bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reliability, Validity and Responsiveness of the EQ-5D-5L in Assessing and Valuing Health Status in Adolescents and Young Adults with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: a Randomized Controlled Trail
Authors: Dams Judith , Rimane Eline , Steil Regina , Renneberg Babette , Rosner Rita , König Hans-Helmut 
Published: August 2020

AbstractTo validate the EQ-5D-5L health-related quality of life (HrQoL) questionnaire in adolescents and young adults with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after sexual and/or physical abuse. We used data from a randomized controlled trial of 87 participants with PTSD aged 14–21 years. The discriminative ability was evaluated by comparing participants scores on the descriptive system of the EQ-5D-5L with general population scores. Furthermore, the discriminative ability between subgroups of participants with different disease severity levels was estimated. Correlations between the EQ-5D index and clinical parameters were used to measure construct validity. Test-retest reliability was measured by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) between baseline, posttreatment and 3-month follow-up scores of participants with stable symptoms. Finally, the responsiveness of the EQ-5D was calculated by mean differences, effect sizes and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses for participants with improved symptoms. Participants reported significantly more problems on the dimensions “mobility”, “usual activities”, “pain/discomfort” and “anxiety/depression” than the general population. The EQ-5D-5L was able to discriminate between different disease severity levels. The EQ-5D index and clinical scales were significantly correlated with absolute values of correlation coefficients varying between 0.21 and 0.59. Furthermore, ICCs between 0.65 and 0.91 indicated good test-retest reliability for the EQ-5D index. The ICCs for the EQ-VAS between baseline and 3-month follow-up, and posttreatment and 3-month follow-up were statistically significant with 0.71 and 0.87, respectively, whereas the ICC between baseline and posttreatment was 0.08 and not statistically significant. Effect sizes to measure the responsiveness ranged between −0.008 and 0.40 for the EQ-5D index and − 0.32 and 0.40 for the EQ-VAS. Furthermore, the area under the curve in ROC analyses was between 0.40 and 0.64 for the EQ-5D index and 0.60 and 0.70 for the EQ-VAS. Discriminative ability, test-retest reliability and construct validity of the EQ-5D-5L were good, whereas the responsiveness was rather weak. Nevertheless, the EQ-5D-5L can be used to measure HrQoL in adolescents and young adults with PTSD. German Clinical Trials Register identifier: DRKS00004787; date of registration: 18th March 2013; https://www.drks.de
Using normative ethics for building a good evaluation of research practices: towards the assessment of researcher’s virtues
Authors: Daraio Cinzia , Vaccari Alessio 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we propose the adoption of moral philosophy and in particular normative ethics, to clarify the concept of “good” evaluation of “research practices”. Using MacIntyre (1985)’s notion of a practice we argue that research is a form of social practice. As a result of this characterization, we claim that research practice typically requires three typologies of researcher: theleader, thegoodresearcher and thehonestresearcher. Reflecting on what is a “good” research practice and on what is the role of researchers in it provides insight into some aspects of both the self-assessment process and how this promotes individual improvement. Moreover, this kind of reflection helps us to describe the functions (missions) of the research practices. A “good” evaluation should take into account all the building constituents of a “good” research practice and should be able to discriminate between good and bad research practices, while enforcing the functions of good research practices. We believe that these reflections may be the starting point for aparadigm shiftin the evaluation of research practices which replaces an evaluation centred onproductswith an evaluation focused on thefunctionsof these practices. In the last sections of the paper, we introduce and discuss an important aspect for the implementation of the proposed framework. This relates to the assessment of the virtues of researchers involved in a good research practice. Some examples of questions and preliminary items to include in a questionnaire for the assessment of Virtues in Research Practices are also provided.
Higher education: discipline or field of study?
Authors: Tight Malcolm 
Published: August 2020

