bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understanding client satisfaction in elderly care: new insights from social resource theory
Authors: Kazemi Ali , Kajonius Petri J. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSocial resource theory suggests that social interaction can be conceived as resource transaction or exchange with behaviours falling within six fundamental resource categories (i.e. love, status, information, money, goods, and services) organised along two underlying dimensions: particularism–universalism and concreteness–abstractness. With the purpose of extending knowledge about quality of care, this study adopts a novel approach in that it describes and categorises care behaviours using social resource theory instead of using single instances of care behaviour. The categorisation is further used to predict client satisfaction in care services targeting older people. Daily interactions between care staff and older persons were observed in two different residential care facilities using a structured non-participant observation design. The data were analysed using principal component analysis, correlation, and regression analysis. The results confirmed the hypothesis that satisfaction with care services is predicted by resource transactions that are high on the underlying dimensions of particularism and abstractness. Thus, the resource categories of love and status (resource categories high on particularism and abstractness) were shown to be strong predictors of client satisfaction. The use of social resource theory is a novel and appropriate approach to examine person-centred care and satisfaction with care. Also, in addition to addressing potential problems in previous self-report studies on care staff behaviour, the observational technique was highly practical to this service area where dealing with clients not always able to provide feedback directly.
Noise analysis and optimization of VCII-based SiPM interface circuit
Authors: Ferri G. , Safari L. , Barile G. , Pantoli L. , Stornelli V. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractRecently, second generation voltage conveyor (VCII)-based transimpedance amplifiers (TIAs) have begun to find their way in different applications, among which, silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) interfacing circuitry. There are many advantages which make VCII-based TIAs attractive over conventional circuits: the intrinsic low impedance at VCII current input Y port is very helpful to mitigate the effect of high value sensor capacitance and provides fast response time; the achieved bandwidth is high and due to current mode operation; the circuits enjoy the low-voltage low-power features. As signal-to-noise ratio is a crucial parameter in SiPMs interface circuit applications, here we consider the noise specifications and optimization of VCII-based SiPM interface circuits. The noise model of VCII is introduced and equivalent noise of a VCII-based interface circuit is derived. Methods to optimize trade-offs existing between key parameters including power consumption, gain and noise performance are discussed. Simulation results are also provided showing a considerable reduction of two orders of magnitude in most of the noise performances when compared to the previous work while preserving other performance parameters.
Gendered impacts of greenhouse gas mitigation options for rice cultivation in India
Authors: Gartaula Hom , Sapkota Tek B , Khatri-Chhetri Arun , Prasad Gokul , Badstue Lone 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe nexus of gender-agriculture-emissions reduction is one of the least explored areas related to agriculture and climate change. This nexus plays an important role in the areas where women’s participation in agriculture is high, and the contribution of the agricultural sector to total emission is significant. This study generates evidence on women’s labor contribution in rice cultivation and potential reduction of their labor drudgery, including GHG mitigation co-benefits with the adoption of direct seeding and machine transplanting technologies. Using a large number of plot-level data (11,987 data points) from the rice-growing regions of India, the study shows that changing rice production technology from conventional to direct-seeded rice (DSR) and/or machine-transplanted rice (MTR) offers huge potential to reduce women’s labor in rice planting (745 million labor-days for DSR and 610 million labor-days for MTR) and greenhouse gases (GHG) emission (34 MtCO2e for DSR and 7 MtCO2e for MTR) at the same time. This potential differs from the agro-ecological region, the level of input use, and women’s involvement in rice cultivation. The realization of this gender-responsive GHG mitigation strategy depends on the adoption of these technologies, which rely on several social, economic, and political factors. At the same time, the immense potential for negative implications for some specific groups should not be ignored, but focused on addressing and mitigating those challenges.
The Malmö Offspring Study (MOS): design, methods and first results
Authors: Brunkwall Louise , Jönsson Daniel , Ericson Ulrika , Hellstrand Sophie , Kennbäck Cecilia , Östling Gerd , Jujic Amra , Melander Olle , Engström Gunnar , Nilsson Jan , Ohlsson Bodil , Klinge Björn , Orho-Melander Marju , Persson Margaretha , Nilsson Peter M. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAs cardio metabolic disease manifestations tend to cluster in families there is a need to better understand the underlying mechanisms in order to further develop preventive strategies. In fact, genetic markers used in genetic risk scores, important as they are, will not be able alone to explain these family clusters. Therefore, the search goes on for the so called missing heritability to better explain these associations. Shared lifestyle and social conditions in families, but also early life influences may be of importance. Gene-environmental interactions should be explored. In recent years interest has grown for the role of diet-microbiota associations, as microbiota patterns may be shared by family members. In the Malmö Offspring Study that started in 2013, we have so far been able to examine about 4700 subjects (18–71 years) representing children and grandchildren of index subjects from the first generation, examined in the Malmö Diet Cancer Study during 1991 to 1996. This will provide rich data and opportunities to analyse family traits of chronic disease across three generations. We will provide extensive genotyping and phenotyping including cardiovascular and respiratory function, as well as markers of glucose metabolism. In addition, also cognitive function will be assessed. A 4-day online dietary recall will be conducted and gut as well as oral microbiota analysed. The ambition is to provide one of the first large-scale European family studies with individual data across three generations, which could deepen our knowledge about the role of family traits for chronic disease and its underlying mechanisms.
