bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Associations of Size at Birth and Postnatal Catch-up Growth Status With Clinical and Biomedical Characteristics in Prepubertal Girls With Precocious Adrenarche: Preliminary Results
Authors: Uçar Ahmet , Yackobovitch-Gavan Michal , Erol Oğuz Bülent , Yekeler Ensar , Saka Nurçin , Baş Firdevs , Poyrazoğlu Şükran , Bundak Rüveyde , Darendeliler Feyza 
Published: April 2014

Context:The causes of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in girls with precocious adrenarche (PA) remain unclear.Objective:Our goal was to compare the clinical, biochemical, and ultrasound characteristics of girls with PA whose size at birth was appropriate for gestational age (AGA) vs those born small for gestational age (SGA). PCOS-associated metabolic and morphological correlates were examined.Design:Glucose tolerance, ACTH stimulation, and transabdominal ultrasounds were examined in 56 AGA and 31 SGA girls with PA. Bone age and hormonal profiles were determined. SGA girls were divided into 2 groups by catch-up growth (CUG) status. Subgroups were compared.Results:Chronological age, Tanner stage for pubarche, ovarian volume, and uterine volume were similar between the groups. SGA girls had lower body mass index and higher bone age-adjusted post-corticotropin cortisol. We found increased body mass index-adjusted mean serum insulin, reduced insulin sensitivity, and reduced IGF-binding protein-1 in SGA girls. Multicystic ovaries were more common in SGA girls (odds ratio [OR] = 9.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.34–28.15; P &lt; .001). SGA girls without CUG had a higher incidence of multicystic ovaries than CUG counterparts (OR = 8.4, 95% CI = 1.4–19.3; P = .027). Being born SGA (OR = 43.4, 95% CI = 6.9–84.7; P = .001] and exaggerated 17-hydroxyprogesterone response (OR = 15.8, 95% CI = 1.7–49.8; P = .015) were associated with multicystic ovaries.Conclusions:Significant differences in hormone levels, insulin sensitivity, and ovarian maturity were found in prepubertal girls with PA who were SGA. Longitudinal follow-up will help determine whether these factors contribute to a specific PCOS phenotype in SGA girls with PA.
Thyroid Hormones and Mortality Risk in Euthyroid Individuals: The Kangbuk Samsung Health Study
Authors: Zhang Yiyi , Chang Yoosoo , Ryu Seungho , Cho Juhee , Lee Won-Young , Rhee Eun-Jung , Kwon Min-Jung , Pastor-Barriuso Roberto , Rampal Sanjay , Han Won Kon , Shin Hocheol , Guallar Eliseo 
Published: April 2014

Context:
Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, both overt and subclinical, are associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. The association between thyroid hormones and mortality in euthyroid individuals, however, is unclear.

Objective:
To examine the prospective association between thyroid hormones levels within normal ranges and mortality endpoints.

Setting and Design:
A prospective cohort study of 212 456 middle-aged South Korean men and women who had normal thyroid hormone levels and no history of thyroid disease at baseline from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2009. Free T4 (FT4), free T3 (FT3), and TSH levels were measured by RIA. Vital status and cause of death ascertainment were based on linkage to the National Death Index death certificate records.

Results:
After a median follow-up of 4.3 years, 730 participants died (335 deaths from cancer and 112 cardiovascular-related deaths). FT4 was inversely associated with all-cause mortality (HR = 0.77, 95% confidence interval 0.63–0.95, comparing the highest vs lowest quartile of FT4; P for linear trend = .01), and FT3 was inversely associated cancer mortality (HR = 0.62, 95% confidence interval 0.45–0.85; P for linear trend = .001). TSH was not associated with mortality endpoints.

