bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endoscopy-guided diode laser-assisted transcaruncular StopLoss Jones tube implantation for canalicular obstructions in primary surgery
Authors: Guo Yongwei , Rokohl Alexander C. , Kroth Katharina , Li Senmao , Lin Ming , Jia Renbing , Heindl Ludwig M. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Purpose
To introduce and evaluate a minimally-invasive endoscopy-guided transcaruncular laser-assisted StopLoss Jones tube (SLJT) implantation technique for severe canalicular obstructions in primary surgeries.

Methods
We retrospectively identified 12 adult patients (12 eyes) with severe epiphora secondary to long-segment canalicular obstructions. All the 12 eyes underwent an endoscopy-guided transcaruncular SLJT implantation with an 810-nm diode laser’s assistance as the primary surgical approach. Surgical and functional success rates, intraoperative and postoperative complications, as well as the need for secondary surgery, are evaluated.

Results
Primary surgical success was achieved in 11 of the 12 cases (92%); one patient (8%) required secondary surgery to replace an SLJT with a shorter one. Ultimately, all cases showed well-placed functioning tubes. Three of the 12 cases (25%) presented conjunctival scarring, conjunctival granulation tissue, with or without tube-associated irritation of the ocular surface. We observed no sink-in, extrusion, nor crack of the tube. Complete functional success was achieved in 83%, and moderate functional success in 17% of all patients. The functionally unsuccessful outcome was not present in this study.

Conclusion
Endoscopy-guided transcaruncular diode laser-assisted SLJT implantation seems to be a promising minimally invasive approach for primary treatment of severe canalicular dacryostenosis. This novel technique shows high functional success rates. It seems to avoid the risk of tube malposition and extrusion, septal and turbinate injury, nasal adhesion, drainage failure, ethmoiditis, postoperative bleeding, and cutaneous scars.
A stability result for linear Markovian stochastic optimization problems
Authors: Kiszka Adriana , Wozabal David 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we propose a semi-metric for Markov processes that allows to bound optimal values of linear Markovian stochastic optimization problems. Similar to existing notions of distance for general stochastic processes, our distance is based on transportation metrics. As opposed to the extant literature, the proposed distance is problem specific, i.e., dependent on the data of the problem whose objective value we want to bound. As a result, we are able to consider problems with randomness in the constraints as well as in the objective function and therefore relax an assumption in the extant literature. We derive several properties of the proposed semi-metric and demonstrate its use in a stylized numerical example.
Efficacy of continuous erythropoietin receptor activator for end-stage renal disease patients with renal anemia before and after peritoneal dialysis initiation
Authors: Fujimoto Daisuke , Adachi Masataka , Miyasato Yoshikazu , Hata Yusuke , Inoue Hideki , Oda Akira , Kakizoe Yutaka , Nakagawa Terumasa , Shimasaki Akiko , Nakamura Keishi , Nagayoshi Yu , Mukoyama Masashi 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundSerial management of renal anemia using continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (CERA) throughout the peritoneal dialysis initiation period has rarely been reported. We investigated the efficacy and dosage of CERA treatment from pre- to post-peritoneal dialysis initiation for anemia management in patients with end-stage renal disease.MethodsTwenty-six patients (13 men; mean age 60.9 years) who started peritoneal dialysis between April 2012 and April 2018 were investigated. Serial changes in hemoglobin levels, transferrin saturation and ferritin levels, CERA dosage, and the erythropoietin resistance index (ERI) over a 48 week period were retrospectively examined.ResultsMean hemoglobin levels increased significantly from 10.5 g/dL at 24 weeks prior to the peritoneal dialysis initiation to 11.5 g/dL at 4 weeks post-initiation. The proportion of patients with hemoglobin levels ≥ 11 g/dL increased significantly after peritoneal dialysis initiation. The mean CERA dosage was 57.0 µg/month at 24 weeks prior to dialysis initiation, 86.5 µg/month at initiation, and 72.0 µg/month at 4 weeks post-initiation. Thus, the dosage tended to increase immediately before peritoneal dialysis initiation and then decreased thereafter. Hemoglobin levels were significantly lower, while the CERA dosage for maintaining hemoglobin levels and ERI tended to be higher at dialysis initiation in patients with diabetes than in those without diabetes.ConclusionTreatment with CERA prior to and during the peritoneal dialysis initiation achieved fairly good anemia management in patients with and without diabetes. The CERA dosage could be reduced in patients without diabetes after dialysis initiation.
Costs and where to find them: identifying unit costs for health economic evaluations of diabetes in France, Germany and Italy
Authors: Pöhlmann J. , Norrbacka K. , Boye K. S. , Valentine W. J. , Sapin H. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundHealth economic evaluations require cost data as key inputs. Many countries do not have standardized reference costs so costs used often vary between studies, thereby reducing transparency and transferability. The present review provided a comprehensive overview of cost sources and suggested unit costs for France, Germany and Italy, to support health economic evaluations in these countries, particularly in the field of diabetes.MethodsA literature review was conducted across multiple databases to identify published unit costs and cost data sources for resource items commonly used in health economic evaluations of antidiabetic therapies. The quality of unit cost reporting was assessed with regard to comprehensiveness of cost reporting and referencing as well as accessibility of cost sources from published cost-effectiveness analyses (CEA) of antidiabetic medications.ResultsAn overview of cost sources, including tariff and fee schedules as well as published estimates, was developed for France, Germany and Italy, covering primary and specialist outpatient care, emergency care, hospital treatment, pharmacy costs and lost productivity. Based on these sources, unit cost datasets were suggested for each country. The assessment of unit cost reporting showed that only 60% and 40% of CEAs reported unit costs and referenced them for all pharmacy items, respectively. Less than 20% of CEAs obtained all pharmacy costs from publicly available sources.ConclusionsThis review provides a comprehensive account of available costs and cost sources in France, Germany and Italy to support health economists and increase transparency in health economic evaluations in diabetes.
Radiomic Analysis of CT Predicts Tumor Response in Human Lung Cancer with Radiotherapy
Authors: Yan Mengmeng , Wang Weidong 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Radiomics features can be positioned to monitor changes throughout treatment. In this study, we evaluated machine learning for predicting tumor response by analyzing CT images of lung cancer patients treated with radiotherapy.

