bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An innovative composite plywood for the acoustic improvement of small closed spaces
Authors: Negro Francesco , Cremonini Corrado , Fringuellino Marco , Zanuttini Roberto 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
Poor acoustics is a common problem in many small closed rooms such as offices or dining rooms. Sound absorbing panels used as wall or ceiling coverings can be a remedy. In the present paper, the sound absorption properties of a composite made of two plywood skins bonded to an inner honeycomb core of plywood cells, designed by the authors in a previous study, were improved by drilling the surfaces. The holes communicate with the void cells of the core, activating the Helmholtz resonance effect. The acoustic behavior of small specimens and final-size samples are described, which were also tested in a reverberation chamber and in a real dining room. The developed lightweight composite plywood achieved αmax 0.90 values (maximal sound absorption coefficients) around 400 Hz, i.e. in the low frequency range, resulting in being well suited for various acoustic improvements.
Parameter Estimation of a Two-Colored Urn Model Class
Authors: Chloé Le Goff Line , Soulier Philippe 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThough widely used in applications, reinforced random walk on graphs have never been the subject of a valid statistical inference. We develop in this paper a statistical framework for a general two-colored urn model. The probability to draw a ball at each step depends on the number of balls of each color and on a multidimensional parameter through a function, called choice function. We introduce two estimators of the parameter: the maximum likelihood estimator and a weighted least squares estimator which is less efficient, but is closer to the calibration techniques used in the applied literature. In general, the model is an inhomogeneous Markov chain and this property makes the estimation of the parameter impossible on a single path, even if it were infinite. Therefore we assume that we observe i.i.d. experiments, each of a predetermined finite length. This is coherent with the usual experimental set-ups. We apply the statistical framework to a real life experiment: the selection of a path among pre-existing channels by an ant colony. We performed experiments, which consisted of letting ants pass through the branches of a fork. We consider the particular urn model proposed by J.-L. Deneubourg et al. in 1990 to describe this phenomenon. We simulate this model for several parameter values in order to assess the accuracy of the MLE and the WLSE. Then we estimate the parameter from the experimental data and evaluate confident regions with Bootstrap algorithms. The findings of this paper do not contradict the biological literature, but give statistical significance to the values of the parameter found therein.
Labeling Demands, Coexistence and the Challenges for Trade
Authors: Smyth Stuart , Kerr William , Phillips Peter 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
As with other facets of regulatory policy for genetically modified organisms, labeling is a contentious issue in international trade policy. Labeling can be a trade barrier. The existing multilateral system for labeling is based in the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) agreements of the World Trade Organization (WTO) – and is focused on limiting the rent-seeking trade inhibiting aspects of labeling. An alternative view of labeling is based on the social policy of consumers’ right to know and takes no account of the trade costs associated with labeling. The labeling rules of the SPS and TBT are explained. These are contrasted with the trade effects of a labeling system based on consumers’ right to know that might be incorporated into a preferential trade agreement. The relative economic effects are explained and contrasted with those of the social policy of coexistence. The difficulties arising from some trading partners using the labeling rules of a preferential trade agreement while others use those of the WTO are outlined. The likelihood of alternative rules for labeling being included in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP), the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) are examined.
Design and Simulation of Optical 4-Channel Demultiplexer Using Photonic Crystals
Authors: Zahedi Abdulhamid , Parandin Fariborz , Karkhanehchi Mohammad Mehdi , Habibi Shams Hosein , Rajamand Sahbasadat 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
In this paper, a 4-channel demultiplexer for WDM systems is designed by using 2-dimensional photonic crystals with square structure. Various wavelengths can be conducted in the certain paths of crystals using defects that look like ring resonator. The characteristic of this demultiplexer can be analyzed by obtaining the pass band spectrum. The property of this designation relative to previous works can be stated as size reduction, minimum crosstalk in output channels, minimum distance (about nm) for distinct wavelengths in output bands and bandwidth increasing in consequence. These improvements have been verified by simulation results.
Utility of electronic medical recordbased fibrosis scores in predicting advanced cirrhosis in patients with hepatitic C virus infection
Authors: Khan Mohammad Qasim , Anand Vijay , Hessefort Norbert , Hassan Ammar , Ahsan Alya , Sonnenberg Amnon , Fimmel Claus J. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract

Objective
To determine whether advanced cirrhosis - defined by the detection of nodular liver contours or portal venous collaterals on imaging studies - could be predicted by fibrosis algorithms, calculated using laboratory and demographic features extracted from patients’ electronic medical records. To this end, we compared seven EMR-based fibrosis scores with liver imaging studies in a cohort of HCV patients.

Methods
A search of our health system’s patient data warehouse identified 867 patients with chronic HCV infection. A total of 565 patients had undergone at least one liver imaging study and had no confounding medical condition affecting the imaging features or fibrosis scores. Demographic and laboratory data were used to calculate APRI, Fib4, Fibrosis Index, Forns, GUCI, Lok Index and Vira-HepC scores for all viremic patients who had undergone liver imaging. Data points selected for the calculation of these scores were based on laboratory results obtained within the shortest possible time from the imaging study. Areas under the receiver operating curves (AUROC), optimum cut-offs, sensitivities, specificities and positive and negative predictive values were calculated for each score.

Results
Seven algorithms were performed similarly in predicting cirrhosis. Sensitivities ranged from 0.65 to 1.00, specificities from 0.67 to 0.90, positive predictive values from 0.33 to 0.38, and negative predictive values from 0.93 to 1.00. No individual test was superior, as the confidence intervals of all AUROCs overlapped.

Conclusions
EMR-based scoring systems performed relatively well in ruling out advanced, radiologically-defined cirrhosis. However, their moderate sensitivity and positive predictive values limit their reliability for EMR-based diagnosis.
Hepatic encephalopathy in liver cirrhosis
Authors: Djiambou-Nganjeu Herbert 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
Liver cirrhosis is a worldwide gastroenterological condition, characterized by a slow, progressive and irreversible replacement of liver cells by fibrous tissue (scar) that prevents liver function. This condition often leads to the development of other syndromes. Cardiac complications can be indicated through abnormal QTc interval and arrhythmias, thereby their analysis aids in the prevention of cardiovascular events. Most cirrhotic cases have abnormal laboratory values (bilirubin, albumin, AST, ALT, AST/ALT, INR) indicating the presence of concomitant infection, inflammation and coagulopathy. In this case report, the usage Halstead-Reitan and Child-Pugh score helped in the assessment of the status of deterioration of brain. The knowledge of liver cirrhosis aetiologies help to determine the predisposition to development of hepatic encephalopathy and cardiomyopathy. The different values of liver enzymes and other blood laboratory analyses indicated the level of liver damage and poor prognosis.
Inverse problem for a physiologically structured population model with variable-effort harvesting
Authors: Andrusyak Ruslan V. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
We consider the inverse problem of determining how the physiological structure of a harvested population evolves in time, and of finding the time-dependent effort to be expended in harvesting, so that the weighted integral of the density, which may be, for example, the total number of individuals or the total biomass, has prescribed dynamics. We give conditions for the existence of a unique, global, weak solution to the problem. Our investigation is carried out using the method of characteristics and a generalization of the Banach fixed-point theorem.
Stressed postverbal pronominals in Catalan
Authors: Nadeu Marianna , Simonet Miquel , Llompart Miquel 
Published: April 2017

