken into account. Fathers, however, are described as providers of food and are rarely involved in decision making around child feeding. Lastly, we illustrate that promotion of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, as recommended by the World Health Organization, is hard to achieve in this community.

Conclusions

These findings call for a more holistic and inclusive approach for tackling suboptimal feeding in these communities by addressing poverty, targeting both mothers and grandmothers in child nutrition strategies, and promoting environments that support improved feeding practices such as home‐based support for breastfeeding and other baby‐friendly initiatives.
Board informal hierarchy and stock price crash risk: Theory and evidence from China
Authors: Jebran Khalil , Chen Shihua , Zhu David H.
Published: April 2019

Research Question/Issue: This study examines how the informal hierarchy among directors of a firm influences the risk of stock price crash. We theorize that a clear informal hierarchy among directors increases managerial coordination of activities to hide bad news, which increases the risk of future stock price crash.

Research Findings/Insights: Consistent with our theoretical predictions, our findings show that the informal hierarchy among directors, measured based on the number of board appointments they have, is positively associated with the risk of future stock price crash. This association is weaker for firms with larger boards but stronger when the CEO's status is higher than that of the majority of the directors on the board. We also find evidence that information hierarchy increases the degree to which managers hide bad news.

Theoretical/Academic Implications: This study advances our understanding by showing that an informal hierarchy that tacitly forms among directors on a board can significantly guide boardroom interactions. Specifically, the findings suggest that a clear informal hierarchy among directors enhances their coordination to hide bad news and thereby increases stock price crash risk. Furthermore, the results provide evidence that CEO's status and board size are important factors influencing the functioning of board informal hierarchy.

Practitioner/Policy Implications: The results have important implications for researchers and policymakers. The findings show that the informal hierarchy among directors can shape managerial behavior and guide boardroom interactions. The results also suggest that improving formal governance mechanisms can enhance boardroom interactions by moderating the effects of informal hierarchy in the context of China.
Right and left ventricular interaction in pulmonary hypertension: Insight from velocity vector imaging
Authors: Meng Hong , Chandrasekaran Krishnaswamy , Villarraga Hector R. , Shah Aijaz A. , Kittipovanonth Maytinee , Cha Stephen S. , Pellikka Patricia A. , Seward James B.
Published: April 2019

Objective

To evaluate whether global peak systolic strain (PSS) and peak systolic strain rate (PSSR) derived from velocity vector imaging (VVI) allow early recognition of regional and global right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and the impact of this on left ventricular (LV) function in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PHT).

Background

RV function is an important determinant of prognosis in patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, heart transplant, and congenital heart diseases. However, evaluation of the right ventricle is often limited by its complex geometry and inadequate visualization of RV free wall. Furthermore, the impact of RV dysfunction on the LV function is not well elucidated.

Methods

Ninety‐nine participants, 35 control patients with normal RV systolic pressure (RVSP) (<30 mm Hg) and 64 patients with PHT (25 with mild‐to‐moderate increase in RVSP [≥36 and <60 mm Hg] and 39 with severe increase in RVSP [≥60 mm Hg]), underwent comprehensive echo‐Doppler assessment and velocity vector imaging (VVI) for strain rate analysis. RV regional peak systolic and diastolic tangential velocity, strain, and strain rate were obtained from the basal, mid and apical segments of the RV free wall and interventricular septum (IVS) from apical 4‐chamber view at end‐expiration. Similar data were obtained from eighteen LV segments from apical 4‐chamber, 2‐chamber, and long‐axis views.

Results

Peak systolic strain, strain rate, and tangential velocity at all segments in the RV free wall and IVS were decreased compared to controls in patients with PHT (P < 0.001). Significant correlation (r > 0.60; P < 0.001) was noted between RVSP and systolic and diastolic strain and strain rate at basal segment in IVS and global RV function. Peak early diastolic strain rate at all segments was also decreased in PHT patients compared with control patients (P < 0.01). Furthermore, RV systolic and diastolic strain and strain rate were lower in group 2 with mild‐to‐moderate hypertension while the conventional echo parameters were normal. Except for IVS segments, other LV segments had no statistical differences in systolic and diastolic velocity, strain, and strain rate compared to controls. However, they were lower than the published normal range.

