bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The political origins of transparency reform: insights from the Italian case
Authors: Di Mascio Fabrizio , Natalini Alessandro , Cacciatore Federica 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis research contributes to the expanding literature on the determinants of government transparency. It uncovers the dynamics of transparency in the Italian case, which shows an interesting reform trajectory: until the late 1980s no transparency provisions existed; since then, provisions have dramatically increased under the impulse of changing patterns of political competition. The analysis of the Italian case highlights that electoral uncertainty for incumbents is a double-edged sword for institutional reform: on the one hand, it incentivizes the adoption of ever-growing transparency provisions; on the other, it jeopardizes the implementation capacity of public agencies by leading to severe administrative burdens.
The use of thalidomide therapy for refractory epistaxis in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia: systematic review
Authors: Harrison L , Kundra A , Jervis P 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundHereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia is an autosomal dominant condition, characterised by mucocutaneous telangiectasia, aneurysm and arteriovenous malformations. Thalidomide has been used as a therapeutic strategy for refractory epistaxis in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia patients. This review set out to examine the evidence for using thalidomide in the management of refractory epistaxis in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia patients.MethodsA systematic search of the available literature was performed using Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library and NHS Evidence databases, from inception to December 2017. The search terms used included: hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome, epistaxis, haemorrhage and thalidomide.ResultsAll studies using thalidomide therapy showed a reduction in the frequency and duration of epistaxis, as early as four weeks post-therapy. In addition, thalidomide therapy was shown to increase median haemoglobin levels and reduce blood transfusion dependence.ConclusionCurrent available evidence suggests that low-dose thalidomide is effective in transiently reducing epistaxis frequency and duration. Further studies are required to establish a treatment regimen to prevent side effects.
Recent changes in the number of spoon-billed sandpipers Calidris pygmaea wintering on the Upper Gulf of Mottama in Myanmar
Authors: Aung Pyae-Phyo , Moses Saw , Clark Nigel A. , Anderson Guy Q.A. , Hilton Geoff M. , Buchanan Graeme M. , Zöckler Christoph , Green Rhys E. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe spoon-billed sandpiper Calidris pygmaea, a migratory Arctic-breeding shorebird, is one of the rarest birds and its population has declined since the 1970s. We surveyed its most important known wintering area in the Upper Gulf of Mottama in Myanmar to estimate recent (2009–2016) changes in its numbers there. The total number of small shorebirds present in the Upper Gulf was counted and the proportion of them that were spoon-billed sandpipers was estimated from sample scans. These two quantities were multiplied together to give the estimated number of spoon-billed sandpipers in each of 4 years. Total numbers of combined small shorebird species tripled from 21,000 to 63,000 between 2009 and 2016, coincident with efforts to reduce hunting pressure on waterbirds. However, the proportion of small shorebirds that were spoon-billed sandpipers declined and their estimated absolute numbers fell by about half, from 244 to 112 individuals. It is probable that loss of intertidal habitat and shorebird hunting elsewhere on the migration route of the spoon-billed sandpipers wintering at Mottama is causing a continued decline, although this is occurring at a less rapid rate than that recorded from Arctic Russia before 2010. The number of spoon-billed sandpipers wintering on the Upper Gulf of Mottama remains the highest single-site total for this species from any known wintering site. Preventing resurgence of illegal shorebird hunting and ensuring long-term protection of the intertidal feeding habitats and roost sites in the Gulf are high priorities if extinction of this species is to be averted.
