bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding antimicrobial discovery and resistance from a metagenomic and metatranscriptomic perspective: advances and applications
Authors: Asante Jonathan , Osei Sekyere John
Published: January 2019

Our inability to cultivate most microorganisms, specifically bacteria, in the laboratory has for many years restricted our view and understanding of the bacterial meta‐resistome in all living and nonliving environments. As a result, reservoirs, sources and distribution of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGS) and antibiotic‐producers, as well as the effects of human activity and antibiotics on the selection and dissemination of ARGs were not well comprehended. With the advances made in the fields of metagenomics and metatranscriptomics, many of the hitherto little‐understood concepts are becoming clearer. Further, the discovery of antibiotics such as lugdinin and lactocillin from the human microbiota, buttressed the importance of these new fields. Metagenomics and metatranscriptomics are becoming important clinical diagnostic tools for screening and detecting pathogens and ARGs, assessing the effects of antibiotics, other xenobiotics and human activity on the environment, characterizing the microbiome and the environmental resistome with lesser turnaround time and decreasing cost, as well as discovering antibiotic‐producers. However, challenges with accurate binning, skewed ARGs databases, detection of less abundant and allelic variants of ARGs and efficient mobilome characterization remain. Ongoing efforts in long‐read, phased‐ and single‐cell sequencing, strain‐resolved binning, chromosomal‐conformation capture, DNA‐methylation binning and deep‐learning bioinformatic approaches offer promising prospects in reconstructing complete strain‐level genomes and mobilomes from metagenomes.
Microtubule regulators act in the nervous system to modulate fat metabolism and longevity through DAF‐16 in C. elegans
Authors: Xu Aiping , Zhang Zhao , Ko Su‐Hyuk , Fisher Alfred L. , Liu Zhijie , Chen Lizhen
Published: January 2019

Microtubule (MT) regulation is involved in both neuronal function and the maintenance of neuronal structure, and MT dysregulation appears to be a general downstream indicator and effector of age‐related neurodegeneration. But the role of MTs in natural aging is largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate a role of MT regulators in regulating longevity. We find that loss of EFA‐6, a modulator of MT dynamics, can delay both neuronal aging and extend the lifespan of C. elegans. Through the use of genetic mutants affecting other MT‐regulating genes in C. elegans, we find that loss of MT stabilizing genes (including ptrn‐1 and ptl‐1) shortens lifespan, while loss of MT destabilizing gene hdac‐6 extends lifespan. Via the use of tissue‐specific transgenes, we further show that these MT regulators can act in the nervous system to modulate lifespan. Through RNA‐seq analyses, we found that genes involved in lipid metabolism were differentially expressed in MT regulator mutants, and via the use of Nile Red and Oil Red O staining, we show that the MT regulator mutants have altered fat storage. We further find that the increased fat storage and extended lifespan of the long‐lived MT regulator mutants are dependent on the DAF‐16/FOXO transcription factor. Our results suggest that neuronal MT status might affect organismal aging through DAF‐16‐regulated changes in fat metabolism, and therefore, MT‐based therapies might represent a novel intervention to promote healthy aging.
The mir‐465 family is upregulated with age and attenuates growth hormone signaling in mouse liver
Authors: Elias Amy E. , Kun Bianca , Sabula Ian M. C. , Golomb‐Mello Gail , Cespedes Zablah Andrea , Kreiling Jill A.
Published: January 2019

We analyzed the small RNA transcriptome from 5‐month‐old, 24‐month‐old, and 36‐month‐old mouse liver and found 56 miRNAs that changed their expression profile with age. Among these is a cluster of 18 miRNAs that are upregulated between 50‐ and 1,000‐fold at 24 and 36 months of age. This cluster is located in a 60‐kb region of the X‐chromosome that is devoid of other coding sequences and is part of a lamin‐associated domain. Potential targets of the miRNAs in the cluster suggest they may regulate several pathways altered in aging, including the PI3K‐Akt pathway. Total transcriptome analyses indicate that expression of several potential genes in the PI3K‐Akt pathway that may be targeted by the mir‐465 family (mmu‐mir‐465a, mmu‐mir‐465b, and mmu‐mir‐465c) is downregulated with age. Transfection of the liver cell line AML12 with mir‐465 family members leads to a reduction of three of these potential targets at the mRNA level: a 40% reduction of the growth hormone receptor (GHR), and a 25% reduction in Kitl and PPP2R3C. Further investigation of the GHR 3′UTR revealed that the mir‐465 family directly targets the GHR mRNA. Cells transfected with mir‐465 showed a reduction of JAK2 and STAT5 phosphorylation upon growth hormone (GH) stimulation, resulting in a reduction in insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) and IGF‐1‐binding protein 3 expression. With age, GH signaling falls and there is a reduction in circulating IGF‐1. Our data suggest that an increase in expression of the mir‐465 family with age may contribute to the reduction in the GH signaling.
CEO hometown ties and tax avoidance‐evidence from China's listed firms
Authors: Shen Yu , Gao Di , Bu Di , Yan Lina , Chen Ping
Published: January 2019

