bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Jacobi Collocation Approximation for Solving Multi-dimensional Volterra Integral Equations
Authors: Abdelkawy Mohamed A. , Amin Ahmed Z. M. , Bhrawy Ali H. , Tenreiro Machado José A. , Lopes António M. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis paper addresses the solution of one- and two-dimensional Volterra integral equations (VIEs) by means of the spectral collocation method. The novel technique takes advantage of the properties of shifted Jacobi polynomials and is applied for solving multi-dimensional VIEs. Several numerical examples demonstrate the efficiency of the method and an error analysis verifies the correctness and feasibility of the proposed method when solving VIE.
Henan Oirat: a shrinking pool of unique linguistic features
Authors: Balogh Mátyás 
Published: June 2017

AbstractHenan Oirat is a severely endangered dialect of the Mongolian language spoken by only a handful of individuals in Henan Mongol Autonomous County (MAC), the southernmost of Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture’s (TAP) four counties. Over 90 % of Henan’s population is registered as belonging to the Mongol ethnic group, however the most widely used language in the county is Amdo Tibetan. The predecessors of the Henan Oirats were a part of Güüshi Khan’s Oirat Mongols, commonly referred to as Deed Mongols, who came to Qinghai in the seventeenth century. The investigation of the history and language of the Henan Oirats, however, is inseparable from the history and language of the numerous groups of Mongols who had lived in the region prior to Güüshi’s Oirats. I believe these groups could not have left the region before the Oirats’ arrival without leaving any traces. For this reason, I think it is essential to dwell a little upon the Mongol groups that have lived in Qinghai and to clarify the origin of the Henan Oirats.
Changes in reflectance anisotropy of wheat crop during different phenophases
Authors: Lunagaria Manoj M. , Patel Haridas R. 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
The canopy structure of wheat changes significantly with growth stages and leads to changes in reflectance anisotropy. Bidirectional reflectance distribution function characterises the reflectance anisotropy of the targets, which can be approximated. Spectrodirectional reflectance measurements on wheat crop were acquired using a field goniometer system. The bidirectional reflectance spectra were acquired at 54 view angles to cover the hemispheric span up to 60° view zenith. The observations were made during early growth stages till maturity of the crop. The anisotropy was not constant for all wavelengths and anisotropic factors clearly revealed spectral dependence, which was more pronounced in near principal plane. In near infrared, wheat canopy expressed less reflectance anisotropy because of higher multiple scattering. The broad hotspot signature was noticeable in reflectance of canopy whenever view and solar angles were close. Distinct changes in bidirectional reflectance distribution function were observed during booting to flowering stages as the canopy achieves more uniformity, height and head emergence. The function clearly reveals bowl shape during heading to early milking growth stages of the crop. Late growth stages show less prominent gap and shadow effects. Anisotropy index revealed that wheat exhibits changes in reflectance anisotropy with phenological development and with spectral bands.
Laboratory device to analyse the impact of soil properties on electrical and thermal conductivity
Authors: Bertermann David , Schwarz Hans 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Gathering information about soil properties in an efficient way is essential for many soil applications also for very shallow geothermal systems (e.g. collector systems or heat baskets). In the field, electrical resistivity tomogramphy measurements enable non-invasive and extensive analyses regarding the determination of soil properties. For a better understanding of measured electrical resistivity values in relation to soil properties within this study, a laboratory setup was developed. The structure of this laboratory setup is geared to gather electrical resistivity or rather electrical conductivity values which are directly comparable to data measured in the field. Within this setup grain size distribution, moisture content, and bulk density, which are the most important soil parameters affecting the electrical resistivity, can be adjusted. In terms of a better estimation of the geothermal capability of soil, thermal conductivity measurements were also implemented within the laboratory test sequence. The generated data reveals the serious influence of the water content and also provides a huge impact of the bulk density on the electrical as well as on the thermal conductivity. Furthermore, different behaviour patterns of electrical and thermal conductivity in their particular relation to the different soil parameters could be identified.
How enzymes are adsorbed on soil solid phase and factors limiting its activity: A Review
Authors: Datta Rahul , Anand Swati , Moulick Amitava , Baraniya Divyashri , Pathan Shamina Imran , Rejsek Klement , Vranova Valerie , Sharma Meenakshi , Sharma Daisy , Kelkar Aditi , Formanek Pavel 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
A majority of biochemical reactions are often catalysed by different types of enzymes. Adsorption of the enzyme is an imperative phenomenon, which protects it from physical or chemical degradation resulting in enzyme reserve in soil. This article summarizes some of the key results from previous studies and provides information about how enzymes are adsorbed on the surface of the soil solid phase and how different factors affect enzymatic activity in soil. Many studies have been done separately on the soil enzymatic activity and adsorption of enzymes on solid surfaces. However, only a few studies discuss enzyme adsorption on soil perspective; hence, we attempted to facilitate the process of enzyme adsorption specifically on soil surfaces. This review is remarkably unmatched, as we have thoroughly reviewed the relevant publications related to protein adsorption and enzymatic activity. Also, the article focuses on two important aspects, adsorption of enzymes and factors limiting the activity of adsorbed enzyme, together in one paper. The first part of this review comprehensively lays emphasis on different interactions between enzymes and the soil solid phase and the kinetics of enzyme adsorption. In the second part, we encircle various factors affecting the enzymatic activity of the adsorbed enzyme in soil.
Review article. Predicting disease onset in clinically healthy people
Authors: Zeliger . Harold I. 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Virtually all human disease is induced by oxidative stress. Oxidative stress, which is caused by toxic environmental exposure, the presence of disease, lifestyle choices, stress, chronic inflammation or combinations of these, is responsible for most disease. Oxidative stress from all sources is additive and it is the total oxidative stress from all sources that induces the onset of most disease. Oxidative stress leads to lipid peroxidation, which in turn produces Malondialdehyde. Serum malondialdehyde level is an additive parameter resulting from all sources of oxidative stress and, therefore, is a reliable indicator of total oxidative stress which can be used to predict the onset of disease in clinically asymptomatic individuals and to suggest the need for treatment that can prevent much human disease.
Original Article. Protection studies of new bis quaternary 2-(hydroxyimino)-N-(pyridin-3yl) acetamide derivatives (HNK-series) oximes against acute poisoning by dichlorvos (DDVP) in Swiss albino mice
Authors: Kumar Pravin , Swami Devyani , Karade Hitendra N. , Singh Manindar , Tiwari Anupma , Singh Kshetra Pal 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
The available antidotal therapy against acute poisoning by organophosphates involves the use of atropine alone or in combination with one of the oximes, e.g. 2-PAM, Obidoxime, TMB-4 or HI-6. Each of these oximes has some limitation, raising the question of the universal antidotal efficacy against poisoning by all OPs/nerve agents. In the present study, newly synthesized bis quaternary 2-(hydroxyimino)-N-(pyridin-3yl) acetamide derivatives (HNK-series) oximes were evaluated for their antidotal efficacy against DDVP intoxicated Swiss mice, in terms of the Protection Index (PI) and AChE reactivation in brain and serum. The inhibition concentration (IC50) was determined in brain and serum after optimizing the time point for maximum inhibition (60 min post DDVP exposure). AChE reactivation efficacy of the HNK series was evaluated at IC50 and compared with 2-PAM. HNK-102 showed a ~2 times better Protection Index (PI) as compared to 2-PAM against DDVP toxicity. IC50 at 60 min DDVP post exposure was found to be approximately one fifth and one half of the LD50 dose for brain and serum AChE, respectively. Out of three HNK oximes, HNK-102 & 106 at 0.20 LD50 dose significantly reactivated DDVP intoxicated brain AChE (p<0.05) as compared to 2-PAM at double IC50 dose of DDVP. In light of double PI and higher AChE reactivation, HNK 102 was found to be a better oxime than 2-PAM in the treatment of acute poisoning by DDVP.
Development of disyllabic tones in different learning contexts
Authors: Yang Bei , Yang Nuoyi 
Published: June 2017

