bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phylogenetic relationships in Malesian–Pacific Piper (Piperaceae) and their implications for systematics
Authors: Asmarayani Rani 
Published: August 2018

AbstractComprised of ~2000 spp., Piper is a major clade in the magnoliid angiosperms. Three major groups are recognized in Piper, i.e., the Neotropical, Asian and South Pacific. Unlike Neotropical Piper, relationships in the Paleotropical Piper remain enigmatic. This study evaluates the relationships within Paleotropical Piper by focusing sampling efforts in the Malesian region. This is the center of diversity of the genus in the Paleotropics, yet has been barely represented in previous phylogenetic studies. Eleven out of 14 infrageneric groups in Paleotropical Piper and 14% of the species were included in this study and their phylogenetic relationships were inferred based on nuclear (ITS, g3pdh) and chloroplast (trnL-F) regions. The goals were to test the monophyly of infrageneric groups, to examine how the main characters used to delimit these infrageneric groups have shaped classifications past and present, and to understand the origin of bisexual flowers and the shrubby habit in the predominantly dioecious Asian clade of climbers. The results show that the Asian clade is monophyletic in all phylogenies and the South Pacific clade is monophyletic in nuclear phylogenies. Within the Asian clade, species predominantly distributed west of Wallace’s Line (WWL) form a moderately/strongly supported clade in the ITS phylogeny, embedded within a grade of species from east of Wallace’s Line (EWL). The ITS phylogeny also resolves 12 and 5 clades in the WWL clade and the EWL grade, respectively. G3pdh and trnL-F phylogenies resolve some of the same clades, but some relationships among and within clades are incongruent. Almost no currently recognized infrageneric groups in Asian Piper are monophyletic. Most of the characters previously used to delimit infrageneric groups are homoplasious, including fruit type, bract type, direction of anther dehiscence, and number of anther valves. However, bract and fruit types are still of some value in that many clades in the Asian Piper are characterized by single bract and fruit types. In Paleotropical Piper, bisexual flowers have evolved numerous times in almost every clade, and shrubby habit has evolved at least six times, but is restricted to four clades in the WWL clade. The 17 clades resolved in this study are described along with their potential diagnostic characters.
Risk of Contraceptive Lapse and New Sexual Partnership Among Female University Students Traveling Internationally
Authors: Martins Summer L. , Mason Susan M. , Hellerstedt Wendy L. , Brady Sonya S. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractCONTEXTInternational travel is common and may influence women's sexual and reproductive health through myriad pathways. Existing studies focus on travelers’ risk of acquiring STDs, but not their pregnancy prevention behaviors. Further, it is unclear whether sexual and reproductive health outcomes observed for female travelers are associated with travel itself, because few studies compare travelers with nontravelers.METHODSAn online survey was conducted in 2016–2017 among females attending a U.S. university who reported a history of sex with men; the sample comprised 340 students who had traveled internationally in the past three months (travelers) and 170 who intended to travel in the next three months (pretravelers). Multivariable modified Poisson regression models assessed associations between travel status and two outcomes during travelers’ recent trip or a period of similar duration for pretravelers: contraceptive lapse (incorrect or inconsistent use of any method) and new sexual partnership.RESULTSTravelers and pretravelers reported similar levels of contraceptive lapse (29% and 32%, respectively) and new sexual partnerships (17% and 12%). Multivariable analysis confirmed that travelers were no more likely than pretravelers to have contraceptive lapses, but indicated that they were more likely to report a new male partner (relative risk, 1.7). Most participants (80%) had a regular source of sexual and reproductive health care; 42% of travelers had seen a health care provider in preparation for their trip.CONCLUSIONIf the findings are corroborated by additional research, they may suggest a role for health care providers in students’ pretravel period.
