bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on Dividend Payment Tendency of Engineering Management Organization
Authors: Xu Ying
Published: December 2019

All kinds of engineering management organizations (such as general contracting enterprises, supervision enterprises, real estate development enterprises, construction enterprises and engineering consulting enterprises) have many characteristics such as large number of companies, large investment, tight construction period, high technical content and long return period. A suitable dividend distribution policy has a profound impact on the long-term development of construction companies. In view of the fact that the dividend distribution of listed companies in engineering management organizations has a large number of distribution forms, low payment levels and strong policy arbitrariness, this paper takes A-share listed companies in China’s engineering management organizations from 2008 to 2017 as a research sample, using panel logit. Model, using the accounting firm selected by the listed company as the proxy variable to measure the quality of independent auditing, empirically testing the relationship between the listed company’s cash dividend policy and the company’s audit quality from the perspective of corporate governance, and adding geoeconomic elements to test the independent directors. The impact of the location of the job on the relationship between the two. The research in this paper finds that the tendency of cash dividend payment in engineering management organizations is significantly negatively correlated with whether the listed company hires a well-respected accounting firm in the industry to act as an auditor, and this relationship is manifested in the company’s holding listed company where the independent director is locally employed. More significant.
Industrial Company Financialization and Innovation Level
Authors: Yan Yueling , Li Yuanhui
Published: December 2019

At the moment, PPP is the main method of project financing. Under this model, the social capital party bears the main capital responsibility. In order to reduce the asset-liability ratio and obtain more funds, many industrial enterprises choose to participate in financial institutions. The combination of industry and finance is increasingly rich, and it can provide financial support for engineering projects through industrial funds and perpetual bonds. But what will corporate finance bring to project innovation? Innovation is a necessary condition for industrial enterprises to survive in fierce competition. However research between company financialization and innovation has not yet reached a unified opinion. This paper tests the impact of financialization on enterprise project innovation, and finds that there is a negative effect between the two. Also further research shows that the higher the degree of financing constraints, the more obvious the inhibition. This paper enriches the research on industrial enterprise financialization and project innovation.
Stock Pledge of Ultimate Owner Information Transparency and Construction Projects Cost
Authors: Yang Ji
Published: December 2019

In recent years, with the rapid development of China’s capital market, strong shareholders’ stock pledge activity has occurred frequently and has received increasing attention. The disclosure of company’s information is the main way for investors to know about the enterprise. The company’s information transparency will also affect the enterprise construction project cost. Based on this, the paper selects all a-share construction enterprises from 2006 to 2016 as samples to study the impact of stock pledge of ultimate owner and information transparency on construction project costs. First of all, the article examines the impact of the stock pledge on project cost. Then, referring to Bhattacharya’s research, this paper used earnings aggressiveness and earnings smoothing as the measurement of transparency. The relationship between the transparency and the construction project cost discussed when the transparency is taken as the moderator variable. The research found that the stock pledge of ultimate owner will constrain construction project expenditure and that transparency is positively correlated with construction project cost. The research also found improving firm’s transparency can alleviate the cost constraints which was caused by pledge.
Research on Construction Engineering Project Management Optimization Based on C4.5 Improved Algorithm
Authors: Zhong Yawen
Published: December 2019

In view of the problem that enterprises are not quick enough to respond to market changes in current construction engineering project management, this paper proposes to use the improved C4.5 decision tree to optimize construction project management. Firstly, the optimization attributes of construction project management are constructed. Relevant experts are hired to score the attributes and project risks. Then, the evaluation is discretized by rough set theory. Finally, the C4.5 decision tree algorithm is applied to utilize the project information and generate the decision tree of project management optimization, find out the classification rules affecting the optimal management of engineering projects, analyze the implementation of construction projects, and give personalized tips, so as to achieve effective control and optimization of enterprise engineering projects.
Research on the Extraction of Evaluation Index of University Dormitory Fire Safety
Authors: Zhang Lining , Fan Liangqiong
Published: December 2019

Colleges and universities are an important position of personnel training in China. With the continuous expansion of college enrollment in recent years, the problem of fire safety evaluation in college dormitories is particularly prominent. This paper is based on how to select the evaluation index of university dormitory fire safety through scientific analysis. Based on the analysis and comparison of various kinds of university dormitory fire accidents at home and abroad over the past years, this paper selects the significant data, and combines the relevant high-level literature, studies and analyses the three elements of the accident and the surrounding environment of the University dormitory, and constructs the evaluation system of university dormitory fire safety. Finally, the research is summarized, and the corresponding opinions and suggestions are given for the college dormitory fire safety management.
Empirical Study on the Trend of Interregional Industrial Transfer since the Financial Crisis: Based on Electricity Consumption Data
Authors: Wang Xiang , Tan Xiandong , Zhang Jiaying
Published: December 2019

