bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zebrafish type I collagen mutants faithfully recapitulate human type I collagenopathies
Authors: Gistelinck Charlotte , Kwon Ronald Y , Malfait Fransiska , Symoens Sofie , Harris Matthew P. , Henke Katrin , Fisher Shannon , Sips Patrick , Guillemyn Brecht , Bek Jan Willem , Vermassen Petra , De Saffel Hanna , Weis MaryAnn , De Paepe Anne , Eyre David R , Willaert Andy , Coucke Paul J
Published: January 2018

The type I collagenopathies are a group of heterogeneous connective tissue disorders, that are caused by mutations in the genes encoding type I collagen and include specific forms of Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) and the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). These disorders present with a broad disease spectrum and large clinical variability of which the underlying genetic basis is still poorly understood. In this study, we systematically analyzed skeletal phenotypes in a large set of zebrafish, with diverse mutations in the genes encoding type I collagen, representing different genetic forms of human OI, and the first zebrafish model of human EDS, which harbors characteristic defects in the soft connective tissues. Furthermore, we provide insight into how zebrafish and human type I collagen are compositionally and functionally related, which is relevant in the interpretation of human type I collagen related disease models. Our studies reveal a high degree of inter-genotype variability in phenotypic expressivity that closely correlates with associated OI severity. Further, we demonstrate the potential for select mutations to give rise to variable phenotypic penetrance, mirroring the clinical variability associated with human disease pathology. Therefore, our work suggests the potential for zebrafish to aid in identifying unknown genetic modifiers and mechanisms underlying the phenotypic variability in OI and related disorders. This will improve diagnostic strategies and enable the discovery of new targetable pathways for pharmacological intervention

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Type I collagenopathies are a heterogenous group of connective tissue disorders, caused by genetic defects in type I collagen. Inherent to these disorders is a large clinical variability, of which the underlying molecular basis remains undefined. By systematically analyzing skeletal phenotypes in a large set of type I collagen zebrafish mutants we show that zebrafish models are able to both genocopy and phenocopy different forms of human type I collagenopathies, arguing for a similar pathogenetic basis. This study illustrates the potential of zebrafish as a tool to further dissect the molecular basis of phenotypic variability in human type I collagenopathies to improve diagnostic strategies as well as promote the discovery of new targetable pathways for pharmacological intervention of these disorders.
A computational method to aid the design and analysis of single cell RNA-seq experiments for cell type identification
Authors: Abrams Douglas , Kumar Parveen , Karuturi R. Krishna Murthy , George Joshy
Published: January 2018

Background

The advent of single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) enabled researchers to study transcriptomic activity within individual cells and identify inherent cell types in the sample. Although numerous computational tools have been developed to analyze single cell transcriptomes, there are no published studies and analytical packages available to guide experimental design and to devise suitable analysis procedure for cell type identification.

Results

We have developed an empirical methodology to address this important gap in single cell experimental design and analysis into an easy-to-use tool called SCEED (Single Cell Empirical Experimental Design and analysis). With SCEED, user can choose a variety of combinations of tools for analysis, conduct performance analysis of analytical procedures and choose the best procedure, and estimate sample size (number of cells to be profiled) required for a given analytical procedure at varying levels of cell type rarity and other experimental parameters. Using SCEED, we examined 3 single cell algorithms using 48 simulated single cell datasets that were generated for varying number of cell types and their proportions, number of genes expressed per cell, number of marker genes and their fold change, and number of single cells successfully profiled in the experiment.

Conclusions

Based on our study, we found that when marker genes are expressed at fold change of 4 or more than the rest of the genes, either Seurat or Simlr algorithm can be used to analyze single cell dataset for any number of single cells isolated (minimum 1000 single cells were tested). However, when marker genes are expected to be only up to fC 2 upregulated, choice of the single cell algorithm is dependent on the number of single cells isolated and proportion of rare cell type to be identified. In conclusion, our work allows the assessment of various single cell methods and also aids in examining the single cell experimental design.
Synthesis, crystal structure and biological properties of a cis-dichloridobis(diimine)copper(II) complex
Authors: Bhat Satish S. , Revankar Vidyanand K. , Kumbar Vijay , Bhat Kishore , Kawade Vitthal A.
Published: January 2018

The mechanisms of interaction of inorganic complexes with DNA are important in the design and development of new metal-based drug molecules. The limitations of cis-platin have encouraged the design and development of new metal-based target-specific anticancer drugs having reduced side effects. The complex cis-dichloridobis(1,2,5-thiadiazolo[3,4-f][1,10]phenanthroline-κ2
N
1,N
10)copper(II), [CuCl2(C12H6N4S)2], has been synthesized and characterized. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c. The covalent binding of the complex with DNA was studied by absorption spectroscopy. The anticancer activity of the complex on the Human Lung Carcinoma (A549) cell line was investigated by MTT assay. The complex exhibits higher toxicity than cis-platin and induces an apoptotic mode of cell death.
S-[2-(2,2-Dimethylpropanamido)-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]N,N-diisopropyldithiocarbamate
Authors: El-Hiti Gamal A. , Smith Keith , Hegazy Amany S. , Alshammari Mohammed B. , Kariuki Benson M.
Published: January 2018

