bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of spatial variability in downscaling results from the VALUE perfect predictor experiment
Authors: Widmann Martin , Bedia Joaquin , Gutiérrez José M. , Bosshard Thomas , Hertig Elke , Maraun Douglas , Casado María J. , Ramos Petra , Cardoso Rita M. , Soares Pedro M. M. , Ribalaygua Jamie , Pagé Christian , Fischer Andreas M. , Herrera Sixto , Huth Radan 
Published: January 2019

The spatial dependence of meteorological variables is crucial for many impacts, for example, droughts, floods, river flows, energy demand, and crop yield. There is thus a need to understand how well it is represented in downscaling (DS) products. Within the COST Action VALUE, we have conducted a comprehensive analysis of spatial variability in the output of over 40 different DS methods in a perfect predictor setup. The DS output is evaluated against daily precipitation and temperature observations for the period 1979–2008 at 86 sites across Europe and 53 sites across Germany. We have analysed the dependency of correlations of daily temperature and precipitation series at station pairs on the distance between the stations. For the European data set, we have also investigated the complexity of the downscaled data by calculating the number of independent spatial degrees of freedom. For daily precipitation at the German network, we have additionally evaluated the dependency of the joint exceedance of the wet day threshold and of the local 90th percentile on the distance between the stations. Finally, we have investigated regional patterns of European monthly precipitation obtained from rotated principal component analysis.We analysed Perfect Prog (PP) methods, which are based on statistical relationships derived from observations, as well as Model Output Statistics (MOS) approaches, which attempt to correct simulated variables. In summary, we found that most PP DS methods, with the exception of multisite analog methods and a method that explicitly models spatial dependence yield unrealistic spatial characteristics. Regional climate model‐based MOS methods showed good performance with respect to correlation lengths and the joint occurrence of wet days, but a substantial overestimation of the joint occurrence of heavy precipitation events. These findings apply to the spatial scales that are resolved by our observation network, and similar studies with higher resolutions, which are relevant for small hydrological catchment, are desirable.
Beneficial effects of green cardamom on serum SIRT1, glycemic indices and triglyceride levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized double‐blind placebo controlled clinical trial
Authors: Aghasi Mohadeseh , Koohdani Fariba , Qorbani Mostafa , Nasli‐Esfahani Ensieh , Ghazi‐Zahedi Shohreh , Khoshamal Hoorieh , Keshavarz Ali , Sotoudeh Gity 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDCardamom has antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects which may help to remedy diseases. Studies on the health benefits of cardamom in diabetic patients are very limited. Thus, this study is designed to determine the effect of cardamom supplementation on blood lipids and glycemic indices in type 2 diabetic patients. To investigate the mechanism of cardamom effect on blood glucose and lipid levels, serum sirtuin‐1 (SIRT1) was assessed.RESULTSIn a parallel, double‐blind randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trial, 83 overweight or obese type 2 diabetic patients were randomly allocated into an intervention (n = 41) or a control group (n = 42). The intervention and the placebo group received 3 g of green cardamom or rusk powder, respectively for 10 weeks. Physical activity level, dietary intake, anthropometric measurements (weight, height and waist circumference), glycemic indices [glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)], blood lipids [triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐c) and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐c)] and SIRT1 levels were measured. Body mass index and homeostasis model assessment as an index of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) were calculated before and after intervention. Compared to the control group, a significant decrease in serum HbA1C (−0.4%), insulin (−2.8 µIU dL−1), HOMA‐IR (−1.7) and TG (−39.9 mg dL−1), and an increase in SIRT1 (2.3 ng mL−1) was observed in cardamom group. There were no significant changes in serum TC, HDL‐c and LDL‐c levels between the two groups before and after adjustment for potential confounders including glyclaside dose, duration of disease and weight.CONCLUSIONOur results showed that cardamom can decrease HbA1c, insulin level, HOMA‐IR and TG level via increase in SIRT1 concentration in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Irregular TEM‐horn with lens made of an artificial dielectric
Authors: Ashikhmin Aleksandr V. , Bykov Konstantin A. , Pasternak Yuriy G. , Pershin Pavel V. , Rembovsky Yuriy A. , Fedorov Sergey M. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThis article presents design of TEM‐horn with nonuniform law of wave resistance variation along longitudinal axis, in aperture of which an artificial dielectric lens is located. Characteristics of developed antenna in ultra wide frequency band, obtained during mathematical modeling and confirmed by results of experimental study, are presented.
Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Exerts its Anti‐inflammatory Effects on Multiple Cell Types of Adipose Tissue in Obesity
Authors: Wang Nan , Zhao Ting‐ting , Li Si‐ming , Sun Xu , Li Zi‐cheng , Li Yan‐hua , Li De‐shan , Wang Wen‐fei 
Published: January 2019

Objective
Obesity‐related, chronic, low‐grade inflammation has been identified as a key factor in the development of many metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Adipocytes, preadipocytes, and macrophages have been implicated in initiating inflammation in adipose tissue. This study aims to investigate the effects of fibroblast growth factor‐21 (FGF‐21) on obesity‐related inflammation and its mechanisms in vivo and in vitro.
Methods
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) was used to induce obesity in mice and subsequently treated the mice with or without FGF‐21. Primary adipocytes and stromal vascular fraction cells were isolated from MSG‐obesity mice for additional experiments.
Results
Results obtained by ELISA and real‐time polymerase chain reaction showed that FGF‐21 efficiently ameliorated obesity‐related inflammation in MSG‐obesity mice. This study demonstrated that preadipocytes and adipocytes responded to anti‐inflammatory effects of FGF‐21. In vitro, 3 T3‐L1 preadipocytes lacking β‐klotho did not respond to FGF‐21 under glucose uptake. Interestingly, the treatment of 3 T3‐L1 preadipocytes with FGF‐21 significantly attenuated lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammatory response.
Conclusions
Our study showed that FGF‐21–induced glucose uptake and FGF‐21–related anti‐inflammatory effects are mediated by different signaling pathways. Moreover, FGF‐21 showed anti‐inflammatory effects on preadipocytes; these effects are mediated by the fibroblast growth factor receptor substrate 2/ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
Divergent Metabolic Effects of Acute Versus Chronic Repeated Forced Swim Stress in the Rat
Authors: Rabasa Cristina , Askevik Kaisa , Schéle Erik , Hu Min , Vogel Heike , Dickson Suzanne L. 
Published: January 2019

ObjectiveThis study sought to examine divergence regarding the impact of acute versus chronic repeated stress on energy balance.MethodsRats were exposed to either chronic repeated forced swim (FS) stress for 7 days or an acute stress (a single FS). Body weight and food intake were measured daily. Metabolic parameters explored included brown adipose tissue (BAT) weight and activity.ResultsChronic repeated FS stress decreased body weight and caloric efficiency. It also increased the relative weight of BAT. The same stressor delivered only once did not alter adrenal or BAT weight, but it did increase the metabolic activity of BAT. In stress‐naive rats, acute FS stress induced an anorexigenic response during the first day after the stressor that caused a reduction in body weight (that persisted for 4 days). By contrast, the chronic FS rats did not show an anorexigenic response after the final stressor, and there was no change in body weight during the following 4 days.ConclusionsRats exposed to chronic repeated FS stress adapt to the stressor over time; they become less sensitive to its anorexigenic effects and its metabolic effects in BAT, adaptations that ultimately reduce sensitivity to the weight‐lowering effects of an acute stressor.