Since the international financial crisis, the issue of industrial transfer has received increasing attention. This paper makes full use of the data advantages of the industry’s electricity consumption, builds an industrial transfer index, and measures and analyzes the industrial transfer trends of various provinces. The study found that the industrial transfer in Hebei Province in the eastern region is more obvious. There are more industries that are transferring in the central and western provinces, and the industrial transferring in the northeast region is less obvious. The number of provinces in which industries has transferred out relatively is small, and there is relatively large number of industries that transferring out of the coastal provinces.
The application of EPC general contracting model in municipal road engineering
Authors: Li Shaofu
Published: December 2019

The municipal road is a necessary passage for citizens to travel. It has a great influence on the citizens’ travel and the production and operation of the enterprise. It involves a wide range of issues and a high degree of social attention. This determines that the municipal road construction and reconstruction project has a short, flat and fast demand, which is fully compatible with the characteristics of the EPC model. This paper mainly discusses the advantages of using EPC general contracting mode in municipal road engineering and the key to management. It analyzes the problems faced by the actual engineering application and proposes corresponding strategies.
Research on the Relevance of China’s Construction Industry, Real Estate Industry and Fixed Assets Investment
Authors: Liu Miaomiao , Chen Fan , Guo Kelan
Published: December 2019

The close relationship among construction industry, real estate industry and fixed asset investment is a hot issue of concern to relevant scholars at home and abroad. Based on the statistical data of China Statistical Yearbook 2000-2018 and previous scholars’ research, this paper quantitatively describes the relationship among the three. Firstly, the index system among the three is constructed, and the reliability and validity test and factor analysis are performed by SPSS25.0 to ensure the scientificity of the analysis. Then the VAR model is constructed, and the ADF test, J test, second-order differential root test and second-order differential variance decompositionare are performed by using EVIEWS9.0. The results show that the fixed assets investment plays a more important role in the promotion of construction industry than the real estate industry; but the development of the construction industry and the real estate industry still depends on its internal forces. Based on the above research, the author puts forward suggestions for enterprise development. This paper provide an important reference for further exploration of enterprise relevance and enterprise management and development.
Emergency safety evacuation decision based on dynamic Gaussian Bayesian network
Authors: Feng Junning , Wang Qifeng
Published: December 2019

Emergency incidents in public areas with high pedestrian density may lead to chaos and congestion, which threaten the safety of pedestrians. Therefore, management departments need to make rapid and accurate evacuation decisions. The evacuation decision-making model proposed in this paper consists of three parts: pedestrian distribution prediction model, pedestrian flow calculation model and path situation and feedback correction model. Considering the dynamic, random and uncertain characteristics of pedestrian distribution on the road network, this paper uses dynamic Gaussian Bayesian network to predict pedestrian distribution. Several classical pedestrian flow velocity calculation formulas are introduced as pedestrian flow calculation model, including the Furin model, Tangming model and Liu Dongdong model. Path length, evacuation time and pedestrian density are used as three factors to evaluate the route situation. Two feedback correction methods are proposed to guide pedestrians flow reasonably. They are route planning method and diversion rate method. Taking Wuhan Guanggu Metro Station as an example, the simulation results in GENIE show that the evacuation decision model in this paper can effectively evacuate pedestrians and reduce risk.
Analysis on the Key Problems of Chinese Cotton Full Mechanization Based on System Engineering Theory
Authors: Yue Hui , Sun Chenghao
Published: December 2019

Cotton is the main economic crop in China. The whole process of mechanized cotton production is the decisive factor to ensure the stable and healthy development of China’s cotton industry. In recent years, the willingness to grow cotton has declined due to labor shortages. Based on the current situation of mechanized production in China, this paper analyzes the problems existing in the six major stages of cotton production and draws the key technical factors (technical problems, production problems, agronomic problems) that restrict the whole process of mechanization in China. Based on the theory of system engineering, combined with the development direction of national agricultural mechanization, it is proposed that the large-scale business model, systematic engineering design, and cotton industry chain integration are the main directions for solving problems, which is of great significance to the advancement of agricultural modernization and the realization of smart agriculture.
Spatial Changes of Urban Housing Prices: Analysis of Traffic Costs Based on Taiyuan
Authors: Zhao Huaping , Wei Xu
Published: December 2019

In the modern society, traffic costs have become a key factor for residents to choose housing with increasing congestion for urbans. The interaction between housing prices and traffic costs is getting closer. The convenience of traffic and the distance from the schools, hospitals and commercial centres will affect the traffic costs of residents, which in turn will affect the housing prices in urban. In terms of traffic convenience, this paper not only uses the number of bus stations within 1km to measure the bus convenience of housing, but also uses the number of lanes adjacent to the main street to measure the accessibility of street frontage. In terms of medical facilities, while considering the number of surrounding hospitals, the quality of hospitals is distinguished, which makes the traffic convenience of housing and the level measurement of medical facilities more comprehensive and the research results more reasonable and reliable. Through the empirical study of Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, the results show that the traffic costs can explain the price level of 41.7%. For each additional bus station near the residential area, the housing price will increase by 2.1%. For every street number, the housing price will increase by 1.3%. The school will increase the housing price by 7.3%. The distance from the business circle will increase by 3.1% for 1km. For each third, second and first class hospital within 3km of the housing, the price will increase by -0.6%, 1% and 3.2%.
Study on the Operating Mechanism of Taobao Village Ecosystem from the Perspective of Information Management
Authors: Wang Liting , Zhang Hao
Published: December 2019

