bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Proficiency level descriptors for low reading proficiency: An integrative process model
Authors: Durda Tabea , Artelt Cordula , Lechner Clemens M. , Rammstedt Beatrice , Wicht Alexandra 
Published: April 2020

AbstractLow literacy among adolescents and adults worldwide remains a serious problem, even in economically developed countries. The consequences of low reading proficiency levels can be harmful in many ways for both the individuals concerned and their communities in terms of health, political, social and economic outcomes. While large-scale international assessments do assess reading proficiency, the data they provide for the bottom end of the scale are still somewhat undifferentiated. What is of particular concern to scholars and policymakers alike is to better understand the nature of reading difficulties among low-literate adolescents and adults. Addressing this need, the authors of this article present a new integrative process model which takes into consideration reader-related, text-related and task-related factors along different stages of the reading process that can cause reading difficulties. The process model incorporates different traditions of research on low reading proficiency: large-scale assessments, cognitive psychology, and research on developmental precursors of reading comprehension. It enabled the authors to identify core difficulty-generating factors, in particular task and text characteristics relevant in evaluating the difficulty of a reading task and thus in determining whether low-literate readers can solve it. The process model also proved suitable for incorporation into standard-setting practice. The authors demonstrate how the process model provided a framework for developing proficiency level descriptors (PLDs) which were then applied for the purpose of standard setting in a German large-scale assessment, the National Educational Panel Study (NEPS). Their results show that the PLDs were indeed suitable for differentiating between a low reading proficiency level and a functional reading proficiency level among adolescents and adults.
Linking Human Development and the Financial Responsibility of Regions: Combined Index Proposals Using Methods from Data Envelopment Analysis
Authors: Ferraz Diogo , Mariano Enzo B. , Rebelatto Daisy , Hartmann Dominik 
Published: April 2020

AbstractSeveral indicators on human development and capabilities have been introduced in recent decades that measure the absolute level of deprivations and freedoms of people. However, these indicators typically do not consider to what extent regions and countries efficiently spend their limited financial resources on improving human development. This is an important shortcoming because regions typically face different financial constraints in developing social policies and promoting human development. In this article, we advance methods from data envelopment analysis (DEA) to measure absolute capability values and the social efficiency of 129 Brazilian mesoregions. We present a new indicator called theCapability Index Adjusted by Social Efficiency (CIASE)that evaluates the human development performance of regions based on their absolute levels of deprivations as well as their social efficiency in translating limited financial resources into human development. Moreover, we introduce aDeprivation and Financial Responsibility based Prioritization Index (DFRP)that helps to identify priority regions for higher public expenditures in human development. Our results for the case of Brazil show that several poor regions perform relatively better in terms of social efficiency than in terms of absolute human development. Conversely, several rich regions perform relatively worse in terms of social efficiency than in absolute values. Thus, our analysis shows how DEA methods can help to bridge perspectives that are often presented as separated issues but could be strong allies for development: attending to human deprivation and promoting social efficiency.
Sequencing of two transgenic early-flowering poplar lines confirmed vector-free single-locus T-DNA integration
Authors: Kersten Birgit , Leite Montalvão Ana Paula , Hoenicka Hans , Vettori Cristina , Paffetti Donatella , Fladung Matthias 
Published: April 2020

AbstractNext-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches are attractive alternatives to the PCR-based characterisation of genetically modified plants for safety assessment and labelling since NGS is highly sensitive to the detection of T-DNA inserts as well as vector backbone sequences in transgenic plants. In this study, two independent transgenic male Populus tremula lines, T193-2 and T195-1, both carrying the FLOWERING LOCUS T gene from Arabidopsis thaliana under control of a heat-inducible promoter (pHSP::AtFT) and the non-transgenic control clone W52, were further characterised by NGS and third-generation sequencing. The results support previous findings that the T-DNA was hemizygously inserted in one genomic locus of each line. However, the T-DNA insertions consist of conglomerations of one or two T-DNA copies together with a small T-DNA fragment without AtFT parts. Based on NGS data, no additional T-DNA splinters or vector backbone sequences could be identified in the genome of the two transgenic lines. Seedlings derived from crosses between the pHSP::AtFT transgenic male parents and female wild type plants are therefore expected to be T-DNA splinter or vector backbone free. Thus, PCR analyses amplifying a partial T-DNA fragment with AtFT-specific primers are sufficient to determine whether the seedlings are transgenic or not. An analysis of 72 second generation-seedlings clearly showed that about 50% of them still reveal the presence of the T-DNA, confirming data already published. To prove if unanticipated genomic changes were induced by T-DNA integration, extended future studies using long-range sequencing technologies are required once a suitable chromosome-level P. tremula reference genome sequence is available.
The short-term effects of air pollution on respiratory disease hospitalizations in 5 cities in Poland: comparison of time-series and case-crossover analyses
Authors: Slama Alessandro , Śliwczyński Andrzej , Woźnica-Pyzikiewicz Jolanta , Zdrolik Maciej , Wiśnicki Bartłomiej , Kubajek Jakub , Turżańska-Wieczorek Olga , Studnicki Marcin , Wierzba Waldemar , Franek Edward 
Published: April 2020