In the title compound, C19H27F3N2OS2, the dihedral angle between the benzene ring and dithiocarbamate group is 67.00 (9)° and a weak intramolecular N—H...S interaction generates anS(7) ring. Thetert-butyl group is disordered over two orientations in a 0.628 (14):0.372 (14) ratio. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pairs of weak C—H...O interactions generateR22(20) loops and the aromatic rings of neighbouring pairs of molecules are involved in very weak π–π stacking interactions [centroid–centroid separation = 4.0042 (13) Å].
1,1-Dimethyl-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]urea
Authors: El-Hiti Gamal A. , Smith Keith , Hegazy Amany S. , Alshammari Mohammed B. , Kariuki Benson M.
Published: January 2018

In the title compound, C10H11F3N2O, the dihedral angle between the dimethylurea and phenyl group planes is 37.49 (7)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by N—H...O hydrogen bonds, generating chains propagating in the [010] direction. The trifluoromethyl group is disordered over two orientations in a 0.577 (12):0.423 (12) ratio.
3-Hexyl-5,5-diphenylimidazolidine-2,4-dione
Authors: Guerrab Walid , Mague Joel T , Taoufik Jamal , Ramli Youssef
Published: January 2018

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C21H24N2O2, consists of two independent molecules differing primarily in the orientation of the ends of the hexyl substituent, the C—C—C—C torsion angles being 71.7 (3) and170.5 (2)°. In the crystal, each independent molecule forms a chain along the a-axis direction through a C—H...O hydrogen bond with one chain also including a C—H...π interaction. Paired N—H...O hydrogen bonds between independent molecules form ribbons with additional C—H...O hydrogen bonds and C—H...π(ring) interactions tying them into a three-dimensional structure.
Human resource management and ethical challenges: building a culture for organization success
Authors: Smith Sarah Sanders , Rohr Samuel L. , Panton Richard N.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Human resource professionals (HRPs) remain challenged by ethical conundrums in the workplace. Business leaders are asked to respond to demands for efficiency in an environment of distrust or skepticism amongst employees and customers. HRPs who understand ethical decision-making as well as ethical perspectives and implications of actions within the organization can create value within their organizations. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the five ethical content issues of Hosmer’s (1987) model related to the twenty-first century human resource management (HRM) themes.

Design/methodology/approach

As a result of a syntheses of leadership and HRM philosophies over several decades, six propositions associated with the content issues are suggested.

Findings

HRPs are well-positioned to encourage ethical and moral decision-making within their organizations when they are able to contribute to creation of a culture that honors duties to stakeholders and supports organizational success.

Originality/value

The existence of synthesized analysis regarding organizational leaders, human resource managers, ethics and culture to build organizational success is limited. Thus, this paper highlights a need for organizations and for HRPs to dedicate policies and implement practices which can support ethical sustenance in today’s organizations.
Loyalty membership for luxury hotels in Malaysia
Authors: Hassan Hasliza , Pourabedin Zahra , Sade Abu Bakar , Chai Jiayi
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Loyalty membership is widely used as a marketing strategy to secure customer’s loyalty in many business sectors. The purpose of this paper is to focus on loyalty membership of customer in Malaysian luxury hotels, specifically, in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by looking into the perceived value of economic, interaction and psychological needs.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative cross-sectional research was conducted to explore the feedback from customers who have loyalty membership with a luxury hotel. Surveyed data of 489 respondents were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling.

Findings

There is a significant positive relationship between the psychological needs and perceived value. The relationship between the perceived value and customer’s loyalty is also significant and positive. However, there is no significant relationship between the economic value and the interaction constructs with the perceived value. The perceived value functions as a mediator for the economic value, interaction and psychological needs in respect of customer’s loyalty.

Practical implications

Hotel management should prioritise addressing the elements of psychological needs to enhance the perceived value from the customers’ perspective. The strength of the perceived value indirectly stimulates customer’s loyalty to a hotel, followed by the interaction and economic value from the customer value perspective to ensure customer’s loyalty.

Originality/value

This research highlights on how customers can be secured by a luxury hotel chain through a loyalty membership strategy. The knowledge generated from this research is expected to provide insights to practitioners on how to enhance their loyalty membership marketing strategy.
The effects of value appropriation strategies in channels on intangible firm value
Authors: Kang Jun , Brashear-Alejandro Thomas , Asare Anthony K. , Chen Sixing
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This study aims to examine the role of channel strategies in value appropriation and their effects on firm value with the consideration of situational factors.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study with secondary data is conducted in the context of public franchised channels. The authors use Entrepreneur Franchise Top 500 (2012) as the sampling frame and merge the data from three sources to create the final data set. A set of models are built to test the hypotheses in a hierarchical manner.

