bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reverse-correlation analysis of navigation dynamics in Drosophila larva using optogenetics
Authors: Hernandez-Nunez Luis , Belina Jonas , Klein Mason , Si Guangwei , Claus Lindsey , Carlson John R , Samuel Aravinthan D.T.
Published: April 2015

Neural circuits for behavior transform sensory inputs into motor outputs in patterns with strategic value. Determining how neurons along a sensorimotor circuit contribute to this transformation is central to understanding behavior. To do this, a quantitative framework to describe behavioral dynamics is needed. Here, we built a high-throughput optogenetic system for Drosophila larva to quantify the sensorimotor transformations underlying navigational behavior. We express CsChrimson, a red-shifted variant of Channelrhodopsin, in specific chemosensory neurons, and expose large numbers of freely moving animals to random optogenetic activation patterns. We quantify their behavioral responses and use reverse correlation analysis to uncover the linear and static nonlinear components of navigation dynamics as functions of optogenetic activation patterns of specific sensory neurons. We find that linear-nonlinear (LN) models accurately predict navigational decision-making for different optogenetic activation waveforms. We use our method to establish the valence and dynamics of navigation driven by optogenetic activation of different combinations of bitter sensing gustatory neurons. Our method captures the dynamics of optogenetically-induced behavior in compact, quantitative transformations that can be used to characterize circuits for sensorimotor processing and their contribution to navigational decision-making.
A high-throughput RNA-seq approach to profile transcriptional responses
Authors: Moyerbrailean G.A. , Davis G.O. , Harvey C. , Watza D. , Wen X. , Pique-Regi R. , Luca F.
Published: April 2015

In recent years, different technologies have been used to measure genome-wide gene expression levels across many types of tissues and in response toin vitrotreatments. However, a full understanding of gene regulation in any given cellular and environmental context combination is still missing. This is partly because analyzing tissue/environment-specific gene expression generally implies screening a large number of cellular conditions and samples, without prior knowledge of which conditions are most informative (e.g. some cell types may not respond to certain treatments). To circumvent these challenges, we have established a new two-step high-throughput and cost-effective RNA-seq approach: the first step consists of gene expression screening of a large number of conditions, while the second step focuses on deep sequencing of the most relevant conditions (e.g. largest number of differentially expressed genes). This study design allows for a fast and economical screen in step one, with a more profitable allocation of resources for the deep sequencing of re-pooled libraries in step two. We have applied this approach to study the response to 26 treatments in three lymphoblastoid cell lines and we show that it is applicable for other high-throughput transcriptome profiling requiring iterative refinement or screening.
Structure of ginseng major latex-like protein 151 and its proposed lysophosphatidic acid-binding mechanism
Authors: Choi Sun-Hye , Hong Myoung-Ki , Kim Hyeon-Joong , Ryoo Nayeon , Rhim Hyewhon , Nah Seung-Yeol , Kang Lin-Woo
Published: April 2015

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a phospholipid growth factor with myriad effects on biological systems. LPA is usually present bound to animal plasma proteins such as albumin or gelsolin. When LPA complexes with plasma proteins, it binds to its cognate receptors with higher affinity than when it is free. Recently, gintonin from ginseng was found to bind to LPA and to activate mammalian LPA receptors. Gintonin contains two components: ginseng major latex-like protein 151 (GLP) and ginseng ribonuclease-like storage protein. Here, the crystal structure of GLP is reported, which belongs to the plant Bet v 1 superfamily, and a model is proposed for how GLP binds LPA. Amino-acid residues of GLP recognizing LPA were identified using site-directed mutagenesis and isothermal titration calorimetry. The resulting GLP mutants were used to study the activation of LPA receptor-dependent signalling pathways. In contrast to wild-type GLP, the H147A mutant did not bind LPA, elicit intracellular Ca2+transients in neuronal cells or activate Ca2+-dependent Cl−channels inXenopusoocytes. Based on these results, a mechanism by which GLP recognizes LPA and its requirement to activate G protein-coupled LPA receptors to elicit diverse biological responses were proposed.
REdiii: a pipeline for automated structure solution
Authors: Bohn Markus-Frederik , Schiffer Celia A.
Published: April 2015

High-throughput crystallographic approaches require integrated software solutions to minimize the need for manual effort.REdiiiis a system that allows fully automated crystallographic structure solution by integrating existing crystallographic software into an adaptive and partly autonomous workflow engine. The program can be initiated after collecting the first frame of diffraction data and is able to perform processing, molecular-replacement phasing, chain tracing, ligand fitting and refinement without further user intervention. Preset values for each software component allow efficient progress with high-quality data and known parameters. The adaptive workflow engine can determine whether some parameters require modifications and choose alternative software strategies in case the preconfigured solution is inadequate. This integrated pipeline is targeted at providing a comprehensive and efficient approach to screening for ligand-bound co-crystal structures while minimizing repetitiveness and allowing a high-throughput scientific discovery process.
Structural study of the X-ray-induced enzymatic reaction of octahaem cytochromecnitrite reductase
Authors: Trofimov A. A. , Polyakov K. M. , Lazarenko V. A. , Popov A. N. , Tikhonova T. V. , Tikhonov A. V. , Popov V. O.
Published: April 2015

