bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving physical activity within diabetes care: Preliminary effects and feasibility of a national low‐intensity group‐based walking intervention among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Regeer Hannah , Huisman Sasja D. , van Empelen Pepijn , Flim Jeroen , Bilo Henk J. G. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIntroductionDespite the positive outcomes of physical activity (PA) interventions on health and PA behavior in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), it proves rather difficult to structurally implement such interventions in daily diabetes care. The National Diabetes Challenge (NDC) was designed as a low‐intensity and low‐cost annual walking intervention for people with T2DM, with the aim to overcome potential barriers in intervention delivery. The aim of the present study was to explore the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of this approach.MethodsThis feasibility study had a pre/posttest design. First, we assessed acceptability and feasibility by means of posttest process evaluations among participants and healthcare providers. Second, to examine preliminary efficacy we studied emotional well‐being and patient activation among 822 participants with T2DM, and number of daily steps and somatic health outcomes in a subgroup of 189 participants with T2DM. These data were analyzed using paired‐samples t‐tests.ResultsThe intervention was generally well‐received by both the participants and healthcare providers, people reporting satisfaction and perceived benefits. The results show improved glycemic control in participants with above target baseline HbA1c, improved patient activation in participants with lower activation at baseline, and decrease of body weight and improved emotional well‐being in all participants. Furthermore, the number of daily steps taken increased during the intervention.ConclusionsThis feasibility study did show acceptability and generally good feasibility with regard to implementation, and provides initial evidence for the effectiveness of a group‐based walking intervention with weekly group supervision, with improved behavioral, somatic and psychological outcomes in people with T2DM. Our findings highlight the potential of a low‐intensity group‐based walking intervention in increasing PA behavior in people with T2DM, while also taking into account common barriers regarding structural implementation in diabetes care. The study provides support for a more rigorous testing of the NDC program.
Molecularly Imprinted Polymer‐based detection of creatinine towards smart sensing
Authors: Prabhu Sumedha N. , Mukhopadhyay Subhas C. , Gooneratne Chinthaka P. , Davidson Andrew S. , Liu Guozhen 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCreatinine is a biological metabolic waste which constantly gets diffused in the human blood. It is excreted by the kidneys to reduce levels of blood toxicity thus maintaining homeostasis. In this research, a synthetic polymer for determining the creatinine levels has been developed using Molecularly Imprinted Polymerization (MIP) synthesis protocol. The polymer is highly specific towards selective adsorption of creatinine molecules. The developed MIP is capable of determining concentrations of creatinine up to 50 parts per million (ppm) which is three times higher than the normal range of creatinine concentration in the human blood. The functioning of the sensor is checked with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique. Although the purpose of this work is early diagnosis of creatinine rise and to monitor kidney health for avoiding further healthcare‐associated complications, the results are accessed up to 50 ppm. The MIP functionality is accessed up to 50 ppm to confirm that even if the developed sensing technology is used for a patient having higher creatinine concentrations, the MIP polymer has the potential to adsorb creatinine and display the results. After the successful development of MIP polymer, a LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network)‐based Point‐of‐Care (PoC) sensing device has been developed in this research and results are displayed. The portable device promotes early detection of kidney injury, which will help start the treatment early. The results obtained from the system will help doctors in taking necessary measures to avoid further kidney (renal) disorders including acute kidney failure and chronic kidney failure.
Field measurements of Tropical Storm Aere (1619) via airborne GPS‐dropsondes over the South China Sea
Authors: Fu J. Y. , Shu Z. R. , Li Q. S. , Chan P. W. , Hon K. K. , He Y. C. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn the past two decades, Global Positioning System (GPS)‐dropsonde has been developed as an effective tool to explore the internal structures of tropical cyclones (TCs). To facilitate the short‐term forecasting of the TCs' intensity and track over the Hong Kong Flight Information Region (HKFIR), Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) launched in 2016 reconnaissance campaigns by using airborne GPS‐dropsondes. On October 7, 2016, when Tropical Storm Aere (1619) got close to Hong Kong, 10 dropsondes were released from a reconnaissance aircraft at 10 km altitude to sample the TC at different storm‐relative positions. This offers a valuable opportunity to examine the functional performance of the dropsonde system. In the study, the validity of dropsonde measurements is first examined, mainly by comparing the results with those collected contemporaneously by radiosonde balloons from a nearby station. Observational results of the structural characteristics are then discussed. Evidence was observed for the invasion of the storm's inner structure by background atmosphere, which was unfavourable for the intensification of Aere in the following time. Meanwhile, a height‐resolving model of the TC's pressure field is proposed. It is also observed that the parachutes of two dropsondes failed to deploy during the descending period. The results presented here are expected to provide useful information for a better understanding of the in‐situ measurements from dropsondes deployed over the HKFIR, and for advancing the knowledge on TC's inner structure.
A dual‐band high‐gain EBG resonator antenna fed by dipole in CMOS process
Authors: Lan Haokun , Zhang Jianqiang , Liu Maliang , Yang Yintang 
Published: October 2020

