bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A possible conceptualization of the information systems (IS) artifact: A general systems theory perspective1
Authors: Chatterjee Sutirtha , Sarker Suprateek , Lee Michael J. , Xiao Xiao , Elbanna Amany 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis opinion paper addresses and contributes to the discourse on whether there is a central artifact that captures the essence of the information systems (IS) discipline. It argues that the IS discipline can, and should be, faithfully captured by an IS artifact. We offer a theoretical conception of the IS artifact by drawing upon General Systems Theory (GST). Key concepts of GST are distilled as meta‐principles which inform our formulation of the IS artifact. We use the meta‐principles of the IS artifact to develop salient assertions that theorize what an ‘IS’ is. To demonstrate the appropriateness of our conception, we illustrate how the assertions we developed are consistent with patterns related to emerging topics in IS research, notably, healthcare and IT, and Fintech. We formulate a research agenda on these emerging topics—based upon the conceptions developed in the paper—to guide future research. We conclude with the contributions and implications of our study, including the relevance for IT‐enabled work in the era of the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Nonlinear electrical behaviors and conductivity mechanisms in Ca1‐xYbxCeNbWO8 ceramics
Authors: Lin Yuanwei , Zhang Bo , Chang Aimin 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this study, we investigated the nonlinear electrical behaviors and conductivity mechanisms of Ca1‐xYbxCeNbWO8 ceramics, which are prepared by the solid‐state sintering method. CeO2 and CeNbO4 phases occur when the Yb3+ doping amount is greater than 0.1 in the CaCeNbWO8‐based ceramics. With the continuous incorporation of Yb3+, the grain size of the ceramics first decreases and then increases. The Ce3+ concentration in the ceramics decreases with increasing Yb3+ content. In the temperature range of 298.15 to 1073.15K, the relationship between ln ρ and 1000/T shows nonlinear electrical behaviors, which is attributed to the different conductivity mechanisms at high and low temperatures (ρ and T are resistivity and temperature, respectively). In the temperature range of 298.15 to 773.15K, the electrical conduction in Ca1‐xYbxCeNbWO8 ceramics follows the Efros‐Shklovskii variable‐range hopping (ES‐VRH) conduction mechanism, thermal activation conduction (x < 0.2), and two‐dimensional Mott VRH conduction mechanism (x = 0.2). Furthermore, the electrical conduction obeys the thermal activation conduction mechanism in the temperature range of 773.15 to 1073.15K. The activation energy for the electrical conduction is calculated based on the different hopping conduction mechanisms.
Electromechanical properties of ultra‐low porous auxetic piezocomposite: from the perspective of Poisson’s ratio
Authors: Tang Haishan , Jiang Xinli , Li Li , Ling Ling , Hu Yujin 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this study, the ultra‐low porous auxetic piezoelectric composite made of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and hollow polyvinylidine difluoride (PVDF) is first proposed by combining “additive” and “subtractive” approaches. The electromechanical properties of the auxetic piezoelectric composite are investigated by finite element analysis. It is found that the ultra‐low porosity in the composite may lead to great extensibility along with the excellent figures of merit obtained in conventional highly porous piezoelectric ceramics. The small amount of additional PVDF can greatly tune the electromechanical properties of composite and effectively reduce the maximum stress of PZT. To elucidate the role of Poisson’s ratio on the electromechanical properties of piezoelectric materials, the relationship expressions among some electromechanical coefficients are derived. Moreover, the semi‐empirical expression of “longitudinal” compliance coefficients and a simple strategy for predicting some electromechanical coefficients are presented to instruct design and application of the ultra‐low porous auxetic piezoelectric materials.
