bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Underlying risk preferences and analyst risk‐taking behavior
Authors: Cleary Sean , Jona Jonathan , Lee Gladys , Shemesh Joshua
Published: January 2020

We investigate the relationship between underlying risk preferences on analysts’ work‐related decisions. Specifically, we examine whether facial width‐to‐height ratio (fWHR), an innate personal characteristic that has been linked to financial risk tolerance, is associated with analysts’ stock coverage decisions and the boldness of their earnings forecasts and stock recommendations. We find that high‐fWHR analysts cover firms with lower earnings predictability, and issue bolder forecasts and recommendations. Our findings shed new light on the black box of analyst decision making, assisting investment practitioners in evaluating the information content produced by different types of analysts and understanding the observed dispersion in analyst forecasts.
High spatial turnover in springtails of the Cape Floristic Region
Authors: Janion‐Scheepers Charlene , Bengtsson Jan , Duffy Grant A. , Deharveng Louis , Leinaas Hans Petter , Chown Steven L.
Published: January 2020

Aim

The extraordinary diversity of plants across the Cape Floristic Region is characterized by considerable species turnover among sites. Phytophagous insects show similarly high turnover, but their patterns are closely coupled to those of their hosts. If the mechanisms underlying high plant turnover are not unique to plants, similar patterns of turnover should also be seen in non‐herbivorous arthropod groups. We tested this hypothesis using new data for the Collembola fauna of the Fynbos biome.

Location

The south‐western Cape, South Africa.

Taxon

Springtails (Hexapoda: Collembola).

Methods

We sampled springtails from six sites over two seasons. Species richness was compared with expected values from other studies worldwide given the environmental characteristics of the sites sampled. Nestedness and turnover components of beta diversity were calculated and compared against beta diversity patterns of springtails across Europe.

Results

A total of 114 morphospecies from 14 families was collected. Species richness of Fynbos sites ranged from 14 to 31 species, which was not significantly different to that previously reported for non‐Fynbos locations and generally within expectations given the temperature, rainfall and productive energy of each site. Beta diversity was high across all pairwise comparisons of Fynbos sites and dominated by species replacement rather than assemblage nestedness. Relative to the distance between sites, Fynbos assemblages, with a median inter‐site distance of 140 km, showed beta diversity substantially higher than in European assemblages, which had a median inter‐site distance of 1,270 km.

Main conclusions

Alpha diversity of Fynbos Collembola assemblages is in keeping with species richness expectations. By contrast, beta diversity is high given the small distances among sites and is characterized predominantly by species turnover. These patterns of unremarkable alpha diversity, but high turnover among sites are comparable to many Fynbos plant groups. The mechanisms giving rise to high beta diversity of the plants may also have led to high diversity in other taxa.
Atrial fibrillation in Brugada syndrome: Current perspectives
Authors: Vlachos Konstantinos , Mascia Giuseppe , Martin Claire A. , Bazoukis George , Frontera Antonio , Cheniti Ghassen , Letsas Konstantinos P. , Efremidis Micheal , Georgopoulos Stamatis , Gkalapis Charis , Duchateau Josselin , Parmbrun Thomas , Derval Nicholas , Hocini Mélèze , Haissaguerre Michel , Jais Pierre , Sacher Frédéric
Published: January 2020

The incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in Brugada syndrome (BrS) has been reported at between 9% and 53% by different series, but the true prevalence is unknown. However, AF may be the presenting feature in some patients. The underlying mechanisms for AF may be a combination of multiple factors, genetic or acquired, that may impact upon autonomic function, atrial structure, and conduction velocities or other unknown factors. The presence of AF has been associated with a more malignant course, with a greater incidence of syncope and ventricular arrhythmias, thus acting as marker of more advanced disease. Regarding the management of patients with AF, antiarrhythmic drugs effective in preventing malignant arrhythmias in BrS such as quinidine or invasive treatment with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) may be useful in AF treatment. In this review, we aim to present the current perspectives regarding the genetics, pathophysiology, management, and prognosis of AF in patients with BrS.
Delivering sustainable drainage systems through the English planning system: A proposed case of institutional void
Authors: Vilcan Tudorel , Potter Karen
Published: January 2020

Following a series of flood events, the major flooding of 2007 finally triggered legislative change through the Flood and Water Management Act of 2010 and proposed the introduction of Schedule 3 (S3), to provide a stronger regulatory system for the implementation of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). However, S3 has been abandoned in England in favour of implementing SuDS through a “strengthened” planning system. By taking a broader governance perspective, this article explores the limited uptake of SuDS through the strengthened planning system. We argue that the so‐called strengthening of the planning system creates an institutional void: a lack of policy clarity that occurs when the role of the state is scaled back and other actors take up governance roles. While institutional voids can create successful outcomes, in the case of SuDS implementation they have been sub‐optimal. We trace the cause of these outcomes to the unwillingness of the Government to engage in designing policy. This creates a lack of consistency and uniformity, as the implementation of SuDS becomes a matter of ad hoc negotiations and power relations between local authorities and developers. We conclude that the current policy has reduced potential to deliver better outcomes and highlight the options for increased SuDS uptake going forward.
Subtle sex differences in vasopressin mRNA expression in the embryonic mouse brain
Authors: Aulino Elizabeth A. , Caldwell Heather K.
Published: January 2020