AbstractVery few publications have compared different study designs investigating the short-term effects of air pollutants on healthcare visits and hospitalizations for respiratory tract diseases. This study describes, using two different study designs (a case-crossover design and a time-series analysis), the association of air pollutants and respiratory disease hospitalizations. The study has been conducted on 5 cities in Poland on a timeline of almost 4 years. DLNM and regression models were both used for the assessment of the short-term effects of air pollution peaks on respiratory hospitalizations. Both case-crossover and time-series studies equally revealed a positive association between air pollution peaks and hospitalization occurrences. Results were provided in the form of percentage increase of a respiratory visit/hospitalization, for each 10-μg/m3 increment in single pollutant level for both study designs. The most significant estimated % increases of hospitalizations linked to increase of 10 μg/m3 of pollutant have been recorded in general with particulate matter, with highest values for 24 h PM2.5 in Warsaw (6.4%, case-crossover; 4.5%, time series, respectively) and in Białystok (5.6%, case-crossover; 4.5%, time series, respectively). The case-crossover analysis results have shown a larger CI in comparison to the results of the time-series analysis, while the lag days were easier to identify with the case-crossover design. The trends and the overlap of the results occurring from both methods are good and show applicability of both study designs to air pollution effects on short-term hospitalizations.
Effects of prenatal exposure to NO2 on children’s neurodevelopment: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Shang Li , Yang Liren , Yang Wenfang , Huang Liyan , Qi Cuifang , Yang Zixuan , Fu Zhuxuan , Chung Mei Chun 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe neurotoxicity of NO2 exposure is well-known and potentially causes impaired of neural functions. This review aimed to estimate associations between prenatal NO2 exposure and neurodevelopment for children. Articles published until May 2019 reported prenatal NO2 exposure and children’s cognition, psychomotor, language, attention, IQ, and behavior function were searched according to all related terms. The main databases we retrieved included PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Coefficient was extracted, conversed, and synthesized by random effects meta-analysis. Meanwhile, qualitatively describe would be used for some studies which cannot be synthesized quantitatively for lack of quantity or methods inconsistency. Finally, a total of 3848 citations were searched, and only 10 studies were included. We estimated that per 10 μg/m3 increase of NO2 during pregnancy was associated with a − 0.76 point decrease in global psychomotor (95% CI, − 1.34, − 0.18) and a − 0.62 point decrease in fine psychomotor for children (95% CI, − 1.09, − 0.16). But no significant association found in general cognitive and language. In addition, through the literature review, it seemed that prenatal exposure to NO2 might cause adverse impacts on children’s attention, IQ, and different behaviors, but this requires confirmation from further researches. Our study indicated that prenatal exposure to NO2 seems to be associated with impaired neural development for children, especially for fine psychomotor. However, further studies are needed for determining the effects of prenatal air pollution exposure on attention, IQ, and behavior.
Learning as a key leverage point for sustainability transformations: a case study of a local government in Perth, Western Australia
Authors: Bryant Jayne , Thomson Giles 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThis paper presents a case study about embedding sustainability into a local government in Perth, Western Australia, through the introduction of a sustainability policy and the accompanying education and culture change program. This longitudinal case study describes the approach and impact of the program initiated and delivered by internal officers between 2011 and 2016. The use of personal experience, document review and staff interviews present an ethnography of a bureaucracy that casts some light upon the seldom seen inner workings of a local government organisation as it introduced a sustainability program over a period of more than 5 years. The case study provides evidence of the potential power of learning as a key leverage point for transformational sustainability change.
Cloud computing ecosystem model: evaluation and role clusters
Authors: Floerecke Sebastian , Lehner Franz , Schweikl Sebastian 
Published: April 2020

