bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimating Mann–Whitney-Type Causal Effects for Right-Censored Survival Outcomes
Authors: Zhang Zhiwei , Liu Chunling , Ma Shujie , Zhang Min 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
Mann–Whitney-type causal effects are clinically relevant, easy to interpret, and readily applicable to a wide range of study settings. This article considers estimation of such effects when the outcome variable is a survival time subject to right censoring. We derive and discuss several methods: an outcome regression method based on a regression model for the survival outcome, an inverse probability weighting method based on models for treatment assignment and censoring, and two doubly robust methods that involve both types of models and that remain valid under correct specification of the outcome model or the other two models. The methods are compared in a simulation study and applied to an observational study of hospitalized pneumonia.
Experimental Study of Mortar Samples Containing Sodium Bentonite
Authors: Liu Jiesheng , Gong Xiaoqiang , He Xiang , Zhang Rongtang , Li Rui 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
In this study, the effect of sodium bentonite on the properties of cement mortar has been investigated through a number of tests. The properties examined include consistency, fluidity, water retention, density, mechanical strength, water absorption, and morphology of mortar. The results showed that the consistency, fluidity, density, and mechanical strength decreased as the sodium bentonite increased. However, the water retention and water absorption increased because of the good water absorptive properties of sodium bentonite and the increase of voids in the mortar when the sodium bentonite increased. Scanning electron microscopy results showed that a more porous structure of mortar sample can be obtained when the sodium bentonite content increased.
A Literature Review on Fuzzy Process Capability Analysis
Authors: Kaya İhsan , Çolak Murat 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
Process capability analysis (PCA) that can be defined as the ability of any process to satisfy customer demands expressed via specification limits (SLs) is effectively utilized as an important function of statistical process control in order to examine process variability. PCA provides information about conforming and nonconforming production rates that indicate the amount of products that fall inside and outside of SLs, respectively. It is possible to classify processes as “capable” and “incapable” according to values of process capability indexes (PCIs). Therefore, PCA has a wide usage and critical effects on the manufacturing process. The fuzzy set theory can be successfully utilized in order to cope with vagueness and to add more flexibility and sensitiveness into traditional PCIs. For this aim, upper and lower specification limits can be expressed by means of linguistic variables. Fuzzy process capability indexes (FPCIs) can be produced by using fuzzy mean and fuzzy variance. There are many studies that utilized FPCIs for PCA in the literature. This study seeks to present a comprehensive literature review for publications related to FPCIs. These studies have been analyzed according to some features of them, such as year, document type, journal name, and country. Also, classifications including FPCI, application area, fuzzy parameters, and type of fuzzy sets have been presented in this study. Additionally, some statistical analyses have been conducted. As a result, we desired to provide a roadmap for researchers in this field and to present recent advances regarding FPCIs. The main aim of this article is to show possible future research areas on fuzzy PCA.
Monitoring Regularly Maintained Systems Based on the Renewal Process with Generalized Exponential Distribution of Time between Events
Authors: Ali Sajid , Shah Ismail 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
In the modern industrial age, regular system maintenance is an integral process because systems, both engineering and nonengineering, deteriorate over time. Statistical process monitoring techniques, especially control charts, are very helpful in monitoring the performance of such systems and consequently help in decision making on whether maintenance is advantageous or the system has reached a phase where no further maintenance is useful. The aim of this article is to introduce an approach that would integrate maintenance decisions with statistical quality monitoring techniques by assuming an exponentiated class of distributions of interarrival times of the renewal process. This article includes generalized exponential, generalized Rayleigh, and exponentiated Pareto distributions as special cases. An extensive simulation study to compute average run length and average length of inspection (or average time to signal) is conducted, and a comparison is given with approximated exponential control charts. The effect of cost for the regularly maintained generalized exponential systems is also discussed in this study. We focus on the generalized exponential distribution because of its practical relevance in reliability and closeness to Weibull distribution. Finally, an illustrative example is also a part of this article.
