bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risky behaviors and Parkinson’s disease: A Mendelian randomization study in up to 1 million study participants
Authors: Grover Sandeep , Fabiola Del Greco M , Kasten Meike , Klein Christine , Lill Christina M. , König Inke R. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractObjectiveDopaminergic neurotransmission is known to be a potential modulator of risky behaviors including substance abuse, promiscuity, and gambling. Furthermore, observational studies have shown associations between risky behaviors and Parkinson’s disease; however, the causal nature of these associations remains unclear. Thus, in this study, we examine causal associations between risky behavior phenotypes on Parkinson’s disease using a Mendelian randomization approach.MethodsWe used two-sample Mendelian randomization to generate unconfounded estimates using summary statistics from two independent, large meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies on risk taking behaviors (n=370,771-939,908) and Parkinson’s disease (cases: n=9581, controls: n = 33,245). We used inverse variance weighted as the main method for judging causality.ResultsOur results support a strong protective association between the tendency to smoke and Parkinson’s disease (OR=0.714 per log odds of ever smoking; 95% CI=0.568-0.897; p-value=0.0041; Cochran Q test; p-value=0.238; I2 index=6.3%). Furthermore, we observed risk association trends between automobile speed propensity as well as the number of sexual partners and Parkinson’s disease after removal of overlapping loci with other risky traits (OR=1.986 for each standard deviation increase in normalized automobile speed propensity; 95% CI=1.215-3.243; p-value=0.0066, OR=1.635 for each standard deviation increase in number of sexual partners; 95% CI=1.165-2.293; p-value=0.0049).InterpretationThese findings provide support for a causal relationship between general risk tolerance and Parkinson’s disease and may provide new insights in the pathogenic mechanisms leading to the development of Parkinson’s disease.
Refacing: Reconstructing Anonymized Facial Features Using Gans
Authors: Abramian David , Eklund Anders 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTAnonymization of medical images is necessary for protecting the identity of the test subjects, and is therefore an essential step in data sharing. However, recent developments in deep learning may raise the bar on the amount of distortion that needs to be applied to guarantee anonymity. To test such possibilities, we have applied the novel CycleGAN unsupervised image-to-image translation framework on sagittal slices of T1 MR images, in order to reconstruct facial features from anonymized data. We applied the CycleGAN framework on both face-blurred and face-removed images. Our results show that face blurring may not provide adequate protection against malicious attempts at identifying the subjects, while face removal provides more robust anonymization, but is still partially reversible.
Characteristic Localization of Neuronatin in Rat Tissues
Authors: Kanno Naoko , Yoshida Saishu , Kato Takako , Kato Yukio 
Published: October 2018

SummaryNeuronatin (Nnat) is expressed in the pituitary, pancreas, and other tissues; however, the function of NNAT is still unclear. Recent studies have demonstrated that NNAT is localized in the sex determining region Y-box 2-positive stem/progenitor cells in the developing rat pituitary primordium and is downregulated during differentiation into mature hormone-producing cells. Moreover, NNAT is widely localized in subcellular organelles, excluding the Golgi. Here, we further evaluated NNAT expression and intracellular localization in embryonic and postnatal rat tissues such as the pancreas, tongue, whisker hair follicle, and testis. Immunohistochemistry showed that NNAT was localized in undifferentiated cells (i.e., epithelial basal cells and basement cells in the papillae of the tongue and round and elongated spermatids of the testis) as well as in differentiated cells (insulin-positive cells and exocrine cells of the pancreas, taste receptor cells of the fungiform papilla, the inner root sheath of whisker hair follicles, and spermatozoa). Additionally, NNAT showed novel intracellular localization in acrosomes in the spermatozoa. Because the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is excluded from spermatozoa and sarco/ER Ca2+-ATPase isoform 2 (SERCA2) is absent from the inner root sheath, these findings suggested that NNAT localization in the ER and its interaction with SERCA2 were cell-or tissue-specific properties.
Conducting social network analysis with animal telemetry data: applications and methods using spatsoc
Authors: Robitaille Alec L. , Webber Quinn M.R. , Wal Eric Vander 
Published: October 2018

