bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trends and behaviour of meteorological drought (1901–2008) over Indian region using standardized precipitation–evapotranspiration index
Authors: Das Prabir Kumar , Dutta Dibyendu , Sharma J. R. , Dadhwal V. K. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTMonthly gridded (0.5° × 0.5°) standardized precipitation–evapotranspiration index (SPEI) data of 1901–2008 were used to detect spatial pattern of temporal trend in meteorological drought during the Indian summer monsoon period. The SPEI data were converted into drought duration, magnitude and types of occurrence to capture overall drought scenario. A non‐parametric (Mann–Kendall test) method was used to test for monotonic trend at each grid level, whereas the magnitude was estimated using Sen's method. Further, a field significance test was performed at major meteorological regions level to assess whether the individual trends identified could occur by chance in an analysis of large number of time series analysed. Significant (α = 0.05) increasing trend of both drought duration and magnitude during the monsoon was found over parts of eastern, central and north‐eastern region of India, whereas the parts of west coast, arid western region and north India showed significantly decreasing trend. The trends in mid‐ as well as late‐season drought were contributing towards significant increase in drought condition, whereas trends in early‐season drought were responsible for decrease in drought events. The time series analysis of rainfall and potential evapotranspiration (PET) illustrated that over eastern part of India the increase in drought was attributed due to decrease in rainfall, whereas the decrease in drought occurrence over western arid region was mainly because of decrease in PET.
Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica), a potential biomass candidate for bioethanol: cell wall structural changes enhancing hydrolysis in a mild alkali pretreatment regime
Authors: Haque Md Azizul , Barman Dhirendra Nath , Kim Min Keun , Yun Han Dae , Cho Kye Man 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDImperata cylindrica is being considered as a biomass candidate for bioethanol. This work aimed to evaluate a mild alkali pretreatment effect on the Imperata recalcitrant structure. Therefore, varied concentrations of NaOH (0, 7.5, 15, 20, and 25 g L−1) were applied as treatments to Imperata at 105 °C for 10 min.RESULTSScanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies revealed that 20 to 25 g L−1 NaOH‐treated Imperata exposed amorphous cellulose on surface granules composed of lignin, waxes, and partly hemicelluloses were abolished due to the comprehensive disruption of the linkages between lignin and carbohydrates. The cellulose crystalline index was increased with 7.5 to 20 g L−1 NaOH treatments and reduced with a 25 g L−1 NaOH treatment. In fact, the cellulose content in solids increased with the increasing NaOH concentration and was estimated to be 720 and 740 g kg−1 for the 20 and 25 g L−1 NaOH treatments, respectively. The yield of the reducing sugar was obtained 805 and 813 mg g−1 from 20 and 25 g L−1 NaOH‐treated Imperata, respectively.CONCLUSIONConsidering the cost of pretreatment, the 20 g L−1 NaOH treatment is judged to be effective for disrupting Imperata recalcitrance in this pretreatment regime. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Proanthocyanidins in an astringent persimmon inhibit Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI1) secretion
Authors: Morita Ai , Tai Akihiro , Ito Hideyuki , Ganeko Natsuki , Aizawa Shin‐Ichi 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDAstringent compounds contained in persimmon fruits have been widely used in Japan as food preservatives and thus as anti‐bacterial and anti‐fungi reagents. However, the molecular mechanism of the anti‐microbial activity has been unclear. One of the virulence secretion systems in Salmonella enterica was used to test the anti‐microbial activity of extracts from a persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb ‘Saijo’).RESULTSWe found that the extract could inhibit the secretion of virulence proteins but did not affect cell growth and determined the critical concentrations of the extract to show the effect. Then, the effective fraction on the suppression of secretion of virulence proteins was purified from the crude extracts using solvent partition, absorption chromatography and gel filtration chromatography. The anti‐bacterial fraction was analysed by HCl–butanol treatment and gel permeation chromatography followed by nuclear magnetic resonance and identified as the octamers of epigallocatechin and its gallate as major components.CONCLUSIONProanthocyanidins suppress the secretion of Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 virulence proteins. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
A new standard method of subjective assessment of barely visible image artifacts and a new public database
