bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An ultrasound image‐based deep multi‐scale texture network for liver fibrosis grading in patients with chronic HBV infection
Authors: Ruan Dongsheng , Shi Yu , Jin Linfeng , Yang Qiao , Yu Wenwen , Ren Haotang , Zheng Weiyang , Chen Yongping , Zheng Nenggan , Zheng Min 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackground & AimsThe evaluation of the stage of liver fibrosis is essential in patients with chronic liver disease. However, due to the low quality of ultrasound images, the non‐invasive diagnosis of liver fibrosis based on ultrasound images is still an outstanding question. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of a deep learning‐based method in ultrasound images for liver fibrosis staging in multicentre patients.MethodsIn this study, we proposed a novel deep learning‐based approach, named multi‐scale texture network (MSTNet), to assess liver fibrosis, which extracted multi‐scale texture features from constructed image pyramid patches. Its diagnostic accuracy was investigated by comparing it with APRI, FIB‐4, Forns and sonographers. Data of 508 patients who underwent liver biopsy were included from 4 hospitals. The area‐under‐the ROC curve (AUC) was determined by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves for significant fibrosis (≥F2) and cirrhosis (F4).ResultsThe AUCs (95% confidence interval) of MSTNet were 0.92 (0.87‐0.96) for ≥F2 and 0.89 (0.83‐0.95) for F4 on the validation group, which significantly outperformed APRI, FIB‐4 and Forns. The sensitivity and specificity of MSTNet (85.1% (74.5%‐92.0%) and 87.6% (78.0%‐93.6%)) were better than those of three sonographers in assessing ≥F2.ConclusionsThe proposed MSTNet is a promising ultrasound image‐based method for the non‐invasive grading of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic HBV infection.
Incidence of liver‐related morbidity and mortality in a population cohort of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Männistö Ville T. , Salomaa Veikko , Färkkilä Martti , Jula Antti , Männistö Satu , Erlund Iris , Sundvall Jouko , Lundqvist Annamari , Perola Markus , Åberg Fredrik 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackground & AimsNon‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) increases morbidity and mortality. However, patients in biopsy‐based cohorts are highly selected and the absolute risks of liver‐ and non‐liver outcomes in NAFLD in population remains undefined. We analysed both liver‐related and non‐liver‐related outcomes in Finnish population cohorts of NAFLD.MethodsWe included 10 993 individuals (6707 men, mean age 53.3 ± 12.6 years) with NAFLD (fatty liver index ≥60) from the Finnish population‐based FINRISK and Health 2000 studies. Liver fibrosis was assessed by the dAAR score, and genetic risk by a recent polygenic risk score (PRS‐5). Incident liver‐related outcomes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer and chronic kidney disease (CKD) were identified through linkage with national registries.ResultsMean follow‐up was 12.1 years (1128 069 person‐years). The crude incidence rate of liver‐related outcomes in NAFLD was 0.97/1000 person‐years. The cumulative incidence increased with age, being respectively 2.4% and 1.5% at 20 years in men and women aged 60 years at baseline, while the relative risks for CVD and cancer were 9‐16 times higher. The risk of CKD exceeded that of liver outcomes at a baseline age around 50 years. 20‐year cumulative incidence of liver‐related outcomes was 4.3% in the high, and 1.5% in the low PRS‐5 group. The dAAR score associated with liver outcomes, but not with extra‐hepatic outcomes.ConclusionThe absolute risk of liver‐related outcomes in NAFLD is low, with much higher risk of CVD and cancer, emphasizing the need for more individualized and holistic risk‐stratification in NAFLD.
Heterothermy, body size, and locomotion as ecological predictors of migration in mammals
Authors: Webber Quinn M. R. , McGuire Liam P. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Migration is ubiquitous among animals and has evolved repeatedly and independently. Comparative studies of the evolutionary origins of migration in birds are widespread, but are lacking in mammals. Mammalian species have greater variation in functional traits that may be relevant for migration. Interspecific variation in migration behaviour is often attributed to mode of locomotion (i.e. running, swimming, and flying) and body size, but traits associated with the evolutionary precursor hypothesis, including geographic distribution, habitat, and diet, could also be important predictors of migration in mammals. Furthermore, mammals vary in thermoregulatory strategies and include many heterothermic species, providing an alternative strategy to avoid seasonal resource depletion.

We tested the evolutionary precursor hypothesis for the evolution of migration in mammals and tested predictions linking migration to locomotion, body size, geographic distribution, habitat, diet, and thermoregulation. We compiled a dataset of 722 species from 27 mammalian orders and conducted a series of analyses using phylogenetically informed models.

