bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Young consumers’ brain responses to pop music on Youtube
Authors: Cha Kyoung Cheon , Suh Minah , Kwon Gusang , Yang Seungeun , Lee Eun Ju
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the auditory-sensory characteristics of the digital pop music that is particularly successful on the YouTube website by measuring young listeners’ brain responses to highly successful pop music noninvasively.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) experiment with 56 young adults (23 females; mean age 24 years) with normal vision and hearing and no record of neurological disease. The authors calculated total blood flow (TBF) and hemodynamic randomness and examined their relationships with online popularity.

Findings

The authors found that TBF to the right medial prefrontal cortex increased more when the young adults heard music that presented acoustic stimulation well above previously defined optimal sensory level. The hemodynamic randomness decreased significantly when the participants listened to music that provided near- or above-OSL stimulation.

Research limitations/implications

Online popularity, recorded as the number of daily hits, was significantly positively related with the TBF and negatively related with hemodynamic randomness.

Practical implications

These findings suggest that a new media marketing strategy may be required that can provide a sufficient level of sensory stimulation to Millennials in order to increase their engagements in various use cases including entertainment, advertising and retail environments.

Social implications

Digital technology has so drastically reduced the costs of sharing and disseminating information, including music, that consumers can now easily use digital platforms to access a wide selection of music at minimal cost. The structure of the current music market reflects the decentralized nature of the online distribution network such that artists from all over the world now have equal access to billions of members of the global music audience.

Originality/value

This study confirms the importance of understanding target customer’s sensory experiences would grow in determining the success of digital contents and marketing.
Developing evaluation of signage for people with dementia
Authors: Gresham Meredith , Taylor Liz , Keyes Sarah , Wilkinson Heather , McIntosh Danielle , Cunningham Colm
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to to describe development of a framework for use in the evaluation of the effectiveness of signage to assist people with dementia.

Design/methodology/approach

The study consisted of two parts. Workshops held in both Sydney and Edinburgh using “world café” methodology with 28 knowledgeable participants produced a pool of statements. These were subsequently used in a three-round Delphi process administered to 38 participants in order to generate ideas and develop consensus content for a signage evaluation framework.

Findings

This process resulted in a framework consisting of Delphi statements which had a 70 per cent level of agreement and a series of prompt questions. Both intrinsic factors and wider environmental, extrinsic factors in signage for wayfinding were identified.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of this study were the small number of participants, including only four people with dementia, and the unresolved problems inherent in designing signage that may simultaneously be universally relevant and readily understood, yet meets the idiosyncratic needs of each individual living with dementia.

Originality/value

As there is little prior work in this field concerning signage use by people with dementia, this framework provides an original preliminary tool that may be used in further research on evaluating signage effectiveness. In designing signage and testing its effectiveness, it was concluded that the direct involvement of people with dementia is essential.
Complex state ownership, competition, and firm performance – Russian evidence
Authors: Liljeblom Eva , Maury Benjamin , Hörhammer Alexander
Published: August 2019

Purpose

State ownership has been common especially in industries with restricted competition. In Russia, state-controlled firms represent around 41 percent of the market value of all listed firms (Deloitte, 2015). Yet, there is a significant gap in the literature regarding the effects of various forms of government control in listed firms. The purpose of this paper is to fill this gap by exploring the impact of the complexity of state ownership and competition on the performance of Russian listed firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of data for 72 firms (360 firm-years) in the Russian MOEX broad market index during 2011–2015. The complexity of state ownership is captured by studying forms of state control including majority/minority, direct/indirect, federal/regional, mixed structures and golden shares.

Findings

The authors find significant differences in performance relating to different forms of state ownership. State control is negatively related to firm valuation and the sales/employees ratio. Performance is weakest when state ownership takes the form minority, regional or direct ownership. State control through golden shares typically outperforms other state-controlled firms. The authors find indications of employment prioritization beyond the economical optimum. In addition, the relation between state ownership and profitability becomes positive in sectors where state firms appear to enjoy lower competition.

Originality/value

While the effects of state ownership have been studied on many markets, there is a lack of studies on the effects of different forms, or the complexity, of state ownership beyond direct and indirect ownership. The authors contribute to the literature on the performance effects of state ownership by studying a multitude of forms of governmental ownership as well as the role of competition in Russia. Especially the profitability of state-controlled firms is significantly affected by industry characteristics. Implications of the results are discussed both from firm and policy maker perspectives.
Internationalization paths of fruit export companies from emerging economies
Authors: Losilla Luis Vinicio , Engler Alejandra , Otter Verena
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and apply a framework that examines the dynamics of internationalization strategies employed by export companies in the agricultural sector of emerging economies over time, with a focus on the locus of destination markets of the Chilean fruit sector. Thus, the objective is to identify conceptual and empirical deviations from existing research on export firms participating in non-agricultural sectors of industrialized countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The matrix of multi-nationality developed by Aggarwalet al.(2011) is extended by incorporating the firm category of “host region” and the dimensions scale and time. This framework is utilized to classify 233 Chilean fresh fruit exporters according to their internationalization strategies based on a geographical distribution of their exports. A uni- and bivariate longitudinal analysis is conducted over a seven-year period (2009–2015) to explore the dynamics of this internationalization process.

