bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Low Fertility in East Asia: A Case Study of Low Fertility Crisis Management in Japan
Authors: Lin Chi-Jen, , Chang Hsiao-Ming, , Hung Chien-Jen, 
Published: January 2020

Low fertility has become a common problem all over the world. It is the same in East Asia. Japan is the first developed country in East Asia and the first country in East Asia to face the problem of low fertility. The purpose of this paper is to explore how to solve the problem of low fertility in East Asian countries. The solution may be in the case of Japan. In terms of research methods, this paper adopts case analysis and literature analysis.
The case analysis of Japan aims to explore the management plans and proposed strategies in the aspects of education faced with declining birth rate and aging industries from the perspective of sustainable development. Population issues are often the root of problems in a country, and any problems related to population will result in a crisis of social stability. Therefore, both China’s One-child policy (population control) and Japan’s declining birth rate and aging response strategies (labor shortage) can be considered cases of crisis management.
In conclusion, although low fertility is inevitable, if Japan faces and deals with it step by step, it can reduce the impact of low fertility. The premise is to plan ahead and go through a period of time. In the case of Japan, it took at least 20 years to deal with the problem. And now it is still going on.
The Italian version of the Thinking About Life Experiences Questionnaire and its relationship with gender, age, and life events on Facebook
Authors: Caci Barbara , Scrima Fabrizio , Cardaci Maurizio , Miceli Silvana 
Published: January 2020

SummaryThe present study provided a cross‐cultural validation of the Thinking About Life Experiences Scale‐revised (TALE‐R) in an Italian sample of Facebook users (n = 492; female = 378; male = 114; mean age 26.1) to test for replication and universality of the TALE‐R three‐factor model. Furthermore, it explored the interrelations among gender, age, the scores at the TALE‐R and the frequency of posting textual/visual information about individuals' life events on Facebook. Results at exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis gave empirical support to both of a tripartite model for the functions of autobiographical memory (i.e., directive‐behavior, social‐bonding, and self‐continuity) and measurement invariance of this three‐factor model across gender and age. Further results at linear correlation and regression analyses showed that directive‐behavior and self‐continuity functions of autobiographical memory are significantly related to the ways people use Facebook for personal documentation. Age differences more than gender influence this association. Discussion and conclusion reported both theoretical and empirical implications of the findings of the study.
How Scary Are Food Scares? Evidence from Animal Disease Outbreaks
Authors: Houser Matthew , Karali Berna 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe economic impacts of food safety events are an ongoing concern for the food industry and policymakers. Animal disease outbreaks can be characterized by prolonged abnormal returns and greater price variability in livestock markets. We investigate the return and volatility patterns in live cattle and lean hog futures following BSE and H1N1 outbreaks by modeling time‐varying volatility and spillover effects between these substitutes. We find that cattle and hog futures markets were affected during these outbreaks with decreasing returns and increasing volatility. Volatility of hogs is found to reduce cattle volatility, providing evidence for price stabilization across linked markets.
The dental microwear of hard‐object feeding in laboratory Sapajus apella and its implications for dental microwear formation
Authors: Teaford Mark F. , Ungar Peter S. , Taylor Andrea B. , Ross Callum F. , Vinyard Christopher J. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectivesThis study seeks to determine if (a) consumption of hard food items or a mixture of food items leads to the formation of premolar or molar microwear in laboratory capuchin monkeys (Sapajus apella) in one feeding session and (b) rates of microwear formation are associated with the number of food items consumed.Materials and methodsFive adult male capuchins were used in two experiments, one where they were fed unshelled Brazil nuts, and the other where they were fed a mixture of food items. Dental impressions were taken before and after each feeding session. Epoxy casts made from those impressions then were used in SEM analyses of rates of microwear formation. Upper and lower premolars and molars were analyzed. Qualitative comparisons were made and Spearman's rank‐order correlations used to examine the relationship between rates of microwear formation and number of Brazil nuts consumed.ResultsPremolars and molars generally showed new microwear in the form of pits and scratches. However, the incidence of those features was low (0–6%). Rates of microwear formation were highest during the consumption of Brazil nuts.DiscussionVariations in the rate of microwear formation on the premolars likely reflected patterns of ingestion whereas consistency in the rate of microwear on the molars likely reflected patterns of chewing. While dental microwear formation seemed to be correlated with the number of hard objects consumed, rates did differ between individuals. Differences in results between the two experiments demonstrate some of the limitations in our knowledge of dental microwear formation.
