bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A comprehensive assessment of secondary school students’ computational thinking skills
Authors: Polat Elif , Hopcan Sinan , Kucuk Sevda , Sisman Burak 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPerformance in and perceptions of computational thinking (CT) are considered vital dimensions for comprehensively assessing CT skills of students. In this study, secondary school students’ CT performance and their perceptions were examined in terms of certain variables including gender, grade level, achievement and self‐efficacy. Casual‐comparative and correlational methods were used. The sample of the study consisted of a total of 328 fifth‐ and sixth‐grade (10–12 years old) secondary school students taking visual programming lessons. CT performance and perception tests were employed as data collection tools. The results show that CT performance of boys was higher than that of girls. A significant difference was found in both CT performance and perception depending on grades. The results show that achievement in math positively affected CT performance and perception. However, achievement in IT affected CT performance less than achievement in math. Implications are discussed in terms of theoretical insights, practices for improving CT skills in secondary schools and directions for further research.
Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic

Due to the complex structure of computational thinking (CT) in association with computers, cognition, learning and psychology, CT skills should be evaluated from a variety of perspectives.
CT performance and perception are considered vital dimensions for comprehensively assessing students’ CT skills.
What this paper adds

This paper proposes a CT performance test and a CT perception scale for secondary school students to explore their skills in terms of certain variables including gender, grade level and achievements in math and information technology (IT) courses.
This paper provides some evidence that CT performance of boys is better than that of girls. A significant difference was found in both CT performance and perception depending on grades. The results of the study show that math course achievement positively affected CT performance and perception. However, IT course achievement affected CT performance less than math course achievement.
Implications for practice and/or policy

CT performance is affected by different variables. Therefore, it may be beneficial to include specific topics in the curriculum that involve the use of more CT skills.
Girls’ interest and participation in practices such as programming can be encouraged.
Teachers should provide students with cognitive scaffolding to help them and to have them collaborate with each other during CT activities, especially at higher grades.
IT course content should include systematic and comprehensive CT activities to improve students’ CT skills. We suggest developing and implementing a holistic curriculum combined with IT and math lessons to improve students’ CT performance.
Robust Lexically Mediated Compensation for Coarticulation: Christmash Time Is Here Again
Authors: Luthra Sahil , Peraza‐Santiago Giovanni , Beeson Keia'na , Saltzman David , Crinnion Anne Marie , Magnuson James S. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA long‐standing question in cognitive science is how high‐level knowledge is integrated with sensory input. For example, listeners can leverage lexical knowledge to interpret an ambiguous speech sound, but do such effects reflect direct top‐down influences on perception or merely postperceptual biases? A critical test case in the domain of spoken word recognition is lexically mediated compensation for coarticulation (LCfC). Previous LCfC studies have shown that a lexically restored context phoneme (e.g., /s/ in Christma#) can alter the perceived place of articulation of a subsequent target phoneme (e.g., the initial phoneme of a stimulus from a tapes‐capes continuum), consistent with the influence of an unambiguous context phoneme in the same position. Because this phoneme‐to‐phoneme compensation for coarticulation is considered sublexical, scientists agree that evidence for LCfC would constitute strong support for top–down interaction. However, results from previous LCfC studies have been inconsistent, and positive effects have often been small. Here, we conducted extensive piloting of stimuli prior to testing for LCfC. Specifically, we ensured that context items elicited robust phoneme restoration (e.g., that the final phoneme of Christma# was reliably identified as /s/) and that unambiguous context‐final segments (e.g., a clear /s/ at the end of Christmas) drove reliable compensation for coarticulation for a subsequent target phoneme. We observed robust LCfC in a well‐powered, preregistered experiment with these pretested items (N = 40) as well as in a direct replication study (N = 40). These results provide strong evidence in favor of computational models of spoken word recognition that include top–down feedback.
