bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimal destabilization of cartels
Authors: von Auer Ludwig , Pham Tu Anh 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis paper introduces an oligopoly model that includes three actors: a cartel (comprising two or more firms that operate like one merged company), a group of competing fringe firms, and a welfare maximizing antitrust authority. The cartel is the Stackelberg quantity leader and the fringe firms are in Cournot competition with respect to the residual demand. The cartel is internally stable if none of its member firms finds it profitable to become a fringe firm. The antitrust authority can destabilize the cartel in the sense of making the cartel internally instable. To this end, the antitrust authority has three policy instruments at its disposal: its own effort, a fine for detected cartels, and a leniency program for cartel members that cooperate with the authority. Taking into account that the use of these instruments is not costless for society, a unique optimal antitrust policy is derived. The analysis reveals that both, the optimal force and mix of the antitrust authority’s policy depend on market characteristics such as the efficiency of the authority’s operations, the public respect for the rule of law, the ethical standards of the firms’ managers, the market volume, and the number of firms operating on the market.
Predictors of Microvascular Reperfusion After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Doherty Daniel J. , Sykes Robert , Mangion Kenneth , Berry Colin 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPurpose of ReviewIn acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), successful restoration of blood flow in the infarct-related coronary artery may not secure effective myocardial reperfusion. The mortality and morbidity associated with acute MI remain significant. Microvascular obstruction (MVO) represents failed microvascular reperfusion. MVO is under-recognized, independently associated with adverse cardiac prognosis and represents an unmet therapeutic need.Recent FindingsMultiple factors including clinical presentation, patient characteristics, biochemical markers, and imaging parameters are associated with MVO after MI.SummaryImpaired microvascular reperfusion is common following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). New knowledge about disease mechanisms underpins precision medicine with individualized risk assessment, investigation, and stratified therapy. To date, there are no evidence-based therapies to prevent or treat MVO post-MI. Identifying novel therapy for MVO is the next frontier.
Multidisciplinary consensus on optimising the detection of NTRK gene alterations in tumours
Authors: Garrido P. , Hladun R. , de Álava E. , Álvarez R. , Bautista F. , López-Ríos F. , Colomer R. , Rojo F. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe recent identification of rearrangements of neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) genes and the development of specific fusion protein inhibitors, such as larotrectinib and entrectinib, have revolutionised the diagnostic and clinical management of patients presenting with tumours with these alterations. Tumours that harbour NTRK fusions are found in both adults and children; and they are either rare tumours with common NTRK fusions that may be diagnostic, or more prevalent tumours with rare NTRK fusions. To assess currently available evidence on this matter, three key Spanish medical societies (the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), the Spanish Society of Pathological Anatomy (SEAP), and the Spanish Society of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology (SEHOP) have brought together a group of experts to develop a consensus document that includes guidelines on the diagnostic, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of NTRK-fusion tumours. This document also discusses the challenges related to the routine detection of these genetic alterations in a mostly public Health Care System.
Paraventricular Nucleus P2X7 Receptors Aggravate Acute Myocardial Infarction Injury via ROS-Induced Vasopressin-V1b Activation in Rats
Authors: Cheng Wenjing , Sun Yinggang , Wu Qin , Ooi Kokwin , Feng Yi , Xia Chunmei , Zhu Danian 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe present study was designed to investigate the mechanisms by which P2X7 receptors (P2X7Rs) mediate the activation of vasopressinergic neurons thereby increasing sympathetic hyperactivity in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus of rats with acute myocardial ischemia (AMI). The left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery was ligated to induce AMI in rats. The rats were pretreated with BBG (brilliant blue G, a P2X7R antagonist), nelivaptan (a vasopressin V1b receptor antagonist), or diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) [an nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase inhibitor]. Hemodynamic parameters of the heart were monitored. Myocardial injury and cardiomyocyte apoptosis were assessed. In the PVN of AMI rats, P2X7R mediated microglial activation, while reactive oxygen species (ROS) and NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) were higher than in the sham group. Intraperitoneal injection of BBG effectively reduced ROS production and vasopressin expression in the PVN of AMI rats. Moreover, both BBG and DPI pretreatment effectively reduced sympathetic hyperactivity and ameliorated AMI injury, as represented by reduced inflammation and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, microinjection of nelivaptan into the PVN improved cardiac function and reduced the norepinephrine (AE) levels in AMI rats. Collectively, the results suggest that, within the PVN of AMI rats, P2X7R upregulation mediates microglial activation and the overproduction of ROS, which in turn activates vasopressinergic neuron-V1b receptors and sympathetic hyperactivity, hence aggravating myocardial injury in the AMI setting.
