bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Chronic Inflammation, Assessed by hs-CRP, on the Association between Red Cell Distribution Width and Arterial Cardiovascular Disease: The Tromsø Study
Authors: Lappegård Jostein , Ellingsen Trygve , Hindberg Kristian , Mathiesen Ellisiv , Njølstad Inger , Wilsgaard Tom , Løchen Maja-Lisa , Brækkan Sigrid , Hansen John-Bjarne 
Published: May 2018

AbstractRed cell distribution width (RDW), a measure of variability in size of circulating erythrocytes, is associated with arterial cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the impact of chronic inflammation as measured by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) on this relationship, and explore whether RDW could be a mediator in the causal pathway between inflammation and arterial CVD. Baseline characteristics, including RDW and hs-CRP, were obtained from 5,765 individuals attending a population-based cohort study. We followed up participants from inclusion in the fourth survey of the Tromsø Study (1994/1995) until December 31, 2012. Multivariable Cox-regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for incident myocardial infarction (MI) and ischemic stroke across quintiles of hs-CRP and RDW. Subjects with hs-CRP in the highest quintile had 44% higher risk of MI (HR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.14–1.80), and 64% higher risk of ischemic stroke (HR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.20–2.24) compared with subjects in the lowest quintile. RDW mediated 7.2% (95% CI: 4.0–30.8%) of the association between hs-CRP and ischemic stroke. Subjects with RDW in the highest quintile had 22% higher risk of MI (HR: 1.22, 95% CI: 0.98–1.54) and 44% higher risk of ischemic stroke (HR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.06–1.97) compared with subjects in the lowest quintile. These risk estimates were slightly attenuated after adjustments for hs-CRP. Our findings suggest that chronic inflammation is not a primary mechanism underlying the relationship between RDW and arterial CVD.
Isolation of state-dependent monoclonal antibodies against the 12-transmembrane domain glucose transporter 4 using virus-like particles
Authors: Tucker David F. , Sullivan Jonathan T. , Mattia Kimberly-Anne , Fisher Christine R. , Barnes Trevor , Mabila Manu N. , Wilf Rona , Sulli Chidananda , Pitts Meghan , Payne Riley J. , Hall Moniquetta , Huston-Paterson Duncan , Deng Xiaoxiang , Davidson Edgar , Willis Sharon H. , Doranz Benjamin J. , Chambers Ross , Rucker Joseph B. 
Published: May 2018

Significance
Generating mAbs against the native extracellular epitopes of multispanning membrane proteins is challenging, and as a result, few nonpeptidic mAbs against transporters have ever been isolated. Our approach here using virus-like particles and divergent host species for immunizations provides a means to overcome these challenges. The specific mAbs isolated here recognize native GLUT4 on the cell surface and can distinguish its different conformational states, thus representing some of the only state-specific mAbs ever isolated against any transporter. Epitope mapping of these mAbs revealed their binding sites as well as the mechanisms by which amino acids control the inward-open and outward-open states of GLUT4. Our studies demonstrate a valuable platform to isolate functional mAbs against important multispanning membrane proteins.
I Learn, You Learn, We Gain Experience in Crop Insurance Markets
Authors: Santeramo Fabio G 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe relevance and the impact of experience in insurance markets are underinvestigated. From Italian farm‐level data we estimate a dynamic discrete‐choice model of participation to investigate the role of experience. The methodology, coupled with exploratory analysis, allows one to compare how different sources of experience influence the crop insurance decision making process. We found that direct experience is a catalyst for insurance participation for medium and large farms. The experience indirectly acquired is also relevant, especially for small farms. Policy implications include the importance of information campaigns and of bolstering uptake to exploit the advantages of the inertia and spillover effects that emerge from experience.
Using meshes for MeSH term enrichment and semantic analyses
Authors: Yu Guangchuang 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Summary
Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) is the NLM controlled vocabulary used to manually index articles for MEDLINE/PubMed. MeSH provides unique and comprehensive annotations for life science. The meshes package implements measurement of the semantic similarity of MeSH terms and gene products to help using MeSH vocabulary in knowledge mining. Enrichment analysis to extract the biological meanings from gene list, expression profile and genomic regions is also provided using MeSH annotation. Meshes supports more than 70 species and provides high quality visualization methods to help interpreting analysis results.

Availability and implementation
meshes is released under Artistic-2.0 License. The source code and documents are freely available through Bioconductor (https://www.bioconductor.org/packages/meshes).

