bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Occurrence and prognostic effect of cervical spine injuries and cervical artery injuries with concomitant severe head injury
Authors: Vehviläinen Juho , Brinck Tuomas , Lindfors Matias , Numminen Jussi , Siironen Jari , Raj Rahul 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
Blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVIs) and cervical spinal injuries (CSIs) are not uncommon injuries in patients with severe head injury and may affect patient recovery. We aimed to assess the independent relationship between BCVI, CSI, and outcome in patients with severe head injury.

Methods
We identified patients with severe head injury from the Helsinki Trauma Registry treated during 2015–2017 in a large level 1 trauma hospital. We assessed the association between BCVI and SCI using multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for injury severity. Our primary outcome was functional outcome at 6 months, and our secondary outcome was 6-month mortality.

Results
Of 255 patients with a cervical spine CT, 26 patients (10%) had a CSI, and of 194 patients with cervical CT angiography, 16 patients (8%) had a BCVI. Four of the 16 BCVI patients had a BCVI-related brain infarction, and four of the CSI patients had some form of spinal cord injury. After adjusting for injury severity in multivariable logistic regression analysis, BCVI associated with poor functional outcome (odds ratio [OR] = 6.0, 95% CI [confidence intervals] = 1.4–26.5) and mortality (OR = 7.9, 95% CI 2.0–31.4). We did not find any association between CSI and outcome.

Conclusions
We found that BCVI with concomitant head injury was an independent predictor of poor outcome in patients with severe head injury, but we found no association between CSI and outcome after severe head injury. Whether the association between BCVI and poor outcome is an indirect marker of a more severe injury or a result of treatment needs further investigations.
Identification of crucial stepping stone habitats for biodiversity conservation in northeastern Madagascar using remote sensing and comparative predictive modeling
Authors: Schüßler Dominik , Mantilla-Contreras Jasmin , Stadtmann Robin , Ratsimbazafy Jonah H. , Radespiel Ute 
Published: March 2020

AbstractMadagascar is a global biodiversity hotspot of conservation concern. The decline of natural forest habitats due to shifting cultivation has been one of the major land use changes during the last decades. We analyzed satellite images between 1990 and 2018 from northeastern Madagascar to evaluate the contribution of nine variables (e.g., topographic, demographic, forest protection) to explain past forest loss, predict future deforestation probabilities to define important areas that require further conservation attention. Forest cover declined by 21% since 1990 and the once continuous rain forest belt of the region is disrupted twice, in the center and at the southern limit of the study region. Status of forest protection and proximity to the forest edge were identified as most important predictors, but all variables contributed to explaining the observed pattern of deforestation. At least 20% of the 3136 villages in the area were established since 1990 at the expense of previously forested areas. This housing sprawl was mainly driven by accessibility, decreasing landscape connectivity. To conserve the unique biodiversity of the region, the expansion of protected forests and active reforestation measures are urgently needed. Sustainable land use planning and forest management integrating the needs of local land users and conservation priorities should be promoted. We see the highest potential for external stakeholders (e.g., national NGOs) to implement targeted interventions embedded in community-based approaches. Our land cover maps and predictive modeling highlight crucial areas that could act as stepping stone habitats for dispersing or retreating species and therefore important locations to intensify conservation measures.
A gray-box modeling methodology for runtime prediction of Apache Spark jobs
Authors: Al-Sayeh Hani , Hagedorn Stefan , Sattler Kai-Uwe 
Published: March 2020

AbstractApache Spark jobs are often characterized by processing huge data sets and, therefore, require runtimes in the range of minutes to hours. Thus, being able to predict the runtime of such jobs would be useful not only to know when the job will finish, but also for scheduling purposes, to estimate monetary costs for cloud deployment, or to determine an appropriate cluster configuration, such as the number of nodes. However, predicting Spark job runtimes is much more challenging than for standard database queries: cluster configuration and parameters have a significant performance impact and jobs usually contain a lot of user-defined code making it difficult to estimate cardinalities and execution costs. In this paper, we present a gray-box modeling methodology for runtime prediction of Apache Spark jobs. Our approach comprises two steps: first, a white-box model for predicting the cardinalities of the input RDDs of each operator is built based on prior knowledge about the behavior and application parameters such as applied filters data, number of iterations, etc. In the second step, a black-box model for each task constructed by monitoring runtime metrics while varying allocated resources and input RDD cardinalities is used. We further show how to use this gray-box approach not only for predicting the runtime of a given job, but also as part of a decision model for reusing intermediate cached results of Spark jobs. Our methodology is validated with experimental evaluation showing a highly accurate prediction of the actual job runtime and a performance improvement if intermediate results can be reused.
Relative generalized Hamming weights of affine Cartesian codes
Authors: Datta Mrinmoy 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWe explicitly determine all the relative generalized Hamming weights of affine Cartesian codes using the notion of footprints and results from extremal combinatorics. This generalizes the previous works on the determination of relative generalized Hamming weights of Reed–Muller codes by Geil and Martin, as well as the determination of all the generalized Hamming weights of the affine Cartesian codes by Beelen and Datta.
Urban growth sustainability of Islamabad, Pakistan, over the last 3 decades: a perspective based on object-based backdating change detection
Authors: Liu Yong , Shaker ul din  , Jiang Yue 
Published: March 2020

