bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The social and objective value of information in virtual investment communities
Authors: Shang Rong‐An , Chen Yu‐Chen , Chen Chun‐Ju 
Published: August 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the social value of information in virtual investment communities and compare its effects with objective information value. A model including information quality, social comparison, and herding orientation, and their effects on decision usefulness and member satisfaction, is proposed and tested.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey with a sample of 215 members of investment communities was conducted to test the proposed model.FindingsThe opinion comparison orientation of members and information credibility are positively related to their perceived decision usefulness and satisfaction. Consistency is positively related to decision usefulness, but not to member satisfaction. Members' herding tendency moderates the effect of opinion comparison orientation on decision usefulness and the effect of ability comparison orientation on satisfaction.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample is small and not random. The proportion of students in the sample seems to be higher than it should be among virtual investment community members.Practical implicationsInvestors should be careful regarding the social influences of their communities; the effects may not always be good for investment decisions.Social implicationsVirtual communities provide members with social comparison information, which may yield positive effects for members in inspiration, self‐improvement, and self‐enhancement.Originality/valueThe virtual community can be a forum where people gain information regarding others to satisfy their needs for social comparison. Virtual communities provide special social value for their members, even for those who do not interact with others by posting in the communities.
Qualitative diaries: uncovering the complexities of work‐life decision‐making
Authors: Radcliffe Laura S. 
Published: August 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the application of qualitative diary methods in the context of research on the work‐family interface.Design/methodology/approachThe diary method was used, in conjunction with semi‐structured interviews, to collect data from 24 dual‐earner couples over a one month period.FindingsThe diary method revealed important new insights into how couples managed their work‐family balance on a daily basis by allowing the researcher access to rich episodic data that would not have been available using more traditional approaches. This is particularly important in the area of work and family given its dynamic nature.Research limitations/implicationsThe use of this method is time consuming, requires a great deal of dedication from participants and usually results in large quantities of complex data to be analysed. Despite this the suggestion is that this approach is highly valuable in work‐family research in providing a more in‐depth understanding of how these two domains are negotiated.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the literature on effective qualitative research and explores important areas of consideration for those conducting qualitative diary studies. It is intended to be of use to researchers investigating the area of work and family, as well as to those interested in using qualitative diaries in their research.
Econometrics of the Basu Asymmetric Timeliness Coefficient and Accounting Conservatism
Authors: BALL RAY , KOTHARI S. P. , NIKOLAEV VALERI V. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTA substantial literature investigates conditional conservatism, defined as asymmetric accounting recognition of economic shocks (“news”), and how it depends on various market, political, and institutional variables. Studies typically assume the Basu [1997] asymmetric timeliness coefficient (the incremental slope on negative returns in a piecewise‐linear regression of accounting income on stock returns) is a valid conditional conservatism measure. We analyze the measure's validity, in the context of a model with accounting income incorporating different types of information with different lags, and with noise. We demonstrate that the asymmetric timeliness coefficient varies with firm characteristics affecting their information environments, such as the length of the firm's operating and investment cycles, and its degree of diversification. We particularly examine one characteristic, the extent to which “unbooked” information (such as revised expectations about rents and growth options) is independent of other information, and discuss the conditions under which a proxy for this characteristic is the market‐to‐book ratio. We also conclude that much criticism of the Basu regression misconstrues researchers’ objectives.