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a neuropeptide which acts centrally to modulate numerous social behaviors. One receptor subtype through which these effects occur is the AVP 1a receptor (AVPR1A). The modulatory effects of Avp via the AVPR1A varies by species as well as sex, since both AVP and the AVPR1A tend to be expressed more prominently in males. Beyond these neuromodulatory effects there are also indications that the AVP system may play a role in early development to, in part, organize sex‐specific neural circuitry that is important to sexually dimorphic social behaviors in adulthood. However, to date, AVP's role in early development is poorly understood, particularly with respect to its differential effect on males and females. In order to determine the timing and distribution of the AVP system in early brain development, we examined the brains of male and female C57BL/6J mice between embryonic day (E) 12.5 and postnatal day (P) 2 and quantified Avp and Avpr1a mRNA using qPCR and AVPR1A protein using receptor autoradiography. The mRNA for Avp was measurable in males and females starting at E14.5, with males producing more than females, while Avpr1a mRNA was found as early as E12.5, with no difference in expression between sexes. AVPR1A binding was observed in both sexes starting at E16.5, and while there were no observed sex differences, binding density and the number of neuroanatomical areas did increase over time. These data are significant as they provide the first whole‐brain characterization of the vasopressin system in the embryonic mouse. Further, these findings are consistent with data from other species, that have documented a sex difference in the vasopressin system during early brain formation.
Delivery mode and maternal and neonatal outcomes of combined spinal–epidural analgesia compared with no analgesia in spontaneous labor: A single‐center observational study in Japan
Authors: Kurakazu Masamitsu , Umehara Nagayoshi , Nagata Chie , Yamashita Yoko , Sato Masaki , Sago Haruhiko
Published: January 2020

Aim

We aimed to assess the outcomes of combined spinal–epidural (CSE) analgesia compared with no analgesia in spontaneous labor.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of deliveries between 2008 and 2014 comparing two groups based on the use of CSE analgesia in both nulliparous and multiparous women. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were calculated using logistic regression analysis.

Results

Among 5247 (3334 nulliparous, 1913 multiparous) singleton deliveries, 3041 (2045, 996, respectively) patients received CSE analgesia and 2206 (1289, 917, respectively) had no analgesia. CSE analgesia was associated with increased risk of oxytocin augmentation (P < 0.01), prolonged duration of labor (P < 0.01), instrumental delivery (aOR, 3.35; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.69–4.19 for nulliparous and aOR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.32–3.53 for multiparous women), blood loss volume during vaginal delivery (P < 0.01), meconium‐stained amniotic fluid (aOR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.02–1.51 and aOR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.01–1.93) and Apgar score less than 7 at 1 min (aOR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.28–2.74 and aOR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.35–5.61) in both nulliparous and multiparous women, respectively, and umbilical arterial blood gas pH less than 7.15 (aOR, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.35–5.75) and umbilical arterial blood gas pH less than 7.10 (aOR, 3.69; 95% CI, 1.11–16.69) in multiparous women. There was no significant difference in incidence of cesarean delivery or Apgar score less than 7 at 5 min.

Conclusion

We observed several increased risks in obstetric and neonatal outcomes among pregnant women who received CSE analgesia during labor. Preparations for these risks are needed when administering CSE analgesia during labor.
Calcium and phosphorus metabolism in peripartal dogs
Authors: Schmitt Stephanie , Dobenecker Britta
Published: January 2020

Recommended allowances for calcium and phosphorus are mostly based on factorial calculations partly set at the level determined adequate for giant breeds (Nutrient requirements of dogs and cats. Washington, DC, USA: The National Academies Press. 2006). Information about appropriateness of supply with both minerals during the peripartal phase is limited. From other species is known that bone mineral stores are used in addition to oral intake of calcium and phosphorus in periods of higher needs such as gestation and lactation. The aim of this study was to determine parameters of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis in female dogs receiving the recommended amount of these minerals according to NRC (Nutrient requirements of dogs and cats. Washington, DC, USA: The National Academies Press. 2006) during the peripartal phase. In five Beagles and four Foxhound crossbreds, all primiparous with a litter size of 1–8 puppies, apparent digestibility of calcium and phosphorus as well as serum parameters of mineral metabolism (total and ionised calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, bone specific alkaline phosphatase, crosslaps) was determined in the period of 12–9 days before and 4–9 days after parturition. The apparent digestibility of calcium was relatively low and did not differ significantly between both peripartal phases, whereas the apparent digestibility of phosphorus increased during lactation. Serum concentrations of calcium (total as well as ionised), phosphorus and parathyroid hormone did not differ between gestation and lactation. The bone resorption marker serum crosslaps increased in lactating dogs but most individual values were within the reference range for adult female dogs at maintenance. On the other hand, the bone formation marker bone specific alkaline phosphatase decreased from prepartal to postpartal phase with values clearly above reference range in both phases. Based on the results especially of the bone markers, which stayed within the reference range during the peripartal phase without indicating predominant bone resorption, we hypothesise that the applied recommended daily allowances defined for peripartal dogs are appropriate.
Phylogeographic sampling guided by species distribution modeling reveals the Quaternary history of the Mediterranean–Canarian Cistus monspeliensis (Cistaceae)
Authors: Coello Alberto J. , Fernández‐Mazuecos Mario , García‐Verdugo Carlos , Vargas Pablo
Published: January 2020

