bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Test-Retest Reliability of Pediatric Heart Rate	Variability
Authors: Weiner Oren M. , McGrath Jennifer J. 
Published: August 2016

Abstract. Heart rate variability (HRV), an established index of autonomic cardiovascular modulation, is associated with health outcomes (e.g., obesity, diabetes) and mortality risk. Time- and frequency-domain HRV measures are commonly reported in longitudinal adult and pediatric studies of health. While test-retest reliability has been established among adults, less is known about the psychometric properties of HRV among infants, children, and adolescents. The objective was to conduct a meta-analysis of the test-retest reliability of time- and frequency-domain HRV measures from infancy to adolescence. Electronic searches (PubMed, PsycINFO; January 1970–December 2014) identified studies with nonclinical samples aged ≤ 18 years; ≥ 2 baseline HRV recordings separated by ≥ 1 day; and sufficient data for effect size computation. Forty-nine studies (N = 5,170) met inclusion criteria. Methodological variables coded included factors relevant to study protocol, sample characteristics, electrocardiogram (ECG) signal acquisition and preprocessing, and HRV analytical decisions. Fisher’s Z was derived as the common effect size. Analyses were age-stratified (infant/toddler < 5 years, n = 3,329; child/adolescent 5–18 years, n = 1,841) due to marked methodological differences across the pediatric literature. Meta-analytic results revealed HRV demonstrated moderate reliability; child/adolescent studies (Z = 0.62, r = 0.55) had significantly higher reliability than infant/toddler studies (Z = 0.42, r = 0.40). Relative to other reported measures, HF exhibited the highest reliability among infant/toddler studies (Z = 0.42, r = 0.40), while rMSSD exhibited the highest reliability among child/adolescent studies (Z = 1.00, r = 0.76). Moderator analyses indicated greater reliability with shorter test-retest interval length, reported exclusion criteria based on medical illness/condition, lower proportion of males, prerecording acclimatization period, and longer recording duration; differences were noted across age groups. HRV is reliable among pediatric samples. Reliability is sensitive to pertinent methodological decisions that require careful consideration by the researcher. Limited methodological reporting precluded several a priori moderator analyses. Suggestions for future research, including standards specified by Task Force Guidelines, are discussed.
Extended carrier lifetimes and diffusion in hybrid perovskites revealed by Hall effect and photoconductivity measurements
Authors: Chen Y. , Yi H. T. , Wu X. , Haroldson R. , Gartstein Y. N. , Rodionov Y. I. , Tikhonov K. S. , Zakhidov A. , Zhu X. -Y. , Podzorov V. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractImpressive performance of hybrid perovskite solar cells reported in recent years still awaits a comprehensive understanding of its microscopic origins. In this work, the intrinsic Hall mobility and photocarrier recombination coefficient are directly measured in these materials in steady-state transport studies. The results show that electron-hole recombination and carrier trapping rates in hybrid perovskites are very low. The bimolecular recombination coefficient (10−11to 10−10 cm3 s−1) is found to be on par with that in the best direct-band inorganic semiconductors, even though the intrinsic Hall mobility in hybrid perovskites is considerably lower (up to 60 cm2 V−1 s−1). Measured here, steady-state carrier lifetimes (of up to 3 ms) and diffusion lengths (as long as 650 μm) are significantly longer than those in high-purity crystalline inorganic semiconductors. We suggest that these experimental findings are consistent with the polaronic nature of charge carriers, resulting from an interaction of charges with methylammonium dipoles.
The ATPase hCINAP regulates 18S rRNA processing and is essential for embryogenesis and tumour growth
Authors: Bai Dongmei , Zhang Jinfang , Li Tingting , Hang Runlai , Liu Yong , Tian Yonglu , Huang Dadu , Qu Linglong , Cao Xiaofeng , Ji Jiafu , Zheng Xiaofeng 
Published: August 2016

AbstractDysfunctions in ribosome biogenesis cause developmental defects and increased cancer susceptibility; however, the connection between ribosome assembly and tumorigenesis remains unestablished. Here we show that hCINAP (also named AK6) is required for human 18S rRNA processing and 40S subunit assembly. Homozygous CINAP−/− mice show embryonic lethality. The heterozygotes are viable and show defects in 18S rRNA processing, whereas no delayed cell growth is observed. However, during rapid growth, CINAP haploinsufficiency impairs protein synthesis. Consistently, hCINAP depletion in fast-growing cancer cells inhibits ribosome assembly and abolishes tumorigenesis. These data demonstrate that hCINAP reduction is a specific rate-limiting controller during rapid growth. Notably, hCINAP is highly expressed in cancers and correlated with a worse prognosis. Genome-wide polysome profiling shows that hCINAP selectively modulates cancer-associated translatome to promote malignancy. Our results connect the role of hCINAP in ribosome assembly with tumorigenesis. Modulation of hCINAP expression may be a promising target for cancer therapy.
Microbial Nanoculture as an Artificial Microniche
Authors: Niepa Tagbo H. R. , Hou Likai , Jiang Hongyuan , Goulian Mark , Koo Hyun , Stebe Kathleen J. , Lee Daeyeon 
Published: August 2016