Acute alcohol‐related dysfunction as a predictor of employment status in a longitudinal study of working‐age men in Izhevsk, Russia
Authors: Cook Sarah , DeStavola Bianca L , Saburova Lyudmila , Leon David A 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAimsTo investigate longitudinally the effect of alcohol consumption and related acute alcohol‐related dysfunction on employment status.Design, setting and participantsA total of 1143 men aged 25–55 years in regular paid employment and resident in the city of Izhevsk, Russia were interviewed between 2003–06 and then re‐interviewed (2008–09) and their employment status ascertained.MeasurementsExposures of interest were baseline alcohol intake (yearly total volume of ethanol consumed and non‐beverage alcohols) and alcohol‐related dysfunction, measured by a latent variable defined in terms of frequency of alcohol‐related dysfunctional behaviours and by one or more episodes of zapoi (a period of continuous drunkenness lasting 2 or more days). The outcome of interest was whether or not men were still in regular paid employment at follow‐up. The inter‐relationship between these variables was investigated using structural equation modelling.FindingsTotal volume of ethanol consumed had no substantive effect on future employment status; however, taking into account education and other socio‐demographic factors, there was strong evidence that loss of regular paid employment at follow‐up was influenced by non‐beverage alcohol consumption [odds ratio = 2.30 for non‐beverage drinkers compared with beverage‐only drinkers, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.21, 4.40)], latent acute alcohol‐related dysfunction (odds ratio = 1.50 per standard deviation increase in dysfunction score, 95% CI = 1.20, 1.88) and zapoi (odds ratio = 3.08, 95% CI = 1.71, 5.55). Acute alcohol‐related dysfunction was an important mediator of the relationship between non‐beverage alcohol use and employment status.ConclusionsAcute alcohol‐related dysfunction is an important factor in determining whether men remain in employment and an important mediator of the effects of alcohol intake.
Towards improving uterine electrical activity modeling and electrohysterography: ultrasonic quantification of uterine movements during labor
Authors: de Lau Hinke , Rabotti Chiara , Haazen Nicole , Oei S. Guid , Mischi Massimo 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe electrohysterogram is a potential new tool for diagnosing preterm labor. Parameters from the electrohysterogram may be influenced by uterine movement. An observational study was performed quantifying uterine movement during labor as a step towards improving electrohysterogram analysis for predicting preterm labor. The uterine wall was continuously tracked by ultrasound imaging during first stage of labor while an accelerometer recorded external abdominal accelerations in six women. A cyclic cranial–caudal movement of the uterine wall, caused by maternal respiration, was observed. This is reported and quantified for the first time. Average frequency, amplitude, and peak speed were 0.27 ± 0.07 Hz, 0.68 ± 0.84 cm, and 1.04 ± 1.20 cm/s, respectively. The accelerometer signal correlated with uterine movement and therefore can possibly provide a reference for removing movement‐induced artifacts. There is a need to model and measure the effect of uterine movement on the electrohysterogram parameters and make measurements more robust to movement artifacts.
Family history of psychosis moderates early auditory cortical response abnormalities in non‐psychotic bipolar disorder
Authors: Hamm Jordan P , Ethridge Lauren E , Shapiro John R , Pearlson Godfrey D , Tamminga Carol A , Sweeney John A , Keshavan Matcheri S , Thaker Gunvant K , Clementz Brett A 
Published: August 2013

ObjectivesBipolar I disorder is a disabling illness affecting 1% of people worldwide. Family and twin studies suggest that psychotic bipolar disorder (BDP) represents a homogeneous subgroup with an etiology distinct from non‐psychotic bipolar disorder (BDNP) and partially shared with schizophrenia. Studies of auditory electrophysiology [e.g., paired‐stimulus and oddball measured with electroencephalography (EEG)] consistently report deviations in psychotic groups (schizophrenia, BDP), yet such studies comparing BDP and BDNP are sparse and, in some cases, conflicting. Auditory EEG responses are significantly reduced in unaffected relatives of psychosis patients, suggesting that they may relate to both psychosis liability and expression.MethodsWhile 64‐sensor EEGs were recorded, age‐ and gender‐matched samples of 70 BDP, 35 BDNP {20 with a family history of psychosis [BDNP(+)]}, and 70 psychiatrically healthy subjects were presented with typical auditory paired‐stimuli and auditory oddball paradigms.ResultsOddball P3b reductions were present and indistinguishable across all patient groups. P2s to paired stimuli were abnormal only in BDP and BDNP(+). Conversely, N1 reductions to stimuli in both paradigms and P3a reductions were present in both BDP and BDNP(−) groups but were absent in BDNP(+).ConclusionsAlthough nearly all auditory neural response components studied were abnormal in BDP, BDNP abnormalities at early‐ and mid‐latencies were moderated by family psychosis history. The relationship between psychosis expression, heritable psychosis risk, and neurophysiology within bipolar disorder, therefore, may be complex. Consideration of such clinical disease heterogeneity may be important for future investigations of the pathophysiology of major psychiatric disturbance.
