bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Scenography of Power in Al-Andalus and the ʿAbbasid and Byzantine Ceremonials: Christian Ambassadorial Receptions in the Court of Cordoba in a Comparative Perspective
Authors: Cardoso Elsa 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
This essay considers ceremonial features represented during Christian diplomatic receptions held at the court of Cordoba, under the rule of Caliphs ʿAbd al-Raḥmān III (912‒961) and al-Ḥakam II (961‒976), in a comparative perspective. The declaration of the Umayyad Caliphate of the West by ʿAbd al-Raḥmān III marked the institutionalization of a carefully elaborated court ceremonial, reaching its greatest development under the rule of al-Ḥakam II. Detailed official ambassadorial ceremonies will be addressed, such as receptions of ambassadors from Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos, and King Otto I, or the reception and submission of Ordoño IV, deposed king of Leon, accounted by both Muslim and Christian sources. Such ceremonies will be compared with ʿAbbasid and Byzantine similar receptions, analyzing furthermore the origin and symbology of those rituals within the framework of diplomatic and cultural exchanges and encounters.
Messianism as a Philosophical Problem: The Liber de Adventv Messiae by Ramon Llull
Authors: López Alcalde Celia 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
The Liber de aduentu Messiae is one of Ramon Llull’s major contributions to Jewish-Christian polemics. However, oddly enough, it has been neglected by scholars. The present study consists of two parts: the first contains an analysis and description of certain contextual and internal features of the work in question; and the second a critical edition of the text, which until now has remained unedited in its totality.
Henry Maine and the Modern Invention of Peace
Authors: Kustermans Jorg 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis articles examines Henry Maine’s arguments about the prospects of achieving a lasting and comprehensive peace. In a series of lectures on International Law, Maine famously held that ‘war is as old as mankind but peace is a modern invention’. The sentence situates Maine within a long-standing debate on the state of nature. The article reconstructs the meaning of the sentence by interpreting it in light of Maine’s broader theoretical framework and comparative-historical approach. An important conclusion of the article is that Maine never meant the sentence to express a gullible evolutionist perspective on the problem of war and peace. The invention of peace would not, Maine understood, solve the problem of war. Another important finding concerns the centrality of historical arguments to the debate on the state of nature. Proper historical consideration, the article concludes, does not resolve the problem of the state of nature, but dissolves it.
Theoretical Analysis of Liquid–Ice Interaction in the Unsaturated Environment with Application to the Problem of Homogeneous Mixing
Authors: Pinsky M. , Khain A. , Korolev A. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
The process of ice–liquid water interaction in the unsaturated environment is explored both analytically and with the help of a numerical simulation. Ice–liquid water interaction via the condensation–evaporation mechanism is considered in relation to the problem of homogeneous mixing in an unmovable air volume. The process is separated into three stages: the homogenization stage, during which the rapid alignment of thermodynamic and microphysical parameters in the mixing volume takes place; the glaciation stage, during which the liquid droplets evaporate; and the ice stage, which leads to attaining a thermodynamic equilibrium. Depending on the initial temperature, humidity, and mixing ratios of liquid water and of ice water, the third stage may result in two outcomes: existence of ice particles under zero supersaturation with respect to ice or a complete disappearance of ice particles.
Three characteristic times are associated with the microphysical stages: the phase relaxation time associated with droplets, the glaciation time determined by the Wegener–Bergeron–Findeisen process, and the phase relaxation time associated with ice. Since the duration of the second and third microphysical stages may be of the same order as the homogenization time or even longer, the homogeneous mixing scenario is more probable in mixed-phase clouds than in liquid clouds.
It is shown that mixing of a mixed-phase cloud with a dry environment accelerates cloud glaciation, leading to a decrease in the glaciation time by more than 2 times. The conditions of fast ice particles’ disappearance due to sublimation are analyzed as well.