Accurate inference in phylogeography requires appropriate sampling strategies. Complex questions demand a large sample size at both the population and genetic levels to obtain precise reconstructions. This is the case of the phylogeographic history of Cistus monspeliensis, a plant that displays low plastid (cpDNA) diversity in the Mediterranean Basin but high diversity in the Canary Islands. Here, we aimed to identify Mediterranean refugial areas and to accurately quantify inter‐island colonization events in the Canaries. Using a previous study as starting point, we increased sample size in two ways: (i) additional sampling of plastid genetic markers (from 1041 to 1899 bp); and (ii) additional sampling of populations (from 47 to 69) in long‐term persistence areas suggested by species distribution modeling (SDM). The synergy between SDM and extended population sampling helped find higher genetic diversity. Our deeper phylogeographic sampling of C. monspeliensis revealed the following: (i) potential refugia in long‐term persistence areas with high cpDNA diversity in western Europe and the Canary Islands; and (ii) a significant increase (from 7 to 12) in the number of inferred inter‐island colonization events across the archipelago. Our results stress the usefulness of SDM to identify the genetic signature associated with potential refugial areas. We herein propose a field sampling approach based on SDM that, in combination with a larger cpDNA sampling, can help answer a wide array of phylogeographic questions, such as the location of Quaternary refugia and number of colonizations across archipelagos.
Historical ecology of Mediterranean forests: Land use legacies on current understorey plants differ with time since abandonment and former agricultural use
Authors: Abadie Juliet , Dupouey Jean‐Luc , Salvaudon Aline , Gachet Sophie , Videau Noémie , Avon Catherine , Dumont Jérôme , Tatoni Thierry , Bergès Laurent
Published: January 2020

Questions

Land use legacies in current forest understorey vegetation, thoroughly studied in temperate regions, were investigated in a Mediterranean context. We tested the effect of three historical variables on current forest plant communities and traits: forest temporal continuity (ancient: forested before 1860, recent: reforested after 1860, and very recent forest: reforested after 1958) and type of land use in 1860 and 1958 (forest, pasture or arable land).

Location

The Regional Natural Park of Luberon (southeastern France).

Methods

We used a comprehensive vegetation plot database (473 species in 1,429 plots). Species’ response to historical variables was tested with logistic regressions, and the relationship between plant traits and historical variables was analysed with RLQ and fourth‐corner analyses.

Results

Among all studied species, 250 responded to forest temporal continuity, 208 to 1860 land use, and 246 to 1958 land use. Species associated with ancient forests were more frequently forest specialists or forest edge species, shade‐tolerant and perennials, while species associated with recent and very recent forests were more frequently annuals, anemochorous and heliophilous species. Species exhibited different traits and ecological preferences according to the type of land use prior to forest: therophytes were more frequent on former arable land while chamaephytes were more frequent on former pasture. Trait responses to 1860 and 1958 land uses were globally consistent.

Conclusions

The effect of forest temporal continuity and past land use on forest understorey communities was consistent with other studies in northern Europe or northern America, which suggests that the same ecological processes apply in temperate lowland and Mediterranean regions. This study highlights a succession of plant communities in the long term and different trajectories of succession according to the type of former agricultural use. The long‐term legacies of past land use in current forest plant communities highlight the importance to preserve ancient forests, where typical forest species can be maintained.
Formation of new lymphatic vessels in glioma: An immunohistochemical analysis
Authors: Meng Fan‐Wei , Liu Fu‐Sheng , Liu Wen‐Hui , Li Li , Jie Lin‐Lin
Published: January 2020

We investigated the distribution and formation of new lymphatic vessels in gliomas. Specimens from seven glioma cases were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining for CD34, lymphatic endothelial hyaluronic acid receptor 1 (LYVE‐1), prospero‐related homeobox 1 (Prox1), nestin, and hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α). Three types of vessels were observed in glioma specimens: LYVE‐1+ lymphatic vessels, CD34+ blood vessels, and LYVE‐1+/CD34+ blood vessels. Prox1+/LYVE‐1+ cells were distributed in some lymphatic vessels as well as among vascular endothelial cells and glioma cells. Nestin+ cells were scattered throughout the gliomas, and some lymphatic cells also expressed nestin. HIF‐1α+ Prox1+ cells were widely distributed within the glioma specimens. The present immunohistochemical analysis revealed upregulation of Prox1 and HIF‐1α in some glioma tissues as well as the differentiation of nestin+ tumor stem cells into LYVE‐1+ lymphatic vessels.
Europe Through the Crisis: Discretionary Policy Changes and Automatic Stabilizers
Authors: Paulus Alari , Tasseva Iva Valentinova
Published: January 2020

