bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Financial constraints, bank concentration and SMEs: evidence from Pakistan
Authors: Saeed Abubakr , Sameer Muhammad 
Published: September 2015

Purpose– This paper aims to empirically investigate the impact of bank market concentration of financial constraints on firm investment.Design/methodology/approach– This analysis is based on cross-industries panel of 368 listed Pakistani non-financial firms over the period of 2001-2009. Further, the Generalized Method of Moments estimation technique has been used to estimate the dynamic panel data model.Findings– By applying a dynamic panel analysis, it was found that small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are financially constrained in the credit market. The main finding indicates that reduction in bank concentration eases financing constraints, and this effect is more pronounced for SMEs. In addition, while testing the firm opacity in this context, results reveal that opaque firms are more financially constrained, and bank market competition is less favourable to the firms with greater opacity.Originality/value– The results, first, assess the efficacy of ongoing financial reforms in Pakistan and, second, offer implications for other economies that exhibit financial development similar to that of Pakistan.
The cross-section of Johannesburg Securities Exchange listed equity returns (1994-2011)
Authors: Van Heerden Jakobus Daniel , Van Rensburg Paul 
Published: September 2015

Purpose– The aim of this study is to examine the impact of technical and fundamental (referred to as firm-specific) factors on the cross-sectional variation in equity returns on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE).Design/methodology/approach– To reach the objective, the study follows an empirical research approach. Cross-sectional regression analyses, factor-portfolio analyses and multifactor analyses are performed using 50 firm-specific factors for listed shares over three sample periods during 1994 to 2011.Findings– The results suggest that a strong value and momentum effect is present and robust on the JSE, while a size effect is present but varies over time. Multifactor analyses show that value and momentum factors are collectively significant in explaining the cross-section of returns. The results imply that the JSE is either not an efficient market or that current market risk models are incorrectly specified.Practical implications– The findings of the study offers practical application possibilities to investment analysts and portfolio managers.Originality/value– To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to use such a comprehensive data set for the specific analyses on the JSE over such a long period. All previously identified statistical biases are addressed in this study. Different approaches are applied to compare results and test for robustness for the first time.
Enriching Urban Policy Mobilities Research
Authors: Temenos Cristina , Baker Tom 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAttending to the recent and growing debates on urban policy mobilities, this commentary offers a view towards an intellectual and methodological reflexiveness for urban policy mobilities researchers. We consider connections between the various approaches and considerations that researchers have argued for in regards to doing policy mobilities research. In doing so, we argue that new pathways for research can be usefully carved out through attention to embodiment, or a peopling of the geographies of policy mobilities.
Inhibition of elongin C promotes longevity and protein homeostasis via HIF‐1 in C. elegans
Authors: Hwang Wooseon , Artan Murat , Seo Mihwa , Lee Dongyeop , Nam Hong Gil , Lee Seung‐Jae V. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryThe transcription factor hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 (HIF‐1) is crucial for responses to low oxygen and promotes longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans. We previously performed a genomewide RNA interference screen and identified many genes that act as potential negative regulators of HIF‐1. Here, we functionally characterized these genes and found several novel genes that affected lifespan. The worm ortholog of elongin C, elc‐1, encodes a subunit of E3 ligase and transcription elongation factor. We found that knockdown of elc‐1 prolonged lifespan and delayed paralysis caused by impaired protein homeostasis. We further showed that elc‐1 RNA interference increased lifespan and protein homeostasis by upregulating HIF‐1. The roles of elongin C and HIF‐1 are well conserved in eukaryotes. Thus, our study may provide insights into the aging regulatory pathway consisting of elongin C and HIF‐1 in complex metazoans.
