bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A reference range of fetal abdominal circumference growth velocity between 20 and 36 weeks' gestation
Authors: Vannuccini Silvia , Ioannou Christos , Cavallaro Angelo , Volpe Grazia , Ruiz‐Martinez Sara , Impey Lawrence 
Published: August 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo create a single equation and reference range for abdominal circumference growth velocity (ACGV) between 20 and 36 weeks in singleton pregnancies.MethodObservational study of pregnant women having routine scans for abdominal circumference (AC) at 20 and 36 weeks' gestation. Exclusion criteria were multiple pregnancy, abnormal karyotype, major fetal abnormalities, and absent data on first‐trimester dating. Scan image quality and AC measurement reliability were assessed according to INTERGROWTH‐21st criteria. Regression models for the AC mean and standard deviation were fitted separately at 20 and 36 weeks, and z scores were calculated. Abdominal circumference growth velocity was defined as the z score difference between 20 and 36 weeks divided by the interval in days and multiplied by 100.ResultsThe study population included 3334 fetuses. The equation for ACGV is (((AC36 − 53.090 − 1.081*GA36)/(0.057638*GA36 + 0.622741)) − ((AC20 + 68.349 − 1.571*GA20)/(0.06265*GA20 − 2.55361)))*100/(GA36 − GA20), where AC is expressed in millimeters and GA is gestational age in days. The 3rd, 5th, 10th, 50th, 90th, 95th, and 97th centiles are −1.8997, −1.6785, −1.3091, −0.0069, 1.3255, 1.7279, 1.9973, respectively.ConclusionWe have defined ACGV between 20 and 36 weeks, and we have established its reference range. Further studies are needed to evaluate the clinical significance of growth patterns in the tail ends of this distribution.
Research on Preparation of Perfusion Explosive Using Foamed SF‐3 Double‐Base Propellant
Authors: Zhang Di , Wei Xiao'an , He Weidong , Chen Feiyun , Wang Zeshan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPerfusion explosives were prepared using foamed SF‐3 propellants, which were synthesized by a two‐stage batch foaming process with different saturation time in supercritical fluid CO2 as a foaming agent. The foamed SF‐3 propellants were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Underwater detonation tests and test‐board detonation tests were carried out to investigate detonation performance of the prepared perfusion explosives. Results showed that more saturation time during the foaming process leads to more pores and cracks. Perfusion explosives prepared using foamed SF‐3 propellants exhibited much higher shock wave energy and stronger damage effectiveness than those using unfoamed SF‐3 propellants. Perfusion explosives prepared using foamed SF‐3 propellants with a saturation time of 2 h exhibited the highest shock wave energy and damage effectiveness, which decreased as the saturation time increased.
How fast monoamine oxidases decompose adrenaline? Kinetics of isoenzymes A and B evaluated by empirical valence bond simulation
Authors: Oanca Gabriel , Stare Jernej , Mavri Janez 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis work scrutinizes kinetics of decomposition of adrenaline catalyzed by monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and B enzymes, a process controlling the levels of adrenaline in the central nervous system and other tissues. Experimental kinetic data for MAO A and B catalyzed decomposition of adrenaline are reported only in the form of the maximum reaction rate. Therefore, we estimated the experimental free energy barriers form the kinetic data of closely related systems using regression method, as was done in our previous study. By using multiscale simulation on the Empirical Valence Bond (EVB) level, we studied the chemical reactivity of the MAO A catalyzed decomposition of adrenaline and we obtained a value of activation free energy of 17.3 ± 0.4 kcal/mol. The corresponding value for MAO B is 15.7 ± 0.7 kcal/mol. Both values are in good agreement with the estimated experimental barriers of 16.6 and 16.0 kcal/mol for MAO A and MAO B, respectively. The fact that we reproduced the kinetic data and preferential catalytic effect of MAO B over MAO A gives additional support to the validity of the proposed hydride transfer mechanism. Furthermore, we demonstrate that adrenaline is preferably involved in the reaction in a neutral rather than in a protonated form due to considerably higher barriers computed for the protonated adrenaline substrate. The results are discussed in the context of chemical mechanism of MAO enzymes and possible applications of multiscale simulation to rationalize the effects of MAO activity on adrenaline level.
Evaluating the potential for weed seed dispersal based on waterfowl consumption and seed viability
Authors: Farmer Jaime A , Webb Elisabeth B , Pierce Robert A , Bradley Kevin W 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDMigratory waterfowl have often been implicated in the movement of troublesome agronomic and wetland weed species. However, minimal research has been conducted to investigate the dispersal of agronomically important weed species by waterfowl. The two objectives for this project were to determine what weed species are being consumed by ducks and snow geese, and to determine the recovery rate and viability of 13 agronomic weed species after passage through a duck's digestive system.RESULTSSeed recovered from digestive tracts of 526 ducks and geese harvested during a 2‐year field study had 35 020 plants emerge. A greater variety of plant species emerged from ducks each year (47 and 31 species) compared to geese (11 and 3 species). Viable seed from 11 of 13 weed species fed to ducks in a controlled feeding study were recovered. Viability rate and gut retention times indicated potential dispersal up to 2900 km from the source depending on seed characteristics and variability in waterfowl dispersal distances.CONCLUSIONSStudy results confirm that waterfowl are consuming seeds from a variety of agronomically important weed species, including Palmer amaranth, which can remain viable after passage through digestive tracts and have potential to be dispersed over long distances by waterfowl. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Rapid ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry and selected reaction monitoring strategy for the identification and quantification of minor spinacetin derivatives in spinach
Authors: Singh Jashbir , Jayaprakasha G.K. , Patil Bhimanagouda S. 
Published: August 2017

