bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel method for the nondestructive classification of different‐age Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium based on data combination technique
Authors: Li Pao , Zhang Xinxin , Zheng Yu , Yang Fei , Jiang Liwen , Liu Xia , Ding Shenghua , Shan Yang 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe quality of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP) is closely correlated with the aging time. However, CRPs in different storage ages are similar in appearance, and the young CRP may be labeled as the aged one to obtain the excess profit by some unscrupulous traders. Most traditional analysis methods are laborious and time‐consuming, and they can hardly realize the nondestructive classification. In this paper, a novel method based on near‐infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (NIRDRS) and data combination technique for the nondestructive classification of different‐age CRPs was proposed. The CRPs in different storage ages (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years) were measured. The near‐infrared spectra of outer skin and inner capsule were obtained. Principal component analysis (PCA), soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA), and Fisher's linear discriminant analysis (FLD), with different data pretreatment methods, were used for the classification analysis. Data combination of the outer skin and inner capsule spectra was discussed for further improving the classification results. The results show that multiple sensors provide more useful and complementary information than a single sensor does for improving the prediction accuracy. With the help of data combination strategy, 100% prediction accuracy can be obtained with both second‐order derivative–FLD and continuous wavelet transform–multiplicative scatter correction–FLD methods.
Categorizing human vocal signals depends on an integrated auditory‐frontal cortical network
Authors: Roswandowitz Claudia , Swanborough Huw , Frühholz Sascha 
Published: December 2020

AbstractVoice signals are relevant for auditory communication and suggested to be processed in dedicated auditory cortex (AC) regions. While recent reports highlighted an additional role of the inferior frontal cortex (IFC), a detailed description of the integrated functioning of the AC–IFC network and its task relevance for voice processing is missing. Using neuroimaging, we tested sound categorization while human participants either focused on the higher‐order vocal‐sound dimension (voice task) or feature‐based intensity dimension (loudness task) while listening to the same sound material. We found differential involvements of the AC and IFC depending on the task performed and whether the voice dimension was of task relevance or not. First, when comparing neural vocal‐sound processing of our task‐based with previously reported passive listening designs we observed highly similar cortical activations in the AC and IFC. Second, during task‐based vocal‐sound processing we observed voice‐sensitive responses in the AC and IFC whereas intensity processing was restricted to distinct AC regions. Third, the IFC flexibly adapted to the vocal‐sounds' task relevance, being only active when the voice dimension was task relevant. Forth and finally, connectivity modeling revealed that vocal signals independent of their task relevance provided significant input to bilateral AC. However, only when attention was on the voice dimension, we found significant modulations of auditory‐frontal connections. Our findings suggest an integrated auditory‐frontal network to be essential for behaviorally relevant vocal‐sounds processing. The IFC seems to be an important hub of the extended voice network when representing higher‐order vocal objects and guiding goal‐directed behavior.
Are the top six cryptocurrencies efficient? Evidence from time‐varying long memory
Authors: Keshari Jena Sangram , Tiwari Aviral Kumar , Doğan Buhari , Hammoudeh Shawkat 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWhile gaining more popularity both as a financial asset and a commodity, a number of cryptocurrencies are emerging with a loosely regulated market microstructure which is a challenge to their efficiency. We have ranked 6 out of the top 10 cryptocurrencies based on their inefficiency ratios, using a novel time‐varying generalised Hurst exponent methodology. All the six crypto markets exhibit a time‐varying efficiency throughout the studied period, thus indicating a varying degree of exploitable profitable trading opportunities. The inefficiency ratio indicates that Bitcoin is the third most inefficient market, while the first and second most inefficient markets are DASH and NEM, respectively, thus they provide the most abnormal profit opportunities. However, the most efficient crypto markets are Ethereum and Ripple according to the order of their rankings. Further research could be performed on the factors affecting the inefficiency index to understand the efficiency determination of these cryptocurrency markets.
