bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mature coconut water exhibits antidiabetic and antithrombotic potential via L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway in alloxan induced diabetic rats
Authors: Preetha Prabhakaran Prabha , Devi Vishalakshiamma Girija , Rajamohan Thankappan 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

Background: The aims of the present study were to assess whether the antidiabetic activity of mature coconut water (MCW) is mediated through L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway in diabetic rats, and to study the effects of MCW on blood coagulation.

Methods: Diabetes was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by injecting them with alloxan (150 mg/kg body weight). MCW (4 mL/100 g body weight) and L-arginine (7.5 mg/100 g body weight) was given orally for 45 days. L-NAME was given at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg body weight. Concentrations of blood glucose, plasma insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), L-arginine, urine volume and urinary creatinine levels, activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and arginase as well as the abnormalities in hemostasis and thrombosis were measured in all the experimental groups.

Results: Treatment with MCW and L-arginine reduced the concentration of blood glucose and HbA1c in diabetic rats. MCW and L-arginine treatment exhibited significant antithrombotic activity in diabetic rats, which was evident from the reduced levels of WBC, platelets, fibrin, and fibrinogen. MCW and L-arginine treatment prolonged the prothrombin time in diabetic rats and reduced the activity of Factor V. In addition to this, the activity of nitric oxide synthase, liver and plasma arginine content, and urinary nitrite were higher in MCW-treated diabetic rats whereas L-NAME treatment inhibited the beneficial effects induced by MCW and arginine.

Conclusions: The results clearly indicate that L-arginine is a major factor responsible for the antidiabetic and antithrombotic potential of coconut water, and is mediated through the L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway.
A Novel Approach to Construct Fuzzy Systems Based on Fireworks Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Zhu Xiaodong , Liu Chong , Guo Yamo 
Published: July 2015

AbstractTo find an optimal balance between accuracy and model transparency in fuzzy systems modeling, a novel approach based on the non-dominated sorting fireworks optimization algorithm (NSFOA) is proposed in this paper. The FOA is a new swarm intelligence algorithm mimicking the explosion of fireworks, which could be used to tune the parameters and optimize the structure of fuzzy systems with high effectiveness and correctness. At each iteration of the NSFOA algorithm, all individuals are sorted based on fast non-dominated sorting and crowding-distance evaluation, and the multiobjective fitness functions consider the aspects of both interpretability and accuracy contemporaneously. Subsequently, the individuals with better transparency and accuracy are selected for the next generation. The proposed NSFOA algorithm is applied to the second-order non-linear system and the Iris benchmark problem, and the experimental results demonstrate that our method leads to comprehensible fuzzy models with remarkable accuracy.
Corpus callosum and epilepsies
Authors: Bauer Gerhard , Płonka-Półtorak Elżbieta , Bauer Richard , Unterberger Iris , Kuchukhidze Giorgi 
Published: July 2015

SUMMARYIntroduction.Corpus callosum (CC) is the largest forebrain commissure. Structural anomalies and accompanying clinical symptoms are not in the focus of neurologists, epileptologists or neurosurgeons.Aim and method.Anatomy, embryological development, normal functions, structural abnormalities, additional malformations, clinical symptoms and seizure disorders with CC anomalies are reviewed from the literature.Review.The detection of callosal anomalies increased rapidly with widespread use of brain imaging methods. Agenesis or dysgenesis of corpus callosum (AgCC) might be considered an accidental finding. Epileptic seizures occur in up to 89% of patients with AgCC. The causal relationship correctly is questioned. However, additional causative malformations of midline and/or telencephalic structures can be demonstrated in most seizure patients. The interruption of bilateral spread of seizure activities acts as the concept for callosotomy as epilepsy surgery. Indications are drug-resistant generalized, diffuse, or multifocal epilepsies. A resectable seizure onset zone should be excluded. Most treated patients are diagnosed as Lennox-Gastaut or Lennox-like syndrome.Conclusions.In cases with callosal abnormalities and clinical symptoms additional malformations are frequently observed, especially with seizure disorders. Callosotomy is the most effective option against drop attacks. The method probably is underused. After callosotomy a circumscript seizure focus might be unveiled and a second step of resective epilepsy surgery can be successful.
Successful treatment with adjunctive lacosamide in a patient with long term “drug resistant” focal epilepsy
Authors: Fröscher Walter , Rauber Alois 
Published: July 2015