RationaleSpinach is green leafy vegetable which is a rich source of flavonoids, phenolic acids, carotenoids, and vitamins A, C and E. It contains unique flavonoids which have significant anticarcinogenic, antiinflammatory and free radical scavenging activities. The present study reports the systematic identification and quantification of novel flavonoids by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC/HR‐QTOFMS).MethodsAn ultrasonication technique was used for the extraction of flavonoids from spinach. A rapid and reliable analytical method was established for the identification of flavonoids from methanolic extract. Flavonoids were characterized by their ultraviolet (UV) spectra, high‐resolution accurate masses and MS/MS fragmentation pathways obtained using electrospray ionization (ESI). Furthermore, precursor ions from the intact molecule, and the resulting product ions, were monitored by selected reaction monitoring (SRM) with different collision energies in positive and negative ion mode.ResultsFor the first time, five minor spinacetin derivatives were identified under optimized SRM and broadband collision‐induced dissociation (+bbCID) conditions. Fragmentation pathways were proposed for spectra obtained in ESI positive ion mode. The use of HR‐QTOFMS and SRM allowed us to differentiate between molecules with the same nominal mass. The identified spinacetin derivatives were found to be acylated with ferulic and coumaric acids.ConclusionsUHPLC interfaced with HR‐QTOFMS in combination with SRM provides a rapid, reliable and highly sensitive method for the identification of flavonoids, and potentially other bioactive compounds, in a complex matrix.
On singular hybrid switched and impulsive systems
Authors: Zamani Iman , Shafiee Masoud , Ibeas Asier 
Published: August 2017

SummaryIn this work, the problem of stability analysis for a class of singular hybrid switched and impulsive system (HSIS) is addressed. Corresponding to each subsystem, a hybrid switched and impulsive controller is designed and then the exponential stability property of the proposed singular HSIS is discussed for linear and nonlinear cases. Because switched systems without impulses are a special case of HSISs, the results are also given to switched system with synchronous and asynchronous controllers. The obtained results apply to control singular systems, and the introduced theorems allow knowing how the control must be designed. Two numerical examples are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed approaches. At first, by using MATLAB® software, the proposed method is applied to a class of physiological processes of endocrine disruptor diethylstilbestrol models to illustrate the effectiveness of the results obtained here for the linear case. Thereafter, another numerical example is provided to support the presented theoretical results for the nonlinear case.
EPE‐Mobile—A framework for early performance estimation of mobile applications
Authors: Fernandes Thiago Soares , Moreira Álvaro Freitas , Cota Érika 
Published: August 2017