Genome‐scale identification of miRNA–mRNA and miRNA–lncRNA interactions in domestic animals
Authors: Li A. , Zhang J. , Zhou Z. , Wang L. , Sun X. , Liu Y. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryDomestic animals show considerable genetic diversity. Previous studies suggested that animal phenotypes were affected by miRNA–mRNA interplay, but these studies focused mainly on the analysis of one or several miRNA–mRNA interactions. However, in this study, we investigated miRNA–mRNA and miRNA–lncRNA interactions on a genomic scale using miranda and targetscan algorithms. There has been strong directional artificial selection practiced during the domestication of animals. Thus, we investigated SNPs that were located in miRNAs and miRNA binding sites and found that several SNPs located in 3′‐UTRs of mRNAs had the potential to affect miRNA–mRNA interactions. In addition, a database, named miRBond, was developed to provide visualization, analysis and downloading of the resulting datasets. Our results open the way to further experimental verification of miRNA–mRNA and miRNA–lncRNA interactions as well as the influence of SNPs upon such interplay.
Association of TLR4 polymorphisms with Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection status in Canadian Holsteins
Authors: Sharma B. S. , Abo‐Ismail M. K. , Schenkel F. S. , You Q. , Verschoor C. P. , Pant S. D. , Karrow N. A. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryMycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) causes chronic enteritis in cattle that results in substantial financial losses to the cattle industry worldwide. Given that susceptibility to MAP infection is determined in part by genetics, marker‐assisted selection may help in the breeding of animals that are more resistant to MAP infection. The toll‐like receptor 4 gene (TLR4) was selected as a potential candidate gene because of its role in innate immunity and its involvement in MAP recognition and infection. The objective of this study, therefore, was to identify associations between TLR4 polymorphisms and susceptibility to MAP infection in Canadian Holstein cows. Two biologically relevant SNPs, including c.‐226G>C in the 5′‐untranslated region and the non‐synonymous SNP c.2021C>T in the potential TIR domain, were selected for an association analysis with MAP infection status in 409 Canadian Holsteins. The haplotype C‐T from these combined SNPs yielded significant association with susceptibility to MAP infection, supporting the involvement of TLR4 in susceptibility to MAP infection.
Temperature: Diet Interactions Affect Survival through Foraging Behavior in a Bromeliad‐Dwelling Predator
Authors: Dézerald Olivier , Céréghino Régis , Corbara Bruno , Dejean Alain , Leroy Céline 
Published: September 2015

AbstractTemperature, food quantity and quality play important roles in insect growth and survival, influencing population dynamics as well as interactions with other community members. However, the interaction between temperature and diet and its ecological consequences have been poorly documented. Toxorhynchites are well‐known biocontrol agents for container‐inhabiting mosquito larvae. We found that Toxorhynchites haemorrhoidalis larvae (Diptera: Culicidae) inhabiting water‐filled rosettes of tank bromeliads catch and eat prey of both aquatic (mosquito larvae) and terrestrial origin (ants), using distinct predatory methods. They carried out frontal attacks on ants, but ambushed mosquito larvae. In choice tests, T. haemorrhoidalis favored terrestrial prey. Temperature had a significant effect on predator development and survival through its interaction with diet, but did not alter the preference for ants. T. haemorrhoidalis larvae emerged quickly when fed only mosquito larvae, whereas all individuals died before pupation when fed only ants. We conclude that behavioral factors (i.e., attraction to ants that disturb the surface of the water) overtake physiological factors (i.e., the adverse outcome of elevated temperature and an ant‐based diet) in determining a predator's response to temperature:diet interactions. Finally, because T. haemorrhoidalis larvae preferentially feed on terrestrial insects in tank bromeliads, mosquito larvae may indirectly benefit from predation release.
Can Children Be Useful Witnesses? It Depends How They Are Questioned
Authors: Brown Deirdre A. , Lamb Michael E. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractFor several decades, researchers have examined how children develop autobiographical memory, demonstrating that even young children report useful information about their experiences. However, the way adults question children influences profoundly the amount and nature of what children report. This research is relevant for the many contexts in which children are questioned (e.g., criminal investigations, courtroom proceedings, clinical settings). In this article, we briefly review developmental changes in how children respond to various kinds of questions. And we reflect on the implications for research and practice when children are interviewed to determine what they have experienced.
