bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dynamic versus static inefficiency assessment of the Polish meat‐processing industry in the aftermath of the European Union integration and financial crisis
Authors: Kapelko Magdalena 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis paper assesses the dynamic inefficiency of the Polish meat‐processing industry during the period between 2004 and 2012. This study employs also a comparison of dynamic with static inefficiency measures to address the importance of accounting for adjustment costs when measuring a firm's inefficiency. Dynamic and static cost inefficiencies and their decomposition into technical, allocative, and scale inefficiency are derived using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Results show that firms’ low levels of dynamic cost inefficiency are mainly due to dynamic allocative inefficiency rather than technical and scale inefficiency. The 2008 financial crisis appears to hamper firms’ dynamic technical performance, but has also a positive influence on the dynamic allocative and scale inefficiencies. We further show that the average static measures tend to underestimate all inefficiency components compared to dynamic counterparts. [EconLit citations: C61, D61, L66].
Sonographic findings in acute puerperal endometritis: The hypoechoic rim sign and endomyometrial junction indistinctness
Authors: Gillies Rohana , Ashley Linda , Bergin Colleen 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the accuracy of the sonographic subserosal hypoechoic rim sign and endomyometrial junctional indistinctness in identifying patients with acute endometritis during the puerperal period.MethodsRadiologic coding identified the ultrasound scans of all patients presenting to Auckland City Hospital between January 2014 and February 2016 who were diagnosed clinically as having acute endometritis during the post‐partum or post‐abortion period. After exclusion criteria were applied, the ultrasound scans of 31 patients with acute endometritis and 32 healthy controls were randomised and anonymised. Images were reviewed retrospectively by two independent reviewers to identify the presence of these signs.ResultsThe average sensitivity and specificity for readers identifying the subserosal hypoechoic rim sign in patients with acute endometritis were 71% and 92%, respectively. Interobserver reliability was good with an average kappa score of 0.63. Average sensitivity and specificity for endomyometrial junctional indistinctness were 79% and 72%, respectively, with good interobserver correlation (average kappa score 0.65). When both signs were either present or absent together, average sensitivity improved to 80.5% and average specificity was 91.7%.ConclusionWe describe two new sonographic signs for puerperal endomyometritis that could improve the utility of ultrasound in the accurate and timely diagnosis of this condition.
An Asymmetric Pathway to Dendrobine by a Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed Cascade Process
Authors: Lee Yujin , Rochette Elise M. , Kim Junyong , Chen David Y.‐K. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAn asymmetric pathway to the caged tetracyclic pyrrolidine alkaloid, dendrobine, is reported. The successful synthetic strategy features a one‐pot, sequential palladium‐catalyzed enyne cycloisomerization and rhodium‐catalyzed diene‐assisted pyrrolidine formation by allylic CH activation. The developed transition‐metal‐catalyzed cascade process permits rapid access to the dendrobine core structure and circumvents the handling of labile intermediates. An intramolecular aldol condensation under carefully defined reaction conditions takes place with a concomitant detosylation, followed by reductive amine methylation, to afford a late‐stage intermediate (previously identified by several prior dendrobine syntheses) in only 10 synthetic steps overall.
