bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Direct and indirect effects of land-use intensity on plant communities across elevation in semi-natural grasslands
Authors: Buzhdygan Oksana Y. , Tietjen Britta , Rudenko Svitlana S. , Nikorych Volodymyr A. , Petermann Jana S. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractGrassland biodiversity is among the most vulnerable to land use. How to best manage semi-natural grasslands for maintaining biodiversity is still unclear in many cases because processes may depend on environmental conditions and indirect effects are rarely considered. Here we evaluate the relative importance of direct and indirect effects of grazing intensity on plant communities along an elevational gradient on a large topographic scale in the Eastern Carpathians in Ukraine. We sampled 31 semi-natural grasslands exposed to cattle grazing in two years. Within each grassland site we measured plant community properties such as the number of species, functional groups, and the proportion of undesirable weeds. In addition, we recorded cattle density (as proxy for grazing intensity), soil properties (bare soil exposure, soil organic carbon, and soil pH) and densities of soil decomposers (earthworms and soil microorganisms). We used structural equation modelling to explore direct and indirect effects of grazing intensity on plant communities along the elevation gradient. We found that cattle density decreased plant species and functional diversity but increased the proportion of undesirable weeds. Some of these effects were directly linked to grazing intensity (i.e., species richness), while others (i.e., functional diversity and proportion of undesirable weeds) were mediated via bare soil exposure. Although grazing intensity decreased with elevation, the effects of grazing on the plant community did not change along the elevation gradient. Generally, elevation had a strong positive direct effect on plant species richness as well as a negative indirect effect, mediated via altered soil acidity and decreased decomposer density. Our results indicate that plant diversity and composition are controlled by the complex interplay among grazing intensity and changing environmental conditions along elevation. Furthermore, we found lower soil pH, organic carbon and decomposer density with elevation, indicating that the effects of grazing on soil and related ecosystem functions and services in semi-natural grasslands may be more pronounced with elevation. This demonstrates that we need to account for environmental gradients when attempting to generalize effects of land-use intensity on biodiversity.
The effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on female fertility preservation in mice
Authors: Liu Qiwei , Zhang Junhui , Tang Yong , Ma Yuanyuan , Xue Zhigang , Wang Jinjuan 
Published: March 2020

AbstractFemale fertility is the capacity to produce oocytes and achieve fertilization and pregnancy, and these outcomes are impaired by age, diseases, environment and social pressure. However, there is no effective therapy that preserves female reproductive ability. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can exhibit multidirectional differentiation potential, and they have gained great attention as a tool for preserving female fertility. Therefore, this study uses human umbilical cords-MSCs (Huc-MSCs) to preserve and restore fertility in aging female mice and chemotherapy-damaged mice through the rescue of ovarian function and the reconstruction of the fallopian tubes and uterus. In our study, 2 mouse models were generated: aging mice (37 weeks old) and chemotherapy-damaged mice. Then, we injected Huc-MSCs into mice through the tail vein. After treatment, the effect of MSCs on the ovary, fallopian tubes and uterus was evaluated by analyzing gonadal hormone levels and by performing morphological analysis and statistical analysis. The levels of E2 and FSH exhibited a significant recovery after HUC-MSC transplantation both in aging mice and mice treated with chemotherapy. Huc-MSC treatment also increased the numbers of primordial, developing and preovulatory follicles in the ovaries of mice. Meanwhile, MSCs have been shown to rescue the morphology of the fallopian tubes and uterus through mechanisms such as regenerating the cilia in fallopian tubes and reforming glands and chorionic villi in the uterus. Therefore, it is suggested that Huc-MSCs may represent an effective potential treatment for preserving female fertility through recovery from chemotherapy damage and rescuing female reproductive organs from the effects of aging.
Analysis of circulating-microRNA expression in lactating Holstein cows under summer heat stress
Authors: Lee Jihwan , Lee Suhyun , Son Junkyu , Lim Hyeonju , Kim Euntae , Kim Donghyun , Ha Seungmin , Hur Taiyoung , Lee Seunghwan , Choi Inchul 
Published: March 2020

