bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative: Providing, receiving and leading infant feeding care in a hospital maternity setting—A critical ethnography
Authors: Byrom Anna , Thomson Gill , Dooris Mark , Dykes Fiona
Published: January 2021

Although breastfeeding is known to improve health, economic and environmental outcomes, breastfeeding initiation and continuation rates are low in the United Kingdom. The global WHO/UNICEF Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) aims to reverse declining rates of breastfeeding by shifting the culture of infant feeding care provision throughout hospital maternity settings. In the United Kingdom, the global BFHI has been adapted by UNICEF UK reflecting a paradigm shift towards the experiences of women and families using maternity services. This research used a critical ethnographic approach to explore the influence of the national UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) standards on the culture of one typical maternity service in England, over a period of 8 weeks, across four phases of data collection between 2011 and 2017. Twenty‐one staff and 26 service users were recruited and engaged in moderate‐level participant observation and/or guided interviews and conversations. Basic, organising and a final global theme emerged through thematic network analysis, describing the influence of the BFI on providing, receiving and leading infant feeding care in a hospital maternity setting. Using Antonovsky's sense of coherence construct, the findings discussed in this paper highlight how the BFI offers ‘informational’ (comprehensible), ‘practical’ (manageable) and ‘emotional’ (meaningful) support for both staff and service users, strengthened by effective, local leadership and a team approach. This is juxtaposed against the tensions and demands of the busy hospital maternity setting. It is recommended that ongoing infant feeding policy, practice and leadership balance relational and rational approaches for positive infant feeding care and experiences to flourish.
Genomic landscape of geographically structured colour polymorphism in a temperate marine fish
Authors: Casas Laura , Saenz‐Agudelo Pablo , Villegas‐Ríos David , Irigoien Xabier , Saborido‐Rey Fran
Published: January 2021

The study of phenotypic variation patterns among populations is fundamental to elucidate the drivers of evolutionary processes. Empirical evidence that supports ongoing genetic divergence associated with phenotypic variation remains very limited for marine species where larval dispersal is a common homogenizing force. We present a genome‐wide analysis of a marine fish, Labrus bergylta, comprising 144 samples distributed from Norway to Spain, a large geographical area that harbours a gradient of phenotypic differentiation. We analysed 39,602 biallelic single nucleotide polymorphisms and found a clear latitudinal gradient of genomic differentiation strongly correlated with the variation in phenotypic morph frequencies observed across the North Atlantic. We also detected a strong association between the latitude and the number of loci that appear to be under divergent selection, which increased with differences in coloration but not with overall genetic differentiation. Our results demonstrate that strong reproductive isolation is occurring between sympatric colour morphs of L. bergylta found at the southern areas and provide important new insights into the genomic changes shaping early stages of differentiation that might precede speciation with gene flow.
Tinea capitis in children: A single‐institution retrospective review from 2011 to 2019
Authors: Zhi Huilin , Shen Hong , Zhong Yan , Sang Bo , Lv Wenwen , Li Qiuping , Liu Zehu , Xia Xiujiao
Published: January 2021

Tinea capitis remains a common public health problem worldwide, especially in developing countries.

Objectives

To investigate the changes of the predominant dermatophytes of tinea capitis in children in Hangzhou in recent 9 years.

Methods

The age, gender and pathogen spectrum of 650 children with tinea capitis at the Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Third People's Hospital of Hangzhou, Anhui Medical University from 2011 to 2019 were analysed, and the distribution of pathogens from 1998 to 2000 was compared.

Results

Among the 650 cases, 340 cases (48.2%) were males and 310 cases (51.8%) were females. The main population infected with tinea capitis was children aged 0–10 years (620 cases, 95.4%). From 2011 to 2019, the predominant dermatophyte was changed from Trichophyton violaceum (2011) to Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex (2012‐2015) and later to Microsporum canis (2016‐2019). In the past 9 years, M. canis (250 cases, 38.5%) was the most common dermatophyte and followed by T mentagrophytes complex (209 cases, 32.2%). The dermatophyte spectrum was statistically different between the years 2011 and 2019 (Chi square: χ2 = 69.75, P < .05), and the differences in anthropophilic and zoophilic pathogens between 1989‐2000 and 2011‐2019 were statistically significant (χ2 = 24.4, P < .05).

Conclusions

Research showed that children diagnosed with tinea capitis were mainly 0‐10 years old. With age, the percentage of anthropophilic dermatophytes gradually increased, while the percentage of zoophilic dermatophytes decreased. M. canis was the predominant dermatophyte of tinea capitis in children, followed by T. mentagrophytes complex. The dermatophytes have shifted from anthropophilic to zoophilic dermatophytes in the past two decades.
Comparative genomics of opportunistic Phialophora species involved in divergent disease types
Authors: Song Yinggai , Menezes da Silva Nickolas , Vicente Vania A. , Quan Yu , Teixeira Marcus , Gong Jie , de Hoog Sybren , Li Ruoyu
Published: January 2021

Background

Black opportunists Phialophora verrucosa complex species can cause different disease types in competent and in immunocompromised individuals, but are remarkably overrepresented in CARD9‐related infections.