Natural development of dermal ectopic bone in the american alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) resembles heterotopic ossification disorders in humans
Authors: Dubansky Brooke H. , Dubansky Benjamin D. 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACTHeterotopic ossification (HO) occurs when soft tissues are inappropriately converted to bony tissue. Several human diseases result in HO with few reliable treatment options. Animal models that naturally produce dermal ectopic bone (i.e., osteoderms), such as crocodilians, have never been utilized as models for studying these disorders in humans. Here, a histological evaluation and staging criteria for osteoderm development is described for the first time in the American alligator (Alligator mississipiensis). Differential staining and immunohistochemistry of alligator scales depict a progressive change during development, where woven bone forms from the differentiated dermis. Bone formation proceeds via intramembranous ossification, which is initiated in part by endothelial cell precursors that undergo endothelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition and eventually acquire an osteoblast phenotype. As such, the development of osteoderms in the American alligator bears morphological and mechanistic similarities to HO in humans, presenting a potential model for future study of soft tissue mineralization pathologies and providing insight into the morphological and molecular development of osteoderms in other vertebrate lineages. Anat Rec, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Anat Rec, 301:56–76, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Direct Adaptive Fuzzy Backstepping Control for Stochastic Nonlinear SISO Systems with Unmodeled Dynamics
Authors: Zhang Xiumei , Liu Xikui , Li Yan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis paper discusses the input‐to‐state practical stability (ISpS) problem for a class of stochastic strict‐feedback systems which possess dynamic disturbances, unstructured uncertainties and unmodeled dynamics. The uncertain terms not only depend on the measurable output, but also are related with other unmeasurable states of the system. In the backstepping design, we use fuzzy logic systems directly to approach unknown control signals rather than unknown functions. A main advantage of the direct control method is that for an nth order strict‐feedback stochastic system, only four online parameters are needed. Moreover, it is proved that the closed‐loop system is ISpS in probability by using a stochastic small‐gain approach. Two simulation examples illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Overexpansion of the 29 mm SAPIEN 3 transcatheter heart valve in patients with large aortic annuli (area > 683 mm2): A case series
Authors: Mathur Moses , McCabe James M. , Aldea Gabriel , Pal Jay , Don Creighton W. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate overexpanded 29 mm SAPIEN (S3) transcatheter heart valves in patients with aortic annuli area >683 mm2.BackgroundThe largest valve area the 29 mm S3 is specified for is 683 mm2. Valve overexpansion has been performed in patients with larger aortic annuli, but data are limited. Moreover, feasibility in areas >740 mm2 is unknown.MethodsAll 29 mm S3 transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVR) at a single center over 23‐months were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with annulus areas >683 mm2 were included. Immediate post‐TAVR hemodynamics and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) findings on post‐TAVR day‐1 and day‐30 were recorded.ResultsOf 81 29 mm S3 TAVR cases, 3 (3.7%) met inclusion criteria (patients 1, 2, and 3 had CT‐scan derived areas of 748.1 mm2, 793 mm2, and 787 mm2, respectively). Annular eccentricity index ranged from 0.12 to 0.25. All underwent transfemoral TAVR with 29 mm S3 valves overexpanded using +4 mL of contrast. Post‐dilatation with +5 mL was performed in patient 2. The average valve shortening was 10.68 mm. On day 1, patients 1 and 2 had trace and mild paravalvular leak (PVL) (respectively), whereas, patient 3 had mild–moderate PVL. Patient 1 was also noted to have trace central AR on day 1. No other central AR was noted. Immediate post‐procedure aortic regurgitation (AR) index in patients 1, 2, and 3 was 43, 34, and 33 respectively. At 30 days, AR was completely resolved in patient 1, whereas AR severity in patients 2 and 3 remained similar. No patients had > moderate AR at any point during follow‐up. No valve migration or embolization occurred. Patient 1 required a permanent pacemaker. No other major complications were noted. All patients were clinically stable at 30 days.ConclusionsTAVR using overexpanded 29 mm S3 in valve areas >740 mm2 (up to 793 mm2) seemed to be safe and feasible in our small series. Further study in a larger series is needed to determine clinical outcomes in this patient population.
Primary hypogonadism, partial alopecia, and Müllerian hypoplasia: report of a fifth family and review
Authors: Al‐Obaidi Ruqayah G. Y. , Al‐Musawi Bassam M. S. 
Published: August 2017

Key Clinical MessagePrimary hypogonadism combined with Müllerian hypoplasia and partial alopecia are common features of this syndrome, which was reported only in four earlier families from areas where consanguineous marriage is prevalent. An autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance was suggested earlier and is supported by this report.
