bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Financial Reporting and Credit Ratings: On the Effects of Competition in the Rating Industry and Rating Agencies' Gatekeeper Role
Authors: LEE KYUNGHA (KARI) , SCHANTL STEFAN F. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis paper studies firms' financial reporting incentives in the presence of strategic credit rating agencies and how these incentives are affected by the level of competition in the rating industry and by rating agencies' role as gatekeepers to debt markets. We develop a model featuring an entrepreneur who seeks project financing from a perfectly competitive debt market. After publicly disclosing a financial report, the entrepreneur can purchase credit ratings from rating agencies that strategically choose their rating fees and rating inflation. We derive the following core results: (1) More rating industry competition leads to stronger corporate misreporting incentives if ratings are sufficiently precise or if rating agencies assume a gatekeeper role. Under imperfect rating industry competition, (2) agencies' gatekeeper role primarily weakens firms' misreporting incentives, which then influences rating agencies' strategies, and (3) firms' misreporting and rating agencies' rating inflation can be strategic complements when agencies assume a gatekeeper role. (4) Regulatory initiatives aimed at increasing rating industry competition or at weakening rating agencies' gatekeeper role improve investment efficiency as long as corporate misreporting incentives are not significantly strengthened.
Quantitative Statistics and Identification of Tool‐Marks
Authors: Yang Min , Mou Li , Fu Yi‐Ming , Wang Yu , Wang Jiang‐feng 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis study was designed to establish a feature identification method of tool‐mark 2D data. A uniform local binary pattern histogram operator was developed to extract the tool‐mark features, and the random forest algorithm was adopted to identify these. The presented method was used to conduct five groups of experiments with a 2D dataset of known matched and nonmatched tool‐marks made by bolt clippers, cutting pliers, and screwdrivers. The experimental results show that the proposed method achieved a high rate of identification of the tool‐mark samples generated under identical conditions. The proposed method effectively overcomes the disadvantage of unstable illumination of 2D tool‐mark image data and avoids the difficulty in mark inspection caused by manually preset parameters in the existing methods, thus reducing the uncertainty of inspected results.
Purification and Characterization of Superoxide Dismutases from Sea Buckthorn and Chestnut Rose
Authors: Hou Zhiqiang , Zhao Liang , Wang Yongtao , Liao Xiaojun 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSuperoxide dismutases (SODs) were purified from sea buckthorn and chestnut rose by ammonium sulfate precipitation and anion‐exchange chromatography, and the detection methods of water‐soluble tetrazolium‐1 (WST‐1), nitrobluetetrazolium (NBT) and pyrogallol autoxidation (PA) for SOD activity were compared. WST‐1 method was selected due to its coefficient of variation (CV) <6% in this study. Two SODs exhibited similar characteristics. Their molecular mass and isoelectric point were about 30 kDa and 4.8 to 5.0 estimated by electrophoresis, and the Km was 0.05 to 0.08 mmol/L, respectively. Dynamic light scattering analysis suggested their hydrodynamic radius distributes from 60 to 1500 nm. The activity of two SODs was unchanged at <80 °C or pH 2 to 9 or in simulated human gastric fluid. Their circular dichroism spectra suggested a main β‐sheet structure, the fluorescence spectra reflected that the tryptophan residues of two SODs is partially exposed, these structures were rather stable at pH 2 to 9 or 50 to 90 °C.Practical ApplicationSuperoxide dismutase (SOD) is an important antioxidant enzyme. SODs from sea buckthorn and chestnut rose were stable at high temperature or low pH or simulated gastric fluid. This result can provide a new approach for the potential application of SOD in the food and pharmaceutical fields.
Accelerated genome engineering of Pseudomonas putida by I‐SceI―mediated recombination and CRISPR‐Cas9 counterselection
Authors: Wirth Nicolas T. , Kozaeva Ekaterina , Nikel Pablo I. 
