bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Melatonin and cryptochrome 2 in metabolic syndrome patients with or without diabetes: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Al-Sarraf Ibrahim Abdul Kareem , Kasabri Violet , Akour Amal , Naffa Randa 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Background
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic risk factors which increases the chances for future cardiovascular diseases, as well as diabetes. The underlying causes of MetS include overweight and obesity, physical inactivity and genetic factors. Our intension here was to focus in this study on the importance of the chronobiology, represented by melatonin (MT) and cryptochrome 2 (CRY2), in developing MetS and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Thus, we aimed to compare MT and CRY2 plasma levels and correlate both biomarkers with adiposity, atherogenicity and hematological indices in MetS and T2DM cohorts.

Methods
In a cross-sectional study, 28 normoglycemic lean subjects (controls), 29 normoglycemic MetS subjects and 30 MetS (pre-diabetic/diabetic) were recruited.

Results
MT (pg/mL) was elevated significantly in MetS arm p-value < 0.05, whereas CRY2 levels (ng/mL) were markedly higher in both MetS groups (non-diabetic and pre-diabetic/diabetic) (all with p-value < 0.001). A reciprocal MT-CRY2 relationship was observed in the MetS (non-diabetic) group (p-value = 0.003). Of note in the total study population, both MT and CRY2 proportionally correlated with each of the following: atherogenicity index of plasma (AIP), waist circumference (WC) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (all with p-value < 0.05) for MT and CRY2, respectively). Whereas MT correlated inversely with high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (p-value < 0.05). Additionally, CRY2 correlated directly with each of the following: diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), hip circumference (HC), body adiposity index (BAI), weight-to-height (WHtR) ratio, mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (p-value < 0.05).

Conclusion
These findings substantiate that both metabolic risk biomarkers can be prognostic tools and pharmacotherapeutic targets to slowdown the accelerated nature of T2DM.
Catalytic Gasification – A Critical Analysis of Carbon Dioxide Methanation on a Ru/Al2O3 Catalyst
Authors: Lange Eric M. , DeMattia Brianne , Gatica Jorge E. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
This paper proposes a corrected kinetic model for the Sabatier (CO2 Methanation) reaction. Several other kinetic studies have been performed on the Sabatier reaction to date; however, many of these studies contain simplifications. Data available from one of the first studies (Lunde, P.J., and F.L. Kester. 1974. “Carbon Dioxide Methanation on a Ruthenium Catalyst.” Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Process Design and Development 13 (1): 27–33) was utilized to perform a new analysis of the kinetics of CO2 Methanation. This work examined two models for the Sabatier reaction, the Perfect Mixing assumption and the differential (conversion) reactor assumption. After available data was screened for the occurrence of the Reverse Water Gas Shift reaction, the differential (conversion) reactor assumption was validated. A critical comparison to similar models available in literature is also presented.
Investigation of the Influence of Direct Current Bias on Transformer Vibration
Authors: Wang Jun , Liu Hongshun , Niu Kaicheng , Wu Zemin 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
As a necessary electrical equipment for the construction of power grid, the safety and reliability of the transformer is the focus that people have always paid attention to. In recent years, the DC bias of the transformer has a serious impact on the safe operation of the power system, which has attracted wide attention of scholars at home and abroad. In view of this phenomenon, combined with the basic principle of transformer excitation, the simulation of the DC bias phenomenon is carried out by using Simulink software in this paper. According to the simulation results, the distortion characteristics of excitation current under DC bias are summarized. Then, based on the variation characteristics of excitation current under over excitation and DC bias, the law of transformer core vibration is deduced, and the cause of transformer abnormal vibration under DC bias is revealed. Finally, by analyzing the data of a transformer substation running under DC bias, it is found that the measured data are basically the same with our simulation results, which provides a basis and reference for further research on the phenomenon of transformer DC bias.
Fault Identification and Location for Distribution Network with Distributed Generations
Authors: Fan Wen , Liao Yuan 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPower distribution networks with distributed generations may experience faults. It is essential to promptly locate the fault for fast repair and restoration. This paper presents a novel method for identifying the faulted section and accurate location of faults that occur on power distribution grid. Appropriate matrices are set up to represent meter locations on the grid and the topology of the grid. The voltage and current measurements obtained are utilized to decide the fault sections. Then fault location is determined by solving equations that link measurements and fault locations through bus impedance matrix. The method is applicable to both single and simultaneous, multiple faults that may occur on unbalanced, meshed distribution networks with distributed generations.
The effects of Sahaja Yoga meditation on mental health: a systematic review
Authors: Hendriks Tom 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Objectives
To determine the efficacy of Sahaja Yoga (SY) meditation on mental health among clinical and healthy populations.

