bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
LEVEL THEORY, PART 3: A BOOLEAN ALGEBRA OF SETS ARRANGED IN WELL-ORDERED LEVELS
Authors: BUTTON TIM 
Published: April 2021

AbstractOn a very natural conception of sets, every set has an absolute complement. The ordinary cumulative hierarchy dismisses this idea outright. But we can rectify this, whilst retaining classical logic. Indeed, we can develop a boolean algebra of sets arranged in well-ordered levels. I show this by presenting Boolean Level Theory, which fuses ordinary Level Theory (from Part 1) with ideas due to Thomas Forster, Alonzo Church, and Urs Oswald. BLT neatly implement Conway’s games and surreal numbers; and a natural extension of BLT is definitionally equivalent with ZF.
Public-Private Governance Initiatives and Corporate Responses to Stakeholder Complaints
Authors: Thrall Calvin 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMultinational firms operate in multiple national jurisdictions, making them difficult for any one government to regulate. For this reason the firms themselves are often in charge of their own regulation, increasingly in conjunction with international organizations by way of public-private governance initiatives. Prior research has claimed that such initiatives are too weak to meaningfully change firms’ behavior. Can public-private governance initiatives help firms self-regulate, even if they lack strong monitoring or enforcement mechanisms? I take two steps toward answering this question. First, I introduce a new measure of firms’ performance on ESG (environmental, social, and governance) issues: the extent to which the firms issue public responses to claims of misconduct from civil society actors. Second, I argue that public-private governance initiatives allow firms to benefit from the legitimacy of their public partners, lowering the reputational cost of transparent response. Employing novel data on firm responses to human rights allegations from the Business and Human Rights Resource Center, I find that membership in the largest and most prominent initiative, the United Nations Global Compact, significantly increases firms’ propensity to respond transparently to stakeholder allegations. These results suggest a limited but important role for public-private initiatives in global governance.
Singing to infants matters: Early singing interactions affect musical preferences and facilitate vocabulary building
Authors: FRANCO Fabia , SUTTORA Chiara , SPINELLI Maria , KOZAR Iryna , FASOLO Mirco 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis research revealed that the frequency of reported parent-infant singing interactions predicted 6-month-old infants’ performance in laboratory music experiments and mediated their language development in the second year. At 6 months, infants (n = 36) were tested using a preferential listening procedure assessing their sustained attention to instrumental and sung versions of the same novel tunes whilst the parents completed an ad-hoc questionnaire assessing home musical interactions with their infants. Language development was assessed with a follow-up when the infants were 14-month-old (n = 26). The main results showed that 6-month-olds preferred listening to sung rather than instrumental melodies, and that self-reported high levels of parental singing with their infants [i] were associated with less pronounced preference for the sung over the instrumental version of the tunes at 6 months, and [ii] predicted significant advantages on the language outcomes in the second year. The results are interpreted in relation to conceptions of developmental plasticity.
Impact of meteorological parameters and population density on variants of SARS-CoV-2 and outcome of COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
Authors: Sharif Nadim , Ahmed Shamsun Nahar , Opu Rubayet Rayhan , Daullah Muktasid Ud , Khan Shahriar , Talukder Ali Azam , Okitsu Shoko , Ushijima Hiroshi , Zhang Ming , Dey Shuvra Kanti 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Although vaccines have become available, emergence and rapid transmission of new variants have added new paradigm in the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Weather, population and host immunity have been detected as the regulatory elements of COVID-19. This study aims to investigate the effects of weather, population and host factors on the outcome of COVID-19 and mutation frequency in Japan. Data were collected during January 2020 to February 2021. About 92% isolates were form GR clades. Variants 501Y.V1 (53%) and 452R.V1 (24%) were most prevalent in Japan. The strongest correlation was detected between fatalities and population density (rs = 0.81) followed by total population (rs = 0.72). Relative humidity had the highest correlation (rs = −0.71) with the case fatality rate. Cluster mutations namely N501Y (45%), E484K (30%), N439K (16%), K417N (6%) and T478I (3%) at spike protein have increased during January to February 2021. Above 90% fatality was detected in patients aged >60 years. The ratio of male to female patients of COVID-19 was 1.35:1. This study will help to understand the seasonality of COVID-19 and impact of weather on the outcome which will add knowledge to reduce the health burden of COVID-19 by the international organisations and policy makers.
