bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In-plane shear strength of paper measured by asymmetric four-point bending test
Authors: Yoshihara Hiroshi , Yoshinobu Masahiro 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
The in-plane shear strengths (IPSS) of copy paper, filter paper, and sack paper were obtained from an asymmetric four-point bending (AFPB) test. Rectangular tabs of medium-density fibreboard (MDF) were bonded to the paper specimen. The length of the clearance between the tabs was varied, and the influence of the clearance on the IPSS value was investigated. The IPSS obtained from the AFPB test was compared with that obtained from a 35° off-axis tension (OAT) test, which was proposed in a previous study. The IPSS values obtained from the AFPB tests on the copy paper and sack paper were significantly lower than those obtained from the 35° OAT tests because of the localised buckling caused by the negative principal stress. In contrast, the IPSS values obtained from the AFPB and OAT tests on the filter paper were in agreement when the clearance length was >5 mm because the buckling effect was excluded.
Der Bismarck-Mythos in den Reden und Schriften Hitlers. Vergangenheitsbilder und Zukunftsversprechen in der Auseinandersetzung von NSDAP und DNVP bis 1933
Authors: Nübel Christoph 
Published: May 2014

Zusammenfassung
Die Forschung ging bislang davon aus, dass Bismarck ein bedeutender Bestandteil von Hitlers Propaganda war. Dieser Beitrag kommt hingegen zu dem Ergebnis, dass Bismarck in den Äußerungen Hitlers nur eine untergeordnete Rolle gespielt hat. Das hatte zwei Gründe. Zum einen waren die dominierenden Bismarck-Mythen und Hitlers Ideologie zu großen Teilen inkongruent. Zum anderen versuchte Hitler den Nationalsozialismus als eine neue und dynamische politische „Bewegung“ erscheinen zu lassen und sich damit von den anderen Gruppierungen der Rechten, vor allem der DNVP, abzusetzen. Für die DNVP waren die Vergangenheit und Bismarck lange Zeit ein Leitbild. Dagegen war Hitler bemüht, vor allem die Zukunft zur wichtigsten Kategorie seiner Propaganda zu machen.
Prehypertension and associated factors among university students in the Philippines
Authors: Pengpid Supa , Peltzer Karl , Ferrer Alice Joan G. 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Background: Prehypertension is a new category of blood pressure, and is considered a cardiovascular risk factor. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of prehypertension and its associated factors in young adults in the Philippines.
Methods: Undergraduate university students from all areas of study in the University of the Philippines-Visayas were invited to participate. Prehypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure between 120 and 139 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure between 80 and 89 mm Hg. Blood pressure, anthropometric, health behavior, and psychosocial stress variables were measured.
Results: A total of 754 university students were included in the analysis (mean age, 18.3±1.4 years, 74.3% women). Prehypertension prevalence was 13.9% (36.1% in men, 6.8% in women), and hypertension prevalence was 2.4% (6.6% in men, 1.1% in women). The condition of prehypertension was associated with body mass index obesity (OR: 5.14, CI: 2.70 to 9.79), male gender (OR: 9.41, CI: 5.41 to 16.36), living off campus on their own (OR: 3.18, CI: 1.35 to 7.48), living with parents or guardians (OR: 2.83, CI: 1.20 to 6.60), and 19 years of age (OR: 2.81, CI: 1.55 to 5.11).
Conclusion: One out of every 7 young adults presented with prehypertension. This condition is associated with established risk factors.
Predictive factors and psychosocial effects of Internet addictive behaviors in Cypriot adolescents
Authors: Critselis Elena , Janikian Mari , Paleomilitou Noni , Oikonomou Despoina , Kassinopoulos Marios , Kormas George , Tsitsika Artemis 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Background: Internet addictive behaviors are associated with a plethora of psychosocial adversities. The study objectives were to assess the determinants and psychosocial correlates associated with Internet addictive behaviors among adolescents.
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study design was applied among a random sample (n=805) of Cypriot adolescents (mean age: 14.7 years). Self-completed questionnaires, including Internet use characteristics, Young Internet Addiction Test, and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, were utilized.
