bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Visual search in neurodevelopmental disorders: evidence towards a continuum of impairment
Authors: Canu Daniela , Ioannou Chara , Müller Katarina , Martin Berthold , Fleischhaker Christian , Biscaldi Monica , Beauducel André , Smyrnis Nikolaos , van Elst Ludger Tebartz , Klein Christoph 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDisorders with neurodevelopmental aetiology such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Schizophrenia share commonalities at many levels of investigation despite phenotypic differences. Evidence of genetic overlap has led to the concept of a continuum of neurodevelopmental impairment along which these disorders can be positioned in aetiological, pathophysiological and developmental features. This concept requires their simultaneous comparison at different levels, which has not been accomplished so far. Given that cognitive impairments are core to the pathophysiology of these disorders, we provide for the first time differentiated head-to-head comparisons in a complex cognitive function, visual search, decomposing the task with eye movement-based process analyses. N = 103 late-adolescents with schizophrenia, ADHD, ASD and healthy controls took a serial visual search task, while their eye movements were recorded. Patients with schizophrenia presented the greatest level of impairment across different phases of search, followed by patients with ADHD, who shared with patients with schizophrenia elevated intra-subject variability in the pre-search stage. ASD was the least impaired group, but similar to schizophrenia in post-search processes and to schizophrenia and ADHD in pre-search processes and fixation duration while scanning the items. Importantly, the profiles of deviancy from controls were highly correlated between all three clinical groups, in line with the continuum idea. Findings suggest the existence of one common neurodevelopmental continuum of performance for the three disorders, while quantitative differences appear in the level of impairment. Given the relevance of cognitive impairments in these three disorders, we argue in favour of overlapping pathophysiological mechanisms.
Usability of SCADA as predictive maintenance for wind turbines
Authors: Roscher Björn , Schelenz Ralf 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWind energy is an essential source of renewable energy. However, to compete with conventional energy sources, energy needs to be produced at low costs. An ideal situation would be to have no costly, unscheduled maintenance, preferably. Currently, O&M are half of the yearly expenses. The O&M costs are kept low by scheduled and reactive maintenance. An alternative is predictive maintenance. This method aims to act before any critical and costly repair is required. Additionally, the component is used to its full potential. However, such a strategy requires a damage indication, similar to one provided by a condition monitoring system (CMS). This paper investigates if Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) can be used as a damage indicator and CMS. Since 2006, every wind turbine is obliged to use such a SCADA-system. SCADA records a 10-minute average, maximum, minimum, and standard deviation of multiple technical information channels. Analytics can use those data to determine the normal behavior and a prediction model of the wind turbine. The authors investigated statistical and data mining methods to predict main bearing faults. The methods indicated a defect of up to 6 months before its maintenance.
Separation of Rare Earth Elements (REE) by Ion Interaction Chromatography (IIC) Using Diglycolic Acid (ODA) as a Complexing Agent
Authors: Dybczyński Rajmund S. , Kulisa Krzysztof 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe possibility of rare earth elements (REE) separation by ion interaction chromatography (IIC) employing their complexes with diglycolic acid (ODA) in anion exchange mode has been studied theoretically and experimentally. Calculations, assuming that only trivalent complex is significantly uptaken by the stationary phase, indicated that at at pH 4–6, the retention in the lanthanide series should increase from La to the Tb–Dy–Ho region with yttrium showing apparent atomic number (App.At.No.) of 67½ and then decrease with further increase of atomic number. Chromatographic experiments in the system: Column: Eternity C18—mobile phase 5 mM ODA/8.6 mM TBAOH/0.6 mM HNO3; pH 4.60 confirmed theoretically predictions. It was found that scandium at pH ≥ 4.0 elutes in front of the whole REE group but at low pH enters the region of light lanthanides. The non-monotonical change of affinity of the REE with the increase of atomic number results in quite unusual order of elution of REE namely: Sc < La < Ce < Lu < Pr < Yb < Nd < Tm < Sm < Eu < Er≈Y < Gd < Ho < Tb≈Dy.
A new meta-module design for efficient reconfiguration of modular robots
Authors: Parada Irene , Sacristán Vera , Silveira Rodrigo I. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe propose a new meta-module design for two important classes of modular robots. The new meta-modules are three-dimensional, robust and compact, improving on the previously proposed ones. One of them applies to so-called edge-hinged modular robot units, such as M-TRAN, SuperBot, SMORES, UBot, PolyBot and CKBot, while the other one applies to so-called central-point-hinged modular robot units, which include Molecubes and Roombots. The new meta-modules use the rotational degrees of freedom of these two types of robot units in order to expand and contract, as to double or halve their length in each of the two directions of its three dimensions, therefore simulating the capabilities of Crystalline and Telecube robots. Furthermore, in the edge-hinged case we prove that the novel meta-module can also perform the scrunch, relax and transfer moves that are necessary in any tunneling-based reconfiguration algorithm for expanding/contracting modular robots such as Crystalline and Telecube. This implies that the use of meta-meta-modules is unnecessary, and that currently existing efficient reconfiguration algorithms can be applied to a much larger set of modular robots than initially intended. We also prove that the size of the new meta-modules is optimal and cannot be further reduced.
