bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
France and the Blue Pacific
Authors: Maclellan Nic 
Published: April 2018

AbstractUnder the concept of the ‘Blue Pacific’, island nations are placing increased priority on the oceans, seeking to integrate policy on climate change, maritime security, fisheries and ocean biodiversity. This agenda however affects France, one of the remaining colonial powers in the Pacific, which controls a vast maritime domain in the region. The 2016 decision to incorporate the French dependencies New Caledonia and French Polynesia as full members of the Pacific Islands Forum raises a series of diplomatic challenges for Forum island countries. This article outlines France's interest in the Blue Pacific, in areas such as exclusive economic zones, security, research, climate and maritime boundaries. It then details problems facing Forum member countries arising from France's ongoing control of its three dependencies in the region, including uncertainty over legal standing in the Forum; the capacity to sign treaties; policy making on security in the Forum; policy issues on fisheries and climate in other member agencies of the Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific; relations with other Forum dialogue partners; resource exploitation by the colonial power; and disputes over maritime boundaries.
Evaluation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Its Family Member Expression After Peripheral Nerve Regeneration and Denervation
Authors: Muratori Luisa , Gnavi Sara , Fregnan F. , Mancardi Anabella , Raimondo Stefania , Perroteau Isabelle , Geuna Stefano 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTVascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) represents one of the main factors involved not only in angiogenesis and vasculogenesis but also in neuritogenesis. VEGF plays its function acting via different receptors: VEGF receptor1 (VEGFR‐1), VEGF receptor2 (VEGFR‐2), VEGF receptor3 (VEGFR‐3), and co‐receptors Neuropilin‐1 (NRP1) and Neuropilin‐2 (NRP2). This study reports on the first in vivo analysis of the expression of VEGF and VEGF family molecules in peripheral nerve degeneration and regeneration: for this purpose, different models of nerve lesion in rat were adopted, the median nerve crush injury and the median nerve transaction followed or not by end‐to end microsurgical repair. Results obtained by real time polymerase chain reaction showed that VEGF and VEGF family molecules are differentially expressed under regenerating and degenerating condition, furthermore, in order to study the modulation and involvement of these factors in two different regenerative models, crush injury and end‐to‐end repair, protein expression analysis was evaluated. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis allowed to state a glial localization of VEGF and VEGFR‐2 after peripheral nerve crush injury. Finally in vitro assay on primary Schwann cells culture show that VEGF165 stimulation increases Schwann cells migration, a major process in the promotion of neurite outgrowth. Anat Rec, 301:1646–1656, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Feedback by automatic assessment systems used in mathematics homework in the engineering field
Authors: Gaona Jorge , Reguant Mercedes , Valdivia Ismael , Vásquez Mario , Sancho‐Vinuesa Teresa 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis research presents the results of the teaching innovation Dynamic Online Assessment System in Mathematics, which is implemented in higher education to promote self‐study by students outside the classroom. The WIRIS calculator was integrated into the Moodle platform to create questions with random elements, for example, students had access to different variants of the same question. The effect of the type of feedback (immediate or deferred) on the work of the students on the platform, measured by means of participation, time spent, and grades obtained, was evaluated. We used a quasi‐experimental methodology for a population of 5,507 students, distributed in 229 courses on four campuses that learn Mathematics I in engineering programs. Immediate feedback exhibits better work of students on the platform, but this work is not necessarily more efficient in comparison with the work performed by students using assessments online assessment with deferred feedback.
Multi‐criteria decision making approach for evaluation of the performance of computer programming languages in higher education
Authors: Yıldızbaşı Abdullah , Daneshvar Rouyendegh Babak 
Published: April 2018

AbstractComputer Programming Languages are various languages used for developing a sequence of instructions and/or proofing errors, which language designers often overlook. Consequently, with the degree of fast moving life and improving technology, programming packages have been increasing. Choosing an appropriate language is a complex task and also many factors must be considered. While selecting educational software and its technical characteristics, reducing the time and effort needed in the learning process have to be considered. Evaluation of CPLs are inevitable in decision making. Multi‐criteria decision making helps for evaluating and comparing alternatives with respect to criteria. Therefore, in this article the fundamental attributes of programming languages, utilizing and steps of the TOPSIS are discussed. For evaluating the performance of some traditional CPLs in higher education on regarding seven criteria, we have constructed a function in Mathematica (a scientific computing package) that implements the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), a well‐known multi‐criteria decision method. Also, another contribution of this study is comparing TOPSIS methods results with AHP methods results.
