bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Scaly-foot Snail genome and implications for the origins of biomineralised armour
Authors: Sun Jin , Chen Chong , Miyamoto Norio , Li Runsheng , Sigwart Julia D. , Xu Ting , Sun Yanan , Wong Wai Chuen , Ip Jack C. H. , Zhang Weipeng , Lan Yi , Bissessur Dass , Watsuji Tomo-o , Watanabe Hiromi Kayama , Takaki Yoshihiro , Ikeo Kazuho , Fujii Nobuyuki , Yoshitake Kazutoshi , Qiu Jian-Wen , Takai Ken , Qian Pei-Yuan
Published: April 2020

The Scaly-foot Snail,Chrysomallon squamiferum, presents a combination of biomineralised features, reminiscent of enigmatic early fossil taxa with complex shells and sclerites such as sachtids, but in a recently-diverged living species which even has iron-infused hard parts. Thus the Scaly-foot Snail is an ideal model to study the genomic mechanisms underlying the evolutionary diversification of biomineralised armour. Here, we present a high-quality whole-genome assembly and tissue-specific transcriptomic data, and show that scale and shell formation in the Scaly-foot Snail employ independent subsets of 25 highly-expressed transcription factors. Comparisons with other lophotrochozoan genomes imply that this biomineralisation toolkit is ancient, though expression patterns differ across major lineages. We suggest that the ability of lophotrochozoan lineages to generate a wide range of hard parts, exemplified by the remarkable morphological disparity in Mollusca, draws on a capacity for dynamic modification of the expression and positioning of toolkit elements across the genome.
Author Correction: p66Shc: A novel biomarker of tubular oxidative injury in patients with diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Xu Xiaoxuan , Zhu Xuejing , Ma Mingming , Han Yachun , Hu Chun , Yuan Shuguang , Yang Yuan , Xiao Li , Liu Fuyou , Kanwar Yashpal S. , Sun Lin
Published: April 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Antarctic Krill Lipid and Fatty acid Content Variability is Associated to Satellite Derived Chlorophyll a and Sea Surface Temperatures
Authors: Hellessey Nicole , Johnson Robert , Ericson Jessica A. , Nichols Peter D. , Kawaguchi So , Nicol Stephen , Hoem Nils , Virtue Patti
Published: April 2020

Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) are a key component of the Antarctic food web with considerable lipid reserves that are vital for their health and higher predator survival. Krill lipids are primarily derived from their diet of plankton, in particular diatoms and flagellates. Few attempts have been made to link the spatial and temporal variations in krill lipids to those in their food supply. Remotely-sensed environmental parameters provide large-scale information on the potential availability of krill food, although relating this to physiological and biochemical differences has only been performed on small scales and with limited samples. Our study utilised remotely-sensed data (chlorophyllaand sea surface temperature) coupled with krill lipid data obtained from 3 years of fishery-derived samples. We examined within and between year variation of trends in both the environment and krill biochemistry data. Chlorophyllalevels were positively related to krill lipid levels, particularly triacylglycerol. Plankton fatty acid biomarkers analysed in krill (such as n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) increased with decreasing sea surface temperature and increasing chlorophyllalevels. Our study demonstrates the utility of combining remote-sensing and biochemical data in examining biological and physiological relationships between Antarctic krill and the Southern Ocean environment.
Opposing influences of TAC1 and LAZY1 on Lateral Shoot Orientation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Hollender Courtney A. , Hill Joseph L. , Waite Jessica , Dardick Chris
Published: April 2020

TAC1 and LAZY1 are members of a gene family that regulates lateral shoot orientation in plants. TAC1 promotes outward orientations in response to light, while LAZY1 promotes upward shoot orientations in response to gravity via altered auxin transport. We performed genetic, molecular, and biochemical assays to investigate possible interactions between these genes. In Arabidopsis they were expressed in similar tissues and double mutants revealed the wide-angled lazy1 branch phenotype, indicating it is epistatic to the tac1 shoot phenotype. Surprisingly, the lack of TAC1 did not influence gravitropic shoot curvature responses. Combined, these results suggest TAC1 might negatively regulate LAZY1 to promote outward shoot orientations. However, additional results revealed that TAC1- and LAZY1 influence on shoot orientation is more complex than a simple direct negative regulatory pathway. Transcriptomes of Arabidopsis tac1 and lazy1 mutants compared to wild type under normal and gravistimulated conditions revealed few overlapping differentially expressed genes. Overexpression of each gene did not result in major branch angle differences. Shoot tip hormone levels were similar between tac1, lazy1, and Col, apart from exceptionally elevated levels of salicylic acid in lazy1. The data presented here provide a foundation for future study of TAC1 and LAZY1 regulation of shoot architecture.
Skin transcriptome profiling of Changthangi goats highlights the relevance of genes involved in Pashmina production
Authors: Ahlawat Sonika , Arora Reena , Sharma Rekha , Sharma Upasna , Kaur Mandeep , Kumar Ashish , Singh Karan Veer , Singh Manoj Kumar , Vijh Ramesh Kumar
Published: April 2020