AbstractKorean peninsular weather is rapidly becoming subtropical due to global warming. In summer 2018, South Korea experienced the highest temperatures since the meteorological observations recorded in 1907. Heat stress has a negative effect on Holstein cows, the most popular breed of dairy cattle in South Korea, which is susceptible to heat. To examine physiological changes in dairy cows under heat stress conditions, we analyzed the profiles circulating microRNAs isolated from whole blood samples collected under heat stress and non-heat stress conditions using small RNA sequencing. We compared the expression profiles in lactating cows under heat stress and non-heat stress conditions to understand the regulation of biological processes in heat-stressed cows. Moreover, we measured several heat stress indicators, such as rectal temperature, milk yield, average daily gain, and progesterone concentration. All these assessments showed that pregnant cows were more susceptible to heat stress than non-pregnant cows. Particularly, progesterone concentrations known to have maternal warming effects were at similar levels in non-pregnant cows but significantly increased in pregnant cows under heat stress conditions. The differentially expressed miRNAs and their putative target genes were analyzed in pregnant cows. Interestingly, we found that differentially expressed miRNAs (bta-miR-146b, bta-miR-20b, bta-miR-29d-3p, bta-miR-1246) specifically targeted progesterone biosynthesis (StAR) and the function of corpus luteum-related genes (CCL11,XCL), suggesting that pregnant cows with elevated progesterone concentrations are more susceptible to heat stress. In addition, we found the differential expression of 11 miRNAs (bta-miR-19a, bta-miR-19b, bta-miR-30a-5p, and several from the bta-miR-2284 family) in both pregnant and non-pregnant cows under heat stress conditions. In target gene prediction and gene set enrichment analysis, these miRNAs were found to be associated with the cytoskeleton, cell junction, vasculogenesis, cell proliferation, ATP synthesis, oxidative stress, and immune responses involved in heat response. These miRNAs can be used as potential biomarkers for heat stress.
A conserved role for SFPQ in repression of pathogenic cryptic last exons
Authors: Gordon Patricia M. , Hamid Fursham , Makeyev Eugene V. , Houart Corinne 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe RNA-binding protein SFPQ plays an important role in neuronal development and has been associated with several neurodegenerative disorders, including ALS, FTLD, and Alzheimer’s Disease. Here, we report that loss ofsfpqleads to premature termination of multiple transcripts due to widespread activation of previously unannotated cryptic last exons (CLEs). These CLEs appear preferentially in long introns of genes with neuronal functions and dampen gene expression outputs and/or give rise to short peptides interfering with the normal gene functions. We show that one such peptide encoded by the CLE-containingepha4bmRNA isoform is responsible for neurodevelopmental defects in thesfpqmutant. The uncovered CLE-repressive activity of SFPQ is conserved in mouse and human, and SFPQ-inhibited CLEs are found across ALS iPSC-derived neurons. These results greatly expand our understanding of SFPQ function and uncover a new gene regulation mechanism with wide relevance to human pathologies.
Ink-jet printed ring resonator with integrated Microfluidic components
Authors: Jasińska Laura , Szostak Krzysztof , Kiliszkiewicz Milena , Słobodzian Piotr , Malecha Karol 
Published: March 2020

Purpose
The main purpose of this study is to test the performance of the ink-jet printed microwave resonant circuits on Low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) substrates combined with microfluidic channels for sensor applications. Normally, conductive patterns are deposited on an LTCC substrate by means of the screen-printing technique, but in this paper applicability of ink-jet printing in connection with LTCC materials is demonstrated.

