bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strengthening of the efferent olivocochlear system leads to synaptic dysfunction and tonotopy disruption of a central auditory nucleus
Authors: Di Guilmi Mariano N. , Boero Luis E. , Castagna Valeria C. , Rodríguez-Contreras Adrián , Wedemeyer Carolina , Gómez-Casati María Eugenia , Elgoyhen Ana Belén 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe auditory system in many mammals is immature at birth but precisely organized in adults. Spontaneous activity in the inner ear plays a critical role in guiding this process. This is shaped by an efferent pathway that descends from the brainstem and makes transient direct synaptic contacts with inner hair cells (IHCs). In this work, we used an α9 cholinergic receptor knock-in mouse model (of either sex) with enhanced medial efferent activity (Chrna9L9’T, L9’T) to understand the role of the olivocochlear system in the correct establishment of auditory circuits. Wave III of auditory brainstem responses (which represents synchronized activity of synapses within the superior olivary complex) were smaller in L9’T mice, suggesting a central dysfunction. The mechanism underlying this functional alteration was analysed in brain slices containing the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB), where neurons are topographically organized along a medio-lateral axis. The topographic organization of MNTB physiological properties observed in WT mice was abolished in the L9’T mice. Additionally, electrophysiological recordings in slices evidenced MNTB synaptic alterations, which were further supported by morphological alterations. The present results suggest that the transient cochlear efferent innervation to IHCs during the critical period before the onset of hearing is involved in the refinement of topographic maps as well as in setting the correct synaptic transmission at central auditory nuclei.Significance StatementCochlear inner hair cells of altricial mammals display spontaneous electrical activity before hearing onset. The pattern and firing rate of these cells is crucial for the correct maturation of the central auditory pathway. A descending efferent innervation from the central nervous system contacts hair cells during this developmental window. The function of this transient efferent innervation remains an open question. The present work shows that the genetic enhancement of efferent function disrupts the orderly topographic distribution at the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body level and causes severe synaptic dysfunction. Thus, the transient efferent innervation to the cochlea is necessary for the correct establishment of the central auditory circuitry.
Pervasiveness of exoribonuclease-resistant RNAs in plant viruses suggests new roles for these conserved RNA structures
Authors: Steckelberg Anna-Lena , Vicens Quentin , Kieft Jeffrey S. 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTExoribonuclease-resistant RNAs (xrRNAs) are discrete folded RNA elements that block the processive degradation of RNA by exoribonucleases. xrRNAs found in the 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs) of animal-infecting flaviviruses and in all three members of the plant-infecting Dianthovirus adopt a complex ring-like fold that blocks the exoribonuclease; this ability gives rise to viral non-coding subgenomic RNAs. The degree to which these folded RNA elements exist in other viruses and in diverse contexts has been unclear. Using computational tools and biochemical assays, we discovered that xrRNA elements are widely found in viruses belonging to the Tombusviridae and Luteoviridae families of plant-infecting RNA viruses, demonstrating their importance and widespread utility. Unexpectedly, many xrRNAs are located in intergenic regions rather than in the 3’UTR and some are associated with the 5′ ends of subgenomic RNAs with protein-coding potential, suggesting that xrRNAs with similar scaffolds are involved in the maturation or maintenance of diverse subgenomic RNAs, not just the ones generated from the 3′UTR.
Factors Affecting Electroconvulsive Therapy Ictal Outcomes: Duration and Postictal Suppression
Authors: Ingram Wendy Marie , Weston Cody , Lu Wei Dar , Hodge Caleb , Poler S. Mark , Nahi Fatin , Larson Sharon 
Published: October 2018

AbstractElectroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective and rapid treatment for severe depression, however predictors of therapeutic outcomes remain insufficiently understood. Ictal duration and postictal suppression are two outcomes that may be correlated with patient response, yet patient and treatment variables which may influence these outcomes have not been thoroughly explored. We collected ECT stimulus metrics, EEG parameters, patient demographics, primary diagnosis, and anesthesia type for retrospective ECTs. Univariate and multivariate mixed-effects linear regression models were used to identify variables associated with ictal duration and postictal suppression index. For both outcomes, multivariate models which included all variables resulted in the best fit, reflecting the complex influences of a variety of factors on the ictal response. These results are an important step forward in elucidating patterns in retrospective ECT clinical data which may lead to new clinical knowledge of modifiable factors to optimize ECT treatment outcomes.
How green are residential areas? An analysis of community greening emerging multi-source geo-data
Authors: Chen Yiyong 
Published: October 2018

AbstractUrban residential greening provides opportunities for social integration and physical exercise. These activities are beneficial to promoting citizens’ mental health, relieving stress and reducing obesity and violent crimes. However, how to measure the distribution and spatial difference of green resources in urban residential areas have been controversial. This study takes the greening of urban residential units in Shenzhen City as its research object, measures the various greening index values of each residential unit, and analyses the spatial distribution characteristics of residential greening, regional differences and influencing factors. Large sample of street view pictures, urban land use and high-resolution remote sensing image data are employed to establish an urban residential greening database containing 14,196 residential units. This study proposes three greening indicators, namely, green coverage index, green view index, and accessible public green land index, for measuring the green coverage of residential units, the visible greening of surrounding street space and the public green land around, respectively. Results show that (1) the greening level of residential units in Shenzhen City is generally high, with the three indicators averaging 32.7%, 30.5% and 15.1%, respectively; (2) the types of residential greening differ per area; and (3) the level of residential greening is affected by development intensity, location, elevation and residential type. Such findings can serve as a reference for improving the greening level of residential units. This study proposes an accessible public green land index as a measure for the spatial relationship between residential units and surrounding green spaces. It suggest that future green space planning should pay more attention to the spatial distribution of public green land, and introduce quantitative indicators to ensure sufficient public green lands around the walking range of residential areas.
Analysis of contributory gut microbiota and lauric acid against necrotic enteritis in Clostridium perfringens and Eimeria side-by-side challenge model
Authors: Yang Wen-Yuan , Lee Yuejia , Lu Hsinyi , Chou Chung-Hsi , Wang Chinling 
Published: October 2018