Taobao village ecosystem is the product of the development of information age. From the perspective of information management, it is of great significance to study the operation mechanism of Taobao village ecosystem for its sustainable development. According to the characteristics of online transactions and management needs of Taobao villages, the research framework of Taobao village ecosystem is constructed from the perspective of information management, and exploring the operation mechanism of taobao village ecosystem under information management, which can provide reference for entrepreneurs and the balanced development of Taobao village ecosystem. Establishing a perfect information management system, extracting valuable information effectively can promote the upgrading of ecosystem industry in Taobao village, and it will realize the healthy development of Taobao village ecosystem.
Research on the Improvement of Management and Control Ability of Large-scale Power Grid Enterprises under the Condition of Emerging Technologies
Authors: Zhang Yong , Jin Liu , Qian Tan
Published: December 2019

The new round of information technology revolution represented by Big data, Cloud computing, Mobile Internet, IOT, AI and national policies on technology development provide technology and policy environment for the application of emerging technologies in the collectivized management of power grid enterprises. This paper deeply analyzes the influence and function of emerging technologies on power grid enterprises, further explores the problems in the application of emerging technologies in power grid enterprises, and puts forward the direction and path for the improvement of the management and control ability of power grid enterprises by emerging technologies, which is to take digitalization as the basic policy and to advance orderly according to the path of “two fusion and four strengthening”.
Traditional Settlement Morphology from the Perspective of Thermodynamic Architecture Theory: Taking Two Villages in the Iberian Peninsula as Examples
Authors: He Meiting
Published: December 2019

The form of rural settlements is not determined by a single factor, but by various factors. With a particular focus on settlement morphology and natural energy, this study introduces thermodynamic architecture theory to discuss the relationship between rural settlement morphology and environmental energy, starting from the analysis of the relationship between rural settlement morphology and building density, building order and settlement boundary dispersion, trying to provide a reference for the updated design of traditional settlements. The first part of this paper explains the research method of settlement form based on thermodynamic architecture theory from the theoretical level trying to construct the analysis framework of settlement form typology based on energy concept. The second part introduces the coupling between thermodynamic energy concept and morphology from the methodological level. The relationship between the three energy correlation factors of intensity, order and dispersion and settlement morphology is studied. In this paper, two settlement cases are quantitatively analysed by simulation and mathematical analysis. In conclusion, it proposes a new perspective for the morphological analysis of rural settlements, which provides a feasible framework for further research on energy utilization and microclimate comfort of settlements. This study also provides a preliminary concept for the integration of the buildings type and thermodynamic study of vernacular architecture in the future.
The Origin and Development of Boxes in Sports Architecture
Authors: Mao Qiuju , Guo Siwen , Lin Dawei
Published: December 2019

Since the 1990s, under the pressure of marketing, the box was set up in the NBA (National Basketball Association) arena in the United States, which made the application of the box in the stadium popular. The study of boxes is of far-reaching significance for stadiums and gymnasiums. It not only improves the current situation of poor operation and low utilization rate of stadiums and gymnasiums, but also responds to the needs of consumers for the commerciality and entertainment of stadiums and gymnasiums.
Evaluation of the Relationship between the Transit Ridership and Accessibility Variables: A Case Study of the Bangkok Metro Stations
Authors: Thiri Kyaw Nyunt Khin , Wongchavalidkul Natachai
Published: December 2019

Many studies and planning projects related to Thailand metro system is now highly concentrating on the improvements of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and the feeder system to ensure smooth transferring for users traveling from their origins to destinations. Leaving off policies related measures, improvements that could immediately focus in order to enhance the smooth transfer services are infrastructure and land-use developments. This study evaluates relationships of accessibility variables, focused on service design and land-usages, and demand of metro ridership. The objective is to improve the understanding of what types of expanding infrastructures or land deployments that could help to support the metro system and encouraging more transit ridership. The existing Bangkok metro stations are the case study area for this research. Gathered data are transport services, roadway infrastructures, and land use. These data are available in the Geographic Information System format and ready to extract as testing variables at each station. Relationship between the number of transit ridership and variables form transport services, network connectivities, and land use are explore based on the correlation analysis. Results from the study found that the number of bus lines, bus stops, and railway stations are associated with the transit ridership, while there is no relationship between ridership demands and ferry services. Further for land-use perspective, the commercial, industrial, and mixed-used area have a significant influence on the ridership demand while there is no signal from the Residential area.
Effect of minor Zr on oxidation resistance and mechanical property of nickel-saving austenitic heat-resistant cast steel
Authors: Liu Tianlong , Lin Yingfei , Zheng Kaihong , Wang Haiyan , Zheng Zhibin
Published: December 2019