Findings

A significant number (12.75 percent) of firms classified as “host regional” are identified, and thus a clear difference in internationalization strategies when compared to non-agricultural sectors in industrialized countries. Simultaneously, similarities in these sectors can be found. Most firms are “transregionally” (65.12 percent) or “globally” oriented (16.06 percent), mainly following a linear internationalization path when considering the number of export markets. But there is also evidence of “born-global” firms, which mainly follow non-linear internationalization paths in more geographically and psychically distant markets.

Research limitations/implications

The extended framework developed in this research can be applied to future studies, particularly in the case of economies where a significant proportion of firms are predominantly focusing their export strategies on one single international market. Since this study focuses on one national sector as a prime example, further studies on other countries and sectors may provide additional evidence of its generalizability.

Practical implications

Based on the findings, concrete measures have been suggested to aid Chilean policy makers in implementing evidence-based economic policies, as well as Chilean public trade organizations and private export associations in the fruit sector, in relation to services such as training, strategy consulting and trade network development that they provide to export firms.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the existing literature by introducing the firm category “host regional” into the matrix of multi-nationality, and empirically verifies its existence among agricultural export firms in emerging economies. Furthermore, it also shows that even when it might result counterintuitive, firms from the agricultural sector share similarities in internationalization strategies with firms from industrial sectors.
Retaining the social goal: role of path creation in for-profit social enterprises
Authors: Sarma Sushanta Kumar
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand how social enterprises (SEs) sustain social focus as they shift their legal format from nonprofit to for-profit. The investigation is driven by the understanding that historical persistence of organizational action can influence the sustenance of social focus.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a case study approach and traces the commercialization process of two microfinance organization from India. The data come from interviews and archival documents spanning across the biography of the selected organizations. The constitutive elements of the commercialization process are identified by using the lens of path creation.

Findings

Evidence suggests that the framing of purpose for microfinance as empowerment of women formed the triggering event to path creation. The organizations retained the focus on social goal by adopting a community centered delivery model of self-help groups. The organizational practices adopted after commercialization helped these organization to address the issues of drift actively.

Research limitations/implications

The paper suggests that framing of organizational purpose can play a crucial role in sustaining hybrid character in SEs. It reinforces earlier findings that stakeholders can exert significant influence in balancing social and commercial goal. The aspiration to be identified as a pro-community organization is another critical driver in sustaining social focus. Finally, for SEs to sustain their social focus, proactive engagement with the community should become an integral part of organizational practices.

Originality/value

The paper explores the constitutive elements of path creation and demonstrates the sustenance of social focus through three stages of organizational path development. It also offers insights into the literature on historical imprinting by exploring the internal process through which imprinting is sustained and amplified and by presenting sources and outcome of imprinting.
A method to align functionalities of a manufacturing execution system with competitive priorities
Authors: Sellitto Miguel Afonso , Vargas Elisandro João de
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to align the implementation of the manufacturing execution systems (MES) functionalities with the manufacturing competitive dimensions of two companies of the metal-mechanics industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The research object comprises two Brazilian manufacturers that use MES. The research method is quantitative modeling. A literature review organized 24 functionalities of MES. The study prioritized the functionalities and the manufacturing competitive dimensions, evaluated the contribution and the quality of the implementation and classified the functionalities.

Findings

Two functionalities in the first and five in the second case have high contribution and quality. Three functionalities in the first and six in the second case have low contribution and quality. The first group should be more explored and updated. The second should be discontinued. The rest has intermediate graduations and should be studied case-by-case. The main contribution of the paper is the method, which can be replicated in other applications in the same or in other industries.

Research limitations/implications

The study relies on two case studies of the same industry. Further research shall encompass the entire industry and cases in industries others than the metal-mechanics.

Practical implications

MES users and vendors may benefit from the study as they can apply the method to align the implementation with the manufacturing strategy and therefore enhance the effectivity of the system.

