bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reproduction and longevity A Mendelian randomization study of gonadotropin-releasing hormone and ischemic heart disease
Authors: Schooling C M , Ng Jack C M 
Published: November 2018

BackgroundAccording to well-established evolutionary biology theory reproduction trades-off against longevity, implying that upregulating the reproductive axis might drive major diseases. We assessed whether the central driver of reproduction gonadotropin-releasing hormone 1 (GnRH1) had a causal effect on the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, i.e. ischemic heart disease (IHD). As a contrast we similarly examined the role of GnRH2 because it is more a driver of female sexual behavior.MethodsWe applied strong (p-value <5×10−6) and independent genetic predictors of GnRH1 and GnRH2 to an extensively genotyped IHD case (n=76,014) - control (n=264,785) study using multiplicative random effects inverse variance weighted (IVW), weighted median, MR-Egger and MR-PRESSO estimates.ResultsGnRH1, predicted by 11 genetic variants, was positively associated with IHD (IVW odds ratio (OR) 1.04 per effect size, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01 to 1.08), but GnRH2, predicted by 15 genetic variants, was not (IVW OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.02).ConclusionsGnRH1 is a potential IHD genetic target. Apart from demonstrating a central tenet of evolutionary biology in humans, our study suggests that existing treatments and environmental factors targeting GnRH1, its drivers or consequences could be re-purposed to prevent and treat IHD. Given, the importance of reproduction to the human species, many such exposures likely exist.
Age but not disease progression defines CD4+ and CD8+ T stem cell memory levels in human retroviral infections: contrasting effects of HTLV-1 and HIV-1
Authors: Menezes Soraya Maria , Leal Fabio Eudes , Ribeiro Susan Pereira , Dierckx Tim , Roederer Mario , SenGupta Devi , Nixon Douglas F. , Van Weyenbergh Johan 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBackgroundHuman CD4+ and CD8+ stem cell memory T cells (TSCM) represent a minor fraction of circulating lymphocytes characterized by stemness and long-term in vivo persistence. CD4+ TSCM are preferentially infected and constitute a reservoir for HIV-1, whereas CD8+ TSCM appear to play a protective role. However, little is known about CD4+ and CD8+ TSCM in the only other human pathogenic retroviral infection, human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1). HTLV-1 is the etiological agent of both Adult T-cell Leukemia (ATL) and HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraperesis (HAM/TSP), a neuroinflammatory disorder. In ATL, CD4+ TSCM cells were identified as the hierarchical leukemic stem cell, but data in HAM/TSP are lacking. Age is a major risk factor for both ATL and HAM/TSP, as both diseases generally manifest several decades after infection. Therefore, we explored a possible link between TSCM, age and disease status in human retroviral infections in a cross-sectional study, using multiparametric flow cytometry.ResultsWe found that CD4+ or CD8+ TSCM levels (quantified as CD3+CD45RA+CD45RO− CD27+CCR7+Fashi) do not differ between healthy controls and untreated HTLV-1 infected individuals with and without neuroinflammatory disorder. However, we found both TSCM as well as CD8+ TSCM significantly accumulated with age, resulting in a >400% increase in elderly HTLV-1 infected individuals (>60 years). A significant correlation between age and TSCM signature genes was validated at the transcriptome level in an independent cohort. CD8+ but not CD4+ TSCM were significantly decreased in untreated HIV-1 infection. Unexpectedly, CD8+ TSCM recovery upon successful antiretroviral treatment was essentially complete (92.2±11.0%) in younger (<45 years) individuals, but significantly lower (37.3±6.1%) in older (>45 years) individuals (p=0.0003).ConclusionIn HTLV-1 infection, an age-dependent accumulation of CD4+ and CD8+ TSCM points towards a possible protective role of CD8 TSCM in the elderly against leukemic but not neuroinflammatory disease. HIV-1-infected individuals lose their ability to restore CD8+ TSCM levels upon successful antiretroviral therapy at later age (>45 years), which might eventually lead to immunological failure and decreased vaccine efficacy.
Harmful algae bloom monitoring via a sustainable, sail-powered mobile platform for in-land and coastal monitoring
Authors: Beckler Jordon S. , Arutunian Ethan , Currier Bob , Milbrandt Eric , Duncan Scott 
Published: November 2018

