bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cannabis use disorders may protect against certain disorders of the digestive organs in people with schizophrenia but not in healthy controls
Authors: Olesen Julie Aamand , Posselt Christine Merrild , Poulsen Chalotte Heinsvig , Nordentoft Merete , Hjorthøj Carsten 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackground.Previous studies have shown a potential for cannabis in disorders of the digestive organs. We aimed to investigate whether cannabis use disorders (CUD) would decrease the risk of incident disorders of the digestive organs, in people with schizophrenia and population controls.Methods.We combined nationwide Danish registers to identify 21 066 cases with schizophrenia and 176 935 sex-and-age-matched controls. Two models were analyzed for the associations between CUD and digestive disorders in time-varying Cox regressions: one adjusted for sex, year of birth, and calendar year; and one further adjusted for alcohol and other substance use disorders and parental education.Results.CUD was associated with a decreased risk of developing disorders of gut–brain interaction (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, etc.) among cases with schizophrenia (HR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.74–0.94,p= 0.003). CUD was associated with decreased risk of inflammatory bowel disease (HR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.49–0.99,p= 0.045) in the basically adjusted model, dropping just below statistical significance in the fully adjusted model (HR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.48–1.03,p= 0.07). CUD displayed a tendency toward a decreased risk of serious disorders of the digestive organs among cases with schizophrenia (HR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.77–1.02,p= 0.09) in the fully adjusted model. No associations were observed among controls.Conclusions.In people with schizophrenia, but not in controls, CUD is associated with decreased risk of disorders of gut–brain interaction and inflammatory bowel disease, and possibly other serious disorders of the digestive organs. Our findings could lead to new targets for treatment and prevention of disorders of the digestive organs.
Effectiveness of Active Labour Market Programmes on the Job Quality of Welfare Recipients in Germany
Authors: DENGLER KATHARINA 
Published: March 2019

AbstractUsing rich administrative data on unemployed welfare recipients in Germany and propensity score matching, the author analyses the effects of participating in four major active labour market programmes (ALMPs) on various dimensions of job quality. In Germany, welfare recipients may suffer from poor job quality because they are forced to accept any reasonable job offer. However, few studies consider the effects of participation in ALMPs on job quality. The results imply that participation in a programme not only increases the probability of taking jobs but also increases the probability of holding a high-quality job for some dimension of job quality. In particular, further vocational training is very effective in terms of job quality for West German women. Thus, job centres should focus on the activation of unemployed welfare recipients.
Varieties of Employment Subsidy Design: Theory and Evidence from Across Europe
Authors: CRONERT AXEL 
Published: March 2019

AbstractEmployment subsidy programs have experienced considerable expansion across Europe in recent decades. To date, most studies analyzing this policy shift have assumed that these programs are largely equivalent in terms of their designs, effects, and explanations. In contrast, this article argues that employment subsidies are best understood as versatile multi-purpose tools that can be used as means to rather different distributional ends. Using Multiple Correspondence Analysis to explore novel data from hundreds of employment subsidy programs across Europe, this article develops a new typology based on two overarching trade-offs. The typology highlights that employment subsidies may be designed tocounteractas well as tosustaininsider/outsider divides in the labor market, and that they may be designed to tackle eitherstructuralorcyclicallabor market problems. In a first empirical evaluation of the typology, programs with different designs are found to vary systematically in terms of distributional outcomes and starting conditions.
Recurrence ofClostridium difficileinfection in the Western Australian population
Authors: Alfayyadh M. , Collins D. A. , Tempone S. , McCann R. , Armstrong P. K. , Riley T. V. , Cook A. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractClostridium difficile, the most common cause of hospital-associated diarrhoea in developed countries, presents major public health challenges. The high clinical and economic burden fromC. difficileinfection (CDI) relates to the high frequency of recurrent infections caused by either the same or different strains ofC. difficile. An interval of 8 weeks after index infection is commonly used to classify recurrent CDI episodes. We assessed strains ofC. difficilein a sample of patients with recurrent CDI in Western Australia from October 2011 to July 2017. The performance of different intervals between initial and subsequent episodes of CDI was investigated. Of 4612 patients with CDI, 1471 (32%) were identified with recurrence. PCR ribotyping data were available for initial and recurrent episodes for 551 patients. Relapse (recurrence with same ribotype (RT) as index episode) was found in 350 (64%) patients and reinfection (recurrence with new RT) in 201 (36%) patients. Our analysis indicates that 8- and 20-week intervals failed to adequately distinguish reinfection from relapse. In addition, living in a non-metropolitan area modified the effect of age on the risk of relapse. Where molecular epidemiological data are not available, we suggest that applying an 8-week interval to define recurrent CDI requires more consideration.
