bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
NIC: An innovative supervised machine learning computational framework having network‐based interactional connections
Authors: Mirrashid Alireza , Shirazi Ali‐Asghar Beheshti 
Published: June 2021

AbstractModels based on computational intelligence have many applications in various problems. Such systems are generally set up and designed based on a collection of data and information. In some real problems, the implementation of experimental studies or doing tests are costly and time‐consuming. Therefore, a model which requires fewer data than the existing soft computing methods can be useful and applicable. In this article, a network‐based interactional connection system is proposed as a new supervised machine learning computational framework for problems with small data. This model, which is inspired by the connections between neurons of the brain, utilizes the series and parallel structures with interactional connections to determine the best estimation. The proposed approach uses less unknown parameters than existing models and gives a suitable response in a few steps. The learning process starts with one generation and continues until an acceptable prediction is found, and the coefficients are determined. However, it may have more generations in a sequential format for better prediction and providing more accurate answers. To evaluate the performance of the proposed computational system, three engineering problems were investigated as a numerical study. The results also compared with the predicted values of four well‐known techniques.
Procurement risk management in a petroleum refinery
Authors: Oliveira Fernando S. 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACTWe analyze a petroleum refinery's procurement strategy, explaining how risk management affects optimal sourcing from long‐term, spot, and swap contracts. We use time series analysis to model the interaction between petroleum prices, transportation costs, and gross product worth. These models are then used to generate the scenarios incorporated in the stochastic program applied to compute the conditional value‐at‐risk. We prove the necessary and sufficient conditions for the optimal procurement and risk management strategies, and show that risk aversion can be better represented by the weighted average between expected profit and conditional value‐at‐risk, deriving the respective ISO curves. We estimate that an increase in the degree of risk aversion decreases the use of swap contracts. Our model is applied to the analysis of a refinery based in Singapore. Using regression analysis, we show we cannot reject the hypothesis of a statistically significant relationship between the way Saudi Arabia prices the long‐term contracts and the shape of the forward curve. We then study how risk aversion influences the procurement strategies, profitability, and risk exposure of the refinery. Finally, we analyze the pricing of long‐term (forward) contracts by Saudi Arabia, and study how the country could benefit from a different pricing policy.
SPARRING: A deliberate practice pedagogy for business education
Authors: Giraud‐Carrier François C. , Fawcett Stanley E. , Fawcett Amydee M. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMany higher education institutions are calling for more experiential learning to improve learning outcomes and better prepare students for the workplace. The need for enhanced experiential education in business schools, and in the decision sciences, is especially important. However, there is a lack of common practical understanding of how to implement this type of learning in business education. We address this gap using deliberate practice as a conceptual framework. Deliberate practice is a proven training technique for developing high levels of expertise. In spite of growing evidence of its relevance to higher education, two obstacles inhibit its widespread adoption by business educators. First, due to its origins as a one‐on‐one coaching technique, deliberate practice is difficult to apply in traditional university classrooms. Second, because the curriculum must be designed from the start to implement deliberate practice principles, instructional design guidelines are needed to direct the efforts of faculty. To overcome these obstacles, we develop an eight‐step instructional design model called SPARRING that incorporates all deliberate practice principles into one framework. We then discuss 13 pedagogical techniques that instructors can use in and outside of class to implement deliberate practice in business education. Using the SPARRING model, we show that these techniques can deliver an authentic and effective deliberate practice experience. We also discuss the application of the SPARRING model at the program and school levels. At a time of major disruptions in higher education, the SPARRING model offers a new pathway for traditional residential universities interested in teaching real‐world skills valued by employers in a manner not easily replicated by artificial intelligence.
