bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intertextualities in Elfriede Jelinek’sRein Gold: Ein Bühnenessay
Authors: Kallin Britta
Published: May 2021

Elfriede Jelinek’s postdramatic stage essay Rein Gold (2012) interweaves countless texts including Richard Wagner’s operas from the Ring cycle, Karl Marx’s The Capital, and Marx and Friedrich Engels’s The Communist Manifesto as well as contemporary writings and news articles. Scholarship has so far examined the play in comparison to Wagner’s Rheingold opera, which serves as the base for the dialogue between the father Wotan and daughter Brünnhilde. This article examines intertextualities with the story of the National Socialist Underground, an extremist right-wing group that committed hate-crime murders and bank robberies, and with the exploitative history of workers, particularly women, in capitalist systems. Jelinek compares the National Socialist Underground’s attempt to violently rid Germany of non-ethnic Germans with Siegfried’s mythical fight as dragon slayer in the Nibelungenlied that created a hero who has been cast as a German identity figure for an ethnonational narrative and fascist ideas in twenty-first-century Germany.
Visualization of Similar Patients in a Clinical Decision Support System for Rare Diseases – A Focus Group Study
Authors: Schaaf Jannik , Sedlmayr Martin , Prokosch Hans-Ulrich , Tegtbauer Niels , Kadioglu Dennis , Schaefer Johanna , Boeker Martin , Storf Holger
Published: May 2021

The diagnosis of patients with rare diseases is often delayed. A Clinical Decision Support System using similarity analysis of patient-based data may have the potential to support the diagnosis of patients with rare diseases. This qualitative study has the objective to investigate how the result of a patient similarity analysis should be presented to a physician to enable diagnosis support. We conducted a focus group with physicians practicing in rare diseases as well as medical informatics researchers. To prepare the focus group, a literature search was performed to check the current state of research regarding visualization of similar patients. We then created software-mockups for the presentation of these visualization methods for the discussion within the focus group. Two persons took independently field notes for data collection of the focus group. A questionnaire was distributed to the participants to rate the visualization methods. The results show that four visualization methods are promising for the visualization of similar patients: “Patient on demand table”, “Criteria selection”, “Time-Series chart” and “Patient timeline. “Patient on demand table” shows a direct comparison of patient characteristics, whereas “Criteria selection” allows the selection of different patient criteria to get deeper insights into the data. The “Time-Series chart” shows the time course of clinical parameters (e.g. blood pressure) whereas a “Patient timeline” indicates which time events exist for a patient (e.g. several symptoms on different dates). In the future, we will develop a software-prototype of the Clinical Decision Support System to include the visualization methods and evaluate the clinical usage.
Record Linkage in Clinical Cancer Registration: Experiences and Findings from Lower Saxony
Authors: Scheel Kira , Franke Thomas , Weikert Alisha , Dick Melanie , Walter Anna , Zeidler Jan , Hartz Tobias
Published: May 2021

In cancer registries, record linkage procedures are used to link records of the same patient from different health care providers. In the Clinical Cancer Registry of Lower Saxony, a multi-level combination of exact assignment using the statutory health insurance number and a probabilistic procedure with control numbers and address data is applied. The procedure implemented in the register application assigns the incoming messages in this way as far as possible automatically. The aim of the observation carried out was to check the efficiency of the match variables and threshold values used, above which manual assignment is required. Weak points were identified and approaches to solutions were developed.
Automated Generation of Individual and Population Clinical Pathways with the OMOP Common Data Model
Authors: Boudis Fabio , Clement Guillaume , Bruandet Amelie , Lamer Antoine
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Clinical pathways represents the sequence of interventions from which the patients benefit during their encounters with health care structures. There are several complex issues which make it difficult to represent these pathways (e.g. high numbers of patients, heterogeneity of variables). Methods: We developed a tool to automate the representation of clinical pathways, from an individual and population points of view, and based on the OMOP CDM. The tool implemented the Sankey diagram in three stages: (i) data extraction, (ii) generation of individual sequence of steps and (iii) aggregation of sequence to obtain the population-level diagram. We tested the tool with three surgery procedures: the total hip replacement, the coronary bypass and the transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Results: The tool provided different ways of visualizing pathways depending on the question asked: a pathway before a surgery, the pathway of deceased patients or the complete pathway with different steps of interest. Discussion: We proposed a tool automating the representation of the clinical pathways, and reducing complexity of visualization. Representations are detailed from an individual and population points of view. It has been tested with three surgical procedures. The tool functionalities will be extended to cover a greater number of use cases.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Use of Telemedicine Services in an Academic Medical Center
Authors: Cui Wanting , Finkelstein Joseph
Published: May 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the landscape of telehealth services. The goal of this paper was to identify demographic groups of patients who have used telemedicine services before and after the start of the pandemic, and to analyze how different demographic groups’ telehealth usage patterns change throughout the course of the pandemic. A de-identified study dataset was generated by querying electronic health records at the Mount Sinai Health System to identify all patients. 129,625 patients were analyzed. Demographic shifts in patients seeking telemedicine service were identified. There was significant increase in the middle age and older population using telehealth services. During the pandemic use of telemedicine services was increased among male patients and racial minority patients. Furthermore, telehealth services had expanded to a broader spectrum of medical specialties.
Spatial Intensity Map of HDEMG Based Classification of Muscle Fatigue
Authors: Makaram Navaneethakrishna , Arjunan Sridhar P. , Kumar Dinesh , Swaminathan Ramakrishnan
Published: May 2021