Methods
All publications on SY were eligible. Databases were searched up to November 2017, namely PubMed, MEDLINE (NLM), PsychINFO, and Scopus. An internet search (Google Scholar) was also conducted. The quality of the randomized controlled trails was assessed using the Cochrane Risk Assessment for Bias. The quality of cross-sectional studies, a non-randomized controlled trial and a cohort study was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale.

Results
We included a total of eleven studies; four randomized controlled trials, one non-randomized controlled trial, five cross-sectional studies, and one prospective cohort study. The studies included a total of 910 participants. Significant findings were reported in relation to the following outcomes: anxiety, depression, stress, subjective well-being, and psychological well-being. Two randomized studies were rated as high quality studies, two randomized studies as low quality studies. The quality of the non-randomized trial, the cross-sectional studies and the cohort study was high. Effect sizes could not be calculated in five studies due to unclear or incomplete reporting.

Conclusions
After reviewing the articles and taking the quality of the studies into account, it appears that SY may reduce depression and possibly anxiety. In addition, the practice of SY is also associated with increased subjective wellbeing and psychological well-beng. However, due to the limited number of publications, definite conclusions on the effects of SY cannot be made and more high quality randomized studies are needed to justify any firm conclusions on the beneficial effects of SY on mental health.
Premature ovarian failure of autoimmune etiology in 46XX patients: is there a hope?
Authors: Dawood Ayman Shehata , El-Sharawy Mohamed Ahmed , Nada Doaa Waseem , El-Sheikh Mohamed Fadel 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of live bee stings at fertility points and acupuncture in treating symptoms and managing infertility in premature ovarian failure (POF) of autoimmune etiology.

Patients and methods: Patients with primary POF were allocated randomly into two groups: group I: subjected to acupuncture at specific fertility points and group II: subjected to live bee stings at sites of fertility points.

Results: A total of 24 cases show significant reduction of Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level to normal range with gradual decline over the study duration: 13 cases in group I and 11 cases in group II. Eight cases got pregnant while the other 13 cases regained normal menses but still infertile.

