bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Revisiting the Optimum Receiver Filter Bandwidth for Range-Oversampling Processing
Authors: Torres Sebastián M. , Curtis Christopher D. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractFor weather radars, range-oversampling processing was proposed as an effective way either to reduce the variance of radar-variable estimates without increasing scan times or to reduce scan times without increasing the variance of estimates. Range oversampling entails acquiring the received signals at a rate L times as fast as the reciprocal of the pulse width (the conventional rate), where L is referred to as the range-oversampling factor. To accommodate the L-times-as-fast sampling, the original formulation of range-oversampling processing required a receiver filter with a bandwidth L times as wide as that of the matched filter (the conventional receiver filter). In this case, the noise at the output of the receiver filter can still be assumed to be white, resulting in a simplified formulation of the technique but also, and more important, in a more difficult practical implementation since the receiver filter in operational weather radars is typically matched to the transmitted pulse. In this work, we revisit the role of the receiver filter in the performance of range-oversampling processing and show that using a receiver matched filter not only facilitates the implementation of range-oversampling processing but also results in the lowest variance of radar-variable estimates.
Polygala fallax Hemsl combined with compound Sanqi granules relieves glomerulonephritis by regulating proliferation and apoptosis of glomerular mesangial cells
Authors: Chao Shiwei , Xu Qin , Dong Shaoning , Guo Min , Liu Xusheng , Cheng Xueren 
Published: January 2020

Objectives Glomerulonephritis is a serious kidney disease that can induce end-stage renal failure. The aberrant proliferation of mesangial cells is a cause of glomerulonephritis. Traditional Chinese medicines, such as Astragalus and Salvia miltrorrhiza, play important roles in the treatment of kidney-related diseases. However, the effects of a combination of Astragalus and S. miltrorrhiza-containing traditional Chinese medicines ( Polygala fallax Hemsl and compound Sanqi granules) on glomerulonephritis are unclear. Methods HRM cells (human mesangial cells) were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide to simulate glomerulonephritis. Separately, compound Sanqi granules and P. fallax Hemsl were administered to nude mice in various combinations. Serum was collected from the treated mice and added to HRM cells; the proliferation and apoptosis characteristics of the cells were assessed. Results The proliferation of HRM cells was inhibited after exposure to serum from treated mice. Exposure to serum from treated mice moderately induced apoptosis of HRM cells and lowered the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Conclusions Combination treatment with compound Sanqi granules and P. fallax Hemsl exerts a therapeutic effect on glomerulonephritis by inhibiting the proliferation of mesangial cells, while inducing apoptosis in those cells.
Comparative Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Blended Learning Versus Traditional Learning in Cephalometrics for Undergraduates
Authors: Yashwant Aniruddh V. , Arayambath Balamani , Murugaboopathy Vikneshan , Kommi Pradeep Babu , Prashad Karthikshree V. , Rajasekaran U. B. 
Published: January 2020

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of blended learning versus traditional learning in a cephalometric learning module for undergraduates. Materials and methods: This study was designed as a pre- and posttest trial. 150 undergraduates were randomly allocated to two groups: group 1 for traditional learning, and group 2, for blended learning. Pretest and posttest scores of both groups of 25 MCQs on cephalometrics were obtained. Feedback was obtained from the participants in this study and analyzed. Results: In group 1, the mean pretest and posttest scores were 13.87 and 16.10, respectively. In group 2, the mean value for the pretest and posttest scores were 14.01 and 22.18, respectively. The mean improvement in knowledge score was significantly higher in group 1 (2.233) compared to the mean score of group 2 (8.171). The level of statistical significance was P < .001. Feedback analysis showed the participants found the experience with Dolphin software better than traditional learning (Dolphin Cephalometric Imaging and Management software [version 11.8.24 Chatsworth,CA,USA]). For over 50% participants, their overall opinion on the cephalometric module was very good (score = 5). Conclusion: Blended learning increases the effectiveness of cephalometric learning by means of better student performance. Commercially available Cephalometric software can be used for e-learning instead of a specifically designed learning software.
Effect of the Attachment and Child Health Parent Training Program on Parent–Child Interaction Quality and Child Development
Authors: Anis Lubna , Letourneau Nicole , Benzies Karen , Ewashen Carol , Hart Martha J. 
Published: January 2020

