bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single unit activity in marmoset posterior parietal cortex in a gap saccade task
Authors: Ma Liya , Selvanayagam Janahan , Ghahremani Maryam , Hayrynen Lauren K. , Johnston Kevin D. , Everling Stefan 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACTAbnormal saccadic eye movements can serve as biomarkers for patients with several neuropsychiatric disorders. To investigate cortical control mechanisms of saccadic responses, the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is a promising non-human primate model. Their lissencephalic brain allows for accurate targeting of homologues of sulcal areas in the macaque brain. Here we recorded single unit activity in the posterior parietal cortex of two marmosets using chronic microelectrode arrays, while the monkeys performed a saccadic task with Gap trials (stimulus onset lagged fixation point offset by 200ms) interleaved with Step trials (fixation point disappeared when the peripheral stimulus appeared). Both marmosets showed a gap effect—shorter saccadic reaction times (SRTs) in Gap vs. Step trials. On average, stronger gap-period response across the entire neuronal population preceded shorter SRTs on trials with contralateral targets, although this correlation was stronger among the 15% ‘gap neurons’, which responded significantly during the gap. We also found 39% ‘target neurons’ with significant visual target-related responses, which were stronger in Gap trials and correlated with the SRTs better than the remaining cells. Compared with slow saccades, fast saccades were preceded by both stronger gap-related and target-related response in all PPC neurons, regardless of whether such response reached significance. Our findings suggest that the PPC in the marmoset contains an area that is involved in the modulation of saccadic preparation and plays roles comparable to those of area LIP in macaque monkeys in eye movements.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAbnormal saccadic eye movements can serve as biomarkers for different neuropsychiatric disorders. So far, processes of cerebral cortical control of saccades are not fully understood. Non-human primates are ideal models for studying such processes, and the marmoset is especially advantageous since their smooth cortex permits laminar analyses of cortical microcircuits. Using electrode arrays implanted in the posterior parietal cortex of marmosets, we found neurons responsive to key periods of a saccadic task in a manner that contribute to cortical modulation of saccadic preparation. Notably, this signal was correlated with subsequent saccadic reaction times and was present in the entire neuronal population. We suggest that the marmoset model will shed new light on the cortical mechanisms of saccadic control.
Rhapsody: Pathogenicity prediction of human missense variants based on protein sequence, structure and dynamics
Authors: Ponzoni Luca , Oltvai Zoltán N. , Bahar Ivet 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe biological effects of human missense variants have been studied experimentally for decades but predicting their effects in clinical molecular diagnostics remains challenging. Available computational tools are usually based on the analysis of sequence conservation and structural properties of the mutant protein. We recently introduced a new machine learning method that demonstrated for the first time the significance of protein dynamics in determining the pathogenicity of missense variants. Here we present a significant extension that integrates coevolutionary data from Pfam database and we also introduce a new interface (Rhapsody) that enables fully automated assessment of pathogenicity. Benchmarked against a dataset of about 20,000 annotated variants, the methodology is shown to outperform well-established and/or advanced prediction tools. We illustrate the utility of our approach by in silico saturation mutagenesis study of human H-Ras. The tool is made available both as a webtool (rhapsody.csb.pitt.edu) and an open source Python package (pip install prody-rhapsody).
Developmental dynamics are a proxy for selective pressures on alternatively polyadenylated isoforms
Authors: Levin Michal , Zalts Harel , Mostov Natalia , Hashimshony Tamar , Yanai Itai 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAlternative polyadenylation (APA) leads to multiple transcripts from the same gene, yet their distinct functional attributes remain largely unknown. Here, we introduce APA-seq to detect the expression levels of APA isoforms from 3’-end RNA-Seq data by exploiting both paired-end reads for gene isoform identification and quantification. Applying APA-seq, we detected the expression levels of APA isoforms from RNA-Seq data of single C. elegans embryos, and studied the patterns of 3’ UTR isoform expression throughout embryogenesis. We found that global changes in APA usage demarcate developmental stages, suggesting a requirement for distinct 3’ UTR isoforms throughout embryogenesis. We distinguished two classes of genes, depending upon the correlation between the temporal profiles of their isoforms: those with highly correlated isoforms (HCI) and those with lowly correlated isoforms (LCI) across time. This led us to hypothesize that variants produced with similar expression profiles may be the product of biological noise, while the LCI variants may be under tighter selection and consequently their distinct 3’ UTR isoforms are more likely to have functional consequences. Supporting this notion, we found that LCI genes have significantly more miRNA binding sites, more correlated expression profiles with those of their targeting miRNAs and a relative lack of correspondence between their transcription and protein abundances. Collectively, our results suggest that a lack of coherence among the regulation of 3’ UTR isoforms is a proxy for selective pressures acting upon APA usage and consequently for their functional relevance.
Retinal Vessels Detection Using Convolutional Neural Networks in Fundus Images
Authors: Islam Md. Mohaimenul , Poly Tahmina Nasrin , Li Yu-Chuan (Jack) 
Published: August 2019

