bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mammalian biogeography and the Ebola virus in Africa
Authors: Olivero Jesús , Fa Julia E. , Real Raimundo , Farfán Miguel Ángel , Márquez Ana Luz , Vargas J. Mario , Gonzalez J. Paul , Cunningham Andrew A. , Nasi Robert 
Published: June 2016

Abstract

Ebola virus is responsible for the fatal Ebola virus disease (EVD).

Identifying the distribution area of the Ebola virus is crucial for understanding the risk factors conditioning the emergence of new EVD cases. Existing distribution models have underrepresented the potential contribution that reservoir species and vulnerable species make in sustaining the presence of the virus.

In this paper, we map favourable areas for Ebola virus in Africa according to environmental and zoogeographical descriptors, independent of human‐to‐human transmissions. We combine two different biogeographical approaches: analysis of mammalian distribution types (chorotypes), and distribution modelling of the Ebola virus.

We first obtain a model defining the distribution of environmentally favourable areas for the presence of Ebola virus. Based on a review of mammal taxa affected by or suspected of exposure to the Ebola virus, we model favourable areas again, this time according to mammalian chorotypes. We then build a combined model in which both the environment and mammalian distributions explain the favourable areas for Ebola virus in the wild.

We demonstrate that mammalian biogeography contributes to explaining the distribution of Ebola virus in Africa, although vegetation may also underscore clear limits to the presence of the virus. Our model suggests that the Ebola virus may be even more widespread than previously suspected, given that additional favourable areas are found throughout the coastal areas of West and Central Africa, stretching from Cameroon to Guinea, and extend further East into the East African Lakes region.

Our findings show that the most favourable area for the Ebola virus is significantly associated with the presence of the virus in non‐human mammals. Core areas are surrounded by regions of intermediate favourability, in which human infections of unknown source were found. The difference in association between humans and other mammals and the virus may offer further insights on how EVD can spread.
Exploding Explicatures
Authors: Borg Emma 
Published: June 2016

Abstract‘Pragmaticist’ positions posit a three‐way division within utterance content between: (i) the standing meaning of the sentence, (ii) a somewhat pragmatically enhanced meaning which captures what the speaker explicitly conveys (following Sperber and Wilson, I label this the ‘explicature’), and (iii) further indirectly conveyed propositions which the speaker merely implies. Here I re‐examine the notion of an explicature, asking how it is defined and what work explicatures are supposed to do. I argue that explicatures get defined in three different ways and that these distinct definitions can and do pull apart. Thus the notion of an explicature turns out to be ill‐defined.
Making Sense of the Cotard Syndrome: Insights from the Study of Depersonalisation
Authors: Billon Alexandre 
Published: June 2016

AbstractPatients suffering from the Cotard syndrome can deny being alive, having guts, thinking or even existing. They can also complain that the world or time have ceased to exist. In this article, I argue that even though the leading neurocognitive accounts have difficulties meeting that task, we should, and we can, make sense of these bizarre delusions. To that effect, I draw on the close connection between the Cotard syndrome and a more common (and better studied) condition known as depersonalisation. Even though they are not delusional, depersonalised patients seem to have experiences that are quite similar to those of Cotard patients. I argue that these experiences are essentially characterised by a (more or less important) lack of subjective character and of two other structural features of experience, which I call ‘the present character’ and ‘the actual character’. Cotard's nihilistic delusions simply consist in taking these anomalous experiences at face value.
Autonomic nervous system function predicts the inflammatory response over three years in newly diagnosed ulcerative colitis patients
Authors: Gunterberg V. , Simrén M. , Öhman L. , Friberg P. , Jones M. P. , Van Oudenhove L. , Strid H. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe autonomic nervous system (ANS) modulates intestinal inflammation in animal models. Human evidence confirming such modulating influence is limited. We aimed to investigate whether ANS function is associated with inflammatory parameters at disease onset, and whether it predicts the evolution of inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).MethodsWe prospectively monitored 51 patients from onset of UC for 3 years. Upon remission of the onset flare, ANS activity was assessed by heart rate variability analysis and compared with healthy controls. Inflammatory parameters in blood, stool, and colonic biopsies obtained at onset and during follow‐up visits were analyzed. Generalized linear models were used to test cross‐sectional associations between ANS activity and inflammatory parameters at onset; linear mixed models were used to test whether ANS function at onset predicted the evolution of inflammation over the following 3 years.Key ResultsSympathovagal balance was different in UC patients compared to healthy controls, and cross‐sectional associated with higher levels of systemic (erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], CRP, TNF‐α, IFN‐γ) and mucosal inflammation (interleukin‐8, IFN‐γ) at onset. Conversely, a negative cross‐sectional association with parasympathetic activity was found for ESR & TNF‐α. Longitudinally, parasympathetic activity at onset predicted systemic (ESR, WBC), but not mucosal inflammation during follow‐up.Conclusions & InferencesThis study further strengthens the association between the ANS system and intestinal inflammation previously found in animal models and recently in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. These results may have important implications for the pathogenesis and treatment of UC.
Chemerin and interleukin‐6 levels in obese individuals following periodontal treatment
Authors: Balli U , Ongoz Dede F , Bozkurt Dogan S , Gulsoy Z , Sertoglu E 
Published: June 2016

