bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hospitalization for epistaxis: a population-based healthcare research study in Thuringia, Germany
Authors: Kallenbach Max , Dittberner Andreas , Boeger Daniel , Buentzel Jens , Kaftan Holger , Hoffmann Kerstin , Jecker Peter , Mueller Andreas , Radtke Gerald , Guntinas-Lichius Orlando 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Epistaxis is the most common ENT emergency. The aim was to determine population-based data on severe epistaxis needing inpatient treatment.

Methods
Retrospective population-based cohort study in the federal state Thuringia in 2016 performed on all 840 inpatients treated for epistaxis in otolaryngology departments (60.1% male, median age: 73 years; 63.9% under anticoagulation). The association between patients’ and treatment characteristics and longer inpatient stay (≥ 4 days) as well as readmission for recurrent epistaxis was analyzed using univariable and multivariable statistics.

Results
The overall incidence of epistaxis needing inpatient treatment was higher for men (42 per 100,000) than for women (28 per 100,000). The highest incidence was reached for men > 85 years (222 per 100,000). Most important independent predictors for longer inpatient stay were localization of the bleeding not in the anterior nose (OR = 2.045; CI = 1.534–2.726), recurrent bleeding during inpatient treatment (OR = 2.142; CI = 1.508–3.042), no electrocoagulation (OR = 2.810; CI = 2.047–3.858), and blood transfusion (OR = 2.731; CI = 1.324–5.635). Independent predictors for later readmission because of recurrent epistaxis were male gender (OR = 1.756; CI = 1.155–2.668), oral anticoagulant use (OR = 1.731; CI = 1.046–2.865), and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (OR = 13.216; CI 5.102–34.231).

Conclusions
Inpatient treatment of epistaxis seems to be variable in daily routine needing standardization by clinical guidelines and strategies to shorten inpatient treatment and to reduce the risk of readmission.
Interpretable machine learning models for classifying low back pain status using functional physiological variables
Authors: Liew Bernard X. W. , Rugamer David , De Nunzio Alessandro Marco , Falla Deborah 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate the predictive performance of statistical models which distinguishes different low back pain (LBP) sub-types and healthy controls, using as input predictors the time-varying signals of electromyographic and kinematic variables, collected during low-load lifting.

Methods
Motion capture with electromyography (EMG) assessment was performed on 49 participants [healthy control (con) = 16, remission LBP (rmLBP) = 16, current LBP (LBP) = 17], whilst performing a low-load lifting task, to extract a total of 40 predictors (kinematic and electromyographic variables). Three statistical models were developed using functional data boosting (FDboost), for binary classification of LBP statuses (model 1: con vs. LBP; model 2: con vs. rmLBP; model 3: rmLBP vs. LBP). After removing collinear predictors (i.e. a correlation of > 0.7 with other predictors) and inclusion of the covariate sex, 31 predictors were included for fitting model 1, 31 predictors for model 2, and 32 predictors for model 3.

Results
Seven EMG predictors were selected in model 1 (area under the receiver operator curve [AUC] of 90.4%), nine predictors in model 2 (AUC of 91.2%), and seven predictors in model 3 (AUC of 96.7%). The most influential predictor was the biceps femoris muscle (peak $$\beta $$
β
= 0.047) in model 1, the deltoid muscle (peak $$\beta $$
β
=  0.052) in model 2, and the iliocostalis muscle (peak $$\beta $$
β
=  0.16) in model 3.

Conclusion
The ability to transform time-varying physiological differences into clinical differences could be used in future prospective prognostic research to identify the dominant movement impairments that drive the increased risk.