Results: Among the study population, the prevalence rates of borderline addictive Internet use (BIU) and addictive Internet use (AIU) were 18.4% and 2%, respectively. Adolescents with BIU had an increased likelihood of concomitantly presenting with abnormal peer relations (AOR: 5.28; 95% confidence interval, CI: 3.37–23.38), conduct problems (AOR: 4.77; 95% CI: 2.82–8.08), hyperactivity (AOR: 5.58; 95% CI: 2.58–12.10) and emotional symptoms (AOR: 2.85; 95% CI: 1.53–5.32). Adolescent AIU was significantly associated with abnormal conduct (AOR: 22.31; 95% CI: 6.90–72.19), peer problems (AOR: 7.14; 95% CI: 1.36–37.50), emotional symptoms (AOR: 19.06; 95% 6.06–60.61), and hyperactivity (AOR: 9.49, 95% CI: 1.87–48.19). The determinants of BIU and AIU included accessing the Internet for the purposes of retrieving sexual information (AOR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.17–3.23) and participating in games with monetary awards (AOR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.15–3.14).
Conclusions: Both BIU and AIU were adversely associated with notable behavioral and social maladjustment among adolescents.
Optimal Removal of Experimental Points to Determine Apparent Thermal Diffusivity of Canned Products
Authors: da Silva Wilton P. , Silva Cleide M. D. P. S. , Lins Marcos A. A. , da Costa Waldemir S. 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
To describe the transient heat conduction from or to a product, its thermo-physical properties must be known. If the boundary condition of the heat conduction equation is of the first kind, the process is governed by the thermal diffusivity α. Normally this property is determined by fit of the analytical solution with only the first term of the series to an experimental dataset of the temperature versus time, in which the temperature is measured in a known position. In this case, the value obtained for α contains errors due to the consideration of only one term and the inclusion of the first experimental points in the fit. This article presents an algorithm based on optimal removal of experimental points to minimize errors in the determination of α. The algorithm was validated and applied to heating of Agar gel. The precision and accuracy of the obtained result were, respectively, 0.38 and 0.6%.
Simulation of Neural Network Based Adaptive Compensator Control Scheme for Multiple Mobile Manipulators with Uncertainties
Authors: Singh H. P. 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
This paper proposes an adaptive neural network based control scheme for coordinated multiple mobile manipulators in the presence of model uncertainties and external disturbances. A key feature of this scheme is that the prior information of the possible upper bound of the uncertainty is not required. A feedforward neural network (FFNN) is employed to learn this upper bound. The proposed controller not only achieves uniformly ultimate boundedness (UUB) for trajectory tracking error of the object but also keeps the internal force error under a bound. Simulation studies are carried out for coordinated two wheels driven mobile manipulators.
Neuroprotective effect of N-acetyl cysteine against streptozotocin-induced memory dysfunction and oxidative damage in rats
Authors: Prakash Atish , Kalra Jaspreet Kaur , Kumar Anil 
Published: May 2014

Abstract

Background: Growing evidences indicate that endogenous oxidants and antioxidant defense interact in a vicious cycle, which plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of cognitive dysfunction. In this study, we examined the effect of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) against the intracerebroventricular infusion of streptozotocin (ICV STZ)-induced cognitive impairment and mitochondrial oxidative damage in rats.

Methods: Male adult Wistar rats were injected with STZ (3 mg/kg) bilaterally through ICV. NAC (50 and 100 mg/kg) was administered for 3 weeks post-surgery. The rats were sacrificed on the 21st day following the last behavioral test, and cytoplasmic fractions of the hippocampus and cortex were prepared for the quantification of acetylcholinesterase, oxidative stress parameter, mitochondrial enzymes, inflammatory mediators and caspase-3 activity.

Results: ICV STZ resulted in poor retention of memory in Morris water maze. It also increased the mito-oxidative damage and tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin 6 and caspase-3 levels in the hippocampus and cortex compared to sham animals. NAC significantly improved memory retention and attenuated oxidative damage parameters, inflammatory markers in STZ-treated rats.

