bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Small Decisions? The European Commission and the Transformation of the Role of Legal Expert Groups: The Case of Gender Equality and Non‐Discrimination
Authors: Jacquot Sophie 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe European Equality Law Network (EELN) was founded in 2014. It resulted from the merger of two gender equality and non‐discrimination expert groups. The creation of the EELN may appear as a simple decision made to rationalize the landscape of EU expert groups. The objective of this article is to show that this merger indicates there have been important transformations in the role of expert groups and legal expertise in the field of EU equality policy. This seemingly small decision participates in a larger process of change. The legal experts and the Commission are no longer partners who are developing equality policy together: members of the EELN are seen merely as service providers. The article isolates three main explanations for this: the roles of the policy sector, the regulatory and enforcement politics of the Commission and policy instruments in the framework of the Commission's managerial turn during the 2010s.
Identification of the pathogen responsible for tea white scab disease
Authors: Lingyun Zhou , Yunfeng Li , Chunyan Ji , Hongyan Liu , Wei Li , Fen Xiang , Zhenzhong Wang 
Published: November 2019

AbstractTea white scab disease commonly occurs in high‐altitude tea‐growing areas worldwide. Both Elsinoe leucospila and Phyllosticta theaefolia have been reported as the pathogen responsible for this disease. To conclusively identify the causative agent, samples were collected from plants infected with tea white scab disease in high‐altitude tea gardens in southern China. Fungal isolates obtained from the infected material were identified based on morphological characteristics, comparisons of ITS, 18S rDNA, RPB2 and LSU sequences, and pathogenicity tests. Both Elsinoe sp. and Phyllosticta sp. were isolated from the collected samples with rates of 6% and 35%, respectively. On potato dextrose agar medium, Phyllosticta sp. grew faster and sporulated more than E. leucospila. However, only E. leucospila caused symptoms similar to those of tea white scab disease. In contrast, Phyllosticta sp. infections resulted in large necrotic spots. Therefore, E. leucospila appears to be the pathogen responsible for tea white scab disease, whereas Phyllosticta sp. is a hyperparasitic fungus that infects the diseased plant tissue. The high isolation rate of Phyllosticta sp. due to its rapid growth and considerable sporulation may have led to the erroneous identification of this fungus as the cause of tea white scab disease. Our findings may be useful for future investigations of this disease, particularly regarding the development of improved prevention and/or control measures.
(Not so) Smart sleep tracking through the phone: Findings from a polysomnography study testing the reliability of four sleep applications
Authors: Fino Edita , Plazzi Giuseppe , Filardi Marco , Marzocchi Michele , Pizza Fabio , Vandi Stefano , Mazzetti Michela 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAn increasing number of sleep applications are currently available and are being widely used for in‐home sleep tracking. The present study assessed four smartphone applications (Sleep Cycle‐Accelerometer, SCa; Sleep Cycle‐Microphone, SCm; Sense, Se; Smart Alarm, SA) designed for sleep−wake detection through sound and movement sensors, by comparing their performance with polysomnography. Twenty‐one healthy participants (six males, 15 females) used the four sleep applications running on iPhone (provided by the experimenter) simultaneously with portable polysomnography recording at home, while sleeping alone for two consecutive nights. Whereas all apps showed a significant correlation with polysomnography‐time in bed, only SA offered significant correlations for sleep efficacy. Furthermore, SA seemed to be quite effective in reliable detection of total sleep time and also light sleep; however, it underestimated wake and partially overestimated deep sleep. None of the apps resulted capable of detecting and scoring rapid eye movement sleep. To sum up, SC (functioning through both accelerometer and microphone) and Se did not result sufficiently reliable in sleep−wake detection compared with polysomnography. SA, the only application offering the possibility of an epoch‐by‐epoch analysis, showed higher accuracy than the other apps in comparison with polysomnography, but it still shows some limitations, particularly regarding wake and deep sleep detection. Developing scoring algorithms specific for smartphone sleep detection and adding external sensors to record other physiological parameters may overcome the present limits of sleep tracking through smart phone apps.
