bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On sampling inside obstacles for boosted sampling of narrow corridors
Authors: Kala Rahul 
Published: March 2019

AbstractNarrow corridors are a cause of intense problems in sampling‐based approaches due to the small probability of generation of samples inside the narrow corridor. The obstacle‐based sampling and bridge test sampling techniques rely on generating fresh samples at every iteration. Memory of the forbidden configuration space can lead to the discovery of new narrow corridors or generating additional key samples inside the same narrow corridor. Hence, in this paper, it is proposed to additionally solve the problem of generating a roadmap in the forbidden configuration space, called as the dual roadmap. The dual roadmap, so generated, has vertices that are collision‐prone and stores the structure of the forbidden configuration space. To reduce memory and computation time, only the boundary of the forbidden configuration space is stored, which is more informative. The dual roadmap, so constructed, is used to generate valid samples inside the middle of the narrow corridors. The construction of the additional roadmap takes a very small time and memory and is largely the biproduct of obstacle‐based sampling that is normally thrown away. Experimental results show that the proposed sampling method is very effective for finding narrow corridors as compared to popular sampling methodologies existing in the literature.
Reconciling empirical interactions and species coexistence
Authors: Maynard Daniel S. , Wootton J. Timothy , Serván Carlos A. , Allesina Stefano 
Published: March 2019

AbstractCoexistence in ecological communities is governed largely by the nature and intensity of species interactions. Countless studies have proposed methods to infer these interactions from empirical data, yet models parameterised using such data often fail to recover observed coexistence patterns. Here, we propose a method to reconcile empirical parameterisations of community dynamics with species‐abundance data, ensuring that the predicted equilibrium is consistent with the observed abundance distribution. To illustrate the approach, we explore two case studies: an experimental freshwater algal community and a long‐term time series of displacement in an intertidal community. We demonstrate how our method helps recover observed coexistence patterns, capture the core dynamics of the system, and, in the latter case, predict the impacts of experimental extinctions. Collectively, these results demonstrate an intuitive approach for reconciling observed and empirical data, improving our ability to explore the links between species interactions and coexistence in natural systems.
Food sharing and affiliation: An experimental and longitudinal study in cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus)
Authors: Liévin‐Bazin Agatha , Pineaux Maxime , Le Covec Mathilde , Gahr Manfred , Bovet Dalila , von Bayern Auguste M. P. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractFood sharing has attracted much attention because of its apparently altruistic nature and its link to prosociality. However, food sharing has been mostly studied in a reproductive context, during courtship and parental care, where the fitness benefits are obvious. We still lack a clear understanding of the functions of food sharing outside any reproductive context and within social groups of same‐aged peers. Previous studies suggest that cofeeding, the action to let another animal feed from the same monopolizable food source, may be used to build and strengthen bonds between individuals. This may be particularly crucial in social birds forming long‐term associations between mates or siblings such as psittacids and corvids. Here, we investigated food sharing and affiliative behaviors such as allopreening in a psittacine species, namely in a group of captive juvenile cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) consisting of five siblings and five unrelated birds. Our main objective was to study the developmental pattern of food sharing over time and its implication in social bonding depending on kinship, affiliation, and sex. Studying cockatiels in this context is providing many new information since most of the studies on food sharing in birds focused on corvids. We found that, contrary to jackdaws, cockatiels continued to share food with multiple individuals, although the frequency of cofeeding as well as the number of cofeeding partners decreased over time. Cockatiels shared more food with their siblings than with other conspecifics but they were not more likely to do cofeeding with birds of the opposite sex. We also found evidence that young cockatiels exchanged more food with those from whom they received food (reciprocity) and, to a lesser extent, allopreening (interchange), than from other cockatiels. Our findings suggest that in cockatiels, food sharing within social groups serves the formation (and maintenance) of affiliative bonds, especially between siblings, rather than pair bonds, but might additionally be explained by reciprocity, interchange, and harassment avoidance.
Fixing the emissions trading scheme: Carbon price stability in the EU and China
Authors: Boute Anatole , Zhang Hao 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis paper critically questions the legal and economic foundation of price regulation in environmental markets, with a focus on the European Union (EU) and Chinese Emissions Trading Schemes (ETSs). In 2018, the EU adopted a structural reform of its own ETS with the objective of increasing and stabilising carbon prices. This reform raises fundamental questions concerning the free market nature of the ETS and its function as a driver of low‐carbon investments. On the one hand, regulatory adjustments are necessary to address the large surplus of allowances that can result from exogenous shocks (e.g. economic downturn). On the other hand, the risk of regulatory intervention in the market undermines investor certainty. In China, limited regulatory independence and more stringent government control over the market exacerbates the threat posed by price control measures to the integrity of China's ETS and its role as a driver of investments in environmental protection.
Attenuated total reflection Fourier‐transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy to diagnose osteoarthritis in equine serum
Authors: Paraskevaidi M. , Hook P. D. , Morais C. L. M. , Anderson J. R. , White R. , Martin‐Hirsch P. L. , Peffers M. J. , Martin F. L. 
Published: March 2019