Conclusions:
In a large cohort of euthyroid men and women, FT4 and FT3 levels within the normal range were inversely associated with the risk of all-cause mortality and cancer mortality, particularly liver cancer mortality.
Change in Overhauser Effect-enhanced MRI Signal in Response to uPA Highly Expressing in Tumor
Authors: Niidome Takuro , Chijiiwa Nobukatsu , Yamasaki Toshihide , Yamada Ken-ichi , Mori Takeshi , Naganuma Tatsuya , Utsumi Hideo , Ichikawa Kazuhiro , Katayama Yoshiki 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Dendritic poly(l-lysine) polymers were modified with stable nitroxyl radicals through the substrate peptides of a protease specifically expressed in tumors. Cleavage of the peptides by the protease affected the Overhauser-enhanced MRI (OMRI) signal from the radicals. This system could be the basis of a functional tumor-imaging technique by OMRI.
Markers for hepatic autoimmune disorders in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Derevyanko Olga Sergeevna , Dalantaeva Nadejda Sergeevna , Ivanova Olga Nikolaevna , Goncharov Nikolay Petrovich , Nikonova Tatiana Vasil'evna , Smirnova Olga Mikhailovna 
Published: April 2014

Aim. To assess the occurrence of autoantibodies characteristic of autoimmune hepatitis in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), and to analyze clinical features of positive subjects. Materials and Methods. . 84 patients (39 male, 45 female) with T1DM were subdivided into two groups and underwent biochemical, immunologic and instrumental examination. Results. Markers for hepatic autoimmune disorders were found to be highly prevalent in patients with T1DM, even in those asymptomatic according to clinical and instrumental diagnostic methods. Conclusion. Our data suggests that T1DM patients are at higher risk of corresponding, though possibly asymptomatic autoimmune disorders.
Current report from Russian Diabetic Retinopathy Register
Authors: Lipatov Dmitriy Valentinovich , Aleksandrova Vera Kirillovna , Atarshchikov Dmitriy Sergeevich , Bessmertnaya Elena Grigor'evna , Kon Irina L'vovna , Kuz'min Anatoliy Gennad'evich , Smirnova Nataliya Borisovna , Tolkacheva Anna Anatol'evna , Chistyakov Timofey Alexandrovich 
Published: April 2014

A pandemic expansion of diabetes mellitus (DM) observed nowadays across the globe is increasingly acknowledged as a disaster by all peoples of the world. Statistical analysis indicates an annual increase in prevalence of DM in Russian Federation that had reached 3 779 423 registered patients by 01.01.2013. Besides the humanitarian aspects, DM poses severe economic challenges for this country ? challenges that stem both from high mortality and growing disability rate due to limb loss, decrease in visual acuity and need for hemodialysis, plaguing many DM patients. Aim. To produce an epidemiological evaluation based on the dynamics of prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in the Russian Federation ? nationwide and in individual regions ? across the last 13 years. Materials and Methods. Current survey included patients from various regions of the Russian Federation that were examined during epidemiological missions conducted by the federal Endocrinology Research Centre (2000?2009), as well as National Programmes ?Health? (2007) and ?Diabetes ? Learn In Advance? (2012?2013). Results. In the Russian Federation registered more than 630,000 patients with different stages of diabetic retinopathy. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy among adults (18 years and older) with type 1 diabetes is 35.25%, while in type 2 diabetes - 16.67%. On average, this means that almost one in five patients (17.63%) with diabetes have certain eye problems. Conclusion. In summary, our data indicate a dramatic growth in the rate of diabetic ocular complications, with a particular increase in proliferative diabetic retinopathy, complicated cataract and neovascular glaucoma. These findings call for an even closer attention to early diagnostics, adequate management and, above everything else, timely prevention of ocular pathologies in patients with DM.
Vernetzte Regelungen aus der Sicht der Theorie komplexer Netzwerke / Networked Control Systems and Network Science
Authors: Lunze Jan 
Published: April 2014

Zusammenfassung
Der Übersichtsbeitrag gibt einen Einblick in die Theorie komplexer Netzwerke und zeigt an drei Anwendungsszenarien, welche Konsequenzen die Ergebnisse dieser Theorie für zentrale Probleme der Regelungstheorie vernetzter Systeme haben und welche wichtigen Fragestellungen sich daraus ergeben. Die Tatsache, dass real existierende komplexe Netze trotz großer Knotenanzahl i. Allg. über kurze Pfade zwischen beliebigen Knotenpaaren verfügen, muss bei vernetzten Regelungssystemen dadurch nachgebildet werden, dass durch eine gezielte Wahl von Kommunikationsverbindungen eine kleine charakteristische Pfadlänge erzeugt wird. Die Anwendungsszenarien weisen darauf hin, dass dabei die Pfadlänge auch von den Übertragungseigenschaften der Teilsysteme bestimmt wird.
Control of Networked Switched Systems Using Passivity and Dissipativity / Regelung vernetzter geschalteter Systeme unter Nutzung von Passivitäts- und Dissipativitätseigenschaften
Authors: McCourt Michael J. , Antsaklis Panos J. 
Published: April 2014