Benzodiazepine‐site pharmacology on GABAA receptors in histaminergic neurons
Authors: May A C , Fleischer W , Kletke O , Haas H L , Sergeeva O A 
Published: August 2013

Background and PurposeThe histaminergic tuberomamillary nucleus (TMN) of the posterior hypothalamus controls the cognitive aspects of vigilance which is reduced by common sedatives and anxiolytics. The receptors targeted by these drugs in histaminergic neurons are unknown. TMN neurons express nine different subunits of the GABAA receptor (GABAAR) with three α‐ (α1, α2 and α5) and two γ‐ (γ1, γ 2) subunits, which confer different pharmacologies of the benzodiazepine‐binding site.Experimental ApproachWe investigated the actions of zolpidem, midazolam, diazepam, chlordiazepoxide, flumazenil (Ro15‐1788) and methyl‐6,7‐dimethoxy‐4‐ethyl‐β‐carboline‐3‐carboxylate (DMCM) in TMN neurons using mouse genetics, electrophysiological and molecular biological methods.Key ResultsWe find the sensitivity of GABAAR to zolpidem, midazolam and DMCM significantly reduced in TMN neurons from γ2F77I mice, but modulatory activities of diazepam, chlordiazepoxide and flumazenil not affected. Potencies and efficacies of these compounds are in line with the dominance of α2‐ and α1‐subunit containing receptors associated with γ2‐ or γ1‐subunits. Functional expression of the γ1‐subunit is supported by siRNA‐based knock‐down experiments in γ2F77I mice.Conclusions and ImplicationsGABAAR of TMN neurons respond to a variety of common sedatives with a high affinity binding site (γ2F77I) involved. The γ1‐subunit likely contributes to the action of common sedatives in TMN neurons. This study is relevant for understanding the role of neuronal histamine and benzodiazepines in disorders of sleep and metabolism.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed issue on Histamine Pharmacology Update. To view the other articles in this issue visit http://dx.doi.org/
10.1111/bph.2013.170.issue‐1
Pulmonary arterial hypertension: basis of sex differences in incidence and treatment response
Authors: Mair K M , Johansen A K Z , Wright A F , Wallace E , MacLean M R 
Published: August 2013

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a complex disease characterized by elevated pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary vascular remodelling and occlusive pulmonary vascular lesions, leading to right heart failure. Evidence from recent epidemiological studies suggests the influence of gender on the development of PAH with an approximate female to male ratio of 4:1, depending on the underlying disease pathology. Overall, the therapeutic strategy for PAH remains suboptimal with poor survival rates observed in both genders. Endogenous sex hormones, in particular 17β oestradiol and its metabolites, have been implicated in the development of the disease; however, the influence of sex hormones on the underlying pathobiology remains controversial. Further understanding of the influence of sex hormones on the normal and diseased pulmonary circulation will be critical to our understanding the pathology of PAH and future therapeutic strategies. In this review, we will discuss the influence of sex hormones on the development of PAH and address recent controversies.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on Biological Sex and Cardiovascular Pharmacology. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2014.171.issue‐3
SERCA2 activity is involved in the CNP‐mediated functional responses in failing rat myocardium
Authors: Moltzau L R , Aronsen J M , Meier S , Nguyen C H T , Hougen K , Ørstavik Ø , Sjaastad I , Christensen G , Skomedal T , Osnes J‐B , Levy F O , Qvigstad E 
Published: August 2013

Background and PurposesMyocardial C‐type natriuretic peptide (CNP) levels are increased in heart failure. CNP can induce negative inotropic (NIR) and positive lusitropic responses (LR) in normal hearts, but its effects in failing hearts are not known. We studied the mechanism of CNP‐induced NIR and LR in failing hearts and determined whether sarcoplasmatic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase2 (SERCA2) activity is essential for these responses.Experimental ApproachContractility, cGMP levels, Ca2+ transient amplitudes and protein phosphorylation were measured in left ventricular muscle strips or ventricular cardiomyocytes from failing hearts of Wistar rats 6 weeks after myocardial infarction.Key ResultsCNP increased cGMP levels, evoked a NIR and LR in muscle strips, and caused phospholamban (PLB) Ser16 and troponin I (TnI) Ser23/24 phosphorylation in cardiomyocytes. Both the NIR and LR induced by CNP were reduced in the presence of a PKG blocker/cGMP analogue (Rp‐8‐Br‐Pet‐cGMPS) and the SERCA inhibitor thapsigargin. CNP increased the amplitude of the Ca2+ transient and increased SERCA2 activity in cardiomyocytes. The CNP‐elicited NIR and LR were not affected by the L‐type Ca2+ channel activator BAY‐K8644, but were abolished in the presence of isoprenaline (induces maximal activation of cAMP pathway). This suggests that phosphorylation of PLB and TnI by CNP causes both a NIR and LR. The NIR to CNP in mouse heart was abolished 8 weeks after cardiomyocyte‐specific inactivation of the SERCA2 gene.Conclusions and ImplicationsWe conclude that CNP‐induced PLB and TnI phosphorylation by PKG in concert mediate both a predictable LR as well as the less expected NIR in failing hearts.
