bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health-related quality of life of early-stage breast cancer patients after different radiotherapy regimens
Authors: Jacobs Daphne H. M. , Charaghvandi Ramona K. , Horeweg Nanda , Maduro John H. , Speijer Gabrielle , Roeloffzen Ellen M. A. , Mast Mirjam , Bantema-Joppe Enja , Petoukhova Anna L. , van den Bongard Desirée H. J. G. , Koper Peter , Crijns Anne P. G. , Marijnen Corrie A. M. , Verkooijen Helena M. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate and compare health-related quality of life (HRQL) of women with early-stage breast cancer (BC) treated with different radiotherapy (RT) regimens.

Methods
Data were collected from five prospective cohorts of BC patients treated with breast-conserving surgery and different RT regimens: intraoperative RT (IORT, 1 × 23.3 Gy; n = 267), external beam accelerated partial breast irradiation (EB-APBI, 10 × 3.85 Gy; n = 206), hypofractionated whole breast irradiation(hypo-WBI, 16 × 2.67 Gy; n = 375), hypo-WBI + boost(hypo-WBI-B, 21–26 × 2.67 Gy; n = 189), and simultaneous WBI + boost(WBI-B, 28 × 2.3 Gy; n = 475).
Women ≥ 60 years with invasive/in situ carcinoma ≤ 30 mm, cN0 and pN0-1a were included. Validated EORTC QLQ-C30/BR23 questionnaires were used to asses HRQL. Multivariable linear regression models adjusted for confounding (age, comorbidity, pT, locoregional treatment, systemic therapy) were used to compare the impact of the RT regimens on HRQL at 12 and 24 months. Differences in HRQL over time (3–24 months) were evaluated using linear mixed models.

Results
There were no significant differences in HRQL at 12 months between groups except for breast symptoms which were better after IORT and EB-APBI compared to hypo-WBI at 12 months (p < 0.001). Over time, breast symptoms, fatigue, global health status and role functioning were significantly better after IORT and EB-APBI than hypo-WBI. At 24 months, HRQL was comparable in all groups.

Conclusion
In women with early-stage breast cancer, the radiotherapy regimen did not substantially influence long-term HRQL with the exception of breast symptoms. Breast symptoms are more common after WBI than after IORT or EB-APBI and improve slowly until no significant difference remains at 2 years posttreatment.
Shear modulus of single wood pulp fibers from torsion tests
Authors: Dauer M. , Wolfbauer A. , Seidlhofer T. , Hirn U. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe shear modulus of pulp fibers is difficult to measure and only very little literature is available on this topic. In this work we are introducing a method to measure this fiber property utilizing a custom built instrument. From the geometry of the fiber cross section, the fiber twisting angle and the applied torque, the shear modulus is derived by de Saint Venant’s theory of torsion. The deformation of the fiber is applied by a moving coil mechanism. The support of the rotating part consists of taut bands, making it nearly frictionless, which allows easy control of the torque to twist the fiber. A permanent magnet moving coil meter was fitted with a sample holder for fibers and torque references. Measurements on fine metal bands were performed to validate the instrument. The irregular shape of the fibers was reconstructed from several microtome cuts and an apparent torsion constant was computed by applying de Saint Venant’s torsion theory. Fibers from two types of industrial pulp were measured: thermomechanical pulp (TMP) and Kraft pulp. The average shear modulus was determined as (2.13 $${\pm }$$
±
0.36) GPa for TMP and (2.51 $${\pm }$$
±
0.50) GPa for Kraft fibers, respectively. The TMP fibers showed a smaller shear modulus but, due to their less collapsed state, a higher torsional rigidity than the kraft fibers.
A third-order weighted essentially non-oscillatory scheme in optimal control problems governed by nonlinear hyperbolic conservation laws
Authors: Frenzel David , Lang Jens 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) methods are popular and effective spatial discretization methods for nonlinear hyperbolic partial differential equations. Although these methods are formally first-order accurate when a shock is present, they still have uniform high-order accuracy right up to the shock location. In this paper, we propose a novel third-order numerical method for solving optimal control problems subject to scalar nonlinear hyperbolic conservation laws. It is based on the first-disretize-then-optimize approach and combines a discrete adjoint WENO scheme of third order with the classical strong stability preserving three-stage third-order Runge–Kutta method SSPRK3. We analyze its approximation properties and apply it to optimal control problems of tracking-type with non-smooth target states. Comparisons to common first-order methods such as the Lax–Friedrichs and Engquist–Osher method show its great potential to achieve a higher accuracy along with good resolution around discontinuities.