Robust position-based impedance control of lightweight single-link flexible robots interacting with the unknown environment via a fractional-order sliding mode controller
Authors: Fayazi Ali , Pariz Naser , Karimpour Ali , Hosseinnia Seyed Hassan 
Published: September 2018

SUMMARYThis paper presents a fractional-order sliding mode control scheme equipped with a disturbance observer for robust impedance control of a single-link flexible robot arm when it comes into contact with an unknown environment. In this research, the impedance control problem is studied for both unconstrained and constrained maneuvers. The proposed control strategy is robust with respect to the changes of the environment parameters (such as stiffness and damping coefficient), the unknown Coulomb friction disturbances, payload, and viscous friction variations. The proposed control scheme is also valid for both unconstrained and constrained motions. Our novel approach automatically switches from the free to the constrained motion mode using a simple algorithm of contact detection. In this regard, an impedance control scheme is proposed with the inner loop position control. This means that in the free motion, the applied force to the environment is zero and the reference trajectory for the inner loop position control is the desired trajectory. However, in the constrained motion the reference trajectory for the inner loop is determined by the desired impedance dynamics. Stability of the closed loop control system is proved by Lyapunov theory. Several numerical simulations are carried out to indicate the capability and the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Extreme rainfall-related clutch size variation in the Critically Endangered Raso Lark Alauda razae of the arid Cape Verde islands
Authors: BROOKE M. de L. 
Published: September 2018

SummaryThe Raso Lark Alauda razae is a single island endemic confined to the island of Raso in the Cape Verde islands. It has been studied via short (11–20 day), similarly-timed visits every year from 2001 to 2017. These November/December visits have occurred towards the end of the main rainy period (August–October) in the Cape Verdes. Average clutch size ranged from zero (no nests found) to 3.57 in different years and was strongly correlated with rainfall in the three months preceding the year’s visit, but not with population size, which varied 25-fold during the study period. Since the nomadic pursuit of rain is not an option for the Raso Lark, the species adjusts clutch size according to conditions prevailing on Raso.
Nonionic Surfactant Affects Dislodgeable 2,4-D Foliar Residue from Turfgrass
Authors: Maxwell Patrick J. , Gannon Travis W. , Cooper Richard J. 
Published: September 2018

Abstract2,4-dimethylamine salt (2,4-D) is a synthetic auxin herbicide used extensively in turfgrass for selective broadleaf weed control. Previous research has shown that 2,4-D can dislodge from treated turf, notably in the presence of canopy moisture. Practitioners commonly apply 2,4-D in combination with various commercially available surfactants to increase efficacy. Field research was completed to evaluate the effect of surfactant inclusion and sample collection time within a day on dislodgeable 2,4-D residue from perennial ryegrass. Research was initiated May 24, 2016 in Raleigh, NC and repeated in time to quantify dislodgeable 2,4-D following application (2.1 kg ae ha–1) either alone or with a nonionic surfactant (0.5% vol/vol). Sample collection occurred 1, 2, 3, 6, 12 or 24 d after treatment (DAT) at AM [7:00 AM Eastern Standard Time (EST)] and PM (2:00 PM EST) sample timings within a day. 2,4-D applied with surfactant (0.4% to 25.4% of applied) reduced dislodgeable foliar residue compared to 2,4-D applied alone (0.5% to 31.2%) from 1 through 6 DAT, whereas dislodgeable 2,4-D was not detected at 12 and 24 DAT. Regardless of surfactant inclusion or absence, samples collected in the AM resulted in a 5- to 10-fold increase in dislodgeable 2,4-D compared to samples collected in the PM from 1 through 6 DAT, suggesting that 2,4-D dislodgeability may be influenced by conditions favoring canopy moisture development. This research will improve turfgrass management practices and research designed to minimize human 2,4-D exposure.
