bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biochar improves soil physical characteristics and strengthens root architecture in Muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia L.)
Authors: Chang Yuru , Rossi Lorenzo , Zotarelli Lincoln , Gao Bin , Shahid Muhammad Adnan , Sarkhosh Ali 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Biochar is widely assumed as an effective soil amendment. It improves soil structure and fertility, thereby enhancing crop growth and development. There is still a knowledge gap in research on the beneficial impact of biochar on root growth and root architecture in perennial woody plants. Therefore, in our 14-week greenhouse study, pinewood-based biochar was applied as soil amendment for muscadine grape cultivation to investigate its effects on soil physical properties and crop root growth. Muscadine grape cv. Alachua was grown on Ultisols soil mixed with five rates of biochar on weight basis. Soil mixture properties and root attributes were determined.

Results
The soil bulk density decreased 40% and the total porosity increased 50% by adding 20% biochar into pure sandy soil. The soil water-holding capacity (WHC) of 20% biochar amendment soil was 1.9 times as pure as sandy soil. In addition, the incorporation of biochar did not only ameliorate soil acidity at the beginning but also increased soil pH buffering capacity, providing suitable soil pH a few months after application. Moreover, biochar induced woody plant finer roots development and significantly promoted root length, number of root forks, and crossings, while decreasing root average diameter.

Conclusions
Pinewood biochar significantly improved soil physical properties by moderating soil thermal properties, buffering soil pH, improving soil WHC, decreasing soil bulk density, and increasing soil porosity. In addition, biochar also strengthened the root architecture by improving root length, number of root forks, and crossings. Furthermore, roots from the amended treatment had longer root length with less average diameter than unamended roots, indicating that biochar may stimulate muscadine fine root development. The incorporation of biochar in soil enhanced woody plant root growth and development improved soil structure in sandy soils. It could potentially be a good strategy to tackle water loss, particularly in sandy soils.
Residential inequality and spatial patterns of infant mortality in Ethiopia: evidence from Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys
Authors: Tesema Getayeneh Antehunegn , Teshale Achamyeleh Birhanu 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Despite the remarkable decrease in infant mortality rate in most countries, the rate of decline is slow and it remains unacceptably high in Sub-Saharan Africa. The progress in infant mortality in Ethiopia is far below the rate needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal. Understanding the residential inequality and spatiotemporal clusters of infant mortality is essential to prioritize areas and guide public health interventions. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the residential inequality and spatial patterns of infant mortality in Ethiopia.

Methods
A secondary data analysis was done based on the Ethiopian demographic and health surveys conducted in 2000, 2005, 2011, and 2016. A total weighted sample of 46,317 live births was included for the final analysis. The residential inequality was assessed by calculating the risk difference in infant mortality rates between urban and rural live births and presented using a forest plot. For the spatial patterns of infant mortality, the SaTScan version 9.6 and ArcGIS version 10.6 statistical software were used to identify the spatial patterns of infant mortality.

Results
The study revealed that the infant mortality rate significantly declined from 96.9 per 1000 live births [95% CI 93.6, 104.2] in 2000 to 48.0 per 1000 live births [95% CI 44.2, 52.2] in 2016 with an annual rate of reduction of 3.2%. The infant mortality rate has substantial residential inequality over time, which is concentrated in the rural area. The spatial distribution of infant mortality was significantly clustered at the national level in survey periods (global Moran’s I, 0.04–0.081, p value < 0.05). In 2000, the most likely clusters were found in east Afar and at the border areas of south Amhara and north Oromia regions (LLR = 7.61, p value < 0.05); in 2005, at the border areas of Southern Nations Nationalities and People and in the entire Amhara region (LLR = 10.78, p value< 0.05); in 2011, at Southern Nations Nationalities and People and Gambella regions (LLR = 6.63, p value< 0.05); and in 2016, at east Oromia and northeast Somali regions (LLR = 8.38, p value < 0.05).

