bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Site types revisited: Comparison of traditional Russian and Finnish classification systems for European boreal forests
Authors: Pohjanmies Tähti , Genikova Nadezhda , Hotanen Juha‐Pekka , Ilvesniemi Hannu , Kryshen Alexander , Moshnikov Sergey , Oksanen Jari , Salemaa Maija , Tikhonova Elena , Tonteri Tiina , Merilä Päivi 
Published: August 2020

AbstractQuestionsForest classifications are tools used in research, monitoring, and management. In Finland, the Cajanderian forest site type classification is based on the composition of understorey vegetation with the assumption that it reflects in a predictable way the site's productive value. In Russia, the Sukachevian forest classification is similarly based on understorey vegetation but also accounts for tree species, soil wetness, and paludification. Here we ask whether Cajander's and Sukachev's forest types are effectively the same in terms of species composition, site productivity, and biodiversity.LocationBoreal forests on mineral soils in Finland and the Russian part of Fennoscandia.MethodsWe use vegetation and soil survey data to compare the Cajanderian and the Sukachevian systems in terms of the understorey community composition (that is supposed to define them), soil fertility and tree productivity (that they are expected to indicate), and biodiversity (that is of interest for conservation purposes). We create and employ class prediction models to divide Russian and Finnish sites into Cajander's and Sukachev's types, respectively, based on vegetation composition. We perform cross‐comparisons between the two systems by non‐metric multidimensional scaling ordination and statistical tests.ResultsWithin both systems, the site types formed similar, meaningful gradients in terms of the studied variables. Certain site types from the two systems were largely overlapping in community composition and arranged similarly along the fertility gradient and may thus be considered comparable.ConclusionsThe Cajanderian and the Sukachevian systems were both developed in the European boreal zone but differ in terms of the exact rules by which site types are determined. Our results show that analogous types between the systems can be identified. These findings aid in endeavours of technology and information transfer between Finnish and Russian forests for the purposes of basic or applied ecological research and forest management.
Development of quinoline‐based hybrid as inhibitor of methionine aminopeptidase 1 fromLeishmania donovani
Authors: Bhat Saleem Yousuf , Bhandari Sonal , Thacker Pavitra Suresh , Arifuddin Mohammed , Qureshi Insaf Ahmed 
Published: August 2020

AbstractMethionine aminopeptidase 1 (MetAP1) is a target for drug discovery against many adversaries and a potential antileishmanial target for its role in N‐terminal methionine processing. As an effort towards new inhibitor discovery against methionine aminopeptidase 1 fromLeishmania donovani(LdMetAP1), we have synthesized a series of quinoline‐based hybrids, that is (Z)‐5‐((Z)‐benzylidine)‐2‐(quinolin‐3‐ylimino)thiazolidin‐4‐ones (QYT‐4a‐i) whose in vitro screening led to the discovery of a novel inhibitor molecule (QYT‐4h) againstLdMetAP1. The compound QYT‐4h showed nearly 20‐fold less potency for human MetAP1 and had drug‐like features. Time–course kinetic assays suggested QYT‐4h acting through a competitive mode by binding to the metal‐activated catalytic site. Notably, QYT‐4h was most potent against the physiologically relevant Mn(II) and Fe(II) supplemented forms ofLdMetAP1 and less potent against Co(II) supplemented form. Surface plasmon resonance and fluorescence spectroscopy demonstrated high affinity of QYT‐4h forLdMetAP1. Through molecular modelling and docking studies, we found QYT‐4h binding at theLdMetAP1 catalytic pocket occupying both the catalytic and substrate binding sites mostly with hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions which provide structural basis for its promising potency. These results demonstrate the feasibility of employing small‐molecule inhibitors for selective targeting ofLdMetAP1 which may find use to effectively eliminate leishmaniasis.
Political corruption shielding and corporate acquisitions
Authors: Hossain Ashrafee Tanvir , Kryzanowski Lawrence 
Published: August 2020

