bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CFD Analysis of BED Textural Characteristics on TBR Behavior: Hydrodynamics and Scaling-up
Authors: Cordero Mario E. , Uribe Sebastián , Zárate Luis G. , Hernandez-Servin Jose A. , Reyes Ever Peralta , Regalado-Méndez Alejandro , Natividad Reyna 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
In recent years, CFD has played an important role in the understanding and design of TBR’s. In this work, through CFD with Eulerian approach, a three-phase heterogeneous reactor model was developed, were the accuracy of Interfacial Momentum Exchange Model (IMEM) for the gas-solid interaction, the effect of a more detailed catalytic bed geometry description, and the pellet shape over TBR hydrodynamics of two fluid phases interacting with the solid phase was studied. Then, a second model was developed, where the validated hydrodynamic model was coupled with mass transport for an HDS process of light gasoil. Additionally, in order to insight into the scaling up process of a TBRs, the proposed columns behaviors were compared against literature columns using four different ways, and it was found that the best predictions were obtained when the models’ holdup were equaled to those evaluated in literature columns. Since in reliable literature deviations in pressure drop predictions of around 30% can be found, the model results show significant improvement against literature, achieving 5 times better accuracy in predicting pressure drops, and 50% improvement in holdup prediction; the coupled model reproduces the same conversion values compared with literature data, and predicts conversions with 95% accuracy
Effect of L-carnitine on diabetes-induced changes of skeletal muscles in rats
Authors: Samir Shereen M. , Abbas Amr M. , Safwat Sally M. , Elserougy Hanaa G. 
Published: October 2017

Abstract

Background:
Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at risk of experiencing chronic complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy and myopathy. We aimed to evaluate the effects of L-carnitine on type II DM (T2DM)-induced biochemical, contractile and pathological changes in skeletal muscles of rats.

Methods:
Thirty-two male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into the control, control+L-carnitine, T2DM and T2DM+L-carnitine groups. Plasma levels of glucose, insulin, malondialdehyde and antioxidants such as reduced glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase, haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), insulin sensitivity index (ISI) as well as the contractile properties of the gastrocnemius muscle were measured. Also, histopathological studies and immunohistochemical examination of the gastrocnemius muscle using the MuRF1 (muscle RING-finger protein-1) marker were performed.

Results:
In diabetic rats, malondialdehyde, glucose, insulin, HbA1c and MuRF1 were increased, whereas ISI and antioxidants were decreased and the contractile properties deteriorated. L-carnitine decreased malondialdehyde, glucose, insulin, HbA1c and MuRF1 and increased ISI and antioxidants. Also, L-carnitine improves the contractile properties in diabetic rats. Histopathological studies confirm our data.

