bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound promoted green synthesis of benzofuran substituted thiazolo[3,2-b][1,2,4]triazoles
Authors: Kumar Surender , Sharma Dinesh Kumar 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
A highly efficient, eco-friendly and one-pot synthesis of benzofuran substituted thiazolo[3,2-b][1,2,4]triazoles was developed involving the reaction of 2-acetyl benzofurans and 5-mercapto-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,2,4triazole in the presence of molecular iodine under ultrasonic conditions to give 5-(benzofuran-2-yl)-acylthio-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,2,4triazoles, which was further cyclised using Eaton’s reagent under microwave conditions to give 5-(benzofuran-2-yl)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)thiazolo[3,2-b][1,2,4]triazoles.
A revised description of Synodontella zambezensis Douëllou et Chishawa, 1995 (Monogenea: Ancyrocephalidae) from the gills of Synodontis zambezensis (Siluriformes: Mochokidae) from South Africa
Authors: Raphahlelo M. E. , Přikrylová I. , Matla M. M. , Theron J. , Luus-Powell W. J. 
Published: November 2016

Summary
This study supplements the original description of Synodontella zambezensis Douëllou et Chishawa, 1995 and represents a new geographical record for this parasite from Synodontis zambezensis from South Africa. The revision is based on morphometric characteristics and molecular data. Characterisation of LSU, partial SSU and ITS1 rDNA represents a first record of DNA sequencing for Synodontella species.
Students’ views on general education: insights gained from the narratives of Chinese students in Hong Kong
Authors: Shek Daniel T.L. , Wu Florence K.Y. , Chai Wen Yu 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe General University Requirements (GUR) is a component of the new 4-year undergraduate program at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). This study examined students’ views and experiences of the GUR using a qualitative methodology. Written comments of 240 freshmen, sophomores, and senior-year students with reference to open-ended questions on their memorable experiences in the GUR study were collected. The qualitative findings suggested that students generally had positive views on the GUR in terms of its widely adopted active and experiential learning pedagogy, useful and attractive contents, caring teaching staff, and rich learning outcomes. Challenges were also identified for further improvement of the GUR.
Eliciting data on social relationships: The use of hand-drawn network maps in tracing the perception of digitally mediated social ties
Authors: Reyes Cornelia 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
The emergence of online social networking platforms established a new way of identifying ourselves as being related to other individuals. Previous research has looked at the impact these ‘networking’ applications have on individuals’ everyday lives. Nonetheless, obtaining convincing data on how individuals assess the quality of digitally mediated social relationships has often been perceived challenging. Drawing on a methodological framework rooted in a social network analysis approach, this paper traces the suitability of hand-drawn network maps for eliciting data on how individuals give meaning to digitally mediated social relationships by comparing it to traditional tools used in social network analysis. The results show that using hand-drawn network maps in this particular context provides respondents with a more tangible resource to recall data on digitally mediated social relationships. In particular, this methodological approach elicits substantial data on abstract thematic areas that are typically difficult to recall using standardised techniques.
Finanzierungsreform und Risikostrukturausgleich – Was bleibt vom Ausgleichsverfahren? / Health Care Finance Reform in Germany – Effects on the Risk Adjustment Scheme
Authors: Göpffarth Dirk , Henke Klaus-Dirk 
Published: November 2016

Summary
In Germany, there is an ongoing debate on how to finance the statutory health insurance (SHI). Proposals include a “civic insurance” with a contribution rate drawn on a broader base and capitated payments. This debate will not subside with the recently issued white paper on health care reform, since fundamental issues were left open. This article does not develop a further variant of the discussed models. Instead, the components of which the future finance reform will have to consist are isolated and discussed with regard to their influence on the risk adjustment (RSA) scheme. The discussed topics are the differences between contribution rates and capitated payments, funded vs. pay-as-you-go systems, the question of whom to include in the statutory health insurance and central vs. decentralised collection of payments. This new perspective does not only allow conclusion on how the RSA scheme ought to be constructed in the future, it can also be shown which role the scheme has as framework for competition and for a possibly partially funded health insurance system.
Analyse der Prognoseeigenschaften von ifo-Konjunkturindikatoren unter Echtzeitbedingungen / The Forecasting Performance of ifo-indicators Under Real-time Conditions
Authors: Vogt Gerit 
Published: November 2016

