bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improved distributed $$\Delta $$-coloring
Authors: Ghaffari Mohsen , Hirvonen Juho , Kuhn Fabian , Maus Yannic 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWe present a randomized distributed algorithm that computes a $$\Delta $$
Δ
-coloring in any non-complete graph with maximum degree $$\Delta \ge 4$$

Δ
≥
4

in $$O(\log \Delta ) + 2^{O(\sqrt{\log \log n})}$$

O

(
log
Δ
)

+

2

O
(

log
log
n

)

rounds, as well as a randomized algorithm that computes a $$\Delta $$
Δ
-coloring in $$O((\log \log n)^2)$$

O
(

(
log
log
n
)

2

)

rounds when $$\Delta \in [3, O(1)]$$

Δ
∈
[
3
,
O
(
1
)
]

. Both these algorithms improve on an $$O(\log ^3 n / \log \Delta )$$

O
(

log
3

n
/
log
Δ
)

-round algorithm of Panconesi and Srinivasan (STOC’93), which has remained the state of the art for the past 25 years. Moreover, the latter algorithm gets (exponentially) closer to an $$\Omega (\log \log n)$$

Ω
(
log
log
n
)

round lower bound of Brandt et al. (STOC’16).
Symptom clusters and their influence on prognosis using EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL scores in terminally ill patients with cancer
Authors: Koyama Nanako , Matsumura Chikako , Tahara Yuuna , Sako Morito , Kurosawa Hideo , Nomura Takehisa , Eguchi Yuki , Ohba Kazuki , Yano Yoshitaka 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Purpose
The aims of the present study were to investigate the symptom clusters in terminally ill patients with cancer using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 15 Palliative Care (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL), and to examine whether these symptom clusters influenced prognosis.

Methods
We analyzed data from 130 cancer patients hospitalized in the palliative care unit from June 2018 to December 2019 in an observational study. Principal component analysis was used to detect symptom clusters using the scored date of 14 items in the QLQ-C15-PAL, except for overall QOL, at the time of hospitalization. The influence of the existence of these symptom clusters and Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) on survival was analyzed by Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, and survival curves were compared between the groups with or without existing corresponding symptom clusters using the log-rank test.