High‐voltage surge protection by a varistor‐filled air gap
Authors: Yang Pin , Gomez Carolina A. , Andrews Samantha , Sorenson Josef D. , Chen Ken S. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe electric discharge across a varistor granule filled air gap under a fast‐rising voltage pulse was investigated for surge protection applications. The effects of temperature and pressure on the arc and the electrical conduction were analyzed by the characteristic changes in voltage waveforms triggered by a fast‐rising high voltage pulse. In addition to the gap size, experimental results show that competing mechanisms among arc conduction, conduction through the varistor granule network, thermionic emission from Joule heating at granule‐to‐granule contact points, and the magnitude of the switching voltage dictate the maximum surge protection voltage for the filled air gap. Experimental evidence indicated that accumulated degradation was created at small contact points between varistor granules by repetitive assaults from longer duration, high voltage pulses. The uniqueness of using varistor over other dielectric granules in an air gap for surge protection is identified and discussed.
Reducing the gap between pro‐environmental disposition and behavior: The role of feeling power
Authors: Dong Mengchen , Palomo‐Vélez Gonzalo , Wu Song 
Published: December 2020

AbstractEnvironmental issues are some of the most pressing threats the world is facing nowadays. In this context, motivating individual pro‐environmental behavior becomes highly relevant. One strategy is to harness people's pro‐environmental dispositions (e.g., biospheric values, pro‐environmental attitudes). Although acknowledging the need to behave pro‐environmentally lies at the core of these dispositions, the extent to which they are reflected in day‐to‐day pro‐environmental practices fluctuates to a great extent. How to bridge this gap between dispositions and behaviors in pro‐environmentalism? This research tests a novel psychological solution, that is, to heighten subjective feelings of power. Power depicts people's control over their own and others’ outcomes. Two studies (total N = 338, with n = 200 in Study 1 and n = 138 in Study 2) manipulated people's situational sense of high versus low power (by recalling and writing about relevant incidents), measured pro‐environmental dispositions (biospheric values in Studies 1 and 2; attitude toward a specific environmental cause in Study 2), and examined their effects on pro‐environmental behaviors (spending time on environmental persuasion in Study 1 and spending money on environmental donation in Study 2). Overall, both studies revealed that pro‐environmental dispositions predicted pro‐environmental behaviors, but only when the actors were prompted to experience a high instead of a low sense of power. The findings illuminate power as an important and viable communication tactic—to orient people toward their dispositions and practice what they preach in pro‐environmentalism.
CircASPH promotes KGN cells proliferation through miR‐375/MAP2K6 axis in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Wu Gengxiang , Xia Jing , Yang Zhe , Chen Yajie , Jiang Wei , Yin Tailang , Yang Jing 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPolycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a kind of endocrine disorder which is prevalent in adult women, so exploring more biomarkers for PCOS is imperative. Recently, circular RNA and microRNA are confirmed to be related with PCOS development. Whether circular RNA ASPH (circASPH) is involved in PCOS need to be studied further. We utilized RT‐qPCR to measure the expression levels of circASPH, miR‐375 and MAP2K6 in PCOS patients and normal group. The effects of circASPH and miR‐375 on KGN cells proliferation and apoptosis were observed by CCK‐8 assay, EdU incorporation assay and apoptosis assay, separately. Then Dual‐luciferase reporter assay was carried out to verify the circASPH/miR375 axis and miR375/MAP2K6 axis. The interaction between circASPH and MAP2K6 were detected with the support of RT‐qPCR and Western blot. We found circASPH and MAP2K6 were both over‐expressed in PCOS patients, while miR‐375 was in the opposite direction. Moreover, miR‐375 was negatively regulated by circASPH, while MAP2K6 was positively regulated by circASPH. In addition, circASPH directly targeted miR‐375, which targeted MAP2K6. More than that, the knockdown of circASPH repressed KGN cells proliferation and enhanced apoptosis, while the silence of miR‐375 reversed the above effects. In conclusion, circASPH promotes KGN cells proliferation through miR‐375/MAP2K6 axis in PCOS, and they are thought‐provoking biomarkers for PCOS diagnosis and therapy.
