bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Household air pollution, chronic respiratory disease and pneumonia in Malawian adults: A case-control study
Authors: Jary Hannah R. , Aston Stephen , Ho Antonia , Giorgi Emanuele , Kalata Newton , Nyirenda Mulinda , Mallewa Jane , Peterson Ingrid , Gordon Stephen B. , Mortimer Kevin 
Published: October 2017

Background:Four million people die each year from diseases caused by exposure to household air pollution. There is an association between exposure to household air pollution and pneumonia in children (half a million attributable deaths a year); however, whether this is true in adults is unknown. We conducted a case-control study in urban Malawi to examine the association between exposure to household air pollution and pneumonia in adults.Methods:Hospitalized patients with radiologically confirmed pneumonia (cases) and healthy community controls underwent 48 hours of ambulatory and household particulate matter (µg/m3) and carbon monoxide (ppm) exposure monitoring. Multivariate logistic regression, stratified by HIV status, explored associations between these and other potential risk factors with pneumonia.Results:145 (117 HIV-positive; 28 HIV-negative) cases and 253 (169 HIV-positive; 84 HIV-negative) controls completed follow up. We found no evidence of association between household air pollution exposure and pneumonia in HIV-positive (e.g. ambulatory particulate matter adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.00 [95% CI 1.00–1.01, p=0.141]) or HIV-negative (e.g. ambulatory particulate matter aOR 1.00 [95% CI 0.99–1.01, p=0.872]) participants. Chronic respiratory disease was associated with pneumonia in both HIV-positive (aOR 28.07 [95% CI 9.29–84.83, p<0.001]) and HIV-negative (aOR 104.27 [95% CI 12.86–852.35, p<0.001]) participants.Conclusions:We found no evidence that exposure to household air pollution is associated with pneumonia in Malawian adults. In contrast, chronic respiratory disease was strongly associated with pneumonia.
Phylogenetic relationships of Limonium (Plumbaginaceae) inferred from multiple chloroplast and nuclear loci
Authors: Malekmohammadi Maryam , Akhani Hossein , Borsch Thomas 
Published: October 2017

AbstractLimonium (Plumbaginaceae) is a nearly cosmopolitan halophytic genus with ca. 350 species, a large number of which occurs in the Mediterranean region. We have generated a sequence dataset of several plastid (trnK intron including the matK gene, petD intron with the petB‐petD spacer, trnL intron with the trnL‐trnF spacer) and one nuclear region (nrITS), spanning the major lineages within the genus (102 accessions representing 76 species of Limonium) and related genera. Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony analyses converge on a Limonium clade that includes the genera Afrolimon, Eremolimon and Linczevskia. Plastid and nuclear trees congruently depict a number of major clades, most of them with a characteristic vegetative morphology and growing in specific habitats. Although the position of Afrolimon is incongruently resolved as the sister of a subclade comprising Limonium vulgareand relatives in the plastid trees versus being the sister to a Limonium sogdianum–L. bellidifolium–L. aureum clade in the nrITS tree, both genomic compartments show that Afrolimon is deeply nested in Limonium. Eremolimon is resolved as a close relative of L. sogdianum and L. ferganense based on plastid and nuclear genomic compartments. Our phylogenetic analysis resulted in an improved picture of internal relationships. Apart from the monophyletic subgenera Limonium subg. Limonium and L.subg.Pteroclados , nine well‐supported clades of L. subg. Limonium are evident, several of which are predominantly constituted by species of a certain geographic range. A subclade of Irano‐Turanian species (L. iranicum, L. suffruticosum and relatives) is shown to be unrelated to a L. axillare subclade, indicating an independent origin of the woody habit in these two lineages. Limonium sect. Iranolimonsect. nov. is described for the Irano‐Turanian woody lineage. The new combination L. sect. Circinaria comb. nov., is established for taxa sometimes included in Afrolimon.