Summary
Passivity and dissipativity are important in the study of Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) where systems with time and event-driven dynamics are connected. This paper provides conditions which guarantee stability of interconnected switched systems which may be used to model CPS. Results are presented for maintaining stability when switched systems are connected in feedback. Then methods for maintaining stability of passive switched systems that are connected over a network with delays are presented.
An Adaptive Learning Model with Foregone Payoff Information
Authors: Funai Naoki 
Published: April 2014

AbstractIn this paper, we provide theoretical predictions on the long-run behavior of an adaptive decision maker with foregone payoff information. In the model, the decision maker assigns a subjective payoff assessment to each action based on his past experience and chooses the action that has the highest assessment. After receiving a payoff, the decision maker updates his assessments of actions in an adaptive manner, using not only the objective payoff information but also the foregone payoff information, which may be distorted. The distortion may arise from “the grass is always greener on the other side” effect, pessimism/optimism or envy/gloating; it depends on how the decision maker views the source of the information. We first provide conditions in which the assessment of each action converges, in that the limit assessment is expressed as an average of the expected objective payoff and the expected distorted payoff of the action. Then, we show that the decision maker chooses the optimal action most frequently in the long run if the expected distorted payoff of the action is greater than the ones of the other actions. We also provide conditions, under which this model coincides with the experience-weighted attraction learning, stochastic fictitious play and quantal response equilibrium models, and thus this model provides theoretical predictions for the models in decision problems.
Facing the Challenge: Evaluation of Serious Games / Herausforderung Serious Games: Evaluation von Spielen mit Lerncharakter
Authors: Hauser Franziska , Leich Annika , Schiffer Kerstin 
Published: April 2014

Zusammenfassung
Diese Arbeit gibt einen Überblick über den aktuellen Forschungsstand im Bereich der Serious Games. Wir behandeln Fragen und Probleme bezüglich des Konzepts von Serious Games - Spiele, die den Anspruch haben, mehr zu sein, als bloße Unterhaltung und Wissen auf spielerische Art und Weise vermitteln möchten. Wir präsentieren Anwendungsgebiete wie Militär, Gesundheit oder Bildung sowie neueste Trends. Zudem werden positive Auswirkungen auf die persönliche Entwicklung des Spielers aufgezeigt. Aufgrund mangelnder empirischer Belege zur Wirksamkeit derartiger Spieler präsentieren wir eine Auswahl vielversprechender Ansätze zur Gestaltung und Evaluation. Zusammenfassend werden mehr wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zur Effektivität von Serious Games benötigt, deren Durchführung bereits zu Beginn des Design- und Entwicklungsprozesses berücksichtigt werden sollte.
SBA-15 Supported Bimetallic Catalysts for Enhancement Isomers Production During n-Heptane Decomposition
Authors: Albayati Talib M. , Doyle Aidan M. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Santa Barbara Amorphous (SBA)-15 supported 1% (Pt–Ni), 1% (Pt–Co) and 1% (Ni–Co) bimetallic catalysts in a heterogeneous reaction for enhancement hydroisomerization and hydrocracking production during reforming or decomposition of n-heptane. The structural and textural features of the nanoporous silicas, both with and without encapsulated nanoparticles, were characterized using small-angle X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, EDAX, nitrogen adsorption–desorption porosimetry (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) surface area analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The catalytic performance was evaluated at 250–400°C under atmospheric pressure in a plug-flow reactor in a catalyst testing rig under tightly controlled conditions of temperature, reactant flow rate and pressure. The species leaving the reactor were analysed by Gas Chromatography. The results show that 1% (Pt–Ni)/SBA-15, 1% (Pt–Co)/SBA-15 and 1% (Ni–Co)/SBA-15 had a high activity for conversion of n-heptane (around 85%). The selectivity of isomerization is not high, so further studies have to be carried out in the future.
Exergy and Energy Analysis, Drying Kinetics and Mathematical Modeling of White Mulberry Drying Process
Authors: Darvishi Hosain , Zarein Mohammad , Minaei Saied , Khafajeh Hamid 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
The energy and exergy analysis, drying characteristics and mathematical modeling of the thin-layer drying kinetics of white mulberry using microwave drying were investigated. Results indicated that values of exergy efficiency (33.63–57.08%) were higher than energy efficiency (31.85–55.56%). Specific energy consumption increased with increasing microwave power while improvement potential decreased. The specific energy consumption and improvement potential varied from 3.97 to 6.73 MJ/kg water and 0.71 to 2.97 MJ/kg water, respectively. Also, energy efficiency decreased with decrease in moisture content and microwave power level. The best exergy and energy aspect was obtained by drying at 100 W microwave power. Drying took place mainly in warming up, constant rate and falling rate periods. The Page model showed the best fit to experimental drying data. Effective diffusivity increased with decreasing moisture content and increasing microwave power. It varied from 1.06 × 10−8 to 3.45 × 10−8 m2/s, with an energy activation of 3.986 W/g.
Trends in Free, Libre, Open Source Software Communities: From Volunteers to Companies / Aktuelle Trends in Free-, Libre-, und Open-Source-Software-Gemeinschaften: Von Freiwilligen zu Unternehmen
Authors: Gonzalez-Barahona Jesus M. , Robles Gregorio 
Published: April 2014

