bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficient Bayesian Hierarchical Functional Data Analysis with Basis Function Approximations Using Gaussian–Wishart Processes
Authors: Yang Jingjing , Cox Dennis D. , Lee Jong Soo , Ren Peng , Choi Taeryon 
Published: April 2017

SummaryFunctional data are defined as realizations of random functions (mostly smooth functions) varying over a continuum, which are usually collected on discretized grids with measurement errors. In order to accurately smooth noisy functional observations and deal with the issue of high-dimensional observation grids, we propose a novel Bayesian method based on the Bayesian hierarchical model with a Gaussian–Wishart process prior and basis function representations. We first derive an induced model for the basis-function coefficients of the functional data, and then use this model to conduct posterior inference through Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. Compared to the standard Bayesian inference that suffers serious computational burden and instability in analyzing high-dimensional functional data, our method greatly improves the computational scalability and stability, while inheriting the advantage of simultaneously smoothing raw observations and estimating the mean-covariance functions in a nonparametric way. In addition, our method can naturally handle functional data observed on random or uncommon grids. Simulation and real studies demonstrate that our method produces similar results to those obtainable by the standard Bayesian inference with low-dimensional common grids, while efficiently smoothing and estimating functional data with random and high-dimensional observation grids when the standard Bayesian inference fails. In conclusion, our method can efficiently smooth and estimate high-dimensional functional data, providing one way to resolve the curse of dimensionality for Bayesian functional data analysis with Gaussian–Wishart processes.
Th1‐ and Th17‐polarized immune infiltrates in eosinophilic fasciitis—A potential marker for histopathologic distinction from morphea
Authors: Moy Andrea Primiani , Maryamchik Elena , Nikolskaia Olga V. , Nazarian Rosalynn M. 
Published: April 2017

