bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the methane adsorption characteristics of marine organic-rich shale: A case study of the lower Cambrian Niutitang Shale in the Fenggang block, northern Guizhou Province, South China
Authors: Gu Yang , Ding Wenlong , Yin Min , Wang Ruyue , Jiao Baocheng , Zhao Gang , Lu Lin 
Published: June 2018

The marine shale in South China has great gas exploration potential, and exploration in the Sichuan Basin has been successful, but the degree of exploration remains low in the Guizhou Province. We used organic geochemical analyses (total organic carbon content and kerogen type), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), field emission SEM, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-ray diffraction analysis, and low-temperature [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] adsorption experimental methods to study the micropore types and pore structures and their effects on the methane adsorption capacity of organic-rich shales found in the Fenggang block in northern Guizhou Province. The results indicate that the microscopic surface porosity of the lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation ranges from 2.88% to 5.34%, with an average value of 3.86%. Based on nitrogen adsorption methods, the range of the average pore size distribution is 4.6–9.491 nm, with an average value of 6.68 nm. All of the samples exhibit significant unimodal distributions. The main pore size is less than 10 nm, and these pores account for most of the mesopore volume, which is generally consistent with the NMR results. The methane adsorption capacity of the shale samples gradually increases in the range of 0–8 MPa at 30°C and reaches a maximum at approximately 10 MPa. Positive correlations were found between the gas content and specific surface area, total pore volume, and micropore volume. These strong correlations indicate that the Niutitang Shale has a high specific surface area, a high pore volume, and narrow-diameter pores, demonstrating that it has a high gas adsorption capacity. The results of this study provide valuable information regarding the adsorption characteristics of marine shales and the factors that affect those characteristics.
Validation of the Survival Benefits of Metformin in Middle Eastern Patients With Type II Diabetes Mellitus and Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Al Omari Amal , Abdelkhaleq Hadeel , Al-Hussaini Maysa , Turfa Rim , Awad Nour , Hassan Manal M. , Alfaqih Mahmoud A. , Garrett Christopher R. 
Published: June 2018