In order to study the effect of minor Zr on the oxidation resistance and the mechanical properties of nickel-saving austenitic heat-resistant cast steel, the oxidation resistance at 900 °C and the tensile properties at room temperature and at 900 °C of Zr-containing and Zr-free steels were carried out. The results showed that the addition of 0.011% Zr could slightly reduce the oxidation rate and improve the oxidation resistance of Zr-containing steel. In addition, the tensile properties of Zr-containing steel at room temperature and at 900 °C were significantly improved. Brittle fracture occurred in two experimental steels at both temperatures, and brittle characteristics appeared in the fractures.
Strengthening of β polymorph in PVDF/FLG and PVDF/GO nanocomposites
Authors: Islam Atif , Khan Ahmad Nawaz , Shakir M Fayzan , Islam Kashif
Published: December 2019

The nanocomposites of PVDF/FLG and PVDF/GO are prepared using the solution casting method for varying concentrations of FLG and GO from 0.1 to 1 wt% in PVDF matrix. The effect and dispersion of FLG and GO are observed with help of Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction confirming the good dispersion of FLG and GO in the matrix. The samples are also characterized for thermal and mechanical properties using Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and universal testing machine (UTM). FLG and GO nanofillers seemed to increase the tensile strength from 10 MPa to 20 MPa and variation in crystallinity to get maximum output in terms of β phase which can be utilized for piezoelectric and pyroelectric behavior of PVDF polymer.
Effect of cation ratio on microstructure and optical absorbance of magnesium aluminate spinel
Authors: Halder R , Bandyopadhyay S
Published: December 2019

This work is pertaining to the synthesis of fine magnesium aluminate spinel (MgAl2O4) powders of varied trivalent:bivalent cation ratio along line of homogeneity of the solid solution (MgO. xAl2O3, x = 1, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, and 2) via gel combustion method. Magnesium- and aluminum- nitrate were used as the oxidants in combustion reaction fuelled by urea in combination with stoichiometric formaldehyde solution acting as reductant. Synthesized powders were characterized in terms of microscopic analysis and optical absorbance measurements. The cation ratio, through a change in gel structure influences the nature of crystallization of the product, while on the other hand does not affect grain shapes and sizes. Distinct enhancement in both absorption intensity and the corresponding estimated energy band gap has been observed against increasing excess than stiochiometric alumina concentrations. Evaluated optical band gaps were widened in proportion to the Al: Mg ratio which may be attributed to Burstein-Moss effect in consequence of substitutional insertion of introduced Al3+ ions in spinel lattices.
Simulation of the Sb2Se3 solar cell with a hole transport layer
Authors: Li Zhen-Qi , Ni Ming , Feng Xiao-Dong
Published: December 2019

A model of the Sb2Se3 solar cell with a hole transport layer (HTL) has been investigated by solar cell capacitance simulator (SCAPS). The influence of different HTLs on device performance has been firstly analyzed, and CuO has been found to be the best HTL. Then, Sb2Se3 thickness, CuO thickness, the doping concentration of CuO, the hole mobility of CuO, the defect density of Sb2Se3 layer, the defect density at the CdS/Sb2Se3 interface, and the work function of metal electrode on device performance have been systematically studied. The optimum thicknesses of Sb2Se3 and CuO are 300 nm and 20 nm, respectively. To achieve ideal performance, the doping concentration of CuO should be more than 1019 cm−3, and its hole mobility should be over 1 cm2V−1 s−1. The defect densities in the Sb2Se3 layer and at the CdS/ Sb2Se3 interface play a critical role on device performance, both of which should be as low as 1013 cm−3 and 1014 cm−2, respectively. In addition, the work function of the metal electrode should be more than 4.8 eV to avoid formation of Schottky junction at the metal electrode interface. After optimization, a best efficiency of 23.18% can be achieved. Our simulation results provide valuable information to further improve the efficiency of Sb2Se3 solar cells in practice.
Cognitive trajectory in mild cognitive impairment due to primary age-related tauopathy
Authors: Teylan Merilee , Mock Charles , Gauthreaux Kathryn , Chen Yen-Chi , Chan Kwun C G , Hassenstab Jason , Besser Lilah M , Kukull Walter A , Crary John F
Published: December 2019

