bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Upper Bounds on Liouville First‐Passage Percolation and Watabiki's Prediction
Authors: Ding Jian , Goswami Subhajit 
Published: May 2019

AbstractGiven a planar continuum Gaussian free field h𝒰 in a domain 𝒰 with Dirichlet boundary condition and any δ > 0, we let be a real‐valued smooth Gaussian process where is the average of h𝒰 along a circle of radius δ with center v. For γ > 0, we study the Liouville first‐passage percolation (in scale δ), i.e., the shortest path distance in 𝒰 where the weight of each path P is given by . We show that the distance between two typical points is for all sufficiently small but fixed γ > 0 and some constant c* > 0. In addition, we obtain similar upper bounds on the Liouville first‐passage percolation for discrete Gaussian free fields, as well as the Liouville graph distance, which roughly speaking is the minimal number of euclidean balls with comparable Liouville quantum gravity measure whose union contains a continuous path between two endpoints. Our results contradict some reasonable interpretations of Watabiki's prediction (1993) on the random distance of Liouville quantum gravity at high temperatures.© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of mindfulness training on the default mode network in borderline personality disorder
Authors: Carmona i Farrés Cristina , Elices Matilde , Soler Joaquim , Domínguez‐Clavé Elisabet , Martín‐Blanco Ana , Pomarol‐Clotet Edith , Salvador Raymond , Martinez‐Horta Saül , Pascual Juan C. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractPatients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) present dysfunctions of the default mode network (DMN). Mindfulness training has proven effective to improve the symptoms of BPD. The present study examines the effect of mindfulness training on BPD symptomatology and DMN activity during the performance of a working memory task in patients with BPD. Sixty‐five individuals with BPD were randomized to receive psychotherapy with either the mindfulness module of dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT‐M) or with interpersonal effectiveness module (DBT‐IE). The impact of treatments was evaluated with clinical and mindfulness variables as well as with functional magnetic resonance imaging during performance of the task. Both groups showed improvement in BPD symptoms and other clinical variables after treatment. Unexpectedly, there were no between‐group differences in DMN activation or deactivation. However, activation of the left anterior insula increased in both groups after the intervention. Compared with the control group, participants in the DBT‐M group presented higher deactivation in a cluster extending bilaterally from the calcarine to the cuneus and superior occipital gyri.
Thermodynamic Investigation of Ternary Delafossite Crystals
Authors: Wolff Nora , Klimm Detlef , Ganschow Steffen , Siche Dietmar 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe ternary phase diagram of copper–iron–aluminium delafossite is established with FactSage calculations to improve the conditions for solution growth and the electrical conductivity of the transparent p‐type semiconductor copper–aluminium delafossite by addition of iron oxide. Initial growth experiments with the optical float zone method show that the growth of single crystals with commercially relevant dimensions is not expected in the near future.
The value relevance of environmental, social, and governance disclosure: Evidence from Dow Jones Sustainability World Index listed companies
Authors: Aureli Selena , Gigli Sabrina , Medei Renato , Supino Enrico 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe relationship between a company's sustainability practices and its financial performance has been investigated with different methods and from different theoretical perspectives. This study aims to answer the following questions: (a) Do investors react to the publication of sustainability reports on company websites? (b) Has the market reaction to the publication of the sustainability report increased in the last few years? In this study, 170 report disclosures were considered from 55 listed companies from all over the world in the period from 2009 to 2016. To analyze the impact of the report publications on the security returns, 33 different event windows were analyzed. Results show two significant event windows and an increasing level of significance in the reports released after 2013.