In this, study, we have investigated to identify the muscle fatigue using spatial maps of High-Density Electromyography (HDEMG). The experiment involves subjects performing plantar flexion at 40% maximum voluntary contraction until fatigue. During the experiment, HDEMG signal was recorded from the tibialis anterior muscle. The monopolar and bipolar spatial intensity maps were extracted from the HDEMG signal. The random forest classifier with different tree configurations was tested to distinguish nonfatigue and fatigue condition. The results indicate that selected electrodes from the differential intensity map results in an accuracy of 83.3% with the number of trees set at 17. This method of spatial analysis of HDEMG signals may be extended to assess fatigue in real life scenarios.
Gynecological Surgery and Machine Learning: Complications and Length of Stay Prediction
Authors: Metsker Oleg , Kopanitsa Georgy , Malushko Anton , Komlichenko Eduard , Bolgova Katerina , Paskoshev David
Published: May 2021

In this study we are developing predictive models for a length of stay after a gynecological surgery, complications and the length of the surgery using machine learning methods. The study was performed with the data of patients with the diseases of the female reproductive system. The patients were admitted to the Almazov National Medical Research Centre (Saint-Petersburg, Russia) within the period 2010-2020. The study included 8170 electronic medical records of inpatient episodes including 3500 operation protocols. The data included anamnesis of life, anamnesis of disease, laboratory tests, severity, outcome of a surgery, main and comorbid diagnosis, complications, case outcome. The dataset was randomly split into 70% train and 30% test datasets. Validation with the test dataset provided the following prediction metrics for the length of stay after a surgery model. Training score: AUC of ROC: 0.9582230976834093; K-fold CV average score: -8.73; MSE: 5.65; RMSE: 2.83.
Identification of Similar Patients Through Medical Concept Embedding from Electronic Health Records: A Feasibility Study for Rare Disease Diagnosis
Authors: Chen Xiaoyi , Faviez Carole , Vincent Marc , Garcelon Nicolas , Saunier Sophie , Burgun Anita
Published: May 2021

To identify patients with similar clinical profiles and derive insights from the records and outcomes of similar patients can help fast and precise diagnosis and other clinical decisions for rare diseases. Similarity methods are required to take into account the semantic relations between medical concepts and also the different relevance of all medical concepts presented in patients’ medical records. In this paper, we introduce the methods developed in the context of rare disease screening/diagnosis from clinical data warehouse using medical concept embedding and adjusted aggregations. Our methods provided better preliminary results than baseline methods, with a significant improvement of precision among the top ranked similar patients, which is encouraging for further fine-tuning and application on a large-scale dataset for new/candidate patient identification.
Usage of Digital Tools to Access Primary Care in Quebec: An Environmental Scan
Authors: Lapointe Jonathan , Badr Janine , Motulsky Aude
Published: May 2021

Timely access to care is a persistent challenge for health care systems. Providing the right care to the right patient at the right time is important to reduce inappropriate use and improve the performance of healthcare services. The complexity of accessing primary care contributes to the high usage of emergency rooms for not-urgent conditions. Many digital tools try to offer a better access to care for patients and reduce ER overuse. This environmental scan of the digital tools available in Quebec identifies those digital tools and some of their limitations. The results reveal the complexity of mobilizing digital tools in the healthcare sector and highlight the need for all stakeholders to work together to enhance access to care.
How to Identify Potential Candidates for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis: An AI Algorithm Reusing Real-World Hospital Data
Authors: Duthe Jean-Charles , Bouzille Guillaume , Sylvestre Emmanuelle , Chazard Emmanuel , Arvieux Cedric , Cuggia Marc
Published: May 2021

HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective in Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), and is reimbursed by the social security in France. Yet, PrEP is underused due to the difficulty to identify people at risk of HIV infection outside the “sexual health” care path. We developed and validated an automated algorithm that re-uses Electronic Health Record (EHR) data available in eHOP, the Clinical Data Warehouse of Rennes University Hospital (France). Using machine learning methods, we developed five models to predict incident HIV infections with 162 variables that might be exploited to predict HIV risk using EHR data. We divided patients aged 18 or more having at least one hospital admission between 2013 and 2019 in two groups: cases (patients with known HIV infection in the study period) and controls (patients without known HIV infection and no PrEP in the study period, but with at least one HIV risk factor). Among the 624,708 admissions, we selected 156 cases (incident HIV infection) and 761 controls. The best performing model for identifying incident HIV infections was the combined model (LASSO, Random Forest, and Generalized Linear Model): AUC = 0.88 (95% CI: 0.8143-0.9619), specificity = 0.887, and sensitivity = 0.733 using the test dataset. The algorithm seems to efficiently identify patients at risk of HIV infection.
Person-Centered Care Coordination Next Steps in a Long Journey
Authors: Hofdijk Jacob , Cillessen Felix
Published: May 2021

