bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improved RT-PCR SARS-Cov2 results interpretation by indirect determination of cut-off cycle threshold value
Authors: Mokhtar Khelil Mohamed 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACTClinical laboratories of the developing world are overwhelmed with RT-PCR SARS-Cov2 testing demands. It is of paramount importance that each clinical laboratory use an appropriate cut-off value in the interpretation of SARS-Cov2 real-time RT–PCR results, which is specific to their laboratory performances as ISO 15189 recommendations stipulate. We applied an indirect statistical method to a large mixed data set of Ct values (ORF1ab and N) to estimate cut-off Ct value (∼32 cycles).we conclude that the use of indirect statistical approaches to estimate cut-off value in the interpretation of SARS-Cov2 real-time RT–PCR results may improve differential diagnosis of COVID-19 cases with low risk of infectivity, and may help to better estimates of the burden of COVID-19 disease.
High resolution proximity statistics as early warning for US universities reopening during COVID-19
Authors: Mehrab Zakaria , Ranga Akhilandeshwari Goud , Sarkar Debarati , Venkatramanan Srinivasan , Baek Youngyun Chung , Swarup Samarth , Marathe Madhav V. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractReopening of colleges and universities for the Fall semester of 2020 across the United States has caused significant COVID-19 case spikes, requiring reactive responses such as temporary closures and switching to online learning. Until sufficient levels of immunity are reached through vaccination, Institutions of Higher Education will need to balance academic operations with COVID-19 spread risk within and outside the student community. In this work, we study the impact of proximity statistics obtained from high resolution mobility traces in predicting case rate surges in university counties. We focus on 50 land-grant university counties (LGUCs) across the country and show high correlation (PCC > 0.6) between proximity statistics and COVID-19 case rates for several LGUCs during the period around Fall 2020 reopenings. These observations provide a lead time of up to ∼3 weeks in preparing resources and planning containment efforts. We also show how features such as total population, population affiliated with university, median income and case rate intensity could explain some of the observed high correlation. We believe these easily explainable mobility metrics along with other disease surveillance indicators can help universities be better prepared for the Spring 2021 semester.
Sex Differences in MRI-Based Metrics of Glioma Invasion and Brain Mechanics
Authors: Anderies Barrett J. , Yee Sara F. , Jackson Pamela R. , Rickertsen Cassandra R. , Hawkins-Daarud Andrea J. , Johnston Sandra K. , Clark-Swanson Kamala R. , Hoxworth Joseph M. , Le Yuan , Zhou Yuxiang , Pepin Kay M. , Massey Susan C. , Hu Leland S. , Huston John R. , Swanson Kristin R. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractGliomas are brain tumors characterized by highly variable growth patterns. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the cornerstone of glioma diagnosis and management planning. However, glioma features on MRI do not directly correlate with tumor cell distribution. Additionally, there is evidence that glioma tumor characteristics and prognosis are sex-dependent. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is an imaging technique that allows interrogation of tissue stiffnessin-vivoand has found utility in the imaging of several cancers. We investigate the relationship between MRI features, MRE features, and growth parameters derived from an established mathematical model of glioma proliferation and invasion. Results suggest that both the relationship between tumor volume and tumor stiffness as well as the relationship between the parameters derived from the mathematical model and tumor stiffness are sex-dependent. These findings lend evidence to a growing body of knowledge about the clinical importance of sex in the context of cancer diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
A unifying framework for quantifying and comparing n-dimensional hypervolumes
Authors: Lu Muyang , Winner Kevin , Jetz Walter 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe quantification of Hutchison’s n-dimensional hypervolume has enabled substantial progress in community ecology, species niche analysis and beyond. While non-parametric methods for quantifying and comparing hypervolumes are popular, they do not support a partitioning of the different components and drivers of hypervolume variation. Here, we propose as alternative the use of multivariate normal distributions for the assessment and comparison of niche hypervolumes and introduce this as the multivariate-normal hypervolume (MVNH) framework.The framework provides parametric measures of the size and dissimilarity of niche hypervolumes, each of which can be partitioned into biologically interpretable components. Specifically, We use 1) the determinant of the covariance matrix (i.e. the generalized variance) of a MVNH as a measure of total niche size, which can be partitioned into the components of univariate niche variances and a correlation component; and 2) the Bhattacharyya distance between two MVNHs as a measure of niche dissimilarity, which can be partitioned into the components of Mahalanobis distance between hypervolume centroids and the determinant ratio which measures hypervolume size difference.We use empirical examples of community- and species-level analysis to demonstrate the new insights provided by these metrics. We show that the newly proposed framework enables us to quantify the relative contributions of different hypervolume components and to identify the drivers of functional diversity and environmental niche variation.Our approach overcomes several operational and computational limitations of non-parametric methods and provides a framework that offers both unification and granularity in the assessment of niche volumes and differences, which has wide implications for understanding niche evolution, niche shifts and expansion during biotic invasions etc.
Impact of regulative noise exposure to biodiesel production due to enhanced lipid droplet production inSaccharomyces cerevisiae: Preliminary results from a laboratory experiment
Authors: Kumar Reetesh 
Published: November 2020