Reservoir Stimulation's Effect on Depletion‐Induced Seismicity
Authors: Fryer Barnaby , Siddiqi Gunter , Laloui Lyesse 
Published: September 2018

AbstractDepletion‐induced seismicity can pose a problem in some fluid‐producing subsurface reservoirs, in some cases requiring production rate control in order to limit the seismicity. This study investigates the use of reservoir stimulation to reduce the depletion‐induced seismicity rate. Depletion‐induced stress and pore pressure changes are evaluated in a shale cap rock, sandstone reservoir, and shale underburden system, which contains a horizontal well, all modeled in plane strain conditions. The seismicity rate is then predicted based on an existing seismicity model and is found to be dependent on the direction the well is drilled in with respect to the principal stresses. The case where the reservoir has first been stimulated is compared to the case where stimulation has not been performed (using the same production rates) for normal, reverse, and strike‐slip faulting stress regimes. Seismicity is reduced in the case of reservoir stimulation for both reverse and strike‐slip faulting stress regimes. The seismicity rate is only slightly reduced for the normal faulting stress regime. Stimulation also increases the distance that changes in pore pressure dominate over poroelastic stress changes in the reservoir. Further, it is found that the optimal orientation of a horizontal well, in terms of induced seismicity, is parallel to the minimum principal stress in normal faulting stress regimes and parallel to the maximum principal stress in reverse faulting stress regimes. The orientation of a horizontal well determines where the seismicity is located in a strike‐slip faulting stress regime.
Quantum theory cannot consistently describe the use of itself
Authors: Frauchiger Daniela , Renner Renato 
Published: September 2018

AbstractQuantum theory provides an extremely accurate description of fundamental processes in physics. It thus seems likely that the theory is applicable beyond the, mostly microscopic, domain in which it has been tested experimentally. Here, we propose a Gedankenexperiment to investigate the question whether quantum theory can, in principle, have universal validity. The idea is that, if the answer was yes, it must be possible to employ quantum theory to model complex systems that include agents who are themselves using quantum theory. Analysing the experiment under this presumption, we find that one agent, upon observing a particular measurement outcome, must conclude that another agent has predicted the opposite outcome with certainty. The agents’ conclusions, although all derived within quantum theory, are thus inconsistent. This indicates that quantum theory cannot be extrapolated to complex systems, at least not in a straightforward manner.
Evaluating climate geoengineering proposals in the context of the Paris Agreement temperature goals
Authors: Lawrence Mark G. , Schäfer Stefan , Muri Helene , Scott Vivian , Oschlies Andreas , Vaughan Naomi E. , Boucher Olivier , Schmidt Hauke , Haywood Jim , Scheffran Jürgen 
Published: September 2018

AbstractCurrent mitigation efforts and existing future commitments are inadequate to accomplish the Paris Agreement temperature goals. In light of this, research and debate are intensifying on the possibilities of additionally employing proposed climate geoengineering technologies, either through atmospheric carbon dioxide removal or farther-reaching interventions altering the Earth’s radiative energy budget. Although research indicates that several techniques may eventually have the physical potential to contribute to limiting climate change, all are in early stages of development, involve substantial uncertainties and risks, and raise ethical and governance dilemmas. Based on present knowledge, climate geoengineering techniques cannot be relied on to significantly contribute to meeting the Paris Agreement temperature goals.
Crystal structure of TcpK in complex with oriT DNA of the antibiotic resistance plasmid pCW3
Authors: Traore Daouda A. K. , Wisniewski Jessica A. , Flanigan Sarena F. , Conroy Paul J. , Panjikar Santosh , Mok Yee-Foong , Lao Carmen , Griffin Michael D. W. , Adams Vicki , Rood Julian I. , Whisstock James C. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractConjugation is fundamental for the acquisition of new genetic traits and the development of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic organisms. Here, we show that a hypothetical Clostridium perfringens protein, TcpK, which is encoded by the tetracycline resistance plasmid pCW3, is essential for efficient conjugative DNA transfer. Our studies reveal that TcpK is a member of the winged helix-turn-helix (wHTH) transcription factor superfamily and that it forms a dimer in solution. Furthermore, TcpK specifically binds to a nine-nucleotide sequence that is present as tandem repeats within the pCW3 origin of transfer (oriT). The X-ray crystal structure of the TcpK–TcpK box complex reveals a binding mode centered on and around the β-wing, which is different from what has been previously shown for other wHTH proteins. Structure-guided mutagenesis experiments validate the specific interaction between TcpK and the DNA molecule. Additional studies highlight that the TcpK dimer is important for specific DNA binding.
