bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fast fabrication of bismuth oxyiodide/carbon‐nanofibers composites for efficient anti‐proliferation of liver and breast cancer cells
Authors: Algethami Faisal K. , Elamin Mohamed R. , Abdulkhair Babiker Y. , Al‐Zharani Mohammed , Qarah Nagib A. S. , Alghamdi Mashael A. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractSemiconductor synthesis and applications are of increasing interest worldwide. A simple non‐autoclave method was developed to synthesize bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) nanoparticles and nanocomposites of BiOI/carbon nanofibers (CNFs) in propylene glycol as a solvent. The as‐prepared BiOI and its CNFs‐composites were characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy‐energy X‐ray‐dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), Nitrogen adsorption‐desorption‐isotherm, and UV‐vis diffuse reflectance spectra. The XRD pattern confirmed that BiOI nanomaterial was prepared successfully by the developed method. SEM and TEM analysis revealed the BiOI in its pure and composites forms possessing rose‐like nanosheets built with BiOI nanoparticles. The addition of CNFs to the BiOI in increasing mass percentage enhanced the optical properties of the BiOI‐semiconductor. The obtained results confirmed that the short‐time refluxing method prepared BiOI and BiOI/CNFs composites successfully, with the advantage of eliminating the time and energy‐consuming step of autoclave digestion. Nevertheless, the nanomaterial‘s anticancer activity was revealed when tested against breast and liver cancer cell lines and measured at 540 nm.
Chiral transport in curved spacetime via holography
Authors: Avdoshkin Alexander , Sharipov Rustem 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
We consider a holographic model of strongly interacting plasma with a gravitational anomaly. In this model, we compute parity-odd responses of the system at finite temperature and chemical potential to external electromagnetic and gravitational fields. Working within the linearized fluid/gravity duality, we performed the calculation up to the third order in gradient expansion. Besides reproducing the chiral magnetic (CME) and vortical (CVE) effects we also obtain gradient corrections to the CME and CVE due to the gravitational anomaly. Additionally, we find energy-momentum and current responses to the gravitational field similarly determined by the gravitational anomaly. The energy-momentum response is the first purely gravitational transport effect that has been related to quantum anomalies in a holographic theory.
Dissimilar friction stir lap welding of AA2198 and AA7075 sheets: forces, microstructure and mechanical properties
Authors: Astarita Antonello , Tucci Fausto , Silvestri Alessia Teresa , Perrella Michele , Boccarusso Luca , Carlone Pierpaolo 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThis paper investigates the dissimilar friction stir lap welding of AA2198 and AA7075 sheets. The influence of processing parameters, namely welding speed and tool rotational speed on joint features, microstructure, and mechanical properties were studied by implementing a full factorial design of experiments. Axial and transversal forces were continuously measured during the welding process using a sensed fixture aiming at the correlation of processing parameters, forces, and quality of the achieved joints. Obtained outcomes showed hook formation for all the combination of parameters and the existence of a very narrow processing window in which it is possible to avoid the formation of internal defects, such as grooves and tunnels. The influence of the weld bead morphology on the lap shear strength was elucidated proving that the strength is ruled by the hook morphology. The microstructure of the joints was studied and discussed considering also the microhardness distribution.
Graphical abstract
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol Minimizes Intensive Care Unit Utilization and Improves Outcomes Following Pulmonary Resection
Authors: Peng Terrance , Shemanski Kimberly A. , Ding Li , David Elizabeth A. , Kim Anthony W. , Kim Michael , Lieu Dustin K. , Wightman Sean C. , Zhao Jasmine , Atay Scott M. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundEnhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have been associated with improved postoperative outcomes but require further validation in thoracic surgery. This study evaluated outcomes of patients undergoing pulmonary resection before and after implementation of an ERAS protocol.MethodsElectronic medical records were queried for all patients undergoing pulmonary resection between April 2017 and April 2019. Patients were grouped into pre‐ and post‐ERAS cohorts based on dates of operation. The ERAS protocol prioritized early mobilization, limited invasive monitoring, euvolemia, and non‐narcotic analgesia. Primary outcome measures included intensive care unit (ICU) utilization, postoperative pain metrics, and perioperative morbidity. Regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of morbidity. Subgroup analyses were performed by pulmonary risk profile and surgical approach.ResultsA total of 64 pre‐ and 67 post‐ERAS patients were included in the study. ERAS implementation was associated with reduced postoperative ICU admission (pre: 65.6% vs. post: 19.4%, p < 0.0001), shorter ICU median length of stay (LOS) (pre: 1 vs. post: 0, p < 0.0001), and decreased opioid usage measured by median morphine milligram equivalents (pre: 40.5 vs. post: 20.0, p < 0.0001). Post‐ERAS patients also reported lower visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores on postoperative days (POD) 1 and 2 (pre: 6.3/5.6 vs. post: 5.3/4.2, p = 0.04/0.01) as well as average VAS pain score over POD0‐2 (pre: 6.2 vs. post: 5.2, p = 0.005).ConclusionsImplementation of an ERAS protocol for pulmonary resection, which dictated reduced ICU admissions, did not increase major postoperative morbidity. Additionally, ERAS‐enrolled patients reported improved postoperative pain control despite decreased opioid utilization.
MRI software for diffusion-perfusion mismatch analysis may impact on patients’ selection and clinical outcome
Authors: Pistocchi Silvia , Strambo Davide , Bartolini Bruno , Maeder Philippe , Meuli Reto , Michel Patrik , Dunet Vincent 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Objective
Impact of different MR perfusion software on selection and outcome of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and large vessel occlusion (LVO) treated by endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is unclear. We aimed at comparing two commercial MRI software, semi-automated with unadjusted (method A) and adjusted mask (method B), and fully automated (method C) in this setting.