Swimming and flying mammals were more likely to migrate than running mammals, and larger species were more likely to migrate than smaller ones. However, heterothermy was common among small running mammals that were unlikely to migrate. High‐latitude swimming and flying mammals were more likely to migrate than high‐latitude running mammals (where heterothermy was common), and most migratory running mammals were herbivorous. Running mammals and frugivorous bats with high thermoregulatory scope (greater capacity for heterothermy) were less likely to migrate, while insectivorous bats with high thermoregulatory scope were more likely to migrate.

Our results indicate a broad range of factors that influence migration, depending on locomotion, body size, and thermoregulation. Our analysis of migration in mammals provided insight into some of the general rules of migration, and we highlight opportunities for future investigations of exceptions to these rules, ultimately leading to a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of migration.
Gender bias in resident evaluations: Natural language processing and competency evaluation
Authors: Andrews Jane , Chartash David , Hay Seonaid 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundResearch shows that female trainees experience evaluation penalties for gender non‐conforming behaviour during medical training. Studies of medical education evaluations and performance scores do reflect a gender bias, though studies are of varying methodology and results have not been consistent.ObjectiveWe sought to examine the differences in word use, competency themes and length within written evaluations of internal medicine residents at scale, considering the impact of both faculty and resident gender. We hypothesised that female internal medicine residents receive more negative feedback, and different thematic feedback than male residents.MethodsThis study utilised a corpus of 3864 individual responses to positive and negative questions over the course of six years (2012‐2018) within Yale University School of Medicine's internal medicine residency. Researchers developed a sentiment model to assess the valence of evaluation responses. We then used natural language processing (NLP) to evaluate whether female versus male residents received more positive or negative feedback and if that feedback focussed on different Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) core competencies based on their gender. Evaluator‐evaluatee gender dyad was analysed to see how it impacted quantity and quality of feedback.ResultsWe found that female and male residents did not have substantively different numbers of positive or negative comments. While certain competencies were discussed more than others, gender did not seem to influence which competencies were discussed. Neither gender trainee received more written feedback, though female evaluators tended to write longer evaluations.ConclusionsWe conclude that when examined at scale, quantitative gender differences are not as prevalent as has been seen in qualitative work. We suggest that further investigation of linguistic phenomena (such as context) is warranted to reconcile this finding with prior work.
Use of satellite imagery to identify southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) on a Southwest Atlantic Ocean breeding ground
Authors: Corrêa Audrey A. , Quoos João H. , Barreto André S. , Groch Karina R. , Eichler Patricia P. B. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractSatellite imagery has been used to improve scientific research worldwide. In this study, the southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) was chosen to test the use of medium, high, and very high resolution (VHR) satellite images, on the Brazilian breeding ground. These images were used to identify the whales and were compared to aerial survey data collected in the same area. The VHR satellite images from the Pleiades‐1A satellite, available on Google Earth, displayed the best results when compared to those from Sentinel 2, Landsat 8, Rapid Eye, and Planet Scope. No significant differences were observed (Mann‐Whitney U test) between the possible whales recorded in the satellite images and of real whales recorded in situ by aerial surveys, while considering either the number of groups (p = .841, n = 5) or the total number of animals (p = .222, n = 5). Further, when using VHR images, the geographical positions of the whales recorded in situ had a positive correlation with the positions generated from the satellite images (Mantel test: r = 0.52, p = .001, n = 13). This technique may represent an important tool for detecting right whales, especially in countries where research funding is scarce.
Degrees of commensurability and the repugnant conclusion
Authors: Hájek Alan , Rabinowicz Wlodek 
Published: July 2021

AbstractTwo objects of valuation are said to be incommensurable if neither is better than the other, nor are they equally good. This negative, coarse‐grained characterization fails to capture the nuanced structure of incommensurability. We argue that our evaluative resources are far richer than orthodoxy recognizes. We model value comparisons with the corresponding class of permissible preference orderings. Then, making use of our model, we introduce a potentially infinite set of degrees of approximation to better, worse, and equally good, which we interpret as degrees of commensurability.One payoff is the solution our approach provides to a paradox in population ethics, generated by Parfit's “Continuum Argument”. Parfit imagines a sequence of populations, starting with one consisting of excellent lives and, by a sequence of apparent improvements, reaching a much larger population of lives barely worth living. What he dubs “the Repugnant Conclusion” is that the final population is better than the first. Developing Parfit's response, we argue that some of the populations in the sequence are merely almost better than their immediate predecessors. Almost better is not transitive (unlike better). We offer analogies to other ‘spectrum arguments’, Condorcet's paradox, and to developments in formal epistemology.
Rethinking Risk Perception and its Importance for Explaining Natural Hazard Preparedness Behavior
Authors: Scovell Mitchell , McShane Connar , Swinbourne Anne , Smith Daniel 
Published: July 2021

