bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dual-Tracer PET/CT Differentiates 2 Types of Primary Cancers and Metastases in a Patient With Crossed Fused Renal Ectopia
Authors: Ho Chi-lai , Chen Sirong , Leung Yim Lung , Cheng Kam Chau , Wong Yuet Hung 
Published: November 2018

Abstract
A patient was found incidentally on dual-tracer (11C-acetate [ACT] and 18F-FDG [FDG]) PET/CT for having crossed fused renal ectopia and 2 types of malignant tumors, colonic carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma (RCC), each having its own characteristic tracer avidity. Multiple liver metastases were also mutually exclusive, with a purely ACT-avid group of metastatic lesions from RCC and another FDG-avid group from colonic carcinoma. Bone and lung metastases, however, could not be readily distinguishable in terms of primary origins. Crossed fused renal ectopia is a rare anomaly, even rarer to have RCC coexisting with a second primary malignancy.
Translating Sexual Dysfunction: Does Language Impact Clinical Discussion of Painful Sex?
Authors: Eisenach Natalie , Zoorob Dani , Nazir Niaman , Pedraza Ruth , Swan Kimberly 
Published: November 2018

Objectives
Dyspareunia and sexual dysfunction are estimated to affect up to 22% and 43% of women, respectively. There is concern that these statistics do not depict the true prevalence and that these conditions are frequently undiagnosed and untreated. By 2060, Latinos will make up 30% of the total population in the United States. Because our patient population becomes more diverse, we need to ensure that our healthcare practices accommodate the changes.

Methods
We surveyed a convenience sample of 107 English and 71 Spanish-speaking women, aged 18 to 45 years, at university-affiliated clinics to identify the prevalence of dyspareunia and sexual dysfunction within our community. In addition, we wanted to identify the rate that clinicians discuss painful sex with patients to identify whether language impacted communication. The surveys collected data on subjective reporting of pain with sex and objective identification of sexual dysfunction with the Female Sexual Function Index. Additional questions identified if subjects discussed pain with their clinician. These questions were analyzed between languages across all domains.

Results
A greater prevalence of both dyspareunia and sexual dysfunction was measured in our study population compared with previous reports (37.79% and 54.71%, respectively). Spanish-speaking women had significantly lower self-reported dyspareunia (28.99%) but scored significantly lower on the Female Sexual Function Index, qualifying for sexual dysfunction (63.24%). Spanish speakers discussed painful sex significantly less compared with the English cohort, but the overall discussion rate was only 17.26%.

Conclusions
These pilot data demonstrate a need for further research on language as a barrier to communication about sexual function in clinic.
Gaussian-distributed codon frequencies of genomes
Authors: Khomtchouk Bohdan B. , Nonner Wolfgang 
Published: November 2018

