bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A block coordinate descent method for sensor network localization
Authors: Nishijima Mitsuhiro , Nakata Kazuhide 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe problem of sensor network localization (SNL) can be formulated as a semidefinite programming problem with a rank constraint. We propose a new method for solving such SNL problems. We factorize a semidefinite matrix with the rank constraint into a product of two matrices via the Burer–Monteiro factorization. Then, we add the difference of the two matrices, with a penalty parameter, to the objective function, thereby reformulating SNL as an unconstrained multiconvex optimization problem, to which we apply the block coordinate descent method. In this paper, we also provide theoretical analyses of the proposed method and show that each subproblem that is solved sequentially by the block coordinate descent method can also be solved analytically, with the sequence generated by our proposed algorithm converging to a stationary point of the objective function. We also give a range of the penalty parameter for which the two matrices used in the factorization agree at any accumulation point. Numerical experiments confirm that the proposed method does inherit the rank constraint and that it estimates sensor positions faster than other methods without sacrificing the estimation accuracy, especially when the measured distances contain errors.
Telephone consultations to manage paediatric outpatient clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic: a service evaluation
Authors: Edwards Lowri M. , Parry Mair 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
North West Wales is predominantly rural with a relatively small population spread over a large geographical area. The rapid development of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a radical re-thinking of how to provide continuing paediatric outpatient care in the face of a lockdown. The solution adopted was to use telephone consultations.

Aims
This study took place during the summer of 2020, after the first lockdown had been relaxed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acceptability of telephone consultations as an alternative to conventional paediatric outpatient appointments and assess whether it could continue to have a useful role beyond the pandemic.

Methods
Two hundred ninety-five telephone surveys were conducted with respondents, most of whom were carers of paediatric outpatients. Questions explored the child’s underlying condition, respondents’ attitudes towards the service received, social factors including distance previously travelled to the hospital and whether they would find ongoing telephone review acceptable or not.

Results
Sixty-one percent of respondents expressed a positive interest in ongoing telephone consultations. They commented particularly on compatibility with work commitments, childcare arrangements and travel times. Those travelling more than 1 h were particularly positive in their support. Respondents expressed the continued need for face-to-face review if the child’s condition changed acutely.