Background Exposure to chronic stressors (poverty, addiction, family violence) in early life can derail children’s development. Interventions focused on parental reflective function may promote parents’ abilities to regulate their feelings and behaviors toward their children and buffer the impact of chronic stressors on children’s development by nurturing high-quality parent–child interaction. Purpose To test the effectiveness of parental reflective function-focused intervention entitled Attachment and Child Health on parent–child interaction and child development. Methods We conducted two pilots with vulnerable mothers and children <36 months. Randomized controlled trial (n = 20) and quasi-experimental (n = 10) methods tested the effect of Attachment and Child Health on parent–child interaction via Parent–Child Interaction Teaching Scale (PCITS) and on child development via Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) and Ages and Stages Questionnaire—Social Emotional (ASQSE). We employed analysis of covariance and t-tests to examine the outcomes. Results For randomized controlled trial, we found significant improvements in PCITS parent total, combined total, and cognitive growth fostering scores, and ASQ-3 personal-social scores post-intervention. For quasi-experimental study, we found significant improvements in PCITS combined total, sensitivity to cues, response to child’s distress, and responsiveness to caregiver scores. Conclusion Incorporating Attachment and Child Health contributed to effective programming for vulnerable families with young children.
Registered Nurses’ Experiences of Medication Errors—An Original Research Protocol: Methodology, Methods, and Ethics
Authors: Athanasakis Efstratios 
Published: January 2020

Background The investigation of medication errors in nursing includes both methodological and ethical considerations because it is a sensitive field of research. Purpose To present an original research protocol for the investigation of nurses’ experiences of medication errors with interpretative phenomenological analysis and the relevant methodological and ethical considerations. Methods A discursive paper which presents an original research protocol about nurses’ experiences of medication errors with interpretative phenomenological analysis followed by a literature review and personal reflections about the relevant methodological and ethical considerations. The review included papers published in English from 1990 to February 2019 on PubMed, BNI (British Nursing Index), CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Allied Health Literature), ScienceDirect, and Wiley Online Library. Results The following methodological considerations were identified: recruitment of participants, data collection, and data analysis, and the ethical considerations included researcher’s morality, ethics committees, sensitivity, phrasing of sentences and words, recruitment of participants, location of interviews, type of interviews, emotionality management, medication error incidents’ management, researcher, or nurse? Conclusion By facing as many as possible methodological and ethical considerations and establishing solutions for them, the study’s validity, reliability, and rigor are enhanced, and the study is ethically robust. Finally, their understanding enables researchers to uncover nurses’ experiences and interpret the meanings they generate in depth.
Imaging of Blunt Pancreatic Trauma: A Systematic Review
Authors: Odedra Devang , Mellnick Vincent M. , Patlas Michael N. 
Published: January 2020

