bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Why are education, socioeconomic position and intelligence genetically correlated?
Authors: Morris Tim T , Davies Neil M , Hemani Gibran , Smith George Davey 
Published: May 2019

AbstractGenetic associations and correlations are perceived as confirmation that genotype influences one or more phenotypes respectively. However, genetic correlations can arise from non-biological or indirect mechanisms including population stratification, dynastic effects, and assortative mating. In this paper, we outline these mechanisms and demonstrate available tools and analytic methods that can be used to assess their presence in estimates of genetic correlations and genetic associations. Using educational attainment and parental socioeconomic position data as an exemplar, we demonstrate that both heritability and genetic correlation estimates may be inflated by these indirect mechanisms. The results highlight the limitations of between-individual estimates obtained from samples of unrelated individuals and the potential value of family-based studies. Use of the highlighted tools in combination with within-sibling or mother-father-offspring trio data may offer researchers greater opportunity to explore the underlying mechanisms behind genetic associations and correlations and identify the underlying causes of estimate inflation.
Non-linear sequence similarity between the Xist and Rsx long noncoding RNAs suggests shared functions of tandem repeat domains
Authors: Sprague Daniel , Waters Shafagh A. , Kirk Jessime M. , Wang Jeremy R. , Samollow Paul B. , Waters Paul D. , Calabrese J. Mauro 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe marsupial inactive X chromosome expresses a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) called Rsx that has been proposed to be the functional analogue of eutherian Xist. Despite the possibility that Xist and Rsx encode related functions, the two lncRNAs harbor no linear sequence similarity. However, both lncRNAs harbor domains of tandemly repeated sequence. In Xist, these repeat domains are known to be critical for function. Using k-mer based comparison, we show that the repeat domains of Xist and Rsx unexpectedly partition into two major clusters that each harbor substantial levels of non-linear sequence similarity. Xist Repeats B, C and D were most similar to each other and to Rsx Repeat 1, whereas Xist Repeats A and E were most similar to each other and to Rsx Repeats 2, 3, and 4. Similarities at the level of k-mers corresponded to domain-specific enrichment of protein-binding motifs. Within individual domains, protein-binding motifs were often enriched to extreme levels. Our data support the hypothesis that Xist and Rsx encode similar functions through different spatial arrangements of functionally analogous protein-binding domains. We propose that the two clusters of repeat domains in Xist and Rsx function in part to cooperatively recruit PRC1 and PRC2 to chromatin. The physical manner in which these domains engage with protein cofactors may be just as critical to the function of the domains as the protein cofactors themselves. The general approaches we outline in this report should prove useful in the study of any set of RNAs.
Association of simple renal cysts and chronic kidney disease with large abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Miszczuk Milena , Müller Verena , Althoff Christian E. , Stroux Andrea , Widhalm Daniela , Dobberstein Andy , Greiner Andreas , Kuivaniemi Helena , Hinterseher Irene 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAbdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) primarily affect elderly men who often have many other diseases, with similar risk factors and pathobiological mechanisms to AAA. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of simple renal cysts (SRC), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and other kidney diseases (e.g. nephrolithiasis) among patients presenting with AAA. Two groups of patients (100/group), with and without AAA, from the Surgical Clinic Charité, Berlin, Germany, were selected for the study. The control group consisted of patients who were evaluated for a kidney donation (n = 14) and patients who were evaluated for an early detection of a melanoma recurrence (n = 86). The AAA and control groups were matched for age and sex. Medical records were analyzed and computed tomography scans were reviewed for the presence of SRC and nephrolithiasis. SRC (73% vs. 57%; p<0.001) and CKD (31% vs. 8%; p<0.001) were both more common among AAA than control group patients. On multivariate analysis, CKD, but not SRC, showed a strong association with AAA. Knowledge about pathobiological mechanisms and association between CKD and AAA could provide better diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for these patients.
Public management innovations in the United Arab Emirates: rationales, trends and outcomes
Authors: Khalid Saba , Sarker Abu Elias 
Published: May 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the rationales for, the trends and the impacts of innovations in the public management system of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Design/methodology/approachThis study has adopted an interpretative and exploratory approach. To this end, extensive reviews have been made of government documents, reports of international organizations and relevant academic research articles.FindingsThe findings show that the UAE Government has embarked on a massive innovation program to bring dynamism and to feed the requirements of the UAE Vision 2021. As pressured by both external and internal forces, the directions of innovations in the UAE public management system correspond to the global trends. The results of innovations are positive in terms of the enhancement of efficiency, effectiveness, citizens’ satisfaction and citizens’ trust in public services.Originality/valueThis paper links theoretical insights from different sources to analyze the dynamics of public management innovations in the UAE which will be helpful for further comprehensive empirical research in the future.
Curriculum leadership and the enhancement of teacher education programs
Authors: Xiong Xi Bei , Lim Cher Ping , Liu Shi Qi 
Published: May 2019

