bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alveolar Bone Loss Is Associated With Circulating Anti‐Citrullinated Protein Antibody (ACPA) in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Gonzalez Shawneen M. , Payne Jeffrey B. , Yu Fang , Thiele Geoffrey M. , Erickson Alan R. , Johnson Paul G. , Schmid Marian J. , Cannon Grant W. , Kerr Gail S. , Reimold Andreas M. , Sokolove Jeremy , Robinson William H. , Mikuls Ted R. 
Published: October 2014

Background: This study examines: 1) alveolar bone loss (ABL), a hallmark of periodontitis, in anti‐citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)‐positive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients versus control patients with osteoarthritis (OA); and 2) the association of ABL with RA disease activity and ACPA concentrations, including multiple antigen–specific ACPA.Methods: This multicenter case‐control study includes 617 patients diagnosed with RA (n = 287) or OA (n = 330). Panoramic radiographs were taken; patients were categorized into low, moderate, or high tertiles based on mean percentage ABL. Serum ACPA was measured using second‐generation anticyclic citrullinated peptide enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and a multiplex platform to assess distinct antigen‐specific ACPA. A generalized linear mixed model for binary data was used to compare stratified ABL in RA versus OA patients. Associations of moderate and high ABL (versus low) with RA disease activity and severity measures were examined using multivariate regression. Antigen‐specific ACPA responses were compared among ABL tertiles using significance analysis of microarrays.Results: ACPA‐positive patients with RA had a significantly higher mean percentage of sites with ABL >20% compared with patients with OA (P = 0.03). After multivariate adjustment, greater ABL was significantly associated with higher serum ACPA concentration (P = 0.004), 28‐joint Disease Activity Score (P = 0.023), health assessment questionnaire disability (P = 0.05), tender joint count (P = 0.02) and joint space narrowing scores (P = 0.05) among patients with RA. ACPAs targeting citrullinated vimentin and histone were significantly higher in moderate and high ABL groups versus low, regardless of smoking status (q <0.1%).Conclusions: Greater ABL was associated with higher ACPA, consistent with findings at articular sites. ACPA targeting could provide novel insight into important linkages between RA and periodontitis.
Impact of Cigarette Smoking on Clinical Outcomes of Periodontal Flap Surgical Procedures: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Kotsakis Georgios A. , Javed Fawad , Hinrichs James E. , Karoussis Ioannis K. , Romanos Georgios E. 
Published: October 2014

Background: Periodontal flap surgery is frequently used to remove subgingival deposits, yielding consequential reductions in gingival inflammation and probing depth (PD) with a gain in clinical attachment level (CAL) to treat advanced periodontal disease. However, clinical studies have reported diminished periodontal healing in smokers compared with non‐smokers. The aim of the present systematic review and meta‐analysis was to assess the impact of cigarette smoking on clinical outcomes following periodontal flap surgical procedures.Methods: A systematic electronic review of articles relevant to periodontal flap surgical procedures in smokers was conducted from 1977 to March 2014 inclusive, using predefined, optimized search strategies. Meta‐analyses were done separately for changes in the two primary outcomes of PD and CAL.Results: The initial search yielded 390 titles and abstracts. After screening, eight controlled clinical studies were finally selected. Three studies were assessed as having a low risk of bias, two as having moderate risk of bias, and three as having a high risk of bias. Qualitative assessment of the articles consistently showed an improved treatment effect among non‐smokers versus smokers. The reduction in PD in smokers and non‐smokers ranged from 0.76 to 2.05 mm and 1.27 to 2.40 mm, respectively. For CAL, the gain in non‐smokers versus smokers ranged from 0.29 to 1.6 mm and 0.09 to 1.2 mm, respectively. Meta‐analysis on eight studies reporting on 363 study participants demonstrated an increased reduction in mean (95% confidence interval) PD of 0.39 (0.33 to 0.45) mm. Similar results were found for mean gain in CAL (0.35 [0.30 to 0.40] mm, n = 4 studies).Conclusions: Considering the relatively homogenous information available, the authors conclude that active smokers could be candidates for periodontal flap surgical procedures. However, the magnitude of the therapeutic effect is compromised in smokers compared with non‐smokers. Therefore, cigarette smokers should be: 1) encouraged to abstain from smoking; and 2) thoroughly informed preoperatively of substantial reduction in clinical outcomes compared with non‐smokers.
Painful Ununited Fracture of the Posterior Process of the Talus in an Adolescent Dancer
Authors: Kao Hsuan-Kai , Gamble James G. 
Published: October 2014