Purpose Epidemiologic data from several populations suggest that metformin may decrease cancer risk and mortality in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and type II diabetes mellitus (DM). Although type II DM and CRC are major health problems in the Middle East, no investigations have been performed to test the effect metformin has on the outcome of patients with type II DM and CRC who are also treated with metformin. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1,902 patients diagnosed with CRC at King Hussein Cancer Center between January 2004 and December 2012, and identified 349 patients (18%) with type II DM; we censored the data of 28 patients because their antidiabetic medications were unknown. We then categorized these 321 patients into two groups: 192 patients treated with metformin (group A) and 129 patients treated with other antidiabetic medications (group B). Results Group A patients had significantly longer overall survival (89 months; 95% CI, 66 to 112 months) and progression-free survival (47 months; 95% CI, 15 to 79 months) than group B patients (overall survival: 36 months; 95% CI, 24 to 48 months; P ≤ .001; progression-free survival: 21 months; 95% CI, 13 to 29 months; P = .016). After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, aspirin use, anticholesterol treatment, and CRC stage, group A patients had a 40% reduction in mortality (hazard ratio, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.4% to 0.85%; P = .005). Conclusion Our results support findings from other populations that patients with diabetes and CRC who are also treated with metformin have better outcomes than those treated with other antidiabetic medications.
Cerebellar synapse properties and cerebellum-dependent motor and non-motor performance in Dp71-null mice
Authors: Helleringer Romain , Le Verger Delphine , Li Xia , Izabelle Charlotte , Chaussenot Rémi , Belmaati-Cherkaoui Mehdi , Dammak Raoudha , Decottignies Paulette , Daniel Hervé , Galante Micaela , Vaillend Cyrille 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACT
Recent emphasis has been placed on the role that cerebellar dysfunctions could have in the genesis of cognitive deficits in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). However, relevant genotype-phenotype analyses are missing to define whether cerebellar defects underlie the severe cases of intellectual deficiency that have been associated with genetic loss of the smallest product of the dmd gene, the Dp71 dystrophin. To determine for the first time whether Dp71 loss could affect cerebellar physiology and functions, we have used patch-clamp electrophysiological recordings in acute cerebellar slices and a cerebellum-dependent behavioral test battery addressing cerebellum-dependent motor and non-motor functions in Dp71-null transgenic mice. We found that Dp71 deficiency selectively enhances excitatory transmission at glutamatergic synapses formed by climbing fibers (CFs) on Purkinje neurons, but not at those formed by parallel fibers. Altered basal neurotransmission at CFs was associated with impairments in synaptic plasticity and clustering of the scaffolding postsynaptic density protein PSD-95. At the behavioral level, Dp71-null mice showed some improvements in motor coordination and were unimpaired for muscle force, static and dynamic equilibrium, motivation in high-motor demand and synchronization learning. Dp71-null mice displayed altered strategies in goal-oriented navigation tasks, however, suggesting a deficit in the cerebellum-dependent processing of the procedural components of spatial learning, which could contribute to the visuospatial deficits identified in this model. In all, the observed deficits suggest that Dp71 loss alters cerebellar synapse function and cerebellum-dependent navigation strategies without being detrimental for motor functions.
Selective reactions to different killer whale call categories in two delphinid species
Authors: Bowers Matthew T. , Friedlaender Ari S. , Janik Vincent M. , Nowacek Douglas P. , Quick Nicola J. , Southall Brandon L. , Read Andrew J. 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACT
The risk of predation is often invoked as an important factor influencing the evolution of social organization in cetaceans, but little direct information is available about how these aquatic mammals respond to predators or other perceived threats. We used controlled playback experiments to examine the behavioral responses of short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) off Cape Hatteras, NC, USA, and Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus) off the coast of Southern California, USA, to the calls of a potential predator, mammal-eating killer whales. We transmitted calls of mammal-eating killer whales, conspecifics and baleen whales to 10 pilot whales and four Risso's dolphins equipped with multi-sensor archival acoustic recording tags (DTAGs). Only playbacks of killer whale calls resulted in significant changes in tagged animal heading. The strong responses observed in both species occurred only following exposure to a subset of killer whale calls, all of which contained multiple non-linear properties. This finding suggests that these structural features of killer whale calls convey information about predatory risk to pilot whales and Risso's dolphins. The observed responses differed between the two species; pilot whales approached the sound source while Risso's dolphins fled following playbacks. These divergent responses likely reflect differences in anti-predator response mediated by the social structure of the two species.
Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli in bio-aerosols from untreated TB patients
Authors: Patterson Benjamin , Morrow Carl , Singh Vinayak , Moosa Atica , Gqada Melitta , Woodward Jeremy , Mizrahi Valerie , Bryden Wayne , Call Charles , Patel Shwetak , Warner Digby , Wood Robin 
Published: June 2018

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is predominantly an airborne disease. However, quantitative and qualitative analysis of bio-aerosols containing the aetiological agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), has proven very challenging. Our objective is to sample bio-aerosols from newly diagnosed TB patients for detection and enumeration of Mtb bacilli. Methods: We monitored each of 35 newly diagnosed, GeneXpert sputum-positive, TB patients during 1 hour confinement in a custom-built Respiratory Aerosol Sampling Chamber (RASC). The RASC (a small clean-room of 1.4m 3) incorporates aerodynamic particle size detection, viable and non-viable sampling devices, real-time CO 2 monitoring, and cough sound-recording. Microbiological culture and droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) were used to detect Mtb in each of the bio-aerosol collection devices. Results: Mtb was detected in 27/35 (77.1%) of aerosol samples; 15/35 (42.8%) samples were positive by mycobacterial culture and 25/27 (92.96%) were positive by ddPCR. Culturability of collected bacilli was not predicted by radiographic evidence of pulmonary cavitation, sputum smear positivity. A correlation was found between cough rate and culturable bioaerosol. Mtb was detected on all viable cascade impactor stages with a peak at aerosol sizes 2.0-3.5μm. This suggests a median of 0.09 CFU/litre of exhaled air (IQR: 0.07 to 0.3 CFU/l) for the aerosol culture positives and an estimated median concentration of 4.5x10 7 CFU/ml (IQR: 2.9x10 7-5.6x10 7) of exhaled particulate bio-aerosol. Conclusions: Mtb was identified in bio-aerosols exhaled by the majority of untreated TB patients using the RASC. Molecular detection was more sensitive than mycobacterial culture on solid media, suggesting that further studies are required to determine whether this reflects a significant proportion of differentially detectable bacilli in these samples.
Amodiaquine resistance in Plasmodium berghei is associated with PbCRT His95Pro mutation, loss of chloroquine, artemisinin and primaquine sensitivity, and high transcript levels of key transporters
Authors: Ndung'u Loise , Langat Benard , Magiri Esther , Ng'ang'a Joseph , Irungu Beatrice , Nzila Alexis , Kiboi Daniel 
Published: June 2018