AbstractUrban growth copes with problems in sustainable development. In developing countries, particularly, sustainable development of urban growth copes with severe challenges with respect to sluggish economic and social growth, population boom, environmental deterioration, unemployment, slums and so on. Time series of remote sensing data provide critical support on sustainability assessment. However, the urban spatial extend cannot be accurately extracted from land cover data. Targeting the urban growth and its sustainability in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, this study extracts urban area from four periods of Landsat images between 1990 and 2018 using an innovative object-based backdating change detection method and two criteria for extracting urban land from impervious surface. We prove that impervious surface cover and urban area increased 273.10% and 426.21%, respectively, over the last 3 decades. We identify five factors playing important role in urban growth: population, transportation systems, master planning, industrial and real estate development, and neighbor urban effect. In this study, we assess the socio-economic sustainability associated with slum growth and census data, and the environmental sustainability in relation to the variations of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in forest areas. We found that slums increased with the corresponding growth of urban area and population, reflecting sluggish economic increase in Islamabad. We found that the area of woodland increased 9.29%, but its NDVI decreased from 0.668 to 0.551, implying a deteriorative trend of environmental condition.
Collinear laser spectroscopy of stable palladium isotopes at the IGISOL facility
Authors: Geldhof Sarina , Campbell Paul , Cheal Bradley , de Groote Ruben , Gins Wouter , Moore Iain 
Published: March 2020

AbstractCollinear laser spectroscopy on stable palladium isotopes was performed at the IGISOL facility in Jyväskylä in preparation for an experiment on its neutron-rich isotopes. Five transitions from different initial atomic states were tested, with the goal of finding the most spectroscopically efficient. The observed intensities afforded a comparison with atomic-level population predictions based on charge-exchange calculations. For some transitions hyperfine parameters of 105Pd were measured, which were found to be in good agreement with literature values. A King plot analysis was performed using the measured isotope shifts and known charge radii from literature to determine the atomic field and mass shift factors.
Kinetic modelling of coking coal fluidity development
Authors: Sciazko M. , Mertas B. , Stepien L. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractCoal plasticity is a phenomenon directly affecting the creation of coke structure. It is very much a time- and temperature-dependent transformation of the coal matrix, which allows changing the physical phase from solid to liquid-like and again into solid of different properties. The coking process, particularly in a plasticization temperature range, can be considered as a non-isothermal reaction at a constant heating rate. In this work, a macro-kinetics approach is applied that results in effective kinetic parameters, i.e. pre-exponential factor and activation energy. It is postulated in this work that the original content of metaplast (M0) is a part of volatile matter that melts under the effect of temperature. The coal sample can melt steadily with the temperature increase, achieving the maximum fluidity (Fmax) when the total amount of metaplast available turns into the plastic state. Coal behaviour while it is being heated can be described by two mechanisms. Under first one, the coal turns into plastic phase starting at t1 and ending at tmax, where solidification starts. This can be considered as independent reactions model. In the second model, both plasticization and solidification reactions compete over entire range of phenomena. This can be considered as reactions in the series model. The developed models were validated against experimental data of coal fluidity delivering kinetic parameters.
Hörmander’s method for the characteristic Cauchy problem and conformal scattering for a nonlinear wave equation
Authors: Joudioux Jérémie 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe purpose of this note is to prove the existence of a conformal scattering operator for the cubic defocusing wave equation on a non-stationary background. The proof essentially relies on solving the characteristic initial value problem by the method developed by Hörmander. This method consists in slowing down the propagation speed of the waves to transform a characteristic initial value problem into a standard Cauchy problem.
Spectroscopic and biochemical characteristics of flax transgenic callus cultures producing PHB
Authors: Wróbel-Kwiatkowska Magdalena , Kostyn Kamil , Dymińska Lucyna , Hanuza Jerzy , Kurzawa Adam , Żuk Magdalena , Rymowicz Waldemar 
Published: March 2020