AbstractMicrobes self-organize in microcolonies while transitioning to a sessile form within a protective biofilm matrix. To enable the detailed study of microbial dynamics within these microcolonies, new sessile culture systems are needed that sequester cells and mimic their complex growth conditions and interactions. We present a new nanoliter-scale sessile culture system that is easily implemented via microfluidics-enabled fabrication. Hundreds of thousands of these nanocultures can be easily generated and imaged using conventional or confocal microscopy. Each nanoculture begins as a several nanoliter droplet of suspended cells, encapsulated by a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane. The PDMS shell provides long-lasting mechanical support, enabling long term study, and is selectively permeable to small molecules including antibiotics, signaling molecules and functional fluorescent probes. Thus, as microcolonies mature within the nanocultures, they can be stressed or interrogated using selected probes to characterize cell physiological properties, antibiotic susceptibilities, and antagonistic interactions. We demonstrate this platform by investigating broad ranges of microcolony dynamics, including direct and indirect bacterial-fungal interactions. This versatile new tool has broad potential for addressing biological questions associated with drug resistance, chronic infections, microbiome dynamics, and antibiotic discovery.
Understanding the Percolation Characteristics of Nonlinear Composite Dielectrics
Authors: Yang Xiao , Hu Jun , Chen Shuiming , He Jinliang 
Published: August 2016

AbstractNonlinear composite dielectrics can function as smart materials for stress control and field grading in all fields of electrical insulations. The percolation process is a significant issue of composite dielectrics. However, the classic percolation theory mainly deals with traditional composites in which the electrical parameters of both insulation matrix and conducting fillers are independent of the applied electric field. This paper measured the nonlinear V-I characteristics of ZnO microvaristors/silicone rubber composites with several filler concentrations around an estimated percolation threshold. For the comparison with the experiment, a new microstructural model is proposed to simulate the nonlinear conducting behavior of the composite dielectrics modified by metal oxide fillers, which is based on the Voronoi network and considers the breakdown feature of the insulation matrix for near percolated composites. Through both experiment and simulation, the interior conducting mechanism and percolation process of the nonlinear composites were presented and a specific percolation threshold was determined as 33%. This work has provided a solution to better understand the characteristics of nonlinear composite dielectrics.
Combined with Bone Marrow-Derived Cells and rhBMP-2 for Osteonecrosis after Femoral Neck Fractures in Children and Adolescents: A case series
Authors: Gao Fuqiang , Sun Wei , Guo Wanshou , Wang Bailiang , Cheng Liming , Li Zirong 
Published: August 2016

AbstractOsteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) following femoral neck fractures is a rare, yet severe, disorder in children and adolescents. This study evaluated the effectiveness of core decompression (CD) combined with implantation of bone marrow–derived cells (BMDC) and rhBMP-2 for osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH) after femoral neck fractures in children and adolescents. This study included 51 patients, aged 11.4–18.1 years, with ARCO stages I–III ONFH after femoral neck fractures between 2004 and 2010. The hips were divided into two groups based on whether the lateral pillar of the femoral head (LPFH) was preserved: LPFH and non-LPFH groups. All patients were followed up clinically and radiographically for a minimum of 5 years. 44 patients (86.3%) had improved clinical outcome. Radiologically, 9 of the 51 hips (17.6%) exhibited collapse onset or progression of the femoral head or narrowing of the hip joint space and one patient in the non-LPFH group required hip arthroplasty due to the worsened syndrome. The technique provided an effective therapeutic option for children and adolescents with ONFH following femoral neck fractures. It relieves hip pain and prevents the progression of osteonecrosis in young patients lasting more than 5 years after surgery.
Co-action provides rational basis for the evolutionary success of Pavlovian strategies
Authors: Sasidevan V. , Sinha Sitabhra 
Published: August 2016