Findings

Value appropriation provides a solid rationale to link marketing channel strategies to firm value. Channel integration is an effective strategy driving intangible firm value. The influence of channel compression on intangible firm value depends on its interaction with other marketing environmental variables.

Research limitations/implications

First, the sample size in this study is relatively small though these samples show high representativeness. Second, the empirical analysis in this study focuses on the franchised channels because of data availability.

Practical implications

Managers should consider the role of value appropriation when developing new channel strategies. A channel strategy deserves firm-level attention and resources because of its relevance to firm value. Managers should examine channel environment carefully and deploy internal resources to augment the potential of value appropriation strategies in channels.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to investigate the value relevance of marketing channel strategies from a value appropriation perspective. It identifies profit appropriation and resource appropriation as two mechanisms of value appropriation in marketing channels and uses these two processes to link channel integration and channel compression strategies with firm value.
Microfinance, gender and entrepreneurial behaviour of families in Ghana
Authors: Acheampong George
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the relationship between microfinance participation and entrepreneurial behaviour of Ghanaian families as well as the moderating role of the family head’s gender. It is argued from a resource-based theory perspective that microfinance is a financial resource that removes credit constraints to entrepreneurial behaviour of families. However, gender of the family head creates heterogeneity in this relationship in line with the gender theory.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to test these claims, cross-sectional data from 2,727 families on microfinance participation and household characteristics in Ghana are utilised.

Findings

The study finds that microfinance participation has a positive and significant relationship with a family’s decision to own an enterprise. Also, the study finds that female-headed families are better utilizers of microfinancial resources for entrepreneurial purposes compared to their male counterparts. This difference is a pure gender effect.

Originality/value

This finding is in contrast to the dominant stream of gender-based entrepreneurship research that suggests that women are subordinate to men and need to be helped to become “honorary men”. From a policy standpoint, solutions aimed at reversing discrimination against women in economic markets must consider women within their own right. The study makes a contribution to the literature by showing empirically the source of heterogeneity in entrepreneurial returns to microfinance participation by families.
Drivers of stakeholders’ view of internal audit effectiveness
Authors: Erasmus Lourens , Coetzee Philna
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine the differences in perception of the key stakeholders on the drivers of internal audit effectiveness, namely, senior management and the audit committee, in relation to identified measures. To be seen as an effective internal audit function, value needs to be added for both these stakeholders. It is thus important for internal auditing to obtain an understanding of what these stakeholders respectively perceive as the most prominent drivers of internal audit effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

Heads of internal audit functions (providing insight into the drivers), chairpersons of audit committees and senior management (providing insight into the measures) within the South African public sector responded to a survey. The data were subjected to an exploratory factor analysis and principal component analysis to reduce the set of items and to provide continuous scores for use in a multivariate multiple regression analyses.

Findings

Senior management and the audit committee differ in their level or order of prominence of the identified drivers that influence the identified measures of internal audit effectiveness. No statistical similarities in their level of views could be found.

Originality/value

To enhance the effectiveness of internal auditing, the internal audit functions should take cognisance of the difference in perceptions of its key stakeholders on the drivers of internal audit effectiveness, in relation to identified measures, to manage these relationships. No previous research could find that statistically compared views of senior management and the audit committee regarding the drivers of internal audit effectiveness.
Protective efficacy of a DNA vaccine encoding capsid protein of porcine circovirus‐like virus P1 against porcine circovirus 2 in mice
Authors: Zhang Dan , He Kongwang , Wen Libin , Fan Hongjie
Published: January 2018

The capsid protein is the major immunogenic protein of porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2). The nucleotide sequence of porcine circovirus‐like virus P1 shares high homology with open reading frame (ORF) 2 of PCV2, and ORF1 of P1 encodes its structural protein. Mice were vaccinated twice intramuscularly with a plasmid expressing the P1 ORF1 protein (pcDNA3.1(+)‐ORF1) at 2‐week intervals. All animals vaccinated with pcDNA3.1(+)‐ORF1 developed higher specific anti‐P1 antibody levels, and had less PCV2 viremia and milder histopathological changes than PCV2‐challenged mice in the control group. Our results show that the P1 DNA vaccine elicited immune responses against PCV2 infection in a mouse model.
Three‐dimensional receiver deghosting of seismic streamer data using L1 inversion and redundant extended radon dictionary
Authors: Sun Yimin , Verschuur Eric
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we propose a novel three‐dimensional receiver deghosting algorithm that is capable of deghosting both horizontal and slanted streamer data in a theoretically consistent manner. Our algorithm honours wave propagation phenomena in a true three‐dimensional sense and frames the three‐dimensional receiver deghosting problem as a Lasso problem. The ultimate goal is to minimise the mismatch between the actual measurements and the simulated wavefield with an L1 constraint applied in the extended Radon space to handle the underdetermined nature of this problem. We successfully demonstrate our algorithm on a modified three‐dimensional EAGE/SEG Overthrust model and a Red Sea marine dataset.
Elderly patients with suspected chronic digoxin toxicity: A comparison of clinical characteristics of patients receiving and not receiving digoxin‐Fab
Authors: Arbabian Hooman , Lee Hwee Min , Graudins Andis
Published: January 2018

Objective

The aim of the present study was to compare clinical features of patients with elevated serum digoxin concentrations who were treated with digoxin‐Fab with those where the immunotherapy was not given by a tertiary hospital toxicology service.

