bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A non‐randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effect of fingolimod on expanded disability status scale score and number of relapses in relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Mazdeh Mehrdokht , Kargar Monhaser Shahriar , Taheri Mohammad , Ghafouri‐Fard Soudeh 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease characterized by demyelination, glial activation and axonal degeneration in the central nervous system. At the present, there is no certain remedy for this disease. However, available therapies often attenuate disease progress.MethodsThis study aims at identification of the effect of fingolimod on expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score and number of relapses in relapsing‐remitting MS (RRMS) patients in comparison with IFNβ. In the present 12‐month non‐randomized clinical trial, 55 RRMS patients aged between 18 and 45 with EDSS scores between 0 and 5.5 were divided into two groups. Twenty‐five patients received 0.5 mg oral fingolimod once a day for 12 months and 30 patients were under treatment with IFNβ. EDSS scores and number of relapses were recorded for all study participants monthly.ResultsNo significant difference was found in age and sex of patients recruited in two study groups. EDSS score was significantly lower in treatment group in month 10, 11 and 12 after treatment compared with control group (p values of 0.004, 0.006 and 0.007 respectively).ConclusionTreated patients experienced no relapse during the study period. Fingolimod is effective in reduction of EDSS score and number of relapses in Iranian MS patients.
The effects of individual internal versus external reference prices on consumer decisions for pay-what-you-want payments
Authors: Kukla-Gryz Anna , Zagórska Katarzyna 
Published: April 2019

AbstractWe empirically investigate the interaction between internal and external reference prices on stated payments in a Pay-What-You-Want (PWYW) scheme. Using results of a vignette experiment with e-books, we show that when an external reference price provided is lower than respondents’ internal reference prices, the average of PWYW payments significantly decreases compared with a situation in which the external reference price is not provided.The relationship is the opposite when the external reference price provided to respondents is higher than their internal reference prices. In such a case, upward pressure is created, thus the average of PWYW payments increases. These results remain true when we control for expected quality of e-books. Additionally, we find that when the external reference price is not provided, the size of PWYW payments depends positively on individual factors such as risk-taking propensity and perceived costs of e-book production.
Investment Activity of Local Administrative Units and the Level of Entrepreneurship Development in the Rzeszów Functional Area
Authors: Ślusarz Grzegorz , Cierpiał-Wolan Marek 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
The article presents preliminary results of research on the effectiveness of cohesion policy in relation to functional areas that benefit from integrated territorial investments. Assuming that all local government units in their strategies assume economic development based on the development of entrepreneurship, an attempt was made to assess the impact of investments on their development. At this stage of the research, the investments of local governments in terms of value were taken into account without considering their types and structure as well as sources of financing. Initially, the purpose was to examine whether the scale of these investments translates into the economic sphere: into the development of entrepreneurship. To assess the differences in the level of entrepreneurship in 2012 and 2016, the analysis of quantitative changes in business entities, the dynamics of their number and the synthetic indicators were used. The basis for the calculation of synthetic indicators were the methods of taxonomic analysis, that is, a simple aggregate measure, the Hellwig taxonomic development pattern method and the positional method using the Weber median. The Theil standardised index was used to examine the level and structure of spatial inequalities of gmina investment expenditures and enterprises’ investments. The research indicated the specificity of the Rzeszów Functional Area (ROF) both in comparison with the voivodeship and similar functional areas in eastern Poland. However, these are still insufficient means to increase the cohesion of the entire area and fully activate its endogenous potential.
Synthetic analysis of the level of entrepreneurship indicates that in 2012–2016, a significant improvement in the indicators characterising economic entities operating in ROF occurred, compared to the voivodeship and the country. On the basis of a comprehensive assessment of the dependence of investment expenses of gminas (LAU 2) and enterprises, the difference in the distribution of types of investment behaviour between Podkarpackie Voivodeship and the Rzeszów Functional Area is clearly visible. The phenomenon of synergy of activities of self-government and entities occurs in 31% of gminas in ROF and only in 12% of gminas in the entire voivodeship. Thus, the types of investment behaviour of gminas and enterprises as well as the spatial distribution of economic activity indicate that the socio-economic potential of the city of Rzeszów and the benefits of the agglomeration resulting from it are more important than the implemented investments by individual gminas.
Minimal Energy Tree with 4 Branched Vertices
Authors: Hameed Saira , Ahmad Uzma 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe energy of a graph is defined as the sum of absolute values of the eigenvalues of its adjacency matrix. Let Ω(n,4) be the class of all trees of order n and having 4 branched vertices. In this paper, the minimal energy tree in the class Ω(n,4) is found.
Langerhans cell-like dendritic cells treated with ginsenoside Rh2 regulate the differentiation of Th1 and Th2 cells in vivo
Authors: Liu Ying , Wu Qian , Li Peng , Liu Weijie , Jin Yongri , Li Xuwen , Shi Xiaolei 
Published: April 2019