The NOAA/CIMSS ProbSevere Model: Incorporation of Total Lightning and Validation
Authors: Cintineo John L. , Pavolonis Michael J. , Sieglaff Justin M. , Lindsey Daniel T. , Cronce Lee , Gerth Jordan , Rodenkirch Benjamin , Brunner Jason , Gravelle Chad 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
The empirical Probability of Severe (ProbSevere) model, developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS), automatically extracts information related to thunderstorm development from several data sources to produce timely, short-term, statistical forecasts of thunderstorm intensity. More specifically, ProbSevere utilizes short-term numerical weather prediction guidance (NWP), geostationary satellite, ground-based radar, and ground-based lightning data to determine the probability that convective storm cells will produce severe weather up to 90 min in the future. ProbSevere guidance, which updates approximately every 2 min, is available to National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Forecast Offices with very short latency. This paper focuses on the integration of ground-based lightning detection data into ProbSevere. In addition, a thorough validation analysis is presented. The validation analysis demonstrates that ProbSevere has slightly less skill compared to NWS severe weather warnings, but can offer greater lead time to initial hazards. Feedback from NWS users has been highly favorable, with most forecasters responding that ProbSevere increases confidence and lead time in numerous warning situations.
Differences in the Lateral Compartment Joint Space Width After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Data From the MOON Onsite Cohort
Authors: Jones Morgan H. ,   the MOON Knee Group, Spindler Kurt P. , Andrish Jack T. , Cox Charles L. , Dunn Warren R. , Duryea Jeff , Duong Carol L. , Flanigan David C. , Fleming Braden C. , Huston Laura J. , Kaeding Christopher C. , Matava Matthew J. , Obuchowski Nancy A. , Oksendahl Heidi L. , Parker Richard D. , Scaramuzza Erica A. , Smith Matthew V. , Winalski Carl S. , Wright Rick W. , Reinke Emily K. 
Published: February 2018

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction can effectively return athletes to the playing field, but they are still at risk of developing posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). No studies have used multivariable analysis to evaluate the predictors of radiographic PTOA in the lateral compartment of the knee at short-term follow-up after ACL reconstruction. Purpose: To determine the predictors of radiographic joint space narrowing in the lateral compartment 2 to 3 years after ACL reconstruction in a young, active cohort. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A nested cohort of 358 patients from the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) prospective cohort who were aged ≤33 years, were injured playing a sport, and had never undergone surgery on the contralateral knee were followed up 2 years after ACL reconstruction with questionnaires and with weightbearing knee radiographs using the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint technique. The joint space width in the lateral compartment was measured using a semiautomatic computerized method, and multivariable predictive modeling was used to evaluate the relationship between meniscus treatment, cartilage injury, graft type, and joint space while adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and Marx activity score. Results: The mean lateral joint space width was 0.11 mm narrower on the ACL-reconstructed knee compared with the contralateral healthy knee (7.69 mm vs 7.80 mm, respectively; P < .01). Statistically significant predictors of a narrower joint space width on the ACL-reconstructed knee included lateral meniscectomy ( P < .001) and a Marx activity score less than 16 points ( P < .001). Conclusion: This study identifies lateral meniscectomy and a lower baseline Marx activity score to be predictors of radiographic joint space narrowing in the lateral compartment 2 to 3 years after ACL reconstruction in young, active patients without a prior knee injury.
A Civic Engagement Approach to Encourage Healthy Eating and Active Living in Rural Towns: The HEART Club Pilot Project
Authors: Seguin Rebecca A. , Sriram Urshila , Connor Leah M. , Silver Ashley E. , Niu Beining , Bartholomew Alexis N. 