Corporate social responsibility activities and firm performance: The moderating role of strategic emphasis and industry competition
Authors: Jia Xingping 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThis study extends the literature on the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and firm performance by incorporating the role of strategic emphasis, defined as the resources that firms allocate to value appropriation (with the emphasis on advertising expenditure) versus value creation (with the emphasis on research and development investment), and how industry competition creates a three‐way interaction with CSR and strategic emphasis to affect firm performance. Using data from 3,401 publicly traded firm‐year observations in China for the years 2009–2015, the study demonstrates that CSR enhances firm performance when the firm's strategy emphasizes value appropriation over value creation. The interaction effect of CSR and strategic emphasis is also shown to vary with the level of competition in the industry. The results not only contribute to the literature on the relationship between CSR and firm performance, but can also inform firms' resource allocation decisions, enabling them to gain instrumental value from CSR initiatives.
Invasive Galega officinalis (Goat's rue) plants in Canada form a symbiotic association with strains of Neorhizobium galegae sv. officinalis originating from the Old World
Authors: Bromfield Eden S. P. , Cloutier Sylvie , Robidas Catherine , Tran Thi Thu Van , Darbyshire Stephen J. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe toxic legume plant, Galega officinalis, is native to the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea regions. This legume is considered to be a noxious weed, and its establishment in Canada may have resulted from ornamental planting and/or field trials. In its native range, a highly specific nitrogen‐fixing symbiosis with the bacterium, Neorhizobium galegae symbiovar (sv.) officinalis, is required for normal growth. In North America, nothing is known about the bacterial symbionts of G. officinalis. Our purpose was to determine the species and symbiovar identity of symbiotic bacteria associated with invasive plants of G. officinalis at five sites in the province of Ontario, Canada. Sequence analysis of four housekeeping (16S rRNA, atpD, glnII, and recA) and two symbiosis (nodC and nifH) genes showed that all 50 bacterial isolates from root nodules of G. officinalis at the five Canadian sites were identical to strains of N. galegae sv. officinalis originating either from Europe or the Caucasus. Plant tests indicated that soils collected from four Canadian sites without a history of agriculture or presence of G. officinalis were deficient in symbiotic bacteria capable of eliciting nodules on this plant. Collectively our data support the hypothesis of anthropogenic co‐introduction of G. officinalis and its specific symbiotic bacterium into Canada from the Old World. Factors that may limit the spread of G. officinalis in new environments are discussed.
Spatial differences in genetic diversity and northward migration suggest genetic erosion along the boreal caribou southern range limit and continued range retraction
Authors: Thompson Laura M. , Klütsch Cornelya F. C. , Manseau Micheline , Wilson Paul J. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractWith increasing human activities and associated landscape changes, distributions of terrestrial mammals become fragmented. These changes in distribution are often associated with reduced population sizes and loss of genetic connectivity and diversity (i.e., genetic erosion) which may further diminish a species' ability to respond to changing environmental conditions and lead to local population extinctions. We studied threatened boreal caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) populations across their distribution in Ontario/Manitoba (Canada) to assess changes in genetic diversity and connectivity in areas of high and low anthropogenic activity. Using data from >1,000 caribou and nine microsatellite loci, we assessed population genetic structure, genetic diversity, and recent migration rates using a combination of network and population genetic analyses. We used Bayesian clustering analyses to identify population genetic structure and explored spatial and temporal variation in those patterns by assembling networks based onRSTandFSTas historical and contemporary genetic edge distances, respectively. The Bayesian clustering analyses identified broad‐scale patterns of genetic structure and closely aligned with theRSTnetwork. TheFSTnetwork revealed substantial contemporary genetic differentiation, particularly in areas presenting contemporary anthropogenic disturbances and habitat fragmentation. In general, relatively lower genetic diversity and greater genetic differentiation were detected along the southern range limit, differing from areas in the northern parts of the distribution. Moreover, estimation of migration rates suggested a northward movement of animals away from the southern range limit. The patterns of genetic erosion revealed in our study suggest ongoing range retraction of boreal caribou in central Canada.
