bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Meat intake in relation to semen quality and reproductive hormone levels among young men in Spain
Authors: Maldonado-Cárceles Ana B. , Mínguez-Alarcón Lidia , Mendiola Jaime , Vioque Jesús , Jørgensen Niels , Árense-Gonzalo Julián J. , Torres-Cantero Alberto M. , Chavarro Jorge E. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to assess the associations of intake of different types of meat with semen parameters and reproductive hormones in healthy young men. This cross-sectional study included 206 men, 18–23 years, from Southern Spain. All men completed a validated FFQ, underwent a physical examination, and provided blood and semen samples. Multivariable linear regression was used to evaluate the associations between meat intake with semen quality parameters and reproductive hormones. Total meat intake was unrelated to semen quality or reproductive hormone levels. When subgroups of meat were separately considered, however, shellfish intake was positively related to progressive motility. The adjusted percentages of progressively motile spermatozoa for men in increasing quartiles of shellfish intake were 45·2, 42·0, 49·4 and 53·2 % with a significant linear trend across quartiles (Ptrend≤0·001). In contrast, men who consumed organ meats had significantly lower progressive sperm motility (51·5 v. 42·8 %; P = 0·001) and higher luteinising hormone levels (4·0 v. 4·6 IU/l; P = 0·03) compared with men who did not consume organ meats. Intake of shellfish and organ meats was low in this population, however. Given the scarcity of data on the relation between specific types of meat with semen quality and reproductive hormone levels, additional research is needed to confirm or refute these findings.
MAKING THE MOST OF IMPERFECT DATA: A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF STANDARD INFORMATION COLLECTED IN FARM HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS
Authors: FRAVAL SIMON , HAMMOND JAMES , WICHERN JANNIKE , OOSTING SIMON J. , DE BOER IMKE J. M. , TEUFEL NILS , LANNERSTAD MATS , WAHA KATHARINA , PAGELLA TIM , ROSENSTOCK TODD S. , GILLER KEN E. , HERRERO MARIO , HARRIS DAVID , VAN WIJK MARK T. 
Published: December 2018

SUMMARYHousehold surveys are one of the most commonly used tools for generating insight into rural communities. Despite their prevalence, few studies comprehensively evaluate the quality of data derived from farm household surveys. We critically evaluated a series of standard reported values and indicators that are captured in multiple farm household surveys, and then quantified their credibility, consistency and, thus, their reliability. Surprisingly, even variables which might be considered ‘easy to estimate’ had instances of non-credible observations. In addition, measurements of maize yields and land owned were found to be less reliable than other stationary variables. This lack of reliability has implications for monitoring food security status, poverty status and the land productivity of households. Despite this rather bleak picture, our analysis also shows that if the same farm households are followed over time, the sample sizes needed to detect substantial changes are in the order of hundreds of surveys, and not in the thousands. Our research highlights the value of targeted and systematised household surveys and the importance of ongoing efforts to improve data quality. Improvements must be based on the foundations of robust survey design, transparency of experimental design and effective training. The quality and usability of such data can be further enhanced by improving coordination between agencies, incorporating mixed modes of data collection and continuing systematic validation programmes.
The Virtue of Mercy According to Maimonides: Ethics, Law, and Theology
Authors: Shapira Haim 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThis article explores Maimonides’s position with regard to mercy in various aspects—ethics, law, and theology—and examines its unity. The first section discusses Maimonides’s view on the question of mercy in the moral plane: is mercy a virtue? It begins with a short discussion of the Aristotelian stance and then analyzes Maimonides’s view. It shows that Maimonides rejected the philosophical critique of mercy and deemed it a virtue. The second section discusses Maimonides’s view in the judicial plane: may a judge show mercy in judgment and be lenient when ruling? It also explores how Maimonides justifies the negation of mercy in the legal plane in contrast with his view of mercy as a virtue. The third section explores Maimonides’s view of mercy in the theological context. In his discussion of the divine attributes Maimonides interprets the attributes of “merciful and gracious,” and offered a metaphorical interpretation. Since humans are mandated to imitate God, this interpretation has consequences in the normative sphere. The theological discussion therefore raises the question of the moral and legal standing of mercy from a new perspective. It also raises the question of the relation between Maimonides’s position in theGuide of the Perplexedand that in his halakhic compositions. Are these two apparently different positions compatible?