AbstractGinsenoside Rh2 is one of the rare ginsenosides extracted from Panax ginseng C. A. Mey. The anti-allergic activity of ginsenoside Rh2 has been documented in some literature. In this work, an anti-allergic mechanism of ginsenoside Rh2 was investigated by focusing on the differentiation of T cells through Langerhans cells (LCs). Langerhans cell-like dendritic cells (LDCs) were generated in vitro and were used as substitute for LCs.In vivo the mRNA expression for IFN-γ and CXCR3 of T cells was increased after being injected with ginsenoside Rh2-treated LDCs thereby increasing the concentration of IFN-γ in the culture supernatants of CD3+/CD28+ T lymphocytes. However,in vitro, the expression of mRNA for CD40 and CD80 on ginsenoside Rh2-treated LDCs was up-regulated significantly and the endocytic activity of LDCs was down-regulated slightly. These findings indicate that T cells differentiation could be regulated by ginsenoside Rh2 through LDCs in vivo by altering the antigen presenting capacity, maturation and phagocytosis of LDCs.
Segmental absence of intestinal musculature in an extremely low birthweight preterm infant
Authors: Matias Joana , Cabral Maria , Carmona Luísa , Cabral Margarida , Franco João 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Background
The segmental absence of intestinal musculature is a rare clinical entity, usually manifested in the neonatal period. It is more frequent in preterm infants, particularly in very low birthweight infants. Typically, there are intestinal perforation or intestinal obstruction symptoms.

Case presentation
The authors report a case of a 30-week-gestational age extremely low birthweight newborn who presented, on the fourth day of life, with a progressively acute abdomen and radiological findings suggestive of intestinal perforation. An emergency laparotomy with segmental ileal resection was performed; intestinal perforation was not confirmed. The histopathological examination of the resected distended bowel revealed an area of severe hypoplastic muscularis propria (with remaining layers intact).

Conclusion
Preoperative diagnosis of segmental absence of intestinal musculature is extremely difficult; its definitive diagnosis relies solely on the histopathological examination. The clinicians and pathologists should be aware of this rare condition, the treatment and prognosis of which differs from the more common necrotising enterocolitis.
Damping estimates for oscillatory integral operators with real-analytic phases and its applications
Authors: Shi Zuoshunhua , Xu Shaozhen , Yan Dunyan 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
In this paper, we investigate sharp damping estimates for a class of one-dimensional oscillatory integral operators with real-analytic phases.
By establishing endpoint estimates for suitably damped oscillatory integral operators, we are able to give a new proof of the sharp

L
p

{L^{p}}

estimates, which have been proved by Xiao in
[Endpoint estimates for one-dimensional oscillatory integral operators,
Adv. Math. 316 2017, 255–291].
The damping estimates obtained in this paper are of independent interest.
Dihedral ∞-simplicial modules and dihedral homology of involutive homotopy unital A
∞-algebras
Authors: Lapin Sergey V. 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
The notion of a dihedral

∞

{\infty}

-simplicial module is introduced.
The homotopy invariance of the structure of a dihedral