AbstractLinum usitatissimum L. is a plant used by human since ancient times. Presently flax has both industrial and nutritional significance. The programmes of restoration of flax cultivation and processing are implemented to renew the importance of this plant for agriculture and economy. Genetic engineering methods and techniques of plant tissue cultures can answer this requirement, because they give the opportunity for obtaining of new plants and novel application of them. In the present study the impact of genetic modification of flax plants on the ability of morphogenesis was investigated. The subject of this research remain genetically modified flax plants enriched in poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), interesting biodegradable compound showing bioactive properties and acting as anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial factor. Another aim of this study was to characterize chemical and structural properties of callus derived from the engineered plants in comparison to the data obtained for non-transgenic, control callus cultures. The presence of PHB was confirmed by FTIR technique and it was suggested that this polymer may have impact on about 20% higher biomass growth observed for transgenic callus cultures in comparison to control cultures. The level of phenolic compounds was not significantly changed in the transgenic calluses when compared to wild-type cultures. The extracellular matrix (EMC) was noticed for the surface of genetically modified calluses, such structure was not visible for calluses derived from the control cultures. The cellulose in plant cell walls of transgenic calluses was structurally changed, it was not as organized as in control callus, resulting in lower crystallinity index values.
Three categories of urban green areas and the effect of their different management on the communities of ants, spiders and harvestmen
Authors: Trigos-Peral Gema , Rutkowski Tomasz , Witek Magdalena , Ślipiński Piotr , Babik Hanna , Czechowski Wojciech 
Published: March 2020

