bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Peptic esophageal stricture in an adolescent with Barrett’s esophagus
Authors: Lamoria Sandeep , De Arka , Agarwal Somya , Singh Lamba Brinder Mohan , Sharma Vishal 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is characterized by the replacement of distal esophageal stratified squamous epithelium by columnar epithelium. It is rare in children and the risk factors may include mental retardation, cerebral palsy, esophageal atresia, etc. Apart from corrosive ingestion, peptic stricture is the other leading cause of esophageal strictures in children. However, BE has not been well characterized in the pediatric population and in children presenting with esophageal strictures. A 16-year-old Indian boy presented with a history of gradually progressive dysphagia to solids (but not liquids) for 12 years along with heartburn and poor weight gain. Physical examination and routine blood investigations were unremarkable. Previously performed barium meal studies were suggestive of stricture in the mid and lower esophagus. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy revealed a non-negotiable stricture with circumferential ulceration at 26 cm. The stricture was traversed using an ultrathin scope and the distal mucosa was found to be columnar. Biopsies revealed cardiac mucosa. The patient was treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and four series of segmental dilatations with Savary Gilliard esophageal dilators. Peptic strictures occurring in the mid-upper esophagus should raise concerns about BE or malignancy. Here, we report a case of peptic esophageal stricture in a child without neurodevelopmental or trachea-esophageal abnormalities.
Dynamic Large Eddy Simulations of the Ekman Layer Based on Stochastic Analysis
Authors: Kazemi Ehsan , Heinz Stefan 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Large eddy simulation (LES) of the neutrally stratified turbulent Ekman layer is performed. In particular, we compare three LES models with direct numerical simulation (DNS), which was validated against existing DNS. The models considered are a standard nondynamic LES model, the Smagorinsky model (SM), a standard dynamic LES model, the stabilized dynamic Smagorinsky model (DSM), and a new linear dynamic model (LDM), which was derived from a realizable stochastic turbulence model. The following conclusions are obtained. The SM does not represent an appropriate model for the flow considered. Mean velocity and turbulence intensities are poorly predicted. With respect to instantaneous fields, the SM provides a tilting of turbulence structures in the opposite direction as seen in DNS. The stabilized DSM also suffers from significant shortcomings. First, its behavior depends on the wall distance. Close to the wall, it produces acceptable turbulence structures. Away from the wall, it suffers from the same shortcomings as the SM. Second, it incorrectly describes the effect of grid coarsening. The new LDM is free from the disadvantages of the SM and stabilized DSM. Its predictions of both mean and instantaneous velocity fields agree very well with DNS. The relevant conclusion is the following. The use of a dynamic LES method represents a mean for correctly simulating large-scale structures (means and stresses), but it does not ensure a correct simultaneous simulation of small-scale structures. Our results indicate that a dynamic method designed in consistency with a realizable stress model can correctly simulate both large-scale and small-scale structures.
Multiclass Contour-Preserving Classification with Support Vector Machine (SVM)
Authors: Fuangkhon Piyabute 
Published: February 2016