Objectives

To better understand the ecology and potential pathogenicity of opportunistic Phialophora species and reveal eventual genetic parameters associated with the behaviour in vivo and genetic profiles in patients with CARD9 immunodeficiency.

Methods

Genomes of 26 strains belonging to six species of the Phialophora verrucosa complex were sequenced. Using multilocus analysis, all environmental and clinical strains were identified correctly. We compared the genomes of agents from different disease types among each other including CARD9 immunodeficiency.

Results

We obtained genome sizes of the 26 Phialophora strains ranged between 32 and 37 MB. Some species showed considerable intraspecific genomic variation. P americana showed the highest degree of variability. P verrucosa was variable in CAZy enzymes, whereas P americana varied in PKS‐related genes. Phialophora species, particularly P verrucosa, are relatively frequent in patients with CARD9‐related immunodeficiency. Different mutations in the CARD9 gene seem to increase susceptibility for infection by different groups of species, that is either Candida, dermatophytes or black fungi. A number of patients with chromoblastomycosis revealed an as yet unknown CARD9 mutation. TNFα impairment was prevalent in patients with CARD9 infections, while CBM patients were invariably IFNγ.

Conclusions

From genomic investigations, the known virulence factors between clinical and environmental strains did not reveal any significant difference. Phialophora complex has an equal chance to cause infection in humans, either healthy or CARD9‐impaired.
Optimal carbon partitioning helps reconcile the apparent divergence between optimal and observed canopy profiles of photosynthetic capacity
Authors: Buckley Thomas N.
Published: January 2021

Photosynthetic capacity per unit irradiance is greater, and the marginal carbon revenue of water (∂A/∂E) is smaller, in shaded leaves than sunlit leaves, apparently contradicting optimization theory. I tested the hypothesis that these patterns arise from optimal carbon partitioning subject to biophysical constraints on leaf water potential.

In a whole plant model with two canopy modules, I adjusted carbon partitioning, nitrogen partitioning and leaf water potential to maximize carbon profit or canopy photosynthesis, and recorded how gas exchange parameters compared between shaded and sunlit modules in the optimum.

The model predicted that photosynthetic capacity per unit irradiance should be larger, and ∂A/∂E smaller, in shaded modules compared to sunlit modules. This was attributable partly to radiation‐driven differences in evaporative demand, and partly to differences in hydraulic conductance arising from the need to balance marginal returns on stem carbon investment between modules. The model verified, however, that invariance in the marginal carbon revenue of N (∂A/∂N) is in fact optimal.

The Cowan–Farquhar optimality solution (invariance of ∂A/∂E) does not apply to spatial variation within a canopy. The resulting variation in carbon–water economy explains differences in capacity per unit irradiance, reconciling optimization theory with observations.
Adaptive introgression: how polyploidy reshapes gene flow landscapes
Authors: Schmickl Roswitha , Yant Levi
Published: January 2021

Rare yet accumulating evidence in both plants and animals shows that whole genome duplication (WGD, leading to polyploidy) can break down reproductive barriers, facilitating gene flow between otherwise isolated species. Recent population genomic studies in wild, outcrossing Arabidopsis arenosa and Arabidopsis lyrata indicate that this WGD‐potentiated gene flow can be adaptive and highly specific in response to particular environmental and intracellular challenges. The mechanistic basis of WGD‐mediated easing of species barrier strength seems to primarily lie in the relative dosage of each parental genome in the endosperm. While generalisations about polyploids can be fraught, this evidence indicates that the breakdown of these barriers, combined with diploid to polyploid gene flow and gene flow between polyploids, allows some polyploids to act as adaptable ‘allelic sponges’, enjoying increased potential to respond to challenging environments.
Protein glycosylation during infection by plant pathogenic fungi
Authors: Liu Caiyun , Talbot Nicholas J. , Chen Xiao‐Lin
Published: January 2021

