bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A real-time video smoke detection algorithm based on Kalman filter and CNN
Authors: Gagliardi Alessio , de Gioia Francesco , Saponara Sergio 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSmoke detection represents a critical task for avoiding large scale fire disaster in industrial environment and cities. Including intelligent video-based techniques in existing camera infrastructure enables faster response time if compared to traditional analog smoke detectors. In this work presents a hybrid approach to assess the rapid and precise identification of smoke in a video sequence. The algorithm combines a traditional feature detector based on Kalman filtering and motion detection, and a lightweight shallow convolutional neural network. This technique allows the automatic selection of specific regions of interest within the image by the generation of bounding boxes for gray colored moving objects. In the final step the convolutional neural network verifies the actual presence of smoke in the proposed regions of interest. The algorithm provides also an alarm generator that can trigger an alarm signal if the smoke is persistent in a time window of 3 s. The proposed technique has been compared to the state of the art methods available in literature by using several videos of public and non-public dataset showing an improvement in the metrics. Finally, we developed a portable solution for embedded systems and evaluated its performance for the Raspberry Pi 3 and the Nvidia Jetson Nano.
Optimal Policies for Quantum Markov Decision Processes
Authors: Ying Ming-Sheng , Feng Yuan , Ying Sheng-Gang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMarkov decision process (MDP) offers a general framework for modelling sequential decision making where outcomes are random. In particular, it serves as a mathematical framework for reinforcement learning. This paper introduces an extension of MDP, namely quantum MDP (qMDP), that can serve as a mathematical model of decision making about quantum systems. We develop dynamic programming algorithms for policy evaluation and finding optimal policies for qMDPs in the case of finite-horizon. The results obtained in this paper provide some useful mathematical tools for reinforcement learning techniques applied to the quantum world.
Diagnostic efficiency of hybrid imaging using PSMA ligands, PET/CT, PET/MRI and MRI in identifying malignant prostate lesions
Authors: Scobioala Sergiu , Kittel Christopher , Wolters Heidi , Huss Sebastian , Elsayad Khaled , Seifert Robert , Stegger Lars , Weckesser Matthias , Haverkamp Uwe , Eich Hans Theodor , Rahbar Kambiz 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Objective
The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MRI, 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT, 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT, and multiparametric (mp)MRI for the delineating of dominant intraprostatic lesions (IPL).

Materials and methods
35 patients with organ-confined prostate cancer who were assigned to definitive radiotherapy (RT) were divided into three groups based on imaging techniques: 68Ga-PSMA-PET/MRI (n = 9), 18F-PSMA-PET/CT (n = 16) and 68Ga-PSMA-PET/CT (n = 10). All patients without PSMA-PET/MRI received an additional mpMRI. PSMA-PET-based automatic isocontours and manual contours of the dominant IPLs were generated for each modality. The biopsy results were then used to validate whether any of the prostate biopsies were positive in the marked lesion using Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), Youden index (YI), sensitivity and specificity. Factors that can predict the accuracy of IPLs contouring were analysed.

Results
Diagnostic performance was significantly superior both for manual and automatic IPLs contouring using 68Ga-PSMA-PET/MRI (DSC/YI SUV70%—0.62/0.51), 18F-PSMA-PET/CT (DSC/YI SUV70%—0.67/0.53) or 68Ga-PSMA-PET/CT (DSC/YI SUV70%—0.63/0.51) compared to mpMRI (DSC/YI—0.47/0.41; p < 0.001). The accuracy for delineating IPLs was not improved by combination of PET/CT and mpMRI images compared to PET/CT alone. Significantly superior diagnostic accuracy was found for large prostate lesions (at least 15% from the prostate volume) and higher Gleason score (at least 7b) comparing to smaller lesions with lower GS.

