bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contributions of local speech encoding and functional connectivity to audio-visual speech integration
Authors: Giordano Bruno L. , Ince Robin A. A. , Gross Joachim , Panzeri Stefano , Schyns Philippe G. , Kayser Christoph 
Published: December 2016

AbstractSeeing a speaker’s face enhances speech intelligibility in adverse environments. We investigated the underlying network mechanisms by quantifying local speech representations and directed connectivity in MEG data obtained while human participants listened to speech of varying acoustic SNR and visual context. During high acoustic SNR speech encoding by entrained brain activity was strong in temporal and inferior frontal cortex, while during low SNR strong entrainment emerged in premotor and superior frontal cortex. These changes in local encoding were accompanied by changes in directed connectivity along the ventral stream and the auditory-premotor axis. Importantly, the behavioural benefit arising from seeing the speaker's face was not predicted by changes in local encoding but rather by enhanced functional connectivity between temporal and inferior frontal cortex. Our results demonstrate a role of auditory-motor interactions in visual speech representations and suggest that functional connectivity along the ventral pathway facilitates speech comprehension in multisensory environments.
Interspecific plastome recombination reflects ancient reticulate evolution inPicea(Pinaceae)
Authors: Sullivan Alexis R. , Schiffthaler Bastian , Lee Thompson Stacey , Street Nathaniel R. , Wang Xiao-Ru 
Published: December 2016

AbstractPlastid sequences are a cornerstone in plant systematic studies and key aspects of their evolution, such as uniparental inheritance and absent recombination, are often treated as axioms. While exceptions to these assumptions can profoundly influence evolutionary inference, detecting them can require extensive sampling, abundant sequence data, and detailed testing. Using advancements in high-throughput sequencing, we analyzed the whole plastomes of 65 accessions ofPicea,a genus of ~35 coniferous forest tree species, to test for deviations from canonical plastome evolution. Using complementary hypothesis and data-driven tests, we found evidence for chimeric plastomes generated by interspecific hybridization and recombination in the clade comprising Norway spruce (P. abies) and ten other species. Support for interspecific recombination remained after controlling for sequence saturation, positive selection, and potential alignment artifacts. These results reconcile previous conflicting plastid-based phylogenies and strengthen the mounting evidence of reticulate evolution inPicea.Given the relatively high frequency of hybridization and biparental plastid inheritance in plants, we suggest interspecific plastome recombination may be more widespread than currently appreciated and could underlie reported cases of discordant plastid phylogenies.
EEG correlates of working memory performance in females
Authors: Pavlov Yuri G. , Kotchoubey Boris 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe study investigates oscillatory brain activity during working memory (WM) tasks. The tasks employed varied in two dimensions. First, they differed in complexity from average to highly demanding. Second, we used two types of tasks, which required either only retention of stimulus set or retention and manipulation of the content. We expected to reveal EEG correlates of temporary storage and central executive components of WM and to assess their contribution to individual differences.ResultsGenerally, as compared with the retention condition, manipulation of stimuli in WM was associated with distributed suppression of alpha1 activity and with the increase of the midline theta activity. Load and task dependent decrement of beta1 power was found during task performance. Beta2 power increased with the increasing WM load and did not significantly depend on the type of the task.At the level of individual differences, we found that the high performance (HP) group was characterized by higher alpha rhythm power. The HP group demonstrated task-related increment of theta power in the left anterior area and a gradual increase of theta power at midline area. In contrast, the low performance (LP) group exhibited a drop of theta power in the most challenging condition. HP group was also characterized by stronger desynchronization of beta1 rhythm over the left posterior area in the manipulation condition. In this condition, beta2 power increased in the HP group over anterior areas, but in the LP group over posterior areas.ConclusionsWM performance is accompanied by changes in EEG in a broad frequency range from theta to higher beta bands. The most pronounced differences in oscillatory activity between individuals with high and low WM performance can be observed in the most challenging WM task.
CircularLogo: A lightweight web application to visualize intra-motif dependencies
Authors: Ye Zhenqing , Ma Tao , Kalmbach Michael T. , Dasari Surendra , Kocher Jean-Pierre A. , Wang Liguo 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe sequence logo has been widely used to represent DNA or RNA motifs for more than three decades. Despite its intelligibility and intuitiveness, the traditional sequence logo is unable to display the intra-motif dependencies and therefore is insufficient to fully characterize nucleotide motifs. Many methods have been developed to quantify the intra-motif dependencies, but fewer tools are available for visualization.ResultWe developedCircularLogo, a web-based interactive application, which is able to not only visualize the position-specific nucleotide consensus and diversity but also display the intra-motif dependencies. ApplyingCircularLogoto HNF6 binding sites and tRNA sequences demonstrated its ability to show intra-motif dependencies and intuitively reveal biomolecular structure.CircularLogois implemented in JavaScript and Python based on the Django web framework. The program’s source code and user’s manual are freely available athttp://circularlogo.sourceforge.net.CircularLogoweb server can be accessed fromhttp://bioinformaticstools.mayo.edu/circularlogo/index.html.ConclusionCircularLogois an innovative web application that is specifically designed to visualize and interactively explore intra-motif dependencies.
Reflections and projections
Authors: Guthrie James , Parker Lee D. 
Published: January 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to reflect on 30 years of Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal (AAAJ), and contemplates the future. It makes a case for diversity, including a broad range of theories and research methodologies, as a defining feature of AAAJ. As we have done since 1988 in AAAJ’s first editorial, we continue to urge interdisciplinary accounting researchers to undertake innovative research and be both original and creative, avoiding the narrow focus and detachment from society that is characteristic of globally pervasive North American economics-based accounting research.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper employs an analysis and critique of trends in interdisciplinary research, drawing upon the previous 29 editorials/commentaries published in AAAJ. It also elucidates the field of scholarship associated with AAAJ in 2016 as evidence of the patterning of recent research and publishing trends.