Originality/value

The authors did not find a study that associates the performance or the contribution of the MES functionalities to the competitive priorities with the quality, integrity or consistency of the implementation.
Exploring the implications of blockchain technology for brand–consumer relationships: a future research agenda
Authors: Boukis Achilleas
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this conceptual paper is to delve into the implications of blockchain technology adoption for brands and consumers. Drawing on the existing branding literature and real-life applications of blockchain, the challenges, risks and opportunities from blockchain adoption for four important areas of the branding literature are canvassed (i.e. brand positioning and corporate brand image, consumer–brand relationships, online brand communication and consumers’ trust in the brand). Also, a future-oriented discussion is provided that highlights some important avenues for researchers in the field.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper sheds light on the potential implications of blockchain technology for brand–consumer relationships. To do so, an analytical review of the blockchain literature is conducted, the nature of blockchain technology is presented and its unique features and functions for brand–consumer interactions are discussed.

Findings

This paper ignites an exploratory discussion around how blockchain applications and platforms can affect consumer–brand relationships, drawing on a number of real-life examples of blockchain adoption. This discussion sheds light on how blockchain features can impact on various areas of interest for strategic brand management, such as the adoption of digital currencies, brand storytelling, use of blockchain-enabled loyalty programmes, role of intermediaries in online advertising, counterfeit consumption, brand transparency and trust for brands in online marketplaces, amongst others.

Originality/value

This is one of the first conceptual efforts in the branding literature that draws on the scarce existing knowledge around blockchain adoption and discusses the potential implications of blockchain technology for brands and consumers whilst also providing directions for future research.
Preparation and characterization of polyurethane–silica hybrid films
Authors: Zhang Junrui , Jiang Guojun , Huang Tianhao , Xie Jun , Shi Da
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The paper aims to provide a facile approach to the synthesis of polyurethane–silica nanocomposites by introducing self-made aqueous silica sols with different particle sizes into polyurethane materials. This paper investigates the effects of the silica nanoparticles on the polyester polyol, as well as the physical properties and transmittance of the hybrid polyurethane coatings.

Design/methodology/approach

Colloidal silica particles of different sizes were obtained using a sol–gel process and were then embedded into polyester polyol by in-situ polymerization. These polyester polyol–silica resins were synthesized using an azeotrope process, using xylene to remove the water generated in the system and present in the dispersion medium for the colloidal silica. The polyester polyol–silica resins were further cured using isocyanate trimers to form polyurethane–silica hybrid films.

Findings

The paper observed that the viscosity of the polyester polyol–silica nanocomposite resins increased and their appearance changed from transparent to ivory white as the particle size of the added silica was increased. It was found that increasing the hydroxyl content of the silica improved the film transmittance in the visible light region. However, the transmittance decreased sharply once the diameter of the silica particles reached 100 nm.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the limitation of experimental conditions, some performances have not been tested. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to conduct further tests.

Practical implications

The paper provides a method of preparing hybrid polyurethane film by using silica; the results indicate that the introduction of nano-silica can improve the wear resistance and glass transition temperature of polyurethane coatings.

Originality/value

The results obtained in this study will be extremely useful to enhance the understanding of organic–inorganic hybrid materials.
Measured accuracy improvement method of velocity and displacement based on adaptive Kalman filter
Authors: Xu Xiaobin , Luo Minzhou , Tan Zhiying , Zhang Min , Yang Hao
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effect of unknown noise parameters of Kalman filter on velocity and displacement and to enhance the measured accuracy using adaptive Kalman filter with particle swarm optimization algorithm.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel method based on adaptive Kalman filter is proposed. Combined with the displacement measurement model, the standard Kalman filtering algorithm is established. The particle swarm optimization algorithm fused with Kalman is used to obtain the optimal noise parameter estimation using different fitness function.

Findings

The simulations and experimental results show that the adaptive Kalman filter algorithm fused with particle swarm optimization can improve the accuracy of the velocity and displacement.

Originality/value

The adaptive Kalman filter algorithm fused with particle swarm optimization can serve as a new method for optimal state estimation of moving target.
Prevalence of emm1 Streptococcus pyogenes having a novel type of genomic composition
Authors: Tatsuno Ichiro , Isaka Masanori , Matsumoto Masakado , Hasegawa Tadao
Published: August 2019

Streptococcus pyogenes is a causative agent of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). The complete genome sequence of a S. pyogenes strain 10–85 isolated from a STSS patient was recently announced. In this study, the genome sequence was dissected and it was found that the genomic region around 200 kbp (region A) and the genomic region around 1600 kbp (region B) were replaced by each other in strain 10–85, when compared with those in reference strains SF370 and A20. In order to address whether this replacement is unique to 10–85, we further analyzed 163 emm1‐type strains. The results indicated that none of the strains isolated before 1990 had the replacement. In contrast, most of the strains isolated at least after 2000 appeared to have the 10–85‐type replacement.
Sudden Cardiac Deaths in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease with Structural Abnormalities: A Retrospective Review of Cases in the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office
Authors: Gitto Lorenzo , Serinelli Serenella , Arunkumar Ponni , White Steven M.
Published: August 2019