AbstractHigher education, or more strictly higher education studies, is sometimes referred to as a discipline, though it is more often referred to as a field, sector or area for study. But what is a discipline and does higher education studies, at its current state of development, qualify as one? This article re-considers these matters and comes to some conflicting conclusions. The issue of whether higher education studies is, or is not, a discipline should probably, therefore, be regarded as still open for debate.
Mediterranean alien harmful algal blooms: origins and impacts
Authors: Marampouti Christina , Buma Anita G. J. , de Boer M. Karin 
Published: August 2020

AbstractHarmful algal blooms (HABs) are mostly phytoplankton blooms, which have detrimental environmental and socioeconomic impacts. The Mediterranean Sea due to its enclosed nature is of special concern since it has an enormously rich native biodiversity. Though, it is also the world’s most invaded marine ecosystem and is considered at very high risk of future invasions. The aim of this review study is to explore the origins, establishment, environmental, and socioeconomic impacts of HABs caused by nonnative algal species in the Mediterranean Sea. Based on this, it is also discussed whether HABs form an increasing threat in the basin, and what could possibly be done to prevent or to minimize their impacts. The increasing rate of their introduction and the harmful impacts that they have on the environment, economy, and human health makes it important to have accurate knowledge about HABs. Anthropogenic activities and climate change are considered the main contributors of alien invasions but also the main enablers of HAB events. Mediterranean HABs are adequately studied, but there are no studies purposefully concerning invasive microalgae species in the basin. In the present study, 20 species have been identified, and an attempt has been made to collect their introduction information, as well as known or suspected impacts. Future research should be focused on data mining, current legislation updates, and monitoring of Mediterranean coastlines.
Deep learning-based fetoscopic mosaicking for field-of-view expansion
Authors: Bano Sophia , Vasconcelos Francisco , Tella-Amo Marcel , Dwyer George , Gruijthuijsen Caspar , Vander Poorten Emmanuel , Vercauteren Tom , Ourselin Sebastien , Deprest Jan , Stoyanov Danail 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Fetoscopic laser photocoagulation is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), which involves localization and ablation of abnormal vascular connections on the placenta to regulate the blood flow in both fetuses. This procedure is particularly challenging due to the limited field of view, poor visibility, occasional bleeding, and poor image quality. Fetoscopic mosaicking can help in creating an image with the expanded field of view which could facilitate the clinicians during the TTTS procedure.

Methods
We propose a deep learning-based mosaicking framework for diverse fetoscopic videos captured from different settings such as simulation, phantoms, ex vivo, and in vivo environments. The proposed mosaicking framework extends an existing deep image homography model to handle video data by introducing the controlled data generation and consistent homography estimation modules. Training is performed on a small subset of fetoscopic images which are independent of the testing videos.

Results
We perform both quantitative and qualitative evaluations on 5 diverse fetoscopic videos (2400 frames) that captured different environments. To demonstrate the robustness of the proposed framework, a comparison is performed with the existing feature-based and deep image homography methods.

Conclusion
The proposed mosaicking framework outperformed existing methods and generated meaningful mosaic, while reducing the accumulated drift, even in the presence of visual challenges such as specular highlights, reflection, texture paucity, and low video resolution.
Exogenous application of plant hormones in the field alters aboveground plant–insect responses and belowground nutrient availability, but does not lead to differences in plant–soil feedbacks
Authors: Heinen Robin , Steinauer Katja , De Long Jonathan R. , Jongen Renske , Biere Arjen , Harvey Jeffrey A. , Bezemer T. Martijn 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPlant–soil feedbacks of plants that are exposed to herbivory have been shown to differ from those of plants that are not exposed to herbivores. Likely, this process is mediated by jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) defense pathways, which are induced by aboveground herbivory. Furthermore, exogenous application of these phytohormones to plants alters belowground communities, but whether this changes plant–soil feedbacks in natural systems is unknown. We applied exogenous sprays of JA and SA individually and in combination to field plots in a restored grassland. Control plots were sprayed with demineralized water. After three repeated application rounds, we transplanted seedlings of the plant–soil feedback model plant Jacobaea vulgaris as phytometer plants to test the effects of potential phytohormone-mediated changes in the soil, on plant performance during the response phase. We further measured how exogenous application of phytohormones altered plant-related ecosystem characteristics (plot-level); soil chemistry, plot productivity, insect communities and predation. Biomass of the phytometer plants only co-varied with plot productivity, but was not influenced by phytohormone applications. However, we did observe compound-specific effects of SA application on insect communities, most notably on parasitoid attraction, and of JA application on soil nitrogen levels. Although we did not find effects on plant–soil feedbacks, the effects of exogenous application of phytohormones did alter other ecosystem-level processes related to soil nutrient cycling, which may lead to legacy effects in the longer term. Furthermore, exogenous application of phytohormones led to altered attraction of specific insect groups.
Destabilization of bitumen-coated fine solids in oil through water-assisted flocculation using biomolecules extracted from guar beans
Authors: Santander Camila , Liu Jing , Tan Xiaoli , Liu Qi , Zeng Hongbo 
Published: August 2020