Pashmina, the world’s finest natural fiber is derived from secondary hair follicles of Changthangi goats which are domesticated in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir by nomadic pastoralists. Complex epithelial-mesenchymal interactions involving numerous signal molecules and signaling pathways govern hair follicle morphogenesis and mitosis across different species. The present study involved transcriptome profiling of skin from fiber type Changthangi goats and meat type Barbari goats to unravel gene networks and metabolic pathways that might contribute to Pashmina development. In Changthangi goats, 525 genes were expressed at significantly higher levels and 54 at significantly lower levels with fold change >2 (padj < 0.05). Functional annotation and enrichment analysis identified significantly enriched pathways to be formation of the cornified envelope, keratinization and developmental biology. Expression of genes for keratins (KRTs) and keratin-associated proteins (KRTAPs) was observed to be much higher in Changthangi goats. A host of transcriptional regulator genes for hair follicle keratin synthesis such as GPRC5D, PADI3, HOXC13, FOXN1, LEF1 and ELF5 showed higher transcript abundance in Pashmina producing goats. Positive regulation of Wnt signaling pathway and negative regulation of Oncostatin M signaling pathway may be speculated to be important contributors to hair follicle development and hair shaft differentiation in Changthangi goats.
Frequent Outpatient Visits Prevent Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Park Hye Jung , Byun Min Kwang , Kim Taehee , Rhee Chin Kook , Kim Kyungjoo , Kim Bo Yeon , Ahn Sang In , Jo Yon U , Yoo Kwang-Ha
Published: April 2020

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory airway disease requiring frequent outpatient visits and lifelong management. We aimed to evaluate the roles of frequent outpatient visits in prognosis of COPD. We used claims data in the national medical insurance review system provided by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service of Korea from May 1, 2014 to April 30, 2015. A definition of COPD was used based on the diagnosis code and medication. Frequent visitors were defined as subjects who visited the outpatient clinic for COPD three or more times per year. Among 159,025 subjects, 117,483 (73.9%) were classified as frequent visitors. Frequent visitors underwent pulmonary function tests and used various inhalers more often than did infrequent visitors. The rates of COPD exacerbation requiring admission to a general ward, emergency room, or intensive care unit were significantly lower in frequent visitors than in infrequent visitors. In multivariable analysis, frequent visits were identified as an independent factor preventing COPD exacerbation that required admission to a ward (odds ratio [OR], 0.387), emergency room, (OR, 0.558), or intensive care unit (OR, 0.39) (all P < 0.001). In conclusion, we showed frequent outpatient visits reduce the risk of COPD exacerbation by 45–60%.
The efficacy and safety of immunosuppressive therapies in the treatment of IgA nephropathy: A network meta-analysis
Authors: Tan Jiaxing , Dong Lingqiu , Ye Donghui , Tang Yi , Hu Tengyue , Zhong Zhengxia , Tarun Padamata , Xu Yicong , Qin Wei
Published: April 2020

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is a common autoimmune glomerulonephritis that can result in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Whether immunosuppressants are superior or equivalent to supportive care is still controversial. A network meta-analysis was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of immunosuppressive treatment for IgAN. Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science, and EMBASE were searched on December 30, 2018. We used a random-effects model with a Bayesian approach to appraise both renal outcomes and serious adverse effects. Relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to present the relative effects. The ranking probabilities were calculated by the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). In total, 24 RCTs comprising 6 interventions were analyzed. Steroids significantly delayed the progression of renal deterioration with acceptable serious adverse effects, compared with supportive care (RR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.13–0.51, SUCRA = 48.7%). AZA combined with steroids might be an alternative immunosuppressive therapy. Tacrolimus might decrease the proteinuria level (RR = 3.1, 95% CI = 1.2–9.4, SUCRA = 66.5%) but cannot improve renal function, and the side effects of tacrolimus should not be neglected. MMF and CYC showed no superiority in the treatment of IgAN. In summary, steroids might be recommended as the first-line immunosuppressive therapy for IgAN.
Comprehensive Analysis of the Expression and Prognosis for GBPs in Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wu Zeng-Hong , Cai Fucheng , Zhong Yi
Published: April 2020

Guanylate binding proteins (GBPs) belongs to the interferons (IFNs) induced guanylate-binding protein family (Guanosine triphosphatases, GTPases) consisting of seven homologous members, termedGBP1toGBP7. We used multidimensional survey ways to exploreGBPsexpression, regulation, mutations, immune infiltration and functional networks in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patient data based on various open databases. The study provides staggered evidence for the significance ofGBPsin HNSCC and its potential role as a novel biomarker. Our results showed that over expressions of 7GBPsmembers and multivariate analysis suggested that N-stage, high expressions ofGBP1and low expression ofGBP6/7were linked to shorter OS in HNSCC patients. In addition, B cells of immune infiltrates stimulant the prognosis and might have a medical prognostic significance linked toGBPsin HNSCC. We assume thatGBPsplay a synergistic role in the viral related HNSCC. Our results show that data mining efficiently reveals information aboutGBPsexpression in HNSCC and more importance lays a foundation for further research on the role ofGBPsin cancers.
GC-MS metabolomics reveals metabolic differences of the farmed Mandarin fish Siniperca chuatsi in recirculating ponds aquaculture system and pond
Authors: Xiao Mingsong , Qian Kelin , Wang Yuliang , Bao Fangyin
Published: April 2020

