bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Mono‐ and Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation in Benign Thyroid Disease
Authors: Korkusuz Yücel , Mader Alexander , Gröner Daniel , Ahmad Shadi , Mader Oscar Maximilian , Grünwald Frank , Happel Christian 
Published: May 2017

AbstractPurposeRadiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an approved minimal invasive method for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules. Several experimental, mainly ex vivo animal studies have compared the effectiveness of different RFA procedures in liver tissue. The aim of this retrospective clinical study was to evaluate the difference between monopolar and bipolar RFA in thyroid tissue considering thyroid volume reduction, patient discomfort and ultrasound evaluation.MethodsEighteen patients with symptomatic complex benign thyroid nodules were treated in a single RFA session. Nine patients were treated with monopolar RFA, and nine other patients were treated with bipolar RFA. All patients underwent assessments before therapy and at 3‐month follow‐up (3MFU) including a complete hormone status (T3, T4, TSH, TG, TPOAb, TgAb, TRAb) and several ultrasound (US) evaluations using B‐mode and color‐coded Doppler imaging. The US evaluations contained measurement of volume, US Doppler, US echogenicity and US elastography. Additionally, applied energy (kJ), power output (W), number of shots (N) and total treatment time (s) were recorded in every case.ResultsMonopolar RFA resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) average thyroid volume reduction of Ø 18 ± 77 ml (25.1 ± 103%) and a nodule volume reduction of Ø 10.6 ± 22 ml (60.3 ± 62%). Bipolar RFA resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) average thyroid volume reduction of Ø 21.2 ± 54 ml (43.2 ± 84%) and a nodule volume reduction of Ø 13.8 ± 33 ml (70.8 ± 46%). Both groups showed equal results concerning volume reduction (p > 0.05). Monopolar RFA did not lead to any significant changes concerning the US scores, whereas bipolar RFA led to a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in US Doppler and nodular blood flow. No significant difference between both groups could be found concerning applied energy, treatment time, power output and number of shots (p > 0.05).ConclusionBipolar RFA did not show any disadvantages in comparison with monopolar RFA in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules. It shows better performance in terms of volume reduction and is superior when it comes to feasibility and patient discomfort. The recent study confirms the good ex vivo results for bipolar RFA.
Modeling of Source Parameters of the 15 December 2015 Deogarh Earthquake of Mw 4.0
Authors: Mandal Prantik , Singh B. , Nagendra P. , Gupta A. K. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT
We herein present source parameters and focal mechanism of a rare cratonic upper crustal earthquake of Mw4.0, which occurred at 8 km depth (centroid depth) below a region near Deogarh, Jharkhand. For our study, we used broadband waveform data from a seismic network of 15 three-component seismographs in the eastern Indian craton. The average seismic moment, moment magnitude and source radius are estimated to be 1.1 x 1015 N-m, 4.0 and 180.6 m, respectively. The high average stress drop of 14.27 MPa could be attributed to its lower-crustal origin. The mean corner frequency is calculated to be 4.1 Hz. To study the source mechanism, we perform a deviatoric constrained full waveform moment tensor inversion of multiple point sources on the band-passed (0.06 - 0.14 Hz) broadband displacement data of the Deogarh event, using ISOLA software. The best fit is obtained for the source at 8 km centroid depth, with a moment magnitude 3.7, and a right-lateral strike-slip mechanism with strike 162°, dip 72° and rake 169°. The P-axis orients N24°E, which is parallel to the direction of the absolute plate motion direction of Indian plate, while T-axis orients E-W, which is parallel to the strike of the pre-existing Damodar Graben (DG) of Gondwana age. The occurrence of this earthquake is attributed to the neotectonic reactivation of a fault associated with the E-W trending DG shear zone.