The identification of artefacts in reporting of drug‐induced deaths using structural breaks analysis of time series statistics
Authors: Petruželka Benjamin , Mravčík Viktor , Barták Miroslav , Babor Thomas F. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIntroductionDrug‐related mortality is a key epidemiological indicator that is collected nationally and internationally. Significant efforts were made in 2006–2007 to improve the quality of data concerning drug‐related mortality in the Czech Republic. The aim of this article is to identify the effect of a quality improvement project on the drug‐induced mortality data reported in the General Mortality Registry (GMR), and to demonstrate how to identify, quantify and interpret changes in drug‐induced mortality based on the example of the Czech Republic.MethodsWe extracted data on illicit drug‐induced deaths from the Czech Republic GMR and Special Mortality registry (SMR) for the years between 2004 and 2012, and aggregated monthly and quarterly time series. We applied a new procedure to identify structural breakpoints in time series based on dating structural changes in standard linear regression models.ResultsIn the GMR, breakpoints were identified in three time series: (i) opioid‐related deaths; (ii) other stimulant‐related deaths; and (iii) total drug‐induced deaths. In the SMR, the structural breaks were identified for opioids, volatile substances and selection D time series. In each of these time series, the analysis identified a decrease in the intercepts in the different segments.Discussion and ConclusionsThe structural breaks identified and quantified in the GMR time series were plausibly caused by the quality improvement efforts that started in 2006. These results demonstrate that it is critical for the analysis and use of drug mortality data collected in the registries to identify practice changes in the relevant registries, to quantify their influence and to adjust mortality estimates accordingly.
Long‐term cognitive outcome after radiosurgery in epileptic hypothalamic hamartomas and review of the literature
Authors: Hamdi Hussein , Albader Faisal , Spatola Giorgio , Laguitton Virginie , Trebuchon Agnes , Bartolomei Fabrice , Regis Jean 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectiveEpileptic patients with hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) frequently present cognitive impairments. Surgical techniques aiming at HH can be very efficient for epilepsy relief and cognitive improvement but are also demonstrated to carry a significant risk of additional reduction in memory function in these already disabled patients. Gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) offers an efficient minimally invasive procedure. We evaluated the effect of stereotactic radiosurgery on cognitive outcome.MethodsWe designed a prospective single‐center case series study. Thirty‐nine epileptic patients (median age = 17 years, range = 4–50) with HH underwent preoperative and postoperative testing of intelligence quotient (IQ; all patients), including a working memory component, and other memory function testing (for patients ≥16 years old). All patients were prospectively evaluated and underwent complete presurgical and postsurgical clinical, electrophysiological, endocrinal, and visual assessments. In all patients, the postoperative assessment was performed at least 3 years after radiosurgery. We explored what variables correlate with cognitive outcome. Literature review was done for other surgical techniques and their risks for cognitive complications after surgery.ResultsNo decline was observed in intellectual ability (including working memory) after GKS, and no memory decline was seen in adults. We observed significant improvement (>1 SD inz‐score) in working memory index (46%) and processing speed index (35%), as well as improvement in full‐scale IQ (24%), verbal comprehension index (11%), perceptual organization index (21%), verbal learning (20%), and visual learning (33%). Before GKS, the probability of seizure cessation was higher in patients with higher cognitive performance. After GKS, the cognitive improvement was significantly higher in the seizure‐free patients compared to the non‐seizure‐free patients.SignificanceWe found clear cognitive improvement in a high percentage of patients but importantly no significant decline in intellectual ability (including working memory) and no decline in memory in adult patients 3 years after GKS. GKS compares favorably to the other surgical techniques in terms of cognitive outcome, with similar seizure freedom.
