bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Coordinated host-pathogen transcriptional dynamics revealed using sorted subpopulations and single,Candida albicansinfected macrophages
Authors: Muñoz José F. , Delorey Toni , Ford Christopher B. , Li Bi Yu , Thompson Dawn A. , Rao Reeta P. , Cuomo Christina A. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe outcome of fungal infections depends on interactions with innate immune cells. Within a population of macrophages encounteringC. albicans, there are distinct host-pathogen trajectories; however, little is known about the molecular heterogeneity that governs these fates. We developed an experimental system to separate interaction stages and single macrophage cells infected withC. albicansfrom uninfected cells and assessed transcriptional variability in the host and fungus. Macrophages displayed an initial up-regulation of pathways involved in phagocytosis and proinflammatory response afterC. albicansexposure that declined during later time points. PhagocytosedC. albicansshifted expression programs to survive the nutrient poor phagosome and remodeled the cell wall. The transcriptomes of single infected macrophages and phagocytosedC. albicansrevealed a tightly coordinated shift in gene expression co-stages and revealed expression bimodality and differential splicing that may drive infection outcome. This work establishes an approach for studying host-pathogen trajectories to resolve heterogeneity in dynamic populations.
Speed-Selectivity in Retinal Ganglion Cells is Modulated by the Complexity of the Visual Stimulus
Authors: Ravello César R , Perrinet Laurent U , Escobar María-José , Palacios Adrián G 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTMotion detection represents one of the critical tasks of the visual system and has motivated a large body of research. However, is remain unclear precisely why the response of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) to simple artificial stimuli does not predict their response to complex naturalistic stimuli. To explore this topic, we use Motion Clouds (MC), which are synthetic textures that preserve properties of natural images and are merely parameterized, in particular by modulating the spatiotemporal spectrum complexity of the stimulus by adjusting the frequency bandwidths. By stimulating the retina of the diurnal rodent,Octodon deguswith MC we show that the RGCs respond to increasingly complex stimuli by narrowing their adjustment curves in response to movement. At the level of the population, complex stimuli produce a sparser code while preserving movement information; therefore, the stimuli are encoded more efficiently. Interestingly, these properties were observed throughout different populations of RGCs. Thus, our results reveal that the response at the level of RGCs is modulated by the naturalness of the stimulus - in particular for motion - which suggests that the tuning to the statistics of natural images already emerges at the level of the retina.
Determining the Hierarchical Architecture of the Human Brain Using Subject-Level Clustering of Functional Networks
Authors: Akiki Teddy J. , Abdallah Chadi G. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractOptimal integration and segregation of neuronal connections are necessary for efficient large-scale network communication between distributed cortical regions while allowing for modular specialization. This dynamic in the cortex is enabled at the network mesoscale—the organization of nodes into communities. Previous in vivo efforts to map the mesoscale architecture in humans had several limitations. Here we characterize a consensus multiscale community organization of the functional cortical network. We derive this consensus from the clustering of subject-level networks. We show that this subject-derived consensus framework yields clusters that better map to the individual, compared to the widely-used group-derived consensus approach. We applied this analysis to magnetic resonance imaging data from 1003 healthy individuals part of the Human Connectome Project. The hierarchical atlas and code will be made publicly available for future investigators.
Bayesian tip dating reveals heterogeneous morphological clocks in Mesozoic birds
Authors: Zhang Chi , Wang Min 
Published: June 2018

AbstractRecently, comprehensive morphological datasets including nearly all the well-recognized Mesozoic birds become available, making it feasible for statistically rigorous methods to unveil finer evolutionary patterns during early avian evolution. However, few quantitative and statistical studies have yet been performed. Here, we exploited the advantage of Bayesian tip dating under relaxed morphological clocks to infer both the divergence times and evolutionary rates while accounting for their uncertainties. We further subdivided the characters into six body regions (i.e., skull, axial skeleton, pectoral girdle and sternum, forelimb, pelvic girdle, and hindlimb) to assess evolutionary rate heterogeneity both along the lineages and across partitions. We observed extremely high rates of morphological character changes during early avian evolution and the clock rates are quite heterogeneous among the six regions. The branch subtending Pygostylia shows extremely high rate in the axial skeleton, while the branches subtending Ornithothoraces and Enantiornithes show very high rates in the pectoral girdle and sternum, and moderately high rates in the forelimb. The extensive modifications in these body regions largely correspond to refinement of the flight capability. The rest of the relatively slow and even rates suggest that there is no dominant selective pressure in favoring of modifications in the skull and pelvis. This study reveals the power and flexibility of Bayesian tip dating implemented in MrBayes to investigate evolutionary dynamics in deep time.
Two new plasmid post-segregational killing mechanisms for the implementation of synthetic gene networks inE. coli
Authors: Fedorec Alex J H , Ozdemir Tanel , Doshi Anjali , Rosa Luca , Velazquez Oscar , Danino Tal , Barnes Chris P 
Published: June 2018