BackgroundMorphea (localized scleroderma) and eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) are rare fibrosing disorders which may present a diagnostic challenge. While histopathologic features are often distinct, in some cases there may be overlap. T‐cells contribute to etiopathogenesis of both autoimmune conditions. We sought to determine whether T‐cell immune polarization enables histopathologic distinction.Materials & MethodsWe retrospectively examined clinicopathologically confirmed cases of morphea (n = 12) and EF (n = 8) using immunohistochemistry for CD3, CD8, and dual staining for CD4 with T‐bet, GATA‐3, STAT‐3 or BNC‐2 (transcription factors reported to be specific and mutually exclusive for Th1, Th2, Th17 and Th22 cells, respectively) to characterize the T‐cell infiltrate.ResultsNo significant difference in CD3+ cells was identified (P = .195), however, the CD4/CD8+ T‐cell ratio was significantly greater in morphea compared to EF (1.2 and 0.6, respectively; P = .034). Th1/Th2 was significantly lower in morphea compared to EF (1.7 and 2.7, respectively; P = .027). The percent of Th17+ cells was significantly higher in EF (P = 0.041). No significant difference in percent of Th22+ cells was identified.ConclusionMorphea and EF may be histopathologically distinguished based on helper T‐cell subtype polarization. These findings offer novel insight into our understanding of disease pathogenesis and support a role for Th1/Th2 immune regulation and Th17 inhibition in anti‐fibrotic therapeutic strategy.
Corticobulbar projections from distinct motor cortical areas to the reticular formation in macaque monkeys
Authors: Fregosi Michela , Contestabile Alessandro , Hamadjida Adjia , Rouiller Eric M. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractCorticospinal and corticobulbar descending pathways act in parallel with brainstem systems, such as the reticulospinal tract, to ensure the control of voluntary movements via direct or indirect influences onto spinal motoneurons. The aim of this study was to investigate the corticobulbar projections from distinct motor cortical areas onto different nuclei of the reticular formation. Seven adult macaque monkeys were analysed for the location of corticobulbar axonal boutons, and one monkey for reticulospinal neurons' location. The anterograde tracer BDA was injected in the premotor cortex (PM), in the primary motor cortex (M1) or in the supplementary motor area (SMA), in 3, 3 and 1 monkeys respectively. BDA anterograde labelling of corticobulbar axons were analysed on brainstem histological sections and overlapped with adjacent Nissl‐stained sections for cytoarchitecture. One adult monkey was analysed for retrograde CB tracer injected in C5‐C8 hemispinal cord to visualise reticulospinal neurons. The corticobulbar axons formed bilateral terminal fields with boutons terminaux and en passant, which were quantified in various nuclei belonging to the Ponto‐Medullary Reticular Formation (PMRF). The corticobulbar projections from both PM and SMA tended to end mainly ipsilaterally in PMRF, but contralaterally when originating from M1. Furthermore, the corticobulbar projection was less dense when originating from M1 than from non‐primary motor areas (PM, SMA). The main nuclei of bouton terminals corresponded to the regions where reticulospinal neurons were located with CB retrograde tracing. In conclusion, the corticobulbar projection differs according to the motor cortical area of origin in density and laterality.
Mu opioid receptor signaling in the nucleus accumbens shell increases responsiveness of satiety‐modulated lateral hypothalamus neurons
Authors: Tandon Shashank , Keefe Kristen A. , Taha Sharif A. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractOpioid signaling in the nucleus accumbens shell (sNAcc) has been implicated in hedonic feeding and binge eating behavior. The sNAcc projects to the lateral hypothalamus (LH), and this pathway has been suggested to modulate palatability‐driven feeding behavior. In this study, we investigated the effects of sNAcc mu opioid receptor (MOR) stimulation on firing rates of LH neurons in previously sated rats. Neural firing in the LH was recorded while food‐deprived rats performed an operant task to obtain sweetened Intralipid (a 4% fat emulsion containing 5% sucrose) before and after bilateral sNAcc infusion of either a MOR agonist [D‐Ala2, N‐MePhe4, Gly‐ol]‐enkephalin (DAMGO) or a saline control solution. During sessions in which saline was infused into the sNAcc, the number of trials completed after infusion were significantly lower than the number completed before infusion, likely reflecting animals’ increased satiety state. During sessions in which DAMGO was infused into the sNAcc, the decrease in the number of trials completed (comparing post‐ vs. pre‐infusion trials) was significantly attenuated. Electrophysiological recording showed that the percentage of LH neurons showing an excitatory response due to behavioral events (cue presentation, lever press, lever retraction, and consumption) was reduced in post vs. pre‐saline infusion period. However, the percentage of LH neurons showing excitatory responses to the same behavioral events was similar in pre‐ and post‐DAMGO infusion periods. These findings suggest that MOR stimulation in sNAcc leads to an increase in stimulus‐evoked excitatory signaling in LH neurons which could contribute to preventing satiety‐induced decline in palatable food intake.
Saving for the future: Pre‐winter uptake of algal lipids supports copepod egg production in spring
Authors: Schneider Tobias , Grosbois Guillaume , Vincent Warwick F. , Rautio Milla 
Published: April 2017

Abstract

The freshwater copepod Leptodiaptomus minutus in boreal lakes has its main annual reproductive period at the end of winter. This follows months of ice cover and limited food production, yet the females transfer large quantities of algal‐derived carotenoids (predominantly astaxanthin) and fatty acids (FAs) to their eggs at this time, thereby providing the offspring with antioxidant protection and energy reserves.

We hypothesised that this winter transfer of carotenoid pigments and FAs is based on accumulated reserves that are reinvested into reproduction (i.e. capital breeding). This strategy would allow the animals to produce offspring in time for the nauplii to feed on the spring phytoplankton bloom, thus gaining a competitive advantage.

To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the seasonal production of precursor carotenoids and essential FAs by the phytoplankton, the amounts of these compounds required for egg production and the transfer rates from phytoplankton to copepod eggs.

Pelagic primary production vastly outweighed the demand for copepod eggs during summer–autumn. However, the major peak of egg production in spring could not be sustained by the low phytoplankton productivity during winter, indicating reliance on previously accumulated reserves as hypothesised.

High rates of lipid reserve accumulation in L. minutus in late autumn and early winter accounted for up to 128% (astaxanthin precursors) and 70% (FAs) of the daily production by the phytoplankton, further indicating the importance of pre‐winter primary production for reserve building in this copepod.