Effects of Glass Powder as a Supplementary Cementitious Material on the Performance of High Strength Mortars
Authors: Akçaoğlu Tülin , Çubukçuoğlu Beste , Tarassoly Amir Reza 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
Around 11 billion tons of concrete ğused each year all over the world require considerable amounts of cement, which leads to extensive emissions of carbon dioxide. In the search for more environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional cement in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, glass powder (GP) is significant because of its high content of silica, availability, and cost and is increasingly becoming a part of cement replacement. This study examined the effects of replacing cement with three different colors of GP at different ratios on the workability and mechanical properties of high-strength mortars cured under three different curing temperatures. It was found that quantities of GP varying from 10 % to 20 % increased workability; strength changes occurred according to the hydration rate and strength activity index order of cement silica fume and GP specimens produced; and increasing the amount of GP from 10 % to 20 % decreased the resistance of mortar against penetration by chloride ions. Among the three water/binder (w/b) ratios (0.35, 0.40, and 0.45) and curing temperatures (22°C, 55°C, and 80°C), the maximum compressive and flexural strength were achieved with a 0.35 w/b ratio and 80°C curing temperature, the lowest with a 0.40 w/b ratio and 55°C curing temperature. At high w/b mixes, the strengths were mainly steered by the w/b ratio.
An Extended Burr-XII Distribution with Application to Lifetime Data
Authors: Jia Jun-mei , Yan Zai-zai , Peng Xiu-yun 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIn this article, a new distribution named the extended Burr-XII distribution is developed. This new distribution combines the Burr-XII and Weibull distributions by using the method of T-X family. Probability density, hazard rate, residual and reversed residual lifetime functions, and the s th raw moment of the distribution are studied. We obtain the stress-strength reliability. The extended Burr-XII is able to model distributions with monotonically decreasing and upside down bathtub hazard rates. The maximum likelihood, ordinary least squares, weighted least squares, maximum product of spacings, Cramér-von Mises, Anderson-Darling, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, and Bayes methods are adopted for estimating the parameters of the model. The asymptotic confidence intervals of the parameters are obtained according to the observed Fisher’s information matrix. Also, the posterior density credible intervals of the parameters are obtained under gamma prior using Gibbs sampling technique. The new distribution and other distributions are fitted to two real data sets, and the results indicate that the new distribution is quite a reasonable model for the given data sets. Lastly, the performance of the proposed estimation methods is compared by a Monte Carlo simulation.
Primary Afferent-Derived BDNF Contributes Minimally to the Processing of Pain and Itch
Authors: Dembo Todd , Braz João M. , Hamel Katherine A. , Kuhn Julia A. , Basbaum Allan I. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBDNF is a critical contributor to neuronal growth, development, learning, and memory. Although extensively studied in the brain, BDNF is also expressed by primary afferent sensory neurons in the peripheral nervous system. Unfortunately, anatomical and functional studies of primary afferent-derived BDNF have been limited by the availability of appropriate molecular tools. Here, we used targeted, inducible molecular approaches to characterize the expression pattern of primary afferent BDNF and the extent to which it contributes to a variety of pain and itch behaviors. Using aBDNF-LacZreporter mouse, we found that BDNF is expressed primarily by myelinated primary afferents and has limited overlap with the major peptidergic and non-peptidergic subclasses of nociceptors and pruritoceptors. We also observed extensive neuronal, but not glial, expression in the spinal cord dorsal horn. In addition, because BDNF null mice are not viable and even Cre-mediated deletion of BDNF from sensory neurons could have developmental consequences, here we deleted BDNF selectively from sensory neurons, in the adult, using an advillin-Cre-ER line crossed to floxed BDNF mice. We found that BDNF deletion in the adult altered few itch or acute and chronic pain behaviors, beyond sexually dimorphic phenotypes in the tail immersion, histamine, and formalin tests. Based on the anatomical distribution of sensory neuron-derived BDNF and its limited contribution to pain and itch processing, we suggest that future studies of primary afferent-derived BDNF should examine behaviors evoked by activation of myelinated primary afferents.