Background: The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum has evolved drug evasion mechanisms to all available antimalarials. The combination of amodiaquine-artesunate is among the drug of choice for treatment of uncomplicated malaria. In this combination, a short-acting, artesunate is partnered with long-acting, amodiaquine for which resistance may emerge rapidly especially in high transmission settings. Here, we used a rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei ANKA as a surrogate of P. falciparum to investigate the mechanisms of amodiaquine resistance. Methods: We used the ramp up approach to select amodiaquine resistance. We then employed the 4-Day Suppressive Test to measure the resistance level and determine the cross-resistance profiles. Finally, we genotyped the resistant parasite by PCR amplification, sequencing and relative quantitation of mRNA transcript of targeted genes. Results: Submission of the parasite to amodiaquine pressure yielded resistant line within thirty-six passages. The effective doses that reduced 90% of parasitaemia (ED90) of the sensitive and resistant lines were 4.29mg/kg and 19.13mg/kg respectively. The selected parasite retained resistance after ten passage cycles in the absence of the drug and freezing at -80ºC for one month with ED90 of 20.34mg/kg and 18.22mg/kg. The parasite lost susceptibility to chloroquine by (6-fold), artemether (10-fold), primaquine (5-fold), piperaquine (2-fold) and lumefantrine (3-fold). Sequence analysis of Plasmodium berghei chloroquine-resistant transporter revealed His95Pro mutation. We found no variation in the nucleotide sequences of Plasmodium berghei multidrug resistance gene-1 (Pbmdr1), Plasmodium berghei deubiquitinating enzyme-1 or Plasmodium berghei Kelch13 domain. However, high mRNA transcripts of essential transporters; Pbmdr1, V-type/H+ pumping pyrophosphatase-2 and sodium hydrogen ion exchanger-1 and Ca2+/H+ antiporter accompanies amodiaquine resistance. Conclusions: The selection of amodiaquine resistance yielded stable “multidrug-resistant’’ parasites and thus may be used to study shared resistance mechanisms associated with other antimalarial drugs. Genome-wide analysis of the parasite may elucidate other functionally relevant genes controlling AQ resistance in P. berghei.
Real-Time Bidding in Online Display Advertising
Authors: Sayedi Amin 
Published: June 2018

Display advertising is a major source of revenue for many online publishers and content providers. Historically, display advertising impressions have been sold through prenegotiated contracts, known as reservation contracts, between publishers and advertisers. In recent years, a growing number of impressions are being sold in real-time bidding (RTB), where advertisers bid for impressions in real time, as consumers visit publishers’ websites. RTB allows advertisers to target consumers at an individual level using browser cookie information, and enables them to customize their ads for each individual. The rapid growth of RTB has created new challenges for advertisers and publishers on how much budget and ad inventory to allocate to RTB. In this paper, we use a game theory model with two advertisers and a publisher to study the effects of RTB on advertisers’ and publishers’ strategies and their profits. We show that symmetric advertisers use asymmetric strategies where one advertiser buys all of his impressions in RTB, whereas the other advertiser focuses on reservation contracts. Interestingly, we find that while both advertisers benefit from the existence of RTB, the advertiser that focuses on reservation contracts benefits more than the advertiser that focuses on RTB. We show that while RTB lowers the equilibrium price of impressions in reservation contracts, it increases the publisher’s total revenue. Despite many analysts’ belief that, because of being more efficient, RTB will replace reservation contracts in the future, we show that publishers have to sell a sufficiently large fraction of their impressions in reservation contracts to maximize their revenue. We extend our model to consider premium consumers, publisher’s uncertainty about the number of future visitors, and effectiveness of ad customization. The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mksc.2017.1083 .
50 Years of Gettier: A New Direction in Religious Epistemology?
Authors: Church Ian Michael 
Published: June 2018