Authors: Hoffman David M. , Stolitzka Dale 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAssessing image quality is an important aspect of developing new display technology. A particularly challenging assessment is determining whether a bitwise lossy operation is visually lossless. We define “visually lossless” and describe a new standard for a subjective procedure to assess whether the image quality meets these criteria. Assessments are made between a reference image and temporally interleaved reference and test images using a forced‐choice procedure. In extensive testing, we have validated that this method is suitable for discriminating between subtle differences in image rendering and is free of observer bias or criteria variability. The results of these tests demonstrate the efficacy of using as few as five randomly chosen observers. We have found that the subjective testing is more reliable than several widely available image quality metrics. As part of this work, we release a database of nearly 0.25 million subjective responses collected from 35 observers to 18 different images. The study uses a largely within‐subjects design and tested observers from two viewing distances. We encourage the use of this dataset in future research to refine objective image quality metrics to improve predictability of subtle but potentially visible compression‐induced image impairments.
Betulinic Acid and its Derivatives as Potential Antitumor Agents
Authors: Zhang Dong‐Mei , Xu Hong‐Gui , Wang Lei , Li Ying‐Jie , Sun Ping‐Hua , Wu Xiao‐Ming , Wang Guang‐Ji , Chen Wei‐Min , Ye Wen‐Cai 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBetulinic acid (BA) is a lupane‐type pentacyclic triterpene, distributed ubiquitously throughout the plant kingdom. BA and its derivatives demonstrate multiple bioactivities, particularly an antitumor effect. This review critically describes the recent research on isolation, synthesis, and derivatization of BA and its natural analogs betulin and 23‐hydroxybetulinic acid. The subsequent part of the review focuses on the current knowledge of antitumor properties, combination treatments, and pharmacological mechanisms of these compounds. A 3D‐QSAR analysis of 62 BA derivatives against human ovarian cancer A2780 is also included to provide information concerning the structure–cytotoxicity relationships of these compounds.
Multiscale analysis method for thermo‐mechanical performance of periodic porous materials with interior surface radiation
Authors: Yang Zhiqiang , Cui Junzhi , Sun Yi , Liang Jun , Yang Zihao 
Published: June 2015

SummaryThis study develops a novel multiscale analysis method to predict thermo‐mechanical performance of periodic porous materials with interior surface radiation. In these materials, thermal radiation effect at microscale has an important impact on the macroscopic temperature and stress field, which is our particular interest in this paper. Firstly, the multiscale asymptotic expansions for computing the dynamic thermo‐mechanical coupling problem, which considers the mutual interaction between temperature and displacement field, are given successively. Then, the corresponding numerical algorithm based on the finite element‐difference method is brought forward in details. Finally, some numerical results are presented to verify the validity and relevancy of the proposed method by comparing it with a direct finite element analysis with detailed numerical models. The comparison shows that the new method is effective and valid for predicting the thermo‐mechanical performance and can capture the microstructure behavior of periodic porous materials exactly.s Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A survey of the breast care nurse role in the provision of information and supportive care to Australian women diagnosed with breast cancer
Authors: Ahern Tracey , Gardner Anne , Courtney Mary 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAimTo explore the role of the Australian breast care nurse in the provision of information and support to women with breast cancer, with a focus on the differences experienced depending on geographic work context.DesignA cross‐sectional study.MethodsThis study conducted in 2013, involved surveying BCNs currently working in Australia, using a newly developed self‐report online survey.ResultsFifty breast care nurses completed the survey, 40% from major cities, 42% from inner regional Australia and 18% from outer regional, remote and very remote Australia. Patterns of service indicated higher caseloads in urban areas, with fewer kilometres served. Breast care nurses in outer regional, remote and very remote areas were less likely to work in multi‐disciplinary teams and more likely to spend longer consulting with patients. Breast care nurses reported they undertook roles matching the competency standards related to the provision of education, information and support; however, there were barriers to fulfilling competencies including knowledge based limitations, time constraints and servicing large geographical areas.ConclusionsThis was the first Australian study to describe the role of the breast care nurse nationally and the first study to investigate breast care nurses perceived ability to meet a selection of the Australian Specialist Breast Nurse Competency Standards. Important differences were found according to the geographical location of breast care nurses.