Glycosylation is a conserved set of post‐translational modifications that exists in all eukaryotic cells. During the last decade, the role of glycosylation in plant pathogenic fungi has received significant attention and considerable progress has been made especially in Ustilago maydis and Magnaporthe oryzae. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of the role of N‐glycosylation, O‐glycosylation and glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors during plant infection by pathogenic fungi. We highlight the roles of these processes in regulatory mechanisms associated with appressorium formation, host penetration, biotrophic growth and immune evasion. We argue that improved knowledge of glycosylation pathways and the impact of these modifications on fungal pathogenesis is overdue and could provide novel strategies for disease control.
Resveratrol prevents steroid‐induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head via miR‐146a modulation
Authors: Nan Kai , Pei Jun‐peng , Fan Li‐hong , Zhang Yuan‐kai , Zhang Xin , Liu Kang , Shi Zhi‐bin , Dang Xiao‐qian , Wang Kun‐zheng
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible use of resveratrol (Res) to reverse abnormal osteogenesis/osteoclastogenesis activity that occurs during femoral head osteonecrosis and to explore the detailed mechanisms. Application of Res to bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cellsin vitropromoted survival, inhibited apoptosis, and downregulated expression of reactive oxygen species expression. Moreover, Res application was associated with elevated microRNA‐146a (miR‐146a) expression, osteogenic differentiation, and suppressed osteoclastic differentiation, which were markedly reversed by miR‐146a inhibitor. Histopathological observations and micro‐computed tomography scanning results indicated that the Res‐treated group had lower incidence of osteonecrosis and better bone microstructure than the untreated group. Res inhibited osteoclastogenesis through altering the levels of sirtuin1 (Sirt1), nuclear transcription factor‐κB (NF‐κB), and receptor activator of NF‐κB ligand (RANKL). Simultaneously, Res treatment improved bone formation and increased β‐catenin and runt‐related transcription factor 2 (Runt2) expression levels, while reducing forkhead box class O (FOXO) family protein levels. The results of our study suggest that Res prevents steroid‐induced osteonecrosis by upregulating miR‐146a, and thereby stabilizes osteogenesis/osteoclastogenesis homeostasis via Wnt/FOXO and Sirt1/NF‐κB pathways.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids as modulators of fat mass and lean mass in human body composition regulation and cardiometabolic health
Authors: Monnard Cathriona R. , Dulloo Abdul G.
Published: January 2021

It is now recognized that the amount and type of dietary fat consumed play an important role in metabolic health. In humans, high intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has been associated with reductions in cardiovascular disease risk, improvements in glucose homeostasis, and changes in body composition that involve reductions in central adiposity and, more recently, increases in lean body mass. There is also emerging evidence, which suggests that high intakes of the plant‐based essential fatty acids (ePUFAs)—n‐6 linoleic acid (LA) and n‐3 α‐linolenic acid (ALA)—have a greater impact on body composition (fat mass and lean mass) and on glucose homeostasis than the marine‐derived long‐chain n‐3 PUFA—eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). In addition, high intake of both ePUFAs (LA and ALA) may also have anti‐inflammatory effects in humans. The purpose of this review is to highlight the emerging evidence, from both epidemiological prospective studies and clinical intervention trials, of a role for PUFA, in particular ePUFA, in the long‐term regulation of body weight and body composition, and their impact on cardiometabolic health. It also discusses current notions about the mechanisms by which PUFAs modulate fat mass and lean mass through altered control of energy intake, thermogenesis, or lean–fat partitioning.
High‐spatiotemporal‐resolution transcriptomes provide insights into fruit development and ripening in Citrus sinensis
Authors: Feng Guizhi , Wu Juxun , Xu Yanhui , Lu Liqing , Yi Hualin
Published: January 2021

Citrus fruit has a unique structure with soft leathery peel and pulp containing vascular bundles and several segments with many juice sacs. The function and morphology of each fruit tissue are different. Therefore, analysis at the organ‐wide or mixed‐tissue level inevitably obscures many tissue‐specific phenomena. High‐throughput RNA sequencing was used to profile Citrus sinensis fruit development based on four fruit tissue types and six development stages from young fruits to ripe fruits. Using a coexpression network analysis, modules of coexpressed genes and hub genes of tissue‐specific networks were identified. Of particular, importance is the discovery of the regulatory network of phytohormones during citrus fruit development and ripening. A model was proposed to illustrate how ABF2 mediates the ABA signalling involved in sucrose transport, chlorophyll degradation, auxin homoeostasis, carotenoid and ABA biosynthesis, and cell wall metabolism during citrus fruit development. Moreover, we depicted the detailed spatiotemporal expression patterns of the genes involved in sucrose and citric acid metabolism in citrus fruit and identified several key genes that may play crucial roles in sucrose and citric acid accumulation in the juice sac, such as SWEET15 and CsPH8. The high spatial and temporal resolution of our data provides important insights into the molecular networks underlying citrus fruit development and ripening.
Source decomposition of the frontocentral auditory steady‐state gamma band response in schizophrenia patients and healthy subjects
Authors: Koshiyama Daisuke , Miyakoshi Makoto , Joshi Yash B. , Nakanishi Masaki , Tanaka‐Koshiyama Kumiko , Sprock Joyce , Light Gregory A.
Published: January 2021

Aim

Gamma‐band auditory steady‐state response (ASSR) is a neurophysiologic index that is increasingly used as a translational biomarker in the development of treatments of neuropsychiatric disorders. While gamma‐band ASSR is generated by distributed networks of highly interactive temporal and frontal cortical sources, the majority of human gamma‐band ASSR studies using electroencephalography (EEG) highlight activity from only a single frontocentral scalp site, Fz, where responses tend to be largest and reductions in schizophrenia patients are most evident. However, no previous study has characterized the relative source contributions to Fz, which is a necessary step to improve the concordance of preclinical and clinical EEG studies.

Methods

A novel method to back‐project the contributions of independent cortical source components was applied to assess the independent sources and their proportional contributions to Fz as well as source‐resolved responses in 432 schizophrenia patients and 294 healthy subjects.