Results
The following symptom clusters were identified: cluster 1 (pain, insomnia, emotional functioning), cluster 2 (dyspnea, appetite loss, fatigue, and nausea), and cluster 3 (physical functioning). Cronbach’s alpha values for the symptom clusters ranged from 0.72 to 0.82. An increased risk of death was significantly associated with the existence of cluster 2 and poor PPS (log-rank test, p = 0.016 and p < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion
In terminally ill patients with cancer, three symptom clusters were detected based on QLQ-C15-PAL scores. Poor PPS and the presence of symptom cluster that includes dyspnea, appetite loss, fatigue, and nausea indicated poor prognosis.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of resistant depression: changes of specific neurotransmitter precursor amino acids
Authors: Leblhuber F. , Geisler S. , Ehrlich D. , Steiner K. , Reibnegger G. , Fuchs Dietmar , Kurz K. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for treatment-resistant major depression offers an alternative therapy, since more than every third patient is not responding to adequate antidepressive treatment. In this interventional study safety, symptom development and changes of serum concentrations of neurotransmitter precursor amino acids, of immune activation and inflammation markers, of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nitrite as well as of salivary amylase were measured before and after a frontal polar cortex stimulation using rTMS as add-on treatment in 38 patients with treatment-resistant depression. Out of these, 17 patients received sham stimulation as a control. Treatment was well tolerated: with the exception of one patient of the verum group, who described discomfort during the second treatment, no serious adverse effects were observed. Improvement of depression with a significant decrease in the HAMD-7 scale (p = 0.001) was found in patients treated with rTMS, but not in sham-treated patients. Furthermore, serum phenylalanine and tyrosine dropped significantly (p = 0.03 and p = 0.027, respectively) in rTMS-treated patients. The kynurenine to tryptophan ratio (Kyn/Trp) tended to decrease under rTMS (p = 0.07). In addition, associations between concentrations of BDNF and neopterin as well as serum nitrite levels were found in patients after rTMS treatment, which indicates an influence of immune regulatory circuits on BDNF levels. In the sham-treated patients, no changes of biomarker concentrations were observed. Results show that rTMS is effective in the treatment of resistant depression. rTMS appears to influence the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase, which plays a central role in the biosynthesis of neurotransmitter precursors tyrosine and dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA).
Restoration of 1325 teeth with partial-coverage crowns manufactured from high noble metal alloys: a retrospective case series 18.8 years after prosthetic delivery
Authors: Rehm Philipp , Derks Hermann , Lesaar Wilfried , Spies Benedikt Christopher , Beuer Florian , Böse Mats Wernfried Heinrich 
Published: July 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate long-term survival and success rates of conventionally cemented partial-coverage crowns (PCCs) manufactured from high noble metal alloys (hn).Material and methodsRestoration-, periodontal- and tooth-related criteria on patients, restored with a single or multiple conventionally cemented hnPCCs in a private dental office were collected from existing patient records. With regard to semi-annual follow-ups, data of the most recent clinical evaluations were considered. Kaplan–Meier and log-rank tests were used for statistical analyses. Level of significance was set at p ≤ .05.ResultsBetween 09/1983 and 09/2009, 1325 hnPCCs were conventionally cemented on 1325 teeth in 266 patients (mean age: 44.5 ± 10.7 years). Due to various reasons, 81 hnPCCs showed complications, documenting a success rate of 93.9% after a mean observation period of 18.8 ± 5.7 years. Of these, additional 14 restorations were counted as survival, resulting in a survival rate of 94.9%. Most frequent complications were periodontal issues (n = 29, 35.8%). Significantly higher success rates were documented for hnPCCs of patients aged between 37 and 51 years (p = .012).ConclusionPartial-coverage crowns from high noble metal alloys showed excellent survival and success rates after a mean observation period of 18.8 ± 5.7 years. Higher patient age was one of the risk factors.Clinical RelevanceAccording to the results of this study, hnPCCs still represent an excellent therapeutic option—even in modern dentistry.
Development of U-Net Breast Density Segmentation Method for Fat-Sat MR Images Using Transfer Learning Based on Non-Fat-Sat Model
Authors: Zhang Yang , Chan Siwa , Chen Jeon-Hor , Chang Kai-Ting , Lin Chin-Yao , Pan Huay-Ben , Lin Wei-Ching , Kwong Tiffany , Parajuli Ritesh , Mehta Rita S. , Chien Sou-Hsin , Su Min-Ying 
Published: July 2021

AbstractTo develop a U-net deep learning method for breast tissue segmentation on fat-sat T1-weighted (T1W) MRI using transfer learning (TL) from a model developed for non-fat-sat images. The training dataset (N = 126) was imaged on a 1.5 T MR scanner, and the independent testing dataset (N = 40) was imaged on a 3 T scanner, both using fat-sat T1W pulse sequence. Pre-contrast images acquired in the dynamic-contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI sequence were used for analysis. All patients had unilateral cancer, and the segmentation was performed using the contralateral normal breast. The ground truth of breast and fibroglandular tissue (FGT) segmentation was generated using a template-based segmentation method with a clustering algorithm. The deep learning segmentation was performed using U-net models trained with and without TL, by using initial values of trainable parameters taken from the previous model for non-fat-sat images. The ground truth of each case was used to evaluate the segmentation performance of the U-net models by calculating the dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and the overall accuracy based on all pixels. Pearson’s correlation was used to evaluate the correlation of breast volume and FGT volume between the U-net prediction output and the ground truth. In the training dataset, the evaluation was performed using tenfold cross-validation, and the mean DSC with and without TL was 0.97 vs. 0.95 for breast and 0.86 vs. 0.80 for FGT. When the final model developed with and without TL from the training dataset was applied to the testing dataset, the mean DSC was 0.89 vs. 0.83 for breast and 0.81 vs. 0.81 for FGT, respectively. Application of TL not only improved the DSC, but also decreased the required training case number. Lastly, there was a high correlation (R2 > 0.90) for both the training and testing datasets between the U-net prediction output and ground truth for breast volume and FGT volume. U-net can be applied to perform breast tissue segmentation on fat-sat images, and TL is an efficient strategy to develop a specific model for each different dataset.
Body weight trends in adolescents of Central Italy across 13 years: social, behavioural, and psychological correlates
Authors: Castellini Giovanni , D’Anna Giulio , Rossi Eleonora , Cassioli Emanuele , Voller Fabio , Silvestri Caterina , Lazzeretti Marco , Berti Alice , Innocenti Francesco , Ricca Valdo 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Aim
The study aimed to determine trends in the prevalence of underweight, overweight, obesity and their putative risk factors in different cohorts from a representative population of adolescents in Central Italy.