AbstractA high‐gain dual‐band electromagnetic band‐gap (EBG) resonator antenna (ERA) which is suitable for 60 GHz short‐range communication and 77 GHz vehicle collision avoidance application is proposed. The EBG is constructed by two identical slabs over a fully reflective ground plane. A dipole in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) 65 nm process is employed to serve as a feeder of the resonator. By combining the frequency resonances of the EBG and the feeding chip fabricated on the LTCC substrate, the proposed ERA obtains dual‐band performance. Furthermore, the proposed ERA achieves a high gain by designing two slabs to have phase shifts introduced by multiple reflections of the wave between the ground and slabs at double certain frequency points. Finally, the prototype of the antenna is simulated by High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) and good agreement was achieved between simulated and measured data. The results demonstrate that it has a 10‐dB return loss bandwidth of 57.7 to 62.1 GHz and 75.2 to 77.4 GHz. Radiation efficiencies are 27.5% and 60% with 8.3 dBi gain and 14.4 dBi gain at 60 and 77 GHz, respectively.
Structure of neuroendocrine regulatory peptide‐2 in membrane‐mimicking environments
Authors: Park One‐Sung , Bang Jeong Kyu , Ryu Kyoung‐Seok , Hwang Eunha , Hong Kwan Soo , Byun Youngjoo , Cheong Chaejoon , Jeon Young Ho 
Published: October 2020

AbstractNeuroendocrine regulatory peptide‐2 (NERP‐2) is involved in the maintenance of homeostasis and regulates various metabolic activities. NERP‐2 is derived from the VGF neuropeptide precursor, which is induced by various neurotrophins. Despite increasing interest in the functions of NERP‐2, the structure of this peptide has not been reported. In this study, the structure of the NERP‐2 peptide was investigated using circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. NERP‐2 exists as a partial helical structure in buffer solutions, and the helical structure exhibits more stable behaviors in hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) or dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelle. We determined its 3D structure in both HFIP and DPC micelle solutions using NMR spectroscopy. NERP‐2 adopted a predominantly helical structure in HFIP solutions, while only the central portion of the protein was helical in the DPC solutions. The amphipathic nature of helical structure implies the potential structural changes in NERP‐2 upon receptor binding.
Menstrual equity and justice in the United States
Authors: Crays Allyson 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMenstrual injustice is “the oppression of menstruators, women, girls, transgender men and boys, and nonbinary persons, simply because they menstruate” (Johnson, 2019, Menstrual Justice. SSRN Scholarly Paper). This study reviews issues associated with menstrual justice and equity. Specifically, it examines the cost of menstruation, tax legislation, contents of products, transgender and nonbinary inclusion, and differences in product availability. The study demonstrates that menstrual equity and justice will not be achieved in the United States until gender equity is achieved as well. In addition, the data suggest that further research is needed on the health risks associated with products in order to address the health concerns and lack of regulations around the use of these products. Lastly, the study provides evidences for structural change being essential in creating a sustainable solution to menstrual injustice.
Efficient POSIX submatch extraction on nondeterministic finite automata
Authors: Borsotti Angelo , Trofimovich Ulya 
Published: October 2020