Design/methodology/approach
A simple microfluidic LTCC sensor based on the microstrip ring resonator was designed. It was assumed the micro-channel, located under the ring, was filled with a mixture of DI water and ethanol, and the operating frequency of the resonator was tuned to 2.4 GHz. The substrate was fabricated by standard LTCC process, and the pattern of the microstrip ring resonator was deposited over the substrate by means of an ink-jet printer. Performance of the sensor was assessed with the use of various volumetric concentrations of DI water and ethanol. Actual changes in concentration were detected by means of microwave measurements.

Findings
It can be concluded that ink-jet printing is a feasible technique for fast fabrication of micro-strip circuits on LTCC substrates, including microfluidic components. Further research needs to be conducted to improve the reliability, accuracy and performance of this technique.

Originality/value
The literature shows the use of ink-jet printing for producing various conductive patterns in different applications. However, the idea to replace the screen-printing with the ink-jet printing on LTCC substrates in connection with microwave-microfluidic applications is not widely studied. Some questions concerning accuracy and reliability of this technique are still open.
Knowledge sharing direction and innovation performance in organizations
Authors: Zhao Shuliang , Jiang Yanhong , Peng Xiaobao , Hong Jin 
Published: March 2020

PurposeBecause the mechanism of how knowledge sharing affects organizational innovation is still unclear, the study focuses on the relationship between knowledge sharing and organizational innovation performance, with a focus on mediating role of absorptive capacity and individual creativity.Design/methodology/approachOn the basis of the knowledge base view and organizational learning theory, the study propose a model to verify the impact of inbound and outbound knowledge sharing on organizational innovation performance based on previous research. It also analyzed how these effects were mediated by individual creativity and absorptive capacity. The study collected 166 samples to verify the theoretical model.FindingsResults corroborate that inbound knowledge sharing cannot directly promote organizational innovation performance, and absorptive capacity has a full mediation effect between inbound knowledge sharing and organizational innovation performance. Knowledge outbound sharing, individual creativity and absorptive capacity can improve innovation performance. In addition, absorptive capacity and individual creativity have direct and significant impacts on organizational innovation performance. Moreover, absorptive capacity plays a partial mediate role between individual creativity and innovation performance. Finally, this study discusses the policy implications of the study and describes possible future research directions.Originality/valueThe paper creatively divides knowledge sharing into inbound knowledge sharing and outbound knowledge sharing and verifies that knowledge sharing does not directly affect organizational innovation performance. The mediating role of absorptive capacity and individual creativity was analysis.
Sectoral analysis of productivity in the developing and developed economies of Asia-Pacific
Authors: Dua Pami , Garg Niti Khandelwal 
Published: March 2020

Purpose
The study aims to empirically investigate the trends and determinants of labour productivity of the two broad sectors –industry and services – and their components, namely, manufacturing and market services sectors, in the case of major developing and developed economies of Asia-Pacific over the period 1980-2014 and make a comparison thereof.

Design/methodology/approach
The study uses econometric methodology of panel unit root tests, panel cointegration and group-mean full modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS).

Findings
The study finds that while capital deepening, government size, institutional quality, productivity of the other sector and financial openness affect productivity of all the sectors significantly, the impact of human capital and trade openness varies across sectors in the case of developing economies. Furthermore, the impact of technological progress becomes significant in the post-liberalization reforms period in the developing economies. The study further finds that capital deepening, human capital, government size, institutional quality, productivity of the other sector, government size and trade openness are significant determinants of productivity of all sectors of developed economies under consideration. However, the impact of technological progress is stronger for manufacturing sector than services and its components. Furthermore, while both equity and debt liabilities (as measures of financial openness) influence sectoral productivity of industry and manufacturing sectors positively and significantly in case of developed economies, only equity liabilities have a significant influence on the productivity of developing economies. This may indicate existence of more developed financial markets in the case of developed economies.