Experimental Design
For this retrospective study, screening or standard diagnostic CT images were collected for 100 patients (mean age, 67 years; range, 55–82 years; 64 men [mean age, 68 years; range, 55–82 years] and 36 women [mean age, 65 years; range, 60–72 years]) from two institutions between 2013 and 2017. Radiomics analysis was available for each patient. Features were pruned to train machine learning classifiers with 50 patients, then trained in the test dataset.

Result
A support vector machine classifier with 2 radiomic features (flatness and coefficient of variation) achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.91 on the test set.

Conclusion
The 2 radiomic features, flatness, and coefficient of variation, from the volume of interest of lung tumor, can be the biomarkers for predicting tumor response at CT.
Langer–Schwartz–Kampmann–Wagner precipitation simulations: assessment of models and materials design application for Cu precipitation in PH stainless steels
Authors: Sheng Ze , Bonvalet Rolland Manon , Zhou Tao , Odqvist Joakim , Hedström Peter 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Quantitative modelling of precipitation kinetics can play an important role in a computational material design framework where, for example, optimization of alloying can become more efficient if it is computationally driven. Precipitation hardening (PH) stainless steels is one example where precipitation strengthening is vital to achieve optimum properties. The Langer–Schwartz–Kampmann–Wagner (LSKW) approach for modelling of precipitation has shown good results for different alloy systems, but the specific models and assumptions applied are critical. In the present work, we thus apply two state-of-the-art LSKW tools to evaluate the different treatments of nucleation and growth. The precipitation modelling is assessed with respect to experimental results for Cu precipitation in PH stainless steels. The LSKW modelling is able to predict the precipitation during ageing in good quantitative agreement with experimental results if the nucleation model allows for nucleation of precipitates with a composition far from the equilibrium and if a composition-dependent interfacial energy is considered. The modelling can also accurately predict trends with respect to alloy composition and ageing temperature found in the experimental data. For materials design purposes, it is though proposed that the modelling is calibrated by measurements of precipitate composition and fraction in key experiments prior to application.