Conclusions: Both bee sting therapy and acupuncture were effective in reduction of FSH levels with restoration of regular menstrual patterns and restoration of fertility. The bee sting therapy was superior in the pregnancy rate, while acupuncture was superior in alleviation of symptoms.
Chromosomal microarray findings in pregnancies with an isolated pelvic kidney
Authors: Sagi-Dain Lena , Singer Amihood , Frumkin Ayala , Shalata Adel , Koifman Arie , Segel Reeval , Benyamini Lilach , Rienstein Shlomit , Kahyat Morad , Sharony Reuven , Maya Idit , Ben Shachar Shay 
Published: May 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the risk for abnormal chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) results among fetuses with an apparently isolated pelvic kidney.MethodsData from all CMA analyses performed due to an isolated pelvic kidney reported to the Israeli Ministry of Health between January 2013 and September 2016 were retrospectively obtained. Risk estimation was performed comparing the rate of abnormal observed CMA findings to the general population risk, based on a systematic review encompassing 9272 cases and on local data of 5541 cases.ResultsOf 120 pregnancies with an isolated pelvic kidney, two gain-of-copy number variants suggesting microduplication syndromes were demonstrated (1.67%). In addition, three variants of unknown significance were detected (2.5%).ConclusionThe risk for clinically significant CMA findings among pregnancies with an isolated single pelvic kidney was not significantly different compared to both control populations. The results of our study question the practice of routine CMA analysis in fetuses with an isolated pelvic kidney.
A soft cervix, categorized by shear-wave elastography, in women with short or with normal cervical length at 18–24 weeks is associated with a higher prevalence of spontaneous preterm delivery
Authors: Hernandez-Andrade Edgar , Maymon Eli , Luewan Suchaya , Bhatti Gaurav , Mehrmohammadi Mohammad , Erez Offer , Pacora Percy , Done Bogdan , Hassan Sonia S. , Romero Roberto 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Objective:
To determine whether a soft cervix identified by shear-wave elastography between 18 and 24 weeks of gestation is associated with increased frequency of spontaneous preterm delivery (sPTD).

Materials and methods:
This prospective cohort study included 628 consecutive women with a singleton pregnancy. Cervical length (mm) and softness [shear-wave speed: (SWS) meters per second (m/s)] of the internal cervical os were measured at 18–24 weeks of gestation. Frequency of sPTD <37 (sPTD<37) and <34 (sPTD<34) weeks of gestation was compared among women with and without a short (≤25 mm) and/or a soft cervix (SWS <25th percentile).

Results:
There were 31/628 (4.9%) sPTD<37 and 12/628 (1.9%) sPTD<34 deliveries. The combination of a soft and a short cervix increased the risk of sPTD<37 by 18-fold [relative risk (RR) 18.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.7–43.9); P<0.0001] and the risk of sPTD<34 by 120-fold [RR 120.0 (95% CI 12.3–1009.9); P<0.0001] compared to women with normal cervical length. A soft-only cervix increased the risk of sPTD<37 by 4.5-fold [RR 4.5 (95% CI 2.1–9.8); P=0.0002] and of sPTD<34 by 21-fold [RR 21.0 (95% CI 2.6–169.3); P=0.0003] compared to a non-soft cervix.

Conclusions:
A soft cervix at 18–24 weeks of gestation increases the risk of sPTD <37 and <34 weeks of gestation independently of cervical length.
Inflammatory biomarkers and risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Authors: Yu En , Hsu Hsin-Yin , Huang Chun-Yuan , Hwang Lee-Ching 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Background
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is an increasing health issue that associates with the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This study correlates the association between fatty liver and inflammatory biomarkers with cardiovascular risk scores.

Methodology
This cross-sectional study enrolled 10,181 health examination participants from Northern Taiwan and administered a standardized questionnaire with important biochemical tests and abdominal sonography. To assess concentrations of inflammatory markers high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and fibrinogen were used.

Results
Inflammatory marker levels were significantly increased with increasing fatty liver. In multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for major confounding factors, the odds ratios of elevated hs-CRP and fibrinogen were significantly higher in participants with mild or moderate-to-severe fatty liver compared to healthy individuals. The cardiovascular risk scores, above cut-off level 10%, were associated with higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers and fatty liver; odds ratio, 3.52 (2.60-4.77) for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with hs-CRP, and 2.92 (2.12-4.00) for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with fibrinogen.

