bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the correlation of the tear breakup time with quality of vision and dry eye symptoms after SMILE surgery
Authors: Palme Christoph , Mulrine Fiona , McNeely Richard N. , Steger Bernhard , Naroo Shehzad A. , Moore Jonathan E. 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Purpose
It is well reported that dry eye symptoms can increase after many refractive surgery procedures. This study aims to provide a clinical understanding of the correlation of fluorescein tear film breakup time (FTBUT) with quality of vision (QoV) and dry eye symptoms following small incision lenticule extraction surgery (SMILE).

Methods
Patients electing to have SMILE surgery were subdivided into 2 groups: Group 1 included short preoperative FTBUTs of 3 to 6 seconds (s); Group 2 included long FTBUTs of ≥ 8 s. Uncorrected distance visual acuity, corrected distance visual acuity, manifest refraction, FTBUT, QoV and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaires were recorded 1 and 6 months postoperatively.

Results
Thirty-nine subjects were included in each group. There was no significant difference in visual outcomes between the 2 groups at both the 1- and 6-month postoperative assessments. FTBUT remained significantly lower in group 1. Oxford staining was initially higher for group 1 at 1 month (P = 0.007), but there was no significant difference at 6 months (P = 0.180). There was no significant difference in QoV or OSDI scores between the 2 groups at both postoperative visits.

Conclusions
Low preoperative FTBUT (3–6 s) does not appear to negatively affect postoperative visual outcomes or results in a greater likelihood of dry eye symptoms and poor ocular surface compared to eyes with a longer preoperative FTBUT. These results suggest that a low preoperative FTBUT does not necessarily increase the likelihood of poor visual acuity, dry eyes symptoms, or poor ocular surface outcomes following SMILE surgery.
Analysis of the uncharted, druglike property space by self-organizing maps
Authors: Takács Gergely , Sándor Márk , Szalai Zoltán , Kiss Róbert , Balogh György T. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractPhysicochemical properties are fundamental to predict the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behavior of drug candidates. Easily calculated descriptors such as molecular weight and logP have been found to correlate with the success rate of clinical trials. These properties have been previously shown to highlight a sweet-spot in the chemical space associated with favorable pharmacokinetics, which is superior against other regions during hit identification and optimization. In this study, we applied self-organizing maps (SOMs) trained on sixteen calculated properties of a subset of known drugs for the analysis of commercially available compound databases, as well as public biological and chemical databases frequently used for drug discovery. Interestingly, several regions of the property space have been identified that are highly overrepresented by commercially available chemical libraries, while we found almost completely unoccupied regions of the maps (commercially neglected chemical space resembling the properties of known drugs). Moreover, these underrepresented portions of the chemical space are compatible with most rigorous property filters applied by the pharma industry in medicinal chemistry optimization programs. Our results suggest that SOMs may be directly utilized in the strategy of library design for drug discovery to sample previously unexplored parts of the chemical space to aim at yet-undruggable targets.

Graphic abstract
What is Qualitative in Research
Authors: Aspers Patrik , Corte Ugo 
Published: October 2021

AbstractIn this text we respond and elaborate on the four comments addressing our original article. In that piece we define qualitative research as an “iterative process in which improved understanding to the scientific community is achieved by making new significant distinctions resulting from getting closer to the phenomenon studied.” In light of the comments, we identify three positions in relation to our contribution: (1) to not define qualitative research; (2) to work with one definition for each study or approach of “qualitative research” which is predominantly left implicit; (3) to systematically define qualitative research. This article elaborates on these positions and argues that a definition is a point of departure for researchers, including those reflecting on, or researching, the fields of qualitative and quantitative research. The proposed definition can be used both as a standard of evaluation as well as a catalyst for discussions on how to evaluate and innovate different styles of work.
The disclosure function of the U.S. patent system: evidence from the PTDL program and extreme snowfall
Authors: Martens Tim 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAre retail investors using uncurated disclosures in form of patents for their investment decisions? This study uses the investment decisions of retail investors and variation in the local availability of patent information to answer this question. The variation comes from changes in the locations of U.S. Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries over time. I find a strong increase in the local trading volume of stocks after the release of a patent in counties that have easier access to patent information. In addition, trades made by retail investors with easier access to this information yield higher returns, compared to trades made by other investors. These results indicate that disclosures of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office facilitate the dissemination of patent information to retail investors. Furthermore, these results suggest that retail investors complement traditional curated disclosures with uncurated disclosures in form of patents.
How much state ownership do hybrid firms need for better performance?
Authors: Nguyen Bach , Do Hoa , Le Chau 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Hybrid ownership—sharing partial business ownership with the state—is a new form of political connections that entrepreneurs in developing countries may employ to improve their access to key resources. This study investigates hybrid ownership as a strategic decision of entrepreneurs running small businesses in Vietnam—a transition economy. Utilising the resource dependence theory and legitimacy viewpoint, we propose and evidently show that increased state ownership in hybrid firms leads to improved performance. However, increasing state ownership beyond a minority share threshold harms firm performance due to the presence of agency costs. Also, the involvement of the state in firm governance reduces the benefits gained from having state ownership.