SummaryWe present spatsoc: an R package for conducting social network analysis with animal telemetry data.Animal social network analysis is a method for measuring relationships between individuals to describe social structure. Using animal telemetry data for social network analysis requires functions to generate proximity-based social networks that have flexible temporal and spatial grouping. Data can be complex and relocation frequency can vary so the ability to provide specific temporal and spatial thresholds based on the characteristics of the species and system is required.spatsoc fills a gap in R packages by providing flexible functions, explicitly for animal telemetry data, to generate gambit-of-the-group data, perform data-stream randomization and generate group by individual matrices.The implications of spatsoc are that current users of large animal telemetry or otherwise georeferenced data for movement or spatial analyses will have access to efficient and intuitive functions to generate social networks.
Intact extrastriate visual network without primary visual cortex in a Rhesus macaque with naturally occurring Blindsight
Authors: Bridge Holly , Bell Andrew , Ainsworth Matt , Sallet Jerome , Premereur Elsie , Ahmed Bashir , Mitchell Anna , Schüffelgen Urs , Buckley Mark , Parker Andrew J , Krug Kristine 
Published: October 2018

AbstractLesions of primate primary visual cortex (V1) lead to loss of conscious visual perception, and are often devastating to those affected. Understanding the neural consequences of such damage may aid the development of rehabilitation methods. In this rare case of a Rhesus macaque (monkey S), likely born without V1, we investigated the brain structures underlying residual visual abilities using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging. In-group behaviour was unremarkable. Compared to controls, visual structures outside of monkey S’s lesion appeared normal. Visual stimulation under anaesthesia with checkerboards activated lateral geniculate nucleus of monkey S, but not the pulvinar, while full-field moving dots activated the pulvinar. Functional connectivity analysis revealed a network of bilateral dorsal visual areas temporally correlated with V5/MT, consistent across lesion and control animals. Overall, we found an intact network of visual cortical areas even without V1, but little evidence for strengthened subcortical input to V5/MT supporting residual visual function.
Multiple loci of small effect confer wide variability in efficiency and resistance rate of CRISPR gene drive
Authors: Champer Jackson , Wen Zhaoxin , Luthra Anisha , Reeves Riona , Chung Joan , Liu Chen , Lee Yoo Lim , Liu Jingxian , Yang Emily , Messer Philipp W. , Clark Andrew G. 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTGene drives could allow for control of vector-borne diseases by directly suppressing vector populations or spreading genetic payloads designed to reduce pathogen transmission. CRISPR homing gene drives work by cleaving wild-type alleles, which are then converted to drive alleles by homology-directed repair, increasing the frequency of the drive in a population. However, resistance alleles can form when end-joining repair takes place in lieu of homology-directed repair. Such alleles cannot be converted to drive alleles, which would halt the spread of a drive through a population. To investigate the effects of natural genetic variation on resistance formation, we developed a CRISPR homing gene drive inDrosophila melanogasterand crossed it into the genetically diverseDrosophilaGenetic Reference Panel (DGRP) lines, measuring several performance parameters. Most strikingly, resistance allele formation post-fertilization in the early embryo ranged from 7% to 79% among lines and averaged 42±18%. We performed a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) using our results in the DGRP lines and found that the resistance and conversion rates were polygenic, with several genetic polymorphisms showing relatively weak association. RNAi knockdown of several of these genes confirmed their effect, but their small effect sizes implies that their manipulation will yield only modest improvements to the efficacy of gene drives.
The material properties of naked mole-rat hyaluronan
Authors: Kulaberoglu Yavuz , Bhushan Bharat , Hadi Fazal , Chakrabarti Sampurna , Khaled Walid T. , Rankin Kenneth S. , John Smith Ewanl St. , Frankel Daniel 
Published: October 2018

