bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ventilation heterogeneity in children with severe asthma
Authors: Nuttall Amy G. , Beardsmore Caroline S. , Gaillard Erol A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSmall airway disease, characterised by ventilation heterogeneity (VH), is present in a subgroup of patients with asthma. Ventilation heterogeneity can be measured using multiple breath washout testing. Few studies have been reported in children. We studied the relationship between VH, asthma severity, and spirometry in a cross-sectional observational cohort study involving children with stable mild-moderate and severe asthma by GINA classification and a group of healthy controls. Thirty-seven participants aged 5–16 years completed multiple breath nitrogen washout (MBNW) testing (seven controls, seven mild-moderate asthma, 23 severe asthma). The lung clearance index (LCI) was normal in control and mild-moderate asthmatics. LCI was abnormal in 5/23 (21%) of severe asthmatics. The LCI negatively correlated with FEV1z-score.Conclusion: VH is present in asthmatic children and appears to be more common in severe asthma. The LCI was significantly higher in the cohort of children with severe asthma, despite no difference in FEV1 between the groups. This supports previous evidence that LCI is a more sensitive marker of airway disease than FEV1. MBNW shows potential as a useful tool to assess children with severe asthma and may help inform clinical decisions.

What is Known:• Increased ventilation heterogeneity is present in some children with asthma• Spirometry is not sensitive enough to detect small airway involvement in asthma

What is New• Lung clearance index is abnormal in a significant subgroup of children with severe asthma but rarely in children with mild-moderate asthma• Our data suggests that LCI monitoring should be considered in children with severe asthma
A stereotactic frame-based drill guide-aided setting for laser interstitial thermal therapy
Authors: Oertel Markus F. , Stieglitz Lennart H. , Bozinov Oliver 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRIgLITT) was demonstrated to be a viable neurosurgical tool. Apart from its variety of indications, different operative and technical nuances exist. In the present report, for the first time, the use and ability of a traditional Riechert-Mundinger (RM) stereotactic system combined with a novel drill guide kit for MRIgLITT are described.

Methods
A stereotactic frame-based setting was developed by combining an RM system with a drill guide kit and centering bone anchor screwing aid for application together with an MRIgLITT neuro-accessory kit and cooled laser applicator system. The apparatus was used for stereotactic biopsy and consecutive MRIgLITT with an intraoperative high-field MRI scanner in a brain tumor case.

Results
The feasibility of an RM stereotactic apparatus and a drill guide kit for MRIgLITT was successfully assessed. Both stereotactic biopsy and subsequent MRIgLITT in a neurooncological patient could easily and safely be performed. No technical problems or complications were observed.

Conclusion
The combination of a traditional RM stereotactic system, a new drill guide tool, and intraoperative high-field MRI provides neurosurgeons with the opportunity to reliably confirm the diagnosis by frame-based biopsy and allows for stable and accurate real-time MRIgLITT.
Cryptococcal infection of the colon in a patient without concurrent human immunodeficiency infection: a case report and literature review
Authors: Quincho-Lopez Alvaro , Kojima Noah , Nesemann John M. , Verona-Rubio Rogger , Carayhua-Perez Dina 
Published: May 2021

