bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unsupervised adaptation of PLDA models for broadcast diarization
Authors: Viñals Ignacio , Ortega Alfonso , Villalba Jesús , Miguel Antonio , Lleida Eduardo 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe present a novel model adaptation approach to deal with data variability for speaker diarization in a broadcast environment. Expensive human annotated data can be used to mitigate the domain mismatch by means of supervised model adaptation approaches. By contrast, we propose an unsupervised adaptation method which does not need for in-domain labeled data but only the recording that we are diarizing. We rely on an inner adaptation block which combines Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (AHC) and Mean-Shift (MS) clustering techniques with a Fully Bayesian Probabilistic Linear Discriminant Analysis (PLDA) to produce pseudo-speaker labels suitable for model adaptation. We propose multiple adaptation approaches based on this basic block, including unsupervised and semi-supervised. Our proposed solutions, analyzed with the Multi-Genre Broadcast 2015 (MGB) dataset, reported significant improvements (16% relative improvement) with respect to the baseline, also outperforming a supervised adaptation proposal with low resources (9% relative improvement). Furthermore, our proposed unsupervised adaptation is totally compatible with a supervised one. The joint use of both adaptation techniques (supervised and unsupervised) shows a 13% relative improvement with respect to only considering the supervised adaptation.
A fusion optimization algorithm of network element layout for indoor positioning
Authors: Yu Xiao-min , Wang Hui-qiang , Lv Hong-wu , Liu Xiu-bing , Wu Jin-qiu 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe indoor scene has the characteristics of complexity and Non-Line of Sight (NLOS). Therefore, in the application of cellular network positioning, the layout of the base station has a significant influence on the positioning accuracy. In three-dimensional indoor positioning, the layout of the base station only focuses on the network capacity and the quality of positioning signal. At present, the influence of the coverage and positioning accuracy has not been considered. Therefore, a network element layout optimization algorithm based on improved Adaptive Simulated Annealing and Genetic Algorithm (ASA-GA) is proposed in this paper. Firstly, a three-dimensional positioning signal coverage model and a base station layout model are established. Then, the ASA-GA algorithm is proposed for optimizing the base station layout scheme. Experimental results show that the proposed ASA-GA algorithm has a faster convergence speed, which is 16.7% higher than the AG-AC (Adaptive Genetic Combining Ant Colony) algorithm. It takes about 25 generations to achieve full coverage. At the same time, the proposed algorithm has better coverage capability. After optimization of the layout of the network element, the effective coverage rate is increased from 89.77 to 100% and the average location error decreased from 2.874 to 0.983 m, which is about 16% lower than the AG-AC algorithm and 22% lower than the AGA (Adaptive Genetic Algorithm) algorithm.
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy across chronic pain disorders: a systematic review protocol synthesising anatomical and metabolite findings in chronic pain patients
Authors: Levins Kirk J. , Drago Thomas , Roman Elena , Martin Anna , King Roisin , Murphy Paul , Gallagher Hugh , Barry Denis , O’Hanlon Erik , Roddy Darren William 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundChronic pain is pain greater than 3 months duration that may result from disease, trauma, surgery, or unknown origin. The overlap between the psychological, behavioural, and management aspects of pain suggest that limbic brain neurochemistry plays a role in chronic pain pathology. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) can evaluate in vivo brain metabolites including creatine,N-acetylaspartate, myo-inositol, choline, glutamate, glutamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid in chronic pain; however, a comprehensive systemic review of metabolite expression patterns across all brain areas has yet to be performed.Methods and analysisOnline databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, OVID, and PsycINFO will be searched for articles relating to1H-MRS and chronic pain. Study inclusion criteria will include ages of between 18 and 65 years with a definite diagnosis of chronic pain, no comorbidities, clearly stated brain volumes of interest, and imaging protocols, with comparisons to healthy controls. Two reviewers will extract data relating to volumes of interest, metabolites, study participant demographics, diagnostic method and pain scores, treatments and duration of treatment, scanner information,1H-MRS acquisition protocols, and spectral processing software. Where possible, volumes of interest will be reassigned as regions of interest consistent with known regional anatomical and functional properties to increase the power and relevance of the analysis. Statistical analyses will then be conducted using STATA. A central common pathway may exist for chronic pain due to the behavioural manifestations and management similarities between its different types. The goal of this systemic review is to generate a comprehensive neurochemical theory of chronic pain in different brain compartments.Systematic review registrationThis study is registered with PROSPEROCRD42018112640.
Does decision-making style predict managers’ entrepreneurial intentions?
Authors: Krasniqi Besnik A. , Berisha Gentrit , Pula Justina Shiroka 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the way managers make decisions (their decision-making style—DMS) predicts their entrepreneurial intentions (EI), a research subject that has been largely ignored in the literature. Developing an understanding of entrepreneurial intention factors that attract managers to entrepreneurship is indispensable for organizations. A sample of 230 managers of companies based in Kosovo was asked to take the entrepreneurial intention questionnaire and the General Decision-Making Style (GDMS) questionnaire. Bridging two strands of literature on decision-making and entrepreneurial intention and using the Structural Equation Model (SEM), it is concluded that spontaneous and intuitive styles predict managers’ entrepreneurial intentions. Considering the limitations of this single-country study, the implications for theory and policy are discussed.
Evidence of uptake of different pollutants in plants harvested from soil treated and fertilized with organic materials as source of soil nutrients from developing countries
Authors: Olowoyo J. O. , Mugivhisa L. L. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe use of organic materials as soil nutrients to improve agricultural production is well documented. However, these organic materials may contain toxic pollutants that may bio-accumulate in plant tissues and eventually be consumed by humans. There is a misconception about the use of organic materials (sludge, urine, human waste and urban waste) in agriculture and organic farming. The review work examined the sources and uses of organic material in agriculture from developing countries and the dangers posed by the use of polluted organic materials in agriculture. The review examined through literature the availability and uptake of pollutants in crops that are cultivated from farming activities using organic materials. The review established the possibility of uptake of pollutants from treated waste materials that are used for farming. Some of the pollutants that can be bio-accumulated by plants when cultivated on soil containing these pollutants were documented. The review concluded by establishing the need to create awareness on the possible health risks associated with the use of organic materials if the materials used were polluted. The review also highlighted the importance of educating peasant farmers on the dangers associated with collecting waste materials from untreated sources.
Numerical simulations to explain the coseismic electromagnetic signals: a case study for a M5.4 aftershock of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake
Authors: Sun Yao-Chong , Uyeshima Makoto , Ren Hengxin , Huang Qinghua , Aizawa Koki , Tsukamoto Kaori , Kanda Wataru , Seki Kaori , Kishita Takahiro , Ohminato Takao , Watanabe Atsushi , Ran Jiangjun , Chen Xiaofei 
Published: December 2019