AbstractComputer-aided detection (CAD) system is a realistic option for physicians to screen fundus images. Automated segmentation of retinal vessel is in fundus important step to identify the retinal disease region. However, identification of the retinal disease region accurately is still challenging due to the varied distribution of blood vessel on noisy and low contrast fundus images. Healthcare system has been changing significantly with the emergence of machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL) and artificial intelligence (AI) in recent year. Retinal vessel detection is one such area of application of deep learning, for improving the accuracy of detection and segmentation and the quality of patient care. Recently, the convolutional neural networks (CNN) have been applied to the detection of the retinal vessel from fundus images and have demonstrated promising results. The range of accuracy of the CNN model was 0.91-0.95 and the area under the receiver operating curve was 0.09-0.98. Therefore, CNN may play a crucial role in determining the therapeutic methods and detecting the retinal vessel accurately in an individual manner. In this survey, we described the use of CNN in fundus imaging, especially focused on CNN technique, clinical application for retinal vessel detection and future prospective.
Corrosive wear and electrochemical corrosion behaviors of laser thermal sprayed CoCrAlYTaSi coatings in 3.5 Wt.% NaCl solution
Authors: Weitong Zhou , Dejun Kong 
Published: August 2019

Purpose
This paper aims to enhance the corrosive wear and electrochemical corrosion of Ti–6Al–4V alloy.

Design/methodology/approach
A CoCrAlYTaSi alloy coating was fabricated on Ti–6Al–4V alloy using a laser thermal spraying (LTS). The surface and cross-section morphologies, chemical elements, phases and bonding strength of the obtained coating were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectroscope, X-ray diffraction and scratch test, respectively, The corrosive wear and electrochemical corrosion of CoCrAlYTaSi coating in 3.5 Wt.% NaCl solution were investigated using a wear tester and electrochemical workstation, respectively.

Findings
The average coefficient of frictions (COFs) of CoCrAlYTaSi coating under the wear loads of 2, 4 and 6 N are 1.31, 1.02 and 0.88, respectively; and the corresponding wear rates are 0.66 × 10−4, 1.10 × 10−4 and 1.30 × 10−4 mm3·N–1·m–1, respectively. The wear mechanism under the wear load of 2 N is abrasive wear, while those under the wear loads of 4 and 6 N are adhesive wear and abrasive wear. The charge transfer resistance of CoCrAlYTaSi coating is 5.368 × 105 Ω·cm2, higher than 2.193 × 105 of the substrate.