SummaryBackgroundReliable and validated biomarkers for osteoarthritis (OA) are currently lacking.ObjectivesTo develop an accurate and minimally invasive method to assessOA‐affected horses and provide potential spectral markers indicative of disease.Study designObservational, cross‐sectional study.MethodsOur cohort consisted of 15 horses withOAand 48 without clinical signs of the disease, which were used as controls. Attenuated total reflection Fourier‐transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy was used to investigate serum samples (50 μL) collected from these horses. Spectral processing and multivariate analysis revealed differences and similarities, allowing for detection of spectral biomarkers that discriminated between the two cohorts. A supervised classification algorithm, namely principal component analysis coupled with quadratic discriminant analysis (PCA‐QDA), was applied to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy.ResultsSegregation between the two different cohorts,OA‐affected and controls, was achieved with 100% sensitivity and specificity. The six most discriminatory peaks were attributed to proteins and lipids. Four of the spectral peaks were elevated inOAhorses, which could be potentially due to an increase in lipids, protein expression levels and collagen, all of which have been previously reported inOA. Two peaks were found decreased and were tentatively assigned to the reduction of proteoglycan content that is observed duringOA.Main limitationsThe control group had a wide range of ages and breeds. PresymptomaticOAcases were not included. Therefore, it remains unknown whether this test could also be used as an early diagnostic tool.ConclusionsThis spectrochemical approach could provide an accurate and cost‐effective blood test, facilitating point‐of‐care diagnosis of equineOA.
Pareto–Koopmans efficiency in two‐stage network data envelopment analysis in the presence of undesirable intermediate products and nondiscretionary factors
Authors: Maleki Samira , Ebrahimnejad Ali , Kazemi Matin Reza 
Published: March 2019

AbstractMany studies have recently been conducted on the evaluation of system performance with a two‐stage network structure in data envelopment analysis (DEA) literature. One of the topics of interest to researchers has been the mitigation of undesirable products or nondiscretionary factors into their corresponding possible production set (PPS) and their impact on overall efficiency calculations. Determination of decision‐making units (DMUs) with Pareto–Koopmans efficiency status is decisive in identifying benchmark units. The calculated overall efficiency status is compromised when both undesirable products and nondiscretionary factors are present. This work utilizes an axiomatic approach. A novel PPS for a two‐stage network in presence of undesirable intermediate products and nondiscretionary exogenous inputs is introduced. Based on this PPS and by focusing on the principle of mathematical dominance, new models for evaluating overall and divisional efficiencies are presented. In addition, by proposing a two‐step network DEA approach, a necessary and sufficient condition for detection of DMUs with Pareto–Koopmans efficiency status is provided. And by introducing a two‐step algorithm, a novel technique for determining overall efficiency conditions is produced. Finally, the proposed technology is applied to a practical example, and outcomes are discussed.
Poleward shift in large‐river fish communities detected with a novel meta‐analysis framework
Authors: Maire Anthony , Thierry Eva , Viechtbauer Wolfgang , Daufresne Martin 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Ongoing global changes are causing major ecological shifts worldwide. Biological trends need to be assessed over long periods of time to better understand past and current community responses.