Case:
Fractures of the talus in children and adolescents are uncommon and generally involve the body or neck of the talus. We present a thirteen-year-old dancer with an ununited fracture of the posterior process of the talus that was initially thought to be a painful os trigonum.

Conclusion:
This injury was confused with a painful os trigonum. We found that the size of the fragment, the extent to which the fracture line undercut the tibial plafond, and the findings on magnetic resonance imaging were helpful in clarifying the diagnosis of the fracture.
Fee Discounting and Audit Quality Following Audit Firm and Audit Partner Changes: Chinese Evidence
Authors: Huang Hua-Wei , Raghunandan K , Huang Ting-Chiao , Chiou Jeng-Ren 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT
Issues related to low-balling of initial year audit fees and the resultant impact on audit quality have received significant attention from regulators in many countries. Using 9,684 observations from China during the years 2002–2011, we find that there is a significant initial year audit fee discount following an audit firm change when both of the signing audit partners are different from the prior year. The evidence is mixed if one or both of the signing partners from the prior year also moves with the client to the new audit firm. We find evidence of audit fee discounting in our analysis of fee levels, but not in our analysis of changes in audit fees from the prior year. Sanctions for problem audits and greater earnings management are more likely when there is an audit firm change that involves two new signing partners together with initial year audit fee discounting.
Shell Games: The Long-Term Performance of Chinese Reverse-Merger Firms
Authors: Lee Charles M. C. , Li Kevin K. , Zhang Ran 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT
We examine the financial health and performance of reverse mergers (RMs) that became active on U.S. stock markets between 2001 and 2010, particularly those from China (around 85 percent of all foreign RMs). As a group, RMs are early-stage companies that typically trade over the counter. However, Chinese RMs (CRMs) tend to be more mature and less speculative than either their U.S. counterparts or a group of exchange-industry-size-matched firms. As a group, CRMs outperformed their matched peers from inception through the end of 2013, even after including most of the firms accused of accounting fraud. CRMs that receive private investment in public equity (PIPE) financing from sophisticated investors perform particularly well. Overall, despite the negative publicity, we find little evidence that CRMs are inherently toxic investments. Our results shed light on the risk-performance trade-off for CRMs, as well as the delicate balance between credibility and access in well-functioning markets.
JEL Classifications: G34; M41; N20
The Effectiveness of the R&D Tax Credit: Evidence from the Alternative Simplified Credit
Authors: Finley Andrew R. , Lusch Stephen J. , Cook Kirsten A. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT
We examine the influence of the Alternative Simplified Credit (ASC) on firms' research and development (R&D) spending. The ASC remedies a perceived flaw with the previous R&D tax credit regime that excluded firms with high R&D intensities during their fixed-base periods and/or high sales in the previous four years from claiming a credit. We document a large increase in R&D tax credit eligibility following the enactment of the ASC, and find that its effect on R&D spending was positive relative to firms not utilizing this new credit-calculation option. Specifically, we estimate that the ASC induced an additional $2.26 of R&D spending for every dollar of forgone tax revenue. These results provide evidence that the ASC has spurred R&D investment in a setting where firms have a choice between two credit-calculation methods.
JEL Classifications: H25, H32, O31
The Perceived Impact of Journal of Information Systems on Promotion and Tenure
Authors: Janvrin Diane J. , Lim Jee-Hae , Peters Gary F. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT
During the promotion and tenure process, most institutions evaluate whether the candidate has published in high-quality research journals. This study examines the perceived impact of the Journal of Information Systems (JIS) on the promotion and tenure process. The research surveys 149 accounting information systems professors and 36 accounting department leaders. Results suggest that 62 percent of respondents indicated the JIS was very impactful on the promotion and tenure process, while 34 percent perceived the journal to play only a supportive role to higher-ranked journals. Further, senior scholars hold a higher perception of JIS's impact, while those who have served as external reviewers for promotion and tenure committees hold lower perceptions. Finally, results indicate a negative association between perceived promotion and tenure impact and whether the respondent is from a private institution, a larger-sized institution, and if the institution offers a doctoral program.
Data Availability: All data used in this study are available upon request. The survey may be found in the online resources.
Is Democracy Possible Without a Restriction of the Suffrage?
Authors: Alfano Vincenzo 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Today, the concept of democracy seems inextricably linked with that of universal suffrage. But is it true? To let that anyone with a given age has the right to vote is a very good democratic practice, or would prefer to question the criteria for access to this right, perhaps to develop new systems? The current crisis of democracy in the Western world is symptomatic of a detriment of the political consciousness of the people? And yet it is very likely to be admissible and that only from the mass, the large numbers, rises the better choices? In this paper I try to answer these questions, drawing from personal opinions and thoughts, which I hope will inspire questions and curiosity in those who, like me, believes that any system is always perfectible, and that its aim should be to that perfection, without fear of asking uncomfortable questions. Personally, in fact, I can accept democracy as “the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried”, to quote a famous statement by Winston Churchill. But not for that I give up, and I try other ways. Ways that are more satisfying, more fair and keep us away from the horrors that only an angry mob can do.
Autonomous assembly of synthetic oligonucleotides built from an expanded DNA alphabet. Total synthesis of a gene encoding kanamycin resistance
Authors: Merritt Kristen K , Bradley Kevin M , Hutter Daniel , Matsuura Mariko F , Rowold Diane J , Benner Steven A 
Published: October 2014