A very special vampire episode: Vampires, archetypes and postmodern turns in late 1980s’ and 1990s’ cult TV shows
Authors: Fhlainn Sorcha Ní 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
This article evaluates the importance of the TV vampire on-screen in science fiction, gothic and horror-based cult TV series from the late 1980s to the late 1990s. The inclusion of the vampire as a peripheral character in series including Quantum Leap (1989–93), The X-Files (1993–2002, 2016–present), Tales from the Crypt (1989–96) and Friday the 13th: The Series (1987–90) indicates, in light of postmodern cultural turns, that there exists an imperative to re-evaluate, satirize and reflexively explore the vampire as a necessary and evolving stock gothic character within the narrative and generic frameworks of each show. In looking at these postmodern vampiric evaluations in their own right, where the vampire is featured as the ‘monster of the week’, this article argues that these understudied yet apposite representations of the television vampire, prior to and following on from the success of Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula (Coppola, 1992), documents a distinct cultural shift and maturation in representing vampires in non-vampire-based gothic television shows. Whether it is to reify, satirize and re-mould the vampire as a variant of ‘the Dracula template’ on the small screen or to move beyond mere stock conventions, these specific vampire episodes document the continuing fluidity of screen vampires through TV’s episodic ‘creature feature’ framework and offer differing and dynamic alternative representations of undeath beyond vampire-centric TV shows.
‘When there’s blood involved, a line been crossed’: Spike/Eric slash and the fascinations of the crossover text
Authors: Jones Bethan 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003) and True Blood (2008–14) are arguably two of the most popular vampire television series. Given the many similarities between them this is, perhaps, not surprising: both focus on a female character who falls in love with a vampire; both draw on the notion of the Byronic hero; and both feature a blonde bad boy who quickly became a fan favourite. Indeed, an August 2016 search on Fanfiction.net for stories featuring Spike yields 10,476 hits, while Eric appears in 2,923 works (Angel features in 6153 and Bill in 708). Henry Jenkins suggests that fanfiction is born from a combination of both fascination and frustration: if fans were not fascinated with a series they would not continue the storyworld, but if they were not frustrated with aspects of it they would find nothing to write about. In this article I argue that fascination with a text occurs across multiple storyworlds and that the crossover text is one way in which fans make this fascination transparent. I further argue that while much work on slash fiction exists, it has primarily focused on pairings from within the same narrative: Harry/Draco; Sherlock/John; Mulder/Krycek and analysing slash featuring characters from across storyworlds offers us a fruitful understanding of fans’ intertextual knowledge and the way in which this knowledge is applied in fanworks. Furthermore, I contend that the crossover slash story complicates current academic discourse around slash and ask how we might begin to theorize the slash crossover both in relation to existing slash fic and representations and rewritings of gender.
Challenge of mitigating bank frauds by judicious mix of technology: Experience of a developing country
Authors: Bhasin Madan Lal 
Published: October 2017

Banks are the engines that drive the operations in the financial sector, money markets and growth of an economy. With the rapidly growing banking industry in India, frauds in banks are also increasing fast, and fraudsters have started using innovative methods. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in 2013-14 among 345 bank employees to know their perception towards bank frauds, degree of their compliance level, and integration of technology to detect, control and prevent frauds. This study provides discussion of the attitudes, strategies, and the technology that bank specialists will need to combat frauds.
Banks that can leverage advances in technology and analytics to improve fraud prevention will reduce their fraud losses. In 2015, the RBI introduced new mechanisms for banks to check loan frauds by taking pro-active steps by setting up a Central Fraud Registry, introduced the concept of Red Flagged Account, and Indian investigative agencies will soon start sharing their databases with banks.
The role of "deprivation" in the conceptualization of social tension in the Ukrainian society
Authors: Siryi Yevhen 
Published: October 2017

This article attempts to expand interpretational ability of the deprivational paradigm for social tensions (ST). This is due to the conceptual uncertainty, weak presentability and possible underestimation of gnoseological resource of the deprivation theory. This article attempts to construct a semantic core concept of ST using components of T. Gurr’s and J. Davis’ deprivation theory, theory of frustration by J. Dollard, stress theory by R.K. Merton, and the related theories and concepts that complement and extend the gnoseological potential of deprivation theory. We have performed explicative analysis of deprivation regarding social context, justified and evaluated gnoseological potential of deprivation as a semantic core of conceptualization of social tension. We have analyzed social characteristics of typicality of today's Ukrainian society. We have accentuated the significance and potential of the deprivational paradigm regarding the explanation of social tension, in modern Ukrainian realities that have developed over the past decades.
