bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
THE PHONETICS OF NASAL‐FRICATIVE SEQUENCES IN LATIN
Authors: DeLisi Jessica 
Published: April 2021

AbstractInscriptional material and descriptions by grammarians from the classical period indicate that vowels were regularly lengthened before‐ns‐and‐nf‐sequences in Latin, e.g.,cōnsulandīnfēlīx. Additionally, nasals were often lost in this environment. The nasal deletion was driven by articulatory mechanisms, namely the difficulty of articulating a nasal directly before an anterior fricative. Diverting air to the nasal cavity reduces oral air pressure; however, the articulation of fricatives requires high air pressure at the point of constriction in order for frication of the air stream to occur. Speakers of Latin reduced the articulatory burden of these sequences by reducing nasal air flow, and over time the nasals were deleted. Preceding vowels were then lengthened to compensate for the lost mora associated with the deleted nasal. The articulatory explanation for the development of nasal‐fricative sequences will be supported by the facts of sociolinguistics: the reintroduction of nasals in‐ns‐and‐nf‐sequences is associated with elite speech and formal contexts, where the coarticulation between these two segments can be closely monitored by speakers.
Diverging Mortality Inequality Trends among Young and Old in the Netherlands*
Authors: Bär Marlies , Wouterse Bram , Riumallo Herl Carlos , Van Ourti Tom , Van Doorslaer Eddy 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe analyse the trends in inequality in mortality across poverty groups at different ages over the period 1996–2016 in the Netherlands. In addition, we examine whether these trends are related to unequal changes in avoidable mortality, separated by preventable and treatable causes of death. We find that while inequalities in mortality have decreased at ages up to 65, inequalities increased for the oldest age groups. The decline in inequality at the younger ages can, to a large extent, be explained by a strong decrease of mortality from preventable and cardiovascular causes among the poor. The link between inequality and avoidable mortality at the oldest ages is less straightforward. The increasing inequality at old age might be the result of the inequalities shifting from the young to the older age groups, or of the rich benefiting more from the recent health (care) improvements than the poor.
Inequality in Mortality in Spain*
Authors: González Libertad , Rodríguez‐González Ana 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe analyse the evolution of mortality rates in Spain by age and gender between 1990 and 2018. We compare municipalities, ranked by socio‐economic status (SES) and grouped into bins of similar population size, to study changes not only in levels but also in inequality in mortality across the SES spectrum. We document large decreases in mortality rates throughout the period for all age groups, including children, even after 2000, and continuing after the Great Recession. These declines are stronger for boys and men, who had higher mortality rates to begin with. We find that inequality in mortality across municipalities was low among the young by 2018, while it was higher among adult men and older women. Inequality in fact increased over the period for older men. We explore the role of different causes of death and find that this increase in inequality is driven by stronger improvements in cancer‐related mortality among men living in richer areas. These improvements are not found among women, given their increases in mortality due to lung cancer.
Appointment with Destiny: Selecting WTO Judges in the Future
Authors: Howse Robert 
Published: April 2021

AbstractNothing has done more to shake confidence in the World Trade Organization, and create uncertainty in rules‐based international trade, than the demise of the WTO’s Appellate Body (AB). Given the design of the WTO Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU), in the absence of a functioning Appellate Body, members cannot have confidence in the finality or enforceability of panel rulings. Thus, a fundamental premise of the legal commitments under WTO treaties is undermined. The collapse of the AB is due to a decision of the Trump Administration systematically to block new appointments to fill vacancies. This move, unprecedented in US trade policy in the WTO era, and not supported by any other WTO member, has completely failed as means of pressing the Administration’s complaints about ‘judicial overreach’ in the Appellate Body. This single Trump decision can easily be reversed by the Biden Administration stating that it is prepared to participate in good faith in a new process for selecting AB members. In this article, I suggest how the Appellate Body appointment process might go forward in the current context, addressing concerns of the US and some others about the past performance of the AB.
In the Shade of the Jujube Tree
Authors: Stoller Paul 
Published: April 2021

