bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A non-inferiority study of the novel selective urate reabsorption inhibitor dotinurad versus febuxostat in hyperuricemic patients with or without gout
Authors: Hosoya Tatsuo , Furuno Kazuki , Kanda Shingo 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Dotinurad is a novel, selective urate reabsorption inhibitor, which reduces serum uric acid levels by selective inhibition of the urate transporter 1. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of dotinurad versus febuxostat, a widely used drug in Japan, in hyperuricemic Japanese patients with or without gout.

Methods
This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, parallel-group, forced-titration study in hyperuricemic patients. Study treatment in the dotinurad and febuxostat groups was initiated at 0.5 and 10 mg/day, followed by dose titration to 2 and 40 mg/day, respectively, over 14 weeks. The primary endpoint was the percent change in serum uric acid level from the baseline to the final visit.

Results
A total of 203 hyperuricemic patients with or without gout were enrolled in the study and randomized to receive dotinurad or febuxostat. The percent change in serum uric acid level from the baseline to the final visit was 41.82% in the dotinurad group and 44.00% in the febuxostat group. The mean difference was − 2.17% (two-sided 95% confidence interval − 5.26% to 0.92%). The lower limit of the interval was above the non-inferiority margin (− 10%), demonstrating the non-inferiority of dotinurad to febuxostat. The profiles of adverse events and adverse drug reactions raised no noteworthy safety concerns in either group.

Conclusion
The non-inferiority of dotinurad to febuxostat in terms of serum uric acid lowering effect was confirmed. No noteworthy safety concerns arose.
The interaction of linguistic and arithmetic factors affects adult performance on arithmetic word problems
Authors: Daroczy Gabriella , Meurers Detmar , Heller Jürgen , Wolska Magdalena , Nürk Hans-Christoph 
Published: January 2020

AbstractPerformance on word problems is influenced by linguistic and arithmetic factors, and by their interaction. To study these factors and interactions, we manipulated linguistic and arithmetic factors independently in a within-participant design that included complexity parameters (a) in the domain of arithmetic: carry/borrow (no-carry/borrow vs. carry/borrow), operation (addition vs. subtraction), (b) in the domain of linguistics: nominalization (nominalized vs. verbalized form), and (c) linking the two domains: lexical consistency (linguistic predicate locally consistent vs. inconsistent with mathematical operation). Response times of 25 students solving 320 one-step word problems were measured. All four factors showed a main effect on response times, and interactions between linguistic and arithmetic factors affected response times. These interactions were observed when the linguistic and arithmetic factors were conceptually linked. Our results highlight that not only the linguistic and arithmetic complexities of an item contribute to the difficulty of a word problem, but linguistic and arithmetic factors interact. We discuss the theoretical implications for the numerical and the linguistic domain as well as the possible impact of domain-general characteristics, such as working memory limitations as a potential reason for the observed interactions between numerical and linguistic attributes.
Adaptive force and velocity control based on intrinsic contact sensing during surface exploration of dynamic objects
Authors: Sun Teng , Liu Hongbin 
Published: January 2020

AbstractHaptic exploration is a process of using haptic feedback to interact and perceive an unknown object. It is an essential approach to understand the physical and geometrical properties of the object. While numerous research has been carried out for haptic exploration on static objects, haptic exploration on objects with dynamic movements has not been reported. It is due to the significant challenges to achieve robust force and velocity control when the object is nonstationary. In this work, a novel adaptive force and velocity control algorithm based on intrinsic contact sensing (ICS) for haptic surface exploration of dynamic objects is presented. A fuzzy-logic control framework making use of the information obtained from ICS has been developed. To validate the proposed control algorithm, extensive surface exploration experiments have been carried out on objects with different surface properties, geometries, stiffness, and concave or convex patterns. The validation results demonstrate the high accuracy and robustness of the proposed algorithm using different experimental platforms.
Involvement of the central nervous system in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: opinions on molecular mechanisms and clinical implications based on recent data
Authors: Lenk Lennart , Alsadeq Ameera , Schewe Denis M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAcute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer. One of the major clinical challenges is adequate diagnosis and treatment of central nervous system (CNS) involvement in this disease. Intriguingly, there is little solid evidence on the mechanisms sustaining CNS disease in ALL. Here, we present and discuss recent data on this topic, which are mainly derived from preclinical model systems. We thereby highlight sites and routes of leukemic CNS infiltration, cellular features promoting infiltration and survival of leukemic cells in a presumably hostile niche, and dormancy as a potential mechanism of survival and relapse in CNS leukemia. We also focus on the impact of ALL cytogenetic subtypes on features associated with a particular CNS tropism. Finally, we speculate on new perspectives in the treatment of ALL in the CNS, including ideas on the impact of novel immunotherapies.
The perception of emotional cues by children in artificial background noise
Authors: Parada-Cabaleiro Emilia , Batliner Anton , Baird Alice , Schuller Björn 
Published: January 2020

