bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combined Angiotensin II Type-1 Receptor Blockade and Superoxide Anion Scavenging Affect the Post-Ischemic Kidney in Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Ivanov Milan , Mihailović-Stanojević Nevena , Marković-Lipkovski Jasmina , Jovović Đurđica , Karanović Danijela , Miloradović Zoran , Grujić-Milanović Jelica 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
Ischemic acute kidney injury is characterized by renal vasoconstriction, filtration failure, tubular obstruction, tubular backleak and overproduction of angiotensin II and reactive oxygen species. Considering this complexity, the aim of our study was to investigate the effects of angiotensin II type-1 receptor blocker - Losartan and superoxide anion scavenger - Tempol, in a combined treatment on acute kidney injury in postischemic hypertensive rats.
The experiment was performed in anesthetized, adult male spontaneously hypertensive rats. The right kidney was removed and the left renal artery was occluded for 40 minutes. Experimental groups received combined treatment (Losartan + Tempol) or saline in the femoral vein 5 minutes before, during and 175 minutes after clamp removal.
Hemodynamics and biochemical parameters were measured and kidney specimens were collected 24h after reperfusion. Histological examination was performed by optical microscopy.
Combined treatment improves renal haemodynamics parameters which were exacerbated due to acute kidney injury. Acute kidney injury significantly decreased creatinine and urea clearance and increased lipid peroxidation in the plasma. Treatment with Losartan and Tempol induced a significant increase of creatinine and urea clearance. Lipid peroxidation in the plasma decreased and glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity in the erythrocytes increased after Losartan + Tempol treatment. This combined treatment reduced cortico-medullary necrosis and tubular dilatation in the kidney.
Our results indicate that synergism of Losartan and Tempol treatment could have beneficial effects on blood pressure and kidney function, during postischemic acute kidney injury development in experimental hypertension.
Automatic parametric fault detection in complex analog systems based on a method of minimum node selection
Authors: Bilski Adrian , Wojciechowski Jacek 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to introduce a strategy to find a minimal set of test nodes for diagnostics of complex analog systems with single parametric faults using the support vector machine (SVM) classifier as a fault locator. The results of diagnostics of a video amplifier and a low-pass filter using tabu search along with genetic algorithms (GAs) as node selectors in conjunction with the SVM fault classifier are presented. General principles of the diagnostic procedure are first introduced, and then the proposed approach is discussed in detail. Diagnostic results confirm the usefulness of the method and its computational requirements. Conclusions on its wider applicability are provided as well.
Vision based persistent localization of a humanoid robot for locomotion tasks
Authors: Martínez Pablo A. , Castelán Mario , Arechavaleta Gustavo 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
Typical monocular localization schemes involve a search for matches between reprojected 3D world points and 2D image features in order to estimate the absolute scale transformation between the camera and the world. Successfully calculating such transformation implies the existence of a good number of 3D points uniformly distributed as reprojected pixels around the image plane. This paper presents a method to control the march of a humanoid robot towards directions that are favorable for visual based localization. To this end, orthogonal diagonalization is performed on the covariance matrices of both sets of 3D world points and their 2D image reprojections. Experiments with the NAO humanoid platform show that our method provides persistence of localization, as the robot tends to walk towards directions that are desirable for successful localization. Additional tests demonstrate how the proposed approach can be incorporated into a control scheme that considers reaching a target position.
The Game of the Sphere or of the Universe — a Spiral Race Game from 17th century France
Authors: Seville Adrian 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
Simple race games, played with dice and without choice of move, are known from antiquity. In the late 16th century, specific examples of this class of game emerged from Italy and spread rapidly into other countries of Europe. Pre-eminent was the Game of the Goose, which spawned thousands of variants over the succeeding centuries to the present day, including educational, polemical and promotional variants.1
The educational variants began as a French invention of the 17th century, the earliest of known date being a game to teach Geography, the Jeu du Monde by Pierre Duval, published in 1645. By the end of the century, games designed to teach several of the other accomplishments required of the noble cadet class had been developed: History, the Arts of War, and Heraldry being notable among them.
A remarkable example of a game within this class is the astronomical game, Le Jeu de la Sphere ou de l’Univers selon Tycho Brahe, published in 1661 by E(s)tienne Vouillemont in Paris. The present paper analyses this game in detail, showing how it combines four kinds of knowledge systems: natural philosophy, based on the Ptolemaic sphere; biblical knowledge; astrology, with planetary and zodiacal influences; and classical knowledge embodied in the names of the constellations. The game not only presents all four on an equal footing but also explores links between them, indicating some acceptance of an overall knowledge-system. Despite the title, there is no evidence of the Tychonian scheme for planetary motion, nor of any Copernican or Galilean influence.
This game is to be contrasted with medieval race games, based on numerology and symbolism, and with race games towards the end of the Early Modern period in which science is fully accepted.
Insight into Prospects of Islamic Banking: from Past to Present
Authors: Kļaviņš Kaspars , Abu Al-Haija Elias 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
Islamic banking is one of the alternative financial models of the modern world, which is currently gaining more and more international recognition and reliability both in the East and West. The article reveals separate historical aspects of the genesis of Islamic banking in order to better demonstrate the potential of this financial system now and in the future. The purpose of the research is to highlight the ability of Islamic banking to integrate into the western-dominated economy and society.
Diagnosis is driven by probabilistic reasoning: counter-point
Authors: Cahan Amos 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
Uncertainty is involved in each and every step of the diagnostic process. Trying to eliminate doubt altogether is too costly, is likely to fail, and may lead to patient harm. Acknowledging this, the threshold approach aims to optimize diagnosis-making by adopting the explicit use of probability estimates and by discouraging the pursuit of 100% certainty. Yet physicians are affected by cognitive biases which compromise their probabilistic reasoning and may lead to unreliable estimates. Health informatics tools helping to overcome human limitations by empowering physicians to handle probabilities are needed to increase the efficiency of diagnostic process.
Access to scientific information. A national survey of the Italian Society of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine (SIBioC)
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Ciaccio Marcello , Giavarina Davide 
Published: September 2016