SummaryThis essay is a homage to Fatouma Seyni, one of my West African mentors. In it, I attempt to weave threads of narrative and ethnography to evoke the profundity of West African practical wisdom. More specifically, the narratives demonstrate how patience and respect set a course to learn not only about the mysteries of divination but also about the profound complexities of the human condition. We all sit on the shoulders of our mentors. Much of what I have written is a testament to the foundation my mentors set for me. And yet, my path, which emerges from their thoughts and practices, is not their path. The foundation they set marked a beginning, not an end. "You cannot walk," as the Songhay elders like to say, "where there is no ground."
The incidence of psoriasis in Chile: an analysis of the National Waiting List Repository
Authors: Lecaros C. , Dunstan J. , Villena F. , Ashcroft D. M. , Parisi R. , Griffiths C. E. M. , Härtel S. , Maul J. T. , De la Cruz C. 
Published: April 2021

Summary

Background
Psoriasis is a serious and chronic noncommunicable disease. However, the fundamental measure of disease occurrence, the incidence, has been scarcely reported globally. There are no previous studies of psoriasis incidence in Latin America.

Aim
To estimate the incidence rates of psoriasis in Chile during 2016 and 2017 using an administrative database, the Waiting List Repository.

Methods
We examined referrals of psoriasis at onset, made by physicians to dermatologists, evaluated the agreement of diagnosis, and estimated the incidence of the disease considering the eligible population at risk.

Results
In most cases, the referrals corresponded to incident cases of psoriasis (73.3%; 95% CI: 66.6–79.2). The national incidence rates of psoriasis were 22.1 (95% CI: 21.1–23.1) and 22.7 (95% CI: 21.8–23.6) per 100 000 person-years in 2016 and 2017, respectively. The most common type of psoriasis was the late-onset type. We observed a high variation in the figures throughout the country, with a range from 0.75 (95% CI: 0.3–1.5) per 100 000 person-years in the Metropolitan region to 164.9 (95% CI: 138.6–195.1) per 100 000 person-years in the Aysen region.

Conclusion
We describe for the first time the incidence of psoriasis in a Latin American country. Our findings could potentially guide collaborations to improve our global understanding of psoriasis in Latin America.
Genome‐wide association study of epilepsy in a Japanese population identified an associated region at chromosome 12q24
Authors: Suzuki Toshimitsu , Koike Yoshinao , Ashikawa Kyota , Otomo Nao , Takahashi Atsushi , Aoi Tomomi , Kamatani Naoyuki , Nakamura Yusuke , Kubo Michiaki , Kamatani Yoichiro , Momozawa Yukihide , Terao Chikashi , Yamakawa Kazuhiro 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectiveAlthough a number of genes responsible for epilepsy have been identified through Mendelian genetic approaches, and genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) have implicated several susceptibility loci, the role of ethnic‐specific markers remains to be fully explored. We aimed to identify novel genetic associations with epilepsy in a Japanese population.MethodsWe conducted a GWAS on 1825 patients with a variety of epilepsies and 7975 control individuals. Expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analysis of epilepsy‐associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was performed using Japanese eQTL data.ResultsWe identified a novel region, which is ~2 Mb (lead SNP rs149212747, p = 8.57 × 10−10), at chromosome 12q24 as a risk for epilepsy. Most of these loci were polymorphic in East Asian populations including Japanese, but monomorphic in the European population. This region harbors 24 transcripts including genes expressed in the brain such as CUX2, ATXN2, BRAP, ALDH2, ERP29, TRAFD1, HECTD4, RPL6, PTPN11, and RPH3A. The eQTL analysis revealed that the associated SNPs are also correlated to differential expression of genes at 12q24.SignificanceThese findings suggest that a gene or genes in the CUX2‐RPH3A ~2‐Mb region contribute to the pathology of epilepsy in the Japanese population.
The determinants of banks' AT1 CoCo spreads
Authors: Kind Axel , Oster Philippe , Peter Franziska J. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe conduct a comprehensive pricing study of additional tier 1 ​(AT1) contingent convertible (CoCo) bonds issued by Eurozone banks. By accounting for an extensive set of pricing determinants related to the regulatory framework, the security design and key market variables, we show that the regulatory concept of the maximum distributable amount (MDA) introduced in 2016 has a significant and economically meaningful impact on CoCo spreads. Furthermore, we examine whether the market stress induced by the COVID‐19 pandemic influences the determinants of CoCo spreads. Our results show that the pricing factors remain stable throughout tranquil and volatile periods.
Recognition of H3K9me1 by maize RNA‐directed DNA methylation factor SHH2
Authors: Wang Yuhua , Zhou Xuelin , Luo Jinyan , Lv Suhui , Liu Rui , Du Xuan , Jia Bei , Yuan Fengtong , Zhang Heng , Du Jiamu 
Published: April 2021

