bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High Grade Glioma Treatment in Elderly People: Is It Different Than in Younger Patients? Analysis of Surgical Management Guided by an Intraoperative Multimodal Approach and Its Impact on Clinical Outcome
Authors: Barbagallo Giuseppe Maria Vincenzo , Altieri Roberto , Garozzo Marco , Maione Massimiliano , Di Gregorio Stefania , Visocchi Massimiliano , Peschillo Simone , Dolce Pasquale , Certo Francesco 
Published: February 2021

ObjectiveAge is considered a negative prognostic factor for High Grade Gliomas (HGGs) and many neurosurgeons remain skeptical about the benefits of aggressive treatment. New surgical and technological improvements may allow extended safe resection, with lower level of post-operative complications. This opportunity opens the unsolved question about the most appropriate HGG treatment in elderly patients. The aim of this study is to analyze if HGG maximal safe resection guided by an intraoperative multimodal imaging protocol coupled with neuromonitoring is associated with differences in outcome in elderly patients versus younger ones.MethodsWe reviewed 100 patients, 53 (53%) males and 47 (47%) females, with median (IQR) age of 64 (57; 72) years. Eight patients were diagnosed with Anaplastic Astrocytoma (AA), 92 with Glioblastoma (GBM). Surgery was aimed to achieve safe maximal resection. An intraoperative multimodal imaging protocol, including neuronavigation, neurophysiological monitoring, 5-ALA fluorescence, 11C MET-PET, navigated i-US system and i-CT, was used, and its impact on EOTR and clinical outcome in elderly patients was analyzed. We divided patients in two groups according to their age: &lt;65 and &gt;65 years, and surgical and clinical results (EOTR, post-operative KPS, OS and PFS) were compared. Yet, to better understand age-related differences, the same patient cohort was also divided into &lt;70 and &gt;70 years and all the above data reanalyzed.ResultsIn the first cohort division, we did not found KPS difference over time and survival analysis did not show significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.36 for OS and p = 0.49 for PFS). Same results were obtained increasing the age cut-off for age up to 70 years (p = 0.52 for OS and p = 0.92 for PFS).ConclusionsOur data demonstrate that there is not statistically significant difference in post-operative EOTR, KPS, OS, and PFS between younger and elderly patients treated with extensive tumor resection aided by a intraoperative multimodal protocol.
Executive Function Training in Childhood Obesity: Food Choice, Quality of Life, and Brain Connectivity (TOuCH): A Randomized Control Trial Protocol
Authors: Sanchez-Castañeda Cristina , Luis-Ruiz Sandra , Ramon-Krauel Marta , Lerin Carles , Sanchez Consuelo , Miró Núria , Martínez Sònia , Garolera Maite , Jurado Maria Angeles 
Published: February 2021

Background: Individuals with obesity are known to present cognitive deficits, especially in executive functions. Executive functions play an important role in health and success throughout the whole life and have been related to food decision-making and to the ability to maintain energy balance. It is possible to improve executive functions through targeted training. This would involve brain plasticity changes that could be studied through connectivity MRI. The general hypothesis of this study is that executive functions training in children with obesity can improve food choices and produce cognitive and neuroimaging changes (structural and functional connectivity), as well as improve emotional state and quality of life.Methods: Randomized controlled double-blind trial with 12-month follow-up. Thirty children with obesity will be randomly allocated into “executive training” (Cognifit with adaptive difficulty + Cogmed) or “control task” group (Cognifit without adaptive difficulty). Both groups will attend 30–45 min of individual gamified training (Cogmed and/or Cognifit systems) by iPad, five times per week during 6 weeks. Cogmed and Cognifit software are commercially available from Pearson and Cognifit, respectively. Participants will receive an iPad with both apps installed for a 6-week use. Participants will also receive counseling diet information via presentations sent to the iPad and will wear a Fitbit Flex 2 tracker to monitor daily activity and sleep patterns. Main outcomes will be cognitive, emotional, food decision, and quality-of-life measures, as well as neuroimaging measures. Participants are evaluated at baseline (T0), after treatment (T1), and 12 months since baseline (T2).Discussion: Longitudinal study with active control group and 3 time points: baseline, immediately after treatment, and 1 year after baseline. Threefold treatment: executive function training, psychoeducation, and feedback on activity/sleep tracking. We will evaluate the transfer effects of the intervention, including emotional and functional outcomes, as well as the effects on neural plasticity by connectivity MRI.Trial registration: This project has been registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (trial registration number NCT03615274), August 3, 2018.
Amphetamine Modulation of Long-Term Object Recognition Memory in Rats: Influence of Stress
Authors: Colucci Paola , Santori Alessia , Romanelli Luca , Zwergel Clemens , Mai Antonello , Scaccianoce Sergio , Campolongo Patrizia 
Published: February 2021