This study investigates the effects of CEO hometown ties on corporate tax avoidance. The results show that CEO hometown ties to local government officials have a significantly positive impact on tax avoidance for private firms in China. We also find that the hometown ties effect is more pronounced in cities with weak public governance and in cities whose municipal Party committee secretaries are promoted from the same city, whereas the effect is weak in cities whose municipal Party committee secretaries are transferred from other places. In summary, our results suggest that hometown ties as an important political resource can facilitate connected private firms to obtain more economic resources from government.
Causal Comparative Effectiveness Analysis of Dynamic Continuous-Time Treatment Initiation Rules With Sparsely Measured Outcomes and Death
Authors: Hu Liangyuan , Hogan Joseph W.
Published: January 2019

Evidence supporting the current World Health Organization recommendations of early antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation for adolescents is inconclusive. We leverage a large observational data and compare, in terms of mortality and CD4 cell count, the dynamic treatment initiation rules for human immunodeficiency virus-infected adolescents. Our approaches extend the marginal structural model for estimating outcome distributions under dynamic treatment regimes, developed in Robins et al. (2008), to allow the causal comparisons of both specific regimes and regimes along a continuum. Furthermore, we propose strategies to address three challenges posed by the complex data set: continuous-time measurement of the treatment initiation process; sparse measurement of longitudinal outcomes of interest, leading to incomplete data; and censoring due to dropout and death. We derive a weighting strategy for continuous-time treatment initiation, use imputation to deal with missingness caused by sparse measurements and dropout, and define a composite outcome that incorporates both death and CD4 count as a basis for comparing treatment regimes. Our analysis suggests that immediate ART initiation leads to lower mortality and higher median values of the composite outcome, relative to other initiation rules.
ChemSuite: A package for chemoinformatics calculations and machine learning
Authors: Tangadpalliwar Sujit R. , Vishwakarma Sachin , Nimbalkar Rakesh , Garg Prabha
Published: January 2019

Prediction of biological and toxicological properties of small molecules using in silico approaches has become a wide practice in pharmaceutical research to lessen the cost and enhance productivity. The development of a tool “ChemSuite,” a stand‐alone application for chemoinformatics calculations and machine‐learning model development, is reported. Availability of multi‐functional features makes it widely acceptable in various fields. Force field such as UFF is incorporated in tool for optimization of molecules. Packages like RDKit, PyDPI and PaDEL help to calculate 1D, 2D and 3D descriptors and more than 10 types of fingerprints. MinMax Scaler and Z‐Score algorithms are available to normalize descriptor values. Varied descriptor selection and machine‐learning algorithms are available for model development. It allows the user to add their own algorithm or extend the software for various scientific purposes. It is free, open source and has user‐friendly graphical interface, and it can work on all major platforms.
Colon capsule endoscopy for colonic surveillance
Authors: Kroijer R. , Kobaek‐Larsen M. , Qvist N. , Knudsen T. , Baatrup G.
Published: January 2019

Aim

Resources used in surveillance colonoscopies are taking up an increasing proportion of colonoscopy capacity. Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) is a promising technique for noninvasive investigation of the colon. We aimed to investigate CCE as a possible filter in colonic surveillance with the primary outcome of reducing the number of colonoscopies.

Method

Patients scheduled for follow‐up colonoscopy were subjected to a primary CCE and only supplemental conventional endoscopy if significant pathology was detected or if the CCE examination was incomplete. Significant pathology was defined as more than two small polyps, or one polyp greater than 9 mm or any polyp in patients with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. Supplemental endoscopy was carried out to the extent needed to resect the detected polyps and investigate the parts of the colon that were not sufficiently visualized by the capsule.

Results

A total of 180 patients were included. Seventy‐seven patients (43%) had a complete CCE with no significant findings. A complete colonoscopy was carried out in 67 patients (37%) and 36 patients (20%) underwent a sigmoidoscopy. In the 103 patients undergoing endoscopy, 59 (57%) had no adenomas detected, 33 (32%) had ‘low‐risk’ adenomas and 11 (11%) had ‘high‐risk’ adenomas.

Conclusion

The introduction of CCE as filter test in colonic surveillance reduced colonoscopies by 43%, but this implies that untreated polyps are left behind and is not cost‐effective. The CCE completion rate must be improved.
Begin at the Beginning: A Constructionist Model for Interpreting Data Visualizations
Authors: Wojton Mary Ann , Hayde Donnelley , Heimlich Joe E. , Börner Katy
Published: January 2019

Within museums and science centers, the visual presentation of data represents a timely, relevant, and formidable interpretive challenge. Tackling this challenge head on, however, means employing a series of principles that position educators to support learners of all skill levels in interpreting data visualizations more generally. In this article, we introduce the Simplicity‐Familiarity Matrix, a research‐driven model for situating complex data visualizations in the context of exhibition design. This model emerges from a study of data literacy that was undertaken at five informal learning institutions, along with established principles of constructionist approaches to teaching. Specifically, it highlights key affordances and challenges we associate with data visualizations along two spectra: simplicity and familiarity. We propose the Simplicity‐Familiarity Matrix, along with criteria for each quadrant, to assist museum professionals when designing interpretative materials for an exhibition space. In light of these considerations, we close with several guiding principles for supporting learners’ apprehension of data visualizations in museums: (1) including the use of well‐designed, easy‐to‐understand data visualizations, (2) providing appropriate support and guidance, (3) offering multiple modes of access, and (4) making data visualizations relevant to visitors, e.g., via personalization.
Casting a line: digital co‐production, hospitality and mobilities in cultural heritage settings
Authors: Ross Jen
Published: January 2019