Concomitant Respiratory Failure Can Impair Myocardial Oxygenation in Patients with Acute Cardiogenic Shock Supported by VA-ECMO
Authors: Prisco Anthony R. , Aguado-Sierra Jazmin , Butakoff Constantine , Vazquez Mariano , Houzeaux Guillaume , Eguzkitza Beatriz , Bartos Jason A. , Yannopoulos Demetris , Raveendran Ganesh , Holm Mikayle , Iles Tinen , Mahr Claudius , Iaizzo Paul A. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractVenous-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) treatment for acute cardiogenic shock in patients who also have acute lung injury predisposes development of a serious complication called “north-south syndrome” (NSS) which causes cerebral hypoxia. NSS is poorly characterized and hemodynamic studies have focused on cerebral perfusion ignoring the heart. We hypothesized in NSS the heart would be more likely to receive hypoxemic blood than the brain due to the proximity of the coronary arteries to the aortic annulus. To test this, we conducted a computational fluid dynamics simulation of blood flow in a human supported by VA-ECMO. Simulations quantified the fraction of blood at each aortic branching vessel originating from residual native cardiac output versus VA-ECMO. As residual cardiac function was increased, simulations demonstrated myocardial hypoxia would develop prior to cerebral hypoxia. These results illustrate the conditions where NSS will develop and the relative cardiac function that will lead to organ-specific hypoxia.
Graphical Abstract
Acute toxicity of typical ant control agents to the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Sakamoto Hironori , Goka Koichi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), is a serious invasive alien ant around the world and has expanded its invasive range to the Pacific Rim since the early 2000s. It was first reported in Japan in 2017, and its entry through cargo has been reported numerous times in many ports. Colonies have been found in Tokyo Port since 2019, and now it is an urgent issue to prevent further invasion and establishment. Chemical control is the best tested method of insect control, but we have little information on the efficacy of insecticides against S. invicta in Japan. Here, we conducted acute toxicity assays of six quick-acting pyrethroids (transfluthrin, prallethrin, phenothrin, permethrin, metofluthrin, and pyrethrin) for killing adults and five new-type insecticides (fipronil, thiamethoxam, indoxacarb, imidacloprid, and hydramethylnon) for controlling colonies with toxic baits. We found that the LD50 from six pyrethroids were comparable to each other. The ED50 causing abnormal behaviors were smaller than LD50, but some ants recovered from paralysis within 12 h. Fipronil showed the lowest LD50 suggesting this chemical is the most promising agent for controlling S. invicta. Our results promise to develop a method for the chemical control of S. invicta.
Synthesis of nearly spherical AlN particles by an in-situ nitriding combustion route
Authors: Wei Zhilei , Li Kang , Ge Bangzhi , Guo Chaowei , Xia Hongyan , Guo Yajie , Shi Zhongqi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSpherical AlN powders with micrometer size have attracted great attention owing to their good fluidity and dispersity. However, the industrial preparation methods usually require high temperature and long soaking time, which lead to the high cost and limit the wide application of the products. Herein, nearly spherical AlN particles with the average size of 2.5 µm were successfully synthesized via anin-situcombustion synthesis method. The effect of N2pressure, NH4Cl content, and Al particle size on the combustion reaction procedure, phase composition, and microstructure of the products was systematically investigated. The results showed that the decreased N2pressure, increased NH4Cl content, and Al particle size led to the decreasing of combustion temperature and speed, which further affected the morphology of the products. As a result, low N2pressure (0.2 MPa), a small amount of NH4Cl (0.5 wt%), and fine Al particles (∼2.5 µm) contributed to a moderate combustion temperature and facilitated the formation of nearly spherical AlN particles. In addition, based on the gas-releasing assisted quenching experiments and thermo-kinetic analysis, a two-step growth mechanism for the nearly spherical AlN particles was rationally proposed. The present method shows the advantages of low cost and high efficiency for preparing nearly spherical AlN particles, which can be used as raw materials for electronic substrates and fillers for packaging materials.
Formability study and metallurgical properties analysis of FSWed AA 6061 blank by the SPIF process
Authors: Tayebi Payam , Fazli Ali , Asadi Parviz , Soltanpour Mahdi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn this study, in order to obtain the maximum possible formability in tailor-welded blank AA6061 sheets connected by the friction stir welding (FSW) procedure, the incremental sheet forming process has been utilized. The results are presented both numerically and experimentally. To obtain the forming limit angle, the base and FSWed sheets were formed in different angles with conical geometry, and ultimately, the forming limit angle for the base metal and FSWed sheet is estimated to be 60° and 57.5°, respectively. To explore the effects of welding and forming procedures on AA6061 sheets, experimental studies such as mechanical properties, microstructure and fracture analysis are carried out on the samples. Also, the thickness distribution of the samples is studied to investigate the effect of the welding process on the thickness distribution. Then, the numerical process was simulated by the ABAQUS commercial software to study the causes of the FSWed samples failure through analyzing the thickness distribution parameter, and major and minor strains and the strain distribution. Causes of failure in FSWed samples include increased minor strain, strain distribution and thickness distribution in welded areas, especially in the proximity of the base metal area.