Conclusions:
We conclude that L-carnitine exhibits protective effects on skeletal muscles of T2DM rats through its hypoglycemic and antioxidant actions as well as its inhibitory effect on protein degradation.
Heterogeneity of change in state affect following insulin therapy initiation in type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Gruszczyńska Ewa , Kwissa-Gajewska Zuzanna , Kroemeke Aleksandra 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
The aim of the study was to explore heterogeneity of change in state affect following the introduction of insulin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes. State affect was assessed twice among 305 patients: just before the introduction of insulin therapy and at 1-month follow-up. Latent class growth modeling showed that negative affect (NA) increased in 78% of the sample, whereas positive affect (PA) improved in only 17% of the participants. On the basis of cross-tabulation of these changes a 4-class model of emotional response to the new treatment was obtained. The largest subgroup of participants (57%) manifested “threat response”, i.e. moderate-stable PA with increase in NA. Participants in the “challenge response” subgroup (11.8%) showed increases in both NA and PA. The third class (10.2%) characterized by “no response”, had low-stable NA and moderate-stable PA. The smallest “stress response” subgroup (9.8%) showed increase in NA and high-stable PA. Gender, age and education level were significant covariates of group membership. Thus, the findings revealed heterogeneous emotional response to the new treatment, which may be of clinical relevance for improving diabetic patients’ adjustment through a more individual, person-centered approach.
Resources evaluation in patients with multiple sclerosis: A moderation effect of time since diagnosis
Authors: Nowaczyk Natalia , Cierpiałkowska Lidia 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
Multiple sclerosis significantly affects how patients maintain the resources they consider important. The aim of this paper is to describe the moderation effect of time since diagnosis on the evaluation of resources by patients with multiple sclerosis, on the basis of S.E. Hobfoll’s Conservation of Resources (COR) theory. The study was conducted using paper and pencil methods and involved 77 patients, of whom 32 received their diagnosis less than four years ago, and 45 more than four years ago. The patients’ resource evaluation was investigated using the Polish adaptation of the COR questionnaire. Patients who received their diagnosis more than four years ago were more likely to consider vital and spiritual resources to be more important. In patients diagnosed less than four years ago, the loss of economic, political, and vital resources was significant. It is shown moderation effect of time since diagnosis. The results may for the basis for further research.
The mechanism of non-numerical anchoring heuristic based on magnitude priming: is it just the basic anchoring effect in disguise?
Authors: Tomczak Pawel , Traczyk Jakub 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
The anchoring heuristic refers to phenomena when an arbitrary number affects subsequent numerical estimations. Oppenheimer, LeBoeuf and Brewer (2008) showed that it is not necessary for the anchor to be a numerical value (i.e., the act of drawing lines of different length effectively shifts numerical estimations), yet current models describing the anchoring heuristic do not fully account for the mechanism of non-numerical anchoring. However, this effect shows similarity to the basic anchoring effect - obtained without the comparative question and based on the availability of the given number in working memory. In this study, we attempt to verify whether those two effect share the same psychological mechanism. In Experiment 1, we show that non-numerical anchoring based on magnitude priming cannot be obtained when the lines are just observed. The examined mechanism proves to be dependent on the act of drawing, displaying limitations similar to the basic anchoring effect, previously pointed out by Brewer and Chapman (2002). By using the same numerical anchors in different size formats, in Experiment 2 we showed that anchoring based on magnitude priming occurs even when the numerical values do not affect the estimations. The results are discussed in the light of a possible mechanism that underlies the investigated effect.
Assessing size and subjective value of objects with diminutive names
Authors: Bocian Konrad , Bialobrzeska Olga , Parzuchowski Michal 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
Numerous studies show that language (in its grammatical forms or morphology) can influence both perceptual judgments, as well as the mental categorization of objects in memory. Previous research showed that using diminutive names of objects resulted in being less satisfied with owning said objects and lowering their perceived value. In the present studies, to explore this phenomenon, we decided to investigate whether the influence of a diminutive on the reduction in the subjective value of an object is determined by the perceived size of the object, in accordance with the „bigger is better” heuristic. In Study 1 participants estimated a banknote to be smaller when it was presented with a diminutive label “banknocik” (banknote with diminutive) than “banknot” (banknote). However, this was not related to the perceived subjective value of the banknote. In Study 2 participants declared that they could buy less with a coin labeled as “pieniążek” (coin with diminutive) than “pieniądz” (coin), but the effect was not linked to the perceived size of the coins. In Study 3 a candy bar labeled as “batonik” (candy bar with diminutive) was evaluated worse than the same product labeled “baton” (candy bar), however, once again this was not related to the evaluation of its size (weight). Thus, we show that the effect of diminutives on the reduction in the subjective value of an object is independent of the evaluation of the size of the object and we consider other explanations for the occurrence of this phenomenon.
Association of Serum Prolactin Concentrations with Renal Failure in Diabetic Patients
Authors: Fard Amin Abdollahzade , Abbasnezhad Peiman , Makhdomi Khadijeh , Salehi Morteza , Karamdel Hamid Reza , Saboory Ehsan 
Published: October 2017

Abstract

Background and aims: Diabetes is one of the causes of end-stage renal disease, so that about 70% of all diabetic patients have nephropathy. Prolactin is a hormone that is affected by diabetes but the interaction between diabetes and prolactin has not been understood properly. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between changes in serum prolactin levels in diabetic patients with renal failure.

Material and methods: In this study 223 individuals were participated and after assessment of inclusion/exclusion criteria 189 individuals were evaluated. Finally, the individuals were divided into three groups: Control (C), Diabetic (D), and Diabetic Nephropathy (DN). Blood samples were collected between 8.00 a.m. and 12.00 a.m. for measurement of prolactin levels and biochemical analysis.

Results: The results showed that sodium, potassium, urea, creatinine and prolactin significantly increased in DN group compared to control individuals (P< 0.001). The prolactin levels were significantly decreased in the group of patients with diabetes (P< 0.001).

Conclusion: The results of the current study indicated that serum prolactin level decreased in diabetes while it increased in diabetic nephropathy.
Assessment of Metabolic Syndrome and Clinical Significance of Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients
Authors: Kaur Raminderjit , Kaur Manpreet , Kapoor Rohit , Singh Jatinder 
Published: October 2017

Abstract

Background and Aims: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a constellation of various CVD risk factors comprised of abdominal obesity, glucose intolerance, hyperinsulinemia, hypertension and dyslipidemia. The present study was aimed to assess the prevalence of MS in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, and to evaluate the clinical significance of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in these patients.