Tax‐benefit policies affect changes in household incomes through two main channels: discretionary policy changes and automatic stabilizers. We study their role in the EU countries in 2007–14 using an extended decomposition approach. Our results show that the two policy actions often reduced rather than increased inequality of net incomes, and so helped offset the inequality‐increasing impact of growing disparities in gross market incomes. While inequality reductions were achieved mainly through benefits using both routes, policy changes to and the automatic stabilization response of taxes and contributions raised inequality in some countries and lowered it in others.
Polyploidization contributes to evolution of competitive ability: a long term common garden study on the invasive Solidago canadensis in China
Authors: Cheng Jiliang , Yang Xianghong , Xue Lifang , Yao Beibei , Lu Huan , Tian Zhongsai , Li Jun , Zhou Xin , Zhang Yu , Zia Ul Haq Muhammad , Wu Shuqi , Song Xiaoling , Hu Shuijin , Qiang Sheng
Published: January 2020

Plant invasion initiates with the establishment of an alien species population that begins interacting with the existing community in the invaded habitat. Competitive ability may confer advantage to invasive species during establishment. Autopolyploidy has been shown to significantly contribute to successful invasion of China by Solidago canadensis that is native to North America. But how polyploidization improves competitive ability and determines the dominance of invasive species when competing with a plant community in the introduced range remains unclear. Here, we manipulated the initial plant composition of plowed land and subsequently allowed natural colonization by S. canadensis in a five‐year common garden experiment. Diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid populations collected in North America (native range) and East Asia (introduced range) were separately planted and allowed to compete with associated weeds in individual plots. The diversity and compositional variation of the plant communities and the growth characteristics of S. canadensis were investigated in summer and autumn each year. Based on how the community assembled, three outcomes were found: 1) S. canadensis outcompeted local vegetation: tetraploids and hexaploids from the introduced range outcompeted associated weeds and were dominant at equilibrium; 2) S. canadensis coexisted with local vegetation: hexaploids from the native range were competitive but ultimately could not outcompete the local vegetation; and 3) S. canadensis became extinct: diploids from both the native and introduced ranges and tetraploids from the native range went extinct. Concomitantly, diversity was low in the first group and high in the second and third. Therefore, polyploidization contributes to the pre differentiation of competitive ability among native S. canadensis populations, facilitatating the invasion of China by this species. The competitive ability of polyploids was enhanced through possible rapid post introduction evolution after their introduction into China, which could be the crucial factor for successful invasion by S. canadensis.
Is Cyclocardia (Conrad) a wastebasket taxon? Exploring the phylogeny of the most diverse genus of the Carditidae (Archiheterodonta, Bivalvia)
Authors: Pérez Damián E. , Giachetti Luciana M.
Published: January 2020

The carditid genus Cyclocardia is currently the most diverse genus of the family, including nearly 180 nominal species encompassing wide stratigraphical (Cretaceous–Recent) and geographical (Antarctica, South and North America, Europe, Africa, Alaska, Russia, Japan and New Zealand) ranges. Due to the lack of autapomorphies in the diagnosis of the genus and its large account of species, we re‐evaluate the systematic and phylogenetic status of Cyclocardia. We applied three approaches: bibliographic revision, phylogenetic analysis and an exploration of morphological disparity. We used a shell–character matrix comprising 65 taxa (2 outgroups, 29 non‐Cyclocardia carditids and 28 species of Cyclocardia) for phylogenetic and disparity analyses. Maximum Observable Rescaled Distances was used to construct a distance matrix to compare Cyclocardia species and other carditid groups. According to our results, Cyclocardia represents a non‐monophyletic taxon and is thus a ‘wastebasket taxon’, chiefly because its diagnosis was based mainly on plesiomorphic characters. The European species C. kickxi and C. chameformis are placed within Scalaricardita, and the previously proposed genus Crassicardia is monophyletic (including C. crassidens, C. crebricostata, C. isaotakii and C. rjabininae). Three new genera are proposed for new groups identified by the phylogenetic analysis: South American Oesterheldia gen. nov. (including O. cannada and O. dalek), western North American Coanicardita gen. nov. (including C. ventricosa and C. occidentalis), and North Pacific Hippocampocardia gen. nov. (including H. barbarensis, H. hamiltonensis and H. yakatagensis). The newly defined monophyletic Cyclocardia is restricted to the Atlantic Ocean species C. borealis, C. novangliae and C. compressa.
Cytokine profile in children with food allergy following liver transplantation
Authors: Haflidadottir Svanhildur , Matthews Iren Lindbak , Almaas Runar
Published: January 2020

Background

LTX in children is associated with increased risk of food allergy, and the mechanisms underlying this are unknown. We wanted to study whether plasma cytokine profile differed in liver transplanted children, with and without food allergy, and whether it differed from untransplanted children with CLD.

Methods

Plasma cytokines, total and specific IgE in nine patients with food allergy were compared with 13 patients without food allergy following LTX, and also with seven untransplanted patients with CLD.