AbstractDNA encodes protein primary structure using 64 different codons to specify 20 different amino acids and a stop signal. Frequencies of codon occurrence when ordered in descending sequence provide a global characterization of a genome’s preference (bias) for using the different codons of the redundant genetic code. Whereas frequency/rank relations have been described by empirical relations, here we propose a statistical model in which two different forms of codon usage co-exist in a genome. We investigate whether such a model can account for the range of codon usages observed in a large set of genomes from different taxa. The differences in frequency/rank relations across these genomes can be expressed in a single parameter, the proportion of the two codon compartments. One compartment uses different codons with weak bias according to a Gaussian distribution of frequency, the other uses different codons with strong bias. In prokaryotic genomes both compartments appear to be present in a wide range of proportions, whereas in eukaryotic genomes the compartment with Gaussian distribution tends to dominate. Codon frequencies that are Gaussian-distributed suggest that many evolutionary conditions are involved in shaping weakly-biased codon usage, whereas strong bias in codon usage suggests dominance of few evolutionary conditions.
Streptococcal phosphotransferase system imports unsaturated hyaluronan disaccharide derived from host extracellular matrices
Authors: Oiki Sayoko , Nakamichi Yusuke , Maruyama Yukie , Mikami Bunzo , Murata Kousaku , Hashimoto Wataru 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACTCertain bacterial species target the polysaccharide glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) of animal extracellular matrices for colonization and/or infection. GAGs such as hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate consist of repeating disaccharide units of uronate and amino sugar residues, and are depolymerized to unsaturated disaccharides by bacterial extracellular or cell-surface polysaccharide lyase. The disaccharides are degraded and metabolized by cytoplasmic enzymes such as unsaturated glucuronyl hydrolase, isomerase, and reductase. The genes encoding these enzymes are assembled to form a GAG genetic cluster. Here, we demonstrate theStreptococcus agalactiaephosphotransferase system (PTS) for import of unsaturated hyaluronan disaccharide.S. agalactiaeNEM316 was found to depolymerize and assimilate hyaluronan, whereas its mutant with a disruption in PTS genes included in the GAG cluster was unable to grow on hyaluronan, while retaining the ability to depolymerize hyaluronan. Using toluene-treated wild-type cells, the PTS import activity of unsaturated hyaluronan disaccharide was significantly higher than that observed in the absence of the substrate. In contrast, the PTS mutant was unable to import unsaturated hyaluronan disaccharide, indicating that the corresponding PTS is the only importer of fragmented hyaluronan, which is suitable for PTS to phosphorylate the substrate at the C-6 position. The three-dimensional structure of streptococcal EIIA, one of the PTS components, was found to contain a Rossman-fold motif by X-ray crystallization. Docking of EIIA with another component EIIB by modeling provided structural insights into the phosphate transfer mechanism. This study is the first to identify the substrate (unsaturated hyaluronan disaccharide) recognized and imported by the streptococcal PTS.IMPORTANCE (118/120 words)The PTS identified in this work imports sulfate group-free unsaturated hyaluronan disaccharide as a result of the phosphorylation of the substrate at the C-6 position.S. agalactiaecan be indigenous to animal hyaluronan-rich tissues owing to the bacterial molecular system for fragmentation, import, degradation, and metabolism of hyaluronan. Distinct from hyaluronan, most GAGs, which are sulfated at the C-6 position, are unsuitable for PTS due to its inability to phosphorylate the substrate. More recently, we have identified a solute-binding protein-dependent ABC transporter in a pathogenicStreptobacillus moniliformisas an importer of sulfated and non-sulfated fragmented GAGs without any substrate modification. Our findings regarding PTS and ABC transporter shed light on bacterial clever colonization/infection system targeting various animal GAGs.
Distinctions among electroconvulsion- and proconvulsant-induced seizure discharges and native motor patterns during flight and grooming: Quantitative spike pattern analysis inDrosophilaflight muscles
Authors: Lee Jisue , Iyengar Atulya , Wu Chun-Fang 
Published: November 2018