Siniperca chuatsi is currently one of the most important economic farmed freshwater fish in China. The aim of this study was to evaluate the metabolic profile of recirculating ponds aquaculture system (RAS)-farmed S. chuatsi. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometry (GC-MS) metabolomic platform was used to comprehensively analyze the effects of recirculating ponds aquaculture system (RAS) on the Mandarin fish S. chuatsi metabolism. Database searching and statistical analysis revealed that there were altogether 335 metabolites quantified (similarity > 0) and 205 metabolites were identified by mass spectrum matching with a spectral similarity > 700. Among the 335 metabolites quantified, 33 metabolites were significantly different (VIP > 1 and p < 0.05) between RAS and pond groups. In these thirty-three metabolites, taurine, 1-Hexadecanol, Shikimic Acid, Alloxanoic Acid and Acetaminophen were higher in the pond group, while 28 metabolites were increased notably in the RAS group. The biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, lysosome, tryptophan metabolism were recommended as the KEGG pathway maps for S. chuatsi farmed in RAS. RAS can provide comprehensive benefits to the effects of Siniperca chuatsi metabolism, which suggest RAS is an efficient, economic, and environmentally friendly farming system compared to pond system.
Antihypertensive effects of Trichiurus lepturus myosin hydrolysate in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Fu Weiqing , Wang Peixin , Wu Hongqiang , Zhang Zhigang , Zeng Hongliang , Zhang Yi , Zheng Baodong , Hu Jiamiao
Published: April 2020

In this study, the blood pressure-lowering effects of Trichiurus lepturus myosin hydrolysate (TMH) and its possible mechanism were investigated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).
Raman profile alterations of irradiated human nasopharyngeal cancer cells detected with laser tweezer Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Qiu Sufang , Weng Youliang , Li Ying , Chen Yang , Pan Yuhui , Liu Jun , Lin Wanzun , Chen Xiaochuan , Li Miaomiao , Lin Ting , Liu Wei , Zhang Lurong , Lin Duo
Published: April 2020

Laser tweezer Raman spectroscopy combined with multivariate statistical analysis was used for evaluating the radiotherapeutic effect on a single tumor cell.
New diterpenoid quinones derived from Salvia miltiorrhiza and their cytotoxic and neuroprotective activities
Authors: Yin Zhao-Kun , Feng Zi-Ming , Jiang Jian-Shuang , Zhang Xu , Zhang Pei-Cheng , Yang Ya-Nan
Published: April 2020

A new tanshinone derivative, which possesses an unusual 6/6/5/6 fused-ring skeleton together with 4 new five-membered lactone benzohexa-membered ring compounds and 3 new carboxyl substituted 5,5-spiroketal compounds, were isolated from dried rhizomes of Salvia miltiorrhiza.
Hydrogen peroxide reduction on single platinum nanoparticles
Authors: Chang Xin , Batchelor-McAuley Christopher , Compton Richard G.
Published: April 2020

At the single platinum nanoparticle scale the hydrogen peroxide reduction reaction is a surface limited process.
Spatial distribution of esophageal cancer mortality in China: a machine learning approach
Authors: Liao Yilan , Li Chunlin , Xia Changfa , Zheng Rongshou , Xu Bing , Zeng Hongmei , Zhang Siwei , Wang Jinfeng , Chen Wanqing
Published: April 2020

Background

Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most common cancers, causing many people to die every year worldwide. Accurate estimations of the spatial distribution of EC are essential for effective cancer prevention.

Methods

EC mortality surveillance data covering 964 surveyed counties in China in 2014 and three classes of auxiliary data, including physical condition, living habits and living environment data, were collected. Genetic programming (GP), a hierarchical Bayesian model and sandwich estimation were used to estimate the spatial distribution of female EC mortality. Finally, we evaluated the accuracy of the three mapping methods.

Results

The results show that compared with the root square mean error (RMSE) of the hierarchical Bayesian model at 6.546 and the sandwich estimation at 7.611, the RMSE of GP is the lowest at 5.894. According to the distribution estimated by GP, the mortality of female EC was low in some regions of Northeast China, Northwest China and southern China; in some regions downstream of the Yellow River Basin, north of the Yangtze River in the Yangtze River Basin and in Southwest China, the mortality rate was relatively high.

Conclusions

This paper provides an accurate map of female EC mortality in China. A series of targeted preventive measures can be proposed based on the spatial disparities displayed on the map.
Evaluation of compliance with the 2017 Canadian Paediatric Society Position Statement for the management of newborns at risk for early-onset sepsis: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Simeonova Marina , Piszczek Jolanta , Hoi Sannifer , Harder Curtis , Pelligra Gustavo
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Due to the nonspecific clinical presentation, clinicians often empirically treat newborns at risk of early-onset sepsis (EOS). Recently, the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) published updated recommendations that promote a more judicious approach to EOS management.

