bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Opening the Soul Window Manually: Limbal Tissue Scaffolds with Electrospun Polycaprolactone/Gelatin Nanocomposites
Authors: Wang Wei , Gao Qingqin , Yu Zhaohan , Wang Yunming , Jiang Menglin , Sun Shuang , Wang Ping , Li Yang , Meir Yaa‐Jyuhn James , Li Guigang , Zhou Huamin 
Published: November 2020

AbstractRestricted by the difficulty in fabricating scaffolds suitable for cell proliferation, the use of ex vivo expanded limbal stem cell (LSC) for LSC transplantation, an effective treatment method for patients with limb stem cell deficiency (LSCD), is hard to be widely used in clinical practice. To tackle these challenges, a novel electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL)/gelatin nanocomposite is proposed to make 3D scaffolds for limbal niche cells (LNC) proliferation in vitro, which is a milestone in the treatment of diseases such as LSCD. PCL and gelatin in different weight ratios are dissolved in a mixed solvent, and then electrospinning and cross‐linking are performed to prepare a scaffold for cell proliferation. The characterizations of the nanocomposites indicate that the gelatin content has a significant effect on its micro‐morphology, thermal properties, crystallinity, degradation temperature, hydrophilicity, and mechanical properties. P8G2‐C (PCL: gelatin = 80: 20, cross‐linked), with smooth fibers and homogeneous pores, has better hydrophilicity, mechanical properties, and flexibility, so it can support LNC as cell proliferation assays revealed. This detailed investigation presented here demonstrates the feasibility of using PCL/gelatin nanocomposites electrospun fiber membranes as a limbus tissue engineering scaffold, which undoubtedly provide a new perspective for the development of tissue engineering field.
Rapid Hard‐Tissue‐Embedding Method for Embedding Graphene Nanomaterials: A Multilayered Graphene Hydrogel Membrane
Authors: Lyu Chengqi , Li Chunyan , Sun Jiayue , Teng Lin , He Yushi , Zou Derong , Lu Jiayu , Li Dan 
Published: November 2020

AbstractGraphene has attracted great interest for its uses in tissue regeneration. Multilayered graphene hydrogel (MGH) membranes show great potential as barrier membranes in guided bone regeneration. However, when using the conventional methyl methacrylate‐embedding process, the MGH membrane swells and loses its natural form, which seriously limits the observation of bone regeneration. A rapid embedding method is developed by adding the cross‐linker tetra(ethylene glycol)diacrylate and increasing the polymerization temperature (45 °C) and initiator concentration (64% benzoyl peroxide in penetration liquid). By the rapid embedding method, the shape and properties of the MGH membrane can be well preserved, and the bone tissue can also be well embedded. The resulting blocks have uniform hardness, which makes it possible to obtain thin sections using a cutting and grinding procedure. The rapid embedding method has no significant effect on the conventional methods of bone regeneration detection. The interface between the MGH membrane and new bone tissue can be clearly observed. This new hard‐tissue‐embedding method can lead to better observation of the interaction between bone and graphene, providing an optimized experimental technology for the study of hard tissue regeneration with graphene in the future.
Preferential flow at the darcy scale: Parameters from water content time series
Authors: Germann Peter 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn soils, fast preferential flow is limited to infiltration and to small fractions of pore volumes. The viscous flow approach to preferential flow combines these features. The approach is based on thin films whose two parameters—thickness and specific contact area per unit volume of the permeable medium—are deducible from time series of volumetric water contents. Such a time series is the response of the permeable system to an input pulse of known duration and volume flux density. This chapter summarizes the theory, offers a step‐by‐step protocol for determining the two parameters, and applies the approach to water content time series recorded at five depths in a profile of a Mollic Cambisol.