AbstractCorruption includes rent‐seeking behavior by public officials (e.g., lavish in‐kind benefits and monetary kickbacks for contracts/permits/regulatory leniency, improper political contributions/support, etc.) that can negatively affect firm valuations, performances, and strategic choices. Shielding strategies are used to diminish rent‐seeking attractiveness of firms. Acquisitions provide a better channel than cash or leverage for assessing the wealth effects of shielding strategies. We find that the mean 3‐day announcement returns for acquirers for a large sample of U.S. domestic acquisitions between 1990 and 2014 is significantly lower for firms headquartered in relatively higher corruption states. Our results survive an array of robustness tests.
The Growing Blessing of Unicorns: The Changing Nature of the Market for Privately Funded Companies
Authors: Brown Keith C. , Wiles Kenneth W. 
Published: August 2020

The past 15 years have seen the emergence of large infusions of private capital at levels previously accessible only in public markets. One direct effect of these non‐public fundraisings is the spawning of private entities with market valuations reaching $1 billion, thereby achieving the status of unicorns. As the authors reported in an earlier study, by the end of 2015, there were 142 unicorns with an aggregate value exceeding $500 billion. The conviction of many investors and managers at that time was that these companies could best create value by staying private, often by adopting governance structures focused on creating superior operating performance. It was also widely believed that unicorns would remain outside the public markets longer and succeed in attracting even more private capital, thereby enabling their investors to capture a greater share of the increase in company value.In this study, the authors examine how the characteristics and dynamics of “the blessing” have changed in the past five years. Despite the widespread view that the valuations and private financing trend fueling this market were not sustainable, the authors report that by March 2020, the “net” number of unicorns had grown from 142 to 464, a number that doesn't reflect the transformation of over half of the 2015 sample through acquisition or public offering and their replacement by new unicorns. Further, the cumulative market valuation of unicorns more than doubled from $500 billion to $1.37 trillion, representing growth far greater than that in the public equity markets (some 26% per annum, as compared to 9% for the S&P 500) over the same period—and the blessing has become more diversified, both in terms of industry and geographical location.The authors also consider what happens when unicorns “graduate” to a different organizational form by means of an IPO, private buyout, or business failure. Analyzing the 107 firms that departed the sample between 2015 and 2020, the authors report that the average lifespan of a unicorn from its founding date to its exit date has been 9.5 years, indicating that such firms indeed remain privately owned for a longer time than in the past. Additionally, the study finds that the founders and initial investors in unicorns have fared quite well, cashing out their initial investment at almost six times invested capital, on average. These private investment performance metrics have been significantly higher than the returns to public shareholders in the same firms during the post‐IPO period, signifying that unicorn investors have captured much more of the value created in the company's growth phase than public stockholders.
Columbia Law School Roundtable on Public Aspects of Private Equity
Authors: Mendell Emily , Hitscherich Donna , Cozzone Chris , Rehman Aamir A. 
Published: August 2020

The mandate of the broader private equity “ecosystem” goes well beyond earning competitive returns for the limited partners and their beneficiaries. After noting that PE investing is encountering ever larger “headline” and social risks, the panelists were in complete agreement that LPs should exert greater pressure on PE sponsors to take account of and try to address negative externalities when buying and operating their portfolio companies.Bain Capital's Double Impact Fund, for example, while always looking for ways of increasing profits and reducing risk, sets out to have a positive influence on its non‐investor stakeholders, including employees. To that end, Bain develops and tracks company‐specific metrics linked to positive outcomes, and then links those metrics to management compensation. And the director of ESG programs at the International Limited Partners Association points to ILPA's programs for diversity and inclusion as a promising model.
A CEO's Playbook for Creating Long‐Term Value: Ten Essential Resource Allocation Practices
Authors: Kraemer Harry M. , Mauboussin Michael J. , Rappaport Alfred 
Published: August 2020