Who's that knocking at the door? The problem of credential abuse
Authors: Mansfield-Devine Steve 
Published: February 2021

At the heart of IT security is a simple concept – proving you are who you say you are. In this context, ‘you’ might be a human logging into a network or service, a device interacting with an application programming interface (API), one network talking to another or any number of other scenarios. And the proof could be a certificate, an SSH key, a token of some form or our old favourite – and inevitably the artefact we'll be talking most about here – the old, fragile and yet seemingly unkillable password. At the heart of IT security is a simple concept – proving that you are who you say you are. But the ways we have of doing that, through credentials of some form, are flawed. Credential abuse comes in many forms. The question we need to ask is, where does it sit in terms of an organisation's attack surface and security priorities? In the first of a two-part feature, Steve Mansfield-Devine surveys a number of industry experts to get their views on what forms of credential abuse are being encountered and the threat these pose to enterprises.
The influence of invasive ascidian diets on the growth of the sea star Henricia sanguinolenta
Authors: Van Volkom Kaitlin S. , Harris Larry G. , Dijkstra Jennifer A. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractInvasive species can disrupt food webs by altering the abundance of prey species or integrating into the food web themselves. In the Gulf of Maine, there have been a suite of invasions that have altered the composition of the benthic ecosystem. These novel prey species can potentially benefit native predators depending on their nutritional value and relative abundance. We measured feeding instances of the native blood star, Henricia sanguinolenta, and changes in the seasonal abundances of invasive ascidian prey species. Results indicate that H. sanguinolenta forages optimally, as the blood star will prey on invasive ascidians when in high abundance, but feed on other species during periods of scarcity. Further, our study shows that blood stars prey on a wider variety of species than was previously known, such as small bivalves and barnacles. Additionally, we compared growth and reproduction of sea stars fed different combinations of invasive ascidians (Diplosoma listerianum or Botrylloides violaceus) or a native sponge (Haliclona oculata). Sea stars grew more on the native diet when compared with the invasive ascidian species, and D. listerianum appeared to be a superior quality food source when compared with B. violaceus. By comparing our data with historical data, we determined that there was a dramatic increase in sea star populations between 1980 and 2011, but then populations decreased by almost half from 2011 to 2016–2017. These data suggest that while invasive ascidians may have helped sea star populations at one point, sea stars are declining without their native food source.
Is tax morale culturally driven?
Authors: Andriani Luca , Bruno Randolph , Douarin Elodie , Stepien-Baig Paulina 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCitizens' tax compliance should not only respond to the quality of formal institutions, but might also be culturally driven. We contribute to this literature by investigating whether tax morale, an individual's intrinsic non-pecuniary motivation to comply with taxes, is associated with the cultural values (following Hofstede's typology) held by this individual. The analysis exploits four waves of the European Values Survey (1981–2010) across 48 countries. The cultural dimensions are constructed through a polychoric principal component analysis on a set of relevant survey items consistent with Hofstede's definitions. Ordered logit estimations suggest that although values of individualism and femininity are associated with higher individual's tax morale, power distance and uncertainty avoidance are associated with lower tax morale. These results remain consistent as we increase the level of granularity of our investigation through within-region analyses and, subsequently, within-cohort analyses. We argue that these results inevitably enrich the emerging debate about cultural values and citizens' compliance with formal institutions. They also indicate that societal culture as well as individual values should be considered when designing policies aiming to improve tax compliance.
Civic engagement in times of economic crisis: a cross-national comparative study of voluntary association membership
Authors: Cameron Sarah 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDo economic crises mobilize or depress civic engagement? This paper examines this question by analysing cross-national trends in voluntary association membership in the context of the global financial crisis. A mobilization hypothesis suggests that an economic crisis would increase membership in voluntary associations, as these associations provide citizens a channel for interest articulation and aggregation facilitating their response to the crisis. A retreat hypothesis, on the other hand, suggests that an economic crisis would depress voluntary association membership, as people have fewer resources to be involved in these associations at a time of crisis. To test these hypotheses, this paper examines data on voluntary association memberships from the World Values Survey in 14 democratic countries, fielded before and after the global financial crisis hit in 2008. The results support the retreat hypothesis. Following the crisis, there was a decline in voluntary association memberships overall and countries harder hit by the crisis were more likely to experience declines. There was no evidence of mobilization among those more vulnerable to the crisis. Rather, the profile of those engaged in voluntary associations was similar before and after the crisis, skewed towards those better off in society, including those with higher education levels, higher incomes, and in paid employment.