Results

Independent contributions of gamma‐band ASSR to Fz were detected from orbitofrontal, bilateral superior/middle/inferior temporal, bilateral middle frontal, and posterior cingulate gyri in both groups. In contrast to expectations, the groups showed comparable source contribution weight to gamma‐band ASSR at Fz. While gamma‐band ASSR reductions at Fz were present in schizophrenia patients consistent with previous studies, no group differences in individual source‐level responses to Fz were detected.

Conclusion

Small differences in multiple independent sources summate to produce scalp‐level differences at Fz. The identification of independent source contributions to a single scalp sensor represents a promising methodology for measuring dissociable and homologous biomarker targets in future translational studies.
Epidermolysis bullosa simplex due to bi‐allelic DST mutations: Case series and review of the literature
Authors: Ganani Dalit , Malovitski Kiril , Sarig Ofer , Gat Andrea , Sprecher Eli , Samuelov Liat
Published: January 2021

Background

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) is a heterogeneous group of inherited disorders characterized by skin fragility due to intraepidermal separation. Most cases result from heterozygous mutations in KRT5 or KRT14; however, a minority of affected individuals carry mutations in non‐keratin genes including DST encoding an epithelial isoform of dystonin. DST‐associated EBS is transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait. Here, we report a series of EBS patients carrying bi‐allelic DST mutations and review previously reported cases aiming to delineate phenotype‐genotype correlations.

Methods

Whole‐exome and direct sequencing were used for variant analysis. Review of previously reported cases was performed.

Results

Mutation analysis revealed DST mutations in five patients belonging to three families. Two variants have not been previously reported: c.7097dupA (p.Tyr2366X) and c.7429delC (p.Leu2477Serfs*13). We identified an additional six cases in the literature, bringing the total number of individuals affected with EBS due to DST variants to 11. Patients displayed distinctive phenotypes regardless of the causative variant.

Conclusions

The current study expands the clinical and genetic spectrum of DST‐associated EBS subtype.
ACE2 expression is elevated in airway epithelial cells from older and male healthy individuals but reduced in asthma
Authors: Wark Peter A.B. , Pathinayake Prabuddha S. , Kaiko Gerard , Nichol Kristy , Ali Ayesha , Chen Ling , Sutanto Erika N. , Garratt Luke W. , Sohal Sukhwinder S. , Lu Wenying , Eapen Mathew S. , Oldmeadow Christopher , Bartlett Nathan , Reid Andrew , Veerati Punnam , Hsu Alan C.‐Y. , Looi Kevin , Iosifidis Thomas , Stick Stephen M. , Hansbro Philip M. , Kicic Anthony
Published: January 2021

Background and objective

COVID‐19 is complicated by acute lung injury, and death in some individuals. It is caused by SARS‐CoV‐2 that requires the ACE2 receptor and serine proteases to enter AEC. We determined what factors are associated with ACE2 expression particularly in patients with asthma and COPD.

Methods

We obtained lower AEC from 145 people from two independent cohorts, aged 2–89 years, Newcastle (n = 115) and Perth (n = 30), Australia. The Newcastle cohort was enriched with people with asthma (n = 37) and COPD (n = 38). Gene expression for ACE2 and other genes potentially associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 cell entry was assessed by qPCR, and protein expression was confirmed with immunohistochemistry on endobronchial biopsies and cultured AEC.

Results

Increased gene expression of ACE2 was associated with older age (P = 0.03) and male sex (P = 0.03), but not with pack‐years smoked. When we compared gene expression between adults with asthma, COPD and healthy controls, mean ACE2 expression was lower in asthma patients (P = 0.01). Gene expression of furin, a protease that facilitates viral endocytosis, was also lower in patients with asthma (P = 0.02), while ADAM‐17, a disintegrin that cleaves ACE2 from the surface, was increased (P = 0.02). ACE2 protein expression was also reduced in endobronchial biopsies from asthma patients.

Conclusion

Increased ACE2 expression occurs in older people and males. Asthma patients have reduced expression. Altered ACE2 expression in the lower airway may be an important factor in virus tropism and may in part explain susceptibility factors and why asthma patients are not over‐represented in those with COVID‐19 complications.
Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells: Bridging the gap between inflammation and pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Sharma Vinit , Aggarwal Anjali , Jacob Justin , Sahni Daisy
Published: January 2021

Pancreatic cancer has been identified as one of the deadliest malignancies because it remains asymptomatic and usually presents in the advanced stage. Tumour immune evasion is a well‐known mechanism of tumorigenesis in various forms of human malignancies. Chronic inflammation via complex networking of various inflammatory cytokines in the local tissue microenvironment dysregulates the immune system and support tumour development. Pro‐inflammatory mediators present in the tumour microenvironment increase the tumour burden by causing immune suppression through the generation of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and T regulatory cells. These cells, along‐with myofibroblasts, create a highly immunosuppressive and resistant tumour microenvironment and are thus considered as one of the culprits for the failure of anti‐cancer chemotherapies in pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients. Targeting these MDSCs using various combinatorial approaches might have the potential for abrogating the resistance and suppressive nature of the pancreatic tumour microenvironment. Therefore, there is more curiosity in studying the crosstalk of MDSCs with other immune cells during pathological conditions and the underlying mechanisms of immunosuppression in the current scenario. In this article, the possible role of MDSCs in inflammation‐mediated tumour progression of pancreatic adenocarcinoma has been discussed.
The micro‐geography of academic research: How distinctive is economics?
Authors: Gibson John
Published: January 2021