Co‐production in digital cultural heritage settings has distinctive features, of interest to researchers and professionals in the field. Drawing on theories of hospitality and mobilities, this article explores the impact of multiple spaces and times, the ‘unknowable other’, the challenges to the stability of relationships of host and guest, and the rethinking of hospitality that come along with digital co‐production. It offers the concept of ‘trajectory’ as a new and generative way of considering hospitality. Tracing the concept of trajectory through a recent research project, Artcasting, it concludes with observations about how features of digital co‐production can and should shape our understandings and expectations of digital and mobile engagement with cultural heritage.
Social networks and quitting in a national cohort of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smokers
Authors: Thomas David P. , Davey Maureen E. , van der Sterren Anke E. , Lyons Louise , Hunt Jennifer M. , Bennet Pele T.
Published: January 2019

Introduction and Aims

Health behaviours, such as smoking and quitting, spread person‐to‐person through social networks. We explore how social networks are associated with making and sustaining quit attempts for at least 1 month among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smokers.

Design and Methods

We analysed data from the nationally representative quota sample of 759 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults who reported smoking at least weekly in Talking About The Smokes baseline survey (April 2012–October 2013) who completed a follow‐up survey a year later (August 2013–August 2014).

Results

At baseline, 41% of smokers reported that all of their five closest family or friends smoked, but 62% reported that family or friends had provided encouragement to quit. Fewer smokers with other adult smokers in their household at baseline made a quit attempt between surveys (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.45–0.87). Fewer smokers who had made an attempt between surveys sustained abstinence for at least 1 month if all of their five closest friends smoked (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.37–0.97). Perceived support to quit in your social network was associated with making and sustaining a quit attempt.

Discussion and Conclusions

Exposure to smoking in the social networks of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smokers is an obstacle to quitting, but there is also considerable support for quitting from within these same social networks. Health staff could consider encouraging smokers to draw on the few non‐smokers within their social networks as role models to increase their confidence in quitting.
Potential migratory routes of Urania boisduvalii (Lepidoptera: Uraniidae) among host plant populations
Authors: Nuñez‐Penichet Claudia , Cobos Marlon E. , Barro Alejandro , Soberón Jorge
Published: January 2019

Aim

Migratory species depend on various habitats and resources along their migration routes. Characteristics such as dependence on distinct habitats and the presence of multiple threats along their migratory routes make these species vulnerable, and gaps in knowledge about their ecology and migration processes make them difficult to conserve. Urania boisduvalii is a diurnal moth endemic to Cuba that feeds on plants of Omphalea spp. during its larval phases. These plants produce secondary metabolites as a defence against the moth's larvae, which then are forced to migrate. Although some ecological aspects of Urania boisduvalii are known, its migration routes remain largely unknown. This research proposes potential migratory routes of Urania boisduvalii among populations of its host plant.

Location

Cuba.

Methods

We developed ecological niche models of the moth and its hosts based on environmental, anthropic, biotic and biogeographic factors to obtain potential distributional areas that include zones where positive interactions are found but exclude those where negative factors are present. These areas were overlapped to hypothesize potential breeding areas for the moths. Potential migratory corridors were proposed based on environmental connectivity.

Results

The moth and its hosts have broad potential distributions; however, limiting factors have substantially reduced these areas, especially for plants. The potential migratory routes of Urania boisduvalii are complex and mostly involve the western and eastern regions of Cuba. Most records outside potential breeding areas were close to these migratory corridors.

Main conclusions

We offer initial hypotheses of the migratory routes of U. boisduvalii, which may be useful to guiding monitoring projects that can provide more definitive views of the seasonal distribution of this species across the Cuban archipelago.
Strengthening the Foundations? Alternative Institutions for Finance and Development
Authors: Kring William N. , Gallagher Kevin P.
Published: January 2019

The 21st century has ushered in the emergence of alternative institutions for liquidity provision and development finance, many of which are Southern‐led. The special issue that follows this Introduction assesses the extent to which existing theoretical perspectives and tools are sufficient for evaluating the implications of these alternatives for the global financial architecture. Our analysis finds that while an increasingly varied landscape of diverse institutions designed to foster financial stability and development comes with inherent risks, these new forms of finance bring real benefits to an architecture that has long been deemed insufficient. Larger and more capable Southern‐led institutions not only mean additional sources of financing for emerging market and developing countries, but also could increase their voice in an international financial architecture long dominated by the most advanced economies. That said, the variation in the landscape could create inequities and fault lines between new and existing institutions, which will be difficult to overcome through the coordination of a fragmented and diverse system. Finally, despite the increases in capital for liquidity provision and development made available by these new institutions, significantly more financing and coordination will be needed to achieve financial stability and economic development on a global scale.
Multilateral Development Finance in Non‐Western Thought: From Before Bretton Woods to Beyond
Authors: Helleiner Eric
Published: January 2019

