bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of physical activity on periodontal health in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A blinded, randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Wernicke K. , Grischke J. , Stiesch M. , Zeissler S. , Krüger K. , Bauer P. , Hillebrecht A. , Eberhard J. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectivesThe aim was to investigate the effect of physical activity on periodontal health and HbA1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) over a period of 6 months.Materials and methodsThirty-seven patients with non-insulin-dependent T2DM were included in the study. The intervention group (n=20) performed physical activity over a period of 6 months. The control group (n=17) did not receive any intervention. Baseline and final examinations included dental parameters and concentrations of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP).ResultsPhysical activity showed a positive effect on periodontal health. Both the BOP (p= 0.005) and the severity of periodontitis (p= 0.001) were significantly reduced in the intervention group compared to the control group. Furthermore, HbA1c levels were reduced (p= 0.010) significantly in the intervention group while hsCRP levels significantly increased in the control group (p= 0.04).ConclusionsWithin the limitations of this randomized, controlled trial, physical activity over a period of 6 months is a health-promoting measure for patients with T2DM and improves both periodontal health and HbA1c concentrations.
Impact of a defunctioning ileostomy and time to stoma closure on bowel function after low anterior resection for rectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Vogel I. , Reeves N. , Tanis P. J. , Bemelman W. A. , Torkington J. , Hompes R. , Cornish J. A. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Impaired bowel function after low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer is a frequent problem with a major impact on quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a defunctioning ileostomy, and time to ileostomy closure on bowel function after LAR for rectal cancer.

Methods
We performed a systematic review based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. Comprehensive literature searches were conducted using PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases for articles published from 1989 up to August 2019. Analysis was performed using Review Manager (version 5.3) using a random-effects model.

Results
The search yielded 11 studies (1400 patients) that reported on functional outcome after LAR with at least 1 year follow-up, except for one study. Five scales were used: the Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) score, the Wexner score, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre Bowel Function Instrument, the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life scale, and the Hallbook questionnaire. Based on seven studies, major LARS occurred more often in the ileostomy group (OR 2.84, 95% CI, 1.70–4.75, p < 0.0001: I2 = 60%, X2 = 0.02). Based on six studies, a longer time to stoma closure increased the risk of major LARS with a mean difference in time to closure of 2.39 months (95% CI, 1.28–3.51, p < 0.0001: I2 = 21%, X2 = 0.28) in the major vs. no LARS group. Other scoring systems could not be pooled, but presence of an ileostomy predicted poorer bowel function except with the Hallbook questionnaire.

Conclusions
The risk of developing major LARS seems higher with a defunctioning ileostomy. A prolonged time to ileostomy closure seems to reinforce the negative effect on bowel function; therefore, early reversal should be an important part of the patient pathway.
Cacao, copoazu and macambo: Exploring Theobroma diversity in smallholder agroforestry systems of the Peruvian Amazon
Authors: Lagneaux Elisabeth , Andreotti Federico , Neher Charlotte M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractOver the past decades, the general trend towards shade reduction and intensification of cacao management has led to biodiversity losses. In the Peruvian Amazon, the regional government is heavily promoting crop conversion to shift from regionally marketed foods towards cacao (Theobroma cacao) and copoazu (Theobroma grandiflorum). While this shift is already visibly impacting the farming landscape and the lives of many smallholder farmers, little is known about the reasons that drive farmers to choose certain types of Theobroma species or cacao varieties over others. In this paper, we addressed how cacao farmers perceive and manage specific and varietal Theobroma diversity. We interviewed cacao farmers (n = 20) during a seed-exchange fair and adapted a version of the four-square analysis to explore which Theobromas are currently adopted by farmers and why. The native cacao variety (cacao chuncho) was the one cultivated by most farmers, followed by the more industrial clonal varieties. The source of seeds and seedlings for the most cultivated varieties was a mix of donations by public institutions (for clonal varieties) and informal exchange among farmers (mainly for native and criollo varieties, and species i.e. macambo (Theobroma bicolor) and cacauillo (Theobroma speciosum)). The cacao varieties incentivized by public institutions were the least desired for future investment. The motivations for farmers to plant Theobromas was mainly based on the perceived current and potential market, but their desire to invest in a given species or variety was also based on pest resistance, traditional use, farm diversification and taste. Copoazu and CCN cacao varieties are produced by many households in large areas, while macambo, cacauillo and the cacao varieties TSH and porcelana are produced by few households in small areas. Our study suggests that agroforestry systems that include alternative Theobroma species are multi-strata and more diverse than cacao-based systems. It highlights the risks of agrobiodiversity loss associated with the promotion of industrial cacao varieties, and the importance of seed and seedling access for the development of diverse farming systems. We recommend the expansion of local seed-sharing networks and the extension of public cacao-donation campaigns to neglected and underutilized Theobromas with socio-economic and environmental benefits, in order to make the local farming systems more diverse and resilient.