Published: March 2019

SummaryPseudomonas species have become reliable platforms for bioproduction due to their capability to tolerate harsh conditions imposed by large‐scale bioprocesses and their remarkable resistance to diverse physicochemical stresses. The last few years have brought forth a variety of synthetic biology tools for the genetic manipulation of pseudomonads, but most of them are either applicable only to obtain certain types of mutations, lack efficiency, or are not easily accessible to be used in different Pseudomonas species (e.g. natural isolates). In this work, we describe a versatile, robust and user‐friendly procedure that facilitates virtually any kind of genomic manipulation in Pseudomonas species in 3–5 days. The protocol presented here is based on DNA recombination forced by double‐stranded DNA cuts (through the activity of the I‐SceI homing meganuclease from yeast) followed by highly efficient counterselection of mutants (aided by a synthetic CRISPR‐Cas9 device). The individual parts of the genome engineering toolbox, tailored for knocking genes in and out, have been standardized to enable portability and easy exchange of functional gene modules as needed. The applicability of the procedure is illustrated both by eliminating selected genomic regions in the platform strain P. putida KT2440 (including difficult‐to‐delete genes) and by integrating different reporter genes (comprising novel variants of fluorescent proteins) into a defined landing site in the target chromosome.
Runoff Storage Potential of Drained Upland Depressions on the Des Moines Lobe of Iowa
Authors: Green David I.S. , McDeid Samuel M. , Crumpton William G. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWe present estimates of the volumetric storage capacities of currently drained upland depressions and catchment depressional specific storage and runoff storage indices for the Des Moines Lobe of Iowa (DML‐IA) subregion of the Prairie Pothole Region of North America. Storage capacities were determined using hydrologically enforced Light Detection and Ranging‐derived digital elevation models, and a unique geoprocessing algorithm. Depressional specific storage was estimated for each 12‐digit Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC12) watershed in the region from total catchment‐specific depressional storage volume and catchment area. Runoff storage indices were calculated using catchment depressional specific storage values and estimates of the amount of rainfall likely to fall within each watershed during sub‐annual and 1‐, 2‐, 5‐, and 10‐year 24‐h events. The 173,171 identified drained depressions in the DML‐IA can store up to 903.5 Mm3 of runoff. Most of this capacity is in depressions located in the north of the region. Specific storage varies from nearly 109 mm in the younger landscapes to <10 mm in older more eroded areas. For 95% of the HUC12 watersheds comprising the region, depressional storage will likely be exhausted by rainfall‐derived runoff in excess of a 1‐year 24‐h event. Rainfall amounts greater than a 5‐year 24‐h event will exceed all available depressional storage. Therefore, the capacity of drained depressions in the DML‐IA to mitigate flooding resulting from infrequent, but large, storm events is limited.
Timing of Anatexis within the Berere HTHP Complex Belt of Maevatanana Area, North‐Central Madgascar, and its Geological Significance
Authors: LI Peng , LIU Shanbao , LI Jiankang , SHI Guanghai , LIU Xiang 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe Berere HTHP Complex belt in Maevatanana area of north–central Madagascar formed in the ∼ 2.5 Ga orogeny and underwent high temperature (up to 1050°C) and high pressure (up to 11.5 kbar) granulite facies metamorphism. Then a widespread anatexis took place and numerous widely distributed felsic leucosomes formed. The majority of these leucosomes are parallel to the schistosity of the complex or are present as stockworks, as thin layers, or as lenses at different scales in the host rocks. Here, we report new petrographic data, zircon LA‐ICP‐MS U‐Pb ages, and Lu–Hf isotopic data for felsic leucosomes within this complex. Anatexis, as identified by the petrological study of felsic leucosomes in the field and in thin sections, involved initial ternary feldspar exsolving to produce antiperthite and a quartz + plagioclase ± K‐feldspar + sericite mineral assemblage around feldspar grain boundaries. Dissolution is apparent along muscovite grain boundaries, and residual sericite is present around the margins of feldspar and quartz, all suggesting that anatexis was driven by reactions involving muscovite. Zircon U–Pb dating indicates that the felsic leucosomes within the complex formed at 2467–2369 Ma. The majority of samples have positive ∊Hf(t) values, although a few have negative values, suggesting their formation from magmas predominantly sourced from the depleted mantle, possibly with the involvement of minor amounts of crustal materials. Two‐stage Hf model ages and ∊Hf(t) values for these samples are consistent with those for gneisses of the basement, indicating that the felsic leucosomes were formed by the anatexis of gneisses and both of their protolith formed during the formation of continental crust in Meso‐Neoarchean (ca. 3.1–2.7 Ga). As such, the crystallization age of the felsic leucosome (∼2.4 Ga) represents the timing of regional anatexis and a change to post‐orogenic tectonism. And this anatexis is also corresponds to the thermal event in Dharwar craton in India which has a pronounced similar Precambrian geology with Madagascar, providing an important constraints on the correlation of the two continental fragments.