AbstractPsychological theory suggests there is a positive association between risk perception and protective behavior. Empirical research has, however, found mixed support for the positive link between risk perception and protective behavior. One explanation for the inconsistent link is the way in which risk perception has been conceptualized and/or operationalized in past research. Specifically, few studies acknowledge differences in hazard severity and how it might affect risk perception and protective behavior. Past research has also tended to overlook the importance of emotional appraisal in relation to perceived hazard consequences. To address these inconsistencies in past research, 337 people living in a cyclone‐prone location were recruited to participate in an online study. In this study, respondents were randomly presented with one of five hypothetical cyclone scenarios, which differed in objective severity. Respondents were also presented with a survey, which assessed risk perception, protective action perceptions (or coping appraisal), and intentions to perform short‐term protective behaviors. As hypothesized, risk perception significantly increased preparedness intentions when controlling for hazard severity, hazard probability, and protective action perceptions. Moreover, the degree to which respondents associated negative emotions with predicted damage was also a relatively strong predictor of preparedness intentions. Overall, the findings support the theoretical link between risk perception and protective behavior and provide a new method of assessing risk perception in cross‐sectional research. On a practical level, the results suggest that increasing risk perception should promote protective behavior in response to natural hazards.
Undisclosed HIV status and antiretroviral therapy use among South African blood donors
Authors: van den Berg Karin , Vermeulen Marion , Louw Vernon J. , Murphy Edward L. , Maartens Gary 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundUndisclosed antiretroviral drug (ARV) use among blood donors who tested HIV antibody positive, but RNA negative, was previously described by our group. Undisclosed ARV use represents a risk to blood transfusion safety. We assessed the prevalence of and associations with undisclosed ARV use among HIV‐positive donors who donated during 2017.Study design and methodsSouth African National Blood Service (SANBS) blood donors are screened by self‐administered questionnaire, semi‐structured interview, and individual donation nucleic acid amplification testing for HIV. Stored samples from HIV‐positive donations were tested for ARV and characterized as recent/longstanding using lag avidity testing.ResultsOf the 1462 HIV‐positive donations in 2017, 1250 had plasma availability for testing of which 122 (9.8%) tested positive for ARV. Undisclosed ARV use did not differ by gender (p = .205) or ethnicity (p = .505) but did differ by age category (p < .0001), donor (p < .0001), clinic type (p = .012), home province (p = .01), and recency (p < .0001). Multivariable logistic regression found older age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.98–7.04 for donors >40 compared with those <21), first‐time donation (aOR 5.24; 95% CI 2.48–11.11), and donation in a high HIV‐prevalence province (aOR 9.10; 95% CI 2.70–30.72) compared with Northern Rural provinces to be independently associated with undisclosed ARV use.DiscussionAlmost 1 in 10 HIV‐positive blood donors neglected to disclose their HIV status and ARV use. Demographic characteristics of donors with undisclosed ARV use differed from those noted in other study. Underlying motivations for nondisclosure among blood donors remain unclear and may differ from those in other populations with significant undisclosed ARV use.
Experience and market signals in export entry decisions
Authors: Mendoza Beverly 
Published: July 2021