Results

No difference was found in the cytokine profile between liver transplanted patients with and without food allergy. Transplanted patients with food allergy having received a prescription of epinephrine had a significantly higher total IgE (2033 [234‐2831] vs 10 [5‐41] IU/L, P = .002) and MIP‐1b (52 [37‐96] vs 36 [32‐39], P = .035) compared with transplanted patients without food allergy. Two patients with severe food allergy responded favorably to conversion from tacrolimus‐based immunosuppression to MMF and corticosteroids with reduction in clinical symptoms, total IgE, specific IgE, IL‐1ra, IL‐4, RANTES, PDGF, MIP‐1a, and TNFα. The transplantation group had higher levels of IL‐1b, IL‐5, IL‐7, IL‐13, GCSF, IFNγ, and MIP‐1a compared with the CLD group.

Conclusions

No overall difference was found in plasma cytokine profile between patients with and without food allergy. Patients with severe food allergy had significant elevation of MIP‐1b. Discontinuation of tacrolimus reduced total and specific IgE and changed plasma cytokine profile. The plasma cytokine profile in liver transplanted children was different compared with children with CLD.
The fragile foundations of the extended fetuses‐at‐risk approach
Authors: Basso Olga
Published: January 2020

Background

Whether denominators for postnatal outcomes (ascertained after live birth) with a presumed prenatal origin should consist of fetuses or live births remains controversial. Proponents argue that the extended fetuses‐at‐risk (FAR) approach (a), provides a justification for medically indicated preterm delivery, (b), avoids paradoxical results, and (c), permits quantification of incidence of fetal‐infant phenomena, such as “revealed” small for gestational age (SGA)—which, under FAR, rises with advancing gestation.

Methods

This conceptual paper examines the validity of the above arguments.

Results

As obstetricians induce babies early because of fetal (or maternal) compromise and despite the dangers posed by immaturity, there is no need to modify a paradigm that portrays preterm birth as a powerful risk factor. The FAR approach generally avoids “paradoxical” intersections because FAR rates of postnatal outcomes depend on the birth rate. However, this property, which causes rates of most postnatal outcomes to rise at term, can also lead to risk reversals and other misleading findings. The FAR formulation does not yield the incidence of postnatal conditions but, rather, the incidence of live birth (and survival to diagnosis) of babies with prevalent conditions (and, sometimes, future ones).

Conclusions

The proposed arguments do not provide adequate support for extending the FAR approach to postnatal outcomes. As only live births can contribute to the numerator of rates, the usefulness and interpretability of FAR measures in this setting are limited.
Intergenerational effect of early‐life growth on offspring height: Evidence from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study
Authors: Parsons Camille M. , Carter Sarah A. , Ward Kate , Syddall Holly E. , Clynes Michael A. , Cooper Cyrus , Dennison Elaine M.
Published: January 2020

Background

Previous intergenerational (parent to child) and transgenerational (grandparent to grandchild) studies have shown there is a link between parental and offspring birthweight.

Objectives

The aim was to explore the association between the early‐life weight gain of an individual and the adult height of their children and grandchildren.

Methods

Study participants across three generations of the Hertfordshire Cohort Study (HCS) were included in this study. Health visitors recorded the birthweight (kg) and weight at 1 year (kg) of the original (F0 generation) HCS participants when they were born in Hertfordshire between 1931 and 1939. A conditional infant weight gain score for F0 participants was calculated using birthweight and weight at 1 year, and self‐reported height (cm) of their children (F1 generation) and their grandchildren (F2 generation) was obtained from postal questionnaires. Due to the lack of clustering within family lines, linear regression analysis was used to compare intergenerational relationships.

Results

Data were available from 139 F0, 148 F1, and 198 F2 participants. A positive association was found between parental birthweight (F0) and offspring adult height; on average, a 1 kg increase in F0 birthweight was associated with a 2.04 cm increase in F1 adult height (beta 2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.03, 4.10). A positive association was found between F0 conditional weight gain during the first year of life and offspring (beta 1.53, 95% CI 0.45, 2.62) and grandchild height (beta 1.06, 95% CI 0.03, 2.10). Positive associations were also found between F0 weight at 1 year and offspring (beta 1.83, 95% CI 0.79, 2.87) and grandchild height (beta 0.91, 95% CI −0.10, 1.91).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates an association between grandparental weight gain in early life and the heights of their children and grandchildren. The results of these analyses highlight the importance of early‐life weight gain on the adult stature of subsequent offspring.
Role of mRNAs and long non‐coding RNAs in regulating the litter size trait in Chuanzhong black goats
Authors: Lian Zhiquan , Zou Xian , Han Yinru , Deng Ming , Sun Baoli , Guo Yongqing , Zhou Lei , Liu Guangbin , Liu Dewu , Li Yaokun
Published: January 2020