Control of root‐knot nematodes using Waltheria indica producing 4‐quinolone alkaloids
Authors: Jang Ja Yeong , Le Dang Quang , Choi Gyung Ja , Park Hae Woong , Kim Jin‐Cheol 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDWaltheria indica exhibited strong nematocidal activity against Meloidogyne incognita, a causal agent of root‐knot nematode disease. This study aimed to characterize the nematocidal metabolites and to evaluate the efficacy of the formulated extract of W. indica in the biological control of M. incognita under both pot and field conditions.RESULTSThree 4‐quinolone alkaloids, 5′‐methoxywaltherione A, waltherione A and waltherione C, were isolated and characterized as nematocidal metabolites. 5′‐Methoxywaltherione A and waltherione A caused high mortality in juveniles of Meloidogyne arenaria, Meloidogyne hapla, M. incognita and Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, whereas waltherione C exhibited significant nematocidal activity against only root‐knot nematodes. In pot experiments, application of a wettable powder‐type formulation of the ethyl acetate extract of W. indica (W. indica WP20) at 26.7, 53.4 and 106.8 mg a.i. kg−1 soil significantly reduced the formation of galls and egg masses on the roots of tomato plants in a dose‐dependent manner. In addition, application of 20 mg a.i. per plant W. indica WP20 effectively reduced gall formation on the roots of melon plants and population density of nematode in soil compared with untreated control under field conditions.CONCLUSIONW. indica can be used as an effective botanical nematicide in the eco‐friendly control of root‐knot nematode disease. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Highly Stable, Near‐Unity Efficiency Atomically Flat Semiconductor Nanocrystals of CdSe/ZnS Hetero‐Nanoplatelets Enabled by ZnS‐Shell Hot‐Injection Growth
Authors: Altintas Yemliha , Quliyeva Ulviyya , Gungor Kivanc , Erdem Onur , Kelestemur Yusuf , Mutlugun Evren , Kovalenko Maksym V. , Demir Hilmi Volkan 
Published: January 2019

AbstractColloidal semiconductor nanoplatelets (NPLs) offer important benefits in nanocrystal optoelectronics with their unique excitonic properties. For NPLs, colloidal atomic layer deposition (c‐ALD) provides the ability to produce their core/shell heterostructures. However, as c‐ALD takes place at room temperature, this technique allows for only limited stability and low quantum yield. Here, highly stable, near‐unity efficiency CdSe/ZnS NPLs are shown using hot‐injection (HI) shell growth performed at 573 K, enabling routinely reproducible quantum yields up to 98%. These CdSe/ZnS HI‐shell hetero‐NPLs fully recover their initial photoluminescence (PL) intensity in solution after a heating cycle from 300 to 525 K under inert gas atmosphere, and their solid films exhibit 100% recovery of their initial PL intensity after a heating cycle up to 400 K under ambient atmosphere, by far outperforming the control group of c‐ALD shell‐coated CdSe/ZnS NPLs, which can sustain only 20% of their PL. In optical gain measurements, these core/HI‐shell NPLs exhibit ultralow gain thresholds reaching ≈7 µJ cm−2. Despite being annealed at 500 K, these ZnS‐HI‐shell NPLs possess low gain thresholds as small as 25 µJ cm−2. These findings indicate that the proposed 573 K HI‐shell‐grown CdSe/ZnS NPLs hold great promise for extraordinarily high performance in nanocrystal optoelectronics.
Disparities in the Quality of Pediatric Dental Care: New Research and Needed Changes
Authors: Reich Stephanie M. , Hoeft Kristin S. , Díaz Guadalupe , Ochoa Wendy , Gaona Amy 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIn the United States, there are significant disparities in the oral health of children from families with high and low socioeconomic status and between majority and minority children. Extant research on these health differences has focused predominately on caregiver knowledge, beliefs, and practices as well as structural barriers such as Medicaid coverage, dentist availability, and transportation issues. Little attention has been paid to the quality of care families experience when taking their child to the dentist or the ways in which dental schools train their students to work with young children. This policy report describes some of the experiences of low‐income and ethnically diverse young children and their parents in dental clinics and highlights some of the weaknesses of dental training. We contend that increasing the standards for dental training and practice are necessary for improving young children's oral health and reducing these disparities.
Shear strength prediction of reinforced concrete walls
Authors: Ni Xiangyong , Cao Shuangyin , Li Yizhu , Jing Denghu 
Published: January 2019

SummaryMost of existing codes ignore the effect of arch action on shear strength of reinforced concrete (RC) walls, and it leads to more conservative results. A new model considering the influence of the truss and arch on shear strength of RC walls is proposed in this paper. The shear strength provided by the truss is obtained by the modified compression field theory, and the shear strength provided by the arch is obtained by the shear deformation coordination between the truss and arch, which has an upper bound value. Experimental data of 78 RC walls failed in shear are collected to evaluate the adequacy of the proposed method by comparing with the models of Hwang and Lee, Wood, ACI 318‐11，, EC8, MCBC‐04, and JGJ 3‐2010, respectively. The results show that the average value and coefficient of variation of the experimental‐to‐calculated strength ratios obtained by the proposed model are 1.01 and 0.23, which shows better accuracy and reliability. Therefore, the proposed model can predict the shear strength of RC walls failed in shear accurately.