Octahaem cytochromecnitrite reductase from the bacteriumThioalkalivibrio nitratireducenscatalyzes the reduction of nitrite to ammonium and of sulfite to sulfide. The reducing properties of X-ray radiation and the high quality of the enzyme crystals allow study of the catalytic reaction of cytochromecnitrite reductase directly in a crystal of the enzyme, with the reaction being induced by X-rays. Series of diffraction data sets with increasing absorbed dose were collected from crystals of the free form of the enzyme and its complexes with nitrite and sulfite. The corresponding structures revealed gradual changes associated with the reduction of the catalytic haems by X-rays. In the case of the nitrite complex the conversion of the nitrite ions bound in the active sites to NO species was observed, which is the beginning of the catalytic reaction. For the free form, an increase in the distance between the oxygen ligand bound to the catalytic haem and the iron ion of the haem took place. In the case of the sulfite complex no enzymatic reaction was detected, but there were changes in the arrangement of the active-site water molecules that were presumably associated with a change in the protonation state of the sulfite ions.
Identification of local variations within secondary structures of proteins
Authors: Kumar Prasun , Bansal Manju
Published: April 2015

Secondary-structure elements (SSEs) play an important role in the folding of proteins. Identification of SSEs in proteins is a common problem in structural biology. A new method,ASSP(Assignment ofSecondaryStructure inProteins), using only the path traversed by the Cαatoms has been developed. The algorithm is based on the premise that the protein structure can be divided into continuous or uniform stretches, which can be defined in terms of helical parameters, and depending on their values the stretches can be classified into different SSEs, namely α-helices, 310-helices, π-helices, extended β-strands and polyproline II (PPII) and other left-handed helices. The methodology was validated using an unbiased clustering of these parameters for a protein data set consisting of 1008 protein chains, which suggested that there are seven well defined clusters associated with different SSEs. Apart from α-helices and extended β-strands, 310-helices and π-helices were also found to occur in substantial numbers.ASSPwas able to discriminate non-α-helical segments from flanking α-helices, which were often identified as part of α-helices by other algorithms.ASSPcan also lead to the identification of novel SSEs. It is believed thatASSPcould provide a better understanding of the finer nuances of protein secondary structure and could make an important contribution to the better understanding of comparatively less frequently occurring structural motifs. At the same time, it can contribute to the identification of novel SSEs. A standalone version of the program for the Linux as well as the Windows operating systems is freely downloadable and a web-server version is also available at http://nucleix.mbu.iisc.ernet.in/assp/index.php.
Against the odds?De novostructure determination of a pilin with two cysteine residues by sulfur SAD
Authors: Gorgel Manuela , Bøggild Andreas , Ulstrup Jakob Jensen , Weiss Manfred S. , Müller Uwe , Nissen Poul , Boesen Thomas
Published: April 2015

Exploiting the anomalous signal of the intrinsic S atoms to phase a protein structure is advantageous, as ideally only a single well diffracting native crystal is required. However, sulfur is a weak anomalous scatterer at the typical wavelengths used for X-ray diffraction experiments, and therefore sulfur SAD data sets need to be recorded with a high multiplicity. In this study, the structure of a small pilin protein was determined by sulfur SAD despite several obstacles such as a low anomalous signal (a theoretical Bijvoet ratio of 0.9% at a wavelength of 1.8 Å), radiation damage-induced reduction of the cysteines and a multiplicity of only 5.5. The anomalous signal was improved by merging three data sets from different volumes of a single crystal, yielding a multiplicity of 17.5, and a sodium ion was added to the substructure of anomalous scatterers. In general, all data sets were balanced around the threshold values for a successful phasing strategy. In addition, a collection of statistics on structures from the PDB that were solved by sulfur SAD are presented and compared with the data. Looking at the quality indicatorRanom/Rp.i.m., an inconsistency in the documentation of the anomalousRfactor is noted and reported.
Structures ofBacteroides fragilisuridine 5′-diphosphate-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) acyltransferase (BfLpxA)
Authors: Ngo Alice , Fong Kai T. , Cox Daniel L. , Chen Xi , Fisher Andrew J.
Published: April 2015