Behavioral pattern of commercial public transport passengers in Lagos metropolis
Authors: Afolabi Oluwaseyi Joseph , Hassan Adegbayi M. , Age Luqman O. 
Published: October 2017

This study examined the travel behavior of commercial public transport passengers in Lagos State, Nigeria. The descriptive research survey was used in order to assess the opinions of the respondents using the questionnaire. A total of 84 samples were used as representative population, while two null hypotheses were formulated and tested using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient at 0.05 level of significant. The results that were obtained indicated that a positive correlation exists between frequency of travel and commuters income in Lagos Metropolis and also that a positive correlation exists between frequency of travel and distance covered by commuters in Lagos Metropolis. Secondary data was also sourced to serve as complement to the primary data, thus allowing for a robust research. Descriptive statistical tools such as percentages were also adopted to present the socio-economic characteristics in the area. Findings showed that about 57% of sampled population are male, 62 % are civil servants, 48% of respondents travel for business purposes. Also, that majority of the respondents (50%) said that the commercial public transport is highly prone to accident, while about 64% of the respondents commute on daily basis. It was established that lack of transport infrastructure coupled with poor road maintenance were seen as the leading causes of inaccessibility of the area.
Impact of waste heat recovery systems on energy efficiency improvement of a heavy-duty diesel engine
Authors: Ma Zheshu , Chen Hua , Zhang Yong 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
The increase of ship’s energy utilization efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions have been high lightened in recent years and have become an increasingly important subject for ship designers and owners. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is seeking measures to reduce the CO2 emissions from ships, and their proposed energy efficiency design index (EEDI) and energy efficiency operational indicator (EEOI) aim at ensuring that future vessels will be more efficient. Waste heat recovery can be employed not only to improve energy utilization efficiency but also to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In this paper, a typical conceptual large container ship employing a low speed marine diesel engine as the main propulsion machinery is introduced and three possible types of waste heat recovery systems are designed. To calculate the EEDI and EEOI of the given large container ship, two software packages are developed. From the viewpoint of operation and maintenance, lowering the ship speed and improving container load rate can greatly reduce EEOI and further reduce total fuel consumption. Although the large container ship itself can reach the IMO requirements of EEDI at the first stage with a reduction factor 10% under the reference line value, the proposed waste heat recovery systems can improve the ship EEDI reduction factor to 20% under the reference line value.
miR-539 mediates osteoblast mineralization by regulating Distal-less genes 2 in MC3T3-E1 cell line
Authors: Han Jianguo , Su Li , Zhang Chunyang , Jiang Rongcai 
Published: October 2017

AbstractmicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in osteoblast differentiation. However, the mechanisms of miRNAs regulating osteoblast mineralization still needs to be further cleared. Distal-less genes 2 (Dlx2) plays an important role in osteoblast differentiation. We have found that miR-539 was significantly downregulated and Dlx2 was found to be inversely correlated with miR-539 in MC3T3-E1 cell line during osteoblast mineralization. The overexpression of miR-539 significantly decreased the expression level of Dlx2 and suppressed the osteogenic marker gene expression level, alkaline phosphatase activity and matrix mineralization. Our study showed that miR-539 was a negative regulator in osteoblast mineralization and that the targeting of Dlx2 gene partly contributes to this inhibitory effect exerted by miR-539.
