bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparing cross‐country estimates of Lorenz curves using a Dirichlet distribution across estimators and datasets
Authors: Chang Andrew C. , Li Phillip , Martin Shawn M. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryChotikapanich and Griffiths (Journal of Business and Economic Statistics, 2002, 20(2), 290–295) introduced the Dirichlet distribution to the estimation of Lorenz curves. This distribution naturally accommodates the proportional nature of income share data and the dependence structure between the shares. Chotikapanich and Griffiths fit a family of five Lorenz curves to one year of Swedish and Brazilian income share data using unconstrained maximum likelihood and unconstrained nonlinear least squares. We attempt to replicate the authors' results and extend their analyses using both constrained estimation techniques and five additional years of data. We successfully replicate a majority of the authors' results and find that some of their main qualitative conclusions also hold using our constrained estimators and additional data.
Vertebral Fracture Risk in Diabetic Elderly Men: The MrOS Study
Authors: Napoli Nicola , Schwartz Ann V , Schafer Anne L , Vittinghoff Eric , Cawthon Peggy M , Parimi Neeta , Orwoll Eric , Strotmeyer Elsa S , Hoffman Andrew R , Barrett-Connor Elizabeth , Black Dennis M ,   for the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Study Research Group
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACT

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is associated with a significant increase in risk of nonvertebral fractures, but information on risk of vertebral fractures (VFs) in subjects with T2DM, particularly among men, is lacking. Furthermore, it is not known whether spine bone mineral density (BMD) can predict the risk of VF in T2DM. We sought to examine the effect of diabetes status on prevalent and incident vertebral fracture, and to estimate the effect of lumbar spine BMD (areal and volumetric) as a risk factor for prevalent and incident morphometric vertebral fracture in T2DM (n = 875) and nondiabetic men (n = 4679). We used data from the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Study, which enrolled men aged ≥65 years. Lumbar spine areal BMD (aBMD) was measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and volumetric BMD (vBMD) by quantitative computed tomography (QCT). Prevalence (7.0% versus 7.7%) and incidence (4.4% versus 4.5%) of VFs were not higher in T2DM versus nondiabetic men. The risk of prevalent (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.78 to 1.40) or incident vertebral-fracture (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.81 to 2.00) was not higher in T2DM versus nondiabetic men in models adjusted for age, clinic site, race, BMI, and aBMD. Higher spine aBMD was associated with lower risk of prevalent VF in T2DM (OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.48 to 0.63) and nondiabetic men (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.5 to 0.88) (p for interaction = 0.24) and of incident VF in T2DM (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.60) and nondiabetic men (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.33 to 0.88) (p for interaction = 0.77). Results were similar for vBMD. In conclusion, T2DM was not associated with higher prevalent or incident VF in older men, even after adjustment for BMI and BMD. Higher spine aBMD and vBMD are associated with lower prevalence and incidence of VF in T2DM as well as nondiabetic men. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Model‐Based Approach to Predict Adherence to Protocol During Antiobesity Trials
Authors: Sharma Vishnu D. , Combes François P. , Vakilynejad Majid , Lahu Gezim , Lesko Lawrence J. , Trame Mirjam N. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDevelopment of antiobesity drugs is continuously challenged by high dropout rates during clinical trials. The objective was to develop a population pharmacodynamic model that describes the temporal changes in body weight, considering disease progression, lifestyle intervention, and drug effects. Markov modeling (MM) was applied for quantification and characterization of responder and nonresponder as key drivers of dropout rates, to ultimately support the clinical trial simulations and the outcome in terms of trial adherence. Subjects (n = 4591) from 6 Contrave® trials were included in this analysis. An indirect‐response model developed by van Wart et al was used as a starting point. Inclusion of drug effect was dose driven using a population dose‐ and time‐dependent pharmacodynamic (DTPD) model. Additionally, a population‐pharmacokinetic parameter‐ and data (PPPD)‐driven model was developed using the final DTPD model structure and final parameter estimates from a previously developed population pharmacokinetic model based on available Contrave® pharmacokinetic concentrations. Last, MM was developed to predict transition rate probabilities among responder, nonresponder, and dropout states driven by the pharmacodynamic effect resulting from the DTPD or PPPD model. Covariates included in the models and parameters were diabetes mellitus and race. The linked DTPD‐MM and PPPD‐MM was able to predict transition rates among responder, nonresponder, and dropout states well. The analysis concluded that body‐weight change is an important factor influencing dropout rates, and the MM depicted that overall a DTPD model‐driven approach provides a reasonable prediction of clinical trial outcome probabilities similar to a pharmacokinetic‐driven approach.