Conclusions

Strain and strain rate derived from VVI demonstrates early recognition of systolic and diastolic RV dysfunction in patients with PHT compared to controls. PHT is associated with global and regional RV systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Systolic and diastolic strain and strain rate from LV was lower compared to controls but were not statistically significant. This may indicate subclinical LV dysfunction in these patients, suggesting that conventional LV function parameters may not be sensitive to recognize subclinical LV dysfunction.
The role of long non‐coding RNAs in multiple myeloma
Authors: Cui Yu‐Shan , Song Yong‐Ping , Fang Bai‐Jun
Published: April 2019

Multiple myeloma (MM) is still an incurable disease, and its pathogenesis involves cytogenetics and epigenetics. In recent years, the roles of long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in MM have been deeply studied by scholars. LncRNAs are defined as a class of non‐protein‐coding transcripts greater than 200 nucleotides in length, which are involved in a large spectrum of biological processes, including proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, invasion, and chromatin remodeling. However, little is known about the specific mechanisms of these lncRNAs. They can act as oncogenic and/or tumor‐suppressive factors in the development and progression of MM. But that how do they work remains unclear. In this review, the recent progress in the study of functional lncRNAs associated with MM was summarized and the present knowledge about their expression and roles was discussed, to provide guidance for the in‐depth functional study of lncRNAs.
Species‐specific real‐time PCR for diagnosis of Phyllosticta citricarpa on Citrus species
Authors: Schirmacher A. M. , Tomlinson J. A. , Barnes A. V. , Barton V. C.
Published: April 2019

Phyllosticta citricarpa (teleomorph Guignardia citricarpa) is the causal agent of citrus black spot, a disease causing lesions on fruits and leaves of different Citrus species in Asia, Australia, South Africa and South America. It is a quarantine organism in the European Union and the USA and hence a reliable differentiation between this species and other Phyllosticta species found on Citrus is essential. A differentiation based on morphology is often problematic, hence a range of molecular tests have been developed to distinguish P. citricarpa from other species present on citrus fruits, especially the endophyte Phyllosticta capitalensis (teleomorph Guignardia mangiferae). However, these tests cannot distinguish P. citricarpa from the closely related Phyllosticta citriasiana, the causal agent of tan spot disease. In this study, a real‐time PCR was designed which is specific for P. citricarpa and does not amplify P. citriasiana or P. capitalensis DNA.
Sex‐specific lateralization during aggressive interactions in breeding king penguins
Authors: Lemaire Bastien S. , Viblanc Vincent A. , Jozet‐Alves Christelle
Published: April 2019

Brain and behavioral asymmetries (termed "lateralization"; e.g., preferential eye‐use) have been mostly described in controlled laboratory conditions, although striking similarities of hemispheric brain control for specific behaviors have also been shown in the wild. Visual lateralization may provide ecological advantages by allowing complementary roles played by the left–right lateral and frontal visual field in distant or close motion detection of predators or other threats. In this study, we tested for lateralization in aggressive behavior in wild king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus), seabirds breeding in a context of strong colonial aggressiveness, and subject to on‐land‐based predation of their egg or chick. We show that males initiated more agonistic interactions when a congener was located in their right frontal visual field and in their left lateral visual field. The results obtained in females were the exact opposite for each subdivision of their visual fields. Complementary lateralization in male and female penguins may be part of a more general phenomenon, allowing partners to coordinate their behavior during reproduction. This may be especially true during the period of courtship, during which these seasonally monogamous and monomorphic seabirds engage in mutual mate choice based on a complex and ritualized display of ornaments located on the left and right lateral sides of the head. Those results open exciting questions as to whether hemispheric control of aggression is a commonly selected phenotypic trait across colonial seabirds.
Managing predators: The influence of kangaroo rat antipredator displays on sidewinder rattlesnake hunting behavior
Authors: Whitford Malachi D. , Freymiller Grace A. , Clark Rulon W.
Published: April 2019

