bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intraperitoneal microbial contamination drives post-surgical peritoneal adhesions by mesothelial EGFR-signaling
Authors: Zindel Joel , Mittner Jonas , Bayer Julia , April-Monn Simon L. , Kohler Andreas , Nusse Ysbrand , Dosch Michel , Büchi Isabel , Sanchez-Taltavull Daniel , Dawson Heather , Gomez de Agüero Mercedes , Asahina Kinji , Kubes Paul , Macpherson Andrew J. , Stroka Deborah , Candinas Daniel 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAbdominal surgeries are lifesaving procedures but can be complicated by the formation of peritoneal adhesions, intra-abdominal scars that cause intestinal obstruction, pain, infertility, and significant health costs. Despite this burden, the mechanisms underlying adhesion formation remain unclear and no cure exists. Here, we show that contamination of gut microbes increases post-surgical adhesion formation. Using genetic lineage tracing we show that adhesion myofibroblasts arise from the mesothelium. This transformation is driven by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling. The EGFR ligands amphiregulin and heparin-binding epidermal growth factor, are sufficient to induce these changes. Correspondingly, EGFR inhibition leads to a significant reduction of adhesion formation in mice. Adhesions isolated from human patients are enriched in EGFR positive cells of mesothelial origin and human mesothelium shows an increase of mesothelial EGFR expression during bacterial peritonitis. In conclusion, bacterial contamination drives adhesion formation through mesothelial EGFR signaling. This mechanism may represent a therapeutic target for the prevention of adhesions after intra-abdominal surgery.
Maximizing quantum discord from interference in multi-port fiber beamsplitters
Authors: Cariñe J. , Asan-Srain M. N. , Lima G. , Walborn S. P. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractFourth-order interference is an information processing primitive for photonic quantum technologies, as it forms the basis of photonic controlled-logic gates, entangling measurements, and can be used to produce quantum correlations. Here, using classical weak coherent states as inputs, we study fourth-order interference in 4 × 4 multi-port beam splitters built within multi-core optical fibers, and show that quantum correlations, in the form of geometric quantum discord, can be controlled and maximized by adjusting the intensity ratio between the two inputs. Though these states are separable, they maximize the geometric discord in some instances, and can be a resource for protocols such as remote state preparation. This should contribute to the exploitation of quantum correlations in future telecommunication networks, in particular in those that exploit spatially structured fibers.
Deaminative chlorination of aminoheterocycles
Authors: Ghiazza Clément , Faber Teresa , Gómez-Palomino Alejandro , Cornella Josep 
Published: December 2021

AbstractSelective modification of heteroatom-containing aromatic structures is in high demand as it permits rapid evaluation of molecular complexity in advanced intermediates. Inspired by the selectivity of deaminases in nature, herein we present a simple methodology that enables the NH2 groups in aminoheterocycles to be conceived as masked modification handles. With the aid of a simple pyrylium reagent and a cheap chloride source, C(sp2)‒NH2 can be converted into C(sp2)‒Cl bonds. The method is characterized by its wide functional group tolerance and substrate scope, allowing the modification of >20 different classes of heteroaromatic motifs (five- and six-membered heterocycles), bearing numerous sensitive motifs. The facile conversion of NH2 into Cl in a late-stage fashion enables practitioners to apply Sandmeyer- and Vilsmeier-type transforms without the burden of explosive and unsafe diazonium salts, stoichiometric transition metals or highly oxidizing and unselective chlorinating agents.
A dataset of dual calcium and voltage optical mapping in healthy and hypertrophied murine hearts
Authors: He Shicheng , Kou Kun , O’Shea Christopher , Chen Tangting , Mu-u-min Razik , Dong Ruirui , Ren Huiying , Zhou Xiaolin , Fan Zhongcai , Tan Xiaoqiu , Pavlovic Davor , Ou Xianhong , Lei Ming 
Published: December 2021