Multi‐scale inter‐temporal capital asset pricing model
Authors: Sakemoto Ryuta 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis study investigates the multi‐scale inter‐temporal capital asset pricing model (ICAPM). We focus upon differences across timescales since they represent heterogeneities of investors in markets. This study employs a wavelet approach to decompose return data into multiple timescales. Furthermore, we impose a same risk‐aversion parameter constraint into all portfolios, which is proposed by Engle and Bali who show that the constraint provides a reasonable equity risk premium at a daily frequency. We observe positive relations between the expected returns on portfolios and the covariance of the market at a daily frequency, while these relations change as timescales increase. We find that a negative risk–return relation, which might be related to a correction process of overreaction at an approximately weekly frequency (2–16 days). The strongest positive relation is observed at an approximately monthly frequency (16–32 days). Monthly portfolio re‐balances are widely used and might impact stock market return patterns. The equity risk premium in the longer frequency ranges from 8.64 to 11.10%. Our results are robust after controlling for macroeconomic variables, market implied volatility and test portfolios. Moreover, we investigate size and value factors and reveal that the risk premia disappear in the longer frequency, which suggests that ICAPM is satisfied.
Qualitative evaluation of organic envelopes on subsurface drainage performance*
Authors: Khorramian Navid , Naseri Abdali , Nasab Saeed Borumand , Khoramian Hamid 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate the efficiency of organic matter such as rice husk and palm‐leaf stalk as envelopes in drainage pipes. For this purpose, to simulate field conditions in vitro, we used a physical model consisting of a plexiglass cylinder with a height of 200 mm and diameter of 100 mm, with five holes attached to the manometers and an inlet at the bottommost part and an outlet at the topmost part with a water tank which provided a fixed head. Experiments were carried out with five types of organic matter (i.e. rice husk, three types of powder and palm‐leaf fibres) on Ramshir agricultural soil which required envelopes according to existing standards. The results showed that among the envelopes utilized, the highest outflow (discharge) rate was related to powder No. 3 (the most coarse‐grained powder) in a gradient of 0.5. By increasing the gradient to 2, envelope hydraulic fracturing was observed, which means that it was unable to retain soil particles with finally an inadequate filtering function for this organic material. In gradient 2, the highest output discharge was related to palm stalk and leaf fibres, which is reflected in the proper hydraulic performance of this envelope and its high filtering properties. Finally, comparing the value of the gradient ratio in the higher gradients confirmed the results.
Long non‐coding RNA HULC protects against atherosclerosis via inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Mu Dan , Li Danyan , Li Jianhui , Yu Hongming , Chen Wenping , Liang Jing , Wang Dongmei , Li Aimei , Qing Zhao , Zhang Bing 
Published: December 2020

AbstractStudies on the roles of long non‐coding RNA in atherosclerosis (AS) have been extensively explored. However, the action of lncRNA highly upregulated in liver cancer (HULC) in AS still needs in‐depth investigations. Hence, this study is launched towards the translation of HULC‐oriented mechanism in AS. Mouse AS models were established by high cholesterol and high fat feeding. AS mice were injected with restored HULC or phosphatidylinositide 3‐kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway inhibitor to explore their roles in AS. Blood lipid, inflammation and oxidative stress were detected as well as HULC, PI3K, phosphated‐PI3K (p‐PI3K), AKT, p‐AKT, and aortic vascular cell apoptosis were determined. HULC was poorly expressed, p‐PI3K and p‐AKT were highly expressed in AS. HULC inhibited the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In AS, by inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, restored HULC restrained atherosclerotic plaque formation, alleviated aortic intimal damage and reduced collagen fiber content in aorta, down‐regulated blood lipid levels, and inhibited inflammation, oxidative stress and aortic vascular cell apoptosis. Our study elucidates that HULC alleviates AS via inhibition of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which provides a potential biomarker for treatment of AS.