Background: Many synthetic biologists seek to increase the degree of autonomy in the assembly of long DNA (L-DNA) constructs from short synthetic DNA fragments, which are today quite inexpensive because of automated solid-phase synthesis. However, the low information density of DNA built from just four nucleotide “letters”, the presence of strong (G:C) and weak (A:T) nucleobase pairs, the non-canonical folded structures that compete with Watson–Crick pairing, and other features intrinsic to natural DNA, generally prevent the autonomous assembly of short single-stranded oligonucleotides greater than a dozen or so.Results: We describe a new strategy to autonomously assemble L-DNA constructs from fragments of synthetic single-stranded DNA. This strategy uses an artificially expanded genetic information system (AEGIS) that adds nucleotides to the four (G, A, C, and T) found in standard DNA by shuffling hydrogen-bonding units on the nucleobases, all while retaining the overall Watson–Crick base-pairing geometry. The added information density allows larger numbers of synthetic fragments to self-assemble without off-target hybridization, hairpin formation, and non-canonical folding interactions. The AEGIS pairs are then converted into standard pairs to produce a fully natural L-DNA product. Here, we report the autonomous assembly of a gene encoding kanamycin resistance using this strategy. Synthetic fragments were built from a six-letter alphabet having two AEGIS components, 5-methyl-2’-deoxyisocytidine and 2’-deoxyisoguanosine (respectively S and B), at their overlapping ends. Gaps in the overlapped assembly were then filled in using DNA polymerases, and the nicks were sealed by ligase. The S:B pairs in the ligated construct were then converted to T:A pairs during PCR amplification. When cloned into a plasmid, the product was shown to make Escherichia coli resistant to kanamycin. A parallel study that attempted to assemble similarly sized genes with optimally designed standard nucleotides lacking AEGIS components gave successful assemblies of up to 16 fragments, but generally failed when larger autonomous assemblies were attempted.Conclusion: AEGIS nucleotides, by increasing the information density of DNA, allow larger numbers of DNA fragments to autonomously self-assemble into large DNA constructs. This technology can therefore increase the size of DNA constructs that might be used in synthetic biology.
Endosomal Localization of TLR8 Confers Distinctive Proteolytic Processing on Human Myeloid Cells
Authors: Ishii Noriko , Funami Kenji , Tatematsu Megumi , Seya Tsukasa , Matsumoto Misako 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Nucleic acid–sensing TLRs are involved in both antimicrobial immune responses and autoimmune inflammation. TLR8 is phylogenetically and structurally related to TLR7 and TLR9, which undergo proteolytic processing in the endolysosomes to generate functional receptors. Recent structural analyses of human TLR8 ectodomain and its liganded form demonstrated that TLR8 is also cleaved, and both the N- and C-terminal halves contribute to ligand binding. However, the structures and ssRNA recognition mode of endogenous TLR8 in human primary cells are largely unknown. In this study, we show that proteolytic processing of TLR8 occurs in human monocytes and macrophages in a different manner compared with TLR7/9 cleavage. The insertion loop between leucine-rich repeats 14 and 15 in TLR8 is indispensable for the cleavage and stepwise processing that occurs in the N-terminal fragment. Both furin-like proprotein convertase and cathepsins contribute to TLR8 cleavage in the early/late endosomes. TLR8 recognizes viral ssRNA and endogenous RNA, such as microRNAs, resulting in the production of proinflammatory cytokines. Hence, localization sites of the receptors are crucial for the nucleic acid–sensing mode and downstream signaling.
The psychology of animal companionship: Some ancient and modern views
Authors: Viviers Hennie 
Published: October 2014