Plain English Summary
Is the more the better? How much state ownership really matters for hybrid firms to enhance their performance? More state ownership means more access to resources and privileges; but too much state ownership may reduce firm efficiency due to its poor governance. Analysing more than one million observations of small businesses in Vietnam, this study offers three insightful implications. First, for academics, institutional conditions should be considered when investigating political connections, especially in an emerging market context. Second, for practitioners, political connections in the form of hybrid ownership when being held at an adequate level can boost firm performance. However, an exceeding level of state ownership in hybrid firms may become harmful. Third, for policymakers, we suggest that forming hybrid business ownership with the private sector helps firms make use of state-owned resources. This collaboration is a win-win solution as long as the state ownership remains at an adequate level.
The epistemic value of independent lies: false analogies and equivocations
Authors: Harris Margherita 
Published: October 2021

AbstractHere I critically assess an argument put forward by Kuorikoski et al. (Br J Philos Sci, 61(3):541–567, 2010) for the epistemic import of model-based robustness analysis. I show that this argument is not sound since the sort of probabilistic independence on which it relies is unfeasible. By revising the notion of probabilistic independence imposed on the models’ results, I introduce a prima-facie more plausible argument. However, despite this prima-facie plausibility, I show that even this new argument is unsound in most if not all cases of model-based robustness analysis. This I do to demonstrate that the epistemic import of model-based robust analysis cannot be satisfactorily defended on the basis of probabilistic independence.
Determining push-off forces in speed skating imitation drills
Authors: Krumm Dominik , Kuske Nicolas , Neubert Maja , Buder Jens , Hamker Fred , Odenwald Stephan 
Published: October 2021

AbstractSpeed skating takes place on ice rinks and is, therefore, dependent on seasonal conditions. To be able to train all year round, training in the summer months, when no ice rinks are available, consists mainly of athletics and endurance training as well as imitation drills. Imitation drills are exercises, e.g. on a slide board, which imitate the actual skating movement. To objectively evaluate the quality of the execution of these exercises, key performance indicators such as push-off forces need to be quantified. The aim of this work was to determine the push-off forces during speed skating imitation drills using pressure insoles in combination with machine-learning methods. A slide board is usually not instrumented. Here, the slide board was equipped with force plates to record the target variables, i.e. the push-off forces. The input variables to determine the push-off forces were recorded using plantar pressure insoles and triaxial accelerometers. Seven participants took part in the study. Two different machine-learning algorithms were compared. A non-linear deep neural network model and a linear multiple variable regression model. The models were trained using the obtained force–time curves. The linear regression model proved sufficient to predict the push-off forces. The relative difference between the measured and modelled maximum push-off force remained below 5%. This approach, based on a mobile and low-cost measurement system, allows a quantitative analysis of the athlete’s technique/performance. Therefore, we expect the instrument to be a helpful tool for the training of speed skaters.
Nog steeds ‘gewoon’ wetenschap
Authors: Mulders Peter F.A. 
Published: October 2021

SamenvattingVoor u ligt weer het volgende nummer van Tijdschrift voor Urologie. Dit keer met de abstracts van de Najaarsvergadering van de NVU. We zijn er inmiddels aan gewend dat we elkaar minder vaak zien, dat de interactie nog steeds veelal digitaal is en dat er nog steeds wetenschap wordt bedreven. Interessant is het om te zien of de inhoud van de abstracts anders is geworden. De urologische praktijk wél. Hoe? Dat weten we nog niet in detail. Andere prioriteiten, andere volgorde?
Safe Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Singhal Rishi , Dickerson Luke , Sakran Nasser , Pouwels Sjaak , Chiappetta Sonja , Weiner Sylvia , Purkayastha Sanjay , Madhok Brij , Mahawar Kamal 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) has had an enormous impact on all aspects of healthcare, but its effect on patients needing surgery and surgeons has been disproportionate. In this review, we aim to understand the impact of the pandemic on surgical patients and teams. We compiled the emerging data on pre-operative screening methods, vaccinations, safe-surgery pathways and surgical techniques and make recommendations for evidence-based safe-surgical pathways. We also present surgical outcomes for emergency, oncological and benign surgery in the context of the pandemic. Finally, we attempt to address the impact of the pandemic on patients, staff and surgical training and provide perspectives for the future.

