bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sex identification from distinctive gene expression patterns in Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba)
Authors: Suter Leonie , Polanowski Andrea Maree , King Robert , Romualdi Chiara , Sales Gabriele , Kawaguchi So , Jarman Simon Neil , Deagle Bruce Emerson 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) is a highly abundant keystone species of the Southern Ocean ecosystem, directly connecting primary producers to high-trophic level predators. Sex ratios of krill vary remarkably between swarms and this phenomenon is poorly understood, as identification of krill sex relies on external morphological differences that appear late during development. Sex determination mechanisms in krill are unknown, but could include genetic, environmental or parasitic mechanisms. Similarly, virtually nothing is known about molecular sex differentiation. The krill genome has to date not been sequenced, and due to its enormous size and large amount of repetitive elements, it is currently not feasible to develop sex-specific DNA markers. To produce a reliable molecular marker for sex in krill and to investigate molecular sex differentiation we therefore focused on identifying sex-specific transcriptomic differences. Through transcriptomic analysis, we found large gene expression differences between testes and ovaries and identified three genes exclusively expressed in female whole krill from early juvenile stages onwards. The sex-specific expression of these three genes persisted through sexual regression, although our regressed samples originated from a krill aquarium and may differ from wild-regressed krill. Two slightly male-biased genes did not display sufficient expression differences to clearly differentiate sexes. Based on the expression of the three female-specific genes we developed a molecular test that for the first time allows the unambiguous sex determination of krill samples lacking external sex-specific features from juvenile stages onwards, including the sexually regressed krill we examined.
Efficacy of an intermittent energy restriction diet in a primary care setting
Authors: Antoni R. , Johnston K. L. , Steele C. , Carter D. , Robertson M. D. , Capehorn M. S. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Purpose
Intermittent energy restriction (IER) is a popular weight loss (WL) strategy; however, its efficacy in clinical practice remains unknown. The present study compared the effects of IER compared to continuous energy restriction (CER) on WL and cardiometabolic risk factors in primary care.

Methods
A (self-selected) cohort study was conducted at the Rotherham Institute for Obesity (RIO), a primary care-based weight management service. 197(24% male) obese patients volunteered to participate and selected their diet group. IER participants (n = 99) consumed ~ 2600 kJ for two days/week. CER participants (n = 98) restricted their diet by ~ 2100 kJ/day below estimated requirements. Both interventions were delivered alongside RIO standard care. Changes in anthropometry and cardiometabolic disease risk markers (fasting biochemistry and blood pressure) were assessed after a 6-month intervention period and then participants were followed up again 6 months later (month 12).

Results
27 IER patients (27%) and 39 CER patients (40%) completed the 6-month weight loss phase. Among completers, mean (SEM) WL was greater in the IER group at 6 months (5.4 ± 1.1% versus 2.8 ± 0.6%; p = 0.01), as were reductions in fat mass (p < 0.001) and improvements in systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001). Fasting insulin (p = 0.873) and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.701) were reduced similarly in both groups. However, in the IER group, changes in anthropometry and blood pressure in the IER group had reverted to baseline by 12-month follow-up, whilst the CER group maintained weight loss but showed an increase in blood pressure.

Conclusions
Among completers, IER resulted in superior short-term changes in anthropometry and some cardiometabolic risk factors. However, rates of attrition and weight regain were higher compared with standard care, providing important insights in the implementations of IER within a “real-life” NHS setting.

