bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
miR-34c inhibits PDGF-BB-induced HAVSMCs phenotypic transformation and proliferation via PDGFR-β/SIRT1 pathway
Authors: Wan Wei-feng , Zhang Xin , Huang Chang-ren , Chen Li-gang , Yang Xiao-bo , Bao Kun-yang , Peng Tang-ming 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to explore the effect of miR-34c on PDGF-BB-induced HAVSMCs phenotypic transformation and proliferation via PDGFR-β/SIRT1 pathway, so as to find a new method for early diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. HA-VSMCs were treated with platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) at 0 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h or 36 h to explore the optimal time for phenotypic transformation of VSMCs. And then, PDGF-BB-induced HA-VSMCs were transfected with miR-34c mimics/mimics NC and pcDNA3.1-PDGFR-β/pcDNA3.1-NC to observe cell biological behaviour. CCK8 was used to detect cell proliferation activity. Transwell chamber assay was used to detect cell invasion. Early apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of α-SMA and Smemb was detected by immunofluorescence staining. The expressions of PDGFR-β, IRF9, Acetyl-NF-κB/p65, Acetyl-p53 and CyclinD1 were analyzed by Western blot analysis. The expression of miR-34a, miR-34b and miR-34c was detected by RT-PCR, and the targeting relationship between miR-34c and PDGFR-β was detected by luciferase reporting assay. The results indicated the proliferation and migration of PDGF-BB-induced HA-VSMCs significantly increased, and apoptosis significantly decreased. Besides, α-SMA decreased significantly, while Smemb increased significantly. Furthermore, expressions of PDGFR-β, IRF9, Acetyl-NF-κB/p65, Acetyl-p53 and CyclinD1 increased significantly, and SIRT1 decreased significantly. Experimental results showed that, miR-34c mimics significantly inhibited cell proliferation and migration, and promoted cell apoptosis, and miR-34c inhibitor had the opposite effects. MiR-34c mimics significantly increased α-SMA expression and decreased Smemb expression, while the opposite effects were reflected after transfection with miR-34c inhibitor. Moreover, miR-34c mimics significantly decreased the expressions of PDGFR-β, IRF9, Acetyl-NF-κB/p65, Acetyl-p53 and CyclinD1, and significantly increased the expression of SIRT1, while miR-34c inhibitor had the opposite effects. Luciferase assay confirmed that PDGFR-β was a potential target of miR-34c. Subsequently, PDGF-BB-induced HA-VSMCs were co-transfected with miR-34c mimics and pcDNA3.1-PDGFR-β. The results indicated that PDGFR-β reversed the biological function of miR-34c mimic. The results revealed the potential application value of miR-34c as a marker molecule of phenotypic transformation, providing a potential target for improving phenotypic transformation.
Supply chain movement risk in the sneaker industry: an empirical study
Authors: Chang Che-Wei 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Sino–US trade war, this study proposes a grey sharing decision-making evaluation model for production base movement and the sustainable operation of enterprises in the footwear industry. First, a focus group technique was employed; personnel from the footwear industry, corresponding government agencies, and the academic community were invited to jointly identify the most important criteria when considering a production base movement. The group listed seven criteria: labor cost, materials, exchange rate fluctuation, tariff, supply chain, transfer cost, and the government. The grey situation decision-making algorithm based on group knowledge and entropy were used to identify the most suitable country for production base movement.
A Lucas–Lehmer approach to generalised Lebesgue–Ramanujan–Nagell equations
Authors: Patel Vandita 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWe describe a computationally efficient approach to resolving equations of the form $$C_1x^2 + C_2 = y^n$$