Quantitative stable isotope probing with H218O to measure taxon‐specific microbial growth
Authors: Purcell Alicia M. , Dijkstra Paul , Finley Brianna , Hayer Michaela , Koch Benjamin J. , Mau Rebecca L. , Morrissey Ember , Papp Katerina , Schwartz Egbert , Stone Bram W. , Hungate Bruce A. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractMicroorganisms in soil assimilate, transform, and mineralize soil C to support growth. There are an estimated 2.6 × 1029 microbial cells containing 26 Pg C in soils worldwide. Consequently, quantifying microbial growth in soil is critical for determining the degree to which microorganisms contribute to the global C cycle. Measuring taxonspecific microbial growth enables understanding of the contribution of microbial taxa to elemental transformations across ecosystems and their susceptibility to environmental perturbations. These measurements in soil have largely been lacking due to inadequate methods. Quantitative stable isotope probing (qSIP) with H218O is used to measure taxon‐specific growth of microbial taxa in soil, an improvement compared with traditional stable isotope probing (SIP). In qSIP, DNA extracted from both a labeled (18O‐enriched water) and an unlabeled treatment is separated into numerous density fractions by isopycnic centrifugation, and target genes are quantified and sequenced in each fraction. The taxon‐specific DNA density shift and ultimately the isotopic composition (18O enrichment) is calculated for each taxon. Here we discuss methods and illustrate the procedure for quantifying microbial taxon‐specific growth in soil with qSIP using heavy isotope enriched H218O.
Accurate blank corrections for zero length column experiments
Authors: Verbraeken Maarten , Centineo Alessio , Canobbio Luigi , Brandani Stefano 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn this study we present a new methodology for correcting experimental Zero Length Column data, to account for contributions to the measured signal arising from extra-column volumes and the detector. The methodology considers the experimental setup as a series of mixing volumes with diffusive pockets whose contributions to the overall measured signal can be accurately described by simple model functions. The composite effect of the individual contributions is subsequently described through the method of convolution. It is shown that the model parameters are closely related to the physical characteristics of the setup components and as such they remain valid over a range of process conditions. The methodology is firstly validated through fitting to experimental experiments without adsorbent present. The inverse procedure of deconvolution can in turn be applied to experimental data with adsorbent, to yield corrected data which can readily be modelled using standard tools for equilibrium and kinetic analysis. A number of case studies is finally presented exemplifying the effect of applying accurate blank corrections, demonstrating also the application to a nonlinear adsorption system.
Bending analysis of magnetoelectroelastic nanoplates resting on Pasternak elastic foundation based on nonlocal theory
Authors: Feng Wenjie , Yan Zhen , Lin Ji , Zhang C. Z. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBased on the nonlocal theory and Mindlin plate theory, the governing equations (i.e., a system of partial differential equations (PDEs) for bending problem) of magnetoelectroelastic (MEE) nanoplates resting on the Pasternak elastic foundation are first derived by the variational principle. The polynomial particular solutions corresponding to the established model are then obtained and further employed as basis functions with the method of particular solutions (MPS) to solve the governing equations numerically. It is confirmed that for the present bending model, the new solution strategy possesses more general applicability and superior flexibility in the selection of collocation points. Finally, the effects of different boundary conditions, applied loads, and geometrical shapes on the bending properties of MEE nanoplates are evaluated by using the developed method. Some important conclusions are drawn, which should be helpful for the design and applications of electromagnetic nanoplate structures.
Validating Linear Systems Analysis for Laminar fMRI: Temporal Additivity for Stimulus Duration Manipulations
Authors: van Dijk Jelle A. , Fracasso Alessio , Petridou Natalia , Dumoulin Serge O. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAdvancements in ultra-high field (7 T and higher) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners have made it possible to investigate both the structure and function of the human brain at a sub-millimeter scale. As neuronal feedforward and feedback information arrives in different layers, sub-millimeter functional MRI has the potential to uncover information processing between cortical micro-circuits across cortical depth, i.e. laminar fMRI. For nearly all conventional fMRI analyses, the main assumption is that the relationship between local neuronal activity and the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal adheres to the principles of linear systems theory. For laminar fMRI, however, directional blood pooling across cortical depth stemming from the anatomy of the cortical vasculature, potentially violates these linear system assumptions, thereby complicating analysis and interpretation. Here we assess whether the temporal additivity requirement of linear systems theory holds for laminar fMRI. We measured responses elicited by viewing stimuli presented for different durations and evaluated how well the responses to shorter durations predicted those elicited by longer durations. We find that BOLD response predictions are consistently good predictors for observed responses, across all cortical depths, and in all measured visual field maps (V1, V2, and V3). Our results suggest that the temporal additivity assumption for linear systems theory holds for laminar fMRI. We thus show that the temporal additivity assumption holds across cortical depth for sub-millimeter gradient-echo BOLD fMRI in early visual cortex.