Purpose
Teacher education programmes are critical in developing pre-service teachers’ competencies during the apprenticeship phase (Lim et al., 2010), whereas there is evidence indicating that teacher education programmes depend on curriculum leadership (Robinson et al., 2008). The purpose of this paper is to explore the ways in which curriculum leaders enact their curriculum leadership to enhance teacher education programmes in a context of a normal university in Mainland China.

Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, three groups of curriculum leaders, from university, faculty and classroom level, respectively, are interviewed.

Findings
This study highlights the significance of curriculum leadership in teacher education programmes enhancement in China, particularly the significant impacts from curriculum leaders’ involvement on the programme processes of planning, implementation and evaluation.

Research limitations/implications
Implications for research include a conceptualization of curriculum leadership in teacher education and pre-service teachers’ training in China, and a theoretical integration of curriculum leadership and the enhancement of teacher education programmes.

Originality/value
Implications for practice regard to restructuring curriculum leadership system and informing curriculum leadership practices, not only in Asian countries, but might be able to shed light on the curriculum leadership development in a range of educational contexts either similar to or different from that of Mainland China. This study thus would contribute to several areas of research.
Promoting teachers’ agency and creative teaching through research
Authors: Cloonan Anne , Hutchison Kirsten , Paatsch Louise 
Published: May 2019

Purpose
In response to threats to teacher autonomy and creativity by measurements of teacher quality through student performance on high-stakes test scores and standardised professional learning, this study aims to explore teacher collaborative research for opportunities for promotion of teacher agency.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors explore the following research question: How is agentic teacher research into English teaching that integrates information and communication technologies and creative and critical thinking enabled? Using ethnographic tools and an analytical lens influenced by ecological teacher agency, factors which enable teacher agency within teacher research are investigated.

Findings
Teachers’ experiences of, and insights into, collaborative research indicate the enabling of teacher agency through an interplay of personal and professional narratives and available cultural, structural and material resources. Intersections between teacher research and teaching for creativity and teacher agency are revealed.

Originality/value
Three separate fields of study including teacher agency, teacher research and teaching for creativity are brought together providing insight into how teacher research into teaching for creativity in literacy learning can enhance teacher collaboration, autonomy and agency.
To what extent does China’s aid in Africa affect traditional donors?
Authors: Deyassa Kassaye Gudeta 
Published: May 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the welfare and social policy ideas that characterize Chinese aid in Africa are influencing traditional donors and becoming global.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper utilised a qualitative study that has two main components: first, a comprehensive content analysis of over 50 key Sino–African, Chinese and Western policy documents from 2000 (since cooperation between Beijing and African countries first became institutionalised); and, second, there were semi-structured interviews with Chinese, African and Western stakeholders in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), who were directly involved in the relationship between China and Africa and related development issues.

Findings
The results of documentation and interview analyses show that there are currently significant differences between Chinese and Western approaches. China has developed much stronger and more explicit links between development aid and economic activity than most Western donors. The aid is usually implemented through specific projects rather than broader programmes or policies.

Originality/value
It is reasonable to assume that the new developments initiated by the Agency’s international pioneers are likely to be a new emerging trend. As the conditions and processes of social policy design in developing countries are so closely linked with the ideas of international development institutions (if not predetermined), a possible change in the direction of travel of the ideas and activities of this community requires close coordination analysis and evaluation.
A multi-unit serial inspection robot for power transmission lines
Authors: Tao Guanghong , Fang Lijin 
Published: May 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to introduce a robot mechanism designed for power transmission line inspection. The focus for this design is on obstacle-crossing ability with a goal to create a robot moving and crossing obstacle on not only the straight line but also the steering line.