Hydrocarbon Vertical Continuity Evaluation in the Cretaceous Reservoirs of Azadegan Oilfield, Southwest of Iran: Implications for Reservoir Geochemistry
Authors: ALIZADEH Bahram , RASHIDI Mehrab , ZARASVANDI Alireza , SEYEDALI Seyed Rasoul , ALIEE Mohammad Hasan 
Published: March 2019

AbstractA collection of data obtained from analytical methods in geochemistry along with the reservoir engineering and geologic data were used to investigate the reservoir continuity in the Cretaceous Fahliyan, Gadavan, Kazhdumi and Sarvak reservoirs of the super‐giant Azadegan oilfield, SW Iran. The geochemical data indicate that the oil samples, with medium to high level of thermal maturity, have been generated from the anoxic marine marl/carbonate source rock(s). The Sargelu (Jurassic) and Garau (Cretaceous) formations are introduced as the main source rocks for the studied oils. The dendrogram obtained from the cluster analysis of high‐resolution gas chromatography data introduces two main oil groups including Fahliyan reservoir, and Kazhdumi along with Sarvak/Gadvan reservoirs. This is confirmed by C7 Halpern star diagram, indicating that, the light oil fraction from Fahliyan reservoir is distinct from the others. Also, different pressure gradient of the Fahliyan Formation (over‐pressured) relative to other reservoirs (normally‐pressured) show the presence of compartments. The relation between toluene/n‐heptane and n‐heptane/methylcyclohexane represents the compartmentalization due to maturation/evaporative fractionation for Fahliyan and water washing for other studied reservoirs. Also, the impermeable upper part of the Fahliyan Formation and thin interbedded shaly layers in the Kazhdumi, Sarvak and Gadvan formations have controlled reservoir compartmentalization.
Estimation of Fracture Geometry Parameters and Characterization of Rock Mass Structure for the Beishan Area, China
Authors: WEI Xiang , GUO Ying , CHENG Hanlie , WEI Jianfei , ZHANG Linlin , HUO Liang , HOU Zhenkun 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe accurate estimation of fracture geometry parameters and the characterization of rock mass structure are two important topics in the geological disposal system of high‐level radioactive waste (HLW). The Beishan area, as the current preselected area for China's HLW disposal, has three subareas considered to be the key survey area at the stage of site selection. In this paper, a comprehensive survey method conducted on the outcrop is developed to estimate fracture geometry parameters. Results show that fracture occurrence obeys a Fisher distribution, fracture trace length obeys a normal distribution, and the distribution of spacing obeys a negative exponential distribution. An evaluation index, Rock Mass Structure Rating (RMSR), is proposed to characterize rock mass structure for the three subareas. The results show that the Xinchang area is more suitable to act as China's HLW disposal repository site. At the same time, the index can also be applied to characterize surface rock mass structure and rock mass integrity at the site selection phase of HLW disposal.
Apparent diffusion coefficient characteristics of parenchymal neuro‐Behçet’s disease
Authors: Alis Deniz , Alis Ceren , Tutuncu Melih , Kocer Naci , Islak Civan , Kizilkilic Osman 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAimTo evaluate apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) characteristic of parenchymal neuro‐Behçet's disease (NBD).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations of NBD patients with acute or chronic parenchymal lesions. ADC measurements of the lesions and contralateral normal brain parenchyma were performed by a consensus of two radiologists. To compare the ADC value of the chronic and acute lesions, relative ADC values (rADC) were calculated. The ratio of the lesions’ ADC to contralateral normal brain parenchyma ADC yielded a rADC value of the lesions. Contrast enhancement patterns and the locations of the lesions were also noted.ResultsA total of 24 NBD patients with 45 parenchymal lesions, 25 acute, and 20 chronic, were enrolled in the study. A significant difference was observed between the mean ADC value of the acute lesions (1074.48 ± 138.31 m/s) and the mean ADC value of the contralateral normal brain parenchyma (841.20 ± 142.96 m/s; P < 0.0001). A significant difference was observed between the mean ADC value of the chronic lesions (1069.95 ± 143.95 m/s) and the mean ADC value of the contralateral normal brain parenchyma (793.90 ± 96.71 m/s; P < 0.0001). No significant difference was observed between the mean rADC (1.35 ± 0.20) and the mean rADC value of the chronic lesions (1.29 ± 0.15; P = 0.22).ConclusionsADC measurements might provide substantial information about the histopathological aspect of parenchymal NBD lesions.
