bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Information and communication technology use in asthmatic patients: a cross-sectional study in Latin America
Authors: Calderón Juan , Cherrez Annia , Ramón Germán Darío , Lopez Jove Orlando , Baptist Alan , Matos Edgar , Morfín Maciel Blanca , Calero Erick , Sanchez-Borges Mario , Cherrez Sofia , Simancas-Racines Daniel , Cherrez Ojeda Ivan 
Published: July 2017

Rapid diffusion, low cost and broad availability of information and communication technologies (ICTs) make them an attractive platform for managing care, communication and interventions in asthma. There is little information in Latin America about usage frequency of ICTs in asthmatic patients.The analysis undertaken consisted of an observational, cross-sectional study that aimed to identify the frequency and type of ICTs most often used by asthmatics. The Spanish version of the Michigan questionnaire was employed in five Latin American countries. Age and educational level was categorised. Logistic regression was performed among these groups concerning the frequency of ICT usage and the level of interest shown in seeking and receiving information about asthma.In total, 673 asthma patients were surveyed. The mean age was 43.44 years. Over two-thirds of the participants were female (68.4%). The most used ICT was the short message service (SMS) (69.9%). SMS and E-mail are useful tools for communicating (i.e.receiving and seeking information) with all asthma patients, irrespective of their age. WhatsApp (61.5%) and Facebook (32.0%) were rated as being the most interesting channels of communication for receiving information. Regression analysis showed that younger asthmatics and asthmatics with higher educational levels were most likely to use almost all forms of ICTs.ICTs are generally an attractive platform for managing care, communication and interventions to improve asthma care. SMS and E-mail were found to be the preferred ICT forms among users. However, social media forms such as WhatsApp and Facebook may also be appropriate for certain types of patient.
The effect of education on teenage fertility: causal evidence for Argentina
Authors: Alzúa María Laura , Velázquez Cecilia 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
This is the first study exploring the causal effect of education on teenage fertility in Argentina. We exploit an exogenous variation in education from the staggered implementation of the 1993 reform, which increased compulsory schooling from 7 to 10 years. We find a negative overall impact of education on teenage fertility rates, which operates through two complementing channels: a human capital effect (one additional year of schooling causes a decline of 30 births per 1000 girls) and a weaker ‘incapacitation’ effect (a rise of one percentage point in enrollment rate reduces 3 births per 1000 girls).
The neck burn scar contracture: a concept of effective treatment
Authors: Akita Sadanori , Hayashida Kenji , Takaki Satoshi , Kawakami Yoshihisa , Oyama Takuto , Ohjimi Hiroyuki 
Published: July 2017

AbstractA neck scar contracture can severely and negatively affect the function of mastication, phonic, or breathing and result in neck pain and issues with esthetics. The best way is of course to avoid such contracture by means of non-surgical treatment such as use of a growth factor. The basic fibroblastic growth factor is clinically well proven in decreasing scar formation and improving healing. There are numerous reconstructive methods for neck contracture, especially when the lesions are relatively limited in part of the neck. However, a very severe and full circumferential scar contracture requires extensive reconstruction. The thin groin flap is one of the answers and well matches with the tissue texture and maintains the flexibility. Even with extensive burns and delayed reconstructions due to resuscitation first, the groin area is well preserved and can be safely harvested by dual vasculature systems of the superficial circumflex iliac artery and superficial epigastric artery, which warrant more reliability compared to the perforator flaps in this area. More demanding and stringent forms of the neck burn scar contracture are the sequelae of radiation. A radiation burn or radiation injury can be progressing and hard to heal. Adipose-derived stem cells can reverse the scar contracture as the surrounding tissue is softened and can accelerate wound healing. In this review, different types of neck burn scar contracture and reconstructive methods are summarized, including innovative use of bFGF and ADSCs in the management of difficult wound healing and scar contracture.
Validation of anthropometric and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) equations to predict total body water in a group of Cameroonian preschool children using deuterium dilution method
Authors: Essa’a Véronique Josette , Dimodi Henriette Thérèse , Ntsama Patricia Marianne , Medoua Gabriel Nama 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
Background
Little information is available on the validity of anthropometry or impedance-based equations for prediction of total body water (TBW) in African children. This study was designed to validate and develop equations to predict total body water in Cameroonian children.