Attachment of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles to Carbon Nanotubes and the Consequences for Catalysis
Authors: Krans Nynke A. , van der Feltz Ewout C. , Xie Jingxiu , Dugulan Iulian A. , Zečević Jovana , de Jong Krijn P. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe attachment of colloidal iron‐oxide nanoparticles (designated Fe‐NPs) to pristine and surface‐oxidized carbon nanotubes (CNTs and CNT‐Ox, respectively) was investigated. The loadings of Fe‐NPs (size 7 nm) on the CNT and CNT‐Ox supports amounted to 3.4 and 2.3 wt. %, respectively; the difference was attributed to weaker van der Waals interactions between the colloidal Fe‐NPs and the surface of CNT‐Ox. Fischer–Tropsch to olefins (FTO) synthesis was performed to investigate the impact of support functionalization on catalyst performance. Weak interactions between the Fe‐NPs and the CNT‐Ox support facilitated particle growth and led to substantial deactivation of the Fe/CNT‐Ox catalysts. The addition of promoters (Na+S) to Fe/CNT resulted in remarkable activity, selectivity to lower olefins, and stability, making colloidal iron nanoparticles on pristine CNTs a suitable catalyst for FTO synthesis.
Use of Rotating Ring‐Disk Electrodes to Investigate Graphene Nanoribbon Loadings for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Alkaline Medium
Authors: Cardoso Eduardo S. F. , Fortunato Guilherme V. , Maia Gilberto 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is typically slow. Its kinetics, however, are influenced not only by the structure, nature, and doping of electrocatalysts, but also by the loadings of these materials, where all of these factors influence ORR selectivity to produce H2O and/or H2O2. The loadings employed for graphene nanoribbon (GNR)‐modified glassy carbon (GC) electrodes and GC disk modified with commercial Pt (20 wt.%) on carbon (PtC) at 150 μg cm−2 (also resulting in electrode roughness) produced turbulence in the electrolyte flow, significantly changing the geometry of the rotating ring‐disk electrode (RRDE) and collection efficiency (N), as well as causing N to change with the rotation rate of the electrode. This effect toward the ORR was investigated with two analytical methods derived by Wu et al. and Zhou et al. A current deconvolution method for a better‐resolved Tafel analysis separating
formation and reduction reactions resulted in more insightful understanding of the ORR responses provided by the RRDE for different GNR and PtC loadings.
Metal‐Organic Frameworks as Catalyst Supports: Influence of Lattice Disorder on Metal Nanoparticle Formation
Authors: Rivera‐Torrente Miguel , Filez Matthias , Hardian Rifan , Reynolds Emily , Seoane Beatriz , Coulet Marie‐Vanessa , Oropeza Palacio Freddy E. , Hofmann Jan P. , Fischer Roland A. , Goodwin Andrew L. , Llewellyn Philip L. , Weckhuysen Bert M. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBecause of their high tunability and surface area, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) show great promise as supports for metal nanoparticles. Depending on the synthesis route, MOFs may contain defects. Here, we show that highly crystalline MIL‐100(Fe) and disordered Basolite® F300, with identical iron 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylate composition, exhibit very divergent properties when used as a support for Pd nanoparticle deposition. While MIL‐100(Fe) shows a regular MTN‐zeotype crystal structure with two types of cages, Basolite® F300 lacks long‐range order beyond 8 Å and has a single‐pore system. The medium‐range configurational linker‐node disorder in Basolite® F300 results in a reduced number of Lewis acid sites, yielding more hydrophobic surface properties compared to hydrophilic MIL‐100(Fe). The hydrophilic/hydrophobic nature of MIL‐100(Fe) and Basolite® F300 impacts the amount of Pd and particle size distribution of Pd nanoparticles deposited during colloidal synthesis and dry impregnation methods, respectively. It is suggested that polar (apolar) solvents/precursors attractively interact with hydrophilic (hydrophobic) MOF surfaces, allowing tools at hand to increase the level of control over, for example, the nanoparticle size distribution.