Findings
This paper identifies challenges confronting interdisciplinary researchers in the globalised academic community. These include our obsession with theoretical engorgement and our adversarial rather than cooperative approach to knowledge development. Furthermore, the authors argue that researchers must reflect on their motivation, informing theories and values if they intend to contribute to practice, policy and a wider societal good. Accounting researchers have a responsibility to go beyond observation, engaging in and constructing a more equal and fair society.

Originality/value
This commentary reflects on developments in AAAJ and its community over three decades. The authors also address the wider AAAJ community, including the Asia Pacific Interdisciplinary Research in Accounting (APIRA) conference attendees, AAAJ special issue editors, the editorial board, ad hoc reviewers, authors and supporters across AAAJ’s 30 years.
Development and validation of a unidimensional domain-specific entrepreneurial self-efficacy scale
Authors: Schjoedt Leon , Craig Justin B. 
Published: January 2017

PurposeGiven the nature of entrepreneurship, a domain-specific self-efficacy scale should pertain to venture creation, be unidimensional, and be developed and validated using nascent entrepreneurs – persons for whom self-efficacy may be most important. Extant measures employed in entrepreneurship research do not meet all these criteria. The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a unidimensional entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) scale based on samples of nascent entrepreneurs.Design/methodology/approachData from a sample of nascent entrepreneurs and items from PSED I were used to develop and assess the validity of a new ESE scale. To further establish scale validity, a comparison group from PSED I along with a sample of nascent entrepreneurs from PSED II were employed.FindingsA unidimensional three-item self-efficacy scale for assessing a person’s belief that s/he can create a new business successfully is developed and validated using samples of nascent entrepreneurs and a control group.Research limitations/implicationsThe scale offers opportunity to enhance research-based assessment using a parsimonious, reliable, and valid unidimensional measure of ESE. The scale may enhance future research findings, as well as promoting reconsideration of past research findings, on many issues in the entrepreneurship literature.Originality/valueThis research uses a sample of nascent entrepreneurs to provide a new three-item scale for assessment of ESE that is parsimonious, valid, and unidimensional.
Aphasia and literacy—the insider's perspective
Authors: Kjellén Emma , Laakso Katja , Henriksson Ingrid 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackgroundFew studies have investigated how people with aphasia (PWA) experience literacy skills. Taking the insider's perspective is a way to increase understanding of the individual experiences of literacy among PWA, which may have clinical implications.AimsTo describe how literacy, i.e., reading and writing, is experienced in everyday life by PWA and to gain insight into the part played by literacy skills in their lives.Methods & ProceduresA qualitative descriptive research approach was taken. In‐depth interviews were conducted with 12 PWA (six women and six men) who had all lived with aphasia for at least 6 months post‐stroke. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis.Outcomes & ResultsOne overarching theme emerged from the data: literacy as an ongoing recovery process. Based on this overarching theme, two subthemes were identified: changes in conditions for literacy (experiences of reading and writing initially post‐onset compared with experiences at the time of the interview); and facing expectations about literacy (participants’ own and other people's expectations of them in terms of literacy).Conclusions & ImplicationsThe findings are important at a general level in that they indicate that PWA are able to articulate their individual experiences and thoughts about literacy, i.e., reading and writing. Specifically, PWA in this study experience literacy as playing an essential part in their lives and the findings imply that personal experiences are important in the design of reading and writing interventions in speech and language therapy.