AbstractStrategies incorporating direct reciprocity, e.g., Tit-for-Tat and Pavlov, have been shown to be successful for playing the Iterated Prisoners Dilemma (IPD), a paradigmatic problem for studying the evolution of cooperation among non-kin individuals. However it is an open question whether such reciprocal strategies can emerge as the rational outcome of repeated interactions between selfish agents. Here we show that adopting a co-action perspective, which takes into account the symmetry between agents - a relevant consideration in biological and social contexts - naturally leads to such a strategy. For a 2-player IPD, we show that the co-action solution corresponds to the Pavlov strategy, thereby providing a rational basis for it. For an IPD involving many players, an instance of the Public Goods game where cooperation is generally considered to be harder to achieve, we show that the cooperators always outnumber defectors in the co-action equilibrium. This can be seen as a generalization of Pavlov to contests involving many players. In general, repeated interactions allow rational agents to become aware of the inherent symmetry of their situation, enabling them to achieve robust cooperation through co-action strategies - which, in the case of IPD, is a reciprocal Pavlovian one.
Treatment of Classic Syndromes in Idiopathic Focal Epilepsies in Childhood
Authors: Panayiotopoulos C. , Valeta Thalia 
Published: August 2016

Of the classic syndromes of idiopathic (benign) focal epilepsies in childhood, more than half of children with Rolandic epilepsy and Panayiotopoulos syndrome do not need antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment. Monotherapy with carbamazepine, levetiracetam, sodium valproate, or clobazam is usually recommended for those with seizures that are unusually frequent (more than three), lengthy, distressing, or otherwise significantly interfering with the child's life. Other factors in favor of treatment include a short interval between the first three seizures, a younger age of onset (less than 4 years), or a presence of recurrent tonic–clonic seizures and diurnal seizures. In contrast to Rolandic epilepsy and Panayiotopoulos syndrome that may not need treatment, idiopathic childhood occipital epilepsy of Gastaut should be treated because seizures are frequent and secondarily generalized convulsions are probably unavoidable without medication. It is likely that all AEDs licensed as monotherapy for focal seizures and mainly carbamazepine and levetiracetam are suitable.The electroencephalogram does not predict prognosis or AED treatment needs, though there are views supporting that interictal spikes have an adverse effect on cognition.Strategies of withdrawing medication in idiopathic focal epilepsies in childhood differ among experts, although all agree that there is no need to continue medication 1 to 3 years after the last seizure, and certainly not after the age of 14 years, when most benign childhood focal seizures remit, or age 16, when they are practically nonexistent.In the acute stage of status epilepticus, control of the seizures is of paramount importance. Convulsive status epilepticus is a life threatening condition and should be terminated as soon as possible. Autonomic status epilepticus needs thorough evaluation for proper diagnosis and management. Benzodiazepines, intravenously, in rectal or buccal preparations are commonly used to terminate long lasting seizures and status epilepticus. Early parental treatment is more effective than late emergency treatment. Buccal midazolam is probably the first choice medication for out-of-hospital termination of status epilepticus.Parental education and psychological support are the cornerstone of the optimal management because despite excellent prognosis, idiopathic focal epilepsies in childhood usually have a dramatic impact to parents.
The domesticated brain: genetics of brain mass and brain structure in an avian species
Authors: Henriksen R. , Johnsson M. , Andersson L. , Jensen P. , Wright D. 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTAs brain size usually increases with body size it has been assumed that the two are tightly constrained and evolutionary studies have therefore often been based on relative brain size (i.e. brain size proportional to body size) instead of absolute brain size. The process of domestication offers an excellent opportunity to disentangle the linkage between body and brain mass due to the extreme selection for increased body mass that has occurred. By breeding an intercross between domestic chicken and their wild progenitor, we address this relationship by simultaneously mapping the genes that control inter-population variation in brain mass and body mass. Loci controlling variation in brain mass and body mass have separate genetic architectures and are therefore not directly constrained. Genetic mapping of brain regions in the intercross indicates that domestication has led to a larger body mass and to a lesser extent a larger absolute brain mass in chickens, mainly due to enlargement of the cerebellum. Domestication has traditionally been linked to brain mass regression, based on measurements of relative brain mass, which confounds the large body mass augmentation due to domestication. Our results refute this concept in chicken and confirm recent studies that show that different genetic architectures underlie these traits.
Are board characteristics relevant for banking efficiency? Evidence from the US
Authors: Titova Yulia 
Published: August 2016

Purpose
This paper aims to examine whether board-related characteristics matter for cost efficiency in banking sector.

Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a sample of publicly traded US commercial banks and savings institutions to estimate a relationship between cost efficiency measured by stochastic frontier analysis and a set of board-related characteristics for the period 2007-2013.

Findings
An inverted U-shape relation is found between board size and efficiency. Thus, there is a trade-off between costs and benefits of larger boards. Optimal board size is higher for banks with more complex operations. This study also observed an inverted U-shape relation between board independence and cost efficiency. The banks where the Chairman also executes the CEO responsibility show lower efficiency. However, a higher proportion of independent board members in banks with unitary leadership structure may mitigate the conflict of interest and lower efficiency stemming from CEO duality.