∞

{\infty}

-simplicial module is proved.
The concept of the dihedral homology of a dihedral

∞

{\infty}

-simplicial module is developed.
The notion of an involutive homotopy unital

A
∞

{A_{\infty}}

-algebra is introduced.
The dihedral

∞

{\infty}

-simplicial module is constructed using an involutive homotopy unital

A
∞

{A_{\infty}}

-algebra.
The concept of the dihedral homology of an involutive homotopy unital

A
∞

{A_{\infty}}

-algebra is developed.
For the dihedral homology of involutive homotopy unital

A
∞

{A_{\infty}}

-algebras, the analogue of the Krasauskas–Lapin–Solov’ev exact sequence is obtained.
Pseudo Maurer–Cartan perturbation algebra and pseudo perturbation lemma
Authors: Huebschmann Johannes 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
We introduce the pseudo Maurer–Cartan perturbation algebra, establish a structural result and explore the structure of this algebra.
That structural result entails, as a consequence, what we refer to as the pseudo perturbation lemma.
This lemma, in turn, implies the ordinary perturbation lemma.
Modelling the viscoelastic mechanosorptive behaviour of Norway spruce under long-term compression perpendicular to the grain
Authors: Massaro Francesco Mirko , Malo Kjell Arne 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
The effects of variation in humidity coupled with long-term loading give rise to dimensional changes and creep effects in wooden elements. Many wooden products such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) plates as well as many common structural details used in timber engineering are vulnerable to variations in moisture content (MC) as well as to creep effects. This paper addresses the long-term effects in the material modelling of timber by the finite element method (FEM), also considering the viscoelastic and mechanosorptive effects in wood. The model was calibrated using both relaxation tests and creep tests. The results from both long-term compression perpendicular- to-grain tests (relaxation and creep) performed on glulam (GL30c) from Norway spruce (Picea abies) with moisture control are presented in this paper. The material model considers the effect of loading and moisture changes. For realistic comparison, the pith location of each lamella was specified in the numerical analyses. Ultimately, a comparison between the numerical results and the experimental results has been provided, exhibiting an overall good estimation of timber response.
Evaluating timber quality in larger-diameter standing trees: rethinking the use of acoustic velocity
Authors: Krajnc Luka , Farrelly Niall , Harte Annette M. 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
The use of acoustic velocity for different purposes is becoming widespread in the forestry industry. However, there are conflicting reports on how well this technology reflects the mechanical properties of trees. In this study, the prediction of timber quality using acoustic technology was evaluated on mature standing trees of three softwood species. The velocity in 490 standing trees was measured in several directions (longitudinal, radial and tangential). A sub-sample of trees was felled and the acoustic velocity was measured in 120 logs which were then sawn into structural-sized timber. A total of 1383 boards were tested for bending, as were small clear specimens extracted from the structural-sized boards. The mean tree values of the timber grade-determining properties (elastic modulus, bending strength and density) of both specimen sizes were related to the acoustic velocities and tree slenderness. The correlations between the mean tree mechanical properties and acoustic velocities were relatively low, most likely due to a high ratio of diameter to measurement distance. The transverse directions showed similar correlations with mechanical properties in larger-diameter trees to the longitudinal direction, as did tree slenderness. The results suggest that while the acoustic velocity in the longitudinal direction can reflect the mean tree mechanical properties in small-diameter trees, alternatives are needed to achieve the same in larger-diameter trees.
Simulation Extrapolation Method for Cox Regression Model with a Mixture of Berkson and Classical Errors in the Covariates using Calibration Data
Authors: Tapsoba Jean de Dieu , Chao Edward C. , Wang Ching-Yun 
Published: April 2019