SUMMARYIntroduction.A significant number of patients suffering from epilepsy prove to be resistant to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Recent studies, however, suggest that 10–20% of seemingly drug resistant patients may still become seizure-free under the influence of subsequent dosage modifications.Case report.We report on a young man with cryptogenic focal epilepsy. He had his first seizure at the age of fifteen. His seizure frequency was decreased during the following 11 years. However, seizure-freedom was never achieved even though he was treated with twelve to fourteen different AEDs during this time. Intensive presurgical evaluations did not allow identification of a surgically remediable focus. Adjunctive treatment with lacosamide 400 mg/day was not successful. However, the patient became seizure-free immediately after an increase of the lacosamide dose up to 500 mg/day. The patient is now seizure-free for more than two years based on a combination of 500 mg lacosamide and 350 mg lamotrigine, followed by 550 mg and 250 mg, respectively.Discussion and conclusion.This case report highlights that there is always a chance that modifying the medication can result in a drug-resistant epilepsy patient experiencing a significant reduction of seizures and becoming seizure-free. The decisive step in this example was the off-label prescription of a high dose of lacosamide which the patient tolerated well.
Ictal Forced Repetitive Swearing in Frontal Lobe Epilepsy: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Dolatshahi Marjan , Yankovsky Alexei 
Published: July 2015

SUMMARYIntroduction.Dominant presentation of ictal forced repetitive swearing has been rarely addressed and could be misdiagnosed.Case report.We report a 45-year-old man with a long history of right frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) who developed forced repetitive swearing during hypermotor seizures. His seizures were refractory to different antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Scalp video-EEG telemetry suggested a right frontal epileptic focus. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suggested focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) in the right mesial frontal lobe. Intracranial implantation with video-EEG recordings confirmed seizures originating from the MRI lesion. Patient underwent right frontal lobe resection followed by seizure freedom in the last five years on a single AED. Neuropathology confirmed FCD type IIB.Discussion.The following aspects of the case are discussed: FLE and ictal vocalization, swearing, FLE and aggression. We emphasize the differences among ictal vocalisation, verbal automatism and ictal speech. We propose that ictal swearing might fit a verbal automatism definition.Conclusion.Ictal forced repetitive swearing can be a manifestation of hypermotor seizures in FLE and should not be misdiagnosed.
Improving the tribological behavior of internal combustion engines via the addition of nanoparticles to engine oils
Authors: Ali Mohamed Kamal Ahmed , Xianjun Hou 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe friction between two sliding surfaces is probably one of the oldest problems in mechanics. Frictional losses in any I.C. engine vary between 17% and 19% of the total indicated horse power. The performance of internal combustion engines in terms of frictional power loss, fuel consumption, oil consumption, and harmful exhaust emissions is closely related to the friction force and wear between moving parts of the engine such as piston assembly, valve train, and bearings. To solve this problem, most modern research in the area of Nanotribology (Nanolubricants) aims to improve surface properties, reduce frictional power losses, increase engine efficiency, and reduce consumed fuel and cost of maintenance. Nanolubricants contain different nanoparticles such as Cu, CuO, TiO
Diffractive wavefront correction of remote sensing systems based on pulsed laser diodes
Authors: Wojtanowski J. , Traczyk M. , Mierczyk Z. , Zygmunt M. , Przybyszewski B. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractA variety of optoelectronic devices (rangefinders, velocity meters, terrestrial scanners, lidars, free space optics communication systems and others) based on semiconductor laser technology feature low−quality and highly asymmetric beams. It results from optical characteristics of the applied high−peak−power pulsed laser sources, which in most cases are composed of several laser chips, each containing one or a few active lasers. Such sources cannot be considered as coherent, so the resultant beam is formed by the superposition of many optically uncorrelated sub-sources. Far−field distribution of laser spots in such devices corresponds to the shape of laser emitting area, which instead of desired symmetry shows layout composed of one or several discrete lines or rectangles. In some applications, especially if small targets are concerned, it may be crucial to provide more symmetrical and uniform laser beam cross−section. In the paper, the novel strategy of such correction, combining coherent and incoherent approaches, is presented. All aspects of technological implementations are discussed covering general theoretical treatment of the problem, diffractive optical element (DOE) design in the form of computer generated hologram (CGH), its fabrication and testing in case of selected laser module beam correction.
Glucosyloxymethylfurfural (GMF): a creative renewable scaffold towards bioinspired architectures
Authors: Tan Jia-Neng , Ahmar Mohammed , Queneau Yves 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Glucosyloxymethylfurfural (GMF) is the glucosylated analogue of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), and is obtained in one step from the very available disaccharide isomaltulose. This account gives an overview on the preparation and the uses of GMF towards architectures containing a carbohydrate moiety and shows that rather elaborated targets can be synthesized from GMF in very short sequences. A special focus is made on carbon–carbon formation on the aldehyde group leading to new biobased acrylic derivatives by the Baylis–Hillman reaction.
Evaluation of the quality of life of women treated due to breast cancer using amputation or breast conserving surgery in the early postoperative period
Authors: Nowicki Andrzej , Licznerska Bernardeta , Rhone Piotr 
Published: July 2015