Comparison of Preoperative and Postoperative MRI After Fistula‐in‐Ano Surgery: Lessons Learnt from An Audit of 1323 MRI At a Single Centre
Authors: Garg Pankaj 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAimSeveral studies have evaluated the efficacy of preoperative MRI in fistula‐in‐ano. However, the evaluation of MRI after fistula‐in‐ano surgery has never been done. The aim was to evaluate the utility of MRI in postoperative period after fistula‐in‐ano surgery.MethodsPreoperative MRI was done in all the patients presenting with fistula‐in‐ano. Postoperative MRI was done to check radiological healing in clinically healed fistulas or when postoperative complication/healing problem was seen. The postoperative MRI was compared with preoperative MRI and correlated with the clinical picture.ResultsA total of 1323 MRI were done in 1003 fistula‐in‐ano patients, out of which 702 patients underwent surgery. In 702 patients, there were 361 recurrent fistulas, 153 had associated abscess, 388 had multiple tracts, 146 had horseshoe tract, and 76 had supralevator fistula. In total, 320 postoperative MRI scans were done in 180/702 patients. The requirement of postoperative MRI was significantly higher in complex (grades III–V) than simple fistulas (grades I–II) [43.5% (136/313) vs. 11.3% (44/389), respectively, P < 0.0001]. In early postoperative period (8 weeks), healing (granulation) tissue was difficult to differentiate from active fistula tract/pus. The complete radiological healing took at least 10–12 weeks. So getting MRI scan for the assessment of healing was more accurate after 12 weeks. MRI was very accurate to identify postoperative complications like abscess, missed tract or non‐healing of a tract. MRI detected such complications even in apparently clinically healed tracts. Closure/healing of internal opening and intersphincteric tract was assessed accurately by MRI and correlated well with the fistula healing.ConclusionsMRI is highly useful to assess healing and detect complications after fistula surgery.
Association of Medicaid Expansion Policy with Outcomes in Homeless Patients Requiring Emergency General Surgery
Authors: Manzano‐Nunez Ramiro , Zogg Cheryl K. , Bhulani Nizar , McCarty Justin C. , Herrera‐Escobar Juan P. , Lu Kaye , Andriotti Tomas , Uribe‐Leitz Tarsicio , de Jager Elzerie , Jarman Molly P. , Haider Adil H. , Ortega Gezzer 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundMedicaid expansion has reduced obstacles faced in receiving care. Emergency general surgery (EGS) is a clinical event where delays in appropriate care impact outcomes. Therefore, we assessed the association between non‐Medicaid expansion policy and multiple outcomes in homeless patients requiring EGS.MethodsWe used 2014 State Inpatient Database to identify homeless individuals admitted with a primary EGS diagnosis who underwent an EGS procedure. States were divided into those that did and did not implement Medicaid expansion. Multivariable quantile regression was used to examine associations between non‐Medicaid expansion states and (1) length of stay and (2) total index hospital charges within the homeless population. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the associations between non‐Medicaid expansion and (1) mortality, (2) surgical complications, (3) discharge against medical advice, and (4) home healthcare.ResultsA total of 6930 homeless patients were identified. Of these, 435 (6.2%) were in non‐expansion states. Non‐Medicaid expansion was associated with higher charges (coef: $46,264, 95% CI 40,388–52,139). There were non‐significant differences in mortality (OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.79–2.62; p = 0.2) or surgical complications (OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.7–1.8; p = 0.4). However, homeless individuals living in non‐expansion states did have higher odds of being discharged against medical advice (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.08–4.05; p = 0.02), and lower odds of receiving home healthcare (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4–0.8; p = 0.01).ConclusionHomeless patients living in Medicaid expansion states had lower odds of being discharged against medical advice, higher likelihood of receiving home healthcare and overall lower total index hospital charges.