Primary age-related tauopathy is increasingly recognized as a separate neuropathological entity different from Alzheimer’s disease. Both share the neuropathological features of tau aggregates and neuronal loss in the temporal lobe, but primary age-related tauopathy lacks the requisite amyloid plaques central to Alzheimer’s disease. While both have similar clinical presentations, individuals with symptomatic primary age-related tauopathy are commonly of more advanced ages with milder cognitive dysfunction. Direct comparison of the neuropsychological trajectories of primary age-related tauopathy and Alzheimer’s disease has not been thoroughly evaluated and thus, our objective was to determine how cognitive decline differs longitudinally between these two conditions after the onset of clinical symptoms. Data were obtained from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center on participants with mild cognitive impairment at baseline and either no neuritic plaques (i.e. primary age-related tauopathy) or moderate to frequent neuritic plaques (i.e. Alzheimer neuropathological change) at subsequent autopsy. For patients with Alzheimer’s disease and primary age-related tauopathy, we compared rates of decline in the sum of boxes score from the CDR® Dementia Staging Instrument and in five cognitive domains (episodic memory, attention/working memory, executive function, language/semantic memory, and global composite) using z-scores for neuropsychological tests that were calculated based on scores for participants with normal cognition. The differences in rates of change were tested using linear mixed-effects models accounting for clinical centre clustering and repeated measures by individual. Models were adjusted for sex, age, education, baseline test score, Braak stage, apolipoprotein ε4 (APOE ε4) carrier status, family history of cognitive impairment, and history of stroke, hypertension, or diabetes. We identified 578 participants with a global CDR of 0.5 (i.e. mild cognitive impairment) at baseline, 126 with primary age-related tauopathy and 452 with Alzheimer’s disease. Examining the difference in rates of change in CDR sum of boxes and in all domain scores, participants with Alzheimer’s disease had a significantly steeper decline after becoming clinically symptomatic than those with primary age-related tauopathy. This remained true after adjusting for covariates. The results of this analysis corroborate previous studies showing that primary age-related tauopathy has slower cognitive decline than Alzheimer’s disease across multiple neuropsychological domains, thus adding to the understanding of the neuropsychological burden in primary age-related tauopathy. The study provides further evidence to support the hypothesis that primary age-related tauopathy has distinct neuropathological and clinical features compared to Alzheimer’s disease.
Nutritional correlates of the overwintering and seaward migratory decisions and long-term survival of post-spawning Atlantic salmon
Authors: Bordeleau X , Hatcher B G , Denny S , Whoriskey F G , Patterson D A , Crossin G T
Published: December 2019

Despite the importance of iteroparity (i.e. repeated spawning) for the viability of Atlantic salmon populations, little is known about the factors influencing the migratory behaviour and survival prospect of post-spawned individuals (kelts). To test the hypothesis that post-spawning nutritional condition underlies differences in spatiotemporal aspects of the habitat use and survival of migrating Atlantic salmon kelts, we physiologically sampled and acoustically tagged 25 individuals from the Middle River, Nova Scotia in autumn 2015. Kelts were subsequently tracked within their natal river during the winter months, and as far as 650 km away along known migration pathways towards the Labrador Sea and Greenland. Some kelts were detected nearly 2 years later, upon their return to the natal river for repeat spawning. Overall, kelts in poor or depleted post-spawning nutritional state (i.e. low body condition index or plasma triglyceride level): (i) initiated down-river migration earlier than higher condition kelts; (ii) experienced higher overwinter mortality in the natal river; (iii) tended to spend greater time in the estuary before moving to sea and (iv) did not progress as far in the marine environment, with a reduced probability of future, repeat spawning. Our findings suggest that initial differences in post-spawning condition are carried through subsequent migratory stages, which can ultimately affect repeat-spawning potential. These results point to the importance of lipid storage and mobilisation in Atlantic salmon kelts for mediating post-spawning migratory behaviour and survival.
Photosynthetic regulation in seed heads and flag leaves of sagebrush-steppe bunchgrasses
Authors: Hamerlynck Erik P , Denton Elsie M , Davies Kirk W , Boyd Chad S
Published: December 2019

Native sagebrush-steppe bunchgrass populations are threatened by the spread and dominance of exotic invasive annual grasses, in part due to low, episodic seed production. In contrast, the widespread exotic bunchgrass, crested wheatgrass, readily produces viable seed cohorts. The mechanisms underlying these differences are unclear. To address this, we measured seed head specific mass (g m−2) and net photosynthetic assimilation (Anet) as a function of internal [CO2] (A/Ci curves) in pre- and post-anthesis seed heads and flag leaves of crested wheatgrass and four native bunchgrasses to determine if differences in allocation and photosynthetic characteristics of seed heads was consistent with differential reproductive success. Crested wheatgrass seed heads had 2-fold greater specific mass compared to the native grasses, concurrent with greater CO2-saturated photosynthesis (Amax), mesophyll carboxylation efficiency (CE), and higher intrinsic water-use efficiency (WUEi; Anet/stomatal conductance (gs)), but with similar relative stomatal limitations to photosynthesis (RSL). Post-anthesis seed head Amax, CE, RSL and gs decreased in native grasses, while crested wheatgrass RSL decreased and CE increased dramatically, likely due to tighter coordination between seed head structural changes with stomatal and biochemical dynamics. Our results suggest native sagebrush-steppe bunchgrasses have greater stomatal and structural constraints to reproductive photosynthesis, while the exotic grass has evolved seed heads functionally similar to leaves. This study shows elucidating reproduction-related ecophysiological mechanisms provide understanding of plant attributes that underlie restoration success and could help guide the development of native plant materials with functional attributes needed to overcome demographic bottlenecks that limit their restoration into degraded sagebrush-steppe.
The Rule of Law: Sociology or Normative Theory? An Afterword to Martti Koskenniemi’s Foreword
Authors: Straumann Benjamin
Published: December 2019