Graphic abstract
A Cultural Memory of the Digital Age?
Authors: Haux Dario Henri , Maget Dominicé Antoinette , Raspotnig Jana Alexandra 
Published: October 2020

AbstractConsidering digital cultural heritage as the digitalized assets from memory institutions and digital born art, this paper aims to build on its current normative definitions. This first notion addresses the subtle, yet complex relationship between technology and culture. In addition, we consider the criteria set for defining heritage in memory theorization. By doing so, we want to challenge the lack of uniform standards and approaches in dealing with digital cultural heritage and to give Aleida and Jan Assmann's Theory of Cultural Memory a normative dimension. Can there be a cultural memory of the digital age?
Pre-operative Hypoalbuminemia is Associated with Complications following Proximal Humerus Fracture Surgery: An Analysis of 919 Patients
Authors: Althoff Alyssa D. , Ignozzi Anthony J. , Bell Joshua E. , Werner Brian C. 
Published: October 2020

Background Proximal humerus fractures are among the most common presenting fractures to orthopedic surgeons in the USA. Hypoalbuminemia is accepted as a nutrition marker associated with post-operative complications following common orthopedic interventions. Questions/Purposes Thus, the authors sought to (1) describe the national demographic trends of patients undergoing surgical fixation for proximal humerus fracture and (2) investigate the association between pre-operative hypoalbuminemia, a malnutrition marker, and post-operative complications within 1 year of surgical intervention. Methods The PearlDiver Humana Claims Database was queried to identify a nationally representative cohort of patients who underwent surgical intervention for proximal humerus fractures from 2008 to 2015. Demographic and comorbid characteristics were collected. Pearson's χ-squared analysis was used to compare rates of 90-day and 1-year outcomes between hypoalbuminemia (albumin ≤ 3.5 mg/dL) and control groups. Multivariate logistic regression was then used to determine the isolated effect that hypoalbuminemia had on post-operative outcomes. Results Of the 3337 patients identified, 919 (27.5%) had available serum albumin data. Seventy (7.6%) patients had hypoalbuminemia. Hypoalbuminemia was more likely to be associated with post-operative sepsis (7.1% vs. 1.5%, respectively) and pneumonia (15.7% vs. 4.6) compared with controls. Additionally, hypoalbuminemia was associated with increased 90-day rates of discharge to extended care (4.3% vs. 0.8), emergency room visits (38.6% vs. 21.7), and total cost ($24,051.96 ± 24,972.74 vs. $15,429.74 ± 24,492.30). Conclusion Our study suggests hypoalbuminemia is associated with an increased risk of complications, specifically pneumonia and sepsis, and total health care costs in patients undergoing surgery for proximal humerus fractures. These findings provide insight for individualized patient care that will aid in evaluating the potential risk of surgical complications in an effort to improve outcomes and reduce costs.
COVID-19 restrictions on human rights in the light of the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights
Authors: Jovičić Sanja 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe aim of this article is to examine the restrictions imposed by European States on individual human rights during the COVID-19 pandemic in the light of the European Convention of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. After an overview of the development of the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights on public emergencies and Article 15 of the Convention, the article will examine how the Court’s case-law could be applied to the current sanitary situation.
Hydrothermal Carbonization of Organic Waste and Biomass: A Review on Process, Reactor, and Plant Modeling
Authors: Ischia Giulia , Fiori Luca 
Published: October 2020

AbstractHydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is an emerging path to give a new life to organic waste and residual biomass. Fulfilling the principles of the circular economy, through HTC “unpleasant” organics can be transformed into useful materials and possibly energy carriers. The potential applications of HTC are tremendous and the recent literature is full of investigations. In this context, models capable to predict, simulate and optimize the HTC process, reactors, and plants are engineering tools that can significantly shift HTC research towards innovation by boosting the development of novel enterprises based on HTC technology. This review paper addresses such key-issue: where do we stand regarding the development of these tools? The literature presents many and simplified models to describe the reaction kinetics, some dealing with the process simulation, while few focused on the heart of an HTC system, the reactor. Statistical investigations and some life cycle assessment analyses also appear in the current state of the art. This work examines and analyzes these predicting tools, highlighting their potentialities and limits. Overall, the current models suffer from many aspects, from the lack of data to the intrinsic complexity of HTC reactions and HTC systems. Therefore, the emphasis is given to what is still necessary to make the HTC process duly simulated and therefore implementable on an industrial scale with sufficient predictive margins.Graphic Abstract
The relative age effect in German 11- to 18-year-old male and female swimmers
Authors: Staub Ilka , Stallman Robert K. , Vogt Tobias 
Published: October 2020

AbstractRelatively older athletes have a greater probability of being selected and subsequently exposed to a higher level of coaching, training and other talent-promoting factors. Grouping by chronological age is, therefore, considered to be one of the weaknesses in talent identification. A large number of studies have confirmed the prevalence of the relative age effect (RAE) across various sports, including swimming. This investigation aims to quantify the prevalence, magnitude and transient pattern of the RAE according to sex and events across German swimmers. The RAE was examined top-100 ranked swimmers (2004–2013) according to birth month, of three cohorts (born 1993–1995; n = 3630) for the age groups 11–18. The Χ2 tests and Cramer’s V estimated effect sizes; odd’s ratios and confidence intervals calculated relative discrepancies between the quartiles. The RAE is significantly present over all events for female swimmers until 13–15 and for males until 16–18 years of age. Effect sizes were moderate until 12/13 years of age for females and 14/15 years of age for males. No inverted effects were visible. Compared to previous reports on Australian as well as Portuguese cohorts, the RAE was prevalent over a longer time period. Therefore, the impact of negative outcomes from RAE appears to be greater among German age group swimmers.
Comparison of elite athletes’ sexual violence experiences in and outside sport
Authors: Ohlert Jeannine , Rau Thea , Rulofs Bettina , Allroggen Marc 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background
Research on the prevalence of sexual violence in sport mostly focuses on incidents of sexual violence that happen in the context of sport, but few studies are available that systematically target the lifetime prevalence of sexual violence in the athletes (as persons), combining experiences in sport and outside the sport system. The aim of the current study was thus to compare sexual violence experiences of elite athletes in Germany in sport with those outside sport.

Methods
The study was carried out in cooperation with the German Olympic and Paralympic Committee who contacted their registered elite athletes. In total, 1529 elite athletes took part in an online survey and answered questions regarding their sexual violence experiences first in the context of sport and afterwards outside the sport context.

Results
Results show that 54.2% of the athletes had experienced some form of sexual violence during their lifetime, 20.6% even a severe incident of sexual violence. Incidents happened more often outside sport than in sport, but 48% of the victims were affected in both areas of life, indicating a high overlap of victimization experiences.