Methods
MRI from 144 consecutive AIS patients with anterior circulation LVO was retrospectively analysed. All diffusion- and perfusion-weighted images (DWI-PWI) were post-processed with the three methods using standard thresholds. Concordance for core and hypoperfusion volumes was assessed with Lin’s test. Clinical outcome was compared between groups in patients who underwent successful EVT in the early and late time window.

Results
Mean core volume was higher and mean hypoperfusion volume was lower in method C than in methods A and B. In the early time window, methods A and B found fewer patients with a mismatch ratio ≤ 1.2 than method C (1/67 [1.5%] vs. 12/67 [17.9%], p = 0.0013). In the late time window, methods A and B found fewer patients with a mismatch ratio < 1.8 than method C (3/46 [6.5%] and 2/46 [4.3%] vs. 18/46 [39.1%], p ≤ 0.0002). More patients with functional independence at 3 months would not have been treated using method C versus methods A and B in the early (p = 0.0063) and late (p ≤ 0.011) time window.

Conclusions
MRI software for DWI-PWI analysis may influence patients’ selection before EVT and clinical outcome.

Key Points
• Method C detects fewer patients with favourable mismatch profile.
• Method C might underselect more patients with functional independence at 3 months.
• Software used before thrombectomy may influence patients’ outcome.
The specificities of the circular economy (CE) in the municipal wastewater and sewage sludge sector—local circumstances in Poland
Authors: Kacprzak Malgorzata J. , Kupich Iwona 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have become crucial elements of the regional bioeconomy—mainly through energy (waste to energy) and matter (nutrients–energy–water) recovery as an element of sustainable development of a smart city. In Poland, a decentralized system functioned with 3278 municipal wastewater treatment plants, and less than 80% of the population were connected to public urban wastewater treatment systems. The paper presents the technology selection and implementation of circular economy at WWTPs and the practical approach to challenge of energy-positive and environmentally friendly wastewater and sewage sludge sector. The modernization of technological lines of wastewater treatment has led to a significant improvement in the quality of treated sewage, at the largest WWTPs in Warsaw, Cracow, or Gdansk. Eleven WWTPs produce 34% of the total volume of approximately 337 GWh of electricity from biogas in Poland. The potential of producing electricity from biogas in WWTPs in Poland can be estimated at approximately 700–850 GWh per year. According to the data of the Statistics Poland in Poland, approximately 25% of sewage sludge was used directly in agriculture and for land reclamation. Simultaneously, more than 100 WWTPs produce compost at a high quality. However, only few produce organic/organic-mineral fertilizers, mainly with addition of calcium. Decentralization leads to different technologies used in wastewater treatment plants, and environmental, economic, and social conditions determine the direction of changes and introduction of a circular economy paradigm in the Polish wastewater sector.
Graphic abstract
Curvature-dimension conditions under time change
Authors: Han Bang-Xian , Sturm Karl-Theodor 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWe derive precise transformation formulas for synthetic lower Ricci bounds under time change. More precisely, for local Dirichlet forms we study how the curvature-dimension condition in the sense of Bakry–Émery will transform under time change. Similarly, for metric measure spaces we study how the curvature-dimension condition in the sense of Lott–Sturm–Villani will transform under time change.
AFQN: approximate Qn estimation in data streams
