bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimating Mountain Lion Abundance in Arizona Using Statistical Population Reconstruction
Authors: Howard April L. , Clement Matthew J. , Peck Frances R. , Rubin Esther S. 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTDirectly monitoring abundance of cryptic species, such as mountain lions (Puma concolor), over large areas is a challenge for wildlife managers because traditional population estimation techniques may be impractical and expensive. We generated annual estimates of mountain lion abundance in Arizona, USA, for 2004–2018 by employing statistical population reconstruction methods, which use available age‐at‐harvest data and auxiliary information such as estimated survival rates, harvest probabilities, and hunter effort. Using PopRecon 2.0 software, we estimated that the statewide abundance of all mountain lions including kittens ranged from 1,848 (95% CI = 650–3,046) to 4,661 (95% CI = 393–9,030) during 2004–2018. Abundance for subadults and adults was more stable and precisely estimated, ranging from 1,166 (95% CI = 622–1,709) to 1,715 (95% CI = 872–2,558). Our results suggest a stable statewide mountain lion population. This approach provides a practical and cost‐effective option for monitoring Arizona's mountain lion population, and will improve the ability of managers to monitor the population annually to respond to changes in abundance and to evaluate factors that influence mountain lion abundance. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Wildlife Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Wildlife Society.
Spinocerebellar Ataxia Patient Perceptions Regarding Reproductive Options
Authors: Cahn Suzanne , Rosen Ami , Wilmot George 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTBackgroundIn vitro fertilization with preimplantation genetic testing is a growing reproductive option for people who want to avoid passing a single‐gene condition on to their offspring. The spinocerebellar ataxias are a group of rare, autosomal‐dominant neurodegenerative disorders which are strong candidates for the use of this technology.ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess knowledge of genetic risk and perceptions of reproductive options in individuals with a diagnosis of spinocerebellar ataxia.MethodsWe administered an online survey to U.S. residents of reproductive age who have been clinically or genetically diagnosed with spinocerebellar ataxia. We assessed their understanding of inheritance and their reproductive opinions.ResultsOf 94 participants, 70.2% answered all four inheritance questions correctly. The majority felt they could describe each reproductive option except prenatal diagnosis. Individuals were most interested in in vitro fertilization with preimplantation genetic testing: 48.4% (45 of 93) said they would consider it. They were least interested in prenatal diagnosis and donated embryos or gametes. Having spinocerebellar ataxia with anticipation and choosing inheritance risk as an important factor were both significantly associated with interest in preimplantation genetic testing. Choosing religion/morality as an important factor was associated with less interest in preimplantation genetic testing and prenatal diagnosis.ConclusionsOur population displayed basic knowledge of inheritance risk, and the majority wanted to avoid having affected children. Consistent with literature for other autosomal‐dominant adult‐onset conditions, individuals showed a preference for preimplantation genetic testing. Health care providers should continue to educate patients about reproductive options and their risks and limitations.
Utility of electrodiagnostic studies in patients referred with a diagnosis of polyneuropathy
Authors: Ginsberg Matthew R. , Morren John A. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundPeripheral polyneuropathies (PN) are common neuromuscular conditions. The role of electrodiagnostic study (EDX) in diagnosis of PN is not well‐defined.MethodsWe performed a retrospective chart review of patients referred for EDX evaluation of PN.ResultsOf 162 patients analyzed, 23 had pure peripheral neuropathy (pPN; 14.2%), 29 had peripheral neuropathy and another diagnosis (PN+; 17.9%), 51 had an alternative diagnosis (nonPN; 31.5%), and 59 had normal studies (36.4%). In univariable analysis, age (P < .001) and gender (P = .004) were weakly associated with final diagnosis. In multinomial logistic regression analysis, significant predictors included age (odds ratio [OR] for nonPN/PN+:1.07 per year; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–1.11), gender (OR for PN+:0.2, 95% CI, 0.07–0.61), and diabetes/prediabetes (OR for pPN:3.29; 95% CI, 1.17–9.27).ConclusionsThese data suggest that EDX commonly yields additional or nonPNs in patients referred with a diagnosis of PN, and although some variables predict electrodiagnosis, none have a large enough effect to suggest poor utility in any subpopulation.