Upon sensing predators in their vicinity, many prey species perform antipredator displays that are thought to provide information to the predator that deters it from attacking (predator‐deterrent signals). These displays can be complex, incorporating a variety of signaling elements as well as direct physical harassment of the predator. Although the display behaviors in these communication systems are often well characterized, evidence of the efficacy of these displays in deterring predators is limited due to the challenges associated with studying free‐ranging predators. Here, we examine how the anti‐snake signals of the desert kangaroo rat (Dipodomys deserti) influence the ambush hunting behaviors of sidewinder rattlesnakes (Crotalus cerastes). We found that, although desert kangaroo rats incorporate a number of signal elements into their antipredator display, only sand kicking behavior was a significant factor in motivating sidewinder rattlesnakes to cease hunting: high rates of sand kicking led to early abandonment of ambush coils. These results indicate that anti‐snake displays of small mammals may be especially effective at mitigating the threat posed by rattlesnakes when those displays incorporate physical harassment as well as signaling.
Divergent transcriptomic signatures in response to salinity exposure in two populations of an estuarine fish
Authors: Jeffries Ken M. , Connon Richard E. , Verhille Christine E. , Dabruzzi Theresa F. , Britton Monica T. , Durbin‐Johnson Blythe P. , Fangue Nann A.
Published: April 2019

In estuary and coastal systems, human demand for freshwater, climate change‐driven precipitation variability, and extreme weather impact salinity levels, reducing connectivity between mesohaline coastal fish populations and potentially contributing to genomic divergence. We examined gill transcriptome responses to salinity in wild‐caught juveniles from two populations of Sacramento splittail (Pogonichthys macrolepidotus), a species of conservation concern that is endemic to the San Francisco Estuary, USA, and the lower reaches of its tributaries. Recent extreme droughts have led to salinities above the tolerance limits for this species, creating a migration barrier between these populations, which potentially contributed to population divergence. We identified transcripts involved in a conserved response to salinity; however, the more salinity‐tolerant San Pablo population had greater transcriptome plasticity (3.6‐fold more transcripts responded than the Central Valley population) and a response consistent with gill remodeling after 168 hr of exposure to elevated salinity. The reorganization of the gill in response to changing osmotic gradients is a process critical for acclimation and would facilitate enhanced salinity tolerance. We detected an upregulation of receptors that control the Wnt (wingless‐type) cell signaling pathway that may be required for an adaptive response to increases in salinity, patterns not observed in the relatively salinity‐sensitive Central Valley population. We detected 62 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in coding regions of 26 transcripts that differed between the populations. Eight transcripts that contained SNPs were associated with immune responses, highlighting the importance of diversity in immune gene sequences as a defining characteristic of genomic divergence between these populations. Our data demonstrate that these populations have divergent transcriptomic responses to salinity, which is consistent with observed physiological differences in salinity tolerance.
INDUCING VARIETY: A THEORY OF INNOVATION CONTESTS
Authors: Letina Igor , Schmutzler Armin
Published: April 2019

This article analyzes the design of innovation contests when the quality of an innovation depends on the research approach, but the best approach is unknown. Inducing a variety of research approaches generates an option value. We show that suitable contests can induce such variety. The buyer‐optimal contest is abonus tournament, where suppliers can choose only between a low bid and a high bid. This contest implements the socially optimal variety for a suitable parameter range. Finally, we compare the optimal contest to scoring auctions and fixed‐prize tournaments.
What do parents expect from a genetic diagnosis of their child with intellectual disability?
Authors: Dikow Nicola , Moog Ute , Karch Stephanie , Sander Anja , Kilian Samuel , Blank Rainer , Reuner Gitta
Published: April 2019

Background

Caring for a child with intellectual disability (ID) has been associated with increased social and psychological burdens. Diagnostic and prognostic uncertainty may enhance emotional stress in families.