Authors: Epicoco Italo , Melle Catiuscia , Cafaro Massimo , Pulimeno Marco 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWe present afqn (Approximate Fast Qn), a novel algorithm for approximate computation of the Qn scale estimator in a streaming setting, in the sliding window model. It is well-known that computing the Qn estimator exactly may be too costly for some applications, and the problem is a fortiori exacerbated in the streaming setting, in which the time available to process incoming data stream items is short. In this paper we show how to efficiently and accurately approximate the Qn estimator. As an application, we show the use of afqn for fast detection of outliers in data streams. In particular, the outliers are detected in the sliding window model, with a simple check based on the Qn scale estimator. Extensive experimental results on synthetic and real datasets confirm the validity of our approach by showing up to three times faster updates per second. Our contributions are the following ones: (i) to the best of our knowledge, we present the first approximation algorithm for online computation of the Qn scale estimator in a streaming setting and in the sliding window model; (ii) we show how to take advantage of our UDDSketch algorithm for quantile estimation in order to quickly compute the Qn scale estimator; (iii) as an example of a possible application of the Qn scale estimator, we discuss how to detect outliers in an input data stream.
Bridging the gap: blending spatial skills instruction into a technology teacher preparation programme
Authors: Lane Diarmaid , Sorby Sheryl 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn recent years, there has been a surge in research in spatial thinking across the international community. We now know that spatial skills are malleable and that they are linked to success across multiple disciplines, most notably Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). While spatial skills have been examined by cognitive scientists in laboratory environments for decades, current research is examining how these skills can be developed in field-based environments. In this paper, we present findings from a study within a Technology Teacher preparation programme where we examined first-year students’ spatial skills on entry to university. We explain why it was necessary to embed a spatial skills intervention into Year 1 of the programme and we describe the impact that this had on students’ spatial scores and on academic performance. The findings from our study highlight a consistent gender gap in spatial scores at the start of the first-year with female students entering the Technology Teacher preparation programme at a lower base level than male students. We describe how we integrated spatial development activities into an existing course and how an improvement in spatial scores and overall course performance was observed. The paper concludes by discussing the long-term sustainability of integrating spatial interventions within teacher preparation programmes while also highlighting the importance of future research to examine spatial skills as a fundamental component of technological capability.
Red blood cell distribution width to platelet ratio substantiates preoperative survival prediction in patients with newly-diagnosed glioblastoma
Authors: Schneider Matthias , Schäfer Niklas , Apallas Stefanos , Potthoff Anna-Laura , Bode Christian , Güresir Erdem , Heimann Muriel , Lehmann Felix , Scharnböck Elisa , Schaub Christina , Vatter Hartmut , Herrlinger Ulrich , Schuss Patrick 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Object
The conception of individual patient-adjusted treatment strategies is constantly emerging in the field of neuro-oncology. Systemic laboratory markers may allow insights into individual needs and estimated treatment benefit at an earliest possible stage. Therefore, the present study was aimed at analyzing the prognostic significance of preoperative routine laboratory values in patients with newly-diagnosed glioblastoma.