AbstractCryptococcosis is a fungal infection that is rarely reported in patients without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, especially when the central nervous system (CNS) or pulmonary system is not involved. We report a case of isolated colonic cryptococcosis without disseminated disease in a 64-year-old immunocompetent woman without HIV infection who presented with chronic diarrhea and no episodes of fever or weight loss. The diagnosis was based on histopathology examination. Furthermore, we performed a literature review showing that few reports have been published so far and in the case of colonic cryptococcal infection, the prognosis is favorable among HIV-uninfected patients.
The REALISE score: a new statistically validated scoring system to assess the severity of anal fissures
Authors: Picciariello A. , Lobascio P. , Spazzafumo L. , Rinaldi M. , Dibra R. , Trigiante G. , Laforgia R. , Pezzolla A. , Altomare D. F. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundAnal fissure (AF) is a common, painful disease that strongly affects patients’ quality of life, however, no scoring system to assess the severity of AF is available in the literature. The aim of this study was to set up and validate a reliable scoring system to quantify the severity of AF, to be used in prospective trials comparing the efficacy and the outcomes of surgical or medical treatments.MethodsThe study was conducted on patients with acute or chronic AF and a control group in a tertiary centre for coloproctology in June 2020–September 2020. Two researchers independently carried out a structured interviewer-led questionnaire at two different time points (T1/T2). The questionnaire consisted of five items selected according to the most commonly reported symptoms for AF: the item pain, was scored from 0 to 10 using a visual analogue scale, and quality of life, duration of pain, use of painkillers, and bleeding were scored from 1 to 5 using Likert-scale questions. The scoRing systEm for AnaL fIsSurE (REALISE) score was the sum of the points. Patients with AF and a control group of patients with haemorrhoids, anal fistula, or obstructed defecation syndrome entered the study. Main outcome measures were reliability, inter-/intraobserver agreement, and repeatability.ResultsOne hundred and fifty well-matched patients (75 with AF and 75 controls) were enrolled. A significant difference was found between the mean REALISE score for patients with AF and controls (p < 0.001). The two REALISE scores were highly correlated (r = 0.99). The coefficient of repeatability was 1.45 in T1 and 1.18 in T2.ConclusionsThe REALISE score may have an important role in the assessment and management of AF, in grading the severity of AF and comparing results of different treatments.
Machine learning approach to vulnerability detection in OAuth 2.0 authentication and authorization flow
Authors: Munonye Kindson , Péter Martinek 
Published: May 2021

AbstractTechnologies for integrating enterprise web applications have improved rapidly over the years. The OAuth framework provides authentication and authorization using the users’ profile and credentials in an existing identity provider. This makes it possible for attackers to exploit any vulnerability arising from exchange of data with the provider. Vulnerability in OAuth authorization flow allows an attacker to alter the normal flow sequence of the OAuth protocol. In this paper, a machine learning-based approach was applied in the detection of potential vulnerability in the OAuth authentication and authorization flow by analyzing the relationship between changes in the OAuth parameters and the final output. This research models the OAuth protocol as a supervised learning problem where seven classification models were developed, tuned and evaluated. Exploratory Data Analytics (EDA) techniques were applied in the extraction and analysis of specific OAuth features so that each output class could be evaluated to determine the effect of the identified OAuth features. The models developed in this research were trained, tuned and tested. A performance accuracy above 90% was attained for detection of vulnerabilities in the OAuth authentication and authorization flow. Comparison with known vulnerability resulted in a 54% match.
Capacity balancing for vanadium redox flow batteries through continuous and dynamic electrolyte overflow
Authors: Schafner Katharina , Becker Maik , Turek Thomas 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The vanadium crossover through the membrane can have a significant impact on the capacity of the vanadium redox flow battery (VFB) over long-term charge–discharge cycling. The different vanadium ions move unsymmetrically through the membrane and this leads to a build-up of vanadium ions in one half-cell with a corresponding decrease in the other. In this paper, a dynamic model is developed based on different crossover mechanisms (diffusion, migration and electro osmosis) for each of the four vanadium ions, water and protons in the electrolytes. With a simple to use approach, basic mass transport theory is used to simulate the transfer of vanadium ions in the battery. The model is validated with own measurements and can therefore predict the battery capacity as a function of time. This is used to analyse the battery performance by applying an overflow from one half-cell to the other. Different constant overflow rates were analysed with regard to an impact of the performance and electrolyte stability. It was observed that a continuous overflow increases the capacity significantly but that the electrolyte stability plays an essential role using a membrane with a big vanadium crossover. Even with a good performance, a complete remixing of the tanks is necessary to prevent electrolyte precipitations. Therefore, a dynamic overflow was determined in such a way that the capacity of the battery is maximised while the electrolytes remain stable for 200 cycles.
Graphic abstract
Dyadic concordance and associations of beliefs with intentions to learn carrier results from genomic sequencing
Authors: Huelsnitz Chloe O. , Turbitt Erin , Taber Jennifer M. , Lewis Katie L. , Biesecker Leslie G. , Biesecker Barbara B. , Klein William M. P. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAlthough romantic couple concordance has been demonstrated across a wide array of health behaviors, little research has examined dyadic concordance in health beliefs. This study examined the extent to which cohabitating romantic dyads’ attitudes and beliefs coincide (i.e., dyadic concordance) in addition to how well they predict intentions to learn genomic sequencing results. The actor-partner interdependence model was applied to cross-sectional data from 81 dyads in an exome sequencing study who were surveyed about their risk perceptions, worry, information avoidance, attitudes, and intentions toward learning carrier results. Information avoidance tendencies were positively correlated between partners, but there was low concordance on other beliefs. Individuals’ attitudes and information avoidance predicted their own intentions to learn results. Additionally, partners’ information avoidance tendencies predicted their partner’s intentions to learn results. Future research should explore mechanisms through which one’s partner’s information avoidance may affect one’s own intentions and behaviors.
A review: iron and nutrient supply in the subarctic Pacific and its impact on phytoplankton production
Authors: Nishioka Jun , Obata Hajime , Hirawake Toru , Kondo Yoshiko , Yamashita Youhei , Misumi Kazuhiro , Yasuda Ichiro 
Published: May 2021