Conclusion
One recommendation from our results is therefore to make even stronger efforts to protect young athletes from becoming a victim of sexual violence. In case a sport club has a person of trust in the club, it can be an important place for athletes with sexual violence experiences (no matter whether experienced inside or outside sport), so that they are being heard and helped.
Stimuli-responsive polymeric nanomaterials for rheumatoid arthritis therapy
Authors: Xie Yingsi , Tuguntaev Ruslan G. , Mao Cong , Chen Haoting , Tao Ying , Wang Shixiang , Yang Bin , Guo Weisheng 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term inflammatory disease derived from an autoimmune disorder of the synovial membrane. Current therapeutic strategies for RA mainly aim to hamper the macrophages' proliferation and reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, the accumulation of therapeutic agents targeted at the inflammatory site should be a crucial therapeutic strategy. Nowadays, the nanocarrier system incorporated with stimuli-responsive property is being intensively studied, showing the potentially tremendous value of specific therapy. Stimuli-responsive (i.e., pH, temperature, light, redox, and enzyme) polymeric nanomaterials, as an important component of nanoparticulate carriers, have been intensively developed for various diseases treatment. A survey of the literature suggests that the use of targeted nanocarriers to deliver therapeutic agents (nanotherapeutics) in the treatment of inflammatory arthritis remains largely unexplored. The lack of suitable stimuli-sensitive polymeric nanomaterials is one of the limitations. Herein, we provide an overview of drug delivery systems prepared from commonly used stimuli-sensitive polymeric nanomaterials and some inorganic agents that have potential in the treatment of RA. The current situation and challenges are also discussed to stimulate a novel thinking about the development of nanomedicine.
Analysis of Dirichlet–Robin Iterations for Solving the Cauchy Problem for Elliptic Equations
Authors: Achieng Pauline , Berntsson Fredrik , Chepkorir Jennifer , Kozlov Vladimir 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe Cauchy problem for general elliptic equations of second order is considered. In a previous paper (Berntsson et al. in Inverse Probl Sci Eng 26(7):1062–1078, 2018), it was suggested that the alternating iterative algorithm suggested by Kozlov and Maz’ya can be convergent, even for large wavenumbers $$k^2$$

k
2

, in the Helmholtz equation, if the Neumann boundary conditions are replaced by Robin conditions. In this paper, we provide a proof that shows that the Dirichlet–Robin alternating algorithm is indeed convergent for general elliptic operators provided that the parameters in the Robin conditions are chosen appropriately. We also give numerical experiments intended to investigate the precise behaviour of the algorithm for different values of $$k^2$$

k
2

in the Helmholtz equation. In particular, we show how the speed of the convergence depends on the choice of Robin parameters.
Takotsubo Syndrome in Patients with COVID-19: a Systematic Review of Published Cases
Authors: Singh Sandeep , Desai Rupak , Gandhi Zainab , Fong Hee Kong , Doreswamy Shriya , Desai Virmitra , Chockalingam Anand , Mehta Puja K. , Sachdeva Rajesh , Kumar Gautam 
Published: October 2020

AbstractTakotsubo syndrome (TTS) is caused by catecholamine surge, which is also observed in COVID-19 disease due to the cytokine storm. We performed a systematic literature search using PubMed/Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases to identify COVID-19-associated TTS case reports and evaluated patient-level demographics, clinical attributes, and outcomes. There are 12 cases reported of TTS associated with COVID-19 infection with mean age of 70.8 ± 15.2 years (range 43–87 years) with elderly (66.6% > 60 years) female (66.6%) majority. The time interval from the first symptom to TTS was 8.3 ± 3.6 days (range 3–14 days). Out of 12 cases, 7 reported apical ballooning, 4 reported basal segment hypo/akinesia, and 1 reported median TTS. Out of 12 cases, during hospitalization, data on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was reported in only 9 of the cases. The mean LVEF was 40.6 ± 9.9% (male, 46.7 ± 5.7%, and female, 37.7 ± 10.6%). Troponin was measured in all 12 cases and was elevated in 11 (91.6%) without stenosis on coronary angiography except one. Out of 11 cases, 6 developed cardiac complications with 1 case each of cardiac tamponade, heart failure, myocarditis, hypertensive crisis, and cardiogenic shock in 2. Five patients required intubation, 1 patient required continuous positive airway pressure, and 1 patient required venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The outcome was reported in terms of recovery in 11 (91.6%) out of 12 cases, and a successful recovery was noted in 10 (90.9%) cases. COVID-19-related TTS has a higher prevalence in older women. Despite a lower prevalence of cardiac comorbidities in COVID-19 patients, direct myocardial injury, inflammation, and stress may contribute to TTS with a high complication rate.