This study examines micro‐geographic clustering in the production and recognition of academic research. Three U.S. ZIP codes are associated with over 40 percent of articles in the top five economics journals and those articles garnered one‐half of all citations in these journals from 2000 to 2015. Such micro‐geographic concentration is not apparent in other disciplines, even those like chemistry that rely on specialized laboratories. Concentration of citations to economics articles whose authors are associated with a few key ZIP codes has strengthened over time, even as it has weakened for other disciplines. This micro‐geographic concentration may increase systemic risk by reducing the diversity of economics research that is published and cited and may lead to insufficient research attention to local context.
Swimming upstream throughout the turmoil: Evidence on firm growth during the great recession
Authors: Arrighetti Alessandro , Landini Fabio , Lasagni Andrea
Published: January 2021

Economic downturns significantly impact on industry and firm dynamics. During a slowdown, increased competitive pressure makes less efficient firms more likely to exit (the cleansing hypothesis). However, evidence on Italian manufacturing firms during the Great Recession contrasts with this view. In fact, a not negligible subset of firms grew considerably during the crisis, increasing intra‐industry heterogeneity. In this paper, we study these swimming upstream firms (SUFs) and we obtain two results. First, SUFs exhibit a high capability accumulation profile (innovation, intangibles investments and internationalization). Second, the impact of endogenous capability accumulation does not vanish after controlling for exogenous factors.
When “model minorities” become “yellow peril”—Othering and the racialization of Asian Americans in the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Li Yao , Nicholson Harvey L.
Published: January 2021

Using the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic as a case study, this paper engages with debates on the assimilation of Asian Americans into the US mainstream. While a burgeoning scholarship holds that Asians are “entering into the dominant group” or becoming “White,” the prevalent practices of othering Asians and surging anti‐Asian discrimination since the pandemic outbreak present a challenge to the assimilation thesis. This paper explains how anger against China quickly expands to Asian American population more broadly. Our explanation focuses on different forms of othering practices, deep‐seated stereotypes of Asians, and the role of politicians and media in activating or exacerbating anti‐Asian hatred. Through this scrutiny, this paper augments the theses that Asian Americans are still treated as “forever foreigners” and race is still a prominent factor in the assimilation of Asians in the United States. This paper also sheds light on the limitations of current measures of assimilation. More broadly, the paper questions the notion of color‐blindness or post‐racial America.
Colour Doppler ultrasound study in patients with frontal fibrosing alopecia
Authors: Porriño‐Bustamante María Librada , Fernández‐Pugnaire María Antonia , Castellote‐Caballero Luisa , Arias‐Santiago Salvador
Published: January 2021

Background

The sonographic characteristics of frontal fibrosing alopecia have been scarcely studied. The aim of this study was to perform a colour Doppler ultrasound evaluation in frontal fibrosing alopecia.

Materials and methods

A cross‐sectional study including 99 women with frontal fibrosing alopecia and 40 control subjects was performed using ultrasound equipment with a lineal 18 MHz probe. Three areas were evaluated per patient: the alopecic area (a), the hairline implantation area (b) and healthy scalp (c). The diameter (cm) and flow (m/s) of the two most significant vessels were recorded.

Results

With regard to the hairline implantation area, patients presented higher vessel diameter (0.127 cm vs 0.103 cm, P = .03) and vessel flow (8.183 m/s vs 7.670 m/s, P = .05) than the control group. Vessel diameter was higher in the healthy scalp area in patients than in the control group (0.088 cm vs 0.078 cm, P = .03).

Conclusion

Patients presented higher vessel diameter and flow in the hairline implantation area compared to the control group.
Power Signaling and Intergovernmental Transfers: Evidence from the Distribution of Center‐to‐Province Earmarked Transfers in China
Authors: Liu Zhikuo , Qian Tao , Zhang Qi
Published: January 2021

Objective

This article analyzes how authoritarian leaders manipulate intergovernmental transfers to signal their superior status relative to their rivals in power competition.

Methods

We first discuss under what circumstances the leaders have the incentive to signal dominance over his or her rivals. We then hypothesize that, at equilibrium, those who showed loyalty to the more powerful receive more resources while those who demonstrated loyalty to the weak side receive far fewer resources. Empirically, we investigate how the power shuffle in China that began in late 2002—when Party Secretary General Jiang Zemin resigned his post to Hu Jintao, thus resulting in a power rivalry between them—affected the pattern of center‐to‐province earmarked transfers during 2004–2006.

Results

We found robust evidence that the earmarked transfers were distributed in a way that signaled Jiang's dominant status in relation to Hu.