SummaryConsidering the constrained resources of mobile devices, a thorough performance evaluation of a mobile application is crucial. However, performance evaluation in the mobile domain is still a manual and time‐consuming task. The diversity of mobile devices only increases the complexity of this task. We propose EPE‐Mobile, a framework to automate early performance estimation in mobile applications. It is composed of a configurable library of basic operations and an engine that automatically creates a synthetic program based on the specification of a new app. The synthetic program that EPE‐Mobile generates provides feedback for mobile developers at the first design stages and before the actual implementation of a new application. The fast evaluation can also guide developers in optimizing their applications or in choosing devices with the best trade‐off between cost and performance to run a given application. Finally, developers can reuse the data collection infrastructure of the framework to collect performance data during all development stages. We validate the proposed framework using 4 applications from the Android Play Store. Based on their specifications, 4 synthetic programs were generated and executed on different devices. We compared the results to those obtained from the execution of the actual applications in the same devices. Experimental results show that it is possible to create synthetic applications with similar behavior to that of real applications and, thus, classify devices based on the actual application needs. The framework uses aspect‐oriented programming to collect the metrics of interest. This approach provides increased modularity and separation of concerns, thus facilitating the improvement of the framework itself, by adding other metrics or basic operations.
How do academic stress and leisure activities influence college students' emotional well‐being? A daily diary investigation
Authors: Zhang Jieting , Zheng Yao 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACTChina has one of the largest bodies of college students who face growing academic stress that influences their well‐being. Using a daily diary method in a group of Chinese college students (n = 139, mean age = 19.50 years, 27% males) who reported their daily positive and negative emotion consecutively for two weeks, this study investigated the dynamic relations between daily academic stress, leisure activities engagement, and emotion, and further examined the moderation of sex on these links. The results showed that at both between‐ and within‐person level, academic stress was positively associated with negative emotion, and leisure activities engagement was positively associated with positive emotion. The association between leisure activities engagement and positive emotion were stronger among female students than among male students. These results suggest that effectively reducing academic stress and actively engaging in leisure activities are both important in promoting and enhancing daily emotional well‐being.
Potential neurotoxicity of prenatal exposure to sevoflurane on offspring: Metabolomics investigation on neurodevelopment and underlying mechanism
Authors: Jiang Jialong , Li Shasha , Wang Yiqiao , Xiao Xue , Jin Yi , Wang Yilong , Yang Zeyong , Yan Shikai , Li Yuanhai 
Published: August 2017

AbstractRepeated or prolonged anesthesia to pregnant women disturbs neurodevelopment of developing infants, but its mechanism has not been elaborated absolutely. This study was conducted to investigate the mechanism of potential neurotoxicity on their offspring generation after sevoflurane anesthesia in adult animals during pregnancy based on metabolomics. 16 pregnant rats were equally assigned to sevoflurane group and control group, and serum samples were collected from their 7‐day‐old offspring for metabolomics analysis using ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. Principal component analysis and partial least squares‐discriminate analysis were used for pattern recognition, and pathway analysis was performed by MetaboAnalyst platform. 29 metabolites were discovered as neurotoxicity related‐biomarkers, among which S‐Adenosylmethioninamine was inhibited dramatically after sevoflurane exposure. Prenatal exposure to sevoflurane led to a significant reduction in S‐Adenosylmethionine level, as shown by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Pathway analysis highlighted that prenatal exposure to sevoflurane induced alteration in arginine/proline metabolism, cysteine/methionine metabolism, and so on. The most important altered metabolic pathway was arginine/proline metabolism. This study suggests that abnormal methylation and disturbed arginine/proline metabolism may crucially contribute to the mechanism with neurotoxicity on offspring generation after sevoflurane anesthesia in adult animals during pregnancy, and dietary supplement of S‐Adenosylmethionine and modulating arginine/proline metabolism may be the potential therapeutic targets for protecting neurodevelopment from detrimental effects of prenatal exposure to inhalational anesthetics.
Is tinnitus a major concern in individuals with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder? – Questionnaire based study
Authors: Prabhu Prashanth 
Published: August 2017