AbstractRNA‐directed DNA methylation (RdDM) is a plant‐specific de novo DNA methylation pathway, which has extensive cross‐talk with histone modifications. Here, we report that the maize RdDM regulator SAWADEE HOMEODOMAIN HOMOLOG 2 (SHH2) is an H3K9me1 reader. Our structural studies reveal that H3K9me1 recognition is achieved by recognition of the methyl group via a classic aromatic cage and hydrogen‐bonding and salt‐bridge interactions with the free protons of the mono‐methyllysine. The di‐ and tri‐methylation states disrupt the polar interactions, decreasing the binding affinity. Our study reveals a mono‐methyllysine recognition mechanism which potentially links RdDM to H3K9me1 in maize.
Effect of adjuvant therapy on the prognosis in stage I/II uterine carcinosarcoma: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhao Fei , Tan Ping , Wang Chang , Ji Xuechao , Chen Aiping 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIntroductionTo assess the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or both following the primary surgery on the progression‐free survival and 5‐year overall survival in patients with stage I/II uterine carcinosarcoma.MethodsA preliminary investigation was conducted using PubMed and Embase databases to identify relevant studies published up to March, 2020. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by Revman 5.3 software to analysis outcomes.ResultsSix retrospective cohort studies were involved in the analysis, including 1516 patients in observation group, 956 patients in chemotherapy group, 750 patients in radiotherapy group, and 1082 patients in raidochemotherapy group. The results indicated that chemotherapy alone (HR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.38–0.91, p < 0.05) and radiochemotherapy (HR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.24–0.53, p < 0.001) were associated with improved progression‐free survival in patients. Similarly, pooled results suggested chemotherapy (HR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.34–0.71, p < 0.001) and radiochemotherapy (HR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.29–0.72, p < 0.001) promoted the 5‐year overall survival compared with observation. However, radiotherapy alone had no statistical significance in improving progression‐free survival (HR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.49–1.29, p = 0.36) and 5‐year overall survival (HR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.38–1.12, p = 0.12).DiscussionChemotherapy and radiochemotherapy appeared to be prognostic beneficial to early‐stage uterine carcinosarcoma.
Welfare costs of COVID‐19: Evidence from US counties
Authors: Yilmazkuday Hakan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractUsing daily US county‐level data on consumption, employment, mobility, and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) cases, this paper investigates the welfare costs of COVID‐19. The investigation is achieved by using implications of a model, where there is a trade‐off between consumption and COVID‐19 cases that are both determined by the optimal mobility decision of individuals. The empirical results show evidence for about 11% of an average (across days) reduction of welfare during the sample period between February and December 2020 for the average county. There is also evidence for heterogeneous welfare costs across US counties and days, where certain counties have experienced welfare reductions up to on average across days and up to in late March 2020 that are further connected to the socioeconomic characteristics of the US counties.
Sensory characterization of commercial cream cheese by the consumer using check‐all‐that‐apply questions
Authors: Foguel Aline , Neves Rodrigues Ract Juliana , Claro da Silva Roberta 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCream cheese is a popular type of fresh and soft cheese made with milk and cream, containing at least 25% fat, dry matter. Milkfat plays an important role in its sensory attributes, such as texture and flavor. However, consumer awareness of the relation between food and health is increasing the search for healthier foods, leading the food industry toward total fat reduction or saturated and trans‐fat replacement, which can alter products' sensory attributes. In this context, the purpose of this study was to create a list of sensory attributes that expresses consumer perception of cream cheese and identifies which ones can induce consumer choices. Five commercial cream cheese samples were analyzed, two traditional and three low‐fat formulations, using duo‐trio, focus group, and check‐all‐that‐apply (CATA) sensory analysis methods. Three samples were preferred by consumers, regarding acceptance and purchase intention (two traditional and one low‐fat formulation). Similar intensities of some sensory attributes of these preferred samples were observed, such as higher score for “white,” “matte,” and “milky” and lower notes for “light yellow,” “bright,” and “sweet.” The results suggest that these sensory attributes can