Uridine 5′-diphosphate-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) acyltransferase (LpxA) catalyzes a reversible reaction for adding anO-acyl group to the GlcNAc in UDP-GlcNAc in the first step of lipid A biosynthesis. Lipid A constitutes a major component of lipopolysaccharides, also referred to as endotoxins, which form the outer monolayer of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Ligand-free and UDP-GlcNAc-bound crystal structures of LpxA fromBacteroides fragilisNCTC 9343, the most common pathogenic bacteria found in abdominal abscesses, have been determined and are presented here. The enzyme crystallizes in a cubic space group, with the crystallographic threefold axis generating the biological functional homotrimer and with each monomer forming a nine-rung left-handed β-helical (LβH) fold in the N-terminus followed by an α-helical motif in the C-terminus. The structure is highly similar to LpxA from other organisms. Yet, despite sharing a similar LβH structure with LpxAs fromEscherichia coliand others, previously unseen calcium ions are observed on the threefold axis inB. fragilisLpxA to help stabilize the trimeric assembly.
Structural insight into the thermostable NADP+-dependentmeso-diaminopimelate dehydrogenase fromUreibacillus thermosphaericus
Authors: Akita Hironaga , Seto Tomonari , Ohshima Toshihisa , Sakuraba Haruhiko
Published: April 2015

Crystal structures of the thermostablemeso-diaminopimelate dehydrogenase (DAPDH) fromUreibacillus thermosphaericuswere determined for the enzyme in the apo form and in complex with NADP+andN-tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid. The main-chain coordinates of the enzyme showed notable similarity to those ofSymbiobacterium thermophilumDAPDH. However, the subunit arrangement ofU. thermosphaericusDAPDH (a dimer) was totally different from that of theS. thermophilumenzyme (a hexamer). Structural comparison with the dimeric enzyme from the mesophileCorynebacterium glutamicumrevealed that the presence of large numbers of intrasubunit and intersubunit hydrophobic interactions, as well as the extensive formation of intersubunit ion-pair networks, were likely to be the main factors contributing to the higher thermostability ofU. thermosphaericusDAPDH. This differs fromS. thermophilumDAPDH, within which the unique hexameric assembly is likely to be responsible for its high thermostability. Analysis of the active site ofU. thermosphaericusDAPDH revealed the key factors responsible for the marked difference in substrate specificity between DAPDH and the D-amino acid dehydrogenase recently created from DAPDH by introducing five point mutations [Akitaet al.(2012).Biotechnol. Lett.34, 1693–1699; 1701–1702].
Three-dimensional structure and ligand-binding site of carp fishelectin (FEL)
Authors: Capaldi Stefano , Faggion Beniamino , Carrizo Maria E. , Destefanis Laura , Gonzalez Maria C. , Perduca Massimiliano , Bovi Michele , Galliano Monica , Monaco Hugo L.
Published: April 2015

Carp FEL (fishelectin or fish-egg lectin) is a 238-amino-acid lectin that can be purified from fish eggs by exploiting its selective binding to Sepharose followed by elution withN-acetylglucosamine. Its amino-acid sequence and other biochemical properties have previously been reported. The glycoprotein has four disulfide bridges and the structure of the oligosaccharides linked to Asn27 has been described. Here, the three-dimensional structures of apo carp FEL (cFEL) and of its complex withN-acetylglucosamine determined by X-ray crystallography at resolutions of 1.35 and 1.70 Å, respectively, are reported. The molecule folds as a six-bladed β-propeller and internal short consensus amino-acid sequences have been identified in all of the blades. A calcium atom binds at the bottom of the funnel-shaped tunnel located in the centre of the propeller. Two ligand-binding sites, α and β, are present in each of the two protomers in the dimer. The first site, α, is closer to the N-terminus of the chain and is located in the crevice between the second and the third blades, while the second site, β, is located between the fourth and the fifth blades. The amino acids that participate in the contacts have been identified, as well as the conserved water molecules in all of the sites. Both sites can bind the two anomers, α and β, ofN-acetylglucosamine, as is clearly recognizable in the electron-density maps. The lectin presents sequence homology to members of the tachylectin family, which are known to have a function in the innate immune system of arthropods, and homologous genes are present in the genomes of other fish and amphibians. This structure is the first of a protein of this group and, given the degree of homology with other members of the family, it is expected that it will be useful to experimentally determine other crystal structures using the coordinates of cFEL as a search probe in molecular replacement.
XBRL adoption and cost of debt
Authors: Lai Syou-Ching , Lin Yuh-Shin , Lin Yi-Hung , Huang Hua-Wei
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine the relation between the cost of debt and the adoption of eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL).

Design/methodology/approach

– The financial data are obtained from the Compustat database. Regression analysis is used to examine the research hypotheses.

Findings

– The authors find that both voluntary and mandatory adoption of XBRL lead to a lower cost of debt for firms, with weak evidence that this reduction is greater for the former than the latter.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings support the policy of the USA Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and thus this paper recommends that adoption of XBRL should be mandatory for all public firms.