Methods: The sample comprised of 251 T2DM patients. MS was evaluated in all the studied subjects according to NCEP-ATP III, IDF and JIS criteria. The subjects were screened for demographic as well as clinical characteristics.

Results: Prevalence of MS was estimated to be 65%, 69% and 75% according NCEP-ATP-III, IDF and JIS criteria respectively. JIS criteria was only preceded for further analysis as it explained the highest prevalence and also showed the better level of agreement (0.862) with IDF criteria. Abdominal obesity was the most frequent component of MS in the studied subjects. Moreover, 20.21% of MS subjects were found to have very high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) / future mortality according to different combinations of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and ankle brachial index (ABI).

Conclusions: The study revealed an increased prevalence of MS in the studied subjects. Risk of CVD may be better explained when these subjects were segregated according to different combinations of baPWV and ABI.
Potential Consequences of DGAT2 and BTN Genes Polymorphism in Iraqi Holstein Cattle
Authors: Al-Shuhaib Mohammed Baqur S. , Al-Fihan Rawan A. , Al-Qutbi Ali A. , Al-Thuwaini Tahreer M. 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
This study was conducted to describe the genetic polymorphism within the bovine diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) gene and 5′-UTR of butyrophilin (BTN) gene by several in vitro tools, as well as to predict their consequences using several in silico tools. After withdrawing blood, extracting DNA, and designing specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers, single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and PCR experiments were performed. Each different SSCP set was sequenced and analyzed. Two genotypes were detected with two alleles. Concerning DGAT2, the AA genotype was the most common, and seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found in the AB genotype while four SNPs were found in the AA genotype. The only coding SNP (p.Ala7Val) was found in the AB genotype. Concerning BTN, the AB genotype was the most common, and twenty-two novel SNPs were detected in the AB genotype, while six SNPs were observed in the AA genotype. The effect of the observed coding and noncoding SNPs was computationally analyzed. It was shown that the coding SNP, p.Ala7Val, was predicted to have functional consequences on the DGAT2 protein structure and function. Several outcomes were deduced from several noncoding SNPs in both genetic fragments studied. This study determines the pattern of polymorphism within the DGAT2 and BTN genes to conceive their consequences within Holstein breed.
The degree of compliance based on excise duties in Romania between 2002 and 2015
Authors: Todor Silvia Paula , Ghiur Rodica , Brezeanu Petre , Dumiter Florin , Boiță Marius 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
The fiscal policy is an instrument that collects resources for the state budget necessary to perform state functions; stabilize the economy; regulation of the economy and recovery growth. The most important instruments are taxes and taxpayers. Since 1989, with the transition to a market economy, a special tax policy has been known by excise taxes. Analyzing the case of Romania and the evolution of excise duties (hereinafter ED) conformity we created some regressions that illustrate the ED correlation in Romania between 2002 and 2015. The methodology used: three unifactorial regression models showing how ED impacts economic indicators such as GDP, power purchase expressed through the net annual average salary, and household final consumption expenditure. Moreover, each model has been tested and verified using statistic tests to give reliable results. In a first stage, we analyzed the correlation between GDP and consumption as endogen variable and ED, then we created another model that we kept ED as an independent variable, but we changed the dependent variable using the purchasing power as a dependent variable. Because according to the used tests we demonstrated that correlation coefficients are significant, we proceeded to explain them starting from fiscal policy and economic reality, own of these analyzed 14 years. In conclusion we highlighted below as the ED depends on GDP and consumption and the purchasing power can influence the ED. For future discussion and studies we intend to compare the results with other countries in different geographic areas in Europe
Exploring the Links between Task-Level Knowledge Management and Project Success
Authors: Yang L.-R. , Chen J.-H. , Lee C.-H. 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
Research on explaining task-level knowledge management in achieving capital facility project success is limited. The purpose of this paper was two-fold. The first objective of this study was to validate a model for assessing the relationships between task-level knowledge management and project success. The second objective was to evaluate the moderating role of project characteristics in the relationship between task-level knowledge management and project success. This paper empirically investigated a sample of capital facility projects in the construction industry. The structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was used to validate the research model. These results suggested that knowledge management used in certain project tasks contributes to project success. On the other hand, the findings indicated that the relationship between task-level knowledge management and project success depends on team size, owner regulation, project environmental uncertainty, complexity, and time availability. Specifically, the results suggested that large project teams are more likely to achieve project success when they experience high levels of knowledge management than small project teams. Private projects are more likely to achieve project success when they experience high levels of knowledge management than public projects. It was also clear that projects under high and medium uncertainty may achieve higher levels of project success when they experience high levels of knowledge management than those under low uncertainty. In addition, projects with high and medium complexity were more likely to be successful when they experience a high level of knowledge management than projects with low complexity. Finally, the results also suggested that projects with an unrealistic schedule were more likely to be successful when they experienced a high level of knowledge management than projects with a realistic schedule.
Mediodorsal Thalamic Neurons Mirror the Activity of Medial Prefrontal Neurons Responding to Movement and Reinforcement during a Dynamic DNMTP Task
Authors: Miller Rikki L.A. , Francoeur Miranda J. , Gibson Brett M. , Mair Robert G. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe mediodorsal nucleus (MD) interacts with medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) to support learning and adaptive decision-making. MD receives driver (layer 5) and modulatory (layer 6) projections from PFC and is the main source of driver thalamic projections to middle cortical layers of PFC. Little is known about the activity of MD neurons and their influence on PFC during decision-making. We recorded MD neurons in rats performing a dynamic delayed nonmatching to position (dDNMTP) task and compared results to a previous study of mPFC with the same task (Onos et al., 2016). Criterion event-related responses were observed for 22% (254/1179) of neurons recorded in MD, 237 (93%) of which exhibited activity consistent with mPFC response types. More MD than mPFC neurons exhibited responses related to movement (45% vs. 29%) and reinforcement (51% vs. 27%). MD had few responses related to lever presses, and none related to preparation or memory delay, which constituted 43% of event-related activity in mPFC. Comparison of averaged normalized population activity and population response times confirmed the broad similarity of common response types in MD and mPFC and revealed differences in the onset and offset of some response types. Our results show that MD represents information about actions and outcomes essential for decision-making during dDNMTP, consistent with evidence from lesion studies that MD supports reward-based learning and action-selection. These findings support the hypothesis that MD reinforces task-relevant neural activity in PFC that gives rise to adaptive behavior.
Foxp1 in Forebrain Pyramidal Neurons Controls Gene Expression Required for Spatial Learning and Synaptic Plasticity
Authors: Araujo Daniel J. , Toriumi Kazuya , Escamilla Christine O. , Kulkarni Ashwinikumar , Anderson Ashley G. , Harper Matthew , Usui Noriyoshi , Ellegood Jacob , Lerch Jason P. , Birnbaum Shari G. , Tucker Haley O. , Powell Craig M. , Konopka Genevieve 
Published: October 2017