Study on properties and stress relaxation behavior of oil‐extended SBS/LLDPE/EVA blends
Authors: Guan Mingxin , Hang Yiping 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACTIn order to explore and develop a new sealing material, the oil‐extended styrene‐butadiene‐styrene (SBS)/Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE)/ethylene‐vinyl acetate (EVA) blends were prepared by melt mixing method and the effects of components on mechanical, rheological properties, and microstructure of the blends were investigated. The results showed that the resilience of the blends was barely changed during three‐time cyclic compression. The increase of oil‐extended SBS content would reduce the hardness of the blends as well as its compatibility and increase the melt flow rate. An increase in the LLDPE content, however, has the opposite effect on the blends. In contrast, EVA has little effect on the mechanical and rheological properties of the blends, but its addition could improve the transparency of samples effectively while promote the phase separation of the sample and complicate its microstructure. The master curve of stress relaxation modulus obtained by time–temperature superposition principle could be used to predict the long‐term (1.5 × 108 s, about 4.7 years) stress relaxation behavior of the blends at room temperature while the correlation coefficient of the shift factor fitting is 0.987. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2020,137, 48930.
SnO2–polyaniline composites for the desensitization of Al/SnO2 thermite composites
Authors: Gibot Pierre , Goetz Virginie 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACTNanothermites consisting of a reducing metal and a metal oxide nanopowder represent a new generation of energetic materials in pyrotechnics due to their impressive reactive properties. However, their extreme sensitivity regarding electrostatic discharge appears to be detrimental to their future practical applications. Herein, the mitigation of the sensitivity thresholds of the aluminium/tin (IV) oxide energetic nanocomposite is successfully achieved by using a conducting polymer, polyaniline (PAni). PAni was introduced within the thermite by the chemical polymerization of an oxidizer/PAni hybrid matrix. The SnO2–PAni composites were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, electrical conductivity measurements, and transmission electron microscopy. The derived Al/SnO2–PAni thermites were investigated in terms of sensitivities and reactivity. Results revealed gradual desensitization of the Al/SnO2 thermite as a function of the concentration of PAni for both the electrostatic discharge (0.14–1212 mJ) and friction (216–360 N) tests while maintaining reactive energetic composites. This work presents a way for the preparation of insensitive and reactive energetic formulations. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48947.
A group of serum proteins as potential diagnostic biomarkers for Yin‐deficiency‐heat syndrome
Authors: Chen Jing , Jiang Ting‐Ting , Yi Wen‐Jing , Jiao Jin‐Ling , Liu Chang‐Ming , Tu Hui‐Hui , Hu Yu‐Ting , Shi Li‐Ying , Huang Huai , Li Zhi‐Bin , Gan Lin , Li Zhong‐Jie , Li Ji‐Cheng 
Published: January 2020

AbstractYin‐deficiency‐heat (YDH) syndrome is a very common subhealth status in Traditional Chinese Medicine. However, currently, there is no unified standard for diagnosing YDH syndrome. We applied the iTRAQ‐2D LC–MS/MS method to explore the potential of serum protein profiles as biomarker for YDH syndrome. A total of 120 differentially expressed proteins (79 downregulated and 41 upregulated) were identified by the proteomic profiling. The results of KEGG pathway analysis showed that the functions of the differentially expressed proteins were mainly involved in complement and coagulation cascades. The clinical data showed that YDH syndrome was closely related to inflammation and coagulation, compared with the healthy controls. The ELISA validation results indicated that the expression levels of ALB, CFI, and KLKB1 were downregulated in the YDH syndrome group (p < .05). Moreover, we established a decision tree model based on the combination of these three proteins and achieved a sensitivity of 87.5%, a specificity of 84.4%, and AUC of 0.891. The results indicated that the combination of ALB, CFI, and KLKB1 may serve as potential biomarkers for diagnosing YDH syndrome. Our study can provide a new method for YDH syndrome diagnosis, and may also provide an experimental basis to understand the molecular mechanism of YDH syndrome.