AbstractLipid Droplet (LD) is a ubiquitous cellular organelle that stores natural lipids as an energy and carbon source. It has emerged as a highly active organelle, engaged in lipid synthesis, protein storage, protein degradation, transportation, and metabolism. It stores natural lipids in the form of triacylglycerols (TAG) and steryl esters. TAGs consider promising biotechnological importance to produce biodiesel; thus, LD is considered a tremendous scientific concern in the modern era. The TAG accumulation is found in various feedstocks, but amongst the microorganisms becomes an evident alternative against animal and plant-derived sources due to economic reasons. Amid microorganisms, theSaccharomyces cerevisiaeis a better alternative for industrial utilization but has low production of TAGs. Thus, to enhance the LD concentration, novel research was designed to induce alternate high and low sound frequency at a regular interval on a yeast model organism. The control and treated yeast samples further investigated using biochemical, biophysical, and computational tools to conclude that cells increase lipid droplet production under regulative noise exposure. The results endorsed that noise induces yeast LD yield is significantly higher than control, which could be considered a milestone in the biodiesel industry development and the biodiesel policy. This analysis also helps researchers to understand the novel function of LDs and their regulation in cell metabolism.
CentTracker: a trainable, machine learning-based tool for large-scale analyses of C. elegans germline stem cell mitosis
Authors: Réda Zellag M. , Zhao Yifan , Poupart Vincent , Singh Ramya , Labbé Jean-Claude , Gerhold Abigail R. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractInvestigating the complex interactions between stem cells and their native environment requires an efficient means to image them in situ. Caenorhabditis elegans germline stem cells (GSCs) are distinctly accessible for intravital imaging; however, long-term image acquisition and analysis of dividing GSCs can be technically challenging. Here we present a systematic investigation into the technical factors impacting GSC physiology during live imaging and provide an optimized method for monitoring GSC mitosis under minimally disruptive conditions. We describe CentTracker, an automated and generalizable image analysis tool that uses machine learning to pair mitotic centrosomes and which can extract a variety of mitotic parameters rapidly from large-scale datasets. We employ CentTracker to assess a range of mitotic features in GSCs and show that subpopulations with distinct mitotic profiles are unlikely to exist within the stem cell pool. We further find evidence for spatial clustering of GSC mitoses within the germline tissue and for biases in mitotic spindle orientation relative to the germline’s distal-proximal axis, and thus the niche. The technical and analytical tools provided herein pave the way for large-scale screening studies of multiple mitotic processes in GSCs dividing in situ, in an intact tissue, in a living animal, under seemingly physiological conditions.
Xist-seeded nucleation sites form local concentration gradients of silencing proteins to inactivate the X-chromosome
Authors: Markaki Yolanda , Chong Johnny Gan , Luong Christy , Tan Shawn Y.X. , Wang Yuying , Jacobson Elsie C. , Maestrini Davide , Dror Iris , Mistry Bhaven A. , Schöneberg Johannes , Banerjee Abhik , Guttman Mitchell , Chou Tom , Plath Kathrin 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe long non-coding RNA Xist exploits numerous effector proteins to progressively induce gene silencing across the X chromosome and form the inactive X (Xi)-compartment. The mechanism underlying formation of the chromosome-wide Xi-compartment is poorly understood. Here, we find that formation of the Xi-compartment is induced by ∼50 locally confined granules, where two Xist RNA molecules nucleatesupra-molecularcomplexes (SMCs) of interacting proteins. Xist-SMCs are transient structures that concentrate rapidly recycling proteins in the X by increasing protein binding affinity. We find that gene silencing originates at Xist-SMCs and propagates across the entire chromosome over time, achieved by Polycomb-mediated coalescence of chromatin regions and aggregation, via its intrinsically disordered domains, of the critical silencing factor SPEN. Our results suggest a new model for X chromosome inactivation, in which Xist RNA induces macromolecular crowding of heterochromatinizing proteins near distinct sites which ultimately increases their density throughout the chromosome. This mechanism enables deterministic gene silencing without the need for Xist ribonucleoprotein complex-chromatin interactions at each target gene.
Graph theoretic analysis reveals intranasal oxytocin induced network changes over frontal regions
Authors: Zheng Shuhan , Punia Diksha , Wu Haiyan , Liu Quanying 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn this study, we aim to elucidate how intranasal oxytocin modulates brain network characteristics, especially over the frontal network. As an essential brain hub of social cognition and emotion regulation, we will also explore the association between graphic properties of the frontal network and individual personality traits under oxytocin (OT) administration. 59 male participants administered intranasal OT or placebo were followed by restingstate fMRI scanning. The Correlation-based network model was applied to study OT modulation effects. We performed community detection algorithms and conducted further network analyses, including clustering coefficient, average shortest path and eigenvector centrality. In addition, we conducted a correlation analysis between clustering coefficients and the self-assessed psychological scales. Modular organizations in the OT group reveal integrations of the frontoparietal network (FPN) and the default mode network (DMN) over frontal regions. Results show that frontal nodes within the FPN are characterized by lower clustering coefficients and higher average shortest path values compared to the placebo group. Notably, these modulation effects on frontal network property are associated with Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) fantasy value. Our results suggest that OT elevates integrations between FPN, DMN and limbic system as well as reduces small-worldness within the FPN. Our results support graph theoretic analysis as a potential tool to assess OT induced effects on the information integration in the frontal network.
A Novel Tool for the Removal of Muscle Artefacts from EEG: Improving Data Quality in the Gamma Frequency Range
Authors: Liebisch Alina Pauline , Eggert Thomas , Shindy Alina , Valentini Elia , Irving Stephanie , Stankewitz Anne , Schulz Enrico 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe past two decades have seen a particular focus towards high-frequency neural activity in the gamma band (>30Hz). However, gamma band activity shares frequency range with unwanted artefacts from muscular activity.New MethodWe developed a novel approach to remove muscle artefacts from neurophysiological data. We re-analysed existing EEG data that were decomposed by a blind source separation method (independent component analysis, ICA), which helped to better spatially and temporally separate single muscle spikes. We then applied an adapting algorithm that detects these singled-out muscle spikes.ResultsWe obtained data almost free from muscle artefacts; we needed to remove significantly fewer artefact components from the ICA and we included more trials for the statistical analysis compared to standard ICA artefact removal. All pain-related cortical effects in the gamma band have been preserved, which underlines the high efficacy and precision of this algorithm.ConclusionsOur results show a significant improvement of data quality by preserving task-relevant gamma oscillations of cortical origin. We were able to precisely detect, gauge, and carve out single muscle spikes from the time course of neurophysiological measures. We advocate the application of the tool for studies investigating gamma activity that contain a rather low number of trials, as well as for data that are highly contaminated with muscle artefacts. This validation of our tool allows for the application on event-free continuous EEG, for which the artefact removal is more challenging.
Anitta: a star born to be global?
Authors: Binhote Juliana , de Pinho Valéria Moreira , do Rego Monteiro Júlia Gouveia de Melo , Almeida Victor M. C. 
Published: November 2020