Methods
TBW was measured by deuterium dilution in 102 children between 24 and 60 months of age and compared with the ones predicted by 5 anthropometric and 7 BIA equations. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to develop prediction equations for TBW from anthropometric parameters.

Results
Unacceptable discrepancies in the estimates of TBW at individual level were noted with all the equations tested. The following new anthropometry and BIA equations for the estimation of TBW were respectively developed: TBW = 6.488 + 0.434 × sex − 0.039 × age + 0.670 × weight − 0.081 × MUAC (cm) − 0.372 × BMI (adjusted R2 = 0.71, RMSE = 3.6), and TBW = −6.206 + 0.0037 × height2/Z − 0.041 × age + 0.265 × weight + 0.1214 × height (adjusted R2 = 0.68, RMSE = 1.4). The cross-validation procedures revealed that the predicted values of TBW compared with measured values are accurate at a group level.

Conclusion
The current published anthropometric and BIA equations are invalid for the estimation of TBW in Cameroonian preschool children. The newly developed anthropometry or BIA prediction equations are valid for use in Cameroonian children aged 24–60 months.
Anthropometric changes caused by hepatitis C treatment with interferon and ribavirin: which patients and which measures are affected?
Authors: Araújo L. F. , Dorna M. S. , Santos L. A. A. , Lima T. B. , Ietsugu M. V. , Nunes H. R. C. , Paiva S. A. R. , Silva G. F. , Qi X. , Romeiro F. G. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackgroundChronic hepatitis C causes chronic hepatic inflammation, which can lead to cirrhosis, terminal liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The treatment aims to achieve viral clearance, but the usage of pegylated interferon and ribavirin is linked to side effects such as severe weight loss, which can lead to complications and treatment discontinuation. The aim of this study was to investigate which anthropometric measures were more affected in patients with chronic hepatitis C during 24 weeks of treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Then, the influence of age, sex, hepatic fibrosis stage, and ribavirin doses on each measure was also evaluated.MethodsSeventy-six patients were included and their weight, triceps skin fold thickness, arm circumference, middle-arm muscle circumference, and corrected arm muscle area were measured before and after 24 weeks of treatment. Epidemiological data and liver biopsy findings were obtained from patients’ records. The sample was divided into two groups: one with advanced hepatic fibrosis and another group with mild to moderate fibrosis. Comparisons into each group were made using Wilcoxon or pairedttests. After that, a linear regression model was applied to estimate the anthropometric changes during the treatment according to age, sex, hepatic fibrosis stage, and ribavirin doses.ResultsThe subjects suffered reductions of important anthropometric measures, mainly related to fat mass (p < 0.001). Some decrease of fat-free mass was also observed in subjects with advanced fibrosis. The statistic model showed that age and sex were more associated with the anthropometric changes observed.ConclusionsIn conclusion, the antiviral treatment caused loss of relevant anthropometric measures, and the model proposed was able to estimate some of them.
The prion protein regulates glutamate-mediated Ca2+ entry and mitochondrial Ca2+ accumulation in neurons
Authors: De Mario Agnese , Peggion Caterina , Massimino Maria Lina , Viviani Francesca , Castellani Angela , Giacomello Marta , Lim Dmitry , Bertoli Alessandro , Sorgato Maria Catia 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT
The cellular prion protein (PrPC) whose conformational misfolding leads to the production of deadly prions, has a still-unclarified cellular function despite decades of intensive research. Following our recent finding that PrPC limits Ca2+ entry via store-operated Ca2+ channels in neurons, we investigated whether the protein could also control the activity of ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs). To this end, we compared local Ca2+ movements in primary cerebellar granule neurons and cortical neurons transduced with genetically encoded Ca2+ probes and expressing, or not expressing, PrPC. Our investigation demonstrated that PrPC downregulates Ca2+ entry through each specific agonist-stimulated iGluR and after stimulation by glutamate. We found that, although PrP-knockout (KO) mitochondria were displaced from the plasma membrane, glutamate addition resulted in a higher mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake in PrP-KO neurons than in their PrPC-expressing counterpart. This was because the increased Ca2+ entry through iGluRs in PrP-KO neurons led to a parallel increase in Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release via ryanodine receptor channels. These data thus suggest that PrPC takes part in the cell apparatus controlling Ca2+ homeostasis, and that PrPC is involved in protecting neurons from toxic Ca2+ overloads.
Extraction of Essential Oils from the Flowers of Osmanthus fragrans var. aurantiacus Using an Ionic Liquid
Authors: Usuki Toyonobu , Munakata Koki 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
The essential oil components linalool, β-ionone, cis- and trans-linalool oxide pyranoid, and trans-linalool oxide furanoid, which are found in the flowers of Osmanthus fragrans var. aurantiacus, were efficiently extracted using a cellulose-dissolving ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methylphosphonate ([C2mim][(MeO)(H)PO2]) as an extraction solvent. Investigation of extraction time revealed that the ionic liquid contributed to the efficient extraction of these essential oils over a shorter extraction time. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence microscopy observations of the flower petals confirmed the efficiency of the ionic liquid in this extraction process.
Game—A Carbon Emissions Game
Authors: Frommer Ian D. , Day Robert W. 
Published: July 2017