AbstractSelection of the treatment method in breast cancer patients and its consequences may affect their quality of life through somatic, psychical, and social factors.The aim of the study was early evaluation of the quality of life of women after mastectomy vs. breast conserving surgery.Material and methods. The study included 100 women aged 31 to 79 years (mean: 57) who underwent surgery due to breast cancer (amputation: 52; breast conserving surgery: 48 women) at the Cancer Centre in Bydgoszcz in 2014. The QLQ C-30 and QLQ BR-23 questionnaires were used to evaluate the quality of life of the patients 3 months after surgery.Results. In the Global Health Status/QoL domain, the mean score for women after amputation and breast conserving surgery was 49 and 53, respectively; for Physical Functioning, the scores were 70 and 75, and for Role Functioning, 62 and 68, respectively. For Cognitive Functioning, the mean score was 74 and 73; for Emotional Functioning - 62 and 68, and for Social Functioning 64 and 60, respectively. The difference in the arm symptoms domain was significant at 46 and 33 points, respectively (p = 0.004). The patients treated with breast conserving surgery had a better body image than women after amputation - the mean score was 52 and 66, respectively (p = 0.01).Conclusions. With respect to Global Health Status/QoL and Physical Functioning, the quality of life of women in the early postoperative period was similar in women after breast amputation and those who underwent breast conserving surgery. Patients treated with breast conserving surgery had a better score for body image, while those who underwent amputation more often suffered from arm symptoms, such as pain, oedema, and problems with raising of the limb.
Nd:YAG Laser surgery of lung metastases
Authors: Kirschbaum Andreas 
Published: July 2015

Abstract:Lung metastases occur during the course of the disease in many types of cancer. If the basic disorder is under control and there are no distant or mediastinal lymph node metastases, removal of the lung metastases can improve long-term survival. Lung metastases are non-anatomically removed from the healthy patient if they have not infiltrated any central bronchi or blood vessels. Nd:YAG lasers are particularly suitable for this. They cut the lung parenchyma and at the same time coagulate the resected surface. This means that large numbers of lung metastases can be removed with little bleeding. Modern Nd:YAG lasers (wavelength 1318 nm) are more efficient to use because the laser power is greater (80–100 W). This shortens the operation time and makes the resected surfaces more airtight. Consequently, resection zones on the surface need no longer to be sutured. The mortality and morbidity of the operations are low. Nd:YAG lasers are now indispensable in the surgical treatment of lung metastases.
Case distribution and φ-agreement with Polish genitive of quantification in the feature sharing theory of Agree
Authors: Willim Ewa 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThis paper offers a minimalist account of the distribution of the features of case, number and gender in Polish phrases with cardinal numerals and vague quantifiers (Q-NPs) in the presence and absence of genitive of quantification (GQ) based on the assumption that GQ-cardinal numerals and vague quantifiers are phrasal and are merged as adjuncts to the projection of a null functional head (F), a phase head that values its complement with GQ in contexts in which GQ is not overridden by inherent theta-related or lexical case. Whether the null head F inserted in the derivation has unvalued features of number and gender has consequences for the syntactic computation of agreement relations, in which features may be shared. Heterogeneous case distribution in Q-NPs in nominative-accusative case contexts provides evidence that F is a phase head and triggers transfer of its complement. Variable agreement patterns of both attributive adjectival modifiers and adjectival predicates in the presence of GQ are argued here to reflect attempted-but-failed syntactic agreement, which does not lead to ungrammaticality, as some features unvalued in narrow syntax can still be interpreted by morphological realization rules in PF. GQ is shown here to provide evidence that predicative adjectives cannot have their φ-features valued in situ and must be remerged in a position where their φ-probes can initiate Search for matching features. Agreement in the presence of GQ in Polish thus demonstrates that the need of features to be valued drives syntactic movement.
Regional Employment Growth and Spatial Dependencies in Algeria
Authors: Zouache Abdallah , Belarbi Yacine 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAn analysis of the determinants of Algerian industrial employment growth in a framework that includes a spatial dependency effect reveals that there is no convergence process between the Algerian regions. Nonetheless, a convergence club gathering three wilayates appears when spatial heterogeneity of industrial employment growth is considered. Furthermore, our paper demonstrates that the hydrocarbon and the construction and public works sectors did not have externality effects on local industrial employment growth. Accordingly, Algerian public plans had some impact on unemployment, but mainly on informal unemployment through the support of the construction and public work sector.
INDICADORES DE INFLACIÓN SUBYACENTE PARA COSTA RICA BASADOS EN EXCLUSIÓN Y EN REPONDERACIÓN
Authors: Rodríguez Vargas Adolfo , Vega Monge Melissa 
Published: July 2015

