bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatial analysis of urine zinc (Zn) concentration for women of reproductive age and school age children in Malawi
Authors: Phiri Felix P. , Ander E. Louise , Lark R. Murray , Joy Edward J. M. , Kalimbira Alexander A. , Suchdev Parminder S. , Gondwe Jellita , Hamilton Elliott M. , Watts Michael J. , Broadley Martin R. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractZinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient, and Zn deficiency remains a major global public health challenge. Recognised biomarkers of population Zn status include blood plasma or serum Zn concentration and proxy data such as dietary Zn intake and prevalence of stunting. Urine Zn concentration is rarely used to assess population Zn status. This study assessed the value of urine Zn concentration as a biomarker of population Zn status using a nationally representative sample of non-pregnant women of reproductive age (WRA) and school-aged children (SAC) in Malawi. Spot (casual) urine samples were collected from 741 WRA and 665 SAC. Urine Zn concentration was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with specific gravity adjustment for hydration status. Data were analysed using a linear mixed model with a spatially correlated random effect for between-cluster variation. The effect of time of sample collection (morning or afternoon), and gender (for SAC), on urine Zn concentration were examined. There was spatial dependence in urine Zn concentration between clusters among SAC but not WRA, which indicates that food system or environmental factors can influence urine Zn concentration. Mapping urine Zn concentration could potentially identify areas where the prevalence of Zn deficiency is greater and thus where further sampling or interventions might be targeted. There was no evidence for differences in urine Zn concentration between gender (P = 0.69) or time of sample collection (P = 0.85) in SAC. Urine Zn concentration was greater in afternoon samples for WRA (P = 0.003). Relationships between urine Zn concentration, serum Zn concentration, dietary Zn intake, and potential food systems covariates warrant further study.
Energy and exergy analysis of a novel turbo-compounding system for supercharging and mild hybridization of a gasoline engine
Authors: Salek Farhad , Babaie Meisam , Ghodsi Ali , Hosseini Seyed Vahid , Zare Ali 
Published: September 2020

AbstractNumber of hybrid vehicles has increased around the world significantly. Automotive industry is utilizing the hybridization of the powertrain system to achieve better fuel economic and emissions reduction. One of the options recently considered in research for hybridization and downsizing of vehicles is to employ waste heat recovery systems. In this paper, the addition of a turbo-compound system with an air Brayton cycle (ABC) to a naturally aspirated engine was studied in AVL BOOST software. In addition, a supercharger was modeled to charge extra air into the engine and ABC. The engine was first validated against the experimental data prior to turbo-compounding. The energy and exergy analysis was performed to understand the effects of the proposed design at engine rated speed. Results showed that between 16 and 18% increase in engine mechanical power can be achieved by adding turbo-compressor. Furthermore, the recommended ABC system can recover up to 1.1 kW extra electrical power from the engine exhaust energy. The energy and exergy efficiencies were both improved slightly by turbo-compounding and BSFC reduced by nearly 1% with the proposed system. Furthermore, installing the proposed system resulted in increase in backpressure up to approximately 23.8 kPa.
Decision-facilitating information in hidden-action setups: an agent-based approach
Authors: Leitner Stephan , Wall Friederike 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe hidden-action model captures a fundamental problem of principal-agent theory and provides an optimal sharing rule when only the outcome but not the effort can be observed (Holmström in Bell J Econ 10(1):74, 1979). However, the hidden-action model builds on various explicit and also implicit assumptions about the information of the contracting parties. This paper relaxes key assumptions regarding the availability of information included in the hidden-action model in order to study whether and, if so, how fast the optimal sharing rule is achieved and how this is affected by the various types of information employed in the principal-agent relation. Our analysis particularly focuses on information about the environment and about feasible actions for the agent. We follow an approach to transfer closed-form mathematical models into agent-based computational models and show that the extent of information about feasible options to carry out a task only has an impact on performance if decision makers are well informed about the environment, and that the decision whether to perform exploration or exploitation when searching for new feasible options only affects performance in specific situations. Having good information about the environment, on the contrary, appears to be crucial in almost all situations.
Detailed Balance = Complex Balance + Cycle Balance: A Graph-Theoretic Proof for Reaction Networks and Markov Chains
Authors: Müller Stefan , Joshi Badal 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe further clarify the relation between detailed-balanced and complex-balanced equilibria of reversible chemical reaction networks. Our results hold for arbitrary kinetics and also for boundary equilibria. Detailed balance, complex balance, “formal balance,” and the new notion of “cycle balance” are all defined in terms of the underlying graph. This fact allows elementary graph-theoretic (non-algebraic) proofs of a previous result (detailed balance = complex balance + formal balance), our main result (detailed balance = complex balance + cycle balance), and a corresponding result in the setting of continuous-time Markov chains.
The GNG neural network in analyzing consumer behaviour patterns: empirical research on a purchasing behaviour processes realized by the elderly consumers
Authors: Migdał-Najman Kamila , Najman Krzysztof , Badowska Sylwia 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe paper sheds light on the use of a self-learning GNG neural network for identification and exploration of the purchasing behaviour patterns. The test has been conducted on the data collected from consumers aged 60 years and over, with regard to three product purchases. The primary data used to explore the purchasing behaviour patterns was collected during a survey carried out among the elderly students at the Universities of Third Age in Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Poland, in the years 2017–2018. Finally, a total of six different types of purchasing patterns have been identified, namely the ‘thoughtful decision’, the ‘sensitive to recommendation’, the ‘beneficiary, the ‘short thoughtful decision’, the ‘habitual decision’ and ‘multiple’ patterns. The most significant differences in the purchasing patterns of the three national samples have been identified with regard to the process of purchasing a smartphone, while the most repetitive patterns have been identified with regard to the purchasing of a new product. The results significantly support the GNG network’s validity for identification of consumer behaviour patterns. The application of this method allowed quick and effective to identify and segment consumers groups as well as facilitated the mapping of the differences among these groups and to compare the consumption behaviour expressed by consumers on different markets. The identified consumer purchase patterns may play a basic role for marketers to understand consumer behaviour and then propose tailored strategies in international marketing.
Kinder im Blick? Kindeswohl in Zeiten von Corona
Authors: Jentsch Birgit , Schnock Brigitte 
Published: September 2020