AbstractHarmful algae blooms (HAB) in coastal marine environments are increasing in number and duration, pressuring local resource managers to implement mitigation solutions to protect human and ecosystem health. However, insufficient spatial and temporal observations create uninformed management decisions. In order to better detect and map blooms, as well as the environmental conditions responsible for their formation, long-term, unattended observation platforms are desired. In this article, we describe a new cost-efficient, autonomous, mobile platform capable of accepting several sensors that can be used to monitor harmful algae blooms in near real-time. The Navocean autonomous sail-powered surface vehicle is deployable by a single person from shore, capable of waypoint navigation in shallow and deep waters, and powered completely by renewable energy. We present results from three surveys of the Florida Red Tide harmful algae bloom (Karenia brevis) of 2017-2018. The vessel made significant progress towards waypoints regardless of wind conditions while underway chl.ameasurements revealed HAB bloom patches and CDOM and turbidity provided environmental contextual information. While the autonomous sailboat directly adds to our HAB monitoring capabilities, the boat can also help to ground-truth and thus improve satellite monitoring of HABs. Finally, several other pending and future use cases for coastal and inland monitoring are discussed. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a sail-driven vessel used for coastal HAB monitoring.
The expendable male hypothesis
Authors: Mattison Siobhán M. , Quinlan Robert J. , Hare Darragh 
Published: November 2018

AbstractMatriliny is a system of kinship in which descent and inheritance are conferred along the female line. The theoretically influential concept of the matrilineal puzzle posits that matriliny poses special problems for understanding men’s roles in matrilineal societies. Ethnographic work describes the puzzle as the tension experienced by men between the desire to exert control over their natal kin (i.e., the lineage to which they belong) and over their affinal kin (i.e., their spouses and their biological children). Evolutionary work frames the paradox as one resulting from a man investing in his nieces and nephews at the expense of his own biological offspring. In both cases, the rationale for the puzzle rests on two fundamental assumptions: (i) that men are always in positions of authority over women and over resources; and (ii) that men are interested in the outcomes of parenting. In this paper, we posit a novel hypothesis that suggests that certain ecological conditions render men expendable within local kinship configurations, nullifying the above assumptions. This arises when (i) women, without significant assistance from men, are capable of meeting the subsistence needs of their families; and (ii) men have little to gain from parental investment in children. We conclude that the expendable male hypothesis may explain the evolution of matriliny in numerous cases, and by noting that female-centered approaches that call into doubt assumptions inherent to male-centered models of kinship are justified in evolutionary perspective.
Prolactin Receptor Signaling Regulates a Pregnancy-Specific Transcriptional Program in Mouse Islets
Authors: Pepin Mark E. , Wende Adam R. , Banerjee Ronadip R. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractPancreatic β-cells undergo profound hyperplasia during pregnancy to maintain maternal euglycemia. Failure to reprogram β-cells into a more replicative state has been found to underlie susceptibility to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We recently identified a requirement for prolactin receptor (PRLR) signaling in the metabolic adaptations to pregnancy, where mice lacking β-cell PRLR (βPRLRKO) exhibit a metabolic phenotype consistent with GDM. However, the underlying transcriptional program that is responsible for the PRLR-dependent metabolic adaptations during gestation remains incompletely understood. To identify PRLR signaling gene regulatory networks and target genes within β-cells during pregnancy, we performed a transcriptomic analysis of pancreatic islets isolated from either βPRLRKO mice or littermate controls in late gestation. Gene set enrichment analysis identified Forkhead box protein M1 (Foxm1) and polycomb repressor complex 2 (PRC2) subunits, Suz12 and Ezh2, as novel candidate regulators of PRLR-dependent β-cell adaptation. GO-term pathway enrichment revealed both established and novel PRLR signaling target genes that together describe a state of increased cellular metabolism and/or proliferation. In contrast to the requirement for β-cell PRLR signaling in maintaining euglycemia during pregnancy, PRLR target genes were not induced following high-fat-diet feeding. Altogether, the current study expands our understanding of which transcriptional regulators and networks mediate gene expression required for islet adaptation during pregnancy. The current work also supports the presence of pregnancy-specific adaptive mechanisms distinct from those activated by nutritional stress.
Analysis of influencing factors of Chinese provincial carbon emissions based on projection pursuit model and Markov transfer matrix
Authors: Wen Lei , Huang Linlin 
Published: November 2018

Purpose
Climate change has aroused widespread concern around the world, which is one of the most complex challenges encountered by human beings. The underlying cause of climate change is the increase of carbon emissions. To reduce carbon emissions, the analysis of the factors affecting this type of emission is of practical significance.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper identified five factors affecting carbon emissions using the logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) decomposition model (e.g. per capita carbon emissions, industrial structure, energy intensity, energy structure and per capita GDP). Besides, based on the projection pursuit method, this paper obtained the optimal projection directions of five influencing factors in 30 provinces (except for Tibet). Based on the data from 2000 to 2014, the authors predicted the optimal projection directions in the next six years under the Markov transfer matrix.

Findings
The results indicated that per capita GDP was the critical factor for reducing carbon emissions. The industrial structure and population intensified carbon emissions. The energy structure had seldom impacted on carbon emissions. The energy intensity obviously inhibited carbon emissions. The best optimal projection direction of each index in the next six years remained stable. Finally, this paper proposed the policy implications.