Maintaining Research Integrity While Balancing Cultural Sensitivity: A Case Study and Lessons From the Field
Authors: Sibbald Rebekah , Loiseau Bethina , Darren Benedict , Raman Salem A. , Dimaras Helen , Loh Lawrence C. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractContemporary emphasis on creating culturally relevant and context specific knowledge increasingly drives researchers to conduct their work in settings outside their home country. This often requires researchers to build relationships with various stakeholders who may have a vested interest in the research. This case study examines the tension between relationship development with stakeholders and maintaining study integrity, in the context of potential harms, data credibility and cultural sensitivity. We describe an ethical breach in the conduct of global health research by a arising from the ad‐hoc participation of a community stakeholder external to the visiting research group. A framework for reflection is developed from a careful examination of underlying factors and presented with a discussion of consequences and mitigation measures. This framework aims to present lessons learned for researchers working abroad who might face similar situations in their work.
Temporal variation in antibiotic environments slows down resistance evolution in pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Roemhild Roderich , Barbosa Camilo , Beardmore Robert E. , Jansen Gunther , Schulenburg Hinrich 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAntibiotic resistance is a growing concern to public health. New treatment strategies may alleviate the situation by slowing down the evolution of resistance. Here, we evaluated sequential treatment protocols using two fully independent laboratory‐controlled evolution experiments with the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 and two pairs of clinically relevant antibiotics (doripenem/ciprofloxacin and cefsulodin/gentamicin). Our results consistently show that the sequential application of two antibiotics decelerates resistance evolution relative to monotherapy. Sequential treatment enhanced population extinction although we applied antibiotics at sublethal dosage. In both experiments, we identified an order effect of the antibiotics used in the sequential protocol, leading to significant variation in the long‐term efficacy of the tested protocols. These variations appear to be caused by asymmetric evolutionary constraints, whereby adaptation to one drug slowed down adaptation to the other drug, but not vice versa. An understanding of such asymmetric constraints may help future development of evolutionary robust treatments against infectious disease.
Direct Formation and Luminescence of Nanocrystals in the System Eu2Sn2O7–Gd2Sn2O7 Complete Solid Solutions
Authors: Hirano Masanori , Ohmori Toshiaki 
Published: September 2015

Nanocrystals with orange‐reddish luminescence based on the pyrochlore‐type complete solid solutions with cube‐like morphology in the Eu2Sn2O7–Gd2Sn2O7 system were directly formed from the precursor solutions of SnCl4, GdCl3, and EuCl3 under weakly basic hydrothermal conditions at temperatures higher than 180°C for 5 h. The crystallite of Gd2Sn2O7 pyrochlore gradually grew from 10 to 37 nm as the hydrothermal treatment temperature rose from 180°C to 240°C. The lattice parameter of cubic phase linearly increased with increased europium concentration according to the Vegard's law. The characteristic orange‐reddish photoluminescence spectra of Gd2Sn2O7:Eu3+ cubelike nanocrystals with crystallite size from 34 to 37 nm that were formed at 240°C for 5 h were attributed to the most sharp orange (586 nm) luminescence with high intensity and quite broad red (610–630 nm) emission with weak intensity, according to the 5D0→7F1 and 5D0→7F2 transitions of Eu3+, respectively. At a composition of (Eu0.09Gd0.91)2Sn2O7, the intensity of orange emission reached the maximum. The Red‐to‐Orange (5D0→7F2/5D0→7F1) (R/O) emission intensity ratio was in the low range from 0.10 to 0.14, which was a characteristic of Gd2Sn2O7:Eu3+.
