bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mixed frequency domain spillover effect of international economic policy uncertainty on stock market
Authors: Zhu Shuzhen , Wu Xiaofei , He Zhen , He Yining 
Published: July 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to construct a frequency-domain framework to study the asymmetric spillover effects of international economic policy uncertainty on China’s stock market industry indexes.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper follows the time domain spillover model, asymmetric spillover model and frequency domain spillover model, which not only studies the degree of spillover in time domain but also studies the persistence of spillover effect in frequency domain.

Findings
It is found that China’s economic policy uncertainty plays a dominant role in the spillover effect on the stock market, while the global and US economic policy uncertainty is relatively weak. By decomposing realized volatility into quantified asymmetric risks of “good” volatility and “bad” volatility, it is concluded that economic policy uncertainty has a greater impact on stock downside risk than upside risk. For different time periods, the sensitivity of long-term and short-term spillover economic policy impact is different. Among them, asymmetric high-frequency spillover in the stock market is more easily observed, which provides certain reference significance for the stability of the financial market.

Originality/value
The originality aims at extending the traditional research paradigm of “time domain” to the research perspective of “frequency domain.” This study uses the more advanced models to analyze various factors from the static and dynamic levels, with a view to obtain reliable and robust research conclusions.
Failure analysis of delaminated carbon/epoxy composite under pure bending: validation with numerical analysis
Authors: Kopparthi Phaneendra Kumar , Gemaraju Srikar , Pathakokila Bhaskara Rao , Gamini Suresh 
Published: July 2021

PurposeDelamination is a common and crucial damage mode which occurs during manufacturing of layered composites or their service life. Its existence leads to degradation in mechanical properties or even structural failure of composites. Hence, the purpose of this article is to study the effect of induced delamination on flexural performance of CFRP composites.Design/methodology/approachIn this article, the flexural behaviors of intact and delaminated carbon/epoxy laminates were investigated under pure bending. A circular PTFE film was introduced during fabrication to create artificial delamination. Moreover, finite element models were developed for intact and delaminated composites using ANSYS. The created models were discretized using 3D structural eight node solid elements.FindingsThe delamination influenced considerably flexural properties of composite. The composite exhibited a linear elastic nature prior to the damage of top ply on the compression side. The flexural strength and stiffness of the composite reduced to 44.5% and 18.2% respectively due to the existence of artificial delamination. The results of four point bending experiments and finite element analysis agreed for both intact and delaminated composites within acceptable error. Finally for same composites, first ply failure analysis was carried out using Tsai-Hill, Tsai-Wu and Hashin failure criteria.Originality/valueIn pure bending, beam section of the middle portion is free from shear. It is not so in case of three-point bending. Hence, the effect of embedded artificial defect on bending performance of CFRP composite due to pure bending has been investigated.
Acquired epidermodysplasia verruciformis or generalized verrucosis? A clinical and virological comparative study
Authors: Cheng Chun Yu , Lin Chiao‐Yun , Lai Chyong‐Huey , Chen Chun‐Bing , Chung Wen‐Hung 
Published: July 2021

AbstractFew articles have described the difference between epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) and generalized verrucosis (GV). This study aimed to analyze the clinical findings and virology of the two diseases. The study enrolled patients diagnosed with EV and GV by clinical and histopathological findings. The demographic information, clinical manifestation, treatment, and therapeutic outcome were analyzed. All of the biopsy specimens of enrolled patients were sent for β‐human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA detection. A total of 13 cases were included in the present study, including five EV cases and eight GV cases. Legs and feet were significantly affected in GV cases (p = 0.035). All acquired EV cases had immunocompromised conditions, while only three GV cases could be identified as having an immunocompromised history. All EV cases were detected with β‐HPV infection, especially HPV5, but none of the GV cases were found to be infected with β‐HPV. The therapeutic response was refractory and often relapsed after discontinuation of treatment in both groups.
Functional diversity response to geographic and experimental precipitation gradients varies with plant community type
Authors: Zuo Xiaoan , Zhao Shenglong , Cheng Huan , Hu Ya , Wang Shaokun , Yue Ping , Liu Rentao , Knapp Alan K. , Smith Melinda D. , Yu Qiang , Koerner Sally E. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Precipitation is a primary determinant of plant community structure in drylands. However, the empirical evidence and predictions are lacking for how plant functional diversity in desert and steppe communities respond to altered precipitation regimes.