Texture profile analysis and stress relaxation characteristics of protein fortified sweetpotato noodles
Authors: Kadiri Oseni , Gbadamosi Saka O. , Akanbi Charles T. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe mechanical stress relaxation and textual characteristics of starch noodles supplemented with soybean protein concentrate (SPC) was studied with an Instron texture analyzer. Noodles strength was observed to increase significantly with increased in SPC concentration from 0 to 20%. Noodles (ES30) formulated with the esterified starch and 30% SPC substitution had the highest deformation modulus index, initial break force, and maximum break force. The stress relaxation data was well fitted by the Maxwell and Peleg–Normand models though the latter was the most suited. The fitted parameters, F3 and λ1 had a higher sensitivity to changes in its viscoelastic properties when compared to k2 or %SR. A significant correlation was established between the stress relaxation index and textural parameters. The result of this study suggests that starch noodles with enhanced textural and break force characteristics can be formulated with 10–20% SPC substitution.Practical applicationsDried noodles are formulated from raw noodles which have been dehydrated either by hot‐air drying or natural drying. It has the advantages of being low‐cost, easy to cook, and longer shelf‐life. Consumer's acceptance of cooked noodles depends majorly on its textural properties such as its elasticity, hardness, and smoothness. The extent of noodles hardness and its breakpoint features are an influencer of noodles breakage during packaging and shipping. The determination of modeling parameters describing these physical characteristics can help in the production of noodles with improved breakpoint index, textural features, and quality. Therefore, the effects of different percentage of SPC supplementation on the break force and stress relaxation characteristics of noodles formulated from sweet potato starch were evaluated in the present study.
Tracing the signs of local dispersal in the temperate forest understorey using spatially structured vegetation data
Authors: Chudomelová Markéta , Zelený David 
Published: November 2019

AbstractQuestionsDispersal is important for the formation of biodiversity patterns. However, studying dispersal is difficult, particularly in established communities. We examined local dispersal processes in the forest herbaceous layer by looking at the abundance of plants in the neighbourhood of the surveyed plots and using dispersal traits and fecundity‐related attributes.LocationThermophilous oakwood in south Moravia, Czech Republic.MethodsWe collected plant community and environmental data from 2 m × 2 m plots nested in a 5 m × 5 m square grid, covering 0.36 hectares of temperate forest. We created binomial generalised linear models of species occurrence in the 2 m × 2 m plots, using species frequencies in four adjacent 5 m × 5 m plots (plot neighbourhood) and environmental data, to account for dependence caused by habitat factors. We analysed the relationships between neighbourhood effects and species attributes using linear regression.ResultsApproximately one third of species had a stronger association to neighbourhood alone than to local environment factors. For the remaining species, there was a large joint effect of neighbourhood and environment. However, the link between dispersal traits and the neighbourhood effect was weak. The trait analyses showed that plumed appendages were negatively correlated to neighbourhood effects, whereas possession of elongated appendages, high terminal velocity, clonal spread and absence of seed appendages exhibited insignificant positive relationships to the neighbourhood.ConclusionsAt the scale of metres, the distributional patterns of forest herbs cannot be solely associated with dispersal. The reasons could be methodological: our data contain a limited set of species with mostly database‐derived attributes. However, there may also be ecological mechanisms involved. The spatial distribution of plants could be modified by limited seed production and further reshaped by extinctions during earlier ontogenetic stages.