Vegetation height estimation using ubiquitous foot-based wearable platform
Authors: Nasim Sofeem , Oussalah Mourad , Klöve Bjorn , Haghighi Ali Torabi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractVegetation height plays a key role in many environmental applications such as landscape characterization, conservation planning and disaster management, and biodiversity assessment and monitoring. Traditionally, in situ measurements and airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors are among the commonly employed methods for vegetation height estimation. However, such methods are known for their high incurred labor, time, and infrastructure cost. The emergence of wearable technology offers a promising alternative, especially in rural environments and underdeveloped countries. A method for a locally designed data acquisition ubiquitous wearable platform has been put forward and implemented. Next, a regression model to learn vegetation height on the basis of attributes associated with a pressure sensor has been developed and tested. The proposed method has been tested in Oulu region. The results have proven particularly effective in a region where the land has a forestry structure. The linear regression model yields (r2 = 0.81 and RSME = 16.73 cm), while the use of a multi-regression model yields (r2 = 0.82 and RSME = 15.73 cm). The developed approach indicates a promising alternative in vegetation height estimation where in situ measurement, LiDAR data, or wireless sensor network is either not available or not affordable, thus facilitating and reducing the cost of ecological monitoring and environmental sustainability planning tasks.
Investigation of the influence of impurities on the ring-opening polymerisation of L-Lactide from biogenous feedstock
Authors: Itzinger Regina , Schwarzinger Clemens , Paulik Christian 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn order to use a L-lactide monomer that is derived from fermentation processes it is necessary to understand, how the polymerisation process is influenced by impurities which derive from the production process. We have selected a group of likely contaminants and added them at various concentrations to the polymerisation of L-lactide using tin (II)-2-ethylhexanoate as catalyst and 2-methoxyethanol as initiator. The effect of impurities onto the global properties of the polymers such as glass transition temperature, melting point and molecular mass distribution were investigated and NMR and MALDI mass spectrometry were used to identify structural changes within the polymers. Thus, it could be shown that in reference experiments cyclic polymers and linear polymers with different starting groups are formed. Addition of ethanol and sodium carbonate showed the strongest influence on molecular masses as well as polymer structures, which could be elucidated by interpretation of the MALDI mass spectra and NMR data.
Large carabids enhance weed seed removal in organic fields and in large-scale, but not small-scale agriculture
Authors: Fischer Christina , Riesch Friederike , Tscharntke Teja , Batáry Péter 
Published: November 2020

AbstractContextBiological weed control by seed predators is an ecosystem service reducing weed population densities in agricultural landscapes. Drivers of seed predation are manifold and may change with spatial scales considered.ObjectivesWe aimed at identifying the functional identity of seed predators, food web interactions and feeding links between weed and wheat seeds, considering the causal relationships between local and landscape-scale patterns.MethodsWe investigated direct and indirect effects of local management intensity in winter wheat fields (organic vs. conventional farming), local crop characteristics (wheat density and height), edge effects, landscape composition (measured as land-use diversity) and configuration (edge length) on carabid beetles of different body size (large vs. small carabids), and removal of weed and wheat seeds.ResultsWe showed the importance of indirect local- and landscape-scale effects for weed seed removal via the activity density, but not assemblage composition, of large, but not small carabids, which was driven by few ubiquitous species. The activity density of large carabids increased with decreasing wheat density and increasing wheat height, which was highest in organic fields and in landscapes with low compositional and configurational heterogeneity. Further, the availability of nutrient-rich wheat seeds enhanced weed seed removal rates.ConclusionsWe found highest weed seed removal via large carabids in organic fields in large-scale agricultural landscapes. Predator body size and species identity as well as the availability of additional food items need to be taken into account for better predicting the biological weed control potential and reducing the use of plant protection products.
