bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Crystallographic analysis of the Staphylococcus epidermidis lipase involved in esterification in aqueous solution
Authors: Liu Cheng-Huan , Chen Yu-Ting , Hou Ming-Hon , Hu Nien-Jen , Chen Chin-Shuh , Shaw Jei-Fu 
Published: May 2018

The Staphylococcus epidermidis lipase (SeLip, GehC) can be used in flavour-compound production via esterification in aqueous solution. This study reports the crystallization and crystallographic analysis of recombinant GehC (rGehC; Lys303–Lys688) with a molecular weight of 43 kDa. rGehC was crystallized at 293 K using PEG 10 000 as a precipitant, and a 99.9% complete native data set was collected from a cooled crystal at 77 K to a resolution of 1.9 Å with an overall R
merge value of 7.3%. The crystals were orthorhombic and belonged to space group P212121, with unit-cell parameters a = 42.07, b = 59.31, c = 171.30 Å, α = β = γ = 90°. Solvent-content calculations suggest that there is likely to be one lipase subunit in the asymmetric unit.
Ownership influence and CSR disclosure in China
Authors: Hu Yuan Yuan , Zhu Yanhui , Tucker Jon , Hu Yuxiao 
Published: May 2018

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the relationship between ownership type and the likelihood of publication of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) report.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on stakeholder salience theory, the probit model is used for a sample of 1,839 Chinese listed firms to study how different types of owners influence firm CSR engagement.FindingsThe analysis reveals that the Chinese stock exchanges exert a positive influence on the likelihood of a firm producing a CSR report, an effect which is more significant in state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Foreign investors lead to a greater likelihood of publication of a CSR report, though this effect is weaker in SOEs. In contrast, the holdings of state and domestic institutional investors are broadly neutral.Practical implicationsThe study helps corporate managers to recognise how particular types of shareholders will value their efforts regarding CSR activities and disclosure and also assists policymakers in improving the level of CSR disclosure through the development of new policy.Social implicationsApposite CSR disclosure enhances trust and facilitates the shared values on which to build a more cohesive society.Originality/valueThe novelty of this study is that it addresses the effect of institutional investors on Chinese firm CSR engagement and thus provides an important insight for firms, investors and other stakeholders into the interplay of portfolio investment and CSR.
The impact of international financial reporting standards on fund performance
Authors: Rubanov Dmitrij , Nnadi Matthias 
Published: May 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of international financial reporting standards (IFRS) on the performance of UK investment closed-end trust funds with domestic equity focus using Carhart’s Four-Factor model.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based on the Efficient Market Hypothesis, which argues that all available information is already included in the price of assets, and therefore, investors cannot beat the market or generate abnormal returns.

Findings
The results show that on average, UK investment trusts neither do generate abnormal returns, nor is their performance persistent. This paper provides empirical evidence to support the efficient market hypotheses and provides proof that the adoption of IFRS has, on average, a decreasing impact on the excess returns generated by UK investment trusts.

Originality/value
The findings of this paper have business policy implications for investment trust in the UK.
Corporate governance and Islamic banks’ products and services disclosure
Authors: Grassa Rihab , Chakroun Raida , Hussainey Khaled 
Published: May 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of Islamic banks (IBs) product and services disclosure (PSD).

Design/methodology/approach
A computer-based content analysis is run upon the annual reports for a sample of 78 IBs operating in 11 countries from 2004 to 2012 to find the number of product and services statements. The levels and trends of PSD are identified. A regression analysis to identify the factors affecting PSD in IBs is also used.

Findings
The findings suggest that there has been a significant improvement of PSD over time. The results show a positive association between PSD and Shariah board size, board size, chief executive officer (CEO) tenure, duality in position, blockholders and investment account holders. However, they show a negative association between PSD and institutional ownership. In addition, it appears that board independence does not affect significantly banks’ PSD. It is also found that the bank performance, bank age, leverage, listing, adoption of international financial reporting standards, adoption of Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions and country transparency index have a positive effect on the PSD.