AbstractHyaluronan (HA) is a key component of the extracellular matrix. Given the fundamental role of HA in the cancer resistance of the naked mole-rat (NMR), we undertook to explore the structural and soft matter properties of this species-specific variant, a necessary step for its development as a biomaterial. We examined HA extracted from NMR brain, lung, and skin, as well as that isolated from the medium of immortalised cells. In common with mouse HA, NMR HA forms a range of assemblies corresponding to a wide distribution of molecular weights. However, unique to the NMR, are highly folded structures, whose characteristic morphology is dependent on the tissue type. Skin HA forms tightly packed assemblies that have spring-like mechanical properties in addition to a strong affinity for water. Brain HA forms three dimensional folded structures similar to the macroscopic appearance of the gyri and sulci of the human brain. Lung HA forms an impenetrable mesh of interwoven folds in a morphology that can only be described as resembling a snowman. Unlike HA that is commercially available, NMR HA readily forms robust gels without the need for chemical cross-linking contrasting. NMR HA gels sharply transition from viscoelastic to elastic like properties upon dehydration or repeated loading. In addition, NMR HA can form ordered thin films with an underlying semi-crystalline structure. Given the role of HA in maintaining hydration in the skin it is plausible that the folded structures contribute to both the elasticity and youthfulness of NMR skin. It is also possible that such densely folded materials could present a considerable barrier to cell invasion throughout the tissues, a useful characteristic for a biomaterial.
Somatic mutability in cancer predicts the phenotypic relevance of germline mutations
Authors: Provero Paolo , Lazarevic Dejan , Cittaro Davide 
Published: October 2018

AbstractGenomic sequence mutations in both the germline and somatic cells can be pathogenic. Several authors have observed that often the same genes are involved in cancer when mutated in somatic cells and in genetic diseases when mutated in the germline. Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing techniques have provided us with large databases of both types of mutations, allowing us to investigate this issue in a systematic way. Here we show that high-throughput data about the frequency of somatic mutations in the most common cancers can be used to predict the genes involved in abnormal phenotypes and diseases. The predictive power of somatic mutation patterns is largely independent of that of methods based on germline mutation frequency, so that they can be fruitfully integrated into algorithms for the prioritization of causal variants. Our results confirm the deep relationship between pathogenic mutations in somatic and germline cells, provide new insight into the common origin of cancer and genetic diseases and can be used to improve the identification of new disease genes.
Benefit-cost analysis of the policy of mandatory annual rabies vaccination of domestic dogs in rabies-free Japan
Authors: Kwan Nigel C. L. , Yamada Akio , Sugiura Katsuaki 
Published: October 2018