From Engagement to Competition? The Logic of the US China Policy Debate
Authors: Chang‐Liao Nien‐chung 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis article explores the logic of the ongoing debate in the United States over its China policy. Scholarly assessments of China's power and intentions are more diverse than ever before, so it is no wonder that the United States is faced with an array of policy options, including continuing engagement, accommodation, competition and containment. This makes it more difficult for US policy makers to forge a consensus regarding the course of engagement with China. This paper provides an analytic framework for explaining the logic of US policy choices within the debate and examines the implications for the Trump administration. It is hoped that it can help US policy makers interpret China's rise, and act as a baseline from which they can formulate an optimal approach towards dealing with thePRC.
Neuropsychological and Neuroimaging Examinations of Self‐Reported Sleep Quality in Alcohol Use Disorder With and Without Korsakoff's Syndrome
Authors: Laniepce Alice , Segobin Shailendra , Lannuzel Coralie , Boudehent Céline , Ritz Ludivine , Urso Laurent , Vabret François , Eustache Francis , Beaunieux Hélène , Rauchs Géraldine , Pitel Anne‐Lise 
Published: March 2019

BackgroundAlcohol use disorder (AUD) patients without Korsakoff's syndrome (KS) report a variable self‐rated sleep quality. Their ability to accurately judge their sleep quality may be related to their alcohol‐related cognitive deficits and brain damage. KS patients, who present severe brain dysfunction, may be cognitively unable to judge their sleep quality. The aim of the present study is to examine, in AUD and KS patients, whether the absence of sleep complaint is associated with altered brain structure and impaired cognitive abilities within specific cerebral networks.MethodsAn assessment of subjective sleep quality was conducted in 20 healthy controls, 37 AUD patients, and 17 KS patients. Patients were first pooled together and then classified into 2 groups (no‐complaintAUD + KS and complaintAUD + KS) according to the total Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index score. Cognitive scores, gray matter (GM) volume, and white matter (WM) integrity were compared between these 2 groups, and then in AUD and KS patients separately.ResultsPoor sleep quality was reported by 70% of AUD and 18% of KS patients. Compared to controls, both no‐complaintAUD + KS and complaintAUD + KS presented cortical and subcortical alterations as well as episodic memory deficits, which were more severe in patients without sleep complaint. Only no‐complaintAUD + KS presented executive deficits. Then, considering the clinical diagnosis, GM volume in frontotemporal regions, WM integrity, and executive functions were affected to the same extent in AUD and KS patients without sleep complaint.ConclusionsOur results confirm the high prevalence of sleep complaint in AUD patients and the rare complaint in KS patients. In AUD and KS patients, the absence of sleep complaint may not indicate good sleep quality but rather reflect executive deficits and frontothalamic damage. Alcohol‐related cognitive deficits may indeed alter the ability to self‐evaluate sleep quality, suggesting that the use of sleep questionnaire should be considered with caution in patients with executive deficits.
GABAA Receptor Subtypes and the Abuse‐Related Effects of Ethanol in Rhesus Monkeys: Experiments with Selective Positive Allosteric Modulators
Authors: Berro Lais F. , Rüedi‐Bettschen Daniela , Cook Jemma E. , Golani Lalit K. , Li Guanguan , Jahan Rajwana , Rashid Farjana , Cook James M. , Rowlett James K. , Platt Donna M. 