AbstractExport entry deterrence is a result of export uncertainty, which inhibits the discovery of new exports and prevents a country from realising its true comparative advantage. This paper examines how firms resolve uncertainty through the combination of two learning channels: learning from others and their own export experience. Using Chilean customs data (2007–2016), I find that early entrants have a short export duration and have little export experience. When combining the two learning channels, I find that less experienced exporters are more responsive to new information. Significantly, when observing a 10% increase in average initial export growth, less experience firms have double the entry probability compared with more experienced firms.
Alternative Blade Profile Based on Savonius Concept for Effective Wind Energy Harvesting
Authors: Talukdar Parag K. , Alom Nur , Rathod Umang H. , Kulkarni Vinayak 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The drag-based vertical-axis Savonius wind rotor is a potential candidate for harvesting renewable energy. It is very simple in design and can be deployed as an off-grid electricity system in remote locations having no access to electricity. The present work aims to develop a novel blade profile for the Savonius rotor in order to improve its performance. In that connection, an arc-elliptical-blade profile has been developed and rotor performance has been assessed through wind tunnel testing at three different Reynolds numbers (Re = 87,039, 107,348, and 131,066). Further, its performance is compared to that of a conventional semicircular-bladed rotor under identical test conditions. The experiments revealed the maximum power coefficient (CPmax) of 0.11, 0.162, 0.213 at Re = 87,039, 107,348, and 131,066, respectively, for the arc-elliptical-bladed rotor. To complement the experimental findings and to examine the flow behavior around the rotor blades, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations have also been performed using ansys fluent software. The local torque is found to be greater around the advancing arc-elliptical blade than around the advancing semicircular blade. It has also been noticed that the pressure distributions over concave sides are similar regardless of the blade shape.
Towards Mg Based Light Materials of Future: Properties, Applications, Problems, and Their Mitigation
Authors: Maqbool Annayath , Khan Noor Zaman , Siddiquee Arshad Noor 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The use of lighter materials is one of the efficient means to mitigate the increasing demands on fuel resources, reduce CO2 emissions. Mg is one of the lightest material available and possesses exciting range of properties such as low density and high strength to weight ratio. Despite such exciting properties, the applications of Mg and its alloys were very limited in aerospace, automotive, and biomedical industries but recently the application is picking-up. The restricted application is attributed to anisotropy, poor corrosive resistance, and inflammability of Mg. The current review addresses the barriers limiting the widespread application of Mg based materials. Furthermore, the mitigation of the problems of anisotropy, poor corrosion resistance, ductility, and inflammability of Mg are critically reviewed. The findings of this research provide insights of the processing techniques, properties and how to address the potential barriers of limited applications. The review paper will assist and motivate the researchers to ponder and overcome numerous problems related to Mg and its alloys by understanding the importance of each problem discussed in this review. An attempt has also been made to arrange research status on issues and the mitigation thereof with respect to Mg and its alloys as single reference point.
An Optimization Framework for the Design of Cable Harness Layouts in Planar Interconnected Systems
Authors: Masoudi Nafiseh , Fadel Georges 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The components of complex systems such as automobiles or ships communicate via connectors, including wires, hoses, or pipes whose weight could substantially increase the total weight of the system. Hence, it is of paramount importance to lay out these connectors such that their overall weight is minimized. In this paper, a computationally efficient approach is proposed to optimize the layout of flexible connectors (e.g., cable harnesses) by minimizing their overall length while maximizing their common length. The approach provides a framework to mathematically model the cable harness layout optimization problem. A Multiobjective Genetic Algorithm (MOGA) solver is then applied to solve the optimization problem, which outputs a set of non-dominated solutions to the bi-objective problem. Finally, the effects of the workspace’s geometric structure on the optimal layouts of cable harnesses are discussed using sample test cases. The overarching objective of this study is to provide insight for designers of cable harnesses when deciding on the final layout of connectors considering aspects such as accessibility to and maintainability of these connectors.
Tradition, taste and taboo: the gastroecology of maternal perinatal diet
Authors: Lunkenheimer Hannah G , Burger Oskar , Akhauri Santosh , Chaudhuri Indrajit , Dibbell Lisa , Hashmi Faiz A , Johnson Tracy , Little Emily E , Mondal Sudipta , Mor Nachiket , Saldanha Neela , Schooley Janine , Legare Cristine H 
Published: July 2021

BackgroundMaternal malnutrition is a major source of regional health inequity and contributes to maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. Bihar, a state in eastern India adjacent to Jharkhand and West Bengal, has relatively high neonatal mortality rates because a large portion of infants are born to young mothers. Bihar has the second-highest proportion of underweight children under 3 in India, with infant mortality rates of 48 per 1000 live births. Maternal malnutrition remains a major threat to perinatal health in Bihar, where 58.3% of pregnant women are anaemic.MethodsWe examined dietary beliefs and practices among mothers, mothers-in-law and community members, including Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), using focus group discussions (n=40 groups, 213 participants), key informant interviews (n=50 participants) and quantitative surveys (n=1200 recent mothers and 400 community health workers). We report foods that are added/avoided during the perinatal period, along with stated reasons underlying food choice. We summarise the content of the diet based on responses to the quantitative survey and identify influencers of food choice and stated explanations for adding and avoiding foods.Key findingsAnalyses for all methodologies included gathering frequency counts and running descriptive statistics by food item, recommendation to eat or avoid, pregnancy or post partum, food group and health promoting or risk avoiding. During pregnancy, commonly added foods were generally nutritious (milk, pulses) with explanations for consuming these foods related to promoting health. Commonly avoided foods during pregnancy were also nutritious (wood apples, eggplant) with explanations for avoiding these foods related to miscarriage, newborn appearance and issues with digestion. Post partum, commonly added foods included sweets because they ease digestion whereas commonly avoided foods included eggplants and oily or spicy foods. Family, friends, relatives or neighbours influenced food choice for both mothers and ASHAs more than ASHAs and other health workers.Perinatal dietary beliefs and behaviours are shaped by localgastroecologiesor systems of knowledge and practice that surround and inform dietary choices, as well as how those choices are explained and influenced. Our data provide novel insight into how health influencers operating within traditional and biomedical health systems shape the perinatal dietary beliefs of both mothers and community health workers.