AbstractGut microbiota has been demonstrated to be involved in intestinal nutrition, defense, and immunity, as well as participating in disease progression. This study was to investigate gut microbiota changes in chickens challenged with netB-positive Clostridium perfringens strain 1 (CP1) and/or the predisposing Eimeria species (Eimeria). In addition, the effects of lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA), on NE reduction and modulation of microbiota were evaluated. The results demonstrated that microbial communities in the jejunum were distinct from those in the cecum, and the microbial community change was more significant in jejunum. Challenge of CP1 in conjunction with Eimeria significantly reduced species diversity in jejunal microbiota, but cecal microbiota remained stable. In the jejunum, CP1 challenge increased the abundance of the genera of Clostridium sensu stricto 1, Escherichia Shigella, and Weissella, but significantly decreased the population of Lactobacillus. Eimeria infection on its own was unable to promote NE, demonstrating decrements of Clostridium sensu stricto 1 and Lactobacillus. Co-infection with CP1 and Eimeria reproduced the majority of NE lesions with significant increment of Clostridium sensu stricto 1 and reduction in Lactobacillus. The changes of these two taxa increased the severity of NE lesions. Further analyses of metagenomeSeq, STAMP, and LEfSe showed significant overgrowth of Clostridium sensu stricto 1 was associated with NE and Eimeria infection than C. perfringens challenge alone. The supplementation of lauric acid did not reduce NE incidence and severity but decreased the relative abundance of Escherichia Shigella. In conclusion, significant overgrowth of Clostridium sensu stricto 1 in the jejunm is the major microbiota contributory to NE. Controlling proliferation of this taxon in the jejunum should be the niche for developing effective strategies against NE.
Risk Factors Associated with Dengue Virus Infection in Guangdong Province: a Community-based Case-control Study
Authors: Liu Jundi , Tian Xiaolu , Deng Yu , Du Zhicheng , Liang Tianzhu , Hao Yuantao , Zhang Dingmei 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundDengue fever is a mosquito-borne infectious disease, and it is now still epidemic in China, especially in Guangdong Province. Owing to the absence of dengue vaccination, effective preventive measure is critical for controlling of dengue fever. This study aimed to explore the individual risk factors of dengue virus infection in Guangdong Province, as well as to provide a scientific basis for prevention and supervision of dengue fever in future.MethodsA case-control study including 237 cases and 237 controls was performed. The data was collected from the epidemiological questionnaires. Univariate analysis was used for preliminary screening of 28 variables potentially related to dengue virus infection, and an unconditioned logistic regression analysis was used for multivariate analysis to analysis those statistically significant variables.ResultsMultivariate analysis of the result showed three independent risk factors: activities in the park (odd ratio [OR]= 1.70, 95%CI 1.03 to 2.83), outdoor sports (OR= 1.67, 95%CI 1.07 to 2.62), and poor indoor daylight quality (OR= 2.27, 95%CI 1.00 to 5.15); and two protective factors: two persons per room (OR=0.43, 95%CI 0.28 to 0.67), three persons and above per room (OR=0.43, 95%CI 0.22 to 0.86), using air-condition (OR=0.43, 95%CI 0.20 to 0.93).ConclusionThese results are conducive to learn the risk factors for dengue virus infection in Guangdong Province. It is crucial to provide effective and efficient strategy to improve environmental protection and anti-mosquito measures. In addition, more systematic studies are needed to explore the other potential risk factors for dengue fever infection.Author summaryDengue fever, one of the mosquito-borne infectious diseases, is mainly transmitted by Aedes aegypti in Asia and Southeast Asia countries. Since 1978, the incidence of dengue fever has markedly increased in China especially in Guangdong province. In order to formulate the effective prevention and control measures, we explored the risk factors of dengue virus infection in Guangdong Province by conducting a case-control study. In this study, 237 patients with dengue virus infection and 237 participants without dengue virus infection were included. Then through these questionnaires and data analysis, we found that activities in the park, outdoor sports, and poor indoor daylight quality significantly contributed to the residents’ risk of dengue virus infection. On the other hand, we observed that using air-condition and using anti-mosquito measures were effective personal prevention interventions.
Corrosion inhibition of aluminium alloy by rhamnolipid biosurfactant derived frompseudomonassp. PS-17
Authors: Zin Ivan M. , Pokhmurskii Vasyl I. , Korniy Sergiy A. , Karpenko Olena V. , Lyon Stuart B. , Khlopyk Olha P. , Tymus Mariana B. 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the influence of rhamnolipid biosurfactant complex on the corrosion and the repassivation of a freshly cut Al-Cu-Mg aluminium alloy surface.Design/methodology/approachThe electrochemical methods, supported by quantum-chemical calculations and scanning electron microscopy data, were used.FindingsIt was established that the rhamnolipid biosurfactant effectively inhibits corrosion of the alloy in synthetic acid rainwater. The efficiency of inhibition becomes stronger with the increase of biosurfactant concentration; however, above the critical micelle concentration, the further improvement in inhibition is minor. It is believed that the mechanism of corrosion inhibition is related to the adsorption of the biosurfactant molecule on the aluminium alloy surface and the formation of a barrier film; however, the formation of a complex compound (salt film) between aluminium ions and rhamnolipid on anodic sites of the alloy is not ruled out. In case of surface mechanical activation of the alloy, the biosurfactant molecule effectively prevents corrosion. Furthermore, addition of the biosurfactant to the corrosion environment increases the repassivation kinetics of the alloy by two to four times as compared with an uninhibited environment.Practical implicationsThe commercial impact of the study consists in the possibility of obtaining of environmentally safe corrosion inhibitors of aluminium alloys by biosynthesis from renewable agricultural raw materials.Originality/valueThe originality of this paper is to study the effectiveness of “green” corrosion inhibitor based on biogenic product on freshly generated surface of aluminium alloy.
Research on the effect of the pH value on corrosion and protection of copper in desalted water
Authors: Xuejun Xie , Zhang Yuanlin , Wang Rui , Zhang Yu , Ruan Mianzhao 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
The hollow copper wires of the generator are seriously corroded in cooling water. This paper aims to explore the mechanism of copper corrosion by thermodynamic calculation and kinetic experiments and to find out the precise pH range for preventing corrosion of copper in stator internal water and dual internal water cooled generators.