Trial registration number
ISRCTN31465600.
Deep open storage and shallow closed transport system for a continental flood basalt sequence revealed with Magma Chamber Simulator
Authors: Heinonen Jussi S. , Luttinen Arto V. , Spera Frank J. , Bohrson Wendy A. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The Magma Chamber Simulator (MCS) quantitatively models the phase equilibria, mineral chemistry, major and trace elements, and radiogenic isotopes in a multicomponent–multiphase magma + wallrock + recharge system by minimization or maximization of the appropriate thermodynamic potential for the given process. In this study, we utilize MCS to decipher the differentiation history of a continental flood basalt sequence from the Antarctic portion of the ~ 180 Ma Karoo large igneous province. Typical of many flood basalts, this suite exhibits geochemical evidence (e.g., negative initial εNd) of interaction with crustal materials. We show that isobaric assimilation-fractional crystallization models fail to produce the observed lava compositions. Instead, we propose two main stages of differentiation: (1) the primitive magmas assimilated Archean crust at depths of ~ 10‒30 km (pressures of 300–700 MPa), while crystallizing olivine and orthopyroxene; (2) subsequent fractional crystallization of olivine, clinopyroxene, and plagioclase took place at lower pressures in upper crustal feeder systems without significant additional assimilation. Such a scenario is corroborated with additional thermophysical considerations of magma transport via a crack network. The proposed two-stage model may be widely applicable to flood basalt plumbing systems: assimilation is more probable in magmas pooled in hotter crust at depth where the formation of wallrock partial melts is more likely compared to rapid passage of magma through shallower fractures next to colder wallrock.
The elasticity of taxable income in Spain: 1999–2014
Authors: Almunia Miguel , Lopez-Rodriguez David 
Published: October 2019

AbstractWe study how taxable income responds to changes in marginal tax rates, using as a main source of identifying variation three large reforms to the Spanish personal income tax implemented in the period 1999–2014. The most reliable estimates of the elasticity of taxable income (ETI) with respect to the net-of-tax rate for this period are between 0.45 and 0.64. The ETI is about three times larger for self-employed taxpayers than for employees and larger for business income than for labor and capital income. The elasticity of broad income is smaller, between 0.10 and 0.24, while the elasticity of some tax deductions such as the one for private pension contributions exceeds one. Our estimates are similar across a variety of estimation methods and sample restrictions and also robust to potential biases created by mean reversion and heterogeneous income trends.
Effect of particle roughness on the bulk deformation using coupled boundary element and discrete element methods
Authors: Nadimi Sadegh , Ghanbarzadeh Ali , Neville Anne , Ghadiri Mojtaba 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Particles slide and roll on each other when a granular medium is sheared. Consequently, the tribological properties, such as inter-particle friction and adhesion, play a major role in influencing their bulk failure and rheology. Although the influence of roughness on adhesion and friction of contacting surfaces is known, the incorporation of the surface roughness in the numerical modelling of granular materials has received little attention. In this study, the boundary element method (BEM), which is widely used for simulating the mechanics of interacting surfaces, is coupled with discrete element method (DEM) and the bulk deformation of granular materials is analysed. A BEM code, developed in-house, is employed to calculate the normal force–displacement behaviour for rough contact deformations, based on which a contact model is proposed. This is an efficient and relatively fast method of calculating the contact mechanics of rough surfaces. The resulting model is then implemented in the simulations by DEM to determine the effect of micro-scale surface roughness on the bulk compression of granular materials. This study highlights the importance of the effect of surface characteristics on contact behaviour of particles for the case of shallow footing and provides an efficient approach for modelling the flow behaviour of a large number of rough particles.
Phosphorus exchange in eutrophied coastal brackish water sediments—sorption pattern, potential and factors affecting them
Authors: Vaalama Anu , Hartikainen Helinä , Vallius Henry , Lukkari Kaarina 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPhosphorus (P) exchange in clayey mud sediments was investigated with desorption–sorption isotherms at 22 coastal sites in the eutrophied brackish Gulf of Finland, the Baltic Sea. The aim was to gain information on P sorption potential and pattern of oxygenated surface sediments and to elucidate factors explaining them. Modified Freundlich equation was fitted to the isotherm data and used for calculation of the P exchange parameters EPC0(equilibrium P concentration at zero net sorption),kEPC0,k15andk100(P buffering capacities at early, middle and high sorption stages, respectively). They were further used to assess the P sorption potential and pattern of the sediments. Sediment properties explaining the P sorption potential at different sorption stages were identified. The greatest sorption potentials were recorded in originally poorly oxic sediments in the inner archipelago with accumulated fine particulate material, high in adsorbents for P, transported from the watersheds. After oxygenation, they were high in amorphous Fe-oxyhydroxides, which explained their efficient P sorption (kEPC0 > 1.32 l g−1). Poorer P sorption (kEPC00.45–0.84 l g−1) was recorded in fine sediments abundant in Al-oxyhydroxides, presumably due to their higher original P occupation degree. The lowest sorption potentials were found in the outer archipelago sediments. Their lowest specific surface areas and highest original P contents referred to scarcity of adsorbents and high occupation degree of the existing ones. These results suggest that the coastal clayey mud sediments investigated possess high P sorption potential, which can be markedly diminished by eutrophication-induced hypoxia but recovered if oxygen conditions improve.
Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, Selenium, Zinc and Copper in Patients with Keratoconus
Authors: Zarei-Ghanavati Siamak , Yahaghi Bahareh , Hassanzadeh Samira , Mobarhan Majid Ghayour , Hakimi Hamid Reza , Eghbali Pardis 
Published: October 2019