SummaryIn this paper we study the performance of POSIX submatch extraction algorithms based on nondeterministic finite automata (NFA). We propose an algorithm that combines Laurikari tagged NFA and extended Okui‐Suzuki disambiguation. The algorithm works in worst‐case O(n m2 t) time and O(m2) space (including preprocessing), where n is the length of input, m is the size of the regular expression with bounded repetition expanded and t is the number of capturing groups and subexpressions that contain them. On real‐world benchmarks our algorithm performs close to the O(n m t) complexity of leftmost‐greedy matching, although on artificial benchmarks it can be significantly slower. We propose a lazy version of the algorithm that runs much faster, but requires O(n m2) space. We show that the Kuklewicz algorithm is slower in practice, and the backward matching algorithm proposed by Cox is incorrect.
An innovative, time‐ and cost‐saving method for the quantification of asymmetric dimethylarginine in serum by high‐performance liquid chromatography without evaporation
Authors: Braun Daniel , Schlossmann Jens , Haen Ekkehard 
Published: October 2020

AbstractA new time‐ and energy‐saving method for the determination of asymmetric dimethylarginine in human serum is presented. Here, a newly developed eluent was used in the sample cleanup of the solid‐phase extraction whose composition makes an evaporation step redundant. After derivatization, asymmetric dimethylarginine was quantified by high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescent detection. The conditions of the solid‐phase extraction lead to a relative recovery of asymmetric dimethylarginine of 101%. A concentration of 25 ng/mL was found as the limit of quantification and the batch was highly linear from 25 to 800 ng/mL with the correlation coefficient R2 = 0,9999. Intra‐assay coefficients of variation <2.1% and inter‐assay coefficients of variation <3.1% indicate a high precision. Since no evaporation is necessary compared to previously published methods, this newly presented method does not only save time, but also is a cost‐ and energy‐saving alternative for the routine quantification of asymmetric dimethylarginine in serum.
Exploring Visual Narratives of the Refugee Experience With Students
Authors: DeHart Jason D. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe author draws on previous work in looking at refugee literature and focuses on two different, yet arguably complimentary, examples of marginalized narratives in graphic novels that inservice teachers can use in instruction. The Nameless City by Faith Erin Hicks offers a fictional story yet delves into complex issues and themes. Illegal by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin, and illustrated by Giovanni Rigano, takes a more realistic approach to the topic. Both graphic novels are effective and can lead to classroom applications. The author offers a description of the works and discussion about instructional steps for their use with students.
Physiological stabilization, community characterization, and nitrogen degradation dynamics in an anammox consortium from estuarine sediments
Authors: Ronzón Bravo Jaime J. , de María Cuervo‐López Flor , Andrade Torres Antonio , Arteaga‐Vázquez Mario A. , Martínez Hernández Sergio 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAnammox is a cost‐effective and sustainable process for nitrogen removal; however, the production of a physiologically stable inoculum is a critical point in the start‐up process. In this work, estuarine sediments were used as incubation seeds to obtain cultures with stable anammox activity. Assays were performed in batch cultures fed with stoichiometric amounts of ammonium and nitrite, analyzing physiological response variables and the microbial community. Estuarine sediments showed a stable anammox process after 90 days, consuming ammonium and nitrite simultaneously with concomitant generation of N2 and nitrate in stoichiometric amounts. In kinetic assays, substrates were fully consumed after 210 hr, exhibiting N2 and nitrate yields of 0.85 and 0.10, respectively. The microbial community analysis using PCR‐DGGE indicated the presence of uncultured anammox bacteria and members of the genus Candidatus Jettenia. The results evidenced the achievement of anammox cultures, although their start‐up and kinetic characteristics were less favorable than those recorded in man‐made systems.Practitioner points

Estuarine sediments were used as incubation seeds to obtain cultures with stable anammox activity.