Martti Koskenniemi is correct to view Hugo Grotius as a thinker committed to the rule of law. But there is a crucial difference between Grotius’ and Koskenniemi’s respective concepts of the rule of law. Grotius’ concept of the rule of law is normative and requires a moral cognitivist outlook. Koskenniemi, on the other hand, holds a sociological concept of the rule of law. Koskenniemi is correct that, for the rule of law to find its ‘normative voice’, Grotius may well be of help. For this normative voice to make itself heard, however, it will have to rise above the sceptical reduction of the rule of law to normatively inert sociological facts.
Sex Differences in the Association Between Pentraxin 3 and Cognitive Decline: The Cardiovascular Health Study
Authors: Miller Lindsay M , Jenny Nancy S , Rawlings Andreea M , Arnold Alice M , Fitzpatrick Annette L , Lopez Oscar L , Odden Michelle C
Published: December 2019

Background

The importance of systemic inflammation, measured by C-reactive protein, in cognitive decline has been demonstrated; however, the role of vascular inflammation is less understood. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a novel marker of vascular inflammation.

Methods

We followed adults 65 and older, free of cardiovascular disease (CVD) for up to 9 years (n = 1,547) in the Cardiovascular Health Study. We evaluated the relationship between PTX3 and change in cognitive function, measured using the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MSE), and incident cognitive impairment (3MSE < 80). Mediation by CVD events, and effect modification by sex and apolipoprotein E ɛ4 allele (APOE4) were also examined.

Results

The average decline in 3MSE was 0.77 points per year. The association between PTX3 and change in 3MSE differed between women and men (p = .02). In the adjusted model, each standard deviation higher in PTX3 was associated with a 0.20 greater decline in 3MSE score per year in women over follow-up (95% CI: −0. 37, −0.03; p = .02), compared to no change in men (β = 0.07; 95% CI: −0.08, 0.22). CVD events had a minor effect on the associations. No effect modification by APOE4 was found, although we observed the association of PTX3 and cognitive impairment in women was attenuated and nonsignificant after adjustment for APOE4. There was a paradoxical protective association between PTX3 and reduced cognitive impairment in men, even after adjustment for APOE4.

Conclusions

We found that vascular inflammation was significantly associated with cognitive decline in older women, but not men.
Mutant huntingtin interacts with the sterol regulatory element-binding proteins and impairs their nuclear import
Authors: Di Pardo Alba , Monyror John , Morales Luis Carlos , Kadam Vaibhavi , Lingrell Susanne , Maglione Vittorio , Wozniak Richard W , Sipione Simonetta
Published: December 2019

Brain cholesterol homeostasis is altered in Huntington’s disease (HD), a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the expansion of a CAG nucleotide repeat in the HTT gene. Genes involved in the synthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids were shown to be downregulated shortly after the expression of mutant huntingtin (mHTT) in inducible HD cells. Nuclear levels of the transcription factors that regulate lipid biogenesis, the sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP1 and SREBP2), were found to be decreased in HD models compared to wild-type, but the underlying causes were not known. SREBPs are synthesized as inactive endoplasmic reticulum-localized precursors. Their mature forms (mSREBPs) are generated upon transport of the SREBP precursors to the Golgi and proteolytic cleavage, and are rapidly imported into the nucleus by binding to importin β. We show that, although SREBP2 processing into mSREBP2 is not affected in YAC128 HD mice, mSREBP2 is mislocalized to the cytoplasm. Chimeric mSREBP2-and mSREBP1-EGFP proteins are also mislocalized to the cytoplasm in immortalized striatal cells expressing mHTT, in YAC128 neurons and in fibroblasts from HD patients. We further show that mHTT binds to the SREBP2/importin β complex required for nuclear import and sequesters it in the cytoplasm. As a result, HD cells fail to upregulate cholesterogenic genes under sterol-depleted conditions. These findings provide mechanistic insight into the downregulation of genes involved in the synthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids in HD models, and have potential implications for other pathways modulated by SREBPs, including autophagy and excitotoxicity.
GPAT3 deficiency alleviates insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in a mouse model of severe congenital generalized lipodystrophy
Authors: Gao Mingming , Liu Lin , Wang Xiaowei , Mak Hoi Yin , Liu George , Yang Hongyuan
Published: December 2019

Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy type 2 (BSCL2) is the most severe form of human lipodystrophy and is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the BSCL2/seipin gene. Exactly how seipin may regulate adipogenesis remains unclear. A recent study in vitro suggested that seipin may function to inhibit the activity of glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferases (GPATs), and increased GPAT activity may be responsible for the defective adipogenesis under seipin deficiency. Here we generated Seipin−/−Gpat3−/− mice, which had mild but significant recovery of white adipose tissue mass over Seipin−/− mice. The mass of brown adipose tissue (BAT) of the Seipin−/−Gpat3−/− mice was almost completely restored to normal level. Importantly, the Seipin−/−Gpat3−/− mice showed significant improvement in liver steatosis and insulin sensitivity over Seipin−/− mice, which is attributable to the increased BAT mass and to the enhanced browning of the subcutaneous fat of the Seipin−/−Gpat3−/− mice. Together, our results establish a functional link between seipin and GPAT3 in vivo and suggest that GPAT inhibitors may have beneficial effects on BSCL2 patients.
Surgery in drug use-associated infective endocarditis: long-term survival is negatively affected by recurrence
Authors: Rohn Vilem , Laca Branislav , Horn Milan , Vlk Lukas , Antonova Petra , Mosna Frantisek
Published: December 2019

OBJECTIVES

The prevalence of infectious endocarditis (IE) in intravenous drug users (IDUs) is increasing, and the number of patients who need surgery is also rising. Relatively little is known about the short-term and long-term outcomes of these operations.

METHODS

This study is a retrospective analysis of our institutional results, focussing on risk factors for perioperative death, major adverse events and long-term survival. A total of 50 of the 66 (75.75%) patients had postoperative follow-up, and the mean follow-up time was 53.9 ± 9.66 months. Patients were divided into 2 groups depending on whether they were having their first operation or were being reoperated for recurrent IE.

RESULTS

From March 2006 to December 2015, a total of 158 patients underwent surgery for IE; 72 (45.6%) of them were identified as active IDUs. The operative mortality in IDUs was 8.33% (6 patients), with no significant difference between the 2 groups (P = 0.6569). Survival rates at 1 year, at 3 years and at the end of follow-up were 92%, 72% and 64%, respectively. There was significantly worse survival of patients with recurrent IE (log-rank test, P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the short-term results of operation for IE in IDUs are good, long-term outcomes are not satisfactory. The survival of patients with recurrence of IE caused by return to intravenous drug use is significantly worse.
Use of E-values for addressing confounding in observational studies—an empirical assessment of the literature
Authors: Blum Manuel R , Tan Yuan Jin , Ioannidis John P A
Published: December 2019

Background

E-values are a recently introduced approach to evaluate confounding in observational studies. We aimed to empirically assess the current use of E-values in published literature.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature search for all publications, published up till the end of 2018, which cited at least one of two inceptive E-value papers and presented E-values for original data. For these case publications we identified control publications, matched by journal and issue, where the authors had not calculated E-values.

Results

In total, 87 papers presented 516 E-values. Of the 87 papers, 14 concluded that residual confounding likely threatens at least some of the main conclusions. Seven of these 14 named potential uncontrolled confounders. 19 of 87 papers related E-value magnitudes to expected strengths of field-specific confounders. The median E-value was 1.88, 1.82, and 2.02 for the 43, 348, and 125 E-values where confounding was felt likely to affect the results, unlikely to affect the results, or not commented upon, respectively. The 69 case-control publication pairs dealt with effect sizes of similar magnitude. Of 69 control publications, 52 did not comment on unmeasured confounding and 44/69 case publications concluded that confounding was unlikely to affect study conclusions.

Conclusions

Few papers using E-values conclude that confounding threatens their results, and their E-values overlap in magnitude with those of papers acknowledging susceptibility to confounding. Facile automation in calculating E-values may compound the already poor handling of confounding. E-values should not be a substitute for careful consideration of potential sources of unmeasured confounding. If used, they should be interpreted in the context of expected confounding in specific fields.
Grove Arctic Curves from Periodic Cluster Modular Transformations
Authors: George Terrence
Published: December 2019

Groves are spanning forests of a finite region of the triangular lattice that are in bijection with Laurent monomials that arise in solutions of the cube recurrence. We introduce a large class of probability measures on groves for which we can compute exact generating functions for edge probabilities. Using the machinery of asymptotics of multivariate generating functions, this lets us explicitly compute arctic curves, generalizing the arctic circle theorem of Petersen and Speyer. Our class of probability measures is sufficiently general that the limit shapes exhibit all solid and gaseous phases expected from the classification of ergodic Gibbs measures in the resistor network model.
Whole-genome analysis of the potentially zoonotic Elizabethkingia miricola FL160902 with two new chromosomal MBL gene variants
Authors: Hu Ruixue , Zhang Qi , Gu Zemao
Published: December 2019

Objectives

Elizabethkingia is an emerging life-threatening pathogen in both humans and animals. We describe the whole-genome analysis of an Elizabethkingia miricola strain isolated from a diseased frog in China and investigate the molecular mechanism of carbapenem resistance in this pathogen.