Originality/value
In this study, a CoCrAlYTaSi coating was firstly fabricated on Ti–6Al–4V alloy using a LTS. Its corrosive wear and electrochemical corrosion in 3.5 Wt.% NaCl solution were investigated, which played a protective role of corrosive wear on Ti–6Al–4V alloy.
In situ study on the influence of bicarbonate, chloride and outer electrode potential on crevice corrosion occurrence and development of X70 steel
Authors: Hu Qian , Lu Saiwen , Liu Jing , Huang Feng 
Published: August 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to clarify the influence of bicarbonate, chloride and outer electrode potential on crevice corrosion occurrence and development of X70 steel.

Design/methodology/approach
The crevice corrosion behavior in NaHCO3 and NaCl solutions was investigated through modeling and experiments. The electrode potential and current density distribution were simulated, and the acidification of crevice solution was monitored in situ.

Findings
The bicarbonate concentration and outer electrode potential remarkably influenced the occurrence of crevice corrosion. The former changes the passivation curves, and the latter alters the initial potential. Moreover, chloride concentration exerted minimal influence. The location of acidification and pitting occurrences depended on the potential difference between the outer electrode and electrode at the active dissolution current peak.

Originality/value
This study provides a better understanding of the crevice corrosion behavior and mechanism under natural conditions.
The political predicament of the pan-democrats in Hong Kong under Chinese rule
Authors: Lau Raymond Kwun Sun 
Published: August 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to make sense of the slow and frustrating process of democratization in Hong Kong through understanding the pan-democrats’ struggle for realizing universal suffrage. It aims to offer possible explanations for the current political impasse between Hong Kong and mainland China over the issue of universal suffrage.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper seeks to construct a triangular model of institutional constraint, clashing visions of democracy and mutual political distrust for understanding the pan-democrats’ struggle for realizing universal suffrage in Hong Kong since the 1980s, the nature of current political predicament they found themselves in and the current political impasse between the pan-democrats and Beijing.

Findings
The dilemma facing Hong Kong’s pan-democrats and Beijing’s leadership is attributed to the institutional constraints of Basic Law on Hong Kong’s system of governance, the clashing visions of Beijing-led Chinese-style democracy and Western-style liberal democracy as advocated by the pan-democrats and the mutual political distrust between the two parties. The findings suggest that this triangular model will remain relevant in understanding the political predicament of the pan-democrats under Chinese rule and the political impasse between Hong Kong and mainland China over universal suffrage for the coming decades.

Originality/value
This paper provides a new interpretation of the current political impasse between Hong Kong and mainland China over the issue of universal suffrage. It offers new insights into the nature of current political predicament the pan-democrats found themselves in amidst their fight for realizing universal suffrage since the 1980s by constructing a triangular model of institutional constraints, clashing visions of democracy and mutual political distrust.
Conservatory education of a musical savant with autism: a case study in Turkey
Authors: Erden Sule , Reyhanoglu Gonul 
Published: August 2019

Purpose
Savant syndrome, a very rare condition in the world, refers to individuals who have extraordinary talents but might have disabilities that prevent them from maintaining their life. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the views of conservatory instructors about the education of Buğra Çankır (BC), a musical savant with autism.

Design/methodology/approach
As it was difficult to communicate with BC and elicit his views, interviews were conducted with his teachers, who had similar experiences in his music education process. The participants were six instructors who worked as full-time instructors in the conservatory. The participants were administered a semi-structured focus group interview form that described the difficulties, experiences, perceptions and feelings they had in their interactions with BC. Data obtained from the study were subjected to content analysis methods performed by the researchers; analysis involved identification of the codes and themes and formation of sub-themes and codes in line with these themes.

Findings
Results showed that the participants had difficulties in teaching BC because of having insufficient knowledge about his features. In addition, while planning the conservatory education processes, the participants were found to redesign the teaching content considering the features of the student.

Research limitations/implications
The present case study is important in terms of revealing the problems experienced in the education processes of these individuals. More detailed qualitative studies or action research could be utilised in studies to be conducted in the future.