The intuitive sensing of a mental bond between ourselves and animals, especially those that live very close to us, our companion animals, has been there since early history. Some ancient Israelite views testify to an irresistible anthropomorphising of their domestic animals (Jn 3:5–9) as well as an acknowledgement of the socio-psychological support provided by them (2 Sm 12:1c–4d). Is there indeed a mental overlap between humans and animals to explain this intuitive experiencing of a bond between ourselves and them since ancient times? Modern neuroscience, through neuro-imaging, has shown that dogs (at least) are able to reciprocate our thoughts and feelings, be it in a limited way. They seem to have some limited form of a ‘theory of mind’ previously ascribed to humans only. This explains why they have been humans’ ‘best friend’ for the past 12 000 years since they were domesticated from wolves. The intuitions of the ancients and the findings of modern science confirm that we and non-human animals all form intrinsically part of the fascinating web of life. This fact should sensitise us as moral agents to preserve this life.
Het probleem van meetinvariantie bij het vergelijken van subgroepen op basis van somscores
Authors: De Boeck Arne , Hardyns Wim , Pauwels Lieven 
Published: October 2014

The problem of measurement invariance when using sum scores to make group comparisons. A case study on the measurement of avoidance behavior
Using summated scale scores to make group comparisons is only meaningful if one can assume that the scale measures attribute in the same way in each of the groups involved in the comparison. This assumption is called measurement invariance. This contribution discusses the use of modern statistical measurement models to test this assumption and to verify the consequences of a possible violation for the comparison of group means. In the empirical part of the contribution the authors illustrate their account by examining whether a scale assessing avoidance behavior – commonly used in fear of crime research – is invariant across gender and age groups.
Reprogramming Human Retinal Pigmented Epithelial Cells to Neurons Using Recombinant Proteins
Authors: Hu Qirui , Chen Renwei , Teesalu Tambet , Ruoslahti Erkki , Clegg Dennis O. 
Published: October 2014

