bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evolution of health care utilization and expenditure during the year before death in 2015 among people with cancer: French snds-based cohort study
Authors: Tanguy-Melac Audrey , Verboux Dorian , Pestel Laurence , Fagot-Campagna Anne , Tuppin Philippe , Gastaldi-Ménager Christelle 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Cancer patients have one of the highest health care expenditures (HCE) at the end of life. However, the growth of HCE at the end of life remains poorly documented in the literature.

Objective
To describe monthly reimbursed expenditure during the last year of life among cancer patients, by performing detailed analysis according to type of expenditure and the person’s age.

Method
Data were derived from the Système national des données en santé (SNDS) [national health data system], which comprises information on ambulatory and hospital care. Analyses focused on general scheme beneficiaries (77% of the French population) treated for cancer who died in 2015.

Results
Average reimbursed expenditure during the last year of life was €34,300 per person in 2015, including €21,100 (62%) for hospital expenditure. "Short-stays hospital" and "rehabilitation units" stays expenditure were €14,700 and €2000, respectively. Monthly expenditure increased regularly towards the end of life, increasing from 12 months before death €2000 to €5200 1 month before death. The highest levels of expenditure did not concern the oldest people, as average reimbursed expenditure was €50,300 for people 18–59 years versus €25,600 for people 80–90 years. Out-of-pocket payments varied only slightly according to age, but increased towards the end of life.

Conclusion
A marked growth of HCE was observed during the last 4 months of life, mainly driven by hospital expenditure, with a more marked growth for younger people.
Extensions and corona decompositions of low-dimensional intrinsic Lipschitz graphs in Heisenberg groups
Authors: Di Donato Daniela , Fässler Katrin 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis note concerns low-dimensional intrinsic Lipschitz graphs, in the sense of Franchi, Serapioni, and Serra Cassano, in the Heisenberg group $${\mathbb {H}}^n$$

H

n

, $$n\in {\mathbb {N}}$$

n
∈
N

. For $$1\leqslant k\leqslant n$$

1
⩽
k
⩽
n

, we show that every intrinsic L-Lipschitz graph over a subset of a k-dimensional horizontal subgroup $${\mathbb {V}}$$
V
of $${\mathbb {H}}^n$$

H

n

can be extended to an intrinsic $$L'$$

L
′

-Lipschitz graph over the entire subgroup $${\mathbb {V}}$$
V
, where $$L'$$

L
′

depends only on L, k, and n. We further prove that 1-dimensional intrinsic 1-Lipschitz graphs in $${\mathbb {H}}^n$$

H

n

, $$n\in {\mathbb {N}}$$

n
∈
N

, admit corona decompositions by intrinsic Lipschitz graphs with smaller Lipschitz constants. This complements results that were known previously only in the first Heisenberg group $${\mathbb {H}}^1$$

H

1

. The main difference to this case arises from the fact that for $$1\leqslant k<n$$

1
⩽
k
<
n

, the complementary vertical subgroups of k-dimensional horizontal subgroups in $${\mathbb {H}}^n$$