Purpose: Despite several published reports on the value of imaging in acute blunt pancreatic trauma, there remains a large variability in the reported performance of ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of this study is to present a systematic review on the utility of these imaging modalities in the acute assessment of blunt pancreatic trauma. In addition, a brief overview of the various signs of pancreatic trauma will be presented. Methods: Keyword search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases for relevant studies in the last 20 years (1999 onward). Titles and abstracts were screened, followed by full-text screening. Inclusion criteria were defined as studies reporting on the effectiveness of imaging modality (US, CT, or MRI) in detecting blunt pancreatic trauma. Results: After initial search of 743 studies, a total of 37 studies were included in the final summary. Thirty-six studies were retrospective in nature. Pancreatic injury was the primary study objective in 21 studies. Relevant study population varied from 5 to 299. Seventeen studies compared the imaging findings against intraoperative findings. Seven studies performed separate analysis for pancreatic ductal injuries and 9 studies only investigated ductal injuries. The reported sensitivities for the detection of pancreatic injuries at CT ranged from 33% to 100% and specificity ranged from 62% to 100%. Sensitivity at US ranged from 27% to 96%. The sensitivity at MRI was only reported in 1 study and was 92%. Conclusion: There remains a large heterogeneity among reported studies in the accuracy of initial imaging modalities for blunt pancreatic injury. Although technological advances in imaging equipment would be expected to improve accuracy, the current body of literature remains largely divided. There is a need for future studies utilizing the most advanced imaging equipment with appropriately defined gold standards and outcome measures.
Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptor‐independent lung endothelial cell barrier disruption induced by FTY720 regioisomers
Authors: Camp Sara M. , Marciniak Alexander , Chiang Eddie T. , Garcia Alexander N. , Bittman Robert , Polt Robin , Perez Ruth G. , Dudek Steven M. , Garcia Joe G. N. 
Published: January 2020

RationaleVascular permeability is a hallmark of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and ventilator‐induced lung injury pathobiology; however, the mechanisms underlying this vascular dysregulation remain unclear, thereby impairing the development of desperately needed effective therapeutics. We have shown that sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) and 2‐amino‐2‐(2‐[4‐octylphenyl]ethyl)‐1,3‐propanediol (FTY720) analogues are useful tools for exploring vascular barrier regulation mechanisms.ObjectiveTo experimentally define the effects of FTY720 regioisomers on lung endothelial cell barrier regulation.MethodsSpecific barrier‐regulatory receptor and kinase inhibitors were utilized to probe signaling mechanisms involved in FTY720 regioisomer‐mediated human lung endothelial cell barrier responses (trans‐endothelial electrical resistance, TER). Docking simulations with the S1P1 receptor were performed to further evaluate FTY720 regioisomer signaling.ResultsFTY720 regioisomers produced potent endothelial cell barrier disruption reflected by declines in TER alterations. Pharmacologic inhibition of Gi‐coupled S1P receptors (S1P1, S1P2, S1P3) failed to alter FTY720 regioisomer‐mediated barrier disruption; findings that were corroborated by docking simulations demonstrating FTY720 regiosomers were repelled from S1P1 docking, in contrast to strong S1P1 binding elicited by S1P. Inhibition of either the barrier‐disrupting PAR‐1 receptor, the VEGF receptor, Rho‐kinase, MAPK, NFkB, or PI3K failed to alter FTY720 regioisomer‐induced endothelial cell barrier disruption. While FTY720 regioisomers significantly increased protein phosphatase 2 (PP2A) activity, PP2A inhibitors failed to alter FTY720 regioisomer‐induced endothelial cell barrier disruption.ConclusionsTogether, these results imply a vexing model of pulmonary vascular barrier dysregulation in response to FTY720‐related compounds and highlight the need for further insights into mechanisms of vascular integrity required to promote the development of novel therapeutic tools to prevent or reverse the pulmonary vascular leak central to ARDS outcomes.
How Informal Sector Affects the Formal Economy in Pakistan? A Lesson for Developing Countries
Authors: Mughal Khurrum S. , Schneider Friedrich G. 
Published: January 2020

We explore the interaction of the informal sector with the formal economy for a developing economy, that is, Pakistan. Estimation results are obtained via autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach, which show a significantly positive effect of the informal sector in the long run whereas a negative impact of informal sector is found in the short run. We also present dynamic simulations to show the effect/contribution in terms of revised GDP per capita if the informal sector is accounted for in official statistics. The novelty of results is the varying effects of the informal sector across two time horizons that can have serious policy implications for developing and transition economies with large informal sectors. Although, the findings of this article enrich our understanding on the behaviour of the informal sector, they further fuel the debate associated with eradication of the informal sector. Efforts to curb informal activities may burden the low-skilled workforce in this sector and increase corruption opportunities in bureaucracy in the absence of institutional reforms. On the contrary, it makes the formal sector policy design and implementation a challenging task. JEL Classification: E26, H26, K42, O17
A Comparative Study on SECA Compliance Options for Maritime Fuel Producers
Authors: Olaniyi Eunice Omolola , Prause Gunnar 
Published: January 2020