Amphetamine is a potent psychostimulant that increases brain monoamine levels. Extensive evidence demonstrated that norepinephrine is crucially involved in the regulation of memory consolidation for stressful experiences. Here, we investigated amphetamine effects on the consolidation of long-term recognition memory in rats exposed to different intensities of forced swim stress immediately after training. Furthermore, we evaluated whether such effects are dependent on the activation of the peripheral adrenergic system. To this aim, male adult Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to an object recognition task and intraperitoneally administered soon after training with amphetamine (0.5 or 1 mg/kg), or its corresponding vehicle. Rats were thereafter exposed to a mild (1 min, 25 ± 1°C) or strong (5 min, 19 ± 1°C) forced swim stress procedure. Recognition memory retention was assessed 24-h after training. Our findings showed that amphetamine enhances the consolidation of memory in rats subjected to mild stress condition, while it impairs long-term memory performance in rats exposed to strong stress. These dichotomic effects is dependent on stress-induced activation of the peripheral adrenergic response.
Case Report: Optimization of Topographic Change Detection With UAV Structure-From-Motion Photogrammetry Through Survey Co-Alignment
Authors: de Haas Tjalling , Nijland Wiebe , McArdell Brian W. , Kalthof Maurice W. M. L. 
Published: February 2021

High-quality digital surface models (DSMs) generated from structure-from-motion (SfM) based on imagery captured from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are increasingly used for topographic change detection. Classically, DSMs were generated for each survey individually and then compared to quantify topographic change, but recently it was shown that co-aligning the images of multiple surveys may enhance the accuracy of topographic change detection. Here, we use nine surveys over the Illgraben debris-flow torrent in the Swiss Alps to compare the accuracy of three approaches for UAV-SfM topographic change detection: 1) the classical approach where each survey is processed individually using ground control points (GCPs), 2) co-alignment of all surveys without GCPs, and 3) co-alignment of all surveys with GCPs. We demonstrate that compared to the classical approach co-alignment with GCPs leads to a minor and marginally significant increase in absolute accuracy. Moreover, compared to the classical approach co-alignment enhances the relative accuracy of topographic change detection by a factor 4 with GCPs and a factor 3 without GCPs, leading to xy and z offsets &lt;0.1 m for both co-alignment approaches. We further show that co-alignment leads to particularly large improvements in the accuracy of poorly aligned surveys that have severe offsets when processed individually, by forcing them onto the more accurate common geometry set by the other surveys. Based on these results we advocate that co-alignment, preferably with GCPs to ensure a high absolute accuracy, should become common-practice in high-accuracy UAV-SfM topographic change detection studies for projects with sufficient stable areas.
THE EFFECT OF RELIGIUSITY MODERATION ON THE EFFECT OF INCOME ON MUSLIM HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE
Authors: Bayu Ananda Putra  , Kusnendi  , Nusrasyiah Aas 
Published: February 2021