Originality/value
This study offers an original contribution to corporate disclosure literature by being the first to develop and investigate PSD for a large sample of IBs during a long period of time. It links P&S with bank corporate governance characteristics. The findings have many important policy implications. More specifically, this paper encourages regulators in the studied countries to improve corporate governance mechanisms in their Islamic banking systems through the optimization of ownership structure, CEO’s characteristics and the board’s characteristics, to promote PSD. Moreover, the findings support the theoretical predictions of the generalized agency theory. This study’s empirical evidence enhances the understanding of the corporate social responsibility disclosure environment in general and the PSD environment in particular for IBs. This study is the first one that measures PSD in the annual reports for a large cross-countries sample of IBs during a long period of time. It is also the first one that links PSD with IBs corporate governance mechanisms.
Legitimising corporate reputation in times of employee distress through disclosure
Authors: Li Zhongtian , Haque Shamima , Chapple Ellie (Larelle) 
Published: May 2018

PurposeThis paper aims to examine changes of non-financial voluntary reporting practices over time in response to episodes of employee-related distress. It investigates employee-related disclosures by the four largest electronic manufacturing services firms in China between 2008 and 2013 during a series of employment-related incidents, to investigate how the firms re-legitimate their reputation in response to the media coverage on those incidents.Design/methodology/approachA series of employee-related incidents that occurred in 2010-2012 is selected as the focus of this study, with total coverage of employee-related disclosures between 2008 and 2013. These incidents are directly linked to three of the four sample companies: Foxconn, Pegatron and Compal Electronics. Employee-related disclosures in corporate social responsibility (CSR) stand-alone reports are coded by a set of specifically designed instructions, and newspaper articles about employee-related incidents are coded for sentiment. Results are interpreted through two theoretical lenses: the media agenda setting theory and the legitimacy theory.FindingsNewspapers reported the employee-related incidents in a way detrimental to the legitimacy of firms that directly involved in the selected industry. In the process of legitimation, firms switch between disclosing more employee-related information and reducing disclosures. The self-expectation on organizational legitimacy also affects how CSR reporting is used in legitimation. The employee-related disclosure analysed is closer to symbolic legitimation than substantive legitimation.Originality/valueThis study contributes to reporting practice by showing that employee-related disclosure is largely vacuous and to a greater extent is used as symbolic legitimation. The quality of disclosure requires significant improvement. This study contributes to the literature by using the legitimacy theory to interpret employee-related disclosure in China, addressing inadequate research efforts in the context of social and human rights dimensions of CSR reporting.
Clinical and immunological effects of adsorptive myeloid lineage leukocyte apheresis in patients with immune disorders
Authors: Kanekura Takuro 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAdsorptive granulocyte and monocyte apheresis (GMA) with the Adacolumn® is an extracorporeal treatment, which uses cellulose acetate (CA) beads as adsorptive leukocytapheresis carriers designed to remove elevated and potentially activated myeloid lineage leukocytes. Reports on the clinical efficacy of GMA in patients with skin lesions have appeared in the published work. Dermatological diseases, which are known to respond to GMA, include pyoderma gangrenosum, skin lesions of Behçet's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, pustular psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, adult‐onset Still's disease, Sweet's syndrome, cutaneous allergic vasculitis and systemic lupus erythematosus rashes. In association with clinical studies, efforts to understand the mechanisms of GMA have made significant progress. GMA selectively depletes elevated myeloid lineage leukocytes through binding between blood immunoglobulin G or complement iC3b, which form on the surface of CA beads and the Fcγ receptors or complement receptors expressed on the myeloid lineage cells. However, GMA has immunomodulatory effects including down‐modulation of inflammatory cytokine profile, changes in leukocyte surface receptors and induction of regulatory T cells. These actions render GMA a unique non‐pharmacological treatment option for patients with chronic dermatoid conditions, which are difficult to treat with pharmacological preparations.
Comparative analgesic efficacy of pregabalin administered according to either a prevention protocol or an intervention protocol in rats with cisplatin‐induced peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Han Felicity Y , Kuo Andy , Nicholson Janet R , Corradinni Laura , Smith Maree T 
Published: May 2018

SummaryChemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a type of peripheral neuropathic pain that may be dose‐limiting in patients administered potentially curative cancer chemotherapy dosing regimens. In cancer survivors, persistent CIPN adversely affects patient quality of life and so adjuvant drugs (anticonvulsants eg pregabalin or antidepressants eg amitriptyline) are recommended for the relief of CIPN. However, most studies in rodent models of CIPN involve administration of single bolus doses of adjuvant drugs to assess pain‐relieving efficacy. Hence this study was designed to assess the efficacy of pregabalin administered to CIPN‐rats according to either a prevention or an intervention protocol. Groups of male Sprague‐Dawley rats received four single intraperitoneal bolus doses of cisplatin at 3 mg/kg at once‐weekly intervals to induce CIPN. For the prevention protocol, oral pregabalin (or vehicle) was administered to CIPN‐rats once‐daily for 21 consecutive days from day 0 to day 20 inclusive. For the intervention protocol, oral pregabalin was administered once‐daily for 21 consecutive days from day 28 to day 48, inclusive. Mechanical allodynia and mechanical hyperalgesia in the bilateral hindpaws were assessed just prior to each dose of cisplatin and at least once weekly until study completion (day 27, prevention protocol; or day 48, intervention protocol). Mechanical allodynia and mechanical hyperalgesia were also determined at the time of peak effect at about 2 hours post pregabalin/vehicle administration, once weekly until study completion. For the prevention protocol in CIPN‐rats, pregabalin alleviated mechanical hyperalgesia but not mechanical allodynia. For the intervention protocol, pregabalin alleviated both mechanical allodynia and mechanical hyperalgesia in the hindpaws.
Down‐regulation of KIF2A inhibits gastric cancer cell invasion via suppressing MT1‐MMP
Authors: Zhao Peng , Lan Fei , Zhang Hui , Zeng Guangwei , Liu Dong 
Published: May 2018