AbstractMany biomedical or epidemiological studies often aim to assess the association between the time to an event of interest and some covariates under the Cox proportional hazards model. However, a problem is that the covariate data routinely involve measurement error, which may be of classical type, Berkson type or a combination of both types. The issue of Cox regression with error-prone covariates has been well-discussed in the statistical literature, which has focused mainly on classical error so far. This paper considers Cox regression analysis when some covariates are possibly contaminated with a mixture of Berkson and classical errors. We propose a simulation extrapolation-based method to address this problem when two replicates of the mismeasured covariates are available along with calibration data for some subjects in a subsample only. The proposed method places no assumption on the mixture percentage. Its finite-sample performance is assessed through a simulation study. It is applied to the analysis of data from an AIDS clinical trial study.
Flow Feature Analysis of T-Junction Wavy Micromixer for Mixing Application
Authors: Gidde Ranjitsinha R. , Pawar Prashant M. 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
The mixing of fluids in wavy micromixer and wavy micromixer with obstacles on its side walls has been numerically investigated. The effect of frequency of wavy channel on mixing performance is studied over a range of Reynolds number from 0.1 to 45. Various performance characteristics viz. the mixing index, pressure drop, performance index, and pumping power are used to analyze the overall mixing performance. The results show that the wavy micromixer with obstacles produces better mixing performance than the wavy micromixer. Also, the mixing index is sensitive to the wavy frequency of the channel. The wavy micromixer exhibits the smallest pressure drop as compared to micromixer with obstacles in all cases.
Fusion systems on a Sylow 3-subgroup of the McLaughlin group
Authors: Baccanelli Elisa , Franchi Clara , Mainardis Mario 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
We determine all saturated fusion systems

ℱ

{\mathcal{F}}

on a Sylow
3-subgroup of the sporadic McLaughlin group that do not contain any non-trivial normal 3-subgroup and show that they are all realizable.
Stepwise regularization method for a nonlinear Riesz–Feller space-fractional backward diffusion problem
Authors: Trong Dang Duc , Hai Dinh Nguyen Duy , Minh Nguyen Dang 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
In this paper, we consider the backward diffusion problem for a space-fractional diffusion equation (SFDE) with a nonlinear source,
that is, to determine the initial data from a noisy final data.
Very recently, some papers propose new modified regularization solutions to solve this problem.
To get a convergence estimate, they required some strongly smooth conditions on the exact solution.
In this paper, we shall release the strongly smooth conditions and introduce a stepwise regularization method to solve the backward diffusion problem.
A numerical example is presented to illustrate our theoretical result.
The diagnosis of cystinosis in patients reveals new CTNS gene mutations in the Chinese population
Authors: Li Xiao-Qiao , Wu Di , Liang Xue-Jun , Li Wen-Jing , Liu Min , Cao Bing-Yan , Su Chang , Meng Xi , Gong Chun-Xiu 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Background
Cystinosis is a rare autosomal-recessive disorder caused by a defective transport of cystine across the lysosomal membrane. Previous studies have mapped cystinosis to the CTNS gene which is located on chromosome 17p13, and various CTNS mutations have been identified to correlate them with this disease.

Methods
We analyzed six patients from five unrelated families who were diagnosed with cystinosis in our hospital. We described the diagnostic procedures for all the patients and proposed alternative therapies for cystinosis patients instead of using cysteamine, an orphan drug which was commercially unavailable in China. Moreover, genetic analysis of all patients’ samples was carried out to identify novel CTNS gene mutations.

Results and conclusions
The patients in this study were followed up from 1 to more than 10 years to monitor their growth and development, which indicated that the alternative therapies we used were helpful to ameliorate the complications of the cystinosis patients without cysteamine. Furthermore, by sequencing the patients’ genome, we identified novel mutations in the CTNS gene including: c.477C > G (p.S159R), c.274C > T (p.Q92X) and c.680A > T (p.E227V); these mutations were only observed in cystinosis patients and had never been reported in any other populations, suggesting they might be specific to Chinese cystinosis patients.
Adrenal function of extremely premature infants in the first 5 days after birth
Authors: Ng Sze M. , Ogundiya Akinsola , Didi Mohammed , Turner Mark A. 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Background
There is limited data on adrenal function in the early days after birth in extremely premature infants. The relationship between plasma adrenocorticotrophic (ACTH) and cortisol hormone is central to the integrity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis yet there are no studies examining this relationship in prematurity.