Abstract

Background:
Digital libraries are typically used for retrieving and accessing articles in academic journals and repositories. Previous studies have been published about the performance of various biomedical research platforms, but no information is available about access preferences.

Methods:
A six-question survey was designed by the Italian Society of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine (SIBioC) using the platform Google Drive, and made available for 1 month to the members of the society. The information about the survey was published on the website of SIBioC and also disseminated by two sequential newsletters.

Results:
Overall, 165 replies were collected throughout the 1-month survey availability. The largest number of replies were provided by laboratory professionals working in the national healthcare system (44.2%), followed by those working in private facilities (13.9%), university professors (12.7%) and specialization training staff (12.7%). The majority of responders published zero to one articles per year (55.2%), followed by two to five articles per year (37.6%), whereas only 7.3% published more than five articles per year. A total of 34.5% of the responders consulted biomedical research platforms on weekly basis, followed by 33.9% who did so on daily basis. PubMed/Medline was the most accessed scientific database, followed by Scopus, ISI Web of Science and Google Scholar. The impact factor was the leading reason when selecting which journal to publish in. The most consulted journals in the field of laboratory medicine were Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine and Biochimica Clinica.

Conclusions:
This survey provides useful indications about the personal inclination towards access to scientific information in our country.
Avian Haemosporidian blood parasite infections at a migration hotspot in Eilat, Israel
Authors: Paperna Ilan , Rózsa Lajos , Yosef Reuven 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
Haemosporidian blood parasites are frequent amongst passerines. Though they often do not cause detectable consequences to host health, however, their presence or absence and also their prevalence across host populations may potentially carry meaningful information about the health, stress, body condition and viability of bird individuals or populations. The study of migratory birds captured in Eilat, Israel, allowed us to evaluate the prevalence of blood parasite infections in a wide range of both migrant and resident species in spring (N = 1,950) and autumn (N = 538) of 2004 and 2005. According to blood film microscopy, Haemoproteus spp. and Leucocytozoon spp. were more prevalent in the spring than in the autumn (0.289, 0.082 vs. 0.132, 0.033, respectively), whilst Plasmodium spp. exhibited a slight opposite trend (0.034, 0.056). All other parasites (such as trypanosomes, microfilaria and haemococcidians) were rare. During the spring seasons, prevalences were significantly higher in migrant than in resident species, whilst this difference was only marginally significant in the autumn. Given that Eilat is a migration hotspot for several Palearctic passerine species, the present descriptive study may hopefully serve to set the baseline values for future long-term epidemiological monitoring.
The Effect of Cd, Zn and Fe on Seed Germination and Early Seedling Growth of Wheat and Bean
Authors: El Rasafi Taoufik , Nouri Mohamed , Bouda Said , Haddioui Abdelmajid 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThis study was conducted to evaluate the effect of metals on wheat and bean species. The method uses seed germination and early seedling growth of these plants in the presence of various levels (10, 50, 100, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg/L) of Cadmium (Cd), Iron (Fe) and Zinc (Zn). The inhibition caused by these metals was depending on the concentration used, the metal itself and the plant species. The species had reduced seed germination, root and shoot lengths, tolerance index and percentphyto-toxicity with increasing concentrations of metals. Cadmium was determined to be the most inhibitory metal on these parameters. This metal affected significantly the germination, root and shoot length of the species tested, as well as the tolerance index and percentphytotoxicity starting from 50 mg Cd/l. Under the Iron stress, in general, the inhibition of germination and root length of wheat was reduced from 500 mg Fe/l. The results showed also that the inhibitory effect of increase of Zn levels was seen in root, shoot and tolerance indices. The findings also revealed that the metal toxicity was as follow: Cd > Fe > Zn. Regarding species, the results showed that bean seemed to be more tolerant to the increase of the three metals than wheat.