Fecundity improvement is one of the most important objectives for goat breeders as it can considerably greatly increase production efficiency. The molecular mechanisms underlying fecundity in goats remain largely unknown. To explore the molecular and genetic mechanisms related to the fecundities and prolificacies in Chuanzhong black goats, we performed high‐throughput RNA sequencing to identify differentially expressed long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and mRNAs (DElncRNAs and DEmRNAs, respectively) the ovaries of high‐fecundity and low‐fecundity goats; furthermore, we conducted functional annotation analyses to identify pathways of interest. Overall, 1,353 DEmRNAs and 168 DElncRNAs were identified. Quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) was performed to validate some randomly selected DElncRNAs and DEmRNAs. We found that two DElncRNAs ENSCHIT00000005909 and ENSCHIT00000005910 might positively influence the expression of the corresponding gene IL1R2 (upregulated in high‐fecundity group), exerting co‐regulative effects on the ovarian function, through which litter size might show variations. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the DEmRNAs SRD5A2, LOC102191297 and LOC102171967 were significantly enriched in steroid hormone biosynthesis—this pathway was related to animal reproduction. To summarize, our findings expand the understanding pertaining to the biological functions of lncRNAs and contribute to the annotation of the goat genome; moreover, they should be helpful for further studying the role of lncRNAs in ovulation and lambing.
Are Women More Averse to Corruption than Men? The Case of South Korea
Authors: Lee Aie‐Rie , Chávez Kerry
Published: January 2020

Objectives

Previous research asserts that women are less prone to corruption than men. It is not without contestation, leading to a complex corpus with mixed findings suggesting that perceptions might be context‐specific. This study investigates whether, how, and under or through what conditions gender impacts individual perceptions of corruption in South Korea, a case exemplifying “Asian exceptionalism.”

Methods

Employing the World Values Survey and statistical regression techniques, we leverage a quasi‐experiment analyzing individual attitudes across all regime types in South Korea's recent history.

Results

Examining three types of corruption—state benefit fraud, tax evasion, and bribe‐taking—we find no significant differences until Korea democratizes, when we observe a surprising increase in the gap between perspectives.

Conclusions

Women's differential tolerance is mixed across types of corruption, implying that corruption is not a homogenous concept and that perceptions are conditioned by individual opportunities and constraints.
Covert Movement in Multiple‐WhQuestions: Experimental and Theoretical Investigations
Authors: Shlonsky Ur , Villata Sandra , Franck Julie
Published: January 2020

Results from a new grammaticality‐judgment experiment in French confirm the published finding in English that sentences containing a Superiority violation involving a bare extracted element and a lexically restricted intervener (e.g., ‘What did which student buy?’), a configuration termedinverse inclusion, are more acceptable than those involving a lexically restricted extracted element and a bare intervener (e.g., ‘Which book did who buy’), a configuration termedinclusion. To account for this pattern, we adopt an explicit implementation of covert movement and propose some modifications in the characterization of the class of interveners. Interestingly, experimental findings on extraction fromwhislands attest the opposite pattern: there, inclusion is more acceptable than inverse inclusion. We argue that whereas (overt) extraction fromwhislands is sensitive to the feature content of the extractee and the intervener (i.e., whether or not they are lexically restricted), the degree of (un)acceptability of Superiority violations hinges on the different landing‐site options that the features of the extractee and the intervener permit.
Sterile or nonantibiotic‐responsive pustular dermatitis and canine leishmaniosis: a 14 case series description and a statistical association study on 2420 cases
Authors: Bardagí Mar , Monaco Moira , Fondevila Dolors
Published: January 2020

Contexte

Aucune donnée déterminante, clinique ou histopathologique de la dermatite pustuleuse (PustD) du chien atteint de leishmaniose canine (CanL) n'a été identifiée; aucune association entre CanL et PustD n'a été démontrée.

Objectifs

Caractériser une série de chiens atteints par CanL et PustD prurigineuse et évaluer une association possible entre les deux conditions.

Sujets

Quatorze chiens et un recueil de 2 420 cas.

Matériels et méthodes

Une étude rétrospective clinique et histopathologique a été menée sur 14 chiens. Une immunohistochimie (IHC) Leishmania et une PCR en temps réel pour L. infantum sur des biopsies cutanées ont été réalisées. Une association de PustD avec CanL a été testée avec un test de Fischer à l'aide des données médicales des 2 420 cas.

Résultats

Les chiens étaient caractérisés : cliniquement par une dermatite prurigineuse généralisée stérile ou une dermatite papulo‐pustuleuse ne répondant pas aux antibiotiques; et par histopathologie par des pustules neutrophiliques et une dermatite périvasculaire mastocytaire et neutrophilique avec vasodilatation et oedème. L’IHC a montré des leishmanies amastigotes dans six cas et la PCR était positive dans trois des huit cas IHC négatifs. Les traitements anti‐leishmanie et immunomodulateurs ont contrôlé les signes cliniques. La différence de fréquence de PustD chez les chiens avec CanL et sans CanL était statistiquement significative (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Une association existe entre PustD et CanL. Au moins dans les zones d'endémie de Leishmania, CanL devrait être exclue avant tout traitement immunosuppresseur chez les chiens avec PustD avec les caractéristiques précédentes. Grader la CanL à l'aide de procédures diagnostiques telles que IHC et PCR est recommandé. Un traitement anti‐Leishmania et de courtes à moyennes périodes d'anti‐inflammatoires ou d'immunomodulateurs sont efficaces pour contrôler les signes cliniques de PustD.
Direct comparison of three residual risk models for hepatitis B virus window period infections using updated input parameters
Authors: Lelie Nico , Vermeulen Marion , van Drimmelen Harry , Coleman Charl , Bruhn Roberta , Reddy Ravi , Busch Michael , Kleinman Steve
Published: January 2020

