bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
No evidence of inbreeding depression in fast declining herds of migratory caribou
Authors: Gagnon Marianne , Yannic Glenn , Perrier Charles , Côté Steeve D. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIdentifying inbreeding depression early in small and declining populations is essential for management and conservation decisions. Correlations between heterozygosity and fitness (HFCs) provide a way to identify inbreeding depression without prior knowledge of kinship among individuals. In Northern Quebec and Labrador, the size of two herds of migratory caribou (Rivière‐George, RG and Rivière‐aux‐Feuilles, RAF) has declined by one to two orders of magnitude in the last three decades. This raises the question of a possible increase in inbreeding depression originating from, and possibly contributing to, the demographic decline in those populations. Here, we tested for the association of genomic inbreeding indices (estimated with 22,073 SNPs) with body mass and survival in 400 caribou sampled in RG and RAF herds between 1996 and 2016. We found no association of individual heterozygosity or inbreeding coefficient with body mass or annual survival. Furthermore, those genomic inbreeding indices remained stable over the period monitored. These results suggest that the rapid and intense demographic decline of the herds did not cause inbreeding depression in those populations. Although we found no evidence for HFCs, if demographic decline continues, it is possible that such inbreeding depression would be triggered.
Effect of GnRHa on plasma levels of Fsh and Lh in the female greater amberjack Seriola dumerili
Authors: Nyuji Mitsuo , Yamamoto Ikki , Hamada Kazuhisa , Kazeto Yukinori , Okuzawa Koichi 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe effects of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) on plasma levels of follicle‐stimulating hormone (Fsh) and luteinising hormone (Lh) are reported for female greater amberjack Seriola dumerili with post‐vitellogenic ovarian oocytes. Five females were implanted with pellets containing GnRHa (600 μg kg−1 body weight), while five other females were injected with saline. All females implanted with GnRHa‐containing pellets ovulated 36–42 h post‐implantation. The GnRHa implants elevated Lh, but not Fsh plasma levels within 42 h of GnRHa administration.
Meeting the Mandates of Gault: Automatic Appointment of Counsel in Juvenile Delinquency Proceedings
Authors: Scali Mary Ann 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIn 1967, the United States Supreme Court ruled that children facing delinquency charges have a constitutional right to defense counsel. Despite that mandate, state assessments of juvenile defense systems have consistently found high rates of waiver of counsel. Children are facing harsh punishments with potentially lifelong consequences without the benefit of a trained defense attorney at their side. Given the severity of the consequences of juvenile court involvement and society’s understanding of the developmental science behind adolescence, this article argues that to meet constitutional requirements, juvenile courts must automatically appoint defense counsel for all children facing delinquency charges.
Visuospatial bias in line bisection in Williams syndrome
Authors: Saj A. , Heiz J. , Van Calster L. , Barisnikov K. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundRecently, a study using the subjective straight‐ahead task showed that individuals with Williams syndrome (WS) present a bias in the representation of body perception. The aim of the present study is to examine the horizontal midline body representation in WS participants using the bisection line task, which is an important benchmark for an egocentric frame of reference.MethodFifteen WS participants (mean age = 21.7 ± 9.5 years) were compared with two typical development control groups: one composed of 15 participants matched on chronological age and one composed of 15 children matched on mental age. The task consisted of dividing each line in a series of 18 lines into two equal halves by drawing a vertical mark with a pencil in the centre of the line.ResultsIndividuals with WS presented a significant leftward bias in comparison to mental age and chronological age groups.ConclusionsThe leftward deviation in WS could be linked to the body representation bias and difficulties in the development of the egocentric reference system. An early detection of such deviation should help in the development of targeted interventions for WS individuals to improve visual–spatial skills and learning.