In this paper, I lend credence to the move toward non-reductive religious epistemology by highlighting the systematic failings of Alvin Plantinga’s seminal, religious epistemology when it comes to surmounting the Gettier Problem. Taking Plantinga’s account as archetypal, I argue that we have systematic reasons to believe that no reductive theory of knowledge (religious or otherwise) can viably surmount the Gettier Problem, that the future of religious epistemology lies in non-reductive models of knowledge.
Communal Substitutionary Atonement
Authors: Thurow Joshua 
Published: June 2018

In this paper I develop and defend a new theory of the Atonement - the Communal Substitution Theory. According to the Communal Substitution Theory, by dying on the cross Jesus either takes on the punishment for, or offers satisfaction for, the sins of the human community. Individual humans have sinned, but human communities have sinned as well. Jesus dies for the communal sins. As a result, human communities are forgiven and reconciled to God, and through the event of communal forgiveness, individual human sins can be forgiven as well. Moving the focal point of atonement to communal sins has various advantages: well-known objections to satisfaction and penal theories are avoided, and many of the advantages of other theories of the atonement are organically integrated into the communal substitution theory.
OCIO DIGITAL EN LOS JÓVENES EN DIFICULTAD SOCIAL
Authors: Vasco Margarita , Pérez Serrano Gloria 
Published: June 2018

INTRODUCCIÓN. Reconocer las dinámicas de ocio digital que los jóvenes en dificultad social llevan a la práctica en su tiempo libre es el propósito sobre el que se articula la investigación realizada. Con él se trata de responder, de manera educativa, a las necesidades observadas tanto por los profesionales como por los protagonistas de este colectivo. MÉTODO. Se ha implementadoun enfoque metodológico cualitativo articulado en un total de veintiuna entrevistas en profundidad realizadas a un conjunto de participantes compuesto por veintiocho jóvenes en dificultad social y veintiún agentes sociales de diversos programas socioeducativos. La transcripción literal de las entrevistas fue sometida al tratamiento informático del programa ATLAS.ti.7 que nos facilitó la interpretación de los datos para otorgar significado a la situación real estudiada. RESULTADOS. Como resultado del trabajo realizado se ponen al descubierto las características de este colectivo respecto a sus prácticas de ocio digital, así como el conjunto de actividades, valores y antivalores sociales que la tecnología virtual pone a disposición de los jóvenes de colectivos vulnerables. Además emergen de la investigación las posibilidades educativas que, desdela perspectiva de los participantes del estudio, nos ofrece el ocio que diariamente comparte este colectivo a través de la red. DISCUSIÓN. Se pone de manifiesto la necesidad de implementar una educación para el ocio digital arbitrada desde modelos de intervención socioeducativa concebidos específicamente para el trabajo con jóvenes vulnerables sobresaliendo, entre otras estrategias, aquellas que contemplan la participación y opinión de los verdaderos protagonistas de los programas educativos: los jóvenes.
LA IDENTIDAD NACIONAL EN LOS MANUALES ESCOLARES DURANTE LA SEGUNDA REPÚBLICA ESPAÑOLA
Authors: Sanz Simón Carlos , Rabazas Romero Teresa 
Published: June 2018