Methods

This was a retrospective series of patients with supratherapeutic serum digoxin concentrations referred to the toxicology service from August 2013 to October 2015. Data collected included demographics, presenting complaint, digoxin dose, other medications taken, serum digoxin, potassium and creatinine concentration on presentation and initial and post‐digoxin‐Fab heart rate.

Results

There were 47 referrals. Digoxin‐Fab was administered in 21 cases. It was given more commonly when the heart rate was <51/min or serum potassium was >5.0 mmol/L. Patients receiving digoxin‐Fab were more likely to be on maintenance therapy with beta‐blockers or calcium channel blockers (95% vs 61%; OR 13.1; 95% CI 1.5–113) and/or potassium‐sparing medications (95% vs 54%; OR 17.1; 95% CI 2.0–147). They had elevated serum creatinine (76% vs 42%; OR 8.2; 95% CI 1.9–34), higher serum potassium (median: 5.1 mmol/L vs 4.2 mmol/L, P = 0.02), higher serum digoxin concentration (median: 3.5 nmol/L vs 2.3 nmol/L, P = 0.02) and pretreatment heart rate <51/min (66% vs 31%; OR 4.5; 95% CI 1.3–15). There were no patients with ventricular arrhythmias or hypotension. Median heart rate increased by 10/min 1 and 4 h after digoxin‐Fab. However, individual heart rate response to digoxin‐Fab was variable.

Conclusion

Digoxin‐Fab was more commonly administered when heart rate was <51/min. It had a small effect on increasing heart rate; however, individual response to digoxin‐Fab was variable as patients were using other negative chronotropic medications. In symptomatic bradycardic patients on multiple heart failure medications, positive chronotropic and potassium‐lowering therapies should be considered in concert with digoxin‐Fab.
Rapid and safe discharge from the emergency department: A single troponin to exclude acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Brichko Lisa , Schneider Hans G , Chan William , Seah Jarrel , Smit De Villiers , Dart Anthony , Stevens Jeremy P , Mitra Biswadev
Published: January 2018

Objective

To determine variables that could facilitate safe discharge from the ED following a single high‐sensitivity troponin I (HsTnI) result to exclude acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed at a tertiary hospital of all patients that had serial HsTnI performed within 12 h of arrival to the ED over a 3 year period. The primary exposure variable of interest was a very low troponin initial result (HsTnI <5 ng/L). Medical record review and risk stratification score calculations were undertaken for all patients with the exposure variable of interest and an abnormal second troponin measurement (HsTnI ≥16 ng/L in women and HsTnI ≥26 ng/L in men).

Results

There were 11 970 patients who presented between 1 July 2013 and 30 June 2016 that had serial HsTnI measurements performed. Of these, 4172 (34.9%) patients had an initial HsTnI measurement <5 ng/L. Of the patients with an initial HsTnI <5 ng/L that met inclusion criteria, 56 (1.3%) had a second troponin result above the 99th percentile and 32 (0.8%) cases of non‐ST elevation myocardial infarction were diagnosed as well as 15 (0.4%) cases of ST elevation myocardial infarction. There were 44 (93.6%) of all AMI cases that met criteria for high‐risk presentations under the National Heart Foundation of Australia guidelines. The negative predictive value of an initial HsTnI <5 ng/L to exclude AMI was 98.9% (95% confidence interval 98.5–99.1).

Conclusions

This supports the utilisation of a rapid rule out strategy to exclude AMI for patients that have an initial HsTnI measurement <5 ng/L in conjunction with a robust risk assessment.
CRISPR disruption of TCTP gene impaired normal development in the silkworm Bombyx mori
Authors: Liu Zu‐Lian , Xu Jun , Ling Lin , Zhang Ru , Shang Peng , Huang Yong‐Ping
Published: January 2018

The translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) is a highly conserved and multifunctional protein with activities ranging from cytoskeletal regulation to transcription regulation in numerous organisms. In insects, TCTP is essential for cell growth and proliferation. Recently, TCTP has been reported to affect the innate intestinal immune pathway in the Bombyx mori silkworm, a lepidopteran model insect. However, the comprehensive physiological roles of TCTP in the silkworm remain poorly understood. Here, we performed functional analysis of BmTCTP by using a binary transgenic CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat/RNA‐guided CRISPER‐associated protein 9 nucleases) system. Disruption of BmTCTP led to developmental arrestment and subsequent lethality in third instar larvae. Histological analysis revealed that growth impairment originated from decreased cell size, and the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells were also affected. RNA‐seq analysis revealed that genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism and digestive system pathways were significantly affected by BmTCTP depletion. Together, the results demonstrated that BmTCTP plays a key role in controlling larval growth and development.
Validation of Modelflow Estimates of Cardiac Output in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: MacEwen Clare , Sutherland Sheera , Daly Jonathan , Pugh Christopher , Tarassenko Lionel
Published: January 2018