SNX3-retromer requires an evolutionary conserved MON2:DOPEY2:ATP9A complex to mediate Wntless sorting and Wnt secretion
Authors: McGough Ian J. , de Groot Reinoud E. A. , Jellett Adam P. , Betist Marco C. , Varandas Katherine C. , Danson Chris M. , Heesom Kate J. , Korswagen Hendrik C. , Cullen Peter J. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWntless transports Wnt morphogens to the cell surface and is required for Wnt secretion and morphogenic gradients formation. Recycling of endocytosed Wntless requires the sorting nexin-3 (SNX3)-retromer-dependent endosome-to-Golgi transport pathway. Here we demonstrate the essential role of SNX3-retromer assembly for Wntless transport and report that SNX3 associates with an evolutionary conserved endosome-associated membrane re-modelling complex composed of MON2, DOPEY2 and the putative aminophospholipid translocase, ATP9A. In vivo suppression of Ce-mon-2, Ce-pad-1 or Ce-tat-5 (respective MON2, DOPEY2 and ATP9A orthologues) phenocopy a loss of SNX3-retromer function, leading to enhanced lysosomal degradation of Wntless and a Wnt phenotype. Perturbed Wnt signalling is also observed upon overexpression of an ATPase-inhibited TAT-5(E246Q) mutant, suggesting a role for phospholipid flippase activity during SNX3-retromer-mediated Wntless sorting. Together, these findings provide in vitro and in vivo mechanistic details to describe SNX3-retromer-mediated transport during Wnt secretion and the formation of Wnt-morphogenic gradients.
Hierarchical rupture growth evidenced by the initial seismic waveforms
Authors: Okuda Takashi , Ide Satoshi 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe ability to predict the eventual size of an earthquake during its early growth stage is a crucial component of earthquake early warning systems. Recent studies have revealed that the onsets of small and large earthquakes are variable but statistically indistinguishable. However, it is unknown whether small and large earthquakes can share the same processes at the same location. Here we show clear evidence of almost identical growth processes shared by repeating earthquakes of various sizes that have occurred in the Naka region, eastern Japan. Our results indicate that a large earthquake is a failure with a large characteristic spatial scale that is initially triggered by a failure with a small characteristic scale, which may also occur independently controlled by subtle differences in the physical conditions, suggesting the existence of a hierarchical structure on the plate interface. Earthquakes are random, but they may also be controlled by such structures.
A patient-centric analysis to identify key influences in allergic rhinitis management
Authors: Cvetkovski Biljana , Tan Rachel , Kritikos Vicky , Yan Kwok , Azzi Elizabeth , Srour Pamela , Bosnic-Anticevich Sinthia 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAllergic rhinitis (AR) is increasingly becoming a patient self-managed disease. Just under 70% of patients purchasing pharmacotherapy self-select their treatment with no health-care professional intervention often resulting in poor choices, leading to suboptimal management and increased burden of AR on the individual and the community. However, no decision is made without external, influencing forces. This study aims to determine the key influences driving patients’ decision-making around AR management. To accomplish this aim, we utilised a social network theory framework to map the patient’s AR network and identify the strength of the influences within this network. Adults who reported having AR were interviewed and completed an AR network map and AR severity and quality of life questionnaires. Forty one people with AR completed the study. The AR networks of the participants had a range of 1–11 influences (alters), with an average number of 4 and a median of 5. The larger the impact of AR on their quality of life, the greater the number of alters within their network. The three most commonly identified alters were, general practitioners, pharmacists and the participants’ ‘own experience’. The strength of the influence of health-care professionals (HCPs) was varied. The proportion of HCPs within the AR network increased as the impact of AR on their quality of life increased. By mapping the AR network, this study demonstrated that there are multiple influences behind patient’s decisions regarding AR management but the role of the HCP cannot be dismissed.