Subject and methods
After random sampling, five cohorts of adolescents attending public high schools – aged 14 to 18 years – were evaluated from 2005 to 2018 (n: 25,174). Collected information included self-reported body mass index (BMI), descriptors of family environment, eating behaviour, physical activity, screen use, bullying victimisation, sexual behaviour (age at first intercourse, number of partners) and perceived psychological distress. For these data, between-cohort prevalence differences were used to esteem prevalence variations across time. In the 2018 cohort, the association between these factors and body weight was evaluated through multinomial regressions with sex-specific crude relative risk ratios for different BMI categories.

Results
An increased prevalence of overweight was observed for both boys and girls. The study outlined a transition towards higher parental education and unemployment, reduced soft drinks consumption and higher psychological distress. Sex-specific changes were observed for physical and sexual activity, and a rising percentage of girls reported being bullied and distressing family relationships. Parental education and employment, together with physical activity, confirmed to be protective factors against pathological weight. The latter clustered with reduced soft drinks consumption, bullying victimisation, early sexual activity, worse family relationships and higher distress.

Conclusion
An increased prevalence of both overweight and underweight was observed across time. Economic factors associated with unemployment and changes in behavioural patterns may have contributed to this trend.
The association between supportive social ties and autonomic nervous system function—differences between family ties and friendship ties in a cohort of older adults
Authors: Bosle Catherin , Brenner Hermann , Fischer Joachim E. , Jarczok Marc N. , Schöttker Ben , Perna Laura , Hoffmann Kristina , Herr Raphael M. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractSupportive family and friendship ties can serve different functions and thus might show different associations with an individual’s health. Particularly, older adults might show varying health benefits of different types of supportive ties depending on their marital and retirement status. Our aim is to analyze relationships between different types of supportive social ties and autonomic nervous system (ANS) function, a physiological indicator of health that can help to establish the biological plausibility of the association—measured by heart rate variability (HRV). We present cross-sectional linear regression analyses of a German cohort of community-dwelling older adults (2008–2010;n = 1,548; mean age = 68.7 years). Our findings indicate that supportive friendship ties show significant positive associations (i.e., higher HRV) in individuals that are either not married or above retirement age. Supportive family ties show significant positive associations in individuals below retirement age. Significant results vanish or are reduced after accounting for behavioral/physical and psychological/cognitive indicators. We conclude that programs supporting the development or maintenance of friendship ties might be especially beneficial in unmarried older adults and adults above retirement age.
Developing Pretend Play in Autistic Children Using the Playboxes Joint Play Approach as Part of Ongoing Practice
Authors: Marwick Helen , Jarvie Karena , Cowie Hilary , Johnston Lorna , Hammond-Evans Nicola , Cockayne Rachael 
Published: July 2021