AbstractInDrosophila, high-frequency electrical stimulation across the brain triggers a highly stereotypic repertoire of spasms known as electroconvulsive seizures (ECS). The distinctive ECS spiking discharges manifest across the nervous system and can be stably assessed throughout the seizure repertoire in the large indirect flight muscles (DLMs). ECS discharges in DLMs have been extensively used to monitor seizure activities, notably in stress (‘bang’)-sensitive mutants. However, the relationships between ECS-spike patterns and native motor programs, including flight and grooming, are not known and their similarities and distinctions remain to be characterized. We employed quantitative spike pattern analyses including: 1) overall firing frequency, 2) spike timing between contralateral fibers, and 3) short-term variability in spike interval regularity (CV2) and instantaneous firing frequency (ISI−1) to reveal distinctions amongst ECS discharges, flight and grooming motor patterns. We then examined DLM firing phenotypes in well-established mutants in excitatory cholinergic (Cha), inhibitory GABAergic (Rdl) and electrical (ShakB) synaptic transmission. The results provide an initial glimpse on the vulnerability of individual motor patterns to perturbations of respective synaptic transmission systems. We found marked alterations of ECS discharge spike patterns in terms of either seizure threshold, spike frequency or spiking regularity. In contrast, no gross alterations during grooming and only a minor reduction of firing frequency during Rdl mutant flight were observed, suggesting a role for GABAergic modulation of flight motor programs. Picrotoxin (PTX), a known pro-convulsant that inhibits GABAAreceptors, induced DLM seizure patterns that displayed some features, e.g. left-right coordination and ISI−1range, that could be found in flight or grooming, but distinct from ECS discharges. Our results indicate that these quantitative techniques may be employed to reveal overlooked relationships among aberrant motor patterns and native DLM motor programs in genetic and pharmacological analyses of underlying cellular and neural circuit function.
High-throughput genotyping of the spelt gene pool reveals patterns of agricultural history in Europe
Authors: Abrouk Michael , Stritt Christoph , Müller Thomas , Keller Beat , Roulin Anne C. , Krattinger Simon G. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSpelt, a close relative of hexaploid bread wheat and a dominant wheat subspecies cultivated in Europe before the 20thcentury, still plays an important role as a high-value niche product today. Compared to most other cereals, spelt has not been subjected to intensive breeding in the 20thcentury. Even today, mostly traditional landraces are cultivated on a regional scale. The traditional way of spelt cultivation has limited the extensive exchange of germ plasm and intermixing of genetic material, which makes spelt an ideal crop to study the early agricultural history of cereals in Europe. Here, we unraveled the population structure and agricultural history of spelt based on 22,999 high-quality SNPs obtained by genotyping-by-sequencing on 267 spelt accessions covering the entire cultivation range. SNP markers were aligned to the high-quality bread wheat reference genome, which allowed us to analyze individual subgenomes. Our analyses of genetic variation revealed that bread wheat and spelt are most likely of monophyletic origin, but that European spelt diverged from bread wheat by hybridization with tetraploid emmer wheats. Interestingly, spelt accessions from the Iberian Peninsula formed a separate clade that was distinct from the Central European accessions for all three subgenomes. Demographic modelling indicated that Iberian spelt was introduced into Europe independently from Central European spelt. Our analysis provides a comprehensive assessment of spelt diversity and history. The separate introduction of Iberian spelt is supported by recent molecular evidence of two independent prehistoric migrations of ancient farmers from the Near East into Europe.
Development of a New Method for the Highly Effective Identification of Cold Resistance in Living Avocado Varieties
Authors: Chunlin Zheng , Fan Wu , Cuiling Li , Wenli Peng , Shaofeng Zhang , Jingjie Zhu , Hao Jiang , Maofu Li 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThis paper first identified the cold resistance of 38 varieties of avocado by determining the semi-lethal low temperature (LT50) of the leaves using an electrical conductivity method in combination with a logistic function, and then analyzed the correlation between the LT50 of 27 varieties and the capacitance measured 9 different parts of the leaves in vivo, to explore the relationship between the cold resistance of various avocado varieties and the capacitance of different parts of avocado leaves, so as to develop a new method for highly effective identification of cold resistance of living avocado varieties. The results showed that various avocado varieties’ LT50 was significantly positively correlated with the capacitance of some parts of leaves, showing that the cold resistance of various avocado varieties was negatively correlated with the capacitance of various leaf parts. The results of mango variety trials conducted for comparison is coincident with the theoretical conclusion reached in the identification of the cold resistance of the avocado. So as to the study of the cold resistance of avocado and mango varieties, the capacitance of live mature leaves measured in the field can be used as a new method for the judgment of cold resistance.HighlightA new method for identification of avocado cold resistance through measuring the capacitance of different parts of leaves was developed. This method are simple, quick and efficient.
The impact of the global financial crisis on Moroccan exports: a gravity model approach
Authors: Lahrech Abdelmounaim , Faribi Anass , Al-Malkawi Husam-Aldin N. , Sylwester Kevin 
Published: November 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the global financial crisis (GFC) on Morocco’s export performance employing a gravity model framework.Design/methodology/approachThe authors investigate trade flows between Morocco and its 18 major trading partners from 2001 to 2015. The authors employ a trade gravity model using a first-order Taylor approximation of multilateral resistance terms and estimate by OLS and PPML.FindingsMorocco’s export performance was affected by theGFC. The authors find evidence that the fall in aggregate demand from Morocco’s trading partners, particularly in Europe, led to a fall in its exports. The authors also find that Morocco’s exports are positively correlated with the market size of its partner but negatively associated with distance.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature in two distinct ways. First, it examines variables affecting export performance in one of the emerging markets in the Middle East and North Africa region. Second, it assesses empirically whether there is a relationship between theGFCand the decline in Moroccan exports. The study also provides a number of important implications for policy makers and academics.
Is awareness of credit sources prerequisite for their use? A study of rural Assam
Authors: Das Tiken 
Published: November 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the determinants of awareness and use of credit sources. The paper attempts to answer the critical question: is awareness of credit sources prerequisite for their use?