AbstractPlasmids are the workhorse of both industrial biotechnology and synthetic biology, but ensuring they remain in bacterial cells is a challenge. Antibiotic selection, commonly used in the laboratory, cannot be used to stabilise plasmids in most real-world applications, and inserting dynamical gene networks into the genome is difficult. Plasmids have evolved several mechanisms for stability, one of which, post-segregational killing (PSK), ensures that plasmid-free cells do not grow or survive. Here we demonstrate the plasmid-stabilising capabilities of the axe/txe two component system and the microcin-V system in the probiotic bacteriaEscherichia coliNissle 1917 and show they can outperform the hok/sok system commonly used in biotechnological applications. Using plasmid stability assays, automated flow cytometry analysis, mathematical models and Bayesian statistics we quantified plasmid stabilityin vitro. Further, we used anin vivomouse cancer model to demonstrate plasmid stability in a real-world therapeutic setting. These new PSK systems, plus the developed Bayesian methodology, will have wide applicability in clinical and industrial biotechnology.
Testing for bubbles in housing markets: some evidence for Brazil
Authors: Besarria Cássio da Nóbrega , Paes Nelson Leitão , Silva Marcelo Eduardo Alves 
Published: June 2018

PurposeHousing prices in Brazil have displayed an impressive growth in recent years, raising some concerns about the existence of a bubble in housing markets. In this paper, the authors implement an empirical methodology to identify whether or not there is a bubble in housing markets in Brazil.Design/methodology/approachBased on a theoretical model that establish that, in the absence of a bubble, a long-run equilibrium relationship should be observed between the market price of an asset and its dividends. The authors implement two methodologies. First, the authors assess whether there is a cointegration relationship between housing prices and housing rental prices. Second, the authors test whether the price-to-rent ratio is stationary.FindingsThe authors’ results show that there is evidence of a bubble in housing prices in Brazil. However, given the short span of the data, the authors perform a Monte Carlo simulation and show that the cointegration tests may be biased in small samples. Therefore, the authors should be caution when assessing the results.Research limitations/implicationsThe results obtained from the cointegration analysis can be biased for small samples.Practical implicationsThe information on the excessive increase of the prices of the properties in relation to their fundamental value can help in the decision-making on investment of the economic agents.Social implicationsThese results corroborate the hypothesis that Brazil has an excessive appreciation in housing prices, and, as Silva and Besarria (2018) have suggested, this behavior explains, in part, the fact that the central bank has taken this issue into account when deciding about the stance of monetary policy of Brazil.Originality/valueThe originality is linked to the use of the Gregory-Hansen method of cointegration in the identification of bubbles and discussion of the limitations of the research through Monte Carlo simulation.
Experimental investigation on the carbonation properties of dune sand ceramic waste mortar
Authors: Abadou Yacine , Kettab Ratiba , Ghreib Abderrahmane 
Published: June 2018

Purpose
This paper aims to analyse the behaviour of dune sand mortars with the addition of ceramic waste. The objective of improving the performance of these modified mortars was evaluated in terms of accelerated carbonation performance.

Design/methodology/approach
The effect of these recycled materials was studied in an experimental programme through several tests. The carbonation depth was determined using a classical phenolphthalein test. The mass fractions of Ca(OH)2 and CaCO3 were calculated using thermogravimetric analysis, water absorption occurring through capillary action and open porosity, and the mechanical characteristics were measured after subjecting the materials to wetting–drying cycles.

Findings
The results show that using ceramic waste provides better performance in terms of water absorption by capillary action, open porosity and carbonation penetration.

Originality/value
This research is a study of the incorporation of ceramic waste up to 10 per cent in dune sand mortar. The choice of using ceramic waste to produce dune sand mortars has benefits from economic, environmental and technical points of view and offers a possibility for improving the durability of mortars.
A model of stock prices leading earnings
Authors: Lee Jay Junghun 
Published: June 2018

Purpose
Prior literature suggests that stock prices lead earnings in reflecting value-relevant information because accounting income incorporates information discretely to satisfy recognition principles while stock prices incorporate it continuously. The purpose of this paper is to derive an analytical model that relates the time lag of earnings to the incremental informativeness of future anticipated earnings in equity prices after controlling for current realized earnings.

Design/methodology/approach
This study models the extent to which forward-looking information about future earnings is capitalized into current stock returns. Specifically, this study derives an analytical future earnings response coefficient (FERC) model that regresses current stock returns on both current and future earnings surprises, and examines the properties of the regression coefficients on current earnings (i.e. current earnings response coefficient, CERC) and future earnings (i.e. FERC).