Summary
In recent years some papers have been published that deal with the forecasting performance of indicators for the German economy. The real-time aspect, however, was largely neglected. This article analyses the information content of some ifo indicators (the business climate index for the manufacturing sector and its components, the current business situation and business expectations) to predict the German index of production. The analysis is based on cross correlations, Granger causality tests and different out-of-sample forecasts, generated by subset VAR models. First, the out-of-sample forecasts are made, as in conventional studies, with the latest available data and fixed model structure. Afterwards, the out-of-sample indicator properties are analysed in real-time, i.e. with real-time data and variable model structure. In general the indicator properties become worse under real-time conditions. The indicator-based VAR models are not able to beat the forecast performance of a pure autoregressive model for forecast horizons of one and three month. But for forecast horizons of six, nine and twelve months, the indicators seem to be useful in predicting the index of production.
Who is the ”Platz-Hirsch“ of the German Economics Profession?
Authors: Ursprung Heinrich W. , Zimmer Markus 
Published: November 2016

Summary
In this paper, we investigate the informational content of citation-based research evaluations. To illustrate our analysis we refer to the 2005 Handelsblatt ranking of German academic economists. We make extensive use of the recently developed Hirsch-index and relate citation incidence to publication success, career age, and the topicality of the individual researchers’ field of specialization. We arrive at the conclusion that citation-based indicators provide a very incomplete picture of research performance. To obtain acceptable bibliometric research evaluations, citation based indicators need to be complemented with indicators that measure publication success more directly.
Regional Spillovers and Spatial Heterogeneity in Matching Workers and Employers in Germany
Authors: Kosfeld Reinhold 
Published: November 2016

SummaryWhen job search takes place across labour markets, the standard flow approach to labour market analysis fails to uncover the effectiveness at which workers are matched to available jobs. A spatially augmented matching function is backed by a spatial search model with endogenous search intensity. Recent studies deal with the issue of spatial externalities by assuming the process of job matching to be homogenous across space. This study shows that this supposition is not valid for the unified Germany. Particularly differences in labour mobility give reason for the existence of West-East regimes of the matching process. Spatial heterogeneity is additionally found on the level of German macroregions. Though matching efficiency is affected by labour market characteristics, its cyclical pattern is closely related to business cycle fluctuations. Variation of regional mismatch over the business cycle can only explain a relatively small fraction of matching efficiency.
A Review on Free Space Optics with Atmospheric and Geometrical Attenuation
Authors: Lath Suruchi , Goyal Rakesh , Kaler Rajinder Singh 
Published: November 2016

AbstractFree space optics (FSO) communication is a short-distance wireless communication system. It can be used where optical fiber cables cannot be implemented. In FSO, the energy beam is accumulated and transmitted through space instead of guiding through an optical cable. FSO communication provides data at a rate of Gbps; it is highly secure because it uses narrow beam to transmit data from transmitter to receiver, uses license-free operation, has no electromagnetic interference and has quick installation. This paper gives an overview of performance of FSO communication with environmental attenuation.
Performance Analysis of an Inter-Relay Co-operation in FSO Communication System
Authors: Khanna Himanshu , Aggarwal Mona , Ahuja Swaran 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
In this work, we analyze the outage and error performance of a one-way inter-relay assisted free space optical link. The assumption of the absence of direct link between the source and destination node is being made for the analysis, and the feasibility of such system configuration is studied. We consider the influence of path loss, atmospheric turbulence and pointing error impairments, and investigate the effect of these parameters on the system performance. The turbulence-induced fading is modeled by independent but not necessarily identically distributed gamma–gamma fading statistics. The closed-form expressions for outage probability and probability of error are derived and illustrated by numerical plots. It is concluded that the absence of line of sight path between source and destination nodes does not lead to significant performance degradation. Moreover, for the system model under consideration, interconnected relaying provides better error performance than the non-interconnected relaying and dual-hop serial relaying techniques.
Maternal endothelial damage as a disorder shared by early preeclampsia, late preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction
Authors: Kwiatkowski Sebastian , Dołegowska Barbara , Kwiatkowska Ewa , Rzepka Rafał , Marczuk Natalia , Loj Beata , Torbè Andrzej 
Published: November 2016