Recent Findings

Surgical teams have developed consensus guidelines and established research priorities and safety precautions for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence supports that surgery in patients with a peri-operative SARS-CoV-2 infection carries substantial risks, but risk mitigation strategies are effective at reducing harm to staff and patients.

Summary

Surgery has increased risk for patients and staff, but this can be mitigated effectively, especially for elective surgery. Elective surgery can be safely performed during the COVID-19 pandemic employing the strategies discussed in this review.
Bats (Plecotus auritus) use contact calls for communication among roost mates
Authors: Furmankiewicz Joanna , Jones Gareth 
Published: October 2021

AbstractCommunication between group members is mediated by a diverse range of signals. Contact calls are produced by many species of birds and mammals to maintain group cohesion and associations among individuals. Contact calls in bats are typically relatively low-frequency social calls, produced only for communication. However, echolocation calls (higher in frequency and used primarily for orientation and prey detection) can also facilitate interaction among individuals and location of conspecifics in the roost. We studied calling behaviour of brown long-eared bats (Plecotus auritus) during return to maternity roosts in response to playbacks of social and echolocation calls. We hypothesised that calling by conspecifics would elicit responses in colony members. Bat responses (inspection flights and social calls production) were significantly highest during social call and echolocation call playbacks than during noise (control) playbacks. We suggest that social calling in maternity roosts of brown long-eared bat evolved to maintain associations among roostmates, rather than to find roosts or roostmates, because this species is strongly faithful to roosts and the social groups and roosts are stable over time and space. Living in a stable social group requires recognition of group members and affiliation of social bonds with group members, features that may be mediated by vocal signals.
Risk factors for severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) seropositivity among nursing home staff
Authors: Amin Avnika B. , Kellogg Joseph T. , Adams Carly , Dube William C. , Collins Matthew H. , Lopman Benjamin A. , Johnson Theodore M. , Weitz Joshua , Fridkin Scott K. 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Objectives:
To estimate prior severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among skilled nursing facility (SNF) staff in the state of Georgia and to identify risk factors for seropositivity as of fall 2020.

Design:
Baseline survey and seroprevalence of the ongoing longitudinal Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Prevention in Nursing Homes study.

Setting:
The study included 14 SNFs in the state of Georgia.

Participants:
In total, 792 SNF staff employed or contracted with participating SNFs were included in this study. The analysis included 749 participants with SARS-CoV-2 serostatus results who provided age, sex, and complete survey information.

Methods:
We estimated unadjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for potential risk factors and SARS-CoV-2 serostatus. We estimated adjusted ORs using a logistic regression model including age, sex, community case rate, SNF resident infection rate, working at other facilities, and job role.

Results:
Staff working in high-infection SNFs were twice as likely (unadjusted OR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.45–3.00) to be seropositive as those in low-infection SNFs. Certified nursing assistants and nurses were 3 times more likely to be seropositive than administrative, pharmacy, or nonresident care staff: unadjusted OR, 2.93 (95% CI, 1.58–5.78) and unadjusted OR, 3.08 (95% CI, 1.66–6.07). Logistic regression yielded similar adjusted ORs.

