bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The environmental consequences of blockchain technology: A Bayesian quantile cointegration analysis for Bitcoin
Authors: Polemis Michael L. , Tsionas Mike G. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn recent years, there is a widespread belief among researchers and academicians that Bitcoin usage is imposing an additional burden on the environment inducing climate change. Although several studies have focussed on issues related to the energy consumption of the basic cryptocurrencies, an open question remains regarding the environmental depiction of Bitcoin. By resorting to Bayesian analysis and quantile cointegrated vector autoregression (CQVAR), this study seeks to disentangle the driving forces that shape the carbon footprint of Bitcoin. The sample used in the empirical analysis consists of a daily panel dataset covering 50 countries over the period 2016–2018. The empirical findings corroborate a causal effect between the use of Bitcoin and its underlying carbon dioxide emissions generated by the increasing energy load. The CQVAR is associated with positive marginal posterior means for most of the covariates of the model across all the estimated quantiles. In contrast, there is a negative and statistically significant relationship between Bitcoin miner's revenue and carbon emissions, uncovering a multimodal distribution pattern of the marginal posterior densities which is stronger at higher than in lower quantiles. This finding suggests that the lower (higher) miner's Bitcoin revenues, the more abrupt (gradual) the effect on environmental degradation. Therefore, a sustainable energy strategy focussing on the penetration of renewable energy sources along with the use of energy‐efficient mining hardware will alleviate the carbon footprint of Bitcoin.
Volatility dynamics of the Tunisian stock market before and during the COVID‐19 outbreak: Evidence from the GARCH family models
Authors: Fakhfekh Mohamed , Jeribi Ahmed , Ben Salem Marwa 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe aim of this article is to choose the appropriate GARCH model to analyse the volatility dynamics of the Tunisian sectorial stock market indices during the COVID‐19 outbreak period. We explore the optimal conditional heteroscedasticity model with regards to goodness‐of‐fit to these sectorial indices. In particular, it proposes four models (EGARCH, FIGARCH, FIEGARCH and TGARCH) to measure asymmetric and persistence volatility. Our findings point to three interesting results. First, following the COVID‐19 outbreak, volatility is more persistent in all series. Second, the results show that building constructs materials, construction and food and beverage sector return volatilities have an insignificant asymmetric effect while consumer service, financials and distribution, industrials, basic materials and banks sector return volatilities have relatively high positive and significant asymmetric effect compared with those during the pre‐COVID‐19 period. Finally, the findings show that financial services, automobile and parts, insurance and TUNINDEX20 sectors have insignificant leverage effect. Our results can thus be useful to investors when accounting for future volatility and implementing hedging strategies under COVID‐19 crisis.
The dynamics of business cycle connectedness and the decoupling of Asia‐Pacific
Authors: Pontines Victor , Luvsannyam Davaajargal , Batmunkh Khuslen , Otgonbat Tsolmon 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe assess the dynamic business cycle connectedness of Asia‐Pacific economies and revisit the related issue of the validity of the hypothesis of decoupling from the United States by these economies. We find a host of interesting results: First, the dynamic business cycle connectedness of these economies is increasing over time. Second, a group of upper‐middle income economies, namely, Malaysia and Thailand, and in recent decades, China, have shaped the dynamics of growth in the region, which suggests that the methods we employ in this study can pick‐up the value‐added production chains, for which these economies are a central part. Third, by and large, two blocs of economies have formed over time in terms of closer bilateral connectedness, that is, the ASEAN‐5 (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand), and a relatively looser formation among the three Northeast Asian economies of China, Japan and Korea. Finally, we find no evidence that the region has completely decoupled from the United States over time. However, one new dimension we discover is that the nature and intensity of the business cycle connectedness of the region vis‐à‐vis the United States tends to vary over time, both on an aggregate and bilateral level. These findings highlight the need to go beyond static analysis and to utilize a dynamic approach for growth cycles within and outside the region.