AbstractNon-aqueous extraction (NAE) of bitumen from oil sands has been gaining great attention from both the industry and academia as an alternative to the water-based extraction. A fine solids removal step is important for a NAE process in order to obtain high-quality bitumen product, which, however, remains a great challenge to reduce the fine solids content to the desired level. Here, we introduce a strategy of destabilizing the bitumen-coated silica particles in toluene with the addition of water and biomolecules extracted from Cyamopsiste tragonolobuosr L. Taup., i.e., high molecular weight guar gum (HGG) and low molecular weight guar gum (LGG), respectively. By virtue of sedimentation tests and focused beam reflectance measurement analysis, we demonstrate that the introduced water droplets modified with these biomolecules can facilitate the settling of the solid particles in toluene although the underlying mechanisms differ between these two biomolecule cases. Specifically, in the case of LGG, the added water droplets with the interfacial amphiphilic LGG can strengthen the attachment of solid particles from bulk toluene to the LGG surface. This research work provides useful insight into the development of effective approaches for destabilization and removal of bitumen-coated fine solids from NAE bitumen.
Cadmium Intake, Dietary Patterns and Hyperuricemia Among Adults in China
Authors: Shi Zumin 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBlood and urine cadmium levels have been found to be positively associated with hyperuricemia (HU) in some studies. Few studies have examined the association between dietary cadmium intake, dietary patterns and HU in the Chinese population. The study analysed data from 8429 adults who participated in the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). Dietary intake was assessed by 3-day 24 h food record in seven waves of survey (1991, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004, 2006 and 2009). Serum uric acid was measured in 2009. Dietary pattern was identified using factor analysis. The association between cumulative dietary cadmium intake, dietary patterns and HU was assessed using logistic regression. In total, 1737 (16.3%) participants had HU in the study sample. After adjusting for demographic, lifestyle factors (i.e. smoking, alcohol drinking, physical activity) and chronic conditions, the OR for HU was 2.25 (95%CI 1.84–2.77, p for trend < 0.001) for extreme quartiles of estimated cumulative cadmium intake. A traditional southern dietary pattern characterized by high intake of rice, pork, fish and vegetables, and low intake of wheat was associated with three times increased prevalence of HU; comparing the extreme quartiles, the odds ratio (OR) was 3.24 (95%CI 2.61–4.01). No association between the modern dietary pattern (high intake of fruit, soymilk, egg, milk and deep fried products) and HU was found. In conclusion, traditional southern dietary pattern and cadmium intake are positively associated with hyperuricemia among Chinese adults.
A numerical investigation on the performance of hydraulic fracturing in naturally fractured gas reservoirs based on stimulated rock volume
Authors: Al-Rubaye Ali , Ben Mahmud Hisham Khaled 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAll reservoirs are fractured to some degree. Depending on the density, dimension, orientation and the cementation of natural fractures and the location where the hydraulic fracturing is done, preexisting natural fractures can impact hydraulic fracture propagation and the associated flow capacity. Understanding the interactions between hydraulic fracture and natural fractures is crucial in estimating fracture complexity, stimulated reservoir volume, drained reservoir volume and completion efficiency. However, because of the presence of natural fractures with diffuse penetration and different orientations, the operation is complicated in naturally fractured gas reservoirs. For this purpose, two numerical methods are proposed for simulating the hydraulic fracture in a naturally fractured gas reservoir. However, what hydraulic fracture looks like in the subsurface, especially in unconventional reservoirs, remain elusive, and many times, field observations contradict our common beliefs. In this study, the hydraulic fracture model is considered in terms of the state of tensions, on the interaction between the hydraulic fracture and the natural fracture (45°), and the effect of length and height of hydraulic fracture developed and how to distribute induced stress around the well. In order to determine the direction in which the hydraulic fracture is formed strikethrough, the finite difference method and the individual element for numerical solution are used and simulated. The results indicate that the optimum hydraulic fracture time was when the hydraulic fracture is able to connect natural fractures with large streams and connected to the well, and there is a fundamental difference between the tensile and shear opening. The analysis indicates that the growing hydraulic fracture, the tensile and shear stresses applied to the natural fracture.
Forecasting mortality rates using hybrid Lee–Carter model, artificial neural network and random forest
Authors: Hong Wei Hong , Yap Jia Hui , Selvachandran Ganeshsree , Thong Pham Huy , Son Le Hoang 
Published: August 2020