AbstractPathological hypertrophy underlies sudden cardiac death due to its high incidence of occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias. The alteration of transmural electrophysiological properties in hypertrophic cardiac murine tissue has never been explored previously. In this dataset, we have for the first time conducted high-throughput simultaneous optical imaging of transmembrane potential and calcium transients (CaT) throughout the entire hypertrophic murine hearts at high temporal and spatial resolution. Using ElectroMap, we have conducted multiple parameters analysis including action potential duration/calcium transient duration, conduction velocity, alternans and diastolic interval. Voltage-calcium latency was measured as time difference between action potential and CaT peak. The dataset therefore provides the first high spatial resolution transmural electrophysiological profiling of the murine heart, allowing interrogation of mechanisms driving ventricular arrhythmias associated with pathological hypertrophy. The dataset allows for further reuse and detailed analyses of geometrical, topological and functional analyses and reconstruction of 2-dimensional and 3-dimentional models.
Effects of probiotics on loperamide-induced constipation in rats
Authors: Inatomi Takio , Honma Mihoko 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe role of probiotics in mitigating constipation, gut immunity, and gut microbiota has not been well studied. We aimed to evaluate the effects of probiotics on loperamide (LP)-induced constipation in Sprague–Dawley rats. Altogether, 150 male Sprague–Dawley rats (age 8 weeks) were used in the experiments following a 12-day acclimatisation period and were randomly divided into three treatment groups (groups 1, 2, and 3). Spastic constipation was induced via oral LP administration (3 mg/kg) for 6 days, 1 h before administering each test compound in groups 1 and 2. A probiotic solution (4 mL/kg body weight) was orally administered once a day for 6 days in group 2. In group 1, a phosphate buffer solution was orally administered once a day for 6 days, 1 h after each LP administration. In group 3, a phosphate buffer solution was orally administered once a day for 6 days. In the probiotic group, faecal parameters improved; faecal n-butyric acid, acetic acid, and IgA concentrations were increased; intestinal transit time was shortened; and disturbance of intestinal microbiota was inhibited. Our findings suggest that this probiotic was useful in improving various symptoms caused by constipation.
Impact of polymyxin B hemoperfusion therapy on high endotoxin activity level patients after successful infection source control: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Lee Won Young , Kim Hee Ju , Kim Eun Young 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWe sought to evaluate the clinical implication of endotoxin levels in gram-negative bacilli (GNB)-induced abdominal septic shock patients with polymyxin B-hemoperfusion (PMX-HP) treatment. A prospective cohort of 60 patients who received surgical infectious source control for abdominal sepsis from January 2019 to December 2020 was included in the study. Endotoxin activity (EA) levels and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores were assessed immediately after surgery (baseline), 24, and 48 h post baseline. With receiver operating characteristic curves, the patients were stratified into two groups by the EA cut-off value (high-risk group vs low-risk group) and the clinical outcomes were compared. Logistic regression was performed to identify the clinical impact of PMX-HP on in-hospital death. Among the 31 high-risk patients (EA level ≥ 0.54), 16 patients (51.6%) received PMX-HP treatment and showed significant decreases in EA levels compared to patients who underwent conventional treatment only (− 0.34 vs − 0.12, p = 0.01). SOFA scores also showed significant improvement with PMX-HP treatment (12.8–8.9, p = 0.007). Fourteen in-hospital deaths occurred (45.2%), and PMX-HP treatment had a protective effect on in-hospital death (odds ratio (OR) 0.04, p = 0.03). In 29 low-risk patients (EA level < 0.54), seven patients (24.1%) received PMX-HP treatment and showed significant decreases in EA levels (0.46–0.16, p = 0.018). However, SOFA scores and in-hospital deaths were not improved by PMX-HP treatment. EA level significantly decreased after PMX-HP treatment and it may represent a therapeutic option to improve organ impairment and in-hospital death in septic shock patients with EA levels exceeding 0.54.
The importance of termites and fire to dead wood consumption in the longleaf pine ecosystem
Authors: Ulyshen Michael D. , Sheehan Thomas N. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractMicrobes, insects, and fire are the primary drivers of wood loss from most ecosystems, but interactions among these factors remain poorly understood. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that termites and fire have a synergistic effect on wood loss from the fire-adapted longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) ecosystem in the southeastern United States. We predicted that the extensive galleries created by termites would promote the ignition and consumption of logs by fire. We exposed logs from which termites had or had not been excluded to prescribed fire after 2.5 years in the field. We found little support for our hypothesis as there was no significant interactive effect of termites and fire on wood mass loss. Moreover, there was no significant difference in mass loss between burned and unburned logs. Termites were responsible for about 13.3% of observed mass loss in unprotected logs, a significant effect, while microbial activity accounted for most of the remaining mass loss. We conclude that fire has little effect on wood loss from the longleaf pine ecosystem and that termite activity does not strongly promote wood combustion. However, longer term research involving multiple burn cycles, later stages of decay, and differing fire intensities will be needed to fully address this question.
Inferior alveolar nerve canal segmentation by local features based neural network model
Authors: Maheswari P. Uma , Banumathi A. , Ulaganathan G. , Yoganandha R. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe detection of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Canal (IAC) plays major and crucial role in dental surgical procedures to avoid damage to IAC during the course of treatment. Exact visualization and detection of IAC is necessary for precise surgery planning to prevent IAC damage. The proposed method comprises of three stages namely, novel edge enhancement, candidate classification and candidate pixel clustering to detect the IAC. For better visualization of IAC, initially the edges of dental OPG images are enhanced using a novel structural filter. Candidate regions are selected from the enhanced image by the proposed Multi Hidden Layer Extreme Learning Machine Artificial Neural Network (MELMANN) model driven by combined regional features such as Histogram of Gradients (HOG), Local Binary Pattern (LBP) and Gray Level Co‐occurrence Matrix (GLCM). Consequently the candidate region pixels are clustered by a Self‐Organising Map‐based Neural Network (SOM ‐ NNC) along with active contour method to detect the IAC completely. Experimental results show that this method effectively delineated the IAC with the Dice coefficient of 0.854 ± 0.05.Therefore, the proposed method has high potential in clearly visualizing IAC to avoid neurological sensory disorders in oral and maxillofacial surgery and implantology and it provides better prediagnostic approach to the surgeons.
Financial performance of Slovak insurance companies. Covid-19 consequences
Authors: Grofcikova Janka , Izakova Katarina 
Published: December 2021