Effect of Intermittent Normobaric Hypoxia Exposures on Acute Mountain Sickness During Acute Ascent to 3500 m in Indian Military Personnel
Authors: Bhaumik Gopinath , Dass Deepak , Ghosh Dishari , Kumar Harish , Kumar Sanjiva , Kumar Utkarsha , Sharma YK , Reddy MPK , Kumar Bhuvnesh , Singh Shashi Bala 
Published: August 2018

<p>In emergencies/war like situations, rapid deployment of army personnel into high altitude occurs without proper acclimatization. Rapid deployment of unacclimatized soldiers to high mountainous environments may cause debilitating effects on operational capabilities and development of acute mountain sickness (AMS). Altitude acclimatization is the best strategy for the prevention of AMS Use of pharmacological intervention for prevention of AMS is a common practice. The use of intermittent hypoxic exposure (IHE) is an alternative approach for altitude acclimatization and it reduces occurrence and severity of AMS is. But, the use of intermittent normobaric hypoxia exposure at sea level on occurrence of AMS after acute ascent to 3500m altitude in Indian army personnel has not been tested yet.<strong></strong></p>
Reclassification of Signs
Authors: Jia Hongwei 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPrevious semiotic research classified human signs into linguistic signs and non-linguistic signs, with reference to human language and the writing system as the core members of the sign family. However, this classification cannot cover all the types of translation in the broad sense in terms of sign transformation activities. Therefore, it is necessary to reclassify the signs that make meaning into tangible signs and intangible signs based on the medium of the signs. Whereas tangible signs are attached to the outer medium of the physical world, intangible signs are attached to the inner medium of the human cerebral nervous system. The three types of transformation, which are namely from tangible signs into tangible signs, from tangible signs into intangible signs, and from intangible signs into tangible signs, lay a solid foundation for the categorization of sign activities in translation semiotics. Such a reclassification of signs can not only enrich semiotic theories of sign types, human communication, and sign-text interpretation, but also inspire new research on translation types, the translation process, translators’ thinking systems and psychology, and the mechanism of machine translation.
Esoteric Symbolism in Animated Film Storytelling
Authors: Ko Fuji 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Esoteric symbolism of various kinds is dispersed in media for mass communication, and from the semiotic perspective, films, historically the primary medium for motion pictures, are the most powerful weapons for worldwide attraction. In this paper, two famous cartoon animated movies by Disney, Moana and Zootopia, are under analysis. For one thing, they use profound symbols in conveying a message to the audience, especially to children, and for another, their impact on society is wide due to the breadth and diversity of Disney-branded products. Thus, the present paper discusses these two movies using semiotic theories of signs, codes, and symbols, weaving them together to trace the system of communication between the text (here referring to the cinematic texts) and its audience, and especially how a heroine frame is built in the adventure genre. Interpreting the hidden meaning or occult symbolism requires a special kind of knowledge if we aim to convey the essence of the story to our children beyond merely knowing the plot of the film. The films Moana and Zootopia feature a number of interior or hidden elements such as metaphors and allegories, and illuminati or esoteric symbolism, even though they are animated ones.
Perceiving Humor in Traditional Chinese Peking Opera
Authors: Zhang Zhiyi , Jin Xiaobing 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPeking opera epitomizes the traditional Chinese performing arts, and all six factors concerning the story and performance of Peking opera, namely plot, role type, song, speech, acting, and combat, can produce humorous effects among the audience. The present paper is a tentative study on humor and sensing humor in Peking opera. The scale study testified that all six factors were able to produce humorous effects and that they had different degrees of comprehension difficulty and humor for different contributing factors. The degree of comprehension difficulty can assert negative influence upon the degree of humor. Different from the traditionally held nonmonotonic (inverted-U) correlation between the two, a monotonic inverse proportion between the two has been detected. The interview analyses revealed that the humorous effects had something to do with incongruity but that resolution might not necessarily be involved. The scale study and the interview analysis both support this finding.
Late Antique Dalmatia and Pannonia in Cassiodorus’ Variae
Authors: Gračanin Hrvoje 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
As the title suggests, the present paper offers an analysis of selected letters from Cassiodorus’ Variae, which are important for late antique history of Dalmatia and Pannonia. The study is intended to be twofold: on the one part, it examines the information that can be derived from the letters about both provinces’ political, administrative, economic, social and ethnic picture in the time of Ostrogothic rule over the Eastern Adriatic and Middle Danube regions; on the other part, it explores literary and political contexts and underlying ideologies that are present in the selected letters.
Marienbilder im Blachernenheiligtum
Authors: Effenberger Arne 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Only written sources from the 10th and 11th centuries inform us about the existence of images of the Mother of God in the three buildings of the Blachernae shrine at Constantinople (Great Church, Chapel of the Soros and Holy Bath). The first part of my study deals with the question of the localization of these images as well as their date and iconographical details. Furthermore, their possible material and technical features (wall paintings, mosaics or stone carvings) are discussed. In the case of the icon of the „usual miracle“ the Mother of God was doubtless represented with the Christ child on her arm. The second part of the paper investigates an icon in the Sinai Monastery with images of the Blachernitissa, Hodegetria, Hagiosoritissa and Cheimeute. The Hagiosoritissa can be identified as the icon of the Mother of God in the Chalkoprateia, probably linked with the icon of the Christos Antiphonetes. In an excursus, the returning date of the garment of the Virgin into the Blachernae sanctuary is examined.