<p>We evaluate the performance of new core inflation indicators for Costa Rica, computed<br />through the exclusion or reweighting of the items in the CPI basket. We construct<br />exclusion indicators based on the elimination of fixed categories of the CPI, as well as<br />alternative versions of an indicator calculated by excluding articles according to their<br />volatility, using data updated to December 2012. We also construct two types of reweighted<br />indicators: one type using volatility measures and the other using persistence measures.<br />Persistence reweighting is based either on the estimated spectrum of the series of price changes, three indicators based in an autoregressive coefficients methodology, a meanreversion indictor, or an indicator based on the correlation of each series of price changes with variations in future inflation. For each indicator, we evaluate unbiasedness, fit to trend inflation, predictive ability and long-run behaviour. From the results of this evaluation, we recommend monitoring one of the volatility-weighted indicators and one of the persistence-weighted indicators.</p><p> </p>
Dialética do negaceio: Bildung e cabotinismo na correspondência de Drummond e Mário de Andrade
Authors: Maciel Emílio 
Published: July 2015

Resumo: Leitura da correspondência de Drummond e Mário de Andrade, este ensaio expõe e analisa o jogo autobiográfico e ficcional encenado nas cartas, tomando como ponto de partidas as tensões entre engajamento político e autonomia estética.Palavras-chave: autobiografia, comunidade, retórica.Abstract: A reading of the correspondence of Drummond and Mario de Andrade, this essay exposes and analyses the autobiographical and fictional game enacted by the letters, taking as a point of departure the tensions between political engagement and aesthetic autonomy.Keywords: autobiography, community, rhetoric.
Hanna Krall e os caminhos tortos da memória e da identidade
Authors: Kilanowski Piotr 
Published: July 2015

Neste artigo apresentamos a escritora polonesa de origem judaica Hanna Krall por meio da análise literária do seu romance <em>Sublokatorka (A sublocatária)</em>. O romance, com elementos autobiográficos, apresenta a personalidade cindida de uma menina sobrevivente do Holocausto e discute o tema da identidade polonesa, judaica e judaico-polonesa. Através da observação da memória e do processo de criação da memória, a autora mostra a construção da identidade falsa e a repressão da verdadeira, o comportamento comum entre alguns dos sobreviventes.
Developing a Production Data Management (PDM) System Using Off-the-Shelf Software
Authors: McGinnis B. , Flanders W. A. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACT
Most commercial production data management (PDM) systems for microcomputers lack the flexibility to accommodate abnormal situations and frequent change. These problems have been overcome by developing a PDM system using LOTUS 1-2-3, dBASE III PLUS, and GRAPHER. Other comparable software can be used with similar results.
Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of Primary Sjogren’s Syndrome: A
Large Asian Indian Cohort
Authors: Sandhya Pulukool , Jeyaseelan Lakshmanan , Scofield Robert Hal , Danda Debashish 
Published: July 2015

Objective :
To characterise the clinical features, immunological profile and outcome in a cohort of Asian Indian patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS).

Methods :
Electronic medical records from a tertiary care teaching hospital in south India were screened for SS between 2004 and 2011. Patients fulfilling American European Consensus group (AECG) 2002 or American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2012 classification criteria were included. Agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis to identify patterns of associations between clinical and immunological features was done. Multivariate logistic regression to identify predictors of major systemic involvement was performed. Data on treatment and outcome were retrieved from electronic records.

Results :
Of 423 patients suspected to have SS, 332 fulfilled inclusion criteria. Only 8.3% of patients complained of sicca symptoms on their own at initial presentation. Younger age of onset, higher female to male ratio, paucity of cryoglobulinemia, Raynaud’s phenomenon and hyperglobulinemia were unique to this cohort. Cluster analysis revealed two subsets: The first cluster comprised of patients having a major systemic illness with high antibody titers and the second comprised of seronegative patients with mild disease. Over a third of SS cases had severe systemic manifestations necessitating treatment with immunosuppressants. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, anti-Ro and anti-La antibody positivity was associated with higher odds for systemic disease features (OR=2.67, P=0.03 and OR=3.25, P=0.003, respectively) whereas chronic pain was associated with lower odds (OR=0.4, p=0.032). Clinical improvement including symptomatic benefit in sicca and musculoskeletal features was noted with immunomodulators in the majority.

Conclusion :
Our cohort of patients with SS has characteristic clinical features; some of them are in contrast with previous observations reported in European patients. This cohort consisted of two distinct patient clusters. The first cluster was associated with major systemic illness and high antibody titers, where as the second cluster comprised of seronegative patients with mild disease. Association of antibody positivity with systemic features was further confirmed on logistic regression analysis.