Conclusion
IPL localization was significantly improved when using PSMA-imaging procedures compared to mpMRI. No significant difference for delineating IPLs was found between hybrid method PSMA-PET/MRI and PSMA-PET/CT. PSMA-based imaging technique should be considered for the diagnostics of IPLs and focal treatment modality.
Reliability of spring recession curve analysis as a function of the temporal resolution of the monitoring dataset
Authors: Cerino Abdin Elena , Taddia Glenda , Gizzi Martina , Lo Russo Stefano 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMountain springs represent one of the largest and most precious sources of potable water in Italy, necessary to meet the water needs of the population. Optimizing the present and future management strategies of mountain groundwater resources has become increasingly necessary. The accuracy and frequency of the flow rate (Q) measurements determine and restrict the processes that can be studied using spring hydrograph and recession curve analysis. Therefore, to properly define mountain aquifers’ hydrogeological properties, it turns out important to highlight the variation of the error in the estimation of the hydrogeological parameters as the time interval of sampling varies. In this paper, recession curve analysis was performed on two different mountain springs (Spring 1 and Spring 2) of north-western Italy, firstly considering available 4-h resolution measuring data and subsequently by resampling data to simulate longer sampling intervals of 1, 3, 7, 15, and 30 days.The resulting distribution of errors introduced by longer acquisition intervals underlined how the percentage error increases with increasing acquisition interval. For obtaining an adequate estimation of mountain aquifer hydrodynamic parameters, in place of continuous hourly data, 1-day and 3-day sampling intervals with associated errors respectively lower than 5% and 10% were found to be valid.
The Impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of dialysis patients
Authors:   the DOMESTICO study group, Bonenkamp Anna A. , Druiventak Theresia A. , van Eck van der Sluijs Anita , van Ittersum Frans J. , van Jaarsveld Brigit C. , Abrahams Alferso C. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Studies have shown increased anxiety, depression, and stress levels among different populations during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of dialysis patients remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the mental health of dialysis patients during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the period preceding the pandemic.

Methods
Data originate from the ongoing multicentre observational Dutch nOcturnal and hoME dialysis Study To Improve Clinical Outcomes (DOMESTICO). Patients who filled in a health-related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaire during the pandemic and six to three months prior were included. The mean difference in Mental Component Summary (MCS) score of the Short Form 12 (SF-12) was analysed with multilevel linear regression. A McNemar test was used to compare presence of mental health-related symptoms during and prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results
A total of 177 patients were included. The mean MCS score prior to COVID-19 was 48.08 ± 10.15, and 49.00 ± 10.04 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The adjusted mean MCS score was 0.93 point (95% CI − 0.57 to 2.42) higher during the COVID-19 pandemic than during the period prior to the pandemic. Furthermore, no difference in the presence of the following mental health-related symptoms was found during the COVID-19 pandemic: feeling anxious, feeling sad, worrying, feeling nervous, trouble falling asleep, and trouble staying asleep.

Conclusions
The mental health of dialysis patients appears to be unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Dialysis patients may be better able to cope with the pandemic, since they have high resilience and are less impacted by social distancing measures.

Trial registration number
Netherlands Trial Register NL6519, date of registration: 22 August 2017.

Graphic abstract
Jet A and Propane gas combustion in a turboshaft engine: performance and emissions reductions
Authors: Hasan Ali , Haidn Oskar J. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe Paris Agreement has highlighted the need in reducing carbon emissions. Attempts in using lower carbon fuels such as Propane gas have seen limited success, mainly due to liquid petroleum gas tanks structural/size limitations. A compromised solution is presented, by combusting Jet A fuel with a small fraction of Propane gas. Propane gas with its relatively faster overall igniting time, expedites the combustion process. Computational fluid dynamics software was used to demonstrate this solution, with results validated against physical engine data. Jet A fuel was combusted with different Propane gas dosing fractions. Results demonstrated that depending on specific propane gas dosing fractions emission reductions in ppm are; NOx from 84 to 41, CO2 from less than 18,372 to less than 15,865, escaping unburned fuels dropped from 11.4 (just Jet A) to 6.26e-2 (with a 0.2 fraction of Propane gas). Soot and CO increased, this is due to current combustion chamber air mixing design.
Design of a mono-disperse aerosol generator for efficiency testing of HEPA filter
Authors: Qin Guoxiu , Pan Liangliang , Xu Youning , Li Fan , Liang Yi 
Published: March 2021