Validation of the Behavioural Indicators of Pain Scale ESCID for pain assessment in non‐communicative and mechanically ventilated critically ill patients: a research protocol
Authors: Latorre‐Marco Ignacio , Solís‐Muñoz Montserrat , Acevedo‐Nuevo María , Hernández‐Sánchez María Leonor , López‐López Candelas , Sánchez‐Sánchez María del Mar , Wojtysiak‐Wojcicka Mónika , De las Pozas‐Abril Julia 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAimTo investigate the validity and reliability of the Behavioural Indicators of Pain Scale (ESCID) in medically and surgically non‐communicative and mechanically ventilated critical patients.BackgroundScales based on behavioural indicators of pain are suggested to measure pain in non‐communicative critically ill patients. Scales proposed thus far have a range not comparable to those used with patients who can report their pain. A scale with a 0‐10 range and more behavioural indicators is proposed to improve the detection and measurement of pain.DesignA multicentre prospective observational design to validate a scale‐measuring instrument.MethodsThree hundred non‐communicative and mechanically ventilated critical patients from 20 different intensive care units will be observed for 5 minutes before, during and 15 minutes after three procedures: turning, tracheal suctioning and soft friction with gauze on healthy tissue. Two independent observers will assess the pain of subjects with the Behavioural Pain Scale and the ESCID scale simultaneously. Descriptive and inferential statistics will be used. Student's t‐test will be used to compare components of the twos scales. Inter‐rater and intrarater agreement will be investigated. The reliability scale will be measured using Cronbach's alpha. Approval date for this protocol was January 2012.DiscussionA greater number of behavioural indicators in the ESCID scale than in previously validated scales, with a 0‐10 score range, can improve the detection and measurement of pain in non‐communicative and mechanically ventilated critical patients. Funding granted in 2011 by the Spanish Health Research Fund (PI 11/00766, Health Ministry).Trial registration: Study registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01744717).
Estimating Materials Stocked by Land‐Use Type in Historic Urban Buildings Using Spatio‐Temporal Analytical Tools
Authors: Marcellus‐Zamora Kimberlee A. , Gallagher Patricia M. , Spatari Sabrina , Tanikawa Hiroki 
Published: September 2015

SummaryThe construction industry is an important contributor to urban economic development and consumes large volumes of building material that are stocked in cities over long periods. Those stocked spaces store valuable materials that may be available for recovery in the future. Thus quantifying the urban building stock is important for managing construction materials across the building life cycle. This article develops a new approach to urban building material stock analysis (MSA) using land‐use heuristics. Our objective is to characterize buildings to understand materials stocked in place by: (1) developing, validating, and testing a new method for characterizing building stock by land‐use type and (2) quantifying building stock and determining material fractions. We conduct a spatial MSA to quantify materials within a 2.6‐square‐kilometer section of Philadelphia from 2004 to 2012. Data were collected for buildings classified by land‐use type from many sources to create maps of material stock and spatial material intensity. In the spatial MSA, the land‐use type that returned the largest footprint (by percentage) and greatest (number) of buildings were civic/institutional (42%; 147) and residential (23%; 275), respectively. The model was validated for total floor space and the absolute overall error (n = 46; 20%) in 2004 and (n = 47; 24%) in 2012. Typically, commercial and residential land‐use types returned the lowest overall error and weighted error. We present a promising alternative method for characterizing buildings in urban MSA that leverages multiple tools (geographical information systems [GIS], design codes, and building models) and test the method in historic Philadelphia.
Blind colour separation of H&E stained histological images by linearly transforming the colour space
Authors: CELIS R. , ROMO D. , ROMERO E. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryBlind source separation methods aim to split information into the original sources. In histology, each dye component attempts to specifically characterize different microscopic structures. In the case of the hematoxylin–eosin stain, universally used for routine examination, quantitative analysis may often require the inspection of different morphological signatures related mainly to nuclei patterns, but also to stroma distribution. Stain separation is usually a preprocessing operation that is transversal to different applications. This paper presents a novel colour separation method that finds the hematoxylin and eosin clusters by projecting the whole space to a folded surface connecting the distributions of a series of planes that divide the cloud of H&E tones. The proposed method produces density maps closer to those obtained with the colour mixing matrices set by an expert, when comparing with the density maps obtained using nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF), independent component analysis (ICA) and a state‐of‐the‐art method. The method has outperformed three baseline methods, NMF, Macenko and ICA, in about 8%, 12% and 52% for the eosin component, whereas this was about 4%, 8% and 26% for the hematoxylin component.