AbstractMulticlass contour-preserving classification (MCOV) has been used to preserve the contour of the data set and improve the classification accuracy of a feed-forward neural network. It synthesizes two types of new instances, called fundamental multiclass outpost vector (FMCOV) and additional multiclass outpost vector (AMCOV), in the middle of the decision boundary between consecutive classes of data. This paper presents a comparison on the generalization of an inclusion of FMCOVs, AMCOVs, and both MCOVs on the final training sets with support vector machine (SVM). The experiments were carried out using MATLAB R2015a and LIBSVM v3.20 on seven types of the final training sets generated from each of the synthetic and real-world data sets from the University of California Irvine machine learning repository and the ELENA project. The experimental results confirm that an inclusion of FMCOVs on the final training sets having raw data can improve the SVM classification accuracy significantly.
Safety and metabolic impact of Ramadan fasting in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes
Authors: El-Hawary Amany , Salem Nanees , Elsharkawy Ashraf , Metwali Abdelhameed , Wafa Alaa , Chalaby Nehad , El-Gilany Abelhady , Abo-Elmagd Megahed , El-Ziny Magdy 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAnnually, many children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) insist on fasting for Ramadan despite being exempted and despite knowing all the risks. We aimed to assess the safety and metabolic impact of Ramadan fasting in children with T1DM using different insulin regimens.Children with T1DM who choose to fast during Ramadan 1434/2013 (29 days) were recruited 3 months before Ramadan. They received pre-Ramadan intensive education. Three insulin regimens were included; Regimen-I (regular insulin/NPH); Regimen-II (regular insulin/insulin glargine) and Regimen-III (premixed insulin). Changes in weight, insulin dose, HbAOut of total 53 patients (24 male), 28 patients (52.8%) completed Ramadan fasting (fasting group). The remaining 25 patients were included in (broke-fasting group). Positive correlation between fructosamine changes and number of days fasted during Ramadan. Significant decrease in post-Ramadan fructosamine (<0.001) and increase in post-Ramadan total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were detected within fasting, broke-fasting and insulin regimen groups. Significant higher blood glucose at three time points, pre-Iftar, pre-Sohur and midday in Regimen-I compared to Regimen-II and Regimen-III (p=0.004).: Fasting during Ramadan is feasible and is associated with significant improvement in fructosamine level in children with T1DM using different insulin regimens. Mandatory consideration to the quality and quantity of food offered to patients with T1DM during Ramadan to guard against adverse changes in lipid profile.
Butyrylcholinesterase as an additional marker in the diagnostic network of acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Kocabaş Ramazan , Erenler Ali Kemal , Yetim Mücahit , Doğan Tolga , Erdemli Hacı Kemal 
Published: February 2016

Abstract

Background: Acute coronary syndrome defines a broad spectrum of complaints from angina to irreversible myocardial damage. There is an ongoing need for a biomarker to predict and diagnose acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the early stage. In this study, our aim was to reveal early diagnostic value of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in discrimination of healthy subjects and patients with AMI.

Methods: Eighty-five patients admitted to our hospital due to AMI and 45 healthy subjects were involved in the study. Patients and controls were compared according to BChE, lipid profiles and biochemical parameters.

Results: The serum BChE activity was significantly lower in patients with AMI than in the controls (p<0.001). After correlation analysis, while a negative correlation was determined between the serum BChE concentrations and AMI presence (r=–0.363, p<0.001); a positive correlation was determined between the serum BChE and cholesterol (r=0.443, p<0.001), HDL (r=0.243, p=0.006) and LDL (r=0.369, p<0.001) levels. The data indicate that BChE is associated with AMI and a subsequent receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis revealed that BChE, as an independent indicator, may differentiate AMI patients from controls. A cut-off point set at ≤7.15 kIU/L, BChE showed a sensitivity of 51.2% and a specificity of 84.4% (AUC=0.719, p<0.001).

Conclusions: Low BChE level was significantly associated with AMI when compared to healthy subjects. Even though it has low sensitivity, plasma levels of BChE might represent an additional marker in the diagnostic network of AMI.
Comparison of the novel Maglumi ferritin immunoluminometric assay with Beckman Coulter DxI 800 ferritin
Authors: Dipalo Mariella , Gnocchi Cecilia , Aloe Rosalia , Lippi Giuseppe 
Published: February 2016

Abstract

Background: The demand for routine measurement of ferritin is constantly increasing in clinical laboratories due to the clinical value of this biomarker for diagnosing anemia. Therefore, this study was aimed to compare the newly commercialized Maglumi ferritin immunoluminometric assay with a validated commercial and fully automated technique.

Methods: The comparison study included 95 consecutive inpatient serum samples referred to the local laboratory for routine ferritin measurement. Serum was separated, divided in two paired aliquots and immediately analyzed with both Beckman Coulter DxI 800 and Maglumi 2000. Correlation was assessed with Deming fit and Spearman’s correlation, the mean bias was estimated with Bland-Altman plot. The concordance between methods was calculated as percentage agreement and κ coefficient.

Results: An excellent correlation was observed between Maglumi and DxI (r=0.997). The mean bias was 34 ng/mL and the strength of agreement between values obtained with Maglumi and DxI was 98% and 100% at the lower and upper limits of the reference range. The agreement was also 98% for diagnosing iron deficiency and 94% for diagnosing iron overload.