Abstract

Introduction:
Preeclampsia (PE) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are separate disease entities that have frequently been reported as sharing the same pathogenesis. In both of them, angiogenesis disorders and generalized endothelial damage with an accompanying inflammation are the dominant symptoms. In this study, we attempted to prove that both these processes demonstrate the same profile in early PE, late PE and IUGR patients, while the only difference is in the degree of exacerbation of the lesions.

Patients, materials and methods:
In 167 patients divided into four groups, three of those with early PE, late PE and IUGR and one control group, fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), placental growth factor (PlGF), high sensitive c-reactive protein (hsCRP) and fibronectin were determined. The behavior of these parameters in each of the groups was studied, and correlations between them were sought for.

Results:
Higher concentrations of sFlt-1, hsCRP and fibronectin and a lower concentration of PlGF were found in the study groups compared to the control group. Significant correlations were observed between the factors concerned.

Conclusions:
The higher values of disordered angiogenesis markers, endothelial damage markers and inflammatory markers both in the PE and the intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) groups suggest the existence of shared disorders in the development of these pathologies. The correlations between disordered angiogenesis markers and endothelial damage markers argue in favor of a mutual relationship between these two processes in the development of pathologies evolving as secondary to placental ischemia. The results obtained confirm that the lesion profiles are the same in both PE and IUGR patients, which can be utilized in developing common diagnostic criteria.
Association of chronic hepatitis B virus infection with preterm birth: our experience and meta-analysis
Authors: Cui Ai-Min , Shao Jian-Guo , Li Hai-Bo , Shen Yi , Chen Zhi-Xian , Zhang Sheng , Bian Zhao-Lian , Qin Gang , Cheng Xiao-Yan 
Published: November 2016