The present study developed a methodological framework for meta‐analyses to be conducted that account for the temporal and spatial autocorrelation of observational data. We provided the R code for processing this framework, which enables temporal trends to be tested through the analysis of long‐term, spatially structured datasets. Taking both types of autocorrelation into account resulted in more conservative but arguably more reliable statistical outcomes.

This meta‐analysis framework was then applied to investigate long‐term trends in environmental and fish‐community time series in multiple stations in large French rivers over the past 4 decades.

General significant upward and downward trends were highlighted in water temperature and flow discharge, respectively, over the study period. Concomitantly, the density of numerous species increased, resulting in large increases in both species richness (about + 50%) and total fish abundance (approximately four‐fold), but with no significant trend in species evenness. Strong changes in species composition were observed during the study period, with an overall upward trend in the relative abundance of newcomers (i.e. species not sampled during the first years of the survey), while the trend in relative abundance of non‐native species was non‐significant. Moreover, the strongest signal underlying community changes was replacement of northern by southern species.

This study showed major changes in fish density and community structure in large rivers over the past 40 years and represents, to our knowledge, one of the first large‐scale actual demonstrations (i.e. based on observations rather than predictions) of an overall poleward shift of freshwater fish communities in response to ongoing global changes.
Winter hardiness of Miscanthus (III): Genome‐wide association and genomic prediction for overwintering ability in Miscanthus sinensis
Authors: Dong Hongxu , Clark Lindsay V. , Lipka Alexander E. , Brummer Joe E. , Głowacka Katarzyna , Hall Megan C. , Heo Kweon , Jin Xiaoli , Peng Junhua , Yamada Toshihiko , Ghimire Bimal Kumar , Yoo Ji Hye , Yu Chang Yeon , Zhao Hua , Long Stephen P. , Sacks Erik J. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractOverwintering ability is an important selection criterion for Miscanthus breeding in temperate regions. Insufficient overwintering ability of the currently leading Miscanthus biomass cultivar, M. ×giganteus (M×g) ‘1993–1780', in regions where average annual minimum temperatures are −26.1°C (USDA hardiness zone 5) or lower poses a pressing need to develop new cultivars with superior cold tolerance. To facilitate breeding of Miscanthus, this study characterized phenotypic and genetic variation of overwintering ability in an M. sinensis germplasm panel consisting of 564 accessions, evaluated in field trials at three locations in North America and two in Asia. Genome‐wide association (GWA) and genomic prediction analyses were performed. The Korea/N China M. sinensis genetic group is a valuable gene pool for cold tolerance. The Yangtze‐Qinling, Southern Japan, and Northern Japan genetic groups were also potential sources of cold tolerance. A total of 73 marker–trait associations were detected for overwintering ability. Estimated breeding value for overwintering ability based on these 73 markers could explain 55% of the variation for first winter overwintering ability among M. sinensis. Average genomic prediction ability for overwintering ability across 50 fivefold cross‐validations was high (~0.73) after accounting for population structure. Common genomic regions for overwintering ability were detected by GWA analyses and a previous parallel QTL mapping study using three interconnected biparental F1 populations. One QTL on Miscanthus LG 8 encompassed five GWA hits and a known cold‐responsive gene, COR47. The other overwintering ability QTL on Miscanthus LG 11 contained two GWA hits and three known cold stress‐related genes, carboxylesterase 13 (CEX13), WRKY2 transcription factor, and cold shock domain (CSDP1). Miscanthus accessions collected from high latitude locations with cold winters had higher rates of overwintering, and more alleles for overwintering, than accessions collected from southern locations with mild winters.
A Lille model for predicting the response of severe alcoholic hepatitis to corticosteroid treatment in Japanese patients
Authors: Suzuki Yuji , Kakisaka Keisuke , Suzuki Akiko , Takahara Takeshi , Sasaki Tokio , Sato Takuro , Yonezawa Takehiro , Nitta Hiroyuki , Takikawa Yasuhiro 
Published: March 2019

