bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phylogenetic analysis of marginal Asiatic black bears reveals a recent Iranian–Himalayan divergence and has implications for taxonomy and conservation
Authors: Yusefi Gholam Hosein , Khalatbari Leili , Jowers Michael J. , Fahimi Hadi , Costa Vânia , Björklund Mats , Beja-Pereira Albano 
Published: June 2020

AbstractA small population of Asiatic black bear—known as the Baluchistan black bear—survives in the western limit of the species’ range in Iran, where the species is rare, difficult to monitor and occupy an atypical habitat with extreme environmental conditions. Through the use of noninvasively collected samples, we analyzed mitochondrial DNA control region sequences to evaluate the phylogenetic relationships and divergence time between the Baluchistan Iranian black bear population and other Asian populations. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that Baluchistan and Nepalese (Himalayan) populations are monophyletic, with their divergence time estimated at circa 120 thousand years ago. The results reveal the low level of mitochondrial DNA variability in this small and marginal population, as is the case for many bear populations living in areas with similar conditions. The divergence time between the populations from Iran and Nepal dates to the Late Pleistocene, pointing to a transitional period between colder (glacial) and warmer (interglacial) conditions that allowed forests to expand and opened new habitats to population expansions. Pending further genetic and morphological corroboration, these preliminary results suggest that all Baluchistan and Himalayan (Nepalese) black bears might be considered as synonymous under the priorU. t. thibetanustrinomial (withgedrosianusjust as junior synonym). Conservation efforts on this small and endangered population remain poor, and further measures are required to guarantee its long-term survival in Iran.
Reflections on the entrepreneurial state, innovation and social justice
Authors: Papaioannou Theo 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe state and its role in technological innovation and social justice have become, once again, fashionable topics of political and economic debate. A number of innovation theorists argue that never more than today, it is necessary to rethink the state’s entrepreneurial role in society and welfare. Their argument provides justification for the existence of the state, going beyond classical political theory and especially contractarian accounts of legitimacy and obligation. It emphasises the ability and willingness of the state to take risks and reduce uncertainty of economic agents for the sake of innovation that can make everyone better off. This paper insists that although the risk-taking argument of innovation theorists deserves further attention and analysis, it should not be abstracted from a holistic politico-theoretical approach to the state. Such an approach is necessary for a critical understanding of the complex set of predominantly political institutions which compose the state and which have been historically developed to guarantee social evolution. Any risk-taking for innovative enterprise and mission-oriented investment ought to be justified and legitimised on the grounds of principled democratic procedures. This implies that innovation itself is a value-laden political process, requiring participation in the decision-making and standards of fairness.
RISK-BASED CAPITAL FOR VARIABLE ANNUITY UNDER STOCHASTIC INTEREST RATE
Authors: Wang JinDong , Xu Wei 
Published: June 2020

AbstractInterest rate is one of the main risks for the liability of the variable annuity (VA) due to its long maturity. However, most existing studies on the risk measures of the VA assume a constant interest rate. In this paper, we propose an efficient two-dimensional willow tree method to compute the liability distribution of the VA with the joint dynamics of the mutual fund and interest rate. The risk measures can then be computed by the backward induction on the tree structure. We also analyze the sensitivity and impact on the risk measures with regard to the market model parameters, contract attributes, and monetary policy changes. It illustrates that the liability of the VA is determined by the long-term interest rate whose increment leads to a decrease in the liability. The positive correlation between the interest rate and mutual fund generates a fat-tailed liability distribution. Moreover, the monetary policy change has a bigger impact on the long-term VAs than the short-term contracts.
Contested Meanings: Timbuktu and the prosecution of destruction of cultural heritage as war crimes
Authors: Ba Oumar 
Published: June 2020

AbstractFollowing the attacks in Timbuktu in 2012, the ICC’s Al Mahdi case became the first instance where one perpetrator was solely charged with the war crime of destruction of cultural heritage. The ICC prioritized the crimes against cultural heritage at the expense of other types of atrocities in Northern Mali for two reasons: expediency, and the convergence of interests between the Court, the Malian state, and the international community. This study finds that the international community, the state, and the local community do not have the same conceptions and approaches regarding cultural heritage, its protection, or its value.