Published: March 2019

BackgroundPrevious studies have investigated α1GABAA and α5GABAA receptor mechanisms in the behavioral effects of ethanol (EtOH) in monkeys. However, genetic studies in humans and preclinical studies with mutant mice suggest a role for α2GABAA and/or α3GABAA receptors in the effects of EtOH. The development of novel positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) with functional selectivity (i.e., selective efficacy) at α2GABAA and α3GABAA receptors allows for probing of these subtypes in preclinical models of the discriminative stimulus and reinforcing effects of EtOH in rhesus macaques.MethodsIn discrimination studies, subjects were trained to discriminate EtOH (2 g/kg, intragastrically) from water under a fixed‐ratio (FR) schedule of food delivery. In oral self‐administration studies, subjects were trained to self‐administer EtOH (2% w/v) or sucrose (0.3 to 1% w/v) under an FR schedule of solution availability.ResultsIn discrimination studies, functionally selective PAMs at α2GABAA and α3GABAA (HZ‐166) or α3GABAA (YT‐III‐31) receptors substituted fully (maximum percentage of EtOH‐lever responding ≥80%) for the discriminative stimulus effects of EtOH without altering response rates. Full substitution for EtOH also was engendered by a nonselective PAM (triazolam), an α5GABAA‐preferring PAM (QH‐ii‐066) and a PAM at α2GABAA, α3GABAA, and α5GABAA receptors (L‐838417). A partial (MRK‐696) or an α1GABAA‐preferring (zolpidem) PAM only engendered partial substitution (i.e., ~50 to 60% EtOH‐lever responding). In self‐administration studies, pretreatments with the functionally selective PAMs at α2GABAA and α3GABAA (XHe‐II‐053 and HZ‐166) or α3GABAA (YT‐III‐31 and YT‐III‐271) receptors increased EtOH, but not sucrose, drinking at doses that had few, or no, observable sedative‐motor effects.ConclusionsOur results confirm prior findings regarding the respective roles of α1GABAA and α5GABAA receptors in the discriminative stimulus effects of EtOH and, further, suggest a key facilitatory role for α3GABAA and potentially α2GABAA receptors in several abuse‐related effects of EtOH in monkeys. Moreover, they reveal a potential role for these latter subtypes in EtOH's sedative effects.
Utilization of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy in oligometastatic & oligoprogressive skeletal metastases: Results and pattern of failure
Authors: Kam Tsz Yeung , Chan Oscar Siu Hong , Hung Albert Wai Man , Yeung Rebecca Mei Wan 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAimTo evaluate the outcome and toxicities of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) for skeletal metastasis in a tertiary cancer center.MethodsThis is a retrospective review of 22 patients treated with SABR for skeletal metastases for oligometastases (OM) or oligoprogression (OP) since October 2012. There are a total of 27 treatments with 20 spinal and seven non‐spinal metastases. Treatment outcome including local control (LC), progression‐free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), pain control, treatment‐related toxicity and failure pattern are described. Patients are assessed by interval computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography‐CT, magnetic resonance imaging or bone scintigraphy by physicians’ discretion. Toxicities are graded by common toxicities criteria version 4.03.ResultThe median age of the patients is 64 years. Primary sites include lung (50%), breast (32%), nasopharynx (9%), prostate (4.5%) and colon (4.5%). Twelve patients with OM and 10 with OP are included. Dose to most spinal and non‐spinal metastases is 35 and 50 Gy, respectively, in five fractions. With a median follow up of 15.6 months, there are three local failures (1‐year LC 91.2%). The median PFS and OS are 10.1 and 37.3 months, while PFS of OP and OM group is 6.6 and 10.6 months, respectively. Two‐third of symptomatic patients have at least 1‐year complete pain control. There are two vertebral fractures and one grade 3 esophagitis.ConclusionOur series shows excellent LC of SABR to skeletal metastases with limited toxicities in OM and OP diseases. However, its benefit of survival warrants further studies.
Direct Democracy and Women's Political Engagement
Authors: Kim Jeong Hyun 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWhat are the conditions that promote gender equality in political participation? In this article, I propose that the presence of direct democracy expands gender equality in political participation by signaling the system's openness to women's voice, confirming their political competency, and highlighting their stake in political decisions. To test this argument, I leverage a quasi‐experiment in Sweden in the aftermath of the introduction of universal suffrage, where the type of municipal political institutions was determined by a population threshold. My findings lend strong support to the effect of direct democracy on the political inclusion of women. I find that the gender gap in electoral participation was smaller in municipalities using direct democracy than in similarly sized municipalities that only had representative institutions.