Women’s attitude towards umbilical cord blood banking in Poland
Authors: Pisula Agata , Sienicka Agnieszka , Stachyra Karolina , Kacperczyk-Bartnik Joanna , Bartnik Paweł , Dobrowolska-Redo Agnieszka , Romejko-Wolniewicz Ewa 
Published: March 2021

AbstractUmbilical cord blood (UCB) is considered as a valuable potential source of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. A process of collecting and storing UCB in the immediate period after the birth is called UCB banking. The study was conducted in order to determine women’s knowledge, awareness, preferences and attitude towards UCB banking in Poland, considering the sociodemographic and obstetric factors. A cross-sectional, self-administered, online questionnaire-based study including mostly multiple choice questions concerning attitude and awareness regarding UCB banking was conducted entirely online among Facebook female users in Poland. A total of 1077 participants correctly completed the survey. Most participants (n = 911, 84.6%) were aware of the possibility of UCB banking. Social media were considered as the main source of information (47.5%). However, the participants mostly indicated the doctor as their preferred source of reliable information (86.8%). The majority of women (61.8%) assessed their level of knowledge of UCB banking as still insufficient. Among the participants who supported UCB banking (70%), the following reasons were considered as the most vital: potential possibility of helping their child (93.9%) and helping other relatives (64.4%). More than half of the respondents (66.9%), who have not stored and are not willing to store their children’s UCB, indicated the high cost of UCB banking as the main reason of this decision. The knowledge and awareness of UCB storage and banking possibilities amongst women in Poland could be improved. The professional medical personnel should be a source of reliable information.
Genetic variation and response to selection for storage root dry matter and associated traits in a population of yam bean (Pachyrhizus spp.) interspecies crosses
Authors: Agaba Rolland , Rubaihayo Patrick , Tukamuhabwa Phinehas , Mwanga Robert O. M. , Tumwegamire Silver , Ndirigwe Jean , Heider Bettina , Grüneberg Wolfgang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe goal of yam bean improvement in Africa is to develop superior high yielding and high dry matter cultivars that are preferred for adoption. In this study, the estimates of variance components, heritability and response to selection were studied in F3 yam bean families selected from interspecies crosses targeting improvement of storage root dry matter and associated traits. Breeding populations were generated using North Carolina II (NC II) mating design involving high dry matter P. tuberosus chuin cultivar, low dry matter P. ahipa and the high yielding P. erosus yam beans. The progenies were advanced through selfing from F1 to F2 population and then exposed to selection at 10% selection intensity to obtain 83 high dry matter lines. The selected lines were evaluated in an F3 trial using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) Namulonge, in Central Uganda. The results revealed significant (P < 0.001) genetic variation for storage root dry matter (RDM), storage root fresh yield (RFY), storage root dry yield (RDY), vine yield (VNY), fresh biomass yield (FBY), harvest index (HI), starch (STA) and protein (PRO) content. High genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were obtained for VNY, RDY, FBY, RFY, RDM and STA. Narrow sense heritability was higher than 0.5 and response to selection was 15.5 to 33.1 for RDM, RFY, RDY, VNY, FBY and STA, indicating rapid genetic progress is achievable and early generation selection would be effective to improve these traits. Significant (P < 0.01) positive genetic correlations were observed between RDM, RDY, RFY, VNY, FBY and STA ranging from 0.422 to 0.963 implying that simultaneous improvement of these traits is possible in the current yam bean populations.
Values-Based and Global Systemically Important Banks: Their Stability and the Impact of Regulatory Changes After the Financial Crisis on it
Authors: Schäfer Theresa , Utz Sebastian 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe study the financial stability of Values-Based Banks (VBBs) and Global Systemically Important Banks (GSIBs), and how regulatory changes in the aftermath of the financial crisis affected bank stability. These two types of banks allow contrasting an environmental and social impact banking approach to a conventional one. VBBs exhibit significantly higher financial stability before and during the financial crisis. However, regulatory changes in the aftermath of the financial crisis requiring higher capital buffer, have significantly affected GSIBs and rendered the difference in stability levels insignificant.