Volume‐clamp technology (e.g. Finometer) has become a popular method of collecting continuous, non‐invasive, hemodynamic information during hemodialysis. There is minimal data validating the technique in this patient group. A gold standard cardiac output measurement can be obtained using ultrasound dilution in patients with arterio‐venous fistulae. Continuous cardiac output was measured in 124 hemodialysis sessions in 27 patients using a volume‐clamp device (Finometer PRO). Ultrasound dilution measurement was first taken at baseline (Transonic HD03), then used to calibrate the Finometer. Ultrasound dilution measurement was repeated 2 h into hemodialysis to assess drift following calibration. Pearson’s correlation and Bland–Altman statistics, modified for repeated measures, were used to assess agreement between methods. Linear mixed models were constructed to identify factors that could explain session‐level and patient‐level variation in agreement. For baseline cardiac output before calibration, agreement between volume‐clamp and ultrasound dilution measurements was poor, at 25 ± 75% (correlation 0.26, P < 0.001). There was significant variation in agreement between patients, with age, peripheral vascular disease and hemodialysis vintage contributing to poorer agreement. For cardiac output 2 h after calibration, agreement was −5.2 ± 57.5% (correlation 0.6, P < 0.001). Dynamic changes in blood pressure and fluid balance during hemodialysis resulted in greater drift over time after calibration. There was a large error, both random and systematic, in volume‐clamp estimates of absolute, pre‐calibration cardiac output in this prevalent hemodialysis population. There was minimal bias and reasonable correlation for cardiac output 2 h post‐calibration, but limits of agreement remained too wide to meet current clinical standards.
Sleep quality and functional gastrointestinal disorders. A psychological issue
Authors: Bouchoucha Michel , Mary Florence , Bon Cyriaque , Bejou Bakhtiar , Airinei Gheorghe , Benamouzig Robert
Published: January 2018

OBJECTIVE

Sleep disorders are often associated with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). This study aims to evaluate the association of sleep disorders with specific FGIDs and to assess the related importance of psychological disorders.

METHODS

We included 1009 consecutive patients with FGIDs (70.9% females). The patients completed a Rome III questionnaire and after a psychological evaluation on anxiety and depression they were classified according to their sleep disorders using a 7‐point grading scale: Groups 1–3, drowsiness (severe, moderate, mild); Group 4, no change; Groups 5–7, insomnia (mild, moderate, severe). Multinomial logistic regression using sleep group as a dependent variable with no sleep change as reference and body mass index, FGIDs, anxiety and depression as independent variables were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Altogether 667 (66.1%) patients reported changes in sleep disorders, of whom 487 (48.3%) had decreased sleep and 180 (17.8%) had increased sleep while 342 (33.9%) reported no change. Depression was lower in patients with no change in sleep pattern and increased with the severity of their sleep disorder (P < 0.001). State‐anxiety is associated with moderate drowsiness (P = 0.024), while trait anxiety is associated with mild insomnia (P = 0.048). FGIDs associated with sleep disorders included chest pain, epigastric pain syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, diarrhea, bloating, fecal incontinence and proctalgia fugax.

CONCLUSION

Sleep disorders are associated with FGIDs, especially in the presence of depressive symptoms.
A propensity score‐matched comparison of biodegradable polymer vs second‐generation durable polymer drug‐eluting stents in a real‐world population
Authors: Zhao Ying Jiao , Teng Monica , Khoo Ai Leng , Ananthakrishna Rajiv , Yeo Tiong Cheng , Lim Boon Peng , Loh Joshua P. , Chan Mark Y.
Published: January 2018

Aims

The safety and efficacy of BP‐DES compared to second‐generation DP‐DES remain unclear in the real‐world setting. We compared the clinical outcomes of biodegradable polymer drug‐eluting stents (BP‐DES) with second‐generation durable polymer drug‐eluting stents (DP‐DES) in an all‐comer percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) registry.

Methods/Results

The study included a cohort of 1065 patients treated with either BP‐DES or DP‐DES from January 2009 through October 2015. Propensity score matching was performed to account for potential confounders and produced 497 matched pairs of patients. The primary endpoint was target lesion failure (TLF) at one‐year follow‐up. The rates of TLF were comparable between BP‐DES and DP‐DES (8.7% vs 9.1%, P = .823) at 1 year. The rates of stent thrombosis at 30 days (0.4% vs 0.4%, P = 1.00) and 1 year (0.8% vs 0.8%, P = 1.00) did not differ between BP‐DES and DP‐DES. There were no significant differences in other clinical outcomes including target vessel failure (8.9% vs 9.5%, P = .741), in‐stent restenosis (1.8% vs 1.0%, P = .282), and cardiac death (6.4% vs 7.4%, P = .533) at 1 year. Multivariate cox regression analysis showed that the risk of TLF at one‐year did not differ significantly between BP‐DES and DP‐DES (hazard ratio 0.94, P = .763).