C
1

x
2

+

C
2

=

y
n

in coprime integers, for fixed values of $$C_1$$

C
1

, $$C_2$$

C
2

subject to further conditions. We make use of a factorisation argument and the Primitive Divisor Theorem due to Bilu, Hanrot and Voutier.
Clubs of autocrats: Regional organizations and authoritarian survival
Authors: Debre Maria J. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWhile scholars have argued that membership in Regional Organizations (ROs) can increase the likelihood of democratization, we see many autocratic regimes surviving in power albeit being members of several ROs. This article argues that this is the case because these regimes are often members in “Clubs of Autocrats” that supply material and ideational resources to strengthen domestic survival politics and shield members from external interference during moments of political turmoil. The argument is supported by survival analysis testing the effect of membership in autocratic ROs on regime survival between 1946 to 2010. It finds that membership in ROs composed of more autocratic member states does in fact raise the likelihood of regime survival by protecting incumbents against democratic challenges such as civil unrest or political dissent. However, autocratic RO membership does not help to prevent regime breakdown due to autocratic challenges like military coups, potentially because these types of threats are less likely to diffuse to other member states. The article thereby adds to our understanding of the limits of democratization and potential reverse effects of international cooperation, and contributes to the literature addressing interdependences of international and domestic politics in autocratic regimes.
Analyzing joint brand purchases by conditional restricted Boltzmann machines
Authors: Hruschka Harald 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWe introduce the conditional restricted Boltzmann machine as method to analyze brand-level market basket data of individual households. The conditional restricted Boltzmann machine includes marketing variables and household attributes as independent variables. To our knowledge this is the first study comparing the conditional restricted Boltzmann machine to homogeneous and heterogeneous multivariate logit models for brand-level market basket data across several product categories. We explain how to estimate the conditional restricted Boltzmann machine starting from a restricted Boltzmann machine without independent variables. The conditional restricted Boltzmann machine turns out to excel all the other investigated models in terms of log pseudo-likelihood for holdout data. We interpret the selected conditional restricted Boltzmann machine based on coefficients linking purchases to hidden variables, interdependences between brand pairs as well as own and cross effects of marketing variables. The conditional restricted Boltzmann machine indicates pairwise relationships between brands that are more varied than those of the multivariate logit model are. Based on the pairwise interdependences inferred from the restricted Boltzmann machine we determine the competitive structure of brands by means of cluster analysis. Using counterfactual simulations, we investigate what three different models (independent logit, heterogeneous multivariate logit, conditional restricted Boltzmann machine) imply with respect to the retailer’s revenue if each brand is put on display. Finally, we mention possibilities for further research, such as applying the conditional restricted Boltzmann machine to other areas in marketing or retailing.
Systemic Treatment of Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Carcinoma
Authors: Mollazadegan Kazhan , Welin Staffan , Crona Joakim 
Published: June 2021