SummaryGastric cancer accounts for a sizeable proportion of global cancer mortality with high morbidity and poor prognosis. Kinesin superfamily proteins (KIFs) are microtubule‐dependent motor proteins that function as oncogenes in cancer cells, it has been discovered in recent years. Kinesin family member 2a (KIF2A), a member of the KIFs, has received attention for its role in carcinogenesis and its prognostic value in several human cancers such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and squamous cell carcinoma. However, the role of KIF2A in human gastric cancer remains unknown. In this study we aimed to explore the expression and biological functions of KIF2A in human gastric cancer cells, as well as to reveal its potential action mechanism. First, we found that KIF2A was markedly increased in gastric cancer cells (MKN‐28, MKN‐45, NCI‐N87 and SGC‐7901) compared to normal gastric mucosa epithelial cells (GES‐1). Then KIF2A was successfully silenced in MKN‐45 and SGC‐7901 cells to facilitate further research into its function. We discovered that KIF2A silencing can significantly inhibit the growth and invasion of MKN‐45 and SGC‐7901 cells in a time‐independent manner, accompanying a decreased expression of Membrane type 1‐matrix metalloproteinase (MT1‐MMP). When MT1‐MMP was reintroduced into MKN‐45 and SGC‐7901 cells in the KIF2A‐siRNA group, only invasion inhibition effects on MKN‐45 and SGC‐7901 cells induced by KIF2A silencing can be reversed. In conclusion, our study reveals that down‐regulation of KIF2A can inhibit gastric cancer cell invasion by suppressing MT1‐MMP.
Effect of motor‐based speech intervention on articulatory placement in the treatment of a posterior nasal fricative: a preliminary MRI study on a single subject
Authors: Mason Kazlin N. , Pua Eshan , Perry Jamie L. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundPosterior nasal fricatives are a learned compensatory articulation error and commonly substituted for oral fricatives. Treatment of such articulation errors requires the modification or teaching of skilled movements. A motor‐based approach is designed to teach the complex motor skill movement sequences required in the production of sounds. Although motor learning research is well established, little has been done to determine how the approach changes the underlying physiology of articulatory movements. While the underlying anatomical configuration of the posterior nasal fricative has been described, no studies have quantified anatomic and physiological changes pre‐ and post‐treatment.AimsTo use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize and quantify the results of motor‐based speech‐intervention approach on articulatory placement for the treatment of the posterior nasal fricative.Methods & ProceduresA 6‐year‐old male with a history of ear infections and posterior nasal fricative substitution for /s/ underwent six 1‐h sessions of a motor‐based treatment approach over the course of 2 weeks. Pre‐ and post‐treatment evaluation included perceptual and instrumental assessment of speech and resonance. Perceptual resonance was rated by two speech–language therapists and articulation was assessed at the single‐word level. Instrumental assessment included the See‐Scape, Nasometer II and MRI during the sustained phonation of /s/. Amira v5.6 Visualization and Volume modelling software used the midsagittal and oblique coronal plane to measure dimensions of the articulatory anatomy.Outcomes & ResultsInterrater reliability was assessed using a Pearson product moment correlation (α = .05) and ranged from r = .91 to .95. Intra‐rater reliability was assessed using the intra‐class correlation coefficient (.976) demonstrating a high degree of reliability with a 95% confidence interval. Articulation improved from 0% accuracy for /s/ in isolation at baseline to 100% for /s/ at the word level and 95% accuracy during conversational speech by session 6. Post‐treatment results from this study revealed a greater shortening of the levator veli palatini (levator) muscle length during articulatory movements, more pronounced velar knee and dimple, decreased velar thickness, increased velar length and altered tongue position.Conclusions & ImplicationsThis study demonstrated the use of pre‐ and post‐treatment imaging methodology to quantify articulatory changes following an intensive motor‐based treatment approach. MRI demonstrated quantifiable changes in articulatory placement. Individuals who exhibit non‐developmental and phoneme‐specific articulation errors, such as the posterior nasal fricative, may be excellent candidates for short‐term, intensive and frequent speech therapy sessions to remediate the production of the posterior nasal fricative.
Discourse and cognition in speakers with acquired brain injury (ABI): a systematic review
Authors: Hill Elizabeth , Claessen Mary , Whitworth Anne , Boyes Mark , Ward Roslyn 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundCognitive impairment, particularly of executive functioning, has been implicated in deficits in spoken discourse production following acquired brain injury (ABI). However, due to variation in the methodologies and heterogeneity of findings across studies, the nature and extent of this association is not well understood.AimsThis review aims to synthesize the literature investigating associations between cognitive deficits and discourse impairment after ABI. It is reported in accordance with guidelines of The Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses.Data sourcesSearches were conducted of a variety of databases including Medline, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL, ProQuest, Cochrane and ERIC. Additional studies were identified via reference harvesting.Eligibility criteriaStudies were included if they reported data on participants with ABI, assessed spoken discourse production and cognitive function, and performed statistical analyses to determine the association between discourse and cognitive variables. This review excluded non‐English sources and those not published in peer‐reviewed journals. Meta‐analyses were not conducted due to variability across tools and terminology used to describe participant injury‐ and non‐injury‐related characteristics and outcomes.ResultsTwenty‐five observational studies were included in the review. Findings revealed significant associations between multiple cognitive functions and discourse across micro‐linguistic to super‐structural measures. Methodological and terminological inconsistencies were identified across studies, which limited systematic comparison of the results.ConclusionsThis review revealed present, yet heterogeneous, relationships between cognitive and discourse deficits in speakers with ABI. Associations were interpreted in light of a well‐established model of discourse processing. Greater comparison across studies would have been facilitated by a standard nomenclature in relation to cognitive constructs and standardized discourse assessment. Future research should explore the influence of injury‐ and participant‐related factors on discourse–cognitive relationships. The lack of information on conversational discourse and paediatric ABI limits the generalizability of this review to daily interaction following ABI. While applicable across the lifespan, in‐depth investigation of discourse following ABI in childhood and adolescence is a priority due to complex changes in language and cognition, and the potential for impairments profoundly impact social, emotional and academic progression into adulthood. Given the centrality of remediating cognitive‐communication difficulties in ABI, the interrelationships between discourse and cognition should retain a critical focus of research. This will inform clinical management and future research with this population. Findings have implications for our theoretical understanding of discourse and the nature of its breakdown in ABI.
Quality of life and swallowing questionnaire for individuals with Parkinson's disease: development and validation
Authors: Diniz Juliana Garcia , da Silva Alfredo Carlos , Nóbrega Ana Caline 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundIndividuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) may exhibit some degree of change in swallowing dynamics during the course of the disease. These changes can affect their physical, functional and emotional quality of life.AimsTo develop a quality of life and swallowing questionnaire for individuals with PD.Methods & ProceduresThe first version of the questionnaire comprised 29 items taken from the accounts of 50 patients treated over a 2‐month period at Sarah Hospital in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. A committee of 10 experts in the field analyzed the content and reduced the questionnaire to 28 questions. The questionnaire was then administered to 140 PD patients and 47 healthy individuals. A factor analysis of the items guided the drafting of the final questionnaire, which consisted of 19 items grouped into four factors, encompassing physical, functional and emotional aspects. A test–retest assessment was conducted with 44 individuals with PD.Outcomes & ResultsThe internal consistency, estimated by the mean of Cronbach's alpha coefficient, varied between 0.71 (domain 3) and 0.94 (domain 1) in the test and between 0.69 (domain 3) and 0.95 (domain 1) in the retest. The correlation coefficient in the test/retest comparison was high and significant, demonstrating that the measurement was stable. A significant difference was observed between the PD group and the comparison group.Conclusions & ImplicationsThe questionnaire developed is a valid, statistically appropriate and clinically effective self‐administered instrument for individuals with PD.