Recent initiatives of China and other emerging powers to create new multilateral development lending institutions (MDLIs) are often portrayed as efforts to build upon and/or reform an idea pioneered by Western officials during the Bretton Woods negotiations. However, recent literature has shown that support for MDLIs also had deeper non‐Western roots in the pre‐Bretton Woods era. What led thinkers outside the West to propose MDLIs in that earlier period? How might their ideas be relevant to current non‐Western initiatives to create new MDLIs? This article addresses these questions with a special focus on the ideas of China's Sun Yat‐sen (1866–1925) and Peru's Víctor Raúl Haya de la Torre (1895–1979). Although their intellectual journeys were quite distinct and their specific proposals differed, these two thinkers advocated the creation of MDLIs for similar reasons that stemmed from their anti‐imperialist sentiments. Their ideas find some echoes in current non‐Western initiatives.
Leaving the Nest: The Rise of Regional Financial Arrangements and the Future of Global Governance
Authors: Kring William N. , Grimes William W.
Published: January 2019

This article examines the impact of regional financial arrangements (RFAs) on the global liquidity regime. It argues that the design of RFAs could potentially alter the global regime, whether by strengthening it and making it more coherent or by decentring the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and destabilizing it. To determine possible outcomes, this analysis deploys a ‘middle‐up’ approach that focuses on the institutional design of these RFAs. It first draws on the rational design of institutions framework to identify the internal characteristics of RFAs that are most relevant to their capabilities and capacities. It then applies these insights to the interactions of RFAs with the IMF, building on Aggarwal's (1998) concept of ‘nested’ versus ‘parallel’ institutions, to create an analytical lens through which to assess the nature and sustainability of nested linkages. Through an analysis of the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization (CMIM) and the Latin American Reserve Fund (FLAR), the article demonstrates the usefulness of this lens. It concludes by considering three circumstances in which fault lines created by these RFAs’ institutional design could be activated, permitting an institution to ‘leave the nest’, including changing intentions of principals, creation of parallel capabilities and facilities, and failure of the global regime to address regional needs in a crisis.
The New Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank: China's Ambiguous Approach to Global Financial Governance
Authors: Wang Hongying
Published: January 2019

The creation of the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has generated a great deal of attention and controversy in the development community and beyond. Do these banks indicate that China is promoting a new model of multilateral development finance that undermines the existing system dating back to Bretton Woods? What are the forces shaping China's policy choices in this area? In contrast to the prevailing tendency to view these banks as part and parcel of the same challenge or opportunity for multilateral development financing, this article highlights major distinctions between the NDB and the AIIB. The fact that China is playing a prominent role in both the NDB and the AIIB suggests that China is not promoting a coherent new model of multilateral development financing, but is instead straddling different traditions in this realm of global financial governance. The ambiguity in China's approach to multilateral development finance is shaped by its multiple identities and complex economic and political interests.
Damaging democracy? Security provision and turnout in Afghan elections†
Authors: Condra Luke N. , Callen Michael , Iyengar Radha K. , Long James D. , Shapiro Jacob N.
Published: January 2019

In emerging democracies, elections are encouraged as a route to democratization. However, not only does violence often threaten these elections, but citizens often view as corrupt the security forces deployed to combat violence. We examine the effects of such security provision. In Afghanistan's 2010 parliamentary election, polling centers with similar histories of pre‐election violence unintentionally received different deployments of the Afghan National Police, enabling identification of police's effects on turnout. Using data from the universe of polling sites and various household surveys, data usually unavailable in conflict settings, we estimate increases in police presence decreased voter turnout by an average of 30%. Our results adjudicate between competing theoretical mechanisms through which security forces could affect turnout, and show behavior is not driven by voter anticipation of election‐day violence. This highlights a pitfall for building government legitimacy via elections in weakly institutionalized and conflict‐affected states.
Proteomic analysis of stratum corneum in Cutaneous T‐Cell Lymphomas and psoriasis
Authors: Méhul Bruno , Ménigot Corinne , Fogel Paul , Seraidaris Alexia , Genette Alexandre , Pascual Thierry , Duvic Madeleine , Voegel Johannes J.
Published: January 2019

Stratum corneum collected by tape stripping from 10 and 24 subjects with cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas (CTCL) or psoriasis, respectively, were compared using quantitative label‐free mass spectrometry analysis. A non‐supervised statistical analysis (Posneg NMF) based on 352 differentially expressed proteins in both CTCL and psoriasis samples was able to separate the two disease groups and finally able to identify a set of 112 proteins that contributed most and significantly to the separation when compared to non‐lesional samples. In addition, Luminex assay revealed that the increase in the amount of chemokines related to the inflammatory response, and immune cell infiltration and recruitment in lesional stratum corneum in CTCL, including CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10, CCL27, TNF and sICAM‐1 was in agreement with published data on entire skin biopsies. Proteome analysis using quantitative methods including mass spectrometry and Luminex technology offered the possibility to investigate the relevant protein signature in CTCL and may be helpful to diagnose and investigate the efficacy of treatments in clinical investigations using non‐invasive methods in future.
The RUNX1–ETO fusion protein trans‐activates c‐KIT expression by recruiting histone acetyltransferase P300 on its promoter
Authors: Chen Guofeng , Liu Anqi , Xu Yihan , Gao Li , Jiang Mengmeng , Li Yan , Lv Na , Zhou Lei , Wang Lili , Yu Li , Li Yonghui
Published: January 2019