Host selection in insects: reproductive interference shapes behavior of ovipositing females
Authors: Noriyuki Suzuki 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIn nature, closely related species often utilize different host species, but it is still unclear what factors contribute to the evolution and maintenance of such diversified host selection. In this review, I describe how negative interspecific mating interactions (reproductive interference) can shape host selection by animals, focusing mainly on phytophagous and predatory insects. First, I explain an important premise of this hypothesis, which is that the adult reproductive site is the same as the feeding site for the offspring. Next, I describe several mathematical models and well‐studied empirical systems to show that reproductive interference can sufficiently drive and maintain different host selection between phylogenetically related species. Then, I argue for the first time that reproductive interference can cause an oviposition preference in insects that is not optimal for the survival and development of the offspring, as a result of maternal adaptive behavior that maximizes the mother's own fitness. Furthermore, I argue that in insects, reproductive interference probably shapes oviposition behavior before the female alights on the host (e.g., habitat preference), without affecting post‐alighting decision making. I would like to emphasize that these two arguments represent the novel approach to clarify the unrevealed pattern of complex insect oviposition behavior.
Use of neuropathic pain questionnaires in predicting the development of failed back surgery syndrome following lumbar discectomy for radiculopathy
Authors: Shamji MF , Shcharinsky A 
Published: June 2015

Objective: Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) describes neuropathic pain that occurs when extremity symptoms in lumbar disease persist despite structurally corrective spinal surgery. It is unclear whether specific preoperative pain characteristics predict patients prone to such postoperative disabling symptoms. Methods: This prospective study analyzed surgical patients with painful radiculopathy secondary to lumbar degenerative disease. Clinical parameters included general demographic information, preoperative and postoperative clinical examination, self-reported pain and disability scores, and neuropathic pain scoring. The neuropathic pain screening tests used in this study were the Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) and Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS), with correlation tested for ordinal score and screen positivity. Multiple logistic regression analysis defined predictors of postoperative symptomatology. Results: Among 250 surgical radiculopathy patients, 12% were classified with FBSS. The condition was highly associated with abnormal preoperative screens for neuropathic pain, but not gender, smoking status, or preoperative pain severity (multiple logistic regression, α=0.05). Good correlation was seen between the two screening tests used in this study for absolute ordinal score (Spearman’s ρ=0.84, p<0.001) and thresholding for neuropathic pain features (Spearman’s ρ=0.48, p<0.001). Conclusion: Higher neuropathic pain screening scores correlated with likelihood of postoperative leg pain. Further work will develop more accurate prognostication tools for radiculopathy patients undergoing structural spinal surgery.
Counterproductive work behavior and job satisfaction: A surprisingly rocky relationship
Authors: Czarnota-Bojarska Joanna 
Published: June 2015

AbstractCounterproductive work behavior is detrimental to the organization or to coworkers. It includes both breaking rules or laws, as well as social norms. Many authors show a negative relationship between this behavior and work satisfaction, surmising that the lack thereof – and the ensuing desire to ‘get back’ at the employer – are the seeds of workplace deviance. A study carried out in Polish organizations found this relationship to be less clear. The study concerned work satisfaction and counterproductive behavior, organizational justice, stress at work and propensity for aggressive behavior. A cluster analysis identified a group of individuals in whom relatively high levels of job satisfaction are nevertheless accompanied by proclivity for counterproductive behavior. The configuration of results suggests that this group resorts to counterproductive behavior because of an inability to balance difficulties at work with personal inclinations. The implications of these results for personal management is discussed in the conclusions.