Conclusions

Efficacy and safety of BP‐DES were not better than DP‐DES at one‐year follow‐up.
Prognosis and distribution of lymph nodes metastases in resectable primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma‐like carcinoma: A large cohort from a single center
Authors: Yu Xiangyang , Wen Yingsheng , Qin Rongqing , Lin Yongbin , Zhang Xuewen , Wang Weidong , Chen Yongqiang , Zhang Lanjun
Published: January 2018

Background

Primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma‐like carcinoma is a rare subtype of lung cancer. Until now, the characteristics of lymph nodes metastases in resectable cases have not yet been reported.

Methods

In this study, a total of 87 consecutive patients with primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma‐like carcinoma that received surgical treatment were investigated from October 1999 to August 2016. The clinical and radiological data and follow‐up information were extracted from hospital records in detail.

Results

In a univariate analysis, those patients with an early pathological stage (I–II), low rate of lymph node metastases (<30%) and a low number of positive lymph nodes (<5) showed longer recurrence‐free survival and overall survival (all P < 0.05). However, the early pathological stage was identified as the only factor independently associated with recurrence‐free survival by multivariate analysis (P = 0.038). In a preoperative lymph nodes evaluation, the accuracy and specificity of computed tomography alone were 52.9% (46/87) and 88% (302/343), respectively, and 73.2% of these cases with incorrect nodal staging (30/41) were upstaged. Skipping metastases were more frequent in operated stage N2 cases (71.4%), whereas whether or not those patients showed skipping metastasis did not affect their recurrence‐free survival or overall survival (P > 0.05). The highest metastasis frequencies for specific lobes with primary lymphoepithelioma‐like carcinoma are as follows: #5 left upper lobe (21.4%); #7 left lower lobe (40.7%); #2R (28.6%) and/or #4R (14.3%) right upper lobe; #7 (42.9%) right lower lobe; #7 (28%) and/or superior mediastinal nodes (36%) right middle lobe.

Conclusion

Based on accurate staging and uncertain survival benefit, complete mediastinal lymph nodes dissection is still required for curative resection.
Assessing the dynamics of natural populations by fitting individual‐based models with approximate Bayesian computation
Authors: Sirén Jukka , Lens Luc , Cousseau Laurence , Ovaskainen Otso
Published: January 2018

Individual‐based models (IBMs) allow realistic and flexible modelling of ecological systems, but their parameterization with empirical data is statistically and computationally challenging. Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) has been proposed as an efficient approach for inference withIBMs, but its applicability to data on natural populations has not been yet fully explored.

We construct anIBMfor the metapopulation dynamics of a species inhabiting a fragmented patch network, and develop anABCmethod for parameterization of the model. We consider several scenarios of data availability from count data to combination of mark‐recapture and genetic data. We analyse both simulated and real data on white‐starred robin (Pogonocichla stellata), a passerine bird living in montane forest environment in Kenya, and assess how the amount and type of data affect the estimates of model parameters and indicators of population state.

The indicators of the population state could be reliably estimated using theABCmethod, but full parameterization was not achieved due to strong posterior correlations between model parameters. While the combination of the data types did not provide more accurate estimates for most of the indicators of population state or model parameters than the most informative data type (ringing data or genetic data) alone, the combined data allowed robust simultaneous estimation of all unknown quantities.

Our results show thatABCmethods provide a powerful and flexible technique for parameterizing complexIBMs with multiple data sources, and assessing the dynamics of the population in a robust manner.
Community level lipid profiling of consumers as a tool for soil food web diagnostics
Authors: Kühn Jakob , Richter Andreas , Kahl Tiemo , Bauhus Jürgen , Schöning Ingo , Ruess Liliane
Published: January 2018

Knowledge on food web structure and function provides important information on trophic relationships, energy flux, and ecosystem response to environmental changes. The tracing of trophic marker fatty acids (FAs) to assign predator–prey interactions is well established in food web research. However, the application on the level of entire consumer communities has not been performed yet.

Here, we demonstrate that lipid pattern analysis of entire consumer assemblages can provide a first‐line assessment for food web diagnostics. The trophic diverse group of nematodes was used as a model and community level lipid profiling (CLLP) was performed. As prerequisite a lipid library was constructed, assigning FAs to their predominant organismic origin to disentangle phylogenetic (i.e. consumer lipid metabolism) from diet type effects on CLLP.