Techniques for Systematic Collection and Processing of Vertebrate Microfossils from their Host Mudrocks: A Case Study from the Upper Triassic Tiki Formation of India
Authors: Bhat Mohd Shafi 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT
Vertebrate microfossils are valuable entities for the reconstruction of ancient ecosystems but difficult to find without using microscopes, resulting in a collection bias towards the macrofossils, which are easily visible to the naked eyes. The current study gives a comprehensive description of the protocols applied for systematic exploration and extraction of vertebrate microfossils. Initial assessment of the microsites for fossil-richness is carried out by spot sampling using coning and quartering, which is a technique applied for the first time. Subsequently, lithologs are prepared to ascertain the microfossil-bearing stratum, bulk samples are collected, screened by wet and dry sieving methods and residues examined under a microscope for extraction of vertebrate microfossils. These well-designed procedures are systematically applied for collection of vertebrate microfossils from the Upper Triassic Tiki Formation of the Rewa basin. More than 8000 kg of Tiki mudrocks collected as bulk samples, have yielded a rich and diverse array of vertebrate microfossils. The fauna incorporates different types of fresh water sharks, bony fishes, small temnospondyls, and varied r eptiles such as the archosauriforms, lepidosauromorphs, and cynodonts. These findings highlight the efficiency of the proposed methodology.
Geochemistry of Mesoproterozoic Deonar Pyroclastics from Vindhyan Supergroup of Central India: Evidences of Felsic Magmatism in the Son Valley
Authors: Mishra Meenal , Srivastava Vaibhava , Sinha P. K. , Srivastava Hari B. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT
Deonar Pyroclastics of Semri Group in the Vindhyan Supergroup originated as a result of violent and explosive intra-basinal submarine volcanism during the Mesoproterozoic period. These pyroclastics are rhyolitic to rhyodacitic in composition, comprised of banded, massive, pumiceous flow, breccia, vitric tuff, lapilli and volcanic bomb. The pyroclastic deposits represent welded and non-welded ignimbrites, exhibit typical eutaxitic texture. Mantle normalized multi-element patterns show enrichment in LILs and depletion in HFSFs. Ti, Nb and REE contents show close correlation with Zr, indicating their immobile character. HFSEs and Th/Nb, La/Nb and Zr/Nb values indicate contamination and these signatures represent mixing between mantle-derived rocks and the average continental crust. Deonar Pyroclastics reflect continental rift environment. Felsic magma plausibly generated by underplating of the mature Proterozoic crust of the Indian craton (which acted like a ‘heating lens’) resulted in extensive melting of metabasalt in the lower crustal levels. The high heat flow beneath the Indian shield accentuated heat generation which led to extensive partial melting of metabasalts. Thus, generation of rhyolitic magma occurred along the reactivated deep seated fractures and rifting of the craton, resulting in the explosive intra-basinal felsic vulcanicity in the Vindhyan basin.
A Note on ‘Composite Dike’ in Basement Granite in the Vicinity of Srisailam Sub-basin near Akkavaram, Telangana
Authors: Srivastava S. K. , Parashar K. K. , Kumar K. Ramesh , Nayak S. , Latha A. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT
A composite dike has been noticed in basement granite in the vicinity of Srisailam sub-basin near village Akkawaram, Mahabubnagar district, Telangana. It is trending N-S and traced over an extent of 600m in eastern flank of Akkavaram outlier and comprises rocks of mafic and felsic composition characterized by both gradational and abrupt contacts. On the basis of petrographic studies, felsic part of dike is designated as bostonite and mafic as dolerite. Geochemically, they are grouped into (i) trachyte to trachydacite and (ii) basalt categories. Such dissimilar mineralogical and chemical characters in a single dike may be due to coexistence of magma of contrasting composition and provides vital information for understanding the two phase liquid. Interestingly, high uranium values (0.022% U3O8) recorded in parts of felsic portion.
Rock Mass Classification and Assessment of Stability of Critical Slopes on National Highway-22 in Himachal Pradesh
Authors: Kumar Satish , Kumar Kishor , Dogra N. N. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT
Rock slopes require geo-engineering evaluation to assess the instability of critical slopes leading to landslides particularly in Himalayan terrain where rocks are highly jointed, fractured and weathering prone. Interplay of discontinuities in the rocks coupled with other parameters is one of the prime causes of failure of slopes. Engineering rock mass classification, such as, rock mass rating (RMR) and slope mass rating (SMR) along with geological strength index (GSI) have widely been used for stability assessment of rock slopes above tunnel portals, and these classifications are employed here for assessment of stability of slopes of critical nature along Rampur-Powari highway in Himachal Pradesh. In the present study, out of 154 numbers of slopes, a total of 29 have been selected for assessment of their criticality by employing RMR, SMR and GSI.