A former CEO of a large and successful public company teams up with a former chief investment strategist and a well‐known academic to suggest ten practices for public companies intent on creating long‐run value:
Establish long‐term value creation as the company's governing objective.
Ensure that annual plans are consistent with the company's long‐term strategic plan.
Understand the expectations embedded in today's stock price.
Conduct a “premortem”—and so gain a solid understanding of what can go wrong—before making any large capital allocation decisions.
Incorporate the “outside view” in the strategic planning process.
Reallocate capital to its highest‐valued use, selling corporate assets that are worth more to or in the hands of others.
Prioritize strategies rather than individual projects.
Avoid public commitments, such as earnings guidance, that can compromise a company's capital allocation flexibility.
Apply best private equity practices to public companies.
CEOs should work closely with their boards of directors to set clear expectations for creating long‐term value.
These practices, as the authors note in closing, “are meant to provide a starting point for public companies in carrying out their mission of creating long‐run value—and in a way that earns the respect, if not the admiration and support, of all its important stakeholders.”
Mining TCGA database for genes of prognostic value in gastric cancer microenvironment
Authors: Lan Qingzhi , Wang Peng , Tian Shan , Dong Weiguo 
Published: August 2020

AbstractGastric cancer (GC) is the sixth most common malignancy and the third leading cause of cancer‐related death worldwide. Emerging evidence suggests that tumour microenvironment cells play a vital role in the development and prognosis of GC. To investigate the possible effect of stromal scores and immune scores on the overall survival (OS) on the GC patients, we divided GC patients into ‘high’ and ‘low’ groups based on their stromal and immune scores, and found differentially expressed genes related to prognosis of GC patients. Functional enrichment analysis and GSVA further revealed that focal adhesion and ECM‐receptor interaction are associated with GC patients' survival. Finally, we analysed the effects of genes commonly involved in focal adhesion and ECM‐receptor interaction on GC patients' survival and validated our results in another GC cohort from GEO data sets. In conclusion, we obtained a list of tumour microenvironment‐related genes that predict poor prognosis in GC patients.
Cryo‐FIB‐lift‐out: practically impossible to practical reality
Authors: PARMENTER CHRISTOPHER DAVID , NIZAMUDEEN ZUBAIR AHMED 
Published: August 2020