Dolichoarteriopathies of the extracranial internal carotid artery: The Plaque At RISK study
Authors: Dilba Kristine , van Dam‐Nolen Dianne H. K. , Crombag Geneviève A. J. C. , van der Kolk Anja G. , Koudstaal Peter J. , Nederkoorn Paul J. , Hendrikse Jeroen , Kooi Marianne Eline , van der Steen Antonius F. W. , Wentzel Jolanda J. , van der Lugt Aad , Bos Daniel 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackground and purposeDolichoarteriopathies of the extracranial part of the internal carotid artery (ICA) are associated with cerebrovascular events, yet information on their prevalence and risk factors remains limited. The aim of the present study therefore was to study the prevalence and risk factors of dolichoarteriopathies in a sample of patients with cerebrovascular symptoms from the Plaque At RISK (PARISK) study.MethodsIn a random sample of 100 patients from the PARISK study, multidetector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) was performed as part of clinical workup. On MDCTA, we evaluated the extracranial trajectory of the ICA by measuring the length (in millimeters), the tortuosity index (TI; defined as the ICA length divided by the shortest possible distance from bifurcation to skull base), and dolichoarteriopathy type (tortuosity, coiling or kinking). Next, we investigated the association between cardiovascular risk factors and these measurements using linear and logistic regression analyses.ResultsThe mean (standard deviation) length of the ICA was 93 (± 14) mm, with a median (interquartile range) TI of 1.2 (1.1–1.3). The overall prevalence of dolichoarteriopathies was 69%, with tortuosity being the most common (72%), followed by coiling (20%), and kinking (8%). We found that age and obesity were associated with a higher TI: difference per 10‐year increase in age: 0.05 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.02–0.08) and 0.16 (95% CI 0.07–0.25) for obesity. Obesity and hypercholesterolemia were associated with a more severe type of dolichoarteriopathy (odds ratio [OR] 2.07 [95% CI 1.04–4.12] and OR 2.17 [95% CI 1.02–4.63], respectively).ConclusionDolichoarteriopathies in the extracranial ICA are common in patients with cerebrovascular symptoms, and age, obesity and hypercholesterolemia may play an important role in the pathophysiology of these abnormalities.
Functional groups of hoverflies inSoutheast Europeacross different vegetation types
Authors: Miličić Marija , Popov Snežana , Jurca Tamara , Cardoso Pedro , Janković Marina , Ačanski Jelena , Vujić Ante 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTo better understand the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, it is increasingly accepted that the focus of study needs to shift from taxonomic identity to the diversity of functional traits displayed by species within a community. Such an approach allows species to be grouped according to particular functional characteristics. Increasingly viewed as an extremely important group of model organisms, hoverflies have been the focus of a variety of ecological studies. Based on data regarding selected functional traits of hoverflies registered in Southeast Europe, the main aims of our study were to define hoverfly functional groups according to the similarity of these traits, as well as to compare the representation of delineated hoverfly functional groups among these vegetation types. We used fuzzy clustering to classify 568 SE European hoverfly species into five functional groups. The principle trait separating these functional groups was larval feeding type, followed by size of species range, flight ability, number of generations, inundation tolerance, and tolerance to human impact. For 9 of 11 vegetation types, the dominant functional group was characterized by species with good flight ability, having high human impact tolerance and more annual generations. The remaining two vegetation types, South‐west Balkan sub‐Mediterranean mixed oak forests and Mediterranean mixed forests, showed disparate dominance patterns, indicating that richness of functional groups is dependent on vegetation. Further investigation of whether and how established conservation measures enable recovery of the functional richness affected by habitat disturbance would help elucidate the importance of functional diversity in preserving biodiversity.
Development and validation of the Mindful Parenting in Infancy Scale (MPIS)
Authors: Gartstein Maria A. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAlthough mindfulness in parenting has been recognized as important for some time, there is a dearth of measurement tools, especially for caregivers of infants. Two studies were conducted: (1) developing and providing an initial psychometric evaluation of the Mindful Parenting in Infancy Scale (MPIS) and (2) reproducing initial findings with an independent sample of infants and caregivers. In Study 1, 37 caregivers of infants (3–12 months of age) responded to MPIS, providing indicators of parenting stress and infant temperament. Study 2 caregivers (N = 57) responded to identical measures, with infant electroencephalogram (EEG) recorded during the Still Face Procedure, along with a baseline condition. Study 1 results indicated good internal consistency, with Study 2 providing additional support for reliability. Correlations with parenting stress markers were also significant across both investigations, indicative of greater stress with lower levels of mindfulness. A number of correlations with temperament scores were also significant, and in the hypothesized direction, across both studies. Importantly, the MPIS score was predictive of infant frontal EEG asymmetry in a path model examined in the context of Study 2. Thus, the present investigation provides support for MPIS as a promising brief measurement tool based on results obtained with two independent samples.