ObjectiveOur study attempted to determine if tinnitus is a major concern in individuals with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD). The study also attempted to determine if pure tone average (PTA), speech identification scores (SIS), or reported duration of hearing loss could predict the tinnitus severity and functional handicap in adults with ANSD.MethodsTinnitus functional index (TFI) and tinnitus severity index (TSI) were administered on all the 40 participants diagnosed with ANSD.ResultsThe mean TFI score was 44.3, which suggested moderate degree of tinnitus related functional impairment. The mean TSI score was found to be 33.3, which suggested moderate degree of severity in individuals with ANSD. The study also showed that tinnitus causes functional impairment that leading to sleep disturbances, emotional problems, and affecting the quality of life. There was no significant correlation (P > 0.05) between PTA, SIS, reported onset of hearing loss and scores of TFI or TSI.ConclusionTinnitus in individuals with ANSD should also be given priority during assessment and provide appropriate tinnitus management.
Guidance law for intercepting target with multiple no-fly zone constraints
Authors: Zhao P. , Chen W. , Yu W. 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACTA composite guidance law is proposed for intercepting moving target while strictly satisfying the constraints on multiple No-Fly Zones (NFZs) distributed arbitrarily. The research has two major steps. In the first step, by considering only one NFZ, a guidance law is developed with three parts: Orientation Adjustment Scheme (OAS), Boundary-Constraint Handling Scheme (BCHS), and Proportional Navigation (PN). OAS determines the major flight direction by predicting the collision point of the missile and target. BCHS controls the missile to approach and then fly along the boundary of the NFZ smoothly so as to bypass the NFZ through a short path. PN is used to intercept the target in the endgame phase. In the second step, we use the multi-step decision process to set up a series of appropriate waypoints in order to avoid multiple NFZs. The superior performance of the proposed guidance law has been demonstrated by trajectory simulations.
THE POWER OF BIG DATA: HISTORICAL TIME SERIES ON GERMAN EDUCATION
Authors: Diebolt Claude , Franzmann Gabriele , Hippe Ralph , Sensch Jürgen 
Published: August 2017

AbstractNumerous primary investigators collected and processed long-termed time series on German educational statistics in the context of their studies. As a result, there are a multitude of quantitative empirical studies. On the one hand, there is the project group on German Educational Statistics.1Its projects were targeted at describing and analyzing the long-term structural changes of the German educational system on a broad empirical and statistical basis. On the other hand, there are comprehensive data compilations of individual research projects, focusing on a wide variety of special educational research topics. The online database “histat” provides central digital access to these datasets on German educational history. Currently, it offers more than 120,000 long-term time series on the German educational system for a period of 200 years. The striking size of the database shows its key importance for researchers in the field of education. Thus, this paper aims to provide useful insights into the background of the database, the special characteristics of the data compilations and their analytical potential. Additionally, examples are given of how the data have already been used by researchers.
ARE WE COUNTING ALL THE POOR?
Authors: Mercier Marion , Verwimp Philip 
Published: August 2017

AbstractHaving accurate poverty statistics is of primary importance for researchers and policy-makers. Based on original data on Burundi, we investigate the sensitivity of poverty headcount calculations to considering individual- instead of household-level consumption. Relying on a survey module which provides information on the share of expenses allocated to each member of the households, we calculate poverty statutes on an individual basis. Exploiting these direct measures to compute poverty headcounts allows us to put forward the discrepancy between individual- and household-level poverty computations. We identify “hidden poor,”i.e.poor individuals living in non-poor households, and show that they are predominantly children. We finally discuss potential mechanisms that could drive the results, and emphasize the importance of improving data collection devices for poverty-related policy making.
Voluntary and involuntary psychiatric admissions in a suburban area: comparison with national rates, diagnosis and other correlates of involuntary admission status
Authors: Gilhooley J. , Umama-Agada E. , Asghar M. , McManus S. , Whitty P. F. , Kelly B. D. 
Published: August 2017