Abstract : Islam regulates one's consumption to stay in the right corridor, such as not wasteful and also pay attention to social values. A good Muslim must be able to distinguish between needs and desires. But today, in reality, there are still many people who live consumptive and hedonism. This study aims to determine the effect of income on Muslim household consumption expenditure and the extent to which religiosity can moderate that influence. The population in this study were housewives in majelis taklim in Sukasari District. The sampling technique is purposive sampling-judgment sampling with a sample size of 97 respondents. The method used in this research is explanatory method with a quantitative approach. Data collection techniques using primary data through interviews and questionnaires to housewives in the Sukasari District taklim assembly. The data analysis technique used is the Moderated Regression Analysis method. The results showed that income significantly affected the consumption expenditure of Muslim households, and the level of religiosity significantly moderated the effect of income on Muslim household consumption expenditure.
Keywords: Muslim Household Consumption Expenditure, Income, Religiosity
PENGARUH GAYA KEPEMIMPINAN TERHADAP PRODUKTIVITAS KERJA PEGAWAI DI PEMERINTAH DAERAH
Authors: Indrawati Lili , Sembiring Etti Ernita 
Published: February 2021

The purpose of this research is to analyze and prove the role of leadership style against employee productivity in local government.The research was carried out at the Bandung Local Government. The number of respondent was 4 persons each from 27entity from West Bandung Local Government. The entity which are used as sample in this research are finance office. Regression is used to analyze the data from the respondent.The research shows that leadership style does affect positive significantly the employee productivity of local government.

Keyword:Leadership Style, Employee Productivity, Local Government.
Kinerja Bank Pembiayaan Rakyat Syariah berdasarkan Sharia Maqashid Index (Studi pada BPRS di Provinsi Jawa Barat Tahun 2016-2018)
Authors: Cakhyaneu Aneu , Puspitasari Fani , Tanuatmodjo Heraeni , Firmansyah  
Published: February 2021

Perbankan syariah memerlukan sebuah pengukuran kinerja yang melihat dari aspek syariah atau maqashid syariah yang bertujuan untuk mewujudkan tujuan syariah yaitu menciptakan kesejahteraan ummat. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis kinerja Bank Pembiayaan Rakyat Syariah berdasarkan Sharia Maqashid Index (SMI) dengan menggunakan metode Simple Additive Weighthing Method (SAW). Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yaitu metode deskriptif kuantitatif dengan dengan objek yang akan diteliti yaitu sebelas Bank Pembiayaan Rakyat Syariah (BPRS) di Provinsi Jawa barat. Hasil dari penelitian ini menyatakan bahwa yang memiliki kinerja terbaik berdasarkan Sharia Maqashid Index (SMI) yaitu BPRS Artha Karimah Irsyadi Kota Bekasi. Hal ini dikarenakan BPRS Artha Karimah Irsyadi Kota Bekasi telah didukung oleh perolehan nilai tertinggi dalam pencapaian indikator kinerja tujuan pertama (Tahdzib Al fard). Penelitian ini diharapkan dapat dijadikan bahan pertimbangan bagi instansi terkait untuk menerapkan pengukuran kinerja Bank Pembiayaan Rakyat Syariah yang sesuai dengan konsep maqashid syariah serta dijadikan bahan pertimbangan dalam mengambil langkah-langkah kebijakan yang sesuai dengan konsep syariah yang akan di gunakan kedepannya.
Kata Kunci: Sharia Maqashid Index, Tahdzib Al-Fard, Iqamah Al-Adl, Jalb Al-Maslahah.
Systematic Review on Ecosystem Services (ES) of Ecotourism in South-East Asia (ASEAN)
Authors: Abas Azlan , Aiyub Kadaruddin , Idris Nor Azizan 
Published: February 2021