Spatial Heterogeneity of Mechanical Impedance of Atypical Chernozem: The Ecological Approach
Authors: Zhukov Alexander , Gadorozhnaya Galina 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
In this research paper, the spatial heterogeneity of mechanical impedance of a typical chernozem was investigated. The distance between experimental points in the mechanical impedance space was explained by means of multidimensional scaling. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients between dissimilarity indices and gradient separation with different data transformation methods revealed that the use of log-transformed data and Horn-Morisita distance was the most appropriate approach to reflect the relationship between the mechanical impedance of soil and ecological factors. A three dimensional variant of multidimensional scaling procedure was selected as the most appropriate decision. Environmental factors were estimated with the use of phytoindicator scales. Broad, medium and fine-scale components of spatial variation of mechanical impedance of soil were extracted using the principal coordinates of neighbour matrices method (PCNM). In the extracted dimensions, statistically significant phytoindicator scales were found to describe variability from 8 to 33%. Dimension 1 correlated with a thermal climate indicator value, a hygromorphs index, an abundance of steppe species and meadow species. Dimension 2 correlated with a continental climate indicator value, carbonate content in the soil and the soil trophicity index (capacity of the soil for plant nutrition). Dimension 3 correlated with acidity, humidity and cryoclimate indicator values. Variation partitioning results revealed that environmental factors and spatial variables explained 47.8% of the total variation of the dimensions. Purely environmental component explained 18.2% of total variation. The spatial component and spatially structured environmental fractions explained 43.6%. The broad-scale spatial component explained 26.4% of dimensional variation, medium-scale – 6.7% and fine-scale – 5.7%. As a result of regression analysis, the broad-scale spatially structured environmental fractions were found to be connected with variability of moisture and thermal climate indicator values. The medium-scale component was revealed to be connected with variability of moisture, thermal climate, total salt regime and aeration of soil indicator value. The fine-scale component was connected with carbonate content in the soil, acidity and humidity indicator values.
Kinetics of Evaporation of Alloying Elements under Vacuum: Application to Ti alloys in Electron Beam Melting
Authors: Choi Wonjin , Jourdan Julien , Matveichev Alexey , Jardy Alain , Bellot Jean-Pierre 
Published: September 2016

AbstractVacuum metallurgical processes such as the electron beam melting are highly conducive to volatilization. In titanium processing, it concerns the alloying elements which show a high vapor pressure with respect to titanium matrix, such as Al. Two different experimental approaches using a laboratory electron beam furnace have been developed for the estimation of volatilization rate and activity coefficient of Al in Ti64. The first innovative method is based on the deposition rate of Al on Si wafers located at different angles θ above the liquid bath. We found that a deposition according to a cos2(π/2−θ) law describes well the experimental distribution of the weight of the deposition layer. The second approach relies on the depletion of aluminum in the liquid pool at two separate times of the volatilization process. Both approaches provide values of the Al activity coefficient at T=1, 860 °C in a fairly narrow range [0.044–0.0495], in good agreement with the range reported in the literature. Furthermore numerical simulation of the Al behavior in the liquid pool reveals (in the specific case of electron beam button melting) a weak transport resistance in the surface boundary layer.
FeAl2O4 Nanopowders; Structural Analysis and Band Gap Energy
Authors: Enhessari Morteza 
Published: September 2016