Practical implications

– The findings encourage top managers to develop their firms’ XBRL systems.

Originality/value

– The results support the SEC’s policy of mandatory XBRL adoption, as it can lead to greater financial reporting transparency and mitigate information asymmetry between management and bondholders.
The impact of corporate governance and ownership structure reforms on earnings quality in China
Authors: Ji Xu_Dong , Ahmed Kamran , Lu Wei
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of corporate governance and ownership structures on earnings quality in China both prior and subsequent to two important corporate reforms: the code of corporate governance (CCG) in 2002 and the split share structure reform (SSR) in 2005.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study utilises informativeness of earnings (earnings response coefficient), conditional accounting conservatism and managerial discretionary accruals to assess earnings quality using 12,267 firm-year observations over 11 years from 2000 to 2010. Further, two dummy variables for measuring the changes of CCG and SSR are employed to estimate the effects of CCG and SSR reforms on earnings quality via OLS regression.

Findings

– This study finds that the promulgation of the CCG in 2002 has had a positive impact, but the SSR reform in 2005 has had little effect on listed firms’ earnings quality in China. These results hold good after controlling for a number of ownership, governance and other variables and estimating models with multiple measures of earnings’ quality.

Research limitations/implications

– Future research could focus on how western style corporate governance mechanisms have been constrained by the old management systems and governmental dominated ownership structures in Chinese listed firms. The conclusion is that simply coping Western corporate governance model is not suitable for every country.

Practical implications

– The results will assist Chinese regulators in improving reporting quality, ownership structure and governance mechanisms in China. The results will help international investors better understand quality of financial information in China.

Originality/value

– This is the first to our knowledge that addresses the effects of major governance and ownership reforms together on accounting earnings quality and, thus, makes a significant contribution on understanding the effect of regulatory reforms on improving earnings quality. In doing so, it also indirectly assesses the effectiveness of western-style corporate governance mechanisms introduced in China.
Information systems maturity, knowledge sharing, and firm performance
Authors: Rao Yanchao , Guo Ken H , Chen Ye
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate how and why information systems (IS) enhance firm performance (FP) from a knowledge management perspective. Drawing upon the knowledge-view of the firm and organizational learning theories, we develop and empirically test a theoretical model where knowledge sharing (KS) plays a mediating role between IS maturity (ISM) and FP.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected through a survey of business managers in China. The model was tested by using the partial least squares structural equation modeling approach.

Findings

– The results provide support for the propose research model and confirm that ISM is positively associated with FP, and KS partially mediates the effects of ISM.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to the IS literature by reconceptualizing the ISM construct and testing the mediating effect of KS and, thus, offers some answers to the “how-and-why” question about the value of IS.
Continuous improvement in Vietnam: unique approaches for a unique culture
Authors: Nguyen Phuong Anh , Robinson Alan G.
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to enhance the understanding of continuous improvement (CI) practices in Vietnamese organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study reported here is based on field research using in-depth case studies to investigate the factors underpinning CI effectiveness in Vietnam. Data were collected from direct observations, internal company documents and interviews in six leading Vietnamese companies, as well as interviews with 50 business leaders, managers, practitioners and academics in Vietnam.

Findings

– This paper identifies the cultural conditions that have most shaped, and continue to shape, the management of CI in Vietnam, and suggests ways that practitioners can design effective CI practices in that country. For example, a very strong top-down management approach seems to be necessary to jump-start CI in Vietnamese organizations. Vietnamese organizations can succeed with CI, but they require substantial investment in human capital to give managers and employees at all levels up-to-date CI education and training. Furthermore, contrary to best-practice thinking in many developed countries, Vietnamese organizations may well be unable to motivate employees to participate in CI initiatives without a seemingly heavy-handed system of substantial rewards.

Research limitations/implications

– Future research in this area should study a broader selection of case companies across a wider selection of sectors, including more in service, and in other industries and in other regions of Vietnam. It should also aim to capture and analyze other factors that determine CI effectiveness.

Practical implications

– To lead organizational change, leaders must first be able and willing to adjust their leadership styles to match the demands of their changing business environments.

Originality/value

– While Vietnam is attracting intense interest from the international business community, little research has been done on CI practices there, in part because Vietnamese companies have developed a strong culture of secrecy, and are very wary of granting research access to outsiders. This study offers one of the first “inside views” of Vietnamese management with reliable data focusing particularly on CI.
Linkage between frontline employee service competence scale and customer perceptions of service quality
Authors: Wu Yu-Chi , Tsai Chin-Shih , Hsiung Hsiao-Wen , Chen Kuan-Ying
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop an instrument to measure service competencies and explore the relationship between service competencies and service quality.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were gathered from 207 frontline employees (FLEs). A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to examine the goodness-of-fit of the FLE service competence scale. Further, the partial least squares technique was used to analyze the data gathered from 252 customers to clarify the relationship between service competencies and perceived service quality.