Citizens of the Netherlands receive excellent care, when they need it, insurance based funded according to the solidarity principle. Maintaining this system is a huge challenge, as we live longer and the demand for care is growing. With an increasing percentage of multi-morbidity in all age groups the need for integrated network organized care is growing at equal pace. Gradually the need to shift focus to prevention is increasingly understood, but a challenging business model is still lacking. The involvement of citizens in maintaining their health requires a focus on managing the social determinants of health. The concept of the holistic problem list and the overarching care plan provides a unique way to combine both health and disease management. Our vision is to bring control to the patient and promote coordination of all active problems across the health and social care network.
Exploring Limitations of User Interface Design to Understanding the Gap Between Technology and Seniors
Authors: Jingar Monika , Lindgren Helena , Blusi Madeleine
Published: May 2021

Participating in social activities promotes healthy ageing, whereas loneliness and isolation are known to cause adverse effects on both physical and mental wellbeing. Technology that exists in society today can facilitate healthy ageing. However, a gap can be seen between seniors and technology in today’s internet and communication technological device’s user interfaces. Due to limited prior knowledge of interacting with touch screen devices, seniors sometimes have difficulties using them. This research aims to explore the user interfaces and their elements designed using a human-centered design methodology by involving seniors as activate participants in the design process. This work’s outcome can improve current user interface design practices in touch screen devices, which might be seen as contributing step to understand the gap between seniors and technology.
WHO Digital Intelligence Analysis for Tracking Narratives and Information Voids in the COVID-19 Infodemic
Authors: Purnat Tina D. , Vacca Paolo , Burzo Stefano , Zecchin Tim , Wright Amy , Briand Sylvie , Nguyen Tim
Published: May 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is the first to unfold in the highly digitalized society of the 21st century and is therefore the first pandemic to benefit from and be threatened by a thriving real-time digital information ecosystem. For this reason, the response to the infodemic required development of a public health social listening taxonomy, a structure that can simplify the chaotic information ecosystem to enable an adaptable monitoring infrastructure that detects signals of fertile ground for misinformation and guides trusted sources of verified information to fill in information voids in a timely manner. A weekly analysis of public online conversations since 23 March 2020 has enabled the quantification of running shifts of public interest in public health-related topics concerning the pandemic and has demonstrated the frequent resumption of information voids relevant for public health interventions and risk communication in an emergency response setting.
Deep Neural Network Architecture Search for Wearable Heart Rate Estimations
Authors: Ray Daniel , Collins Tim , Ponnapalli Prasad
Published: May 2021

Extracting accurate heart rate estimations from wrist-worn photoplethysmography (PPG) devices is challenging due to the signal containing artifacts from several sources. Deep Learning approaches have shown very promising results outperforming classical methods with improvements of 21% and 31% on two state-of-the-art datasets. This paper provides an analysis of several data-driven methods for creating deep neural network architectures with hopes of further improvements.
A Mente e suas Adaptações: uma perspectiva evolucionista sobre a personalidade, a emoção e a psicopatologia
Authors: Lemos Vasconcellos Silvio José , Hauck Filho Nelson
Published: May 2021

Se os milhares e milhares de anos que constituem a história dos hominídeos pudessem ser reunidos em um minuto apenas, o tempo a partir do qual nossos ancestrais abandonaram as práticas de coleta e caça revelar-se-ia infimamente superior a meio segundo.
A Indústria Upstream de Petróleo & Gás no Brasil e seus Aspectos Histórico-Econômicos: Atuais Benefícios e Entraves do Regime Aduaneiro Especial Repetro
Authors: Machado Maria Eliane Lima Moraes
Published: May 2021