Changing trends in viral hepatitis mortality in East and Southeast Asia between 1987 and 2015 and its prediction until 2030
Authors: Wu Jie , Wang Hong‐Liang , Liu Xiaoxiao , Ding Cheng , Zhou Yuqing , Fu Xiaofang , Huang Chenyang , Zheng Yang , Wang Chencheng , Li Lanjuan , Yang Shigui 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackground & AimsTrends in long‐term mortality rates for viral hepatitis in East and Southeast Asia have been rarely reported. The aim of our study was to explore the long‐term trends in viral hepatitis mortality rates in East and Southeast Asian countries between 1987 and 2015 and provide predictions of mortality to 2030.MethodsWe obtained viral hepatitis mortality data from the WHO Mortality Database for six East and Southeast Asian countries between 1987 and 2015. We produced choropleth maps of viral hepatitis mortality rates in 1987 and 2015 in East and Southeast Asia to illustrate geographic variations. We made predictions of mortality rates for each included country until the year 2030 using a series of joinpoint models.ResultsViral hepatitis mortality rates declined in China (the average annual percent change (AAPC) = −5.1%, 95% CI: −7.5, −2.6), Singapore (AAPC = −5.4%, 95% CI: −7.5, −3.2), and the Philippines (AAPC = −3.4%, 95% CI: −4.9, −1.8). In contrast, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Malaysia have experienced increasing trends in mortality rates, followed by decreasing trends. Our predictions indicate that all countries will experience slight to moderate downward trends until 2030.ConclusionFavourable decreasing trends have been noted in East and Southeast Asian countries, which may not only inform the control and management of viral hepatitis in this region but also guide the prevention of viral hepatitis deaths in another region with a similar viral hepatitis epidemic.
Duplication and diversification of trehalase confers evolutionary advantages on lepidopteran insects
Authors: Zhou Yanyan , Li Xiaotong , Katsuma Susumu , Xu Yusong , Shi Liangen , Shimada Toru , Wang Huabing 
Published: November 2019

AbstractGene duplication provides a major source of new genes for evolutionary novelty and ecological adaptation. However, the maintenance of duplicated genes and their relevance to adaptive evolution has long been debated. Insect trehalase (Treh) plays key roles in energy metabolism, growth, and stress recovery. Here, we show that the duplication of Treh in Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) is linked with their adaptation to various environmental stresses. Generally, two Treh genes are present in insects: Treh1 and Treh2. We report three distinct forms of Treh in lepidopteran insects, where Treh1 was duplicated into two gene clusters (Treh1a and Treh1b). These gene clusters differ in gene expression patterns, enzymatic properties, and subcellular localizations, suggesting that the enzymes probably underwent sub‐ and/or neofunctionalization in the lepidopteran insects. Interestingly, selective pressure analysis provided significant evidence of positive selection on duplicate Treh1b gene in lepidopteran insect lineages. Most positively selected sites were located in the alpha‐helical region, and several sites were close to the trehalose binding and catalytic sites. Subcellular adaptation of duplicate Treh1b driven by positive selection appears to have occurred as a result of selected changes in specific sequences, allowing for rapid reprogramming of duplicated Treh during evolution. Our results suggest that gene duplication of Treh and subsequent functional diversification could increase the survival rate of lepidopteran insects through various regulations of intracellular trehalose levels, facilitating their adaptation to diverse habitats. This study provides evidence regarding the mechanism by which gene family expansion can contribute to species adaptation through gene duplication and subsequent functional diversification.
Urinary chloride concentration as a prognostic marker in critically ill patients
Authors: Komaru Yohei , Doi Kent , Matsuura Ryo , Yoshida Teruhiko , Miyamoto Yoshihisa , Yoshimoto Kohei , Nangaku Masaomi 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAimAssociations have been reported among serum chloride concentration, mortality and incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in intensive care units (ICU). This study aimed to examine associations among urinary chloride, mortality, and AKI incidence in ICU patients.MethodsA retrospective observational study was conducted among medical‐surgical ICU in a tertiary hospital wherein 170 consecutive ICU patients were evaluated from October 2015 to March 2016 and 116 patients were enrolled. Serial data of serum and urine electrolytes from day 1 to day 4 of ICU admission were examined. The primary and secondary outcomes were ICU mortality and incidence of AKI in the ICU, respectively.ResultsAmong the 116 enrolled patients, 15 (13%) died during their ICU stay. Although serum and urinary sodium and potassium on day 1 did not significantly differ between ICU survivors and non‐survivors, urinary chloride concentration on day 1 was significantly lower in non‐survivors. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the cutoff value of day 1 urinary chloride concentration for prediction of ICU mortality was 53 mEq/L. The lower urinary chloride concentration group on day 1 showed a significantly lower survival rate, even in long‐term follow‐up, compared with the higher urinary chloride group. Addition of day 1 urinary chloride concentration improved prediction of AKI incidence in the ICU by Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score alone.ConclusionLower urinary chloride concentration was associated with increased mortality and incidence of AKI in the ICU. Further investigation is necessary to clarify the mechanism of urinary chloride regulation.