Summary
The first free/libre/open source software (FLOSS) development communities were composed almost exclusively of volunteers. They were individuals who, despite their affiliation, contributed to the project on their own. They decided which project to join, and their contributions were personal in nature, even when in some cases they were employees of companies with some interests in the project. GNU, the first of such communities, and some others that emerged during the late 1980s and 1990s, followed this pattern. During the 1990s corporate interests started to have a role in some FLOSS communities. Companies hired people from those communities to gain influence, or tasked their employees to contribute to them, again with the idea of influencing their decisions. During the 2000s, corporate communities, in which companies are first-class citizens, have emerged, changing the rules and redefining the role of volunteers and non-affiliated individuals. However, the role of developers, with independence of the company for which they work, is still important even in these communities. This paper addresses this transition from volunteer-based to company-based development communities, and explores the structure and behavior of the latter.
Biochemical and histopathological study of the anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic effects of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Asgary Sedigheh , Rafieian-Kopaei Mahmoud , Shamsi Fatemeh , Najafi Somayeh , Sahebkar Amirhossein 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Background: Anthocyanins are phytochemicals with a multitude of pharmacological actions including anti-diabetic and anti-hyperlipidemic effects. This study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic effects of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L., CM) fruits – that are rich in anthocyanins and known to have medicinal properties– in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Methods: Twenty-eight adult male rats were randomly assigned to four groups of seven animals each: non-diabetic control, diabetic control, glibenclamide-treated (0.6 mg/kg/day; 4 weeks) and CM fruit-treated (2 g/day; 4 weeks) group. Diabetes was induced by a single injection of alloxan (120 mg/kg). Fasting serum levels of glucose, total cholesterol (TC), low- (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), aspartate (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured at the end of study period.

Results: Diabetic rats had significantly elevated levels of serum glucose, LDL-C, TG, AST, ALP and ALT and decreased levels of HDL-C compared to the non-diabetic group (p<0.05). Treatment with either glibenclamide or CM counterbalanced the above-mentioned abnormalities. The effects of CM were comparable to those of glibenclamide at the doses tested in this study. Serum glucose, TG, ALP and HDL concentrations in the normal group were significantly changed compared to the diabetic control group (p<0.05). There were no significant changes in evaluated biochemical parameters between the glibenclamide and CM groups with normal group. Histopathological examinations revealed a less severe hepatic portal inflammation in the CM-treated vs. other study groups.

Results: Dietary supplementation with CM fruits effectively prevents the development of diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and hepatic inflammation in alloxan-induced diabetes.
Crystal structure of barium germanide, BaGe1.51
Authors: Zhang Guo-Qing , Xie Qin-Xing 
Published: April 2014

Abstract BaGe1.51, hexagonal, P6/mmm (no. 191), a = 4.458(2) Å, c = 4.867(3) Å, V = 83.78(6) Å3, Z = 1, Rgt(F) = 0.0132, wRref(F2) = 0.0292, T = 293 K.
Dreidimensionales Körper-Tracking mit Hilfe eines evolutionären Algorithmus / Articulated Human Motion Capturing Using an Evolutionary Algorithm
Authors: Back Kristine , Hernández Mesa Pilar , Diebold Maximilian , Puente Fernando Léon 
Published: April 2014