Methods
Between 2014 and 2019, 257 patients were surgically treated for newly-diagnosed glioblastoma at the Neuro-Oncology Center of the University Hospital Bonn. Preoperative routine laboratory values including red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and platelet count were reviewed. RDW to platelet count ratio (RPR) was calculated and correlated to overall survival (OS) rates.

Results
Median preoperative RPR was 0.053 (IQR 0.044–0.062). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve indicated an optimal cut-off value for RPR to be 0.05 (AUC 0.62; p = 0.002, 95% CI 0.544–0.685). 101 patients (39%) presented with a preoperative RPR < 0.05, whereas 156 patients (61%) had a RPR ≥ 0.05. Patients with preoperative RPR < 0.05 exhibited a median OS of 20 months (95% CI 17.9–22.1), which was significantly higher compared to a median OS of 13 months (95% CI 10.9–15.1) in patients with preoperative RPR ≥ 0.05 (p < 0.001).

Conclusions
The present study suggests the RPR to constitute a novel prognostic inflammatory marker for glioblastoma patients in the course of preoperative routine laboratory examinations and might contribute to a personalized medicine approach.
Stereotypes about overweight students and their impact on grading among physical education teachers
Authors: Glock Sabine , Schuchart Claudia 
Published: August 2021

AbstractA student’s weight is a particularly important characteristic in physical education. Research has shown that physical education teachers and people working in this area are particularly likely to hold strong negative implicit biases toward overweight students and that these students tend to earn lower grades in physical education. Stereotypes of overweight people might color teachers’ judgments of these students. In this study, we experimentally investigated whether overweight students received lower grades from physical education teachers on an exercise than normal weight students. We presented a verbal description of an exercise and asked teachers to grade a student’s performance and to judge the student’s social and working behaviors. Teachers gave lower grades to the overweight student, and regression analyses showed that their stereotypical beliefs predicted their judgments. Teachers’ motivation to control prejudice had no relation to their judgments. Nonetheless, our results showed that the same performance was graded worse only because the student was overweight.
A modified GADIA-based upper-bound to the capacity of Gaussian general N-relay networks
Authors: Uykan Zekeriya , Jäntti Riku 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn this paper, we present a general Gaussian N-relay network by allowing relays to communicate to each other and allowing a direct channel between source and destination as compared to the standard diamond network in Nazaroğlu et al. (IEEE Trans Inf Theory 60:6329–6341, 2014) at the cost of extra channel uses. Our main focus is to examine the min-cut bound capacities of the relay network. Very recently, the results in Uykan (IEEE Trans Neural Netw Learn Syst 31:3294–3304, 2020) imply that the GADIA in Babadi and Tarokh (IEEE Trans Inf Theory 56:6228–6252, 2010), a pioneering algorithm in the interference avoidance literature, actually performs max-cut of a given power-domain (nonnegative) link gain matrix in the 2-channel case. Using the results of the diamond network in Nazaroğlu et al. (2014) and the results in Uykan (2020), in this paper, we (i) turn the mutual information maximization problem in the Gaussian N-relay network into an upper bound minimization problem, (ii) propose a modified GADIA-based algorithm to find the min-cut capacity bound and (iii) present an upper and a lower bound to its min-cut capacity bound using the modified GADIA as applied to the defined “squared channel gain matrix/graph”. Some advantages of the proposed modified GADIA-based simple algorithm are as follows: (1) The Gaussian N-relay network can determine the relay clusters in a distributed fashion and (2) the presented upper bound gives an insight into whether allowing the relays to communicate to each other pays off the extra channel uses or not as far as the min-cut capacity bound is concerned. The simulation results confirm the findings. Furthermore, the min-cut upper bound found by the proposed modified-GADIA is verified by the cut-set bounds found by the spectral clustering based solutions as well.
Assessment of 5G as an ambient signal for outdoor backscattering communications
Authors: Biswas Ritayan , Lempiäinen Jukka 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe aim of this article is to evaluate the applicability of 5G technology as a possible ambient signal for backscattering communications (AmBC). This evaluation considers both urban macro-cellular, small cell as well as rural highway environments. The simulations are performed in outdoor areas including analysis about 5G implementation strategies in different scenarios. Essential aspects of 5G radio network topology such as frequency domain (3.5 GHz and 26 GHz) and antenna locations (offering line-of-sight, LOS) are highlighted and turned to applicability scenarios with AmBC. The LOS scenarios are evaluated to determine the widest applicability area of 5G for AmBC. Typical AmBC applications are studied including collection of data from several sensors to receivers. Evaluation of the applicability of 5G was based on propagation related simulations and calculations utilising the ray tracing technique and the radar equation. The results demonstrate that 5G can be used as an ambient signal for backscattering communications for short ranges for typical sensor sizes. It is also observed that the range of communication is heavily dependent on the the size of the sensor.
On the Way to Improve Diagnostic Marker Panel for Acute Appendicitis in Adults: the Role of Calprotectin
Authors: Makaro Adam , Dziki Łukasz , Fichna Jakub , Włodarczyk Marcin 
Published: August 2021