Resolving stellar populations with integral field spectroscopy
Authors: Roth Martin M. , Weilbacher Peter M. , Castro Norberto 
Published: January 2020

AbstractHigh‐performance instruments at large ground‐based telescopes have made integral field spectroscopy (IFS) a powerful tool for the study of extended objects such as galaxies, nebulae, or even larger survey fields on the sky. Here, we discuss the capabilities of IFS for the study of resolved stellar populations, using the new method of point‐spread‐function‐fitting crowded field IFS, analogous to the well‐established technique of crowded field photometry with image sensors. We review early pioneering work with first‐generation integral field spectrographs, the breakthrough achieved with the multiunit spectral explorer (MUSE) instrument at the European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) Very Large Telescope, the remarkable progress accomplished with MUSE in the study of globular clusters, and first results on nearby galaxies. We discuss the synergy of integral field spectrographs at 8–10 m class telescopes with future facilities such as the extremely large telescope (ELT).
Statistical estimates of water savings from landscape transformation programs
Authors: Chesnutt Thomas W. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractA statistical impact evaluation was conducted on nine retail landscape transformation (LT) programs across North America that include turf removal and replacement, “cash for grass,” xeriscape and water‐wise relandscaping, and utility‐sponsored efforts to promote and incentivize reductions in the landscape water requirement. This empirical evaluation focused on the observable changes in customer water consumption. Methodological challenges include unavoidable self‐selection in voluntary conservation programs, programmatic differences, weather variation, and customer heterogeneity. Alternative methodological approaches are discussed, and a continuous time statistical intervention model is set forth. This was implemented using high‐resolution individual customer panel data methods to arrive at an expected annual change, changes to the shape of water demand within the year (demand shaping), and—for one LT program—the long‐term persistence of water savings. Detectable water savings were observed for all examined programs.
Changes in resting‐state functional connectivity in nonacute sciatica with acupuncture modulation: A preliminary study
Authors: Liu Ching‐Hsiung , Yeh Tzu‐Chen , Kung Yen‐Ying , Tseng Hung‐Pin , Yang Ching‐Ju , Hong Tzu‐Yi , Cheng Chou‐Ming , Yang Jen‐Lin , Wu Ta‐Peng , Hsieh Jen‐Chuen , Chen Fang‐Pey 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAimsTo investigate the functional connectivity (FC) in nonacute sciatica and the neuronal correlation of acupuncture analgesia.MethodsA prospective study employing resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging was conducted. Twelve sciatica patients were enrolled to receive six or 18 acupoints of acupuncture treatment twice a week for 4 weeks. Regional homogeneity (ReHo) and seed‐based FC were performed.ResultsRegional homogeneity analysis demonstrated a greater alteration in the right posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) during the pre‐acupuncture phase than during the postacupuncture phase. Compared to that of healthy controls, the PCC‐seeded FC (default mode network, DMN) of sciatica patients exhibited hyperconnectivity of PCC‐FC with the PCC‐bilateral insula, cerebellum, inferior parietal lobule, right medial prefrontal cortex, and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex during the pre‐acupuncture phase as well as hypoconnectivity of PCC‐FC with the right cerebellum, left precuneus, and left dorsal medial prefrontal cortex during the postacupuncture phase. Correlation analysis between PCC‐seeded FC and behavior measurements revealed a positive association with the duration of sciatica in the right inferior parietal lobule prior to acupuncture treatment.ConclusionsAcupuncture in chronic sciatica patients is associated with normalized DMN activity and modulation of descending pain processing. The changes in the subclinical endophenotype of brain FC after acupuncture treatment may provide clues for understanding the mechanism of acupuncture‐mediated analgesia in chronic pain.