High-Reynolds Microfluidic Sorting of Large Yeast Populations
Authors: Keinan Eliezer , Abraham Ayelet Chen , Cohen Aaron , Alexandrov Alexander I. , Mintz Reshef , Cohen Merav , Reichmann Dana , Kaganovich Daniel , Nahmias Yaakov 
Published: September 2018

AbstractMicrofluidic sorting offers a unique ability to isolate large numbers of cells for bulk proteomic or metabolomics studies but is currently limited by low throughput and persistent clogging at low flow rates. Recently we uncovered the physical principles governing the inertial focusing of particles in high-Reynolds numbers. Here, we superimpose high Reynolds inertial focusing on Dean vortices, to rapidly isolate large quantities of young and adult yeast from mixed populations at a rate of 107 cells/min/channel. Using a new algorithm to rapidly quantify budding scars in isolated yeast populations and system-wide proteomic analysis, we demonstrate that protein quality control and expression of established yeast aging markers such as CalM, RPL5, and SAM1 may change after the very first replication events, rather than later in the aging process as previously thought. Our technique enables the large-scale isolation of microorganisms based on minute differences in size (±1.5 μm), a feat unmatched by other technologies.
Effects on 24-hour blood pressure variability of ace-inhibition and calcium channel blockade as monotherapy or in combination
Authors: Parati Gianfranco , Castiglioni Paolo , Omboni Stefano , Faini Andrea 
Published: September 2018

AbstractCardiovascular events in hypertensives are associated with elevated average blood pressure (BP) and higher short-term BP variability (V), but little is known on treatment effects on BPV and on how to assess changes in short-term BPV. Aim of our study was to address the methodology of short-term BPV assessment and its reduction by Lercanidipine (L) or Enalapril (E) and their combination, through analysis of 24-hour ambulatory BP recordings from two studies including subjects of different age. Study-1: 64 middle-age hypertensives (52.9 ± 9.5 yrs) received L and E s.i.d. at 10 mg (L10, E10) or 20 mg doses (L20, E20) for 8 weeks. Study-2: 66 elderly hypertensives (65.5 ± 4.7 yrs) received placebo, L10, E20 and L10 + E20 s.i.d. for 4 weeks. In middle-age subjects, both L and E decreased mean BP and, at the highest dose, also short-term BPV. In elderly subjects, L10 alone or in combination with E20 reduced BPV. Treatment-induced reductions in BP levels and BPV were uncorrelated. Different methods for short-term BPV assessment did not always provide superimposable results in the elderly. Our study supports a better reduction of BPV by L in the elderly and by E + L combination at any age, suggesting BPV reduction to be independent from reduction in average BP.
Metabolic gene expression and epigenetic effects of the ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate on H3K9ac in bovine cells, oocytes and embryos
Authors: Sangalli Juliano Rodrigues , Sampaio Rafael Vilar , del Collado Maite , da Silveira Juliano Coelho , De Bem Tiago Henrique Camara , Perecin Felipe , Smith Lawrence Charles , Meirelles Flávio Vieira 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe rapid decline in fertility that has been occurring to high-producing dairy cows in the past 50 years seems to be associated with metabolic disturbances such as ketosis, supporting the need for research to improve our understanding of the relations among the diet, metabolism and embryonic development. Recently, the ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate (BOHB) was demonstrated to be a potent inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDACs). Herein, we performed a series of experiments aiming to investigate the epigenetic effects of BOHB on histone acetylation in somatic cells, cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos. Treatment with BOHB does not increase histone acetylation in cells but stimulates genes associated with ketolysis and master regulators of metabolism. We further demonstrated that maturing COCs with high levels of BOHB does not affect their maturation rate or histone acetylation but increases the expression of PPARA in cumulus cells. Treatment of somatic cell nuclear transfer zygotes with BOHB causes hyperacetylation, which is maintained until the blastocyst stage, causing enhanced FOXO3A expression and blastocyst production. Our data shed light on the epigenetic mechanisms caused by BOHB in bovine cells and embryos and provide a better understanding of the connection between nutrition and reproduction.