The role of fasciae in Civinini–Morton's syndrome
Authors: Stecco Carla , Fantoni Ilaria , Macchi Veronica , Del Borrello Mario , Porzionato Andrea , Biz Carlo , De Caro Raffaele 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThis study evaluates the pathogenetic role of the perineural connective tissue and foot fasciae in Civinini–Morton's neuroma. Eleven feet (seven male, four female; mean age: 70.9 years) were dissected to analyse the anatomy of inter‐metatarsal space, particularly the dorsal and plantar fasciae and metatarsal transverse ligament (DMTL). The macrosections were prepared for microscopic analysis. Ten Civinini–Morton neuromas obtained from surgery were also analysed. Magnetic resonance images (MRIs) from 40 patients and 29 controls were compared. Dissections showed that the width of the inter‐metatarsal space is established by two fibrous structures: the dorsal foot fascia and the DMTL, which, together, connect the metatarsal bones and resist their splaying. Interosseous muscles spread out into the dorsal fascia of the foot, defining its basal tension. The common digital plantar nerve (CDPN) is encased in concentric layers of fibrous and loose connective tissue, continuous with the vascular sheath and deep foot fascia. Outside this sheath, fibroelastic septa, from DMTL to plantar fascia, and little fat lobules are present, further protecting the nerve against compressive stress. The MRI study revealed high inter‐individual variability in the forefoot structures, although only the thickness of the dorsal fascia represented a statistically significant difference between cases and controls. It was hypothesized that alterations in foot support and altered biomechanics act on the interosseous muscles, increasing the stiffness of the dorsal fascia, particularly at the points where these muscles are inserted. Chronic rigidity of this fascia increases the stiffness of the inter‐metatarsal space, leading to entrapment of the CDPN.
Variation in the shape and mechanical performance of the lower jaws in ceratopsid dinosaurs (Ornithischia, Ceratopsia)
Authors: Maiorino Leonardo , Farke Andrew A. , Kotsakis Tassos , Teresi Luciano , Piras Paolo 
Published: September 2015

AbstractCeratopsidae represents a group of quadrupedal herbivorous dinosaurs that inhabited western North America and eastern Asia during the Late Cretaceous. Although horns and frills of the cranium are highly variable across species, the lower jaw historically has been considered to be relatively conservative in morphology. Here, the lower jaws from 58 specimens representing 21 ceratopsoid taxa were sampled, using geometric morphometrics and 2D finite element analysis (FEA) to explore differences in morphology and mechanical performance across Ceratopsoidea (the clade including Ceratopsidae, Turanoceratops and Zuniceratops). Principal component analyses and non‐parametric permuted manovas highlight Triceratopsini as a morphologically distinct clade within the sample. A relatively robust and elongate dentary, a larger and more elongated coronoid process, and a small and dorso‐ventrally compressed angular characterize this clade, as well as the absolutely larger size. By contrast, non‐triceratopsin chasmosaurines, Centrosaurini and Pachyrhinosaurini have similar morphologies to each other. Zuniceratops and Avaceratops are distinct from other taxa. No differences in size between Pachyrhinosaurini and Centrosaurini are recovered using non‐parametric permuted anovas. Structural performance, as evaluated using a 2D FEA, is similar across all groups as measured by overall stress, with the exception of Triceratopsini. Shape, size and stress are phylogenetically constrained. A longer dentary as well as a long coronoid process result in a lower jaw that is reconstructed as relatively much more stressed in triceratopsins.