Outcomes in patients with diabetes 10 years after liver transplantation
Authors: Ramos‐Prol Agustín , Hervás‐Marín David , García‐Castell Alia , Merino‐Torres Juan F. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackgroundThere are discrepancies between studies regarding the effect of diabetes mellitus on morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing liver transplantation. The aim of the present study was to compare mortality, risk of liver graft rejection, and cardiovascular events in patients with and without diabetes undergoing liver transplantation over a 10‐year follow‐up period.MethodsA retrospective study was performed on 183 patients who underwent liver transplantation in 2005 and 2006. Mortality and morbidity data were collected until 2016, including information on mortality and survival time, graft rejection and graft survival time, coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral arterial ischemia.ResultsDuring the follow‐up, 41.3% and 27.8% of patients in the groups with and without diabetes, respectively, died. A trend for lower survival time was observed in patients with diabetes, although this effect was not confirmed by the Cox regression model. There was an increased risk of graft rejection in the group with diabetes compared with the group without diabetes (
P
< 0.001). In the survival analysis, diabetes was associated with reduced graft survival time (
P
= 0.001). Cardiovascular events were also more likely in the group with diabetes (
P
= 0.005).ConclusionsIn the present study diabetes was associated with a higher risk of liver graft rejection and cardiovascular events. There was also a trend for higher mortality, although the effect was not statistically significant. These findings suggest that patients with diabetes require a more rigorous pretransplant evaluation and closer monitoring after transplantation in order to try to reduce associated complications.
Effective suppression of atrial fibrillation by the antihistaminic agent antazoline: First experimental insights into a novel antiarrhythmic agent
Authors: Frommeyer Gerrit , Sterneberg Magdalena , Dechering Dirk G. , Kaese Sven , Bögeholz Nils , Pott Christian , Fehr Michael , Bogossian Harilaos , Milberg Peter , Eckardt Lars 
Published: December 2016

SummaryIntroductionThe antihistaminic antazoline (ANT) was reported to be highly effective and safe for rapid conversion of atrial fibrillation (AF). We therefore analyzed underlying mechanisms in an experimental whole‐heart model.Methods and ResultsIsolated and retrogradely perfused rabbit hearts underwent a standardized protocol employing atrial burst pacing‐induced AF in five of 20 hearts under baseline conditions (seven episodes). Thereafter, a combination of acetylcholine and isoproterenol was employed to enhance AF occurrence. Two monophasic action potential recordings on the left‐ and two on the right atrial epicardium showed a decrease in atrial action potential duration (aAPD, −25 msec, P<.05) and atrial effective refractory period (aERP; −52 msec, P<.01) after infusion of acetylcholine (1 μmol/L) and isoproterenol (1 μmol/L). This led to induction of AF in 14 of 20 hearts (145 episodes). Simultaneous infusion of ANT (20 μmol/L) led to a complete suppression of AF in all inducible hearts. Treatment with ANT also led to a significant increase in aAPD (+41 msec, P<.01) and aERP (+74 msec, P<.05), leading to a marked increase in atrial postrepolarization refractoriness (aPRR, +33 msec, P<.01). Results were compared to 13 rabbits treated with flecainide. Flecainide induced a significant increase in aPRR and resulted in induction of AF in seven of 13 hearts (51 episodes) while 11 of 13 hearts were inducible with acetylcholine and isoproterenol (93 episodes).ConclusionAdministration of ANT was highly effective in suppressing AF. The antiarrhythmic effect could be explained by a significant increase in postrepolarization refractoriness as a result of a more marked increase in aERP as compared with aAPD.
Targeted P2X7R shRNA delivery attenuates sympathetic nerve sprouting and ameliorates cardiac dysfunction in rats with myocardial infarction
Authors: Gao Hongmei , Yin Jie , Shi Yugen , Hu Hesheng , Li Xiaolu , Xue Mei , Cheng Wenjuan , Wang Ye , Li Xinran , Li Yongkang , Wang Yu , Yan Suhua 
Published: December 2016