Conclusions: Maglumi immunoassay may be regarded as a suitable alternative for routine and fully-automated assessment of ferritin in clinical laboratories.
Geographical variation in the body size of adult female sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) – an example of McNab’s resource rule?
Authors: Best Peter B. , Tormosov Dmitri , Brandão Anabela , Mikhalev Yuri 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
This study investigates possible regional variations in size composition of adult female sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) using data from 3302 pregnant individuals taken on Soviet whaling expeditions to the Southern Hemisphere 1961/62–1974/75. A general linear model (GLM) was used to take the covariates of expedition, latitude and ocean basin into account. The average body size decreased from south to north in each ocean basin, with the biggest decrease (about 200 cm) in the Indian Ocean; followed by the Pacific Ocean (about 110 cm), and the Atlantic Ocean (about 80 cm). Independent data confirm the small size of female/immature sperm whales in some tropical areas of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The mechanism responsible for this geographic variation in sperm whale growth could reflect culturally transmitted differences in foraging behaviour between clans of female/immature sperm whales in response to differing availabilities of prey resources by geographical region – McNab’s resource rule. However there is little available information for such a mechanism to be readily identifiable. Although data for oceanic squids (sperm whale’s main source of food) are lacking, there is evidence that the individual sizes of neritic species are positively correlated with latitude. Hence feeding in equatorial regions may be energetically more demanding due to smaller individual prey size, with consequent effects on growth rate.
Landscape attributes determine bobcat (Lynx rufus escuinapae) presence in Central Mexico
Authors: Espinosa-Flores María Eugenia , López-González Carlos A. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractCentral Mexico has experienced a decline of its natural vegetation due to anthropogenic pressure. In 12 sites in the southeastern portion of Guanajuato, we deployed camera traps and analyzed landscape characteristics. We recorded the presence of bobcats in four sites. Their presence was explained by a combination of patch size and tree cover. Because bobcats are sensitive to fragmentation and habitat loss, it is essential to increase sampling and conservation efforts to define the minimum patch size and maximum area of human development that can limit their long-term persistence and the establishment of breeding populations.
Debating Brain Drain: An Overview
Authors: Brock Gillian 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
The basic needs of desperately poor people frequently activate normative concern. An important part of addressing deprivation is the availability of skilled personnel able to provide what would fulfill needs. Sadly, developing countries, where neediness is most dire, experience severe shortages of just such personnel. For instance, about 4.25 million more health workers are needed to supply basic health for all. These shortages are exacerbated by the departure of high numbers of skilled personnel from developing countries seeking better prospects for themselves in developed ones. What, if anything, may developing countries defensibly do to solve problems associated with high skill migration? In our just published book, Debating Brain Drain: May Governments Restrict Emigration?, I develop an account of the responsibilities skilled citizens of poor, developing countries have to contribute to deprivation reduction, especially when they wish to leave such countries. In this overview article I discuss the structure of that project. I focus particularly on my case that carefully designed compulsory service and taxation programs can be justified under certain kinds of conditions.
Can a Liberal State Make Access to Medical Education Conditional on Public Service?
Authors: Moellendorf Darrel 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
This paper is a contribution to the discussion of Gillian Brock and Michael Blake’s book “Debating Brain Drain.” It argues with Gillian Brock and against Michael Blake that a liberal state may make access to medical education conditional on public service of a reasonable duration after the completion of state supported education. Blake rejects this position on grounds that are broadly Rawlsian. This paper argues that such conditionality can be a reasonable limitation on liberty pursuant to the general satisfaction of a lexically prior basic needs principle, which includes a human right to health. Therefore such conditionality can be consistent with Rawlsian egalitarian liberalism generally.
Thermal degradation kinetics and lifetime of HDPE/PLLA/pro-oxidant blends
Authors: Madhu Gaurav , Mandal Dev K. , Bhunia Haripada , Bajpai Pramod K. 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
The effect of adding poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) with and without a pro-oxidant additive cobalt stearate (CoSt) and compatibilizer maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (MA-g-PE) on the thermal degradation and stability of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) films was analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The kinetic parameters [i.e. activation energy (E