How a measure of tree structural complexity relates to architectural benefit‐to‐cost ratio, light availability, and growth of trees
Authors: Seidel Dominik , Annighöfer Peter , Stiers Melissa , Zemp Clara Delphine , Burkardt Katharina , Ehbrecht Martin , Willim Katharina , Kreft Holger , Hölscher Dirk , Ammer Christian 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAboveground tree architecture is neither fully deterministic nor random. It is likely the result of mechanisms that balance static requirements and light‐capturing efficiency. Here, we used terrestrial laser scanning data to investigate the relationship between tree architecture, here addressed using the box‐dimension (Db), and the architectural benefit‐to‐cost ratio, the light availability, and the growth of trees. We detected a clear relationship betweenDband the benefit‐to‐cost ratio for the tested three temperate forest tree species (Fagus sylvaticaL.,Fraxinus excelsiorL., andAcer pseudoplatanusL.). In addition, we could also show thatDbis positively related to the growth performance of several tropical tree species. Finally, we observed a negative relationship between the strength of competition enforced on red oak (Quercus rubraL.) trees and theirDb.We therefore argue thatDbis a meaningful and integrative measure that describes the structural complexity of the aboveground compartments of a plant as well as its relation to structural efficiency (benefit‐to‐cost ratio), productivity, and growing conditions (competition or availability of light).
A diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, endometriosis or IBD is associated with later onset of fibromyalgia and chronic widespread pain
Authors: Larrosa Pardo Fabian , Bondesson Elisabeth , Schelin Maria E. C. , Jöud Anna 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundWidespread pain is a common comorbidity in several chronic diseases and is suspected to be caused by pain resulting from the underlying disease that has provoked a state of central sensitization. However, this argument is currently limited by evidence that has insufficiently captured the temporal nature of the relationship between diagnosis of the underlying disease and onset of widespread pain. The aim of this study was to investigate if patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), endometriosis or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), have a higher risk of developing widespread pain (fibromyalgia or chronic widespread pain [CWP]).MethodsUsing the Swedish Skåne Healthcare register on health care consultation, a cohort of 889,938 adult patients were followed from 2007 to 2016 and incident cases of RA, endometriosis or IBD and of fibromyalgia and CWP were identified by registered diagnoses. Using Poisson regression, we calculated incidence rate ratios (IRR) adjusted for sex, age, education and propensity to seek health care.ResultsFor patients with RA the IRR for later fibromyalgia was 3.64 (95% CI: 2.75–4.81) compared to patients without RA, for CWP it was 2.96 (95% CI: 1.81–4.86). For endometriosis patients the IRR for fibromyalgia was 2.83 (95% CI: 1.96–4.08) and for CWP 5.02 (95% CI: 3.10–8.13). IBD patients had an IRR = 2.32 (95% CI: 1.58–3.42) for fibromyalgia and 1.42 (95% CI: 0.93–2.17) for CWP.ConclusionsThis study shows that RA, endometriosis and IBD are all risk factors for later fibromyalgia and CWP, consistent with a hypothesis of central sensitization as an effect of a painful underlying condition.SignificanceWe show that RA, endometriosis and IBD predisposes for later fibromyalgia and CWP, a common hypothesis previously difficult to verify due to lack of longitudinal data. The results inform further research regarding the aetiology of fibromyalgia and CWP and stress the need of clinical focus on the pain itself in chronic diseases with pain as a symptom.
Pine cone pyrolysis: Optimization of temperature for energy recovery
Authors: Boutaieb Mouzaina , Guiza Monia , Román Silvia , Nogales Sergio , Ledesma Beatriz , Ouederni Abdelmottaleb 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIn this work, the pine cones pyrolysis (a mixture of both scales and axis) was investigated under different temperature (500–800°C) at a bench scale fixed bed reactor operating in batch mode. It was found that operating temperature had a slight or more marked influence on the product phase distribution as a consequence of the enhancement of biomass decomposition and also the greater prominence of cracking reactions especially at highest temperatures, yielding a greater gas production. It was found that increasing temperature led to decreasing biochar yields (from 29.4% to 20.4%) and increasing gas yields (from 34.4 to 44.4%), whereas the bio‐oil yield passed through a maximum 37.6% at 600°C. The biochars were characterized in terms of proximate and elemental analysis, thermal degradation profiles, high heating value and surface chemistry and morphology. In addition, the composition of gases was determined by gas chromatography. Apart from the changes induced by increasing temperature on the biochar properties such as greater pore volumes at 700°C (used in activated carbon manufacture), it was found that gas production was enhanced, and H2 and CH4 yields were the highest at 800°C. Finally, at 600°C biochar showed the highest heating value of 30.95 MJ kg−1, allowing its use briquette biofuels.