ZusammenfassungDie Corona-Krise hat große Auswirkungen auf das Wohlergehen von Kindern sowie auf die Möglichkeiten von Fachkräften der Kinder- und Jugendhilfe, Familien im Bedarfsfall ausreichend zu unterstützen. Es häufen sich Anzeichen, dass insbesondere die Wahrnehmung von Kindeswohlgefährdung und die Gestaltung der Kommunikation und Beziehung zwischen Familie und Fachkraft erhebliche neue Herausforderungen stellen. Der Artikel beschreibt den Diskurs über diese Herausforderungen und Umsetzungsstrategien in den ersten Wochen von COVID-19.
Sub-gap defect density characterization of molybdenum oxide: An annealing study for solar cell applications
Authors: Scirè Daniele , Procel Paul , Gulino Antonino , Isabella Olindo , Zeman Miro , Crupi Isodiana 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe application of molybdenum oxide in the photovoltaic field is gaining traction as this material can be deployed in doping-free heterojunction solar cells in the role of hole selective contact. For modeling-based optimization of such contact, knowledge of the molybdenum oxide defect density of states (DOS) is crucial. In this paper, we report a method to extract the defect density through nondestructive optical measures, including the contribution given by small polaron optical transitions. The presence of defects related to oxygen-vacancy and of polaron is supported by the results of our opto-electrical characterizations along with the evaluation of previous observations. As part of the study, molybdenum oxide samples have been evaluated after post-deposition thermal treatments. Quantitative results are in agreement with the result of density functional theory showing the presence of a defect band fixed at 1.1 eV below the conduction band edge of the oxide. Moreover, the distribution of defects is affected by post-deposition treatment.
Rubber compounds made of reactivated EPDM for fiber-reinforced elastomeric isolators: an experimental study
Authors: Habieb Ahmad Basshofi , Milani Federico , Milani Gabriele , Cerchiaro Renato 
Published: September 2020