The DNA Repair-Associated Protein Gadd45γ Regulates the Temporal Coding of Immediate Early Gene Expression within the Prelimbic Prefrontal Cortex and Is Required for the Consolidation of Associative Fear Memory
Authors: Li Xiang , Marshall Paul R. , Leighton Laura J. , Zajaczkowski Esmi L. , Wang Ziqi , Madugalle Sachithrani U. , Yin Jiayu , Bredy Timothy W. , Wei Wei 
Published: December 2018

We have identified a member of the growth arrest and DNA damage (Gadd45) protein family, Gadd45γ, which is known to be critically involved in DNA repair, as a key player in the regulation of immediate early gene (IEG) expression underlying the consolidation of associative fear memory in adult male C57BL/6 mice. Gadd45γ temporally influences learning-induced IEG expression in the prelimbic prefrontal cortex (PLPFC) through its interaction with DNA double-strand break (DSB)-mediated changes in DNA methylation. Our findings suggest a two-hit model of experience-dependent IEG activity and learning that comprises (1) a first wave of IEG expression governed by DSBs and followed by a rapid increase in DNA methylation, and (2) a second wave of IEG expression associated with the recruitment of Gadd45γ and active DNA demethylation at the same site, which is necessary for memory consolidation.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTHow does the pattern of immediate early gene transcription in the brain relate to the storage and accession of information, and what controls these patterns? This paper explores how Gadd45γ, a gene that is known to be involved with DNA modification and repair, regulates the temporal coding of IEGs underlying associative learning and memory. We reveal that, during fear learning, Gadd45γ serves to act as a coordinator of IEG expression and subsequent memory consolidation by directing temporally specific changes in active DNA demethylation at the promoter of plasticity-related IEGs.
El delito de acoso (art. 172 ter CP) como modalidad de violencia de género. Comparativa con el «Nachstellung» del derecho alemán
Authors: Roig Torres Margarita 
Published: December 2018

La LO 1/2015, introdujo el delito de acoso en el artículo 172 ter CP, pensando principalmente en las mujeres que sufren actos de hostigamiento por parte de sus ex parejas. El legislador siguió el modelo del delito de persecución (Nachstellung) del § 238 StGB, aunque este precepto ha sido recientemente reformado, dejando de ser un delito de resultado (Erfolgsdelikt) para convertirse en un delito de idoneidad (Eignungsdelikt). No obstante, la regulación española ha prescindido de la cláusula analógica del precepto alemán, evitando la infracción del principio de seguridad jurídica. En cambio, nuestros tribunales han interpretado este ilícito de un modo excesivamente flexible, castigando conductas que generan mera intranquilidad. A mi juicio, el hecho de que muchas veces constituya una manifestación de la violencia de género ha llevado a relajar indebidamente las exigencias del principio de intervención mínima.
Complex Structural PPT1 Variant Associated with Non-syndromic Canine Retinal Degeneration
Authors: Murgiano Leonardo , Becker Doreen , Torjman Dina , Niggel Jessica K , Milano Ausra , Cullen Cheryl , Feng Rui , Wang Fan , Jagannathan Vidhya , Pearce-Kelling Sue , Katz Martin L , Leeb Tosso , Aguirre Gustavo D 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
Rod and cone photoreceptors are specialized retinal neurons that have a fundamental role in visual perception, capturing light and transducing it into a neuronal signal. Aberrant functioning of rod and/or cone photoreceptors can ultimately lead to progressive degeneration and eventually blindness. In man, many rod and rod-cone degenerative diseases are classified as forms of retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Dogs also have a comparable disease grouping termed progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). These diseases are generally due to single gene defects and follow Mendelian inheritance.We collected 51 DNA samples from Miniature Schnauzers affected by PRA (average age of diagnosis ∼3.9 ±1 years), as well as from 56 clinically normal controls of the same breed (average age ∼6.6 ±2.8 years). Pedigree analysis suggested monogenic autosomal recessive inheritance of PRA. GWAS and homozygosity mapping defined a critical interval in the first 4,796,806 bp of CFA15. Whole genome sequencing of two affected cases, a carrier and a control identified two candidate variants within the critical interval. One was an intronic SNV in HIVEP3, and the other was a complex structural variant consisting of the duplication of exon 5 of the PPT1 gene along with a conversion and insertion (named PPT1dci). PPT1dci was confirmed homozygous in a cohort of 22 cases, and 12 more cases were homozygous for the CFA15 haplotype. Additionally, the variant was found homozygous in 6 non-affected dogs of age higher than the average age of onset. The HIVEP3 variant was found heterozygous (n = 4) and homozygous wild-type (n = 1) in cases either homozygous for PPT1dci or for the mapped CFA15 haplotype. We detected the wildtype and three aberrant PPT1 transcripts in isolated white blood cell mRNA extracted from a PRA case homozygous for PPT1dci, and the aberrant transcripts involved inclusion of the duplicated exon 5 and novel exons following the activation of cryptic splice sites. No neurological signs were detected among the dogs homozygous for the PPT1dci variant. Therefore, we propose PPT1dci as causative for a non-syndromic form of PRA (PRAPPT1) that shows incomplete penetrance in Miniature Schnauzers, potentially related to the presence of the wild-type transcript. To our knowledge, this is the first case of isolated retinal degeneration associated with a PPT1 variant.
