bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Corrupted Estimates? Response Bias in Citizen Surveys on Corruption
Authors: Agerberg Mattias 
Published: July 2020

AbstractMeasuring corruption has become a global industry. An important and commonly used data source are several large-scale multi-country projects that survey citizens directly about their perceptions and experiences of corruption. Such indicators are regularly used by political scientists to test theories on political attitudes and behavior. However, we still know little about the quality of many of these measures. This paper deploys a large survey with two embedded experiments to investigate two potential sources of bias in indicators based on citizens’ perceptions and experiences of corruption, stemming from political bias and sensitivity bias. First, I draw upon research on economic perceptions and argue that respondents are likely to respond in a political manner when asked how they perceive the level of corruption in their country. I test this argument by experimentally priming respondents’ political affiliations before asking for their perception of corruption. Second, I argue that standard questions probing peoples’ corruption experiences are likely to be subject to sensitivity bias. I test this second argument by constructing a list experiment. Overall, the results show strong and predictable sources of response bias that also vary significantly between important subgroups. I discuss implications for researchers and practitioners.
Solvent influence on intramolecular interactions and aromaticity in meta and para nitroanilines
Authors: Zborowski Krzysztof K. , Szatyłowicz Halina , Krygowski Tadeusz M. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractTheoretical density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31G**) was used to study the intra- and intermolecular interactions of nitrobenzene, aniline, and meta and para nitroaniline in various solvation models. The studied molecules were solvated by one or two water molecules in the presence of continuum solvation (thePCMmodel) or without it. Finally, the studied molecules were surrounded by a cluster of water molecules. For comparison, calculations were also made for separated molecules. Geometries, energies, hydrogen bonding between solutes and solvent molecules, atomic charges, and aromaticity were examined. The analysis was based on the Atoms in Molecules methodology and the Harmonic Oscillator Model of Aromaticity (HOMA) index. As a result, an extensive description of the solvation of nitro and amino groups and the effect of solvation on mutual interactions between these groups in meta and para nitroanilines is provided. It was found that in general, thePCMdescription of the hydration effect on the electronic structure of the studied systems (substituents) is consistent with the approach taking into account all individual interactions (cluster model).
Anti-coagulation for COVID-19 treatment: both anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory?
Authors: Paar Vera , Wernly Bernhard , Zhou Zhichao , Motloch Lukas J. , Hoppe Uta C. , Egle Alexander , Lichtenauer Michael 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has been linked to a higher risk of mortality compared to influenza, which is mainly due to severe secondary diseases, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In turn, ARDS is characterized by an acute inflammation and an excessive activity of the coagulation cascade, rising the vulnerability for venous thromboembolic events. In order to investigate the relation of inflammation and the influence of coagulation factors on their release, human peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMCs) were treated with autologous serum, heparinized plasma and different doses of fibrin. Thereafter, the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the secretome of PBMCs was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Our analyses revealed autologous serum to significantly increase the secretion of cytokines and chemokines after 24 h of incubation time. Furthermore, the addition of fibrin markedly increased the secretion of cytokines and chemokines by PBMCs in a dose-dependent manner. Consequently, in accordance with previous studies, our study outlines that anti-coagulation may constitute a promising tool for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2, reducing both, the cytokine storm, as well as the risk for thrombotic complications.
Identification of Parameters Influencing the Accuracy of the Solution of the Nonlinear Muskingum Equation
Authors: Gąsiorowski Dariusz , Szymkiewicz Romuald 
Published: July 2020

AbstractTwo nonlinear versions of the Muskingum equation are considered. The difference between both equations relates to the exponent parameter. In the first version, commonly used in hydrology, this parameter is considered as free, while in the second version, it takes a value resulting from the kinematic wave theory. Consequently, the first version of the equation is dimensionally inconsistent, whereas the proposed second one is consistent. It is shown that the difference between the results provided by both versions of the nonlinear Muskingum equation depends on the longitudinal bed slope of a channel. For an increasing slope, when a propagating wave becomes more kinematic, the value of the exponent considered as the free parameter tends to its value resulting from the kinematic wave theory. Consequently, when the character of an open channel flow tends to a kinematic one, the dimensionally inconsistent version of the nonlinear Muskingum equation becomes a consistent one. The results of the numerical analysis suggest that apart from the parameters involved in the Muskingum equation, usually considered as free, the parameters of the numerical method of the solution (the number of reservoirs and the time step) should be considered also as free parameters. This conclusion results from the fundamental property of the Muskingum equation, relating to the numerical roots of the wave attenuation process. All numerical examples and tests relate to the solutions of the system of Saint Venant equations, considered as the benchmark.
Association between lung function decline and obstructive sleep apnoea: the ALEC study
Authors: Emilsson Össur Ingi , Sundbom Fredrik , Ljunggren Mirjam , Benediktsdottir Bryndis , Garcia-Aymerich Judith , Bui Dinh Son , Jarvis Deborah , Olin Anna-Carin , Franklin Karl A. , Demoly Pascal , Lindberg Eva , Janson Christer , Aspelund Thor , Gislason Thorarinn 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Purpose
To study changes in lung function among individuals with a risk of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), and if asthma affected this relationship.