AbstractRubber recycling technology is a popular issue in many research fields, considering the huge amount of rubber waste in the environment. This paper discusses an application of regenerated ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) to produce vulcanized items such as fiber-reinforced elastomeric isolators (FREIs), which are nowadays considered efficient low-cost seismic protection devices for low rise buildings (e.g., made by masonry) in developing countries. Two types of regenerated EPDM are studies and blended with two different virgin rubbers, Vistalon 3666 and Dutral 4038. The first virgin rubber is used to produce a compound with a hardness of around 30 Shore A, while the latter exhibits 60 Shore A. The present study, which is part of a wider research project aimed at the production of low cost un-bonded seismic isolation devices, focuses exclusively on the determination of both crosslinking degree through rheometer tests and elasticity/mechanical properties of the rubber pads, before and after ageing (hardness, tensile strength, elongation-at-break, stretch-stress behavior before and after ageing). The results show that the compounds with the second reactivated EPDM (type B) exhibit the most satisfactory performance, before and after ageing. This paper discusses also the method of fabrication of FREIs, obtained by the interposition of pads made by the selected recycled rubber and dry glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) textiles. The hardness tests performed on the sliced FREI specimen indicate that the vulcanization temperature used in the production is roughly suitable to obtain the expected rubber properties.
Phytoplankton community structure and water quality assessment in an ecological restoration area of Baiyangdian Lake, China
Authors: Zhu H. , Liu X. G. , Cheng S. P. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractShihoudian Lake is one of the ecological restoration engineering pilot sites of Baiyangdian Lake, China. To evaluate the phytoplankton characteristics and eutrophication status in Shihoudian Lake, we investigated the community structure of phytoplankton, including the species composition, density, biomass dominance, biodiversity and water quality parameters, in autumn 2018 and spring and summer 2019. The relationships between the community structure and the main environmental factors were analysed using a multivariate statistical method. A total of 143 species of phytoplankton were identified, belonging to 53 genera and eight phyla, and Cyanophyta and Prochlorophyta were the most dominant phyla. Both the density and the biomass were the highest in the summer. A redundancy analysis showed that total phosphorus and chemical oxygen demand were the primary influencing factors of the community distribution of Cyanophyta. Evaluation of the comprehensive diversity index and water quality index revealed that the water of Shihoudian Lake was lightly to moderately polluted, providing scientific evidence for eco-environmental protection and remediation.
Quality Tolerance Limits: Framework for Successful Implementation in Clinical Development
Authors: Bhagat Ruma , Bojarski Lukasz , Chevalier Soazig , Görtz Dagmar R. , Le Meignen Stéphanie , Makowski Marcin , Nadolny Patrick , Pillwein Marion , Suprin Melissa , Turri Sabine 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) E6(R2) (International Council for Harmonisation (ICH). ICH harmonised guideline: integrated addendum to ICH E6(R1): guideline for good clinical practice E6(R2). 2016. https://database.ich.org/sites/default/files/E6_R2_Addendum.pdf. Accessed 5 Dec 2019) introduced Quality Tolerance Limits (QTLs) to the industry, and in doing so, modernized quality control for clinical trials. QTLs provide measured feedback on clinical trial parameters previously only used by statistical and clinical functions to track trial progress toward endpoints. Elevating these measures as part of the Quality Management System (QMS) provides greater visibility across clinical trial functions and the enterprise as well as to measures that are important indicators of the state of participant protection and reliability of trial results. In support of this new requirement, TransCelerate developed a framework to guide industry sponsors and their agents in implementing QTLs. This QTL Framework is intended to aid industry’s ability to improve the quality of clinical research through the implementation of QTLs in a way that helps protect trial participants and reliability of trial results while meeting Health Authority (HA) expectations. The framework is intended to maximize efficiency and minimize confusion in the implementation of QTLs. The framework includes proposed approaches for implementation of QTLs for a clinical trial as defined in Section 5.0.4 and 5.0.7 of ICH E6(R2) (International Council for Harmonisation (ICH). ICH harmonised guideline: integrated addendum to ICH E6(R1): guideline for good clinical practice E6(R2). 2016. https://database.ich.org/sites/default/files/E6_R2_Addendum.pdf. Accessed 5 Dec 2019) and considerations for setting thresholds.
Modelling and parameter identification of steel–concrete composite beams in 3D rigid finite element method
Authors: Abramowicz Małgorzata , Berczyński Stefan , Wróblewski Tomasz 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis study presents spatial vibration modelling of steel–concrete composite beams. Structures of this type are commonly used as elements of composite floors and primary carrying girders in bridge structures. Two-dimensional models used to date did not enable analysis of all eigenmodes, specifically torsional, flexural horizontal, and distortional. A discrete computational model was developed in the convention of the rigid finite element method, the so-called RFEM model. It was assumed that the concrete slab and the steel I-section would be modelled separately. This approach realistically reflects the actual performance of the connection, comprising studs connecting the concrete slab and the steel section. The model was used to analyse two steel–concrete composite beams with different connector spacings. The paper presents the results of experiments conducted on the two composite beams. Their dynamic characteristics, including frequency and vibration modes, were determined with impulse response methods. Based on experimental research, identification of connection parameters with substitute longitudinal moduli of elasticity of reinforced concrete was conducted. A comparison of experimental results with those calculated with the model confirmed their good agreement.
The Effects of Transobturator Tape Surgery on Sexual Functions in Women With Stress Urinary Incontinence
Authors: Kizilkan Yalcin , Tohma Yusuf Aytac , Senel Samet , Gunakan Emre , Oguzulgen Ahmet Ibrahim , Aktas Binhan Kagan , Bulut Suleyman , Gokkaya Cevdet Serkan , Ozden Cuneyt , Ozkardes Hakan , Ayhan Ali 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Introduction
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) can adversely affect the patient’s sexual function.