Large Crystals Synthesis of Siliceous Layered Zeolitic PLS‐1 and CDS‐1 Zeolite by Dry Gel Conversion Method
Authors: Banno Shohei , Komura Kenichi 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe large crystal of siliceous zeolitic layered PLS‐1, which is a precursor of CDS‐1 zeolite with CDO‐type topology, can be successfully prepared by dry‐gel conversion (DGC) method from a dry‐gel containing layered silicate H‐kanemite and tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH) as an organic structure‐directing agent (OSDA), and it allows transform to CDS‐1 zeolite by calcination with retaining its large crystal particle. Characterizations of the obtained CDS‐1 zeolite reveal the different morphology compared by conventional methods. Its particle is found to be aggregated by an enlarged thickness of layered crystals reflecting a zeolitic precursor of PLS‐1. Gradual increases of nitrogen adsorption at around middle pressure and FE‐SEM measurements strongly indicate that the obtained particles have many steps and aperture like card‐house assembly of layered PLS‐1 large crystals.
The effect of the implementation of low price medicine policy on medicine price in China: A retrospective study
Authors: Guan Xiaodong , Yang Mingchun , Man Chunxia , Tian Ye , Shi Luwen 
Published: April 2018

SummaryIn an effort to relieve the pressure of drug shortages, the Chinese government implemented Low‐price Medicines (LPM) policy to raise the price cap in July 2014. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of the implementation of this policy on drug price in China. Price data of 491 LPM, including 218 low‐price chemical medicines (LPCM) and 273 low‐price traditional Chinese medicines (LPTCM), were collected from 699 hospitals. We used interrupted time series design to identify the variation of monthly Laspeyres Indexes (LI) and Paasche Indexes (PI) for LPM, LPCM, and LPTCM. The result demonstrated that although LPM expenditures increased, the proportion of LPM expenditures accounting for all medicine expenditures fell from 3.6% to 3.2%. After the implementation of LPM policy, there was a significant increasing trend in LPM‐PI, LPCM‐PI, and LPTCM‐PI. The trend in LPM‐LI and LPCM‐LI was found from descending to rising. However, for LPTCM, the trend in the LI remained to decrease after the policy implementation. Despite the LPM policy had an increasing impact on the LPM drug price, the proportion of LPM expenditures accounting for all medicine expenditures did not increase. More efforts are needed in the future to promote the rational drug use in China.
Analysis of human chromosome images: Application towards an automated chromosome classification
Authors: Madian Nirmala , Jayanthi K. B. , Suresh S. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractKaryotyping is the process of arranging the chromosomes to examine the chromosomal abnormalities, a solution for birth defects. Karyotype is achieved from analyzing the metaspread chromosome images. Metaspread chromosome images generally have problem related with overlapping and touching of chromosomes with each other. Segmentation and separation of overlapping and touching chromosomes are still an open issue. The paper proposes an automated algorithm to separate the touching chromosomes and overlapping chromosomes from G‐Band metaspread images. Segmentation is performed by obtaining the interesting (concave and convex) points on the image contour. A proper hypothesis is performed for separating overlapped and touching chromosome images. The isolation of overlapping and touching metaspread chromosome image helps in accurate automated chromosome classification to obtain a karyotype. The overall accuracy of the proposed method works well for separation of touching chromosome with 97.09% and overlapped chromosome with 95%.
Testing the rationality of expectations of qualitative outcomes
Authors: Madeira Carlos 
Published: April 2018

SummaryThis article provides an adequate statistic for testing the rationality of point predictions of categorical outcomes under a subjective median or mode assumption. The test improves upon previous approaches by accounting for all the required moment inequalities and their respective covariance matrix in a single statistic. Monte Carlo simulations show that the test has an improved Type I error, especially in cases with multiple modes. Applying these tests to a dataset with parents' and students' predictions of school scores, I find that respondents are biased towards expecting higher grades and that students' expectations are correlated with the time of study.
