bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of non-invasive devices for the telemonitoring of heart failure patients
Authors: Faragli A. , Abawi D. , Quinn C. , Cvetkovic M. , Schlabs T. , Tahirovic E. , Düngen H.-D. , Pieske B. , Kelle S. , Edelmann F. , Alogna Alessio 
Published: April 2020

AbstractHeart failure (HF) patients represent one of the most prevalent as well as one of the most fragile population encountered in the cardiology and internal medicine departments nowadays. Estimated to account for around 26 million people worldwide, diagnosed patients present a poor prognosis and quality of life with a clinical history accompanied by repeated hospital admissions caused by an exacerbation of their chronic condition. The frequent hospitalizations and the extended hospital stays mean an extremely high economic burden for healthcare institutions. Meanwhile, the number of chronically diseased and elderly patients is continuously rising, and a lack of specialized physicians is evident. To cope with this health emergency, more efficient strategies for patient management, more accurate diagnostic tools, and more efficient preventive plans are needed. In recent years, telemonitoring has been introduced as the potential answer to solve such needs. Different methodologies and devices have been progressively investigated for effective home monitoring of cardiologic patients. Invasive hemodynamic devices, such as CardioMEMS™, have been demonstrated to be reducing hospitalizations and mortality, but their use is however restricted to limited cases. The role of external non-invasive devices for remote patient monitoring, instead, is yet to be clarified. In this review, we summarized the most relevant studies and devices that, by utilizing non-invasive telemonitoring, demonstrated whether beneficial effects in the management of HF patients were effective.
Root growth and turnover in perennial forages as affected by management systems and soil depth
Authors: Houde Stéphanie , Thivierge Marie-Noëlle , Fort Florian , Bélanger Gilles , Chantigny Martin H. , Angers Denis A. , Vanasse Anne 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Aims
Extensive knowledge of perennial forage root systems is essential, given their critical role in below-ground C input.

Methods
Root length and diameter were quantified periodically from 2016 to 2018 with minirhizotrons in a field experiment with three forage management systems: mixture of timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) fertilized with (i) dairy cattle slurry or (ii) calcic ammonium nitrate, and (iii) mixture of timothy, tall fescue, and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) without N fertilization. Root biomass was measured yearly by coring.

Results
Management systems with the two fertilization sources did not differ in root elongation, but the management system with alfalfa resulted in a slower root elongation after the first defoliation and a lower root mortality in the fall. Root length turnover was greater in the topsoil with dairy cattle slurry than with calcic ammonium nitrate. Fine roots dominated the surface soil and coarse roots the deeper soil layers.

Conclusions
Root growth and mortality were more contrasted between systems that differed by the presence of alfalfa than by fertilizer source. As many root characteristics are drivers of soil C storage, the choice of perennial species in mixtures appears as a key management factor for sustainable farming systems.
Functional Fear Predicts Public Health Compliance in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Harper Craig A. , Satchell Liam P. , Fido Dean , Latzman Robert D. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn the current context of the global pandemic of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), health professionals are working with social scientists to inform government policy on how to slow the spread of the virus. An increasing amount of social scientific research has looked at the role of public message framing, for instance, but few studies have thus far examined the role of individual differences in emotional and personality-based variables in predicting virus-mitigating behaviors. In this study, we recruited a large international community sample (N = 324) to complete measures of self-perceived risk of contracting COVID-19, fear of the virus, moral foundations, political orientation, and behavior change in response to the pandemic. Consistently, the only predictor of positive behavior change (e.g., social distancing, improved hand hygiene) was fear of COVID-19, with no effect of politically relevant variables. We discuss these data in relation to the potentially functional nature of fear in global health crises.
Review of Alex Sharpe’s Sexual Intimacy and Gender Identity ‘Fraud’: Reframing the Legal and Ethical Debate (Routledge 2019; ISBN: 978-0-367-28024-6)
Authors: Hogg Claire 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn her newest book, Alex Sharpe makes a persuasive case against the bringing of sexual offence prosecutions on the basis of “gender identity fraud”. Adopting a perspective in which queer and gender non-conforming identities are acknowledged and centred rather than doubted and dissected, Sharpe aims to destabilise the conceptual foundations upon which such prosecutions depend. In this review I place Sharpe’s contribution in its legal context, and offer an overview of her argument along with some reservations.
Führen mit Zielen in der Automobilindustrie – wie evidenzbasiert ist die Umsetzung in der Praxis?
Authors: Burkhardt-Waldherr Annika , Kauffeld Simone 
Published: April 2020