Abstract

Somatic cells can be reprogrammed to an altered lineage by overexpressing specific transcription factors. To avoid introducing exogenous genetic material into the genome of host cells, cell-penetrating peptides can be used to deliver transcription factors into cells for reprogramming. Position-dependent C-end rule (CendR) cell- and tissue-penetrating peptides provide an alternative to the conventional cell-penetrating peptides, such as polyarginine. In this study, we used a prototypic, already active CendR peptide, RPARPAR, to deliver the transcription factor SOX2 to retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells. We demonstrated that RPE cells can be directly reprogrammed to a neuronal fate by introduction of SOX2. Resulting neuronal cells expressed neuronal marker mRNAs and proteins and downregulated expression of RPE markers. Cells produced extensive neurites and developed synaptic machinery capable of dye uptake after depolarization with potassium. The RPARPAR-mediated delivery of SOX2 alone was sufficient to allow cell lineage reprogramming of both fetal and stem cell-derived RPE cells to become functional neurons.
Salient features of the dual‐frequency, dual‐polarized, Doppler radar for remote sensing of precipitation
Authors: Vega Manuel A. , Chandrasekar V. , Carswell James , Beauchamp Robert M. , Schwaller Mathew R. , Nguyen Cuong 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe global precipitation measurement (GPM) mission is an international satellite mission to obtain accurate observations of precipitation on a global scale every 3 h. Its (GPM) core satellite was launched on 27 February 2014 with two science instruments: the microwave imager and the dual‐frequency precipitation radar. Ground validation is an integral part of the GPM mission where instruments are deployed to complement and correlate with spacecraft instruments. The dual‐frequency, dual‐polarization, Doppler radar (D3R) is a critical ground validation instrument that was developed for the GPM program. This paper describes the salient features of the D3R in the context of the GPM ground validation mission. The engineering and architectural overview of the radar is described, and observations from successful GPM ground validation field experiments are presented.
Multimodel Bayesian analysis of groundwater data worth
Authors: Xue Liang , Zhang Dongxiao , Guadagnini Alberto , Neuman Shlomo P. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractWe explore the way in which uncertain descriptions of aquifer heterogeneity and groundwater flow impact one's ability to assess the worth of collecting additional data. We do so on the basis of Maximum Likelihood Bayesian Model Averaging (MLBMA) by accounting jointly for uncertainties in geostatistical and flow model structures and parameter (hydraulic conductivity) as well as system state (hydraulic head) estimates, given uncertain measurements of one or both variables. Previous description of our approach was limited to geostatistical models based solely on hydraulic conductivity data. Here we implement the approach on a synthetic example of steady state flow in a two‐dimensional random log hydraulic conductivity field with and without recharge by embedding an inverse stochastic moment solution of groundwater flow in MLBMA. A moment‐equations‐based geostatistical inversion method is utilized to circumvent the need for computationally expensive numerical Monte Carlo simulations. The approach is compatible with either deterministic or stochastic flow models and consistent with modern statistical methods of parameter estimation, admitting but not requiring prior information about the parameters. It allows but does not require approximating lead predictive statistical moments of system states by linearization while updating model posterior probabilities and parameter estimates on the basis of potential new data both before and after such data are actually collected.
Probabilistic collocation method for strongly nonlinear problems: 2. Transform by displacement
Authors: Liao Qinzhuo , Zhang Dongxiao 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe probabilistic collocation method (PCM) is widely used for uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis. In paper 1 of this series, we demonstrated that the PCM may provide inaccurate results when the relation between the random input parameter and the model response is strongly nonlinear, and presented a location‐based transformed PCM (xTPCM) to address this issue, relying on the transform between response and location. However, the xTPCM is only applicable for one‐dimensional problems, and two or three‐dimensional problems in homogeneous media. In this paper, we propose a displacement‐based transformed PCM (dTPCM), which is valid in two or three‐dimensional problems in heterogeneous media. In the PCM, we first select collocation points and run model/simulator to obtain response, and then approximate the response by polynomial construction. Whereas, in the dTPCM, we apply motion analysis to transform the response to displacement. That is, the response field is now represented by the displacement field. Next, we approximate the displacement instead of the response by polynomial, since the displacement is more linear to the input parameter than the response. Finally, we randomly generate a sufficient number of displacement samples and transform them back to obtain response samples to estimate statistical properties. Through multiphase flow and solute transport examples, we demonstrate that the dTPCM provides much more accurate statistics than does the PCM, and requires considerably less computer time than does the Monte Carlo (MC) method.