This paper describes a carbon trading game to be played in a classroom setting. The game is modeled on real-world electric power markets with a carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions cap, often referred to as a “cap-and-trade” system. Players assume the roles of competing utilities, each with a fossil fuel plant and a renewable energy plant. Any electricity generated by fossil fuel requires offsetting carbon credits, which are available via auction. Depending on the auction price, it can be cheaper or more expensive to generate electricity with fossil fuel versus renewables. The goals of the game are: for students to become acquainted with cap-and-trade markets; to understand how regulatory policy applied to a market can induce environmental benefits; to discover how to mathematically derive strategies; to get a taste of basic game theory, auctions, and the newsvendor problem; and to meet these objectives in a fun setting. While fairly straightforward and simplified to provide symmetry among student competitors, the game can lead to surprisingly interesting results. This paper describes the game and how to facilitate it, presents strategies, analyzes games that were played, introduces novel quantitative measures to evaluate the quality of game play, and offers a number of suggestions for extending the game. The online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ited.2017.0171 . The teaching note is available at https://www.informs.org/Publications/Subscribe/Access-Restricted-Materials .
Comparing Radiant Heater Performance Using Spatial Modeling
Authors: Linhoss John E , Purswell Joseph L , Davis Jeremiah D , Fan Zhaofei 
Published: July 2017

Abstract. Radiant heaters are the preferred method of providing supplemental heat in poultry houses because they heat the floor and chicks directly to create a suitable microclimate by allowing for a range of thermal comfort options. Heat distribution at the floor is commonly evaluated using infrared thermography, which provides assessments of floor temperature distributions but cannot directly compare energy reaching the floor to energy consumed. The objectives of this study were to develop a system to measure the radiant energy emitted by round radiant heaters that reached the floor (measuring plane), use spatial modeling to estimate total radiant flux output at the measuring plane, and compare heater gross radiant coefficients (GRC). A radiant heater test stand was constructed over a set of linear arrays mounted with thin-film radiant flux sensors. Radiant flux measurements (n=160 per heater) were taken within the heated area of six round radiant heaters with a nominal rated output of 11.72 kW. Radiant flux data were collected at heater canopy elevations of 1.22, 1.52, 1.83, and 1.98 m above the measuring plane. Results from non-linear regression analysis showed that for all heater and elevation combinations, the radial distance from the heater center axis to 95% of the final asymptotic value was 4.71 m or less. Total heated area ranged from 13.90 to 61.46 m2 between 1.22 and 1.83 m canopy elevations. Mean radiant energy reaching the measuring plane was 2.54, 3.00, 3.34, and 4.29 kW for canopy elevations of 1.22, 1.52, 1.83, and 1.98 m, respectively. Mean gross heat input was 10.76 kW and ranged from 9.39 to 13.17 kW across all heaters. GRC ranged from 0.21 to 0.41 and increased with heater elevations. Keywords: Brooding, Gross radiant coefficient, Heater performance, Radiant flux, Radiant heating.
Dry Scrubbing of Hydrogen Sulfide Gas Using Nano Zinc Oxide Coated Glass Beads
Authors: Borhan M S , Rahman Shafiqur , Sarker Niloy Chandra 
Published: July 2017