ObjectiveTo investigate changes in the levels of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) chemerin and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) in both obese/non‐obese individuals with periodontitis following non‐surgical periodontal therapy.MethodsIndividuals (n = 80) were split into four groupings according to periodontal/anthropometric parameters: (i) periodontal healthy without obesity; (ii) chronic periodontitis (CP) without obesity; (iii) periodontal healthy with obesity; and (iv) CP with obesity. Individuals with periodontitis were treated with non‐surgical periodontal therapy. Both GCF sampling procedures and clinical periodontal measures were performed prior to treatment and 6 weeks thereafter. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was utilized to measure both chemerin and IL‐6 levels.ResultsGreater values for chemerin and IL‐6 were observed in obese individuals compared to their non‐obese controls and in individuals with CP compared to their periodontal healthy controls (P < 0.008), which decreased following therapy (P < 0.05). A positive correlation was found between chemerin and IL‐6 in obese groups (P < 0.05). A comprehensive overview of all groups showed a statistically significant positive correlation among chemerin, along with IL‐6, waist‐to‐hip ratio, body mass index, and clinical attachment levels (P < 0.05).ConclusionIt could be concluded that chemerin levels may act as both diagnostic and prognostic indicators. Chemerin may also play an integral part in the pathologic mechanisms that relate adipokines to both periodontal disease and obesity.
Mitochondrial respiratory chain complex IV deficiency complicated with chronic intestinal pseudo‐obstruction in a neonate
Authors: Hashimura Yuya , Morioka Ichiro , Hisamatsu Chieko , Yokoyama Naoki , Taniguchi‐Ikeda Mariko , Yokozaki Hiroshi , Murayama Kei , Ohtake Akira , Itoh Kyoko , Takeshima Yasuhiro , Iijima Kazumoto 
Published: June 2016

AbstractA female infant born at 36 weeks gestational age with birthweight 2135 g, and who developed respiratory disorder, hyperlactacidemia and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy after birth, was admitted to hospital at 3 days of age. After admission, bilious emesis, abdominal distention, and passage disorder of the gastrointestinal tract were resistant to various drugs. Exploratory laparotomy was performed at 93 days of age, but no organic lesions were identified and normal Meissner/Auerbach nerve plexus was confirmed, which led to a clinical diagnosis of chronic intestinal pseudo‐obstruction (CIPO). She was diagnosed with mitochondrial respiratory chain complex IV deficiency on histopathology of the abdominal rectus muscle and enzyme activity measurement. This is the first report of a neonate with mitochondrial respiratory chain complex deficiency with intractable CIPO. CIPO can occur in neonates with mitochondrial respiratory chain disorder, necessitating differential diagnosis from Hirschsprung disease.
The Ethics of Procreation and Adoption
Authors: Rulli Tina 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIt is widely assumed that people have a moral right to procreate. This article explores recent arguments in opposition to procreation in some or all contexts. Some such views are concerned with the risks and harms of life that procreation imposes on non‐consenting children. Others articulate concerns for third parties – the environmental damage or opportunity costs that procreation poses to already existing people. The article then surveys arguments that favor procreation despite the risks to the children created and third parties. The best argument for procreation is based on the significant interest people have in forming the parent–child relationship. An important under‐discussed middle ground is suggested – one that avoids the criticisms of the anti‐natalist while fulfilling the best aims of procreation – viz. adoption. The duty to adopt is summarized and objections to it considered. Thoughtful people who deeply desire to become parents but do not wish to participate in the range of potential procreative harms should consider adoption as a first choice.
Protective Effects of Quercetin on Selected Oxidative Biomarkers in Bovine Spermatozoa Subjected to Ferrous Ascorbate
Authors: Tvrdá E , Tušimová E , Kováčik A , Paál D , Libová Ľ , Lukáč N 
Published: June 2016