AbstractMost typically developed individuals have the ability to perceive emotions encoded in speech; yet, factors such as age or environmental conditions can restrict this inherent skill. Noise pollution and multimedia over-stimulation are common components of contemporary society, and have shown to particularly impair a child’s interpersonal skills. Assessing the influence of such features on the perception of emotion over different developmental stages will advance child-related research. The presented work evaluates how background noise and emotionally connoted visual stimuli affect a child’s perception of emotional speech. A total of 109 subjects from Spain and Germany (4–14 years) evaluated 20 multi-modal instances of nonsense emotional speech, under several environmental and visual conditions. A control group of 17 Spanish adults performed the same perception test. Results suggest that visual stimulation, gender, and the two sub-cultures with different language background do not influence a child’s perception; yet, background noise does compromise their ability to correctly identify emotion in speech—a phenomenon that seems to decrease with age.
Exploring Pathways to Gambling: Proposing the Integrated Risk and Protective Factors Model of Gambling Types
Authors: Hearn Natalie L. , Ireland Jane L. , Eslea Mike , Fisk John E. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThree linked studies, testing key aspects of the Pathways towards Problem and Pathological Gambling Model (Blaszczynski and Nower in Addiction 87(5):487–499, 2002), are presented. Study one comprised 204 students and 490 gambling forum users. It predicted differences in gambling severity, mental health and substance use across different motives for gambling. Those with a primary social motive for gambling displayed less severe gambling and anxiety than those without, with the primary coping subgroup displaying the most anxiety and depression. Those who gambled primarily to enhance positive affect reported severe gambling. Study two comprised 404 gambling forum users and 265 students. Similar groups to the Pathways Model emerged, with a behaviourally conditioned and an emotionally vulnerable group. Unexpectedly, however, those in the emotionally vulnerable group reported more severe cognitive distortions than the behaviourally conditioned group. The final study, 378 gambling forum users and 201 students, found, as predicted, that three distinct gambling groups emerged; (1) those with lower levels of psychopathology and higher levels of protective factors; (2) those with heightened pre-existing anxiety and depression, and moderate levels of protective factors; and (3) those with heightened impulsivity, psychopathology, offending behaviour and the least protective factors. Three gambling groups are consequently presented (Social Gambler; Affect-Regulation Gambler; Antisocial Gambler) alongside the proposed Integrated Risk and Protective Factors Model of Gambling Types (IRPF-MGT). Directions for future research and implications for practice are outlined.
Automatic exposure algorithms for digital photography
Authors: Bernacki Jarosław 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn this paper we deal with the problem of calculating Automatic Exposure (AE) in digital cameras. The main problem that often occurs when taking pictures is correct exposure setting. Typically, smartphones with built-in cameras, as well as “cheap” compact digital cameras do not offer possibility of manual exposure setting. The reason is that users do not have knowledge how to set the optimal exposure, or just simply do not want to do this. Therefore, it forces that user has to rely on automatic exposure algorithms implemented in the camera. Unfortunately, these algorithms often do not perform well what causes improperly exposed images. In this paper, new algorithms for automatic exposure are proposed with the special focus on minimizing overexposed areas in the images. We have implemented proposed algorithms and conducted experiments for their efficiency, comparing with some modern cameras or smartphones. Experimental verification (enhanced by statistical analysis) shows that proposed algorithms give statistically less overexposed areas than comparative AEs.
An authentication protocol based on chaos and zero knowledge proof
Authors: Major Will , Buchanan William J. , Ahmad Jawad 
Published: January 2020