a), order of reaction (n), and frequency factor ln(A)] of the samples were studied over a temperature range of 25°C–600°C at four heating rates (i.e. 5, 10, 15, and 20°C/min) through model-free techniques (e.g. Friedman, second Kissinger, and Flynn-Wall-Ozawa) and model-fitting techniques (e.g. Freeman-Carroll and Kim-Park). The value of E
a for neat HDPE was found to be much higher than PLLA; for the HDPE/PLLA blend, it was nearer to that of HDPE. An increase in the activation energy of 80/20 (HDPE/PLLA) blend was noticed by the addition of MA-g-PE. The TGA data and degradation kinetics were also used to predict the lifetime of the film samples. The lifetime of HDPE was found to decrease with the increase in the concentration of CoSt, thereby revealing its pro-oxidative ability. Minimum lifetime was noted for the HDPE/PLLA (80/20) sample blended with CoSt, which increased slightly in the presence of MA-g-PE. Studies indicated that the thermal degradation behavior and lifetime of the investigated film samples depends not only on the fractions of their constituents but also on the heating rates and calculation technique.
Preparation and characterization of graphene oxide/PMMA nanocomposites with amino-terminated vinyl polydimethylsiloxane phase interfaces
Authors: Li Hongyan , Wang Weian , Cheng Lin , Li Jing , Li Yajing , Liu Hongli 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Graphene oxide (GO) was prepared by the Hummers method and was grafted by an amino-terminated vinyl polydimethylsiloxane (AP). The AP-modified GO (GO-AP) was incorporated in poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) to prepare nanocomposites. Raman microscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize the particles. The mechanical properties, thermal stability, thermal conductivity, and dispersing status of the PMMA-based nanocomposites were also investigated. The results indicated that AP was grafted on the surface of GO via the amidation reaction, and the quantity of the grafted AP was approximately 20 wt% that of GO-AP. With the addition of GO-AP, the three-point bending strength of GO-AP/PMMA increased to approximately 58 MPa, and the dispersion of the particles was also enhanced. GO wrapped by AP could not form thermal conducting networks at the percolation thresholds. The increasing amount of AP prevented the formation of thermal conduction network and decreased the thermal conductivity of the composites. The thermal stability of the composites was affected by three main reasons, and the total effect of the three reasons on thermal stability illustrated a negative trend.
A review on the mass spectrometric analysis of thorium
Authors: Aggarwal Suresh Kumar 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Mass spectrometric analysis of thorium is of great interest to geo-scientists and nuclear technologists. Though thorium is considered
to be a mono-isotopic element for all practical purposes, the 230Th/232Th isotopic ratio provides useful
information for various applications, e. g. dating of corals, build-up of 232U during reactor irradiation, etc. Among the
gamut of mass spectrometric techniques available for the isotopic analysis of different elements, thermal ionization mass spectrometry,
inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and secondary ion mass spectrometry are more commonly used for Th analysis. The problems
of blank contribution and poor ionization efficiency of thorium, which are more serious in thorium mass spectrometric analysis, are
discussed. The present state of the Th mass spectrometry is highlighted, with the futuristic increased use of thorium in energy
production, in focus. The need to prepare and make available the certified isotopic reference materials for
230Th/232Th isotope ratios is emphasized.
Human Rights, Institutions and the Division of Moral Labor
Authors: Ladwig Bernd 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAre human rights general moral norms, or are they conceptually tied to the political function of setting limits to the sovereignty of states? This essay steers a middle course in conceptualizing human rights as basic norms of political morality. Human rights arise out of general moral claims held by individual human beings simply as such, but they play a particular role as necessary conditions of political legitimacy. Nevertheless, we should not identify them with those norms whose violation might justify restrictions on the sovereignty of other states. Such an equation would result in an all too minimalist conception of human rights. The essay advocates a more ambitious conception that integrates civil rights and human rights, particular state and global politics, democracy and collective self-determination under the perspective of a division of moral labor.
Quantum Ion-Acoustic Oscillations in Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Khan S.A. , Iqbal Z. , Wazir Z. , Aman-ur-Rehman  
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Quantum ion-acoustic oscillations in single-walled carbon nanotubes are studied by employing a quantum hydrodynamics model. The dispersion equation is obtained by Fourier transformation, which exhibits the existence of quantum ion-acoustic wave affected by change of density balance due to presence of positive or negative heavy species as stationary ion clusters and wave potential at equilibrium. The numerical results are presented, and the role of quantum degeneracy, nanotube geometry, electron exchange-correlation effects, and concentration and polarity of heavy species on wave dispersion is pointed out for typical systems of interest.
RE
3Au5Zn (RE = Y, Sm, Gd–Ho) – A new structure type with five- and six-membered rings as building units in a gold network
Authors: Gerke Birgit , Pöttgen Rainer 
Published: February 2016