H

n

are not commutative.
Depth integrated modelling of submarine landslide evolution
Authors: Zhang Wangcheng , Puzrin Alexander M. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSubmarine landslides are a major geohazard among worldwide continental slopes, posing significant threats to offshore infrastructure, marine animal habitats and coastal urban centres. This study establishes an original numerical package for time-efficient modelling of the entire submarine landslide evolution covering the pre-failure shear band propagation, slab failure and post-failure dynamics. The numerical scheme is based on the conservation of mass and the conservation of momentum and combines the shear band propagation theory and the depth-integrated method, with the consideration of the drag force from the ambient water. Shear band propagation in the weak layer and slab failure in the sliding layer are controlled by the strain softening and rate dependency of the corresponding undrained strength parameters. The post-failure behaviour in the sliding layer, such as retrogression upslope and frontally confined and frontally emergent mechanisms downslope, is also simulated. The numerical results from the proposed method are comparable to the analytical solutions and the large deformation finite element analysis. Application of this method to a back analysis of the St. Niklausen slide in Lake Lucerne reproduced the observed shape of the mass transport deposits, the position of the main scar and the travel distance. Because of its easy implementation and efficiency, the proposed numerical method for modelling of submarine landslides seems promising for practical applications.
ANEGMA: an automated negotiation model for e-markets
Authors: Bagga Pallavi , Paoletti Nicola , Alrayes Bedour , Stathis Kostas 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWe present a novel negotiation model that allows an agent to learn how to negotiate during concurrent bilateral negotiations in unknown and dynamic e-markets. The agent uses an actor-critic architecture with model-free reinforcement learning to learn a strategy expressed as a deep neural network. We pre-train the strategy by supervision from synthetic market data, thereby decreasing the exploration time required for learning during negotiation. As a result, we can build automated agents for concurrent negotiations that can adapt to different e-market settings without the need to be pre-programmed. Our experimental evaluation shows that our deep reinforcement learning based agents outperform two existing well-known negotiation strategies in one-to-many concurrent bilateral negotiations for a range of e-market settings.
Properties of humic acids depending on the land use in different parts of Slovakia
Authors: Banach-Szott Magdalena , Debska Bozena , Tobiasova Erika 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMany studies report organic carbon stabilization by clay minerals, but the effects of land use and soil type on the properties of humic acids (HAs) are missing. The aim of the paper is to determine the effects of land use and soil types on the characteristics of HAs, which have a considerable influence on organic matter quality. It was hypothesised that the effect of the land use on HAs properties depends on the particular size distribution. The research was performed in three ecosystems: agricultural, forest, and meadow, located in Slovakia. From each of them, the samples of 4 soil types were taken: Chernozem, Luvisol, Planosol, and Cambisol. The soil samples were assayed for the content of total organic carbon (TOC) and the particle size distribution. HAs were extracted with the Schnitzer method and analysed for the elemental composition, spectrometric parameters in the UV-VIS range, and hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties, and the infrared spectra were produced. The research results have shown that the properties of HAs can be modified by the land use and the scope and that the direction of changes depends on the soil type. The HAs of Chernozem and Luvisol in the agri-ecosystem were identified with a higher “degree of maturity”, as reflected by atomic ratios (H/C, O/C, O/H), absorbance coefficients, and the FT-IR spectra, as compared with the HAs of the meadow and forest ecosystem. However, as for the HAs of Cambisol, a higher “degree of maturity” was demonstrated for the meadow ecosystem, as compared with the HAs of the agri- and forest ecosystem. The present research has clearly identified that the content of clay is the factor determining the HAs properties. Soils with a higher content of the clay fraction contain HAs with a higher “degree of maturity”.
Global AM fungi are dominating mycorrhizal communities in a tropical premontane dry forest in Laipuna, South Ecuador
Authors: Haug Ingeborg , Setaro Sabrina , Suárez Juan Pablo 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTropical dry forests are an intricate ecosystem with special adaptations to periods of drought. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are essential for plant survival in all terrestrial ecosystems but might be of even greater importance in dry forests as plant growth is limited due to nutrient and water deficiency during the dry season. Tropical dry forests in Ecuador are highly endangered, but studies about AMF communities are scarce. We investigated the AMF community of a premontane semi-deciduous dry forest in South Ecuador during the dry season. We estimated AMF diversity, distribution, and composition of the study site based on operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and compared the results to those from the tropical montane rainforest and páramo in South Ecuador. OTU delimitation was based on part of the small ribosomal subunit obtained by cloning and Sanger sequencing. Nearly all OTUs were Glomeraceae. The four frequent OTUs were Glomus, and comparison with the MaarjAM database revealed these to be globally distributed with a wide range of ecological adaptations. Several OTUs are shared with virtual taxa from dry forests in Africa. Ordination analysis of AMF communities from the tropical dry and montane rainforests in South Ecuador revealed a unique AMF community in the dry forest with only few overlapping OTUs. Most OTUs that were found in both dry and rainforests and on the two continents were globally distributed Glomus.
Proportionality’s Lower Bound
Authors: Manwaring James 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMany philosophers have raised difficulties for any attempt to proportion punishment severity to crime seriousness. One reason for this may be that offering a full theory of proportionality is simply too ambitious. I suggest a more modest project: setting a lower bound on proportionate punishment. That is, I suggest a metric to measure when punishment is not disproportionately severe. I claim that punishment is not disproportionately severe if it imposes costs on a criminal wrongdoer which are no greater than the costs which they intentionally caused to others. I flesh out the implications of this Lower bound by discussing how to measure the costs of crime. Methodologically, I claim that different costs should be compared by considering preferences. Substantively, I claim that many proportionality judgements undercount the costs of crime by focusing only on the marginal and not the average cost. I suggest that we may hold defendants causally responsible for their contribution to the costs of that type of crime.
A country-specific FRAX model for Botswana
Authors: Kebaetse M. , Nkhwa S. , Mogodi M. , Masunge J. , Gureja Y. P. , Ramabu M. , Mmopelwa T. , Sharif I. , Orford A. , Harvey N. C. , McCloskey E. V. , Cauley J. A. , Kanis J. A. , Johansson H. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Introduction
Hip fracture rates in Botswana were used to create a FRAX® model for fracture risk assessment.