Eocene–Oligocene stratigraphy and structural history of the Karaburun area, southwestern Black Sea coast, Turkey: transition from extension to compression
Authors: NATAL’IN BORIS , SAY ADALET GIZEM 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe stratigraphic succession exposed in the Karaburun area (southern Black Sea coast, NW Turkey) records multiple changes in depositional and tectonic settings during Cenozoic times. It starts with the Middle–Upper Eocene Soğucak Formation of reef limestone that across a normal fault, omitting the lower part of the Lower Oligocene Ceylan Formation (deep-marine shale unit), abuts the upper part of the Ceylan Formation that is made up of two facies: (1) shallow-marine sandstone and (2) shallow-marine limestone units containing horizons of submarine slumps. Both facies are unconformably overlain by the fluvial Upper Miocene Çukurçeşme Formation. The tectonic record includes: (1) latest Eocene – Early Oligocene NE–SW extension, (2) Early Oligocene NE–SW shortening and (3) Late Miocene NW–NE extension. The earliest normal faults cutting the Soğucak and the lower part of the Ceylan formations are associated with clastic dykes injected into the deep-marine shale. These structures suggest a disruption of the Eocene carbonate platform and are also known in the neighbouring Thrace Basin. The following NE–SW shortening created the NE-vergent Karaburun Thrust that is synchronous with the shallowing and inversion of the Ceylan Basin. Rotation of the stress field is recorded by changes in clastic dyke orientation and their deformation. Compression caused multiple westerly directed submarines slides from uplifts in easterly located regions. This event is not recorded in the Thrace Basin. Finally, the Miocene tectonic activity formed NW- and NE-striking normal faults. The outlined tectonic history includes Early Oligocene extensional and compressional episodes recorded in the southern margin of the Black Sea that had hitherto not been known.
The need for community care among older people in China
Authors: ZHOU JUNSHAN , WALKER ALAN 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTThe social care system of China has come under close scrutiny from policy makers due to the rapid ageing of China's population. Unfortunately, there is very little Chinese research evidence that might be used to plan future service developments. This article is a contribution to filling that gap and it provides essential new information on the expressed demand among older people in China for various community care services. The data are from the 2008 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. According to the characteristics of the dependent variables, we used Binary Logistic Regression Analysis to analyse the need for community care among older people in China. The results show considerable need for such care, but China is still a developing country and there are insufficient resources to fund a Western-style social care system (even if that was desirable). Thus, it is argued that the development of social care in China should emphasise community-based care, in partnership with families, with institutional care as a last resort. In addition, it is argued that China (and other countries) should introduce measures to prevent the demand for social care.
Many caterpillars in a montane rain forest in Ecuador are not classical herbivores
Authors: Bodner Florian , Brehm Gunnar , Fiedler Konrad 
Published: June 2015

Abstract:Lepidopteran caterpillars are typically classified as herbivorous insects. Other feeding associations have been known for a long time but are often neglected in the ecological literature. In samples from 194 shrubs belonging to 16 species of Piperaceae and Asteraceae, which were taken in a montane forest and succession habitats in southern Ecuador, caterpillar assemblages included an unexpectedly large fraction not feeding on the living biomass of their putative ‘host’. Feeding trials revealed them to instead feed on foliose lichens, dead leaves and epiphylls (lichen, algae, bryophytes). These ‘alternative feeders’ accounted for 22.5% of the whole dataset and up to 80% of the caterpillars on individual plant species. Densities of alternative feeders were very similar across shrub species within each plant family, but differed strongly between Asteraceae in succession and Piperaceae in forest habitats. Herbivore caterpillars showed the opposite pattern with strong differences between individual plant species, but overall similar densities on both plant families.