Impact of Bioturbation on Reservoir Quality and Production – A Review
Authors: Dey Joyjit , Sen Souvik 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT
Bioturbation is a typically small scale yet potentially significant geological process altering rock properties by reworking. For many years, bioturbation studies found application in exploration geology to estimate paleobathymetry, interpreting depositional environment and identifying key stratigraphic surfaces. These act as vital inputs to the geological models, for determination of source rock potential, reservoir quality and modeling of petroleum systems. Recently geologists extended the application of bioturbation studies to address production related challenges. Recognizing the bioturbation effects and incorporating them in reservoir simulation models can improve production predictions and enhanced oil recovery operations. This paper discusses bioturbation and its effects on reservoir quality, its performance and production.
Parental experiences and preferences as participants in pediatric research conducted in the emergency department
Authors: Stang Antonia S. , Freedman Stephen B. , Mikrogianakis Angelo , Thompson Graham C. , Williamson Janie , Johnson David W. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo determine parental experiences and preferences regarding the conduct of pediatric research in an emergency department (ED) setting.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of parents of children ages 0 – 14 years who visited the ED of a tertiary care children’s hospital. Parents completed a Web-based survey designed to assess perceptions regarding: 1) background/training of research personnel, 2) location and timing of research discussions, and 3) factors influencing their consent/refusal decision.ResultsParents totalling 339 were approached, and 227 (67%) surveys were completed. Overall, 87% (197/227; 95% confidence interval [CI] 83, 92) reported they would be comfortable being approached by a university student to discuss research. This proportion did not change when stratified by the child’s gender, illness severity, or season of visit. Whereas only 37% (84/227; 95% CI 31, 43) of respondents would be comfortable being approached in the waiting room, 68% (154/227; 95% CI 62, 75) would be comfortable if approached in a separate area of the main waiting room. The majority reported comfort with follow-up via email (83%; 188/227; 95% CI 78, 88) or telephone (80%; 182/227; 95% CI 75, 85); only 51% (116/227; 95% CI 44, 57) would be comfortable with a scheduled follow-up visit in the hospital. Participants identified potential complications or side effects as the most common reason for declining consent (69%; 157/227; 95% CI 63, 75).ConclusionsThe majority of parents are comfortable being approached by trained university students, preferably in a separate area of an ED waiting room, and email and telephone follow-ups are preferred over a scheduled re-visit.
Language Representation Following Left MCA Stroke in Children and Adults: An fMRI Study
Authors: Westmacott Robyn , McAndrews Mary Pat , deVeber Gabrielle 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackground: In this case series, functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to examine brain networks that mediate different aspects of language function in 4 young adults (17-22 years) with a history of left middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke in childhood (<7 years of age but after the neonatal period), and five older individuals (42-57 years) with left MCA stroke as adults (>40 years of age). Although it is widely believed that altered lateralization patterns are more likely to occur following early brain injuries compared with later brain injuries, the presumed plasticity of the young brain has been challenged in recent years, particularly in the domain of language. Methods: We explored this issue by contrasting the brain activation patterns of individuals with childhood left MCA stroke and adult left MCA stroke while performing two language tasks: verb generation and picture-word matching. Importantly, both groups showed significant recovery of language function, based on standard clinical indicators. Results: Controls showed left lateralized activation for both tasks, although much more pronounced for verb generation. Adult stroke patients also showed left lateralization for both tasks, though somewhat weaker than controls. Childhood stroke patients exhibited significantly weaker lateralization than the adult group for verb generation, but there was no significant group difference for picture-word matching. Conclusions: These preliminary findings suggest that successful reorganization of language function is more likely to involve bilateral recruitment following left MCA stroke in childhood than in adulthood. Of importance, although childhood stroke patients had primarily subcortical lesions, there were substantial alterations in cortical activation patterns.