Originality/value
The study identifies important structural differences in determinants of productivity both across sectors and across developing and developed economies of Asia-Pacific.
Study on properties of electromagnetic shielding yarns and fabrics
Authors: Liu Xinjin , Yan Xinxin , Su Xuzhong , Song Juan 
Published: March 2020

PurposeWith the popularization of electronic products, the electromagnetic radiation pollution has been the fourth largest pollution after water, air and noise pollution. Therefore, electromagnetic shielding property of textiles is attracting more attention. In this paper, the properties of electromagnetic shielding yarns and fabrics were studied.Design/methodology/approachTen kinds of yarn, stainless steel short fiber and polyester blend yarn with three different blending ratios T/S 90/10, T/S 80/20 and T/S 70/30, stainless steel short fiber, polyester and cotton blend yarn with blending ratio C/T/S 35/35/30, core-spun yarn with one 30 um stainless steel filament C/T28tex/S(30 um), core-spun yarn with two 15 um stainless steel filaments (C/T28tex/S(15 um)/S(15 um)), twin-core-spun yarn with one 30 um stainless steel filament and one 50D spandex filament C/T28tex/S(30 um)/SP(50D), sirofil wrapped yarn with one 30 um stainless steel filament feeding from left S(30 um)+C/T28tex, sirofil wrapped yarn with one 30 um stainless steel filament feeding from right C/T28tex+S(30 um), sirofil wrapped yarn with two 15 um stainless steel filaments feeding from two sides S(15 um)+C/T28tex+ S(15 um), were spun. The qualities of spun yarns were measured. Then, for analyzing the electromagnetic shielding properties of fabrics made of different spun yarns, 20 kinds of fabrics were woven.FindingsThe tested results show that comparing to the T/S 80/20 blend yarn, the resistivity of composite yarns with the same ratio of the stainless steel filament is smaller. The possible reason is that comparing to the stainless steel short fiber, the conductivity of stainless steel filament is better because of the continuous distribution of stainless steel in the filament. Comparing with the core-spun yarn, the conductivity of the sirofil wrapped yarn is a little better. Comparing to the fabric woven by the blend yarn, the electromagnetic shielding of the fabric woven by the composite yarn is better, and comparing to the fabric woven by the core-spun yarn, the electromagnetic shielding of the fabric woven by the sirofil yarn is a little better. The possible reason is that the conduction network can be produced by the stainless steel filament wrapped on the staple fiber yarn surface in the fabric, and the electromagnetic wave can be transmitted in the network.Originality/valueIn this paper, the properties of electromagnetic shielding yarns and fabrics were studied. Ten kinds of yarn, including three stainless steel short fiber and polyester blend yarns, one stainless steel short fiber, polyester and cotton blend yarn, two core-spun yarns, one twin-core-spun yarn, three sirofil wrapped yarn, were spun. Then, for analyzing the electromagnetic shielding properties of fabrics made of different spun yarns, 20 kinds of fabrics were woven. The effects of fabric warp and weft densities, fabric structures, yarn kinds, yarn distributions in the fabric on electromagnetic shielding were analyzed.
An entrepreneurial intention model focussing on higher education
Authors: Tomy Sarath , Pardede Eric 
Published: March 2020