A Refined Propensity Account for GRW Theory
Authors: Lorenzetti Lorenzo 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSpontaneous collapse theories of quantum mechanics turn the usual Schrödinger equation into a stochastic dynamical law. In particular, in this paper I will focus on the GRW theory. Two philosophical issues that can be raised about GRW concern (a) theontologyof the theory, in particular the nature of the wave function and its role within the theory, and (b) the interpretation of theobjective probabilitiesinvolved in the dynamics of the theory. During the last years, it has been claimed that we can take advantage of dispositional properties in order to develop an ontology for GRW theory, and also in order to ground the objective probabilities which are postulated by it. However, in this paper I will argue that the dispositional interpretations which have been discussed in the literature so far are either flawed or—at best—incomplete. If we want to endorse a dispositional interpretation of GRW theory we thus need an extended account which specifies the precise nature of those properties and which makes also clear how they can correctly ground all the probabilities postulated by the theory. Thus, after having introduced several different kinds of probabilistic dispositions, I will try to fill the gap in the literature by proposing a novel and complete dispositional account of GRW, based on what I callspontaneous weighted multi-track propensities.I claim that such an account can satisfy both of our desiderata.
Conditional Learning Deficits in Children with ADHD can be Reduced Through Reward Optimization and Response-Specific Reinforcement
Authors: De Meyer Hasse , Tripp Gail , Beckers Tom , van der Oord Saskia 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWhen children with ADHD are presented with behavioral choices, they struggle more than Typically Developing [TD] children to take into account contextual information necessary for making adaptive choices. The challenge presented by this type of behavioral decision making can be operationalized as a Conditional Discrimination Learning [CDL] task. We previously showed that CDL is impaired in children with ADHD. The present study explores whether this impairment can be remediated by increasing reward for correct responding or by reinforcing correct conditional choice behavior with situationally specific outcomes (Differential Outcomes). An arbitrary Delayed Matching-To-Sample [aDMTS] procedure was used, in which children had to learn to select the correct response given the sample stimulus presented (CDL). We compared children with ADHD (N = 45) and TD children (N = 49) on a baseline aDMTS task and sequentially adapted the aDMTS task so that correct choice behavior was rewarded with a more potent reinforcer (reward manipulation) or with sample-specific (and hence response-specific) reinforcers (Differential Outcomes manipulation). At baseline, children with ADHD performed significantly worse than TD children. Both manipulations (reward optimization and Differential Outcomes) improved performance in the ADHD group, resulting in a similar level of performance to the TD group. Increasing the reward value or the response-specificity of reinforcement enhances Conditional Discrimination Learning in children with ADHD. These behavioral techniques may be effective in promoting the learning of adaptive behavioral choices in children with ADHD.
Real-Time FPGA Implementation of Parallel Connected Component Labelling for a 4K Video Stream
Authors: Kowalczyk Marcin , Ciarach Piotr , Przewlocka-Rus Dominika , Szolc Hubert , Kryjak Tomasz 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn this paper, a hardware implementation in reconfigurable logic of a single-pass connected component labelling (CCL) and connected component analysis (CCA) module is presented. The main novelty of the design is the support of a video stream in 2 and 4 pixel per clock format (2 and 4 ppc) and real-time processing of 4K/UHD video stream (3840 x 2160 pixels) at 60 frames per second. We discuss several approaches to the issue and present in detail the selected ones. The proposed module was verified in an exemplary application – skin colour areas segmentation – on the ZCU 102 and ZCU 104 evaluation boards equipped with Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC devices.