Head and neck immunoglobulin G4 related disease: systematic review
Authors: Tirelli G , Gardenal N , Gatto A , Quatela E , Del Piero G C 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundImmunoglobulin G4 related disease is a recently described systemic syndrome. The head and neck region is the second most common site for presentation after the pancreas.MethodsPubMed and the Cochrane Library were searched from 1995 to July 2017 for all the studies on immunoglobulin G4 related disease diagnosed in the head and neck compartment. Patient-specific data were extracted and basic statistical analysis was performed.ResultsNinety-one patients were identified. Treatment was specified in 76 patients. Twenty patients received surgical treatment, eight of them in association with medical therapy. Fifty-six patients received medical treatment. The disease recurred in 25 per cent of patients treated with surgical treatment alone, in 3.6 per cent of patients treated with medical treatment alone and in 12.5 per cent of patients treated with both. All medical treatment protocols contained high-dose corticosteroids.ConclusionEarly and correct diagnosis can avoid unnecessary surgical treatment, and glucocorticoid therapy can improve the long-term prognosis.
Propagation of a nonlinear wave packet driven in a relaxed magnetohydrodynamic plasma
Authors: Kaur M. , Brown M. R. 
Published: December 2018

We report the observation of a nonlinear wave packet propagating through a relaxed Taylor state in the Swarthmore Spheromak eXperiment (SSX) device. The wave packet is launched by a fast, pulsed, high current (${\approx}21~\text{kA}$) single-turn theta-pinch coil mounted outside the plasma vessel. The theta-pinch coil is energized by discharging a 40 kV, 2 kJ capacitor circuit. The wave packet velocity is super-thermal and super-Alfvénic; its group velocity is more consistent with a whistler pulse than other characteristic velocities. We also observe a fast density pulse which indicates that it is not Alfvénic in nature.
Tales of the far north; Dr William Gordon Stables and the Arctic adventure story in the late Victorian era
Authors: Wamsley Douglas W. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractDr William Gordon Stables (1837–1910) was perhaps the most prolific author of juvenile works during the second half of the 19th century, publishing more than 130 full-length novels, in addition to offering regular contributions to juvenile magazines. His writings covered a diverse range of subject areas, spanning all regions of the globe, and offered lively tales of adventure often coupled with moral guidance and imperialistic overtones. However, it was juvenile tales of adventure set in the far north that were his favourites and among his most frequent selections. Drawing upon his own first-hand Arctic experiences, Stables provided a knowledgeable view of the northern regions, offering vivid and realistic depictions of life and work in the Arctic, as well as its peoples, natural history and natural wonders. The challenges of survival in the harsh environment of the Arctic fostered a physical approach to manliness and maturity in Stables’ young heroes, who served as powerful role models for his youthful audience. Stables’ works enjoyed widespread popularity among impressionable juvenile readers and helped to shape their perceptions of the Arctic regions and impart character values on their path to adulthood. This article examines Stables’ contribution to Arctic storytelling in the late Victorian era.