Originality/value
BC’s educational experience is the first case for educational institutions and instructors in Turkey.
Employment and income effects of Nigeria’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda
Authors: Oyebola Fehintola , Osabuohien Evans S. , Obasaju Barnabas Olusegun 
Published: August 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate how the development of cattle value chain can influence employment creation and income of both cattle farmers and merchants. The study focusses on cattle farmers in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States where there are the largest cattle farms and live cattle merchants in Southern Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachIt employs a research approach that uses key informant interviews and structured questionnaire in garnering needed information from cattle farms, abattoirs and merchant.FindingsThe results suggest that with some minimal supports, employment creation and income generation can be improved.Originality/valueNone of the reviewed empirical studies is specific to the cattle value chain in South Western Nigeria. Among other values, the study identifies employment and income opportunities in corporate and non-corporate farms in the cattle value chain in South Western Nigeria.
Consumer insight on a snack machine producing healthy and customized foods at point of consumption
Authors: Vehmas Kaisa , Lavrusheva Olga , Seisto Anu , Poutanen Kaisa , Nordlund Emilia 
Published: August 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate a healthy snacking and on-the-go eating concept, “Healthy Snack Machine” (HSM) that produces freshly made food and enables customization of the product at site of purchase and consumption.

Design/methodology/approach
The study applied qualitative and quantitative consumer research methods and used iterative co-creation approach, meaning that the HSM concept was developed by consumer input during different phases. Specifically, the research included three qualitative methods, web platform discussion (n=109), a HSM mock-up study (n=30) and testing a prototype of the HSM user interface (n=50), as well as a quantitative study (n=215).

Findings
Generally, the consumers evaluated the HMS concept positively. The results indicated that the time of the day, personal goals and preferences affected food choice and product customization in HSM. Consumers preferred HSM products that were healthy, satiating and suitable for on-the-go eating. They also felt that HSM would save time, and that the possibility to customize the food gives them additional value. The results also pointed out the importance of privacy and security issues in the HSM concept.

Practical implications
The results indicated that consumers are in favor of a new delivery concept that can help them to consume healthy food and enable customization of the product. This encourages to proof the findings in consumer tests with a real food-producing prototype machine.

Originality/value
The work gives original insight on consumer preferences for healthy snacking and snack customization enabled by digital technologies and consecutive co-creation methodologies.
Behind the wine glass: values that guide consumption in Minas Gerais – Brazil
Authors: Castro Álvaro Leonel de Oliveira , Vilas Boas Luiz Henrique de Barros , Rezende Daniel Carvalho de , Pimenta Márcio Lopes 
Published: August 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper was to identify and describe the personal values that motivate and guide the cognitive structure of Brazilian wine consumers from the viewpoint of the means-end chain theory.Design/methodology/approachIn this qualitative descriptive study, 40 in-depth laddering interviews were conducted in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, which were transcribed and codified from the attributes, consequences, and values that emerged in the discourse of the wine consumers. The codes were subsequently graded – in accordance with the level of abstraction – and inserted into the LadderUx® software to generate the implication matrix and the hierarchical value map. The interpretation of the cognitive structure of the wine consumers occurred descriptively.FindingsCommon aspects regarding knowledge of the product linked to the ritual of wine consumption were identified among consumers. The psychological factors basically describe the social aspects that are pertinent to the drink’s consumption and to aspects focused on the personal training that leads to consumption satisfaction. Both converge in the search for more knowledge about the world of wine. From this cognitive basis, the existence of the instrumental values of hedonism, benevolence/care, stimulation and achievement could be seen, as well as the terminal values of joy and happiness.Originality/valueThis study presents the cognitive structure of the Brazilian consumers of wine. This result allows some insights in an initial perspective for the development of strategies, based on the factors that motivate the purchase of the drink, thus attracting new consumers to this emerging market.
Predicting food choice: a meta-analysis based on the theory of planned behavior
Authors: Nardi Vinicius Antonio Machado , Jardim William Carvalho , Ladeira Wagner , Santini Fernando 
Published: August 2019

Purpose
The theory of planned behavior (TPB) emerged as one of the main theoretical bases for understanding consumer intentions and behaviors, with robust results covering different topics. In the context of food, the use of theory has motivated the replication and extension of the model under different circumstances. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach
The aims of this meta-analysis were to synthesize the literature on TPB in the food choice context and analyze the moderator effect on direct relationships under theoretical, methodological and cultural circumstances A random-effects meta-analysis of 155 studies (n=367.994) was conducted.