Objective

To examine the compliance with the CPS statement at a tertiary perinatal site and characterize the types of deviations.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted for all term and late pre-term newborns at risk for sepsis, between January 1 and June 30, 2018. The prevalence of newborns with EOS risk factors was measured during the first month. Management strategies for eligible newborns during the 6-month period were compared to the CPS recommendations to establish the rate of noncompliance. The type of noncompliance, readmission rate, and rate of culture-positive EOS were examined.

Results

In the first month, 29% (66 of 228) of newborns had EOS risk factors. Among the 100 newborns born in the 6-month period for whom the CPS recommendations apply, 47 (47%) received noncompliant management. Of those, 51% (N=24) had inappropriately initiated investigations, 17% (N=8) had inappropriate antibiotics, and 32% (N=15) had both. The rate of readmission for a septic workup was 1.6% (N= 2). None had culture-positive sepsis while admitted.

Conclusion

A large proportion of term and late preterm newborns (29%) had EOS risk factors, but none had culture-confirmed EOS. The rate of noncompliance with the CPS recommendations was high (47%), mainly due to overzealous management. Future initiatives should aim at increasing compliance, particularly in newborns at lower EOS risk.
Constructing Pornography Addiction’s Harms in Science, News Media, and Politics
Authors: Burke Kelsy , MillerMacPhee Alice
Published: April 2020

In order to describe pornography’s harms in the twenty-first century, an age of unprecedented access to Internet technology, some advocates—including activists, religious leaders, politicians, and scientists—use a medical/scientific framework to claim that pornography is biologically addictive. This article examines public discourse on “pornography addiction” to extend theories of sociology of science and sociology of sexualities about scientific knowledge and the biomedicalization of sex and sexuality. Using content analysis of over 600 documents, including scientific studies, newspaper articles, and state government resolutions, we show how references to pornography as addictive emerged in the twenty-first century and grew most substantially in the last decade. We find that scientific studies largely offer inconclusive results, yet media and political discourses use biomedical scientific language to describe how pornography directly harms the physical and mental health of individual consumers, presumed to be men, and indirectly harms broader society. These include harms to heterosexual marriages and relationships, lawful society, and normal sexual desires. Thus, we find that pornography addiction serves as an illustration of how political actors and journalists are interpreters and claims-makers of scientific knowledge about sexuality in the public sphere. Scientific language, rooted in neurobiology, allows claims-makers to construct pornography addiction as a seemingly objective public threat that legitimizes stereotypes about binary gender and normative (hetero)sexuality.
N95 Mask Decontamination using Standard Hospital Sterilization Technologies
Authors: Kumar Anand , Kasloff Samantha B. , Leung Anders , Cutts Todd , Strong James E. , Hills Kevin , Vazquez-Grande Gloria , Rush Barret , Lother Sylvain , Zarychanski Ryan , Krishnan Jay
Published: April 2020

The response to the COVID-19 epidemic is generating severe shortages of personal protective equipment around the world. In particular, the supply of N95 respirator masks has become severely depleted, with supplies having to be rationed and health care workers having to use masks for prolonged periods in many countries. We sought to test the ability of 5 different decontamination methods: autoclave treatment, ethylene oxide gassing, low temperature hydrogen peroxide gas plasma treatment, vaporous hydrogen peroxide exposure and peracetic acid dry fogging to decontaminate a variety of different N95 masks of experimental contamination with SARS-CoV-2 or Vesicular stomatitis virus as a surrogate. In addition, we sought to determine whether masks would tolerate repeated cycles of decontamination while maintaining structural and functional integrity. We found that one cycle of treatment with all modalities was effective in decontamination and was associated with no structural or functional deterioration. Vaporous hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid dry fogging and autoclave treatments were associated with no loss of structural or functional integrity to a minimum of 10 cycles for the mask models tested. The molded N95 masks however tolerated only 1 cycle of autoclaving. The successful application of autoclaving for layered fabric, pleated masks may be of particular use to institutions globally due to the virtually universal accessibility of autoclaves in health care settings.
Crime research in hospitality and tourism
Authors: Hua Nan , Li Bin , Zhang Tingting(Christina)
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present a holistic literature review on crime research in the hospitality and tourism field.

Design/methodology/approach

This literature review included 109 crime-related academic papers in seven primary sources, namely, ScienceDirect, EBSCOhost’s hospitality and tourism complete, Emerald Management eJournals, Sage Journals, Google Scholar, Scopus and Web of Science.

Findings

From the exploration and synthesis of 109 articles, the following categories of crime research in the hospitality and tourism field emerged as follows: classification of crime research in the hospitality and tourism field; diversity of tourists, crime and risk perceptions; the impacts of crime on the hospitality and tourism industry; and crime control from stakeholders’ papers. In addition, this study advances crime research by proposing six research priorities for future investigation.

Practical implications

Tourism stakeholders are advised to achieve better cooperation in crime control under the guidance of the crime prevention model. High-technology tools are encouraged to be applied to detect and track criminal activities. Meanwhile, diverse applications of the media should be used as useful tools to control criminal activities in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Originality/value

This paper fills a gap by presenting the first comprehensive overview of crime research in the hospitality and tourism field in the past few decades and proposing six priorities for this research stream.
The role and impact of executive coaching in the Maltese Public Sector
Authors: Borg Ellul Duncan , Wond Tracey
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The present study aims to conduct a critical review of an existing set of practices within the Maltese public sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on interpretivism (people-centred approach) embedded in a pragmatic research paradigm (the use of mixed methods).