Systemic and cerebral exposure to and pharmacokinetics of flavonols and terpene lactones after dosing standardized Ginkgo biloba leaf extracts to rats via different routes of administration
Authors: Chen Feng , Li Li , Xu Fang , Sun Yan , Du Feifei , Ma Xutao , Zhong Chenchun , Li Xiuxue , Wang Fengqing , Zhang Nating , Li Chuan 
Published: August 2013

Background and PurposeFlavonols and terpene lactones are putatively responsible for the properties of Ginkgo biloba leaf extracts that relate to prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease and cerebral insufficiency. Here, we characterized rat systemic and cerebral exposure to these ginkgo compounds after dosing, as well as the compounds’ pharmacokinetics.Experimental ApproachRats received single or multiple doses of ShuXueNing injection (prepared from GBE50 for intravenous administration) or GBE50 (a standardized extract of G. biloba leaves for oral administration). Brain delivery of the ginkgo compounds was assessed with microdialysis. Various rat samples were analysed using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.Key ResultsSlow terminal elimination features of the flavonols counterbalanced the influence of poor oral bioavailability on their systemic exposure levels, which also resulted in significant accumulation of the compounds in plasma during the subchronic treatment with ShuXueNing injection and GBE50. Unlike the flavonols, the terpene lactones had poor enterohepatic circulation due to their rapid renal excretion and unknown metabolism. The flavonol glycosides occurred as major forms in plasma after dosing with ShuXueNing injection, while the flavonol aglycone conjugates were predominant in plasma after dosing with GBE50. Cerebral exposure was negligible for the flavonols and low for the terpene lactones.Conclusion and ImplicationsUnlike the significant systemic exposure levels, the levels of cerebral exposure to the flavonols and terpene lactones are low. The elimination kinetic differences between the two classes of ginkgo compounds influence their relative systemic exposure levels. The information gained is relevant to linking ginkgo administration to the medicinal effects.
NFAT2 inhibitor ameliorates diabetic nephropathy and podocyte injury in db/db mice
Authors: Zhang Li , Li Ruizhao , Shi Wei , Liang Xinling , Liu Shuangxin , Ye Zhiming , Yu Chunping , Chen Yuanhan , Zhang Bin , Wang Wenjian , Lai Yuxiong , Ma Jianchao , Li Zhuo , Tan Xiaofan 
Published: August 2013

Background and PurposePodocyte injury plays a key role in the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN). We have recently shown that 11R‐VIVIT, an inhibitor of cell‐permeable nuclear factor of activated T‐cells (NFAT), attenuates podocyte apoptosis induced by high glucose in vitro. However, it is not known whether 11R‐VIVIT has a protective effect on DN, especially podocyte injury, under in vivo diabetic conditions. Hence, we examined the renoprotective effects of 11R‐VIVIT in diabetic db/db mice and the possible mechanisms underlying its protective effects on podocyte injury in vivo and in vitro.Experimental ApproachType 2 diabetic db/db mice received i.p. injections of 11R‐VIVIT (1 mg·kg−1) three times a week and were killed after 8 weeks. Immortalized mouse podocytes were cultured under different experimental conditions.Key Results11R‐VIVIT treatment markedly attenuated the albuminuria in diabetic db/db mice and also alleviated mesangial matrix expansion and podocyte injury. However, body weight, food and water intake, and glucose levels were unaffected. It also attenuated the increased NFAT2 activation and enhanced urokinase‐type plasminogen activator receptor (uPA receptor) expression in glomerulor podocytes. In cultured podocytes, the increased nuclear accumulation of NFAT2 and uPA receptor expression induced by high glucose treatment was prevented by 11R‐VIVIT or NFAT2‐knockdown; this was accompanied by improvements in the filtration barrier function of the podocyte monolayer.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe NFAT inhibitor 11R‐VIVIT might be a useful therapeutic strategy for protecting podocytes and treating DN. The calcinerin/NFAT2/uPA receptor signalling pathway should be exploited as a therapeutic target for protecting podocytes from injury in DN.