Different complex word problems require different combinations of cognitive skills
Authors: Strohmaier Anselm R. , Reinhold Frank , Hofer Sarah , Berkowitz Michal , Vogel-Heuser Birgit , Reiss Kristina 
Published: July 2021

AbstractMathematical word problem solving is influenced by various characteristics of the task and the person solving it. Yet, previous research has rarely related these characteristics to holistically answer which word problem requires which set of individual cognitive skills. In the present study, we conducted a secondary data analysis on a dataset of N = 1282 undergraduate students solving six mathematical word problems from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). Previous results had indicated substantial variability in the contribution of individual cognitive skills to the correct solution of the different tasks. Here, we exploratively reanalyzed the data to investigate which task characteristics may account for this variability, considering verbal, arithmetic, spatial, and general reasoning skills simultaneously. Results indicate that verbal skills were the most consistent predictor of successful word problem solving in these tasks, arithmetic skills only predicted the correct solution of word problems containing calculations, spatial skills predicted solution rates in the presence of a visual representation, and general reasoning skills were more relevant in simpler problems that could be easily solved using heuristics. We discuss possible implications, emphasizing how word problems may differ with regard to the cognitive skills required to solve them correctly.
On inferring population trends of mobile waterbirds from aerial transect surveys in variable environments
Authors: Caley Peter , Reid Julian R. W. , Colloff Matthew J. , Barry Simon C. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractMonitoring waterbird populations in Australia is challenging for reasons of counting logistics, and because population aggregation and dispersion can shift rapidly in response to large spatio-temporal variations in resource availability. The East Australian Waterbird survey has conducted annual, aerial, systematic counts of waterbirds over eastern Australia for almost 40 years. It was designed to monitor waterbird populations using design-based inference though for many species this form of inference appears inadequate in the face of these challenges. Here we develop a state-space model-based Bayesian approach that, in addition to explicitly incorporating process noise and observation uncertainty, uses random effects and rainfall-derived covariates to model the year-to-year variation in the proportion of the total (super) population that is present on surveyed wetlands, and available to be counted. We use this model-based approach to estimate the superpopulation size of 45 waterbird species annually, and model the rate of population increase as a function of antecedent rainfall. The results confirm the strong positive effect of antecedent rainfall on population growth rates for nearly all species, and illustrate that species respond to rainfall differently in terms of habitat use, which influences whether they are present on surveyed wetlands. For many species, the year-to-year variation in the estimated proportion of the population on surveyed wetlands is very high. The results have implications for making inferences on population trends from these data, with the ability to model the year-to-year sampling variation a key requirement before the rate of population increase can be estimated with any precision. This study illustrates how to progress this approach, and infers that under average rainfall conditions, the general trend is for estimated superpopulation rates of increase to be negative, though for only a few species is this occurring with strong belief.
Domestic versus foreign energy use: an analysis for four European countries
Authors: Camacho José A. , da Silva Almeida Lucas , Rodríguez Mercedes , Molina Jesús 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn order to adequately assess energy policies and set clear objectives, a key preliminary step is to know the energy use patterns of the different countries. This paper estimates the evolution of the total energy use over the period 1995–2015 in four European Union (EU) countries, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, and Spain, representative of two different energy patterns, the “Southern” one and the “Eastern” one. For doing so, we employ a Multi-Regional Input Output (MRIO) model. In difference with previous studies, in addition to differentiate between domestic and foreign use we distinguish whether this energy is produced domestically or abroad. The results obtained show a certain convergence in energy intensity across the four countries examined because of the radical transformations experienced by the Czech Republic and Hungary. Nonetheless, energy intensities are still substantially higher in Eastern than in Southern countries which confirms that the first group of countries have still a long road to go, especially regarding the incentives that their industries have to use energy efficiently. Taking our decomposition of total energy use, the reductions in total energy use were mainly caused by a high decrease in the importance of the domestic use of energy produced domestically. At the same time, a growing importance of the role played by the energy produced abroad was observed. These trends confirm the great importance of global value chains and the steady internalization of energy use. This methodology could be further applied to other countries.
Uncertainty Quantification in Image Segmentation Using the Ambrosio–Tortorelli Approximation of the Mumford–Shah Energy
Authors: Hintermüller Michael , Stengl Steven-Marian , Surowiec Thomas M. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe quantification of uncertainties in image segmentation based on the Mumford–Shah model is studied. The aim is to address the error propagation of noise and other error types in the original image to the restoration result and especially the reconstructed edges (sharp image contrasts). Analytically, we rely on the Ambrosio–Tortorelli approximation and discuss the existence of measurable selections of its solutions as well as sampling-based methods and the limitations of other popular methods. Numerical examples illustrate the theoretical findings.