Assessment of variation in 30‐day mortality following cancer surgeries among older adults across US hospitals
Authors: Lipitz‐Snyderman Allison , Lavery Jessica A. , Bach Peter B. , Li Diane G. , Yang Annie , Strong Vivian E. , Russo Ashley , Panageas Katherine S. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundWhile public reporting of surgical outcomes for noncancer conditions is common, cancer surgeries have generally been excluded. This is true despite numerous studies showing outcomes to differ between hospitals based on their characteristics. Our objective was to assess whether three prerequisites for quality assessment and reporting are present for 30‐day mortality after cancer surgery: low burden for timely reporting, hospital variation, and potential for public health gains.Study DesignWe used Fee‐for‐Service (FFS) Medicare claims to examine the extent of variation in 30‐day cancer surgical mortality between 3860 US hospitals. We included 340 489 surgeries for 12 cancer types for FFS Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥66 years, 2011‐2013. Hierarchical mixed‐effects logistic regression models adjusted for patient and hospital characteristics and with a random hospital effect were fit to obtain hospital‐specific risk‐standardized mortality rates (RSMRs) and 99% confidence intervals (CI). We calculated a hospital odds ratio to describe the difference in mortality risk for a hospital above vs below average quality and estimated the potential mortality reduction.ResultsThe median number of cancer surgeries per hospital was 34. The median RSMR overall was 2.41% (99% CI 2.28%, 2.66%). In aggregate and for most cancers, variation between hospitals exceeded that due to differences in patient and hospital characteristics. For individual cancers, relative differences exceeded 20% in mortality risk between patients undergoing surgery at a hospital below vs above average quality, with the potential for an estimated 500 deaths prevented annually given hypothetical improvements.ConclusionQuality measurement and reporting of 30‐day mortality for cancer surgery is worthy of consideration.
Prognostic value of the GRACE discharge score for predicting the mortality of patients with stable coronary artery disease who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Zhao XueYan , Li JianXin , Xian Ying , Chen Jue , Gao Zhan , Qiao ShuBin , Yang YueJin , Gao RunLin , Xu Bo , Yuan JinQing 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the predictive value of the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) discharge score for patients with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).BackgroundThe GRACE score is widely used for predicting the mortality of acute coronary syndrome patients. However, the predictive value of SCAD has not been sufficiently studied.MethodsWe studied 4,293 consecutive patients with SCAD who underwent PCI between January 2013 and December 2013. The primary endpoint was all‐cause mortality and the secondary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE).ResultsAmong 3,915 patients with SCAD following PCI, there were 38 deaths and 394 MACCE during 2 years of follow‐up. The GRACE discharge score was significantly higher for patients who died than for those who survived (86.97 ± 23.27 vs. 71.07 ± 19.84; p < .001). Risk stratification of the GRACE score indicated that the mortality risk of the intermediate‐risk and high‐risk groups were 3.23‐fold (hazard ratio [HR], 3.23; range, 1.59–6.55; p = .001) and 15.31‐fold higher (HR, 15.31; range, 4.43–51.62; p < .001), respectively, than that of the low‐risk group. The MACCE risk for the intermediate‐risk and high‐risk groups were 1.28‐fold (HR, 1.28; range, 1.02–1.62; p = .037) and 2.42‐fold higher (HR, 2.42; range, 1.20–4.88; p = .014), respectively. The GRACE discharge score had prognostic value for mortality (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.692; p < .001).ConclusionsThe GRACE discharge score is valuable for the risk stratification of death and MACCE, as well as for the prognosis to mortality for SCAD patients who have undergone PCI.