Fault detection based on weighted difference principal component analysis
Authors: Guo Jinyu , Wang Xin , Li Yuan , Wang Guozhu 
Published: August 2017

AbstractRecently, multivariate statistical methods, such as principal component analysis (PCA), have drawn increasing attention for fault detection applications in industrial processes. However, industrial processes typically have complex multimodal and nonlinear characteristics. In these situations, the traditional PCA method performs poorly due to its assumption that the process data are linear and unimodal. To improve fault detection performance in nonlinear and multimode industrial processes, this paper proposes a new fault detection method based on weighted difference principal component analysis (WDPCA). Weighted difference principal component analysis first eliminates the multimodal and nonlinear characteristics of the original data by using the weighted difference method. Then, PCA is applied to the preprocessed data, neglecting the influences of multimodality and nonlinearity. Two numerical examples and an industrial application in a semiconductor manufacturing process are used to verify the effectiveness of WDPCA. The simulation results demonstrate that WDPCA shows better fault detection performance than the PCA, kernel principal component analysis (KPCA), independent component analysis (ICA), k‐nearest neighbor rule (kNN), and local outlier factor (LOF) methods.
Enzyme‐Assisted Metal–Organic Framework Sensing System for Diethylstilbestrol Detection
Authors: Li Wen‐Juan , Chang Lan , Liu Qiao , Ning Di , Yao Xi‐Yuan , Li Yue , Ruan Wen‐Juan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAs novel fluorescent‐sensing materials, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have shown great potential in environmental monitoring. However, most of the researches are limited to traditional pollutants, whereas the application of MOFs to the detection of the pollutants with more complicated structures, such as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), has rarely been explored. The difficulties faced in the sensing of EDCs include their electronic stability and the structural similarity among homologues, which could be overcome by the incorporation of enzymatic reaction. In this work, the first example of enzyme‐assisted MOF‐fluorescent‐sensing was developed for the analysis of diethylstilbestrol (DES, a synthetic estrogen). In this system, DES is first oxidized by HRP/H2O2 quantitatively to its quinone form, and then the quinone product is selectively captured by a stilbene based luminescent MOF to induce fluorescence response. By the tandem sensitization and filtration of enzymatic reaction and MOF adsorption, this method shows high sensitivity (DL=89 nm) and can distinguish DES from other similar‐structured EDCs.
Revealing the Activity of π‐Acid Catalysts using a 7‐Alkynyl Cycloheptatriene
Authors: Vayer Marie , Guillot Regis , Bour Christophe , Gandon Vincent 
Published: August 2017

AbstractA compound that isomerizes into distinct products depending on the particular Lewis acid or Brønsted acid catalyst used is disclosed. One product can only be obtained with the softest π‐acids, such as Au, Pt, Ga, or In complexes. Another is formed only with harder π‐acids incorporating Ag or Cu salts. The formation of the third category requires even harder π‐acids or protons. This simple benchmark reaction allows for prediction of the category of transformations that can be catalyzed by a new complex. It also informs whether protons have been unintentionally generated in the reaction mixture.