In January 2015, the Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECA) regulations changed so that ships that ply the Baltic Sea and the North Sea can no longer use bunker fuel that exceeds 0.1 per cent v/v of sulphur. Many changes have been seen in the maritime sector, especially in the Baltic Sea region (BSR). From studies, the impact is still somewhat negative for some maritime stakeholders, such as small-scale fuel producing companies who must produce fuel that complies with the SECA requirements. The impact analysis of their compliance options shows that hydrodesulphurisation (HDS) option is the most viable option with a commensurable investment return rate, but it is highly risky and expensive considering the incessant plummeting of fuel price and the financial status of such companies. However, even though the situation looks bleak for the small-scale maritime fuel producers, a deeper probe revealed a chance for exceptional opportunities for growth and profit through a change of business model to the maritime energy-contracting model (MEC). The study zooms in on a case study of a fuel producing company and empirically compares the operating costs of the MEC model (as a decentralised option) and the HDS process (as a centralised option) to determine which option will be most economically worthwhile if adopted as a SECA compliance strategy to ensure a rounded and robust choice-making process for maritime stakeholders in such situations.
Social Business Model and its Efficacy: A Case Study on Agroforestry in the Indian Context
Authors: Kumar Neelesh 
Published: January 2020

This article aims to discuss how social impact and social value creation (SVC) happen in a social enterprise. It attempts to understand the efficacy of social innovation through the lens of different stakeholders within a social enterprise with special reference to the beneficiary and the social entrepreneur.The article uses a case study research method within qualitative research with the emphasis on intrinsic and instrumental case research. An inductive, interpretivist approach has been used for drawing propositions.Through six propositions, the article understands the phenomenon of social innovation, the barriers and bottlenecks in the same which ultimately has to lead to higher levels of social impact and SVC resulting in a win-win-win situation for all the stakeholders.The biggest limitation is that it is difficult to generalise the phenomenon occurring in case of this case research, which may be exactly replicated in other organisational settings/situations/circumstances.The case study has been developed after having taken permission directly from the founder and co-founders of the enterprise. Due permission had been sought from the social entrepreneur(s) before going ahead with the writing and construction of this research article.
Outcomes of Cartilage‐Sparing Wide Local Excision for Primary Melanoma of the External Ear
Authors: Yamasaki Alisa , Wu Michael P. , Emerick Kevin S. 
Published: January 2020

ObjectiveTo describe outcomes after cartilage‐sparing wide local excision for primary melanoma of the external ear.Study DesignRetrospective analysis of patients undergoing external ear melanoma excision using a cartilage‐sparing approach at a university‐based tertiary care center between 2010 and 2018.SettingUniversity‐based tertiary care center.Subject and MethodsChart review was performed for all patients over age 18 who were treated for melanoma of the external ear at Massachusetts Eye and Ear between 2010 and 2018. Patients with melanoma in situ or with melanomas in noncartilaginous areas of the ear (eg, lobule) were excluded.ResultsA total of 8 patients underwent cartilage‐sparing excision. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed in 7 patients, with positive lymph nodes in 1 of 7 cases. Positive margins and local recurrence occurred in 1 of 8 (12.5%) patients during a mean (SD) follow‐up time of 22.5 (15.1) months (SE, 5.3 months). No distant metastasis or death was observed.ConclusionCartilage‐sparing wide local excision for melanoma of the external ear is a surgical approach that enables surgeons to follow guideline‐recommended oncologic excision margins but has the added benefit of improved postoperative aesthetic outcomes as well as reconstructive options through preservation of the auricular cartilage framework.
The economic value of R0 for selective breeding against microparasitic diseases
Authors: Janssen Kasper , Bijma Piter 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Microparasitic diseases are caused by bacteria and viruses. Genetic improvement of resistance to microparasitic diseases in breeding programs is desirable and should aim at reducing the basic reproduction ratio $${\text{R}}_{0}$$R0. Recently, we developed a method to derive the economic value of $${\text{R}}_{0}$$R0 for macroparasitic diseases. In epidemiological models for microparasitic diseases, an animal’s disease status is treated as infected or not infected, resulting in a definition of $${\text{R}}_{0}$$R0 that differs from that for macroparasitic diseases. Here, we extend the method for the derivation of the economic value of $${\text{R}}_{0}$$R0 to microparasitic diseases.

