bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stock returns in Chinese markets and lucky numbered days
Authors: Haggard K. Stephen 
Published: September 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine the stock return impact of “lucky” numbered days in markets dominated by Chinese participants. The existence of such patterns might present arbitrage opportunities for investors who do not share a belief in the Chinese system of “lucky” numbers.Design/methodology/approach– In univariate and multivariate analyses, the author examines the statistical significance of return differences between “lucky” numbered days and other days. The author examines samples which only consider single digit days and months, and the author also considers samples based on the last digit of the day or month. Based on the findings in these tests, the author designs and tests a trading strategy on the Shenzhen Exchange that produces significant risk-adjusted returns in excess of the buy-and-hold return on the Shenzhen Composite Index.Findings– The author shows that “lucky” numbered dates impact stock returns in Chinese markets and demonstrate a “lucky” number date trading strategy for the Shenzhen market that produces risk-adjusted returns in excess of the market return.Originality/value– Prior research on home address numbers and stock trading codes shows that, in markets dominated by Chinese participants, assets with identifiers containing numbers defined byFeng Shuias “lucky” sell at a premium and assets with identifiers containing “unlucky” numbers sell at a discount. In such markets, prices are more likely to end in a “lucky” number than an “unlucky” number. Chinese firms also tend to price their shares at IPO using “lucky” numbers and avoiding “unlucky” numbers. The author extends this literature to examine whether dates containing “lucky” and “unlucky” numbers experience stock returns significantly different than other days on Chinese stock exchanges.
Molecular evolution of aquaporins and silicon influx in plants
Authors: Deshmukh Rupesh , Bélanger Richard R. 
Published: September 2015

Summary

Silicon (Si), although mostly ignored by plant nutritionists and ecologists, is now gaining more attention because of its beneficial role in plant fitness under stress environment imposed by a diverse range of biotic and abiotic factors. Si appears to systematically confer benefits to plants as long as a given species can absorb the element. Here, we review recent developments regarding the molecular mechanisms, evolution, regulation and structural specificity of influx transporter proteins involved in Si uptake by plants.

Si absorption is facilitated by specific nodulin 26‐like intrinsic proteins (NIPs). The Si transporter NIPs have evolved a unique amino acid selective filter (SF), which is one of the required features to regulate the influx of Si. While Si accumulation in plants requires the dual action of both an influx transporter and an efflux transporter, it appears that the presence of the former is the indispensable key for a plant to be able to absorb Si.

Based on sequence analyses and comparisons, influx transporters appear to have conserved features across all species that allow to discriminate between plants that are Si competent or not. While it is unclear how and why plants have acquired or lost this trait, genomic data now offer a reliable tool to predict with accuracy which plant species are predisposed to benefit from Si. This will undoubtedly result in a better understanding of Si role in many fundamental aspects of ecology regarding plant fitness under stress.
The functional significance of complex floral colour pattern in a food‐deceptive orchid
Authors: Ma Xiaokai , Shi Jun , Bänziger Hans , Sun Yangna , Guo Yanyan , Liu Zhongjian , Johnson Steven D. , Luo Yibo 
Published: September 2015

Summary

Many non‐rewarding orchid species mimic the signals of co‐occurring food flowers and thereby attract food‐seeking animal pollinators. These signals are often visually complex with a colour pattern that contrasts between outer and central parts. The significance of this colour complexity for the pollination success of flowers of deceptive orchids has scarcely been investigated.

We tested the effects of the colour patterns of the food‐deceptive orchid Paphiopedilum micranthum on bumblebee visitation choices and pollination success using behavioural experiments in a community context. Using comparative phylogenetic analysis and a bee vision model, we also compared the colour patterns of P. micranthum with those of its congeners and sympatric food flowers.

The probability of both long‐range approach and close‐up choice by bumblebees to orchids was all enhanced in communities with food flowers similar in colour pattern to the orchid. Probability of long‐range approach and close‐up choice was negatively correlated with colour distance between orchid and food flowers in floral outer and centre, respectively. Flowers of P. micranthum that were manipulated to reduce visual complexity had reduced male and female pollination success.

Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the outer floral colour of P. micranthum is apomorphic and thus likely represents an evolutionary innovation, whereas the central colour is plesiomorphic and thus likely to function in the bumblebee pollination system as an exaptation. The contrast between the inner and outer colours appears to exploit visual preferences of bumblebees acquired during foraging on local food plants with similar colour patterns.

This study highlights the adaptive significance of colour patterns in successful food deception and the importance of complex signals in facilitating interspecific interactions.
Intra‐individual polymorphism in chloroplasts from NGS data: where does it come from and how to handle it?
Authors: Scarcelli N. , Mariac C. , Couvreur T. L. P. , Faye A. , Richard D. , Sabot F. , Berthouly‐Salazar C. , Vigouroux Y. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractNext‐generation sequencing allows access to a large quantity of genomic data. In plants, several studies used whole chloroplast genome sequences for inferring phylogeography or phylogeny. Even though the chloroplast is a haploid organelle, NGS plastome data identified a nonnegligible number of intra‐individual polymorphic SNPs. Such observations could have several causes such as sequencing errors, the presence of heteroplasmy or transfer of chloroplast sequences in the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. The occurrence of allelic diversity has practical important impacts on the identification of diversity, the analysis of the chloroplast data and beyond that, significant evolutionary questions. In this study, we show that the observed intra‐individual polymorphism of chloroplast sequence data is probably the result of plastid DNA transferred into the mitochondrial and/or the nuclear genomes. We further assess nine different bioinformatics pipelines’ error rates for SNP and genotypes calling using SNPs identified in Sanger sequencing. Specific pipelines are adequate to deal with this issue, optimizing both specificity and sensitivity. Our results will allow a proper use of whole chloroplast NGS sequence and will allow a better handling of NGS chloroplast sequence diversity.
Evaluating the long‐term impacts of promoting “green” agriculture in the Amazon
Authors: Sills Erin O. , Caviglia‐Harris Jill L. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractFrontier development in the Brazilian Amazon has created vast areas of largely deforested landscapes. Conservation efforts in these post‐frontier zones seek to protect the remaining forest fragments and promote sustainable agricultural practices that absorb labor, meet market demand, and generate ecosystem services. Assessments of these efforts often find that rates of sustained uptake are disappointingly low and that impacts are difficult to discern, but this could be due to the short‐time frames of both the efforts themselves and their evaluation. We investigate the impacts of participation in an internationally sponsored farmer association that for 15 years promoted sustainable agricultural practices in the heavily deforested state of Rondônia, Brazil. Using data from a georeferenced four‐period panel survey of farmers in combination with remote sensing data on land use spanning the life of the association, we apply matching methods to estimate the impacts of participation. We find that membership resulted in more diversified production systems, including more land allocated to agroforestry. Members also deforested less of their farms, but this difference is not statistically significant after we control for selection bias in membership.
A randomized DBPC trial to determine the optimal effective and safe dose of a SLIT‐birch pollen extract for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: results of a phase II study
Authors: Pfaar O. , van Twuijver E. , Boot J. D. , Opstelten D. J. E. , Klimek L. , van Ree R. , Diamant Z. , Kuna P. , Panzner P. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackgroundSublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a potential efficacious and safe treatment option for patients with respiratory, IgE‐mediated allergic diseases. A combined tolerability, dose‐finding study with a sublingual liquid birch pollen preparation (SB) was conducted.MethodsTwo hundred and sixty‐nine adults with birch‐pollen‐induced AR were randomized to placebo, SB: 3333, 10 000, 20 000 or 40 000 AUN/ml. Differences in symptom scores following a titrated nasal provocation test (TNPT) at baseline and after 5 months of treatment were determined. Safety, tolerability, birch‐pollen‐specific immunoglobulin levels and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) were also measured (all measures determined outside