We examined how precipitation changes along the natural and experimental gradients affect different components of functional diversity in desert‐shrub and steppe‐grass communities. We compared the associations of precipitation changes with community‐weighted means (CWMs) of six traits, functional divergence (FDvar) of each single‐trait and multi‐trait functional richness (FRic) and dispersion (FDis) for shrub and grass communities along the natural and experimental gradients. We also disentangle the roles of species turnover and intraspecific variations in affecting the responses of different functional diversity to precipitation changes.

We found that in general, the similar responses of functional traits or diversity to both the natural and experimental precipitation gradients were dependent on plant community type. Across both two gradients, precipitation was positively associated with CWM of plant height and negatively associated with the CWM of SLA and leaf thickness in grass community, while positively associated with FDvar of four traits and FDis in shrub communities. Both species turnover and intraspecific variations contributed to the responses of grass community traits to precipitation changes across both two gradients, and to FDvar of traits and FDis in shrub community along the natural gradient. In contrast, species turnover variations contributed to FDvar of traits and FDis in shrub community in experiment.

These results suggest that there is better concordance between the effects of naturally and experimentally increased precipitation on functional diversity of plant communities, but different mechanisms behind the relationship of functional diversity–precipitation between shrub and grass communities. Grass communities can adapt to precipitation changes by average trait differences, while shrub communities persist through FDvar of single‐trait and multi‐trait dispersion, thus highlighting the important differences in adaptive strategies between shrub and grass communities. Our findings demonstrate that short‐term responses of plant communities to manipulative precipitation changes can reflect long‐term shifts at spatial scales depending on the specific functional trait and diversity.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Intraspecific correlations between growth and defence vary with resource availability and differ within and among populations
Authors: Hahn Philip G. , Keefover‐Ring Ken , Nguyen Linh M. N. , Maron John L. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

A paradigm in the plant defence literature is that defending against herbivores comes at a cost to growth, resulting in a growth–defence trade‐off. However, while there is strong evidence for growth–defence trade‐offs across species, evidence is mixed within species.

Several mechanisms can account for this equivocal support within species, but teasing them apart requires examining growth–defence relationships both within and among populations, an approach seldom employed.

We examined correlations between plant biomass (growth) and terpene production (defence) within and among populations of Monarda fistulosa, a perennial herb. We sampled populations from Montana and Wisconsin, regions that differ in resource availability characterized by different summer precipitation and associated abiotic conditions that influence plant productivity.

We found negative, neutral and positive growth–defence correlations, depending on the scale examined. Negative correlations occurred across populations originating from divergent regions, positive correlations occurred across populations originating from within the high‐resource region and neutral correlations were found within single populations.