Conclusions:
Working at high-infection SNFs was a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity. Even after accounting for resident infections, certified nursing assistants and nurses had a 3-fold higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity than nonclinical staff. This knowledge can guide prioritized implementation of safer ways for caregivers to provide necessary care to SNF residents.
Output variation of trigger-pump sprayers used for individual plant treatments
Authors: Enloe Stephen F. , Leary James K. , Bell Kenzie , Lauer Dwight K. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractIndividual plant treatment (IPT) techniques (e.g., basal bark, cut stump, hack and squirt) are used for woody invasive plant management and often rely on small trigger-pump spray bottles as an economical and efficient way to deliver a herbicide to the target species. Worldwide, plastic suppliers produce many models and designs with a wide range of uses, including pesticide application. However, spray bottle performance has rarely been examined in relation to IPT techniques for operational invasive plant management. We tested 10 commonly available spray bottles for trigger output and variation over repeated strokes. We also examined sustained trigger sprayer performance over a 6-wk period for spray bottles containing water or basal oil carriers blended with amine and ester formulations of triclopyr, respectively. In the first study, we found significant differences in spray output per stroke between almost every bottle tested. Almost all spray bottle brands yielded outputs greater than 1.0 ml per stroke, which exceeds the maximum application amount specified for hack and squirt. Several bottles produced an output of greater than 2.5 ml per stroke. In the second study, the output per stroke was reduced for basal oil mixes, with significant reductions measured for two brands by 21 d and for all three brands tested by 42 d after mixing. These results indicate that consumer-grade trigger sprayers are likely to depreciate rapidly with routine operational use without proper hygiene maintenance. Even then it is likely that these application devices may need to be replaced several times annually. Trigger-pump spray bottles are an economical and practical solution for remote field operations and volunteer weed control activities. These sprayers are most suitable for spray-to-wet techniques such as basal bark and cut-surface treatments but may potentially be less suited for hack and squirt application, which often requires sub-milliliter precision.
Flexible Workers: The Politics of Homework in Postindustrial Britain
Authors: McCarthy Helen 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThis article opens up a new perspective on market liberalism's triumph in the late twentieth century through an examination of the political battles that were fought in Britain over the regulation of homework. Ubiquitous in the late Victorian era, this form of waged labor was curtailed by Edwardian wage regulations but resurged in the 1970s as a result of competition from low-wage economies abroad and fast-changing consumer tastes. Alongside growing use of homeworkers in consumer industries, new information technologies made it increasingly possible for some forms of professional work to move into the home. This article explores the debates that swirled around these different forms of homework, pitting antipoverty campaigners, feminists, and activists against ministers, employers, and civil servants. It shows how Conservative and New Labour governments failed to recognize the structural similarities between Victorian-style “sweated” labor and the emerging world of telework, freelancing, and self-employment, and how the intellectual excitement generated by Britain's transition toward a postindustrial future dovetailed with the New Right commitment to deregulation and the creation of “flexible” labor markets. A brief comparison with homework in the United States underlines the value of local, particular histories to our larger understanding of ideological change in modern societies.
Folding-like techniques for CAT(0) cube complexes
Authors: BEN–ZVI MICHAEL , KROPHOLLER ROBERT , LYMAN RYLEE ALANZA 
Published: October 2021

AbstractIn a seminal paper, Stallings introduced folding of morphisms of graphs. One consequence of folding is the representation of finitely-generated subgroups of a finite-rank free group as immersions of finite graphs. Stallings’s methods allow one to construct this representation algorithmically, giving effective, algorithmic answers and proofs to classical questions about subgroups of free groups. Recently Dani–Levcovitz used Stallings-like methods to study subgroups of right-angled Coxeter groups, which act geometrically on CAT(0) cube complexes. In this paper we extend their techniques to fundamental groups of non-positively curved cube complexes.
Vi snakker sådan: An analysis of the Danish discourse-pragmatic markersådan
Authors: Schoning Christian , Helder Jørn , Diskin-Holdaway Chloé 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe last three decades have witnessed increasing interest in discourse-pragmatic markers (DPMs), both with regards to their high frequency in spoken discourse and their multifunctionality in interaction. Most studies have centered on English, with studies on Danish restricted to a handful of previous interactional discourse analyses. This paper is a preliminary investigation of the Danish wordsådan(commonly glossed as ‘such’ or ‘like this/that’). A qualitative, form-based, discourse analytic approach is undertaken on over 40 minutes of naturally occurring Danish talk to argue thatsådanqualifies as a DPM. In service of textual, subjective, and intersubjective macro-functions,sådanillustrates; exemplifies; marks hesitation; approximates a quantity; mitigates, hedges, or softens; and allows self-correction or self-repair. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications forsådan’s place in the Danish DPM system and our understanding of DPMs across languages.
The Contribution of Drifting Snow to Cloud Properties and the Atmospheric Radiative Budget Over Antarctica
Authors: Hofer Stefan , Amory Charles , Kittel Christoph , Carlsen Tim , Le Toumelin Louis , Storelvmo Trude 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe Antarctic Ice Sheet experiences perpetual katabatic winds, transporting snow, and moisture from the interior towards the periphery. However, the impacts of Antarctic moisture and drifting snow on cloud structure and surface energy fluxes have not been widely investigated. Here, we use a regional climate model with a newly developed drifting snow scheme to show that accounting for drifting snow notably alters the spatial distribution, vertical structure and radiative effect of clouds over Antarctica. Overall, we find that accounting for drifting snow leads to a greater cloud cover providing an increase of +2.74 Wm−2 in the surface radiative energy budget. Additionally, a comparison with 20 weather stations reveals a 2.17 Wm−2 improvement in representing the radiative energy fluxes. Our results highlight the need to study the impact of drifting snow processes on the future evolution of clouds, the surface energy budget and the vertical atmospheric structure over Antarctica.