AbstractCalprotectin is a positive acute-phase protein participating in innate immune responses and inflammatory processes. This protein is produced mainly in neutrophils, which infiltrate inflamed tissues and then increase the level of calprotectin in plasma, urine, or body secretions. Its measurement is used in the diagnosis of many inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we reviewed the studies evaluating the utility of calprotectin when the patient is suspected of acute appendicitis, one of the most common causes of abdominal pain. Fecal and serum calprotectin provide clinicians additional information as compared to routinely performed laboratory analyses. Moreover, among all forms of the protein, the fecal calprotectin seems to be a particularly promising biomarker due to its high resistance to degradation in the stool. In the future, innovative methods in the form of neural networks may play a valuable role in developing such panels. These findings are important because current literature showed that sensitive and specific markers of acute appendicitis are still urgently needed.
Investigation of remanufacturing technologies for medical equipment in the UK and context in which technology can be exported in the developing world
Authors: Oturu Kingsley , Ijomah WL , Broeksmit Alexander , Reig Daniel Hernandez , Millar Matthew , Peacock Craig , Rodger Jacob 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWith the lack of access to medical equipment clear to see throughout the developing world in comparison to the developed world, solutions to bridge the gap are key to reducing the inequality of healthcare between the two. It has been identified that healthcare systems in developed countries have a rapid turnover of medical imaging equipment (X-ray, MRI, CT scanners, etc.) due to the high rate of technological advancement. There is therefore a stockpile of used medical equipment that could still be of use in developing countries thanks to remanufacturing. The aim of this paper is to investigate the applicability of remanufacturing medical equipment with the intent of supplying said equipment to the countries that need it. This investigation provides a clearer picture of the feasibility of using remanufacture to supply developing countries with the medical imaging devices they require. This is done through studying current remanufacturing processes carried out in developed countries, whether that be directly through OEMs or third parties, and assessing how the methods used could be applied to developing countries. It is identified that remanufacturing practices could benefit developing countries not only by increasing access to diagnostic equipment, but also society as a whole by creating jobs for instance. A key remanufacturing stage that should initially be focused on is inspection as it helps to filter and select the medical devices that are most suited for the remanufacturing process.