Vernakalant for Rapid Cardioversion of Recent-Onset Atrial Fibrillation: Results from the SPECTRUM Study
Authors: Lévy Samuel , Hartikainen Juha , Ritz Beate , Juhlin Tord , Carbajosa-Dalmau José , Domanovits Hans 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Aims
Rapid restoration of sinus rhythm using pharmacological cardioversion is commonly indicated in patients with symptomatic recent-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). The objectives of this large, international, multicenter observational study were to determine the safety and effectiveness of intravenous (IV) vernakalant for conversion of AF to sinus rhythm in daily practice.

Methods and Results
Consenting patients with symptomatic recent-onset AF (< 7 days) treated with IV vernakalant were enrolled and followed up to 24 h after the last infusion or until discharge, in order to determine the incidence of predefined serious adverse events (SAEs) and other observed SAEs and evaluate the conversion rate within the first 90 min. Overall, 2009 treatment episodes in 1778 patients were analyzed. The age of patients was 62.3 ± 13.0 years (mean ± standard deviation). Median AF duration before treatment was 11.1 h (IQR 5.4–27.0 h). A total of 28 SAEs occurred in 26 patients including 19 predefined SAEs, i.e., sinus arrest (n = 4, 0.2%), significant bradycardia (n = 11, 0.5%), significant hypotension (n = 2, 0.1%), and atrial flutter with 1:1 conduction (n = 2, 0.1%). There were no cases of sustained ventricular arrhythmias or deaths. All patients who experienced SAEs recovered fully (n = 25) or with sequelae (n = 1). Conversion rate to sinus rhythm was 70.2%, within a median of 12 min (IQR 8.0–28.0 min).

Conclusions
This large multicenter, international observational study confirms the good safety profile and the high effectiveness of vernakalant for the rapid cardioversion of recent-onset AF in daily hospital practice.
Giving Feedback on Peers’ Concept Maps in an Inquiry Learning Context: The Effect of Providing Assessment Criteria
Authors: Dmoshinskaia Natasha , Gijlers Hannie , de Jong Ton 
Published: November 2020

AbstractGiving and receiving peer feedback is seen as an important vehicle for deep learning. Defining assessment criteria is a first step in giving feedback to peers and can play an important role in feedback providers’ learning. However, there is no consensus about whether it is better to ask students to think about assessment criteria themselves or to provide them with ready-made assessment criteria. The current experimental study aims at answering this question in a secondary school STEM educational context, during a physics lesson in an online inquiry learning environment. As a part of their lesson, participants (n = 93) had to give feedback on two concept maps, and were randomly assigned to one of two conditions—being provided or not being provided with assessment criteria. Students’ post-test scores, the quality of feedback given, and the quality of students’ own concept maps were analyzed to determine if there was an effect of condition on feedback providers’ learning. Results did not reveal an advantage of one condition over the other in terms of learning gains. Possible implications for practice and directions for further research are discussed.