During winter, the sum of carotenoid pigments as well as the sum of essential FAs stocked in copepods exceeded the concentrations in the seston. Consequently, adult copepods act as a lipid storage pool linking the biosynthesis of carotenoids and FAs by primary producers in autumn to the production of copepod eggs at the end of winter.
La montée du travail précaire en Europe. Concepts, indicateurs et effets de la crise économique mondiale
Authors: GUTIÉRREZ BARBARRUSA Tomás 
Published: April 2017

RésuméDepuis les années 1970, l'emploi se précarise en Occident, sous l'effet d'une réorganisation des processus productifs et des politiques de flexibilisation néolibérales. L'auteur analyse le concept de précarité en s'intéressant à deux aspects, l'insécurité et la pauvreté. Il utilise ensuite un indicateur reposant sur ces měmes dimensions et des données d'Eurostat pour 1995–2015 afin d'examiner l'évolution du phénomène dans l'UE‐15 et l'effet à cet égard de la crise économique de 2008. Il conclut à une hausse généralisée de la précarité depuis cette date, qui découle plutôt de la pauvreté sur les marchés les plus déréglementés et plutôt de l'insécurité dans les pays d'Europe méridionale.
Face à la prolifération des stages: quel encadrement pour des pratiques conformes aux principes du travail décent?
Authors: OWENS Rosemary , STEWART Andrew 
Published: April 2017

RésuméLa multiplication des stages et autres formes non rémunérées d'expérience préprofessionnelle constitue une caractéristique importante – mais souvent ignorée – du marché du travail actuel. Les stages répondent au désir compréhensible des demandeurs d'emploi de s'insérer sur des marchés du travail extrěmement compétitifs. Ils peuvent néanmoins ětre source d'exploitation, s'ils sont utilisés à la place d'emplois salariés, et entraver la mobilité sociale. Les auteurs examinent les mesures adoptées dans ce contexte par certains pays développés et s'appliquent à jeter les bases d'une stratégie plus adaptée face à une évolution qui compromet manifestement la réalisation des objectifs en matière de travail décent.
Self‐affirmation, political value congruence, and support for refugees
Authors: Badea Constantina , Tavani Jean‐Louis , Rubin Mark , Meyer Thierry 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis research tested the potential for self‐affirmation on left‐ and right‐wing political values to increase behavioral intentions to provide help and assistance to refugees. We present a pilot study defining left‐ and right‐wing values, and a main study in which participants completed either a self‐affirmation task, a group‐affirmation task, or participated in a control condition on values that were either congruent or incongruent with their own political views. Results show that left‐wing oriented participants showed more supportive intentions in the self‐affirmation condition compared to the group‐affirmation and control conditions, independent of values congruency. In contrast, right‐wing participants showed more supportive intentions in the self‐affirmation condition, but only when they affirmed on values that were congruent with their own political views.
Learning from the Swiss Corporate Governance Exception
Authors: Vatiero Massimiliano 
Published: April 2017

SummaryThe Swiss economy represents an exception to the legal origin theory (e.g., Roe, 2006). Although Switzerland is a country belonging to the civil law family, many of its public companies have diffused corporate ownership, as do those in common law countries. This paper maintains that the Swiss exception relies on the complementarity between corporate ownership and policies addressing employment protection and innovation. The Swiss case presents two lessons. First, the current corporate governance is the result of a long and composite path in which politics plays a pivotal role; second, the institutional differences and similarities across countries, which one would try to explain along with the legal origin theory, can also emerge from politics‐based accounts, such as those referring to policies on employment protection and innovation.
Effect of phytoliths for mitigating water stress in durum wheat
Authors: Meunier Jean Dominique , Barboni Doris , Anwar‐ul‐Haq Muhammad , Levard Clément , Chaurand Perrine , Vidal Vladimir , Grauby Olivier , Huc Roland , Laffont‐Schwob Isabelle , Rabier Jacques , Keller Catherine 
Published: April 2017

Summary

The role of silicon (Si) in alleviating biotic and abiotic stresses in crops is well evidenced by empirical studies; however, the mechanisms by which it works are still poorly known. The aim of this study is to determine whether or not phytolith composition and distribution in wheat are affected by drought and, if so, why.