predict and influence consumer's acceptance and therefore assist in the development of new products.Practical ApplicationsThe food industry is constantly adapting to meet consumer demands, which varies according to market trends, changing products that are already for sale or creating new ones. The relationship between the sensory attributes of products and consumer preferences has been identified as one of the main pillars to increase the chance of success in the market. In this context, a list of attributes was created from sensory analysis to express consumer perception of cream cheese and identify which ones can induce consumer choices. Considering that time is valuable for the industry, the results presented in this research may provide an important tool to predict consumer acceptance and reduce the uncertainty when developing new products or changing formulations and processes before launching a product for sale, increasing the chances of success, and decreasing research time.
The wild boar Sus scrofa as a threat to ground‐nesting bird species: an artificial nest experiment
Authors: Mori E. , Lazzeri L. , Ferretti F. , Gordigiani L. , Rubolini D. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractNest predation is reported as a cause of reproductive failure of ground‐nesting bird species whose populations in Europe are declining. Conversely, European populations of the wild boar Sus scrofa have been expanding, leading to increasing threats to habitats and ecological communities. The impacts of wild boar on ground‐nesting bird species are poorly known and have never been explicitly assessed. We conducted an artificial ground‐nest experiment in Mediterranean habitats of central Italy using camera traps to assess predator identities. Deployed nests contained quail or chicken eggs, and predation occurred within one week for 47/48 deployments carried out during March‐July 2020. The wild boar was the most common predator (36% deployments), followed by the magpie Pica pica (18%), the red fox Vulpes vulpes (10%) and the pine marten Martes martes (10%). Predation by other species was occasionally observed. Egg type and deployment habitat did not significantly influence time to predation or the likelihood that a nest was preyed upon by wild boar, respectively. The presence of a stuffed gull close to the nests significantly delayed predation. Nests preyed by birds and mammals other than wild boar were often subsequently scavenged by wild boar, which consumed the remaining eggs or eggshells. Time to predation increased from spring to summer, suggesting a reduction of predation intensity during periods when the availability of natural eggs is lowest. The likelihood of a nest being preyed upon by the wild boar compared to other predators increased when wild boar frequency of occurrence in 1‐week camera trap shootings was the highest, suggesting that higher abundance/activity of this species triggered increased egg predation. The wild boar might act as major predators of ground‐nesting bird species in Mediterranean habitats and the large‐scale population increase of this ungulate should be considered a significant threat to ground‐nesting species of European conservation concern.
The relationship between mother‐infant contact time and changes in postpartum depression and mother‐infant attachment among mothers staying at postpartum care centers: An observational study
Authors: Cho Heajin , Jeong Ihn Sook 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis observational study investigated the relationship between mother‐infant contact time and changes in postpartum depression and mother‐infant attachment. The study population consisted of 101 mothers staying for 14 days at two postpartum care centers in Busan, Republic of Korea. Data were collected from February to March 2018 using a self‐administered questionnaire that covered postpartum depression, mother‐infant attachment, and included a contact timesheet. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including means and standard deviations, Kruskal–Wallis tests, and multiple linear regression with bootstrapping estimation. The mean daily contact time was 5.31 ± 1.80 h. The mean postpartum depression decreased from 8.76 ± 7.10 points at admission to 5.16 ± 3.35 points at discharge. By increasing daily kangaroo mother care time by 1 h, postpartum depression was decreased by 4.02 points. However, changes in mother‐infant attachment were not related to contact time. Kangaroo mother care was effective in decreasing postpartum depression among the mothers at the postpartum care centers. Nurses working at the care centers should encourage mothers to participate in kangaroo mother care programs. Further studies considering various contacts, such as baby massage or bathing, are recommended.
LncRNA NEAT1 accelerates renal tubular epithelial cell damage by modulating mitophagy via miR‐150‐5p–DRP1 axis in diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Yang Dan‐Yi , Zhou Xiang , Liu Zhi‐Wen , Xu Xiang‐Qing , Liu Chan 
Published: April 2021