Findings

– The results indicate that the instrument demonstrated high reliability, stable dimensionality and predictable relationships with service quality within the nomological network of service competencies. Moreover, the results provide evidence for the position that FLE interpersonal competencies are positively associated with the service quality dimensions of reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy, and that FLE professional competencies are positively associated with reliability and assurance of service quality.

Research limitations/implications

– The study has limited generalizability given the convenience sample and the wide variety of service industries. Implications regarding which specific FLE service competencies FLEs should focus on to enhance specific customer perceptions of service quality are also discussed.

Originality/value

– The present paper contributes specifically to understanding how service competencies of FLEs can influence consumers’ perceived service quality, and developing an instrument to measure service competencies.
Identifying Islamic alternatives to short selling in Iranian stock market and prioritizing them using TOPSIS
Authors: Ahmadvand Maysam , Khajezadeh Dezfuli Hadi , Sadehvand Mohamad Javad
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to first explain short selling and its benefits and damages; then, using experts’ opinions and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method as well as based on the legal, financial and jurisprudential criteria adopted, evaluate and prioritize Islamic alternatives to short selling; and finally, introduce the most proper approach for implementing it in Iran’s stock market.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methods applied in the paper are as follows: Library method to collect the required data for developing the theoretical and jurisprudential foundations of the study, identifying the appropriate criteria for prioritizing; the alternative methods for short selling in the Islamic markets; and the field method to determine the level of significance of the ranking criteria and prioritize the alternative methods for short selling in the Islamic markets on the basis of such criteria. The alternative methods for short selling in Iranian stock market were identified and analyzed jurisprudentially and legally. Afterwards, these strategies were prioritized based on the (legislative, financial and jurisprudential) criteria which were adopted in the form of Delphi from the related literature, research and expert opinions by means of TOPSIS approach. The method with the highest ranking will be introduced as the alternative method for short selling.

Findings

– The paper suggests that among all Islamic alternatives to short selling, based on experts’ opinions and legal considerations, method of combining Murabaha and Wa’ad is the most proper strategy in Iranian stock market.

Research limitations/implications

– An important limitation we faced in this study was limited familiarity of Iran, capital market participants with Islamic finance concepts including Islamic alternatives to short selling. Therefore, designed questionnaire was sent only to participants who had experience in the field of Islamic finance that they were not more than 31 people. Of course, in this study, large sample size was not necessary because the questionnaire was completed by experts, and therefore, results were scientific and reliable.

Originality/value

– One of the transaction strategies which significantly contributes to the enhancement of market liquidity is short selling. However, this strategy is not applicable to the Islamic stock markets because of its contradictions with a number of Islamic laws. Therefore, Islamic financial researchers have attempted to design relevant legal mechanisms drawing on the Islamic contracts to make use of the merits of this transaction strategy. In addition to introducing short selling and its demerits for the stock market, the paper explored the alternative methods and proposed the most proper one for implementing in Iranian stock market.
An e-Delphi experiment of quality of equity predictions in online groups
Authors: Endress Tobias
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to present the results of experiments with groups making online group stock price predictions and include the research process and a summary of the preliminary results. The overall objectives of the study are to assess the effect of individual and remote group decision-making approaches to stock price predictions, to assess whether a learning effect exists through the feedback loop of an e-Delphi process and to identify the underlying key mechanisms of the individual and of the group that influence the decision-making process.

Design/methodology/approach

– The experiments consist of a pilot and a main run. The main run was performed with three lay groups (totaling 49 participants) and two expert groups (totaling ten financial analysts and other stock market professionals). The groups were benchmarked with actual market prices as well as with each other, over ten e-Delphi cycles (ten weeks). Each participant in the experiment was asked to provide an estimation of the movement (up or down) for one-week, one-month and three-month future periods for each share, as well as to enter a stock price prediction for a three-month period.

Findings

– Although the pilot run has provided some indications that in certain situations and with careful group design, stock price predictions can be superior to the predictions of experts, the main experiment indicated a more differentiated picture and provided some information about the underlying decision-making process.

Originality/value

– The paper presents influence factors and measures the impact of the group decision-making process of Internet communities focusing on stock trading, based on predicting share prices.
Facing up to fund managers
Authors: Coleman Les
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The paper aims to describe the behind-the-scenes strategy and processes that fund managers use to make investment decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research involved semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with 34 fund managers in Istanbul, London, Melbourne and New York during 2012. Results describe their approach, and tie it back to theoretical explanations.