AbstractCoseismic electromagnetic (EM) signals that appear from the P arrival were observed in a volcanic area during the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake. In this study, we conduct numerical simulations to explain the coseismic EM signals observed for aM5.4 aftershock of the earthquake. Initially, we adopt a water-saturated half-space model, and its simulation result for a receiver with a depth of 0.1 m suggests that the magnetic signals do not show up at the arrivals of P, refracted SV–P and Rayleigh waves because the evanescent EM waves just counterbalance the localized magnetic signals that accompany P, refracted SV–P and Rayleigh waves. Then, we conduct numerical simulations on a seven-layer half-space model in which the second layer corresponds to an aquifer analogy and the six other layers refer to air-saturated porous media. When only the electrokinetic effect is considered, the simulated coseismic magnetic signals still appear from the S arrival. The combination of electrokinetic effect and surface-charge assumption is also tested. We find that signals before the S arrival are missing on the transverse seismic, transverse electric, radial magnetic and vertical magnetic components, although the situation on horizontal magnetic components is improved to an extent. Then, we introduce an artificial scattering effect into our numerical simulations given that the scattering effect should exist in the volcanic area. New numerical result shows good agreement with the observation result on the signal appearance time. Hence, the combination of electrokinetic and scattering effects is a plausible explanation of coseismic EM signals. Further investigations indicate that coseismic electric and/or magnetic signals are more sensitive to the scattering effect and the aquifer thickness than seismic signals.
Small bowel adenocarcinoma incarcerated within an inguinal hernia
Authors: Kawai Hironari , Haruki Koichiro , Takada Naoki , Iino Toshio , Ikegami Masahiro , Yanaga Katsuhiko 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Small bowel adenocarcinomas are rare malignant tumors that account for less than 2% of gastrointestinal malignancies. In addition, tumor incarceration in an inguinal hernia is also rare entity. We herein report a first case of small bowel adenocarcinoma incarcerated within an inguinal hernia.