Research background: Globalization trends are manifested at many levels as key phenomena of current business in the international environment. The development of international cooperation, interconnection of economies and emergence of multinational companies enable companies to increase their efficiency and performance, strengthen their position in the global market, which makes them resilient to global risks and increases investors’ return on investment. Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic with its related side effects present significant global risks that have affected strong financial companies, insurance companies included. Risk-insuring insurers face several challenges in this regard in terms of fulfillment of contractual obligations towards clients on the one hand, and the need to ensure the required financial performance and return on invested resources for the owners on the other.
Purpose of the article: The aim of the paper is to identify and quantify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related measures and consequences on the financial situation of insurance companies with the seat in Slovakia.
Methods: The financial performance of insurance companies will be quantified for the years 2016-2020 through selected indicators of financial analysis that are used by Standard & Poor’s. Significance of differences will be detected through the Wilcoxon Two-Related-Samples Test. The sample of entities includes all insurance companies seated in Slovakia.
Findings & Value added: The basic characteristics of the Slovak insurance market within the period 2019-2020 indicate a decrease in value of gross written premiums (-2.47%), insurance claims and benefits (-12.3%) and an increase of the reinsurer’s share of written premiums (2.17%) and of claims paid (22.54%).
The behaviour of entrepreneurs before and during the crisis with an emphasis on the company’s internal financial resources
Authors: Pokorná Pavla 
Published: December 2021

Research background: To conduct the research, we used data from two surveys conducted in the Czech Republic before the outbreak of the Covid crisis and after the full wave of the crisis. The research focused on the behaviour of entrepreneurs in the field of finance and planning. Statistical methods for data processing suitable for obtaining relevant results were used.
Purpose of the article: The paper aims to map the behaviour of entrepreneurs in relation to their business. During business, the entrepreneur decides on the direction of the company and its relationship to the external and the internal environment, which forms the overall image of the company. Drawing on internal and external resources is a very complex decision-making process and is a key element for many companies and entrepreneurs during the Covid 19 pandemic, either in the development of the company or in its existence as such.
Methods: The research was conducted in two periods, before the emergence of the COVID - 19 virus, i.e., in the autumn of 2018 and after the first wave of the covid crisis (autumn 2020). They were attended by 488 respondents from all over the Czech Republic. Correlation and square tests were used to evaluate the results. For some statements, a change was demonstrated for some, the hiding of respondents did not change. Finally, research was carried out on reinvestment activities in the addressed companies.
Findings & Value added: The results suggest that certain behaviours of entrepreneurs have changed, but there are aspects where the change has occurred but is not statistically significant. All aspects create an overall picture of the behaviour of entrepreneurs, which must be quickly adjusted to the current situation, because without constant adaptation to the environment, the company will not have a long life.
The Effect of the Pandemic on Character Education for Children in Schools
Authors: Nurhayati Praja Wina , Hyangsewu Pandu 
Published: December 2021

Research background: The background of this research is to find out the development of character education values during this covid-19 pandemic. Where during the COVID-19 pandemic, the community was required to carry out online activities including the field of education, namely schools that were conducted online for school students. The method used by researchers in this study is by distributing online questionnaires with a total of 13 respondents who contributed. Character education has a focus on the process of instilling values, in the form of understandings, procedures for caring for and living these values, and how a student can have the opportunity to be able to practice these values in real terms. Of course, character education is very important for students in preparing their future in order to achieve their goals and to be applied in social life.
Purpose of the article: This research is motivated to determine the development of the value of character education during the Covid-19 pandemic. Where when the Covid-19 pandemic, the community was required to carry out activities online, including in the field of education, namely schools that were conducted online for school students.
Methods: The method used by researchers in this study is by distributing questionnaires online with a total of 13 respondents who contributed. Character education has a focus on the process of cultivating values, in the form of understandings, procedures for caring for and living these values, and how a student can have the opportunity to be able to practice these values in real terms.
Saving and management of income as part of financial literacy in today´s globalized world
Authors: Beranová Markéta , Navrátilová Miroslava 
Published: December 2021