Diversity of Intestinal Microbiota in Coilia ectenes from Lake Taihu, China
Authors: Duan Jinrong , Xu Dongpo , Liu Kai , Zhou Yanfeng , Xu Pao 
Published: October 2017

AbstractTo investigate the community structure and species composition of intestinal microbiota in Coilia ectenes, sixty-seven samples were collected from Lake Taihu in China. The intestinal microbiota of the C. ectenes were identified by the V4 of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene using high-throughput sequencing. Furthermore, the water quality of different sampling sites was also evaluated. A total of 53 phyla and 730 classified genera were found in all the samples. The eight dominant phyla Planctomycetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, Crenarchaeota, Actinobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia were included. The intestinal microbiota compositions of the C. ectenes obtained from the same location presented more similar profiles, and the intestinal microbiota compositions of the C. ectenes from different geographical locations showed considerable differences. The operational taxonomic units (OTUs) abundance of the intestinal microbiota was significantly correlated with both the concentrations of total nitrogen and chlorophyll-a of the aquatic environment (p<0.05). Geographical location was an important determinant for the fish’s intestinal microbiota composition. The intestinal microbiota of C. ectenes would be affected by the concentrations of total nitrogen and chlorophyll-a in the water. These findings achieve a basic understanding of fish’s gut microbiota, and are helpful for the protection of fish resources in Lake Taihu and provided the cornerstone to sustainable utlization of C. ectenes.
Biomarkers in patients with myocardial fibrosis
Authors: An Zhe , Yang Guang , Zheng Haikuo , Nie Wei , Liu Guohui 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMyocardial fibrosis is observed in many cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, heart failure and cardiomyopathy. Myocardial fibrosis has been proved to be reversible and treatable only under timely intervention, which makes early detection and assessment of fibrosis crucial. Aside from tissue biopsy as the gold standard for the diagnosis of myocardial fibrosis, circulating biomarkers have been adopted as noninvasive assessment of this lesion. Dysregulated collagen deposition is thought to be the major cause of myocardial fibrosis. Collagens, procollagens, TGF-β, TIMP, galectin-3, and microRNAs are thought to be indicators of myocardial fibrosis. In this review, we summarize the molecules that are frequently used as biomarkers in diagnosis of cardiac fibrosis. Mechanisms of fibrosis that they take part in are also introduced.
Energetic efficiency of mass transfer accompanied by chemical reactions in liquid-liquid systems
Authors: Jasińska Magdalena , Bałdyga Jerzy 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
Energetic efficiency depicting the fraction of energy dissipation rate used to perform processes of drop breakup and mass transfer in two-phase, liquid-liquid systems is considered. Results of experiments carried out earlier in two types of high-shear mixers: an in-line rotor-stator mixer and a batch rotor-stator mixer, have been applied to identify and compare the efficiency of drop breakage and mass transfer in both types of mixers. The applied method is based on experimental determination of both: the product distribution of chemical test reactions and the drop size distributions. Experimental data are interpreted using a multifractal model of turbulence for drop breakage and the model by Favelukis and Lavrenteva for mass transfer. Results show that the energetic efficiency of the in-line mixer is higher than that of the batch mixer; two stator geometries were considered in the case of the batch mixer and the energetic efficiency of the device equipped with a standard emulsor screen (SES) was higher than the efficiency of the mixer equipped with a general purpose disintegrating head (GPDH) for drop breakup but smaller for mass transfer.
Optimization of geometric parameters of a ribbon impeller
Authors: Kuncewicz Czesław , Stelmach Jacek 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
Geometric parameters of a ribbon impeller were optimized on the basis of numerical calculations obtained from the solution of our own 3D/2D hybrid model. The optimization was made taking into account mixing power and homogenization time for ribbon impellers with a different number of ribbons and width operating in a laminar motion for Newtonian fluid. Due to minimum mixing energy required to stir a unit volume of liquid the most efficient impeller appeared to be that with one ribbon of width equal to 0.1 to 0.15 of the mixing vessel diameter. Impellers with more than one ribbon needed much higher mixing power but did not increase significantly secondary circulation in the vessel. These impellers increased first of all primary circulation, i.e. they increased only circular motion of liquid in the vessel.