Does cultural distance affect online review ratings? Measuring international customers’ satisfaction with services leveraging digital platforms and big data
Authors: Mariani Marcello M. , Matarazzo Michela 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe advent and development of digital platforms has helped enhance the international visibility of brands, products and services, and has also introduced a proliferation of online reviews. This study develops a big data analysis of customer online reviews of hospitality services to gauge the extent to which the cultural distance among service providers and their customers influences online review ratings. By examining almost 715,000 online reviews written by hotel customers from more than 100 different nationalities, the effect of national cultural differences among service customers and providers (namely cultural distance) on online review ratings is innovatively scrutinized. The paper, by considering reviewers’ behavioral features, demographics, and trip-related factors, reveals that the effect of national cultural distance on online review ratings is negative. Several implications for practitioners are also discussed.
Dynamic response of the spherical pendulum subjected to horizontal Lissajous excitation
Authors: Litak Grzegorz , Margielewicz Jerzy , Gąska Damian , Yurchenko Daniil , Dąbek Krzysztof 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis paper examines the oscillations of a spherical pendulum with horizontal Lissajous excitation. The pendulum has two degrees of freedom: a rotational angle defined in the horizontal plane and an inclination angle defined by the pendulum with respect to the vertical z axis. The results of numerical simulations are illustrated with the mathematical model in the form of multi-colored maps of the largest Lyapunov exponent. The graphical images of geometrical structures of the attractors placed on Poincaré cross sections are shown against the maps of the resolution density of the trajectory points passing through a control plane. Drawn for a steady-state, the graphical images of the trajectory of a tip mass are shown in a three-dimensional space. The obtained trajectories of the moving tip mass are referred to a constructed bifurcation diagram.
Test-driven development with mutation testing – an experimental study
Authors: Roman Adam , Mnich Michal 
Published: November 2020

AbstractTest-driven development (TDD) is a popular design approach used by the developers with testing being the important software development driving factor. On the other hand, mutation testing is considered one of the most effective testing techniques. However, there is not so much research on combining these two techniques together. In this paper, we propose a novel, hybrid approach called TDD+M which combines test-driven development process together with the mutation approach. The aim was to check whether this modified approach allows the developers to write a better quality code. We verify our approach by conducting a controlled experiment and we show that it achieves better results than the sole TDD technique. The experiment involved 22 computer science students split into eight groups. Four groups (TDD+M) were using our approach, the other four (TDD) – a normal TDD process. We performed a cross-experiment by measuring the code coverage and mutation coverage for each combination (code of group X, tests from group Y). The TDD+M tests achieved better coverage on the code from TDD groups than the TDD tests on their own code (53.3% vs. 33.5% statement coverage and 64.9% vs. 37.5% mutation coverage). The TDD+M tests also found more post-release defects in the TDD code than TDD tests in the TDD+M code. The experiment showed that adding mutation into the TDD process allows the developers to provide better, stronger tests and to write a better quality code.
An assessment of import tariff costs for Italian exporting firms
Authors: Fusacchia Ilaria , Antimiani Alessandro , Salvatici Luca 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSince production and trade are increasingly organized within global value chains (GVCs), assessing who effectively pays the cost of protection is not straightforward and since productive processes are internationally fragmented, quantifying the effects of trade policy requires an enhanced analytical framework that takes international input–output linkages into account to assess the implications trade costs have on competitiveness at national and sector levels. This paper defines a new synthetic measure of trade protection based on the value added in trade, capturing the effects that the tariff structure has on exporting firms that rely on imported intermediate inputs. The index, defined in a general equilibrium framework, provides a theoretically sound protection measurement in the context of GVCs. We assess trade protection by computing protection indexes at the bilateral level on both gross imports and imports to exports using the Global Trade Analysis Project computable general equilibrium model. These indexes are used to investigate the relationship between the European Union tariffs and integration of the Italian GVCs. In the case of Italy, imports to exports are overall less protected than gross imports with significant differences at the sector level. Despite the low levels of nominal protection, industrial sectors play a central role in explaining our results. EU tariffs mostly affect Italian exporting firms in the case of chemical products, wearing apparel and leather products.