Onset of seasonal metabolic depression in the Antarctic midge Belgica antarctica appears to be independent of environmental cues
Authors: Spacht Drew E. , Gantz J. D. , Lee Richard E. , Denlinger David L. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractSeasonal progression is tracked in most animals by changes in daylength, thus allowing reliable synchrony with abundant food and favourable developmental conditions. In polar regions, daylength varies extensively, fluctuating at the highest latitudes from persistent light to persistent dark. The Antarctic midge Belgica antarctica has a narrow seasonal window in which to feed and develop, and previous work shows that this insect, despite having the elements of a circadian clock, remains continuously active when temperatures are permissive. The present study aims to clarify seasonal tracking in B. antarctica during the austral summer by monitoring oxygen consumption rates in a field population and in experimental groups exposed to shortened daylength, dehydration and chilling. Remarkably, during March, coordinated decreases in oxygen consumption are observed, ranging from 18% to 42%, in all treatment groups, indicating an anticipatory response to seasonal change regardless of the environmental cues. These results suggest that B. antarctica relies on an intrinsic mechanism to program metabolic depression at the onset of the long austral winter.
Molecular insights into the phylogeny of Blapstinina (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Opatrini)
Authors: Lumen Ryan , Kanda Kojun , Iwan Dariusz , Smith Aaron Dennis , Kaminski Marcin Jan 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe monophyly of the North and South American endemic subtribe Blapstinina (Tenebrionidae: Opatrini) is tested through phylogenetic analyses using five molecular markers [nuclear ribosomal 28S (28S), cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII), arginine kinase (ArgK), carbamoyl‐phosphate synthetase domain of rudimentary (CAD), wingless (wg)]. Representatives of several opatrinoid subtribes were taken into consideration, including other geographically overlapping endemic genera, namely Ammodonus, Ephalus and Pseudephalus (all previously considered representatives of Ammobiina). A comparative study of morphology was performed to assess resulting phylogenetic hypotheses. Analyses support the monophyly of Blapstinina; however, they also strongly indicate that Ammodonus should be included within the subtribe. Mecysmus is nested within Blapstinus and therefore, a new synonymy, Blapstinus (= Mecysmus syn.n.), and the following combinations are introduced: Blapstinus advena comb.n., B. angustus comb.r., B. laticollis comb.n., B. parvulus comb.n., B. tenuis comb.n. Morphological analysis showed a close affiliation between Ephalus and Pseudephalus. Based on these results, Pseudephalus is synonymized with Ephalus [Ephalus (= Pseudephalus syn.n.)], and the following combination is introduced: Ephalus brevicornis comb.n. Recovered topologies also strongly support transferring Ephalus stat.n. into Opatrina, making the distribution of Opatrina amphi‐Atlantic.
Preprotein signature for full susceptibility to the co‐translational translocation inhibitor cyclotriazadisulfonamide
Authors: Van Puyenbroeck Victor , Pauwels Eva , Provinciael Becky , Bell Thomas W. , Schols Dominique , Kalies Kai‐Uwe , Hartmann Enno , Vermeire Kurt 
Published: November 2019

AbstractCyclotriazadisulfonamide (CADA) inhibits the co‐translational translocation of human CD4 (huCD4) into the endoplasmic reticulum lumen in a signal peptide (SP)‐dependent way. We propose that CADA binds the nascent huCD4 SP in a folded conformation within the translocon resembling a normally transitory state during translocation. Here, we used alanine scanning on the huCD4 SP to identify the signature for full susceptibility to CADA. In accordance with our previous work, we demonstrate that residues in the vicinity of the hydrophobic h‐region are critical for sensitivity to CADA. In particular, exchanging Gln‐15, Val‐17 or Pro‐20 in the huCD4 SP for Ala resulted in a resistant phenotype. Together with positively charged residues at the N‐terminal portion of the mature protein, these residues mediate full susceptibility to the co‐translational translocation inhibitory activity of CADA towards huCD4. In addition, sensitivity to CADA is inversely related to hydrophobicity in the huCD4 SP. In vitro translocation experiments confirmed that the general hydrophobicity of the h‐domain and positive charges in the mature protein are key elements that affect both the translocation efficiency of huCD4 and the sensitivity towards CADA. Besides these two general SP parameters that determine the functionality of the signal sequence, unique amino acid pairs (L14/Q15 and L19/P20) in the SP hydrophobic core add specificity to the sensitivity signature for a co‐translational translocation inhibitor.
