Reference-dependent analysis of capital structure and REIT performance

Using prospect theory, we develop a theoretical framework to examine the relationship between leverage and Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) returns by introducing the concept of reference point. We postulate that firms’ capital structure decisions are affected by target leverage (i.e., the reference point) as well as the observed leverage. Market conditions combined with firms’ capital structure will put firms in either loss or gain domains, where firms behave differently. In general, the leverage-return relationship is positive in the gain domain and negative in the loss domain. Firms are then subject to asymmetric risk preference in different domains. Our empirical evidence shows strong support for the theoretical model. Compared to the conventional approach where only observed leverage is used, our model is more flexible and realistic in revealing the underlying structure of the leverage–returns relationship.We are grateful for financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project #71231005) and the Senior Members’ Research Grant from Newnham College, University of Cambridge

Phenotypes of individual <i>brp</i> gene mutants.

<p><b>A</b>. Diagram of mutant construction for 4 <i>brp</i> genes. Open rectangles indicate the non-polar Kan^R cassette, while the filled rectangle indicates the mini-Tn<i>10</i> insertion in strain TDB3(T) (41). Shading of arrows for the <i>brp</i> cluster indicates putative function encoded: black, flippase involved in EPS transport (for <i>brpJ</i>) or EPS export-related protein (for <i>brpC</i>); light grey, tyrosine autokinase involved in EPS biosynthesis; dark grey, glycosyltransferase involved in EPS biosynthesis; white, unknown function. <b>B</b>. Colony morphology of opaque, rugose, and translucent control variants, the 4 <i>brp</i> mutant strains derived from strain KG3(R), and the complemented mutants. Strains were streaked for isolation on HI agar (containing kanamycin, chloramphenicol and arabinose, as appropriate) and incubated at 30°C ON. <b>C</b>. Streak plate of opaque, rugose, and translucent control variants and the 4 <i>brp</i> mutant strains. Strains were inoculated into HI broth (with kanamycin, where appropriate), shaken ON at 30°C, streaked onto HI (with no antibiotics), and incubated ON at 30°C. <b>D</b>. Colony morphology of the YJ016-derived <i>brpJ</i> mutant YJ-10. The strain was streaked for isolation on HI agar containing kanamycin and incubated at 30°C ON.</p

Evidence of EPS production for <i>brpJ</i> mutant strain KG3-03.

<p>An EPS extraction procedure (see <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0100890#s2" target="_blank">Materials and Methods</a> for details) was performed on KG3(R) and the 4 <i>brp</i> mutant strains, and the results were analyzed by SDS-PAGE using 4% stacking/10% resolving gels and subsequent staining with Stains-All.</p

Biofilm formation by individual <i>brp</i> gene mutants.

<p>Biofilm formation was assessed qualitatively and quantitatively for opaque, rugose, and translucent control variants, the 4 <i>brp</i> mutant strains, and the complemented mutants. <b>A</b>. Following ON growth with shaking, 3 cultures per strain were assessed for pellicle formation and a representative is pictured. Pellicle thickness was scored qualitatively as — (no pellicle), + (thin pellicle), ++ (pellicle), or +++ (thick pellicle). <b>B</b>. Biofilm assays were performed on at least 6 independent culture replicates of each statically grown strain and OD₅₇₀ values, which correspond to the amount of crystal violet staining of biofilm material, were averaged. Averages ± standard deviations (SD) are pictured here. Asterisk denotes <i>p</i><0.001 versus KG3(R).</p

Evidence of three-dimensional structuring of KG3-03 colonies.

<p>Whole colonies taken from HI agar plates were vapor fixed with osmium tetroxide and viewed by SEM as described previously <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0100890#pone.0100890-Grau2" target="_blank">[7]</a>. Panels: (A), KG3(R); (B) YJ016; (C), KG4(T); (D) KG3-17; (E, F) KG3-03. All scale bars equal 100 µm. Images in panels E and F are taken from the same colony. All images presented are representative of many images taken for several colonies of each strain. To achieve uniformity, brightness was increased somewhat for images in panels A, B, D and F, while it was decreased for the image in panel C. Contrast was not adjusted for any of the images.</p

Primers used for non-polar mutagenesis & complementation experiments.

1<p>Restriction enzyme sites are underlined. Homologous sequence used in SOE is italicized. <i>Sma</i>I sites are in bold.</p>2<p>From Grau, et al. 2008 <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0100890#pone.0100890-Grau2" target="_blank">[7]</a>.</p

Primers used for <i>brp</i> distribution analysis.

1<p>From Grau, et al. 2008 <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0100890#pone.0100890-Grau2" target="_blank">[7]</a>.</p>2<p>From Garrison-Schilling, et al. 2011 <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0100890#pone.0100890-GarrisonSchilling1" target="_blank">[8]</a>.</p

A case report of unusual anatomical variation: externalisation of inferior alveolar nerve

$\textit{INTRODUCTION:}$ The risks of third molar surgery have been well documented with damage to the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) being one of the largest concerns. $\textit{PRESENTATION OF CASE:}$ This case report presents an impacted third molar with associated dentigerous cyst in which the IAN is externalised and runs along the lateral surface of the mandible. $\textit{DISCUSSION:}$ This is an extremely rare anatomical variation with most IANs lying inferior and lingually to third molars. This case reiterates the limitations of standard radiographic techniques such as the orthopantomogram (OPG). $\textit{CONCLUSION:}$ We would advocate the use of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in cases which have adverse plain radiographic features to allow appropriate surgical planning

Additional file 2: Table S1. of A novel phase variant of the cholera pathogen shows stress-adaptive cryptic transcriptomic signatures

Percentage of reads mapped to the reference genome for each RNA sample. (XLSX 10 kb

Additional file 13: Table S9. of A novel phase variant of the cholera pathogen shows stress-adaptive cryptic transcriptomic signatures

Genes that were not significantly differentially regulated from N16961 to N16961R but were significantly down-regulated in N16961SD. (XLSX 25 kb