Research limitations/implications
This study’s evidence supports the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision emphasis on advising a board composition that provides for a sufficient degree of director independence.

Practical Implications
The results are relevant for banks and their external and internal stakeholders. Banks may adjust their current board characteristics to increase the board effectiveness. Externally, potential investors can evaluate the quality of corporate governance of banks before making investment decisions. The empirical findings can also be useful for regulators imposing corporate governance codes in banking.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to provide empirical evidence on the impact of board characteristics on bank efficiency for a wide panel of US banks. Additionally, a comprehensive set of board-related variables is used.
Does corporate governance beget firm performance in Fortune Global 500 companies?
Authors: Malik Muhammad Shaukat , Makhdoom Durayya Debaj 
Published: August 2016

PurposeThis paper aims to determine the impact of corporate governance practices on the financial outcomes of Fortune Global 500 Companies, thus covering impact of geographical differences (USA and non-USA) as well.Design/methodology/approachThe study is a quantitative research based on a positivist paradigm using deductive reasoning and secondary data collection. Data collection has been done from secondary sources (annual reports, Edgar submissions and financial statistics from renowned financial databases such as yahoo.finance, Bloomberg, Ycharts statistics and Morningstar. Data were collected for 8 years (2005-2012).FindingsThe study found a strong positive relationship between corporate governance and firm performance. Smaller board sizes are found to generate better firm performance in Fortune Global 500 Companies. Frequency of board meetings have also been found to have inverse relationship with firm performance. The study supports board independence to improve transparency in board decision-making process. CEO compensation has been found to have inverse relationship with firm performance. The robustness of our results has been measured with the usage of three dependent variables, and we have found same results with varying significance level.Research limitations/implicationsDue to selection of globally broad sample set qualitative aspects of corporate governance could not be covered. Nevertheless, there is a need to go beyond the quantitative techniques (secondary data) of measuring corporate governance mechanisms.Practical implicationsThe population set is unique combination of big players and global diversification. Hence, the corporate governance practices of these firms as understood from the results of this study can be bench-marked for emerging corporates of varying global context.Originality/valueThe research is original and unique as it significant and globally diverse population of Fortune Global 500 Companies over a period of 8 years for 11 variables of interest. Results are helpful in bench marking for the rest of market players.
Numerical solution of MHD Sisko fluid over a stretching cylinder and heat transfer analysis
Authors: Malik M.Y. , Hussain Arif , Salahuddin T. , Awais M. 
Published: August 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to examine the Sisko fluid model over a stretching cylinder with heat transfer and magnetohydrodynamics.

Design/methodology/approach
– The boundary layer approach is employed to simplify the governing equations. Suitable similarity transformations are used to transform the governing partial differential equations into ordinary differential equations. In order to solve this system of ordinary differential equations numerically, shooting method in conjunction with Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg method is used.

Findings
– The effects of physical parameters involved in velocity and temperature profiles are shown through graphs. It is observed that Sisko fluid parameter and curvature parameter enhances fluid velocity while motion of fluid is retarded by increasing magnetic field strength. Additionally temperature of fluid raise with curvature parameter while it fall down for larger values of Prandtl number. Skin friction coefficient and Nusselt number are computed and presented in graphs and tables for further analysis. It can be seen that curvature parameter increases both skin friction and Nusselt number while magnetic field and Prandtl number decayed skin friction and Nusselt number, respectively. Also Sisko parameter enlarges skin friction coefficient. The accuracy of solution is verified by comparing it with existing literature.

Originality/value
– The computed results are interested for industrial and engineering processes, especially in cooling of nuclear reactors.
Propagation of plane waves of magneto-thermoelastic medium with voids influenced by the gravity and laser pulse under G-N theory
Authors: Othman Mohamed Ibrahim A , Hilal Mohamed I. M. 
Published: August 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of the gravity and the magnetic fields on the plane waves in a homogenous, linear and isotropic thermoelastic medium subjected to the laser pulse heating.

Design/methodology/approach
– The problem has been solved analytically and numerically by using the normal mode analysis.

Findings
– Numerical results for the temperature, the displacement components, the stress components and the volume fraction were presented graphically and analyzed the results. The graphical results indicate that the effect of gravity and magnetic fields are observable physical effects on the porous thermoelastic material heated by a laser pulse. Comparisons are made with the results in the absence and presence of the gravity and the magnetic fields, also at various times.

Originality/value
– In the present work, the authors shall formulate a 2-D problem for the propagation of plane waves on the porous thermoelastic material influenced by the gravity and the magnetic fields subjected to a laser pulse heating act as a thermal shock. A comparison is also made between the two types II and III of Green-Naghdi theory in the absence and the presence of the gravity and the magnetic fields. Such problems are very important in many dynamical systems.