Assessment of the physicochemical characteristics of soil planted with elephant grass—Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone—following application of biosolid and chemical fertilization
Authors: Neves Talles I. , Abrahão Raphael , Uyeda Claudio A. , de Souza Silva Cleiton , de Deus Alex S. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBiosolids are dehydrated sludge derived from effluent treatment plants. These biosolids may be used as agricultural fertilizers due to their characteristically high organic matter and nutrient contents. Thus, alternative uses for biosolids must be identified, and agriculture is one such potential alternative. The present study aimed to assess the soil physicochemical gains and losses resulting from the application of textile industrial biosolid and chemical fertilization recommended for elephant grass crops. To this end, physicochemical and biological soil analyses were carried out. A field experiment was conducted using a randomized block design with three blocks and the following treatments: without fertilization; with conventional fertilization; and with 1×, 2×, 4×, and 8× biosolid based on the Recommendation from the Brazilian National Council for the Environment. The results were analyzed using the Tukey test, which showed the viability of using biosolids. That is, the biosolids caused an increase even higher than that resulting from some fertilizing elements such as phosphorus, calcium, and sodium in treatments with chemical fertilization and without causing soil contamination, either with heavy metals, pathogenic microorganisms, or nitrogen. This provides an environmentally friendly way of disposing of this otherwise unusable waste.
Energy savings in convective drying of various materials using variable temperature conditions
Authors: Doder Đorđije D. , Đaković Damir D. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractConvective drying process is among the most energy‐intensive ones; therefore, every kind of its improvement may result in a significant reduction of energy consumption, which contributes to sustainable energy planning. Intermittent drying, often accomplished by periodical temperature lowering and/or stopping the air flow completely, is one of the most popular measures for energy saving. Herein, intermittent regime was carried out only by temperature variation, keeping the heater turned on for 60 min, and then turned off for another 30 min, while the fan was turned on all the time. Temperature lowering in certain periods saves energy, but some extension of total drying time is also expected. The aim of the article was to explore the possibility of energy saving with no significant time extension and the influence of different effective diffusivities in that context. Hence, the drying materials with different properties were chosen—walnuts, chestnuts with and without shell, pumpkin, and potatoes. Drying of walnuts was described in more detail to briefly explain the basic idea of the analysis, whereas other materials were analyzed only in terms of energy saving. The research showed the noticeable effective diffusivity influence on energy saving, and only materials with its high value are suitable for such a treatment
Excessive apoptosis of podocytes caused by dysregulation of microRNA‐182‐5p and CD2AP confers to an increased risk of diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Ming Lei , Ning Jing , Ge Yuan , Zhang Ying , Ruan Zhen 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe functions of miR‐182‐5p in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN) remain largely unclear. Here, we studied the roles and relationship between miR‐182‐5p and CD2AP in the development of DN. We used real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to compare miR‐182‐5p expression between DN and control groups, while computational analysis and luciferase assays were used to confirm CD2AP as a miR‐182‐5p target. Western blot and real‐time PCR were then used to measure the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of CD2AP in the presence of miR‐182‐5p. The results showed that miR‐182‐5p was highly expressed in cells isolated from people with DN. In addition, the luciferase activity of cells transfected with wild‐type/mutant CD2AP confirmed CD2AP as a direct target of miR‐182‐5p. The expression levels of CD2AP mRNA and protein were much lower in the DN group compared with that in the normal group. In addition, the expression levels of CD2AP mRNA and protein were evidently increased by a miR‐182‐5p inhibitor, but notably downregulated by miR‐182‐5p mimics or CD2AP small interfering RNA (siRNA). Furthermore, miR‐182‐5p and CD2Ap siRNA significantly reduced the survival rate and viability of transfected cells, while the miR‐182‐5p inhibitor exhibited an opposite effect. These findings indicated the presence of a negative regulatory relationship between miR‐182‐5p and CD2AP in podocytes cells and suggested that the overexpression of miR‐182‐5p contributes to the pathogenesis of DN.