Abstract. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is one of the most toxic and smelly gases emitted from animal production facilities, which also acts as a catalyst poison in many industrial processes. The principal objective of this research was to develop a dry scrubber to adsorb H2S gas efficiently from airstreams mimicking air exhausts of animal and poultry barns at the ambient atmospheric condition. Nano zinc oxide (nZnO) coated 3-mm sized glass beads were investigated to adsorb H2S gas in a vertical dry scrubber setting. Colloids of nZnO were prepared and thin films of nZnO were grown on the surfaces of commercially available glass beads following a sol-gel method. The sizes of nZnO on glass bead surfaces ranged from nm to µm and found to be clustered due to the repeated coatings on the same surfaces. The energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS) analysis confirms the presence of sulfur (S) compound that indicated a conversion of H2S into zinc sulfide (ZnS) on nZnO coated bead surfaces. The highest H2S breakthrough capacity of 2.54 mg H2S g-1 sorbent was observed. Heating the beads at 550°C regenerated glass beads effectively but experienced a gradual loss of reactivity as a number of regeneration cycles progressed. This research demonstrated that nZnO supported on glass beads are promising adsorbents for capturing H2S gas from airstreams at ambient temperature. Keywords: Airstreams, Breakthrough capacity, Hydrogen sulfide, Nano zinc oxide, Regeneration.
Crop and Location Specific Agricultural Drought Quantification: Part II. Case Study
Authors: McDaniel Rachel L. , Munster Clyde , Cothren J. Tom 
Published: July 2017

Abstract. An estimated 70% to 80% of water resources are used for agricultural production. Irrigation helps maintain adequate soil moisture for crops; however, drought can impact both the amount of water required for production and crop yields. Different crops are affected by moisture conditions in different ways, as some can handle lower moisture conditions better than others. There are many drought indices that quantify low-moisture conditions, but they are not crop-specific and therefore do not quantify moisture stress for a given crop. The goal of this study was to evaluate a crop-specific drought index by determining the index’s ability to reflect yield trends due to moisture conditions. The drought index is a weekly index that uses five variables: precipitation, temperature, biomass production, soil moisture, and transpiration. This article presents a case study that examines the effectiveness of the crop-specific drought index in determining moisture stress to crops by comparing the drought index with annual yield values. The site chosen for this study was the upper Colorado River basin (UCRB) in west Texas because it is prone to drought. Cotton is one of the most widely grown row crops in this region and was therefore used in this study. A hydrologic and crop model, the Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), was used to determine the biomass production, soil moisture, and transpiration. Observed precipitation and temperature data were also used both in the SWAT model and in the drought index. A multiple linear regression model was created for each week of the growing season because each variable is important during different weeks of the growing season. For example, in the UCRB, soil moisture was found to be more important during the beginning of the growing season, while biomass production was found to be more important during the end of the growing season. Ultimately, the drought index was found to be a good indicator of moisture-related yield conditions, with an R2 of 0.67. This index can be used to assess moisture stress to agricultural crops and aid in management decisions related to irrigation timing. Keywords: Crop modeling, Drought, Drought index, Hydrologic modeling, SWAT, Water conservation, Water management, Water stress.
Comparison of Estimates of Nitrogen Excretion by Squab Broilers, Broilers, and Roasters: Implications for Ammonia Emissions
Authors: Martin, Jr. John H. , Swaney Dennis P. , Greene Daniel B. 
Published: July 2017