AbstractPort Knocking is a method for authenticating clients through a closed stance firewall, and authorising their requested actions, enabling severs to offer services to authenticated clients, without opening ports on the firewall. Advances in port knocking have resulted in an increase in complexity in design, preventing port knocking solutions from realising their potential. This paper proposes a novel port knocking solution, named Crucible, which is a secure method of authentication, with high usability and features of stealth, allowing servers and services to remain hidden and protected. Crucible is a stateless solution, only requiring the client memorise a command, the server’s IP and a chosen password. The solution is forwarded as a method for protecting servers against attacks ranging from port scans, to zero-day exploitation. To act as a random oracle for both client and server, cryptographic hashes were generated through chaotic systems.
A parametric study of an unbalanced Jeffcott rotor supported by a rolling-element bearing
Authors: Haslam Alexander H. , Schwingshackl Christoph W. , Rix Andrew I. J. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractRolling-element bearings are widely used in industrial rotating machines, and hence there is a strong need to accurately predict their influence on the response of such systems. However, this can be challenging due to an interaction between the dynamics of the rotor and the bearing nonlinearities, and it becomes difficult to provide a physical explanation for the nonlinear response. A novel approach, combining a Jeffcott rotor supported by a detailed bearing model with the generalised harmonic balance method, is presented, enabling an in-depth study of the complex rotor–stator interaction. This allows the quasi-periodic response of the rotor, due to variable compliance, to be captured, and the impact of clearance, ring and stator compliance, and centrifugal loading of the bearing on the response to be investigated. A strongly nonlinear response was observed due to the bearing, leading to large shifts in frequency as the excitation amplitude was increased, and the emergence of stable and unstable operating regions. The variable compliance effect generated sub-synchronous forcing, which led to sub-resonances when the ball pass frequency coincided with the frequency of one of the modes. Radial clearance in the bearing had by far the largest influence on the unbalance response, the self-excitation due to variable compliance, and the stability. Introducing outer ring compliance was found to slightly soften the system, and centrifugal loading on the bearing elements marginally increased the system’s region of instability, but neither of these effects had a significant impact on the response for the investigated bearing. When the bearing was mounted on a sufficiently compliant stator, the system was found to behave linearly.
Health-related quality of life in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: an Australian cross-sectional study
Authors: Eaton-Fitch N. , Johnston S. C. , Zalewski P. , Staines D. , Marshall-Gradisnik S. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a serious and debilitating disorder associated with significant disruptions in daily life including. This study aimed to examine the impact of sociodemographic and patient symptom characteristics on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Australians with ME/CFS.

Methods
Self-reported data collected from 480 individuals diagnosed with ME/CFS were obtained between August 2014 and August 2018. This cross-sectional survey analysed sociodemographic, symptom characteristics and HRQoL according to the 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36). Multivariate linear regression models were used to determine ME/CFS symptoms associated with eight domains of HRQoL.

Results
Reported HRQoL was significantly impaired in ME/CFS patients across all domains compared with the general population. Scores were the lowest for physical role (4.11 ± 15.07) and energy/fatigue (13.54 ± 13.94). Associations with females, higher body mass index (BMI), employment status, cognitive difficulties, sensory disturbances and cardiovascular symptoms were observed in the physical functioning domain. Impaired pain domain scores were associated with high BMI, annual visits to their general practitioner, flu-like symptoms and fluctuations in body temperature. Reduced well-being scores were associated with smoking status, psychiatric comorbidity, cognitive difficulties, sleep disturbances and gastrointestinal difficulties.

Conclusion
This study provides evidence that ME/CFS has a profound and negative impact on HRQoL in an Australian cohort.
Median Relative Partial Income Polarization Indices: Investigating Economic Polarization in Poland During the Years 2005–2015
Authors: Panek Tomasz , Zwierzchowski Jan 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn recent years, more and more attention has been focused on the effects of economic growth and inequality changes on income polarization, as well as on the changes in the middle income class fraction. A significant part of the literature that deals with these issues is focused on polarization indices. However, the polarization indices proposed by researchers do not allow for an assessment of impact of the income distribution changes on the disappearance of the middle income class. Moreover, the general income polarization indices do not allow for assessment of polarization within the distinguished income classes. This study proposes a class of median relative polarization partial indices, which allows for a comprehensive assessment of the median relative polarization over time, within the distinguished income classes, as well as the impact of income distribution changes (its polarization or convergence) on the change of the middle income class fraction (its disappearance or increase). Using Social Diagnosis panel data (a study carried out by the Social Monitoring Council), the proposed new tool has been used to verify the hypothesis of whether changes in the household income distribution in Poland during the years 2005–2015 have led to income polarization within the three distinguished income groups—lower, middle and upper income classes. Empirical analysis shows that despite the lack of overall polarization of incomes in the household population, there was a convergence of incomes in the upper and lower income classes and polarization of incomes within the middle income class. It implies that the income distribution has not been petrified, and as on average individuals in the lower and upper income classes tend to reduce the distance to the median income, whereas the members of the middle income class tend to be pushed out of the middle class. Moreover, the flows of households into the middle income class were higher than the outflows from this class, resulting in economic convergence, i.e. changes in income distribution leading to an increase of the middle income class fraction.
Visualising alignment to support students’ judgment of confidence in open learner models
Authors: Al-Shanfari Lamiya , Demmans Epp Carrie , Baber Chris , Nazir Mahvish 
Published: January 2020