HBV S antigen evolution in the backdrop of HDV infection affects epitope processing and presentation
Authors: Sajjad Mehwish , Ali Syed , Baig Samina , Sharafat Shaheen , Khan Bilal Ahmed , Khan Saeed , Mughal Nouman , Abidi Syed Hani 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIntroductionHBV can evolve under selection pressure exerted by drugs and/or host immunity, resulting in accumulation of escape mutations that can affect the drug or the immune activity. Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) coinfection is also known to exert selection pressure on HBV, which leads to selective amplification of certain mutations, especially in genes that are required for HDV pathogenesis, such as HBsAg. However, little is known about the function of these mutations on HBV or HDV life cycle. The purpose of this study is to determine mutations selectively amplified in the backdrop of HDV, and how these mutations affect processing of CD4‐ and CD8‐T cell epitopes.MethodsHBsAg was successfully amplified from 49/50 HBV mono‐ and 36/50 coinfected samples. The sequences were used to identify mutations specific to each study group, followed by an in silico analysis to determine the effect of these mutations on (1) proteasomal degradation, (2) MHC‐I and MHC‐II biding, and (3) processing of T‐cell epitopes.ResultsHBV‐HDV coinfected sequences exhibited certain unique mutations in HBsAg genes. Some of these mutations affected the generation of proteasomal sites, binding of HBsAg epitopes to MHC‐I and ‐II ligands, and subsequent generation of T‐ cell epitopes.ConclusionThese observations suggest that HBV selectively amplifies certain mutations in the backdrop of HDV coinfection. Selective amplification of these mutations at certain strategic locations might not only enable HBV to counteract the inhibitory effects of HDV on HBV replication but also facilitate its survival by escaping the immune response.
Development and validation of a nomogram using on admission routine laboratory parameters to predict in‐hospital survival of patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Chen Hao , Chen Rudong , Yang Hongkuan , Wang Junhong , Hou Yuyang , Hu Wei , Yu Jiasheng , Li Hua 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTo develop and validate a nomogram using on admission data to predict in‐hospital survival probabilities of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) patients. We analyzed 855 COVID‐19 patients with 52 variables. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and multivariate Cox analyses were used to screen significant factors associated with in‐hospital mortality. A nomogram was established based on the variables identified by Cox regression. The performance of the model was evaluated by C‐index and calibration plots. Decision curve analysis was conducted to determine the clinical utility of the nomogram. Six variables, including neutrophil (hazard ratio [HR], 1.088; 95% confidence interval [CI], [1.0004–1.147]; p < .001), C‐reactive protein (HR, 1.007; 95% CI, [1.0026–1.011]; p = .002), IL‐6 (HR, 1.001; 95% CI, [1.0003–1.002]; p = .005), d‐dimer (HR, 1.034; 95% CI, [1.0111–1.057]; p = .003), prothrombin time (HR 1.086, 95% CI [1.0369–1.139], p < .001), and myoglobin (HR, 1.001; 95% CI, [1.0007–1.002]; p < .001), were identified and applied to develop a nomogram. The nomogram predicted 14‐day and 28‐day survival probabilities with reasonable accuracy, as assessed by the C‐index (0.912) and calibration plots. Decision curve analysis showed relatively wide ranges of threshold probability, suggesting a high clinical value of the nomogram. Neutrophil, C‐reactive protein, IL‐6, d‐dimer, prothrombin time, and myoglobin levels were significantly correlated with in‐hospital mortality of COVID‐19 patients. Demonstrating satisfactory discrimination and calibration, this model could predict patient outcomes as early as on admission and might serve as a useful triage tool for clinical decision making.
Divergent impacts of land use/cover change on summer precipitation in easternChinafrom 1980 to 2000
Authors: Zhang Xuezhen , Chen Jiazhe , Song Shuaifeng 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe conducted three pairs of 21‐year (1980–2000) experiments using the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model. The paired two experiment members were identical, except for the underlying land use/cover data, which were from the early 1980s and 2000 (hereafter, EXP1980 and EXP2000), respectivley. The differences in EXP1980 and EXP2000 were primarily induced by the land use/cover change (LUCC) from the early 1980s to 2000. To minimize the effects of WRF model uncertainties, the ensemble mean of three couples was applied. We found that the modifications of LUCC on summer precipitation over eastern China exhibited inter‐annual variability rather than kept fixed through 1980 to 2000. Due to the LUCC, the precipitation in eastern China may be decreased in 1981, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1989, and 1998 (hereafter, LR years) while increased in 1983, 1985, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1999 (hereafter, MR years). Due to large discrepancy of large‐scale circulation background between MR years and LR years, there are different modifications by the LUCC on surface energy budget and therefore also on temperature, air pressure, water vapour supply and, eventually, precipitation. In the MR years, the LUCC induced increased evapotranspiration (i.e., latent heat) and decreased sensible heat over the middle and north partitions of eastern China; hence, there was a cooling effect. This cooling effect led to a decline in surface air pressure, thereby intensifying the ocean‐land pressure gradient; as a result, ocean‐to‐land movement of water vapour increased. Eventually, this led to increased precipitation. In the LR years, the LUCC induced significantly more sensible heat and slightly more latent heat over the north partition of eastern China, resulting in a warming effect. Then, the modifications to the surface air pressure and ocean‐land pressure gradient, as well as the water vapour flux, were reversed to those of the MR years, eventually leading to decreased precipitation.