Supplementary materials
Appendixes for the case study, teaching notes with figures and suggested chart plan schema.

Learning outcomes
Students are expected to learn the use of networks for market growth; types of network connections; and ways to achieve international expansion through networks’ relations.

Case overview/synopsis
This teaching case describes the internationalization of an emerging country artist, the Brazilian singer Anitta, who seeks to expand her audience in foreign markets, while dealing with maintaining the public in her home country.

Complexity academic level
Recommended to International Business disciplines in specialization courses.

Subject code
CSS 5: International Business.
Do online searches influence sales or merely predict them? The case of motion pictures
Authors: Kim Ho 
Published: November 2020

Purpose
This paper aims to examine whether a film’s search volume causes its ticket sales in different stages of its lifecycle.

Design/methodology/approach
This study tests the causality between searches and sales by using an instrumental variable approach. This study exploits the ideas that consumers’ perception of a product’s consumption risk is correlated with their search efforts and consumers use multiple information sources to infer a product’s consumption risk. As an instrument for a focal film’s search volume, this paper uses review disagreement for past movies related to the focal film. This paper incorporates the ideas in a model of weekly online search volume and revenues and apply it to a movie data set.

Findings
Films’ search volume influences their revenues only until the opening week. A 10% increase in opening-week search volume generates a 7.4% increase in opening-week revenue, while the same increase in pre-launch search volume generates a 4.1% increase. Although searches are not an influencer of sales from the second week on, the random forest models and cross-validation studies find that weekly search volume is a strong predictor of weekly revenues in this period.

Research limitations/implications
Testing the findings in other product categories is important for generalizing the findings.

Practical implications
This study suggests different usage values for online searches, depending on a film’s lifecycle stages. Furthermore, given that review disagreement has a positive influence on opening-week revenue through searches, managers should encourage diverse opinions about their films until the opening week to increase sales through searches.