Findings

Misconceptions about the role and practice of executive coaching in Malta relates to the similar roles ascribed to mentoring, supervision, therapy, consultation, coaching, audit and watchdog under the misnomer of “coaching”.

Research limitations/implications

The main contribution of this research is to the community of professional practitioners as well as to the Maltese central government to improve managerial effectiveness in the Maltese public sector with several endorsed policy-level recommendations presented in the study.

Practical implications

The results suggest a restructuring of a well-defined, structures, systems and dynamics within the Maltese public administration, the ability by senior management including senior public officers (SPOs) to recognise high-potential talents, the need to expand leadership capacity, the establishment of a professional coaching body and a national coaching network framework.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that investigates the role and impact of executive coaching in the Maltese public sector using quantitative and qualitative empirical data.
Envisioning reciprocal and sustainable HBCU-LIS pipeline partnerships
Authors: Ndumu Ana V. , Rollins Tina
Published: April 2020

Purpose

After the closing of four of the five historically Black college and university (HBCU)–based library and information science (LIS) graduate programs (leaving only that of North Carolina Central University), there is a need to revitalize HBCU-LIS degree program pathways to increase racial diversity in LIS education.

Design/methodology/approach

This mixed-methods study entails survey and interview research with HBCU librarians. The researchers explored participants’ professional experiences and perspectives on creating partnerships between HBCU institutions and LIS graduate programs.

Findings

Participants demonstrated substantial experience, expressed high levels of job satisfaction, viewed pipeline programs favorably and believed that LIS can be strengthened through the inclusion of HBCU educational practices and students.

Practical implications

This study provides recommendations and a model for forging culturally competent and reciprocal HBCU–LIS degree program partnerships.

Social implications

Community-led knowledge of HBCUs can disrupt rescue and deficiency narratives of these institutions. Such prejudices are detrimental to HBCU-LIS degree program partnerships.

Originality/value

Past HBCU-LIS degree program pipeline partnerships did not culminate in research or published best practices. This paper presents literature-derived and community-sourced guidelines along with a model for future initiatives.
Momentum return volatility, uncertainty, and energy prices: evidence from major international equity markets
Authors: Spyrou Spyros
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper examines the impact of macroeconomic and risk factors on the profitability and volatility of professional momentum portfolios for the US, the UK, Japan and Germany, for the period 1998–2018. Many of the factors employed, such as energy price changes and economic policy uncertainty, have been largely neglected in the relevant literature.

Design/methodology/approach

Regression analysis, VECTOR AUTOREGRESSION (VAR), Panel-VAR, Variance Decomposition Analysis

Findings

The results indicate that, since the financial crises in the US and the EU, energy prices and economic-policy uncertainty have become important return determinants, along with market-related uncertainty that seems to have a stable impact over time, especially for the U.S. and U.K. portfolios.

Research limitations/implications

Economic policy uncertainty significantly affects contemporaneous momentum returns in the US, UK and Japan, mainly between 2007 and 2018, while market-related uncertainty affects all markets during all subperiods. In addition, the variance of market-related uncertainty (VIX) explains a large percentage of the variance in the momentum returns for the US, UK and Germany.

Practical implications

The main implication of the findings for portfolio managers is that a manager may increase (decrease) exposure to the momentum factor during optimistic (pessimistic) periods and during periods of rising energy prices (high economic policy and market-related uncertainty).

Originality/value

The paper examines the impact of factors, such as energy prices and economic policy uncertainty, which have been largely neglected in the relevant literature on the possible drivers of the momentum strategies. It employs professional portfolios that are often used in practice as benchmark indexes.
A new efficient tool for non‐invasive diagnosis of fetomaternal platelet antigen incompatibility
Authors: Ouzegdouh Mammasse Yasmine , Chenet Christophe , Drubay Damien , Martageix Corinne , Cartron Jean‐Pierre , Vainchenker William , Petermann Rachel
Published: April 2020

Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is the consequence of platelet destruction by maternal alloantibodies against fetal human platelet antigens (HPA). This may result in intracranial haemorrhages (ICH) or even fetal death. Currently, fetal HPA genotyping is performed using invasive procedures. Here, we carried out a proof‐of‐concept study for non‐invasive prenatal diagnosis of fetal platelet genotyping in four HPA systems (HPA‐1, ‐3, ‐5 and‐15) by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) using cell‐free DNA extracts from the plasma of 47 pregnant women with suspected, or history of, FNAIT. Results showed that 74% (35/47) of pregnant women presented incompatibility in at least one HPA system, and 38% (18/47) of cases presented HPA‐1 incompatibility, including nine women with multiple incompatibilities. ICH occurred in one case of profound fetal thrombocytopenia with HPA‐15 incompatibility, confirming the need for non‐invasive prenatal genotyping in systems other than HPA‐1. Fetal HPA genotypes predicted by ddPCR were confirmed in all FNAIT cases after amniocentesis or delivery. Fetal HPA genotyping on maternal plasma based on ddPCR is a fast, safe and reliable non‐invasive method. This technique will be useful for the early identification of pregnancies at high risk of FNAIT requiring antenatal management to minimize the risk of fetal/neonatal haemorrhage.
C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP)/guanylate cyclase B (GC-B) system and endothelin-1(ET-1)/ET receptor A and B system in human vasculature
Authors: Taura Daisuke , Nakao Kazuhiro , Nakagawa Yasuaki , Kinoshita Hideyuki , Sone Masakatsu , Nakao Kazuwa
Published: April 2020