Conclusion
Telephone consultations are an acceptable means of improving clinic punctuality, accessibility and convenience for families in rural areas, with ongoing potential beyond the pandemic. Careful consideration is required of the individual’s needs and requirement for physical examination when extending the use of telephone consultations.
Micro-RNA-338-3p Promotes the Development of Atherosclerosis by Targeting Desmin and Promoting Proliferation
Authors: Yan Shiran , Chen Jing , Zhang Teng , Zhou Jian , Wang Ge , Li Yanfen 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAtherosclerosis (AS) is a dynamic and multi-stage process that involves various cells types, such as vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and molecules such as microRNAs. In this study, we investigated how miR-338-3p works in the process of AS. To determine how miR-338-3p was expressed in AS, an AS rat model was established and primary rat VSMCs were cultured. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect miR-338-3p expression. Markers of different VSMC phenotypes were tested by Western blot. Immunofluorescent staining was employed to observe the morphologic changes of VSMCs transfected with miR-338-3p mimics. A dual luciferase reporter assay system was used to verify that desmin was a target of miR-338-3p. To further identify the role of miR-338-3p in the development of AS, VSMC proliferation and migration were evaluated by EdU incorporation assay, MTT assay, and wound healing assay. miR-338-3p expression was upregulated in the aortic tissues of an AS rat model and in primary rat VSMCs from a later passage. The transfection of miR-338-3p mimics in VSMCs promoted the synthetic cell phenotype. Bioinformatics analysis proposed desmin as a candidate target for miR-338-3p and the dual luciferase reporter assay confirmed in vivo that desmin was a direct target of miR-338-3p. The MTT and EdU incorporation assay revealed increased cell viability when miR-338-3p mimics were transfected. The increased expression of PCNA was a consistent observation, although a positive result was not obtained with respect to VSMC mobility. In AS, miR-338-3p expression was elevated. Elevated miR-338-3p inhibited the expression of desmin, thus promoting the contractile-to-synthetic VSMC phenotypic transition. In addition to morphologic changes, miR-338-3p enhanced the proliferative but not mobile ability of VSMCs. In summary, miR-338-3p promotes the development of AS.
The experience of parents faced with the admission of their adolescent to a child and adolescent psychiatric inpatient unit. A qualitative study with focus groups
Authors: Merayo-Sereno Beatriz , Fernández-Rivas Aránzazu , de Oliveira-Silva Keyth Lany , Sánchez-Andérez Francisco-Javier , Sesma-Pardo Eva , Vivanco-González Esther , González-Torres Miguel Ángel 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe admission of an adolescent to a child and adolescent psychiatric inpatient unit has a serious impact on the entire family unit. The emotional experience of those primary caregivers has been scarcely studied qualitatively despite being recommended by previous research. This study aims to examine the experience of parents of adolescents with mental health needs that required psychiatric hospitalization in a child and adolescent unit. Qualitative cross-sectional research was carried out under the recommendations of Grounded Theory with three Focus Groups of parents (N = 22) of adolescents who required psychiatric hospitalization in a child and adolescent ward. The COREQ quality criteria were applied. The parental experience implies a high level of emotional suffering modulated by feelings of guilt, stigma, parental awareness of their child’s illness and the passage of time. The use of Prochaska’s and Diclemente’s trans-theoretical model of health behavior change is useful in understanding the parental experience.
Context aware benchmarking and tuning of a TByte-scale air quality database and web service
Authors: Betancourt Clara , Hagemeier Björn , Schröder Sabine , Schultz Martin G. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWe present context-aware benchmarking and performance engineering of a mature TByte-scale air quality database system which was created by the Tropospheric Ozone Assessment Report (TOAR) and contains one of the world’s largest collections of near-surface air quality measurements. A special feature of our data servicehttps://join.fz-juelich.deis on-demand processing of several air quality metrics directly from the TOAR database. As a service that is used by more than 350 users of the international air quality research community, our web service must be easily accessible and functionally flexible, while delivering good performance. The current on-demand calculations of air quality metrics outside the database together with the necessary transfer of large volume raw data are identified as the major performance bottleneck. In this study, we therefore explore and benchmark in-database approaches for the statistical processing, which results in performance enhancements of up to 32%.
Variations of Weyl’s Tube Formula
Authors: Burtscher Annegret , Heckman Gert 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn 1939 Weyl showed that the volume of spherical tubes around compact submanifolds M of Euclidean space depends solely on the induced Riemannian metric on M. Can this intrinsic nature of the tube volume be preserved for tubes with more general cross sections $$\mathbb {D}$$
D
than the round ball? Under sufficiently strong symmetry conditions on $$\mathbb {D}$$
D
the answer turns out to be yes.
Kin Against Kin: Internal Co-selection and the Coherence of Kinship Typologies
Authors: Passmore Sam , Barth Wolfgang , Quinn Kyla , Greenhill Simon J. , Evans Nicholas , Jordan Fiona M. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAcross the world people in different societies structure their family relationships in many different ways. These relationships become encoded in their languages as kinship terminology, a word set that maps variably onto a vast genealogical grid of kinship categories, each of which could in principle vary independently. But the observed diversity of kinship terminology is considerably smaller than the enormous theoretical design space. For the past century anthropologists have captured this variation in typological schemes with only a small number of model system types. Whether those types exhibit the internal co-selection of parts implicit in their use is an outstanding question, as is the sufficiency of typologies in capturing variation as a whole. We interrogate the coherence of classic kinship typologies using modern statistical approaches and systematic data from a new database, Kinbank. We first survey the canonical types and their assumed patterns of internal and external co-selection, then present two data-driven approaches to assess internal coherence. Our first analysis reveals that across parents’ and ego’s (one’s own) generation, typology has limited predictive value: knowing the system in one generation does not reliably predict the other. Though we detect limited co-selection between generations, “disharmonic” systems are equally common. Second, we represent structural diversity with a novel multidimensional approach we term kinship space. This approach reveals, for ego’s generation, some broad patterning consistent with the canonical typology, but diversity (and mixed systems) is considerably higher than classical typologies suggest. Our results strongly challenge the descriptive adequacy of the set of canonical kinship types.
A review on design and testing methodologies of modern freight train draft gear system
Authors: Wagner Simon , Cole Colin , Spiryagin Maksym 
Published: June 2021