Collectively, these results challenge the general expectation of ubiquitous trade‐offs and support emerging views that resource availability (as it affects productivity) shapes the evolution of defence at different scales.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Glucocorticoid‐induced dose‐related and site‐specific bone remodelling, microstructure, and mechanical changes in cancellous and cortical bones
Authors: Chen Yan , Zhong Zhiguo , Chen Wenshuang , Lv Xiaohua , Luo Shi‐ying 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe study investigated the effects of long‐term glucocorticoid (GC) administration on bone remodelling, microstructure, and biomechanical strength in cortical and cancellous (trabecular) bones. Thirty‐one female Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into three dexamethasone (Dex) dosage groups, 1.0, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/kg twice a week for 8 weeks, and one control group treated with saline. At the end of the experiment, the tibia of one side and the fourth lumbar vertebrae were processed into sections for a histomorphometric analysis, while the femur of the same side and the fifth vertebrae were isolated for a biomechanical test. A dose‐dependent decline in bone formation was observed in both trabecular and cortical (periosteal and endosteal) bones. In contrast, bone resorption was inhibited only in cancellous bone in the two higher dose groups and not dose‐related. The ratio of Node/Termini increased, while marrow star volume (MSV) decreased in all Dex groups in metaphyseal trabecular bones, both of which were dose‐dependent. Subendosteal cortex porosity increased in parallel with non‐uniform trabecular distribution, but cortical thickness remained unchanged. Interestingly, there were no significant changes in microstructure or mechanical strength in lumbar trabecular bone. The cortical elastic load was dose‐independently reduced in all three Dex groups when compared with the control group. In summary, bone remodelling was dose‐dependently inhibited in cancellous bones but enhanced in intracortical bones. The non‐uniform distribution of trabecular bone and increased porosity in the inner edge of cortical bone were both in parallel with GC dosage, and the porosity increase was more likely to occur, leading to reduced cortical mechanical strength.
Ownership Type, Home‐Country Government‐Directed Investment Policies and Firm Value in Strategic Sectors: Evidence from Chinese Acquiring Firms
Authors: Boateng Agyenim , Du Min , Bi XiaoGang , Kwabi Frank O. , Glaister Keith W. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractUsing data of Chinese acquirers in strategic sectors, we assess the role of home government and the effects of the interaction between ownership type and government‐directed investment policies on acquiring firm value in cross‐border acquisitions (CBAs). We find that CBA activities in strategic sectors encouraged by the home‐country government through its investment policies experience significant increase in acquiring firm value. We also find that firms investing in government‐designated strategic sectors generate wealth for acquirers, but contrary to efficiency logic rooted in agency theory, state‐owned enterprises appear to outperform private‐owned enterprises. Further analysis indicates that three financial incentives associated with government‐directed policies – namely, interest‐rate reduction, tax incentives and direct subsidies – constitute sources of firm value. Our results raise several policy implications, including the need for transparent and rule‐based policies and governance systems to be developed and implemented by governments in the home and host countries to regulate state‐supported firms investing in sensitive strategic sectors.
‘Since this is a Document of Record’: Collecting the Oral Histories of the Brexit Parliament
Authors: Wager Alan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis article brings together over thirty on‐the‐record interviews with politicians and political strategists at the centre of British politics during the Brexit gridlock. Prompting political elites to retell their oral histories allows us to begin to understand areas of institutional change and continuity, with the aim of beginning the process of ‘historicising’ Brexit. These interviews demonstrate three areas where the norms of the UK political system were tested and challenged between June 2017 and January 2020: attempts at sustained cross‐party activity in the House of Commons, efforts to rebalance legislative‐executive relations, and the temporary fluidity of the UK's party system. Boris Johnson's ultimate success during this period of (what is now) British political history provides a salutary lesson in the durability of majoritarianism within Westminster, even in the face of sustained challenge on multiple fronts.
Chromosome‐level genome assembly of Scapharca kagoshimensis reveals the expanded molecular basis of heme biosynthesis in ark shells
Authors: Teng Weiming , Xie Xi , Nie Hongtao , Sun Yamin , Liu Xiangfeng , Yu Zuoan , Zheng Jie , Liu Hongyue , Li Dacheng , Zhang Ming , Wang Zhisong , Zhu Shouwei , Du Shangkun , Du Shaojun , Li Qi , Wang Qingzhi 
Published: July 2021