Venetoclax with high‐dose methotrexate and rituximab seem effective and well‐tolerated in the treatment of central nervous system involvement of chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A case report
Authors: Beziat Guillaume , Gauthier Martin , Protin Caroline , Oberic Lucie , Lerebours Fleur , Carlier Jasmine , Ysebaert Loïc 
Published: January 2020

AbstractVenetoclax with high‐dose methotrexate and rituximab seem effective and safe to treat central nervous system involvement of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Synthesis of Nanoporous Au−Cu−Pt Alloy as a Superior Catalyst for the Methanol Oxidation Reaction
Authors: Xie Yunxiang , Li Can , Razek Sara A , Fang Jiye , Dimitrov Nikolay 
Published: January 2020

AbstractA nanoporous (np) Au−Cu−Pt thin‐film catalyst with a fine structure and tunable composition is synthesized by using a facile method involving successive electrodeposition and de‐alloying. The structure, electronic state, elemental content, and active surface area of the catalyst, along with the Pt fraction, are characterized and/or determined before and after the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) tests through electrochemical and ultrahigh vacuum analytical routines. The prepared np Au−Cu−(8 % in the precursor alloy)Pt catalyst exhibits outstanding mass and specific activity toward the MOR, which is approximately six‐ and nine‐times higher than the activity of a commercial Pt/C(40 %) counterpart, respectively. A negative 75 mV onset potential shift upon the MOR anodic scan on the np Au−Cu−(8 %)Pt catalyst in comparison with Pt/C(40 %) corroborates its higher catalytic activity. Furthermore, the alloy catalyst demonstrates better durability than the Pt/C(40 %) counterpart in a three‐hour constant potential test and exhibits full post‐factum recovery of its cycling activity. In addition, it retains more than 60 % of its original activity after 3000 cycles of an accelerated degradation test. The outstanding performance is attributed to the specific catalyst's structure leading to a d‐band upshift along with unique constituent interplay.
The dynamics of privilege: How employees of a multinational corporation construct and contest the privileging effects of English proficiency
Authors: Gaibrois Claudine , Nentwich Julia 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn this article we analyze how privilege is dynamically constructed as well as contested. A positioning analysis of interviews with employees of a multinational organization reveals the construction of a hierarchy of privilege. As this hierarchy is based on English proficiency along with other diversity dimensions, privilege is multifaceted. Furthermore, privilege is also contested. Contesting English‐proficiency–related privilege is connected to the speaker's position in the hierarchy of privilege. The analysis shows that both category membership and specific competences and skills cumulate to produce privileging effects, but also the possibilities for contesting privilege. At the same time, although the privilege gained by English proficiency is not invisible and is regularly contested, it is nevertheless silenced by those in advantage.
Heat conductivity and Dufour effect in the weakly ionized, magnetized, and kappa‐distributed plasma
Authors: Xia Haijuan , Du Jiulin 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBy using the generalized Boltzmann equation of transport and the first‐order approximation of Chapman‐Enskog expansion on the κ‐distribution function, we study the thermal conductivity and Dufour effect in the weakly ionized and magnetized plasma. We show that the thermal conductivity and Dufour coefficient in the κ‐distributed plasma are significantly different from those in the Maxwell‐distributed plasma, and the transverse thermal conductivity and Dufour coefficient in the κ‐distributed plasma are generally greater than those in the Maxwell‐distributed plasma, and the Righi‐Leduc coefficient and Hall Dufour coefficient in the κ‐distributed plasma are also generally greater than those in the Maxwell‐distributed plasma.
High‐precision attitude determination and control system design and real‐time verification for CubeSats
Authors: Gaber Khaled , El_Mashade Mohamed B. , Abdel Aziz Ghada A. 
Published: January 2020

SummaryThis paper presents the design and real‐time verification of a high‐precision and low‐cost attitude determination and control system (ADCS) for CubeSat based on a micro‐electro‐mechanical (MEMS) gyroscope. The CubeSat new missions require accurate and sophisticated ADCS with attitude drift adjustment. Moreover, designing an effective ADCS for the CubeSat poses a difficult challenge. The satellite comprises of a two‐unit CubeSat, which denotes that the ADCS is designed with small size, tight mass, and energy limitations. The ADCS has been enhanced in the former few years from fairly small resolution of 10 to around 0.6 m. This attitude drift, if not properly compensated, will cause a slow attitude information loss as the error in attitude rises between the actual and estimated. To correct the attitude adrift, the proposed system utilizes a MEMS gyroscope sensor which offers a comparative attitude to the Kalman filter for estimated attitude update. Real‐time verification and validation for the ADCS are performed through Matlab/Simulink environment and lab testing to prove the efficacy of the proposed system. Simulation of the ADCS shows accurate results with error of no more than 1°.