AbstractNanoscale FeAl2O4 was successfully synthesized via sol–gel method. The sol constituents containing iron and aluminum cations were formed homogenously in stearic acid gel (formation of organic precursor). The pure structural analysis and the size of the spinels were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was observed that the size of the nanoscale materials obtained at around 30–40nm. The micrographs of FeAl2O4 evidenced the homogenous and nanosize formation of spinel. The semiconducting behavior of this mixed metal oxide was observed at 3.14eV based on the band gap energy (Eg). The final nanoscale materials exhibited a superparamagnetic behavior with a saturation magnetization of 9.8 emu/g at applied field of 10 kOe.
Exploring smokers' opposition to proposed tobacco control strategies
Authors: Lund Marianne 
Published: September 2016

Background Tobacco control (TC) advocates are searching for new TC strategies to decrease smoking rates further. Aims The aim of this study is to explore smokers' opposition to 16 TC strategies, including the attitudes in the sample as a whole. The results are discussed in relation to the importance of public versus smoker support, and the need for legitimate TC strategies. Methods An Internet panel with 35,000 registered users was accessed to invite participants to join a survey on attitudes towards TC strategies. In addition, 1253 participants were recruited directly from mobile phone lists. Of the 5543 participants recruited, 5250 adults aged 20 years or older were eligible for analysis. Respondents' attitudes were measured on a five-point Likert scale, and mean values, standard deviations and percentages of those who opposed TC regulations were reported. Results In the total sample, there was some support for regulating smoking in specific outdoors areas. Smokers opposed all of the proposed strategies except banning smoking in cars carrying children, increasing the age limit for purchasing cigarettes and banning smoking at transportation stops. Smokers seemed to accept regulations that protected others from the health risks of smoking, but defended their right to smoke in some specific outdoor areas. Conclusions Smokers opposed most of the proposed TC strategies. Smokers' support may be more important in TC areas that aim to denormalise smoking and where enforcement is more complex.
Empowered communities: Science, ideology and the limits of political action
Authors: Roumeliotis Filip 
Published: September 2016

Aims Against the background of an increased interest in community participation in political processes, this article critically examines how the “community” is constituted as a political entity in the Communities That Care drug prevention programme. Method Through an examination of 14 publications written by the programme developers and other collaborators, I have analysed the programme's theoretical foundation. Results The programme seeks to constitute the community as an expert community, drawing on the principles of prevention science in its decision-making processes and thereby asserting the primacy of scientific reasoning in politics. Disagreement, otherwise regarded as the “essence” of democratic politics, is to be neutralised through the establishment of a common language based on prevention science. The programme constitutes needs as existing independently of any culturally and politically informed interpretations and promptly met by ready-tested, evidence-based interventions. By combining a consumer subject and an instrumental-rational subject, the programme establishes a specific kind of democratic subject expected to exert its choices on a market offering instant solutions to problems formulated outside of the community's decision-making processes. Conclusion The analysis points to a range of limitations and issues on how community empowerment and democratic participation are conceptualised in the programme. By asserting the primacy of scientific reasoning in drug-policy processes, the programme sets limits to what counts as a political problem and which responses are deemed legitimate. This risks exerting significant closure on the ability of communities to speak in properly political terms.
Risky drinking among Norwegian students: Associations with participation in the introductory week, academic performance and alcohol-related attitudes
Authors: Myrtveit Solbjørg Makalani , Askeland Kristin Gärtner , Knudsen Ann Kristin , Knapstad Marit , Olsen Rune , Nedregård Truls , Skogen Jens Christoffer 
Published: September 2016

Aims Substantial increase in heavy drinking upon transition from high school to college is common. Norwegian universities and university colleges arrange yearly introductory weeks to welcome new students. It has been questioned whether these events are too centered on alcohol. We aimed to investigate whether participation in the introductory week is associated with risky drinking (RD). We further aimed to investigate whether RD is associated with academic performance. Finally, we investigated whether alcohol-related attitudes are associated with both RD and introductory week participation. Design Data from the Norwegian study of students' health and well-being (SHoT, 2014, n=13,663) were used. The odds ratio (OR) of RD was calculated for individuals having participated in the introductory week compared to others. Different measures of academic performance (having failed exams, study progression and study-related self-efficacy (SRSE)) were compared between individuals reporting RD compared to others. The association between attitudes and participation in the event and RD was investigated. Results Individuals having participated in the introductory week are more likely to report RD (OR (95%CI) = 2.41 (2.12-2.74)). Individuals reporting RD report lower SRSE and are more likely to have failed exams more than once. Study progression is unassociated with RD. Liberal alcohol-related attitudes are associated with participation in the event and RD. Conclusions RD among students is associated with participation in the introductory week and with poorer academic performance. The university introductory week might be in danger of excluding individuals who do not drink much, or of promoting an unhealthy drinking culture among students.