Method

The present authors assessed the motivations, expectations, mental health, physical health and the quality of life of 194 parents whose children with intellectual disability were undergoing a genetic diagnostic workup.

Results

Most parents considered a diagnosis highly relevant for their own emotional relief, their child's therapies and education, or family planning. Parental mental health was significantly lower compared with the normative sample, but physical health was not different. The severity of the child's intellectual disability correlated negatively with their parents' mental and physical health, quality of life, and positively with parental anxiety.

Conclusion

Healthcare providers should be aware of the disadvantages facing families with intellectually disabled children. Receiving practical, social and psychological support as well as genetic testing might be particularly relevant for families with severely disabled children.
Ultra‐rapid high‐density mapping system with the phase singularity technique is feasible in identifying rotors and focal sources and predicting AF termination
Authors: Vicera Jennifer Jeanne B. , Lo Li‐Wei , Shinya Yamada , Chou Yu‐Hui , Lin Yenn‐Jiang , Lo Men‐Tzung , Lin Wei‐Lun , Liu Shin‐Huei , Cheng Wen‐Han , Tsai Tsung‐Ying , Chen Shih‐Ann
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Phase singularity (PS) mapping provides additional insight into the AF mechanism and is accurate in identifying rotors. The study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of PS mapping in identifying AF rotors using data obtained from an automatic ultra‐rapid high‐resolution mapping system with a high‐density mini‐basket catheter.

Methods

Twenty‐three pigs underwent rapid right atrial (RA) pacing (RAP 480 bpm) for 5 weeks before the experiment. During AF, RA endocardial automatic continuous mappings with a mini‐basket catheter were generated using an automatic ultra‐rapid mapping system. Both fractionation mapping and waveform similarity measurements using a PS mapping algorithm were applied on the same recording signals to localize substrates maintaining AF.

Results

Seventeen (74%) pigs developed sustained AF after RAP. Three were excluded because of periprocedural ventricular arrhythmia and corrupted digital data. RA fractionation maps were acquired with 6.17 ± 4.29 minutes mean acquisition time, 13768 ± 12698 acquisition points mapped during AF from 581 ± 387 beats. Fractionation mapping identified extensively distributed (66.7%) RA complex fractionated atrial electrogram (CFAE), whereas the nonlinear analysis identified high similarity index (SI > 0.7) parts in limited areas (23.7%). There was an average of 1.67 ± 0.87 SI sites with 0.43 ± 0.76 rotor/focal source/chamber. AF termination occurred in 11/16 (68.75%) AF events in 14 pigs during ablation targeting max CFAE. There was a higher incidence of rotor/focal source at AF termination sites compared with non‐AF termination sites (54.5% vs 0%, P = 0.011).

Conclusions

The data obtained from ultra‐rapid high‐density automatic mapping is feasible and effective in identifying AF rotors/focal sources using PS technique, and those critical substrates were closely related to AF procedural termination.
NF‐κB p65 promotes ovarian cancer cell proliferation and migration via regulating mortalin
Authors: Li Shan , Lv Mengyuan , Qiu Shi , Meng Jiaqi , Liu Wen , Zuo Ji , Yang Ling
Published: April 2019