Durum wheat was grown using hydroponics in the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG)‐6000 to perform a water‐stress simulation. We developed an original method for in situ analysis of phytoliths in leaves via X‐ray imaging.

PEG was efficient in inhibiting water uptake by roots and creating stress, and prevented a small fraction of Si from being accumulated in the shoots. The application of Si with PEG maintained shoot and root fresh weights (FW) and relative water content at higher values than for plants without Si, especially at PEG 12%.

Our data show that, under water stress in the presence of Si, accumulation of phytoliths over the veins provides better support to the leaf, thus allowing for a better development of the whole plant than in the absence of Si. The development of silicified trichomes in durum wheat depends primarily on the availability of Si in soil and is not an adaptation to water stress.
Ranking Economics Journals Using Data From a National Research Evaluation Exercise
Authors: Hole Arne Risa 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis paper describes an algorithm for creating a ranking of economics journals, using data from the 2014 UK Research Excellence Framework (REF) exercise. The ranking generated by the algorithm can be viewed as a measure of the average quality of the papers published in the journal, as judged by the REF Economics and Econometrics sub‐panel, based on the outputs submitted to the REF.
At the Nexus of Advocacy and Accountability: New Challenges and Strategies for Japanese Development NGOs
Authors: Sohn Hyuk‐Sang , Jeong Bok Cheol , Kim Taekyoon 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis study explores how Japanese development non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) had altered their patterns of advocacy and accountability after changes in political structure that occurred in the 2000s when the Democratic Party of Japan created the two‐party system and the Liberal Democratic Party took power again. After the 1990s, a unique feature of development NGOs actively performing advocacy and accountability within the ODA domain, while also eagerly reaching political authorities by forming networks, was found. Behind their efforts were the appearance and expansion of the Democratic Party of Japan through its systematic and political ties. As concluding remarks, the active participation of civil society not only represents the level of internal resources mobilized within the civil society network, but is also an indicator on how supportive the policy space at the bottom is towards civil society.
Cracks in the Blood‐Shared Alliance? Explaining Strained PRC–DPRK Relations in the Post‐Cold War World
Authors: Kim Min‐hyung 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe Sino–DPRK relationship had often been described, at least until the end of the Cold War, as one of “lips and teeth” or “blood‐cemented” brothers. However, remarkable changes in the previously strong Sino–DPRK relations have been observed in recent years. Most importantly, the DPRK has ignored the People's Republic of China's repeated warnings to withhold nuclear tests, instead conducting them five times in a row since 2006. In response to those tests, China has vehemently criticized the DPRK. In addition, it voted for UN Security Council resolutions that imposed strict sanctions on Pyongyang. China even imposed its own sanctions against the DPRK. The strained relationship between China and North Korea is demonstrated by the fact that China's new president, Xi Jinping, has met South Korea's President Park Geun‐hye eight times since he came to office in 2013, whereas he has never had a summit meeting with North Korea's new leader, Kim Jong‐un, who succeeded his father, Kim Jong‐il, in 2011. What has driven this dramatic change in the relationships of these two military allies? This paper argues that while multiple factors have pushed formerly strong Sino–DPRK relations into a new direction, the three most important factors are mistrust between two allies (historical), diverging interests (strategic), and growing Sino–ROK ties (economic and political).
Optimal Capital Income Taxation with Means‐tested Benefits
Authors: Kumru Cagri S. , Piggott John 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis paper studies the interaction between capital income taxation and a means‐tested age pension. Our results document that the existence of a social insurance program financed from general revenue puts an upward pressure on the optimal tax rate. We also show that there is a negative relation between taper (benefit‐reduction) and optimal capital income tax rates. The potential welfare gain from optimizing capital taxation in the presence of a universal retirement transfer system is relatively higher. However, when the transfer is substantially means tested, the gain is lower, because the means test effectively operates as a tax on retirement capital.
Laser‐ablation electrospray ionization mass spectrometry with ion mobility separation reveals metabolites in the symbiotic interactions of soybean roots and rhizobia
Authors: Stopka Sylwia A. , Agtuca Beverly J. , Koppenaal David W. , Paša‐Tolić Ljiljana , Stacey Gary , Vertes Akos , Anderton Christopher R. 
Published: April 2017