AbstractArk shells are commercially important clam species that inhabit in muddy sediments of shallow coasts in East Asia. For a long time, the lack of genome resources has hindered scientific research of ark shells. Here, we report a high‐quality chromosome‐level genome assembly of Scapharca kagoshimensis, with an aim to unravel the molecular basis of heme biosynthesis, and develop genomic resources for genetic breeding and population genetics in ark shells. Nineteen scaffolds corresponding to 19 chromosomes were constructed from 938 contigs (contig N50 = 2.01 Mb) to produce a final high‐quality assembly with a total length of 1.11 Gb and scaffold N50 around 60.64 Mb. The genome assembly represents 93.4% completeness via matching 303 eukaryota core conserved genes. A total of 24,908 protein‐coding genes were predicted and 24,551 genes (98.56%) of which were functionally annotated. The enrichment analyses suggested that genes in heme biosynthesis pathways were expanded and positive selection of the haemoglobin genes was also found in the genome of S. kagoshimensis, which gives important insights into the molecular mechanisms and evolution of the heme biosynthesis in mollusca. The valuable genome assembly of S. kagoshimensis would provide a solid foundation for investigating the molecular mechanisms that underlie the diverse biological functions and evolutionary adaptations of S. kagoshimensis.
Set apart from within: Articulated women in commingled tombs from Early Bronze Age Arabia
Authors: Gregoricka Lesley A. , Ullinger Jaime , Schrenk Alecia 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe vast majority of individuals who died during the Umm an‐Nar period (2700–2000 BCE) of the Early Bronze Age (3200–2000 BCE) in south‐eastern Arabia were interred within large communal tombs, and following decomposition, their skeletons became commingled with others. Here, two women are discussed whose skeletons remained articulated – one from Unar 2 at Shimal, and one from Tell Abraq. The Unar 2 female was left unburned, exhibited a pathological lesion on her talus, and was directly associated with an articulated dog, indicating that she may have engaged in hunting or herding activities despite her reduced mobility. The Tell Abraq woman suffered from paralytic poliomyelitis, suggesting that she received care as a member of her community despite her disability and non‐local status. Whatever the role these women played in Umm an‐Nar society, both were set apart in meaningful ways, speaking to an identity that granted them special status in death.
The impact of mobile phone voice message reminders on agricultural outcomes in Mali
Authors: Dzanku Fred Mawunyo , Osei Robert , Osei‐Akoto Isaac 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBased on theories of learning that suggest that repetition is important for knowledge retention and application, this article hypothesized that sending farmers reminders about cereal management information received during face‐to‐face training has impact on the adoption of recommended practices and related agricultural outcomes over and above what could be realized after receiving training alone. We provide a test of this hypothesis using a randomized controlled trial in Sikasso, Mali. Farmers in 99 villages received face‐to‐face training, after which 44 villages received mobile phone voice messages that reinforced the training recommendations. This setup allowed us to evaluate the impact of the voice SMS reminders on selected indicators. Our results show that the reminders significantly induced timely harvesting, reduced on‐farm cereal losses, increased uptake of improved grain storage technology, and increased the likelihood of pre‐harvest sales contracting. However, we found no overwhelming evidence that the reminders increased yields, and no evidence of impact on revenues were detected. We draw lessons for development policy and practice.
Testicular pathology in fatal COVID‐19: A descriptive autopsy study