The oncoprotein RUNX1–ETO is the fusion product of t(8;21)(q22;q22) and constitutes one of the most common genetic alterations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Abnormal c‐KIT overexpression is considered an independent negative prognostic factor for relapse and survival in t(8;21) AML patients. However, the molecular mechanism of high c‐KIT expression in t(8;21) AML remains unknown. In this study, we detected RUNX1–ETO and c‐KIT gene expression in AML‐M2 patients and verified the overexpression of c‐KIT in t(8;21) AML patients. We also found that c‐KIT overexpression was a poor prognostic indicator in RUNX1–ETO positive AML patients, but not in RUNX1–ETO negative AML patients. We used the dual‐luciferase and ChIP assays to demonstrate that the RUNX1–ETO protein epigenetically trans‐activates c‐KIT by binding to the c‐KIT promoter and recruiting the histone acetyltransferase P300 to the c‐KIT promoter, elucidating the mechanism of the abnormally increased c‐KIT expression in t(8;21) AML patients. Moreover, pharmacological studies revealed that C646, a P300 inhibitor, could inhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis and arrest the cell cycle more effectively in RUNX1–ETO positive cells than in negative ones. The levels of c‐KIT and RUNX1–ETO proteins were also decreased with C646 treatment in RUNX1–ETO positive cells. These findings suggested that P300 could be a therapeutic target and that C646 could be used as a potential treatment for RUNX1–ETO positive AML patients. Interestingly, using the dual‐luciferase assay, we also found that the binding capacity of RUNX1–ETO9a, a truncated RUNX1–ETO isoform, to the c‐KIT promoter was stronger than that of RUNX1–ETO, suggesting RUNX1–ETO9a as another valuable therapeutic target in t(8;21) AML.
Alternative transient states and slow plant community responses after changed flooding regimes
Authors: Sarneel Judith M. , Hefting Mariet M. , Kowalchuk George A. , Nilsson Christer , Van der Velden Merit , Visser Eric J. W. , Voesenek Laurentius A. C. J. , Jansson Roland
Published: January 2019

Climate change will have large consequences for flooding frequencies in freshwater systems. In interaction with anthropogenic activities (flow regulation, channel restoration and catchment land‐use) this will both increase flooding and drought across the world. Like in many other ecosystems facing changed environmental conditions, it remains difficult to predict the rate and trajectory of vegetation responses to changed conditions. Given that critical ecosystem services (e.g. bank stabilization, carbon subsidies to aquatic communities or water purification) depend on riparian vegetation composition, it is important to understand how and how fast riparian vegetation responds to changing flooding regimes. We studied vegetation changes over 19 growing seasons in turfs that were transplanted in a full‐factorial design between three riparian elevations with different flooding frequencies. We found that (a) some transplanted communities may have developed into an alternative stable state and were still different from the target community, and (b) pathways of vegetation change were highly directional but alternative trajectories did occur, (c) changes were rather linear but faster when flooding frequencies increased than when they decreased, and (d) we observed fastest changes in turfs when proxies for mortality and colonization were highest. These results provide rare examples of alternative transient trajectories and stable states under field conditions, which is an important step towards understanding their drivers and their frequency in a changing world.
Why the paradigm of work–family conflict is no longer sustainable: Towards more empowering social imaginaries to understand women's identities
Authors: Grünberg Laura , Matei Ștefania
Published: January 2019

The paradigm of work–family conflict is challenged by the fluid realities of the actual world. Through an innovative phenomenographic study of women's understanding of their lives, we show that the social imaginary of work–family conflict assumes that vulnerability is a constitutive reality for women. Consequently, with respect to the perspectives through which women are invited to make sense of their lives, the metaphor of conflict enforces a worldview based on traditional gender roles. Organizational policies that rely heavily on a social imaginary of work–family conflict may prove ineffective. On the one hand, they ignore the diversity of morphologies and vocabularies used by women today to understand themselves in relation to their family and workplace. On the other, work–family conflict arises as a product of policy measures and bureaucratic practices rather than as an experiential reality. Policy statements on work–family conflict have a performative character: they communicate a message about women's social status and identity. Therefore, effective organizational policies should integrate vocabularies and assumptions that make women aware of themselves in a confident manner by relying on social imaginaries that encourage agency and empowered participation in the world.
Partial pulpotomy with two bioactive cements in permanent teeth of 6‐ to 18‐year‐old patients with signs and symptoms indicative of irreversible pulpitis: a noninferiority randomized controlled trial
Authors: Uesrichai N. , Nirunsittirat A. , Chuveera P. , Srisuwan T. , Sastraruji T. , Chompu‐inwai P.
Published: January 2019

Aim

To compare the outcome of partial pulpotomy using two cements, ProRoot MTA (Dentsply, Tulsa Dental Specialties, Tulsa, OK, USA) and Biodentine (Septodont, Saint‐Maur‐des‐Fossés, France), in permanent teeth of 6‐ to 18‐year‐old patients with signs and symptoms indicative of irreversible pulpitis. Furthermore, the frequencies of perceptible grey discoloration caused by the cements were compared.