Originality/value
Regarding the role of online search, previous studies have maintained the perspective that online search is a predictor of sales. This is the first study that finds causality between searches and sales for films.
Corporate lawyers in the USA: pathway to gender parity?
Authors: Ingersoll Alicia R. , Glass Christy , Cook Alison 
Published: November 2020

PurposeThe current study aims to analyze the connection between gender disparities and employment in senior legal roles within large American firms. Specifically, this study seeks to uncover whether legal positions in large corporations reproduce inequalities in representation and wages, or whether these roles provide women with a pathway to greater gender parity.Design/methodology/approachInvestigating a large data set of over 2,000 USA public companies over a ten-year period, this study examines the representation of women in senior legal roles, the likelihood of women’s appointment to those roles as a function of the gender composition of the industry and if a wage gap exists between men and women serving in the top legal roles in corporate America.FindingsFindings suggest that rather than moving women closer to gender parity, in-house counsel positions reproduce many of the same inequalities found in large law firms, particularly with regard to representation in senior ranks and compensation.Originality/valueResearch has illustrated that women experience disadvantage in terms of representation, wages and advancement in large law firms and in corporate executive suites. Women lawyers who occupy senior executive roles, however, may benefit relative to their non-legal counterparts given their education and expertise. Their credentials and relative status may contribute in reducing or eliminating gender disparities. This study extends current research by investigating this potential path to greater gender equality.
Study on multi-color emotion based on fashion color in 2019
Authors: Bai Yuanyuan , Xue Yuan 
Published: November 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to derive the relationship between color schemes and emotion to serve for designers and consumers.Design/methodology/approachThe three attributes of hue, brightness and saturation of the selected sample color are analyzed, and the Semantic Differential (SD) method is used for the emotional evaluation of color schemes, and data obtained from the emotional evaluation of color schemes is analyzed by using Excel software for mean statistics and SPSS software for factor analysis and cluster analysis.FindingsFrom the results of the factor analysis, three main factors that affect the feeling of the color scheme can be extracted: “personality”, “gender” and “fashion”. Color emotions can be achieved by changing the level of color saturation and brightness, the cold and warmth of the hue and the way of color combination.Research limitations/implicationsSince it takes a long time to fill out the questionnaire, the number of valid questionnaires collected is a little less and the research data is limited. In addition, some problems are not taken into account such as geography and so on, so the results of the statistical analysis are not very precise and further research is needed.Practical implicationsIt can provide information of emotional color schemes for designers and consumers, and based on the SD method, an emotional color matching questionnaire is designed and statistical analysis is conducted to establish the relationship between emotion and color schemes.Originality/valueBased on the fashion color sample and color harmony theory, the color matching rules and color matching schemes are designed independently.
Seismic fragility assessment of ductile reinforced concrete building frames
Authors: Apu Nibas , Sinha Ravi 
Published: November 2020

Purpose
Increasing awareness of the society and complying with design requirements of building codes for seismic safety of structures and inhabitants during severe earthquakes are the primary purpose of seismic analysis. This study aims to present the variability in seismic fragility functions for frames of different heights for the most vulnerable condition of structure using nonlinear time history analysis.

Design/methodology/approach
A total of 4, 8 and 20 stories reinforced concrete (RC) moment-resisting two-dimensional frames are considered for this study. Ground motions (GM) are selected as per the conditional mean spectrum and these are conditioned on a target spectral acceleration at the concern time period. RC frames are designed and detailed as per Indian standards. A concentrated plasticity approach is adopted for non-linear analytical modeling of the RC frames. Deterministic capacity limit states in terms of maximum inter-story drift ratio are considered for different damage states. Fragility functions have been derived following a lognormal distribution from incremental dynamic analysis curves. Finally, the maximum likelihood estimation of the response is obtained for fitting curves with observed fragility.

Findings
The fragility functions of the three structures reflect that under critical or extreme conditions of GM the taller buildings have higher fragility than the shorter buildings for each level of limit states even though both are designed to meet their code-level design forces.

Research limitations/implications
The study is conducted on the extreme scenario of GM conditioned on the fundamental time period of each building, whereas comparison can be developed by selecting various methodologies of GM set. The probabilistic capacity model can be developed for future studies to check the fragility variation with deterministic and probabilistic capacity.

Originality/value
The investigation endeavors to present a comprehensive fragility assessment framework by analytical method. The outcome will be useful in the development of a disaster management strategy for new or old buildings and the response of seismic force with a variation of the building’s height. The findings will also be useful for updating the earthquake-resistant building codes for the new building construction in a similar context.