Case presentation
A 75-year-old man with asymptomatic anemia (hemoglobin, 8.6 g/dl) had a checkup at our hospital. Colonoscopy revealed bleeding through the ileocecal valve and an annular stricture by a tumor in the ileum. Endoscopic biopsy revealed a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma of the small bowel. Enhanced computed tomography showed a hypervascular solid tumor incarcerated within a right inguinal hernia. With a diagnosis of small bowel adenocarcinoma incarcerated within a right inguinal hernia, the patient underwent elective laparotomy with midline excision. The small bowel tumor, located at 30 cm from the terminal ileum, was incarcerated within a right inguinal hernia, and the small bowel was adherent to the hernia sac. A 24-cm segment of the distal ileum and regional lymph nodes were resected. The hernia sac was ligated, and the bottom of the hernia sac was resected. The hernia orifice was closed by tissue repair technique via a standard oblique incision in the right inguinal region. Postoperatively, the patient remains well with no evidence of tumor or hernia recurrence as of 1 year after operation.

Conclusions
We reported to our knowledge the first case of small bowel adenocarcinoma incarcerated within an inguinal hernia.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars—Japan Scar Workshop Consensus Document 2018
Authors: Ogawa Rei , Akita Sadanori , Akaishi Satoshi , Aramaki-Hattori Noriko , Dohi Teruyuki , Hayashi Toshihiko , Kishi Kazuo , Kono Taro , Matsumura Hajime , Muneuchi Gan , Murao Naoki , Nagao Munetomo , Okabe Keisuke , Shimizu Fumiaki , Tosa Mamiko , Tosa Yasuyoshi , Yamawaki Satoko , Ansai Shinichi , Inazu Norihisa , Kamo Toshiko , Kazki Reiko , Kuribayashi Shigehiko 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
There has been a long-standing need for guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars that are based on an understanding of the pathomechanisms that underlie these skin fibrotic diseases. This is particularly true for clinicians who deal with Asian and African patients because these ethnicities are highly prone to these diseases. By contrast, Caucasians are less likely to develop keloids and hypertrophic scars, and if they do, the scars tend not to be severe. This ethnic disparity also means that countries vary in terms of their differential diagnostic algorithms. The lack of clear treatment guidelines also means that primary care physicians are currently applying a hotchpotch of treatments, with uneven outcomes. To overcome these issues, the Japan Scar Workshop (JSW) has created a tool that allows clinicians to objectively diagnose and distinguish between keloids, hypertrophic scars, and mature scars. This tool is called the JSW Scar Scale (JSS) and it involves scoring the risk factors of the individual patients and the affected areas. The tool is simple and easy to use. As a result, even physicians who are not accustomed to keloids and hypertrophic scars can easily diagnose them and judge their severity. The JSW has also established a committee that, in cooperation with outside experts in various fields, has prepared a Consensus Document on keloid and hypertrophic scar treatment guidelines. These guidelines are simple and will allow even inexperienced clinicians to choose the most appropriate treatment strategy. The Consensus Document is provided in this article. It describes (1) the diagnostic algorithm for pathological scars and how to differentiate them from clinically similar benign and malignant tumors, (2) the general treatment algorithms for keloids and hypertrophic scars at different medical facilities, (3) the rationale behind each treatment for keloids and hypertrophic scars, and (4) the body site-specific treatment protocols for these scars. We believe that this Consensus Document will be helpful for physicians from all over the world who treat keloids and hypertrophic scars.
Expectations of breast-conserving therapy: a qualitative study
Authors: Fuzesi Sarah , Becetti Karima , Klassen Anne F. , Gemignani Mary L. , Pusic Andrea L. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Early-stage breast cancer is often treated with breast-conserving therapy (BCT), including lumpectomy with radiation therapy. Patients’ expectations of BCT remain largely unknown. Expectations affect perceptions of treatment-related experiences and health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) outcomes. Our primary aim was to describe expectations of BCT among patients with early breast cancer through qualitative methods. Our secondary aim was to inform preoperative patient education and improve the patient experience through knowledge.