Findings
The analytical FERC model shows that the pricing coefficient on future earnings (FERC) is positive in the presence of stock prices leading earnings. More importantly, the pricing coefficient on future earnings (FERC) increases with the recognition lag, but the pricing coefficient on current earnings (CERC) decreases with the lag. The results suggest that recognition principles that intend to enhance the reliability of earnings inadvertently lower the timeliness of earnings and, thus, shift the investors’ demand for value-relevant information from current realized earnings to future anticipated earnings.

Originality/value
This study makes two major contributions. First, it fills the gap between the lack of an analytical model and the abundance of empirical findings in previous FERC studies. As the recognition lag of earnings increases, stock investors shift the pricing weight on value-relevant information from current realized earnings to future anticipated earnings. Second, it provides support for the validity of the FERC model as an empirical model that examines the lack of earnings timeliness. As the timeliness of earnings relative to stock prices declines, the FERC increases but the CERC decreases.
How and when servant leadership enhances life satisfaction
Authors: Li Yanping , Li Diwan , Tu Yidong , Liu Jie 
Published: June 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between servant leadership and life satisfaction through the mediating role of workplace positive affect (WPA), and the moderating roles of collectivistic orientation and general self-efficacy.

Design/methodology/approach
Using a sample of 304 employees in a two-wave survey, the hypotheses were demonstrated with hierarchical regression analyses.

Findings
The results revealed that servant leadership was positively related to employee life satisfaction, and WPA served as a mediator between them. Moreover, collectivistic orientation and general self-efficacy moderated the relationship between servant leadership and WPA, and the indirect effect of servant leadership on life satisfaction via WPA.

Research limitations/implications
The time-lagged research design of this study may limit the ability to draw causal conclusions. Moreover, as this research was conducted in a Chinese context, the question of the generalizability of our findings calls for more attention.

Practical implications
Leaders are encouraged to adopt the servant leadership style to facilitate employee life satisfaction and organizations should select and recruit managers with servant leadership qualities. Furthermore, because employees’ collectivistic orientation and general self-efficacy moderate the effects of servant leadership on followers’ outcomes, managers need to take individual differences into consideration when they implement managerial strategy.

Originality/value
This research contributed to a burgeoning stream of servant leadership literature by investigating the functions of servant leadership in promoting life satisfaction, and exploring the affective mechanism linking servant leadership and life satisfaction as well as the boundary conditions of collectivistic orientation and general self-efficacy.
Becoming a leader – first, take charge of your own learning process
Authors: Allio Robert J. 
Published: June 2018

Purpose
The article guides the process for each aspiring leader to develop his or her own unique approach to leading.

Design/methodology/approach
Executives and managers can deepen theirunderstanding of leadership by mining three sources: the burgeoning archives of contemporary leadership theory and practice, case histories of leaders and leadership and the classic writings of literature, history and philosophy.

Findings
More managers must learn to be leaders, and the best way to make it happen is to avoid the clichés, the leadership training marketing hype, the platitudes and the pseudo-scholarly research and take charge of your own leadership journey.

Practical implications
The core of the do-it-yourself approach is to learn to lead by doing. Mastering the role of a leader is a challenge that, like mastering any craft, requires continual practice.

