bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bit error probability of the M‐QAM scheme subject to multilevel double gated additive white Gaussian noise and η‐μ, κ‐μ, or α‐μ fading
Authors: Silva Hugerles S. , Queiroz Wamberto J. L. , Almeida Danilo B. T. , Madeiro Francisco , Alencar Marcelo S. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis paper presents new and exact expressions for the bit error probability (BEP) of the square M‐ary quadrature amplitude modulation scheme subject to η‐μ, κ‐μ or α‐μ fading and multilevel double gated additive white Gaussian noise, which is composed by the sum of a white Gaussian component of variance
and a white Gaussian noise component of variance
gated by a discrete random process defined in continuous time, which takes values into a finite discrete set. BEP curves, with and without imperfect channel estimation, corroborated by simulations using the Monte Carlo method, are presented for different values of parameters that characterize mathematically the channel.
In Situ Monitoring of the Antibacterial Activity of a Copper–Silver Alloy Using Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy and pH Microsensors
Authors: Ciacotich Nicole , Kragh Kasper Nørskov , Lichtenberg Mads , Tesdorpf Jens Edward , Bjarnsholt Thomas , Gram Lone 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe antibacterial efficacy of a copper–silver alloy coating under conditions resembling build up of dry surface bacterial biofilms is successfully demonstrated according to US EPA test methods with a ≥99.9% reduction of test organisms over a 24 h period. A tailor‐made confocal imaging protocol is designed to visualize in situ the killing of bacterial biofilms at the copper–silver alloy surface and monitor the kinetics for 100 min. The copper–silver alloy coating eradicates a biofilm of Gram‐positive bacteria within 5 min while a biofilm of Gram‐negative bacteria are killed more slowly. In situ pH monitoring indicates a 2‐log units increase at the interface between the metallic surface and bacterial biofilm; however, the viability of the bacteria is not directly affected by this raise (pH 8.0–9.5) when tested in buffer. The OH− production, as a result of the interaction between the electrochemically active surface and the bacterial biofilm under environmental conditions, is thus one aspect of the contact‐mediated killing of the copper–silver alloy coating and not the direct cause of the observed antibacterial efficacy. The combination of oxidation of bacterial cells, release of copper ions, and local pH raise characterizes the antibacterial activity of the copper–silver alloy‐coated dry surface.
Renewable absorbents for CO2 capture: from biomass to nature
Authors: He Qingyao , Shi Mingfei , Liang Feihong , Xu Lang , Ji Long , Yan Shuiping 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe chemical absorption process for carbon dioxide (CO2) capture is a promising method to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the energy industry. Worldwide applications of the CO2 chemical absorption process will consume plenty of chemical absorbents and have hazardous impacts on the environment. The development of renewable absorbents from biomass can not only fill the gap of absorbent production, but also provide a novel green approach to recycle the used absorbents into nature without additional pollution. In this review, we summarized several renewable absorbents available from biomass such as biomass ash slurries, alkanolamines, aqueous ammonia, and amino acid salts. The preparations, CO2 absorption capacities, advanced treatments, and applications of the renewable absorbents were also reviewed. Moreover, the advantages and challenges in the preparation of the renewable absorbents were discussed, as well as their CO2 absorption performance improvement. Finally, future research avenues into degradation and utilization of renewable absorbents in nature were suggested. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of geochemical and geomechanical changes on CO2 sequestration potential in sandstone and limestone aquifers
Authors: Raza Arshad , Gholami Raoof , Rabiei Minou , Rasouli Vamegh , Rezaee Reza , Fakhari Nikoo 
Published: July 2019

AbstractCO2 storage in different geological formations has been recognized as one of the promising mitigation approaches to reduce the emission of CO2 into the atmosphere. There are many complex hydro‐chemo‐mechanical interactions (effective stress changes, water acidification, and mineral dissolution) that may take place in a storage site during or after injection, reducing the integrity of formations in the short or long term. Although there have been several studies carried out in the past to assess the feasibility of sandstones and limestone formations as a safe CO2 storage site, the effect of hydrological, mechanical, and chemical processes on the storage site integrity has not been deeply addressed. The aim of this study is to couple thermo‐hydro‐chemo‐mechanical processes upon CO2 injection and assess their impact on the key storage aspects of quartz‐rich sandstone and calcite‐rich limestone. A numerical model was built