Gaar As Tax Treaty Override – Slovak Perspective
Authors: Koroncziová Andrea , Kacaljak Matej 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe article summarises the views on the interrelation of GAARs and tax treaties, abstracts defining criteria for the feasibility of GAAR as an anti-abuse instrument in tax treaty situations and applies these to the situation (legislation and case law) in the Slovak Republic. The aim of the article is to provide insight on the potential interrelation of GAAR rules with existing tax treaties and formulate policy advice that should be optimal given the facts at hand. It shows that GAAR in its current form would in general have limited effectiveness in tackling tax treaty abuse situations without it resulting in treaty override. This particularly applies to the Slovak Republic and likely to other states applying a monistic approach to international treaties, where the renegotiation of the treaty seems the only viable option. However, as in Slovakia the monist approach applies only to treaties ratified after July 2001, a different approach might be taken with respect to those that are still subject to a dualist approach.
Transparency in Economic and Political Decision-Making: The Identification of Sunshine Rules for Transparent Lobbying
Authors: Laboutková Šárka , Vymetal Petr 
Published: October 2017

AbstractLobbying transparency seems to have been a challenging topic for nearly a decade. For the purposes of the article, the authors focus on a contextual analysis of rules and measures that offers both a broad as well as comprehensive view of the required transparency of lobbying activities and the environment in which decisions are made. In this regard, focusing on the sunshine principles/sunshine rules (not purely limited to laws) provides a grasp of the whole issue in a broader context. From a methodological point of view, the exploratory approach was chosen and the coding procedure is mostly dichotomous. As a result, seven key areas with 70 indicators have been identified in terms of transparency of lobbying and decision-making.
Stem damages caused by heart rot and large poplar borer on hybrid and European aspen
Authors: Zeps Martins , Senhofa Silva , Zadina Mara , Neimane Una , Jansons Aris 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
Solid wood production of hybrid aspen requires relative longer rotation periods, thus increasing risk of wood damages by pests and diseases. We compared damages by heart rot and poplar borer of 48 years old hybrid (Populus tremuloides Michx. × P. tremula L.) and European aspen in a progeny trial located in Eastern part of Latvia. Trees were harvested and rot patches and galleries were recorded and measured at a stump level. The number of galleries had positive relation on number of patches and total area of rot. The susceptibility of the rot and poplar borer was similar for both hybrid and European aspen. Yet, some differences among families were detected. No effect of pathogens damage was observed on the tree growth. Larger trees had smaller proportion and incidence of rot and galleries per unit of area as well as wider outer rot-free wood layer.
Pruning effect on Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) growth and quality
Authors: Baders Endijs , Donis Janis , Snepsts Guntars , Adamovics Andis , Jansons Aris 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
Pruning requires significant investment, therefore, the aim of the study was to characterize occlusion of branch wounds and changes in radial increment as well as frequency of browsing damages after pruning of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) in order to provide data for financial calculations and recommendations for practical forestry. Altogether 1,614 pruned and 4,368 unpruned trees from 45 Norway spruce stands were measured and cored. Degree of wound occlusion and browsing damages were assessed, and additional volume increment estimated in each stand. Pruning resulted in significant increase of length of branch-free section: for unpruned trees it was 0.3 ± 0.07 m, but for pruned 3.4 ± 0.10 m. Branch wounds for most of the trees (68%) were filled with resin (occluded), for lower share of trees (31%) – still open, but for some trees (1%) completely occluded. Branch wound occlusion rate was not affected by differences in stand density, but was significantly affected by stand age: proportion of trees with occluded branch scars increased with age. Trees with occluded branch wounds had a significantly higher increase in tree ring width after the pruning in comparison to the period before pruning than trees with open branch wounds, emphasizing the importance of radial increment in development of branch-free layer of wood. Pruning resulted in minor (−7% or −0.28 ± 0.05 m3 ha−1) reduction of annual increment that was statistically significant only up to 3 years after this forest management activity for stands younger than 17 years and with mean height up to 10.5 m. Pruned trees were significantly more browsed than unpruned (6.1% and 2.7%, respectively).