The suitability of CLLP analysis was tested using 150 forest sites differing in management type and intensity across three German regions. The nematode CLLP reflected ecosystem conditions and thereby separated regions as well as forest habitats, that is, conifer and deciduous stands. CLLP further enabled to address if environmental properties acted on the level of consumers or their resource use or both. However, forest management intensity was poorly assigned, likely due to a predominant species‐specific impact, not represented on community basis.

We propose CLLP as a fast and robust biochemical method for food web diagnostics in cryptic habitats such as soil or benthos. Provided that organismic assemblages compared are substantially different in lipid metabolism, CLLP give insight into changes in the composition of consumer communities as well as their major diet under field conditions.
Landscape‐scale habitat assessment for an imperiled avian species
Authors: Burkhalter C. , Holloran M. J. , Fedy B. C. , Copeland H. E. , Crabtree R. L. , Michel N. L. , Jay S. C. , Rutledge B. A. , Holloran A. G.
Published: January 2018

A comprehensive understanding of wildlife habitat suitability requires landscape‐scale assessments that provide the framework for subsequent integration with local‐scale relationships. To elucidate the functional role of habitat characteristics at large scales it is necessary to understand how abundance is related to important landscape characteristics. We estimated male greater sage‐grouse Centrocercus urophasianus abundance on leks relative to sagebrush availability, landscape connectivity and anthropogenic infrastructure densities within landscapes surrounding leks from 2006 to 2013 using binomial N‐mixture models. We focused on Wyoming, as the state will play a critical role in the long‐term persistence of greater sage‐grouse due to its relatively robust populations, widespread sagebrush habitats and innovative, large‐scale conservation approaches. Landscapes associated with higher abundance of males on leks were characterized as highly connected, sagebrush‐dominated areas with limited energy development. These modeled relationships were used to evaluate spatial and temporal changes in the landscape‐scale integrity of areas supporting the majority of the greater sage‐grouse populations in Wyoming (i.e. core areas). By assessing relative changes in abundance over time, our models indicated that most of the habitat within core areas (86%) exhibited landscape conditions conducive to supporting medium or large greater sage‐grouse populations that were stable or increasing through time. Larger populations were associated with larger, more centrally located core areas. Conversely, core areas supporting relatively small or declining populations were located along range margins in the eastern portion of the state. The landscape‐scale habitat relationships we developed can be used in combination with local‐scale assessments to generate a more complete picture of greater sage‐grouse habitat suitability.
Effects of chronic hypoxia on diaphragm function in deer mice native to high altitude
Authors: Dawson N. J. , Lyons S. A. , Henry D. A. , Scott G. R.
Published: January 2018

Aim

We examined the effects of chronic hypoxia on diaphragm function in high‐ and low‐altitude populations of Peromyscus mice.

Methods

Deer mice (P. maniculatus) native to high altitude and congeneric mice native to low altitude (P. leucopus) were born and raised in captivity to adulthood and were acclimated to normoxia or hypobaric hypoxia (12 or 9 kPa, simulating hypoxia at 4300 and 7000 m) for 6‐8 weeks. We then measured indices of mitochondrial respiration capacity, force production, and fatigue resistance in the diaphragm.

Results

Mitochondrial respiratory capacities (assessed using permeabilized fibres with single or multiple inputs to the electron transport system), citrate synthase activity (a marker of mitochondrial volume), twitch force production, and muscle fatigue resistance increased after exposure to chronic hypoxia in both populations. These changes were not well explained by variation in the fibre‐type composition of the muscle. However, there were several differences in diaphragm function in high‐altitude mice compared to low‐altitude mice. Exposure to a deeper level of hypoxia (9 kPa vs 12 kPa) was needed to elicit increases in mitochondrial respiration rates in highlanders. Chronic hypoxia did not increase the emission of reactive oxygen species from permeabilized fibres in highlanders, in contrast to the pronounced increases that occurred in lowlanders. In general, the diaphragm of high‐altitude mice had greater capillary length densities, produced less force in response to stimulation and had shorter relaxation times. The latter was associated with higher activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase (SERCA) activity in the diaphragm of high‐altitude mice.

Conclusion

Overall, our work suggests that exposure to chronic hypoxia increases the capacities for mitochondrial respiration, force production and fatigue resistance of the diaphragm. However, many of these effects are opposed by evolved changes in diaphragm function in high‐altitude natives, such that highlanders in chronic hypoxia maintain similar diaphragm function to lowlanders in sea level conditions.
International Differences in Accounting Practices Under IFRS and the Influence of the US
Authors: Lourenço Isabel Costa , Sarquis Raquel , Branco Manuel Castelo , Magro Nuno
Published: January 2018