to simulate CO2 flooding into a saline aquifer with sandstone and limestone composition for 500 years. The results obtained indicated that geochemical activity and CO2 dissolution are significantly higher in limestone and may increase the porosity by ∼16%. During injection, a decrease in the reservoir strength was observed in both rock types upon exposure to CO2. A remarkable variation in the geomechanical characteristics was also revealed in the sandstone after injection. However, ground displacements (subsidence) of 0.0017 and 0.033 m were, respectively, observed in sandstone and limestone aquifers, at the end of 500 years. It is recommended to consider a high‐strength reservoir for carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects in order to reduce the likelihood of compaction. It was also found that both rock types have a good storage capacity, injectivity, and trapping potentials (the structural and dissolution trappings) to capture and hold CO2 in place. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Palaeoproductivity and organic matter accumulation during the deposition of the Chang 7 organic‐rich shale of the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Yuan Wei , Liu Guangdi , Zhou Xiaoxing , Xu Liming , Li Chaozheng 
Published: July 2019

The lacustrine Chang 7 organic‐rich shale of the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation is a very important hydrocarbon source rock and contains high total organic carbon content (average = 5.54 wt.%). Previous studies suggest that deposits of the Chang 7 accumulated slowly under dominantly oxic–suboxic bottom‐water conditions occasionally interrupted by the establishment of anoxic conditions. However, questions remain regarding the role of palaeoproductivity in accumulation of the Chang 7 organic matter. Palaeoproductivity indicators, including P/Al, Ni/Al, Cu/Al, and Zn/Al, suggest that the deposition of the Chang 7 period was accompanied by high primary productivity level. Furthermore, productivity appears to have been highest in the middle and south‐east region of the lake, diminishing to the north‐east, the north‐west, and the south‐west. Elevated productivity resulted in the flux of large amounts of organic matter to the lake floor. Intermittent anoxic bottom‐water conditions caused by oxygen consumption during organic matter degradation favoured enhanced preservation of organic matter even under oxic–suboxic water column. Low sedimentation rate made the organic matter in sediments avoid dilution of terrigenous clastics, which made it play a positive role in the accumulation of organic matter.
Roommate effects in health outcomes
Authors: Frijters Paul , Islam Asad , Lalji Chitwan , Pakrashi Debayan 
Published: July 2019

AbstractWe use randomized roommate assignment in dormitories in a college in Kolkata in India to examine peer effects in weight gains among roommates. We use administrative data on weight, height, and test scores of students at the time of college admission and then survey these students at the end of their first and second years in college. We do not find any significant roommate specific peer effect in weight gain. Our results rather suggest that an obese roommate reduces the probability that the other roommates become obese in subsequent years. We examine potential mechanism using survey data on students' eating habits, smoking, exercise, and sleeping patterns. We find that obese roommates sleep longer, which in turn improves the sleep pattern of others, which might explain the weak negative effect of obese roommates on the weight of others in the same room.
The impact of pharmaceutical marketing on market access, treatment coverage, pricing, and social welfare
Authors: Critchley Gregory J. , Zaric Gregory S. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractPharmaceutical spending in the United States, Canada, and the EU is growing. Public payers cover a large portion of these costs and have responded by instituting various pricing and access policies to limit their expenditure. One challenge that public payers face is additional demand induced by a manufacturer's marketing effort. We use a game theoretic approach to study the impact of pharmaceutical marketing on six practical pricing and access policies: negotiated pricing, open pricing, controlled pricing, a listing process, a risk‐sharing arrangement, and a value‐based pricing with risk‐sharing arrangement. We find that all non‐value‐based policies result in either restricted access or suboptimal treatment coverage. We find that marketing is the highest in the first‐best setting where all decisions are made by a social planner. We also find that the value‐based pricing with risk‐sharing arrangement is preferred by the manufacturer and from a societal perspective whereas no policy is universally preferred by a health care payer. A value‐based pricing with risk‐sharing arrangement always results in zero net monetary benefit for a health care payer. Therefore, considering non‐value‐based arrangements, we find that a negotiated pricing policy, a controlled pricing policy, or a risk‐sharing arrangement may be socially preferred.