Methodology

Sixty‐nine permanent first molars with signs and symptoms indicative of irreversible pulpitis, from 69 patients, were included. All operators performed partial pulpotomy under a standardized protocol. Teeth were allocated, using a website‐generated number of simple randomization, to partial pulpotomy with either ProRoot MTA (37 teeth) or Biodentine (32 teeth) and were restored with composite resin or stainless steel crowns. Patients were recalled every 6 months. To be categorized as having success, the evaluated tooth must have had both clinical and radiographic success. In addition, photographs of treated teeth were evaluated for frequency of perceptible grey discoloration. Success rates between the two cements were compared using the Fisher exact test. The frequencies of perceptible grey discoloration were compared using the chi‐square test. The percentage difference was estimated by 95% confidence interval, and the level of significant difference was P < 0.05.

Results

At a mean follow‐up of 32.2 ± 17.9 months, a total of 67 teeth, 37 with ProRoot MTA and 30 with Biodentine, were available for evaluation. The mean age of participants was 10 ± 2.1 years and, there were no differences in the baseline variables (gender, age, tooth type, periapical status, stage of root development, final restoration and follow‐up period) between the groups. The overall success in both groups was 90%, with 92% for ProRoot MTA and 87% for Biodentine (difference, 5%; 95% confidence interval, −9% to 19%, P = 0.487), suggesting that Biodentine was noninferior to ProRoot MTA. Perceptible grey discoloration was observed in both groups, 80% for teeth treated with ProRoot MTA and 27% for teeth treated with Biodentine, with a significant difference between the materials (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Permanent teeth with signs and symptoms indicative of irreversible pulpitis in 6‐ to 18‐year‐old patients were successfully treated with partial pulpotomy using both cements. Biodentine exhibited significantly less frequency of discoloration than did ProRoot MTA.
Preparation and microwave dielectric properties of B2O3 bulk
Authors: Li Lei , Hong Wen Bin , Yan Xiao Jian , Chen Xiang Ming
Published: January 2019

The transparent B2O3 bulks were prepared by quenching B2O3 melt or cooling it down to room temperature with the rate of 0.1‐1°C/min. The quenched sample exhibited the dense microstructure, while the pores were observed for low cooling rates, and this is consistent with the slight decrease in density and permittivity (εr) with decreasing the cooling rate. Both the amorphous and cubic phases of B2O3 were indicated by XRD, and the content of the cubic phase increased with the decrease in cooling rate, which was responsible for the decreasing Qf value with the lower cooling rate. The temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τf) was insensitive to the cooling rate, and the microwave dielectric properties with εr = 3.86‐3.97, Qf = 3,200‐5,300 GHz and τf = −48.9 to −42.8 ppm/°C were obtained in the B2O3 bulks. The reported microwave dielectric properties of B2O3 bulk are helpful to estimate the effects of the residual B2O3 on the properties of the microwave dielectric ceramics with B2O3 and H3BO3 as the sintering aid.
Effect of electronegativity on microwave dielectric properties of MgTi1−x(A1/3Sb2/3)xO3 (A = Mg2+, Zn2+) ceramics
Authors: Kim Jae Min , Jo Hyeon Woo , Kim Eung Soo
Published: January 2019

Microwave dielectric properties of MgTi1−x(A1/3Sb2/3)xO3 (A = Mg2+, Zn2+, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.125) ceramics were investigated as a function of the electronegativity difference (X) between (A1/3Sb2/3)4+ ions (A = Mg2+, Zn2+) and O2− ion. A single phase with an ilmenite structure was detected for the specimens sintered at 1450°C for 4 hours in the entire range of compositions. With the substitution of (A1/3Sb2/3)4+ ions (A = Mg2+, Zn2+) at Ti4+‐sites of MgTiO3, the quality‐factor (Qf) values of the specimens increased up to x = 0.05 mol, and then decreased with the further substitution owing to the electronegativity difference (X) between the (A1/3Sb2/3)4+ ions (A = Mg2+, Zn2+) and Ti4+ ion. The specimens with (Mg1/3Sb2/3)4+ ions exhibited higher Qf values than those with (Zn1/3Sb2/3)4+ ions. These results could be attributed to the smaller electronegativity of (Mg1/3Sb2/3)4+ (1.80) than that of (Zn1/3Sb2/3)4+ (1.92). The dependences of the microwave dielectric properties on the structural characteristics of the MgTi1−x (A1/3Sb2/3)xO3 ceramics were also discussed.
Structure and microwave dielectric properties of ALn4(MoO4)7 (A = Ba, Sr, Ca, Ln = La, Pr, Nd, and Sm) ceramics
Authors: Dhanya Johnson , Sarika Padinjare V. , Naveenraj Rajaram , Suresh Elattuvalappil K. , Ratheesh Ravendran
Published: January 2019