Findings

– Large investors make limited use of neoclassical finance theory. They believe that securities markets trend over the short term, mean revert over the long term, and have upward sloping demand curves. They rely on qualitative techniques, think of security prices rather than returns, acknowledge constraints by their employer and clients, are heavily socialised and see no limitation from using similar approaches to competitors.

Originality/value

– This is the first interview-based evaluation of global manager techniques since the market crash after 2008, and provides an innovative depiction of actual processes followed by institutional investors.
Influences on the gender wage gap of Trinidad and Tobago
Authors: Mahabir Reshma , Ramrattan Dindial
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the presence of a gender wage gap in Trinidad and Tobago and its possible influences.

Design/methodology/approach

– Investigation of the issue utilised data from the 2008/2009 Household Budget Survey. A combination of linear regression and Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition analysis permits segregation of wage differences into explained and unexplained.

Findings

– At the aggregate level, there is a significant difference between male and female wages. Investigation showed that the demographics with the highest levels of discrimination were in the age groups 35-44, income levels $3,000-$5,999 and private sector employment vs public sector.

Originality/value

– The results of this research can serve as a useful tool for more gender-sensitive employment policies in Trinidad and Tobago, and possibly the wider Caribbean region.
3D seismic survey for geothermal exploration in crystalline rocks in Saxony, Germany
Authors: Lüschen Ewald , Görne Sascha , von Hartmann Hartwig , Thomas Rüdiger , Schulz Rüdiger
Published: April 2015

A 3D seismic survey was recorded in 2012 to explore a petrothermal reservoir in a late‐Variscan granitic pluton within the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) in Saxony, Germany. The main objective was to test this area in the context of the Enhanced Geothermal System concept and to test the 3D seismic technique as an exploration tool. The intention and challenge are to image and characterize potentially permeable fracture zones at target depths of 5–6 km, with temperatures above 150 °C. Unconventional methods were applied for field acquisition and data processing. The vibroseis technique was used in the core experiment, accompanied by a special explosive seismic experiment. Field acquisition was characterized by severe noise conditions and a highly irregular layout. These conditions required extensive preprocessing and data conditioning. The imaging started with conventional Common Midpoint processing for quality control and for a first reference. Better images were obtained by Common Reflection Surface processing with subsequent post‐stack time migration. Prestack time migration was also used for comparison. Outstanding results were obtained by the ‘operator‐oriented’ version of the Common Reflection Surface technique. A rich repertoire of structures within the granite pluton was imaged, including steeply dipping fault zones and conjugate faults. Images and indications of fracture and crack porosity of a prominent fault zone provide the background to define an optimum drill path. This is considered as the next stage for a possible geothermal plant, if a decision is taken to drill a research well in the future. The 3D seismic reflection technique was shown to be an indispensable tool for geothermal exploration, even in crystalline basement rocks.
Historical data to plan the recovery of the European eel
Authors: Clavero Miguel , Hermoso Virgilio
Published: April 2015

Long‐term perspectives are critical to understand contemporary ecological systems. However, historical data on the distribution of biodiversity have only rarely been used in applied environmental sciences.

Here, we use historical sources to reconstruct the historical range of the European eel, a critically endangered species. We then use this baseline range to set range targets for the recovery of the European eel, as opposed to the abundance‐based targets established by the European Union, which are constrained by the poor information on pre‐collapse stocks.

We collected over 10 000 historical freshwater fish records from Spain in the 19th and 16th centuries, as well as over 25 000 records from the global biodiversity information facility (GBIF) to characterize historical and current European eel distribution in the Iberian Peninsula. We converted fish records into an eel presence–absence data set using subcatchment as spatial unit of analysis and modelled eel distribution in the different historical periods.

The eel was historically widespread throughout the Iberian Peninsula, but it has lost over 80% of its original range, mainly due to river fragmentation by dams. Distribution models applied to 16th‐ and 19th‐century data showed a high agreement, supporting the use of the 19th‐century estimated distribution as a baseline range. We identified the number and identity of dams that should be made passable for accomplishing specific range recovery targets, for example showing that acting upon 20 dams would make available 60% of the baseline eel range.