Personal characteristics associated with individual degree of family function in residents of Rumoi City, Hokkaido
Authors: Takeda Shinichi , Sasagawa Yutaka , Mori Mitsuru 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundWe assessed the association of personal factors with Family APGAR not only among the subjects in nonsingle households, but also in single households.MethodsWe randomly chose 1 000 persons aged from 50 to 89 years in Rumoi City of the west area of Hokkaido as study candidates, and 493 subjects responded to the survey. We compared the group of high Family APGAR (FA) score of more than or equal to seven with the group of low FA score of less than or equal to 6 with regard to health‐related QOL (HRQOL), measured with SF‐8, Index of Social interaction (ISI), and other personal characteristics. Being in the low FA group indicates living with a status of poor family function.ResultsAs a result of the multivariate logistic regression model, living in single households, currently smoking, a low score of mental component summary (MCS) in HRQOL, and a low score of lSI were all significantly associated with being in the low FA group. A low score of MCS was significantly associated with being in the low FA group both in the stratum of nonsingle households, and in the stratum of single households.ConclusionsThere were three risk factors of low FA. The first is a single household, second is currently smoking in a nonsingle household, and the third is low ISI. Worse mental status is found to be associated with low FA among the subjects not only in nonsingle households, but also in single households.
Myelin content changes in probable Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment: Associations with age and severity of neuropsychiatric impairment
Authors: Kavroulakis Eleftherios , Simos Panagiotis G. , Kalaitzakis Georgios , Maris Thomas G. , Karageorgou Dimitra , Zaganas Ioannis , Panagiotakis Simeon , Basta Maria , Vgontzas Alexandros , Papadaki Efrosini 
Published: September 2017

BackgroundExisting indices of white matter integrity such as fractional anisotropy and magnetization transfer ratio may not provide optimal specificity to myelin content. In contrast, myelin water fraction (MWF) derived from the multiecho T2 relaxation time technique may serve as a more direct measure of myelin content.Purpose/HypothesisThe goal of the present study was to identify markers of regional demyelination in patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in relation to age and severity of neuropsychiatric impairment.PopulationThe sample included patients diagnosed with probable AD (n = 25) or MCI (n = 43), and cognitively intact elderly controls (n = 33).Field Strength/Sequence AssessmentLong T2, short T2, and MWF values were measured with a 1.5T scanner in periventricular and deep normal‐appearing white matter (NAWM), serving as indices of intra/extracellular water content and myelin content. A comprehensive neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric assessment was administered to all participants.Statistical Tests, ResultsAD patients displayed higher age‐adjusted long and short T2 values and reduced MWF values in left temporal/parietal and bilateral periventricular NAWM than controls and MCI patients (P < 0.004; one‐way analysis of covariance [ANCOVA] tests). Short T2/MWF values in temporal, frontal, and periventricular NAWM of controls and/or MCI patients were significantly associated with episodic and semantic memory performance and depressive symptomatology (P < 0.004; partial correlation indices). The impact of age on memory performance was significantly (P < 0.01; mediated linear regression analyses) mediated by age‐related changes in short T2 and MWF values in these regions.Data ConclusionAge‐related demyelination is associated with memory impairment (especially in prodromal dementia states) and symptoms of depression in an anatomically specific manner.Level of Evidence: 1Technical Efficacy: Stage 3J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1359–1372.