AbstractKnowledge monitoring is a component of metacognition which can help students regulate their own learning. In adaptive learning software, the system’s model of the student can be presented as an open learner model (OLM) which is intended to enable monitoring processes. We explore how presenting alignment, between students’ self-assessed confidence and the system’s model of the student, supports knowledge monitoring. When students can see their confidence and their performance (either combined within one skill meter or expanded as two separate skill meters), their knowledge monitoring and performance improves, particularly for low-achieving students. These results indicate the importance of communicating the alignment between the system’s evaluation of student performance and student confidence in the correctness of their answers as a means to support metacognitive skills.
Performance Analysis of Novel Multi-band Monopole Antenna for Various Broadband Wireless Applications
Authors: Sediq Hiwa Taha , Mohammed Yasser Nozad 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis study investigates a novel concept of using slot and Coplanar Waveguide fed antenna to obtain multiband operation. The compact antenna includes a star monopole patch with a slit gap and a Star-shape slot on the patch as the radiating part and Dual Square shaped slots on the material as the ground plane. The presentation of techniques in the star-shaped patch and ground plane expands the total length of the current path. This increasing makes the multiband antenna to operate at 4.9 (WLAN), 5.9 (upper WiMAX), 8.2 (satellite TV), 11.8 (X-band) and 17.7 GHz (Ku-band), respectively. The antenna has a physical dimension of $$0.32\lambda_{0} \times 0.24\lambda_{0} \times 0.01\lambda_{0} = (20 \times 15 \times 1)$$0.32λ0×0.24λ0×0.01λ0=(20×15×1) mm3, at the minimum frequency of 4.9 GHz. The proposed configuration operates at 4.9, 5.9, 8.2, 11.8 and 17.7 GHz with bandwidth (S11 < −10 dB) of about 90%, 74.7%, 53.8%, 8.4% and 4.7%, respectively for simulation part. The antenna exhibits measured bandwidth (S11 < −10 dB) of about 108%, 84%, 64%, 9%, and 7% at resonant frequencies of 4.69, 6.03, 7.99, 11.88, and 17.53 GHz, respectively. The stability of the radiation features, VSWR < 1.5 and good agreement impedance are noticed across the operating bandwidth of the multiband antenna.
External validity and assignment of experimental vs. control treatment providers within small work groups: a research note
Authors: Sherman Lawrence W. , van Mastrigt Sarah , Gade Christian B. N. , Ammann Theresa , Strang Heather 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Objectives
When offenders or victims are randomly assigned to receive experimental vs. current treatments, the external validity of results may depend on whether different treatments are delivered by similar kinds of treatment providers. When treatment providers volunteer to deliver innovative practices in an experiment, it is unclear whether outcomes depend on the content of the treatment, enthusiasm of the providers for the new practice, or both. In such situations, the potential for what we describe as differential predisposition of volunteers for a new treatment raises a question of external validity.

Methods
We describe the process by which 14 out of 29 mediators across seven Danish police districts came to deliver a new, restorative conferencing method of conducting face-to-face meetings between offenders and their victims, in comparison to longstanding mediation methods.

Results
We negotiated with all seven District mediation leaders and all 29 of their mediators to use partial random assignment of 14 of the mediators to deliver the new, restorative model. The 14 trained providers of the new method were substantially similar in several measureable characteristics to the 15 other mediators who continued to use the preexisting model, but we cannot measure directly the extent or balance of their predispositions for delivering each model.

Conclusions
While small work teams pose obstacles to simple random assignment of treatment providers to deliver experimental practices, the random assignment of victims and offenders to two different models of service might be made more externally valid by use of partial random assignment of service providers.
On the road again: Wie kann die Arbeitsgestaltung zur Arbeitsfreude bei mobiler Arbeit beitragen?
Authors: Rieder Kerstin , Kraus Sylvia , Vogl Gerlinde 
Published: January 2020

ZusammenfassungIn dem Beitrag geht es um die Frage, welche Merkmale berufsbedingt mobiler Arbeit einen Zusammenhang mit Arbeitsfreude – als Indikator von intrinsischer Motivation – haben. In einer Studie wurden 407 mobil Beschäftigte schriftlich und 59 mittels Intensivinterviews befragt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass sowohl allgemeine arbeitsbezogene Ressourcen (Handlungsspielraum, Vielseitigkeit der Arbeitsinhalte, Führungsqualität) als auch mobilitätsbezogene Ressourcen (technisch-organisatorische Unterstützung unterwegs) die Arbeitsfreude stärken. In der Diskussion werden Empfehlungen für die Unternehmenspraxis abgeleitet.
Opioids in Cancer Development, Progression and Metastasis: Focus on Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Szczepaniak Adrian , Fichna Jakub , Zielińska Marta 
Published: January 2020

Opinion statementSo far, opioids have been successfully used to reduce cancer pain in patients in order to improve their quality of life. However, the use of opioids leads to numerous side effects such as constipation, drowsiness, nausea, itching, increased sweating and hormonal changes. In this review, we described the action of opioids in several molecular pathways significant for maintenance of the intestinal homeostasis including the impact on the intestinal epithelium integrity, changes in microbiome composition, modulation of the immune system or induction of apoptosis and inhibition of angiogenesis. We summed up the role of individual opioids in the processes involved in the growth and development of cancer and elucidated if targeting opioid receptors may constitute novel therapeutic option in colon cancer.