Genetic perturbations of the transcription factorForkhead Box P1(FOXP1) are causative for severe forms of autism spectrum disorder that are often comorbid with intellectual disability. Recent work has begun to reveal an important role for FoxP1 in brain development, but the brain-region-specific contributions of Foxp1 to autism and intellectual disability phenotypes have yet to be determined fully. Here, we describeFoxp1conditional knock-out (Foxp1cKO) male and female mice with loss of Foxp1 in the pyramidal neurons of the neocortex and the CA1/CA2 subfields of the hippocampus.Foxp1cKOmice exhibit behavioral phenotypes that are of potential relevance to autism spectrum disorder, including hyperactivity, increased anxiety, communication impairments, and decreased sociability. In addition,Foxp1cKOmice have gross deficits in learning and memory tasks of relevance to intellectual disability. Using a genome-wide approach, we identified differentially expressed genes in the hippocampus ofFoxp1cKOmice associated with synaptic function and development. Furthermore, using magnetic resonance imaging, we uncovered a significant reduction in the volumes of both the entire hippocampus as well as individual hippocampal subfields ofFoxp1cKOmice. Finally, we observed reduced maintenance of LTP in area CA1 of the hippocampus in these mutant mice. Together, these data suggest that proper expression of Foxp1 in the pyramidal neurons of the forebrain is important for regulating gene expression pathways that contribute to specific behaviors reminiscent of those seen in autism and intellectual disability. In particular, Foxp1 regulation of gene expression appears to be crucial for normal hippocampal development, CA1 plasticity, and spatial learning.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTLoss-of-function mutations in the transcription factorForkhead Box P1(FOXP1) lead to autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. Understanding the potential brain-region-specific contributions of FOXP1 to disease-relevant phenotypes could be a critical first step in the management of patients with these mutations. Here, we report thatFoxp1conditional knock-out (Foxp1cKO) mice with loss of Foxp1 in the neocortex and hippocampus display autism and intellectual-disability-relevant behaviors. We also show that these phenotypes correlate with changes in both the genomic and physiological profiles of the hippocampus inFoxp1cKOmice. Our work demonstrates that brain-region-specific FOXP1 expression may relate to distinct, clinically relevant phenotypes.