Diabetes Is Associated With Increased Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients With Cirrhosis From Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Yang Ju Dong , Ahmed Fowsiyo , Mara Kristin C. , Addissie Benyam D. , Allen Alina M. , Gores Gregory J. , Roberts Lewis R. 
Published: July 2019

Diabetes increases the risk of liver disease progression and cirrhosis development in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The association between diabetes and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in NASH patients with cirrhosis is not well quantified. All patients with the diagnosis of NASH cirrhosis seen at Mayo Clinic Rochester between January 2006 and December 2015 were identified. All adult liver transplant registrants with NASH between 2004 and 2017 were identified using the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)/Organ Procurement and Transplantation registry for external validation. Cox proportional hazard analysis was performed to investigate the association between diabetes and HCC risk. Among 354 Mayo Clinic patients with NASH cirrhosis, 253 (71%) had diabetes and 145 (41%) were male. Mean age at cirrhosis evaluation was 62. During a median follow‐up of 47 months, 30 patients developed HCC. Diabetes was associated with an increased risk of developing HCC in univariate (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1‐11.9; P = 0.04) and multivariable analysis (HR = 4.2; 95% CI = 1.2‐14.2; P = 0.02). In addition, age (per decade, HR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.2‐2.6; P < 0.01) and low serum albumin (HR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.5‐2.9; P < 0.01) were significantly associated with an increased risk of developing HCC in multivariable analysis. Other metabolic risk factors, including body mass index, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, were not associated with HCC risk. Among UNOS NASH registrants (N = 6,630), 58% had diabetes. Diabetes was associated with an increased risk of developing HCC in univariate (HR = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.1‐1.8; P < 0.01) and multivariable (HR = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.0‐1.7; P = 0.03) analysis. Conclusion: Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of HCC in patients with NASH cirrhosis.
A review of the incidence and determinants of catastrophic health expenditure in Nigeria: Implications for universal health coverage
Authors: Okedo‐Alex Ijeoma Nkem , Akamike Ifeyinwa Chizoba , Ezeanosike Obumneme Benaiah , Uneke Chigozie Jesse 
Published: July 2019

SummaryBackgroundIn the Nigerian context, preconditions for financial catastrophe are operational as there is high out‐of‐pocket spending (OOPS) on health with low capacity to pay, presence of user fees, and poor prepayment insurance coverage. We reviewed the incidence and determinants of catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) in Nigeria.MethodsDatabases including PubMed, OVID, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched for primary research studies on the incidence and determinants of CHE in Nigeria published between 2003 and 2018. Search terms used include household, out‐of‐pocket expenditure, catastrophic health expenditure, and Nigeria.ResultsTwenty studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in the review. At 10% of total household and nonfood expenditure, the incidence of CHE was 8.2% to 50%, while 3.2% to 100% households incurred CHE at 40% of nonfood expenditure. The incidence of CHE was higher among inpatients and studies with lower threshold definitions. Outpatient CHE was highest for type 2 diabetes and tuberculosis while human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care incurred the most CHE among inpatients. Determinants of CHE include wealth status, age, gender, place of residence/geographical location, household size/composition, educational status, health insurance status, illness, and health provider types.ConclusionThere is a high incidence of CHE across various common health conditions in Nigeria. CHE was more among the poor, elderly, rural dwellers, private facility utilization, female gender, and noninsured among others. We recommend expansion of the National Health Insurance Scheme via informal social and financing networks platforms. Increased budgetary allocation to health and intersectoral collaboration will also play a significant role in CHE reduction.