Machine learning in geography–Past, present, and future
Authors: Lavallin Abigail , Downs Joni A. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis paper concentrates on the different meanings of machine learning (ML) from its origins to the present and potential future, focusing on contributions within the discipline of geography. Understanding the history of ML is important both for understanding current trends and predicting future applications. The 1950s saw the first idea of ML with the Turing Test, which was described as a ‘learning machine’ that could acquire information and become artificially intelligent. This thought prevailed until the 1960s with the release of Perceptron I, which caused a shift to attempt to code computers to learn from input data in order to run like a human brain. The 1980s and 1990s saw the advancement of computing technologies which enabled ML within artificial intelligence to prosper. The development of artificial neural networks during this time shifted ML from a knowledge‐driven approach to a data‐driven one. The 2000s saw ML becoming more widespread within geography and other disciplines as unsupervised methods enabled the analysis of large data sets. More recently, deep learning emerged to enable processes to be integrated into many software services and applications. Present day ML has been defined by Stanford University (2017) as “the science of getting computers to act without being explicitly programmed”. Academic research alongside industry and government investments in ML now account for some of the most important technological advancements. The use of ML within geography has been increasing at a rapid rate paving the way for future advancements in the discipline.
Noninvasive early diagnosis of intestinal diseases based on artificial intelligence in genomics and microbiome
Authors: Zhang Weitong , Chen Xingjian , Wong Ka‐Chun 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe maturing development in artificial intelligence (AI) and genomics has propelled the advances in intestinal diseases including intestinal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). On the other hand, colorectal cancer is the second most deadly and the third most common type of cancer in the world according to GLOBOCAN 2020 data. The mechanisms behind IBD and IBS are still speculative. The conventional methods to identify colorectal cancer, IBD, and IBS are based on endoscopy or colonoscopy to identify lesions. However, it is invasive, demanding, and time‐consuming for early‐stage intestinal diseases. To address those problems, new strategies based on blood and/or human microbiome in gut, colon, or even feces were developed; those methods took advantage of high‐throughput sequencing and machine learning approaches. In this review, we summarize the recent research and methods to diagnose intestinal diseases with machine learning technologies based on cell‐free DNA and microbiome data generated by amplicon sequencing or whole‐genome sequencing. Those methods play an important role in not only intestinal disease diagnosis but also therapy development in the near future.
The Collateral Costs of Clearing
Authors: MONNET CYRIL , NELLEN THOMAS 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe study three generic clearing arrangements in the presence of two‐sided limited commitment: simple bilateral clearing, segregated collateral clearing through a third party, and—most sophisticated—central counterparty (CCP) clearing. Clearing secures the settlement of obligations from over‐the‐counter forward contracts that smooth the income of risk‐averse traders. Clearing requires collateral to guarantee settlement; this is costly, as it reduces income from investment. More sophisticated clearing arrangements require more collateral. As a result, the welfare gains of CCP clearing may be mostly due to segregation, while mutualization of losses could contribute little to welfare.
The mental health and wellbeing survey of Australian optometrists
Authors: Bentley Sharon A , Black Alex , Khawaja Nigar , Fylan Fiona , Griffiths Amanda M , Wood Joanne M 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the prevalence of mental health conditions and burnout among practising optometrists in Australia.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey of registered practising Australian optometrists was undertaken over a three‐week period from mid‐November 2019. The survey comprised three well‐established mental health scales (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale [K10], Depression Anxiety Stress Scales [DASS‐21] and Maslach Burnout Inventory [MBI]) and an open‐ended question inviting comments.ResultsFive hundred and five respondents completed the K10, representing 8.8% of registered optometrists in Australia; 466 completed all three scales. Prevalence of moderate to severe psychological distress (K10 ≥ 25) was 30.7% (95% CI 26.7%–34.7%), with similar findings for depression and anxiety (DASS‐21). Prevalence of high burnout, as indicated by MBI‐GS exhaustion was 56.1% (95% CI 51.7%–60.4%), cynicism 57.1% (95% CI 52.7%–61.5%) and professional efficacy 23.1% (95% CI 19.4%–26.8%). Optometrists aged ≤ 30 years were 3.5 times more likely to report moderate to severe psychological distress compared to optometrists aged >30 years (OR = 3.54, P < 0.001, 95% CI 2.38–5.25). The most frequently mentioned work‐related issues concerned retail pressures, workload and career dissatisfaction.ConclusionsThe rates of mental health conditions and burnout reported by practising Australian optometrists were high compared with the general population and other health professionals. Younger age and burnout were significant risk factors for psychological distress. Interventions are required to address these issues, particularly for younger optometrists, and could include workplace modifications and building resilience to improve personal mental wellbeing and ensure patient safety.
