bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Appraisal of geodynamic inversion results: a data mining approach
Authors: Baumann T. S. 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
Bayesian sampling based inversions require many thousands or even millions of forward models, depending on how nonlinear or non-unique the inverse problem is, and how many unknowns are involved. The result of such a probabilistic inversion is not a single ‘best-fit’ model, but rather a probability distribution that is represented by the entire model ensemble. Often, a geophysical inverse problem is non-unique, and the corresponding posterior distribution is multimodal, meaning that the distribution consists of clusters with similar models that represent the observations equally well. In these cases, we would like to visualize the characteristic model properties within each of these clusters of models. However, even for a moderate number of inversion parameters, a manual appraisal for a large number of models is not feasible. This poses the question whether it is possible to extract end-member models that represent each of the best-fit regions including their uncertainties. Here, I show how a machine learning tool can be used to characterize end-member models, including their uncertainties, from a complete model ensemble that represents a posterior probability distribution. The model ensemble used here results from a nonlinear geodynamic inverse problem, where rheological properties of the lithosphere are constrained from multiple geophysical observations. It is demonstrated that by taking vertical cross-sections through the effective viscosity structure of each of the models, the entire model ensemble can be classified into four end-member model categories that have a similar effective viscosity structure. These classification results are helpful to explore the non-uniqueness of the inverse problem and can be used to compute representative data fits for each of the end-member models. Conversely, these insights also reveal how new observational constraints could reduce the non-uniqueness. The method is not limited to geodynamic applications and a generalized MATLAB code is provided to perform the appraisal analysis.
Pediatric computed tomography practice in Japanese university hospitals from 2008–2010: did it differ from German practice?
Authors: Yoshida Koji , Krille Lucian , Dreger Steffen , Hoenig Lars , Merzenich Hiltrud , Yasui Kiyotaka , Kumagai Atsushi , Ohtsuru Akira , Uetani Masataka , Mildenberger Peter , Takamura Noboru , Yamashita Shunichi , Zeeb Hajo , Kudo Takashi 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
Computed tomography (CT) is an essential tool in modern medicine and is frequently used to diagnose a wide range of conditions, particularly in industrial countries, such as Japan and Germany. However, markedly higher doses of ionizing radiation are delivered during CT imaging than during conventional X-ray examinations. To assess pediatric CT practice patterns, data from three university hospital databases (two in Japan and one in Germany) were analyzed. Anonymized data for patients aged 0 to 14 years who had undergone CT examinations between 2008 and 2010 were extracted. To assess CT practice, an interdisciplinary classification scheme for CT indications, which incorporated the most common examination types and radiosensitive tissues, was developed. The frequency of CT examinations was determined according to sex, age at examination, and indications. A total of 5182 CT examinations were performed in 2955 children. Overall, the frequency of CT examinations at the Japanese university hospitals did not differ significantly from that at the German hospital. However, differences were detected in the age distribution of the patients who underwent CT examinations (the proportion of patients &lt;5 years of age was significantly higher in Japan than in Germany) and in the indications for CT. Substantial practice differences regarding the use of CT in pediatric health care were detected between the three hospitals. The results of this study point towards a need for approaches such as clinical guidelines to reduce unwarranted medical radiation exposures, particularly abdominal and head CT, in the Japanese health system.
NIHAO X: reconciling the local galaxy velocity function with cold dark matter via mock H i observations
Authors: Macciò Andrea V. , Udrescu Silviu M. , Dutton Aaron A. , Obreja Aura , Wang Liang , Stinson Greg R. , Kang Xi 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
We used 87 high-resolution hydrodynamical cosmological simulations from the NIHAO suite to investigate the relation between the maximum circular velocity ($V_{\rm max}^{\rm DM}$) of a dark matter halo in a collisionless simulation and the velocity width of the H i gas in the same halo in the hydrodynamical simulation. These two quantities are normally used to compare theoretical and observational velocity functions and have led to a possible discrepancy between observations and predictions based on the cold dark matter (CDM) model. We show that below 100 km s−1, there is clear bias between H i -based velocities and $V_{\rm max}^{\rm DM}$, that leads to an underestimation of the actual circular velocity of the halo. When this bias is taken into account, the CDM model has no trouble in reproducing the observed velocity function and no lack of low-velocity galaxies is actually present. Our simulations also reproduce the linewidth–stellar mass (Tully–Fisher) relation and H i sizes, indicating that the H i gas in our simulations is as extended as observed. The physical reason for the lower than expected linewidths is that, in contrast to high-mass galaxies, low-mass galaxies no longer have extended thin H i rotating discs, as is commonly assumed.
Orphan γ-ray flares from relativistic blobs encountering luminous stars
Authors: Banasiński P. , Bednarek W. , Sitarek J. 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
We propose that γ-rays in blazars can be produced during encounters of relativistic blobs of plasma with radiation field produced by luminous stars within (or close to) the jet. The blob is expected to contain relativistic electrons which Comptonize stellar radiation to the GeV–TeV energies. Produced γ-rays can initiate the inverse Compton e± pair cascade in the stellar radiation. We propose that such a scenario can be responsible for the appearance of the so-called orphan γ-ray flares. We show that the relativistic blob/luminous star collision model can explain the appearance of the extreme orphan γ-ray flare observed in the GeV and sub-TeV energy range from the flat-spectrum radio quasar PKS 1222+21.
Three-lane and multilane signatures of planets in planetesimal discs
Authors: Demidova Tatiana V. , Shevchenko Ivan I. 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
In massive numerical experiments we show that a planet embedded in a planetesimal disc induces a characteristic multilane ‘planetosignature’ representing a pattern of several stellar-centric rings. If the planet's mass is large enough, the multilane signature degenerates to a three-lane one: then it consists of three rings, one bright co-orbital with the planet, and two dark gaps in the radial distribution of the particles. The gaps correspond to orbital resonances 2:1 and 1:2 with the planet. This theoretical prediction may explain recent ALMA observations of the disc of HL Tau.
Magnetic resonance and ultrasound contrast imaging of polymer-shelled microbubbles loaded with iron oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Sciallero Claudia , Balbi Luca , Paradossi Gaio , Trucco Andrea 
Published: August 2016