AbstractInaccurate prediction would cause the insurance company encounter catastrophic losses and may lead to overpriced premiums where low-earning consumers cannot afford to insure themselves. The ability to forecast mortality rates accurately can allow the insurance company to take preventive measures to introduce new policies with reasonable prices. In this paper, several Lee–Carter (LC) based models are used to forecast the mortality rates in a case study of the Malaysian population. The LC-ARIMA model and also a combination of the LC model with two machine learning (ML) methods, namely the random forest (RF) and artificial neural network (ANN) methods are utilized on the prediction of mortality rates for males and females in Malaysia, whereby the LC-Random Forest (LC-RF) hybrid model is a new model that is introduced in this paper. Seventeen years of mortality data in Malaysia are selected as the dataset for this research. To analyze how the forecasting models perform for other countries, we have determined the model that has the best fit and produced the best forecasted mortality rates for all the other countries that are studied. This research has showed that LC-ANN and LC-ARIMA are the best model in predicting the mortality rates of males and females in Malaysia, respectively. This study has also found that the LC-ARIMA model is the best performing model in forecasting the mortality rates in countries that have longer life expectancy and a good healthcare system such as Sweden, Ireland, Japan, Hong Kong, Norway, Switzerland and Czechia. In contrast, the LC-ANN model is the best performing model in forecasting the mortality rates in countries that have a less efficiency, less accessibility healthcare system, and bad personal behavior such as Malaysia, Canada and Latvia.
Kinetic and thermodynamic investigations of CO2 gasification of coal chars prepared via conventional and microwave pyrolysis
Authors: Jiang Peng , Meng Yang , Lu Ziyao , Xu Lan , Yang Gang , Luo Xiang , Shi Kaiqi , Wu Tao 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis study examined an isothermal CO2 gasification of four chars prepared via two different methods, i.e., conventional and microwave-assisted pyrolysis, by the approach of thermogravimetric analysis. Physical, chemical, and structural behaviours of chars were examined using ultimate analysis, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electronic microscopy. Kinetic parameters were calculated by applying the shrinking unreacted core (SCM) and random pore (RPM) models. Moreover, char-CO2 gasification was further simulated by using Aspen Plus to investigate thermodynamic performances in terms of syngas composition and cold gas efficiency (CGE). The microwave-induced char has the largest C/H mass ratio and most ordered carbon structure, but the smallest gasification reactivity. Kinetic analysis indicates that the RPM is better for describing both gasification conversion and reaction rates of the studied chars, and the activation energies and pre-exponential factors varied in the range of 78.45–194.72 kJ/mol and 3.15–102,231.99 s−1, respectively. In addition, a compensation effect was noted during gasification. Finally, the microwave-derived char exhibits better thermodynamic performances than the conventional chars, with the highest CGE and CO molar concentration of 1.30% and 86.18%, respectively. Increasing the pyrolysis temperature, gasification temperature, and CO2-to-carbon molar ratio improved the CGE.
Species composition, blood meal sources and insecticide susceptibility status of Culex mosquitoes from Jimma area, Ethiopia
Authors: Guta Wondmagegn , Simma Eba Alemayehu , Yewhalaw Delenasaw 
Published: August 2020