Abstract. In 2003, the National Research Council recommended the use of process-based modeling to help provide scientifically sound estimates of ammonia and other pollutant emissions from animal feeding operations (AFOs) for use in regulatory and management programs. Because the primary source of ammonia emissions from AFOs is excreted nitrogen (N), the development of process-based models logically must begin with the quantification of nitrogen excretion and how it varies over time when growing animals are being produced. The objective of this study was to begin the development of such a process-based model by characterizing the relationship between age and nitrogen excretion in squab broiler, broiler, and roaster production based on protein intake as a function of feed consumption and retention. Application of our findings to a typical 1,486 m2 house revealed estimates of annual nitrogen excretion rates with values ranging from 7,656 kg for roaster production to 10,149 kg for combined broiler and roaster production. This assumes uniform layout periods of 14 days. We estimate peak daily excretion rates for squab broiler, broiler, roaster, and combined broiler and roaster production to be 60.5, 57.6, 38.9, and 57.6 kg d-1, respectively. Keywords: Ammonia emissions potential, Broilers, Nitrogen excretion, Roasters, Squab broilers.
Phosphorus, Iron, and Aluminum Losses in Runoff from a Rotationally Grazed Pasture in Georgia
Authors: Endale Dinku M. , Schomberg Harry H. , Fisher Dwight S. , Owens Lloyd B. , Jenkins Michael B. , Bonta James V. 
Published: July 2017

Abstract. Well-managed grazing systems can provide valuable ecosystem services, such as reducing sediment and phosphorus (P) loading to nearby waterways. However, the available long-term data to fully support this hypothesis are limited. In this article, we describe flow-weighted concentrations (FWCs) and loads for dissolved reactive P (DRP), total P (TP), iron (Fe), and aluminum (Al) over 11 years (1999-2009) from a 7.8 ha rotationally grazed pasture (W1) near Watkinsville, Georgia. The region is characterized by Fe and Al rich and acidic Ultisols. Cattle numbering 21 to 224 (mean 91) grazed W1 on 69 occasions for 1 to 71 d (mean 19.2). Of 74 runoff events, 20 occurred when the monthly rainfall was below the long-term average (deficit period) and 54 occurred during non-deficit periods. Samples were collected from 43 of 74 runoff events for nutrient analyses. Event FWC (mg L-1) ranged from 0.38 to 7.07 for DRP (mean 1.91), from 0.36 to 7.60 for TP (mean 2.43), from 0.03 to 0.55 for Fe (mean 0.23), and from 0.43 to 553 µg L-1 for Al (mean 65 µg L-1). Event load (kg ha-1) ranged from 0.00 to 0.45 for DRP (mean 0.10), from 0.00 to 0.55 for TP (mean 0.12), from 0.00 to 0.11 for Fe (mean 0.02), and from 0.00 to 0.10 for Al (mean 0.01). The total load (kg ha-1) was 4.12 for DRP, 5.12 for TP, 0.71 for Fe, and 0.25 for Al. DRP accounted for 80% of the TP FWC and load. Cattle presence increased sediment load, but the difference was not statistically significant. There was high correlation between Fe and DRP loads (r = 0.87), a likely indicator of erosion-induced losses due to cattle treading. Cattle presence increased FWCs but not loads for DRP and TP. The FWCs for DRP and TP were not different between deficit and non-deficit periods, but mean loads were 3-fold to 4-fold greater during non-deficit periods. Means from the six largest P loss events were 3-fold greater for FWC and 7-fold greater for load than the remaining 37 events. These six large events accounted for 53% of the total P load. Less than 1% of the inorganic P applied and redeposited through manure was lost in runoff. The study demonstrated that hydrologic transport processes were the dominant drivers of pollutant fluxes and highlighted the possible mitigation of pollutant fluxes through grazing management that includes maintenance of good grass cover, effective rotational grazing, and limited fertilization. Keywords: Calving, Cattle, Dissolved reactive phosphorus, Drought, Eutrophication, Manure, Runoff, Total phosphorus, Water quality.