AbstractA set of mono-disperse aerosol generator was designed to meet the requirement of efficiency testing for high efficiency particle air filter. The aerosol generation tests and performance tests were conducted by using evaporation–condensation method, with NaCl solutions at different concentrations as the condensation nucleus and respectively using the DEHS, DOP, PAO–4 as reagents. The results show that three reagents can generate mono-disperse aerosol particles by strictly controlling various parameters which affects the aerosol performance, where the particle size range is 0.33–0.36 μm for DEHS, 0.35–0.37 μm for DOP and 0.34–0.36 μm for PAO–4 and the concentrations of the aerosols lager than 106 cm–3. The particle size characteristics and concentrations generated through such method basically conform to the requirements of efficiency testing for high efficiency particle air filter.
Ars Erotica
Authors: Shusterman Richard 
Published: March 2021

The term ars erotica refers to the styles and techniques of lovemaking with the honorific title of art. But in what sense are these practices artistic and how do they contribute to the aesthetics and ethics of self-cultivation in the art of living? In this book, Richard Shusterman offers a critical, comparative analysis of the erotic theories proposed by the most influential premodern cultural traditions that shaped our contemporary world. Beginning with ancient Greece, whose god of desiring love gave eroticism its name, Shusterman examines the Judaeo-Christian biblical tradition and the classical erotic theories of Chinese, Indian, Islamic, and Japanese cultures, before concluding with medieval and Renaissance Europe. His exploration of their errors and insights shows how we could improve the quality of life and love today. By using the engine of eros to cultivate qualities of sensitivity, grace, skill, and self-mastery, we can reimagine a richer, more positive vision of sex education.
Consumer perspectives of vocational rehabilitation and return to work following acquired brain injury
Authors: Watter Kerrin , Kennedy Areti , McLennan Vanette , Vogler Jessica , Jeffery Sarah , Murray Alena , Ehlers Shelley , Nielsen Mandy 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIntroduction:Following acquired brain injury, the goal of return to work is common. While return to work is supported through different rehabilitation models and services, access to vocational rehabilitation varies within and between countries, and global rates of employment post-injury remain low. The literature identifies outcomes from vocational programs and experiences with return to work, yet little is known about individuals’ perceptions and experiences regarding rehabilitation to support their vocational goals and experiences in attempting to return to work.Method:This qualitative study investigated the experiences of community-living adults with acquired brain injury (n = 8; mean age 45 years; mean time post-injury of 5.5 years) regarding their vocational rehabilitation and return to work. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were conducted, with data analyzed via thematic analysis.Results:Participants identified negative and positive experiences with vocational rehabilitation and return to work. Five overarching themes were identified: addressing vocational rehabilitation in rehabilitation; facilitators of recovery and return to work; the importance and experience of working again; acquired brain injury and identity; and services, systems and policies. Participants also identified five key areas for early vocational rehabilitation services: education; service provision; employer liaison; workplace supports; and peer mentors. Study findings inform current and future practice and service delivery, at a clinical, service and system level.
Outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among operating room staff of a tertiary referral center: An epidemiologic and environmental investigation
Authors: McDougal April N. , Elhassani Dana , DeMaet Mary Ann , Shores Shirley , Plante Kenneth S. , Plante Jessica A. , Pyles Richard , Weaver Scott C. , Williams-Bouyer Natalie , Tyler Brenda J. , Davis Hollie R. , Patel Janak 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjective:Investigate an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among operating room staff utilizing contact tracing, mass testing for severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and environmental sampling.Design:Outbreak investigation.Setting:University-affiliated tertiary-care referral center.Patients:Operating room staff with positive SARS-CoV-2 molecular testing.Methods:Epidemiologic and environmental investigations