Factors Associated With the Work Intention of Hospital Workers’ in South Korea During the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Outbreak
Authors: Jang Yeonhoon , You Myoungsoon , Lee Suyoung , Lee Wangjun 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTObjective:This study aims to explore factors associated with the work intention of hospital workers in the early stages of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in South Korea.Methods:An online self-reported survey was conducted in a tertiary hospital. Respondents were asked to report their perceived threat and perceived risk of infection, evaluation of hospital response, demographics, and job-related factors. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analyses were performed.Results:A total of 441 employees participated in this study. Of respondents, 60% were willing to accept their work during an infectious disease outbreak and 12.5% were unwilling to accept the work. In addition, 8% of respondents reported that they had considered quitting their job, 54.4% reported that their job was dangerous, and 50.1% of respondents perceived the severity of COVID-19 as high. Perceived threat and effectiveness of hospital response were associated with hospital employees’ intention to work.Conclusions:Hospital workers are at the front line of the COVID-19 outbreak. This study highlighted hospital workers’ perceived effectiveness of organizational response to the outbreak, and perceived threats were found to be important factors for whether they continued to work or not in the fight against the outbreak.
Does choice of health care facility matter? Assessing out-of-pocket expenditure and catastrophic spending on emergency obstetric care in India
Authors: Pradhan Jalandhar , Behera Sasmita 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe key recommendation of the Child Survival and Safe Motherhood programme was the provision of Emergency Obstetric Care (EmOC) for the prevention of maternal mortality, especially in developing countries like India. The objectives of this paper were three-fold: to examine the socioeconomic differentials in mean out-of-pocket expenditure on EmOC in public and private health care facilities in India; to evaluate the catastrophic health expenditure of households at the threshold levels of 5% and 10%; and finally, to assess the effects of various socioeconomic and demographic covariates on the levels of catastrophic health expenditure on EmOC. Data were extracted from the 71stround of the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) survey conducted in India between January and June 2014. A stratified multi-stage sampling design was followed to conduct the survey. The information was collected from 65,932 households (rural: 36,480; urban: 29,452) and 33,104 individuals across various states and union territories in India. However, the present study had taken only 1653 sample women who availed EmOC care during the last one year preceding the survey date. Binary logistic regression was applied. Large differences in out-of-pocket expenditure on EmOC were found between private and public health care facilities. Mean annual out-of-pocket expenditure by women in private hospitals was INR 23,309 (US$367), which was about 6 times higher than in public hospitals, where mean spending was INR 3651 (US$58). Furthermore, logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between household socioeconomic status and level of catastrophic health expenditure on EmOC. The odds of catastrophic health expenditure in public health facilities among women from the North region were higher than among those from the Central, South and West regions. Age and level of education significantly influenced the mean level of catastrophic health expenditure. Access to good-quality obstetric care is key to reducing the maternal mortality rate and child deaths, and thus achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3. There is an urgent need for policy interventions to reduce the financial burden of households in accessing obstetric care in India.
Analysis of factors affecting the prognosis of COVID-19 patients and viral shedding duration
Authors: Han Jing , Shi Li-xia , Xie Yi , Zhang Yong-jin , Huang Shu-ping , Li Jian-guo , Wang He-rong , Shao Shi-feng 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
The clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19 were analysed to determine the factors influencing the prognosis and virus shedding time to facilitate early detection of disease progression. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationships among prognosis, clinical characteristics and laboratory indexes. The predictive value of this model was assessed with receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, calibration and internal validation. The viral shedding duration was calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and the prognostic factors were analysed by univariate log-rank analysis and the Cox proportional hazards model. A retrospective study was carried out with patients with COVID-19 in Tianjin, China. A total of 185 patients were included, 27 (14.59%) of whom were severely ill at the time of discharge and three (1.6%) of whom died. Our findings demonstrate that patients with an advanced age, diabetes, a low PaO2/FiO2 value and delayed treatment should be carefully monitored for disease progression to reduce the incidence of severe disease. Hypoproteinaemia and the fever duration warrant special attention. Timely interventions in symptomatic patients and a time from symptom onset to treatment <4 days can shorten the duration of viral shedding.