Frequency and temporal sequence of clinical features in adults with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis presenting with psychiatric symptoms
Authors: Gurrera Ronald J. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundAnti-NMDA receptor (NMDAr) encephalitis is the most common autoimmune encephalitis in adults. It mimics psychiatric disorders so often that most patients are initially referred to a psychiatrist, and many are misdiagnosed. Without prompt and effective treatment, patients are likely to suffer a protracted course with significant residual disability, or death. This study focuses on the frequency and chronology of salient clinical features in adults with anti-NMDAr encephalitis who are likely to be first evaluated by a psychiatrist because their presentation suggests a primary psychiatric disorder.MethodsA systematic search of PubMed and EMBASE databases identified published reports of anti-NMDAr encephalitis associated with prominent behavioral or psychiatric symptoms. After eliminating redundancies, the frequencies and relative timing of clinical features were tabulated. Signs and symptoms were assigned temporal ranks based on the timing of their first appearance relative to the first appearance of other signs and symptoms in each patient; median ranks were used to compare temporal sequencing of both individual features and major symptom domains.ResultsTwo hundred thirty unique cases (185 female) met study inclusion criteria. The most common features were seizures (60.4%), disorientation/confusion (42.6%), orofacial dyskinesias (39.1%), and mutism/staring (37.4%). Seizures, fever, and cognitive dysfunction were often the earliest features to emerge, but psychiatric features predominated and sequencing varied greatly between individuals.ConclusionsClinicians should consider anti-NMDAr encephalitis when new psychiatric symptoms are accompanied by a recent viral prodrome, seizures or unexplained fever, or when the quality of the psychiatric symptoms is unusual (e.g. non-verbal auditory hallucinations).
Pre-conception self-harm, maternal mental health and mother–infant bonding problems: a 20-year prospective cohort study
Authors: Borschmann Rohan , Molyneaux Emma , Spry Elizabeth , Moran Paul , Howard Louise M. , Macdonald Jacqui A. , Brown Stephanie J. , Moreno-Betancur Margarita , Olsson Craig A. , Patton George C. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundSelf-harm in young people is associated with later problems in social and emotional development. However, it is unknown whether self-harm in young women continues to be a marker of vulnerability on becoming a parent. This study prospectively describes the associations between pre-conception self-harm, maternal depressive symptoms and mother–infant bonding problems.MethodsThe Victorian Intergenerational Health Cohort Study (VIHCS) is a follow-up to the Victorian Adolescent Health Cohort Study (VAHCS) in Australia. Socio-demographic and health variables were assessed at 10 time-points (waves) from ages 14 to 35, including self-reported self-harm at waves 3–9. VIHCS enrolment began in 2006 (when participants were aged 28–29 years), by contacting VAHCS women every 6 months to identify pregnancies over a 7-year period. Perinatal depressive symptoms were assessed with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale during the third trimester, and 2 and 12 months postpartum. Mother–infant bonding problems were assessed with the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire at 2 and 12 months postpartum.ResultsFive hundred sixty-four pregnancies from 384 women were included. One in 10 women (9.7%) reported pre-conception self-harm. Women who reported self-harming in young adulthood (ages 20–29) reported higher levels of perinatal depressive symptoms and mother–infant bonding problems at all perinatal time points [perinatal depressive symptoms adjusted β = 5.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.42–7.39; mother–infant bonding problems adjusted β = 7.51, 95% CI 3.09–11.92]. There was no evidence that self-harm in adolescence (ages 15–17) was associated with either perinatal outcome.ConclusionsSelf-harm during young adulthood may be an indicator of future vulnerability to perinatal mental health and mother–infant bonding problems.
Association between childhood trauma exposure and pro-inflammatory cytokines in schizophrenia and bipolar-I disorder
Authors: Quidé Yann , Bortolasci Chiara C. , Spolding Briana , Kidnapillai Srisaiyini , Watkeys Oliver J. , Cohen-Woods Sarah , Berk Michael , Carr Vaughan J. , Walder Ken , Green Melissa J. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundElevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines are consistently reported in schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar-I disorder (BD), as well as among individuals who have been exposed to childhood trauma. However, higher levels of inflammatory markers in these disorders are yet to be investigated with respect to levels of exposure to different types of childhood trauma.MethodsParticipants were 68 cases with a diagnosis of schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder (SZ), 69 cases with a diagnosis of psychotic BD and 72 healthy controls (HC). Serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were quantified, and childhood trauma exposure was assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire.ResultsThe SZ group had significantly higher levels of IL-6, TNF-α and CRP when compared with the HC group (all p < 0.05, d = 0.41–0.63), as well as higher levels of TNF-α when compared with the BD group (p = 0.014, d = 0.50); there were no differences between the BD and HC groups for any markers. Exposure to sexual abuse was positively associated (standardised β = 0.326, t = 2.459, p = 0.018) with levels of CRP in the SZ group, but there were no significant associations between any form of trauma exposure and cytokine levels in the HC or BD groups.ConclusionsThese results contribute to the evidence for a chronic state of inflammation in SZ but not BD cases. Differential associations between trauma exposure and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines across the diagnostic categories suggest that trauma may impact biological (stress and immune) systems differently in these patient groups.