Establishing reference ranges of serum lipid level during pregnancy and evaluating its association with perinatal outcomes: A cohort study
Authors: Zheng Wei , Zhang Li , Tian Zhihong , Zhang Lirui , Liang Xin , Li Guanghui 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo establish trimester‐specific reference intervals (TSRIs) for blood lipid profiles in Chinese women and explore their associations with pregnancy outcomes.MethodsParticipants were women with singleton pregnancies aged 18–45 years without pre‐existing chronic diseases who delivered from January 2018 to December 2018 from an ongoing cohort in Beijing, China. Baseline information and pregnancy outcomes were from the medical records. Blood lipid levels were measured at 7–13, 24–28, and 32–34 weeks of pregnancy. We estimated TSRIs for lipid profiles using an indirect Hoffmann method and evaluated their associations with pregnancy outcomes, including gestational diabetes, pregnancy‐induced hypertension, macrosomia, low birth weight, large or small for gestational age, and preterm delivery.ResultsThe established TSRIs were 3.21–5.38, 4.64–7.56, and 4.86–8.20 mmol/L for total cholesterol; 0.37–1.81, 1.14–3.49, and 1.61–4.63 mmol/L for triglycerides; 1.12–2.19, 1.33–2.49, and 1.24 2.31 mmol/L for high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol; 1.33–2.98,1.97–4.36, and 2.02–4.92 mmol/L for low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol from first trimeseter to third trimester, respectively. Both higher and lower levels of lipid profiles than TSRIs were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.ConclusionWe suggested TSRIs for blood lipid levels in a Chinese population. Inappropriate lipid levels were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
The interval between insemination and ovulation predicts outcome after intrauterine insemination with donor sperm (IUI‐D)
Authors: Mu Xin , Wang Hui , Liu Pei‐Jun , Shi Juan‐Zi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo identify whether the time interval from insemination to ovulation (I‐O interval) affects outcome after intrauterine insemination with donor sperm (IUI‐D).MethodsA retrospective study was conducted in a public assisted reproductive medicine center between January, 2014 and December, 2016 in Xi'an, China. The data were collected from the medical records and generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to evaluate the effects of various variables on IUI outcome.ResultsA total of 2091 IUI‐D cycles from 1165 couples were included in this study. Multiple predictors were identified for (live birth rate) LBR. The I‐O interval was the predictor for LBR. An I‐O interval ≥19 h significantly decreased CPR (odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.29, 0.17–0.48) and LBR (OR, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.19–0.55). The presence of at least two follicles ≥18 mm on ovulation day significantly increased the LBR (OR, 95%CI: 1.27, 1.01–1.60). Women aged 35 years and older had a significantly decreased LBR (OR, 95% CI: 0.61, 0.38–0.98).ConclusionThe I‐O interval, a new prognostic factor, in combination with the woman's age and number of mature follicles, can predict the outcome after IUI‐D. IUI‐D is best performed within 19 h of I‐O interval for a higher probability of clinical pregnancy and live birth.
Real‐Time Data and Predictive Analytics: Where Does IR Fit?
Authors: Larkan‐Skinner Kara , Shedd Jessica M. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAs institutions seek to shift into more advanced analytics and data‐based decision‐support, many institutional research offices face the challenge of meeting the office's current demands while taking on more intricate and specialized work to support decision‐making. Given the great need organizations have for information that supports real‐time strategic decision‐making, institutions must advance beyond traditional static data reporting offices to modern offices with regular predictive analytics use. The authors believe that institutional research offices should actively engage in contemporary analytical approaches and provide leadership in this area. The following chapter focuses on (a) why higher education should embrace analytics, (b) discusses areas where analytical advancements have occurred, (c) discusses areas where analytical growth is lacking, and (d) provides guidance on addressing cultural changes concerning institutional data use, policies, and practices.