AbstractTones are the most challenging aspect of learning Chinese. We study tonal acquisition for American learners of Chinese in three learning contexts: study-abroad, at-home and immersion programs. This paper explores whether and how tone production is improved in these contexts. Fifteen learners of Chinese participated in this study. They took a pre-test and a post-test. The control group contained ten native speakers. The task was a read-aloud test in Chinese. Additionally, learners filled out a language contact form. To assess students’ tonal accuracy, we conducted two kinds of analysis: a perception assessment by native Mandarin speakers and an acoustic analysis of pitch track comparison. Contextual data were coded based on the length of language contact with native speakers of Chinese. The results indicate that difficult tone combinations are context sensitive. It also reveals what strategies learners of Chinese use to produce tones similar to native speakers’ production.
Language as a Symbol of Identity and a Tool of Politics and Power in Pakistan and Bangladesh
Authors: Rácová Anna 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
This study aims to demonstrate the roles that domestic and foreign languages have played and play as signs of national or religious identity and social prestige and as tools of political and economic power in multilingual Pakistan and Bangladesh. Before the countries gained independence from the British Empire in 1947 and before the formation of the Indian Union and Pakistan (which was divided into Pakistan and Bangladesh in 1971), the role of an official language, remote to the majority of population in Indian subcontinent, had been gradually played by Sanskrit, Persian, and English. After gaining independence, the new countries decided to replace English as the official language with domestic languages. Their efforts encountered many problems and resulted in various solutions. Urdu became the state language in Pakistan, which caused resistance in local ethnolinguistic groups because the language had been imported by refugees from India. This resistance was the strongest in East Pakistan, where a strong national and language awareness eventually contributed to the formation of an independent Bangladesh with Bengali as the state language. Despite struggle for the dominance of domestic languages, English has preserved its prestigious position both in Pakistan and Bangladesh, as a symbol of higher social position, a language of education and science, and a tool of economic and political power.
Loss of Congruence in Slovak Possessive Resultative Constructions (Evidence from the Slovak National Corpus)
Authors: Giger Markus 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Possessive resultative constructions containing a HAVE-verb and a past passive participle have been used in West Slavic languages for centuries without showing a rapid grammaticalisation into a perfect (cf. evidence from Polish and Czech). The same holds for Slovak, where examples can be found at least from the 17th century on without rapidly changing on the grammaticalisation chain. At the same time, Krupa demonstrated in 1960 a loss of congruence between object and past passive participle in possessive resultatives in colloquial Slovak distinguishing different types. Loss of congruence is often considered to be an important grammaticalisation step for emerging participial perfects. A sought in the Slovak National Corpus brought some evidence for such constructions in journalistic texts and from the Internet (the same types as used by Krupa), but their frequency is very low so far.
Amelioration of hyperglycemia and associated metabolic abnormalities by a combination of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds and onion (Allium cepa) in experimental diabetes
Authors: Pradeep Seetur R. , Srinivasan Krishnapura 
Published: June 2017