Physiological constraints and the transition to growth: implications for comparative development
Authors: Dalgaard Carl-Johan , Madsen Jakob B. , Strulik Holger 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIt is a well known fact that economic development and distance to the equator are positively correlated variables in the world today. It is perhaps less well known that as recently as 1500 C.E. it was the other way around. The present paper provides a theory of why the ‘latitude gradient’ changed sign in the course of the last half millennium. In particular, we develop a dynamic model of economic and physiological development in which households decide upon the number and nutrition of their offspring. In this setting we demonstrate that relatively high metabolic costs of fertility, which may have emerged due to positive selection towards greater cold tolerance in locations away from the equator, would work to stifle economic development during pre-industrial times, yet allow for an early onset of sustained growth. As a result, the theory suggests a reversal of fortune whereby economic activity gradually shifts away from the equator in the process of long-term economic development. Our empirical results give supporting evidence for our hypothesis.
Parallel Simulation of Two-Dimensional Ising Models Using Probabilistic Cellular Automata
Authors: D’Autilia Roberto , Andrianaivo Louis Nantenaina , Troiani Alessio 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWe study the numerical simulation of the shaken dynamics, a parallel Markovian dynamics for spin systems with local interaction and transition probabilities depending on the two parameters q and J that “tune” the geometry of the underlying lattice. The analysis of the mixing time of the Markov chain and the evaluation of the spin-spin correlations as functions of q and J, make it possible to determine in the (q, J) plane a phase transition curve separating the disordered phase from the ordered one. The relation between the equilibrium measure of the shaken dynamics and the Gibbs measure for the Ising model is also investigated. Finally two different coding approaches are considered for the implementation of the dynamics: a multicore CPU approach, coded in Julia, and a GPU approach coded with CUDA.
Ascription of the differences between Germany and Uganda’s Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry sector greenhouse gas methodologies for inventory improvement
Authors: Mugarura Michael , Stümer Wolfgang , Dunger Karsten , Bolte Andreas , Ramlow Matt , Ackom Emmanuel , Röhling Steffi 
Published: July 2021

AbstractGermany, as an Annex I Party is expected to prepare and submit annual Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventories of emissions and removals, including Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF) sector. Uganda, a non-Annex 1 party, is institutionalizing a sustainable national GHG inventory system. The LULUCF sector is a key emission source and plays a vital role in these two countries’ GHG inventories. This research analyzes the differences between applied LULUCF methodologies in Uganda as a developing country and Germany as a developed country with a particular focus on the forestry sector. It further analyzes the root cause factors for the different approaches, existing gaps and gives recommendations for future inventory improvement. The intricate institutional, policy framework, expertise, and applied methodological approaches for carbon change estimations in biomass pools are analyzed. Uncertainty analysis and time-series consistency process is reviewed with regard to how the countries’ quality assurance/control (QA/QC) and verification approaches adhere to the transparency framework. Resource limitations and data collection challenges dictate that Uganda uses the tier 1 methodological approach for emissions inventory. Consolidation and institutionalization of the GHG process will improve inventory accuracy while enhancing adherence to climate commitments. Germany uses higher tiers. Besides, government support for planned improvements using the recently developed country-specific biomass functions for estimating belowground biomass of silver birch, oak, and Scotch pine tree species will be essential for improving inventory quality. Operationalization of the inventory plan (IP) will be critical in driving inventory improvements geared towards time-series consistency, comparability, and transparency.
Fast Blind Deblurring of QR Code Images Based on Adaptive Scale Control
Authors: Chen Rongjun , Zheng Zhijun , Pan Junfeng , Yu Yongxing , Zhao Huimin , Ren Jinchang 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWith the development of 5G technology, the short delay requirements of commercialization and large amounts of data change our lifestyle day-to-day. In this background, this paper proposes a fast blind deblurring algorithm for QR code images, which mainly achieves the effect of adaptive scale control by introducing an evaluation mechanism. Its main purpose is to solve the out-of-focus caused by lens shake, inaccurate focus, and optical noise by speeding up the latent image estimation in the process of multi-scale division iterative deblurring. The algorithm optimizes productivity under the guidance of collaborative computing, based on the characteristics of the QR codes, such as the features of gradient and strength. In the evaluation step, the Tenengrad method is used to evaluate the image quality, and the evaluation value is compared with the empirical value obtained from the experimental data. Combining with the error correction capability, the recognizable QR codes will be output. In addition, we introduced a scale control parameter to study the relationship between the recognition rate and restoration time. Theoretical analysis and experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has high recovery efficiency and well recovery effect, can be effectively applied in industrial applications.