Structural and functional insights into the juxtamembranous amino‐terminal tail and extracellular loop regions of class B GPCRs
Authors: Dong M , Koole C , Wootten D , Sexton P M , Miller L J 
Published: August 2013

Class B guanine nucleotide‐binding protein GPCRs share heptahelical topology and signalling via coupling with heterotrimeric G proteins typical of the entire superfamily of GPCRs. However, they also exhibit substantial structural differences from the more extensively studied class A GPCRs. Even their helical bundle region, most conserved across the superfamily, is predicted to differ from that of class A GPCRs. Much is now known about the conserved structure of the amino‐terminal domain of class B GPCRs, coming from isolated NMR and crystal structures, but the orientation of that domain relative to the helical bundle is unknown, and even less is understood about the conformations of the juxtamembranous amino‐terminal tail or of the extracellular loops linking the transmembrane segments. We now review what is known about the structure and function of these regions of class B GPCRs. This comes from indirect analysis of structure–function relationships elucidated by mutagenesis and/or ligand modification and from the more direct analysis of spatial approximation coming from photoaffinity labelling and cysteine trapping studies. Also reviewed are the limited studies of structure of some of these regions. No dominant theme was recognized for the structures or functional roles of distinct regions of these juxtamembranous portions of the class B GPCRs. Therefore, it is likely that a variety of molecular strategies can be engaged for docking of agonist ligands and for initiation of conformational changes in these receptors that would be expected to converge to a common molecular mechanism for activation of intracellular signalling cascades.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on Molecular Pharmacology of GPCRs. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2014.171.issue‐5
Comparison of ultra‐fast 2D and 3D ligand and target descriptors for side effect prediction and network analysis in polypharmacology
Authors: Cortés‐Cabrera Alvaro , Morris Garrett M , Finn Paul W , Morreale Antonio , Gago Federico 
Published: August 2013

Background and PurposeSome existing computational methods are used to infer protein targets of small molecules and can therefore be used to find new targets for existing drugs, with the goals of re‐directing the molecule towards a different therapeutic purpose or explaining off‐target effects due to multiple targeting. Inherent limitations, however, arise from the fact that chemical analogy is calculated on the basis of common frameworks or scaffolds and also because target information is neglected. The method we present addresses these issues by taking into account 3D information from both the ligand and the target.Experimental ApproachElectroShape is an established method for ultra‐fast comparison of the shapes and charge distributions of ligands that is validated here for prediction of on‐target activities, off‐target profiles and adverse effects of drugs and drug‐like molecules taken from the DrugBank database.Key ResultsThe method is shown to predict polypharmacology profiles and relate targets from two complementary viewpoints (ligand‐ and target‐based networks).Conclusions and ImplicationsThe open‐access web tool presented here (http://ub.cbm.uam.es/chemogenomics/) allows interactive navigation in a unified ‘pharmacological space’ from the viewpoints of both ligands and targets. It also enables prediction of pharmacological profiles, including likely side effects, for new compounds. We hope this web interface will help many pharmacologists to become aware of this new paradigm (up to now mostly used in the realm of the so‐called ‘chemical biology’) and encourage its use with a view to revealing ‘hidden’ relationships between new and existing compounds and pharmacologically relevant targets.