ZusammenfassungDieser Beitrag in der Zeitschrift „Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation (GIO)“ stellt eine qualitative Studie zum Umsetzungsstands des Führen mit Zielen in einem Beispielunternehmen dar und beleuchtet, welche wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse den Weg in die Praxis gefunden haben. Führen mit Zielen ist ein altbewährtes Mittel zur Motivation und Steigerung der Leistungsfähigkeit in Organisationen. Obwohl schon viel geforscht wurde zu Zielsetzungen und deren motivierenden Wirkungen, sind in der Praxis kontraproduktive Varianten anzutreffen. Hieraus leitet sich die Frage ab, welche Evidenzen zum Führen mit Zielen in der Praxis bekannt sind und welche tatsächlich Anwendung finden. In einem qualitativen Vorgehen wurde dies untersucht, indem eine Exploration über das vorherrschende Wissen und dessen Umsetzung in Form von Interviews mit Vertretern eines Automobilunternehmens vorgenommen wurde. Es kann festgestellt werden, dass das Verständnis über das Führen mit Zielen im Unternehmen nicht durchgängig mit dem in der Wissenschaft beschriebenen Wissen übereinstimmt. Die Interviewergebnisse zeigen, dass insbesondere der moderierende Effekt der Zielbindung wenig beachtet wird und stattdessen ein sehr hoher Fokus auf den Zielplanungsprozess gelegt wird. Ziele werden überwiegend vorgegeben anstatt vereinbart und nur zu sehr geringem Maße transparent kommuniziert. Oft sind sie in Form von Maßnahmen oder Aufgaben beschrieben und werden nicht explizit als Ziel wahrgenommen. Der Einsatz von einem kontinuierlichen Feedback ist bereits weitflächig etabliert und wird oft durch visuelle Elemente (z. B. Steuerungstafeln) unterstützt. Dieser Beitrag erläutert, wie durch die Beachtung von wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnissen eine höhere Wirksamkeit der Zielsysteme erreicht werden kann.
Polymorphism of the growth hormone gene GH1 in Polish children and adolescents with short stature
Authors: Majewska Katarzyna Anna , Kedzia Andrzej , Kontowicz Przemyslaw , Prauzinska Magdalena , Szydlowski Jaroslaw , Switonski Marek , Nowacka-Woszuk Joanna 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Short stature in children is a significant medical problem which, without proper diagnosis and treatment, can lead to long-term consequences for physical and psychological health in adult life. Since human height is a polygenic and highly heritable trait, numerous variants in the genes involved in growth—including the growth hormone (GH1) gene—have been identified as causes of short stature.

Methods
In this study, we performed for the first time molecular analysis of the GH1 gene in a cohort (n = 186) of Polish children and adolescents with short stature, suffering from growth hormone deficiency (GHD) or idiopathic short stature (ISS), and a control cohort (n = 178).

Results
Thirteen SNP variants were identified, including four missense variants, six in 5′UTR, and three in introns. The frequency of minor missense variants was low (<0.02) and similar in the compared cohorts. However, two of these variants, Ala39Val (rs151263636) and Arg42Leu (rs371953554), were found (heterozygote status) in only two GHD patients. These substitutions, according to databases, can potentially be deleterious.

Conclusions
Mutations of GH1 causing short stature are very rare in the Polish population, but two potentially causative variants need further studies in a larger cohort of GHD patients.
Extracellular Vesicles, Apoptotic Bodies and Mitochondria: Stem Cell Bioproducts for Organ Regeneration
Authors: Gebara Natalia , Rossi Andrea , Skovronova Renata , Aziz Justine Mariam , Asthana Amish , Bussolati Benedetta 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Purpose of Review
In the current work, we will present the characterization of the main different stem cell-derived vesicular bio-products with potential application in organ regeneration.

Recent Findings
The therapeutic effects of stem cell therapy in organ repair, specifically those utilizing mesenchymal stromal cells, are largely dependent on the cells’ release of different bio-products. Among these bio-products, extracellular vesicles (EVs) appear to play a major role due to their ability to carry and deliver bioactive material for modulation of cellular pathways in recipient cells. Concurrently, mitochondria transfer emerged as a new mechanism of cell communication, in which the bioenergetics of a damaged cell are restored. Finally, apoptotic bodies released by dying apoptotic stem cells contribute to stimulation of the tissue’s stem cells and modulation of the immune response.