AbstractRolling stock connection systems are key to running longer and heavier trains as they provide both the connections of vehicles and the damping, providing the longitudinal suspension of the train. This paper focuses on the evolution of both connection and stiffness damping systems. Focus is on freight rolling stock, but passenger draw gears are also examined. It was found that connection systems have evolved from the buff and chain system used in the pioneer railways of the 1800s to the modern auto-coupler connection systems that are in-service worldwide today. Refined versions of the buff and chain coupling are, however, still in use in the EU, UK, South America and India. A wide range of auto-coupler systems are currently utilised, but the AAR coupler (Janney coupler) remains the most popular. A further variation that persists is the SA3 coupler (improved Wilson coupler) which is an alternative auto-coupler design used mainly throughout the former Soviet Union. Restricting the review to auto-coupler systems allowed the paper to focus on draft gears which revealed polymer, polymer-friction, steel spring-friction, hydraulic draft gears and sliding sill cushioning systems. Along with the single compressive draft gear units balanced and floating plate configurations are also presented. Typical draft gear acceptance standards are presented along with modelling that was included to aid in presentation of the functional characteristics of draft gears.
Low-temperature atmospheric discharge plasma and its applications for the surface treatment
Authors: Kogoma Masuhiro , Tanaka Kunihito 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe atmospheric pressure low-temperature homogeneous discharge using helium and nitrogen, both known for industrial applications, was reviewed. In case of helium, metastable atoms (21s and 23s) produced in the glow discharge were able to dissociate mixed molecular gases to produce radicals or atoms. Radical species undergo chemical reactions, such as oxidation or nitration reaction and form products on the electrode surfaces. Applications of helium atmospheric pressure glow discharge including surface treatment of plastic films to enhance adhesibility with glue, weakening strength with pressure-sensitive glue, and deposition of solid material on a flat plate or powder surfaces, were described. Moreover, the microwave low-temperature discharge using nitrogen, as a cost-saving carrier gas, were introduced for the surface cleaning of silicon wafer.
Heavy metals pollution indexing, geospatial and statistical approaches of groundwater within Challawa and Sharada industrial areas, Kano City, North-Western Nigeria
Authors: Hamidu Hassan , Halilu Falalu B. , Yerima Kwaya M. , Garba Lawal M. , Suleiman Arabi A. , Kankara Aliyu I. , Abdullahi Ibrahim M. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The present study focused on pollution status of groundwater in the industrial areas of Challawa and Sharada in Kano city based on pollution indices, statistical and spatial analyses. Twenty groundwater samples representing groundwater of the studied areas (Ten from each area) were analyzed for the presence of Cd, Cr, Ni, Fe, Mn and Zn using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The result showed 95%, 5%, 60%, 15% and 25% of the analyzed water samples had detectable Cd, Cr, Ni, Fe, and Mn above the drinking water limits of both Nigerian standards for drinking water quality NSDWQ and World Health Organization (WHO) with Cd dominating other analyzed heavy metals in the groundwater. Evaluation of heavy metal pollution revealed a low polluted status based on the contaminant index (Cd), synthetic pollution index, heavy metals evaluation index, and heavy metal pollution index. Metal index categorized the groundwater as seriously polluted. The statistical evaluation gave strong and positive correlations between indices and a moderate one between the metallic ions. Component analysis revealed a strongly positive loading of Fe, Ni and Zn while Cd had a strong negative loading. Cr and Mn were positive and moderately loaded. Statistical analyses suggested both anthropogenic and geogenic sources for the heavy metals mainly from the industrial and agricultural practices and rock weathering processes, respectively. This study is expected to be a useful tool in the planning, monitoring and mitigation of pollution activities in the area.