Background and Objectives

Comparison of two models for estimating residual transfusion transmission risk by NAT screened window period (WP) donations in South African repeat donors gave identical results for HIV but not for HBV. In order to understand discrepant HBV modelling outcomes, the values of input parameters in three HBV WP risk models were reviewed and subsequently applied to the same South African screening data generated by HBsAg PRISM and two NAT assays (Ultrio and Ultrio Plus). Two of the models were also compared using individual donation (ID)‐NAT screening data from different geographical regions.

Methods

Values of input parameters were derived from two published data sources and used in three risk models [(1) the incidence rate–WP risk day equivalent model, (2) the NAT yield WP ratio model and (3) the anti‐HBc‐negative HBsAg yield period ratio model] and subsequently applied to the same ID‐NAT screening data.

Results

The HBV WP transmission risk in South African repeat donations during a one‐year Ultrio Plus NAT screening period was estimated as 22, 43 and 17 per million, respectively, for the three models, as compared to 56, 117 and 48 per million for HBsAg PRISM screening. The approximate two‐fold higher estimate calculated with the NAT yield WP ratio model was corroborated in repeat donations from three of four regions in a multi‐regional study. When another set of model input values (with shorter viraemia periods and a higher proportion of acute occult infections) was applied to the South African screening data, the relative difference in risk estimates between the three models became smaller.

Conclusions

Window period risk modelling for HBV is more complex than for HIV. Multiple factors affect the modelling outcomes. These include the values used for the length of transient HBsAg and HBV‐DNA‐positive phases, the proportion of acute occult and vaccine breakthrough infections and the assumption of random appearance of donors throughout the entire acute resolving infection phase. A substantial proportion of HBV WP NAT yields have very low viral load and lack donor follow‐up data calling into question their definitive classification into the early acute (infectious) replication stage. Since these possible WP NAT yields most highly impact the NAT yield WP ratio model, we recommend relying on the more conservative estimates of the incidence rate–WP risk day equivalent model.
Application Scope of Limit Load Criterion for Ductile Material Pipes With Circumferentially External Cracks
Authors: Hasegawa Kunio , Li Yinsheng , Lacroix Valery , Mares Vratislav
Published: January 2020

Bending stress at plastic collapse for a circumferentially cracked pipe is predicted by limit load criterion provided by the Appendix C of the ASME Code Section XI. The equation of the Appendix C is applicable for pipes with both external and internal surface cracks. On the other hand, the authors have developed a more precise equation taking into account the pipe mean radii at noncracked area and at cracked ligament area. From the comparison of Appendix C equation and the new equation, the plastic collapse stress estimated by the Appendix C equation gives about 20% less conservative bending capacity prediction for external cracked pipes with large crack angle and small Rm/t, where Rm is the pipe mean radius and t is the pipe wall thickness. This paper discusses the limitation scope to use the limit load criterion of the Appendix C equation.
Adaptive Inspirational Design Stimuli: Using Design Output to Computationally Search for Stimuli That Impact Concept Generation
Authors: Goucher-Lambert Kosa , Gyory Joshua T. , Kotovsky Kenneth , Cagan Jonathan
Published: January 2020

Design activity can be supported using inspirational stimuli (e.g., analogies, patents) by helping designers overcome impasses or in generating solutions with more positive characteristics during ideation. Design researchers typically generate inspirational stimuli a priori in order to investigate their impact. However, for a chosen stimulus to possess maximal utility, it should automatically reflect the current and ongoing progress of the designer. In this work, designers receive computationally selected inspirational stimuli midway through an ideation session in response to the contents of their current solution. Sourced from a broad database of related example solutions, the semantic similarity between the content of the current design and concepts within the database determines which potential stimulus is received. Designers receive a particular stimulus based on three experimental conditions: a semantically near stimulus, a semantically far stimulus, or no stimulus (control). Results indicate that adaptive inspirational stimuli can be determined using latent semantic analysis (LSA) and that semantic similarity measures are a promising approach for real-time monitoring of the design process. The ability to achieve differentiable near versus far stimuli was validated using both semantic cosine similarity values and participant self-response ratings. As a further contribution, this work also explores the impact of different types of adaptive inspirational stimuli on design outcomes using a newly introduced “design innovation” measure. The design innovation measure mathematically captures the overall goodness of a design concept by uniquely combining expert ratings across easier to evaluate subdimensions of feasibility, usefulness, and novelty. While results demonstrate that near inspirational stimuli increase the feasibility of design solutions, they also show the significant impact of the overall inspirational stimulus innovativeness on final design outcomes. In fact, participants are more likely to generate innovative final design solutions when given innovative inspirational stimuli, regardless of their experimental condition.
Solar Perforated Panels Installed on a Window With Different Perforation Ratios: Energy and Illuminance Analyses
Authors: Alawadhi Esam M.
Published: January 2020