Graphic abstract
These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
Thermal degradation of crab shell biomass, a nitrogen-containing carbon precursor
Authors: Sebestyén Zoltán , Jakab Emma , Domán Andrea , Bokrossy Péter , Bertóti Imre , Madarász János , László Krisztina 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWaste and low-cost lignocellulosic biomasses are well studied and widely used as raw materials for porous carbon adsorbents. Much less attention is given to the exploration of the potential of marine biomasses, though these materials contain also nitrogen, which—if preserved during the processing—has a beneficial influence on the sorption properties of the porous carbon obtained. Here, we report a multi-technique investigation into the conversion of crab shell to porous carbon adsorbent. Thermogravimetry and pyrolysis-GC/MS studies were used to reveal the thermal degradation of this natural polymer and follow the decomposition process through the identification of the products. Almost 40 various volatile degradation products were distinguished released at 500 °C pyrolysis temperature. Based on the TGA/DTG results, two temperatures, 350 and 500 °C, were selected to obtain pyrolytic samples in macroscopic quantities in order to characterize the morphology and surface chemistry of the solid fraction. More than 50% of the nitrogen atoms were still in the carbonaceous matrix after the 500 °C pyrolysis in the C–N=C, C–NH and 3C–N-type bonds. The ash content < 1% included hydroxylapatite-type crystalline matter. Based on these results, we may conclude that crab shells have a high potential as precursor of nitrogen-containing biochar.
Evaluation of Anyplex™ II MTB/MDR kit’s performance to rapidly detect isoniazid and rifampicin resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis from various clinical specimens
Authors: Chumpa Nuntana , Kawkitinarong Kamon , Rotcheewaphan Suwatchareeporn , Sawatpanich Ajcharaporn , Petsong Suthidee , Tumwasorn Somying , Suwanpimolkul Gompol 
Published: March 2020

AbstractTo determine the accuracy of multiplex real-time PCR (Anyplex™ II MTB/MDR kit) in detecting Isoniazid (INH)- and Rifampin (RIF)-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains from various clinical specimens. The performance of Anyplex™ II MTB/MDR kit in detecting INH- and RIF-resistant M. tuberculosis compared to the conventional drug susceptibility tests by Mycobacterial Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT). A total of 430 clinical samples had positive results for M. tuberculosis from both Anyplex™ II MTB/MDR kit assay and mycobacterial cultures by MGIT method. When compared to MGITs, the sensitivity and specificity of Anyplex™ II MTB/MDR kit in detecting INH-resistant TB were 85.71% and 99.75%, respectively. For the detection of MDR-TB, the sensitivity and specificity of the test were 82.35% and 99.76%, respectively. The positive predictive values and negative predictive values to detect INH-resistant TB were 96.77% and 98.75%, respectively. Anyplex™ II MTB/MDR kit can be used to rapidly detect isoniazid and rifampicin resistances. It has a high sensitivity, specificity and PPV in detecting INH-resistant TB and MDR-TB. This test can be used as an alternative test to Xpert MTB/RIF because it can rapidly detect both INH-resistant TB and RIF-resistant TB.
Body composition and changes in health-related quality of life in older age: a 10-year follow-up of the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study
Authors: Mikkola Tuija M. , Kautiainen Hannu , von Bonsdorff Mikaela B. , Salonen Minna K. , Wasenius Niko , Kajantie Eero , Eriksson Johan G. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Most studies examining the associations between body composition and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in older age have been cross-sectional and analyzed only fat or lean mass. Hence, it is poorly known whether fat and lean mass are independently associated with subsequent changes in HRQoL. We investigated whether baseline lean and fat mass are associated with changes in HRQoL over a 10-year period in older adults.

Methods
We studied 1044 men and women from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study (age 57–70 years at baseline). Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to derive baseline fat mass index (FMI, fat mass/height2) and lean mass index (lean mass/height2), dichotomized at sex-specific medians. HRQoL was assessed using RAND 36-item Health Survey at baseline and follow-up 10 years later.

Results
When controlled for lean mass and adjusted for potential confounders, high baseline FMI was associated with a greater decline in general health (standardized regression coefficient [β] = − 0.13, p = 0.001), physical functioning (β = − 0.11, p = 0.002), role physical (β = − 0.13, p = 0.003), vitality (β = − 0.08, p = 0.027), role emotional (β = − 0.12, p = 0.007), and physical component score (β = − 0.14, p < 0.001). High baseline FMI was also associated with low HRQoL in all physical domains at baseline (β: from − 0.38 to − 0.10). Lean mass was not strongly associated with HRQoL at baseline or change in HRQoL.