ALn4(MoO4)7 (A = Ba, Sr, Ca, Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm) ceramics are prepared by solid state ceramic route and the structural properties have been studied using powder X‐ray diffraction and laser Raman spectroscopy. All the ceramics under study are phase pure except BaLn4(MoO4)7 (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm). Scanning electron micrographs of the sintered ceramics show closely packed microstructure with phase homogeneity. BaLa4(MoO4)7 ceramic has a maximum density of 4.5 g/cm3 at 710°C together with ԑr = 11.8, Qu x f = 39 300 GHz, and τf = −68 ppm/oC. SrLa4(MoO4)7 ceramic exhibited a maximum density of 4.4 g/cm3, ԑr = 11.7, Qu x f = 44 200 GHz, and τf = −83 ppm/°C at 740°C whereas CaLa4(MoO4)7 ceramic possess a maximum density of 4.2 g/cm3, ԑr = 11.4, Qu x f = 30 200 GHz and τf = −90 ppm/oC at 750°C at microwave frequencies. The chemical compatibility of the BaLa4(MoO4)7, SrLa4(MoO4)7 and CaLa4(MoO4)7 ceramics with silver electrode have been studied using powder X‐ray diffraction of the co‐fired samples and is further examined with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy.
Effect of codoping Ce3+ on the luminescence properties of Sr9Mg1.5(PO4)7:Eu2+ orange–yellow phosphor
Authors: Wanjun Tang , Fen Zhang
Published: January 2019

Sr9Mg1.5(PO4)7:Eu2+ has recently been reported as a promising blue light‐excited orange–yellow phosphor that can be used in white LED device. Here, Ce3+‐codoping is found to be an effective strategy to improve the luminescence performance of Sr9Mg1.5(PO4)7:Eu2+ phosphor. The coexistence of Eu2+ and Eu3+ ions has been verified via photoluminescence spectral analysis. The reduction of Eu3+ to Eu2+ in Sr9Mg1.5(PO4)7 lattice cannot be completed in a reducing atmosphere, but can be promoted through codoping with Ce3+ ions to a great extent, which finally increase the effective concentration of Eu2+ in the crystal lattice. The Eu3+−Eu2+ reduction mechanism is analyzed using a charge compensation model. This work not only achieves enhanced luminescence of the Sr9Mg1.5(PO4)7:Eu2+ phosphor by codoping with Ce3+ ions, but also provides new insights into the design of Ce3+/Eu2+ codoped luminescent materials.
Native American adolescent narrative written stories of stress
Authors: Lowe John R. , Kelley Melessa N. , Hong OiSaeng
Published: January 2019

Objective(s)

The purpose of this paper is to report study findings related to themes of stress and coping strategies experienced by non‐reservation‐based Native American adolescents as expressed by their written stories.

Design

A qualitative descriptive narrative approach was used to capture written stories of stress.

Analysis

Key concepts and themes were identified by using the consensual qualitative research (CQR) approach from the participant's stories of stress.

Results

Written stories of stress were collected and analyzed from a convenience sample of 179 Native American adolescent's ages 13–18‐years old. Five major themes related to experiences of stress emerged from the stories including (a) relationships, (b) responsibilities, (c) socioeconomic status, (d) negative coping strategies, and (e) positive coping through Native‐Reliance.

Conclusion

The findings reveal the importance of understanding the types and response to stress experienced by Native American adolescents.
Tumour necrosis factor‐α‐induced protein 8‐like 2 is a novel regulator of proliferation, migration, and invasion in human rectal adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Wu Dong‐Dong , Liu Shi‐Yu , Gao Ying‐Ran , Lu Dan , Hong Ya , Chen Ya‐Ge , Dong Peng‐Zhen , Wang Da‐Yong , Li Tao , Li Hui‐Min , Ren Zhi‐Guang , Guo Jian‐Cheng , He Fei , Ren Xue‐Qun , Sun Shi‐Yong , Duan Shao‐Feng , Ji Xin‐Ying
Published: January 2019

Tumour necrosis factor‐α‐induced protein 8‐like 2 (TIPE2) is a tumour suppressor in many types of cancer. However, the mechanism of action of TIPE2 on the growth of rectal adenocarcinoma is unknown. Our results showed that the expression levels of TIPE2 in human rectal adenocarcinoma tissues were higher than those in adjacent non‐tumour tissues. Overexpression of TIPE2 reduced the proliferation, migration, and invasion of human rectal adenocarcinoma cells and down‐regulation of TIPE2 showed reverse effects. TIPE2 overexpression increased apoptosis through down‐regulating the expression levels of Wnt3a, phospho (p)‐β‐Catenin, and p‐glycogen synthase kinase‐3β in rectal adenocarcinoma cells, however, TIPE2 knockdown exhibited reverse trends. TIPE2 overexpression decreased autophagy by reducing the expression levels of p‐Smad2, p‐Smad3, and transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) in rectal adenocarcinoma cells, however, TIPE2 knockdown showed opposite effects. Furthermore, TIPE2 overexpression reduced the growth of xenografted human rectal adenocarcinoma, whereas TIPE2 knockdown promoted the growth of rectal adenocarcinoma tumours by modulating angiogenesis. In conclusion, TIPE2 could regulate the proliferation, migration, and invasion of human rectal adenocarcinoma cells through Wnt/β‐Catenin and TGF‐β/Smad2/3 signalling pathways. TIPE2 is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of rectal adenocarcinoma.
Association between periodontal disease and preterm prelabour rupture of membranes
Authors: Radochova Vladimira , Stepan Martin , Kacerovska Musilova Ivana , Slezak Radovan , Vescicik Peter , Menon Ramkumar , Jacobsson Bo , Kacerovsky Marian
Published: January 2019

Objective

Periodontal disease is a possible contributing factor to preterm delivery. The aim of this study was to compare the periodontal status of women with preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) and women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies.