Methods
We used a grounded-theory approach to investigate a convenience sample of 22 women with stage I and II breast cancer who were treated with BCT at a single hospital in New York City between May and August 2016. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in person and by telephone. Open-ended questions covered participants’ expectations of treatment experiences and outcomes. Data was analyzed in a line-by-line approach to identify emergent themes related to patient expectations. Interviews continued until no new themes emerged.

Results
Analysis of data identified the following themes related to patient expectations of BCT: experience of cancer care, recovery, appearance, and HR-QOL. Despite preoperative informed consent and teaching, participants expressed few expectations preoperatively, owing to a lack of knowledge about the process of care. Lack of expectations preoperatively was compensated with available care and resources postoperatively.

Conclusions
Patients in our sample had a surprisingly limited understanding of what to expect during treatment with BCT. Despite available information and preoperative teaching, patients have a clear knowledge gap regarding BCT. These findings suggest patients often undergo cancer treatment with trust rather than complete understanding of the process. This data may be used to enhance preoperative discussions aimed at preparing patients for surgery and treatment.
MRSA screening and spa gene detection in isolates from healthcare workers at ophthalmology hospital in Egypt
Authors: Haggag Maha G. , Aboelnour Amal E. , Al-Kaffas Mai 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Staphylococcus aureus has a major role in different types of eye infections as conjunctivitis, keratitis, and endophthalmitis. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was almost restricted to hospitals, but its prevalence has been increased in people outside hospitals. The cell wall of Staphylococcus aureus has protein A which can bind to the Fc portion of IgG. This ptnA is encoded by surface protein A of Staphylococcus aureus (spa) gene that contains a highly polymorphic sequence which is composed of repeats of 24-bp. Sequence typing of the spa gene repeat region is used to study the epidemiology of MRSA. The purpose of this study was screening of MRSA strains among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the Hospital of the Research Institute of Ophthalmology (RIO), Giza, Egypt, and detecting spa gene in their DNAs by PCR.

Results
In the present study, 81 samples from healthcare providers in the hospital of the Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Egypt, were screened for MRSA. Out of these 81 samples, 41 isolates (50.6%) were identified as coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus. Twelve staphylococcal isolates were resistant to both oxacillin and cefoxitin, and those were identified as MRSA with a percentage of 14.8% (12/81). Conventional PCR could detect spa gene in 10 out of 12 DNA MRSA with a percentage of 83.3% (10/12).

Conclusion
In the present study, the prevalence of MRSA in HCWs was 14.8%. Since amplification of spa gene by PCR is a necessary preliminary step for spa typing of MRSA and since using different primers for spa gene amplification might affect PCR results, then proper selection of the primers and thermal cycling reaction conditions are recommended for PCR performance and spa typing.
Characteristics of Patients With ROS1+ Cancers: Results From the First Patient-Designed, Global, Pan-Cancer ROS1 Data Repository
Authors: Parikh Divya A. , Walia Guneet , Freeman-Daily Janet , Hennink Merel , Tomalia Tori , Buonanno Lysa , Goldman Lisa , Addario Bonnie , Patel Manali I. 
Published: December 2019