Design/methodology/approach
Thermodynamic and kinetic studies were carried out for the purpose of preventing the corrosion of hollow conducting copper wires in the internal cooling water. Thermodynamic calculation results demonstrate hollow copper wires electrochemically corroded by oxygen rather than acids (H+) and find out a precise anti-corrosion pH range. Kinetic experiments research on the effect of the pH value and oxygen concentration on corrosion and protection methods of copper in desalted water.

Findings
Research results demonstrate that, in the internal cooling water, hollow copper wires are electrochemically corroded by oxygen, rather than acids (H+). The method of preventing copper from corrosion in the desalted water is to control the pH value of the stator cooling water and the dual water inner cooling water between 7.86-8.86 and 7.86-9.26, respectively.

Originality/value
The thermodynamic calculation and potentiometric-pH diagram are used to obtain the accurate pH range of the inner cooling water and inner cooling water in the inner cooling water system. The kinetic experiments provide data support for the effect of temperature, pH value and oxygen concentration.
Interdisciplinary design checklists for mechanical, electrical and plumbing coordination in building projects
Authors: Hassanain Mohammad A. , Aljuhani Mohammad , Sanni-Anibire Muizz O. , Abdallah Abdullatif 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop and assess interdisciplinary design checklists for mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems’ coordination, for building projects, in Saudi Arabia.

Design/methodology/approach
Relevant documents were acquired including: heating, ventilation and air conditioning schedules; ductwork and chilled water pipes layout; and technical queries, among others, from residential and school projects. Next, factors influencing MEP systems’ coordination were extracted, and verified to ensure clarity and validity. They were formulated into design checklist items for MEP systems. Finally, the checklist items were assessed through a questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale of importance. Respondents were comprised of mechanical, architectural, construction, electrical engineers, design coordinators and quality assurance managers. Data were then analyzed using the relative importance index.

Findings
This study presents 63 design checklist items. The items for each discipline were grouped under four categories, highlighting specific considerations. The findings revealed that careful consideration and communication between the mechanical, structural and architectural design teams was paramount in achieving proper mechanical coordination. Furthermore, it was found that constant communication between the electrical and the other design teams was necessary, to avoid electrical design conflicts. Finally, fire safety consideration was found to be most important in plumbing systems’ coordination.

Originality/value
The checklists for facilitating the MEP coordination process in building projects aim at minimizing waste in resources and enhancing the overall quality and productivity. In the absence of existing checklists, this paper provides a practical benefit to design professionals to alert them to devote more effort to the dominant category of checklist items.
Leadership development techniques
Authors: Turner John R. , Baker Rose , Schroeder Jae , Johnson Karen R. , Chung Chih-hung 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the different leadership development techniques used to develop leaders from the human resource development (HRD) and performance improvement (PI) literature, and to categorize the development techniques using Garavan et al.’s (2015) multifaceted typology of development where development has recently emerged in the literature as a “central and important process” (p. 360).

Design/methodology/approach
This literature review followed the guidelines for an integrative literature review presented by Torraco (2005) and Imel (2011). This literature review was a freestanding literature review designed to provide directions for future research and development within the HRD discipline.