Sudden cardiac death is a significant cause of mortality in adults with congenital heart disease (CHD). The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office database was queried for cases of CHD as a cause of death in the period between July 2008 and April 2019. Twenty‐two cases were identified, including 11 decedents with simple defects and 10 decedents with complex defects. All of the subjects were in apparent good health at the time of death. In the absence of other obvious causes of death, simple defects were considered cases of sudden cardiac death. Significant cardiac morphological changes were common in complex defects. While 16 cases had known, diagnosed/treated CHD, 5 cases had no diagnosis prior to autopsy. In these cases, the ability to recognize CHD (sometimes subtle) helped in determining the causes of death. Therefore, forensic pathologists must be able to properly recognize various forms of CHD and request consultations, when needed.
Outcomes of radiologically inserted gastrostomy versus percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
Authors: Cherian Priya , Blake Claire , Appleyard Mark , Clouston John , Mott Nigel
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Gastrostomy insertion either via radiological (radiologically inserted gastrostomy, RIG) or endoscopic (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, PEG) approaches are widely practiced throughout Australia. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes of inserted tubes and cost evaluation by both methods.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study conducted on all‐cause gastrostomy insertions at a quaternary Australian Hospital, Royal Brisbane and Womens' Hospital (RBWH) between January 2012 and August 2015. Current referral pattern is first‐line gastrostomy and second‐line radiological insertion.

Results

A total of 402 gastrostomy tubes were inserted with a total of 307 PEG tubes and 95 RIG tubes, with follow‐up to one calendar year. Mean patient age was 61 years ± 14.2 years with 76% male patients. A total of 84% of patients were head and neck cancer patients; major indications for insertion include prophylaxis (58%), dysphagia (32%) and NBM (2.5%). Patient groups were heterogeneous with varied indications for insertion including prophylaxis, dysphagia, decompression, NBM and treatment side effects. Outcomes measured included the following: complications, premature tube failure prior to expected removal and, overall tube outcome/ disposition. A lower incidence of minor complications was observed with the RIG group than the PEG group without differences in major complications over time. Tube failure due to either blockage or dislodgement was assessed. Multivariate analysis of all‐cause dislodgement found 'method of insertion' a predictor of dislodgement with RIG 5.4(OR) times more likely to be dislodged than PEG. Competing risk analysis demonstrates equipment as a significant cause of dislodgement occurring more commonly with RIG than PEG tubes. Tubes were removed more often in the PEG group because a large volume were prophylactic. Tubes were replaced more often in the RIG group, with tube blockage and equipment as causes for tube replacement in this group. Replacements occur either in suite or bedside. Costing data were limited with only 94 patients’ costing data qualifying for a limited unit cost evaluation, with radiologically inserted tubes marginally more expensive than tubes inserted endoscopically.

Conclusions

Both are safe procedures, with improved techniques; radiologically inserted gastrostomies have an improved profile with respect to dislodgement rates than previously reported in the literature. Radiological tubes remain limited by equipment factors with balloon failure an ongoing issue. Cost analysis was hindered by poor documentation; however, the opportunity cost remains an important advantage of radiological insertion at peripheral sites, increasingly relevant for health service delivery in our geographically vast state.
Neurophysiological and Interpersonal Correlates of Emotional Face Processing in Alcohol Use Disorder
Authors: Hoffman Lauren A. , Lewis Ben , Nixon Sara Jo
Published: August 2019

Background

A growing literature suggests deficient emotional facial expression (EFE) processing among recently abstinent individuals with alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Further investigation is needed to clarify valence‐related discrepancies and elucidate neural and psychosocial correlates. We examined neurobehavioral indices of EFE processing and interpersonal problems in treatment seekers with AUDs and healthy community controls (CCs).

Methods

Thirty‐four individuals with AUDs and 39 CCs completed an emotion judgment task (EJT), requiring discrimination between happy, angry, and sad EFEs. A second task requiring discrimination of male and female faces with neutral expressions served as the control task (i.e., sex judgment task, SJT). Neurophysiological (i.e., N170 and P3) and behavioral measures were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models (GLMM). Interpersonal problems were assessed with the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems‐64 (IIP‐64). The relationship of IIP‐64 and EJT performance was investigated via within‐group correlations.