O petróleo, famoso ouro negro, é considerado uma fonte de energia de valor absoluta e precipuamente estratégico, ainda que, até o momento, de fontes não renováveis, proporcionando atividades de exploração e produção responsáveis por boa parte da economia mundial, em um cenário de expressivos investimentos e custos operacionais. Considerando fatos importantes, tais como a forma alternativa de exploração e produção de petróleo e gás a partir de fracking em rochas de xisto betuminoso, a grande descoberta de sua camada pré-sal, o novo marco regulatório-fiscal de Contratos de Partilha de Produção, instituído pelo Governo para sua exploração e produção, e a recente e considerável queda de suas cotações no mercado mundial das commodities, o presente trabalho científico teve o objetivo de pesquisar e analisar os atuais benefícios e entraves administrativo-tributários do regime aduaneiro especial de exportação e importação de bens destinados às atividades de pesquisa e de lavra das jazidas de petróleo e de gás natural (REPETRO), na indústria upstream de petróleo e gás no Brasil. Configura-se, assim, o REPETRO como um dos principais instrumentos nas áreas de comércio exterior e internacional como estratégia de crescimento das empresas e do Brasil, em níveis micro e macroeconômicos, respetivamente. Para uma melhor contextualização, por meio de uma metodologia de pesquisa exploratória, descritiva, documental, bibliográfica e qualitativa, foi necessário, preliminarmente, proceder-se com uma retrospectiva acerca do petróleo, sua origem e cadeia de valor da indústria, e identificar os fatores de riscos à atividade petrolífera em termos de políticas regulatório-fiscal e tributária, e de cenários técnicos e econômicos, para, em seguida, detalhar a sistemática do REPETRO estadual e federal, identificando, por fim, sua vertente de benefícios e entraves em consonância com sua legislação atual. Não obstante sua alta complexidade e insegurança jurídica como alguns dos principais entraves, cabe às empresas petrolíferas estabelecidas no país disporem corretamente desse importante dispositivo de acordo com suas exigências normativas, com vistas a otimizarem seus resultados econômico-financeiros através de seus benefícios, dentre eles, a suspensão, isenção ou redução da base de cálculo de alguns tributos federais e estaduais. Tais benefícios impactam positivamente a balança comercial do país através do aumento das exportações, como resultado da política extrafiscal do regime em questão, além de, curiosamente, apesar de sua renúncia fiscal aduaneira, aumentar a participação fiscal da União e dos Estados na renda do investidor privado, possibilitando de maneira efetiva o aumento e a permanência dos investimentos desta atividade econômica em favor da geração de divisas, do emprego e da renda nacionais.
Аналогичный промышленности труд в рабский труд в текстильной промышленности Бразилии
Authors: Neto Dalk Dias Salomão , Sousa Nicole Moreira Faria , Dendasck Carla Viana , Fecury Amanda Alves , Oliveira Euzébio de , Dias Claudio Alberto Gellis de Mattos
Published: May 2021

Институт рабства присутствует в человечестве с самого начала существования человека. Рабство в Бразилии поддерживало экономику на протяжении веков. Миллионы африканцев были вывезены со своей родины и помещены в унизительные условия жизни и работы. Процесс отмены рабства занимает много времени и постепенно. Существовали веков много борьбы и страданий для мира, чтобы начать понимать зло, что рабство представляет. Даже после отмены рабства было принято видеть работника, оказавогося в ловушке на местах из-за долгов, или по законам, наделя работодателей полномочиями по отношению к работнику. Целью этого исследования было проанализировать условия труда, аналогичные рабу в бразильской текстильной промышленности. Она проводилась с помощью библиографического обзора и качественного анализа. Благодаря своей новой одежде современный рабский труд стал на некоторое время невидимым. Факторы, которые делают возможным совершение этого преступления, даже если в настоящее время, это в основном связано с штативом: безнаказанность, бедность и прибыль. Положение в условиях нищеты наиболее нуждающихся селения вынуждает их проходить виды работ в нечеловеческих условиях. Эти текстильные работники в основном являются иммигрантами из соседних, слаборазвитых стран Латинской Америки. Бразилия была одной из первых стран в мире, признавающих этот вид работы, и что совместно с Международной организацией труда (OIT) и правительственными образованиями, стремятся бороться с такой преступной практикой на своей территории.
Patriots on Air: Reflections on Patriotism in the Minds of TV Journalists
Authors: Nazarenko Salla
Published: May 2021

This chapter analyses patriotic discourses of Russian television journalists. The starting point is that there is a certain pressure to be patriotic imposed upon journalists who work for mainstream television. Three discourses on patriotism have been identified through thematic interviews: a personal, intimate patriotism; a militaristic one - and a patriotism that draws from the narratives of ongoing information war. Russian journalists use all three discourses when they explain their attitude towards patriotism. While journalists express criticism towards militaristic undertones of official discourse, the most prominent figures in television accept and repeat it in their work.
African Pragmatic Spiritualism as Neo-Science: A Bergsonian/Whiteheadian Critique of Hountondji
Authors: Asekhauno Anthony Afe. , Emmanuel Asia
Published: May 2021

Arguably, spiritualism is the most central of African philosophical systems. Amongst Africans, all reality is replete with spiritual involvement a pragmatic involvement. Spiritualism is typical and topical all around traditional African cultures, empirically manifested in all areas of human knowledge and experience including medicine, communication and transportation, entertainment, and the disquisition of justice. African spiritual capacity is a pragmatic reflection of African didactic strides. While this categorization may be apt and adequate for those sympathetic with truth and the African course, it, however, is either untrue or unscientific, a mark of primitivism. Clearly, it is outmoded and untenable to some others, including the Ivoirian-born Beninese Paulin Hountondji. This work reviews the major substance of Hountondji’s critical views on African spiritualism with a view to debunking them by adducing by the canons set by the process philosophies of Henry Bergson and Alfred North Whitehead. The trajectory attempts to build a theoretical pedestal for the grounding of an African esoteric philosophy, which is at once uniquely spiritual and pragmatic—hence the phrase, pragmatic spiritualism or spiritual pragmatism; a method and model recommended for wider feat in all human affairs and dealings with nature.
PEMBANGUNAN DEMOKRASASI DESA BERBASIS KEARIFAN LOKAL (KAJIAN DARI SUDUT PANDANG UU NOMOR 6 TAHUN 2014)
Authors: Ra'is Dekki Umamur
Published: May 2021