Research background:The role of knowledge and information in today's globalized world is growing. In today's globalized world, moreover, under the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, financial management is crucial.Purpose of the article:The aim of the presented article is to evaluate financial literacy with a focus on saving part of income as a reserve amongst the young university students.Methods:Primary data were obtained by a quantitative research using a questionnaire survey (n = 1 437) in 2018 amongst full time bachelor and master degree students at three selected universities. Selected universities are focus on economy and agriculture and each of them is from another region of the Czech Republic. In the analytical part of article was used testing of statistical hypotheses.Findings & Value added:The attitude of the respondents was examined by asking whether they store a part of their income as a reserve in case of an unforeseen situation, i.e., whether they form a kind of financial reserve. Of the total number of respondents, 76.83% (1,104) declared that they saved part of their income for unforeseen situations or for other needs. Other respondents, 23.17% (333), stated that they do not create such a reserve. Statistical evaluation proved a dependence between the sex of respondents and the responses mentioned above (the structure of the responses in relation to the gender of the respondents shows that more than half of those who answered that they save part of their income as a reserve are women).
Managerial skills in the globalized world in chosen EU countries
Authors: Čulková Katarína , Hrehová Daniela , Seňová Andrea , Teplická Katarína 
Published: December 2021

Research background: Managerial skills play an increasing role in the globalized world of the business and European Commission is aware of the importance of acquiring and developing a wide range of skills. To solve challenges and problems in business practice, the manager needs to have a wide range of skills in various areas.
Purpose of the article: The contribution is focused on the use of managerial skills in the practice of the selected EU companies. The aim is to find out what managerial skills managers consider important in their practice, which of them they use in the performance of their profession, and how much time they devote to them. Another equally important task of the research is to obtain the necessary data to prepare the necessary training skills for their managers.
Methods: A proven questionnaire survey was used to obtain the necessary data. The target respondents were randomly selected managers at all levels of management with varying degrees of education. The survey is conducted with large number of managers at various levels of the management.
Findings & Value added: The results of the survey show reserves in managerial skills using in the company and can be used to suggest potential improvements for managers, based on the results of a questionnaire survey. The contribution can be used in the management and development of international business of any company.
Possibilities of gamification in online learning at the University of Žilina
Authors: Gajanova Lubica 
Published: December 2021

Research background: The current classical education system also used at the University of Žilina has certain gamification elements. However, it does not meet needs of most students, and is even very demotivating for a large proportion of students. Students perceive studying only as their duty, instead of perceiving it as something they enjoy and like to do. With the advent of modern technologies, the way of teaching without them is beginning to seem uninteresting and often ineffective.
Purpose of the article: The COVID-19 global pandemic and the necessary national measures taken to combat the spread of the virus can significantly disrupt the provision of education. According to Resolution on the future of European education in the context of Covid-19 now is the right time to rethink and modernize curricula and procedures and accelerate change, by promoting digitization and innovation through gamification as well. The purpose of the paper is detect the possibilities of gamification in online learning at the University of Žilina.
Methods: The survey was conducted to obtain the necessary primary data. It was statistically tested by one-way ANOVA, which represents the option of analysis of variance.
Findings & Value added: The aim of the paper is to find a statistically significantly different segment of students from the University of Žilina, who have greatly expressed interest in gamification in online learning in order to increase their motivation.
Glocal trends and employer ratings as a critical branding approach in the social economy
Authors: Heide Michael P. 
Published: December 2021

Research background: The global corona pandemic that broke out at the beginning of 2020 is considered a catalyst for the necessary digitization of organizations - including in the social economy. In addition to social issues, the corona crisis primarily affects the economic framework, in particular securing liquidity to maintain business activity. Furthermore, the shortage of skilled workers is exacerbated by the change to the labor market. At the same time, Generation Y is populating the job market with their changed demands and is presenting employers with central challenges. This primarily includes maintaining the innovation and competitiveness of the socio-economic organization.
Purpose of the article: The aim of this research contribution is to show organizations how information from web-based employer review portals can be used for decision-making. The focus is on the identification of critical success factors for the organization-specific stakeholder orientation, especially for employer branding.
Methods: The author has analyzed secondary data due to the pandemic in order to identify and systematize HR tendencies. In doing so, available (online) data from Bitkom was used, supplemented by ratings and comments on the web platform for employer ratings kununu.com.
Findings & Value added: Employer rating portals are developing into an interactive forum and shaping the image of employers - employer branding, which is supported by social media. The design of an attractive employer brand must be understood as a strategic management task in social economy organizations.