the birch pollen season).ResultsIn all treatment groups, an improvement in symptom scores after treatment compared to baseline was observed, with an additional stepwise improvement in the active groups compared to placebo, which was significant in high‐dose groups (P = 0.008 and P < 0.001, respectively). For this primary endpoint, a significant linear dose–response curve was observed: the higher the dose, the better the improvement observed. Likewise, active treatment resulted in an increase in PNIF and serum IgG levels compared to placebo. The highest improvements were found in the 40 000 AUN/ml group. All active dosages resulted in more adverse reactions than placebo, which were mainly mild and well‐controlled.ConclusionsA multicentre trial evaluated the dose–response and tolerability of SB. All active treatment groups showed better responses than placebo for both primary and secondary parameters. The results indicate that, within the studied dose range, SB 40 000 AUN/ml is the most optimal effective and safe dose (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01639768).
PDK1/Akt/PDE4D axis identified as a target for asthma remedy synergistic with β2AR agonists by a natural agent arctigenin
Authors: Fang R. , Cui Q. , Sun J. , Duan X. , Ma X. , Wang W. , Cheng B. , Liu Y. , Hou Y. , Bai G. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackgroundAsthma is a heterogenetic disorder characterized by chronic inflammation with variable airflow obstruction and airway hyper‐responsiveness. As the most potent and popular bronchodilators, β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) agonists bind to the β2ARs that are coupled via a stimulatory G protein to adenylyl cyclase, thereby improving cAMP accumulation and resulting in airway smooth muscle relaxation. We previously demonstrated arctigenin had a synergistic function with the β2AR agonist, but the target for this remained elusive.MethodChemical proteomics capturing was used to enrich and uncover the target of arctigenin in human bronchial smooth muscle cells, and reverse docking and molecular dynamic stimulation were performed to evaluate the binding of arctigenin and its target. In vitro enzyme activities and protein levels were demonstrated with special kits and Western blotting. Finally, guinea pig tracheal muscle segregation and ex vivo function were analysed.ResultsArctigenin bound to PDK1 with an ideal binding free energy −25.45 kcal/mol and inhibited PDK1 kinase activity without changing its protein level. Additionally, arctigenin reduced PKB/Akt‐induced phosphorylation of PDE4D, which was first identified in this study. Attenuation of PDE4D resulted in cAMP accumulation in human bronchial smooth muscle. The inhibition of PDK1 showed a synergistic function with β2AR agonists and relaxed the constriction of segregated guinea pig tracheal muscle.ConclusionsThe PDK1/Akt/PDE4D axis serves as a novel asthma target, which may benefit airflow obstruction.
Successful Treatment of Aluminium Phosphide Poisoning by Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Hassanian‐Moghaddam Hossein , Zamani Nasim , Rahimi Mitra , Hajesmaeili Mohammadreza , Taherkhani Maryam , Sadeghi Roxana 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAluminium phosphide (ALP) is one of the most commonly used pesticides worldwide with high mortality rates. Cellular damage and cardiorespiratory failure are the most common causes of mortality and morbidity after poisoning. It is supposed that giving enough time to the patient to survive, the most critical hours after exposure may help the cardiovascular system to recover itself and save the patient's life. During a training workshop for medical extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a 28‐year‐old ALP‐poisoned male was referred to us. Fifty minutes after admission, he developed hypotension and bradycardia and was transferred to ICU. On the second venous blood gas, he had severe metabolic acidosis. After starting the patient on the routine treatment of ALP poisoning, he was a candidate for veno‐arterial (VA) ECMO. After three days, lactate level decreased and his general condition improved. On day four, the patient was completely separated from the ECMO machine with acceptable echocardiography and ejection fraction of 40%. One day later, he was extubated, sent to the ward and subsequently discharged in good condition. We suggest this method of treatment for severe ALP poisoning as well as any other poisoning that causes cell toxicity and abrupt cardiovascular or respiratory failure.
Two pathways through adversity: Predicting well‐being and housing outcomes among homeless service users
Authors: Walter Zoe C. , Jetten Jolanda , Dingle Genevieve A. , Parsell Cameron , Johnstone Melissa 
Published: September 2015