Zusammenfassung
In diesem Beitrag wird ein Verfahren zum markerlosen dreidimensionalen Körper-Tracking mittels eines evolutionären Algorithmus vorgestellt. In Anlehnung an das „Interacting Simulated Annealing“-Partikelfilter (ISA) wird simuliertes Annealing zum Suchen der optimalen Pose hinzugezogen. Die entwickelte Methode wird anhand von Videoaufnahmen aus vier Perspektiven mit dem weitverbreiteten ISA-Verfahren verglichen. Für das Posen-Tracking mit einer geringeren Anzahl an Aufnahmeperspektiven wird außerdem ein Dynamikmodell untersucht, welches Mehrdeutigkeiten im Falle sich überlappender Körperteile auflösen kann.
Optimal Depth Estimation from a Single Image by Computational Imaging Using Chromatic Aberrations / Optimale Tiefenschätzung in einer Einzelaufnahme mittels Computational Imaging anhand chromatischer Aberrationen
Authors: Atif Muhammad , Jähne Bernd 
Published: April 2014

Summary
We present a computational imaging approach to estimate the depth from a single image using axial chromatic aberrations. It includes a co-design of optics and digital processing to select the optimal parameters of a lens such as focal length, f -number, and chromatic focal shift according to the performance of a depth estimation algorithm on the digital side. A simulation framework evaluates the complete systems performance in different imaging conditions including optimal axial chromatic lens aberration. A low-complexity algorithm estimates the depth map of real scenes. Experiments on real and synthetic scenes show the feasibility of the proposed system for depth estimation. In the case of relatively broadband object spectra and a lens with focal length of 4 mm, depth is estimated with an RMS error of 6-10%.
Continuity of States in Cholesteric - Line Hexatic Transition in Univalent and Polyvalent Salt DNA Solutions
Authors: Yasar Selcuk , Podgornik Rudolf , Parsegian V. Adrian 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTWith increasing density imposed by external osmotic pressure, DNA in univalent salt solutions (e.g., NaCl) is known to go through a set of ordered mesophases, eventually crystallizing into an orthorhombic crystal. While the transition from the cholesteric to the line hexatic (LH) phase has been observed before, it has remained unclear whether the transition is of second order or first order. We use the small but accurately measurable temperature dependence of the osmotic pressure of a PEG solution to fine-regulate the osmotic stress with which it acts on the DNA subphase. This allows us to set the osmotic pressure to an accuracy never achieved before. This advance in experimental methodology allows us then to detect small but nevertheless finite changes in the density of DNA as it goes through the cholesteric → LH transition. In this way, we first determine experimentally the small density change that occurs at the cholesteric → LH phase transition. Further, we establish that this small density discontinuity of Na-DNA is merely increased when polyvalent salt Co(NH3)6Cl3, i.e. CoHex, is added to the solution. Increasing CoHex concentration finally leads to a phase separation at zero imposed osmotic pressure. Establishing a continuity of thermodynamic states for the cholesteric → LH transition and DNA condensation, thought to be completely unrelated before, represents an important advance in our understanding of DNA polymorphism in electrolyte solutions.
Assessment of Functional Properties of Cartilage using Double Quantum Filtered MRI
Authors: Benjamini Dan , Eliav Uzi , Nevo Uri , Basser Peter J. , Horkay Ferenc 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTIt is biologically and clinically important to understand and explain the functional properties of cartilage, such as its load bearing and lubricating ability, in terms of the structure, organization, components and their interactions. Our approach tries to explain functional material properties of these tissues as arising from polymeric interactions between and among the different molecular constituents within the tissues at different hierarchical lengthscales. We treat the tissue effectively as a complex molecular composite containing highly charged polysaccharide microgels trapped within a fine collagen meshwork. We have been developing a multi-scale experimental and theoretical framework to explain key material properties of cartilage by studying those of its constituents and the interactions among them at a variety of length and time scales. We use this approach to address important biological questions. One novel application we highlight here is the use of non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods to characterize different components and compartments within cartilage and the different water environments associated with each one, in an attempt to provide a comprehensive picture of the mechanical/chemical state of cartilage.