Prenatal Androgen Effects as a Proximate Mechanism Underpinning Variation in Social Behavior Among Female Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Howlett Caroline , Wheeler Brandon C. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWhile the role of ecological factors in shaping primate social systems has been a central focus for decades, less attention has been given to phylogenetic relationships and the potential role of underlying proximate mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between one such proximate mechanism, prenatal androgen effects (PAEs), and aspects of social behavior in female nonhuman primates using the 2D:4D ratio as a proxy for PAEs and phylogenetically controlled methods. In general, female 2D:4D ratios were highest in monogamous species (low inferred PAEs) and lowest in polygynandrous and polygynous species (high inferred PAEs). 2D:4D ratios also varied with the form of polygyny/polygynandry, potentially with regard to the need for competitive over cooperative behaviors and the intensity of female reproductive competition. Species characterized by female dominance had lower 2D:4D ratios than species characterized by male dominance or codominance. There were no significant relationships between 2D:4D ratio and either degree of frugivory or group size. Relationships between 2D:4D ratios and the directional consistency index and 2D:4D ratios and rates of female–female agonism were also nonsignificant although sample sizes for both of these variables were small. Female social relationships are a manifestation of complex competitive and cooperative behaviors and the results suggest that PAEs may act as a proximate mechanism underlying the expression of certain aspects of behavior in female primates in ways that are adaptive to their social system.
Local education authority’s quality management within a coupled school system: Strategies, actions, and tensions
Authors: Håkansson Jan , Adolfsson Carl-Henrik 
Published: March 2021

AbstractInternational policy trends point to an increased focus on student achievement, teaching quality, and school outcomes. Attention to Swedish students’ poor academic achievement over the past two decades has resulted in an increased emphasis on the responsibility of municipalities and schools to create a better educational atmosphere through building quality control systems at the local level. The purpose of this study is to contribute in-depth knowledge of not only how local education authorities (LEAs) support and control schools through quality management systems but also how these local governance strategies are conditioned and obtain legitimacy in relation to the national governance of schools. Based on interviews with LEA actors in one large municipality in Sweden, as well as observations of meetings within the quality management system, this paper uses an organizational theory to explore what appears to be important in a LEA quality management system and the tensions between the state, the municipality, and the school. The results show that the LEAs’ quality management system is based on three specific strategies: (a) data use, (b) leadership, and (c) different forms of dialogues, which, in turn, contribute to relatively close system connections. The exception is the LEAs’ ability to sustainably contribute to equity in outcomes and quality, where different tensions become clear. There is some support for the LEAs’ potential to contribute to stability and coherence in relation to national governance and to the local schools.
On the Qualitative Behavior of a Class of Generalized Liénard Planar Systems
Authors: Villari Gabriele , Zanolin Fabio 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe study the problem of existence/nonexistence of limit cycles for a class of Liénard generalized differential systems in which, differently from the most investigated case, the function F depends not only on x but also on the y-variable. In this framework, some new results are presented, starting from a case study which, actually, already exhibits the most significant properties. In particular, the so-called “superlinear case” presents some new phenomena of escaping orbits which will be discussed in detail.
Integrated reporting quality and BoD characteristics: an empirical analysis
Authors: Songini Lucrezia , Pistoni Anna , Tettamanzi Patrizia , Fratini Fabrizio , Minutiello Valentina 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe amount of literature on IR has grown over the last few years, but while particular attention has been paid to the variables that can play a role in IR adoption, IR quality and its determinants are still the subject of debate. The main determinants of IR quality outlined by the literature are firm size, industry, national context, firm performance, assurance, and to a lesser extent, corporate governance and company ownership structure. However, previous studies have usually reached conflicting results, thus not providing shared conclusions.This paper aims to understand the impact of the Board of Directors’ features on IR quality, evaluated in terms of the degree of compliance between IR content and the guidelines suggested in the IR framework presented by IIRC. The Board’s characteristics considered are size, composition and diversity with regard to board members’ gender, age and level of education.53 companies were taken into consideration from 2013 to 2016 for a total number of 212 integrated reports. Five research hypotheses were developed. Research findings highlight that IR quality is positively associated with the level of education of board members, and negatively with the presence of women. Moreover, among control variables, profitability (positive relation) and leverage (negative relation) are relevant determinants. Our research findings support the idea that the “quality” of the board members matters more than their “quantity” in increasing IR quality, and that diversityinthe board is more relevant than diversityofthe board.
Comment on ,,On the integrability of 2D Hamiltonian systems with variable Gaussian curvature” by A. A. Elmandouh
Authors: Szumiński Wojciech , Maciejewski Andrzej J. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn the paper [1], the author formulates in Theorem 2 necessary conditions for integrability of a certain class of Hamiltonian systems with non-constant Gaussian curvature, which depends on local coordinates. We give a counterexample to show that this theorem is not correct in general. This contradiction is explained in some extent. However, the main result of this note is our theorem that gives new simple and easy to check necessary conditions to integrability of the system considered in [1]. We present several examples, which show that the obtained conditions are effective. Moreover, we justify that our criterion can be extended to wider class of systems, which are given by non-meromorphic Hamiltonian functions.