Isolation, characterization and optimization of EPSs produced by a cold-adaptedMarinobacterisolate from Antarctic seawater
Authors: Caruso Consolazione , Rizzo Carmen , Mangano Santina , Poli Annarita , Di Donato Paola , Nicolaus Barbara , Finore Ilaria , Di Marco Gaetano , Michaud Luigi , Lo Giudice Angelina 
Published: March 2019

AbstractMarinobactersp. W1-16 from Antarctic surface seawater was analysed for the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs). Enhancement of the EPS biosynthesis was carried out by evaluating the influences of the carbon source (type and concentration), temperature, pH and salinity. EPS yields varied strongly depending on sugar substrate and temperature, while pH and salinity did not strongly affect levels of EPS production.Marinobactersp. W1-16 produced the highest quantity of EPSs when growing at 15°C and pH 8, in the presence of 2% glucose and 3% NaCl. The EPS chemical characterization revealed a molecular weight of about 260 kDa. Colorimetric assays determined a higher quantity of carbohydrate than of proteins and uronic acids, as well as the presence of sulphate, in the extracted EPSs. The monosaccharidic composition resulted in Glc:Man:Gal:GalN:GalA:GlcA in relative molar proportions of 1:0.9:0.2:0.1:0.1:0.01. Some biotechnological potentialities (i.e. emulsifying and cryoprotective actions, and heavy metal binding properties) of the EPSs were proved, suggesting possible industrial and bioremediation applications.
Breastfeeding continuation at 6 weeks postpartum remediates the negative effects of prenatal intimate partner violence on infant temperament
Authors: Miller-Graff Laura , Scheid Caroline R. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractVery little work has examined potential moderating effects in the link between prenatal intimate partner violence (IPV) and infant adjustment, especially in the first critical weeks following delivery. The current study evaluated the protective role of breastfeeding in the relationship between prenatal IPV and infant temperament at 4 months. Pregnant women (n= 82) were interviewed during pregnancy and at 6 weeks and 4 months postpartum. It was hypothesized that (a) prenatal IPV would predict infant temperament outcomes at the 4-month postpartum visit, and (b) breastfeeding continuation at 6 weeks acts as a protective factor such that breastfed infants will be less affected by the risk posed by prenatal IPV. Results indicated direct and negative effects of prenatal IPV on positive affectivity/surgency and orienting/regulatory capacity at 4 months. A significant moderating effect of breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum was identified. Mothers who were not breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum demonstrated the expected negative relationship between prenatal IPV exposure and infant adjustment, but if mothers were breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum, the relationship between IPV exposure and infant positive affectivity/surgency and orienting/regulatory capacity was not significantly different from zero. Results indicate a significant protective effect of breastfeeding in the intergenerational transmission of risk for infants born to mothers exposed to IPV.
Student-Run Exit Polls 101
Authors: Croco Sarah E. , Suhay Elizabeth , Blum Rachel , Mason Lilliana , Noel Hans , Ladd Jonathan , Bailey Michael A. 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRACTAs professors, we seek not only to impart knowledge about issues and concepts in American politics but also to engage and inspire students to become more knowledgeable and more active in politics. This article explains how a student-run exit poll conducted on Election Day 2016 accomplished both goals. Seven faculty members from four universities pooled our students and carried out an exit poll in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and Ohio. By the time the polls closed, our students had spoken to more than 2,300 respondents, providing a memorable experience and creating a shared dataset that served as the centerpiece for many final class projects. Through this project, students gained hands-on experience in survey design, sampling, research ethics, polling, and data analysis.