Effects of wiggler error in a free-electron laser oscillator with two electron beams
Authors: Nam Soon-Kwon 
Published: December 2018

AbstractWe have analyzed the effects of the wiggler error due to the electron beam's emittance, energy spreads, and higher-order modes in a free-electron laser (FEL) oscillator by using two electron beams of different energies based on the proposed FEL facility which is operated at a far-infrared and infrared regions. The three-dimensional (3D) effects in a FEL oscillator due to the wiggler error were calculated and an evaluation of the effect of the beam's emittance and energy spread was performed for the case of the coupled two-beam oscillator for phase shift errors and wiggler errors. The mode construction was studied on the higher-order modes of the wiggler for the various wiggler error parameters for FEL performance which is required for the high-quality electron beam. The radiation intensity at the fundamental mode was calculated for the rms phase shake in wiggler errors with sinus type, constant type, and parabolic type in the two-beam oscillator system using the 3D calculations. The results are compared with those of the fundamental modes without wiggler errors.
Transboundary Civil Litigation for Victims of Southeast Asian Haze Pollution: Access to Justice and the Non-Discrimination Principle
Authors: Listiningrum Prischa 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThis article examines access to justice for victims of the Southeast Asian haze pollution within the legal system of Indonesia as the source-of-origin state. It argues that bringing civil claims against the polluting companies before Indonesian courts offers a more effective avenue towards justice than relying on resolution at the level of state to state. The article first discusses barriers to resolving the problem through the state-to-state level. It then considers whether, under international law, the source-of-origin state is obliged to provide remedies for victims of transboundary environmental damage. The article then reviews the efficacy of pursuing remedies for transboundary civil claims against polluters through the legal system of the source-of-origin state. Finally, the article considers the limitations of the laws of the affected states, which, as a consequence, mean that transboundary civil litigation in the source-of-origin state may be the most effective avenue for redress.
Black Medic (Medicago lupulina) Germination Response to Temperature and Osmotic Potential, and a Novel Growing Degree-Day Accounting Restriction for Heat-Limited Germination
Authors: Sharpe Shaun M. , Boyd Nathan S. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBlack medic (Medicago lupulinaL.) is a problem weed species in Florida strawberry [Fragaria×ananassa(Weston) Duchesne ex Rozier (pro sp.) [chiloensis×virginiana]] production. It competes with the crop and hinders harvest efficiency. A reductionist approach is being undertaken to predictM. lupulinafield emergence to coordinate control tactics. Germination is the first model component to be developed. The objectives were to study the effect of osmotic potential and temperature on seed germination and to develop the germination component for reductionist emergence modeling. Trials were initiated using petri dishes in incubators to testM. lupulinagermination in response to osmotic potential (0 to −1 MPa) and constant (5 to 40 C) and fluctuating temperatures (35/25, 35/20, 25/15, and 25/10 C, 12/12-h duration).Medicago lupulinagerminated between 5 and 35 C. Optimal germination was between 10 and 20 C. Germination was negatively impacted by temperatures above the optimum. Fluctuating temperatures did not influence germination compared with constant temperatures. A reduction in osmotic potential from 0 to −0.25 MPa reduced germination from 43% to 14%. Three temperature-mediated germination trends were identified: standard increases and plateau up to 20 C, reduced germination between 20 and 35 C, and no germination at 40 C. A novel restriction to daily growing degree-day (GDD) accounting was developed for heat-limited germination. The germination restriction accounted for the optimum and maximum temperature, diminishing returns of exposure to higher temperatures, and the negative impact of higher temperatures above the optimum range. Determination logic and the new daily GDD accounting formula aligned GDD accumulation across all temperatures to be described by a Weibull formula (R2= 0.5199). Results establish the germination component for reductionist emergence modeling, but further study is required to account for dormancy and PRE growth.