Conclusions: The results of the present study strongly indicate the effectiveness of NAC in preventing cognitive impairment as well as mito-oxidative stress and may be considered as a potential agent in the management of cognitive-related disorders.
Semiparametric Estimation of the Impacts of Longitudinal Interventions on Adolescent Obesity using Targeted Maximum-Likelihood: Accessible Estimation with the ltmle Package
Authors: Decker Anna L. , Hubbard Alan , Crespi Catherine M. , Seto Edmund Y.W. , Wang May C. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractWhile child and adolescent obesity is a serious public health concern, few studies have utilized parameters based on the causal inference literature to examine the potential impacts of early intervention. The purpose of this analysis was to estimate the causal effects of early interventions to improve physical activity and diet during adolescence on body mass index (BMI), a measure of adiposity, using improved techniques. The most widespread statistical method in studies of child and adolescent obesity is multivariable regression, with the parameter of interest being the coefficient on the variable of interest. This approach does not appropriately adjust for time-dependent confounding, and the modeling assumptions may not always be met. An alternative parameter to estimate is one motivated by the causal inference literature, which can be interpreted as the mean change in the outcome under interventions to set the exposure of interest. The underlying data-generating distribution, upon which the estimator is based, can be estimated via a parametric or semi-parametric approach. Using data from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study, a 10-year prospective cohort study of adolescent girls, we estimated the longitudinal impact of physical activity and diet interventions on 10-year BMI z-scores via a parameter motivated by the causal inference literature, using both parametric and semi-parametric estimation approaches. The parameters of interest were estimated with a recently released R package, ltmle, for estimating means based upon general longitudinal treatment regimes. We found that early, sustained intervention on total calories had a greater impact than a physical activity intervention or non-sustained interventions. Multivariable linear regression yielded inflated effect estimates compared to estimates based on targeted maximum-likelihood estimation and data-adaptive super learning. Our analysis demonstrates that sophisticated, optimal semiparametric estimation of longitudinal treatment-specific means via ltmle provides an incredibly powerful, yet easy-to-use tool, removing impediments for putting theory into practice.
Reducing Bias Amplification in the Presence of Unmeasured Confounding through Out-of-Sample Estimation Strategies for the Disease Risk Score
Authors: Wyss Richard , Lunt Mark , Brookhart M. Alan , Glynn Robert J. , Stürmer Til 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThe prognostic score, or disease risk score (DRS), is a summary score that is used to control for confounding in non-experimental studies. While the DRS has been shown to effectively control for measured confounders, unmeasured confounding continues to be a fundamental obstacle in non-experimental research. Both theory and simulations have shown that in the presence of unmeasured confounding, controlling for variables that affect treatment (both instrumental variables and measured confounders) amplifies the bias caused by unmeasured confounders. In this paper, we use causal diagrams and path analysis to review and illustrate the process of bias amplification. We show that traditional estimation strategies for the DRS do not avoid bias amplification when controlling for predictors of treatment. We then discuss estimation strategies for the DRS that can potentially reduce bias amplification that is caused by controlling both instrumental variables and measured confounders. We show that under certain assumptions, estimating the DRS in populations outside the defined study cohort where treatment has not been introduced, or in outside populations with reduced treatment prevalence, can control for the confounding effects of measured confounders while at the same time reduce bias amplification.
Effect of Persea americana (avocado) fruit extract on the level of expression of adiponectin and PPAR-γ in rats subjected to experimental hyperlipidemia and obesity
Authors: Padmanabhan Monika , Arumugam Geetha 
Published: May 2014

Abstract

Background: Persea americana, commonly known as avocado, is traditionally consumed fruit which possesses body fat lowering capacity. Adiponectin plays an important role in regulating obesity. In this study, the effect of hydro-alcoholic fruit extract of P. americana (HAEPA) on the level of blood lipids, glutathione, lipid peroxidation products, adiponectin and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)-γ expressions was investigated in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD).

Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups: groups 1 and 2 were fed normal rat chow (5% fat) and groups 3 and 4 were fed HFD (23% fat) for a period of 14 weeks. In addition, groups 2 and 4 rats were administered orally with 100 mg/kg body weight of HAEPA from third week. After 14 weeks, rats were sacrificed, and serum/plasma levels of total cholesterol, phospholipids, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and adiponectin were determined. The mRNA expression of adiponectin, PPAR-γ and protein expression of PPAR-γ were also evaluated.

Results: The body mass index (BMI), total fat pad mass and adiposity index were significantly decreased in HAEPA co-administered rats than in HFD-fed rats. The levels of LDL and lipid peroxides were significantly higher in HFD group than in HFD+HAEPA group. Levels of reduced glutathione, adiponectin, mRNA expression of adiponectin, PPAR-γ and protein expression of PPAR-γ were found to be increased in HFD+HAEPA group than in HFD group. The hypolipidemic effect of HAEPA is also evidenced by the histological observations in liver, heart and adipose tissue.

Conclusions: The results indicate that HAEPA exhibits hypolipidemic activity probably by increasing the mRNA expression of adiponectin and PPAR-γ, which reduce the risk of hyperlipidemia and obesity.
Deautoconvolution: A new decomposition approach versus TIGRA and local regularization
Authors: Bürger Steven , Flemming Jens 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Solving an autoconvolution equation is a nonlinear ill-posed inverse problem.
Besides standard methods for general nonlinear problems several customized methods
for deautoconvolution are available. Recently, a new decomposition approach for
solving ill-posed quadratic equations, e.g. autoconvolutions, has been proposed.
In this article we compare the new approach to the TIGRA method of Ramlau and to the
local regularization method of Dai and Lamm. Numerical tests show that the new method
yields better approximations to the unknown true solution than existing methods in
comparable computation time.
Interacting functionally graded quantum wires/quantum dots with arbitrary shapes and general anisotropy within a distinct piezoelectric matrix
Authors: Shodja Hossein M. , Rashidinejad Ehsan 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAn accurate determination of the two- and three-dimensional electro-elastic fields of periodically as well as arbitrarily distributed interacting quantum wires (QWRs) and interacting quantum dots (QDs) of arbitrary shapes within a piezoelectric matrix is of particular interest. Both the QWR/QD and the barrier may be made of materials with distinct general rectilinear anisotropy in elastic, piezoelectric, and dielectric constants. The lattice mismatch between the QWR/QD and the barrier is accounted by prescribing an initial misfit strain field within the QWR/QD. Previous analytical treatments have neglected the distinction between the electro-mechanical properties of the QWR/QD and those of the barrier. This simplifying assumption is circumvented in the present work by using a novel electro-mechanical equivalent inclusion method in Fourier space (FEMEIM). Moreover, the theory can readily treat cases where the QWRs/QDs are multiphase or functionally graded (FG). It was proven that for two-dimensional problems of either a periodic or an arbitrary distribution of FG QWRs in a transversely isotropic piezoelectric barrier, the elastic and electric fields are electrically and elastically impotent, respectively, and no electric field would be induced in the medium provided that the rotational symmetry and polarization axes coincide. Some numerical examples of more frequent shapes and different distributions of indium nitride QDs/QWRs within transversely isotropic aluminum nitride barrier are solved.
Strength and modulus of carbon nanotubes under a tensile load
Authors: Alnefaie Khaled A. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractCarbon nanotubes (CNTs) were fabricated using low-pressure chemical vapor deposition and then embedded in epoxy polymer at several weight ratios, 0, 0.75, 1.5, and 3 wt%, for tensile testing and Young’s modulus determination using an Instron machine. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the epoxy resin were increased with the addition of CNTs to a certain extent, and then decreased with the increase in the weight fraction of CNTs. The best properties occurred at 1.5 wt% of CNTs. Scanning electron microscopy was used to reveal the dispersion status of CNTs in the nanocomposites.
On the non-idealness of cyclotomic families of pairing-friendly elliptic curves
Authors: Sha Min 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Let

k
=

2
m

p
n

$k=2^mp^n$

for an odd prime p and integers m ≥ 0 and n ≥ 0. We obtain lower bounds for the ρ-values of cyclotomic families of pairing-friendly elliptic curves with embedding degree k and

r

(
x
)