Article Highlights

The pollution status of groundwater with respect to heavy metals was investigated in the Challawa and Sharada industrials zones in Kano city Nigeria

The concentration of Cd, Fe, Ni, Cr Mn and Zn was determined using the AAS

Different Pollution indices of HPI, HEI, SPI, Cd and MI were utilized to categorized the area as low, medium and highly polluted.

Spatial and temporal distribution maps demarcated based on the metal concentrations and computed indices in the area.

CA, PCA, and HCA were used to identified the geochemistry, relationship, sources and origin of heavy metals in groundwater.

The study revealed zones with low to high-risk groundwater in terms of toxic heavy metals and pollution status.
Relationship Between Financial Toxicity and Surgical Treatment for Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A Propensity Score-Matched Comparison of Breast-Conserving Therapy and Mastectomy
Authors: Boukovalas Stefanos , Liu Jun , Asaad Malke , Schaverien Mark V. , Akay Catherine , Garvey Patrick B. , Hwang Rosa F. , Offodile Anaeze C. 
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND:
Financial toxicity (FT) can lead to decreased quality of life and poor treatment outcomes. However, there is limited published data on the extent to which the various surgical treatment approaches for early-stage breast cancer are determinants for FT.

STUDY DESIGN:
We performed a single-institution cross-sectional survey of adult female patients with stage 0 to II breast cancer undergoing unilateral breast-conserving therapy or unilateral mastectomy. FT was measured using the Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) survey. Propensity matching was performed to optimize comparability of study groups. A multivariate regression model was used to identify factors associated with worsening FT as a robustness check. Our secondary end point was prevalence of coping strategies associated with cost of cancer care.

RESULTS:
Among 294 patients who met inclusion criteria, 203 underwent breast-conserving therapy and 91 received mastectomy. We generated 72 total matched pairs and noted no differences in demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Of these, 55 pairs had complete COST information, which was comparable on adjusted analysis (26.6 vs 24.7; p = 0.481). High annual income (β = 4.83; p < 0.001) and supplemental insurance (β = 5.37; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with higher COST scores, while change in employment status (β = –4.81; p < 0.001) correlated significantly with lower COST scores. No significant differences were observed in coping strategies.

CONCLUSIONS:
Choice of BCT or mastectomy was not associated with a differential risk for FT in early-stage cancer. Decisions on ablative approach should be made based on patient preferences and disease-specific criteria. Transparent counseling on FT for high-risk populations promotes patient-centricity.
Evaluation of Postoperative Complication with Medically Necessary, Time-Sensitive Scoring System During Acute COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Dinçer Müşerref Beril , Güler Meltem Merve , Gök Ali Fuat Kaan , İlhan Mehmet , Orhan-Sungur Mukadder , Özkan-Seyhan Tülay , Koltka Ahmet Kemalettin 
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND:
High scores in the Medically Necessary, Time-Sensitive (MeNTS) scoring system, used for elective surgical prioritization during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, are assumed to be associated with worse outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the MeNTS scoring system in patients undergoing elective surgery during restricted capacity of our institution, with or without moderate or severe postoperative complications.

STUDY DESIGN:
In this prospective observational study, MeNTS scores of patients undergoing elective operations during May and June 2020 were calculated. Postoperative complication severity (classified as Group Clavien-Dindo < II or Group Clavien-Dindo ≥ II), as well as Duke Activity Index, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status, presence of smoking, leukocytosis, lymphopenia, elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), operation and anesthesia characteristics, intensive care requirement and duration, length of hospital stay, rehospitalization, and mortality were noted.

