bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contractual networks: an organizational model to reduce the competitive disadvantage of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Europe’s less developed regions. A survey in southern Italy
Authors: Pastore Patrizia , Ricciardi Antonio , Tommaso Silvia 
Published: December 2019

AbstractLimitations faced by southern Italy’s small enterprises due to their dimensions may be overcome by cooperation strategies and network contracts. The international literature has highlighted that effectively governed business networks appear to more successfully allow partner firms to improve their economic performance and survive over time. This paper combines qualitative and quantitative analyses to test the above hypothesis. It also analyses the performance of southern Italian firms that have joined business network contracts equipped with legal personality — the so called “reti soggetto” or “heavy contractual networks” (HCNs) — compared to firms participating in business networks based only on contractual agreements, devoid of legal personality—the so called “reti contratto” or “light contractual networks” (LCNs). Our findings demonstrate that only 13% of all registered business networks are in fact operative. Among the networks with legal personality, approximately 28% are active networks. A similar trend was observed for network contracts devoid legal personality: only 11% are truly active. Performance measures (including profitability, financial situation indicators, and debt sustainability) also differ for firms belonging to HCN, compared to those belonging to LCN, in the years following the subscription of the network contract. Empirical analysis suggests that HCNs have significant positive effects on the performance of participant firms. We thus propose to verify the conditions that strengthen business networks in the south of Italy. We also recommend promoting the establishment of networks with juridical subjectivity. Such networks can be effective tools to strengthen the competitiveness of SMEs despite external diseconomies, which can markedly improve their creditworthiness.
Long-term hydraulic behaviour and soil ripening processes in a dike constructed from dredged material
Authors: Gebert Julia , Groengroeft Alexander 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Purpose
Climate change necessitates heightening and strengthening of dikes, requiring large volumes of suitable soil. This study investigated soil ripening and long-term development of hydraulic behaviour of a dike constructed from slightly contaminated, partially dewatered dredged material from the Port of Hamburg under realistic conditions of construction and operation.

Materials and methods
Two test fields of 126 m2 each were constructed in 2004 for long-term analysis of hydraulic behaviour in combination with the possible mobilisation of contaminants. In test field 1 (MS), the 1-m-thick cover above the sand core consisted of traditionally used alluvial marsh sediment (reference), while in test field 2, the lower 0.7 m of the cover was substituted with dredged material (DM + MS). An HDPE tray below each field served the collection of bottom fluxes and hence the quantification of discharges and analysis of their chemical composition. In 2012, an excavation was carried out to inspect the development of the soil structure.

Results and discussion
The discharge pattern revealed three distinct phases related to the post-construction structure development and therefore physical ripening of the soils. Within a single year, bottom fluxes typically started in mid-winter and ended in late spring. The dike cover containing DM had a high water retention capacity; however, the vertically continuous primary shrinkage cracks led to higher total bottom fluxes compared to the dike constructed from MS only. System hydraulic conductivities increased by up to six orders of magnitude compared to the as-built condition before soil ripening and structuring. The dredged material maintained a reduced geochemical status for about two years after construction. After first shrinkage and intrusion of oxygen, the material changed to an oxidised state, earmarking the onset of the chemical ripening process. Oxidising conditions were sustained in the long term, seen from the absence of previously elevated ammonium concentrations in the dike seepage.

Conclusions
System hydraulics of the test field with dredged material were mainly determined by the covering layer of marsh sediment. After construction, the dredged material underwent physical, chemical and biological soil ripening processes, coupled to a respective change in discharge patterns, which, however, did not impair dike stability. It is recommended that soil ripening processes are induced and completed as part of the material’s pre-treatment, precluding the formation of irreversible shrinkage cracks and changeover of redox conditions after construction. The findings contribute to assessing the feasibility of the beneficial use of dredged material.