INTRODUCCIÓN. El presente artículo se propone analizar las concepciones de la identidad nacional desarrollada en España en relación al resurgimiento de las identidades propias de diferentes regiones en la etapa de educación primaria durante la Segunda República Española (1931-1936). MÉTODO. Se han empleado la metodología histórico-educativa y hermenéutica para la revisión bibliográfica y el análisis de contenido para la exploración de los manuales escolares de acuerdo a un sistema de unidades categoriales, comprendiendo la identidad nacional, los nacionalismos, las ilustraciones y mapas, los personajes y etapas y la presencia de la mujer. Los manuales escolares han sido consultados en diversos fondos: desde el Museo Manuel Bartolomé Cossío de la UCM hasta la Biblioteca Nacional Española, pasando por el Proyecto MANES de la UNED y el archivo histórico de la Facultad de Educación de la UCM. RESULTADOS. En las categorías establecidas se identifican claramente dos modelos que conviven en los manuales escolares de este periodo y que reflejan una dualidad en la concepción de la identidad nacional durante la Segunda República: el conservador y el progresista. No obstante, en lo que respecta a la presencia de la mujer en los manuales, las diferencias entre dichos modelos resultan menos evidentes, conviviendo ambos. DISCUSIÓN. Se destaca la heterogeneidad de la ideología que hay detrás los manuales y de sus autores, lo que pone de relieve la libertad del profesorado en la elección del manual escolar. Además, se abren vías de investigación en historia de la educaciónsobre la depuración y censura en los manuales escolares de la Segunda República.
Simultaneous pyrolysis and trimethylsilylation with N-methyl-(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide for the characterisation of lignocellulosic materials from kraft pulping
Authors: Melo Tamires O. , Tomasi Jéssica D.C. , Pires Osmar A.B. , Marques Francisco A. , Hansel Fabricio A. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractSimultaneous pyrolysis and trimethylsilylation (SPyT) withN-methyl-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (MSTFA) was used to characterise lignocellulosic materials from pine and eucalyptus obtained by kraft pulping. This approach protects the carboxyl groups and helps preserve the original structure of phenolic products during analytical pyrolysis, and so that pyrolysis and derivatisation occur simultaneously and the fragments of underivatised compounds are also silylatated. The SPyT products are representative for the structures present in carbohydrates and lignin of the investigated materials. The method is also suited to semi-quantitative evaluation also in terms of detection of condensed lignin structures in pulps and kraft lignins.
The association between school bullying victimization and substance use among adolescents in Malawi: the mediating effect of loneliness
Authors: Kim Youn Kyoung , Okumu Moses , Small Eusebius , Nikolova Silviya Pavlova , Mengo Cecilia 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBackground and objectivesResearch has shown an increased prevalence of substance use among adolescents in countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Peer affiliation, bullying, and psychological stress are significantly associated with substance use. This study empirically tested theoretical frameworks linking peer affiliation, bullying victimization, loneliness and substance use (specifically tobacco or alcohol use) among adolescents.Materials and methodsData were obtained from the 2009 Malawi Global School-based Health Survey (GSHS) with a representative sample of 2359 students aged 13–17 years in Malawi, Sub-Saharan Africa. Missing data were handled using multiple imputation. The study conducted path analyses using Mplus to test the conceptual models of tobacco use and alcohol use.ResultsThe results showed that lonelinesspartiallymediated the association between bullying victimization and tobacco use in the first model, as well as the relationship between bullying victimization and alcohol use in the second model. Results indicated statistically significant indirect paths from bullying victimization to tobacco use and alcohol use through the mediation of loneliness. However, peer affiliation did not directly predict bullying victimization in the two path models; it directly predicted tobacco use only.ConclusionsThese findings have important implications in early intervention for health practitioners in school and mental health settings to prevent feelings of loneliness and substance use among adolescents who have experience with bullying victimization but no experience with depression, alcohol use or tobacco use.
Pseudo Almost Periodicity and Its Applications to Impulsive Nonautonomous Partial Functional Stochastic Evolution Equations
Authors: Yan Zuomao , Jia Xiumei 
Published: June 2018

Abstract
In this paper, we establish a new composition theorem for pseudo almost periodic functions under non-Lipschitz conditions. We apply this new composition theorem together with a fixed-point theorem for condensing maps to investigate the existence of

p

$p$

-mean piecewise pseudo almost periodic mild solutions for a class of impulsive nonautonomous partial functional stochastic evolution equations in Hilbert spaces, and then, the exponential stability of

p

$p$

-mean piecewise pseudo almost periodic mild solutions is studied. Finally, an example is given to illustrate our results.