Multivariate functional principal component analysis identifies waveform features of gait biomechanics related to early‐to‐moderate hip osteoarthritis
Authors: Roach Koren E. , Pedoia Valentina , Lee Jinhee J. , Popovic Tijana , Link Thomas M. , Majumdar Sharmila , Souza Richard B. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractClinicians often examine movement patterns to design hip osteoarthritis (OA) interventions, yet traditional biomechanical analyses only report a single timepoint. Multivariate principal component analysis (MFPCA) analyzes the entire waveform (i.e., movement pattern), which clinicians observe to direct treatment. This study investigated hip OA indicators, by (1) employing MFPCA to characterize variance across the hip, knee, and ankle angles in healthy and early‐to‐moderate hip OA participants; and (2) investigating relationships between these waveform features and hip cartilage health. Bilateral hip magnetic resonance images from 72 participants with Kellgren–Lawrence grades ranging from 0 to 3 were used to calculate mean T
1ρ and T
2 relaxation times in the femoral and acetabular cartilage. MFPCA was performed on lower‐limb gait biomechanics and used to identify primary modes of variation, which were related to T
1ρ and T
2 relaxation times. Here, a MFPC = mode of variation = waveform feature. In the femoral cartilage, transverse plane MFPCs 3 and 5 and body mass index (BMI) was related to T
1ρ, while MFPC 2 and BMI were related to T
2 relaxation times. In the acetabular cartilage, sagittal plane MFPC 1 and BMI were related to T
1ρ, while BMI was related to T
2 relaxation times. Greater internal rotation was related to increased T
1ρ and T
2 relaxation times in the femoral cartilage, while the greater extension was related to increased T
1ρ relaxation times in the acetabular cartilage. This study established a data‐driven framework to assess relationships between multi‐joint biomechanics and quantitative assessments of cartilage health and identified waveform features that could be evaluated in future hip OA intervention studies.
Minimal clinically important differences in SF‐36 global score: Current value in orthopedic oncology
Authors: Ogura Koichi , Bartelstein Meredith K. , Yakoub Mohamed A. , Nikolic Zarko , Boland Patrick J. , Healey John H. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe SF‐36 is widely used to evaluate the health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with musculoskeletal tumors. Instead of typical methods, calculating the SF‐36 Global Score has recently become an increasingly common reporting approach. However, numerical changes lack clear clinical relevance. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) is useful for interpreting changes in functional scores by defining the smallest change patients may perceive as clinically meaningful. The aim of this study is to determine the MCID of the SF‐36 Global Score in orthopedic oncology patients, which has not been reported to date. Three‐hundred ten patients who underwent surgery and completed two surveys during postoperative follow‐up were reviewed. The two most common methods for calculating the SF‐36 Global Score were used: (1) anchor‐based methods and receiver operating characteristic analysis based on one‐half of the SD of change score and standard error of measurement at baseline and; (2) distribution‐based methods. Using anchor‐based methods, the MCIDs of SF‐36 Global Scores #1 and #2 were 2.7 (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.85) and 2.5 (AUC = 0.79) for improvement, and −1.5 (AUC = 0.81) and −0.6 (AUC = 0.83) for deterioration, respectively. Using distribution‐based methods, the MCIDs of SF‐36 Global Scores #1 and #2 were 4.1 and 4.4 by half SD, and 4.1 and 4.5 by standard error of measurement, respectively. Our findings provide benchmark values, which can serve as a reference for future studies in musculoskeletal tumor patients using the SF‐36 Global Score as a single measure for HRQoL.