Protective effects of sunlight exposure against PRK‐induced myopia in infant rhesus monkeys
Authors: Yang Xiaowei , Yang Yifang , Wang Yong , Wei Qi , Ding Hui , Zhong Xingwu 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPurposeExtensive clinical evidence suggests that time spent outdoors might reduce the risk of myopia. This study aimed to determine whether increasing sunlight exposure has a protective effect on hyperopic‐defocus induced myopia in a non‐human primate.MethodsTwelve 2‐month‐old rhesus monkeys were treated monocularly with photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) (4.0 D) and divided randomly into two groups: artificial light (AL; n = 6) and natural light (NL; n = 6). Monkeys in the AL group were reared under artificial (indoor) lighting (08:00–20:00 h). Monkeys in the NL group were exposed to natural (outdoor) lighting for 4 h (09:00–11:00 and 15:00–17:00 h). Ocular refraction, corneal power and axial dimensions were measured before sunlight exposure and every 10 days after PRK. At day 180, retinal histology and apoptosis activity were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin (dUTP) nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay.ResultsMean (±SD) PRK induced anisometropia was +3.11 (0.33) D. At the end of the experiment, both eyes of the NL monkeys exhibited significantly more hyperopia and shorter vitreous chamber depths (VCD), compared with AL monkeys (p < 0.05). The NL group exhibited a significantly slower rate of compensation to the induced anisometropia than the AL group (p < 0.05). The retinas of both groups exhibited normal histology and levels of apoptosis.ConclusionsModerate sunlight exposure exerts protective effects against the myopic shift resulting from PRK‐induced defocus in monkeys. These results are consistent with current clinical findings that increased outdoor exposure protects against myopia development. Sunlight exposure should serve as an independent positive factor in human myopia control.
The effect of low light levels on postural stability in older adults with age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Dev Mahesh K , Wood Joanne M , Black Alex A 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the effect of low light levels on postural stability in older adults with and without age‐related macular degeneration (AMD).MethodsParticipants included 28 older adults [14 with AMD (mean age ± S.D., 83.4 ± 6.7 years) and 14 controls with normal vision (74.6 ± 3.3 years)]. Postural stability was assessed with eyes open on both a firm and foam surface under four lighting conditions in a randomised order: photopic (~436 lux, vertically at the eye), sudden reduction to mesopic (~436 to ~1 lux), adapted mesopic (~1 lux) and adapted mesopic with a light emitting diode (LED) door frame lighting system (~1.3 lux), using the root mean square (RMS) of the centre of pressure measures derived from an electronic force plate in the anterior‐posterior (AP) and medio‐lateral (ML) directions. Visual function was assessed binocularly (visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and visual fields), physical function was assessed using standardised measures (sit‐to‐stand, grip strength and the timed walk test) and self‐reported difficulties under low light levels were recorded using the Low Luminance Questionnaire. Data were analysed using linear mixed models.ResultsFor all participants, low light levels significantly increased postural sway on the foam surface in the AP (p = 0.01) but not ML (p = 0.80) direction, but had no effect on postural stability on the firm surface. On the foam surface, while AP‐RMS sway was significantly greater in the sudden (p < 0.001) and adapted (p = 0.02) mesopic compared to the photopic condition, sway for the adapted mesopic with the LED lighting system was not significantly different to the photopic condition (p = 0.20). On the foam surface, AP‐RMS (p = 0.02) and ML‐RMS (p < 0.001) sway were significantly greater in the AMD compared to the control group. None of the measures of visual function was significantly associated with AP‐ or ML‐RMS sway.ConclusionsOn the foam surface, low light levels significantly reduced postural stability in older adults with and without AMD, and postural stability was significantly reduced for the AMD group compared to controls, regardless of light level. Importantly, the LED lighting system reduced sway under mesopic conditions, which was not significantly greater than that measured under photopic conditions in either group. These findings have important implications for enhancing the visual environment for older adults with and without AMD to improve postural stability and reduce the risk of falls in low lighting environments.