Design/methodology/approach
This study is conducted in Assam, India, and uses a two-stage econometric model to reduce possible selection bias.

Findings
This study argues that awareness of credit sources may be a necessary but not sufficient prerequisite for use. It is found that, in general, formal, semiformal and informal sources attract different classes of the population with respect to economic and social indicators.

Research limitations/implications
The study recommends expanding the scope of semiformal and informal credit sources in rural areas of Assam only for income generating activities with proper market linkages. The possible limitation of the study can be due to exclusion of the role of traditional community-based organizations in rural Assam while analyzing the awareness and use of credit sources.

Originality/value
The study contributes to the literature by assessing the probable differences among formal, semiformal and informal credit sources with respect to their determinants of awareness and use.
Determinants of credit spreads in hotel CMBS loans
Authors: Singh Amrik 
Published: November 2018

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the determinants of credit spreads in hotel loans securitized into commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) between 2010 and 2015.Design/methodology/approachThe sample represents 1,579 US hotel fixed interest rate whole loans with an aggregate mortgage value of $26.6bn at loan origination. The relationship between credit spreads and property, loan and market characteristic is examined via multiple regression analysis. Additionally, the method of 2-stage least squares is used to control for endogeneity bias and identify the effect of the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio on credit spreads.FindingsThe multiple regression models explain 80 per cent of the variation in credit spreads and show a significant association of credit spreads with hotel and loan characteristics and market conditions. The findings indicate the debt coverage ratio to be the most important predictor of credit spreads followed by the loan maturity term, implied capitalization rate, LTV and yield curve. The results show the debt yield premium to be a stronger predictor of credit spreads than the debt yield ratio. The spread between the debt yield ratio and mortgage interest rate could be used in future research as an instrumental variable to identify the effect of the LTV on credit spreads.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to the CMBS market and the period after the financial crisis. Additional limitations include sample selection bias, exclusion of multi-property loans and variable interest rate loans.Practical implicationsInterest rate increases in an expanding economy would likely increase the cost of borrowing for hotel owners leading to higher debt service payments and lower profitability. If an increase in interest rates is offset by a decline in credit spreads, hotel owners will still benefit from the ensuing stability in borrowing interest rates. The evidence also suggests that CMBS lenders favor select service and extended stay hotels. Owners and operators of these efficient and profitable hotels will likely obtain loans with lower credit spreads given their lower risk of default.Originality/valueThe current study provides evidence on the effects of loan and property characteristics in the pricing of loan risk and serves to inform CMBS market participants about the factors that drive credit spreads in hotel mortgage loans.
Suppliers’ local network embeddedness and buyers’ joint innovation
Authors: Liu Feng Hsu , Chen Lu Jui , Tsou Hung Tai 
Published: November 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of original equipment manufacturing suppliers’ local network embeddedness on buyers’ relative attention and joint innovation through service innovation competence.Design/methodology/approachA structural equation model was analyzed using AMOS 21 with data derived from 165 buyers in the Taiwanese electronics industry.FindingsFrom the buyer perspective, suppliers with embedded network relationships in emerging markets are perceived to be service oriented and to have relative attention and joint innovation that are attractive to buyers. In addition, the findings of empirical testing conducted in this study suggest that perceived exploitative and explorative service innovation competence partially mediate the relationship between perceived network embeddedness and relative attention, while explorative service innovation competence partially mediates the influence of perceived network embeddedness on buyers’ joint innovation.Originality/valueThis study innovatively employed a buyer perspective to examine the servitization of manufacturing suppliers and the effects of this on the buyer–supplier relationship, providing new insights into the role of service innovation competence as well as important theoretical and managerial implications.
Positive psychological capacities: the mystery ingredient in successful service recoveries?
Authors: Azab Carol , Clark Terry , Jarvis Cheryl Burke 
Published: November 2018