Conclusion

For authoritarian leaders, a major goal of distributing economic resources, such as intergovernmental earmarked transfers, is to signal the power distribution at the top when revealing such information is urgent in fierce power competition.
Trade Layoffs and Hate in the United States
Authors: DiLorenzo Matthew
Published: January 2021

Objective

Recent events (e.g., Brexit) have highlighted how globalization may foster hostility toward out‐groups in developed democracies. Is trade competition systematically related to hate in the United States?

Methods

I conduct a county‐level statistical analysis using data from the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, the FBI's Hate Crime Statistics database, and the Southern Poverty Law Center's hate group map over the period of 2003–2017.

Results

Counties with more trade‐related layoffs tend to have more hate groups, though not hate crimes, even after accounting for changes in unemployment rates. The relationship between trade layoffs and hate groups is strongest in counties that have recently experienced larger decreases in the share of the white population.

Conclusions

Although existing studies on diffuse economic vulnerability and hate find a weak connection between economic factors and hate, trade layoffs can explain some variation in local hate group activity.
Which Townships Support Charter Schools? A Study of the 2016 Massachusetts Charter Referendum
Authors: Tran Bich Thi Ngoc
Published: January 2021

Objective

School choice controversies are not new, with cleavages in public opinion toward choice reflecting partisan, racial, and educational variables. Here, I examine factors predicting charter school support at the township level in the Massachusetts 2016 charter school expansion referendum.

Methods

Using ordinary least square regression models, I test hypotheses developed from rational choice theory, political culture, and perspective theory.

Results

Analyses find partisan, education, township size, and income affecting support for charter schools. Democratic and more educated voters and those living in smaller towns are more likely to support charter school expansion.

Conclusion

The findings resonate with the current literature on political support for charter schools and contribute to current understanding of theories of voting behavior about education issues.
A triangular purchasing power parity hypothesis: A rejoinder
Authors: Wang Peijie , Liu Zhiyuan
Published: January 2021

We are delighted to see Dr Alan King's interest and curiosity in the subject of PPP and, in particular, this paper of ours. This is a Rejoinder to his Comment.
Comentarios a la regulación del contrato de seguro en el proyecto de Código Civil de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Authors: Palacios Sánchez Fernando
Published: January 2021

El presente trabajo tiene por objeto examinar algunos aspectos relevantes sobre la regulación del contrato de seguro que contempla el proyecto de un nuevo Código Civil, presentado por la Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Entre los hallazgos del estudio, se encontró que el proyecto es unilineal en orden a la protección del asegurado, que contiene aspectos positivos, como las pautas para interpretar el contrato de seguro y la ampliación de los medios probatorios para demostrar su existencia, pero, a la vez, tiene otros temas que deben revisarse, como la  definición del contrato de seguro y la eliminación de las características de dicho contrato. El trabajo identifica unos y otros y propone soluciones sobre los temas que causan inquietud.
Fabrication of Electrically Conductive Patterns on Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene Polymer Using Low-Pressure Cold Spray and Electroless Plating
Authors: Akin Semih , Tsai Jung-Ting , Park Min Soo , Jeong Young Hun , Jun Martin Byung-Guk
Published: January 2021

Previous studies have shown that metallic coatings can be successfully cold sprayed (CS) onto several polymer substrates. However, the electrical performance of the cold-sprayed polymers is not generally enough to utilize them as an electronic device. In this study, an environment-friendly metallization technique has been proposed to achieve highly electrically conductive metal patterns onto polymer substrates using cold spray deposition and subsequent electroless copper plating (ECP). Copper feedstock powder was CS onto the surface of the acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) parts. The as-CS powders then served as the activating agent for the selective ECP to modify the surface of the polymers to be electrically conductive. A series of characterizations were conducted to investigate the morphology, analyze the surface chemistry, evaluate the electrical performance, mechanical adhesion, and mechanical strength performance of the fabricated coatings. Moreover, simple electrical circuits were presented for the ABS parts through the described method. Findings demonstrated that low-pressure cold spray copper deposition followed by the ECP processes could be used as an environmental-friendly manufacturing method of electrically conductive patterns on ABS polymer.
Flow-Induced Acoustic Resonance of Finned Cylinders With Varying Fin Heights
Authors: Islam Md Rashidul , Mohany Atef
Published: January 2021

The flow-excited acoustic resonance phenomenon, which is instigated by periodic flow perturbation, leads to the generation of acute sound pressure. In this work, we investigated the characteristics of the flow-excited acoustic resonance for circular finned cylinders with different fin heights. The fin height is expressed as a normalized form considering the ratio of the fin diameter to the root cylinder diameter. The experiments are performed with finned cylinders having a range of diameter ratios between 1.5<Df/Dr<2.5. The diameter ratios are varied by changing the root diameter and fin diameter separately as well as simultaneously while keeping the fin pitch and the fin thickness constant. The results show that the excitation of acoustic resonance has profound dependence on the diameter ratio. Increasing the diameter ratios of the finned cylinder results in strong acoustic resonance excitation. The lock-in width and the onset of the acoustic resonance excitation also depend on the diameter ratio of the cylinders. Moreover, the results show that using an effective diameter based on the geometrical flow blockage does not take into account the changes occurring in the source of resonance excitation due to the addition of fins.
Serpent and Monte Carlo Continuous Energy Burnup Code Comparison for Neutronics Calculations of the European Lead-Cooled Fast Reactor
Authors: Juárez L. C. , Torres J. I. , François J. L.
Published: January 2021