Methods

WGS of E. miricola FL160902 was performed using single-molecule, real-time technology. A phylogenetic tree was generated by SNP analysis, comparing the genome of our strain with other E. miricola isolates of amphibian and human origins. Antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence-related genes were identified using the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD) and the Virulence Factor Database (VFDB). Two putative carbapenemase genes were expressed in Escherichia coli to evaluate their contribution to antimicrobial resistance.

Results

The genome of E. miricola FL160902 consists of a 4 249 586 bp circular chromosome with 27 putative resistance genes and 38 predicted virulence-associated genes. Comparative genomic analysis demonstrated that the E. miricola strains of human and amphibian origins have similar virulence-associated gene profiles. In addition, all the amphibian isolates clustered together with one of the human isolates in the phylogenetic analysis. WGS revealed the presence of two novel MBL genes, designated blaBlaB-16 and blaGOB-19. Cloning of blaBlaB-16 and blaGOB-19 into E. coli DH5α resulted in increased MICs of most β-lactams, including imipenem, meropenem and ampicillin.

Conclusions

We identified two chromosomal MBL gene variants, named blaBlaB-16 and blaGOB-19 in an amphibian E. miricola isolate, which was considered potentially zoonotic based on phylogenetic analysis and virulence-associated gene comparison. This study highlights the importance of E. miricola as a potential zoonotic pathogen and a reservoir of MDR genes.
1 Assessing the predictive adequacy of simple and complex mathematical models
Authors: Tedeschi Luis O
Published: December 2019

The establishment of credibility for a mathematical model’s (MM) predictive ability is an essential component for improving the MM because it stimulates the evolutionary thinking (i.e., the next generation of the model) of mental conceptualizations, assumptions, and boundaries of the MM. Its predictive adequacy is commonly assessed through its ability to precisely or accurately predict observed (real) values. The precision component measures how closely the model predicted values are of each other or whether a defined pattern of predictions exists. The accuracy component, on the other hand, measures how closely the average of the model predicted values are to the actual (true) average. Many statistics exist to determine precision and accuracy of MM such as mean bias, resistant coefficient of determination, coefficient of determination, modeling efficiency, concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), the mean square error of prediction, Kleijnen’s statistic (regression of the difference between predicted and observed on their sum), and Altman and Bland’s limits of agreement statistics among many more. However, for complex models that use skewed data or repeated data in which the data is not independent (e.g., multiple measurements on the same subject), simple statistics may not suffice. For instance, four methods to compute CCC exist (moment, variance components, U-statistics, and generalized estimating equations—GEE), but only the last two methods are resilient to lightly skewed data. Another type of complexity arises when meta-analytical approaches are used at the model development phase or the model evaluation phase. In general, meta-analytical approaches remove errors (i.e., variation) associated with random variables that are believed to be known. Under these circumstances, MM tends to overperform (i.e., they have greater predictive adequacy) and their future performance may be deceitful when trying to forecast at scenarios in which the random variable(s) is(are) indeterminable or unquantifiable.
197 Gene-regulation control of muscle fatigue during transportation with rumen-protected methionine supplementation
Authors: Alfaro Gaston F , Moisá Sonia J , Rodning Soren P , Novak Taylor E
Published: December 2019

Different participants generally located distant among them compose the U.S. beef production chain, therefore shipping is required for cattle at least once in their lifespan. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Rumen-Protected Methionine (RPM) supplementation on muscle fatigue gene network, creatine synthesis (CKM), and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) metabolism after a transportation simulation in a 1.7-miles oval test track. Angus heifers (n = 18) were stratified by body weight (408 ± 64 kg; BW) and randomly assigned to dietary treatments: 1) control diet (CTRL), and 2) control diet + rumen-protected methionine (RPM). After a successful adaptation period to Calan gates, animals received a common diet of Bermuda hay ad libitum and a soy hulls and corn gluten feed based supplement. After 45 days under supplementation, animals were loaded onto a 32 × 7 ft. trailer and transported for 22 hours. Skeletal muscle biopsies, BW and blood samples were obtained on day 0 (Baseline), 43 (Pre-transport, “PRET”), and 45 (Post-transport, “POST”). Heifer’s average daily gain did not differ between Baseline and PRET (P = 0.41). Control heifer’s shrink was 8% of BW while RPM heifers shrink was 10% (P = 0.29). Cortisol level decreased after transportation, but no differences were observed between treatments (P = 0.94). Messenger RNA was extracted from skeletal muscle tissue and gene expression analysis was performed by RT-qPCR. Results showed that AHCY (Creatine synthesis pathway), SSPN (Sarcoglycan complex), DNMT3A (DNA Methylation), and SOD2 (Oxidative Stress-ROS) were upregulated (P < 0.05) in CTRL between baseline and PRET and, decreased between PRET and POST (P < 0.05) while they remained constant for RPM. Furthermore, CKM was not affected by treatments (P = 0.11). In conclusion, muscle fatigue related genes were not affected by RPM. Although, RPM could affect ROS production, after a long-term transportation.