Institutional Research and Information Technology: Collaborating for Success
Authors: Simon Jason F. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractInformation Technology (IT) and Institutional Research (IR) units working together with planning, a focus on collaboration, and a willingness to create partnerships can help accelerate their institution's efforts to improve the data landscape. This chapter includes an overview of the challenges facing these two functional areas, the benefits of a new way of operating together, and the steps leaders from both IR and IT can take to work together to build new relationships across units and their staff. This work derives from a focus on values, beliefs, and actions. Taken together, these strategies, if implemented with care, can establish a solid foundation to support the need to expand, improve, and mature IR's role in the data landscape.
Guiding Principles for Optimal Organization: Options for Successfully Merging Institutional Research and Business Intelligence
Authors: Clune‐Kneuer Elizabeth , Klute Paul , Chester Timothy 
Published: February 2021

AbstractInstitutions have many unique cultures and organizational structures that can strengthen or inhibit the planning and implementation of initiatives to enhance data‐informed decision‐making, build supporting infrastructure, and align the necessary human resources. This chapter discusses different strategies for aligning resources and organizing Institutional Research and Business Intelligence functions. Additionally, the authors present the strengths, challenges, and unintended impacts of varying alignment options.
Beta diversity patterns in zooplankton assemblages from a semiarid river ecosystem
Authors: da Silva Natanael J. , Lansac‐Tôha Fernando M. , Lansac‐Tôha Fábio A. , Sales Paulo César L. , de Sousa Rocha José de Ribamar 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe study of beta diversity patterns, as well as their underlying mechanisms, is fundamental for the understanding of community structure in aquatic ecosystems. Here, we aimed to investigate patterns of beta diversity in cladoceran, copepod, and rotifer assemblages in the Parnaíba and Poti rivers, along the urban perimeter of the city of Teresina (Piaui, Brazil) and to evaluate the effect of environmental, spatial, and temporal factors on beta diversity in the zooplankton assemblages. We used the Simplex analysis to represent the relative importance of replacement and abundance difference to beta diversity. The decomposition of beta diversity into its components was performed using the Ruzicka dissimilarity index, for abundance data. Distance‐based Redundancy Analyses and variation partitioning were used to explore the relations between explanatory variables and beta diversity and its components. We found that beta diversity was high both spatially and temporally, and the abundance difference component showed greater relative importance than the replacement component. Environmental factors showed a greater contribution to the total explained variability in beta diversity and abundance difference, while replacement received most importance of temporal and spatial variables. Our study provides new insights on how environmental, spatial, and temporal factors shape beta diversity patterns in zooplankton assemblages in impacted aquatic ecosystems.
Effects of regulated dam discharge on plants and migratory waterfowl are mediated by salinity changes in estuaries
Authors: Kim Ji Yoon , Kim Gu‐Yeon 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe rapid increase in dam construction has resulted in a worldwide loss of natural river flows. Regulated dam discharge into estuaries can interrupt the spatiotemporal occurrence of brackish communities adapted to optimal salinity ranges, further threatening biodiversity and ecosystem function in the affected regions. We used annual survey records from the Nakdong River Estuary from 2009 to 2018 to identify the indirect effect of regulated dam discharge on plants and migratory waterfowl. Increased mean salinity during the spring season negatively influenced the area covered by plants and the number of days on which swans were present during winter. Moreover, the mean salinity during the early growing periods of plants providing food to waterfowl was regulated by the amount of freshwater discharge from the estuarine barrage rather than by the direct effect of precipitation. Conservation managers should consider the amount of dam discharge and the salinity conditions during spring to maintain sufficient food resources and supporting functions for migratory waterfowl in the estuary. Our study highlights the need for a comprehensive assessment of time‐lag effects to minimize the negative impacts resulting from regulated dam discharge.