SummaryIn this paper, we explore the development of the Cryo‐Lift‐Out (cryo‐LO) technique as preparation tool for cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo‐TEM). What started in early work defying what was considered ‘practically impossible’ has developed into state‐of‐the‐art practical reality. This paper presents the key hardware, basic principles and key considerations for the practical usage of cryogenic Lift‐Out for those new to the field. Detailed protocols and in‐depth description of considerations and points for further development are presented. The authors have attempted to formalise everything known about the technique gathered together from their expertise gained in the development of this approach.Lay DescriptionA major challenge in electron microscopy is the production of suitable samples from hydrated biological and soft‐matter materials for subnanometre resolution imaging in a cryo‐Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). A well‐known solution for room temperature materials is called (in situ) Lift‐Out. It uses a fine needle that picks up a tiny section called a lamella. Lamellae are made by a Focused Ion Beam (FIB). In this paper, we seek to set out the beginnings of Lift‐Out sample preparation conducted under cryogenic conditions and the development of this approach as applied to frozen, hydrated biological and soft‐matter samples.We discuss the required basic hardware and provide a thorough description of developed protocols. We aim at those new to the field of cryo‐Lift‐Out to fully educate them in the finer points of hardware setup and practical considerations when attempting to perform cryo‐Lift‐Out and to demonstrate what has been achieved thus far. We also discuss areas of further improvement and talking points for the future direction of this promising sample preparation technique.
Predation and competition induce variable organ size trade‐offs in larval anurans
Authors: Neptune T. C. , Bouchard S. S. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractInducible defenses allow organisms that live in variable environments to invest energy into defense when necessary. These responses are common in aquatic organisms and are particularly notable in larval anurans, which tend to develop deeper tails under sit‐and‐wait macroinvertebrate predation threat. Although trade‐offs between defense and growth have been well‐studied, trade‐offs with internal organ sizes have rarely been considered. The purpose of our study was to investigate the effects of predation and competition on trade‐offs associated with total length (body + tail), tail size and internal organ size (gut, pancreas, liver and fat body) in two larval anurans, red‐eyed treefrogs (Agalychnis callidryas) and gray treefrogs (Hyla versicolor). In two separate experiments, we reared larvae in outdoor mesocosms with and without competition in the presence and absence of a caged predator. We subsampled larvae from each mesocosm and measured tail and internal organ sizes. Both competition and predation exerted strong effects on total length and morphology, although each experiment produced unique results. Competition increased gut size in both species, supporting a previously reported trade‐off between gut and tail size. Competition also reduced total length in both experiments: Gray treefrogs balanced total length with lipid deposition, and red‐eyed treefrogs favored total length at the expense of lipid reserves. Predation threat elicited an increase in tail depth but a reduction in tail muscle size in gray treefrogs, which may have allowed larvae to maintain pancreas size and total length. Conversely, red‐eyed treefrogs developed larger tails with more muscle area, allocating resources in a way that sacrificed both liver and pancreas size, as well as total length. Although the specific tail response was different, both species prioritized larger guts over tail modifications when faced with both competition and predation, as large gut sizes were maintained in competitive environments even when predators were present.
A new method for assessing anal distensibility with a barostat and magnetic resonance imaging in healthy and constipated women
Authors: Sharma Mayank , Feuerhak Kelly , Corner Stephen M. , Manduca Armando , Bharucha Adil E. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjectivesDefecation requires relaxation of the internal and external anal sphincters. High anal resting pressure is associated with painful constipation, defecatory disorders, and increased healthcare utilization in constipated patients; the mechanisms are unclear. Perhaps patients with a high anal resting pressure have a less distensible canal, which impedes defecation.MethodsIn 50 of 64 participants (33 healthy and 17 constipated women), anal pressures and distensibility were measured, respectively, with manometry and balloon distention combined with magnetic resonance imaging; rectal balloon expulsion time (BET) was also studied.ResultsThe BET (P = .006) was longer, and the mean (SD) rectoanal pressure gradient (−58[40] vs −34[26] mm Hg,P = .03) was more negative in constipated than healthy women; anal resting pressure was not different. During anal distention, the balloon expanded rapidly at an opening pressure of 49 (18) mm Hg, which was lower (P < .0001) than resting pressure (90 [25] mm Hg). The resting pressure was correlated with the opening pressure (r = 0.57,P < .0001) and inversely (r = −0.38,P = .007) with maximum volume but not with anal distensibility (volume‐pressure slope). In healthy women, the difference (opening‐resting pressure) was correlated with anal relaxation during evacuation (r = 0.35,P = .04). Anal distensibility and sensory thresholds were not different between constipated and healthy women.ConclusionsAmong healthy and constipated women, a greater anal resting pressure is correlated with greater opening pressure and lower maximum volume during distention, and, hence, provides a surrogate marker of anal distensibility. The difference (opening‐resting pressure), which reflects anal relaxation during distention, is correlated with anal relaxation during evacuation. Anal resting pressure and distensibility were comparable in healthy and constipated women.
Photopatch testing in a tropical country, Thailand: 20 years' experience
Authors: Chaiyabutr Chayada , Sukakul Thanisorn , Limphoka Pichaya , Kumpangsin Titinun , Boonchai Waranya 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundPhotoallergic contact dermatitis is one of the important parts of photodermatoses. The investigation of choice is photopatch testing. However, reports with photopatch test results from Asian countries are scarce. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of positive photopatch test reactions and to ascertain the common photoallergens among Thai patients during 1998‐2018.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the records of 339 patients who were clinically suspected of having photoallergic contact dermatitis and had undergone photopatch testing.ResultsA total of 44 photoallergic contact reactions in 38 patients (11.2%) were found. The positive photoallergic reactions were mainly found with organic ultraviolet filters and fragrances.ConclusionsOrganic ultraviolet filter chemicals especially benzophenone‐3 and fragrances were found to have a high prevalence of photoallergic contact reactions. Monitoring of the photoallergens employed in photopatch tests should be conducted periodically to provide the best patient care.
Checking Executive Personalism: Collegial Governments and the Level of Democracy*
Authors: Altman David 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe world is facing a tide of “cult‐of‐personality” governments that threaten liberal democracy (e.g., Trump, Duterte, Bolsonaro, Orbán). Collegial executives are a long‐established institutional alternative, predicated upon disarming this very shortcoming in the practice of democracy. These are regimes in which multiple people share power, limiting executive excess. Historiographic accounts regard the collegial executive as inimical to resolute decision‐making and responsible for democratic deterioration. Despite being used since antiquity, there is no empirical research on how collegial executives influence democracy. This paper tests, for the first time, whether collegial executives are substantially worse for democracy than single‐leader executives. The focus is on the only robust polyarchy to have alternated twice between single‐person and collegial‐executive governments: Uruguay. Using the Synthetic Control Method, the paper creates a fictional Uruguay to compare with the country’s real experience. The results show that multiple‐executive governments have had no impact on Uruguay’s level of democracy.
Risk of hematological malignancy in blood donors: A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Zhao Jingcheng , Dahlén Torsten , Brynolf Anne , Edgren Gustaf 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundThere has been a concern that blood donations can increase the risk of hematological malignancies. We investigated if blood donations increase the risk of developing hematological malignancies, specifically acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), chronic myeloid leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, and myeloma, as well other non‐Hodgkin lymphoma.Study Design and MethodsIn total, the study included 1,021,433 Swedish blood donors, with 19.5 million person‐years of follow‐up. Two sets of analysis were performed. In the first cohort analysis, standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated, comparing the incidence of the different types of hematological cancers in blood donors to that of the general population. In the second analysis, a nested case–control study was conducted, investigating the association between number of donations and the risk of each type of malignancy.ResultsApart from a modestly elevated risk of CLL (SIR, 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01‐1.15) and a modestly decreased risk of AML (SIR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.77‐0.83), the risk of hematological malignancies did not differ between blood donors and the general population. In the nested case–control study there were no convincing associations between number of prior whole blood donations and site‐specific malignancy risk.ConclusionsThere was no convincing evidence of an increased risk in any hematological malignancy when interpreting the results from both series of analyses.
External Validity of the T-SAFT90: A Soccer Simulation Including Technical and Jumping Activities
Authors: da Silva Cristiano D. , Lovell Ric 
Published: August 2020