ContentsQuercetin (QUE) is a natural flavonol‐type flavonoid with antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐aggregatory properties. It is also a powerful reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger and chelating agent. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of QUE to reverse ROS‐mediated alterations to the motility, viability and intracellular antioxidant profile of bovine spermatozoa. Spermatozoa were washed out of fresh bovine semen, suspended in 2.9% sodium citrate and subjected to QUE treatment (7.5, 25, 50 and 100 μmol/l) in the presence or absence of a pro‐oxidant, that is ferrous ascorbate (FeAA; 150 μmol/l FeSO4 and 750 μmol/l ascorbic acid) during a 6‐h in vitro culture. Spermatozoa motion characteristics were assessed using the SpermVision computer‐aided sperm analysis (CASA) system. Cell viability was examined with the metabolic activity (MTT) assay, ROS generation was quantified via luminometry, and the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) test was applied to quantify the intracellular superoxide formation. Cell lysates were prepared at the end of the in vitro culture to investigate the intracellular activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as well as the concentrations of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA). FeAA treatment led to a reduced sperm motility (p < 0.001), viability (p < 0.001) and decreased the antioxidant parameters of the sperm samples (p < 0.001) but increased the ROS generation (p < 0.001), superoxide production (p < 0.001) and lipid peroxidation (p < 0.001). QUE administration resulted in a preservation of the spermatozoa vitality and antioxidant characteristics (p < 0.01 with respect to the enzymatic antioxidants, p < 0.001 in relation to GSH) with a concentration range of 50–100 μmol/l QUE revealing to be the most effective. Our results suggest that QUE exhibits significant ROS‐scavenging and metal‐chelating properties which may prevent spermatozoa alterations caused by ROS, and preserve the functionality of male reproductive cells.
Biomechanical properties of infantile hemangiomas: clinical stage and effect of age
Authors: Visscher M. O. , Burkes S. A. , Adams D. M. , Gupta A. , Wickett R. R. 
Published: June 2016

BackgroundInfantile hemangiomas (IHs) are benign vascular neoplasms with rapid capillary proliferation shortly after birth and slow involution with diminishing capillary proliferative activity, fibrosis, and fatty replacement over 7–10 years.MethodsHemangiomas and contralateral control sites in 88 subjects were measured using a suction device, 6‐mm probe and 200 mbar negative pressure. Mechanical properties were assessed vs. controls and effects of body site, depth, clinical stage, histology diagnosis, and time.ResultsBiological elasticity, overall elasticity, net elasticity, total recovery, and elastic recovery were lower for IH vs. controls (P < 0.001). IH total deformation, elastic deformation, viscoelastic creep, and residual deformation were higher than controls (P < 0.001). Involuting IHs had lower viscoelasticity than proliferating and stable lesions (P < 0.001) and lower viscoelastic creep than stable IHs (P = 0.04). IH viscoelasticity was higher at 2.3 than 12.9, 23.7, and 61.0 months and at 4.9 and 8.1 than 61.0 months. IH elastic recovery varied by body site with larger differences vs. control for abdomen and leg. Elastic recovery differences from control were smaller at younger vs. older ages.ConclusionsMeasurement of biomechanical properties may be useful to characterize IH progression and treatment response in clinical settings.
Thermographic mapping of the skin surface in biometric evaluation of cellulite treatment effectiveness
Authors: Wilczyński S. , Koprowski R. , Deda A. , Janiczek M. , Kuleczka N. , Błońska‐Fajfrowska B. 
Published: June 2016

BackgroundCellulite is one of the worst tolerated aesthetic imperfections. Edema that accompanies cellulite causes disorders of blood flow what may be observed as changes in the skin surface temperature. The aim of this paper was to develop a new method based on the analysis and processing of thermal images of the skin for biometric evaluation of severity of cellulite and monitoring its treatment.MethodsThe observations of the treatment effects were conducted on 10 females (33.4 ± 6.4 years). Thermal images of the volunteers’ thighs were captured before starting the therapy (T0). In the following stages: T1, T2, and T3, thermal images were captured 2 weeks after the first, second and third Alidya treatment administration, respectively. Profiled algorithms were developed to determine the mean Grey Level Co‐occurrence Matrix (GLCM) contrast in the acquired thermograms.ResultsThe mean GLCM contrast for the phase T0 was 70.91, and for the stages T1, T2, and T3: 57.78, 41.80, and 38.53, respectively.ConclusionThe use of proposed method (GLCM contrast) enables biometric evaluation of the effectiveness of cellulite treatment. Traditionally used parameters of infrared analysis such as local points of the maximum and minimum temperature or the median temperatures are not useful in thermal, biometric evaluation of anti‐cellulite preparations.
Novel methodology to replicate clot analogs with diverse composition in acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Duffy Sharon , Farrell Michael , McArdle Kevin , Thornton John , Vale David , Rainsford Eleanor , Morris Liam , Liebeskind David S , MacCarthy Eugene , Gilvarry Michael 
Published: June 2016