Telehealth during COVID‐19: The perspective of alcohol and other drug nurses
Authors: Searby Adam , Burr Dianna 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAimThis study aimed to explore the experiences of alcohol and other drug nurses transitioning to telehealth due to the COVID‐19 pandemic.BackgroundCOVID‐19 has caused immense disruption to healthcare services, and to reduce viral transmission, many services moved to off‐site care delivery modalities such as telehealth.DesignWe used a qualitative descriptive design for this study.MethodsSecondary analysis of semistructured interviews with alcohol and other drug nurses from Australia and New Zealand (n = 19) was conducted in July and August 2020. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and reported using COREQ guidelines.ResultsThree were identified: ‘“All our face‐to‐face contact ceased with clients”: Changing service delivery’, ‘“How do I do my job when I can't see you?”: An anxious shift in service delivery’ and ‘“A lot of Indigenous people don't like the FaceTiming and all that”: Challenges to delivery of services through telehealth’.ConclusionParticipants in our study reported challenges in transitioning to telehealth modalities. The perceived loss of therapeutic communication, difficulties in assessing risks to healthcare consumers such as domestic violence and challenges delivering telehealth care to a marginalized consumer cohort need to be overcome before telehealth is considered successful in alcohol and other drug treatment. However, telehealth was a successful adjunct to existing practices for nurses working with consumers in regional or remote areas or where consumers preferred this method of service delivery.ImpactNurses in this study described substantial issues with the delivery of alcohol and other drug treatment via telehealth, including a perception that telehealth was a barrier to addressing risks to consumers who use alcohol and other drugs, and difficulties working in a therapeutically beneficial way via telehealth. Telehealth is a means to reduce viral transmission through a reduction in face‐to‐face contact, and although it may be useful for some service functions, it may be detrimental to the clinical services nurses provide.
Learning in serial mergers: Evidence from a global sample
Authors: Pandey Vivek K. , Sutton Ninon K. , Steigner Tanja 
Published: June 2021

AbstractDo frequent acquirers learn from their experience in serial mergers? A recent stream of literature has proposed that the generally observed declining investor response (cumulative abnormal returns) to successive acquisitions by frequent acquirers may be evidence of learning, rather than the result of commonly attributed causes such as managerial hubris or empire building. We examine the learning hypothesis on a global scale, using a sample of 13,326 publicly listed acquiring firms representing 72 nations conducting 27,305 acquisitions over the period 1984–2014. Our results provide evidence of institutional‐based differences in acquirer learning on a global scale in the valuation of private targets. In contrast, we find evidence of hubris in takeovers of public targets, especially in the United States, and other competitive takeover markets, where acquirers experience persistent, significant losses over successive acquisitions, while targets continue to reap significant gains throughout the acquisition sequence.
Atresia of ovarian follicles in fishes, and implications and uses in aquaculture and fisheries
Authors: Corriero Aldo , Zupa Rosa , Mylonas Constantinos C. , Passantino Letizia 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAtresia of ovarian follicles, that is the degenerative process of germ cells and their associated somatic cells, is a complex process involving apoptosis, autophagy and heterophagy. Follicular atresia is a normal component of fish oogenesis and it is observed throughout the ovarian cycle, although it is more frequent in regressing ovaries during the postspawning period. An increased occurrence of follicular atresia above physiological rates reduces fish fecundity and even causes reproductive failure in both wild and captive‐reared fish stocks, and hence, this phenomenon has a wide range of implications in applied sciences such as fisheries and aquaculture. The present article reviews the available literature on both basic and applied traits of oocyte loss by atresia, including its morpho‐physiological aspects and factors that cause a supraphysiological increase of follicular atresia. Finally, the review presents the use of early follicular atresia identification in the selection process of induced spawning in aquaculture and the implications of follicular atresia in fisheries management.
Nondestructive identification of barley seeds varieties using hyperspectral data from two sides of barley seeds
Authors: Sun Heng , Zhang Liu , Li Hao , Rao Zhenhong , Ji Haiyan 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe identification of seed varieties is of significance to ensure seed purity. In this study, 1,600 barley seeds (400 per variety) were selected as the samples. By using a near‐infrared hyperspectral imaging system, the hyperspectral cube data on the reverse and ventral sides of each barley seed were obtained. Three preprocessing methods (standard normal variate, multivariate scatter correction, and Savitzky–Golay first derivative) and three discriminant models (k‐nearest neighbors, support vector machine [SVM], and random forest) were selected for preprocessing and modeling, respectively. The results indicated that the reverse spectral data preprocessed by multivariate scatter correction and the ventral spectral data preprocessed by Savitzky–Golay first derivative had the best modeling results. In order to further simplify the model, feature selection algorithm (successive projections algorithm) was used for feature wavelength selection. After multivariate data analysis, the combination of k‐nearest neighbors and successive projections algorithm based on the reverse spectral data was selected as the best discriminant model. The accuracy of the calibration set and the prediction set were 95.52% and 93.71%, and the Kappa value were 0.9424 and 0.9156, respectively. The reverse spectral data of barley seeds of the validation set were used to verify the accuracy of the discriminant model and visualize the classification results. Finally, considering the practical application, the mixed spectral data containing different ratios of the reverse spectral data was analyzed, and satisfactory results were obtained. It can be concluded from this study that hyperspectral imaging technology was a very promising method for identification of barley seed varieties.Practical applicationsWith the circulation of the seed market, the traditional methods used for variety identification can no longer meet the needs of large‐scale, high‐quality production. As a nondestructive determination method, hyperspectral imaging technology combined machine vision and near‐infrared spectroscopy. In this study, hyperspectral imaging technology was used to identify barley seed varieties, and satisfactory results were obtained. It can provide a theoretical reference for future multispectral online detection technology.