Daylight is utilized in a green building to minimize the energy usage and maximize the comfort of the residents. Daylight provides the comfort to the residents by naturally illuminating the interior space, and reduces energy consumed by artificial lightings. However, daylight increases the energy for cooling, and discomfort visual condition. Two panels with square holes are installed externally on a west-facing façade window. The perforation ratio of panels is 25%, and all experimental measurements are conducted in June. When no solar perforated panel in installed, measured illuminance in the room reaches as high as 13,000 Lux, and with a one solar perforated panel is installed, the peak illuminance in the room is decreased 90%. If the second solar perforated panel is installed, the illuminance in the room becomes uniform, and around 200 Lux. Moreover, the illuminance is nearly independent with time, between 2 PM and 5 PM.
Modeling the Creep Damage of P91 Steel Using Peridynamics
Authors: Kulkarni Shank S. , Tabarraei Alireza , Wang Xiaonan
Published: January 2020

Creep is an important failure mechanism of metal components working at a high temperature. To ensure the structural integrity and safety of systems working at high temperature it is essential to predict failure due to creep. Classical continuum based damage models are used widely for modeling creep damage. A more recently developed non-local mechanics formulation called peridynamics has displayed better performance in modeling damage with respect to classical local mechanics methods. In this paper, the peridynamic formulation is extended to model creep in metals. We have chosen Liu-Murakami creep model for developing a peridynamic formulation for modeling creep. The proposed formulation is validated by simulating creep tests for P91 steel and comparing the results with experimental data from the literature.
A Nonlinear Visco-Hyper Elastic Constitutive Model for Modeling Behavior of Polyurea at Large Deformations
Authors: Kulkarni Shank S. , Tabarraei Alireza
Published: January 2020

The fantastic properties of polyurea such as flexibility, durability, and chemical resistance have brought it a wide range of application in various industries. Effective prediction of the response of polyurea under different loading and environmental conditions necessitates the development of an accurate constitutive model. Similar to most polymers, the behavior of polyurea depends on both the strain and strain rate. Therefore, the constitutive model should be able to capture both these effects on the response of polyurea. To achieve this objective, in this paper, a nonlinear visco-hyper elastic constitutive model is developed by the superposition of a hyperelastic and a viscoelastic model. The proposed constitutive model can capture the behavior of polyurea under compressive as well as tensile loading conditions at various strain rates. Four parameter Ogden model is used to model the hyperelastic behavior of polyurea. The viscoelastic behavior is modeled using a three-parameter standard linear solid (SLS) model. The material parameters of the model are found by curve fitting of the proposed model to the experimental data. Comparison of the proposed model and the experimental data shows that the proposed model can closely reproduce the stress-strain behavior of polyurea under a wide range of strain rates (−6500 to 294 /s).
Modeling and Simulation of a Superconductive Linear Motor
Authors: Al-Allaq Aiman , Jaksic Nebojsa
Published: January 2020

Recent work and advances have showed great development in the field of linear motors, one being the integration of superconductors with the design and implementation of linear motors. In this approach, instead of using the traditional metallic conductors for the motor stator and rotor (to create the electromagnetic core), it was proposed, that the use of superconductor wires would yield greater and more efficient motors. One of the advantages of having perfect conductivity is stronger and more consistent magnetic field for the motor, allowing by that greater transitional speeds. However, until now, there have been no reported designs that could be used in real-world applications. This work is based on an existing design. However, we create a design model of functional linear induction motor using high temperature superconductor wires for the magnetic core. Moreover, a comparison is made between the actual performance specifications (core current, magnetic flux, and magnetic force), with those obtained from experimental simulation methods (using ANSYS Electromagnetic suit or COMSOL Multiphysics software packages). The design model is tested to verify the simulation results, and its suitability for engineering applications.
Teaching Capstone Thermal Systems Design Using ANSYS ICEPAK Based Projects
Authors: Anderson Kevin R.
Published: January 2020

This paper describes the use of ANSYS ICEPAK software in teaching a senior level capstone thermal systems design course in a Mechanical Engineering curriculum. The use of ANSYS ICEPAK software tools in the thermal design course allows our undergraduates the preparation they need to become competitive and productive in today’s private industry sector. The paradigm of learn-by-doing adopted by the college is used in the thermal design course by exposing students to the use of ANSYS ICEPAK software in order to complete a design project in the thermal design course. The senior level capstone thermal design course is a three-unit semester course. Students are broken into teams and are tasked to solve a variety of thermal-fluid, heat transfer related design problem scenarios. The student teams are tasked to design an electronic systems thermal management system using PCBS, fans, heat sinks, heat pipes, etc. in order to meet a set of pre-defined requirements. In this manner, the use of the ICEPAK projects serves to build the soft skills (report writing and technical presentation) of the students. This paper will include examples of ANSYS ICEPAK based thermal design projects and methods of assessment and illustrations of how the thermal design course addresses the Mechanical Engineering program’s ABET objectives and outcomes related to senior design capstone design courses.