Originality/value
The article is an antidote to leadership training marketing hype. Instead of buying dubious advice, potential leaders can seize the opportunity to be creative, to discover a personal approach to leading that fits the time and place and is compatible with their own persona, values and beliefs.
Rats choose high doses of nicotine in order to compensate for changes in its price and availability
Authors: Holmes Nathan M. , Pan Jiajing , Davis Andrew , Panayi Marios C. , Clemens Kelly J. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractRestricting when and where smoking can occur is a major focus of public health policies in Western countries. In conjunction with increased taxation, these approaches have contributed to a reduction in smoking uptake among adolescents, yet the consequences for established smokers are less clear. In order to further explore this relationship, we developed a novel animal model of restricted nicotine self‐administration. Rats were trained to choose between three doses of nicotine (15, 30 and 60 μg/kg/infusion) under conditions where nicotine was (1) freely available at a low cost (20‐second post‐infusion time‐out, fixed‐ratio 1 [FR1]), (2) available under restricted access at a low cost (300‐second post‐infusion time‐out, FR1), or (3) freely available at a high cost (20‐second post‐infusion time‐out, FR5). We demonstrate that as access to nicotine is restricted or when cost increases, rats compensate for these changes by increasing their intake of the highest dose of nicotine available. This preference was impervious to treatment with the smoking cessation medication varenicline, but was reduced when the cost of the highest dose only was increased, or when nicotine was again made freely available at a low cost. These results provide the first evidence in rats that nicotine availability and cost influence nicotine choice independently of variations in nicotine and context exposure. They imply that established smokers may compensate for changes in the availability and cost of tobacco by increasing their rate of smoking when they are free to do so.
Adoption and welfare impacts of multiple agricultural technologies: evidence from eastern Zambia
Authors: Khonje Makaiko G. , Manda Julius , Mkandawire Petros , Tufa Adane Hirpa , Alene Arega D. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractUsing plot level panel data and multinomial endogenous switching regression, this article analyzes the adoption and welfare impacts of multiple agricultural technologies in eastern Zambia. We adapt a multinomial endogenous switching/treatment effect regression framework to correct for selection bias and endogeneity originating from both observed and unobserved heterogeneity. Results indicate that joint adoption of multiple agricultural technologies had greater impacts on crop yields, household incomes, and poverty than the adoption of individual components of the technology package. Our findings suggest that efforts aimed at raising household incomes and reducing poverty should focus on promoting the adoption of multiple agricultural technologies through provision of improved support services such as extension and input supply.
Metastatic gastric cancer: Does the site of metastasis make a difference?
Authors: Tan Hwee Leong , Chia Claramae Shulyn , Tan Grace Hwei Ching , Choo Su Pin , Tai David Wai‐Meng , Chua Clarinda Wei Ling , Ng Matthew Chau Hsien , Soo Khee Chee , Teo Melissa Ching Ching 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBackgroundMetastatic gastric cancer has a poor prognosis. We aim to study how clinical features and prognosis differs between different metastatic sites, and to identify prognostic factors for overall survival.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed patients with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma managed at a tertiary referral cancer center over a 5‐year period. We divided our cohort into three groups based on the site(s) of metastasis at presentation—peritoneal metastasis only (P), distant metastasis only (D), and peritoneal and distant metastases (PD).ResultsWe studied 470 patients with 175 (37.2%), 193 (41.1%) and 102 (21.7%) patients in the P, D and PD groups, respectively. Patients with peritoneal disease (both P and PD) had higher proportions of patients experiencing chemotherapy disruption due to unplanned hospitalizations, which were also of a longer average duration. The P group had the longest overall median survival of 8.9 months compared to the PD and D groups with 7.4 and 5.5 months, respectively (P < 0.001). On multivariate Cox regression analysis, the presence of ≥1 metastatic site (hazard ratio [HR] 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23–2.28; P = 0.001) was significantly associated with increased overall mortality, whereas palliative systemic chemotherapy (HR 0.29; 95% CI, 0.22–0.37; P < 0.001) and palliative gastrectomy (HR 0.24; 95% CI, 0.15–0.39; P < 0.001) were significantly associated with decreased overall mortality.ConclusionMetastatic gastric cancer represents a heterogeneous disease, with specific disease complications and treatment outcomes unique to different metastatic sites. We can consider novel multimodality therapies for patient subgroups with isolated metastatic disease and good prognostic factors in a bid to improve long‐term survival.
Clinical features and outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma in Caucasian cirrhotic patients on long‐term analogue therapy for hepatitis B
Authors: Loglio A. , Iavarone M. , Grossi G. , Viganò M. , Rumi MG. , Facchetti F. , Lunghi G. , Sangiovanni A. , Colombo M. , Lampertico P. 
Published: June 2018

SummaryBackgroundLong‐term oral nucleos(t)ide analogue (NUC) therapy in hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related compensated cirrhotics prevents clinical decompensation but not hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development.AimsTo define the clinical features and outcomes of HCC in long‐term NUC‐treated HBV patients.MethodsAll HCCs developing between 2005 and 2016 in NUC‐treated HBV patients under surveillance were studied, excluding those that occurred within the first 6 months of therapy. Clinical features of HCC, alpha faetoprotein (AFP) patterns and patients' outcome were studied.ResultsSeventy‐six HCC patients were included. Median age was 67 (40‐83) years, 84% males, 96% Caucasian, 95% HBeAg‐negative, 96% with undetectable HBV DNA, 83% with normal ALT levels, and 92% with compensated cirrhosis. Median serum AFP levels were 4 (1‐3615) ng/mL (>7 ng/mL in 36%). HCC was monofocal in 78%, had a median diameter of 20 (6‐57) mm and was in its early stage in 92% which allowed potentially curative treatments in 78% (39% ablation, 28% surgical resection, 11% liver transplantation). Overall, a complete response was obtained in 61 (80%) patients: in 40 after a first‐line treatment, in 3 after the second–line treatment, in 2 after the third‐line treatment, while 16 underwent liver transplantation (8 as second line). During 45 (7‐144) months after HCC diagnosis, 19 patients died, 84% from HCC progression. The median time to recurrence was 20.2 (3‐53) months, and the cumulative 5‐year liver‐related survival was 74%.ConclusionsHCCs developing in patients under long‐term NUC treatment were single, small tumours, amenable to curative therapies able to confer excellent 5‐year survival rates.