Purpose:
To assess the possible association between keratoconus (KC) and serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), Selenium (Se), Zinc (Zn), and Copper (Cu) and to compare it with age-matched healthy subjects.

Methods:
One hundred patients with KC and 100 normal subjects were included. The two groups were compared for serum 25OHD and serum levels of three trace elements: Se, Zn, and Cu. These factors were also compared between groups with different KC stages.

Results:
Serum levels of vitamin D, Zn, Cu, and Se were significantly different between the KC and normal groups (P = 0.006, P = 0.015, P = 0.004, and P = 0.038, respectively). Although a lower level of 25OHD was found in severe stages of KC, it was not significantly different among different KC groups (P = 0.441). KC stage groups were not significantly different for mean serum Zn, Cu, and Se (P = 0.130, P = 0.98, P = 0.113, respectively). Although the Cu/Zn ratio was higher in cases than in controls, there was no significant difference between the two groups and between KC stages (P = 0.168, P = 0.143, respectively).

Conclusion:
Lower serum 25OHD, Cu, Zn, and Se were found in the KC group compared to the control group. The results of this study suggest that a lower antioxidative activity may be involved in the possible etiology of KC.
B Sharp—The cognitive effects of a pilot community music program for people with dementia‐related disorders
Authors: Davalos Deana B. , Luxton India , Thaut Michael , Cross Jennifer E. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIntroductionDementia has been described as the greatest global challenge for healthcare in the 21st century. Pharmaceutical interventions have dominated dementia treatment despite limited efficacy. There is increasing interest in alternatives to delay the progression of cognitive decline, such as community‐based programs, promoting social and stimulating experiences. This article discusses a pilot music‐based community program (B Sharp) for persons with dementia‐related disorders.MethodIn the pilot study, we assessed 23 persons with dementia‐related disorders who, with their caregivers, attended the symphony season and accompanying social hours over a 10‐month period. Participants completed a baseline and follow‐up brief neuropsychological test to assess cognitive changes.ResultsSignificant improvements were observed between the pre– and post–B Sharp program assessments (P < .010).DiscussionResults support the feasibility of the B Sharp program as a community‐based program to target cognitive decline. Additional research is needed to understand the mechanisms involved in the improvements observed in this program.
Comparing the effects of behaviorally informed interventions on flood insurance demand: an experimental analysis of ‘boosts’ and ‘nudges’
Authors: BRADT JACOB 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThis paper compares the effects of two types of behaviorally informed policy – nudges and boosts – that are designed to increase consumer demand for insurance against low-probability, high-consequence events. Using previous findings in the behavioral sciences literature, this paper constructs and implements two nudges (an ‘informational’ and an ‘affective’ nudge) and a statistical numeracy boost and then elicits individual risk beliefs and demand for flood insurance using a contingent valuation survey of 331 participants recruited from an online labor pool. Using a two-limit Tobit model to estimate willingness to pay (WTP) for flood insurance, this paper finds that the affective and informational nudges result in increases in WTP for flood insurance of roughly $21/month and $11/month relative to the boost, respectively. Taken together, the findings of this paper suggest that nudges are the more effective behaviorally informed policy in this setting, particularly when the nudge design targets the affect and availability heuristics; however, additional research is necessary to establish sufficient conditions for this conclusion.