Methods
We used data from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey II and III, a multicentre general population study. Participants answered questionnaires and performed spirometry at baseline and 10-year follow-up (n = 4,329 attended both visits). Subjects with high risk for OSA were identified from the multivariable apnoea prediction (MAP) index, calculated from BMI, age, gender, and OSA symptoms at follow-up. Asthma was defined as having doctor’s diagnosed asthma at follow-up. Primary outcomes were changes in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) from baseline to follow-up.

Results
Among 5108 participants at follow-up, 991 (19%) had a high risk of OSA based on the MAP index. Participants with high OSA risk more often had wheeze, cough, chest tightness, and breathlessness at follow-up than those with low OSA risk. Lung function declined more rapidly in subjects with high OSA risk (low vs high OSA risk [mean ± SD]: FEV1 = − 41.3 ± 24.3 ml/year vs − 50.8 ± 30.1 ml/year; FVC = − 30.5 ± 31.2 ml/year vs − 45.2 ± 36.3 ml/year). Lung function decline was primarily associated with higher BMI and OSA symptoms. OSA symptoms had a stronger association with lung function decline among asthmatics, compared to non-asthmatics.

Conclusion
In the general population, a high probability of obstructive sleep apnoea was related to faster lung function decline in the previous decade. This was driven by a higher BMI and more OSA symptoms among these subjects. The association between OSA symptoms and lung function decline was stronger among asthmatics.
Capturing the participation and social dimensions of computer-supported collaborative learning through social network analysis: which method and measures matter?
Authors: Saqr Mohammed , Viberg Olga , Vartiainen Henriikka 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe increasing use of digital learning tools and platforms in formal and informal learning settings has provided broad access to large amounts of learner data, the analysis of which has been aimed at understanding students’ learning processes, improving learning outcomes, providing learner support as well as teaching. Presently, such data has been largely accessed from discussion forums in online learning management systems and has been further analyzed through the application of social network analysis (SNA). Nevertheless, the results of these analyses have not always been reproducible. Since such learning analytics (LA) methods rely on measurement as a first step of the process, the robustness of selected techniques for measuring collaborative learning activities is critical for the transparency, reproducibility and generalizability of the results. This paper presents findings from a study focusing on the validation of critical centrality measures frequently used in the fields of LA and SNA research. We examined how different network configurations (i.e., multigraph, weighted, and simplified) influence the reproducibility and robustness of centrality measures as indicators of student learning in CSCL settings. In particular, this research aims to contribute to the provision of robust and valid methods for measuring and better understanding of the participation and social dimensions of collaborative learning. The study was conducted based on a dataset of 12 university courses. The results show that multigraph configuration produces the most consistent and robust centrality measures. The findings also show that degree centralities calculated with the multigraph methods are reliable indicators for students’ participatory efforts as well as a consistent predictor of their performance. Similarly, Eigenvector centrality was the most consistent centrality that reliably represented social dimension, regardless of the network configuration. This study offers guidance on the appropriate network representation as well as sound recommendations about how to reliably select the appropriate metrics for each dimension.
The genetic algorithm census transform: evaluation of census windows of different size and level of sparseness through hardware in-the-loop training
Authors: Ahlberg Carl , León Miguel , Ekstrand Fredrik , Ekström Mikael 
Published: July 2020