The Power of Cohesiveness: Internal Factors that Influence the External Performance of Regions
Authors: Mas Jordi 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAlthough regions are becoming increasingly important in the liberalization of international trade, the academic literature has only explored the issue extensively in the case of the European Union (EU). With respect to other regions, little is known of the internal factors that enhance their external performance. This paper uses EU interregional trade negotiations to examine the factors within the EU's counterpart region that contribute to regional cohesiveness and facilitate the conclusion of an agreement. By applying the crisp‐set qualitative comparative analysis method to the 13 available cases, this paper finds that the external performance of other regions is not achieved through a combination of homogeneity of state preferences and strong institutions, as the EU literature suggests. While one or other of these factors may be necessary, they only work in conjunction with a favourable power distribution, that is, regional systems formed by a large hegemon and/or small open economies.
Haematological and serum biochemical reference values of snow trout, Schizothorax labiatus habiting in river Sindh of Indian Himalayan region
Authors: Jan Kousar , Ahmed Imtiaz , Dar Nazir A. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractHaematological and serum biochemical parameters are a valuable tool in determining the wellbeing status of different fish species and response in close association to various biological and environmental factors, therefore the aim of the present study was to establish sex‐wise reference values of haemato‐biochemical parameters of S. labiatus. The haematological parameters such as haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, total erythrocyte count (RBC), total leucocyte count (WBC), packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and serum biochemical parameters such as glucose, cholesterol, urea, total protein, albumin and globulin were analysed. The results revealed that the haematological parameters, i.e., Hb, RBC, WBC and PCV showed significant (P < 0.05) differences with respect to sex. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher values of Hb content (11.18 g dl−1), RBC count (1.88 × 106 mm−3) and PCV (36.15%) were noted in male fish than females throughout the study period, while significantly (P < 0.05) higher WBC count was noted in females (20.38 × 103 mm−3) compared to males. However, no significant (P > 0.05) difference was observed in erythrocyte indices like MCH, MCHC and MCV between sexes. The serum biochemical parameters, i.e., glucose, cholesterol and urea, also showed significant (P < 0.05) difference between the sexes, but no significant (P > 0.05) difference was noticed in total protein, albumin and globulin. Significantly (P < 0.05) highest values of glucose (116.76 mg dl−1) and urea (9.01 mg dl−1) were recorded in male S. labiatus, while highest value of cholesterol (223.53 mg dl−1) was noted in females. The information generated in the present study gives the basic reference values of haematological and serum biochemical parameters of S. labiatus which will be useful in monitoring the wellbeing status of fish populations. Moreover, the data will also be helpful to ascertain the occurrence of different clinical and subclinical diseases, which may in turn help to boost the overall production of this species.
Acoustic homogeneity in the piranha Serrasalmus maculatus
Authors: Raick Xavier , Rountree Rodney , Kurchevski Gregório , Juanes Francis , Huby Alessia , Godinho Alexandre L. , Parmentier Éric 
Published: December 2020

AbstractDifferent studies suggest some social calls could be used in fish identification if their specificity is unambiguously assessed. Sounds of different populations of piranhas Serrasalmus maculatus Kner, 1858 were recorded to determine their homogeneity between rivers inside a single basin (Araguari and Grande River, upper Paraná River basin) and between separated basins (Amazon and Paraná basins). All fish from the different populations produced sounds with similar acoustic features. Consequently, the populations were not discernible based on individual sound characteristics. This high homogeneity between sounds from different populations indicates their usefulness for conservation projects using passive acoustic monitoring in piranhas. Moreover, it supports the use of acoustic features as complementary key characteristics in taxonomic studies.
The axonal endolysosomal and autophagic systems
Authors: Kuijpers Marijn , Azarnia Tehran Domenico , Haucke Volker , Soykan Tolga 
Published: December 2020

AbstractNeurons, because of their elaborate morphology and the long distances between distal axons and the soma as well as their longevity, pose special challenges to autophagy and to the endolysosomal system, two of the main degradative routes for turnover of defective proteins and organelles. Autophagosomes sequester cytoplasmic or organellar cargos by engulfing them into their lumen before fusion with degradative lysosomes enriched in neuronal somata and participate in retrograde signaling to the soma. Endosomes are mainly involved in the sorting, recycling, or lysosomal turnover of internalized or membrane‐bound macromolecules to maintain axonal membrane homeostasis. Lysosomes and the multiple shades of lysosome‐related organelles also serve non‐degradative roles, for example, in nutrient signaling and in synapse formation. Recent years have begun to shed light on the distinctive organization of the autophagy and endolysosomal systems in neurons, in particular their roles in axons. We review here our current understanding of the localization, distribution, and growing list of functions of these organelles in the axon in health and disease and outline perspectives for future research.