Opinion statementTreatment recommendations for advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine carcinomas (GEP-NEC) are based on uncontrolled, mainly retrospective data. Chemotherapy can offer palliative relief, but long-lasting complete responses or cures are rare. The European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society (ENETS) and European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) recommend platinum-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment. This has been the golden standard since the late 1980s and has been evaluated in mostly retrospective clinical studies. However, progression is inevitable for most patients. Unfortunately, data on effective second-line treatment options are scant, and ENETS and ESMO recommendations propose fluorouracil- or temozolomide-based chemotherapy schedules. As such, there is a huge unmet need for improved care. Improved knowledge on GEP-NEC biology may provide a pathway towards more effective interventions including chemotherapy, targeted gene therapy, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, as well as immune checkpoint inhibitors. The review summarises this current state of the art as well as the most promising developments for systemic therapy in GEP-NEC patients.
My company is green, so am I: the relationship between perceived environmental responsibility of organisations and government, environmental self-identity, and pro-environmental behaviours
Authors: van der Werff Ellen , Steg Linda , Ruepert Angela 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTo reduce environmental problems, citizens, governments, and organisations need to take action to reduce their environmental impact. In the current paper, we tested if and how perceived environmental responsibility of organisations and government is related to pro-environmental behaviour and acceptability of pro-environmental policies among employees, customers, and citizens. We hypothesised that the stronger perceived environmental responsibility of organisations and government, the stronger the environmental self-identity of employees, customers, and citizens because they are a part of that organisation. We hypothesised that a stronger environmental self-identity, in turn, is positively related to a range of pro-environmental actions as well as acceptability of pro-environmental policies. We tested our hypotheses in three studies. We found that a stronger perceived environmental responsibility of organisations is indeed related to a stronger environmental self-identity among employees and customers of the organisation. A stronger environmental self-identity was in turn related to a range of pro-environmental actions. An alternative explanation for our findings is that those with a stronger environmental self-identity are more likely to become a customer at an organisation with a strong perceived environmental responsibility. However, we found support for our hypotheses among those who chose and among those who did not freely choose to be a customer of the organisation, suggesting that the alternative explanation does not fully explain our findings. Furthermore, we found that citizens report a stronger environmental self-identity when perceived environmental responsibility of their government is stronger. A stronger environmental self-identity was in turn related to a higher acceptability of policies aiming to promote energy savings. Our findings are in line with social identity theory, which states that people partly infer how they see themselves based on the groups to which they belong. Furthermore, our findings have important practical implications for organisations and governments aiming to promote pro-environmental behaviour. Specifically, if organisations and government reduce their environmental impact and clearly communicate this, citizens, employees, and customers may also be more likely to do so.
Point-of-care ultrasound to assess volume status and pulmonary oedema in malaria patients
Authors: Pugliese Christina M. , Adegbite Bayode R. , Edoa Jean R. , Mombo-Ngoma Ghyslain , Obone-Atome Fridia A. , Heuvelings Charlotte C. , Bélard Sabine , Kalkman Laura C. , Leopold Stije J. , Hänscheid Thomas , Adegnika Ayola A. , Huson Mischa A. , Grobusch Martin P. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Fluid management is challenging in malaria patients given the risks associated with intravascular fluid depletion and iatrogenic fluid overload leading to pulmonary oedema. Given the limitations of the physical examination in guiding fluid therapy, we evaluated point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and lungs as a novel tool to assess volume status and detect early oedema in malaria patients.

Methods
To assess the correlation between IVC and lung ultrasound (LUS) indices and clinical signs of hypovolaemia and pulmonary oedema, respectively, concurrent clinical and sonographic examinations were performed in an observational study of 48 malaria patients and 62 healthy participants across age groups in Gabon.

Results
IVC collapsibility index (CI) ≥ 50% on enrolment reflecting intravascular fluid depletion was associated with an increased number of clinical signs of hypovolaemia in severe and uncomplicated malaria. With exception of dry mucous membranes, IVC-CI correlated with most clinical signs of hypovolaemia, most notably sunken eyes (r = 0.35, p = 0.0001) and prolonged capillary refill (r = 0.35, p = 0.001). IVC-to-aorta ratio ≤ 0.8 was not associated with any clinical signs of hypovolaemia on enrolment. Among malaria patients, a B-pattern on enrolment reflecting interstitial fluid was associated with dyspnoea (p = 0.0003), crepitations and SpO2 ≤ 94% (both p < 0.0001), but not tachypnoea (p = 0.069). Severe malaria patients had increased IVC-CI (p < 0.0001) and more B-patterns (p = 0.004) on enrolment relative to uncomplicated malaria and controls.