AbstractJapan is one of the few rabies-free countries/territories which implement the policy of mandatory vaccination of domestic dogs. In order to assess the economic efficiency of such policy in reducing the economic burden of a future canine rabies outbreak in Japan, a benefit-cost analysis (BCA) was performed using probabilistic decision tree modelling. Input data derived from simulation results of published mathematical model, field investigation conducted by the authors at prefectural governments, literature review, international or Japanese database and empirical data of rabies outbreaks in other countries/territories. The current study revealed that the annual costs of implementing the current vaccination policy would be US$160,472,075 (90% prediction interval [PI]: $149,268,935 – 171,669,974). The economic burden of a potential canine rabies outbreak in Japan were estimated to be US$1,682,707 (90% PI: $1,180,289 – 2,249,283) under the current vaccination policy, while it would be US$5,019,093 (90% PI: $3,986,882 – 6,133,687) under hypothetical abolition of vaccination policy, which is 3-fold higher. Under a damage-avoided approach, the annual benefits of implementing the current vaccination policy in expected value were estimated to be US$85.75 (90% PI: $55.73 – 116.89). The benefit-cost ratio(BCR)was estimated to be 5.35 × 10−7(90% PI: 3.46 × 10−7– 7.37 × 10−7), indicating that the implementation of the current policy is very economically inefficient for the purpose of reducing the economic burden of a potential canine rabies outbreak. In worse-case scenario analysis, theBCRwould become above 1 (indicating economic efficiency) if the risk of rabies introduction increased to 0.04 corresponding to a level of risk where rabies would enter Japan in 26 years while the economic burden of a rabies outbreak under the abolition of vaccination policy increased to $7.53 billion. Best-case analysis further revealed that the economic efficiency of the current policy could be improved by decreasing the vaccination price charged to dog owners, relaxing the frequency of vaccination to every two to three years and implementing the policy on a smaller scale, e.g. only in targeted prefectures instead of the whole Japan.
Would diversified corporate boards add value? The case of banking institutions in Malaysia
Authors: Jubilee Ribed Vianneca W. , Khong Roy W.L. , Hung Woan Ting 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
Board diversity has gained increasing attention and has been widely posited as a driver for firm value. The purpose of this paper is to provide empirical evidence on the relation of gender diversity of corporate boards with the value of banking institutions in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach
The sample comprised of ten banking institutions listed on Bursa Malaysia with data observations from 2007 to 2016. Panel data techniques were employed to investigate the relationship between having female directors and firm performance in terms of values generated as indicated by Tobin’s Q.

Findings
The results revealed a positive relationship between the proportion of female director and the value of the bank. Interestingly, this study found that appointment of female independent directors tends to be negatively related to the value of such institutions.

Practical implications
There remains a shortage of research studying the impact of gender equality on corporate boards in Malaysia generally and in the banking sector specifically. Thus, this study contributes a significant knowledge on the value implication of board diversity. The findings also provide useful insights on the developmental policy initiated by the government to increase female participation in the top management.

Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature by bridging the knowledge gap on board diversity in the governance structure of banking institutions. It also provides theoretical contributions to the development of regulatory policy in relation to gender diversification in corporate leadership.
Indian consumers’ risk perception in buying green products: the case of LED light bulbs
Authors: Ray Sujit Kumar , Sahney Sangeeta 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how the various perceived risk facets such as financial risk, performance risk, psychological risk, social risk, and physical risk influence the Indian consumers’ perceived overall risk during the purchase of green products such as energy-efficient LED light bulbs.Design/methodology/approachA self-administered questionnaire comprising a total of 29 items was employed over a sample of 272 respondents. The structural equation modeling using partial least squares was used for data analysis.FindingsPsychological risk emerged as the most influential of the various risk facets in affecting perceived overall risk. Financial, physical, and performance risks emerged as the second, third, and fourth most influential risk facets, respectively, which affect the perceived overall risk. Surprisingly, social risk did not emerge as an influential facet when it comes to affecting perceived overall risk. Further, psychological and financial risks appeared to have a positive medium-level influence on the perceived overall risk, whereas physical and performance risks appeared to have a positive weak influence on the perceived overall risks. The influence of financial risk on the perceived overall risk was found to be partially mediated by performance risk.Originality/valueThe study is unique in the sense that it reflects the risk perception of potential consumers in one of the largest emerging markets of the world, when it comes to purchase of green products.
Consumer behaviour towards willingness to pay for Halal products
Authors: Ahmed Waqar , Najmi Arsalan , Faizan Hafiz Muhammad , Ahmed Shaharyar 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically analyze the factors affecting Muslim consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for Halal food, products and operations by employing theory of reasoned action.Design/methodology/approachThis study has used quantitative research methodology and collected data from 350 questionnaires from a densely populated city of Pakistan. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.FindingsThe results show that the concerns about Halal, religiosity, perception of usefulness of Halal and product ingredients have a significant impact on WTP for Halal foods, while attitude has an insignificant impact on WTP. Moreover, the extent of demand for Halal certification is significantly affected by WTP.Originality/valueThe study highlighted the concerns of the Muslim consumers with respect to Halalness of the products and operations despite living in a Muslim country. It is recommended that the policy makers, food authorities and health institutions should conduct regular inspections of foods, products and producers’/manufacturers’ operations to ensure that all the procedures from manufacturing of the raw material till the finished goods follow Islamic principles to make them completely Halal.
Nutritional and phytochemical content of Swiss chard from Montenegro, under different fertilization and irrigation treatments
Authors: Ivanović Ljubica , Milašević Ivana , Topalović Ana , Ðurović Dijana , Mugoša Boban , Knežević Mirko , Vrvić Miroslav 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate both nutrient and phytochemical content of Swiss chard grown under different fertilization and irrigation treatments and the effect of these treatments on the tested parameters.Design/methodology/approachSamples of fresh Swiss chard were collected from the experimental field of Ljeskopolje, Montenegro, where chard was grown under different fertilization and irrigation treatments. Swiss chard samples were analyzed for nutritional and antioxidant parameters.FindingsIn this study, the authors found that 100 g of Swiss chard is a good source of total chlorophyll (47.13 mg), carotenoids (9.85 mg), minerals as well as vitamin C (26.88 mg) expressed as mean values. Total phenol and flavonoid compounds content were (138.59 µg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) and 11.91 µg catechin equivalent (CAE) per mg of water extract, respectively), also expressed as mean values. The total antioxidant capacity (IC50 values) determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay ranged from 2.93 to 4.44 mg/mL of aquatic water extract. Different fertilization regimes affected the following parameters: phosphorous, protein content, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and vitamin C (p<0.05), while different irrigation regimes did not have any effect on the tested parameters (p>0.05), while interaction effect between fertilization and irrigation was found only for sodium and copper (p<0.05).Originality/valueSwiss chard produced in Montenegro on a sandy clay loam soil with acid reaction contains appreciable amount of minerals, crude fibers, vitamin C, chlorophylls, carotenoids and polyphenols. The nutrient and phytochemical content of chard is equal or superior to other green leafy vegetables which are considered as functional food. It was identified as a potentially rich source of essential nutrients and phytochemical compounds. The promotion of higher consumption and production of Swiss chard may represent a natural and sustainable alternative for improving human health.
Is anti-consumption driving meat consumption changes in Australia?
Authors: Malek Lenka , Umberger Wendy , Goddard Ellen 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate recent changes made by Australian consumers in their consumption of beef, chicken, pork and lamb, as well as the factors motivating both decreased and increased consumption of each type of meat. Reasons for meat-avoidance are also examined.

Design/methodology/approach
An online questionnaire was completed in July 2016 by two Australian samples comprising: adults from the general population; and vegetarians. Data were analysed for 287 meat consumers and 82 meat avoiders. Descriptive statistics and results of multinomial logistic regression models are presented.

Findings
Meat consumers most commonly reported reducing consumption of beef in the last 12 months (30 per cent); followed by lamb (22 per cent), pork (14 per cent) and chicken (8 per cent). The following factors were associated with reductions in meat consumption: concerns regarding price and personal health; age and household income; and food choice motivations related to personal benefits, social factors and food production and origin. Main reasons motivating meat-avoidance were concerns regarding animal welfare, health and environmental protection.

Originality/value
This is the first Australian study providing national-level insight on how and why meat consumption patterns are changing. Reasons for changes are examined through an anti-consumption lens, investigating rationale for avoiding, reducing and increasing consumption. This provides a more comprehensive understanding of meat consumption and anti-consumption decisions, which are becoming increasingly complex. Insights on the psychologically distinct motivations underpinning avoidance, reductions and increases in meat consumption can inform the development of strategies aimed at promoting a societal-shift towards consumption of more sustainable dietary protein sources.