To assess the physiological and clinical implications of the C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP)/guanylyl cyclase B (GC-B) system in the human vasculature, we have examined gene expressions of CNP and its receptor, GC-B, in human vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and have also compared the endothelin-1(ET-1)/endothelin receptor-A (ETR-A) and endothelin receptor-B (ETR-B) system in human aortic ECs (HAECs) and vascular SMCs (HSMCs) in vitro. We also examined these gene expressions in human embryonic stem (ES)/induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS)-derived ECs and mural cells (MCs). A little but significant amount of mRNA encoding CNP was detected in both human ES-derived ECs and HAECs. A substantial amount of GC-B was expressed in both ECs (iPS-derived ECs and HAECs) and SMCs (iPS-derived MCs and HSMCs). ET-1 was expressed solely in ECs. ETR-A was expressed in SMCs, while ETR-B was expressed in ECs. These results indicate the existence of a vascular CNP/GC-B system in the human vascular wall, indicating the evidence for clinical implication of the CNP/GC-B system in concert with the ET-1/ETR-A and ETR-B system in the human vasculature.
Study on the Heat of Hydration and Strength Development of Cast‐In‐Situ Foamed Concrete
Authors: Zhao Wenhui , Su Qian , Han Feng , Wang Wubin
Published: April 2020

This study aims to investigate the relationship between the heat of hydration and the strength development of cast‐in‐situ foamed concrete. First, indoor model tests are conducted to determine the effects of the casting density and the fly ash content on the hydration heat of foamed concrete in semiadiabatic conditions. Second, compression tests are carried out to evaluate the development of the compressive strength with the curing time under standard curing conditions and temperature matched curing conditions. Third, the hydration heat development of the foamed concrete is tested in four projects. The results showed that the peak temperature, the maximum temperature change rate, and the maximum temperature difference increased with the increase in the casting density at different positions in the foamed concrete. For the same casting density of the foamed concrete, the peak temperature, the maximum temperature change rate, and the maximum temperature difference decreased with the increase in the fly ash content. For the foamed concrete without the admixture, the early strength was significantly higher under temperature matched curing conditions than under standard curing conditions, but the temperature matched curing conditions had a clear inhibitory effect on the strength of the foamed concrete. The strengths during the early stage and the later stage were both improved under temperature matched curing conditions after adding the fly ash, and the greater the fly ash content, the larger the effect. The maximum temperature increments were higher in the indoor model test than in the field tests for the same casting density. Reasonable cooling measures and the addition of fly ash decreased the maximum temperature increments and increased the corresponding casting times.
Psychometric Properties of the Moore Index of Nutrition Self-Care in Arabic: A Study among Saudi Adolescents at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Bashatah Adel , Alahmary Khalid A.
Published: April 2020

Background and Objective. The Moore Index of Nutrition Self-Care (MIN-SC) questionnaire has been used widely in both English and Spanish languages. The purpose of this study is to convert MIN-SC into the Arabic language and to test the translated tool for validity and reliability among adolescents in Saudi Arabia. Method. The psychometric characteristics of MIN-SC were assessed using college freshman students at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The validity and reliability were examined using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The construct validity was examined through principal component analysis. Results. The MIN-SC instrument was shown to be internally consistent with reliable scoring (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.910). Exploratory factor analysis resulted in 42 items loading on three main components: estimative, production, and transitional, with a factor loading of eigenvalues >2. The final model explained 38% of the variance. Conclusion. The Arabic version of MIN-SC was shown to be a valid and reliable tool for assessing attitude toward nutrition among adolescent students.
THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL APPROACHES TO TEACHING UKRAINIAN AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE AT TNTU
Authors: Nazarevych L. T. , Denysiuk N. R. , Havdyda N. I.
Published: April 2020