Design/methodology/approach
A novel four-unit tri-arm serial robot mechanism is proposed. Every novel unit designed for pitching motion is based on parallelogram structure, which is driven by cables and only one motor. There is gripper-wheel compounding mechanism mounted on the arm. The prototype and obstacle environments are established, and the obstacle-crossing experiments are conducted.

Findings
The novel unit mechanism and robot prototype have been tested in the lab. The prototype has demonstrated the obstacle-crossing ability when moving and crossing fundamental obstacles on the line. The experimental results show that the robot mechanism meets the obstacle-crossing requirements.

Practical implications
The novel robot technology can be used for defect inspection of power transmission line by power companies.

Social implications
It stands to lower the intense and risk of inspection works and reduce the costs related to inspection.

Originality/value
Innovative features include its architecture, mobility and driving method.
Design and fabrication of a lower limb exoskeleton to assist in stair ascending
Authors: Joudzadeh Payman , Hadi Alireza , Tarvirdizadeh Bahram , Borooghani Danial , Alipour Khalil 
Published: May 2019

Purpose
This paper aims to deal with the development of a novel lower limb exoskeleton to assist disabled people in stair ascending.

Design/methodology/approach
For this purpose, a novel design of a mixture of motors and cables has been proposed for users to wear them easily and show the application of the system in stair climbing.

Findings
One of the prominences of this study is the provided robot design where four joints are actuated with only two motors; each motor actuates either the knees or ankles. Another advantage of the designed system is that with motors placed in a backpack, the knee braces can be worn under clothes to be concealed. Finally, the system performance is evaluated using electromyography (EMG) signals showing 28 per cent reduction in energy consumption of related muscles.

Originality/value
This investigation deals with the development of a novel lower limb exoskeleton to assist disabled people in stair ascending.
Position/force control of robot manipulators using reinforcement learning
Authors: Perrusquía Adolfo , Yu Wen , Soria Alberto 
Published: May 2019

Purpose
The position/force control of the robot needs the parameters of the impedance model and generates the desired position from the contact force in the environment. When the environment is unknown, learning algorithms are needed to estimate both the desired force and the parameters of the impedance model.

Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the authors use reinforcement learning to learn only the desired force, then they use proportional-integral-derivative admittance control to generate the desired position. The results of the experiment are presented to verify their approach.

Findings
The position error is minimized without knowing the environment or the impedance parameters. Another advantage of this simplified position/force control is that the transformation of the Cartesian space to the joint space by inverse kinematics is avoided by the feedback control mechanism. The stability of the closed-loop system is proven.

Originality/value
The position error is minimized without knowing the environment or the impedance parameters. The stability of the closed-loop system is proven.
Efficient trajectory of a car-like mobile robot
Authors: Valero Francisco , Rubio Francisco , Besa Antonio José , Llopis-Albert Carlos 
Published: May 2019

Purpose
The purpose is to create an algorithm that optimizes the trajectories that an autonomous vehicle must follow to reduce its energy consumption and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.

Design/methodology/approach
An algorithm is presented that respects the dynamic constraints of the robot, including the characteristics of power delivery by the motor, the behaviour of the tires and the basic inertial parameters. Using quadratic sequential programming with distributed and non-monotonous search direction (Quadratic Programming Algorithm with Distributed and Non-Monotone Line Search), an optimization algorithm proposed and developed by Professor K. Schittkowski is implemented.

Findings
Relations between important operating variables have been obtained, such as the evolution of the autonomous vehicle’s velocity, the driving torque supplied by the engine and the forces acting on the tires. In a subsequent analysis, the aim is to analyse the relationship between trajectory made and energy consumed and calculate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Also this method has been checked against another different methodology commented on in the references.

Research limitations/implications
The main limitation comes from the modelling that has been done. As greater is the mechanical systems analysed, more simplifying hypotheses should be introduced to solve the corresponding equations with the current computers. However, the solutions are obtained and they can be used qualitatively to draw conclusions.