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
An E-Liquid Flavor Wheel: A Shared Vocabulary Based on Systematically Reviewing E-Liquid Flavor Classifications in Literature
Authors: Krüsemann Erna J Z , Boesveldt Sanne , de Graaf Kees , Talhout Reinskje 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIntroductionE-liquids are available in a high variety of flavors. A systematic classification of e-liquid flavors is necessary to increase comparability of research results. In the food, alcohol, and fragrance industry, flavors are classified using flavor wheels. We systematically reviewed literature on flavors related to electronic cigarette use, to investigate how e-liquid flavors have been classified in research, and propose an e-liquid flavor wheel to classify e-liquids based on marketing descriptions.MethodsThe search was conducted in May 2017 using PubMed and Embase databases. Keywords included terms associated with electronic cigarette, flavors, liking, learning, and wanting in articles. Results were independently screened and reviewed. Flavor categories used in the articles reviewed were extracted.ResultsSearches yielded 386 unique articles of which 28 were included. Forty-three main flavor categories were reported in these articles (eg, tobacco, menthol, mint, fruit, bakery/dessert, alcohol, nuts, spice, candy, coffee/tea, beverages, chocolate, sweet flavors, vanilla, and unflavored). Flavor classifications of e-liquids in literature showed similarities and differences across studies. Our proposed e-liquid flavor wheel contains 13 main categories and 90 subcategories, which summarize flavor categories from literature to find a shared vocabulary. For classification of e-liquids using our flavor wheel, marketing descriptions should be used.ConclusionsWe have proposed a flavor wheel for classification of e-liquids. Further research is needed to test the flavor wheels’ empirical value. Consistently classifying e-liquid flavors using our flavor wheel in research (eg, experimental, marketing, or qualitative studies) minimizes interpretation differences and increases comparability of results.ImplicationsWe reviewed e-liquid flavors and flavor categories used in research. A large variation in the naming of flavor categories was found and e-liquid flavors were not consistently classified. We developed an e-liquid flavor wheel and provided a guideline for systematic classification of e-liquids based on marketing descriptions. Our flavor wheel summarizes e-liquid flavors and categories used in literature in order to create a shared vocabulary. Applying our flavor wheel in research on e-liquids will improve data interpretation, increase comparability across studies, and support policy makers in developing rules for regulation of e-liquid flavors.
Patterns of E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults: Review of the Impact of E-Cigarettes on Cigarette Smoking
Authors: Glasser Allison , Abudayyeh Haneen , Cantrell Jennifer , Niaura Raymond 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

There is concern that e-cigarette use among youth and young adults (YAs) may lead to future cigarette or other combustible tobacco product use. A synthesis of the literature on this topic is needed because existing longitudinal studies are limited in number and not consistent in their conclusions. We conducted a search in PubMed through December 31, 2017 for peer-reviewed studies related to e-cigarette patterns of use. Of 588 relevant studies, 26 had a youth or YA sample, were longitudinal in design, and assessed e-cigarette use at baseline and cigarette smoking at follow-up. Most studies followed a sample over time and compared cigarette smoking at follow-up between baseline e-cigarette users and nonusers. Other studies examined the difference at follow-up in cigarette smoking status among smokers according to e-cigarette use at baseline. Results suggest that, among never smokers, e-cigarette use is associated with the future (6 months to 2.5 years) cigarette trial; however, firm conclusions cannot be drawn because of limitations including small sample size, measurement of experimental use (ie, ever use, past 30-day use) rather than established use, and inadequate controls for potentially confounding variables. Conclusions also cannot be drawn from studies examining the impact of e-cigarette use among smokers due to the limited number of studies and additional limitations. A comprehensive understanding of this literature is needed to inform policy makers and consumers for evidence-based decision-making and to guide future research on e-cigarette use among youth and young adults.

Implications
The present article provides a review of the impact of e-cigarette use on subsequent cigarette smoking among youth and YAs. Studies presented here suggest that e-cigarette use among nonsmokers is associated with subsequent cigarette smoking, but study designs are subject to numerous limitations. Future research should focus on addressing the characteristics that put youth and YAs at the risk of using either product and how appeal and accessibility of these products are related to product use in order to inform future policy-making.
Finding treatable genetic obesity: strategies for success
Authors: Dayton Kristin , Miller Jennifer 
Published: May 2018

Purpose of review
Genetic obesity is responsible for up to 7% of severe childhood obesity. Although current Pediatric Endocrine Society guidelines recommend assessment of children with early-onset morbid obesity and hyperphagia for underlying genetic disorders, a vast majority of patients are not being appropriately screened for genetic obesity syndromes.

Recent findings
With advances in genetic testing, more genetic causes of obesity are being identified. Treatments are likely to be individualized, depending on the cause of the obesity, and must be targeted at addressing the underlying cause. Investigational therapies include melanocortin-4 receptor antagonists, oxytocin and medications targeting the endocannabinoid system.