AbstractOne of the most important breakthroughs in oceanography in the last 30 years was the discovery that iron (Fe) controls biological production as a micronutrient, and our understanding of Fe and nutrient biogeochemical dynamics in the ocean has significantly advanced. In this review, we looked back both previous and updated knowledge of the natural Fe supply processes and nutrient dynamics in the subarctic Pacific and its impact on biological production. Although atmospheric dust has been considered to be the most important source of Fe affecting biological production in the subarctic Pacific, other oceanic sources of Fe have been discovered. We propose a coherent explanation for the biological response in subarctic Pacific high nutrient low chlorophyll (HNLC) waters that incorporates knowledge of both the atmospheric Fe supplies and the oceanic Fe supplies. Finally, we extract future directions for Fe oceanographic research in the subarctic Pacific and summarize the uncertain issues identified thus far.
Orchard management with small unmanned aerial vehicles: a survey of sensing and analysis approaches
Authors: Zhang Chenglong , Valente João , Kooistra Lammert , Guo Leifeng , Wang Wensheng 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAdvances in sensor miniaturization are increasing the global popularity of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based remote sensing applications in many domains of agriculture. Fruit orchards (the source of the fruit industry chain) require site-specific or even individual-tree-specific management throughout the growing season—from flowering, fruitlet development, ripening, and harvest—to tree dormancy. The recent increase in research on deploying UAV in orchard management has yielded new insights but challenges relating to determining the optimal approach (e.g., image-processing methods) are hampering widespread adoption, largely because there is no standard workflow for the application of UAVs in orchard management. This paper provides a comprehensive literature review focused on UAV-based orchard management: the survey includes achievements to date and shortcomings to be addressed. Sensing system architecture focusing on UAVs and sensors is summarized. Then up-to-date applications supported by UAVs in orchard management are described, focusing on the diversity of data-processing techniques, including monitoring efficiency and accuracy. With the goal of identifying the gaps and examining the opportunities for UAV-based orchard management, this study also discusses the performance of emerging technologies and compare similar research providing technical and comprehensive support for the further exploitation of UAVs and a revolution in orchard management.
Health-related quality of life in elderly, multimorbid individuals with and without depression and/or mild cognitive impairment using a telemonitoring application
Authors: Lang Caroline , Roessler Martin , Schmitt Jochen , Bergmann Antje , Holthoff-Detto Vjera 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Multimorbidity leads to decreasing health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Telemedicine may help to improve HRQoL. The present study was conducted to show (I) differences in HRQoL and changes in HRQoL over time in elderly, multimorbid individuals with and without depression and/or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) using a telemonitoring application (TMA) and (II) associations between engagement with measurements by study participants using a TMA and changes in their HRQoL.