Insomnia and its associated factors among older people of selected ward of Banepa municipality, Nepal
Authors: Dangol Manisha , Shrestha Sunil , Rai Koirala Sita Kumari 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAimsThe aim of this study was to calculate the prevalence of insomnia and identify the factors associated with it among older people of Banepa Municipality, Province No.3 of Nepal.DesignA quantitative descriptive cross‐sectional study was done; data were collected for three months from September–November 2018.MethodsOne hundred and fourteen older people were recruited. The data were collected through a structured interview questionnaire that included socio‐demographic characteristics and Nepalese version of standard Pittsburgh Insomnia Rating Scale (20‐item version). Information on general health conditions, alcohol intake and personal habits was also collected.ResultsThe mean age of the respondents (N = 114) was 76.04 (SD 7.81), years and 51.8% were females. The prevalence of insomnia was 71.1% in the older population. Significant associations were found between insomnia and advanced age (p = .002), illiteracy (p < .001), not working (p < .001), financially dependent on others (p < .001), presence of comorbid disease (p < .001) and taking regular medicine at present (p < .001).
Caprine mortality profiles from prehistoric cave‐sites of the northern Adriatic: Livestock strategies or natural death?
Authors: Boschin Francesco 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThis paper poses a question on the interpretation of caprine “kill‐off patterns” in some prehistoric sites of the Caput Adriae (northern Adriatic region, Mediterranean area). In particular, caprine kill‐off data from layers 2 (Late Neolithic‐Copper Age) and 2a (Middle Neolithic) of Grotta dell'Edera (Trieste Karst, north‐eastern Italy) are presented here and compared with those from two neighbouring sites. Distribution of age classes of domestic animals (in particular Caprinae) is generally discussed in terms of exploitation strategies adopted by past communities to obtain different products (e.g., milk, meat, and wool). Nevertheless, emphasis is rarely given to the possible meaning of the presence of foetal individuals and to their relation with neonatal ones. In this sense, it needs to be considered that causes of abortion (e.g., infections or ewe malnutrition) often can also lead to lamb mortality. The presence of a high proportion of neonatal (0–2 months old) and foetal sheep/goat individuals in the sites analysed raises an issue about the possible meaning of the mortality profiles: exploitation of dairy products or just premature death of ill individuals? This issue is important not only to better interpret subsistence strategies of past human communities but also to explore animal disease through time.
Observer‐based controller for positive polynomial systems with time delay
Authors: Iben Ammar Imen , Gassara Hamdi , El Hajjaji Ahmed , Tadeo Fernando , Chaabane Mohamed 
Published: October 2019

SummaryThis paper deals with some synthesis problems for a class of positive polynomial systems with time delay, for which the state vector takes nonnegative values whenever the initial conditions are nonnegative. First, the synthesis of state feedback controllers is solved using a Lyapunov‐Krasovskii approach, including the requirement of positiveness. In a second part, observers are included. In both cases, the design conditions are presented in terms of sum of squares, which can be numerically and symbolically solved via SOSTOOLS and a semidefinite program solver. Finally, four numerical examples are given to illustrate the proposed approach.
Thermoregulation in the Aging Population and Practical Strategies to Overcome a Warmer Tomorrow
Authors: Tan Chee Chong Shawn , Chin Li Kang Karen , Low Ivan Cherh Chiet 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAs global temperatures continue to rise, improving thermal tolerance in the aged population is crucial to counteract age‐associated impairments in thermoregulatory function. Impairments in reflex cutaneous vasodilation and sweating response can augment the vulnerability of older adults to heat‐related injuries following exposure to heat stress. Mechanisms underlying a compromised cutaneous vasodilation are suggested to include reduced sympathetic neural drive, diminished cholinergic co‐transmitter contribution, and altered second messenger signaling events. On the other hand, impairments in sweating response are ascribed to reduced sweat gland cholinergic sensitivity and altered cyclooxygenase and nitric oxide signaling. Several practical mitigation strategies such as exercise, passive heating, and behavioral adaptations are proposed as means to overcome heat stress and improve thermal tolerance in the aged. Aerobic exercise training is shown to be amongst the most effective ways to enhance thermoregulatory function. However, in elderly with limited exercise capability due to chronic diseases and mobility issues, passive heating can serve as a functional alternative as it has been shown to confer similar benefits to that of exercise training. Supplementary to exercise training and passive heating, behavioral adaptations can be applied to further enhance the heat‐preparedness of the aged.