Outcomes of surgical repair of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery in infants and children
Authors: Feng Tong , Zhangke Guo , Song Bai , Fan Fan , Jia Zhen , Xiaofeng Li 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectives:Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is associated with high mortality if not timely surgery. We reviewed our experience with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery to assess the preoperative variables predictive of outcome and post-operative recovery of left ventricular function.Methods:A retrospective review was conducted and collected data from patients who underwent anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery repair at our institute from April 2005 to December 2019. Left ventricular function was assessed by ejection fraction and the left ventricular end-diastolic dimension index. The outcomes of reimplantation repair were analysed.Results:A total of 30 consecutive patients underwent anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery repair, with a median age of 14.7 months (range, 1.5–59.6 months), including 14 females (46.67%). Surgery was performed with direct coronary reimplantation in 12 patients (40%) and the coronary lengthening technique in 18 (60%). Twelve patients had concomitant mitral annuloplasty. There were two in-hospital deaths (6.67%), no patients required mechanical support, and no late deaths occurred. Follow-up echocardiograms demonstrated significant improvement between the post-operative time point and the last follow-up in ejection fraction (49.43%±19.92% vs 60.21%±8.27%, p < 0.01) and in moderate or more severe mitral regurgitation (19/30 vs 5/28, p < 0.01). The left ventricular end-diastolic dimension index decreased from 101.91 ± 23.07 to 65.06 ± 12.82 (p < 0.01).Conclusions:Surgical repair of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery has good mid-term results with low mortality and reintervention rates. The coronary lengthening technique has good operability and leads to excellent cardiac recovery. The decision to concomitantly correct mitral regurgitation should be flexible and be based on the pathological changes of the mitral valve and the degree of mitral regurgitation.
Oh my darling clementine: heterogeneous preferences for sustainable citrus fruits
Authors: Di Vita Giuseppe , Vecchio Riccardo , Borrello Massimiliano , Zanchini Raffaele , Maesano Giulia , Gulisano Giovanni , Brun Filippo , D'Amico Mario 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe current study assesses consumer preferences toward different production methods of clementines (Citrus clementina). Based on a survey of Italian urban individuals (N = 345), responsible for household food purchases, it investigates whether clementines produced by means of integrated farming system are perceived as a desirable alternative to organic and conventional fruits. A conjoint analysis was applied to estimate the mean relative importance of three different clementine attributes (namely, price, production method and presence of a geographical indication) and consumer utility attached to the different attribute levels. Results revealed price as the most important attribute; while only organic farming provided positive utility to consumers. Subsequently, the sample was clustered into four distinct market segments based on part-worth estimates, offering useful insights for practitioners and policy makers to design tailor-made interventions aimed at fostering sustainable clementines consumption.
Microstrip-line-fed inverted L-shaped circularly polarized antenna for C-band applications
Authors: Srivastava Karunesh , Mishra Brijesh , Singh Rajeev 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA circularly polarized stub-matched inverted L-shaped antenna for C-band applications is presented in this communication. Antenna parameters of inverted L-shape on the radiating patch and slits, notch, square strips and stub on the ground plane and the effect of these are analyzed. The proposed optimized antenna (A5: 0.54λ0 × 0.54λ0 × 0.02λ0 mm3) is selected among antennas (A1 – A5) with 5.1 GHz design frequency after simulation through high-frequency structure simulator (HFSS). Circular polarization is obtained by introducing stub/perturbation on the ground plane. By introducing stub, the highest measured (S11 < − 10 dB) impedance bandwidth of 50.9% (3.48 – 5.86 GHz) is observed amongst the reported and compared bandwidths. Peak gain of 5.32 dBi and 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth of 16.2% (4.71 – 5.54 GHz) is reported in the present work. An antenna is useful in the entire downlink frequency (3.7 – 4.2 GHz) of the C band.
Coherent Satellite Monitoring of the Water Cycle Over the Amazon. Part 2: Total Water Storage Change and River Discharge Estimation
Authors: Pellet victor , Aires Filipe , Yamazaki Dai 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn companion paper 1, the SAtellite Water Cycle (SAWC) satellite data set integration approach was presented. SAWC accounts for (1) the closure of the water budget at the sub‐basin scale by (2) using upstream/downstream dependencies. Here, the SAWC database is used to reconstruct a missing water component. The total water storage change (dS) can be reconstructed prior to the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) period. In terms of seasonal and interannual variations, SAWC provides long‐term dS estimates that are highly consistent with the GRACE estimate (2002–2015). When compared to the extent of inundation, correlation of anomalies reaches 0.6 over sub‐basins presenting large floodplain. A strong relationship (correlation of 0.7) exists between the monthly dS and the El Niño index. The river discharge R can also be estimated using the SAWC approach during the GRACE period. A scheme was developed to estimate R continuously along the river through the indirect interpolation of discharge station measurements by using satellite estimates of dS, precipitation P, and evaporation E. These R estimates along the river were evaluated with 80 independent measurements and had a correlation of 0.86 and a Kling‐Gupta efficiency index of 0.71. A comprehensive monthly river discharge estimate was proposed for the first time across the Amazon basin over 13 years (2002–2015) at a 0.25° resolution. The SAWC framework is a pure observation tool for integrating a large range of satellite estimates, potentially facilitating the assimilation of such data into land surface models.