Performance evaluation of serum PIVKA‐II measurement using HISCL‐5000 and a method comparison of HISCL‐5000, LUMIPULSE G1200, and ARCHITECT i2000
Authors: Ryu Mi Ra , Kang Eun‐Suk , Park Hyung‐Doo 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundProtein induced by vitamin K antagonist‐II (PIVKA‐II), in addition to alpha‐fetoprotein, is a useful tumor marker for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We evaluated the analytical performance of the HISCL‐5000 analyzer (Sysmex Corporation) in the measurement of serum PIVKA‐II.MethodsWe evaluated the precision and linearity of PIVKA‐II assays using the HISCL‐5000 analyzer. Methods using HISCL‐5000, LUMIPULSE G1200 (Fujirebio Diagnostics), and ARCHITECT i2000 (Abbott Diagnostics) were compared according to the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. A total of 501 subjects (median age 59 years, age range 24‐90 years) were enrolled. Among them, 335 were HCC patients, 46 were patients with non‐HCC liver disease, and 120 were healthy individuals. Non‐HCC liver disease included liver cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, HBV or HCV carrier, hepatic adenoma, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.ResultsRepeatability (%CV) in low‐ and high‐level controls and pooled serum was 2.81%‐10.30%, and within‐laboratory precision was 4.24%‐8.86%. In a linearity test, the coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.9957, ranging from 11 to 69 897 mAU/mL. In comparison, the coefficient of correlation (r) was 0.9561‐0.9644, agreement was 93.4%‐97.6%, and the κ value was 0.855‐0.945 among the three analyzers. About 99.2% of healthy individuals and 84.8% of non‐HCC liver disease patients were below the cutoff value (40 mAU/mL) on HISCL‐5000.ConclusionsA PIVKA‐II assay using HISCL‐5000 showed acceptable analytical performance including precision, linearity, and method comparison. This indicates that HISCL‐5000 can be potentially helpful in clinical laboratories.
Effects of blood sample handling procedures on measurable interleukin 6 in plasma and serum
Authors: Gong Yan , Liang Shaocong , Zeng Lei , Ni Yanli , Zhou Shaosong , Yuan Xiaopeng 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIntroductionInterleukin‐6(IL‐6) measurement is used as a biomarker in medical diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis in various diseases. However, several pre‐analytical factors may yield a false IL‐6 result. In this study, we set out to investigate the effects of corrected blood sample handling procedures on measurable IL‐6.MethodEDTA plasma and serum samples were collected from 45 healthy individuals. The participants were divided into three groups to perform different handling procedures. Different centrifugal timing, storage temperature, and time were executed on the samples. The changed trends of IL‐6 levels were analyzed.ResultsAt baseline, while the paired plasma and serum IL‐6 values had a good correlation, the plasma levels were higher than serum. In general, the unseparated EDTA plasma kept steady with time. With the increase in storage temperature and time, a more pronounced rise in unseparated serum IL‐6 was observed. Nevertheless, the samples in Group 3 which centrifuged and separated immediately kept stable after a different temperature and longtime storage.ConclusionSample types, centrifugal timing, storage temperature, and time may affect the IL‐6 levels. A standard blood sample handling procedure should be performed to ensure the accuracy and stability of IL‐6 values.