Der καιρός bei Prokop von Kaisareia
Authors: Andres Hansjoachim 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Procopius’ view on history and the nature of his Weltanschauung have been amatter of debate for a long time. Especially the relation between the influence of God and the influence of fate is a central problem in the interpretation of the Corpus Procopianum. In contrast, the concept of καιρός has been disregarded almost universally. Starting with the two fundamental meanings of the term in Greek literature and thought, the right measure and the right time, this paper gives a first glance at Procopius’ use of this concept. It is shown that both of these meanings can have an ontological and practical aspect, in Greek literature as well as in Procopius and even beyond that,while the typical Greek understanding and use of the term is a synthesis of both. To understand how Procopius uses καιρός, one needs to expound the problems of this synthesis, that culminate in three major questions:Who is the originator of the καιρός? How frequently does the καιρός appear and does every human action have its καιρός? How does one know the presence of the καιρός and whence does one know how to act during it? After a careful study of the works of Procopius, using mainly the philosophy of Plato and the assumptions of Dariusz Brodka, the answers are: 1) The originator of the καιρός is God, who not only gives the opportunity, but at the same time implements the task to use this opportunity, so the καιρός becomes a part of Salvation History. This concept is shown to be similar to Old Testament views on time and opportunity. 2) Contrary to ancient thought, not every human action in Procopius has its καιρός. The moment only arises when God wants it to arise. 3) The human ability to know the presence of a καιρός and to know the right action during this moment Procopius understands according to Plato: it is possible through the application of experience and reason. In the Anecdota, the καιρός is used to further discredit and demonise Justinianus. The rule of the Emperor changes the basic conditions of the world in such a way that man is no longer able to recognise the godly καιρός through application of experience and therefore is unable to use this moment given by God. The amount of knowledge one needs to manipulate the world in such away is an impossibility foramere human, but a given for the demon Justinianus. The terror of Justinianus therefore gains a metaphysical dimension, just like the Emperor himself thanks to his presentation as a demon. Justinianus’ relation to the καιρός is horrible, for God neither presents him with such a moment nor is he able to do anything but act against the godly καιρός of others, for it is the nature of a demon to act against God. Finally it is shown that the καιρός of Procopius is very different from the καιρός of Thucydides. In Procopius it is a basic principle of God’s operations in the world, whereas in Thucydides it is a somewhat vague everyday term.
Die Taronitai. Eine prosopographisch-sigillographische Studie
Authors: Nikolaros Stratos 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
This paper is a systematic prosopographical study of all members of the Taronites family in Byzantium from the tenth until thirteenth century. It takes into account contemporary narrative sources and both published and unpublished lead seals. Two annexes of lead seals and the stemmata of the family are provided at the end. The aim of this study is to reexamine and offer a fresh insight on the biographical data as well as the history of this aristocratic house.
Foreign Ownership and Financial Disclosure in Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Taran Alina , Ammar Zahid R. M. , Mironiuc Marilena 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIt is recognized that multinational corporations (MNC) have played a significant role in the recent worldwide accounting reform. This study analyses the influence of foreign ownership, and MNC on financial disclosure practices of listed companies from Central and Eastern European countries (CEE). The possible reverse effect is also considered, and thus, the role of disclosure in attracting foreign investments is investigated. Fixed effects panel analysis has been conducted for 2005-2015 period, in the context of partial IFRS adoption in CEE. Contrary to hypothesized expectations, the influence of foreign ownership on the extent of disclosure is negative. As foreign investors in CEE are dominantly corporations, it seems they impose their own reporting policies or report detailed group information, which may diminish the disclosure of foreign subsidiaries. Moreover, it was found that foreign investors are not sensitive to changes of items in reported information. This evidence raises questions regarding the purpose, and the impact of disclosure on financial markets. Overall, this study gives a signal to standard-setters about reporting practices at regional level, and adds an original empirical contribution to reporting behavior and corporate transparency literature. Moreover, it invites to further research on reporting practices of companies with foreign ownership.