Conclusion
Inflammatory biomarkers (hs-CRP and fibrinogen) are significantly associated with augmentation of fatty liver. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease may be a predictor of future atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and the prediction value increases on adding inflammatory biomarkers levels.
Functional Nanofibers with Multiscale Structure by Electrospinning
Authors: Chen Ran , Liu Junfeng , Sun Zeyong , Chen Dong 
Published: May 2018

AbstractElectrospinning can produce nanofibers with extremely high surface-to-volume ratio and well tunable properties. The technique has been widely used in different disciplines. To fabricate fibers with required properties, parameters of fabrication should be well controlled and adjusted according to specific applications. Modification of electrospinning devices to align fibers in highly ordered architectures could improve their functions. Enhanced efficiency have also been obtained through the upscaling modification of spinnerets. With the outstanding efficiency, electrospinning has exhibited huge potentials to construct various nanostructures, such as artificial vessel, membrane for desalination and so on.
Waveguide excitation and collection of surface-enhanced Raman scattering from a single plasmonic antenna
Authors: Peyskens Frédéric , Wuytens Pieter , Raza Ali , Van Dorpe Pol , Baets Roel 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
The integration of plasmonic antennas on single-mode silicon nitride waveguides offers great perspective for integrated surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). However, the few reported experimental demonstrations still require multiple plasmonic antennas to obtain a detectable SERS spectrum. Here, we show, for the first time, SERS signal detection by a single nanoplasmonic antenna integrated on a single-mode SiN waveguide. For this purpose, we investigated a backscattering detection scheme in combination with background noise reduction, which allowed an optimization of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of this platform. Furthermore, a comparison with the free-space SERS spectrum of the same antenna shows that the conversion efficiency from pump power to total radiated Stokes power is twice as efficient in the case of waveguide excitation. As such, we explored several important aspects in the optimization of on-chip SERS sensors and experimentally demonstrated the power of exciting nanoplasmonic antennas using the evanescent field of a waveguide. This observation not only is useful for Raman sensing but also could be beneficial for any process involving plasmonic enhancement.
Semiconductor nanostructures for flying q-bits and green photonics
Authors: Bimberg Dieter 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Breakthroughs in nanomaterials and nanoscience enable the development of novel photonic devices and systems ranging from the automotive sector, quantum cryptography to metropolitan area and access networks. Geometrical architecture presents a design parameter of device properties. Self-organization at surfaces in strained heterostructures drives the formation of quantum dots (QDs). Embedding QDs in photonic and electronic devices enables novel functionalities, advanced energy efficient communication, cyber security, or lighting systems. The recombination of excitons shows twofold degeneracy and Lorentzian broadening. The superposition of millions of excitonic recombinations from QDs in real devices leads to a Gaussian envelope. The material gain of QDs in lasers is orders of magnitude larger than that of bulk material and decoupled from the index of refraction, controlled by the properties of the carrier reservoir, thus enabling independent gain and index modulation. The threshold current density of QD lasers is lowest of all injection lasers, is less sensitive to defect generation, and does not depend on temperature below 80°C. QD lasers are hardly sensitive to back reflections and exhibit no filamentation. The recombination from single QDs inserted in light emitting diodes with current confining oxide apertures shows polarized single photons. Emission of ps pulses and date rates of 1010+bit upon direct modulation benefits from gain recovery within femtoseconds. Repetition rates of several 100 GHz were demonstrated upon mode-locking. Passively mode-locked QD lasers generate hat-like frequency combs, enabling Terabit data transmission. QD-based semiconductor optical amplifiers enable multi-wavelength amplification and switching and support multiple modulation formats.
Online quality evaluation of tissue paper structure on new generation tissue machines
Authors: Raunio Jukka-Pekka , Löyttyniemi Tommi , Ritala Risto 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