Predicting the content of soil mineral nitrogen based on the content of calcium chloride‐extractable nutrients
Authors: Barłóg Przemysław , Łukowiak Remigiusz , Grzebisz Witold 
Published: August 2017

AbstractSustainable management of nitrogen (N) in crop production requires a multifactorial assessment of the soil inorganic nitrogen pool (Nmin). It is assumed that the reliable prediction of the total Nmin content requires data on the content of mineral N forms (NO3‐N, NH4‐N), the contents of other extractable macronutrients and the soil pH. This hypothesis was tested during three growing seasons on a production farm in Górzno, Poland. The contents of 0.01 M CaCl2‐extractable NO3‐N, NH4‐N, P, K, and Mg and the pH were measured in soil layers of 0–0.3, 0.3–0.6, and 0.6–0.9 m just prior to the start of spring vegetation of a given crop and immediately after its harvest (autumn). This study was conducted in 17 fields differing in cropping sequence (CS): 10 with oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) (OSR‐CS) and seven with maize (Zea mays L.) (SM‐CS) as the dominant crops. Principal factor analysis (PFA) was applied to explore and interpret patterns in data sets defined by the changeability in the content of Nmin in association with variability in contents of other CaCl2‐extractable nutrients. In spring, the first principal factor (PF1) for OSR‐CS was associated with phosphorus (P), whereas PF2 and PF3 were loaded by NO3‐N and NH4‐N, respectively. For SM‐CS, PF1 was loaded by both inorganic N forms, whereas PF2 and PF3 were loaded by potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and P. In autumn, the dominance of P as the key variable associated with the PFs was stronger in both CSs compared with those in the spring. The prediction of Nmin, in spite of the moderate strength of the PFs (“r” coefficients), can be conducted based on the inorganic N content. In spring, the reliable prediction of Nmin for the OSR‐CS requires data on both N forms. In the SM‐CS, the content of NO3‐N can be used as the sole Nmin predictor. In autumn, the variability in Nmin content can be explained based solely on the NH4‐N content. This was also the main factor affecting the variability in other soil fertility characteristics, such as the contents of K and Mg and the soil pH.
Effects of radio frequency and high pressure steam sterilisation on the colour and flavour of prepared Nostoc sphaeroides
Authors: Xu Jicheng , Zhang Min , An Yanjun , Roknul Azam SM , Adhikari Benu 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDNostoc sphaeroides has been used as a highly effective herbal medicine and dietary supplement for thousands of years. The desired dark green colour of fresh N. sphaeroides is converted into an undesirable dark brown during conventional high pressure (HP) steam sterilisation. Radio frequency (RF) sterilisation technology was used in this study to determine its effectiveness in sterilising N. sphaeroides and to achieve better preservation of natural colour and desirable flavour. Sterilisation was carried out using a 6 kW, 27 MHz RF instrument for 10, 20 and 30 min. The degree of microbial kill and the effects of RF sterilisation on colour and flavour were determined and compared with those obtained from HP steam (121 °C, 30 min) sterilisation.RESULTSThe effects of RF sterilisation on colour and flavour (measured using electronic nose) parameters were significantly lower than that in HP steam sterilisation. The RF sterilisation carried out for 20 min achieved logarithmic reduction of bacterial population and met China's national standard while preserving the colour and flavour better.CONCLUSIONResults of the present study indicated that application of RF sterilisation would improve the quality of sterilised N. sphaeroides and broaden its application in the food and health food industries. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Fingerprinting Sediment Sources After an Extreme Rainstorm Event in a Small Catchment on the Loess Plateau, PR China