Stability and micro‐topographic effects of Sophora moorcroftiana population on a restored alluvial fan, Southern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Liao Chengrui , Li Haidong , Lv Guoping , Tian Meirong , Tian Jiarong , Shi Huihui , Xu Yannan 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe Tibetan Plateau, a vulnerable eco‐region undergoing global change, is hard to revegetate where land has become desertified due to the harsh habitat conditions. Sophora moorcroftiana shrubs, which are widely distributed in the middle reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River basin of Tibet, China, have been naturally restored on desertified land during the last few decades. However, the influences of micro‐topography on the distribution and structure of the S. moorcroftiana population have been rarely reported. Here, we first describe the spatial variation of S. moorcroftiana population on a restored alluvial fan, and then explore the effects of micro‐topography on the restored S. moorcroftiana population, through a series of field surveys combined with the data collected by terrestrial laser scanning. The results indicate that the dominant age structure was adult shrubs (30–60 cm). Although the topographic effect had no significant impacts on soil organic matter and some other structural traits, which remained stable on the restored alluvial fan, it changed population density, plant growth, and distribution. The habitat conditions on the southwest aspect wapproximately 20°–25° slope with altitudes ranging between 3,593–3,643 m, conditions that mostly favouring the distribution of the shrub population. The micro‐topography played an important role in species distribution and growth of the S. moorcroftiana population. Our findings could help to understand the effect of micro‐topography on plant population structure and distribution for ecological restoration of desertified land in the Southern Tibetan Plateau.
Introduction of woody and herbaceous legumes influences productivity, diversity and soil properties in a degraded grassland
Authors: Hu An , Millner James , Hou Fujiang 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMedicago sativa (herbaceous plant) and Caragana korshinskii (woody plant) are the most important legume species planted in semiarid grassland on the Loess Plateau, China. However, the effects of introducing these legumes on the productivity, diversity and soil fertility of native grassland are not well understood. The effects of planting M. sativa and C. korshinskii on the productivity, diversity and soil properties of native grassland on the Loess Plateau were assessed over a 10‐year period. A 20‐ha area of grassland was selected for planting in 2009 and subdivided into 18 1‐ha plots with three treatments: 1) a non‐planted control (GN); 2) M. sativa (GM) and 3)C. korshinskii (GC) both planted individually, with six replicates. Ten subplots were established in each plot from which plant and soil samples were collected in August 2019. Compared with GN, GM and GC increased vegetative cover by 12.1 and 9.0%, respectively. Soil organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), ammonium nitrogen (NH4+‐N), nitrate‐nitrogen (NO3−‐N) and total phosphorus (TP) were also higher (p <.05) in the GM and GC treatments. Compared with GN, GM had no effect on native grassland productivity but did reduce species richness and evenness. In contrast, GC increased grassland productivity and maintained species richness and evenness. This suggests that C. korshinskii is the preferred legume species for grassland restoration on the Loess Plateau.
Effect of second‐phase particle on localized corrosion in Al–Zn–Mg–Cu–Mn alloy friction stir welded joint
Authors: Dai Haitao , Wei Lili , Huang Hongfeng , Liu Chongyu , Jia Zixing , Xu Xuda 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe microstructure and corrosion behavior of a high‐strength Al–Zn–Mg–Cu–Mn alloy friction stir welded (FSWed) joint were investigated using scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, open‐circuit potential test, and potentiodynamic polarization. The weld nugget zone and heat‐affected zone (HAZ) of the FSWed joint showed diverse microstructural characteristics including micron‐scale intermetallic particles and nanoscale precipitates, leading to different localized corrosion sensitivities. The results of electrochemical tests confirmed the regional difference of corrosion in FSWed joints. Detailed research on the corrosion process revealed that micron‐scale Al(Fe,Mn,Si) particles promoted the dissolution of the vicinal matrix to induce pitting corrosion. The directionally distributed intermetallic particles and grain boundary precipitates in HAZ conduced to the development of intergranular microcracks into exfoliation. The matrix precipitates affected the localized corrosion tendency due to regional variation of the redissolution degree.