Conclusion
In older community-dwelling adults, higher fat mass is, independent of lean mass, associated with lower physical HRQoL and greater decline in HRQoL. Prevention of adiposity may contribute to preservation of a good quality of life in older age.
The Murderer as Writer, Storyteller and Protagonist: The Case of Krystian Bala
Authors: Struzińska Katarzyna 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThis paper presents the results of the semiotic analysis in which the story of Krystian Bala, a Polish author who was convicted of murder, is studied in detail. The presented case study focuses on the interactions between real and fictional worlds, in particular, on the possibility of amalgamation of a real author’s and a fictional storyteller’s roles. Furthermore, the double-dimensional analysis of reality and fiction is complemented and broadened by an in-depth examination of how this story has inspired other authors. By discussing real events and texts of culture based on them, this paper aims at presenting the process in which the writer who had turned to be the murderer became the protagonist of artistic creations of others, and, in consequence, a part of a broader socio-cultural phenomenon.
Pd3Ag(111) as a Model System for Hydrogen Separation Membranes: Combined Effects of CO Adsorption and Surface Termination on the Activation of Molecular Hydrogen
Authors: Svenum Ingeborg-Helene , Herron Jeffrey A. , Mavrikakis Manos , Venvik Hilde J. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe co-adsorption of hydrogen and carbon monoxide on Pd3Ag(111) alloy surfaces has been studied as a model system for Pd-Ag alloys in membrane and catalysis applications using periodic density functional theory calculations (PW91-GGA). We explored the effects of Pd–Ag surface composition, since segregation of silver towards and away from the surface has been suggested to explain the experimentally observed changes in H2activation, CO inhibition and reactivity. We found that CO pre-adsorbed on the surface weakens the adsorption of H on Pd3Ag(111) alloy surfaces irrespective of whether the surface termination corresponds to the bulk Pd3Ag composition, or is purely Pd-terminated. A higher coverage of H with CO present is obtained for the Pd-terminated surface; this surface also exhibits a larger range of chemical potentials for co-adsorbed hydrogen and CO. The barrier for H2activation increases with increasing CO coverage, but the surface composition has the largest impact on H2activation at intermediate CO coverage. The results imply that Pd-based membranes with typically ~ 23 wt% Ag are less prone to CO poisoning if the surface becomes Pd-terminated.
The effect of contrasting cases during problem solving prior to and after instruction
Authors: Loibl Katharina , Tillema Marcel , Rummel Nikol , van Gog Tamara 
Published: March 2020