Results

Analysis of the SJT revealed no group differences in behavioral measures, N170 amplitude, or P3 latency. P3 amplitudes, however, were significantly lower in the AUD group. For the EJT, initial observations of group differences in P3 amplitude were accounted for by differences in the control task. Behavioral analyses indicated that the AUD group was significantly less accurate than the CC group. Hypothesis‐driven analyses using GLMM‐estimated group differences indicated that anger processing was affected to a greater degree than were other emotions. Significant EJT/IIP‐64 correlations were observed for anger processing within the AUD group and were confined to IIP‐64 subscales with relatively high ratings on the affiliation dimension.

Conclusions

Findings provide partial support for an emotion‐specific processing deficit in persons with AUDs. Anger processing was more robustly affected than other emotions and was associated with interpersonal problems characterized by being overly needy, nonassertive, and overly accommodating. Results extend prior reports and reinforce the need for comprehensive study of emotion processing and its real‐world implications.
Live birth and miscarriage rate following intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection vs intracytoplasmic sperm injection: An updated systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Duran‐Retamal Montserrat , Morris Guy , Achilli Chiara , Gaunt Matthew , Theodorou Efstathios , Saab Wael , Serhal Paul , Seshadri Srividya
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI) is one of the sperm selection techniques used for assisted reproduction which has been applied for a variety of indications including previously failed fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). A Cochrane review1 found no difference in outcomes between either modality of sperm selection. Since the Cochrane review was published there have been a further two randomized controlled trials comparing IMSI and ICSI. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aims to compare IMSI with ICSI as insemination methods regarding live birth rate and miscarriage rate.

Material and methods

Systematic review of randomized controlled trials, observational studies and similar reviews in electronic databases published before January 2018.

Results

We found nine randomized controlled trials, evaluating 1610 cycles of in vitro fertilization and 15 observational studies evaluating 1243 cycles of in vitro fertilization. Meta‐analysis of the included randomized controlled trials showed no difference in the live birth rate or miscarriage rate between the ICSI and IMSI groups. Meta‐analysis of five observational studies showed a significantly higher number of live births in the IMSI group than ICSI group (live birth rate odds ratio 1.47, 95% confidence interval 1.16‐4.07), with a moderate degree of heterogeneity (I2 = 41%). Additionally, from six observational studies, a significantly lower miscarriage rate was observed in the IMSI group than in the ICSI group (odds ratio 0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.37‐0.70, I2 = 0%).

Conclusions

Meta‐analysis of randomized studies comparing IMSI to ICSI has not shown any difference in live birth rate and miscarriage rate. Meta‐analysis of observational studies, which must be interpreted with caution, revealed an increased live birth rate and decreased miscarriage rate with IMSI vs ICSI.
Money Attitudes, Personality and Chronic Impulse Buying
Authors: Fenton‐O’Creevy Mark , Furnham Adrian
Published: August 2019

This paper reports on a study of the relationship between demographic, personality, and attitudinal variables and impulsive buying (a consumer's tendency to buy spontaneously, unreflectively, and immediately); using secondary analysis of data from common participants in two large national surveys of British adults: one survey contributing data on impulsive buying, demographics, and money attitudes; and the second, a Big Five personality trait measure. In particular, we focus on the attitudes characterized by the extent to which individuals associate money with security, freedom, power, and love. Younger females and those with higher household income were more likely to engage in impulsive buying. Correlational and regression analysis showed that those high on Neuroticism and Extraversion and those low on Conscientiousness were more likely to be impulse buyers. All four money attitudes were related to impulsive buying (Money as Security most strongly). A hierarchical regression indicated that demographic variables accounted for 3 percent, personality a further 9 percent, and money attitudes a further 13 percent of the variance, showing that these three sets of variables accounted for around a quarter of the variance. Implications are considered for educational and therapeutic interventions in reducing maladaptive impulsive buying.
Protecting Job Performance and Well‐Being in the Demanding Work Context: The Moderating Effect of Psychological Detachment for Chinese Employees
Authors: Lu Luo , Chou Chun Yi
Published: August 2019

The aim of this study was twofold: first, to examine the lasting effects of working hours on later job performance and well‐being (i.e. emotional exhaustion and work engagement); second, to delineate the protective role of psychological detachment in the highly demanding Chinese work setting featuring long working hours. We employed a panel design in which all variables were measured twice, with six months in between the waves. Data were obtained from 323 Chinese employees working in diverse industries in Taiwan. Analysing the panel data with structural equation modelling (SEM) techniques, we found that working hours were positively associated with emotional exhaustion and negatively associated with work engagement and job performance, measured six months later. Detachment moderated the effects of working hours on later work engagement and job performance. Specifically, detachment attenuated the negative relationships between working hours and work engagement and job performance. The present study extends the recovery research in the West by demonstrating the protective role of detachment in the East Asian societies with important managerial implications.
Role of the CLOCK protein in liver detoxification
Authors: Zhao Mengjing , Zhao Huan , Deng Jiangming , Guo Lianxia , Wu Baojian
Published: August 2019

Background and Purpose

Whether and how circadian clock proteins regulate drug detoxification are not known. Here, we have assessed the effects of CLOCK (a core circadian clock protein) on drug metabolism and detoxification.