Design and Application of Variable Temperature Setup for Scanning Electron Microscopy in Gases and Liquids at Ambient Conditions
Authors: Al-Asadi Ahmed S. , Zhang Jie , Li Jianbo , Potyrailo Radislav A. , Kolmakov Andrei 
Published: June 2015

AbstractScanning electron microscopy (SEM) of nanoscale objects in dry and fully hydrated conditions at different temperatures is of critical importance in revealing details of their interactions with an ambient environment. Currently available WETSEM capsules are equipped with thin electron-transparent membranes and allow imaging of samples at atmospheric pressure, but do not provide temperature control over the sample. Here, we developed and tested a thermoelectric cooling/heating setup for WETSEM capsules to allow ambient pressure in situ SEM studies with a temperature range between −15 and 100°C in gaseous, liquid, and frozen conditions. The design of the setup also allows for correlation of the SEM with optical microscopy and spectroscopy. As a demonstration of the possibilities of the developed approach, we performed real-time in situ microscopy studies of water condensation on a surface of Morpho sulkowskyi butterfly wing scales. We observed that initial water nucleation takes place on top of the scale ridges. These results confirmed earlier discovery of a preexisting polarity gradient of the ridges of Morpho butterflies. Our developed thermoelectric cooling/heating setup for environmental capsules meets the diverse needs for in situ nanocharacterization in material science, catalysis, microelectronics, chemistry, and biology.
A Polytomous Rasch Analysis of the English Version of Health-Related Quality of Life for Drug Abusers Test
Authors: Lozano Oscar M. , Rojas Tejada Antonio J. , Foresti Katia , Zubaran Carlos 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe specific aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the English version of the Health-Related Quality of Life for Drug Abusers Test (HRQoLDA Test) applying the Rasch model, and emphasizing fit between empirical data and theoretical Rasch model assumptions; item(s) category probability curve; and precision in terms of information function. In this study, the authors present the results of the translation and adaptation of the original Spanish version to English, as applied to a sample of substance users in Australia. The authors evaluated 121 adults recruited from inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities in Sydney, Australia. The Rating Scale Model was used in the psychometric analysis of the English version of the HRQoLDA Test. The items and persons revealed a fit between the reported data and the model. It was also demonstrated that respondents did not discriminate among the five response categories, which led to a reduction to three response categories. The adaptation of the TECVASP to the English language, renamed the HRQoLDA test, as developed with an Australian sample revealed adequate psychometric properties.
Differentialdiagnostischer Nutzen der CERAD neuropsychologischen Testbatterie für Patienten mit leichter kognitiver Störung mit und ohne depressiver Symptomatik: Eine retrospektive Studie
Authors: Mayer Daniel , Diwo Angela , Imarhiagbe Douglas , Erler Silvia , Marksteiner Josef , Kaufmann Liane 
Published: June 2015

Das Hauptziel dieser retrospektiven Studie war die Untersuchung des differentialdiagnostischen Nutzens der CERAD neuropsychologischen Testbatterie zur Unterscheidung geriatrischer Patienten mit leichter kognitiver Störung/MCI (n = 345) mit versus ohne depressiver Symptomatik. Alle Analysen wurden doppelt gerechnet (ICD-10-konforme MCI-Definition und amnestische MCI/a-MCI). Die optimalen empirischen Cutoff-Werte und die diagnostische Genauigkeit wurden mittels Receiver Operating Characteristic/ROC-Analysen berechnet. Die Ergebnisse sind abhängig vom verwendeten MCI-Definitionskriterium und bestätigen die differentialdiagnostische Nützlichkeit der CERAD, allerdings ausschließlich bei Verwendung ICD-10-konformer Definitionskriterien (nicht bei a-MCI). Der CERAD-Summenwert differenziert signifikant zwischen MCI-Patienten mit versus ohne depressiver Symptomatik (AUC = .634, p < .001), wobei die diagnostische Genauigkeit (61 %) insgesamt als gering einzustufen ist.