Published: February 2018

Purpose: To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a civic engagement curriculum (encouraging Healthy Eating and Activity in Rural Towns [HEART] Club) designed to engage rural residents in improving their local food or physical activity environment. Design: Pre–post surveys and focus groups. Setting: Three rural Northeastern towns in the United States. Participants: Twenty-six rural residents (7-12 per town) recruited by local extension educators. Measures: Online surveys were used to assess outcomes related to feasibility (satisfaction) and effectiveness (knowledge, awareness, motivation, self-efficacy, and group efficacy for community change). Feasibility was also assessed through attendance logs, benchmark achievement records, and post-implementation focus groups. Analysis: Participant characteristics and feasibility measures were summarized using descriptive statistics. Pre–post changes in effectiveness outcomes were assessed using Wilcoxon signed rank tests. Focus group data were thematically examined to identify barriers to and facilitators of HEART Club progress. Results: Meeting attendance and program satisfaction were high (88% and 91%). Participants reported improvements in awareness; however, no other significant changes were observed. All HEART Clubs accomplished 3 or more project benchmarks after 6 months of implementation. Despite competing priorities and limited finances, groups effectively leveraged existing resources to achieve their goals. Important facilitators of success included stakeholder support, effective leadership, and positive group dynamics. Conclusion: These findings suggest that resident-driven initiatives that build upon local resources and establish feasible goals can successfully foster environmental change in rural communities.
Assessment of association between lipoxygenase genes variants in elderly Greek population and type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Tsekmekidou Xanthippi A , Kotsa Kalliopi D , Tsetsos Fotis S , Didangelos Triantafyllos P , Georgitsi Marianthi A , Roumeliotis Athanasios K , Panagoutsos Stylianos A , Thodis Elias D , Theodoridis Marios T , Papanas Nikolaos P , Papazoglou Dimitrios A , Pasadakis Ploumis S , Eustratios Maltezos S , Paschou Peristera I , Yovos John G 
Published: February 2018

Background: Inflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of diabetes and its complications. Arachidonic acid lipoxygenases have been intensively studied in their role in inflammation in metabolic pathways. Thus, we aimed to explore variants of lipoxygenase genes (arachidonate lipoxygenase genes) in a diabetes adult population using a case-control study design. Methods: Study population consisted of 1285 elderly participants, 716 of whom had type 2 diabetes mellitus. The control group consisted of non-diabetes individuals with no history of diabetes history and with a glycated haemoglobin <6.5% (<48 mmol/mol)] and fasting plasma glucose levels <126 mg/dL. Blood samples were genotyped on Illumina Infinium PsychArray. Variants of ALOX5, ALOX5AP, ALOX12, ALOX15 were selected. All statistical analyses were undertaken within PLINK and SPSS packages utilising permutation analysis tests. Results: Our findings showed an association of rs9669952 (odds ratio = 0.738, p = 0.013) and rs1132340 (odds ratio = 0.652, p = 0.008) in ALOX5AP and rs11239524 in ALOX5 gene with disease (odds ratio = 0.808, p = 0.038). Rs9315029 which is located near arachidonate ALOX5AP also associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus ( p = 0.025). No variant of ALOX12 and ALOX15 genes associated with disease. Conclusion: These results indicate a potential protective role of ALOX5AP and 5-arachidonate lipoxygenase gene in diabetes pathogenesis, indicating further the importance of the relationship between diabetes and inflammation. Larger population studies are required to replicate our findings.
Inferring ecological explanations for biogeographic boundaries of parapatric Asian mountain frogs
Authors: Hu Junhua , Jiang Jianping 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundIdentifying and understanding the mechanisms that shape barriers to dispersal and resulting biogeographic boundaries has been a longstanding, yet challenging, goal in ecology, evolution and biogeography. Characterized by stable, adjacent ranges, without any intervening physical barriers, and limited, if any, range overlap in a narrow contact zone, parapatric species are an interesting system for studying biogeographic boundaries. The geographic ranges of two parapatric frog species,Feirana quadranusandF. taihangnica, meet in a contact zone within the Qinling Mountains, an important watershed for East Asia. To identify possible ecological determinants of the parapatric range boundaries for two closely related frog species, we quantified the extent of their niche differentiation in both geographical and environmental space combining ecological niche models with an ordination technique. We tested two alternative null hypotheses (sharp environmental gradients versus a ribbon of unsuitable habitat dividing two highly suitable regions) for biogeographic boundaries, against the null expectation that environmental variation across a given boundary is no greater than expected by chance.ResultsWe found that the niches of these two parapatric species are more similar than expected by chance, but not equivalent. No sharp environmental gradient was found, while a ribbon of unsuitable habitat did act as a barrier forF. quadranus, but not forF. taihangnica.ConclusionsIntegrating our findings with historical biogeographic information, our results suggest that at a contact zone, environmental tolerance restrictedF. quadranusfrom dispersing further north, while interspecific competition most likely prevented the southward expansion ofF. taihangnica. This study highlights the importance of both climate and competition in exploring ecological explanations for parapatric range boundaries between ecologically similar frog species, in particular under the effects of changing climate.