Food and heart—the nutritional jungle: Patients’ experiences of dietary habits and nutritional counselling after coronary artery bypass grafting
Authors: Elbrønd Pia , Højskov Ida E. , Missel Malene , Borregaard Britt 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAims and objectivesThe aim of the study was to examine patients’ experience of dietary habits and nutritional counselling in the early period during hospitalisation after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).BackgroundUndergoing CABG, patients have two different nutritional needs, extra proteins and calories for the first period after surgery and a heart‐healthy diet when the recovery period is over. These needs can be difficult to manage for the patients.DesignQualitative study.MethodsInterviews were conducted and analysed within a phenomenological‐hermeneutic frame inspired by the French philosopher Paul Ricoeur. Patients undergoing CABG were interviewed 4–5 days after surgery at Odense University Hospital from March to May, 2017. The study adhered to the COREQ guidelines.ResultsIn total, 15 patients were interviewed (mean age 65 years, 87% men). After analysing the interviews following themes emerged, “Different needs—the nutritional jungle”, “Food and heart—the lacking attention,” and “The force of habits—being under the influence from spouses on dietary habits”.ConclusionThe interviewed patients had no or only a little knowledge about how to eat after heart surgery. In general, they experienced a lack of attention to nutritional counselling by the nursing staff during hospitalisation. Furthermore, the health behaviour of men seems to be different from women's, and therefore, interventions aiming at optimising men's health might be prioritised. Finally, spouses have a great influence on eating habits, why they should be involved in nutritional counselling.Relevance to clinical practiceThis study provides important and relevant knowledge about patients’ lacking knowledge about nutrition. When planning nutritional measures, whether it is promoting healing after heart surgery or preventing progression of arteriosclerosis, the study contributes with suggestions as to which factors should be considered in this process—men's health behaviour and spouses’ influence on dietary habits in the household.
The efficacy and safety of thalidomide on the recurrence interval of continuous recurrent aphthous ulceration: A randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Zeng Qingxiang , Shi Xueke , Yang Jin , Yang Miao , Zhao Wei , Zhao Xiaoyi , Shi Jiahong , Zhou Hongmei 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundRecurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU) is the most common oral mucosal disease. Some patients have almost continuous oral ulcers which influence the quality of life. The aim of this study was to observe the efficacy and safety of thalidomide on the recurrence interval of continuous RAU.MethodsA randomized controlled clinical trial was designed, and 60 continuous RAU patients were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 32, taking thalidomide before bed at a dose of 100 mg/d for 10 days, then 50 mg/d for 10 days, and 25 mg/d for 10 days) and the control group (n = 28, taking 0.4 mg/kg/d prednisone every morning for 15 days and then 0.2 mg/kg/d for 15 days). The clinical outcomes consisted of the primary outcome (recurrence interval) and the secondary outcomes (pain level, number of ulcers, and days for ulcer healing), and they were measured at every visit. Adverse reactions were recorded.ResultsA total of 54 and 51 patients presented at the first and second return visit, respectively. After 1 month, the increase in the recurrence interval was not shown to differ between the two groups (P = .12). However, the improvement in the recurrence interval was significantly greater in the experimental group (P < .001) at the second return visit. The improvement in the secondary outcomes was identical between two groups at each return visit (P > .05). The incidence of adverse reactions was similar between two groups (P = .50).ConclusionsThalidomide had a long‐term effect of extending the recurrence interval of continuous RAU.
Mind–Language = ? The significance of non‐verbal autism
Authors: Hinzen Wolfram , Slušná Dominika , Schroeder Kristen , Sevilla Gabriel , Vila Borrellas Elisabet 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe possibility and extent of thought without language have been subject to much controversy. Insight from non‐ or minimally verbal humans can inform this debate empirically. Since most such individuals are on the autism spectrum, of which they make up a sizable 25–30%, an important connection between language and autism transpires. Here we propose a model which makes sense of this link and explains why the non‐verbal human mind, as present evidence suggests, represents a fundamentally different cognitive phenotype. This model views the relevant part of the autism spectrum as reflecting the breakdown of a cognitive phenotype of which language is an inherent element and which will manifest principled limitations in the latter's absence.