BackgroundTranslational research on clot composition may be advanced by the use of clot analogs for the preclinical evaluation of mechanical thrombectomy devices. This work describes a novel set of clot analogs to represent a diverse range of fibrin and red blood cell (RBC) compositions for use in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) occlusion models.MethodFresh whole blood obtained from ovine species was used to create seven different clot analog types. Five replicates were formed for each clot type. Varying amounts of whole blood constituents were mixed with thrombotic factors to create clots of varying compositions. Following histological processing, five sections from each clot were stained with H&E and Martius Scarlet Blue. Fibrin, RBC and white blood cell compositions were quantified.ResultsHistological examination demonstrated that the clot types had a distinct RBC and fibrin composition. No significant difference in composition was shown between replicates (p>0.05), indicating that the method of clot formation was reproducible. Percentage fibrin composition of the clot types was 1%, 8%, 31%, 38%, 64%, 79%, and 100%. A significant difference in fibrin and RBC composition between clot types was observed (p<0.05).ConclusionsSeven different clot types were developed to replicate common AIS thrombi. These clot analogs may be beneficial for the preclinical evaluation of endovascular therapies, and may be applied to interventional technique training.
The 750 GeV diphoton excess and SUSY
Authors: Heinemeyer S. 
Published: June 2016

The LHC experiments ATLAS and CMS have reported an excess in the diphoton spectrum at [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]750 GeV. At the same time the motivation for Supersymmetry (SUSY) remains unbowed. Consequently, we review briefly the proposals to explain this excess in SUSY, focusing on “pure” (N)MSSM solutions. We then review in more detail a proposal to realize this excess within the NMSSM. In this particular scenario a Higgs boson with mass around 750 GeV decays to two light pseudo-scalar Higgs bosons. Via mixing with the pion these pseudo-scalars decay into a pair of highly collimated photons, which are identified as one photon, thus resulting in the observed signal.
Capacitor Voltage Balancing of Five Level Diode Clamped Converter based STATCOM
Authors: Sindhuja D. , Yuvaraju M.E. V. 
Published: June 2016

<p>The power quality determines the fitness of the electrical power to the consumer devices. To improve the quality of the power delivered many compensating devices are used. The FACTS devices are normally used to reduce the power quality problems by inducing one or more AC transmission parameters. The static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) can act as either a source or sink of reactive AC power to an electricity network. The basic electronic block of the STATCOM is the voltage-source inverter that converts an input dc voltage into a three-phase output voltage. The STATCOM employs an inverter in order to obtain the voltage source of adjustable magnitude and phase from the DC link voltage on the capacitor. In this model, the STATCOM is designed with the five level diode clamped converter (DCC) controlled by space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) technique. The space vector technique with α, β frame is referred here. The dc link capacitor voltage equalization for the five level diode clamped converter was explained. The Total Harmonic Distortion of the source current will be considerably reduced.</p>
Speech Enhancement based on Wiener Filter and Compressive Sensing
Authors: Sulong Amart , Gunawan Teddy Surya , Kartiwi Mira 
Published: June 2016

<p><em>In communication medium to satisfy the speech enhancement process by using differents methodologies and algoirthms are the key term in testing the system design well enough to produce the best performance results for the speech system. The Wiener filter is one of the classical algorithm that applied to speech process to avoid the noise attacking the speech signal. In other word, compressive sensing method by randomize measurement matrix are combined with the Wiener filter to analyse the noisy speech signal with less introduce to noise signal and producing high signal to noise ratio. The PESQ is used to measure the quality of the proposed algorithm design. As in the experimental results shows that, attacking of defferent noise environments in speech signal still effectively improve the performance of noisy speech with maintain the high score of the PESQ quality. </em><em></em></p>
Color Module Computer Aided Design in Indoor Environment
Authors: Pan Lifeng 
Published: June 2016

In this study, a comprehensive solution set of strategies is proposed for interior color design. Computer aided design methods are utilized to solve the problems in the color scheme process, the existing circumstances, shortage and trend of current color scheme tools are analyzed based on interior design theory and modern design methodology. The appropriative color space is constructd to redound the process of special color selection，the tone harmonizing tool is built based on architecture exterior design，and the color knowledge database and scheme database are contrived，the rationality of the color scheme method is validated by integrated cases, the effective way of computer aided color design is obtained and this method is applied to the instance of interior design, it provides a key module for the interior design system software. In the design process, the factors are taken such as color space property，color harmonizing effect，color tone classification, material and texture effect, a viable color enactment is provided for modern interior design.