AbstractObjectives:To assess the association of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with preterm birth (PTB).Methods:A cohort of 20,498 pregnant women (497 HBV carriers with 20,001 non-HBV controls) with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels was selected from the Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital of Nantong University. The clinical parameters and PTB incidence were compared between HBV carriers and non-HBV subjects. For the meta-analysis, we searched the PubMed, Ovid and Cochrane Library databases for studies comparing PTB incidence between individuals with chronic HBV infection and non-HBV subjects.Results:HBV carriers were slightly older and had slightly higher ALT levels within normal limits. The body mass index, education and history of pregnancy between HBV carrier and non-HBV groups were comparable. PTB incidence was not associated with HBV carrier status [relative risk (RR) 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.71–1.37] in our cohort. However, the meta-analysis involving eight published studies and our study revealed a significant association between chronic HBV infection and PTB incidence (pooled RR 1.26, 95% CI 1.19–1.33).Conclusion:While maternal HBV carriers did not have a higher incidence of PTB in our cohort, the meta-analysis indicates that individuals with chronic HBV infection appeared to be at risk of PTB as a whole.
Efficacy and safety of splenectomy in adult autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Authors: Giudice Valentina , Rosamilio Rosa , Ferrara Idalucia , Seneca Elisa , Serio Bianca , Selleri Carmine 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a rare hematologic disease, primarily affecting adults or children with immunodeficiency disease. First-line therapy consists of long course of steroids administration, with an early complete response rate (CRr) of 75-80%, but up to 20-30% of patients requires a second-line therapy. Rituximab is the first choice in refractory old AIHA patients, because of its safety and efficacy (early CRr at 80-90% and at 68% at 2-3 years). For this reason, splenectomy is even less chosen as second-line therapy in elderly, even though laparoscopic technique decreased complication and mortality rates. However, splenectomy can be still considered a good therapeutic option with a CRr of 81% at 35.6 months in patients older than 60 year-old, when rituximab administration cannot be performed.
Idiopathic pleural panniculitis with recurrent pleural effusion not associated with Weber-Christian disease
Authors: Laperuta Paolo , Napolitano Filomena , Di Crescenzo Rosa Maria , Zeppa Pio , Galderisi Antonio , Selleri Carmine , Vatrella Alessandro , Capunzo Mario , Di Crescenzo Vincenzo Giuseppe 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
A 82-year-old patient with dyspnea and a recurrent history of pleural effusion was admitted into our unit. He performed a Chest computed tomography showing right pleural effusion. Video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) exploratory showed parietal pleural thickening of adipose tissue. The surgical procedure consisted, therefore, in the execution of multiple biopsies of the parietal pleura which appeared covered, on the whole surface, by islands of adipose tissue, without macroscopic pathological aspects. After the procedure was performed pleurodesis with talc. The definitive histological examination consisted of normal mesothelial cells surrounded by fatty tissue infiltrated by small lymphocytes in a patient without skin lesions or visceral or systemic signs of inflammatory involvement of the adipose tissue. We reported a rare case of idiopathic pleural panniculitis with recurrent pleural effusion not associated with Weber-Christian disease.
Learning curve for endorectal ultrasound in young and elderly: lights and shades
Authors: Surace Alessandra , Ferrarese Alessia , Gentile Valentina , Bindi Marco , Cumbo Jacopo , Solej Mario , Enrico Stefano , Martino Valter 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
Aim of the study is to highlight difficulties faced by an inexperienced surgeon in approaching endorectal-ultrasound, trying to define when learning curve can be considered complete.
A prospective analysis was conducted on endorectal-ultrasound performed for subperitoneal rectal adenocarcinoma staging in the period from January 2008 to July 2013, reported by a single surgeon of Department of Oncology, Section of General Surgery, “San Luigi Gonzaga” Teaching Hospital, Orbassano (Turin, Italy); the surgeon had no previous experience in endorectal-ultrasound. Fourty-six endorectal-ultrasounds were divided into two groups: early group (composed by 23 endorectal-ultrasounds, made from January 2008 to May 2009) and late group (composed by 23 endorectal-ultrasound, carried out from June 2009 to July 2013).
In our experience, the importance of a learning curve is evident for T staging, but no statystical significance is reached for results deal with N stage.
We can conclude that ultrasound evaluation of anorectal and perirectal tissues is technically challenging and requires a long learning curve. Our learning curve can not be closed down, at least for N parameter.
A sensitive ultraviolet light photodiode based on graphene-on-zinc oxide Schottky junction
Authors: Zhang Teng-Fei , Wu Guo-An , Wang Jiu-Zhen , Yu Yong-Qiang , Zhang Deng-Yue , Wang Dan-Dan , Jiang Jing-Bo , Wang Jia-Mu , Luo Lin-Bao 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
In this study, we present a simple ultraviolet (UV) light photodiode by transferring a layer of graphene film on single-crystal ZnO substrate. The as-fabricated heterojunction exhibited typical rectifying behavior, with a Schottky barrier height of 0.623 eV. Further optoelectronic characterization revealed that the graphene-ZnO Schottky junction photodiode displayed obvious sensitivity to 365-nm light illumination with good reproducibility. The responsivity and photoconductive gain were estimated to be 3×104 A/W and 105, respectively, which were much higher than other ZnO nanostructure-based devices. In addition, it was found that the on/off ratio of the present device can be considerably improved from 2.09 to 12.1, when the device was passivated by a layer of AlOx film. These results suggest that the present simply structured graphene-ZnO UV photodiode may find potential application in future optoelectronic devices.
Advances in Fibre Microendoscopy for Neuronal Imaging
Authors: Mekhail Simon Peter , Arbuthnott Gordon , Chormaic Síle Nic 
Published: November 2016