The sediments were fed with stoichiometric amounts of ammonium and nitrite, analyzing the physiological response variables and the microbial community.

Sediments showed a stable anammox process after 90 days, converting the substrates into N2 and nitrate according to stoichiometry.

Anammox cultures were achieved although their start‐up and kinetic characteristics were less favorable than those recorded in man‐made systems.

Microbial community analysis using PCR‐DGGE indicated the presence of uncultured anaerobic ammonia‐oxidizing bacterium and members of genus Candidatus Jettenia.
Does Conservation Practice and Site Age Influence Vegetation Structure and Avian Abundance in Restored Fields?
Authors: Reiley Bryan M. , Benson Thomas J. 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTFarmland set‐aside programs provide important habitat for many wildlife species, yet little information exists regarding how vegetation structure and species respond to conservation practice and site age. This information could provide managers with a guide for how to implement, enhance, and maintain wildlife benefits of conservation programs. We describe how vegetation structure and avian species respond to conservation practice and time since restoration at 172 sites enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) in Illinois, USA. We surveyed 172 sites enrolled in 4 different conservation practices (CP) within CREP during the breeding seasons of 2012–2015 using avian point counts and vegetation surveys. Vegetation structure and composition varied among CPs, with hardwood tree plantings (CP3A) having the greatest amount of understory vegetation and tree cover. Conversely, permanent wildlife habitat (CP4D) had the greatest grass cover and least tree cover. Many bird species were found in similar numbers across CP types; however, only dickcissel (Spiza americana) density was greater in sites enrolled as permanent wildlife habitat. Bell's vireo (Vireo bellii) and yellow‐billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) were more numerous in hardwood tree plantings. Dickcissel density decreased and field sparrow (Spizella pusilla) density increased as fields aged, but the relationships were not consistent among CP types. Differences among CPs largely resulted from differences in dominance in woody vegetation due to initial habitat management and differential succession rates. Interestingly, many of our focal species had wider successional tolerances than previously suggested. Overall, our results demonstrate that conservation benefits change over time depending on the starting CP, that there can be considerable similarity in vegetation structure and bird communities among what appear to be very different conservation practices. This information can be used to target conservation benefits toward conservation priority species. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
Service Function Chaining Based on Segment Routing Using P4 and SR-IOV (P4-SFC)
Authors: Stockmayer Andreas , Hinselmann Stephan , Häberle Marco , Menth Michael 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
In this paper we describe P4-SFC to support service function chaining (SFC) based on a single P4-capable switch and off-the-shelf components. It utilizes MPLS-based segment routing for traffic forwarding in the network and SR-IOV for efficient packet handling on hosts. We describe the P4-SFC architecture and demonstrate its feasibility by a prototype using the Tofino Edgecore Wedge 100BF-32X as P4 switch. Performance test show that L2 throughput for VNFs on a host is significantly larger when connected via SR-IOV with the host’s network interface card instead of over a software switch.
Developing an instrument for an early prediction model of long-term functional outcomes in people with acquired injuries of the central nervous system: protocol and methodological aspects
Authors: Masiero Stefano , Cerrel Bazo Humberto Antonio , Rattazzi Marcello , Bernardi Laura , Munari Marina , Faggin Elisabetta , Cattelan Manuela , Pauletto Paolo , Del Felice Alessandra 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSevere acquired brain injury (ABI) is a major cause of long-term disability and is the main determinant of health and societal costs. Early identification of favourable long-term recovery would allow personalized rehabilitative programs and better health care resources allocation. In light of the higher survival rate from intensive care units (ICU) in recent years, there is a growing need for early prognostication markers of functional recovery; to date, these data have been mainly collected at rehabilitation unit admission and not during the acute phase. We present the protocol and methodology to develop prediction models in people with severe acquired brain injury (GCS at admission to ICU < 8) for the functional and cognitive outcome at 12 months from the event. Predictors will be collected during the acute stage. Participants will be recruited within the first 72 h from the event in the ICUs of two teaching hospitals (Padova and Treviso). Participants will be followed up at discharge from ICU, admission and discharge from Neurorehabilitation and after 12 months from the event. Clinical and functional scales, electroencephalography, evoked potentials, magnetic resonance imaging and serological markers will be entered into a digital registry. Survival will be estimated using the Cox proportional hazard model. A multivariate prediction model will be developed for each of the functional and cognitive outcomes at 12 months from the event.