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Tooth attachment and pleurodont implantation in lizards: Histology, development, and evolution
Authors: LeBlanc Aaron R. H. , Paparella Ilaria , Lamoureux Denis O. , Doschak Michael R. , Caldwell Michael W. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractSquamates present a unique challenge to the homology and evolution of tooth attachment tissues. Their stereotypically pleurodont teeth are fused in place by a single “bone of attachment”, with seemingly dubious homology to the three‐part tooth attachment system of mammals and crocodilians. Despite extensive debate over the interpretations of squamate pleurodonty, its phylogenetic significance, and the growing evidence from fossil amniotes for the homology of tooth attachment tissues, few studies have defined pleurodonty on histological grounds. Using a sample of extant squamate teeth that we organize into three broad categories of implantation, we investigate the histological and developmental properties of their dental tissues in multiple planes of section. We use these data to demonstrate the specific soft‐ and hard‐tissue features of squamate teeth that produce their disparate tooth implantation modes. In addition, we describe cementum, periodontal ligaments, and alveolar bone in pleurodont squamates, dental tissues that were historically thought to be restricted to extant mammals and crocodilians. Moreover, we show how the differences between pleurodonty and thecodonty do not relate to the identity of the tooth attachment tissues, but rather the arrangements of homologous tissues around the teeth.
Chronic rhinosinusitis is associated with prolonged SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA shedding in upper respiratory tract samples: A case‐control study
Authors: Recalde‐Zamacona B. , Tomás‐Velázquez A. , Campo A. , Satrústegui‐Alzugaray B. , Fernández‐Alonso M. , Iñigo M. , Rodríguez‐Mateos M. , Di Frisco M. , Felgueroso C. , Bertó J. , Marín‐Oto M. , Alcaide A. B. , Zulueta J. J. , Seijo L. , Landecho M. F. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundSARS‐CoV‐2, the COVID‐19 causative agent, has infected millions of people and killed over 1.6 million worldwide. A small percentage of cases persist with prolonged positive RT‐PCR on nasopharyngeal swabs. The aim of this study was to determine risk factors for prolonged viral shedding amongst patient’s basal clinical conditions.MethodsWe have evaluated all 513 patients attended in our hospital between 1 March and 1 July. We have selected all 18 patients with prolonged viral shedding and compared them with 36 sex‐matched randomly selected controls. Demographic, treatment and clinical data were systematically collected.ResultsGlobal median duration of viral clearance was 25.5 days (n = 54; IQR, 22–39.3 days), 48.5 days in cases (IQR 38.7–54.9 days) and 23 days in controls (IQR 20.2–25.7), respectively. There were not observed differences in demographic, symptoms or treatment data between groups.Chronic rhinosinusitis and atopy were more common in patients with prolonged viral shedding (67%) compared with controls (11% and 25% respectively) (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003). The use of inhaled corticosteroids was also more frequent in case group (P = 0.007). Multivariate analysis indicated that CRS (odds ratio [OR], 18.78; 95% confidence interval [95%CI], 3.89–90.59; P < 0.001) was independently associated with prolonged SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA shedding in URT samples, after adjusting for initial PCR Ct values.ConclusionWe found that chronic rhinosinusitis and atopy might be associated with increased risk of prolonged viral shedding. If confirmed in prospective trials, this finding might have clinical implications for quarantine duration due to increased risk of pandemic spread.