AbstractDifferent species ofCulexmosquitoes are present in high numbers in many other countries in addition to sub-Saharan Africa and Asian countries.Culexmosquitoes are serious nuisance which also transmit a range of pathogens including several viruses such as West Nile virus, Saint Louis encephalitis, and Rift Valley fever, as well as parasites such as avian malaria, and filarial worms. In Ethiopia, unlikeAnophelesmosquitoes, little effort was given to study habitat, species composition, blood meal sources and insecticide susceptibility status ofCulexmosquitoes. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the species composition, their blood meal source and insecticide susceptibility status ofCulexmosquitoes to some of selected insecticides in Jimma town southwest Ethiopia. Culicine mosquito larvae were collected using a standard dipper (by dipping) from a range of breeding sites and reared to adults. Species identification was carried out using standard keys. Bioassay tests were performed on adults to assess the susceptibility ofCulexmosquitoes to insecticide-impregnated papers with Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT (4%), mlathion (5%), bendiocarb (0.1%), propoxur (0.1%), deltamethrin (0.05%) and pirimiphos-methyl (0.25) following World Health Organization Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES) guideline. Moreover, 184 blood fed (BF)Culexmosquitoes were collected using aspirator from indoor and outdoor resting and assayed to assess blood meal sources using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The result of the study showed that among the collectedCulexmoquitoes, two species were identified asCulex quinquefasciatusandCx antennatuswhereas the remaining one could not be identified to species level.Culexmosquitoes were found to be resistant to DDT, malathion, bendiocarb, propoxur, and deltamethrin whereas susceptible to pirimiphos-methyl. The blood meal source analysis using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) showed higher blood source of human (33.2%) than bovine (15.2%). Thus, the observed resistance to the most of the insecticides coupled with higher human blood meal source calls further studies to be carried out inCulexmosquito populations of Ethiopia.
Moving a Team-Based Freshmen Biomedical Engineering and Design Course Online
Authors: Haase Eileen 
Published: August 2020

AbstractTeam projects and in-class interactions are the hallmark of a freshmen introductory course in biomedical engineering (BME). Our challenge was to continue team activities, mentoring, and the semester-long design project in a virtual environment after in-person classes ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper highlights some of the adaptations required to continue a large (n = 124) team-based course with students located throughout the world. Breaking up planned in-class activities into small individual assignments followed by team meetings gave groups a starting point for their discussions. Mentoring panels with upperclassmen were actually enhanced through the inclusion of alumni in a virtual environment. The end-of-semester anonymous survey results indicate that 81% of the freshmen agreed or strongly agreed that the course objectives were met, and 75% believed that the team assignments were useful learning experiences. In spite of the sudden shift to online learning, we were able to continue with both short-term and semester-long team activities.
Impacts of Health Services on Agricultural Labor Productivity of Rural Households in Burkina Faso
Authors: Combary Omer , Traore Salimata 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis article has used the method of instrumental variables to evaluate the impact of health services on the productivity of rural households’ farming labor in Burkina Faso. The distance from the household's homestead to the Health and Social Promotion Center (HSPC) was considered as an instrumental variable. The results revealed that resorting to a HSPC in case of an unexpected illness in the rainy season significantly improves the farm labor productivity by FCFA 3170.5880 per person-day. For improving agricultural productivity, we suggest that public decision-makers should focus on the availability and the quality of HSPC services in rural areas.