Extended haplotype-phasing of long-read de novo genome assemblies using Hi-C
Authors: Kronenberg Zev N. , Rhie Arang , Koren Sergey , Concepcion Gregory T. , Peluso Paul , Munson Katherine M. , Porubsky David , Kuhn Kristen , Mueller Kathryn A. , Low Wai Yee , Hiendleder Stefan , Fedrigo Olivier , Liachko Ivan , Hall Richard J. , Phillippy Adam M. , Eichler Evan E. , Williams John L. , Smith Timothy P. L. , Jarvis Erich D. , Sullivan Shawn T. , Kingan Sarah B. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractHaplotype-resolved genome assemblies are important for understanding how combinations of variants impact phenotypes. To date, these assemblies have been best created with complex protocols, such as cultured cells that contain a single-haplotype (haploid) genome, single cells where haplotypes are separated, or co-sequencing of parental genomes in a trio-based approach. These approaches are impractical in most situations. To address this issue, we present FALCON-Phase, a phasing tool that uses ultra-long-range Hi-C chromatin interaction data to extend phase blocks of partially-phased diploid assembles to chromosome or scaffold scale. FALCON-Phase uses the inherent phasing information in Hi-C reads, skipping variant calling, and reduces the computational complexity of phasing. Our method is validated on three benchmark datasets generated as part of the Vertebrate Genomes Project (VGP), including human, cow, and zebra finch, for which high-quality, fully haplotype-resolved assemblies are available using the trio-based approach. FALCON-Phase is accurate without having parental data and performance is better in samples with higher heterozygosity. For cow and zebra finch the accuracy is 97% compared to 80–91% for human. FALCON-Phase is applicable to any draft assembly that contains long primary contigs and phased associate contigs.
The effect of anime character’s facial expressions and eye blinking on donation behavior
Authors: Takagi Hisashi , Terada Kazunori 
Published: April 2021

AbstractStudies of the use of artificial agents and robots to solicit donations from people have suggested that the design of the agents must consider facial expressions. However, there has not been sufficient evidence to generalize the finding that the emotions conveyed by agents’ facial expressions can induce donations. In the present study, we conducted an experiment with an animated character that has intermediate realism and a different appearance from those in previous studies to replicate the finding that facial expressions represented by changes in the shapes of the eyes and mouth cause people to become more prosocial and to test whether we can extend this finding to the emotional expressions presented by changes in the dynamic properties of eyes. In the experiment, participants ($$n=100$$n=100) played a hypothetical dictator game with an avatar that expressed its emotions by changing the shapes of its eyes, eyebrows and mouth and by changing the frequency of eye blinking. The results showed that the emotions expressed by changes in the shape of the facial parts contributed to eliciting a higher donation amount, consistent with previous studies. However, we could not find an additive effect of the emotional expression shown by eye blinking. The results suggest that, regardless of appearance, emotional expression is useful in the design of a virtual agent’s face, but it might not be necessary to consider the dynamic properties of the eyes.
Finite element analysis of femoral neck strains during stair ascent and descent
Authors: Deng Chen , Gillette Jason C. , Derrick Timothy R. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractFor older population, a better understanding of the hip joint loading environment is needed for the prevention of hip pain, and the reduction of the stress fractures and fall risks. Using the motion analysis and inverse dynamics methods, combined with musculoskeletal modelling, static optimization, and finite element (FE) femur model, the difference of femoral neck strains between stair ascent vs. descent, young vs. older populations was compared. A two-way repeated-measures MANOVA was applied to test the effect of age and stair direction on the femoral neck strains. The strains at the femoral neck cross-section were greater for stair descent than ascent for both age groups (mostly P = 0.001 to 0006) but there was no difference between age groups. In this study, femoral neck strains represented bone loading environment in more direct ways than joint reaction forces/moments or joint contact forces, the risk of hip pain, falls and stress fractures might be greater during stair descent than ascent. Possible preventative methods to reduce these risks should be developed in the future studies.