Premarital Cohabitation and Marital Dissolution: A Reply to Manning, Smock, and Kuperberg
Authors: Rosenfeld Michael J. , Roesler Katharina 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectiveOur goal is to show how premarital cohabitation's association with marital dissolution can be measured consistently over time.BackgroundRosenfeld and Roesler (2019) showed that premarital cohabitation led to lower rates of marital dissolution early in marital duration, but higher rates of marital dissolution after a few years of marital duration. Analysis based on marriage cohorts can erroneously appear to show that the association between premarital cohabitation and marital dissolution has disappeared in the most recent cohort.MethodWe use discrete time event history models to study the association between premarital cohabitation and marital dissolution across calendar time and across marriage cohorts, with data from the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG). We examine a variety of modeling strategies and data filters including those in Manning, Smock, and Kuperberg's (MSK) comment to show how different data and modeling choices can bias the results.ResultsMSK's analysis rests on simple misunderstandings of our models. MSK discarded more than 70% of the valid couple years available in the NSFG data, and then used the resulting lower statistical power to declare a key interaction insignificant. MSK treat children as a time‐invariant variable despite the fact that the presence of children changes over the course of relationships. MSK discard one wave of the data without explanation. All of these choices affect the outcome.ConclusionOur prior result stands: premarital cohabitation consistently predicts higher rates of marital dissolution in the U.S. Research into marital dissolution should be made more robust, transparent, and replicable.
A single nucleotide polymorphism variant located in the cis‐regulatory region of the ABCG2 gene is associated with mallard egg colour
Authors: Liu Hehe , Hu Jian , Guo Zhanbao , Fan Wenlei , Xu Yaxi , Liang Suyun , Liu Dapeng , Zhang Yunsheng , Xie Ming , Tang Jing , Huang Wei , Zhang Qi , Xi Yang , Li Yanying , Wang Lei , Ma Shengchao , Jiang Yong , Feng Yulong , Wu Yongbao , Cao Junting , Zhou Zhengkui , Hou Shuisheng 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAvian egg coloration is shaped by natural selection, but its genetic basis remains unclear. Here, we used genome‐wide association analysis and identity by descent to finely map green egg colour to a 179‐kb region of Chr4 based on the resequencing of 352 ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) from a segregating population resulting from the mating of Pekin ducks (white‐shelled eggs) and mallards (green‐shelled eggs). We further narrowed the candidate region to a 30‐kb interval by comparing genome divergence in seven indigenous duck populations. Among the genes located in the finely mapped region, only one transcript of the ABCG2 gene (XM_013093252.2) exhibited higher uterine expression in green‐shelled individuals than in white‐shelled individuals, as supported by transcriptome data from four populations. ABCG2 has been reported to encode a protein that functions as a membrane transporter for biliverdin. Sanger sequencing of the whole 30‐kb candidate region (Chr4: 47.41–47.44 Mb) and a plasmid reporter assay helped to identify a single nucleotide polymorphism (Chr4: 47,418,074 G>A) located in a conserved predicted promoter region whose variation may alter ABCG2 transcription activity. We provide a useful molecular marker for duck breeding and contribute data to the research on ecological evolution based on egg colour patterns among birds.
The pathway of recombining short homologous ends in Escherichia coli revealed by the genetic study
Authors: Yang Yuqing , Wang Tianqi , Yu Qiaoli , Liu Huaiwei , Xun Luying , Xia Yongzhen 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe recombination of short homologous ends in Escherichia coli has been known for 30 years, and it is often used for both site‐directed mutagenesis and in vivo cloning. For cloning, a plasmid and target DNA fragments were converted into linear DNA fragments with short homologous ends, which are joined via recombination inside E. coli after transformation. Here this mechanism of joining homologous ends in E. coli was determined by a linearized plasmid with short homologous ends. Two 3ʹ‐5ʹ exonucleases ExoIII and ExoX with nonprocessive activity digested linear dsDNA to generate 5ʹ single‐strand overhangs, which annealed with each other. The polymerase activity of DNA polymerase I (Pol I) was exclusively employed to fill in the gaps. The strand displacement activity and the 5ʹ‐3ʹ exonuclease activity of Pol I were also required, likely to generate 5ʹ phosphate termini for subsequent ligation. Ligase A (LigA) joined the nicks to finish the process. The model involving 5ʹ single‐stranded overhangs is different from established recombination pathways that all generate 3ʹ single‐stranded overhangs. This recombination is likely common in bacteria since the involved enzymes are ubiquitous.