Authors: Duarte‐Neto Amaro N. , Teixeira Thiago A. , Caldini Elia G. , Kanamura Cristina T. , Gomes‐Gouvêa Michele S. , dos Santos Angela B. G. , Monteiro Renata A. A. , Pinho João R. R. , Mauad Thais , da Silva Luiz F. F. , Saldiva Paulo H. N. , Dolhnikoff Marisa , Leite Katia R. M. , Hallak Jorge 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundMulti‐organ damage is a common feature of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection, going beyond the initially observed severe pneumonia. Evidence that the testis is also compromised is growing.ObjectiveTo describe the pathological findings in testes from fatal cases of COVID‐19, including the detection of viral particles and antigens, and inflammatory cell subsets.Materials and methodsPostmortem testicular samples were obtained by percutaneous puncture from 11 deceased men and examined by reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) for RNA detection and by light and electron microscopy (EM) for SARS‐CoV‐2. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for the SARS‐CoV‐2 N‐protein and lymphocytic and histiocytic markers was also performed.ResultsEight patients had mild interstitial orchitis, composed mainly of CD68+ and TCD8+ cells. Fibrin thrombi were detected in five cases. All cases presented congestion, interstitial edema, thickening of the tubular basal membrane, decreased Leydig and Sertoli cells with reduced spermatogenesis, and strong expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) in vessels. IHC detected SARS‐Cov‐2 antigen in Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, and fibroblasts in all cases. EM detected viral particles in the cytoplasm of fibroblasts, endothelium, Sertoli and Leydig cells, spermatids, and epithelial cells of the rete testis in four cases, while RT‐PCR detected SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in three cases.Discussion and conclusionThe COVID‐19‐associated testicular lesion revealed a combination of orchitis, vascular changes, basal membrane thickening, Leydig and Sertoli cell scarcity, and reduced spermatogenesis associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 local infection that may impair hormonal function and fertility in men.
The association between placenta‐associated circulating biomarkers and composite adverse delivery outcome of a likely placental cause in healthy post‐date pregnancies
Authors: Bowe Sophie , Mitlid‐Mork Birgitte , Georgieva Antoniya , Gran Jon M. , Redman Christopher W. G. , Staff Anne Cathrine , Sugulle Meryam 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIntroductionPost‐date pregnancies have an increased risk of adverse delivery outcome. Our aim was to explore the association between placenta‐associated circulating biomarkers and composite adverse delivery outcome of a likely placental cause in clinically healthy post‐date pregnancies.Material and methodsWomen with healthy singleton post‐date pregnancies between 40+2 and 42+2 weeks of gestation were recruited to this prospective, observational study conducted at Oslo University Hospital, Norway (NCT03100084). Placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (sFlt‐1) were measured in the maternal serum samples closest to delivery. The composite adverse delivery outcome included fetal acidemia, low Apgar score (<4 at 1 min or <7 at 5 min), asphyxia, fetal death, assisted ventilation for more than 6 h, meconium aspiration, hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy, therapeutic hypothermia, operative delivery due to fetal distress, or pathological placental histology findings. Two study‐independent senior consultant obstetricians blinded to biomarker results concluded, based on clinical expert opinion, whether the adverse delivery outcomes were most likely associated with placental dysfunction (“likely placental cause”) or not. Means were compared using one‐way analysis of variance and Bonferroni corrected pairwise comparisons between groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves assessed the predictive ability of PlGF, sFlt‐1/PlGF ratio, and PlGF <10th centile after adjustment for gestational age at blood sampling.ResultsOf 501 pregnancies reviewed for predefined adverse delivery outcomes and for a likely placental cause, 468 were healthy pregnancies and subsequently assigned to either the “uncomplicated” (no adverse outcome, n = 359), “intermediate” (non‐placental cause/undetermined, n = 90), or “complicated” (likely placental cause, n = 19) group.There was a significant difference in mean PlGF and sFlt‐1/PlGF ratio between the “complicated”, “intermediate”, and “uncomplicated” groups (108, 185, and 179 pg/mL, p = 0.001; and 48.3, 23.4, and 24.6, p = 0.002, respectively). There was a higher proportion of PlGF concentration <10th centile in the “complicated” group compared with the “intermediate” and “uncomplicated” groups (42.1% vs. 11.1% and 9.5%, p = 0.001). The largest area under the ROC curve for predicting “complicated” outcome was achieved by PlGF concentration and gestational age at blood sampling (0.76; 95% CI 0.65–0.86).ConclusionsIn clinically healthy post‐date pregnancies, an antiangiogenic pre‐delivery profile (lower PlGF level and higher sFlt‐1/PlGF ratio) was associated with composite adverse delivery outcome of a likely placental cause.