Evaluating the effectiveness of clinical ethics committees: a systematic review
Authors: Crico Chiara , Sanchini Virginia , Casali Paolo Giovanni , Pravettoni Gabriella 
Published: November 2020

AbstractClinical Ethics Committees (CECs), as distinct from Research Ethics Committees, were originally established with the aim of supporting healthcare professionals in managing controversial clinical ethical issues. However, it is still unclear whether they manage to accomplish this task and what is their impact on clinical practice. This systematic review aims to collect available assessments of CECs’ performance as reported in literature, in order to evaluate CECs’ effectiveness. We retrieved all literature published up to November 2019 in six databases (PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus, Philosopher’s Index, Embase and Web of Science), following PRISMA guidelines. We included only articles specifically addressing CECs and providing any form of CECs performance assessment. Twenty-nine articles were included. Ethics consultation was the most evaluated of CECs’ functions. We did not find standardized tools for measuring CECs’ efficacy, but 33% of studies considered “user satisfaction” as an indicator, with 94% of them reporting an average positive perception of CECs’ impact. Changes in patient treatment and a decrease of moral distress in health personnel were reported as additional outcomes of ethics consultation. The highly diverse ways by which CECs carry out their activities make CECs’ evaluation difficult. The adoption of shared criteria would be desirable to provide a reliable answer to the question about their effectiveness. Nonetheless, in general both users and providers consider CECs as helpful, relevant to their work, able to improve the quality of care. Their main function is ethics consultation, while less attention seems to be devoted to bioethics education and policy formation.
Disentangling succession and entrepreneurship gender gaps: gender norms, culture, and family
Authors: Feldmann Manuel , Lukes Martin , Uhlaner Lorraine 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis study adapts a multi-level view of culture, including society- and family-based gender norms and the family embeddedness perspective, to predict the career status of a sample of 2897 young Europeans (aged 18–35) from 11 countries, with at least one self-employed parent. We find that gender identity is associated with career status such that a woman is more likely than a man to be an employee vs. a successor to a family firm but no less likely to be a founder as compared with either being an employee or successor. However, certain family and society-level culture variables combined with gender identity reverse these trends. A woman with caring responsibilities is more likely to be a successor than either a founder or employee. Also, while two-way interaction effects for traditional gender norms and having a self-employed mother are weak or not significant, the study finds that in combination, a woman reporting both traditional gender norms and having a self-employed mother is more likely to be a successor than being either an employee or a founder, reversing gender identity main effects. Incorporating the family embeddedness perspective and the role of culture in occupational choice, we develop a better view of the gender gap in entrepreneurship, finding that the family may serve as a stronger influence than society when implied norms of these two levels of culture clash. By examining actual rather than intended career choice, we also contribute to the occupational choice literature on youth employment.
Women entrepreneurs’ progress in the venturing process: the impact of risk aversion and culture
Authors: Gimenez-Jimenez Daniela , Edelman Linda F. , Dawson Alexandra , Calabrò Andrea 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWe explore the gendered impact of risk aversion and country-level culture on nascent student entrepreneurs’ progress in the venturing process. Combining country-level cultural normative variables from the 2004 Global Leadership and Organizational Behavior Effectiveness (GLOBE) survey with data from the 2013/2014 Global University Entrepreneurial Student Spirit Study (GUESSS), our sample consists of 1552 nascent student entrepreneurs from 11 countries. We start with the assumption that perceptions of risk-taking behaviors are not gendered. We then split our sample, finding that, for women, perceptions of risk-taking behaviors are associated with less progress in the venturing process; however, starting a new venture in a socially supportive culture moderates that relationship. For men, neither risk-taking behavior nor country cultural variables are related to their progress in the venturing process. Our study highlights both the importance of country-level contextual variables in entrepreneurship and the need to employ a gendered perspective when studying nascent entrepreneurship.
Applying advanced technologies to improve clinical trials: a systematic mapping study
Authors: Ngayua Esther Nanzayi , He Jianjia , Agyei-Boahene Kwabena 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe increasing demand for new therapies and other clinical interventions has made researchers conduct many clinical trials. The high level of evidence generated by clinical trials makes them the main approach to evaluating new clinical interventions. The increasing amounts of data to be considered in the planning and conducting of clinical trials has led to higher costs and increased timelines of clinical trials, with low productivity. Advanced technologies including artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, and the internet of things offer an opportunity to improve the efficiency and productivity of clinical trials at various stages. Although researchers have done some tangible work regarding the application of advanced technologies in clinical trials, the studies are yet to be mapped to give a general picture of the current state of research. This systematic mapping study was conducted to identify and analyze studies published on the role of advanced technologies in clinical trials. A search restricted to the period between 2010 and 2020 yielded a total of 443 articles. The analysis revealed a trend of increasing research interests in the area over the years. Recruitment and eligibility aspects were the main focus of the studies. The main research types were validation and evaluation studies. Most studies contributed methods and theories, hence there exists a gap for architecture, process, and metric contributions. In the future, more empirical studies are expected given the increasing interest to implement the AI, ML, DL, and IoT in clinical trials.