Universality for the Toda Algorithm to Compute the Largest Eigenvalue of a Random Matrix
Authors: Deift Percy , Trogdon Thomas 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe prove universality for the fluctuations of the halting time for the Toda algorithm to compute the largest eigenvalue of real symmetric and complex Hermitian matrices. The proof relies on recent results on the statistics of the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of random matrices (such as delocalization, rigidity, and edge universality) in a crucial way.© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Epiandrosterone sulfate prolongs the detectability of testosterone, 4‐androstenedione, and dihydrotestosterone misuse by means of carbon isotope ratio mass spectrometry
Authors: Piper Thomas , Putz Marlen , Schänzer Wilhelm , Pop Valentin , McLeod Malcolm D. , Uduwela Dimanthi R. , Stevenson Bradley J. , Thevis Mario 
Published: August 2017

In the course of investigations into the metabolism of testosterone (T) by means of deuterated T and hydrogen isotope ratio mass spectrometry, a pronounced influence of the oral administration of T on sulfoconjugated steroid metabolites was observed. Especially in case of epiandrosterone sulfate (EPIA_S), the contribution of exogenous T to the urinary metabolite was traceable up to 8 days after a single oral dose of 40 mg of T. These findings initiated follow‐up studies on the capability of EPIA_S to extend the detection of T and T analogue misuse by carbon isotope ratio (CIR) mass spectrometry in sports drug testing.Excretion study urine samples obtained after transdermal application of T and after oral administration of 4‐androstenedione, dihydrotestosterone, and EPIA were investigated regarding urinary concentrations and CIR. With each administered steroid, EPIA_S was significantly depleted and prolonged the detectability when compared to routinely used steroidal target compounds by a factor of 2 to 5.In order to simplify the sample preparation procedure for sulfoconjugated compounds, enzymatic cleavage by Pseudomonas aeruginosa arylsulfatase was tested and implemented into CIR measurements for the first time. Further simplification was achieved by employing multidimensional gas chromatography to ensure the required peak purity for CIR determinations, instead of sample purification strategies using liquid chromatographic fractionation.Taking into account these results that demonstrate the unique and broad applicability of EPIA_S for the detection of illicit administrations of T or T‐related steroids, careful consideration of how this steroid can be implemented into routine doping control analysis appears warranted. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Decomposition of Fluctuating Photovoltaic Generation Power in Frequency Bands and Analysis of Chaotic Properties
Authors: TAKAHASHI AKIKO , YAMAGATA AKIHIRO , IMAI JUN , FUNABIKI SHIGEYUKI 
Published: August 2017

SUMMARYThis paper discusses chaotic properties of fluctuating photovoltaic generation (PV) power and reveals that PV power can be decomposed into a chaotic component having shorter periods and a long‐term fluctuation component. The first step is to decompose the PV power into three components containing a long‐term fluctuation component, a load frequency control (LFC) component, and an irregular fluctuation component from normalized PV power data by using periodic regression analysis. The second step is to analyze the long‐term fluctuation component and the LFC component using autocorrelation function. The third step is to clarify the chaotic properties of the LFC component using Lyapunov spectrum analysis. Finally, the simulation of predicting the LFC component and the normalized PV power data is carried out. This simulation clarifies that the LFC component has chaotic properties.
Yttrium nitrate catalyzed synthesis, photophysical study, and TD‐DFT calculation of 2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐ones
Authors: Khan Abdul Ashik , Mitra Kanchan , Mandal Abhijit , Baildya Nabajyoti , Mondal Mohabul A. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe have developed an efficient method of the synthesis of 2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐one (DHQ) using yttrium nitrate catalyst at room temperature. The synthetic method is simple, convenient, and easy product isolation. Best results obtained in CH3CN, DMF, or water. The synthesized DHQ derivatives are found to be good fluorophores, and their characteristic photoluminescence properties are measured. Absorption and emission spectra of DHQ derivatives were recorded in CH3CN. Calculated emission and absorption bands are in excellent agreement with experimentally observed values.
Heat transfer modeling and simulations for electronic cooling systems embedded with phase changing materials
Authors: Indulakshmi B , Madhu G 
Published: August 2017

AbstractElectronic systems used in communication devices and mission critical systems such as directed‐energy weapons and spacecraft call for requirements to dissipate high heat flux in limited spaces. This study attempts to model the heat transfer in an electronic module, dissipating heat to a coolant in a microchannel as well as to ambient by natural convection and radiation. These results have been used to compare the effectiveness of a new cooling system, embedded with phase changing materials within the heat spreaders. The heat transfer model takes care of the heat stored in the phase changing material, heat transferred by natural convection and radiation effects, in addition to the convection heat transfer in the microchannel cooling passage. Hence, the developed model can successfully take into account the effect of the variation in operating atmospheric conditions which are significant in systems employed in harsh thermal environments. Simulations have been performed for a wide range of heats and appropriate coolant flow rates are being set for a prescribed safe operating temperature of the processor. Simulations for cooling systems with phase changing materials embedded within the available heat spreader shows that it can provide stable operation of electronic systems during peak heat loads as well as in extreme ambient conditions.