Effect of permeable cryoprotectant‐free vitrification on DNA fragmentation of equine oocyte–cumulus cells
Authors: Pereira Blasa Carmen , Ortiz Isabel , Dorado Jesús Manuel , Diaz‐Jimenez Maria Angeles , Consuegra Cesar , Gosalvez Jaime , Hidalgo Manuel 
Published: September 2019

AbstractDNA fragmentation of cumulus cells could be used as an indicator of oocyte vitrification success as an indirect indicator of the quality of the oocyte. This study was designed to compare the DNA fragmentation of post‐mortem equine cumulus cells before or after vitrification in the absence of permeable cryoprotectant agents. Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs; n = 56) were recovered from slaughterhouse ovaries and subjected to in vitro maturation (42 hr/38.2°C/5%CO2) before (control group) or after a permeable cryoprotectant‐free vitrification method using 1 M sucrose (vitrification group). After in vitro maturation, COCs were denuded, and cumulus cells were washed and stored at −80°C until thawing. Cumulus cell samples were processed with the chromatin dispersion test (Ovoselect, Halotech DNA, Spain). Low, high and total DNA fragmentation percentages of cumulus cells were recorded and compared between the two groups by Student's t test. Results were expressed as mean ± SEM. The vitrified group resulted in significantly higher (p < 0.05) percentages for low (16.81 ± 1.62 vs. 6.63 ± 0.77) and total (21.14 ± 1.84 vs. 12.76 ± 1.48) DNA fragmentation of cumulus cells. There were no significant differences between groups for high DNA fragmentation of cumulus cells. In conclusion, permeable cryoprotectant‐free vitrification of equine oocytes increased the total DNA fragmentation rate of cumulus cells but protected them against high DNA fragmentation rates. Further studies are needed to examine the relationship between DNA fragmentation of cumulus cells and the developmental competence of equine oocytes.
Longitudinal Dynamic Functional Regression
Authors: Staicu Ana-Maria , Islam Md Nazmul , Dumitru Raluca , van Heugten Eric 
Published: September 2019

SummaryThe paper develops a parsimonious modelling framework to study the time-varying association between scalar outcomes and functional predictors observed at many instances, in longitudinal studies. The methods enable us to reconstruct the full trajectory of the response and are applicable to Gaussian and non-Gaussian responses. The idea is to model the time-varying functional predictors by using orthogonal basis functions and to expand the time-varying regression coefficient by using the same basis. Numerical investigation through simulation studies and data analysis show excellent performance in terms of accurate prediction and efficient computations, when compared with existing alternatives. The methods are inspired and applied to an animal science application, where of interest is to study the association between the feed intake of lactating sows and the minute-by-minute temperature throughout the 21 days of their lactation period. R code and an R illustration are provided.
Leisure or Labour: An Identity Crisis for Modern Hunting?
Authors: von Essen Erica , Tickle Lara 
Published: September 2019

AbstractModern hunting appears to be undergoing an identity crisis as a result of transitioning from labour to leisure. This transition is by no means linear or absolute. Today, hunting is framed both as a hobby for the leisure participant, and as a societal duty that delivers wildlife management, pest control for agriculture, sustainably sourced meat and euthanasia of injured wildlife. Hunting is hence doubly serious as ‘serious leisure’: it involves skill and perseverance, but it is also seen as serious in constituting societal labour. In this article, we employ netnographic research to examine how and in what contexts labour‐leisure tensions are manifested among Swedish hunters. We observe hunters struggle with the balance between leisure and labour on four levels: (1) internally, when it comes to reconciling their personal motivations for hunting; (2) between hunters, resulting in the normative differentiation between ‘urban leisure hunters’ and everyday hunters in the countryside doing ‘real’ work; (3) between different hunting practices; and (4) between wanting to enjoy the freedom afforded by the leisure label, while also inviting formalisation of hunting's role as a public service, including compensation. Our findings show the contradiction between labour and leisure is also differently managed across these levels.