Dual-mode contrast agents (CAs) have great potential for improving diagnostics. However, the effectiveness of CAs is strictly related to both the solution adopted to merge the two agents into a single probe unit, and the ratio between the two agents. In this study, two dual-mode CAs for simultaneous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound imaging (UI) were assessed. For this purpose, different densities of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) were anchored to the external surface of polymer-shelled microbubbles (MBs) or were physically entrapped into the shell.
In vitro
static and dynamic experiments were carried out with a limited concentration of modified MBs (10
6
bubbles ml
−1
) by avoiding destruction during UI (performed at a peak pressure lower than 320 kPa) and by using a low-field MRI system (with a magnetic flux density equal to 0.25 T). Under these conditions, different imaging techniques, set-up parameters and SPION densities were used to achieve satisfactory detection of the CAs by using both UI and MRI. However, when the SPION density was increased, the MRI contrast improved, whereas the UI contrast worsened due to the reduced elasticity of the MB shell. For both UI and MRI, MBs with externally anchored SPIONs provided better performance than MBs with SPIONs entrapped into the shell. In particular, a SPION density of 29% with respect to the mass of the MBs was successfully tested.
Beyond Brownian motion and the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process: Stochastic diffusion models for the evolution of quantitative characters
Authors: Blomberg Simon Phillip 
Published: August 2016