Development of a Parallel Explicit Finite-Volume Euler Equation Solver using the Immersed Boundary Method with Hybrid MPI-CUDA Paradigm
Authors: Kuo F. A. , Chiang C. H. , Lo M. C. , Wu J. S. 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTThis study proposed the application of a novel immersed boundary method (IBM) for the treatment of irregular geometries using Cartesian computational grids for high speed compressible gas flows modelled using the unsteady Euler equations. Furthermore, the method is accelerated through the use of multiple Graphics Processing Units – specifically using Nvidia’s CUDA together with MPI - due to the computationally intensive nature associated with the numerical solution to multi-dimensional continuity equations. Due to the high degree of locality required for efficient multiple GPU computation, the Split Harten-Lax-van-Leer (SHLL) scheme is employed for vector splitting of fluxes across cell interfaces. NVIDIA visual profiler shows that our proposed method having a computational speed of 98.6 GFLOPS and 61% efficiency based on the Roofline analysis that provides the theoretical computing speed of reaching 160 GLOPS with an average 2.225 operations/byte. To demonstrate the validity of the method, results from several benchmark problems covering both subsonic and supersonic flow regimes are presented. Performance testing using 96 GPU devices demonstrates a speed up of 89 times that of a single GPU (i.e. 92% efficiency) for a benchmark problem employing 48 million cells. Discussions regarding communication overhead and parallel efficiency for varying problem sizes are also presented.
Political Economy andWorking Law
Authors: Stryker Robin 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTLauren B. Edelman’sWorking Law: Courts, Corporations, and Symbolic Civil Rights(2016) offers an empirically supported theory of legal endogeneity, explaining how managerialized ideas of compliance with employment discrimination legislation diffuse in organizational fields and shape judicial doctrine. Managerialization and legal endogeneity explain how and why equality-promoting civil rights legislation may do little to reduce workplace inequalities. This essay places Edelman’s theory within a broader terrain of opportunities and limits of law for promoting egalitarian change. Managerialization is not always detrimental to enhancing workplace race and gender equality. However, typically reinforcing logics of market capitalism and liberal legality often make it so, while blocking reforms countering judicial deference to managerialized compliance.
On uniqueness of transfer rates in magnetohydrodynamic turbulence
Authors: Plunian Franck , Stepanov Rodion , Verma Mahendra Kumar 
Published: October 2019

In hydrodynamic and MHD (magnetohydrodynamic) turbulence, formal expressions for the transfer rates rely on integrals over wavenumber triads

$(\boldsymbol{k},\boldsymbol{p},\boldsymbol{q})$

satisfying

$\boldsymbol{k}+\boldsymbol{p}+\boldsymbol{q}=0$

. As an example

$S_{E}^{uu}(\boldsymbol{k}\mid \boldsymbol{p},\boldsymbol{q})$

denotes the kinetic energy transfer rate to the mode

$\boldsymbol{k}$

, from the two other modes in the triad,

$\boldsymbol{p}$

and

$\boldsymbol{q}$

. However as noted by Kraichnan (Phys. Rev., vol. 111, 1958, pp. 1747–1747), in

$S_{E}^{uu}(\boldsymbol{k}\mid \boldsymbol{p},\boldsymbol{q})$

, what fraction of the energy transferred to the mode

$\boldsymbol{k}$

originated from

$\boldsymbol{p}$

and which from

$\boldsymbol{q}$

is unknown. Such an expression is thus incongruent with the customary description of turbulence in terms of two-scale energy exchange. Notwithstanding this issue, Dar et al. (Physica D, vol. 157 (3), 2001, pp. 207–225) further decomposed these transfers into separate contributions from