Prevalence and molecular characterization of oqxAB in clinical Escherichia coli isolates from companion animals and humans in Henan Province, China
Authors: Liu Baoguang , Wu Hua , Zhai Yajun , He Zhipei , Sun Huarun , Cai Tian , He Dandan , Liu Jianhua , Wang Shanmei , Pan Yushan , Yuan Li , Hu Gongzheng 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Background
The plasmid-encoded multidrug efflux pump oqxAB confers bacterial resistance primarily to olaquindox, quinolones, and chloramphenicol. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of oqxAB among Escherichia coli isolates from dogs, cats, and humans in Henan, China and the susceptibilities of E. coli isolates to common antibiotics.

Methods
From 2012 to 2014, a total of 600 samples which included 400 rectal samples and 200 clinical human specimens were tested for the presence of E. coli. All isolates were screened for oqxAB genes by PCR and sequencing. The MICs of 11 antimicrobial agents were determined by the broth microdilution method. A total of 30 representative oqxAB-positive isolates were subjected to ERIC-PCR and MLST. Additionally, conjugation experiments and southern hybridizations were performed.

Results
Of 270 isolates, 58.5% (62/106) of the isolates from dogs, 56.25% (36/64) of the isolates from cats, and 42.0% (42/100) of the isolates from humans were positive for the oqxAB. Olaquindox resistance was found for 85.7%-100% of oqxAB-positive isolates. Of oqxAB-positive isolates from dogs, cats, and humans, ciprofloxacin resistance was inspected for 85.8%, 59.1%, and 93.8%, respectively. Several oqxAB-positive isolates were demonstrated by ERIC-PCR and MLST, and have high similarity. Phylogenetic analysis showed that oqxAB-positive isolates could be divided into 7 major clusters. OqxAB-positive conjugants were obtained, southern hybridization verified that the oqxAB gene complex was primarily located on plasmids.

Conclusion
In conclusion, oqxAB-positive isolates were widespread in animals and humans in Henan, China. Carriage of oqxAB on plasmids of E. coli isolates may facilitate the emergence of multidrug resistant and its transmission via horizontal transfer, and might pose a potential threat to public health.
Renal protective effect of a hydration supplemented with magnesium in patients receiving cisplatin for head and neck cancer
Authors: Kimura Takahiro , Ozawa Taijiro , Hanai Nobuhiro , Hirakawa Hitoshi , Suzuki Hidenori , Hosoi Hiroshi , Hasegawa Yasuhisa 
Published: February 2018

Background Our study analyzes the effect of magnesium supplementation on nephrotoxicity in patients receiving cisplatin for head and neck cancer. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with head and neck cancer who received two doses of cisplatin (80 mg/m2) and 5-fluorouracil (800 mg/m2) 3 weeks apart from August 2008 to October 2012. The regimen prior to 2011 (crystalloid-only) involved the administration of 1000 mL of lactated Ringer's solution on the day prior to cisplatin infusion and 2000 mL of continuous infusion of saline on the day of cisplatin infusion. The regimen after 2011 (magnesium-supplemented) did not involve hydration on the day before cisplatin administration but used 1000 mL of 0.9% saline with magnesium sulfate (20 mEq) administered for 3 hours before cisplatin infusion. Results Sixty-five patients were treated with the crystalloid-only regimen and 56 patients with the magnesium-supplemented regimen. The mean creatinine clearance in the magnesium-supplemented group decreased by 4.9 mL/kg/min, whereas that in the crystalloid-only group decreased by 15.0 mL/kg/min after two courses. In multivariate analysis, only magnesium-supplemented hydration was an independent predictive factor for preventing cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity (odds ratio = 0.157, 95% confidence interval 0.030–0.670, P = 0.0124). Conclusion We demonstrated that an intravenous hydration regimen supplemented with magnesium prevented cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in patients with head and neck cancer.