Mammary gland adipocytes in lactation cycle, obesity and breast cancer
Authors: Colleluori Georgia , Perugini Jessica , Barbatelli Giorgio , Cinti Saverio 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe mammary gland (MG) is an exocrine gland present in female mammals responsible for the production and secretion of milk during the process of lactation. It is mainly composed by epithelial cells and adipocytes. Among the features that make the MG unique there are 1) its highly plastic properties displayed during pregnancy, lactation and involution (all steps belonging to the lactation cycle) and 2) its requirement to grow in close association with adipocytes which are absolutely necessary to ensure MG’s proper development at puberty and remodeling during the lactation cycle. Although MG adipocytes play such a critical role for the gland development, most of the studies have focused on its epithelial component only, leaving the role of the neighboring adipocytes largely unexplored. In this review we aim to describe evidences regarding MG’s adipocytes role and properties in physiologic conditions (gland development and lactation cycle), obesity and breast cancer, emphasizing the existing gaps in the literature which deserve further investigation.
Understanding procrastination: A case of a study skills course
Authors: Hailikari T. , Katajavuori N. , Asikainen H. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractProcrastination is consistently viewed as problematic to academic success and students’ general well-being. There are prevailing questions regarding the underlying and maintaining mechanisms of procrastination which are yet to be learnt. The aim of the present study was to combine different ways to explain procrastination and explore how students’ time and effort management skills, psychological flexibility and academic self-efficacy are connected to procrastination as they have been commonly addressed separately in previous studies. The data were collected from 135 students who participated in a voluntary time management and well-being course in autumn 2019. The results showed that students’ ability to organize their time and effort has the strongest association with procrastination out of the variables included in the study. Psychological flexibility also has a strong individual role in explaining procrastination along with time and effort management skills. Surprisingly, academic self-efficacy did not have a direct association with procrastination. Interestingly, our findings further suggest that time and effort management and psychological flexibility are closely related and appear to go hand in hand and, thus, both need to be considered when the aim is to reduce procrastination. The implications of the findings are further discussed.
Investigation of the Tribological Performances of Graphene and WS2 Nanosheets as Additives for Perfluoroalkylpolyethers Under Simulated Space Environment
Authors: Ren Jia , Gong Kuiliang , Zhao Gaiqing , Lou Wenjing , Wu Xinhu , Wang Xiaobo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe tribological performances of perfluoroalkylpolyethers (PFPE) with graphene (Gr), WS2, and the mixture of Gr and WS2 (Gr + WS2) before and after ultraviolet (UV), atomic oxygen (AO), and proton (Pr) irradiations were investigated. The composition and structure of PFPE, Gr, WS2, and Gr + WS2 were also analyzed to understand the effects of irradiation on the tribological behaviors of PFPE with additives. The results indicated that serious deterioration and degradation of PFPE took place and Gr was transformed to amorphous carbon after Pr irradiation, and surface oxidation of WS2 occurred under the irradiations of AO and Pr. Moreover, compared to PFPE and PFPE additized with Gr and WS2, PFPE with the addition of Gr + WS2 exhibited excellent friction and wear reduction before and after UV and AO irradiations.
Graphical Abstract
Advanced strategies for development of vaccines against human bacterial pathogens
Authors: Sharma Abhinay , Sanduja Pooja , Anand Aparna , Mahajan Pooja , Guzman Carlos A. , Yadav Puja , Awasthi Amit , Hanski Emanuel , Dua Meenakshi , Johri Atul Kumar 
Published: March 2021

AbstractInfectious diseases are one of the main grounds of death and disabilities in human beings globally. Lack of effective treatment and immunization for many deadly infectious diseases and emerging drug resistance in pathogens underlines the need to either develop new vaccines or sufficiently improve the effectiveness of currently available drugs and vaccines. In this review, we discuss the application of advanced tools like bioinformatics, genomics, proteomics and associated techniques for a rational vaccine design.
Determinants of green growth in developed and developing countries
Authors: Tawiah Vincent , Zakari Abdulrasheed , Adedoyin Festus Fatai 
Published: March 2021

AbstractConsidering the need for environmental sustainability while ensuring economic growth and development by 2030, this study uses data on 123 developed and developing countries to examine factors that influence green growth. The empirical results show that economic development positively influences green growth. However, trade openness is detrimental to green growth. Regarding energy-related factors, we find energy consumption negatively affecting green growth, but renewable energy consumption significantly improves green growth. In further analysis, we find that the influence of these factors differs between developed and developing countries. The result implies that countries at a different development level will require different strategies in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in 2030. The results are robust to alternative identification strategies such as the System Generalised Method of Movement, which accounts for potential endogeneity.