Abstract

RE
3Au5Zn (RE = Y, Sm, Gd–Ho) intermetallic compounds were synthesized by melting the elements in sealed tantalum tubes. They exhibit a new structure type which was studied by X-ray diffraction on powders and refined from single crystal diffraction data: Cmcm, a = 736.9(2), b = 1489.4(2), c = 1330.4(3) pm, wR2 = 0.0371, 1184 F
2 values and 55 variables for Y3Au4.92Zn1.08 and a = 739.0(1), b = 1495.8(2), c = 1339.2(2) pm, wR2 = 0.0325, 1410 F
2 values and 54 variables for Tb3Au5Zn. The network consists of five- and six-membered gold rings in puckered conformations. Atoms of the rare earth elements are placed within the cavities of this network where every third cavity is filled by a Zn2 dumbbell. The structure is discussed in detail and compared with the gold substructure of Hf7Au10.
Vladislavo Sirokomlės poema Margiris: archetipiniai poetinės struktūros bruožai
Authors: Čiočytė Dalia 
Published: February 2016

The article investigates the poem Margiris (1855) by Vladislavas Sirokomle, a poet of Lithuania who wrote in Polish. Margiris interprets the heroic fight with Teutonic knights in Lithuania’s history: according to historiographical data, in 1336, in Pilenai, Lithuanians chose a collective suicide instead of slavery. The poem combines several archetypical narratives: the historical one of Pilenai, the mythological folk narrative about a dying snake-king, and the narrative of the biblical sacrifice. Sirokomle modifies the mythological and the biblical narratives so that the historical enemy of Lithuania acquires demonic features while the historical sacrifice of Pilenai is given the metaphysical dimension and forms an allusion of the Christian sacrifice. Sirokomle’s poem has strongly influensed the poetic imagination of Maironis, the main Lithuanian Romanticist.
Sceninės Kosto Ostrausko nuorodos, arba teatrinių konvencijų laužymas
Authors: Klišienė Neringa 
Published: February 2016

Cet article concerne la problématique des didascalies et de leur rôle, qui a é é té jusqu’ici très peu, voire pas du tout analysée dans la critique dramaturgique lituanienne. L’analyse est fondée sur les textes dramaturgiques de K. Ostrauskas. En rejetant le cadre d’un seul genre et d’une seule composition, en abandonnant le registre soutenu et rhétorique, en remplaçant un enchaînement cohérent d’événements par un principe de collage, l’auteur donne plus de poids aux didascalies. Les couches textuelles différentes insérées dans les didascalies, telles que des citations, des notes bibliographiques, des commentaires, dévoilent l’originalité de la stratégie que choisit K. Ostrauskas pour créer son texte dramatique, où les didascalies dépassent le cadre d’un simple « texte de service ». La présence d’auteur qu’on n’essaie pas de dissimuler (voire qu’on manifeste expressément parfois) aide à créer une relation de tension, de provocation ou même d’opposition avec le texte é é noncé (le dialogue). Les didascalies de K. Ostrauskas sont destinées aussi bien à la visualisation sur scène du texte dramatique qu’à la lecture, car elles gardent des signes de théâtralité qu’il est difficile de transférer sur scène. Elles revèlent une stratégie spécifique de création de signification qui est inséparablement liée à la polémique dialectique entre le texte et la scène. En é é largissant les fonctions des didascalies, le dramaturge met en question l’idée propre au théâtre traditionnel selon laquelle les didascalies ont pour rôle essentiel de servir la mimesis théâtrale.