Conclusion
In malaria patients, POCUS of the IVC and lungs may improve the assessment of volume status and detect early oedema, which could help to manage fluids in these patients.
CVTree: A Parallel Alignment-Free Phylogeny and Taxonomy Tool Based on Composition Vectors of Genomes
Authors: Zuo Guanghong 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Composition Vector Tree (CVTree) is an alignment-free algorithm to infer phylogenetic relationships from genome sequences. It has been successfully applied to study phylogeny and taxonomy of viruses, prokaryotes, and fungi based on the whole genomes, as well as chloroplast genomes, mitochondrial genomes, and metagenomes. Here we presented the standalone software for the CVTree algorithm. In the software, an extensible parallel workflow for the CVTree algorithm was designed. Based on the workflow, new alignment-free methods were also implemented. And by examining the phylogeny and taxonomy of 13,903 prokaryotes based on 16S rRNA sequences, we showed that CVTree software is an efficient and effective tool for studying phylogeny and taxonomy based on genome sequences. The code of CVTree software can be available at https://github.com/ghzuo/cvtree.
Investigation of a cold-based ice apron on a high-mountain permafrost rock wall using ice texture analysis and micro-14C dating: a case study of the Triangle du Tacul ice apron (Mont Blanc massif, France)
Authors: Guillet Grégoire , Preunkert Susanne , Ravanel Ludovic , Montagnat Maurine , Friedrich Ronny 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe current paper studies the dynamics and age of the Triangle du Tacul (TDT) ice apron, a massive ice volume lying on a steep high-mountain rock wall in the French side of the Mont-Blanc massif at an altitude close to 3640 m a.s.l. Three 60 cm long ice cores were drilled to bedrock (i.e. the rock wall) in 2018 and 2019 at the TDT ice apron. Texture (microstructure and lattice-preferred orientation, LPO) analyses were performed on one core. The two remaining cores were used for radiocarbon dating of the particulate organic carbon fraction (three samples in total). Microstructure and LPO do not substantially vary with along the axis of the ice core. Throughout the core, irregularly shaped grains, associated with strain-induced grain boundary migration and strong single maximum LPO, were observed. Measurements indicate that at the TDT ice deforms under a low strain-rate simple shear regime, with a shear plane parallel to the surface slope of the ice apron. Dynamic recrystallization stands out as the major mechanism for grain growth. Micro-radiocarbon dating indicates that the TDT ice becomes older with depth perpendicular to the ice surface. We observed ice ages older than 600 year BP and at the base of the lowest 30 cm older than 3000 years.
THE POSET OF ALL LOGICS I: INTERPRETATIONS AND LATTICE STRUCTURE
Authors: JANSANA R. , MORASCHINI T. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractA notion of interpretation between arbitrary logics is introduced, and the poset$\mathsf {Log}$of all logics ordered under interpretability is studied. It is shown that in$\mathsf {Log}$infima of arbitrarily large sets exist, but binary suprema in general do not. On the other hand, the existence of suprema of sets of equivalential logics is established. The relations between$\mathsf {Log}$and the lattice of interpretability types of varieties are investigated.
Risk assessment for the transmission of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) on aircraft: a systematic review
Authors: Berruga-Fernández T. , Robesyn E. , Korhonen T. , Penttinen P. , Jansa J. M. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMiddle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes a potentially fatal respiratory disease. Although it is most common in the Arabian Peninsula, it has been exported to 17 countries outside the Middle East, mostly through air travel. The Risk Assessment Guidelines for Infectious Diseases transmitted on Aircraft (RAGIDA) advise authorities on measures to take when an infected individual travelled by air. The aim of this systematic review was to gather all available information on documented MERS-CoV cases that had travelled by air, to update RAGIDA. The databases used were PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Global Index Medicus; Google was searched for grey literature and hand searching was performed on the EU Early Warning and Response System and the WHO Disease Outbreak News. Forty-seven records were identified, describing 21 cases of MERS that had travelled on 31 flights. Contact tracing was performed for 17 cases. Most countries traced passengers sitting in the same row and the two rows in front and behind the case. Only one country decided to trace all passengers and crew. No cases of in-flight transmission were observed; thus, considering the resources it requires, a conservative approach may be appropriate when contact tracing passengers and crew where a case of MERS has travelled by air.
Artificial Moral Responsibility: How We Can and Cannot Hold Machines Responsible
Authors: Tigard Daniel W. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractOur ability to locate moral responsibility is often thought to be a necessary condition for conducting morally permissible medical practice, engaging in a just war, and other high-stakes endeavors. Yet, with increasing reliance upon artificially intelligent systems, we may be facing a wideningresponsibility gap, which, some argue, cannot be bridged by traditional concepts of responsibility. How then, if at all, can we make use of crucial emerging technologies? According to Colin Allen and Wendell Wallach, the advent of so-called ‘artificial moral agents’ (AMAs) is inevitable. Still, this notion may seem to push back the problem, leaving those who have an interest in developing autonomous technology with a dilemma. We may need to scale-back our efforts at deploying AMAs (or at least maintain human oversight); otherwise, we must rapidly and drastically update our moral and legal norms in a way that ensures responsibility for potentially avoidable harms. This paper invokes contemporary accounts of responsibility in order to show how artificially intelligent systems might be held responsible. Although many theorists are concerned enough to develop artificial conceptions ofagencyor to exploit our present inability to regulate valuable innovations, the proposal here highlights the importance of—and outlines a plausible foundation for—a workable notion ofartificial moral responsibility.
Novel Beings and Assisted Nonexistence
Authors: Black Isra 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis article engages with the legal regulation of end-of-existence decisionmaking for novel beings, specifically assisted nonexistence for such entities. The author explains the concept of a legal model for assisted death by reference to the substantive features of legal regimes in three jurisdictions in which assisted suicide or euthanasia is lawful. He considers how these models might fit novel beings who may require or prefer assistance to end their own existence by reference to the constituent features—abstract legal ingredients—that models for assisted death share. The author argues that extant models may block some novel beings’ access to end-of-existence assistance or fail to track what matters to them. He then examines the merits of adopting a universal model for assisted nonexistence, that is, a legal framework whose substantive features capture the end-of-existence concerns of both human and novel beings. Consideration of a unified legal framework may illuminate the discussion of assisted nonexistence for humans and novel beings. However, the paper proposes that whereas novel beings may have similar interests to humans, they may be relevantly different also. The prima facie case for adopting a one regime to rule us all approach to assisted nonexistence may be defeated by reasons for divergent regulation.
Responses of consumers with food allergy to the new allergen-labelling legislation in Saudi Arabia: a preliminary survey
Authors: Alghafari Wejdan T , Attar Atheer A , Alghanmi Afnan A , Alolayan Danah A , Alamri Nehal A , Alqarni Sara A , Alsahafi Athear M , Arfaoui Leila 
Published: June 2021