AbstractStereo correspondence is a well-established research topic and has spawned categories of algorithms combining several processing steps and strategies. One core part to stereo correspondence is to determine matching cost between the two images, or patches from the two images. Over the years several different cost metrics have been proposed, one being the Census Transform (CT). The CT is well proven for its robust matching, especially along object boundaries, with respect to outliers and radiometric differences. The CT also comes at a low computational cost and is suitable for hardware implementation. Two key developments to the CT are non-centric and sparse comparison schemas, to increase matching performance and/or save computational resources. Recent CT algorithms share both traits but are handcrafted, bounded with respect to symmetry, edge lengths and defined for a specific window size. To overcome this, a Genetic Algorithm (GA) was applied to the CT, proposing the Genetic Algorithm Census Transform (GACT), to automatically derive comparison schemas from example data. In this paper, FPGA-based hardware acceleration of GACT, has enabled evaluation of census windows of different size and shape, by significantly reducing processing time associated with training. The experiments show that lateral GACT windows produce better matching accuracy and require less resources when compared to square windows.
Predicting Feasible Modifications of Ce2ON2 Using a Combination of Global Optimization and Data Mining
Authors: Zagorac J. , Schön J. C. , Matović B. , Škundrić T. , Zagorac D. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractUsing a combination of global optimization and data mining, we identify feasible modifications of an ionic Ce-O-N ceramic compound, with composition Ce2ON2, that should at least be metastable at T = 0 K. The energy landscape of Ce2ON2 has been explored for various pressures using empirical potentials followed by ab initio level optimizations, and a multitude of structure candidates has been analyzed. The structure of the energetically lowest modification among these candidates at standard pressure, α-Ce2ON2, is predicted to be similar to the AlCo2Pr2 structure type.
Bezlotoxumab for Preventing Recurrent Clostridioides difficile Infection: A Narrative Review from Pathophysiology to Clinical Studies
Authors: Giacobbe Daniele Roberto , Dettori Silvia , Di Bella Stefano , Vena Antonio , Granata Guido , Luzzati Roberto , Petrosillo Nicola , Bassetti Matteo 
Published: July 2020

AbstractClostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and recurrent CDI (rCDI) remain associated with a reduction in the patients’ quality of life and with increased healthcare costs. Bezlotoxumab is a monoclonal antibody against toxin B of C. difficile, approved for prevention of rCDI. In this narrative review, we briefly discuss the pathophysiology of CDI and the mechanism of action of bezlotoxumab, as well as the available evidence from investigational and observational studies in terms of efficacy, effectiveness, and safety of bezlotoxumab for the prevention of rCDI. Overall, bezlotoxumab has proved efficacious in reducing the burden of rCDI, thereby providing clinicians with an important novel strategy to achieve sustained cure. Nonetheless, experiences outside randomized controlled trials (RCTs) remain scant, and mostly represented by case series without a control group. Along with the conduction of RCTs to directly compare bezlotoxumab with faecal microbiota transplantation (or to precisely evaluate the role of their combined use), further widening our post-marketing experience remains paramount to firmly guide the use of bezlotoxumab outside RCTs, and to clearly identify those real-life settings where its preventive benefits can be exploited most.
On the impact of correlations on the congruence test: a bootstrap approach
Authors: Gaël Kermarrec , Boris Kargoll , Hamza Alkhatib 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe detection of deformation is one of the major tasks in surveying engineering. It is meaningful only if the statistical significance of the distortions is correctly investigated, which often underlies a parametric modelization of the object under consideration. So-called regression B-spline approximation can be performed for point clouds of terrestrial laser scanners, allowing the setting of a specific congruence test based on the B-spline surfaces. Such tests are known to be strongly influenced by the underlying stochastic model chosen for the observation errors. The latter has to be correctly specified, which includes accounting for heteroscedasticity and correlations. In this contribution, we justify and make use of a parametric correlation model called the Matérn model to approximate the variance covariance matrix (VCM) of the residuals by performing their empirical mode decomposition. The VCM obtained is integrated into the computation of the congruence test statistics for a more trustworthy test decision. Using a real case study, we estimate the distribution of the test statistics with a bootstrap approach, where no parametric assumptions are made about the underlying population that generated the random sample. This procedure allows us to assess the impact of neglecting correlations on the critical value of the congruence test, highlighting their importance.
Physically distributed multi-robot coordination and collaboration in construction
Authors: Vasey Lauren , Felbrich Benjamin , Prado Marshall , Tahanzadeh Behrooz , Menges Achim 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis paper presents strategies for the scalable fabrication of long-span composite structures made possible through physically distributed heterogeneous multi-robot collaboration. An interactive and collaborative fiber laying process between industrial robots and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is described as a case study, investigating the challenges of multi-robot distributed fabrication, but also the design and system potentials of such an approach. A proof-of-concept interactive and collaborative process based on hardware exchange was developed for the process of long-span fiber composite filament winding. Components of the fabrication workcell, including two high pay-load industrial six-axis robots, a custom developed UAV drone, pneumatic winding end-effectors with sensor integration, and a signal integrated mechanism for tension control are described. This paper covers particularly the hardware and software components and strategies that coordinated a physically distributed collaborative process between the diverse system of devices, robots, and sensor integrated machines. These aspects include: (1) a platform-agnostic communication infrastructure based on ROS (2) compilation of coordinated and sequence dependent fabrication instructions from the design environment into a custom task list for execution in a web user interface (3) an adaptive and flexible strategy for enabling the flexible execution of industrial robot control code (4) hardware strategies and sensors for handling process tolerances emerging from physically distributed collaboration. The paper concludes with an outlook on important considerations and technical components for increasing the scale and complexity of fabrication through digital coordination and physically distributed collaboration.
Nanopolyphenols: a review of their encapsulation and anti-diabetic effects
Authors: Rambaran Theresa F. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractPolyphenols are believed to possess numerous health benefits and can be grouped as phenolic acids, flavonoids or non-flavonoids. Research involving the synthesis of nanopolyphenols has attracted interest in the areas of functional food, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical development. This is in an effort to overcome current challenges which limit the application of polyphenols such as their rapid elimination, low water-solubility, instability at low pH, and their particle size. In the synthesis of nanopolyphenols, the type of nanocarrier used, the nanoencapsulation technique employed and the type of polymers that constitute the drug delivery system are crucial. For this review, all mentioned factors which can influence the therapeutic efficacy of nanopolyphenols were assessed. Their efficacy as anti-diabetic agents was also evaluated in 33 publications. Among these were phenolic acid (1), flavonoids (13), non-flavonoids (17) and polyphenol-rich extracts (2). The most researched polyphenols were quercetin and curcumin. Nanoparticles were the main nanocarrier and the size of the nanopolyphenols ranged from 15 to 333 nm with encapsulation efficiency and drug loading capacities of 56–97.7% and 4.2–53.2%, respectively. The quantity of nanomaterial administered orally ranged from 1 to 300 mg/kg/day with study durations of 1–70 days. Most studies compared the effect of the nanopolyphenol to its free-form and, in all but three cases, significantly greater effects of the former were reported. Assessment of the polyphenol to understand its properties and the subsequent synthesis of its nanoencapsulated form using suitable nanocarriers, polymers and encapsulation techniques can result in effective therapeutic agents for the treatment of diabetes.
Potential impact of climate change on temperature and humidity related human health effects during extreme condition
Authors: Javadinejad Safieh , Dara Rebwar , Jafary Forough 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn this study, in addition to considering the two dominant climatic domains during extreme condition in the study area, temperature and humidity, and determining the correlation and correlation of these two factors with the prevalence of rotavirus gastroenteritis, a statistical model was proposed to predict the prevalence of the disease. Although this research, like many earlier studies, has been based on statistical data for a period of three years, according to its primary objectives, the short-term risk of the disease has been zoned using GIS software, and this point is new. The distinction between the present study and previous studies is considered. Previous studies did not consider the relationship between climate change and gastroenteritis GE. So, the purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between the number of patients admitted in the hospital with symptoms of gastroenteritis GE and the monthly climatic variables of temperature and humidity of rotavirus, maximum, mean during extreme condition, at least in the city of Ahvaz, in three levels and its suburbs. The results showed a high prevalence of rotavirus infection in children in Ahvaz at low temperature. The maximum rotavirus activity was determined at 13 ° C. Also, the highest number of patients with symptoms of rotavirus gastroenteritis was observed in autumn and early winter. It is suggested that the results of this study should be considered in determining the timing of vaccination during extreme condition.
Loss determination at a linear cascade under consideration of thermal effects
Authors: Aberle-Kern S. , Niehuis R. , Ripplinger T. 
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACTTargeting higher efficiencies and lower fuel consumption of turbomachines, heat transfer and profile loss are research topics of particular interest. In contrast to that, the interaction of both was, so far, rarely investigated, but gains in importance in recent research activities. The profile loss of engine components can be characterised by the airfoil wakes at the blade rows utilising established measurement and evaluation methods for which an adiabatic flow is typically supposed. To enable the investigation of the influence of heat transfer at the blade on the loss characteristics, a novel evaluation procedure was set up. In addition to the pneumatic data, the total temperature in the airfoil wake at a linear cascade was measured by means of a five-hole probe with an integrated thermocouple. For the evaluation and analysis of these data, different definitions of the loss coefficient were investigated and, finally, extended to account for thermal aspects. Furthermore, established techniques to average the local wake data were applied and compared with special focus to their suitability for non-adiabatic cases. Moreover, an extended version of the mixed-out average as defined by Amecke was utilised applying not only a far-reaching consideration of a temperature gradient but also the inclusion of the third spatial dimension to enable the evaluation of field traverses in addition to single wake traverses. These techniques were applied to wake measurement data from a linear compressor cascade gained in a special test set-up in the high-speed cascade wind tunnel for different operating points and different blade temperatures. The suitability of the new methods could be proven, and initial steps of the aerodynamic analysis of the resulting data are presented. Thereby, the acquired techniques turned out as powerful methods for the evaluation of wake traverses on compressor and turbine cascades under non-adiabatic conditions.