Ecotourism ecosystem services can rarely been identified specifically in detail. Hence, little is known about interactions and relationship between ecotourism and its services. We have chosen South-East Asia (ASEAN) as our case studies because of its multi-diverse ecotourism ecosystem. We conducted a systematic review of studies that aim to understand the relationship and interaction between the ecotourism ecosystem and its services to summarize research from this emerging topic and to identify the patterns for ecotourism ecosystem services in ASEAN from different case studies. The results show that 7 out 10 ASEAN countries have studied on ecotourism ecosystem services. Most studies indicated the importance of the services provided by the ecotourism sector as cultural (aesthetic, scientific research and recreational) and supporting (habitat conservation). Our review also found some limitations of this study: first, no data gathered from 3 countries (Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam and Myanmar) and second, the study only focused on monetary methods (WTP etc.) and third, calls for more studies and comparative studies to identify services provided by ecotourism sector in ASEAN. Finally, we discuss how our review fits into the Pakse Declaration 2016 and policy development to address climate change.
Uniform needle-emitter arrays for ionic liquid electrospray thrusters with precise thrust control
Authors: Tachibana Fumiya , Tsuchiya Toshiyuki , Takao Yoshinori 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The development of ionic liquid electrospray thrusters with highly precise needle-emitter arrays is reported. Micro-electro-mechanical systems process technology is applied in the fabrication process of needle-emitter arrays to achieve a uniform shape of emitter tips. The resulting emitter-array chips were then tested to gather the current–voltage characteristics of emitter arrays with different numbers of emitters. The maximum ion current extracted from the emitters increased almost in proportion with the number of emitters. When the current–voltage curves of 81-, 169-, and 361-emitter chips were compared with a constant gap distance between the emitter and extractor electrodes, the onset voltage of ion emission was nearly constant because the emitter tips on all the chips were uniform in shape. Moreover, the current–voltage curves had similar slopes for the different number of emitters after the onset voltage, which demonstrates the uniform ion current output of all the emitter arrays.
Room temperature near-infrared electroluminescence of Si/CaF2 quantum cascade laser structures grown on an SOI substrate
Authors: Tei Gensai , Liu Long , Koyanagi Yohei , Watanabe Masahiro 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Room temperature near-infrared electroluminescence (EL) from Si/CaF2 quantum cascade laser structures has been demonstrated. The structure was equipped with 25 periods of the active region comprised of Si/CaF2 multi quantum-wells and single-mode waveguide grown by molecular beam epitaxy-based technique on the silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. EL spectra with multiple peaks around the near-infrared region were obtained at room temperature and the EL intensity response with injection current clearly confirmed the EL emission was originated from the current injection. Moreover, it was found that EL peak shift by changing applied bias was reasonably explained by energy shift due to the electric field applied to the Si quantum-well of the active region.
Design for high-quality factor of piezoelectric-on-silicon MEMS resonators using resonant plate shape and phononic crystals
Authors: Workie Temesgen Bailie , Wu Ting , Bao Jing-Fu , Hashimoto Ken-ya 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPiezoelectric-on-silicon MEMS resonator is very well known for its compatibility with CMOS integrated circuit technology. However, its quality factor (Q) is highly affected by acoustic energy loss through the supporting structures. In this study, a resonator with butterfly-like round edge resonating plate structure and deploying properly designed PnC arrays on the tether and the anchoring boundaries are proposed to scale up the quality factor by effectively reducing the energy loss. The finite element analysis simulation results reveal that the proposed topologies can efficiently change the displacement field in the resonating plate and reduce the anchor loss. Consequently, an unloaded quality factorQuof the conventional resonator is raised from 29 899 to 51 503 (butterfly-like round edge resonating structure), 83 349 (Phononic crystal on the tether) and 83 899 (Phononic crystal on the anchor), representing 1.7 folds, 2.78 folds and 2.8 folds improvement respectively.
Number density of bubbles under ultrasonic horn measured from stroboscopic images
Authors: Kuroyama Takanobu 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Although image measurement is essential in the analysis of acoustic cavitation bubbles, it is impossible to determine the position of the bubble along the optical axis of the imaging system from the images. Thus, the number density of the bubbles cannot be measured from the image. This paper proposed a method to determine bubbles’ positions along the optical axis using the bubble image brightness. The relationship among the bubble position along the optical axis, the bubble diameter, and the bubble image brightness is clarified using the bubble in the single bubble system. A measurement method of the bubble number density based on this relationship is established. Using this method, the time-averaged spatial distribution of bubble number density under ultrasonic horn is revealed.
Waiting time analysis in a paediatric outpatient clinic in South East Nigeria
Authors: Anyanwu Onyinye , Ezeonu Thecla , Orji Lauretta , Ezeanosike Obumneme , Ikegwuonu Charles , Omeje Kenneth , Asiegbu Vivian , Onwe Emeka , Onyire Benson 
Published: February 2021