$\boldsymbol{p}$

-to-

$\boldsymbol{k}$

and

$\boldsymbol{q}$

-to-

$\boldsymbol{k}$

, thus introducing the concept of mode-to-mode transfers that they applied to MHD turbulence. Doing so, they had to set aside additional transfers circulating within each triad, but failed to calculate them. In the present paper we explain how to derive the complete expressions of the mode-to-mode transfers, including the circulating transfers. We do it for kinetic energy and kinetic helicity in hydrodynamic turbulence, for kinetic energy, magnetic energy and magnetic helicity in MHD turbulence. We find that the degree of non-uniqueness of the energy transfers derived from the induction equation is a priori higher than the one derived from the Navier–Stokes equations. However, separating the contribution of magnetic advection from magnetic stretching, the energy mode-to-mode transfer rates involving the magnetic field become uniquely defined, in striking contrast to the hydrodynamic case. The magnetic helicity mode-to-mode transfer rate is also found to be uniquely defined, contrary to kinetic helicity in hydrodynamics. We find that shell-to-shell transfer rates have the same properties as mode-to-mode transfer rates. Finally calculating the fluxes, we show how the circulating transfers cancel in accordance with conservation laws.
HOW KNOWLEDGEABLE ARE APPLIED LINGUISTICS AND SLA RESEARCHERS ABOUT BASIC STATISTICS?
Authors: Loewen Shawn , Gönülal Talip , Isbell Daniel R. , Ballard Laura , Crowther Dustin , Lim Jungmin , Maloney Jeffrey , Tigchelaar Magda 
Published: October 2019

AbstractDespite the prevalence of quantitative approaches in applied linguistics (AL) and second language acquisition (SLA) research (Gass, 2009), evidence indicates a need for improvement in analyzing and reporting SLA data (e.g., Larson-Hall & Plonsky, 2015). However, to improve quantitative research, researchers must possess the statistical knowledge necessary to conduct quality research. This study assesses AL and SLA researchers’ knowledge of key statistical concepts on a statistical knowledge test. One hundred and ninety-eight AL and SLA researchers from North America and Europe responded to 26 discipline-specific questions designed to measure participants’ ability to (a) understand basic statistical concepts and procedures, (b) interpret statistical analyses, and (c) critically evaluate statistical information. Results indicate that participants generally understood basic descriptive statistics, but performance on items requiring more advanced statistical knowledge was lower. Quantitative research orientation, number of statistics courses taken, and frequent use of statistics textbooks had positive influences on researchers’ statistical knowledge.
Treatment with roscovitine and butyrolactone I prior to in vitro maturation alters blastocyst production
Authors: Maziero Rosiara Rosária Dias , Guaitolini Carlos Renato de Freitas , Paschoal Daniela Martins , Crespilho André Maciel , Monteiro Bianca Andriolo , Lima Jonathan Soares de , Sestari Danielle Andressa Oliveira , Landim-Alvarenga Fernanda da Cruz 
Published: October 2019

SummaryThis study evaluated the effects of oocyte meiosis inhibitors roscovitine (ROS) and butyrolactone I (BL-I) on in vitro production of bovine embryos. Bovine oocytes were maintained in pre in vitro maturation (pre-IVM) with 25 µM ROS or 100 µM BL-I for 24 h to delay meiosis and for 24 h in in vitro maturation (IVM). Following this treatment, the nuclear maturation index was evaluated. All embryos degenerated following this procedure. In the second set of experiments, oocytes were maintained for 6 or 12 h in pre-IVM with the following three treatments: ROS (25 µM or 12.5 µM), BL-I (100 µM or 50 µM) or a combination of both drugs (6.25 µM ROS and 12.5 µM BL-I). Oocytes were cultivated for 18 or 12 h in IVM. When a meiosis-inducing agent was used during pre-IVM for 24 h, more degenerated oocytes were observed at the end of the IVM period. This effect decreased when the meiotic blocking period was reduced to 6 or 12 h. No significant differences were observed in the blastocyst production rate of oocytes in pre-IVM for 6 h with ROS, BL-I, or ROS + BL-I compared with that of the control group (P > 0.05). However, inhibition of oocytes for 12 h resulted in decreased embryo production compared with that in the controls (P < 0.05). There was no difference in the post-vitrification embryo re-expansion rate between the study groups, showing that the meiotic inhibition for 6 or 12 h did not alter the embryo cryopreservation process.