Asymptotically Corrected Person Fit Statistics for Multidimensional Constructs with Simple Structure and Mixed Item Types
Authors: Hong Maxwell , Lin Lizhen , Cheng Ying 
Published: April 2021

Person fit statistics are frequently used to detect aberrant behavior when assuming an item response model generated the data. A common statistic, lz\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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The pricing of green bonds: external reviews and the shades of green
Authors: Dorfleitner Gregor , Utz Sebastian , Zhang Rongxin 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe investigate the asset pricing implications of the greenness of bonds. To estimate a green-pricing effect, we determine the ‘green bond premium’ as the difference between the yields of matched conventional and green-labeled bonds. On a cross-sectional average, green bonds experience a statistically significant positive premium. This premium increases with external greenness evaluations, i.e., investors accept premiums of up to 5 basis points for bonds with a substantial environmental agenda. This external validation effect, which is strongest for bonds that are rated dark-green, may offset not incurring information costs, as this effect decreases with increasing age of bonds.
Spatiotemporal distribution of Flavobacterium psychrophilum and ayu Plecoglossus altivelis in rivers revealed by environmental DNA analysis
Authors: Tenma Hinako , Tsunekawa Koki , Fujiyoshi Riho , Takai Hajime , Hirose Masae , Masai Nanami , Sumi Kosuke , Takihana Yuta , Yanagisawa Sogen , Tsuchida Kota , Ohara Kenichi , Jo Toshiaki , Takagi Masaki , Ota Akiko , Iwata Hiroyoshi , Yaoi Yuichi , Minamoto Toshifumi 
Published: April 2021

AbstractOutbreaks of bacterial cold-water disease (BCWD), caused by Flavobacterium psychrophilum, are widespread in Japan, especially among ayu Plecoglossus altivelis. There are few investigations of F. psychrophilum in river water, and its seasonal distribution has not been clarified. We aimed to identify the spatiotemporal dynamics of F. psychrophilum and ayu to provide information that is useful for establishing a countermeasure for BCWD. Quantitative analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) was used to clarify the year-round dynamics of ayu and F. psychrophilum. We sampled river water from the Nagara and Ibi rivers in Japan, and conducted monthly water sampling and eDNA quantification. Changes in the eDNA concentration of ayu were consistent with the known life histories of the fish. There was a strong negative correlation between the eDNA concentration of F. psychrophilum and water temperature, suggesting a strong dependence of F. psychrophilum dynamics in the river on water temperature. Furthermore, relatively high eDNA concentrations were recorded for both organisms in early summer and fall, suggesting that ayu is infected with F. psychrophilum during these seasons when experiencing up- and downmigration, respectively.
A multidimensional analysis of marine capture fisheries in China’s coastal provinces
Authors: Ding Qi , Shan Xiujuan , Jin Xianshi , Gorfine Harry 
Published: April 2021

AbstractChina (herein referred as China’s mainland, and excluding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) is the largest contributor to global seafood production. While China’s marine fisheries have been extensively documented, there is a gap in systematically quantifying production of its marine fisheries and the different challenges confronting them at the provincial level. We addressed this gap in spatial detail by providing a review that compares and contrasts the exploitation history of China’s fisheries at both the national and provincial levels based on official statistical data. We expanded upon this to explore aspects of bio-socio-economic challenges faced by the country’s 11 fishing provinces. Our analysis suggested that significant increases in domestic marine catches in China have been accompanied by escalating fishing power, which has had differential impacts at the provincial scale. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) sharply declined at both the national and provincial scales, and many traditionally targeted demersal fish stocks showed clear downward trends in terms of catches. The 11 fishing provinces in China can be grouped into four clusters with distinct biological, social, and economic attributes. Targeted measures are recommended accordingly when implementing fisheries management measures for each specific fishing province in order to deliver an overall improvement in the sustainability of China’s marine fisheries.