AbstractA repeated measures single subject design was used to examine the effectiveness of a joint play approach embedded in professional practice, in supporting pretend play for autistic children. Seven autistic children, aged 5–8 years, with a placement within a specialist educational provision, and who demonstrated restricted play, participated in weekly sessions using the Playboxes approach over a period of 3 months. Pre- and post-approach pretend play abilities were assessed using the Symbolic Play Test and the Test of Pretend Play. Every child gained increased age-equivalent scores on the Test of Pretend Play, ranging from + 8 to + 30 months. Pretend Play abilities can support developmental outcomes and incorporation of this approach into regular practice could be of value for autistic children.
Entscheidungstendenzen als psychoemotionale Einflussfaktoren auf das selbsteingeschätzte unterrichtliche Planungsverhalten angehender Lehrkräfte
Authors: Küth Simon , Scholl Daniel , Schüle Christoph 
Published: July 2021

ZusammenfassungWährend viele Annahmen des Decision-Making-Paradigmas der 1970er- und 1980er-Jahre zu gedanklichen Prozessen bei der Unterrichtsplanung und ihren kognitiven Einflüssen inzwischen intensiv untersucht wurden, liegen beinahe keine Erkenntnisse der Unterrichtsplanungsforschung zu etwaigen psychoemotionalen Einflüssen vor. Deshalb werden im vorliegenden Beitrag Zusammenhänge zwischen Tendenzen im Entscheidungsverhalten und selbsteingeschätztem adaptiven unterrichtlichen Planungsverhalten als einer beispielhaften Facette der Unterrichtsplanung bei Novizinnen und Novizen exploriert. Hierzu wird in Studie 1 eine deutschsprachige Version des Melbourne-Decision-Making-Questionnaires faktoriell validiert und in Studie 2 der Einfluss dieser Tendenzen auf das selbsteingeschätzte Planungsverhalten untersucht. Die Befunde zeigen einen tendenziellen Einfluss der psychoemotionalen Faktoren des vigilanten und aufschiebenden Entscheidungsverhaltens auf das selbsteingeschätzte Planungsverhalten.
A Comparison of Two Novel Non-Ferrous Metal Recovery Equations: Development, Similarity and Industrial Significance
Authors: Grimsey E. J. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The recovery of non-ferrous metals in oxidative sulfide smelting and converting processes and within reductive oxide smelting processes has been previously analyzed using two similar equations which express recovery in terms of iron transfer and a distribution coefficient. A detailed comparison will show that the equations are mathematically identical but with one equation validated only for constant distribution coefficients. The wider applicability of the equation and implications for optimization of metal recovery are discussed.
Fuel poverty and low carbon emissions: a comparative study of the feasibility of the hybrid renewable energy systems incorporating combined heat and power technology
Authors: Rzetelska Dorota , Combrinck Madeleine 
Published: July 2021

AbstractFuel poverty is most prevalent in North East England with 14.4% of fuel poor households in Newcastle upon Tyne. The aim of this paper was to identify a grid connected renewable energy system coupled with natural gas reciprocating combined heat and power unit, that is cost-effective and technically feasible with a potential to generate a profit from selling energy excess to the grid to help alleviate fuel poverty. The system was also aimed at low carbon emissions. Fourteen models were designed and optimized with the aid of the HOMER Pro software. Models were compared with respect to their economic, technical, and environmental performance. A solution was proposed where restrictions were placed on the size of renewable energy components. This configuration consists of 150 kW CHP, 300 kW PV cells, and 30 kW wind turbines. The renewable fraction is 5.10% and the system yields a carbon saving of 7.9% in comparison with conventional systems. The initial capital investment is $1.24 million which enables the system to have grid sales of 582689 kWh/a. A conservative calculation determined that 40% of the sales can be used to reduce the energy cost of fuel poor households by $706 per annum. This solution has the potential to eliminate fuel poverty at the site analyzed.
Retinal microvascular parameters are not associated with diabetes in the Northern Ireland Cohort for the Longitudinal Study of Ageing
Authors: O’Neill Rachael Ann , Maxwell Alexander Peter , Kee Frank , Young Ian , McGuinness Bernadette , Hogg Ruth E. , Cruise Sharon , McKay Gareth J. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background
The retinal microvasculature offers unique non-invasive evaluation of systemic microvascular abnormalities. Previous studies reported associations between retinal microvascular parameters (RMPs) and diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess associations between RMPs and diabetes in a cross-sectional analysis of older persons from the Northern Ireland Cohort for the Longitudinal Study of Ageing (NICOLA).