“Look at Me” – Eye Movements During Autobiographical Retrieval in Face-to-Face Interactions
Authors: Lenoble Quentin , El Haj Mohamad 
Published: February 2021

Abstract. There has been a surge in social cognition and social neurosciences research comparing laboratory and real eye movements. Eye movements during the retrieval of autobiographical memories (i.e., personal memories) in laboratory situations are also receiving more attention. We compared eye movements during the retrieval of autobiographical memories using a strict laboratory design versus a design mimicking social interactions. In the first design, eye movements were recorded during autobiographical memory retrieval while participants were looking at a blank screen; in the second design, participants wore eye-tracking glasses and communicated autobiographical memories to the experimenter. Compared with the “screen” design, the “glasses” design yielded more fixations ( p < .05), shorter duration of fixations ( p < .001), more saccades ( p < .01), and longer duration of saccades ( p < .001). These findings demonstrate how eye movements during autobiographical memory retrieval differ between strict laboratory design and face-to-face interactions.
Seasonality, Intensity, and Duration of Rainfall Extremes Change in a Warmer Climate
Authors: Moustakis Yiannis , Papalexiou Simon Michael , Onof Christian J , Paschalis Athanasios 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPrecipitation extremes are expected to intensify under climate change with consequent impacts in flooding and ecosystem functioning. Here we use station data and high‐resolution simulations from the WRF convection permitting climate model (∼4 km, 1 h) over the US to assess future changes in hourly precipitation extremes. It is demonstrated that hourly precipitation extremes and storm depths are expected to intensify under climate change and what is now a 20‐year rainfall will become a 7‐year rainfall on average for ∼ 75% of gridpoints over the US. This intensification is mostly expressed as an increase in rainfall tail heaviness. Statistically significant changes in the seasonality and duration of rainfall extremes are also exhibited over ∼ 95% of the domain. Our results suggest more non‐linear future precipitation extremes with shorter spell duration that are distributed more uniformly throughout the year.
HIF-1α-induced expression of m6A reader YTHDF1 drives hypoxia-induced autophagy and malignancy of hepatocellular carcinoma by promoting ATG2A and ATG14 translation
Authors: Li Qing , Ni Yong , Zhang Liren , Jiang Runqiu , Xu Jing , Yang Hong , Hu Yuanchang , Qiu Jiannan , Pu Liyong , Tang Jinhai , Wang Xuehao 
Published: February 2021

AbstractN6-methyladenosine (m6A), and its reader protein YTHDF1, play a pivotal role in human tumorigenesis by affecting nearly every stage of RNA metabolism. Autophagy activation is one of the ways by which cancer cells survive hypoxia. However, the possible involvement of m6A modification of mRNA in hypoxia-induced autophagy was unexplored in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, specific variations in YTHDF1 expression were detected in YTHDF1-overexpressing, -knockout, and -knockdown HCC cells, HCC organoids, and HCC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) murine models. YTHDF1 expression and hypoxia-induced autophagy were significantly correlated in vitro; significant overexpression of YTHDF1 in HCC tissues was associated with poor prognosis. Multivariate cox regression analysis identified YTHDF1 expression as an independent prognostic factor in patients with HCC. Multiple HCC models confirmed that YTHDF1 deficiency inhibited HCC autophagy, growth, and metastasis. Luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated that HIF-1α regulated YTHDF1 transcription by directly binding to its promoter region under hypoxia. The results of methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing, proteomics, and polysome profiling indicated that YTHDF1 contributed to the translation of autophagy-related genes ATG2A and ATG14 by binding to m6A-modified ATG2A and ATG14 mRNA, thus facilitating autophagy and autophagy-related malignancy of HCC. Taken together, HIF-1α-induced YTHDF1 expression was associated with hypoxia-induced autophagy and autophagy-related HCC progression via promoting translation of autophagy-related genes ATG2A and ATG14 in a m6A-dependent manner. Our findings suggest that YTHDF1 is a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for patients with HCC.
Biomolecular phenotyping and heterogeneity assessment of mesenchymal stromal cells using label-free Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Rocha R. A. , Fox J. M. , Genever P. G. , Hancock Y. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractEasy, quantitative measures of biomolecular heterogeneity and high-stratified phenotyping are needed to identify and characterise complex disease processes at the single-cell level, as well as to predict cell fate. Here, we demonstrate how Raman spectroscopy can be used in the difficult-to-assess case of clonal, bone-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) to identify MSC lines and group these according to biological function (e.g., differentiation capacity). Biomolecular stratification is achieved using high-precision measures obtained from representative statistical sampling that also enable quantified heterogeneity assessment. Application to primary MSCs and human dermal fibroblasts shows use of these measures as a label-free assay to classify cell sub-types within complex heterogeneous cell populations, thus demonstrating the potential for therapeutic translation, and broad application to the phenotypic characterisation of other cells.