Health‐related quality of life in children at the diagnosis of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis
Authors: Artesani Maria Cristina , Esposito Mariacristina , Sacchetti Marta , Sansone Andrea , Romanzo Antonino , Buzzonetti Luca , Fiocchi Alessandro Giovanni , Mennini Maurizio 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundVernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a bilateral, chronic, allergic condition mostly affecting children. Clinical evaluations may not necessarily reflect the impact of the disease on the patients’ health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). We aimed to evaluate HRQoL in children at VKC diagnosis and to analyze correlations between HRQoL and clinical and laboratory variables.MethodsWe studied 5‐ to 12‐year‐old patients with VKC. Data on clinical history, instrumental eye evaluations, blood examinations, and visual analog scale (VAS) for the subjective symptoms were collected. HRQoL was assessed through a disease‐specific validated Quality of Life in Children with Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (QUICK) questionnaire.ResultsSeventy subjects were included in the analysis (female/male: 10/60; tarsal/mixed VKC form: 36/34). Clinical severity of VKC according to the Bonini scale was as follows: 14, mild; 36, moderate; and 20, severe. No significant difference was found concerning the distribution of patient age, gender, and history of allergic manifestations between tarsal and mixed VKC. A significant positive correlation was found between all QUICK scores and VAS scores, including different VAS subscale, while no significant correlation was found between QUICK scores and total sign scores, Schirmer's test, and corneal thickness. The presence of active severe VKC was not associated with worse HRQoL.ConclusionsOur evidence shows that VKC patients experience impairment of HRQoL, especially in relation to the perception of symptoms independently of the ophthalmologic changes found, and that the QUICK questionnaire could be a useful tool to evaluate HRQoL in children with VKC, which may improve patients’ classification and management.
Development and validation of a nomogram to predict intraoperative blood transfusion for gastric cancer surgery
Authors: Huang Haoquan , Cao Minghui 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo construct and validate a nomogram composed of preoperative variables to predict intraoperative blood transfusion for gastric cancer surgery.BackgroundIntraoperative transfusion for gastric cancer surgery is a common medical procedure that is associated with increased postoperative complications.MethodsA total of 999 patients who underwent gastrectomy between January 2010 and June 2019 were randomly allocated into the primary and validation cohorts in a 2:1 ratio. In the primary cohort, logistic analyses were performed to identify independent predictors for transfusion. Using the Akaike information criterion, selected variables were incorporated to construct a nomogram. Validations of the nomogram were performed in the primary and validation cohorts. The discrimination ability of the nomogram was assessed by the concordance index (C‐index), and calibration was assessed by calibration curves and the Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness‐of‐fit test.ResultsThe following risk factors for transfusion were identified and used to construct the nomogram: ASA status (III‐IV vs I‐II: odds ratio [OR] 1.74), comorbidities (yes vs no: OR 1.57), tumour location (diffuse vs lower: OR 4.05), cTNM stage (III vs I: OR 1.95), and a preoperative haemoglobin level less than 80 g/L (vs over 120 g/L: OR 35.30). The C‐index was 0.859 and 0.850 in the primary and validation cohorts, respectively, which both indicated good discrimination of the nomogram. Additionally, both calibration curves and Hosmer–Lemeshow tests (p‐value 0.184 and 0.887, respectively) demonstrated high agreement between the predictions and actual outcomes.ConclusionA nomogram composed of preoperative variables to predict blood transfusion for gastric cancer surgery was effectively developed and validated. This nomogram could be used to improve the utilisation of red blood cells for gastrectomy.