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a severe complication of diabetes correlated with a higher mortality rate in diabetic patients. Renal tubular injury participates in the pathogenesis of DN. We aimed to uncover the biological function of the NEAT1–miR‐150‐5p–DRP1 axis in an in vitro model of DN and elaborate the potential mechanisms.

What is the main finding and its importance?
NEAT1 facilitated high glucose‐induced damage in HK‐2 cells by reducing mitophagy via the miR‐150‐5p–DRP1 axis, which sheds light on DN pathogenesis and reveals a potential treatment for DN.

AbstractDiabetic nephropathy (DN) is a severe complication in diabetic patients, with a high mortality rate. Renal tubular injury is involved in the pathogenesis of DN. In this study, we aimed to uncover the regulatory roles of the NEAT1–miR‐150‐5p–DRP1 axis in an in vitro model of DN and its possible mechanisms. High glucose‐challenged HK‐2 cells were used as an in vitro DN model. NEAT1, miR‐150‐5p and DRP1 levels were assessed by RT‐qPCR. Cell viability was determined by the MTT assay. MitoSOX Red and JC‐1 were used to evaluate intracellular production of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial membrane potential, respectively. Lactate dehydrogenase release and superoxide dismutase activity were assessed with commercial kits. The protein levels of DRP1, p62, BECN1(beclin 1) and BNIP3 were determined by western blotting. The interaction between NEAT1 (DRP1) and miR‐150‐5p was verified by a dual‐luciferase reporter assay and an RNA immunoprecipitation assay. Our results showed that in response to high glucose the NEAT1 and DRP1 levels were upregulated, whereas the miR‐150‐5p level was downregulated in HK‐2 cells. Knockdown of NEAT1 or DRP1 in high glucose‐challenged HK‐2 cells inhibited excessive reactive oxygen species production and lactate dehydrogenase release, increased cell viability, mitochondrial membrane potential and superoxide dismutase activity and enhanced mitophagy. Inhibition of miR‐150‐5p resulted in the opposite results. Mechanistically, NEAT1 sponged miR‐150‐5p to increase the DRP1 level. Moreover, silencing of NEAT1 or DRP1 could counteract miR‐150‐5p inhibition‐induced deleterious effects. Collectively, our findings indicate that NEAT1 facilitates high glucose‐induced damage in HK‐2 cells by suppressing mitophagy via the miR‐150‐5p–DRP 1 axis, which sheds light on a novel mechanism of DN.
An Equality Constrained RQP Algorithm Based on the Augmented Lagrangian Penalty Function
Authors: Chen C. , Kong W. C. , Cha J. Z. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In comparative studies of constrained optimization methods the equality contrained recursive quadratic programming procedure has performed very favorably, particularly in terms of required computer time for execution. Biggs has formulated a strategy based on a quadratic penalty function and proved the global convergence of the method. This paper reformulates the procedure based on a Lagrangian penalty function leading to improved performance and reduced sensitivity to the algorithm parameters. The formulation and algorithm are described herein and global convergence is demonstrated. Evaluation results on several test problems are presented to allow comparisons with other algorithms of the same type.
A Combined Local-Global Active Set Strategy for Nonlinear Design Optimization
Authors: Li Heng Long , Papalambros P. Y. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Local and global knowledge in rule-based forms is combined in an active set strategy for nonlinear programming design models. The combined strategy is implemented with a reduced gradient algorithm for solution of the equality constrained subproblem. The strategy unifies previously separate local and global strategies. Algorithmic implementation and performance are discussed together with examples. This article is a sequel to a previous one describing a linear programming application of the strategy.