Utility of the immature granulocyte percentage for diagnosing acute appendicitis among clinically suspected appendicitis in adult
Authors: Park Jae‐Sang , Kim June‐Sung , Kim Youn‐Jung , Kim Won Young 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundAcute appendicitis is the most common cause of abdominal surgical emergencies that present at the emergency department (ED). Although early phase of acute appendicitis cannot induce systemic inflammatory responses, it may induce proliferation immature granulocyte before leukocytosis is occurred. Based on this, we hypothesized that IG% may be beneficial for detecting appendicitis, in addition to classic inflammatory markers including the WBC count, a left shift in neutrophils, and CRP, at no additional cost.MethodsA retrospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary‐care, university‐affiliated hospital emergency department in adults (>18 years old) with suspected appendicitis from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016. The diagnostic performance of IG% and other inflammatory markers, namely white blood cell (WBC) count, proportion of neutrophils, and C‐reactive protein (CRP), for acute appendicitis was evaluated.ResultsOf 403 patients, 204 (50.6%) were diagnosed with acute appendicitis and 45 (22.0%) had complicated appendicitis. All inflammatory markers, including WBC count, proportion of neutrophils, IG%, and CRP, were statistically different between the appendicitis and nonappendicitis group (P < .01). However, IG% was not clinically useful because the median IG% was the same (0.3 vs 0.3) between the appendicitis and nonappendicitis group. Moreover, the area under the curve for IG% was smaller than for other inflammatory markers (0.57, 0.51‐0.63, P < .02).ConclusionThe diagnostic ability of IG% for appendicitis is insufficient, and it brings no additional benefit over other inflammatory markers.
Psychological need frustration as a transdiagnostic process in associations of self‐critical perfectionism with depressive symptoms and eating pathology
Authors: Campbell Rachel , Boone Liesbet , Vansteenkiste Maarten , Soenens Bart 
Published: April 2018

AbstractObjectiveThe identification of transdiagnostic risk factors and processes that explain the comorbidity between depressive symptoms and eating disorder symptoms is critical. We examined the mediating role of the frustration of adolescents’ psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness in the association between self‐critical perfectionism, depressive symptoms and eating disorder symptoms.MethodA cross‐sectional study (N = 248; 58% female, mean age = 14 years) and a two‐wave longitudinal study (N = 608; 59% female; mean age = 16 years) were conducted.ResultsAt the level of inter‐individual differences and intra‐individual change, self‐critical perfectionism was a robust predictor of both symptoms. After introducing need frustration as an underlying mechanism, the relation between self‐critical perfectionism and the two types of symptoms, as well as the relation between the symptoms themselves, decreased.ConclusionsNeed frustration represents a transdiagnostic vulnerability process that helps to explain why self‐critical perfectionism relates to depressive symptoms and eating disorder symptoms.
Dentinal tubule occluding capability of nano‐hydroxyapatite; The in‐vitro evaluation
Authors: Baglar Serdar , Erdem Umit , Dogan Mustafa , Turkoz Mustafa 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn this in‐vitro study, the effectiveness of experimental pure nano‐hydroxyapatite (nHAP) and 1%, 2%, and 3% F¯ doped nano‐HAp on dentine tubule occlusion was investigated. And also, the cytotoxicity of materials used in the experiment was evaluated. Nano‐HAp types were synthesized by the precipitation method. Forty dentin specimens were randomly divided into five groups of; 1—no treatment (control), 2—specimens treated with 10% pure nano‐HAp and 3, 4, 5 specimens treated with 1%, 2%, and 3% F−doped 10% nano‐HAp, respectively. To evaluate the effectiveness of the materials used; pH, FTIR, and scanning electron microscopy evaluations were performed before and after degredation in simulated body fluid. To determine cytotoxicity of the materials, MTT assay was performed. Statistical evaluations were performed with F and t tests. All of the nano‐HAp materials used in this study built up an effective covering layer on the dentin surfaces even with plugs in tubules. It was found that this layer had also a resistance to degradation. None of the evaluated nano‐HAp types were have toxicity. Fluoride doping showed a positive effect on physical and chemical stability until a critical value of 1% F−. The all evaluated nano‐HAp types may be effectively used in dentin hypersensitivity treatment. The formed nano‐HAp layers were seem to resistant to hydrolic deletion. The pure and 1% F−doped nano‐HAp showed the highest biocompatibility thus it was assessed that pure and 1% F−doped materials may be used as an active ingredient in dentin hypersensitivity agents.