AbstractMajorcan Catalan postverbal pronominal elements are typically described as being prominent due to stress shift from their host. This study sheds light on the prosodic phonology of these pronouns through the analysis of duration, vowel quality, and
Electrical and rheological properties of carbon black and carbon fiber filled low-density polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate composites
Authors: Xu Xingchi , Wang Tingwei 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
In this study conductive composites of low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) filled with carbon black (CB) and carbon fiber (CF) were prepared by melt-mixing method. The morphological, rheological, and electrical properties of CB filled composites were compared with CF filled composites by digital multimeter, scanning electron microscope, rotational rheometer, etc. The composites filled with different fillers have same percolation threshold but the EVA concentration has different effect on the two systems. For CB filled composites the increase in EVA concentration decreased resistivity first and reached lowest point when the LDPE:EVA ratio was 70:30; then the resistivity increased, but for CF filled composites the resistivity continued to decrease. The differences were caused by the diverse morphological and filler distribution of two different composite systems. The rheological behaviors of two types of composites also had significant difference; the value of complex viscosity of CB filled composites was about two orders of magnitude more than CF filled composites in low frequency region. It was because CB particles was nano-scale and had large surface area, so it had great influence on the value of complex viscosity of composites.
Company rating with support vector machines
Authors: Moro Russ A. , Härdle Wolfgang K. , Schäfer Dorothea 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis paper proposes a rating methodology that is based on a non-linear classification method, a support vector machine, and a non-parametric isotonic regression for mapping rating scores into probabilities of default. We also propose a four data set model validation and training procedure that is more appropriate for credit rating data commonly characterised with cyclicality and panel features. Tests on representative data covering fifteen years of quarterly accounts and default events for 10,000 US listed companies confirm superiority of non-linear PD estimation. Our methodology demonstrates the ability to identify companies of diverse credit quality from Aaa to Caa–C.
The effects of leverage requirements and fire sales on financial contagion via asset liquidation strategies in financial networks
Authors: Feinstein Zachary , El-Masri Fatena 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
This paper provides a framework for modeling the financial system with multiple illiquid assets when liquidation of illiquid assets is caused by failure to meet a leverage requirement. This extends the network model of [6] which incorporates a single asset with fire sales and capital adequacy ratio. This also extends the network model of [14] which incorporates multiple illiquid assets with fire sales and no leverage ratios. We prove existence of equilibrium clearing payments and liquidation prices for a known liquidation strategy when leverage requirements are required. We also prove sufficient conditions for the existence of an equilibrium liquidation strategy with corresponding clearing payments and liquidation prices. Finally, we calibrate network models to asset and liability data for 50 banks in the United States from 2007–2014 in order to draw conclusions on systemic risk as a function of leverage requirements.
Reduced Radiation in Children Presenting to the ED With Suspected Ventricular Shunt Complication
Authors: Marchese Ronald F. , Schwartz Erin S. , Heuer Gregory G. , Lavelle Jane , Huh Jimmy W. , Bell Louis M. , Luan Xianqun , Zorc Joseph J. 
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND:
Ventricular shunt complications in children can be severe and life-threatening if not identified and treated in a timely manner. Evaluation for shunt obstruction is not without risk, including lifetime cumulative radiation as patients routinely receive computed tomography (CT) scans of the brain and shunt series (multiple radiographs of the skull, neck, chest, and abdomen).

METHODS:
A multidisciplinary team collaborated to develop a clinical pathway with the goal of standardizing the evaluation and management of patients with suspected shunt complication. The team implemented a low-dose CT scan, specifically tailored for the detection of hydrocephalus and discouraged routine use of shunt series with single-view radiographs used only when specifically indicated.

RESULTS:
There was a reduction in the average CT effective dose (millisievert) per emergency department (ED) encounter of 50.6% (confidence interval, 46.0–54.9; P ≤ .001) during the intervention period. There was a significant reduction in the number of shunt surveys obtained per ED encounter, from 62.4% to 5.32% (P &lt; .01). There was no significant change in the 72-hour ED revisit rate or CT scan utilization rate after hospital admission. There were no reports of inadequate patient evaluations or serious medical events.