Kadının Ücret Karşılığı Çalışması Konusunda Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu’na Gelen Sorular
Authors: DEMİR Zekiye 
Published: December 2018

Kadının çalışması ve bu çalışmanın bireysel ve toplumsal değeri üzerine tartışmalar, insanlık tarihi ile yaşıttır. Sanayi devriminden sonra, kitlesel üretim ve ulus ötesi savaşlar, hem kadın işgücü arzının hem de talebinin artmasına neden olmuştur. Ardından kadın işgücü kamuya açılmış ve kadınlar ücretli iş için evlerinden dışarı çıkmışlardır. Dünyadaki bu eğilim Türkiye'de de benzerdir. Ancak, kadınların işgücüne katılım koşulları ile ilgili tartışmalar halen devam etmektedir. Bugün, Türk toplumunda kadınların ev dışında ücretli işler için çalışabileceği, yaygın olarak kabul görmektedir. Bununla birlikte, kadının çalışmasına yönelik bazı karşıt görüşler de dikkat çekmektedir. Bu konudaki fikirler, geleneksel değerler ve dini anlayışla ilgili olarak değerlendirilmekte; kadınların ev içindeki sorumlulukları ve ev dışında çalışmanın dini kurallara uygunluğu tartışılmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, kadının çalışması konusunda Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu'na gelen sorular sosyolojik bakış açısı ile incelenmiş, konunun erkek ve kadın perspektifinden nasıl farklılaştığı ortaya konmaya çalışılmıştır.
Temperament, behaviour and physiology of sheep trained with tactile stimulation and halter walking
Authors: Freitas A. C. B. , Toledo L. M. , Costa R. L. D. , Parren G. A. E. , Pereira D. B. , Fornazari B. C. , Quirino C. R. , Pinatti E. 
Published: December 2018

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of tactile stimulation and halter walking trainings in the temperament, physiology, behavior and body weight of sheep. A total of 80 sheep, males and females, of the Morada Nova (MN) and Santa Ines (SI) breeds, with initial ages of six to eight months, were trained with tactile stimulation (TS), halter walking (HW) or tactile stimulation and halter walking (TS+HW). The control (C) animals were not submitted to any kind of training. The behavioral aspects were measured by application of a open-field test, to quantify the traits movement, vocalization, escape attempt and digging, and the temperament test, with assignment of a temperament score for each animal. The animals were weighed and rectal temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate were measured. Males were more reactive than females to human. Animals trained with TS were the least reactive in the temperament test, while the most reactive animals were SI male from C and TS+HW treatments. Males of treatments C and HW were the heaviest during the study. The animals in the control group showed higher averages for heart rate and rectal temperature, while animals trained with TS and HW showed the lowest values. Females MN trained with TS and TS+HW moved more during the open-field test, while the SI females of the control group moved less. The SI animals vocalized more during the open-field test, both from treatment C and from TS+HW. The MN animals from C treatment vocalized less. Sheep trained with tactile stimulation were more docile. The training with tactile stimulation and halter walking in Santa Ines and Morada Nova sheep influenced the heart rate, rectal temperature, moviment, vocalization, escape attempt and body weight.
Incidence and implications of spleniculi: a five-year experience
Authors: Govindaraj Sridar , Roshini A. P. 
Published: December 2018

Background: Spleniculi or accessory spleen, is a congenital anomaly occurring in 10% of individuals. Spleniculi resembles normal spleen in structure and in immunological function. Certain hematological and radiological investigations can indicate residual splenic function. They can enlarge following splenectomy and be the source of recurrent symptoms in those operated on for hematological disorders.Methods: Authors did a retrospective study in a tertiary care hospital to estimate the incidence and to describe the location and number of spleniculi in patients undergoing splenectomy, both elective and emergency, over a 5-year period - October 2013 to October 2018. Total patients included was 186.Results: Majority of the patients were in the age group of 18-45years. 16 (8.6%) had spleniculi, found incidentally and confirmed histopathologically. Hematological disorders, out of which Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura 70 (49.6%) was the most common indication. Commonest location was in the hilum, 12 (75%), second being, near the tail of pancreas. 1 patient presented with a left hypochondriac mass, which was confirmed as enlarged spleniculi on histopathology, post - relook surgery.Conclusions: Accessory spleens are asymptomatic and have a high chance of being overlooked during splenectomy, which could be one of the causes of relapse in hematological disorders.