Analysis of activation energy and thermal radiation on convective flow of a power‐law fluid under convective heating and chemical reaction
Authors: RamReddy Ch. , Naveen P. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe purpose of the present article is to explore the influence of activation energy in the mixed convective flow of a power‐law fluid over a permeable inclined plate. The energy expression is incorporated with thermal radiation effect. Additionally, the suction/injection effect and convective thermal conditions are considered at the surface of the inclined plate. The convection along with a nonlinear Boussinesq approximation (i.e., quadratic or nonlinear convection) and usual boundary‐layer assumptions are used in the mathematical formulation. A combined local non‐similarity and successive linearization techniques are used to evaluate the highly complicated governing equations. The effect of pertinent parameters on the fluid flow characteristics and its solutions are conferred using this study with the help of graphs. This kind of investigation is useful in the mechanism of combustion, aerosol technology, high‐temperature polymeric mixtures, and solar collectors, which operate at moderate to very high temperatures.
Factors explaining community contrast of Trichoptera assemblages at insular Western Carpathian spring fens to the adjacent headwaters
Authors: Petruželová Jana , Bojková Jindřiška , Hubáčková Lenka , Šorfová Vanda , Syrovátka Vít , Horsák Michal 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe specific biota of isolated habitats is determined by habitat properties (e.g., age, size, environmental conditions), their spatial isolation and the characteristics of the surrounding landscape matrix. In this study, we examine the contrast in Trichoptera assemblages between isolated island‐like Western Carpathian spring fens and nearby headwater streams. We evaluate the potential of streams and their mesohabitats to serve as stepping‐stone habitats for fen species, and identify factors determining the dissimilarity of the Trichoptera between the fens and streams. Of 24 studied fen‐stream pairs, 80 Trichoptera taxa, mainly species, were identified. Out of these, 17 and 34 species were exclusive for fens and streams, respectively. Although the remaining 29 species were in common, a clear preference of each species to one of these two habitat types was observed, which resulted in highly contrasting assemblages in terms of species composition. A clear difference was found also at the level of species traits, as cold‐adapted crenobiont and crenophilous species of small body size, limited dispersal ability, and long larval development prevailed at the fens. The fen‐stream dissimilarity of Trichoptera was not associated either with fen habitat properties (age, size and environmental conditions) or with the distance between the habitats. Only stream characteristics reducing the fen‐stream environmental contrast were important. Abundance of fen species at streams was negatively related with substrate roughness and stream size, suggesting that small streams with a fine substrate can serve preferably as stepping‐stone habitats for the fen species. Our results show the high conservation value of spring‐fen Trichoptera assemblages due to the prevalence of habitat specialists as well as cold stenothermic and pollution‐sensitive species. It also seems that the isolation of fens surrounded only by unsuitable streams is additionally increased by a lack of stepping‐stone habitats in the surrounding matrix.
Macroeconomic forecast accuracy in a data‐rich environment
Authors: Kotchoni Rachidi , Leroux Maxime , Stevanovic Dalibor 
Published: July 2019

SummaryThe performance of six classes of models in forecasting different types of economic series is evaluated in an extensive pseudo out‐of‐sample exercise. One of these forecasting models, regularized data‐rich model averaging (RDRMA), is new in the literature. The findings can be summarized in four points. First, RDRMA is difficult to beat in general and generates the best forecasts for real variables. This performance is attributed to the combination of regularization and model averaging, and it confirms that a smart handling of large data sets can lead to substantial improvements over univariate approaches. Second, the ARMA(1,1) model emerges as the best to forecast inflation changes in the short run, while RDRMA dominates at longer horizons. Third, the returns on the S&P 500 index are predictable by RDRMA at short horizons. Finally, the forecast accuracy and the optimal structure of the forecasting equations are quite unstable over time.