Synthesis and applications. This work exemplifies how insights gained from historical ecology can support and guide present‐day management of migratory fishes. Similar approaches could be developed throughout Europe to plan the recovery of the eel, since there are large amounts of historical eel records. Historical baseline ranges for the eel range should be incorporated into the European Union legal mandates aimed at the recovery of the species.
Quantitative tissue velocity imaging evaluation of ventricular function in obstructive sleep apnoea–hypopnoea syndrome in children
Authors: Mu Hong , Liu Junjie , Gong Kebo , Li Dongmei , Zhang Jianji
Published: April 2015

This study aimed to evaluate the changes in left and right ventricular functions of children with obstructive sleep apnoea–hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) and to determine the efficacy of surgical treatment for OSAHS in children. The subjects included 20 normal controls and 55 children of OSAHS with adenoid and/or tonsil hypertrophy diagnosed by polysomnography (PSG). We divided the children with OSAHS into the mild group, moderate group and severe group of OSAHS according to the condition of apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) and the lowest of oxygen saturation (LSaO2). In mitral annulus,the Va values were increased in moderate and severe OSAHS (P > 0.05), and the Ve/Va values were decreased in the severe group (P > 0.05), while the Vs values were not changed (P > 0.05). In tricuspid annulus, the Vs values were decreased in moderate and severe OSAHS (P < 0.05), while the Ve, Va and Ve/Va values were not changed (P > 0.05). Six months after adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy, mitral Va values were decreased and tricuspid Vs values were increased significantly (P < 0.05), and AHI was decreased and LSaO2 was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, no difference was found in the above parameters (P > 0.05). The left ventricular diastolic function and the right ventricular systolic function of children with moderate to severe OSAHS are decreased to varying degrees at an early stage. Mitral annular and tricuspid annular velocity detected by quantitative tissue velocity imaging (QTVI) could sensitively reflect the early changes of left and right ventricular function. Adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy were effective methods to treat childhood OSAHS, which could reverse myocardial dysfunction.
Effects of light and temperature on seed germination of cacti of Brazilian ecosystems
Authors: Meiado Marcos Vinicius , Rojas‐Aréchiga Mariana , de Siqueira‐Filho José Alves , Leal Inara Roberta
Published: April 2015

Environmental factors are used by plants as spatio‐temporal indicators of favorable conditions for seed germination. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of light and temperature on seed germination of 30 taxa of Cactaceae occurring in northeastern Brazil and to evaluate whether fluctuations in temperature are capable of altering light sensitivity. The seeds were tested for germination under two light conditions (12 h photoperiod and continuous darkness) and 10 temperature treatments: eight constant temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45°C) and two alternating temperatures (30/20°C and 35/25°C). The species studied showed two photoblastic responses. All cacti from the Cactoideae subfamily (22 taxa) were classified as positive photoblastic (i.e., no germination in darkness), regardless of the temperature treatment used. Likewise, temperature fluctuation did not alter the seed sensitivity to light. On the other hand, the species of the Opuntioideae (five taxa) and Pereskioideae (three taxa) subfamilies are indifferent to light (i.e., germinated both in the presence and absence of light). The cacti from the areas of Caatinga and Cerrado showed an optimal germination temperature of 30°C, while the species from Atlantic Forest and Restinga areas showed an optimal germination temperature of 25°C.
Development and initial validation of a questionnaire to assess the reading beliefs of undergraduate students: the Cuestionario de Creencias sobre la Lectura
Authors: Lordán Eva , Solé Isabel , Beltran Francesc S.
Published: April 2015

The aim of this research was to develop a new questionnaire for exploring the reading beliefs of undergraduate students, because the only currently available instrument has conceptual and methodological limitations. The paper describes the process of developing the instrument and presents a range of psychometric data obtained from a sample of 558 Spanish undergraduates who were in the first or final year of a degree programme in psychology, language and literature or engineering. The results provide evidence of the psychometric quality of items and reveal a dual structure of two and six factors, both obtained through exploratory and/or confirmatory factor analyses. Adequate reliability based on internal consistency of the factors was also demonstrated. As a measure of criterion validity, differences in reading beliefs by gender, academic year and knowledge area were also explored. The findings support the psychometric adequacy of this new instrument developed through an exploratory piece of research. Overall, the process of constructing the instrument and the results from this study provide a framework for research and intervention, in addition to presenting a tool that both researchers and teaching staff could use in the context of reading and reading comprehension.
Energy consumption and carbon emission for tourism transport in World Heritage Sites: a case of the Wulingyuan area in China
Authors: Tang Chengcai , Zhong Linsheng , Fan Wenjing , Cheng Shengkui
Published: April 2015

Transport profoundly affects energy use and carbon dioxide emissions in the tourism sector. The Wulingyuan Scenic Area (WSA), a natural heritage destination in China, is chosen for the case study. The energy consumption and carbon emission of 10 types of tourism transportation modes at the destination are measured and analyzed using a bottom‐up approach for the period of 1979 to 2010. Scenarios were created to project the effects of single and multiple factors on energy consumption and carbon emission by tourism transportation during 2011‐2020. The results showed the following: (a) there is a large difference in energy consumption and carbon emission per capita and per kilometer per capita among the 10 vehicle modes; (b) the monthly energy consumption and carbon emission of tourism transportation differed significantly, the month with the highest (October) are respectively 6.8 and 4 times that of the lowest month (January); (c) the highest annual growth rate of energy consumption and carbon emission are respectively as 32.16% and 27.98% during 1979‐2010; and (d) the amount of energy consumption and carbon emission in the multiple factor scenarios are lower than that in the reference and single factor scenarios during 2011‐2020.
Neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio in head and neck cancer
Authors: Haddad Carol R , Guo Linxin , Clarke Stephen , Guminski Alex , Back Michael , Eade Thomas
Published: April 2015

Introduction

The neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an index of systemic inflammatory burden in malignancy. An elevated NLR has been associated with poor prognosis in a number of cancer sites. We investigated its role in a cohort of patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer.