Compound‐specific δ15N analyses of amino acids for trophic level estimation from indigenous and invasive freshwater amphipods
Authors: Sahm René , Sünger Eike , Burmann Lisa , Zubrod Jochen P. , Schulz Ralf , Fink Patrick 
Published: February 2021

AbstractInvasion of non‐native species in freshwater ecosystems often alters the indigenous macroinvertebrate community and food web structure by changing the resource availability. One of these species is the invasive amphipod Dikerogammarus villosus, whose impact by predation, especially on coexisting amphipods, is still under debate. In this study, we aim to apply compound‐specific stable isotope analysis of amino acid δ15N, which is the state‐of‐the‐art approach for marine systems to estimate trophic positions, (1) to calculate β values (i.e., the differences in δ15N values of trophic and source amino acids in primary producer) for freshwater systems, based on field samples of freshwater primary consumers (i.e., mussels) from the River Rhine, and (2) use these β values in a case study to calculate the trophic position of the invasive D. villosus in comparison with coexisting indigenous and non‐native amphipod species from the river Alb sampled in 2013 and river Speyerbach sampled in 2014, two tributaries of the River Rhine, Central Europe. Our results show that our freshwater β values calculated for six combinations of trophic and source amino acids were lower by between approximately 0.85‰ and 5.67‰ than those found for marine animals in previous studies. This highlights that more attention is needed on the variability of the natural differences in β values between ecosystems. By using the freshwater β values, we showed that the trophic position of D. villosus is comparable to those of coexisting amphipod species. These findings confirm that D. villosus has a flexible and omnivorous feeding strategy like other amphipod species, and suggest that predation is not the main responsible factor for the impact of D. villosus on other species.
Histopathological correlations of bulk tissue polarimetric images: Case study
Authors: Sharma Mahima , Narayanan Unni Sujatha , Balasubramanian Subalakshmi , Sundaram Sandhya , Krishnamurthy Priya , Hegde Anoosha 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPolarimetric imaging and image analysis have gained increased interest in soft tissue analysis at the cellular level. However, polarimetric imaging has widely been tested on thin tissue sections to provide reliable information correlated with histopathological findings. Polarimetric bulk tissue analysis always offered an overall assessment of various tissue optical properties for diagnosis. In this study, the histopathological correlation of bulk tissue polarimetry images for soft tissues is discussed. The first‐hand information on the use of bulk tissue Mueller polarimetry and image analysis as an alternative to tissue histopathology is presented for surgically extracted colon and breast tissues.
Cell sheet technology: Influence of culture conditions on in vitro‐cultivated corneal stromal tissue for regenerative therapies of the ocular surface
Authors: Hasenzahl Meike , Müsken Mathias , Mertsch Sonja , Schrader Stefan , Reichl Stephan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe in vitro reconstruction of stromal tissue by long‐term cultivation of corneal fibroblasts is a smart approach for regenerative therapies of ocular surface diseases. However, systematic investigations evaluating optimized cultivation protocols for the realization of a biomaterial are lacking. This study investigated the influence of supplements to the culture media of human corneal fibroblasts on the formation of a cell sheet consisting of cells and extracellular matrix. Among the supplements studied are vitamin C, fetal bovine serum, L‐glutamine, components of collagen such as L‐proline, L‐4‐hydroxyproline and glycine, and TGF‐β1, bFGF, IGF‐2, PDGF‐BB and insulin. After long‐term cultivation, the proliferation, collagen and glycosaminoglycan content and light transmission of the cell sheets were examined. Biomechanical properties were investigated by tensile tests and the ultrastructure was characterized by electron microscopy, small‐angle X‐ray scattering, antibody staining and ELISA. The synthesis of extracellular matrix was significantly increased by cultivation with insulin or TGF‐β1, each with vitamin C. The sheets exhibited a high transparency and suitable material properties. The production of a transparent, scaffold‐free, potentially autologous, in vitro‐generated construct by culturing fibroblasts with extracellular matrix synthesis‐stimulating supplements represents a promising approach for a biomaterial that can be used for ocular surface reconstruction in slowly progressing diseases.