Findings
This literature review categorized over 500 leadership development techniques and mapped them with previously identified leadership capacities into Garavan et al.’s (2015) development typology. Once mapped, the authors were able to identify the most common leadership capacities and related development techniques for each development domain in the typology.

Practical implications
This research provides a tool for identifying required leadership capacities and development techniques that could be used by scholars and scholar-practitioners to conduct further research, as an aid in designing future leadership development programs and as instructional materials in the classroom.

Social implications
Leadership is becoming a shared construct in today’s literature. Leadership as a shared construct has multiple shareholders, both internal and external of the agent. To better meet the needs of these shareholders, this research provides tools for the scholar and scholar-practitioner for leadership development that can be catered to one’s needs – as opposed to a one-size fits all strategy.

Originality/value
This paper highlights the HRD and PI literature, and provides a pragmatic tool for leadership development. This tool can be used by scholars for future research and for testing, as well as by scholar-practitioners for designing future leadership development programs.
Evaluation of firefighter leadership trainings
Authors: Schulte Niklas , Thielsch Meinald T. 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
The training of highly skilled officers in rescue forces is essential for success and performance of fire brigades in their daily work. The purpose of this paper is to develop a validated instrument assessing the quality of leadership trainings in firefighter education.

Design/methodology/approach
In Study 1, relevant factors of teaching quality in this specific context are established using semi-structured interviews (n=5 trainer, n=59 trainees), and a pool of corresponding survey items is tested in a pilot sample (n=7 trainer, n=26 trainees). In Study 2 (n=263 trainees), we select best-fitting items and explore the structure of latent variables via exploratory factor analyses. Study 3 (n=45 trainer, n=380 trainees) tests this structure by means of confirmatory analyses and validates the questionnaire using scales from other evaluation instruments for higher education.

Findings
Analyses resulted in a six-dimensional questionnaire reflecting relevant training processes and outcomes. Results suggest that the newly created Feedback Instrument for Rescue forces Education (FIRE) meets all relevant psychometric quality criteria.

Originality/value
By examining critical factors of training quality, the authors enhance the understanding of critical processes in programs for rescue forces education. The developed questionnaire provides trainers and educational institutions with a validated tool to measure these relevant processes and the desired training outcomes. Therefore, the FIRE scales can contribute to an ongoing improvement of rescue forces trainings.
The influence of chief data officer presence on firm performance: does firm size matter?
Authors: Nie Yu , Talburt John , Dagtas Serhan , Feng Taiwen 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the chief data officer’s (CDO) presence and firm performance, and the moderating effect of firm size.Design/methodology/approachThe performance data for 64 treatment firms with CDOs and 64 control firms without CDOs is collected from Compustat database. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test is used to analyze the performance differences between treatment firms and control firms. Hierarchical regression method is used to test the moderating effect of firm size.FindingsThe results indicate that the profit ratios of treatment firms are significantly improved after the appointment of CDOs, and the profit ratios of treatment firms are significantly higher than that of the control firms. For the cost ratios, the findings provide some empirical evidence revealing two of the cost ratios are lower and only one ratio is higher for the treatment firms after CDOs’ appointment. Firm size moderates the relationship between the CDO’s presence and firm performance indicator, ROS, in the same direction. Firm size has no moderating effect on relationships between CDO’s presence and other performance indicators.Practical implicationsThe findings provide practical insights that will help managers to realize the importance of CDOs and their work. CDOs would bring some cost to the firms, but they would bring more profit to firms. In addition, if for large firms, the CDO’s presence would bring more ROS.Originality/valueThe study explores the relationship between the CDO’s presence and firm performance. It is the first attempt to explore the CDO’s presence and the cost performance in the specific time period, and the study is also the first attempt to analyze the moderating effect of the firm size on the relationship between the CDO’s presence and firm performance.