SummaryBackgroundInflammation‐dominated sympathetic sprouting adjacent to the necrotic region following myocardial infarction (MI) has been implicated in the etiology of arrhythmias resulting in sudden cardiac death; however, the mechanisms responsible remain to be elucidated. Although P2X7R is a key immune mediator, its role has yet to be explored.ObjectiveWe investigated whether P2X7R regulates NF‐κB and affects cardiac sympathetic reinnervation in rats undergoing MI.Methods and ResultsAn adenoviral vector with a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) sequence inserted was adopted for the inhibition of P2X7R in vivo. Myocardial infarction was induced by left coronary artery ligation, and immediately after that, recombinant P2X7R‐shRNA adenovirus, negative adenovirus (control), or normal saline solution (vehicle) was injected intramyocardially around the MI region and border areas. A high level of P2X7R was activated in the infarcted tissue at an early stage. The administration of P2X7R RNAi resulted in the inhibition of Akt and Erk1/2 phosphorylation and decreased the activation of NF‐κB and macrophage infiltration, as well as attenuated the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF). Eventually, the NGF‐induced sympathetic hyperinnervation was blunted, as assessed by the immunofluorescence of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and growth‐associated protein 43 (GAP 43). At 7 days post‐MI, the arrhythmia score of programmed electrical stimulation in the vehicle‐treated infarcted rats was higher than the MI‐shRNA group. Further amelioration of cardiac dysfunction was also detected.ConclusionsThe administration of P2X7R RNAi during the acute inflammatory response phase prevented the process of sympathetic hyperinnervation after MI, which was associated in part with inhibiting the Akt and ERK1/2 pathways and NF‐κB activation.
Hydrochlorothiazide modulates ischemic heart failure‐induced cardiac remodeling via inhibiting angiotensin II type 1 receptor pathway in rats
Authors: Luo Jinghong , Chen Xuanlan , Luo Chufan , Lu Guihua , Peng Longyun , Gao Xiuren , Zuo Zhiyi 
Published: December 2016

SummaryAimsOur previous study indicates that hydrochlorothiazide inhibits transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β/Smad signaling pathway, improves cardiac function and reduces fibrosis. We determined whether these effects were common among the diuretics and whether angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1) signaling pathway played a role in these effects.MethodsHeart failure was produced by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery in adult male Sprague Dawley rats. Two weeks after the ligation, 70 rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham‐operated group, control group, valsartan group (80 mg/kg/d), hydrochlorothiazide group (12.5 mg/kg/d) and furosemide group (20 mg/kg/d). In addition, neonatal rat ventricular fibroblasts were treated with angiotensin II.ResultsAfter eight‐week drug treatment, hydrochlorothiazide group and valsartan group but not furosemide group had improved cardiac function (ejection fraction was 49.4±2.1%, 49.5±1.8% and 39.9±1.9%, respectively, compared with 40.1±2.2% in control group), reduced cardiac interstitial fibrosis and collagen volume fraction (9.7±1.2%, 10.0±1.3% and 14.1±0.8%, respectively, compared with 15.9±1.1% in control group), and decreased expression of AT1, TGF‐β and Smad2 in the cardiac tissues. In addition, hydrochlorothiazide reduced plasma angiotensin II and aldosterone levels. Furthermore, hydrochlorothiazide inhibited angiotensin II‐induced TGF‐β1 and Smad2 protein expression in the neonatal rat ventricular fibroblasts.ConclusionsOur study indicates that the cardiac function and remodeling improvement after ischemic heart failure may not be common among the diuretics. Hydrochlorothiazide may reduce the left ventricular wall stress and angiotensin II signaling pathway to provide these beneficial effects.
Comparison of early‐ and new‐generation drug‐eluting stent implantations for ostial right coronary artery lesions
Authors: Watanabe Yusuke , Takagi Kensuke , Naganuma Toru , Nakamura Sunao 
Published: December 2016

SummaryBackgroundPercutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with early‐generation drug‐eluting stent (eDES) implantation for ostial right coronary artery (RCA) lesions is challenging because of the frequent need for repeat revascularization. We compared midterm clinical outcomes following eDES or new‐generation DES (nDES) implantation for ostial RCA lesions.MethodsThe study included 150 patients with ostial RCA lesions, 76 treated with eDES and 74 with nDES between January 2005 and September 2013. Study endpoints were major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), specifically all‐cause death, target lesion revascularization (TLR), or myocardial infarction within 2 years after PCI.ResultsPatient characteristics between the groups were similar. The MACE rate was significantly lower in patients treated with nDES compared with those treated with eDES, mainly driven by the lower rates of TLR in the nDES group. Cox regression analysis identified severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the use of nDES as the independent predictors of MACE.ConclusionsThe implantation of nDES for ostial RCA lesions significantly reduced the MACE rate compared with early‐generation DES, mainly driven by a reduction in the TLR rate. However, nDES implantations for ostial RCA lesions may still be challenging in patients with severe CKD.
Epac‐Rap1‐activated mesenchymal stem cells improve cardiac function in rat model of myocardial infarction
Authors: Khan Irfan , Ali Anwar , Akhter Muhammad Aleem , Naeem Nadia , Chotani Maqsood Ahmed , Iqbal Hana'a , Kabir Nurul , Atiq Mehnaz , Salim Asmat 
Published: December 2016

SummaryIntroductionRap1, a member of Ras superfamily of small GTP‐binding proteins, is involved in cardiovascular biology in numerous ways. It is an evolutionary conserved regulator of adhesion, polarity, differentiation and growth.AimsOur aim was to analyze Rap1‐activated rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for their potential role in adhesion and cardiac differentiation.MethodsMyocardial infarction (MI) was produced in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats through occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. MSCs were treated with 8‐pCPT‐2′‐O‐Me‐cAMP (CPT) to activate Rap1. Normal (untreated) and CPT‐treated MSCs were transplanted through intramyocardial injection in respective groups. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography at 2 and 4 weeks after cell transplantation. Histological analysis was performed to observe changes at tissue level.ResultsHoming of CPT‐treated MSCs was significantly (***P<.001) higher as compared to normal MSCs in the infarcted hearts. This may be due to increase in the gene expression of some of the cell adhesion molecules as evident by qRT‐PCR analysis. Significant (***P<.001) improvement in the restoration of heart function in terms of left ventricular diastolic and systolic internal diameters (LVIDd, LVIDs), % ejection fraction, % fraction shortening and end‐systolic and end‐diastolic volumes were observed in CPT‐treated MSCs as compared to the MI model. Histological analyses showed significant (***P<.001) reduction in scar formation in the CPT‐treated group. Differentiation of treated MSCs into functional cardiomyocytes was evident through immunohistochemical staining. LV wall thickness was also preserved significantly (***P<.001). Blood vessel formation was more pronounced in CPT‐treated group although both cell therapy groups showed significant increase as compared to MI model.ConclusionOur findings showed that pharmacological activation of Epac‐Rap1 improves cardiac function through better survival, adhesion and differentiation of transplanted cells. Transplantation of these MSCs in the infarct area restored functional myocardium.