were conducted including contact tracing, environmental surveys, and sampling and review of the operating room schedule for staff-to-staff, staff-to-patient, and patient-to-staff SARS-CoV-2 transmission.Results:In total, 24 healthcare personnel (HCP) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, including nurses (29%), surgical technologists (25%), and surgical residents (16%). Moreover, 19 HCP (79%) reported having used a communal area, most commonly break rooms (75%). Overall, 20 HCP (83%) reported symptomatic disease. In total, 72 environmental samples were collected from communal areas for SARS-CoV-2 genomic testing; none was positive. Furthermore, 236 surgical cases were reviewed for transmission: 213 (90%) had negative preoperative SARS-CoV-2 testing, 21 (9%) had a positive test on or before the date of surgery, and 2 (<1%) did not have a preoperative test performed. In addition, 40 patients underwent postoperative testing (mean, 13 days to postoperative testing), and 2 returned positive results. Neither of these 2 cases was linked to our outbreak.Conclusions:Complacency in infection control practices among staff during peak community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is believed to have driven staff-to-staff transmission. Prompt identification of the outbreak led to rapid interventions, ultimately allowing for uninterrupted surgical service.
Multipronged infection control strategy to achieve zero nosocomial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases among Hong Kong healthcare workers in the first 300 days of the pandemic
Authors: Cheng Vincent Chi-Chung , Wong Shuk-Ching , Tong Danny Wah-Kun , Chuang Vivien Wai-Man , Chen Jonathan Hon-Kwan , Lee Larry Lap-Yip , To Kelvin Kai-Wang , Hung Ivan Fan-Ngai , Ho Pak-Leung , Yeung Deacons Tai-Kong , Chung Kin-Lai , Yuen Kwok-Yung 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackground:Nosocomial outbreaks leading to healthcare worker (HCW) infection and death have been increasingly reported during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Objective:We implemented a strategy to reduce nosocomial acquisition.Methods:We summarized our experience in implementing a multipronged infection control strategy in the first 300 days (December 31, 2019, to October 25, 2020) of the COVID-19 pandemic under the governance of Hospital Authority in Hong Kong.Results:Of 5,296 COVID-19 patients, 4,808 (90.8%) were diagnosed in the first pandemic wave (142 cases), second wave (896 cases), and third wave (3,770 cases) in Hong Kong. With the exception of 1 patient who died before admission, all COVID-19 patients were admitted to the public healthcare system for a total of 78,834 COVID-19 patient days. The median length of stay was 13 days (range, 1–128). Of 81,955 HCWs, 38 HCWs (0.05%; 2 doctors and 11 nurses and 25 nonprofessional staff) acquired COVID-19. With the exception of 5 of 38 HCWs (13.2%) infected by HCW-to-HCW transmission in the nonclinical settings, no HCW had documented transmission from COVID-19 patients in the hospitals. The incidence of COVID-19 among HCWs was significantly lower than that of our general population (0.46 per 1,000 HCWs vs 0.71 per 1,000 population; P = .008). The incidence of COVID-19 among professional staff was significantly lower than that of nonprofessional staff (0.30 vs 0.66 per 1,000 full-time equivalent; P = .022).Conclusions:A hospital-based approach spared our healthcare service from being overloaded. With our multipronged infection control strategy, no nosocomial COVID-19 in was identified among HCWs in the first 300 days of the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong.
ON A WEIGHTED SUM OF MULTIPLE -VALUES OF FIXED WEIGHT AND DEPTH
Authors: TAKEYAMA YOSHIHIRO 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe multiple T-value, which is a variant of the multiple zeta value of level two, was introduced by Kaneko and Tsumura [‘Zeta functions connecting multiple zeta values and poly-Bernoulli numbers’, in: Various Aspects of Multiple Zeta Functions, Advanced Studies in Pure Mathematics, 84 (Mathematical Society of Japan, Tokyo, 2020), 181–204]. We show that the generating function of a weighted sum of multiple T-values of fixed weight and depth is given in terms of the multiple T-values of depth one by solving a differential equation of Heun type.
Empirical linkages between female genital mutilation and multiple sexual partnership: evidence from the 2018 Mali and 2013 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Surveys
Authors: Ahinkorah Bright Opoku , Hagan John Elvis , Seidu Abdul-Aziz , Budu Eugene , Armah-Ansah Ebenezer Kwesi , Adu Collins , Ameyaw Edward Kwabena , Yaya Sanni 
Published: March 2021