At present, the tissue paper manufacturing is mostly based on the dry crepe technology. During the last decade, the manufacturers have introduced new tissue machines concepts that increase the softness, bulk, and absorption capacity. Such machines produce a strong regular three-dimensional (3D) structure to the sheet before the Yankee cylinder. At present, the quality of the 3D structure is not evaluated, or it is evaluated only subjectively at the mill. This is mostly because of the difficulties to separate reliably the regular 3D pattern from other variations. This paper introduces a frequency analysis based method which separates the surface profile variances in tissue paper to the creping, to the regular 3D pattern and to the residual variation. The 3D surface profiles and their variances were determined online with the photometric stereo method. We show that the introduced analysis method evaluates the variance portions reliably and the results are consistent with the visual perception of the 3D surfaces. In one particular product, the regular 3D pattern explains 74 % of total surface variance; the creping explains 10 % and residual variations 16 %. Furthermore, the creping and residual variances are quite stable over time whereas the variance of the regular 3D pattern fluctuates significantly.
Investigation of low consistency reject refining of mechanical pulp for energy savings
Authors: Fernandez Francisco J. , Martinez D. Mark , Olson James A. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
In this study, the effects of low consistency refining (LCR) energy and intensity on mechanical pulp properties have been studied for three different types of reject pulps (softwood TMP, softwood CTMP and hardwood CTMP), which were refined at varying intensity. Resulting pulp properties have been compared with high consistency refining (HCR) of the same reject pulps. For all furnish types, it was shown that LCR can develop pulp properties matching those developed through HCR with significantly less energy. The resulting pulp properties were found to be affected not only by refining intensity and energy, but also by initial fibre morphology. Pilot LCR trials demonstrated that high freeness reject pulp is initially insensitive to refining intensity as specific energy is applied. This enables the first stage of LCR to be carried out at a higher specific energy and intensity, which can reduce the number of stages of LCR required to reach a target quality. This work shows that low intensity LCR is capable of achieving the same tensile index as HCR pulp at a target freeness of 200 ml CSF.
Strong paper from spruce CTMP – Part II: Effect of pressing at nip press temperatures above the lignin softening temperature
Authors: Norgren Sven , Pettersson Gunilla , Höglund Hans 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
The main objective of the current study was to demonstrate that it is possible to enhance strength properties of sheets from spruce HT-CTMP and CTMP furnishes up to the same level as is common on sheets from softwood kraft pulps by changing conditions in papermaking. To achieve that, sheets of spruce HT-CTMP and CTMP were consolidated at densities close to that of the reference bleach kraft pulp by pressing at press nip temperatures well above the tack and softening temperatures of lignin. On sheets from spruce CTMP (CSF 420 ml), where the fibers were surface treated with cationic starch, it was possible to reach tensile index at the same level as on sheets from the untreated reference kraft pulp. The compression strength (SCT) of CTMP and HT-CTMP sheets, which were achieved at the highest press nip temperature (200 °C) in the study, was equal to or higher than that of the reference kraft pulp sheets. The results show that there is a great yet unexploited potential in papermaking from spruce HT-CTMP and CTMP furnishes, which could be utilized in manufacturing of products where very high requirements upon strength is demanded.
Deinkability of different secondary fibers by enzymes
Authors: Gao Shipeng , Li Ling , Lin Ying , Han Shuangyan 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe efficiency and effects of enzymatic deinking using xylanase and lipase mixed with amylase (XLA) for deinking secondary fibers were investigated for mixed office waste (MOW), photocopy prints (PHOT) and old newspapers (ONP). The optical and physical properties of deinked pulps were evaluated. Changes in fiber morphology, crystallinity index and functional groups were also monitored. The results show that for non-impact prints (MOW and PHOT), a maximum deinking efficiency of 19.9 % and 13.9 % were obtained with enzymatic deinking (XLA), respectively. For ONP, conventional alkaline demonstrated the highest efficiency of 12.20 %. XLA treatment significantly improved the tensile index and tear index of MOW and PHOT but caused a slightly reduction for ONP, relative to respective blank. It was found that kink index and curl index were significantly decreased, caused a 55.6 % reduction in the kink index for PHOT and a 35.8 % reduction in the curl index for ONP. FT-IR observation show that the relative intensity of the alkaline/enzymatic-deinked pulp has changed differently according to the type of wastepaper. These results indicate the synergistic effects of xylanase, lipase and amylase making enzymatic treatment a promising method that can substitute alkaline deinking for non-impact prints.