Originality/value
This paper provides an insight into the current state and the future changes in carbon emissions.
Website traffic measurement and rankings: competitive intelligence tools examination
Authors: Prantl David , Prantl Martin 
Published: November 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine and verify the competitive intelligence tools Alexa and SimilarWeb, which are broadly used for website traffic data estimation. Tested tools belong to the state of the art in this area.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use quantitative approach. Research was conducted on a sample of Czech websites for which there are accurate traffic data values, against which the other data sets (less accurate) provided by Alexa and SimilarWeb will be compared.FindingsThe results show that neither tool can accurately determine the ranking of websites on the internet. However, it is possible to approximately determine the significance of a particular website. These results are useful for another research studies which use data from Alexa or SimilarWeb. Moreover, the results show that it is still not possible to accurately estimate website traffic of any website in the world.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitation of the research lies in the fact that it was conducted solely in the Czech market.Originality/valueSignificant amount of research studies use data sets provided by Alexa and SimilarWeb. However, none of these research studies focus on the quality of the website traffic data acquired by Alexa or SimilarWeb, nor do any of them refer to other studies that would deal with this issue. Furthermore, authors describe approaches to measuring website traffic and based on the analysis, the possible usability of these methods is discussed.
Job satisfaction in developing countries
Authors: Anh Nguyen , Nguyen Ngoc-Minh Thi , Tuong Anh Nguyen Thi , Nguyen Phuong Mai Thi 
Published: November 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to contribute to this literature on developing countries by investigating the determinants of job satisfaction in Vietnam where the economics literature on this issue is virtually non-existent. The authors also contribute to the literature on income comparison by extending beyond the within-firm co-worker income comparison.Design/methodology/approachThe authors estimate a generalized order logit model for job satisfaction as statistical tests suggest that the parallel-lines assumption, which is often invoked in previous studies using the standard logit model, does not hold.FindingsFor Vietnam, the authors find that absolute and relative incomes as well as human resource practices such as efficiency wage and training policy have an impact on workers’ satisfaction. Workers in the foreign direct investment (FDI) sectors behave a bit differently from their peers in the domestic sector.Originality/valueTaking advantage of a unique matched employer–employee data set collected in 2008 by the North-South Institute (Canada) and the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, the authors are able to investigate the impact of a number of important job characteristics on job satisfaction such as absolute and reference incomes, wage policy, training plan for workers, union membership and job position, and, at the same time, to disentangle the possible differences in job satisfaction of workers in domestic vs FDI firms.
Emotional intelligence in a neoclassical framework and the nature of capitalism
Authors: Soldatos Gerasimos T. , Varelas Erotokritos 
Published: November 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to introduce the factor of emotional intelligence (EI) into the calculus of neoclassical analysis under precautionary saving aiming at stabilizing consumption in the case of an exogenous output shock.

Design/methodology/approach
The introduction of EI differentiates individual firms in handling production uncertainty and individual consumers in coping with consumption uncertainty, but the source of uncertainty is exogenous and affects all the same; there are no idiosyncratic risks and uncertainties. This in conjunction with the median-voter-theory like approach to agent heterogeneity prompted by EI, replicates the result that aggregates quantitative predictions are almost indistinguishable from their representative agent counterpart in life cycle models of precautionary saving.

Findings
EI corroborates stabilization greatly but only the introduction of a monetary authority would fully stabilize the system by injecting or withdrawing money depending on the state of the economy. Money becomes centrally issued and it would be destabilizing if it was accompanied by central and/or commercial bank seigniorage. Median EI is found to coincide with homo economicus' rationality. These results point to the importance of preserving the institutional character of capitalism as a free enterprise but also a competitive system under a government in the service of the private sector.

Originality/value
Methodologically, this paper acknowledges the mutual interdependence between human action and social structure in the liberal setting in which free enterprise is a socioeconomic process that identifies value through exchange under the sociopolitical process of democracy.
Early American and Contemporary European Conceptions of the Nation, 1763–1789
Authors: KOSTANTARAS DEAN 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThis article examines how the term ‘nation’ was used in texts originating from North America immediately before and after the revolution, as well as notable omissions. Colonial authors often referred, for example, to nations, however allusions to an ‘American nation’ were rare, and indeed are wholly absent from such fundamental works as the Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation. These tendencies, it is argued throughout, reflect the important influence of broader international trends in thought – some of which have not been adequately documented in previous treatments of the subject – on local usages and self‐understandings. When such texts are put into conversation with works from across the Atlantic, one gains not only a clearer picture of colonial sensibilities and aims, but the manner in which their conceptual repertoire was informed by a larger Anglo‐European traffic in ideas.
Land and housing as crucibles of racist nationalism: Asian Australians' experiences
Authors: Dunn Kevin M. , Blair Kathleen , Bliuc Ana‐Maria , Kamp Alanna 
Published: November 2018