Demokrasi memiliki kemampuan dalam hal partisipasi politik dan mampu memfasilitasi pilihan manusia secara bebas dan lebih baik. Demokrasi adalah komponen yang diperlukan dalam mengembangkan kemampuan individu untuk hidup bebas, mandiri, dan sejahtera. Demokrasi  merupakan jaminan institusional bahwa kebijakan dan undang-undang yang dibuat oleh pemerintah akan sesuai dengan kepentingan rakyat.  Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat sejauh mana demokrasi modern bisa berkolaborasi dengang nilai-nilai lokal (genuine) yang dimiliki oleh desa – desa di Indonesia. Sehingga kita bisa memahami bagaimana cara merancang Pembangunan Demokrasasi Desa Berbasis Kearifan Lokal. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode studi kepustakaan (Library Research). Lahirnya Undang-undang Desa Nomor 6 tahun 2014, menjadi peluang bagi wujudnya kemandirian desa. Desa tidak lagi  sebagai objek pembangunan negara, tetapi juga menjadi pelaku pembangunan negara. Pengakuan terhadap desa melalui Undang-undang tersebut, memberikan peluang bagi desa untuk mengamalkan kembali kearifan lokal yang dimiliki oleh masing-masing desa. Semangat yang diusung oleh Undang-undang desa adalah kemandirian dan kesejahteraan desa melalui demokrasi desa. UU desa menjadikan desa sebagai arena demokrasi yang sesungguhnya. Desa bisa mengkombinasikan nilai-nilai kearifan lokal dengan praktik demokrasi modern.
Пожары на сельскохозяйственной технике и причины их возникновения
Authors: Pasovets Vladimir N. , Lakhvich Vyacheslav V. , Antonenko Maksim A.
Published: May 2021

Цель. Анализ причин возникновения пожаров на сельскохозяйственной технике агропромышленного комплекса Республики Беларусь.

Методы. Проведение теоретического анализа причин возникновения пожаров на сельскохозяйственной технике, осмотр места пожара с применением современных методов и технических средств.

Результаты. В работе представлены причины возникновения пожаров на тракторах и комбайнах различного назначения. Показано, что данные причины связаны с нарушением правил эксплуатации, конструктивными недостатками машин и механизмов, разрушением узлов и деталей, нарушением технологических процессов, неосторожным обращением с огнем, поджогами, проявлением сил природы, нарушением противопожарных требований, правил хранения и транспортирования веществ и материалов. Нередко причиной пожаров на сельскохозяйственной технике является скопление горючего материала в точках с высокими температурами, расположенных рядом с двигателем. Более детальное изучение технических причин пожаров позволило установить, что наиболее часто к пожарам приводят неисправности в системах питания, смазки и выпуска отработавших газов двигателей внутреннего сгорания и электрооборудования сельхозтехники.

Область применения исследований. Представленные результаты могут быть использованы в сфере обеспечения пожарной безопасности предприятий агропромышленного комплекса.
Seismic Anisotropy Within an Active Fluid Flow Structure: Scanner Pockmark, North Sea
Authors: Bayrakci G. , Callow B. , Bull J. M. , Minshull T. A. , Provenzano G. , North L. J. , Macdonald C. , Robinson A. H. , Henstock T. , Chapman M.
Published: May 2021

Understanding sub-seabed fluid flow mechanisms is important for determining their significance for ocean chemistry and to define fluid pathways above sub-seafloor CO2storage reservoirs. Many active seabed fluid flow structures are associated with seismic chimneys or pipes, but the processes linking structures at depth with the seabed are poorly understood. We use seismic anisotropy techniques applied to ocean bottom seismometer (OBS) data, together with seismic reflection profiles and core data, to determine the nature of fluid pathways in the top tens of meters of marine sediments beneath the Scanner pockmark in the North Sea. The Scanner pockmark is 22 m deep, 900 m × 450 m wide and is actively venting methane. It lies above a chimney imaged on seismic reflection data down to ∼1 km depth. We investigate azimuthal anisotropy within the Scanner pockmark and at a nearby reference site in relatively undisturbed sediments, using the PS converted (C-) waves from a GI gun source, recorded by the OBS network. Shear-wave splitting is observed on an OBS located within the pockmark, and on another OBS nearby, whereas no such splitting is observed on 23 other instruments, positioned both around the pockmark, and at an undisturbed reference site. The OBSs that show anisotropy have radial and transverse components imaging a shallow phase (55–65 ms TWT after the seabed) consistent with PS conversion at 4–5 m depth. Azimuth stacks of the transverse component show amplitude nulls at 70° and 160°N, marking the symmetry axes of anisotropy and indicating potential fracture orientations. Hydraulic connection with underlying, over pressured gas charged sediment has caused gas conduits to open, either perpendicular to the regional minimum horizontal stress at 150–160 N or aligned with a local stress gradient at 50–60 N. This study reports the first observation of very shallow anisotropy associated with active methane venting.
The Association Between Cholecystectomy and the Risk for Fracture: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study in Korea
Authors: Lee Eun Ji , Shin Cheol Min , Lee Dong Ho , Han Kyungdo , Park Sang Hyun , Kim Yoo Jin , Yoon Hyuk , Park Young Soo , Kim Nayoung
Published: May 2021