Previous studies show that mortalin, a HSP70 family member, contributes to the development and progression of ovarian cancer. However, details of the transcriptional regulation of mortalin remain unknown. We aimed to determine whether NF‐κB p65 participates in the regulation of mortalin expression in ovarian cancer cells and to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assay were used to identify mortalin gene sequences, to which NF‐κB p65 binds. Results indicated that NF‐κB p65 binds to the mortalin promoter at a site with the sequence ‘CGGGGTTTCA’. Using lentiviral pLVX‐NF‐κB‐puro and Lentivirus‐delivered NF‐κB short hairpin RNA (shRNA), we created ovarian cancer cell lines in which NF‐κB p65 was stably up‐regulated and down‐regulated. Using these cells, we found that downregulation of NF‐κB p65 inhibits the growth and migration of ovarian cancer cells. Further experimental evidence indicated that downregulation of NF‐κB p65 reduced mortalin, and upregulation of mortalin rescued the proliferation and migration of ovarian cancer cells reduced by NF‐κB p65 knockdown. In conclusion, NF‐κB p65 binds to the mortalin promoter and promotes ovarian cancer cells proliferation and migration via regulating mortalin.
Evaluation of cowpea mini core accessions for resistance to flower bud thrips Megalurothrips sjostedti Trybom (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)
Authors: Togola Abou , Boukar Ousmane , Chamarthi Siva , Belko Nouhoun , Tamò Manuele , Oigiangbe Nathaniel , Ojo Joseph , Ibikunle Mumini , Fatokun Christian
Published: April 2019

The flower bud thrips, Megalurothrips sjostedti Trybom (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is an economically important pest of cowpea in sub‐Saharan Africa. Varietal resistance is the most preferred, environmentally friendly, cost‐effective and sustainable option for controlling this pest. The objective of this study was to identify sources of resistance to M. sjostedti among mini core accessions from the largest world cowpea germplasm collection maintained at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). The study was conducted during the 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons where 365 accessions were screened under field conditions. Each accession was rated visually for thrips damage score, flower abortion rate, number of pods per plant and number of thrips per flower. The resistance levels observed in genotypes TVu8631, TVu16368, TVu8671 and TVu7325 were similar to that of the resistant check “Sanzisabinli” (called Sanzi) during both seasons. In addition, 56 mini core genotypes showed moderate resistance to thrips damage. High heritability values were associated with thrips damage scores at 65 days after planting (0.60), percentage of effective peduncles (0.59), flower bud abortion rate (0.59), number of pods per plant (0.51) and number of peduncles with pods (0.5). The accessions identified with good levels of resistance to flower bud thrips will be used in cowpea breeding programs to develop improved resistant varieties.
Acaricidal properties of essential oils from agro‐industrial waste products from citric fruit against Tetranychus urticae
Authors: Ribeiro Nicolle C. , da Camara Claudio A. G. , Melo João P. R. , de Moraes Marcílio M.
Published: April 2019

Tetranychus urticae is a major agricultural pest with worldwide distribution that has caused considerable damage to vegetable crops in north‐eastern Brazil. The aim of the present study was to investigate the chemical and lethal/sublethal effects of essential oils from the peels of the lime (Citrus aurantiifolia), lemon (C. limon), mandarin orange (C. reticulata) and (C. reticulata × C. sinensis) as well as selected constituents (linalool, α‐terpineol, α‐pinene, β‐pinene, terpinolene and limonene) against T. urticae. The greatest yield was achieved with the mandarin and tangerine peel oils. The chemical analysis (gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry) of the essential oils from the Citrus fruit peels enabled the identification of 127 compounds, revealing a predominance of monoterpenes. Limonene was the major constituent, and α‐pinene, β‐pinene, linalool and α‐terpineol were found in substantial quantities. Regarding the susceptibility of T. urticae, the Citrus oils and selected constituents were more effective by fumigation than residual contact. The C. reticulata oil was the most toxic by fumigation, and the C. limon oil was the most toxic by residual contact. The constituent α‐terpineol exhibited the highest toxicity with both methods. At a sublethal concentration, the oils and selected constituents had significant effects on the fecundity, feeding preference and oviposition of the mite. Citrus oils and their constituents are potentially useful for the future integrated management of T. urticae due to their lethal and sublethal properties. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the action of these essential oils against non‐target organisms and determine the cost–benefit ratio for the formulation of an acaricide harvested from agro‐industrial waste from citric fruit processing activities for use in the integrated control of T. urticae.