Quality of life improves after palliative placement of percutaneous tunneled drainage catheter for refractory ascites in prospective study of patients with end-stage cancer
Authors: Robson Piera Cote , Gonen Mithat , Ni Ai , Brody Lynn , Brown Karen T. , Getrajdman George , Thom Bridgette , Kline Nancy , Covey Anne 
Published: March 2019

AbstractObjectivePercutaneous tunneled drainage catheter (PTDC) placement is a palliative alternative to serial paracenteses in patients with end-stage cancer and refractory ascites. The impact of PTDC on quality of life (QoL) and long-term outcomes has not been prospectively described. The objective was to evaluate changes in QoL after PTDC.MethodEligible adult patients with end-stage cancer undergoing PTDC placement for refractory ascites completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire and McGill Quality of Life instruments before PTDC placement and at 2 to 7 days and 2 to 4 weeks after PTDC. Catheter function, complications, and laboratory values were assessed. Analysis of QoL data was evaluated with a stratified Wilcoxon signed-rank test.ResultFifty patients enrolled. Survey completion ranged from 65% to 100% (median 88%) across timepoints. All patients had a Tenckhoff catheter, with 98% technical success. Median survival after PTDC was 38 days (95% confidence interval = 32, 57 days). European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer scores showed improvement in global QoL (p = 0.03) at 1 week postprocedure (PP). Significant symptom improvement was reported for fatigue, nausea/vomiting, pain, dyspnea, insomnia, and appetite at 1 week PP and was sustained at 3 weeks PP for dyspnea (p < 0.01), insomnia (p < 0.01), and appetite loss (p = 0.03). McGill Quality of Life demonstrated overall QoL improvement at 1 (p = 0.03) and 3 weeks (p = 0.04) PP. Decline in sodium and albumin values pre- and post-PTDC slowed significantly (albumin slope –0.43 to –0.26, p = 0.055; sodium slope –2.50 to 1.31, p = 0.04). Creatinine values increased at an accelerated pace post-PTDC (0.040 to 0.21, p < 0.01). Thirty-eight catheter-related complications occurred in 24 of 45 patients (53%).Significance of resultsQoL and symptoms improved after PTDC placement for refractory ascites in patients with end-stage malignancy. Decline in sodium and albumin values slowed postplacement. This study supports the use of a PTDC for palliation of refractory ascites in cancer patients.
A wideband, single layer reflectarray antenna with cross loop and square ring slot loaded patch elements
Authors: Veluchamy Lingasamy , Mohammed Gulam Nabi Alsath , Krishnasamy T. Selvan , Jyoti Rajeev 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis paper presents the design and analysis of a wideband X/Ku and Ku band reflectarray antenna. The proposed unit cell of the reflectarray antenna comprises a patch loaded with two distinct slots, viz. a square ring and a cross loop, printed on a low loss substrate, which is backed by a foam-loaded ground plane. The unit cell element offers a linear and large dynamic reflection phase range, which is achieved by optimizing the shape, location, and geometrical parameters of the two slots loaded on the patch. A 324 element microstrip reflectarray antenna of size 200 × 200 mm2 is constructed and analyzed for its radiation characteristics by simulation and measurement. The reflectarray offers a 3 dB gain bandwidth of 50.75% with the operating frequency range of 10–16.8 GHz. It offers a peak gain and aperture efficiency of 25.4 dB and 40% at 12.6 GHz, respectively. The cross-polarization level is below −40 dB over the entire operating frequency range.
A low-noise and flexible FPGA-based binary signal measurement generator
Authors: Notzon Gordon , Storch Robert , Musch Thomas , Vogt Michael 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIn the area of electromagnetic metrology, binary coded excitation signals become more and more important and various binary coded sequences are available. The measurement approach is to assess the impulse response function of a device under test by correlating the response signal with the excitation signal. In order to achieve a high measurement reproducibility as well as a high dynamic range, the generated binary coded signals have to provide low-noise. In this contribution, a low-noise signal generator realized with a field programmable gate array is presented. The performance investigation of different kinds of binary coded excitation signals and different correlation concepts have been practically investigated. With a chip rate of 5 Gchip/s, the generator can be utilized for ultra-wideband applications. In order to allow for a low-noise and long-term stable signal generation, a new clock generator concept is presented and results of phase noise measurements are shown. Furthermore, an algorithm to fast and precisely shifting the time lag between two binary coded signals for correlating excitation and response signals with a hardware correlator is presented. Finally, the realized demonstrator system is tested using two commonly used types of binary coded sequences.