Conclusion
In this study, though infant mortality has shown remarkable reduction, infant mortality remains a major health care concern and had significant spatial variation across regions. Besides, the study found that infant mortality was highly concentrated in rural areas. Identifying the hotspot areas of infant mortality would help in designing effective interventions to reduce the incidence of infant mortality in these areas. Therefore, the findings highlighted that public health interventions should target rural areas and identified hotspot areas to reduce the incidence of infant mortality.
Detection of liver fibrosis stages in patients with hepatitis C virus infection by non-invasive tool
Authors: Serag Waleed Mohamed , Elsayed Basem Eysa 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
S100A14 is a novel significant individual from S100 proteins family. Its significance is because of its part in tumorigenesis and metastasis process. Elevated level of S100A14 was associated with poor tumor differentiation. A relatively high dose of S100A14 was capable to induce cell injuries. It was discovered that S100A14 is seen at the extracellular medium. S100A14 induces the activation of apoptotic mediators and cell apoptosis. The aim of this study is to assess the clinical response of S100A14 in the detection the stages of liver fibrosis in patients of chronic HCV. ELISA was used to detect the levels of serum S100A14 in both different stages of fibrosis of the liver and control groups, and then, they were noticed together with the results of fibroscan. Other noninvasive markers of fibrosis were calculated such as APRI, AAR, and FIB-4 score.

Results
Protein expression level of S100A14 was positive correlated significantly with stages of fibrosis.