Anxiety and depression symptoms in adult males in Atlantic Canada with or without a lifetime history of prostate cancer
Authors: Ilie Gabriela , Rutledge Robert , Sweeney Ellen 
Published: October 2019

AbstractObjectiveProstate cancer (PCa) is the most prevalent form of cancer among men and has one of the most favorable survival rates among all cancers. Here we examine the association between depression and anxiety symptoms in a population‐based sample of men.MethodsA cross‐sectional analysis was conducted on a subsample of 6 585 male participants aged 49‐69 from 2009 to 2015 survey cycle of the Atlantic PATH. Mild, moderate or severe depression or anxiety indicators were primary outcomes and were assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD‐7) scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐9). The presence of a lifetime history of PCa, other forms of cancer (except PCa) or absence of either was the main predictor variable.ResultsAn estimated 3.9% of men self‐identified as having had a history of PCa diagnosis, 11.3% of men identified as having had a history of other forms of cancer and 84.9% reported never having had a diagnosis of cancer in their lifetime, respectively. Survivors of PCa had 2.45 or 2.05 statistically significantly higher odds of screening positive for current anxiety or depressive symptoms, respectively, compared with those who identified as without a lifetime history of any form of cancer in controlled analyses (including survivorship time).ConclusionsIncreased rates of anxiety and depression among men with a history of PCa highlight the need for mental health screening among PCa survivors. The findings highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary effort to prioritize and deliver comprehensive mental health support to PCa survivors.
“We are all brothers here”: The making of a life by Chechen refugees in Poland
Authors: Sipos Michal 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIn this age of human mobility, refugees face increased politicisation of their migration. Instead of being victims of the present and the past, refugees live their lives proactively. On the basis of ethnographic fieldwork among Chechen refugees in Poland, this paper concerns the relation between the political and socio‐economic context and migrants' agency. In particular, the paper explores how a shared sense of loss and trauma, refugees' deportability and subordinate inclusion within Poland and the European Union, and a collective experience of exploitation and racism shape migrants' proactive existence. The paper provides a detailed ethnographic account of the circumstances under which refugees are likely to distance themselves from the local people and host society while developing a strong sense of shared identity and collective morality.
A practical assimilation approach to extract smaller‐scale information from observations with spatially correlated errors: An idealized study
Authors: Bédard Joël , Buehner Mark 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIt is still common to neglect the spatial error correlations of assimilated observations in numerical weather prediction systems because no practical approach is available to account for them when the number of observations with correlated error is large or when these observations are non‐uniformly distributed. Instead, it is common practice to inflate observation error variances to avoid overfitting large scales and spatially thin observations to reduce error correlations between remaining observations, although both methods generally sacrifice small‐scale information. Inspired by previous work on assimilating the difference between adjacent observations (so‐called spatial difference observations), this study aims at combining direct observations with spatial difference observations in the assimilation to extract both large‐ and smaller‐scale information from observations with spatially correlated errors, while still neglecting these error correlations. Experiments performed in a simplified 1D context over a periodic domain show that the combined approach is numerically equivalent to directly assimilating observations available at every grid point using non‐diagonal observation error covariances based on a first‐order autoregressive correlation function. In a case where observation error correlations have a different structure (e.g. Gaussian), the true observation error correlations are not perfectly taken into account by the combined approach, but it still efficiently extracts information to correct the scales that have the most errors. Combining direct observations with spatial difference observations proves complementary and experimental results show lower analysis errors for both large and intermediate scales. More specifically, while neglecting spatial observation error correlations, the combined approach provides results with lower analysis error than the direct approach, especially when spatial error correlations are large and when direct observations are spatially thinned.