Towards an Ethical Game Design Solution to Loot Boxes: a Commentary on King and Delfabbro
Authors: Xiao Leon Y. , Henderson Laura L. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractKing and Delfabbro (2019b) proposed the adoption of social responsibility measures to combat predatory monetisation in video games, such as loot boxes. This paper rectifies a game example mistakenly used by King and Delfabbro and provides further game examples to illustrate, critique and extend the proposed measures. This paper argues that the proposed measures are unlikely to be widely adopted by the video game industry, given the industry’s economic interests in the continued unhindered implementation of predatory monetisation, their preference for continued ‘self-regulation’ and their past resistance against potential regulation. With reference to South Korean law, this paper explores the possibility of codifying and enforcing the proposed measures as law and argues that overly paternalistic regulations are insensible and impractical. This paper recommends the use of regulatory nudging to encourage video game companies through incentives, such as discretionary grants and tax relief schemes, to adopt the proposed social responsibility measures and develop towards an ethical game design framework.
Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of Planar Deformation Features from Single Electron Micrographs
Authors: León-Cázares F. D. , Kienl C. , Rae C. M. F. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Dislocations are crystal defects responsible for plastic deformation, and understanding their behavior is key to the design of materials with better properties. Electron microscopy has been widely used to characterize dislocations, but the resulting images are only two-dimensional projections of the real defects. The current work introduces a framework to determine the sample and crystal orientations from micrographs with planar deformation features (twins, stacking faults, and slip bands) in three or four non-coplanar slip systems of an fcc material. This is then extended into a methodology for the three-dimensional reconstruction of dislocations lying on planes with a known orientation that can be easily coupled with a standard Burgers vector analysis, as proved here in a nickel-based superalloy. This technique can only be used in materials that show specific deformation conditions, but it is faster than other alternatives as it relies on the manual tracing of dislocations in a single micrograph.
Bile Reflux is a Common Finding in the Gastric Pouch After One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass
Authors: Saarinen Tuure , Pietiläinen Kirsi H. , Loimaala Antti , Ihalainen Toni , Sammalkorpi Henna , Penttilä Anne , Juuti Anne 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIntroductionData on postoperative bile reflux after one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) is lacking. Bile reflux scintigraphy (BRS) has been shown to be a reliable non-invasive tool to assess bile reflux after OAGB. We set out to study bile reflux after OAGB with BRS and endoscopy in a prospective series (RYSATrial).MethodsForty patients (29 women) underwent OAGB between November 2016 and December 2018. Symptoms were reported and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) was done preoperatively. Six months after OAGB, bile reflux was assessed in UGE findings and as tracer activity found in gastric tube and esophagus in BRS (follow-up rate 95%).ResultsTwenty-six patients (68.4%) had no bile reflux in BRS. Twelve patients (31.6%) had bile reflux in the gastric pouch in BRS and one of them (2.6%) had bile reflux also in the esophagus 6 months postoperatively. Mean bile reflux activity in the gastric pouch was 5.2% (1–21%) of total activity. De novo findings suggestive of bile reflux (esophagitis, stomal ulcer, foveolar inflammation of gastric pouch) were found for 15 patients (39.5%) in postoperative UGE. BRS and UGE findings were significantly associated (P = 0.022). Eight patients experienced de novo reflux symptoms at 6 months, that were significantly associated with BRS and de novo UGE findings postoperatively (P = 0.033 and 0.0005, respectively).ConclusionPostoperative bile reflux in the gastric pouch after OAGB is a common finding in scintigraphy and endoscopy. The long-term effects of bile exposure will be analyzed in future reports after a longer follow-up.Trial registrationClinical Trials Identifier NCT02882685
European Men-Who-Have-Sex-With-Men Internet Survey (EMIS-2017): Design and Methods