Methods
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between early morning plasma cortisol and ACTH concentrations during the first 5 days after birth in infants born at less than 28 weeks’ gestation and to identify any independent factors that determine plasma cortisol levels in these infants during extreme prematurity. We prospectively studied early morning plasma ACTH and cortisol concentrations in infants born below 28 weeks’ gestation during the first 5 days of birth. Plasma cortisol was measured without extraction, using DPC Immulite® 2000 using a solid phase 2 site chemiluminescent immunometric assay. ACTH was measured using a radioimmunoassay. Spearman’s correlation was used to examine the relationship between cortisol and ACTH. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between plasma cortisol and clinical risk index for babies (CRIB) score, antenatal dexamethasone, mode of delivery and gestation.

Results
There were 95 infants (53 males) of mean gestation 25.3 ± 1.3 standard deviation (SD) (range 23–27 + 6) weeks. The mean birth weight was 809 ± 17.0 g. The mean plasma cortisol was 400.5 ± 42.6 nmol/L and the mean plasma ACTH was 4.5 ± 0.9 pmol/L. Early morning plasma cortisol correlated significantly with gestation (R = 0.4, p = 0.005). Early morning plasma ACTH did not correlate with early morning plasma cortisol (R = −0.12, p = 0.7). Multiple regression analysis showed that gestation was the only independent determinant of early morning plasma cortisol concentration (beta coefficient = −0.4, p = 0.04).

Conclusions
The relationship between early morning plasma ACTH and plasma cortisol is either not established or is impaired in infants of less than 28 weeks’ gestation in the first 5 days after birth. The plasma cortisol level is mainly determined by gestation and is not directly related to illness severity, antenatal steroids or plasma ACTH in these infants in the first 5 days after birth.
Idiopathic gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty – is regular surveillance required?
Authors: Arya Ved Bhushan , Davies Justin H. 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Context
Germ cell tumours (GCTs) secreting β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) are a rare cause of gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty (GIPP).

Case description
A 5.7-year-old boy presented with GIPP. Investigations to elucidate the underlying cause revealed elevated serum β-HCG. Ultrasound of the abdomen and testes, urine steroid profile, bone isotope scan, and sequencing of the luteinizing hormone receptor gene (LHCGR) were normal. Despite paired serum and cerebrospinal fluid β-HCG measurement suggesting local (brain) β-HCG production, repeated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain as well as MRI of the mediastinum did not identify a tumour source of persistently elevated serum β-HCG. Treatment with cyproterone acetate and spironolactone was unsuccessful. Increase in testicular volumes prompted the addition of a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue. Due to progressing virilisation and skeletal maturation, treatment was changed to a combination of anastrozole and bicalutamide at the age of 7 years. One year later, serum β-HCG and testosterone concentrations spontaneously normalised followed by reductions in the height velocity, skeletal maturation and virilisation. The proband achieved his genetic height potential. No medication side effects were observed. The patient subsequently presented with non-secreting pineal GCT at 14 years, 8½ years after his initial presentation with GIPP.

Conclusions
Our case highlights that GIPP with no definite underlying aetiology at diagnosis should be considered as a prodrome for GCTs, and regular radiological surveillance for earlier tumour identification is warranted. To the best of our knowledge, our case is the first reported case of the use of anastrozole and bicalutamide in the setting of idiopathic GIPP. The good height outcome in our case warrants the trial of anastrozole and bicalutamide in similar cases.
Rules versus Standards in Developing Countries: the Case for Clear and Precise Legal Norms on Eminent Domain Power
Authors: Schäfer Hans-Bernd 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
We relate the rules versus standards debate to legal norms of taking law in developing countries and argue in favour of more precise legal norms regulating takings in low-income countries. Clear, specific and exact legal norms should be socially preferred whenever a regulatory law cuts into fundamental rights as this improves the possibilities of supreme courts to check the constitutionality of such norms. This holds equally for rich and poor countries. But in poor countries, precise norms have additional advantages over standards, whose adjudication requires highly qualified and loyal judges and administrators, is information intensive and increases procedural costs for the parties. We argue that in the course of economic development, courts and administrations should be granted more flexibility and rigid rules should gradually be replaced by more adjustable legal standards which are more flexible and can adjust better to the merits of a single case.