People who experience homelessness face many challenges and disadvantages that negatively impact health and well‐being and form barriers to achieving stable housing. Further, people who are homeless often have limited social connections and support. Building on previous research that has shown the beneficial effect of group identification on health and well‐being, the current study explores the relationship between two social identity processes – multiple group memberships and service identification – and well‐being and positive housing outcomes. Measures were collected from 76 participants while they were residing in a homeless accommodation service (T1) and again 2–4 weeks after leaving the service (or 3 months afterT1 if participants had not left the service). Mediation analyses revealed that multiple group memberships and service identification atT1 independently predicted well‐being atT2 indirectly, via social support. Further, both social identity processes also indirectly predicted housing outcomes via social support. The implications of these findings are twofold. First, while belonging to multiple social groups may provide a pathway to gaining social support and well‐being, group belonging may not necessarily be beneficial to achieve stable housing. Second, fostering identification with homeless services may be particularly important as a source of support that contributes to well‐being.
General anaesthesia‐induced anaphylaxis: impact of allergy testing on subsequent anaesthesia
Authors: Trautmann A. , Seidl C. , Stoevesandt J. , Seitz C. S. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryBackgroundImmunoglobulin E‐mediated allergy to drugs and substances used during general anaesthesia as well as non‐allergic drug hypersensitivity reactions may account for anaesthesia‐induced anaphylaxis. As IgE‐mediated anaphylaxis is a potentially life‐threatening reaction, identification of the culprit allergen is essential to avoid anaphylaxis recurrence during subsequent general anaesthesia.ObjectiveTo study whether preventive recommendations derived from allergy testing after intraoperative anaphylaxis were followed in subsequent general anaesthesia.MethodsResults of standardized allergy testing after anaesthesia‐induced anaphylaxis and outcome of subsequent general anaesthesia were analysed retrospectively.ResultsFifty‐three of 107 patients were diagnosed with IgE‐mediated allergy to a drug or substance used during general anaesthesia, and 54 patients were test negative. Twenty‐eight of 29 allergy patients tolerated subsequent general anaesthesia uneventfully. One patient with cefazolin allergy suffered from anaphylaxis recurrence due to accidental reapplication of cefazolin. Twenty‐two of 24 test‐negative patients tolerated subsequent general anaesthesia, whereas two patients again developed anaphylaxis despite pre‐medication regimens.Conclusion and Clinical RelevanceOur results confirm the practical impact of allergy testing in general anaesthesia‐induced anaphylaxis. By identification of the allergen, it is possible to avoid allergic anaphylaxis during subsequent anaesthesia. In most cases, recommended pre‐medication seems to prevent the recurrence of non‐allergic drug hypersensitivity reactions.
Hydrological responses of land use change from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) to cellulosic bioenergy crops in the Southern High Plains of Texas,USA
Authors: Chen Yong , Ale Srinivasulu , Rajan Nithya , Morgan Cristine L. S. , Park Jongyoon 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe Southern High Plains (SHP) region of Texas in the United States, where cotton is grown in a vast acreage, has the potential to grow cellulosic bioenergy crops such as perennial grasses and biomass sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). Evaluation of hydrological responses and biofuel production potential of hypothetical land use change from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) to cellulosic bioenergy crops enables better understanding of the associated key agroecosystem processes and provides for the feasibility assessment of the targeted land use change in theSHP. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was used to assess the impacts of replacing cotton with perennial Alamo switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.),Miscanthus × giganteus(Miscanthus sinensisAnderss. [Poaceae]), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) and annual biomass sorghum on water balances, water use efficiency and biofuel production potential in the Double Mountain Fork Brazos watershed. Under perennial grass scenarios, the average (1994–2009) annual surface runoff from the entire watershed decreased by 6–8% relative to the baseline cotton scenario. In contrast, surface runoff increased by about 5% under the biomass sorghum scenario. Perennial grass land use change scenarios suggested an increase in average annual percolation within a range of 3–22% and maintenance of a higher soil water content during August to April compared to the baseline cotton scenario. About 19.1, 11.1, 3.2 and 8.8 Mg ha−1of biomass could potentially be produced if cotton area in the watershed would hypothetically be replaced byMiscanthus, switchgrass, big bluestem and biomass sorghum, respectively. Finally,Miscanthusand switchgrass were found to be ideal bioenergy crops for the dryland and irrigated systems, respectively, in the study watershed due to their higher water use efficiency, better water conservation effects, greater biomass and biofuel production potential, and minimum crop management requirements.
Chief cell‐predominant gastric polyps: a series of 12 cases with literature review
Authors: Chan Karen , Brown Ian S , Kyle Trevor , Lauwers Gregory Y , Kumarasinghe Marian Priyanthi 
Published: September 2015