Effects of quantization and saturation on performance in bilateral teleoperator
Authors: Yang Xian , Yan Jing , Hua Changchun , Guan Xinping 
Published: October 2019

SummaryQuantization caused by communication channel and saturation caused by manipulator actuator can influence the synchronized motion of bilateral teleoperation system. The primary contribution of this paper is the consideration of quantization phenomenon when designing control law for teleoperator. Two types of control schemes are considered: position error feedback and slave torque feedback. We demonstrate that asymptotic stability is possible if a suitable relationship holds among the parameters of quantizer, controller, and saturation level. The secondary contribution of the paper is the estimation for the domain of attraction of teleoperator. Linear matrix inequality–based optimization conditions are established to guarantee the stability. The calculated region provides a basis when selecting the initial states. Finally, to further demonstrate validity of the proposed method, simulation and experiment are performed on a pair of robots, which have limited actuation capacity and communication channel.
Enhanced information reconfiguration for distributed model predictive control for cyber‐physical networked systems
Authors: Wei Yongsong , Li Shaoyuan , Zheng Yi 
Published: October 2019

SummaryThis paper considers a class of cyber‐physical networked systems, which are composed of many interacted subsystems, and are controlled in a distributed framework. The operating point of each subsystem changes with the varying of working conditions or productions, which may cause the change of the interactions among subsystems correspondingly. How to adapt to this change with good closed‐loop optimization performance and appropriate information connections is a problem. To solve this problem, the impaction of a subsystem's control action on the performance of related closed‐loop subsystems is first deduced for measuring the coupling among subsystems. Then, a distributed model predictive control (MPC) for tracking, whose subsystems online reconfigure their information structures, is proposed based on this impaction index. When the operating points changed, each local MPC calculates the impaction indices related to its structural downstream subsystems. If and only if the impaction index exceeds a defined bound, its behavior is considered by its downstream subsystem's MPC. The aim is to improve the optimization performance of entire closed‐loop systems and avoid the unnecessary information connections among local MPCs. Besides, contraction constraints are designed to guarantee that the overall system converges to the set points. The stability analysis is also provided. Simulation results show that the proposed impaction index is reasonable along with the efficiency of the proposed distributed MPC.
A Catalyst Free One‐Pot Synthesis of Coumarin Functionalized Bis‐oxazines in Ethanol at Room Temperature
Authors: Bartwal Gaurav , Khurana Jitender M. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractCoumarin scaffolds exhibit diversified biological responses such as anticancer, anti‐Alzheimer, anticogulants, antituberculosis, antioxidants, anti‐inflammatory etc. 1,3‐Oxazines also possess wide range of pharmacological activities. Therefore, incorporation of these two privileged scaffolds in a single entity using efficient green methodologies would be of great importance.Herein, we report a facile, efficient and catalyst free synthesis of coumarin functionalized bis‐oxazines via one‐pot condensation of 5,7‐dihydroxy‐4‐methyl‐2H‐chromen‐2‐one, substituted aromatic amines and formaldehyde in ethanol at room temperature. This domino reaction provides rapid access to pharmacologically relevant molecular hybrids in short reaction time. This protocol offers advantages of mild reaction conditions, operational simplicity, avoidance of column chromatography, inexpensive starting reactants and ease of product separation.
Preparation, Characterization and Photosensitizing Activities of Homoleptic Cu(II) Dithiocarbamates in TiO2‐Based DSSC
Authors: Manar Krishna K. , Neetu  , Kumari Kavita , Anamika  , Yadav Chote L. , Srivastava Pankaj , Drew Michael G. B. , Singh Nanhai 
Published: October 2019

AbstractNew homoleptic copper(II) dithiocarbamate complexes, [Cu(L1‐L5)2] (L1=N‐benzyl‐N‐4‐bromobenzyl dithiocarbamate− Cu1; L2=N‐benzyl‐N‐4‐methoxybenzyl dithiocarbamate− Cu2; L3=4‐N,N‐diethylbenzyl‐N‐methyl dithiocarbamate− Cu3; L4=N‐methyl‐N‐4‐isopropylbenzyl dithiocarbamate− Cu4 and L5=N‐3‐pyridyl‐N‐4‐bromobenzyl dithiocarbamate− Cu5) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, HRMS, IR and UV‐Vis. spectroscopy, PXRD and cyclic voltammetry. The monomeric (1−3) and dimeric (4) structures have been elucidated by X‐ray crystallography. In all four structures the copper atom has square planar geometry. In 3 and 4 existence of rare C−H⋅⋅⋅Cu intermolecular anagostic interactions have been detected in the solid state. All complexes were exploited as sensitizers for TiO2 photoanode based dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSC). When TiO2 anchored with these complexes was used as DSSC photoanode, significant light harvesting properties were observed with an exceptionally high light‐to‐electrical energy conversion efficiency (3.62%) shown by Cu3 complex. The extent of interfacial charge‐recombination and electron lifetime was evaluated from the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies. The better performance of Cu3 compared to other complexes was attributed to its structural features. All the complexes with σrt, 10−6‐10−9 S cm−1 are weakly conducting but show semiconducting behaviour in the 303–383 K temperature range with Ea values of 0.20−0.90 eV.