Conclusion
Measurement of serum level of S100A14 is a useful non-invasive marker for detection of the stages of liver fibrosis in patients of chronic HCV. Combinations of measuring S100A14 level to FIB-4 or S100A14 to APRI give a sensitive tool for diagnosing significant fibrosis.
A modifier screen identifies regulators of cytoskeletal architecture as mediators of Shroom-dependent changes in tissue morphology
Authors: Hildebrand Jeffrey D. , Leventry Adam D. , Aideyman Omoregie P. , Majewski John C. , Haddad James A. , Bisi Dawn C. , Kaufmann Nancy 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT
Regulation of cell architecture is critical in the formation of tissues during animal development. The mechanisms that control cell shape must be both dynamic and stable in order to establish and maintain the correct cellular organization. Previous work has identified Shroom family proteins as essential regulators of cell morphology during vertebrate development. Shroom proteins regulate cell architecture by directing the subcellular distribution and activation of Rho-kinase, which results in the localized activation of non-muscle myosin II. Because the Shroom-Rock-myosin II module is conserved in most animal model systems, we have utilized Drosophila melanogaster to further investigate the pathways and components that are required for Shroom to define cell shape and tissue architecture. Using a phenotype-based heterozygous F1 genetic screen for modifiers of Shroom activity, we identified several cytoskeletal and signaling protein that may cooperate with Shroom. We show that two of these proteins, Enabled and Short stop, are required for ShroomA-induced changes in tissue morphology and are apically enriched in response to Shroom expression. While the recruitment of Ena is necessary, it is not sufficient to redefine cell morphology. Additionally, this requirement for Ena appears to be context dependent, as a variant of Shroom that is apically localized, binds to Rock, but lacks the Ena binding site, is still capable of inducing changes in tissue architecture. These data point to important cellular pathways that may regulate contractility or facilitate Shroom-mediated changes in cell and tissue morphology.
How hornbills handle heat: sex-specific thermoregulation in the southern yellow-billed hornbill
Authors: van Jaarsveld Barry , Bennett Nigel C. , Czenze Zenon J. , Kemp Ryno , van de Ven Tanja M. F. N. , Cunningham Susan J. , McKechnie Andrew E. 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT
At a global scale, thermal physiology is correlated with climatic variables such as temperature and aridity. There is also evidence that thermoregulatory traits vary with fine-scale microclimate, but this has received less attention in endotherms. Here, we test the hypothesis that avian thermoregulation varies with microclimate and behavioural constraints in a non-passerine bird. Male and female southern yellow-billed hornbills (Tockus leucomelas) experience markedly different microclimates while breeding, with the female sealing herself into a tree cavity and moulting all her flight feathers during the breeding attempt, becoming entirely reliant on the male for provisioning. We examined interactions between resting metabolic rate (RMR), evaporative water loss (EWL) and core body temperature (Tb) at air temperatures (Ta) between 30°C and 52°C in male and female hornbills, and quantified evaporative cooling efficiencies and heat tolerance limits. At thermoneutral Ta, neither RMR, EWL nor Tb differed between sexes. At Ta &gt;40°C, however, RMR and EWL of females were significantly lower than those of males, by ∼13% and ∼17%, respectively, despite similar relationships between Tb and Ta, maximum ratio of evaporative heat loss to metabolic heat production and heat tolerance limits (∼50°C). These sex-specific differences in hornbill thermoregulation support the hypothesis that avian thermal physiology can vary within species in response to fine-scale microclimatic factors. In addition, Q10 for RMR varied substantially, with Q10 ≤2 in some individuals, supporting recent arguments that active metabolic suppression may be an underappreciated aspect of endotherm thermoregulation in the heat.
Comparative cranial biomechanics in two lizard species: impact of variation in cranial design
Authors: Dutel Hugo , Gröning Flora , Sharp Alana C. , Watson Peter J. , Herrel Anthony , Ross Callum F. , Jones Marc E. H. , Evans Susan E. , Fagan Michael J. 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT
Cranial morphology in lepidosaurs is highly disparate and characterised by the frequent loss or reduction of bony elements. In varanids and geckos, the loss of the postorbital bar is associated with changes in skull shape, but the mechanical principles underlying this variation remain poorly understood. Here, we sought to determine how the overall cranial architecture and the presence of the postorbital bar relate to the loading and deformation of the cranial bones during biting in lepidosaurs. Using computer-based simulation techniques, we compared cranial biomechanics in the varanid Varanus niloticus and the teiid Salvator merianae, two large, active foragers. The overall strain magnitude and distribution across the cranium were similar in the two species, despite lower strain gradients in V. niloticus. In S. merianae, the postorbital bar is important for resistance of the cranium to feeding loads. The postorbital ligament, which in varanids partially replaces the postorbital bar, does not affect bone strain. Our results suggest that the reduction of the postorbital bar impaired neither biting performance nor the structural resistance of the cranium to feeding loads in V. niloticus. Differences in bone strain between the two species might reflect demands imposed by feeding and non-feeding functions on cranial shape. Beyond variation in cranial bone strain related to species-specific morphological differences, our results reveal that similar mechanical behaviour is shared by lizards with distinct cranial shapes. Contrary to the situation in mammals, the morphology of the circumorbital region, calvaria and palate appears to be important for withstanding high feeding loads in these lizards.
DSM-5: Επτά χρόνια μετά -εξελίξεις και προκλήσεις στην ταξινόμηση ψυχικών διαταραχών
Authors: Χριστοπούλου Άννα , Γκιρλέμη Άρια , Αποστολίδου Άννα , Στεφάνου Ηλέκτρα , Κουτουματσιώτη Αναστασία , Μαρούλη Ελισάβετ , Φωτεινού Μαρία , Ερμηλίου Βασιλική , Κουτριάς Απόστολος , Ντάλη Ευδοκία 
Published: January 2021

The DSM-5, the fifth publication of the diagnostic system DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) has been a source of intense scientific interest and debate. The purpose of this article is to review the most important developments in this scientific dialogue during the seven years after the publication of the manual. To begin with, reference is briefly made to the development of the DSM-5 as well as to criticism and response to this criticism that immediately followed publication of the manual. Then, later developments regarding the DSM-5 are discussed, such as the focus on particular issues of concern as well as significant social and economic changes regarding contemporary classification systems. Research findings on the current use of diagnostic classification systems are also presented. Finally, particular areas of interest and concern regarding future classification, and new proposals as the Research Domain Criteria (RDoc) of the National Institute of Mental Health in the United States are discussed.
Falco: high-speed FastQC emulation for quality control of sequencing data
Authors: de Sena Brandine Guilherme , Smith Andrew D. 
Published: January 2021