AbstractFemale genital mutilation (FGM) is very pervasive in Africa, with significant regional variations in the prevalence of this traditional practice. This study examined the linkages between FGM and multiple sexual partnership in Mali and Sierra Leone – two African countries with a high prevalence of FGM. Data were from the 2018 Mali and 2013 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Surveys, and the study sample comprised 4750 women from Mali and 16,614 from Sierra Leone. Multilevel logistic regression was used for the data analysis, with reported adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and associated 95% confidence intervals. In Mali, women who had not undergone FGM were less likely to have multiple sexual partners (aOR=0.60, CI=0.38–0.96) compared with those who had undergone FGM. In Sierra Leone, women who had undergone FGM (aOR=1.15, CI=1.02–1.30) were more likely to have multiple sexual partners compared with those who had not undergone FGM. Age, level of education, wealth quintile, sex of household head, community socioeconomic status, mass media exposure, and community literacy level were found to be associated with the likelihood of multiple sexual partnership among women in Mali and Sierra Leone. Comprehensive, age-group-based risk-reduction strategies, such as abstinence education and decision-making skills (assertiveness) training, are needed to reduce girls’ and young women’s engagement in multiple sexual partnerships. Policy interventions, such as anti-FGM legislation and initiatives like the ‘Schooling for the Female Child’ initiative aimed at reducing social inequality among girls and women, might help decrease FGM and the likelihood of health-compromising behaviours like multiple sexual partnership.
Morphological and phylogenetic analyses of Toniniopsis subincompta s. lat. (Ramalinaceae, Lecanorales) in Eurasia
Authors: Gerasimova Julia V. , Urbanavichene Irina N. , Urbanavichus Gennady P. , Beck Andreas 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn recent years, several species that have long been considered to belong in Bacidia s. lat. have been transferred to other genera such as Bellicidia, Bibbya, Scutula, and also to Toniniopsis, accommodating species previously placed in Bacidia and Toninia. One of its widespread species, Toniniopsis subincompta, can be recognized by its thinly granular thallus, dark brown to black apothecia, green epithecium, red-brown hypothecium, and bacilliform ascospores. However, it shows considerable variation in thallus structure, and coloration of apothecia, hypothecium and exciple. We sequenced 20 specimens of T. subincompta to investigate whether there is phylogenetic support for the delimitation of species in accordance with the variability of the observed characters. For phylogenetic analyses, we used newly generated sequence data from the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (nrITS), mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU) and DNA-directed RNA polymerase II subunit (RPB2). Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses, as well as three species delimitation programs, provided consistent evidence that T. subincompta forms two separate lineages, to be recognized at the species level. The complex nomenclature of T. subincompta (basionym Lecidea subincompta) shows it to be a synonym of Bellicidia incompta. For the most common taxon previously called Bacidia (Toniniopsis) subincompta, the new combination T. separabilis is made, rather than proposing a conserved type for Lecidea subincompta. Toniniopsis dissimilis is newly described to accommodate the less common taxon. Toniniopsis dissimilis is characterized by a predominantly wrinkled to warted to subsquamulose thallus; generally grey-brown to dark brown apothecia, often with a lighter margin; a dark brown hypothecium, frequently gradually merging into the coloration of the exciple below and the lateral part of the exciple attached to the hymenium; a mostly colourless rim and lateral part of the exciple. The closely related T. separabilis is characterized by a thallus of mostly single or contiguous ±loose granules, often forming short, coralloid, isidium-like bulges; darker apothecia, with a margin mostly of the same colour or darker than the disc; a comparatively thinner hypothecium easily separated from the exciple below. The rim and lateral part of the exciple often contain either a blue, brown or mixed blue-brown colour in the upper part or along the whole margin. Lectotypes of Bacidia vegeta, Lecidea bacillifera f. melanotica and Secoliga atrosanguinea var. affinis (the synonyms of T. separabilis) are selected. Cyanotrophy and the occurrence of albino morphs in T. separabilis are discussed.