Methods

Eligible patients had primary mucosal squamous cell carcinoma treated with chemoradiotherapy and a minimum follow‐up of 12 months (unless deceased). NLR was analysed as <5 vs. ≥5 and above and below the median. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) and secondary endpoints metastasis free survival and locoregional relapse free survival. Actuarial Kaplan–Meier statistics and log rank test were used. Univariate analysis for age (continuous), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (0 vs. 1), gender (male vs. female), smoking (yes vs. no), American Joint Committee on Cancer stage (III vs. IV) and NLR (<5 vs. ≥5 and <3.3 vs. ≥3.3) were performed.

Results

Forty‐six patients were included in this analysis. Median NLR was 3.3 (0.4–22.8). After a median follow‐up of 34 months (13–47 months), the 2‐year estimated OS, metastasis free survival and locoregional relapse free survival for NLR <5 vs. ≥5 were 89% vs. 61% (p = 0.017), 84% vs. 64% (p = 0.083) and 81% vs. 70% (p = 0.17) respectively. On univariate analysis NLR ≥5 (p = 0.025), older age (p = 0.01) and ECOG 1 (p = 0.025) were significant for OS.

Conclusion

In this cohort of locally advanced head and neck cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy, pre‐treatment NLR ≥5 was prognostic for mortality. Further studies are required to confirm these results and to assess the interaction with other prognostic factors.
A comparative MRI study of cartilage damage in gout versus rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Popovich Ivor , Lee Arier CL , Doyle Anthony , McHaffie Alexandra , Clarke Andrew , Reeves Quentin , Dalbeth Nicola , McQueen Fiona M
Published: April 2015

Introduction

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful for detecting joint inflammation and damage in the inflammatory arthropathies. This study aimed to investigate MRI cartilage damage and its associations with joint inflammation in patients with gout compared with a group with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Forty patients with gout and 38 with seropositive RA underwent 3T‐MRI of the wrist with assessment of cartilage damage at six carpal sites, using established scoring systems. Synovitis and bone oedema (BME) were graded according to Rheumatoid Arthritis MRI Scoring System criteria. Cartilage damage was compared between the groups adjusting for synovitis and disease duration using logistic regression analysis.

Results

Compared with RA, there were fewer sites of cartilage damage and lower total damage scores in the gout group (P = 0.02 and 0.003), adjusting for their longer disease duration and lesser degree of synovitis. Cartilage damage was strongly associated with synovitis in both conditions (R = 0.59, P < 0.0001 and R = 0.52, P = 0.0045 respectively) and highly correlated with BME in RA (R = 0.69, P < 0.0001) but not in gout (R = 0.095, P = 0.56).

Conclusions

Cartilage damage is less severe in gout than in RA, with fewer sites affected and lower overall scores. It is associated with synovitis in both diseases, likely indicating an effect of pro‐inflammatory cytokine production on cartilage integrity. However, the strong association between cartilage damage and BME observed in RA was not identified in gout. This emphasizes differences in the underlying pathophysiology of joint damage in these two conditions.
Early detection of lung cancer: Low‐dose computed tomography screening in China
Authors: Zhao Shi‐Jun , Wu Ning
Published: April 2015

Lung cancer is currently the leading cause of cancer‐related death in China and western countries for both men and women. Overall, the five‐year survival rate of lung cancer is approximately 15%, whereas the five‐year survival for patients with surgically resected early‐stage disease is 60–80%. Screening is conceptually a good strategy for reducing the mortality rate of lung cancer. Randomized controlled trials in the 1960s and 1970s found that chest radiographic screening did not result in a reduction in mortality for high‐risk individuals. Recently published data from the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) showed a 20% reduction in lung cancer mortality in subjects who underwent low‐dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening compared to those randomized to conventional chest X‐ray. The encouraging results of the NLST, however, could not be confirmed by the preliminary results of ongoing European trials. More results from European randomized controlled trials are expected in the next few years. Recently, a number of lung cancer screening studies using LDCT have been initiated in China. This article briefly summarizes the results of the current and previous lung cancer screening trials worldwide, and focuses on the current status of LDCT lung cancer screening in China.