AbstractObjective:Preventing a food allergy reaction depends primarily on eliminating allergens from the diet. In October 2019, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) introduced new legislation requiring food establishments providing and selling non-prepacked foods to state the presence of the top fourteen food allergens on their menus. The current study aimed to assess the allergen-labelling knowledge, practices, preferences and perceptions towards the new SFDA allergen-labelling legislation among consumers with food allergy in Saudi Arabia.Design:Observational cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire.Setting:Saudi Arabia; February – March 2020.Participants:Residents of Saudi Arabia with food allergy (n 427), aged 18–70 years.Results:Among participants, only 28·1 % knew that there were governmental regulations in Saudi Arabia regarding food-allergen labelling and approximately two-thirds (67 %) check labels on prepacked food products for allergens. The majority of the participants preferred food products carrying safety statements (84·1 %) and symbols (80·1 %). A total of 47·1 % were aware that regulations in Saudi Arabia require allergens to be declared in ingredient lists, while 51·3 % were aware that advisory allergen labelling is not required by law. Only 26·2 % were aware of the new SFDA legislation regarding provision of allergen information by food establishments. However, the majority (94·4 %) were supportive of the new legislation, and most of them were more likely to eat at restaurants that reported allergen information for food items on the menu.Conclusions:The new SFDA food allergen-labelling legislation needs to be more widely and effectively disseminated to increase the level of awareness among adults with food allergy in Saudi Arabia.
Commodity frontiers: a view from economic history
Authors: Findlay Ronald , O’Rourke Kevin Hjortshøj 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe history of frontiers is a fascinating topic for research, especially interdisciplinary research. We stress the need to engage with existing work on the topic by economists and economic historians, but we also highlight the need to engage with such topics as the history of inter-state conflict and violence, technological change, and the role of multiple interest groups in determining policy.