Occurrence of water ponding on soil surfaces depending on infiltration rates on Mongolian rangeland
Authors: Miyasaka Katori , Shiozawa Sho , Nishida Kazuhiro , Batsukh Siilegmaa , Yoshida Shuichiro , Jamsran Undarmaa 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe occurrence of water ponding on soil surfaces during and after heavy rainfall produces surface run‐off or surface water accumulation in low‐lying areas, which might reduce the water supply to soils and result in a reduction of the soil water that plants can use, especially in arid climates. On Mongolian rangeland, we observed ponded water on the surface of a specific soil condition subjected to a heavy rainfall of 30 mm/hr. By contrast, ponded water was not observed for the same type of soil where livestock grazing had been removed for 6–8 years via a fence or for nearby soil containing less clay. We measured the infiltration rate (the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the surface soil, Ks) of the three sites by applying ponded water on the soil surface (an intake rate test). The results showed that Ks in the rangeland was lower than the rainfall intensity in the site where water ponded on the soil surface; however, Ks of the soil inside of the fence has recovered to 3 times that of the soil outside of the fence to exceed the rainfall intensity. Heavy rainfall that exceeds the infiltration rate occurs several times a year at the livestock grazing site where we observed ponded water. Slight water repellency of the soil reduces rain infiltration to increase the possibility of surface ponding for the soil.
Late Quaternary environmental dynamics in the Atacama Desert reconstructed from rodent midden pollen records
Authors: de Porras M. E. , Maldonado A. , De Pol‐Holz R. , Latorre C. , Betancourt J. L. 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACTIn the past two decades, much has been learned about the late Quaternary climate history of the Atacama Desert with some details still unclear about the seasonality, timing and extent of wet and dry phases. Modern climate studies reveal that, far from exhibiting a unique pattern, seasonal precipitation originates from many sources and mechanisms. For the last 16 ka, we attempt to sort out these complexities in pollen records from four fossil rodent midden series spanning 22°–25°S in northern Chile. Widespread wet conditions prevailed during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene, particularly between 13 and 9 ka, evidenced by <400 m lowering of pollen zones (plant communities) compared to today. Regional differences in the timing and magnitude of this displacement may be related to the prevailing source (tropical/extra‐tropical) or mode (NNW/SE) of tropical precipitation through time. Wet conditions persisted well into the early Holocene, lasting ∼1–1.5 ka longer than previously suggested. The pollen record suggests extreme drying ∼8 ka, possibly associated with a northward shift of the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone, tracking minimum insolation values at subtropical latitudes during the austral summer. The establishment of conditions similar to today happened ∼4 ka. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SERS, Raman, and DFT analyses of fentanyl and carfentanil: Toward detection of trace samples
Authors: Leonard Jennifer , Haddad Abed , Green Omar , Birke Ronald L. , Kubic Thomas , Kocak Ali , Lombardi John R. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe examine the normal Raman and the surface‐enhanced Raman spectra of fentanyl and carfentanil. As an aid in the assignment of the spectral lines, we present a density functional theory calculation. Although Raman spectroscopy is a valuable analytic tool for the detection and identification of molecular species, it is a weak effect and requires specialized equipment for detection of trace samples. We therefore turn to surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy, which utilizes the large enhancement of the Raman signal endowed by proximity to silver or gold nanoparticles. The enhancement factor (EF) obtained in this experiment is ≥1.6 × 105. This points the way towards future development of a simple and sensitive technique for the detection of analytes in trace quantities, particularly for wider application in forensic science.