Abstract

Background:
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds and onion (Allium cepa) are independently known to have antidiabetic effects through different mechanisms. The beeneficial influence of a combination of dietary fenugreek seeds and onion on hyperglycemia and its associated metabolic abnormalities were evaluated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Methods:
Diabetes was experimentally induced with streptozotocin and diabetic rats were fed with 10% fenugreek or 3% onion or their combination for 6 weeks.

Results:
These dietary interventions significantly countered hyperglycemia, partially improved peripheral insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion, reduced β-cell mass and markedly reversed the abnormalities in plasma albumin, urea, creatinine, glycated hemoglobin and advanced glycation end products in diabetic rats. These beneficial effects were highest in the fenugreek+onion group. Diabetic rats with these dietary interventions excreted lesser glucose, albumin, urea and creatinine, which were accompanied by improved body weights compared with the diabetic controls. These dietary interventions produced ameliorative effects on pancreatic pathology as reflected by near-normal islet cells, restored glycogen and collagen fiber deposition in diabetic rats.

Conclusions:
This study documented the hypoglycemic and insulinotropic effects of dietary fenugreek and onion, which were associated with countering of metabolic abnormalities and pancreatic pathology. It may be strategic to derive maximum nutraceutical antidiabetic benefits from these functional food ingredients by consuming them together.
The Impact of Financial Dollarization on Inflation Targeting: Empirical Evidence from Serbia
Authors: Fabris Nikola , Vujanović Nina 
Published: June 2017