The Bankers’ New Clothes – What’s Wrong with Banking and What to Do about It
Authors: Moreira Fernando 
Published: August 2018

Sometimes inaccurate arguments are repeated so often and with impressive (apparent) authority that most people take them for granted. Anat Admati and Martin Hellwig illustrate one of these situations in their book The Bankers’ New Clothes: What’s Wrong with Banking and What to Do about It. By using a pun inspired by the classic tale The Emperor’s New Clothes by Hans Andersen, Admati and Hellwig guide us around the world of the “bankers’ new clothes”, that is, “flawed and misleading claims that are made in discussions about banking regulation” (p. 9). In the tale, everybody initially pretends to see the emperor’s invisible clothes in order not to appear stupid given that the invisible clothes were made by two (allegedly) highly skilled weavers.
Rhythm and Synchrony in a Cortical Network Model
Authors: Chariker Logan , Shapley Robert , Young Lai-Sang 
Published: August 2018

We studied mechanisms for cortical gamma-band activity in the cerebral cortex and identified neurobiological factors that affect such activity. This was done by analyzing the behavior of a previously developed, data-driven, large-scale network model that simulated many visual functions of monkey V1 cortex (Chariker et al., 2016). Gamma activity was an emergent property of the model. The model's gamma activity, like that of the real cortex, was (1) episodic, (2) variable in frequency and phase, and (3) graded in power with stimulus variables like orientation. The spike firing of the model's neuronal population was only partially synchronous during multiple firing events (MFEs) that occurred at gamma rates. Detailed analysis of the model's MFEs showed that gamma-band activity was multidimensional in its sources. Most spikes were evoked by excitatory inputs. A large fraction of these inputs came from recurrent excitation within the local circuit, but feedforward and feedback excitation also contributed, either through direct pulsing or by raising the overall baseline. Inhibition was responsible for ending MFEs, but disinhibition led directly to only a small minority of the synchronized spikes. As a potential explanation for the wide range of gamma characteristics observed in different parts of cortex, we found that the relative rise times of AMPA and GABA synaptic conductances have a strong effect on the degree of synchrony in gamma.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTCanonical computations used throughout the cerebral cortex are performed in primary visual cortex (V1). Providing theoretical mechanisms for these computations will advance understanding of computation throughout cortex. We studied one dynamical feature, gamma-band rhythms, in a large-scale, data-driven, computational model of monkey V1. Our most significant conclusion is that the sources of gamma band activity are multidimensional. A second major finding is that the relative rise times of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic potentials have strong effects on spike synchrony and peak gamma band power. Insight gained from studying our V1 model can shed light on the functions of other cortical regions.
Feedback-Based Learning in Aging: Contributions and Trajectories of Change in Striatal and Hippocampal Systems
Authors: Lighthall Nichole R. , Pearson John M. , Huettel Scott A. , Cabeza Roberto 
Published: August 2018

The striatum supports learning from immediate feedback by coding prediction errors (PEs), whereas the hippocampus (HC) plays a parallel role in learning from delayed feedback. Both regions show evidence of decline in human aging, but behavioral research suggests greater decline in HC versus striatal functions. The present study included male and female humans and used fMRI to examine younger and older adults' brain activation patterns during a learning task with choice feedback presented immediately or after a brief delay. Participants then completed a surprise memory task that tested their recognition of trial-unique feedback stimuli, followed by assessments of postlearning cue preference, outcome probability awareness, and willingness to pay. The study yielded three main findings. First, behavioral measures indicated similar rates of learning in younger and older adults across conditions, but postlearning measures indicated impairment in older adults' ability to subsequently apply learning to discriminate between cues. Second, PE signals in the striatum were greater for immediate versus delayed feedback in both age groups, but PE signals in the HC were greater for delayed versus immediate feedback only in younger adults. Third, unlike younger adults, older adults failed to exhibit enhanced episodic memory for outcome stimuli in the delayed-feedback condition. Together, these findings indicate that HC circuits supporting learning and memory decline more than striatal circuits in healthy aging, which suggests that declines in HC learning signals may be an important predictor of deficits in learning-dependent economic decisions among older adults.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe hippocampus (HC) and striatum play distinct and critical roles in learning. Substantial research suggests that age-related decline in learning supported by the HC outpaces decline in learning supported by the striatum; however, such inferences have been drawn by comparing performance in tasks with fundamentally different structures. The present study overcomes this obstacle by implementing a single fMRI-learning paradigm with a subtle variation in feedback timing to examine differential age effects on memory supported by the HC and striatum. Our results provide converging behavioral and brain-imaging evidence showing that HC circuits supporting learning and memory decline more than striatal circuits in healthy aging and that declines in HC learning signals may predict early deficits in learning-dependent decisions among older adults.