Summary
Improved identification of patients with genetic obesity syndromes will lead to development of new treatments and personalized management of these diseases.
Pediatric Diabetic Ketoacidosis With Hypotensive Shock and Rash—An Unusual Presentation
Authors: Pasternak Yehonatan , Niv Omer , Waisman Yehezkel (Hezi) 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
We describe a previously healthy adolescent boy who presented with respiratory distress, hypotensive shock, and a diffuse erythematous rash. The final diagnosis was diabetic ketoacidosis. Caregivers should be alert to this unusual combination of symptoms in the emergency department setting in order to improve the recognition and management of children with new-onset diabetes.
The genetic architecture of target-site resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in the African malaria vectorsAnopheles gambiaeandAnopheles coluzzii
Authors: Clarkson Chris S. , Miles Alistair , Harding Nicholas J. , Weetman David , Kwiatkowski Dominic , Donnelly Martin ,   The Anopheles gambiae 1000 Genomes Consortium
Published: May 2018

AbstractResistance to pyrethroid insecticides is a major concern for malaria vector control, because these are the compounds used in almost all insecticide-treated bed-nets (ITNs), and are also widely used for indoor residual spraying (IRS). Pyrethroids target the voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC), an essential component of the mosquito nervous system, but substitutions in the amino acid sequence can disrupt the activity of these insecticides, inducing a resistance phenotype. Here we use Illumina whole-genome sequence data from phase 1 of theAnopheles gambiae1000 Genomes Project (Ag1000G) to provide a comprehensive account of genetic variation in theVgscgene in mosquito populations from eight African countries. In addition to the three known resistance alleles, we describe 20 non-synonymous nucleotide substitutions at appreciable frequency in one or more populations that are previously unknown inAnophelesmosquitoes. Thirteen of these novel alleles were found to occur almost exclusively on haplotypes carrying the knownL995Fresistance allele (L1014F inMusca domesticuscodon numbering), and may enhance or compensate for theL995Fresistance pheno-type. A novel mutation I1527T, which is adjacent to a predicted pyrethroid binding site, was found in tight linkage with either of two alleles causing a V402L substitution, similar to a combination of substitutions found to cause pyrethroid resistance in several other insect species. We analyse the genetic backgrounds on which non-synonymous alleles are found, to determine which alleles have experienced recent positive selection, and to refine our understanding of the spread of resistance between species and geographical locations. We describe twelve distinct haplotype groups with evidence of recent positive selection, five of which carry the knownL995Fresistance allele, five of which carry the knownL995Sresistance allele, one of which carries the novel I1527T allele, and one of which carries a novel M490I allele. Seven of these groups are localised to a single geographical location, and five comprise haplotypes from different countries, in one case separated by over 3000 km, providing new information about the geographical distribution and spread of resistance. We also find evidence for multiple introgression events transmitting resistance alleles betweenAn. gambiaeandAn. coluzzii. We identify markers that could be used to design high-throughput, low-cost genetic assays for improved surveillance of pyrethroid resistance in the field. Our results demonstrate that the molecular basis of target-site pyrethroid resistance in malaria vectors is more complex than previously appreciated, and provide a foundation for the development of new genetic tools to track the spread insecticide resistance and improve the design of strategies for insecticide resistance management.
Capital structure, ownership and crisis: evidence from Middle East and North African banks
Authors: Ghosh Saibal 
Published: May 2018

PurposeAlthough understanding the capital structure of firms has been quite commonplace in the empirical literature, there is admittedly limited evidence with regard to the determinants of capital structure for banks. In this context, using data for the period 2000-2012, this paper aims to examine the factors affecting the capital structure of Middle East and North African (MENA) banks.Design/methodology/approachThe data span the period 2000-2012 and comprise of over 100 banks from 12 MENA countries. Given the longitudinal nature of the data, the panel uses panel data techniques and controls for unobserved bank characteristics that might affect capital structure.FindingsThe findings indicate that the factors driving book leverage are similar to those influencing market leverage. These findings refute the conventional wisdom that bank capital structure is purely a response to the regulatory requirements, as otherwise, regulatory concerns would have driven a wedge between these two leverage measures. Second, the crisis appears to have exerted a perceptible impact on bank capital. Third, in terms of ownership, it appears that the crisis-support measures had a salutary effect on Islamic banks, in turn improving their growth opportunities.Research/limitations/implicationsThis is the first study to examine the determinants of capital structure for MENA banks and how it evolved during the crisis. By using both book- and market-related measures of capital structure, the study is able to shed light whether regulatory concerns are a major driven of bank capital. As the recent financial crisis indicates, bank failures impose enormous social and economic costs, which are protracted and significant.Practical implicationsFrom a practical standpoint, the study seeks to inform the policy debate on the role of regulation in impacting bank capital, especially in the light of the envisaged Basel III reforms. In addition, the study suggests that classroom teaching on bank capital needs to be suitably refined to take on board country-specific requirements and, in addition, focus on how such behavior evolved during the crisis.Originality/valueThis is the first study to examine the determinants of capital structure for MENA banks and how it evolved during the crisis. By using both book- and market-related measures of capital structure, the study is able to shed light whether regulatory concerns are a major driven of bank capital. As the recent financial crisis indicates, bank failures impose enormous social and economic costs, which are protracted and significant.
Board characteristics and asymmetric cost behavior: evidence from Egypt
Authors: Ibrahim Awad Elsayed Awad 
Published: May 2018