AbstractTraditionally, models for neural dynamics in the brain have been formed through research conducted on slices, with electrodes, or by lesions to functional areas. Recent developments in functional dyes and optogenetics has made brain research more accessible through the use of light. However, this improved accessibility does not necessarily apply to deep regions of the brain which are surrounded by scattering tissue. In this article we give an overview of some of the latest methods in development for neural measurement and imaging.We specifically address methods designed to overcome the problem of imaging invivo for regions far beyond the mean free path of photons in brain tissue. These methodswould permit previously restricted neural research.
Is Regional Autonomy a Solution to Ethnic Conflict? Some Lessons from a Dynamic Analysis
Authors: Tranchant Jean-Pierre 
Published: November 2016

AbstractDoes granting regional autonomy to concentrated minorities appease their demand for sovereignty or instead motivate and enable them to engage in secessionist conflicts? To answer this question is difficult as moves towards federalism and decentralization are themselves the results of strategic interactions between the state and the minorities. In this note, I intend to shed some light on this question by looking at how ethnic civil wars and autonomy are dynamically linked. This shows that for locally dominant groups, the risk of war monotonically decreases in the years leading to and following autonomy. For groups that are a minority locally, however, the risk of war sharply increases in the lead-up to autonomy, and quickly falls afterwards, suggesting strategic behavior.
Semi-Analytical Solution of Optimization on Moon-Pool Shaped WEC
Authors: Zhang W.C. , Liu H.X. , Zhang X.W. , Zhang L. 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
In order to effectively extract and maximize the energy from ocean waves, a new kind of oscillating-body WEC (wave energy converter) with moon pool has been put forward. The main emphasis in this paper is placed on inserting the damping into the equation of heaving motion applied for a complex wave energy converter and expressions for velocity potential added mass, damping coefficients associated with exciting forces were derived by using eigenfunction expansion matching method. By using surface-wave hydrodynamics, the exact theoretical conditions were solved to allow the maximum energy to be absorbed from regular waves. To optimize the ability of the wave energy conversion, oscillating system models under different radius-ratios are calculated and comparatively analyzed. Numerical calculations indicated that the capture width reaches the maximum in the vicinity of the natural frequency and the new kind of oscillating-body WEC has a positive ability of wave energy conversion.
Optimal Configurations of Wave Energy Converter Arrays with a Floating Body
Authors: Zhang Wanchao , Liu Hengxu , Zhang Xuewei , Zhang Liang , Ashraf Muhammad Aqeel 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
An array of floating point-absorbing wave energy converters (WECs) is usually employed for extracting efficiently ocean wave energy. For deep water environment, it is more feasible and convenient to connect the absorbers array with a floating body, such as a semi-submersible bottom-moored disk, whose function is to act as the virtual seabed. In the present work, an array of identical floating symmetrically distributed cylinders in a coaxial moored disk as a wave energy device is proposed The power take-off (PTO) system in the wave energy device is assumed to be composed of a linear/nonlinear damper activated by the buoys heaving motion. Hydrodynamic analysis of the examined floating system is implemented in frequency domain. Hydrodynamic interferences between the oscillating bodies are accounted for in the corresponding coupled equations. The array layouts under the constraint of the disk, incidence wave directions, separating distance between the absorbers and the PTO damping are considered to optimize this kind of WECs. Numerical results with regular waves are presented and discussed for the axisymmetric system utilizing heave mode with these interaction factors, in terms of a specific numbers of cylinders and expected power production.