Objective
This paper describes the development and characteristics of a country-specific FRAX model for Botswana.

Methods
Age-specific and sex-specific incidence of hip fracture and national mortality rates was incorporated into a FRAX model for Botswana. Ten-year fracture probabilities were compared with those from African countries having a FRAX model and African Americans from the USA.

Results
The probabilities of hip fracture and major osteoporotic fracture were low compared with those from South Africa (Black and Coloured) and US Blacks. Probabilities were marginally higher than for Tunisia.

Conclusion
The creation of a FRAX model is expected to help guide decisions about the prevention and treatment of fragility fractures in Botswana.
Conceptual Development and Content Validation of a Multicultural Instrument to Assess the Normalization of Gender-Based Violence against Women
Authors: Rodelli Maddalena , Koutra Kleio , Thorvaldsdottir Karen Birna , Bilgin Hulya , Ratsika Nikoleta , Testoni Ines , Saint Arnault Denise M. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe normalization of gender-based violence (GBV) consists of all those cultural beliefs and values that sustain, justify, or minimize GBV perpetration. Acknowledging the lack of instruments addressing the normalization of GBV and its constitutive sociocultural dimensions, this article presents the conceptual development and initial validation of the Normalization of gender-based violence against women scale. This 18-item instrument could be used to assess the normalization of violence against women in GBV survivors of various cultural contexts. The scale has been developed through a sizeable mixed-methods study. This paper reports the qualitative portion of the study that allowed the development of the instrument and assessment of its content and face validity. In particular, the method section details the process by which the assessed scale’s domain has been identified through an expert panel workshop, the analysis of GBV survivor’s interviews, and the review of existing scales. The assessment of face and content validity, trough expert judges’ evaluation and Cognitive Interviewing, is presented. This instrument is the first normalization scale developed by a multicultural team for use with violence survivors. The techniques used to construct this scale aimed to capture cultural aspects of normalization that might be shared across women from diverse groups. Therefore, its use could enable social or health care providers worldwide to program or evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to contrast GBV by promoting a clearer understanding of cultural and social norms that sustain the acceptance and normalization of violence.
[18F]FEDAC translocator protein positron emission tomography–computed tomography for early detection of mitochondrial dysfunction secondary to myocardial ischemia
Authors: Luo Rui , Wang Lei , Ye Fei , Wang Yan-Rong , Fang Wei , Zhang Ming-Rong , Wang Feng 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
This study aimed to evaluate the biodistribution and kinetics of [18F]FEDAC targeting the translocator protein TSPO in the myocardium, and to explore its use for the identification of mitochondrial dysfunction. We also assessed the feasibility of [18F]FEDAC for the early detection of mitochondrial dysfunction associated with myocardial ischemia (MI).

Methods
The radiochemical purity and stability of [18F]FEDAC were analyzed by radio-high-performance liquid chromatography (radio-HPLC). Its biodistribution and kinetics were evaluated by dissection and dynamic imaging using micro-positron emission tomography–computed tomography (micro-PET–CT) in healthy mice. [18F]FEDAC was also applied in an MI rat model and in sham-operated controls. Mitochondrial changes were observed by immunohistochemical staining and electron microscopy.