Admission and Survival Trends in Hedgehogs Admitted to RSPCA Wildlife Rehabilitation Centres
Authors: Burroughes Nicolette Dowler , Dowler Jonathan , Burroughes Guy 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) population is in decline in the UK and they are the most frequently admitted mammal to British Wildlife Rehabilitation Centres (WRCs). Whilst successful, UK rehabilitation is time-consuming and expensive and few large-scale studies into UK WRC admission and survival rates have been published in the last decade. This paper examines admission and survival trends in 19,577 hedgehogs admitted to Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals centres over a 13 year period (2005–2017) to gauge the state of Britain’s hedgehogs in WRCs and to gain indirect insight into the wild population. During the studied period, admissions more than doubled. Admission weights were greater in later than early litter juveniles. The survival improved 26% overall, and 33% in juveniles. Twenty two percent of animals died or were euthanased within 48 h of admission. Kaplan–Meier analysis gave survivor functions of 0.78 at 2 days, 0.66 at 10 days, 0.62 at 20 days, and 0.53 at 80 days. Survival was independent of admission weight in each age category. In particular, survival was greater in early litter juveniles than in adults or late litter juveniles; and across the breeding season diminished in juveniles and increased in adults. These data suggest factors impacting hedgehog survival have remained stable despite population decrease; that care methods have improved; and that late litters are more vulnerable than early. For WRCs this reaffirms that current methods are successful, but that further resources could be directed towards late litters.
The Iris Effect: A Review
Authors: Lindzen Richard S. , Choi Yong-Sang 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis study reviews the research of the past 20-years on the role of anvil cirrus in the Earth’s climate – research initiated by Lindzen et al. (Bull. Am. Meteor. Soc. 82:417-432, 2001). The original study suggested that the anvil cirrus would shrink with warming, which was estimated to induce longwave cooling for the Earth. This is referred to as the iris effect since the areal change hypothetically resembles the light control by the human eye’s iris. If the effect is strong enough, it exerts a significant negative climate feedback which stabilizes tropical temperatures and limits climate sensitivity. Initial responses to Lindzen et al. (Bull. Am. Meteor. Soc. 82:417-432, 2001) denied the existence and effectiveness of the iris effect. Assessment of the debatable issues in these responses will be presented later in this review paper. At this point, the strong areal reduction of cirrus with warming appears very clearly in both climate models and satellite observations. Current studies found that the iris effect may not only come from the decreased cirrus outflow due to increased precipitation efficiency, but also from concentration of cumulus cores over warmer areas (the so-called aggregation effect). Yet, different opinions remain as to the radiative effect of cirrus clouds participating in the iris effect. For the iris effect to be most important, it must involve cirrus clouds that are not as opaque for visible radiation as they are for infrared radiation. However, current climate models often simulate cirrus clouds that are opaque in both visible and infrared radiation. This issue requires thorough examination as it seems to be opposed to conventional wisdom based on explicit observations. This paper was written in the hope of stimulating more effort to carefully evaluate these important issues.
Illusionism about Phenomenal Consciousness: Explaining the Illusion
Authors: Shabasson Daniel 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAccording to illusionism, phenomenal consciousness is an introspective illusion. The illusion problem (Frankish 2016) is to explain the cause of the illusion, or why we are powerfully disposed to judge—erroneously—that we are phenomenally conscious. I propose a theory to solve the illusion problem. I argue that on the basis of three hypotheses about the mind—which I call introspective opacity, the infallibility intuition, and the justification constraint—we can explain our disposition, on introspection, to draw erroneous unconscious inferences about our sensory states. Being subject to the illusion of phenomenal consciousness consists in having this disposition. I explain our ‘problem intuitions’ about consciousness (Chalmers 2018)—that our sensory states bear phenomenal properties that are qualitatively like something with which we are directly acquainted that is ineffable, atomic, intrinsic (non-relational), private, and non-physical. I also address the illusion meta-problem (Kammerer 2019a), which is to explain why illusionism seems especially counterintuitive.