LA APLICACIÓN DEL PRINCIPIO DE SUBSIDIARIEDAD EN LA JURISPRUDENCIA DE LA CORTE INTERAMERICANA DE DERECHOS HUMANOS, AVANCES Y RETOS.
Authors: Vargas Vera Georgina 
Published: December 2018

<p>El principio de subsidiariedad es un elemento clave para la correcta interacción de los distintos actores del derecho internacional de los derechos humanos (DIH). Históricamente, el principio de subsidiariedad ha servido como un mecanismo de balance para la ponderación de los valores y derechos que se resguardan en el DIDH.</p><p> </p><p>La Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (Corte Interamericana o Corte IDH), como organismo internacional de derechos humanos, se enfrenta continuamente a la necesidad de impartir justicia ante violaciones de derechos humanos, guardando el respeto adecuado a la soberanía de los Estados parte de la Convención Americana sobre Derechos Humanos (Convención Americana o CADH), para garantizar un balance que respete el espíritu de la Convención Americana.</p><p> </p><p>Dentro de su labor, la Corte Interamericana ha conocido de diversos casos a través de los cuales ha desarrollado su jurisprudencia estableciendo principios y aplicando estándares. El principio de subsidiariedad ha estado presente en algunas sentencias de la Corte IDH, y si bien su aplicación hasta el momento no es del todo precisa, es posible ver avances en jurisprudencia reciente, lo cual permite detectar áreas de oportunidad para el aumento en la precisión de la aplicación del principio de subsidiariedad por parte de la Corte, así como reconocer los adelantos hechos hasta ahora en ese sentido.</p><p> </p>El presente ensayo analiza en un primer momento, y de manera breve, el concepto del principio de subsidiariedad y su entendimiento por parte de la Corte Interamericana; posteriormente, señala la relación del principio de subsidiariedad con el artículo 2 de la Convención Americana; después, se estudia la aplicación del principio de subsidiariedad en algunas sentencias recientes de la Corte IDH, señalando aciertos y áreas de oportunidad. Finalmente, se presenta una conclusión resaltando la buena práctica que resulta de la correcta aplicación del principio de subsidiariedad por parte de la Corte Interamericana y los retos que puede enfrentar en un futuro para continuar ampliando su desarrollo en la jurisprudencia interamericana.
PADRÃO DE ATIVIDADE FÍSICA EM MULHERES COM EXCESSO DE PESO
Authors: Nascimento Taise Santos do , Mussi Fernanda Carneiro , Palmeira Cátia Suely , Pitanga Francisco José Godim , Paim Melissa Almeida Santos 
Published: December 2018

<p>Objetivo: descrever o nível de atividade física de mulheres com excesso de peso. Método: estudo transversal, descritivo. Cento e quarenta e três mulheres foram entrevistadas, utilizando-se o International Physical Activity Questionnaire, e submetidas a avaliação antropométrica, no período de outubro de 2015 a julho de 2016. Os dados foram analisados em frequências relativas e absolutas, médias e desvio padrão (DP). Resultados: idade média foi 50,66 anos (DP=11,55). Predominaram mulheres negras, sem companheiro, com até o segundo grau, em atividade laboral e baixa renda. Maior proporção era obesa (82,5%), com circunferência da cintura não recomendada (≥80 cm). Referente ao nível de atividade física global, 65,4% eram ativas/muito ativas. Considerando o nível de atividade física por domínio, 64,4% eram insuficientemente ativas/sedentárias no trabalho, 78,1% no deslocamento e 85,2% no tempo livre, mas 54,2% eram ativas/muito ativas nas atividades domésticas. Conclusão: o nível de atividade física de mulheres com excesso de peso foi baixo na maioria dos domínios, exceto no domicílio, sendo necessário encontrar estratégias para otimizar a prática de atividade física sobretudo no lazer.<br />Descritores: Atividade Motora. Mulheres. Obesidade.</p><p> </p>