Objectives

To evaluate the risk of fracture in individuals with a history of cholecystectomy in Korean population.

Methods

Individuals (n = 143,667) aged ≥ 40 y who underwent cholecystectomy between 2010 and 2015 and the controls (n = 255,522), matched by age and sex, were identified from the database of the Korean National Health Insurance Services. The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of fracture were estimated following cholecystectomy, and a Cox regression analysis was performed.

Results

The incidence rates of all fractures, vertebral, and hip fractures were 14.689, 6.483 and 1.228 cases per 1000 person-years respectively in the cholecystectomy group, whereas they were 13.862, 5.976, and 1.019 cases per 1000 person-years respectively in the control group. After adjustment for age, sex, income, place of residence, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, alcohol drinking, exercise, and body mass index, patients who underwent cholecystectomy showed an increased risk of all fractures, vertebral fractures, and hip fractures (aHR [95% CI]: 1.095 [1.059-1.132], 1.134 [1.078-1.193], and 1.283 [1.139-1.444] for all fractures, vertebral fractures, and hip fractures, respectively). The risk of vertebral fractures following cholecystectomy was more prominent in the young age group (40 to 49 y) than in the old age group (≥ 65 y) (1.366 [1.082-1.724] vs. 1.132 [1.063-1.206], respectively). However, the incidence of hip fractures following cholecystectomy was not affected by age.

Conclusion

Individuals who underwent cholecystectomy have an increased risk of fracture. In the younger population, the risk of vertebral fractures may be further increased following cholecystectomy.
Four New Cases of SLC35A2-CDG With Novel Mutations and Clinical Features
Authors: Abuduxikuer Kuerbanjiang , Wang Jian-She
Published: May 2021

SLC35A2-CDG is a rare type of X-linked CDG with more than 60 reported cases. We retrospectively analyzed clinical phenotypes and SLC35A2 genotypes of four cases of SLC35A2-CDG from four unrelated families of Han ethnicity in China. All patients had infantile onset epilepsies that were completely or partly resistant to multiple anti-epileptic medications or ketogenic diet. Three patients had severe developmental delay. All patients were female patients carrying de novo deleterious mutations in SLC35A2 (NM_001042498.2) gene, including one canonical splice-site mutation (c.426+1G > A), one large deletion (c.-322_c.274+1del), and two frameshift mutations leading to premature stop codon (c.781delC/p.Arg289ValfsTer88 and c.601delG/p.Ala201GlnfsTer148). Novel clinical features in some of our patients include anemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertonia, small ears, extra folds on earlobes, and maternal oligohydramnios or hypothyroidism during pregnancy. In one patient, concomitant Marfan syndrome was confirmed for having positive family history, carrying a heterozygous known disease-causing mutation in FBN1 gene (c.7240C > T/p.Arg2414Ter), and presence of typical features (rachnodactyly, ventrical septal defect, and mitral valve regurgitation). In conclusion, we expanded clinical phenotype and genetic mutation spectrum of SLC35A2-CDG by reporting four new cases with novel pathogenic variants and novel clinical features.
Gradient Profile Estimation Using Exponential Cubic Spline Smoothing in a Bayesian Framework
Authors: De Silva Kushani , Cafaro Carlo , Giffin Adom
Published: May 2021

Attaining reliable gradient profiles is of utmost relevance for many physical systems. In many situations, the estimation of the gradient is inaccurate due to noise. It is common practice to first estimate the underlying system and then compute the gradient profile by taking the subsequent analytic derivative of the estimated system. The underlying system is often estimated by fitting or smoothing the data using other techniques. Taking the subsequent analytic derivative of an estimated function can be ill-posed. This becomes worse as the noise in the system increases. As a result, the uncertainty generated in the gradient estimate increases. In this paper, a theoretical framework for a method to estimate the gradient profile of discrete noisy data is presented. The method was developed within a Bayesian framework. Comprehensive numerical experiments were conducted on synthetic data at different levels of noise. The accuracy of the proposed method was quantified. Our findings suggest that the proposed gradient profile estimation method outperforms the state-of-the-art methods.
Multivariate Tail Probabilities: Predicting Regional Pertussis Cases in Washington State
Authors: Zhang Xuze , Pyne Saumyadipta , Kedem Benjamin
Published: May 2021