PurposeStart-up intention among university students is related to the image of entrepreneurship as a career alternative. University is critical in developing the levels of motivation and capabilities of graduates to effectively engage in entrepreneurial activity. The purpose of this paper is to propose an entrepreneurial intention model focussing on higher education and the implementation of the model as a practical digital application which can be used in universities to improve the entrepreneurial intention of students enrolled in different courses.Design/methodology/approachThis paper first discusses the importance of entrepreneurial intention in graduate entrepreneurship. Then, it proposes an entrepreneurial intention model based on the four propositions identified from the literature. Finally, the model is implemented as a practical digital application focussing on self-skill awareness, entrepreneurial resources and entrepreneurial support network. A survey is conducted with students to evaluate the model and the application.FindingsEntrepreneurial awareness found to have a positive effect of entrepreneurial intention. Besides the conceptual model, this study has developed a digital application to enhance entrepreneurial intention of students focussing on information technology discipline. The application is evaluated through an online survey and the results show that the application can significantly improve entrepreneurial intention.Originality/valueThe proposed entrepreneurial intention model and the digital application offer guidance to universities as to how online systems can be used to create an environment that fosters individual intentions to select entrepreneurship as a career option, even for students doing non-entrepreneurial courses.
Resilience of firefighters exposed to potentially traumatic events: a literature review
Authors: Laureys Vanessa , Easton Marleen 
Published: March 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the empirical literature on the resilience of firefighters related to potentially traumatic events (PTE). This paper identifies how resilience is defined in this particular research field, reveals trends in applied research methods and examines the main topics addressed in previous research.Design/methodology/approachWeb of Science, PsycARTICLES and Google Scholar databases were searched, as well as a secondary manual screening of the reference lists of all the selected studies and Dutch academic journals. Based on this review, 54 empirical articles were included in the current paper.FindingsFirstly, this paper revealed that there is no consensus in how to define the concept of resilience in this specific research area. A second observation was that most of the selected studies used a quantitative, cross-sectional research design. Finally, the 54 empirical studies provided insights on six topics: the role of the organization, demographic factors, personal characteristics, coping strategies, social support and the reactions of firefighters in the aftermath of PTE. Comparing the empirical results was challenged by the different interpretations and denominations of the concept of resilience and the myriad of measurement techniques applied across the selected articles.Originality/valueThis literature review discovered some promising avenues for future research regarding resilience of firefighters. Moreover, it demonstrated that studying resilience is particularly interesting as the identification of supporting factors leads to a better understanding of how to enhance the well-being, job satisfaction and job performance of firefighters.
Fault separation and detection algorithm based on Mason Young Tracy decomposition and Gaussian mixture models
Authors: Li Xiaoling , Liu Shuang shuang 
Published: March 2020

PurposeFor the large-scale power grid monitoring system equipment, its working environment is increasingly complex and the probability of fault or failure of the monitoring system is gradually increasing. This paper proposes a fault classification algorithm based on Gaussian mixture model (GMM), which can complete the automatic classification of fault and the elimination of fault sources in the monitoring system.Design/methodology/approachThe algorithm first defines the GMM and obtains the detection value of the fault classification through a method based on the causal Mason Young Tracy (MYT) decomposition under each normal distribution in the GMM. Then, the weight value of GMM is used to calculate weighted classification value of fault detection and separation, and by comparing the actual control limits with the classification result of GMM, the fault classification results are obtained.FindingsThe experiment on the defined non-thermostatic continuous stirred-tank reactor model shows that the algorithm proposed in this paper is superior to the traditional algorithm based on the causal MYT decomposition in fault detection and fault separation.Originality/valueThe proposed algorithm fundamentally solves the problem of fault detection and fault separation in large-scale systems and provides support for troubleshooting and identifying fault sources.
Analysis of customers' return behaviour after online shopping in China using SEM
Authors: Lin Danping , Lee Carman Ka Man , Siu M.K. , Lau Henry , Choy King Lun 
Published: March 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the potential impacts of various variables on product return activities after online shopping. Previous studies on customer behaviour have been predominantly concerned with return on used products and other product-quality-related constructs in the model. This study aims to specially examine the logistics service-related and customer intention–related variables for general products under the e-commerce circumstance.Design/methodology/approachStructured questionnaire data for this study were collected in the two southeast cities of China (162 useable responses). Structural equation modelling was used to examine the latent variables.FindingsThe results confirmed that product return intention has the greatest impact on online shopping returns with a direct effect of 0.63, followed by the flexibility in return (logistics service) with a direct effect of 0.49.Originality/valueSuch a model not only enriches the theoretical understanding of customer behaviour studies but also offers online shopping stores and platforms a quantitative benchmark and new perspective on the design of online shopping supply chains by considering product returns so as to improve the customer satisfaction.