On some generalizations of skew-shifts on
Authors: BJERKLÖV KRISTIAN 
Published: May 2017

In this paper we investigate maps of the two-torus $\mathbb{T}^{2}$ of the form $T(x,y)=(x+\unicode[STIX]{x1D714},g(x)+f(y))$ for Diophantine $\unicode[STIX]{x1D714}\in \mathbb{T}$ and for a class of maps $f,g:\mathbb{T}\rightarrow \mathbb{T}$, where each $g$ is strictly monotone and of degree 2 and each $f$ is an orientation-preserving circle homeomorphism. For our class of $f$ and $g$, we show that $T$ is minimal and has exactly two invariant and ergodic Borel probability measures. Moreover, these measures are supported on two $T$-invariant graphs. One of the graphs is a strange non-chaotic attractor whose basin of attraction consists of (Lebesgue) almost all points in $\mathbb{T}^{2}$. Only a low-regularity assumption (Lipschitz) is needed on the maps $f$ and $g$, and the results are robust with respect to Lipschitz-small perturbations of $f$ and $g$.
Illegal hunting in Jordan: using social media to assess impacts on wildlife
Authors: Eid Ehab , Handal Ramzi 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThis study is the first to provide data on the extent of illegal hunting practices in Jordan using posts on social media. During January 2015–January 2016 photographs from seven hunter groups on Facebook recorded the killing of 4,707 native animals of 59 species, of which birds constituted the majority, followed by mammals and reptiles. Flouting of Jordanian laws was widespread, with daily bag limits exceeded on many occasions, and in the case of chukar partridgeAlectoris chukar, the most popular quarry, some hunters exceeded the limit by 3,000%. Of even greater concern, a total of 34 species with special protection under Jordanian law were killed, and the hunting of large mammals, especially ibexCapra nubianaand gazelles (Gazellaspp.), with already depleted populations, was particularly excessive. It also appeared that a significant number of gazelles were shot by unlicensed hunters from Arabian Gulf countries. Overall, the survey indicates an alarming picture of overhunting of threatened species and ineffective enforcement of hunting laws, despite the efforts of key government and voluntary agencies. We recommend urgent action to address the causes of the problem and to improve the management of hunting through better collaboration, mobilization of resources and awareness raising.
Reliable flow in stochastic supply networks servicing pre- and after-sales markets
Authors: Rezapour Shabnam , Allen Janet K. , Mistree Farrokh 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIn this paper we consider a company including both a forward supply chain producing and supplying products to markets and an after-sales supply chain providing spare parts to fulfill its after-sales commitments. Uncertainty in estimating product demand in the premarkets and spare parts demands in the after-sales markets and qualified outputs of production facilities throughout these two chains are considered in this problem. Stochastic qualified outputs of these facilities are due to their imperfect productions systems. We show that uncertainties propagate and qualified flow depreciates by moving material, components, and products from upstream to the downstream of these supply chains, and these phenomena should be quantified to determine the service levels of this company in the pre- and after-sales markets. At the end, we propose a mathematical model determining the best marketing strategies for this company (i.e., price, warranty length, and service levels) in the markets and their preserving reliable flow dynamics throughout the chains’ networks. Finally, the model is tested on a test problem defined in engine industry and some managerial insights are provided by analyzing the results.
Sedimentary analysis and magnetic properties of Lake Anónima, Vega Island
Authors: Chaparro Marcos A.E. , Chaparro Mauro A.E. , Córdoba Francisco E. , Lecomte Karina L. , Gargiulo José D. , Barrios Ana M. , Urán Gimena M. , Manograsso Czalbowski Nadia T. , Lavat Araceli , Böhnel Harald N. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractDuring the summer Lake Anónima experiences important changes in salinity and lake level fluctuations. Physicochemical data and field observations indicate that evaporative processes are dominant and that the water inflow is mainly provided by snow meltwater and streams. A multiproxy analysis of data from lake bottom sediments suggests that the main surface stream located south-west of the lake controls the clastic input and the spatial variation of sediment composition. Through an integrated analysis (magnetic, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies) magnetite and greigite minerals were identified in these lake sediments. Such ferrimagnetic minerals have ultra-fine grain sizes (<0.1 μm). Magnetic parameters and non-magnetic variables analysed by multivariate statistics reveal significant differences between silt facies (e.g. mass-specific susceptibility χ=109.6×10-8 m3 kg-1, remanent coercivity Hcr=49.2 mT and total organic carbon (TOC)=1.11%) and sand facies (e.g. χ=82.1×10-8 m3 kg-1, Hcr=44.7 mT and TOC=0.70%), and four recent depositional sub-environments were identified and characterized in Lake Anónima. This multiparameter analysis contributes to the understanding of present-day lacustrine dynamic and sedimentary processes. Lake Anónima may provide a useful analogue for the interpretation of other lacustrine basins in the Antarctic region.