PURPOSE: The discovery of driver oncogenes, such as ROS1, has led to the development of targeted therapies. Despite clinical advancements, gaps remain in our understanding of characteristics of patients with ROS1-positive ( ROS1+) cancers. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively assess demographic, clinical, and environmental characteristics associated with ROS1+ cancers worldwide. METHODS: In collaboration with a panel of patients with ROS1+ cancer, we designed and conducted a 204-question online assessment regarding the demographic, clinical, and environmental factors of patients with ROS1+ cancers. We invited patients with ROS1+ cancers to participate in the study from May 2016 to December 2018. RESULTS: A total of 277 patients from 18 countries worldwide responded and completed at least 90% of the survey. The majority of respondents were female (n = 191; 69%), non-Hispanic white (n = 202; 73%), never-smokers (n = 180/240; 75%). Most were diagnosed with lung cancer (n = 261/277; 94%) and stage IV disease (n = 201/277; 76%). The majority received chemotherapy in first (n = 137/199; 69%) and second (n = 103/199; 52%) lines of therapy. For patients diagnosed with lung cancer after the availability of crizotinib (n = 199), only a minority (n = 55/199; 28%) reported receiving crizotinib in the first line of therapy. CONCLUSION: This study is the first global, patient-designed approach, to our knowledge, to comprehensively assess demographic, clinical, and environmental characteristics associated with ROS1+ cancers. Future efforts include assessing these characteristics as well as patient-reported outcomes and treatment responses longitudinally.
Pilot Trial of a Combined Oncologist-Patient-Caregiver Communication Intervention in Singapore
Authors: Malhotra Chetna , Rajasekaran Tanujaa , Kanesvaran Ravindran , Yee Alethea , Bundoc Filipinas G. , Singh Ratna , Tulsky James A. , Pollak Kathryn I. 
Published: December 2019

PURPOSE: High-quality end-of-life cancer care requires oncologists to communicate effectively and patients/caregivers to be participatory. However, most communication interventions target either but not both. We aimed to pilot a potentially disseminable combined oncologist-patient/caregiver intervention to improve oncologist empathic responses, discussions of prognosis and goals of care, and patient/caregiver participation. We assessed its feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy. METHODS: Between June 2018 and January 2019, we conducted a pilot 2-arm cluster trial in Singapore, randomly assigning 10 oncologists in a 1:1 ratio to receive the combined intervention or usual care. Intervention arm oncologists received online communication skills training, and their patients received a brief prompt sheet before consultations. We audio recorded consultations with 60 patients with stage IV solid malignancy and analyzed 30 in the postintervention phase. The study was not powered for statistical significance. RESULTS: Participation rates for oncologists and patients were 100% and 63%, respectively. All oncologists completed the online training within an average of 4.5 weeks; 73% of the patients selected at least 1 question in the prompt sheet. Compared with the control arm, intervention arm oncologists had more empathic responses in total (relative risk [RR], 1.66) and for every patient/caregiver negative emotion (RR, 2.01). Their consultations were more likely to involve discussions of prognosis (RR, 3.00) and goals of care, and their patients were more likely to ask a prognosis-related question (RR, 2.00; P > .05 for all). CONCLUSION: The combined oncologist-patient/caregiver intervention is feasible and acceptable and has the potential to improve communication within consultations.
Magnetically separable Ru-containing catalysts in supercritical deoxygenation of fatty acids
Authors: Stepacheva Antonina A. , Lugovoy Yury V. , Manaenkov Oleg V. , Sidorov Alexander I. , Matveeva Valentina G. , Sulman Mikhail G. , Sulman Esther M. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
In the current paper, the possibility of the use of magnetically separable catalysts containing ruthenium oxide species in the supercritical deoxygenation of stearic acid for producing of the second generation of biodiesel is reported. Three different supports (silica, ceria, and hypercrosslinked polystyrene) were used for the stabilization of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and Ru-containing particles. The effect of support on the magnetic properties as well as the catalytic activity of the obtained systems was studied. All synthesized catalysts were shown to provide high stearic acid conversion (up to 95 %). The highest yield of C17+ hydrocarbons (up to 86 %) was observed while using the Ru–Fe3O4-HPS system. Ru–Fe3O4-HPS was characterized by the high values of the specific surface area (364 m2/g) and saturation magnetization (4.5 emu/g). The chosen catalytic system was found to maintain its catalytic activity for a minimum of 10 consecutive cycles.