Objective: Waiting time is a resource investment by the patient for the desired goal of being attended to by the physician. It is the time taken or spent in waiting to be attended to by a physician in a health facility. It is important because waiting time is an essential determinant of patient satisfaction in health care practice, and its study would expose the bottleneck areas in patient’s time-flow so that the facility can improve services with that regard.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of time spent by paediatric patients in the outpatient department of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki by secretly following the patients from arrival at CHOP till after consultation. Means were calculated of time spent in various areas.
Results: Of the 384 patients observed, the mean (SD) total time spent in the hospital was 142.58 (23.17) minutes while waiting time and consultation time were 113.15(18.01) and 24.43 (10.38) minutes respectively. The mean time spent at the nurse’s bay was 23.79 (6.47) minutes, while that spent at the queue was 22.94 (8.98) minutes. The time spent at the records unit was the highest, with a mean time of 47.2 (17.42) minutes.
Conclusion: The long waiting time obtained from the current study is mostly attributable to delays from the records/registration unit, therefore conceited efforts aimed at improvement of service delivery in this unit will reduce patient waiting time and invariably patient satisfaction.
The effect of attenuation correction on image quality in single photon emission computed tomography
Authors: Frelih Nina , Ležaič Luka , Žibert: Janez , Rep Sebastijan 
Published: February 2021

Objective: Attenuation has a significant influence on data and consequently on image quality. Attenuation correction corrects the weakening of the gamma photons in various depths. Non-diagnostic, low-dosage CT is usually used for attenuation correction when images are taken with a SPECT/CT. The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of attenuation correction in SPECT/CT on image quality in NEMA body phantom analysis in different background/sphere ratios.
Material and Methods: The NEMA IEC Body Phantom was filled with isotope technetium-99m (99mTc), with a different ratio between the phantom background and spheres. The images were reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP), non-corrected iterative reconstruction (IR), and iterative reconstruction using computer tomography for attenuation correction (CT-AC). The average number of counts in the background and in all six spheres was measured. This was followed by a comparison of the contrast in images that were reconstructed using different methods.
Results: The average number of counts in sphere increased as we increased the activity concentration ratio between the background and sphere. Statistical analysis showed that contrast is significantly divergent between different methods of reconstruction.
Conclusion: The use of iterative reconstruction with CT-AC improves the contrast and image quality compared to iterative reconstruction and FBP.
Second Branchial Cleft Cyst: A Case Report
Authors: Tayfur Mahir , Balcı Mecdi Gurhan 
Published: February 2021

Objective: Branchial anomalies are congenital pathologies that are seen in the lateral region of the neck and are generally benign. The branchial clefts develop in the 2nd-7th weeks of fetal life as embryonal development. The branchial anomalies are caused by non-disappearance, abnormal development and, incomplete emerger of the branchial clefts and pockets during embryonal development. The branchial anomalies are generally seen as the cyst. The most common cyst was the second branchial cleft cyst with 95%. Their diameter is usually a few centimeters.
Case: A 37-year old male patient was admitted to the hospital because of a swelling on the left side of his neck for four years. Physical examination revealed a mobile cystic mass in level 2 at the upper left jugular region of the neck. The cystic mass and the surrounding lymph nodes were excised and sent to the pathology laboratory. A cystic mass, approximately 5x4x3.5 cm in size, containing cystic areas was observed macroscopically. Microscopically, the cyst was lined with squamous epithelium and contained large lymphocyte groups in the subepithelial area. The case was reported as the branchial cleft cyst.
Conclusion: Branchial cleft cysts should be excised before reaching large sizes, as they may cause pain and pressure on the surrounding tissue. In addition, it should be kept in mind that malignancy may develop from branchial cleft cysts, although rare.