AbstractUrban green areas have become an important tool for biodiversity conservation in cities. However, land use and the different management practices applied to these areas determine their effectiveness as biodiversity refuges within cities. In our study, we compare the biodiversity of three bioindicator groups of arthropods (ants, spiders and harvestmen) found in eleven urban green sites in Warsaw (Poland). The studied sites represent three categories of management: botanical gardens, public parks and urban woodlands. Our aim was to determine the effect of the type of management (as urban green categories) on arthropod communities in urban areas.
Human Imprints of Real Time: from Semantics to Metaphysics
Authors: Jaszczolt K. M. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractInvestigation into the reality of time can be pursued within the ontological domain or it can also span human thought and natural language. I propose to approach time by correlating three domains of inquiry: metaphysical time (M), the human concept of time (E), and temporal reference in natural language (L), entertaining the possibility of what I call a ‘horizontal reduction’ (L > E > M) and ‘vertical reduction’. I present a view of temporalityL/Eas epistemic modality, drawing on evidence from the L domain and its correlates in the E and M domains. On this view, the human concept of time is a complex, ‘molecular’ concept and can be broken down into primitive concepts that are modal in nature, featuring as degrees of epistemic commitment to representations of states of affairs. I present evidence from tensed and tenseless languages (endorsing the L > E path) and point out its compatibility with the view of real time as metaphysical modality (endorsing the E > M path).
Transformation of the real estate and construction industry: empirical findings from Germany
Authors: Pfnür Andreas , Wagner Benjamin 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe German real estate and construction industry is facing a transformation, triggered by fundamental changes in technology, the economy and society. The purpose of this paper is to explore how these changes exert pressure to adapt on existing business models, while also offering opportunities for their further development. A model that attributes the transformation of the real estate industry to megatrends, specific structural change drivers, business models and the interaction of the groups of players in the value creation system is developed. The model is tested empirically by a survey. Structural equation modelling is used to measure the impact of various determinants of transformation and the relevance of adaptation strategies to the different groups of players. As a result, the study explains three impact mechanisms of the transformation in the real estate industry. The transformation originates from the occupiers, who need more flexible space and are focusing on holistic solutions that are not provided by the real estate industry. Service providers are striving to increase the efficiency of their traditional processes, rather than evolving new business models or services. The investors recognise the increasing importance of the occupiers but they are rarely pursuing the resulting strategies. Property developers recognise these requirements: their adaptation strategies most strongly question their previous business. For practitioners, the results point out the opportunities and risks of transformation and help to illustrate the need for change. For academicians, the results indicate a way to explain and measure the transformation of a value creation system.
A review of causal inference in forensic medicine
Authors: Meilia Putri Dianita Ika , Freeman Michael D. , Herkutanto  , Zeegers Maurice P. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe primary aim of forensic medical analysis is to provide legal factfinders with evidence regarding the causal relationship between an alleged action and a harmful outcome. Despite existing guides and manuals, the approach to formulating opinions on medicolegal causal inference used by forensic medical practitioners, and how the strength of the opinion is quantified, is mostly lacking in an evidence-based or systematically reproducible framework. In the present review, we discuss the literature describing existing methods of causal inference in forensic medicine, especially in relation to the formulation of expert opinions in legal proceedings, and their strengths and limitations. Causal inference in forensic medicine is unique and different from the process of establishing a diagnosis in clinical medicine. Because of a lack of tangibility inherent in causal analysis, even the term “cause” can have inconsistent meaning when used by different practitioners examining the same evidence. Currently, there exists no universally applied systematic methodology for formulating and assessing causality in forensic medical expert opinions. Existing approaches to causation in forensic medicine generally fall into two categories: intuitive and probabilistic. The propriety of each approach depends on the individual facts of an investigated injury, disease, or death. We opine that in most forensic medical settings, probabilistic causation is the most suitable for use and readily applicable. Forensic medical practitioners need, however, be aware of the appropriate approach to causation for different types of cases with varying degrees of complexity.
pH-dependent secondary structure propensity of the influenza A virus M2 cytoplasmic tail
Authors: Claridge Jolyon K. , Mohd-Kipli Faiz , Florea Andrei , Gate Thomas , Schnell Jason R. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe cytoplasmic C-terminal tail of the matrix protein 2 (M2) from influenza A virus has a well conserved sequence and is involved in interactions with several host proteins as well as the influenza matrix protein 1 (M1). Whereas the transmembrane domain of M2 has been well characterised structurally and functionally, high resolution information about the distal cytoplasmic tail is lacking. Here we report the chemical shifts of the cytoplasmic tail of M2 and the chemical shift perturbations at low pH and in the presence of membrane mimetics. The cytoplasmic tail residues are mostly disordered but an extended backbone conformation is adopted by the LC3 binding motif and the putative M1 interaction site has partial helical content with a small pH-dependence. The chemical shift assignments provide a basis for further investigations into interactions of the M2 cytoplasmic tail with viral and host cell factors.
Designing Anthropomorphic Enterprise Conversational Agents
Authors: Diederich Stephan , Brendel Alfred Benedikt , Kolbe Lutz M. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe increasing capabilities of conversational agents (CAs) offer manifold opportunities to assist users in a variety of tasks. In an organizational context, particularly their potential to simulate a human-like interaction via natural language currently attracts attention both at the customer interface as well as for internal purposes, often in the form of chatbots. Emerging experimental studies on CAs look into the impact of anthropomorphic design elements, so-called social cues, on user perception. However, while these studies provide valuable prescriptive knowledge of selected social cues, they neglect the potential detrimental influence of the limited responsiveness of present-day conversational agents. In practice, many CAs fail to continuously provide meaningful responses in a conversation due to the open nature of natural language interaction, which negatively influences user perception and often led to CAs being discontinued in the past. Thus, designing a CA that provides a human-like interaction experience while minimizing the risks associated with limited conversational capabilities represents a substantial design problem. This study addresses the aforementioned problem by proposing and evaluating a design for a CA that offers a human-like interaction experience while mitigating negative effects due to limited responsiveness. Through the presentation of the artifact and the synthesis of prescriptive knowledge in the form of a nascent design theory for anthropomorphic enterprise CAs, this research adds to the growing knowledge base for designing human-like assistants and supports practitioners seeking to introduce them into their organizations.
In Vivo Delivery of Nucleic Acid-Encoded Monoclonal Antibodies
Authors: Patel Ami , Bah Mamadou A. , Weiner David B. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAntibody immunotherapy is revolutionizing modern medicine. The field has advanced dramatically over the past 40 years, driven in part by major advances in isolation and manufacturing technologies that have brought these important biologics to the forefront of modern medicine. However, the global uptake of monoclonal antibody (mAb) biologics is impeded by biophysical and biochemical liabilities, production limitations, the need for cold-chain storage and transport, as well as high costs of manufacturing and distribution. Some of these hurdles may be overcome through transient in vivo gene delivery platforms, such as non-viral synthetic plasmid DNA and messenger RNA vectors that are engineered to encode optimized mAb genes. These approaches turn the body into a biological factory for antibody production, eliminating many of the steps involved in bioprocesses and providing several other significant advantages, and differ from traditional gene therapy (permanent delivery) approaches. In this review, we focus on nucleic acid delivery of antibody employing synthetic plasmid DNA vector platforms, and RNA delivery, these being important approaches that are advancing simple, rapid, in vivo expression and having an impact in animal models of infectious diseases and cancer, among others.