Quality control is an essential first step in sequencing data analysis, and software tools for quality control are deeply entrenched in standard pipelines at most sequencing centers. Although the associated computations are straightforward, in many settings the total computing effort required for quality control is appreciable and warrants optimization. We present Falco, an emulation of the popular FastQC tool that runs on average three times faster while generating equivalent results. Compared to FastQC, Falco also requires less memory to run and provides more flexible visualization of HTML reports.
An Analysis of Ecological Coexistence in Upaniṣads
Authors: Mohan M. Ajay 
Published: January 2021

The paper intends to objectively review the ecological understanding of Upaniṣhadic ṛṣis. Since ecology is a modern notion, it is required to precisely place it within the Upaniṣhadic thought. For that purpose, a possible ontological structure of Upaniṣhadic philosophy is sorted in which the discussion of ecology becomes meaningful. Upaniṣhadic ṛṣis conceived ecology as a part of their metaphysics, that is, one which is assisted by the devatas. There is a dependent coexistence between Devatas, Humans and the world. This feature of Upaniṣhadic philosophy should not be treated as a declaration for environmental conservation. It is rather seen as a theory of consumption and calibration from both sides. Although ecology is integrated into the Upaniṣhadic metaphysics, it is not one of the subject matters of Upaniṣhads. An understanding of ecology traceable from Upaniṣhads is supplementary to Upaniṣhadic theory of Devatas. Thus, the author concludes that the Upaniṣhadic ecology is metaphysical rather than natural.
Fórmula Estratégica Empresarial para Pymes en Ecuador ante el Covid-19
Authors: Useche Aguirre Maria Cristina , Vásquez Lacres Lourdes Maribel , Salazar Vázquez Flor Isabel , Ordóñez Gavilanes Magdalena 
Published: January 2021

Ante las desgarradoras consecuencias generadas por la pandemia COVID-19, el gobierno del Ecuador tomó medidas económicas y sociales para prevenir contagios masivos, sin embargo, las pequeñas y medianas empresas decidieron mantenerse en funcionamiento, pues el sustento diario familiar depende totalmente de sus esfuerzos económicos y ante sucumbir en estos tiempos prefieren arriesgarse e ir solucionando sus necesidades básicas en la medida de sus posibilidades, aunque ello implique posible contagio. Ante esto, el objetivo del presente trabajo pretende establecer las estratégicas empresariales implementadas por las pequeñas y medianas empresas en la República del Ecuador en el marco de la pandemia COVID-19. En tal sentido, se ha empleado un tipo de investigación documental, acudiendo a fuentes institucionales, gubernamentales y empresariales de ese país, y la información extraída ha pasado por un proceso de depuración y análisis con la técnica del análisis de contenido. Se concluye que las PyMES requieren atender sus necesidades sociales y los requerimientos económicos que impone el mercado nacional e internacional y para ello se diseñaron cuatro estrategias interactivas para preservar la salud y adecuar sus acciones a la tecnología, estimular la capacidad de rápida adaptación ante adversidades e insertar su direccionamiento con los objetivos de desarrollo sostenible.
Valor percibido y lealtad del cliente: estrategia co-branding de tarjetas de crédito en Bogotá – Colombia
Authors: Forero-Molina Sara Catalina , Neme-Chaves Samir Ricardo 
Published: January 2021