As part of the generation IV reactors (GENIV), the European lead-cooled fast reactor (ELFR) is one of the most promising candidates to be part of the European energy framework in the near future. Alike most of the GENIV systems, the ELFR is still under development and having reliable computational tools that allow fast and accurate results become an important task in the modeling and simulation levels. In this work, the Serpent code is assessed. Serpent is a continuous-energy Monte Carlo (MC) code suitable for reactor physic calculations and is used for the modeling of the ELFR system. The results were compared with the reference data that were obtained with the Monte Carlo continuous energy burnup code (MCB). In order to verify the ELFR Serpent model, several neutronic parameters were compared to the reference results: the effective neutron multiplication factor (keff), the Doppler constant (KD), the reactivity effect of the coolant density, the effective delayed neutron fraction (βeff), and the effective prompt neutron lifetime (Λ). In addition, the axial and radial power distributions were also obtained and verified. A good approximation between Serpent and MCB values was obtained.
Numerical Modeling and Experimental Validation of a Supercritical CO2-Lubricated Hydrodynamic Journal Bearing
Authors: Colgan Nathan , Cragin Ken , Breedlove Jeffrey , Nellis Gregory , Anderson Mark
Published: January 2021

The supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) Brayton cycle is an attractive thermal cycle for compact power generation applications due to its high efficiency and power density. Hydrodynamic gas journal bearings are attractive for this application due to their simplicity. Lubricating the bearings with sCO2 from the primary loop would be ideal, as this would eliminate the need for a separate lubricant source or complex seals and pumps to reduce the bearing lubricant pressure below the operating pressure of the primary loop. However, few studies in the literature have examined the behavior of a hydrodynamic journal bearing lubricated with supercritical fluid and none have experimentally demonstrated the operation of such a bearing. This paper describes the development of a simple numerical model of a hydrodynamic journal bearing operating under laminar conditions. The model incorporates the real gas properties of sCO2 and therefore can be used to qualitatively investigate the impact of operation near the critical point and the scaling relationships between inlet pressure and the bearing drag and stiffness. The model predictions are compared to results that would be obtained by assuming constant fluid properties in order to assess the effects on bearing performance of the large gradients in properties that occur near the critical point and to determine over what range of inlet conditions the constant-property simplification is valid. The modeling results show that bearing drag and stiffness rise linearly throughout the subcritical regime, but sharply rise by approximately 50% at the critical pressure. However, the behavior predicted by the real gas model closely matches those obtained from the constant-property model (CPM) for all conditions that are more than 3 kPa away from the critical pressure. To validate the prediction that bearing operation follows the same scaling relationships near the critical pressure as at low pressure, a test assembly consisting of a turbomachine driven by a motor and supported on tilt-pad hydrodynamic gas journal bearing was operated in a CO2 environment at 35 °C with pressures up to 7.336 MPa. The bearing operated smoothly and did not exhibit signs of instability such as whirl. Coast down measurements were conducted to estimate the bearing drag at various pressures up to 5.612 MPa. The bearing coefficient of friction, f, inferred from these tests increased with system pressure from 0.359 at atmospheric pressure to 0.619 at 5.612 MPa. The peak bearing Reynolds number during operation was approximately 400. These results indicate that hydrodynamic bearing operation using sCO2 is possible without significant reduction in bearing performance; however, further testing should be carried out in order to validate the model results concerning bearing stiffness.
The Application of Silicon-Filtered Beam in the Validation of Iron Cross Sections by Deep Penetration Experiments
Authors: Juříček Vlastimil , Košťál Michal , Losa Evžen , Czakoj Tomáš , Matěj Zdeněk , Cvachovec František , Schulc Martin , Šimon Jan , Mravec Filip , Přenosil Václav , Rypar Vojtěch
Published: January 2021

This paper summarizes the issue of the validation of the silicon-filtered neutron beam transport in the deep neutron transport penetration experiment in iron. Iron is an essential structural material important for nuclear technology. The use of a silicon-filtered beam is a very interesting method because some significant peaks occur in the spectrum, helping to study selected wide energy regions during the deep neutron transport in the iron. The detailed characterization of the silicon-filtered beam has been performed in the past as well. Therefore, the input spectrum for the penetration experiments is well-known. The character of the input spectrum is reflecting the fine structure of the silicon cross section in region 1–8 MeV. Based on the agreement between calculated and measured attenuation in groups located within the neutron flux peaks, one can reveal possible problems in neutron transport description. The results are confirming satisfactory agreement of neutron transport description in ENDF/B-VII.1 in the majority of energy regions, while in the interval 4.7–6 MeV, underprediction in attenuation can be observed. This seems to be a consequence of discrepancies in the angular distribution of scattered neutrons. These results constitute an advance to previously performed integral experiments characterizing the neutron transport in iron using 252Cf(s.f) and 235U(nth;fiss).
Statistics of Voltage Processes in Random Environment
Authors: Grigoriu Mircea
Published: January 2021