Summary
Exploitation of isolated extracellular vesicles, mitochondria and apoptotic bodies in preclinical models of organ damage shows promising results. Here, we describe the results of the pre-clinical applications of stem cell vesicular products, as well as the first clinical trials approaching artificial administration of extracellular vesicles and mitochondria in human subjects and their possible benefits and limitations.
Associating Facial Expressions and Upper-Body Gestures with Learning Tasks for Enhancing Intelligent Tutoring Systems
Authors: Behera Ardhendu , Matthew Peter , Keidel Alexander , Vangorp Peter , Fang Hui , Canning Susan 
Published: April 2020

AbstractLearning involves a substantial amount of cognitive, social and emotional states. Therefore, recognizing and understanding these states in the context of learning is key in designing informed interventions and addressing the needs of the individual student to provide personalized education. In this paper, we explore the automatic detection of learner’s nonverbal behaviors involving hand-over-face gestures, head and eye movements and emotions via facial expressions during learning. The proposed computer vision-based behavior monitoring method uses a low-cost webcam and can easily be integrated with modern tutoring technologies. We investigate these behaviors in-depth over time in a classroom session of 40 minutes involving reading and problem-solving exercises. The exercises in the sessions are divided into three categories: an easy, medium and difficult topic within the context of undergraduate computer science. We found that there is a significant increase in head and eye movements as time progresses, as well as with the increase of difficulty level. We demonstrated that there is a considerable occurrence ofhand-over-facegestures (on average 21.35%) during the 40 minutes session and is unexplored in the education domain. We propose a novel deep learning approach for automatic detection ofhand-over-facegestures in images with a classification accuracy of 86.87%. There is a prominent increase inhand-over-facegestures when the difficulty level of the given exercise increases. Thehand-over-facegestures occur more frequently during problem-solving (easy 23.79%, medium 19.84% and difficult 30.46%) exercises in comparison to reading (easy 16.20%, medium 20.06% and difficult 20.18%).
Optimal Design in Hierarchical Random Effect Models for Individual Prediction with Application in Precision Medicine
Authors: Prus Maryna , Benda Norbert , Schwabe Rainer 
Published: April 2020

AbstractHierarchical random effect models are used for different purposes in clinical research and other areas. In general, the main focus is on population parameters related to the expected treatment effects or group differences among all units of an upper level (e.g. subjects in many settings). Optimal design for estimation of population parameters are well established for many models. However, optimal designs for the prediction for the individual units may be different. Several settings are identified in which individual prediction may be of interest. In this paper, we determine optimal designs for the individual predictions, e.g. in multi-cluster trials or in trials that investigate a new treatment in a number of different subpopulations, and compare them to a conventional balanced design with respect to treatment allocation. Our investigations show that in the case of uncorrelated cluster intercepts and cluster treatments the optimal allocations are far from being balanced if the treatment effects vary strongly as compared to the residual error and more subjects should be recruited to the active (new) treatment. Nevertheless, efficiency loss may be limited resulting in a moderate sample size increase when individual predictions are foreseen with a balanced allocation.
Perceived parental sacrifice, filial piety and hopelessness among Chinese adolescents: A cross‐lagged panel study
Authors: Leung Janet T.Y. 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTIntroductionThere is a dearth of research on examining the longitudinal effects of cultural family processes on adolescent hopelessness, and the mechanisms through which the effects happen. Hence, the present study examined the relationship among parental (paternal and maternal) sacrifices, filial piety and adolescent hopelessness in the Chinese context.MethodsThe study was based on a three‐wave longitudinal data from a sample of 1569 Chinese adolescents (Time 1: mean age = 13.15 ± .92 years; 50.8% girls). The adolescents were invited to fill out a questionnaire containing measurements of studied variables thrice, at an interval of one year.ResultsThe results of cross‐lagged panel analysis indicated that maternal sacrifice was associated with filial piety, which in turn was linked with hopelessness among Chinese adolescents. Moreover, there was bidirectional effects of adolescent hopelessness at earlier time point on paternal and maternal sacrifice at later time point via filial piety.ConclusionsThe study showed that maternal sacrifice serves as a protective factor that reduces adolescents’ sense of hopelessness via the development of filial piety. At the same time, the bidirectional indirect effects of filial piety on the relationship between parental sacrifice and adolescent hopelessness also alert family researchers and youth practitioners on the child effects on parental behavior in Chinese families. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
Brexit, the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, and Global Treaty (Re-)Negotiations
Authors: Larik Joris 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union has prompted a global recalibration of treaty relations. Due to the Withdrawal Agreement and its transition period, the UK is expanding its international treaty-making powers as it is gradually released from the constraints of EU law. Practice to date shows the creation of many new international legal instruments through which governments have sought to address the novel questions that Brexit raises for the international law of treaties.
Genetic comparison of introduced and native populations of common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), a woody shrub introduced into North America from Europe
Authors: Wafer Alexis , Culley Theresa M. , Stephens Kala , Stewart J. Ryan 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIntroduced from Europe to North America in the early 19th century as an ornamental shrub and for medicinal purposes, common buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticaL.) has since spread and naturalized throughout regions of the United States and Canada. The purpose of this study was to investigate levels of genetic variation and population differentiation inR.catharticain its introduced range in North America compared with its native range in Europe to better understand patterns of spread. By analyzing introduced and native populations using microsatellite markers, we found that introduced populations generally exhibited similar or slightly lower levels of genetic variation compared with native populations, consistent with a slight bottleneck effect. Introduced populations contained many different genotypes, indicating genetic admixture, rather than one or few genotypes. In a few cases, populations had been misidentified in the field and were glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnusMill.; syn.Rhamnus frangulaL.). Overall, there was no substantial genetic differentiation detected between native and introduced populations ofR. cathartica. Invasive spread in this species is likely due to its past horticultural history as well as adaptive biological traits such as competitive behavior, potential allelopathy, and seed dispersal via birds.
JUSTICE, MERCY, AND EQUALITY IN DISCRETIONARY CRIMINAL JUSTICE DECISION MAKING
Authors: Alschuler Albert W. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThis essay examines whether, in exercising their discretion, criminal justice officials should do justice, grant mercy, and treat alleged or convicted offenders equally. Although it endorses doing justice, the essay maintains that officials should almost never reduce a just punishment simply to be merciful. Public officials are fiduciaries, and they ordinarily have no authority to make unmerited gifts. Sometimes, however, deciding not to inflict a just penalty can reflect the willingness of an entire society to forgive. That may be the case, for example, when truth and reconciliation commissions approve amnesties. The essay focuses on the teachings of Jesus Christ and questions some of them. It asks, for example, whether a modern chief executive would merit praise or condemnation if this executive followed Jesus's example in the case of the woman taken in adultery. The essay also suggests that—unlike other officials—chief executives exercising their pardon power need not act affirmatively to treat like cases alike. A conclusion notes that it would have been out of character for Jesus Christ to refuse a plea for mercy. Nevertheless, few Christians have endorsed an implication of his willingness to forgive—the abolition of criminal punishment.
Comparative proteomics of threeGiardia lambliastrains: investigation of antigenic variation in the post-genomic era
Authors: Müller Joachim , Braga Sophie , Uldry Anne-Christine , Heller Manfred , Müller Norbert 
Published: April 2020