The methodology of teaching Ukrainian as a foreign language is considered in the article; the issues of the language adaptation of foreign students are emphasized. The ability to communicate not only in the educational setting but also in the extracurricular time is stated as the objective of studying the educational course “Ukrainian as a foreign language”. Traditional and innovative approaches that simulate real life situations, offer problems for shared resolutions, enhance students' creative ability, mobilize their attention, and teach them how to develop speech constructs quickly are analyzed. The focus is on a person-centered approach to the classroom, in particular, the game approach as a casual way of submitting starting material. Communicative activity, its main components, and intercultural competence issues were significantly analyzed. The authors share experience in developing tutorials and test assignments; an easy-to-use and informative distance course in the Atutor system; additional training materials in the form of tables, diagrams, exercises, crossword puzzles posted on the social network Facebook. This course allows monitoring the level of theoretical knowledge and practical skills of students-foreigners in educational-training and game forms. The role of identification as a basic principle of eidetics is analyzed, namely: multimedia presentations that allow both visual and auditory perception of information; qualitatively designed slides; study cards; photos, etc. Examples of the application of different methods of eidetics are given: a chain method, a method of combining a verbal apparatus with the imagination, a method of reconciling fantasy and imagination with the ability to express clearly own thoughts, the method of phonetic associations, work on eidos-abstract, etc. The authors emphasize the benefits of training in an atmosphere of psychological safety and comfort.
Tradução e adaptação transcultural do questionário “The multidimensional sportpersonship scale (MSOS – 25)”
Authors: Andaki Junior Roberto , Salles José Geraldo Carmo
Published: April 2020

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o processo de tradução e adaptação transcultural do “The multidimensional sportpersonship scale” para a língua portuguesa brasileira. A metodologia foi baseada nas seguintes etapas: (1) tradução do questionário para o português; (2) criação de versão síntese; (3) retrotradução para o inglês; (4) revisão e avaliação do comitê de especialistas, construção da versão pré-teste; e (5) pré-teste, avaliação da compreensão por uma amostra da população-alvo e análise da consistência interna do instrumento a partir do alfa de Cronbach. Todos os itens foram interpretados como de fácil compreensão, tanto por especialistas quanto pela população-alvo. Os valores de consistência interna foram aceitáveis, com coeficientes entre 0,5 e 0,8. O instrumento encontra-se traduzido e adaptado para o português, com evidências de boa compreensão e consistência interna.
Epilepsy in pregnancy: an emergency care context
Authors: Hayes Catherine , Graham Yitka
Published: April 2020

Epilepsy is a heterogeneous neurological condition that manifests clinically in seizure, and diagnosis depends on seizure duration, frequency and characteristics. Seizures can lead to injury and poorly controlled epilepsy can cause sudden death. Women with epilepsy have a small but significant risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as antepartum and postpartum haemorrhaging, miscarriage, preterm birth or needing an induced birth or a caesarean section; two-thirds will not experience an increase in the severity or number of seizures during pregnancy. Paramedics should be aware that women with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia may have seizures, and that women may stop taking their anti-epileptic drugs or reduce dosage because of concerns over congenital malformation. Multidisciplinary care is essential for these women.
Consequences of twinning induction to Noemi ewes by a recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone compared with pituitary-derived porcine follicle-stimulating hormone on follicular dynamics, maternal biochemical attributes, and neonatal traits
Authors: Zeitoun Moustafa Mohamed , El-Dawas Abdulrahman O. , Ateah Mohamed A. , Shehab El-Deen Mohamed Ahmed
Published: April 2020

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of using recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) compared with pituitary-derived porcine FSH given as one dose or multiple doses on the neonatal traits, follicular dynamics, and maternal blood biochemical constituents in Noemi ewes.

Materials and Methods: A 3×2 factorial arrangement was designed utilizing 60 adults Noemi ewes to test the effects of using two sources of FSH (human vs. porcine) in addition to control, either given as a single total dose or six descending doses to provoke twinning. Six treatments (T) were tested (n=10 ewes/T). C1 and C6 served as control ewes given saline as one dose and six doses, respectively; H1 and H6 ewes were given human FSH as one and six doses; and P1 and P6 ewes were given porcine FSH similar to the above treatments. Saline and/or FSH administration were administered at days 8, 9, and 10 of the 10-day controlled internal drug release (CIDR) implant. At CIDR removal, fertile rams were used for natural mating. Blood samples for the assessment of serum metabolites were collected.

Results: Twinning increased in FSH-treated ewes than control. However, giving FSH of either source as a single dose resulted in a higher incidence of stillbirths. Pregnancy rates were 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80% in C1, C6, P1, P6, H1, and H6, respectively. Respective percent of ewes delivering twins/multiple birth was 0, 0, 80, 66.7, 71.4, and 87.5%. FSH of human source was more efficient for folliculogenesis than porcine FSH. Administration of FSH increased blood cholesterol, decreased high-density lipoprotein; however, low-density lipoprotein levels were not different than control. Moreover, an interaction (p<0.05) exists between source and type of FSH administration on blood glucose. Six doses of FSH elevated blood protein. Blood albumin decreased by porcine-FSH but not affected by human-FSH. Blood globulins were not different due to source of FSH, whereas giving FSH as six doses increased globulins than in single-dose protocol. Contrariwise, an interaction was found between source and type of FSH administration on elevating the activity of alanine aminotransferase and reducing the activity of aspartate aminotransferase.