Patients and Methods

Seventy‐eight women with PPROM at gestational ages between 24 + 0 and 36 + 6 weeks and 77 healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies, matched for gestational age at sampling without preterm birth, were included in this study. All women underwent evaluation of periodontal and oral hygiene status.

Results

Women with PPROM had higher gingival and plaque indexes in crude analysis (gingival index: median 0.80 versus 0.20; p < 0.0001; plaque index: median 0.80 versus 0.10; p < 0.0001), even after adjustment for smoking status (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001). Mean clinical attachment loss (CAL) and probing pocket depth (PPD) values were higher in women with PPROM in the crude analysis (CAL: median 2.3 mm versus 1.8 mm; p < 0.0001; PPD: median 2.3 mm versus 1.8; p < 0.0001), as well as after adjustment for smoking status (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Pregnant women with PPROM residing in central Europe had worse periodontal status than women with uncomplicated pregnancies.
FINANCIAL EXPERTS ON THE BOARD: DOES IT MATTER FOR THE PROFITABILITY AND RISK OF THE U.K. BANKING INDUSTRY?
Authors: Apergis Nicholas
Published: January 2019

In this article, I explore the relation among board‐level financial expertise, profitability, and risk with panel data from the U.K. banking industry. The empirical findings document that collectively, financial experts have a positive influence on the performance of banks; contribute to higher risks, especially for large banks; and improve the stock performance of banks. Moreover, the results highlight that board‐level qualified accountants have no statistical effect on profitability, whereas financial and banking professors, as well as financial experts from other industries, have a positive effect. Such findings imply that these two groups of professional financial experts may more easily adopt group‐level profit enhancements. Robustness checks confirm the results for all types of banking institutions, except those with strong real estate portfolios. Finally, certain commercial and/or policy implications of the results are reported.
COME ON IN, THE WATER'S FINE! AN EXPERIMENTAL EXAMINATION OF HYBRID IPO AUCTIONS WITH A PUBLIC POOL
Authors: Schnitzlein Charles R. , Shao Minjie , Sherman Ann E.
Published: January 2019

We offer experimental and theoretical evidence that auction methods for initial public offerings (IPOs) in the United States may be improved through hybrids that include a separate retail tranche or “public pool.” The multi‐unit uniform price auctions in our laboratory experiments incorporate key IPO features including endogenous entry, costly information acquisition, and differing capacity constraints. As predicted, hybrids increase proceeds and reduce price volatility, price error, and the incentive for small bidders to free ride. Underpricing occurs in both treatments but is attenuated with the public pool. Our results imply that both IPO auctions and equity crowdfunding/crowdinvesting should include separate, non‐price‐setting tranches for the general public.
Credit Crunches from Occasionally Binding Bank Borrowing Constraints
Authors: HOLDEN TOM D. , LEVINE PAUL , SWARBRICK JONATHAN M.
Published: January 2019

We present a model in which banks and other financial intermediaries face both occasionally binding borrowing constraints, and costs of equity issuance. Near the steady state, these intermediaries can raise equity finance at no cost through retained earnings. However, even moderately large shocks cause their borrowing constraints to bind, leading to contractions in credit offered to firms, and requiring the intermediaries to raise further funds by paying the cost to issue equity. This leads to the occasional sharp increases in interest spreads and the countercyclical, positively skewed equity issuance that are characteristics of the credit crunches observed in the data.
New Mexico Nurse‐Midwives’ Controlled Substance Prescribing and Monitoring Practices
Authors: Nardini Katrina A. , Landen Jenny , Parshall Mark , Cox Kim J.
Published: January 2019

Introduction

New Mexico, a state with a high incidence of opioid overdose deaths, requires certified nurse‐midwives (CNMs) who prescribe controlled substances to use the statewide Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP). This study examined how frequently CNMs who practice in New Mexico and prescribe controlled substances use the PMP and the purposes for which they use it.

Methods

All CNMs licensed in New Mexico (N = 210) were sent a link to an anonymous online survey. CNM demographics, practice characteristics, and controlled substance prescribing practices were examined.

Results

Approximately 40% of CNMs licensed in New Mexico completed the survey (N = 83), 77% of whom (64/83) were providing direct clinical care services. Nearly all who were engaged in clinical care had a US Drug Enforcement Administration registration number and were registered in the PMP (97%; 62/64). Approximately 90% of those respondents (56/62) reported prescribing controlled substances. Approximately 10% (6/62) never logged into the PMP, 40% (25/62) never ran a self‐report, and nearly 30% (18/62) reported never checking the PMP for patient alerts. Among those who reported prescribing controlled substances, the percentages who never logged in, never ran a self‐report, and never checked for patient alerts were 7% (4/56), 37% (21/56), and 27% (15/56), respectively. Nearly half of those prescribing controlled substances (26/56) did so monthly or more often, but with respect to their own prescribing, approximately one‐third of them (9/26) checked the PMP less frequently than every 6 months.

Discussion

Most CNMs in New Mexico are authorized to prescribe controlled substances, but the frequency of prescribing varies, and some CNMs may not be making optimal use of the state PMP for self‐reports, for patient alerts, or prior to prescribing a controlled substance. Additional education pertaining to the PMP is needed, as are best practice recommendations for monitoring CNMs’ controlled substance prescribing.