The Dynamics of Neural Populations Capture the Laws of the Mind
Authors: Schöner Gregor 
Published: September 2019

AbstractWhat would it mean to explain the mind in neural terms? Neural accounts of the mind are often sought in a reductionistic spirit in which neural mechanisms explain cognition. Because an individual’s thoughts and behaviors are not reproducible without careful control of task, stimulus, and behavioral history, laws of the mind are the currency of psychology. Reduction may thus have to take the form familiar from physics: deriving macroscopic laws from microscopic laws. I argue that the metaphor of reduction from non‐equilibrium physics may be the most appropriate. Macroscopic patterns of neural activity, which cause behavior and thought, are slow dynamical variables that dominate the fast microscopic dynamics of individual neurons and synapses. I outline a theoretical framework in which strongly recurrent neural networks, described by neural dynamics, generate neural representations as attractor states that are embedded in low‐dimensional feature spaces. Instabilities of these states are instrumental in decision‐making and the generation of sequences of mental states that are the basis for higher cognition. Networks of such neural population dynamics form neural cognitive architectures that capture the laws of the mind.
Firms' efficiency and global value chains: An empirical investigation on Italian industry
Authors: Agostino Mariarosaria , Brancati Emanuele , Giunta Anna , Scalera Domenico , Trivieri Francesco 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThis paper investigates the effect of participation in global value chains (GVCs) on firms' efficiency and explores heterogeneity in this impact across different firms, according to GVC governance, positioning in the chain and time length of participation. Our analysis takes advantage of survey data providing information on involvement in GVCs for a large set of Italian industrial SMEs between 2008 and 2012. We employ Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to retrieve a measure of firms' technical efficiency (i.e., DEA efficiency scores) and estimate the impact of involvement in GVCs on firms' efficiency through propensity‐score matching techniques and truncated regression. Our results show that participation in GVCs induces significant efficiency premia, especially for suppliers, with stronger effects in the case of relational modes of participation.
Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships between Leishmania infantum from dogs, humans and wildlife in south‐east Spain
Authors: Ortuño María , Latrofa Maria S. , Iborra María A. , Pérez‐Cutillas Pedro , Bernal Luis J. , Risueño José , Muñoz Clara , Bernal Ana , Sánchez‐Lopez Pedro F. , Segovia Manuel , Annoscia Giada , Maia Carla , Cortes Sofia , Campino Lenea , Otranto Domenico , Berriatua Eduardo 
Published: September 2019

AbstractLeishmania infantum causes human and canine leishmaniosis. The parasite, transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies, infects species other than dogs and people, including wildlife, although their role as reservoirs of infection remains unknown for most species. Molecular typing of parasites to investigate genetic variability and evolutionary proximity can help understand transmission cycles and designing control strategies. We investigated Leishmania DNA variability in kinetoplast (kDNA) and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequences in asymptomatically infected wildlife (n = 58) and symptomatically and asymptomatically infected humans (n = 38) and dogs (n = 15) from south‐east Spain, using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and in silico restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses. All ITS2 sequences (n = 76) displayed a 99%–100% nucleotide identity with a L. infantum reference sequence, except one with a 98% identity to a reference Leishmania panamensis sequence, from an Ecuadorian patient. No heterogeneity was recorded in the 73 L. infantum ITS2 sequences except for one SNP in a human parasite sequence. In contrast, kDNA analysis of 44 L. infantum sequences revealed 11 SNP genotypes (nucleotide variability up to 4.3%) and four RFLP genotypes including B, F and newly described S and T genotypes. Genotype frequency was significantly greater in symptomatic compared to asymptomatic individuals. Both methods similarly grouped parasites as predominantly or exclusively found in humans, in dogs, in wildlife or in all three of them. Accordingly, the phylogenetic analysis of kDNA sequences revealed three main clusters, two as a paraphyletic human parasites clade and a third including dogs, people and wildlife parasites. Results suggest that Leishmania infantum genetics is complex even in small geographical areas and that, probably, several independent transmission cycles take place simultaneously including some connecting animals and humans. Investigating these transmission networks may be useful in understanding the transmission dynamics, infection risk and therefore in planning L. infantum control strategies.