Substance-related exogenous psychosis: a postmodern syndrome
Authors: Martinotti Giovanni , De Risio Luisa , Vannini Chiara , Schifano Fabrizio , Pettorruso Mauro , Di Giannantonio Massimo 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThere is growing recognition that substance use is associated with the emergence of psychosis.Elements of post-modernity dominate contemporary social contexts and operate as existential background factors that contribute to the emergence of substance-related psychotic phenomena, particularly use of potent and highly rewarding novel psychoactive substances (NPS). About 25% of first-episode psychoses are substance-induced (SIP). DSM-5 SIP diagnosis is based on the assumption that symptoms are transient and disappear after sustained abstinence. This narrowed definition does not consider the issue of persistent SIP. There is a clear need for a new diagnostic framework that provides reliable, unambiguous clinical criteria to differentiate between comorbid conditions (i.e., schizophrenia patients with a substance use disorder) and substance-related psychoses. In the present contribution, we aim to outline a novel and separate clinical entity: substancerelated exogenous psychosis (SREP). Within this diagnostic category, we refer to both transientand persistent psychoses associated with substance use. SREP is conceived as a distinct psychoticdisorder with psychopathological specificities that clearly differentiate it from schizophrenia. We address differences in terms of clinical presentation, epidemiology, etiological models and treatment response. SREP is characterized by altered states of consciousness, persecutory delusions, visual and cenesthetic hallucinations, impulsivity and psychomotor agitation, affectiveand negative symptoms, a pervasive feeling of unreality and intact insight. Delusions are typically secondary to abnormal perception resulting from a characteristic “sensorialization” of the world. Longitudinal studies are warranted to substantiate our hypothesis of a novel diagnostic categoryand support the clinical validity of SREP. This may have important implications in terms of early differential diagnosis and staging (i.e., between comorbid conditions, persistent and transientsubstance-related psychotic states) as well as choice of treatment interventions.
Extreme Runoff Generation From Atmospheric River Driven Snowmelt During the 2017 Oroville Dam Spillways Incident
Authors: Henn Brian , Musselman Keith N. , Lestak Leanne , Ralph F. Martin , Molotch Noah P. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn February 2017, a 5‐day sequence of atmospheric river storms in California, USA, resulted in extreme inflows to Lake Oroville, the state's second‐largest reservoir. Damage to the reservoir's spillway infrastructure necessitated evacuation of 188,000 people; subsequent infrastructure repairs cost $1 billion. We assess the atmospheric conditions, snowmelt, and runoff against major historical events. The event generated exceptional runoff volumes (second largest in a 30‐yr record) partially at odds with the event precipitation totals (ninth largest). We explain the discrepancy with observed record melt of deep antecedent snowpack, heavy rainfall extending to unusually high elevations, and high water vapor transport during the atmospheric river storms. An analysis of distributed snow water equivalent indicates that snowmelt increased water available for runoff watershed‐wide by 37% (25–52% at 90% confidence). The results highlight potential threats to public safety and infrastructure associated with a warmer and more variable climate.
A 25‐Year History of Volcano Magma Supply in the East Central Aleutian Arc, Alaska
Authors: Xue Xueming , Freymueller Jeffrey T. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractUsing ~25 years of GPS and InSAR observations and the time‐dependent inversion filter, we invert for the volume change history of three active volcanoes in the east central Alaska Aleutian arc and the secular velocity of the region. The inferred time‐dependent volume change shows (1) two exponentially decaying pulses followed by a nearly linear inflation period at Westdahl volcano, (2) multiple episodic inflation events at Akutan volcano, and (3) transient volcanic inflation and long‐term deflation signals at Makushin volcano. Comparing our regional velocity estimates with recently published block models, we find a small signal that can be explained by slip deficit on the megathrust, either from a shallow (<20 km depth) almost fully locked zone or a weakly locked zone confined to 25–50 km depth.