Target site–based penoxsulam resistance in barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) from China
Authors: Fang Jiapeng , Liu Tingting , Zhang Yuhua , Li Jun , Dong Liyao 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBarnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv.] is acknowledged to be the most troublesome weed in rice fields in Anhui and Jiangsu provinces of China. It cannot be effectively controlled using certain acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides, including penoxsulam. Echinochloa crus-galli samples with suspected resistance to penoxsulam were collected to identify the target site–based mechanism underlying this resistance. Populations AXXZ-2 and JNRG-2 showed 33- and 7.3-fold resistance to penoxsulam, respectively, compared with the susceptible JLGY-3 population. Cross-resistance to other ALS inhibitors was reported in AXXZ-2 but not in JNRG-2, and occasionally showed higher sensitivity than JLGY-3. In vitro ALS activity assays revealed that penoxsulam concentrations required to inhibit 50% of ALS activity were 11 and 5.2 times greater in AXXZ-2 and JNRG-2, respectively, than in JLGY-3. DNA and predicted amino acid sequence analyses of ALS revealed Ala-205-Val and Ala-122-Gly substitutions in AXXZ-2 and JNRG-2, respectively. Our results indicate that these substitutions in ALS are at least partially responsible for resistance to penoxsulam.
Oxygen Generation by Carbon Dioxide Glow Discharge and Separation by Permeation Through Ultrathin Silver Membranes
Authors: Premathilake Dilshan , Outlaw Ronald A. , Quinlan Ronald A. , Byvik Charles E. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractA six Torr CO2 glow discharge in combination with a heated W mesh‐reinforced ultrathin Ag membrane is used to generate molecular oxygen. The Ag membrane is a commercially available 25‐μm‐thick Ag foil backed by a 25‐μm‐thick W electroformed mesh. The permeation flux is inversely dependent on the membrane thickness and exponentially dependent on the membrane temperature. Calculations show that a pressure differential of 1 atmosphere can be supported by the W mesh/Ag foil membrane at temperatures up to 350 °C. In this work, a glow discharge for pressures between 2 and 15 Torr CO2 and temperatures up to 500 °C were reported. The DC glow discharge was produced initially with a solid Ag rod cathode, 2 mm in diameter, and then with a 7‐mm‐diameter Ag rod machined into a hollow cathode, located 5 mm from, and normal to, the Ag membrane anode. The voltage was varied from 440 to 620 VDC with currents up to 41 mA. A stable flux of 1.61 × 1015 O2 molecules·cm−2·s−1 is observed for a membrane temperature of 450 °C and a CO2 pressure of 6 Torr. With ~4‐m2 surface area, this approach is competitive with the present mission qualified Mars Oxygen In‐Situ Resource Utilization Experiment (MOXIE) system planned by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the 2020 Mars rover mission which generates ≈12 g/hr O2. The proof of concept technique presented herein can be substantially improved by further reduction of the membrane thickness, refinement of the cathode, and glow discharge plasma.
Interior Pathways of Labrador Sea Water in the North Atlantic From the Argo Perspective
Authors: Biló T. C. , Johns W. E. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe pathways and transports of Labrador Sea Water (LSW) within the southward‐flowing lower limb of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation are studied using 12 years of Argo profiles and subsurface Argo drift data. Consistent with previous studies, the results show clear evidence for interior pathways of LSW that separate from the western boundary near the Grand Banks and flow eastward and then southward around a large‐scale deep anticyclonic gyre in the northern subtropical Atlantic. Most of the LSW exported into the interior recirculates in the Newfoundland Basin (9.3 ± 3.5 Sv). However, approximately 3.2 ± 0.4 Sv cross the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge and flow southward east of the Azores. This branch feeds a westward quasi‐zonal pathway that recrosses the Ridge and returns to the western boundary around 30°N.