Methods
When $${\text{R}}_{0} \le 1$$R0≤1, the economic value of $${\text{R}}_{0}$$R0 is zero because the disease is very rare. When $${\text{R}}_{0}$$R0. is higher than 1, genetic improvement of $${\text{R}}_{0}$$R0 can reduce expenditures on vaccination if vaccination induces herd immunity, or it can reduce production losses due to disease. When vaccination is used to achieve herd immunity, expenditures are proportional to the critical vaccination coverage, which decreases with $${\text{R}}_{0}$$R0. The effect of $${\text{R}}_{0}$$R0 on losses is considered separately for epidemic and endemic disease. Losses for epidemic diseases are proportional to the probability and size of major epidemics. Losses for endemic diseases are proportional to the infected fraction of the population at the endemic equilibrium.

Results
When genetic improvement reduces expenditures on vaccination, expenditures decrease with $${\text{R}}_{0}$$R0 at an increasing rate. When genetic improvement reduces losses in epidemic or endemic diseases, losses decrease with $${\text{R}}_{0}$$R0 at an increasing rate. Hence, in all cases, the economic value of $${\text{R}}_{0}$$R0 increases as $${\text{R}}_{0}$$R0 decreases towards 1.

Discussion
$${\text{R}}_{0}$$R0 and its economic value are more informative for potential benefits of genetic improvement than heritability estimates for survival after a disease challenge. In livestock, the potential for genetic improvement is small for epidemic microparasitic diseases, where disease control measures limit possibilities for phenotyping. This is not an issue in aquaculture, where controlled challenge tests are performed in dedicated facilities. If genetic evaluations include infectivity, genetic gain in $${\text{R}}_{0}$$R0 can be accelerated but this would require different testing designs.

Conclusions
When $${\text{R}}_{0} \le 1$$R0≤1, its economic value is zero. The economic value of $${\text{R}}_{0}$$R0 is highest at low values of $${\text{R}}_{0}$$R0 and approaches zero at high values of $${\text{R}}_{0}$$R0.
BCREval: a computational method to estimate the bisulfite conversion ratio in WGBS
Authors: Zhou Junhua , Zhao Minqiong , Sun Zefang , Wu Feilong , Liu Yucong , Liu Xianghua , He Zuping , He Quanze , He Quanyuan 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) also known as BS-seq has been widely used to measure the methylation of whole genome at single-base resolution. One of the key steps in the assay is converting unmethylated cytosines into thymines (BS conversion). Incomplete conversion of unmethylated cytosines can introduce false positive methylation call. Developing a quick method to evaluate bisulfite conversion ratio (BCR) is benefit for both quality control and data analysis of WGBS.

Results
Here we provide a computational method named “BCREval” to estimate the unconverted rate (UCR) by using telomeric repetitive DNA as native spike-in control. We tested the method by using public WGBS data and found that it is very stable and most of BS conversion assays can achieve> 99.5% efficiency. The non-CpG DNA methylation at telomere fits a binomial model and may result from a random process with very low possibility (the ratio < 0.4%). And the comparison between BCREval and Bismark (Krueger and Andrews, Bioinformatics 27:1571–1572, 2011), a widely used BCR evaluator, suggests that our algorithm is much faster and more efficient than the latter.

Conclusion
Our method is a simple but robust method to QC and speculates BCR for WGBS experiments to make sure it achieves acceptable level. It is faster and more efficient than current tools and can be easily integrated into presented WGBS pipelines.