AbstractGiardia lambliais a causative agent of persistent diarrhoea widespread in regions with low hygienic standards. Laboratory research is based on cloned lines issuing from various patient isolates typed in the late 1980s and 90s using restriction analysis and serology. In the present study, we compared the well-characterized strain WBC6 with another clone of the parent WB isolate termed WBA1 and with a clone from another isolate, GS/M-83-H7, using shotgun mass spectrometry proteomics. We identified 398 proteins differentially expressed between the GS and both WB isolates and 97 proteins differentially expressed between the two WB isolates. We investigated the expression levels of the predominant variant-specific surface proteins (VSPs) in each clone and matched the previously described major VSPs of each strain to the corresponding open reading frame sequences identified by whole-genome sequencing efforts. Furthermore, since the original WB isolate comes from a patient treated with metronidazole, we compared the susceptibilities of the strains to nitro compounds, as well the expression levels of enzymes involved in nitro reduction and on the corresponding enzyme activities and found distinct differences between the three strains.
Minimum Wage as a Social Policy Instrument: Evidence from Germany
Authors: BRUCKMEIER KERSTIN , BRUTTEL OLIVER 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe minimum wage is often considered a social policy instrument that can help reduce both poverty and welfare receipt. The introduction of the statutory minimum wage in Germany in 2015 provides an interesting case study to analyse not only the potential but also the limitations of minimum wages as an instrument to achieve socially desirable goals such as reduced welfare receipt or poverty. Based on the results of simulation models, descriptive analyses and causal effects studies of the short-term effects, we argue that minimum wages are a rather badly targeted measure when attempting to reduce poverty and welfare receipt.
The Romano-British ‘Aedicule’ from Sheepwash Grange, Canwick, Lincolnshire
Authors: Everson Paul , Stocker David 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTA stone fragment from recent excavations at Sheepwash Grange near Lincoln is illustrated and discussed. Initially thought to be an early medieval, Christian grave-marker, because of its excavated context, its original form is reconstructed as a carved stone aedicule of Roman date and interpreted as a lararium. The building depicted is timber framed. Analogies from Britain prove at best partial, but contemporary objects of similar form in the Rhineland and Saarland regions provide close parallels and invite discussion of the connection this evidences. While the excavations included a villa complex likely to be the aedicule's immediate context, the location is an ancient river crossing distinctively marked by repeated activity from earliest prehistory.