AbstractResearch on productive failure suggests that attempting to solve a problem prior to instruction facilitates conceptual understanding compared to receiving instruction prior to problem solving. The assumptions are that during the problem-solving phase, students activate their prior knowledge, become aware of their knowledge gaps, and discover deep features of the target content, which prepares them to better process the subsequent instruction. Unclear is whether this effect results from merely changing the order of the learning phases (i.e., instruction or problem solving first) or from additional features, such as presenting problem-solving material in the form of cases that differ in one feature at a time. Contrasting such cases may highlight the deep features and provide grounded feedback to students’ problem-solving attempts. In addition, the effect of the order of instruction and problem solving on procedural fluency is still unclear. The present experiment (N = 181, mean age = 14.53) investigated in a 2 × 2 design the effects of order (instruction or problem solving first) and of contrasting cases in the problem-solving material (yes/no) on conceptual understanding and procedural fluency. Additionally, the quality and quantity of students’ solution attempts from the problem-solving phase were coded. Regarding the learning outcomes, the ANOVA results suggest that for procedural fluency instruction prior to problem solving was more beneficial than problem solving prior to instruction. Merely delaying instruction did not increase conceptual understanding. The contrasting cases did not affect the quality of solution attempts, nor the posttest results. As expected, students who received instruction first generated fewer, but higher-quality solution attempts.
DeepSurvNet: deep survival convolutional network for brain cancer survival rate classification based on histopathological images
Authors: Zadeh Shirazi Amin , Fornaciari Eric , Bagherian Narjes Sadat , Ebert Lisa M. , Koszyca Barbara , Gomez Guillermo A. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractHistopathological whole slide images of haematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained biopsies contain valuable information with relation to cancer disease and its clinical outcomes. Still, there are no highly accurate automated methods to correlate histolopathological images with brain cancer patients’ survival, which can help in scheduling patients therapeutic treatment and allocate time for preclinical studies to guide personalized treatments. We now propose a new classifier, namely, DeepSurvNet powered by deep convolutional neural networks, to accurately classify in 4 classes brain cancer patients’ survival rate based on histopathological images (class I, 0–6 months; class II, 6–12 months; class III, 12–24 months; and class IV, >24 months survival after diagnosis). After training and testing of DeepSurvNet model on a public brain cancer dataset, The Cancer Genome Atlas, we have generalized it using independent testing on unseen samples. Using DeepSurvNet, we obtained precisions of 0.99 and 0.8 in the testing phases on the mentioned datasets, respectively, which shows DeepSurvNet is a reliable classifier for brain cancer patients’ survival rate classification based on histopathological images. Finally, analysis of the frequency of mutations revealed differences in terms of frequency and type of genes associated to each class, supporting the idea of a different genetic fingerprint associated to patient survival. We conclude that DeepSurvNet constitutes a new artificial intelligence tool to assess the survival rate in brain cancer.
Plasma levels of acylated ghrelin in patients with insulinoma and expression of ghrelin and its receptor in insulinomas
Authors: Wu Hai-Yan , Li Nai-Shi , Song Yu-Li , Bai Chun-Mei , Wang Qiang , Zhao Yu-Pei , Xiao Yu , Yu Shuang , Li Ming , Chen Yuan-Jia 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
Insulinoma is a subtype of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Many patients with insulinoma are obese due to frequent food intake. Ghrelin is associated with obesity and blood levels of insulin. It is not clear if plasma levels of ghrelin in insulinoma patients correlate with hyperinsulinemia and obesity. Expression of ghrelin and its receptor has not been well demonstrated in insulinoma.

Objective
To study if plasma levels of ghrelin is associated with obesity and hyperinsulinemia or hyperproinsulinemia in patients with insulinoma, and to detect the expression of ghrelin and its receptor in insulinoma.

Methods
Plasma levels of acylated ghrelin, insulin, and proinsulin were measured in 37 patients with insulinoma and 25 controls by ELISA. Expression of ghrelin and its receptor GHS-R1A was examined in 20 insulinoma and paired pancreatic specimens by immunostaining. P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant.

Results
The plasma levels of acylated ghrelin in patients with insulinoma were significantly lower than that in the controls (median 15 pg/ml vs. 19 pg/ml, respectively, P = 0.016). The reduced plasma levels of acylated ghrelin in patients were significantly correlated with obesity, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperproinsulinemia (P = 0.029 and P = 0.028, respectively). Expression of ghrelin and its receptor GHS-R1A was shown in the majority of insulinoma specimens. The expression of GHS-R1A was positively correlated with ghrelin expression in insulinoma (P = 0.014).

Conclusions
Plasma levels of acylated ghrelin decreased in patients with insulinoma, probably due to the hyperinsulinemia and obesity in the patients. Expression of both ghrelin and its receptor is common in insulinoma.
A Hypersurface Containing the Support of a Radon Transform must be an Ellipsoid. I: The Symmetric Case
Authors: Boman Jan 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIf the Radon transform of a compactly supported distribution $$f \ne 0$$

f
≠
0

in $$\mathbb {R}^n$$

R

n

is supported on the set of tangent planes to the boundary $$\partial D$$

∂
D

of a bounded convex domain D, then $$\partial D$$

∂
D

must be an ellipsoid. As a corollary of this result we get a new proof of a recent theorem of Koldobsky, Merkurjev, and Yaskin, which settled a special case of a conjecture of Arnold that was motivated by a famous lemma of Newton.
Short-term results of a new self-locking cementless femoral stem: a prospective cohort study of the Lima MasterSL
Authors: Dlaska C. E. , Jovanovic I. A. , Grant A. L. , Graw G. , Wilkinson M. P. , Doma K. , Hazratwala K. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
Total hip arthroplasty is a successful treatment for hip osteoarthritis. Primary and secondary implant fixation is dependent on implant design and plays an important role in the longevity of an implant. In this study, we assessed the self-locking cementless MasterSL femoral stem.