Authors: Zhang Jiaqiong , Yang Mingyi , Zhang Fengbao , Zhang Wei , Zhao Tianyin , Li Yuanyuan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractSoil erosion is a severe problem on China's Loess Plateau due to its fine‐grained soils and the increasing frequency of extreme rainfall events. Accordingly, this study used a 100‐year frequency rainstorm dataset to analyse sediment deposition and sources in a 27‐km2 catchment with a dam field area of 0·14 km2 based on the hypothesis that sediments were intercepted by the dam (before collapse) during the rainstorm event and deposited in the dam field. This study applied composite fingerprinting, which revealed the sediment source contributions and estimated sediment deposition. Sediment deposition (626·4 kg m−2) decreased linearly or exponentially with increasing distance from the dam. Composite fingerprints based on the optimal parameters revealed relative sediment contributions of 44·1% ± 25·5%, 37·7% ± 35·0%, 9·0% ± 11·4% and 9·2% ± 11·5% by bare ground, croplands, grassland and forests, respectively. The 5‐year cumulative sediment deposition from normal rainfall was 2·3 × 104 t less than the extreme rainstorm. Bare grounds and croplands were the dominant sediment sources following both the extreme rainstorm and normal erosive rainfall events but varied at different areas of the check‐dam. Erosion patterns and start times depended on land use type, thereby affecting sediment profiles in the dam field. Furthermore, severe erosion from bare ground that were all gully slopes and gully walls occurred throughout the rainfall, whereas grasslands and forest erosion occurred earlier and croplands later. Finally, extreme rainfall promoted mass wasting on slopes, gully slopes and gully walls, which are important in determining extreme rainstorm erosion pattern variation. This study aimed to reveal erosion pattern variation under extreme rainstorm events. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions following Conversion of a Reclaimed Minesoil to Bioenergy Crop Production
Authors: Guzman Jose G. , Ussiri David , Lal Rattan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis study provides a comparative assessment of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when converting a reclaimed minesoil that was previously under meadow to miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus) and maize (Zea mays L.) land uses in Ohio, USA. Additionally, effluent from an anaerobic digester at rates of 0, 75, 150, and 225 kg N ha−1 rates was also assessed for C and nutrient fertilization. Results from the study show that land use conversion to maize had the highest net release of GHG equivalent of 6·6 Mg CO2equ ha−1 y−1, on average, across effluent application rates. Under miscanthus land use with no and high effluent application rates, net GHG equivalent on average was 4·3 Mg CO2equ ha−1 y−1, which was larger when compared with that under the meadow land use (1·6 Mg CO2equ ha−1 y−1). Miscanthus land use under medium rates of effluent application had similar net GHG equivalent (7·1 Mg CO2equ ha−1 y−1) to the maize land use. The application of effluent did increase CO2–C and N2O–N emissions; but increases in above‐ground–below‐ground biomass production (1·6 Mg C ha−1) in the meadow land use and C input from effluent retained in the soil in the miscanthus and maize land uses offset most of the effluent‐induced GHG equivalent emissions. Contribution of cumulative N2O–N to GHG equivalent emissions in general was 11% when no effluent was applied and 22% when effluent was applied across land uses. Findings from this study show that land use changes from antecedent meadow to maize and miscanthus during the first year of establishment would result in net increase of GHG emissions. Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA
Radial fast interrupted steady‐state (FISS) magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Koktzoglou Ioannis , Edelman Robert R. 