The use of pulse pressure variation for predicting impairment of microcirculatory blood flow
Authors: Behem Christoph R. , Graessler Michael F. , Friedheim Till , Kluttig Rahel , Pinnschmidt Hans O. , Duprée Anna , Debus E. Sebastian , Reuter Daniel A. , Wipper Sabine H. , Trepte Constantin J. C. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractDynamic parameters of preload have been widely recommended to guide fluid therapy based on the principle of fluid responsiveness and with regard to cardiac output. An equally important aspect is however to also avoid volume-overload. This accounts particularly when capillary leakage is present and volume-overload will promote impairment of microcirculatory blood flow. The aim of this study was to evaluate, whether an impairment of intestinal microcirculation caused by volume-load potentially can be predicted using pulse pressure variation in an experimental model of ischemia/reperfusion injury. The study was designed as a prospective explorative large animal pilot study. The study was performed in 8 anesthetized domestic pigs (German landrace). Ischemia/reperfusion was induced during aortic surgery. 6 h after ischemia/reperfusion-injury measurements were performed during 4 consecutive volume-loading-steps, each consisting of 6 ml kg−1 bodyweight−1. Mean microcirculatory blood flow (mean Flux) of the ileum was measured using direct laser-speckle-contrast-imaging. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to determine the ability of pulse pressure variation to predict a decrease in microcirculation. A reduction of ≥ 10% mean Flux was considered a relevant decrease. After ischemia–reperfusion, volume-loading-steps led to a significant increase of cardiac output as well as mean arterial pressure, while pulse pressure variation and mean Flux were significantly reduced (Pairwise comparison ischemia/reperfusion-injury vs. volume loading step no. 4): cardiac output (l min−1) 1.68 (1.02–2.35) versus 2.84 (2.15–3.53), p = 0.002, mean arterial pressure (mmHg) 29.89 (21.65–38.12) versus 52.34 (43.55–61.14), p < 0.001, pulse pressure variation (%) 24.84 (17.45–32.22) versus 9.59 (1.68–17.49), p = 0.004, mean Flux (p.u.) 414.95 (295.18–534.72) versus 327.21 (206.95–447.48), p = 0.006. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed an area under the curve of 0.88 (CI 95% 0.73–1.00; p value < 0.001) for pulse pressure variation for predicting a decrease of microcirculatory blood flow. The results of our study show that pulse pressure variation does have the potential to predict decreases of intestinal microcirculatory blood flow due to volume-load after ischemia/reperfusion-injury. This should encourage further translational research and might help to prevent microcirculatory impairment due to excessive fluid resuscitation and to guide fluid therapy in the future.
Methotrexate reduces circulating Th17 cells and impairs plasmablast and memory B cell expansions following pneumococcal conjugate immunization in RA patients
Authors: Nived Per , Pettersson Åsa , Jönsson Göran , Bengtsson Anders A. , Settergren Bo , Skattum Lillemor , Johansson Åsa , Kapetanovic Meliha C. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMethotrexate (MTX) impairs antibody response after pneumococcal vaccination. We aimed to investigate differences in phenotypes of circulating B and T cells after pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients on MTX (MTX group), RA without disease-modifying drugs (0DMARD), and controls (HC). MTX group (n = 11), 0DMARD (n = 12) and HC (n = 13) were studied. Blood samples were collected: before MTX, ≥ 4 weeks on stable MTX dose (prevaccination), and 7 days postvaccination (MTX group), and pre- and 7 days postvaccination (0DMARD and HC). Phenotypes of B- and T cell subsets were determined using flow cytometry. Serotype-specific IgG were quantified using multiplex bead assay, pre- and 4–6 weeks postvaccination. Concentrations of plasmablasts and switched memory B cells increased after PCV in HC (both p = 0.03) and the 0DMARD group (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02), but not in the MTX group. Postimmunization plasmablasts were lower in MTX group, compared to the 0DMARD group and HC (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001). Th17 cells decreased after MTX start (p = 0.02), and increased in HC after immunization (p = 0.01). Postimmunization plasmablasts correlated with mean antibody response ratio in all RA patients (R = 0.57, p = 0.035). Methotrexate reduced Th17 cells and blocked activation of plasmablasts and switched memory B cells following polysaccharide-protein conjugate antigen challenge in RA.
Disentangling age-dependent DNA methylation: deterministic, stochastic, and nonlinear
Authors: Vershinina O. , Bacalini M. G. , Zaikin A. , Franceschi C. , Ivanchenko M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractDNA methylation variability arises due to concurrent genetic and environmental influences. Each of them is a mixture of regular and noisy sources, whose relative contribution has not been satisfactorily understood yet. We conduct a systematic assessment of the age-dependent methylation by the signal-to-noise ratio and identify a wealth of “deterministic” CpG probes (about 90%), whose methylation variability likely originates due to genetic and general environmental factors. The remaining 10% of “stochastic” CpG probes are arguably governed by the biological noise or incidental environmental factors. Investigating the mathematical functional relationship between methylation levels and variability, we find that in about 90% of the age-associated differentially methylated positions, the variability changes as the square of the methylation level, whereas in the most of the remaining cases the dependence is linear. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the methylation level itself in more than 15% cases varies nonlinearly with age (according to the power law), in contrast to the previously assumed linear changes. Our findings present ample evidence of the ubiquity of strong DNA methylation regulation, resulting in the individual age-dependent and nonlinear methylation trajectories, whose divergence explains the cross-sectional variability. It may also serve a basis for constructing novel nonlinear epigenetic clocks.