AbstractGaussian processes such as Brownian motion and the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process have been popular models for the evolution of quantitative traits and are widely used in phylogenetic comparative methods. However, they have drawbacks which limit their utility. Here I describe new, non-Gaussian stochastic differential equation (diffusion) models of quantitative trait evolution. I present general methods for deriving new diffusion models, and discuss possible schemes for fitting non-Gaussian evolutionary models to trait data. The theory of stochastic processes provides a mathematical framework for understanding the properties of current, new and future phylogenetic comparative methods. Attention to the mathematical details of models of trait evolution and diversification may help avoid some pitfalls when using stochastic processes to model macroevolution.
Assessing the research efficiency of higher education institutions in Chile
Authors: Munoz David Andres 
Published: August 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to assess the research efficiency of the Chilean higher education institutions (HEIs). As it has been argued in the literature, universities in Chile are far from being considered research-oriented institutions. Current governmental reforms have put pressures on the efficient use of public resources, especially, public expenditures in higher education. In response, the proposed data-driven approach can be used to inform educational managers and policy makers about research efficiency. Therefore, a better allocation of the scarce educational resources can be achieved.Design/methodology/approach– Data envelopment analysis is used to assess the research efficiency of a set of Chilean universities. Four models are proposed based on different parameters to cover various drivers of the research productivity.Findings– The paper provides evidence that only a few universities in Chile are efficient in regards to research. Moreover, interesting results in terms of the differences in efficiency between traditional universities and private universities were found. Universities with a mixed-funding structure (private traditional) are more efficient than both public and purely private universities. Additionally, universities that receive direct funds from the government are on average 3.3 times more efficient than private universities. According to the models, only one private university appeared at the top 10 based on the research efficiency ranking.Practical implications– Current pressures in the funding structures of the higher education system have led to an increased awareness in the utilization of resources. The results provided in this study are useful for guiding a better allocation of public resources and providing insights about efficient funding structures.Originality/value– An understanding of the current status of research efficiency and the identification of the best performers allows educational managers to improve their resource allocation processes.
Cournot-Bertrand competition: a revisit of strategic trade policy in the third-market model
Authors: Tsai Shoou-Rong , Tsai Pan-Long , Weng Yungho 
Published: August 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to discuss the optimal policy settings of the home government for any combination of strategic variables adopted by home and foreign firms under Brander and Spencer’s third-market model framework.

Design/methodology/approach
– This paper follows all the assumptions of Brander and Spencer with only two modifications: firms produce differentiated products, and firms choose different strategic variables. A two-stage game is set and the subgame-perfect Nash equilibrium is deduced following backward induction.

Findings
– The authors arrive at a general, simple rule to determine the optimal policy of the home government for any combination of strategic variables: regardless of the strategic variable of the domestic firm, the optimal policy of the home country is an export subsidy (tax) as long as the foreign firm’s strategic variable is output (price). The optimal subsidy or tax of the home country is shown to move the equilibrium to the Stackelberg equilibrium where the domestic firm behaves as the leader while the foreign firm behaves as a follower under free trade. With appropriate interpretations and a suitable caveat, the above results still hold in the case with multiple foreign firms which may choose different strategic variables.

Originality/value
– This paper fills the gap in the literature, and provides some more general results not easily detected in the original model of Brander and Spencer or Eaton and Grossman.
Climate change and food security of the Malaysian east coast poor: a path modeling approach
Authors: Alam Md. Mahmudul , Talib Basri Abdul , Siwar Chamhuri , Wahid Abu N. M. 
Published: August 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to examine the direct and indirect impacts of climatic changes as well as the effects of non-climatic factors on household food security in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach
– The study is based on primary data collected in the months of July – October, 2012 through a questionnaire survey on 460 low-income households from East Coast Economic Region (ECER) of the country. The samples were selected from E-Kasih poor household database, based on cluster random sampling technique. The statistical estimation was done through two-stage formative path measurement model by using non-parametric bootstrap procedure under Smart PLS.

Findings
– This study finds that household food insecurity ECER – Malaysia is not only related to social and economic factors, but also statistically significantly linked to the direct and indirect impacts of climatic factors. The policy implications of the study suggest that design of food security programs must be integrated with climatic change adaptation programs.