Aim
To evaluate the sexual functions in women who underwent transobturator tape (TOT) surgery because of stress urinary incontinence and factors affecting the treatment results.

Methods
The study was conducted in 2 tertiary level clinics between 2013 and 2019 and included sexually active patients with a diagnosis of SUI who underwent TOT operation. The preoperative and postoperative (6 months after surgery) Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire short form (PISQ-12) scores of the patients were evaluated. The patients were evaluated according to the score changes of an increased score (benefited) and the same or lower score (did not benefit). The PISQ-12 questionnaire has 3 subdomains of behavioral-emotive (Q: 1–4), physical (Q: 5–9), and partner-related (Q: 10–12). Each question is scored from 0 to 4, giving a total ranging from 0 to 48. A higher PISQ-12 score indicates better sexual function.

Main Outcome Measure
PISQ-12.

Results
The study included 117 patients with a median age of 52 years (range, 32–67 years), and 51.3% of the patients were postmenopausal. When the preoperative and postoperative PISQ-12 scores were evaluated in the whole group, there was a statistically significant improvement (from 24.66 to 26.52, P = .001). In the analysis of domains, there was a statistically significant improvement in physical score (from 11.68 to 13.53, P &lt; .001), whereas behavioral-emotive and partner-related scores did not significantly change. In the multivariate analysis of menopausal status, parity and presence of diabetes mellitus were all independently and significantly associated with poor PISQ-12 outcome (OR: 2.60, 95% CI: 1.41–4.81, P = .002; OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.03–2.47, P = .034; and OR: 2.42, 95% CI: 1.28–4.58, P = .007, respectively).

Conclusion
Both physical and psychological statuses should be taken into consideration when planning treatment in patients with urinary incontinence, and it should be noted that postsurgical sexual function status may not be positively affected in postmenopausal, multiparous, and diabetic patients.
New View on the Canadian Burden of Stroke: Productivity Loss in Adults Who Return to Work
Authors: Wein Theodore , Mancini Johanna , Rogoza Raina M. , Pericleous Louisa 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACT:An often overlooked facet of the indirect costs affecting working-age stroke survivors is the challenges experienced by those who return to work. This study quantified the productivity loss in 20 stroke survivors who returned to work which amounted to 53.0 missed work days and an average indirect cost of $10,298 (CAD) in the year following a stroke. Despite the quantified productivity loss, 75% of patients reported no significant disability and a high proportion were self-employed compared to the Canadian population, indicating that socioeconomic factors may be driving patient decisions to return to work.
Epistemological Disjunctivism and the Value of Presence
Authors: de Bruijn David 
Published: September 2020

AbstractEpistemological disjunctivists make two strong claims about perceptual experience's epistemic value: (1) experience guarantees the knowledgeable character of perceptual beliefs; (2) experience's epistemic value is “reflectively accessible”. In this paper I develop a form of disjunctivism grounded in a presentational view of experience, on which the epistemic benefits of experience consist in the way perception presents the subject with aspects of her environment. I show that presentational disjunctivism has both dialectical and philosophically fundamental advantages over more traditional expositions. Dialectically, presentational disjunctivism resolves a puzzle disjunctivists face in their posture vis-à-vis skeptical scenarios. More systematically, presentational disjunctivism provides an especially compelling view of disjunctivism as an internalist view of perceptual consciousness by explaining the way perceptual presence manifests the subject's rationality in a distinct way.
Symposium ‘understanding and managing satiety: processes and opportunities’
Authors: Mandalari Giuseppina 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
This brief report summarises a framework for understanding satiety presented at the 13th European Nutrition Conference, FENS 2019 – Malnutrition in an Obese World: European Perspectives. Aspects of satiety phenotyping and role of food hedonics in satiation are considered in the context of appetite control and obesity. Almonds are evaluated for their unique composition and structure which affect their behaviour in the human gastrointestinal tract. Their role in appetite control and management of satiety has been explored.
The state of GMOs on social media
Authors: Wirz Christopher D. , Howell Emily L. , Brossard Dominique , Xenos Michael A. , Scheufele Dietram A. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis study analyzes the relationship between state-level variables and Twitter discourse on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Using geographically identified tweets related to GMOs, we examined how the sentiments expressed about GMOs related to education levels, news coverage, proportion of rural and urban counties, state-level political ideology, amount of GMO-related legislation introduced, and agricultural dependence of each U.S. state. State-level characteristics predominantly did not predict the sentiment of the discourse. Instead, the topics of tweets predicted the majority of variance in tweet sentiment at the state level. The topics that tweets within a state focused on were related to state-level characteristics in some cases.