AbstractNationwide surveys in 2015–16 in Australia collected data on experiences of racism in various spheres of everyday life, including housing. Of 6,001 respondents, 843 were of an Asian birthplace or background, and 638 spoke an Asian language. These Asian Australians had double the rate of experience of racism than had other Australians, in the form of racist mistrust, disrespect, and name‐calling (70% vs 35%). When renting or buying a house, almost six in ten (58%) Asian‐born participants had experienced discrimination to some extent because of their culture or religion. While 81 per cent of non‐Asian Australians report there is no racism in housing, the proportion reporting this among the Asian‐born participants was only 42 per cent. Those born in Australia but with Asian parents have the same exposure to racism, whereas those with only one parent born in Asia had an exposure closer to those with no Asian connection. “Racial” appearance plays a role in the racism experienced in relation to buying or renting housing. Racism in such a context limits Asian Australians' access to space and curtails the making of non‐Anglo place, which leads to the conclusion that land and housing are crucibles of racist nationalism.
Non‐reassuring results in agreement trial comparing glass and plastic capillary tubes for neonatal blood gas sampling
Authors: Tanney Kristin , Mahaveer Ajit , Dockery Karen , Booth Nicola , Chadwick Carol A. , Chaloner Chris M. , Rajai Azita 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAimTo determine agreement between neonatal capillary blood gases taken with plastic and glass tubes.MethodsAn agreement study was carried out in a regional tertiary neonatal unit. Inpatient babies ≥1 kg were recruited to the study when parents gave consent. After taking the routine glass capillary tube sample, a plastic tube sample was taken and run if the heel continued to bleed. Successful sample pairs were recorded and analysed against pre‐defined acceptable differences. Assessment was also made of differences in failure rates between tube types for each parameter.ResultsTwenty‐eight babies provided 135 blood gas pairs, of which five pairs were excluded. Successful pairing of results was achieved for pH in 105 valid samples. There were more failed plastic samples than glass, reaching significance for almost all parameters. pH, pO2 and pCO2 showed poor agreement (<80%) between glass and plastic tubes. On limited analysis of one successful blood gas pair per neonate to minimise bias, results remained non‐reassuring.ConclusionThe findings of this study do not advocate switching from glass to plastic capillary tubes in our Newborn Intensive Care Unit. Further studies are required to assess agreement of glass and plastic capillary tubes for neonatal blood gas sampling.
Influence of climate, post‐treatment weather extremes, and soil factors on vegetation recovery after restoration treatments in the southwestern US
Authors: Copeland Stella M. , Munson Seth M. , Bradford John B. , Butterfield Bradley J. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAimsUnderstanding the conditions associated with dryland vegetation recovery after restoration treatments is challenging due to a lack of monitoring data and high environmental variability over time and space. Tracking recovery trajectories with satellite‐based vegetation indices can strengthen predictions of restoration outcomes across broad areas with varying environmental conditions.LocationSouthwestern United States.MethodsWe quantified the recovery trajectories of spring and summer soil‐adjusted total vegetation index (SATVI) for 5–10 year periods following post‐wildfire seeding or prescribed burns for 241 treatment sites and related SATVI to ground‐based vegetation cover. We modeled SATVI based on time since treatment, yearly temperature and precipitation, weather extremes following treatment, soil available water capacity, invasive species presence, and treatment type. We also tested for the effects of environmental variables on trajectories, by examining interactions with years post‐treatment.ResultsGround‐based vegetation cover and SATVI were highly correlated. Most treatment sites had positive recovery rates for spring (82%) and summer (85%) SATVI. Several environmental variables affected vegetation recovery trajectories as indicated by interactions with time since treatment. Yearly warm season precipitation had a positive effect on SATVI recovery that increased over time, whereas the positive effect of extreme high warm season precipitation following treatment decreased over time for both seasons of vegetation measurements. For spring SATVI, the positive effect of cool season yearly precipitation increased over time while the negative effect of extreme high temperatures following treatment became more negative over time. Invasive species presence led to higher spring, but not summer, SATVI.ConclusionsSatellite‐based remote sensing is a promising tool to assess vegetation recovery following restoration treatments, particularly when it is combined with ground‐based monitoring. Our results suggest that weather extremes following restoration treatments can affect vegetation recovery trajectories and may be considered in management decisions such as the timing of restoration treatments.
Agricultural economics: Key commitments and institutional alertness
Authors: James Deaton B. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThis presidential address highlights the foundational and ongoing importance of the historical commitments of agricultural economists to applied research and outreach programs. In addition, I stress that institutional alertness increases the pragmatic approach. When research, extension, and institutional alertness are fully integrated, agricultural economists have the potential to generate grounded knowledge, which has meaningful implications to our effort to improve life. I develop these ideas generally and with specific reference to my own research.