How Do Braided Rivers Grow Channel Belts?
Authors: Limaye Ajay B. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractRiver channels often develop channel belts—wider corridors imprinted by past channel occupation—that record past landscape dynamics and form widespread aquifers. Controls on channel belt width for braided rivers have been inferred through physical experiments that evolve an initially straight channel and yield an interpreted, quasi‐equilibrium form. Yet uncertainties remain regarding the independent effects of discharge, slope, and time on channel belt dimensions and the morphodynamic phenomena that coincide with channel belt development. To address these uncertainties, I conducted four experiments that independently varied discharge and bed slope for flow over a bed of medium sand (D50 = 0.42 mm). The laboratory basin (37 m long, 2.7 m wide) was 200 times longer and nine times wider than the width of the largest initial channel, which reduced boundary effects and provided a baseline to measure downstream variability in channel belt width. Transitions in channel belt growth rate occurred in concert with three phases captured by time‐resolved topography data: (1) meandering; (2) braiding, with logarithmic growth of the channel belt; and (3) maturity, with slowing, localized growth due to decreasing flow depth. A dimensionless framework involving discharge, slope, and sediment grain size collapses the growth trajectories of the channel belts to a common trend. In comparison, for natural cases, discharge is the dominant predictor of channel belt width (wcb ~ Q0.55). The time dependence of channel belt width in the experiments suggests that the widths of isolated, ancient channel sand bodies are wider than their formative channels.
The GATA3 X308_Splice breast cancer mutation is a hormone context-dependent oncogenic driver
Authors: Hruschka Natascha , Kalisz Mark , Subijana Maria , Graña-Castro Osvaldo , Del Cano-Ochoa Francisco , Brunet Laia Paré , Chernukhin Igor , Sagrera Ana , De Reynies Aurelien , Kloesch Bernhard , Chin Suet-Feung , Burgués Octavio , Andreu David , Bermejo Begoña , Cejalvo Juan Miguel , Sutton Joe , Caldas Carlos , Ramón-Maiques Santiago , Carroll Jason S. , Prat Aleix , Real Francisco X. , Martinelli Paola 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAs the catalog of oncogenic driver mutations is expanding, it becomes clear that alterations in a given gene might have different functions and should not be lumped into one class. The transcription factor GATA3 is a paradigm of this. We investigated the functions of the most common GATA3 mutation (X308_Splice) and five additional mutations, which converge into a neoprotein that we called “neoGATA3,” associated with excellent prognosis in patients. Analysis of available molecular data from >3000 breast cancer patients revealed a dysregulation of the ER-dependent transcriptional response in tumors carrying neoGATA3-generating mutations. Mechanistic studies in vitro showed that neoGATA3 interferes with the transcriptional programs controlled by estrogen and progesterone receptors, without fully abrogating them. ChIP-Seq analysis indicated that ER binding is reduced in neoGATA3-expressing cells, especially at distal regions, suggesting that neoGATA3 interferes with the fine tuning of ER-dependent gene expression. This has opposite outputs in distinct hormonal context, having pro- or anti-proliferative effects, depending on the estrogen/progesterone ratio. Our data call for functional analyses of putative cancer drivers to guide clinical application.