SummaryTechnologies enabling in situ metabolic profiling of living plant systems are invaluable for understanding physiological processes and could be used for rapid phenotypic screening (e.g., to produce plants with superior biological nitrogen‐fixing ability). The symbiotic interaction between legumes and nitrogen‐fixing soil bacteria results in a specialized plant organ (i.e., root nodule) where the exchange of nutrients between host and endosymbiont occurs. Laser‐ablation electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LAESI‐MS) is a method that can be performed under ambient conditions requiring minimal sample preparation. Here, we employed LAESI‐MS to explore the well characterized symbiosis between soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) and its compatible symbiont, Bradyrhizobium japonicum. The utilization of ion mobility separation (IMS) improved the molecular coverage, selectivity, and identification of the detected biomolecules. Specifically, incorporation of IMS resulted in an increase of 153 differentially abundant spectral features in the nodule samples. The data presented demonstrate the advantages of using LAESI–IMS–MS for the rapid analysis of intact root nodules, uninfected root segments, and free‐living rhizobia. Untargeted pathway analysis revealed several metabolic processes within the nodule (e.g., zeatin, riboflavin, and purine synthesis). Compounds specific to the uninfected root and bacteria were also detected. Lastly, we performed depth profiling of intact nodules to reveal the location of metabolites to the cortex and inside the infected region, and lateral profiling of sectioned nodules confirmed these molecular distributions. Our results established the feasibility of LAESI–IMS–MS for the analysis and spatial mapping of plant tissues, with its specific demonstration to improve our understanding of the soybean‐rhizobial symbiosis.
THE "I" IN THE EYE
Authors: Mayberry Addison , Tun Yamin , Hu Pan , Smith-Freedman Duncan , Ganesan Deepak , Marlin Benjamin M. , Salthouse Christopher 
Published: April 2017

Excerpted from "CIDER: Enabling Robustness-Power Tradeoffs on a Computational Eyeglass," from Proceedings of the 21st Annual ACM International Conference on Mobile Computing and Networking with permission. http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=2790096 © ACM 2015.
The eye is a truly unique and fascinating piece of physiology. Through it, organisms take in massive amounts of sensory data; through it, they also communicate emotion and intent both consciously and unconsciously. It is so tightly coupled with the operation of the brain that even slight mental blocks like being tired are measurable through eye movements. Eye-related research has long worn out the cliche "the eyes are the window to the soul," and this is largely because there is a deeper truth behind this phrase that has come to light in the last several decades of psychology and neurology research. In short, we now understand that the eyes are the best window to the mind. (Kahneman 2011).
Zombie Apocalypse: Can the Undead Teach the Living How to Survive an Emergency?
Authors: Kruvand Marjorie , Bryant Fred B. 
Published: April 2017

Objective. We examined whether or not CDC's zombie apocalypse campaign had the ability to achieve the agency's goals of educating young people about emergency preparedness and prompting them to get ready by developing an emergency kit and plan. While the campaign was extremely popular, we examined the question of whether the campaign had the capability to translate into knowledge and action. Methods. We conducted an online experiment with 340 undergraduate students divided randomly into two groups. One group was exposed to CDC's zombie blog post; the other to the same preparedness information presented in CDC's traditional, straightforward way. Participants then completed a survey designed to gauge their affective feelings, perceptions, retention of preparedness preparation, and intent to develop an emergency kit and plan. Results. While participants who viewed the humorous zombie material clearly enjoyed it, their positive affect did not lead to greater retention of preparedness information or greater expressed intent to prepare, compared with participants exposed to the factual treatment. The zombie approach had no influence on retention or resulted in less retention relative to the factual approach. Also, there was no significant between-group difference in reported likelihood of developing an emergency kit or plan. Conclusion. While the campaign drew unprecedented traffic to CDC's website, our findings suggest that it lacked the capability to fully achieve the agency's goals of educating people about preparedness and prompting them to get ready. This finding supports previous studies concluding that it is challenging to design public health messages that evoke positive affect as well as intended changes in intentions or behaviors.