How Well Does an FV3‐Based Model Predict Precipitation at a Convection‐Allowing Resolution? Results From CAPS Forecasts for the 2018 NOAA Hazardous Weather Test Bed With Different Physics Combinations
Authors: Zhang Chunxi , Xue Ming , Supinie Timothy A. , Kong Fanyou , Snook Nathan , Thomas Kevin W. , Brewster Keith , Jung Youngsun , Harris Lucas M. , Lin Shian‐Jiann 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) Finite‐Volume Cubed‐Sphere (FV3) numerical forecast model was chosen in late 2016 by the National Weather Service (NWS) to serve as the dynamic core of the Next‐Generation Global Prediction System (NGGPS). The operational Global Forecasting System (GFS) physics suite implemented in FV3, however, was not necessarily suitable for convective‐scale prediction. We implemented several advanced physics schemes from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model within FV3 and ran 10 forecasts with combinations of five planetary boundary layer and two microphysics (MP) schemes, with an ~3.5‐km convection‐allowing grid two‐way nested within am ~13‐km grid spacing global grid during the 2018 Spring Forecasting Experiment at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Hazardous Weather Testbed. Objective verification results show that the Thompson MP scheme slightly outperforms the National Severe Storms Laboratory MP scheme in precipitation forecast skill, while no planetary boundary layer scheme clearly stands out. The skill of FV3 is similar to that of the more‐established WRF at a similar resolution. These results establish the viability of the FV3 dynamic core for convective‐scale forecasting as part of the single‐core unification of the NWS modeling suite.
Jensen‐Shannon Complexity and Permutation Entropy Analysis of Geomagnetic Auroral Currents
Authors: Osmane Adnane , Dimmock Andrew P. , Pulkkinen Tuija I. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIn this study we determine whether auroral westward currents can be characterized by low‐dimensional chaotic attractors through the use of the complexity‐entropy methodology developed by Rosso et al. (2007, https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.154102) and based on the permutation entropy developed by Bandt and Pompe (2002, https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.88.174102). Our results indicate that geomagnetic auroral indices are indistinguishable from stochastic processes from time scales ranging from a few minutes to 10 hr and for embedded dimensions d < 8. Our results are inconsistent with earlier studies of Baker et al. (1990, https://doi.org/10.1029/GL017i001p00041), Pavlos et al. (1992), D. Roberts et al. (1991, https://doi.org/10.1029/91GL00021), D. A. Roberts (1991, https://doi.org/10.1029/91JA01088), and Vassiliadis et al. (1990, https://doi.org/10.1029/GL017i011p01841, 1991, https://doi.org/10.1029/91GL01378) indicating that auroral geomagnetic indices could be reduced to low‐dimensional systems with chaotic dynamics.
Ground‐Based Observations of VLF Waves as a Proxy for Satellite Observations: Development of Models Including the Influence of Solar Illumination and Geomagnetic Disturbance Levels
Authors: Simms Laura E. , Engebretson Mark J. , Clilverd Mark A. , Rodger Craig J. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractGround observations of VLF (very low frequency) waves have often been used to infer VLF activity in the magnetosphere; however, they are not an unbiased measure of activity at satellite altitudes due to transionospheric absorption and subionospheric attenuation. We propose several empirical models that control for these effects. VLF power spectral density (PSD) from the VLF/ELF Logger Experiment (VELOX, L=4.6, Halley, Antarctica) is used to predict DEMETER low Earth orbit VLF PSD. Validation correlations of these models are as high as 0.764; thus, ground VLF receivers spaced around the Earth could provide coverage of outer radiation belt lower band chorus over the latitudinal limits of this model (±45–75°). Correlations of four frequency bands (centered at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.25 kHz) are compared. The simple linear correlation between ground and satellite VLF PSD in the 1.0‐kHz channel was 0.606 (at dawn). A cubic model resulted in higher correlation (0.638). VLF penetration to the ground is reduced by ionospheric absorption during solar illumination and by disruption of ducting field lines during disturbed conditions. Subionospheric attenuation also reduces VLF observations from distant field lines. Addition of these covariates improved predictions. Both solar illumination and disturbed conditions reduced ground observation of VLF PSD, with higher power waves penetrating to the ground proportionately less than lower power waves. The effect of illumination in reducing wave penetration was more pronounced at higher frequency (4.25 kHz), with the effect at a midrange frequency (2.0 kHz) falling between these two extremes.