In disease modeling, a key statistical problem is the estimation of lower and upper tail probabilities of health events from given data sets of small size and limited range. Assuming such constraints, we describe a computational framework for the systematic fusion of observations from multiple sources to compute tail probabilities that could not be obtained otherwise due to a lack of lower or upper tail data. The estimation of multivariate lower and upper tail probabilities from a given small reference data set that lacks complete information about such tail data is addressed in terms of pertussis case count data. Fusion of data from multiple sources in conjunction with the density ratio model is used to give probability estimates that are non-obtainable from the empirical distribution. Based on a density ratio model with variable tilts, we first present a univariate fit and, subsequently, improve it with a multivariate extension. In the multivariate analysis, we selected the best model in terms of the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). Regional prediction, in Washington state, of the number of pertussis cases is approached by providing joint probabilities using fused data from several relatively small samples following the selected density ratio model. The model is validated by a graphical goodness-of-fit plot comparing the estimated reference distribution obtained from the fused data with that of the empirical distribution obtained from the reference sample only.
The Effects of a Multicomponent Motivational System Intervention Using Peer-Tutoring for Implementation on the Automation of Single-Digit Addition Tasks of Four Struggling Elementary Students
Authors: Karnes Jennifer , Grünke Matthias
Published: May 2021

Derived math fact fluency becomes more imperative across all mathematical content areas during a students’ mathematics development. However, many of them struggle to automate the most basic math facts sufficiently and therefore are not able to deal with more complex mathematical problems. This leads to the fact that many of them are already left behind in the early years of their school careers whether they have diagnosed learning disabilities or not. In this single-case research project, we evaluated a peer-tutoring approach designed to extend the number of automated single-digit addition tasks for four struggling elementary students through a multicomponent motivational system including immediate correction of errors, graphical feedback on performance, positive reinforcement, direct instruction flashcards, and a racetrack game. A multiple-baseline design (ABE) across subjects was applied to assess the effects of the treatment. The results indicate significant and large effects of the intervention on the number of automated math facts for the participants. This substantiates the assumption that the math-fact recall performance of struggling students can be improved through the method of peer tutoring even with the limited resources available in everyday school life.
Efficiency Optimization Design of L-LLC Resonant Bidirectional DC-DC Converter
Authors: Lu Jing , Tong Xiangqian , Zeng Jianwu , Shen Ming , Yin Jun
Published: May 2021

The new type of L-LLC resonant bidirectional DC-DC converter (L-LLC-BDC) has merits of high efficiency, high-power density and wide gain and power ranges, and it is suitable for energy interface between energy storage systems and DC micro grid. However, the resonances are sensitive to the parasitic parameters, which will deteriorate the efficiency. This paper investigates the intrinsic mechanism of parasitic parameters on the L-LLC-BDC operating principle and working characteristics based on the analysis of working modes and resonance tank. By taking the oscillation of parasitic parameters produced in the stage for the freewheeling stage into consideration, a parameter optimization method is proposed to reduce the resonant current oscillation while maintaining the characteristic of the natural soft switching. The experiment results not only validated the proposed parameter optimization design method, but also testified to the improvement of the efficiency through the minimization of the conduction and switching loss.
Use of BIM-FM to Transform Large Conventional Public Buildings into Efficient and Smart Sustainable Buildings
Authors: Pavón Rubén Muñoz , Alberti Marcos García , Álvarez Antonio Alfonso Arcos , del Rosario Chiyón Carrasco Isabel
Published: May 2021

New technologies regarding construction, materials and facility management have led to the successful implementation of smart and more sustainable buildings. This is of special interest for the management of large and complex public buildings. However, most of these types of buildings were built in Europe during the previous century, when those technologies were still a matter of research. The appearance of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and the combined use of it with other advances in Facility Management (FM) as well as Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data and others, has opened the door to the possible transformation of such type of buildings into more efficient smart buildings without very large investments. In this study, this was studied thoroughly. In addition, the advantages and possibilities were assessed on a case study performed in the Civil Engineering School at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid built in 1969. The main objective of the paper was to show the details and possibilities to transform the building into a smart and more sustainable building by using BIM-FM techniques and self-designed sensors. The conclusions showed that using a three-dimensional model as the center of the management together with the connection with other applications, databases and facility management tools can transform the building into a Smart Building. In addition, the management of the system can be done from the web, nearing the information to the management staff and to the user. All advances were self-developed in order to satisfy the specific needs of the building.
Efficient Operation Method of Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage System Using Demand Response
Authors: Oh Jewon , Sumiyoshi Daisuke , Nishioka Masatoshi , Kim Hyunbae
Published: May 2021