ObjectivesTo establish if the relatively low rate of involuntary psychiatric admission in a suburban area between 2007 and 2011 was maintained in 2014/2015, and explore key correlates of involuntary status.MethodsWe used existing hospital records and data sources to extract rates and selected potential correlates of voluntary and involuntary admission in south west Dublin (catchment area: 273 419 people) over 18 months in 2014/2015 and compared these with published national data from the census and Health Research Board.ResultsThe rate of involuntary admission in the suburban area studied between 2007 and 2011 was 33.8 involuntary admissions per 100 000 population annually, which was lower than the national rate (48.6). By 2014/2015, the rate of involuntary admission in this area had risen to 46.8 involuntary admissions per 100 000 population annually, similar to the national rate (44.9). Nevertheless, the overall (voluntary and involuntary) admission rate in the suburban area (346.7 admissions per 100 000 population annually) was still lower the national rate (387.9), owing to a lower rate of voluntary admission in the suburban area (299.9) compared to Ireland as a whole (342.9). Multi-variable testing demonstrated that diagnosis was the strongest driver of involuntary admission in the suburban area: this area had 28.5 involuntary admissions per 100 000 population annually with schizophrenia or related disorders, compared to 18.9 nationally. Schizophrenia and related disorders accounted for 60.9% of involuntary admissions in the suburban area compared to 42.1% nationally.ConclusionsSchizophrenia is the strongest driver of involuntary admission in the suburban area in this study.
New material of three-dimensionally phosphatized and microscopic cycloneuralians from the Cambrian Paibian Stage of South China
Authors: Liu Yunhuan , Wang Qi , Shao Tiequan , Zhang Huaqiao , Qin Jiachen , Chen Li , Liang Yongchun , Chen Cheng , Xue Jiaqi , Liu Xiaowen 
Published: August 2017

AbstractSome rare microscopic cycloneuralians are present in the Cambrian of South China, represented by Eopriapulites and Eokinorhynchus (both early Cambrian), fossil embryos of Markuelia (middle to late Cambrian), and palaeoscolecids (early to late Cambrian). Among them, palaeoscolecids are relatively diverse and abundant. Here, we describe new material of three-dimensionally phosphatized and microscopic cycloneuralians from the Paibian Stage of Wangcun Lagerstätte, western Hunan, South China. New material includes fossil embryos assignable to Markuelia sp., two other types of fossil embryos, and three species of palaeoscolecids, including Dispinoscolex decorus Duan, Dong, and Donoghue, 2012, Schistoscolex hunanensis Duan, Dong, and Donoghue, 2012, and Austroscolex sinensis new species. The palaeoscolecid fragments differ mainly in size and armor of the trunk annuli. Since Eokinorhynchus and Eopriapulites occurred the earliest among the Cambrian cycloneuralians, it is proposed here that: (1) cycloneuralians originated in the Cambrian Fortunian small shelly faunas rather than in the early Cambrian macrobenthos, (2) ancestral cycloneuralians may have simple trunk armor, and (3) Eopriapulites represents an ancestral cycloneuralian.
The Cave of Pan, Marathon, Greece—AMS Dating of the Neolithic Phase and Calculation of the Regional Marine Reservoir Effect
Authors: Facorellis Yorgos , Mari Alexandra , Oberlin Christine 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe Cave of Pan is located on the N/NE slope of the hill of Oinoe (38°09′31.60′′N, 23°55′48.60′′E), west of modern Marathon. In rescue excavation campaigns during the last three years, among other finds, charcoal and seashell samples were also collected. The purpose of this study is the accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dating of the cave’s anthropogenic deposits and the calculation of the regional marine reservoir effect during the Neolithic period. For that purpose, 7 charcoal pieces and 1 seashell were dated. Our results show that the cave was used from the second quarter of the 6th millennium (Middle Neolithic period) until the beginning of the 5th millennium BC. Additionally, one sample collected from a depth of 2 cm from the present surface of the cave yielded an age falling within the 6th century AD, giving thus the absolute time span of the cave use. Moreover, the radiocarbon (14C) ages of one pair of charcoal-seashell samples showed that the marine reservoir age R(t) in the estuarine Marathon Bay region during the 5th millennium BC is 775±57 yr and the local sea surface reservoir deviation ΔR is found to be 402±6314C yr (within 1σ).