10Be Signature of the Cosmic Ray Event in the 10th Century CE in Both Hemispheres, as Confirmed by Quasi‐Annual 10Be Data From the Antarctic Dome Fuji Ice Core
Authors: Miyake F. , Horiuchi K. , Motizuki Y. , Nakai Y. , Takahashi K. , Masuda K. , Motoyama H. , Matsuzaki H. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractCosmogenic nuclides are good indicators of past cosmic ray events and variations. To verify such phenomena, it is important to evaluate them using multiple nuclides from different archives. The cosmic ray event in 993–994 Common Era (CE) has already been confirmed with 14C and 10Be data, which show rapid increases in the concentrations. However, the 10Be data were obtained from the Greenland ice cores in the Northern Hemisphere. To investigate the extent of the 10Be increase in the Southern Hemisphere, we measured quasi‐annual 10Be concentrations between 980 and 1,011 CE in the Antarctic Dome Fuji ice core. We observed a ~50% increase in 10Be concentration around 994 CE, consistent with the Greenland data. Increases in 10Be concentrations in both hemispheres support a solar origin of the 994‐CE event. In addition, we propose a method of evaluating the so‐called “system effect” for 10Be deposition by extracting common components from 10Be and Na+ data.
On Cold Pool Collisions in Tropical Boundary Layers
Authors: Torri Giuseppe , Kuang Zhiming 
Published: December 2018

AbstractCollisions between cold pools are generally acknowledged to be important processes through which new convective cells are triggered. Yet relatively little has been done to characterize these processes in detail, quantify their impact on the life cycle of cold pools, and include them in convective parameterizations. We use a combination of Eulerian and Lagrangian models to investigate how much cold pools are affected by collisions. Results from simulations in radiative‐convective equilibrium suggest that collisions represent a first‐order process in the dynamics of cold pools, the median time of first collision being under 10 min since cold pool birth. Through a Lagrangian tracking algorithm, it is also shown that cold pools are significantly deformed by collisions and lose the circular shapes they would have if in isolation only a few minutes after birth. Finally, it is suggested that cold pools happen in clusters, and associated spatial and temporal scales are presented.
Cross‐Front Sediment Transport Induced by Quick Oscillation of the Yellow Sea Warm Current: Evidence From the Sedimentary Record
Authors: Shi Y. , Gao J. H. , Sheng H. , Du J. , Jia J. J. , Wang Y. P. , Li J. , Bai F. L. , Chen Y. N. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe geochemical analysis of sediment in the northern North Yellow Sea shows that the sediment derived from the Yellow River could penetrate the Yellow Sea Warm Current and mingle with Yalu River‐derived sediment in coastal areas. Further analysis indicates that the relative variations in coastal currents and the Yellow Sea Warm Current, which are regulated by the winter monsoon, dominate the process of cross‐front transport. This suggests a dynamic mechanism involving cross‐front sediment transport. During a period of strong northwesterly wind, the sediment derived from the Yellow River north of the Shandong Peninsula could disperse across the fronts in the surface layer, and when the wind subsides, sediments are delivered northward by barotropic current. This dynamic mechanism for sediment exchange in the North Yellow Sea can explain the multiple sediment sources found in the Yellow Sea, and it has implications for cross‐front transport on a global scale.