Road Surface Reconstruction by Stereo Vision
Authors: Brunken Hauke , Gühmann Clemens 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis paper covers the problem of road surface reconstruction by stereo vision with cameras placed behind the windshield of a moving vehicle. An algorithm was developed that employs a plane-sweep approach and uses semi-global matching for optimization. Different similarity measures were evaluated for the task of matching pixels, namely mutual information, background subtraction by bilateral filtering, and Census. The chosen sweeping direction is the plane normal of the mean road surface. Since the cameras’ position in relation to the base plane is continuously changing due to the suspension of the vehicle, the search for the base plane was integrated into the stereo algorithm. Experiments were conducted for different types of pavement and different lighting conditions. Results are presented for the target application of road surface reconstruction, and they show high correspondence to laser scan reference measurements. The method handles motion blur well, and elevation maps are reconstructed on a millimeter-scale, while images are captured at driving speed.
Lessons learnt from COVID-19 in adult congenital heart patient in Tehran: a survey-based study of prevention, exposure, susceptibility, and outcomes
Authors: Mohammadzadeh Shabnam , Mehrakizadeh Ali , Safari Saeed , Mirzaaghayan Mohammadreza , Badkoubeh Roya Sattarzade , Tavoosi Anahita , Sardari Akram , Mohammadzadeh Saba , Larti Farnoosh , Veldtman Gruschen R 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackground:COVD-19 pandemic has overwhelmed many healthcare systems worldwide. Underlying cardiovascular disease predisposes to greater disease susceptibility and more complications including mortality. Such data is unverified in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). The aim of the study is to report the Tehran experience with respect to preventative self-care measures, disease exposure, susceptibility, and outcomes after COVD-19 infection in ACHD patients.Methods:A telephone-based survey was conducted in ACHD patients, focusing on new-onset symptoms that might indicate COVID-19 infection, prevention measures, confirmed infection rates, and outcomes.Results:Three-hundred and nine ACHD patients, with a mean age of 29.13 years (range from 14 to 72 years, SD = 10.64), and 170 (55%) women were assessed. The majority (86.7%) had moderate or complex ACHD. Two-thirds (67.3%) of the patients practiced high-level preventative self-care measures. After community exposure, 33.3% developed COVID-19, and after household exposure, 43.7% developed COVID-19. There was only one mortality in a post-operative patient. Thirty-seven patients (12%) reported new symptoms including cough (10%), fatigue (8%), fever (7%), and new dyspnoea (6.5%). Amongst 18 (6%) with confirmed COVID-19, there was only 1 mortality in a post-operative patient. Age (adjusted OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.07–1.31, p = 0.001), contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases (adjusted OR = 59.34, 95% CI: 3.68–955.10, p = 0.004) were independently associated with COVID-19 infection.Conclusions:Mortality risk associated with COVID-19 infection in ACHD patients with moderate or severe disease appears to be relatively low, similar to the general population. Such risk appears to act through conventional risk factors, and in this cohort, we demonstrated age as a significant risk factor in addition to exposure to the development of COVID-19 infection. Preventative self-care measures are a potentially significant and impactful intervention target for intervention and for improving outcomes.
Entertainment Education as a Means to Reduce Anti-Muslim Prejudice – For Whom Does It Work Best?
Authors: Siem Birte , Neymeyer Lisa , Rohmann Anette 
Published: November 2020

Abstract. The present research aimed to replicate and extend findings by Murrar and Brauer (2018) , who demonstrated that an entertainment education intervention (a music video) effectively reduced US residents’ anti-Muslim prejudice. Using a German sample ( N = 203), we confirmed that watching the video significantly reduced recipients’ prejudice toward Muslims compared to a control condition and two alternative interventions. Unlike in Murrar and Brauer, however, the intervention’s advantageous effect was driven by recipients’ feelings of intergroup anxiety and perceptions of outgroup malleability rather than their identification with Muslims. Extending Murrar and Brauer’s findings, our results also suggest for whom entertainment education interventions may work best, namely for recipients high in right-wing authoritarianism. The findings’ theoretical and practical implications are discussed.