The impact of COVID‐19 pandemic in dermatology outpatient clinics in Turkey: A survey study
Authors: Ustaoglu Eda 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID‐19 pandemic has substantially affected the healthcare systems around the world. It has also induced some changes in working habits at dermatology clinics. The majority of dermatology clinics limited the number of patients at outpatient clinics and postponed the elective procedures.Aims and ObjectivesTo evaluate the working conditions and habits of dermatologists in Turkey during the COVID‐19 pandemic.MethodsThis is a survey study with seventeen questions in which two hundred fifteen dermatologists working in Turkey participated.ResultsOur results revealed that 53.5% of the participants worked in the areas related to COVID‐19 during the pandemic. The average number of dermatology outpatient days in a week was five among the 48.8% of dermatologists, 21.4% of those had three working days, and 18.1% of those had four days. During the pandemic, the most common reasons for referral to outpatient clinics were acne and acneiform eruptions (88.8%), dermatitis (73.5%), and hair loss (71.2%). Participants hesitated to use the following treatments: long‐term systemic steroid (77.7%), cyclosporine (69.8%), and methotrexate (60%).ConclusionIt is observed that the COVID‐19 pandemic had affected the working habits and conditions of the dermatologists, which might be considered for the designing of new working approaches.
Glycaemic control mediates the relationships of employment status and self‐stigma with self‐care behaviours in young adults with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Lin May‐Hung , Ou Horng‐Yih , Wang Ruey‐Hsia , Lin Ching‐Han , Liao Hsiu‐Yun , Chen Hsing‐Mei 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAims and objectivesTo investigate the relationships of sociodemographic factors, self‐stigma, glycaemic control (measured by glycated haemoglobin (A1C)) and self‐care behaviours in young adults with type 2 diabetes.BackgroundYoung adults aged 25–44 years are in their most productive period. Once diagnosed with diabetes, this population tends to experience poor glycaemic control and perform poorly in self‐care activities. Such patterns may raise perceptions of self‐stigma and further decrease motivations to engage in self‐care behaviours in patients with diabetes.DesignA cross‐sectional, correlational research design.MethodsThe STROBE guidelines for cross‐sectional studies were followed. A convenience sample of 115 participants was recruited from a medical centre in southern Taiwan. Instruments included the Self‐Stigma Scale–Chinese version and the Diabetes Self‐Care Behaviours Scale. Data were analysed using a three‐step hierarchical regression analysis and the Sobel test.ResultsThe average age of the participants was 36.7 years. Marital status, employment status, self‐stigma and A1C were significantly associated with self‐care behaviours, and these four variables explained 43.6% of the variance in self‐care behaviours. However, A1C (β = −.58, p < .001) was found to be the only determinant of self‐care behaviours in the last regression model. The Sobel test showed that A1C had mediating effects on self‐stigma and self‐care behaviours as well as employment status and self‐care behaviours.ConclusionThis study supports the interactive relationship among self‐stigma, employment status, glycaemic control and self‐care behaviours in young adults with type 2 diabetes. Strategies aimed at optimising glycaemic control can help reduce the effects of self‐stigma perceptions and employment status on the self‐care behaviours of such patients.Relevance to clinical practiceMore effective educational programmes should be designed to improve glycaemic control, lower the effects of employment and decrease perceptions of self‐stigma to further motivate young adults to engage in better diabetes self‐care behaviours.
Identifying the Central Components of Perceived Costs and Benefits of Helping Peers with Depression: A Psychological Network Analysis Using Japanese Undergraduate Samples1,2
Authors: Kashihara Jun , Sakamoto Shinji 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSeveral training programs and forums for mental health peer support have been developed, and perceptions of costs and benefits affecting peer supporters' helping behaviors have been investigated. To investigate the most efficient ways to motivate people to provide mental health peer support, we conducted a series of cross‐sectional network analyses that (a) visualized the network structures of the perceived costs and benefits of helping or not helping peers with depression; and (b) identified the most central component in each network. Participants were 297 Japanese undergraduates (mean age = 19.27 years) who rated how much they cared about items related to the costs/benefits of helping/not helping using a Likert scale. A series of psychological networks consisting of nodes (components) connected by edges (regularized partial correlations) were estimated, and the most central component judged on the basis of high scores for strength, closeness, and betweenness indexes was identified in each network (e.g., “loss of energy” in the Costs of Helping network). Discussion focuses on these identified central components as targets for intervention within the larger networks of perceived costs and benefits.