DOXASTICISM: BELIEF AND THE INFORMATION-RESPONSIVENESS OF MIND
Authors: Audi Robert 
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACTThis paper concerns a problem that has received insufficient analysis in the philosophical literature so far: the conditions under which an information-bearing state – say a perception or recollection – yields belief. The paper distinguishes between belief and a psychological property easily conflated with belief, illustrates the tendency of philosophers to overlook this distinction, and offers a positive conception of the mind's information-responsiveness that requires far less belief-formation – and far less formation of other propositional attitudes – than has been commonly supposed to be produced by perception and other experiences. This conception is clarified by a partial sketch of the natural economy of mind. The paper then considers two important questions the conception raises. Does it force us to abandon the venerable belief-desire conception of intentional action, and does it require expanding the domain of intellectual responsibility and thereby our conception of epistemic virtue?
Performance of cultivated indica rice (Oryza Sativa L.) as affected by weedy rice
Authors: Munda Sushmita , Saha Sanjoy , Adak Totan , Jambhulkar Nitiprasad , Sanghamitra Priyadarsini , Patra Bhaskar Chandra 
Published: January 2019

AbstractWeedy rice species exhibit differential competitive ability and cause significant losses to rice yield. The present study was conducted to evaluate the competing ability of weedy rice accessions collected from foothills of eastern Himalayas and coastal Odisha grown in the presence of cultivated indica rice var. Swarna. The competitive ability of Swarna and weedy rices were estimated on the basis of (i) Swarna yield reduction under different durations of competition with weedy rice; and (ii) nutrient uptake by Swarna and weedy rice in competitive environment. There was significant yield reduction (18%) when competition was allowed until 6 weeks after emergence (WAE) compared to competition until 2 WAE, which was due to vigorous growth of weedy rice at early vegetative stage. The biomass accumulation and tiller number of weedy rice were significantly higher compared to Swarna. Odisha weedy rice accession recorded about 18, 57 and 24% higher N, P and K uptake, respectively, than Swarna. The highest yield reduction (22%) in Swarna was recorded when grown with OA1 and the lowest impact (7.7%) was recorded with AA2. As conclusion, management practices should be implemented within 2–4 weeks of emergence considering 5–10% acceptable yield loss of Swarna, and grain yield of cultivated rice was reduced significantly by high N and K uptake by weedy rice under a competitive environment.
Robust Output-Feedback Formation Control Design for Nonholonomic Mobile Robot (NMRs)
Authors: Yousuf Bilal M. 
Published: January 2019

SummaryThis paper addresses the systematic approach to design formation control for kinematic model of unicycle-type nonholonomic mobile robots. These robots are difficult to stabilize and control due to their nonintegrable constraints. The difficulty of control increases when there is a requirement to control a cluster of nonholonomic mobile robots in specific formation. In this paper, the design of the control scheme is presented in a three-step process. First, a robust state-feedback point-to-point stabilization control is designed using sliding mode control. In the second step, the controller is modified so as to address the tracking problem for time-varying reference trajectories. The proposed control scheme is shown to provide the desired robustness properties in the presence of the parameter variation, in the region of interest. Finally, in third step, tracking problem of a single nonholonomic mobile robot extends to formation control for a group of mobile robots in the leader–follower scenario using integral terminal- based sliding mode control augmented with stabilizing control. Starting with the transformation of the mathematical model of robots, the proposed controller ensures that the robots maintain a constant distance between each other to avoid collision. The main problem with the proposed controller is that it requires all states specially velocities. Therefore, the state-feedback control scheme is then extended to output feedback by incorporating a highgain observer. With the help of Lyapunov analysis and appropriate simulations, it is shown that the proposed output-feedback control scheme achieves the required control objectives. Furthermore, the closed loop system trajectories reach to desired equilibrium point in finite time while maintaining the special pattern.
Analysis and Evaluation on Unloading Ratio of Zero-g Simulation System Based on Torques of Space Manipulator
Authors: Tian Sihui , Tang Xiaoqiang , Li Yuqi 
Published: January 2019

SummaryIn this paper, a dynamic model of a seven-joints manipulator operated in a zero-g simulation system is established. The errors of the friction, the suspension force, and the flexible deformation of arms are considered. Furthermore, the unloading ratio, which can evaluate the performance of the simulation system, is presented. It can reflect the level of similarity between the system and the space environment directly and effectively. The results of experimental and theoretical analyses verify the correctness of the model. It helps us to get the joint torques when the actual space manipulator without the torque sensor operates in this system and guarantees the safety of the experiments.