Published: August 2017

PurposeTo report a highly interrupted radial variant of balanced steady‐state free precession (bSSFP) imaging, termed fast interrupted steady‐state (FISS), for decreasing flow artifact as well as fat signal conspicuity with respect to bSSFP, and saturation effects vis‐à‐vis fast low‐angle shot (FLASH) imaging.MethodsNumerical simulations, phantom studies, and human studies were conducted to examine the imaging contrast, off‐resonance behavior, and flow properties of FISS. Human studies applied FISS for cine cardiac imaging and ungated nonenhanced MR angiography (MRA) of the legs, neck, and brain. Comparisons were made with bSSFP and FLASH imaging.ResultsSimulations revealed that FISS retains the high signal levels of bSSFP for stationary on‐resonant spins, while reducing undesirable signal heterogeneity from flowing spins. Phantom studies agreed with the simulations, and showed that FISS reduces fat signal and flow artifact with respect to bSSFP imaging. FISS imaging in human subjects agreed with the simulations and phantom studies, and showed reduced saturation artifact compared with FLASH imaging.ConclusionFISS imaging reduces flow artifact and fat signal conspicuity with respect to bSSFP imaging, and ameliorates arterial signal saturation observed with FLASH imaging. Potential clinical applications include fat‐suppressed cine imaging and ungated nonenhanced MRA. Magn Reson Med 79:2077–2086, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Model reduction for LPV systems based on approximate modal decomposition
Authors: Luspay Tamás , Péni Tamás , Gőzse István , Szabó Zoltán , Vanek Bálint 
Published: August 2017

SummaryThe paper presents a novel model order reduction technique for large‐scale linear parameter‐varying (LPV) systems. The approach is based on decoupling the original dynamics into smaller dimensional LPV subsystems that can be independently reduced by parameter‐varying reduction methods. The decomposition starts with the construction of a modal transformation that separates the modal subsystems. Hierarchical clustering is applied then to collect the dynamically similar modal subsystems into larger groups. The resulting parameter‐varying subsystems are then independently reduced. This approach substantially differs from most of the previously proposed LPV model reduction techniques, since it performs manipulations on the LPV model itself, instead of on a set of linear time‐invariant models defined at fixed scheduling parameter values. Therefore, the interpolation, which is often a challenging part in reduction techniques, is inherently solved. The applicability of the developed algorithm is thoroughly investigated and demonstrated by numerical case studies.
DC‐Obesity: A New Model for Estimating Differential Lifetime Costs of Overweight and Obesity by Socioeconomic Status
Authors: Sonntag Diana , Jarczok Marc N. , Ali Shehzad 
Published: August 2017

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to quantify the magnitude of lifetime costs of overweight and obesity by socioeconomic status (SES).MethodsDifferential Costs (DC)‐Obesity is a new model that uses time‐to‐event simulation and the Markov modeling approach to compare lifetime excess costs of overweight and obesity among individuals with low, middle, and high SES. SES was measured by a multidimensional aggregated index based on level of education, occupational class, and income by using longitudinal data of the German Socioeconomic Panel (SOEP). Random‐effects meta‐analysis was applied to combine estimates of (in)direct costs of overweight and obesity.ResultsDC‐Obesity brings attention to opposite socioeconomic gradients in lifetime costs due to obesity compared to overweight. Compared to individuals with obesity and high SES, individuals with obesity and low SES had lifetime excess costs that were two times higher (€8,526). In contrast, these costs were 20% higher in groups with overweight and high SES than in groups with overweight and low SES (€2,711).ConclusionsThe results of this study indicate that SES may play a pivotal role in designing cost‐effective and sustainable interventions to prevent and treat overweight and obesity. DC‐Obesity may help public policy planners to make informed decisions about obesity programs targeted at vulnerable SES groups.
Variability in Weight Change Early in Behavioral Weight Loss Treatment: Theoretical and Clinical Implications
Authors: Feig Emily H. , Lowe Michael R. 
Published: August 2017

ObjectiveResponse early in weight loss treatment predicts long‐term weight change. Weight variability, independent of absolute early weight change, may also relate to long‐term outcomes. This study examined whether weight variability early in treatment predicted later weight loss and maintenance.MethodsParticipants were 183 completers of a yearlong behavioral weight loss program (mean age = 51, 81% female, 69% white, mean BMI = 35  kg/m2). Weight variability was calculated using weights from the first 6 and 12 weekly treatment sessions. Multiple linear regressions examined whether weight variability predicted subsequent weight change 6, 12, and 24 months later.ResultsWeight variability over 6‐ and 12‐week periods predicted less subsequent weight loss at 12 months (6‐week: β = 0.18, P = 0.02; 12‐week: β = 0.33, P < 0.01) and 24 months (6‐week: β = 0.17, P = 0.03; 12‐week: β = 0.15, P = 0.05). Relationships held when adjusting for covariates. Weight variability was more strongly associated with 6‐month weight change in men than women (β = 0.27, P = 0.01).ConclusionsElevated weight variability early in a weight loss program predicted poor long‐term outcomes, possibly reflecting inconsistent weight control behaviors. Tracking weight variability could prove useful for improving treatment outcomes.