The Sydney AFF Score: A Simple Tool to Distinguish Females Presenting With Atypical Femur Fractures Versus Typical Femur Fractures
Authors: Crouch Gareth , Dhanekula Nitesh D , Byth Karen , Burn Emma , Lau Sue Lynn , Nairn Lillias , Nery Liza , Doyle Jean , Graham Edward , Ellis Andrew , Clifton-Bligh Roderick J , Girgis Christian M 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT
Atypical femur fractures (AFF) are a rare but serious complication of long-term bisphosphonate use. Although clearly defined by ASBMR criteria, a proportion of patients with AFFs may go unrecognized and the use of qualitative fracture criteria may lead to uncertainty in AFF diagnosis, with significant therapeutic implications. A score that rapidly and accurately identifies AFFs among subtrochanteric femur fractures using quantitative, measurable parameters is needed. In a retrospective cohort of 110 female patients presenting with AFFs or typical femur fractures (TFFs), multiple logistic regression and decision tree analysis were used to develop the Sydney AFF score. This score, based on demographic and femoral geometry variables, uses three dichotomized independent predictors and adds one point for each: (age ≤80 years) + (femoral neck width &lt;37 mm) + (lateral cortical width at lesser trochanter ≥5 mm), (score, 0 to 3). In an independent validation set of 53 female patients at a different centre in Sydney, a score ≥2 demonstrated 73.3% sensitivity and 69.6% specificity for AFF (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve [AUC] 0.775, SE 0.063) and remained independently associated with AFF after adjustment for bisphosphonate use. The Sydney AFF score provides a quantitative means of flagging female patients with atraumatic femur fractures who have sustained an AFF as opposed to a TFF. This distinction has clear management implications and may augment current ASBMR diagnostic criteria. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Epigenetic Mechanisms Mediating Cell State Transitions in Chondrocytes
Authors: Wuelling Manuela , Neu Christoph , Thiesen Andrea M , Kitanovski Simo , Cao Yingying , Lange Anja , Westendorf Astrid M , Hoffmann Daniel , Vortkamp Andrea 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT
Epigenetic modifications play critical roles in regulating cell lineage differentiation, but the epigenetic mechanisms guiding specific differentiation steps within a cell lineage have rarely been investigated. To decipher such mechanisms, we used the defined transition from proliferating (PC) into hypertrophic chondrocytes (HC) during endochondral ossification as a model. We established a map of activating and repressive histone modifications for each cell type. ChromHMM state transition analysis and Pareto-based integration of differential levels of mRNA and epigenetic marks revealed that differentiation-associated gene repression is initiated by the addition of H3K27me3 to promoters still carrying substantial levels of activating marks. Moreover, the integrative analysis identified genes specifically expressed in cells undergoing the transition into hypertrophy. Investigation of enhancer profiles detected surprising differences in enhancer number, location, and transcription factor binding sites between the two closely related cell types. Furthermore, cell type–specific upregulation of gene expression was associated with increased numbers of H3K27ac peaks. Pathway analysis identified PC-specific enhancers associated with chondrogenic genes, whereas HC-specific enhancers mainly control metabolic pathways linking epigenetic signature to biological functions. Since HC-specific enhancers show a higher conservation in postnatal tissues, the switch to metabolic pathways seems to be a hallmark of differentiated tissues. Surprisingly, the analysis of H3K27ac levels at super-enhancers revealed a rapid adaption of H3K27ac occupancy to changes in gene expression, supporting the importance of enhancer modulation for acute alterations in gene expression. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Abstract

Model depicting the epigenetic mechanisms regulating cell state transitions. Proliferating (PC) and hypertrophic chondrocytes (HC) were isolated from embryonic limbs using flow cytometry for ChIP-seq and laser-microdissection for RNA-seq. Prehypertrophic chondrocytes (PHC) were included in different cell populations. Comparison of the epigenetic pattern between cell types indicates that gene repression in HC is initiated by the gain of H3K27me3 at promoters still decorated with declining levels of activating marks. Cell type–specific enhancers show a rapid adaption of H3K27ac peaks to differential gene expression. Whereas PC-specific enhancers are associated with chondrogenic genes, HC-specific enhancers regulate metabolic pathways. H3K4me3: light blue; H3K9ac : dark green; H3K27ac : light green; H3K36me3 : dark blue; H3K27me3 : red.