PurposeThis paper aims to provide further evidence on asymmetric cost behavior (cost stickiness) from one of the emerging economies, Egypt. The study provides empirical evidence on the potential impact of corporate governance on nature and extent of asymmetric cost behavior.Design/methodology/approachThe study estimates three multiple regression models using ordinary least squares to examine the behavior of cost of goods sold (COGS) and the influence of board characteristics and other control variables in a sample of 80 listed companies during 2008-2013.FindingsThe analysis provides evidence on COGS asymmetric behavior, where the analysis finds that COGS increases by 1.05 per cent but decrease by 0.85 per cent for an equivalent activity change of 1 per cent, which contradicts the traditional cost model assumption that costs behave linearly. In addition, the analysis finds that firm-year observations with larger boards, role duality and higher non-executives ratio exhibit greater cost asymmetry than others, while firms-years with successive sales decrease, higher economic growth and institutional ownership found to exhibit lower cost stickiness.Originality/valueThis study contributes by providing evidence on asymmetric cost behavior from one of emerging economies. Further, the study extends the very few studies on the relationship between corporate governance and asymmetric cost behavior. In addition, the study contributes by examining a different cost type (COGS) that has been examined by very few studies. Finally, the study provides an evaluation of the 2007 Egyptian Corporate Governance Code in the cost behavior context.
Construction of capital procurement decision making model to optimize supplier selection using Fuzzy Delphi and AHP-DEMATEL
Authors: Kumar Anil , Pal Amit , Vohra Ashwani , Gupta Sachin , Manchanda Suryakant , Dash Manoj Kumar 
Published: May 2018

Purpose
Supplier selection for capital procurement is a major strategic decision for any automobile company. The decision determines the success of the company and must be taken systematically with the utmost transparency. The purpose of this paper is to construct capital procurement decision-making model to optimize supplier selection in the Indian automobile industry.

Design/methodology/approach
To achieve the stated objective, a combined approach of fuzzy theory and AHP-DEMATEL is applied. Evaluation parameters are identified through an extensive literature review and criteria validation has been introduced through a Fuzzy Delphi method by using fuzzy linguistic scales to handle the vagueness of information. AHP is employed to find the priority weight of criteria, although an inter-relationship map among criteria is not possible through AHP alone since it considers all criteria as independent. To overcome this, DEMATEL is used to establish cause-effect relationships among criteria.

Findings
The results show that the total cost of ownership (TOC) is the first weighted criterion in supplier selection for capital procurement, followed by manufacturing flexibility and maintainability, then conformity with requirement. The cause-effect model shows that supplier profile, TOC, service support and conformity with requirement are in the cause group and are considered to be the most critical factors in selecting the supplier.

Originality/value
The study’s outcome can help the automobile industry to optimize their selection process in selecting their suppliers for capital procurement; the proposed model can provide guidelines and direction in this regard.
Influence of bank’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives on consumer attitude and satisfaction in India
Authors: Paluri Ratna Achuta , Mehra Saloni 
Published: May 2018

Purpose
Research on corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and consumer perception of CSR activities is increasing over the recent past. The purpose of this paper is to gain an understanding of the consumer perceptions of CSR activities of banks in India. It provides insights on whether consumers want their banks to take up CSR initiatives and would these perceptions influence their attitude towards the bank.

Design/methodology/approach
Self-report questionnaires were personally administered by the researchers and their team. Respondents’ responses were based on their awareness of their bank’s involvement in CSR initiatives. The study uses convenience sampling, given the resource limitations. The research was conducted in the city of Nashik, India during June–October 2015.

Findings
The results of the study show that consumer perception towards the CSR activities of the bank influenced their attitude and satisfaction. Though consumers expressed a need for their bank’s taking up CSR initiatives, this need did not influence their attitude towards the bank, contradicting studies in the past. Consumer perception of the bank’s involvement in the CSR activities was moderate, indicating that banks need to increase their communication about the CSR initiatives undertaken by them.

Practical implications
Unique contribution of current research is that the CSR reputation and CSR concern of consumers in the Indian context have been investigated for their influence on consumer attitude. Unlike previous studies, CSR concern does not influence consumer attitude or satisfaction. Findings provide important insights for practitioners and academicians focussing on the banking sector in India.

Originality/value
Little research is reported on consumer perception of CSR in banking sector. Current research tries to fill this gap.