Experimental Approach

Regulation by CLOCK protein of drug‐metabolizing enzymes was assessed using Clock knockout (Clock−/−) mice and Hepa‐1c1c7/AML‐12 cells. The relative mRNA and protein levels were determined by qPCR and Western blotting respectively. Toxicity and pharmacokinetic experiments were performed with Clock−/− and wild‐type mice after intraperitoneal injection of coumarin or cyclophosphamide. Transcriptional gene regulation was investigated using luciferase reporter, mobility shift, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays.

Key Results

Clock deletion disrupted hepatic diurnal expressions of a number of drug‐metabolizing enzymes in mice. In particular, CYP2A4/5 expressions were markedly down‐regulated, whereas CYP2B10 was up‐regulated. Positive regulation of Cyp2a4/5 and negative regulation of Cyp2b10 by CLOCK were confirmed in Hepa‐1c1c7 and AML‐12 cells. Based on a combination of luciferase reporter, mobility shift, and ChIP assays, we found that CLOCK activated Cyp2a4/5 transcription via specific binding to E‐box elements in promoter region and repressed Cyp2b10 transcription through REV‐ERBα/β (two target genes of CLOCK and transcriptional repressors of Cyp2b10). Furthermore, Clock ablation sensitized mice to coumarin toxicity by down‐regulating CYP2A4/5‐mediated metabolism (a detoxification pathway) and to cyclophosphamide toxicity by up‐regulating CYP2B10‐mediated metabolism (generating the toxic metabolite 4‐hydroxycyclophosphamide).

Conclusion and Implications

CLOCK protein regulates metabolism by the cytochrome P450 family and drug detoxification. The findings improve our understanding of the crosstalk between circadian clock and drug detoxification.
Dense Point‐to‐Point Correspondences Between Genus‐Zero Shapes
Authors: Lee Sing Chun , Kazhdan Misha
Published: August 2019

We describe a novel approach that addresses the problem of establishing correspondences between non‐rigidly deformed shapes by performing the registration over the unit sphere. In a pre‐processing step, each shape is conformally parametrized over the sphere, centered to remove Möbius inversion ambiguity, and authalically evolved to expand regions that are excessively compressed by the conformal parametrization. Then, for each pair of shapes, we perform fast SO(3) correlation to find the optimal rotational alignment and refine the registration using optical flow. We evaluate our approach on the TOSCA dataset, demonstrating that our approach compares favorably to state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Hierarchical Functional Maps between Subdivision Surfaces
Authors: Shoham Meged , Vaxman Amir , Ben‐Chen Mirela
Published: August 2019

We propose a novel approach for computing correspondences between subdivision surfaces with different control polygons. Our main observation is that the multi‐resolution spectral basis functions that are open used for computing a functional correspondence can be compactly represented on subdivision surfaces, and therefore can be efficiently computed. Furthermore, the reconstruction of a pointwise map from a functional correspondence also greatly benefits from the subdivision structure. Leveraging these observations, we suggest a hierarchical pipeline for functional map inference, allowing us to compute correspondences between surfaces at fine subdivision levels, with hundreds of thousands of polygons, an order of magnitude faster than existing correspondence methods. We demonstrate the applicability of our results by transferring high‐resolution sculpting displacement maps and textures between subdivision models.
Structural Design Using Laplacian Shells
Authors: Ulu E. , McCann J. , Kara L. B.
Published: August 2019

We introduce a method to design lightweight shell objects that are structurally robust under the external forces they may experience during use. Given an input 3D model and a general description of the external forces, our algorithm generates a structurally‐sound minimum weight shell object. Our approach works by altering the local shell thickness repeatedly based on the stresses that develop inside the object. A key issue in shell design is that large thickness values might result in self‐intersections on the inner boundary creating a significant computational challenge during optimization. To address this, we propose a shape parametrization based on the solution to the Laplace's equation that guarantees smooth and intersection‐free shell boundaries. Combined with our gradient‐free optimization algorithm, our method provides a practical solution to the structural design of hollow objects with a single inner cavity. We demonstrate our method on a variety of problems with arbitrary 3D models under complex force configurations and validate its performance with physical experiments.
A Convolutional Decoder for Point Clouds using Adaptive Instance Normalization
Authors: Lim Isaak , Ibing Moritz , Kobbelt Leif
Published: August 2019