Findings
There was a robustness in the application of the TPB model to predict food choice; in particular, attitude was the stronger predictor of intention (r=0.386). The analysis of moderators showed that food origin, life cycle, involving technology, healthcare, ethical concerns, motivation and convenience change the original model relations.

Research limitations/implications
This meta-analysis is limited by the scope of the investigated literature and publication bias. This approach contributes to the literature in two ways. It confirms the robustness of the theoretical model for predicting behaviors in the context of food choice. Furthermore, this research is the first to provide support to sample, cultural and situational moderators.

Originality/value
The findings offer insights into the food choice context and identify some gaps and opportunities for future research.
Home (not so) sweet home
Authors: Rialp-Criado Alex , Zolfaghari Ejlal Manesh Seyed Meysam , Moen Øystein 
Published: August 2019

PurposeThis paper aims to elaborate on the crucial effects that a seemingly detrimental policy change in Spain has had on the international entrepreneurial activities of domestic renewable energy (RE) firms.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data were collected from nine RE companies in Spain and then triangulated with secondary data and interviews from informants in other local institutions.FindingsDomestic RE firms, due to an institutional scape driver action, reacted to an increasingly uncertain and generally more adverse renewable energy policy framework in this country by preferring to internationalise towards foreign markets that had lower political uncertainty than the domestic one.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper complements previous research primarily on firm-specific factors that enhance internationalising firms’ survival and growth through a focus on the impact of a changing institutional-political environment at the home country-level.Practical implicationsPractitioners in the RE sector should analyse the risk of focusing only on the home market, as it can be too dependent on uncontrolled variations in domestic energy policy.Social implicationsThe findings indicate that a more stable and supportive, long-term perspective in the domestic RE policy is essential for the sustained growth and development of this emerging industry.Originality/valueTo analyse the strategy by which a number of purposefully selected companies were able to use international expansion as a survival-seeking strategy against a drastic policy-level change in the domestic RE market.
Electrochemical and analytical study of electroplating additive in copper plating solution for microvia filling
Authors: Tao Zhihua , Liu Guanting , Li Yuanxun , Su Hua 
Published: August 2019

Purpose
The adsorption and acceleration behavior of 3-mercaptopropyl sulfonate (MPS) were investigated by electrochemical tests for microvia filling by copper electroplating.

Design/methodology/approach
The synergistic effects of one suppressor of propylene oxide ethylene oxide propylene oxide named PEP and MPS as the accelerator during copper electroplating were also investigated by electrochemical methods such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy cyclic voltammetric stripping (CVS) and Galvanostatic measurements (GMs).

Findings
The research results suggest that the adsorption of MPS onto the Cu-RDE metal surface was a spontaneous process and the adsorbing of MPS on cathode was proposed to physical-chemistry adsorption in the plating formula. There was no potential difference (i.e. ?? = 0) of GMs until MPS was injected into the plating solution suggest that copper deposition is not diffusion-controlled in the presence of PEP–Cl–JGB.

Originality/value
A new composition of plating bath was found to be effective to perform bottom-up copper filling of microvias in the fabrication of PCB in electronic industries. The adsorption of MPS into the Cu-RDE metal surface was a spontaneous process and the adsorbing of MPS on cathode was studied by EIS and the results proposed to physical-chemistry adsorption in the plating formula. An optimal plating solution composed of CuSO4, H2SO4, chloride ions, PEP, MPS and JGB was obtained, and the microvia could be fully filled using the plating formula.