AimCorticosteroids are the most widely used agents for the treatment of severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH). The therapeutic effectiveness of corticosteroids is assessed by the Lille model, which has been validated well in patient cohorts in North America and Europe; however, its usefulness has not yet been confirmed independently in Japanese patients. The present study aimed to determine whether the Lille model could predict the prognosis of SAH in Japanese patients.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study including 32 SAH patients who were admitted to our institute from April 2011 to February 2018. According to the previously validated Lille model cut‐off value, patients who received corticosteroids were classified as corticosteroid responders or non‐responders (with responders obtaining a Lille score ≥ 0.45), followed by assessment for the 6‐month prognosis.ResultsOut of 32 patients, 26 were treated with corticosteroids. The 28‐day and 6‐month mortality rates in the corticosteroid‐treated group were 23.1% and 46.2%, respectively. The median Lille score was significantly higher in patients who died or underwent liver transplantation (0.647) than in those who survived without undergoing transplantation (0.226; P < 0.0182). The 6‐month transplant‐free survival rate of non‐responders (Lille score ≥ 0.45) was significantly lower (27.3%; 95% confidence interval, 9.0–58.6%) than that of responders (Lille score < 0.45, 73.3%; 95% confidence interval, 46.7–90.0%; P = 0.0149, log–rank test).ConclusionsThe Lille score could be useful for predicting the 6‐month prognosis of Japanese SAH patients after corticosteroid therapy.
Zoo elephant research: contributions to conservation of captive and free‐ranging species
Authors: Bechert U. S. , Brown J. L. , Dierenfeld E. S. , Ling P. D. , Molter C. M. , Schulte B. A. 
Published: March 2019

African elephantsLoxodonta africanaand Asian elephantsElephas maximusare not thriving in many captive settings and are threatened throughout their native ranges. Many zoos supportin situconservation projects and provide opportunities to conductex situresearch in controlled settings with comparably approachable animals. Zoo elephant projects may facilitate fieldwork with free‐ranging elephants (e.g. development of non‐invasive sampling and analytical tools), which may then also improve the husbandry of elephants in human care. Free‐ranging elephants also benefit from drug therapies and veterinary care when they are orphaned, kept as working elephants or brought in as rehabilitation cases – especially as human–elephant conflicts become more common as a result of ever‐expanding human populations. Much has been learned about the basic biology and husbandry needs of elephants but, often, the more we learn, the more questions arise. There are physiological differences between African and Asian elephants, and this should affect the management of these animals. This paper will provide brief overviews of the current state of knowledge regarding the pharmacology, nutrition, reproduction, sensory biology and diseases (primarily elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus infections) relevant to elephants with recommendations for future research.
Thermal expansion and heat capacity of Sm2ScTaO7 – A promising material for thermal barrier coatings
Authors: Gavrichev Konstantin S. , Shlyakhtina Anna V. , Khoroshilov Andrey V. , Tyurin Alexander V. , Ashmarin Artem A. , Konysheva Elena Yu. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe experimental results presented for Sm2ScTaO7 pyrochlore in this study, temperature dependence of heat capacity and retaining the pyrochlore structure with the temperature variation, as well as the constant value of the thermal expansion coefficient in a wide temperature range, can be considered as evidences for the absence of a previously reported phase transition in the high‐temperature region for this compound. This means that Sm2ScTaO7 pyrochlore is no doubt a promising material for thermal barrier coatings.
The association of calcium channel blockers with β‐cell function in type 2 diabetic patients: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Zhao Dong , Cao Yu , Yu Cai‐Guo , Yuan Sha‐Sha , Zhang Ning , Zhang Yuan‐Yuan , Staessen Jan A. , Feng Ying‐Mei 
Published: March 2019