Proof-relevant π-calculus: a constructive account of concurrency and causality
Authors: PERERA ROLY , CHENEY JAMES 
Published: May 2017

We present a formalisation in Agda of the theory of concurrent transitions, residuation and causal equivalence of traces for the π-calculus. Our formalisation employs de Bruijn indices and dependently typed syntax, and aligns the ‘proved transitions’ proposed by Boudol and Castellani in the context of CCS with the proof terms naturally present in Agda's representation of the labelled transition relation. Our main contributions are proofs of the ‘diamond lemma’ for the residuals of concurrent transitions and a formal definition of equivalence of traces up to permutation of transitions.In the π-calculus, transitions represent propagating binders whenever their actions involve bound names. To accommodate these cases, we require a more general diamond lemma where the target states of equivalent traces are no longer identical, but are related by abraidingthat rewires the bound and free names to reflect the particular interleaving of events involving binders. Our approach may be useful for modelling concurrency in other languages where transitions carry meta-data sensitive to particular interleavings, such as dynamically allocated memory addresses.
Beyond antiquarianism. A review of current theoretical issues in German-speaking prehistoric archaeology
Authors: Hofmann Kerstin P. , Stockhammer Philipp W. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractWhereas German-speaking archaeology (GSA) has long been understood as generally uninterested in theoretical debates, the situation has taken a most interesting development since the year 2000. Archaeologists tried to escape the general decline of the small university disciplines by getting more and more involved in the overarching research questions of cultural studies and in large-scale collaborative projects. The necessity of integrating a clear theoretical and methodological approach for a successful proposal and the subsequent research changed the significance of theoretical discussions. As a consequence, theme-oriented research has developed which aims at addressing overarching themes in the cultural and social sciences. We have chosen five of the most prominent themes in German-speaking archaeology – self-reflexivity, identities, space, cultural encounter and knowledge transfer – as well as material culture, and shed light on their theoretical conceptualization and methodological implementation in recent publications. Despite the lack of dominant schools of thinking, its strong rootedness in the evaluation of empirical sources, and its close link to the discipline of history, current GSA can contribute to the overall theoretical discourse of the discipline.
Ubiquitylation of MFHAS1 by the ubiquitin ligase praja2 promotes M1 macrophage polarization by activating JNK and p38 pathways
Authors: Zhong Jing , Wang Huihui , Chen Wankun , Sun Zhirong , Chen Jiawei , Xu Yajun , Weng Meilin , Shi Qiqing , Ma Duan , Miao Changhong 
Published: May 2017

AbstractSepsis is a systemic inflammation caused by infection. The balance between M1–M2 macrophage polarization has an essential role in the pathogenesis of sepsis. However, the exact mechanism underlying macrophage polarization is unclear. We previously showed that levels of malignant fibrous histiocytoma amplified sequence 1 (MFHAS1) were significantly elevated in septic patients compared with those in nonseptic patients, and involved in the activation of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway. In the present study, we explored whether MFHAS1 was involved in macrophage polarization and determined the effect of MFHAS1 on inflammation. We performed in vitro pulldown assays and in vivo co-immunoprecipitation assays and found that E3 ubiquitin ligase praja2 could directly bind to MFHAS1. In situ immunostaining analysis confirmed the colocalization of endogenous praja2 with MFHAS1. We first reported that praja2 promotes the accumulation of ubiquitylated MFHAS1 but does not degrade it. Moreover, our results indicate that MFHAS1 ubiquitylation by praja2 positively regulates TLR2-mediated JNK/p38 pathway and promotes M1 macrophage polarization, M2 to M1 macrophage transformation and inflammation.