Methods
The present feasibility study was part of a longitudinal intervention study. Recruited general practitioners (GPs) enrolled individuals and assigned them to risk groups according to absence/presence of depression and/or MCI. Depression was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), MCI using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and HRQoL using the SF-12. The TMA consisted of tablets, software, and measuring devices. Measured vital data were transferred to a care and case manager for monitoring and possible intervention.

Results
Nine GPs recruited 177 individuals, 97 of whom were included in the HRQoL analysis. Significantly lower physical and mental component summary (PCS/MCS) scores were revealed in study participants with depression, and with both depression and MCI, compared to participants with no mental disorders. PCS scores did not differ between study dates, but MCS scores had significantly increased over time. Participants’ engagement with measurements was significantly associated with an increased MCS score, but not with the PCS score.

Discussion
Depression and/or MCI are negatively associated with the HRQoL of elderly, multimorbid people using a TMA. Engagement of individuals with vital data measurements via a TMA may increase their mental HRQoL. Mentally impaired people should be closely involved as co-designers and experts in development processes of TMAs to benefit from tailored solutions. An individual’s increased mental HRQoL can be a decisive factor in their engagement with a GP treatment regimen and telemonitoring processes.
Ecosystem dynamics: exploring the interplay within fintech entrepreneurial ecosystems
Authors: Alaassar Ahmad , Mention Anne-Laure , Aas Tor Helge 
Published: May 2021