Circular RNA circ_0111277 attenuates human trophoblast cell invasion and migration by regulating miR-494/HTRA1/Notch-1 signal pathway in pre-eclampsia
Authors: Ou Yuhua , Zhu Liqiong , Wei Xiangcai , Bai Shiyu , Chen Manqi , Chen Hui , Zhang Jianping 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMounting evidence has revealed that impaired spiral artery remodeling, placental dysfunction, and inadequate trophoblast invasion are closely correlated with the etiology and pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia (PE). Moreover, defective trophoblast invasion may trigger poor maternal–fetal circulation and placental hypoxia, leading to PE. However, the detailed molecular pathology of PE remains unclear. Although circRNAs, as a new type of stable and abundant endogenous noncoding RNA, have been proven to be essential to the pathogenesis of various diseases, their role in PE requires further verification. In this context, it is necessary to unveil the roles of circRNAs in regulating the migration and invasion of extravillous trophoblasts. In this study, using quantitative real-time PCR, we confirmed that hsa_circ_0111277 was upregulated in PE placentas relative to the level in normal pregnancy placentas. In addition, positive correlations between hsa_circ_0111277 expression and PE-related factors (proteinuria level at 24 h and placental weight) were identified by Pearson’s analysis based on the clinical data of 25 PE patients. Moreover, fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis illustrated that circ_0111277 was preferentially localized within the cytoplasm. Mechanistically, circ_0111277 sponged hsa-miR-494-3p in trophoblast cells to attenuate the latter’s repression by regulating HTRA1/Notch-1 expression. In conclusion, trophoblast cell migration and invasion were shown to be promoted and modulated by the hsa_circ_0111277/miR-494-3p/HTRA1/Notch-1 axis, which provides useful insight for exploring a new therapeutic approach for PE.
Calpain system is altered in survival motor neuron-reduced cells from in vitro and in vivo spinal muscular atrophy models
Authors: de la Fuente Sandra , Sansa Alba , Hidalgo Iván , Vivancos Nuria , Romero-Guevara Ricardo , Garcera Ana , Soler Rosa M. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSpinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe neuromuscular disorder caused by loss of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. SMA is characterized by the degeneration of spinal cord motoneurons (MNs), progressive skeletal muscle atrophy, and weakness. The cellular and molecular mechanisms causing MN loss of function are only partially known. Recent advances in SMA research postulate the role of calpain protease regulating survival motor neuron (SMN) protein and the positive effect on SMA phenotype of treatment with calpain inhibitors. We analyzed the level of calpain pathway members in mice and human cellular SMA models. Results indicate an increase of calpain activity in SMN-reduced MNs. Spinal cord analysis of SMA mice treated with calpeptin, a calpain inhibitor, showed an increase of SMN, calpain, and its endogenous inhibitor calpastatin in MNs. Finally, in vitro calpeptin treatment prevented microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3) increase in MNs neurites, indicating that calpain inhibition may reduce autophagosome accumulation in neuron prolongations, but not in soma. Thus, our results show that calpain activity is increased in SMA MNs and its inhibition may have a beneficial effect on SMA phenotype through the increase of SMN in spinal cord MNs.
Advances and potential pitfalls of oncolytic viruses expressing immunomodulatory transgene therapy for malignant gliomas
Authors: Zhang Qing , Liu Fusheng 
Published: June 2020

AbstractGlioblastoma (GBM) is an immunosuppressive, lethal brain tumor. Despite advances in molecular understanding and therapies, the clinical benefits have remained limited, and the life expectancy of patients with GBM has only been extended to ~15 months. Currently, genetically modified oncolytic viruses (OV) that express immunomodulatory transgenes constitute a research hot spot in the field of glioma treatment. An oncolytic virus is designed to selectively target, infect, and replicate in tumor cells while sparing normal tissues. Moreover, many studies have shown therapeutic advantages, and recent clinical trials have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of their usage. However, the therapeutic efficacy of oncolytic viruses alone is limited, while oncolytic viruses expressing immunomodulatory transgenes are more potent inducers of immunity and enhance immune cell-mediated antitumor immune responses in GBM. An increasing number of basic studies on oncolytic viruses encoding immunomodulatory transgene therapy for malignant gliomas have yielded beneficial outcomes. Oncolytic viruses that are armed with immunomodulatory transgenes remain promising as a therapy against malignant gliomas and will undoubtedly provide new insights into possible clinical uses or strategies. In this review, we summarize the research advances related to oncolytic viruses that express immunomodulatory transgenes, as well as potential treatment pitfalls in patients with malignant gliomas.