Results
Radioactivity levels (%ID/g) in the myocardium in normal mice, determined by [18F]FEDAC, were 8.32 ± 0.80 at 5 min and 2.40 ± 0.10 at 60 min. PET showed significantly decreased uptake by injured cardiac tissue in MI rats, with maximal normal-to-ischemic uptake ratios of 10.47 ± 3.03 (1.5 min) and 3.92 ± 1.12 (27.5 min) (P = 0.025). Immunohistochemistry confirmed that TSPO expression was decreased in MI rats. Mitochondrial ultrastructure demonstrated significant swelling and permeability.

Conclusion
[18F]FEDAC uptake is reduced in the injured myocardium, consistent with mitochondrial dysfunction. These results may provide new evidence to aid the early detection of mitochondrial dysfunction associated with myocardial ischemic injury.
Effects of Simulated Microgravity on Wild Type and Marfan hiPSCs-Derived Embryoid Bodies
Authors: Spitalieri Paola , Marini Mario , Scioli Maria Giovanna , Murdocca Michela , Longo Giuliana , Orlandi Augusto , Novelli Giuseppe , Sangiuolo Federica 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Mechanical unloading in microgravity is thought to induce tissue degeneration by various mechanisms, including the inhibition of regenerative stem cell differentiation. In this work, we investigate the effects of microgravity simulation on early lineage commitment of hiPSCs from healthy and Marfan Syndrome (MFS; OMIM #154700) donors, using the embryoid bodies model of tissue differentiation and evaluating their ultra-structural conformation. MFS model involves an anomalous organization of the extracellular matrix for a deficit of fibrillin-1, an essential protein of connective tissue.

Methods
In vitro models require the use of embryoid bodies derived from hiPSCs. A DRPM was used to simulate microgravity conditions.

Results
Our data suggest an increase of the stemness of those EBs maintained in SMG condition. EBs are still capable of external migration, but are less likely to distinguish, providing a measure of the remaining progenitor or stem cell populations in the earlier stage. The microgravity response appears to vary between WT and Marfan EBs, presumably as a result of a cell structural component deficiency due to fibrillin-1 protein lack. In fact, MFS EBs show a reduced adaptive capacity to the environment of microgravity that prevented them from reacting and making rapid adjustments, while healthy EBs show stem retention, without any structural changes due to microgravity conditions.

Conclusion
EBs formation specifically mimics stem cell differentiation into embryonic tissues, this process has also significant similarities with adult stem cell-based tissue regeneration. The use of SMG devices for the maintenance of stem cells on regenerative medicine applications is becoming increasingly more feasible.
The effects of antidiabetic agents on heart failure
Authors: Wijnen M. , Duschek E. J. J. , Boom H. , van Vliet M. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn the Netherlands, approximately 250,000 people are living with heart failure. About one-third of them have comorbid diabetes mellitus type 2. Until recently, the effects of antidiabetic agents on heart failure were largely unknown. This changed after an observed increased risk of heart failure and ischaemic heart disease associated with thiazolidinediones that prompted the requirement for cardiovascular outcome trials for new glucose-lowering drugs. In the past decade, three new classes of antidiabetic agents have become available (i.e. dipeptidyl peptidase‑4 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide‑1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter‑2 (SGLT2) inhibitors). Although the first two classes demonstrated no beneficial effects on heart failure compared to placebo in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2, SGLT2 inhibitors significantly and consistently lowered the risk of incident and worsening heart failure. Two recent trials indicated that these favourable effects were also present in non-diabetic patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, resulting in significantly lower risks of hospitalisation for heart failure and presumably also cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. SGLT2 inhibitors have been shown to be benefit on top of recommended heart failure therapy including sacubitril/valsartan and may also prove beneficial for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. In this review, we discuss the effects of antidiabetic agents on heart failure.
Design and In-orbit Demonstration of REGULUS, an Iodine electric propulsion system
Authors: Bellomo Nicolas , Magarotto Mirko , Manente Marco , Trezzolani Fabio , Mantellato Riccardo , Cappellini Lorenzo , Paulon Devis , Selmo Antonio , Scalzi Davide , Minute Marco , Duzzi Matteo , Barbato Alessandro , Schiavon Alessandro , Di Fede Simone , Souhair Nabil , De Carlo Paola , Barato Francesco , Milza Fabiana , Toson Elena , Pavarin Daniele 
Published: June 2021