Automatic synthesis of high quality 3D shapes is an ongoing and challenging area of research. While several data‐driven methods have been proposed that make use of neural networks to generate 3D shapes, none of them reach the level of quality that deep learning synthesis approaches for images provide. In this work we present a method for a convolutional point cloud decoder/generator that makes use of recent advances in the domain of image synthesis. Namely, we use Adaptive Instance Normalization and offer an intuition on why it can improve training. Furthermore, we propose extensions to the minimization of the commonly used Chamfer distance for auto‐encoding point clouds. In addition, we show that careful sampling is important both for the input geometry and in our point cloud generation process to improve results. The results are evaluated in an auto‐encoding setup to offer both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The proposed decoder is validated by an extensive ablation study and is able to outperform current state of the art results in a number of experiments. We show the applicability of our method in the fields of point cloud upsampling, single view reconstruction, and shape synthesis.
High quality refinable G‐splines for locally quad‐dominant meshes with T‐gons
Authors: Karčiauskas K. , Peters J.
Published: August 2019

Polyhedral modeling and re‐meshing algorithms use T‐junctions to add or remove feature lines in a quadrilateral mesh. In many ways this is akin to adaptive knot insertion in a tensor‐product spline, but differs in that the designer or meshing algorithm does not necessarily protect the consistent combinatorial structure that is required to interpret the resulting quad‐dominant mesh as the control net of a hierarchical spline – and so associate a smooth surface with the mesh as in the popular tensor‐product spline paradigm. While G‐splines for multi‐sided holes or generalized subdivision can, in principle, convert quad‐dominant meshes with T‐junctions into smooth surfaces, they do not preserve the two preferred directions and so cause visible shape artifacts. Only recently have n‐gons with T‐junctions (T‐gons) in unstructured quad‐dominant meshes been recognized as a distinct challenge for generalized splines. This paper makes precise the notion of locally quad‐dominant mesh as quad‐meshes including τ‐nets, i.e. T‐gons surrounded by quads; and presents the first high‐quality G‐spline construction that can use τ‐nets as control nets for spline surfaces suitable, e.g., for automobile outer surfaces. Remarkably, T‐gons can be neighbors, separated by only one quad, both of T‐gons and of points where many quads meet. A τ‐net surface cap consists of 16 polynomial pieces of degree (3,5) and is refinable in a way that is consistent with the surrounding surface. An alternative, everywhere bi‐3 cap is not formally smooth, but achieves the same high‐quality highlight line distribution.
To be biased or to be Neotropical: systematic reassessment of a megadiverse lineage of rove‐beetles (Philonthina, Staphylinini, Staphylininae)
Authors: Chani‐Posse Mariana Raquel , Ramírez‐Salamanca José Manuel
Published: August 2019

Classifications in the world's tropics often involve an early and sustained adoption of Holarctic‐based patterns. Such is the case of the megadiverse subtribe Philonthina and its Neotropical (NT) members, for which generic limits are ill‐defined due to an alleged high level of homoplasy. Although a recent total‐evidence study confirmed the monophyly of a NT lineage, most of its species are assigned to the speciose genera Belonuchus Nordmann and Paederomimus Sharp, neither of them monophyletic. Here, we aim to reveal internal relationships within the NT lineage by the reassessment of characters from traditional morphology‐based systematics. Specific objectives are to test the monophyly of Belonuchus with regards to its only junior synonym, Musicoderus Sharp, as well as the placement of the six South American species of Hesperus Fauvel, a genus of Holarctic origin. We performed a phylogenetic analysis of the subtribe with focus on its NT lineage based on 132 morphological characters (50 of them novel) including 79 taxa from genera and/or species groups relevant to our study. Most novel characters assessed herein supported clades across Philonthina and its NT lineage. We found that the NT lineage diversified into at least seven clades, each of which provides a framework for future taxonomic studies. Among them, three clades containing the type species of Belonuchus, Paederomimus and Musicoderus (respectively) appear to be well supported and not closely related. The currently known South American species of Hesperus, however, are recovered within the NT lineage. We propose to resurrect Musicoderus from synonymy with Belonuchus and to transfer Hesperus novoteutonicus to Paederomimus as a new combination: Paederomimus novoteutonicus (Wendeler), comb.n.
Excuse Validation: A Cross‐cultural Study
Authors: Turri John
Published: August 2019

If someone unintentionally breaks the rules, do they break the rules? In the abstract, the answer is obviously “yes.” But, surprisingly, when considering specific examples of unintentional, blameless rule‐breaking, approximately half of people judge that no rule was broken. This effect, known as excuse validation, has previously been observed in American adults. Outstanding questions concern what causes excuse validation, and whether it is peculiar to American moral psychology or cross‐culturally robust. The present paper studies the phenomenon cross‐culturally, focusing on Korean and American adults, and proposes a new explanation of why people engage in excuse validation, in terms of competing forces in human norm‐psychology. The principal findings are that Americans and Koreans engaged in excuse validation at similar levels, and older adults were more likely to engage in excuse validation.