RESULTS:
There were 223 patients analyzed. MeNTS score was higher in the Clavien-Dindo ≥ II Group compared with the Clavien-Dindo < II Group (50.98 ± 8.98 vs 44.27 ± 8.90 respectively, p < 0.001). Duke activity status index (DASI) scores were lower, and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status class, presence of smoking, leukocytosis, lymphopenia, elevated CRP, and intensive care requirement were higher in the Clavien-Dindo ≥ II Group (p < 0.01). Length of hospital stay was longer in the Clavien-Dindo ≥ II Group (15 [range 2–90] vs 4 [1–30] days; p < 0.001). Mortality was observed in 8 patients. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of MeNTS and DASI were 0.69 and 0.71, respectively, for predicting moderate/severe complications.

CONCLUSIONS:
Although significant, MeNTS score had low discriminating power in distinguishing patients with moderate/severe complications. Incorporation of a cardiovascular functional capacity measure could improve the scoring system.
An approach to Quillen’s conjecture via centralisers of simple groups
Authors: Piterman Kevin Iván 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
For any given subgroup H of a finite group G, the Quillen poset

${\mathcal {A}}_p(G)$

of nontrivial elementary abelian p-subgroups is obtained from

${\mathcal {A}}_p(H)$

by attaching elements via their centralisers in H. We exploit this idea to study Quillen’s conjecture, which asserts that if

${\mathcal {A}}_p(G)$

is contractible then G has a nontrivial normal p-subgroup. We prove that the original conjecture is equivalent to the

${{\mathbb {Z}}}$

-acyclic version of the conjecture (obtained by replacing ‘contractible’ by ‘

${{\mathbb {Z}}}$

-acyclic’). We also work with the

${\mathbb {Q}}$

-acyclic (strong) version of the conjecture, reducing its study to extensions of direct products of simple groups of p-rank at least

$2$

. This allows us to extend results of Aschbacher and Smith and to establish the strong conjecture for groups of p-rank at most

$4$

.
Beyond probiotic legend: ESSAP gut microbiota health score to delineate SARS-COV-2 infection severity
Authors: Hegazy Mona , Ahmed Ashoush Omar , Tharwat Hegazy Mohamed , Wahba Mahmoud , Lithy Rania M. , Abdel-Hamid Hoda M. , Ahmed Abd elshafy Samah , Abdelfatah Dalia , El-Din Ibrahim Maha Hossam , Abdelghani Ahmed 
Published: June 2021

AbstractCOVID-19 pandemic continues to be a global health crisis. The gut microbiome critically affects the immune system, and some respiratory infections are associated with changes in the gut microbiome; here, we evaluated the role of nutritional and lifestyle habits that modulate gut microbiota on COVID-19 outcomes in a longitudinal cohort study that included 200 patients infected with COVID-19. Of these, 122 cases were mild and seventy-eight were moderate, according to WHO classification. After detailed explanation by a consultant in clinical nutrition, participants responded to a written questionnaire on daily sugar, prebiotic intake in food, sleeping hours, exercise duration and antibiotic prescription, during the past 1 year before infection. Daily consumption of prebiotic-containing foods, less sugar, regular exercise, adequate sleep and fewer antibiotic prescriptions led to a milder disease and rapid virus clearance. Additionally, data on these factors were compiled into a single score, the ESSAP score (Exercise, Sugar consumption, Sleeping hours, Antibiotics taken, and Prebiotics consumption; 0–11 points), median ESSAP score was 5 for both mild and moderate cases; however, the range was 4–8 in mild cases, but 1–6 in moderate (P = 0·001, OR: 4·2, 95 % CI 1·9, 9·1); our results showed a negative correlation between regular consumption of yogurt containing probiotics and disease severity (P = 0·007, OR: 1·6, 95 % CI 1·1, 2·1). Mild COVID-19 disease was associated with 10–20 min of daily exercise (P = 0·016), sleeping at least 8 h daily, prescribed antibiotics less than 5 times per year (P = 0·077) and ate plenty of prebiotic-containing food.