Authors: Weatherburn Peter , Hickson Ford , Reid David S. , Marcus Ulrich , Schmidt Axel J. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractMen-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) carry a disproportionate burden of sexually transmitted infections across Europe. Health planners require sexual health needs assessment data to respond appropriately. In addition, surveillance of risk and precaution behaviours in this population enables evaluative judgements of policy responses. The European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS-2017) aimed to repeat the pan-European online survey on male homosexual behaviour conducted in 2010, both to update information required to plan and monitor health promotion interventions and consolidate harmonisation of existing behavioural surveillance approaches. Our study team collaborated with more than 200 partners from academia, public health and civil society across 50 countries. Starting from our previous EMIS-2010 questionnaire, partners engaged in three rounds of iterative survey development and piloting until the final content was agreed. Transfer to an online survey application was followed by further pre-testing before translation into 32 additional languages, final testing and sign-off. The survey was available to complete online in 33 languages simultaneously from 18 October 2017 to 31 January 2018. Ten international MSM dating mobile apps were paid to send short promotional messages, and national partners promoted the survey via at least another 272 websites and social media accounts. Real-time monitoring of responses facilitated targeted advertising by country and recruitment source. Ultimately 144,305 cases were submitted of which 137,358 (95.2%) were eligible for inclusion. EMIS-2017 demonstrated the feasibility of multi-country online MSM surveying with public funding. Meaningful involvement of a large number of collaborators in the survey design and its execution ensured successful recruitment. Careful design, piloting and presentation ensured the survey was acceptable and had authority and perceived community benefit. Partners in 38 countries have already been supplied with a national database of 100 or more respondents for national analysis, while the study team has focussed on international comparisons among 137,358 respondents in 50 countries.
New scenarios in secondary hyperparathyroidism: etelcalcetide. Position paper of working group on CKD-MBD of the Italian Society of Nephrology
Authors: Bellasi Antonio , Cozzolino Mario , Malberti Fabio , Cancarini Giovanni , Esposito Ciro , Guastoni Carlo Maria , Ondei Patrizia , Pontoriero Giuseppe , Teatini Ugo , Vezzoli Giuseppe , Pasquali Marzia , Messa Piergiorgio , Locatelli Francesco 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBone mineral abnormalities (defined as Chronic Kidney Disease Mineral Bone Disorder; CKD-MBD) are prevalent and associated with a substantial risk burden and poor prognosis in CKD population. Several lines of evidence support the notion that a large proportion of patients receiving maintenance dialysis experience a suboptimal biochemical control of CKD-MBD. Although no study has ever demonstrated conclusively that CKD-MBD control is associated with improved survival, an expanding therapeutic armamentarium is available to correct bone mineral abnormalities. In this position paper of Lombardy Nephrologists, a summary of the state of art of CKD-MBD as well as a summary of the unmet clinical needs will be provided. Furthermore, this position paper will focus on the potential and drawbacks of a new injectable calcimimetic, etelcalcetide, a drug available in Italy since few months ago.
Topological study of the convergence in the voter model
Authors: Caridi Inés , Manterola Sergio , Semeshenko Viktoriya , Balenzuela Pablo 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe voter model has been widely studied due to its simple formulation and attainable theoretical treatment. The study of the “active links”, edges that connect nodes in different states, has been a key element in the analysis of the convergence of the model. Typically, the density of active links, ρ, is used to characterize the system when approaching to absorbing state. However, more information can be extracted from how the active links are distributed across the underlying network.In this paper we study the dynamics of active links in the voter model, from a perspective of complex networks. This approach allows us to understand how the dynamics of the model is mapped in topological features of a dynamical network of active links. We found that certain topological properties of the Active Link Network show salient features related to the dynamics of the model. The Active Link Network goes from a state similar to the underlying random network in the initial state to extremely disassortative graph when the dynamics approaches to absorbing state. In this state, the active link network is dominated by “star-like” motifs, where different opinions take different topological roles on the network. Thus, the Active Link Network shows some properties which are distant from the hypothesis made by the current theoretical models, which assume there are no correlations among active links.