Originality/value
– The government and other relevant agencies should jointly develop appropriate policies for poverty alleviation, household-level food security, and adaptation with climatic changes in Malaysia.
Should knowledge be shared generously? Tracing insights from past to present and describing a model
Authors: Anand Amitabh , Walsh Isabelle 
Published: August 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to attempt to answer the following questions: Are people generous at work places? How often do we see people willing to share, when someone seeks knowledge from them without any expectation? What’s the point in having knowledge when somebody doesn’t share it? Then again, why do firms, reward employees to share their knowledge? ¬ ¬? Does sharing knowledge between people need a commercial acceptance or rewarding inspiration? In firms, people, who do not have relevant work-related knowledge, seek it from others. Thus, this implies that people can either share their knowledge or hoard knowledge or share partial knowledge. This research shows that sharing knowledge has existed for centuries and has been practised through generosity, with proof that the more you share the more you obtain in return. The authors analyse the role of generosity in sharing knowledge by tracing insights from literature, religion, science and modern day management scholarly views, and they show how it can lead firms to succeed. In this paper, the authors will propose a direction for future researchers on how developing generosity helps towards sharing knowledge. They also propose a model of generosity based on literature and its interpretation.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper is based on extensive reviews of literature, articles and opinions from scholars. The authors use a keyword protocol to investigate articles from Google scholar and other sources on generosity and knowledge sharing.

Findings
This paper finds significant relationships and validated shreds of evidence on how generosity towards knowledge sharing has helped humanity in the past and how generosity can help firms to succeed.

Originality/value
This paper is the first of its kind in trying to explore how developing generosity among people can play a role in facilitating knowledge sharing for firms to succeed. This further suggests a new direction of research for scholars engaged in exploring the role of generosity with a proposed model.
Functional Properties and Morphological Characters of Soluble Dietary Fibers in Different Edible Parts of Angelica Keiskei
Authors: Xie Fan , Wang Yuqiang , Wu Jinhong , Wang Zhengwu 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThis study comparatively investigated the functional properties, chemical compositions, and morphological characters of soluble dietary fibers (SDFs) from the root, stem, and leaf of Angelica keiskei. The SDFs showed relevant functional properties, with the root SDF (RSDF) exhibiting the highest water‐holding capacity (22.6 g/g), oil‐holding capacity (6.29 mL/g), swelling capacity (36.6 mL/g), emulsion stability, and fat adsorption (5.66 g/g). Stem SDF (SSDF) gave the highest foam stability, toxic ions adsorption (Pb: 1.12 mg/g; As: 3.22 mg/g), and bile acid salts adsorption (sodium cholate: 85.6 mg/g; sodium glycocholate: 93.1 mg/g; sodium taurocholate: 125.7 mg/g). RSDF and SSDF presented similar monosaccharide compositions, thermal property, chemical bonds and groups, and irregular, rough, and porous surfaces. It can be concluded that the obtained SDFs, especially for RSDF and SSDF, can be used in the food industry as fiber‐rich functional ingredients.
A systematic forest survey showing an association of Saccharomyces paradoxus with oak leaf litter
Authors: Kowallik Vienna , Greig Duncan 
Published: August 2016

SummaryAlthough we understand the genetics of the laboratory model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae very well, we know little about the natural ecology and environment that shaped its genome. Most isolates of Saccharomyces paradoxus, the wild relative of S. cerevisiae, come from oak trees, but it is not known whether this is because oak is their primary habitat. We surveyed leaf litter in a forest in Northern Germany and found a strong correlation between isolation success of wild Saccharomyces and the proximity of the nearest oak. We compared the four most common tree genera and found Saccharomyces most frequently in oak litter. Interestingly, we show that Saccharomyces is much more abundant in oak leaf litter than on oak bark, suggesting that it grows in litter or soil rather than on the surfaces of oaks themselves. The distribution and abundance of Saccharomyces over the course of a year shows that oak leaf litter provides a stable habitat for the yeast, although there was significant tree‐to‐tree variation. Taken together, our results suggest that leaf litter rather than tree surfaces provide the better habitat for wild Saccharomyces, with oak being the preferred tree genus. 99.5% of all strains (633/636) isolated were S. paradoxus.
Gut microbiome predictors of treatment response and recurrence in primary Clostridium difficile infection
Authors: Khanna S. , Montassier E. , Schmidt B. , Patel R. , Knights D. , Pardi D. S. , Kashyap P. C. 
Published: August 2016