AbstractSeveral significantly different attempts have been undertaken to visualize the complex and opaque cloud computing ecosystem by a descriptive model. Recently, scholars have developed a new role-based cloud ecosystem model (PassauCloud ComputingEcosystem Model (PaCE model)) based on a systematic analysis and synthesis of the previous models. However, its scientific evaluation is still outstanding. The main goal is therefore to conduct an evaluation regarding its structural equivalence and completeness compared to the real cloud business according to the design science research paradigm. The second goal is to demonstrate the model’s usefulness by using it as an instrument for the identification of role clusters, which are frequently covered by organizations. To this end, a cross-sectional analysis is conducted, in which 758 organizations are manually analysed and matched with the model’s current roles. As a result, roles have been newly added, removed, broken down into sub-roles, abstracted to a meta-role and renamed. The cluster analysis unveiled five role clusters. Whereas some roles were predominantly found as single role, further roles were exclusively or very frequently found in combination with others. Overall, the revised model creates, compared to the common rather technically orientated market overviews by market research institutes, a detailed categorization schema helping to understand and investigate the organizations belonging to the cloud ecosystem.
Enhanced fuzzy finite state machine for human activity modelling and recognition
Authors: Mohmed Gadelhag , Lotfi Ahmad , Pourabdollah Amir 
Published: April 2020

AbstractA challenging key aspect of modelling and recognising human activity is to design a model that can deal with the uncertainty in human behaviour. Several machine learning and deep learning techniques are employed to model the Activity of Daily Living (ADL) representing
the human activity. This paper proposes an enhanced Fuzzy Finite State Machine (FFSM) model by combining the classical FFSM with Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural network and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). The learning capability in the LSTM and CNN allows the system to learn the relationship in the temporal human activity data and to identify the parameters of the rule-based system as building blocks of the FFSM through time steps in the learning mode. The learned parameters are then used for generating the fuzzy rules that govern the transitions between the system’s states representing activities. The proposed enhanced FFSMs were tested and evaluated using two different datasets; a real dataset collected by our research group and a public dataset collected from CASAS smart home project. Using LSTM-FFSM, the experimental results achieved $$95.7\%$$

95.7
%

and $$97.6\%$$

97.6
%

for the first dataset and the second dataset, respectively. Once CNN-FFSM was applied to both datasets, the obtained results were $$94.2\%$$

94.2
%

and $$99.3\%$$

99.3
%

, respectively.
Nephroprotective effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists: where do we stand?
Authors: Mosterd Charlotte M. , Bjornstad Petter , van Raalte Daniël H. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractGlucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 receptor agonists are the cornerstone in the treatment of hyperglycemia in many people suffering from type 2 diabetes (T2D). These drugs have potent glucose-lowering actions and, additionally, lower body weight through satiety induction while reducing blood pressure and dyslipidemia. Partly through these actions, GLP-1 receptor agonism was shown to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) in people with T2D with previous CVD or at high-risk thereof. In these cardiovascular safety trials, in secondary or exploratory analyses, GLP-1 receptor agonists were also shown to reduce macro-albuminuria, an accepted surrogate marker for diabetic kidney disease (DKD), a condition that still represents a major unmet medical need. In this review we will discuss the evidence which suggests renoprotection induced by GLP-1 receptor agonists and the potential mechanisms that may be involved. These include mitigation of hyperglycemia, overweight and insulin resistance, systemic and glomerular hypertension, dyslipidemia, sodium retention, inflammation and renal hypoxia. The recently initiated large-sized FLOW trial investigating the effects of semaglutide on hard renal outcomes in patients with DKD will provide clarity whether GLP-1 receptor agonists may reduce the burden of DKD in addition to their other beneficial metabolic and cardiovascular effects.
Hematologist and transplant physicians
Authors: Dalle Jean-Hugues 
Published: April 2020