A metabolite‐based machine learning approach to diagnose Alzheimer‐type dementia in blood: Results from the European Medical Information Framework for Alzheimer disease biomarker discovery cohort
Authors: Stamate Daniel , Kim Min , Proitsi Petroula , Westwood Sarah , Baird Alison , Nevado‐Holgado Alejo , Hye Abdul , Bos Isabelle , Vos Stephanie J.B. , Vandenberghe Rik , Teunissen Charlotte E. , Kate Mara Ten , Scheltens Philip , Gabel Silvy , Meersmans Karen , Blin Olivier , Richardson Jill , De Roeck Ellen , Engelborghs Sebastiaan , Sleegers Kristel , Bordet Régis , Ramit Lorena , Kettunen Petronella , Tsolaki Magda , Verhey Frans , Alcolea Daniel , Lléo Alberto , Peyratout Gwendoline , Tainta Mikel , Johannsen Peter , Freund‐Levi Yvonne , Frölich Lutz , Dobricic Valerija , Frisoni Giovanni B. , Molinuevo José L. , Wallin Anders , Popp Julius , Martinez‐Lage Pablo , Bertram Lars , Blennow Kaj , Zetterberg Henrik , Streffer Johannes , Visser Pieter J. , Lovestone Simon , Legido‐Quigley Cristina 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIntroductionMachine learning (ML) may harbor the potential to capture the metabolic complexity in Alzheimer Disease (AD). Here we set out to test the performance of metabolites in blood to categorize AD when compared to CSF biomarkers.MethodsThis study analyzed samples from 242 cognitively normal (CN) people and 115 with AD‐type dementia utilizing plasma metabolites (n = 883). Deep Learning (DL), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) and Random Forest (RF) were used to differentiate AD from CN. These models were internally validated using Nested Cross Validation (NCV).ResultsOn the test data, DL produced the AUC of 0.85 (0.80–0.89), XGBoost produced 0.88 (0.86–0.89) and RF produced 0.85 (0.83–0.87). By comparison, CSF measures of amyloid, p‐tau and t‐tau (together with age and gender) produced with XGBoost the AUC values of 0.78, 0.83 and 0.87, respectively.DiscussionThis study showed that plasma metabolites have the potential to match the AUC of well‐established AD CSF biomarkers in a relatively small cohort. Further studies in independent cohorts are needed to validate whether this specific panel of blood metabolites can separate AD from controls, and how specific it is for AD as compared with other neurodegenerative disorders.
Teaching Interdisciplinary Archaeology: Our Students as Our Future Agents of Change
Authors: Blouet Helen 
Published: December 2019

AbstractI discuss my experiences using archaeology and anthropology to teach college-level students how to be interdisciplinary thinkers and doers. Although the number of students who complete archaeology and anthropology degrees is relatively small in the United States and worldwide, programs and courses in such fields offer any student important opportunities in active, interdisciplinary learning that contribute to effective problem-solving using multiple lines of information. Courses and learning activities can question stereotypes depicting archaeology as a “useless” discipline (Arendt 2013:79), and they can prepare students to engage in and adapt to countless personal and professional situations while also learning about archaeology, its benefits, and its potential for relationships with similar and different fields. Therefore, the active learning of multimethod, interdisciplinary archaeology can prepare college-level students to address change and uncertainty in their homes, communities, and professions.
Decolonizing “Allyship” for Indian Country: Lessons from #NODAPL
Authors: Sullivan-Clarke Andrea 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn 2016, when #NODAPL first appeared in the mainstream media, many nonnative people approached me about how to support the water protectors. This question can be answered in a couple of ways: first, I might address the specific issue (actions that directly support those at Standing Rock), or second, I might respond more generally about how to be an ally to native people. The two responses highlight a current issue in Indian Country: should nonnatives serve as active bystanders—or should they be allies to native peoples? Being an ally has come under scrutiny, especially given its propensity for epistemic injustice. Some philosophers—such as Rachel McKinnon—argue for dismissing the concept altogether, requiring that individuals serve as active bystanders. Although this may be necessary to support individuals in the transgender community, it lacks the resources to fully address the needs of colonized peoples. In this article, I argue for the operationalization of “ally” in Indian Country insofar as it is subject to decolonizing treatment. Although there is a need for both bystanders and allies in Indian Country, the Indigenous people must define the concepts that are intended to serve them.