SummaryBackgroundClostridium difficile infection (CDI) may not respond to initial therapy and frequently recurs, but predictors of response and recurrence are inconsistent. The impact of specific alterations in the gut microbiota determining treatment response and recurrence in patients with CDI is unknown.AimTo assess microbial signatures as predictors of treatment response and recurrence in CDI.MethodsPre‐treatment stool samples and clinical metadata including outcomes were collected prospectively from patients with their first CDI episode. Next generation 16s rRNA sequencing using MiSeq Illumina platform was performed and changes in microbial community structure were correlated with CDI outcomes.ResultsEighty‐eight patients (median age 52.7 years, 60.2% female) were included. Treatment failure occurred in 12.5% and recurrence after response in 28.5%. Patients who responded to treatment had an increase in Ruminococcaceae, Rikenellaceae, Clostridiaceae, Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium and Rothia compared to nonresponders. A risk‐index built from this panel of microbes differentiated responders (mean 0.07 ± 0.24) from nonresponders (0.52 ± 0.42; P = 0.0002). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve demonstrated that risk‐index was a strong predictor of treatment response with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.85. Among clinical parameters tested, only proton pump inhibitor use predicted recurrent CDI (OR 3.75, 95% CI 1.27–11.1, P = 0.01). Patients with recurrent CDI had statistically significant increases in Veillonella, Enterobacteriaceae, Streptococci, Parabacteroides and Lachnospiraceae compared to patients without recurrence and a risk index was able to predict recurrence (AUC = 0.78).ConclusionGut microbiota signatures predict treatment response and recurrence potentially, allowing identification of patients with Clostridium difficile infection that may benefit from early institution of alternate therapies.
Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibition for prostate cancer chemoprevention: double‐blind randomised study of pre‐prostatectomy celecoxib or placebo
Authors: Flamiatos Jason F. , Beer Tomasz M. , Graff Julie N. , Eilers Kristine M. , Tian Wei , Sekhon Harman S. , Garzotto Mark 
Published: August 2016

ObjectiveTo evaluate the biological effects of selective cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibition on prostate tissue in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP).Patients and MethodsPatients with localised prostate cancer were randomised to receive either celecoxib 400 mg twice daily or placebo for 4 weeks before RP. Specimens were analysed for levels of apoptosis, prostaglandins, and androgen receptor (AR). Effects on serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) and postoperative opioid use were also measured.ResultsIn all, 28 of 44 anticipated patients enrolled and completed treatment. One patient in the celecoxib arm had a myocardial infarction postoperatively. For this reason, and safety concerns in other studies, enrolment was halted. The apoptosis index (AI) in tumour cells was 0.29% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.11–0.47%] vs 0.39% (95% CI 0.00–0.84%) in the celecoxib and placebo arms, respectively (P = 0.68). The AI in benign cells was 0.18% (95% CI 0.03–0.32%) vs 0.13% (95% CI 0.00–0.28%) in the celecoxib and placebo arms, respectively (P = 0.67). Prostaglandin E2 and AR levels were similar in cancerous and benign tissues when comparing the two arms. The median baseline PSA level was 6.0 and 6.2 ng/mL for the celecoxib and placebo groups, respectively, and did not significantly change after celecoxib treatment. There was no difference in postoperative opiate usage between arms.ConclusionCelecoxib had no effect on apoptosis, prostaglandins or AR levels in cancerous or benign prostate tissues. These findings coupled with drug safety concerns should serve to limit interest in these selective drugs as chemopreventive agents.