Virtual reference station-based computerized ionospheric tomography
Authors: Lu Weijun , Ma Guanyi , Wan Qingtao , Li Jinghua , Wang Xiaolan , Fu Weizheng , Maruyama Takashi 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn computerized ionospheric tomography (CIT) with ground-based GNSS, the voxels without satellite-receiver ray traversing cannot be reconstructed directly. We present a CIT algorithm based on virtual reference stations (VRSs), called VRS–CIT, to decrease the number of unilluminated voxels and improve the precision of the estimated ionospheric electron density (IED). The VRSs are set at the nodes of grids with a 0.5° × 0.5° resolution in longitude and latitude. We generate the virtual observations with the observations from nearby six or three stations selected according to azimuths and distances. The generation utilizes multi-quadric surface fitting with six stations and triangular linear interpolation with three stations. With the virtual observations added, the IED distribution is reconstructed by the multiplicative algebraic reconstruction technique with the initial values obtained from IRI-2016. The performance of VRS–CIT is examined by using the data from 127 GNSS stations located in 24–46° N and 122–146° E to derive the IED every 30 min. The study focuses on April 29, 2014, with the adaptability of VRS–CIT analyzed by 12 days, evenly distributed around equinoxes and solstices of 2014. The accuracy of the virtual observation is about 1 TECU. Comparing to that derived from CIT with only real observations, the unsolvability of VRS–CIT declined by 4–12% for the whole region, and for the main area, the improvement can be up to 70%. Taking two IED profiles from radio occultation as reference measurements, the mean absolute error (MAE) of IED by VRS–CIT decreases by 6.88% and 8.43%, respectively. Comparing with slant total electron content (STEC) extracted from five additional GNSS stations, the MAE and the root mean square error of the estimated STEC can be reduced up to 17.24% and 33.81%, respectively.
Transforming a traditional commons-based seed system through collaborative networks of farmer seed-cooperatives and public breeding programs: the case of sorghum in Mali
Authors: Rattunde Fred , Weltzien Eva , Sidibé Mamourou , Diallo Abdoulaye , Diallo Bocar , vom Brocke Kirsten , Nebié Baloua , Touré Aboubacar , Traoré Yalaly , Sidibé Amadou , Diallo Chiaka , Diakité Soriba , Bretaudeau Alhousseïni , Christinck Anja 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMalian farmers’ traditional system for managing seed of sorghum, an indigenous crop of vital importance for food security and survival, can be conceptualized as a commons. Although this system maintains a wide range of varieties and helps ensure access to seed, its ability to create and widely disseminate new varieties to meet evolving opportunities and challenges is limited. A network of farmer groups, public breeding programs, and development organizations collaborating in decentralized creation and dissemination of sorghum varieties in Mali is examined regarding (1) how the network developed and what activities it conducts; (2) the resulting varietal diversity, varietal performance and organizational models; and (3) the elements of the traditional seed system that were maintained, strengthened or transformed. A single-case study approach was used that relies on published literature, official catalogues of released varieties and a database of farmer seed-cooperative requests for foundation seed. The functioning of the network and its varietal-, seed-, and organizational- outcomes are documented and the elements of the traditional sorghum seed system that are maintained or strengthened are analyzed. The evolution of the network’s reliance on commoning as a social process and its strengthening of core Seed Commons features are discussed with a view to the network’s contributions to targeted development outcomes and potential replicability. The case demonstrates how creating a framework for collaboration, enabling actors and organizations to take on collective responsibility while maintaining distributed decision-making at local level, opens opportunities for transforming farming- and food-systems towards sustainability and resilience.