Ultra‐high‐b radial diffusion‐weighted imaging (UHb‐rDWI) of human cervical spinal cord
Authors: Thapa Bijaya , Sapkota Nabraj , Lee YouJung , Jeong Kyle , Rose John , Shah Lubdha M. , Bisson Erica , Jeong Eun‐Kee 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundInjury in the cervical spinal cord (CSC) can lead to varying degrees of neurologic deficit and persistent disability. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a promising method to evaluate white matter integrity and pathology. However, the conventional DTI results are limited with respect to the specific details of neuropathology and microstructural architecture. In this study we used ultrahigh‐b radial‐DWI (UHb‐rDWI) with b‐values ranging from 0 to ∼7500 s/mm2 and calculated decay constant (DH) at the high b‐values, which gives much deeper insight about the microscopic environment of CSC white matter.PurposeTo evaluate a novel diffusion MRI, UHb‐rDWI technique for imaging of the CSC.Study TypeLongitudinal.SubjectsFour healthy controls, each scanned twice.Field Strength/Sequence3T/2D single shot diffusion‐weighted stimulated echo planar imaging with reduced field of view.AssessmentThe signal from each pixel of b0 (b = 0) and b‐value (b ≠ 0) images were fitted to a biexponential function and normalized. The signal‐b curve is obtained by dividing the latter curve by the former. DH was obtained from the curve at b >4000 s/mm2. A Monte‐Carlo Simulation (MCS) was performed to investigate how DH changes upon the increased water‐exchange at the CSC.ResultsThe signal‐b curves plotted at multiple levels of healthy CSC are almost identical on two successive scans and show a biexponential decay behavior: fast exponential decay at lower b‐values and much slower decay at UHb‐values. The mean values of DH were measured as (0.0607 ± 0.02531) ×10‐3 and (0.0357 ± 0.02072) ×10‐3 s/mm2 at the lateral funiculus and posterior column, respectively. MCS of diffusion MRI shows that the DH is elevated by increased water exchange between the intra‐ and extraaxonal spaces.Data ConclusionUHb‐rDWI signal‐b plots of the normal CSC were highly reproducible on successive scans and their biexponential decay behavior can be used to characterize normal spinal white matter.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 1J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:204–211.
Association Between Shear Wave Elastography of Virtual Touch Tissue Imaging Quantification Parameters and the Ki‐67 Proliferation Status in Luminal‐Type Breast Cancer
Authors: Liu Yubo , Huang Yini , Han Jing , Wang Jianwei , Li Fei , Zhou Jianhua 
Published: April 2018

ObjectivesTo evaluate the association between shear wave elastography parameters using virtual touch tissue imaging quantification (VTIQ) and the Ki‐67 index in luminal‐type breast cancer.MethodsEighty‐one patients with 82 lesions of pathologic confirmed luminal‐type breast cancer underwent virtual touch tissue imaging quantification examination before surgery between December 2015 and June 2016. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the Ki‐67 index (≥14% versus < 14%), which is used to define luminal type B and luminal type A, respectively. The mean shear wave velocity (SWVmean) and lesion‐to‐adjacent tissues ratio (SWV ratio) were calculated for each lesion.ResultsThe SWVmean, SWV ratio, histologic grade, axillary lymph node involvement, and lymphovascular invasion showed a significant positive association with a high Ki‐67 index (all P < .05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for the differential diagnosis between high (≥14%) and low (<14%) Ki‐67 groups displayed that the optimal cutoff value for SWVmean and SWV ratio were 3.99 meters per second and 2.861, with sensitivity 94% and 72%, specificity 40.6% and 56.2%, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.689 and 0.651, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that SWVmean (P = .005), SWV ratio (P = .029), histologic grade (P = .011), presence of axillary node involvement (P = .004), and lymphovascular invasion (P = .008) were significantly associated with high Ki‐67 status. Multivariable analysis displayed that SWVmean (hazard ratio [HR], 1.459, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.028–2.072; P = .035), histologic grade (HR, 4.105; 95% CI, 1.142–14.763; P = .031), and presence of axillary node involvement (HR, 3.75; 95% CI, 1.228–11.453; P = .020) maintained significance for predicting high Ki‐67 status.ConclusionsThe SWVmean using the virtual touch tissue imaging quantification method showed significant correlation with the Ki‐67 index, suggesting the potential to assess tumor proliferation status in luminal‐type breast cancer with a noninvasive manner.