CONCLUSIONS:
A new clinical pathway has rapidly reduced radiation exposure, both by reducing the radiation dose of CT scans and eliminating or reducing the number of radiographs obtained in the evaluation of patients with ventricular shunts without compromising clinical care.
A study of association of vitamin D deficiency and coronary artery disease
Authors: Kumar Manoj , Kumar Granth , Verma Vijay K. , Gupta Manish , Gautam Rajesh K. 
Published: April 2017

Background: Recently vitamin D has received great interests for its multiple effects on inflammatory system and potential role in atherothrombosis. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the common causes of death and disability in developed countries. Experimental evidence points to the involvement of multiple factors in coronary plaque formation, including vitamin D. The study aimed to examine the association of coronary artery disease with vitamin D level.Methods: 140 patients of CAD (coronary artery disease) and 101 age and sex matched control were enrolled in the study and 25-hyroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration was measured. All participants were evaluated for presence of conventional risk factors for coronary artery disease. Association of vitamin D level was established after adjusting other risk factors using logistic regression analysis.Results: In our study vitamin D level is significantly lower in patient group (CAD patients) compared with control group (18.2±10.9 vs 28.8±21ng/mL). Vitamin D deficiency was present in 81.4% patient in CAD patients whereas 57.7% in control group. Vitamin D deficiency was found to be an independent predictor of CAD after adjusting effect of other risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity, high blood cholesterol and level of physical activity with adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 2.695 (1.148-6.330).Conclusions: In present study patients of coronary artery disease had significantly low level of vitamin D as compared to individual without coronary artery disease. Vitamin D deficiency was found to be an independent predictor of CAD after adjusting other risk factors emphasizing that vitamin D can be a potential risk factor for development of coronary artery disease.
Evaluation of serum amyloid A, soluble E-selectin and soluble E-cadherin as lung cancer biomarkers
Authors: Saini Varinder , Prashanth Chikkahonnaiah , Kaur Jasbinder , Janmeja Ashok Kumar , Gupta Seema , Jaswal Shivani 
Published: April 2017

Background: Lung cancer screening is a challenge. Sputum cytology, chest X-ray, low dose computed tomography and other screening methods have not proved to be very effective. Serum biomarkers are a new hope in screening of lung cancer. The present study was planned to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of serum levels of amyloid A (SAA), soluble E- selectin (sE-selectin) and soluble E-cadherin (sE-cadherin) as lung cancer biomarkers.Methods: An observational and cross-sectional study comprised of three groups with 20 subjects each of proven lung cancer cases, patients with non-malignant respiratory diseases and healthy controls. Levels of SAA, sE-selectin and sE-cadherin were measured by solid phase sandwich ELISA. Individual and collective sensitivity and specificity of these biomarkers was analysed and cut off values calculated by receiver operating curves.Results: A statistically significant difference was found in the median levels (ng/ml) of SAA in patients of lung cancer, other non-malignant respiratory diseases, and healthy controls, the levels (Mean±SD) being 24980.50±6564.14,9961.10±2000.24 and 580.95±334.94 respectively in the three groups. A sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 55% was found when SAA levels of 1068 ng/ml were taken as cut off for screening of lung cancer. However, no significant difference was found in the serum levels of sE selectin and sE cadherin between the three groups. Moreover, significant association of biomarkers could also not be established with lung cancer when they were used in combination.Conclusions: In this preliminary report from India, SAA has been found to be a promising biomarker in screening for lung cancer.
Does Evolocumab, as a PCSK9 Inhibitor, Ameliorate the Lipid Profile in Familial Hypercholesterolemia Patients? A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Eslami Seyyed Majid , Nikfar Shekoufeh , Ghasemi Maryam , Abdollahi Mohammad 
Published: April 2017

Proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a member of regulatory serine proteases which is mostly expressed in liver. In the physiological condition, LDL-C binds to LDL receptors (LDLRs) and via endocytosis, LDLRs are degraded. PCSK9 binds to the epidermal growth factor-like repeat A (EGFA) domain of extracellular LDLRs, and then physiological recycling of LDLRs from surface of liver is cancelled, resulting in elevation of circulating LDL-C in plasma. To evaluate whether evolucomab, as PCSK9 inhibitor monoclonal antibody, ameliorates lipid profile in familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) patients, this meta-analysis has been conducted. PubMed, Web of Science (ISI) and Scopus databases were searched for studies which had investigated the efficacy of evolucomab. Types of outcome investigated were percentage changes from baseline of the lipid profile. Our meta-analysis shows that evolucomab at the dosage of 420 mg monthly could decrease LDL-C by 54.71%, TC by 35.08%, VLDL-C by 28.37 %, ratio of TC to HDL-C by 39.14 %, triglycerides by 12.11 %, and increased HDL-C by 6.06% from baseline compared to placebo at the end of study in FH patients. Our findings indicate that evolocumab could be a hopeful agent for challenging patients, such as statin intolerance or patients who fail to attain the target goal of LDL-C despite consumption of maximum doses of statins. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.
POTENSI TERAPI TUNGGAL ANTIMALARIA EKSTRAK ETANOL AKAR WIDURI (Calotropis gigantea) SECARA IN VIVO
Authors: Fiisyatirodiyah Fiisyatirodiyah , Hakim Abdul , Muti’ah Roihatul , Hayati Elok Kamilah 
Published: April 2017

<p>Tanaman Widuri mengandung beberapa golongan senyawa aktif, diantaranya flavonoid, alkaloid, terpenoid dan steroid.Senyawa-senyawa tersebut telah terbukti bermanfaat sebagai antimalaria.Selain itu, daun<em> Calotropis procera</em>berpotensi antimalaria, sehingga diduga akar <em>Calotropis gigantea </em>juga berpotensi sebagai antimalaria karena mempunyai kekerabatan dalam satu genus.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui efektivitas antimalaria ekstrak etanol 80 % akar Widuri (<em>Calotropis gigantea</em>) pada mencit terinfeksi <em>Plasmodium berghei</em> dan identifikasi golongan senyawa aktifnya.</p><p>Tahapan penelitian ini meliputi analisis kadar air sampel basah, preparasi sampel, analisis kadar air sampel kering, kemudian ekstraksi senyawa aktif dengan maserasi. Setelah itu, dilakukan uji antimalaria dan dilanjutkan dengan uji fitokimia.Senyawa aktif yang positif terhadap uji fitokimia diidentifikasi dengan metode Kromatografi Lapis Tipis.</p><p>Hasil kadar air sampel basah sebesar 51,17 %, sedangkan kadar air sampel keringnya sebesar 4,96 %. Isolasi senyawa aktif dilakukan dengan metode maserasi menggunakan pelarut etanol 80 %. Efektivitas antimalaria ekstrak etanol 80 % akar tanaman Widuri (<em>Calotropis gigantea</em>) dalam menghambat pertumbuhan <em>Plasmodium berghei </em>pada mencit adalah sangat baik dengan nilai ED<sub>50</sub> sebesar 4,26 mg/Kg BB. Golongan senyawa aktif yang terkandung dalam ekstrak etanol 80 % akar Widuri (<em>Calotropis gigantea</em>) berdasarkan uji reagen adalah golongan senyawa terpenoid dan saponin. Hasil identifikasi menggunakan Kromatografi Lapis Tipis menunjukkan bahwa eluen terbaik untuk golongan senyawa terpenoid adalah n-heksana : etil asetat (2 : 8) yang menghasilkan penampakan warna ungu pada panjang gelombang 366 nm dengan pereaksi Lieberman-Burchard, sedangkan eluen terbaik untuk saponin adalah kloroform : aseton (4 : 1) dengan penampakan warna ungu pada panjang gelombang 366 nm dengan pereaksi H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> 0,1 M.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Kata kunci :</strong><em>Calotropis gigantea, antimalarial, Fitokimia, Kromatografi Lapis Tipis</em></p>