Purpose: To examine the physiological, muscle-damage, endocrine, and immune responses to a modified soccer-simulation protocol to include technical and jumping activities characteristic of match play (the Technical Soccer-Specific Aerobic Field Test; T-SAFT90). Methods: Eighteen university players (age 23 [2] y, stature 175 [5] cm, body mass 74 [11] kg) performed the 90-minute protocol, with acute physiological responses monitored via heart rate, ratings of perceived exertion (6–20 scale), and body mass changes. Creatine kinase, myoglobin, cortisol, and leukocyte subset concentrations were measured at baseline, immediately (0 h), and 24 hours post T-SAFT90. Results: T-SAFT90 incurred an average heart rate equivalent to 87% (5%) of maximum, 16 (2) a.u. ratings of perceived exertion, and a 1.5% (1.0%) body mass deficit. Moderate to large proliferation of leukocyte subsets (P ≤ .01; leukocytes: 6.4-fold; neutrophils: 5.5-fold; lymphocytes: 2.0-fold) and increases in cortisol (2.3-fold) were observed at 0 hours (effect size = 1.13–3.52), each returning to baseline by 24 hours (P > .45; effect size = 0.05–0.50). Myoglobin peaked immediately post T-SAFT90 (4.8-fold), whereas creatine kinase (24 h: 6.0-fold) showed a delayed time course (both P ≤ .001; very large effects; effect size = 2.66 and 3.43, respectively). Conclusions: The magnitude and time course of the physiological, immune, endocrine, and muscle-damage markers observed during and following T-SAFT90 are similar to values reported in match-play literature, demonstrating external validity of the simulation.