This paper expands prior International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) accounting systems’ classifications to a broader set of 27 countries where IFRS adoption is a widespread practice, as well as the US. It examines the issue of whether a US model of accounting that includes countries which have adopted IFRS exists. The results suggest a classification distinguishing between three groups of countries based on the similarity of their accounting practices: 1) Australia and New Zealand; 2) US‐influenced countries; and 3) South Africa, Oman and European countries. This study contributes to the literature not only by providing evidence of differences in accounting practices to a broader set of countries, but mainly by suggesting an economic explanation of the existence of accounting choices. In particular, economic proximity to the US may be an important factor influencing accounting practices in some countries, even after IFRS adoption.
The Effect of Personnel Characteristics in the Internal Accounting Control System on Discretionary Tax Accruals: Evidence from Korea
Authors: Park Suk Jin , Oh Myeong Jeon , Lee Eun Chul
Published: January 2018

This study examines whether the characteristics of personnel in a firm's internal accounting control system (IACS) and auditor characteristics control managers’ discretionary behaviour for tax planning. The study uses a sample of 4210 firm‐year observations from 2006 to 2014. The results show that managers’ discretionary tax planning cannot be controlled when the personnel in charge of internal accounting control are at an optimum level or higher. On the other hand, when a CPA is included among the personnel, the manager's discretionary behaviour is somewhat controlled. Moreover, the results show that firms audited by a large accounting firm also control the manager's discretionary tax planning to some extent. Unlike previous studies that examine the effects of IACS on discretionary accruals mostly in terms of book income, this study's contribution is an examination of the effects of the characteristics of personnel in IACS on the relationship between discretionary book‐tax conformity accruals and discretionary book‐only accruals that can be used when the manager establishes a tax plan. Additionally, this study also provides indirect evidence that the characteristics of auditors and personnel in charge of internal accounting perform a monitoring role that controls the manager's opportunistic behaviour.
The Association Between Dividends and Accruals Quality
Authors: Rampershad Aveen , de Villiers Charl
Published: January 2018

This paper responds to a specific gap identified in the prior literature by examining whether dividend paying status and dividend size are associated with accruals quality, using three accruals‐based earnings quality proxies on a large sample of 2387 firm‐year observations over 17 years in a developing economy, South Africa. Univariate tests are also conducted to identify differences in characteristics between dividend and non‐dividend paying firms, and large and small dividend paying firms. The paper finds that dividend paying status is positively associated with accruals quality. This association remains robust over sub‐groups of firms that differ in size, growth, profitability, age, maturity, leverage, capital intensity and propensity to raise new capital. The prior literature is extended by using quintiles of dividend size to further investigate the association between dividend size and accruals quality. The findings include that larger dividend paying firms are associated with better accruals quality, and that this relationship is stronger among firms that pay average‐sized dividends. Additionally, there are significant differences in characteristics between dividend and non‐dividend paying firms and between large and small dividend paying firms. Based on these results, policymakers, regulators, legislators and boards may want to explore the use of dividend policy as a corporate governance mechanism.
Legacy effects of historical grazing affect the response of vegetation dynamics to water and nitrogen addition in semi‐arid steppe
Authors: Chen Qing , Wang Zhong‐Liang , Zou Chris B. , Fan Yonghui , Dittert Klaus , Lin Shan
Published: January 2018

Question

Climate change interacts with land use and introduces new pressures that trigger growing concerns about increasing vulnerability of the Eurasian steppes. However, it is not well known how increasing precipitation and atmospheric N deposition interact with the land use legacy to affect nutrient availability, plant species composition and therefore vegetation dynamics of the Mongolian Steppe.

Location

Steppe in Xilin River Basin, Inner Mongolia, China. The mean annual precipitation is 343 mm with 60%–80% of it occurring during the plant growing season.

Methods

We conducted a 6‐years (2005–2010) field experiment to manipulate N and water availability on sites experiencing two different historical stocking rates. Species composition, above‐ground biomass and plant N concentration were determined at both individual and community levels. Soil cumulative inorganic N and N mineralization rates were determined by laboratory incubation.

Results

(1) Supplementary irrigation increased soil cumulative inorganic N and N mineralization rate, plant community N uptake, and the abundance of perennial species for the site with high historical stocking rate. In contrast, long‐term water addition decreased soil cumulative inorganic N and N mineralization rate, and did not change the plant community N uptake, but increased the abundance of Cleistogenes squarrosa as a species indicative of degradation for sites with moderate historic stocking rate. (2) Nitrogen addition increased soil cumulative inorganic N and N mineralization rate irrespective of grazing history under ambient precipitation, and resulted in a burst of annuals in moist years at both sites. Under supplementary irrigation, N addition increased soil cumulative inorganic N and N mineralization rate at the site with moderate historic stocking rate, but not at the site with high historical stocking rate, and increased the abundance of taller perennial species at both sites.

Conclusions

Legacy effects of grazing greatly affect plant composition responses to increasing water and N availability. The effectiveness of N application in restoring heavily degraded sites in the Mongolian steppe depends on precipitation availability. In the face of increasing precipitation and atmospheric N deposition, resource managers should be prepared to cope with the different vegetation succession and recovery trajectories as a result of historical land‐use difference.