=

Φ
k

(
x
)

$r(x)=\Phi _k(x)$

. Our bounds imply that none of the families are ideal.
Research of QoS on Upward Dynamic Bandwidth Burst Service in GEPON by Numerical Analysis
Authors: Li Li , Li Hong-An , Zhang Tian-Peng 
Published: May 2014

AbstractPerformances of QoS in Gigabit Ethernet passive optical network (GEPON) upward service is the most critical factor for practical application. This article proposes a novel of dual-clocking algorithm basing on studying in the existing dynamic bandwidth. The improved algorithm both guarantees EF high priority service and supports burst BE data traffic, in the meanwhile conspicuously enhances GEPON network efficiency. The article has confirmed the lgorithm feasibility and the improved properties through the simulation.
Growth hormone treatment in a patient with Hurler-Scheie syndrome
Authors: Rogers Douglas G. , Nasomyont Nat 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
A female patient with known Hurler-Scheie syndrome, who underwent hematopoietic cell transplantation, presented with growth retardation and delayed puberty. She started growth hormone (GH) treatment at age 12.33 years, resulting in significantly improved linear growth and predicted adult height. We describe details of her clinical course and literature review of growth pattern as well as GH use in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis I.
Identifying high-risk subgroups for alcohol consumption among younger and older pregnant women
Authors: Kitsantas Panagiota , Gaffney Kathleen F. , Wu Huichuan 
Published: May 2014

Abstract

Aims: Recent studies indicate that older women are more likely to consume alcohol during pregnancy, but subgroups at highest risk within the context of maternal age have not been identified. This study identifies subgroups at risk for alcohol use during pregnancy among three age categories using classification and regression trees (CART) analysis.

Methods: Using the 2002–2009 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) dataset (311,428 records of U.S. women), logistic regression and classification trees were constructed separately for age groups, ≤24, 25–29, and ≥30 years.

Results: Overall, 6.5% of women reported drinking alcohol during the last trimester of pregnancy. Alcohol consumption by age group was: 3.7% for ≤24, 5.7% for 25–29, and 10.1% for ≥30 years of age. Women ≤24 years were at greater risk of consuming alcohol if they also smoked (5.8%). Among nonsmokers, higher levels of education and being Hispanic were associated with a 35% increase in alcohol use. Distinct high-risk subgroups emerged for the 25–29-year-old group. Specifically, 12.8% of non-obese women who reported having experienced abuse during pregnancy also reported drinking alcohol in the last trimester. About 16% of women ≥30 years with at least 16 years of education, White or Hispanic with normal or underweight BMI, drank alcohol during their last trimester.

Conclusions: Given limited health care resources for prevention and treatment, the early identification of high-risk groups for prenatal alcohol use is critical. This study provides evidence that risk factors contributing to alcohol consumption during pregnancy may differ by maternal age.
Individual consultant practice does not affect the overall intervention rate: a 6-year study
Authors: Manohar Sanjay , Woods Christopher F.G. , Lindow Stephen W. 
Published: May 2014

Abstract

Background: Differences exist in obstetric intervention rates between hospitals but it is not known if the individual consultant governs the decision to intervene or whether intervention is a product of agreed protocols and working practices. The purpose of this study is to analyse the differences in obstetric intervention rates amongst individual consultants working in a large maternity unit.

Methods: Each consultant was responsible for all deliveries occurring in successive 24-h periods. Over a 6-year period all deliveries resulting from a spontaneous onset of labour were matched to the consultant in charge at the time of the delivery and analysed.

Results: There were no differences seen in normal delivery rates (χ2=4.478, P=0.812) and vacuum (χ2=12.232, P=0.141) rates for the consultants. Significant differences were found in both forceps rate (χ2=21.462, P=0.006) and caesarean rate (χ2=24.535, P=0.002) between consultants. When the forceps rate was combined with vacuum rate there were no significant differences.

Conclusions: Within the hospital, individual consultants demonstrated no significant variations in overall intervention rates. However, when intervention occurred, different consultants showed preferences for forceps and caesarean section.