Ferrocene Amino Acid Ester Uracil Conjugates: Synthesis, Structure, Electrochemistry and Antimicrobial Evaluation
Authors: Daniluk Maria , Buchowicz Włodzimierz , Koszytkowska‐Stawińska Mariola , Jarząbek Karolina , Jarzembska Katarzyna N. , Kamiński Radosław , Piszcz Michał , Laudy Agnieszka E. , Tyski Stefan 
Published: October 2019

AbstractFerrocene‐amino acid ester‐uracil conjugates, derived from four amino acids (l‐alanine, glycine, β‐alanine and γ‐aminobutyric acid), were synthesized via the Cu(I)‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition as the key step. The new compounds were characterized spectroscopically and by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography in the case of the derivatives of glycine (monoclinic,P21/c) and γ‐aminobutyric acid (orthorhombic,Pca21). Electrochemical measurements showed subtle influence of the compounds’ structure on the redox potential of the Fc/Fc+couple. Among the four compounds tested for antimicrobial activity, the conjugate obtained froml‐alanine possessed weak antifungal activity againstCandida guillermondii.
In Vitro Investigation on Behavior of Pyriproxyfen Binding onto Bovine Serum Albumin by Mean of Various Spectroscopic Methodologies and In Silico
Authors: Feng Jia‐Fei , Wu Meng , Wang Bao‐Li , Kou Song‐Bo , Lin Zhen‐Yi , Shi Jie‐Hua 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe investigation on the interaction mechanism between pesticide pyriproxyfen (PPF) and serum albumin has great implications in clinical detection, gene mutation and pathological analysis of pesticide poisoning. In this paper, the binding behavior of PPF with bovine serum albumin (BSA) have been assessed through various spectroscopic techniques combined with computer simulation. The findings confirmed that PPF quenched the endogenous fluorescence of BSA in the means of static quenching and formed the stable PPF‐BSA complex with the stoichiometry of 1:1. The affinity of PPF on BSA was moderate due to its binding constant of 4.15×103 M−1 (298 K). It was confirmed from replacement experiments and molecular docking that PPF bound preferentially onto the Site I region of BSA. The findings from thermodynamic parameter analysis and the replacement experiments of ANS and sucrose confirmed the driving‐forces for forming PPF‐BSA complex was hydrogen bonding, van der Waals and hydrophobic interactions. Meantime, it was also confirmed from synchronous fluorescence and FT‐IR spectra that the hydrophilicity surrounding Trp residues and α‐helix of BSA declined due to binding with PPF. And, it is confirmed from in silico finding the dipole moment, atomic charge distribution, molecular conformation, and frontier orbital of PPF also significantly altered after binding with BSA.
Bismuth(III)‐Triflate‐Catalyzed Highly Diastereoselective Synthesis of Substituted Tetrahydrothiophene via Tandem Isomerization, Michael and Aldol Reactions
Authors: Borthakur Upasana , Saikia Anil K 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBismuth(III)trifluoromethanesulfonate (Bi(OTf)3) catalyzes the reaction of β,γ‐unsaturated ketone and 1,4‐dithiane‐2,5‐diol to afford highly substituted tetrahydrothiophenes via sequential rearrangement, Michael and aldol reactions in good yields. The reaction is highly diastereoselective. Bi(OTf)3 acts as a catalyst for all three reactions.