Post-fracture Risk Assessment: Target the Centrally Sited Fractures First! A Substudy of NoFRACT
Authors: Borgen Tove T , Bjørnerem åshild , Solberg Lene B , Andreasen Camilla , Brunborg Cathrine , Stenbro May-Britt , Hübschle Lars M , Froholdt Anne , Figved Wender , Apalset Ellen M , Gjertsen Jan-Erik , Basso Trude , Lund Ida , Hansen Ann K , Stutzer Jens-Meinhard , Omsland Tone K , Nordsletten Lars , Frihagen Frede , Eriksen Erik F 
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACT
The location of osteoporotic fragility fractures adds crucial information to post-fracture risk estimation. Triaging patients according to fracture site for secondary fracture prevention can therefore be of interest to prioritize patients considering the high imminent fracture risk. The objectives of this cross-sectional study were therefore to explore potential differences between central (vertebral, hip, proximal humerus, pelvis) and peripheral (forearm, ankle, other) fractures. This substudy of the Norwegian Capture the Fracture Initiative (NoFRACT) included 495 women and 119 men ≥50 years with fragility fractures. They had bone mineral density (BMD) of the femoral neck, total hip, and lumbar spine assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), trabecular bone score (TBS) calculated, concomitantly vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) with semiquantitative grading of vertebral fractures (SQ1–SQ3), and a questionnaire concerning risk factors for fractures was answered. Patients with central fractures exhibited lower BMD of the femoral neck (765 versus 827 mg/cm2), total hip (800 versus 876 mg/cm2), and lumbar spine (1024 versus 1062 mg/cm2); lower mean TBS (1.24 versus 1.28); and a higher proportion of SQ1-SQ3 fractures (52.0% versus 27.7%), SQ2–SQ3 fractures (36.8% versus 13.4%), and SQ3 fractures (21.5% versus 2.2%) than patients with peripheral fractures (all p &lt; 0.05). All analyses were adjusted for sex, age, and body mass index (BMI); and the analyses of TBS and SQ1–SQ3 fracture prevalence was additionally adjusted for BMD). In conclusion, patients with central fragility fractures revealed lower femoral neck BMD, lower TBS, and higher prevalence of vertebral fractures on VFA than the patients with peripheral fractures. This suggests that patients with central fragility fractures exhibit more severe deterioration of bone structure, translating into a higher risk of subsequent fragility fractures and therefore they should get the highest priority in secondary fracture prevention, although attention to peripheral fractures should still not be diminished. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Abstract
Fractures at central sites are associated with lower BMD at the femoral neck, total hip, and the site with lowest T-score, lower TBS, and higher prevalence of vertebral fractures. BMD = bone mineral density; TBS = trabecular bone score.
Pamidronate Administration During Pregnancy and Lactation Induces Temporal Preservation of Maternal Bone Mass in a Mouse Model of Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Authors: Olvera Diana , Stolzenfeld Rachel , Fisher Emily , Nolan Bonnie , Caird Michelle S , Kozloff Kenneth M 
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACT
During pregnancy and lactation, the maternal skeleton undergoes significant bone loss through increased resorption to provide the necessary calcium supply to the developing fetus and suckling neonate. This period of skeletal vulnerability has not been clearly associated with increased maternal fracture risk, but these physiological conditions can exacerbate an underlying metabolic bone condition like osteogenesis imperfecta. Although bisphosphonates (BPs) are commonly used in postmenopausal women, there are cases where premenopausal women taking BPs become pregnant. Given BPs’ long half-life, there is a need to establish how BPs affect the maternal skeleton during periods of demanding metabolic bone changes that are critical for the skeletal development of their offspring. In the present study, pamidronate- (PAM-) amplified pregnancy-induced bone mass gains and lactation-induced bone loss were prevented. This preservation of bone mass was less robust when PAM was administered at late stages of lactation compared with early pregnancy and first day of lactation. Pregnancy-induced osteocyte osteolysis was also observed and was unaffected with PAM treatment. No negative skeletal effects were observed in offspring from PAM-treated dams despite lactation-induced bone loss prevention. These findings provide important insight into (1) a treatment window for when PAM is most effective in preserving maternal bone mass, and (2) the maternal changes in bone metabolism that maintain calcium homeostasis crucial for fetal and neonatal bone development. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research