Methods
RMPs (central retinal arteriolar/venular equivalents, arteriolar to venular ratio, fractal dimension, and tortuosity) were measured from optic disc-centred fundus images using semi-automated software. Associations were assessed between RMPs and diabetes status with adjustment for potential confounders.

Results
Data were included for 1762 participants with 209 classified as having diabetes. Participants had a mean age of 62.1 ± 8.5 years, and 54% were female. As expected, participants with diabetes had significantly higher mean glycated haemoglobin A1c compared to participants without diabetes (57.4 ± 17.6 mmol/mol versus 37.0 ± 4.2 mmol/mol, respectively). In unadjusted and minimally adjusted regression, arteriolar to venular ratio, arteriolar tortuosity and venular tortuosity were significantly associated with diabetes (minimally adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.85; 95% confidence intervals [CIs] 0.73, 0.99; P = 0.04, OR = 1.18; 95% CI 1.02, 1.37; P = 0.03 and OR = 1.20; 95% CI 1.04, 1.38; P = 0.01, respectively), although all failed to remain significant following adjustment for potential confounders. No additional associations between other RMPs and diabetes were detected.

Conclusion
Despite previously reported associations between diabetes and RMPs, our study failed to corroborate these associations in an older community-based cohort.
From practice to policy — exploring the travel and transformation of energy savings calculations and its implications for future energy transitions
Authors: Johansen Jens Petter , Almklov Petter Grytten , Skjølsvold Tomas Moe 
Published: July 2021

AbstractImproving energy efficiency in industries is imperative for sustainable transitions. This article explores the logic behind calculating energy savings from energy efficiency improvements. Based on a qualitative study of industry-research projects and policies to improve energy efficiency in Norway, the article presents different ways energy savings are estimated when assessing the viability of novel technologies. Here, energy savings are calculated as the difference in energy consumption between a proposed technology (use-case) and an alternative scenario (base-case). We discuss the heterogeneity of the chosen cases of comparison, as they are associated with a wide variety of uncertainty, contextual preconditions, estimates, and projections. Further, we trace the calculations of energy savings of one of these projects as they move from the context of research and technology assessment to official reporting. We show how the circumstances where these numbers are produced become black-boxed as the calculations are transformed and aggregated into a policy program-specific measurement “energy results” in Norway. Our findings show that the project and policy objectives and measurements point in somewhat different directions. Through this, we unpack the logic inscribed in energy savings calculations and the way these are applied to reach multiple goals.
Coming Out, Distress and Identity Threat in Gay Men in the UK
Authors: Breakwell Glynis M. , Jaspal Rusi 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIntroductionComing out as gay can be a psychologically challenging event, and recall of a negative coming out experience can initiate subsequent identity changes in gay men. We tested whether baseline levels of identity resilience and internalized homonegativity moderate these effects.MethodsA between-participant experimental study, with an ethnically diverse sample of 333 gay men in the United Kingdom (UK), examined levels of contemporaneous identity threat of reflecting upon recollections of either a coming out experience that had a negative or a stabilizing effect on self-schema. Data were collected in 2020 and analyzed using multiple regression and path analysis.ResultsPath analysis showed that a model predicting level of identity threat after recall of a negative coming out experience fitted the data well. Identity resilience was negatively correlated with internalized homonegativity and distress during memory recall. Both distress and homonegativity correlated positively with identity threat. The relationship between recalling a negative coming out experience and distress was mediated by the perceived typicality of the recalled experience.ConclusionsThrough its effects on distress and internalized homonegativity, identity resilience reduces the threatening effect of recollecting a negative coming out experience upon contemporary identity.Policy ImplicationsOffering gay men awareness of the social and psychological routes to raising identity resilience may be beneficial in reducing internalized homonegativity and the ongoing effects of remembered negative coming out experiences.