AbstractScholars and practitioners continue to recognize the crucial role of entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) in creating a conducive environment for productive entrepreneurship. Although EEs are fundamentally interaction systems of hierarchically independent yet mutually dependent actors, few studies have investigated how interactions among ecosystem actors drive the entrepreneurial process. Seeking to address this gap, this paper explores how ecosystem actor interactions influence new ventures in the financial technology (fintech) EE of Singapore. Guided by an EE framework and the use of an exploratory-abductive approach, empirical data from semi-structured interviews is collected and analyzed. The findings reveal four categories representing both the relational perspective, which features interaction and intermediation dynamics, and the cultural perspective, which encompasses ecosystem development and regulatory dynamics. These categories help explain how and why opportunity identification and resource exploitation are accelerated or inhibited for entrepreneurs in fintech EEs. The present study provides valuable contributions to scholars and practitioners interested in EEs and contributes to the academic understanding of the emerging fintech phenomenon.
Infantile Digital Fibromatosis—Which is Better for a Child: a Surgical or Observational Approach?
Authors: Sosnowska-Sienkiewicz Patrycja , Antosik Patrycja , Ostałowska Anna , Mańkowski Przemysław 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe golden standard of infantile digital fibromatosis treatment has not been established. This publication aims to present the process of sustained treatment of a 4-month-old boy with a red, firm, swollen, painless tumor of the third and fourth right toes and syndactyly of these. The lesion was surgically resected due to continued growth, but after 1 year of observation, local recurrence was noticed and an observational approach was implemented with satisfactory effect.
Geotechnical Investigation and Numerical Analysis of Slope Failure: A Case Study of Landslide Vulnerability Zone in Kolli Hills, Tamil Nadu
Authors: Kumar M. , Krishnaveni V. , Muthukumar Surya 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Landslides are the downward movement of materials under the influence of gravity when shear stress exceeds the shear strength of the material. It includes various movements resulting in complex type of slope failures which commonly occurred on cut slopes of Ghat roads in mountaneous region. The study area chosen for the geotechnical investigation is Kolli hills situated in the tail end of the Eastern Ghats in Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu, India. The ghat road section of 20 km stretch along with 70 hairpin bends, connects the foothills at Karavallikkombai to Sholaikkadu at the top is selected for the present study. The hill is situated at a fault zone which is extended from Mettur dam, Salem district, Tamil Nadu. In this study, undisturbed soil samples were collected from 10 landslide locations and tested for its index and engineering properties. Based on the test results, static slope stability analysis using Modified Bishop method and dynamic slope stability analysis using Simplified Newmark method were carried out to find out factor of safety of the slopes which is used to derive the slope stability assessment of the study area. The landslide hazard zone assessment was carried out to identify the landslide prone areas.
Evaluation of natural flocculant efficiency in the harvest of microalgae Monoraphidium contortum
Authors: Ruggeri Marcus Vinicius Ribeiro , Godoy Rodrigo Felipe Bedim , Arroyo Pedro Augusto , Trevisan Elias 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis study assesses two parameters that can result in high efficiency in the recovery of the microalgae Monoraphidium contortum. The significant contribution of this paper is to test different coagulants in different conditions of concentration in the coagulation and flocculation processes followed by sedimentation to evidence the best coagulant and the best condition for harvesting of Monoraphidium contortum biomass. So the proposed methodology aimed to perform preliminary tests using a tannin-based cationic coagulant (TANFLOC SG®), FeCl2, and Al2 (SO4)3, where they were performed at concentrations of 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mg L−1 at a fast mixing speed of 400 RPM. The tests determined 20 mg L−1 of Tanfloc SG® as the most efficient turbidity reduction in the preliminary test. The obtained results were used to construct a non-factorial central composite planning. Therefore, after a design of experiments, the study outcome shows the best turbidity removal range from the main tests came at 35 mg L−1 and 550 RPM of fast mixing speed.
A hybrid genetic local and global search algorithm for solving no-wait flow shop problem with bi criteria
Authors: Keskin Kenan , Engin Orhan 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis paper addresses them-machine no-wait Flow Shop Scheduling with Setup Times (NW-FSSWST). Two performance measures: total flow time and makespan are considered. The objective is to find a sequence that minimizing total flow time ($$\sum C_{j}$$∑Cj) and makespan ($$C_{j}$$Cj) simultaneously. A Hybrid Genetic Local and Global Search Algorithm (HGLGSA) is proposed to solve the NW-FSSWST for two performance criteria. The hybrid genetic algorithm is constructed by insert-search and self-repair algorithm with self-repair function. The proposed HGLGSA is tested on 192 benchmark problems of NW-FSSWST in the literature. A full factorial experimental design is made for determined the best parameter sets that improve the performance of the proposed algorithm. The computational results are compared with the benchmark solutions from the literature. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed HGLGSA for solving NW-FSSWST.
Enhancement of out-of-plane mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin composite by incorporating the multi-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Mirsalehi Seyed Ali , Youzbashi Amir Ali , Sazgar Amjad 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn this study, epoxy hybrid nanocomposites reinforced by carbon fibers (CFs) were fabricated by a filament winding. To improve out-of-plane (transverse) mechanical properties, 0.5 and 1.0 Wt.% multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were embedded into epoxy/CF composites. The MWCNTs were well dispersed into the epoxy resin without using any additives. The transverse mechanical properties of epoxy/MWCNT/CF hybrid nanocomposites were evaluated by the tensile test in the vertical direction to the CFs (90º tensile) and flexural tests. The fracture surfaces of composites were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM observations showed that the bridging of the MWCNTs is one of the mechanisms of transverse mechanical properties enhancement in the epoxy/MWCNT/CF composites. The results of the 90º tensile test proved that the tensile strength and elongation at break of nanocomposite with 1.0 Wt.% MWCNTs improved up to 53% and 50% in comparison with epoxy/CF laminate composite, respectively. Furthermore, the flexural strength, secant modulus, and elongation of epoxy/1.0 Wt.% MWCNT/CF hybrid nanocomposite increased 15%, 7%, and 9% compared to epoxy/CF laminate composite, respectively.