Occupational Social Class and Earnings Inequality in Europe: A Comparative Assessment
Authors: Goedemé Tim , Nolan Brian , Paskov Marii , Weisstanner David 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWhile there is renewed interest in earnings differentials between social classes, the contribution of social class to overall earnings inequality across countries and net of compositional effects remains largely uncharted territory. This paper uses data from the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions to assess earnings differentials between social classes (as measured by ESeC) and the role of between-class inequality in overall earnings inequality across 30 European countries. We find that there is substantial variation in earnings differences between social classes across countries. Countries with higher levels of between-class inequality tend to display higher levels of overall earnings inequality, but this relationship is far from perfect. Even with highly aggregated class measures, between-class inequality accounts for a non-negligible share of total earnings inequality (between 15 and 25% in most countries). Controlling for observed between-class differences in composition shows that these account for much of the observed between-class earnings inequality, while in most countries between-class differences in returns to observed compositional variables do not play a major role. In all these respects we find considerable variation across countries, implying that both the size of between-class differences in earnings and the primary mechanisms that produce these class differences vary substantially between European countries.
Two Classes of Eruptive Events During Solar Minimum
Authors: Bhowmik P. , Yeates A. R. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractDuring solar minimum, the Sun is relatively inactive with few sunspots observed on the solar surface. Consequently, we observe a smaller number of highly energetic events such as solar flares or coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are often associated with active regions on the photosphere. Nonetheless, our magnetofrictional simulations during the minimum period suggest that the solar corona is still dynamically evolving in response to the large-scale shearing velocities on the solar surface. The non-potential evolution of the corona leads to the accumulation of magnetic free energy and helicity, which is periodically shed in eruptive events. We find that these events fall into two distinct classes: One set of events are caused by eruption and ejection of low-lying coronal flux ropes, and they could explain the origin of occasional CMEs during solar minimum. The other set of events are not driven by destabilisation of low-lying structures but rather by eruption of overlying sheared arcades. These could be associated with streamer blowouts or stealth CMEs. The two classes differ significantly in the amount of magnetic flux and helicity shed through the outer coronal boundary. We additionally explore how other measurables such as current, open magnetic flux, free energy, coronal holes, and the horizontal component of the magnetic field on the outer model boundary vary during the two classes of event. This study emphasises the importance and necessity of understanding the dynamics of the coronal magnetic field during solar minimum.
Humeanism in light of quantum gravity
Authors: Cinti Enrico , Sanchioni Marco 
Published: July 2021

AbstractQuantum Theory and Humeanism have long been thought to be incompatible due to the irreducibility of the correlations involved in entangled states. In this paper, we reconstruct the tension between Humeanism and entanglement via the concept of causal structure, and provide a philosophical introduction to the ER=EPR conjecture. With these tools, we then show how the concept of causal structure and the ER=EPR conjecture allow us to resolve the conflict between Humeanism and entanglement.
Eco-friendly highly efficient BN/rGO/TiO2 nanocomposite visible-light photocatalyst for phenol mineralization
Authors: Al-Kandari Shekhah , Abdullah Aboubakr M. , Al-Kandari Halema , Nasrallah Gheyath K. , Sharaf Mohammed A. , AlMarzouq Douaa S. , Mohamed Ahmed M. , Younes Nadin , Kafour Nada , Al-Tahtamouni Talal 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBoron nitride (BN) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) of different loadings were composited with commercial P25 TiO2 (Ti) through the hydrothermal method. The as-prepared nanocomposites were characterized using various techniques: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopies, and transmission and scanning electron microscopies. It was observed that 10% and 0.1% of BN and rGO, respectively, loaded on TiO2 (10BNr0.1GOTi) resulted in the best nanocomposite in terms of phenol degradation under simulated sunlight. A 93.4% degradation of phenol was obtained within 30 min in the presence of H2O2. Finally, to ensure the safe use of BNrGOTi nanoparticles in the aquatic environment, acute zebrafish toxicity (acutoxicity) assays were studied. The 96-h acute toxicity assays using the zebrafish embryo model revealed that the LC50 for the BNrGOTi nanoparticle was 677.8 mg L−1 and the no observed effect concentration (NOEC) was 150 mg L−1. Therefore, based on the LC50 value and according to the Fish and Wildlife Service Acute Toxicity Rating Scale, BNrGOTi is categorized as a “practically not toxic” photocatalyst for water treatment.