The mass introduction of renewable energy is essential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. We examined an operation method that combines the surplus energy of photovoltaic power generation using demand response (DR), which recognizes the balance between power supply and demand, with an aquifer heat storage system. In the case that predicts the occurrence of DR and performs DR storage and heat dissipation operation, the result was an operation that can suppress daytime power consumption without increasing total power consumption. Case 1-2, which performs nighttime heat storage operation for about 6 h, has become an operation that suppresses daytime power consumption by more than 60%. Furthermore, the increase in total power consumption was suppressed by combining DR heat storage operation. The long night heat storage operation did not use up the heat storage amount. Therefore, it is recommended to the heat storage operation at night as much as possible before DR occurs. In the target area of this study, the underground temperature was 19.1 °C, the room temperature during cooling was about 25 °C and groundwater could be used as the heat source. The aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) system in this study uses three wells, and consists of a well that pumps groundwater, a heat storage well that stores heat and a well that used heat and then returns it. Care must be taken using such an operation method depending on the layer configuration.
A Simplified Model of a Surge Arrester and Its Application in Residual Voltage Tests
Authors: Yutthagowith Peerawut , Leejongpermpoon Sutee , Triruttanapiruk Nawakun
Published: May 2021

A simplified and accurate model of a surge arrester used in the residual voltage test is proposed in this paper. With the help of a genetic algorithm, the measured impulse current and residual voltage waveforms are utilized to determine circuit parameters of the proposed model and the generation circuit precisely. The technique starts from the circuit parameter determination using the preliminary experimental data with a lower current peak than that specified by the standard. From the determined model and with the help of the genetic algorithm, the circuit parameters and the charging voltage to obtain the specified current peak and the residual voltage can be estimated accurately. The validity of the proposed technique has been verified by experiments for the estimation of the appropriate current circuit parameters, the charging voltage, and the residual voltage. In addition, the application of the proposed model in the residual voltage tests is presented. From comparison of simulated and experimental results with the determined parameters, the impulse current and residual voltage waveforms are determined precisely. It is confirmed that the proposed model and technique are attractive in the appropriate circuit parameter determination and the residual voltage estimation in the residual voltage tests of surge arresters. The proposed method also provides a good advantage for reduction of the number of trial and error experiments for obtaining the current waveform according to the standard requirement. Moreover, the unintentional damages of the arrester during the process of the waveform adjustment will be reduced significantly.
Interspecies Behavioral Variability of Medaka Fish Assessed by Comparative Phenomics
Authors: Audira Gilbert , Siregar Petrus , Chen Kelvin H.-C. , Roldan Marri Jmelou M. , Huang Jong-Chin , Lai Hong-Thih , Hsiao Chung-Der
Published: May 2021

Recently, medaka has been used as a model organism in various research fields. However, even though it possesses several advantages over zebrafish, fewer studies were done in medaka compared to zebrafish, especially with regard to its behavior. Thus, to provide more information regarding its behavior and to demonstrate the behavioral differences between several species of medaka, we compared the behavioral performance and biomarker expression in the brain between four medaka fishes, Oryzias latipes, Oryzias dancena, Oryzias woworae, and Oryzias sinensis. We found that each medaka species explicitly exhibited different behaviors to each other, which might be related to the different basal levels of several biomarkers. Furthermore, by phenomics and genomic-based clustering, the differences between these medaka fishes were further investigated. Here, the phenomic-based clustering was based on the behavior results, while the genomic-based clustering was based on the sequence of the nd2 gene. As we expected, both clusterings showed some resemblances to each other in terms of the interspecies relationship between medaka and zebrafish. However, this similarity was not displayed by both clusterings in the medaka interspecies comparisons. Therefore, these results suggest a re-interpretation of several prior studies in comparative biology. We hope that these results contribute to the growing database of medaka fish phenotypes and provide one of the foundations for future phenomics studies of medaka fish.
Well-Known and Novel Serum Biomarkers for Risk Stratification of Patients with Non-ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Anghel Larisa , Sascău Radu , Zota Ioana Mădălina , Stătescu Cristian
Published: May 2021

Non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy encompasses a wide spectrum of myocardial disorders, characterized by left ventricular dilatation with systolic impairment and increased risk of sudden cardiac death. In spite of all the therapeutic progress that has been made in recent years, dilated cardiomyopathy continues to be an important cause of cardiac transplant, being associated with an enormous cost burden for health care systems worldwide. Predicting the prognosis of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy is essential to individualize treatment. Late gadolinium enhancement-cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, microvolt T-wave alternans, and genetic testing have emerged as powerful tools in predicting sudden cardiac death occurrence and maximizing patient’s selection. Despite all these new diagnostic modalities, additional tests to complement or replace current tools are required for better risk stratification. Therefore, biomarkers are an easy and important tool that can help to detect patients at risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Additionally, identifying potential biomarkers involved in dilated cardiomyopathy can provide us important information regarding the diagnostic, prognostic, risk stratification, and response to treatment for these patients. Many potential biomarkers have been studied in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, but only a few have been adopted in current practice. Therefore, the aim of our review is to provide the clinicians with an update on the well-known and novel biomarkers that can be useful for risk stratification of patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.