Conclusion: Administration of human FSH at 180 IU in six descending doses resulted in the best neonatal outcomes and maternal health in Noemi ewes.
Evaluasi Faktor Keamanan Geometri Lereng Tanggul Sidoarjo di Daerah Tanggul Utara Daerah Lumpur Sidoarjo
Authors: Pakpahan Roni Alberto , Qadaryati Nurakhmi , Najib Najib
Published: April 2020

Pada bencana Lumpur Sidoarjo, pembangunan tanggul merupakan salah satu penanggulangan untuk membatasi dampak terjadinya Lumpur Sidoarjo. Tanggul bagian utara Lumpur Sidoarjo merupakan salah satu segmen yang pernah mengalami keruntuhan. Sebenarnya risiko keruntuhan tanggul dapat diminimalkan dengan mengevaluasi faktor keamanan (FK) dari segmen tanggul yang rutin. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi FK di tanggul utara dan menentukan rekomendasi peningkatan FK.  Metode penelitian mencakup analisis evaluasi stabilitas lereng dengan menggunakan parameter geometri lereng tanggul dari lapangan dan dari hasil uji laboratorium. Daerah penelitian tersusun dari satuan tanah asli berupa endapan aluvium berukuran pasir-lempung dan satuan tanah urugan berupa material pasir-kerakal. Pada kondisi tampungan normal dan tanpa gempa, FK di bagian hilir tanggul P74 dan P75 tergolong aman (1,572 dan 1,580).  Tanggul P79 tergolong rentan karena memiliki FK 0,840 dengan kondisi tampungan normal dan tanpa gempa. Rekomendasi untuk peningkatan nilai FK adalah pemadatan tanah, membuat kawat pada bagian hulu, pelandaian lereng tubuh tanggul dan penutupan rekahan, serta pembuataan drainase pada hilir tanggul.
Finite-Size Scaling of Typicality-Based Estimates
Authors: Schnack Jürgen , Richter Johannes , Heitmann Tjark , Richter Jonas , Steinigeweg Robin
Published: April 2020

According to the concept of typicality, an ensemble average can be accurately approximated by an expectation value with respect to a single pure state drawn at random from a high-dimensional Hilbert space. This random-vector approximation, or trace estimator, provides a powerful approach to, e.g. thermodynamic quantities for systems with large Hilbert-space sizes, which usually cannot be treated exactly, analytically or numerically. Here, we discuss the finite-size scaling of the accuracy of such trace estimators from two perspectives. First, we study the full probability distribution of random-vector expectation values and, second, the full temperature dependence of the standard deviation. With the help of numerical examples, we find pronounced Gaussian probability distributions and the expected decrease of the standard deviation with system size, at least above certain system-specific temperatures. Below and in particular for temperatures smaller than the excitation gap, simple rules are not available.
Evaluation of slaughter cattle grades and standards of cull cows
Authors: Palii A. P. , Admina N. G. , Mihalchenko S. A. , Lukyanov I. M. , Denicenko S. A. , Gurskyi P. V. , Paliy A. P. , Kovalchuk Y. O. , Kovalchuk V. A. , Kuznietsov O. L. , Gembaruk A. S. , Solodchuk A. V.
Published: April 2020

Recently, due to the widespread implementation of intensive milk production technologies, the requirements for the type of animal physique have increased, because the theory and practice of breeding have proved that the economic and long-term use of cows is not possible without taking into account their exterior features and type of the constitution. The influence of the traits of the animals’ physique on the duration of their economic use was studied, and the main slaughter grades and standards minimum percentage of cows determined beaf cow culling were determined. We selected the criteria mainly caused the cattle removing from the herd: growth scale of score 4, sacral inclination – score 6, limb posture from rear and side views - score 5. The percentage of cattle culling with body condition score score ranged from 7 to 9 was determined.
Influence of heavy metals on hematologic parameters, body weight gain and organ weight in rats
Authors: Lopotych N. , Panas N. , Datsko T. , Slobodian S.
Published: April 2020

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of Cadmium and Lead salts on body weight gain and rat body weights and hematological parameters. The experiments were conducted in male rats of the Wistar line, weighing 200–220 g, of which four groups of animals were formed: 1) A control group – they injected drinking water through a metal probe in a volume equivalent to the volume of an aqueous solution of Cd2+ salts and Pb2+; 2) Experimental group 1 – animals were administered a 0.029% aqueous solution of cadmium chloride at a dose of 4.0 mg kg-1; 3) Experimental group 2 – animals were administered 16.6% aqueous lead acetate solution at a dose of 200 mg kg-1; 4) Experimental group 3 – animals were administered 16.6% aqueous lead acetate solution at a dose of 100 mg kg-1 and 0.029% aqueous cadmium chloride solution at a dose of 2.0 mg kg-1. Throughout the experiment, rats were kept in a balanced diet containing all the necessary components, and animals were given drinking water, without restriction, from 0.2 liter glass bowls. On the basis of the conducted researches it is established that at loading of an organism of rats by cadmium and Lead salts in rats the weight gain in comparison with intact animals decreased. Reduction of live weight gain in rats by heavy metal intoxication was accompanied by hypo- and hypertrophy of the internal organs. These changes are related to the cumulative and sorption capacity of these metal ions, which contribute to the development of endogenous intoxication of rats in the experimental groups. Chronic lead-cadmium toxicosis in rats was accompanied by erythrocytopenia and leukopenia, as well as a decrease in hemoglobin with a simultaneous increase in erythrocyte volume and average erythrocyte hemoglobin content.