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the influence of frontline employees’ (FLEs’) positive psychological capacities (PPCs) (optimism, hope, resilience and self-efficacy) on service recovery.Design/methodology/approachA model of FLE PPCs is tested using two studies: a field study (Nretail= 205; Nrestaurant= 160) and between-subject experimental design (Neducation= 206) in three service settings.FindingsResults show that positive emotions mediate the relationship between PPCs and problem-solving adaptability, and that authenticity of positive emotions moderates the relationship between positive emotions and interactional justice. Surprisingly, problem-solving adaptability positively influences perceptions of distributive justice and interactional justice. A small interaction effect between positive emotions and problem-solving adaptability also was found.Research limitations/implicationsThe dependent variable (problem-solving adaptability) was measured using an open-ended question evaluated by objective, independent raters rather than a self-reported structured metric, to minimize social desirability bias.Practical implicationsGiven that the customer complaints to the Better Business Bureau in 2016 were close to one million, most of them occurring in the service sector, service firms need continuous research into improving service recovery. This study argues that firms can improve FLEs’ problem-solving adaptability behavior by training existing FLEs to strengthen PPCs, hiring FLEs that have strong PPCs and fostering positive emotions.Originality/valueThis is the first study that examines the effect of PPCs on service recovery outcomes. By incorporating PPCs as antecedents of positive emotions, this paper explains how FLEs can offer a better recovery rather than dictating what they ought to display and say. An explanation of how FLE PPCs influence customer outcomes via the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions and emotion contagion theory is offered, highlighting a novel path/relationship between FLE positive emotions and problem-solving abilities, and extending emotion contagion to service recovery.
The Significance of Regulatory MicroRNAs: Their Roles in Toxicodynamics of Mycotoxins and in the Protection Offered by Dietary Therapeutics Against Mycotoxin‐Induced Toxicity
Authors: Rong Xue , Sun‐Waterhouse Dongxiao , Wang Dan , Jiang Yang , Li Feng , Chen Yilun , Zhao Shancang , Li Dapeng 
Published: November 2018

AbstractMycotoxins are contaminants commonly found in foods and represent a worldwide threat to human health and welfare. Efforts have been undertaken to reduce mycotoxins and their toxicity, including the introduction of good agricultural practices, appropriate food processing, specific biotransformation approaches, and pursue therapeutic agents to counteract mycotoxins. Efficient and predictive tools are required for investigations on mycotoxins and their toxicodynamics, and strategies for mycotoxin reduction. Gene expression and transcriptome analysis can unravel the mode of action, transformation and combined toxicity of mycotoxins, or mycotoxin's interactions with food components including dietary therapeutics, at the cellular level and from a molecular perspective. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate endogenously and posttranscriptionally the expression of target genes and enzymes involved in physiological, disease and toxicological responses, and the metabolism of therapeutic agents. Accordingly, this review aimed to collect up‐to‐date information on (1) the regulatory role of miRNAs in mycotoxin‐initiated toxicological processes and (2) the protective role of active ingredients from plants on mycotoxin‐induced toxicity. Through such a review of published evidence, we found some common signal pathways involving miRNAs shared by these two types of biological events. This finding indicates the possibility of using miRNAs as biomarkers in assessing and controlling mycotoxins in food via cellular mechanisms.