AbstractREGULUS is an Iodine-based electric propulsion system. It has been designed and manufactured at the Italian company Technology for Propulsion and Innovation SpA (T4i). REGULUS integrates the Magnetically Enhanced Plasma Thruster (MEPT) and its subsystems, namely electronics, fluidic, and thermo-structural in a volume of 1.5 U. The mass envelope is 2.5 kg, including propellant. REGULUS targets CubeSat platforms larger than 6 U and CubeSat carriers. A thrust T = 0.60 mN and a specific impulse Isp = 600 s are achieved with an input power of P = 50 W; the nominal total impulse is Itot = 3000 Ns. REGULUS has been integrated on-board of the UniSat-7 satellite and its In-orbit Demonstration (IoD) is currently ongoing. The principal topics addressed in this work are: (i) design of REGULUS, (ii) comparison of the propulsive performance obtained operating the MEPT with different propellants, namely Xenon and Iodine, (iii) qualification and acceptance tests, (iv) plume analysis, (v) the IoD.
Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair Simulator Equipped with Eye Tracking Based Performance Assessment Capabilities: A Pilot Study
Authors: Zimmermann Jan Michael , Arduini Mattia , Vicentini Luca , Maisano Francesco , Meboldt Mirko 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe increase in cardiovascular disease cases that require minimally invasive treatment is inducing a new need to train physicians to perform them safely and effectively. Nevertheless, adaptation to simulation-based training has been slow, especially for complex procedures.ObjectivesWe describe a newly developed mitral valve repair (MVR) simulator, equipped with new objective performance assessment methods, with an emphasis on its use for training the MitraClip™ procedure.MethodsThe MVR contains phantoms of all anatomical structures encountered during mitral valve repair with a transvenous, transseptal approach. In addition, several cameras, line lasers, and ultraviolet lights are used to mimic echocardiographic and fluoroscopic imaging and with a remote eye tracker the cognitive behaviour of the operator is recorded. A pilot study with a total of 9 interventional cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and technical experts was conducted. All participants performed the MitraClip procedure on the MVR simulator using standard interventional tools. Subsequently, each participant completed a structured questionnaire to assess the simulator.ResultsThe simulator functioned well, and the implemented objective performance assessment methods worked reliably. Key performance metrics such as x-ray usage were comparable with results from studies assessing these metrics in real interventions. Fluoroscopy imaging is realistic for the transseptal puncture but reaches its limits during the final steps of the procedure.ConclusionThe functionality and objective performance assessment of the MVR simulator were demonstrated. Especially for complex procedures such as the MitraClip procedure, this simulator offers a suitable platform for risk-free training and education.
The continuum of simulator-based maritime training and education
Authors: Kim Tae-eun , Sharma Amit , Bustgaard Morten , Gyldensten William C. , Nymoen Ole Kristian , Tusher Hasan Mahbub , Nazir Salman 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to the maritime supply chain and called for accelerated adoption of digital technologies in various aspects of maritime operations, including the area of maritime education and training (MET). This paper aims to discuss the current maritime simulator-based training and educational practices that forms an integral part in seafarer training and competency development. The study provides a review of the existing simulators in use in MET, and discusses upon the technological and pedagogical advancement of maritime simulator-based training interventions with predictions regarding the future MET practices with use of virtual reality and cloud-based simulators. This study—by focusing on ship’s bridge operations—highlights the characteristics of various types of simulators and also discusses the role of instructors, challenges, and opportunities involving future simulator-based MET due to accelerated adoption of digital technologies and the need to comply with pandemic-related restrictions for MET institutes. The analysis generated in the paper may contribute to the ongoing discussion regarding the future of simulator-based MET and the fulfillment of the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 in the maritime sector.