AimsRare gastric lesions composed of a combined proliferation of chief and oxyntic cells have been variably called adenocarcinoma of fundic gland type and oxyntic gland polyp/adenoma. Herein, we present a series of cases that show a morphological spectrum of chief and oxyntic cell proliferations.Methods and resultsRoutine and consultation cases were collated from five institutions. Information regarding site, size, endoscopic appearance, clinical history and medication use, when available, was accrued, as was the histological features and immunoprofiles. A total of 12 cases were collated. Age ranged from 39 to 81 years. All the lesions were located in the fundus; seven of eight were polypoid lesions endoscopically. Lesions were primarily solitary, averaged 4.6 mm in diameter (largest 9 mm) and comprised >50% chief cells. The predominant architectural pattern was of anastomosing and solid and clustered glands or a mixture of these patterns. Lesions were limited mainly to the mucosa, although two showed submucosal involvement. None had known metastatic disease.ConclusionsThis series included lesions that were previously described as gastric adenocarcinoma of fundic gland type and oxyntic gland polyp/adenoma. They are located exclusively in the fundus and composed predominantly of chief cells with low‐grade cytology and appear to show a morphological continuum.
Sealing ability of two root‐end filling materials in a bacterial nutrient leakage model
Authors: Antunes H. S. , Gominho L. F. , Andrade‐Junior C. V. , Dessaune‐Neto N. , Alves F. R. F. , Rôças I. N. , Siqueira J. F. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAimTo compare in vitro the sealing ability of root‐end fillings with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and EndoSequence BioCeramic Root Repair Material‐Fast Set (BC‐RRM) Putty using a novel bacterial nutrient leakage model, which provides information on whether or not intracanal bacteria are receiving nutrients from serum via leakage channels.MethodologySixty single‐rooted decoronated mandibular incisors with instrumented root canals were subjected to root‐end resection and ultrasonic preparation. The root specimens were mounted in the experimental apparatus, and the root‐end cavities filled with the test materials. The positive control group used warm Gutta‐percha and no sealer. In the negative controls, the entire resected surface was covered with varnish. After sterilization in ethylene oxide, the root canal was inoculated with 1.5 × 105 washed cells of Enterococcus faecalis. The apparatus was filled with foetal bovine serum, leaving only the apical root immersed. After 30‐day incubation, samples were taken from the canal, cultured and the colony‐forming units (CFUs) counted. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann–Whitney test for quantitative and the Fisher exact test for qualitative data.ResultsIn the MTA group, 10 of 20 (50%) specimens still had detectable viable bacteria in the canals (mean, 8.97 × 103 CFUs). In the BC‐RRM Putty group, 5 of 18 (28%) specimens were positive for bacterial growth (mean, 2.88 × 104 CFUs). There was no significant difference when comparing the quantitative or presence/absence data from the MTA and BC‐RRM Putty groups. Positive and negative controls yielded the expected results.ConclusionsMTA and BC‐RRM Putty had similar sealing ability. The experimental model was effective in determining whether or not residual intracanal bacteria could survive by receiving nutrients from outside.