Materials and methods
In this single-centre prospective study, 50 consecutive hips with the indication for total hip arthroplasty, who met the inclusion criteria, received the MasterSL stem from LIMA Corporate. Patients had pre- and post-operative clinical and radiological assessment and completed patient-reported outcome measures [Oxford Hip Score (OHS), Harris Hip Score (HHS) and Forgotten Joint Score (FJS)] at the 6-week and 6-, 12- and 24-month mark. Post-operative X-rays were assessed for osteointegration (Engh Score), alignment and subsidence.

Results
After 2 years, aseptic survival was 100%. One hip had to be explanted due to early deep infection and was excluded from the study. At 2 years, the patients reported a significant improved HHS and OHS of 95.3 ± 5.8 and 46.1 ± 3.6 (mean ± standard deviation), respectively, compared to preoperatively. The mean ± standard deviation for the FJS was 86.4 ± 18.7 with two-thirds of the patients reporting a score above 85. The mean Engh score is 15.1 ± 5.9 (mean ± standard deviation) with no patient scoring below 1 which suggests good osteointegration in all femoral stems.

Conclusions
The MasterSL femoral stem performed well in this short-term follow-up study, with high patient satisfaction and good signs of osteointegration. Long-term follow-up will be necessary to evaluate longevity.

Level of evidence
Level 3, Prospective cohort study.

Trial registration
The study was registered on the 30.03.2016 with Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12617000550303).
South Africa’s port doctrine: dilemmas and the way forward
Authors: Meyiwa Ayanda , Chasomeris Mihalis 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThis study uses content analyses to examine 137 stakeholders’ submissions to the Ports Regulator of South Africa from 2009/2010 to 2018/2019, classifying themes into two broad categories, namely port authority pricing and port governance, which together define South Africa’s port doctrine. Results show that South Africa’s system of eight commercial seaports is unique and is financed and managed using a mix of elements from the Anglo-Saxon and Asian doctrines and attempts to charge port tariffs according to the Anglo-Saxon doctrine. The paper critiques the port authority pricing methodology employed in South Africa and shows its inconsistency with sound pricing principles and global best practices. The governance structure and how it has persistently defied legislation, which served to promote anticompetitive behaviour and at worst accommodated years of corrupt activities that have recently surfaced, are also discussed. The recommendation is a swift incorporation of Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) as a stand-alone entity outside of Transnet. Incorporation of TNPA would help to remove the present conflicts of interests, improve transparency, accountability and regulation as well as incentivise improved productivity and infrastructure spending, and attract private investments into the ports system.
Biologia Futura: adaptive changes in urban populations
Authors: Liker András 
Published: March 2020

AbstractCities represent novel environments where altered ecological conditions can generate strong selection pressures leading to the evolution of specific urban phenotypes. Is there evidence for such adaptive changes in urban populations which have colonized their new environments relatively recently? A growing number of studies suggest that rapid adaptations may be widespread in wild urban populations, including increased tolerance to various anthropogenic stressors, and physiological, morphological and behavioural changes in response to the altered resources and predation risk. Some of these adaptive changes are based on genetic differentiation, although other mechanisms, such as phenotypic plasticity and epigenetic effects, are also frequently involved.
Distributed synergetic guidance law for multiple missiles with angle-of-attack constraint
Authors: You H. , Zhao F.-J. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBased on the missiles with adjustable thrust, a distributed synergetic guidance law for multiple missiles with angle-of-attack constraint is designed to achieve a cooperative attack by multiple missiles on a moving target. Divide the guidance law into two parts: the line of sight (LOS) direction and the normal direction of LOS. The guidance law is designed in LOS direction based on the multi-agent system cooperative control theory and super-twisting algorithm, which can control missiles’ time-to-go converging in finite time. In the normal direction of LOS, the other guidance law is designed to control missiles hitting the target with impact angle constraint based on zeroing LOS rate thought and finite-time sliding mode control theory. The two non-homogeneous disturbance observers are designed to estimate the target manoeuvring information in the two parts of the guidance law. The simulation results show that the guidance law designed by this paper can complete the cooperative attack task while suppressing the chattering phenomenon effectively.