El co-branding es una oportunidad estratégica de cooperación entre marcas, al punto que las involucradas en la alianza buscan beneficios particulares sin perder su identidad. Existen múltiples tipos de co-branding, uno de los cuales es el cooperativo o de alcance y conocimiento, del que hace parte la estrategia de tarjetas de crédito de marca compartida. Se trata de un tipo de alianza creciente en los últimos años en Colombia con diversas pretensiones para las marcas, como la incursión en nuevos nichos de mercado, nuevos beneficios para los clientes, mayor fidelización de los clientes, entre otros. En conformidad, la presente investigación tiene como objetivo identificar la relación entre la percepción de valor hacia las tarjetas de crédito de marca compartida y la lealtad hacia marcas de ropa, accesorios y calzado en Bogotá - Colombia. Se llevó a cabo un estudio cuantitativo de corte correlacional con diseño transversal, contando con un muestreo no probabilístico – por conveniencia con un total de 250 encuestas válidas. Los resultados dejan entrever que existe relación entre los factores de valor percibido hacia las tarjetas de crédito de marca compartida y los factores de lealtad hacia las marcas estudiadas, pudiéndose así validar todas las hipótesis planteadas.
True Motives: Prosocial and Instrumental Justifications for Behavioral Change in Organizations
Authors: Amengual Matthew , Apfelbaum Evan P. 
Published: January 2021

When organizations want their employees to adopt behaviors that advance prosocial and instrumental aims, which motive should they express? A groundswell of recent work suggests that highlighting prosocial actions inspires and motivates employees. Building on this work, we embed a field experiment in the context of an organizational change initiative (Study 1). A large university sought to change the behavior of administrative employees who purchase office supplies, encouraging them to place orders of at least $50, referred to as “bundling.” We exploit the fact that the organization could justify the same behavior in contrasting ways. We randomly assign employees to view either a prosocial (“limiting pollution”), instrumental (“limiting costs”), or mixed motive (“limiting pollution and limiting costs”) for caring about bundling each time they access the organization’s procurement system. We then evaluate changes in employees’ behavior by comparing a six-month baseline to a six-month experimental period, covering 10,169 purchases in 556 offices. Contrary to expectations from related research, the instrumental motive was most effective for changing behavior, leading to significantly more bundling than the prosocial motive. Two follow-up vignette experiments probe theoretical mechanisms. They indicate that an instrumental motive seems more genuine (i.e., reflecting the organization’s true motive) than a prosocial motive (Study 2) and that seeming genuine increases individuals’ intention to bundle (Study 3). This research reveals that prosocial justifications can be less effective than instrumental ones and suggests that perceptions of genuineness may shape the effectiveness of behavioral change efforts in organizations. This paper was accepted by Yuval Rottenstreich, decision analysis.
Multimodal Dynamic Pricing
Authors: Wang Yining , Chen Boxiao , Simchi-Levi David 
Published: January 2021

We consider a single product dynamic pricing with demand learning. The candidate prices belong to a wide range of a price interval; the modeling of the demand functions is nonparametric in nature, imposing only smoothness regularity conditions. One important aspect of our model is the possibility of the expected reward function to be nonconcave and indeed multimodal, which leads to many conceptual and technical challenges. Our proposed algorithm is inspired by both the Upper-Confidence-Bound algorithm for multiarmed bandit and the Optimism-in-the-Face-of-Uncertainty principle arising from linear contextual bandits. The multiarmed bandit formulation arises from local-bin approximation of an unknown continuous demand function, and the linear contextual bandit formulation is then applied to obtain more accurate local polynomial approximators within each bin. Through rigorous regret analysis, we demonstrate that our proposed algorithm achieves optimal worst-case regret over a wide range of smooth function classes. More specifically, for k-times smooth functions and T selling periods, the regret of our proposed algorithm is [Formula: see text], which is shown to be optimal via the development of information theoretical lower bounds. We also show that in special cases, such as strongly concave or infinitely smooth reward functions, our algorithm achieves an [Formula: see text] regret, matching optimal regret established in previous works. Finally, we present computational results that verify the effectiveness of our method in numerical simulations.This paper was accepted by J. George Shanthikumar, big data analytics.