Environmental risk assessment of priority biocidal substances on Polish surface water sample
Authors: Durak Justyna , Rokoszak Tomasz , Skiba Alicja , Furman Przemysław , Styszko Katarzyna 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe EU directive 2013/39/EU has incorporated four biocidal compounds as priority substances: diuron, isoproturon, cybutryne, and terbutryn. The research was undertaken to determine the concentration of biocides in surface waters in three locations in southern Poland: the Wisła River in Kraków, the Wisłoka River in Mielec, and the drainage ditch draining water from arable fields located near Mielec. Environmental samples were taken in two series: winter (February) and spring (May and June). The analyses were carried out using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. The seasonality of biocides in surface waters was observed. In winter samples, the concentrations were below MQL, while in spring, they ranged from a few to several dozen nanograms per liter. The highest concentrations of all analyzed compounds were recorded in water taken from the Wisła River. According to directive 2013/39/EU, the maximum allowable concentration was exceeded only in the case of cybutryne in water from the Wisła, both in May and in June. The assessment of the toxicity with the tested compounds was defined based on the Environmental Risk Assessment method. Low risk was estimated for diuron and isoproturon, while moderate risk for terbutryn and cybutryne.
Thyroid hormone signaling is associated with physical performance, muscle mass, and strength in a cohort of oldest-old: results from the Mugello study
Authors: Di Iorio Angelo , Paganelli Roberto , Abate Michele , Barassi Giovanni , Ireland Alex , Macchi Claudio , Molino-Lova Raffaele , Cecchi Francesca 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThyroid hormones (THs) play a crucial role in the homeostasis of muscle function, such as myogenesis and energy metabolism, suggesting that the thyroid may be also involved in the entropic processes of muscle aging. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of TH signaling on physical performance, muscle mass, and strength in a cohort of community-dwelling oldest-old subjects (> 90 years). The study population was selected in a rural area of central Italy (Mugello, Tuscany), and the design was cross-sectional. Four hundred seventy-five subjects (130 males and 345 females) were enrolled, representing about 65% of all the nonagenarians living in the Mugello area. After adjusting for multiple confounding factors (sex, age, diabetes, and levothyroxine administration), the lowest quartile of FT3/FT4 ratio distribution showed lower physical performance compared to the other quartiles (β ± SE: − 0.49 ± 0.12; p < 0.001), whereas the highest quartile of FT3/FT4 ratio was associated with higher skeletal muscle index (β ± SE: 1.11 ± 0.42; p = 0.009). In addition, the lowest quartile of FT4 showed a statistically significant higher handgrip strength (β ± SE: 1.78 ± 0.68; p = 0.009) compared to all other quartiles. This study demonstrates that nonagenarians with higher FT3/FT4 ratios had better preserved muscle function, therefore successfully overcoming the imbalance of homeostatic and entropic processes involved in muscle aging. However, we could not establish a cause-effect relationship due to the cross-sectional design of the study.
Toward reliable automatic liver and tumor segmentation using convolutional neural network based on 2.5D models
Authors: Wardhana Girindra , Naghibi Hamid , Sirmacek Beril , Abayazid Momen 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Purpose
We investigated the parameter configuration in the automatic liver and tumor segmentation using a convolutional neural network based on 2.5D model. The implementation of 2.5D model shows promising results since it allows the network to have a deeper and wider network architecture while still accommodates the 3D information. However, there has been no detailed investigation of the parameter configurations on this type of network model.

Methods
Some parameters, such as the number of stacked layers, image contrast, and the number of network layers, were studied and implemented on neural networks based on 2.5D model. Networks are trained and tested by utilizing the dataset from liver and tumor segmentation challenge (LiTS). The network performance was further evaluated by comparing the network segmentation with manual segmentation from nine technical physicians and an experienced radiologist.

Results
Slice arrangement testing shows that multiple stacked layers have better performance than a single-layer network. However, the dice scores start decreasing when the number of stacked layers is more than three layers. Adding higher number of layers would cause overfitting on the training set. In contrast enhancement test, implementing contrast enhancement method did not show a statistically significant different to the network performance. While in the network layer test, adding more layers to the network architecture does not always correspond to the increasing dice score result of the network.

Conclusions
This paper compares the performance of the network based on 2.5D model using different parameter configurations. The result obtained shows the effect of each parameter and allow the selection of the best configuration in order to improve the network performance in the application of automatic liver and tumor segmentation.