Epidemiological and Accounting Analysis of Ground Ambulance Whole Blood Transfusion
Authors: Mapp Julian G. , Bank Eric A. , Osborn Lesley A. , Stringfellow Michael L. , Reininger David W. , Winckler Christopher J. ,   Prehospital Research and Innovation in Military and Expeditionary Environments (PRIME) Group
Published: December 2019

AbstractIntroduction:In October 2017, the American Association of Blood Bankers (AABB; Bethesda, Maryland USA) approved a petition to allow low-titer group O whole blood as a standard product without the need for a waiver. Around that time, a few Texas, USA-based Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems incorporated whole blood into their ground ambulances. The purpose of this project was to describe the epidemiology of ground ambulance patients that received a prehospital whole blood transfusion. The secondary aim of this project was to report an accounting analysis of these ground ambulance prehospital whole blood programs.Methods:The dataset came from the Harris County Emergency Service District 48 Fire Department (HCESD 48; Harris County, Texas USA) and San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD; San Antonio, Texas USA) whole blood Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement (QA/QI) databases from September 2017 through December 2018. The primary outcome of this study was the prehospital transfusion indication. The secondary outcome was the projected cost per life saved during the first 10 years of the prehospital whole blood initiative.Results:Of 58 consecutive prehospital whole blood administrations, the team included all 58 cases. Hemorrhagic shock from a non-traumatic etiology accounted for 46.5% (95% CI, 34.3%-59.2%) of prehospital whole blood recipients. In the non-traumatic hemorrhagic shock cohort, gastrointestinal hemorrhage was the underlying etiology of hemorrhagic shock in 66.7% (95% CI, 47.8%-81.4%) of prehospital whole blood transfusion recipients. The projected average cost to save a life in Year 10 was US$5,136.51 for the combined cohort, US$4,512.69 for HCESD 48, and US$5,243.72 for SAFD EMS.Conclusion:This retrospective analysis of ground ambulance patients that receive prehospital whole blood transfusion found that non-traumatic etiology accounted for 46.5% (95% CI, 34.3%-59.2%) of prehospital whole blood recipients. Additionally, the accounting analysis suggests that by Year 10 of a ground ambulance whole blood transfusion program, the average cost to save a life will be approximately US$5,136.51.
Multimodel Evaluation of Nitrous Oxide Emissions From an Intensively Managed Grassland
Authors: Fuchs Kathrin , Merbold Lutz , Buchmann Nina , Bretscher Daniel , Brilli Lorenzo , Fitton Nuala , Topp Cairistiona F. E. , Klumpp Katja , Lieffering Mark , Martin Raphaël , Newton Paul C. D. , Rees Robert M. , Rolinski Susanne , Smith Pete , Snow Val 
Published: December 2019

AbstractProcess‐based models are useful for assessing the impact of changing management practices and climate on yields and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agricultural systems such as grasslands. They can be used to construct national GHG inventories using a Tier 3 approach. However, accurate simulations of nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes remain challenging. Models are limited by our understanding of soil‐plant‐microbe interactions and the impact of uncertainty in measured input parameters on simulated outputs. To improve model performance, thorough evaluations against in situ measurements are needed. Experimental data of N2O emissions under two management practices (control with typical fertilization versus increased clover and no fertilization) were acquired in a Swiss field experiment. We conducted a multimodel evaluation with three commonly used biogeochemical models (DayCent in two variants, PaSim, APSIM in two variants) comparing four years of data. DayCent was the most accurate model for simulating N2O fluxes on annual timescales, while APSIM was most accurate for daily N2O fluxes. The multimodel ensemble average reduced the error in estimated annual fluxes by 41% compared to an estimate using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)‐derived method for the Swiss agricultural GHG inventory (IPCC‐Swiss), but individual models were not systematically more accurate than IPCC‐Swiss. The model ensemble overestimated the N2O mitigation effect of the clover‐based treatment (measured: 39–45%; ensemble: 52–57%) but was more accurate than IPCC‐Swiss (IPCC‐Swiss: 72–81%). These results suggest that multimodel ensembles are valuable for estimating the impact of climate and management on N2O emissions.