AbstractSerbia has applied inflation targeting against the backdrop of financial dollarization for almost a decade. In such circumstances, efficiency of monetary policy instruments decreases and begs the question of efficiency of the monetary regime efficiency issue. Although there is some empirical testing of financial dollarization effects on monetary policy performance in the inflation targeting regime for some countries, such studies for Serbia mostly cover periods of early application of the regime.Therefore, the authors analysed financial dollarization effects on prices, i.e. exchange rate pass-through effect using Serbia as an example. The study concludes that although unpredictable changes in financial dollarization strongly affect nominal exchange rate, prices level is subject to moderate but persistent increase upon this shock.
Financing Structure and Liquidity Risk: Lesson from Malaysian Experience
Authors: Abdul-Rahman Aisyah , Said Noor Latifah Hanim Mohd , Sulaiman Ahmad Azam 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis study examines the relationship between financing structure and bank liquidity risk. We compare the findings between Islamic and conventional banks for the case of Malaysia. We adopt four measures to represent financing structure; namely 1) real estate financing, 2) financing concentration, 3) stability of short-term financing structure and 4) stability of medium-term financing structure. Two BASEL III liquidity risk measures are tested; namely, liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) and the net stable funding ratio (NSFR) to measure short- and long-term liquidity risk, respectively. Based on panel data regression comprising 27 conventional and 17 Islamic banks from 1994 to 2014, our findings show that real estate financing and stability of short-term financing structure for Islamic banks are positively related to both liquidity risk measures. This implies that an increasing number of real estate financing and a stable short-term financing structure may increase Islamic banks’ short- and long-term liquidity risks. However, although real estate financing does not affect conventional banks’ liquidity risks, a stable short-term financing structure and increasing financing concentration can positively influence bank long-term liquidity risk. Our findings shed light crucial policy implications for regulatory bodies and market players in the context of liquidity risk management framework as well as the need to develop a separate framework between conventional and Islamic banking institutions.
Original research. The Assessment of Epicardial Adipose Tissue in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients. A Systematic Review
Authors: Benedek Theodora , Rat Nora , Hodas Roxana , Opincariu Diana , Mester András , Benedek Imre 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Background: This systematic review seeks to evaluate the role of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), quantified either by thickness, assessed by transthoracic echocardiography, or by volume, assessed by cardiac computed tomography (CT), in the follow-up of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Method: One-hundred forty-four articles were screened, from which 56 were reviewed in full-text. From those, 47 studies were excluded for the following reasons: they did not meet the inclusion criteria; they were either reviews or meta-analyses; the study cohorts included only stable coronary artery disease patients; they did not state a clear and concise study design, endpoints, or follow-up. The final draft included nine studies for systematic evaluation. Results: Of the 2,306 patients included in the review, 170 underwent cardiac CT while the remaining 2,136 underwent transthoracic echocardiography for the measurement of EAT. The analysis found that the EAT thickness was significantly associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) rates during hospitalization (OR: -1.3, 95% CI: 1.05-1.62, p = 0.020) and at three years (HR: 1.524, 95% CI: 1.0-2.2, p = 0.038). The included studies found that EAT was correlated with the following clinical and angiographic risk scores for ACS: GRACE (r = 0.438, p <0.001), TIMI risk score (r = 0.363, p = 0.001), SYNTAX score (r = 0.690, p <0.0001; r = 0.610, p <0.01), and Gensini score (r = 0.438, p = 0.001). There was an inverse correlation between ST-segment resolution of <70% after revascularization and EAT (r = −0.414, p = 0.01), and the myocardial blush grade (r = −0.549, p <0.001). The EF aggregation ranged between 2.65 mm and 4.7 mm within the included studies. Conclusions: EAT, evaluated either by echocardiography or cardiac CT, correlates with the severity of coronary lesions, with the clinical and angiographic risk scores for acute coronary syndromes, with indicators for coronary reperfusion, and with short- and long-term MACE rates. Further studies are required to fully elucidate the role of this extensively studied but still novel cardiovascular biomarker as part of a risk prediction tool.
Original research. Regional Wall Motion Abnormalities and Ventricular Function in Acute Peri-Myocarditis
Authors: Matei Claudia , Mester András , Cernica Daniel , Hodas Roxana , Bordi Lehel 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Introduction: Myocardial involvement in pericardial diseases and the effect of pericardial inflammation and effusion on the function of the left ventricle (LV) is still a controversial issue. The present study aimed to evaluate LV regional wall abnormalities in patients with acute peri-myocarditis, using 3D echocardiographic assessment of LV contractility. Material and methods: The study included 56 subjects divided into two groups: Group 1 - 28 subjects with acute peri-myocarditis and Group 2 - 28 healthy controls. All subjects underwent a complete clinical examination, including laboratory tests. 3D echocardiography was performed to assess the left ventricular end-diastolic (EDV) and end-systolic volumes (ESV), and to calculate specific indexes for global and regional ventricular contractility, such as the index of contraction amplitude (ICA) and the regional index of contraction amplitude (RICA) for each segment corresponding to the region affected by peri- myocarditis. Results: 3D echocardiography showed no differences between the groups regarding the EDV (p = 0.2), the LV ejection fraction (Group 1: 55.82% ± 3.36% vs. Group 2: 57.21% ± 4.69%, p = 0.2). The ESV however, was significantly higher in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (55.78 ± 5.45 ml vs. 52.20 ± 6.43 ml, p = 0.04). ICA was similar between the groups (p = 0.2). However, the RICA was significantly lower in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (2.27 ± 0.63 vs. 5.16 ± 0.54, p <0.0001). Conclusions: The extension of the inflammatory process from the pericardium to the adjacent myocardial layer may affect the contractility of the LV. A good association exists between peri-myocarditis and the regional contractility abnormalities of the LV.
Lack of Implicit Prosody Effects in Deaf Readers of Japanese
Authors: Sato Kaori , Kobayashi Mari , Miyamoto Edson T. 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Prosodic contours have been claimed to be implicitly imposed on sentences read in silence, thereby affecting the interpretation of ambiguous constructions (the implicit prosody hypothesis, Fodor 2002). Some of the strongest evidence supporting this hypothesis manipulated the prosodic length of segments (Hirose 2003). However, such manipulations also increase the number of characters in the critical words, thus the results may not reflect the influence of prosodic factors but rather how perceptual mechanisms and working memory handle written words with larger numbers of characters. If so, such results should be replicable with readers who have low ability in handling prosodic information. We report experimental results suggesting that deaf readers are not sensitive to Hirose’s length manipulations. Therefore, the manipulations are likely to be related to prosodic contours rather than some other type of length measurement.