A river is born: Highlights of the geologic evolution of the Colorado River extensional corridor and its river: A field guide honoring the life and legacy of Warren Hamilton
Authors: Howard* Keith A. , House* P. Kyle , John* Barbara E. , Crow* Ryan S. , Pearthree* Philip A. 
Published: November 2019

ABSTRACT
The Colorado River extensional corridor, which stretched by a factor of 2 in the Miocene, left a series of lowland basins and intervening bedrock ranges that, at the dawn of the Pliocene, were flooded by Colorado River water newly diverted from the Colorado Plateau through Grand Canyon. This water and subsequent sediment gave birth, through a series of overflowing lakes, to an integrated Colorado River flowing to the newly opened Gulf of California. Topock Gorge, which the river now follows between the Chemehuevi and Mohave Mountains, is a major focus of this field guide, as it very nicely exposes structural, stratigraphic, and magmatic aspects of the Miocene extensional corridor, a core complex, and detachment faults as well as a pre-Cenozoic batholith. Topock Gorge also is the inferred site of a paleodivide between early Pliocene basins of newly arrived Colorado River water. Overspilling of its upstream lake breached the divide and led the river southward. The Bouse Formation in this and other basins records the pre–river integration water bodies. Younger riverlaid deposits including the Bullhead Alluvium (Pliocene) and the Chemehuevi Formation (Pleistocene) record subsequent evolution of the Colorado River through a succession of aggradational and re-incision stages. Their stratigraphic record provides evidence of local basin deepening after river inception, but little deformation on a regional scale of the river valley in the last 4 m.y. except in the Lake Mead area. There, faults interrupt both the paleoriver grade and incision rates, and are interpreted to record 100’s of m of true uplift of the Colorado Plateau. Warren Hamilton’s insightful work beginning in the 1950s helped set the stage for interpretation of Mesozoic orogeny and Cenozoic extension in this region, as well as the record of the Bouse Formation.
Journey to the Grand Canyon: A geologic and hydrologic excursion across Arizona’s magnificent heartland
Authors: Ranney Wayne , Glotfelty Marvin 
Published: November 2019

ABSTRACT
The Grand Canyon is perhaps our planet’s most widely recognized and single most important geologic landform. The goals for this trip are to give participants an understanding of the canyon’s formation and its dynamic hydrologic system. While our destination is clear, the journey will also provide opportunities to discuss Arizona’s larger geologic setting within the Basin and Range, Transition Zone, and Colorado Plateau physiographic provinces. Stops and discussions will include: (1) geologic setting and groundwater environment of the Phoenix basin; (2) Cenozoic landscape development of the Transition Zone; (3) Montezuma Well, a unique arid-land spring contained within a travertine mound; (4) ascent of the Mogollon Rim, the state’s second largest landform and entryway to the Colorado Plateau; (5) the San Francisco Volcanic Field and surrounding volcanic features, including Sunset Crater, a late Holocene scoria cone; and (6) multiple stops in Grand Canyon National Park to discuss its varied geology. The principal focus here will be on evolving concepts of the canyon’s formation since the time of John Wesley Powell, including the flurry of research results proffered in the past 20 years. Participants will walk the Trail of Time, Earth’s largest man-made geologic exhibit at over 2 km. Another equally important discussion will cover the modern hydrologic system of the canyon, which yields a tenuous supply of potable water from a single inner-canyon spring for over six million annual visitors and 2,500 full-time residents. The National Park Service has prioritized the replacement of the Trans-Canyon Waterline due to climate change concerns.