Robust cancellation of minimum shift keying-encoded radio interference in data from the transient electromagnetic method
Authors: Rasmussen Søren , Nyboe Nicklas Skovgaard , Mai Sune , Larsen Jakob Juul 
Published: February 2018

Interference from radio signals in the very low frequency (VLF, 3–30 kHz) band constitutes a significant part of the noise in data, measured using the transient electromagnetic method (TEM). Most radio signals in this frequency band convey streams of binary data, encoded using minimum shift keying or variants thereof. We have developed a framework for cancellation of these signals by modeling and subtracting the interfering signals from the recorded data. The framework uses several techniques to ensure robust and accurate modeling of the radio signals in a typical airborne TEM environment. These include combination of signals from multiple receiver coils, tracking of time-varying parameters for each receiver coil, use of a priori knowledge pertaining to the TEM primary field, and use of a high-performance decoding algorithm. Examples using recorded noise data from the field combined with synthetic TEM signals indicate a significant reduction in noise power. This results in a reduction of the standard deviation of approximately 1.5–4 times in the early to intermediate-time response, after common processing steps have been applied. In the late-time part of the response, little to no improvement is seen. Although the attainable improvement in signal quality is highly case dependent, we expect that significant noise reduction can be achieved in most cases. Despite not being tested, our framework should be directly applicable in the low frequency (LF, 30–300 kHz) band, which has relevance for wide-band systems.
Procedures for Obtaining Characteristic Polynomials of the Kinetic Graphs of Reversible Reaction Networks
Authors: Mondal Sukanya , Mandal Bholanath 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
First order or pseudo-first order reactions involving reversible linear chain and cyclic reaction networks are considered here for obtaining the respective characteristic polynomials (CPs) in analytical forms as well as the recursion relations among the CP coefficients. The zeros of the CP concerned are the decay constants that are useful in expressing the concentrations of the chemical species involved in the chemical reaction network at any instant of time. Illustrations are given for obtaining the CP coefficients of a few such graphs and some consequences thereof are presented. Facile computer programming can be made with these recursion relations for generating such polynomials.
Poly(diphenanthrenequinone-substituted norbornene) for Long Life and Efficient Lithium Battery Cathodes
Authors: Kawai Takuma , Nakao Satoshi , Nishide Hiroyuki , Oyaizu Kenichi 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Redox-active polymers with large charge-storage density are candidates for electrode-active materials in next-generation energy storage devices, due to their swift charge-discharge capabilities and their inherent characteristics of redox reactions that occur without significant structural changes, leading to their highly energy-efficient and durable performance. Here we report poly(diphenanthrenequinone-substituted norbornene) (PQN) as a novel class of organic electrode-active material. A Li coin cell composed of the PQN/carbon composite electrode as the cathode exhibited 2.8 V (V vs. Li/Li+) and great cycle performance maintaining a capacity higher than 100 mAh/g for more than 100 cycles at 60 C (i.e. in 1 min charging and discharging). Among many types of o-quinone-containing polymers for Li-ion batteries reported so far, the present research provides the first example of introducing phenanthrenequinone as the pendant group per repeating unit of polymers, which proved to be especially advantageous in terms of robustness and cyclability by virtue of the fused-ring structure to protect the reactive positions of the o-benzoquinone. We also report that the functional group tolerance against many types of redox-active groups, which we have established for the initiator and the propagating end of norbornene derivatives, apply for the phenanthrenequinone-substituted monomer, giving rise to a reversible redox activity.