Sniffing behaviour‐related changes in cardiac and cortical activity in rats
Authors: Kuga Nahoko , Nakayama Ryota , Shikano Yu , Nishimura Yuya , Okonogi Toya , Ikegaya Yuji , Sasaki Takuya 
Published: September 2019

Key points
High‐frequency (HF) sniffing represents active odour sampling and an increase in the animal's motivation.
We examined how HF sniffing affects the physiological activity of the brain–body system.
During HF sniffing, heart rates and the ratio of theta to delta critical local field potential power were comparable to those observed during motion periods.
Vagus nerve spike rates did not vary depending on HF sniffing.
Our results suggest that physiological factors in the central nervous system and the periphery are not simply determined by locomotion but are crucially associated with HF sniffing.
AbstractSniffing is a fundamental behaviour for odour sampling, and high‐frequency (HF) sniffing, generally at a sniff frequency of more than 6 Hz, is considered to represent an animal's increased motivation to explore external environments. Here, we examined how HF sniffing is associated with changes in physiological signals from the central and peripheral organs in rats. During HF sniffing while the rats were stationary, heart rates, the magnitude of dorsal neck muscle contraction, and the ratio of theta to delta local field potential power in the motor cortex were comparable to those observed during motion periods and were significantly higher than those observed during resting respiration periods. No pronounced changes in vagus nerve spike rates were detected in relation to HF sniffing. These results demonstrate that central and peripheral physiological factors are crucially associated with the emergence of HF sniffing, especially during quiescent periods. Behavioural data might be improved to more accurately evaluate an animal's internal psychological state if they are combined with a sniffing pattern as a physiological marker.
Fabrication and Characterization of Tuneable Flow-Channel/Gas-Diffusion-Layer Interface for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells
Authors: Thumbarathy Deepashree , Gupta Gaurav , Mamlouk Mohamed , Das Prodip K. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Gas diffusion layer (GDL) and its interfaces with the flow-channel and microporous layer or catalyst layer in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) play a significant role in water management and heat removal from the cells. Both surface morphology and surface wettability of GDL influence and control the water transport in PEFCs. Thus, the surface morphology and selectivity of its surface wettability are critical for PEFCs to provide optimum outputs. In this study, we have reported the fabrications of GDLs with a selective wetting pattern. Sigracet® GDLs were used as a substrate and two different monomers, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) added with fumed silica (Si) and fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), were used to print a selective pattern on the GDL surfaces. The evaluations of printed GDL surfaces, by means of static contact angle, sliding angles, and scanning electron microscopy image show that superhydrophobicity was achieved with both FEP and PDMS-Si coatings. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the successful introduction of the functional groups in both the coatings. Finally, pore size distributions, sliding angle measurements, and adhesion forces were used to investigate the interactions between the water droplets and GDL surfaces. The results of this study demonstrate that the present approach provides a novel but simple way to tune GDL surfaces with selective wetting properties and obtain superhydrophobic interfaces. The electrochemical results showed that an improvement can be achieved for the performance of PEFCs with patterned GDL/flow-channel interfaces.
A Weak Form Implementation of Nonlinear Axisymmetric Shell Equations With Examples
Authors: Pezzulla Matteo , Reis Pedro M. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
We present a weak form implementation of the nonlinear axisymmetric shell equations. This implementation is suitable to study the nonlinear deformations of axisymmetric shells, with the capability of considering a general mid-surface shape, non-homogeneous (axisymmetric) mechanical properties and thickness variations. Moreover, given that the weak balance equations are arrived to naturally, any external load that can be expressed in terms of an energy potential can, therefore, be easily included and modeled. We validate our approach with existing results from the literature, in a variety of settings, including buckling of imperfect spherical shells, indentation of spherical and ellipsoidal shells, and geometry-induced rigidity (GIR) of pressurized ellipsoidal shells. Whereas the fundamental basis of our approach is classic and well established, from a methodological view point, we hope that this brief note will be of both technical and pedagogical value to the growing and dynamic community that is revisiting these canonical but still challenging class of problems in shell mechanics.