Practical implications
One main objective is to obtain guidelines to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing energy consumption in the realization of autonomous vehicles’ trajectories. The first step to achieve that is to obtain a good model of the autonomous vehicle that takes into account not only its kinematics but also its dynamic properties, and to propose an optimization process that allows to minimize the energy consumed. In this paper, important relationships between work variables have been obtained.

Social implications
The idea is to be friendly with nature and the environment. This algorithm can help by reducing an instance of greenhouse gases.

Originality/value
Originality comes from the fact that we not only look for the autonomous vehicle’s modelling, the simulation of its motion and the analysis of its working parameters, but also try to obtain from its working those guidelines that are useful to reduce the energy consumed and the contamination capability of these autonomous vehicles or car-like robots.
Effect of depositing torch angle on the first layer of wire arc additive manufacture using cold metal transfer (CMT)
Authors: Su Chuanchu , Chen Xizhang 
Published: May 2019

Purpose
This paper aims to mainly report the impact of torch angle on the dynamic behavior of the weld pool which is recorded and monitored in real time with the aid of a high-speed camera system. The influence of depositing torch angle on the fluctuation behavior of weld pool and the quality of weld formation are compared and analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach
The FANUC controlled robotic manufacturing system comprised a Fronius cold metal transfer (CMT) Advanced 4000R power source, FANUC robot, water cooling system, wire feeding system and a gas shielding system. An infrared laser was used to illuminate the weld pool for high-speed imaging at 1,000 frames per second with CR600X2 high-speed camera. The high-speed camera was set up a 35 Â° angle with the deposition direction to investigate the weld pool flow patterns derived from high-speed video and the effect of torch angles on the first layer of wire additive manufacture-CMT.

Findings
The experimental results demonstrated that different torch angles significantly influence on the deposited morphology, porosity formation rate and weld pool flow.

Originality/value
With regard to the first layer of wire arc additive manufacture of aluminum alloys, the change of torch angle is critical. It is clear that different torch angles significantly influence on the weld morphology, porosity formation and weld pool flow. Furthermore, under different torch angles, the deposited beads will produce different defects. To get well deposited beads, 0-10° torch could be made away from the vertical position of the deposition direction, in which the formation of deposited beads were well and less porosity and other defects.
Litter movement pathways across terrestrial–aquatic ecosystem boundaries affect litter colonization and decomposition in streams
Authors: Abelho Manuela , Descals Enrique 
Published: May 2019

Abstract

Streams and their riparian zones are connected by spatial flows of organic matter and constitute a model example of a meta‐ecosystem. Fluxes of leaf litter from the riparian zone to the stream are a major energy source in stream food webs. Leaf litter can enter the stream vertically, falling from the tree and into the stream, or laterally, washing into the stream after a period of exposure in the terrestrial ecosystem. The latter can contribute up to 23% to the total amount of litterfall entering streams.

To determine if decomposition, microbial and invertebrate colonization of lateral litter inputs are similar to those of vertical inputs, we assessed leaf decomposition of alder, poplar and a 1:1 mixture of the two species in three scenarios across a gradient of terrestrial:aquatic exposures.

Overall, decomposition was explained by a negative exponential model and decreased with the increase in the period of terrestrial exposure in all cases. Invertebrate colonization tended to decrease with the increase in the period of terrestrial exposure, but total invertebrate richness and biomass were more affected by litter type than by the exposure scenario, attaining higher values in the mixture than in the species alone.

As the length of exposure in the terrestrial ecosystem increased, in‐stream decomposition rates of leaf litter decreased. Comparing leaf species treatments, alder decomposition rates were faster than poplar and the alder–poplar mixture.

The richness of the aquatic hyphomycete community colonizing leaf litter after submergence decreased, and sporulation rates were strongly inhibited with an increasing terrestrial exposure period. While fungi colonizing leaf litter exposed only in the stream invested in rapid reproduction, fungi colonizing litter with prior terrestrial exposure built up more biomass.

We conclude that the path taken by the litter fluxes has important effects on the functioning of the receiving ecosystem. Studies relying only on the fate of freshly abscissed leaf litter (vertical inputs) may not present a complete picture of the decomposition process in streams and may have been overestimating the overall richness and reproductive activity of the aquatic hyphomycetes colonizing leaf litter.