A method is developed to characterize the performance of voltage processes X(t) harvested from primary-absorber dynamical systems subjected to Gaussian forcing functions. The method is based on properties of the Slepian model of X(t) and Monte Carlo simulation. Statistics are calculated for excursions of X(t) above levels which can be related to energy demand. The duration and the area of these excursions are used as metrics for the voltage process. Their statistics depend on the topology and the parameters of primary-absorber dynamical systems, which can be optimized to maximize the output voltage.
The Influence of Axial Compression on the Cellular and Mechanical Function of Spinal Tissues; Emphasis on the Nucleus Pulposus and Annulus Fibrosus: A Review
Authors: McMorran John G. , Gregory Diane E.
Published: January 2021

In light of the correlation between chronic back pain and intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration, this literature review seeks to illustrate the importance of the hydraulic response across the nucleus pulposus (NP)-annulus fibrosus (AF) interface, by synthesizing current information regarding injurious biomechanics of the spine, stemming from axial compression. Damage to vertebrae, endplates (EPs), the NP, and the AF, can all arise from axial compression, depending on the segment's posture, the manner in which it is loaded, and the physiological state of tissue. Therefore, this movement pattern was selected to illustrate the importance of the bracing effect of a pressurized NP on the AF, and how injuries interrupting support to the AF may contribute to IVD degeneration.
Performance Degradation Due to Fouling and Recovery After Washing in a Multistage Test Compressor
Authors: Casari Nicola , Pinelli Michele , Spina Pier Ruggero , Suman Alessio , Vulpio Alessandro
Published: January 2021

Land-based power units have to fulfill even more high levels of production and reliability. In harsh environments (desert and tropical installations, typically), the power unit ingests high amounts of dust that might deposit inside the compressor. In this paper, the analysis of a multistage compressor performance that operates under sandy and humid conditions has been assessed. The compressor units, which equips the Allison 250 C18 compressor, has been subjected to multiple runs under severe conditions of soil dust ingestion. The compressor has been operated according to subsequent runs, and at the end of each run, the performance curve was recorded; the performance losses, in terms of pressure ratio, have been measured during the operations. The characteristic curve of each run is representative of the level of contamination of the unit. Finally, the compressor has been washed, and the performance curve, in the recovered conditions, has been recorded. The results show the modification and the downward shift of the characteristic curves which lead to a gradual loss of the compressor performance. The curves realized after dust ingestion have been compared with the recovered curve after online washing. The measurement shows a promising recovery of the performances, even if the compressor flow path appears affected by localized deposits able to resist to the droplet removal action. Detailed photographic reports of the inlet guide vane (IGV) and the first compressor stages have been included in this analysis. After each run, the IGV, the rotor blade and stator vane of the first stage, and the hub and the shroud surfaces have been photographed. The pictures show the deposition patterns on the blades and the compressor surfaces. The comparison of the pictures of the internal surfaces, before and after the washing, highlights the parts that are more critical to clean and needy of attention during offline washing and overhaul.
Model-Based Analysis of a Combined Heat and Power System Featuring a Hydrogen-Fired Gas Turbine With On-Site Hydrogen Production and Storage
Authors: Bexten Thomas , Wirsum Manfred , Roscher Björn , Schelenz Ralf , Jacobs Georg
Published: January 2021

Hydrogen-fired gas turbines can play an important role in carbon-neutral energy and industry sectors. However, the required demand-oriented supply of CO2-neutral hydrogen is technically and economically challenging. These challenges arise due to interdependencies between the volatility of renewable power generation, available hydrogen production capacities, available hydrogen storage capacities and the operational demands to be met by gas turbines. The present study aims to quantify these interdependencies by conducting a model-based analysis of an exemplary CHP system featuring a hydrogen-fired industrial gas turbine with on-site hydrogen production via electrolysis and on-site hydrogen storage. To identify the sought-after interdependencies, simulations featuring various system parameterizations are analyzed. If only local power surpluses are utilized for the operation of electrolyzers, the results show a nonlinear impact of both the hydrogen production capacity and the hydrogen storage capacity on the hydrogen-based gas turbine operation. Furthermore, the results indicate that an exclusive utilization of local power surpluses leads to limited periods of hydrogen-based gas turbine operation and low utilization rates of the hydrogen production and storage capacities. If additional power for the operation of electrolyzers is supplied by the grid, increased utilization rates and prolonged periods of hydrogen-based gas turbine operation can be achieved. However, to realize an overall reduction of CO2 emissions, this mode of operation requires the supply of large quantities of renewable power by the grid. The results of an additional economic assessment reveal that both investigated operational modes are not economically viable within the considered economic framework.