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What constitutes a useful measure of protected area effectiveness? A case study of management inputs and protected area impacts in Madagascar
Authors: Eklund Johanna , Coad Lauren , Geldmann Jonas , Cabeza Mar
Published: August 2019

Protected areas are one of the key tools for conserving biodiversity and recent studies have highlighted the positive impact they can have in avoiding habitat conversion. However, the relationship to management actions on the ground is far less studied and we currently do not know which management actions are the most crucial for success. To investigate this, we studied the effectiveness of the protected area network of Madagascar. We estimated the impact of individual protected areas in avoiding deforestation, accounting for confounding factors (elevation, slope, distance to urban centers and infrastructure, and distance to forest edge). We then investigated whether Protected Area Management Effectiveness scores, and their different facets, explained the variation observed. We found that the majority of the analyzed protected areas in Madagascar do reduce deforestation. Protected areas with higher management scores did not perform better in terms of avoiding deforestation. We discuss potential explanations for these results, and how they might influence the validity of current methods for estimating different facets of protected area effectiveness under different deforestation scenarios.
A histo‐immunopathologic and prognostic study of erythrodermic cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Vonderheid Eric C. , Kantor Gary R. , Telang Gladys H. , Bujanouskas Paul , Kadin Marshall E.
Published: August 2019

Background

Sézary syndrome (SS) and erythrodermic mycosis fungoides (E‐MF) represent two expressions of erythrodermic cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (E‐CTCL).

Methods

Histopathologic features were compared on skin specimens from 41 patients with SS and 70 patients with E‐MF. Immunopathologic findings were compared on 42 SS and 79 E‐MF specimens.

Results

Specimens of SS usually showed band‐like dermal infiltrates with intermediate‐sized lymphoid cells and few plasma cells; on the other hand E‐MF more often had a perivascular infiltrative pattern, predominance of small/mixed lymphoid cells and eosinophils. SS also had lower numbers of CD8+ cells and higher numbers of CD62L+ cells compared to E‐MF. For E‐MF patients, the presence of large Pautrier collections, infiltrates with intermediate‐sized cells, increased number of mitotic figures and ≥50% CD62L+ cells in the dermal infiltrate correlated with a relatively poor disease‐specific survival. However, only the presence of mitotic figures retained prognostic significance with clinical stage as a covariate.

Conclusions

Clinical stage provides the most important prognostic information for patients with E‐CTCL. However, mitotic activity for E‐MF and CD8+ cells <20% for SS have additional value. We hypothesize that observed differences in plasma cell and eosinophil numbers may reflect the influence of CD62L+ central memory T‐cells in the microenvironment.
A wide range gate data acquisition for diagnosing coronary artery disease
Authors: Lee Daehyeon , Yoo Sungjoo , Kim Dong‐Bin
Published: August 2019

Background

The turbulence of blood flow caused by stenosis has an impact on the surrounding coronary artery tissue and creates an audio‐frequency vibration to the adjacent myocardial wall. We investigated the diagnostic feasibility of a novel diagnostic method using wide range gate (WRG) ultrasound data acquisition for diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD). WRG data acquisition detects high‐frequency vibrations from coronary artery stenosis, using pulse‐wave Doppler ultrasound.

Methods

We used a Verasonics ultrasound data acquisition system to implement the WRG data acquisition. Investigators performed clinical trials for 80 subjects, with suspected CAD. All enrolled patients participated in WRG data acquisition before coronary angiography (CAG).

Results

As compared with the results of CAG, the sensitivity and specificity of the WRG data analysis were 80% and 84%, respectively. The WRG data analysis showed that the sensitivity and specificity were 81% and 79% in the left anterior descending artery, respectively, 75% and 89% in the left circumflex artery, respectively, and 85% and 82% in the right coronary artery, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, a positive vibrometry result was an independent predictive factor for CAD.

Conclusions

We proposed a new diagnostic method for detecting CAD using ultrasound. The new data acquisition method showed good potential as an initial diagnostic tool for CAD.