Despite huge progress in the fields of newborn screening, encapsulated bacterial infection prophylaxis, immunization, and supportive care in general, people suffering from sickle cell anemia still continue to have a shorter life expectancy and a poorer quality of life due to painful vaso-occlusive events and strokes during childhood, and later, cardiac, pulmonary, and renal injuries, including in Western and high-income countries.
From the 2000s, allogeneic stem cell transplantation for severe sickle cell disease from a sibling donor provided the best results-overall as well as disease-free survival-never obtained for any other disease. Nevertheless, this only curative option is proposed to few patient numbers, including in Western countries with high-level medical equipment development, with discrepancies between (i) patients and family, (ii) physicians and care centers dedicated to sickle cell disease, and (iii) hematopoietic stem cell transplant teams.
Due to these discrepancies and in order to provide the same quality of discussion and treatment choice for every sickle cell disease patient, we developed a National French multidisciplinary pluri-annual meeting dedicated to sickle cell disease patients and transplantation. We report here our experience of such a meeting.
Practicing Mass Casualty Scenarios: Experience From a Developing Level 1 Trauma Center in the Himalayan Foothills
Authors: Azam Md Quamar , Devasthale Mahesh , B Chandu Raj , Kumar Ajay , Sarkar Bhaskar , Rattan Amulya 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTObjective:Uttarakhand is an Indian state in the Himalayan foothills, a favored adventure destination in the country due to abundant natural beauty. However, the terrain has also conferred an increased risk of earthquakes, flash floods, and major road tragedies, resulting in as many as 8 major natural disasters in the state in the preceding 20 years. AIIMS Rishikesh, an autonomous central institute, has been entrusted to build a Level 1 Trauma Center in Uttarakhand, which would help improve the response, coordination, and hence outcome in mass casualty scenarios (MCSs).Methods:As a step toward the achievement of this larger goal, a workshop on MCS and management was conducted by the Department of Trauma Surgery in collaboration with Rambam Hospital, Haifa. We hereby present our template for conducting MCS drills in low resource settings like ours and the lessons learnt.Results:Process, logistics, limitations, workforce, scheduling, overview, and report of the MCS drill conducted are discussed hereafter.Conclusion:This template may be replicated by hospitals that intend to conduct similar MCS drills in low resource settings, realizing the real threat of MCS occurrence in our country at anytime.
A Non-Classical Analytical Approach for Vibration Analysis of Isotropic and Fgm Plate Containing a Star Shaped Crack
Authors: Gupta Ankur , Soni Shashank , Jain N. K. 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTA non-classical analytical model for vibration analysis of thin isotropic and FGM plate containing multiple part-through cracks (star shaped) of arbitrary orientation is proposed. A plate containing four concentric cracks of arbitrary orientation in the form of continuous line is considered for analysis. The proposed governing equation is derived based on classical plate theory and modified couple stress theory. Line spring model is modified to accommodate all the crack terms. The application of Berger’s formulation introduces nonlinearities in the governing equation and then the Galerkin’s method is applied for solving final governing equation. Results for fundamental frequencies for different values of crack length, crack orientation, gradient index and material length scale parameters are presented for two different boundary conditions. Furthermore, to study the phenomenon of bending hardening/softening in a cracked plate, the frequency response curves are plotted for the parameters stated above. Based on the outcomes of this study, it can be concluded that stiffness of the plate is severely affected by the presence of multiple cracks and the stiffness goes on decreasing with increase in number of cracks thereby affecting the fundamental frequency.
Effect of Carbon Nanotubes’ Diameter on Freeze-Thaw Resistance of Cement Paste
Authors: Tian Wei , Gao Fangfang 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTThis paper aims to investigate the freeze-thaw resistance of cement-paste containing with different diameter and content of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in terms of mechanical properties and microstructure. Three groups of cement-paste with MWCNTs diameter of 10-20 nm, 20-40 nm and 40-60 nm were prepared by incorporating 0.1 wt%, 0.2 wt%, 0.3 wt%, 0.4 wt%, 0.5 wt% MWCNTs by cement weight. Experimental results showed that the addition of 0.1 wt% MWCNTs with diameters of 10–20 nm effectively improved the freeze-thaw resistance of cement-paste. In addition, microstructural analysis of these cement-paste specimens showed that MWCNTs addition increased the materials’ initial porosity, but a proper amount of MWCNTs decreased the porosity of cement-paste after freeze-thaw cycles and effectively improved the pore size distribution. MWCNTs 10–20 nm in diameter were found to be the optimal size for improving the microstructure of these MWCNTs cement-paste
Resistance to deltamethrin in Triatoma infestans: microgeographical distribution, validation of a rapid detection bioassay and evaluation of a fumigant canister as control alternative strategy
Authors: Remón Carolina , Fronza Georgina , Maza Yanina , Sartor Paula , Weinberg Diego , Mougabure-Cueto Gastón 
Published: April 2020

AbstractTriatoma infestans (Klug) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) is the main vector of Chagas disease in the Southern Cone of America and resistance to pyrethroid insecticides has been detected in several areas from its geographical distribution. Pyrethroid resistance presents a complex geographical pattern at different spatial scales. However, it is still unknown if the toxicological variability is a common feature within villages of the Gran Chaco were high resistance was descripted. The objectives of this study were to determine: (a) the microgeographical distribution of the deltamethrin-resistance in insects from Pampa Argentina village, (b) the performance of the insecticide impregnated paper bioassay to evaluate deltamethrin-resistance in field collected insects and (c) the lethal activity of the fumigant canister containing DDVP against insects resistant to deltamethrin. High survival of T. infestans exposed to discriminant dose was observed in the samples of all the evaluated dwellings, suggesting that the resistance to deltamethrin is homogeneous at the microgeographical level. Resistance determination by impregnated paper bioassay was similar to traditional topical determination, highlighting the use of this rapid methodology in field large-scale monitoring. The fumigant canister was not effective against resistant insects, remarking the need to develop suitable formulations that ensure minimal toxicological risk and high effectivity.