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients are often accompanied with hypertension. However, the association of antihypertensive drugs with β‐cell function has not been well studied. To investigate this question, the authors performed a cross‐sectional study involving 882 hypertensive T2DM patients. To assess β‐cell function, patients were given 75g glucose orally and C‐peptide levels before and 1, 2, and 3 hours after glucose intake were measured. Homa‐β was computed by Homeostasis Model Assessment model to evaluate β‐cell function using fasting C‐peptide and glucose levels in the plasma. Multivariable‐adjusted analysis was performed to evaluate the association of antihypertensive drugs with C‐peptide levels, HbA1c, and Homa‐β. Among 882 hypertensive patients, 547 (62.0%) received antihypertensive treatment. Multivariate‐adjusted analysis demonstrated that use of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) was negatively associated with HbA1c levels (CCBs: 0.95 [95% CI: 0.92‐0.98], P = 0.002). Our data further illustrated that the C‐peptide levels before and 1, 2, and 3 hours of OGTT were 1.10‐, 1.18‐, 1.19‐, and 1.15‐fold increase in T2DM patients taking CCBs (P = 0.084 for fasting C‐peptide levels; P ≤ 0.024 for C‐peptide levels at 1, 2, and 3 hours after OGTT) in comparison with non‐CCB users. Nevertheless, usage of any other antihypertensive drugs did neither associated with HbA1c nor associated with C‐peptide levels (P ≥ 0.11). In conclusion, CCB treatment was negatively associated with HbA1c levels but positively associated with β‐cell function in hypertensive T2DM patients, implying that CCBs could be considered to treat hypertensive T2DM patients with reduced β‐cell function.
New insights into a spectrum of developmental malformations related tomTORdysregulations: challenges and perspectives
Authors: Mühlebner A. , Bongaarts A. , Sarnat H. B. , Scholl T. , Aronica E. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIn recent years the role of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway has emerged as crucial for normal cortical development. Therefore, it is not surprising that aberrant activation ofmTORis associated with developmental malformations and epileptogenesis. A broad spectrum of malformations of cortical development, such as focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), have been linked to either germline or somatic mutations inmTORpathway‐related genes, commonly summarised under the umbrella term ‘mTORopathies’. However, there are still a number of unanswered questions regarding the involvement ofmTORin the pathophysiology of these abnormalities. Therefore, a monogenetic disease, such asTSC, can be more easily applied as a model to study the mechanisms of epileptogenesis and identify potential new targets of therapy. Developmental neuropathology and genetics demonstrate thatFCD IIb and hemimegalencephaly are the same diseases. Constitutive activation ofmTORsignalling represents a shared pathogenic mechanism in a group of developmental malformations that have histopathological and clinical features in common, such as epilepsy, autism and other comorbidities. We seek to understand the effect ofmTORdysregulation in a developing cortex with the propensity to generate seizures as well as the aftermath of the surrounding environment, including the white matter.
The Role of Parents and Family Networks in Adolescent Health‐Seeking in Ethiopia
Authors: Lindstrom David P. , Liu Mao‐Mei , Jira Challi 
Published: March 2019

AbstractObjective: This study examines the roles of parents, extended kin, and exchange networks in adolescent health‐seeking behavior in Ethiopia.Background: Prior studies highlight the role of mothers in children's health, whereas fathers, extended kin, and other network partners remain largely unexamined. The gender intensification hypothesis suggests that adolescents gravitate toward same‐gender parents for advice and assistance with health‐related issues. A more expansive view of the hypothesis suggests that other same‐gender adults may also be important sources of support.Method: Survey data were used from a random sample of 2,084 youth ages 13 to 17 collected in urban and rural communities in southwestern Ethiopia. Sources of advice, treatment, and accompaniment to get treatment were examined. Random intercept logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with receipt of formal health care.Results: Fathers and mothers played an important role in all phases of adolescent health‐seeking behavior. Fathers' involvement was especially common in rural areas and more so with boys than girls. Extended kin and exchange networks also played a role and were even more important for boys in female‐headed households, suggesting that they may have substituted for absent fathers.Conclusion: Adolescents rely heavily on parents and other adults for health advice and treatment. Who children go to for assistance is highly gendered, especially in rural areas.Implications: Studies of adolescent health‐seeking and interventions designed to improve health services utilization need to recognize the important involvement of parents and other closely related adults in advising youth and accompanying them to get treatment.